May 9th, 2019 Edition

St. LouiS AmericAn

Churches get out in St. Louis’ toughest streets to feed – and listen

By Rebecca Rivas

had three people come by. Now, a year and a half later, the North St. Louis church — located in the middle of one of the highest-crime neighborhoods in the region — breaks bread with about 200 to 300 people every Saturday. And it’s way more than hot dogs now — there are cakes, cookies, snow cones, bread, as well as clothes and social services.

The power of Thompson’s idea was in its simplicity — show the community you care and

participants

Stenger pleads guilty

By Rebecca Rivas Of The St. Louis American

n Stenger took steps to hide, conceal and cover up his illegal conduct and actions, including making false public statements.

Steve Stenger, the former St. Louis County executive, pleaded guilty in front of U.S. District Court Judge Catherine D. Perry on Friday, May 3 on three counts of theft of honest services, bribery and mail fraud. For Stenger’s crimes, the maximum possible penalty is not more than 20 years in prison, a fine of not more than $250,000 or both jail time and a fine. However, his total offense level in his guilty plea is 21 points and, according to federal sentencing guidelines, the suggested range for

By Will Ross For

of a report on effective city governance co-authored by Ambassador George Herbert (Bert) Walker and late U.S. Senator Tom Eagleton at the request of then-Mayor Freeman Bosley Jr. Walker eventually became the founder of Better Together, funding it with an initial gift of $100,000. I respect Walker’s work, and the City-County Governance Task Force borrowed heavily on his vision as we incorporated input from members of the St. Louis region and cities such as Nashville, Louisville, and Indianapolis that embraced regional

governance. That report, even with its flaws, provided a framework to address effective governance and the social ills that have plagued the St. Louis region.

However deep divisions across the region have precluded the serious debate needed to move the task force report forward. Since its release in January, there have been many criticisms of the task force report – some factual and some intentionally divisive. For instance, a careful reading of the Missouri Constitution will indeed reveal the

Photo courtesy of Better Family Life

St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell met with members of his leadership team on April 29.

Photo by Wiley Price

Photo by Wiley Price

People flocked to Forest Park on Saturday, May 4, 2019 as The Muny attempted to assemble enough

to break a world record for the largest dance class.

Will Ross

Kevin Hunter seeking alimony and child support from Wendy Williams

According to several outlets, Wendy Williams’ estranged husband Kevin Hunter is hoping to cash in on their impending divorce.

According to TMZ, Hunter filed his response to Wendy’s divorce petition, and according to the docs, obtained by TMZ, he wants her to pay him spousal support and also child support for their 18-year-old son, Kevin Jr.

He is also requesting that Williams be responsible for their son’s college expenses.

Williams filed for divorce last month after Hunter’s alleged mistress gave birth to a child – and he is believed to be the father.

Hunter was Williams’ personal manager and executive producer for her show. But in wake of the split, he has since been terminated.

No charges for Raz B

Last week B2K member Raz B was arrested in Minneapolis for allegedly physically assaulting his girlfriend.

According to TMZ.com, No charges will be filed.

“Raz was released without charges due to ‘lack of evidence,’” the celebrity news and gossip site said.

Did Usher settle with his herpes lawsuit accuser?

According to court documents obtained by TMZ.com, Usher Raymond has reached a settlement with accuser Laura Helm regarding the $20M lawsuit she filed against him for allegedly exposing her to the herpes virus.

“According to court docs, Laura filed to dismiss her suit earlier this week because she and Usher have “reached an amicable reso lution,’” TMZ.com said. “As to how much that resolution cost Usher – neither side will say. We reached out to attorneys for both sides, and they would only repeat that word: ‘amicable.’ The dis missal was filed with prejudice, meaning it can’t be refiled, and that’s typically done when there’s been a financial settlement.”

Helm filed suit against Raymond back in 2017 for $10M with claims he exposed her to the virus when they had unprotected sex. She filed to dismiss the case a few months later, then refiled it for $20M in 2018.

Salt-N-Pepa scratch Spinderella from group

Legendary DJ Spinderella took to her Instagram account to announce that rap duo Salt-N-Pepa booted her from the group at the beginning of the year via email, despite her image being used to promote the group’s featured performance as part of the New Kids On The Block tour that is currently underway.

“I am deeply saddened to share with all the Salt-N-Pepa and Spinderella fans that I will not be performing on the NKOTB Mixtape Tour,” Spinderella posted as a caption for a post that has since been deleted. “Despite my participation in promoting the tour and being highly publicized as one of the acts, in January 2019 I received a ‘termination’ email from Salt-NPepa excluding me from performances with the group. It was my expectation, after making that decision, that they would also take responsibility for sharing the news with the public and other affected parties.”

Spinderella said that Salt-N-Pepa have made no mention of her termination to the public.

“Out of love for my fans and a commitment to upholding a standard of

professionalism, I’ve taken it upon myself to let everyone know,” Spinderella said. “I refuse to participate in misleading fans, ticketholders and others who – based on all the advertising – were expecting to see the iconic Salt-NPepa and Spinderella trio. So, I’m making it clear now. Please know that you will have the opportunity to see me in other projects.”

Tamar Braxton drained from death of niece

According to an Instagram post, Tamar Braxton has been avoiding social media because she’s devastated about the passing of her close relative, Lauren “Lo Lo” Braxton the daughter of Michael Braxton Jr. “I’ve been M.I.A. because I just cannot bring myself to post about my niece. Like, I just can’t do it,” Tamar posted. “But what I did want to say is I want to thank everyone for sending their condolences,” Braxton said. “I don’t want my sisters or my family to get upset with me, but the things that have been going on – this is the first time that anybody in my family has passed. Nobody tell (sic) you about going to the [expletive] funeral. I don’t have time going to the funeral. I’m still drained from that ... It’s a lot. Everything happens in God’s divine order and you’ve got to respect it and praise him anyway.”

Lauren reportedly died from complications to do with a heart condition at age 24.

Sources: TMZ.com, Instagram.com, Celebretainment.com

DJ Spinderella

John Gaskin suspended as County NAACP president

National president cites actions on Title IX legislation, Better Together proposal

By Chris King

Of The St. Louis American

“You are directed to cease and desist immediately from holding yourself out as president of the St. Louis County Branch of the NAACP,” NAACP President and Chief Executive Officer Derrick Johnson wrote to John Gaskin III on Thursday, April 25. Johnson’s order came in the aftermath of Gaskin’s overwhelming public rejection for announcing the County NAACP’s endorsement of Better Together’s ballot initiative to merge St. Louis city and government – without disclosing he was a paid advocate for that position, as the St. Louis Post-Dispatch got Gaskin to confirm.

However, Johnson first upbraided Gaskin for endorsing state legislation that would amend Title IX law in Missouri – a change that would, Johnson wrote, “make it more difficult for survivors of sexual assault at Missouri’s state universities to come forward with their claims and have them adjudicated.”

Johnson wrote that Gaskin’s position on this legislation “conflicts with NAACP policy regarding implementation of Title IX of the Education Amendment Act of 1972 and its supporting regulations, which is reflected most recently in the NAACP’s January 2019 opposition to proposed rule changes at the federal level that would have largely the same effects as the proposed Missouri legislation.”

Johnson also chastised Gaskin for taking “this position without having consulted with the leadership of the Missouri State Conference or other units in the state, despite the fact that the proposed legislation would apply to all public universities,” and “without having obtained authorization or ratification

Photo by Wiley Price

John Gaskin III answered questions at the announcement of his appointment as St. Louis County NAACP president on November 9. He was suspended on Thursday, April 25.

of your actions from the branch’s Executive Committee, in apparent violation of the NAACP’s Bylaws for Units.”

Separately and more briefly, he noted that Gaskin had endorsed the Better Together proposal without disclosing that he had “accepted a paid position from an outside entity to advocate in support of the merger” until he was “confronted by a newspaper reporter following a press conference announcing your support of the merger.”

Johnson said that these actions present “a danger of irreparable harm to the association and the St. Louis County Branch” and “immediate action is necessary to mitigate that harm.” For that reason he suspended Gaskin as branch president “effective immediately, pending further action by the NAACP Board of Directors.”

Johnson said Gaskin had “20 calendar days from the postmark on the envelope containing

this letter” (April 25) to request a hearing and to provide any written response to the allegations. He told Gaskin he had only one week to turn over to branch 1st Vice President John Bowman “all branch records, keys and security codes for all NAACP property, all computer identification names and passwords, and all information regarding social media accounts used by or in the name of the branch.”

Gaskin did not return a request for comment from The American Gaskin was appointed president on November 9 when he was 26 years old.

“As a lifelong NAACPer,” he stated then, “I understand deeply that the work of the organization is done in the field at a grass roots level. I look forward to building coalitions and working more regionally with other groups that want to move our civil rights agenda forward.”

Better Together would decimate black representation

By State Rep. Maria Chappelle-Nadal

State Rep. Cora Faith Walker

State Rep. Raychel Proudie

State Rep. Kevin Windham Jr.

We can all objectively recognize that the current state of St. Louis city and county is unsustainable. The original sin of the City-County Divorce in 1876 has scarred our region. It has divided us economically, politically and morally. It has forced our municipalities to race each other to the bottom to compete for the scraps of economic development. It allowed wealthier and whiter communities to thrive, while poorer and blacker communities suffered. We can all see there is a need to change this reality, but the scheme being proposed by Better Together is not the plan that St. Louis needs. It in many ways exacerbates the inequities that exist today, dilutes the voices that would fight those inequities, and lets the rest of the state make that choice for us. In endorsing Better Together, John Gaskin and the St. Louis County NAACP betrayed their constituents.

The merger scheme concocted by Rex Sinquefield and his Better Together cohorts would decimate African-American representation in St. Louis. Combined with the redistricting plan proposed by Clean Missouri, the dismantling of AfricanAmerican political power will extend to Jefferson City.

With John Gaskin representing the needs of wealthy white business interests and diluted AfricanAmerican representation in government, who will be left to represent the needs of Black people in the St Louis region? To complete his betrayal of the community he was trusted to represent, shortly after endorsing the Better Together scam, Gaskin sold out the field hands so that he could move up to the big house by accepting a consulting job to push the Better Together proposal.

John Gaskin is a traitor to his constituency, and his actions are an abomination to the NAACP. Previous St. Louis County NAACP presidents have fought very hard to maintain African-American representation in the region. Past presidents have understood how historic and systemic racism has impacted black communities in St. Louis and how important black representation is in combating that racism.

Gaskin has obviously either forgotten or simply disregarded those lessons from our past and has deviated from the goal of preserving AfricanAmerican political influence.

Editorial /CommEntary

Post-Dispatch apologizes for reckless promotion of Stenger

We believe that the St. Louis Post-Dispatch owes the region an apology for the paper’s reckless promotion of a little-known political hopeful named Steve Stenger, who pled guilty to corruption charges after the paper’s strident effort to elect him as St. Louis County executive in 2014. Since the paper is withholding an apology, we have crafted one for it.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch would like to apologize to the public for its role in the elevation and election of Steve Stenger as St. Louis County executive. Stenger’s election in 2014 was enabled by his August 5 Democratic primary victory over incumbent Charlie Dooley. In that primary, we strongly endorsed Stenger. “Right now the county needs competent management,” we ended our endorsement. “Steve Stenger offers that.” However, we provided no evidence that Stenger offered competent management, which is a basic failure of persuasive argument. We supplied no evidence of his substantial experience competently managing a large staff or many departments, for Stenger had none.

This is all we could say on behalf of Stenger: “we acknowledge that for better or for worse, he is a lesser-known quantity. A lawyer and a CPA, he has the professional credentials to do the job. He provided a useful check on Mr. Dooley’s overreach on the parks budget and courthouse project. Being the anti-Dooley raised his political profile, but his public record is relatively thin.”

Notice that “the professional credentials to do the job” do not include evidence of competence or management, merely of training and experience in law and accounting. We even admitted we had “relatively thin” evidence about Stenger to go on.

Further, when we said of Stenger that being “the anti-Dooley raised his political profile,” we omitted to say that it was our newspaper that greatly helped to raise Stenger’s profile as “the anti-Dooley” and, in fact, the main credential Stenger had to offer was that he was not Dooley, the county’s first black chief executive.

As for “the parks budget and courthouse project,” those relate to missteps in Dooley’s administration, of which there were a number. The same could be said of another long-term elected Democrat, Francis G. Slay, but we never endorsed against Slay based on the many mistakes and disasters on his watch.

We stood by Slay through convicted corruption in his parks department, a towing scam under the police chief he championed,

a horrific ACLU report on the city jails, misdirection of affordable housing funds from the use tax, a fundraising email sent from a Board of Public Service email account, and a civil rights meltdown in the fire department that forced Slay to promote a functionary with almost no management experience to director of the city’s largest and most crucial department in an effort to defuse the appearance of racism.

Never did we attempt to hold Slay personally accountable for the many mistakes and crises in his administration. Yet our endorsement of Stenger over Dooley included a sidebar of links to the following past editorials from us: Charlie and the Metro garage,” “Charlie and his friends,” Charlie and the Children’s Services Fund,” “Charlie and the parks,” Charlie and the courthouse bonds,” “Charlie and the crime lab,” “Charlie and the chief,” “Charlie and the FBI report,” “Charlie and the ZMD,” “Charlie and the 1 percent donations.”

We apologize for accepting off-the-record allegations made by unreliable sources such as then-County Prosecutor Bob McCulloch, thenPolice Chief Tim Fitch and especially Stenger himself that Dooley was at the center of a net of corruption that federal authorities were about to close around him if we did not run him out of office first.

Further, we apologize for calling him “Charlie,” whereas Stenger and Slay were never “Steve” or “Francis.” We acknowledge that white people addressing a black man by his first name in a formal, public context harks back to slavery, when a black man had no last name a white person recognized other than his master’s. And we acknowledge that our political cartoon of Dooley that accompanied our endorsement – captioned “the buck stops here” – included a mocking, racist term for a black man, a black man our newspaper was, in fact, trying to stop.

For these reasons, in addition to the St. Louis region generally, we would like to single out the black community and Charlie Dooley in particular in making this apology.

Dooley may not have been the most competent manager, but we had no evidence whatsoever for our claim that Stenger would be one, and Stenger most certainly proved to be worse than incompetent. Further, we were dead wrong that Dooley was corrupt, as Stenger, McCulloch and Fitch convinced us. Rather, it was Stenger who was corrupt, and our newspaper had a large role in elevating and electing him. We regret the error.

The attention needed for survival

By Damon D. Major For The St. Louis American

I grew up in a small house with several siblings sharing everything, including rooms and beds. There was no luxury. But this literal confinement in a small space brought us closer together and taught me the value of community. This was crucial because as a black male growing up on the West Side of St. Louis, I didn’t have many immediate role models in the family. But we had a few role models in the community. These were strong black men who taught us valuable life lessons on how to be a man growing up in the ‘hood. These men were small business owners from West Side Barber Shop, school teachers and principals at Laclede School, and the few dads we had on Highland Street.

Another important factor that has contributed to my success is my mother. My mother had me at a very young age and took me with her everywhere she went. She did not have a vehicle and the fact that she was so young made that task more difficult, but not impossible. She took me to school with her when she was attending Forest Park Community College working on her Associate’s Degree. Whether it was a cold, hot, or rainy, my mother would not miss school; we stood at that bus stop and gracefully got on the bus to school. Her dogged determination and sheer will power motivates me to this day

to strive for success.

My grandmother was another source of inspiration for my drive to succeed. This lady worked so hard to provide for her family and was able to feed a house of 7-10 people with only a grade school education.

I drew more inspiration from my aunt, Glenda, who graduated with honors from Lindenwood University in the early 1980s, when minorities were only a small percentage and experienced racism on all levels. Glenda later went on to Saint Louis University where she graduated with honors as well.

West Side Barber Shop was another location in my community that provided role models. This was a safe place that provided real education on life. This barber shop was a place where you could come

n West Side Barber Shop was a place where you could come and spend hours and laugh and cry and get the male attention needed for survival.

and spend hours and laugh and cry and get the male attention needed for survival. The men there would put you in your place when your mom needed that extra help from a male figure, and it was accepted. It was common for men to just come in and visit to catch up or small talk.

All that said, my neighborhood is not what it once was, which is another reason that drives me to do better. Drugs and violence have replaced all the good qualities

As I See It - A Forum for Community Issues

Local control is under attack, in rural and urban Missouri

By Rhonda Perry and Jamala Rogers For The St. Louis American

Coming from two diverse places and backgrounds, our organizations (Organization for Black Struggle and Missouri Rural Crisis Center) are bringing people together from our respective communities to identify our commonalities and mutual values and to work together for policies that positively affect Missouri families, urban and rural, workers and farmers.

It’s clear the deck has been stacked against working and farming families in Missouri. Our communities have been devastated by years of policies that put narrow ideology, big donors and multi-national corporations before the needs of Missouri families and communities.

This is why our organizations are working together. We organized successful campaigns on Amendment 1 (CLEAN Missouri) and Proposition B, fortified by the determination of many others around the state. Both were enthusiastically supported by Missouri voters (urban and rural) by a twoto-one margin, and in some areas of St. Louis the measures received 80 percent of the vote.

We had to take these issues to the ballot because our state legislators refuse to address many of the issues affecting a large swath of Missourians and oftentimes create polices that undermine our local success.

In 2015, the St. Louis Board of Aldermen passed a staggered increase in the minimum wage to $11/hour. The increase was the result of the Fight for $15 campaign and withstood a legal challenge in 2017 by lobbyists of the restaurant industry.

Then lobbyists in our state capitol convinced our state legislature to override the local minimum wage ordinance and take away the right to local control.

Our legislature’s blatant disregard of the will of the

that kept us together in the old days. So, I worked hard to succeed in life and get out.

Currently, I am working on my Masters in Education at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, with plans on pursuing my doctorate soon after. After that, I hope to lead a non-forprofit organization working on youth violence.

Growing up in a resourcedeprived setting, where neighbors and close friends died of drug overdose and gun violence and others suffered from lack of opportunity and resources, this issue is close and personal to me. Working on issues of equity and getting the resources necessary to reduce the scourge of violence and drugs is paramount.

My ultimate goal is to work on addressing and reducing some of the social determinants of health that are at the root of the pervasive violence and drugs in our community. This is not new to my family and me. Many of us have been working on this issue in different capacities, including St. Louis City Hall, St. Louis County, law enforcement, and health departments. We must continue to fight and become the needed role models for our community.

Damon D. Major is the coordinator for Project RESTORE (Reconciliation and Empowerment to Support Tolerance and Race Equity) at Saint Louis County Department of Public Health.

“Homegrown Black Males” is a partnership between HomeGrown STL at the Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis and The St. Louis American, edited by Sean Joe, Benjamin E. Youngdahl Professor and associate dean at the Brown School, and Chris King, managing editor of The American, in memory of Michael Brown.

citizens and our local control was met with voter outrage and spurred a ballot initiative petition. Over 120,000 signatures were collected to put Prop B on the November ballot.

The ballot measure, which increases Missouri’s minimum wage to $12 by 2023, passed statewide by a 62 percent to 38 percent margin.

After voters saw how corporate lobbyists influenced their state lawmakers, they knew something had to change. In response, our organizations and allies took the issue directly to voters to make our state government more transparent, limit the power of big money in our legislature, and make sure we can hold our elected representatives accountable to the people and communities they are supposed to represent.

CLEAN Missouri, a constitutional amendment, passed statewide by a 62 percent to 38 percent margin.

Now, in an unbelievable show of abusive power, Missouri legislators are taking a wrecking ball to these decisive democratic victories attempting to undo these democratic votes. The fact that lawmakers are ignoring the will of voters is shameful and an affront to democracy.

Rural Missouri is fighting back on the farming front.

Local control is being threatened by the state legislature and corporate agricultural lobbyists. They want to leave Missouri family

Letters to the editor

Tainted together

It was a turbulent week in the St. Louis region following the National NAACP’s suspension of St. Louis County NAACP President John Gaskin III and the federal indictment and resignation of County Executive Steve Stenger.

With that being said, it is in the best interest of our city and region that the Better Together ballot initiative be withdrawn immediately.

The conversation surrounding Better Together is no longer about the controversial proposal itself, but the controversies of the people involved. These distractions rob our citizens of the fair and thoughtful discussion we deserve regarding regional unification.

Simply put, the Better Together proposal has been tainted by these developments and it must be pulled back and revisited at a later date after a more transparent, inclusive, and collaborative process.

State Senator Jamilah Nasheed St. Louis

Out-of-control gun violence

Doing the same thing over and over is the definition of crazy. This applies to the outof-control gun violence in our city. We need to do something we are not doing. I understand Alderman Brandon Bosley’s

farmers and rural citizens defenseless by taking away the right to protect themselves from unaccountable, absentee and foreign corporations that are bent on controlling the food supply and making profits at any cost. Why? They would rather have decisions being made where their money and lobbyists have the biggest impact – at the state and federal levels. It seems that democracy is being re-defined as a pay-toplay game.

Senate Bill 391 would strip local control from all rural counties, exposing family farmers to the negative impacts of corporate-controlled factory farms. It is an attempt to force industrial livestock operations into our communities with no accountability by taking away every avenue we have as Missourians and Americans to protect ourselves, our land and our way of life.

Factory farms create millions of gallons of waste, dead animals, and degradation of our water and air. Most are controlled by entities that are not based in Missouri or even in the U.S.

Twenty rural counties have passed health ordinances to protect their communities from factory farms, including common-sense protections for our health, communities, and wells and water sources. Many of these local safeguards have been in place for decades, protecting the air and water and family farmers and rural citizens that have lived there for generations. Our elected representatives should be working to protect the majority of Missourians, instead of a small elite minority. The Missouri legislature’s attacks on our fundamental rights as citizens will not go unchallenged. Rhonda Perry is a farmer from Howard County Missouri and the program director of Missouri Rural Crisis Center. Jamala Rogers is the executive director of Organization for Black Struggle.

call for the National Guard, as living in the Wild, Wild, West of gun violence is cannot be tolerated. While I am a strong advocate of individual liberties, maybe “Stop n’ Frisk” is needed under our current conditions. I have been a strong vocal supporter of President of the Board of Aldermen Lewis Reed’s call for Operation Ceasefire, yet those who could make it happen don’t. Operation Ceasefire has dramatically reduced gun violence in other cities. If a two-year-old can be shot and killed and we don’t change what we are doing, shame on us all.

James Sahaida St. Louis

Columnist

Damon D. Major HomEgrown BlaCk malEs

Guest Columnist Rhonda Perry Columnist Jamala Rogers

Reporting live from U. City schools

The School District of University City produces a monthly student-led newscast, SDUC News, that is posted on the district’s YouTube channel and website. Currently, there are seven University City High School students involved in the production, with immediate plans to include middle school students. Each episode is approximately 5-10 minutes and features stories published on the district website, as well as stories published in the UCity PRIDE newsletter. To view the most recent newscast, visit: www. ucityschools.org/sducnews.

Maline

Greenway opening celebration May 9

Great Rivers Greenway and St. Louis County Parks invite area residents to celebrate the opening of the Maline Greenway in North St. Louis County at a ribbon cutting on Thursday, May 9 in Bella Fontaine County Park. The event is being held in conjunction with St. Louis County’s Food Truck Fest from 5-8 p.m. This project creates 1.6 miles of the planned seven-mile Maline Greenway, an east-west link that will connect the Mississippi and St. Vincent Greenways. This phase was built primarily within Bella Fontaine County Park and includes new and refurbished, ADA-accessible walking and biking paths and the replacement of three bridges. There is also a new underpass beneath Highway 367/Lewis & Clark Boulevard, connecting both sides of the park and two Metro transit stops. Additional improvements include a new rain garden and streambank restoration along Maline Creek to help improve water quality and reduce erosion. Construction was coordinated with MSD to coincide with planned improvements to the waste and storm water infrastructure. There is also new landscaping including more than 300 trees and shrubs and new seating areas.

Lincoln Commencement returns to Dwight T. Reed Stadium

Lincoln University’s Class of 2019 will enjoy returning to a bit of history. Commencement will be held on Saturday, May 12 at 10 a.m. in Dwight T. Reed Stadium. The university began holding Commencement in The LINC after its opening in May 2017, but students wished to return to old traditions. “Our students who will transition to alumni on that day have been communicating with me since early on in this academic year their desire to return to this bit of history,” said Lincoln University President Jerald Jones Woolfolk. “I am in agreement with them.” In the case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved to Robert and Charlene Mitchell Auditorium in Richardson Fine Arts Center. Livestreaming will be available at www.lincolnu.edu/live-stream.

You heard it here first

By Jamala Rogers For The St. Louis American

Over the 25 years of writing my column, readers have told me what they learned from my columns. I know that we don’t always have time to read many different viewpoints to come up with our own conclusions, so I work hard to present both information and knowledge. The goal is once readers have either or both, that will be motivation to act.

Information is the numbers, the raw data, the facts. Fact: Per capita, St. Louis is the 11th highest policed city in the U.S. Knowledge happens when you combine information with analysis and experience. Knowledge: Based upon my decades of organizing around police violence and crime, adding more police officers to the mix will not effectively address public safety or police accountability.

Here are some issues you said that either you never heard of before I wrote about them or had a deeper understanding of as a result of my article.

Robert Rayford, an African-American teen in St. Louis, is believed to be the first HIV-related death in 1969. The Griot Museum of Black History and Culture will commemorate Rayford and all the caregivers and trailblazers in the HIV/AIDS arena on Saturday, May 11.

The first domestic bombing came in 1921 to Tulsa’s successful black business district known as Black Wall Street. It was part of the racist terrorism experienced by black communities post-Reconstruction and into the 20th century. It’s taken a while but that piece of hidden history has been elevated in the last 20 years. There is now a commemorative museum and other efforts to preserve history and to give context to the senseless deaths of 26 African Americans.

The second domestic bombing of yet another black neighborhood came on May 13, 1985 when then-Mayor Goode and the Philly police decided that the best way to deal with the naturalist group MOVE was to declare them terrorists and to bomb their home.

I distinctly remember the warning before the aerial bombs were dropped: “Attention, MOVE: this is America!” The ill-planned act of terror leveled a city block of homes. Eleven people died in the inferno, including five children. Those who attempted to come out of the burning building were met with a hail of police bullets. This tragic anniversary is coming up soon.

Before they saw the concept in my column, many readers had never heard of the Electoral College (definitely not a place of higher learning). The antiquated institution has received more attention in the last few election cycles. We are seeing and hearing more serious discussions about how to deal with the Electoral College, which is a deterrent to real democracy.

One of the root causes of people fleeing Mexico and other South American countries is the drug trade and other negative impacts on those countries’ economies by the U.S., like the North American Trade Agreement. The insatiable demand for drugs by people in this country is fueling the growth of the powerful drug cartels. Drugs are an integral part of the economy where poor people have to make difficult decisions to survive. In short, US policies have forced the mass exodus of humanity at the southern border who are seeking a safe environment for their families.

Let me know of a fact or information that you heard for the first time in one of my columns. Let’s keep sharing information that builds upon our collective knowledge.

Jamala Rogers

BELL

Continued from A1 of confinement. In Lisbon they will learn about models of decriminalization and public health responses to drug use.

The trip is paid for by Fair and Just Prosecution, which “brings together newly elected local prosecutors as part of a network of leaders committed to promoting a justice system grounded in fairness, equity, compassion, and fiscal responsibility,” according to a release.

Miriam Aroni Krinsky, founder and executive director, explained to The American why she kept pursuing Bell when he was initially reluctant to leave the county (and country) so early in his term – particularly in a region where black elected officials who travel to gain new perspectives tend to get attacked in the mainstream media.

“The U.S. has the highest incarceration rate in the world, and Missouri’s incarceration rate is even higher than the national one. Germany and Portugal offer a different paradigm for reducing incarceration, embracing public health models and prioritizing diversion – and there’s no substitute for seeing these systems in person,” Krinsky told The American

“Wesley Bell is part of a generation of inspiring new leaders committed to bringing new thinking to the justice system; that is why we felt he could benefit from this invaluable opportunity to see a different starting point in action, and we have no doubt he will put what he learns abroad to good use in promoting reforms that benefit the St. Louis community.”

Bell told The American that Krinsky convinced him that outside perspectives could help him improve criminal justice in the St. Louis region.

“Part of what got us in

this situation in this region was not looking to the outside,” Bell told The American “We get caught in our own culture and don’t look at what other jurisdictions do right or wrong. The county has debtors’ prisons, and we have that culture in part because of a lack of looking at other jurisdictions.”

Fair and Just Prosecution explained why these destinations were choses in a release.

“After making a deliberate choice to reduce incarceration in recent decades, Germany now diverts almost all people away from prison. Germany’s system also treats kids like kids with a strong focus on rehabilitation and places human dignity at the center of its correctional philosophy,” Fair and Just Prosecution stated.

“Portugal similarly has embraced a different criminal justice starting point than the U.S. and decriminalized all drugs in 2001. This policy shift resulted in significant reductions in Portugal’s drugrelated death toll and produced other positive public health outcomes – and offers a dramatic rebuttal to the “War on Drugs” thinking that has permeated past justice system choices in the U.S.” Bell is looking forward to learning from his fellow travelers – especially Krasner from Philadelphia and Rollins from Boston – as much as from the systems in Germany and Portugal.

“I am looking forward to picking the brains of other prosecutors across the country and looking at more ideas and reforms and then bringing them back to St. Louis County to improve the region,” Bell told The American Until he returns on May 17, Bell will remain in contact with Chief of staff Sam Alton and other members of his leadership team, including Mike Wolff and Robert Steele. “Those primary individuals will be making decisions through me,” Bell said. And, he emphasized, “It’s not going to cost the county any money.”

Break a leg

requirement of a statewide vote to restructure municipal courts and police districts. Nonetheless and most importantly, the community has spoken on the importance of a racial equity lens in restructuring the St. Louis region, and we have heard them. Race and racism permeate all forms of life in our fair city and county. I personally believe there is merit in having a strong mayoral system and a large, inclusive metro council to govern a metro city that can allocate resources across the region according to need. However, our longstanding history of structural racism, segregation, and discrimination leads the African-American community to doubt whether the newly envisioned form of government would truly function in its best interest. That skepticism is justifiable, and we can only allay the deepseated distrust by creating a structure of governance that ensures no one in our region is disenfranchised.

The recent, fast-moving developments –including the indictment, resignation and guilty plea of County Executive Steve Stenger and the revelation that St. Louis County NAACP President John Gaskin III had been hired by Better Together’s advocacy arm Unite STL when he announced his endorsement of Better Together – have indicated the need for a pivot and deep reflection on how to move this region forward.

As someone deeply invested in the health and stability of our region, I feel this is a good time for all of us to work in a forward-thinking, collaborative manner to construct a governance model that reflects the genuine concerns of the African American community. Concurrently, we must gain the trust of all citizens in our region who yearn for meaningful change. There is much at stake for the St. Louis region. This may be the only time in my lifetime when there will be an opportunity to fundamentally reshape this region by undoing the myopic, ill-fated 1876 Missouri constitutional amendment that severed St. Louis city from the county. I still think we can do this. However, we must do so in a manner that is transparent and inclusive, that provides accountability, and earns the trust of the full body politic. We can no longer afford to chisel around the edges in incremental fashion to fix the problems in our region. The easy things have been done. For the sake of St. Louis, let us roll up our sleeves and start doing the hard work, with passion, trust, and integrity.

Will Ross, MD, MPH, a member of Better Together’s City-County Governance Task Force, is associate dean for Diversity Programs, a professor of medicine, and the principal officer for Community Partnerships at Washington University School of Medicine.

Photo by Wiley Price

Brenda Thomas takes part in the Muny’s attempt to set a new record for the world’s largest dance class on Saturday, May 4, 2019.

GRILL

Continued from A1

the crime rate will naturally decrease. In fact, St. Louis Police Chief John Hayden told the church that its efforts had helped lower crime in the area by 30 percent.

“We spend a lot of time working in the church, but it’s high time we start doing the work of the church,” Thompson said. “And that is to get out into the highways and byways, because we have people who are not going to show up at our Bible study.”

Leonard Missionary Baptist teamed up with social-service organization Better Family Life Inc. to make this a model for all the 112 churches in an area in North city where 67 percent of the city’s violent crime occurs, dubbed “Hayden’s rectangle.” The area is bounded by West Florissant Avenue to the north, Dr. Martin Luther King Drive to the south, Vandeventer Avenue to the east, and Goodfellow Boulevard to the west.

The St. Louis American reached out to Hayden about the effort and did not receive a response by press time.

On Saturday, May 4, more than 40 North St. Louis churches participated in the kick-off of Grill to Glory, where churches have committed to grill hot dogs outside for the community every Saturday from 11 a.m. to

STENGER

Continued from A1 to address inequities and corruption.

Among his crimes was orchestrating a “sham” consulting contract of $130,000 to improve the county’s image after the Ferguson unrest –to which the contractor, his political donor, did no work, the federal investigation found and Stenger admitted. The guilty plea is the result of a federal investigation that began during March 2018 and remains active and ongoing. The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Postal Inspection Service, with the assistance of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations.

“The events of this week –including the unsealing of the grand jury’s indictment, the resignation of the defendant as St. Louis County executive,

1 p.m. And more churches are expected to start this weekend. The initiative’s first weekend was a success, said James Clark, vice president of community outreach for Better Family Life.

“It has done exactly what it was intended to do, which was to begin to usher in the era of the neighborhood church,” Clark said. “This can restore St. Louis neighborhoods. The police department, they can’t do it. Elected officials, they have a role to play. But the best-positioned and the last pillar standing is the neighborhood church.” Grill to Glory helps to

and today the defendant’s guilty plea to all charges in the indictment – should send a message that the Department of Justice and federal law enforcement will not tolerate public corruption at any level of government,” said Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney Reginald Harris. According to court documents, beginning in October 2014 and continuing through December 31, 2018, Stenger and various individuals and companies participated in five schemes to defraud St. Louis County citizens.

“It was a pay-to-play scheme that involved bribes, paid through political donations in exchange for his official acts in directing others to award contracts – either through St. Louis County or the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership,” said Hal Goldsmith, assistant U.S. Attorney. In four different schemes, Stenger, in exchange for campaign donations and

build trust between the church and the community, he said, so people can turn to the church for services. Better Family Life has been “very intentional” about helping these churches create gun violence de-escalation centers and trauma centers within their walls, so the churches can be the ones to address the community’s needs. The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis is teaming up to equip the churches with services as well.

“These people out here need us,” said Deacon Timothy Watson, who runs Leonard Missionary Baptist’s Saturday

several fundraising events, took official action to ensure that John Rallo and his companies got grants or contracts through St. Louis County. Those included insurance contracts and a sham consulting contract for post-Ferguson public relations .

Rallo and his other company, Cardinal Creative Consulting, obtained a $130,000 consulting contract through the St. Louis County Port Authority in 2016. The indictment documents a conversation between Stenger and Chief of Policy Jeff Wagener, where Stenger talks about the consulting contract being “PR rehab for the county” after the Ferguson unrest. Montel Williams was to be the spokesman.

The indictment alleges and Stenger admitted that “Rallo and Cardinal Consulting did no actual work under the consulting agreement.”

Rallo allegedly made up falsified information during his monthly reports to the Port Authority’s board. The

fellowships. “They got something to say; they need someone to say it to. Where are they going to go if they can’t come to the church? So we have to get outside and let them know they’re welcome.”

Every Saturday, Watson said, they attract a lot of children — hence the snow cone machine. But they have also been getting more and more young adults.

“We get them tattooed-up, gold in their mouths, pants sagging,” Watson said. “One will come, and they’ll bring six more. They will fellowship every Saturday.”

He has noticed that their

indictment also claims two other “trustees” were paid out of the contract, even though they also did no work.

Stenger also pled guilty to ensuring that John Rallo and his company, Wellston Holdings, LLC, obtained options to purchase two properties in Wellston, Missouri which were held by the Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority of St. Louis County during 2016 and 2017. Rallo’s partner on this deal was also a “trustee.”

conversations have started to change, and they smile more when they come.

“These kids, no one’s talking to them,” Watson said. “They’ve been written off. That’s there mindset, ‘Ain’t nobody care about me.’ The more that you show that you care about them, the more they’ll put their guns down.”

When Pastor Michael Franks of New Salem Baptist Church heard about the Grill to Glory initiative a month ago, he said his church got started right away.

“We thought it was so important that some things just can’t wait,” Franks said.

The indictment reports conversations between Rallo and Sheila Sweeney, the chief executive of the St. Louis Economic Partnership, where she allegedly advised Rallo on how to win the bid on a Wellston property – including the amount to bid in order to beat out his competition.

Stenger took steps to hide, conceal and cover up his illegal conduct and actions, including making false public statements, the plea agreement states and Stenger admitted.

Dream Center at 4324 Margaretta Ave. participated in the Grill to Glory initiative on Saturday, May 4.

“We found out that our neighbors said, ‘Thank you,’ because people want to know somebody cares. We don’t just want to be a building in the neighborhood. We want to be part of the community. How do you become part of the community? You got to go outside and meet and eat and break bread.”

Better Family Life is also helping the churches to host a job fair series. On Thursday, May 9, Fountain Temple Church of God in Christ will host a neighborhood employment event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1138 Bayard Ave.

“Steve Stenger benefitted himself at the expense of St. Louis County citizens by accepting financial gain in exchange for official action,” said Richard Quinn, special agent in charge of the FBI St. Louis Division.

“The FBI will continue to investigate and hold accountable public officials who betray the trust of the St. Louis communities they serve. Our citizens deserve nothing less.”

The St. Louis

Photo courtesy of Better Family Life

Better Together defeated by its own political amateurism

By Mike Jones

Of The St. Louis American

In 1992 David Halberstam

wrote a new introduction for the 20th anniversary edition of “The Best and the Brightest.”

He wrote that his favorite passage of the book was a conversation between Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson and House Speaker Sam Rayburn. Johnson was effusive in his praise of the intellectual brilliance of President Kennedy’s cabinet. “You may be right, and they may be every bit as intelligent as you say,” Rayburn responded, “but I’d feel a whole lot better about them if just one of them had run for sheriff once.”

“The Best and the Brightest” is the story about how brilliant, successful, well-intentioned but politically inexperienced men created the American disaster known as the Vietnam War. Applying this lesson to

the latest attempt to restructure the government of St. Louis city and county does much to explain the demise of Better Together, which has withdrawn its ballot petition but vowed to try again.

If you asked informed St. Louis political actors to name the senior staff of Better Together, they couldn’t do it if their life depended on it. The same would be true for the members of its task force. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but they are not entitled to impose that opinion on the public. When you propose to offer your opinion for public consideration, the public has a right to ask: who are you, and why should your opinion be given serious consideration?

If you want to know what kind of experience is needed to be the architect of a government, consider the drafters of the Unites States Constitution. Most Americans

believe the United States was founded by your average yeoman farmer, who took some time to fight a war of independence, drafted a constitution for a new republic, then returned to the farm. The reality is totally different.

They weren’t in Philadelphia to create a new government but to fix a broken one.

The Constitution is their fix to the Articles of Confederation.

The white men who assembled in Philadelphia in the summer of 1789 were many things, but they were all seasoned, cold-blooded political operators, with deep experience in governing.

Eight of them had signed the Declaration of Independence. Twenty-five had served in the Continental Congress, which was the governing body for

the 13 colonies during the American Revolution. Fifteen helped draft state constitutions for the newly independent colonies. Forty served in the Confederation Congress, the national legislative body for the newly independent British colonies. There were no political amateurs in Philadelphia in the summer of 1789. While not framers of the U.S. Constitution, there are people in St. Louis with extraordinary knowledge of the structural inadequacies of city and county government and how these deficiencies impede the effective operation of government. There are people with well-informed ideas about what can and should be done differently.

The region’s former mayors and county executives represent

a unique resource. When you add the people who served them as senior policy and operational executives, you have a diverse, comprehensive first-person overview of every facet of city and county government. This is the kind of experience you should want in the room when redrawing the map of local government.

This helps to explain the demise of Better Together.

No one associated with this project has served as an elected executive. None has served as senior policy or operational staff in the office of an elected executive at any level in the last several decades. In today’s political environment we confuse campaign operatives with political professionals skilled in the art of governing. Better Together consisted of well-meaning amateurs and operatives.

There is another critically important skill that can only be developed in government: turning an idea or proposal into policy and practice. Even if the Better Together idea had merit, their incompetence at developing a consensus and forming the coalition necessary to execute its proposal was a function of their inexperience and a lack of the required political skill set.

Politics and professional

sports have a great deal in common, in that they both are performed in public, covered by media 24/7, and have large, active fan bases. In sports and politics, anyone can observe the action, but unless you have been a player, you don’t have a clue about the inside game. In both politics and professional sports, what you observe is the result of the players’ intellectual understanding of how the game is supposed to be played in that moment.

To continue the sports analogy, this Better Together team hasn’t even played high school ball, let alone on a professional farm team. Nobody in their right mind would trust them with restructuring a professional franchise in a diehard sports town like St. Louis.

Mike Jones is a former senior staffer in St. Louis city and county government and current member of the Missouri State Board of Education and The St. Louis American editorial board. In 2016 and 2017, he was awarded Best Serious Columnist for all of the state’s large weeklies by the Missouri Press Association, and in 2018 he was awarded Best Serious Columnist in the nation by the National Newspapers Association.

New mayor, old problems in East St. Louis

On May 1, the era of East St. Louis mayor Robert Eastern III began in East Boogie. Fresh from an election in which he defeated Mayor Emeka Jackson-Hicks by nearly 1,000 votes, his “Heart for the People” ticket swept him into office on a promise of progressive change.

Congratulations to Mayor Eastern on a landslide victory –or, should I say, congratulations cousin Bobby? I’ve been told by family members that we’re related. Yet, I’ve never received a plausible explanation as to how that plays out on our family tree.

Not that it should matter, because Mayor Eastern is fully aware that it’s irrelevant as it pertains to my coverage of East St. Louis City Hall. I’ll continue to be fair and brutally honest if necessary.

And if I may be brutally honest, it escapes me as to why Mayor Eastern’s predecessor, Emeka Jackson-Hicks, had the audacity (or arrogance) to do a no-show for the traditional passing of the gavel at Eastern’s inauguration.

Initially I thought that, perhaps, she believed that she wouldn’t be missed or that maybe she’s just a sore loser. But during an exchange with me on (of all places) Facebook, Jackson-Hicks informed me (and my other 4,381 “friends”) that “I do not have to explain my absence to you or anybody else.” So, I guess the voters made an excellent decision in removing her highness from her throne.

James Ingram

Sounds like a great approach, but if I could offer some cousinly advice to Mayor Eastern it would be to take account of those whose advice and counsel you value, as well as which faces you appoint to positions of leadership and trust. While many of your team were winners, there are many of your extended body of supporters who have extensive criminal backgrounds. They should have a job somewhere, but not at City Hall. It is imperative that the appointments that you make are individuals whose backgrounds are above reproach. Otherwise, once the honeymoon is over, you will find yourself being pulled in a dozen crooked directions by those who have no compunction for returning to their old federal stomping grounds. You must resist the gravitational pull into the vortex of corruption that has saddled ESL with a reputation for corrupt government for so long. And state and federal government entities will be less willing to work with your administration if your appointees and staff looks like the cast of “Goodfellas.”

So far, Mayor Eastern has started out on a sober note. Instead of bragging about his victory, during his inaugural address he addressed the reality of a city teetering on the verge of bankruptcy, with a budget deficit of $5.5 million.

“Although I am excited, I realize that it’s not time to celebrate,” Eastern said. “We have work to do.” He has opted not to have the traditional Mayor’s Gala. Instead, he will “use the funds for the gala to start a spring cleanup program.”

On the positive side and in spite of the latest gloom and doom reporting on East Boogie by the Belleville News-Democrat, there was an amazing 42 percent drop in homicides in East St. Louis in 2018. That must become a trend, especially in light of some of the recent, senseless, shootings and murders of our young people. So you’re right in asserting that “we have work to do.” That work started the very second that you took your hand off the Bible on inauguration day. With the challenges and financial shortfalls that ESL faces, there is little room for error and this may be the last chance to salvage our community as we know it. Email: jtingram_1960@ yahoo.com; Twitter@

Columnist Mike

Columnist

ComingtoMissouri WeekofMay20 g.co/GrowMissouri

Community college commencement speaker is off to WashU

Janessa Johnson will study art on a full Danforth Scholarship

“When

going to

Johnson said. “It makes my

swell because she is starting to understand the significance of an

and she uses me as a

to how she should approach her own learning.” Johnson plans to continue her study of visual art at Washington University. In March, her work was exhibited

in the Terry M. Fischer Theatre on the Flo Valley campus. In 2018, she was chosen for an Ox-Bow Artists’ Residency, complete with a scholarship, to study for a week in Chicago. She blossomed in a studio art class at Northwest Academy of Law in Saint Louis Public Schools after making art as a child.

At Florissant Valley, she said, she was able to “grow so fast as an artist and as a person.” She learned more skills and techniques, and new materials. “I practiced to get better and better.” Watching her peers was a benefit.

“They helped me develop as well,” she said. It was an art professor, Michael Quintero,

n Johnson grew up in Baden and Walnut Park in St. Louis city. She intends to make an impact in art in the neighborhoods where she comes from.

who nominated her to speak at commencement.

“There is a stigma that community college isn’t a ‘real’ college experience, but that’s not true,” Johnson said. “My time at St. Louis Community College has shaped who I am as an individual and has opened so many doors for me. I would say that coming from where we come from, that it is still possible for you to reach places that you never dreamed of.” Johnson grew up in Baden and Walnut Park in St. Louis city. She intends to make an impact in art in the neighborhoods where she comes from and for “people who look like me.”

“I want to create a place for the kids in these neighborhoods where they can see beyond their environment and understand that there is so much more that the world has to offer them, and them to the world,” she said.

“They can have a safe place to escape the everyday struggles they face, and I will expose them to so many of the things that I’ve been exposed to because they deserve it.”

Janessa Johnson, who will provide the keynote speech at St. Louis Community College’s commencement ceremony on May 10, will attend Washington University in the fall to study visual art on a full Elizabeth Gray Danforth Scholarship.

Dr. Frankenstein takes credit for killing the monster

Forgive Political EYE for taking one more bite out of the poison apple of the Steve Stenger federal indictment and guilty plea to corruption while in office as St. Louis County Executive, but there is just so much to say in its 44 pages.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch continues to take victory laps for Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Goldsmith’s indictment and plea deal with Stenger, as if the newspaper and not the prosecutor brought down the ogre that the newspaper had done so much to empower in the first place. Here is some characteristic self-congratulation from Christopher Ave, the paper’s political and national editor: “In its own way, the Stenger indictment is a stunning affirmation of @stltoday’s reporting on his administration. Incredible shout-out to @ jacobbarker included in its 44 pages. Hat tip to Jacob and all at the region’s dominant news source!” First of all, the language: “the region’s dominant news source.” Who or what is the Post-Dispatch supposed to be dominating? The region itself? The rest of us toiling in the humble trade of gathering and reporting the news? The Post, even after decades of attrition, still has the region’s largest newsroom and should therefore be expected to deliver the fastest and most comprehensive news coverage. But “dominant”? If anyone at the Post thinks the rest of us are submissively biting a pillow for the paper, they would be sorely disappointed. Ave’s supervisor

might more closely monitor his intake of caffeine, power bars, and recently visited web sites.

Goldsmith’s indictment of Stenger does indeed mention the Post and its reporter Jacob Barker, who did indeed do a great deal of accurate and damning public-interest reporting on Stenger. Barker, clearly, had good sources on where to dig and was digging diligently. The paper should be proud of his work and that of columnist Tony Messenger (more on Tony later).

But, as the EYE has said before, when your name appears in a transcript on a federal indictment, that means the target had an accomplice who was wired and cooperating with the feds. As much as the Post wants to take credit for steering the federal investigation, clearly the feds were ahead of them. Goldsmith, clearly, had even better sources on where to dig and was digging diligently – and striking gold – before the Post picked up the scent. Consider that when a federal indictment includes someone’s full name in the context of helping commit a crime, that means the government is presenting disparaging information about that person and had better be prepared to back it up. Everyone fully named in the Stenger indictment should be expected to be cooperating with the feds, and most if not all of their names will be appearing in future plea deals. The EYE counts more than a dozen people who must have turned on Stenger, and clearly at least one of them was wired

From the Post-Dispatch’s news reporting on the county executive’s inauguration on January 1, 2015: “Kneeling on a chair and crouched over a conference table, Steve Stenger’s posture resembled a jaguar preparing to pounce on its prey.” It’s one of the most appallingly hyperbolic over-praises of a public figure in a news report ever printed in the free press of a Democratic country.

for sound for around a year if not more. If you wonder why Stenger folded so fast and pled guilty, that’s why. His attorney Scott Rosenblum would have looked at all those complete names of Stenger accomplices in the indictment and known that his client had better be thinking about how he is going to look in orange.

So the Post did not initiate the federal investigation into Stenger, but the paper did a great deal to initiate the Stenger administration. The paper’s current editorial board recently wrote a cloying defense of its endorsement of Stenger in the 2018 general election (which was meaningless, since the Republican candidate had no

chance of winning), but it has been silent on its much more crucial endorsement of Stenger over incumbent Charlie Dooley in the 2014 Democratic primary. That’s when, after a year-long jeremiad alleging corruption against Dooley, the paper endorsed Stenger, ending its editorial with what is now a laugh line: “Right now the county needs competent management. Steve Stenger offers that.” Tony Messenger led the editorial board that made this laughably false claim without a scrap of evidence.

Today’s Post reporters try to draw a distinction between its allegedly noble newsroom and admittedly compromised editorial board, but the public record does not substantiate that claim either.

In the paper’s news reporting on the Stenger inauguration on January 1, 2015, Steve Giegerich – ostensibly reporting the news, just the facts, ma’am – included the following stylistic flourish, that his editors let stand: “Kneeling on a chair and crouched over a conference table, Steve Stenger’s posture resembled a jaguar preparing to pounce on its prey.”

Is that what Ave meant by “dominant” – like a jaguar?

It’s one of the most appallingly hyperbolic over-praises of a public figure in a news report ever printed in the free press of a Democratic country. Little did we know the “prey” would be us.

Perhaps even worse than Giegerich slandering jaguars globally by comparison to a petty human fraud from Affton, Missouri, was the reporting on Stenger and Dooley for the Post by Paul Hampel – who then resigned from the paper and went to work for Stenger. Hampel, like Messenger and the editorial board, was suckered in by the rumors –stoked by Stenger, then-County Prosecutor Bob McCulloch and then-Police Chief Tim Fitch – that there was an active federal investigation of Dooley about to draw blood any moment. One front-page Hampel report (slammed at the time in the EYE) had no tighter source than “swirling rumors.”

This is profoundly ironic in the light of Stenger’s dim view of talking to the press, as

captured on federal wiretap. He tells one accomplice “don’t talk to the [expletive] press.” In fact, Stenger got to where he was precisely by talking to the press, especially the Post Had someone on his campaign in 2013-2014 been wired for sound, we would be reading about Stenger’s endless calls to Messenger, Hampel and Giegerich trying to swirl some false rumors of corruption –and then laughing his lying behind off when he saw that they fell for it again. Stenger tried the same routine with an editor at The American. (This was after Stenger was amazed to learn the indeed amazing fact that he had requested a meeting with The American’s editorial board before Dooley did; though this paper did its duty as a Black Press voice in defending the county’s first black chief executive from slander in the mainstream press, Dooley was never close to this newspaper or its leadership.) When Stenger was asked for documents or a named source to back up his swirling rumor, he said he would get back to us. We are still waiting. Federal penitentiaries have mail service, Steve, if you ever find that evidence against Charlie. Post editors also have defended the paper in light of Hampel going to work for Stenger, a winning candidate whose campaign he covered –Ave, again – saying the paper is not responsible for what its staff members do when they leave the paper. The Post leadership should do a little deeper reflection on how politicized

‘It’s

a blessing’

SSM opens pediatric specialty center in North County

Children and staff celebrate the opening of the Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital pediatric health care specialty center at 3878 Pershall Rd. in Ferguson on Thursday, April 25.

By Sandra Jordan

Of The St. Louis American

SSM Health expanded its children’s medical care in North St. Louis County with opening of the Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital pediatric health care specialty center in Ferguson.

“It’s been a long time in the making and identified as a critical need in the healthcare of this community and the surrounding communities,” said Steven Burghart, president

of SSM Health Cardinal Glennon.

“We’re just really blessed to be the first and only pediatric specialty healthcare provider in the North County area. This means that so many children in these surrounding communities will be able to get exceptional healthcare they need, but get it closer to home.”

The pediatric center is a 15,000-squarefoot new build owned by the Sansone Group, located off I-270 at 3878 Pershall Rd. The facility houses an

office of pediatricians from SSM Health Medical Group Pediatrics. Ten medical sub-specialties are offered for children: endocrinology, otolaryngology (ENT or ear, nose and throat), gastroenterology, imaging, neurology, orthopedics, pulmonology, renal/ hypertension, sleep, sports medicine and urology, offered by Saint Louis University School of Medicine physicians and staff.

Species extinction is bad for human health

By Eugene Robinson Washington Post

There are roughly eight million plant and animal species in the world. One of them –homo sapiens – may soon wipe out a million of the rest. And we’re just getting started.

That’s the depressing bottom line from a comprehensive new United Nations report on biodiversity. Species are going extinct at a rate unmatched in human history –and the die-off is accelerating. It sounds melodramatic to say that we’re killing the planet, but that’s what the scientific evidence tells us. And ignorant, shortsighted leadership makes optimistic scenarios elusive.

Robinson

n We are running a fateful experiment with our one and only planet – and there’s no chance of a do-over.

Species extinction is one of those problems whose vast scale, in space and time, makes it difficult to comprehend, let alone address globally. As any paleontologist can tell you, species appear and disappear naturally at a gradual rate with no human intervention. And in the 3.5 billion-year history of life on earth, there have been five abrupt mass extinctions when more than three-quarters of all living species were quickly wiped out. The most recent came 66 million years ago, when an asteroid strike is believed to have killed off the dinosaurs. If there are intelligent observers 66 million years from now, their scientists may conclude that the sixth mass extinction was caused by us – and that we saw what we were doing but lacked the wisdom and courage to stop ourselves.

The next species to go extinct may be some scruffy weed-like plant or weird little insect that you’ve never heard of. But that weed may synthesize a chemical that acts as a magic bullet against certain deadly cancers, or that insect may control the population of some other insect that harbors a plaguelike virus. We’ll never know. They’ll be gone.

Amphibians, marine mammals and corals

The official ribbon cutting celebration See ROBINSON, A13

See CENTER, A13

Free mammograms in North and South County

St. Louis County’s Office of Community Empowerment is sponsoring mammograms for women in North County and South County on May 14 and 15.

The Siteman Mammography Van will be at the Community Action Agency of St. Louis County, 26B North Oaks Plaza in Northwoods, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday, May 14. The van will be at Feed my People, 171 Kingston Dr. in Lemay., 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday, May 15.

n Mammograms are available at no cost to women with no health insurance.

Siteman’s mobile mammography van uses stateof-the-art digital equipment that emits the lowest possible radiation dose. Each exam takes about 20 minutes, and results are reported to the patient within seven to 10 days. This service is provided by the Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Washington University School of Medicine, and Susan G. Komen Missouri. Mammograms are available at no cost to women with no health insurance. Appointments are required. To make an appointment, call (314) 747-7222.

Eugene

Photo by Wiley Price

80 percent of strokes can be prevented

By Sandra Jordan

Of The St. Louis American

The recent death of film and television director John Singleton is a tragic reminder of how stroke can cut short anyone’s life.

The American Stroke Association says that 80 percent of strokes can be prevented by not smoking, making healthy food choices, getting enough physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, and treating conditions such as high blood sugar, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Its experts offer the following tips for stroke prevention

Tips from the American Stroke Association

Manage blood pressure

Nothing causes more strokes than uncontrolled high blood pressure. Of the 116.4 million people in the United States who have high blood pressure, fewer than half have it under control, putting them at increased risk of stroke.

Lowering your blood pressure by just 20 points could cut your risk of dying from a stroke by half. A good blood pressure should be less than 120/80.

F.A.S.T. signs of stroke

Don’t smoke. If you smoke, stop smoking, and if you don’t smoke, don’t start. Smoking can increase your blood pressure, among many other health issues, and it is the No. 1 controllable risk factor for stroke. Cigarette smoking, vaping and tobacco products in general, are dangerous for your health. Quitting is one of the best things you can do to improve your health and add years to your life.

CENTER

Continued from A12

took place Thursday, April 25, about three weeks after the center opened for business.

Jim Sansone, a principal from the Sansone Group, said, “I think it’s a great celebration for the family and kids of North County, particularly Ferguson, to have this institution located here. It’s just a great blessing.”

The outpatient pediatric center is the first glimpse of Ferguson when driving up I-270, and Ferguson Mayor James Knowles III said the facility does a lot for what people think of and how they look and view the city.

Get exercise/ be active. A good starting goal is at least 150 minutes of physical activity a week, but if you don’t want to sweat the numbers, just move more. Find forms of physical activity you like and will stick with and build more opportunities to be active into your routine. With warmer weather on the way, Spring is a great time to begin a new exercise routine.

Eat a healthy diet. Healthy eating starts with simple healthy food choices. You don’t need to stop eating your favorite meals, just use

substitutions to make them healthier. Learn what to look for at the grocery store, restaurants, your workplace and other eating occasions, so you can confidently make healthy, delicious choices whenever and wherever you eat.

Maintain a healthy weight The benefits of maintaining a healthy weight go beyond improved energy and smaller clothing sizes. By losing weight or maintaining a healthy weight, you are also likely to reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke. There’s no magic trick to losing weight and keeping it off, but the majority of people who are

The recent death of film and television director John Singleton is a tragic reminder of how stroke can cut short anyone’s life.

successful, modify their eating habits and increase their physical activity.

Control cholesterol

Having large amounts of LDL cholesterol in the blood, the bad cholesterol, can cause build up and blood clots, which leads to a heart attack or stroke. Reducing your fat intake, especially trans fats, more often found in fried foods and baked goods, can help reduce your cholesterol. Adding more foods with omega-3 fatty acids like fish and nuts, as well as soluble fiber and whey protein helps in managing bad cholesterol.

Control blood sugar. By

managing your diabetes and working with your health care team, you may reduce your risk of stroke. Every two minutes, an adult with diabetes in the United States is hospitalized for a stroke. At age 60, someone with type 2 diabetes and a history of stroke may have a life expectancy that is 12 years shorter than someone without both conditions.

Know the signs of a stroke

Each year, almost 800,000 people have a stroke. Knowing how to recognize a stroke emergency is key to getting life-saving medical attention when every minute matters. Use the acronym F.A.S.T. to remember the most common signs of stroke:

Face drooping. Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person’s smile uneven? Arm weakness - Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

Speech difficulty. Is speech slurred? Is the person unable to speak or hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like “The sky is blue.”

Time to call 9-1-1. If

someone shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1 and get to a hospital immediately. Check and mote the time so you’ll know when the first symptoms appeared. Reduce the risk of a second stroke

Not all strokes can be prevented, and people who have had a stroke are at high risk of having a second one. In fact, about one in every four stroke survivors will have a second one. Stroke survivors should work with their doctor on a plan to reduce their secondary stroke risk factors as there may be lifestyle changes and medications, such as aspirin, that may help prevent blood clots and reduce the risk of a second stroke. It is important to talk to your doctor before starting an aspirin regimen, because aspirin may not be appropriate for everyone. Through the American Stroke Association’s Together to End Stroke initiative, patients and caregivers can find information to prevent, treat and beat stroke. For more information, visit www. StrokeAssociation.org.

n “So many children in these surrounding communities will be able to get exceptional healthcare they need, but get it closer to home.” – Steven Burghart, president of SSM Health Cardinal Glennon like

Knowles said, “We appreciate the work here to make this facility open and accessible to the people of North County and the people, especially, of the Ferguson community.”

State Sen. Brian Williams (D – District 14) thanked

ROBINSON

Continued from A12 are critically endangered, the report says. If you dream of a trip to see the Great Barrier Reef, I wouldn’t put it off.

A summary of the report by the UN-sponsored Intergovernmental SciencePolicy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services was released Monday, May 6 in Paris, culminating years of work by leading environmental scientists around the globe. Its findings will be widely

As

SSM for putting the facility there to help families in need and children who are sick and offered some simple advice.

“Meet people where they are,” Williams said, “and if you do that, you will be treating patients and transforming a

noted and lamented; its recommendations, I fear, widely ignored. For once, human-induced climate change is not the most egregious cause of a slowmotion global catastrophe. The primary cause of accelerating species loss, according to the report, is rapid change in patterns of land- and sea-usage. Farming, fishing, logging, mining and other activities are changing – in many cases, deeply scarring – the natural world. We knew that, of course. Sea captains have told us about the enormous patch of plastic

community, just like Ferguson.”

State Rep. Cora Faith Walker (D – District 74) said she is excited about children throughout North County having easier access to health care right in their community.

“To hear and see a facility

trash floating in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Satellite photos chart the ongoing destruction of the Amazon rain forest. The report states that over 85 percent of the world’s wetlands have been eliminated over the past three centuries. The amount of land designated as “urban” has doubled since 1992.

Malthusian predictions that rapid population growth would lead to scarcity and famine have proved spectacularly wrong. The global middle class has ballooned, while the percentage of humans living in extreme poverty has shrunk to

levels never dreamed of. But all that economic growth has put an unprecedented strain on the natural world, and scientists can only sketch the ultimate consequences. In effect, we are running a fateful experiment with our one and only planet – and there’s no chance of a do-over.

I have enormous faith in human ingenuity. But it needs to be accompanied by some basic common sense.

One example: Of the world’s 7.5 billion people, nearly 5 billion have mobile phones. The incredible spread of that one technology greatly

boosts global connectivity, creativity and happiness –and also creates enormous quantities of manufacturing waste and discardable plastic. We need to keep expanding access to this life-changing technology. But we need to find cleaner, more sustainable ways of doing so.

Whether we’re talking about species loss or climate change, whether we’re considering the smog that shrouds Beijing and New Delhi or the fracking fluids being pumped into the ground in Appalachia, at some point we’re going to realize that development that

fails to take sustainability into account is not a step forward. It’s a step into the unknown, and potentially a step toward disaster.

The question isn’t if we come to this realization and begin to act accordingly, but when. The new UN report says that for up to a million species, many of which we haven’t even identified and studied, our enlightenment may come too late. We can only hope there is still time to save the one we call our own.

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

SSM Health held an official ribbon-cutting celebration for the

Glennon Children’s Hospital pediatric health care specialty center at 3878 Pershall Rd. in Ferguson on Thursday, April 25, about three weeks after the center opened for business.

Photo by Wiley Price

Nutrition Challenge:

PRESENT:

Healthy Kids Kids

One reason many of us overeat is because we simply aren’t paying attention! Have you ever grabbed a bag of chips while watching a movie, and before you know it the bag is empty? It is very important that we are aware of all of the food that we eat. Here are some ways to think about what we’re eating.

> If you do want a snack while playing a video game or working on your computer, take a break and sit at the table for your snack.

> And as always, eat slowly and enjoy every bite.

Sitting at the table allows you to focus on your foods, enjoying the taste. It also helps you stay more aware of your stomach’s “full” signals, reducing the amount you eat.

Weathering theStorm

> Don’t eat in front of the television. Make sure all of your meals are at the table.

As the weather warms up, one great way to get outside and stay active is to try gardening! As soon as the threat of frost has passed, ask your parents where you can start a small vegetable garden.

You’ll only need a small area of dirt. Look for a spot that gets several hours of sun a day. Working with an adult, you can begin digging up the area. The ground is usually pretty solid and hard after a long, cold winter and you can start “working” the soil to get it ready for your garden. You might also want to explore ways to protect your plants

Spring brings many wonderful things: flowers, warmer weather, fun late-night outdoor play… but it also brings storms! Remember to use caution when storms are predicted. When a storm hits, follow these safety procedures.

> Watch the local news for storm predictions and updates.

> Have a family plan for where to go if you hear a tornado warning or siren. If you have a

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

from local pesky animals that just might want to come by for a taste.

Digging, planting and weeding a garden is a great way to bend, stretch, work muscles and increase your heart rate. If all goes well, you will be enjoying your very own home-grown vegetables this summer!

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

basement, that is usually the best place to be!

> Stay away from windows.

> Do not stand under a tree in a storm. Trees can attract lightening.

Where do you work? I work at Total Comfort Footcare. Where did you go to school? I graduated from McCluer North High School. I then earned a BA in chemistry from Lindenwood College and a DPM (Doctorate of Podiatric Medicine) from William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine in Chicago, IL.

> Never, ever play in flooding water, ditches or storm drains. As a class, discuss other ways to stay safe in a storm.

Learning Standards: HPE 5, NH 5

Directions:

What does a podiatrist do? I fix problems that people have with their feet by giving them medicine, injections and doing surgical procedures. I fix problems like ingrown toenails, broken bones and foot deformities.

Why did you choose this career? I wanted to have a career where I can help people feel better and walk better. I also like being able to use a variety of methods to treat my patients.

What is your favorite part of the job you have? I love when patients come in with a painful foot problem and I make them feel better when they walk out the door. They are pain free and very happy that I was able to help them.

Learning Standards: HPE6, NH3

Tracy Maria Reed, DPM

or comments? Contact

Jennings Jr. High 7th grade social studies teacher, Mr. John Titsworth, demonstrates a classroom activity using The St. Louis American to students Simone Villery, William Harris, Alaina Franks and Vaughn Terrell.

/ St. Louis American.

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

Design A Puff Mobile!

Background Information: 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

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

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.

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?

DID YOU KNOW?

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 $2.89/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 will give you cardinal 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.

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

Photo by Wiley Price

Business

Nation’s racial wealth divide worsens with federal tax cuts

LaTonya Jackson was promoted to community partnership business development officer at Midwest BankCentre. Formerly she was leader of its Friendly Temple branch. She focuses on building and expanding bank relationships with the bank’s community partners, faith-based institutions and nonprofit organizations. She will develop capacity and opportunities to expand bank services to clients in these market segments. Jackson joined the bank in mid-2016 and was previously the community development specialist for Electro Savings Credit Union.

Bill Luster has joined the financial service firm Edward Jones as a financial advisor. He is currently working out of the Edward Jones office in Olivette. Edward Jones, a Fortune 500 company headquartered in St. Louis, provides financial services in the U.S. and, through its affiliate, in Canada. The firm’s 17,000−plus financial advisors serve more than 7 million clients and care for $1 trillion in assets under management.

Mary Harper Thomas is one of the 2019 Women of Achievement, which honors outstanding female volunteers and leaders in the St. Louis community. She will be recognized for Educational Enrichment. Her volunteerism brings higher education within reach for young people born into families facing financial challenges.

Source: Institute for Policy Studies. Figures adjusted to 2018 dollars.

Black families have a dime for every dollar held by whites

By Charlene Crowell For The St. Louis American

If you’re like me, every time you hear a news reporter or anchor talk about how great the nation’s economy is, you wonder what world they are living in. Certainly these journalists are not referring to the ongoing struggle to make ends meet that so much of Black America faces. For every daily report of Wall Street trading, or rising corporate profits, you’re reminded that somebody else is doing just fine financially.

To put it another way: Will I ever get past my payday being an exchange day, when I can

n From 1983-2016, the median black family saw their wealth drop by more than half after adjusting for inflation, compared to a 33 percent increase for the median white households.

finally have the chance to keep a portion of what I earn in my own name and see how much it can grow?

When new research speaks to those who are forgotten on most nightly news shows, I feel obliged to share that news – especially when

conclusions find systemic faults suppress our collective ability to strengthen assets enough to make that key transition from paying bills to building wealth.

“Ten Solutions to Close the Racial Wealth Divide” is jointly authored by the Institute for Policy Studies, Ohio State University’s Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity, and the National Community Reinvestment Coalition. This insightful and scholarly work opens with updates on the nation’s nagging and widening racial wealth divide. It then characterizes solutions offered as one of three approaches: programs, power, and process.

According to the authors, programs refer to new government programs that could have a major impact on improving the financial

Isaac Butler is one of the 15 individuals selected for the 2018-19 cohort of FOCUS Impact Fellows. He is vice president, Office of Diversity & Inclusion, and adjunct professor at the St. Louis College of Pharmacy. Launched in 2016 and now managing its third class, the program represents FOCUS St. Louis’ most advanced offering and gives leaders the opportunity to work together to address a specific issue in the St. Louis region.

Arrethie Williams was promoted to the rank of lieutenant in the St. Louis County Police Department by Chief Jon M. Belmar. She had been a sergeant. She joined the department in 2005 and is currently assigned to the Domestic Violence Unit. She has previously served in the North County, Central County and City of Jennings precincts. She earned a Master of Business Administration and a Master’s Degree in Business and Security Management from Webster University.

n “Employees of participating businesses can now borrow up to $1,000 at a fixed interest rate with repayment over 12 months through automatic payroll deduction.”

– Cenia D. Bosman, CAASTLC president

of Reliance Bank, is the lead bank and largest financial contributor to the program. Reliance worked closely with CAASTLC to secure funding for this alternative to high-interest payday loans.

In addition to Simmons, participating local banks currently funding the total loan pool of $1.25 million include Midwest BankCentre, Banterra Bank and Busey Bank.

“Through our Community Loan Center, employees of participating businesses can now borrow up to $1,000 at a fixed interest rate with repayment over 12 months through automatic payroll deduction,” said Cenia D. Bosman,

Korian Harrington has been named to its Young Professionals Board of the Saint Louis Crisis Nursery. He is a Customer Success manager at Square. He is a resident of St. Louis and believes that being a member of the Young Professionals Board “will be an

Arrethie

LaTonya

Charlene Crowell

Special honor for special alum

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

Brenda Newberry began taking classes at what was then Webster College while serving at Scott Air Force Base in the late 1970s.

“There were some things that I learned that were related to business and related to life that I took with me and carry to this very day,” Newberry said.

By the time she transferred to the main campus, she was pregnant with her first child. When she was admitted to the hospital to deliver her daughter, a professor dropped her final exam off to the hospital for her to take.

Business leader Brenda Newberry to receive honorary doctorate at Webster Commencement

n “There were some things that I learned that were related to business and related to life that I took with me and carry to this very day.”

– Brenda Newberry

“That was very special for me,” Newberry said. The gesture was one

of many that solidified Newberry’s bond with the institution. And 40 years after she received her MA in Business Management from Webster University, Newberry will walk across the stage to receive an honorary doctorate degree as part of the university’s 100th Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 11 at The Muny. “It was a diverse university, even back in the seventies,” Newberry said. “I never felt out of place. I never had anyone look at my husband and myself like, ‘What are you doing here?’ Some of the work was done in teamwork, and we always felt part of the group.”

She credits the collaborative spirit of Webster with giving

her and her husband Maurice Newberry, both natives of Gary, Indiana who served their country in the U.S. Air Force, some of the tools to successfully transition from military to civilian life.

“In the military, you do what you’re told,” Newberry said. “And if you are the superior, people do what you tell them. In that transition period, it’s important to understand how to be more collaborative, even when you are supervising.”

started The Newberry Group, Newberry was approached by the school that had given her so much with an opportunity to give back .

“Once I had grown the business, I was asked by Webster if I would serve on the board,” Newberry said. “It was an honor that I never expected to happen. Most people go to college and you finish – and you might be involved in some sort of alumni activities, but other than that you don’t really expect anything.”

Those collaborative tools proved useful in her success at what was then McDonnellDouglas and as a corporate executive at MasterCard – and especially in 1996 when she and her husband started The Newberry Group, a technology infrastructure, networking and cyber security firm.

Not long after they

She ended up serving three terms as the chair – as the first African-American chair of the Board of Trustees. She also was the first female chair, and the first chair who was a military veteran.

“When I became a part of the board, I was really excited to work with Webster because of its relationship with the

military – as well as having campuses in other countries,” Newberry said. “As we become less separated in the world, it’s important that people understand how to work with and respect different cultures.”

In 2008, the Newberrys decided to transition their company to an Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP).

At the time they had 150 employees and roughly $20 million in annual revenue.

Brenda was 55 years old at the time. Her mother had passed at the age of 53. Her father passed away shortly after her mother. Both died from cancer. She had a colonoscopy, which revealed polyps. Facing her own mortality – and with their two daughters expressing to their parents that they didn’t feel they had the backgrounds to move the company forward – the Newberrys decided to move forward with transitioning the business into the hands of their employees.

“I felt God had blessed me,”

Newberry said, “and I felt I had to ensure that those he had put under my responsibility would be properly taken care of.”

Two years after the transition was complete, she discovered she had stage four tongue cancer. “God works in mysterious ways,” she said. “God put it in our hearts to do the transition, because it would have been very difficult to run a company while going through cancer treatment.” She underwent chemotherapy, radiation and surgery – including the removal of one-third of her tongue. She and her husband have since retired to Florida.

“It was a wonderful place for healing,” Brenda said. “I’m still alive seven years later –and it was stage four cancer.” Webster University’s 100th Commencement Ceremony will take place at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 11 at the Muny.

Work requirements don’t work for safety net programs

By Rose-Anderson Rice For The St. Louis American

We are consistently playing defense to protect social services that are so vital to many black families living in our region. Many of the families in our community rely on safety net programs, like SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and Medicaid, to get by, but every day in our state legislature those programs are at risk.

Medicaid now allows states to impose work requirements as a condition of eligibility, meaning able-bodied individuals ages 19-64 must provide documentation for 80 hours a month of work or other approved community engagement in order to receive Medicaid benefits. Work requirements are sold as a way to get individuals back to work, to lift them out of poverty so they no longer need these safety net programs.

However, we know that often doesn’t happen. A study on Temporary Aid for Needy Families (TANF) revealed that, despite increased earnings, people still aren’t able to earn enough to move out of poverty. Individuals on programs with work requirements remain poor, and we know that the jobs available are often lower paying with no benefits. We also know that requiring work as a new provision for Medicaid isn’t actually about

helping people out of poverty – it is about cutting safety net programs and saving money for the state. HB 183 and SB 76 add these requirements to the Missouri Medicaid program. When it comes down to it, this would impact around 3,000 people. While this may not seem significant, these bills, and so many others, are sending a message: basic rights are contingent on work. This opens the door to start chipping away at the safety net programs so vital to our communities,

particularly St. Louis’ black communities. Medicaid coverage actually helps individuals and families become financially stable, while work requirements do the opposite. This is a “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” tactic for vulnerable residents – who have no boots to strap! This kind of legislation creates more barriers for low-income individuals and families to access health care, such as additional paperwork

and pressures to find and maintain accessible work, which ultimately compounds the pressures they face. Health care contingent on work is just one prime example of the legislative attack on safety net programs. It takes all of us to push back against policies that harm our most vulnerable and replace them with policies that actually work.

Rose Anderson-Rice is chief program director at Generate Health, and helps oversee FLOURISH, the initiative working to eliminate racial disparities in infant mortality in St. Louis.

MODOT recognizes STL Council of Construction Consumers

Lester Woods, external civil rights director for the Missouri Department of Transportation (MODOT), presents the 2019 MODOT Inclusion Advocate of the Year Award to Dennis Lavallee, the former president of the St. Louis Council of Construction Consumers (SLCCC). “Through the Diversity Committee of the SLCCC,” Lavallee said, “we have been able to drive and lead efforts for inclusion in the construction industry. These have focused on women and minority owned business as well as work force. This award recognizes the progress that has been achieved.”

MODOT is the state agency that oversees the transportation system and maintains over 10,000 miles of roads and bridges.

Brenda Newberry

RoseAnderson Rice

n “I’m living my dream right now guarding Kevin Durant.”

— Houston

Rockets forward P. J. Tucker

Sports

TraCk & FIeld noTebook

Race for state begins

District meets for Class 3, 4 and 5 start this weekend

The road to the state championship for Class 3, 4 and 5 track and field programs in the state of Missouri begins this weekend with district meet competition.

All of the area district meets will be held on Saturday with the top four finishers in each event advancing to the state sectionals on Saturday, May 18.

The Class 3 district meets involving St. Louis area teams will be competing at Ste. Genevieve, Lutheran North and Christian-O’Fallon. Class 4 area teams will be at Washington, Hillsboro, MICDS and Mexico while Class 5 teams will be at Hillsboro, Eureka, Pattonville and Troy.

Earl Austin Jr.

Illinois Girls Sectionals this week

The postseason for Illinois girls begins this week with sectional meet competition on Thursday afternoon. Several metro east area schools in Class 2A will be competing at the Class 2 sectionals at Triad on Thursday, beginning at 4 p.m.

Headlining the field will be the East St. Louis Flyerettes, which will be contenders for a state title. Other metro east area teams in the field include Cahokia, Highland, Breese Central, Triad, Waterloo, Freeburg and Columbia.

O’Fallon High will be the host of the Class 3A sectional meet on Thursday at 4 p.m. The field will include several Southwestern Conference schools, including Alton, Belleville East, Belleville West, O’Fallon, Edwardsville and Granite City.

The top qualifiers from Thursday’s sectional meet will qualify for the IHSA State Championships on May 17-18 at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston.

Metro east stars shine at Collinsville

Last Saturday’s Collinsville Invitational showcased some of the top talent in the metro east area, and they showed up and showed out. Standout sprinter Jemarrion Stewart of host

The Blues advance; Canelo keeps ticking

Barring a blockbuster discovery that Zion Williamson is Communist Russian Al-Qaeda operative, the Duke superstar is a lock to be the first overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. That means there is currently more anticipation for the NBA’s draft lottery, than the draft itself.

The good news for basketball fans is that the days of suspense and speculation are soon coming to an end. Tuesday, the draft lottery will take place and we will all find out which snapback cap Williamson will wear come June 20. The New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers and Phoenix Suns each have a 14 percent chance to land top pick in this year’s draft. However, there’s very little chatter about the Cavs, Suns or other NBA teams landing Williamson. It’s all about the Knicks.

Should the Knicks land the top pick, expect the sports

world to scream “collusion.” It is almost a foregone conclusion that the biggest college basketball star in the world is headed to the biggest city in the nation. People have gone so far as to debate whether the Knicks should keep Williamson or trade him to the Pelicans for Anthony Davis. All this analysis is occurring before a single ping pong ball has been pulled. Then again, the Knicks have not had the top overall pick since 1985, when the team selected Hall of Fame center Patrick Ewing. The Cavaliers, in comparison, have had five top picks since then. The Phoenix Suns have only had one, but it was Deandre Ayton who was selected first in 2018. Maybe the Knicks deserve the top pick. Even though Knicks owner James Dolan has horrendously mismanaged the team in recent years, it is quite possible the basketball gods will throw him a bone

Ishmael H. Sistrunk

MICDS sprinter Joshua Sutton (left) takes the hand-off from David Smith during the boys 4x100-meter relay. Sutton won the 100-meters earlier with a winning time of 10.93.

Photo by Wiley Price

SportS EyE

With Alvin A. Reid

St. Louis’ XFL franchise will feature a black head coach

The XFL will bring something new and historic to St. Louis’ professional sports scene when it kicks off in February 2020.

It’s something the St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Browns, St. Louis Hawks, St. Louis football Cardinals, St. Louis Blues, St. Louis Stars, Spirits of St. Louis nor St. Louis Rams never accomplished.

Our XFL franchise will have a black head coach.

Welcome to St. Louis, Jonathan Hayes.

While this is Hayes’ first head coaching position, he learned from one of the best the NFL had to offer. He worked as tight ends coach for Marvin Lewis and the Cincinnati Bengals for 16 years and has more than 30 years coaching experience.

bankruptcy after just four weeks, leaving the playing field open for the XFL.

Hayes said, “we’re here to stay” and told media members how longevity could be accomplished.

“(The AAF) didn’t have enough support staff in the correct places,” he explained.

“They were overpaying people who did not do a lot. The good thing for us is that we have football people in place (who) understand all the inner workings of the team.”

Hayes certainly knows those inner workings very well.

He might still be with the Bengals if Lewis was not fired following the 2018 season and his staff released.

During his introductory press conference last month, Hayes made an appeal to football-starved fans in St. Louis.

“This is a great sports town, it really is,” he said.

“People have to realize they take their sports very seriously here. They want a competitive team. They want football here. It’s a great football town and I think we can offer (great football) to them.”

The Alliance of American Football had the advantage of launching a year before the revamped XFL returns to the field, and many people (including me) thought it was a hurdle the XFL would never overcome. But the AAF sank into

A standout tight end at Iowa, Hayes was drafted in the second round of the 1985 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs. He played for the Chiefs for nine seasons before completing his career with a two-year stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

During his 184-game career, he recorded 153 receptions for 1,718 yards and 13 touchdowns. He was also a skilled blocker, which helped both the Chiefs and Steelers’ superb running attacks.

He played in three AFC Championship games (one with the Chiefs and Joe Montana) and two with Pittsburgh. He played in the Steelers’ Super Bowl XXX loss against the Dallas Cowboys.

Before his NFL coaching career began, Hayes found national success as tight ends coach and special teams coordinator at the University of Oklahoma with head coach Bob Stoops for four seasons. The 2000 Oklahoma team went 13-0 and won the national championship.

Hayes and Stoops will face each other as head coaches for the first time in 2020. Stoops has been named head coach of the XFL Dallas franchise.

Oliver Luck, former Stanford athletic director and father of NFL quarterback Andrew Luck, said all XFL franchises plan to be part of their respective region’s fabric – especially in beleaguered St. Louis.

“We want to be actively involved in the community. That’s something we want to do across the board. But it’s even more special here because look what happened with the previous two professional football franchises,” he said, referring to the Cardinals who left for Arizona and the Rams who returned to L.A.

“We have to show people we care. We have to show people we are putting roots down.”

The XFL’s eight teams will play in Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, Houston, Seattle, Washington D.C., Tampa Bay, and St. Louis. The schedule will include a 10-game regular season and a four-team playoff.

More diverse than NFL

St. Louis is not alone in having a black XFL coach.

Of the seven franchises which have named coaches,

three have black men at the helm.

Pep Hamilton, a former Howard quarterback in the early 1990s with more than 18 years of coaching experience in college and the NFL, is the XFL’s Washington D.C. franchise coach. He served as Michigan’s passing coordinator for the past two seasons under Jim Harbaugh before leaving that position in January.

He still resides in the Washington area, and knows Luck from his days as an assistant coach at Stanford (201012).

He had NFL coaching stints with the Baltimore Ravens (2002), New York Jets (20032005), San Francisco 49ers (2006), Chicago Bears (20072009), Colts (2013-2015) and Cleveland Browns (2016).

“When Oliver was announced as the CEO and commissioner of the XFL, it immediately became intriguing for me and my family,” Hamilton told the Washington Post.

“I’ve always approached the game the same way. I have the utmost respect for preparation. Over the last 20 years I’ve gained a lot of experience from the coaches I’ve been around and that I’ve worked for.

“To have an opportunity to come back to the place that I consider to be my home and be a part of the construction of a professional football franchise is something I’m excited about.”

On Tuesday, Winston Moss was named head coach of the XFL’s Los Angeles franchise.

A second-round pick for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1987, he played 10 years as a linebacker with the Bucs, Los Angeles Raiders and Seattle Seahawks.

He was an assistant coach with the Seahawks and New Orleans Saints before joining the Green Bay Packers, where he was a linebacker coach for 13 seasons. He was dismissed in December after the team let go head coach Mike McCarthy. Moss won a Super Bowl with the Packers in 2011 and contributed to the University of Miami’s first football national championship in 1983. He is a member of the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame.

The XFL interviews and selects head coaches, not the individual franchises. Houston is the lone franchise without a named head coach.

The Reid Roundup Tiger Woods visited President Trump at the White House on Monday and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He called it “an unbelievable experience … Speaking of Trump, his buddy Vince McMahon owns the league. Look for Trump to attend games to back his boy – and as campaign stops … The XFL signed television deals with FOX and ESPN (Disney) this week. ESPN probably signed on to keep Trump off their back the next time racial sports controversy rears its head … My daughter and I went to the Red Sox at White Sox game on Cinco de Mayo. It was a fantastic day of diversity, one that St. Louis wishes it could achieve … White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson was named AL Player of the Month in April and has quickly become a city of Chicago star. He still enters the batters box with the tune “All I know is Trap”

playing … By the time you read this, the Boston Celtics could have been eliminated by the Milwaukee Bucks and superstar center/forward/guard Giannis Antetokounmpo If the Celtics go out in five games, by losing Thursday, my guess is Jayson Tatum wears another uniform next season … If the Golden State Warriors lose the second round series to the Houston Rockets, the biggest loser will be NBA television ratings Charles Barkley predicts that the Bucks will be NBA champions this year… Former USC quarterback Matt Fink will join head coach Lovie Smith at Illinois as a graduate transfer next season … Stephen Jones Dallas Cowboys executive vice president, called extending workhorse running back Ezekiel Elliott’s contract “a top priority,” but added “there hasn’t really been a timetable put on this.” Talk has started that Elliott should hold out … One of Arizona’s former assistant coaches, who is on trial in a federal corruption case, was recorded saying that head coach Sean Miller paid former player Deandre Ayton $10,000 per month.

Alvin A. Reid was honored as the 2017 “Best Sports Columnist – Weeklies” in the Missouri Press Association’s Better Newspaper Contest and is a New York Times contributor. He is a panelist on the Nine Network program, Donnybrook, a weekly contributor to “The Charlie Tuna Show” on KFNS and appears monthly on “The Dave Glover Show” on 97.1 Talk.” His Twitter handle is @aareid1.

Alvin A. Reid

Jonathan Hayes is the first head coach of St. Louis’ XFL franchise which will begin play in 2020.

By Earl Austin Jr. Of the St. Louis American

The Cleveland Naval Jr. ROTC Commanders are no strangers to postseason success in boys’ track and field.

The Commanders have been the resident Class 2 dynasty in the state as they are coming off back to back state championships and state titles in three of the past six years.

Several top athletes from those back-to-back state championship teams have graduated and have moved on to the col-

CLUTCH

Continued from C7

Whichever team lands his talents will see its fortunes shift overnight.

Let’s Go Blues!

Command performances in Class 2 District 2

legiate level. A new wave of Commanders has picked up the mantle and the winning as continued as they won the Class 2 District 2 championship last Saturday at Principia. The Commanders outdistanced the field with 158 points. Cleveland will take athletes in 11 individual events and three relays to the upcoming sectional meet at Park Hills Central on Saturday.

Sophomore Sidney Clay won both the 110-meter high hurdles and 300-meter intermediate hurdles. Junior Daunte

Shout out to the St. Louis Blues. The Blues earned a trip to the Western Conference Finals after a thrilling Game 7 victory over the Dallas Stars. St. Louis native Pat Maroon found the back of the net off a rebound with 14:10 remaining in the game’s second overtime. Maroon’s goal came at the expense of another St. Louis native, former Blues goalie, Ben Bishop Statistically, the Blues dominated the game, outshooting the Stars 54-30. However, Bishop proved to be a formidable foe. He carried the Stars on his shoulders until Blues center Robert Thomas took a shot that hit the post, bounced off Bishop’s shoulder right in front of the net. Maroon mopped up the mess and colored his name into Blues’ history. The victory cements a remarkable turnaround for the Blues. At the beginning of January, the team had the worst record in the entire NHL. Now the team is just four wins away from fighting for a Stanley Cup. The Blues will face the

Ferrell was first in the 100-meter dash and junior Dealo McGee was strong in the field events, winning the high jump, triple jump and shot put while finishing third in the long jump.

Sophomore Mark Hutchinson won the 3,200-meter run and second in the 800-meter run. Senior Mark Harris was second in the 200 and third in the 400. The Commanders also finished first in the 4x100-

and 4x800-meter relays and second in the 4x200. Other top boys’ sectional qualifiers include Brentwood’s Josh Danfort, who finished first in the 200-meter dash. Brentwood also qualified all three of its sprint relays as the Eagles finished first in the 4x200 and 4x400 while finishing second in the 4x100.

Host Principia had four district champions in Alphince

Baraza in the 400, Nathan Babcock in the 800, Bramwell Havi in the 1,600 and Howard Jones in the long jump. On the girls’ side, the top individual performer of the meet was senior Busiwa Asinga of Principia, who won three individual events. Asinga won the 100 in 12.22 seconds, the 200 in 25.35 and the 300-meter low hurdles in 45.34.

Senior McKinlee Morris of Crossroads continued her excellence in the throwing events by winning the shot put and discus. She won the shot

winner of the Game 7 matchup between the San Jose Sharks and Colorado Avalanche.

The ST. LouiS AmericAn PreP AThLeTe of The Week Busiwa Asinga Principia – Girls Track and Field

The senior standout was one of the top individual performers at last weekend’s Class 2, District 2 meet at Principia. Asinga finished first in the 100and 200-meter dashes while also winning the 300-meter low hurdles. She posted winning times of

Canelo keeps ticking Saturday night, Canelo

TRACK

Continued from C7 12.22 seconds in the 100, 25.35 in the 200 and 45.34 in the 300meter hurdles. As a junior, Asinga was the Class 3 state champion in the 300-meter low hurdles. She will compete in Sectional competition at Park Hills Central on Saturday.

Alvarez defeated Daniel Jacobs via unanimous decision. Thought the fight was

seconds.

put with a heave of 40 feet, 1 inch and the discus with a throw of 117 feet, 8 inches. Valley Park had two district champions in Kaylah Petty in the 400 and Jilane Pederson in the high jump. Collegiate School of Medicine and Bioscience also came away with the victory in the 4x400. Brentwood’s Anna Wagner also qualified in the long jump and was a part of the Eagles 4x100 and 4x200-meter relay teams that finished second and qualified for sectionals.

competitive, there was no controversy as there had been in Alvarez’s two fights with former middleweight champion Gennady “GGG” Golovkin According to CompuBox, Alvarez landed 188 of 466 punches (40.3 percent) compared to just 131 of 649 punches (20.2 percent) for Jacobs. As if taking an L wasn’t bad enough, Jacobs (35-3-0, 29 KO) was also reportedly fined one million dollars after surpassing the 10-pound rehydration weight limit on the day of the fight. With the victory, Alvarez (52-1-2, 35 KO) unified the IBF, WBA and WBC middleweight titles. Many expect him to face off with Golovkin in his next bout. Both fighters have TV contracts with DAZN, eliminating any major hurdles. Alvarez could also target WBO Middleweight Champion Demetrius Andrade in an effort to become the first undisputed middleweight champion since Jermain Taylor defeated Bernard Hopkins in 2005. Check In the Clutch online and also follow Ishmael on Twitter @ishcreates. Subscribe to The St. Louis American’s YouTube page to see weekly sports videos starring Ishmael and Melvin Moore at youtube. com/stlamericanvideo

Granite City’s Andrew Keefe was a star in the middle distance events as he won the 800-meter run with a meet record time of 1 minute 53.22 seconds. He is also a standout distance runner for the Warriors. The dominant performer of the meet in the field events was senior thrower Jordan Johnson of Quincy, Illinois, who won the shot put and discus with big efforts. He won the discus with a throw of 206 feet, 1 inch, which is one of the best efforts in the nation. He also won the shot put with an effort of 62 feet 11 inches.

Canelo Alvarez defeated Daniel Jacobs via unanimous decision on Saturday night to unify the WBA, WBC and IBF middleweight titles.

Earl Austin Jr.

DIVIDE

continued from page B1

prospects of low-wealth families. Power refers to changes to the federal tax code that could bring a much-needed balance to the tax burden now borne by middle and lowincome workers. Process refers to changes to the government operates in regard to race and wealth.

“For far too long we have tolerated the injustice of a violent, extractive and racially exploitive history that generated a wealth divide where the typical black family has only a dime for every dollar held by a typical white family,” said Darrick Hamilton, report co-author and executive director of the Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity at The Ohio State University.

From 1983-2016, the median black family saw their wealth drop by more than half after adjusting for inflation, compared to a 33 percent increase for the median white households. Keep in mind that these years include the Great Recession that stole nearly $1 trillion of wealth from Black and Latinx families, largely via unnecessary foreclosures and lost property values for those who managed to hold on to their homes.

Fast forward to 2018, and the report shares the fact that the median white family had 41 times more wealth than the median black family, and 22 times more wealth than the median Latinx family. Instead of the $147,000 that median

LOANS

continued from page B1

CAASTLC president and CEO.

“In Missouri, payday lenders can charge borrowers the equivalent of more than 400 percent for short-term loans.

white families owned last year, black households had $3,600.

When Congress passed tax cut legislation in December 2017, an already skewed racial wealth profile became worse.

“White households in the top one percent of earners received $143 a day from the tax cuts while middle-class households (earning between $40,000 and $110,000) received just $2.75 a day,” states the report.

“While the media coverage of the tax package and the public statements of the bill’s backers did not explicitly state that it would directly contribute to increasing the racial wealth divide, this was the impact, intended or otherwise.”

With the majority of today’s black households renting instead of owning their homes, escalating rental prices diminish if not remove the ability for many consumers of color to save for a home down payment. As reported by CBS News, earlier this year, the national average monthly cost of fair market rent in 2018 was $1,405. Recent research by the National Low-Income Housing Coalition on housing affordability found that more than 8 million Americans spend half or more of their incomes on housing, including over 30 percent of Blacks, and 28 percent of Hispanics Homeownership, according to the Center for Responsible Lending, remains a solid building block to gain family wealth. But with an increasing number of households paying more than a third of their income for rent, the ability to save for a home down payment is seriously weakened. CRL’s

Typically, these loans must be paid in full within two weeks.”

Employers can make the loan program available as part of their employee benefits package. When an employee needs a loan, they can visit clcstlc.org to complete a loan application and, after verification, within a matter

proposed remedy in March 27 testimony to the Senate Banking Committee is to strengthen affordable housing in both homeownership and rentals. To increase greater access to mortgages, CRL further advocates low-down payment loans.

“The nation’s housing finance system must ensure access to safe and affordable mortgage loans for all creditworthy borrowers, including low-to-moderate income families and communities of color,” noted Nikitra Bailey, a CRL EVP. “The lower down payment programs available through FHA and VA, provide an entry into homeownership and wealth-building for many average Americans.”

“Government-backed loans cannot be the only sources of credit for low-wealth families; they deserve access to cheaper conventional mortgages,” added Bailey. “Year after year, the annual Home Mortgage Disclosure Act data reveals how consumers of color, including upper-income Black and Latinx households are disproportionately dependent on mortgages that come with higher costs. Our nation’s fair lending and housing finance laws require that the private mortgage market provide access for low-wealth families. We need additional resources for rental housing to address the affordability crisis that many working families face.”

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

of days the loan funds are deposited into the borrower’s bank account.

More information about this program, including how employers can participate, is available at clcstlc.org or by calling Cenia D. Bosman at 314-863-0015.

Bar Association honors Booker T. Shaw

Retired Judge Booker T. Shaw, a partner at Thompson Coburn LLP, was presented with a Distinguished Lawyer Award by the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis – its highest award – on May 2 as part of its annual Law Day celebration at the Missouri Athletic Club in Downtown St. Louis.

Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI

Ms. Nina’s song

Christina Ham’s ‘Four Women’ plays The Black Rep

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

“My skin is brown. My manner is tough. I’ll kill the first [expletive] I see. My life has been rough,” a character later identified as Peaches sings in Nina Simone’s powerful musical narrative “Four Women.” “I’m awfully bitter these days, because my parents were slaves.”

Simone used her music to capture the righteous anger of her people so poignantly that it has resonated for generations beyond the era in which it was originally created.

She famously said it is an artist’s duty to reflect their times – and her art became an integral element of the soundtrack of both the Civil

British R&B invasion

R&B sensation Ella

when her

Rights and Black Power movements.

In a fictionalized account framed around “Four Women,” Christina Ham explores how Simone’s music began to reflect the black experience. The play “Nina Simone: Four Women” will debut on the Black Rep Stage next week with founder and Producing Director Ron Himes at the helm of an ensemble cast that stars Leah Stewart, Denise Thimes, Camille Sharp and Alexis Jay. Simone and three of the characters from her “Four Women” jazz standard are seated in the burned out building where four little girls perished as a result of the 16th Street Church

See WOMEN, C4

Mother and daughter scholars

Michele’ and Maya Rodriguez earn master’s degrees together at Lindenwood

By Sandra Jordan

Of The St. Louis American

The saying, “like mother, like daughter” takes new heights for Maya and Michele’ Rodriguez of St. Louis, who both graduate with their master’s degrees from Lindenwood University on Friday, May 10. They will also get to walk across the stage together.

Daughter Maya’s degree is in Criminal

Justice, with a 3.83 GPA, and mother Michele’s degree is in Human Resource Management with a 4.0 GPA. Michele’, who works for the State of Missouri in mental health, wants to grow professionally within an organization in human resources. She said human resource management is a growing profession that provides several career opportunities.

Sparking ‘Fire’

Charles Blow discusses book that inspired upcoming

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

“A memoir is horrible for families,” Charles M. Blow, author of “Fire Shut Up in My Bones,” told Kameel Stanley before a captive audience at Brick River Cider two weeks ago. “I would wager that the best memoirs you’ve ever read are written by people whose parents are dead or by people who hate their families.” Blow’s memoir compelled six-time Grammy Award-winner and Academy Award-nominated composer Terence Blanchard to create his second opera – named after the book, with a libretto by acclaimed filmmaker Kasi Lemmons – which debuts next month as the latest world premiere of Opera Theatre of Saint Louis’ critically acclaimed New Works, Bold Voices series.

In an effort to build awareness around the opera, which stars Julia Bullock, Karen Slack, Devone Tines and Chaz’men Williams-Ali and debuts June 15 at the Loretto-Hilton, OTSL hosted “Inside the Author’s Studio: An Interview with Charles M. Blow.” It was one of the last in a series of community outreach events to promote the upcoming work that have taken place over the past several months.

Daughter and mother Maya and Michele’ Rodriguez of St. Louis – shown here when they graduated together from Lindenwood University with bachelor’s degrees in in 2017 – will graduate together from Lindenwood with their master’s degrees on Friday, May 10.

n“Fire” is therapeutic for anyone looking for a frame of reference on an overcomer. That transparency has come with consequences – including his family’s reaction to the book’s content.

During the talk, the New York Times Columnist spoke with Kameel Stanley of St. Louis Public Radio about a host of topics – including his process and origins of writing the book.

“How did you reach back and capture those memories – especially those related to trauma,” Stanley asked. “Trauma stays with you, so those were easy,” Blow responded.

“You keep examining the trauma, with the current mind. You start to say ‘If I had done this or that, then maybe this wouldn’t have happened. But that’s a 48-yearold person with that capacity. A seven-year-old doesn’t have that capacity.”

It was the task of remembering and illustrating and painting a vivid picture around the nonconsequential events around the trauma that were the challenge for “Fire,” which chronicles his life from the time he was a toddler through his early twenties.

“Children misremember things,” Blow said. “I opened the book with a false memory because I wanted to establish that that is possible. You think about what you do remember and then you test that.”

“I am most interested in Diversity and Inclusion, and Employee Retention and Development,” Michele’ Rodriguez said. “The work force is changing rapidly; therefore, organizations must consider the needs of their internal and external stakeholders in addition to creating a culture of commitment and loyalty.

See SCHOLARS, C4

The language is stunning. The subject matter and level of transparency are haunting. He has a way of describing locations and people to the point where “Fire” reads like a motion picture playing inside one’s head.

“I do focus on painting through words,” Blow said. “So that you see that person physically but

See FIRE, C4

English

Mai brought down the house

sold-out The Debut tour landed at The Pageant Sunday night. Show opener Mahalia was a brilliant bonus to showcase the variety of soul coming from across the pond.

Photo by Lawrence Bryant

‘Fire Shut Up in My Bones’ author Charles M. Blow speaks with St. Louis Public Radio’s Kameel Stanley on April 27 during ‘Inside the Author’s Studio’ presented by Opera Theatre of St. Louis.

Leah Stewart will play the title character in The Black Rep’s presentation of “Nina Simone: Four Women,” which runs May 15-June 2 at Wash U.’s Edison Theatre.

How to place a calendar listing

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

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

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

concerts

Through May 12, Jazz St. Louis welcomes Jazzmeia Horn, Ferring Jazz Bistro, 3536 Washington Ave. For more information, visit www. jazzstl.org

Sun., May 19, 2 p.m., Sheldon Concert Hall presents James Carter with the Peter Martin Trio. 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Sun., May 19, 3 p.m., I’m A Survivor Cancer Benefit Concert. Performance by AL. B. Sure. 7901 Clayton Rd., 63117. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Sun., May 19, 7 p.m., Flexin Global presents Lil Boosie Live in Concert. 9800 Halls Ferry Rd., 63136. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Fri., May 24, 9 p.m., Kandi Koated Entertainment presents Welcome to the Dungeon feat. Kandi Burruss with special guests Tamar Braxton and Trina. The Pageant, 6161 Delmar Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www.ticketmaster.com.

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

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

local gigs

Tues., May 14, 6 p.m, Missouri History Museum

presents Twilight Tuesdays feat. Willena Vaughn performing Dream Girls 5700 Lindell Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www. mohistory.org.

Wed., May 15, 7 p.m., Old Rock House presents Tameca Jones. 1200 S. 7th St., 63104. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

Sun., May 19, 3 p.m., The Sheldon presents James Carter with The Peter Martin Trio. 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Sun., May 26, 5:30 p.m., The Ambassador presents Marvin Gaye Celebration: A Musical Tribute. Feat. Andrew Bethany & The Drew Project, Justin Hoskin and The Movie, and more. 9800 Halls Ferry Rd., 63136. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

special events

Thur., May 9, 5 p.m., Food Truck Fest 2019. Bellefontaine County Park, 9565 Bellefontaine Rd., 63136. For more information, visit www.facebook.com.

Sat., May 11, 9 a.m., Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Xi Zeta Chapter presents Gun Safety Matters. A parent/child seminar for ages 7-13. Brittany Woods Middle School, 8125 Groby Rd., 63130. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Sat., May 11, 10 a.m., National Blues Museum invites you to Family Day: Geography Jamboree. 615 Washington Ave., 63101. For more information, visit www. nationalbluesmuseum.org.

Sun., May 12, 5:30 p.m.,

The Guide

Kenya Vaughn recommends

Jazz

Denise Thimes & Friends

Special Mother’s Day Concert. With special guests Jermaine Smith and Matthew Whitaker. Touhill Performing Arts Center, 1 University Blvd., 63121. For more information, visit www.touhill. org.

Tues., May 14, 6 p.m., Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer

District Rate Commission Public Hearing. St. Louis County Library Grant’s View Branch, 9700 Musick Rd., 63123. For more information, visit www.stlmsd.com.

Thur., May 16, 4 p.m., The Housing Resource Fair. Professionals from Enterprise Bank & Trust and other key organizations will be on site to assist families. Riverview Gardens High School, 1218 Shepley Dr., 63137. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Fri., May 17, 6 p.m., Young Friends of the Garden present the 12th Annual Fest-of-Ale. Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Blvd., 63110. For more information, visit www. missouribotanicalgarden.org.

Sat., May 18, 12 p.m., 11th Annual Taste of Maplewood Street Festival. Sutton Blvd., 63143. For more information, visit www.midcountychamber. org.

Sun., May 19, 2 p.m., 2019

Taste & Toast. Four Seasons Hotel, 999 N. 2nd St., 63102. For more information, visit www.tixtoparty.com.

Wed., May 22, 10 a.m., JobNewsUSA.com presents the St. Louis Job Fair Doubletree Hotel Westport, 1973 Craigshire Rd., 63146. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

May 23 – 28, 40th Annual St. Louis Senior Olympics. Men and women 50 years of age and better will compete in over 90 events at over a dozen local venues. For more information, visit www. stlouisseniorolympics.org.

Thur., May 23, 5:30 p.m., Empower Missouri’s St. Louis Chapter Annual Dinner. Keynote address by St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell. Il Monastero, 3050 Olive St., 63103. For more information, visit www. empowermissouri.org.

May 23 – 25, Dance St. Louis presents the Emerson Spring to Dance Festival 2019. Festival brings together more than 30 professional dance companies from across the country and beyond to showcase contemporary dance, tap, hip hop, and more. Touhill Performing Arts Center, 1 University Blvd., 63121. For

Cause. A Lupus charity ball. Ferguson Community Center, 1050 Smith Ave., 63135. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

literary

Fri., May 10, 8 p.m., Jazz n’ Tongues presents A Langston Hughes Retrospective: Was Langston Hughes the First Rapper. St. Louis University Theatre, 3733 W. Pine Mall Blvd., 63108.

Saturday, May 11, 11 a.m., North County Writing & Arts Network, Writers, artists, poets from North St. Louis County, create, connect and critique at monthly meeting. Jamestown Bluffs 4153 N. Hwy. 67 (Lindbergh), Florissant, MO. For more info: nocowan@yahoo.com or https://www.meetup.com/ North-County-Writing-Arts/ events/260437039/

more information, visit www. touhill.org.

Sat., May 25, 11:30 a.m., 11th Annual Morehouse Men of Style: Scholarship Luncheon and Fashion Show. Hilton Frontenac, 1335 S. Lindbergh Blvd., 63131. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Sun., May 26, 5 p.m., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Gamma Omega Chapter invites you to the 2019 Fashionetta Scholarship Cotillion. Marriott St. Louis Grand, 800 Washington Ave., 63101. For more information, visit www.akagostl.com.

Sun., May 26, 6 p.m., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., East St. Louis Alumni Chapter presents the Sundress and Linen Memorial Day Party. 10701 Lambert International Blvd., 63145. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Sun., May 26, 5 p.m., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Gamma Omega Chapter and the Ivy Alliance Foundation hosts a 35th Year Fashionetta Reunion. Monroe’s Bar & Grill, 2299 N. Florissant Ave., 63106. For more information, email krgoodwin1991@gmail. com.

Fri., May 31, 7 p.m., Pretty Faces of Lupus presents the 2nd Annual Ball for a

Wed., May 15, 7 p.m., St. Louis Public Library’s Hip Hop Appreciation Week presents An Evening with Hanif Abdurraqib Abdurraqib will discuss his biography on A Tribe Called Quest titled Go Ahead In The Rain. 1301 Olive St., 63103. For more information, visit www.left-bank.com.

Wed., May 15, 7 p.m., Left Bank Books hosts author Derrick Gold, author of 100 Things Cardinals Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die. Left Bank Books, 399 N. Euclid Ave., 63108. For more information, visit www.leftbank.com.

Wed., May 22, 7 p.m., University City Public Library hosts author Rafia Zafar, author of Recipes for Respect: African American Meals and Meaning. 6701 Delmar Blvd., 63130. For more information, visit www. ucpl.lib.mo.us/ucplevents.

Mon., June 3, 7 p.m., Left Bank Books hosts author Sherry Jones, author of Josephine Baker’s Last Dance A look at Josephine’s early years in servitude, rise to fame, activism, and loves and losses. 399 N. Euclid Ave., 63108. For more information, visit www.left-bank.com. art

May 10 – 12, Laumeier’s 32nd Annual Art Fair. Vendors, kids activities, up to 150 juried artists from across the country, and more. 12580 Rott Rd., 63127. For

St. Louis welcomes Jazzmeia Horn. For more information, see CONCERTS.

more information, visit www. laumeiersculpturepark.org.

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

Through May 31, The Griot Museum of Black History presents Still We Thrive. An exhibition on the neighborhoods of Fountain Park, Lewis Place, and The Ville, that focuses on the resilience, activism, and identity of these historic African-American communities. 2505 St. Louis Ave., 63106. For more information, visit www. thegriotmuseum.com.

comedy

May 9 – 11, Helium Comedy Club presents Sinbad. 1151 Saint Louis Galleria, 63117. For more information, visit www.heliumcomedy.com.

Fri., May 10, 8 p.m., The Laugh Lounge presents Sean Larkins. 11208 W. Florissant Ave., 63033. For more information, visit www. thelaughloungestl.com.

Fri., May 10, 8 p.m., Deon Benson Comedy Show. Starring Deon Benson and hosted by Willie C. Special guests Nathan Orton, Kent Grant, Tommy Dangerfield, and Precious J. Ya Hala, 12434 St. Charles Rock Rd., 63044. For more information, visit www.facebook.com.

May 16 – 19, Funny Bone St. Louis presents Jordan Rock 614 Westport Plaza, 63146. For more information, visit www.stlouisfunnybone.com.

May 17 – 19, Helium Comedy Club presents Gary Owen. 1151 Saint Louis Galleria, 63117. For more information, visit www. heliumcomedy.com.

Sat., May 25, 6 p.m., Love and Laugh Hour St. Louis.

Kenya Vaughn recommends

Feat. Tahir Moore, Tony Baker, and KevOnStage City of Life Christian Church, 8333 Fullerton Ave., 63132. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com. Sat., May 25, 7:30 p.m., Laugh At U Comedy Show. Feat. Shon Don, Jason Jenkins, and Gerald Houston. Proceeds go towards books and scholarships for college students. Legacy Books and Café, 5249 Delmar Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www.facebook.com.

theatre

Through May 9, COCA presents Harmonious Featuring an engaging repertoire of musical theatre and pop favorites. 524 Trinity Ave., 63130. For more information, visit www.

cocastl.org.

Sun., May 12, 7:30 p.m., Tennessee Williams Tribute. A tribute reading with poetry, prose, and song. Dark Room, 3610 Grandel Sq., 63108. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

May 10 – 12, Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Farewell Play With Tamela Mann, David Mann, and Cassi Davis. Fox Theatre, 527 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www.fabulousfox.com.

May 15 – June 2, The Black Rep presents Nina Simone: Four Women, Edison Theatre, 6445 Forsyth (on the campus of Washington University). Tickets are available at theblackrep.org, or by phone at 314-534-3807.

Funny Bone St. Louis presents Jordan Rock. See COMEDY for details.

Wed., May 15, 1 p.m., St. Louis Children’s Hospital presents Diabetes Survival Skills. 1 Children’s Place, 63110. For more information, call (314) 454-6051.

Fri., May 17, 6:30 p.m., Arthritis Foundation presents the Walk to Cure Arthritis. Logan University, 1851 Schoettler Rd., 63017. For more information, visit www. walktocurearthritis.org/stlouis.

Sat., May 18, 10 a.m., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., St. Louis Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter presents the 2nd Annual Spring Fling Health & Wellness Expo. 24:1 Coffee House, 6730 Page Ave., 63133. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Sat., May 25, 1:30 p.m., Kick, Push, Pull Training & Development Coalition presents Matters of Heart Health and Wellness: The Mind is a Terrible Thing to Waste. Free speaker series for women only. Medici MediaSpace, 2055 Walton Rd., 63114. For more information, visitwww.eventbrite.com.

lectures and workshops

Thur., May 9, 6 p.m., National Coalition of Black Women, Metropolitan St. Louis Chapter presents Sister-Nomic$: Investing 101. St. Louis County Library, Florissant Valley Branch, 195 S. New Florissant Rd., 63031. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Sat., May 11, 9 a.m., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., St. Louis Alumnae Chapter presents Teen Summit: Empowering Youth to SelfAdvocacy. Harris Stowe, 3026 Laclede Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Tues., May 14, 11 a.m.,

Churches on the Street St. Louis presents Human Trafficking EDU Workshop. RSVP required. St. Louis Community College at Forest Park, 5600 Oakland Ave., 63110. For more information, visit www.facebook.com.

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

Tues., June 4, 6 p.m., Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District Rate Commission Public Hearing. An opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed rate increase. Richmond Heights Community Center, 8001 Dale Ave., 63117. For more information, visit www.stlmsd. com.

spiritual

May 31 – June 1, A.L.I.V.E. presents Kingdom Woman: Beautiful, Bold & Blessed A women’s conference, focusing on building up and empowering women to be all that God wants them to be. Action Christian Center, 100 Kirkwood Pl., 63122. For more information, visit www. facebook.com.

May 31 – June 4, Temple Church of Christ presents Worship Arts Summit 2019. Prayer, worship, panel discussions, performances, family picnic, and more. 2741 Dayton St., 63106. For more information, visit www. tcoc100.ticketspice.com.

wOMEN

Continued from C1

Bombing in Birmingham, Alabama.

“Christina Ham did a wonderful job writing this play,” said Jay. “It talks about the Sojourners for Truth and Justice. It talks about the Children’s Crusade. There were a lot of things that I had to Google because I didn’t know about and I like to consider myself a black historian.”

As the characters sit and talk, the streets outside what’s left of the church have erupted in outrage to the tragedy. The play uses Simone’s music throughout the course of the play.

“Christina set the mood,” Stewart said. “By having it in such a horrible situation, it shows a lot of reaction to what happened. Each character had their own response. I think Ms. Nina represented a lot of people – people who wanted to be nonviolent, but thought, ‘But white people keep doing this, so maybe I should follow Malcolm X. But wait a minute, Dr. King said we can’t stoop to their level’.”

The four women embark on an enlightening discussion that gives insight on the plight of the black woman and her place in the world. The dialogue leads conversations about their

roles in society, colorism, their contributions to the movement and everything in between.

“It opened my eyes to a lot of things,” said Alex Jay, who plays Sephronia, a biracial woman who is the product of a black woman who was raped by a white man.

Jay had never heard of the “brown paper bag test” before she started researching for the play. She also never noticed that women were often relegated to supporting players within the movement.

“This play talks about the Civil Rights Movement in a way that you just don’t learn in a history class,” said Jay. “The women weren’t really given their due. ‘Four Women’ shines light on that and how we were not given the same opportunities within the movement.”

In her first leading role on The Black Rep stage, Stewart is charged with portraying Simone. She has such a reverence for the music legend, she refers to the character as Ms. Nina.

“The whole process has been like an earthquake,” Stewart said. “It has taken a lot for me to break the ground of becoming her – I’m still becoming her. She’s such a force and a complex person. We all have our own complexities, but Ms. Nina’s was off the Richter scale.”

Her work includes getting audiences to connect with an imagined moment that illus-

trates the shift where Simone’s music began to echo the movement.

“To emulate somebody that was so big, it’s challenging because everybody has a reference – even if she was not anything like what they thought,” Stewart said. “I hope that will see me giving homage and me giving respect to Ms. Nina.”

The final rehearsals before next week’s opening are underway, and Jay said she is still coming in and making new discoveries about the production and the history it’s rooted in.

“Some days, I cry through the whole play. But it’s our truth,” Jay said. “This play reminds me a lot of the struggles we are going through now still.”

He hopes audiences will see it and remember our history –and say, “Okay, how can we take those history lessons and apply them to what’s going on now and try to get some progress for our people?”

It’s a beautiful thing that we can explore that and hopefully the audience will learn just as much as I have during this whole process.”

The Black Rep’s presentation of “Nina Simone: Four Women” begins May 15 and runs through June 2 at Washington University’s Edison Theatre. Tickets are available at theblackrep.org, or by calling (314)534-3807.

SCHOLARS

Continued from C1

I want to help employees feel valued and employers recognize that their greatest asset is their employees.”

Maya Rodriguez is looking for opportunities to combine her criminal justice education with her experience in mental health.

“I chose criminal justice because I always have been fascinated with what makes offenders commit the crimes that they do, whether it is a psychological aspect or traumabased,” Maya said. “I also believe the field is one that will always be needed.”

And while they share the support and encouragement of family, friends and each other, each of the Rodriguez women had impactful instructors at the university who helped them succeed as students.

“Latrell Hayes and Brian Washington had the greatest influence on me as a student because they genuinely cared about my success, provided feedback and guidance that gave me increased confidence and trust in my abilities,” Michele’ Rodriguez said.

For Maya Rodriguez, it was Lois Whitley.

“She would always take

Continued from C1

also spiritually – so that you see the essence of that person.”

Sitting in his family home in Gibsland, Louisiana and meditating on family photos aided him in the process of writing the book, which grew out of a tiny essay he wrote about learning to manage his daughter as a single father.

“I thought I should just write more scenes from my life,” Blow said. He stayed committed to the process, but never got around to pitching or selling them. “I kept writing and there were 25,000-30,000 words of random essays and I thought ‘Maybe there’s something bigger here,’” Blow said. “I started to search the essays for some sort of narrative.”

He found it – particularly in his ability to navigate their way to triumph beyond the most unforeseen and seemingly insurmountable life experiences, a trait the book reveals that he shares with his mother. “Fire” is therapeutic for anyone

the time to explain something or allow discussions after class, which assisted me in my classwork,” she said of Whitley. “She was also one of the most supportive professors I had, especially when I discovered that I had to have surgery to remove a tumor in my brain and the effects of the tumor were severe headaches that prevented me from participating in class.”

The mother-daughter duo also graduated together from Lindenwood with bachelor’s degrees in December 2017.

Maya’s bachelor’s degree is in Criminal Justice (magna cum laude) and Michele’s degree is in Health Management (summa cum laude). Why have they been pursuing higher education together? It made the journey easier for both of them.

“Most endeavors are easier when you have someone by your side who understands the importance of what you are trying to accomplish,” Michele’ said. “Maya is a single parent, and it was important for us to be able to schedule our evening classes so that Mila (Maya’s daughter-my granddaughter) would be cared for.”

When Maya had classes, Michele’ was home with Mila and vice versa. They also practiced presentations with one another and brainstormed ideas for their many research papers.

looking for a frame of reference on an overcomer. That transparency has come with consequences – including his family’s reaction to the book’s content.

“You don’t live your life thinking that you will write about it – let alone someone else,” Blow said. “And you build a legend or image of yourself in your own mind that is going to be different than how another person sees you. It’s shocking, whether it’s flattering or not, to see yourself described by someone else.”

Then there are the range of emotions that come with the revelation of abuse – more specifically, the knowing that had you been aware of what was going on, you would have helped in some way.

“It is particularly painful for my mom as a parent to know what was happening in her house and she didn’t know and wasn’t there,” Blow said. “My mother has mentioned the book twice in five years. And both times she has not mentioned the title of the book. She says, ‘You know that book you wrote.’”

“Fire” gave him new insight

“The support and the encouragement of each other helped us push through when things appeared to be overwhelming,” Maya said. The pursuit of education extends further through the family line. Michele’s grandmother, Malissa Mitchell, and her parents, Alfred and Marilyn Alston, have associate degrees.

“I am the first of my siblings to obtain a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree,” Michele’ Rodriguez said. “Currently, my youngest daughter, Marlena Rodriguez, is active duty in the U.S. Navy and is completing her bachelor’s degree at University of Maryland University College. And, finally, I have a niece, Marissa Robinson, attending Logan University pursuing her Doctorate of Chiropractic degree.”

Michele’ Rodriguez is a veteran herself.

“I was an electrician in the U.S. Navy, then a successful beauty salon owner in Virginia Beach, Virginia for many years, but I always wanted to get a college degree,” she said. “The cost of tuition and loans was a huge factor in putting off my education. Even now, the loans and cost are still a factor, but I can honestly say that I was true to myself, believed in myself and invested in myself.”

and perspective as he unpacked his past.

“There is a level of you never really know yourself until you write about yourself,” Blow said. “You also don’t fully know the people around you until you have to examine them. I had always been angry about my father’s alcoholism. I felt sympathy after writing the book, because I had to explore it in a way that I hadn’t thought about it before.”

The book also reinforced the power of controlling one’s own narrative.

“When talking about his homosexuality, James Baldwin said, ‘If I disclose it, you can’t blackmail me’,” Blow said. “One thing I’ve learned as a journalist is that if you tell your own story, then it belongs to you. If somebody finds something out about you and they tell it, it belongs to them.”

Opera Theatre of Saint Louis’ world-premiere of ‘Fire Shut Up In My Bones’ will take place from June 15 – June 29 at The Loretto-Hilton, 130 Edgar Rd. in Webster Groves, MO. For more information, visit https://www.opera-stl.org or call (314) 961-0644.

Celebrations

Birthdays

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

James-Bady 314-382-0890.

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

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

Sumner Class Of 1969 50th reunion “Living Life Like

Happy 12th Birthday to my niece MaKaya! I hope you enjoyed your day on April 23! With all my love, Tete Donna

Happy 58th Birthday to our mother, Yvonne Parkins, who will celebrate her special day on May 14. Wishing her God’s richest blessings! From, her children, grandchildren and family

It’s Golden” June 28-30, 2019. Looking for classmates of 1969 to contact us with your updated information via address:sumnerclass1969@ gmail.com or our FB page: Sumner High.

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

Soldan Class of 1979 is

Mother of the Year Award

Carolyn Perkins will receive the Mother of the Year award from The Top Ladies of Distinction Cardinal Chapter on May 11. Ms. Perkins is the proud mother of six awesome, dynamic children, 20 outstanding, educated and loving grandchildren and 17 sweet, remarkable greatgrandchildren. She is a wellknown and well-loved resident of St. Louis Missouri and served countless families in her 48-year career as an educator. Congratulations!

planning its 40th year reunion for the weekend of August 2-3, 2019. Yearlong reunion activities will begin with a kickoff at Soldan High School on Saturday, October 13, 2018 prior to the game at 1 p.m. For more information or to assist with reunion activities, please email at: soldanclassof1979@ gmail.com or call Barbara at 314 456-3391.

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

Northwest Class of 1979 is planning on cruising for our 40th class reunion and would

love for you to join us! Date to sail is

for July 20, 2019 and you

feel free to contact: Duane Daniels at 314-568-2057 or Howard Day at

4261 for further

Please don’t

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

Kinloch Class of 1969 is planning its 50th year reunion on August 21, 22 and 23. Dinner dance at Orlandos, 2050 Dorsett Village Plaza. For information call Ruben at 314239-5202 or Ophelia at 314280-6596. Classmates please respond by April 2019.

or less) to us and we may include it in our paper and website – AT NO COST – as space is available Photos will not be returned. Send your announcements to: kdaniel@stlamerican. com or mail to:

Margie Davis turned 99 years old on May 1 and is still going strong! We love you Aunt Margie! From, The Walker Family

Trump’s politics of racial and religious division fuels deadly hatred

Killing at Chabad of Poway synagogue near

San Diego is latest carnage

By Eugene Robinson Washington Post

Hatred, resentment, white supremacy and victimhood are deadly political tools. President Trump wields them with no thought to the consequences – and people die.

The latest is Lori Gilbert Kaye, 60, shot and killed April 27 at the Chabad of Poway synagogue near San Diego. The shooter, a 19-year-old gunman armed with a military-style assault rifle, wounded three others. The assailant, who reportedly yelled anti-Semitic slurs, left behind an internet screed full of the same kind of paranoid vitriol about Jews that was used to motivate the Holocaust.

The alleged killer’s “open letter” voiced hearty approval of the massacre of 11 Jews at a synagogue in Pittsburgh last October. He was apparently an equal-opportunity hater, however, since in the letter he confesses to an arson attack at a nearby mosque and claims to have been inspired by the anti-Muslim rampage in New Zealand last month that left 50 dead.

I should note that both the Pittsburgh and Poway shooters expressed criticism of Trump because they thought him too supportive of Israel. But Trump’s Mideast policy does not get him off the hook. At this point, no one can deny the obvious:

anxieties and bring people together. Trump, however, deliberately makes everything worse.

He launched his campaign in 2015 by demonizing Latino immigrants as rapists and drug dealers. He encouraged his supporters not simply to question existing immigration policy or seek to change it, but to hate the immigrants themselves – to see them as “animals” and “bad hombres.” He modeled that hatred with his cruel policy of deliberately separating thousands of children from their asylum-seeking parents. It is not possible to treat people that way if you acknowledge and respect their humanity. Trump has given every indication that he does not.

One of the vile notions found in the cesspools of the internet is that there is an organized attempt underway to “replace” white Americans with Latinos, and that this plot is somehow inspired or abetted by Jews. This ridiculous fantasy was on the mind of the Pittsburgh shooter, and perhaps the Poway shooter as well.

The president, primarily through his unconstrained rhetoric, has fostered an atmosphere in which hate-filled white supremacists feel motivated, vindicated and emboldened to act. In my lifetime, at least, we have never before had a president who deliberately exacerbates racial and religious tensions for political gain. We have had a few who winked at racists to get elected, a few who blew dog whistles about such issues as school desegregation and “inner-city crime.” But I can’t think of one of Trump’s predecessors who might have been capable of looking at a crowd of white supremacists, neo-Nazis and Ku

Klux Klan members on the one hand, a diverse crowd of counterprotesters on the other, and saying there were “very fine people on both sides.”

Of course that does not mean that all of Trump’s supporters are racist. Nor does it mean that Trump somehow generates racism out of thin air. What he does is allow it to surface into the light, where its putrid flowers can bloom.

No one who has any familiarity with American history could be under the illusion that racism and anti-Semitism are things of the past. But yes, much has changed over the years and decades. The country has

become more diverse – there will be no white, non-Hispanic majority by 2045 – and its promise of equality has been expanded to groups that were previously excluded. Ours is a better, fairer nation now, though we still have far to go.

But social change is unsettling, especially when it comes along with economic change. Americans once were certain that their children’s lives would be wealthier and more fulfilled than their own; now, they’re not sure.

White men used to run everything in this country; now they merely run almost everything.

The job of a leader is to try to calm

Trump could use his Twitter feed or his political rallies to lower the temperature. He could acknowledge that the asylum-seekers are just men and women trying to do what’s best for their families. He could denounce all the conspiracy theories about “globalists,” a term anti-Semites use to refer to Jews. He could engage with African Americans on issues such as police shootings and voter suppression.

But he does not.

Trump’s theory of politics is based on division, not unity. He constantly stokes anger, never apologizes, always seeks another crack where he can drive another wedge. Hate crimes, meanwhile, have reached a new high. That is no coincidence.

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

The killer at the Chabad of Poway synagogue near San Diego reportedly yelled anti-Semitic slurs, left behind an internet screed full of the same kind of paranoid vitriol about Jews that was used to motivate the Holocaust.

COORDINATORFINANCE- ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

To assist the Finance and Accounting Department with cash receipts, accounts payable, and to assist in other accounting and administrative duties.

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

This position is responsible for guiding the profitable growth and effective management of the General Liability and Umbrella/Excess Liability lines of business across all business units on a countrywide basis. This position will be involved in the build-out of our new policy rating and administration system, which will include the identification and implementation of enhanced pricing and predictive analytic factors. This position will also be involved as a subject matter expert and resource for heavy General Liability exposure accounts, in addition to developing, refining and delivering effective underwriting training across multiple business units. As the recognized subject matter expert for the General Liability and Umbrella/Excess Liability lines, this role will lead the evolution of our General Liability and Umbrella/Excess Liability product offerings through regular interactions and ongoing analysis in collaboration with multiple departments including Claims, Actuarial, Compliance, Legal and IS. This role will be the thought leader responsible for determining how the company achieves and maintains a profitable book of General Liability and Umbrella/Excess Liability business while differentiating our approach and product offering in order to build and retain a favorable portfolio of accounts.

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

COORDINATOR- CLAIMSSYSTEMS

SUPPORT

Responsible for various administrative tasks related to: assisting in the testing, planning, organizing and documenting of the various software applications, re-engineering projects, ClaimCenter and V2 applications, continually aiding in the assessment and improvement of all Claim system support including testing and training end users.

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

ASSISTANT- CLAIMSEDI PROCESSING

Responsible for various technical support tasks related to: processing data into the Data repository, Claim Center and scorecards.

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

TECHNICAL SUPPORT ENGINEER III

Responsible for Tier 3 technical support of end users, infrastructure monitoring and administration, and user account management.

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

COORDINATOR-CLAIMSEDI PROCESSING

Responsible for various technical support tasks related to: processing data into the Data repository, Claim Center and scorecards.

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

QUALITY ASSURANCE

ANALYST I

Perform thorough inspection and methodical examination of all Commercial Automobile, General Liability, Excess and Primary Workers’ Compensation system changes released to the various testing environments for proper operation and freedom from defects. This process will follow all prescribed Quality Assurance rules and testing guidelines. Reports directly to the Manager of Quality Assurance.

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

EXPLORE ST. LOUIS ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – SALES

DEPARTMENT

Explore St. Louis is the official destination marketing organization responsible for selling St. Louis as a convention, meeting site, & leisure travel destination. We work to attract city-wide conventions, hotel meetings, sporting events, group tours and individual leisure travelers to St. Louis. We manage and operate America’s Center and the Dome, and are partnered with 700+ local / regional businesses.

NO Phone Calls Please.

CITY OF ST PETERS, MO CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Are you a team player? Work for an employer who values and supports teamwork for their employees. St. Peters Rec-Plex and Golf Course offer their employees competitive pay and a chance to work in a fun atmosphere. To view current openings and to apply please visit: www.stpetersmo.net/jobs AA/EOE

A.T. STILL UNIVERSITY IS EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THE OPENINGS OF THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS ON IT’S KIRKSVILLE, MO CAMPUS:

- AHEC APEX Database Administrator

- Inventory Processing Technician Internship

- Post Award Project Manager

- Assistant/Associate Professor - OMM

- Family Medicine/Women’s Health Physician

- AHEC Administrative Coordinator

- Simulation Clinic Coordinator/ Preclinical Facilitator

- Senior Administrative Assistant

- Education Manager Preclinical

- Administrative Support - Enrollment Services

- IT Support Tech

- Proposal Development Specialist

- Admissions Counselor Visit jobs.atsu.edu for full job descriptions.

A.T. STILL UNIVERSITY IS EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THE OPENINGS OF THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS AT IT’S ST. LOUIS CLINIC:

- Associate Director, Faculty Development/CE

- Comprehensive Care Unit

Director Visit jobs.atsu.edu for full job descriptions.

Explore St. Louis is seeking a highly detailed and organized individual with knowledge of the hospitality industry to join our team as an Administrative Assistant within the Sales department. This position provides administrative assistance for department staff members and assigned clients. Duties include: preparing sales leads, generating site inspection support bid proposals, and typing correspondence to include memos + reports. Knowledge of MS Office including Outlook is required, along with word processing & spreadsheet applications. This position also maintains and updates key information in the CRM database. Our ideal candidate will possess strong administrative skills, attention to detail, and an intermediate level of computer experience. Associate’s Degree or one to three years’ related experience is required. Knowledge of EBMS a plus. To apply, go to https://explorestlouis.com/jobopportunities-internships/. Or email resume + cover letter to jobs@explorestlouis.com. NO PHONE CALLS! EOE. COORDINATORACCOUNT SERVICESPOLICY REPORTING

As a member of a self-directed work team, this position

Public Notice of Single Source Procurement

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is proposing to procure: UPGRADE RAW PUMP VFDS/ALLEN

BRADLEY. The District is proposing single source procurement for this service/ equipment because FRENCH GERLEMAN ELECTRIC is the only known available source. Any inquiries should be sent to gjamison@stlmsd.com.

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

Public Notice of Single Source Procurement

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is proposing to procure: GA INDUSTRIES 24- INCH CHECK VALVE. The District is proposing single source procurement for this equipment because HYDROKINETICS CORP is the only available source for the equipment. Any inquiries should be sent to gjamison@stlmsd.com.

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

Public Notice of Single Source Procurement

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is proposing to procure: Aperture Card and Microfiche scanning and processing. The District is proposing single source procurement to Microtek for this service because MSD is currently under contract for other scanning services and this request is outside the original contracted services. Any inquiries should be sent to ameyer@stlmsd.com.

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

BIDS

Curtiss-Manes-Schulte, Inc. is soliciting bids from MBE/ WBE/SDVE/DBE subcontractors and suppliers for work on the Dickenson Research Center, Lincoln University, Jefferson City, MO. Bids are due Thursday, May 23, 2019 by 11:00 am and can be faxed to (573) 392-4527 or emailed to bbrown@cms-gc.com For more information, call Bob @ (573) 392-6553. Curtiss-Manes-Schulte, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

DRAFT RFP POSTING St. Louis County Department of Human Services

FY2019 Cooling Shelter Request For Proposal

The St. Louis County Department of Human Services, Homeless Services Program, is seeking proposals for the St. Louis County FY19 Cooling Shelter. The total funding available is approximately $65,000.00. Proposals are due by 11:00 a.m. on May 17, 2019. A Pre-Proposal Conference will be held on May 3, at 10:00-11:00 a.m. @ the Department of Human Services. Request For Proposal details and specifications can be obtained at the St. Louis County Bids and RFPs webpage located at http://www.stlouisco.com/ YourGovernment/BidsandRFPs

SEALED BIDS

Repairs, Missouri

Request for Proposals

Rail Upgrade, Phase II Municipal River Terminal 1 Madison Street St. Louis, MO, 63102

The City of St. Louis Port Authority will receive sealed bids for rail improvements at the Municipal River Terminal on 5/30/19. For more info, visit https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/sldc/ procurement/index.cfm

SEALED BIDS

The City of Wellston will accept sealed bids for its upcoming Neighborhood Cleanup Activity. All bidders are strongly advised to read and familiarize themselves with this invitation, the bid specifications, and the locations where the work will take place. This activity is funded in whole or in part with Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds pursuant to Title1 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended. All applicable federal regulations shall be in full force and effect.

TO ADVERTISE YOUR BIDS PLEASE CALL ANGELITA AT 314-2895430

Public Notice of Single Source Procurement

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is confirming procurement: CIP Manhole Bag Liners (Alternative Lining Technologies – Change Order #3. The District is confirming single source procurement to Ace Pipe Cleaning for this equipment and service. Any inquiries should be sent to ameyer@stlmsd.com.

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

Sealed proposals will be received by the Board of Public Service in Room 208 City Hall, 1200 Market Street, St. Louis, Mo. Until 1:45 PM, CT, on June 4, 2019 then publicly opened and read. Plans and Specifications may be examined on the Board of Public Service website http://www.stlbps.org/planroom.aspx (BPS On Line Plan Room) and may be purchased directly through the BPS website from INDOX Services at cost plus shipping. No refunds will be made. Bidders shall comply with all applicable City, State and Federal laws (including MBE/WBE policies). Mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 14, 2019, at 1:30 PM in the Ozark Conference Room at the Airport Office Building, 11495 Navaid Rd., Bridgeton, MO 63044. All bidders must regard Federal Executive Order 11246, “Notice of Requirement for Affirmative Action to Ensure Equal Employment Opportunity”, the “Equal Opportunity Clause” and the “Standard Federal Equal Employment Specifications” set forth within and referenced at www.stl-bps.org (Announcements).

INVITATION TO BID

Tarlton Corporation, 5500 West Park Avenue, St. Louis MO 63110 is soliciting bids on the Ground Transportation Center Renovation project for the City of St. Louis, Board of Public Service located at St. Louis Lambert International Airport.

The work will consist of the renovation of the existing building and constructing two small additions to the existing building as well as removal and replacement of existing parking lot, along with site utility, irrigation and landscape upgrades.

Tarlton is soliciting subbids on the following work categories: Final cleaning, demolition, concrete, concrete rebar,, structural steel, rough carpentry, roofing, waterproofing, siding fiber cement, flashings, aluminum framed storefronts, doors frames and hardware, acoustical ceilings, epoxy flooring, flooring, gypsum board, painting, tiling, fire protection specialties, signage, toilet partitions & bathroom accessories, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, asphalt, earthwork, chain link fencing, landscaping, plant screen system, planting irrigation, site concrete, site furnishings, and storm utility drainage.

The Minority/Women Business Enterprise (W/WBE) goal for this emergency agreement is “Maximum Utilization or MBE and WBE”. Maximum Utilization is deemed to have been met when any subcontracting or supplies equal a minimum of 25% MBE plus 5% WBE of the value of the prime contract. Please note this project is in accordance with the Mayor’s Executive Order No. 28.

Subbids are due at 12:00 p.m. on May 20, 2018. These may be emailed to bids@tarltoncorp.com. Any questions please contact Scott Snyders at 314.633.3358 or SWSnyders@tarltoncorp.com.

It is our desire to provide meaningful opportunities or minority-owned (MBE) and women-owned (WBE) businesses to participate to complete for our clients. Firms that do not have MBE/ WBE status are strongly encouraged to include MBE/WBE firms in their cost Additionally, we work to enhance diversity through the workforce, or “boots on the ground” which serves to increase the representation of women and minorities, apprentices and St. Louis City residents.

Bid documents may be viewed at: https://app.buildingconnected. com/public/55b2997ad17b3807006f2618 Tarlton is an equal opportunity employer.

Patrol, General Headquarters, 1510 E. Elm St. Jefferson City, MO 65101, Project No. R1704-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, May 30, 2019.For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/ facilities

SEALED BIDS for

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

A complete bid packet along with additional bid information must be obtained from Jann Trigg, City Administrator, City Administrator, 1414 Evergreen Ave., cityadministrator@ cityofwellston.com. All sealed bids must be received by Tuesday, May 28, 2019 at 3:00 pm. The City of Wellston reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and/ or combinations thereof and to waive informalities therein.

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Notice is hereby given that The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (District) will receive sealed bids for North And South 1245 Storm Replacement (IR) under Letting No. 12849015.1, at this office, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103, until 02:00 PM on Thursday, May 30, 2019, at a place designated. Bids will be received only from companies that are pre-qualified by the District’s Engineering Department for: SEWER CONSTRUCTION – St. Louis County drainlayer’s license required Plans and Specifications are available for free electronic download. Please go to MSD’s website and look for a link to “ELECTRONIC PLANROOM.” Plans and Specifications are also available for viewing or purchase at Cross Rhodes Reprographics located at 1712 Macklind Avenue, St. Louis MO 63110. All bidders must obtain a set of plans and specifications in order to submit a bid in the name of the entity submitting the bid. The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Notice is hereby given that The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (District) will receive sealed bids for Wyoming St. #6315 Combined Sewer Repair (IR) under Letting No. 13137015.1, at this office, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103, until 02:00 PM on Tuesday, June 04, 2019, at a place designated. Bids will be received only from companies that are pre-qualified by the District’s Engineering Department for: SEWER CONSTRUCTION – St. Louis CITY drainlayer’s license required Plans and Specifications are available for free electronic download. Please go to MSD’s website and look for a link to “ELECTRONIC PLANROOM.” Plans and Specifications are also available for viewing or purchase at Cross Rhodes Reprographics located at 1712 Macklind Avenue, St. Louis MO 63110. All bidders must obtain a set of plans and specifica- tions in order to submit a bid in the name of the entity submitting the bid.

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

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS

SEWER DISTRICT Notice

that the

St. Louis Sewer District is accepting proposals in the Purchasing

2350 Market Street, St. Louis,

63103-2555 until 10:00 a.m. on May 28th, 2019 to contract with a company for: Security System Maintenance Services. Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from www.stlmsd.com, click on the “MSD AT WORK” link, (bid opportunities). The bid document will be identified as 9945 RFP. If you do not have access to the internet, call 314.768.2735 to request a copy of this bid.

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

BIDS

Great Rivers Greenway is soliciting proposals for professional information technology (IT) services. Check https://greatriversgreenway. org/jobs-bids/ and submit by May 23, 2019.

BIDS

Great Rivers Greenway is soliciting proposals for Office Furniture Planning and Procurement. Check https://greatriversgreenway. org/jobs-bids/ and submit by May 21, 2019

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS

SEWER DISTRICT

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District will receive RFQ’s in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103-2555 until 10:00 a.m. on May 29, 2019 to contract with a company for: ORACLE E-BUSINESS SUITE LICENSES. Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from www.stlmsd.com, click on the “MSD AT WORK” link, (bid opportunities). The bid document will be identified as 9946 RFQ. If you do not have access to the internet, call 314.768.2735 to request a copy of this bid.

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

Public Notice of Single Source Procurement Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is proposing to procure: SL-RAT. The District is proposing single source procurement to InfoSense, Inc for this equipment. Any inquiries should be sent to ameyer@stlmsd.com.

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

Sealed proposals will be received by the Board of Public Service, Room 208, City Hall, 1200 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri, 63103 until 1:45 PM, CT, on June 4, 2019, then publicly opened and read. Plans and Specifications may be examined on the Board of Public Service website http:// www.stl bps.org/planroom (BPS On Line Plan Room) and may be purchased directly through the BPS website from INDOX Services at cost plus shipping. No refunds will be made.

Bidders shall comply with all applicable City and State laws (including DBE/MBE/WBE policies). Mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 14, 2019, at 10:00 A.M. in the Ozark Conference Room (A0-4066) at the Airport Office Building, 11495 Navaid Rd., Bridgeton, MO 63044.

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

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

CITY OF ST. LOUIS ST. LOUIS LAMBERT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Solicitation For Bids (SFB) for Boiler Control and Repair Services Bids Wanted

Bid documents may be obtained at St. Louis Lambert International Airport, Airport Properties Division, Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., or by calling (314)

At St. Louis Lambert International Airport

Sealed proposals will be received by the Board of Public Service in Room 208 City Hall, 1200 Market Street, St. Louis, Mo. Until 1:45 PM, CT, on Tuesday, May 21, 2019 then publicly opened and read. Plans and Specifications may be examined on the Board of Public Service website http:// www.stl-bps.org/planroom.aspx (BPS On Line Plan Room) and

2019, at 1:30 PM in the Ozark Conference Room at the Airport Office Building, 11495 Navaid Rd., Bridgeton, MO 63044. All bidders must regard Federal Executive Order 11246, “Notice of Requirement for Affirmative Action to Ensure Equal Employment Opportunity”,

NOTICE TO BID

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

The Industrial Development Authority of the County of St. Louis, Missouri (the “IDA”) solicits proposals from

will be responsible to draft various

resolutions and to review various financing documents.

To be considered, proposals must be received no later than 3:00 PM CST on Thursday, May 23, 2019. Proposals should be sent by email to hbean@stlpartnership.com, or to Industrial Development Authority, c/o St. Louis Economic Development Partnership, ATTN: Howl Bean II, 7733 Forsyth Blvd., Suite 2200, St. Louis, Missouri 63105. DBE, MBE, and WBE consultants are encouraged to bid, and a five percent bid preference may be available to certified MBE firms.

The complete Request for Qualifications may be obtained at www.stlpartnership.com. The IDA reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to waive informalities therein. Any questions should be directed to Howl Bean II at (314) 615-7663 or hbean@stlpartnership.com.

St. Louis Economic Development Partnership Equal Opportunity Employer

CITY

Solicitation For Bids (SFB) for

Bids

Bid documents may be obtained at St.

Lambert International Airport,

Division, Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., or by calling (314) 426-8189. This SFB may also be obtained by visiting our website at www.flystl.com/ business/contract-opportunites.

Salarano

Robert

Airport Properties Division Manager

Public Notice of Single Source Procurement

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is proposing to procure temporary help services from Jupiter Consulting Services in an effort to support the IT Technology Plan. The District is proposing single source procurement for this service because it does not have the internal expertise to fulfill this Information Technology role. Any inquiries should be sent to strenz@stlmsd.com. Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Notice is hereby given that the City of Richmond Heights, MO will be accepting sealed bids for the demolition of three (3) single-family homes, including necessary asbestos abatement as detailed in ATC Report Project #196CRH1901 dated April 9, 2019. The properties are located at 1307, 1309 & 1313 Laclede Station Road. Anyone wishing to bid,

Please note that the demolition of the building at 1309 Laclede Station Road is contingent upon the City obtaining ownership of the property, which is estimated to be on or about April 30, 2019.

The Bids may be returned either electronically (email) or delivered to City Hall in sealed envelopes.

• If returned electronically, please email to the Office of the City Manager, Amy Hamilton at ahamilton@richmondheights.org Please type: SEALED BIDS in the subject line and attach all documents.

Request for Proposal # 57819108 for Short-Term Lease Student Housing Harris-Stowe State University (HSSU) is requesting proposals to provide short-term lease student housing. Interested parties may obtain a copy of the RFP by faxing a written request to HSSU, Attention: B. A. Morrow, (314) 340-3322; sending an email to: morrowb@hssu.edu, or by calling (314) 340-5763 and leaving the company name, address and telephone #. Proposals must be received no later than 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 15, 2019 and should be mailed or delivered in sealed envelopes clearly marked “Proposal for Short-Term Lease Student Housing”, Harris-Stowe State University, Dr. Henry Givens, Jr., Administration (HGA) building, ATTN: B. A. Morrow, 3026 Laclede Avenue, Room 105, St. Louis, MO 63103. Proposals will be opened and the names read at 10:15 a.m. in room 123 of the HGA building.

• If returned by regular mail or hand delivered: Bids must be sealed in envelopes and clearly marked “SEALED BIDS” in the lower left hand corner of the envelope. All bids are to be submitted to the Office of the City Manager’s office no later than 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 14, 2019, at which

Saint Louis Zoo 2019 Alterations, Repairs and Demolition, Saint Louis Zoo North Campus RFQ

The scope of the project includes: Design services to create bid documents for environmental remediation and demolition of existing buildings, grading, storm drainage, waterproofing and repairs to existing buildings Roof repairs, re-roofing, masonry repair, building envelope commissioning, building envelope repair Office building renovation, repairs; Code analysis, ADA study, three stop hydraulic elevator installation, office power, lighting and communication system improvements, carpet, painting, re-glazing.

Saint Louis Zoo 2019 Alterations, Repairs to Historic Hill Buildings RFQ

This project will include design services for the repair and replacement of roofing, replacement of existing skylights in all three buildings, repairs to pavement and façade features at the Bird House, and the replacement of the solarium at the Herpetarium.

MANDATORY PRE-BID MEETING & SITE

INSPECTION: On 4/24/2019 at 10:00AM at The Living World building on Government Drive in Forest Park, Upper level. Sealed bids marked with project name will be accepted on or before 5/8/2019 at 11:00 AM. Documents can be found on 4/18/2019 at: https://www.stlzoo.org/about/contact/vendoropportunities/

or

or

any such preference, limitation, or

will not knowingly accept any advertising for

which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.”

The R&B Brits have arrived. So, sixty something years later, the R&B folks can finally understand how Elvis and ‘nem felt when The Beatles and The Rolling Stones hopped on the scene and shut the music industry down, thanks to Ella Mai I’m gonna be honest. I thought the “Boo’d Up” song was cute or whatever, but I didn’t really feel one way or the other about her despite how folks kept going on and on. Mainly because my favorite R&B Brit, Lianne LaHavas is still under the radar on radio and mainstream American music. That all changed after Sunday night at The Pageant though. Miss Mai came to slay for her sold-out debut tour. And the show was life even before she took the stage, thanks to show opener Mahalia. Her little quirky R&B self made me feel really good about the variety that’s happening in R&B – particularly internationally. When Ella Mai came out, I had already assumed that Mahalia showed her up. Mainly because I don’t get too heavy into stuff once everybody gets into it and her music seemed too cute and catchy for me to connect with. But when I tell you, that she gave me my whole life. Her outfit was serving Missy Elliott “I Can’t Stand The Rain” realness – and Ella quietly gives me Irene Cara 2.0 with her looks. It was a cute combination. She sounded great live. And I went back and caught life from the grown folks subject matter that she was going through on that album. In hindsight, I hate that “Boo’d Up” was my introduction her. Don’t get me wrong, I liked the song. It’s just that I learned way later than I should have that there is more to her than catchy, cutesy little pop tunes. I would have given her a second listen had anything else – especially her EP – had come on my radar before her radio hit.

A Shout out delayed for Cedric Cobb. I need fix a serious oversight from last week’s Partyline. I guess its more of a run-down delay than an error. I was so busy trying to get things off that I clipped my entry about Cedric Cobb’s “Shark Tank” watch party at City Hall Sunday before last. Not only did Cedric close a deal with a shark on the show, he had a down right regal event that felt more like a cross between a civic ceremony and a prom than a watch party. I’m used to watch parties being in clubs and on people’s couches. Cedric had City Hall on lock with a full-fledged program. I don’t know why I expected him to do anything casual. He is the founder of the Best Pocket Square Holder – and stays suited up. I wouldn’t be surprised if I caught him bench pressing in a business suit. What? That is not a diss. Anyway, back to the party. He had some big names – local and national – on hand to help him celebrate. NFL great Ray Lewis, model and television personality Tai Beauchamp were both in the building, and KSDK’s own Rene Knott served as master of ceremonies. I ran into a whole bunch of my folks – Tef Poe, DJ AJ, Monica Tyson, Cheryl D.S. Walker and others who I’m sure are salty right now because they didn’t get a mention. And did I tell y’all that everybody up in there was dressed to the nines? Derby day partied down. Speaking of dressed to the nines, Saturday afternoon I felt like I was in a Twilight Zone that prevented me from knowing how live the Kentucky Derby parties are until 2019. I got out there Saturday afternoon and two sets of Alphas were holding it down in the name of the Derby. My first stop was the Kentucky Day Party with the Arch City Alphas at Barnett’s on Washington. Now you know your party is popping if it spills into a whole other venue – and fills that up too! The ice cold brothers had it lit on the inside of Barnett’s, on the patio and they eased on over to the Bronson House and packed that out too. I’m going to be fully transparent and tell y’all that in all of my years of beating these streets day and night, I don’t believe I’ve ever been to a Kentucky Derby party. And Saturday I went to two in two hours that were crackin’.

I had no idea that y’all get all the way in it with the highbrow fashion, big hats and mint juleps. One guest didn’t even let a recent health issue stop his fresh. He was up in there with the brim, the blazer and a taped on surgical mask. And I’m not mad. Listen: there were some women at the Arch City Party who had to go straight through the back to the patio because their hats barely fit through the door. They even had a hat parade, y’all. Yes, a hat parade. I got a chance to make my first reconnection with Isis Jones since she rejoined Radio One St. Louis. She was there – and like every single soul up in there was looking as cute as can be. Derby partying like a champion. I wasn’t done getting my Derby on with the Alphas when I left midtown. I had to get my second wind together for my next lap of derby partyin’ with the Champion City Alphas on the deck of Ballpark Village’s Brew House for their Cigars, Big Hats and Cool Cats Derby Party. They had a live band and the Usual Suspects (it’s the band’s name, not the Alphas I see on the regular) were tearing it up. I saw some folks had beat me over from Barnett’s to get a second round of that Alpha Kentucky Derby Life. Dameon Christian had the Derby hat game sewed up for this particular set. It was the biggest of them all. But honestly, when does he not deliver straight-up slayage as far as his hats go? I just hope to never sit behind him at a concert because the whole row will be obstructed. A week away from May Day. For those of you who don’t know, I’m reminding y’all that NEXT Sunday a black St. Louis tradition will be taking place. The 109th Annual Annie Malone Children and Family Services May Day Parade is happening on Sunday, May 19. Am I the only one who gets my May day parade dates either a week ahead or a week behind? I had my pompoms and white boots ready to high kick down Market this weekend – and I would have been by my doggone self! And you’ll be thrilled to know that they’ve added festivities for the whole weekend that start on May 17. Visit https://www.anniemalone.com/parade for all the details.

95.5’s DJ Kut and Isis Jones rocked their most dapper Kentucky Derby style for the Arch City

Henry and Renee were among the Alpha/AKA couples who kicked it in the name of the Kentucky Derby Saturday Afternoon @ Barnett’s on Washington

Saundra and Charlotte were dressed for the Derby Saturday afternoon as the Alphas got their day party on @ Barnett’s On Washington

Arissa, Star and Tionnika enjoyed the good time and great vibe of the season’s first Twilight Tuesday @ the Missouri History Museum

Charise, Abby and Monica made their way to the Brew House @ Ballpark Village for the Cigars, Big Hats and Cool Casts Derby Party

Shalana and Miranda were as cute as can be for the Kentucky Derby Day Party with the Arch City Alphas @ Barnett’s on Washington

Sorors Kelcey and Ashley checking out Kim Massie’s Aretha Franklin tribute as the summer season of Twilight Tuesdays kicked off @the Missouri History Museum

Renee and Courtney chilled on the rooftop of the Brew House with the Champion City Alphas Saturday Afternoon and watched the Kentucky Derby

Candice and Ashlie were front and center for Ella Mai’s The Debut tour @ The Pageant Sunday night

Sonji and Ed were Derby fresh Saturday for the Kentucky Derby Day Party with the Arch City Alphas @ Barnett’s on Washington