October 18th, 2018 Edition

COGIC remembers Bishop Robert Ward

Presiding

Bishop Blake eulogized beloved Kennerly Temple pastor

By

On the night of Monday, October 8, Kennerly Temple Church of God in Christ was at capacity. It was the first service of a twoday homegoing celebration for Bishop Robert James Ward. Cars lined the streets for more

than two blocks in every direction as saints ushered Bishop Ward to glory. He passed away September 30 at the age of 88. Bishop Ward was a nationally renowned leader within the Church of God in Christ (COGIC) denomination. Kennerly Temple’s senior pastor for more than 50 years, he hosted the church’s popular radio program that

featured

Candles for Darrell Thomas

Ferguson police chief to step down

says he was not pushed out, needs to be with family in Miami

By

Ferguson Police Chief Delrish Moss vividly remembers arriving at the department on May 9, 2016 for his first

and who protests me have sort of shifted back and forth. For the most part, I’ve made inroads on both sides.”

By Jerrel Sibert For

respect mothers a lot more. Living in a small house in Florissant where you hear screaming or a gunshot outside had me staying under her at all times. At the same time, I was going to a not-so-great school and becoming a little troublemaker myself.

Reno becomes STL County’s first black presiding judge

Was first African-American woman circuit judge in county

By Chris

Rebecca Rivas Of The St. Louis American

Photo by Lawrence Bryant

See WARD, A7

Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

Two small children comforted each other when hundreds of mourners gathered at Commons Lane Elementary in Florissant on Thursday, October 11 for a candlelight vigil and balloon release to remember 13-year-old Darrell Thomas. The teen passed away suddenly on the evening of Monday, October 8 after basketball practice.

Photo by Wiley Price

Jerrel Sibert

Gloria Clark Reno

Bishop Robert James Ward

Drake addresses beef with Pusha T

During an interview for LeBron James’ HBO series “The Shop,” rap star Drake opened up about the Pusha T diss track “Story of Addidon” and seems to have more beef with Kanye West, who produced the record, than with the rapper.

In the interview, Drake talks about going to Wyoming with most of his own album done after West invited him. Drake suggests that his intention was to get some new material for his record – that he says was about 60 percent complete when he flew to Wyoming to link up with West.

“I spent all of my time pretty much working on his stuff,” Drake told James. “We left with ‘Lift Yourself’ and a pat on the back.” Drake also implies that West had a hand in disclosing that Drake had a son – which was used as ammunition on the track.

“I’m in Wyoming. I play him March

14. I send a picture of my son. I tell him I’m having trouble with my son’s mother. We had a conversation,”

Drake said. “The first album drops. And there’s a diss song about me, that you produced, talking about writing. I was just there with you as a friend helping you – and now you’re dissing me.”

Drake said it took him four days to register what happened.

“People say there are no rules to this [expletive] but there are [expletive] rules to this [expletive],”

Drake said. “I knew something was going to come up about my kid. They had to add the deadbeat thing to make it more appealing, which is fine. The mom and dad thing, whatever. You don’t know my family. But I’mma tell you wishing death on my friend that has MS – I study rap battles for a living – when you mention defenseless people who are sick or have passed away – that sent me to a place where I feel like there is a price you have to pay for that.”

Drake said he wrote and recorded a response but decided against releasing the track. “I got home, and I listened to it and was like this is

not something that I ever want to be remembered for – and this is not a place that I necessarily want to go,”

Drake said. “By the way, it was a hell of a chess move. The song, I thought it was trash, but the chess move was genius – back against the wall, I either go all the way filthy or fall back. Now I have this sort of have this chink in my armor for the rest of time to the rap purists. I’d rather live with that than the research I did and the things that I was gonna say and the places I was gonna go – not only for him, but for the other guy too.”

During an interview with Joe Budden, Pusha claims that Drake’s best friend and producer Noah “40” Shebib, not West, disclosed the information about his secret son.

subject of her album “Anybody Wanna Buy a Heart.”

In an interview with TV One’s Uncensored, Michelle said she was upset that he never vouched for their secret relationship.

Sean “Diddy” Combs

“40 was sleeping with a woman…he talks to her daily – five, six hours a day. Ultimately, he speaks about how he’s disgruntled about certain things. With that also came the fact that Drake has a child. She divulged the information. That’s where it came from.”

K. Michelle still bothered that Idris Elba didn’t have her back

Back in 2014, K. Michelle revealed that she secretly dated Idris Elba and that he was the

“I think that what hurt– black women, black women was like, ‘She’s so ghetto. Why he date her,” Michelle said.

“I felt like he didn’t defend me. I feel like when people were calling me a liar, again, about my relationship–I’ve been sitting here with this man for like nine months. I just could not believe we were spending so much time together [and] he just did not come out and say, ‘Stop attacking her!’”

Cassie and Diddy are done

Contrary to the rumors that Cassie Ventura is pregnant by Sean “Diddy” Combs, the longtime on-again-off-again couple have officially called it quits. Last night, entertainment blogger B. Scott said that the pair are a wrap, and that Diddy has since moved on to 26-year-old model Joycelyn Cher.

Ventura’s reps confirmed to B. Scott that the couple ended their relationship months ago.

Sources: Lovebscott.com, Boston Globe, TV One, Facebook.com

Drake

K. Michelle

Earl enters Hall of Fame

Longtime American sports editor inducted alongside Terry Metcalf, Andy Van Slyke

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American Laurence Maroney, Bradley Beal, Larry Hughes, Jayson Tatum,

Ezekiel Elliot. The list could go on. They are household names today. But they had St. Louis American Sports Editor Earl Austin Jr.’s attention when they were suiting up for their respective high schools as prep sports athletes. With his seemingly photographic memory, Earl – he is on first-name basis with the region’s entire sports community – can probably tell you which game he noticed them, as well as who they were playing against, the score and the standouts on the other team, almost as far back as when he moved to St. Louis with his family as a teenager. He took his passion for St. Louis prep sports and gave it a platform that allowed him to create a brand for himself – as an author, writer, editor, broadcaster, analyst and sports personality. Given how closely he is followed and trusted by scouts, he also is a kind of scout’s scout. This is how he ended up in the esteemed group who entered the 10th St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame on September 26 at the Hilton St. Louis Frontenac Hotel.

racing legend, former members of the St. Louis Blues, the St. Louis Football Cardinals, the St. Louis Baseball Cardinals and an NBA veteran. Bob DeMarco, Marty Hogan, Ken Holtzman, Terry Metcalf, Rich Niemann, Keith Tkachuck, Andy Van Slyke, Kenny Wallace and Earl Austin Jr. were the class of 2018.

Variety Children’s Charity, famed Webster Groves High School football coach Jack Jones and legendary prep athlete Tony Van Zant received special achievement awards.

n “Earl Sr. and Sandra Austin, who are no longer here, taught me not to give up and if it’s something you love then keep at it, work hard and see it through.”

– Earl Austin Jr.

“Earl is the go-to guy for the media – and many coaches –on who can play and who can’t,”

Ron Jacober of KMOX said on the pre-recorded audio narrating his introduction. “He’s the encyclopedia of any boy and girl [athlete] within 60 miles of St. Louis.”

The format of the program paired a sportscaster with the inductee where they conducted an interview. Tom Ackerman of KMOX had the honors of chopping it up with Earl.

True to form, even when it was about him it wasn’t about him. Earl has been covering sports for so long that one of the first prep sports stories he wrote was about a fellow inductee.

Earl joined a class that included a racquetball legend, a

One of his first assignments as a sports journalist was as a

sophomore at Liverpool High School in Syracuse, New York.

He was assigned to write about a rising young baseball star out of the central New York region who had just been drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals. His name was Andy Van Slyke. His New Hartford High School played Earl’s Liverpool. Earl wrote about it and still remembered the stats.

“Liverpool won the game, but Andy was four-for-four,” Austin told Ackerman. “He got four hits off our stud pitcher. Andy showed out that day.”

Earl was the lone media representative in the 2018 cohort, but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t an athlete in his own right. He holds the all-time leading scorer record at his alma mater Lindenwood University.

Earl was inducted into the Lindenwood Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007, and in 2014 the school retired his uniform number 41. That was an amazing feat from someone who was cut from two high school teams before he joined McCluer North. His uncle, NBA veteran Wes Unseld, taught him basketball. He played in number 41 in Unseld’s honor.

His parents gave him the life fundamentals that ultimately led to his success.

“Earl Sr. and Sandra Austin, who are no longer here, taught me not to give up and if it’s something you love then keep at it, work hard and see it through,” Earl said during his interview.

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“You’ve made it your living and your passion to document

this city and follow some of the greatest to come out of this town,” Ackerman said. “Who are some of the best?”

“Now you’re trying to get me in trouble,” Earl said with a laugh. “LaPhonso Ellis of East St Louis Lincoln, Craig Upchurch from Beaumont High School. Then you have Jayson Tatum, Bradley Beal, Jayson’s dad Justin Tatum. Larry Hughes. There are so many good players over the 30 years. Then on the girl’s side you have Napheesa Collier, Tina Hutchinson and Kristin Folkl. It’s an endless list, and so many of them are receiving their national due all around the country.”

In addition to his work at The American, Austin is also a broadcaster and analyst for

Earl Austin Jr. with St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame President Greg Marececk following his enshrinement at the 10th Annual St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on September 26 at the Hilton St. Louis Frontenac Hotel.

Saint Louis University Billikens basketball team alongside Bob Ramsey.

“We’ve been together longer than a lot of married couples now – 28 years. It’s been a lot of fun,” Earl said. He also thanked his wife Judy Austin for her unwavering support.

“What has it meant to you to write for The St. Louis American?” Ackerman asked.

“They are my family,” Earl said.

“I’ve been there since 1995. I love everybody. The writers, the sales people … everybody … the whole team. We are just a family. Dr. Donald Suggs, our publisher, works hard to make it a family atmosphere. I’ve had offers to go to other papers, but St. Louis is my home, my base –and has been a wonderful experience for me.”

Ackerman also asked Earl the root of his passion for prep sports.

“I love seeing kids accomplish great things. To see them develop as youngsters, especially at the ages from 14-18, become great student athletes. My home and my heart are with high school sports,” Earl said.

“There’s something about Friday nights – and you can go anywhere in the area – it’s a party and the community involved. That’s heaven for me – the competition, the marching band, the atmosphere. I still love that. That’s what keeps me going.”

Editorial /CommEntary

The St. Louis American endorses Jake Zimmerman for St. Louis County assessor

It is becoming our perennial regret in endorsing Jake Zimmerman for St. Louis County assessor that he is not running for a more impactful position. We liked him for Missouri attorney general in 2016, when he lost the Democratic primary in a red-wave election cycle that saw Josh Hawley, the Republican nominee, win the general election by 17 points. We would have liked him for St. Louis County executive in 2018, though he would have had to wage a bitter and expensive primary against an incumbent Democrat just two years after exhausting his donor base for a primary that he lost.

We still like him – very much –for St. Louis County assessor, and his good work in the office reminds us that this, too, is an impactful position. As assessor, Zimmerman has fought hard to make sure the middle class and low-income citizens do not pay an unfair tax burden because businesses and wealthier citizens have managed to exploit the tax code and deceive the assessor and the public that elected him.

in 2011, and that is due to journalists’ customary zeal for reporting on fraud and conflict in government. There has been no shortage of alleged fraud and evident conflict in St. Louis County government between 2011 and now, but none of it has been in Zimmerman’s office. He has run his office with a high degree of professionalism and integrity. At a time when other branches of county government are often in the news for the wrong reasons, Zimmerman’s office has been a model of respectful competence.

Zimmerman has fought hard to make sure that casinos – experts in making off with the public’s hardearned money – pay their fair share of taxes. When he saw that St. Louis County was growing in acres of reported farmland without actually growing any more crops, he cracked down on fake farmers trying to get a tax break they don’t deserve when they tried to claim commercial development or shopping center property as “agricultural” property. He also stymied high-end senior citizen centers trying to wrangle an undeserved tax break by claiming somehow to be a charity. To be clear, it would be in the self-interest of an assessor to look the other way at these shenanigans and grow his moneyed donor base, but Zimmerman acted in the public interest – in so doing, making more work for himself and his staff in fighting these well-off would-be scofflaws.

The public has not heard much about the county assessor since Zimmerman was elected

A former state representative who lives in Olivette, Zimmerman has been hailed consistently as a good colleague by African Americans who served alongside him. Running for reelection countywide on November 6, he touts endorsements by two of the most respected and influential African Americans in county politics, former state Senator Rita Heard Days and County Councilwoman Hazel Erby. Days praised Zimmerman’s record as assessor for “fixing problems and fighting for fairness,” which is indisputable, and raised questions about his Republican opponent. “Jake’s opponent goes on social media rants about past assessments,” Days said. “It’s clear he wants to be assessor for himself and his friends.” Erby said she supports candidates who “seek to eliminate discrimination,” and therefore Zimmerman has her support. “There is no room for discrimination of any kind in property assessment,” Erby said. “Jake has worked hard to make sure the system works for everyone, not just the powerful and well off.”

We agree. St. Louis County taxpayers would benefit far more if Zimmerman were on the November 6 ballot for county executive, but they can be assured that their properties and taxes are in fair, competent, equitable hands with the incumbent assessor. We strongly endorse JAKE ZIMMERMAN FOR ST. LOUIS COUNTY ASSESSOR.

The St. Louis American endorses Jill Schupp for Missouri Senate

State Senator Jill Schupp was elected to the Missouri Senate in 2014 after serving six years in the state House of Representatives (with prior stints on the Creve Coeur City Council and the Ladue School Board, including two terms as president).

She earned our respect in 2014 by (narrowly) beating a Republican opponent named John Ashcroft, who unfortunately dusted himself off and, much to our chagrin, got elected statewide in 2016 as Missouri attorney general, where he has been disenfranchising minorities ever since.

Given that her opponent on the November 6 ballot does not have the name visibility of an Ashcroft and she has outraised him by $1 million, Schupp should have an easier time of it than the nail-biter four years ago. But her 24th Senate District – representing some or all of Ballwin, Breckenridge Hills, Bridgeton, Champ, Charlack, Chesterfield, Country Life Acres, Creve Coeur, Crystal Lake Park, Frontenac, Huntleigh, Ladue, Manchester, Maryland Heights, Olivette, Overland, St. Ann, Sycamore Hills, Town and Country, Warson Woods, Westwood and Winchester – can swing either way, so voters in the district who want to assure the reelection of a highly competent, progressive state senator need to show up at the polls and support her.

During the 2018 legislative session, Schupp managed to work with the Republican supermajority to pass a number of good pieces of legislation as amendments on Republicansponsored bills. Thanks to Schupp, mental health professionals in Missouri must now complete

two hours of suicide-prevention training prior to receiving or renewing their licensure. Public employees who choose to speak out against waste, fraud, and abuse are now protected from retaliation. In most emergency circumstances, doctors may now bill insurers for unanticipated outof-network health care costs, thus eliminating patients from receiving surprise bills. And it is now a felony to non-consensually share or distribute private sexual images. She also established a publicprivate partnership to promote comprehensive trauma-informed support systems and interagency cooperation, as well as a task force to study how to best prepare students for future careers and college opportunities. In the state House, Schupp championed legislation that made workplace environments smoke-free, protected children in unlicensed daycare settings, and allowed seniors the opportunity to age in their own homes. She continually fought legislation that shifted tax burdens onto the middle class. Her commitment to her constituents never wavered as she backed bills protecting our youngest and oldest citizens, supported veterans, promoted quality education, expanded health care access, and created jobs and opportunities for economic growth. Schupp won’t experience anything as sweet as whipping an Ashcroft at the polls on November 6, but she deserves to relish victory once again and return to the state Senate to continue fighting – and sometimes working expediently with – the Republican supermajority. We strongly endorse JILL SCHuPP FoR MISSouRI SENATE

This is us. We are the majority. This is why we fight.

By Charles Jaco For The St. Louis American

Thanks to a majority of white voters terrified of losing their racial privilege in a multi-ethnic America, all three branches of the federal government are now in the hands of the kind of people we fought World War II against.

The monochromatic coalition of affluent white suburbanites, whites with a high school education or less, and right-wing white evangelicals have now given us a viciously conservative U.S. Supreme Court to go along with a Congress and a White House controlled by a white nationalist political party. The future of our country is now in our hands, because we’re all that’s left.

What’s left are African Americans, who’ve always known this country was built on lies and hate, but many still love it even though, as James Baldwin wrote, “The flag to which you have pledged allegiance, along with everybody else, has not pledged allegiance to you. “

What’s left are women, 52 percent of the population, whose access to abortion, contraception, and equal pay are threatened, whose stories of sexual abuse have been minimized by Trump and his Republican minions of both sexes, who face a U.S. Supreme Court where almost one-fourth of the Justices (Thomas and Kavanaugh) have shown open contempt for women.

What’s left are Hispanics, whose forebears (or maybe themselves) came to America looking for a better life and who have plowed their life and love into America, only to be called rapists, murderers, drug kingpins, and un-American for daring to speak their native language in public.

and corrupts every governmental institution, from Congress and the courts to the FBI. This is us. Like Baldwin, we love our country and reserve the right to criticize it ceaselessly. These are a series of battles of a long war that will stretch out years after Trump is gone, simply because the 63 million Americans who voted for him won’t be. Their racism and white victimhood have been validated by Trump and his policies. They support an authoritarian regime because it promises to Make America White Again. They will not go quietly. They will not go quickly. But they will go. They will go partly because Dr. King’s moral arc of the universe does bend toward justice, eventually. And they will go because, according to both Yale constitutional law professor Jack Balkin and Wesleyan University constitutional scholar John Finn, we are in the middle of a cyclical period of “constitutional rot,” where constitutional structures, like Congress and the courts, still exist but have lost both legitimacy and respect.

According to Balkin, periods of rot happen when one political epoch is ending and another, not yet born, is waiting in the wings. In the 20th century, the Gilded Age of robber barons and runaway capitalism began to stagger and fall around 1901, when Teddy Roosevelt became president. That, in turn, slowly ushered in the Progressive Era, which saw women get the vote, the social reforms of FDR, and the Civil Rights Movement.

What’s left are the disaffected white people, vilified and called “race traitors” by their own kind, suddenly aware that the amber waves of grain about which they sang are under attack by fellow white Americans who want to turn the beacon of hope for the world into a walled-off white ethnostate.

What’s left are non-white immigrants who took the beacon-of-hope hype seriously and now find themselves viewed suspiciously and often physically attacked for looking different and for coming from cultures that aren’t northern European.

What’s left are the LGBTQ communities, whose fear of their fellow Americans, always present, has now become hyper-vigilance as homophobic Proud Boys pledge allegiance to Trump and a battalion of Trump judicial appointees threatens decades of hard-won equality and acceptance.

What’s left are young people, who grew up under the weight of a financial collapse engineered by unregulated fat-cat money manipulators and now face a gig economy, without security of benefits, and a planet where 95 degree October days may soon be common and Miami will become an underwater park off Florida’s new southern coast.

This is us. We are the majority, ruled by a racist regime put into office by Trump supporters who make up less than 35 percent of the U.S. population. This is us. We are the patriots left standing as that regime compromises

Letters to the e

Vote on November 6

Imagine if a black man had put on a performance like Judge Kavanaugh did at the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. If a black man had said the same words and acted the same way, he would have terrified the senators and white TV audience. The black man would have been shunned forevermore by the white power structure. What we saw in Kavanaugh’s extremely non-judicious display (in which he also was not truthful and tried to turn himself into the victim) was what white privilege/ entitlement looks like when you are affluent, go to all the right schools and have

The Progressive Era ended in 1980, when the country began a rightward drift that still continues in what Balkin calls the Reagan Regime. Even though the Reagan Regime is dying, Balkin says the next decade could be awful when it comes to federal court rulings on women’s rights, worker’s rights, and civil rights. That’s because in the years of constitutional rot between political eras, the courts – especially the Supreme Court – have made some spectacularly bad rulings that were eventually overturned, but did incredible damage while they lasted.

The Dred Scott decision was handed down as the country prepared to stage a Civil War to purge the antebellum era of slavery and replace it with something new. In the years of constitutional rot between the Gilded Age and the Progressive Era, the Supreme Court ruled in Plessy v Ferguson that segregation was constitutional as long as the separate apartheid public facilities were equal. And Balkin warns that a Clarence Thomas-Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court, existing in our own time of constitutional rot, will probably hand down similarly awful decisions. But waiting around the corner, Balkin concludes, is the inevitable replacement for the Reagan Regime: the Second Progressive Era. And that new era, he predicts, is already near takeoff speed, powered by political mobilization arrayed against the authoritarian racists who support the Trump regime, which is itself nothing more than the last deformed offspring of the Reagan Regime. The rot will last for years. Much of the America we knew will be washed away. But when it ends, and it will end, something new will be born. This is why we fight.

memberships at all the right country clubs. What we saw also emphasizes the importance of not having a justice like Kavanaugh on the Supreme Court. Ever. And that means winning back the U.S. Senate for Democrats. Vote in the November midterms.

Arthur Hoffman, St. Louis

Voting against gun violence

The problem of gun violence in our city is out of control. The upcoming midterm elections will be important for gun safety.

At a recent local meeting of Moms Demand Action for Gun

Sense in America, presentations by two city residents stood out. The first told us that when she was 8, her 25-year-old cousin was shot and killed. The second spoke about her son. He died from gun violence when he was 19. Her other son, 21, has moved away from St. Louis for his safety. These are just two incidents of the many we read about every day. Because of their responsible positions on this issue, I will vote for U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill, state Representative Sarah Unsicker and candidate for U.S. House Cort VanOstran on November 6.

Frances Purcell Fanning, member, Moms Demand Webster Groves

Columnist Charles Jaco

Jake Zimmerman

Jill Schupp

Hazelwood Schools host Community Forum

The Hazelwood School District (HSD) Board of Education held its first Community Forum of the 2018-2019 school year October 4 at Hazelwood East High School. Dozens of parents, community members, and district staff were in attendance and submitted questions which were answered by a panel consisting of three board members and Superintendent Nettie Collins-Hart. Two main topics of discussion included the district’s plans to open a thematic school geared toward talented and gifted students in 2019 and updates on redistricting presented at the district’s most recent Board of Education meeting. The next Community Forum will take place February 21, 2019 at Hazelwood West High School.

October 31 deadline for Human Rights Youth Expressions Contest

Youth have until October 31 to enter the St. Louis Coalition for Human Rights’ 22nd annual Human Rights Youth Expressions Contest. This year’s theme is “What are the Barriers to Food as a Human Right?”

Youth who are of middle and high school age are invited to submit an essay, poem, song or spoken word on the theme. The contest is open youth in the bi-state area, including youth in nontraditional education settings such as those being home-schooled or who are enrolled in programs like the Job Corps.

Cash prizes ranging from $25 to $150 are awarded to the top three essay winners in the high school and middle school

categories. First prize winners are required to read their winning entries at the Human Rights Celebration hosted by the Missouri History Museum on December 10. Contest essays must be no more than 500 words and preferably typed. They can be mailed to the St. Louis Coalition for Human Rights, P. O. Box 5277, St. Louis, MO 63115 or emailed to stlc4hr@yahoo.com. Songs and spoken word can submitted using platforms like MP3 or YouTube. Please include a cover page that gives full name, address, phone number, grade and school of student.

You can make a difference on Nov. 6

By Dorothy Dempsey For The St. Louis American

If there is one thing that black folks need to do on Tuesday, November 6, it is to go to the polls and vote. Never mind all the issues that are going on around us; all we need to do is access the issues that we are confronted with in our day-to-day living.

There is not a day that goes by that we do not hear of some form of racism or heinous crime committed against people of color, police brutality, voter repression, neglected educational needs, abuse in the workplace, and the list goes on.

Yet some of us do not take the time to vote. When we think of our forefathers and the things they endured in order for us to vote, as horrible as those times were, they seem to wane in the face of what we are going through today.

We are living in a world of uncertainty overcome by day-to-day existence, not knowing what will come next to shatter our sense of security.

President Donald Trump has taken over, and no one seems to have the power nor desire to stop him in his quest to destroy America.

Your vote stops prisons for profit, helps expand health care, increases your wages, allows you free speech, allows black representation, and creates laws and policies to make our lives better. You are the voices that can make a difference. One man does not stand alone. Your vote decides who is president. Votes got Trump into office, your votes can get him out of office.

There is a Board of Election Commissioners office located at 300 North Tucker Blvd. in St. Louis. Please utilize it. They are there to help us with absentee voting (which is underway), necessary paperwork, sample ballots, etc. I found the people in the office to be very pleasant and quite helpful.

We need each other to make things happen. It would be a groundbreaking event if every church city wide had a National Church Voting Rights Day, and just suppose they all did it on the same day, inviting all people of color to register and encouraging them to vote.

The deadline to register to vote on November 6 has passed, but there will be future elections of importance, so register now if you have not.

Education is the key that opens doors to all possibilities; educating oneself on voting rights offers us a different world. Please make your vote count on Tuesday, November 6.

Dorothy Dempsey

MALES

Continued from A1

That was because of the type of friends I chose to hang around with and the bad decisions I was making. I wanted to fit in with the boys who were always talking about rap, drugs, guns, beating people up, you name it. I knew it wasn’t healthy for me, but I wanted to be cool like they were. As a result, I did bad stuff and would ask myself, “Would the guys do this?” But when I did things, I would get in trouble, and they never did. I was a follower, and my mom kept telling me you need to stop following and become a leader.

school, my first year there was a good experience. I made a good-sized group of friends. Some of them weren’t good for me, like at my old school, Walnut Grove Elementary, so I cut them off.

n I learned that your decisions carry on with you a long way. I struggled to find friends who would lead me to success and wouldn’t get me in trouble.

One day when I was visiting my grandma, I made a friend, and we later became the best of friends. I was sad that we couldn’t hang out with each other more. One day my grandma asked my friend’s mom what school she went to, since things weren’t going well for me at my school. The school that she attends is Maplewood Richmond Heights Elementary.

After I transferred to her

RENO

As time went on, I learned that your decisions carry on with you a long way. I struggled to find friends who would lead me to success and wouldn’t get me in trouble. We had a black male as our assistant principal, and he told me how people see me as a black male and how they look for things to make me unsuccessful. I took that to heart.

For my 7th grade experience I felt prepared, since I had learned so many lessons from my past mistakes and I used them all for leverage. I still had some friends from 4th grade that I felt were good for me and had a pretty good student relationship with my teachers.

Our counselor opened opportunities for me and several other students. She offered a chance for us to go to a leadership camp at one of the best colleges in Missouri. I took this opportunity and

Continued from A1 her. “She has a great judicial temperament.” Reno was appointed by both governors from short lists selected by a commission, as per the Missouri Non-Partisan Court Plan, which has been in effect since 1940, though county voters adopted it in the late 1960s. The plan is now a national model. “The fact that I am a circuit judge today is a direct result of the plan,” Reno said. Reno has extensive civil and criminal litigation experience and practiced law until her appointment to the circuit court. She served as municipal judge for the City of Northwoods from 1994 to 2002. She received her Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Missouri at St.

was able to make friends and learn some great life skills. When I was back and in 8th grade, I had figured out that I have a role and mine is to be a leader. I will lead the way and help others to find their calling and let them know that they have a purpose as well.

Jerrel Sibert was nominated by Ed Rich, director of Communications for Maplewood Richmond Heights School District. Rich said Jerrel has demonstrated leadership skills as part of the school’s leadership class and was recently nominated to

n “She has a great judicial temperament.”

– former Missouri Supreme Court Chief Justice Ronnie L. White

Louis and her law degree from Saint Louis University School of Law. She taught English at Maplewood Senior High School before pursuing law, under the encouragement of her father, Cornelius Clark, who first taught her to read. She

joked that her father wanted her to become an attorney because she talked a lot as a child.

Her mother, Mattie L. Clark, attended what is now Harris-Stowe State University and worked in the Saint Louis Public Schools for more than 30 years. Her father worked at the former Colorado Milling Company. For them, education was the equalizer. “Education is something

participate in the restorative practice circle training at the middle school to mediate conflicts among his peers.

“Homegrown Black Males” is a partnership between HomeGrown STL at the Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in

that, once you get it, no one can take it away,” Reno told The American She participated in the St. Louis County Truancy Court Program in Wellston as a volunteer from 2002 to 2006. She wanted to serve as a role model for troubled youth.

“I thought it was important for kids to see what education can do for you,” she said. “If you work hard, play by the rules, attend school on a regular basis and get good grades, you can achieve.”

She is a member of the Missouri Bar, Mound City Bar Association, Women Lawyers’ Association and National

Fun with Mom in Ferguson

Association of Women Judges. She is a past member of the Missouri Supreme Court Commission on Alternative Dispute Resolution in Domestic Relations Cases. She currently serves as a mentor to both high school and college students and is an active member of several public service organizations, including Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. She succeeds former Presiding Judge Douglas R. Beach, who retired in September. Circuit Judge Michael Burton was elected assistant presiding judge.

St. Louis and The St. Louis American, edited by Sean Joe, Benjamin E. Youngdahl Professor and associate dean at the Brown School, and Chris King, managing editor of The American, in memory of Michael Brown.

LaToya Thompson fit her son Elijah Thompson, a student at Griffith Elementary School in the FergusonFlorissant School District, with a wearable balloon sculpture at a Community Fair hosted by the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis and the Centene Charitable Trust Foundation at the Ferguson Community Empowerment Center on Sat., Oct. 13.

Photo by Wiley Price

WARD

Continued from A1

away from his busy schedule of leading his flock of more than six million COGIC saints to deliver Bishop Ward’s eulogy.

“If you were saved under the ministry of Bishop R.J. Ward, I just want you to raise your hand at me,” Bishop Blake said. “If you received the Holy Ghost under his ministry, raise your hand.” Hands went up all over the church. “He was a great preacher – an anointed minister of the gospel. Bishop Ward could preach, y’all.”

The final services also offered deeper insight into the man behind the ministry – and how he managed to rise through the ranks as one of the most respected members of the faith community, in St. Louis and beyond.

When his granddaughter Kishka’Kamari McClain heard about a great preacher who had an impact in the community as a small child, it sounded familiar.

“I got confused,” McClain said. “I learned about another mighty man and mighty preacher at school – and went back the next day and told everybody that my granddaddy was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.”

From ‘Booney’ to bishop

“Some came tonight to talk about Bishop Robert James Ward, but I’m here to talk about Booney,” Bishop Ward’s daughter Attorney Marilyn Ward Ford said. “How many of you knew Booney?” Shouts and laughter rang through the sanctuary.

“Booney” was born Robert James Ward on December 6, 1929 to an unwed teen mother in Fitzhugh, Arkansas in a community of tenant farmers and raised by his grandmother. They were so poor that he had to take a bucket down the road and beg for food. The mother of his classmate Dorothy Mae Lewis, who would later become his wife of 72 years, regularly filled the bucket with sorghum molasses and cornbread – which he and his grandmother ate for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Despite his challenging upbringing, he excelled in school and was the designated orator for his class. In order to help provide for the family, he worked the farm – until a dispute with the man who owned the farm where his family worked forever changed his fate. By this time, he was known as R.J.

“R.J. said, ‘You owe me this.’ The owner said, ‘No, I don’t,’” Ford said. “Folks said, ‘Booney just would not back down.’ Being a willful black man in Arkansas in 1950 could have life-ending consequences. Word got around that R.J. had argued with this white man. And somebody said, ‘He’d better get out of town.’”

They hid him in a cotton sack, and he was tossed in the baggage compartment of a Missouri Pacific Train – where he stayed until he arrived in St. Louis.

“When he got to St. Louis, he didn’t know anybody,” Ford said. “He had less than a dollar in his pocket.”

He slept on the benches of Union Station for a month while working to save enough money for a roof over his head and to bring his young wife and her family to St. Louis.

“He shined shoes. He did whatever he had to do – but he didn’t beg, and he didn’t rob anybody,” Ford said. “Then he got a job at Baden Hotel.”

Gainfully employed, he sent for his wife and her sisters.

“At this time R.J. was wondering why Dorothy Mae was spending all of her time at that church over on Kennerly Avenue,” Ford said. “She would leave at 6 o’clock and get home at midnight and be all sweaty when she got home.”

R.J. soon followed. He quickly advanced in the faith to became an assistant pastor. He founded St. Paul Church of God In Christ before he was called back to lead Kennerly Temple in 1965 – a position he would hold until his passing.

‘We are here because of his vision’

Over his 50-plus year tenure, Bishop Ward became a major influencer within the COGIC denomination.

Members of the General Board, COGIC’S governing body, came from all over the country to sit in the pulpit as Bishop Ward was remembered. Among them was St. Louis’ own Bishop Lawrence Wooten, senior pastor of Williams Temple Church of God In Christ and prelate of the Eastern Missouri Western Illinois Jurisdiction

of COGIC.

“I truly thank God for all that he did,” Bishop Wooten said. “Bishop Ward did whatever he could to support this church.”

Bishop Ward played a major role in the transition of the annual Holy Convocation from COGIC headquarters in Memphis to St. Louis, where it has been held since 2010.

When the saints arrived in St.

Louis, Bishop Ward was a most dutiful host. He had a major say in what went on in the denomination and was a wise and trusted counsel to countless individuals within the ministry – including Bishop Blake, Bishop William E. Scott, former pastor of Mount Calvary COGIC and prelate of the Illinois Southeast Jurisdiction, among countless

others.

“Everybody will remember him saying, ‘Ain’t nobody mad but the devil,’” Bishop Scott said at the Monday night service. “However, it’s obvious by your presence here tonight in such great numbers that Bishop Ward had an impact on many lives.”

Bishop Scott said Bishop Ward loved to preach the gospel. He particularly loved

to talk about the cross and Calvary and “how Jesus paid a debt that he didn’t owe and a debt that we couldn’t pay.”

“We are here because of his vision,” Bishop Scott said.

“One of the great tributes you can give to his legacy is to live by the teachings that he has given all of us over the years. He empowered you to be victorious believers.”

Pallbearers Deacon Terry Moore, Brother Kelvin Willis, Deacon Perry Green, Deacon Ron Evans, Elder Darrly Reynolds, Dr. Gary Ford Jr. (grandson), Elder Kirk Bradley and Deacon Richard Brown Jr. were assisted by Austin A. Layne Mortuary staff as they carried the remains of Bishop Robert James Ward to his homegoing service at Kennerly Temple Church of God In Christ on Tuesday, October 9. The prelate of the Eastern Missouri First Jurisdiction of COGIC and longtime pastor of Kennerly Temple was called home to be with God on Sunday, September 30 at age 88.

Photo by Reginald Riddle-Young

Continued from A1

At a press conference at the police department on Friday, October 12, Moss announced that he would be returning to Miami, Florida to be with his family –especially with his mother, who is ill. His last day will be November 16. He has received a number of offers for positions in Florida, he said, but he won’t “weigh his options” until the end of the year.

Moss replaced former police chief Thomas Jackson, who resigned after the U.S. Department of Justice released a scathing report about the department in March 2015 following the Ferguson unrest.

Assistant Chief Frank McCall will become interim chief, and Moss said that he feels that McCall should be the department’s permanent chief.

“When we did the national search in 2016, I came in number one and Frank came in number two,” Moss said. “I went to Frank and brought him in.” McCall was previously Berkeley’s police chief. Ferguson signed a consent decree with the Justice Department in March 2016, and McCall has been in charge of the process since he came on with the department.

“I’ve come to trust him, and he’s intricately familiar with the consent decree,” Moss said. “He knows the community, he has the skill set and he has proven to be a tremendous help. A lot of the police officers have

by

and Dr. Nathaniel

come to trust him and will stay if his leadership is there, especially some of those ones who were considering jumping

ship because they found out I was leaving. I think it’s in the best interest of the city to make Frank McCall its chief.”

Moss also said that another national search would be expensive, and a new chief is going to have a steep learning

curve coming in.

“We are well within the consent decree process,” Moss said. “If we want to get out of it in time, we need to be consistent.”

The consent decree process is supposed to last about five years, he said, but it can take longer if there are interruptions.

However, John Chasnoff, a community organizer who has been participating in the consent decree process for the past two years, said that it could be hard for someone to take over McCall’s role.

“I have a concern that if McCall becomes chief, we’ll lose continuity with the implementation of the consent decree,” Chasnoff said.

McCall said that Moss has strengthened the embattled department. This was the department described this was by the DOJ: “Ferguson’s approach to law enforcement both reflects and reinforces racial bias, including stereotyping. The harms of Ferguson’s police and court practices are borne disproportionately by African Americans, and there is evidence that this is due in part to intentional discrimination on the basis of race.”

ever had a good relationship with,” said Pierson, who attended the press conference. “A good man puts family over everything, so we’ll miss him, but we’ll find someone new.” After hearing that Moss was leaving, some suspected that the Ferguson old guard had pushed the chief out. The American asked Moss about this suspicion.

“I have not gotten pushed out,” Moss said. “When I started talking about my desire to go back home, the city manager and I had a lot of discussions, hoping that he would change my mind.” When asked about his relationship with city leaders, he said, “It’s no secret that we’ve differed on opinions about some things, but it was never to a point where ‘we want you to leave.’ It’s not been contentious. I never once felt like they wanted me to leave.”

n “Over the course of the two years who welcomes me and who protests me have sort of shifted back and forth.”

– Ferguson Police Chief Delrish Moss

“We’ve improved vastly when it comes to community engagement,” McCall said.

“The department is more diverse than it has ever been.

We need to water the seeds that the chief has planted.”

Tommie Pierson, pastor at Greater St. Mark Family Church, said Moss has helped to ease the animosity between police and the community. Greater St. Mark was considered a safe space for protestors during the Ferguson unrest and has been the setting of many community discussions.

“He’s probably the only chief – or one of the only chiefs of a handful – that I’ve

He said there are still “things on the plate to happen” at the police department. McCall will work on getting the department accredited, he said. The city will receive a $50,000 grant to complete the application process in December, he said. Many things need to be “modernized” in how police nationwide address policing, he said. How officers relate to the community is one of them.

“The job is to protect and serve,” Moss said. “And a lot of times it’s big ‘protect,’ little ‘serve.’ It’s actually got to be the other way around. It’s a lot more about service. Working with the community is always the best route.”

City Manager De’Carlon Seewood said the city will make sure to involve citizens in the selection process for the permanent police chief.

“We want to hear from everyone,” Seewood said, “to make sure that the person who steps into those shoes is the right person for the city.”

A ceremony to honor attorney Homer G. Phillips was held Saturday, October 13 at the Homer G. Phillips Senior Living Community, 2601 Whittier St., on the site of the former historic black hospital of the same name. At the event, artist George DeMeyers II unveiled a portrait of the famed attorney and namesake of the hospital. No portrait of Phillips had ever hung at his namesake hospital or senior center. At right are Dr. Navinkar Amin

Murdock.

Portrait of Homer G. Phillips unveiled

Photo

Wiley Price

Why Claire McCaskill is no Kamala Harris or Dick Durbin

Charles Jaco – journalist, author, and activist (on Twitter at @charlesjaco1) – who took down U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill’s Republican challenger Todd Akin six years ago in a bruising broadcast interview, has come out of retirement to write for The American before the November 6 general election. He penned this guest Political EYE.

It’s a given that U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill is no Kamala Harris or Cory Booker or even Dick Durbin That’s because Missouri is no California or New Jersey or Illinois. Those states have huge economies driven by dynamic multi-ethnic urban areas. Missouri is a withering state shrinking in importance with each Census, whose urban areas are stagnant remnants with a strong white racist presence.

Durbin’s Illinois is 72 percent white, Booker’s New Jersey is 68 percent white, and Harris’ California is 61 percent white, while McCaskill’s Missouri is 82.5 percent white.

To drill down further and show an even wider disparity in progressive legroom, California is 38 percent non-Hispanic white, New Jersey is 59 percent non-Hispanic white, and Illinois is 63 percent non-Hispanic white, whereas Missouri is a whopping 81 percent nonHispanic white.

Combine that with the rural and exurban locations of white voters, and it’s easy to see why McCaskill has to run TV ads pitching a tough stand on immigration and bragging about the number of times she’s voted with Donald Trump It’s also why so many African-American voters are either lukewarm or hostile toward McCaskill. They believe, as state Rep. Franks Jr. put it, that “Claire is going to have to bring her ass to St. Louis. Period. She’s going to have to show up, and it’s not just about talking. You have made some folks upset.” McCaskill, famous for campaigning and holding town halls in rural, deep-red Missouri, once explained it to me this way: “In those counties, we know we’re going to lose. But if you lose with 38 percent

of the vote instead of 25 percent, that adds up.” McCaskill’s strategy is based on several facts. Missouri is an overwhelmingly white state. Missouri is a racist state. The default position for most white Missouri voters is conservative. Most white Missouri voters like Trump, guns, and white nationalism. They dislike abortion, liberals, and blacks. They know Missouri is being left behind educationally, culturally, and economically by more vibrant states that attract a young, multicultural workforce, so they retreat behind coded racial rhetoric about Missouri being “the real America” with “heartland values,” rather than recognizing that the state’s decline is because of the very policies they support. But while McCaskill vacuums the couch cushions for

U.S. Senator Cory Booker’s stumped for U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill in St. Louis in May – including a visit to the Annie Malone May Day Parade on Sunday, where they met with the city’s public safety leadership.

conservative “Christian” party to the kind of full-blown ethnonationalist party Slobodan

suppression and discrimination in the name of religion, and giving his audience a double

Hawley figures that pulpitpounding old-time religion and coded attacks on white liberals and blacks will be enough to get him to Washington thanks to rural and exurban voters. He’d just better hope that no one at Cracker Barrel ever had an abortion, uses contraception, or has a preexisting medical condition. Charles Jaco is a journalist, author, and activist. Follow him on Twitter at @charlesjaco1.

Hawley attacked for defending voter ID

McCaskill’s Republican opponent Hawley has been attacked by her campaign and a Super PAC pushing her for claiming he supports mandating that health insurers provide coverage for people preexisting with preexisting health conditions while using his office as Missouri attorney general to argue a case that would undo that mandate and all of the other consumer protections in the Affordable Care Act. Now Hawley also is being attacked for using his office to appeal a court ruling against Missouri’s voter photo identification law. Judge Richard Callahan ruled last week that it is unconstitutional to force voters who used

photo identification to sign a sworn statement that they are who they say they are in the voter rolls.

before the U.S. Supreme Court, so now employers who think contraception is tantamount to abortion can refuse to cover birth control in their health insurance plans. Hawley has sued to have Obamacare declared unconstitutional, and to allow insurance companies once again to deny coverage because of pre-existing conditions like heart disease or diabetes. Hawley is appealing the court ruling that suspended part of Missouri’s voter photo ID law, supporting the ID law and the voter suppression it tries to disguise.

The GOP nominee bases his run on suppressing voter turnout in St. Louis and boosting it in outstate Missouri.

U.S. Rep. Wm.

Leah Oliver W

Middle School Jean has remained a 95 year lifelong member of St James AME being an active member of the Senior Saints a regular attendee at the Tuesday Midday Bible Class and the Ledora Wright Adult Sun ay School Class She is one of the few remaining active members of the Sumner Class of 1940 She was honored twice this decade as a St James 90+ Member and was recognized as St James AME Mother of the Year in 2015

She departed this Life on Saturday September 29 2018 She leaves to cherish her memory her daughter, Senator Robin Wright-Jones, grandsons Damon Alexander Jones (Vanessa), Adam Christopher Jones (Mareka) Michael Newton Jones (Erica) great-grandchildren Alexandra Camille Jones, Damon A Jones, II, Adam C Jones, II, Kennedy Alise Jones Autumn Kayden Jones members of the Oliver and Webster families and friends

ces were held on Wednesday October 10 2018 at St James AME hurch Interment was at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery

Photo by Wiley Price

Rev. Starsky Wilson stepping down as pastor of Saint John’s

Church will celebrate its 166th anniversary Oct. 21, host Farewell Revival Nov. 28-29

By Chris King Of The St. Louis American

The Rev. Starsky D. Wilson plans to leave Saint John’s Church (The Beloved Community), where he has been pastor for 10 years, to invest more time into his growing family and the Deaconess Foundation, where he is president and chief executive.

“God has blessed me to preach, teach, lead and serve among people committed to Jesus and justice,” Wilson, who also co-chaired the Ferguson Commission, said in a statement. “Now, I must give my energy to a family which spans from a teen to a toddler. I will continue to reflect deeply on ways to bend this world into one I would want to leave them.” Wilson is the fourteenth settled pastor in the congregation’s 166-year history and only the second black pastor to lead the church, which was originally established by German immigrants. Saint John’s Church is an interracial congregation located at 4136 North Grand Blvd. near the northeast corner Fairgrounds Park in North St. Louis affiliated with the United Church of Christ.

During his tenure, Wilson has led congregational activism on many issues, including youth violence prevention, Medicaid expansion, public school accreditation, voter mobilization, capping payday lending and raising the minimum wage. Under his leadership, the church more than quadrupled worship attendance and annual giving. During the Ferguson

Uprising, Wilson offered the church as a host site for the Black Lives Matter Ferguson Freedom Ride, as a welcome center for Ferguson October and for meetings for local groups including St. Louis Action Council (now Action St. Louis). He also established The Beloved Community Conference to connect ministry with social justice, created “Sojourner’s Truth: A Celebration of Preaching Women,” a yearly

n “God has blessed me to preach, teach, lead and serve among people committed to Jesus and justice. Now, I must give my energy to a family which spans from a teen to a toddler.” – Rev. Starsky D. Wilson

event highlighting the power of women in the pulpit and planted a Children’s Defense Fund Freedom School at the church.

Since accepting his leadership position at the Deaconess Foundation in November 2011, Wilson led both Saint John’s and

The Rev. Starsky D. Wilson blessed the new Deaconess Center for Child Well Being on March 1.

completed a term guiding the national racial equity working group for Grantmakers for Effective Organizations, where he remains a board member. He is a trustee for Chicago Theological Seminary and the Samuel Dewitt Proctor Conference. He also advises the Democracy Fund, Let America Vote, the National Voter Protection Fund and the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Saint John’s leaders are preparing for transition in advances of Wilson’s exit date of November 30 and will begin a search for a new pastor in 2019. In the meantime, they are planning two upcoming events with Wilson.

Deaconess full-time, even while co-chairing the Ferguson Commission in 2014 and 2015.

In recent years, Wilson’s local experience in philanthropic and faith-based organizing has been called upon by national organizations. He currently chairs the board for the Washington, D.C.based National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy, which works to align foundations with social justice movements. He recently

On Sunday, October 21, Saint John will celebrate its 166th Anniversary with special worship celebrations at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. During the afternoon service, Pastor Earl E. Nance Jr. and Greater Mount Carmel Baptist Church will be their special guests. On November 28 and 29, the church will host a Fall Farewell Revival in celebration of Wilson’s leadership on the eve of his exit. Special guest preachers will be Rev. Dr. Frederick Douglass Haynes III, pastor of Friendship West Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas and chair of the Samuel Dewitt Proctor Social Justice Network, and the Rev. Traci D. Blackmon, executive minister for Justice and Local Church Ministries for the United Church of Christ and pastor of Christ the King UCC.

For more information on the church, visit http://sjuccstl. org.

Photo by Wiley Price

Coalition calls for ‘re-investing in public safety’

National Day of Protest Against Police Brutality at Deaconess Center for Child Well-Being

By Rebecca Rivas

Of The St. Louis American

What do people think police do on a daily basis? And what is it that they actually do?

On Monday, October 22 as part of National Day of Protest Against Police Brutality, an anthropologist will lead an exercise to explore these questions at the “Re-Investing in Public Safety” event held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Deaconess Center for Child Well-Being, 1000 N. Vandeventer Ave.

Jara Connell, an anthropology doctoral candidate at Brandeis University, will have attendees write down all the jobs that they understand police to take on. Those typically include solving crimes, stopping crimes and helping people, Connell said. Then she will have them write down the times in their lives that they have encountered police and what they police were doing – which often includes writing reports for insurance companies at accidents or traffic stops.

“Police already don’t do the sorts of things that we think of when we think of policing,” Connell said. “That realization makes it easier to think of alternative forms of public safety.”

The second presenter at the event will be Marbre Stahly Butts, co-director of Law for Black Lives and a major contributor to the platform of the Movement for Black Lives. She’ll be speaking on the need to “divest and re-invest” and explore a long-term vision of a world without police. Connell, who recently taught a course called “The Anthropology of Policing,” said

Attendees at last year’s National Day of Protest Against Police Brutality gather around a symbolic coffin, burying rejected aspects of obsolete and repressive policing.

other underfunded services are equally as important to creating a strong public safety model as policing, she said.

“An arrest-and-incarcerate model is not effective,” Connell said. “It doesn’t keep people safe. It does not prevent violence. It often causes violence.”

The Coalition Against Police Crimes and Repression (CAPCR) will also roll out its campaign to Re-Invest in Public Safety. The campaign’s goal is to shift priorities in the St. Louis city budget for 2019, pulling money from policing and putting it into job training, housing, education and other services that help prevent crime.

she hopes the event will help

“St. Louis already spends more than half its general operating fund on arresting and incarcerating,” said John Chasnoff, co-founder of CAPCR. “What have we gotten for all that money? A high violent crime rate and destroyed communities, particularly communities of color. We need to support people and build community if we truly want to get at the root causes of crime.”

Voters may view a sample ballot online now n All registered voters will receive a white “notice of election” card in the mail, which also includes a sample ballot, approximately one week before Election Day.

Voters in Missouri will face a long ballot on November 6 with a number of complex ballot initiatives (including not one or two, but three measures that would legalize and regulate medical marijuana).

For this reason, the St. Louis County Board of Elections is offering voters the opportunity to view the sample ballot for their precinct well before Election Day. Simply visit www.stlouisco.com/ yourgovernment/elections and click on “Sample Ballot.” After agreeing to the terms, voters will enter their address, and on the pop-up screen the voter can click on their sample ballot, view their polling place name, and find it on the map. The City of St. Louis election board, which has a far simpler task than the county board, already offers a sample ballot for each election online. For November 6, visit tinyurl.com/STL-sample-ballot.

All registered voters will receive a white “notice of election” card in the mail, which also includes a sample ballot, approximately one week before Election Day. Election commissioners suggest voters mark the sample ballot they receive in the mail or the sample ballot they print from the website with their intended selections, so they can use it as a guide while voting. The Missouri Secretary of State also offers the chance to preview candidates and issues for most voting precincts at voteroutreach.sos.mo.gov. Your local election authority also should have a sample ballot to preview in the office.

Photo courtesy of CAPCR

Ferg-Flor approves plan to close some buildings

‘We are at a state of desperation to turn this district around’

By Ryan Delaney Of St. Louis Public Radio

All three high schools in the Ferguson-Florissant School District will remain open but a number of other buildings will close.

The Ferguson-Florissant Board of Education approved one of three proposed redistricting plans on October 10, opting for one that preserves its high schools but shutters other buildings, including the historic Vogt school.

The district will expand early childhood education and transform McCluer-South Berkeley High School into a magnet school focused on science, technology, engineering, arts and math.

The vote caps a two-year planning and study process as the board considered ways to save money and improve academic performance as both attendance and state test scores have decreased. While the district is fully accredited, it scored in the provisional range last year.

The Ferguson-Florissant district educates 11,000 students in nine north St. Louis County municipalities. Enrollment is at half of its historic high and has been stagnant since 1991. The district has extra space for more than 4,000 students in its buildings.

Reducing facilities will allow the district to put more money into education, admin-

Alorton mayor charged for impersonating a police officer

By James T. Ingram For The St. Louis American

I don’t watch reality TV or any of the fake, over-the-top televised dramas that have many of my peers seemingly addicted.

No “Empire” or “Power” or “The Haves and the Have Nots” for me. As long as Mayor Jo Ann Reed sits on the throne of Alorton, Illinois village government, I suspect that I will have all of the drama that I can handle, thank you.

And, as of late, Mayor Reed has not failed to keep me thoroughly entertained, if not perplexed by her consistently bizarre and allegedly criminal behavior.

istrators contended. But residents, particularly those in the southern part of the district, expressed concern about losing community assets.

“No one will move into our community, so your decision kills Berkeley,” said Berkeley Mayor Theodore Hoskins, who estimated a 35 percent decrease in the city’s population under the plan. Residents also opposed spending more money for facility upgrades and were upset more details on cost were not released prior to the meeting.

“I find it difficult to understand how the board can make these decisions without knowing the cost,” resident Doug Jackson said. “It’s like going Christmas shopping without knowing what’s in your bank account.”

The proposal to close two high schools and build

a larger, comprehensive high school, while turning McCluer-South Berkeley into the STEAM school, was quickly defeated. Efforts to delay the decision between the other two options failed.

Board member Rob Chabot said any consideration of closing schools is scary, but the plans being considered were a compromise from more drastic actions.

“We are at a state of desperation to turn this district around,” Chabot said. “We can do better.”

The board was split on assenting to the redistricting. Under the plan, FergusonFlorissant will expand preschool options by breaking its elementary schools into pre-K through second grade and third through fifth grade. Middle school will be divided into a sixth-grade center, and seventh- through eighth-grade

buildings.

The district’s former administrative building, Mark Twain, Airport and Vogt schools will be closed. That will save the district $4.5 million.

The board meeting became emotional, with President Courtney Graves coming to tears as she discussed the loss of McCluer-South Berkeley.

“It’s rough for me, coming from the south end of the district and being so close-knit to that community,” Graves said.

Paying for building renovations, including upgrading McCluer-South Berkeley to become the STEAM school, estimated at $6.8 million, will still likely require a bond issue to be voted on in April.

Follow Ryan on Twitter: @ rpatrickdelaney. Reprinted with permission from news. stlpublicradio.org.

Just recently, Mayor Reed was reportedly seen weaving in and out of Interstate 64 traffic near the Illinois 157 exit on a Saturday afternoon, driving a black police car with blue and red lights flashing. Fortunately, an alert driver called Illinois State Police, describing a suspected female driver who may have been impersonating a police officer.

It wasn’t hard to identify Reed who, to add insult to injury, had the audacity to have a “Mayor Jo Ann Reed” magnetic sign displayed on her driver’s side door. Clearly there’s no shame in her game.

A subsequent investigation by the State Police Public Corruption Task Force resulted in Reed’s being arrested and charged with two felony counts of official misconduct for allegedly impersonating a police officer and driving a village

police car. Her bail was set at $75,000, for which she posted bond and was released. Reed is no stranger to brushes with the law. Back in 2014, she pleaded guilty to a felony for smuggling a cell phone into her niece’s jail cell, for which she received a slap on the wrist: probation, community service and drug rehab. Then, unrepentant as ever, she was charged in 2016 with felony vote buying and in 2017 with the illegal demotion of a village cop who assisted Illinois State Police in bringing the 2014 contraband charges against her. This arrest and her prosecutorial history would have been enough to deter the average hardened criminal from reoffending, but not Reed, who puts the “R” in reprehensible. Reed already faces trial in St. Clair County court on November 13 (one week after the November 6 elections) for the felony charges of vote buying and illegal demotion of a police sergeant.

Let’s see if Reed receives another slap on the wrist for getting out the vote on November 6 for the Democratic political machine of St. Clair County.

Having covered St. Clair County “poli-tricks” over the years, there seems to be an amazing correlation between those who get out the vote and receiving amazing leniency when it comes to criminal sentencing. So, sadly, we may not have seen the last of Reed or her antics. And with her history of good breaks, why should she change?

Columnist James Ingram

Photo by Ryan Delaney / St. Louis Public Radio

Ferguson-Florissant Board of Education President Courtney Graves wiped tears on October 10 while discussing options for closing schools in the district.

White woman who blocked black neighbor trying to enter apartment loses her job

Hilary

Thornton

outed by D’Arreion Toles on viral Facebook video

By Kenya Vaughn and Chris King Of The St. Louis American

A white woman who harassed a black man who was simply trying to return to his home in St. Louis lost her job after his video of the incident went viral.

The woman, since identified as Hilary Thornton, attempted to block D’Arreion Toles from entering the Elder Shirt Lofts building where they both reside. Tribeca-STL fired Thornton after her identity and place of employment were shared in the comments to a Facebook video that Toles posted on Saturday, October 13.

In the video, Thornton is seen blocking Toles as he attempted to enter the downtown loft building and demanding that he show her his key card and provide his unit number. Toles insisted he was under no obligation to do so. Toles’ video had received more than 2 million views at press time.

“After a review of the matter the employee has been terminated and is no

longer with our Company. At Tribeca-STL we want all residents, guests and visitors to feel welcome, safe and respected,” Tribeca-STL said in a statement.

“The Tribeca-STL family is a minority-owned company that consists of employees and residents from many racial backgrounds. We are proud of this fact and do not and never will stand for racism or racial profiling at our company.”

The company noted that the event did not take place at Tribeca-STL and did not involve one of its tenants. “The video is showing the employee in her private life at her own residence interacting with another person,” the company stated.

The interaction included Thornton telling Toles that she is uncomfortable and repeatedly demanding that he disclose the unit in which he lives.

“I don’t need to tell you that information,” Toles told her. “I live here and you are blocking the door.”

Thornton would not budge after Toles’ repeated requests for her to step aside.

“This is my building,” she responded.

October 19 deadline to apply for $250K in community investment

October 19 is the deadline to apply for up to $250,000 in mission-related investment from the Deaconess Foundation.

The funding is open to social impact organizations, including service providers, advocacy groups, community development financial institutions, credit unions, nonprofit financial intermediaries and social enterprises. The intent is to expand access to financial capital, thus building community capacity, while support the foundation’s

“Ma’am,

“But

said. “I don’t like the fact that you have your phone in my

face.” He had his phone in her face because he was videotaping the incident.

“I don’t like the fact that you are blocking me where I pay to live,” Toles responded.

“All I am asking is: what unit? This is my building,” Thornton said.

“You are not the owner,” Toles said.

“But I live here,” the woman said.

“I live here, too,” Toles said.

After he proceeded to the elevator, she accused him of pushing his way into the building, which he had entered using his key fob.

She then followed him on the elevator to his floor, though she disclosed earlier in the video that she lived on a different floor.

“Who are you going on the [number redacted] floor to see?” she continued as she followed Toles to his door and stood there as he used his key to enter the unit.

She then said that if he is in

fact her neighbor, she wanted to introduce herself.

“I just want to say, ‘Hi, what is your name?’” the woman said after Toles entered his residence.

“Don’t ever do that again,” Toles said. “My name is Mr. Toles.”

According to Toles’ Facebook page, after the woman followed him up to the door and saw him use his key to enter his apartment, she proceeded to call the police on him.

Toles told KMOV that no citations were issued as a result of the call.

“I was kind of blown away, shocked and like, ‘Wow,’” Toles told KMOV. “I am just glad I had my camera out. If I did not have my camera out, I feel it could have gone a totally different way.” Thornton told Fox 2 that Toles attempted to enter without using a key fob and she was only following instructions from the condo board, not acting out of racism.

mission to strengthen the region’s capability to achieve positive outcomes for children.

“By making low-interest capital available to community organizations we hope to increase economic mobility for families, advance community development through social capital projects and creatively resource innovative ideas,” said Rev. Starsky Wilson, Deaconess Foundation president and CEO. For more information and to apply, visit https://tinyurl.com/ Deaconess-investment.

you are not security. You are not the property manager,” Toles said.

I live here,” Thornton

Hilary Thornton

Amendment 1 would empower the people

Since my early days of political awareness, all the administrations of U.S. presidents have been tainted with racism and corruption, from John F. Kennedy to Trump. (I’ll take the first black president out for obvious reasons.) Former Congressman Bill Clay gives us the all the

proof we need in his latest book, “U.S. Presidents: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly –Pimples, Warts and All.” Clay talks about the contracts on America (not with America) by these administrations. The attacks on working families, especially families of color, through laws and policies often veiled until we feel the punch. Like Reagan’s War on Drugs. Like Clinton’s double-whammy of welfare reform and the infamous crime bill. Like Trump’s big tax break for his rich buddies. And since

Clay’s book is an assessment from a black perspective, he illuminates the damaging impact of these elected officials on black people, their lives and their futures. While black folks have been in constant battles for their dignity and human rights, we have come to have low expectations of elected officials, from the ward level up to the Oval Office. And that’s even when our votes put them in office or when they look like us. There is a line that is being crossed, and we see far too many of those politicians at the public trough. The rich keep getting bigger breaks while working people are getting less and less. We’re sick and tired of trying to compete with the likes of Corporations United for what should be guaranteed benefits as citizens.

Come now Amendment 1 on the November 6 ballot statewide in Missouri – a citizens’ attempt to rein in corruption at the state level. Over 300,000 signatures were collected to qualify CLEAN Missouri for the November 6 ballot. Citizens want more integrity, transparency and accountability – and less partisan gerrymandering – in a government by the people and for the people.

Voting Yes on Amendment 1 takes a hefty swipe at lobbying gifts in a state which has few restrictions. Almost 70 percent of $8.5 million worth of gifts that come to our lawmakers are allegedly said to go to legitimate legislative bodies like caucuses, making the money more difficult to track.

Opponents of Amendment 1 are using misinformation around the redistricting portion of the ballot initiative. They are telling black communities that maps could be drawn where they would get a white person representing their majority-black district. White, rural communities are being told they will get a black rep. The old tricks of divideand-conquer can’t derail our democracy train.

n Amendment 1 moves us closer to maximizing the participation and empowering of citizens who want more from their government.

Black leaders like St. Louis Treasurer Tishaura O. Jones, Deaconess Foundation CEO Starsky Wilson and Rev. Cassandra Gould have endorsed Amendment 1. So have organizations like Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, Organization for Black Struggle, State NAACP, A. Phillip Randolph Institute and The St. Louis American Black people want more power not less—economic and political. We want more democracy not less. We want more protections and benefits from our local, state and federal government than what we’re getting now. The passage of Amendment 1 will not totally eliminate corruption or our lawmakers getting goodies from lobbyists who often represent interests in conflict with the majority of their constituents. It will not get us the perfect state district maps after the 2020 census. But Amendment 1 moves us closer to maximizing the participation and empowering of citizens who want more from their government. It will ease the wellheeled corporate boot on our necks. For now.

Columnist Jamala Rogers

‘Our

fight continues in the War on Poverty’

Community Action Agency of St. Louis County celebrates 50 years of service

By Rebecca Rivas Of The St. Louis American

For 50 years, the nonprofit Community Action Agency of St. Louis County has been working to end poverty. Its mission is the direct result of the “War on Poverty” launched by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964.

On Thursday, October 11, the agency held its 50th Anniversary Celebration “Doors of Opportunity.”

“The troubling effects of socioeconomic and health challenges in our society leave many in a broken state,” said Cenia D. Bosman, the agency’s president and CEO.

income of $25,100 or less. To be categorized as low income, that family of four survives on an income of $50,200 or less.

However, researchers have found that this income amount does not cover basic living expenses.

n “We will be expanding services in North County, dig deeper into addressing needs and helping our customers find solutions for fighting poverty.”

– Cenia Bosman, CAASTL

“CAASTLC serves to inspire and provide a hand up for our customers, while addressing basic needs and building capacity to ensure that we are here for those who need us.”

About 15 million children in the United States – 21 percent of all children – live in families with incomes below the federal poverty threshold. And 43 percent of children live in lowincome families.

What does it mean to be “poor” in this country?

According to federal guidelines, it means that a household with four children is subsisting on an

CAASTLC serves more than 40,000 low-income people annually in programs that focus on family and economic security, housing and energy, health and nutrition, and community outreach.

“CAASTLC is more commonly known for its support to families seeking energy assistance and weatherization, but there is so much more,” Bosman said. “All services are case-management based, which allows our case managers to get to the root of many of the customers’ needs and allows the agency to bundle services to help customers as they transition through their difficult circumstances.”

At the agency’s 50th anniversary celebration, Bosman said reflections from Rev. Starsky Wilson, president and CEO of Deaconess Foundation, and Art McCoy, superintendent of Jennings

School District, brought home the importance and value of the agency’s work with lowincome and low-wage earners in St. Louis County, Bosman said. Over the past 50 years, the

agency has helped 1.7 million individuals and families with low incomes achieve emergency assistance; 1.1 million vulnerable individuals with low incomes secure or maintain an independent living

(ABOVE) The Community Action Agency of St. Louis County (CAASTLC) recognized Jennings School District Superintendent Art McCoy at its 50th Anniversary Celebration “Doors of Opportunity” on Thursday, October 11. Left to right: Cenia D. Bosman, CAASTLC president and CEO; Georgie Donahue, CAASTLC director of Administrative Services; and Gwen Diggs and Venice Hicks-Prophet of Jennings School District, accepting a CAASTLC Journey Award on behalf of McCoy.

Photo by Wiley Price

(LEFT) A group of 7th graders toured Community Action Agency of St. Louis County ‘s Seeds of Hope Farm on a BJC HealthCaresponsored service trip on Friday, October 15.

Photo courtesy of CAASTLC

situation; nearly 500,000 participants reduce or eliminate barriers to employment through employment initiatives; and 370,000 children and families with low incomes achieved an increase in financial assets and

financial skills by participating in the financial education classes.

The agency is now entering the next phase of helping the families and communities of St. Louis County prevent the conditions of poverty for present and future generations, Bosman said.

“We will be expanding services in North County, dig deeper into addressing needs and helping our customers find solutions for fighting poverty,” Bosman said.

The agency’s newest service is the Community Loan Center of St. Louis County, an employer-based, small dollar loan program designed to provide individuals an affordable alternative to predatory lending.

“So many prey upon the impoverished under the guise of ‘we’re here to help’ that it’s important to CAASTLC to do what we can to protect and assist those we serve,” said Rose Eichelberger, CAASTLC board chair. “We continually re-invest in building innovative and comprehensive programs that respond to real-time needs.”

CAASTLC will continue to provide this service through partnerships with participating employers, in St. Louis city and county, who want to enhance their benefits portfolio for their employees, Bosman said. For more information on the loan center, go to www.clcstlc.org.

And through the direction outlined in the agency’s new Strategic Plan, they will enhance their signature programs, including Comprehensive Case Management Services, Prisoner Re-Entry and REALL-YouthBased Reality Enrichment and Life Lessons, Energy Assistance and Weatherization programs.

“Our fight continues in the War on Poverty, and we look forward to serving our community another 50 years,” Bosman said.

To learn more about CAASTLC services, how to donate, and volunteer, contact www.caastlc.org or call 314863-0015.

Back on the football field after a stroke

Recovered teen praises doctor, parents, coach – and God

By Sandra Jordan Of The St. Louis American

Fifteen-year-old Arron

n “No matter what the odds are, keep doing what you do, no matter what happens to you.”

– Arron Whitt Jr.

had a lot riding on the line the first day of football practice on June 19, 2017 at O’Fallon Township High School in O’Fallon, Illinois, and he was pretty pumped up about it. All indications pointed toward Arron becoming a varsity starter for the upcoming season. He was in great physical shape and was eager to prove he was ready for the challenge. It was the day before his 16th birthday. It was also the day that Arron suffered a stroke. “When I went out there, I was just killing it,” Arron said. “But after a while, toward the end of practice, I felt like a symptom was coming on, like a little migraine. But I usually get those a lot.”

He tried to push through it but the headache hurt worse.

“I was like, ‘Please don’t do this while I’m trying to earn this spot,’” Arron said.

A friend took him home, and Arron took a shower before trying to sleep off what he thought was a migraine. By this time, Arron was woozy and stumbling to his bed and said he became “too out of it” to call out for help. Arron said his mother, Tamala, came to check on him and she had a hard time waking him up. When she did, his mom recognized telltale signs of a

See STROKE, A17

Johns Hopkins to name building in honor of Henrietta Lacks

Johns Hopkins University leaders – including university President Ronald J. Daniels, Hopkins Medicine CEO Paul Rothman, Johns Hopkins Health System President Kevin Sowers, and ICTR Director Dan Ford – pose for a photo with descendants of Henrietta Lacks at the recent ninth annual Henrietta Lacks Memorial Lecture. A new interdisciplinary building on Johns Hopkins University’s East Baltimore campus will be named in honor of Henrietta Lacks, who was the source of the HeLa cell line that has been critical to numerous significant advances in modern medicine.

“This building will be a place that stands as an enduring and powerful testament to a woman who not only was the beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother to generations of the Lacks family,” Daniels said, “but the genesis of generations of miraculous discoveries that have changed the landscape of modern medicine and that have benefitted, in truth, the much larger family of humanity.” The new building – which will adjoin the Berman Institute of Bioethics’ Deering Hall – will support programs that enhance participation and partnership with members of the community in research that can benefit the community. It will also extend the opportunities to further study and promote research ethics and community engagement in research through an expansion of the Berman Institute and its work. Groundbreaking is scheduled for 2020, with an anticipated completion in 2022.

By Eugene Robinson Washington Post

Here is how to interpret the alarming new United Nations-sponsored report on global warming: We are living in a horror movie. The world needs statesmen to lead the way to safety. Instead we have President Trump, who essentially says, “Hey, let’s all head to the dark, creepy basement where the chain saws and razor-sharp axes are kept. What could go wrong?”

The answer is almost everything, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The impact of human-induced warming is worse than previously feared, the report released on October 8 says, and only drastic coordinated action will keep the damage short of catastrophe. To this point, climate change has been a slowmotion calamity whose impacts, month to month and year to year, have been hard to perceive. Unfortunately, according to the report, that is about to change. The burning of fossil fuels on an industrial scale has raised global temperatures by about 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit. That may not sound like much, but look at the consequences we’re already seeing: Stronger, slower, wetter tropical storms. Unprecedented heat waves. Devastating floods. Dying coral reefs. A neverbefore-seen, ice-free summer shipping lane across the Arctic Ocean. Meanwhile, humankind continues to pump heat-trapping carbon dioxide into the atmosphere at a tragically self-destructive rate. The IPCC calculates that a further temperature rise of about 1 degree – almost inevitable, given our dependence on coal, oil and gas –would be challenging but manageable. An increase of about 2 degrees, however, would be disastrous.

n In dry, just-the-facts language, the report predicts declining fisheries, failing crops, more widespread risk from tropical diseases such as malaria.

What’s the difference? With a 1-degree rise, about 14 percent of the world’s population would be vulnerable to severe and deadly heat waves every five years; with a 2-degree rise, that figure jumps to 37 percent. With a 1-degree rise, an additional 350 million city dwellers worldwide will face water shortages; with a 2-degree rise, 411 million people will suffer such drought. With a 1-degree rise, coral reefs will experience “very frequent mass mortalities”; with a twodegree rise, coral reefs will “mostly disappear.” Small differences can have huge impacts. Under the 1-degree scenario, up to 69 million people will be newly exposed to flooding. Under the 2-degree scenario – which the report estimates would boost sea-level rise by as much as 36 inches – the number rises to 80 million.

Please don’t dismiss all of this as just another boring compendium of carefully hedged facts and figures. I have followed the IPCC’s research since covering the first Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. The new report strikes a different tone that combines weary fatalism with hair-on-fire alarm. In dry, just-the-facts language it predicts declining fisheries, failing crops, more widespread risk from tropical diseases such as malaria, economic dislocation in the most-affected countries – and, by logical extension, greater political instability. All of these impacts are bad with one more

Eugene Robinson

O’Fallon Illinois High School senior Arron Whitt Jr. is back on the football field a year after suffering a stroke. A surgical team at St. Louis Children’s Hospital performed an emergency thrombectomy and rehabilitation got him cleared to play this year.

Whitt Jr.

Four Normandy schools among ‘America’s Healthiest’

All part of Missouri Foundation for Health’s Healthy Schools Healthy Communities initiative

By Bridjes O’Neil Normandy Schools Collaborative

Four schools in the Normandy Schools Collaborative were named to the 2018 list of America’s Healthiest Schools by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation for their commitment to students’ health and well-being.

The national achievement celebrates schools that meet or exceed expertrecommended standards set by Healthier Generation’s Healthy Schools Program for serving healthy meals and snacks, getting students moving more throughout the day, offering highquality health and physical education, and empowering school leaders to be healthy role models.

The collaborative, as part of the Healthy Schools Healthy Communities (HSHC) initiative, has worked to create a healthier future for Normandy’s children with grant funding support from the Missouri Foundation for Health and the hard work of students, school leadership, and staff.

The four bronze-award winning schools (and the school wellness champions) from the Collaborative are: Normandy Kindergarten Center (Doretha Pearson), Jefferson Elementary (Arlene Williams), Lucas Crossing Elementary (LaRose Priest), and Barack Obama Elementary (Rosemary Ursin).

“Our entire community — parents, teachers, students, and staff — has united around the importance of creating a healthy school,” said Benetta Ward, school wellness coordinator for the

STROKE

Continued from A16

stroke – drooping on one side of his face and loss of function in one arm.

Arron went by ambulance to Memorial Hospital Belleville. He was quickly helicoptered to St. Louis Children’s Hospital, where a stroke team that included neurologist Kristin Guilliams, M.D., immediately performed a thrombectomy to remove a clot in his brain.

“One of the big arteries in his brain was blocked,” Dr. Guilliams said. “Because of his mom calling for help and the outside hospital’s quick recognition and sending him to us, he was still within a time frame where we could go in and pull out the clot in time.”

Dr. Guilliams said pediatric strokes happen about 4,000 times every year. Unlike strokes in adults, pediatric strokes typically begin with a headache or a seizure.

ROBINSON

Continued from A16

collaborative.

Nineteen Missouri schools received this recognition, out of a total of 461 schools nationwide. All of America’s Healthiest Schools have earned National Healthy Schools Awards. They were selected based on a rigorous set of criteria — from availability of nutritious foods to access to quality physical education opportunities.

“Children can have headaches – in some studies, up to half of children have headaches at the start of their stroke, with the important caveat that they are always followed by stroke symptoms,” Dr. Guilliams said. “And sometimes a seizure can happen at the onset of a stroke, and that is pretty rare for adults.”

They still don’t know exactly what caused Arron’s stroke.

“We didn’t find a specific cause to his stroke,” Dr. Guilliams said. “My suspicion is that it had to do with football practice and an element of dehydration.”

After 10 days in the hospital followed by neurorehabilitation, which he said “kicked his butt,” Arron made a full recovery. Though impressed with the youth’s sheer will for complete and speedy healing, Dr. Guilliams said it was too risky to clear Arron to play football last season. She waited a full year

n “Our entire community — parents, teachers, students, and staff — has united around the importance of creating a healthy school.”

– Benetta

Ward, Normandy Schools Collaborative

“To see that all 19 schools named America’s Healthiest

Schools are part of the Healthy Schools Healthy Communities initiative really demonstrates

FAST signs of a stroke

FAST signs of a stroke require immediate medical attention to save brain function and the lives of persons having a stroke. The symptoms include:

F – Face drooping. Ask the person to smile to see if one side of the face droops

A – Arms. Ask the person to raise both arms. Is one dropping down?

S – Speech. Does the person have slurred speech or difficulty speaking or understanding?

T – Time. Call 911 immediately if you see any of these symptoms. “Time is brain,” said Dr. Kristin Guilliams. “So if they suspect a stroke, call 911.”

before she gave the go-ahead.

“By the next June when I saw him again, he was looking so much better,” Dr. Guilliams said. “He told me he was stronger, leaner and faster than he was before the stroke.”

Arron attributes his recovery to working hard and tough love from his coach, T. J. Manning.

“That man put a lot of work into me,” Arron said.

degree of temperature rise. With 2 degrees they are much, much worse. The obvious solution is to dramatically reduce carbon emissions. The IPCC says that emissions need to decline by at least 40 percent by 2030, and to reach net zero by 2050, if we are to hold warming to one more degree. Yet last year, according to the International Energy Agency, global emissions hit an all-time high. Since 2016, representatives of 195 nations – including all the big emitters – signed on to the landmark Paris agreement calling for systematic emissions reductions beginning in 2020.

But President Trump, who has ignorantly called climate change a “hoax,” withdrew the United States from the pact. Even worse, Trump is trying to increase reliance on coal, which contributes proportionally more to global warming than other fossil fuels.

Arron said his coach would tell him, “Either you had the stroke or the stroke had you.”

Arron plays middle linebacker, although he said his coaches are still taking things slowly with him.

“I’m still here,” Arron said.

“I’m still playing football. So, no matter what the odds are, keep doing what you do, no matter what happens to you.

the power of school districts and community leaders working together to build a healthier future,” said Deidre Griffith, program director, Missouri Foundation for Health.

Students at Lucas Crossing Elementary Complex recently participated in activities to celebrate meeting literacy milestones. Lucas Crossing was one of four schools in Normandy named to the 2018 list of America’s Healthiest Schools by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation.

Brian Weaver, chief program officer at the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, said the Healthy Schools Programs have served over 42,000 schools.

All you have to do is work for it twice as hard as everybody else.”

His father, Arron Whitt Sr., said his son’s recovery is nothing short of a miracle and others are amazed at how hard he works on the field.

“He is in really, really good physical condition,” Whitt said. “At 15 years old, he was at 220, 5’11” but he was solid. But now he’s at 6’1”and he’s about 208 right now. From teammates to parents, when we go to the game they say they never saw anybody work that hard in practice.”

Whitt said Arron is really conscious of what he eats now – with little red meat and more of a Mediterranean-style diet – and the family is more conscious of eating hearthealthy food, air-frying food instead of using a lot of oil.

“Each one recognizes the academic, social and behavioral benefits of prioritizing student health,” Weaver said. Any school can join Healthier Generation’s Healthy Schools Program at no-cost to access trainings, resources and technical assistance by visiting schools.healthiergeneration. org.

Arron is also getting college football inquiries from in-state and out-of-state, but for dad, he stresses academics is number one, although he admits that his son’s passion for football is just amazing.

“When you talk about football, his face lights up,” Whitt said. “I’ve never seen anyone that tenacious about stuff like that.”

A stroke may have sidelined Arron for a while, but it drives his push to stay in the game of life.

“I had to push. I had to work out five times a day to come back to where I was,” Arron said. “That’s not going to the weight room and pumping hard; it’s doing different things, like meditating, exercising my brain, doing everything I can do to compel myself to compete to be better.” Ultimately, he gave credit to even a higher source then his doctor, parents or coach.

“I will never be able to do this without God,” he said.

For more information on minimizing your risk of stroke, visit the American Stroke Association at http://www. strokeassociation.org.

U.S. carbon emissions actually fell slightly in 2017, due to the expansion of the renewable energy sector. But Trump administration policies are designed to reverse that trend; and if they fail to do so, it will be because rest of the world is already moving toward clean energy – a huge economic shift that threatens to leave the United States behind. When you read the IPCC report, you see that what the world really needs is visionary leadership. As the world’s greatest economic power and its second-largest carbon emitter, the United States is uniquely capable of shepherding a global transition to renewable energy. Instead, however, the Trump administration rejects the science of climate change and actively favors dirty energy sources over clean ones. Humanity has no time for such foolishness. “I’m the president of the United States. I’m not the president of the globe,” Trump thundered at a recent rally. On what planet does he think this nation resides?

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

Photo by Bridjes O’Neil

Healthy Kids Kids

If we divide the word, “breakfast” into two words we have BREAK & FAST. To “fast” means to go for a long period of time without eating. By the time morning comes, most of us haven’t eaten for sometimes ten hours or more! Our body needs a nutritious, healthy breakfast to start the new day. Kids who eat a healthy breakfast are better able to focus at school, tend to eat better (healthier) throughout the day and will have

Exercise Challenge:

Nature’s Colors

Helping Others

Now that the weather isn’t so hot, and before it gets really cold outside, take a nature walk around your neighborhood. See how many different kinds of trees you see,

As we approach the holiday season, let’s think of some ways to spread cheer to others this year! (Start planning now!)

> Bake healthy holiday snacks and deliver them to someone who serves the community and has to work on Thanksgiving or Christmas day (police, firemen, nurses, doctors, etc.)

> How about a coat collection at school? Many families cannot afford new

more energy. Try including whole grains, fruits and proteins into your breakfast for a nice healthy start to your day!

Try This: Make your own healthy granola bars or small baggies of trail mix. Many recipes can be found online and having them ready-to-go will make mornings easier!

Learning Standards:

and how many different color leaves. Walk briskly enough to get your heart rate up, but bring a notebook to document your findings. Why is it important to increase your heart rate?

many different colors do you see? Did you find any trees whose leaves weren’t turning or any that have already lost all of its leaves?

Try walking this same route every few days to observe the change in the leaves. How

winter coats this season.

> Make some holiday decorations or cards that could be donated to a local nursing home.

> Collect canned goods for local families to have plenty of food over the holidays.

> What are some other things you could do to make a difference in the lives of others this holiday season?

Learning Standards: HPE 2, NH 2, NH 8

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

CLASSROOM SPOTLIGHT

Hanrahan Elementary School 6th grade teacher

Mr. Ward shows students Carleto Napper, Ma’Riyay Nelson and Arthur Crawley how to use the newspaper’s NIE page to find STEM assignments.

/ St. Louis American

your class for a Classroom Spotlight, please email: nie@stlamerican.com.

SCIENCE STARS

AFRICAN-AMERICAN INVENTOR: Lonnie G. Johnson

Lonnie G. Johnson was born on October 6, 1949, in Mobile, Alabama. His father was a World War II veteran who worked at the local air force base. His mother worked two jobs: in a laundry and as a nurse’s aide. His family picked cotton in the summers. Johnson’s father was a skilled handyman and he taught the children how to build their own toys. Johnson took his sister’s doll apart, hoping to discover what made her eyes move. When he tried to cook rocket fuel, their house caught fire. Yet, there were many successful times, as well. Johnson built a go-kart and a chinaberry shooter. Chinaberries are small yellow berries that grow on trees in the South.

SCIENCE CORNER The Water Cycle !

Water is a very versatile substance. You can find it in three different states: liquid (the form of water you drink), solid (ice cubes are water in a solid form), and gas (fog, mist are examples). The water cycle is made of six processes: condensation, infiltration, runoff, evaporation, precipitation, and transpiration. Condensation—when a gas is changed into a liquid. Infiltration—rain water soaks in the ground through soil and rock layers.

rivers, ponds, and lakes. It returns to the earth as precipitation, such as rain or snow.

Evaporation—the process where a water changes from liquid to gas.

Precipitation—rain, sleet, snow, or hail that falls to the earth.

Transpiration—the process of evaporation of water as it passes through the roots, plant leaves, and into the atmosphere.

For More Information, Visit: http://www.ducksters.com/science/water.php.

Teachers, here is a resource just for you: http://nie.jonesmedia.biz/doc/dpa/water_works_final.pdf.

Johnson attended Williamson High School, during a period of segregation. His idol was George Washington Carver, and he wanted to be an inventor. His teachers encouraged him to settle for being a technician. However, Johnson persevered and followed his passion for inventing. His friends gave him the nickname of “Professor” when he built an air-powered robot and represented his high school at the state level science fair. Johnson received a scholarship to attend Tuskegee University. In 1973, he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. Two years later, he earned his master’s degree in nuclear engineering.

Upon graduation, Johnson joined the Air Force as a systems engineer who worked with space shuttle missions. He was a part of the Strategic Air Command. Yet, he still continued inventing. He wanted to create an environmental heat pump that used water instead of Freon. In 1982, the prototype was complete and he decided to test it out in his bathroom.

Runoff—water runs off the land’s surface and into streams,

SCIENCE INVESTIGATION

In this activity, you will observe the movement of water as it travels through capillaries, in this experiment, the fibers of the paper towel. This is similar to the process where moisture travels from the roots to the rest of a plant.

Materials Needed:

• A Glass of Water

• An Empty Glass • Paper Towels

Process:

q Twist the paper towel to form a wick. The wick should be long enough to reach between the two glasses.

In this activity, you will practice converting liquid measurements. Remember, there are 8 ounces in a cup, there are 2 cups in a pint, there are 2 pints in a quart, and there are 4 quarts in a gallon. Using those standards as a guide, answer the following questions.

_________ pints = 2 gallons

_________ quarts = 10 pints

_________ gallons = 3 quarts

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

w Place one end of the paper towel in the glass that is empty and one end in the glass that is filled with water.

e Observe the transfer of water. This will take a long time. Record your observations every 10-15 minutes.

Reflect: Describe the process that you observed as the water traveled from one glass to the next.

Learning Standards: I can follow sequential directions to complete an experiment. I can reflect on the results.

When he aimed the nozzle at the bathtub and a very powerful stream of water blasted out, he knew he had inadvertently created the perfect toy. He tweaked the design and seven years later, the Super Soaker was available to the public. It has been ranked in the World’s Top 20 Toys every year since then.

Inspired by the success, Johnson started a company: Johnson Research and Development. His company has received 100 patents, including those for the ceramic battery, hair rollers, and the Johnson thermoelectric energy converter. In 2008, Johnson received the Breakthrough Award from Popular Mechanics. In 2011, he was inducted into the State Hall of Fame for Alabama’s engineers.

Learning Standards: I can read and comprehend a biography about a person who has contributed to the fields of science, technology, and math. _________

Learning Standards: I

MAP CORNER

Use the newspaper to complete these activities to help you prepare for the MAP test.

Activity One —

Create Your Version of the Story: Choose one news or feature story and identify the main idea. What opinions, predictions or conclusions can you draw from the story? After reading, create an outline, web or other graphic organizer for the story.

Activity Two — Write a Sports Story With Flair: Sports articles often have great examples of vivid, figurative language. Review a story from the Sports section with a partner and find that kind of writing. Underline descriptive words or phrases. Discuss why use of vibrant language is important in writing. Next, write your own descriptive paragraph about another sports event.

Learning Standards:

I can read to identify main idea. I can make predictions and draw conclusions. I can identify figurative language and use it to create descriptive writing.

Teachers, if you are using the St. Louis American’s NIE program and would like to nominate

Photo: Wiley Price

Business

has decorated nearly 4,000 events in her 30 years of

decorating and planning business.

‘Partnerships are everything’

Jeanetta Hawkins is one of two Entrepreneurs of the Year

By Rebecca Rivas

Of The St. Louis American

Jeanetta Hawkins has decorated nearly 4,000 events in her 30 years of running her event decorating and planning business called Personal Touches by Jeanetta, Inc.

Yet last October, she found herself in the middle of an event-planning horror story. But this time as the bride. Two weeks before her wedding, an employee from the venue called and told her the space had been double-booked. She had two weeks to find a new space.

n Jeanetta Hawkins gets her inspiration for colors by going to the St. Louis Zoo and looking at nature: “I love to see how God himself put those colors together.”

“Yes, my professionalism did kick in,” Hawkins said. “This is how it kicked in: I cried.”

She picked up the phone and called one of her event partners, the Platinum Group, who then worked with another event partner to quickly help her tour about 50 venues and then negotiate a contract. She and her husband, Nolon Hawkins, ended up having a beautiful wedding at the Sheldon Concert Hall.

“It was my industry partners that came together and helped me,” she said. “At that time, I was not CEO of Personal Touches. I was [bride-to-be] Jeanetta Hill in turmoil, and they came to my rescue.”

For Hawkins, the experience reinforced the

powerful network and support system she and other entrepreneurs have built together to help each other succeed.

“Partnerships are everything,” Hawkins said. “Everything.”

On Friday, November 30, Hawkins will receive one of two 2018 Entrepreneur of the Year Awards at the 19th annual St. Louis

See HAWKINS, B2

Nov. 15 deadline for innovative young people to apply for $5K grants

Young people between the ages of 16 and 25 have until November 15 to apply for up to $5,000 in grants from the Hunter Brooks Memorial Fund. These grants are not scholarships for academic studies, but rather direct financial support to assist innovative young people in bringing their ideas and projects to fruition. Grant applicants do not have to be enrolled in school, but simply have to explain through the grant application why funding is needed to move their project forward. In recent grant cycles the fund helped finance new internet projects, recording studio updates, expansion of online businesses, and

several music and performance projects. The fund was created in honor of Hunter Brooks Watson, a young McLean, Virginia resident who died as a passenger in a car crash in the spring of 2016, just before he was to enter his junior year at Syracuse University. He had already reached high levels of success in a variety of areas, including music, performing, starting a business, and as a computer technology major at Syracuse. There is no cost or obligation to apply. For more information or to apply, visit hunterwatson.org/grants.

People On The Move

Steve Cousins was selected to join the advisory board of the Hutchins Center for African & African American Research at Harvard University. Cousins is a St. Louis Financial and Real Estate Services partner at Armstrong Teasdale with a national practice and reputation in the areas of bankruptcy, reorganization and restructuring.

Nonyameko H. Waddell joined KWAME Building Group as vice president, bringing construction management, legal and real estate development experience to the position. She will oversee Kwame’s healthcare and higher education construction management projects and will lead the firm’s preconstruction services. She holds a Juris Doctorate from John Marshall Law School and a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from Southern Polytechnic State University.

Michael Jamison received 95 percent of the votes from the 20 members of the Missouri Judicial Performance Review Committee that he meets overall judicial performance standards. He is circuit judge on Missouri’s 21st Circuit Court, which covers the St. Louis County. Appointed to the bench in 2015 via the Missouri Non-Partisan Court Plan, he will stand for retention on the November 6 ballot.

Christina Dancy joined Midwest BankCentre as assistant vice president and leader of the bank’s Pagedale branch. As branch leader, she cultivates relationships with new and existing customers, fosters a positive work environment and focuses on branch growth. Previously she was assistant vice president at U.S. Bank Community Development Corporation.

Ronald Wagner received an Alumni Merit Award presented from Southeast Missouri State University’s Alumni Association. He has served as a faculty member at Eastern Kentucky University, University of Arkansas and University of Tennessee at Martin. He currently serves as a tenured associate professor at California University of Pennsylvania, where he combines his passion for exercise science and educational technology by teaching in the online exercise science graduate program. He resides in Ferguson.

Stephanie Monroe

Stephanie Monroe was promoted to director of Specialty Market Sales at Explore St. Louis to lead a team in the areas of sporting events, religious conferences, fraternal organizations and military meetings. She joined Explore St. Louis in 2007 as National Convention Sales manager and has been responsible for booking some of St. Louis’ largest events. Explore St. Louis is planning an $175 million enhancement of the America’s Center Convention Complex.

On the move? Congratulations! Send your good

Nonyameko H. Waddell

Ronald Wagner

Christina Dancy

Steve Cousins

Michael Jamison

Jeanetta Hawkins

running Personal Touches by Jeanetta, Inc., an event

Photo by Rebecca Rivas

Cortex hosts EdHub STL to spur innovation and equity in education

Answers Ferguson Commission’s call for ‘inclusive, collaborative, multi-disciplined education environment’

By Chris King Of The St. Louis American

The Ferguson Commission called for action, and Sherita Love is now taking action through EdHub STL.

In its report, the commission called for the creation of an “innovative education center/ hub” that would build “an inclusive, collaborative, and multi-disciplined education environment focused on leading our region into the 21st century from early childhood to post-secondary.”

This hub, according to the report, should engage “a broad and diverse constituency including but not limited to school district leaders representing low-income districts, engaged citizens,

Schnuck Markets is joining forces with Mathews-Dickey Boys’ & Girls’ Club to host a hiring fair for job seekers ages 16-18 who are interested in part-time employment with Schnucks. The hiring fair will take place at the nonprofit’s North St. Louis facility, 4245 North Kingshighway Blvd.,

HAWKINS

continued from page B1

American Foundation’s Salute to Excellence in Business

innovators/entrepreneurs, youth, low-income parents with school-aged youth, colleges and universities, nonprofits, businesses and the philanthropic community.”

Love and EdHub STL, based in the Venture Café at Cortex Innovation community, is working on it, in partnership with SkipNV, another local project focusing on equity in education.

“We are implementing this call to action by leveraging the Venture Café platform of connecting innovators with the systems-thinking strategy of SkipNV to create a physical and intellectual space for everyone – regardless of where you fall in the educational landscape – to experiment, collaborate, and innovate,”

Love wrote to announce the launch of EdHub STL on August 30 at one of the Venture Café’s Thursday evening gatherings.

That launch at the Venture Café drew a crowd of more than 720 people from across the region and country. Now Love is planning outreach events to connect with 250 educators around the St. Louis metropolitan area in an effort to “build an inclusive, collaborative, and multi-disciplined community of practice to creatively solve our region’s most entrenched educational challenges.”

Saras Chung, executive

director of SkipNV, holds a master degree and Ph.D in social work from Washington University’s George Warren Brown School of Social Work. She works to improve equity in education through what she calls “systems change.” As she wrote in HuffPost, “The beauty about systems is that the same structure that creates undesirable events is the basis for which great ones can be established.” She views EdHub STL as a partner in effecting positive systems change.

“EdHub STL will not be the antidote to educational disparities – people must do

that work,” Chung said. “What it will do is give people the place and intellectual space to get people friendly with one another, share good ideas, and create new ones so the work will be deeper, more complete, and easier to get done.”

Love is actively recruiting educators to get involved.

She aims for EdHub STL to provide on-site programs with scholarships, transportation stipends, and a meal for each session so that students will have no barriers to entry. There is no application process for schools or educators to become involved. Interested educational institutions and personnel should contact Love, and she will provide all the necessary information to get started. All you need, she said, is

Schnucks hosts hiring fair at Mathews-Dickey

from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, October 20.

Schnucks Talent Acquisition representatives will be conducting on-the-spot job interviews and will make sameday job offers to qualified applicants. Schnucks is looking to fill roles that focus primarily on customer service.

Awards & Networking Luncheon. One of Hawkins’ close partners – Debra Owens, president and CEO of Premiere Production Choice – will also receive a 2018 Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

No experience is required, and training will be provided. Many of the company’s current managers started with the company in part-time roles when they were teens.

“Our flexible schedules allow students to determine when they’re available to work so that they can prioritize their

Ever since Hawkins began her family-run business, she has never really had to start at the “bottom,” she said. Before starting her business, she was working as a high school recruiter and then began

academics and school activities first,” said Schnucks Talent Acquisition Manager Jennifer Richert.

In addition to flexible schedules, Schnucks offers opportunities for advancement at dozens of area stores, making it easy to find a location that is located near

decorating prom events. That’s how she got her first inquiries.

Her first project was working with FleishmanHillard, the largest public relations firm in the country, on designing the grand openings of MetroLink stations. The firm then hired her to decorate the kick-off rally when the St. Louis Rams came to town.

Weddings and receptions make up about 10 percent of her business, and the other 90 percent is working with corporate clients and non-for profit organizations to design a variety of events, from CD release parties to galas.

“I admire Jeanetta mostly for listening and understanding my requirements, keeping me informed every step of the way, taking ownership of the events she produces, and adding that personal touch to take it over the top,” said Carl L. Anderson, a retired corporate event planner at The Boeing Company.

Hawkins gets her inspiration for colors by going to the St. Louis Zoo and looking at nature. She can spend hours watching the birds and their exotic color schemes.

“I love to see how God himself put those colors together,” Hawkins said.

“Then I take those palettes, and I come back and I start creating and designing for my clients. All of what I see

on Saturday

potential job seekers’ homes/ schools. After a qualifying period, the company also offers health benefits and an employee discount.

to share her vision: “to find a way to expand innovation into education, all the while promoting diversity and inclusion.”

Love’s commitment to this work goes back further than the Ferguson Commission report to the tragic incident that ultimately generated the report.

“When Michael Brown was killed on August 9, 2014,” she wrote, “I made a commitment to use my voice and platform as an educator to make a difference for students in St Louis. My work in education equity took on a different meaning after that day.”

For more information or to get involved, email Sherita Love at sherita@vencafstl.org.

Teens planning to attend the hiring fair are encouraged to visit www.schnucks.com/ careers and click “Apply Now” to complete an online application for a role that suits their needs. Applicants should also bring identification and arrive prepared for a job interview. No appointment is necessary but interested applicants can RSVP at tinyurl. com/youthjobsmd.

in nature, I bring it into the ballrooms and that’s how we transform spaces. And I think that’s one of the things that separates us from our competition.”

have to believe in yourself to make decisions and be a visionary.

n “Partnerships are everything. Everything.”

– Jeanetta Hawkins

Hawkins was born and raised in Detroit, but she moved to East St. Louis while in high school. She was raised by a foster family, after being separated from her other four siblings, including a twin brother.

“My foster family loved me the best way that they could,” she said, “and I was told over and over again that I’m going to be nothing and I’m going to be like my mother.”

She grew up with a sense of insecurity and low self-worth, she said.

“My friends and my family helped to pour back into me confidence, self-worth, independence and decisionmaking,” she said. “I believe that that was a gift, so I’m not looking for any sympathy. That was my gift. Never would I have ever imagined that one day I would be a boss.”

As a boss, you have to have confidence, she said, and you

“That provoked me to be the woman that I am today,” she said. “What I want people to understand is your beginning does not have to define your end.” Hawkins has sat in the audience every year at the last 19 Salute to Excellence in Business events, she said, and she has heard that message over and over from other entrepreneurs and business leaders.

“I watched the very first recipient of this award,” she said, “and I was so inspired. And I said, ‘Maybe one day that’ll be me,’ and I am happy to say that this is that day.” For more information, visit http://www. personaltouchesbyjeanettaintl. com

The 19th Annual Salute to Excellence in Business Awards & Networking Luncheon will be held Friday, November 30 at the RitzCarlton Hotel St. Louis, 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.

Sherita Love

n “We lost, but I‘ve got a beautiful wife to go home to, boy. I’m going to try to make some babies.”

— Oakland Raiders defensive end Bruce Irvin, after a loss last Sunday

Sports

PreP FooTball noTebook

With Earl Austin Jr.

Paving way to the playoffs

Three teams enter final week undefeated

The final week of the regular season is at hand and teams are still battling for conference championships and seeding position for the district playoffs, which will begin next week.

There are still three teams left with undefeated records with a chance to go through the regular season unblemished. Ladue, Cardinal Ritter and Highland are all 8-0 heading into the final weekend of the regular season. Cardinal Ritter will visit Belleville Althoff; Highland will host Charleston (Illinois) while Ladue visits Kirkwood in what should be an excellent matchup. All of those games are on Friday night.

Trinity hits the road

The Trinity Titans conclude their regular season on the road with a visit to Cincinnati LaSalle on Friday night in Ohio. This will be the second team from St. Louis that LaSalle is hosting this season. The Lancers defeated Lutheran North 13-12 on September 7.

After dropping its first two games on national power Colquitt County (Georgia) and local powerhouse East St. Louis, the Titans have been on a roll with six consecutive victories. During that streak, Trinity is averaging 57 points a game during its current winning streak with big plays coming from all over its star-studded roster.

Roosevelt completes PHL turnaround

The Roosevelt Roughriders were 1-9 last season and finished at the bottom of the Public High League standings. Just one year

Ishmael’s NBA (Sorta) Preseason Awards Picks

The start of NBA season reminds me of a popular Christmas song by Andy Williams: “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.”

The 2018-19 season kicked off Tuesday night with two games featuring the two leading NBA championship contenders. First, the Eastern Conference favorite Boston Celtics faced off against the Philadelphia 76ers. Behind Jayson Tatum’s brilliant 23-point, 9-rebound performance, the Celtics spanked the 76ers 10587. In the second game, the defending champs opened the season with a ring ceremony and a win. The Golden State Warriors earned a 108100 victory over the Russell Westbrook-less Oklahoma City Thunder. Steph Curry lead the Warriors with 32 points, 8 rebounds and 9 assists.

whelming favorites to battle it out for the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy in June, it’s open season on the individual awards. Big-name players such as LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard have switched zip codes. Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward are back on the court after suffering serious injuries. Who knows where Jimmy Butler and other tradeable superstars will land? Since players have been moving around the league like musical chairs, I’ve decided to put a little poetry in motion in this week’s column. I’ll be unveiling my (not-quite) preseason awards predictions via Haikus. Let’s start with an easy one.

MVP Greece to Milwaukee, First-time MVP will be, Antetokounmpo.

Though the Warriors and Celtics are considered over-

to no surprise, I’m picking Giannis Antetokounmpo as the

Earl Austin Jr.

Ishmael H. Sistrunk

Vashon’s Tyreil Robinson (51) tries to step between Keshawn Hart (15) and Sumner’s Promise Copper (54) to make a block during Saturday’s homecoming game at Sumner. The Wolverines of Vashon went on to defeat the Bulldogs 24-20.

With King James in Los Angeles, Giannis Antetokounmpo is ready to feast in the East. He will lead the Bucks to a Top 3 finish in the East and earn his first NBA MVP Award.

Photo by Wiley Price

SportS EyE

With Alvin A. Reid

I’m all in on MLS team but still worry other soccer shoe might fall

All systems seem to be a “go” with the Taylor family and World Wide Technology CEO Jim Kavanaugh backing a plan to construct a soccer stadium in the city of St. Louis and lure an expansion Major League Soccer franchise.

I’d check out a game or two each season, even though I’m not a soccer fan. I’m sure there are thousands of regional residents who feel the same. We have no personal soccer history, and only pay attention during the World Cup and Olympics.

It would be cool to have a team and a bit of a coup for St. Louis to land one.

The financial package seems solid, if indeed city residents will not have to fork over any type of public subsidy. If on-site taxes on tickets, food, beverages and haberdashery cover the cost of construction, it’s all good.

some type of shenanigans that benefits the few and not the masses. I have come to expect to learn that somebody, somewhere is getting over on the populace. When it comes to light – if it comes to light – we’ll act surprised, but we really aren’t.

I am not throwing shade on Carolyn Kindle Betz, the late Jack Taylor’s granddaughter, her philanthropic family or Kavanaugh.

Their pursuit of a soccer franchise is genuine. Their determination to help the struggling city improve its stature and image is proven – millions of times over.

I can live with a city agency owning the site, giving team owners a property tax break and leasing it to the group. The state legislature approving state tax credits and the city waiving the 5 percent ticket tax certainly aren’t deal breakers.

However:

Former Mayor Francis Slay, Mayor Lyda Krewson, Board of Aldermen President Lewis Reed, County Executive Steve Stenger, Jeff “Rasputin” Rainford and the ever-present powers-thatbe in the respective St. Louis business, labor and political communities have made me a modern-day Pavlov’s dog. Instead of expecting food when a bell rings, I expect

But I don’t trust the predators that lurk in the dark. We can’t see them, but we know they are always there. I’m willing to give my personal stamp of approval to this grand mission, but it can’t come until the entire proposal is on paper and we all see who gets what and why.

Let’s start with minority participation. This is a must on construction of the stadium and employment at the stadium once it is operational. Not “suggested goals” or “we’d like to see.” How about guaranteed minority construction jobs, use of minority-owned firms and other employment opportunities for minorities? If benchmarks aren’t met, financial penalties should be levied against contractors and/or labor unions.

Kavanaugh, co-founder and CEO

If St. Louis is as crazy about landing an MLS franchise as I’ve been reading, all parties involved should be willing to approve these workforce requirements.

Soccer franchise to St. Louis last week.

I trust the Taylors. Heck, I even trust Kavanaugh.

He was part of the strutting peacock group that said the region would never acquire an MLS team if city voters did not approve a wacky plan to fund a $250-million stadium. The voters said no, yet here we are with a viable chance to get a team without a massive city handout.

Funny how that worked out.

The devil is in the details.

I hope there isn’t hell to pay to appease those who seek to reap reward for the prospective owners’ dream of bringing a MLS team to the city.

Weight it out

Our own Bradley Beal of the Washington Wizards admitted to the Washington Post this week that he was carrying around an extra 20 pounds during the latter stages of the season and playoffs last year.

He and girlfriend Kamiah

Adams were expecting their first child and he experienced the “sympathy weight” syndrome.

Before the birth of Bradley “Deuce” Beal II, Beal confessed, “Yes, I struggled with (weight) last year at the end of the year.”

When she had cravings, like many expectant fathers, he would eat too.

“Oh, pizza. It was always late-night pizza for me,” Beal said. “It was just pizza and ice cream. That’s all we ate – pizza and ice cream, pizza and ice cream.”

The 20 pounds didn’t slow Beal down too much. He had the best statistical season of his career and made the Eastern Conference All-Star Team.

Beal, 25, also shared financial thoughts with FORBES recently, and it’s a story that young athletes –especially black ones – should heed.

He has a financial agent to help him weed out the many investment and business proposals he receives.

They include “people who have invented things or believe or thinks that their product is going to take off,” he said.

Now in the third year of his five-year $135 million contract, Beal recently invested with Muzik Headphones. The company raised $70 million in May from investors including Michael Jordan Drake

Kevin Hart and Kering –which owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Balenciaga.

With a new son, Beal said investing to secure his future imperative.

“Because as NBA players, we’re known to go broke. We’re known to not have our money when we’re done playing,” he said.

There is an investment opportunity that Beal didn’t go for that haunts him, though.

“One product I was mad I didn’t do is BodyArmor,” Beal told FORBES. “BodyArmor came to me right as soon as they were under the radar.”

Kobe Bryant made a $6 million investment in BodyArmor in March 2014. In August, Coca-Cola announced it was buying a minority stake in the firm and Bryant’s initial investment is worth an estimated $200 million, ESPN reported.

“BodyArmor takes off and Kobe makes however much he makes off that little investment. That was one that kinda bit me in the butt,” Beal said.

Basketball wise, the Wizards opened the 2018 season at home against the Miami Heat on Thursday night.

A consensus of sports books projects that Washington will win 44.5 games and finish sixth in the East.

Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics are favored to win the East and take on the

Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals.

The Reid roundup City voters knew exactly what they were doing when they shot down the notion of funding a soccer stadium. Too many sports media members are still saying that was an unwise decision and that voters “didn’t understand.” … So much for the demise of the NFL on TV. Last Sunday night’s game between the Kansas City Chiefs and host New England Patriots drew a whopping 14.4 rating. The ALCS game between the Houston Astros and Boston Red Sox, which was being contested during the ChiefsPatriots game, compiled a 4.1 rating. … After a shaky first half, Patrick Mahomes almost led the Chiefs to a road victory over the vaunted Patriots. He proved in the 43-40 loss that he and his team are a force to truly be reckoned with – now if they only had a defense … I said on the Charlie Tuna Show that Missouri would cover the 28.5-point spread against Alabama. The Tigers lost by 29, 39-10. That’s why they call it gambling … His contract would set the St.

just four days after being appointed to the post. She was under fire from Olympians Simone Biles and Aly Raisman and calls were growing for her to step down. Raisman wonders how Bono could be hired after she worked for a law firm that allegedly covered up the investigation of convicted serial sexual abuser Dr. Larry Nassar – even as he continued to abuse Raisman and other women. Biles is livid because Bono, a former GOP congresswoman, was critical of Nike’s ad featuring Colin Kaepernick and tweeted a photo of her darkening a swoosh stripe on a pair of her golf shoes. Last week, she took down the post and apologized. Biles is a Nike representative. Lewis Hamilton can secure his fifth Formula 1 driver’s championship with a checkered flag in Austin, Texas on Sunday. The black English man has won four consecutive races, including last week’s Grand Prix of Japan. Alvin A. Reid was honored as the 2017 “Best Sports Columnist – Weeklies” in the Missouri Press Association’s Better Newspaper Contest and is a New York Times contributor. He is a panelist on the Nine Network program, Donnybrook, a weekly contributor to “The Charlie Tuna Show” on KFNS and appears monthly on “The Dave Glover Show” on 97.1 Talk.” His Twitter handle is @aareid1.

Alvin A. Reid

Jim

of World Wide Technology, and members of the Taylor family from Enterprise Rent-A-Car announced a new proposal to bring a Major League

Soldan honors ’78 champs

The 1978 Soldan Tigers football team was honored at halftime of last Saturday’s Soldan-Lift for Life game. It was the 40th anniversary of the Tigers Public High League championship season.

CLUTCH

Continued from C7

James, Anthony Davis and Kevin Durant as the regular-season MVP.

Defensive Player of the Year No more Boogie nights, Blocks leader a season ago, It’s Brow or never.

Figured it out? This season’s Defensive Player of the Year will be none other than Anthony Davis of the New Orleans Pelicans. Last season, Davis finished first in blocks (2.6 bpg), fifth in rebounds (11.1 rpg) and 15th in steals (1.5 spg).

Compare that to the Utah Jazz’s Rudy Gobert, the 201718 DPOY who averaged 2.3

PREP

Continued from C7

later, Roosevelt is now the new PHL champion. The Roughriders defeated Miller Career Academy 54-36 last Friday night to win their first PHL championship since 2006. Career Academy, the PHL champions from last season, defeated Roosevelt 43-14 in last season’s meeting.

The Roughriders’ trio of sophomore quarterback Tabraon Neal, senior receiver Terrell Cannamore and junior cornerback Darrius Jackson all had big performances. Neal scored three rushing touchdowns and threw three touchdown passes. Cannamore caught three passes for 140 yards and two touchdowns while Jackson had three inter-

blocks, 10.7 rebounds and 0.8 steals per game. Plus, Gobert only played in 56 games last season.

Davis made a good case to have been named DPOY last year. He blocks more shots and defends more positions than Gobert. However, the NBA is often a year behind in giving breakout players their due in awards season. Davis will surely get the nod this year.

Rookie of the Year

All eyes on Ayton. Yes, Luca was a pro, but Sac-Town won’t back down.

Many sportswriters are picking either the Suns’ Deandre Ayton or the Mavs’ Luca Doncic to walk away with the Rookie of the Year honors. Both players are excellent talents and will sure-

ceptions to add to his area-leading total to 13. He scored on a 48-yard interception return and a 68-yard pass reception.

Cahokia takes South Seven title

The Cahokia Comanches clinched the championship of the South Seven Conference with a 33-6 victory over Belleville Althoff last Friday night. The Comanches are currently 7-1 with their only loss coming to Cardinal Ritter in a very competitive game at the Gateway Scholars Classic in East St. Louis on Sept. 8. Cahokia is led by quarterback Malik Shaw, who has passed for 1,067 yards and six touchdowns while rushing for 444 yards and five touchdowns. The top runner is Vincent Perry, who has rushed for 837 yards and five touchdowns.

ly develop into Hall of Fame caliber players down the line. But the ROY award often has as much to do with opportunity as talent.

In Ayton’s case, Devin Booker will take away some of the No. 1 pick’s shine. For Doncic, Dennis Smith Jr. will likely have a breakout year and Harrison Barnes and DeAndre Jordan will need to eat also.

However, for the Sacramento King’s Marvin Bagley III, the show is all his. Sure, Buddy Hield will jack up a ton of shots, but I expect the Kings to build around Bagley. He can finish anywhere around the basket and has a solid jumper. Plus, the Suns’ young stars always find a way to get hurt, meaning Ayton will likely find a way to miss at least 20 games.

Sixth Man of the Year

Receivers Cortez Brown Jr. and Le’Vauntez Conway have dome most of the damage through the air. On defense, linebacker Shamon Hudson has a team-high seven quarterback sacks.

Luther’s big surge

Cardinal Ritter College Prep freshman Luther Burden has enjoyed an excellent month of production for the Lions. He has been on a tear in his last three games. On Sept. 21, he caught five passes for 178 yards and two touchdowns in a victory over Father Tolton. On Sept. 28, he caught five passes for 170 yards and a touchdown in a win over St. Mary’s. Last Saturday afternoon, Burden had seven receptions for 167 yards and two touchdowns against McCluer South-Berkeley. In-between football games,

Thank you LeBron James, For absconding the spotlight. Now I can shine bright.

A combination of the bright lights in Los Angeles and the loud mouth of his pops left Lonzo Ball in a tough situation last season. The then-rookie point guard constantly had a target on his back, a camera in his face and a broke jumper in his tool belt.

With James in L.A., all the pressure will be lifted off the elder Ball boy’s back. Lakers’ coach Luke Walton has decided to start Rajon Rondo at point guard in order to allow Ball to continue his development and provide a spark off the bench. Ball will thrive off the bench in L.A. Despite his broken jump shot, he was a nightly triple-double threat as a rookie. With a full offseason under his belt, his jumper should improve. With Rondo and

Burden travelled to Colorado Springs to participate in the USA Basketball Fall Training Camp the weekend of Oct. 5-6.

On Tap this Weekend

Friday, October 12

Ladue (8-0) at Kirkwood (5-2), 7 p.m.

East St. Louis (6-2) at Alton (5-3), 7 p.m. Chaminade (5-3) at Lutheran North (5-3), 7 p.m. Trinity (6-2) at Cincinnati LaSalle, 7 p.m. Lift for Life (7-1) at Winfield (6-2), 7 p.m. Pattonville (6-2) at Ritenour (4-4), 7 p.m. Rock Bridge (6-2) at Francis Howell (6-2), 7 p.m.

Saturday, October 12

Hazelwood West (5-3) at Hazelwood East (6-2), 1 p.m.

James serving as the primary ball handlers, his looks at the basket should also improve exponentially. The only way he won’t win this award is if he supplants Rondo as the starter.

Coach of the Year Sorry Coach Casey, Last year was grand larceny. It’s Boston. Mark it.

No disrespect to Dwane Casey. He’s an excellent coach. But the best coach in the NBA is Brad Stevens Casey won the Coach of the Year award based on the Toronto Raptors’ surprise

first-place finish during the regular-season in the East. However, the Celtics finished second despite losing two AllStars to injury. Stevens has been the best coach in the NBA for a few years and he has nothing to show for it. Yes, even better than Gregg Poppovich. It was remarkably petty last season that he received zero votes from the coaches. Now, with a stacked (and healthy) squad and a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals on his resume, there’s no way Stevens can be denied again.

Follow Ishmael and In the Clutch on Twitter @ishcreates.

The senior running back had a record-setting performance in a victory over Farmington last Friday night.

Azubuike rushed for 370 yards on 15 carries in the Crusaders 56-27 victory. He scored on runs of 63, 47, 50, 1 and 70 yards. He averaged a whopping 24.6 yards per carry in the game.

He also had six tackles from his linebacker position on defense. For the season, Azubuike has rushed for 1,113 yards and 16 touchdowns while averaging 10 yards per carry.

Lutheran North (5-3) will host Chaminade on Friday night in the regular season finale.

Worknet recognized for helping people with disabilities find work

Larry Brown, board chairman of Worknet, receiving an award from Tom Chulick, president and CEO of the St. Louis Regional Chamber of Commerce, for the minority-owned firm’s work in assisting people with disabilities find adequate and satisfactory employment.

Since 1947, the U.S. Department of Labor has designated October as a month for employers to give special attention to the benefits of hiring people with disabilities who are interested in working, and who can do the job.

Financial Focus

By Aaron Ezell

Take

to boost your retirement security

The Regional Chamber of Commerce throughout the month of October is also encouraging its business membership and other area employers to consider the tremendous opportunities and benefits associated with the employment of persons with disabilities who are interested and able to work.

Employers may contact Worknet, Inc. at 314621-6300 with job opportunities or for more information about benefits associated with hiring people with disabilities.

Public meeting on resources for small businesses in Metro East

The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and the Greater East Saint Louis Business Development Association (GEBDA) will bring local small business and government together in an open dialogue from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26. The event is set for SIUE’s East St. Louis Higher Education Campus, Building D Multipurpose Rooms 1006-1008. The event is open to all business owners regionally, particularly St. Clair County and the East St. Louis community. It will focus on a variety of general issues concerning resources and opportunities for small business growth and development in Illinois, including Opportunity Zones. For more information, contact Jo Ann Di Maggio May at gdimagg@ siue.edu. Registration is available online at https://conta.cc/2MSitep.

Photo by Maurice Meredith

The sky is the limit

A purple symphony

100-plus local high school students were part of inaugural Girls in Aviation Day

By American Staff

More than 100 young women from 15 bi-state area high schools learned about future careers in aviation as they participated in the first-ever Girls in Aviation Day on October 12 at St. Louis Downtown Airport in Cahokia, Illinois. The teenagers, grades 9 through 12, flew planes in hightech simulators and climbed into the cockpits of various aircraft for an overview of the instrumentation. Saint Louis University’s Parks College of Engineering, Aviation and Technology, in partnership with Women in Aviation International (WAI), hosted the first of what they now hope will be an annual event at the airport – which is located near downtown St. Louis.

n The goal of events like Girls in Aviation is to introduce more young women to the field of aviation, where there is currently tremendous demand for pilots, engineers and various other positions.

“This is our first time really introducing these young students to potential careers in aviation in this interactive way,” said Stephen Magoc, chair of the department of Aviation Science at Parks College of Engineering, Aviation and Technology. In addition to the hands-on activities, the event featured a career expo, where the students had the opportunity to talk with representatives from more than a dozen companies and organizations in the aviation industry about various job opportunities and the paths to take to secure those types of positions.

AeroNav Data, Republic Airline, Cirrus Aircraft, Ideal Aviation, Take Flight Girls, Inc, The United States Air Force, The Greater St. Louis Business Aviation Association and AVMATS were among the companies and organizations participating.

Makayla Best, 16, a junior at O’Fallon Township High School, was among the first to get time in one of the flight simulators. She

See LIMIT, C4

‘4U’ tribute show gives Prince music an enjoyable orchestral makeover

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

It’s safe to say that the audience who filed into The Fox Theatre Sunday night was (rightfully) sold on the idea that Prince was a musical genius. Even still, giving the late music star’s catalog a treatment usually reserved for the greats of classical music was a fitting illustration. “4U: A Symphonic Celebration of Prince” added a layer of appreciation to his gift as a master whose work transcends genres and generations – much like the composers commonly played by an orchestra.

Curated by Amir “Questlove” Thompson of The Roots, he offered a pre-recorded introduction for the show that featured a local orchestra conducted by New York’s James Olmstead.

“Sit back and relax and let’s go on a journey, a purple journey, with the man we call Prince,” Questlove said.

The show also featured a handful of musicians that travel with the show, including violin soloist and de facto vocalist (for the sake of this show) Ginny Luke – who served more in a hype woman capacity than a songstress.

For nearly all of “4U,” the strings and woodwinds were mostly

responsible for the melodies that made Prince a music

Questlove said that the first half of the show would feature “favorite gems,” from iconic catalog, while the second half would be all about the hits.

Kicking off with the song for which the show is named, “4U” was a multimedia experience that also featured rarely seen images and artifacts flashed across the huge screens. Pictures of a teen Prince with his freckle-faced friend, that, upon closer inspection, turned out to be a boyish Morris Day.

The adolescent pair teamed up to make musical history – and to develop a sound that would make their native Minnesota a music epicenter of sorts.

Handwritten song lyrics for what became pop culture classics displayed his beautiful penmanship. It was a touching glimpse into the man who became a cultural phenomenon on his own terms by way of fearlessness, authenticity, ambiguity and unparalleled talent. His untimely death in 2016 created one of the biggest voids in modern music history.

Early in the show, the audience listened to audio footage of Dick Clark

See PRINCE, C4

How ‘The Hate U Give’

is harmful

Well-meaning drama fosters misunderstanding and

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

At its closest parallels to Ferguson, director George Tillman Jr.’s “The Hate U Give” is a dramatization of nonstop, boiled down sizzle clips by national media that descended on the unassuming St. Louis county municipality as the community responded to the death of unarmed teen Michael Brown.

The panoramic shots leading to the culmination of righteous anger as residents of the fictional Garden Heights take to the streets in protest, bear an uncanny resemblance to downtown Ferguson. Even some of the police cars

stereotypes

appear inspired by the St. Louis County standard vehicles.

Not much else about the film adaptation of the bestselling young adult fiction novel of the same name by Angie Thomas echoes the movement that captured the world’s attention – and is still impacting the St. Louis region more than four years later. A series of irresponsible dramatic liberties by screenwriter Audrey Wells stifles the film’s potential of providing a springboard for necessary conversations on race and the reality of police violence against people of

Marisa Warren, 17, a senior at Incarnate Word, in the cockpit of a Cirrus SR 20 at the inaugural Girls in Aviation Day held last Friday (Oct. 12) at Saint Louis University’s Parks College of Engineering, Aviation and Technology.

Photo by Lawrence Bryant

How to place a calendar listing

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

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

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

concerts

Fri., Oct. 19, 8 p.m., The Fox Theatre presents Gladys Knight with special guest Peabo Bryson. 527 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www. fabulousfox.com.

Sat., Oct. 20, 8 p.m., Sheldon Concert Hall presents Jon Batiste. 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108.

Tues., Oct. 23, 7:30 p.m., Sheldon Concert Hall presents The Legendary Melvin Turnage Band Feat. Tonya Poynter. 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108.

Wed., Oct. 24, 7 p.m., Sheldon Concert Hall and Opera Theatre Saint Louis present Julia Bullock, Soprano. 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108.

Thur., Oct. 25, 7:30 p.m., Mildred Thimes Foundation 14th Annual Benefit Concert A tribute to Luther Vandross and Chaka Khan featuring Denise Thimes. The Sheldon, 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

Fri., Oct. 26, 7 p.m., Omerta Entertainment presents Kstylis Twerk Fest Tour Feat. Yvette. Ambassador, 9800 Halls Ferry Rd., 63136. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

Sat., Oct. 27, 8 p.m., Harris Stowe University Homecoming Concert feat. YFN Lucci. Henry Givens Auditorium, 3026 Laclede Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Sun., Oct. 28, 3:30 p.m., Julian Marley & The Uprising. The Firebird, 2706 Olive St., 63103. For more information, visit www.ticketf. ly.

Fri., Nov. 9, 7 p.m., Chaifetz Arena presents Ladies Night Out feat. Keith Sweat and Blackstreet. 1 S. Compton Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www. thechaifetzarena.com.

Sat., Nov. 10, 8 p.m., The African Heritage Association of St. Louis, Inc. presents Soweto Gospel Choir Live in Concert. Formed in South Africa to celebrate African Gospel music. Touhill Performing Arts Center, UMSL, One University Blvd., 63121. For more information, visit www.touhill.org.

Thur., Nov. 15, Stifel Theatre presents Maxwell: 50 Intimate Nights Live With special guest Marsha Ambrosius. 1400 Market St., 63103. For more information, visit www.stifeltheatre.com.

Sat., Nov. 17, 7 p.m., The Sheldon’s Rhythm & Jazz Series presents Dee Dee Bridgewater and the Memphis Soulphony. 3548 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

local gigs

Sun., Oct. 28, 4 p.m., The Royal Vagabonds Foundation, Inc. Annual Concert: Jazz on a Sunday feat. The Bosman Twins with Marsha Evans. Sheldon, 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Sat., Nov. 17, 7 & 9 p.m., The Soulful, Saxy Sounds of Jeanette Harris. .Zack, 3224 Locust St., 63103. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

special events

Fri., Oct. 19, 4:30 p.m.,

The Guide

Terror at Tower Grove Park. A family-friendly event featuring live music, food trucks, children’s crafts, a Halloween film and much more. 4256 Magnolia Ave., 63110. For more information, visit www.facebook.com.

Fri., Oct. 19, 5 p.m., Sinita Wells Media presents Sister in Success Summit. Embassy Suites, 2 Convention Center Plaza, 63033. For more information, visit www. SISsummits.com.

Sat., Oct. 20, 10 a.m., The Hyde Park Neighborhood Association hosts a Housing Resource Fair for Home Owners, Home Buyers Mission St. Louis, 3108 N. Grand Blvd., 63107. For more information, visit www. hydeparkstlouis.org.

Fri., Oct. 19, 6 p.m., The Soulfisher Ministries presents the 5th Annual AGAPE Gala. 1 Norwood Hills Country Club, 63121. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Sat., Oct. 20, 10 a.m., The Hyde Park Neighborhood Association hosts a Housing Resource Fair for Home Owners, Home Buyers Mission St. Louis, 3108 N. Grand Blvd., 63107. For more information, visit www. hydeparkstlouis.org.

Sat., Oct. 20, 11:30 a.m., Operation Food Search’s Handbags to End Hunger. The auction will feature designer and designer-inspired handbags, gift certificates, and jewelry. Clayton Plaza Hotel, 7750 Carondelet Ave., 63105. For more information, visit www.operationfoodsearch.org.

Sat., Oct. 20, 2 p.m., The William G. Gillespie Scholarship of Cote Brilliante Presbyterian Church presents the 10th Annual Taste of Jazz Scholarship Benefit. Kappa Community Center, 500 N. Vandeventer, 63108. For more information, visit www. cbpcstl.org.

Sun., Oct. 21, 1 p.m., Bride

to Bride Flea Market. Kirkwood Community Center, 111 S. Geyer Rd., 63122. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Sun., Oct. 21, 2:30 p.m., United Nations Association of St. Louis hosts the United Nations Day Celebration – Human Rights, Close to Home. The Sun Theatre, 3625 Grandel Sq., 63108. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Wed., Oct. 24, 6 p.m., The Missouri Humanities Council presents the 2018 Missouri Humanities Awards & Gala Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Thur., Oct. 25, 5:30 p.m., Christian Hospital’s 10th Annual Legacy Leaders Recognition Dinner. 1 Norwood Hills Country Club Dr., 63121. For more information, visit www. christianhospital.org.

Thur., Oct. 25, 6:30 p.m., Westminster Christian Academy Open House. Hear from school leadership, meet our faculty, and take a tour of campus. 800 Maryville Centre Rd., 63017. For more information, visit www.bit.ly/ WCA-Open-House.

Oct. 25 – 28, St. Louis Science Center’s Science Spooktacular. Enjoy live demonstrations, a spooky trail, a haunted lab, and more. 5060 Oakland Ave., 63110. For more information, visit www. slsc.org.

Fri., Oct. 26, 7 p.m., Ola Style Survivor Fashion Show. Fellow survivors walk the runway in pink & white Ola brand designs. Proceeds benefit Susan G. Komen Missouri. Hilton St. Louis

Frontenac, 1335 S. Lindbergh Blvd., 63131. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Fri., Oct. 26, 7 p.m., 2018 Harris-Stowe State University Outstanding Alumni Leader Under 40 Awards. The Stifel Theatre, 1400 Market St., 63103. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Sat., Oct. 27, 9 a.m., Divine Daughters hosts the Daughters on the Run: 5K Walk/Run. January-Wabash Park, 501 N. Florissant Rd., 63135. For more information, visit www.facebook.com.

Sat., Oct. 27, 10 a.m., No Tricks, All Treats Halloween Spectacular. Field House Museum, 634 S. Broadway, 63102. For more information, visit www.facebook.com.

Sat., Oct. 27, 10 a.m., Contemporary Art Museum presents Halloween Family Day. 3750 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www.camstl.org.

Sat., Oct. 27, 10 a.m., Taste of the Middle East Festival. Musical performances, arts and crafts, vendors, and more. Tower Grove Park, 4256 Magnolia Ave., 63110. For more information, visit www. facebook.com.

Sun., Nov. 4, 5 p.m., Community Women Against Hardship 30th Annual Circle of Support Gala Feat. violinist Regina Carter. Sheldon, 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Sat., Nov. 3, 10 a.m., St. Louis Indie Book Fair 2018 40 authors to discuss, sell, and

Kenya Vaughn recommends

Nick Cannon Presents: Wild’N Out Live with special guest Katt Williams. See COMEDY.

sign copies of their work, 7 publishers, and 100s of titles in every genre. Treffpunkt, 3453 S. Jefferson Ave., 63118. For more information, visit www. stlouisindiebookfair.org.

Sun., Nov. 4, 4 p.m., Left Bank Books hosts author Quincy Troupe, author of Miles & Me: Miles Davis, the Man, the Musician, and His Friendship with the Journalist and Poet, Quincy Troupe. 399 N. Euclid Ave., 63108.

comedy

Oct. 24, 8 p.m., Helium presents Ryan Davis. Helium Comedy Club, 1151 St. Louis Galleria Street. For more information, call (314) 7271260 or visit https://st-louis. heliumcomedy.com.

Nov. 1 – 4, Helium Comedy Club presents Arnez J. 1151 St. Louis Galleria St., 63117. For more information, visit www.heliumcomedyclub.com.

Fri., Nov. 2, 8 p.m., Nick Cannon Presents : Wild’N Out Live with special guest Katt Williams, Enterprise Center. For more information, visit www.ticketmaster.com.

Sat., Nov. 10, 7 p.m., Comedy Night with Sarge, author of Black Boychik, Staenberg Family Complex, Edison Gymnasium. For more information, visit https://jccstl. com/arts-ideas/st-louis-jewishbook-festival/festival-eventsschedule/

theatre

Oct. 18 – 21, Variety Theatre presents Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Sing, dance and swim along as we follow Ariel’s journey to walk on land and find true love. Touhill Performing Arts, UMSL, 1 University Blvd., 63121.

Fri., Oct. 19, 7:30 p.m., City/Cité St. Louis. Amala Dianor will perform his solo work “Man Rec” alongside a performance by poet Treasure Shields Redmond. Pulitzer Arts Foundation, 3716 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www. pulitzerarts.org.

Fri., Oct. 19, 8 p.m., Je’Caryous Johnson and Snoop Dogg present The Redemption of a Dogg Tour

Kenya Vaughn recommends

with Snoop Dogg and Tamar Braxton. Stifel Theatre, 1400 Market St., 63103.For more information, visit www. ticketmaster.com.

Oct. 26 – 27, Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Picture Show Live Performance. Proceeds benefit PROMO. The Monocle, 4510 Manchester Ave., 63110. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

art

October 19 – February 10, Kehinde Wiley: Saint Louis, Saint Louis Art Museum. One Fine Arts Drive, Forest Park. For more information, call (314) 721-0072 or visit http:// www.slam.org/exhibitions/ kehinde-wiley.php

Through Oct. 27, The Griot Museum of Black History presents Civil Unrest in Review. Explore recent civil rights protest and activism in St. Louis through art. 2505 St. Louis Ave., 63106. For more information, visit www. thegriotmuseum.com.

Thur., Nov. 1, 6:30 p.m., For Freedoms Town Hall: The 50 State Initiative. The

Initiative was begun by artists to show what democracy looks like through art and arts institutions. Contemporary Art Museum, 3750 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www.camstl. org.

lectures and workshops

Sat., Oct. 27, 1 p.m., League of Women Voters’ Issues Forum. Learn about Amendment 1 – Clean Missouri, Medical Marijuana, Fuel Tax, Minimum Wage, and more. St. Louis Community College – Florissant Valley, 3400 Pershall Rd., 63135. For more information, www. lwvstl.org.

Thur., Nov. 1, 6:30 p.m., Excellence Overcomes All Obstacles: The Story of the Tuskegee Airmen. Maplewood Public Library, 7550 Lohmeyer, 63143. For more information, visit www. maplewoodpubliclibrary.com.

Tues., Nov. 6, 7:30 p.m., UMSL Office of Student Involvement presents A Night of Conversation with Gabby Douglas. Touhill

Performing Arts Center, One University Blvd., 63121. For more information, visit www. touhill.org.

health

Sat., Oct. 20, 10 a.m., Alzheimer’s Association Caregiver Support Group. Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist Church Campus, Friendly Village, 5545 Wells Ave., 63112.For more information, call 314439-5799.

Fri., Oct. 26 – 27, Give Kids A Smile hosts Free Dental Clinic for Kids. Toddlers and school-aged children, Center for Advanced Dental Education, SLU, 3320 Rutger St., 63104. For more information, visit www. givekidsasmile.org.

Sat., Oct. 27, 9 a.m., Annual Community Health Fair &

Fun-K. Free health screenings, giveaways and door prizes. Truelight Baptist Church, 1535 Tudor Ave., East St. Louis, IL. 62207. For more information, visit www.truelight-estl.com.

spiritual

Fri., Oct. 19, 6 p.m., The Soulfisher Ministries presents the 5th Annual AGAPE Gala. 1 Norwood Hills Country Club, 63121. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Oct. 19 – 20, Back 2 the Cross Ministries hosts the 7th Annual Women of the Cross Conference. River of Life, 518 N. 12 th St., East St. Louis, IL 62201. For more information, visit www. back2crossministries.org.

Sat., Oct. 20, 10 a.m., Charade - A Theatrical Fashion Show. The tale of a

woman who lives her life as a charade until she is finally confronted with the need to change. Transformation Christian Church, 4140 Page Blvd., 63113. For more information, visit www. transformationchristianchurch. org.

Sun., Oct. 21, 11 a.m., Truelight Baptist Church’s Family & Friends Sunday. 1535 Tudor Ave., East St. Louis, IL. 62207. For more information, visit www. truelight-estl.com/event.

Sun., Oct. 28, 5 p.m., Prince of Peace Church Live Recording. 9350 Natural Bridge Rd., 63134. For more information, visit www. princeofpeacechurchsstl.com.

Sun., Oct. 28, 3:30 p.m. Clayton Missionary Baptist Church 125th Anniversary Celebration Gospel Musical featuring Evangelist Mary Tillman as mistress of ceremonies, Clayton Missionary Baptist Church, 2801 N. Union Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63115.

Fri., Oct. 19, The Hate U Give, starring Amandla Stenberg, Regina Hall, Russell Hornsby, KJ Apa, Algee Smith, Lamar Johnson, Issa Rae, Sabrina Carpenter, Common, and Anthony Mackie opens in theatres nationwide.

Sun., Oct. 28, 7 p.m., The People Under the Stairs Film Screening. Brown Hall, Washington University, 63131. For more information, email fms@wustl.edu.

Nov. 1 – 11, 27th Annual Whitaker St. Louis International Film Festival. The festival will screen 413 films including international films, documentaries, American indies, and shorts. For more information, visit www. cinemastlouis.org.

Kehinde Wiley: Saint Louis opens at Saint Louis Art Museum. For more information, see ART.

found the experience exhilarating as she flew the plane from the Missouri side of the river over into Illinois, hoping to spot her home as she followed a flight path taking her toward Scott Air Force Base.

“After that experience, it was so fun, I really need to put more time into exploring aviation as a career,” Best said. She and her mother spent the next couple of hours doing just that, visiting several booths at the expo to ask questions and gather more information.

Marisa Warren, 17, a senior at Incarnate Word Academy, got to climb up into the cockpit of a Cirrus SR20, while her mother looked on.

“It’s a really cool opportunity,” Warren said. “Not too many people get to come out and do something like this.”

Mariana Fobbs and Olivia Herrod, students at Alton High School, sit in the cockpit of a Diamond DA20 at the inaugural Girls in Aviation Day held last Friday (Oct. 12) at Saint Louis University’s Parks College of Engineering, Aviation and Technology.

on the horizon. I turned around with the biggest smile on my face and my friends were holding each other like, ‘What are you doing? You don’t know how to fly the plane,’” Johnson recalled with a laugh. “Of course, I didn’t land the plane, but I was hooked after that.”

tion industry. They encouraged the students who were interested to take a couple of discovery flights to see if it ignited their passion, find mentors to network with, and to do really well in high school and to make sure to take well-rounded classes because of the many options available in the field.

“It’s a great career and I really want you to explore the options,” Johnson said. “There’s room for all of you… You just have to look out for each other and have to support each other because that’s the only way we’re going to change this world and change this industry.”

The goal of events like Girls in Aviation is to introduce more young women to the field of aviation, where there is currently tremendous demand for pilots, engineers and various other positions. Over the past two decades, WAI reports the number of women involved in the aviation industry has steadily increased and women can now be found in nearly every aviation occupation, however, the numbers are small by comparison.

Continued from C1

as he recalled his chat with Prince on American Bandstand – Prince’s first major televised interview. Clark remembered it as the worst of his career.

“I couldn’t get anything out of him,” Clark confessed. The moment shaped Prince’s mercurial relationship with the media and introduced millions to his curious and infectious magnetism. In that moment, a star was born – and just as it was 40-plus years ago, Clark ushered in the reign of Prince through the musical selections of “4U.” The first half of the more

Women pilots, for example, represent only six percent of the total pilot population, under-

than 30 selections set to orchestra included some obscure tracks – but not for the “Under The Cherry Moon” devotees. “I Wonder U,” “Christopher Tracy’s Parade” and the title track from the black and white cult classic film’s soundtrack.

“4U” focused on the earlier years of Prince’s career, yet still had more than enough music to fill the two hours. It would have been wonderful to hear a few selections from the New Power Generation era played by an orchestra, particularly “Diamonds and Pearls” and “Money Don’t Matter 2 night.”

“Controversy,’ “Beautiful Ones” and the act one finale “1999” were the most famous of the first crop of songs that

scoring the potential opportunities that exist for more women to enter the field.

The event featured Captain Stephanie Johnson. In 1997, she became Northwest’s first African-American female pilot (before that airline was acquired by Delta Airlines) and went on to become Delta’s first African-American female captain in 2016. She told the young

also included, “It Ain’t Over Til the Fat Lady Sings” and “Venus De Milo.” Prince would have been as pleased with the seductive high kicks, body rolls and hair tosses Luke served up during her violin solos as much as hearing his sound set to an orchestra. They pounded out nearly another two dozen of Prince’s familiar favorites for the second portion of the show. “Let’s Go Crazy,” “When Doves Cry,” “Erotic City” “Take Me With You” and “Starfish and Coffee” from his delightful appearance on “Sesame Street.”

Taking the same orchestral liberties as with “Raspberry Beret” during other songs would have been interesting to hear with other selections, but for the sake of time it was

women how she has always been interested in airplanes, and in high school, convinced her physics teacher, who had an airplane, to take her on a flight.

He agreed only if she rustled up two friends to tag along and they all chipped in a little money for fuel for the plane.

“He let me fly past our school and back, showed me how to keep the wings level

understandable why it didn’t happen.

Act two of “4U” closed with the symphonic accompaniment to Prince’s epic 1985 performance of “Purple Rain” at the Garrier Dome in Syracuse New York. It was a sensible move for the – considering everyone learned the hard way via the tributes that have come since his passing, that few can match the experience he delivered by way of performing the song.

“Baby I’m a Star,” served as the encore, but “I Would Die 4 You” would have provided a more appropriate full circle moment – and had fans dancing out the door as the perfect footnote for a comprehensively enjoyable homage.

She went on to talk about her career path that included earning her flight instructors certificate and getting to teach in various places, while she worked a second job at Blockbuster video to help pay off her student debts.

A panel discussion with current aviation students and flight instructors gave the students an opportunity to hear from other young women who were in the early stages of or embarking on a variety of careers in the avia-

Participating schools with students at Girls in Aviation Day included Hazelwood West High School, Incarnate Word Academy, O›Fallon Township High School, Parkway North High School, Parkway South High School, St. Dominic High School, Westminster Christian Academy, Alton High School, Francis Howell High School, McCluer North High School, Mehlville High School, Oakville High School and Villa Duchesne. Additional girls came with their Girl Scouts leader and a couple of others

Photo by Lawrence Bryant

Celebrations

Track Record

Dr. Patrick Johnson, a sixthgrade teacher at Walnut Grove Elementary School, has set the state record for 38-year-olds in the twomile run. Johnson set the record of 13:16 during the 2018 Sweatfest in Strafford, MO. He also placed first in seven events at the ShowMe State Games that were also held in Columbia, MO, qualifying him to compete in the State Games of America in Lynchburg, VA next summer.

All reunion announcements can be viewed online!

Beaumont Class of 1978 40th Reunion Extravaganza Save the Date: October 5-7, 2018. Call or text Marietta Shegog Shelby at 314-799-5296 for further details.

East St. Louis Sr. High

Bobby Sanders will turn 21 on October 20. It’s official! You’re finally legal! Happy 21st Birthday, Bobby! Love, Bear

Class of 1968 will celebrate its 50 year reunion on Friday, October 12, 2018 at the Main Street Brewing Center, 6435 West Main Street, Belleville, IL. 62223. For more information contact Linda Ward Spencer (618) 830-8221 or laws50@aol.com.

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

Client Appreciation

Charles Walker, owner of Favour Barber and Beauty Salon, recently hosted a client appreciation event with live music, food and family activities at the Maryland Heights Recreation Center. Charles says God is the key to their success and Favour wants to be an example of

O’Fallon Tech Class of 1968 Reunion will be held on Nov 2, 2018 from 12 p.m. until 3 p.m. at the Hollywood Casino Buffet, Maryland Heights, Missouri. The cost will be $18 per person which will include the buffet, taxes, and gratuities. All classes and PHL graduates are invited to attend.

Soldan Class of 1979 is planning its 40th year reunion for the weekend of August 2-3, 2019. Yearlong reunion activities will begin with a kickoff at Soldan High School Homecoming on Saturday, October 13, 2018 prior to the game at 1 p.m. For more information or to assist with reunion activities, please email

at: soldanclassof1979@gmail. com or call Barbara at 314 456-3391.

Sumner Alumni Association presents it’s Maroon & White Homecoming Week Oct. 8-13, 2018. Bowling Mon. 7-9pm at Crest Bowl ($10), Alumni Happy Hour Wed. at Dejavu II Cafe, Old School Sock Hop Fri., 6-10pm at Sumner ($5/$7), Tailgate/Block Party noon, Sumner’s Homecoming Football Game at Sumner’s Tuskegee Airmen Field at 1pm Sumner vs. Vashon. Contacts: Ms. Prissy at 314.556.3944, Michelle Elgin at 314.452.1275 or email: sumneralumniassn@yahoo. com.

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 FREE OF CHARGE

Reunion notices are free of charge and based on space availability. We prefer that notices be emailed to us! However, notices may also be sent by mail to: Kate Daniel, 2315 Pine St., St. Louis, MO 63103

Deadline is 10 a.m. on 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

information to sumner1979@

Sumner Class of 1979 will hold its “Bulldogs Rock the Boat” BIG 4-0 Reunion Cruise, June 22-27, 2019. For further information, email your contact

HATE

color. By playing up negative stereotypes and false narratives, “The Hate U Give” falls short of its intention to be a teachable cinematic moment.

Starr Carter is a young black girl forced to walk a tightrope between two worlds. As she narrates her experience, she tells the story of Garden Heights Starr – where she was born and raised – and Williamson Prep Starr, who has mastered the art of code-switching at her nearly all-white private school. Starr has a strong family unit, but her functional two-parent home life, that successfully manages a complicated blended family-dynamic, is the exception to other households in her community.

Starr can’t truly be herself around her classmates, and she is out of place while navigating the social ills of the ‘hood (that the film plays to the absolute max) when she’s in her own element. In one of those tense moments, Starr reconnects with her childhood friend Khalil. He hips her to Tupac’s hidden

meaning behind “T.H.U.G.

L.I.F.E.” The Hate U Give Little Infants [expletive]

Everybody. As he prepares to give her a ride home, they are pulled over by the police. As the opening scene of the film illustrates, Starr is well-trained by her family on the procedures to follow when interacting with law enforcement. Khalil did not have those lessons – and the consequence of his lack of awareness while in the situation is nothing short of tragic. The film’s title focuses on the word “thug,” which in a sense became the new n-word in the wake of Michael Brown. The word was often used to describe Brown – and several other young black men fatally shot by law enforcement. Their families had to suffer through their loved one’s character assassination on top of the tragic and untimely physical deaths. The film adds fuel the “thug” label often imposed upon young men in urban areas, by way of the victim of the police shooting and by the gang that manages the criminal element of Garden Heights. The script fails a well-acted, well-directed effort. The pace and precision during the inciting incident, which shapes

the story and the moment where Starr attempts to make her private school classmate understand the dynamic of how black people are policed in her neighborhood, are particular triumphs for Tillman.

And the performances will make even the viewers who don’t agree with the type of story they are watching unfold connect with the film – especially Amandla Stenberg’s take on Starr and Algee Smith’s Khalil. Regina Hall gives a noteworthy performance as the Carter family matriarch in her most serious and substantial role to date. The film also stars Russell Hornsby, Anthony Mackie, Common and Issa Rae. Because of his character’s fate, his screen time is brief. But viewers will be haunted by the irresistible charm that Smith pours onto Khalil and the natural chemistry between him and Stenberg. His effortlessly authentic portrayal will compel viewers to grieve for him like they did the countless others whose names went on to become hashtags in real life.

The Hate U Give opens in theatres nationwide on Friday, October 19. The film is rated PG-13 with a running time of 132 minutes.

Taking steps toward getting woke

Missouri History Museum hosts Woke at Work on October 23

By Shakia Gullette For The St. Louis American

Incidents of hate and discrimination in places of business regularly appear in headlines, both locally and nationally. Woke at Work is a panel discussion that will take place at the Missouri History Museum on Tuesday, October 23, at 7 p.m. to explore how area companies are addressing these episodes and creating welcoming places of work for employees and customers alike.

The Missouri Historical Society is proud to partner with HateBrakers for this event. HateBrakers is an organization whose mission is to interrupt the repetitive cycle of hate and transform perpetrators, victims, and bystanders into leaders, healers, and everyday heroes. Woke at Work’s two content experts are Kimberly Norwood, the Henry H. Oberschelp Professor of Law at Washington University, and Holly Edgell, the race, identity, and culture editor for St. Louis Public Radio (90.7 FM).

These women are no strangers to discussing difficult topics. Edgell is an experienced journalist with a diverse background, including teaching positions at the University of Missouri and Florida A&M University. She is the editor of a four-station collaborative covering race, identity, and culture called Sharing America, where she leads a team of four reporters out of St. Louis; Hartford, Connecticut; Kansas City, Missouri; and Portland, Oregon. Norwood joined the staff at Washington University School of Law in 1990. She has focused her research on black identity, colorism, implicit bias, and the intersection of race, class, and public education in America. In April 2018, Norwood was selected as one of the leading experts to advise Starbucks on its national implicit bias training.

Norwood says she hopes Woke at Work will help demonstrate why cultural exposure and implicit bias training are important. “So many things we consider normal are actually the result of long-held biased thinking and action,” she says.

Edgell agrees. “I hope people will gain an understanding that being ‘woke at work’ does not happen by accident or because people are basically well intentioned,” she says. “I hope people will reflect on their own workplaces and the positive and negative interactions they’ve had with coworkers who are different from them. I hope people will bring some ideas back to their workplaces.”

But that’s no easy task. Edgell considers leadership’s “willful blindness” the biggest obstacle to being woke at work.

“In most organizations, it is not easy to start a movement from the bottom – that is, spearheaded by rank-and-file employees,”

Edgell says. “If leaders of an organization say, ‘We don’t have a problem’ in the face of evidence, that’s a huge obstacle. I would go even further: If leaders fail to ask, ‘Do we have a problem?’ and really listen to their employees, that is a huge obstacle.”

Both Norwood and Edgell say that implicit bias reinforces the need for conversations like Woke at Work to begin to unpack centuries of conditioned thought patterns. These biases lead to harmful practices that impact the way people live in their personal and professional lives.

In 2014 Norwood published an article in the St. Louis Lawyer titled “Implicit Bias Deserves Explicit Attention,” where she analyzed why we need to examine how implicit bias shows up in the judicial system and in places of employment, writing that “in employment (hiring, mentoring, evaluations, and promotions), implicit biases affect career trajectories.”

This notion of implicit bias drives both Norwood and Edgell to take courageous steps toward improving the world through education and empowerment. Edgell uses the Sharing America Collaborative to speak freely and take action.

“Being the editor for race, identity, and culture at St. Louis Public Radio and the leader of the Sharing America public radio collaborative means I am engaging in work in an area I think about all the time and care deeply about,” she says.

“I work with reporters who are amplifying voices and themes that often have been ignored. As a biracial and bicultural woman, I feel very comfortable talking about issues related to race, identity, and culture. However, I understand that many people are not comfortable doing so. There are also people who want to talk about these issues but don’t feel they know how to or with whom to begin. I hope, through my work, that I can help spark civil, productive conversations.”

Woke at Work takes place at the Missouri History Museum on Tuesday, October 23, at 7 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

Kimberly Norwood, the Henry H. Oberschelp Professor of Law at Washington University, and Holly Edgell, the race, identity, and culture editor for St. Louis Public Radio, will lead the Woke at Work panel discussion at the Missouri History Museum on Tuesday, October 23.

Continued from C1

Russell Hornsby, Regina Hall, Amandla Stenberg and Common in a scene from “The Hate U Give.”

St. LouiS american Career Center

RELATIONSHIP BANKER

Seeking outgoing candidate with banking experience to represent RBOM at our new in-store branch at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore HQ (63118). Connect with prospects, clients, provide financial education, open new accounts. Full-Time, Benefits, Vacation, Holiday & Sick Pay. Apply at www.royalbanksofmo.com.

Civil Service Commissioner Replacement

Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District

BUILDING CUSTODIAN

REJIS is currently seeking a Building Cus-

todian: Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds to clean office building with five floors. Regular duties include emptying trash, dusting, mopping, vacuuming, cleaning surfaces, restroom cleaning, replenishing bathroom supplies, etc.

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

EOE/Minorities/Females/Vet/Disabled/

at rejis.org/employment.

CCC&C

CITY OF CLAYTON, MO NOW HIRING!

$58,483-$79,231

ASSOCIATE NETWORK ENGINEER

Range: $54,554-$72,285

ADMINISTRATIVE SPECIALIST II – HR

$40,170-$56,180

For more details and to apply today, visitwww.claytonmo.gov/jobs.

CARE

at info@medstarcds.com.

Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District’s Board of Trustees is accepting resumes for appointment to the District’s Civil Service Commission. Candidates must be a resident and registered voter in St. Louis City or County for three years prior to appointment and for the duration of their term on the Commission. Ideal candidates must have daytime flexibility and some Human Resources experience.

Civil Service Commissioners convene several times a year for personnel administration and employee disciplinary hearings in accordance with MSD’s Civil Service Rules and Regulations. Each Commissioner is compensated $20 per meeting, with a maximum annual sum of $500.

Please submit cover letter and resume before 11/12/2018 to:

Tracey R. Coleman, Director of Human Resources

Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District 2350 Market Street St. Louis, MO 63103

Information may also be emailed to: CSCommissioner@stlmsd.com

PARAMEDICS

Mehlville Fire Protection District is accepting applications for the position of CRITICAL CARE PARAMEDIC

Starting $56,294; $60,294 w/CCP-C $84,344 after 4 years

Benefits include health insurance, pension, tuition reimbursement, sick leave, attendance bonus, vacation, life & disability, holiday pay, uniform allowance,

REQUIRED: EMT-P certification through the State of Missouri PREFERRED: CCP-C or FP-C certification Applications accepted September 24 – October 31, 2018, weekdays 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Headquarters, 11020 Mueller Rd. 63123. Download application packet at www.mehlvillefire.com Equal Opportunity Employer.

DAYCARE

Immediate positions available South City, Experience a plus but not necessary, 314-853-5653

FULL-TIME POLICE OFFICER

The City of Eureka (population approximately 11,000) is accepting applications for a full-time Police Officer. There is no application deadline, and interviews will be conducted periodically until the position is filled.Application and job description available at Eureka Police Dept., 120 City Hall Dr., Eureka, MO and on the City’s website at www.eureka.mo.us. Starting salary is $50,500.00, plus excellent benefits. For additional information, call 636-938-6600 (Relay Missouri: 1-800-735-2466). The City of Eureka is an EOE/ADAemployer.

RECRUITER

Safety National has an opening for a newly created position to join our talent acquisition team. The ideal candidate will have at least 2 years’ experience as a recruiter in the Insurance/Financial services industry with an emphasis in IT recruitment. Safety National is recognized as a Best Place to Work in Insurance by Business Insurance Magazine and as a Top Work Place in St. Louis, MO by the St. Louis Post Dispatch! To apply, please visit: https://www.safetynational.com/ careers-page/.

ENTERPRISE PROGRAM MANAGER

The Enterprise Program Management Office at Safety National is growing! If you know someone who has experience managing projects, programs, and portfolios and is looking to join a top rated company where they can make an immediate impact, with tremendous professional development opportunities, please pass the word along! Safety National is recognized as a

recruiting.aspx?id=2A2725CB-7BD640E1-9E12-4BEC3B92A10E&src=stlamerican&rqid=C08E5581-425D-4A81893F-9C5D056CC039?id=2A2725CB7BD6-40E1-9E12-4BEC3B92A10E&src=stlamerican&rqid=C08E5581-425D-4A 81-893F-9C5D056CC039

Missouri Historical Society New Openings

The Missouri Historical Society has position openings for the following: • Coordinator, President’s Office • Editor • Exhibition Designer • Processing Assistant (American Legion Collection) • Reservations Assistant • Visual Materials Associate Processing Archivist Please visit www.mohistory.org under the “Current Openings” tab for position details and to apply. An Equal Opportunity Employer

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION COUNSELOR

The State of Missouri is accepting applications for a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor in the St. Louis area. Starting salary is $38,808-$40,776. View job description, benefits and application instructions at https://dese.applicantpro. com/jobs/application instructions at https://dese.applicantpro.com/jobs/

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

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Paric Corporation is seeking proposals for the following project: PWC – St. Louis

The project consists of a 40,000 sf office build-out in the Ball Park Village Block 100 Tower in downtown St. Louis, MO.

A pre-bid meeting will be held on Tuesday October 23, 2018 at the Paric jobsite trailer for Ball Park Village Block 100 located off of Broadway Street in downtown St. Louis. The current structure is still under construction & this meeting is by no means mandatory. There is parking available in the Ball Park Village parking lot, but parking will not be validated for this meeting. Bids for this project are due on November 5, 2018 by 5:00 PM (CST). For any questions or if you would like to find out more detailed information on this opportunity, please contact Cameron Lang at 314-280-3058 or cclange@paric.com or Evan Fox at 314-578-2542 or ecfox@paric.com .

All bids should be delivered to Paric via e-mail (bids@paric.com) or fax (636-561-9501).

Plans and specifications will be available to view at Paric’s Main office at 77 Westport Plaza, Suite 250, St. Louis, MO 63146.

PARIC CORPORATION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

CITY OF ST. LOUIS BOARD OF PUBLIC SERVICE

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS for PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FOR OPEN-ENDED MECHANICAL, ELECTRICAL, AND PLUMBING DESIGN SERVICES AT ST. LOUIS LAMBERT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. Statements of Qualifications due by 5:00 PM CT, OCTOBER 25, 2018 at Board of Public Service, 1200 Market, Room 301 City Hall, St. Louis, MO 63103. RFQ may be obtained from BPS website www.stl-bps.org, under On Line Plan Room-Plan Room, or call Board of Public Service at 314-622-3535. 25% MBE and 5% WBE participation goals.

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Sealed bids for 2018 ITS Program

– Bellefontaine Road and North & South Road, St. Louis County Project No. AR-1690, will be received at the Office of the Director of Procurement for the County of St. Louis, County Government Center Administration Building, 41 South Central Avenue, 8th Floor, Clayton, Missouri 63105, until 11:00 a.m. on November 7, 2018

Plans and specifications will be available on October 15, 2018 from the St. Louis County Web Site (www. stlouisco.com), or by contacting County Blue Reprographics, Inc., 1449 Strassner Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63144, (314) 961-3800.

NOTICE TO CONTRACTOR

Notice is hereby given that The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (District), the Owner, will receive sealed bids for Caulks Creek Forcemain Rehabilitation under Letting No. 11789-015.1, at its office, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103, until 2:00 PM, local time, on Friday, November 16, 2018. All bids are to be deposited in the bid box located on the first floor of the District’s Headquarters prior to the 2:00 p.m. deadline. Bids may, however, be withdrawn prior to the opening of the first bid. BIDS WILL BE PUBLICLY OPENED AND READ IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BID DUE DATE/TIME AT 2350 MARKET STREET, AT A PLACE DESIGNATED.

A Non-mandatory Pre-Bid meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 31, 2018 at 10:00 AM at MSD Headquarters: 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, MO.

The Work to be performed under these Contract Documents consists of: The work to be done under this contract consists of the rehabilitation of 26,823 lineal feet sanitary forcemain varying in size from 20” to 30” in diameter, and appurtenances. The project is within the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District Boundaries, inside the city(ies) of Chester field and Maryland Heights in the State of Missouri. The work will be performed in various quantities at various sites.

All prospective bidders must prequalify in the Cured-In-Place Pipe (CIPP) or Pipe and Manhole Rehabilitation category, and be certified prior to the Bid Opening. Prequalification forms for obtaining said certification may be obtained from the Owner at the above mentioned address. All bidders must obtain drawings and specifications in the name of the entity submitting the bid.

This project will be financed through the Missouri State Revolving Fund, established by the sale of Missouri Water Pollution Control bonds and Federal Capitalization Grants to Missouri. Neither the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, its divisions, nor its employees will be party to the contract at any tier. Any Bidder whose firm or affiliate is listed on the GSA publication titled “List of Parties Excluded from Federal Procurement or Non-Procurement Programs” is prohibited from the bidding process; bids received from a listed party will be deemed non-responsive. Refer to Instructions to Bidders B-27 for more information regarding debarment and suspension. Nondiscrimination in Employment: Bidders on this work will be required to comply with the President’s Executive Order 11246. Requirements for bidders and contractors under this order are explained in the specifications.

Plans and Specifications are available from 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 1710 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.

THE METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI LOWER MERAMEC WWTF FITTING REPLACEMENT CONTRACT LETTING NO. 13082-015.1

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

Notice is hereby given that The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (District) will receive sealed bids for Lower Meramec WWTF Fitting Replacement (IR) under Letting No. 13082-015.1, at this office, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103, until 02:00 PM on Tuesday, December 4, 2018. All bids are to be deposited in the bid box located on the First Floor of the District’s Headquarters located at 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103, prior to the 2:00 p.m. bid deadline. The work to be done under these contract documents consists of:

• Replacement of several sections of 48-inch and 60-inch ductile iron piping with steel piping segments containing flexible differential settlement joints to relieve pipe strain caused by settle ment of a soil supported piping gallery and two pile supported buildings. Work requires Con tractor to perform significant dewatering of piping and process equipment.

• Replacement of 48-inch and 60-inch ductile iron 90-degree elbows with new fittings previously purchased and onsite.

• All associated structural improvements to pipe supports and miscellaneous improvements as required for implementation of the dewatering plan.

• All associated demolitions.

The Engineer’s Opinion of Probable Construction Cost is $1,174,000. Bids will be received only from companies that are pre-qualified by the District’s Engineering Department for: Mechanical/Electrical/Plumbing Contractors.

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 1710 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.

A non-mandatory Pre-Bid conference will be held in accordance with Article 6 of the Instructions to Bidders.

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Sealed bids for the Clayton Road (West County) ARS Resurfacing and Baxter Road (North) ARS Infrastructure projects, St. Louis County Project Nos. AR-1600 and AR-1556, will be received at the Office of the Director of Procurement for the County of St. Louis, County Government Center Administration Building, 41 South Central Avenue, 8th Floor, Clayton, Missouri 63105, until 11:00 a.m. on October 31, 2018.

Plans and specifications will be available on October 8, 2018 from the St. Louis County Web Site (www.stlouisco.com), or by contacting County Blue Reprographics, Inc., 1449 Strassner Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63144, (314) 961-3800.

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, 2018 to contract with a company for: Employee Assistance Program 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 9633 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.

Public Notice of Single Source Procurement

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

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

The Gateway Arch Park Foundation is seeking preferred vendors for private events at The Gateway Arch. Please visit https://www.archpark.org/ events/preferred-vendors and submit by November 9, 2018.

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Sealed bids for 2018 ITS Program –Advanced Detection, St. Louis County Project No. AR-1688, will be received at the Office of the Director of Procurement for the County of St. Louis, County Government Center Administration Building, 41 South Central Avenue, 8th Floor, Clayton, Missouri 63105, until 11:00 a.m. on October 31, 2018.

Plans and specifications will be available on October 8, 2018 from the St. Louis County Web Site (www.stlouisco.com), or by contacting County Blue Reprographics, Inc., 1449 Strassner Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63144, (314) 961-3800.

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Sealed bids for 2018 ITS Program – Ballas Road and Dougherty Ferry Road, St. Louis County Project No. AR-1691, will be received at the Office of the Director of Procurement for the County of St. Louis, County Government Center Administration Building, 41 South Central Avenue, 8th Floor, Clayton, Missouri 63105, until 11:00 a.m. on November 7, 2018

Plans and specifications will be available on October 15, 2018 from the St. Louis County Web Site (www.stlouisco.com), or by contacting County Blue Reprographics, Inc., 1449 Strassner Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63144, (314) 961-3800.

RFP FOR PROP S YOUTH AT RISK PROGRAMS

The Public Safety Committee of the Board of Aldermen has approximately $950,000 available to award in calendar year 2019 for programs designed to prevent crimes perpetrated by youth in the City of St. Louis. The Committee is seeking proposals from qualified notfor-profit organizations to serve at-risk youth in the 11 to 24 year-old demographic. For the purposes of this RFP, crime prevention programs are defined as those programs that, either on an individual or group level, work to reduce the likelihood of youth involvement in criminal activity. An award range from $15,000 to $200,000 has been established for proposals submitted pursuant to this RFP. Please visit https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/ government/procurement.cfm or contact Kim Cole, Department of Public Safety, at 314-622-3391 for more information.

MWBE PreBid Meeting Notice

The SITE Improvement Association is hosting a Prebid meeting for Qualified and Certified MWBE contractors to discuss working on

MSD’s Oleatha #5255 Combined Sewer Replacement (IR) Contract Letting No. 13160-015.1

This meeting is being held on behalf of the following SITE contractor member:

J.M. Marschuetz Construction Co. 15 Truitt Drive Eureka, MO 63025 636/938-3600

The meeting will take place at 9:00 a.m.

October 25, 2018

SITE Improvement Association Office, 2071 Exchange Drive St. Charles, MO 63303

Project plans are available from MSD. For questions regarding this prebid meeting, Contact the SITE Improvement Association office at 314/966-2950.

MWBE PreBid Meeting Notice

The SITE Improvement Association is hosting a Prebid meeting for Qualified and Certified MWBE contractors to discuss working on

MSD’s Holden and Longwood Storm Sewer Contract Letting No. 11266-015.1

This meeting is being held on behalf of the following SITE contractor member:

J.M. Marschuetz Construction Co. 15 Truitt Drive Eureka, MO 63025 636/938-3600

The meeting will take place at 9:30 a.m. October 25, 2018

SITE Improvement Association Office, 2071 Exchange Drive St. Charles, MO 63303

Project plans are available from MSD. For questions regarding this prebid meeting, Contact the SITE Improvement Association office at 314/966-2950.

LETTING #8675

EMPLOYEE PARKING LOT FENCE AND GATES INSTALLATION AT CITY OF ST. LOUIS WATER DIVISION

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 6, 2018, then publicly opened and read. Plans and Specifications may be examined on the Board of Public Service website http://www.stl-bps.org (BPS On Line Plan Room) and may be purchased directly through the BPS website from INDOX Services at cost plus shipping. No refunds will be made.

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

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). A pre-bid conference for all contractors bidding on this project will be held on October 23, 2018 at 10:00 A.M. at the Water Department Pipe Yard Office at 4600 McRee, St. Louis, MO 63110. Attendance to this meeting is a requirement for bidding.

LETTING NO. 8676

TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT ENHANCEMENTS PHASE III, FEDERAL PROJECT NO. CMAQ 5422(620), ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI

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 13, 2018, then publicly opened and read. Drawings 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.

The prime contractor must have a fully responsive contractor questionnaire on file with the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission at least 7 days prior to bid opening date in order for MODOT to concur with the award of this project. Bidders shall comply with all applicable City, State and Federal laws (including DBE policies).

There will be a pre-bid conference for this contract on October 30, 2018, 9:00 a.m., City Hall, 1200 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri Room 305. All bidders are encouraged to attend the pre-bid meeting.

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).

The City of St. Louis 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 individuals 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, or national origin in consideration for an award. Contractors and sub-contractors who sign a contract to work on public works project provide a 10-Hour OSHA construction safety program, or similar program approved by the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, to be completed by their onsite employees within sixty (60) days of beginning work on the construction project. The DBE Goal for this project is 5%

LETTING NO. 8677

TOWER GROVE PARK NEIGHBORHOOD

ACCESS ENHANCEMENTS

NO. TAP 5670(604), ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI

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 20, 2018, then publicly opened and read. Drawings 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.

The prime contractor must have a fully responsive contractor questionnaire on file with the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission at least 7 days prior to bid opening date in order for MODOT to concur with the award of this project. Bidders shall comply with all applicable City, State and Federal laws (including DBE policies).

There will be a pre-bid conference for this contract on November 6, 2018, 9:00 a.m., City Hall, 1200 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri Room 305. All bidders are encouraged to attend the pre-bid meeting.

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).

The City of St. Louis 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 individuals 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, or national origin in consideration for an award.

Contractors and sub-contractors who sign a contract to work on public works project provide a 10-Hour OSHA construction safety program, or similar program approved by the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, to be completed by their on-site employees within sixty (60) days of beginning work on the construction project.

The DBE Goal for this project is 16%

ST. LOUIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

St. Louis Community College will receive separate sealed bids for Contract No. F 19 501, Flooring Replacement in Child Development Center, St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley, until 2:00 p.m. local time, Tuesday, October 30, 2018. Bids will be

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

Riverview Gardens School

District is seeking an independent contractor or firm to serve in the role of construction/project manager. The RFP for this position can be found on the district website www.rgsdmo.org. The reference number is #210.

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS

SEWER DISTRICT Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District will receive RFQ’s in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103-2555 until 10:00 a.m. on November 20, 2018 to contract with a company for: Kiefer Creek Pump Station Bypass Portal and Gate Installation.

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 9628 RFQ. If you do not have access to the internet, call 314.768.2735 to request a copy of this bid.

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

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS

SEWER DISTRICT Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District will receive RFQ’s in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103-2555 until 10:00 a.m. on November 19, 2018 to contract with a company for: Kiefer Creek Pump Station Roof Replacement.

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 9627 RFQ. If you do not have access to the internet, call 314.768.2735 to request a copy of this bid.

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

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Starting October 22, 2018

The Housing Authority of St. Louis County is seeking proposals for Audit Services Please go to: http://www.haslc.com/vendors/ solicitations-and-bids/ For details.

MWBE Prebid Meeting Notice

The SITE Improvement Association is hosting a Prebid meeting for Qualified and Certified MWBE contractors to discuss working on St. Louis County’s North Hanley Road (E) Resurfacing Project Project No. AR-1738

This meeting is being held on behalf of the following SITE contractor members: Gershenson

The meeting will take place at 11:00 a.m.

October 25, 2018

SITE Improvement Association Office, 2071 Exchange Drive St. Charles, MO 63303

Project plans are available from MSD. For questions regarding this prebid meeting, Contact the SITE Improvement Association office at 314/966-2950.

BIDS

Barton County,Missouri, ProjectNo. Y1902-01 willbereceived byFMDC, StateofMO, UNTIL1:30 PM,11/15/2018. Forspecific project information andordering plans,go to:http://oa.mo. gov/ facilities

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS for PROFESSIONAL PLANNING SERVICES FOR AIRPORT LAYOUT PLAN UPDATE AT ST. LOUIS LAMBERT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. Statements of Qualifications due by 5:00 PM CT, OCTOBER 29, 2018 at Board of Public Service, 1200 Market, Room 301 City Hall, St. Louis, MO 63103. RFQ may be obtained from BPS website www. stl-bps.org, under On Line Plan Room-Plan Room, or call Board of Public Service at 314-622-3535. 15% DBE participation goal.

Much love to Mali Music. My girl Angel Shields’ latest installation of “A Night of Soul Searching” starring Mali Music Saturday night at The Ready Room wasn’t my first stop of the weekend, but it was most definitely my favorite. He was the coolest dude on the planet – and turned The Ready Room into the Ready Room Transformation Missionary Baptist Temple of the Holy Deliverance. I know some folks don’t check for inspirational music on a Saturday night, but anybody who rolled through – even if you were coming from the club – would have got happy enough to feel a praise and a shout in their spirit after the way he blessed the stage. Music Unlimited with Corey “SaxMo” Allen got things started and the lovely Therese Payne (who was having problems with the sound to the point where one of her songs sounded like a remix because of how she kept singing “soundman”). And when it was Mali’s turn, I knew it was going to be a serious matter from the first few bars that the band served up. They brought that heat, and Mali fueled the fire. With The Hamiltones PJ Morton and now Mali, my girl Angel is three-forthree in blowing me away with the talented folks she’s brought to the city with her recurring concert series.

Lupe’s fan fiasco. Listen, I will be the first one to tell you that Lupe Fiasco doesn’t get his due on the hip-hop scene. And once again he proved himself worthy when he played the Delmar Hall Wednesday night. However, I can’t co-sign with ole boy who being so hype that he had to be hemmed up and carried out of the concert because he would not stay from on top of the tables. I cannot tell you how many times security politely asked him to hop down. And he still acted as if they were in the wrong for finally carrying him out the door. That little dude made them earn every bit of whatever they were paid to keep the crowd under control with his little stunt. Then once they got him outside, he pulled an Effie White “And I Telling You I’m Not Going…” move by trying to push past the whole team to get back in and get his fill of Mr. Fiasco. He linked his arms around the bannister and was trying to be like a tree planted by the water and not be moved. I feel like they might have had to get a straightjacket to cart him off the premises. Lupe was tearing it up, but I don’t think he warranted that reaction. Shoot, I can’t think of anybody I’ve seen recently that had me dancing in my seat, let alone on the table. I take that back, St. Louis’ own Mvstermvnd had me grooving at the top of the show. He’s definitely one to watch. It’s a bit off topic, but since I’m talking about ones to watch, I will go ahead and give a shout out to East Boogie’s own Fresco Kane for putting in work with the one and only Mariah Carey – he co-wrote her latest track “With You.”

Hot mama Robbie Montgomery. Mariah isn’t the only one with new music in these streets. Wearing a cut-out catsuit that would have given Mariah a run for her money in the “Emancipation of MiMi” days, Miss Robbie Montgomery of Sweetie Pie’s fame had the 40-somethings feeling jealous. If somebody told me that I could like her when I get that age under the condition that I have to instantly jump into my 70s – I would go ahead and subscribe for AARP. A few folks might have said she wasn’t dressed appropriate for her age, but they need to go somewhere and sit down. If Angela Bassett can wear her stomach out in her 60s, then Miss Robbie can flaunt a little leg and thigh meat for her EP release concert Saturday night at The Sheldon. I’m just sayin.’ The show was cute, but because I was double-booked. I heard good things about it. Shout out to Lady Re and Kiki The First Lady for lending their talents.

TK is the black Dorian Gray. We already talking about old people looking young, so let’s give some attention to comedian T.K. Kirkland – who was in town for Jessie Taylor’s birthday weekend at The Laugh Lounge. I have seen some young looking folks, especially the ladies on the sales, administrative and editorial side of the St. Louis American (Barb, Mary, Pam, Robin, Deidre, Angelita, Dawn, Sandra…everybody). But I need to know what demon got T.K.’s spirit in exchange for him to be looking 29 at 57. Have y’all heard of Dorian Gray, the fictional character that locked his age away in a painting? Well, T.K. must be his cousin. If he didn’t have those throwback “Def Comedy Jam” and “Comic View” episodes as receipts I would say he was lying through his teeth about his age. He was still funny – until he went left and started talking about how black people need to get some life, health and auto insurance. He must have a financial advisor side hustle. But when he went in on the group in the front, I was hoping there was secret sewer exit for the sake of his personal safety. Then I found out when Jessie took the stage that the family T.K. was talking about belonged to him, I fell out. He was like “that’s alright, we’re gonna jump him after the show.” I hollered!

Prince gets the Puccini treatment. St. Louis was one of the lucky cities to get a stop of “4U: A Symphonic Celebration of Prince” Sunday night at The Fox. When I tell you that the whole experience had me feeling like I was back in first chair (okay, second) in the Hazelwood Elementary School 6th grade orchestra. I know some folks were mad that there wasn’t a vocalist, but I don’t expect to see one at a classical music performance unless it’s an opera (that would have been kind of tight to see his music done in that format as well). And we know these singers have been 0-1000 when it comes to the Prince tribute performances – so it was for the best that there wasn’t a vocalist. I think Sunday will probably be the only time I’ll see a violin soloist in thigh-high suede boots doing body rolls as she stroked her bow across the instrument, which is disappointing. All the fans had a good time – especially the woman with the tambourine that was throwing the beat off for everybody. Shout out to QuestLove for his curation and the talented local musicians who accompanied the touring band and made the whole evening possible.

Faye and Tamara helped birthday girl Tiffany (center) celebrate Friday night @ The Signature Club

Cordell and Joy caught some inspirational and soulful sounds courtesy of Mali Music Saturday night @ The Ready Room

Felicia, Darren and Winnie checking out Mali Music as he headlined ‘A Night of Soul Searching’ Saturday @ The Ready Room

Vendor Yashica McKinney and host Sir Ervin Williams III held it down @ ‘A Night of Soul Searching’ starring Mali Music Saturday @ The Ready Room

Brittani and Lynette got plenty of laughs thanks Sunday thanks to comedy veteran TK Kirkland, who headlined a weekend engagement @ The Laugh Lounge

Jacinta and Timmy paid tribute to their favorite Prince era Sunday @ 4U – A Symphonic Tribute to Prince @ The Fox

Diana and Dinah were all smiles as they eagerly anticipated the soulful sounds of Mali Music Saturday @ The Ready Room

Mitzi and Vanessa grooved to the sounds of Prince @ 4U – A Symphonic Tribute to Prince @ The Fox Sunday night

Char and Ann unwinding as they kicked their weekend off Friday night @ The Signature Club

Musicians Tonina and Syrhea couldn’t help but sing along @ 4U – A Symphonic Tribute to Prince @ The Fox Sunday night

Inspirational soul star Mali Music gave the recurring concert series creator Angel Shields another magnificent show for the books. Singer Golliday was on deck to support the show that also featured Music Unlimited and Theresa Payne.

Private

SchoolS Guide

Interested in Catholic school?

For 2019-20, the time to start exploring enrollment is now

Federation of Catholic Schools

As students complete the first quarter of the 2018-19 school year, it’s already time to start thinking about enrollment for 2019-20. Many parents – especially those with children getting ready to start school for the first time – don’t realize that the timeline for enrolling in a Catholic school begins nearly a year before their little one will step foot into a kindergarten classroom. Catholic Education and Formation in the Archdiocese of St. Louis feature an expansive coalition of schools that allow our children to develop a sense

of purpose and value, receive a higher quality education, join a welcoming community and feel secure in a dynamic future. Parents will want to take time to explore the options and find the right fit for their family.

For elementary schools, which enroll students in preschool (3- and 4-year olds) through 8th grade, parents may wish to schedule a personal tour this fall by contacting the school and making an appointment. The formal enrollment process for 2019-20 begins at the end of January.

Here are the key dates to remember.

January 27, 2019 – Open House at each Catholic Elementary School to kick off Catholic Schools Week. Come and explore the classrooms, curriculum and Christ-centered community. A map of school locations in North St. Louis county can be found at www. ExploreCatholicSchools.org

January 28, 2019 – Scholarship online applications open for several

How to avoid overscheduling your student

Creating a healthy afterschool routine for your child

By Kelly L. Ross, MD For The St. Louis American

The task of creating balance in your child’s life may seem impossible with school and so many options of extracurricular activities. You want your kids to be involved in activities outside of school, but you also want to make sure that they are not overbooked and stressed because they have too much on their plate. As a parent, it is important to find a routine that works for your child as they take on more extracurricular activities in different stages of life.

There are a couple things to consider when assessing the appropriate number of activities for your child: What’s their temperament? Every child is a little different when it comes to the number of activities they can take on without being overwhelmed. Some kids thrive on having a highly scheduled life with something going

n The timeline for enrolling in a Catholic school begins nearly a year before their little one will step foot into a kindergarten classroom.

John

who teaches history and coaches football and basketball at John Burroughs School, addressed the Class of 2018 at their Senior Assembly at their invitation.

John Merritt’s address to John Burroughs School’s Class of 2018

By John Merritt Of John Burroughs School

n I spend my time and energy as a football coach teaching our athletes to overcome that fear, and then to apply that very same strategy to the rest of their lives.

Last

the Class of

chose John Merritt, who teaches in the History Department and serves as head football coach, head women’s basketball coach and an assistant coach for the track and field team. An edited version of his remarks follow. When I found out that the class of 2018 had selected me to give

City Academy opens Early Childhood Center

North City school will start enrolling 3-yearolds, expand from 185 to 250 students

By LaShana (Shan) Lewis

For The St. Louis American

This fall, the early childhood students at City Academy became the first to study at its Early Childhood Center, part of the City Academy campus at 4175 North Kingshighway Blvd., across the street from the Mathews-Dickey Boys & Girls Club in North St. Louis, where the school first opened in 1999. The Early Childhood Center allows the expansion of the school’s current Early

Childhood education program to also include three-year-olds and eventually expand from 185 to 250 students. The school also hired its first Early Childhood director, Jeff Horwitz, in July. City Academy first opened with 42 junior kindergartens, kindergarteners, and firstgraders. Through this growth, what remains the same is the mission: “offering the best possible education for families with

City Academy Campaign Committee members, staff, and students cut the ribbon at its Early Childhood Center. They are (Stuart Campbell (board chair), Bill Macon (Campaign Committee chair), Ayomide Ajakaiye (sixth grade), Mark Allen (first grade), Nikki Doughty (chief operating officer), Don Danforth III (president and co-founder), Michelle Strawbridge (Campaign Committee member), and Milton Mitchell (principal).

Kindergarten students at All Saints Academy - St. Rose Philippine Duchesne Campus recently had a Johnny Appleseed day where they studied apples and made applesauce.

Photo by Margaret Bahe

Merritt,

Photo by Wiley Price

Kelly L. Ross, MD

STUDENT

Continued from A1

of a challenge with added homework. Extracurricular activities are good, but remember to keep a balance in your child’s life. A general rule of thumb for middle school and high school is to pick two activities that your child really enjoys.

Do they spend too much time on gadgets? Technology can be a great solution for allowing you to create a healthy schedule for your child, especially for working moms. You can set limitations on the technology your child is using or you can also use technology to know that your child is where they say they are. In addition, using the buddy system with other moms can help you establish a schedule for your child that works with your schedule as well.

Is this working? Maybe one month into the school year, do a check-in to see if your

CATholiC

Continued from C1

scholarship programs through the Today and Tomorrow Educational Foundation (www. ttef-stl.org/scholarships). Some programs are income-based and offered on a first-come, firstserved basis, so parents should take some time between now and then to become familiar with the options for which their family qualifies.

March 1, 2019 – New Family Enrollment Begins for 2018-19 - Applications for enrollment are accepted year-round, but by March most schools have completed re-enrollment of returning families and begin formalizing enrollment agreements with new families. This usually involves paperwork, an enrollment fee to secure your

child’s schedule is working. A few questions you should ask yourself to assess whether the routine in place is working for your child are:

• Is my child getting enough sleep?

• Are they getting their homework done?

child’s spot, and possibly placement testing. Apply for enrollment by March to have the best chance for receiving available scholarship funds and avoiding waiting lists.

Families with middle-schoolers

For families with middleschoolers, the timeline is even sooner for enrolling in high school. Catholic high schools in the Archdiocese of St. Louis are conducting open houses, inviting 8th graders to shadow days, and accepting applications this fall. Key dates include:

November 4, 2018 – Open House at Catholic High Schools – find dates and times at www. archstl.org/education

November 16, 2018 – Online Application Deadline for Catholic High Schools February 2019 – Most

• Did they seem stressed?

• Do they seem bored?

• Are they spending too much time on electronics?

Use all of the information that you gather to determine how your current scheduling is going. Checking in frequently will allow you to figure out how much scheduling your child needs and what works best.

Kelly L. Ross, MD is an assistant professor in the Department of Newborn Medicine at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and a pediatric hospitalist at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. She also serves as director of Pediatric Hospitalist Medicine at Missouri Baptist Medical Center. She is a working mom with teenagers who are involved in several extracurricular activities, and she has spent a lot of time looking at the research to make sure her kids are not overscheduled.

acceptance letters are mailed in early February By taking the time to explore the options and knowing the dates and deadlines, parents can take steps to ensure their child is enrolled at the school that best fits their educational and family needs.

Catholic education in the Archdiocese of St. Louis is rich in history, with its establishment 200 years ago by St. Rose Philippine Duchesne. A coalition of schools serving over 50,000 students (PreK12) within an 11-county area, our schools allow our children to develop a sense of purpose and value, receive a higher quality education, join a welcoming community, and feel secure in a dynamic future. The educational experience provided to our students and their families is rooted in a higher calling from God to honor and celebrate the gifts He has given us.

their final address I sought out some advice. What should I say? Ty Griffin said that I should introduce myself to them. In his words: “One-third of the school has no idea who you are.” So … please allow me to introduce myself.

My name is John Merritt. I am a teacher here at JBS in the History Department. I am also the head football coach, the head women’s basketball coach and an assistant coach for the Track and Field Team.

Can we try a little activity please? Just indulge me for a moment. Everyone raise your hands. No parents, not you, and 2018s you can keep yours down as well. If I taught you in 7th grade world geography, please put your hand down. If you have ever played football, girls basketball or track and field, hands down. Excellent. Those of you with your hands up … HELLO! I am so very glad to meet you! Hello! I love meeting new people and making new friends. We probably have many things in common. For example, I do enjoy watching sports, I love the theater. In fact, I am a season ticket holder at the Fox and the MUNY. I like video games and Netflix. And I literally watch almost everything “Gossip Girl” love it! “Arrested Development” ... Hilarious! ... “Empire” so much drama! Okay, so let’s get to why I am here: to deliver a message. And this is a message to the class of 2018 … but also to the entire audience. I believe in learning opportunities and teaching opportunities, and this is certainly one. So, as usual, I

will start with a history lesson. In 1963 the United States Post Office released a stamp commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. The stamp was beautiful, and it depicted a strong African-American arm breaking loose from chains into freedom. And as much as that was a celebration, many were disappointed that in 1963 the United States just hadn’t made much progress at all. The issues for African Americans in 1863 were largely similar to those in 1963, and it was that revelation that really fueled the Civil Rights Movement. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. actually wrote a book titled “Why We Can’t Wait,” imploring America that it was time to create legitimate change in conditions for African Americans.

n The most powerful tool in the known universe is the human mind ... And you have one! Use it! Without fear!

Last night I attended the Ladue High School graduation, and the president of the Ladue School Board, a gentleman named Andy Bresler, addressed the class of 2018. He explained that he graduated from high school 50 years ago in the class of 1968 and he described the issues of the day from his graduation year. Police brutality. Equal rights for women in the workplace and against sexual harassment. Racial justice and equity. The environment. U.S. involvement in foreign wars. Scarcity of oil and oil prices. Violence in American cities.

Sound familiar?

Here we sit 50 years later with an identical set of issues. To students in the room, this is the true failure of American society. It is the failure of my generation and the ones before. We can identify the issues, but we don’t actually take them on, we don’t solve them. Instead, we blame one another, create divisions, take sides and spend our energy defending our own side rather than actually solving

John Merritt, who teaches history and coaches football and basketball at John Burroughs School, got some feedback from the crown at Haertter Hall when he addressed the Class of 2018 at their Senior Assembly at their invitation.

the problems of our society.

I am sad to say that my generation has created the most divided America since the Civil War. And we don’t seem to have any real capacity to change that.

But you do! And the class of 2018 has shown us that already. With their robots and their super-high mileage vehicles, their scholarly pursuits and their ability to connect with others across the nation and around the world. This group isn’t perfect by any means, but they have shown us that a group of people can have different viewpoints, different political leanings, come from a wide variety of social, ethnic, and religious backgrounds and still treat one another with love, respect and dignity.

Time and time again this class has come together on the issue that actually matter, and they’ve already become activists and agents for change in this world.

Benjamin Franklin once said, “You may delay, but time will not.”

We should all take those words into account. But students … you do not have to wait to be great. Your time is now. The opportunities given to you at this institution are second to none ... unless you don’t take advantage of them. I lean on the words of Ben Franklin again: “Well done is better than well said.”

Go and do things! Today! While you are here. Do not waste your time! You can never

get it back.

Turn to your neighbor and say: “I know this is my chance in life. And I am going to make the most of it right now.”

Say it again.

The only thing that can stop you from being successful is YOU. And the part of you that will stop yourself is FEAR.

“The whole secret of existence is to live without fear.”

– Buddha

“I will not be afraid because the Lord is with me.” – Psalm 118

“Fear not, Allah is with you always.” – Qur’an

These things teach us that the only actual limits on your human abilities are inside yourself. Every single one of you can be great. Because the most

powerful tool in the known universe is the human mind ... And you have one! Use it! Without fear!

This school, this setting, this life gives you thousands of opportunities to confront your individual fears. Do not miss your opportunity. Walk face first into you fears and challenge them. Fear will try to enter your life under the crack of every door and from the shadow of every corner.

I see it every day. I see students who don’t study for tests because they are afraid to try their best. Afraid that they will try their best and still fail. They’d rather put forward no effort and be mediocre. I see folks who don’t try theater or music or art or a sport because they believe they aren’t “good enough.” And they are afraid for others to think that as well. And those same folks see others accomplish things and believe that it’s “easy.”

Well, let me tell you, success isn’t easy. Not real success. Sometimes we are fortunate enough to be handed success from someone else (we call that privilege), but realize that even what’s handed to you came from hard work somewhere.

This is actually why I became a football coach. Football is a game filled with fear and ruled by fear. I spend my time and energy as a football coach teaching our athletes to overcome that fear, and then to apply that very same strategy to the rest of their lives. This is why you see so many former football players as CEOs of companies and leaders of organizations around the world. Because the sport forces us to confront fear. I challenge you, to make a difference by 2068. Go out into the world and do not be afraid. Go out into the world and make a difference. This is your shot. This is your opportunity. Your opportunity lives today. Not tomorrow. Not next week. Not in 50 years. The world needs you today. Follow the lead of the class of 2018 and go into the world today and make a difference.

Photo by Margaret Bahe

Trump education budget: good for private schools

By Charlene Crowell Guest columnist

In releasing his first-ever federal budget blueprint, President Donald J. Trump stated that his intent was to “Make the Government lean and accountable to the people.” A review of its proposals, however, might be better characterized as mean.

Proposed cuts of $54 billion annually will demand a series of sacrifices from those who have the least to give: low and moderate income families. From disadvantaged youth served by Job Corps centers across the country, to senior citizens trying to cope with financial constraints in what should be their golden years, the Trump budget proposal harms far more Americans than it helps.

For example, education has historically been the bridge to a better quality of life. Yet the FY18 budget proposal would widen economic divides for some and deepen societal divisions for others. Overall, the proposed funding reduction represents approximately 13 percent of the department’s current budget.

In response, both the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) and a diverse coalition of national and state organizations are standing up and speaking out. Education is proposed to lose $9 billion that includes $3.9 million from Pell Grants revenues that otherwise would have been carried over into FY18. Additionally, the popular Federal Work-Study program would remain but only as a shadow of its former capacity - also due to more severe budget cuts.

On March 22, the 49-member Congressional

Black Caucus met with President Trump at the White House. In comments to the Associated Press before the meeting, U.S. Rep. Cedric Richmond of Louisiana, the CBC’s chair said, “His budget is contrary to AfricanAmerican interests in a number of ways, and it’s our role as policymakers to call him out on it.”

The CBC also prepared for the meeting a 128-page document entitled “We Have a Lot to Lose: Solutions to Advance Black Families in the 21st Century.” Addressing recommendations affecting many departments and agencies, the CBC report terms proposed FY18 funding levels for HBCUs as “an inadequate commitment.”

Only a few before, presidents of the nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) also had a highprofile White House meeting. It was touted as a new beginning to strengthen federal support for institutions that serve high percentages of minority students. Instead, the FY18 proposal would only continuenot raise -- the current funding of $492 million.

The CBC report called for increased funding for HBCUs, Pell Grants and Title II that provide grants supporting local efforts to recruit and retain quality educators.

On the same day, more than 50 organizations including black and Latino civil rights groups along with consumer advocates, educators,

budgeting and open enrollment that pays financial support for students to attend the public school of his or her choice;

• $250 million for a new private school choice program; and

• $168 million more for charter school funding.

These budget-shifting priorities become financially possible with severe cuts to eliminate:

• $2.4 billion for the Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants program;

• $1.2 billion for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program that supports before and after-school programs as well as summer programs; and

• $732 million for the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant program.

Beyond the proposed Education Department budget, private, for-profit career colleges have gained a regulatory reprieve, a reversal of a key rule promulgated by the Obama administration.

labor, legal and veterans’ organizations united in a letter to Congress that called for better stewardship from the Education Department.

“We believe protections for students and taxpayers should be strengthened, not scaled back,” wrote the diverse coalition. “Veterans, low-income students and students of color have been disproportionately harmed by predatory colleges.”

The Education Department’s budget blueprint would earmark $1.4 billion for “school choice”:

• A $1 billion increase for Title I funding that is hoped to encourage school districts to adopt a system of student-based

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos announced an extension for comments to be filed by career colleges on the gainful employment rule. Readers may recall that this rule requires career colleges to provide skills and knowledge that enable students to repay their student loans.

Education and consumer advocates pushed for a rule that would end the years of using taxpayer dollars to fund career education studies that did not deliver what was promised while enriching private firms with taxpayer dollars.

“The Department of Education’s decision to extend deadlines under this rule sends a signal to schools with poor performing programs that they may not be held accountable after all,” noted Robin Howarth, a senior researcher

with the Center for Responsible Lending (CRL) who specializes in student lending. “Any weakening or reversal of the gainful employment rule puts students’ financial wellbeing at risk and reverses the progress that has been made in safeguarding taxpayer dollars from funding programs that fail students repeatedly.”

In its letter to Congress, the education coalition also spoke to the importance of the gainful employment rule. “Delaying, weakening, or repealing the gainful employment rule would lead to a new race to the bottom as unscrupulous schools compete to enroll as many students as possible without regard to the quality of training, the student’s preparation, or the job prospects,” wrote the coalition.

Also during the Obama Administration, departmental guidance ended fee collections from defaulted student loan borrowers. In recent days, Secretary DeVos took steps to begin fee collection again that can total up to 16 percent of a borrower’s loans - even if borrowers could fully repay their loans within 60 days.

“The student loan program exists to help students pay for their educations, not to trap them in debt,” said Whitney Barkley, a CRL policy counsel also specializing in student lending.

“Struggling student loan borrowers who enter a rehabilitation program within 60 days of default should be given the chance to make good on their payments, not hit with excessive fees,” Barkley added. “By allowing these fees to be collected, the department has created a perverse incentive for student loan collectors, making borrowers in default more valuable than borrowers who are repaying their loans.”

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

Charlene Crowell

Advocates pushed for a rule that would end using taxpayer dollars to fund career education that did not deliver what was promised while enriching private firms with taxpayer dollars.

ESL Charter High School receives anonymous $3.5M gift

To enhance its STEM Center and STEMrelated learning

American staff

A staunch supporter of education and longtime children’s advocate has bestowed an anonymous $3.5 million gift to the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Charter High School (CHS) to enhance its STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) Center and STEM-related learning.

“The donor wanted to provide resources to children in East St. Louis to give them access to technology that will strengthen their STEM skills,” said Venessa A. Brown, associate chancellor for Diversity and Inclusion and chief diversity officer. The donor and his representatives contacted Brown to facilitate the donor’s wish to give back to his hometown by supporting CHS students.

“The donor is a person who has a heart for the betterment of all people, especially children,” said Brown. “He cares about the youth and wants our Charter High School students to have opportunities. He’s an angel for children in East St. Louis.”

“Schools are often challenged by having great ideas that can’t be implemented due to a lack of funding,” said Paul Rose, interim dean of the School of Education, Health and Human Behavior. “In this case, however, great ideas will be implemented thanks to a

donor’s generosity. Charter High School students will benefit from this gift for many years.”

“This gift is a miracle, and I’m so appreciative that the donor chose CHS as the benefactor. We are also excited about what this $3.5 million gift is going to do to change the lives of our students,” said Gina Jeffries, CHS director.

CHS opened its STEM Center in fall 2011. Monies for the center also were donated.

“Our intention is to make sure every student at Charter High School has access to technology and expose all of our 120 students to STEM education,” said Willis Young, CHS assistant director.

Some initiatives that CHS plans to fund:

• Enhancements for engineering lab

• Laptops and iPads for use by all students

• Space for robotics

• Technology fairs and competition

• Endowed STEM scholarships.

“It is CHS’ mission to see our students’ collegeand career-ready after they graduate,” said Johnathan Tate, CHS STEM faculty member. “We take every opportunity to plant within them seeds of courage to dream and dream big. We are not only grateful for this gift, but are also ecstatic for the opportunities it unfolds.”

An anonymous gift of $3.5 million was given to the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Charter High School (CHS) to accelerate its STEMrelated learning and activities. Shown are CHS STEM faculty member Johnathan Tate, CHS Director Gina Jeffries and CHS Assistant Director Willis Young.

“Big opportunities are in store for my future!” said sophomore Jalynn Bejoile, co-captain of the CHS robotic team. “I could start working now to enhance my future in STEM and be better prepared for my STEM career.”

“People like the donor, who have a passion for seeing young people be successful, look and see where their money can be best spent, and where they can see the best reward,” explained Young.

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 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.

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.

“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 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 next-

door

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.”

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.

KIPP and MICDS grad spent summer on Capitol Hill

De’Ja Wood is now a sophomore at Duke University

By Tavia Gilchrist

For The St. Louis American Washington, D.C.—Standing outside Gelman Library at George Washington University, 18-year-old De’Ja Wood looks carefree and casual, blending in with the college students lounging at a neighborhood Starbucks.

It was a fast-paced summer for the St. Louis native, who spent seven weeks as an intern on the U.S. House of Representatives’ Education & Workforce Committee. She was part of the KIPP Capitol Hill Fellowship, a program that connects KIPP’s nationwide network of alumni with summer internships in Washington.

With big braids and a youthful smile, Wood was the program’s youngest fellow ever. “The other [students] are going into their senior year or they’ve just graduated,” said Wood, who is now in her second year at Duke University. “There’s an age gap but I don’t feel pressure to overcompensate and be someone I’m not.” Wood knows she is on an accelerated track to succeed. It’s a path she started in 2009, as part of KIPP Inspired Academy’s founding class of 5th graders.

Back then, KIPP, which stands for Knowledge IS Power Program, had just expanded to St. Louis. Backed by Washington University

Photo by Tavia Gilchrist

An alumna of KIPP and MICDS and now a sophomore at Duke University, De’Ja Wood spent seven weeks as an intern on the U.S. House of Representatives’ Education & Workforce Committee this summer as part of the KIPP Capitol Hill Fellowship.

in St. Louis, the charter school quickly gained stature in the city, with dramatic gains in student test scores, high graduation and college acceptance rates. At the time, KIPP’s program ended at 8th grade, and teachers helped students find private, magnet and other charter high schools to attend in the city. The program helped Wood apply to Mary Institute and Country Day School (MICDS) in Ladue. And they have kept track of her at Duke University, requesting her college transcript each semester to ensure she continues to make good grades.

“Ms. Joyce, my 5th grade

teacher, is now my KIPP Through College advisor,” Wood said. “She was the one that told me about the fellowship through the KIPP Foundation and encouraged me to apply.” In many ways, KIPP has become more than an academic network for students like Wood. “From day one, they told us we were going to college, and they kept telling us that,” she said. Part of KIPP’s success is its wraparound approach to educating students. The program’s teachers and

See WOOD, D2

WOOD

Continued from D7

administrators are known for engaging with families to make sure they have the support needed to help students reach their academic potential.

For some families, that may mean assistance with other household necessities to ease the burden. “They not only build a relationship with the children but the family too and make the parents comfortable enough to ask for assistance,” said LaShonda Wood, De’Ja’s mother.

“With the curriculum in schools now, it’s hard to help your children with homework but parents don’t feel embarrassed to ask because KIPP already built a bridge with us.”

“We stick with our students, whether they go to KIPP High School or not and through their academic career and beyond,” said Ericka Zoll-Phelan, director of development and external affairs with KIPP St. Louis. The program reached back into Wood’s life at MICDS, “making sure she took the ACT prep, had a good GPA and helped her fill out college financial aid forms,” ZollPhelan said.

In Washington for just a summer, Wood found her

stride. “I’m a pant suits kind of person,” she said, laughing at the daily wardrobe on Capitol Hill. From her dorm room, she commuted daily on the city’s Blue and Orange line trains to Capitol Hill South and walked to the office buildings for the House of Representatives.

KIPP paid for her Metro card and the dormitory apartment she shared with three roommates—all interns in various programs on Capitol Hill. The program also provided a monthly stipend that “takes care of groceries and a little spending money,” Wood said.

During the week, she was strictly business. Work started at 9 a.m. and ended at 6 p.m. “They’re very strict about our hours in terms of wage theft and not overworking interns,” Wood said. She attended briefings and hearings and wrote memos for House members.

For Wood, working on Capitol Hill and learning about policy changes that shape American lives prepared her for a career in social policy. And she is planning her career track to come full circle, back to St. Louis. “The social economic inequity in St. Louis has made me passionate about policy,” Wood said. “I have a passion to pursue equity and to be a voice for others like me. I believe in standing up for my people.”

CITY

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limited opportunities,” as Don Danforth III, president and co-founder of City Academy, said at a recent public event for the new center.

The center was financed through a $22 million campaign and built by Simms Building Group, a blackowned general contracting and construction management firm headquartered in St. Louis. Chief Operating Officer Nikki Doughty touted the center for its “expanded STEAM, language arts, and specialized student center programming” that will further City Academy’s mission to provide “innovative, high-quality, transformative education to the St. Louis region.”

“I know that City Academy transforms children. I have seen it in action in my own children and their classmates. I know it transforms families, as it has transformed my family and my community. Michael and Marshall received an exceptional education here at City Academy and went on to be leaders in their secondary schools and in college,” said Michelle Strawbridge, parent of two alumni.

are adjusted according to the family’s income, with financial aid and scholarships made available for those that need it.

“Michael, a McNair Political Science Scholar, Beloit College class of ‘19, was selected to present his research on the effects the news media has on our perception of gun control at the Political Science Associations convention in Boston last month. Marshall, a Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholar, has completed internships with a United States senator in New York and a United States congressman in Missouri, all before starting his second year of college. That’s the confidence they garnered right here at City Academy.”

The school is tuition-based and has served students from age four up through sixth grade before the addition of the center. Payments to the school

The average class size is 25, and the student/teacher ratio is 9:1.

Danforth said that expanding to accommodate growth while keeping consistent to its vision has always been City Academy’s trajectory. Once they expanded the school into its own building next to its incubator at MathewsDickey in 2004, he said, “Applications soared, and before we knew it we were out of space.” He remembered how the maintenance room and storage rooms doubled as classroom space, and the total of students grew to 185 in a school designed to only hold 150 students. Hence the need to expand, which also provided the opportunity to

reach children one year earlier in their development.

Major gifts to enable this growth included a $7.5 million endowment gift from the McDonnell family, which helped launch the campaign in the spring of 2016. The Crawford-Taylor family provided a $2 million campaign gift, which will provide scholarship support to the school’s expanded student body. The Charles F. Knight family gave $1 million to finance the Early Childhood Center. The Steward Family Foundation provided $1 million to support the school’s growth. Bayer donated $250,000 for a new MakerSpace classroom for the school’s STEAM program.

“At last year at this time, the Early Childhood Center was a dusty gravel parking lot. In less than a year’s time, it is now the most incredible space that

has already transformed our immediate community,” said Milton Mitchell, principal of City Academy.

“Think about the donors who gave mightily to fund this (thank you, Development!), the architect/planning/construction crews who have done the impossible. Reflect on the families who never imagined their children going to school in such an environment that is in their own neighborhood. Think about the amount of dreaming, planning, meeting, collaborating contributed by those of you here and those who are no longer at City Academy to make this a reality.”

For more information about City Academy, visit https:// www.cityacademyschool.org/, email info@cityacademyschool. org or call 314-382-0085.

Photo by Wiley Price

Don Danforth III, president and co-founder of City Academy, talks with Martin Mathews co-founder of Mathews-Dickey Boys and Girls Club, and John Moten, retired Laclede Gas executive, at the grand opening of the school’s Early Childhood Center on September 26.

Clay holds Ministerial Town Hall

Lawmakers ‘ remind clergy of new tax law affects religious nonprofits

By Sandra Jordan Of The St. Louis American

When the new tax law, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 goes into effect in 2019, changes are ahead for churches and other religious institutions and Congressmen Wm. Lacy Clay of Missouri and G.K. Butterfield of North Carolina visited with area clergy in St. Louis on October 5 to provide an overview of what to expect.

“For the first time in our nation’s history, the U.S. government is imposing taxes on churches and other nonprofit institutions on certain benefits that you provide to your employees,” Clay said in his opening remarks at Betty Jean Kerr People’s Health Centers’ Lacy Clay Center for Children’s Health. He said this new tax by the Trump and Republican administration forces nonprofits to foot part of the bill for tax cuts in the new law, that mainly benefits the wealthy and big business.

“That bill, which delivers 80 percent of the benefits to the top one percent of taxpayers, will add over $2 trillion to the national debt with no way to pay for it,” Clay said. “The president and his Republican enablers are also assaulting Social Security and Medicare in order to recover some of the cost of this massive welfare bill for corporations and the super wealthy. That’s evil, that’s wrong and we intend to fix it.”

Butterfield, former chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, said after the tax bill was rushed through and became law (before many had time to read it), a provision was found in the law that directly pertains to nonprofits all across the county. He said while the housing allowance is not affected by the tax law, “other fringe benefits that the church may pay to its pastor — particularly travel, parking, arguably, meal reimbursements, and some of that discretion is given to the Internal Revenue

to decide what is in and what is not in … book allowance … conference allowance … an entertainment budget … all of these fringe benefits now have been called into question,” Butterfield said.

He said the travel benefit has been kicked out, including providing the pastor a vehicle and paid parking.

“If your church provides you travel benefit … then that will become taxable to the pastor and taxable to the church, which means then, that the church will now have to file a tax return for what is called unrelated business income,” Butterfield said, “and you would have to pay a 21 percent tax on those amounts.”

Butterfield said Republicans have beat Democrats up for years about not passing programs because it would add to the nation’s deficit, but “For some reason, a year and-half ago, the deficit went out the window.”

Clay said right now, the U.S. is doing about a trillion dollars of deficit spending every year.

The tax law Congress passed last December, gives corporations a tax cut from 35 percent to 21 percent, while giving only a temporary, modest tax cut for middle-income wage earners.

“The average tax cut out of this legis-

Congressman Lacy Clay greets St. Louis area clergy after his town hall meeting at Betty Jean Kerr People’s Health Centers’ Lacy Clay Center for Children’s Health, which featured special guest Congressman G.K. Butterfield, former chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus.

by Steven Englehardt

lation for an individual making $60,000 a year is $380,” Butterfield said, “But if you’re making $6 million a year or $60 million a year, that translates into millions of dollars in tax cuts.”

Clay and Butterfield said legislation has already been introduced that would eliminate the new tax on nonprofits and raise the corporate tax rate by one percent to pay for the offset. Whether this effort gets any traction will depend the results of next month’s midterm elections, where Democrats are hoping for big wins.

Butterfield said, “We have a bill that’s going to reverse that, hopefully, when we go back into the majority in January.”

When asked what the clergy could do, Clay said bring it to the attention of your senators and other members of the House to make them aware that Congress needs to repeal this section of the tax law.

“At the end of the year, in at our lame duck session, there will be some type of tax legislation and the hope is that we can put this on in the form of an amendment to that legislation that will be traveling through the House and Senate,” Clay said. “This year, I think you’re going to get hit with it, but hopefully we will repeal it for the next year.

The Message

Spiritually Speaking…

There are several universal principles in life that nobody can refute. The opposite of hot is cold. If you know good, you have to acknowledge evil. For every up there is a down. As a matter of fact, the reality of opposites lets us know there should be expectancy in life that forces us to act a certain way. This affirmative action, of which I speak, allows you to understand and act accordingly when you know you’re dealing with the truth as opposed to a lie. My example would be a child’s knowledge of Santa Claus. As the truth becomes known, instantly the child acts with the knowledge that he knows that he knows that he knows. The perspective I am trying to get you to see and react to here is the truth of lost and found. I submit to you that the subject of this scenario is us, you and me. Are you lost? Are you found? And who determines which answer is correct? Biblically speaking, we lost it all in Eden and had it restored via the cross. In life’s game of lost and found it is imperative that we know when we are lost in order to find ourselves, or at least the direction in which we should be headed. Can you be found without first being lost? In my case, I know what lost is because once I found Christ, I found me. This may sound somewhat trite to you but finding myself in relationship with God was and is an eye opening experience, the likes of which I would wish on every one of you. You see being lost in this world is being vulnerable to it; unaware of the spiritual dangers that lurk all around us. The world will see to it that you lose yourself to its entanglements, its temptations, its so called pleasures identified as whatever your weaknesses are i.e., greed, ambition, pride, sex, drugs and power. Pick your poison. If not, being lost allows your poison to pick you. Now when you make an honest effort to find yourself, like the addict who must first admit his addiction, the effort is defined by an acknowledgment that you are indeed lost and need divine guidance to ultimately get this thing called life in order. In the Parable of the Lost Son that acknowledgement sounds like this. “…Father I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of you hired men.” Luke 15: 18-19. The truth he could not deny. He was absolutely lost. Apparently, he had to become lost. He went looking for lost and found it. It enabled him to “find” himself and find his way home. And you know what he found? A waiting father, who had to explain it to his other son who never left, “But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” Luke 15:32. All I’m trying to say is when you finally get it, there’s only one place to go; home. And in this case home is where God is.

Columnist James Washington

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