October 5th, 2023 edition

St. LouiS AmericAn

Final rest for a revered community treasure

Renowned Austin Layne, Jr. passes at 87

By Kenya Vaughn The St. Louis American

Austin Layne. The name is an institution in St. Louis – Black St. Louis in particular –because the man who bore it devoted more than a half-century of service to the mortuary industry. Layne passed away on Sunday, October 1 after an illness. He was 87.

“He was a living legend,” said Layne’s widow Lady Eneazer Layne. “He was larger than life, and a force to be reckoned with.”

For context regarding his standing within the community, one didn’t need to see his name written in massive cursive letters across the funeral chapels he founded. They didn’t have to walk down Austin Layne, Jr. Way –

See LAYNE, A7

Gabe Gore adds Judge Draper to CAO team

Attorney and jurist will serve as training officer

By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American

Retired Missouri Supreme

Court

Judge George W. Draper III will join the Office of the St. Louis Circuit Attorney as Chief Training Officer on October 23, 2023.

“It is a rare honor to have a man of Judge Draper’s impeccable character and vast legal expertise return to his roots in this office to train our team,” said Gore during a Tuesday press conference at his office.

“He will provide our attorneys with an incomparable education that not only will promote excellence while

n George W. Draper III, whose judicial career spanned more than 20 years, worked for the Circuit Attorney’s Office for a decade beginning in 1984.

they are in this office, but also serve them well for the rest of their careers. I can think of no better role model for those who are drawn to the call of public service in the criminal justice system.”

Chiropractor Glenn Miller is a men’s health advocate

Miller, who serves as 100 Black Men Health and Wellness chair, provides young Black boys and men something he didn’t always have growing up – guidance, support, and structure.

Draper, whose judicial career spanned more than 20 years, worked for the Circuit Attorney’s Office for a decade beginning in 1984.

“I welcome the opportunity to work with prosecutors on Gabe Gore’s team and share the knowledge I have gained from my years in the court room – on both sides of the bench,” Draper said.

“My initiation into the profession and service to our community was through this office, so this is a homecoming of sorts for me. I am excited to step into a new role as a mentor and help shape the next generation of trial

A fitting monument for heroic Dred Scott

Headstone for legendary figure unveiled at Calvary Cemetery

By Ashley Winters St. Louis American

Dred Scott, a fighter for freedom who who helped inspire the struggle for Black American legal and civil rights, now has a monument fit for his contribution to the nation’s history. Scott’s wife, Harriet Robinson Scott, will have a new headstone celebrated at her resting place in Greenwood Cemetery in Hillsdale on October 14 the ceremony begins at 11:00 am. Family, friends, and community members gathered on Saturday, September 30 at Calvary Cemetery, 5293 West Florissant Avenue for the unveiling of headstone. The charcoal-colored monument stands 9 feet tall, and is etched with Bible scriptures and a picture of Scott. Before the new monument was erected, Scott had a simple gravestone that stood two feet tall for the past 66 years.

See SCOTT, A6

Tejan keeps students’ futures at forefront

By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American

Khadija Tejan could be considered a skilled laborer because she helps pave paths to success for the 5,700 students in the Riverview Gardens School District.

As the district’s College and Career Counselor, she cares deeply for the postsecondary outcomes of all students, making sure they are aware of various college, career, and military pathways.

“My hope is to empower them to make informed decisions about their future,” she explains.

She organizes college tours, career workshops and military recruitment events to provide students with opportunities to explore different options and gain insight into potential paths they may not have considered before. She strives to ensure that every student in the district has access to the resources and support they need “to pursue their dreams beyond high school.”

For her dedication to students’ futures, Tejan is recipient of the 2023 Southeast Missouri State University Counselor of the Year award.

See TEJAN, A6

St. Louis Circuit Attorney announced on Tuesday that former Chief Justice of the Missouri Supreme Court Judge George W. Draper III, (left) will join his staff as chief training officer.

Austin Layne was honored during an appreciation celebration on March 6, 2022, and his wife Eneazer presented him with a bronze bust. Layne passed away at 87 on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023.

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Photo by Bill Greenblatt / St. Louis American

Khadija Tejan

SEMO Counselor of Year

Cardi B kicks in haunted mansion story as Halloween nears

Cardi B is convinced a ghost is kicking it in her Los Angeles mansion.

She told her spooky profanity-filled story on Instagram last week, which includes crazy buzzing sounds and mysterious voices.

“I start hearing like a fly sound. I don’t see the … fly nowhere… Then I start hearing this sound in the hallway. It sounds like somebody’s on the phone.”

alone, it always wanna mess with me,” she said.

Cardi B is even thinking about leaving the mansion and living in a hotel while in L.A. “because I can’t take it anymore.”

Kevin Hart didn’t bank on past words checking in

“All I’m saying to you is that there’s a…ghost or spirit in this… house, and what I don’t like about it is that the ghost be [messing] with me.”

Apparently, the ghost takes a break when her husband and Migos founder, Offset, is not around

“When Offset is in this house, nothing ever happens, but when I’m

The comical Kevin Hart might have been joking two years ago while discussing Black economic short comings but they resur faced and he’s catching heat, The Atlanta Star is reporting.

Hart neared the top of many “trending topics” lists online on Sept. 26 when a clip of a 2021 appearance at the 10X Growth Conference hosted by Grant Cardone began circulating.

“If you look in the hood, there’s liquor stores and check cashing places. You know why? Because they know the peo

ple in the hood aren’t smart enough to open up bank accounts. They’re gonna get a check, they gon’ cash it, and it’s a liquor store right next to it,” Hart said.

Hart was mimicking bank executives with his next statement – which apparently passed over the head of those upset with his comments.

“‘Let’s just put that around them. Let’s also put a bunch of s–t that’s easy and cash available. We don’t want you to gain credit. We want you to be cash driven. That’s how we keep the poor poor.’”

Among those suffering from misplaced outrage ailments was Stacy Brown, NNPA senior correspondent.

of his estimated $450 million worth over this nonsense.

John Legend and wife Chrissy Teigen renew wedding vows

Chrissy Teigen

“…This is a real “I forgot where I came from” moment! Very much a response without acknowledging facts. I guess some folks leave the hood (or never been) and altogether forget the plight.” Hotsheet’s guess is Hart didn’t lose sleep or any part

Love is in the air for John Legend and Chrissy Teigen, the married couple renewed their vows recently in Italy. The couple, who recently welcomed their fourth child, renewed their vows in the same location they tied the knot 10 years ago. According to Page Six, the 37-year-old model and 44-year-old musician were seen arriving at the five-star Villa Passalacqua in Lake Como, Italy, on a boat. Teigen looked stunning as the “bride” in a sheer, black lace long-sleeved gown with a structured bodice and ruffled detailing on the shoulders. And Legend, a ‘Dapper Dan’ in his own right, said his I-dos in a white suit jacket, which he paired with black trousers and a classy bow tie.

Sources: BET, Atlanta Star, Page Six

Kevin Hart

Cardi B

n “We need to make sure that we treat each other with respect, and we show Canadians that example.”

– Greg Fergus after being elected Canada’s first Black Speaker of the House of Commons

Improving community, police relationship goal of forum

‘Humanizing each other goes a long way’

By Sylvester Brown Jr. St. Louis American

Before and after

slavery, African Americans have endured a traumatic relationship with law enforcement.

From slave patrols to post-slavery laws to racially motivated stop-and-frisk laws, police have been tools to socially control and repress Black people.

On Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023, the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis held a forum at New Sunny Mount Missionary Baptist Church, 4700 West Florissant Avenue, designed to build trust and reduce fear between police and communities of color.

The forum was part of Phase 3 of the 400 Years of African American History Commission’s (400YAAHC) “I Fear for My Life Campaign,” which is dedicated to seeking “common ground” for candid dialogue among citizens who want to see less fear in the criminal justice system.

Ironically, “I fear for my life” is the dual language of Black people and the police. For Black people, it applies to the fear of deadly force employed by law enforcement. For police, it refers to violence they may encounter from a domestic call, a drug arrest, or a traffic stop. In both scenarios, the fear is reasonable; it is real and, according to 400YAAHC, it needs to be discussed openly, publicly, and continually. The forum was led by Kideste Yusef, associate professor of criminal justice and chair of the Bethune-Cookman University Center for Law and Social Justice. Yusef told the crowd that Missouri has been the hotbed of the national

discussion on police violence even before Michael Brown was gunned down by a Ferguson police officer in 2014. She cited the results of national surveys indicating that police officers across the country have indicated an increase in their levels of fear and anxiety when interacting with the public. While noting the so-called “Ferguson Effect” where criticism and distrust of police has increased their fears and lowered their morale, Yusef also spoke to the long history of policing that has persistently increased “anxiety and fears” among Black peo-

ple. She shared experiences from the “I Fear for My Life Campaign.”

“As we travel across the country, we expect people to have a diversity of experiences with law enforcement. For example, what we know is that African American college students are having frequent and consistent contact with law enforcement. They’re not always negative encounters but what we know is they’re having more encounters than the general public and some of these encounters have been traumatizing.”

Describing both police and Black people as “com-

munities,” Yusef stressed that fear and mistrust exists on both sides of the equation.

Some Black Americans have fears and anxieties from “lived experiences” or through social media accounts. Yet, on the side of law enforcement, she added: “We know the job is high-stress and at any time can lead to a situation where a loss of life may occur.”

The next crucial step, she added, is the need for the two communities to come together and share their histories of different traumas.

“Most of the young people we’ve talked to had

only engaged with law enforcement as a reaction to calls for service but not in a voluntary, positive environment where they choose to have a sitdown,” Yusef explained. The same applies to law enforcement, Yusef added, who are often going from service call to service call with no time to create “space” for what she defined as “non-aggressive, non-enforcement contact.”

It’s also important who comes to that space, she added, referring to previous “I Fear for My Life Campaign” meetings.

“It’s mostly people who trust and respect the community already and don’t have these issues. That’s not who we need to be speaking to.” The same applies to law enforcement. Yusef said, adding that most officers involved with public engagement meetings “are not the officers that people are complaining about.” They are officers in districts that have already implemented voluntary engagement activities in communities of color. “We have to normalize these conversations where they become institutionalized within the agencies but also where communities start to understand and embrace our collective responsibilities,” Yusef said.

During the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis forum on law enforcement people of color, Kideste Yusef called both police and Black people “communities” and mistrust exists within each.

Photo courtesy of Bethune-Cookman

Editorial / CommEntary

Editorial

Black voter apathy could have awful cost

The cost of voter apathy is even more alarming when you realize that according to the Cook’s Political Report’s Davis Waserman, only 82 of the 435 members of the House of Representatives’ races every 2 years are competitive across the country between Democrats and Republicans.

That is just half of the swing districts in 1999. That has led to a vast majority of primaries that outpaced influence on any group of highly engaged and more-intentional voters who show up and vote in these less emphasized contests according to the Bipartisan Policy Center less than 1 in 5 eligible voters and their ballots in party primaries. It means that this small group of voters that do show up have a disproportionate impact on who goes to the influential U.S. Senate.

The presiding officer of the House is elected by whichever party has the most voting members. Hakeem Jeffries, who represents the diverse Eight Congressional District in New York, an area that includes most of the larger parts of Brooklyn and he is serving his sixth term in Congress. Jeffries is the current leader of the Democratic Caucus and is likely to become the Democratic Speaker if Democrats gain control of the House.

n Black voter apathy means we miss a huge opportunity to affect primary election outcomes.

While there is the issue of party registration in the 30 states where only registered party voters can vote in primaries. However, Alaska, California, Louisiana, and Washington don’t have primary elections in federal elections or changed them into non-partisan ones in which the top finishers make it to the November ballot.

In any case, Black voter apathy means we miss a huge opportunity to affect primary election outcomes. We need to understand better how electoral policies actually work and take more responsibility to understand how we can use the system to better advance our interests and concerns.

We must become smarter, more active voters. We must become more willing and able to recognize that most aspects of our lines are dependent on how we make our voices heard at the ballot box.

We know that voter suppression and gerrymandering maps that dilute the power of Black voters are used to undermine our political influence. But despite those challenges, we must take responsibility to incentivize our voters to get to the polls. They need to understand that their votes in many situations do count when we participate in greater numbers because the margins of who will control is often very close.

In this highly divisive moment, every single Congressional seat is extremely important. If Democrats gain control of the House, there will almost certainly be the first Black Speaker of the House in history.

The current narrow margins in several swing districts that hold the balance of power in federal elections make the level of our voter participation have an even more consequential impact. This should be a huge incentive for all Black America to mobilize for huge voter participation.

Moreover, there has also been a significant shift of Black voters from cities to the suburbs where they often hold the balance of power between Democrats and Republicans. This increasingly significant Black suburban vote helped several Democratic elected officials including the presidency win some states including Arizona, Wisconsin, Michigan, Georgia, and Pennsylvania.

Meanwhile the outcomes of the upcoming national elections in 2024 could lead to dire consequences for Black people in this country, if the next president is Donald J. Trump and Republicans control the House and Senate. We would likely see the country move down a perilous path that would create great destructive harm for Black people. We must fight back at the polls.

The vote franchise was gained for Black people only after much pain, suffering and sacrifice by our forebears and sympathetic non-Black people. Our vote is still continually being compromised as shown in the 2013 Shelby County v. Holder Supreme Court decision by a 5 to 4 count (Justice Clarence Thomas cast the decisive concurring vote) that reversed the most aggressive and effective rule for federal protection of voting rights since Reconstruction.

The St. Louis American in partnership with Deaconess Foundation is embarking on in-depth comprehensive coverage of voting issues pertinent to 2024 elections and will be creating media which demystifies down ballot voting in St. Louis.

As I See It

A legacy advancing investment in public education

By Keith Williamson

In 2016, two pillars of our community –Frankie Freeman and Bill Danforth – tasked a group with carrying on their legacy and designing a path forward to equitably educate children in St. Louis. That effort helped me and many others understand that a strong public education system must continue to evolve and innovate to meet the evolving needs of families and our community. The announcement that The Opportunity Trust has been awarded a $35.5 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Charter Schools Program as a State Entity (CSPSE) signals a potential to “double down” on our community’s effort to build a strong public school system that includes new schools designed to meet the needs of families. In pursuing educational equity, our community must call out and work against the disparities that exist in our region’s schools. Today, more than 72% of persistently failing schools in our state are concentrated in St. Louis,

and most of the students enrolled are Black. To make matters worse, Black children across Missouri lost more ground during the pandemic than their peers in other states.

The good news is that we know this does not have to be our reality.

Public school systems across the country, serving kids who face these same challenges, have made tremendous gains by helping to ensure more families each year have access to a range of free, quality schools. To accomplish this, we’ve learned to empower experienced educators to collaborate with families and community partners to design and launch new schools. These new charter public schools bring present-day vision and innovation to meet the unique learning challenges of today. Charter public schools in St. Louis and across Missouri have demonstrated the difference innovative educational approaches can make.

A recent study by Stanford University’s Center for Research on Education Outcomes (CREDO) found Missouri’s charter public schools among the nation’s most effective.

Students attending our charter public schools received 39 additional days of learning in reading and 56 additional days of learning in math compared to students attending traditional district schools.

Critics often point to the charter schools that have closed due to poor performance; however, this level of accountability has helped fuel the success of schools overall.

Charter schools that struggle to perform and retain families are closed. When it happens, this process is disruptive to families and educators in the short term. Yet, this commitment to honest reflection and doing what is best for children ensures our public education system maintains the best schools that meet the changing needs of children, our economy, and our community. The investment of this federal grant signifies more than financial support; it underscores our community’s collective commitment to leveraging opportunities to advance educational excellence and ensure every student in St. Louis not only dreams of a brighter, more promising future – but also is prepared to live it.

Keith Williamson is The Opportunity Trust board chair

Commentary

It’s déjà vu all over gain

By Mike Jones

We are again at the beginning of another Presidential campaign season.

Just over a year from now, we’ll be saying the same things about November 2024 that we’ve said following general Election Day since November 2000.

I say this without fear of contradiction because for the last three election cycles I have written the same thing about the beginning of each election cycle. But what was true then, is truer now.

I wrote the following during the 2020 Presidential election. It cites a column I wrote about during the 2016 Presidential election.

the same. There’s nothing that will happen in October 2023 that will decide the outcome in November 2024. Polling, at this moment, is meaningless. The only score which counts is the final one.

Pundits and analysts talk for a living, and therefore require an audience – even 15 months before the election. You wouldn’t show up if they told you the truth; that everything they’re talking about now is irrelevant to the outcome of the November 2024 election.

“If you are African American, Latino, Asian, Muslim or a member of the LGBT community, voting for Hillary Clinton for president is a matter of self-defense – self-preservation, really. If you are an American who identifies as white, you face a choice latent with profound moral and social implications.”

The column was entitled, “Donald Trump and the last Stand of White Male Privilege in America,” and as Yogi Berra would’ve said, “it’s Déjà vu all over again.”

We’ve had two Republican faux presidential debates and are overrun by pundits attempting to make the banal significant. Political pundits are akin to play-by-play announcers or analysts for MLB, NBA, or the NFL. They want you to believe things that happen in the first inning or quarter are critical to how the game plays out. It’s about keeping eyes on commercials. You can’t win the game until it’s over. A good start is better than a bad start, but you must play the entire game. Political campaigns are

What should America’s political pundit class be talking about now?

The discussion should center on white Americans. What are white Americans “who know better” prepared to do about white Americans who refuse “to do better?”

This turmoil and chaos are generated by a substantial cohort of white America that’s totally committed to maintaining a white cultural, economic, and political hegemony by any means necessary. This includes the destruction of the Constitutional Republic of the United States, and suppressing the rights of white people who don’t agree with them.

The fate of America is not in the hands of MAGA America, much to its chagrin. The fate of America is where it has always been; in the hands of white Americans “that know better.”

Therein lies the problem.

The America we live in today is a function of decisions made, or not made or acquiesced to, by people who identify as white Americans. If you are Black, Native American, nonwhite immigrants, or member of another marginalized group, your American reality has been defined by the preferences and

EMERITUS LEADERSHIP

Nathan B. Young (1894-1993)

Founder N.A. Sweets (1901-1988)

Publisher Bennie G. Rodgers (1914-2000)

Executive Editor

Melba Sweets (1909-2006)

Editor

Publisher and Executive Editor Donald M. Suggs

ADMINISTRATION

Kevin Jones - Chief Operating Officer

Dina M. Suggs - Sr. Vice Pres.

Robin R. Britt - Controller Raven Whitener - Director, The St. Louis American Foundation and Special Events

Mary Easter - Front Desk Administrator

Cathy Sewell -Newspaper In Education Manager

Felicia Pearson - Operations Support

EDITORIAL

Alvin A. Reid - City Editor Wiley Price - Photojournalist Sylvester Brown Jr.Deaconess COVID Fellow

Ashley Winters - Report for America Reporter

Danielle Brown - Community Reporter

prejudices of white America. The real issue for November 2024 isn’t the unhinged behavior of MAGA America, it’s the tolerance that white non-MAGA Americans have for the aberrant behavior of MAGA America. This isn’t an epiphany. As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., eloquently wrote in his April 1963 Letter From A Birmingham Jail (https://www.africa. upenn.edu/Articles_Gen/ Letter_Birmingham. html), “the bane of our existence in America is the white moderate, white Americans who know better but lack the moral resolve to do better.” His point was reinforced after the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama. Walter Cronkite read Atlanta Constitution editor Eugene Patterson’s column, “A Flower For The Graves ( https:// www.poynter.org/ethicstrust/2020/a-flower-forthe-graves/) on the CBS Evening News.

Next year’s election isn’t about who will be the next president. It will be an answer to an existential question: Who is white America?

If you choose the MAGA path, then what level of oppression are you willing to impose to establish the dystopian future?

For those who support a multiethnic democracy, what sacrifices are you prepared to make to form a more perfect union? The outcome of the election will also be determined by a third question. Can a critical mass of white Americans stand in moral judgement of other white Americans, then stand in solidarity with America’s BIPOC population in opposition to MAGA Americans? These are moral, not political questions. Meanwhile, who is Black America in this scenario?

Earl Austin

Columnist Mike Jones

Columnist Keith Williamson

Former CVPA Principal Kacy Shahid guided her school through grieving and triumphant return following the school shootings in October 2022. Shahid will be keynote speaker during the 20th Kwame Charitable Foundation Gala on Nov. 10 at the Four Seasons.

Kwame Charitable Foundation to celebrate 20th Anniversary

St. Louis American staff

Dr. Kacy Shahid, Cahokia School District assistant superintendent and author, will be keynote speaker for Kwame Charitable Foundation’s 20th Anniversary Gala at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10, 2023 at the Four Seasons Hotel.

Shahid, the former principal of Central Visual and Performing Arts High School, is also author of #HEARTWORK, a 90-day self-reflective journal of healing,

In the months following the October 2023 fatal shootings at CVPA, Shahid took a “much-needed pause” to heal and reflect, she said on her Facebook page.

During that time, Shahid said she focused on her personal healing journey and created a “heartwork” journal for those “on a self-discovery mission to concentrate on healing and finding joy.”

Tony Thompson, Kwame Building Group founder and chair, and his wife, Kim, established the foundation to help first-generation college students whose academic success was hindered by limited resources.

The foundation has established endowed scholarships at nearly 30 institutions and supports organizations that help to enhance the educational landscape within this region and throughout the United States.

“College exposure, mentorships and endowed scholarships are the primary avenues by which we remove barriers that can impede success,” said Tony Thompson.

“Through our intentionality in various community initiatives, the future is more hopeful for scholars, so deserving of the opportunity to reach their full potential.”

For ticket and sponsorship information, please visit kwamecharitable.org.

Time to fall into the new season

By Wendy Gladney

We have ushered in a new season. We said goodbye to summer and welcomed the freshness of fall.

Globally, we have experienced so many changes and challenges with the weather that most of us believe there is such a thing as climate change. The Midwest and East basked in summertime temperatures well into October. The erratic weather pattern makes it impossible to judge the seasons primarily on how hot or cold it is.

I love the various seasons and I look forward to the beginning of each new season and all that it has to offer. I feel like it gives us an opportunity to start fresh with new beginnings.

Fall, also known as autumn, usually means cooler temperatures, our days become shorter, and what I love is how the colors change and the leaves on the trees become incredibly beautiful with a range of color hues of yellow, gold, orange, and bronze. Autumn is a time when we have various festivals and celebrations.

Fall is known as a secondary planting season with vegetables such as sprouts, greens, cabbage, and broccoli to name a few. Autumn is the time that gives us one more chance to get in some last-minute planting before harvest time. Fall is also the season when we usually prepare our homes before the cold weather hits us. We weatherproof our homes; we pack away things, organize our garages, and put some things in storage. It is also important to make sure we seal up windows and doors to keep out the cold air that comes with winter.

I have also learned that it is important to get vents and chimneys cleared from all the debris of the previous year to keep down possible fires. When I think about what we must do to protect our homes and land, the question I ask myself is what correlating things we should do in our personal lives to prepare for fall.

Fall is a good time to do some self-reflection to see what work we need to do in our own lives to prepare for not only the harvest we desire, but also for the rough times that may come with winter. It is a good time to consider what you should clear out to ward off potential fires in your life.

This fall, what seeds are you planting to receive the crop you desire when it is time for your harvest? When you are doing inventory, think about what you really want and do not forget the spiritual seasons of your life.

Spiritual seasons are just as important. Awakening, seeker, devotion, surrender, service, enlightenment, renewal, and growth are all various degrees of where we are. Where are you? Do you even have a spiritual compass that will help you not only in this season, but for your entire life?

As the weather grows cooler and the days grow shorter, I plan to take advantage of this season by planting the seeds that will bring me a little closer to my goals on all levels – spiritually, physically, emotionally, financially, relationships, and career.

As we do the necessary work for the next season, do not forget to look around and enjoy the beauty this season brings. Fall will pass quickly and before you know it, we will be planning the holidays associated with winter. So, let this be a season of gratitude and planting for what is to come next in your life.

Wendy Gladney is a Los Angeles Sentinel columnist

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Wendy Gladney

For his descendants, this was a day to honor the uphill battles he fought for his human rights. They also acknowledged the current state this country is in, with a hope for a better future. The ceremony also honored the 165th anniversary of Scott’s death.

“(Scott’s) original headstone just didn’t do justice to his history,” said Scott’s great-great-granddaughter, Lynee Jackson.

The family will keep the original modest size headstone and Jackson added that Scott’s gravesite is the most requested in the cemetery. She said when visiting she passed up the small headstone a few times.

“And now that will be no more,” she said. “To God be the glory.”

Dred Scott Madison II, Scott’s great-great-grandson, said the monument is a great tribute to a great American hero.

“This is a great dedication,” said Madison.

He discussed the dark history of slavery, the impact it had on his great-great-grandfather, and his pride in Dred Scott’s fight that led to his historic Supreme Court case.

But he fears that Scott’s story, and those of many other Black history makers, will be erased because of new policies in place that aim to ignore America’s history.

“My ancestors lived the American nightmare so that I can live the American dream,” said Madison.

“Slavery is a stain on this country’s fabric no matter the race, color, or creed. Everyone was impacted.”

Dawn Eden Goldstein, shared the story of Father Ed Dowling, a St. Louis Jesuit priest who helped campaign for Scott’s first headstone in the 1950s.

Draper

Continued from A1

practitioners.” Draper was appointed to the bench as associate circuit judge in the 21st

Tejan

Continued from A1

She will be honored during the 36th Annual St. Louis American Foundation Salute to Excellence in Education Scholarship and Awards gala on Saturday Nov. 4, 2023, at America’s Center downtown.

Tejan does more than

Before the contributions of Father Dowling and his sister, Scott’s grave site was unmarked. Goldstein, who authored a Dowling autobiography, said he and his sister, Anna, partnered with the Old Baden Historical Society and the Blow family to help raise funds so that Scott could have a headstone.

According to Goldstein, the gravesite was owned by the descendants of Taylor Blow, who freed Scott. Father Dowling contacted Taylor Blow’s grandson, Thomas Blow. Thomas Blow gave his blessing to raise funds for the gravesite. From that point, Father Dowling contacted Scott’s great-grandson, John A. Madison, Jr.—who is the father of Lynne Jackson. Scott wanted to make sure that the headstone would meet the approval of Scott’s descendants.

“So now Dred Scott’s grave has the monument that Father Dowling wanted him to have,” said Goldstein.

Peggy Lewis, a member of the Dred Scott Heritage Foundation since 2008, met the descendants of Scott when she was a teacher. She assigned her students to write a poem about Scott and his court case. During her time on the board, Lewis learned the statues of Scott in front of the Old Courthouse downtown were not paid for, and she helped raise money to cover the balance.

“I think this monument is so overdue, Dred Scott has now some recognition,” said Lewis. She said Scott stepped up to the plate and batted the first ball toward civil rights. “It is only fitting and proper that he gets this monument,” she said. At the end of the ceremony, people were asked to place pennies representing Lincoln’s emancipation of the enslaved. Ashley Winters is a Report for America reporter for the St. Louis American.

Judicial Circuit (St. Louis County) in 1984, was appointed as circuit judge and in 1998, and in 2000 as judge of the Eastern District Missouri Court of Appeals.

In 2011, Draper was appointed to the Supreme

expose students to their diverse options. She endeavors to land scholarship dollars for her scholars and takes on biases that often block paths to success – this includes testing and GPA requirements for Missouri Merit Scholarships.

“It starts off great, right? You come to school, get good grades, make sure you give back to others,” she told the St. Louis

Court of Missouri by former Gov. Jeremiah “Jay” Nixon. Judge Draper has been teaching trial advocacy at St. Louis University School of Law for more than 20 years.

He is a graduate of Morehouse College in

American in 2021.

“Those are the components. And what shuts the door are those other pieces, namely, the testing requirements. Those start to filter people out. But all our students know that if they work hard, they do the work, they have this opportunity.”

While serving both SLPS and Riverview Gardens, most of the students Tejan helps prepare for life after high school are African American. Being a Black counselor has its benefits, according to a recent Education Week article.

Atlanta and received his law degree from Howard University in Washington, D.C. After law school, Draper was a law clerk for fellow St. Louisan, Judge Shellie Bowers in the District of Columbia Superior Court.

“School counselors of color have an advantage in being able to recognize cultural assets students of color can bring to a school and how they can leverage assets such as the value of collectivity, the importance of paying your debts to your ancestors and the value of oral history, said Lisa Andrews, a counselor educator, former school counselor, and director of user support and training at the California College Guidance Initiative.

For instance, counselors of color can frame academic achievement as a win not just for the student

He is a member of the Missouri Bar, the Mound City Bar Association and the Missouri Lawyer’s Association. He also serves as vice president of the board of Covenant Community Church and is a member of Omega

but for their family as they may value collective success over the individual.”

Outside of work,

Khadija is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sorority, Incorporated-Omicron Eta Omega Chapter, where she previously served as the Co-Chair of the Black College Bus Tour, a program aimed at exposing Saint Louisarea high school students to Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

She serves as a scholarship reviewer for the St. Louis Cardinals Redbird Rookies Scholarship and

Psi

He

attends Central Baptist Church, where you will see her smiling face greeting you at the door. She strongly believes that the best way to build strong communities is through meaningful connections and active engagement.

Tejan received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Missouri – Columbia in 2010 and a master’s degree in education –Educational Leadership and Administration from the University of Illinois –Champaign 2013.

A new head stone was dedicated Sat. Sept. 30, 2023 at Calvary Cemetery to Dred Scott. Peggy Lewis LeCompte Cwith the great great granddaughter of Scott Lynne Jackson. Jackson is the founder of the Dred Scott Heritage Foundation.

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Phi Fraternity Inc.

is married to former Associate Circuit Judge Judy P. Draper, 21st Judicial Circuit. They have one child, Chelsea W. Draper, who is also an attorney and former prosecutor.

Nathaniel Murdock, MD, 2023

Homer G. Phillips Lecture Series honoree

American staff

Nathaniel H. Murdock, MD, who has served St. Louis community health and wellness needs for more than five decades, will be honored during the Homer G. Phillips Public Health Lecture Series at 5:30 p.m. Friday Oct. 6, 2023 at the Eric P. Newman Education Center on the Washington university School of Medicine campus.

Brenda Battle, senior vice president, community health transformation, chief DEI officer at the University of Chicago

Layne

Continued from A1

an honorary street located near his chapels on West Florissant in Jennings. All they needed to do was see his random encounters with passersby as he went about his life.

He was often approached by the family or loved ones with whom he was entrusted with providing final services. They would go on and on about how impressed they were with the services he provided. Layne would look on with sincere appreciation. He was patient with them as they gave detailed accounts of their favorite moments from the “homegoing.”

“He was so engaging,” Eneazer Layne said. “You could just tell he loved people.”

For Austin Layne, his life’s work was more than a profession. “Some people think this is a morbid business. This is not a morbid business,” Layne told The American in 2009. “It’s a very unique industry because we do help a lot of people.” For Layne, the industry was his form of ministry. Eneazer Layne said that her husband of nearly 12 years knew that he was a catalyst for healing.

“When you are at your lowest of lows, you need someone to help you through the process of what you are going through,” Eneazer Lane said. “Lifting people up and making the journey a little easier, that was his purpose. He loved that.”

It was also his passion. His number one priority was to serve them with empathy and to always bring dignity to the loved one being laid to rest.

“I try to put myself on the other side of the desk,” Layne told The American “I try to feel what they’re feeling. And they don’t

School of Medicine and a St. Louis native, will deliver the keynote address.

The Homer G. Phillips Public Health Lecture Series is named in honor of the historic Homer G. Phillips Hospital in St. Louis, the premier training ground for African American medical professionals.

who worked diligently to provide culturally sensitive care to the patients who so deeply trusted and loved them.

Although it closed its doors on August 17, 1979, we can learn much from the hospital’s history, presented by the very people

always know what they want to do. The first time you do it is one time too many, to make a funeral arrangement.”

Faithful beginnings

Austin Augustus Layne, Jr. was born in St. Louis on July 12, 1936. He was one of eight children born to Bishop Austin Augustus Layne, Sr., and Selena Layne. Originally from Barbados, West Indies, the Laynes came to St. Louis in the name of faith.

The elder Layne became pastor of Temple Church of Christ of the Apostolic Fath in 1918. He remained pastor for nearly 50 years and his son Austin Layne, Jr. was a lifelong member.

When Austin A. Layne, Jr. Way was dedicated, Temple Church of Christ’s current pastor Bishop Ronald Stephens was among those who offered remarks on Layne’s remarkable career within the funeral services industry – and beyond.

“Austin Layne has been a real hero and champion in the St. Louis community,” Stephens said at the ceremony, which was held in May of 2014.

Layne was also an accomplished musician who recorded and released several gospel CDs. He was often a featured singer at the homegoing celebrations of some of the region’s most distinguished citizens and faith leaders. His tenor voice was soft and tender, but his performance of “Holy Dove,” a song co-written by Layne and his mother – would move the audience to become his “amen choir.”

It was music that originally connected Eneazer and Austin Layne, Jr. in 1998.

“I was moved every time he sang,” said Eneazer Layne, who is an accomplished singer and writer within the faith community in her own

Murdock, a renowned board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist, dedicated his career to his community and his colleagues in medicine. He has served on the Wash U School of Medicine staff for more than 45 years, and in leadership roles with the Mound City Medical Forum, the National

Medical Association, the St. Louis Gynecological Society, and other organizations. He joined Mound City Medical Forum in 1969 and served as president in 2001. He served as an alternate delegate to the American Medical Association from 2002-2018.

Murdock’s contributions include service on various boards, a chief of medicine, or a volunteer physician for numerous community health centers.

Battle, who served the St. Louis community is several roles before relocating to Chicago, is an industry leader in health equity with a successful history of executing strategies that result in incremental and systemic change toward improving the health and wellness of vulnerable populations. She joined the University of Chicago Medicine and Biological Sciences Division in 2012.

In her current role,

Battle is responsible for collaborating with medical and administrative leadership to foster innovation in the University of Chicago Medicine’s care delivery system, assist in the implementation of new models of care, and facilitate integration of care between the hospital and community.

The Newman Education Center is located at 320 S. Euclid Ave. Free validated parking is available at the Euclid Garage (across the street from the Center for Advanced Medicine) or the Metro Garage.

right. “[It was] That feeling that you get not only because you hear the voice and hear the music, but you heard the words – and felt their meaning.”

A graduate of Vashon High School, Layne served in the U.S. Army as a computer specialist prior to entering the mortuary services industry.

Admiration for famed local funeral director G. Wade Granberry compelled Layne to enroll in St. Louis Community College at Forest Park’s nationally recognized School of Mortuary Science. He walked away from a comfortable government job to pursue his new profession.

Granberry mentored Layne – and employed him for more than a decade at Wade Funeral Home.

“He taught me one thing: Every family’s needs are different,” Layne said of Granberry in 2009. “Some of them like to talk. Some of them don’t want

to talk, they’re all business. Some of them like to talk and do business. The main thing is to make the families relax a little bit.”

Over the years, Layne mastered the art of putting families at ease.

“You have to show people you care – and he did that,” Eneazer Layne said. “I would hear them say ‘okay baby. It’s okay. I’ve got you. I’ve got this.’ The way he would reassure them that he would help them through the process. I heard the trepidation in people’s voices dissipate. Because they believed what he said.” In 1979, Layne branched out from Wade to establish his own funeral chapels. In the 44 years that followed, Austin Layne became synonymous with excellence within the field.

“People trusted him,” Eneazer Lane said. “When they walked through the doors, they knew, ‘This is a man of integrity, so I’m not going to have to worry

about anything.’”

Eneazer Layne says her late husband’s legacy will continue through the services of Austin Layne Mortuary, Inc., where she now serves as president.

“My mission for Austin Layne Mortuary is like Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Greater works shall you do in my name,’” Eneazer Layne said. “I’m saying we are going to do it in Jesus’ name – and in Austin Layne’s name. We just want to make his name proud. We want to do him proud.”

In addition to his wife Eneazer Layne and countless family, friends and

Taking the oath

Vice President Kamala Harris, right, swears in Laphonza Butler, D-Calif., left, to the Senate to succeed the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein during a re-enactment of the swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday, Oct. 3, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Butler’s wife, Neneki Lee, center, holds the Bible.

loved ones, Austin Layne, Jr. is survived by his daughter. Ingrid S. Layne. Final services for Austin Augustus Layne, Jr. are as follows: Layne will lie in state from 12 noon – 7 p.m. on Friday, October 13 at Austin Layne’s original chapel, located at 7239 West Florissant, St. Louis, MO 63136. On Saturday, October 14, a viewing will take place from 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. with funeral services immediately following at 10 a.m. at Greater Grace Church, 3690 Pershall Road, St. Louis, MO 63135.

Nathaniel Murdock

Brenda Battle

Photo courtesy of the AP

The real story on real estate developers

“We must rapidly begin the shift from a “thing-oriented” society to a “person-oriented” society. When machines and computers, profit motives and property rights are considered more important than people, the giant triplets of racism, materialism, and militarism are incapable of being conquered.”

– Martin Luther King Jr.

If the Board of Aldermen has been looking for a sign from the heavens to start cracking down on rubber stamped development deals - “profit motives and property rights,” if you will - Lux Living’s recent legal troubles couldn’t be a bigger, flashier neon sign, beckoning our local legislators to act in favor of the people, and soon.

Last week, it was reported that the St. Louis Development Corporation received a federal subpoena that was looking for records about Lux Living’s owners, brothers Vic Alston and Sid Chakraverty. In addition to Lux Living, the two brothers also developed Asprient and CityWide apartments. Further information about the subpoena has yet to be shared with the public, but the existing public record provides some insight into the developers’ shady deals and some of the “why” behind the federal investigation. Adding an additional layer of curiosity to the story, former employees have reported FBI agents showing up on their doorstep to ask about some of Lux’s activities, and a lawyer suing the developer on behalf of condo owners has revealed a possible federal investigation.

Between years of tenant quality-of-life complaints and a recent class action settlement over Lux Living’s failure to refund

security deposits to renters, Alston and Chakraverty have provoked countless consumer complaints and boundless concern from local governments. But during those same years, some city officials quietly moved mountains to award public subsidies to Lux. Only after tens of millions of public dollars were given away through legislation – much of it sponsored by former alderpersons Lyda Krewson, Jack Coatar, and Lewis Reed – without any genuine scrutiny placed on the business practices of Lux Living and its ownership. Even after that criticism, led by tenants, began to surface, some city leaders (like Coatar) continued to stand by the developers. A “thing-oriented” society.

Alston’s and Chakraverty’s attitudes about entitlements for developers certainly didn’t begin overnight, and it didn’t happen in a vacuum. Our city has endured years of “trailblazing” developers like Paul McKee of NorthSide Regeneration to thank for creating our current climate, where property owners like Lux Living feel comfortable using the legal system to harass tenants for speaking to the press about squalid conditions and reportedly considered rigging buildings that they own on Kingshighway to cause a collapse after the city ordered them to stabilize the structures.

Lux-controlled management at the Ely Walker building downtown

even threatened to evict a tenant and her family after the tenant tried to organize other residents to demand better living conditions and a working fire alarm system. Across Lux Living’s portfolio, the complaints remain the same: the company failed to maintain its low-quality buildings.

McKee, who exploited public land banks and tax incentives for decades before his own fall in 2018 when the FBI began looking into McKee’s use of a state tax credit program that funneled more than $40 million in public subsidies to NorthSide Regeneration and McKee. Last year, a Post-Dispatch investigation found that NorthSide manipulated a series of “paper-only”

transactions to aggregate vacant or unused properties under the company name to net the developer tax credits, then deeding the property to the original owner once the city began to purchase parcels for the new National Geospatial Intelligence Agency.

If that sounds like a lot, it’s because it is, and developers of this ilk have been able to run amok and manipulate public subsidies for years in the absence of regulation or unified standards. Left in their wake of destruction have been broken neighborhoods, unmitigated gentrification, and led to underfunded public schools and reduced municipal services.

Despite the federal

investigation, McKee has maintained a position that insults the community around the former Homer G. Phillips Hospital by naming a private, threebed urgent care facility after the iconic Black hospital. The hospital’s nurses alumni association has sued the developer in an effort to reclaim the hospital’s name and legacy in North St. Louis. St. Louis has no shortage of exploitative unscrupulous property owners, but over the years our city’s elected leadership has also failed to serve the public’s interest when confronting real estate barons on development deals. For far too long, multi-family developers have approached City Hall with a self-interest attitude like McKee, Alston, and Chakraverty. The city should really be grateful that some wealthy county folk with money would even consider the city to build “luxury” and “highend” apartments.

Of course, we know that many developers are incentivized by public subsidies. These are complicated questions that do not lend themselves to simple answers.

Quality, sustainable development is not riskfree and it can be in the city’s interest to leverage its subsidies to attract private capital.

To ignore the reality that developers seek a return on their investment is naive, quixotic, and even irresponsible.

The question is whether a development warrants public assistance and if so, what policies best serve the long-term public interest. We cannot ignore the many determinants that account for our city’s long decline and the fortunes of all its people. So, it is not a simple task for those we elect to govern.

From left, Sid Chakraverty, Lyda Krewson, Vic Alston, and Jack Coatar at a ribbon cutting for The Steelyard in June 2019.

Courtesy NextSTL

‘Taking Care of You’

Doctor’s orders

Chiropractor Glenn Miller a mentor, men’s health advocate

By Ashley Winters St. Louis American

Dr. Glenn Miller, who is better known in the Black community as “Dr. Wellness,” has come a long way since his youth on the southside of Chicago. He never imagined being attracted to the world of science or the field of medicine.

Miller, who was raised in a single-parent home, said positive male role models were sometimes difficult to find.

He persevered and strived to be the best version of himself. He’s now

passing his experience and determination on through a 100 Black Men of Metropolitan St. Louis mentorship program.

Miller, who serves as 100 Black Men Health and Wellness chair, provides young Black boys and men something he always didn’t have growing up–guidance, support, and structure.

The first-generation college graduate said a high school counselor at Kenwood Academy first put him on the path to being a physician.

She piloted a program partnering academically challenged students with

students who were doing well in their respective classes. After high school, Miller attended Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville and admitted his first two years “were pretty rough.”

The young scholar was struggling academically while facing financial hardships and ended up dropping out of school.

“It was difficult for me to balance college life, especially because I was a first-generation college student,” he said.

You could be at risk for atrial fibrillation

One of the essential skills medical students must learn is that of auscultation, particularly, listening to the different sounds of the heart.

Typically, these sounds provide no reason for alarm, they are regular in rhythm, the rate is between 60 and 100, and murmurs are not present. However, occasionally individuals present with rapid heart rates, shortness of breath, and irregular rhythms. One of the most common abnormal heart rhythms is atrial fibrillation (AFib).

Atrial fibrillation is defined as a fast, irregular heart rhythm. This type of rhythm can cause blood clots in the heart. Atrial fibrillation increases the risk of other heart-related health conditions, congestive heart failure, and strokes.

There are some unique considerations regarding AFib and stroke risk in African Americans. According to research, African Americans may have a higher prevalence of AFib compared to other racial and ethnic groups. Former NBA great and Basketball Hall of Fame member Kareem AbdulJabbar is among Black Americans with A-fib.

n African Americans may have a higher prevalence of AFib compared to other racial and ethnic groups.

This increased risk can be attributed to several factors, including a higher prevalence of high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, and heart disease in this population. For instance, per the National Health and Nutrition Survey (NHANES) 2017-2018, the prevalence rate of obesity was highest in African Americans, 49.6%, as compared to non-Hispanic whites, 42.2%.

Furthermore, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. In 2019, African Americans were 30% more likely to die from heart

Home kidney dialysis machines could help more African Americans

Cost is a factor

By Alexa Spencer Word in Black

Melissa Bensouda didn’t think she would live to see her children graduate high school after learning her kidneys were failing.

The Pflugerville, Texas resident not only accomplished that feat, but she also recently traveled to Kansas City and Cabo, Mexico.

She credits something that many Black people with her ailment do not have – a home dialysis machine.

Six months after giving birth to her third child in 2022, a lab test revealed that Bensouda’s kidneys were func-

n An estimated 37 million Americans live with kidney disease.

tioning at half-strength. She was diagnosed with Stage 5 kidney disease.

An estimated 37 million Americans live with kidney disease, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Black Americans are four times more likely than white Americans to develop the disease due to high

See KIDNEY, A15

A home kidney dialysis machine, which is portable, allowed Melissa Bensouda to recently travel to Cabo, Mexico where she swam with a dolphin.

Chiropractor and men’s health advocate, Dr. Glenn Miller at 100 Black Men Monday, Sept. 19, 2023.

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

See MILLER, A15

See ANDERSON, A15

Photo courtesy of Melissa Bensouda

Denise HooksAnderson

Cardinal Glennon will construct new children’s hospital

By Sarah Fentem St. Louis Public Radio

SSM Health and Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital recently announced plans to build a new hospital in St. Louis at the corner of Grand Boulevard and Chouteau Avenue.

Officials say the new hospital will be better equipped to meet the increasing demand for specialized pediatric treatments for newborns, children, and teenagers in the region.

“We are devoted to building a healthier, brighter future – one where every child receives the care they need to thrive,” Dr. Hossain Marandi, Cardinal Glennon’s president, said in a press release.

“Together, we have an opportunity to envision the transformation of pediatric health care in the region, to serve more

Kidney

Continued from A14 rates of diabetes and high blood pressure, the most common causes of kidney failure.

Chronic kidney disease occurs when the kidneys — two fist-sized organs located below the rib cage — fail to clean the blood and filter out extra water. This can cause waste and fluid to build up in the blood, and may lead to heart disease or stroke

There is no known cure for chronic kidney disease, though the symptoms are often managed with medication.

If the condition progresses to end-stage kidney disease (also called end-stage renal disease or kidney failure), a kidney transplant or dialysis — when an artificial kidney machine cleans the blood — is required to stay alive.

The average life expectancy with dialysis is five to 10 years — although some people live 30 years longer.

Bensouda began dialysis at clinics after her diag-

Miller

Continued from A14

Miller said he learned “through trial and error,” while also battling depression after the death of his grandmother. He stopped going to his classes, but said the trials led him on a self-discovery journey.

“St. Louis became very instrumental in my development and journey into adulthood,” he said.

Anderson

Continued from A14 disease than non-Hispanic whites.

In addition, African Americans were 30% more likely to have high blood pressure but less likely than non-Hispanic whites to have their blood pressure controlled.

Will serve community’s ‘most vulnerable’

children and families who are depending on us, and further solidify our position as a national leader in caring for kids.”

The planned hospital will be built two blocks north of the hospital’s current 195-bed building,

nosis. She went in multiple times a week — like most patients. After a while, she noticed a decline in her mental health. Research shows depression is common among people being treated for kidney disease due to isolation, fatigue, and an overall major life change.

“It was depressing and scary because I was pretty much the youngest person that was going into the clinic to do treatment,” Bensouda recalls. She found relief when a nurse recommended she join a home dialysis program. After accepting, she completed six weeks of training, where she learned to insert needles, set up and clean the machine, and diagnose any warnings or alarms.

The realities of at-home dialysis

Home dialysis offers a range of advantages: More time for family, work, and travel. Patients can also dialyze on their own schedule instead of traveling to a clinic three times a week for four-hour sessions.

In 2011, Miller learned about an educational opportunity at Logan University in Chesterfield. He enrolled in a three-semester accelerated program and said it was the first time he was motivated to go back to school.

He majored in Life Sciences and received his bachelor’s degree. He went on to receive his doctorate in chiropractic and joined the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Many of his fraternity

African American women were 50% more likely to have high blood pressure compared to non-Hispanic white women.

Certain genetic and socioeconomic factors may contribute to the increased risk of AFib and stroke in African Americans. For example, African Americans may have a higher prevalence of genetic variations asso-

which opened in 1956.

According to the Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation, the hospital treats 7,000 inpatients and 173,000 outpatients each year.

SSM officials say the 67-year-old hospital has

Jenny Shen, an associate professor of medicine at the University of California in Los Angeles, says her patients who dialyze at home appreciate its flexibility.

“They seem to be a lot more independent, a lot freer, and a lot less burdened by it,” she says. Despite the benefits, home dialysis is less popular than clinic- or hospital-based care, but that’s changing. Between 2010 and 2020, home dialysis use among newly-diagnosed patients with kidney failure grew from 9.1% to 13.7%, according to the National Institutes of Health

Black patients, however, remain less likely to use home dialysis at 7.3%, compared to 9.3% of white patients.

Dialysis, in general, is costly. Depending on a patient’s insurance status and type of dialysis, expenses can range from $10,000 to $90,000.

At home, Bensouda dialyzes three times a week, eight hours each day, with the option to perform an additional treatment, if needed. The process

brothers were volunteers at 100 Black Men and their mentorship program led him into the program.

His father had fallen victim to drug and alcohol abuse, but that didn’t stop his mother from trying to have influential male role models in her son’s life.

Those relationships helped mold Miller into a servant leader.

“100 Black Men gives a safe space for those types of interactions,” Miller said.

ciated with a higher risk of AFib. AFib is diagnosed clinically by auscultation but is confirmed by an electrocardiogram (EKG), an in-office procedure in many cases. Treatment can include a hospital-based procedure called cardioversion which tries to restore the heart back to a regular rhythm or medications which can also help

served the community well but does not best meet the needs of its patients and their families. The new 14-story location will have 200 beds and more room for parents, grandparents, and other family members to keep young patients

requires inserting large needles into her body, a task she believes keeps some patients from giving home dialysis a try.

“There is responsibility here. It’s not like it’s just the easiest thing in the world. It takes time. It takes commitment,” she says.

Bensouda remained on home-based dialysis for a decade while on a kidney transplant list. She was matched with a donor but encountered complications five years after the surgery.

“I got really sick one holiday season and went into the emergency room and found out that my kidney had been fully rejected,” she says.

With no choice but to return to dialysis, she once again chose the type that brought her the most comfort.

“I needed that machine in order to continue living my life the way that I need to,” Bensouda says.

“We need to push to make these types of therapies available to more people,” she says. “It really was a lifesaver and a game changer for me.”

He mentors boys 16 years of age and younger, emphasizing that they “be intentional about their goals to explore life with curiosity.”

He explains to them that sports aren’t their only option, adding that he was on a dance team in middle school that led him to compete internationally.

Being a chiropractor, a mentor, and an adjunct professor at Harris-Stowe State University is not all he does.

control the rhythm of the heart. In some cases, the patient’s rhythm remains in AFib. Some patients who remain in AFib are treated with blood thinners to reduce their risk of blood clots. Treating patients with anticoagulation medications will increase their risk of bleeding. Therefore, patients must be followed

company while they’re receiving treatment, they said.

“This investment will ensure we’re able to continue meeting the evolving needs of our community’s most vulnerable infants, children and adolescents

for future generations,”

SSM President and CEO

Laura S. Kaiser said in a press release.

Cardinal Glennon and St. Louis Children’s Hospital, both academic teaching hospitals, are the only level 1 pediatric trauma centers in the St. Louis region. A level 1 designation means emergency personnel are prepared to treat serious traumatic injuries 24 hours a day. The hospital is staffed by physicians from St. Louis University Medical School.

The Catholic nonprofit SSM Health owns Cardinal Glennon as well as the nearby St. Louis University Hospital. In 2020, SSM unveiled a new SLU Hospital building on the same campus that cost $550 million. The new hospital is planned to open in 2027, officials said. They did not provide an estimate of its cost.

“Dr. Wellness” goes door-to-door to survey Black men in the community about knowledge on their prostate health. He said so many are unaware of their prostate-specific antigen or PSA numbers because they are apprehensive about going to a physician.

He has heard stories of being ignored, being over-diagnosed or underdiagnosed, and not being prescribed the right medication.

very closely. It is crucial for African Americans to be aware of their risks and take steps to manage and reduce them. This includes regular visits with a healthcare provider, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, managing underlying conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes, and taking prescribed medications as directed. By actively managing

“I want to change that narrative; I don’t know how exactly that will happen. But I know I will continue to speak loudly about it,” said Dr. Miller. The doctor’s focus right now is to create a space for STEM for the boys and young men he mentors and help older Black men be more accountable for their health and well-being.

Ashley Winters is a Report for America reporter for the St. Louis American.

these risk factors, individuals can significantly reduce their risk of developing AFib and experiencing a stroke. Early detection and treatment are important, as this can improve outcomes and quality of life for those living with AFib.

Your family doctor, Denise HooksAnderson, MD, FAAFP

The St. Louis American’s award winning NIE program reaches more than 8,000 teachers and students throughout the school year.

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

CLASSOOM SPOTLIGHT

Teachers, if you are using the

and by learning how to properly use binoculars. Photo by

Louis American’s NIE program and would like to nominate your class for a

SCIENCE CORNER

What Are Fungi ?

Fungi are organisms made of filaments (called hyphe) that are stacked together. Unlike plants, fungi do not have chlorophyll, so they cannot make their own food. Some fungi are parasites, which mean they live off of other organisms. Some fungi feed off of dead and decaying matter. Fungi are everywhere in the environment, including the soil, lakes, river and seas, air, and on plants and animals. Fungi (plural of fungus) help organic matter to decay and release carbon and oxygen into the environment. Unlike plants, fungi

SCIENCE INVESTIGATION

In this experiment, you will learn how mold grows best. Mold is an important fungus that has several uses, including breaking down dead organic material. Some purified molds are actually used as an antibiotic to treat illnesses.

Materials Needed:

• 3 slices of bread • Water • 3 Ziploc bags • 10x10 square centimeter grid

• Ruler Process:

1 Wet one slice of bread enough to make it moist and place it in a bag. Seal the bag very tightly.

2 Place the two other slices of dry bread in two separate bags and seal them, as well.

3 Place the bag with the wet slice of bread and one of the bags with a dry slice of bread in a dark place, such as a closed cabinet or closet.

4 Place the third bag with a dry slice of bread in the

MATH CONNECTION

do not have leaves, stems, or roots. Fungi use spores to reproduce. One common type of fungus is the mushrooms you find on your pizza. Mold, yeasts, and mildew are also types of fungus. For More Information, Go to: library.thinkquest.org/CR0212089/ fungi.htm

Learning Standards: I can read nonfiction text to gain background information about fungi.

Growing Mold!

refrigerator.

5 For five days, measure the square centimeters of mold on each piece of bread through the bag. Use a grid, if possible, or a ruler. If mold covers more than half a square centimeter, it is counted as one full centimeter. If it is less, it is counted as 0 centimeters. This will give you the area of mold on each slice of bread

6 At the end of a week (5 days of measuring) or longer, use your final results to say what percentage of the bread was covered in mold. Make a table or graph to display the information.

Discussion Questions: How much mold was on the bread? Which location had the most mold? Which had the least? What conclusions can you draw about the conditions in which mold grows? How can food manufacturers and restaurant owners use this information to help them?

Learning Standards: I can follow sequential directions to complete an experiment. I can display my results, make observations, and draw conclusions.

Analyzing a Bar Graph

Scientists often use tables and graphs to display the results of their research. Looking at these displays, you can draw conclusions.

When winter strikes, create a bar graph that displays the amount of snow you measured in your yard for four consecutive days. Day 1: 3 inches, Day 2: 5.5 inches, Day 3: 4 inches, Day 4: 1.5 inches.

Discussion Questions: Which day had the most measured snow fall? Which had the least? Looking at the bar graph, when do you think the snowfall ended? When did the snow start to melt? What other observations can you make?

Learning Standards: I can use a bar graph to display information. I can use the information to make deductions and inferences.

YOU KNOW?

SCIENCE STARS

AFRICAN-AMERICAN MYCOLOGIST AND EDUCATOR: Jeanette Jones

Jeanette Jones was born on September 19, 1950, in Fort Valley, Georgia. Jones graduated from Fort Valley State University in 1972 with a bachelor’s degree in biology education. In 1973, Jones received her master’s degree in botany and mycology (a branch of biology that studies fungi) from The Ohio State University. In 1976, she received her doctorate (Ph.D.) degree.

She also studied at the University of Nevada, the University of California Medical School, the National Center for Disease Control-Atlanta, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. After graduation, Alabama A&M University hired Jones as an assistant biology professor. In 1986, she served as an adjunct professor in the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Services at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University and worked on a project with NASA. In 1991, Jones served as the first female vice president of research and development at Alabama A&M University. She also served as President of Alabama A&M University’s Faculty Senate from 2001 to 2006. In 1992, she was appointed to the U.S. Army Science Board by the U.S. Secretary of the Army, Togo West. Since 2004 Jones has been the director of the Center for Biomedical, Behavioral, and Environment Research at Alabama A&M University. She also worked as a consultant with federal agencies to help them develop training programs to attract women and minorities to STEM education and careers.

In 1975, Jones was listed in the World’s Women’s Who’s Who and she was named an Outstanding Young Woman of America in 1978. Beta Beta Beta National Biological Honor Society awarded her the distinguished service award. Jones also received the Significant Service Award from the NASA Space Life Sciences Training Program and the Extramural Associate Research Development Award from the National Institute of Health. In 1990 and 2006, she was named Woman of the Year at Alabama A&M University and was given the Outstanding Leadership Award by the Faculty Senate. The U.S. Army presented Jones the Commander’s Award for Outstanding Civilian Service as a member of the Army Science Board.

Discussion Questions: Dr. Jones received many awards and honors. How would you describe her achievements and her contributions to science? Dr. Jones is studying how fungi might be used as agents of war. What purpose do you think fungi serve in modern warfare? Are fungi beneficial or harmful?

Learning Standards: I can read a biography to learn about an African American who has made contributions in science, math, technology, or engineering.

Use the newspaper to complete the following activities: Types of News: Use the front section of the newspaper to evaluate the types news stories presented: national, and international. articles into the three categories and create a bar graph that displays the amount of coverage each type of news story received.

There are over 10,000 species of mold, with 1,000 of those species found in the United States.

Mystery Story: Cut out several pictures from the newspaper without reading the caption. Place the pictures in a bag, and without looking, pick your mystery picture from the bag. That’s your stimulus for writing. Construct a graphic organizer to identify the 5Ws (who, what, when, where, and why) of your story by looking at your picture. Then, continue the writing process.

Learning Standards: I can use the newspaper to locate information. I can categorize and summarize that information.

This special Newspaper In Education initiative is made possible through The St. Louis American Foundation and its NIE Corporate Partners:

At the St. Louis American’s 2023 Summer Science Academy, Jonah Eckels, education coordinator at the Audubon Center at Riverlands, helps students identify different birds on the Little Creek Nature Area grounds through the use of a bird field guide, careful listening skills

Cathy Sewell

St.

Classroom Spotlight, please email: kjones@stlamerican.com

Penicilllin

Growing together

Emily Desmond of Greater St. Louis, Inc. demonstrates the new interactive map available at www. STL2030Progress.com. The STL 2030 Progress Tool will track the region’s effort to ensure all residents benefit from the area’s economic progress.

By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American

Decreasing the income disparity between Black and white households and increasing Black home ownership are goals being measured by the STL 2030 Progress Tool, which was unveiled by Greater St. Louis Inc. during the first Inclusive Economic Growth Summit on Sept. 21, 2023.

It’s one thing to say that a region’s business community strives to increase inclusive economic growth, it is another to demonstrate the effort is reaching desired goals.

The Progress Tool will track how and what the region is doing to ensure all its residents can reap benefits of increased economic growth.

Business and civic institution representatives from the 15-county St. Louis metro gathered during the summit to discuss the ongoing path to including and transparency.

Jason Hall, Greater St. Louis, Inc. CEO, said his organization is steward of the implementation of the STL 2030 Jobs Plan, which includes the Progress Tool and is “focused on getting the region growing again and doing so in a way that ensures everyone in the metro has the opportunity to thrive.” Hall said the summit provided an opportunity for regional leaders “to talk, listen, and learn how we can better collaborate as one metro to drive inclusive economic growth and continue the momentum that is building here.”

The summit featured presentations and discussions that explored how the region can work together to achieve its goals, examined current strategic initiatives that are expanding opportunities, which include job training for growing industries and embracing inclusive economic growth.

One of the summit’s goals was to define exactly what “inclusive economic growth” is. The STL 2030 Jobs Plan defines it as: “Broad-based economic growth that enables all stakeholders in the St. Louis metropolitan area (including residents, workers, entrepreneurs, companies, organizations, and communities) to realize their full potential. Such growth enables

See GROWTH, B2

Black borrowers must be aware of student loan scams

By Stacy M. Brown and Alvin A. Reid

Amid the impending resumption of student loan payments in October, scammers are intensifying their efforts to exploit borrowers, with more than 350,000 student-loan-related robocalls reported in the last two weeks alone, according to Transaction Network Services (TNS), an authority on robocall scams. The surge coincides with the conclusion of a pandemic-induced hiatus on loan repayments, implemented in 2020 to provide financial relief to borrowers amidst the public health crisis. The renewal of student loan debt payments also comes in the wake of the Supreme Court’s rejection of President Joe Biden’s proposal to forgive up to $20,000 per borrower, leaving many uncertain about their financial futures. Black students and families should especially be concerned and wary. Young adult women and Black See SCAMS, B2

A

and

PeoPle on the Move

Jackie Hamilton honored with fundraising award

St. Louis County Library assistant director of advancement, Jackie Hamilton has been named the 2023 Outstanding Fundraising Executive by the Association of Fundraising Professionals - St. Louis Regional Chapter. As the assistant director of advancement, Hamilton leads the library foundation’s efforts to build relationships and secure financial revenue to fund library programming and resources that are not funded by tax-payers’ dollars. Annually, Hamilton and her team are responsible for raising more than $1 million.

Pat Coleman to co-chair Go Red for Women

Pat Coleman, vice president of diversity, equity & inclusion at Alberici, will co-chair, along with Penny Pennington, the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women campaign locally in an effort to increase women’s heart health awareness and serve as a catalyst for change to improve the lives of women locally, nationally, and globally. The Go Red for Women movement will be celebrated on May 2, 2024, at the St. Louis Go Red for Women Luncheon.

Cynthia Crim named to Modern Transit board

Citizens for Modern Transit named Cynthia Crim of Commerce Bank to its board of directors, serving a three-year term. Crim currently works as the grants manager for the Norman J. Stupp Foundation (Commerce Bank Trustee). She has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Southern University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana and a master’s degree in public administration from Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta. Crim currently serves on the boards of the Senior Fund St. Louis City, the Missouri History Museum Subdistrict and the St. Louis Community College Foundation.

selected as dean of Professional Studies

Lincoln University of Missouri has selected Dr. DeNeia Thomas as the new dean of the College of Professional Studies. Previously, Dr. Thomas has served in numerous higher education administrative roles, such as vice president for enrollment and student success at Texas Southern University, chief of staff at West Virginia State University, associate provost for academic affairs, associate vice president for institutional effectiveness, director of testing services and comprehensive assessment coordinator.

Jackie Hamilton

Cynthia Crim

Thomas

DeNeia Thomas

Photo courtesy of GSL Inc.

Photo courtesy of Washington Informer

Pat Coleman

Scams

Continued from B1

adults are more likely to carry student loan debt compared to young adult men and young white adults, respectively, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

The gender wage gap and gender discrimination as well as both the racial wage gap and racial discrimination faced by Black adults play into these amounts of debt.

“Scammers seize on chaos and confusion,” John Haraburda, a robocall data expert at TNS, told CBS News.

“Right now, you have a lot of activity with the new White House student loan plan, loan payments set to resume in October and the start of the school year.” He emphasized the importance of skepticism, advising consumers to operate under the assumption that “when something sounds too good to be true, it is.”

Reports from TNS transcripts reveal that scammers often initiate contact by referencing an individual’s student loan and then offer seemingly enticing solutions, such as reducing or deferring monthly payments or even promising total loan forgiveness. Some deceitfully claim affiliation with the Department of Education, while others represent vaguely official-sounding organizations like “student services.”

For example, one recorded robocall falsely declared: “This is United

Services Student Loan Department with an urgent call to our clients regarding the new federal program, which now qualifies for complete dismissal and full discharge of all your federal student loans, as well as a refund of monies paid and removal from credit history,” according to a TNS transcription, and reported by CBS News.

Authorities are urging borrowers to confirm their student loan servicer to help safeguard against potential scams. Borrowers can log into StudentAid. gov or contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center. They should also remain vigilant for spelling and grammatical errors, which can serve as red flags for fraudulent communication.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reiterated that borrowers should never pay for assistance managing their student loans.

In a recent warning, the FTC emphasized, “If someone tries to charge you upfront, before they’ve done anything, that’s your first clue that this is a scam,” and emphasized that legitimate sources will never offer instant loan forgiveness.

Recent data from the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System underscores the disproportionate impact of student debt within different communities, with Black borrowers shouldering the largest share of federal student loan debt in 2019, a stark reminder of the unique challenges they face in the current land-

scape. Following the Supreme Court’s rejection of the initial student debt relief plan, the Biden administration introduced the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan. The new provisions include reducing income-driven repayment plans from 10% to 5% of discretionary income and forgiving loan balances after 10 years of payments for borrowers with original balances of $12,000 or less. The plan, which took effect on August 22, 2023, to provide some relief amidst the ongoing student loan crisis, already has reached more than 4 million in enrollment.

The White House called SAVE the “most affordable repayment plan ever,” which officials said would result in millions of borrowers saving money on their monthly payments. Borrowers who earn less than $15 an hour will not be required to make payments, and anyone who does earn more will save more than $1,000 on payments.

“From Day One of this Administration, President Biden has focused on reducing the burden of student loan debt on working families, and we are not stopping now,” U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardon said. “Enrollment is quick and easy, and we are working relentlessly to get the word out to borrowers about how millions can reduce their monthly student loan bills and save over a thousand dollars a year by enrolling in SAVE.”

Growth

Continued from B1 the widest range of people and places to both contribute to and benefit from economic success.”

“Inclusive growth aims to produce more prosperity alongside greater equity in opportunities and outcomes by substantially increasing the number of quality jobs and radically reducing racial and spatial disparities in income, health, and wealth that have undermined metropolitan performance for decades.

Valerie Patton, Greater St. Louis Inc., chief DEI officer, said it essential to determine what “a shared understanding of what inclusive economic growth is.”

“When we all know what it is we are working toward, it is easier for us to speak with a unified voice and act with common purpose,” she said. Integral to finding that voice is the 2030 Progress Tool, which has three components.

• Metro growth metrics, a measurement of our region’s performance through macroeconomic indicators that sets targets around inclusive growth metrics for 2030.

• Capital projects map, a digital interactive map of major economy-shaping developments and infrastructure investments across the 15-county bi-state metro.

• Strategic initiatives tracker, which highlights major public and private efforts since 2021 that are advancing the priority strategic initiatives called for in the STL 2030 Jobs Plan.

The website will be updated on an ongoing basis. Visitors can submit their own ideas and information to be added.

STL 2030 Progress includes targets for four core inclusive economic growth metrics — the “North Star” metrics for inclusive economic growth — for the metro to work toward by the end of the year 2030.

“These North Star metrics will answer the questions ‘are we growing?’ and ‘is that growth inclusive?’” said Sam Murphey, Greater St. Louis, Inc. chief strategy officer.

“With specific goals to work towards and a resource like STL 2030 Progress to measure our progress, we hope to answer, ‘yes’ to both those questions at the end of this decade.”

The North Star metrics and targets through 2030

are:

• Population growth –0.7% average annual growth (adding 180,000 people to the metro)

• GDP growth – 2% average annual growth in the metro’s GDP

• Median household income – Decreasing the Black-to-white household income gap by 50% (would result in an increase in average Black household income of $18,000); a 4.4% increase in average annual growth (would result in an increase of $33,000 in average household income)

• Home ownership rate – Decreasing the Black-to-white home ownership gap by 30% while keeping the overall metro home ownership rate above 71%

“This work is nationally significant,” said urban policy expert Bruce Katz, co-author of The New Localism: How Cities Can Thrive in the Age of Populism. Katz is also founder of New Localism Associates, which helped craft the STL 2030 Jobs Plan. “What St. Louis is doing on inclusive economic growth is a model every other metro area in the country should follow,” said Katz.

Photo courtesy of GSL Inc.

Tony Fuhrmann, Madison County Employment and Training director, Leslie Gill, Rung For Women president, and Stefani Weeden-Smith, St. Louis Anchor Action Network director, were panelists during Greater St. Louis Inc.’s first Economic Growth Summit on Sept. 21, 2023 at the Marriott St. Louis Grand. The summit included business and civic institution representatives from throughout the region.

“I’m proud of the imprint we’ve made, so I’m ready to turn the page.”

– Bryant Gumbel after HBO announced it is not renewing Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel after its current 29th season.

St. Louisan Luther Burden III has looked every bit like the can’tmiss, five-star football prospect that signed with the University of Missouri two years ago.

Burden continued his dazzling play as the Tigers ran a winning streak to five games with a 38-21 victory over Vanderbilt last Saturday. He caught 11 passes for 140 yards and scored two touchdowns. It was the fourth consecutive game that Burden has amassed more than 100 yards receiving.

A former star wide receiver at East St. Louis and Cardinal Ritter, Burden scored his first touchdown in the third quarter on an 18-yard pass from quarterback Brady Cook. The two connected again in the fourth quarter on a 17-yard touchdown pass to close out the scoring. For the season, Burden now has 43 receptions for 615 yards and five touchdowns. His highlight reel plays have become a permanent part of the college football national post-game shows.

Missouri, ranked No. 21 in the nation, is 5-0 and will host No. 13 LSU next Saturday in a big SEC contest in Columbia. Kick-off is at 11 a.m. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN.

As high school football nears its district competition, the stars of area teams keep lighting a path to a possible state championship.

prEp Football NotEbook

By Earl Austin Jr.

Burden of proof

Mizzou’s Luther Burden setting SEC afire

Highlight performers from Week 6:

• Quarterback Dakarri Hollis of Lutheran North completed 13 of 21 passes for 310 yards and five touchdowns in the Crusaders’ 46-21 victory over MICDS.

• Quarterback Carson Boyd of Cardinal Ritter passed for five touchdowns in the Lions’ 70-7 victory over St. Francis Borgia.

• Running back Jeremiah McClellan of CBC rushed for 123 yards on 11 carries and three touchdowns in the Cadets’ 48-21 victory over

Lipscomb, TN.

• Wide receiv-

er Michael Clark of Lutheran North had five receptions for 150 yards and two touchdowns in the Crusaders’ 46-21 victory over MICDS

• Quarterback Messiah Smith of Parkway North rushed for 213 yards and three touchdowns and passed for 131 yards in the Vikings’ 45-14 victory over Parkway West.

• Running back Jaquez Everett of Hazelwood East scored two rushing touchdowns on offense and had three quarterback sacks on defense in the Spartans’ 21-0 victory

over Clayton.

• Wide receiver Peyton Bertels of Wentzville Liberty had six receptions for 117 yards and a touchdown in a 34-33 victory over Fort Zumwalt South.

• Quarterback Owen Nesslage of Kirkwood completed 15 of 24 passes for 337 yards and three touchdowns in the Pioneers’ 38-21 victory over Marquette.

• Running back DJ Burgess of Parkway Central scored three touchdowns on runs of 8,1 and 64 yards in the Colts’ 46-0 victory over McCluer.

• Running back Zach Early of Lindbergh rushed

SportS EyE

With Alvin A. Reid

There is confusion in the sports world. Being a “doubter” is different from being a “hater.”

Colorado coach Deion Sanders thinks if you have doubts about his team, you’re “hating” on his team. I get it, Deion, it’s all part of the show. I am far from a Simone Biles “hater,” but I admit to being a Biles doubter. Following the 2021 Tokyo Olympics I doubted if she would ever find her international competition best. Physical and mental setbacks had taken a toll on the brilliant gymnast, something she admitted as the truth. I thought she would compete again, but I doubted she would again win multiple gold medals at the Olympics or World Championships. The dynamic Biles has proven the doubter wrong – very wrong. During the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships subdivision competition last

for 121 yards on eight carries and a touchdown in the Flyers’ 28-21 victory over Ritenour.

Top girls basketball players headed to the OVC

A pair of the top high school girls’ basketball players in the St. Louis metro area has recently given commitments to Ohio Valley Conference schools.

Ai’Naya Williams, a senior forward from Cardinal Ritter College Prep has committed to SEMO. Kiyoko Proctor, a standout junior point

Simone Biles is a champion again without a doubt

weekend, Biles completed the Yurchenko double pike off the vault. She became the first woman to perform the move at a world competition, and now it carries her name.

The “Biles II” consists of a backflip off the vault and two full rotations in a pike position before landing. She shocked the crowd when she performed it perfectly at the U.S. Classic in Indianapolis in 2021, and two years later she made history.

In gymnastics, the first person who does a move at a major international competition gets their name attached to it. This is the fifth move that bears her name - one on the balance beam, two on the floor exercise and two on vault.

“She made it,” said her ecstatic coach Laurent Landi, who Biles allowed to stand on the mat to prevent a spill. The move cost her a point on her score, but who cares?

“She handled her nerves, handled the pressure. People I hope realize that once in a lifetime you are going to see a vault like that from a woman gymnast, so it is time to appreciate that now.”

Biles and her American teammates Shilese Jones, Skye Blakely, Leanne Wong and Joscelyn Roberson dominated the

early competition and won the team gold medal on Wednesday night. Biles is a heavy favorite to win gold medals in several events the weekend of Oct. 6-7. She already has a record 25 world championship medals, including 19 gold, but she is back on the beam (pun intended) and ready to go.

guard from Alton High, has given a commitment to SIUE. Williams, a 6’2” forward, is one of the top senior prospects in the St. Louis area. As a junior, she averaged 14.0 points and eight rebounds a game while shooting 51% from the field.

Proctor is a 5’4” standout who is one of the top point guards in the state of Illinois. As a sophomore, she averaged 12.7 points, four rebounds, five assists and four steals while making 56 3-pointers. She also shot 83% from the free throw line.

What’s on tap for Week 7

Friday, October 6

St. Mary’s at DeSmet, 6 p.m. Vianney at CBC, 6 p.m. Duchesne at St. Dominic, 7 p.m.

Edwardsville at Belleville East, 7 p.m.

MICDS at Lutheran South, 7 p.m. Lift for Life at Cardinal Ritter, 7 p.m. Eureka at Lafayette, 7 p.m. Marquette at Ritenour, 7 p.m. Webster Groves at Parkway North, 7 p.m. Lindbergh at Kirkwood, 7 p.m. Pattonville at Seckman, 7 p.m

Saturday, October 7 Vashon vs. Gateway STEM, noon John Burroughs at Westminster, noon University City at Hazelwood East, noon Lutheran North vs. Maryville at Macon, 1 p.m. Normandy at McCluer North, 1 p.m.

And to think, some people doubted her.

The Reid Roundup

When the Milwaukee Bucks acquired Damian Lillard in a trade last week, the NBA world was abuzz with excitement for the upcoming season. But the Boston Celtics still have a say in the matter. The Bucks sent Jrue Holiday to Portland, and the Blazers promptly dealt him to the Celtics. The Bucks are better. The Celtics are better. Giannis Antetokounmpo is happy. Jayson Tatum is happy. We will see who is happiest come spring…St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker would probably win National League Rookie of the Year honors if not for the tremendous season of the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Corbin Carroll Walker went 3-for-4 with a double, one RBI and one run scored in the Redbirds’ final game, a 4-3 win over the Cincinnati Reds. Walker batted .304 from the start of September onward, and finished with a .276 batting average, 16 home runs, 51 RBI, 51 runs scored and seven stolen bases in 117 games… Congratulations to firstyear Miami Marlins manager Skip Schumaker, a former Cardinals player and coach, who guided his team to the NL Wild Card round and is taking on the Philadelphia Phillies. A tip of the cap to Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker who steadied his struggling team just in time to sweep a weekend series against the Diamondbacks and win the NL West Division… The Houston Texans were supposed to be the worst team in the NFL. First-year coach DeMeco Ryans and rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud have other plans. The Texans moved to 2-2 by pounding Mike Tomlin’s Pittsburgh Steelers 30-6. Stroud passed for 306 yards and two touchdowns in the victory. “We got greatness in this room,” Ryans told his players after the game.

Earl Austin Jr.

Alvin A. Reid

Simone Biles competes on the beam during Women’s Qualifications at the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Antwerp, Belgium.

Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III (3) hauls in a 17-yard touchdown pass from Brady Cook in the fourth quarter of the Tigers’ 38-21 victory over Vanderbilt on Saturday at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee.

Photo by Cal Tobias / Missourian

Photo courtesy of the AP

Steve’s Hot Dogs expands to new location at Enterprise Center

Steve Ewing, frontman of The Urge and co-owner of Steve’s Hot Dogs is having a SOOO St. Louis moment as his restaurant expands into Enterprise Center, the home of the St. Louis Blues. Ewing and his bandmates from The Urge wrote “The Blues Have the Urge” - the goal song that now plays at Blues games.

Steve’s Hot Dogs, the home of the Official Hot Dog of St. Louis, will open a location in Enterprise Center on the plaza level at Portal 8, with their first presea-

son test shift happening when the Blues take on Columbus on Sept. 26.

“I’m a lifelong Blues fan. Getting to have a hand in writing the goal song was a bucket list experience, and now our restaurant expanding into Enterprise Center is truly a dream come true,” said Steve.

Their menu will consist of their traditional St. Louis-style hot dog, the Gorilla Mac and Cheese Dog, the Very Veggie Dog (vegan) and a plain hot dog. They will also offer mac and cheese bowls to

warm folks near the ice.

The Blue Note Dog, which will only be available at Blues games, will surely be a hit among Blues fans - a smoked allbeef hot dog topped with creamy mac and cheese.

Steve’s Hot Dogs expanded into CITYPARK and America’s Center over the last year. “St. Louis has the best sports fans period. We are so honored to be standing shoulder to shoulder with these icons in St. Louis sports - St. Louis City SC, the Battlehawks and now the Blues,” said Ewing.

Dr. Art McCoy joins two prestigious national

boards

Steve Ewing, frontman of The Urge and co-owner of Steve’s Hot Dogs is expanding his restaurant into Enterprise Center, the home of the St. Louis Blues.

St. Louisan Art McCoy, PhD, recently joined two national boards. First is the Legacy Plus Foundation of Martin Luther King III and the King Family for Realizing the Dream. We put together the 65th anniversary of the March on Washington events and plan to do 100 million hours of service learning over the next five years with youth in Missouri and across the nation.

The goal of the foundation, which is in Atlanta, Georgia, is to “continue the legacy and unfinished work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mrs. Coretta Scott King. It seeks to rearticulate for this century the challenges and opportunities for championing freedom, justice, and equality while working to eliminate poverty, racism and hostile conflict in the United

States and throughout the world.”

The second organization is the Department of the Navy. McCoy was recently sworn in at the Pentagon and became an ambassador in the Naval Community Ambassador Program. According to the Navy, they will be asking McCoy’s help to engage new groups of people and continue to build connections and a foundation of trust with more American people. According to McCoy, “I will participate in ribbon-cutting ceremonies and other national events, and host/lead events for diverse populations on the awareness of workforce opportunities in the DOD (Dept. of Defense), and lead educational experiences on each of the bases and ships as desired.”

Art McCoy, PhD with Martin Luther King III and members of the King family.

Speaking of art and hip hop

SLAM and Kazi Society present live podcast as part of ‘The Culture’ programming

By Kenya Vaughn

The St. Louis American

For Andrea Purnell, co-curator of The Culture: Hip Hop and Contemporary Arts in the 21st Century, the exhibition was an opportunity to show love to her city and St. Louis imprint on the global phenomenon that has saturated popular culture.

“For me, it is a moment to celebrate our hip-hop culture and our importance in the movement,” said Purnell, who serves as SLAM manager of audience development.

“We were the first region to play a hip hop song on commercial radio.

Artist Aaron Fowler photographed alongside his sculpture “Live Culture Force 1’s, 2022” at the St. Louis Art Museum. The work is currently on display at the museum as a part of its exhibit “The Culture: Hip Hop and Contemporary Art in the 21st Century.”

But this exhibition is also showcasing our hip hop artists that are here and rising.”

The exhibition – which is currently on display at the Saint Louis Art Museum through January 1, 2024 – exclaims as much for its culminating moment. A larger-than-life photo that gives a glimpse of what St. Louis hip-hop looks like cannot be missed as visitors exit the exhibition.

Entitled “A Great Day in St. Louis,” the photo by Adrian Octavius Walker includes more than 100 individuals whose contributions to hip hop culture in St. Louis run the gamut.

“Adrian took the liberty of making it in color,” Purnell said of the photo, which is a tribute to Gordon Park’s legendary “A Great Day in Hip Hop.” “The photo

sings. I want people to look at this image and think of what St. Louis can be. There is a brighter day and a brighter tomorrow.”

They are perched atop Art Hill with as much swag as one would expect from a group who represent the region’s hip hop community. The photo is one of many that reflect the unique perspective on hip hop that can be seen within the expansive show that features more than 90 artists. Nearly a dozen are from St. Louis and Missouri.

St. Louis native Aaron Fowler’s ‘Live Culture Force 1’s’ sculpture is a prime example. The piece recreates the classic

See Art, C8

The color of country

Black Opry Revue plays

Sheldon Concert Hall on October 6

By Kenya Vaughn The St. Louis American

As a Black fan of country, Holly G. felt like an outsider among people with a mutual love for music derived from Black culture. In April of 2021, she decided to create a community through a blog entitled Black Opry. In the nearly three years since, Black Opry has evolved into an organization that advocates for Black country music artists.

Out of Black Opry came the Black Opry Revue. The touring roster of Black country music artists reminds audiences that not only is Black music a part of country’s origin story, but Black artists are a part of country music’s continuum.

On Friday, October 6 at 8 p.m., the Black Opry Revue will play The Sheldon Concert Hall. The St. Louis lineup will include Rachel Maxann, Grace Givertz, Nicky Diamonds, Tylar Bryant and Sug Daniels.

Maxann (pictured), Grace Givertz, Nicky Diamonds, Tylar Bryant and Sug Daniels are among the St. Louis lineup of the traveling roster of musicians that vary from city to city.

“She created it as a fan wanting to see herself more in the genre,” country singer Tylar Bryant told Raina Douris of WXPN’s World Café Words and Music Podcast in February of 2022. “It shows that we don’t just exist, but we exist in numbers.”

These musicians are forging ahead in a space that has been unwelcoming at best (though hostile would be more appropriate in many cases) to their presence within the genre.

It is a fact – not an opinion – that Black people created country music. The banjo is an evolution of West African

lutes. The twangy singing style often associated with the genre has roots in white performers who donned blackface and exaggerated the annunciation, vocal charisma, and phrasings as a form of mockery. A YouTube search for Emmett Miller’s “Lovesick Blues” can serve as

The Pathfinders Society’ is one of four selections from Penguin Young Readers initially selected to be developed into animation and/or live action film and television projects by Lion Forge Entertainment. Academy Award-winning animators to reimagine popular children’s books

By American Staff

Lion Forge Entertainment and Penguin Young Readers, a division of Penguin Random House, have entered an alliance to develop film and TV projects based on popular children’s books published by Penguin Young Readers. Under terms of the deal, Lion Forge Entertainment retains rights to develop and adapt a multi-title slate of Penguin Young Readers books as animated and/or live action properties.

n “We look forward to working with these talented authors to bring their stories to the screen.”

-

David Steward II, Lion Forge founder

“Each book we’re developing with Penguin offers something different to audiences but all share heart, humor and sense of discovery that we love to highlight at Lion Forge Entertainment,” said Lion Forge founder David Steward II. “We look forward to working with these talented authors to bring their stories to the screen.” The books initially selected for development include WANNABE FARMS (Penguin Workshop, ages 8-12), NORTH POLE NINJAS (Penguin Workshop, ages 3-7), MONSTER JUICE (Grosset & Dunlap, ages 8-12), and THE PATHFINDERS SOCIETY (Viking, ages 8-12).

The projects will be shepherded by Lion Forge Entertainment President and Chief Content Officer Stephanie Sperber, who brokered the deal. Projects that go into production will be produced by Lion Forge Founder and CEO David Steward II, along with Sperber, Francesco Sedita from Penguin Young Readers, and Media Consultant Rich Korson.

“The creative team at Penguin Young Readers are as passionate about storytelling and world-building as we are at Lion Forge,” Sperber said. “Their publishing list aligns perfectly with the content we bring to market, and we are eager to develop these books for kids and family audiences globally.”

David Steward II founded Lion Forge Entertainment after he recognized a need in the industry to create a platform for authentic diverse voices. Drawing from his experience in publishing (graphic novels and comics) and informed by market trends, Steward II launched Lion Forge Animation in 2019, one of the only Black-owned animation studios in the world.

Lion Forge Entertainment focuses on diverse storytellers and helps amplify under-represented voices by creating content that is both authentic and appealing to a broad audience. Having recently

Courtesy photo

Black Opry Revue, which celebrates the diverse artistry that is often hidden from mainstream country music, will play The Sheldon Concert Hall on Friday, October 6. Rachel

Photo by Tristen Rouse / St. Louis Public Radio

CONCERTS AND LIVE SHOWS

The Temptations & The Four Tops

10/6/2023 7:30pm The Fabulous Fox 527 N Grand Blvd

St. Louis, MO

$55 - $150

Friday Night Smackdown

10/6/2023 6:45pm Enterprise Center 1401 Clark Ave

St. Louis, MO

$20.00 - $125.00

Marvin F. Cockrell and Focus

10/10/2023 7:30pm 17th Annual Smooth Jazz Concert The Sheldon 3648 Washington Blvd

St. Louis, MO $75.00

SZA - SOS Tour

10/11/2023 8:00pm Enterprise Center 1401 Clark Ave St. Louis, MO Ticketmaster.com

Kevin GatesOnly The Generals Tour

10/10/2023 8:00pm Live at The Factory 17105 North Outer 40 Road St. Louis, MO

$64.50 - $84.50

Raye: My 21st Century Blues World Tour

10/11/2023 8:00pm Live at The Factory 17105 North Outer 40 Road Chesterfield, MO

$28.00 - $48.00

Drea Vocalz Presents Satin Sip Live From the Dark Room

10/8/2023 9:00pm The Dark Room 3610 Grandel Sq. St. Louis, MO $10+

See You in a MinuteNew Play

10/11/2023 7:00pm The Chapel 6238 Alexander Drive St. Louis, MO $15.00 Nightmare Before Christmas In Concert

10/8/2023 2:00pm and 10/6/2023 7:00pm Stifel Theatre 1400 Market Street St. Louis, MO $47+

Jalisa Renay Live From the Dark Room (comedy)

10/20/2023 9:00pm The Dark Room 3610 Grandel Sq. St. Louis, MO $20 Reserved & SRO

FAIRS, FESTIVALS AND MARKETS

St. Louis Bourbon Festival

10/6/2023 5:00pm Lemp Grand Hall St. Louis, MO $90.00

Tower Grove Farmers’ Market 10/7/2023 8:00am 4257 Northeast Drive St. Louis, MO Free

Sauce Magazine Food Truck FridayHarvest Fest 10/8/2023 4:00pm The Grove Park 4257 Northeast Drive St. Louis, MO

TALKS & LECTURES

27th Annual Homer

G. Phillips Public Health Lecture Series 10/6/23

Guest Speaker: Brenda Battle, RN, BSN, MBA

Honoree: Nathaniel Murdock, MD

Washington University School of Medicine

Eric P. Newman Education Center (EPNEC)*

320 South Euclid Avenue

St. Louis, MO 63110 5:30 pm Light Refreshments

6:00 pm Lecture

7:00 pm Cocktails and Reception

RSVP link: https://wustl. az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/ SV_0pJL5lTTEgLvfaS

St. Louis Speakers Series: Jane Fonda

St. Louis Symphony Orchestra Series 10/5/2023 8:00pm 718 N. Grand Blvd. St. Louis, MO For more information, go to shop.slso.org

NIGHTLIFE

Halloween Masquerade Ball

10/6/2023 7:00pm 1415 South 18th Street

$35+

St. Louis, MO

ART ACTIVITIES, EXHIBITS AND MUSEUMS

31st Historic Shaw Art Fair 10/7/2023 9:00am

The premier fine art fair in St. Louis city features 120 artists and includes food, music, and schools art gallery. 4200 Flora Place St. Louis, MO

$8.00 - $10.00

First Friday: Young Friends 10/6/2023 5:00pm Each Fri. Art, music, and culture in the Grand Center Arts District. CAM 3750 Washington Blvd St. Louis, MO Free

A retrospective honoring native St. Louis artist DL Warfied 10/7/2023 5:00 pm - 8:30 pm Location Sophie’s Artist Lounge 3333 Washington Avenue St. Louis, MO

Mary Jo Bang & Ariana Benson - Poetry Night

10/5/2023 6:00pm

Left Bank Books hosts two St. Louis award-winning poets, Mary Jo Bang and Ariana Benson, to present on their new books. 399 N Euclid Ave St. Louis, MO

Nuestra Comunidad [Our Community]: Hispanic St. Louis Past, Present, and Future 10/5/2023 5:30pm

A presentation about the complex relationships among Spain, Mexico, and St. Louis during the colonial period in the late 1700s as well as during the Mexican Revolution in the early 1900s.

Missouri History Museum 5700 Lindell Blvd St. Louis, MO Free

COMMUNITY

Relax Rest and Relaunch Retreat for Women Business Owners

10/6/2023 4:00pm M9ND your Business, Inc and FLI with Dr. Tia Murry presents Relax, Reset and Relaunch, a networking event.

3550 Samuel Shepard Drive St. Louis, MO $50.00 - $549.49

City Council Meeting 10/9/2023 6:30pm 6801 Delmar Blvd University City, MO

Emerge Seminar 10/11/2023 6:00pm CAM & The Luminary CAM 3750 Washington Blvd St. Louis, MO Free

Historic District Committee

10/11/2023 6:30pm

MO

Spooky Trivia Night for Nurses for Newborns

10/6/2023 7:00pm Nurses for Newborns (NFN) is thrilled to host a fundraiser in support of its In-Home Nurse Visiting Program supporting at-risk pregnant and new mothers, babies, and families. Shrewsberry City Center 5200 Shrewsbury Ave St. Louis, MO $25.00 Families Run for Ovarian Cancer ROC Star 5k and 1-Mile Run/ Walk 10/8/2023 7:30am 1315 Chestnut Street St. Louis, MO Free

21st Annual Mary Meachum Freedom Crossing Celebration From Field Hollers to Hip Hop Celebrating St. Louis Black Music History The Mary Meachum Freedom Crossing at The Mississippi Greenway 25 E. Grand Ave., St. Louis, MO 63147 10/14/23, 12:00pm4:00pm Free

‘From Field Hollen to Hip Hop’ 21st Annual Mary Meachum Freedom Crossing Celebration,” Oct. 14, 12-4 p.m.

Artworks by Black abstract artists highlighted at Saint Louis Art Museum

The Saint Louis Art Museum will offer a hands-on art-making workshop titled Layers of Abstraction on Saturday, October 14, 1-4 pm. This free program is for adults and will be led by Kevin McCoy, artist and cofounder of interdisciplinary design team WORK/PLAY.

The workshop is inspired by mixed-media artworks by Black abstract artists in the Thelma and Bert Ollie Memorial Collection at the Museum. It will also provide the rare opportunity for attendees to visit the Museum’s Print Study Room to see works on paper by artists Mary Lovelace O’Neal and Frank Wimberly that are not currently on view in the galleries.

Kevin McCoy received a bachelor of fine arts degree in graphic communication from the University of Missouri–St. Louis and a master of fine arts degree from the Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts at Washington University in St. Louis. He and his wife, Danielle (also a conceptual artist, writer, and educator), combine illustration, minimal contemporary design, and experimental printmaking techniques in their art practice. With their use of design and printmaking, the collaborative duo has expanded their practice to textile arts, site-specific installation, publications, and bookmaking. They continuously experiment with new techniques,

seeking to push beyond the perceived boundaries of art, design, and printmaking.

The workshop is supported by the Ronald M. and Monique M. Ollie Education Endowment Fund for Abstraction by Black Artists, which was established to provide support for educational programing on African American abstraction and related topics inspired by the Thelma and Bert Ollie Collection. The art collection was gifted to the Museum in 2017 and includes 81 artworks by contemporary Black artists. Ronald Ollie grew up in St. Louis. His parents, Thelma and Bert Ollie, were frequent visitors to the Museum and instilled in him and his siblings a deep appreciation of art. Ronald Ollie’s childhood fascination with abstract art grew into a passion when, as an adult, he began to acquire abstract works by artists he admired and, often, befriended. Mr. Ollie passed away in 2020. His wife, Monique McRipley Ollie, shares his enthusiasm for art and education, and continues to be involved at the Museum.

The workshop is open to adults with all skill levels; no previous art experience is necessary. The program is free but online registration is required and space is limited. To learn more and to register, visit slam.org/events.

Renee Franklin Community Partnerships Director Saint Louis Art Museum from your Artist, Kevin McCoy

Art & Faith 13th annual Interfaith Concert set for Sheldon Concert Hall

‘Living Peace’ features Opera Theater sopranos

St. Louis American staff

Arts & Faith St. Louis, a collaboration of St. Louis arts and faith leaders, will stage its 13th annual Interfaith Concert, “Living Peace,” at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023, at the Sheldon Concert Hall.

The concert is free; however, reservations are requested and can be made online at artsfaithstlouis. org.

The concert will include songs by nine diverse faith communities, an original composition, respective performances by sopranos Christine Brewer and Angel Love of Opera Theatre of St. Louis, and songs from the Interfaith Youth Chorus.

For over a decade, Arts & Faith St. Louis concerts have brought together people of all faiths and ethnicities for a shared musical experience to encourage respect and understanding and to bridge divides.

The Sheldon’s All-Star Chorus under the direction of Maria A. Ellis, will perform “The Peace Prayer of St. Francis,” a new composition by Paul Reuter.

Love will sing the spiritual “Don’t Feel No Ways

Tired” and the Interfaith Youth Chorus will sing Greg Gilpin’s “Peace Song.”

The concert lineup includes performances by Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Baha’i and Christian faith community choirs, soloists, and ensembles, and concludes with everyone singing “Let There Be Peace on Earth.”

The audience is invited to mingle with representatives of each faith group and musicians in a special post-concert event at Steward Family Plaza on the west side of Sheldon facilities.

As a memento of the concert, audience members will receive free bookmarks printed with quotes about peace from each faith community and enjoy small Dove chocolate bars to celebrate the concert theme “Living Peace.”

In September 2011, on the 10th anniversary of 9/11, the Jewish Community Relations Council, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Interfaith Partnership of Greater St. Louis, and The Sheldon Concert Hall organized the first Interfaith Concert “to build a more harmonious community.”

The concert has become an annual event with themes promoting peace, racial equity and inclusion, encouragement to young people, welcoming the stranger, hope, and compassion.

Worth the wait

James Fortune, multiple Stellar Award winner

and Grammy nominee, has released his new EP, “Worth it.”

The EP features seven songs with messages of encouragement, Fortune says it will remind listen-

Opera Theatre of St. Louis soprano Angel Love will perform during the Arts & Faith 13th annual Interfaith Concert at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023, at the Sheldon Concert Hall.

ers “that their struggle and life trauma was ‘worth it.’”

“God will turn your pain into profit.”

Joining Fortune on “Worth It” are Gammywinner Monica rapper Waka Flocka Flame (“Voyage”) and Stellar Award winner Zacardi Cortez (“Worth It”). Fortune says one of his strengths “is in understanding how to put gospel and praise songs over to a millennial audience.”

His choir FIYA (Free in Yahweh’s Abundance) incorporates hip-hop arrangements and urban beats into recordings.

His past works include The Transformation (2007) – which featured the single “I Trust You,” charted at No. 1 on Gospel radio for 25 weeks and No. 30 on Urban AC charts.

His first live album, “Live Through It,” appeared early in 2014. Fortune’s 2019 album “Dream Again” featured the long-running Billboard #1 hit, “I Am.”

Photo by Roger David Manning / OTSTL

GUARDIAN AD LITEM –FAMILY COURTJUVENILE DIVISION

Family Court (Juvenile Division) of St. Louis County

is seeking an attorney to serve as guardian ad litem (GAL) in the Family Court to handle juvenile matters/ parent attorney. A GAL who serves the Court must commit to serve on various Family Court (Juvenile) cases on an as needed basis for a monthly retainer to be paid by public funds. The current retainer is in the amount of $2,300.00 per month. Payments for time expended in adoption, guardianship of minor, and termination of parental rights matters may be made over and above the retainer fee.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Graduation from an accredited law school, possession of a current license to practice law in the State of Missouri, up to three (3) years of trial experience preferred; preferably in juvenile or family law (additional years of trial experience and guardian ad litem experience are highly preferred), and completion of necessary guardian ad litem training as required by the Supreme Court of Missouri. Note: This position is subject to continued availability of funding.

To apply, please send a current resume, along with a cover letter, to SLCCourtJobs@courts.mo.gov or to the following address (application materials must be postmarked by October 20, 2022): Family Court of St. Louis County, Attn: Human Resources Department, 105 S. Central Ave., Clayton, MO 63105. EOE. Please contact the Human Resources Department at 615-4471 (voice) or RelayMo 711 or 800-735-2966 if you need any accommodations in the application process, or if you would like this posting in an alternative form.

ACCOUNTING COORDINATOR

In the role of Accounting Coordinator you will be part of our critical Accounts Receivable team. You will work closely with others in the Account Services Premium Audit, Client Engagement and Accounts Payable teams. By efficiently and tactfully billing and collecting payment from clients and brokers, you directly impact Safety National’s bottom line revenue goals. To apply, please visit: https://www.safetynational.com/careers-page/

ministration, technology, security and more.

POLICE OFFICER

Maplewood Police Department

Hiring for police officer position

Must be POST

Class A certified

$66,081-Five year top $94,896

FIREMEDIC

Pattonville Fire Protection District is accepting applications for a FIREMEDIC position. Must meet minimum qualification, please see website www.pattonvillefd.com for details. Applications can be picked up at the Fire District Administration Building; 13900 St. Charles Rock Road, Bridgeton, Missouri, 63044; from 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., October 13th, 2023 through October 27th, 2023.

JR76315 International Student & Scholar Advisor - Provost Office

This position will primarily work with the international student population, specifically foreign nationals enrolled at the university in F-1 or J-1 visa statuses. Carries out activities to provide a successful program for internationals students and scholars at Washington University. Meets the unique needs of the international students and scholars and engages that population in the community both on and off campus. The ideal candidate will meet the following required qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and two years of experience in international advising or equivalent education and experience. Required Licensure/Certification/Registration: Per U.S. federal regulations, must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident and provide proof of status. Designated School Official within six months of start date.

LPN Nursing Openings

Washington University currently has several LPN openings in highly sought after outpatient clinical departments. We offer competitive wages and outstanding employee benefits. LPNs with clinic or hospital experience; Epic charting experience are highly preferred.

• Orthopedic Surgery in Central West End and Progress West Clinic Locations

• Urologic Surgery Clinic

• Outpatient Dialysis in Forest Park or North County Locations (Dialysis Experience Required)

• Facial Plastic Surgery Clinic

• Gastroenterology Clinic

Resumes accepted: tracey.faulkner@wustl.edu

Staff Therapist or Clinical Social Worker (Part Time)

The Division of Child Psychiatry at Washington University is seeking to hire two part-time Staff Therapists for its Adolescent Intensive Outpatient Program (AIOP). The position will involve a combination of direct clinical interventions and group care to adolescents and/or their caregivers and the therapists will collaborate closely with a multidisciplinary team to implement novel models of care delivery and measure outcomes.

• Equivalent of a master’s degree in social work.

• REQUIRED LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION/REGISTRATION

• AAMFT, ASLPC, LCSW, LPC, CPC, LMFT or licensed Psychologist in the state of Missouri

Resumes accepted: tracey.faulkner@wustl.edu

RECREATION SUPERVISORRENTAL SERVICES

The City of Richmond Heights is accepting applications for the position of Recreation Supervisor - Rental Services

$54,338 - 58,321. To apply go to https://richmondheights. applicantpro.com/jobs/

COMMUNITY CARE LIAISON

Community Care Liaison, LifeWise StL dba Kingdom House, St Louis, MO. Bilingual Eng/Span. B.S. public health or Bach. in Social Work required. Valid driver’s license required. Travel within St Louis Cty/County to clients & agencies. Background check conducted. Send cover letter & resume to jobs@lifewisestl.org with “Community Care Liaison” in the subject line.

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT AND CAMP RANGER

Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri is now recruiting for two full-time positions: Executive Assistant to the CEO and Camp Ranger. For more info and to apply, visit www.girlscoutsem.org.

We are a proud Equal Opportunity Employer, and we encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

DIRECTOR OF TECHNOLOGY

Kirkwood School District is hiring a Director of Technology with the following experience:

• 4 year college degree or equivalent in Management or Computer Science

• 5+ years equivalent and related experience

• 3+ years of supervisory experience.

For more information and to apply, please visit www.kirkwoodschools.org/ jobs

CHIEF ENGAGEMENT & BELONGING OFFICER

Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri is recruiting for an exceptional and inclusive leader to serve as the Chief Engagement & Belonging Officer. The CEBO will support the mission of the GSEM Council by working with the CEO and other key stakeholders to promote a strong sense of belonging for all. Apply at https://www.girlscoutsem.org/en/ discover/our-council/careers.html. We are a proud Equal Opportunity Employer, and we encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

MAINTENANCE WORKER

The City of Maplewood is seeking a qualified person for the position of maintenance worker. The position is responsible for maintaining streets, parks, sewers, swimming pool, and city buildings. Must be available for occasional evening and weekend work. The city offers a comparative salary and benefits package. Starting salary is negotiable based on qualifications and experience. For an application please go to www.cityofmaplewood.com or contact the Public Works Department at (314) 645-3600. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

CUSTODIAN

Performs duties necessary for upkeep and cleanliness of agency buildings; assists in arranging furniture and equipment; maintains equipment and materials. Please send resume to info@hopehousestl.com.

VISITING AND ADJUNCT FACULTY

Webster University’s Walker School of Business & Technology is hiring Visiting and Adjunct Faculty in IT Management. Benefit from a 9-month extended contract for full-time roles or 9-week courses for adjunct positions. A master’s degree and 5+ years of IT experience preferred. Apply now: (https://recruiting.adp.com/srccar/public/RTI. home?c=1180715&d=ExternalCareerSite&r=5000855786606#/

CERTIFIED MBE/WBE/SDVE

SUBCONTRACTORS

The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company is soliciting bids from Minority Business Enterprises (MBE), Women Business Enterprises (WBE), and Service-Disabled Veteran Enterprises (SDVE) for THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI PROJECT NUMBER CP230631 THOMPSON CENTER FOR AUTISM AND NEURODEVELOPMENT- NEW BUILDING & THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI PROJECT NUMBER CP230501 CENTER FOR ENERGY SCIENCE, ENGINEERING AND POLICY – NEW FACILITY CONSTRUCTION

Located on the campus of The University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri

The bid solicitations include but are not limited to Flooring, Paint, Tile, Exterior Envelope, Structural Concrete, Structural Steel, Masonry, Earthwork, Site Utilities, Framing, Drywall, Concrete Paving, Landscaping, miscellaneous specialties, and Miscellaneous General Trade Packages that will be available in phases starting in October 2023 through the end of 2024.

Interested parties should access documents on the UM System website http://operations-webapps.missouri.edu/pdc/ adsite/ad.html or contact THE WHITING-TURNER CONTRACTING COMPANY 2519 Madison Avenue, Suite 200 Kansas City, MO 64108 Phone: 816-921-0100 for access to bid packages or further information

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Replace Generator & Automatic Transfer Switch at Higginsville Habilitation Center, Project No. M2317-01, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, November 2, 2023, via MissouriBUYS. Bidders must be registered to bid. Project information available at: http://oa.mo.gov/ facilities

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Two Rocks Reclamation Project, Henry County, Project No. Y2302-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 10/24/23 For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo.gov/ facilities

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Rebuild Cooling Tower, Building 7, Project No. C2303-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, November 2, 2023

For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo.gov/ facilities

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

PARIC Corporation is requesting proposals for the following workpackages on Missouri University of Science and Technology’s new Protoplex Research Facility located in Rolla, Missouri. The scope of work we are seeking proposals for include Early Release Mechanical Equipment, precast and metal panels packages, glazing/curtain wall package and roofing packages. You can find additional design guidelines on UM system website here: https:// www.umsystem.edu/ums/fa/facilities/guidelines/ (Click on Section 3 Design Guidelines and then click on Division Guidelines hyperlink). If you have questions or would like further information on this project, please contact Chris Lucas (clucas@paric.com) at 636-561-9794.

Construction is slated to start October 2023 and be substantially complete by June 18, 2025.

Bids are due 11-10-23 at 10:00am

PreBid meeting will be held on 10-23-23 at 10:00am

The project is tax exempt, and has MBE and WBE goals according to the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 11.4% Minority participation and 6.9% Female participation in each trade. Structural Steel will be subject to the Build America, Buy America Act.

The Project will be subject to prevailing wages per Missouri Division of Labor Standards Annual Wage Order for Phelps County.

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

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

The St. Louis County Port Authority requests proposals for qualified legal-services firms to provide outside counsel services, including legal advice, representation, and expertise on various projects and areas of operations on an as needed basis. The requested services shall be for up to a three-year period. A copy of the complete RFP is available at https://stlpartnership.com/ rfp-rfq/. To be considered, proposals must be received no later than 3:00 PM CST on Thursday, October 26, 2023.

Equal Opportunity Employer

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District Requests for Quotes, Bids and Proposals are posted online for public download. Please navigate to www.msdprojectclear.org > Doing Business With Us > View Bid Opportunities Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

INVITATION TO BID

FERGUSONFLORISSANT SCHOOL DISTRICT WATER TESTING DISTRICT WIDE

Sealed bids are being requested from the Ferguson Florissant School District and will be received and publicly opened on Tuesday, October 24th @ 1:00pm cst at the Operation and Maintenance dept. located at 8855 Dunn Rd. (REAR) Hazelwood, MO 63042. Bid specs must be obtained at http://new.fergflor. k12.mo.us/facilities-rfq Contact Matt Furfaro @ mfurfaro@fergflor.org or Terry O’Neil @ toneil@ fergflor.org for further information/questions.

We Publish Every Thursday in the Newspaper & Online

SOLICITATION RD23-12 WEST PINE APARTMENTS ROOF REPLACEMENT

4490 WEST PINE BLVD. SAINT LOUIS, MO 63108

The St. Louis Housing Authority (SLHA) seeks bids to perform the following project:

The General Scope of Work for this project consists of, but is not limited to, the removal and replacement of the entire existing asphalt builtup roof system with new single-ply membrane roofing system, including all substrate insulation, and related accessories, metal flashing and wood blocking. Electrical repairs, HVAC equipment replacement, new lightning protection system, and painting of the penthouse and stair tower trim and doors are also included as a part of this project. The anticipated performance period for this project is 180 calendar days.

Bid information available at https://www.slha. org/partner-with-slha/ on October 9, 2023

A pre-bid conference will be held on site at 10:30 a.m. (CT), Thursday, October 26, 2023, at the project site.

Sealed bids are due 3:00 PM (local time) Thursday, November 16, 2023, via QuestCDN or delivered personally at SLHA Offices at 3520 Page Blvd, Saint Louis, MO 63106.

Fran Bruce Acting Contracting Officer AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

ST. LOUIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Will receive separate sealed bids for CONTRACT NO. F23 302-E Interior Finishes for New Health & Technology Building at Wildwood Campus for STLCC Transformed, until 4:00 p.m. local time on Friday, October 13, 2023.

Bids are due to BSI Bids email or hand delivered to the BSI office located on 6767 Southwest Ave, St. Louis, MO 63143. Drawings, Specifications and bid forms and other related contract information may be obtained from Cross Rhodes’ Plan room at 2731 S. Jefferson, St. Louis, MO 63118 (https://www.x-rhodesplanroom.com).

Electronic bid sets are also available in Bonfire at https://stlcc.bonfirehub.com and may be printed by the plan holders.

Questions regarding the scope of work should be directed to the Construction Manager (KWAME BUILDING GROUP), Nour Tanoura, ntanoura@ kwamebuildinggroup.com. A pre-bid meeting will be held on October 5th, 2023 at 9:30am CST at the Wildwood Campus – BSI Trailer

A walk-through of the project will follow the meeting. You may schedule additional site visits by contacting Nour Tanoura at the email above. This project is supported, in whole or in part, by federal award number SLFRP4542 awarded to State of Missouri by the U.S. Department of the Treasury

The College has the proposed minority goals MBE 15% and WBE 12%.

Individuals with special needs as addressed by the Americans with Disabilities Act may contact: 314-984-7673

Advertisement Date: September 29, 2023

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

BID DATE EXTENDED TO OCTOBER 26, 2023

Paric Corporation is seeking proposals for the following project: Operation Food Search Interior Renovation and Building Addition.

The scope of work includes but is not limited to demo, concrete, site work, casework, drywall and finishes, kitchen equipment, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection.

This project has a diversity participation goal of 10% MBE and 10% combined WBE, DBE, Veteran Owned Business and 3% SDVE.

Bids for this project are due on October 26 at 3:00 p.m. For any questions or would like to find out more detailed information on this opportunity, please contact Matt Davis at 636-561-9531 or msdavis@paric.com.

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

PARIC CORPORATION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, Inc. is seeking an Architecture/Engineering firm for services to create an Exhibition Design for the interior build-out of a new cultural center inside of the Urban League Headquarters facility at 1408 North Kingshighway.

Submission of Proposals

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Re-Bid Renovate Interior & Exterior, Project No. T2209-01will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, November 14, 2023. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo.gov/ facilities

To be considered, proposals must be received no later than Friday October 20th, 2023 at 3:00 PM CST.

Proposals received after the deadline identified above will not be considered.

The entire RFP can be found on the Urban League’s website at www.ulstl.com.

Questions about this RFP should be sent by email only to mmcclain@kwamebuildinggroup.com.

Schedule:

Questions Submitted by Thursday October 12th, 2023. Questions Answered by Thursday October 16th, 2023. Submission of Proposals by Friday October 20th, 2023.

Any answers to questions will be provided to all interested parties and released as an addendum to this RFP and sent to all parties accordingly by email, after the indicated date above.

Electronic proposals should be sent by email to mmcclain@kwamebuildinggroup.com.

Mail to:

Kwame Building Group, Inc

ATTN: Michael McClain 1204 Washington Ave, Suite 200 St. Louis, MO 63103

St. LouiS american Bids & Public Notices

DESTINATION DISCOVERY PRICING PERCEPTIONS RESEARCH

STUDY RFP 2023

The Saint Louis Zoo seeks bids from qualified firms to submit proposals for Destination Discovery Pricing Perceptions Research Study RFP 2023. Bid documents are available as of 10/4/23 on the Saint Louis Zoo website: stlzoo.org/vendor

SEALED BIDS

Bids for RE-BID Replace Sewer Lines and Infrastructure, Ozark Correctional Center, Project No. C1907-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 11/16/23. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/facilities

CITY OF ST. LOUIS ST. LOUIS LAMBERT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT® REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)

Service: Support Services of the Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations Software Solution

Pre-Proposal Meeting Date: October 3, 2023 11:00 AM Meeting will be held via Zoom. See RFP for details.

Question Due Date: October 6, 2023

Bid Due Date: October 26, 2023

M/WBE Goals & Incentives:

MBE goals: 25% WBE goal: 5%.

A 15% M/WBE incentive credit shall

Point of Contact: Gigi Glasper – gxglasper@flystl.com

Proposal documents may be obtained at St. Louis Lambert International Airport®, Airport Properties Division Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., or by calling (314) 890-1802. This RFP may also be obtained by visiting our website at www.flystl.com/business/contractopportunites.

Robert Salarano Airport Properties Division Manager

INVITATION TO BID

E.M. Harris Construction Company (EMH) seeks subcontractor bids for Fields Place Apartments and Grocery Store located at 4300 Natural Bridge Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63115. Scope of work involves new construction of a four-story apartment building, including, but not limited to, site work, concrete foundations, metal fabrications, carpentry, thermal/moisture protection, roofing, siding, masonry, windows, MEPS, elevator, finishes, specialties, paving, concrete, and landscaping. Minority and Women Business Enterprises and Section 3 Businesses are strongly encouraged to bid. All workers must be OSHA 10 certified. EMH is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Project plans & specifications are available for viewing online through an invitation to bid. All bids due to EMH office by 5 pm, Friday, October 13, 2023. Project contact: Vic Hoffmeister vic@emharris.com or fax 314-436–6691.

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Second Floor Annex Hvac Unit Replacemen, MSHP General HQ Complex, Jefferson City, Project No. R2314-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 11/2/23. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/facilities

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Campground Renovation and Upgrade Big Lake State Park Craig, MO, Project No. X2218-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 10/19/23. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/facilities

SEALED BIDS

Sealed Bids for Food Service Contract are being requested from Saving Our Children for the preparation and delivery of meals for 12 locations. Bids will be obtained, received and publicly opened on Tuesday October 12, 2023 @ 11am at 222 South Meremac Ave, Ste 201, Clayton, Mo, 63105. Contact Kwilliams@ savingourchildrenmo.com for further information/ questions.

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Sealed bids for the Buckley Road Bridges No. 528 & 528-P project, St. Louis County Project No. CR-1772 will be received electronically thru the County’s Vendor Self Service portal at https://stlouiscountymovendors. munisselfservice.com/Venclors/ default.aspx, until 2:00 PM on October 25, 2023. Plans and specifications will be available on September 25, 2023 from the St. Louis County Web Site (www.stlouiscountymo.gov) or by contacting Cross Rhodes Print & Technologies, 2731 South Jefferson Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63118 (314) 678-0087.

DIRECTOR OF PROCUREMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES ST. LOUIS, COUNTY

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Great Rivers Greenway is seeking bids for Park Maintenance, Operations, and Conservation. Go to www.greatriversgreenway. org/jobs-bids and submit by October 13, 2023.

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE:

Advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, imitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial\status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination.

“We will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.”

BID #1749 The St. Louis County Department of Human Services, Homeless Services Program, is seeking proposals for the 2023-2024 Warming and Cooling Shelter. The total funding available is $142,900.00. Proposals are due by 2:00 p.m. on October 5th. Request For Proposal details and specifications can be obtained at: https:// stlouiscountymovendors. munisselfservice. com/Vendors/VBids/ BidNotificationLandingPage. aspx?BidId=2525

Art

Continued from A1

St. Louis hip hop footwear

on a scale so massive that tires were used to make the sole, and they feature a Missouri license plate at the front of the shoe.

Lion

Continued from A1

expanded its production slate to include live action as well as animation, the company develops and

“There are so many contemporary stories and conversations about hip-hop that can be had,” Purnell said. “You can almost take each section of the show and create its own exhibition. Walker will visit the Saint Louis Art Museum to discuss the photo as

produces animated and live action content targeting the kids & family and YA audiences, building on the success of earlier Lion Forge Animation projects including the Oscar®-winning Hair Love, and the upcom-

part of The Culture’s upcoming programming for ‘That’s Art,’ a live podcast recording presented by Kazi Society and the Saint Louis Art Museum. The event will take place at 6 p.m. on Friday, October 6. The podcast will consist of a conversation with

ing Iyanu animated series for Cartoon Network and Max.

They recently closed a first-look deal with Nickelodeon Animation and set up a strategic global content partnership with advertising giant Dentsu.

“Nickelodeon has always been a creative north star,” said Steward. “The opportunity to partner in creating new content that features diverse characters and builds a path for diverse talent in the animation industry is incredibly exciting.”

Projects identified for development through the Nickelodeon Animation first look deal include: Born Driven, a story based on the life of Wendell Scott, the first Black NASCAR driver; a comedy adventure of warrior Iron’s story Iron Dragon - original IP created by Jay Kim at Mostapes studio in South Korea and Lion Forge; and Marley and the Family Band - an animated series based on Cedella Marley’s picture book of the same title.

Among the current projects at Lion Forge Entertainment is the highly anticipated adaptation of the popular graphic novel series, Iyanu, which Lion Forge is making into a children’s animated series for MAX / Cartoon Network. Created by Nigerian creator Roye Okupe, Iyanu is an epic superhero tale steeped in

Walker, Radio veteran Boogie D and St. Louis American contributing editor and exhibition advisory group member Kenya Vaughn. The talk will discuss hip hop’s dominating influence on global culture – and more than likely, the critical role of St. Louis within

Nigeria’s rich culture, music, and mythology. Production is currently underway for 20 halfhour episodes and two hour-long movies.

Additional projects from Lion Forge include a Hair Love spinoff series (Young Love) for MAX; Rise Up, Sing Out, executive produced by Grammywinning artists Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter and Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, for Disney; Chicka Boom Boom, an animated series for preschoolers based on the classic books; an animated series based on the Hero’s Journey

The Series - a set of stories that explore the rise to fame of many black artists during the segregation era; a slate of projects introducing the groundbreaking life and legacy of Wendell Scott, the first Black race car driver and team owner to win a race at NASCAR’s highest level; and a new multi-media initiative in partnership with St. Louis-based Nine PBS designed to positively represent Black and brown kids and help close the literacy gap, Drawn In.

“Lion Forge stands for diverse stories, authentically told,” Steward said. “We pride ourselves in telling the stories of the underrepresented, while bringing exciting entertainment to the world.”

the context of the art form.

“This is our chance to say, ‘We are here. We matter and we have something to say,’” Purnell said of St. Louis’ presence within the exhibition.

“And we made a difference in hip-hop.”

‘That’s Art, ’ a live

Opry

Continued from A1

a prime example. Trigger warning – even for those with the highest threshold of tolerance for the racism that was peddled as a form of entertainment in “the good old days.” Few will endure past the cringeworthy spoken dialogue that serves as the song’s intro.

Keep in mind that Hank Williams’ cover of Miller’s 1925 version of the is one of the most beloved songs in the canon of country music.

It is also a fact that mainstream country music has been intentional about maintaining its tradition of exclusion and erasure of Blackness. This can be seen almost a century after “Lovesick Blues” with Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road” in 2018.

The song’s chorus is “I’m gonna take my horse to the old town road, and ride ‘til I can’t no more.”

And yet, Billboard originally removed the song from its country charts with the claims that the record, which is about a man on a horse wearing cowboy boots, “does not embrace enough elements of today’s country music to chart in its current version.” Billy Ray Cyrus hopped on the track, and the song spent a record 19 weeks at the top of Billboard’s Hot 100 charts. The longest running number one in Billboard’s his-

podcast recording presented by Kazi Society and The Saint Louis Art Museum will take place at 6 p.m. on Friday, October 6 at The Saint Louis Art Museum’s Farrell Auditorium. For more information, visit www.slam.org

tory is a country song by a Black man that became its own cultural phenomenon. And yet it is apparent that the industry overall is sticking with the tradition of denying Black musicians a deserved seat at country music’s proverbial table – even at the expense of the genre’s commercial success and broader influence within mainstream popular culture.

A handful of Black artists have managed to thrive despite the efforts of country music’s gatekeepers.

And Black Opry and The Black Opry Revue demonstrates that for every Charley Pride and Linda Martell (or more recently Mickey Guyton and Kane Brown) there are dozens of artists waiting in wings.

“I’ve met so many people along this journey,” Bryant said. “It’s been quite amazing.” Their presence serves as a reminder that not only can country music and Blackness coexist, but that one could not exist without the other.

The Sheldon Concert Hall will present the Black Opry Revue at 8 p.m. on Friday, October 6. Tickets are available at metrotix.com or by calling 314.534.1111. For more information can be found by visiting www.thesheldon. org

PrivAte SchooLS Guide

John Shipp carves path to success

SLUH Class of 1998

By Ben DuMont

Nathaniel Shipp, against daunting odds, never gave up, and never gave in. He grew up before the Civil Rights movement and endured ridicule, including rejection from colleges, because of his skin color – yet he had dreams and persisted. Nathaniel went on to serve in the Korean War, became one of the first Black physical therapists west of the Mississippi River, and served the local Catholic community as a respected deacon.

“During his most difficult times, my grandpa said it would have been easy to quit and feel sorry for himself,” says John Shipp SLUH class of ‘98. “But he always persevered and became a better person for it.”

In addition to raising John in North St. Louis, where he attended St. Engelbert Focus School (now Saint Elizabeth, Mother of John the Baptist), Nathaniel challenged his grandson to apply to St. Louis U. High. John, however, had planned to attend Cardinal Ritter or a public school with his friends.

Nathaniel supported John throughout his entire SLUH journey, funding his education, attending his football games and helping him with his homework.

“He was such a champion for me in so many different ways. I give credit to him for the man I am today.”

John Shipp finished flight school and became a Blackhawk pilot.

Shipp knew nobody entering SLUH as a freshman, and he was not the popular kid he had been in middle school. Eventually, he found a group of friends and thrived, participating in track, basketball and football.

Dr. Eric Clark ‘83, President of Loyola Academy of St. Louis who was then the SLUH Dean of Students, was a mentor to Shipp. “Dr. Clark was tough on me and held me accountable. He set higher expectations and didn’t accept excuses. He was a realist that the world was not always going to be fair, and that I had to adapt and be resilient.”

As a sophomore at Missouri State, Shipp made a rash decision. He was attending on a football

See SHIPP, D5

City Academy offers exceptional education with bold expectations

School celebrating 25th year

St. Louis American staff

City Academy is celebrating its 25th year in operation after holding its first day of school on September 1, 1999.

The school was co-founded in 1999 by Don Danforth and Duncan Marshall on the belief that a family’s geographic location and income should never be a barrier to accessing high-quality education.

Originally based in the Mathews-Dickey Boys’ & Girls’ Club location on N. Kingshighway before moving across the street to the current campus in 2004, City Academy was the first private, independent school in North St. Louis. It remains the only school in the region to provide scholarship support to 100% of current students.

The school’s mission is to transform children, families and our community through exceptional education and bold expectations that empower children to overcome barriers.

The school has a current enrollment of 230 students who come from 40 ZIP codes in the St. Louis area, including Metro Illinois. 42% of its families reside in the city of St. Louis.

87% of its graduates are accepted into independent secondary schools and its number of alumni has grown to 295.

Jarrett Young, City Academy head of school, said on the school’s website that a summer road trip with his son gave him time to reflect on his first year in the position.

“Glancing out of the car window, I was struck by the vast countryside filled with crops that farmers worked tirelessly to cultivate. At that moment the parallels between their work and the work done by professionals at City Academy was apparent,” he wrote.

“During the 2022-2023 academic year, everyone at

See CITY ACADEMY, D2

St. Mary’s High School now named St. Mary’s South Side Catholic High School

St. Mary’s South Side Catholic High School, 4701 South Grand Boulevard, opened its doors under the name of South Side Catholic High School in September 1931. For the first two years, its teachers were Christian Brothers. The first classrooms were small wooden structures located on the property of St. Joseph’s Orphanage.

In September 1933, members of the Society of Mary (Marianists) took over the school. A faculty of ten Brothers of Mary taught 275 students. The school moved from the “portable” classrooms to the old St. Joseph’s Orphanage building in 1935, after the building had been remodeled for high school use. The first graduating class numbered 62. Affiliation with the University of Missouri and with the North Central Association was obtained in 1936.

Enrollment and faculty grew steadily from 1933, reaching a peak in 1946 with 1,100 students. The name of the school was changed from South Side Catholic to St. Mary’s in 1947.

See ST. MARY’S, D2

City Academy has offered a unique, outstanding private school education to students for 25 years. It is the only school in the region to provide scholarship support to all students.

Photo courtesy of City Academy

John Shipp

City Academy

Continued from D1

City Academy worked tirelessly to cultivate an academic environment and curricular experiences that lead to students’ academic and personal growth.

“The work that is required to fulfill our mission is all consuming, but as we witnessed at the 6th grade graduation on May 24, the outcome of that hard work is realized as students select the next best steps for the educational journey in outstanding secondary schools in St. Louis.”

City Academy puts an emphasis on STEAM, an integration of science, art, and math – along with technology and engineering.

St. Mary’s

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On July 1, 2023 St. Mary’s High School ceased to exist, and St. Mary’s South Side Catholic High School began.

Bricks and mortar

What seems like a wellplanned design emerged quite gradually, St. Mary’s South Side Catholic High School began as a small wooden structure located on the property of St. Joseph’s Orphanage.

In September 1964, a new brick and concrete structure, located north of the old school building site, was completed and opened with an enrollment of 883 students. The new structure, valued at $1,500,000.00, comprised of 19 classrooms, three science labs, language lab,

In addition, all students learn Spanish and 1st through sixth graders are provided violin lessons.

Young calls City Academy “my north star,” adding that the school “is many things to many people.” According to the City Academy website, tuition for the 2022-23 school year was $25,672. However, the average scholarship awarded in 2022-23 was $22,172, bringing the average outof-pocket cost to $3,500 Tuition is determined each year based on a family’s income, which is verified annually during the admissions and re-enrollment process. Tuition is recalculated each year to better reflect a family’s current financial situation.

library, cafeteria, administrative offices, third-floor living quarters for 30 Marianists and a dining room for the Marianists.

In February 1967, a new wing costing $374,420.00 was completed, including a new guidance complex, teacher preparation room, biology lab, chemistry lab, typing room, seven conventional classrooms and four classrooms that could be converted into two large size rooms. In 1988, ground was broken for a new athletic complex which, when completed, included a natural turf soccer/football field and a six-lane all-weather track. Lights were added in 1992.

On September 17, 1992, the gymnasium, which had been erected in 1938, was destroyed by fire. In March 1993, construction began on the Archbishop John L. May Athletic Complex. This complex included a state-of-the-art

wooden floor, mezzanine with batting cage, along with an alumni meeting room and two weight rooms.

In 1993, other renovations were completed in the school, including the remodeling of the Media Resource Center and the installation of a computer network, which linked the computer room with the other academic areas of the school. This computer updating has enabled the school to expand its computer capabilities.

In July of 1998, St. Mary’s South Side Catholic obtained from Catholic Charities the St. Joseph’s Chapel. Restoration began one year later. The St. Mary’s community now uses the chapel for both school and alumni liturgies. It has been renamed The Holy Family Chapel.

During the summer of 2000 renovations began on the third floor of the

main school. This floor previously served as a residence for the Brothers of Mary. The goal was to create a fine arts wing for St. Mary’s South Side Catholic in this area. A band room was created for the 2000-2001 school year. Two art rooms were added as of the 2001-2002 school year. Another classroom was renovated for use in the 2004-2005 school year. These projects completed the third-floor renovation.

In February of 2008, St. Mary’s South Side Catholic purchased the St. Michael’s Apartments located on the west side of campus to expand the campus and make room for a new baseball complex and soccer practice fields. Also in 2008, the Center for Applied Sciences (CAS) building was completed and held its first classes. The CAS offers students an opportunity to learn hands-on skills such as A/C and D/C

Electricity, Robotics and HVAC. In 2010, courses in Architectural Design, Graphic Design and Computer Programming were added to the CAS curriculum. After a $5,000,000 Capital Campaign “Divis Field” was erected in what was run down apartments acquired by Itaska LLC.

On April 4, 2011, the campus was renamed St. Marys High School - Frank J. Bommarito Campus and the inaugural baseball season at Divis Field was the same day.

In the summer of 2012, work began on the R.V. Wagner Courtyard, formally the quad. Located between the Archbishop L. May Athletic Complex and the South Wing, the Courtyard is made up of bricks and pavers inscribed with messages from alumni, students, parents, and friends of St. Mary’s South Side Catholic High School.

Construction on the

before a day of interesting and challenging classes.

new state of the art artificial turf field began in June 2016. Enhanced stadium lighting was installed in August 2016. The grand re-opening celebration for the new Kresko-Miller Field was held on Friday, August 26, 2016.

St. Mary’s South Side Catholic has been responsive to the secondary educational needs of the Catholic families it serves since 1931. In 2005, St. Mary’s signed the Marianist sponsorship agreement formalizing the affiliation with the United States Province of the Society of Mary and 19 faculty members have become Lay Marianists since then. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. Louis and St. Mary’s South Side Catholic administration, faculty, and staff, without reservation, remain committed to quality instruction, faith formation and the development of the total student.

Jarrett Young, City Academy head of school, greets a student

Photo courtesy of City Academy

n Marian is the only all-girls, private middle school in the St. Louis community serving urban adolescents in a faith-based environment.

Fontbonne forms partnership with Marian Middle School

Will provide mentoring as well as scholarships to Fontbonne

Fontbonne University, a private, Catholic liberal arts university located in Clayton, Mo., in suburban St. Louis County, has established a unique partnership with Marian Middle School. Marian is the only all-girls, private middle school in the St. Louis community serving urban adolescents in a faithbased environment. The formal agreement establishing the program was signed on Wednesday, October 26, by Dr. Nancy Blattner, president of Fontbonne University, and Mary Elizabeth Grimes, president of Marian Middle School.

The partnership will provide Marian alumnae with scholarships to Fontbonne, as well as one-on-one mentoring to promote academic success, professional and leadership development opportunities, and career support. Up to 90 percent of Marian’s students face challenges associated with poverty.

The partnership supports the shared goal of increasing graduation rates for students of color through equitable opportunities that remove barriers to success.

“Reaching students during their formative middle school years can profoundly influence their academic goals and ambitions, which is one of the reasons that Fontbonne is so excited to launch this innovative program,” said Dr. Blattner. “Coinciding with our Centennial year, this new initiative not only underscores Fontbonne’s commitment

to inspiring students to become global citizens who think critically and act ethically to create a more just world, but also our resolve to provide opportunities for first generation college students and students of color.”

Marian was founded in 1999 by seven communities of Catholic sisters and several lay women to break the cycle of poverty by providing transformational education for girls with high potential but limited means. The school has an average

minority enrollment of approximately 97 percent, including 75 in middle school, 70 in high school, and over 60 in college. From 5th grade to career success, students are on a 12-plus year journey with Marian. Marian students commit to an intense 10-month, 10-hour daily schedule that includes an innovative STEM curriculum.

The school’s graduate support program provides Marian alumnae with academic, social, and financial support in high school and college, as well as connections to careers.

For example, Marian provides financial assistance for students attending tuition-based high schools.

Fontbonne University Forms Partnership with Marian Middle School

As a small university, Fontbonne embraces a student-centered academic environment, where every student is known by name and one-on-one counseling and advising help every student identify the best areas of study based on their individual interests, passions and career goals.

n The partnership supports the shared goal of increasing graduation rates for students of color through equitable opportunities that remove barriers to success.

“Poverty is a serious, deep rooted issue in St. Louis, and Marian Girls are no strangers to its effects,” said Grimes. “In St. Louis, the poverty rate stands at 22.8 percent, compared to 10.5 percent overall in the U.S. But 100 percent of our girls are graduating high school and going to college – rates that vastly exceed the national average.

Marian Girls are the future, and now with Fontbonne, we are ensuring their future, and the future of our community, is bright and sustainable for generations to come.” Fontbonne’s more than 100 areas of study primarily concentrate on healthcare, education, technology, business and humanities, with 44 undergraduate majors and 34 minors, as well as 10 undergraduate certificates. Graduate students may choose from 19 majors and 8 certificate programs.

By Forsyth School

St. Louis

For The

American

Forsyth School is a place where “personal best” counts! The challenging and engaging curriculum is supported by our talented faculty, committed administration, and caring families. Students learn how to accept and face challenges, set goals for themselves, reflect on their experiences and accomplishments, and support their fellow students.

Developmentally appropriate challenges— memory mapping, African dance, arthropod studies, Shakespeare performances, electrical engineering, and more—encourage students to try new things. In the Adventure Center, the high ropes course and climbing wall challenge kids to stretch beyond their comfort zones and set lofty goals for themselves—literally and figuratively!

The high beam is a special graduation capstone expe-

Forsyth uses ‘culture of challenge’ approach

rience reserved for Grade 6 students.

Nine specialist subject areas are an exciting part of everyday life at Forsyth:

• Art, Drama, & Music: Eyas–Grade 6

• Library: Eyas –Grade 6

• Science: Eyas –Grade 6

• Spanish: Eyas –Grade 6

• Physical Education:

Junior-K–Grade 6

• Innovation & Design: Senior-K–Grade 6

• Sustainability: Grades 3–6

Memory mapping is just one example of Forsyth’s culture of challenge across the grade-level continuum. In Grade 3, students receive an introduction to mapping using the Forsyth School campus. In Grade 4, students map the United States from memory. In Grade 5, they map North and South America. Finally, in Grade 6, the students map the

entire world from memory. Each world map is individualized based on the student’s interests and goals. With a culture of challenge, our students gain the skills to successfully manage large-scale, multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary projects.

Portrait of a graduate

As a result of Forsyth’s culture of challenge, our graduates are:

• Curious—they ask questions and take initiative

• Confident—they set goals and high expectations for themselves

• Willing to take risks, try new things, and try again

• Resilient—they can overcome obstacles and cope with setbacks

• -Joyful—they delight in learning, encourage others, and celebrate accomplishments

Tips to stay organized during school year

(StatePoint) When students -- and their parents -- stay organized, the sky is the limit. Amid the chaos of the school year, use these tips and gear recommendations to help keep everyone on track, whether they are at school, at home or on-the-go:

Notes and big ideas

Color-coded notebooks and binders, along with labeled dividers, can help you keep your coursework straight and your note-taking organized. Take your color-coding a step further by extending the concept to the tools you write with. Pilot Pen’s G2 gel

pen is a go-to for busy students and parents with its smooth, long-lasting gel ink that’s able to keep up with busy schedules. Science has shown that writing a to-do list with an appealing color can lead to greater productivity. Inspired by color trends and color psychology, the G2 Harmony Collection

colors were developed to promote balance, relaxation and hope, helping students get more done, stay positive and achieve their highest potential this school year. G2 is available in four point sizes and over 35 colors, so it’s ideal for note-taking, writing down big ideas, goal-setting and more.

Planning and scheduling

With each school year comes a flurry of planning and scheduling -- from after-school activities to field trips. Parents and kids alike can stay on top of all the last-minute changes with a desk calendar and an erasable pen. Pilot’s

FriXion line of erasable pens and markers write smooth and erase clean, so you can edit plans as often as they change. It’s much easier to remember tasks and events when you’ve recorded the details in a central location, so start a habit of entering all activi-

See TIPS, D6

scholarship, studying cell and molecular biology, when his grandfather died from lung cancer.

“After his passing, I lost my swagger,” says Shipp. “I walked out of football practice one day to clear my head.”

The next day, the coach severed John’s scholarship for a year – to teach him a lesson. Unsure how he would pay for college, he found his answer on a television commercial: the U.S. Army.

Shipp took off a semester and enlisted as a combat engineer in the National Guard. He completed officer school, at age 20, as one of the youngest military commissioned officers in U.S. history.

After becoming an officer, he returned to school to complete his BS degree in cellular and molecular biology with minors in chemistry and psychology. Upon graduation he went active duty. Due to a shortage of pilots because of army troops in both Afghanistan and Iraq, Shipp was able to transition from an engineer to aviation officer over the course of a year. After he finished flight school and became a Blackhawk pilot, he was selected for the maintenance test pilot program, a highly selective yet risky undertaking.

Up to this point, John’s five-year military service had primarily been stateside, but he received the call in 2005 to join the 101st Airborne Division as an air assault pilot in Iraq.

As the missions and close calls racked up, the deployment took a toll on him, mentally and emotionally. He had experienced live

combat, countless mortar attacks, bullet holes in his helicopter stopped only by Kevlar, a missile blowing up his sleeping quarters just moments after leaving, and even the loss of his flight school friend whose helicopter crashed after being ensnared by an enemy kite flying above a known insurgent safe house.

Despite the adversity Shipp faced during his tour in Iraq from 2005-2007, he found the entire military experience rewarding. “I knew I had given back to something bigger than me, a much larger purpose. That said, I was ready for

my next chapter because I had used up all nine of my lives.”

Today, Shipp, is the head of talent attraction and diversity, equity and inclusion at AnheuserBusch InBev. He leads workshops and training session across all of North American and blends both his personal experiences and historical stories to facilitate conversations on subjects

that can having varying viewpoints.

n Shipp, is the head of talent attraction and diversity, equity and inclusion at AnheuserBusch InBev.

One such story that he often shares is the the story of how Honda Motor Company began. Soichiro Honda, who worked on the production line for Toyota in the 1930s, was ignored when he presented his innovative concept – the 3-ring piston – to company leadership.

After leaving Toyota, he started his own company and amassed a fortune by

selling his invention to his former employer.

“It’s important to attract top talent,” Shipp says, “but it’s equally important to nurture creative ideas from our employees.”

Now in his 15th year at AB-InBev – after starting in operations maintenance and ascending the ranks as director of plant strategy, director of learning and development, to his current position – Shipp values embracing new perspectives. It’s a concept he learned at SLUH.

“[My English teacher] Mr. Hussung encouraged us to formulate our own ideas and opinions, and to

have a healthy, engaging discussion,” he says. “I leaned into this approach because it was fun looking at things differently and it allowed me to have a deeper appreciation for Shakespeare.”

Shipp, who encourages employees to share creative and disruptive ideas, believes diversity goes beyond promoting social justice. “From a business perspective, it is a booster. When we have employees representing a variety of cultures and backgrounds, it informs our product development and enriches our brand in a way that is authentic.”

Nathaniel Shipp served the local Catholic community as a respected deacon.

John Shipp in 2005 with the 101st Airborne Division as an air assault pilot in Iraq.

John Shipp with his wife and daughter.

Nathaniel Shipp served in the Korean War.

Vianney offers college-style schedule

By Vianney High

For The St. Louis American

Vianney’s two-semester, college-style schedule is much more than the mere restructuring of time. Learning within the block is a shift in the methodology of education.

In the two-semester, college-style schedule, a student takes more control of his education by being actively involved in the learning process. The environment fosters better interpersonal relationships, heightened critical thinking and stronger problem-solving skills, and allows students time for reflection.

The schedule is designed to reduce some of the obstacles that interfere with student achievement, such as insufficient time for in-depth thought, high stress levels and fragmented instruction.

Key features include:

• Four 80-minute academic periods provide time for in-depth focus and exploration.

• Teachers can give

Tips

Continued from D4

ties into your calendar as soon as they’re planned.

The smooth gel ink and precise point of the FriXion Synergy Clicker is great for detailed planning, while FriXion Fineliner brings colorful, mistake-free writing to notes and calendars.

more personal attention to each student, because they have fewer students each semester.

• Extended class time enables teachers the opportunity to develop lessons that offer more variety and in-depth thought.

• Students take eight courses per year (four per semester) and graduate with 32 credits, among the highest in the Midwest.

• The 32-credit requirement means students can pursue more Advanced Placement (AP), Advanced College Credit (ACC) and Honors courses.

• As part of a college preparatory school, this schedule is better suited to a college and university format.

By using a college-style semester format, students complete full core credits in one semester. Therefore, students wishing to excel academically can fit up to 5 or 6 years of a given core subject into four years

Lockers, backpacks and desks

Use organizational tools anywhere school supplies are stored, such as lockers, backpacks and home study areas. Simple shelving and magnetic door organizers can maximize storage potential in any locker, whereas a backpack with multiple pockets allows you to arrange items by subject. Periodically empty your backpack complete-

WiFi-enabled shuttle bus providing safe transportation to and

of school.

Class periods are long enough to allow for quality learning experiences that are less likely to occur

ly; you may be surprised by the loose papers you find at the bottom. Use the opportunity to re-order items as-needed and to wipe down the bag’s interior. Parents and kids should keep clutter to a minimum in home workspaces with filing systems and supply trays. This will help prevent important papers and other items from going missing and improve productivity.

in a shortened period. Activities are usually alternated within a class period for variety, including: debates, student presenta-

Down to the details

If you’re smudgeprone, use quick-dry ink for effortlessly clean lines. When it’s time to study, this will make reading your notes a lot easier.

Pilot’s Precise Rolling Ball features a precision tip -great for organized notes and homework.

For more school year inspiration and tips, visit powertothepen.com.

tions, in-depth laboratory experiments, concentrated writing projects, practice time for difficult concepts, guest speakers, teacher

directed learning activities, exam-like testing conditions, time for meaningful research simulations, cooperative learning, and role playing.

Vianney has The Griffin Express, a 14-passenger,

from the higfh school.