October 17th, 2019 Edition

Big Brothers Big Sisters needs male mentors

By Francene Bethune

For The St.

“Each year, 80 percent of the young people waiting are boys,” said Rebecca (Becky) J. Hatter, president and CEO of the regional Big Brothers Big Sisters. “These youth, ages 6-14, are eager to have a Big Brother or Big Couple in their lives — ‘90

American

Big Brother Randy Wilford, left, with Little Brother Kiari. More than 400 boys registered with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri are currently waiting to be matched with a Big Brother.

Measuring equity

New project tracks regional racial disparities for STL and three counties

By Chris King

Of The St. Louis American

How are we doing? In terms of racial equity, that is. That question was often asked a couple of months ago around the 5-year anniversary of the onset of the Ferguson unrest. Now the Regional Equity Indicators Dashboard, STLEquity.org, strives to provide

County wipes clean $3.4M

in

inmate debt

County Council eliminated six jail fees in late August

By Chris King Of The

American

Some of the region’s most vulnerable people and their families have had $3.4 million more to spend between them over the past two months because the St. Louis County Council listened to Lt. Col. Troy Doyle, interim director of the St. Louis County Department of Justice Services. In July, Doyle advised that the county eliminate six jail fees, and the council passed an ordinance eliminating those fees in late August. The county eliminated a $70 booking fee, $20 bond fee charged to someone who posts bond, a $2

Louis County Council in 2009.

“Many of the individuals in custody already face significant financial hardships,” said Doyle, a veteran leader in the St. Louis County Police Department. “It is counter-productive for us to make things more difficult for those reentering the community after their release by saddling them

data sets to answer that question and track future progress over time. The dashboard, or graphical user interface, was created as a response to one of the Ferguson Commission’s Signature Calls to Action that called for a way to quantify the state of racial equity in the region. It’s an expansion of the City of St. Louis’s Equity Indicators Baseline Report released in late 2018. It consists of 72 indicators organized into three main themes drawn from the Ferguson Commission report – Youth at the Center, Opportunity to Thrive, and Justice for All. They measure quality-of-life factors such as child wellbeing, education quality,

Photo by Wiley Price

Siblings Myliyah and Ty Minner, both from Jacksonville, Illinois, take their aunt, Ashley Minner, for a ride on the Big Swing in Kiener Plaza on Monday, October 14.

Big Swing brings big fun

Lt. Col. Troy Doyle

Documents allege Kevin Hart fled scene of crash

According to an accident report obtained by TMZ.com, Kevin Hart left the scene of the accident where he sustained a serious back injury this summer.

TMZ says the report details Hart leaving passengers trapped in the vehicle as he was whisked away to receive medical treatment.

One of the passengers was allegedly pinned between the top of the right of the passenger seat and the collapsed roof of the vehicle with her head facing the windshield.

a treatment facility for the sake of his sobriety.

“In his ongoing commitment to putting family and sobriety first, DMX has checked himself into a rehab facility,” representatives for the rapper, born Earl Simmons, posted on the social media channel.

“He apologizes for his cancelled shows and thanks his fans for their continued support.”

The report also allegedly noted that the car was “not outfitted to carry rear seat passengers” because Hart replaced the back seats with plastic storage boxes.

DMX checks into rehab

Instead of performing at the Rolling Loud Festival in New York City, rap veteran DMX announced via Instagram that he was entering

DMX had been due to perform at a Three 6 Mafia reunion concert on Saturday night in Memphis and day two of the Rolling Loud festival in New York on Sunday.

DMX has struggled with substance abuse over the years and has been arrested on multiple charges, including drug possession and animal cruelty.

In 2010, he was sentenced to a year in prison for violating the terms of his probation.

In 2011, he said his 15 children helped him beat his addiction to cocaine.

Nipsey Hussle’s family granted guardianship of late rapper’s daughter

Back in May, late rapper Nipsey Hussle’s sister, Samantha Smith, filed for legal guardianship of his 10-year-old daughter, Emani Asghedom, accusing the child’s mother, Tanisha Foster, of being unfit.

According to TMZ, Samantha Smith, his

brother, Sam Asghedom, and their mother, Angelique Smith, have been appointed Emani’s legal guardians. The celebrity news and gossip site claims the court said his family provided enough evidence for their petition.

Hussle’s longtime partner, Lauren London, was also granted legal guardianship of her 3-year-old son, Kross, giving her authority to manage his inheritance.

Cuba Gooding Jr. maintains his innocence amidst groping accusations

Actor Cuba Gooding Jr., has since been accused of sexual misconduct by three more women, pled not guilty in court on Tuesday to forcible touching and sexual abuse in the third degree in connection to the original incident, which was alleged to have taken place at a New York rooftop bar.

The unnamed woman claimed she got into an argument with the “highly intoxicated” “American Crime Story” star after he allegedly touched her, and she resisted.

However, the 51-year-old actor’s attorney, Mark J. Heller, insisted none of the claims are “credible” and insisted he had seen video footage of “the entire event” and ‘there was not a drop of criminal conduct or inappropriate activity on his part.”

Gooding –who is already facing trial in connection with an alleged groping incident in June – has pleaded not guilty to one count of forcible touching and one count of sexual abuse, which are misdemeanors, after he allegedly squeezed the woman’s behind at Manhattan’s Tao nightclub

The prosecutors told the court in a hearing on Tuesday in Manhattan that Gooding Jr. had made a sexually suggestive remark to the lady earlier on in the evening, but he reportedly denied it when she confronted him.

The plea comes just four months after he denied touching a woman’s breast in a separate incident at the Magic Hour Rooftop Bar in Manhattan.

If you take medicine for depression and still have symptoms, you may qualify for Optimum. What is Optimum?

Optimum is a Washington University study to find out which depression medications are best for adults ages 60 and older.

What is involved?

• The study team will review your depression treatment and make a recommendation to you and your physician.

• The study team will call to check on your depression symptoms and adjust your treatment as needed.

• Participants may complete tests such as concentration, memory or balance tests.

• Participants will be compensated. Call (314) 273-7034 Learn more online at www.optimumstudy.org or email us at optimum@wustl.edu.

Kevin Hart

Cuba Gooding Jr.

When the first Africans landed in English North America

Anthony Cheeseboro of SIUE explains the importance of 1619

By Patricia Merritt Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Four hundred years ago, the first Africans landed in Old Point Comfort, Virginia. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Black Studies Program and the Office of the Provost presented its 1619 Commemoration recognition with an opening ceremony at noon Monday, September 30 in the Morris University Center, Goshen Lounge.

associate professor of historical studies in the College of Arts and Sciences and keynote speaker.

Cheeseboro’s presentation was entitled, “The Most Important Event in History with No Date.”

n “Slavery did not equal lack of knowledge or stupidity. At the end of the day, a slave was an economic investment.”

“There are many people who do not know the significance of this date,” said Kathryn Bentley, associate professor in the Department of Theater and Dance and director of the SIUE Black Studies Program. “This week, we will give the attention and recognition that this date deserves. It is important that we recognize how the events in 1619 changed the course of history for the entire world.”

“This is an event that made America what it is today,” said Anthony Cheeseboro, PhD,

“We don’t have an exact date. People have generally settled on August 20, 1619, because they know the ship with slaves came toward the end of August,” said Cheeseboro.

– Anthony Cheeseboro

“These Africans were brought into the colony of Jamestown involuntarily. They had been captured in what is now Angola, a territory ruled by the Portuguese.”

“Yet, when Africans were first brought to North America, they weren’t even purchased, they were bartered,” Cheeseboro continued. “The pirate ship that captured the slaves originally from the Portuguese eventually came to Virginia with little food. They

point out the great skill and fortitude of the African workers that made them a desirable commodity.

“Africans were also able to withstand many diseases and health conditions in the Americas, because they came from the Eastern Hemisphere like Europeans. They had been exposed to such illnesses as tuberculosis, small pox and influenza,” remarked Cheeseboro. “They also had heightened resistance to tropical diseases like malaria and yellow fever, and so it made a lot of sense from a financial standpoint to have African slaves.

“Also, do not underestimate the skills of Africans. Africans came to the Americas knowing how to grow rice, and they had good cattle and woodworking skills. Africa was also the first part of the world that consistently produced iron as a useful metal.”

“It is important to understand that slavery did not equal lack of knowledge or stupidity,” cautioned Cheeseboro. “At the end of the day, a slave was an economic investment.”

“To those who say 1619 is not as important to history, I say you’re dead wrong,” concluded Cheeseboro. “It is not where slavery starts, but it is where Africa Americans and much of American culture today has its origin.”

traded Africans for food to get to where they needed to go.”

These Africans, who would become slaves, were actually indentured workers when they arrived in Virginia, according to Cheeseboro.

“Many people want to point out that 1619 was not the beginning of slavery in the Americas,” he noted. “It would take about 40 years, when in approximately 1660 laws were passed in Virginia to say unless

blacks had papers saying they were free, the assumption was that they were slaves. It took a generation or so to where being black became synonymous with being a slave.” Cheeseboro continued to

Opening and closing Monday’s ceremony was the Spirit of Angela: Traditional West African Dance and Drum of St. Louis. Moma Fatoumata is the founder and creative director. Tiffany Pool is the lead instructor and choreographer.

Anthony Cheeseboro, associate professor of historical studies in the College of Arts and Sciences, was the 1619 Commemoration opening ceremony’s keynote speaker.

Editorial /CommEntary

Edwards sets anything but ‘appropriate tone’ about murdered youth

St. Louis Public Safety Director Jimmie Edwards spoke to The St. Louis American two years ago, the day he was appointed by Mayor Lyda Krewson on October 13, 2017. “I understand that a lot of my job will be setting the appropriate tone,” Edwards said, “and reassuring citizens and businesses and visitors that when you come to the city of St. Louis, it will be a safe place, it will be a place that is not in chaos, and it will be a place of peace and beauty.”

If Edwards’ job is “setting the appropriate tone” and reassuring people that St. Louis is “a place that is not in chaos,” he has failed miserably in his shameful handling of the violent deaths of 14 young people, ages 2 to 17, in St. Louis in recent months.

The “tone” he first set in his comments about this tragic carnage on St. Louis Public Radio provoked public condemnation from a coalition of community groups. “Many of the kids that unfortunately were violently killed were teenagers engaging in criminal behaviors themselves,” Edwards said, live on the radio. “And so, while I don’t want to be callous, I do want to make it very, very clear that many of the kids that died this summer were very sophisticated.”

A coalition of community groups – Action St. Louis, ACLU of Missouri, ArchCity Defenders, The Bail Project, Close the Workhouse Campaign, CAPCR, Deaconess Foundation, Forward Through Ferguson, Jobs with Justice, Metropolitan Congregations United, Organization for Black Struggle, SEIU Healthcare and WePower – responded with outrage. “This kind of demonization of our children is shocking and unacceptable,” they said. “It builds on racist, dehumanizing tropes about black children and distracts from the public policies that continue to deepen poverty and despair instead of investing resources to create safety and opportunity.”

They called on Mayor Krewson and the Board of Aldermen “to publicly condemn Edwards’ harmful and offensive statements.” Krewson and the board did no such thing. Krewson and aldermanic President Lewis Reed and their chiefs of staff all ignored The American’s request for comment. Krewson’s chief of staff, Steve Conway, did respond to the Post-Dispatch not commenting on Edwards’ statement but vouching for his “incredible reputation” and “track record” of working with troubled youth. When Edwards appeared before the aldermanic Public Safety Committee on Thursday, October 10, two days after The American published and many others posted the open letter condemning Edwards’ comments, Alderwoman Shameem Clark Hubbard thanked Edwards and Alderman John C. Muhammad told Edwards he was “doing a fantastic job.”

The aldermen, more preoccupied with Jeff Roorda’s posts on social media about allegedly decrepit cop cars, seemed ignorant that they had been publicly challenged to censure Edwards. Edwards himself alluded to the public condemnation of his comments, saying he did not “intend to demonize anyone, but the facts are the facts.” He then proceeded to cite privileged information from ongoing police investigations that publicly incriminated dead young people who could not exercise their constitutional right to defend themselves because they are dead.

In an apparent attempt to mute the outrage at blaming dead children for their own deaths, Edwards testified to the committee that the youngest victims were all “innocent.” That narrows down which of the “many” dead youth were “sophisticated” criminals. Edwards also cited more of the alleged police evidence before the committee, making specific, incriminating claims – but without naming which of the dead youth was killed allegedly carrying the guns, drugs or loot. It’s amazing that Edwards doesn’t see how this is only deepening the hole he is in, as he is making increasingly criminal accusations about a group of dead youth without saying which of these youth he is talking about – and without providing a shred of evidence or the accused having the benefit of any of the criminal justice system’s checks and balances.

This was so outrageous that it drew international coverage from The Guardian US, the New York-based affiliate of the fiercely liberal British daily (so much for “reassuring citizens and businesses and visitors”). Needless to say, given that the dead can’t mount a defense, it’s utterly unfair for a public safety official to accuse and convict them of crimes. When the unconstitutionally accused dead people were never old enough to vote for (or against) the mayor who appointed their accuser – when they were innocent victims of a political system in which they never were given a voice – it’s an unforgivably inappropriate act.

Whatever past “reputation” and “track record” Edwards may have had as a juvenile judge and founder of an alternative school, he failed these dead youths – he is, after all, directing our public safety – and the city that also failed them. His handling of the most troubling and shameful events in our city since the police riots against Stockley verdict protestors two years ago reveals a temperament and judgment that are ill-suited for the task at hand. If his job is to set “the appropriate tone,” he failed when we and our youth needed him most. He is showing us that he is the wrong man for the job of Public Safety director, and St. Louis would be less a place “in chaos” if he resigned.

Missourians support sane gun control

By State Rep. Steve Roberts

For The St. Louis American

A recent poll, conducted by the Missouri Scout for its subscribers, asked Missourians a number of questions about gun control. The results were unexpected, given the perception around gun issues in our state, in that 77 percent of those surveyed support required background checks for all gun sales. According to the survey, Republicans and Democrats, men and women, from St. Louis and Cape Girardeau –Missourians of every stripe, demographic and political affiliation – support common-sense gun laws.

It is a surprising result, at least if you have been listening to the propaganda. We have been told so often that we can’t have common sense gun laws in Missouri. That there is no support. That it’s a liberal thing. That the state’s “gun culture” and support for Second Amendment rights mean that all attempts at common-sense gun laws are doomed to fail.

Well, that is a fallacy. And the results of the poll are not so surprising to those of us who have been listening to the people instead of the politicians. It turns out that, when it comes to the gun debate, two things can actually be true at the same time: Missourians can support the Second Amendment and stricter gun laws. The Missouri Scout’s poll shows that, while 77 percent of those surveyed support background checks, 75 percent also support the Second Amendment. It also showed widespread consensus on gun issues among Democrats, Republicans, and Independents, as well as between urban and rural Missourians. It turns out we are not as divided as some would have us believe.

Why Nancy Pelosi

is Crazy Horse and Trump is Custer

By Mike Jones Of The St. Louis American

Who is the premiere national politician of the post-Reagan era? For me, there is only one candidate. I’m talking about the Mother of Dragons, the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, the leader of the House Democratic Caucus, the gentlewoman from California, U.S. Rep. Nancy Patricia Pelosi.

I think of Pelosi as Crazy Horse, war leader of the Lakota Nation, who was a brilliant strategist, an extraordinary leader and a lethal adversary. But don’t take my word about Crazy Horse, ask the ghost of Colonel George Custer and the 7th Cavalry.

First elected to Congress in 1987, Pelosi served on the Appropriations and Intelligence Committees. By 2001 she was the minority whip, and in 2002 she became the House minority leader, the first woman to be the legislative leader of a major party in United States history. She made history again in 2007 by being the first woman elected as speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and then again in 2019 by becoming the only second person to be elected speaker twice (the legendary Democratic Speaker Sam Rayburn being the other).

while preserving the role of veteran Democratic leadership.

This historic success is a function of a rare combination of political skill and a natural talent for politics. She is the daughter and sister of Baltimore mayors from back in the day, as well as a politically active mother. You could say she was born into the game.

I offer this assessment because of the political moment we find ourselves in and her role in the unfolding drama. The reality is the United States in 2019, where we’re locked in a cage in a political death match with only one winner permitted. This is not a moment for Rodney King (“why can’t we all just get along?”). Democrats, you’ve got to come big or go home. Fortunately for Democrats, Nancy Pelosi is the real leader of the Democratic Party until November 2020.

I would argue that becoming speaker of the House is more difficult and requires more skill than becoming president of the United States. In fact, any fool who can make a speech and raise a few million dollars can get elected president.

Like the great speakers before her, she has governed from the speaker’s podium. Her most historic accomplishment was the passage of the Affordable Care Act. President’s propose, but the Congress disposes. President Barak Obama authored the Affordable Care Act but it was Nancy Pelosi, along with her pugnacious partner U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who passed it. No Speaker Pelosi, no ObamaCare.

During her second tenure as the minority leader she outlasted two Republican speakers, forcing both into early retirement by taking strategic advantage of the insane machinations of House Republicans. Since regaining Democratic control of the House, she has stopped most forward legislative movement of Trump and the neo-fascist Republican agenda. She has facilitated the emergence of younger, more progressive, more diverse Democratic faces and voices (despite undeserved slams to the contrary)

To date she has managed the impeachment fever brilliantly by making it a controlled burn, letting the progressive wing of her caucus vent rage while protecting her vulnerable moderates. Because of that she now has a Democratic caucus united in the position that impeaching Trump is not only the right thing to do, it’s politically the most strategic thing to do.

I predict she will spend the next several months building public case that will effectively indict Trump for his obvious unfitness for office. The secondstring politicians who are the House Republicans will be reduced to dogs chasing their tails in defending America’s mad King George. Then she will deliver a unanimous Democratic vote to impeach Trump – and may even pull in a few Republican rats leaving the sinking ship. Senate Democrats will put Trump on trial while 22 Republican senators up for re-election have to defend the indefensible. This will give Democratic presidential candidates the opportunity to run high-road campaigns while Congressional Democrats kneecap Trump. By August the Republican Party will be in disarray. In this critical political moment, the Democratic war effort is led by the best politician of this generation. There is no Republican answer to Pelosi. With the right Democratic ticket – which means you can’t pick a white male establishment standard bearer –November 2020 can be the battle of the Little Big Horn, with Trump as Custer and the rest of the Republican Party as the 7th Cavalry.

statewide support a ban on assault style weapons. Again, these majorities held across political affiliation, ideological identification, and demographics.

This support for common-sense gun laws promises only to grow, as our state and country continue to fall victim far too often to the alltoo-easy access to guns by those who should not have them.

Now that we have seen the true will of the people of Missouri, only one question remains: When will the Republican leadership and the governor listen to the people, instead of the moneyed interests who would see us divided at such great cost?

They have seen these poll results. They have seen the bi-partisan support for common sense gun laws. But they continue to do nothing about it.

What we need now is for Jefferson City to listen to what the people of Missouri are telling them. Now is the time to show the nation that Missouri can be a leader in passing meaningful gun reform laws. We can show that you can support the Second Amendment and background checks, and red flag laws. Because that is exactly what we, the people of Missouri, stand for.

This consensus shows another thing, too. We can work together. If, for whatever reason, a more rural district feels differently about this issue, we know that we have enough common ground to compromise. We can allow cities the right to pass the laws that are appropriate for their particular issues, while preserving the freedoms that are important to all of us.

We are not that different. In the end, we all want the same thing: a state, and a world, that is safe for us and our families. It does not have to be this hard.

Heed the warning of Mike Jones

Once again, I find myself agreeing wholeheartedly with Mike Jones. Joe Biden v. Trump is a losing battle for Democrats. Trump, Putin’s puppet, is a no-holdsbarred traitorous thug whose presidential campaign (if he is not impeached) will be replete with dirty tricks. Biden is running a campaign reminiscent of the 1970s.

But Biden is the Democrat anointed by the DNC, as was Hillary Clinton. Unless Democrats and independent voters unite in favor of another candidate, Biden is destined to be the 2020 version of Clinton.

So, heed the warning of Mike Jones. Cast your lot with progressive young people. America and our democracy are at stake in the 2020 presidential election. Let’s not screw-it-up.

Dump Trump!

Michael K. Broughton Green Park

Expand Earned Income Tax Credits

I was struck by the title of your article: “Will you be able to cast your vote?” I am white. That question never occurred to me. This articulate and detailed piece shows a clear pattern of a multitude of voting obstructions versus voting in higher income, white areas.

Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC) benefit struggling working families and their children throughout their life: improved infant and maternal health, better math and reading scores, increased school attendance, less alcohol and drug use, higher earnings in the next generation, etc. The Working Families Tax Relief Act would expand the EITC and CTC. In Missouri, over 2,200,000 individuals, including 950,000 kids would benefit from this bill. Our legislators need to support the Working Families Tax Relief Act in any upcoming tax legislation.

Donna Munro Bremerton, Washington

Positive step forward

The Board of Estimate and Apportionment’s approval of a supplemental appropriation for Cure Violence is a positive step forward for the City of St. Louis. The public health approach to violence reduction taken by Cure Violence works in concert with other efforts and is showing results in other cities. I applaud that we are appropriating funds for its implementation here for three years.

Comptroller Darlene Green St. Louis

The survey found 69 percent support for a so-called “red flag law,” where a judge would have the authority to order weapons taken away from someone found dangerous by the court. Even more surprising to those blocking attempts at gun reform, 60 percent of Missourians

State Rep. Steve Roberts (D-St. Louis) represents the 77th House District, chairs the Missouri Legislative Black Caucus and is a candidate for Missouri State Senate in the 5th District.

Did you know that the wealth of the median African American household is onetenth that of the median white household (commondreams. org)? One-third of U.S. African American children live in poverty. This racial inequality is appalling.

Substantial research shows that income from the timetested Earned Income Tax

Guest Columnist Mike Jones

Mentoring program, church partner in book bag giveaway

Church On The Rock in Saint Peters recently donated 175 new book bags to students at Northview Elementary School in the Jennings School District. The giveaway was facilitated by Special Friends Extended, a mentoring program that works in the Jennings and Riverview Gardens school districts.

Special Friends Extended brings in professionals and community leaders to interact with young people. The goal is to help students become productive academically, assist in the development of life skills, teach students to build self-esteem and encourage students to

have hope for their future.

“We believe all students should be dedicated to excellence, reflect trustworthiness and demonstrate respect towards peers and adults,” said Holly Parran Cousins, director and founder of the mentoring program.

“Students should be bully-free and maintain self-discipline. Students need to demonstrate a caring attitude about their environment and have a strong work ethic in school. These traits and others, reinforced by presentations from mentors, will help prepare students for a bright future.”

It’s

time to cure the violence – and the politricking

By Jamala Rogers For The St. Louis American

The carnage of black bodies this summer, especially children, took a toll of all of us who care about humanity and who tirelessly work for racial justice. What compounded this bloody summer’s negative impact is the way some chose to respond to the crisis.

The Coalition Against Police Crimes and Repression (CAPCR) led the grassroots efforts to bring a violenceprevention program to the attention of a city often referred to the Murder Capital. Cure Violence(CV) is a healthcentered, evidenced-based program producing dramatic reductions in high-violence cities.

What’s so disgusting to me is to find out that Cure Violence was asked to come to town about four years ago. What happened? Absolutely nothing. Had the city taken its violence problem seriously, it would have embraced CV then and Bloody Summer 2019 might have been averted.

identified – but then the politricking kicked in even as the body count increased. The mayor has been hi-jacking the communitydriven process behind the scenes while publicly expressing alarm over the violence. It’s slowing down the implementation of a plan long overdue.

While we were working through heartache and trauma, some folks were faking concern about the violence but unwilling to put time and energy into seeking alternatives. There was the outrageous challenge that a multimillion program that benefitted black folks was not the best use of city dollars. I’d love to see this kind of scrutiny of the police department’s bloated budget.

While Mayor Lyda Krewson’s head was in the sand and others were victim-blaming, CAPCR studied the program for almost two years to confirm CV’s bold claims. Once convinced, CAPCR put up the money for the CV team to do an assessment of the St. Louis crime situation. Grieving families and a desperate community were looking for effective solutions.

CV’s Marcus McAllister traveled here in June, making a compelling case to bring the program to St. Louis. He also got questions and concerns from elected and appointed officials, health providers, community groups and other stakeholders. There’s no doubt that our city is in bad shape; most agreed we needed Cure Violence.

In a serious scenario, all parties would have pulled together to identify the needed funding and cut through the bureaucracy to get the program going by any means necessary. Several funding streams were

Speaking of the police department, the St. Louis Police Officers Association talked about broken urinals and bald tires on police cars in the middle of Cure Violence discussions – as if to say the money proposed for CV could be better spent on police needs. Those of us who are active in community-building know that violence and crime are symptoms of deeper problems. Like poverty, under-employment and unemployment, miseducation, unhealth care – created by systems of oppression and fueled by racism. These are issues that elected officials on the local, state and federal level can do something about. Ditto for civic and corporate leaders.

Getting $5 million passed for Cure Violence by the Board of Aldermen was no small feat. It was truly a collective effort. With these kinds of controversial issues, only the most committed push forward, dragging those with hidden agendas behind them. Those who straddle the fence think they will have a win-win situation. They can say, “I told you so” whether there’s success or failure.

Making St. Louis livable for all is a task for all of us who share a vision of a more just and equitable region. We’ll be working side by side with those fighting just as hard for an unjust and inequitable St. Louis. It’s time to cure the violence. It’s time to cure the politricking.

Holly Parran Cousins, director and founder, distributed book bags to students at Northview Elementary School in the Jennings School District.

Jamala Rogers

Photo by Wiley Price

educational attainment, financial empowerment, health and safety, neighborhoods, policing, court reform, and civic engagement.

The dashboard currently measures indicators for the City of St. Louis and St. Louis, St. Charles and St. Clair (Illinois) counties.

“Having the information in this easy-to-read electronic format may help area residents, politicians, and the business establishment to understand the disparities in this region,” said Denise Hooks-Anderson, MD, associate professor of Family and Community Medicine at SLUCare and the medical accuracy editor of The St. Louis American “Unnecessary hospitalizations from lack of access to care, poor teacher attendance, and high infant mortality rates are all problems that affect us all. Until the St. Louis community begins to consider itself as one — and not all of these fragmented municipalities — we will continue to see these disparities, which do contribute to the overall financial health of this area as well as to public safety.” Each indicator is calculated through a ratio between the

Mentors

Continued from A1

someone to talk to, learn from, and grow with as they hang out together.”

Currently the agency actively supports 1,800 young people, ages 5-25, throughout Eastern Missouri.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri recently hired a new director of Volunteer Recruitment, Linda Robinson, whose goal more specifically is to recruit African-American men as mentors.

“There is a shortage of

outcomes for black and white residents that is converted to scores on a scale of 1 to 100, with 100 representing greater racial equity. To look at the three categories cited by Dr. Anderson, disparities are worst for infant mortality rates (33 in the city, 30 in St. Louis County) and also high for unnecessary hospitalizations (34 in the city, 35 in the county). The disparity index for teacher attendance is 67 in the city, whereas there is no racial disparity in the county (the index is 100).

The University of Missouri’s Community Innovation and Action Center (CIAC) took the lead research role in collecting and analyzing the data from various publicly available sources, determining indicator scores and developing the indicator analyses. Like the Ferguson Commission report, which was published as a living document, this is a work in progress.

“We can strengthen the Regional Equity Indicators Dashboard by working together to fill in missing data and by partnering to sustain this important community resource,” said Paul Evensen, CIAC director.

For example, the data for most of the Justice for All indicators were either not aggregated at the county level or not publicly available to the research team working

African American mentors, mostly males, at Big Brother Big Sister of Eastern Missouri,” Robinson said.

“My mission is to make a case to that population on the importance of mentorship, provide statistics of the need and the impact they will have on Littles who look like them.”

The “90 Men in 90 Days” campaign, which was first tried last year, is only one of several initiatives Robinson is working on.

She also is working on Big Responders, which stems from yet another initiative, Bigs in Blue. The objective of the program is to recruit volunteers

to collect the data for St. Charles, St. Louis, and St. Clair counties. Of the 24 indicators, they were able to consistently locate analogous data in these counties for less than five of them. This was so insubstantial that they made the decision to not report anything in the Justice for All theme.

“As a starting point,” researchers noted, “the data for the Justice for All indicators needs to be available from all courts and police departments and to be available disaggregated by race.”

The project is a collaboration of CIAC, United Way of Greater St. Louis, the City of St. Louis, Forward Through Ferguson and St. Louis Regional Chamber, following a model developed by the City University of New York’s Institute for State and Local Governance.

David Dwight IV, lead strategy catalyst of Forward Through Ferguson (which carries forward the work of the Ferguson Commission), said the project is “a starting point to build our muscle for the transparency, accountability, and aligned regional effort needed to advance the community vision of the Ferguson Commission report. We hope more organizations and municipalities will intentionally measure racial equity and join the collaborative.”

from first-responder agencies such as police officers, firefighters, paramedics, and the military. The organization is working with Dan Isom, former St. Louis police chief; Ron Johnson, former Missouri Highway Patrol captain; Lieutenant Latricia Allen of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department; and Deputy Chief Cliff Robinson of the Florissant Valley Fire Protection District.

“It’s important that relationships between the community and law enforcement improve and that we build those bridges with the community that they may

Stanley

Jason Q. Purnell, associate professor at the Brown School at Washington University who leads Health Equity Works, was the lead researcher in “For the Sake of All,” the landmark 2013 report on racial disparities in health and well-being in the St. Louis region. In many ways, that 2013 report was the canary in the coal mine of the Ferguson unrest, which followed almost exactly one year later.

Purnell said that many of

feel have been forgotten,” Robinson said. “What better way to building bridges by supporting and being a friend to a youth who may see you in a different way?”

Being African-American herself, Robinson’s recruitment efforts also start close to home.

“I start with my family, friends, and network to help me spread the word and open doors for me,” Robinson said. “It’s important to have a relationship with someone before asking them for anything.”

She first encountered the agency as a volunteer by

these disparities have been known by many people in the region at least since the publication of “For the Sake of All,” and obviously many who were woke by that report or Ferguson have not been moved to action. But, he said, more and new data will reach new people, wake some of them up, and move some of them to action.

“There are people who genuinely don’t know about these issues and are pretty

participating in the Bowl for Kid’s Sake annual fundraiser. She came to Big Brothers Big Sisters from the financial industry. She had a knack for volunteerism while working at A. G. Edwards, then Wachovia Securities and Wells Fargo Advisors.

Now she is looking for more than a few good people – men would be especially helpful – who are caring, consistent, compassionate, and positive.

disturbed when they learn. I’ve learned that that’s who we need to be talking to,” Purnell said. “We’re never going to change the hardened opposition. It’s the broad middle where we might see movement. And the emphasis is definitely on the ‘might.’” For more information, visit STLEquity.org. Those with questions may contact Wray Clay at the United Way at Wray.Clay@stl.unitedway.org.

“I’m reaching out to a diverse group of African Americans from various backgrounds to become mentors,” she said. “The Littles in BBBSEMO program needs to see that someone who looks like them and who came from the same background as they can make it if they stay focused and have a positive outlook on life.”

Anyone interested in volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sister of Easter Missouri may contact Linda Robinson, director of Volunteer Recruitment, at 314-633-0034 or lrobinson@ bbbsemo.org; Ericka Sanders, Volunteer Recruitment manager, at 314-615-1041 or esanders@bbbsemo.org; or apply online at www. bbbsemo.org.

Students at Jennings Middle School enjoyed a visit from the Stanley Cup won last season by the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday, October 8.

Cup at Jennings Middle

Photo courtesy Jennings School District

Freeholders

Page and St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson have each nominated nine members to the board. Those nominees must receive approval from the St. Louis County Council and St. Louis Board of Aldermen, respectively. Gov. Mike Parson has one appointment to make.

For nearly two and a half hours, eight of Page’s nominees talked about their backgrounds and their reasons for wanting to serve on the board. Some of the nominees said they were entering the year-long process without definitive opinions on a particular proposal, like the city becoming a municipality within the county.

“I take it personally when I don’t feel that St. Louis gets the amount of respect that it deserves,” said Alex Garza,

Inmates

Continued from A1

Continued from A1 with jail debt.”

St. Louis County Executive Sam Page said the reduced financial burden will help people transition to more productive lives upon release.

“Eliminating a financial burden on people coming out of custody will help them find a job, housing, and a better way of life,” Page said.

Page noted that many of these people are non-violent individuals who are in need of permanent housing,

chief medical officer at SSM Health. “I know this is a very important position. For me, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Most of the nominees, though, said the divide between the city and county is detrimental to both the region’s image and the quality of life of residents.

“What’s important to me is to leave something for my kids and for my grandkids — so that they don’t have this same problem in 20 or 30 years where the county and the city may be still trying to decide if they’re going to come together,” said Fred Searcy, an official with the pipefitters union. “A lot of our services are redundant. I think it can be improved.”

Anything that the board approves requires approval by city and county voters.

“There’s no point in proposing something that’s going to be rejected — unless

employment, and mental health and drug treatment services. Those with limited financial resources are more likely to become homeless, reoffend and wind up back in custody, he said. It currently costs taxpayers about $80 a day to keep someone incarcerated in the County jail.

“Our primary goal is to provide a secure jail environment and help keep our community safe,” Doyle said. “But we also want to give inmates the opportunity to successfully re-enter the community. Wiping clean their jail debts can help

the objective is only to move the conversation for the next generation to kind of deal with this mess,” said Mark Mantovani, a businessman who lost the 2018 Democratic nomination for county executive to Steve Stenger.

“I think this is a lot of effort to go through for that. It’s hugely important that we have a dialogue with the community in order for the community to first understand the options — and then express its preference.”

Searcy is the only nominee from unincorporated St. Louis County. Councilman Ernie Trakas (R-District 6) contended that left one-third of county residents with limited representation.

“Help me understand how it’s reasonable that better than 10 percent of what would be the entire board comes from one small municipality,” said Trakas, referring to Ladue, “and they’re both white

facilitate that transition.”

One expert on ex-offender issues who made that transition (from federal prison, not county jail) applauded the move.

“Many people in jail are there precisely because they lacked resources in the first place. Sending them home in deeper debt and poorer health only perpetuates the vicious cycles in which many vulnerable people find themselves,” said Jeff Smith, former state senator and author of the memoir “Mr. Smith Goes to Prison.”

“If we want people to return to our communities

male professionals. Help me understand how that’s reasonable and how that represents the people.”

Mantovani, who grew up in Affton and currently lives in Ladue, answered: “I think you do this community a disservice when you speak to the kind of micro-parochialism that that question raises. The Board of Freeholders is supposed to represent the county as a whole. And where a person sleeps at night does not in and of itself control whether that person has an appreciation for the issues that unincorporated St. Louis County has.”

Asked about Trakas’ concern about a lack of representation from unincorporated St. Louis County, Page said putting together a slate of nominees is a “complicated puzzle.”

“When there are five or six variables to balance, it’s difficult to get them in a way that works for everyone,”

healthier, this move is both humane and economical.

Let’s help people access necessary health care while in custody so that they can be best prepared for steady, successful employment and reintegration into our region’s social fabric upon their release. This makes far more sense than allowing people’s medical conditions to worsen in custody, which makes them more likely to end up clogging emergency rooms, costing hospitals a fortune in uncompensated care, or, in extreme cases, losing their lives.”

Page said. “But I appreciate Councilman Trakas’ perspective. I think he has a point. I did the best I could to put this puzzle together — and we’ll continue talking about it.”

Councilman Tim Fitch (R-District 3) noted that the average age of Page’s nominees was 52. Fitch asked Cheryl Milton Roberts how she could represent the next generation on the board.

“So I’m a boomer by age, I’m a millennial by how I act, and I’m kind of a Gen Z by the fact that I do what I do,” said Roberts, who works for the Missouri Department of Transportation. “I think there’s ways to engage them and invite them to things or to ask, ‘What do you think, or what would you like to see?’

I just don’t think it can be a process with all of us elders telling us what their life

ought to look like in however many years. I think you’ve got to ask them.” Other nominees were asked about their prior public service. For instance, Councilwoman Kelli Dunaway (D-District 2) pressed former Bi-State Development Agency CEO John Nations about whether he was responsible for security issues on MetroLink.

“The situation at Bi-State requires something that this region needs to be better at, which is regional cooperation,” Nations said.

No vote was taken Tuesday, as nominee Dee Joyner still needed to appear before council members. The council could vote on the nominees next week.

Follow Jason on Twitter: @ jrosenbaum.

Reprinted with permission from news.stlpublicradio.org.

Urban League hosts Missouri Supreme Court Listening Session

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If you think that you can make a difference... CHARMAINE CHAPMAN

Then let us introduce you to the Charmaine Chapman Leadership Society (CCS).

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Deeply embedded in the St. Louis community, CCS is centered around a united community acting together to lift others. As a member of CCS, you can engage with key African-American leaders shaping our region through United Way of Greater St. Louis. Special invitations to exclusive events allow you to work and play shoulder-to-shoulder with hundreds of other likeminded philanthropists.

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To learn more about CCS, please contact Joyce Bogan at joyce.bogan@stl.unitedway.org.

Court reporter Denise Ballard, Judge Angela Quigless, Washington University Law

School Professor Kimberly Norwood, Judge Nicole Colbert-Botchway, Washington University Law School Professor Karen Tokarz and Judge Todd Thornhill listened to citizens’ concerns at the Urban League Ferguson Community Empowerment Center on September 28.

The Supreme Court of Missouri Commission on Racial and Ethnic Fairness Civil and Municipal Justice subcommittees held a Listening Session in Ferguson on Saturday, September 28, hosted at the Ferguson Community Empowerment Center with assistance from the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis. The session lasted 3 and a half hours with approximately 40 citizens in attendance.

The subcommittees heard concerns from the public on several issues, including driver’s license suspensions for failure to pay child support; need for bias training for court personnel, law

enforcement, and juries; need for ombudsman in the courts generally and in the municipal courts specifically; need for pro bono attorneys for the pro se landlord tenant dockets; and municipalities increasing nontraffic ticketing.

“We were pleased to have offered our constituents and residents of Ferguson, North County and the entire St. Louis area the opportunity to speak with our judicial system about the issues that are affecting them,” said Michael P. McMillan, president and CEO of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis.

“Because the Ferguson Community Empowerment Center was literally born out of an advocacy crisis, the staff at the Urban League work

diligently every day to ensure racial fairness and equity in our community.”

There was wide representation from the commission, including Judge Nicole Colbert-Botchway, Judge Angela Quigless, Judge Todd Thornhill, Judge Sandra Hemphill, Judge Doug Beach, and Washington University Law School Professors Karen Tokarz and Kim Norwood, who also served as moderator. Judge Sandra Hemphill coordinated court reporting staffer Denise Ballard. The court reporter will complete a transcript of the concerns, and the subcommittees will submit a more extensive report thereafter.

Megan Green joins Steve Roberts and Michelle Sherod in state Senate race

As expected, Alderwoman Megan Ellyia Green (D-15th award) is running for the state Senate seat being vacated by term-limited state Senator Jamilah Nasheed (D-St. Louis). And, as expected, her announcement on Monday, October 14 sparked a heated conversation about a white candidate trying to win an historically black seat in a majority-minority district.

Two black candidates — state Rep. Steve Roberts (D-St. Louis), 31, and Michelle Sherod a non-profit executive and former longtime staffer for U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill (D-Missouri) — previously declared their candidacies. The 5th Senatorial District covers the eastern half of St. Louis City, mostly east of Kingshighway.

to victory is centered around exploiting our city’s history of racial division.”

Nasheed, who has endorsed Sherod, attacked Green on social media when Green previously announced an exploratory campaign committee. She attacked again on Monday.

“The 5th Senatorial District seat represents the most underserved communities in St. Louis,” Nasheed told The American. “It’s a majorityminority district that deserves

Nasheed and Green both ran against incumbent aldermanic President Lewis Reed in the March primary. In that race, Nasheed beat Green by 144 votes, or 0.4 percent of the vote; if either woman had thrown all of her votes to the other, Reed would have been beaten soundly. Green likes to point out that she nearly matched Nasheed for votes despite being outspent 6:1; Nasheed counters that the black vote is notoriously harder and more expensive to get to the polls than white voters.

The

“historically black seat” argument is not the only reason a number of people worked behind the scenes to try to persuade Green to stay out of this race and wait for a later opportunity. Two such Democrats declined comment to The American about Green’s announcement, though their argument and efforts previously were discussed with the paper.

According to this argument, after literally a century of two-party politics in St. Louis – those of white Democrats and black Democrats – there

is a new, emerging coalition of progressive Democrats (not all black) versus conservative Democrats (not all white). For a progressive Democrat who is white like Green to contend in an historically black seat like the 5th Senatorial District, when there already is a black Democrat in the race embraced by Nasheed and many progressives (Sherod), is to put her own political ambitions over the viability of this new, emerging progressive coalition and the future of the city.

“Michelle may be embraced by some progressives, but she does not have a history of supporting progressive policies from the grassroots in St. Louis,” Green responded to that argument.

“Most people who I talked to had no idea who she is, and upon learning of her connections to Senator McCaskill, many were concerned that she’d take a moderate approach to public policy. The 5th Senatorial District is arguably the most progressive district in the state and needs representation who has and will consistently fight for everyday people.”

It thickens the plot that Green’s own Democratic committeeman, Tod Martin is working on Sherod’s campaign and he was McCaskill’s longtime deputy chief of staff.

Further, Martin endorsed Lyda Krewson in the recent St. Louis mayoral race against Tishaura O. Jones, the candidate of choice for this budding progressive coalition.

Green said that progressives in the ward have not forgotten that Martin left his Krewson sign up in his yard even after the ward endorsed Jones. Jones crushed Krewson in the 15th Ward, 1,438 votes to 690, a margin of more than 2:1.

Sherod, asked to comment about Green’s announcement, only answered (somewhat oddly) in the collective voice of her campaign committee.

“We always assumed Megan would run, but we’re with Michelle because she is experienced, dedicated and driven as well as proven to have what it takes to get the job done while working well with others,” stated the Michelle Sherod for State Senate Committee.

Green touts herself as “a proven fighter,” as opposed to the untried Sherod, but her fights have all been won and lost before the St. Louis Board of Aldermen. There is, however, a black candidate in the race who has been fighting in the Missouri Legislature: state Rep. Steve Roberts.

“I am looking forward to the voters getting to compare our experience, accomplishments,

In Loving Memory of

Kathleen Anita Senter

Kathleen Anita Senter transitioned to Charles Sumner High School and Stowe Teacher’s College. She was employed and retired from The State of Missouri after 23 years as an Employment Specialist.

A memorial service for Kathleen will be held on October 18, 2019, 2–4 pm. at the William C. Harris Mortuary, 1645 Redman Avenue, St. Louis Missouri 63138.

and ability to work with others,” Roberts told The American regarding Green’s candidacy. “I’m the only candidate with experience serving in the Missouri General Assembly and what it takes to get things done. I was able to get more amendments added to bills than any other Democrat serving in the Missouri House, despite our party being in the minority.”

Looming behind this campaign is a candidate who is not running it. Bruce Franks Jr. was considered the heir apparent to Nasheed’s seat when he abruptly resigned as state representative to address mental health issues. Though a proven fighter both on the

streets and in the legislature, Franks currently is devoting his energies to rap battles.

“I would not be running if Bruce were running,” Green told The American “as he and I have similar track records of fighting for police accountability, $15 hour minimum wage, and reproductive rights, just to name a few.”

Missouri Scout, a private news service covering politics in Missouri run by Dave Drebes, gets more oxygen than it deserves conducting smallsample landline polls that are as likely to mislead as to inform – one is reminded that Missouri Scout polls consistently had Tishaura Jones running fourth or lower in the mayoral primary and then she finished second, losing by only 888 votes. But in her campaign announcement, Green touts landline polling “has unannounced candidate Green entering the race with a 9 point lead over Representative Steve Roberts and a 21 point lead over the other announced candidate Michelle Sherod.” If reliable, the poll supports Green’s contention that Sherod is not well-known in the district, despite her long association with McCaskill. On the other hand, she is raising the money that unknown candidates need to make themselves better known, raising more than $60,000 in the first two months of her campaign.

of 81. He was the beloved father of LaTanya Reeves-Jones and Gil Moody. He proudly served his country in the United States Army; he was a man of faith, with unmatched charm and wit. Walter made long-standing friendships everywhere he went, and he had wise words filled with compassion.Walter loved the Lord and was an active member of his church until his death. In his free time, Walter enjoyed almost all sports; he was a diehard golfer and Past Master of Morning Star #92, Masonic Lodge of Webster Groves, MO.

Arrangements for Walter Jones’s Funeral: Friday, October 18, 2019 at San Francisco Temple Church 10191 Halls Ferry Rd., St. Louis, MO 63137. Visitation: 9:00 A.M. to 10:30 AM. The funeral follows immediately after the visitation. The burial will be at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetary, and the repast will be at San Francisco Temple Church.

Megan GreenSteve RobertsMichelle Sherod

Letting community take the lead

Consuelo Wilkins, M.D., will deliver the 2019 Homer G. Phillips Lecture at 6 p.m. Friday, October 25 at Washington University School of Medicine. She is vice president for Health Equity, Vanderbilt University Medical Center and executive director of the Meharry-Vanderbilt Alliance in Nashville, Tennessee.

Dr. Consuelo Wilkins returns to STL to give Homer G. Phillips Lecture

By Sandra Jordan

Of The St. Louis American

according to Consuelo Wilkins, M.D., who will deliver the 2019 Homer G. Phillips Lecture at 6 p.m. Friday, October 25 at Washington University School of Medicine in the Eric P. Newman Center, 320 S. Euclid Ave.

Her talk will be titled “Moving from Charity Care to Partnering with Communities to Improve Health.”

“We have to stop thinking about the community as people who are in need of things and that the big academic medical centers have all the power and knowledge and can change lives alone,” said Wilkins, vice president for Health Equity at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and executive director of the Meharry-

Vanderbilt Alliance, a strategic partnership between Vanderbilt and Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee.

“We really need to recognize the power and strength and the ideas in the community.”

Her primary responsibilities in the alliance include developing and supporting collaborative initiatives and programs

School districts sue Juul

‘It’s kind of disgusting that you would try to addict our children’

By Elle Moxley Of KCUR

Schools across the country are so fed up with students vaping on campus that they’re suing the e-cigarette manufacturer Juul Labs.

Multiple districts filed lawsuits on October 7, including school systems in Olathe, Kan.; St. Charles, Mo.; Long Island, N.Y.; and La Conner, Wash.

Three of those suits charge that Juul has hooked a generation of young smokers with its sweet flavors, placing a burden on schools.

“You can’t tell me that having flavors like bubblegum and grape is not trying to entice our kids to do something they know is unhealthy,” said Shannon Wickliffe, the president of the Olathe Public Schools Board of Education. “I understand it as a business strategy, but I think it’s kind of disgusting that you would try to addict our children knowing the

n “It’s kind of disgusting that you would try to addict our children knowing the health consequences.”

– Shannon Wickliffe, Olathe Public Schools Board of Education

health consequences.”

In a statement, Juul officials said they have never marketed to kids and have taken steps to limit access to products for anyone under 21.

The lawsuits come as the number of patients with

See JUUL, A11

Marc H. Morial National Urban League

“The extent to which the 1960 undercount has shortchanged inner-city residents of the political representation and economic assistance to which they are entitled is incalculable. Two million blacks missed in 1960 could symbolize the loss of five congressmen and scores of state legislators to the black community,” Whitney M. Young Jr. of the National Urban League testified to Congress in 1970.

“Moreover, since more and more federal and state aid to cities is being allocated on a per capita basis, ghetto residents are increasingly being denied this economic support because of Census underenumeration.”

The 2020 Census could fail to count more than 4 million people, most of them black and Latino.

n An unfair census will deprive communities of color of billions of dollars in federal funding for Head Start, Medicare, school lunch programs and transportation and safety infrastructure.

Among the many dire consequences of undercounting people of color is the draining of political influence from diverse communities into predominantly white communities. An unfair census will deprive communities of color of billions of dollars in federal funding for programs like Head Start, Medicare, school lunch programs and transportation and safety infrastructure. It would interfere with the just enforcement of civil rights laws and constitutional protections like fair housing and voting rights.

The National Urban League and our civil rights allies are determined not to let this happen. And you can help. Join us on October 22, 7 p.m. Central time, for the 2020 Census National Tele-Town Hall.

We’re gathering leaders, activists, clergy, and experts for a conversation on ways to make sure the black community is counted. Among the speakers is former Georgia gubernatorial candidate and activist Stacy

Marc H. Morial

Photo by John Russell, Vanderbilt University

St. Louis airport now has Lactation Suites on all concourses

Mothers traveling through St. Louis Lambert International Airport now have a private, dedicated space to nurse or breast pump. Located post-security on all three concourses, near gates A10, C9, and E33, STL’s Lactation Suites are now open.

All Lactation Suites are ADA-compliant and equipped with a sink, power outlets, and a full-back club chair with a moveable arm table. Mothers needing to nurse or breast pump can send a text message to receive a code that will unlock the door.

Additional amenities include a moveable ottoman and a bench for additional seating or a place to store travel items during the use of the space. The interior also features modern and calming wall finishes.

Wilkins

Continued from A10 in biomedical research, community engagement and interprofessional learning.

“Lactation Suites have been one of our most-requested amenities from traveling mothers,” said Airport Director Rhonda HammNiebruegge. “These private, quiet spaces are a great addition to our concourses.”

“It was such a relief to have a place to sit with a flat surface to pump in between flights. It was even better to have a sink to wash all of my pump parts!” said Jennifer Nation, of Yukon, Oklahoma, who recently used a Lactation Suite during a brief test period at the airport. “Traveling is hard for this working momma, but the dedicated nursing space made my morning better.”

Juul

Continued from A10

vaping-related illnesses continues to climb and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has intensified its warnings about the risks of vaping.

The number of youth smokers has also been increasing. The CDC estimates that the number of middle and high school students who use e-cigarettes rose by more than 50 percent from 2017 to 2018 — from 2.1 million to 3.6 million.

Kirk Goza, a lawyer for Olathe Public Schools and two other school districts suing Juul, told member station KCUR in an email that because vape pens are easy to conceal, students often bring them to school, only to get caught vaping in the bathrooms.

“Schools have been forced to install special sensors in bathrooms, remove bathroom doors, ban flash drives, hire more staff and provide programs to help students deal with nicotine addiction,” Goza said. “This does not take into account the institutional energy spent monitoring and enforcing policies to try and deal with the problem.”

n “You can’t tell me that having flavors like bubblegum and grape is not trying to entice our kids to do something they know is unhealthy.”

– Shannon Wickliffe, Olathe Public Schools Board of Education

Olathe is seeking unspecified damages for the costs it has incurred trying to combat vaping in schools.

It’s not just middle and high school students vaping in Olathe, said John Allison, the superintendent there — the youngest Olathe student to get caught with a vape pen was in fourth grade. Allison said more often than not, parents know their children are smoking e-cigarettes and many even purchased the devices that are confiscated at school. One parent even called Allison to ask for the vape pen back.

“The parent was very upset because they had purchased it for their student, who — they felt it helped calm them down. They couldn’t understand why we were concerned,” Allison said. “I had to educate them. It contains nicotine. It’s dangerous. It’s addictive. And they were mortified.”

If the school district is able to recoup anything from Juul, Allison said, he would like to see it go toward smoking-cessation classes for students who need help quitting e-cigarettes.

“Addiction is nothing new,” said Olathe school board member LeEtta Felter, whose teenager has struggled to quit vaping. “We’ve been down this road before — cigarettes and Big Tobacco. This time around, we know better.” Reprinted with permission from news. stlpublicradio.org.

Honoring Dr. Howard Venable

Will Ross, M.D., principal officer for Community Partnerships and associate dean of Diversity at the Washington University School of Medicine, organizes the annual Homer G. Phillips Lecture series, which is named in honor of the former hospital in St. Louis that trained black doctors and nurses. It closed 40 years ago, leaving a powerful legacy.

The program this year will also highlight the life and contributions of Dr. Howard Venable.

“The late Dr. Howard Venable, a nationally acclaimed ophthalmologist at the former Homer G. Phillips Hospital, was also the first African American faculty at Washington University School of Medicine,” Dr. Ross said.

“Dr. Venable sought to integrate Creve Coeur in 1956, only to have his land and home taken through eminent domain and converted to a park. We support the current movement to rename the park the Howard Venable Park and hope to generate more awareness of Dr. Venable’s legacy.”

Morial

Continued from A10

Abrams.

Abrahams this year launched a new group, Fair Vote, that seeks to reach out to hard-to-count populations in the Georgia before counting begins. She will be joined by the leaders of the organizing coalition, National Urban League, NAACP, National Action Network, the National

As

“In many cities and settings, the academic medical centers and the hospitals aren’t really so open to that. They are more used to controlling the narrative,” she said. “The ones who allow the community to take the lead on some of the programs is where it’s successful.”

“If we’re going to make a difference in health outcomes, these are the people who have the answers – the people who are in the community, who have the lived experience, who know where the assets and resources are, who know why they don’t want to go to certain doctors or hospitals,” Wilkins said. “The community sometimes has a good reason to not trust institutions and providers – because they’re not trustworthy.” Before joining the Vanderbilt faculty in 2012, Dr. Wilkins was part of Washington University’s School of Medicine as an associate professor in the Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatrics, with secondary appointments in Psychiatry and Surgery (Public Health Sciences). Wilkins was founding director of the Center for Community Health and Partnerships in the Institute for Public Health, co-director of the Center for Community Engaged Research and director of “Our Community, Our Health.” She was also the medical accuracy editor at The St. Louis American Wilkins said that best examples of successful partnerships between medical schools and communities happen when community organizations and community health centers are driving the agenda and are bringing issues to the hospitals and medical centers.

She said UCLA is a good example of where community

Coalition on Black Civic Participation, NAACP Legal Defense Fund, and the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.

You can follow our efforts to ensure a fair Census on social media, using the hashtag #MakeBlackCount. Make Black Count was the campaign conducted by the Coalition for a Black Count, a project of 13 civil rights organizations spearheaded by the National Urban League under the leadership of Whitney M.

members are brought in on the curriculum and are part of the faculty.

“They have a program where people in the community are teachers, get stipends, they are part of the faculty and they are honored and respected for the vision that they bring to the table and the experience that

Young Jr. “The Coalition feared that many non-white Americans would be missed in the 1970 Census,” Young testified to Congress. “That fear was based on an evaluation of the Bureau of the Census’ plans for counting minorities. In the opinion of the Coalition, those plans were fraught with many serious deficiencies.”

Young listed these as inadequate mailing procedures, inadequate assistance for completing the complex forms,

they share with the trainees,” Wilkins said.

She is also excited about the work being done in Nashville at Vanderbilt and Meharry.

“We’re just launching a new certificate in health equity for the Vanderbilt medical students,” she said, “so that they’ll begin to learn

poor community educational activity about the Census and distorted publicity from the Bureau of the Census, “which tended to shift the blame for a potentially large undercount to a ‘hostile black community.’”

Sound familiar? Threats to an accurate 2020 Census include underfunding, hiring issues, inadequate testing and the lingering effects of a failed attempt to add a citizenship question. Even though the effort to add a citizenship question was defeated, the

in the community, from the community, about social determinants of health, about issues and challenges and barriers to being healthy, as well as what some of the potential solutions will be.”

Wilkins said she will also talk in St. Louis about the infrastructure program they

controversy around it could intimidate some immigrants and their families from responding to the census.

Earlier this year, the nonpartisan think tank Urban Institute found that a “high risk” scenario could result not only in Black and Hispanic households being undercounted nationally by almost 4 percent, but also in white households being overcounted by .03 percent nationally.

This raises concerns that “one group will benefit more

built for community members, patients, faith leaders, nonresearchers and non-healthcare providers to be at the table where decisions are made and to influence those decisions, not just in a tokenistic way.

“But really with the same setting that everybody else has at the table – the same power, the same vote – no different,” Wilkins said. “They are being paid to be at the table, paid as consultants and board members and have all the rights and responsibilities of other leaders.” She will share some of the metrics in place to measure community impact. Wilkins will also talk about the pearls of wisdom she gathered from her time at Washington University, working in the community and from her work at The American The Homer G. Phillips reception, dinner and lecture is free to attend; however, an RSVP is required by Monday, October 21 by calling (314) 362-6854 or emailing eriggs@ wustl.edu.

than it should at the expense of others,” the Institute’s vice president and chief methodologist, Robert Santos, said. Fight back against the shortchanging of black communities. It’s easy to participate. Just visit http://bit.ly/ MakeBlackCountTeletownhall to register. Marc H. Morial is president and CEO of the National Urban League.

Halloween Tricks?

Turn Chores into Fun Exercise

Nutrition Challenge:

Halloween is almost here and anytime you have an event that focuses on food (especially sweets) it’s always better to plan ahead. Be sure to eat a filling, healthy dinner before you go out trickor-treating; you’ll be less likely to eat candy along the way. Here are a couple of tips that might help prevent

Here’s a crazy idea. Why not turn those chores into exercise? Play your favorite music, put on headphones and “Clean to the Beat!” Cleaning your room can be almost fun, set to music. Bending over, stretching,

Today we’re going to talk about what to do if you do get caught in a fire. It helps to have a plan!

Evacuation Plan— FireSafety

> It’s important that you have a family meeting to prepare for such an emergency. Decide ahead of time which doors/windows would be the safest ways to escape from different parts of your home.

> Also, decide on a “Meeting

Healthy Kids Kids

a big bowl full of leftover treats at your house after all of the kids are done knocking on your door.

Why not hand out little “gifts” instead of candy? Many stores offer bags of pencils, spider rings, tattoos, etc. that you could buy — and are often actually cheaper than candy!

Consider purchasing candy that really isn’t your favorite. This makes those extras much less tempting to you.

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

reaching and pickingup are all excellent ways to increase your flexibility. Why not sweep, mop, vacuum or rake with music, a smile and a

Spot” in your yard so that you all know when the whole family is safe.

> And remember — if you have a fire, call 911 from a neighbor’s home. Don’t stay in your house to make the call.

> And once you are out, don’t go back in for any reason until you’re told by the fire fighters that it’s safe.

Learning Standards: HPE 5, NH 5

quick pace. As long as you’re careful to still complete the job well, you can add some physical activity, get your heart rate up, burn some calories and have the satisfaction of combining chores, exercise and fun!

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

Baked Kale Chips

Ingredients: 1 Bunch Kale

1 Tbsp Olive Oil

1 Tsp Seasoned Salt

Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Tear the kale leaves into bitesized pieces. Wash and completely dry the leaves and spread on a parchment lined cookie sheet. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with salt. Bake until edges are brown (about 10-15 minutes).

HPE6, NH3

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

Dr. Ashley Robinson, D.M.D.

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

CLASSROOM SPOTLIGHT

Glasgow Elementary School fifth grade teacher Gerald Williams demonstrates an experiment inspired by the newspaper’s STEM page to students Xavier Jones, Tamaj

SCIENCE CORNER

Oceanography is the study of the ocean. This includes marine life, the geography of the ocean floor, and the water in the ocean. Scientists that study the ocean are oceanographers; they study underwater volcanoes, bacteria, and creatures that live in the ocean. Did you know that around 90% of volcanic activity occurs in the ocean? The study of oceans is important because oceans are an important source of food, oceans are used for trade and travel, and they also impact the weather and climate.

formations, temperature, and water pressure.

Oceanographers also use sound waves to echo off the ocean floor to create a map of elevations.

Oceanographers use other branches of science such as biology, geology, physics, and chemistry.

SCIENCE INVESTIGATION

Oceanographers use tools such as satellites to allow them to look at any ocean on the planet.

Oceanographers also use buoys on the water to study the motion of ice

Background Information:

Did you know that less than 1% of the earth’s water is fresh water? In this experiment, you will use a buzzer to test saltwater. Saltwater has molecules that dissolve into ions that help carry electricity. Fresh water does not have these ions.

Follow the directions carefully.

Materials Needed:

• Masking Tape • 9-Volt Battery

• Buzzer • Popsicle Sticks

• Aluminum Foil • Water • Saltwater

Procedure:

q Cover two Popsicle sticks with aluminum foil.

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

Salt Water Testing

e Next, tape one foil-covered Popsicle stick to the black wire of the buzzer. Tape the other one to the negative end of the battery (negative end has a minus sign).

r You can see if your tester is working by touching the metal together. If it doesn’t buzz, check your connections to make sure everything is taped together the right way.

t Put just the tips of the metal in saltwater, about an inch apart. Make sure the two metal parts don’t touch. The saltwater will act like a wire, connecting the metal sticks, completing the circuit, and making the buzzer buzz.

Extension: Try this experiment with other liquids, such as milk, vinegar, sugar water, etc. What are the results?

SCIENCE STARS

African-American Oceanographer Ashanti Johnson

Ashanti Johnson grew up watching Jacques Cousteau, the famous oceanographer, on TV. She was fascinated by the ocean and wanted to be just like him. In fifth grade, Johnson got to spend the day with a female marine biology graduate student, who encouraged her dreams of studying the ocean. When Johnson attended Texas A&M University to study oceanography, there were only eight African Americans enrolled in the university. Johnson was the first AfricanAmerican student body president. She became the first African American to earn a doctorate in oceanography from Texas A&M, in 1999, as well as one of the first in the country. Johnson then became an assistant professor of chemical oceanography at the South Florida College of Marine Science. She has also worked at the Georgia Institute of Technology School of Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, and the Savannah State University Marine Science Program. Her most recent job was at the University of Texas at Arlington Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences.

Johnson felt that students were often encouraged to become doctors or lawyers, but no one told them about the field of oceanography as a career. So she created the Minorities Striving and Pursuing Higher Degrees of Success in Earth System Science initiative (MS PHDS). This organization has helped approximately 200 minority students find careers in the earth science field. Once students are part of the MS PHDS organization, they continue to meet to network with other professionals and to support each other. For her efforts in the MS PHDS, President Obama awarded her the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring. She also was invited to attend the White House Workshop on STEM Minority Inclusion, as well as the White House Forum on Minorities in Energy. Johnson’s research focuses on the coastal regions of Georgia, Florida and Puerto Rico. Her research has been published in many different scientific journals. She has also served on numerous boards and committees including the NSF Advisory Committee on Environmental Research and Education, American Geophysical Union Committee on Education and Human Resources and Subcommittee on Diversity, Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography Education Committee, International Safe Water Conference Steering Committee and many more.

She was recognized by TheGrio.com as one of 100 History Makers in The Making, she appeared in the Black Enterprise Magazine March 2011 Issue’s “Women In STEM” Feature Story.

w Then, get a buzzer and tape the red wire of the buzzer to the positive end of the battery (positive end has a plus sign).

z Rene and Derrick are swimming laps for a swim meet. They swim at the same constant rate, but Rene starts swimming before Derrick. When Derrick has finished 2 laps, Rene has completed 4. How many laps has Rene completed when Derrick has finished 8 laps? ________

x It takes 2 hours and 15 minutes for a gallon of water to evaporate from the bayou. Then, it takes 1 hour and 35 minutes for that gallon of water to form a cloud. Next, it takes 6 hours for the cloud to rain down on a stream. Finally, it takes 45 minutes for the water in the stream to get to the Mississippi River. How long did it take for the water to get from the bayou to the Mississippi River? ________

Learning Standards: I can follow a process to complete an experiment. I can analyze results and draw conclusions.

c You have a fish tank 100 feet long and 10 feet wide that holds a volume of 15,000 cubic feet of water. What is the depth of the tank? Remember, volume = length x width x depth. ________

v A water tank is 25 ft wide, 75 ft long and has a water depth of 10 ft. How many gallons of water are in the tank ________

b What is the perimeter of a water plant with the following dimensions: 100 ft, 250 ft, 300 ft, 500 ft, and 220 ft? ________

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

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

MAP CORNER

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

Activity One —

Author’s Writing Style: Make a chart showing examples of the vocabulary variations that appear in different sections of the newspaper. For instance, the jargon used in the sports section is quite different than the formal writing style in a news story. Classified sections use specific abbreviations. How does author word choice and writing style differ throughout the newspaper?

Activity Two —

Pollution: Find articles in your newspaper that discuss water and/or air pollution. Discuss the causes and possible remedies. Write a science fiction story telling how life could be in another 100 years if the pollution problem isn’t solved.

Learning Standards: I can use the newspaper to locate information. I can identify author’s writing style and audience. I can make text-to-world connections.

Walker, Aniya Jones, Damonie Motley, and Jacy Howard.

Photo by Wiley Price/ St. Louis American

A map of a seamount in the Arctic Ocean created by NOAA’s Office of Coast Survey by gathering data with a multibeam echo sounder. Image courtesy NOAA.

the

leaders for the ribbon-cutting of the clubs’

for Teen Excellence

contractor on the project. Kennedy, who is CEO of KAI Enterprises and president of the UP Companies, will be recognized as 2019 Entrepreneur of the Year at the Salute to Excellence in Business on November 21.

Building the future of construction in STL

Michael B. Kennedy will be recognized as 2019 Entrepreneur of the Year at Business Salute

By Rebecca Rivas

It was a dark period for construction and trade jobs in 2011 — the same year that entrepreneur Michael B. Kennedy started the UP Companies.

“There were a lot of people on the streets, and you had to get really creative with ‘how are we going to create a construction company for the future of construction?’ versus what’s historically been done,” Kennedy said. “Everybody was looking for something positive.”

Since 2008, Kennedy had already been the president of nearly 40-year-old firm KAI

n “Uncertainty was where innovation was born. Whenever you’re down, you have to ask God, ‘Where do you want me to go with this?’”

– Michael B. Kennedy

Build, which was founded by his father Michael Kennedy Sr. The UP Companies was a chance to add the boots-on-the-ground arm. It’s since become one of the region’s largest full-service MBE-certified contractors,

comprised of Square UP Builders, Power UP Electrical Contractors and Keep UP Services. Founded through several acquisitions, the company has grown from 34 employees to well over 300 office staff and workers in the field. But, most importantly, forming the UP Companies forced his entire team do some soul searching, Kennedy said. While KAI has always focused on transforming historically disinvested areas of the city, the UP Companies gave their team a chance to hone in on that mission. Now in the lobby that connects KAI and the UP Companies in their Westport office, their mission statement is prominently displayed:

See KENNEDY, B2

Comptroller opposes move toward privatizing city airport operations

By Chris King

The St. Louis American

Comptroller Darlene Green opposes the City of St. Louis moving towards privatizing operations of St. Louis Lambert International Airport because she has “no confidence that this process will yield an outcome supportive of public interest.”

The matter at hand is issuing a request for qualifications (RFQ) for a possible private operator of the airport, as the city’s Airport Advisory Working Group voted to do on Friday, October 4. “The process exploring privatization of has been designed by and for special interests,” Green said in a statement. “Unsurprisingly, this RFQ is shaped by assumptions to appease those interests.” Green emphasized that Mayor Lyda Krewson, Aldermanic President Lewis Reed and the Airport Advisory Working Group have not committed to holding a binding public vote on privatization of the airport as part of the approval process.

Comptroller

Says issuing RFQ without guarantee of public vote does not support ‘public interest’ vote on any selected proposal would go a long way in alleviating the public’s concerns about special interests.”

“As elected officials, our obligation is to the people who elected us, not to any outside special interest,” Green stated. “Requiring a binding public

n Green emphasized that Mayor Lyda Krewson, Aldermanic President Lewis Reed and the Airport Advisory Working Group have not committed to holding a binding public vote on privatization of the airport.

The airport’s credit rating upgrades over the past two years and record 46 straight months of passenger growth in fiscal year 2019 are signs that STL is performing exceptionally under public management. Green said that Krewson, Reed and the city’s advisors on the project are selling the public short in denying them a vote regarding one of the financially struggling city’s few viable public assets. Green stated, “The citizens of St. Louis are smart enough and informed enough to make important decisions about one of St. Louis’ major assets.”

The Rev. Starsky Wilson will receive the 2019 Legacy Award from Annie Malone Children and Family Services Center. He is president & CEO of The Deaconess Foundation and board chair for the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy. He is “a pastor, philanthropist and activist pursuing God’s vision of community marked by justice, peace and love,” according to Annie Malone.

Taylor Bailey joined the Washington Redskins as producer. She is responsible for all video content for any and all Redskins media and social media. She graduated from Pattonville High School in 2014 and from Mizzou in 2018 with a double major in Communications and Digital Storytelling. Previously she interned with the Charlotte Hornets NBA team for the 2018-19 season.

Reginald Harris joined Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner as a partner within the Investigations, Financial Regulation & White Collar Practice Group in the firm’s St. Louis office. In his most recent role as executive assistant U.S. attorney, he developed and implemented strategies related to the Department of Justice’s project Safe Neighborhoods and heroin and opioid initiatives in the Eastern District of Missouri.

Alecha Blackmon joined Challenge Unlimited (CU), a national nonprofit headquartered in Alton, as staffing manager for Advanced Outsource Solutions, an affiliate of CU, in its St. Louis staffing office at 11830 Borman Dr. She is responsible for recruiting employees with all disabilities, the disadvantaged, veterans and other motivated individuals, as well as connecting with local businesses to secure job opportunities for this workforce.

Khristopher Johnson-DeLoatch joined Armstrong Teasdale as an associate in the firm’s Litigation practice group in St. Louis. With prior experience as a summer associate at the firm and as a judicial intern in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri, he is skilled at conducting research and analysis on various legal issues, as well as drafting memoranda, summary judgment and other motions.

Bria Williams

Bria Williams joined FCB Banks and is working in the Florissant office at 14040 New Halls Ferry Rd. She is able to assist with all lending needs, including auto, home and business loans. Her experience includes over five years of working with people to find lending options. FCB Banks has 15 locations in 14 towns in Missouri and Illinois.

the move? Congratulations!

Khristopher

Taylor Bailey

Alecha Blackmon Starsky Wilson

Reginald Harris

Of The St. Louis American

Michael B. Kennedy (center, to

right of Flint Fowler, president of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis) joined regional

Center

in Ferguson on October 3. KAI Build served as general

Of

Darlene Green

Photo by Wiley Price

Kennedy continued from page B1 to transform communities through integrated design and construction excellence.

“The only way to do that for me was not just to transform the physical environment but to transform the fabric of our community on the social side,” Kennedy said. “How can we focus on the areas that need us the most? How can we hire from those communities to work on these projects? How can I give opportunities to people who never had sponsorship into the unions? That was the most satisfying part of this whole thing.” When it became less about the buildings and more about the community, the community wanted to be a part of this movement as well, he said.

The numbers clearly back this up. Since its founding, Kennedy has grown the UP Company’s revenue from $3.7 million in its first year to more than $40 million. He’s also grown KAI’s revenue from $8 million in his first year as president to more than $35 million. Because their in-house workforce is about 30 percent minority, they are able to exceed the goals for minority boots on the ground at every job site, while also being a low bidder and performing at the highest level of safely, he said. The UP Companies’ name helps the company’s leaders and employees remember their mission.

“Everything came together because God led us this way, and we wanted to always recognize and not forget where those blessings came from,” Kennedy said.

At a young age, Kennedy became fascinated with the construction process, having accompanied his architect father on numerous trips to building sites around the St. Louis area. Kennedy earned a business management degree from Hampton University, where he also participated in a four-year internship at GE Capital through St. Louis-based INROADS organization. Following graduation, he worked in business development at KAI Design & Build, now located in the Westport area. At 30,

n “Everything came together because God led us this way, and we wanted to always recognize and not forget where those blessings came from.”

– Michael B.

Kennedy

Kennedy was named president of the firm, which provides architecture; mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection engineering; interior design; and program/ construction management services.

One of Kennedy’s best business decisions came out of “chaos” and one of the most stressful times of his life, Kennedy said. It started when he was completing a few projects in North St. Louis, and he found that KAI was facing more scrutiny for minority participation than its whiteowned counterparts.

“They expected me to come in with 100 percent participation,” Kennedy said. “There was a lot of

political pressure, and it was a slow economy. That’s when everyone is making the most noise.”

When Kennedy tried to serve as the bank for some of the smaller businesses who didn’t have a line of credit, it became too much stressful for his company. Regional leaders were unclear about how to improve the climate for minority participation.

“I was on one diversity committee to another diversity committee, and it wasn’t getting anywhere,” he said. “I’d go to one, and they talked about a lot. And I’d go to another one, and we’re starting over from scratch.”

Kennedy decided it would be cheaper for him to sponsor and pay for an educational video to move the diversity conversation forward. In late 2012, Kennedy produced a documentary about the state of St. Louis’ minority construction industry, titled “Building a Better St. Louis for the Future.” It includes perspectives from St. Louis leaders, activists, historians, bonding companies, banks, and companies big and small.

“The video did help move the conversation to a point where we could make more progress faster because we were starting from the same page,” Kennedy said.

The effort earned him a Diversity Champion Award from the St. Louis Council of Construction Consumers in 2013. The video also helped him focus on forming his “why” statement for the company and the idea for the UP Companies.

“You never know what you’re really facing when you’re in the middle of the storm,” he said. “Uncertainty was where innovation was

Michael B. Kennedy with Cardin “Dean” Rackley, project superintendent at KAI Build, at the ribbon-cutting of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis’ Center for Teen Excellence in Ferguson on October 3. KAI Build served as general contractor on the project. Kennedy, who is CEO of KAI Enterprises and president of the UP Companies, will be recognized as 2019 Entrepreneur of the Year at the Salute to Excellence in Business on November 21.

born. Whenever you’re down, you have to ask God, ‘Where do you want me to go with this?’ It turns out He was leading me to my best blessing.”

The 20th annual Salute to

Spire cohosts Careers in Energy Week

Excellence in Business Awards & Networking Luncheon will be held Thursday, November 21 at the Hilton St. Louis Frontenac, with a networking reception at 11 a.m. and luncheon program at noon. Tickets are $100 for Preferred/VIP seating and $75 for general admission. Call 314-533-8000 or visit www. stlamerican.com for more information or to purchase tickets.

The Center for Energy Workforce Development and Spire are hosting Careers in Energy Week, October 14-20. The week highlights a wide range of careers in energy. Follow Spire on social media to learn more about careers in natural gas or visit Jobs.Spireenergy.com.

STL airport revenue bonds upgraded to A from A-

Fitch Ratings has upgraded $180 million of outstanding St. Louis Lambert International Airport revenue bonds, to A from A-. The rating outlook has been revised to stable from positive.

The Fitch rating cited STL’s demonstrated trend of rising traffic levels, sustained robust financial metrics and conservative debt structure as rationales for the upgrade. Fitch also cited the airport’s current airline use and lease agreement as favorable, which includes a pre-approved five-year capital investment program and enabled cost reductions to $8.87 per enplanement in 2018.

n “This latest rating from Fitch affirms the strong financial position and operations at St. Louis Lambert International Airport.” – Comptroller Darlene Green

“This latest rating from Fitch affirms the strong financial position and operations at St. Louis Lambert International Airport,” said St. Louis Comptroller Darlene

Green. “I commend the airport management team for its ongoing strategy and success at reducing costs and increasing air service.”

The review of outstanding debt comes on the heels of S&P Global Ratings as upgrading its rating of outstanding airport revenue bonds to A from A- and assigning its A rating to the city’s 2019 refunding bonds. As announced by Green on June 27, that refunding delivered to STL a $29.26 million present value savings. Moody’s Investor Services affirmed its rating for the city’s airport bonds at A2 with a stable outlook in June 2019.

Schnucks to close three St. Louis-area stores

Schnuck Markets will close three St. Louis-area stores – in St. Peters at 100 Jungermann Road, in O’Fallon at 1421 Mexico Loop Road East, and in Edwardsville, Illinois at 2122 Troy Road – at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 10. The stores are closing due to poor sales. The St. Peters store is within approximately three miles of two other Schnucks locations, while the O’Fallon and Edwardsville stores are each less than one mile away from another Schnucks. Pharmacy customers at all three stores will see signage in the coming days indicating the dates that pharmacy prescriptions will transfer to other nearby Schnucks Pharmacies.

St. Peters prescriptions will transfer to Schnucks Mid Rivers (577 Mid Rivers Mall Dr.), O’Fallon prescriptions will transfer to Schnucks O’Fallon (8660 Veterans Memorial Parkway) and Edwardsville prescriptions will transfer to the other Schnucks Edwardsville location (2222 Troy Road).

Pharmacy patients may also visit any other Schnucks Pharmacy to have their prescriptions filled. Customers may also choose to transfer their prescriptions to a nonSchnucks pharmacy as well. The approximately 190 employees at the three stores will all be offered transfers to other nearby Schnucks stores where they will retain the same rate of pay, according to the company. The company owns the Edwardsville location and is currently seeking a tenant for the property. The St. Peters and O’Fallon stores are leased. Following these closures, Schnucks will operate 112 stores, including 82 in the St. Louis metropolitan area.

n “If you were calling us pretenders in the beginning, call us pretenders now. Stick to your word.”

Sports

Webster Groves turns season around

The Webster Groves Statesmen have experienced a big turnaround from last season to this season; and in the middle of this season as well.

The Statesmen endured a tough 0-9 season last year and that continued into this year with three more losses to open the year. In those first three games, the Statesmen scored a total of 22 points.

Things have turned around in a hurry for Webster Groves as it has won the past four games while averaging more than 40 points a game in the process.

Last Friday night’s 37-35 victory over Lindbergh was the most exciting as the Statesmen scored in the game’s final seconds to take the victory.

Senior quarterback Enrique Quinones has done an excellent job in passing for 1,354 yards and nine touchdowns. He passed for 330 yard and three touchdowns against Lindbergh. Senior wide receiver Jacobie Banks has 670 yards receiving and five touchdowns. Banks was huge against Lindbergh with eight catches for 244 yards and two touchdowns.

The talented pair of Jerquon Conners and Kameron Yancey have scored seven touchdowns each while Kevin Jones has scored two touchdowns, including the game-winner against Lindbergh with six seconds left. The defensive leader is senior end Noah Arinze, an Oklahoma commit, who has a team-high eight sacks.

Prime performers from last week • Running back Bill Jackson of

See PREP, B5

Kelly Bryant rode into Columbia as a beacon of hope for Mizzou. After Drew Lock was drafted in the second round by the Denver Broncos, Mizzou found itself without the extraordinary QB who had called the shots for the past four seasons. Instead of crossing their fingers and hoping one of the underclassmen quarterbacks would develop into a capable starter, Mizzou brought in Bryant, an elite, battle-tested, championship caliber QB to fill the void as a graduate transfer.

Despite the infuriating postseason ban handed down by the NCAA (Mizzou’s appeal is still pending nearly eight months after the initial ruling), many expected Bryant to lead Mizzou to new heights. Those dreams were seemingly crushed after an unexpected Week 1 loss to Wyoming.

Bryant threw for 423 yards and 2 TDs, but the Tigers

Mizzou roars into the Top 25

lost 37-31. Since then, coach Barry Odom has shored up his team’s defense and Mizzou (5-1, 2-0 SEC) has rattled off five consecutive victories. After dispatching Ole Miss 38-27 on Saturday, the Tigers entered the Top-25 rankings for the first time this season at No. 22 (AP).

Though Bryant’s numbers haven’t been as gaudy as they were in Week 1, he has been unflappable. He’s thrown for 1,575 yards and 12 TDs versus just four interceptions this season. He has also added 137 yards and one TD on the ground. Bryant’s work on the offensive end has been bolstered by a strong rushing attack. Lead running back Larry Roundtree III stumbled to just 41 yards on 15 carries (2.7 yards per carry) in the loss to Wyoming. Since then, Roundtree is averaging nearly 5.9 yards per carry. The

Earl Austin Jr.

the team’s success. While Southeast Missouri State and

Ishmael H. Sistrunk

Jennings’ Brandon Tate (5) picks up seven of his 134 yards on this play after delivering a stiff-arm to Normandy’s Christian Vinso (21) during their game at Jennings on Saturday, October 12, 2019. The Warriors of Jennings went on to defeat the Vikings of Normandy 50-6.

Missouri QB Kelly Bryant smiles as he trots into the endzone for a rushing touchdown in the first quarter of the match between the University of Missouri and Troy University on Saturday on Faurot Field.

Photo by Wiley Price

Photo by Daniel Shular / Columbia Missourian

— Richard Sherman of the undefeated San Francisco 49ers

SportS EyE

With Alvin A. Reid

With eight openings, MLB has no excuse for not adding another black manager

Dave Roberts of the Los Angeles Dodgers remained Major League Baseball’s only black manager after his team’s shocking demise against the Washington Nationals in a National League Division Series. However, it’s impossible to defend many of his moves in that series and, even though his team won 106 games, a large part of that fan base wants him gone.

Roberts’ decision to leave pitcher Clayton Kershaw in the eighth inning of Game 5 after he shut down the Nationals in the previous inning, will always be questioned. Kershaw surrendered a pair of home runs and a 3-1 lead turned into a 3-3 tie.

But Roberts’ worst move was bringing in former Cardinal pitcher Joe Kelly to pitch the 10th inning, after Kelly successfully got through the ninth. The Dodgers had top reliever Kenley Jansen warming up. By the time he entered the game, Kelly had given up a grand slam and the Dodgers were down 7-3. They lost by that score.

The Dodgers ownership says Roberts won’t be fired – but things can change in a hurry.

Should Roberts be fired, and there are currently eight teams in search of a manager, he would deserve another shot after leading the Dodgers to the World Series in 2017 and 2018 and the best record in the National League this season. With the eight openings, literally 25 percent of managerial jobs, Major League Baseball will have no excuse if at least one of the coveted positions

does not go to a black man. The Chicago Cubs, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants remain in search of a manager. If former Cubs catcher David Ross wants the Cubs’ job, reports say it is his. That job became available when Joe Maddon was not re-signed after a disappointing 2019 season. Maddon is an odds-on favorite to take over the Los Angeles Angels managerial office. I think it’s a mistake, and so do most Cardinals fans who witnessed his tenure here, but the Royals seem destined to give Mike Matheny another shot. Several teams, including the Giants, are rumored to be interested in former Phillies manager Gabe Kapler. Kapler was fired by the team’s CEO and chairman John Middleton, who ignored the wishes of the team’s front office.

A familiar name is back in the mix, and rightfully so.

Dusty Baker is set to interview for the Phillies job this week, which would put him in the NL East. The Nationals fired Baker in 2017 after telling him he would return the next season. He would love to take on that team 18 times a season. It would also reunite him with Bryce Harper, who signed with Philadelphia last winter. Baker has also caught the eye of the Mets, and will reportedly speak to them about that job.

Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News wrote this week that GM Brodie Van

Wagenen “gets the opportunity to pick his own manager and he’ll consider experienced skippers, minor-league coaches and ‘out of the box’ candidates.

“Even so, it’d be smart for the Mets to learn from (former GM) Sandy Alderson’s gamble with rookie manager Mickey Callaway and take the reverse approach.”

Also, a National League executive told her Baker would be a perfect fit for the Mets and its set of quirky players.

“Dusty went into what I would view as a difficult clubhouse with the Nationals,” the league executive said.

“And he won them over fast. That transition here in New York would I think be pretty seamless and easy for him. I don’t think there’s any situation that’s happened that he hasn’t seen. Any type of player, any type of personality, anything you can dream up.”

Another black managerial candidate is Cubs first base coach Will Venable. During his eight-year career (2008-16), he played for the Padres, Rangers and Dodgers. He was named a special assistant to Cubs GM Theo Epstein in September 2017 and accepted the coaching position two months later.

Venable reportedly has already interviewed for the Cubs’ managerial position and the Giants will speak with him,

Dusty Baker is set to interview for the Philadelphia Phillies job this week.

as well.

His father, Max Venable, spent several years with the Giants and he played his high school baseball just outside San Francisco in San Rafael.

I’ve said it before and I’m saying it again: Willie McGee, Cardinal Hall of Famer and current coach for Mike Shildt, would be an outstanding manager. His even keel and defensive instruction were invaluable to the Cardinals in 2019 – and it is no longer unusual for teams to hire former players with no previous managerial experience.

Hit or Ole Miss

The XFL assigned quarterback Jordan Ta’amu, a twoyear starter at Mississippi who went undrafted in 2019, to the St. Louis Battlehawks.

During those two seasons, Ta’amu completed 65 percent of his passes for 5,600 yards with 30 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He also rushed for 507 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Landry Jones, a six-year NFL veteran, will join Bob Stoops, his former coach at Oklahoma, with the Dallas Renegades. Jones was the first quarterback signed by the XFL and is considered its top quarterback prospect.

Former Temple star and two-year NFL vet Phillip Walker is headed to the Houston Roughnecks. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Indianapolis Colts in 2017 and remained on the practice squad through last season.

If you’ve never heard of Luis Perez, you are not alone. The former professional bowler who played at Division

II Texas A&M-Commerce and the short-lived Alliance of American Football (AAF) was assigned to the Los Angeles Wildcats.

Former Penn State standout and All Big Ten player Matt McGloin, who started seven games for the Oakland Raiders between 2013 and 2017 during a five-year NFL career, will guide the New York Guardians.

After failing to secure a roster spot with the New York Jets, Brandon Silvers played in the AAF and will take the quarterback helm with the Seattle Dragons.

Another AAF player, Aaron Murray, was assigned to the Tampa Bay Vipers. He starred at Georgia and was a fifthround pick of the Kansas City Chiefs in 2014.

Former Ohio State star and three-year NFL backup quarterback Cardale Jones will continue his playing career with the Washington D.C. Defenders.

No KC masterpiece

The Kansas City Chiefs play on the road against the Denver Broncos on Thursday night and all is not well.

Quarterback Patrick

Mahomes is nursing a sprained ankle that limits his mobility as soon as it gets banged around in a game. His effectiveness diminished after great first quarters against the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans – both home losses.

His running game is suddenly non-existent, putting more pressure on the usually fluid passing game.

But the real culprit in the Chiefs’ struggles is new defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuola’s pathetic defense.

The Chiefs were a wet paper towel on defense last year, yet

somehow is worse in 2019.

Opposing teams’ running backs have gone through the Chiefs’ defense like hay through a horse and all Spagnuola can say is “we have to do better.” That sounds a lot like his days as St. Louis Rams head coach.

I also need to point out an incident that was (purposely?) underplayed by Kansas City and national sports media.

Following a fumble in the Chiefs 19-13 loss to the Colts, offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and tight end Travis Kelce got into a heated verbal exchange and Kelce shoved the coach.

They had to be separated twice, and Kelce later found Bieniemy on the sideline and hugged him.

The Athletic’s Nate Taylor wrote, “NBC cameras caught a heated discussion between Travis Kelce & offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. It appears that Bieniemy’s message to Kelce was to hold onto the ball. Bieniemy probably used harsher words.” Kelce is white. Bieniemy is black.

What happens when a black player shoves a white coach? It probably leads ESPN SportsCenter. This display somehow went under the radar. You surprised? I’m not.

The Reid Roundup

As of Tuesday morning, the St. Louis Cardinals’ situation in the National League Championship Series against the Washington Nationals was, at best, bleak. Down 3-0 in games and struggling to score runs, many fans have found a scapegoat. Yes, it’s Dexter Fowler. With a team batting average hovering around .200 and a total of three runs scored in three games, it’s all Fowler’s fault … If it’s Thursday morning and the Cardinals are still alive, remember the 1985 Kansas City Royals and 2004 Boston Red Sox … When Herman Edwards was hired as Arizona State head coach in 2018, most college football pundits were skeptical. Edwards’ Sun Devils are 5-1 with road victories over Michigan State and Cal, are in first place of the Pac 12 South Division and ranked 17th in the nation. A showdown at 14th ranked Utah awaits them on Saturday. Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson is now in the NFL MVP race with Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson, Carolina running back Christian McCaffrey and Mahomes. 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.” Find him on Twitter @aareid1.

Alvin A. Reid

Clutch

Continued from B3

Troy represented easy wins, the team stood strong against SEC opponents Ole Miss and South Carolina. The same Gamecocks that the Tigers thrashed 34-14 managed to upset the (then-ranked) No. 3 Georgia Bulldogs.

With the Bulldogs team catching its first “L” of the season, people are now questioning whether the Tigers can capture the SEC East crown. That is partially dependent on the NCAA’s eternally-delayed decision on the aforementioned appeal. If the postseason ban is upheld, even if the Tigers win out for the rest of the season and remain undefeated in SEC play, the team will be ineligible to compete in the SEC championship game.

If the ban is overturned, or if the NCAA continues to drag its feet and fails to make a determination before the end of the season (a scenario which seems unlikely), Bryant and Co. could determine its own postseason destiny.

Currently, only two ranked teams sit on the Tigers’ remaining schedule: No. 10 Georgia and No. 9 Florida. Mizzou will

Fans in Hong Kong burned LeBron James’ jersey after the Lakers’ star spoke out about Houston Rockets’ GM Darryl Morey’s comments. James quickly changed his tune, saying “I will not talk about it again.”

face those two SEC powerhouse teams in back-to-back weeks Nov. 9 and Nov. 16. Beating both would be ideal, but winning just one of those games may be enough. Georgia (5-1, 2-1 SEC) and

Florida (6-1, 3-1 SEC) have still yet to play each other. That means one is guaranteed to take another loss in SEC play. In addition to Missouri and Florida, Georgia also has No. 11 Auburn (5-1, 2-1 SEC)

on its remaining schedule. The ideal scenario for may be for Georgia to knock off Florida and then have Auburn incinerate the Bulldogs. Winning out would eliminate all the crazy scenarios and

make things easy, but let’s be real, when have things gone easy breezy and drama-free at Mizzou? Still, it’s great to dream big as a Tigers fan. The games are exciting. According to Rock Nation, the Tigers’ Memorial Stadium sellout versus Ole Miss was the team’s first since 2014. Much of that excitement is due to graduate transfer under center. Through the first half of the season, Bryant has been as good as advertised. To navigate the Tigers through the tough SEC terrain in the second half of the season, he’ll have to be even better.

LeBron get skewered for Hong Kong comments

Houston Rockets’ GM Daryl Morey tweeted about the protests in Hong Kong and brought all the smoke from China. The swift fallout caused NBA players and executives to go full deafcon on all China/ Hong Kong-related questions by the media. Reporters repeatedly asked about the situation that caused China to pull the NBA off state TV and Chinese companies to suspend partnerships with the league and several NBA teams. They just weren’t trying to hear it. Then on Monday, LeBron

James, a player who has never been shy to speak his mind, decided to take the bait.

“I don’t want to get into a word or sentence feud with Daryl Morey,” James told reporters at a pre-game interview on Monday, “but I believe he wasn’t educated on the situation at hand and he spoke.”

While Morey’s comments brought smoke, James’ brought fire – literally. Protesters in Hong Kong did not appreciate James’ seeming support of the Chinese government and they began publicly burning his jersey.

James also received a severe backlash from media, politicians and fans for his comments. Like NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, James quickly backtracked on his prior statement.

“Let me clear up the confusion. I do not believe there was any consideration for the consequences and ramifications of the tweet,” he tweeted. “I’m not discussing the substance. Others can talk About that.” When asked about it by reporters Tuesday after practice, James replied, “I will not talk about it again.” Be sure to check In the Clutch online and also follow Ishmael on Twitter @ishcreates.

Continued from B3

Cardinal Ritter rushed for 230 yards on nine carries and scored four touchdowns in the Lions’ victory over St. Francis Borgia.

• Running back Caden Phipps of Lafayette rushed for 173 yards and five touchdowns in the Lancers’ 41-0 victory over Parkway North.

• Quarterback Tyler Macon of East St. Louis passed for 440 yards and four touchdowns in the Flyers’ 52-3 victory over O’Fallon.

• Running back Derrick Baker of Affton rushed for 217 yards on 27 carries in the Cougars’ 36-26 victory over Gateway STEM.

• Quarterback Cairo Payne of Fort Zumwalt North had 301 yards of total offense and three touchdowns in the Panthers victory over Fort Zumwalt East.

CBC’s West is headed to Kent State Standout defensive end Mike West of CBC has given a verbal commitment to Kent State earlier this week. The 6’5,” 220-pound West is one of the veteran holdovers from

last year’s Class 6 state championship defense. So far this season, West has a team-high six quarterback sacks to lead the Cadets.

Earl’s Pick Game of the Week

McCluer North (6-1) at Hazelwood West (6-1), Saturday, 1 p.m. – This afternoon battle is for the leadership of the Suburban XII North conference. McCluer North continued its great turnaround with a 36-0 victory at Oakville last Friday night. The Stars feature two major weapons on offense in senior Travon Springfield and junior Angelo Butts. Springfield has

rushed for 903 yards and 16 touchdowns while Butts has 681 total yards and 13 touchdowns.

Hazelwood West is coming off a 14-10 road victory at Northwest-Cedar Hill last Friday. The Wildcats have a talented quarterback in senior Darius Cooper, who has passed for 905 yards and 12 touchdowns while rushing for 605 yards and six touchdowns. Running back Joseph

Fuller and wide receiver Jack Douglas have scored four touchdowns each while senior Traveon Williams anchors the line play on both sides.

On tap this Weekend

Marquette (7-0) at Eureka (6-1), Friday, 7 p.m. Francis Howell (6-1) at Holt (6-1), Friday, 7 p.m. CBC (6-1) at Rockhurst (4-3), Friday, 7 p.m.

The junior standout won a pair of postseason championships to qualify for this weekend’s Class 1 state tournament. Perry took individual medalist honors at the Class 1, District 2 tournament in Columbia. She shot an 8-over-par 79 to win the championship by three strokes. She

The senior receiver enjoyed a big performance in the Roughriders victory over Vashon in Public High League action against Vashon last Saturday. McGee caught five passes for 248 yards and three touchdowns in Roosevelt’s 56-6 victory over the Wolverines. For the season, McGee has 25 receptions for 657

Lutheran St. Charles (6-1) at St. Clair (7-0), Friday, 7 p.m.

Lutheran North (6-1) at Farmington (6-1), Friday, 7 p.m.

Cape Girardeau Central (5-2) at DeSmet (7-0), Friday, 7 p.m.

Bethalto (5-2) at Triad (6-1), Friday, 7 p.m.

SLUH (3-4) at Trinity (5-2), Friday, 7 p.m.

followed up by winning the Class 1, Sectional 2 championship in Columbia by one stroke. Perry finished third in the Class 1 state tournament as a sophomore last season. She will participate in this week’s state championships this weekend in Nixa, Mo.

and seven touchdowns.

has also scored four rushing

for

total of 11. As a junior, McGee had 700 yards of total offense and seven touchdowns in helping the Roughriders to a PHL championship. Roosevelt (6-1) will host Miller Career Academy on Saturday in PHL action.

Community College addresses workforce needs with new program

Benefits students who qualify for free or reduced lunch

By state Senator Jamilah Nasheed

For The St. Louis American

For many young people looking to improve their lives, college may seem just out of reach. It’s not that they don’t want to go to college, but many can’t afford the high costs associated with higher education.

Despite the rising costs of higher education, many employers are searching for employees with advanced skills. In St. Louis Community College’s latest State of the St. Louis Workforce report, just over one-third of employers said they were experiencing a shortage of skilled applicants. For nearly half of all employers, this shortage was highest for middle-skill jobs – those requiring more than a high school diploma, but less than a four-year degree. This proves that there are jobs available, but for many, these skills can only be acquired through higher education. Unfortunately, not all students graduate high school ready to enter the workforce. Most lack the training required for industry certifications that could land them a good paying job in a range of technical fields. Without any serious job prospects, that can force someone to turn to a life of crime in order to survive.

College in the United States is expensive, and too often earning a degree leaves students with a mountain of debt that takes decades to pay off. In 2018, the average student loan debt in Missouri was more than $29,000

according to LendEDU. This is up from $26,834 in 2017.

Regrettably, this forces many young people to make a difficult decision — go into debt or miss out on a great job opportunity?

Now, more than ever, we need innovative solutions that help make college more affordable. Luckily, in our community, we have people working to make higher education a reality for all students.

St. Louis Community College recently announced a new dual-credit scholarship program, aimed at making higher education more accessible and more affordable. The Jump Start to College scholarship program will cover the full dual-credit tuition costs for high school students who qualify for free or reduced lunch within its existing dualcredit program.

The Jump Start to College scholarship program will go into effect for the spring 2020 semester, and it has the potential to impact students in more than 24 school districts, public charter high schools and independent parochial schools already participating in STLCC’s dual-credit program. By expanding access to dual-credit programs, I firmly believe we can make it easier for all students to attain an advanced degree. Before they graduate high school, many

students could already have several college credits under their belts, putting them well on their way to earning an associate or even a bachelor’s degree. Even better, dual-credit classes are more affordable than traditional college courses, saving students money. If a student decides to further their education at a four-year university, these dual-credit courses can be transferred to their new school, helping ensure they receive a quality education at a fraction of the price.

While Missouri’s community colleges educate 40 percent of our state’s college students, they only receive 15 percent of the state appropriations for higher education. This disparity in funding places a roadblock between students and success. I believe these colleges deserve more funding, and I will fight to make sure the needs of our state’s community colleges are addressed during the 2020 legislative session. I applaud STLCC for creating the Jump Start to College scholarship program. Through innovative and cost-saving mechanisms, community colleges like STLCC are providing an opportunity for all students to acquire the education and skills needed to succeed in our rapidly-changing economy.

State Senator Jamilah Nasheed (D-St. Louis) represents Missouri’s 5th District in the Missouri Senate.

Financial Focus

By Veronica Coleman

Business Owners: You need your own retirement plan

SIMPLE IRA: In 2019, you can put in up to $13,000 — or $16,000 if you’re 50 or older — to a SIMPLE IRA. As is the case with the SEP-IRA, your earnings grow tax deferred. You can match your employees’ contributions dollar for dollar, up to 3 percent of compensation. If you work for yourself, you can combine employee and employer contributions, so if you use the 3 percent matching rule, and you earn enough to fully match employee contributions, you can put in up to $26,000 per year (or $32,000 if you’re 50 or older). Alternatively, you could contribute 2 percent of each eligible employee’s compensation each year, up to a maximum of $5,600, regardless of whether the employee contributes. Contributions to your employees are tax deductible.

“Owner-only” 401(k) plan: If you have no employees other than your spouse, you can establish an “owner-only” 401(k) plan, which

expenses, any contributions you make on behalf of your plan participants.

Jamilah Nasheed

House of Soul plans to live up to its name

Nightlife space by Café Soul co-founder Nichol Stevenson opens this weekend

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

This upcoming weekend is a long time coming for Nichol Stevenson. It marks the grand opening of the House of Soul, a live music and entertainment venue she envisioned when she and fellow co-founders Angela Brown and Rochelle “Coco Soul” Walker established the monthly open mic series Café Soul 13 years ago.

n “About seven to ten years ago I said, ‘I want my own space – and I think I can do it.’”

- Nichol Stevenson

While speaking about the traveling musical evening that was hosted by some of the most popular clubs on the local scene, Stevenson talked about having a permanent venue that caters to the R&B/Soul community of St. Louis.

“I was tired of moving around,” Stevenson said. Café Soul outlasted several of the clubs that hosted them over the years. “About seven to ten years ago I said, ‘I want my own space – and I

think I can do it.’” The vision she spoke into the universe, House of Soul, will officially open its doors on Friday. The weekend of grand opening festivities will be a sample of what patrons can regularly expect from the establishment – located at 1204 Washington (at Tucker). The party kicks off on Friday, October 18 at 4 p.m. with a happy hour and will transition into a live music experience that begins at 8 p.m. and will feature soul singers Will Robinson (Friday night) and Terry Rogers on Saturday night.

“I’m still in awe about everything. I’m anxious. I’m nervous, but I’m excited about these parts of the vision come together,” Stevenson said. “The culture of St. Louis deserves an enter-

See Soul, C4

To the Diaspora with love

Jidenna uses ’85 to Africa’ tour to preach pride and unity

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

Rapper/singer Jidenna set himself apart from his hip-hop contemporaries out the gate by blending his African roots with verses and flow informed by his American life and influences. His intention when his “85 to Africa” tour landed at the Pageant Tuesday night was made plain before he took the stage. His set, with the foliage and ambience that was apparently inspired by urban Africa, was already in full view as featured performer Kelechi warmed up the stage. The title of the tour let the fans know what was in store for them musically. But Jidenna took things a step further by carving out time to speak to the crowd directly about Africa and the power and strength that claiming the motherland can elicit.

n “Our mission is to integrate the diaspora with this continent – and when we do, we will be in a new world.”

- Jidenna

Endorsed by alternative soul star Janelle Monae, Jidenna introduced himself with the catchy hit, “Classic Man.” But through his latest tour and album for which it is named, his next move appears to be to show fans – and the world – that there’s more to him than his “fresh.” After an intro that included “Worth the

Weight,” the title track from his latest album and “Long Live the Chief,” Jidenna shared the story of how a Nigerian man and a woman from Wisconsin came together and created him in their union. He shared with the crowd how he became empowered by embracing his African roots and strongly suggesting that they do the same.

“Everybody in the world is a descendent of Africa,” Jidenna told the crowd in one of several lengthy sidebars that added context to his own enlightenment and implied that the audience following suit is the challenge of the current generation.

“Declaring yourself as an African in this country after 400 years – to the year – since

See Jidenna, C4

By Kenya Vaughn Of The

Photo by Lawrence Bryant

As the tour and album suggested, Jidenna paid homage to his uniquely blended cultures, specifically his father’s Nigerian roots, during the ’85 to Africa’ Tuesday night at The Pageant.

Cynthia Wesley Addie May Collins

Denise McNair Carol Robertson

House of Soul’s Nichol Stevenson with investor and consultant Drexel Stith as they put the finishing touches on the venue ahead of its grand opening weekend October 18-19

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.

halloween

Fri., Oct. 18, 4:30 p.m., Terror at Tower Grove Park. Live music, food trucks, arts & crafts, mystery movie, and more. 4257 Northeast Dr., 63110. For more information, visit www.towergrovepark.org/ terror.

Sun., Oct. 19, 11 a.m. EAT and TREAT to Benefit ‘Kids Rock Cancer,’ Chesterfield Amphitheater, 631 Veterans Place Dr, Chesterfield, MO 63017

Sat., Oct. 19, 5 p.m., Shaw Neighborhood Youth Committee invites you to the Shaw Pumpkin Glow and Children’s Costume Parade. Pumpkin display, Halloween movie, crafts, and more. 4000 block of Flora, 63110. For more information, visit www. facebook.com.

Oct. 24 – 27, St. Louis Science Center invites you to a Science Spooktacular Make a Halloween project, see science demonstrations, unravel the unknown through science, and more. 5050 Oakland Ave., 63110. For more information, visit www. slcl.org/spooktacular.

Fri., Oct. 25, 8 p.m., Blaze The Stage STL presents The Black Masquerade Gala. A sophisticated evening of fashion, live music, comedy, poetry and dance. Special Tymes Banquet Hall, 5950 Natural Bridge Rd., 63120. For more information, call (314) 656-7558.

Sat., Oct. 26, 11 a.m., The Legendary CWE Halloween. Festivities kick off with fun daytime activities for the whole family. Then, as the sun sets, the party continues with an adults-only bash and costume contest. Euclid & Maryland, 63108. For more information, visit www. cwehalloween.com.

Sat., Oct. 26, 8 p.m.,

Pangs Play Events presents Halloween-ISHHHH. Omega Center, 3900 Goodfellow Blvd., 63120. For more information, call (324) 3715585.

Sat., Oct. 27, 1 p.m., SSM Health DePaul Hospital invites you to Safe Kids Halloween Party. Educational booths, games, fire truck and ambulance tours, and activities led by Bridgeton PD. 12303 De Paul Dr., 63044. For more information, visit www. facebook.com.

concerts

Fri., Oct. 18, 8 p.m., UMSL Global presents Nobuntu Enjoy the female a cappella quintet from Zimbabwe. Touhill Performing Arts Center, 1 University Blvd., 63121. For more information, visit www.touhill.org.

Fri., Oct. 18, 8:30 p.m., The Sheldon welcomes David Sanborn, Sheldon Concert Hall, 3648 Washington Blvd. For more information, call (314) 555-9900 or visit www. thesheldon.org.

Sat., Oct. 19, 6 & 9 p.m., Breakaway Productions presents Norman Brown: Summer Storm. Special guest The Coleman Hughes Project ft. Adrianne. Grandel Theatre, 3625 Grandel Sq., 63108. For more information, visit www. kranzbergartsfoundation.org.

Sat., Oct. 19, 8 p.m. (7 p.m. doors), From The South With Love Tour starring BIG K.R.I.T. with special guest Rapsody. The Pageant, 6161 Delmar. For more information, visit www. thepageant.com.

Sun., Oct. 20, 7:30 p.m., Chaifetz Arena welcomes The Sketchbook Tour starring Fantasia and featuring Robin Thicke, Tank and The Bonfyre Chaifetz Arena. For more

Kenya Vaughn recommends

information, visit www. thechaifetzarena.com.

Sun., Oct. 20, 8 p.m., Old Rock House presents Tyrone Wells: The Lift Me Up Tour 1200 S. 7th St., 63104. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Sat., Oct. 26, 8 p.m. A Night of Soul Searching presents The Elevation Tour with Case and Elle Varner, The Ready Room, 4195 Manchester. For more information, visit www. thereadyroom.com.

Sun., Oct. 27, 2 p.m., St. Louis Art Museum presents Almost My Last & Only feat. The Harlem Quartet 1 Fine Arts Dr., 63110. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Tues., Oct. 29, 8 p.m. Immortal Technique’s The Middle Passage Tour, The Ready Room, 4195 Manchester. For more information, visit www. thereadyroom.com.

Thurs., Oct. 31, 7:30 p.m., Young Thug and Machine Gun Kelly, St. Charles Family Arena. For more information, visit www.ticketmaster.com.

Sat., Nov. 2, 8 p.m., Delmar

Hall presents Skizzy Mars: The Free Skizzy Mars Tour With Yoshi Flower and Grady. 6133 Delmar Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www. delmarhall.com.

Sat., Nov. 2, 7 p.m., Delmar Hall presents Todrick: Haus Party Tour. 6133 Delmar Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www. delmarhall.com.

Fri., Nov. 8, 7 p.m., Fox Theatre presents Commissioned. All of the original group members are coming back together again on one stage. 527 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

Sat., Nov. 9, 7 p.m., Delmar Hall presents Big Freedia & Low Cut Connie: Azz Across America Tour. 6133 Delmar Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www. delmarhall.com.

local gigs

Oct. 18 – 19, 7:30 & 9:30 p.m., Jazz at the Bistro presents Celebrating Ella Fitzgerald. Jazz St. Louis, 3536 Washington Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www.jazzstl.org.

Kwame Mbalia will sign and discuss ‘Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky.’For more information, see LITERARY.

Sun., Oct. 20, 3 p.m., The Universal African Women’s Union Annual Commemoration of the Million Women’s March, Sumner High School, 4248 Cottage Ave. St. Louis MO, 63113. For more information, call (314) 759-0834.

Sun., Oct. 20, 4 p.m., The Royal Vagabonds Foundation presents the 9th Annual Jazz on a Sunday Afternoon feat. Tim Cunningham and Denise Thimes. Proceeds benefit the Royal Vagabonds Foundation Scholarship Fund. Sheldon Concert Hall, 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Mon., Oct. 21, 6:30 p.m., JPEK CreativeWorks Theatre presents Real Life: An Original Hip Hopera Investor’s Reading. .Zack Theatre, 3224 Locust St., 63103. For more information, visit www. kranzbergartsfoundation.org/ calendar.

special events

Sat., Oct. 19, 11 a.m., Kemper Art Museum invites you to Community Day. Washington University, 1 Brookings Dr., 63130. For more information, visit www. kemperartmuseum.wustl.edu.

Sat., Oct. 19, 4 p.m., Reggae Unity Festival. Boenker Hill Vineyard & Winery, 12855 Boenker Ln., 63044. For more information, visit www. purplepass.com.

Sun., Oct. 20, 12 p.m., Missouri Association for Free and Charitable Clinics’ BBQ Fundraiser. Proceeds help continue support for 15 charitable medical clinics that serve MO’s uninsured residents. Grand Opera House, 311 N. Main St., 63301. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Sun., Oct. 20, 2 p.m., The Platform STL Genesis Launch Party& Fashion Show. Musical performances, vendors, raffles, and more. Masonic Prince Hall Grand, 4525 Olive St., 63110. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Thur., Oct. 24, 6 p.m., St. Louis Housing Authority 80th Anniversary Gala. The Cedars Banquet Center, 939 Lebanon Dr., 63104. For more information, visit www.slha. org/80th-anniversary-gala. Mon., Oct. 28, 6:30 p.m., WWE Monday Night RAW. Feat. Seth Rollins, Bray Wyatt, and RAW Women’s Champion vs. SMACKDOWN Women’s Champion. Enterprise Center, 1401 Clark Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www. ticketmaster.com.

Thur., Oct. 31, 7:45 p.m., Mildred Thimes Foundation 15th Annual Benefit Concert. Celebrating the male crooners: Tony Bennett, Teddy Pendergrass, and others. With comedienne Monique Marvez. Sheldon, 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Sat., Nov. 2, 6 p.m., The Legendary Miss Fannie’s Ball. Hosted by the Vivacious Vicky Valentino. The Ambassador, 9800 Halls Ferry Rd., 63136. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Sat., Nov. 2, 2 & 7 p.m., Enterprise Center presents The Original Harlem Globetrotters. 1401 Clark Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www.

enterprisecenter.com.

Sun., Nov. 3, 5 p.m., Community Women Against Hardship 31st Annual Circle of Support Gala. CeCe Teneal pays a soul-stirring tribute to the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin. For more information, visit www.cwah. org.

Thurs., Nov. 7, 5:30 p.m., The Twillman House Legacy Social, 11840 Bellefontaine Rd., in Spanish Lake, Mo. For more information go to www. spanishlakecdc.org. RSVPs are appreciated to angela@ spanishlakecdc.org or 314-7339020.

Thurs., Nov. 14, Girls Inc. 13th Annual Strong, Smart and Bold Luncheon, Ritz-Carlton. For more information, To register and purchase tickets: www.2019ssb. eventbrite.com

Saturdays, 8 a.m., The Ferguson Farmers Market Plaza at 501, 501 S. Florissant Rd., 63135. For more information, visit www. facebook.com.

literary

Sat. Oct. 19, 10 a.m. Fall Writing Retreat with North County Writing & Arts Network Writing workshop with Ben Moeller-Gaa and yoga with Karen Liggins, Pallottine Renewal Center. Register or more info at:https://www.eventbrite. com or nocowan@yahoo.com.

Sat., Oct. 19, 1:30 p.m., Missouri History Museum hosts author Dr. Richard Bell author of Stolen: Five Free Boys Kidnapped Into Slavery and Their Astonishing Odyssey Home. 5700 Lindell Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www.mohistory.org.

Mon., Oct. 21, 6:30 p.m., Kwame Mbalia will sign and discuss “Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky,” the first installment in a new series from Disney Book’s Rick Riordan Presents based on African American folktales and African mythology. St. Louis County Library –Florissant Valley Branch, 195 New Florissant Rd. S., Florissant, MO 63031. For more information, visit www. slcl.org

Tues., Oct. 22, 7 p.m., Left Bank Books hosts author Ben Crump, author of Open Season: Legalized Genocide of Colored People. The book

Kenya Vaughn recommends spiritual

describes Crump’s journey working on some of the most egregious cases that have shocked the nation. The Grandel, 3610 Grandel Sq., 63108. For more information, visit www.left-bank.com.

Wed., Oct. 23, 7 p.m., Left Bank Books hosts author Pete Souza, author of SHADE: A Tale of Two Presidents. Souza was the Chief Official White House Photographer under President Barack Obama. The Grandel, 3610 Grandel Sq., 63108. For more information, visit www.left-bank.com.

Thur., Oct. 24, 7 p.m., Left Bank Books hosts author Kekla Magoon, author of Light It Up. This YA novel begins when a white police officer shoots an unarmed, 13-year-old black girl, igniting controversy, grief, and rage

in the community. 399 N. Euclid Ave., 63108. For more information, visit www.leftbank.com.

art

Fri., Nov. 1, 7 p.m., The Power of Aesthetics. Larry Ossei-Mensah, Susanne Feld Hilberry Senior Curator at The Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit and co-founder of ARTNOIR. St. Louis Art Museum, 1 Fine Arts Dr., 63110. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

comedy

Sun., Oct. 27, 6 p.m., STL Baby Boy Productions presents the St. Louis Comedy Festival ft. Marvin Dixon,

Hope Flood, and Tyler Craig. Sun Theatre, 3625 Grandel Sq., 63108. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

theatre

Oct. 18 – 27, Variety Theatre presents Mary Poppins. Touhill Performing Arts Center, 1 University Blvd., 63121. For more information, visit www.touhill.org.

Oct. 18 – 27, The Black Rep and COCA present Four Little Girls: Birmingham 1963. 524 Trinity Ave., 63130. For more information, visit www.cocastl.org.

Sun., Oct. 20, 3 p.m., Stifel Theatre presents Peppa Pig Live: Peppa Pig’s Adventure! 1400 Market St., 63103. For

more information, visit www. stifeltheatre.com.

Oct. 25-Oct. 27, The Unexpected: A Stage Play That Will Heal Harts and Change Lives, 10/25 at 7 p.m., 10/26 at 1 p.m. and 10/27 at 6 p.m. Transformation Christian Church, 4140 Page Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63113.

Sat., Oct. 26, 3 & 6:30 p.m., Stifel Theatre presents Baby Shark Live. 1400 Market St., 63103.

lectures and workshops

Thurs., Oct. 17, 7:30 p.m., Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson who will be highlighting his new book “Letters from an Astrophysicist,” Stifel Theatre. For more information, visit www.ticketmaster.com or call (800) 745-3000.

Sat., Oct. 19, 12 p.m., St. Louis Fashion Fund presents the Speaking of Fashion Speakers Event: Daniel “Dapper Dan” Day. Emerson Auditorium, Washington University, 1 Brookings Dr., 63105. For more information, visit www. saintlouisfashionfund.org.

Tues., Oct. 22, 6:30 p.m., BMO Harris Bank presents Bank on It. Learn how to build positive relationships with a financial institution in this overview of banking services. St. Louis County Library, Jamestown Bluffs Branch, 4153 N. Highway 67, 63034. For more information, www.slcl.org.

health

Sat., Oct. 19, 7:45 a.m., Second Wind Lung Walk, Forest Park. For more information, visit www. secondwindstl.org.

Sat., Oct. 19, 12 noon, Get Sexy Movement & Healthy Habits presents a Healthy Happy Hour, 62 Grandview Plaza Shopping Center. For more information, call (314) 898-8898.

Sat., Nov. 2, 5:30 p.m., The Christian Hospital Foundation will host its Christian Hospital Foundation Gala. Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis. For reservations, sponsorship benefits and additional information, visit www. christianhospital.org/Gala.

Sun., Oct. 20, 3 p.m., Willing Workers Ministry presents Music Extraordinaire Service, 5630 Page Blvd., St. Louis, MO, 63112. For more information call 314.497.2757.

Oct. 25 – Oct. 27, St. Matthew The Apostle Catholic Church 125th Anniversary Weekend. Events include Meet & Greet Night, Community Service Project, Reunion Dinner Dance, Sunday Mass and Brunch. Prices & group packages run from $15-$75. Please visit stmatthewtheapostle. org for times, tickets and more information.

Sun., Oct. 27, 3 p.m. Galilee Baptist Church Ushers Annual Day, 4300 Delmar.

Sat., Oct. 28, 9 a.m., Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church hosts Sister Strands Women’s Conference. Learn how each strand of self, sisterhood, and Savior bond together to make a better you. 1 E. 6 th St., Alton, IL. 62002. For more information, call (618) 4620132.

Sat., Nov. 2, 11 a.m., Fashion & Faith Experience A luncheon to honor 10 women in ministry from various faiths who impact our community. Sheldon Concert Hall, 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www. fashionandfaithexperience. com.

Sun., Nov. 3, 3 p.m., 109th WMU Annual Day, Galilee Baptist Church, 4300 Delmar. film

Fri., Oct. 25, Black and Blue starring Tyrese Gibson, Naomie Harris and Michael Colter opens in theaters nationwide.

Fri., Oct. 25, Farming starring Damson Idris and Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje opens in theaters nationwide.

Fri., Nov. 1, Kasi Lemmons’ Harriet, starring Cynthia Erivo, Leslie Odom Jr. and Janelle Monae opens in theaters nationwide.

Fri., Nov. 27, Queen & Slim starring Daniel Kaluuya, Jodie Turner-Smith, Bokeem Woodbine and Indya Moore opens in theaters nationwide.

St. Louis Fashion Fund presents the Speaking of Fashion Speakers Event: Daniel “Dapper Dan” Day. See LECTURES AND WORKSHOPS for details.

Continued from C1

tainment venue like this.”

The journey has not been easy, but it has been worth it for Stevenson. Just as she was putting in the work to get the doors open two years ago, a devastating health crisis threatened her vision – and her life. She secured the location from Tony Thompson, who owns the building where House of Soul is located – and was ready to get the ball rolling when she was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. “Mr. Thompson said, ‘Go take care of yourself, I will keep the space for you,’” Stevenson said.

While undergoing treatment, she operated House of Soul as a private event space in order to secure funds to open the venue permanently. “With my health, I was trying to raise money as I go,” Stevenson said. Her last treatment was in May.

One of the events that grew out of her efforts was Trap, Soul & Paint. The monthly Sunday nightlife experience which blends creativity and the club scene by having each guest paint a piece of art while catching a vibe from the DJ and hype man, sold out 13 times in a row.

Six months ago, Stevenson found an investor and consultant in nightlife veteran Drexel Stith, who had retired from the industry to build a successful real estate business. During his club days, his venue, The Loft, hosted several installations of Café Soul and Stith developed a mutual respect. When she

was looking for funders, she reached out.

“I shared the vision. He came to a few events and saw what I was trying to do and what I was trying to bring to the city,” Stevenson said. “He was like, ‘You are the only person that can bring me back into this business.’”

Six months ago, Nichol Stevenson found an investor and consultant in nightlife veteran Drexel Stith, who had retired from the industry to build a successful real estate business.

Photo by Lawrence Bryant

concept – kind of like a spinoff from the House of Blues,” Stith said. “Nichol is passionate and committed to doing it right. That’s one of the things that made me say that this is a worthwhile project. I wanted to help her as much as I possibly could to bring that blueprint from the page and bringing it into reality.”

Stevenson said expectations are high, based on the 13 years of consistency she and the Café Soul team provided by way of their brand.

Stith felt a spark was ignited when she presented the project to him and laid out the business plan for the venue that will be equal parts art gallery, live music/event space and restaurant once the kitchen is installed later this year or early next year.

“I thought it was a great

Jidenna

Continued from C1

we were brought here is a revolutionary act in it of itself,” Jidenna said. “That’s a revolutionary act.”

He confessed that leading with the African portion of his roots didn’t come easy, because of the false narratives force-fed to America and other Eurocentric cultures, but doing so was a turning point for him – and he encouraged them to do so as an entire culture.

“I will fight any of the 8 billion people on this earth who say that I’m wrong when I say declaring yourself as African in this country is the mission of our generation, He said. “Our mission is to integrate the diaspora with this continent – and when we do, we will be in a new world.”

At several points within the 85-minute set, he inserted minilectures and history lessons that seemed as important as the music.

Towards the end of the show – using a reference that once again included his father – he told the crowd that the messages were more important than the music.

His father, who suffered a stroke and required several medications asked that his pills be given to him with apple sauce to make them more bearable.

Café Soul was on hiatus as she worked on Trap, Soul & Paint while securing capital for House of Soul and developing the model for her venue – a spot that has top-notch music, art and food – but it too will return on October 25 with House of Soul as its permanent home.

“I believe there are new

artists – R&B and hip-hop artists – that need our platform, opportunity and the stage to help them grow and navigate in this industry” Stevenson said. “When I look back at the people and what they’ve gone on to do, in part, because of the space that Café Soul provided…You have Tish HaynesKeys who was on ‘The Voice,’ and you had Gabii who was on ‘American Idol.’ I believe our platform is still needed today.” She is overwhelmed by the steady stream of support she has received since venturing into the nightlife scene with Café Soul. “Sometimes I can’t believe that people are still buying tickets,” Stevenson said. “And still calling me and believe in me and trust me with their experiences for themselves and their families and their friends. But they know I’ll put my best into it.” According to her, the same will be said for the House of Soul.

“I just believe our culture needs something like this,” Stevenson said, “something that’s positive – and is for us –and by us.” House of Soul’s opening weekend will take place October 18 and October 19. For more information, visit www.houseofsoulstl.com or call (314) 504-7405.

“All of this is the applesauce,” Jidenna said, motioning to his band and the stage. It was a tasty serving that fused his rap, R&B and Afrobeat influences. In what he called a “trap karaoke moment,” Jidenna encouraged the crowd to sing along to the “ratchetry’ of the City Girls’ summer club banger “Act Up.”

There were also clips from Busta Rhymes as he transitioned into “Zodi,” “Little Bit More,” “Particula.”

The highlight of the show came just before the encore when he dove into “Sufi Woman,” which felt as if it were arranged to pay tribute to the late great Fela Kuti – the architect of Afrobeat.

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n At several points within the 85minute set, Jidenna inserted mini-lectures and history lessons that seemed as important as the music.

Through “Sufi Woman,” “Bambi” and “Long Live the Chief,” Jidenna shows that his niche of blending Afrobeat and hip-hop is his best groove.

He saved heaviest message – about descendants of the Diaspora coming together as a centralized unit to erase borders and build communities and dismantle “Afro-phobia” – for just before the lightest of his musical offerings, leading into the finale with his debut hit “Classic man.” He returned to the stage for a lengthy encore that didn’t fare as well as the main portion of the concert. But the audience left clearly affected by his music – and his call for a unified pro-African movement.

Photo by Lawrence Bryant

SSM Health is investing in technologies to reduce stress and anxiety before and after surgery, providing women with every possible option to care for their breast health. Watch our video and find out more at: ssmhealth.com/BreastTechnology

Dr. Pamela Bunting, breast surgeon, performs a bilateral mastectomy in the operating room at SSM Health

St. Clare Hospital in Fenton.

Photo Credit: Matthew O’Shea

OUR LOCATIONS

While a mammogram alone doesn’t diagnose cancer, the images can help your doctor determine if additional tests are needed. If you are over 40 or have other risk factors for breast cancer, you should have a screening mammogram every year. With SSM Health, you can take advantage of our advanced digital and 3D mammography, as well as the most advanced treatment options that lead to the best possible outcomes. Schedule a mammogram appointment now by going to ssmhealth.com/ScheduleMamm or call your women’s health center to make your appointment. Don’t waitschedule your mammogram appointment today!

An annual mammogram is the first step!

20 years and has seen many breast cancer patients over the years, but she never thought she would be one herself. If it weren’t for a mammogram she signed up for by chance at her church’s health fair in July 2017 –her story may have ended up very different. Kim, currentlyemployed at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital, asked St. Mary’s Hospital’s Breast Care Center to have a booth at the health fair to sign women up for a free mammogram day at the hospital in September.“I signed up for my mammogram only because I wanted to support the health fair,” Kim said. “I had no intentions originally of getting one. But I did, and three days later I was called to come into the breast center for an ultrasound because the radiologist saw something suspicious.” Kim thought this was an error and delayed going back for her followup appointment until a week later, in October –Breast Cancer Awareness

“After discussing my options and prognosis with Dr. Schwartz, I decided to have a double mastectomy that

Kim Moore has been a radiology nurse for

Month. When she went back for her ultrasound, Dr. Mary Lowdermilk, SLUCare radiologist at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital, recommended doing a biopsy on a lesion that she found. Kim consented to the procedure and three days later she was diagnosed with breast cancer. “I was devastated,” she said. “Everything changed with that phone call.” Kim was immediately scheduled to see a breast surgeon, Dr. Theresa Schwartz, SLUCare breast surgeon at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital, who found yet another lesion in the same breast in an MRI, which was also found to be cancerous.

“I had the greatest outpouring of compassion and support from my co-workers,” she said. “It was truly overwhelming. I have been a nurse for 20 years and I have worked in hospitals all throughout the St. Louis area and never have I received such love and support from a workplace.” As a nurse, Kim provides compassionate care for patients every day, but now she has another mission: spreading awareness about breast cancer. “That health fair saved my life,” she said. Kim hopes that by sharing her story, she will inspire other women to get their mammograms, too.

December,” Kim said. “After two surgeries and three rounds of physical therapy, I am cancer-free. I feel that my care at SSM Health was and continues to be excellent.” Kim also says that she couldn’t have gone through everything without the love and support of her friends and family, including her “work family” at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital.

Linda Harris’s breast cancer journey began in the middle of the night in early 2017. “I always do my breast self-exams, but it had been a few months since the last time I did it,” she recalls. “Then one night, I heard the Holy Spirit tell me to do a self-exam. I woke up at 3 am and did it right away. That’s when I felt the mass under my left arm.” Two weeks passed before Harris told anyone about the mass she felt. “I was so afraid,” she said. “When you hear the ‘C’ word you automatically think death. Previous to me, my sister was diagnosed with cancer, but sadly she kept it a secret for two years. By the time she went to the doctor, her cancer was stage 4 and a year after her diagnosis, my sister died.” With her daughter’sencouragement, Harris made the first step by calling her primary care doctor. He felt the mass, too, and sent her to SSM Health DePaul Hospital for a mammogram, followed by an ultrasound. The next step would be a biopsy, but when Harris called to schedule the appointment with Pamela Bunting, DO, a breast surgeon at SSM Health, she was told it could take two to three weeks to get an appointment. “I prayed to God to open doors for me,” she said. “On my way home that day, I got a call from Dr. Bunting’s office and they had me come in that afternoon for the biopsy.” The biopsy showed that Harris had stage 2 triple negative breast cancer. The cancer was aggressive, but so was her SSM Health care team. They quickly began chemotherapy treatments. The treatments wreaked havoc on Harris. She had mouth sores, daily nose bleeds and high fevers at night. Harris lost weight and became so weak that she needed a walker to get around and also began experiencing neuropathy symptoms. Her red blood cells plummeted requiring her to get blood transfusions. In addition, her hair

“Self-awareness and early detection are both quite important. It is also indeed miraculous to know that after the storms of life, God is a restorer.”

“I wouldn’t be here today if I had not done that self-exam,” she said.

“Everyone’s journey is different, but we have this in common. It helps me to not feel sorry for myself. God doesn’t have any favorites and in life there are peaks and valleys, but we must trust God to be with us every step of the way as we grow in strength and wisdom leading onward to victory. I feel comforted by this truth and enjoy celebrating with the other survivors in my group.”Ultimately, Harris hopes her story will inspire other women to do regular breast self-exams.

Radiology nurse diagnosed with breast cancer after signing up for mammogram to support church health fair

A chance that saved a life

For

–Linda Harris

n My faith helped me a tremendous deal.” If you lose faith, cancer will take you down. It is also indeed miraculous to know that after the storms of life, God is a restorer.”

“I couldn’t stand to look in the mirror, so my brother helped me shave my hair off.” There was some good news, though. Harris tested negative for the BRCA genes, her lymph nodes also tested negative and the chemotherapy worked. With the tumor gone, Dr. Bunting was able to do a lumpectomy while sparing most of the breast tissue, only removing the tissue where the lump had been. After 33 days of radiation, Harris completed treatment in December 2017. Today, Harris is thankful to be alive. She says she wouldn’t be here without her daughter, who was her caregiver and rock throughout the entire ordeal, her care team at SSM Health DePaul Hospital and her faith. “My faith helped me a tremendous deal,” she said. “If you lose faith, cancer will take you down.” Harris continues to attend support groups for breast cancer survivors, which helps her to not feel alone. “The support groups help me so much because the women there can understand where I am coming from,” she said.

“That was the most hurtful thing,” she recalls.

started coming out in handfuls.

Linda Harris, she’s thankful to be alive, and she says she wouldn’t be here today without her faith, family and care team.

“If you lose faith, cancer will take you down”

Harlem Quartet to Perform at Art Museum

Photo by PatchWorks Films and Evolution Cuba

Continued from C1

The Black Rep will introduce the stain on American history to a broader audience when “Four Little Girls: Birmingham 1963” opens this weekend in the newly opened Staenberg Performance Lab at COCA. The show will continue through October 27.

“Four Little Girls: Birmingham 1963” is Jennifer Wintzer’s first start-to-finish production as COCA’s artistic director of Theatre. She assumed the position in April and one of her first priorities was to engage with The Black Rep around their Teen Tech program. The result was the St. Louis Theatrical Workforce Collaborative – an initiative between COCA, The Black Rep and The Boys and Girls Club’s Teen Empowerment Center in Ferguson to develop new pathways for young people to work on the technical and design side of theatre.

Ron Himes, founder and producing director of The Black Rep suggested that they start the partnership with a co-production that will allow an opportunity for the students to jump right in at the top of the season. “Four Little Girls: Birmingham 1963” was the production they agreed upon.

up their memories.”

Twenty girls ranging in age from 8-17 are among the stars of this production.

“They do a fantastic job of showing how bright their lights were – and how it could have been any of us,” Thompson said. “And now with the racial climate of 2019, it could still be any of us. Yes, this took place in 1963, but it could very well happen today or tomorrow.”

Wintzer has been inspired

“Four

The Saint Louis Art Museum invites you to attend a performance by the internationally acclaimed Harlem Quartet on Sunday, October 27 at 2 pm. The Harlem Quartet include three violists— Melissa White, Jaime Amador, and Ilmar Gavilan—and cellist Felix Umansky. These four founding members strive to advance diversity in classical music through engaging young and new audiences with a varied repertoire that includes works by composers of color.

Almost My Last and Only

Sunday, October 27

2:00 pm Saint Louis Art Museum, The Farrell Auditorium $10/$5 Member adults, free for children and students with ID

The Harlem Quartet’s mission to bring classical music to school children and adult audiences has taken them around the world; from 2009 when they performed at the White House for President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama to their highly successful tour in South Africa in 2012. Additionally, the Quartet has excited audiences and students in 47 states, as well as the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Brazil, Panama, Canada, Venezuela, and Japan. The Harlem Quartet was founded in 2006 by the Sphinx Organization, a non-profit group based in Detroit that is dedicated to the development of young Black and Latino classical musi-

cians. These four Quartet members were all first-prize laureates at the Annual Sphinx Competition, an event that gives classical string players a chance to compete, work with an internationally renowned panel of judges, and perform with professional musicians. In addition to performing classical music with distinguished artists as Itzhak Perlman, the musically versatile ensemble regularly collaborates with jazz masters as Stanley Clarke and Chick Corea. Join us as we welcome the Harlem Quartet and celebrate the diversity in classical music at the Saint Louis Art Museum. A meet and greet with the Quartet will take place immediately following the performance. Families are welcome and encouraged to attend; children and students with ID attend for free. This program is supported by a grant from the Trio Foundation of St. Louis. Tickets may be purchased in person at the Museum’s Information Centers or through MetroTix at metrotix.com or 314.534.1111. All tickets purchased or reserved through MetroTix incur a service charge; the service charge is waived for tickets purchased or reserved at the Art Museum.

“It’s been enlightening for me because I’ve been able to work with Ron Himes at The Black Rep,” Wintzer said. “He is a leader in American theater so to be able to partner with him and such an established institution and working on a piece like this written by Christina Ham has been a learning experience for me as an artistic director. And it’s also been pretty exciting to see our young people – who are already quite talented in terms of being skilled performers –so committed to telling such a powerful story.”

It was a humbling and magical experience for director Jacqueline Thompson, who –along with assistant director Alicia Like and musical director Trevon Griffith – help young people tell the story of these four girls and how their lives, and deaths, forever changed a nation.

“This show humanizes them,” Thompson said. “We hear about the four little girls. Some know their names, but most don’t. Addie Mae was into sports, she loved baseball. Denise wanted to be a doctor.

The show makes their lives personal for all these little girls on stage responsible for lifting

Little Girls: Birmingham 1963”

October 18-20 and October 25-27

Staenberg Performance Lab, 524 Trinity Ave.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.cocastl.org or call (314) 561-4877.

by the hard work of the young actors and the young technical staff and their commitment to telling the story with grace and honor and a standard of excellence.

“They are so committed to making art,” Wintzer said of the performers and technical artists. “That has been a great learning experience for me in my new role. Young people have the power. Theater is a collaborative art form and to get young people to understand that there are multiple perspectives, multiple talents and multiple abilities that help to tell the story is essential to me. I hope the audience is also profoundly inspired when they see that that our young people have the ability, the intelligence

and the heart to tell such an important story.”

Thompson is proud of how the entire team has handled the weight and responsibility of “Four Little Girls: Birmingham 1963” and feels that it is in a sense a reincarnation of the black girl magic that was snuffed out by a racial terrorism.

“I want the young black girls coming up who were a part of this production and see this production – including myself – to be all the things that these four girls could not have been,” Thompson said. “ These girls can do that in their honor of what those four girls could not be and can explore all of the possibilities that were taken from them.” Wintzer says the play has the capacity to touch everyone who sees it.

“I hope that we have a multigenerational audience – an audience of adults and young people from all backgrounds – come watch young people perform and tell an important story that is a part of our history,” Wintzer said. “And that they have an understanding that young people are really the voice of our future. We must look back as we look forward and recognize both the tragedy of our history and the promise of tomorrow and we have to acknowledge the tragedies of the past so that we don’t repeat them.”

The Black Rep and COCA’s presentation of “Four Little Girls: Birmingham 1963” will play October 18-20 and October 25-27 at Staenberg Performance Lab, 524 Trinity Ave. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www. cocastl.org or call (314) 5614877.

Harlem Quartet

Pathways to Success

Education at an Academic Health

By The St. Louis American Staff

An academic health center is an institution comprised of a medical school, one or more health care profession schools or programs and one or more owned or affiliated teaching hospitals or health systems. In addition to allopathic or osteopathic medicine, the schools or programs could include allied health, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, public health and even veterinary medicine.

Academic health centers are aimed at improving health and well-being by educating the next generation of health care professionals, conducting innovative research and providing exemplary patient care. This cycle of education, research and patient care creates an exciting and unique environment.

If you’re considering a career as a health professional, pursuing a degree from a school at an academic health center can provide many benefits.

Innovation Collaboration fosters innovation, and academic health centers exemplify this. Discoveries are happening every day as a result of some of the leading minds coming together. You will see these breakthroughs first-hand — and maybe even contribute to

Center

them — and know you’re learning the most advanced methods and approaches.

Experience The knowledge you gather in the classroom can be applied in clinical settings the same day. This real-world experience allows you to refine your skills through interaction with practitioners and patients alike. You will also be exposed to other disciplines, deepening your understanding of health care as a whole and learning ways you can better serve your patients.

Opportunities

The connections you make through clinicals or with instructors can lead to full-time employment. Schools or programs on academic health centers often help their students with placement at the affiliated hospitals or clinical settings. It’s possible you could one day be employed on the same floor or in the same department as you once trained.

Academic health centers not only create an environment for you to receive a unique, comprehensive education but provide you with the opportunities for a fulfilling future in health care.

Goldfarb School of Nursing at BarnesJewish College is situated on the campus of Washington University Medical Center in St. Louis, a renowned academic health center. Begin or further your nursing career with a degree from Goldfarb.

Sponsored By:

Hamilton and Stolen at the Missouri History Museum

By Ellen Kunkelmann

For The St. Louis American

“Hamilton: An American Musical” won’t return to the Fox Theatre until May 2020, but fans of this hugely successful hip-hop musical about U.S. founding father Alexander Hamilton can get their fix at the Missouri History Museum this weekend.

Dr. Richard Bell, professor of early American history at the University of Maryland, will present “Hamilton’s History Remix” on Sunday, October 20, at 2 p.m. in the Lee Auditorium. This program will explore what Hamilton’s success tells us about the marriage of history and show business, what it gets right and gets wrong, the choices the creators made, and its cultural impact.

“‘Hamilton’ has been a juggernaut because it combines an exciting musical style that’s new to Broadway with a tentpole American story that speaks to universal themes,” Bell says. “The decision to use hip-hop to tell the story of American patriots during the Revolution is quite brilliant and perfectly fitting. Hip-hop is a musical style associated with the streets—with struggle, defiance, and ambition—and with a putupon people ready to rise up.”

“It takes a genius to come up with the idea for a rap and hip-hop musical about the founding fathers and the first secretary of the Treasury,” he adds. “This Broadway musical has done more to revitalize interest in this sometimes stodgy period in American history than a thousand historians’ books and articles. Most historians love it because it gives us a chance to talk with interested people—adults and students alike— about what this great piece of theatre gets right and gets wrong about our American past—and why this all matters.”

“Hamilton’s History Remix” is geared toward people who have seen the show or are familiar with the cast recording. Tickets are $10 per person or $5 for Missouri Historical Society members. For reservations or more information, call (314) 361-9017 or visit mohistory.org/ Hamilton.

Bell will also be at the museum on Saturday afternoon, October 19, to discuss his latest book, “Stolen: Five Boys Kidnapped into Slavery and Their Astonishing Odyssey Home,” which was published this week. Bell’s book tour begins here at the museum, so St. Louisans can be some of the first to get signed copies of a book that is already earning rave reviews. This program, which will be held in the AT&T Foundation Room at 1:30 p.m., is free and open to the public.

“Stolen” is a true story about the Reverse Underground Railroad, the black-market network in which thousands of legally free African Americans— many of whom were children— were abducted in Northern cities and sold into slavery in the Deep South. Bell spent more than four years researching the kidnappings of Cornelius Sinclair, Sam Scomp, Enos Tilghman, Alex Manlove, and Joe Johnson in Philadelphia in 1825. Using newspaper articles, missing persons notices, handwritten trial notes, and letters from the kidnappers, he reconstructed the abductions; the boys’ courageous resistance and daring attempts to escape; and the efforts of parents, neighbors, and activists to rescue the boys and bring their

Dr. Richard Bell, professor of early American history at the University of Maryland, will present “Hamilton’s History Remix” on Sunday, October 20 at 2 p.m. in the Lee Auditorium at the Missouri History Museum. He also will discuss his latest book, “Stolen: Five Boys Kidnapped into Slavery and Their Astonishing Odyssey Home,” on Saturday afternoon, October 19 at 1:30 p.m.

traffickers to justice.

The book is meticulously researched but still reads like a novel; Bell opted for a fast-paced narrative style in order to reach as many readers as possible and to encourage new research into this dark chapter in American history.

“The story of these five boys being kidnapped and trafficked into slavery is representative of a tsunami of similar stories that are harder to recover,” he says.

n “The decision to use hip-hop to tell the story of American patriots during the Revolution is quite brilliant and perfectly fitting.”

– Dr. Richard Bell

“Stolen” is particularly relevant today, Bell observes. “We still live in a world in which parents and children can be forcibly separated, a world in which undocumented families and families of color have to walk on eggshells, a world in which human trafficking and modernday slavery continue to test our commitment to liberty and justice for all. I hope that readers of Stolen come to understand as much as they can stomach about the Reverse Underground Railroad, but that they take away a whole lot more about the brave children and adults who tried to dismantle and destroy it.”

Dr. Richard Bell will discuss “Stolen” at the Missouri History Museum on Saturday, October 19, at 1:30 p.m. He will also present Hamilton’s History Remix on Sunday, October 20, at 2 p.m. Ellen Kunkelmann is associate editor of the Missouri Historical Society.

70th Anniversary

William and Evelyn Bryant celebrate 70 years of marriage this month. Their secret to longevity is in Proverbs 3:6, “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” William will turn 90 in December and Evelyn is 88. They have two sons, Don and Chris and a daughter, Vicki (deceased). They celebrated their anniversary with their sons, daughter-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, other family members and friends. They have been members of Bethesda Temple Church of the Apostolic Faith in Normandy, Missouri for over 57 years.

Reunions

All reunion announcements can be viewed online!

Central High School Class of 1970 is in the process of planning its 50-year reunion in 2020. We are trying to locate former classmates. If

you would like to receive additional information as we plan this momentous occasion, please provide your contact information to either Lillian McKinney at mamajoyce314@ icloud.com or (314) 335-9760, Eric Armstrong at elarmstr@ yahoo.com or (918) 6503385, Sabra Morris-Pernod at Saboots@centurytel.net or (314) 703-0812.

Calling all students of the Katherine Dunham Dance Technique, as well as lovers of the arts. Sylvester “Sunshine” Lee and Valerie

Celebrations

Birthday

Happy Birthday to our queen, Mayteen Cousin-Graham She will be 96 years old on October 23, 2019. She has three daughters, Diane Owens, Almitra Johnson and Renee Ewell, with eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She is the matriarch of the Cousin and Graham family and we love her dearly. Happy Birthday, Mom.

Adams will be celebrating over 40 years of working with E. St. Louis’ Youth. The Royal Wakanda Ball is Saturday, October 26, 219 at 5pm at 603 North 59th Street-E. St. Louis, IL 62208. For more information text Ms. V. Adams at 618-420-9926.

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.

Vashon-Hadley Old School

We the members of Union Tabernacle M. B.

Church celebrated our Pastor, Rev. James A. Nicks, Jr. and First Lady Sis. Jacquelyn D. Nicks on their 6th Pastoral Anniversary on Sunday, October 13, 2019. We have been blessed as this man and woman of God lead us in our spiritual walk with Jesus Christ. May God continue to bless their ministry.

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.

Vashon High School Class of 1969 Alumni Committee is planning its 50-year reunion: October 18 and 19, 2019 at the Renaissance Hotel, 9801 Natural Bridge Road, Berkeley, MO. Meet and Greet will take place Friday night from 6-10 p.m. Reunion Banquet is Saturday, 6-11 p.m. Contact Genies Jordan

314-448-6658, Yvonne Clemons 314-620-0551 for additional information or email Liz35206@yahoo.com to register. Vashon High School Class of 1974 is planning for its 45-year reunion. We are in the process of rounding up all classmates. To provide or update your contact information, please email ljbady@gmail.com or contact: Joe Verrie Johnson 314-640-5842, Jordan Perry 314-724-4563, or LaVerne James-Bady 314-382-0890.

Do you have a celebration you’re proud of? If so we would like to share your good news with our readers. Whether it’s a birth, wedding, engagement announcement, anniversary, retirement or birthday, send your photos and a brief announcement (50 words or less) to us and we may include it in our paper and website – AT NO COST – as space is available Photos will not be returned. Send your announcements to: kdaniel@stlamerican. com or mail to: St. Louis American Celebrations c/o Kate Daniel 2315 Pine St. St. Louis, MO., 63103

Reunion notices are free of charge and based on space availability. We prefer that notices be emailed to us! However, notices may also be sent by mail to: Kate Daniel, 2315 Pine St., St. Louis, MO 63103 Deadline is 10 a.m. on Friday. If you’d like your class to be featured in a reunion profile, email or mail photos to us. Our email address is: reunions@stlamerican.com

Religion

Interfaith Partnership to honor Billie Mayo and Rev. C. Jessel Strong

Interfaith Dinner and Celebration is October 24 at Saint Louis University on

American staff

The Interfaith Partnership of Greater St. Louis will honor Billie Mayo, former director of the Saint Louis Urban Educational Leadership Cohort at Saint Louis University, and Rev. C. Jessel Strong, president of the St. Louis Clergy Coalition, at the organization’s 27th annual Interfaith Dinner and Celebration in the Wool Ballroom at Busch Student Center on the campus of Saint Louis University on Thursday, October 24.

Called “Embracing Diversity Without Division,” the event is hosted this year by the Christian community and will feature a performance by Sisters of Story, a Chicagobased group of Muslim, Jewish and Christian women whose stories celebrate peace, curiosity and similarities among the faiths.

This event will be the year’s largest interfaith gathering in the St. Louis metropolitan area, with more than 500 clergy, leaders and members of St. Louis’ faith communities gathering for dinner, robust dialogue and more.

Billie Mayo of the Baha’i Faith has served for many years on the Interfaith Partnership Board and Cabinet and served as the organization’s president during 2015-2016. She has introduced many people to the

principles of the Baha’i Faith and has dedicated her life to bringing together people of diverse backgrounds.

Rev. C. Jessel Strong is an elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church and has served on the judicatory Cabinet of Interfaith Partnership for several years.

He is committed to promoting positive relations between religions and learning among people of different faiths.

This year’s organizing committee is:

• Chair, Maryl Walters, IP Cabinet, Christian Science

• Co-Chair, Karen Anderson, IP Cabinet, AME

• Marvin Anderson, IP Board, Christian Church, Disciples of Christ

• James FowlkesComninellis, Archdiocese of St. Louis

• Lenny Frankel, IP Board, Judaism

• Sofia Grewal, VP IP Board, Sikh

• Bart Hildreth, IP Cabinet, United Methodist

• Paul Hintze, IP Cabinet, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

• Jue Huang, IP Board, Buddhist

Confidence and discipline are spiritual concepts. Better yet, confidence coupled with discipline must surely be godly. This coupling should by no means be confused with arrogance and ego. Faith requires discipline and, together with spiritual confidence, the godly result is power.

manage to balance confidence, discipline, power and of course faith?

n Called “Embracing Diversity Without Division,” the event is hosted this year by the Christian community and will feature a performance by Sisters of Story. Billie Mayo, former director of the Saint Louis Urban Educational Leadership Cohort

• David Oughton, President IP Board, SLU Faculty

• Michael Pressimone, President, Fontbonne University, Roman Catholic

• Harvey Schneider, IP Board, Judaism

• Craig Workman, Ladue Chapel Presbyterian Church. Interfaith Partnership of Greater St. Louis is a collaborative organization open to people of all religions in the St. Louis metropolitan area. Its mission is to deepen understanding, respect and appreciation among all persons across lines of religious

Rev. C. Jessel Strong, president of the St. Louis Clergy Coalition

difference as we agree to differ, promise to love and unite to serve. For more information, visit www.Interfaithstl.org.

The public is invited and encouraged to attend this event. Doors will open at 6 p.m., and the dinner and program will begin at 6:45 p.m. Free garage parking and complimentary valet parking will be available to guests, and complimentary childcare will also be provided (www.interfaithstl.org/ childcare).

For more information and to order tickets, contact Leona Khalid at office@interfaithstl. org, by phone at 314-918-2541, or visithttps://tinyurl.com/ yxosthx3.

Consider what happened in the Upper Room on Pentecost. When the Holy Spirit came upon the saints present, confidence and discipline is what resulted. These were already faithful people, but their lives would be forever changed as they received the power to spread the Word of God, a Word that changed the world.

When you internalize this in a before-and-after scenario, you begin to see their confidence, coupled with a newfound Holy Spirit-driven discipline, take their faith to new heights. Prior to this, the faithful huddled in secret, being faithful to the belief, that Jesus was truthful in His Word.

He would send another. The other, we know, turned out to be the Holy Spirit who gave them more of what they already had. Their faith was fortified with confidence and discipline, which manifested itself in a unique ability to communicate, and the world has not been the same since.

Where do you go to get your gifts fortified? How do you

Without spiritually based confidence and discipline, it is practically impossible to stand up to the daily challenges of life and the temptations that sometimes control our own behavior. The good news of the gospel is that wherever the Holy Spirit chooses to take up residence, change must occur. Of those 40 or so saints in the Upper Room, many were faced with the opportunity to make their own lives easier if they would simply deny God in favor of man. Like Peter said before the Sanhedrin after the day of Pentecost, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:19. This is the same Peter who denied Christ three times – an act of cowardice or simply the challenge put before a man not yet buoyed by the power of the Holy Spirit? What a difference a day makes. Look inwardly and make room for the Holy Spirit. Then seek His face. You are set apart. I believe the discipline, coupled with the confidence of knowing you are a candidate for housing the Holy Spirit, gives you the power of the faithful as promised by God.

Columnist James Washington

CASE MANAGER

Full-time, Part-time, PRN

The incumbent is responsible for providing goal-oriented support and individualized direct care and supervision of program youth. This position is focused on achieving individualized goals for the persons served by assessment, planning, advocacy, and coordination in a manner which reflects the mission, philosophy and policies of Covenant House Missouri.

To apply, visit our website at www.covenanthousemo.org

COORDINATORCLAIMSCLAIMS MAINTENANCE

Responsible for various administrative tasks related to: support for the Medical Management team, reinsurance reports, location reports and claim maintenance.

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

CASUALTY CLAIMS ANALYST

Responsible for handling assigned claims from initial assignment to closure as well as provide assistance in various administrative functions associated with the Automobile and General Liability LOB.

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

GRAPHIC ARTIST

The St. Louis American, the largest weekly newspaper in the entire state of Missouri, continues to grow. We are looking for a full time, creative Graphic Artist to join our award-winning design team.

In addition to assisting in the design of The St. Louis American newspaper, you will be working directly with the advertising sales team, and design: print ads, online ads, flyers, posters, brochures, invitations, annual reports, tickets, signage, etc.

• Must be fluent in InDesign and Photoshop

• You will work strictly on a Mac

• Must be detail oriented

• Typing skills of at least 40wpm Full time. (Includes benefits package).

For information, contact: Kevin Jones, Chief Operating Officer, kjones@stlamerican.com

DEPUTY CITY CLERK

The City of Jennings is accepting applications for the full-time position of Deputy City Clerk. The duties of the position entails providing administrative, clerical, and human resource functions to assistance the City Clerk. The Deputy City Clerk shall complete the City Clerk’s duties when the City Clerk is unavailable or unable to perform the duties of the position. The duties of the Deputy City Clerk will include working Monday – Friday and some evenings based upon the meeting dates of the City Council, City Committees and Commissions. The starting annual salary is $37,118 (GS14C). Applications available at Jennings City Hall or online at www.cityofjennings.org. All Applications should be returned to Jennings City Hall, 2120 Hord Ave., 63136 or to jobs@cityofjennings.org. NO RESUMES ARE ACCEPTED WITHOUT AN APPLICATION!

Applications accepted through October 18, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. The City of Jennings is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

STAFF RN

Nurses for Newborns (NFN) is an independent non-profit organization that serves prenatal, postpartum women, infants and families in St. Louis City and County. NFN nurses work with families in their homes with a goal of nurturing infants and strengthening families. If you are looking to make a difference in the lives of these families NFN is looking for you! NFN nurses independently provide in-home nursing visits following Clinical Guidelines in planning care, assessing client needs and utilizing screening tools to identify potential risks as early as possible in the lives of infants. Nurses work with hospitals, physicians, managed care and community agencies to provide care for clients and refer clients to community agencies to meet identified needs. Qualified candidates must possess an active RN license to practice in the state of Missouri as well as have their own vehicle, a current driver’s license and automobile insurance. 5 years experience in maternal/ child health OR 3 years experience in NICU/Special Care Nursery is required as well as a Bachelor’s degree. Please provide a cover letter, resume and salary history to hr@nursesfornewborns.org

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: https://mo-stpeters.civicplushrms. com/careers/ AA/EOE

COORDINATOR –HUMAN RESOURCES

Staff level position which supports the Human Resources Department and staff with an emphasis on the recruitment function. Works under general supervision. Fully applies a working level of knowledge of clerical and administrative support concepts.

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

PUBLIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATOR III

East-West Gateway Council of Governments has an opening for a Public Safety Administrator III position. Starting salary is $59,316 annually. Please follow the link to view post at http://www.ewgateway.org/careers/. An Equal Opportunity Employer

SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER

Senior level professional position which contributes to the accomplishment of project/ program management practices and objectives that will achieve business goals and objectives. Works without immediate supervision and direction. Leads and mentors others within Program Management. Demonstrates advanced working knowledge and concepts of Information Technology.

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

COORDINATORCLAIMSCLAIMS MAINTENANCE

Responsible for various administrative tasks related to: support for the Medical Management team, reinsurance reports, location reports and claim maintenance.

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

com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=161 d79b6-9781-4a1a-bb96-e700c85 ee540&ccId=19000101_000001&jobId=305177&source=CC3&lang=en_US

SENIOR BI REPORT WRITER

This is a senior-level professional position that contributes to the accomplishment of I.S. practices and objectives that will achieve business goals and objectives. The Senior Report Writer will be responsible for creating Business Intelligence reports based on the needs of end users and optimize database queries to improve efficiency and effectiveness. Will work with experienced SQL Developers and Database Administrators to develop queries, create indexes, and stored procedures as it relates to Reporting Team needs. Requires advanced knowledge of SSRS and entry-level knowledge of SSIS. Assist in training users on reporting tools and analysis of data. Assist in training and development of members of the Reporting Team. To apply, please visit: https://www.safetynational.com/careers-page/

JOB VACANCY

INVITATION TO BID

Lemay Child and Family Center at 9828 S. Broadway, Saint Louis, MO 63125 is soliciting bids for bathroom remodeling and floor installation work at our location. Interested parties to contact Denise Wiese at: dwiese@lemaychildandfamily.org. To request a bid information packet that defines the scope of the project and bid requirements. Scope of work for this project will the installation of flooring in classroom bathrooms and installation of new toilets in select bathrooms.

There will be a site walkthrough on October 21, 2019 at 10:00 AM-visit site and gain access to bathroom areas. Please not that no one should show up on site unannounced and expect to gain access to the facility.

All bids must be delivered to Lemay Child and Family Center no later than 5:00 PM on October 31, 2019. Sealed written bids can be dropped off at the facility or emailed to Denise Wiese at the previously listed email address. All bidders to be aware that this work will be awarded by 11/01/2019, and needs to be completed by 11/30/2019. All questions should be submitted to Denise Wiese at least three [3] days before the bid due date.

All received bids will be privately opened and reviewed by selected Lemay Child and Family Center Board members. Project to be awarded by the best overall proposal/bid received.

No bid bond or performance and payment bonds are required. All bidders to submit the other required information found in the bid packet.

By: Denise Wiese Executive Director

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS

SEWER DISTRICT

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is accepting proposals in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103-2555 until 10:00 a.m. on November 21st, 2019 to contract with a company for: Janitorial Services for Lemay Treatment Plant.

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 10181 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.

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS

SEWER DISTRICT

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is accepting proposals in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103-2555 until 10:00 a.m. on November 18th, 2019 to contract with a company for: Metal Fabrication & Machine Shop 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 10192 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.

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Notice is hereby given that The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (District) will receive sealed bids for TILLES PARK, LITZSINGER AND PARKRIDGE I/I REDUCTION (LITZSINGER RD AND S MCKNIGHT RD) under Letting No. 12230-015.1, at this office, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103, until 02:00 PM on Friday, November 15, 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.

Public Notice of Single Source Procurement

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is proposing to procure: MEDIATION SERVICES: CLAUDE BROWN LLC was used for this service. Any inquiries should be sent to gjamison@stlmsd.com.

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

Centre  Boulevard,  P.O.  Box  9,  St.  Peters,  Missouri 63376  until  2:00  PM  local  time,  Friday,  November 8,  2019  and  then  opened  and  read  aloud. Contract  Documents  will  be  available  on  Thursday,  October  17,  2019  and  are  on  file  at the  office  of  Drexel Technologies  at http://planroom.drexeltech.com

–  Salt  River  Road –  Arrowhead  Industrial  Boulevard Intersection  Improvements,  Federal  Project  No.  CMAQ  7305(617) or  by  mail  to  City  of  St.  Peters  Purchasing Department,  One  St.  Peters  Centre  Boulevard,  P.O.  Box  9, St.  Peters,  MO  63376  before noon  local  time,  Thursday, October  31,  2019 Special  Needs:  If  you  have  special  needs  addressed  by  the  Americans  with  Disabilities  Act,  please  notify Bids@stpetersmo.net  under  the  subject  line Bid  19 150 –  Salt  River  Road –  Arrowhead  Industrial  Boulevard Intersection  Improvements,  Federal  Project  No.  CMAQ

predetermined  as  required  by  law  and  are  set forth  in  this appendices.    When  Federal  wage  rates  are  applicable  and  included,  this contract  is  subject  to  the  "Work  Hours  Act of  1962",  (P.L.  87 581:  76  Stat.  357)  and  implementing  regulations. The  City  of  St.  Peters  hereby  notifies  all  bidders  that it  will  affirmatively  ensure  that  in  any  contract  entered  into pursuant  to  this  advertisement,  businesses  owned  and  controlled  by  socially  and  economically  disadvantaged enterprises  will  be  afforded  full  opportunity  to  submit  bids  in  response  to  this  invitation  and  will  not  be discriminated  against  on  the  grounds  of  race,  color,  religion,  creed,  sex,  age,  ancestry,

CITY OF ST. LOUIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL – VIOLENCE PREVENTION ALTERNATIVES

The City of St. Louis Department of Public Safety is seeking proposals from qualified not-for-profit providers to implement a violence prevention alternative program in the City of St. Louis. To obtain a copy of the RFP, please visit https://www. stlouis-mo.gov/government/ procurement/index.cfm . The RFP will be listed under “Active RFPs, RFQs and RFIs.” Proposals must be received by 12:00 Noon CDT on Wednesday, October 30, 2019.

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS

SEWER DISTRICT

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District will receive bids in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103-2555 until 11:00 a.m. on November 19, 2019 to contract with a company for: PARTS AND SERVICE: DEIONIZING TANKS & POINT OF USE POLISHING UNITS (ELGA).

A non-mandatory pre-bid conference will be held on October 30, 2019 at 10:00am at MSD Division of Environmental Compliance 10 E. Grand Ave., St. Louis MO 63147. Attendance of the pre-bid is highly recommended.

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 10193 RFQ. If you do not have access to the internet, call 314-768-6254 to request a copy of this bid.

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

PM, 11/12/2019via MissouriBUYS. Biddersmustbe registeredtobid. Forspecificproject informationand orderingplans, goto:https:// missouribuys. mo.gov.

BIDS

Great Rivers Greenway District is seeking qualifications for project controls consulting services in connection with the district’s design and construction of capital projects. Check www.greatriversgreenway.org/ jobs-bids/ and submit by November 8, 2019.

BIDS

Great Rivers Greenway District is soliciting proposals for Construction Management Services for bridge repairs. Check www. greatriversgreenway.org/ jobs-bids/ and submit by November 1, 2019.

www.stlamerican.com

CITY OF ST. LOUIS BOARD OF PUBLIC SERVICE

REQUEST

FOR QUALIFICATIONS for PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FOR INDUSTRIAL CONTROL SYSTEMS (ICS) RISK ASSESSMENT, ST. LOUIS CITY -WATER DIVISION, ST. LOUIS, MO. Statements of Qualifications due by 5:00 PM CT, MONDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2019 at Board of Public Service, 1200 Market, Room 301 City Hall, St. Louis, MO 63103. RFQ may be obtained from website www.stl-bps.org under On Line Plan Room, Professional Services, or call Helen Bryant at 314-589-6214. 25% MBE and 5% WBE participation goals.

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District

Public Notice of Single Source Procurement

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is proposing to procure: COLLECTOR DRIVE ON GRAVITY THICKENER REPLACEMENT: FAB TACH LLC was used for this service. Any inquiries should be sent to gjamison@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 AP Green Building MUHC Lab, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO. Bids are due Tuesday, October 22, 2019 by 1:00 pm and can be faxed to (573) 3924527 or emailed to shawn@cms-gc. com. For more information, call Shawn @ (573) 392-6553. CurtissManes-Schulte, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

LETTING #8706

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING DRIVE LIGHTING AND TRAFFIC SIGNAL IMPROVEMENTS NEWSTEAD AVENUE TO VANDEVENTER AVENUE

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 November 19, 2019, then publicly opened and read. Plans and Specifications may be examined on the Board of Public Service website http://www.stl-bps. org/planroom.aspx (BPS On Line Plan Room) and may be purchased directly through the BPS website from INDOX Services at cost plus shipping. No refunds will be made.

A pre-bid conference for all contractors bidding on this project will be held onsite at Dr. Martin Luther King Drive and North Newstead, St. Louis, MO October 29, 2019 at 10:00 A.M.

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

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

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS City of St. Louis Affordable Housing Report

The City of St. Louis is requesting proposals from consultants for the preparation of an Affordable Housing Report relating to work completed by the Community Development Administration (CDA). The selected consultant will be responsible for compiling a report that can be presented to CDA, City Officials as well as the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The product should consist of a Narrative Report including an Executive Summary, a PowerPoint Presentation, and a listing of the various affordable housing projects produced in the City by address. The report should also include a listing of permit data. The report should list all incentives available in each individual project, i.e. CDBG, HOME, NSP, Affordable Housing, federal and state incentives including LIHTC, historic tax credits, tax abatement, TIF, etc. The selected consultant must be conversant with and knowledgeable of local affordable housing programs and incentives.

The RFP in its entirety can be found on the Community Development Administration (CDA) website: https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/cda/.

Proposals must be submitted no later than 4:00 p.m. on June 14, 2019 to Bill Rataj, Community Development Administration, 1520 Market St – Suite 2000, St. Louis, MO 63103. Questions concerning the RFP may be directed to RatajB@stlouis-mo.gov.

CDA does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, familial status or sexual orientation in the administration of the program.

CDA is an Equal Opportunity Agency Minority Participation is Encouraged

ST. LOUIS COMMUNITY

COLLEGE

Bids for St. Louis Community College on B0003855 for a RespiSim System Educational Package Pro will be received until 11:00 A.M. (local time) on Thursday, October 31, 2019 at the Dept. of Purchasing, 3221 McKelvey Road; Bridgeton, MO 63044, and immediately thereafter opened and read. Bid documents can be accessed on our website at www.stlcc.edu/ purchasing or by calling (314) 539-5226. EOE/AA Employer.

ST. LOUIS

COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Bids for St. Louis Community College on B0003873 for the Purchase of Janitorial Paper Products will be received until 2:00 P.M. (local time) on Friday, October 11, 2019 at the Dept. of Purchasing, 3221 McKelvey Road; Bridgeton, MO 63044, and immediately thereafter opened and read. Bid documents can be accessed on our website at www.stlcc.edu/purchasing or by calling (314) 539-5226. EOE/AA Employer.

ST. LOUIS

COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Bids for St. Louis Community College on B0003836 for the Purchase of Retail Grocery & Non-Grocery Products will be received until 2:00 P.M. (local time) on Thursday, October 10, 2019 at the Dept. of Purchasing, 3221 McKelvey Road; Bridgeton, MO 63044, and immediately thereafter opened and read. Bid documents can be accessed on our website at www.stlcc.edu/purchasing or by calling (314) 539-5226. EOE/AA Employer.

ST. LOUIS

COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Bids for St. Louis Community College on B0003841 for the Purchase of Athletic Equipment & Supplies will be received until 2:00 P.M. (local time) on Monday, October 21, 2019 at the Dept. of Purchasing, 3221 McKelvey Road; Bridgeton, MO 63044, and immediately thereafter opened and read. Bid documents can be accessed on our website at www.stlcc.edu/ purchasing or by calling (314) 539-5226. EOE/AA Employer.

ST. LOUIS COMMUNITY

COLLEGE

Bids for St. Louis Community College on B0003863 for the Purchase of Diplomas will be received until 2:00 P.M. (local time) on Tuesday, October 15, 2019 at the Dept. of Purchasing, 3221 McKelvey Road; Bridgeton, MO 63044, and immediately thereafter opened and read. Bid documents can be accessed on our website at www.stlcc.edu/purchasing or by calling (314) 539-5226. EOE/AA Employer.

REQUEST

FOR PROPOSALS

O’Mara Restroom, Spanish Lake Pk – IFB 2019-09-886. Due 10.23.19 by 2 PM. Demien Const. 636.332.5500 / 636.332.5465 Fax / Call for Email

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

The City of St Louis Department of

is seeking proposals to provide

Requests for Proposals may be obtained beginning September 27, 2019, from the City of St. Louis Department of Health, Harold Bailey, 1520 Market Street-Suite 4051, St. Louis MO 63103, baileyh@ stlouis-mo.gov, (314) 657-1568. Proposals may also be downloaded from the City of St. Louis website at http://www.stlouis-mo.gov/. All questions must be submitted in writing no later than October 1, 2019, to Harold Bailey at the information listed above. All questions will be addressed through addenda posted on the St. Louis City website at http:// stlouis-mo.gov/.

The deadline for submitting proposals is October 18, 2019, by 5:00 P.M. at the address listed above. The Department of Health reserves the right to reject any or all responses with or without cause.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Great Rivers Greenway is soliciting proposals for Event Services. Check https://greatriversgreenway.org/ jobs-bids and submit by November 8, 2019.

BIDS

Five Oaks Associates, LLC is accepting bids for the following project for University of Missouri: Critical Care Addition - New Cath Lab and Interventional Radiology in Columbia, Missouri, PROJECT NUMBER: CP190671 and CP180491. It bids on Tuesday, October 15th, 2019. We would like to have your bids by 9:00 am. You may fax your bid at: 573-682-9514; email at: admin@5oaksassociates.com. You may also reach us at 573-682-1314. BIDS forWater &Wastewater SystemsUpgrade, W.E.Sears Youth Center,Poplar Bluff,Missouri, ProjectNo. H1610-01will bereceivedby FMDC,Stateof MO,UNTIL 1:30PM, 11/7/2019via MissouriBUYS. Biddersmustbe registeredtobid. Forspecific project informationand orderingplans,go to:http://oa.mo. gov/facilities

A gut-busting birthday bash. I made my way to The Laugh Lounge once again for my boy Jessie Taylor’s annual birthday comedy bash – and once again it did not disappoint. Jessie and national comedy scene veteran Ray Grady served as the main attraction. But it was the poor gentleman who epically bombed Sunday night that was responsible for the comedy gold that took place, in response to his tragic flop of a set. Because I don’t want him to be anymore scarred – but mostly because I don’t remember – I won’t use his real stage name. Everybody kept calling him Courvoisier – yes, like the cognac – so I will too. That poor thing couldn’t get folks to look him in the face, let alone chuckle in response to any single joke he threw their way. As if the walk of shame that he had to endure from the stage to the door wasn’t bad enough, Jessie eulogized him after it was over. No, I’m serious. He actually cued up “Gangsta Lean,” encouraged the audience to sing along and put their cell phone lights in the air. And when they got to the part where the dude sings “I tip my 40 to your memory” with all of his heart – as the crowd was singing along with Courvoisier posted up in the back the whole time – Jessie poured out a sip of his drink on the stage. I don’t know if he thought it was going to shame Jessie into stopping or what, but Courvoisier came back to the front of the stage. What did he do that for? The people were still singing, the lights were still waving back and forth. Then Courvoisier put up the praying hands – I’m assuming for some show of mercy … that he didn’t get. And when Jessie said, “Your arms are going the wrong way, they should be like this,” and motioned them across is chest like when a poor soul is in a casket, I thought they were going to have to have a whole other service for me, because it took me out. I haven’t shamefully laughed so hard at someone’s expense since Jessie took a man’s cat/coyote/coon fur coat vest jacket item and laid it across a stool and invited people on the stage for a public viewing at the Spotlight. Who else remembers that?

Jidenna’s ‘I Love Africa’ movement. Listen, I knew I was going to get a colorful blouse, jungle inspired set and juke to some music that sounds a lot like Fela Kuti when I hit up The Pageant to see Jidenna Tuesday night. But what I was not expecting was to hear him giving all sorts of speeches to get folks on board with embracing their African roots all night long. Before you jump silly and accuse me of complaining, I didn’t say I was the least bit mad about it. I said I was surprised that he devoted so much time and energy to it. He was serving Lady Blacksmith Mambazo realness with his blouse and pants. And by evening’s end, he had swagger-jacked my uncle Jake’s after church burgundy leather slide-ins. That’s right, the house shoes that he slipped into to relieve his feet from his Stacy Adams, yet still set his matching tie and flower off for Sunday dinner guests. He didn’t give me as much of the electric energy as he did at the Ready Room last year, but I still got my life – especially when he started dropping knowledge. Leave it to me to know every raunchy word of JT’s verse on the City Girls club hit “Act Up” during his trap karaoke portion – and then be ready to change into a dashiki and ride with Jidenna all the way from 85 to Africa when he started talking African love and revolution. I don’t know what was happening for that encore, but I won’t hold it against him – because otherwise, it was a truly solid set. His opener Kelechi was cool, but I didn’t feel one way or the other about him until I saw how he went out of his way to engage with the audience following his part of the show.

A head start on that summer 2020 body. If y’all are anything like me, you didn’t live up to the resolutions for making your 2019 revenge body goals a reality. I really hope y’all weren’t exactly like me – and brought your fall 2018 body to summer 2019 with all sorts of “summer is gonna get the body I give it” attitude. I’m saying all of this to say that with less than three months left in this whole decade, why not be ahead of the game and start your journey to living your best body type by stopping through the Get Sexy Movement and Healthy Habits Healthy Happy hour on Saturday from 12 noon to 2 p.m. at 62 Grandview Plaza Shopping Center. Twerkercise, Trapercise and Zumba are on the schedule and Healthy Habits will be handing out complimentary shakes. For more information, call (314) 898-8898.

A natural treasure. I had such a good time partaking in the 5th Annual St. Louis Natural Hair & Black Cultural Expo on Saturday, that I stopped back by Sunday afternoon as well. It wasn’t as heavily populated as last year, but they still had quality products and information – as well as an opportunity for black businesses and those who cater to the natural hair community to have a captive audience. Shout out to the whole team of folks and my regular favorite natural hair entrepreneurs – including Tendai Morris’ Healthy Hair Solutions. Chris Simpson and the rest of the team are meeting a need with the expo and I hope the support continues to the point where it constitutes them coming back for the next 50 years!

Art Beats and Lyrics is bigger than ever. For those few uninformed folks, Art, Beats & Lyrics comes back to the STL tomorrow night (Friday, October 18). It has upgraded in venue size once again – and for the first time I believe there might be enough space for my pinkie toe and elbows to make it through the night un-assaulted. That’s right, ABL 2019 is going down tomorrow night at Chaifetz Arena. Every space so far in all the years ABL has been coming to town, folks have been bumping into each other as the peep the artwork, sip drinks and enjoy the show. Now if it’s too crowded for the Chaifetz, they might as well move it to Busch Stadium and be done. I’m excited because I can count on one hand the amount of times I’ve been disappointed with this annual set and have at least four fingers left. And did I mention the

is the featured throwback hip-hop act? I already have “She Keeps on Passing Me By” stuck in my head out of anticipation.

Pharcyde

Amber Fararr was supported by her mother Yolonda and husband Demarco at the book signing for Flawed Mom Too Sunday@ Fresh & Co.

Recording artist Jvar and comedy veteran Ray Grady just before his final set on the Laugh Lounge stage Sunday night

Tondalha and Dejaa gave Armani a proper farewell before she relocates Friday @ Blue Dine

Dyamond, Brittany and Chris chatted it up Saturday @ShiSha

Flawed Mom Too authors Amber Fararr, Clairissa, Jamina, Nicole and LeMtria Sunday afternoon @ Fresh & Co.

Dallas of Beyond Enterprises and Janee of Sugary Bliss @ Flawed Mom Too book Signing Sunday

Vendors Tiffany and Harold Dorsey at their booth Sunday @ 5th Annual Natural Hair Black Cultural Expo

Lesile supported Lawanda of Sweet Head Naturals as she hosted Curls for a Cause Saturday@ VUE 17

George and Cheryl arrived in style @560 Music Center for The Black Rep’s presentation of ‘Ain’t Misbehavin’’ Saturday night

Micheal Butler’s new club Open Concept is the talk of the town and Saturday Sufiy stopped by

Comedian Maurice G helped Laugh Lounge co-owner Jessie Taylor and Tony at Jessie’s annual birthday weekend comedy show Sunday night at The Laugh Lounge.

Photos by V. Lang

Private

SchoolS Guide

Digital detox

Is your family using digital devices and social media responsibly?

Children are spending more time in front of screens than ever before. Almost 75 percent of teenagers own a smartphone, and more than 90 percent of infants start using mobile devices before they’re 12 months old. Whether it’s television, video games, or social media, too much screen time can negatively affect your child’s health.

Media and learning

It’s easier to control the amount of screen time children receive when they’re younger. While video chatting with grandma is fine, infants should have limited screen time when possible. Once children are 18 months old, it’s safe to introduce them to educational media, especially if you are watching and playing along with them.

“Digital media can teach children about things outside of their environment,” says Lisa Ryan, M.D., Washington University clinical associate pediatrician at Woods Mill Pediatrics. “For example, it can be nice to search for information about dinosaurs that you can’t get from a book in the house.”

Until the age of five, children should spend no more than an hour a day in front of a screen. As children get older, their screen time can increase, but parents should control, watch and discuss content with them.

“Children learn from their parents, school and media,” says T. Eric Spiegel, M.D., Washington University child psychiatrist at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. “It’s important for parents to be involved in the

content their children see and the messages that are found online.”

Exposure to violent or adult content may cause children to behave aggressively or inappropriately. Resources, such as Common Sense Media, can help parents learn more about what content is suitable. Television, movie and video game ratings can also help parents guide their children to wholesome subject matter.

Physical Effects

As children grow older, their daily routines fill up quickly. In addition to school, homework and sleep, children should be physically active for at least an hour a day.

“It can be difficult for children to get an hour of physical activity if they’re spending too much time

Public vs. private school

What’s with all the judging?

By Kelly Wallace Of CNN

By now, I am familiar with what I refer to as “the look.”

I see it nearly every time I have a conversation with people who favor private schools. It goes something like this: “Where do your girls go to school?” they ask.

When I tell them a public school not too far from our New York home, there is a slight pause, and I know what’s going through their minds: My children are worse off because they don’t go to private school.

Let me be clear that I haven’t ever heard those exact words, but I know it’s what people are thinking. Where we choose to send our kids to school is a loaded topic that can come to symbolize a parent’s values, income and worldview. But the public versus private school debate doesn’t even enter the equation for a majority of Americans who can’t afford private school tuition. So why all the judgment?

Julie DeNeen of Clinton, Connecticut, can relate. Her three children are in public schools. She says she sometimes feels judged when people say to her, “Oh, we’re sending our kids to private school.”

“It feels like they’re insinuating that I am somehow doing less for my child by keeping them in public school,” said DeNeen, who has a blog and also runs a business called Fabulous

“So a lot of the conversations I’ve heard are, ‘Oh, do you not think the schools are good enough?’ or ‘Are you afraid of the experiences your kids are going to have?’ “ -- comments that she says feels like “coded language” accusing her of racism.

Blogging, which provides education about social media and Web design in addition to blogging.

“They don’t mean to send that message, but that’s how it feels, and so I get defensive like, ‘Why is your kid so special?’ My kids are just as smart, and I want just as much for them,” she said with a chuckle.

Elena Sonnino’s daughter, a third-

grader, is now in public school after attending a private Montessori school. Sonnino says she often senses people wondering why, if she can afford private school, she wouldn’t choose that option. The tone of judgment is subtle, said the northern Virginia mom, who is also a founder of the site Live.

Do.Grow, a social media strategist

and a writer. “It’s a little bit like, ‘Do you belong to the country club or do you belong to the neighborhood pool?’” she added with a laugh. But the judging is not strictly limited to the private school camp. Public school advocates can be just as opinionated.

For 34 years, the University of Missouri–St. Louis Bridge Program has served St. Louis-area students by diminishing barriers to college entry and paving the way for the leaders of tomorrow. The program was founded in 1986 and remains the university’s flagship precollegiate program. It provides comprehensive, year-round, college-access services to local high school students who represent more than 100 public and private schools.

“Bridge works relentlessly in its efforts to ensure that all students are equipped with the skills necessary to attend college,” Natissia Small, assistant provost for Access and Academic Support at UMSL, said.

n More than 250 students participated in the Summer Academy this year.

The main program components are two academies for ninth through 12th-grade students. The Saturday Academy will select 700 students to participate this year and is conducted for four hours the first two Saturdays of the month from October to March. It provides intensive instruction in math, science, intensive writing, career and professional development, and college entrance exam preparation.

The Summer Academy nurtures students’ skills in the same areas as the Saturday Academy and runs four hours a day, Monday through Friday, for four consecutive weeks. More than 250 students participated in the Summer Academy this year. Students in both academies receive professional development opportunities through on-campus career fairs, professional speaker series, panel discussions and leadership development. The

North County Catholic schools embrace diversity as a gift

Beyond Sunday grant provides consultant to assist principals and teachers

to best serve students

The Federation of Catholic Schools in the North County Deanery of the Archdiocese of St. Louis has received a $50,000 Transformational Innovation Beyond Sunday grant from the Roman Catholic Foundation. This innovative project, “Embracing the Gift of Cultural, Racial, Religious and Economic Diversity in North County Catholic Schools,” provides for a diversity and inclusion consultant to work with school leaders, pastors, teachers, students and parents. While there are several goals this grant

is set to achieve, the first task was to hire someone with the skills and expertise to support our leaders in these efforts. Alice Prince is now working as the Federation’s diversity and inclusion consultant for the 2019-20 schoolyear. In this role, she will spend time at each school, getting to know the principal, pastor, DRE/CRE, faculty, staff and students. She will be leading workshops and providing practical tools and resources

Several principals and teachers recently visited St. Nicholas Parish in St. Louis, where Fr. Art Cavitt welcomed them and gave a special blessing to Dr. Alice Prince and the group. In the photo from left to right: Jayme Rodgers, Curtis Sidorski, Sr. Mary Lawrence & Mary Beth Akers, Fr. Art Cavitt, Dr. Alice Prince, Michelle Patke, India Grant, Annamarie Davis, Cara Koen.

Newswise — With school back in session, children have resettled back into their routines. One that should not be overlooked? A consistent bedtime that leads to enough healthy sleep for children to thrive.

“No matter the age, children report improved alertness, energy, mood and physical wellbeing when enjoying healthy, consistent sleep,” said Dr. Ilene Rosen, past president of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM). “Back-toschool time provides families with a perfect opportunity to re-evaluate their sleeping habits and establish healthy routines to ensure sufficient sleep.”

The AASM recommends children in these age

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Just ask Lyz Lenz of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, who plans to send her two children, now 8 months old and 3, to private school until high school.

“So a lot of the conversations I’ve heard are, ‘Oh, do you not think the schools are good enough?’ or ‘Are you afraid of the experiences your kids are going to have?’ “ – comments that she says feels like “coded language” accusing her of racism.

“It’s really not any of that,” said Lenz, who hosts a blog in her name. The decision, in part, comes from her and her husband’s experiences: She was home-schooled until high school; he attended private school until his high school years.

Tips to prioritize healthy sleep to help children thrive

groups get the following amount of sleep on a regular basis:

• Infants 4 to 12 months old: 12 to 16 hours (including naps)

• Children 1 to 2 years old: 11 to 14 hours (including naps)

• Children 3 to 5 years old: 10 to 13 hours (including naps)

• Children 6 to 12 years old: Nine to 12 hours

• Teens 13 to 18 years old: Eight to 10 hours With different sleep needs for each child, making sure that everyone goes to sleep on time and gets the sleep they need can be a challenge. To help, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM)

“We do want our kids to be in a place where we hope they can thrive and not maybe be held back by disciplinary issues or other things,” she said. But even as Lenz explained her rationale to me on the phone, she admitted she couldn’t help but get defensive.

“It’s so hard,” she said. There is an equally charged conversation going on between parents who send their children to traditional public schools and those who choose charters, which receive public funding but operate independently.

Micky Morrison, who has two children in public school in Islamorada, Florida, says the conversation can get so heated that she and her friends, who are sending their children to charter schools, try to avoid the subject.

“It’s kind of just out of a mutual respect, that they’ve made their choices, and I have

has created an online bedtime calculator to determine a customized bedtime based on each individual’s age and needed wake time. Making time for sleep is especially important for high schoolers, as sleepy teens may fare worse in school than their well-rested peers. Studies have shown that teens who are sleep deprived may be more easily distracted and recall information more slowly. Sleeping fewer than the recommended hours also is associated with attention, behavior and learning problems. This is why it is vital to prep the entire family for a successful year with healthy sleep habits. For more healthy sleep tips, visit SleepEducation.org.

my beliefs,” said the author and founder of BabyWeightTV.

“It’s sort of like politics ... one of those things that we don’t even bring up.”

Lela Davidson sends her children, ages 13 and 15, to a charter school in Rogers, Arkansas.

“If you are choosing a private school or you’re at a charter school, you are going to be in the minority,” said the author of “Blacklisted From the PTA” and “Who Peed on My Yoga Mat?”

“So I find myself probably over explaining our choice,” she said with a laugh. And in some cases, “I feel I am sometimes justifying our choice.”

Parents get defensive, said Rebecca Levy, whose twin daughters attend a New York public middle school.

“They’re not always honest,” said Levy, founder of the

video-sharing site for tweens called KidsVuz.

She says her daughters have had bad teachers in the past but says private school parents might not be as willing to admit that some of their children’s teachers have been less than stellar.

“I certainly have friends at certain private schools who would never say that to me because they feel they have to justify the money they’re spending,” she added.

Adding to the complicated brew of judgment and insecurity about each parent’s school choice are assumptions about a family’s values and income level, many parents said.

‘I think it’s an issue about money,” said a mom of three who goes by the name “Miss Lori” online.

When she applied to private school for her youngest, she

immediately got questions about how she can afford the tuition. Her answer: scholarships.

“It’s an age-old thing of the haves and the have-nots, and the divide between the two has become so vast,” said the children’s television host, social media strategist and Babble. com contributor.

Sadly, the chance of eliminating the judgment that goes along with our modern and often hyper-involved parenting is about as likely as keeping teens off Instagram.

Today’s parents are too often “worried about what the nextdoor neighbors think of where they’re sending their kids to school,” said Janis Brett Elspas, host of the blog Mommy Blog Expert. Her triplets are juniors at a private high school. Her son, now in college, attended public school for the end of middle and high school.

All the judgment might dissipate as more education options become available, she said.

One of the most important issues for parents has always been making sure their children get the best education possible. But perhaps the stakes are even higher in today’s uncertain uneconomic times.

After all, it used to be that a child who went to a good school went to a good college and got a good job.

“That domino sequence does not exist anymore,” said the children’s TV host “Miss Lori.”

“I think that is why it’s so scary in terms of looking at where do I send my kids to school. ... If you find a good public school, there’s not a guarantee that the dominoes are going to fall and your kids are going to be OK.”

The St. Louis American is an affiliate of CNNWire.

Teens driving with teens

3 in 5 parents say their teen has been in a car with a distracted teen driver

Newswise — It’s a highly anticipated rite of passage for many high schoolers – finally getting to drive your friends around.

But having teens who carpool with peers can be a nerve-wracking experience for many parents, with more than half in a new national poll saying their child has probably been in an unsafe situation as a passenger with a teen driver.

Parents’ top safety concerns include distracted driving caused by loud music (46%), a cell phone (42%) or other teens in the car (39%), according to the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health.

Some parents also noted unsafe conditions in which their teen rode with a teen driver who was speeding (45%), too tired to drive safely (14%) or impaired by alcohol or drugs (5%).

Despite such concerns, teens riding with teens is common. One in three parents say their teens are passengers with teen drivers at least once or twice a week.

“When teens start driving, there is rightfully a big focus on the safety of the drivers themselves,” says poll co-director and Mott pediatrician Gary Freed, M.D.

“But our poll suggests that

parents should play an active role in not only preparing teens to be safe drivers – but to be safety-minded passengers when riding with friends.”

The nationally-representative report is based on responses from 877 parents who had at least one child ages 14 to 18.

Many parents did report limiting their teen’s risk as a passenger with another teen driver, with over half saying they made this effort if there was bad weather (68%), after midnight (67%) or if the driver had less than six months of driving experience (53%.)

Parents also try to limit their teen riding with more than two other teens in the car (48%), after dark (45%) and on the highway (41%).

“Many parents recognize that teens’ minimal experience on the road is a disadvantage when there’s a change in driving conditions,” Freed says. “Some parents try to reduce their teens’ risks in potentially hazard situations, such as late nights or bad weather.”

Car crashes are the leading cause of death and injury for teens. More than half of teens who die in car crashes are not behind the wheel and their chances of being in a fatal accident are much higher when there is a teen driver, according to national statistics. Lack of experience can result in drivers not always reacting quickly to changes in road or driving conditions or paying as close attention to other cars or

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Summer Academy program is for students that are currently in the ninth and tenth grade.

The program also emphasizes engaged parents.

The Saturday Academy, for example, incorporates workshops for parents on many topics, including effective communication, career development, financial literacy, scholarship researching,

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pedestrians as needed to stay safe, Freed says. Freed encourages parents to talk to their kids about being responsible passengers. This could include offering to hold the driver’s phone, lower radio volume, ask the driver to slow down if necessary and even ask to get out of the vehicle if they feel unsafe.

“Parents should try to empower their teen to be proactive in avoiding common situations that cause distractions to the driver and also speak up to stop any unsafe activities,” Freed says.

“Safe driving should be a shared responsibility for both teen drivers and passengers as the risks are high for each.”

for educators on how to best meet the needs of every student enrolled in our Catholic schools in North County. By June 2020, each school will have an individual plan for cultural competency, diversity and inclusion, guided by the teachings of the Catholic Church and informed by expertise in the field of education. Prince has a master’s degree and doctorate in Educational Leadership and is an adjunct faculty member at Maryville University. She and her family are parishioners at St. Nicholas Catholic Parish in the City of St. Louis. Prince will be working closely with the following Catholic schools in North County:

● All Saints Academy at St. Ferdinand, St. Norbert and St. Rose Philippine Duchesne Campuses

● Blessed Teresa of Calcutta

● Christ Light of the Nations

● Our Lady of Guadalupe ● Sacred Heart

● Saint Ann

● Trinity Catholic High School

and navigating the college admissions process.

“We have been successful at removing barriers and stumbling blocks for students and parents who are seeking access to higher education,” Small said. “We will continue to remain committed to providing comprehensive college access services for every student who desires a college education.”

The application will open for the 2020 Summer Academy in December. Please visit www. umsl.edu/precollegiate for additional information.

She will also spend more time with the teachers as a group during their Professional Learning Team gatherings throughout the year. When the Federation was originally formed in 2010, embracing diversity was identified as an area of responsibility. In 2018 the Federation formed a subcommittee of pastors and principals, who developed the idea for this collaborative project, which the Roman Catholic Foundation generously funded with the Beyond Sunday Transformational Innovation Grant. Throughout this school year there will be opportunities for involvement by parishioners, teachers, parents, and anyone interested in learning more. If you would like to receive ongoing updates about this project, please contact Cara Koen at 314-537-3174 or e-mail advancement@federationofcatholicschools.org. The Roman Catholic Foundation awards Beyond Sunday grants to archdiocesan and parish Catholic schools and to PSR programs in the Archdiocese of St. Louis through a competitive application and review process. To date, $2.3 million has been granted to benefit Catholic education in our local community. For more information, please visit rcfstl.org.

SIUE East St. Louis Center Upward Bound Programs to Receive IDOTAward Money

Southern Illinois University

Edwardsville’s Upward Bound (UB) program will receive $5,000 in award money, thanks to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) winning the grand prize in the 2019 America’s Transportation Awards, which is the top honor for state departments of transportation.

IDOT secured the prize because of its joint effort with the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) to improve mobility and access throughout the Metro East region. The award marks the second consecutive year IDOT has won the distinction, presented at the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO) annual meeting in St. Louis. IDOT’s portion of the prize was $5,000.

“While we are happy to bring home this award once again, we are even more proud of the work we do every day on behalf of Illinois,” said Acting Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “These are more than just projects to us, but ways to make our communities even better places to build a career, grow a business and raise a family.”

“We at the SIUE East St. Louis Center (ESLC) are thrilled that IDOT selected our Upward Bound program to be a recipient of the award money,” said ESLC Executive Director Tim Staples, EdD. “We have great plans for the money, and they all entail better serving the young people in our program.

“I am an alumnus of the SIUE Upward Bound program,” continued Staples. “I am well aware of the benefits and tools the program gives to lowincome, first-generation college students.”

“All of these projects demonstrate the many ways transportation improves the quality of people’s lives,” said Jim Tymon, AASHTO’s executive director. “Some of these projects increased mobility by giving commuters more travel options, including biking and walking. Others spurred economic development, cut traffic congestion or improved safety. And while we honor today’s champions, the biggest winners are by far the American people.”

Nov. 1 deadline to enter 2019 Congressional App Challenge

High school students who can write computer code (or are willing to learn how) have until Friday, November 1 to submit to the 2019 Congressional App Challenge (CAC). They may submit computer programs (or apps) written in any programming language, for any platform (desktop/PC, web, mobile, raspberry Pi, etc.). Students may submit an app that they have created within the last calendar year, as long as the app meets the submission requirements.

“We are helping to change the lives of our students for the better,” added Keith Ware, EdD, UB program director.

“Upward Bound offers quality services and programming to prepare students for successful high school completion and entrance into post-secondary programs. The donation of this prize money will assist us in our tradition of preparing students for college and life.”

The partnership between Illinois and Missouri produced several bridge projects over the past decade to improve connections to jobs and tourist destinations in the metropolitan area.

The nomination, selected from a field of 81 nominations from 39 states, also was in the running for the People’s Choice Award determined by online voting. The project received 12,443 votes, the sixth-highest total in the contest.

SIUE’s Upward Bound program provides educational opportunities for middle and high school students in East St. Louis, Cahokia, SIUE East St. Louis Charter, Brooklyn, Madison and Collinsville, with a focus on encouraging lowincome, first-generation college students to seek post-secondary education. Upward Bound and IDOT have long partnered to teach kids about engineering careers.

The SIUE East St. Louis Center Upward Bound programs help youth prepare for higher education and serves students from East St. Louis and Cahokia (EC), and Brooklyn, East St. Louis Charter and Madison (BEM), High Schools. Participants receive instruction in literature, composition and STEM subjects on college campuses after school, on Saturdays and during the summer. The quality services provided will prepare the students for successful high school completion and entrance into post-secondary programs. Upward Bound is a college-preparatory program designed to serve low-income and/or potential first-generation college students who are currently in grades 9-12.

“This is a great way to kick open the door to an exciting future in STEM and to help us close the digital divide as well,” said U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay (D-Missouri). “The St. Louis region is a hot-bed for innovation, groundbreaking new computer technologies, and STEM creativity. Winning the CAC is a huge honor for young coders, and I urge them to submit their best work.”

The winner, who will be selected by a panel of independent judges, will travel to Washington, D.C. to unveil

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playing video games or watching television.” Ryan said. Children who use screens excessively have a higher risk of becoming overweight or obese. Using screens near bedtime can also make it harder for children to fall asleep, especially if they sleep with their phone nearby. “I would recommend having no screens in a child’s bedroom at all,” Spiegel said. “Light from screens can send a message

his or her original application at #HouseOfCode, the springtime computer science fair and reception.

The CAC was created because Congress recognized that STEM and computer-based skills are essential for economic growth and innovation and that the U.S. has been falling behind on these fronts. By some estimates, the U.S. may be short by as many as 1 million programmers by 2020. These are high-paying, high-demand

to the brain that it’s daytime.

Combined with notifications from social media, children can wind up staying alert and awake longer than they should be.”

Family Media Plan

Coming up with a family media plan is a great way to help limit the time your children spend on screens while also helping you cut the habit yourself. Tailor your plan to fit your family, and feel free to get creative. For example, try setting up an exchange program

jobs. Recognizing the racial, gendered and other disparities in the tech sector, the CAC also focuses on inclusivity and making the Challenge as accessible as possible to people from all backgrounds. The Challenge’s submission portal is now open. For more information and to submit, visit www. CongressionalAppChallenge.us or call Clay’s district office at (314) 669-9393.

– for every hour your child spends outside, she gets an additional 30 minutes of screen time. Other ideas include: checking devices into a family charging station an hour before bedtime; creating a family viewing schedule with content everyone can enjoy; and setting up “no phone” zones, such as the dinner table or family vehicle. For more helpful tips, watch “Unplugging from Electronics as a Family” at ChildrensMD. org/Unplug.

SIUE East St. Louis Center Executive Director Tim Staples, EdD.

Saint Louis University launches new Geospatial Institute

New Institute focuses on research, training, innovation and industry partnerships

Saint Louis University has established a new Geospatial Institute to support and accelerate research, training, and innovation in the rapidly growing fields of geospatial science and technology.

The news was announced Oct. 8 during the Geospatial Gateway Forum, formerly known as Tech Showcase West, which was hosted by the United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation in St. Louis. The announcement comes as the region continues to emerge as a national hub for all things geospatial.

Also known as GeoSLU, the new SLU Geospatial Institute brings together faculty and students from various disciplines to use geospatial research tools to solve challenges and to enhance graduate and undergraduate education as the University prepares future geospatial scientists and innovators.

“SLU’s new Geospatial Institute draws together the expertise of almost 40 faculty across the University who are advancing geospatial science, applying emerging tools to real-world problems and training the next generation of geospatial leaders,” said Kenneth Olliff, SLU’s vice president for research.

“We’re augmenting this expertise with new investments

from our Research Institute, through industry collaborations, and with our academic and innovation partners,” Olliff continued. “Our goal is to become one of the nation’s leading academic geospatial institutes and thereby contribute to elevating St. Louis as a geospatial center of excellence.”

The SLU Geospatial Institute will:

• Promote research through externally funded grants and by applying geospatial insights to important local, national and international challenges.

• Provide educational opportunities for students to apply geospatial techniques and methods in fields such as engineering, sociology, computer science and public health.

• Offer analytic and data management services to industry partners, civic and community organizations, and scholars engaged in geospatial research.

• Partner with industry on collaborative research, talent development and acquisition, and commercializing new geospatial technologies.

The institute’s primary areas

of research will include a wide array of themes involving artificial intelligence, machine learning and informatics to respond to the challenges of today. Key research areas include:

• Disaster preparedness and response

• Economic development and social instability

• Ethical challenges in geospatial technology and data

• Food, water and human security

• Geo health and disease mapping

• Transportation and supply chain

In launching the Geospatial Institute, SLU is seeking to

strengthen collaborations with other universities, including the University of Missouri system schools, Washington University in St. Louis and Harris-Stowe State University, as well as innovation partners in the region, including Cortex and T-Rex.

The Geospatial Institute also builds upon SLU’s existing relationship with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA). In January, the University signed a partnership agreement with the NGA, and the organizations also partnered on a widely-attended GeoResolution conference in April.

Vasit Sagan, Ph.D., associate professor of geospatial science, will serve as the new institute’s faculty director, while Ness

Sandoval, Ph.D., associate professor of sociology, and Enbal Shacham, Ph.D., professor of public health, will serve as its associate directors.

Robert Cardillo, former director of the NGA, will advise the institute as part of his work as a Distinguished Geospatial Fellow at SLU.

“My decision over three years ago to build NGA’s future campus in North St. Louis was based upon a small — but growing — geospatial ecosystem that was developing,” Cardillo said. “The GeoSLU announcement is exactly the kind of initiative needed to fulfill the potential of NGA, Saint Louis University’s growing status as a geospatial academic center of

excellence, and St Louis’ leadership in the vibrant geospatial economic community.”

The origins of Saint Louis University’s new Geospatial Institute lie in an internal Big Ideas competition to define university-wide strategic research priorities. SLU’s ability to invest in geospatial science and other areas of research was greatly enhanced in 2018 when Dr. Jeanne and Rex Sinquefield made a historic $50 million gift to accelerate research growth at the University. GeoSLU is among the projects supported by the Sinquefield-funded SLU Research Institute. For more about the SLU Geospatial Institute, visit slu.edu/geoslu.

Poll of likely voters shows rising student debt problems

Weakened borrower protections, blocked debt relief cited

By Charlene Crowell

When likely voters across the country were recently asked their opinions about student loan borrowing, 82% agreed that the still-growing $1.5 trillion debt is a national crisis. Even when partisan affiliations were included, the solid concern for this unsustainable financial burden held strong: 74% of Republicans, 80% of independents, and 90% of Democrats.

When asked further about the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)’s reduced efforts to protect students from abusive student loans and student loan services, those most concerned were Blacks, Latinx (73%), consumers earning less than $50,000 per year (72%). Additionally, voters in early Democratic Primary States agreed at 77%, as did both women and military or veterans’ households that polled 70% each.

was jointly commissioned by the Americans for Financial Reform (AFR) and Center for Responsible Lending (CRL). Its student loan results, released on October 2, found that recent actions by the Department of Education (DOE) and the CFPB both contributed to consumer concerns.

n Black bachelor’s degree graduates are unable to afford loan repayments at five times the rate of comparable white graduates.

Higher penalty fees charged to struggling borrowers, making it harder for state and federal law enforcement agencies to pursue wrongdoing by state loan servicers and blocked debt relief for students who were defrauded by forprofit institutions were the top DOE criticisms cited in survey.

tory student loan servicers.”

“Without proactive regulatory action and strong state laws,” continued Goldstein, “students of color will continue to carry larger debt burdens, exacerbating the racial wealth gap.”

League, UNIDOS US, Leadership Conference Education Fund and CRL. Initially published this July, QUICKSAND:

Conducted by Lake Research Partners and Chesapeake Beach Consulting, the poll

“[T]he Department of Education seems to be making it easier for for-profit colleges and servicers to take advantage of students,” said Debbie Goldstein, CRL Executive Vice President. “We need a Department of Education that holds for-profit institutions accountable for abusive practices and a CFPB with a division that protects borrowers from preda-

“The student debt crisis in the United States deserves greater attention and voters know it,” noted Alexis Goldstein AFR Senior Policy Counsel. “Borrowers need federal authorities as allies, not as apologists for the for-profit college industry.”

The disproportionate student debt burdens borne by Black and Latino borrowers was the focus of a joint research report by the NAACP, National Urban

Borrowers of Color & the Student Debt Crisis, the report examined how unprecedented debt levels weigh heaviest on Black America.

Key findings from that report show that:

Today, over half of all families with Black heads of household aged 25-40 have student debt.

Black bachelor’s degree graduates are unable to afford

loan repayments at five times the rate of comparable white graduates. These Black grads are also more likely to default than whites who never completed a degree.

Four years after graduation, nearly half of black graduates owe more on their undergraduate student loans than they did when they received their degree; by contrast, only 17% of white graduates face this same dilemma.

Similarly findings and concerns were found in a September student loan debt report entitled Stalling Dreams by Brandeis University’s Institute on Assets and Social Policy, a part of its Heller School for

Social Policy and Management.

Among its key findings:

Twenty years after starting school, the typical Black borrower owed about $17,500 more than their white peers;

The typical Black student loan holder in their 30’s, has negative total wealth of $10,700 compared to whites who are close to breaking even; and About half of all Black borrowers and a third of all Latinx borrowers wind up defaulting on their student loans within 20 years.

With researchers and consumers agreeing that student debt is at crisis levels, the larger question becomes: What – as a nation – are we prepared to do about it? And if so – when? With 44 million people affected by student loan debt, this trillion- dollar issue should not be ignored but rather vigorously debated as part of the 2020 elections in the interest of our collective futures.

“We need a racial equity filter for solutions to reverse the consequences of our current privatized high education financing regime,” states Brandeis’ Stalling Dreams. “We need a return to strong public investment in higher education that acknowledges the societal benefit on an educated public.” In other words, if you’re drowning in student debt, your education is working against you – instead of for you. It’s time for a new paradigm in American education.

Charlene Crowell is the Center for Responsible Lending’s Communications Deputy Director. She can be reached at Charlene.crowell@responsiblelending.org.

Barat Academy saves 48% in energy costs, improves learning environment

The Barat Academy Board of Directors has committed to a range of upgrades to the school’s facilities that save energy, conserve water and harness renewable energy. The upgrades are expected to save the private college preparatory school more than 48% a year in energy costs.

Barat Academy recently converted the entire school campus to LED lighting with planning assistance from Indoff Energy Solutions of St. Louis. According to SpecGrade LED, LED lighting in classrooms has been shown to reduce eye strain and enhance learning by generating light that is less harsh and closer to natural lighting conditions. LED lights generate the same illumination at less than 50% of the operating energy cost as traditional fluorescent school lights, and they are constructed from substances that do not expose students to hazardous materials. They also generate less excess heat than other light sources and thus reduce the strain on a school’s aging cooling systems.

Barat utilized generous rebates for energy efficiency through Ameren power company, and financing options through Missouri’s Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program and Ygrene to fund the LED lighting project. The PACE program allows local government entities to raise enough money through the issuance of bonds or other sources of capital to fund energy efficiency and renewable energy projects to eligible property owners. Ygrene’s award-winning PACE program provides 100 percent, no money down PACE financing to help

property owners make costeffective energy efficiency, renewable energy, water conservation, safety and storm protection improvements to residential, multifamily, commercial and agricultural buildings. In November, Barat Academy plans to install a high-efficiency HVAC system throughout the school, utilizing PACE financing and Ameren rebates. “Named as one of the Top 20 “World Changing” ideas by Scientific American magazine, PACE financing and Ygrene is an easy and effective way for non-profits schools to finance a range of upgrades that allow Barat to save energy and improve our teaching and learn-

ing environment,” said Debby Watson, President of Barat Academy.

About Barat Academy

Barat Academy is the only private, independent, Catholic co-ed high school in St. Louis that offers single gender classes. The school is founded in the traditions of Sacred Heart education. The Barat Academy experience includes a strong faithbased environment, a rigorous college preparatory curriculum, and a firm commitment to service. Small class sizes, student - engaged learning, one-on-one computing, and a passionate,

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 3 10 A.M. TO 3 P.M. www.nerinxhall.org/openhouse

SIUE Alumna

Dr. Jennifer Hernandez Champions Equality in the Classroom

At first glance you might categorize her as Caucasian. However, if you look closer, listen more intently and observe longer, you will arrive at a different conclusion, and possibly a respect and appreciation for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville alumna Jennifer Hernandez, PhD.

“I define myself as a Latina female who passes for a white woman in most settings,” said Hernandez, associate professor in the School of Education, Health and Human Behavior (SEHHB). She earned her bachelor’s in special education/emotionally disturbed in 2000 from SIUE.

“I am extremely aware of the privilege I carry when I am assumed to be white,” she said.

energetic atmosphere supported by the most technologically advanced educational infrastructure available makes Barat Academy a very unique and exciting opportunity. The values of Love, Learn, Serve, Build and Grow create a Learn Life model that helps adolescents become 21st century leaders. Barat Academy celebrated their first graduating class in June of 2011. Barat Academy is located at 17815 Wild Horse Creek Road in Chesterfield, Missouri along the bluffs overlooking the Spirit of St. Louis airport. For more information about Barat Academy, visit www.baratacademy.org.

“Once my ethnicity is known, my experience shifts greatly. I also define myself as a mother, a forever student, teacher and scholar, and a passionate social justice advocate. I have been protesting injustice since my early childhood, and I continue to advocate for those who are marginalized in our society.”

As SIUE prepares to observe its second annual Diversity Day to be held Monday-Tuesday, Oct. 14-15, several University students, faculty and staff discuss the meaning of the phrase, “I Am SIUE.” Hernandez came to SIUE in 2017 with a curriculum vitae loaded down with special education and social justice experience. She is a veteran special education teacher, who has primarily taught students

with emotional disturbance, mental illness and incarcerated youth in secondary alternative settings. She was a special education administrator in the Ferguson-Florissant (Mo.) School District, and a witness and student advocate in the aftermath of the fatal shooting death of Michael Brown. Hernandez worked as an ally for the Ferguson community and the local Black Lives Matter organizers. Hernandez’s doctorate from the University of Missouri-St. Louis in 2013 was in educational leadership and policy studies, with a minor in social justice. The crux of her doctoral research included the critical analysis of racialized policies that facilitate the school-toprison pipeline. At SIUE, Hernandez teaches anti-bias/ anti-racism instruction for teacher candidates and supports the secondary education program with state licensure.

“I view myself as an advocate for all students by supporting teacher candidates in creating inclusive, democratized classrooms that minimize bias within the learning community,” said Hernandez. Whether it is inside or outside of the classroom, Hernandez says diversity is critical. “Diversity is always a positive thing, because the more points of view at the table, the more clear the solutions become,” she illuminated. “Diversity can cause fear because of our individual need to control outcomes. In contrast, fully inclusive spaces create a balcony view for all to see the inequity and the possible remedies.”

Dr. Jennifer Hernandez

Five ways to avoid the health risks of being too busy

A life of complete calm and organization is a myth. For most, the daily chaos of life becomes routine and manageable. But when does busy become too busy? And when does too busy start affecting your overall health?

To help you assess if you are overextending yourself, the health experts at Envolve, an integrated healthcare solutions company, have put together five health risks of being too busy and what you can do to avoid succumbing to the sideeffects.

Stay social

You wouldn’t think that being lonely would impact your physical health. But it does. When you overextend yourself, you end up missing out or being too tired for those Friday night plans. Social connection is just as important to your health as exercise. When you’re lonely, your stress hormones increase, compromising your immune system and increasing your risk for depression and anxiety. Be sure to make time in your schedule to catch up with friends. Try to squeeze in a lunch meet-up or a late-night touch-base – even if it is just on your back patio. Or sub the usual text message conversation with an actual phone call. Maintaining relationships is important to warding off feelings of loneliness.

Food for focus

Study stressors

Constant stress is bad for your health, both physically and mentally. When you are stressed, your body produces a flood of adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones make your blood pressure go up, your heart beat faster, and your muscles tighten causing a feeling of pressure. Excessive stress can turn into anxiety with symptoms ranging from moodiness to headaches and nausea to interrupted sleep patterns. If any of these symptoms sound like something you experience on a daily basis, take time to step back and analyze what’s causing this. It’s hard to focus when you have too many things on your mind. Time management and appropriate scheduling are instrumental in maintaining a feasible workload.

Reprioritize restoration

If you don’t have time to eat, you’re too busy. A balanced diet and consumption of healthy foods throughout the day helps you feel full and make better nutrition choices. Eating promotes a stable immune system and provides the nourishment you need to help with focus and attention. Not eating lowers your energy level and affects your mood, negatively impacting your productivity. If you’re booked solid for a day, try and pack a lunch and healthy snacks the night before. This will help you avoid grabbing fast food or eating from the vending machine. If your cooking skills aren’t up to par or you hate meal prep, consider a home delivery food service of healthy meals to keep you on track.

Frequently, when your schedule begins to get overloaded with the things you think you must do verses the things you want to do, the

first things to go tend to be self-care related. Instead of making time for the gym, you take another meeting, or instead of meal prep, you spend time answering emails. By removing the activities that help keep you healthy, you can experience side effects like weight gain, reduced stamina, increased levels of stress, and poor decision making. Instead of having built up natural energy from a revitalizing activity or exercise, you may reach for

more caffeine – which can also elevate blood pressure. Make time for personal growth and maintenance. Block dedicated time on your calendar and stick to your commitments. Doing so helps you make time for the activities that make you happy and keep you healthy.

Support sleep

You might think being busy would tire you out making it

easier to fall and stay asleep.

But the opposite is true. When your schedule is overloaded and you start having difficulty completing tasks efficiently, or at all, your mind becomes exhausted. When your mind is constantly reeling and your sleep patterns are inconsistent, or non-existent, your overall health starts to take a hit. When you sleep, your body is resetting in many ways including, resting your brain, muscle repair through the

release of growth hormones, and lowered heart rate and blood pressure giving your heart a needed break. Taking stock of the situations and tasks that contribute to the bulk of your stress will help you reprioritize and redistribute your to-do list to not only better manage your day, but allow you to reduce stressors and work in some relaxation before night time.