September 14th, 2023 edition

The St. LouiS AmericAn

The exceptional rule

Region’s best, brightest sparkle at 12th Annual Salute to Young Leaders

By Kenya Vaughn The St. Louis American

Rebeccah Bennett made a simple request of the record-setting, sold-out audience who came to support the 2023 cohort during the St. Louis American Foundation’s 12th Annual Salute to Young Leaders Thursday evening at The Four Seasons.

“We invite you to express yourselves, fully, brilliantly and completely in support of Black excellence,” said Bennett, who served as emcee. “Let’s make our recognition commensurate with the impact that they are having on our families, our communities and our region.”

To quote Harris Stowe State University President Dr. Latonia Collins-Smith as she – and practically the entire audience – unapologetically rooted for her team member Bennie Gilliam-Williams, “And did!”

Praise was heaped on so heavily for him

See LEADERS, A6

Taking their seat and waiting for the the program to begin, blood families, chosen families and work families all came together to celebrate their “Young Leader” kin and honorees at The St. Louis American Foundation’s 12th annual Young Leaders Salute, held at The Four Seasons Hotel.

To the rescue

University City firefighters move in to get control of a fire spreading quickly to two other homes in the 6500 block of Etzel Ave. late Tuesday just after 6 pm. A baby was taken to the hospital to be checked out but did not have serious injuries, according to the fire department. A spokesperson for the American Red Cross said a couple and their 10 children lived at the home where the fire started.

Ladue students remembered in emotional gathering

By Laura Barczewski KSDK.com

Ladue community members gathered solemnly in Stacy Park in Olivette on the night if Sunday Sept. 10 to remember three Black teens killed in a car crash Wednesday. Deion Robinson, Johnnie Ursery and Demetrius Ingram were all sophomores at Ladue Horton Watkins

Don’t ‘weight’ to walk

After learning that the childhood obesity rate in the Metro East was among Illinois’ highest, Melody McClellan took steps to reduce that number. Page A16

High School.

Ursery’s mother, Lynette, implored students and parents to help prevent future tragedies.

“There is no such thing as a snitch,” she said.

“We need to do away with that. And we need to understand that it is important to drop a tip. If you don’t want to tell, tell somebody else that will tell. So that things like this can

be avoided and none of us will be grieving.”

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the driver was speeding and veered off the road crashing into a home. The car crash happened in University City, killing all three of them and leaving hundreds of people in mourning.

How US military poisoned Pruitt-Igoe residents

By Sylvester Brown Jr. St. Louis American

“We were just kids…we didn’t know any better. We didn’t know we were getting poisoned.” – Benjamin Phillips, former Pruitt-Igoe resident

About 100 people gathered Aug 7 in St. Alphonsus Liguori Catholic Church’s community center to relive a racial atrocity. They watched the 2021 documentary, “Target St. Louis Vol. 1,” written and directed by St. Louis producer and actor, Damien D. Smith. The film tells the harrowing story of how, in the 1950’s and 60’s, the United State Military conducted secret chemical testing on residents of low-income housing developments. Those structures included Cochran

See TOXIN, A6

A proud family

Slave descendents seek memorial on SLU campus

By Ashley Winters St. Louis American

Members of the Descendants of the St. Louis University Enslaved (DSLUE) have launched a petition urging the university to atone for its use of enslaved ancestors by developing a memorial/monument on the university’s campus. The non-profit organization was formed to honor and preserve heritage and legacy, repair historical harm, and educate the public about SLU’s history, according to Robin Proudie, its founder and executive director. She said there was a cordial introductory meeting with SLU President Fred Pestello on November 11, 2021. Earlier See SLU, A7

Neighborhood Transformation Grants were announced in March 2023 to seek community-driven proposals for housing production, home repair, capacity building, and more.

Photo by Dawn Suggs / St. Louis American

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Robin Proudie, founder and executive director of DLSUE. Proudie is a descendant of the enslaved that helped build SLU.

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Damien D. Smith

Cardi B bangin’ the ‘Bongos’ with Megan Thee Stallion

BET is reporting that Cardi B will debut her new release “Bongos” on Friday Sept. 8, 2023, featuring Megan Thee Stallion.

The eagerly awaited follow-up to Cardi B’s 2022 single “Hot S**t” and the 2021 viral smash, “Up” will be available on multiple streaming sources.

Cardi B’s first album, “Invasion of Privacy” caught the world off guard five years ago, and fans are still waiting on a second multi-song release. But as BET states “she has consistently impressed audiences with well-received guest appearances. Notable features include her verse on Latto’s “Put It On The Floor Again” and her part on FendiDa

Rappa’s “Point Me 2.”’

She also recently appeared alongside her husband, Offset, for the Migos member’s latest single, “Jealousy.”

Don’t expect more team efforts in the future, though.

“I’m not going to release any more collaborations,” she told Vogue Mexico, adding that she was working on her next solo single.

Bey vs. Swift showdowns coming for MTV Music Video Awards

Entertainment Weekly got the dish and is spilling the tea revealing the nominees in several digital/social categories for this year’s VMAs, including Song of the Summer and Album of the Year.

Beyonce’s Renaissance vs. Taylor Swift’s Eras concerts have been the talk of the summer, both selling out venues

But who will take home

the little shiny silver man holding the MTV flag–will it be Queen Bey or Swift? The showdown nominations are ‘Show of the Summer,” Renaissance vs. Eras; “Song of the Summer,” “Cuff It” by Beyonce vs. Taylor Swift ft. Ice Spice – “Karma;” Album of the Year, Beyoncé – Renaissance vs. Taylor Swift –Midnights.

Sibling brothers Polo G, Trench Baby arrested Polo G [Taurus Bartlett], 24, and younger brother Trench Baby [Taurean Bartlett], 18, were recently arrested in Los Angeles and released later the same day.

According to the LAPD, the brothers were arrested on robbery charges after authorities served a search warrant and found an illegal short-barrel rifle during a raid on Polo G’s $5 million Chatsworth, Calif., mansion.

After posting $100,000 bail, Trench Baby was released. Polo G was released on his own recognizance, according to Los Angeles County jail records. They were scheduled to make

their first court appearance later this week.

Jay-Z Org comes to legal rescue of a Kenosha man

An investigation was launched earlier this month after a viral video showed Kenosha Police officer forcefully arresting a man inside an Applebee’s in an alleged case of mistaken identity. According to TMZ Jay-Z’s firm TeamROC hired attorney Alex Spiro to represent Jermell English Jr, the man arrested by Kenosha police.

The legal team hopes to get misdemeanor charges of resisting an officer and disorderly conduct dropped because English contends he is not the man police were searching for. This is what led to the altercation with the police.

A civil lawsuit could also be in the works, according to Dania Diaz, the managing director for Team ROC.

“The reckless behavior of the police department is a travesty, especially when they put his infant child in danger,” said Diaz.

Sources: BET; Entertainment Weekly; TMZ; TeamROC

opens Center of Hope in Tower Grove

By American staff

Boys & Girls Clubs of

Greater St. Louis (BGCSTL) and Panda Cares

decided to bear down and create the Center of Hope(COH), a culinary and arts space at the Adams Park Club, 4317 Vista Ave. in Tower Grove.

The Center of Hope will provide resources and support through Project Learn, which teaches youths different high-yield and enrichment programs that foster learning toward character building, academic success, and college access, according to Flint Fowler, BGCSTL president.

“Thank you, Panda Cares, for your partnership and supporting the Boys & Girls Club’s mission.

The new Center of Hope will positively impact club members,” said Fowler.

Panda Cares, the philanthropic non-profit arm of Panda Express, presented Boys & Girls Clubs with a $10,000 check for the Center of Hope. Panda Express General Manager Tim Chung and Area Coach of Operations/District Manager Leonardo Morales shared free books, and a meal from a local Panda

Express with BGCSTL members.

The $10,000 award is an academic scholarship awarded to high school seniors graduating from the COH. Students pursuing an undergraduate degree must enroll full-time at an accredited college or university. The scholarship will be awarded to a minimum of four students, $2500 each. Requirements include:

• Demonstrated financial need – verified by the Club

Possess a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale

• Plan to be enrolled as a full-time freshman in the fall of the upcoming year attending a US located, four-year, accredited college or university

• Scholarship funds are only to be used for education In April, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, announced a three-year partnership with the Panda Cares Foundation, which has committed $10.6 million in 2023 to support academic success and positive outcomes for young people.

Since 2020, the Foundation has provided more than $20 million in support to enhance academic

programming for Boys & Girls Club youth across the country.

By the end of 2023, the partners will have opened 70 Panda Cares Centers of Hope nationwide providing positive spaces for youth to learn and grow.

Through Project Learn, the Panda Cares Foundation provides funding for youth-centered learning in Boys & Girls Clubs across the country. It Focuses on five main pillars including homework help and tutoring,

high yield learning activities, family and community involvement, motivation and incentives and school partnership. This approach will empower kids and teens to build their character and leadership during their time at the Club.

“Boys & Girls Clubs of America is on a mission to ensure all kids and teens have access to impactful learning experiences and opportunities that enable them to reach their full potential,” said Chrissy Chen, National Director of Youth

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Development Programs at Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

“Thanks to the support from Panda Cares Foundation, our Club professionals will have evidence-based guidance to support academic success programs with a youth-centered learning approach that has a meaningful impact on youth.”

BGCSTL provides after-school, teen, sports, and summer programs to youth across the Bi-State Region. The Clubs serve

youth across the region at 12 locations, including Adams Park, Bentwood Townhomes Bethalto Club, Lovejoy Club, Hazelwood Elementary School Club, Herbert Hoover Club, Mathews-Dickey Club, O’Fallon Park Club, Riverview Gardens Club, Hazelwood Southeast Middle School Club, and the Teen Center of Excellence). We also operate Mentor St. Louis and the St. Louis Internship Program.

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Photo by Wiley Price l St. Louis American

Boys & Girls Club of Greater St. Louis celebrated the grand opening of the new Panda Cares Center of Hope at BGC Adams Park Club in Tower Grove. Panda Express partnered with BGCSTL President Dr. Flint Fowler and Panda Express Area Coach of Operations Leonardo Morales.

Editorial/Commentary

Guest Editorial

Race-bait politics have been combined with systematic efforts to limit the right to vote, making voting harder in urban areas, purging voter lists, limiting early voting and banning same-day registration and more.

History cannot be ‘unlived’

By Jesse Jackson Jr.

On Saturday, Aug. 26, three African Americans were murdered by a 21-yearold white gunman at the Dollar General store in Jacksonville, Florida, who then shot himself. The murderer was motivated, Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters reported, by an “ideology of hate.” The shooting took place 15 months after 10 African Americans were murdered in another racially motivated shooting at a grocery store in Buffalo.

Racial violence against Blacks has scarred America since the first slaves were forcibly shipped to America. The Jacksonville murders, for example, took place one day after the 63d anniversary of Ax Handle Saturday, where 200 Ku Klux Klan members armed with ax handles attacked Blacks holding a peaceful sit-in to protest segregation in Jacksonville.

Sadly, the Jacksonville shooting occurred on the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington, when Martin Luther King summoned Americans to his “dream” of a society of equal justice under the law, in which children would be judged “not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”

This history — of hate and hope — continues to this day. Each movement toward racial equality in this country has been met with a fierce and violent reaction. After the bloody Civil War, the 13th Amendment was passed abolishing slavery, and America began a brief period of reconstruction for the defeated Confederate states. Against great resistance, African Americans gained not only their freedom, but the right to vote, to serve on juries, to own property and to retain their families. In some Southern states, multi-racial reform coalitions took power, redrafting state constitutions, providing for public education, and launching efforts to rebuild the economy.

inventing the doctrine of “separate but equal.”

It took almost a century before the nonviolent civil rights movement roused the conscience of the country. Nonviolent demonstrators kept going, even in the face of beatings, murders, and police riots.

Under Lyndon Johnson in the 1960s, the federal government stepped in, passing the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act, providing federal guarantees of equal rights. The Supreme Court ruled that American apartheid — segregation — was unconstitutional.

Once more progress was met by a fierce reaction. Republicans revived their party by appealing to the racial backlash and grounding their party in the white South. Ronald Reagan opened his presidential campaign in Philadelphia, Mississippi, the infamous site of the 1964 murders of three civil rights organizers — Goodman, Schwerner and Chaney.

Race-bait politics have been combined with systematic efforts to limit the right to vote, making voting harder in urban areas, purging voter lists, limiting early voting and banning same-day registration and more. A reactionary majority on the Supreme Court gutted the Voting Rights Act, opened the floodgates to secret corporate money in politics, and gave political gerrymandering a green light.

Once more, the reaction has been accompanied by violence — racially motivated killings, often reinforced by racially biased policing. In Ron DeSantis’ Florida, among other places, politicians feed the hatred, fanning fears of “critical race theory,” censoring history courses, banning books, loosening gun control laws even as mass murders spread.

That progress was met with a reign of racial terror, including literally thousands of lynchings. The Ku Klux Klan and other terrorist groups, often led by the plantation elite, murdered with impunity. White sheriffs helped cover up the crimes; white juries and judges ensured that any accused would go free.

When the federal government withdrew even the limited protection that had been offered the freed slaves, the holocaust spread. The Black vote was suppressed by violence, destroying the reform coalitions. Millions of Blacks fled north in a mass migration. The terror lynchings and violence enforced the imposition of segregation across the South. The reaction culminated in a reactionary Supreme Court ruling that segregation was constitutional,

Yet when reaction seems on the march, remember that it is always darkest before the dawn. In 1955, 68 years before the Jacksonville shootings, a 14-year-old boy — Emmett Till — was abducted, tortured and lynched in Mississippi. Despite a national outcry, his murderers went free. Yet in December of that same year, Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat in a Montgomery, Alabama, bus, launching the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the civil rights movement that transformed America. Today’s reaction is brutal and ugly, but a new, more diverse generation promises a new time of organizing, movement and progress. “History,” Maya Angelou wrote, “with its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again.”

Rev. Jesse L. Jackson is founder and retired president of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition

Commentary

Fearless in support of Black women entrepreneurs

By Marc Morial

In the face of persistent, systemic discrimination against Black people and all people of color arising from our country’s long history of racism, Ed Blum and his recently-created front group are bent on dismantling programs benefiting the Black community. They seek to kneecap any effort to undo entrenched racial inequalities and further cement the status quo of inequitable market access.” -- Damon Hewitt, President and Executive Director of Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.

In recent years, women entrepreneurs of color have started companies at more than four times the rate of the overall population.

In 2021, 17% of Black women were in the process of starting or running new businesses, compared to 10% of white women, and 15% of white men.

While Black women represent 14% of the female population, they account for 42% of net new women-owned businesses.

Black women business owners who apply for funding are rejected at three times the rate of white business owners. Only 3% of black women-owned companies mature and survive longer than five years. Last year, only 0.1 percent – one tenth of one percent – of venture capital funds went to Black and Latino women founders.

His lawsuit – like his many others –makes a mockery of both the law and the very idea of racial equity.

The National Urban League has joined in filing an amicus brief in the case, along with Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, National Action Network, NAACP, National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, and LatinoJustice PRLDEF. As the brief explains, Section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act of 1866 was explicitly designed to further the aims of the Thirteenth Amendment by creating a remedy for discrimination against Black people that hampered their ability to enter into contracts and fully participate in the nation’s economy.

Programs like Fearless Fund, which strengthen Black Americans’ rights to equal participation in the marketplace, are indisputably authorized under federal law.

Fearless Fund co-founders Ayana Parsons and Arian Simone, both Black women with deep experience in business, estimate they took 300 meetings with potential investors before getting their first $5 million in funding. Blum and his extremist backers apparently don’t think 300 is enough.

Anti-racial justice activist Edward Blum, backed by wealthy, dark-money foundations, contends the system is rigged – in favor of Black women.

Blum has filed suit against the Fearless Fund, a venture capital firm that has awarded $26 million in investments and $3 million in grants in the last four years to more 40 businesses led by women of color.

Blum, who was behind the lawsuit that resulted in the U.S. Supreme Court decision that ended affirmative action in college admissions, is on a well-funded and increasingly successful crusade to preserve systemic racial inequities and the advantages they afford people like himself and his backers.

As if to add insult to injury, he is suing under a post-Civil War law intended to protect Black Americans from racial discrimination.

“This attack does not change our mission. In fact, we will remain steadfast on ensuring that the Fearless Fund will continue to empower women of color entrepreneurs,” said Simone, Backed by industry giants like J.P. Morgan Chase and Mastercard, the Fearless Fund has invested over $26.5 million in businesses led by women of color. They’ve awarded grants totaling more than $3 million to Black women-owned businesses.

Blum’s claims are baseless and seek to subvert existing law, added Alphonso David, another of the Fearless Fund’s lawyers and president and CEO of the Global Black Economic Forum. “We are prepared to vigorously defend Fearless Fund and the critical work that they do,” David stated.

Marc Morial is president and CEO of the National Urban League

Charter schools and private institutions have a value. They can be important laboratories for the advancement of specific educational experiences. However, we cannot be unaware of the tremendous value that public schools provide.

Hawthorne students can have faith in SLPS

By Bishop Lawrence Wooten

Recently, Hawthorne Leadership School for Girls closed its doors after a very challenging eight years in operation. The school administrators stated that the school was closing due to low student enrollment.

“We will work tirelessly over the coming days and weeks to find quality school placements for your students and support your families to help navigate this change. Additionally, we are also assisting our faculty and staff as they transition to new positions for the upcoming school year. Our teachers have played an instrumental role in the success of Hawthorn,” Board Chair Hal Davies and Head of School Daphne J. Morgan said in a joint statement.

However, we cannot be unaware of the tremendous value that public schools provide.

First and foremost, with public schools, no one is turned away. If a parent has residency in the city, their children are entitled to attend public schools. Not so with charter schools. Also, public schools are rich in diversity - not just racial diversity- but also the diversity of intelligence, character, and abilities.

Considering that the school’s population primarily consisted of Black girls, whose parents thought that a charter school experience would be superior to an education provided by St. Louis Public Schools, we are left to wonder if marketing and advertising by charter schools has led some parents into thinking that charter schools provide a better educational experience for their children.

Let’s be clear; Charter schools and private institutions have a value. They can be important laboratories for the advancement of specific educational experiences.

We are deeply saddened by the closing of any school, whether it be public or charter. However, we take comfort in knowing that the young girls that attended Hawthorn have several available options and alternatives at their disposal. They can choose to return to an SLPS school, which has recently been energized by the appointment of Dr. Keisha Scarlett and overwhelming public support for increasing school resources through the passage of Proposition S. Former Hawthorne students can also choose to attend another charter school or private institution. Of course, with over 184 years in service, SLPS is not likely to close anytime soon. The same cannot be said of a

ter school in the city.

Columnist Jesse Jackson Jr.

Columnist Marc H. Morial

JJK Foundation receives Illinois Arts Council grants

St. Louis American staff

The Illinois Arts Council Agency has awarded three grants totaling $26,900 to the Jackie Joyner Foundation, a center of community enrichment and youth development in the Metro East. The funds will serve to enhance and expand the foundation’s visual arts, music, and dance programming.

“Art has the power to inspire, uplift, and transform lives,” said state Rep. Kevin Schmidt.

“The grants awarded to the Jackie Joyner Foundation will undoubtedly amplify their efforts to bring the arts closer to our youth and community as a whole, igniting a passion for creative expression and enriching our lives in numerous ways.”

The grants reflect the Illinois Arts Council Agency’s recognition of the foundation’s remarkable contributions to the cultural landscape and youth empowerment within the Metro East, according to Schmidt.

The funding will bolster the foundation’s mission to foster public engagement with diverse arts disciplines, promote artistic creation, and facilitate lifelong learning in the arts. Approximately $15,000 of the awarded funds will be utilized to advance arts programs specifically tailored for East St. Louis. This investment will help ensure that residents of all ages have access to the arts and benefit from its influence on personal growth and community development.

It’s time to raise the

minimun wage

By Julianne Malveaux

The federal minimum wage has been stuck at $7.25 an hour since 2009. Several states, including Missouri, have a higher minimum, but a predictable few, including Mississippi, Tennessee, Louisiana, South Carolina, and Alabama, are stuck at that low minimum.

If the minimum wage kept up with inflation, it would be at least $10 an hour today. However, 22 states are stuck on exploitation and refuse to raise their minimum wage. Restaurant workers get even shorter shrifts. The minimum wage for tipped workers is $2.13 an hour, which means they are expected to earn up to the minimum wage or more with their tips. But tips are discretionary and arbitrary; sometimes people tip the expected 15 to 20%, and sometimes they don’t.

How can they eke out a living wage on other people’s arbitrary judgment? Were they likable? Friendly? Kind? It doesn’t matter. Did you get your food? Was it hot and delivered in a timely way? If I had my way, I’d charge enough for food to pay workers properly. Tipping is a practice that harkens back to enslavement. People should be paid for their work and not have to skin and grin to make a living wage. In the wake of Labor Day, though, it makes sense to consider how workers experience exploitation and what we must do about it. Workers around the country are resisting exploitation, whether it is Hollywood writers or on university campuses. As of this writing, the United Auto Workers union is on the cusp of a strike, which could have significant repercussions for the economy.

People are hurting, and employers are pocketing profits and exploiting workers.

The Institute for Policy Studies released a report, Executive Excess 2023, in which they highlight the 100 companies that have the lowest pay and the greater ratio of CEO pay to median worker pay. Some of these companies have federal contracts, which means when they offer low pay to workers, they also get subsidies from the rest of us, the taxpayers who support food stamps, medical care, and other amenities that workers who earn little qualify for.

The report shows that the ratio of CEO pay and median worker pay is $603 to $1. The average CEO in the Low Wage 100 earned $15.3 million a year, while the average worker earned a scant $31,672 a year. The most significant offender was Live Nation Entertainment. CEO Michael Rufino earned $139 million, 5,414 times more than the average worker who earned $25,673 a year.

Given these massive paychecks and massive profits, why can’t we raise the federal minimum wage, and why can’t we pay workers more? Predatory capitalism suggests that employers must extract surplus value from workers.

That means that, despite rising worker productivity, employers should attempt to pay as little as they can. The outrageous CEO to worker pay ratios suggest that companies benefit from paying so little. Will workers revolt? Can they?

Too many workers are frightened to strike. They need their jobs, and their unions may not have sufficient strike funds to allow them to be out for a lengthy period. Do they need their jobs with exploitative terms and conditions of work? Must they work with unfair pay? Is it time for workers to unite?

What would happen if you went to your morning coffee shop to find no one there? Waited for a bus to find no driver, no bus? Managed to get to work to find no coworkers? Wandered to lunch to find no one serving? Tried to stop at a supermarket heading home to find no one working and no food available?

We depend on workers, but we don’t want to pay them. We agree with their labor actions but don’t want to manage inconvenience. We thought about Labor Day, but we don’t think about workers. When will we raise the federal minimum wage?

Malveaux is an economist, author and dean of the College of Ethnic Studies at California State University, Los Angeles.

Jackie Joyner Kersee recently joined with young members of the JJK Boys and Girls Club in East St. Louis. The JJK Foundation has received three grants from the Illinois Arts Council to expand its music and dance programming.

Photos courtesy of JJK Foundation

Julianne Malveaux

Continued from A1

that Dr. Raegan Johnson of Edward Jones included a nod to the gesture in her sponsor remarks.

“Congratulations,” Johnson said. “And may you receive the same type of applause that Bennie received.” Her comment prompted an encore of thunderous applause.

Bennett’s challenge was accepted in a way that was next level as the 30 awardees took to the stage to receive recognition for their contributions to the region. Their fraternities and sororities, work family, church family and traditional family cheered, shouted, clapped, and stomped for the 30 that were selected from a pool of 300 nominations.

“If I were to use

Toxin

Continued from A1

Gardens, Vaughan Homes, Carr-Square Village Apartments and PruittIgoe’s 33, 11-story concrete buildings.

Benjamin Phillips, a former Pruitt-Igoe resident filed a lawsuit against three companies over their alleged roles in the secret testing. Attorney Elkin Kistner discussed his effort to turn Phillips’ litigation into a class action lawsuit.

Now in his early 70s, Phillips said the film made

20th century language, I would say the talented tenth,” Bennett said. “When I say 30 out of 300, it illustrates that there is a thick body of positive resources for our region.”

As per usual, the honorees represented a broad spectrum of fields and areas of service across the St. Louis metropolitan area for the event that was also sponsored by Midwest BankCentre, Regional Business Council, St. Louis City Soccer Club, Edward Jones, Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, and Webster University.

“One of the best things about this event is that it invites our region to get comfortable, not only with the notion of Black excellence, but to get comfortable with Black leaders –of today, tomorrow and those who paved the way,” Bennett said. “We want

him think of friends and family who had suffered from or died of cancer who never knew they were part of a government-sanctioned experiment on impoverished north St. Louis residents.

“Nearly every funeral I had gone to (among former residents) was a cancerous death,” Phillips said in the film. “They should have come out and said we put this cadmium sulfide in the air. They should come clean on that.”

After the beginning of the documentary a 1994 KSDK segment appears where reporter, Mike Bush

to remind ourselves that we are not the exception –though you are exceptional –increasingly, we are the rule. So, let’s just get comfortable.”

She also suggested that these leaders are the common denominator with respect to the positive growth of the present and the future.

“St. Louis is fueled by the sheer tenacity, support, optimism and innovation of people like this class of

breaks the news of the chemical testing:

“This next story is so unbelievable it couldn’t possibly be true,” Bush declared. “After receiving thousands of records and classified reports from the Army, it has been confirmed that during the Cold War the United States’ military conducted secret tests on unsuspected people in St. Louis.”

Smith said he was motivated to do the documentary by his late, beloved grandmother Sarah Barnes. When Barnes, who had lived in Pruitt-Igoe, read about the study, she sent her grandson news clippings. Speaking with the St. Louis Post-Dispatch in 2021, Smith said he was shocked and appalled by what he read.

“This was done to my family, all the people who had nourished me, and when I got the full scope of it, I couldn’t believe it.”

In her book, “Behind the Fog, an examination of the United States’s Cold

young leaders,” Bennett said. “The realization of their dreams helps build more resilient, collaborative communities, a region that is diverse in thought, perspective and impact.”

Her sentiments were echoed by Ashley O’Neal, vice president of retail banking for Midwest BankCentre.

“The Salute to Young Leaders holds a special place in my heart as I am a 2020 recipient,” O’Neal

War-era Radiological Weapons Program,” Dr. Lisa Martino-Taylor, who’s also featured in Smith’s film, described the testing procedures that low-income housing dwellers experienced.

“Residents in some areas of [St. Louis] noticed unusual activity in the days and nights throughout 1953 and into 1954. Large puffs of billowy powder were sprayed into the air by strangers in passing vehicles affixed with spray devices. The luminous powder lingered in the air behind the slow-moving vehicles.”

The film details how the purpose of the tests was to get an understanding of how biological weapons dispersed in various environments. As part of the tests, the Army released particles of zinc cadmium sulfide from airplanes, rooftops, and moving vehicles in 33 locations, mostly cities and towns, in the United States and Canada.

said during her presenting sponsor remarks. “The 30 of you are joining an elite group of CEOs, entrepreneurs, attorneys, accountants, and the list goes on and on. Each of you were chosen to be recognized today because of your accomplishments and special talents. And each year, I look forward to seeing the list of honorees.”

This year was particularly special for O’Neal because of two awardees she recognized on this year’s list.

“Joy Johnson is one of my closest friends and sorority sister, who I have known since the fifth grade,” O’Neal said. “We have celebrated and supported each other in our almost 30 years of friendship. Welcome to the Young Leaders fold.”

She became filled with emotion when she singled out Johnson, who serves

The film features former public housing residents who reported seeing soldiers “dressed for germ warfare” patrolling the streets. They also noted how “sprayers, sensors and all manner of mysterious equipment” were installed on “street corners, rising from bushes, and affixed to the rooftops” of the 33 buildings of the Pruitt-Igoe housing project.

Labeled “Target Zone Residents” in the film, former tenants detailed mysterious illnesses after the government’s testing. They spoke of relatives who suffered convulsions or died from brain tumors or other varieties of cancer.

A former “target zone” resident detailed how keloids developed on his stomach as a child after the testing. He displayed the thick, dark, raised scars that dominate his jaw, earlobes, shoulders, cheeks, and chest to Smith’s documentary crew.

St. Louis was chosen as a cold war testing site

as senior financial analyst at The Boeing Company. O’Neal also shouted out her Midwest BankCentre colleague Reggie Grant, who joined Johnson as a member of the 2023 Young Leaders. For Bennett, Johnson, Gilliam-Williams, Grant and the 27 others who nearly filled the sixth-floor ballroom of The Four Seasons to capacity with people in support of them served as a counternarrative.

“There is no shortage of bad news. And far too often there is pathologizing of people who share my hue,” Bennett said.

“This evening, we flip that script. We are not just at the table. We are getting comfortable setting the table, we are getting comfortable building the table and we are getting comfortable deconstructing old tables.”

because of its similarities to some Soviet Union cities, Martino-Taylor explained in the film.

“St. Louis was the Army’s closest match to Soviet targets,” she said. “The city had some geographical similarities to Moscow: a densely populated area with access to a large river, as detailed by the U.S. Army Chemical Corps.”

After the screening, Smith engaged with the audience, answering questions, and further explaining his motivations for making the documentary.

As he’s expressed in numerous interviews, Smith said he created the documentary to shine a much-needed light on a long-hidden atrocity. Simply put, he wants to make sure St. Louis is “whole again.”

“Today, especially in the trying times we’re in, it’s important that we all care for each other,” Smith said. “We have to protect the humanity of people.”

Young Leader honorees wait for the St. Louis American Foundation’s Salute to Young Leaders Networking Awards Reception to begin.

Photo by Dawn Suggs / St. Louis American

Continued from A1

this year, representatives met with SLU faculty members to discuss future steps, but “nothing has been put on the table except for free entry into Billikens basketball games and a table at the annual Martin Luther King breakfast, held in January.”

“This is to honor our direct ancestors who helped build St. Louis University.”

From 2016 to 2019 a Slavery, History, Memory, and Reconciliation Project in St. Louis research team studied the university’s history and slave involvement. In 2019 the project in partnership with SLU and the Jesuits USA Central and Southern Province contacted family members of Henrietta Mills and Charles F. Chauvin.

The data collected shows:

From 1823 to 1865

Proudie’s ancestors helped build St. Louis University, and St. Francis Xavier College Church. According to Proudie, Chauvin was enslaved to a St. Louis woman named Amanda Curtis.

She says her ancestors also helped sustain the new university as well as the first mission of the Jesuit in St. Louis, including Jesuit-led schools, churches, and farms in the region.

Proudie also discov-

Ladue

Continued from A1

ered the founder of SLU, Bishop Louis William V. DuBourg, and the first president, Peter Verhaegen, S.J, enslaved her ancestors, and the first eleven presidents owned at least 70 enslaved people.

She also learned that Jesuits throughout Missouri enslaved 70 of her ancestors beginning with six who came here from Maryland in 1823. By 1829, the Jesuits brought 15 more enslaved people to St. Louis; they were all relatives of Proudie.

A ledger from 1831 shows the total number of enslaved people owned by the Jesuits in Missouri, 26 of that total are relatives of Proudie.

An article produced by PBS NewsHour states the Society of Jesus, a Roman Catholic order of priests and brothers and affiliated organizations, has started to examine its history more closely.

The article highlights the history of Jesuits around the world’s enslaved people, according to Father Jeffrey Harrison, SJ, the project coordinator for the Slavery, History, Memory, and Reconciliation Project in St. Louis.

The research initiative involves the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States, St. Louis University, and the St. Louis African American History and Genealogy Society.

Rochelle Smith, vice president for diversity and

“They changed my life. They were the brothers I always wanted, always. No matter if they looked up to me, I looked up to them too,” friend Mekhi Tucker said.

Ingram, known to his friends and close family as “Meetch,” lived every day to the fullest.

“I want you all to in any way you can live your

innovative community engagement is leading the effort in reconciling SLU’s history with DSLUE. She has held the position for 11 months after the death of her late husband Dr. Jonathan Smith.

“We share the urgency, and we take this very seriously, this is one of our top priorities of the institution,” said Smith. Smith understands the sentiments of those with DSLUE and says the work that needs to be done will not be taken lightly.

“We are being extremely intentional about getting this right.” Smith says that since 2016 when the Slavery History Memory And Reconciliation Project in St. Louis began she and her team have continued with the same thoughtfulness and intention that they started with.

are things we can do to show honor to both those enslaved and the descendants,” said Smith.

“It’s really important for students who join our institution to understand that the halls and buildings of the campus were built by those who were enslaved.”

Christopher Tinson, SLU African American Studies chair, worked with the descendants since 2019.

n “It was my ancestors that were doing the heavy lifting,” said Proudie.

According to the VP hanging a plaque or naming a building in honor of those enslaved people is an easy task but she would like to see something that has more effort and thought.

And efforts have been made, Smith says that in the Spring semester of this year three ‘Discover Meetings’ have been held to discuss steps moving forward and this semester she plans to take a deeper dive into the work ahead. This includes adding the discoveries to the university’s curriculum– “These

best life,” his cousin Simone said. “They can live through you. Do this.”

Deion’s father, Brandon Robinson, said Deion and Demetrius were always laughing together, and he wants

“I immediately wanted to help, reparative justice is at the heart of AfricanAmerican studies. How could I not help,” said Tinson.

He says this is an opportunity for universities to learn how to properly restore justice to their descendants.

“The university should be accountable to both the history and descendants.”

However, with all the data collected and discussions about some type of reparations, Proudie feels the traumatic history her ancestors experienced is not a priority. She says nothing has changed since the first initial conversation in 2019.

“It was my ancestors that were doing the heavy lifting,” said Proudie.

“The 272-acre $1.5 billion institution benefited off the backs of my ancestors and many more”

Micheal Brickey, a Ph.D. student at SLU and

them to be remembered like that.

“That’s what brought them together, their sense of humor. It was silly. They loved to make people laugh,” Robinson said.

Officials from the school wanted students

member of the DSLUE advisory board, says the university has sent email statements to students and alumni “in the context that something tragic has happened in American society in line with some national or federal holiday like Martin Luther King Day.”

He said to his knowledge there isn’t a physical display that educates people about the history of slavery as it relates to St. Louis University through the relationship with the Jesuits.

He understands the sensitivity surrounding the grimmer side of SLU’s history.

“This is a social and cultural issue that has huge political ramifications,” said Brickey.

However, he didn’t miss the opportunity to point out that St. Louis University is a very mission-driven school, ‘Higher Purpose, Greater Good,’ these words are on banners all over campus.

“I just want them to be true to their word,” said Brickey.

According to Proudie in 2019 when her family received the historic news, they attended a workshop meeting where the archives were uncovered. Unfortunately, right when the ball was beginning to roll the COVID-19 pandemic put a halt to almost everything.

In 2020 DSLUE had a meeting with Dr. Jonathan Smith, the university’s then-senior leader for diversity, equity, inclusion,

to know the community and counselors are there for them and it’s okay to grieve together and ask for help.

“We are Ladue, each and every day. We are Ladue, and Ladue showed up to honor these three

and community engagement, who sadly passed in 2021. Things seemed like they were starting to pick back up for the descendants in the Spring of this year when Proudie met with the Discovery Committee, which is a new committee on campus. The founder and executive director says she presented her requirements for reparations and was met with a lack of urgency attitude.

The family is requesting a formal public apology, more equity and inclusion on the SLU campus, and a monument that honors the family’s ancestors Proudie feels the family’s requests “have been pushed to the side,” citing a $26 million project for a Jesuit faculty residential facility located on the north campus.

“This makes us feel that all they talked about on their website and different news outlets is to make the public think are doing something about their ties to slavery,” said Proudie “Our ancestors have been here since 1823 just like the Jesuits.”

DSLUE feels the students of SLU are being cheated out of the history of the institution they are attending.

“This is the perfect opportunity for the university to live up to the mission and creed of a Jesuit school,” said Proudie. Ashley Winters is a Report for America reporter for the St. Louis American.

young lives,” Ladue Board of Education President Kisha Lee said. GoFundMe accounts have been established in the names of Demetrius Ingram and Deion Robinson to help cover funeral costs.

Salute to Young Leaders event an inspirational evening

There were nearly 400 enthusiastic and proud attendees at The St. Louis American Foundation’s 12th annual Salute to Young Leaders Networking Awards Reception last Thursday at the Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis. The crowded event, presented by Midwest BankCentre, honored 30 amazing African American professionals under age 40. Partner sponsors of the event this year were: Edward Jones, Regional Business Council, the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis and Webster University. The 2023 Class of Young Leaders are: Tia Bolden, DeAna Carter, Renita Clayton, Felix Cooley, Kirven Douthit-Boyd, Bennie Gilliam-Williams, Reggie Grant, Taylor Harris, Joy Johnson, Melanie Johnson, Anthony Lawrence, Jr., Adam Layne, Lissa Lewis, Tysha Long, Annie Mbale, Brandon Murray, Ebbi Nicole, Angela Pearson, Lauren Preston, Stacey Pugh, Farrakhan Shegog, Andrico Spates, Renelle Spinks, Darrell Stewart, Princess Stormm, Quinton Ward, Marla Wells. Terron White, Anthony “Redd” Williams, and Morgan D. Williams. This event showcased the depth of talent of this cohort of outstanding and accomplished Young Leaders who will help determine the future of the St. Louis region. Visit stlamerican.com for a gallery containing more than 150 photos from the Young Leaders event.

Photos by Wiley Price

Young Leader Princess Storm gets a shout out from the crowd.

Emcee Rebeccah Bennett introduces Ashley O’Neal representing title sponsor Midwest BankCentre.

Awardee Anthony “Redd” Williams thanks those who nominated him.

Rebeccah Bennett enjoys a moment with the RBC’s Kathy Osborn.

Keith Jefferson, Young Leader Bernie GilliamWilliams, Damon Clark, Sr. and Robert Jordan

Young Leader Marla Wells proudly displays her crystal award.

Precious Bailey and Young Leader Melanie JohnsonAwardee Terron White hears a holler from his team at CareSTL.

St. Louis American Foundation Director Raven Whitener is amused by the antics of Webster University’s Vincent Flewellen.

Nicole Barton, Ramon Kelly, Barry Neal and Lakesha Robinson relax at the reception.

DJ Shay Money entertained guests throughout the night.

Young Leader Felix CooleyAwardee Farrakhan Shegog is congratulated by Webster University’s Vincent Flewellen.

St. Louis American Foundation

400

Four Seasons

Louis ballroom.

Awardee Adam Layne, treasurer of the City of St. Louis (middle) with some of his staff members.

Young Leader honoree Renita Clayton strikes a pose with friends Valenci Schuler and Precious Barry at the Salute to Young Leaders. Photo by Dawn Suggs.

Awardee Tia Bolden

Young Leader Quinton Ward is all smiles after receiving his award.

Marquita Chanel looking marvelous at the reception.

Daedra Smith with awardee Darrell Stewart Young Leader Ebbi Nicole flashes her award bling.

Evan Lewis, awardee Lissa Lewis and Nikylan Knapper

Anthony Slaughter: My journey to adopting identical twin boys at age 29

5 On Your Side celebrates

By Anthony Slaughter KSDK 5 On Your Side

Since 2018, I’ve hosted our adoption franchise, “A Place to Call Home.” We recently celebrated helping our 500th child find their forever family, and I couldn’t be prouder.

Not only am I proud as the host of the franchise, but as an adoptive parent, I’m proud of our St. Louis community for stepping up and helping hundreds of children in our area find permanency.

Adoption is personal to me. When I was 29 years old, I adopted my identical twin boys, Matthew and Alex.

It was 2013, and I had recently moved to California. I was visiting family in Boston that August when I learned I had a cousin who had given birth to identical twin boys. This caught my attention because my mom was a

2023 Excellence In Education Awards

Honoring exceptional educators serving our young people Deadline: Friday, September 15, 2023 Winners will be celebrated during The St. Louis American Foundation’s

Theses highly coveted awards are given on an annual basis. Nominations may include any individual involved in educating African Americans such as classroom teachers, counselors, principals, administrators, and

(Please feel free to attach more information about the nominee(s) ) This form may be copied. To nominate someone

please visit stlamerican.com

twin, but she and her sister passed away when I was young.

Initially, I wasn’t going to do anything, but I kept feeling a tug in my heart.

My grandma had a piece of paper with the phone number of the adoption agency written on it, but she told me she didn’t intend to call them.

I put the piece of paper in my pocket and called them a little later. Nobody answered.

After I went back home to California, I started seeing signs. For example, I took the train to work and every morning I started seeing a little advertisement that said, “Foster and adopt now.” Another time I was adjusting the sky cameras at work and saw a little billboard off in the distance. When I zoomed in, I realized it said, “Make miracles happen. Foster and adopt now.”

And then the dreams started. In one dream, I actually saw the faces of two little boys (keep in mind I had never seen pictures of Matthew and Alex).

One day on my day off, I Googled foster agencies in Boston. Three popped up, so I called each one to see if Matthew and Alex were there. Each place I called told me they couldn’t tell me if they were there because that was confidential information.

In October 2013, I had another dream about the boys and when I woke up, I remembered I had that piece of paper from my grandma.

I called the number again and this time someone answered. They told me the boys had been transferred and I was put in touch with their social worker. The social worker put me in touch with Matthew and Alex’s foster

Mathew and Alex Slaughter at 10 years old.

mom, who was the sweetest lady. A literal angel on Earth. I told her I wanted to get to know the boys, so we started video chatting every day so the kids could hear my voice and I could get used to seeing them. In January 2014, I went to visit them for the first time. When I saw their faces, it was like looking at myself as a baby. On the day I had to go back to California, Matthew started crying. He was really fussy and his foster mom didn’t know what was wrong. I picked him up and he fell asleep on my shoulder. It was so precious in that moment to see this little baby feel so comfortable to fall asleep on someone who was essentially a stranger. I knew this was meant to be. I also knew that this meant I needed to decide if I was willing to give up the life of a single twenty-something for these two boys. And the answer was yes. I had done enough in my life to be satisfied, and it was time for the next chapter.

The next few months were a whirlwind, and I realized it indeed takes a village to raise a child (or two). I knew I needed help from people I trusted, so I made the decision to move us back home to St. Louis. Matthew and Alex are now 10 years old. A lot of people have said to me that I saved their life. But when I look back on the last decade, they really saved mine.

My hope now, with doing “A Place to Call Home” is that we can encourage people to follow their hearts, even if they never previously considered fostering or adopting. If I could do it as a single twenty-something, so can you.

Opening Weekend with Hilary Hahn

Two Blacks to receive Outstanding St. Louis Scientist awards

By St. Louis American Staff

The Academy of Science – St. Louis staff and board of directors have announced that the 26th Outstanding St. Louis Scientist Awards (originally scheduled for 2020) will be held on Wednesday, September 20, 2023. The event will be held at the soon-to-be-opened Bayer Event Center at the Missouri Botanical Garden. Two of the awardees are:

Dr. Dedric CarterScience Leadership Award

Science Leadership recognizes a distinguished individual — not necessarily a scientist—or organization that has played an important leadership role in the development of science and scientists in the St. Louis

(NSF) in addition to serving as the executive secretary to the U.S. National Science Board executive committee.

Dr. Will Ross – Trustees Award

The Trustees Award recognizes outstanding contributions in keeping with the Academy of Science mission of promoting the understanding and appreciation of science.  Through exceptional leadership and communication, their impact crosses geographic boundaries and enriches private, public, and academic sectors.

Dr. Dedric A. Carter served as the vice chancellor for innovation and chief commercialization Washington University in St. Louis, where his faculty appointments were as professor of engineering practice at the McKelvey School of Engineering and professor of practice in Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the John M. Olin School of Business. He had responsibility for the entrepreneurship, innovation and commercialization portfolios at the University and teaches courses in systems applications to technical, business, and policy issues with an emphasis on the entrepreneurial process, innovation, and new venture creation. Dr. Carter was the founding Co-principal investigator of the $5M grant supporting the Missouri Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation in STEM program. joining Washington University, he served as the senior advisor for strateinitiatives in the Office of the Director U.S. National Science Foundation

Dr. Ross is associate dean for diversity, professor of medicine and principal officer for community partnerships at Washington University School of Medicine.

Dr. Ross has developed innovative medical school pipeline programs and recruited and developed a diverse workforce of medical students, residents and faculty. As a public health/ health policy expert, he focuses on systems integration and conceptual frameworks to reduce health-care disparities.

He is co-founder of the BJH Center for Diversity and Cultural Competence and served on the task force that created the Washington University Institute for Public Health, while serving as co-director of the new MD/MPH program. He co-developed an undergraduate program in public health in Haiti. He has been instrumental in redesigning local access to health care for the underserved. He initiated a free neighborhood health clinic in St. Louis, run by medical students and supervised by Washington University School of Medicine faculty to provide primary care and tertiary care referrals for underserved members of the community who are without access to healthcare.

Dr. Dedric Carter -

Dr. Will Ross

The Board of Aldermen comes back from its summer recess tomorrow, and we’ve already heard some buzz about internal obstacles that could continue to create harmful situations for St. Louis residents. Specifically, we’ve caught wind that Alderwoman Cara Spencer (Ward 8)may be refusing to advance Alderman Bret Narayan’s (Ward 4) legislation to rein in Airbnbs and bring greater accountability to the short-term rental industry.

There are an estimated 3,550 Airbnb properties in the city, and the average revenue per property is around $24,360. That breaks down to a whopping $2,030 per month - a price that most of these units would never reach under most residential rental circumstances. But for this opportunity for this unchecked exploitation, the short-term rental properties have driven up the cost of rent across the city, while simultaneously decreasing the amount of affordable housing and negatively impacting surrounding neighborhoods.

It’s no secret that our city has faced several violent incidents that stemmed from an unregulated Airbnb market. In February, an 18-year-old was shot in the Debaliviere Place neighborhood during a party hosted at an Airbnb, and a 14-yearold was shot outside of an Airbnb party only a few blocks away on Delmar a few months later. In March, an Airbnb party turned deadly when a teenager was murdered outside of a Downtown loft building. There was even a locally viral moment when Airbnb parties became a rapidly rising trend. Then, another young person was shot outside of an Airbnb party in Shaw in June –prompting Narayan’s bill.

There’s no question that there has been an uptick in violence at Airbnbs because of the general lack of assessment and accountability that is integral to the Airbnb system. Police have complained that they often don’t know

who the property management company is or who to call when there has been a shooting. They’ve reported that trying to locate a person responsible for a problem property oftentimes requires going through the Airbnb app, and because of this opaque business practice, it’s next-to-impossible to hold these repeat problem property offenders responsible under current city law.

At the very least, some regulation is especially necessary.

The whispers we’ve heard around City Hall are saying that Spencer is blocking bringing the legislation forward, possibly to appease some downtown business owners who have been able to profit from the chaos and are happy with the current arrangement.

Except, the vast majority of residents aren’t happy. And people continue to get hurt or killed in the absence of some oversight.

Unfortunately, the alderwoman’s involvement is required. Because the chairman of the Transportation and Commerce Committee has recused himself to avoid a conflict of interest (Alderman Shane Cohn Ward 3, owns a property that is operated as an Airbnb), the vice chairwoman of the Committee -who is Spencer - must step into the chair’s role and schedule the bill for another public hearing.

For an alderperson who claims to want “effective” public safety, we are confused about why the Alderwoman has refused to move forward on the bill.

This legislation was brought forth at the overwhelming urging of residents, the police, and of other city departments that have been left to clean up the aftermath of an Airbnb incident. Moving forward, the responsibility to take the next step lies squarely on Alderwoman Spencer’s shoulders, as do the consequences of continuing to refuse to act. Now that the Board

has returned from summer break and the committees are meeting again, the metaphorical ball remains in Alderwoman Spencer’s court.

We can’t begin to really understand why Alderwoman Spencer continues to block the progress of this critical legislation.

• • •

•

The White Angry Silly People (“WASPs”) of the Central West End were in full force during Monday’s aldermanic Red Tape Committee meeting. That evening, the committee held a public listening session to collect public input on Alderman Narayan’s Board Bill 60, which reduces some of the red tape around opening a restaurant and specifically

addresses some problems in the city’s existing excise (liquor) laws.

We’ve all heard stories and seen friends and family struggle to open restaurants in the city, often due to difficulties within the excise application process. Some hopefuls call it “bureaucratic red tape;” others would name the racism for what it is.

From intolerant declarations that “renters aren’t engaged citizens” to outright denying that racism exists in the liquor license process, white privilege was noticeably thick throughout the room. Only four people spoke in favor of the legislation; two were Black business owners who had experienced racism and obstacles in their path of entrepreneurship - and they were the only two Black residents to speak. There were

twelve white residents who spoke against the reforms.

Even Red Tape Committee chairman Alderman Tom Oldenburg (Ward 2) seemed exasperated by some of the commentaryand he’s a WASP (albeit a different kind).

Perhaps the most frustrating part of watching the hearing was watching elderly white attorney after elderly white attorney walk to the microphone and repeat a series of canned talking points that simply weren’t correct.

Apparently, making it easier for both restaurants to get liquor licenses AND residents to oppose them while keeping the public hearing process is “removing the community’s input.” Giving the Excise Commissioner authority to immediately close a violating establishment (instead of waiting weeks or months to go through the circuit court) is “making it easier” for perpetrators to break city rules. And there were a LOT of people in that room who claimed that restaurant owners applying for a liquor license would be apt to lie about their sales numbersas if that’s something that doesn’t already happen, across every other city department that relies on self-reporting numbers. We heard someone use the word “undesirable,” and we didn’t mishear the gentleman who called renting residential housing a “transient business.” There was a lot of racially-coded language in that hearing, and we are relieved to see the members of this Board

stand with the sponsors of this bill.

If you’re sensing a theme this week, it’s that failing to act is no longer an option for our city.

St. Louis City voters do have some positive news to look forward to: some of the freshmen alderpeople have introduced some new pieces of legislation that have the potential to create generational transformation in how the city runs.

Alderwoman Alisha Sonnier (Ward 7) filed a bill on Tuesday that would direct funds, collected from the court fines and fees of gun-related convictions, to the Office of Violence Prevention - putting resources back into the community to stop gun crimes from happening in the first place. She has also mentioned a rental registry, requiring all landlords to register with the City of St. Louis, and a bill of rights for the unhoused during neighborhood meetings. We also look forward to some of the legislation we’ve heard about that’s being developed by Alderwoman Daniela Veláquez (Ward 6) and Alderman Michael Browning (Ward 9), especially in the areas of housing and development. The EYE can see a path to a more hopeful future for our city, and we are glad to see these young leaders guiding our city toward adopting some more enlightened policies.

Cara Spencer

The long history of Black-Asian solidarity

Same ‘playbook is being used against both communities’

By Joseph Williams Word in Black

Christine Phan believes people should understand that reports of tensions between Black and Asian Americans, and suggestions that anti-Black sentiment is rampant among Asians, are grossly exaggerated, a distraction to obscure a nefarious agenda.

Listen carefully to reports of Black/Asian discord, she says, and you’ll hear echoes of a racist, divide-and-conquer strategy, enacted long ago, to keep whites atop the social order.

Look closely, she says, at the Supreme Court case that ended affirmative action in college admissions — ostensibly because Black students displaced better-qualified Asians — and you’ll see the fingerprints of white conservatives, whose children will benefit from the ruling.

18TH ANNUAL NORMAN R SEAY LECTURE

ngton University - Eric P Newman Education Center and 18TH ANNUAL NORMAN R. SEAY LECTURE

tion that “bad actors” use to divide communities and disrupt solidarity between Black and Asian communities.

The Asian American Disinformation Table has three primary focuses: building ties with other organizations, strategizing with external partners, and shifting external thinking in the Asian American community, Phan says.

divisions and focus on commonalities and shared interests. That involves tackling tropes and stereotypes head-on and keeping the big picture — inequality, bigotry, and disinformation, in service of white supremacy — front and center.

“It is not just about lies. It is about power and an attempt to disrupt solidarity and maintain the status quo,” she says.

CONFERENCE

That includes bringing in guest speakers for edifying conversations and “identifying the tactics that bad actors in disinformation might use.”

Tuesday, October 3, 2023 08:00 AM to 05:00PM

CONFERENCE

Washington University - Eric P Newman Education Center and

Monday, October 2, 2023 04:00 PM to 05:00PM

Alzheimer Disease and Related Dementias Washington University - Eric P Newman Educat on Center and

Strategies to Avoid Excluding Marginalized Groups in a New Era of Treating Alzheimer Disease and Related Dementias

es to Avoid Excluding alized Groups in a New Era ing Alzheimer Disease and Dementias

Tuesday, October 3, 2023 08:00 AM to 05:00PM

Monday, October 2, 2023

04:00 PM to 05:00PM

Professor

Wednesday, October 4, 2023 08:00 AM to 12:00PM Agenda Overview

Tuesday, October 3, 2023 08:00 AM to 05:00PM

CONFERENCE

Focus on the distractions, Phan says, and it is easy to miss the big picture: Black and Asian groups fighting shoulder-to-shoulder against white supremacy. You would miss Asian American-Pacific Islander groups educating themselves and their communities about slavery, Jim Crow, and a shared history of facing discrimination.

Black-Asian solidarity is not new: Frederick Douglass argued against the Chinese Exclusion Act, political activist Yuri Kochiyama was an ally and friend of Malcolm X, and Jesse Jackson stepped away from his presidential campaign in 1992 to protest the murder of Vincent Chin. Japanese Americans’ push for reparations for internment during World War II was modeled on the civil rights movement.

“Racialized disinformation perpetuates and gives rise to inequalities, seeks to consolidate power among ruling classes, and sustains white supremacy. It can also be weaponized to disrupt cross-racial solidarity among different communities and ultimately uphold the tenets of white supremacy power structures.

Wednesday, October 4, 2023 08:00 AM to 12:00PM Agenda Overview

Wednesday, October 4, 2023

Tuesday, October 3, 2023

08:00 AM to 05:00PM

08:00 AM to 12:00PM Agenda Overview

“My goal has always been to recognize that our community’s challenges are intertwined — that support is not through any sense of ‘who owes what’ or ‘who deserves this support,’” says Phan, a research analyst with the Asian American Disinformation Table.

Proposed uniform definitions and terms relevant to the inclusion of minorities in Alzheimer Disease and Related Dementias research

Proposed uniform definitions and terms relevant to the inclusion of minorities in Alzheimer Disease and Related Dementias research

Angela M. Hill, Pharm. D., CRPh Professor and Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs, Project Director, WE-CARE (Workgroup Enhancing Community Advocacy & Research Engagement), USF Health Taneja College of Pharmacy.

Proposed uniform definitions and terms relevant to the inclusion of minorities in Alzheimer Disease and Related Dementias research

Wednesday, October 4, 2023

08:00 AM to 12:00PM Agenda Overview

Review of 2018 Workshop and next steps

“There are so many ways that learning can help our communities heal,” Phan says. “For one, older generations in diaspora communities tend to not understand the context or history of racism in the US, leading them to easily believe harmful lies, especially those aimed at driving a wedge between us and other marginalized communities.”

Review of 2018 Workshop and next steps

“It is understanding that because of the way white supremacy has shaped all of our experiences, standing in solidarity with Black and Indigenous communities is fundamentally necessary to our work and movement.”

Review and compare current social risk factors such as low-education level or housing instability

Yet despite this shared struggle, divergent goals and interests “sets our two communities apart and pits us against each other,” Phan said. Since arriving on the continent, she says, “some Asian Americans have aspired to be recognized as white, viewing proximity to whiteness as affording them certain safety and privileges.”

Review and compare current social risk factors such as low-education level or housing instability

Review of 2018 Workshop and next steps

Community engagement strategies Voices from the community: What research areas should be explored and how?

Community engagement strategies

Review and compare current social risk factors such as low-education level or housing instability

Evidence-based recruitment, engagement, and retention strategies

Proposed uniform definitions and terms relevant to the inclusion of minorities in Alzheimer Disease and Related Dementias research

Proposed uniform definitions and terms relevant to the inclusion of minorities in Alzheimer Disease and Related Dementias

Community engagement strategies

research

Wednesday, October 4, 2023

08:00 AM to 12:00PM Agenda Overview

Voices from the community: What research areas should be explored and how?

That’s why Phan is involved in the Asian American Disinformation Table, a program designed to break through and dismantle centuries of misinformation and disinforma-

Envisioning strategies for recruitment engagement, and retention of minoritized groups in the United States Conference wrap-up and action plans

Review of 2018 Workshop and next steps

Review of 2018 Workshop and next steps

Review and compare current social risk factors such as low-education level or housing instability

Voices from the community: What research areas should be explored and how?

In 1923, for example, an Indian Sikh man argued that he should be classified as a “free white person,” allowing him U.S. citizenship. A few years later, a Chinese American family asserted that their American-born children could attend a white school because they were not Black.

To reverse that, “many of those in the anti-disinformation space are leading efforts to provide educational resources that are tailored to individual ethnic communities and often in-language as well,” she says.Phan continues: “The same exact playbook is being used against both Black and Asian communities,” she says. “So if we don’t stick together, the playbook that wins against one of our communities will absolutely win against the other.”

Evidence-based recruitment, engagement, and retention strategies

IS FREE, REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED

Review and compare current social risk factors such as low-education level or housing instability

But in recent years, Phan says, the AADT is working to repair those

Community engagement strategies

https://bit ly/R1323Knight

Community engagement strategies

Evidence-based recruitment, engagement, and retention strategies

Voices from the community: What research areas should be explored and how?

Angela M. Hill, Pharm. D., CRPh

This Word In Black story was produced in partnership with the W.K.

Envisioning strategies for recruitment, engagement, and retention of minoritized groups in the United States Conference wrap-up and action plans

Voices from the community: What research areas should be explored and how?

Evidence-based recruitment, engagement, and retention strategies

Envisioning strategies for recruitment, engagement, and retention of minoritized groups in the United States Conference wrap-up and action plans

Professor and Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs, Project Director, WE-CARE (Workgroup Enhancing Community Advocacy & Research Engagement), USF Health Taneja College of Pharmacy.

Evidence-based recruitment, engagement, and retention strategies

Envisioning strategies for recruitment, engagement, and retention of minoritized groups in the United States Conference wrap-up and action plans

Envisioning strategies for recruitment, engagement, and retention of minoritized groups in the United States Conference wrap-up and action plans

Kellogg Foundation.

Photograph courtesy of Victoria Pickering/Flickr

An African American and Asian student supporting Affirmative Action outside the U.S. Supreme Court in July.

SLATE to host hospitality/ culinary job fair

By American staff

Hiring events When African American employment fell to an all-time low of 4.7% in April 2023, Black workers finding employment in the hospitality industry was a factor, according to the Labor Department.

The field remains a solid employer for people of color and the St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment (SLATE) is assisting job seekers interested in hospitality and culinary career opportunities.

A hiring event will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday, September 20, 2023 in the 1st Floor Conference Room of 1520 Market Street, St. Louis, MO 63103. Last week, the Explore St. Louis Hospitality Heroes event was held at America’s Center along with several other job fairs in recent months.

“My first job as a teenager was serving as an usher at the Muny, which opened my eyes to the hard work hospitality workers do every day to make St. Louis a welcoming place for visitors,” said Mayor Tishaura O. Jones.

“Hospitality, restaurants, and tourism are critical to the vitality of our city and our region, and SLATE is working hard to help St. Louisans find better opportunities in these industries.”

According to Explore St. Louis, the tourism industry is among the St. Louis region’s largest employers, supporting the jobs of 91,000 hospitality professionals throughout the region. Representatives from the Horseshoe Casino and Hotel; Friendship Village;

Washington University/ Sodexo; Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch; AOS Staffing; Hudson Group; the City of St. Louis; First Class; Sonesta – The Chase Park Plaza; Waffle House; Levy Restaurants; Explore St. Louis – America’s Center; Propel Kitchens; Bailey’s Restaurants; and City of St. Louis Treasurer’s Office will attend. the job fair.

“As companies continue to search for individuals to fill a variety of positions within their organizations, SLATE continues to do our part by helping businesses connect with job seekers to ensure their day-to-day operations go uninterrupted,” said Fredrecka McGlown, SLATE Executive Director.

“We are proud that our job fairs have been able to successfully help many employers fill vacancies and help hundreds of St. Louisans embark on a new career path.”

Meter parking is available along Market Street; however, we recommend visitors park at Kiel Center Garage, situated immediately behind our building, at the corner of Clark &16th. Interested individuals should complete a profile at https://jobs. mo.gov before the event. Call SLATE at (314) 5898000 with any questions.

SLATE’s most recent hiring events have been well received by job seekers and employers - the last hiring event focused on Transportation and Logistics attracted 136 participants, and the one for health care workers following the closure of South City Hospital drew 115.

For more information visit us at www.stlworks. com or Facebook or

Networking Reception at 11:00 a.m. Luncheon at Noon – 1:30 p.m.

Valet Parking for $15 and Hotel Garage Parking for $10

Register online at developstlouis.org/luncheon by September 29, 2023.

‘Taking Care of You’

Don’t ‘weight’ to walk

FunFam3K raises resources, awareness to battle youth obesity

Melody McClellan led the way for over 400 participants in the FunFam3K Obesity Walk on Sept. 9, 2023 in Lincoln Park in East St. Louis. Known as “Coach Melody,” McClellan’s event celebrated its 7th year and has raised more than $20,000 to battle obesity.

By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American

After learning that the childhood obesity rate in the Metro East area was among the state of Illinois’ highest, Melody McClellan took steps to reduce the number – literally and figuratively.

“Coach Melody,” as McClellan is called, created the FunFam3K Obesity Walk in 2016 through her business, Unwrap You. The event celebrated its seventh anniversary last weekend in Lincoln Park in East. St. Louis.

[This year’s] walk was phenomenal, with about 400 people and 40 vendors

attending,” McClellan said.

“Just seeing the excitement in the faces of the families and the many children who participated was great.

The increasing support from the city of East St. Louis, surrounding communities, and participating vendors allowed us to reach our goal of promoting health and wellness.”

According to the National Institutes of Health about 16.9% of children ages 2–19 years are obese. An additional 14.8% are considered overweight.

The prevalence of obesity is higher in Black and Hispanic children com-

pared to non-Hispanic white children.

About 35.9% of African American children ages 2–19 years are overweight or obese, compared to 29.3% of white children of the same age. By contrast, 38.2% of Hispanic children (including Mexican Americans) ages 2–19 years are overweight or obese. Overweight children face an increased risk for type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. It can also lead to elevated stress, depression, and low self-esteem.

‘Black Fatigue’ is real, and it’s deadly

By Clayton Gutzmore

A trait that many Black people have in common is resilience. Part of the reason is that most people of color are combating racism in its many forms daily. Whether it’s dealing with systemic racism or the microaggressions that occur in the workplace, some Black people are reaching their limits. This leads to exhaustion or what can also be known as “Black Fatigue.”

Black Fatigue levels have been reported by the American Heart Association Experts weigh in on how this subject is taking a toll on the Black community and why we should not underestimate it.

n “You should take Black Fatigue seriously because it’s killing people. It’s killing their mind, body, and spirit.”

– Mary Frances Winters

“You should take Black Fatigue seriously because it’s killing people. It’s killing their mind, body, and spirit. We are misdiagnosed, in terms of some of the mental stresses, and oftentimes told that our pain is not as great,” said Mary Frances Winters, CEO and founder of the Winters Group Incorporated. Black Fatigue is the exhaustion from small acts of aggression and disrespect Black people endure daily. Other stressors that lead to Black Fatigue are the endless need to prove one’s worth and constant exposure to news about injustice and violence being inflicted on people of color. Winters describes the feeling of Black Fatigue as “a dull droning sound that is always present.”

Homer G. Phillips Nurses Alumni celebrates 101st year

Its lawsuit against Paul McKee progresses

By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American

A federal trademark infringement lawsuit against developer Paul McKee, filed by the Homer G. Phillips Nurses Alumni Inc., challenging his use of the name Homer G. Phillips on a three-bed urgent care center on Jefferson Ave., is drawing closer to its January 8, 2024, trial date.

The Nurses Alumni, which is galvanized in its opposition to McKee, recently held its 101st Celebration“Reconnection and Continuing the Legacy.”

“This is our 101st year, and we are

n “We need to face the challenge and the fight for the future of our legacy.”

– Yvonne Jones, Nurses Alumni president

still here,” said Yvonne Jones, Nurses Alumni president during the celebration at the Mercy Conference and Retreat Center in St. Louis.

“We need to face the challenge

See NURSES, A17

Photo courtesy of Unwrap You

Photo courtesy of Homer G. Phillips Nurses Inc.

Homer G. Phillips Nurses Alumni Inc. officers and board members are from left front: Yvonne Jones, president; Johnnye Farrell, first vice president; and Carol Horton, recording secretary. From left back: Willa Nelson, board member; Wanda Trotter, board member; Georgia Anderson, financial secretary; Celestine Moore, treasurer; Jeanetta Hegwood, board member; and Lois Jackson, second vice president.

Clayton Gutzmore

‘Taking

Pandemic left Black moms in more danger

Gun

violence by partner spiked

By Meg Cunningham Missouri Independent

Social isolation during the pandemic put Missouri’s Black moms in greater danger that their partner would kill them.

A report from the state’s maternal mortality review board found that from 2018 to 2020, homicide was the third-leading cause of death for Missouri moms. Black women made up 75% of those deaths.

Among those homicides, guns were the sole means of death and all of them occurred in Missouri’s urban areas.

Isolation during the pandemic “was basically the perfect storm,” said Dr. Traci Johnson, an obstetrician at University Health and the chair-elect of the state’s maternal mortality review board.

Across those years, an

Nurses

Continued from A16 and the fight for the future of our legacy.”

Protecting that legacy means a refusal to back down from McKee’s insistence of using the name Homer G. Phillips on the small health care center.

Attorney Homer G. Phillips was prominent in both civil rights and politics and founded the Citizens’ Liberty League. The organization advocated for Black St. Louisans after city residents voted in 1916 to mandate segregation in housing.

During the 1920s, there were two public city-owned hospitals, City Hospital Number 1, which only whites could use, and City Hospital Number 2, a former medical college in the Mill Creek Valley neighborhood. It lacked

Walk

Continued from A16

In 2013, the American Medical Association classified obesity as a disease.

To help prevent youth obesity, NIH encourages children to:

• Choose a sufficient amount and a variety of fruits and vegetables every day.

• Decrease consumption of high-fat foods and ener-

Gutzmore

Continued from A16

Winters is an expert in diversity, equity, and inclusion. She released a book called “Black Fatigue: How Racism Erodes the Mind Body and Spirit” in 2020. The book explores this subject more and reveals why this problem has been perpetuated.

“I was going into organizations to do training, and strategy sessions about diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Younger Black people would approach me and say that they’re exhausted and tired of having to deal

average of 70 women died in the year after they gave birth, peaking in 2020 at 85. That average is up from 61 deaths a year from 2017 to 2019, the last time Missouri analyzed its maternal mortality rate.

In each of the years covered by the report, an average of six Black women were shot by current or former partners. Half those homicides came when the mother had previously suffered domestic violence.

Mental health conditions mark the leading cause of maternal deaths, rising to an average of 25 a year. Early reports showed an average of 17.

MaryAnne Metheny, the CEO of the Kansas City domestic violence shelter Hope House, said the pandemic brought more intense cases of abuse. She also said people trying to impose control on their partners can become more violent when an infant arrives.

“The first year after pregnancy can be a very dangerous time for domestic violence victims,” she

resources, and Black residents were forced to use the subpar hospital. In 1923, St. Louis decided to use money from a bond issue for a new hospital. Black residents wanted it in a Black neighborhood. White doctors and politicians wanted the new hospital next to City Hospital Number 1, which was located south of downtown.

Phillips persuaded city officials to build the new hospital at St. Ferdinand Avenue and Whittier Street, in the Ville neighborhood, which at the time was the home to many prominent Black businesses and residents.

From its opening in 1937 to 1979, the hospital primarily served the needs of St. Louis’ Black citizens. Until city hospitals were desegregated in 1955, it was the only hospital for Black

gy-dense foods that are low in nutrient value.

• Dine on small portions of food at home and at restaurants.

• Substitute water, fatfree milk, or low-fat milk for sweetened beverages.

• Engage in at least 60 minutes of moderate physical activity on most— preferably all—days of the week.

• Reduce sedentary activity by limiting screen time to no more than two hours per day

with the microaggressions in the workplace. I was like, ‘You’re 25-yearsold. How are you tired already?’ They gave me a look, but with respect, they responded, ‘Hey, I know, but I’m tired.’ If these young people in the workplace are fatigued, at 25, 30-yearsold, that means this is an intergenerational problem that has been perpetuated over and over,” Winters said.

One symptom of Black Fatigue is elevated levels of stress. Too much stress can play a role in heart disease and diabetes, among other ailments. Black Fatigue also taps into one’s feelings of inadequacy.

said. “During the height of COVID, what we saw in general was that the model or intensity of abuse skyrocketed.”

FBI statistics show Missouri’s aggravated assault rate in 2020 ran far above the nationwide average. It grew from about 360 aggravated assaults per 100,000 people in 2019 to 413 in 2020. Across the United States, that figure jumped significantly less, to about 280 assaults per 100,000 people from 250 in 2018.

say women are less likely to report the violence they face in their homes.

“They may not want to go public with what may be going on at home,” said Tracy Russell, the executive director of Nurture KC. “And so you have to have those trusted relationships.”

Russell also emphasized the importance of mental health support for new fathers in much the way health care providers and community organizers are making strides to support the mental health of new moms.

Responses to the pandemic exposed holes in the health care system and gave women less access to their doctors and support systems. That made it more difficult for health care providers to have candid conversations about what patients experienced at home.

Without confidential visits with doctors, experts

“It’s time that we invest in that and recognize the responsibility of partners in the family,” she said, “and the importance of partners in the family.”

Plus, Russell said, Missouri’s abortion ban will mean more unwanted pregnancies.

“We’ve not given enough credence to the

complexity of that issue,” she said, “and the dynamics that are created as a result of carrying an unwanted pregnancy.”

The role of firearms in domestic violence situations

One study of 11 major cities found the presence of a gun in a home with domestic violence increased the chance of homicide by 500%.

Major cities in Missouri, like Kansas City, St. Louis and Springfield, have looked for ways to pass gun safety measures to make their communities safer and reduce homicide rates. But Missouri state law does not allow municipalities to pass their own legislation on the issue.

Russell said cities should be able to pass ordinances addressing gun violence and the needs of their own communities.

A February 2023 poll from St. Louis University found that 69% of Missourians favored mental health background checks before someone

St. Louisans. It became not only one of the best “Black” hospitals in the nation, but one of the highest-achieving training hospitals in the world.

Community meetings and protests challenging McKee’s use of the name began at the facility in 2021 and demonstrations continue.

The trademark infringement lawsuit was filed

“Our team continuously shares facts, resources, and activities to bring awareness to obesity through various forms of communication tactics and social media,” McClellan said of her year-round agenda.

“Obesity is not a condition; it is a treatable disease. By encouraging families to improve nutrition, physical activity, and lifestyle changes, it’s possible to lessen the chances of young people

According to the report, psychotherapist Aishia Grevenberg said Black Fatigue will have one internalizing the stereotype of deficiency. Many Black professionals feel the pressure to prove they are worthy. Grevenberg and her clients were raised with the narrative they’d have to be twice as good to be considered half as good.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recognized that racism is a threat to public health. The American Heart Association has another report from 2020 that discusses how structural racism-based

in July 2022, with the support of the Change the Name Coalition.

Minister Beverly Pegues-Tucker, the celebration’s keynote speaker said, “Unity requires pursuing a legal remedy to continue our legacy.

“We are essential role models and must build a community of excellence.”

The Change the Name

developing many health issues.

“Preventative care is key to improving overall wellness.”

McClellan said this year’s walk raised $8,000 and proceeds will be donated to: UniPres KinderCottage, God’s Helping Hand, I Am ESTL Foundation, and the St Louis Area Diaper Bank.

Since the walk began, more than $20,000 has been raised for programs in Illinois and Missouri

stress can lead to longlasting damage to the body and brain. Winters believes medical schools and institutions need to highlight the relationship between racism and our health outcomes. A recent moment of Black Fatigue that Winters felt was her discomfort of going to the store after the Dollar General shooting in Jacksonville, Florida.

“I think we sometimes as people don’t even recognize the relationship between racism and our physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. I was in a Dollar General store thinking in the back of my mind, ‘Wow three people were killed at a Dollar General store last

can purchase a gun. Another 60% favor red flag laws that would allow courts to temporarily remove guns from people deemed unsafe, while 25% oppose them. St. Louis has one of the highest homicide rates in the nation. St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones wants to ban anyone 18 or younger from buying bullets without parental consent, and she wants to ban devices that can turn semiautomatic handguns into automatic weapons capable of firing a burst of bullets with a single pull of the trigger.

Gov. Mike Parson told cities to “stay in your lanes” on gun control.

“Cities can’t just go out there and do what they want to do, and when there is a constitutional issue to it, or state legislature to it, they can’t supersede that,” Parson said last week in response to Jones’ proposals. “… You’ve got to obey the law, is the way I look at it, and there are no exceptions.”

Gladys Cox Givens (1954), Georgia Anderson (1955), and Marybelle Barnes (1952) are Homer G. Phillips Nursing School graduates who joined the celebration of the 101st year of the Nurses Alumni Inc.

Coalition is not being idle as it awaits the opening of the civil trial

The organization recently sent a letter to Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Director Paula Nickelson requesting her office decertify any accreditation of McKee’s facility.

Zenobia Thompson, a Nurses Alumni former president and Change the

that help children thrive and participate in various activities.

The FunFam3K has also spread throughout the United States. More than 500 people participated in person and virtually, joining the event from more than 25 U.S cities and three continents.

“Our largest virtual team this year was in Birmingham, Alabama with 48 walkers. They will receive the Most Registrants Award. Next

week just because they were Black.’ That is extra unnecessary stress just for going outside,” Winters said. Black Fatigue is a complex issue with no simple solution. Winters says solving the Black Fatigue problem involves changing the entire system. A step you can apply is to know your triggers. Winters set boundaries for herself by not watching anything about racism because she needs a reprieve from the race-related work she does every day. Winters encourages finding your triggers and walking away from them with no guilt. Grevenberg recommended rest and

Name Coalition chair, says the coalition does not oppose the accreditation of the healthcare facility “just not under the name Homer G. Phillips.”

“Such a small and limited facility is an insult to the name Homer G. Phillips given that the name was originally associated with a 600-bed acute care hospital from 1937 to 1979,” the letter states. To grant accreditation the facility under that name “would be disrespectful to history and unfair to the Homer G. Phillips Nurses Alumni Inc.”

Brother Wayne Jackson said during the event’s memorial service, “Continue and never quit as you work toward a common goal.

“The Joy of the Lord is your strength to get you through opposition that is always present.”

year, I’m selecting three additional states that have virtual teams, I’ll travel to support and walk with them,” McClellan said.

“We’re excited about our continued growth and support from the East St. Louis community and our corporate sponsors.

We’re looking forward to next year’s FunFam3K Obesity Walk which will be held on Saturday, September 14, 2024.”

giving yourself permission to back away from the pursuit of perfection.

“Rest is a protest. It’s revolutionary, and it’s a sign that says I am human. I tell every single person I work with, ‘Have a snack and take a nap,’” Grevenberg wrote in the report.

For those who want to be an ally against this issue, listening to your colleagues of color is a great step. Grevenberg explained in the report that being an ally is about providing a safe presence or being someone who can validate experiences. She further explained being present while listening and asking questions for understanding.

Dr. Traci Johnson

Photo courtesy of Homer G. Phillips Nurses Inc.

week throughout the school year, at no charge.

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

Students from the 2023 St. Louis American Summer Science Academy learn how to use a compass to navigate and investigate locations.

Diabetes is a condition where a person’s body does not use glucose (also known as sugar) properly. There are two main types of diabetes, type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes is caused by genetic factors. It is not caused by eating too much sugar. Type 2 diabetes is usually linked to being overweight, along with poor diet choices (sugar, fats, fast foods, etc.)

When a person has diabetes, their pancreas is affected. A diabetic has to maintain a very careful and balanced diet to keep their body working effectively. They are in danger of high or low blood sugar effects. Diabetics are more likely to develop heart disease

SCIENCE EXPERIMENT

Background Information:

and kidney disease. They are more likely to have high blood pressure and strokes. Diabetes also effects a person’s skin and the ability for wounds to heal.

Diabetes is not contagious. In order to prevent type 2 diabetes, eat a balanced diet, drink plenty of water, and lead an active lifestyle.

For more information, visit: http://kidshealth.org/ kid/centers/diabetes_center. html#cat20491.

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

How to Sink a Marshmallow!

Will a marshmallow sink or float? What do you think? Do you believe it is possible to sink a marshmallow? In this activity, you will use trial and error to choose your course of action when you attempt to sink a marshmallow.

Materials Needed:

• Marshmallow • Container of Water (glass, bottle, pitcher)

Process:

q Place the marshmallow in the container of water. Does it sink or float?

MATH CONNECTION

Diabetics need to watch their carbohydrate intake. In this activity, you will focus on carbs. The American Diabetes Association suggests eating 45-60 grams of carbohydrate per meal, for a total range of approximately 150 grams of carbohydrates per day.

z If your meal consists of the following, how many grams of carbohydrates did you eat?

Baked chicken: 4 oz serving, 0 carb grams

Mashed potatoes: 4 oz serving, 25 carb grams

Caesar salad with dressing: 3 oz serving, 5 carb grams

Mixed vegetables: 3 oz serving, 8 carb grams

A medium-sized roll: 2 oz serving, 22 carb grams

Total grams of carbohydrates ______

x If 1/3 cups of rice has 15 grams of carbohydrates, how many carbohydrates are in a 1 cup serving? ______

DID YOU KNOW?

According to the American Diabetes Association:

African -American Biochemist, MD, and Diabetes Expert

James R. Gavin, III

James R. Gavin, III, was born in Mobile, Alabama, in 1945. Growing up, Gavin was very close to his grandmother whom he called “Mama Rennie,” and he looked forward to visiting her for fun adventures and story time.

One particular visit, Gavin was surprised to find his energetic grandma in bed. Mama Rennie explained to Gavin that she had diabetes and had to have her leg amputated (removed) due to complications from the disease. The following summer, Mama Rennie lost her other leg and became very ill and died. Gavin was very determined to learn more about diabetes and work to find solutions.

In 1966, Gavin earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Livingstone College. He graduated magna cum laude. Magna cum laude is a Latin phrase meaning with high honors. College students who maintain very high grades will earn this honor. In 1970, Gavin earned a PhD in biochemistry from Emory University. Next, he focused on his diabetes studies with the National Institutes of Health and earned a medical degree from Duke University in 1975.

Gavin has worked as Senior Scientific Officer at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute in Maryland and Director of the National Institutes of Health Research Scholars Program. He has served as president and professor at Morehouse School of Medicine. He has also been a Professor and Chief of the Diabetes Section, Acting Chief of the Section on Endocrinology, Metabolism and Hypertension, and the William K. Warren Professor for Diabetes Studies at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.

w What can you do to make it sink? Work with a partner to create a list of 5 ideas.

e Try your five ideas from step 2. Which idea was most effective? Why?

r Compare your results with your classmates. Was anybody successful?

Learning Standards: I can follow directions to complete a prompt. I can make predictions and analyze results.

c If you eat 1/2 bagel with 30 grams of carbohydrates and 1 tablespoon of jelly with 15 grams of carbohydrates, how many grams of carbohydrates did you eat? ______ How many grams of carbohydrates do you have left for the day? ______

v A 16 ounce bottle of soda has an average of 48 grams of carbohydrates. If you drink two bottles of soda per day, how many grams of carbohydrates did you consume? ______ If you drink one bottle of soda per day, how many carbohydrates do you consume in a week?

Learning Standards: I can use addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division to solve problems. I can make

kills more Americans every year than AIDS and breast cancer combined.

Dr. Gavin was a medical expert in the court case Kapche vs. Holder. Jeff Kapche applied to work as a special agent for the FBI, but was denied due to the fact that he treated his diabetes with an insulin injection, instead of a pump. Gavin stated that Kapche’s diabetes was considered a disability under federal law. Therefore, the FBI could not use his medical condition as a reason not to hire him. Dr. Gavin is considered a national authority on diabetes.

Gavin has written more than 180 manuscripts, book chapters and scientific abstracts and has received the following awards and honors: Banting Medal for Distinguished Service, Association's Clinician of the Year award, Association's Public Policy Leadership Award.

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

MAP CORNER

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

Activity One —

Exercise Graph: Look through the newspaper ads for sports and fitness equipment or classes.

Judging from the ads, what are the most popular forms of exercise? Create a bar graph to display the results. What are the benefits of each type of exercise? Create a newspaper advertisement for the form of exercise you enjoy most. Include the benefits of that exercise in your ad (muscle tone, flexibility, cardiovascular endurance, etc.)

Activity Two — Sports Expressions: Locate final scores of various games in the newspaper. Write an expression representing the difference of two final scores. Have a friend find the difference to form a number sentence. Check your friend’s answer.

Learning Standards: I can use the newspaper to locate information. I can create a bar graph to display information. I can write to persuade. I can write for a specific person and audience. I can make text to self connections.

The St. Louis American’s award winning NIE program provides newspapers and resources to more than 8,000 teachers and students each

Granting wishes

CDA continues transformation of neighborhoods with ARPA funds

Monique Thomas, Cornerstone Corporation executive director, jumped for joy in 2022 when it acquired the property at 5908 Etzel from the St. Louis Land Reutilization Authority [LRA]. Cornerstone has received a Neighborhood Transformation Grant to develop the property into a community hub.

By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American

For decades, the former Carter Carburetor manufacturing building just south of the Herber Hoover Boys and Girls Club stood as a toxic eyesore along Grand Avenue.

While it has since been removed, the Superfund site will be transformed into a youth golf center with a St. Louis Community Development Administration [CDA] Neighborhood Transformation grant.

The golf center, which will be developed through a partnership between HHBGC and the PGA REACH Gateway Foundation, is

among recipients receiving more than $10.2 million in total grants for dozens of respective projects.

Funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the proposed projects are in Qualified Census Tracts (QCTs) and Economic Justice Index areas in the city.

A series of grants totaling over $18 million were announced in early August for production of 952 affordable housing units.

“Through these grants, the city is investing in the future, fostering development that is rooted in equity, sustainability, and community collaboration,” said Mayor Tishaura O. Jones in a release.

“These projects were all proposed by community organizations and will be empowered through the city’s strategic deployment of ARPA dollars.”

Neighborhood Transformation grants were announced in March 2023 to seek community-driven proposals for housing production, proactive development, home repair, neighborhood beautification, and capacity building.

“Our commitment to proactive development, neighborhood beautification, and strategic project implementation underlines CDA’s mission of reversing decades of disinvestment and investing in community and grassroots organizations,”

See CDA, B2

Black Americans face higher risk of retirement poverty

‘Occupational racism’ a factor

By Bria Overs Word in Black

Too many Americans lack the “longevity literacy” to prepare for retirement properly. This is especially troubling for Black Americans, who face a greater chance of economic disaster after they retire. In a study of the TIAA-Global Financial Literacy Excellence Center’s Personal Finance Index (P-Fin Index), only 12% of adults had “strong longevity literacy.” These adults understood how long 65-year-olds live and the likelihood of living well past that age.

The National Council on Aging found that 20% of older households have no assets to pull from as they age, and 80% do not have the financial resources to cover long-term care or financial strain.

“If they underestimate the life expectancy and end up living lon-

See POVERTY, B2

PeoPle on the Move

Dr. Johnson selected as USA Eisenhower Fellow

Dr. Raegan Johnson

Dr. Raegan Johnson has been named a 2023 USA Eisenhower Fellow (EF), only one of 11 people selected, nationally. The USA Eisenhower Fellowship Program focuses on building bridges of understanding across borders to make a positive impact on communities around the world. Through the program, 10-12 outstanding individuals are selected annually to travel to one or two nations to meet with leaders and experts in their respective fields. Dr. Johnson will study financial education programs in Colombia and Sweden with intentions to help U.S. communities thrive and reduce socioeconomic disparities.

Dr. Trezette Dixon now senior director at SLBDI

Greater St. Louis, Inc. welcomed Dr. Trezette F. Dixon to serve as senior director of the St. Louis Business Diversity Initiative’s (SLBDI) The Fellows Experience. The Fellows Experience is a year-long leadership program designed to address the interests and challenges professionals of color face as they work to advance their careers. The program enhances each Fellow’s leadership capacity through professional development, relationship building, and civic engagement. She holds an Ed.D. from Webster University with an emphasis in Transformative Learning in the Global Community.

Smith named to board of Crisis Nursery

The Saint Louis Crisis Nursery announced the appointment of Danielle Smith to its board of directors. Smith is the director of diversion and special programs for the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and has enthusiastically supported the Crisis Nursery since 2011. She served previously as the board chair of Saint Louis Crisis Nursery’s Young Professionals board. She is a member of the St. Louis American Foundation’s 2020 Class of Young Leaders. A Rosati-Kain High graduate, Smith holds a JD from Saint Louis University School of Law.

ARCHS names Jonathan Pulphus Jr. as a director

Jonathan Pulphus, Jr.

Jonathan Pulphus, Jr. has joined Area Resources for Community and Human Services (ARCHS) as director of grant initiatives. He brings experience from American Friends Service Committee, CURE Violence, and Freedom Community Center. He has a BA in African American Studies from Saint Louis University. ARCHS funds and strategically enhances initiatives that improve the lives of children and families facing disparities and disadvantages in St. Louis’ most resource-deprived communities.

Danielle Smith

Photo courtesy of Monique Thomas

Photo courtesy of National Economic Association

Dr. Trezette Dixon

Poverty

Continued from B1

ger, and did not plan for income, they are short on funds,” Surya P. Kolluri, head of the TIAA Institute, says.

Black people are at high risk of economic insecurity without understanding what it takes to retire and maintain comfort over several years. They could have to re-enter the workforce or live in poverty.

Improving financial literacy is only one piece of this puzzle.

People need to earn decent money to contribute to their retirement accounts, but before that, they need to be able to cover their monthly expenses, invest, and save. Occupational segregation is a unique barrier to wealth-building and retirement preparedness for Black women.

“The caregiving industry, for example, which may not have specific retirement plans available, that’s [a job] where Black women have been historically very active in the labor force,” says Angelino Viceisza, professor of economics at Spelman College and president of the National Economic Association

In his research with the Urban Institute, Viceisza found that Black people had the “second-lowest

retirement wealth” at $11,157 for women and $19,382 for men.

This institutional racism has serious multigenerational consequences.

Retirees may rely on younger family members to help cover costs. As a result, younger generations have a reduced ability to create generational wealth.

Access to better jobs with higher pay and better benefits could make a significant difference.

As people age, they should reassess their retirement savings and other investments to ensure they’re on the right track to have what they expect to need. There are also catch-up contributions,” allowing those over age 50 to make additions yearly.

Not everyone will have access to employer-sponsored retirement accounts. Fortunately, alternatives are out there. Some states offer automated savings programs to increase access to retirement preparedness, including California, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, and Virginia.

While these alternatives can help, Viceisza says, reparations would have the most considerable impact in getting Black people the wealth and preparedness they need for retirement. The next best way, in his opinion, would be eliminating occupational segregation and glass ceilings.

“There is, in my mind, no other way to really inject enough wealth back [into the Black community],” he says. Without it, Black folks will continue to be generations behind, with an increasingly entrenched racial wealth gap.

How to save for retirement

While social security is one way to keep an income in retirement, it doesn’t cover nearly enough. In fact, the administration found that benefits represent about 30% of the income for older adults.

To keep an income after leaving the workforce, retirees must turn to other assets and savings, Kolluri says.

There are several tools for saving for retirement, like general high-yield savings accounts, pensions, or other investment vehicles. People often start with an employee-sponsored 401(k), 401(a), 403(b), 457 plans, and IRAs to begin saving.

If an adequate amount of money has not been saved or invested — a common issue — it’s not enough to be ready for retirement. Studies from Northwestern Mutual and Charles Schwab found that Americans feel they will need at least $1.27 million to $1.9 million to retire.

CDA

Continued from B1 said Nahuel Fefer, CDA executive director.

Proactive development projects for non-profit service agencies and neighborhood groups received backing for site acquisition, environmental remediation, and construction plans for housing, childcare services, food initiatives, and health services.

Included are:

• The Favored Foundation for Strengthening Families is converting an LRA-owned building into an early childhood education center in Hamilton Heights.

• Cornerstone Corporation’s implementation of the weCollab West End Plan through the development of community space in a former Prop NS property and LRAowned lot in the West End.

• St. Louis Art Place Initiative’s renovation of LRA homes.

• The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis and PGA REACH Gateway Foundation youth golf center.

“With the 5908 Etzel project, we are creating a vibrant community-based space where resident leaders and Cornerstone families can thrive while they heal, imagine, and build the West End renaissance together,” said Monique

Thomas, Cornerstone Corporation executive director.

“It will serve as a permanent place for the living, breathing community work and resident activation of weCollab, and a place of rest for our renters.”

Kaveh Razani, St. Louis Art Place Initiative co-director, said its grant will be used to “continue work with our neighbors and partners in Gravois Park in building wealth and equity for local artists, not only through homeownership, but in creating cultural opportunities at the block level.”

“We appreciate having the far-reaching impacts of our work recognized with this award.”

In addition, the CDA also distributed $3.37 million in Neighborhood Beautification grants to back projects designed to increase visual appeal and vibrancy of city neighborhoods.

Projects include taming vacant lots, enhancing parks and community gardens, and litter clean-up programs. These initiatives seek to transform underutilized areas into community hubs.

• North Newstead Association and SLACO will receive funding to scale their clean-up programs in over a dozen city neighborhoods.

• Grassroots neighborhood groups including the

Revitalization of Baden Association, Gravois Park Block Link Neighborhood Association, Lewis Place Historical Preservation, Dutchtown Main Streets, Hope in the Ville, and Old North St. Louis Restoration Group will be funded to expand lot maintenance, dumping prevention, and beautification/ gardening initiatives.

• College Hill Foundation will expand its celebrated lavender farm with its grant.

“The grant will allow us to expand our beautification and stabilization efforts in College Hill by converting vacant lots and replacing them with beautiful lavender and other plants,” said Fred Kimbrough, College Hill Foundation executive director.

“The lavender gardens also employ residents and other people who are in need of economic opportunities.”

CDA prioritized projects in the city’s most distressed communities as well as projects near public transit, schools, and other community assets. Projects addressing LRAowned vacant buildings and development of city vacant lots were also prioritized. For a list of all projects that received grants, please visit www.stlouis-mo.gov/cda

Photo courtesy of CDA

The College Hill Foundation Seeds of Grace Lavender Farm brings the pleasant sight and smell of the flowers to a northside neighborhood. Seeds of Grace will use a Neighborhood Transformation Grant to turn vacant lots into gardens and provide employment opportunities.

n “You get sad. Goodbyes are never easy.”

– Jack Flaherty on leaving Cardinals’ teammates after trade to Baltimore

A pair of small school football programs are making some big-time moves.

Lift for Life Academy in St. Louis and Belleville (Ill.) Althoff are out of the gate with impressive 3-0 starts. Althoff has been dominant in its three victories, averaging 52 points a game. The Crusaders feature a dynamic player in junior guard Dierre Hill, Jr., a transfer from Vashon who has rushed for 479 yards and scored 12 touchdowns. In last Friday’s 61-33 victory over Centralia, Hill scored a total of six touchdowns. He rushed for 264 yards and four touchdowns, he caught a touchdown pass for 48 yards and also scored on a 28-yard interception return.

Freshman quarterback Jayden Ellington has passed for 393 yards and three touchdowns.

Junior Antown Strong has rushed for 290 yards and eight touchdowns while junior Charleston Coldon has eight receptions for 202 yards and two touchdowns. The defense is paced by 6’4” 288-pound junior Jason Dowell, who has 26 tackles and five sacks.

Lift for Life won a Class 2 district championship last season and finished 9-4 before losing to eventual state champion Blair Oaks in the state playoffs.

The Hawks’ offense has been led by junior quarterback Kishon Hill, who

prEp Football NotEbook

By Earl Austin Jr.

Lift off

Small schools have big dreams of state titles

has passed for 511 yards and five touchdowns. His favorite target has been junior receiver Mikell Burden, who has four receptions for 205 yards and two touchdowns. Handling the running duties is the junior duo of Noah Ridgel and Keyshon Taylor, who have combined for 385 yards rushing and four touchdowns.

Althoff will host St. Dominic on Friday night while Lift for Life will travel to Illinois to take on Quincy Notre Dame on Saturday afternoon.

Highlights of top Week 3 performers

• Quarterback Dakarri Hollis of Lutheran North completed 20 of 26 passes for 379 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 148 yards and a touchdown in the Crusaders’ 45-42 victory over Francis Howell.

• Quarterback

Kameron Eleby of Pattonville scored three rushing touchdowns and threw one touchdown pass in the Pirates’ 45-0 victory over Hazelwood West.

• Quarterback Dillon Duff of DeSmet completed 13 of 15 passes for 194 yards and three touchdowns in the Spartans’ 63-14 victory over Chaminade.

• Defensive end Caleb Redd of DeSmet had five solo tackles and two sacks in the Spartans’ 63-14 victory over Chaminade.

• Wide receiver Trey Bass of Lutheran North had four receptions for 134 yards and two touchdowns in the Crusaders’ 45-42 victory over Francis Howell.

SportS EyE

With Alvin A. Reid

• Wide receiver Deshon Davis of Parkway South had three receptions for 128 yards and two touchdowns in the Patriots’ 28-7 victory over Mehlville.

• Running back Justin Jackson of Marquette rushed for 198 yards and two touchdowns in the Mustangs’ 24-7 victory over Hazelwood Central.

• Running back Kaden Bolton of Crystal City rushed for 212 yards on 10 carries and two touchdowns in the Hornets’ 52-22 victory over Bayless.

NBA’s impressive hiring practices are again on display

• Quarterback Grant Gibson of Summit completed 14 of 18 passes for 200 yards and four touchdowns in the Falcons’ 49-7 victory over Parkway Central.

• Running back Jack Parent of Priory rushed for 211 yards on 17 carries and three touchdowns in the Rebels’ 36-20 victory over Lutheran South.

• Quarterback Hoyt Gregory of North Point completed 13 of 18 passes for 198 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 91 yards in a 29-27 loss to Wentzville Liberty.

• Wide receiver Ramzi Salem had eight receptions for 138 yards and a touchdown in the Bombers 20-14 loss to Lift for Life.

What’s on tap for Week 4

Friday, September 15

• MICDS at Priory, 4 p.m.

• DeSmet at Vianney, 6 p.m.

• Chaminade at CBC, 6 p.m.

• Edwardsville at O’Fallon, 7 p.m.

• Marquette at Eureka, 7 p.m.

• Helias at Cardinal Ritter, 7 p.m.

Saturday, September 16

• Jennings at Riverview Gardens, 11 a.m.

• Fox at Ritenour, 1 p.m.

• Kirkwood at Hazelwood Central, 1 p.m.

• Lift for Life at Quincy Notre Dame, 1 p.m.

• Belleville East at East St. Louis, 1 p.m.

The NBA hit a big three-point shot when it comes to hiring practices, according to the recently-released 2023 NBA Racial and Gender Report Card by The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport (TIDES) at the University of Central Florida (UCF).

The league earned an A-plus for racial hiring practices, a B-plus for gender hiring practices, and a combined grade of an A. The NBA is the valedictorian of American professional sports leagues based on the GPA it scored in the TIDES report. According to Richard Lapchick, TIDES director and author of the annual report cards, “The NBA showed increases in most categories solidifying its position as an example for other men’s leagues.”

The overall grade was an A with 91.6 points – which was a slight decrease from 91.8 points in the 2022 NBA Racial and Gender Report Card.

The NBA knows it is doing a solid job with

diversity and equity on the court, and in the respective front offices. The NBA league office is also the most diverse of the American sports leagues. It was more than thrilled to share its data on the racial and gender breakdown of its office, team governors, coaches, front offices, radio/ tv broadcasters, and referees.

“When I started publishing the Racial and Gender Report Cards in 1988, the NBA was the best professional sports league for hiring women and people of color by a significant margin,” Lapchick wrote.

“Thirty-five years later, it is still the best among men’s pro leagues and trails slightly behind the WNBA, which had its inaugural season in 1997.”

of any major American professional sports.

Byron Spruell is the president of NBA League Operations, and former NBA star Shareef AbdurRahim is the president of the NBA G League.

Amadou Gallo Fall is the president of the Basketball Africa League, and four people of color serve in the league office as presidents. Again, the most of any league.

According to the report:

• Women held 43.34% of all professional positions in the NBA league office, a slight decrease from last year’s 43.4%, which was the highest percentage since the 2009-10 report card.

The Reid Roundup

82.5% of players were people of color, a slight decrease of 0.1 percentage points; 70.4% of all NBA players were African American (a decrease of 1.5 percentage points).

During the 2022-23 season, the NBA had 16 head coaches of color, matching an all-time high of 16 in the 2011-12 season. People of color represented 53.3% of all NBA head coaches. African Americans represented 50% and Asians represented 3.3%. There were 13 general managers of color, an increase of one.

The percentage of white NBA players was 17.5%, a slight increase of 0.1 percentage point. Mark Tatum serves as NBA deputy commissioner and chief operating officer. Nine years ago, he became the highest-ranked Black person in the league office

• There were five Black chief executive officers and/or presidents for NBA teams: Fred Whitfield (Charlotte), Koby Altman (Cleveland), Cynthia Marshall (Dallas), James Jones (Phoenix) and Masai Ujiri (Toronto).

The NBA’s game plan could easily be followed by other U.S. sports leagues. It’s not that other leagues’ team owners cannot do it – they choose not to.

While he was a mediocre primary owner, Michael Jordan was the lone African American owner in the NBA until he sold his majority share of the Charlotte Bobcats earlier this year…I heard an Auburn fan say on Sirius XM that the Missouri Tigers should have hired Deion Sanders. Trust me, the Sanders’ act would not play as well in the SEC… Speaking of the SEC, Alabama and coach Nick Saban have some serious work to do…A trio of Marty Jenkins Bradford Bruns, and I air a weekly podcast on ESPN101.com concerning college football wagering. I’m 10-8 after two weeks – and I blame Missouri which let me down in a lackluster performance against Middle Tennessee State. They didn’t cover the spread nor score enough points to push to the ‘over.’…I think the late Demetrious Johnson would be denouncing the off-field violence and in-school antics that is interrupting the area prep football season – and it would have a real impact.

Earl Austin Jr.

Alvin A. Reid

Mark Tatum serves as the NBA deputy commissioner

Cardinal Ritter’s Dejarrion Miller (5) can’t control a would-be touchdown pass with University Academy Charter’s Jayden Hasam (1) from Kansas City, Missouri in pursuit Saturday, Sept. 9, at Ritter. The Lions of Ritter went on to defeat the Gryphons of University Academy Charter 76-0.

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Photo courtesy of NBA

Derrick Melto hired as CEO

Derrick Melton

Derrick J. Melton, begins today as DPH’s Chief Executive Officer for FQHC, a new position created to better prepare for their status as a Federally Qualified Health Center look-alike. Derrick comes from CareSTL Health, where he served as chief operating officer overseeing all operations for an organization with a $66 million annual budget that sees more than 140,000 clinical visits annually. He also has helped lead the Washington University School of Medicine, where he was senior director of clinical opertions, the University of Mississippi Medical Center and Baptist Health Systems of Jackson, MS.

Walgreens CEO Roz Brewer resigns

Walgreens Boots Alliance said recently that Roz Brewer had stepped down as the company’s chief executive as it leans deeper into its strategy to become a health-care company instead of a drugstore.

She also left the company’s board, effective Thursday. The decision was mutual, according to a news release.

Ginger Graham, the lead independent director and a health-care industry veteran, will work as interim chief while the company searches for a successor. Graham is a veteran of the health-care industry.

Brewer and Walgreens were in a rough patch leading up to Friday’s announcement.

Walgreens shares are down more than 32% this year as of Thursday’s close, as the company has struggled with a drop in demand for COVID testing and vaccines. It’s also seen front-end retail sales for items like toothpaste and shampoo consistently fall as consumers go to competitors.

Diverse suppliers are good for business and the community

Diverse businesses are the backbone of many communities. That’s why JPMorgan Chase is committed to helping these businesses develop and thrive. Ted Archer, global head of business partner diversity for JPMorgan Chase, recently spoke about why diverse suppliers are good for business and the community.

1. How did you come to lead supplier diversity at JPMorgan Chase and what inspired you to get involved in this work?

I’ve been at JPMorgan Chase for seven years and most of my career has been dedicated to building business programs that drive economic growth. One of the most rewarding parts of my job is working with underrepresented businesses to make sure they have the tools they need to succeed. At JPMorgan Chase, supplier diversity is just one way we make dreams possible for these diverse business owners, their employees, and their communities.

diversity across the wider business community?

We have mobilized over 100 of our top suppliers to mirror the firm’s commitment to supplier diversity by creating and enhancing their own supplier diversity programs. Through mentoring, coaching and education, we help these companies develop and operate their own sustainable supplier diversity programs, which will generate opportunity and growth for decades. The results speak for themselves: 85% of the businesses enrolled in our mentorship program launched new supplier diversity programs in 2022. Additionally, over the last two years, nearly 90% of our top suppliers have committed to spending increases generating more than $6 billion with underrepresented businesses.

2. Why should companies prioritize supplier diversity?

Supplier diversity provides companies with access to innovation. Diverse suppliers bring new perspectives and solutions to business problems. They also know how to operate efficiently with limited resources, and are agile to suit different business needs. In addition, supplier diversity generates wealth in diverse communities. Diverse suppliers tend to hire within their local areas, providing jobs and incomes, lifting the overall economy. A prosperous and thriving community is good for everyone.

3. How are you re-thinking supplier diversity? What is JPMorgan Chase doing differently?

An important component of supplier diversity is supplier development. Small and underrepresented businesses often don’t have access to the same resources, financing and contacts that large majority-owned companies do. Building deeper relationships with these businesses enables us to identify other ways to support their growth, including creating connections to networks that lead to contract opportunities, capital and other resources.

4. How are you amplifying the impact of supplier

5. How would a diverse business get started working with large companies like JPMorgan Chase?

For businesses interested in providing services to companies in the private sector, the first step is to become certified by a diverse business certifying organization. While many business owners are familiar with government diversity certifications, there are also certifications recognized by private-sector corporations, such as the National Minority Supplier Development Council or the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council. These organizations can also help connect businesses with prospective corporate clients via conferences, seminars and webinars – all designed to provide business owners with information and enable them to meet and network with corporate executives.

In addition, companies with active supplier diversity programs often have online registration portals through which they invite business owners to share their company history and capabilities. JPMorgan Chase has a Supplier Diversity Network, which is a searchable database for our supplier diversity and sourcing teams to find new diverse businesses when contract opportunities come up.

6. Are there any final thoughts?

Supplier diversity programs are good for any business, and they have a powerful positive impact on employees, families, and communities. It’s an honor to work with diverse businesses to provide jobs, lift local economies, and make dreams come true.

Roz Brewer

STL at The Intersection

Local talent, homegrown stars shine as music festival’s featured artists

By Kenya Vaughn The St. Louis American

At several points during Music at the Intersection’s two-day music celebration this past Saturday and Sunday in the heart of Midtown, the sounds coming from every direction on the festival’s four stages were being provided by artists from the region.

The list of local artists given a platform at this year’s Music at the Intersection is too lengthy to name individually, but they represented the new, the now, the next as well as the legendary. In total, more than 50 acts played Music at the Intersection for 2023. Jazz icons Herbie Hancock and Taj Mahal, hip hop legend Grandmaster Flash and veteran group Arrested Development, Snarky Puppy, Tank and the Bangas and Thundercat were among the many. But the talent that the region has produced was the true headliner of the festival presented by the Kranzberg Arts Foundation in partnership with the Steward Family Foundation and The Regional Arts Commission.

“Music at the Intersection once again brings together generations of St. Louisans and people from around the country to celebrate St. Louis’ imprint on the American songbook,” said Chris Hansen, Executive Director, Kranzberg Arts Foundation. “St. Louis giants were well represented, playing next to living legends and the best of A-List contemporary artists across a variety of genres.”

Sometimes those genres collided.

“It’s a blessing to be on this stage representing St. Louis and hip hop,” said Grammy winner trumpeter and Ferguson native Keyon Harrold said Saturday night as he held things down at The Big Top. Along with singer Stout, he was joined on stage by Pharoahe Monch. He might not be a household name outside of hip hop circles, but Monch is the favorite rapper of countless favorite rappers. After

Harrold and Stout seamlessly blended jazz and R&B, Monch brought the turn up with his classic club banger “Simon Says (Get the [expletive] Up).” The energy shifted quickly, but the audience was along for the ride as Monch and Harrold paid homage to hip hop in commemoration of its 50th anniversary.

Harrold was followed on stage by R&B legend Angela Winbush. She closed out

The Big Top Saturday night performances with selections from her catalog of hits and received a queen’s welcome from St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones, who had earlier proclaimed September 9th as Angela Winbush Day in the City of St. Louis.

“I’m so proud to present your homegirl

See Music, C8

314 Day Artist Contest offers unique branding opportunity

By Ashley Winters

The St. Louis American

The 314 Day Foundation, in partnership with STLMade, is launching an Official 314 Day 2024 Design Contest, beginning with an open call for artist entries.

Visual artists and illustrators are invited to submit samples of their work to be considered to create the official design for next year’s 314 Day. The winning artist’s design will go on merchandise and marketing materials, and play an important role in the annual celebration of the people, places, businesses, and unity that make St. Louis unique.

“The objective of the 314 Day design is to represent the St. Louis area and 314 Day together in a positive, celebratory way uniquely in the artist’s style. We’ll be asking, ‘What does 314 Day/St. Louis look like to you?’” said 314 Day co-founder Tatum Polk. The selected artist will receive a onetime design fee of $4,000, invoiced upon delivery of final artwork files. They will also be featured in an interview on TheSTL.com.

Applicants must be 18+, submit a portfolio of five to 10 of their existing work that conveys their unique design sense, as well as briefly describe their connection to the St. Louis metro area.

See 314, C3

The Black Rep announces Season 47

Historical gems and a world-premiere among productions that begin in January

By Kenya Vaughn The St. Louis American

The St. Louis Black Repertory Company’s annual announcement of the plays that will collectively represent its mainstage season came with a bit of delayed gratification for year 47.

“It’s exciting every year as we are preparing to present the new season. To present some new work, engage with our audiences again,” said Ron Himes, founder and producing director of The Black Rep.

“We are caught in a moment where excitement and anticipation are simmering right now because normally, we would be getting ready to open the season this weekend.”

Instead of gearing up for what has historically been referred to as “the fall show,” construction at The Edison Theatre – where The Black Rep resides – the show won’t go on until January of 2024. It will begin with the bang of a world premiere, Paul Webb’s “Hold On,” from January 10 -28.

Webb wrote the screenplay for the Academy Award winning film Selma and “Hold On” is essentially Selma written for the stage.

“Audiences across the board – young and old black and white – can expect to enjoy ‘Hold On’,” Himes said. “They will be part of an important moment of us celebrating an important moment in

2005, will be among

in January.

history, but also be a part of an important moment in history by viewing a world premiere.”

“Fly,” a one-man show written, directed, and performed by Joseph L. Edwards will follow from February 14- March 10 at the Hotchner Studio Theatre. The dramatic comedy details the highs and lows of a Black man’s lived experience in America. A particular highlight of the season

Himes is looking forward to is giving underappreciated writer Alice Childress her flowers by presenting “Wedding Band” from March 13-31 at COCA’s Berges Family Theatre.

“Wedding Band” speaks just as loudly to issues today as it did in the sixties and the fifties when Ms. Childress wrote the play and when it was first presented,” Himes said. “She was so uncompromising, that is part of the reason why

she wasn’t regularly produced.

The play, which was written in 1962, is framed around an interracial love affair taking place in the South in the early part of the 20th century. “People found that subject offensive then. Laws were legislated against it,” Himes said. “And I think the fact that she put it on stage and was uncompromising in how she wrote it and how she wanted it produced is part of the reason it is so important for us to do this work.”

“Timbuktu!,” another hidden gem within the canon of Black theatre, will be The Black Rep’s musical offering for Season 47. The production runs from May 15 – June 9 at The Edison Theatre. The play starred Eartha Kitt during its Broadway run in 1978, and the late Linda Kennedy when the Black Rep staged its own production in the 1980s.

“I’ve always been a big Linda Kennedy fan, and I now call the it Linda Kennedy role,” Himes said. “It is great going back to visit that show and I am actually anxious about casting the Linda Kennedy role.”

For the season finale, The Black Rep is flipping the script. Instead of going out with a grand musical – which they have consistently done over the years – Season 47 will conclude with a heavy drama.

“We are closing out the season with August in July,” Himes said.

August Wilson’s “King Hedley II” will round out Season 47 from June 19 – July 14 at The Edison Theatre. The play is the ninth in Wilson’s famed 20th century cycle of plays that depict Black life in each decade. The Black Rep is one play shy of completing the cycle a second time.

“It is very different for us to be ending our season in mid-July – which in St. Louis is Muny time and Stages time – a big musical time,” Himes said. “Audiences will hopefully appreciate that there is an option to see an

Photo courtesy of The Black Rep

August Wilson’s King Hedley II, which The Black Rep produced in

the shows presented when season 47 commences

Photo by Phil Hamer

Smino shut down the Washington Avenue stage on Saturday Night for Music at the Intersection.

STL Sites & Sounds

COMMUNITY

5th Dist Community Outreach Meeting

9/14/2023 7:00pm North Patrol Div.

4014 Union Blvd

St. Louis, MO

Arts & Letters Commission Meeting

9/14/2023 7:00pm

Heman Park Community Center 975 Pennsylvania Ave University City, MO (Virtual option)

City Plan Commission

9/14/2023 7:00pm City Hall

415 Elm Grove Lane Hazelwood, MO

City Council Meeting in person at City Hall

9/19/2023 7:00pm Black Jack, MO

JobNewsUSA.com St. Louis Job Fair | Multi-Industry Hiring Event

9/14/2023 10:00am Orlando’s Event Center 2050 Dorsett Village Maryland Heights, MO Free

Jeske Park Neighborhood Association

9/14/2023 7:00pm

First Baptist Church of Ferguson 333 N. Florissant Rd Ferguson, MO

SLATE’s Find a Job Friday Series

9/15/2023 10:00am SLATE Job Center

St. Louis, MO Free

PEACE & POWER: A neighborhood healing popup

9/16/2023 1:00pm Living with Purpose St. Louis, MO Free

CITY Sprint

9/17/2023 1:30pm CITYPARK

2100 Market St., St. Louis, MO $40.00

FSBD Board of Directors Meeting

9/19/2023 5:30pm Drake’s Place 701 S. Florissant Rd Ferguson, MO

Parks Commission Monthly Meeting

9/19/2023 6:30pm Heman Park Community Center 975 Pennsylvania Ave University City, MO

SLATE Hiring Fair for the Hospitality and Culinary Industries

9/20/2023, 9:00am to 12:00 pm The St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment (SLATE) is hosting a hiring event for job seekers interested in hospitality and culinary career opportunities, in particular. take place on Conference Room of 1520 Market Street, St. Louis, MO 63103, 1st Floor Plan Commission Meetings

9/20/2023 6:00pm Ferguson City Hall 110 Church Street Ferguson, MO

Residential Housing & Zoning Committee

9/20/2023 5:30pm 5949 Kingsbury Ave St. Louis, MO

Cedric the Entertainer - In conversion on his book Flipping Boxcars 9/23/2023 7:00 PM Hi-Pointe Theatre 1005 McCausland Ave, St. Louis, MO 63117 Left Bank Books $40

CONCERTS AND LIVE SHOWS

Diana Ross

9/15/2023 8:00pm The Fabulous Fox 527 N Grand Blvd

St. Louis, MO

www.tickets-center.com

Daphnique Springs

9/14/2023 7:30pm City Winery St. Louis 3730 Foundry Way, Suite 158

St. Louis, MO

$30.00 - $35.00

George Porter Jr. & Runnin’ Pardners

9/14/2023 7:00pm Off Broadway St Louis 3509 Lemp Ave St. Louis, MO

$25.00

Nicole Byer

9/15/2023 8:00pm

River City Casino & Hotel 777 River City Casino Blvd St. Louis, MO

$35.00 - $65.00

Scream Tour 2023: Next UP!

9/15/2023 10:00am and 9/15/2023 7:00pm

Chaifetz Arena

1 S Compton Ave

St. Louis, MO https://www.chaifetzarena. com/

Something Different Tonight

9/16/2023 7:30pm

Pop’s Concert Venue

300 Monsanto Ave Sauget, IL

$10.00

Voices of Jubilation, an UMSL Community Gospel Choir

9/19/2023 7:00pm

Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center, Whitaker Room One University Blvd

St. Louis, MO

$10.00 - $30.00

Opening Weekend with Hilary Hahn (Violin)

St. Louis Symphony Orchestra at Stifel Theatre

9/23/23, 7:00pm 9/24/23, 3:00pm For tickets, go to slso.org or call 314-534-1700

CeCe Winans Believe for it Tour (Tickets still available)

10/19/23, 7pm Chaifetz Arena 1 S Compton Ave St. Louis, MO www.chaifetzarena.com

FAIRS, FESTIVALS AND MARKETS

South Grand Fall and Music Fest 9/16/2023 11:00am South Grand Blvd St. Louis, MO Free

Frizz Fest 2023 - Natural Beauty Festival 9/16/2023 12:00pm Tower Grove Park 4257 Northeast Drive St. Louis, MO

Tower Grove Farmers’ Market 9/16/2023 8:00am 9/19/2023 4:00pm Tower Grove Park 4257 Northeast Drive St. Louis, MO

TALKS & LECTURES

In the Shadows of the Ivory Tower: Reparations in Today’s Universities 9/14/2023 5:00pm Saint Louis University, Pere Marquette Gallery, 2nd Floor DuBourg Hall, 221 N Grand Blvd. St. Louis, MO Free

Addressing Barriers to Independence for Domestic Violence Survivors Conference 9/15/2023 8:30am Rung for Women St. Louis, MO

The St. Louis American 95th Anniversary Panel Discussion 9/19/23, 11am Missouri Museum of History

Join us for a deep dive into the history and legacy of the St. Louis American over the past 95 years. How has the newspaper chronicled the Black community in the St. Louis region? To what extent has it impacted and been impacted by other Black newspapers? How has the St. Louis American moved into the digital age, and what does the future hold? 5700 Lindell Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63112 Free ART ACTIVITIES, EXHIBITS AND MUSEUMS

Family Fun Fest 9/16/2023 10:00am City of Refuge Christian Church 1208 N Sarah St.

African American History Initiative Programming at the Missouri History Museum

By Ellen Kunkelmann, Missouri Historical Society

The Missouri Historical Society’s African American History Initiative (AAHI) is offering several programs this month.

On Thursday, September 14, the Missouri History Museum will host Vietnam: The Experiences of Black St. Louisans an evening program that spotlights the Vietnam: At War and At Home exhibit at Soldiers Memorial Military Museum in downtown St. Louis. The evening will begin with a pre-program remembrance hour at 5:30pm. Soldiers Memorial and African American History Initiative staff will share images of St. Louis and military history from the 1950s through 1970s at resource tables. Food and drink will be available for purchase from the Key Bistro, and the Missouri History Museum Shop will offer a 10 percent discount on select items in the military section. The Museum’s exhibits will be open until 8:00pm.

At 6:30pm, MHS Curator Gwen Moore will moderate a panel conversation in the Lee Auditorium that explores the experiences of Black St. Louisans from the 1950s to the 1970s, both on the home front and overseas. Panelists will share their perspectives on military service, protest, media, and culture. Scheduled panelists include civil rights activist Percy Green, whose 1964 protest at the Gateway Arch is featured in the Vietnam exhibit; Bernie Hayes, former Armed Forces Radio Service announcer, radio DJ, producer, and founder and curator of the Wolff Jazz Institute at Harris-Stowe State University; Malaika Horne Wells, PhD, political analyst, cultural writer and commentator, and founding director (retired) of the Executive Leadership Consortium at the University of Missouri–St. Louis; and Clayvon Wesley, Vietnam War veteran (US Air Force) and artist.

Attendees are encouraged to plan a time to visit Vietnam: At War and At Home before it closes on May 27, 2024. The exhibit examines the era between 1955 and 1975 through two distinct viewpoints, the war front and the home front. These separate but parallel storylines allow visitors to experience the physical and emotional distance between Southeast Asia and St.

Louis, examine the war’s impacts, and evaluate the conflict’s legacies.

Among the stories told in the exhibit is that of US Army Staff Sergeant Dierother Brown, who graduated from Vashon High School in 1963. He was killed in action by hostile forces in the Binh Duong region of South Vietnam during the Tet Offensive on February 1, 1968, just six months after beginning his tour of duty. Exhibit visitors can view Brown’s Bronze Star and Silver Star medals and certificates.

On Tuesday, September 19, at 11:00am, the Missouri History Museum will commemorate the St. Louis American’s 95th anniversary with a deep dive into the newspaper’s history and legacy. Panelists will examine how the newspaper has chronicled the Black community in the St. Louis region, how it has affected and been affected by other Black newspapers, how it has moved into the digital age, and what its future may hold. This program will take place in the Lee Auditorium. Panelists will include Donald M. Suggs, publisher and executive editor; Alvin A. Reid, city editor; Kenya Vaughn, contributing editor; and Dawn Suggs, digital director.

Looking ahead to Thursday evening, September 28, the Museum will present Mill Creek Speaks: Gwen Moore in Conversation with Vivian Gibson and Damon Davis, a Thursday Nights at the Museum program exploring the history and remembrance of Mill Creek Valley. The main-stage program will begin with a presentation by Gibson about her experiences growing up in Mill Creek Valley and a talk by Davis about his conceptual, artistic, and social practices creating his monument Pillars of the Valley, located on the Great Rivers Greenway Brickline Greenway at CITYPARK Stadium. A conversation led by Moore will follow, with a Q&A session and book signing featuring Gibson’s The Last Children of Mill Creek This program is associated with the Soccer City exhibit.

AAHI programming is presented by Wells Fargo. Vietnam: At War and At Home is sponsored by Bank of America, Stephen and Camilla Brauer, Edward Jones, Ameren, and General Dynamics Information Technology. Soccer City is presented by Bank of America.

Library and museum leaders convene to discuss new models for community engagement

In 2021, the Museum launched the annual Advancing Change Diversity Summit, an outgrowth of the Romare Bearden Graduate Museum Fellowship that focuses on national issues of diversity, equity, access, and inclusion within cultural institutions. On September 29, we invite you to join us for a free on-site and virtual summit, Advancing Change: Museums, Libraries, and Communities. Presentations and lively discussions begin at 9 am as we bring together museum and library leaders to share how they are constructing places for community engagement beyond the institution’s walls, transforming the perception of museums and libraries as unchanging spaces.

Dr. Louise Bernard, senior vice president at the Obama Foundation and founding director of the Obama Presidential Center Museum, will deliver the keynote address. Dr. Carla Hayden, Director of the Library of Congress, sworn in as the 14th Librarian of Congress in 2016 as the first woman and first African American to lead the national library by President Barack Obama will deliver remarks from our nation’s capital.

Celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Romare Bearden Graduate Museum Fellowship, the Saint Louis Art Museum welcomes back more than 25 Fellow alumni arts leaders. This year’s two panel discussions centers museums and libraries leaders in their communities and explore alternative collaborative models. Beyond

Museum Walls: Community and Alternative Art Spaces panel discussion will be led by Bearden Fellowship alumni Victoria McCraven (moderator), doctoral student in art history at Princeton University; Jordia Benjamin, executive director of Indigo Arts Alliance; Danielle Burns Wilson, curator and programs director at Project Row Houses; and Asmaa Walton, founder of the Black Art Library. Panelists will discuss how they have crafted space to support art and artists outside of Museum walls. Community Collaborations: Modeling New Narratives panel discussions will be led by Charlie Farrell (moderator), 2022 – 2024 Romare Bearden Graduate Museum Fellow; Timothy P. Brown, director of the IA&A at Hillyer; Rochelle Caruthers, director of the Missouri Historical Society’s African American History Initiative; and Sherri Williams, educator in charge for public programs and engagement at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Panelist will share how their organizations work with communities to build trust and craft new models for true collaboration. We invite you to register today at slam. org under events. Free tickets for the onsite program can be picked up in person

the Museum’s Information Centers. All tickets

through MetroTix incur a service charge; the service charge is

for tickets obtained in person at the Museum.

Dr. Louise Bernard, Senior Vice President of the Obama Foundation and the Founding Director of the Obama Presidential Center Museum

Dr. Carla Hayden, Director of the Library of Congress

AAHI programs are planned for September 14, 19, and 28.

Mahalia inspired MLK at March

By Bev-Freda Jackson

For the Missouri Independent

Every now and then, a voice can matter. Mahalia Jackson had one of them.

Known around the world as the “Queen of Gospel,” Jackson used her powerful voice to work in the Civil Rights Movement. Starting in the 1950s, she traveled with Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. throughout the South and heard him preach in Black churches about a vision that only he could see.

But on Aug. 28, 1963, on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, something didn’t quite sound right to Jackson as she listened to King deliver his prepared speech. King was reading from his prepared remarks when she made a simple suggestion.

“Tell them about the dream, Martin,” she urged King, “tell them about the dream.”

Inspired, King cast aside his prepared remarks and ad-libbed from his heart. For the estimated 250,000 who joined the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom that day, they heard King deliver one of his seminal sermons.

“I have a dream,” King preached, “that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.”

Though most memorable, King’s voice wasn’t the only one that day 60 years ago. The other voice, the one King listened to and heeded, belonged to Mahalia Jackson.

“A voice like hers comes along once in a millennium,” King once said Born on Oct. 26, 1911, in New Orleans, Jackson had a contralto voice that first won fame as a gospel singer in the choir at Greater Salem Baptist Church on Chicago’s South Side during the 1940s.

Among her earliest hit recordings were “I Can Put My Trust in Jesus,” “In the Upper Room,” “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands,” “Move On Up A Little Higher” and “Even Me Lord.”

Before long, Jackson was appearing in major concert venues in the U.S. and Europe. In 1956, she was the first gospel singer to perform at Carnegie Hall. In 1961, Jackson sang at the inauguration of President John F. Kennedy.

Jackson and King first met at the National Baptist Convention in Alabama in 1956. King asked her if she could support his work there by singing and inspiring civil rights activists during the 381-day Montgomery Bus Boycott.

From there, she became the first woman to serve on the board of the Southern Christian

Leadership Conference, a prominent civil rights group led by King, and became one of King’s most trusted advisers.

Jackson died in 1972 at the age of 60.

The March on Washington was considered the culminating event of the historic Civil Rights Movement. The march was rooted in the ideal of economic justice and intentionally held on Aug. 28 to commemorate the lynching of Emmett Till in Mississippi on the same date in 1955.

Till’s death and the subsequent acquittal of three white men charged with the brutal

murder was one of the turning points of the movement.

Among the building blocks of the Civil Rights Movement was music. It spoke to the soul, and Mahalia’s gift comforted the masses. King often called her during trying times and asked her to sing to him over the telephone. King called her “a blessing to me … and a blessing to Negroes who have learned through her not to be ashamed of their heritage.”

It was no surprise then that Jackson felt comfortable enough to make a suggestion to the civil rights leader during a sermon.

Before he appeared on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, Jackson had sung her rendition of “I have been buked and I have been scorned” and after he finished, she sang “We Shall Overcome.”

But her most important line that day might have been, “Tell them about the dream, Martin.”

Bev-Freda Jackson is an adjunct professor of Justice, Law and Criminology, American University School of Public Affairs. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.

Photo published by Missouri Independent, courtesy of The AP

Martin Luther King Jr. (bottom right) listens to gospel singer Mahalia Jackson during the March on Washington on Aug. 28, 1963.

FIREFIGHTER PARAMEDIC

The City of Richmond Heights is accepting applications for the position of ParamedicFirefighter (must have CPAT) $67,569 - 72,522 . To apply go to https://richmondheights. applicantpro.com/ jobs/3047767

US BE/BC NEPHROLOGIST IN ST. LOUIS, MO

St. Louis Kidney Care is seeking a US BE/ BC Nephrologist in St. Louis, MO. We are a collaborative, established group offering an entrepreneurial care provider the opportunity to innovate and grow with us to bring quality and compassionate care to our wonderful patient population!

• J1 and H1B Eligible

• Great Starting Salary

• Shared Call with 3 Physicians & 2 Extender

• Competitive Compensation and Benefits Package

• Health (vision, dental, life), Retirement, Malpractice

• Medical Directorship/JV/Real Estate Investment Opportunity Potential

• 6 Weeks PTO (including paid holi days)

• CME Time & Stipend Included

• Contact: 314-741-1600

RFP# 57823255

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

Harris-Stowe State University (HSSU) is requesting proposals for Campaign Counsel.

The University is seeking campaign counsel for a campaign to build its new STEM Building.

For a copy of the Request for Proposal, please contact Corey Freeman at freemanc@hssu.edu or 314-340-3325. Proposals must be emailed no later than 3:p.m. on Wednesday, September 27, 2023.

Washington University in St. Louis offers rewarding opportunities in various fields at all levels, with positions in engineering, nursing and health care, research, administration, technology, security and more.

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 For

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Replace Roof System Kansas City DOLIR Office Building, Project No. O2325-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, October 5, 2023. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo.gov/ facilities

POLICE SERVICES FOR CITY OF PINE LAWN BIDS & QUALIFICATIONS

• Due Thurs. Sep. 28, 2023 by 4:30 pm & Opened @ 4:45 pm Unit costs for officers and services expected

• Bidder Presentations Mon. Oct. 2, 2023 @ 6:00 pm

• 6250 Steve Marre Ave.Pine Lawn, Mo. 63121

• 314-261-5500 - Also see www.pinelawn.org

INVITATION FOR EQUIPMENT BIDS

East-West Gateway Council of Governments is seeking bids for ballistic vests. Bids are due 10/02/2023. Funding is provided by the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security. D/S/W/MBEs are encouraged to submit bids. Find details at www.ewgateway.org.

INVITATION TO BID

FERGUSONFLORISSANT SCHOOL DISTRICT REPLACEMENT OF INTERCOM SYSTEM @ MCCLUER NORTH

HIGH SCHOOL

Sealed bids are being requested from the Ferguson Florissant School District and will be received and publicly opened on Wednesday, September 27th, 2023 @ 2:00pm 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 for further information/questions.

PUBLIC NOTICE

REQUEST

FOR QUALIFICATIONS FOR REAL ESTATE BROKERAGE, RELOCATION, & PROPERTY MANAGEMENT SERVICES

ST. LOUIS CITY, MISSOURI

Issued September 14, 2023

Responses due October 6, 2023

The Land Clearance for Redevelopment

Authority of the City of St. Louis, Missouri (LCRA) is seeking Statements of Qualifications from licensed real estate brokerages and other qualified firms to include on a Prequalified List of approved consultants.

These agencies may require assistance in acquiring properties, selling properties, or managing properties that the agency owns. Additionally, relocation of the property owners and/or their tenants in accordance with applicable Federal, State, and City laws.

Responses will be received at 1520 Market Street Suite 2000 St. Louis, Missouri 63103 (Attention Real Estate Brokerage, Relocation, and Property Management Services RFQ), until 5:00 PM on 6th day of October 2023.

The Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) allocated to SLDC, passed through the St. Louis City Community Development Administration, may provide funding for certain projects. SLDC is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity.

The full invitation and all other documents may be downloaded at: https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/ government/procurement.cfm

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Paved Bike/Pedestrian Trail, Trail Network at Knob Noster State Park, Project No. X2226-01, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, October 5, 2023 via MissouriBUYS. Bidders must be registered to bid. Project information available at: http://oa.mo.gov/ facilities

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

Maplewood Public Library, Missouri will be receiving responses to a Request for Qualifications at 10:00 am Central Time on September 21, 2023 for design services related to Maplewood Public Library Renovation project to be located at, 7550 Lohmeyer Ave, Maplewood, MO 63143. To obtain a copy of the RFQ, please contact Tiesha Smith at 314-305-4616 or tiesha@ navigatebuildingsolutions. com.

REQUEST

FOR QUALIFICATIONS FOR REAL ESTATE TITLE SERVICES

ST. LOUIS CITY, MISSOURI

Issued September 14, 2023

Responses due October 6, 2023

The Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority of the City of St. Louis, Missouri (LCRA) is seeking Statements of Qualifications from title companies to include on a Prequalified List of approved consultants.

From time to time, these agencies require title services provided by a licensed title company to assist with acquiring and/or disposing of property.

Responses will be received at 1520 Market Street Suite 2000 St. Louis, Missouri 63103 (Attention Title Services RFQ), until 5:00 PM on 6th day October 2023.

The Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) allocated to SLDC, passed through the St. Louis City Community Development Administration, may provide funding for certain projects. SLDC is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity.

The full invitation and all other documents may be downloaded at:https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/ government/procurement.cfm

St. LouiS american Bids & Public Notices St.

INVITATION TO BID

Forest Park Forever, Inc. is accepting bids for the Forest Park Basketball Courts Construction Project at Forest Park Forever’s Offices, 5595 Grand Drive in Forest Park, St. Louis, Missouri 63112 until 1:00 P.M., September 29, 2023, at which time they will be opened and read aloud. Bids must be in a sealed envelope marked “Forest Park Basketball Courts Construction Project”

Bid documents are posted on Forest Park Forever’s website at https://www.forestparkforever.org/bids Forest Park Forever, Inc. reserves the right to reject any or all bids.

A non-mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held on Thursday, September 7, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at the Project Site, located on the north side of the Visitor and Education Center at 5595 Grand Drive in Forest Park.

Questions regarding the bid documents should be directed to Russ Volmert, Capital Projects Manager at Forest Park Forever. All questions to be sent electronically to rvolmert@forestparkforever.org Phone calls will not be allowed nor returned.

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BID

Sealed bids for the Howell Island Conservation Area Causeway Demolition and Removal, Project No. 78-08-05, St. Charles and St. Louis counties, Missouri, will be received online at Virtubid with QuestCDN, UNTIL 2:00 PM, October 5, 2023, then publicly opened. A NonMandatory Pre-Bid meeting will be held for this project on September 21, 2023, at 10:00 AM at the Howell Island Conservation Area parking lot off of N. Eatherton Road, Chesterfield, MO 63005 (from eastbound I-64, exit onto Chesterfield Airport Road and take Olive Street/Eatherton Road three miles west to the area entrance). Project bid documents must be downloaded at https:// mdc.mo.gov/bidding project number 8645189, for a non-refundable cost of $42.00, which will add your company to the Planholder List and allow access to VirtuBid for online submittal of your bid. For project questions contact Joaquin Marquez, (573) 619-9847, bidding questions – Laura Buchanan, (573)522-4115, ext. 3727. QuestCDN Customer Support is available at 952-233- 1632 or info@questcdn.com

FLORIST VENDOR OF RECORD RFP 2023

The Saint Louis Zoo seeks bids from qualified firms to submit proposals for Florist Vendor of Record RFP 2023. Bid documents are available as of 8/13/23 on the Saint Louis Zoo website: stlzoo.org/vendor.

ST. LOUIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES

2023-2024 WARMING AND COOLING EMERGENCY

SHELTER REQUEST FOR PROPOSALBID #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

NOTICE OF PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE AND NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT FOR PROPOSED SITE DEVELOPMENT FOR AIRCRAFT ASSEMBLY AND FLIGHT TESTING

St. Louis Lambert International Airport (hereafter referred to as the Airport) proposes to sponsor the Airport’s partner, The Boeing Company (Boeing), to develop airport property in support of defense aircraft assembly and testing operations at the Airport. The proposed action includes the following:

• Lease two parcels, 76-acre Northern Tract and 109-acre Brownleigh location, to Boeing

• Clear both locations of vegetation and existing buildings and infrastructure

• Construct Boeing’s Assembly and Testing Campus, which includes up to approximately 2.6 million square feet of facilities in two separate phases on the leased land

• Construct taxiway connectors to the new facilities

• Assemble aircraft and conduct aircraft test flights

We are providing notice of a public Open House where we will address the proposed action’s potential economic, social, and environmental impacts. In addition, we will address the project’s consistency with the goals and objectives of the affected area’s land use or planning strategy.

The Open House will be held at the following time and place: Tuesday, October 17, 2023, 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., with a presentation beginning promptly at 4:30 p.m.

St. Louis Lambert International Airport Terminal 1, Concourse B

Note: Parking will be validated; MetroLink light rail service is also available

The Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) evaluates the potential for impact on environmental resources including: air quality; biological resources; greenhouse gas and climate change; historic, architectural, archaeological, and cultural resources; Department of Transportation Act, Section 4(f); hazardous materials, solid waste, and pollution prevention; natural resources and energy supply; noise and noise-compatible land use; socioeconomics, environmental justice, and children’s environmental health and safety risks; visual effects; and water resources. An adverse effect to an historic property is proposed to be mitigated through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) per Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. The proposed action is anticipated to encroach on a FEMA proposed floodplain located on the St. Louis Lambert International Airport. Impacts are anticipated to be minor. The proposed action conforms to applicable state and/or local floodplain protection standards and all measures to minimize harm will be included in the project.

The Draft EA, Draft MOA, and Draft Section 4(f) Statement evaluating the proposed action’s impacts will be available for public review beginning September 22, 2023 through October 26, 2023. The Draft EA will be available for online viewing at https://www.flystl.com/civil-rights/public-notices-and-reports with hard copies available at the airport administration office, Berkeley City Hall, and at the following libraries: St. Louis County Library – Bridgeton Trails, Rock Road, Prairie Commons, Florissant Valley, Parkview, and Natural Bridge Branches and Ferguson Municipal Public Library. A hard copy or CD of the Draft EA may be mailed upon request. Those wishing to provide comments must do so by email or letter to the address below no later than October 26, 2023.

Jason Christians St. Louis Lambert International Airport PO Box 10212 St. Louis, MO 63145-0212 jachristians@flystl.com

or Scott Tener

Federal Aviation Administration, ACE-611F 901 Locust Street Kansas City, MO 64106-2325 scott.tener@faa.gov

Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, be advised that your entire comment, including your personal identifying information, may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold from public review your personal identifying information, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

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 Electrical Equipment, Site utilities, Foundation Package, Steel Mill Order Package. 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<mailto:clucas@ paric.com>) at 816-534-4678.

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

Bids are due 10-6-23 at 10:00am

PreBid meeting will be held on 9-15-23 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<mailto:bids@paric.com>) or fax (636-561-9501).

PARIC CORPORATION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

REQUEST FOR BIDS

Alberici Constructors, Kwame Building Group and the Saint Louis Zoo seek bids from qualified firms to submit proposals for a project at the Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Park. The project consists of furnishing and installing one motorized vertical observation tower and platform. To request bid documents, please send an E-mail to stlzoobids@alberici.com

REQUEST FOR BIDS

Hanley Hills is requesting bids for concrete patch replacement of its streets. Sealed Bids are due September 29, 2023, 4:30 pm.

Bid packages are available at Hanley Hills City Hall, 7713 Utica Drive, Hanley Hills, MO 63133 and on Hanley Hills’ website, Thevillageofhanleyhills.com

NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS

Date of Publication: 9/14/2023

City of St. Louis: Community Development Administration (CDA) 1520 Market Street St. Louis, Missouri 63103 314-657-3700 / 314-589-6000 (TDD)

These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the City of St. Louis (“The City.”) REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS

On or after 10/3/23, the City will submit a request to the U.S. Dept. of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) for the release of the City’s Federal CDBG Program funds under Title II of the National Affordable Housing Act of 1990, as amended, to undertake the following projects:

Project Title: West End Court IV

Purpose: New construction of five (5) residential buildings comprised of four (4) single-family detached homes and three (3) attached townhomes, on vacant lots, each containing approximately 1,784 square feet, three (3) bedrooms and three (3) bathrooms.

Location: 5730 Clemens Ave., 5847 Clemens, 5849 Clemens, 5851 Clemens, 5819 Cates Ave., 5887 Cates, 5838 Maple Ave., St. Louis, Missouri 63112

Estimated Cost: Total development cost of this project is approximately $2,496,390, with $707,000.00 of funding coming from St. Louis City’s Year 2021 Federal CDBG Program Funds, Grant #B-21-MC-29-0006, awarded in the Spring 2021 NOFA.

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

The City has determined that these projects will have no significant impact on the human environment. Certain conditions will apply to this project. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional information for each project is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) on file at the City CDA, at the above address, where the ERR is available for review and may be examined or copied weekdays, 8 A.M. to 4 P.M.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to Trey McCarter, Community Development Planner II, CDA, at the address listed above. All comments received by 10/2/23 will be considered by the City prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which notice they are addressing.

RELEASE OF FUNDS

The City certifies to HUD that, Nahuel Fefer, in his capacity as Executive Director, consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the City to use the City’s above-referenced HUD program funds.

OBJECTION TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and the City’s certification for a period of 15 days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the City; b) the City has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58; c) the grant recipient has committed funds or incurred costs not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of the release of funds by HUD; or d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58.76) and shall be addressed to HUD-CPD Attention Britta Smith, Community Planning and Development Representative, HUD, 1222 Spruce Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103, (314) 4185258, cpd_generalcorr-stl@hud.gov. Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

Nahuel Fefer Certifying Officer

St. LouiS american Bids & Public Notices St. LouiS

INVITATION TO BID

Fairway Construction is seeking bids from subcontractors, suppliers, and MBE/WBE businesses covered under the HUD Act of 1968. Minority Owned and Women Owned Businesses, Section 3 Residents and Business Concerns are encouraged to apply for the construction of Delmar Meadows, a 50 unit, 3 story, 56,364 Sq ft, senior living complex, located at 2625 West Delmar Street, Springfield, Missouri, 65802. This project is being developed and financed through the Missouri Housing Development Corporation (MHDC). This project is subject to Section 3 requirements.

MBE/WBE Participation goals include 10% MBE, 5% WBE. Any firm requiring certification assistance should contact the FWC office at 404-935-0077.

Proposals for all work divisions are accepted.

Bids for this project are due on Monday, September 11th, 2023, by 2:00 PM EST.

For any questions and access to bid documents, please call 404-935-0077, email precon@ fairwayconstruction.net.

Fairway Construction, 3290 Northside Pkwy, Suite 310, Atlanta, GA 30327.

FAIRWAY CONSTRUCTION reserves all rights to waive any bid informalities and is an AA/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

INVITATION TO BID

Fairway Construction is seeking bids from subcontractors, suppliers, and MBE/WBE businesses covered under the HUD Act of 1968. Minority Owned and Women Owned Businesses, are encouraged to apply for the construction of Riverbend Estates III, a 48 unit, 3 story, 47,684 Sq ft, senior living complex, located at Washington, Missouri, 63039. This project is being developed and financed through the Missouri Housing Development Corporation (MHDC).

MBE/WBE Participation goals include 10% MBE, 5% WBE. Any firm requiring certification assistance should contact the FWC office at 404-935-0077.

Proposals for all work divisions are accepted.

Bids for this project are due on Monday, September 17th, 2023, by 2:00 PM EST. For any questions and access to bid documents, please call 404-935-0077, email precon@ fairwayconstruction.net.

Fairway Construction, 3290 Northside Pkwy, Suite 310, Atlanta, GA 30327.

FAIRWAY CONSTRUCTION reserves all rights to waive any bid informalities and is an AA/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

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

Fairway Construction is seeking bids from subcontractors, suppliers, and MBE/WBE businesses covered under the HUD Act of 1968. Minority Owned and Women Owned Businesses, Section 3 Residents and Business Concerns are encouraged to apply for the construction of The Residences at Jennings Place V, a 48 unit, 3 story, 51,353 Sq ft, senior living complex, located at Middle River Road and Steamboat Pass Road, Jennings, Missouri, 63136. This project is subject to Section 3 requirements. MBE/WBE Participation goals include 10% MBE, 5% WBE. Any firm requiring certification assistance should contact the FWC office at 404-935-0077. Proposals for all work divisions are accepted. Bids for this project are due on Monday, September 5th, 2023, by 2:00 PM EST. For any questions and access to bid documents, please call 404-935-0077, email precon@fairwayconstruction.net.

Fairway Construction, 3290 Northside Pkwy, Suite 310, Atlanta, GA 30327. FAIRWAY CONSTRUCTION reserves all rights to waive any bid informalities and is an AA/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

The St. Louis Economic Development Partnership solicits proposals to provide liaison services with state-level governmental officials, agencies, and elected representatives for up to a three-year period. A copy of the full RFP is available at https://stlpartnership.com/rfprfq/. Submissions should be received no later than 3 PM CST on Friday, October 6, 2023.

St. Louis Economic Development Partnership Equal Opportunity Employer

INVITATION TO BID

FERGUSONFLORISSANT SCHOOL DISTRICT REPLACEMENT OF SECURITY ALARMS FOR MCCLUER SOUTH BERKELEY AND FERGUSON MIDDLE

Sealed bids are being requested from the Ferguson Florissant School District and will be received and publicly opened on Wednesday, September 27th, 2023 @ 1:30pm 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 for further information/questions.

PUBLIC HEARING AT PAGEDALE CITY HALL

To all person(s)/parties(s) of interest in real property located at (1559 Salerno Ave., Pagedale, MO 63133) (“Property”):

A public hearing at Pagedale City Hall shall occur on October 10, 2023 at 11:30 a.m. for any said interested party/person to show cause why the building or structure reported to be a dangerous building at 7110 Robbins Ave., should not be repaired, vacated or demolished in accordance with the statement of particulars set forth in the Building Inspector’s notice dated July 15, 2023 declaring the Property a dangerous emergency pursuant to section 505.020 of the City of Pagedale municipal code. Any party at the hearing scheduled for October 10, 2023 may be represented by counsel and all parties shall have an opportunity to be heard. If the evidence supports a finding based upon competent and substantial evidence that the building or structure is a dangerous building and a nuisance and detrimental to the health, safety or welfare of the residents of the City, the Building Commissioner shall issue an order based upon its findings of fact commanding the owner, occupant, mortgagee, lessee, agent or other persons(s) having an interest in said building as shown by the land records of the Recorder of Deeds of St. Louis County to repair, vacate or demolish the Property. If the Property is not demolished within 40 days of such order, the City of Pagedale shall demolish the Property.

PUBLIC HEARING AT PAGEDALE CITY HALL

TO all person(s)/parties(s) of interest in real property located at (7110 Robbins Ave., Pagedale, MO 63133) (“Property”):

A public hearing at Pagedale City Hall, shall occur on October 10, 2023 @ 11:30 a.m. for any said interested party/person to show cause why the building or structure reported to be a dangerous building at 7110 Robbins Ave., should not be repaired, vacated or demolished in accordance with the statement of particulars set forth in the Building Inspector’s notice dated July 15, 2023 declaring the Property a dangerous emergency pursuant to section 505.020 of the City of Pagedale municipal code. Any party at the hearing scheduled for October 10, 2023 may be represented by counsel and all parties shall have an opportunity to be heard. If the evidence supports a finding based upon competent and substantial evidence that the building or structure is a dangerous building and a nuisance and detrimental to the health, safety or welfare of the residents of the City, the Building Commissioner shall issue an order based upon its findings of fact commanding the owner, occupant, mortgagee, lessee, agent or other persons(s) having an interest in said building as shown by the land records of the Recorder of Deeds of St. Louis County to repair, vacate or demolish the Property. If the Property is not demolished within 40 days of such order, the City of Pagedale shall demolish the Property.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Great Rivers Greenway is seeking bids for mulching on the Gateway Arch Park Grounds. Go to www.greatriversgreenway.org/ jobs-bids/ and submit by October 6, 2023.

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.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Great Rivers Greenway is requesting proposals for Park and Greenway Security/Patrol Services in the St. Louis Region, MO. Go to www.greatriversgreenway.org/ jobs-bids and submit by October 13, 2023.

CITY OF ST. LOUIS - CITY COUNSELOR REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (DUE 10-11-23)

On August 30, 2023, the City Counselor of the City of St. Louis issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to compile an approved list of law firms to perform various legal services at the request of the City Counselor. This RFP may be found on the City’s procurement page (https:// www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/procurement/), or by emailing Nancy Walsh at walshn@stlouis-mo.gov. The City shall not be bound based on any proposal submitted. Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises are encouraged to apply.

$1,161,226,894 TOTAL $4,840,612,895

UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI ST. LOUIS – MILLENIUM STUDENT CENTER - ROOF REPLACEMENT

Color Art Construction, a general contractor is seeking competitive bids to replace the roof at the Millenium Student Center. The project scope of work includes, but is not limited to: demolition, rough carpentry, membrane roofing, sheet metal, roofing specialties, roofing accessories, piping specialties, lightening protection, and miscellaneous electrical work. Drawings & specifications are available on Building Connected.

A pre-bid meeting will be held on September 20, 2023, at 10:00am at 17 Arnold B Grobman Drive St. Louis, Missouri 63121.

Bids are due to Color Art Construction no later than: Wednesday, October 4th at 2:00pm.

Please email your bid or any questions bidrequestsCAC@color-art.com

SUPPLIER DIVERSITY PARTICIPATION

GOALS:

The project has as a goal, subcontracting with MBE, WBE, Veterans, and DBE of twenty percent (20%) and three percent (3%) goal for SVDE of awarded contract price for the work to be performed.

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS FOR REAL ESTATE APPRAISAL SERVICES

ST. LOUIS CITY, MISSOURI

Issued September 14, 2023

Responses due October 6, 2023

The Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority of the City of St. Louis, Missouri (LCRA) is seeking Statements of Qualifications from licensed real estate appraisal companies and other qualified firms to include on a Prequalified List of approved consultants.

From time to time, these agencies require written valuations provided by a licensed professional commercial or residential appraiser to assist with acquiring and/or disposing of property. In some instances, the appraiser may be required to testify in legal proceedings, potentially including eminent domain proceedings, in support of their professional opinions relating to real estate values.

Responses will be received at 1520 Market Street Suite 2000 St. Louis, Missouri 63103 (Attention Appraisal Services RFQ), until 5:00 PM on 6th day October, 2023.

The Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) allocated to SLDC, passed through the St. Louis City Community Development Administration, may provide funding for certain projects. SLDC is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity.

The full invitation and all other documents may be downloaded at: https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/ government/procurement.cfm

Day

Also, artists should explain their interest in the project and express in words what a perfect 314 Day looks like to them. A resume and bio with their social handles is also requested.

The winning artist, selected by a committee of representatives from the 314 Day Foundation and Greater St. Louis, Inc. will then be commissioned to create three to five design options for review, one of which will be chosen as the official 314 Day design for 2024.

Submissions should be in by midnight on Tuesday, September 26, 2023. The selected artist will be notified on Monday, October 23, 2023. Their final design will be unveiled at a kickoff event for 314 Day in March 2024.

“The chosen artist’s design will be used to represent 314 Day 2024 leading up to and throughout the week-long festivities. We will repeat the contest each year to allow a dif-

ferent local artist to have their design featured and create a diverse ‘collection’ of 314 Day artwork as a legacy to the holiday,” the 314 Day Foundation stated in a release.

The final artwork will be used on various promotional merchandise for both giveaways and for purchase including— t-shirts, notebooks, temporary tattoos, stickers, bags, and prints. Some of the items will be donated at sponsored 314 Day events while others will be available for purchase through local vendors and retailers.

314 Day was created in 2006 by Terrell “Young Dip” Evans and Tatum Polk with the vision of bringing St. Louis together to celebrate the positive things happening in the city. Since that time, it has grown into an official region-wide holiday shared by all local cultures, as well as organizations and businesses large and small throughout the unique communities and neighborhoods that make up the St. Louis area. The STLMade movement, an initiative of Greater St. Louis, Inc., continues to partner with the official 314 Day Foundation to

make each year’s celebration the biggest yet.

Last year’s winner, local illustrator Dan Zettwoch, created a memorable 314 Day design incorporating St. Louis landmarks and icons that were splashed across t-shirts, stickers, and bags spotted across the area. This year, 314 Day organizers are opening the call to all artists for consideration in the new contest to be repeated each year, shining a light on local artistic talent and creating limited-availability collectibles for years to come.

“Last year we worked with a great local artist, Dan Zettwoch on a special 314 Day design. The art was so popular that this year we wanted to open up the opportunity to all eligible local artists and illustrators and start a new tradition that we will continue each year to shine a light on the great artistic talent we have here in St. Louis,” said Co-Founder Polk.

For more information and to apply, visit theSTL. com/314design.

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

Music

Continued from C1

–our homegirl,” Jones said. “The pride and joy of St. Louis.”

Winbush did not disappoint with her full band and backup dancers – with whom she effortlessly kept up the pace. “Am I doing alright for a little old lady of 68?” Winbush asked the crowd.

The stellar performance reminded her hometown of her contributions to the rich legacy of R&B – and that she can stake her claim as the queen of R&B high notes during the era between Minnie Ripperton and Mariah Carey.

While Winbush held it down at the Big Top, rising rap star Smino had the Washington Avenue stage on lock. He served up plenty of St. Louis love.

“It’s a lot a people in the world that think our city is just about violence–that’s all they like to talk about,” Smino said. “They don’t want to talk about all the beautiful art that goes on and all the beautiful souls that exist in my city –and all the people that just want a better chance,

Black Rep

Continued from C1

incredible play by one of America’s most profound playwrights. And if we have the summer that we had this past summer, they will appreciate being able to come indoors.”

The delay in The Black Rep’s season means that their annual gala will take place before the mainstage season commences. The gala will take place

you know what I’m saying. Straight up. I try my best to show the beauty of St. Louis when I step into the world, you feel me.”

He then cued a stunning drone light display that was a tribute to the city.

“I want to show the world how beautiful St. Louis is,” Smino said. The lights formed a visual tribute to the Gateway Arch before morphing into “Luv 4 STL.”

Those who attended Music at the Intersection are well aware of the region’s beauty – and its invaluable cultural contributions, including a Legends Award for Edie Bee Anderson and “Gentleman” Jim Gates for their pioneering move of playing hip hop for the first time on commercial radio.

When Herbie Hancock gave a nod to his 24-yearold drummer Jaylen Petinaud on Sunday evening, it was not lost on this reporter that Petinaud is the same age as Hancock was when he played as part of the legendary quintet of East St. Louis’ own Miles Davis. Hancock’s band also included Terence Blanchard, who has become somewhat of an adopted son of the

on November 11 at 560 Music Center and will honor stage and television stars Richard Lawson and Wendell Pierce – and feature Tuskegee Golden Voices Concert Choir.

When asked which of the productions he is most looking forward to presenting, Himes gave the quintessential proud papa response.

“My answer is each and every one of them,” Himes said. “We have set an order for these plays that we hope will build momentum. I hope that

region thanks to his collaborations with Opera Theatre of Saint Louis.

Hancock’s influence could be felt in the performance of St. Louis’ own Shedrick Mitchell during his early afternoon set on Sunday – who stole a moment from the Shedrick Mitchell Collective’s regularly scheduled programming to shout out his high school.

“Where are all my Comets at,” Mitchell said, referring to his McCluer alma mater.

And as he helped close out the festival, legendary DJ Grandmaster Flash included several classics by St. Louis’ own Nelly in his mix.

“Midwest, where y’all at,” Flash said as he blazed the tables with “Country Grammar,” “Grillz,” “Shake Ya Tailfeather,” “Ride Wit Me” and “Hot in Herre” along with Chingy’s “Right Thurr” among Midwest artists that also included Da Brat, Bone Thugs N Harmony and Eminem.

[It was] A real celebration of community,” Hansen said for his recap of Music at the Intersection’s third year. “And not a bad note played all weekend.”

they will experience a bucket full of enjoyment and enrichment – and see a consistency in the work that shows us continuing to raise the bar of excellence in our production values of the work that we put on stage. I hope they will take away enough excitement that will have them looking forward to season 48.”

For more information about The Black Rep, visit www.theblackrep. org or call (314) 5343807.

Photo by Wiley Price

Jazz trumpeter and composer Terrence Blanchard performing with Herbie Hancock during Music at the Intersection Sunday evening Sept. 10, 2023 to an enthusiastic crowd.

Last year’s winner, local illustrator Dan Zettwoch, created a memorable 314 Day design.