September 18th, 2014 Edition

Does Usher have a marriage confession?

Earlier this week pop star Usher Raymond admitted in an interview that he was ready to get married again. Have Usher and longtime girlfriend Grace Miguel already tied the knot..?

According to Centric, all signs point to yes.

According to the website of BET’s sister network, Miguel has been recently spotted wearing a ring on her wedding finger and her children have been openly referring to Usher as their step-dad on social media.

Is there a rift between Venus and Serena

champs have not been seen together off the court in recent weeks, and many wonder if Serena’s slate nights out and disappointing doubles performances have annoyed the more low-key Venus

An insider was heard during the US Open claiming, “They’re not in a good place right now. Venus is angry with Serena, because of her active social life off the court.”

Some noticed Venus and Serena didn’t arrive together or even speak to each other at the Taste of Tennis kickoff event for the US Open a few weeks ago.

Tennis insiders are whispering that Serena Williams’ partying has caused an icy rift between her and her sister, Venus Williams.

The New York Post claims the tennis

and I was envious of that.”

Gucci will serve his second sentence concurrently with the first.

Robin Thicke plagiarized ‘Blurred Lines’

The sisters lost in the US Open women’s doubles quarterfinals after they had to pull out at Wimbledon, where Serena developed a mysterious illness. They’d also declined to appear together at a mandatory press conference after losing at the US Open.

Gucci Mane gets more time

Last March rapper Gucci Mane hit a U.S. Solider in the head with a liquor bottle after the solider asked Gucci for a picture in the VIP of an Atlanta night club

Gucci was just sentence in that case… Gucci Mane, who is currently serving a three year prison sentence for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon was sentenced to three additional years after pleading guilty to assault on Monday.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Robin Thicke admitted to lying about writing his hit “Blurred Lines.” In a court deposition obtained by The Hollywood Reporter for the lawsuit with Marvin Gaye’s family for allegedly ripping off the late singer’s classic called “Got to Give It Up”, the R&B star admitted he lied about writing the controversial track and said that collaborator Pharrell Williams wrote most of the song on his own. Thicke said he lied about his involvement in the songwriting process out of jealousy. “After making six albums that I wrote and produced myself, the biggest hit of my career was written and produced by someone else and I was jealous and I wanted some of the credit,” he said. “I tried to take credit for it later because [Pharrell] wrote the whole thing pretty much by himself

The 37-year-old musician went on saying that he was present at the studio when he, Pharrell and T.I. recorded the song. “I was present. Obviously, I sang it. I had to be there,” he said. “I was high on Vicodin and alcohol when I showed up at the studio. So my recollection is when we made the song, I thought I wanted to be more involved than I actually was by the time, nine months later, it became a huge hit and I wanted credit. So I started kind of convincing myself that I was a little more part of it than I was and I - because I didn’t want him - I wanted some credit for this big hit. But the reality is, is that Pharrell had the beat and he wrote almost every single part of the song,” he explained. Pharrell appeared to agree with Thicke in his deposition, saying, “This is what happens every day in our industry. You know, people are made to look like they have much more authorship in the situation than they actually do. So that’s where the embellishment comes in.” However, he gave Thicke so much credit (Thicke receives about 18-22 percent of publishing royalties) because he believed it’s Thicke’s voice that holds the song together. “It’s the white man singing soulfully and we, unfortunately, in this country don’t get enough... we don’t get to hear that as often, so we get excited by it when the mainstream gives that a shot,” he added.

Sources:

New York Post, The Hollywood Reporter, Centric

Ferguson was our 9-11

By Umar Lee

For The St. Louis American

Ferguson. West Florissant. The street I grew up traveling up and down, riding the 74 Florissant bus, going to Charlie Chicken with my father, attending the funerals of dead family members at Bellefontaine and Calvary cemeteries, shopping at the old Northland Mall and the other shops up and down West Florissant.

All of these memories came to me as I walked through smoke and teargas on West Florissant, as I took cover at a Ponderosa I used to binge on wings at, as I watched military vehicles usher in men dressed for war, as I watched the mall of my childhood being turned into a command center for the Missouri National Guard.

The death of Mike Brown changed many things, of course. I describe it as the St. Louis Pearl Harbor.

On December 8, 1941 there wasn’t a lot of partisan bickering or political positioning. There was an almost universal recognition that our nation needed to come together. In most of our lifetimes, we remember the feelings we had after the tragedy of 9-11. Was there a concern in the streets of Lower Manhattan as smoke engulfed the area and relatives frantically looked for family members over the political factions in New York? Ferguson is our Pearl Harbor. Ferguson is our 9-11. The blood of young Michael Brown on the pavement for hours as his lifeless body lay on the pavement. Just the latest in a long line of unarmed black men in the St. Louis area to lose their lives to the police. The crowd gathered. Photos were uploaded to social media. The streets were talking, and local black radio was abuzz. Within hours a moment had

created a movement.

The youth who we said only cared about rappers and Instagram took to the streets by the thousands, soon joined by older residents and activists. Some elected officials were

immediately on the scene, and others would later join.

As with any organic mass movement, some mistakes were made and tempers flared. Youth who had often been ill-served by almost everyone

and everything in their lives expressed their rage. While many in the media vilified these youth, others have attempted to reach out to them with love with the understanding that the youth are our future.

Our time will now be measured pre- and postFerguson. We will be asked what we did, where we stood, and what we did in the aftermath. I look at Ferguson as a communal baptism. All of our sins were washed away in the streets of Ferguson and we were all reborn, and in order to stay saved we must be committed to the cause.

I entered the streets of Ferguson a political adversary of St. Louis Alderman Antonio French and on not-so-good terms with state Senator Maria Chappelle-Nadal. When I looked at their work on behalf of the people, I forgave them and they forgave me.

At the end of the day, is it about us or is it about justice?

Is it about politics or is it about preventing the next Mike Brown? The fact of the matter is Alderman French was on the ground from day one, and Sen. Chappelle-Nadal has been in Ferguson every day.

Historic moments create

historic movements and leaders. Alderman Bill Clay was elevated in status after toiling in St. Louis jails after the Jefferson Bank protests and would later find himself in the United States Congress. Many political futures and deaths will be attributed to Ferguson, and only time will tell. With the national media going home in the months and years to come, it will just be us. US. The people of St. Louis. On a personal level, having grown up in North County and been educated in the Ferguson-Florissant School District, I have been writing about the issues of race, poverty, white flight, job loss, housing and police in North County for years while most in our local media have ignored them. God willing, the movement of Ferguson the moment created can bring about lasting solutions to all of these problems and we can all join hands and work together to #HealSTL.

Umar Lee is a freelance writer and taxi driver from St. Louis. His writings can be found at umarlee.wordpress. com or his Amazon author page.

Urban League recognizes leadership givers

The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis hosted a reception for its leadership givers in the Whitney M. Young Society on August 27 at the Top of the Met. Back row, left to right: Urban League former client Robert Griffin, Urban League Chairman Richard H. Miles, Urban League CEO Michael McMillan, Schnucks President and CEO Todd R. Schnuck, Baseball Hall of Famer Lou Brock. Front

row, left to right: Vanessa Foster-Cooksey of Wells Fargo, attorney Frankie Muse Freeman, Emily Pitt of Edward Jones and Mrs. Jacqueline Brock.

Umar Lee with Antonio French on the streets of Ferguson.

Editorial /CommEntary

Celebrating 20 years of leadership giving

Rev. Starsky Wilson, president of Deaconess Foundation and a pastor in the prophetic tradition that seems so appropriate these days, has shown bold leadership in allocating $100,000 in grants to groom youth organizers and emerging African-American leaders in the St. Louis region. He tells us this initiative grew from his reflection on the crisis in Ferguson, which showed us a generation of raw youth and a cadre of young leaders with potential that could be developed into transformative change agents. “I had to admit,” Rev. Wilson told us, “this was a situation where we needed something more than more social services.”

The young people in Ferguson, and the mostly young adults who stood up with them, point toward both the need and the possibility for change in this region. Their energy gives Rev. Wilson and other civic leaders in our community some hope for a future with stronger black leadership that elevates our community above the distressing conditions we see now in some of our neighborhoods and that was documented in such stark detail earlier this year in the landmark “For the Sake of All” report. In such a future, there would not be a need for more social services, there would be a need for less social services, because there would be more social equity, less poverty and more widespread well being. That future is not here, and more is required of us to make it happen. In the meantime, there is the United Way of Greater St. Louis, a vital agency that funds social service providers. Moreover, they have a strong history of local African-American participation and leadership. That history was celebrated on Saturday, when United Way CEO Orv Kimbrough, staff, donors and volunteers celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Charmaine Chapman Society, the United Way’s African-American Leadership Giving Initiative, which leads all such initiatives in the United Way nationwide in minority philanthropy. Charmaine Chapman was a transformational president and chief executive officer for the United Way from February 1994 until her death in July 2001. The first woman and first African American to head the United Way, she led the organization toward a new emphasis on the entire St. Louis metropolitan area. This inspirational leader said, “I believe if you live in a community, you’ve got to pay attention to the quality of life and be a part of making it happen.” Although we played a role in founding the initiative in 1994, it has been the thousands of African Americans who have shown both leadership and a willingness to give during 20 years of helping to provide support for those in

Gary Dollar and Orvin Kimbrough, former and current presidents of the United Way of Greater St. Louis, at the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Charmaine Chapman Society on Saturday at the Peabody Opera House.

need in our community that have sustained and grown this program. The Charmaine Chapman Society has raised $26.4 million for the United Way – $26.4 million for the neediest among us –since 1994.

A whopping $1 million is being given, in this historic anniversary year, by former Charmaine Chapman Society chairs David and Thelma Steward, who announced on Saturday an annual $1 million pledge to the United Way of Greater St. Louis – making the Stewards the first African Americans to donate a gift of that size. “We hope this occasion encourages other families to give more to help more people through United Way,” the Stewards said.

We are challenged by the legacy of Charmaine Chapman and the generosity of the Stewards – and by Rev. Wilson – to do more for our community. Now even more of our people need and deserve our commitment and support, and we need to respond to the need.

For more information on United Way’s 2014 campaign and the African American Leadership – Charmaine Chapman Society, visit www. HelpingPeople.org.

As I See It - A Forum for Community Issues

Justice is rigged

By Dana Milbank Washington Post

What happened in Ferguson, Mo., last month was a tragedy. What’s on course to happen there next month will be a farce.

October is when a grand jury is expected to decide whether to indict the white police officer, Darren Wilson, who killed an unarmed black teenager by firing at least six bullets into him.

It’s a good bet the grand jurors won’t charge him, because all signs indicate that the St. Louis County prosecutor, Robert McCulloch, doesn’t want them to.

The latest evidence that the fix is in came this week from The Washington Post’s Kimberly Kindy and Carol Leonnig, who discovered that McCulloch’s office has declined so far to recommend any charges to the grand jury. Instead, McCulloch’s prosecutors handling the case are taking the highly unusual course of dumping all evidence on the jurors and leaving them to make sense of it.

McCulloch’s office claims that this is a way to give more authority to the grand jurors, but it looks more like a way to avoid charging Wilson at all — and to use the grand jury as cover for the outrage that will ensue. It is often said that a grand jury will indict a ham sandwich if a prosecutor asks it to. But the opposite is also true. A grand jury is less likely to deliver an indictment — even a much deserved one — if a prosecutor doesn’t ask for it. One might give McCulloch the benefit of the doubt, if not

for his background. His father was a police officer killed in a shootout with a black suspect, and several of his family members are, or were, police officers. His 23-year record on the job reveals scant interest in prosecuting such cases. During his tenure, there have been at least a dozen fatal shootings by police in his jurisdiction (the roughly 90 municipalities in the county other than St. Louis itself), and probably many more than that, but McCulloch’s office has not prosecuted a single police shooting in all those years. At least four times he presented evidence to a grand jury but — wouldn’t you know it? — didn’t get an indictment.

One of the four: A 2000 case in which a grand jury declined to indict two police officers who had shot two unarmed black men 21 times while they sat in their car behind a Jack in the Box fast-food restaurant. It was a botched drug arrest, and one of the two men killed hadn’t even been a suspect. McCulloch at the time said he agreed with the grand jury’s decision, dismissing complaints of the handling of the case by saying the dead men “were bums.” He refused to release surveillance tapes of the shooting. When those tapes were later released as part of a federal probe, it was discovered that, contrary to what police alleged, the car had not moved before the police began shooting.

McCulloch apparently hasn’t learned from that. His spokesman, asked by The Washington Post’s Wesley Lowery about those remarks, said the slain men “should have been described as ‘convicted felons’ rather than ‘bums.’ ” Lowery gained national attention last month when he was unjustly detained by Ferguson’s out-of-control

Listen to the young people

I always feel compelled to give a cautionary note to people who say that children are so resilient that they can roll with situations that adversely affect them. This is definitely an outmoded myth that is no longer supported by data or the experiences of the people who interact with children and young people on a regular basis. Something very bad has happened in our community, and we cannot move on as if nothing has happened.

I was saddened to hear from teachers the number of districts or principals who forbade any discussion in the schools or classrooms about the fatal shooting of Mike Brown by Ferguson cop Darren Wilson. Yes, I know, this is the way that St. Louis handles discussions about race, but as educators looking to connect the classroom with real-life events, it was (and still is) a potent teachable moment. This is how you make education relevant to our students.

It came as no surprise that Normandy Middle School recently booted 20 percent of its students for disruptive behavior. The solution to the problem was to bring parents in to sign behavior and academic contracts about expectations. This response is not just insensitive; it’s incompetence at the highest level.

Let’s remember that Mike was a 2014 graduate of Normandy High School.

Normandy Middle and High School students know what happened to Mike Brown. They know he was unarmed and gunned down in broad daylight and left on the streets of Ferguson for the entire world to see. Some of them may have even participated in the Ferguson protests, brought to the West Florissant Avenue epicenter by parents, relatives or friends.

They know that the police officer who shot Mike and those who were part of the police force to intimidate protestors were mainly white. They know that those police look like the same ones who hassle them in their neighborhoods. Finally, the young people know that they look like Mike Brown.

What are they supposed to do with all of these “they knows”? Do we really expect them to stuff all of their fears, anger, frustrations and anxieties into a neat little bag, leave the bag at home and come to school ready to learn?

Let’s add to the mix the pressure cooker that the Normandy district has been in for the last couple years resulting in a state takeover. Existing teachers were fired and had to re-apply, allowing for less-experienced teachers (requiring less pay) to fill those slots. Teachers face the high stress of achieving academic success with increased classroom sizes and little support.

Adults often marvel at how children seem to shake off trauma. While it may seem like we’ve tapped into the resiliency of these young people, they have found a

Letters to the editor

9/11 13 years on

It has been 13 years to the day since an unfathomable act of violence took the lives of nearly 3,000 innocent Americans. Every year, we honor the thousands lost in New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania, though we remember them every day.

police while covering the demonstrations. He has since asked McCulloch’s office for a list of cases in which prosecutors pursued charges against a law enforcement official. McCulloch’s office ultimately came up with only one case over 23 years that The Washington Post could verify of the prosecution of a white officer for using inappropriate force against a black victim, and it wasn’t a shooting.

But if McCulloch lacks credibility, he apparently has political clout. This could explain why Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon — like McCulloch, a Democrat — is refusing to appoint a special prosecutor. This could also explain Democratic U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill’s statement in support of McCulloch.

Proving a case of excessive force against a police officer is difficult, and I’m not in any position to determine Wilson’s guilt. But that doesn’t justify declining to prosecute such cases. There’s no dispute that Brown ran away after Wilson shot him in a scuffle and that Wilson shot Brown several more times after that. Several witnesses — including those in a newly discovered video showing the immediate aftermath of the shooting — claim that Brown had his hands up in surrender.

The alternative account offered by Wilson — Brown charged at him — requires us to believe that the unarmed and wounded man ran away, reconsidered and ran back toward the man pointing a gun at him.

And McCulloch won’t have his prosecutors recommend even involuntary manslaughter? If he persists and if the governor won’t intervene, their behavior will confirm suspicions that justice is rigged.

We came together as a nation after that horrific Tuesday morning in 2001, as we do today, to honor our fallen. We passed the Fallen Heroes of 9-11 Act in 2011 to do our part in remembering their sacrifice. The legislation authorized the minting of three Congressional Gold Medals – one for each of the sites of the attack.

I was proud to join my congressional colleagues in cosponsoring the Fallen Heroes of 9-11 Act and hope to continue honoring those who perished on that fateful day. On this National Day of Service and Remembrance, we should kindle the bonds that pulled us through this tragedy and uphold all that has made this country a beacon of hope to the world.

Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Los Angeles

Not feared, but joined

In 2001, I wrote an article that was published in Take Five Magazine called “A Silent White Population Contributes to Increasing Police Brutality.” At that time, I was trying to get my fellow white community members to see how police brutality should be something we speak out about and to join the efforts of passing a civilian oversight bill.

The bill did pass in 2006, but was vetoed by Mayor Slay. In the process, many whites did join in the campaign and knew this was the right thing to do for our city. The same efforts are underway now, and I hope after the most recent senseless and brutal killings by the police of Michael Brown and Kajieme Powell, that it will easily pass and be supported this time by Mayor Slay.

But we have a more serious concern upon us now, and whites again need to put aside

way with their limited coping skills to compartmentalize that trauma. It’s only temporary, and eventually some event or incident will trigger those deeply suppressed feelings and result in some form of emotional melt-down or misdirected violence. As in most districts, students are at the bottom of the food chain in Normandy. They are feeling all the stressors being brought to them by administrators and teachers, on top of the stressors of living in a post-Mike Brown era. Their behaviors are justified and reasonable. What looks like disruptive behavior is often a cry for help, a need for assurances and for compassion. What do we hand them? A suspension slip. Normandy has one of the highest suspensions rates in the region, yet the district keeps acting as if this is a viable solution to the multi-tiered problems we ask our children to shoulder when grown folks are struggling to address these structural, systemic issues. One solution to the disruptive behaviors is to get to the root causes. As starters, we need to get professionals on site to do both individual and group counseling daily. There needs to be healthy outlets for aggression, such as after-school programs that engage the kids in social and recreational activities daily. Our first responsibility as empowered adults is to protect those entrusted to our care. A punitive approach is a quick fix with long-term consequences. Listen to the young people; they’re trying to tell us something.

their white privilege and organize with people of color to fight the militarization and state power that is engulfing our city and violating all of our rights. The occupation of a black community like Ferguson, widely televised and reported on nationally and internationally, should wake us up that we are all very close to a police state.

The rebellion and uprisings that have resulted by outspoken and outraged youth shouldn’t be feared, but joined. Police are simply out of control and do not serve or protect anyone who they see as an enemy to the state. But they aren’t acting alone. They have the full force of the state, city and county officials, who have no intention of relinquishing their power or control of resources in a capitalist society where only the deserving few get to cash in. We need to join the movement afoot. It is righteous, it is happening in our community now, and it will lead to social justice if we join it.

Janey Archey, St. Louis

Abandoning women

The Missouri Legislature voted to override a veto of an extreme bill that triples the state’s existing mandatory waiting period for a woman seeking a safe and legal abortion.

Missouri women were already required to make two health center visits and wait at least 24 hours before having an abortion. On average a woman travels nearly 100 miles to and from the state’s only abortion provider. One in ten travel more than 300 miles for a safe and legal abortion.

The legislators who took extraordinary measures to force this bill into law are way out of step with the more than 70 percent of Missourians who wanted them to allow the veto to stand. While politicians may have abandoned the women of Missouri, Planned Parenthood never will.

Paula Gianino, president and CEO ADVOCATES

Columnist

Dana Milbank

Columnist Jamala Rogers

Cedric Scott Photography

Photo by Wiley Price

Shutting it down

Marcus Bacon was arrested during the peaceful protest that attempted to shut down Interstate 70 at Hanley Road on Sept. 10. Organizers said they would escalate direct action to pressure St. Louis County Prosecutor Bob McCulloch to recuse himself from Police Officer Darren Wilson’s case.

Ferguson and whiteness

By Treasure Redmond For The St. Louis American

After the tragic killing of 20 young children and seven adults (including the killer’s mother) in Sandy Hook, Connecticut at Newtown Elementary, a group decided to create T-shirts emblazoned with the logo “Newtown Strong.”

One can be certain that the idea arose as a show of solidarity and support to the many parents and family members who were touched by these children’s tragic death.

On the surface, this is an admirable intention, but after years of lived experiences as a black, woman, American and writer, I also saw the intention as part of the interconnected network, the mesh of cultural ways of knowing designed to avoid conversations on race, and which ultimately serves to shore up institutionalized anti-black racism.

I wasn’t the only person who felt this way, and the general consensus was that this was another missed opportunity to talk about the ways the construction of whiteness has made the mass shooter a young white man almost every time. Who goes postal, mostly? Who is the “active shooter” most of the time? And why?

One can be sure that if mass shootings were routinely done by young men of color, the signature ways in which poverty, violence, desensitizing hip-hop music, missing fathers, subpar single mothers and (maybe) institutional racism create a type of black crime would be parsed ad nauseam.

But the same press machine of op eds and Solidad O’Brien-hosted documentaries doesn’t seem to arise in response to white-on-white crime.

But this article isn’t about Newtown or mass shootings. This article is about “I Love Ferguson” T-shirts. It’s about how, what on first glance looks like a community rallying in support of itself, is upon deeper inspection, a community turning away from hard conversations about its whole self and rallying together around whiteness.

On August 22, the New Yorker published an article by Paige Williams entitled “I Love Ferguson.” It includes the following: “Last night, I Love Ferguson met en masse, for the first time, at the First Baptist Church of Ferguson. The audience represented a demographic that, as one young audience member pointed out, did not exactly represent ‘the class of 2006’; more noticeably, the attendees were, overwhelmingly, white.”

Why don’t any of my African-American friends on Facebook who have been either actively (physically) involved in Ferguson protest – or have been actively intellectually involved with conversations about police brutality, race and racism – why don’t any of them also have posts indicating that they’re selling “I love Ferguson T-shirts?” Why does it seem that the majority of the pictures I’ve seen of people wearing “I love Ferguson” T-shirts are white residents?

The much-touted 67 percent black population of Ferguson doesn’t seem to want to wear the “I love Ferguson” T-shirts, even though many Ferguson residents have been seen decrying the looting that took place just days after black teen Michael Brown was killed in the street by white Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson.

One incredible piece of resident journalism by Bradley J. Rayford on MSNBC even includes a video of a longtime African-American resident, as the QuikTrip burns in the background, tears stream down his cheeks, repeating, “But we still have to live here.”

Aren’t these tears in response to the physical destruction in a community examples of an intense love for the community of Ferguson?

What about Missouri state senator Maria Chappelle-Nadal, who spent her nights tirelessly with the protesters, being teargassed and risking being shot by rubber bullets?

She has now opened an office in Ferguson and she is actively recruiting volunteers to work in the community.

Isn’t that love?

Maybe someone needs to share with James Knowles III, the mayor of Ferguson and one of the “I love Ferguson” organizers, what Cornel West said: “Justice is what love looks like in public.”

I love my 13-year-old son and I want him to remain alive. And it is my intense love for this brown boy that continues to drive me to Ferguson to support in the small ways that I can. I don’t have to wear a T-shirt because my deep love for humanity is written on my heart.

If justice is what love looks like in public, Ferguson white residents would do well to fight for justice for Mike Brown and show that love is more than a slogan, it is an action word.

Treasure Redmond

COUNCIL

Continued from A1

Freelance journalist Umar Lee spoke directly to Stenger, stating that Stenger ran a campaign of “insurgency” with McCulloch’s backing.

“A vote for Stenger is a vote for McCulloch,” Lee said. “If we want change in St. Louis county, we need to vote in Mike Brown.”

Stenger’s Republican opponent on the Nov. 4 ballot is conservative Rick Stream. White Democrats following the council meeting protests on Twitter objected to Stream’s right-wing stances on gun rights and on women’s issues.

The meeting began with a recitation of The Pledge of Allegiance, and protesters emphasizing “with liberty and justice for all.” Every seat within the chamber was occupied for the meeting, which lasted longer than two hours.

“This is truly your government and we are here to listen to your concerns,” Stenger said. “As a member of our community, I’m deeply troubled by how we’ve been torn apart.”

He was interrupted by inquiries regarding the whereabouts of Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson, who abruptly disappeared after fatally shooting unarmed teen

SALUTE

Continued from A1

Higher education institutions from across the state bestowed funding for scholarships upon worthy students. These scholarships named after the American’s publisher and executive editor, Dr. Donald M. Suggs, came from St. Louis Community College, Webster University, Harris-Stowe State University, University of MissouriColumbia, Southeast Missouri

Michael Brown on August 9. Protesters demanded Wilson’s arrest.

One young man shouted, “I’ve been arrested more than Darren Wilson and I didn’t kill nobody!”

It was one of several outbursts that punctuated the meeting. After several minutes, Councilwoman Hazel Erby called for order.

n One young man shouted, “I’ve been arrested more than Darren Wilson and I didn’t kill nobody!”

“I have to say that I agree with you,” Erby said. “I respect your right to protest, but please let’s do it in an orderly fashion.”

A diverse group of protesters were each allowed two minutes to speak. One woman commended Erby for standing with protesters and asked how many other council members had been on the frontlines in Ferguson. Sunny Ford accused Stenger of being noticeably absent in the fight for justice for Michael Brown. Ford reminded council members that McCulloch’s father was a police officer who was killed by a black man and therefore “biased when it comes to this case,” she said.

State University, and Missouri State University. By evening’s end, the grand total of scholarship awards given would exceed $250,000.

“You need to stand on your feet for that – the least you can do is stand,” said Carol Daniel, longtime emcee of the annual gala and KMOX radio personality. “Dr. Suggs is an awesome man with great vision, and we are lucky to have him.”

A dozen awardees were recognized for their efforts in grooming future “Suggs Scholars” and educator

She proposed the appointment of a special prosecutor.

Several members of Brown’s family attended, including his father Michael Brown Sr., uncle Pastor Charles Ewing and cousin Eric Davis.

Davis asked why Ferguson Police Chief Tom Jackson has not been fired for lying about why he released surveillance video footage of Brown that incited violence within the community.

One man said protesters would no longer be used as political “pawns” and vowed to use their voting power.

Local rapper and activist Tef Poe, who has been on the frontlines in Ferguson since day one, took his turn at the mic, urging council members to be “on the right side of history.” He expressed outrage that children had been gassed during protests in Ferguson, and that the perpetrators needed to be held accountable. He said that the time for dialogue is over; the time has come for answers and action.

Tef Poe said, “I know you can drive home to West County – places that I can’t drive without being harassed and pulled over – so it’s not relevant to you. But, guess what? The roosters have come home to roost.”

Follow this reporter on Twitter: @BridjesONeil.

E-mail this reporter: boneil@ stlamerican.com.

honorees in settings that ranged from early childhood to higher learning.

Salute awards have grown to include higher education scholarships, eight “Excellence” awardees, PNC Early Childhood Educator, Monsanto School of Excellence, SEMO Counselor of the Year, Stellar Performer and Lifetime Achievement Award recipients.

n “It’s about the young folks. That’s where I’ve been and where I want to be.”

– Dr. Terrance Freeman

The 27th Salute has special significance because for the first time scholarship recipients at the post-graduate level were introduced with the University of MissouriColumbia Dr. Donald M. Suggs Fellows.

The $1,500 fellowship will support the research endeavors of two minority PhD students whose work offers the potential to advance academic scholarship within their field of study. The first recipients are Angela Haney and Tanjanette Sconyers.

“To give you a taste of who these future doctors are, Angela was accepted into the Department of Psychological Sciences’ PhD program in clinical psychology. She is currently working on her dissertation which examines the family history of alcoholism and impulsivity,” said Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace of University of Missouri-

Columbia.

“Tajanette is pursuing a PhD in counseling psychology through the College of Education. Her doctoral dissertation will explore retention issues in higher education from a student-centered perspective, focusing specifically on black first-generation college students.”

The 2014 Lifetime Achiever was grateful to be recognized alongside such brilliant young students.

“I’m in gratitude mode,” said Dr. Katie Harper Wright, recipient of the 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award. “I congratulate these people – these awardees. And of course these kids, these smart kids.”

However, it would be this year’s stellar performer Dr. Terrence Freeman who best illustrated the impact of a quality education. His acceptance speech brought the sold-out audience to their feet.

“If I have taught, been taught, work shopped, cheered, churched, templed,

synagogued, prayed, braided hair, housed, fed, hugged, kissed, changed diapers, skated, played, sparred, gamed or just fellowshipped with you –please stand,” said Freeman, who teaches mechanical engineering.

At least one-third of the room rose to their feet.

“From the bottom of my heart, I thank you, and know that I am here because you have been present in my life.”

In a presentation that was equal parts speech, poem and prayer, Freeman left a lasting impression on the audience with his inspirational and intentional remarks – which included an indirect, yet extremely powerful, reference in response to the death of Michael Brown Jr.

“It’s about the young folks. That’s where I’ve been and where I want to be. That’s why it’s difficult to see a young life cut short under any circumstance,” Freeman said.

“‘Hands Up’ is fine, but we need ‘Hands In’ – more hands in education, more hands in our communities, and more hands in the lives of our children.”

Ferguson protesters turned the St. Louis County Council meeting in Clayton on Tues-

day night into an opportunity to protest St. Louis County Prosecutor Bob McCulloch’s handling of the Oficer Darren Wilson case.

Photo by Wiley Price

CAUCUS

choosing candidates who are disinterested in helping their communities, she said. Erby said Gov. Jay Nixon and St. Louis County Councilman Steve Stenger are among those who have disrespected black county politicians and residents.

Berkeley Mayor Theodore Hoskins also named St. Louis County Prosecutor Robert McCulloch as one who blatantly disregards the black community. Erby, who represents most of Ferguson, has been called the “center of gravity” of the coalition. After the County Council failed to pass recent inclusion bills introduced by Erby, and government officials ignored their voices during the Ferguson protests and Normandy schools crisis, Erby commented to her colleagues that she was “sick and tired of being sick and tired” – quoting Fannie Lou Hamer, the iconic leader of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party.

Thus, the wheels were put in motion, and many young African-American politicians have been organizing to help make the coalition a reality, leaders said.

“We are sick and tired of being disrespected as both taxpaying citizens and elected officials by those we look to for leadership in higher office,” Erby said.

n “We are sick and tired of being disrespected as both taxpaying citizens and elected officials by those we look to for leadership in higher office.”

– St. Louis County Councilwoman Hazel Erby

In the suburbs, the political units are often so small that political power never has the necessary concentration to make change, said Mike Jones, senior policy advisor for County Executive Charlie Dooley.

African-American political leaders never have enough traction to represent their black constituents in a power structure “that is not intended to be inclusive,” Jones said. “Hazel and the others are correcting a structural flaw,” Jones said. “This is black leaders organizing themselves to put themselves in a position to represent the interest of African-American voters who make a difference on who is going to run the county.”

In St. Louis County, Jones

STEWARDS

Continued from A1

Continued from A1 said in a statement.

Their specific guide in making this gift to the region’s premiere funder of social service agencies was 2 Corinthians 9.

“Everyone should give whatever they have decided in their heart. They shouldn’t give with hesitation or because of pressure,” the Stewards quoted from Scripture.

“God loves a cheerful giver. God has the power to provide you with more than enough of

said the margin of victory for the Democratic Party is largely dependent on black voters.

At the press conference, Ferguson resident Darren Seals, 27, asked the coalition leaders how they planned to organize the youth. Seals said he has lived in Ferguson most of his life and the only relationship he has had with police is being jumped and harassed. He called the Ferguson protests a “young

men’s war.”

“Our generation is tired of this,” Seals said. “It’s the young men who have been doing the fighting, but it’s still the young men who are not being heard. If it wasn’t for us fighting, these organizations wouldn’t be forming right now.”

Seals told the coalition that most of the youth are not going to follow them, but they will

follow young men like him who have been on the ground since day one of the protests.

The coalition said they will work with Seals and Jeremy Rhone, another young resident who attended the press conference, to make their voices heard.

At least 20 elected officials surrounded Erby at the city hall podium as she made the announcement.

so

Follow this reporter on Twitter at @rebeccarivas.

every kind of grace. That way, you will have everything you need always and in everything to provide more than enough for every kind of good work.”

n “As former co-chairs of the Charmaine Chapman Society, it is an honor and privilege to make this gift to help people in our community.”

and Thelma Steward

– David

The occasion of their milestone-setting gift was a major milestone in St. Louis and African-American philanthropy: the 20th Anniversary Gala of the African American Leadership – Charmaine Chapman Society at the United Way. Some 600 guests attended the gala at Peabody Opera House. “I’d like to thank David and Thelma Steward,” said Orvin Kimbrough, president and CEO of United Way of Greater St. Louis, “and every one of the Charmaine Chapman Society members for their continued extraordinary contribution to our community.”

the first African-American president of the United Way of Greater St. Louis, following her death. The initiative has raised $26.4 million for United Way since 1994 and is the leading African-American giving group among all United Way affiliates nationwide.

The Society, comprised of African Americans who pledge an annual gift of $1,000 or more to United Way, was founded in 1994 by Donald M. Suggs, publisher

and executive editor of The St. Louis American. Suggs founded it, he said, in an effort to enable “a growing segment of the community to be visible and gain recognition for their support of health and human services through United Way.”

In 2001 the leadership giving initiative was named after Charmaine Chapman,

“As former co-chairs of the Charmaine Chapman Society,” David and Thelma Steward said, “it is an honor and privilege to make this gift to help people in our community.”

The Stewards said they intended their gift to be literally a leadership gift, in that they hope others will follow, according to their means.

“Charmaine and Dr. Suggs understood the importance of promoting the prominence of African-American philanthropy to help people from all walks,” the Stewards said. “Thus, we hope this occasion encourages other families to give more to help more people through United Way.”

For more information on United Way’s 2014 campaign and the African American Leadership – Charmaine Chapman Society visit www. HelpingPeople.org.

Follow this reporter on Twitter @chriskingstl.

“A collective is louder than just one,” said Shonte HarmonYoung, president of the Board of Aldermen for the City of Moline Acres. “I have not experienced such a collective voice where everyone is on the same page, and it is high time. I believe it is historical, and I’m

excited.”

Rita Williams of North County gets directions from Karen Fowler, manager of the Met Center, during the Ferguson Job and Resource Fair held Saturday morning at St. Louis Community College – Florissant Valley. The event, sponsored by the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, drew about 5,000 people.

Photo by Wiley Price

Machiavelli according to Mike Jones

There is plenty for Political EYE to cover this week.

The deadline for the grand jury in the Darren Wilson case has been pushed back to January, when it will be too cold (the powers that be must be thinking) for people to demonstrate for days on end, when and if St. Louis County Prosecutor Bob McCulloch tells us that his grand jury did not hand down an indictment of the police shooter.

Missouri Education Commissioner Chris Nicastro announced she is getting out while the getting is good, or at least not too bad, or at least not yet disastrous, or at least not disastrous across the state. For Nicastro has said that if the Normandy district is dissolved and its students assigned to neighboring public school districts (as now seems likely), those districts will very likely tip toward being unaccredited and become subject to the transfer student law that bankrupted Normandy.

if they didn’t. Absent that fear of negative consequences, it is the natural inclination of people to take advantage of those who are in a less powerful position or those who refuse to assert the power they have. While this may not always be true in life, though mostly it is, it’s always true in politics.

In an earlier commentary in The American, I defined politics as the art and science of acquiring power for the purpose of making public policy. But what is power? For me, power is the will and capacity to punish those forces or people that oppose you. To have power you must have both capacity and will; one without the other is not enough. Having the will to do something without the capacity makes you impotent; having the capacity to do it without the will means you are weak. The political arena is no place for the weak or the impotent.

Why must you punish, why not reward?

And in a gesture that belongs in the all-time Capitulation Hall of Fame, Gov. Jay Nixon stumped publicly for Jeff Roorda’s Missouri Senate campaign – Roorda being one the primary faces of fundraising efforts for Darren Wilson

But the EYE will have to come back to all of that, for we have here in the mailbag a long screed from our friend Mike Jones, senior policy advisor to County Executive Charlie Dooley and a member of the state school board that accepted notice of Nicastro’s forthcoming retirement this week. So, let’s here from Mike Jones.

Mike Jones writes:

There is a general rule of life that’s an iron law of politics; people only treat you fairly because they have too. And by have to, I mean there would be negative consequences for them

Machiavelli writes that if the Prince must chose between being loved or being feared, it is better to be feared. Why? Because no matter how much they love the Prince, they will always love themselves more. And if they have to choose between their welfare and the Prince’s, they will choose who they love more, themselves.

However, if the Prince is feared, then when they have to choose between Prince and themselves, they will invariably choose the Prince. Why? For the same reasons, love of self. Self-preservation is nature’s first law, so it’s their love of self and the Prince’s capacity to punish that compels the political compliance that affection could not.

So when you hear AfricanAmerican elected officials brag about how much white Democrats like them, and you wonder why they or we never have anything to show for

white county Democrats have been put on notice: the days of plantation politics are over, and there’s no reason for blacks to be political sharecroppers when they control the outcome of every county election. Beginning with the election for county executive this November, Black leadership has the chance to change the political calculus in St. Louis County. It is a historic opportunity they must use to redefine the relationship between the African-American community and county democrats. There is one only way to achieve that goal, and that is to deny the white Democrats control of the executive function of county government.

the affection, now you know.

Politicians who worry about being popular will never be effective and eventually won’t even be popular.

What about the current political condition of the black community of St. Louis County? For the last 25 years, the political operating assumption was that African Americans would receive fair treatment from the political process because, after all, this is (a’hem) post-civil rights, post-racial America. Right? In fact, African Americans were so certain of this that AfricanAmerican leaders made sure their political agenda was to blend in, support the status quo and not cause any problems.

“You know, if they don’t notice we’re black, everything will be okay.”

Now, that may be a sound strategy if you’re a statistically small minority in a hostile environment. However, when you become 250,000 people located in a specific geography,

you need a different plan.

The political reality is the Democratic Party of St. Louis County owes everything, including its existence, to African-American voters.

Until a critical mass of African Americans moved to the county, to put it bluntly, white Democrats were ass out. Democrats controlled nothing in St. Louis County before the arrival of African Americans. Every white Democratic victory is due to the margins black voters give Democrats.

Buzz Westfall was no political kingpin; he was just a white guy who benefited from black political support.

This is currently a time of high emotions in the black community, with just cause. The rampant disregard for the lives of young black men; the lack of adequate economic opportunity for anyone black, regardless of their educational attainment; and the complete failure to even consider the African-American community

when discussing the future of this region are all cause for righteous anger. But I will share with you something I learned as a young politician from men whose experience was the basis of their wisdom: your anger may be righteous, but don’t get mad; get even. Which brings us to this moment in history. AfricanAmerican elected officials in St. Louis County have come of age. Under the leadership of County Councilwoman Hazel Erby, they have formed a new political organization to speak specifically to the interests and needs of the black Community in St. Louis County. The name they have given this effort speaks volumes: The Fannie Lou Hamer Democratic Club of St. Louis County. Like Sister Hamer they, too, “are sick and tired of being sick and tired.” In picking this name and aligning themselves with the historic heroism of Fannie Lou Hamer and the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party,

This would handicap their ability to control county politics and announce that there’s a new power player in the game. It must be crystal clear that this crippling blow was delivered by African-American voters at the direction of an independent and empowered black political leadership that is saying, unequivocally, either we are included in the game as equals, or there won’t be a game for anybody.

Of the many lessons I’ve learned in the last 35 years as a professional politician, among the most important is you must always negotiate from strength and never, never ask for what you can take. For too many years, African-American Democrats in St. Louis County have asked to be included in the power equation, but power is never acquired by saying “please.”

Don’t take my word for it, listen to the wisdom of our ancestors, hear the voice of the great Frederick Douglass: “Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never has and it never will. The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those they oppress. Men may not get all they pay for in this world; but they must pay for all they get.”

The power of peaceful protestors in Ferguson has woken up some new leadership among black Democrats in the county, who have formed the Fannie Lou Hamer Democratic Club of St. Louis County. Photo by Lawrence Bryant

African-American Leadership – Charmaine Chapman Society celebrates 20th anniversary

Gala draws hundreds to Peabody Opera House

Last week the United Way of Greater St. Louis’ African American Leadership – Charmaine Chapman Society celebrated 20 years of AfricanAmerican leadership and philanthropy, with dinner and dancing at Peabody Opera House. Entertainment was provided by Howard Hewett, R&B and gospel singer and former lead vocalist of Shalamar, along with comedian Darius Bradford.

Jaron Young and T’shon Young The family of Charmaine Chapman

Comedian Darius Bradford and friends

Michelle Tucker (2014 African American Leadership – Charmaine Chapman Society 20th Anniversary Gala co-chair), Donald M. Suggs (Charmaine Chapman Society co-founder), Kennard Tucker (2014 Charmaine Chapman Society 20th Anniversary Gala co-chair)

David and Thelma Steward (former African American Leadership – Charmaine Chapman Society co-chairs), with Pat Smith Thurman and Solomon Thurman

Calvin Payne and Heather Shelton

Photos by Cedric Scott Photography

Orvin and Latriece Kimbrough, Julian Harris, Ashley Edwards (United Way of Greater St. Louis), Jimmie and Stacy Edwards, with Reuben and D’Anne Shelton (2014 African American Leadership – Charmaine Chapman Society co-chairs), and Kennard and Michelle Tucker (2014 Charmaine Chapman Society 20th Anniversary Gala co-chairs)

Current and former 2014 African American Leadership – Charmaine Chapman Society co-chairs

Vivian Darrell, Mike DeCola (2014 United Way of Greater St. Louis campaign co-chair), Yinka Faleti (United Way of Greater St. Louis) Mark Darrell and Ellen Theroff

Howard Hewett, Grammy-award winning artist

Jenae Wallick, Lori Willis and Debra Ogston (Schnuck Markets Inc.), Joe Ogston, Craig Schnuck (Schnuck Markets Inc. Chairman Emeritus), Nancy Schnuck, Diana Wingo (Schnuck Markets Inc.), Jahaun Ireland and Monique Montgomery

Andre Hepkins (2014 African American Leadership – Charmaine Chapman Society 20th Anniversary Gala Master of Ceremonies) and Serena GregoryHepkins (Photo by Natasha Sakovich)

Steve Maritz (United Way of Greater St. Louis Board Chair) and Mark Darrell

Francella Jackson (African American Leadership –Charmaine Chapman Society Gala Committee) and Randell White (Photo by Natasha Sakovich)

Glenda Dudley and Bishop Geoffrey Dudley

James Michael Bryant

James Michael Bryant was born on May 1, 1930, to Joshua Bryant and Carrie (Mack), the ninth child in a family of ten children--five boys and five girls—who lived in Harleyville, South Carolina, a small town in Dorchester County.

Rather than following the path of his siblings by working on the farm, Bryant decided he could best help his family by earning a degree in Agriculture and he enrolled in South Carolina State. It was here that Bryant joined ROTC, and upon graduation, enrolled in the United States Army as a Second Lieutenant officer.

Over the course of his 20-year career in the military, Bryant climbed the ranks of the Army to First Lieutenant, Captain, and finally Major, served multiple tours in such places as Germany, Panama, Korea, and Vietnam, and received multiple Presidential honors for his service in Vietnam and Korea. Bryant retired from the United States Army on September 30, 1973.

After retiring from the Army, Bryant moved his family to Florissant, Missour,i and began working at Allstate Insurance Company. Referred by his friends as “an officer and gentleman”, Bryant retired from Allstate after a twenty-year career on December 31, 1993.

Bryant was also very active in his church, St. Peter’s AME, and over the years served as financial secretary, Sunday School teacher, Steward, and captain of the Usher Board. He also was honored with the Christian Man of the Year Award in 2003.

Major James Michael Bryant was a devoted husband to his

wife, Linda Marie (Billings) Bryant. The loving couple, who often referred to each other as soulmates, were introduced by a mutual friend in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and married three months later on November 9, 1963. Bryant was a loving father to their five children, a kind and patient grandfather, and a beloved great-grandfather.

He is survived by his wife Linda, his brother John, his children Cindy, Lois, Michelle (Nelson), Lawrence, and Cheryl; his son-in-law Kraig; daughter-in-law Demetria; grandchildren Candice, Jazmyn, Dejah, Kennedi, and Karsyn; great-grandchild Eva; countless nieces, nephews, family and friends, and his faithful canine companion, Fred.

He will be missed more than words can express.

To my beloved husband Thomas Bryant, Sr.

September 13, 1927 –June 20, 2013

Happy Birthday!

Even though another year has passed, the pain will never go away. I miss you very much! My love grows stronger! Hugs and kisses!

Love: your wife Bernice, your children Thomas, Jr., Evelyn and Melvin, your greatgrandchildren and your great-greatgrandchildren

Lucinda Harris

Lucinda Harris (19232014), beloved mother of four, the fourth eldest of 11 siblings, beloved aunt, grandmother,

great grandmother, cousin and friend was born in August 1923 on Brooks Farm. Affectionately known as Cindy, she was a strong, courageous, independent woman who boasted of picking and chopping 400 pounds of cotton per day. She was very strong willed. Before integration she received a certificate to work at schools for colored children. Cindy was a longtime resident of Drew, Mississippi and faithful member of East Mt. Olive before migrating to St. Louis, Missouri where she made a home for her family and helped scores of others to come north.

Later in life Cindy relocated to Glen Bernie, Maryland, a suburb of Baltimore. She made new friends and joined Bethel A.M.E. Church. Recently, Cindy celebrated a 91st birthday just weeks before quietly passing in her sleep.

Shirley Delores Martin Giboney

Shirley Delores Martin Giboney departed this life on August 10, 2014. Her parents, Mr. Nelson C. and Agnes Martin; siblings, Nelson Jerome and Rosemary, preceded her in death. She was christened at St. James A.M.E Church at an early age and was a member all of her life.

Shirley taught over forty years at elementary schools namely Clark, Field, Laclede, Cook and Froebel. She was the first African-American teacher at Froebel School. She

once was a playground director for the St. Louis Board of Education. She served on two planning committees, spelling and reading for the St. Louis Board of Education. All of her education was completed in St. Louis. She attended Simmons Elementary School, Sumner High School, Harris-Stowe Teachers College and St. Louis University. Shirley departed this life on Sunday August 10, 2014. She leaves to cherish her memory: her husband of 57 years Damon, daughter Dana son Damon three grandchildren; other relatives; friends, and countless students.

In Memory of Marilyn Cheatham Darby

August 4, 1933September 15, 2013

It has been an incredible year of sadness, laughter, precious memories and crushing loneliness since our beloved mother, sister, grandmother, auntie, cousin and friend passed into eternal glory. Our lives were forever changed on that shocking day. Marilyn loved her family and friends so very much. She inspired us all to enjoy the precious moments of life, to laugh at ourselves, and to stay in touch with one another. She brought such beauty and energy into our lives. She made everyone feel that they could accomplish their dreams and that they were her #1! Marilyn left us with such a beautiful legacy of love. You are forever in our hearts and just a giggle away. Missing you too much, Your California and St. Louis Family

James Bryant

Lucinda Harris

Shirley Giboney

Marilyn Darby

Thomas Bryant, Sr.

Tutoring Michael Brown

By Mama Lisa Gage

For The St. Louis American

The recent events in Ferguson surrounding the shooting of Michael Brown have a far-reaching, deeprooted impact on us all. I received a call from Gambia from residents there who were worried about my family’s well being and the community peace. Local, national and international commentary from leaders, activists, civil servants and citizens has spawned debate and empowerment, though not all positive.

For a two-week period in June, I spent a short but sweet moment in time with Michael Brown. Working as a mathematician in Normandy public schools is a great joy. Principal White asked me to get involved with Michael to assist him in completing coursework for math. He understood that his final grade would be based on my evaluation of his work as it aligned to the project rubrics.

I will admit that at my first meeting, I was astounded by Michael’s sheer physique. His stature to me was reminiscent of the robust and resilient build and strength of his ancestors. Yet, upon seeing his first smile, I was instantly reassured that our time together would be positive, productive and pleasant.

He needed to use the computer and hands-on applications to solve exercises dealing with data comparison, graphing, research, floorplan blueprints and geometric cartooning.

With backpack in tow, Michael sat at his desktop station and always eagerly approached his tasks. I was happy to learn that he already possessed good computer application and research skills. In most cases, I simply needed to provide good guidance towards how to improve the final presentation of the project in order for Michael to receive the maximum points.

“Can I take this home?” he would ask. The next morning, he brought back a quality amount of work that he’d completed.

When I needed to give constructive feedback, Michael carefully watched my gestures and nodded understandingly when I posed the question, “Do you think you could fix this for me and bring it in tomorrow?” He never resisted or questioned huffily why he had to do this.

Even on a day when I was late getting to the lab, he teasingly reminded me, “Hey, I waited for you for a long time.” (That makes a teacher’s heart melt.) He was also holding me accountable.

At the end of the two weeks, Michael asked, “Am I done?” I congratulated him and thanked him for his efforts and wished him a great summer vacation. “Thanks,” he replied. Two months later, Michael Brown was dead.

The circumstances surrounding this moment in time have provoked peaceful as well as violent responses. There has been destruction of property, looting and injuries. There has also been a mass effort towards clean up, repair and reconciliation.

I beg all adults and authority figures to remember to try several strategies when encountering youth you don’t know, beginning with a warm greeting and a kinder courtesy request to evoke simple compliance.

At the mall, I sometimes approach a couple of youth in extremely saggy pants and I say, “Hi, I am sorry to bother you, but could you make an old lady happy by pulling up your pants a bit?” They usually flash a broad smile and respond with, “Sure,” and a tug at their waistbands.

In my mind, simple courtesy will get us one step closer towards bridging the gaps. This column first appeared in the Ferguson Times

SLPS: ready to partner with you

Meet the new deputy superintendent of academics for St. Louis Public Schools

By David Hardy Jr. For The St. Louis American

The St. Louis community has been the focal point of the world spotlight recently due to the Michael Brown incident. While most of the images being portrayed are not positive, I remain confident that I made the right choice to relocate here to join the St. Louis Public School District. I was attracted to SLPS first and foremost because of Superintendent Dr. Kelvin

Adams. His vision and desire to put kids first is something that is completely in line with my value system. In April, I came to St. Louis to interview for the position. I stayed four days, shadowing Dr. Adams. I saw how he operated inside and outside of schools. I picked his brain. I learned a long time ago that you only love the job as much as you love working for your boss. Dr. Adams was the ultimate inspiration.

During my visit last spring, I also had the opportunity to see the city. When I got here, SLPS sent me on a tour, and the city was completely different than I had imagined. There are unbelievably beautiful areas and parks, and the people made me – and my wife and son who traveled with me – feel welcome, wanted and inspired. I sat down

with Build-A-Bear Founder Maxine Clark, and she articulated the same message I had heard from Dr. Adams: the importance of the work. It was great to see influential members of the community on the same page as the superintendent. How can I help make SLPS better?

Coming from the outside, I want to understand first before I seek to be understood. Once I have a firm footing and understand why SLPS hasn’t performed as well as we can, then I will create academic goals that align to Dr. Adams’ transformation plan to regain full accreditation for the district, which I view as an intermediate goal for the district with college and career readiness as the ultimate goal. I do not plan to make any drastic shifts at the start. I will be monitoring progress

and implementing strategy with the knowledge that the transformation plan will always be a working document. I anticipate halfway through the school year, we will debrief and decide what we need to reshape and shift. I wouldn’t be surprised if we revamp some elements, but it’s a great start. How can others help?

Corporate partners like Wells Fargo Advisors are critical to the district’s academic success.

I am still learning about the district’s existing partnerships and how they have worked.

Based on past experiences, I would say that if a company is curious, please come to the table with an open heart and an open mind about how big our needs are.

I know in past cities that I’ve worked in, some partners have come in with an agenda and bee-lined to a certain school. Certain schools got more help than others, or maybe the help provided

wasn’t on target for a school’s needs. As challenging as it may be to partner with a school district, I would ask for flexibility and patience. That said, we want to listen to you. We’re looking for the best and brightest minds to give us perspective and feedback. What do we need to do better? Give us insight and feedback from your world. David Hardy Jr. is the new deputy superintendent of academics for SLPS. He joins SLPS with 12 years of experience in teaching and administration. Most recently, he served as the chief of academic supports for the School District of Philadelphia. Prior to that position, he was the executive director of regional achievement for the New Jersey Department of Education. He was the founding principal of Achievement First East New York Middle School, and is a Teach for America alum.

Mama Lisa Gage

David Hardy Jr.

BackStoppers not associated with Darren Wilson fundraiser

Teespring won’t disclose who set up potentially fraudulent campaign

By Chris King Of St. Louis American

Social media lit up over the weekend with claims that a non-profit organization where St. Louis County Prosecutor Robert McCulloch serves on the board was benefitting from a fundraiser for the legal defense of Ferguson Police

Officer Darren Wilson. Wilson shot and killed unarmed teenager Michael Brown on August 9. McCulloch has not brought charges against Wilson, but is instead presenting the case to a grand jury.

The non-profit organization in question, BackStoppers, raises funds for the children of first responders, including police officers, who die in the line of duty. Online protestors pointed to the Backstoppers website to show that McCulloch is the nonprofit’s board vice president. In fact, the site is outdated and McCulloch is the current board president.

However, a cursory look at the fundraising website indicates that it was set up by a third party and pledged to provide funds to both BackStoppers and Wilson’s legal defense. The site reported 19 sales of Darren Wilson T-shirts before the campaign ended.

The outdated information on the BackStoppers site lists St. Louis Circuit Attorney Jennifer Joyce as board president. She is now the immediate past president of the organization, but worked over the weekend to get Backstoppers to provide an official response.

“Contrary to recent posts on social media, BackStoppers is not participating in nor has benefited from any fundraising activity involving the Ferguson matter,” BackStoppers stated

Monday morning in a release provided by Joyce. “We scrutinize our contributions and if we receive funds involving the Ferguson matter, those funds would be rejected by the Board of Directors.”

Joyce told The American her office had determined that BackStoppers has received no money from the sale of these T-shirts. She said that Teespring, the site that hosted the fundraising account, would not divulge who set up this account without legal action.

“We need to be critical consumers of social media,” Joyce said, “and make informed decisions about what we protest.”

BackStoppers added that it currently is helping 65 families of fallen first responders, which includes 59 children. “Our mission is to provide assistance to families of police, fire and EMS officers who die in the line of duty,” BackStoppers noted. “This is and always will be our first priority.”

“I can’t file a criminal charge against them, because they haven’t broken the law,” Joyce said. A representative from The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis, who had followed the story on Twitter, commented, “No way for non-profits to easily ‘police’ others claiming to raise funds to ‘benefit’ their cause. Scary.” Joyce urged the public to learn a lesson from the incident.

Treasurer touts saving for college

what they want to be when they grow up and working on a plan to obtain the skills and education they need to make that dream a reality.

Zweifel also spoke about MOST – Missouri’s 529 College Savings Plan – which this month is sponsoring a poster contest in which two lucky grand prize winners will receive a $1,500 contribution in to a MOST 529 account.

“Every child dreams of the future, and as a parent of two girls I understand the desire we all have to help them achieve those dreams,” Zweifel said.

“But whether your child wants to be a mechanic, teacher, doctor or an astronaut, starting conversations early about what your child wants to be can help them understand the skills they need to obtain to be successful in that field. These talks are a great way to begin planning and remind parents the importance of saving early and saving often. A child’s dream may change, but your investment in their future can be there ready for whatever path they choose.”

During the month of September, K-5 students will have a chance to compete for

one of two grand prize $1,500 MOST 529 accounts. To win, students must draw a picture depicting what they want to be when they grow up. Winners will be chosen for a grade K-2 age group and a grade 3-5 group.

After the grand prize winners are chosen, MOST will nominate 10 posters for a “people’s choice award” in each age group. Facebook users will have a chance to go to MOST 529’s Facebook page and vote on their favorite. The people’s choice winners will each win $529 contributions to a MOST 529 account. Complete instructions for the contest are available at MissouriMost.org.

“This contest is a great way to support a child’s creativity while helping families prepare for higher education,” Zweifel said. “I am proud of the MOST

529 plan, the growth and options it provides Missouri families. $1,500 is a big boost to any family’s higher education savings effort.”

More than $2 billion is invested in MOST 529 Direct Plan accounts by more than 129,000 account owners, both an all-time high. To learn more about MOST 529, visit MissouriMost.org or call 888414-MOST (888-414-6678).

The MOST 529 plan offers federal and state tax benefits, low costs and flexible ways to contribute.

In addition to visiting Clay Elementary, Zweifel visited St. Louis Community College - Florissant Valley for a roundtable discussion with students and administrators about the transition from high school to postsecondary education. Florissant Valley utilizes the Gateway to

College program, through which students at risk of not graduating high school have a chance to earn college credit while working toward their diploma.

“We know the demand for higher education continues to grow, and by building partnerships between community colleges and high schools we can provide our students with the options and training they need to meet those demands,” Zweifel said.

“Not every student will obtain a four-year degree and not every job requires it, so it is critical for students to have the resources they need to explore every option for higher education. Community colleges are uniquely positioned to do just that and I am proud to see the growth of programs like Gateway to College succeed.”

State Treasurer Clint Zweifel visited Clay Elementary School last Wednesday to discuss higher education and to celebrate College Savings Month. Photo by Wiley Price

Healthy Kids

Dividing Your Plate!

Play Tag!

Nutrition Challenge:

For years kids were taught the proper variety of different categories of food by the use of a “Food Pyramid.” The tip of the pyramid represented the small amount of fats a child should consume and that was followed by the five food groups (Milk/ Cheese, Meat, Vegetables, Fruits and Grains/ Breads). Now the more common image is a plate divided up into portions, showing how much room vegetables, fruit, meats and breads should fill.

A fun way to run around, get your heart rate up and have fun is to play good old-fashioned tag. One person is “it” and they must tag someone else who is now the chaser. This game has many variations including:

Freeze Tag — Once you are tagged, you are frozen until a friend crawls through your legs to un-freeze you. Game continues until everyone is

Don’t Share!

The image also includes a side of milk.

Seeing the different kinds of foods on a plate can help you see how much of each type of food you should eat. Notice that the fruits/ vegetables portion fills half of your plate. And remember to include whole grains into the “bread” section of your plate.

For more information visit: http://kidshealth. org/kid/stay_healthy/food/pyramid.html.

Learning Standards: HPE 2, NH 1, NH 5

frozen. When this happens, the first one frozen is now “it.”

Partners Tag — Two people hold hands and chase the others.

Once they catch another player, that player joins their chain.

Once two more partners have joined the team, they can split

Most of our childhood we are taught to share. But there are some things that should never be shared! These include eating utensils such as forks, spoons, straws and even napkins. But some other items to keep to yourself are your brush, comb, toothbrush, headbands and makeup. Germs, allergens and even living organism (such as lice) can be passed through sharing these items. What are some other items that should not be shared?

Learning Standards: HPE 3, NH 1, NH 7

into two teams of two, and so on. (Teams must always have at least two players.)

Flashlight Tag — Instead of tagging other players, “it” must simply shine a flashlight on another player, who then becomes “it.”

What are some other ways to play tag? Share your ideas with your classmates.

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

Healthy Snacks

Pizza Roll-Up

Ingredients: 1 whole-wheat tortilla, 2 tbsp pizza sauce, 12 baby spinach leaves, 3 tbsp shredded part-skim mozzarella

Directions: Spread sauce on tortilla, top with a layer of the spinach leaves and sprinkle cheese on top. Microwave on high until the cheese melts (about 30-45 seconds). Carefully roll the tortilla and slice into bite-size pieces.

Rebecca Frazier, Au.D. Chief Audiologist

Where do you work? Center For Hearing & Speech. Where did you go to school? I graduated from Southwest High School in Kansas City, MO. I then received my

B.S. in Communication Disorders from St. Louis University and an Au.D, Doctor of Audiology from Central Michigan University.

What does an audiologist do? I test hearing, fit hearing aids and through those things, I get a chance to help improve people’s lives.

Why did you choose this career? I met a woman named Helen Smith and she has Meniere’s disease, which affects the inner ear. It didn’t seem like she was getting the help she needed, so I changed my major to help her and in the process, I have been able to help hundreds of other people.

What is your favorite part of the job you have? One of my favorite things to do is remove wax from the ear. This simple procedure can improve someone’s hearing and keep their ears healthy. I have found lots of other things such as beans and cotton in ears as well! I remind our patients that it is a good idea to never put anything smaller than their elbow into their ear.

Learning Standards: HPE 6, NH 3

Investigate

Investigate and explore over 700 interactive exhibits and take in a film on one of the world’s largest domed screens in our OMNIMAX® Theater. Come, play and exercise your brain! General admission is always free.

Big Adventure: My Bug World! presented by Terminix® is a multisensory experience that immerses you into the world of

General admission is free. slsc.org/nie5

Harry’s Big Adventure: My Bug World! presented by Terminix® is a multisensory experience that immerses you into the world of bugs. Harry the Chinese Praying Mantis and his bug friends will lead you through freestanding and interactive habitats in a hands-on, fun way!

slsc.org/hbanie1

slsc.org/hbanie2

Harry the Chinese Praying Mantis and his bug friends will lead you through freestanding and interactive habitats in a hands-on, fun way!

Harry’s Big Adventure: My Bug World! presented by Terminix® is a multisensory experience that immerses you into the world of bugs. Harry the Chinese Praying Mantis and his bug friends will lead you through freestanding and interactive habitats in a hands-on, fun way! slsc.org/hbanie4

The St. Louis American’s award winning NIE program reaches more than 7,000 teachers and students throughout the school year.

CLASSROOM SPOTLIGHT

Pershing Elementary School 5th grade teacher Kea Daniels

SCIENCE CORNER

What Is An Entomologist?

An entomologist studies insects. Why are entomologists important? Insects outnumber all species of plants and animals combined. With the sheer number of insects, they have a large impact on the environment. Some insects have adapted to live with humans—such as ants and cockroaches, and some have adapted to live on humans—such as lice and mosquitos.

The Natural History Museum interviewed entomologist Zoe Adams. She became interested in entomology in college when a lecturer spoke about human parasites. Adams was hooked! Adams enjoys the fact that insects are constantly changing and evolving with the

changes in the environment. She enjoys research and learning new things. However, Adams mentioned that it is often difficult to get funding for research.

If you are interested in entomology, research local clubs, such as 4H or “Y”Clubs that have an entomology group. Check out a book about insects at the local library. Observe insects in your neighborhood. Classify them by number of legs, wingspan, color, etc.

To View 3D Insects Online, Visit: http://home.comcast.net/~sharov/3d/3dinsect.html.

Learning Standard: I can read nonfiction text for main idea and supporting details. I can use these details as background knowledge to better understand a new topic.

SCIENCE STARS

AFRICAN AMERICAN EDUCATOR AND ENGINEER: Leon Raymon Roddy

Leon Raymon Roddy was born in 1922 in Texas. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Texas College, a M.S. degree from the University of Michigan in 1949, and his doctorate degree from Ohio State University, in 1953. He was an entomologist, which is a person who studies and classifies insects.

However, Roddy is most famous for his study of arachnids, specifically spiders. He named more than 300 spiders native to Louisiana. Other arachnids include ticks and scorpions. Roddy chose to study spiders because they eat pests, and this interaction has a great impact on the environment.

Roddy served in World War II, and was later a professor at Tillotson College, Austin, Texas, then at Southern University in Louisiana. Roddy was featured in the book American Black Scientists and Inventors and Ebony magazine. In an Ebony magazine interview published in March 1962, Roddy encouraged schools to develop a strong science program and to encourage African Americans to have a solid background in math and physics. Roddy stated that “Research is one of the tools of a great teacher.”

Learning Standards: I can read a biography about a person who has made a contribution in science, math or technology.

SCIENCE EXPERIMENT Insects. Cold or Warm Blooded?

Background Information: In this experiment, you will test insects to see if they prefer cold or warm temperature. How do insects react to temperature change?

Materials Needed:

• Bug Net

• Tall Clear Plastic Cup

• Thermometer • Mesh • Paper

• Pencil • Refrigerator

Procedure:

q Use your bug net to capture an insect.

w Place the insect and thermometer in the plastic cup and cover with mesh.

e Record the temperature and observe the insect’s activity.

r Put the cup in the refrigerator until the temperature is 15 degrees lower. Observe the insect’s activity.

MATH CONNECTION

In the science experiment, you observed the effect of temperature. Scientists will often observe temperature in their experiments and classifications. Answer the following questions about temperature.

A scientist has a liquid that is 93 degrees. If the liquid needs to heat another 22 degrees, what temperature will the liquid be?

DID YOU KNOW?

t Repeat steps three and four.

y Put the cup, with the insect, back in its home environment. How long does it take the insect to come out of the cup?

Analyze: How did the insect’s activity level change with the drop in temperature?

People and other mammals maintain a consistent body temperature of 98.6 degrees, even in warm and cold weather. They adapt by sweating, shivering, etc. Insects, however, are cold blooded, so they are more influenced by the temperature. If the weather is cold, so are they. What insects do you see in summer? What insects do you see in winter? Do you see more insects indoors or outdoors?

Learning Standards: I can follow sequential steps to complete a procedure. I can analyze results.

A science textbook describes a planet that is 240 degrees during the day, but drops 80 degrees lower at night. What temperature is the planet at night?

If the temperature in your city is 68 degrees during the day, but it drops 26 degrees at night, what is the temperature at night? ________

If the weather station predicted a high temperature of 88 degrees and the actual temperature was 9 degrees lower, what was the actual temperature?________

Learning Standards: I can add and subtract to calculate differences in temperature.

MAP CORNER

Use the newspaper to complete these activities to sharpen your skills for the MAP test.

Activity One —

Adjectives:

Set a timer for five minutes. How many adjectives can you find in the newspaper? Why are adjectives included? Next, try your hand at using adjectives. Find an advertisement or a picture and list as many adjectives to describe the image as you can.

Activity Two — Fractions to Decimals: Advertisements for bank rates and car loans often include fractional parts. Convert these fractions to decimals.

Learning Standards: I can identify and create adjectives, and state their purpose. I can use math computations to convert numbers.

Teachers, if you are using the St. Louis American’s NIE program and would like to nominate your class for a Classroom Spotlight, please email: nie@stlamerican.com.

fear of spiders is called

works with students Christian Malloyd, Camryn Moore, Jaisean Rice, and Jayla Yancy on a STEM project to show how water changes the pitch of a jar when tapped. The school is in the University City School District. Photo: Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Photo courtesy Ebony Magazine.

Photos by Gerald Quincy Jones and Maurice Meredith

5,000 attend Urban League job fair

jobs in the area from Connie

Valley Community College on Saturday. The event, which was sponsored by by the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, drew about 5,000 people.

Michael McMillan: ‘This event is a direct result of what we heard on the front lines’

By Bridjes O’Neil

Of The St. Louis American

The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis partnered with St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley to host a job and resource fair Saturday, Sept. 13. A long line of professionally clad job seekers snaked around the upper level of the campus’ Student Center and spilled through the doors. Four buildings were utilized for the fair and were often full to capacity. Around noon, campus

n “I’m actually on probation, and that’s what I’ve been battling every time I try to look for a job.”

– Brandon King

security informed local Urban League President and CEO Michael McMillan that fair attendees had exceeded 2,500. Angelia Bills, local Urban League vice president of communications, said that number had grown to more than 5,000 by 3 p.m. The fair, scheduled to run

from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., was extended by an hour to meet demand.

McMillan said the event stems from community unrest in Ferguson, Missouri following the fatal shooting of unarmed teenager Michael Brown.

Deaconess invests

“This event is a direct result of what we heard on the front lines,” McMillan said. He heard from the unemployed and under-employed – mostly men and youth – seeking job training and educational opportunities, he said. It would normally take months to plan an event of this magnitude, but was accomplished in a three-week time frame, he said. The event is a piece of a collaborative effort by many entities to provide the people of

in youth organizing

By Chris King Of The St. Louis American

The Rev. Starsky Wilson has been paying close attention to the protests in Ferguson and their aftermath, and he saw two clear funding opportunities for the Deaconess Foundation, which he directs.

He saw the emergence of very young black leaders in their teens and early twenties, who took to the streets in anger and grief over the fatal police shooting of Michael Brown. In the process, they showed great courage and leadership potential that could be nurtured to the betterment of their communities. He also saw the emergence of leaders who are still young, but a little more seasoned, African Americans in their twenties and early thirties. They also rose in

protest or in support of protestors, from the front and back line. And they also showed great courage and leadership potential that could be developed further and lead toward positive change. Under Wilson’s leadership, Deaconess Foundation has made the first major investment in the St. Louis region motivated by specific lessons learned from the Ferguson protests, which caught the attention of the region, nation and world after Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson shot and killed Michael Brown on Canfield Drive on August 9 – and the youth rose up in protest.

Rev. Starsky Wilson

On August 20, Deaconess made a special allocation of $100,000 for

community capacitybuilding, and the foundation is now in the process of disbursing those funds to community organizations and researching the most strategic allocation of funds. In fact, every thing about this allocation is strategic.

“This is meant to have a leverage effect, as far as its impact,” Wilson told The American

“We do not believe these dollars themselves, in this amount, will in any wise provide a resolution, but we do think it will make a strategic investment in capacity that can leverage other things and activities.”

Deaconess will invest in funding paid community organizer positions

Reuben Shelton was elected the 2014-15 president of The Missouri Bar. He is senior litigation counsel for Monsanto Corporation and serves as general counsel of the Monsanto Citizenship Fund.

n “Without critical input from young people, we wouldn’t have this opportunity to explore critical matters of race and power dynamics.”

– Rev. Starsky Wilson

at the Youth Council for Positive Development and at the Organization for Black Struggle.

“I thought a lot about what got us to this moment, and without critical input from young people, we wouldn’t still be talking about this,” Wilson said. “We wouldn’t have the opportunity to explore critical matters of race and power

Shelton is the second African-American president of The Missouri Bar. He succeeds Kansas City attorney P. John (Jack) Brady, a shareholder at Polsinelli, as president of the 30,000-member organization Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice was inaugurated as the sixth president of the Morehouse School of Medicine, culminating a Presidential Scholarship drive that is projected to provide $1.5 million. She is the first woman to lead the free-standing medical institution. In addition to president, she will also retain the deanship. Dr. Rice, a renowned infertility specialist and researcher, most recently served as dean and executive vice president of MSM, where she served since 2011.

Jason Kander was named co-chair of the national Voter Participation Committee for the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS). He is Missouri Secretary of State. He will co-chair the committee with Mississippi Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann Jr. “I look forward to working with my co-chair and members of the committee as we seek ways to increase voter participation nationwide,” Kander said.

Jan Hess has been selected to serve on the Advisory Board of Spirit of Women, a national network of leading hospitals dedicated to improving women’s lives with innovative health and community programs. She is vice president of St. Luke’s Hospital in Chesterfield, Missouri. The Spirit of Women Advisory Board is responsible for furthering the mission of Spirit of Women by helping to develop meaningful and actionable programming and education for communities.

Sal Martinez was appointed to the boards of the Civil Rights Enforcement Agency and the St. Louis County Library Foundation. He is executive director of Community Renewal and Development, Inc. The Civil Rights Enforcement Agency monitors and investigates fair housing, equal employment and public accommodation complaints.

Tracee Lewis has been named as an assistant principal at McCluer High School for the 2014-2015 school year. Lewis has worked in the Ferguson-Florissant School District since 1997. She began as a high school English teacher and later served students as a middle school guidance counselor before becoming a high school guidance counselor in 2004. In 2013, she earned a doctor of education degree in Educational Leadership from Maryville University. On the move? Congratulations! Send your good professional news and a color headshot to cking@stlamerican. com.

Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice

Jason Kander

Jan Hess

Sal Martinez

Tracee Lewis

Photo by Wiley Price

Reuben Shelton

Chanita Valiant of St. Louis received information concerning

Taylor, a director with the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis. The Ferguson Job and Resoirce Fair was held at Florissant

Don’t be surprised by retiree healthcare costs

By Jason Alderman

Retirement isn’t cheap.

Even though you’re no longer drawing a paycheck, you still must pay for housing, food, utilities, transportation and healthcare, to name just a few expenses. As prices continue to escalate, it’s not surprising that the ages at which people expect to retire – and when they actually do – have crept up in recent years.

Speaking of healthcare costs, here’s a number that’ll stop you in your tracks:

According to an annual Fidelity Investments study of retirement costs, the average couple retiring in 2014 at age 65 is expected to need $220,000 (in today’s dollars) to cover their medical expenses in retirement. Those planning to retire at 62 can expect another $17,000 in additional annual expenses.

Fidelity’s estimate includes Medicare premiums, deductibles, copayments and other out-of-pocket costs, but notably does not include most dental or vision services, over-

YOUTH

Continued from B1

dynamics.”

So Wilson said the foundation decided to make an investment in community organizers working with youth ages 16 through 24 – “the people we saw on the front lines at night in North County,” he said. The organizers hired also will come from that demographic, Wilson said.

the-counter medications or, most importantly, long-term care.

When Fidelity polled preretirees aged 55 to 64, 48 percent believed they’d only need $50,000 to cover their healthcare costs in retirement. That’s quite a reality gap. If you’re planning to retire in the next few years and are concerned you haven’t saved enough money to cover your healthcare expenses, here’s a sampling of what you can expect to pay:

Medicare Part A helps cover inpatient hospital, skilled nursing facility and hospice services, as well as home health care. Most people pay no monthly premium for Part A. However, in 2014 there’s a $1,216 deductible for each time you’re admitted as an inpatient, plus a $306 daily coinsurance after 60 days ($608/day after 90 days).

Medicare Part B pays toward medically necessary doctor’s services, outpatient care, durable medical

Deaconess also is investing in nurturing the leadership from the next age bracket, the 20- and 30-somethings. The foundation is engaging the joint venture of Emerging Wisdom and Vector Communications, he said, to work with “highcapacity African-American leaders in developing strategy and networking together.”

This funding priority reflects the fact – especially visible on Twitter, where the Ferguson movement was primarily organized – that the young

equipment and many preventive services. It’s optional and has a $104.90 monthly premium (although higher-income people pay more). There’s a $147 yearly deductible, after which you’re responsible for 20 percent of Medicare-approved service amounts, provided the doctor/ provider accepts Medicare. Note: There’s no annual limit for out-of-pocket expenses.

Medicare Part C (Advantage) plans are offered by private insurers as alternatives to Parts A and B. They’re usually structured like HMO or PPO plans. Most cover prescription drugs (so Part D is unnecessary) and some also provide dental and vision coverage. You must use the plan’s doctor, hospital and pharmacy provider networks, which are more restrictive than under Parts A and B. Advantage plan costs vary considerably, based on factors such as annual out-ofpocket maximums, monthly premiums, copayments and covered medications. Some

leaders who emerged had no game plan for how to work together once the initial rush of protest and violent police response subsided.

“We want to engage some power-building and power-shifting,” Wilson said. “That may seem like an odd investment. But I believe that while some of responses we’ve seen have been valuable, they could have been more valuable – if not now, then in the next situation like this – had there been a more established

Advantage plans cost no more than Part B, while others have a higher premium (to account for drug and other additional coverage).

Medicare Part D helps cover the cost of prescription drugs. It’s optional and carries a monthly premium. These privately run plans vary widely in terms of cost, copayments and deductibles and medications covered. The 2014 national average monthly premium is about $32, although plans can cost up to $175 a month. Plus, higher-income people pay an additional surcharge. You may not find a plan that covers all your medications, but aim for one that at least covers the most expensive drugs.

Use the Medicare Plan Finder at www.medicare. gov to compare Part D and Advantage plans in your area. To learn more about how Medicare works and what it does and doesn’t cover, read “Medicare & You 2014” at the same website.

network with covenants for how leaders relate to one another.”

Smaller portions of the grant will go toward a neighborhood assessment of wants and needs in the Canfield area, and in a seed grant for youth development the foundations hopes will entice other, larger funders to St. Louis.

In all of these allocations, Wilson said, the foundation is looking toward the long term. As the region braces for the outcome of the grand

Cortex to receive $10.3M in TIGER grants

U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill announced the approval of millions of dollars in competitive federal grant funding for infrastructure projects in St. Louis and Washington, Missouri. McCaskill said that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) will award federal TIGER Grants to the Central Corridor Transit Enhancement and Job Access program (Cortex) in St. Louis – which will receive $10.3 million – and to the new Route 47 Missouri River Bridge in Washington – which will receive $10 million.

The Workforce Connex, Mid-America Regional Council in Kansas City will receive a $1.2 million planning grant. The TIGER grant program—officially the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery program— targets major national and regional transportation projects that are often difficult to pursue through other government funding programs. Selected projects must foster job creation, show strong economic benefits, and promote communities that are safer, cleaner, and more livable.

DED awards $250K in tax credits to St. Louis food bank

The Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED) approved five Missouri food banks for a total of more than $1 million in tax credits under the Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP).

Operation Food Search, Inc., in St. Louis has been approved for $250,000 in tax credits. Food banks in Kansas City, Columbia, Stover, Sikeston also received tax credits. NAP helps not-for-profit organizations raise privatesector funds by providing partial state tax credits to businesses that make contributions to approved community improvement projects. Businesses can donate cash, materials, supplies or equipment; technical assistance and professional services; labor; real estate; or stocks and bonds. Credits can equal up to 50 percent of the total amount contributed.

jury process, led by St. Louis County Prosecutor Bob McCulloch, Wilson realizes that mid-October is not the last potential flash point, given the wide disparities in wealth and well being in this region, as documented in the landmark report “For the Sake of All” (www.forthesakeofall.org).

“We have to recognize these situations come up in our community regularly,” Wilson said, “and we need a long-term strategy to elevate people to a level of influence where they

can impact policy, particularly where it concerns the care of children and youth.”

A ministry of the United Church of Christ, the Deaconess Foundation has invested more than $72 million to improve the health of the St. Louis community since 1998. For more information, visit www.deaconess.org. Connect with Deaconess on Twitter @DeaconessFound and Facebook. Follow this reporter @ chriskingstl.

– Adrian Peterson

Pattonville off to 4-0 start

With Palmer L.

Rams nudge Bucs

Edwardsville dominates East St. Louis

The Pattonville Pirates have been off the area radar in recent years, but they are starting to make some noise in 2014. Led by a stingy defense and a talented freshman quarterback, the Pirates are off to a 4-0 start this season. Pattonville’s defense has given up only 14 points this season with three shutouts. They are led by junior linebacker Jordan Wilkes, who has four sacks, two interceptions and one fumble recovery. He also leads the team in tackles. Senior defensive end D’Mondre Williams has five quarterback sacks. On offense, freshman quarterback Kaleb

McCluer North Stars’ Harry Ballard (12) uses a stiff arm to escape a Hazelwood East Spartan during Saturday’s game at McCluer. McCluer went on to defeat the Spartans 10-6. Am I the only one who wanted more fisticuffs and less bromance?

For all intents and purposes, other fighters can’t hold a candle to Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr. when it comes to drawing power. However, it seems that Mayweather’s flame may be fluttering just a tad as the superstar boxer nears the tail end of his career.

H.

Mayweather (47-0-0, 26 KO) was equal parts impressive and sleep-inducing in his easy decision victory over Marcos “El Chinco”

n On offense, Pattonville freshman quarterback Kaleb Eleby has been an instant standout with 928 yards passing and nine touchdowns.

Eleby has been an instant standout with 928 yards passing and nine touchdowns. Eleby has several targets, led by senior Jake Stroker, who has 16 receptions for 353 yards and four touchdowns. Senior running back Tyrone Eastern has rushed for 355 yards and six touchdowns. The Pirates will get their toughest test of the season to date when perennial state power

Webster Groves pays a visit on Friday night at 7 p.m.

Edwardsville dominates ESL Edwardsville High turned in one dominating performance in defeating East St. Louis 57-32 in their Southwestern Conference showdown last Saturday. The Tigers scored on eight of their nine possessions and put on a show in the passing game. Senior Dan Marinko threw for 441 yards and a school-record seven touchdowns. He also scored on a rushing touchdown. Senior Fontez Davis also had a school-record 258 yards receiving and three touchdowns. It was quite a display of offense

See PREP, B5

After a less than sterling performance in the season opener a week ago, the St. Louis Rams got some redemption in a wacky, frustrating, weather-delayed football game, beating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 19-17. The game was not pretty at all to watch, but that is the least of the Rams concern, because they sport a 1-1 record instead of being 0-2 and facing a Dallas Cowboys team before heading into an early-season bye week. You never want to use the term must-win this early in the season, but this was one of those games. Especially for the Rams, who lost Tavon Austin to a knee injury prior to the rain delay.

Quarterback Austin Davis played tremendously better against the Bucs, whose defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier tested the young QB often with high-pressure packages. Davis did his job, connecting on 22 of 29 throws and spreading the ball around. He completed passes to eight different receivers. Not only did he get the ball out of his hands quicker than last week against the Minnesota Vikings, but he didn’t turn the ball over either.

n You never want to use the term mustwin this early in the season, but this was one of those games.

The Rams’ offensive line did better, giving Davis time, but they can still play better than they did. Brian Quick caught seven passes, and it should’ve been eight. Austin Pettis, who is sometimes forgotten, made a clutch catch that set up the winning field goal by Greg Zuerlein, who turned in a solid game, making all four of his field goal attempts. The Rams on defense looked out of position and had problems stopping the run. Either you had guys overrunning the play, not containing their gap assignment or attempting bad tackling. You can’t allow your defense to get gutted for a shade over six yards a carry by Bobby Rainey in place of Duane Martin. But, they did come up with a key red zone takeaways. Safety Rodney McLeod Jr. made a fantastic grab of an errant throw by Josh McCown, defusing a potential scoring drive by Tampa Bay.

But the star of the game was no doubt TJ McDonald. McDonald blocked a punt and a field goal and delivered several bone-jarring hits. He saved his hardest hit for last, when he laid a vicious hit on wide out Mike Evans.

Maidana (35-5-0, 31 KO) in their rematch. The fight carried an odd aura from the jump. Even though the first fight between the two combatants was one of Mayweather’s more entertaining scraps in quite some time, fans and boxing media appeared lukewarm on the rematch. Turns out, they were right.

After fighting off the ropes and in the pocket for much of the first fight, Mayweather reverted to a more defensive

With Ishmael H. Sistrunk

Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr. complains to referee Kenny Bayless after claiming that Marcos Maidana bit him through his glove during Saturday night’s bout.

n Mayweather’s flame may be fluttering just a tad as the superstar boxer nears the tail end of his career.

Mayweather fought the way many expected him to fight back in May. He moved side-to-side and whenever Maidana got within punching range, Mayweather grabbed a hold of Maidana for dear life. I know it’s the start of ‘cuffing season’ but I can’t be the only one that wanted more fisticuffs

See CLUTCH, B5

Ishmael

Sistrunk

Austin Jr.

Palmer L. Alexander

Photo by Wiley Price

Claib’s Call

With Mike Claiborne

How to speak in racist sports code

Mike Claiborne

It’s really hard for us to take sports seriously these days, as the dark side seems to make a daily appearance via the media. The NFL and NBA cannot seem to get out of their own way. As for the NBA, welcome to Stereotyping 101. Yes, they really have a mess in Atlanta with the Hawks. You have an owner who is selling his portion of the team because he turned himself into the league for a racist email he wrote that was for inner-office eyes only. Something is fishy about that, considering he wrote the email two years ago. It sounds like someone had the goods on him, hence the reason for him to get out without further damage, as he had already tried to sell the team once before. No, I am not all in on the explanation, but it’s one less racist to worry about, as co owner Bruce Levenson will soon be out. That is not the only problem the Hawks have, as their General Manager Danny Ferry had some unflattering remarks in describing then potential free agent Luol Deng. Deng, who is from Africa, was considered “too African” in the eyes of Ferry, as he did not feel he was trustworthy according to a stereotypical description of players from the continent. Once Ferry was busted, he later apologized for his crude remarks. He was internally disciplined and has taken a leave of absence. Why is he

still employed? Maybe he has the goods on someone. New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony recently stated that the Hawks will now have a hard time getting free agents to sign with them

because of the racial turmoil. Even the most ardent racist would have a tough time defending the actions of Ferry, but then again if you give one of them time they will have a demented reason why Ferry has

a point. It’s how they roll.

Mind you, Danny Ferry is not the only one who harbors those feelings. He just got caught saying it. Ferry’s sentiments exist in all sports. The code words are used by front office personnel, coaches, assistant coaches and even media members. Here are some to terms to follow:

n Luol Deng, who is from Africa, was considered “too African” in the eyes of Ferry.

your IQ, commitment, ability to learn the language will be questioned, and you’re likely to be called a “show off” or “hot dog.” There are countless more that are used but they are normally used in comfortable surroundings.

White athletes are always “heady.” They have “high” (whatever the sport may be) “IQs.”

Black players are “struggling with the system” or need to be “more committed.”

White players show “moxie” and “toughness.”

Black players “dog it” too much or just play with the “athletic skill set” they have and nothing else.

If you are a Latin ball player, it can be even worse, as

No, Danny Ferry is not the sole problem here. He may not even lose his job, and that should not be a major surprise as there are plenty like him all sports. They will now be more selective in who they talk to and what they now email out.

In the NFL, we have lack of integrity at the top, botched internal investigations, positive drugs test for everything short of bad breath, domestic violence and now parental abuse by one its best players (and a sure-fire pick by any

will be the only way things can be changed unless there is another scandal awaiting that hits the commissioner closer to home or he is caught in a lie, whereas the owners would have no choice but to shop around for credibility’s sake. These leagues make billions of dollars a year off of fans who support their sport, and they really could care less what you and I think. It’s your move now. Do you want to be heard, or are you just prepared to shake your head and move on to the next game?

Atlanta Hawks co-owner Bruce Levenson turned himself into the league for a racist email he wrote that was for inner-office eyes only.

for the Tigers, who just barely missed knocking off the state’s No. 1 team in Loyola Wilmette Academy in the previous week.

Under Armour All-Americans Congratulations to Metro East area standouts Terry Beckner Jr. of East St. Louis and Austin Siebert of Belleville West, who were both selected

to participate in the Under Armour All-American Game. The All-Star game will be held in January in Tampa, FL. Both players received their All-Star Game jerseys last weekend in special ceremonies at their respective schools. The 6’4” 290-pound Beckner, Jr. is one of the top defensive linemen in the country. Siebert is one of the top kickers in the nation. He has committed to Oklahoma.

Shout Outs

Miller Career Academy’s

Marquis Stewart rushed for 244 yards on 12 carries and scored four touchdowns in the Phoenix’ 68-6 victory over Madison Prep.

University City’s Jabree Mason rushed for 206 yards and three touchdowns in the Lions’ 25-6 victory over Parkway West.

Westminster’s Dyllan Conway had seven receptions for 175 yards and two touchdowns in the Wildcats’ 21-7 victory over MICDS.

Belleville West’s Ramon Stacker scored two defensive touchdowns in the Maroons’ 41-0 victory over Granite

City. He scored on a 25-yard

interception return and a 20-yard fumble recovery.

Fort Zumwalt South’s Pendlton Whaley and Cameron Jackson combined to rush for 305 yards and five touchdowns in the Bulldogs’ 61-41 victory over Holt.

Top Games of the Week

This week’s schedule is loaded with excellent matchups all over the area. Metro Catholic Conference powerhouse CBC will host

Terry

Beckner Jr. receives Under Armour All-America Jersey

East St. Louis football standout Terry Beckner, Jr. (middle) was selected to play in the Under Armour All-American Game, which will be played on January 2 in St. Petersburg, FL. Beckner, Jr. was presented with his UA All-America jersey at halftime of last Saturday’s game between the Flyers and Edwardsville in a special ceremony. Beckner Jr. is joined by Tony Young (East St. Louis Athletic Director), Chris Martinez (American Family Insurance), Lelon Seaberry (Principal) and Gerald Quincy Jones (Flyers Public Address Announcer). Terry Beckner, Jr. is ranked among the top five defensive ends in the country.

CLUTCH

Continued from B3 and less bromance in the bout. Meanwhile referee Kenny Bayless did his best to break the clenches before Maidana the fighters had a chance to work out of the clenches by throwing actual punches. Mayweather got hit much less than he did in the first bout, but seemed disinterested and a tad slower than usual. Maidana didn’t fight with the same vigor, heart or aggression as he did in the first bout. I thought his timid start was a calculated effort to stay fresh later in the fight. But Maidana never really dialed up the aggression. He simply followed Mayweather around the ring like a lost puppy for most of the fight.

“Maidana fought like a guy who was happy about his $3 million,” said E. Allen (aka Mr. Factoid), frequent co-host of In

the Clench

Even the hardcore, ride or day Mayweather fans at my fight party were seen dozing off various times, slobbering on their TMT hats during the lackluster fight and downright awful undercard bouts. Fans at the MGM Grand booed various times throughout the night. There were only two legitimate moments of excitement in the fight. At the end of the third round, Maidana appeared to hurt Mayweather at the end of round three with a crushing right hand. The punch was at the bell though and the poundfor-pound champ recovered well by the next round. The other interesting moment came in the 8th round when Mayweather accused Maidana of biting his hand though the glove. It was the only time in the fight that Maidana appeared hungry for the victory. Many expect the PPV numbers to fall somewhere in the 800-900k range. That means Mayweather will have

failed to draw 1 million PPV buys in three of his past four fights. The bout that did surpass one million buys was the fight was Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and its 2.2 million buys set an all-time record. Still the pattern shows that while Mayweather is king, without a true A-list opponent, he’s not always a certified PPV monster.

While I want to punch myself in the face for even suggesting it, that leaves a sliver of hope that we may finally see Mayweather vs Manny “Pac Man” Pacquiao in the squared circle. With two fights remaining on his deal with Showtime, there aren’t many fights for Mayweather that will excite the masses. Rematches with Miguel Cotto or Alvarez register shrugs. Potential opponents like Shawn Porter and Erislandy Lara have likely fallen out of contention with recent losses. Danny Garcia and Keith Thurman are not yet widely known. A fight

with Amir Khan might sell in the UK, but it would be a dud in the US.

If Mayweather wants to get north of 1 million buys and get back to getting paid handsomely on the PPV upside, he’ll have to finally ‘Manny’ up and face Pacquiao. That’s assuming the Pac-Man emerges victorious in his own disappointing PPV fight with Chris Algieri. The numbers from that fight will likely be half those of MayweatherMaidana II.

Back in July, Mayweather promised a “surprise” for his next bout in May 2015. Many suspect he’ll finally call Pacquiao’s number. If he doesn’t, don’t be surprised when nobody shows up or tunes in to watch. It’s now or never for Mayweather vs Pacquiao.

Follow Ishmael and In the Clutch on Twitter @ IshmaelSistrunk and on Google+.

an emerging Chaminade team on Friday night at 7 p.m.

Undefeated Pattonville will host Webster Groves on Friday night in another excellent matchup. On Saturday, Miller Career Academy will take on Soldan in a battle of 4-0 teams for the top spot in the Public High League. Another Saturday showdown will be in the Metro League when undefeated John Burroughs pays a visit to Lutheran North. Undefeated Ladue will host undefeated and state-ranked Cape Girardeau Central in a non-conference battle on Saturday.

Dorrian Gordon

Fontez Davis

semifinals. He was also a member of the Tigers’ Class 3A state-champion 4x100-meter relay in track and field.

Continued from B3 been better for the Rams. They escaped with a victory on the road in adverse conditions. This weekend they will square off against the Dallas Cowboys, who upended the Tennessee Titans on the road by 16 points. Rams coach Jeff Fisher said after the game that when Shaun Hill is ready, he

will be the starter instead of Austin Davis. But there is no denying that Austin Davis did open some eyes with that performance.

Since the Buccaneers were out of time outs and there was eight seconds remaining on the clock, the 10 rule took effect, and the timing couldn’t have

For more Rams Roundup, please subscribe to youtube. com/stlamericanvideo.

Continued from B1

North St. Louis County and the entire region with resources to become self-sufficient, he said. He expressed gratitude toward the Salvation Army for being on board since the “onset.” Free “hefty” bags of groceries and toiletries were distributed in the gymnasium.

“It’s just for supplementing what they already have,” Urban League Director of Operations Quenesha Catron said.

“It’s definitely something that will help.”

Treat America, which provides catering and cafeteria services for the community college, prepared and distributed 2,500 free sack meals near the Student Center outside the library. Empowerment workshops were conducted on financial literacy, navigating a job fair, first-time home buying, voter education and knowing your rights, among other topics.

Men, women and youth of all ages and ethnicities attended the fair, including 19-year-old

Brandon King. King has been job hunting since being laid off in June after working as a dishwasher at a South St. Louis café. He was not looking for a particular job, he said. His only concern was simply to re-enter the workforce. He is studying culinary arts at STLCC’s Forest Park campus, but says he “really needs money.”

His background complicates his job search, he said.

“I’m actually on probation, and that’s what I’ve been battling every time I try to look for a job,” he said. “It’s kind of hard; but if you push yourself, it’ll come.”

Although Sadie Pennington, 68, said she has a job, she also came to the fair seeking employment as well as utility and mortgage assistance, after falling three months behind, she said.

Thirty-five social service agencies and more than 90 employers representing a widerange of job fields including the Centene Corp. answered the call to help heal and move the community forward, McMillan said.

Centene announced on September 2 that it will open

a new claims processing facility in Ferguson, creating 200 new jobs by the end of the year. State and local police departments were also in attendance to expand the recruitment of AfricanAmerican applicants, McMillan said. The Ferguson Police Department, which serves a predominantly AfricanAmerican community, has been scrutinized for its lack of diversity since Brown’s death. It has only three black officers and 50 white officers.

Missouri State Highway Patrol Capt. Ron Johnson manned a table in the back of the room, graciously answering questions and accepting resumes from applicants.

“This event shows that unemployment is an issue in our community,” Johnson said. “And if you look at the group that here, it’s really diverse of culture and gender. It’s something that we need to continue to work toward.”

Follow this reporter on Twitter: @BridjesONeil. E-mail this reporter: boneil@ stlamerican.com.

Financial Focus

By Courtney Bond, financial advisor

Baby Boomers, don’t let retirement plans go bust

If

But even if you are pretty close to retirement, or at least close to the point where you initially expected to retire, you can act to better your outcome. For one thing, you could re-evaluate your planned date of retirement. If

Missouri State Highway Patrol Captain Ronald Jackson talks with Reliance Bank Community Relations VP Clayton Evans and Urban League President and CEO Michael McMillan during the Ferguson Job and Resource Fair.

Photo by Wiley Price

The

power of love, truth and music

STL jazz trumpeter Floyd LeFlore mourned by family, friends, fellow artists

By Chris King

Of The St. Louis American

At the memorial service on Saturday morning for Floyd A. LeFlore Jr., the jazz trumpeter and poet from St. Louis, the Rev. Lee Goodman invoked “pastoral privilege” to skip his scheduled eulogy.

“We’ll instead go to a selection,” Rev. Goodman said, “and then on to family reflections – where I think you’ll find the eulogy.”

The crowd of family, friends, fellow artists and fans found a

number of eulogies in the reflections of LeFlore’s immensely gifted and accomplished family.

His wife Shirley LeFlore, a poet and performing artist who counts many of the nation’s greatest writers as her peers, delivered what became a free jazz eulogy. She started off, as many people did, talking very plain, even a little salty. “Floyd had his secret self,” she said. “His ... idiosyncrasies.”

Musician and poet David A.N. Jackson backed her on kalimba as Shirley reflected on the early days of the Black Artists Group

(B.A.G.). “During that time,” she said, “many of us were seeking personal, social, political and spiritual freedom. So many of us grew together.” She spoke from the experience of falling in love – and never quite completely out of love – despite

everything. “It was a promise we made: we never got divorced,” she said. “We lived together. We lived apart.” They discovered something greater than both of them that had the power to make

See LEFLORE, C4

Drawing from pages of pain

‘American’ becomes canvas for Fergusoninspired protest art

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

“Using The St. Louis American, let me take what I had going on in my head and how I’m dealing with this situation – and what I want to say about it through my art – and lent credibility to my voice,” said creative artist and graphic designer Howard Barry.

Since the August 14 edition of The American hit newsstands across the city and county, Barry has been using the pages related to the Michael Brown tragedy as his personal canvas.

That Thursday’s paper was a front-to-back commemoration of the thoughts, feelings and perspectives that emerged in response to Brown’s death and the subsequent community outrage that would ultimately capture the world’s attention.

“I needed something to lock it in for me – kind of like they do with hostages where they make them take a picture with that newspaper to stamp the time and the date,” Barry said. “I wanted that for me. I didn’t want it to be another one of those things where we get mad and then we move on.” Barry has created more than 50

See ART, C5

‘Total Recall’ actor Mel Johnson Jr. co-stars in ‘One Man, Two Guvnors’

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

“I was in a production called ‘The Rosy Cheeked Ghost,’ and when I hit that stage in the second grade I said, ‘This is for me,’” said stage, film and television actor Mel Johnson Jr. Decades later, his Broadway credits alone include classics such as “Eubie!” with Maurice and Gregory Hines, “The Rink” with

Liza Minnelli and Chita Rivera, Bob Fosse’s “Big Deal,” Mufasa in “The Lion King” and most recently a starring role in the new Earth, Wind and Fire musical, “Hot Feet!”

He’s also been a regular face of The New York Shakespeare Festival, where he most recently starred in the revival of the musical “Two Gentleman Of Verona” for the festival’s Shakespeare In The Park.

He’s acted in every possible

T.I. discussed “New National Anthem,” the third single off of his upcoming album “Paperwork” with Hot 104.1 FM personality A-Plus recently at the Marquee.

by Lawrence Bryant Rapper talks police violence with ‘New National Anthem,’ release of ninth CD

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St.

Louis American

“Home of the brave and free…free just to murder me,” pop singer Skylar Grey croons on the hook of rap star T.I.’s “New National Anthem.” “Land of the beautiful, cursed by the hate we throw.” Even for a rapper who made a name for himself through music that chronicled his hustler days on the streets of Atlanta, the song is easily his most politically charged and controversial to date.

T.I. made a visit to St. Louis recently to speak with Hot 104.1 FM afternoon personality A-Plus about the release of his ninth studio album “Paperwork.”

But a major item on the agenda was the subject matter of the album’s third single – which rings loud and clear in the wake of the Michael Brown tragedy.

“Land of the handgun, home of the shotgun – you dead if you ain’t got one,” T.I. comes behind Grey’s vocals.

“Man, officer, what I do? Don’t shoot, I live over there,” T.I. says on the record in between his verses. “What the [expletive] y’all know about being a black man in America?”

One might assume it was written in response to Brown’s tragic death at the hands of Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson on August 9.

TI, C5

Mel Johnson Jr. as Lloyd Boateng and Ruth Pferdehirt as Dolly in The Rep’s production of “One Man, Two Guvnors.”

Photo by Jerry Naunheim Jr.

Shirley LeFlore delivered a free jazz eulogy for her husband Floyd A. LeFlore Jr., backed by David A.N. Jackson and Dwayne Bosman, on Saturday at McClendon Mortuary in Florissant.

Ferguson artwork by Howard Barry

How to place a calendar listing

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

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

Calendar listings are free of charge, are edited for space and run on a space-available basis. The St. Louis County Library Foundation is pleased to present Mark Whitaker for a discussion of his biography, ‘Cosby: His Life and Times.’ See LITERARY for details.

concerts

Sun., Sept. 21, 9 p.m., Fubar presents Coast 2 Coast Live, St. Louis Edition. Coast 2 Coast Live is an Interactive Artist Showcase that brings together artists, DJs, Models, Media and more for a professional networking event. Artists in the showcase are judged by a panel of celebrity judges via the exclusive Coast 2 Coast Live judging system on iPads, and the winner walks away with a huge prize package to take their career to the next level and join Coast 2 Coast in Miami for the 2015 Convention. 3108 Locust St., 63101. For more information, visit coast2coastlive.com/ events.

Thur., Sept. 25, 7 p.m., Kwame Foundation, TBeats, K&LG Enterprises present Intimate Birthday Bash feat. Chrisette Michele. Also performing will be Brianna Elise and Souls of Liberty. The Pageant, 6161 Delmar Blvd., 63112. For more information call (314) 726-6161 or visit www. ticketmaster.com.

Thur., Sept. 25, 7 p.m., Sheldon Concert Hall presents Divas for a Cause 4. A celebration to beneit Beyond Housing. Three St. Louis artists will come together for one night only. Enjoy the Jazz, Rhythm and Blues of Jeffery Hardin and the versatile stylings of Cheryl Brown. The show will close with the spectacular voice of Grammy nominated Theo Peoples. 3648

Washington ave., 63108. For more information, visit www. sheldonconcerthall.org or call (314) 533-9900.

Sat., Oct. 4, 7 p.m., The Chaifetz Arena presents Chance The Rapper. One S. Compton Ave., 63103. For more information, call (314) 977-5000.

Sat., Oct. 4, 8 p.m., The Sheldon Concert Hall presents Hugh Masekela and Vusi Mahlasela. Two of South Africa’s renowned musical icons come together to honor twenty years of democracy and the official end of Apartheid in their native country. In a collaborative performance, Hugh Masekela and Vusi Mahlasela pay homage with a collection of “freedom” songs, including many of their own, on their first-ever joint tour. For more information, visit www.sheldonconcerthall.org.

Sat., Oct. 18, 8 p.m., Tamar Braxton, The Ambassador. 9800 Halls Ferry. For tickets visit www.metrotix.com or call (314) 534-1111.

local gigs

Sat., Oct. 4, 10 a.m., FarFetched presents End’ter’im. This musical event spans multiple genres including rock, funk, soul, hip-hop, and more to relect the city’s wide range of talent. PXSTL has transformed a vacant lot across the street from the Pulitzer building into a destination in the heart of Grand Center with the

temporary pavilion lots. 3713 & 3719 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www.pulitzerarts.org.

Sundays, 6:30 p.m. (6 p.m. doors) Jazz @ Eventide, featuring Black and White Trio. Sip N Savor, 286 DeBaliviere, 1/2 block north of the Forest park Metro link. For more information, call (314)361-2116.

special events

Thurs., Sept. 18, 8 p.m., Gateway Arch Riverboats presents Blues Cruise. Experience the sounds of live local blues bands as you cruise down the Mississippi River and enjoy the beautiful St. Louis skyline. Includes cruise and music. 21 and over. Cash bar and concessions are available. Reservations are required. 50 S. Leonor K Sullivan Blvd. 63102. For more information, call (877) 982-1410 or visit ticketsforthearch.com.

Fri., Sept. 19, 7 p.m., St. Louis Community College Forest Park presents STLCC “It’s a Small World AfterAll” Trivia Night. Make your “travel” plans to attend St. Louis Community College’s Trivia Night to raise funds for student study abroad scholarships. Soda and bottled water will be available for sale. Alcohol is not permitted on school property. Participants may bring snacks as well as table decorations to the event, which includes 10 rounds of questions plus a silent

auction. 5600 Oakland Ave., 63110. For more information, visit www.stlcc.edu.

Sept. 19 – 21, Chesterield Amphitheater & Chesterield Village host Budweiser Taste of St. Louis. Voted St. Louis’ Best Food Event by St. Louis Magazine’s A-List Readers’ Choice Poll, the 10th annual Budweiser Taste of St. Louis is The Ultimate Food Experience. 30+ Restaurants, The Art & Wine Walk, the all new Amphitheater Shows with national culinary celebrities, the Chef Battle Royale, Kid City and much more. 631 Veteran’s Place Dr., 63107. For more information, visit TasteSTL.com.

Fri., Sept. 26, 5:30 p.m., The Gallery 400 presents Bridging the Gap 2014. This year’s theme, “Classic St. Louis,” will be carried out in the look, the feel and the taste of the event. In addition to that perennial favorite, the Wine Ring Toss, guests will enjoy entertainment and food that falls into the local “favorites” category like toasted ravioli from Bartolino’s. Enjoy a drink from the wonderful bar in this year’s venue, Gallery 400. Free valet parking for the evening. Dress for the evening is open to your own interpretation of “Classic” – St. Louis style. 400 Washington Ave., 63102. For more information, visit www. bridgestl.org.

Sept., 25 – 28, Disney on Ice presents Princesses and Heroes. Enter a world of wonder where heroes and hearts prevail. Join Ariel as she years to explore the world about the waves and Prince Eric breaks Ursula’s slithering spell to reclaim his one true

love. See Prince Philip defeat the evil Maleicent to rescue Sleeping Beauty’s Aurora. Be there to discover a whole new world with Jasmine and Aladdin. Watch in awe as the dreams of Cinderella, Belle, Snow White, Rapunzel and Tiana all come true. One S. Compton Ave., 63103. For more information, call (314) 977-5000.

Sept. 26 – 28, Stacy Park hosts Olivette on the Go. The City of Olivette welcomes fall with an all-out festival. The festival features a wide array of live music, local food, games and carnival rides. Olivette’s Got Talent and the Classic Car Show return for the second year. The 5K and Fun Run will be held on Sunday. Attendees can look forward to the big Friday night kick-off with interactive DJ Reggie and hip-hop dancers. Don’t forget to get wristband crazy for the carnival rides. 9750 Old Bonhomme Rd., 63132. For more information, visit www. OlivetteOnTheGo.com.

Fri., Oct. 3, 12:30 p.m., Crescent Farms Golf Club hosts Immigrant & Refugee Women’s Program (IRWP), 1st Annual Golf Tournament. Immigrant & Refugee Women’s Program volunteers provide one-onone in-home English tutoring for isolated immigrants and refugees throughout the St. Louis community.745 Lewis Road, Eureka, 63025. For ticket information, call (314) 771-1104. For registration information,www.irwp.net.

Fri., Oct. 3, 8 p.m., Wine Press presents An Evening of Wine, Food, and Javier Mendoza. Tickets include, Buffet dinner, glass of wine and Concert. 4436 Olive St., 63108. For more information, visit www.javiermendoza.com.

Sat., Oct. 4, 7:30 a.m., Majic 100.3 and Hallelujah 1600 present 5th Annual Sista Strut – Walk to End Breast Cancer. A portion of the proceeds beneit the Breakfast Club, Inc., an African American breast cancer support group; The Black Women Breast Cancer Survivors Project, a community based project at UMSL; and the Siteman Cancer Center. Soldiers’ Memorial, 1315 Chestnut St., 63103. For more information, visit www.sistastrutSTL.com.

Sat., Oct. 4, 10 a.m., Benton Park hosts Taste of Benton Park Festival. There will be a food tent with samples from

13 local restaurants, as well as a wine and beer booth, chalk art, live music, and more. 3100 S. Jefferson Ave., 63118. For more information, visit www. bpnastl.org.

Sat., Oct. 4, 10 a.m., FarFetched presents End’ter’im. This musical event spans multiple genres including rock, funk, soul, hip-hop, and more to reflect the city’s wide range of talent. PXSTL has transformed a vacant lot across the street from the Pulitzer building into a destination in the heart of Grand Center with the temporary pavilion lots. 3713 & 3719 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www.pulitzerarts.org.

comedy

Sat., Sept. 29 – Dec. 13, Satori presents STL Up Late. This is an interactive late night talk show featuring the most talented & engaging guests that St. Louis has to offer. STL Up Late takes all of the best elements of your favorite televised late night talk shows, like live music & famous personalities, and adds interactive audience games, sketch comedy, and a spontaneity that you can’t ind on FCC regulated TV shows. 3003 Locust St., 63103. For more information, visit www. stluplate.com.

Thurs., Oct. 9, 5 p.m., Ramada Plaza Hotel presents Little Black Dress Affair: A Night of Shopping & Comedy. Tickets are on sale now for the Ultimate Ladies Night Out – networking, shopping, & comedy show. Vendors Reserve Your Table Today. Shop til you Drop then Laugh til it Hurts. 811 N. 9th St., 63101. For more information, call (314) 480-0311 or email Ladiesnightoutentertainment@ gmail.com. For ticket information, visit ladiesnightoutentertainment. eventbrite.com.

literary

Thur., Sept. 25, 7 p.m., Left Bank Books hosts FergusonReads Reading Group: The New Jim Crow. We invite members of every community to join in a reading group discussion of The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander. It is no longer socially permissible to use race, explicitly, as a

justification for discrimination, exclusion, and social contempt. Yet, as legal star Alexander reveals in The New Jim Crow, today it is perfectly legal to discriminate against convicted criminals in nearly all the ways that it was once legal to discriminate against African Americans. 399 N. Euclid Ave., 63108. For more information, visit www.leftbank.com

theatre

Sept. 19 – 20, Willi Ray Productions and Foundation of Truth Church presents Tears of Resentment. A look at what happens when victimization breeds retaliation. You will laugh, you will cry, you will feel, you may even hate…but most of all, you will have to deal with your own tears of resentment. The Ivory Theatre, 7620 Michigan Ave., 63111. For more information, call (314) 276-4879 or visit www.metrotix.com.

Through Sept. 21, The Black Rep presents Purlie. Traveling preacher Purlie Victorious Jones returns to his small Georgia hometown to save the community church in this spirited, spiritual, sensational music. Edison Theatre, Washington University, 6445 Forsyth Blvd., 63130. For more information, call (314) 534-3810 or visit www. theblackrep.org.

Sun., Oct. 5, 3 & 7:30 p.m., Mrs. Independent the stage play. Starring Robin Givens, Dottie Peoples, Trisha Mann-Grant, and others. A true story about a woman determined not to be the wife who needs a man, but to be the wife who a man needs. A husband’s struggle to be the head of the household his wife’s salary has always supported. Will love save their marriage or will money be their demise? Fox Theatre, 527 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www. mrsindependenttheplay.com.

arts

Sat., Sept. 20, 7 p.m., Fubar hosts Rock n Art Show Fundraiser for St. Louis Children’s Hospital. Help raise money for St. Louis Children’s Hospital. This will be a free all age show but there will be a minimum $1 dollar donation at the door, 100% going to children’s diabetes research. 3108 Locust St., 63101. For more information, call (618) 210-4160.

Tues., Sept. 23, 7 p.m., 3500 Winehouse presents Paint, Drink, and be Merry with Vino Van Gogh. 3500 Watson Rd., 63139. To register & for more information, visit www. vinogogh.com.

Sat., Oct. 11 – 12, Lindendale Park presents Highland Arts Council’s 11th Annual Art in the Park. You will be able to enjoy free art demonstrations, dueling desserts food competition, kids creation project station, and an art gallery for kids. Fantastic awards will be given for all artists totaling up to $10,000 in prizes money and the purchase pledges prior to the show guarantee sales for the artists.

Park Hill Drive and Lindenthal Ave., Highland, Illinois 62249. For more information, please contact Lynnette Schuepbach at 618-558-0054, email lynnette@highlandartscouncil. org or visit highlandartscouncil

lectures

Sat., Sept. 20, 12 p.m., Power Up Your Power Women’s Conference. Are You Ready... Set...to grow both in your personal and professional life. Join us for a POWERful Experience with POWER Speakers & Teachers. STL welcomes Former Pro Athlete Angela R. Lewis as VIP Keynote Speaker. JC Penney Conference Center, UMSL, 1 University Blvd.,63121. For more information, visit www. iamawomanirst.com

Saturdays, Sept. 20 – Oct. 4, 9 a.m., High Caliber Firearms Training LLC presents Concealed Carry Training. Machinists Hall, 12365 St. Charles Rock Rd., 63044. For more information, call (314) 971-9737 or visit www.highcaliber.us.

Sat., Sept. 27, 4:45 p.m.,

Life Center International C.O.G.I.C. presents 15th Pastoral Anniversary with special guest speaker Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake, Sr. For more information, see SPIRITUAL.

health

Sat., Sept. 20, 8 a.m., 6th

Annual Suicide Prevention Awareness Fundraiser. Join Louie, mascot of the St. Louis Blues for this fun event. There will be a professionally timed 5K run done by Fleet Feet St. Louis, 1 Mile Fun Run, softball tournament, BBQ and rafle. This event is put on to raise money for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and in the loving memory of Alex McArthur. 100% of the net proceeds will go to the Foundation. St. Ferdinand Park, 25 St. Ferdinand Park Dr.,63032. For more information, call (314) 921-4250.

PSG’s 2014 Self Saviors Lecture Series presents Wayne B. Chandler. Mr. Chandler will be speaking on the topic of Fear of a Free Planet: Humanity’s trials and tribulations as we journey towards new frontiers in consciousness. Better Family Life Cultural, Educational, and Business Center, 5415 Page Blvd., 63112. For more information, call (618) 9608751 or visit www.eventbrite. com.

Tues., Sept. 30, 6 p.m., Alpha Kappa Alpha Soroity, Inc., Gamma Omege Chapter & the St. Louis Public Library present Surviving the System: A Candid Talk about Re-entry for the Ex-offender. Panelists include Judge Jimmie Edwards, Circuit Judge for the city of St. Louis; Mr. Reuben Shelton, President of the Missouri Bar Association; Judge Kimberly Gardner, State Representative for the 77th Distrcit; Mr. Chris Howard, Prison Performing Arts; and Ms. Julie Lawson, Executive Director of Crime Victims Advocate. Central Library Branch, 1301 Olive St., 63103.

Sat., Sept. 20, 10 a.m., Cardinal Glennon presents Annual SHOW ME Safety Fair. Free giveaways, health screenings, safety interactive demonstrations, and more. St. Louis Urban League, 8960 Jennings Station Rd., 63136.

Sat., Sept. 20, 2 p.m., Get Sexy Movement’s Get Sexy Healthy Happy Hour, sexy, fun alternatives to getting fit!! Example- Sexy Pole fitness, Sexy Yoga, Twerking or Sexy Chair Dance. A fitness Consultant will be on hand to give you a free Wellness Evaluation(BMI)...There will be Free samples of Herbal Life Weight loss products, snacks and wine. The Dollhouse Studios (downtown) 1428 Washington Ave.

Sat., Sept. 20, 7 p.m., Fubar hosts Rock n Art show fundraiser for St. Louis Children’s Hospital. Help raise money for St. Louis Children’s Hospital. This will be a free all age show but there will be a minimum $1 dollar donation at the door, 100% going to children’s diabetes research. 3108 Locust St., 63101. For more information, call (618) 210-4160.

Sat., Sept. 27, 9 a.m., Shalom Church City of Peace presents Health Fest – Abundant Living: Focus on Health Holistically. Screenings

provided include vision testing, kidney screening, PSA for men, dental screening, and more. Service and resources at the event include Alzheimer’s information, chiropractic care, mental health care, cancer awareness information, and more. Hazelwood East High School, 11300 Dunn Rd., 63138. For pre-registration call, (314) 653-2322.

Sat., Sept. 27, 5:30 p.m., Leukemia & Lymphoma Society presents Light the Night Walk. A fundraising campaign which brings together families and communities to honor blood cancer survivors, as well as those lost to the diseases, and shine a light on the importance of finding cures. The funds raised will help advance more breakthrough therapies for blood cancer patients. Forest Park, Central Fields, 63112. For more information, call (314) 590-2265 or visit www. lightthenight.org.

Fri., Sept. 19, 7 p.m., Rev. Dr. F. James Clark presents “Simply Amazing” Live Recording. Shalom Church City of Peace, 5491 Highway 67, 63034. For more information, call (314) 6532300.

Fri., Sept. 26, 6 p.m., Life Center International C.O.G.I.C. presents 15th Pastoral Anniversary with special guest speaker Bishop Charles E. Blake, Sr. of West Angeles C.O.G.I.C. in Los Angeles, CA. 8500 Halls Ferry, 63147. For more information, call (314) 299-4661.

Oct. 3 – 4, First Baptist Church of Chesterfield Marriage Enrichment Ministry invites you to Cruising for Christ Overnight Retreat. Oct. 3 – Riverboat dinner cruise. Oct. 4 – Marriage enrichment sessions. Registration Deadline is Sept. 28. For more information, visit www. firstbcc.org or call (636) 5378748.

carve a career out of that,” Johnson said. “So many times you find something that you like, but you can’t pursue it or are afraid to pursue it, and if you do pursue it you can’t grab it. Things just sort of fell into place for me in that way.”

Starting last week, his regional theatre credits have grown to include The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis as a featured player in Richard Bean’s “One Man, Two Guvnors,” based on the Italian comedy “The Servant of Two Masters” by Carlo Goldoni.

The play, directed by Edward Stern, is the slapstick tale of a man who has decided to be a servant to two masters so he can make ends meet. The play follows lead character Francis in his attempt to balance his duties and keep his bosses out of each other’s path.

“It’s a lot of doors slamming and running up and down stairs. It’s a fun time – and timing is everything,” Johnson said. Johnson is making his Rep debut as inn owner Lloyd Boateng and is thrilled with the unlikely challenges of his latest character.

“Lloyd is Jamaican. I am not,” Johnson said. “And he

Johnson as Benny the cab driver in the 1990 cult classic “Total Recall.”

plays the steel drum. I had never played the steel drum in my life – but I’m playing them now. It’s really a lot of fun, and it’s so well written that everyone has their moment to shine.”

Shining beyond the shadows is an experience that Johnson has mastered over the years. In one particular role, he still gets regularly recognized from a film that’s nearly 25 years old: as Benny, a mutant cab driver in the Arnold Schwarzenegger 1990 cult classic “Total Recall.”

“We were all out to dinner and we were all sitting at this table, and one of the waiters came to the table and did a

double take,” Johnson said. “We had a big hoot and holler over that in the barbershop.”

He’s been in high-profile television shows like “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” “The Practice” and “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine,” but none garner the attention as Benny.

“They show that film a lot, and because it is a futuristic film it ages well,” Johnson said. “And it was so well done and it was the last of the big films before CGI came in, and so it was sort of real. My arm was real. I had seven guys behind me moving it. The special effects guy actually got a couple of Academy Awards out of it.”

Just as he did in “Total Recall,” Johnson hopes to support the main character and make a long-lasting connection with St. Louis theatre fans through his role at The Rep.

“Raymond McAnally is fantastic and the show rests on his shoulders,” Johnson said, “but we have a great cast and everyone has a good time.”

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presentation of One Man, Two Guvnors continues through October 5 at the Loretto-Hilton Performance Center, 130 Edgar Rd. in Webster Groves. For tickets or more information, call (314) 968-4925 or visit www.repstl. org.

LEFLORE

Continued from C1

their differences meaningless. That, she said, is “when you can move yourself out of the way and live in the power of truth.”

When Dwayne Bosman of the Bosman Twins joined Jackson’s kalimba pattern on flute, Shirley’s memoir of Floyd turned into a free jazz eulogy. The LeFlores, and the rest of B.A.G., were pioneers in the performance of poetry with improvised music. So, inevitably, Shirley performed a poem for her lover, husband, co-parent and friend Floyd.

She admitted she had not been able to write the Floyd

poem yet, so she performed a poem she wrote for Lester Bowie, another St. Louis jazz trumpet great and friend of the family, previously deceased. Her poem opens with a name that Oliver Lake – jazz composer, artist in multiple media and B.A.G. alumnus – gave to Floyd, “Florio.” Backed by flute and kalimba, Shirley alternated between chanting “Florio” and “Floyd” in what became a performance poetry eulogy for both trumpet legends.

Shirley’s poem about Lester Bowie quotes from Arthur Ray Brown’s poem “Trumpet in the Morning,” which poet Michael Castro had previously performed. Since Arthur Brown is also gone, it became an elegy for all departed brothers.

Floyd A. LeFlore Jr.’s children and grandchildren remembered a loving, encouraging and “cool” father and grandfather on Saturday at

This funerary rite was enacted around an altar consecrated to Floyd at McClendon Mortuary in Florissant, perhaps three miles from Canfield Drive, where another man named Brown, Michael Brown Jr., lost his life a month ago. The LeFlores and Floyd’s mourners came up in a protest generation, and the Ferguson protest movement was an unstated reality very present at this service.

“Up above my head,” Shirley chanted to Floyd and Florio, to Arthur Brown and Michael Brown, “I can hear your music in the air.” Oliver Lake himself contributed to the eulogy, channeled by poet and performer Marsha Cann, who read letters from B.A.G. artists who could not attend. Talking about his friend Florio, Lake said, “From the first time I picked up the horn, he was there encouraging me. From when we were kids growing up together to doing gigs in the B.A.G. building and in Paris.” Floyd’s gift for encouraging and directing others was often the first thing any family member or friend remembered about him.

“In terms of my life direction and the music,” said jazz composer and pianist David Parker, “I don’t know what I would have done without Floyd.” Floyd’s daughter – no one in this family would accept “step-daughter,” when all were so close for so long – Hope “Tammy” Price-Lindsay, remembered a father who was supportive in a uniquely styled way. “Daddy Floyd had a cool about him,” she said. “I could always depend on him to be encouraging, non-judgmental, totally cool.”

Floyd’s coolness was an abiding memory and presided over a memorial service that was both a performance poetry open mic and a jam session. The music was led by the Bosman Twins, with David A.N. Jackson on percussion, Alerica “Al” Anderson on piano, a duet set by David Parker (piano) and George Sams (flugelhorn), and a parade of female vocalists who could command any stage, anywhere: Suzanne Palmer, Leah Stewart, Rochelle “Coco Soul” Walker, Olivia Neal, “Fantasy” Tracy Mitchell, Jhaere and Mekhi Mitchell.

Al Anderson also accompanied himself on a version of “A Song for You” by Donny Hathaway that added Hathaway to the chorus of lost black St. Louis brother angels in the room.

Floyd’s granddaughter Noelle Price Lindsay wrote, in a letter addressed to Floyd, about “your heaven.” It sounded like a very cool heaven: “a smoky, fragrant jazz club during some version of an open jam.” The mourners at McClendon Mortuary were transported to some version of Floyd’s heaven on Saturday. Floyd and Shirley’s daughter Lyah LeFlore-Ituen, the acclaimed author, moved home to St. Louis for the last phase of her father’s life. She spoke of losing him gradually, as he succumbed and lost the power to walk, then speak. “He held onto music until the very end,” Lyah said.

Lyah read a memoir, “Sunflowers for My Father,” where she remembers Floyd encouraging her writing career and being the first to read the completed draft of her first novel. But, mostly, she remembered the power of love.

“He was the first man who ever loved me,” Lyah said, “and my daughter will be able to say the same of her father.” That is the circle of love that defined Floyd LeFlore and his memorial service.

“One thing I think all of us taught our children,” Shirley said, “was the power of love. Don’t leave here holding nothing against nobody.”

McClendon Mortuary in Florissant.

Photo by Chris King

pieces of art with pages from The American as his backdrop.

“For me it was kind of like therapy,” Barry said. “I had to find some kind of way of dealing with what was going on, but not just being another angry voice.”

The killing of unarmed teen Michael Brown on August 9 at the hands of Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson hit especially close to home for Barry as a resident of neighboring Northwoods.

A working visual artist and designer, Barry is currently pursuing his undergraduate degree at University of Missouri – St. Louis. He returned to his childhood passion of art after a traumatic brain injury forced him to leave the military after 10 years and return to his hometown.

“I would find myself trying to go on with my everyday life, but I’m going down West Florissant and the roads are blocked and I’m seeing everybody’s reaction,” Barry said. “I would come home and try to work and be so frustrated that it was coming out in other things that I was doing. I had pieces I was working on, and every facial expression was angry.”

While carrying on with his usual Thursday ritual of picking up the paper, Barry stumbled upon a creative outlet to channel his rage.

He made the pages of the paper cry with images that captured Michael Brown’s parents reacting to the teen’s death. Antonio French, who had been on the frontlines of Ferguson, was depicted with a face twisted and tired from the daily frustrations of peaceful

TI

Continued from C1

Through his chat with A-Plus, the select group invited to the Marquee to give “Paper Work” an advance listen learned otherwise.

“Although the inspiration to release it was because of the untimely tragedy of Michael Brown, the song was written back when Trayvon Martin’s situation was taking place,” T.I. told A-Plus. “And I don’t KNOW whether to call it fate or destiny or tragedy or what – but as time rolled around history has repeated itself, unfortunately, and now I’m the position where I was like ‘people need to hear this.’”

Collective head shakes and “mmm” rang through the crowd as he gave insight as to why the song – which is a stark contrast to the club bangers and trap music that come together in “Paperwork” – made its way onto the album.

“I was like ‘you need to put this out, people need to hear this,’” T.I. said.

The single was a free download before it was added to “Paperwork,” which hits the streets on October 21.

“It’s not about money. It’s not about selling records. This is just a message I feel that

protests marred by an overly aggressive police force.

“Going through the paper and some of the images that I had in mind, the headlines and the articles seemed to be a perfect fit,” Barry said. “I had to go get more copies of the papers, because once I started with them, they just kept coming.”

A native of neighboring Kinloch who was once a young black male teen targeted by police, the connection with the Michael Brown tragedy was more than a geographical one for Barry.

“I grew up knowing that there were people who for arbitrary reasons put a bull’s eye on me,” Barry said. “My dad wouldn’t let me go into Ferguson or Berkeley or the surrounding areas for that reason. He was constantly coaching me on what to say

can’t nobody do but me and ain’t nobody doing but me and we needed to put it out,” T.I. said.

“I didn’t have no ulterior motive. It’s not for sale. I just really wanted to inspire people and give them something to think about. Sometimes if you don’t have another piece of insight or voice of reason – and nobody’s giving you nothing else positive or inspirational to think on – all you’ll do is act on your natural instincts.”

Making a new classic

T.I. also spent plenty of time speaking on “Paperwork” as a whole and how he flipped the script on his original concept to take his first album for Columbia Records.

“The music kinda switched a little bit,” T.I. said. “I switched labels and it just felt like I was heading in a different direction with a different tone and a different vibe – and I didn’t want to bring old [expletive] to a new situation.”

“Paperwork” showcases features with hip-hop’s newest It girl Iggy Azealia, Boosie and Chris Brown, to name a few. Based on the songs he played for the audience – which included “Jet Fuel,” “King” “G [expletive]” and “Private Show” – “Paperwork” still

when I encountered those officers and made me aware that my life was on the line.”

Barry wants to have an exhibition in the near future to showcase the work and –strictly due to demand – is selling reprints of select pieces. He said he will donate a portion of proceeds to organizations that are helping bring healing to Ferguson.

“In the future when people talk about this, I want to show people it wasn’t just a story that you read about in books,” Barry said. “These were people with years of emotional hurt, things that they’ve been choking down for years, and they finally said, ‘Enough is enough.’”

For more images of Barry’s Ferguson-inspired artwork, visit Tumblr : hbcreative, Facebook.com/hbarrycreative, Instagram: @hbcreativetoo or @hbcreative on Twitter.

manages to echo classic T.I.

He confessed that “Paperwork” was his attempt to raise his own personal bar.

“I feel like ‘Paper Trail’ has been hailed as one of my most creative or most diverse albums, so if I’m stepping into a new situation, I’m gonna try and knock out the best [expletive] I‘ve ever done so far,” T.I. said. “That was my intention and creatively, just from the standpoint of satisfying the demographic of fans that started out buying albums even before ‘Paper Trail.’”

He also spoke on his continued creative partnership with Pharrell – which continued on “Paperwork” and began long before Pharrell became an international sensation with his feel-good hit “Happy” – back when T.I. was one of many rappers on the ATL leg of the Dirty South hip-hip scene trying to make a name for himself.

“The very first record I put out was with Pharrell. My very first trip to the studio, Pharrell was there,” T.I. said. “And I’ve always been taught that you’ve got to rock with who rocks with you. Whoever makes themselves available – whoever dedicated the time, effort and energy into my life passion – I have to give them the same opportunity.”

By Melanie Adams

Mother to mother

History Museum hosts forum about ‘the talk’ given to black sons

This summer my three nephews took a course to serve as track officials at high school meets. For about four weeks they had to attend an evening class in an office building in a nearby town. The first night of class, two of my nephews went to use the restroom. When exciting the restroom, they ran into a young white woman who literally screamed when she saw them. They thought it was strange, but thought nothing of it on their way back to class.

Less than ten minutes later, the police had arrived and were looking for two suspicious looking AfricanAmerican men. They went to the class and the instructor (a lawyer and my brother’s friend) told the officers they were taking the class. The officers still insisted on talking with them and even took down their names and addresses.

is nothing new. In her wonderful book, The New Jim Crow, legal scholar Michelle Alexander traces the origins of African-American criminalization from slavery to segregation to the modern day prison system. African-American boys are targeted from grade school by being placed in special education classrooms, given out of school suspensions at disproportionate rates compared to their white peers, and sentenced to longer prison terms because of judicial inequities. This reality was brought into stark focus when jay walking turned into homicide and a community sought justice.

My sister in law is telling me this story and I am in amazement because while my nephews are big (over 6 feet) they are not threatening or suspicious looking. As she is still trying to sort this out with the local police department, I think about what it must be like to have AfricanAmerican sons and what mothers must go through to make sure they arrive home safe every day.

After the tragic shooting of Michael Brown, Dr. Christi Griffin (President and Founder of The Ethics Project) and Amy Hunter (Director, Racial Justice YWCA) developed a program that allows mothers to share their stories of what it is like to raise an African-American son in today’s society. Called, “Mother to Mother: A Conversation with Black Mothers to White about ‘the Talk’ with their Black Sons,” this program welcomes women to come and listen and learn about the struggles of raising African American boys.

The criminalization of African-American boys

Both Christi Griffin and Amy Hunter are long time partners of the Missouri History Museum and have continually worked on issues of social justice. From lectures to documentaries, both Christie and Amy have served as valuable community resources to help address issues of race, class, and justice. When asked why this program was so important to them, Dr. Griffin responded:

“A strong racial divide continues to exist in this country. Even among the sympathetic there is a void in understanding the realities of living black in America. Women are a catalyst for change in the community, they’re the hands that rock the cradle. Now is the time for white mothers to hear the challenges of Black. To feel the pain of raising a Black son in the home of the free and the brave. Voices will be heard, alliances will be made. Change will be eminent.”

Mother to Mother: A Conversation with Black Mothers to White about “the Talk” with their Black Sons Monday, September 22, 2014 from 6pm to 8pm Lee Auditorium

In the wake of Michael Brown and the ensuing upheaval in Ferguson, the Ethics Project and the YWCA Metro St. Louis is hosting Mother to Mother: A conversation with Black mothers to White about “the with their Black sons. This is an open forum event and is welcome to all ages.

Dr. Christi Griffin is president and founder of The Ethics Project.

Portrait of Lesley McSpadden, Michael Brown’s mother.

By Howard Barry

Celebrations

Anniversaries

Mr. Todd and Mrs. Sabrina West celebrated their silver 25th wedding anniversary on September 16. They were high school sweethearts at Beaumont, and now have three children and one grandchild. They pastor New Beginnings Bible Misistries at 1164 N. Kingshighway.

Reunions

details or send questions to beaumont64alumni@gmail. com.

Mr. & Mrs. Marcus Henderson will celebrate six years of marriage on September 20. To God be the glory!

The Restoration House Community Church salutes Pastor Frederick Joseph McCullough for 25 years in the gospel ministry, as we celebrate our one year church anniversary!

Beaumont High School class of 1969 will host its 45 year reunion on Sept. 19-20, 2014 at the Renaissance Hotel Airport and alumni picnic August 16 at Hudson Park. For more info contact LaDonne at 314-277-5095 or Pat at 314517-9632.

Beaumont Class of 1964 (January and June classes) will hold its 50-year reunion October 3–5, 2014 at the Embassy Suites at the Airport, 11237 Lone Eagle Drive. Current addresses and contacts are needed for alumni. For more information, please contact John Jackson at 314640-5978. Find out more

Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri District 3 would like to invite you to an alumni event. We are looking for anyone who worked in or was a member of Girl Scouts in St. Louis City. Please contact Essie Harrison at essie. harrison@att.net or call (314) 400-4602 with your name,

address, phone number, and email address.

Lincoln Sr. High School (East St. Louis, IL) Class of 1964 50th Class Reunion, 6 pm, Friday, September 26; 6:30 pm, Saturday, September 27, St. Louis Airport Marriott, 10700 Pear Tree Lane, St. Louis, MO 63134; 10 am, Sunday church service at Southern Mission M.B. Church, 2801 State Street, East St. Louis, IL, 62205. Contact persons: Carolyn Leggs Curry at 314.385.6305 or Ruby McSwain Akins at lottie840@yahoo.com.

Kinloch High School Alumni presents the 3rd annual All School Picnic, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2014 at the Bella Fontaine

Birthdays

Happy 80th Birthday to Darlene Peterson Young on September 21!

Happy Birthday Devin Williams on September 16! Wishing you many more!

Picnic Ground on Zellweger and Bellefontaine Rd. Bellefontaine, Mo. Cost $10 per person age 12 and over. Children age 11 and under $5. For more information, contact Arlene Owens Davis at 314792-0659, Reuben Melton at 314-239-5202, Lester Wilson at 314-863-2180, or MC McKinnies at 314-524-0126.

Sumner High School Class of 1965 is planning its 50th Reunion on the second and fourth Mondays at 7 p.m. at the Lower Level of Ronald L. Jones Funeral Chapel. For updates and/or to leave your contact info--visit our Facebook group Sumner Class of ‘65.

Vashon High School Class

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

of 1964 has planned its 50th reunion weekend for Sept. 19-20, 2014. Friday, Sept. 19, 2014 at 7 p.m. at the Royal Vagabond House, 4315 Westminister, St. Louis, Mo. 63115. Sat., Sept. 20, 2014, 7 p.m., dinner at Christian Hospital 11133 Dunn Road. Please visit Facebook page: Vashon Class of 1964 for more information, or contact Brenda Mahr at 314-993-5155, email brendamahr@att.net.

Northwest High School Class of 1979 reunion dates are set for August 23-24, 2014. Please contact Duane Daniels at 314568-2057 or Howard Day at 414-698-4261 to purchase tickets and any needed further information.

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

Deadline is 10 a.m. on Friday. If you’d like your class to be featured in a reunion profile, email or mail photos to us. Our email address is: reunions@ stlamerican.com

Religion

Building intimacy in marriage via faith

Pastors Ken and Beverly Jenkins of Refuge & Restoration Church

By Erica R. Van Buren

For The St. Louis American

Ken and Beverly Jenkins

aren’t just husband and wife but pastors of Refuge & Restoration Church. This loving duo focuses on what it takes to strengthen couples who are considering marriage and those whose marriage is in crisis.

Married 20 years with four children, they were ordained together in 2002 by Louis T. Shelton, pastor of Union Tabernacle M.B church. Ken became a Youth Pastor and Beverly Youth Director.

“I know God has called you to preach,” Beverly said to Ken regarding his transition from Youth Pastor to Senior Pastor.

In 2004 they started Cell Groups in their home. Cell Groups allow people to get together to minister, focus on studying the bible and to fellowship. They also participated in outreach ministries, reaching out to Transitional Homes for men.

“We were told that the Cell Groups wouldn’t work in the African-American church community,” said Beverly. But they knew God placed it on their hearts to move forward.

They were already holding Bible studies in their home, so it wasn’t difficult to transition into the first Cell Group, which consisted of four people meeting in their family room.

They met once a week for about a year. The group grew larger in size, which caused them to relocate. In the summer of 2005 they started their first church service. The Sunday service started in the basement of their home. They placed a sign at the entrance of their basement that read “Church downstairs.”

When they outgrew the basement, they were offered space by Pastor Coleman at Word of Faith. But after a few months, the later time slot didn’t work well with the Jenkins congregation and they decided to return to the comfort of their home.

In the winter of 2007, they moved their church family to a store front in Hazelwood. Members of the congregation that were skilled in construction pitched in and were able to modify the building. They stayed less than a year, again outgrowing the size of the building. They moved to the movie theater at Jamestown Mall for three years. As the congregation continued to grow, the theater was shut down.

In November of 2013, Bishop and Sister Dwight Casson of Praise Tabernacle, located in Jennings, opened their doors to allow them to use their building. “Bishop and Sister Casson are really good people,” said Ken. Their church, Refuge& Restoration, provides a place

for people to be restored who felt like they had given up on church. The Cell Groups tie into Refuge & Restoration. People can be vulnerable and transparent, which allows them to be open to share and be loved in the process. People start by coming to the Cell Groups, but may or may not attend Sunday service. “It’s a real community,” Ken said. “We can really walk in love in a real way.”

In 2003 Beverly came up with the idea to plan a Marriage Retreat. The Building Intimacy Marriage Retreat included a diverse group of couples of varied ages, length of marriage and race. “God wants me to do this,” said Beverly. The retreat, held on a resort in the Lake of the Ozarks, consisted of classes, seminars, games and one-on-one time

Perfect in weakness

2 Corinthians 12:7-9 says, “To keep me from becoming conceited, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But He said to me ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’

Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

imperfections with you

The only thing standing in your way is admitting to yourself, you can’t go it alone. You and I need help and that help comes only from one source. It’s the perfect source and comes with consequences. The consequences begin with recognizing that there is divine purpose in your particular set of weaknesses.

with your spouse. The couples didn’t have to wait until they made it home to use what they learned, they used the tips right then and there. On Sunday the couples were given affirmations and discussed how the retreat effected them. Then, “God said, ‘Go on the radio,” said Beverly.

So now Ken and Beverly host “Real Marriage, Real Talk” on KXEN 1010 AM. This September will mark four years that they’ve hosted the radio show. They answer questions provided by listeners sent via Face Book, email and text. The show airs on Tuesday and Thursdays from 10:45 until 11 a. m.

“We work off of each other,” Ken said of the show. For more information, visit http://www. refugeandrestoration.org/ index.html or http://www. bimrworks.com/.

Talk about some powerful stuff. How many of us have an addiction, a weakness, something we are aware of but just cannot shake on our own? It may be a secret, your secret, something you dare not reveal because it goes completely opposite of who you believe yourself to be and counter to the person whom you are truly trying to become.

Some things in the Bible reverberate over and over again and we still don’t get it. I We do not or cannot incorporate what we’re reading into our daily lives. In this passage Paul lets us know that there is indeed a reason to accept your shortcomings and deal with your flaws and faults with a basic understanding that in doing so, God will invariably show up and then proceed to show out.

Can you imagine experiencing the “perfect power” of the Lord?

Apparently it’s as easy as looking in the mirror and making an honest assessment of who you really are and who you should be striving to become. To put it into proper perspective, you are who you are only in relationship to God. And don’t forget to take your

Dare I say most of us would reject the notion that sinful could be anything more than just sinful. The text however says it is our duty to understand through spiritual recognition that God uses your problems to show off His righteousness through you by doing miraculous things. When you get a hand from the Lord to overcome your addictions, your passions, your vanity, your shortcomings, you get so much more than you bargained for. No wonder Paul continues by saying, “That is why, for Christ’s sake I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” How many testimonies do you need to hear before you give God the praise He deserves? Or is it that you can testify on your own about frailties that have become strengths to be relied upon and give you wisdom to share? Stop fighting yourself. Stop denying your insecurities and give them also over to the Lord. Then step back and watch God do His thing with your life. Watch Him revel in those who see His divine work through you. Paul just reminds us that even on your worst day, it’s not about you.

Ken and Beverly Jenkins, co-pastors of Refuge & Restoration Church and co-founders of Building Intimacy Marriage Retreat.

James A. Washington

Celebrity Swagger Snap of the Week

Tennessee Honey Jack Daniel’s brought the stars with them to introduce their Jack N 4 Beats regional rap contest Thursday night at Soho. DJ Envy of the Breakfast Club joined video model Stephanie Santigo, Jeff Mimms, AJ Ahmed and Keenan Harris as organizers celebrated the inauguration of the St. Louis leg of the multi-city talent search.

Another successful Salute. I know you’ve been wondering all week long – though I don’t know why, because you ought to know the play by now – but I’m here to confirm your assumptions that the 27th Annual Salute to Excellence Scholarship & Awards Gala lived up to ALL the expectations and hype…especially mine. The who’s who and the who’s new were deep in the house Friday night at America’s Center. And for those who opted out, you missed out on the chance to mingle at what I believe is the most concentrated audience esteemed young influential (outside of our Salute to Young Leaders of course) African Americans of any other event at any time. And it wasn’t just the crème de la crème in education – it was in every element of our community and it was glorious indeed. I want you all to stop and applaud this year’s scholars and honorees and look for full photo coverage in next week’s edition.

Salute Stylin.’ I don’t really have time to give a play by play description of my look, but Beyoncé’s “Flawless,” plays in my head when I think about it. Was that as conceited as it sounded? Oh well, the same theme song applies to a host of other folks who made their grand entrances to Salute 27. I’ve been so torn in naming a best-dressed female because the looks were so different – and fierce on so many levels. Be sure to check out my best friend in the head Jami Ballentine Dolby’s recap in next week’s The STL Suite (on C1 for those of you who only get the paper to turn it to the back) and see how our lists compare and contrast. I know I can’t wait to see who gets her crown. I will kick things off with the absolute first person I ran into at this year’s Salute. Jeanne Roberts Johnson’s reputation for slaying the style game is one to truly be envied and after Friday night she’s still batting 1000! That paisley cocktail number with the plum accents was every single thing. Another style usual suspect was Sarita Moody – who is known around town for making her own style and inciting all sorts of envy in the process – can say “oops I did it again.” She’s the only one on earth who could have pulled off Salute Beyond ThunderDome-spiked hair and pants at a gala and make all the girls gag. The silver fox award goes to Erica Willis. Not because she’s a woman of a certain age, but because that salt and pepper pixie cut had me considering a big chop. She was giving everything from head to toe too. Naretha Hopson gave me life with her black ensemble. The bounce back award goes to Tracy Bradley. Last year she and her husband Professor Stefan Bradley were my best-dressed couple. Her baby bump is now an adorable six-month-old baby girl and it looked like she left the delivery room and headed straight to somebody’s pilates class. This year’s best-dressed couple goes to newly engaged Kim Stemley and Marlon Lee. I can’t forget about the fellas! Tim Lampley gets my vote, but the handsomeness that is Christiaan Coffield and awardees Jim Triplett and Wesley Bell didn’t make it easy for him.

Fiesta Fiesta. I was surprised that DJ Kut didn’t play that song as he turned folks all the way up at the Bud Light Rita Fiesta After Party. He killed it, so it didn’t even matter anyway. Year 27 is going to be remembered as Salut-arita because that’s what was flowing in cups as folks cut a rug and performed every slide known to man – even making a couple of them up right there on the dancefloor. I want to give a shoutout to the male foreign exchange student who had no clue he was strutting with the AKA’s as he tried to learn the moves and join their stroll – yes, pinky in the air and handmirror to the face. It was almost as much fun as seeing Zaki Baruti prove that protesters can party too and our lovely volunteer Sherry bop with the best of them. I had about as big of a blast as I can remember – and the fact that I looked up and saw a room full of folks as the clock struck 1a.m. proved I wasn’t alone.

Jackin 4 Beats comes to the Lou. For the next two months Jack Daniel’s will be perched around the city with its portable studio as part of their Jack N 4 Beats promotion. It kicked off at Soho Thursday night and every unconnected rapper in the city stopped through for an opportunity to drop 16 bars on a selection of provided beats in the world class mobile studio. Did I mention there’s a chance to win $5K and the crown for STL in this mutlicity promotion? They added The Lou to major cities like Detroit, Miami, Chicago, New York to name a few and they were lined up down the building to get in the booth. Suffering through a handful of the wackest of rap battles while we waited for the studio to open was a bit much, but I still had a ball people-watching as folks waited their turn. They will literally be all over the city posted up for people to hit the booth and have already hit up Soho and the Blank Space so far. For a full list of when and where it will be, visit www. jacknforbeats.com/city/stlouis follow Jack’N For Beats on Twitter,<http:// www.twitter.com/jackn_4_beats> Instagram<http://www.instagram.com/ jackn_4_beats> or Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/J4Beats Get Sexy for September. This Saturday y’all have a chance to join the Get Sexy Movement as it sets up shop this week at The Dollhouse Studio (1428 Washington) from 2-5 p.m. My girl Ashley is giving girls a jump on getting ahead of those holiday pounds. She’s showcasing everything from seductive workouts to Herbal Life supplements. I had a blast back in July – and learned how to twerk away this tummy. I suggest you get there early if you want to sample the classes, because they will fill up!

Missy and Erica hung out following the fight Saturday night @ the Coliseum

Comedian Darius Bradford and St. Lunatic Kyjuan stopped through the Marquee to catch the fight Saturday night

LaRhonda

The lovely and stylish Jeanne Roberts Johnson came to this year’s Salute to honor her cousin and Stellar Performer Awardee Dr. Terrence Freeman Friday night @ America’s Center

Zack and Kellye enjoy some light music and the fight @ the Coliseum Saturday night for the Mayweather vs. Maidana fight

Nicole and Tenesa catering to the biggest fight party in North County Saturday night @ Cuetopia Saturday night

Co-Chairman and Entertainment Chairman of Fair U-City Orland Watson and Local R&B artist Nikko Smith snapped a picture after Nikko tore down the stage at Fair U-City @ Heman Park.

Darius and Marquita Chapman were among the stylish couples who came out to the all-new Gallery 400 Saturday night to help Lisa West celebrate her big 4-0

Lisa West surrounded by close friends and family for her 40th birthday party Saturday night @ The 400 Gallery

Photos by Lawrence Bryant & John Scott

PROJECT

SOCIAL SERVICES

Do you believe your passion is helping adults with mental illness live and work in the community with dignity? Are you flexible and open to experiencing new challenges on a daily basis? Do you regularly go above and beyond the call of duty?

Independence Center, affiliated with Barnes-Jewish Hospital, could be the answer. We are looking for candidates with a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a social service field. If this sounds like it is a perfect match for you, please send your cover letter and

CASE MANAGER

Our Lady’s Inn Maternity Homes, a not for profit Agency serving homeless pregnant women and their dependent children seeks qualified candidates for the full time position of Family Specialist serving residential clients with case management, advocacy and daily support activities. This position is located at the Inn in South City; weekly schedule will be Monday through Friday, to include a combination of day (7:30-3:30) and evening shifts (2:00-10:00).

Qualified candidates must have a minimum of Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or related field; and recent experience involving direct client interaction. Knowledge of pregnancy and homelessness is preferred. Successful candidate will support the mission of the Agency, have strong organizational and communication skills, and work well in a fast paced and collaborative setting. Interested candidates may submit resume and cover letter to the Executive Director, Our Lady’s Inn, 4223 S Compton St. Louis MO 63111; or via email at pforrest@ourladysinn.org

GRAPHIC MANAGER

The St. Louis Public Library, a nationally recognized library system, has an excellent opportunity for a Graphic Manager. This position requires a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design and 7 years related experience in Marketing or Advertising.

This position requires substantial creativity, originality, innovation and technical expertise; must be proficient with Desktop Publishing, Illustration and Photo Software; ability to follow art direction and take constructive criticism; excellent ITskills, especially with design and photo-editing software; excellent time management and organizational skills; accuracy and attention to detail; professional approach to time, costs and deadlines.

The position provides vision, creative solutions and delivers high-quality designs for all assigned tasks; manages all aspects of print design projects; assists with website graphics; maintains archives and file history; works with vendors in delivering files; works with Marketing Director to assure on-target design and messaging; enthusiastically promotes the Marketing Directors goals and priorities; maintains absolute confidentiality of work-related issues, records and SLPL information; at times may be required to work outside normal business hours and work extended hours to accomplish requirements of the position.

St. Louis Public Library offers a comprehensive benefits package. Interested candidates should forward a cover letter and resume to: St. Louis Public Library Human Resources 1415 Olive Street St. Louis, MO 63103 Fax: 314-539-0335 Email: employment@slpl.org EOE

EOE

REQUESTFOR PROPOSALS (RFP)

The City of St. Louis Department of Health (DOH) Communicable Disease- Planning Council Support is requesting proposals from web designers to provide website development and marketing materials. Interested parties are encouraged to respond to the solicitation for proposal beginning Wednesday, September17, 2014 .AnRFP packet may be obtained from Renee November, Program Coordinator, Planning Council Support, 1520 Market Avenue, Room 4027, phone 314-657-1401 email Novemberm@stlouis-mo.gov or downloaded from the St. Louis City website at http://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/procurement.cfm The deadline for submitting proposals is 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 8, 2014 at the address above.

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

PUBLIC NOTICE

MISSOURI DEPARTMENTOFTRANSPORTATION

External Civil Rights Office Jefferson City, Missouri

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

LETTING # 8558

Sealed proposals will be received by the Board of Public Service in Room 208 City Hall, 1200 Market Street, St. Louis, Mo. Until1:45 PM, CT, on __October 14, 2014, then publicly opened and read. Plans and Specifications may be examined on the Board of Public Service website http://www.stl-bps.org/planroom.aspx (BPS On

PM, CT, on October 21, 2014, then publicly opened and read. Plans and Specifications may be examined on the Board of Public Service website http://www.stl-bps.org/planroom.aspx (BPS On Line Plan Room) and may be purchased directly through the BPS website

in the State of Missouri. The work will be performed in various quantities at various sites. All prospective bidders must prequalify in the Cured-In-Place Pipe category, and be certified prior to the Bid Opening. Prequalification forms for obtaining said certification may be obtained from the Owner at

NOTICE TO SMALL(SBE), DISADVANTAGED (DBE), MINORITY (MBE), AND WOMEN’S (WBE) BUSINESSES ADVERTISEMENT

RIVER CITYCONSTRUCTION, L.L.C. AMERICAN SETTER DRIVE, ASHLAND, MISSOURI, 65010, (573) 657-7830 (PHONE) (573-657-7381 (FAX) IS SEEKING QUALIFIED SMALL, DISADVANTAGED, MINORITY, AND WOMEN’S BUSINESSES FOR THE PCSD NO. 1 - WEEKS HOLLOWWASTEWATER TREATMENTFACILITY

SANITARYSEWER IMPROVEMENTS, ST. ROBERT, MISSOURI FOR THE SUBCONTRACTING OPPORTUNITIES IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS: SITE WORK, FENCING, LANDSCAPE, CONCRETE, REINFORCING, STEEL, EQUIPMENT,MASONRY, ROOFING, GLAZING, ROUGH CARPENTRY, DOORS AND HARDWARE, SPECIALTIES, FINISHES, PLUMBING, MECHANICAL, ELECTRICAL. ALLINTERESTED AND QUALIFIED SMALL, DISADVANTAGED, MINORITYAND WOMEN’S BUSINESSES SHOULD CONTACT,IN WRITING, (CERTIFIED LETTER, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED) JR PETERSON OR CODYGERDES, TO DISCUSS THE SUBCONTRACTING OPPORTUNITIES. ALL NEGOTIATIONS MUSTBE COMPLETED PRIOR TOTHE BID OPENING BID DATE OF 10/08/2014 @ 10:00 AM. PROPOSALS WILL BE EVALUATED IN ORDER ON THE BASIS OF LOW RESPONSIVE BID RECEIVED. CERTIFICATION OF DBE/WBE/MBE STATUS MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH BID.

BIDS/PROPOSALS WANTED

The City of St. Louis Workforce Investment Board and the City of St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment announce the availability of Requests for Proposals (RFP). The release date is September 18, 2014. The RFPs are seeking bids for the BounceBack Program Services, YouthBuild Program and Second Chance Act youth program.

The RFPs are available for pick-up, in person, at the City of St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment office, 1520 Market Street, Room 3050, St. Louis, MO 63103, 314-589-8000, beginning September 18, 2014, 8:00 a.m. (local time) – 5:00 p.m. (local time), Monday – Friday, except holidays. The RFPcan also be downloaded from our website: www.stlworks.com

APre-Bid Conference will be held at SLATE at the above address on Tuesday, October 7, at 2:00 PM; Wednesday, October 8, at 10:00 AM for YouthBuild; and Thursday, October 9, 2014 at 10:00 AM for Second Chance Act. Questions regarding the RFPmay be submitted to the City of St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment (see address above), Attn: Deputy Director and must be received prior to dates listed in RFPs. You may also submit questions to Kelley Bernardi at kbernardi@stlworks.com Acopy of the written inquiry and response will be posted on the website: www.stlworks.com

Applications must be received by the City of St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment (see address above) no later than 5:00 p.m., (local time) on October 24, 2014. No fax or e-mail copies will be accepted. Applications received after this date and time will not be considered. One original and five copies in a sealed package must be submitted.

In accordance with requirements of the U.S. Department of Transportation as set forth in 49 C.F.R. Part 26, as amended, the Missouri Department of Transportation, External Civil Rights Division, in Jefferson City, Missouri, hereby notifies the public that it is updating the following Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goal for the Highway Section for applicable professional services, construction and off-systems contracts for Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2014 - 2017, beginning October 1, 2014 and ending September 30, 2017. The overall total DBE goal for Federal Fiscal Year 2014 - 2017 is 15.38%. Information pertaining to this goal and adescription of how it was selected is available for inspection from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. CSTat the Missouri DOT’s External Civil Rights Division, 1617 Missouri Blvd, Jefferson City, Missouri for 30 days following the date of this notice. Comments for informational purposes only and may be sent to: External Civil Rights Director, External Civil Rights Division, P.O. Box 270, 1617 St. Missouri Blvd., Jefferson City, Missouri, 65102, or to the Civil Rights Program Manager, Federal Highway Administration, Missouri Division, 3220 W. Edgewood, Suite H, Jefferson City, Missouri 65109. MISSOURI DEPARTMENTOFELEMENTARY AND SECONDARYEDUCATION

NOTICE OFPUBLIC HEARING Posted: September12, 2014, 8 a.m. CST

Notice is hereby given that the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will conduct a public hearing pursuant to Mo. Rev. Stat. § 162.081 relating to the Riverview Gardens School District, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, September 22, 2014, at Riverview Gardens School District, Family Community Resource Center, 1160 St. Cyr Road, St. Louis, Missouri.

The

Sealed bids for Reavis Barracks–Mackenzie Road Infrastructure Project, St. Louis County Project No.AR-1413, will be received at the Office of the Director of Procurement for the County of St. Louis, County Government Center Administration Building, 41 South Central Avenue, 8th Floor,Clayton, Missouri 63105 until 2:00 p.m. on October1, 2014.

Plans and specifications will be available on September 8, 2014 from the St. Louis County Web Site (www.stlouisco.com), or by contacting County Blue Reprographics, Inc., 1449 Strassner Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63144, (314) 961-3800.***

DIRECTOR OF PROCUREMENTAND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES ST. LOUIS, COUNTY CITYOFST. LOUIS LAMBERT- ST. LOUIS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT®

Solicitation For Bids (SFB) for Automated TellerMachine Concession (ATM)

Sealed Bids Wanted Bid documents may be obtained at Lambert St. Louis International Airport® - Airport Properties Division, Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m.

NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT TO: NEALR. SCHMIDT, Case No: 201202269 An Administrative Complaint to

Jefferson City, MO 65102 573-751-3469 Communications@dese.mo.gov

NOTICE OFPUBLIC MEETING

REQUESTFOR BIDS

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Sealed bids for 2014 ITS Program – Northwest Area, St. Louis County Project No. AR-1501, Federal Project No. CMAQ-9900(660) ,will be received at the Office of the Director of Procurement for the County of St. Louis, County Government Center Administration Building, 41 South Central Avenue, 8th Floor, Clayton, Missouri 63105, until 2:00 p.m. on October8, 2014.

Plans and specifications will be available on September15, 2014 from the St. Louis County Web Site (www.stlouisco.com), or by contacting County Blue Reprographics, Inc., 1449 Strassner Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63144, (314) 961-3800.

DIRECTOR OF PROCUREMENTAND

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES

ST. LOUIS, COUNTY

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Sealed bids for the 2014 CRS Collector Overlay

Program, St. Louis County Project No.CR-1525, will be received at the Office of the Director of Procurement for the County of St. Louis, County Government Center Administration Building, 41 South Central Avenue, 8th Floor, Clayton, Missouri 63105, until 2:00 p.m. on October1, 2014.

Plans and specifications will be available on September15, 2014 from the St. Louis County Web Site (www.stlouisco.com), or by contacting County Blue Reprographics, Inc., 1449 Strassner Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63144, (314) 961-3800.

DIRECTOR OF PROCUREMENTAND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES ST. LOUIS,COUNTY

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

REQUESTFOR BIDS

or bottolino@stlpartnership.com

Bid # 827

7400 SBA4 X 2 (SA625) International Bed, Hydraulics, Plow, and Spreader

Notice is hereby given that the City of Berkeley, Missouri, will accept sealed bids for "7400 SBA4 X 2 (SA625) International Bed, Hydraulics, Plow, and Spreader", according to the specifications and bid package requirements. Copies of the bid forms may be obtained from the City Clerk's Office in the Berkeley City Hall, 8425 Airport Rd, Berkeley, Missouri, 63134.

Sealed bids will be received at the Purchasing Agent’s Office in the Berkeley City Hall, 8425 Airport Rd, Berkeley, Missouri, 63134 until Wednesday, October15, 2014, 11:00 a.m., at which time the bids will be publicly opened and read aloud. Bids must be in sealed envelopes and clearly marked:

BID NUMBER # 827 - “7400 SBA4 X 2 (SA625) International Bed, Hydraulics, Plow, and Spreader– Vehicle 923”

PUBLIC HEARING

CITYOFPINE LAWN

The City of Pine Lawn will hold a public hearing to discuss the 2014 Tax Rates (Residential, Commercial, Personal Property) as prepared by an independent CPAfirm and certified by the Missouri State Auditor. The Hearing will be held at 5:30pm Thursday September 25, 2014 at Pine Lawn City Hall 6250 Steve Marre Ave., Pine Lawn 63121

If you have a disability or other Special need to participate in the hearing, contact City Hall in advance at 314 261 5500.

828

NOTICE TO BID

Notice is hereby given that the City of Berkeley, Missouri, will accept sealed bids for Smoke Alarm/Detector. According to the specifications and bid package requirements. Copies of the bid forms may be obtained from the Purchasing Agents office in the City of Berkeley City Hall, 8425 Airport Rd., Berkeley Missouri, 63134.

Sealed bids shall be received at the Purchasing Agent’s office in Berkeley City Hall, 8425 Airport Rd., Berkeley, Missouri until Wednesday, October 15, 2014, 3:00 P.M., at which time the bids will be publicly opened and read aloud. Bids must be in sealed envelopes and clearly marked:

BID 828

SMOKE ALARM/DETECTOR 2014 BE OUR FRIEND ON

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE:

Advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair

Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, imitation, or discrimination because of race,color, religion, sex, handicap, familial\status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination .“We

basis.”

Intimate partner violence

Sometimes I’m a little slow on the uptake regarding the latest Hollywood drama, the latest woes of today’s current hot gangster rapper or the latest Lindsay Lohan criminal activity. Needless to say, I must admit that I was more delayed than usual in getting the details regarding the NFL saga regarding Ray Rice. However, when I finally witnessed that unbelievable elevator footage of him and his girlfriend, I then understood all of the hoopla.

If you have somehow missed this awful, yet so telling story, please allow me to recap. Ray Rice, a now former running back for the Baltimore Ravens, violently punched his then fiancée, Janay Palmer in a hotel elevator back in February. Rice struck her so hard that her head hit the handrail and she was knocked unconscious. He then proceeded to drag her limp body to the lobby as if he were pulling a large sack of potatoes. It was absolutely appalling to watch but surely not uncommon. But probably the most sickening aspect of the story was that this fiancée actually married him a month later! It is hard for me to fathom a father walking his daughter down the aisle into the hands of someone who would treat his daughter that way. Did anyone say to her that the $15 million dollar signing bonus and $7 million

dollar option bonus were not more valuable than her precious life?

By no means is this a rant against the victim. This is a rant against the psychological damage that intimate partner violence (IPV) has obviously done to a society of women and a rant against a society that tries to sweep such disgrace under the rug or even try to pretend it did not exist. I felt deep pain and empathy for the future Mrs. Rice. Did she honestly believe like countless other victims that he did not mean to hurt her and he would never do it again? Did she think so lowly of herself that she believed the notoriety of being associated with a professional football player would outweigh the possible future episodes of abuse? I don’t have the answers to those questions but I do know that Mrs. Rice took to social media to defend her husband, which is consistent with scores of other women who have been abused.

number of cases never even get reported. In the United States, one-third of women have been slapped, pushed or shoved by their significant other in their lifetime. Every community regardless of socioeconomic status, age, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, or race is affected by domestic violence. A 2011 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Youth Risk Behavior Study showed that 9.4 percent of high school students reported being purposefully hit, slapped or physically hurt within the last 12 months by their partner.

n In the United States, onethird of women have been slapped, pushed or shoved by their significant other in their lifetime.

One in three women has been the victims of intimate partner violence. In comparison, one out of every 10 men has experienced rape, physical violence, and/ or stalking within their lifetime. A large

In the aftermath of the Ray Rice scandal, scores of individuals have been voicing their opinion on Facebook, Twitter and in the break room at work. I’ve heard comments from women who believe that Janay Palmer deserved what she received because she apparently spit in Rice’s face. I cannot imagine why anyone would be justified in causing such harm to another individual. However, if indeed those actions occurred in this incidence then both parties need training in conflict resolution and a reminder regarding kindergarten rules- keep your hands and bodily fluids

to yourself.

Status, fame, and wealth are not legitimate excuses for abusing another human being. “Love is patient. Love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.” I Corinthians 13: 4-6 New International Version.

I could only hope that this painful situation for Mr. and Mrs. Ray Rice and the entire National Football Association will garner needed attention to all of the other victims, mainly women, who have suffered at the hands of their partners.

Yours in Service, Denise Hooks-Anderson, M.D. Assistant Professor SLUCare Family Medicine yourhealthmatters@stlamerican.com

Your Health Matters

A bi-monthly special supplement of the St. Louis American

September 18, 2014

Your Health Matters provides up-to-date information, from an African-American perspective, about one of the most important subjects in evryone’s life – their personal health.

Donald M. Suggs, President and Publisher

Kevin Jones, Senior Vice President, COO

Dina M. Suggs, Senior Vice President

Chris King, Editorial Director

Denise Hooks Anderson, M.D., Medical Accuracy Editor

Sandra Jordan, Health Reporter

Debbie Chase, Director of Health Strategy & Outreach

Onye Hollomon, Barb Sills, Pamela Simmons, Sales

Michael Terhaar, Art/Production Manager

Angelita Jackson, Cover Design

Wiley Price, Photojournalist

the

Denise Hooks Anderson, M.D.

Fathers and sons share a special bond. Toryn Rhone and his father, Julius Rhone, also share a bond in a fraternity that no one chooses –that brotherhood of prostate cancer survivors.

by

Like father, like son

By Sandra Jordan

Of The St. Louis American

Father and son duo Julius and Toryn Rhone are both prostate cancer survivors. They are educating male family members about prostate cancer, regular testing and being aware of their prostate antigen numbers – all to help circumvent another appearance of the disease in their family.

“When I go back and think about it, I think my dad had had prostate cancer,” Julius Rhone said. He underwent a procedure in the early 1970s. “Later on that

night, he was bleeding and we had to rush him back in and it had something to do with his prostate.”

His father died in 1976.

The prostate is a walnut-sized gland located between a man’s bladder and penis. The prostate helps control urine flow and produces some of the fluid that carries sperm.

The American Cancer Society points out a number of differences in how prostate cancer affects black men as compared to men of other racial and ethnic backgrounds.

• Black men are more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime,

• Black men are more than twice as likely to die from the disease

• Black men are diagnosed at a younger age, and

• Black men are more likely to have advanced tumors that grow rapidly, spread to other parts of the body and

often cause death.

While Julius Rhone’s only unusual symptom was frequent urination, other signs and symptoms of prostate cancer include blood in the urine, blood in semen, trouble urinating, decrease force in the stream of urine; general pain in the lower back, hips or thighs, pelvic area discomfort, bone pain and erectile dysfunction.

Rhone went to a urologist, who con-

See FATHER, page 5

Photo

Wiley Price

HealtH Briefs

Measles hit 20-year high in U.S., despite being a preventable disease

Measles have reached a 20-year high in the United States and the cause lies squarely with those who deliberately refuse to be vaccinated.

Eighty-five percent of the unvaccinated U.S. residents who contracted measles cited religious, philosophical or personal reasons for not getting immunized, according to the Center for Disease Control. “Religious, philosophical or personal reasons are not medical reasons for not getting vaccinated,” said Jorge Parada, MD, medical director, infectious disease at Loyola University Health System.

Between January 1 and May 23 of

A pitch against cancer

Prostate cancer survivor and co-founder of The Empowerment Network, Isadore Wayne Sr., right, threw out the first pitch at the St. Louis Cardinals’ September 3 baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Busch Stadium. With Wayne are his son, Ismael Wayne, left, and Cardinals mascot Fred Bird.

2014, 288 measles cases were reported to the federal health agency, the highest year-to-date total since 1994. Nationwide, measles has caused 43 patients to be hospitalized this year but no deaths have occurred.

“Whether they recognize it or not, most people who consciously opt out of vaccines are depending on herd immunity – that enough other people will get vaccinated so as to prevent widespread infection – yet by opting out they are seriously undermining the very herd immunity they depend on for safety,” said Dr. Parada. “It’s a numbers game, and America is losing ground in the fight against prevent-

able disease.”

Parada said the people he fears for most are those who for legitimate medical reasons, cannot tolerate a vaccine. “Herd immunity may be life-saving for people who medically cannot tolerate a vaccine for these people are the most vulnerable to disease,” said Dr. Parada. “It should be frightening to every single American that people deliberately are refusing vaccinations.”

Too often the people who consciously opt out of vaccinations do so counting on not getting sick, said Dr. Parada. “I have worked in Africa and Europe where I witnessed outbreaks of vaccine-preventable

illness due to lack of access to immunizations, not due to personal choice,” he said. “I saw moms begging for vaccines for their kids. In America, the collective memory of the horrific outbreaks of preventable diseases has faded. ”

Many simply underestimate the risk of natural infection and overestimate the risk of vaccinations. “Deliberately choosing not to get vaccinated while relying that others will get vaccinated is a dangerous combination,” said Dr. Parada. “I only hope those who opt out do not come to discover firsthand the potentially devastating consequences of natural infection.”

FATHER

Continued from page 3

ducted a digital rectal exam, followed by a TURP (Trans Urethral Resection of the Prostate) biopsy of the prostate gland. Doctors will recommend a prostate biopsy to confirm or rule out cancer. During the biopsy, multiple samples of prostate tissue are extracted, then analyzed for a definitive diagnosis.

“He sent me a letter and he called,” Rhone said. “They did a biopsy of seven pieces and five of them came back with cancer.”

Rhone said doctors gave him three options, (1) freezing, (2) radiation and (3) surgery. Because you cannot undergo surgery after radiation, he opted for the a prostatectomy, the surgical removal of the prostate gland.

“The surgery was in September ’97, and since then, haven’t had any problems,” Julius Rhone said. “My PSA has been 0.01 ever since… I am one of the fortunate ones, because he caught everything at an early stage.”

A digital rectal exam and a PSA blood test are part of prostate cancer screening. PSA is an acronym for prostate-specific antigen, which is a protein produced by the prostate gland. By laboratory analysis, the PSA test measures the amount of PSA protein in the blood in nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL).

PSA levels that are less than 4 ng/mL have traditionally been considered normal. Julius’ was above 4 at the time of his surgery.

Not all elevated PSA levels mean cancer; it could point to any type of prostate issue, most commonly, the enlargement of the prostate, prostatitis, and urinary/ reproductive tract issues. PSA tests also monitor men who have been diagnosed with cancer, to see if the disease has responded to treatment or if there has been a recurrence.

Some doctors and researchers go as low as 2.5 ng/mL as the normal threshold. Such is the case for African American men and particularly for younger patients.

Toryn Rhone usually receives his annual PSA test each summer as part of the annual Prostate Cancer Walk activities each year in St. Louis. After a few years of 1.1, 1.2 and 1.4, it jumped to 3.9 ng/mL. His his first doctor told him to just wait it out.

Last August, he tested again, and this time, he received a call from BarnesJewish Hospital Siteman Cancer Center Urologist Dr. Arnold Bullock, who informed him for African American man whose father had prostate cancer, 3.9 ng/ mL was a problem.

“This time it was 3.7 and I was actually happy, it’s going down, but Dr. Bullock explained at that time that 2.5 is what we look at for a black male,” Toryn Rhone explained. Dr. Bullock had him schedule a visit and a biopsy.

When to test for prostate cancer

• Men with a family history or are African American should begin screening as early as age 40

• Men age 50 and older should get a yearly digital rectal examination and PSA testing

Source: WebMD

“The biopsy was in January this year. In my biopsy, he took 12 sections, six one one side and six on the other,” he said. “Five on one side came back cancerous and two on the other side, a total of seven out of 12 samples were cancerous.”

That was devastating news, coming just six months after he retired from UPS. Rhone visited a buddy who lives in Miami for a week to clear his head before deciding what his next steps should be. He had prostatectomy in March.

“To me it wasn’t up for debate. I got an education from Dr. Bullock as to all the options that I had, but I was really only interested in the removal of the prostate; it was an early diagnosis and I have a lot of life that I want to experience,” Toryn Rhone said. “Here I am six months later and I had my PSA and it’s nothing. I am cancer free.”

Julius Rhone is grateful for the sup-

port of his wife and his son Toryn Rhone is thankful for the support of his lady friend in helping them through cancer, surgery and becoming cancer free. That support is vital – as is the support from men who know best what they’ve gone through. Julius got involved with The Empowerment Network (TEN) of prostate cancer survivors last year and Toryn Rhone got involved with the organization a three days after his surgery.

“That Sunday, I listened to the TEN (radio) program and I called in and participated in the program and let them know I had just had the surgery and that evening after the show, Lorraine [Hall] came by my house and dropped [an after-surgery]kit by,” Toryn Rhone said. “That was my introduction to TEN and now both of us are participating and I have joined as a board member now.”

Julius wishes there was such a group

when he underwent surgery in the 90s. Both men praise the support from TEN, including outreach programs and someone to talk about issues, and the prayer group of men that go to the hospital to pray with men before they undergo prostate cancer surgery.

Ten also provides free PSA screenings at churches and provides information and speakers to groups and organizations to raise awareness about prostate cancer and other cancers as well.

Toryn Rhone explained, “That awareness, you never know what one individual in any one of those settings is going to pick something up and say, ‘I can get through this.’”

In 2010, the latest year of data available, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports a significant decrease in the U.S. incidence of prostate cancer in black men, decreasing by 2.6 percent per year and death rates per year also dropped significantly, by 3.8 percent in black men.

The Alan A. and Edith L. Wolff Distinguished Professor of Urology at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Dr. Arnold Bullock said it is imperative that African American men get their first PSA test between the ages of 40 and 45. If results are in an acceptable range, at age 50 they should screen annually.

The Empowerment Network is located at 6000 W. Florissant Avenue, St. Louis, 63136. Find out more by calling 314385-0998 or visit www.themepowermentnetwork.net.

HealtHy Q & a

What to do if your doctor drops from your insurance

Don’t panic. Here are four steps to take.

Edited and Reprinted with permission

By Consumer Reports on Health

Last fall thousands of people with UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans learned that their doctors would be cut from the health-plan network. Many of my fellow neurologists, who care for patients with such chronic conditions as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease, were dropped. Their patients were left scrambling to find new doctors. People with other serious conditions, such as cancer, glaucoma, and emphysema, found themselves in the same boat.

UnitedHealthcare wasn’t the only insurer dropping providers, though it was the biggest. Other insurers have also recently made cuts to their provider networks. Suddenly finding out that your doctor is no longer covered by your plan doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to part ways. But you’ll need to do some research to find a new plan or work out a new arrangement with the doctor. Here are the steps to take, in order:

1. Appeal to your insurance company

Send a letter in support of your doctor’s care. If there’s no other physician in the plan within a reasonable traveling distance, describe the hardship. You could also contact an organization that focuses on your ailment, such as the American Cancer Society or the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, to ask whether it might take up the cause, especially if a lot of patients are affected. Also find out whether your state requires insurance companies to pay for a certain period of continuity of care, during which you may continue to use the same doctor under certain circumstances (you’re undergoing treatment for a chronic condition, for example).

2. Find another plan

If your insurer doesn’t change its mind (which, alas, it probably won’t), look for another Medicare Advantage plan that has your doctor on its panel, or switch to original (regular) Medicare. You don’t have to wait until the annual open enroll-

ment period. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced in April that it would allow enrollees to switch plans midyear if they were affected by a significant provider network termination. And you can still change your plan during open enrollment, which is Oct. 15 through Dec. 7.

3. Work out a financial arrangement with your doctor

Many of my patients have elected to

continue to see me even though I’m not in their network anymore. In most cases, I give them a substantial discount from my regular fees. Initiate a conversation with your doctor by asking whether she would take a percentage off her regular fees or accept the discounted rate that the insurance company paid.

4.

Look for a new doctor

As difficult as it can be to leave a physician you trust, there are more

ways than ever to help you find a new one. Get names from doctors, nurses, friends, and co-workers, and check to see whether they’re on your health plan. Make sure that the doctors you consider are board-certified and have no history of sanctions or misconduct complaints. (You can do so at your state’s department of health website.) You can also look up whether a doctor has ties to the drug industry on ProPublica’s free site. And last, see which hospital he or she is affiliated with and look up its safety score.

Position/Where:

Registered nurse in the Pain Management Center - department of anesthesiology at Barnes-Jewish Hospital

Career Highlights:

Celebrating 23 years of employment at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in various roles

Early career began as a mechanic in the U.S. Army Reserve for 10 years while working as an EKG technician, staffing coordinator, unit secretary, nurse assistant in SICU and OBGYN. Nursing career began in the department of orthopedics and trauma. Currently working in the pain management in the department of anesthesiology

Awards:

National Honor Society, University of Missouri – St. Louis Golden Key International Honor Society, University of Missouri – St. Louis Sigma Theta Tau St. Louis Chapter, University of Missouri – St. Louis Metropolitan Who’s Who-Appointed by the board of directors to represent Florissant Orthopedics Multidisciplinary Communication Process Award

Education:

62 Bravo – Heavy equipment mechanic certification from the U.S. Army Reserve Associate degree in nursing, Florissant Valley Community College Bachelor of Science in nursing, University of Missouri – St. Louis Currently pursuing a master’s degree in nursing in the family nurse practitioner program, University of Missouri – St. Louis

Personal:

Mother of two, Devin, a microbiologist and Azaria, a high school student Attends Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist Church - youth coordinator for Children’s Church and RF specials supervisor

St. Louis Connection: Attended McCluer High School

Journey to success:

I learned early in life that success is not defined by how much money you make or where you live. It is defined by achieving your personal goals and how you make a difference in the lives of others. I credit my success to the “3 G’s” that I hold near to my heart. They are God, grandmother and great children. As a single mother, I faced many obstacles and I wanted to make a positive impression in the lives of my children. Learning comes from watching others and it was important for me to leave positive footprints for

Shunta Johnson, RN, BSN HealtH Profile

my children to follow. I continue to work hard to help them succeed in life and achieve their personal dreams. Outside of my personal journey, one of my biggest rewards was watching my son receive his bachelor’s degree in microbiology. My daughter is on this same path of purpose and has a desire to become a neonatal nurse and a recording artist. She is well on her way and has [copyrighted] her first song.

My early inspiration came from my grandmother, whom we affectionately called Madea. She helped me establish my relationship with Christ and inspired me to be the person I am today. I remember her encouraging me to go back to school and pursue my dream of becoming a nurse. She was my biggest cheerleader and helped me through each stage of my educational journey. I am thankful for the impact she had on my life and I cherish the legacy that she left and memories that remain in my heart as I strive to help others. My grandmother and family are very important to me.

learned so much about myself by getting involved with various committees such as the unit practice committee and evidence-base practice committee. In addition, I became a wound liaison nurse, trauma resource nurse for orthopedics, and nurse preceptor. I am amazed at how God has removed my fears and allowed me to become a fighter for many causes. From these wonderful experiences, I realized I have a passion for research. I am currently working on an evidence-based project with Patricia Potter, who is the director of research at BarnesJewish Hospital. This has become another highlight of my career because Patricia

is one of the authors of the Potter and Perry nursing manual that many of my colleagues and I have learned from. In addition, this is also a testament to never give up on your dreams and pursue your personal goals. As I complete my family nurse practitioner degree, my priority will be to continue to care for my patients. I also plan to help develop and create new and better ways to improve medicine. I will continue to be involved on patient improvement committees as well as share my knowledge with communities and be proactive in finding new ways to help those who are unable to reach out for help.

In honor of my grandmother, Madea, my mother, Helen, and other women who are single moms, I plan to establish a single mom sorority to provide resources to help them and their children achieve their goals in life. My advice is to always follow your dreams and be willing to work hard to accomplish your goals. Your dreams are your dreams and your goals are always achievable.

My career has afforded the opportunity to meet some wonderful people who have made a great impact in my life. From my patients, their families to my co-workers and professors, I have learned from each of them. After working in the orthopedic department as a nurse for 11 years, I was fearful of returning back to school to pursue my bachelor’s degree until a clinical nurse specialist named Ann approached me. She said I was cheating myself; I was very smart young lady and needed to return to school to get my BSN. I tried to give her the same excuses I had been giving myself for years. After a long conversation and a lot of encouragement from Ann, I decided to go back to school. Two years later, I graduated with honors with my BSN from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Three years after receiving my BSN, I was approached by another close friend who helped me to decide to pursue my master’s degree in nursing. I hope others are encouraged by this and recognize that people cross your path for reason and there is a meaning behind every encounter.

This “push” from Ann and others opened my eyes to the numerous possibilities and opportunities that were set before me. I

Shunta Johnson, RN, BSN

Thurs. Sept. 18 & 25, 1-3 p.m., Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) free screenings at St. Luke’s Desloge Outpatient Center, 121 St. Luke’s Center Drive, Chesterfield, Mo., 63017. Free noninvasive screenings for PAD Awareness Month. To schedule an appointment, call 314-205-6074.

Fri., Sept. 19, 4:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Men’s Healthy Happy Hour & Health Screenings at Christian Hospital Atrium, ground floor of Detrick Building. Fress screenings for cholesterol, blood pressure, glucose, breathing and prostate. To reserve your space, call 314747-9355 for reservations.

Sat. Sept. 20, 10 a.m. – 1 30 p.m., The Empowerment Network Bruch Fundraiser and free Health Fair, New Northside Conference Center, 5939 Goodfellow, St. Louis, 63147. Health screenings include blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose and PSA testing. Brunch tickets are$25 per person. For more information, call 314-385-0998.

Tues. Sept. 23, 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Passport to Good Health: A Life Free From Muscle & Joint Pain, St. Luke’s Hospital Institute for Health Education, Emerson Auditorium, 222 South Woods Mill Rd., Chesterfield, Mo. 63017, Education and Greek-themed cooking demo/healthy food sample. Register by calling 314-542-4848 or visiting stlukes-stl.com.

Thurs. Sept. 25, 10-11 a.m., Medicare Update 2015 at Christian Hospital Detrick Building Atrium. Medicare open enrollment runs from October 15-December 7, 2014- it is the time that you may change your Medicare health or prescription drug coverage for next year. Learn what changes are anticipated for Medicare in 2015 by expert presenters who will provide a synopsis of the CLAIM (Missouri) and SHIP (Illinois) insurance counseling programs. Find out how to access their services, plus information on Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage). No cost to attend.

Thurs. Sept. 25, 6-7 p.m., Healthy Cooking Class, Christian Hospital Diabetes Institute, Professional Bldg. 1, Suite 101, 11155 Dunn Rd., 63136. Fee $10 – space limited to first 25 to register at 314-747-9355.

Sat. Sept. 27, 10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Lupus Education Conference – St. Louis at Ameren, 1901 Choteau Ave., 63103. Topics include advances in lupus care, lupus in the workplace, sleep benefits, lupus and the skin and an expert panel. Flu shots and blood pressure screenings; Light breakfast and lunch included in $10 fee. For more informa-

tion, call 314-644-2222 or visit http://goo. gl/96wUZb.

Sat. Sept. 27, 12 noon – 4 p.m., Health Literacy Ministry Health/Resource Fair for seniors in North St. Louis City, YMCA at 4343 West Florissant, 63115. For more information, call 314761-4953 or visit www.hl-ministry.com.

Sat. Sept. 27 & Sun. Sept. 28, Pedal the Cause, in St. Louis , benefitting Siteman Cancer Center and St. Louis Children’s Hospital. For more information, visit pedalthecause.org.

Tues., Sept. 30, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m., Alive and Well STL Community Conversation by the St. Louis Regional Health Commission, at Il Monastero, 3050 Olive Blvd., St. Louis, 63103. For more information, call 3314-446-6459 or visit http://goo.gl/rAeKUJ.

Sun., Oct. 19, 6th annual Spare

Nothing for the Cure for Komen St. Louis, Brunswick Zone Chesterfield and Brunswick Zone XL in St. Peters Missouri. Register at http://goo.gl/7q7cco

Tues., Oct. 21, 6 p.m., Christian Hospital Foundation Legacy Leaders 2014 Recognition Dinner, Paul F. Detrick Atrium at Christian Hospital. For more information, call 314-653-4410 or email jayme.brown@bjc.org

Wed. Oct. 22, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., WorryFree Advocacy Training by the Missouri Foundation for Health and the Alliance for Justice, For more information, call Akeiisa Coleman at 314345-5567, email acoleman@mffh.org or register at http://goo.gl/UeG1cE.

Sat., Nov. 15, 6 p.m., AAFA 10th Annual Trivia Night at JCC Chesterfield, 16801 Baxter Rd, Chesterfield, Missouri. For more information, call 314-645-2422 or visit aafastl. org/trivia.

Sundays, 10 a.m. – Alcoholics Anonymous Group 109 meets in the 11th floor conference room at Christian Hospital, 11133 Dunn Road at I-270/ Hwy. 367. This is an open meeting for alcoholics, drug addicts and their family and friends.

Mondays, 7 p.m. – “Tobacco Free for Life” support group – free weekly meetings at St. Peters Mo. City Hall. Supported by SSM Cancer Care; RSVP initial participation to 636-947-5304.

Tuesdays, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. – Alcohol and Drug Informational meeting, Christian Hospital, Professional Office Building 2, Suite 401. For information, call 314-839-3171.

HealtH ResouRces

Asthma

Free asthma and allergy clinic by Saint Louis University students at the HRC, every other Wednesday afternoon 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. by appointment with SLU physician Dr. Raymond Slavin. The clinic offers allergy skin tests, pulmonary function tests and asthma and allergy education. It is located in the Victor Roberts Building, 1408 N. Kingshighway, between Martin Luther King Drive and Page Blvd. For more information, call 314-720-1522.

Behavioral

Christian Hospital offers free and confidential psychiatric and chemical dependency evaluations at the Christian Hospital Center for Mental Health. For more information, call 314-839-3171.

Christian Hospital Key Program offers support and education to patients with chronic mental illness to prevent increased severity of symptoms and to reduce the need for inpatient re-hospitalization. Call confidentially to 314-839-3171 or 1-800447-4301.

Crime Victim Advocacy Center provides no cost support for persons affected by criminal acts. Email peggy@supportvictims.org, visit or call the 24-hour hotline 314-OK-BE-MAD (652-3673) or visit www.supportvictims.org.

Bike helmet safety

The St. Louis County Health Department provides free bicycle helmets to St. Louis County residents between ages 1 and 17 by appointment only. Proof of residency is required. For the location nearest you, visit www.tinyurl.freebikehelmets.

Breast Cancer

Gateway to Hope offers no-charge medical and reconstructive treatment for uninsured breast cancer patients in Missouri. Contact 314-569-1113.

Dental

Free Dental Hygiene Clinic - No charge dental exams, x-rays, cleanings and other dental services for children and adults provided by dental students at Missouri College. Patients needing more extensive dental work (fillings, crowns, etc.) will be referred to local dentists. For information, call 314-768-7899.

Diabetes

CHIPS Diabetes Support Group is open to anyone and meets on Wednesday evenings from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. For more information, call 314-652-9231.

SSM St. Mary’s Health Center provides free, Diabetes Support Group sessions the second Tuesday of every month from 6 – 7 p.m. to address health management issues.

HealtH Brief

Saint Louis County reports first human West Nile Virus case of 2014

The Saint Louis County Department of Health recorded its first probable human case of West Nile Virus (WNV) this year just last week. The victim, a 59-year-old male, was released from a county hospital after suffering WNV-type symptoms. There have been nine confirmed human West Nile Virus cases in the county since 2011.

“Even though serious West Nile Virus cases in humans are rare, it is important to minimize our exposure,” said Dr. Dolores J. Gunn, director of the health department. “We can do this by eliminating opportunities for mosquitoes to breed and multiply and by protecting ourselves by using repellants.”

West Nile Virus spreads through bites from infected mosquitoes. Here are steps residents can take to reduce the opportunities for mosquitoes to flourish:

• Properly slope flexible drainage pipes, which drain water from downspouts. A big drawback is the pipes can hold water and breed mosquitoes if not properly sloped when installed.

• At least once a week, drain water from garbage cans, buckets, toys, flowerpots, wading pools, pet dishes, and other objects that can collect water. Change water in birdbaths at least once a week.

• Look for products containing the active ingredient methoprene or Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) to place in birdbaths or ponds to prevent mosquitoes from developing.

• Keep gutters cleaned out and repair any tears in door and window screens.

• Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and light colors outdoors.

• Spray clothing with repellents containing DEET or picaridin.

For more information on mosquito prevention, contact the County Vector Control at (314) 615-0680 or visit www.stlouisco. com/HealthandWellness.

Share your weight loss success story in

HealtHy Recipe

Simple Fettuccine

Serves 6

Ingredients:

1 lb. Fettuccine noodles

8 Fresh Red Tomatoes

4 tbsp Grated Fresh Parmesan Cheese

2 tbsp. Olive Oil

3 Garlic Cloves, minced

½ tsp. Crushed Red Pepper flakes

1 tsp White granulated sugar

4 tbsp Chopped Parsley (for garnish)

Preparation:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil.

• On each tomato, make an X in the bottom of the tomato with a knife. Drop each tomato into the water and boil for about one minute. Remove the tomato with a spoon and let cool.

• When tomatoes are cook enough to the touch, peel off the skin from the X and remove the core.

• Cut each tomato into quarters and place in large bowl. Add them to the food processor (or blend with an immersion blender) until tomatoes are a chunky puree.

• In a separate large pot, add oil, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes. Cook over low-medium heat, stirring frequently, until garlic is golden.

• Add tomato puree, sugar, and a pinch of salt. Simmer uncovered for 50 minutes to 1 hour, until desired consistency. Stir occasionally.

• When sauce is almost ready, cook

Fettuccine according to package directions. Drain.

• In a serving dish, place the cooked pasta and toss with the tomato puree. Garnish with parsley and fresh grated parmesan.

Nutrition Information: (per serving)

Calories: 370 (63 calories from fat)

Total Fats: 7g (Monounsaturated: 3.8g, Polyunsaturated: 1 1g; Saturated:1.5g; Trans Fat: 0)

Cholesterol: 3mg

Carbohydrates: 64g

Sugar: 7g

Dietary Fiber: 5g

Protein: 13g

Calcium: 76mg

Potassium: 582mg

Sodium: 65mg

Established in 1988, Food Outreach continues to be the only nonprofit organization in greater St. Louis that focuses on providing critical nutritional support to low-income men, women and children battling cancer or HIV/AIDS. The on-staff Chef and Registered Dietitians are pivotal to the program. Through a combination of freshly prepared frozen meals, groceries and nutrition counseling, clients have access to critical nutrients to help them best optimize their treatments and enhance their quality of life. In 2012, Food Outreach provided more than 500,000 nutritious meals at no cost to 2,053 clients living in 174 Missouri and Illinois zip codes. For more information, call 314-652-3663 x121 or visit www.foodoutreach.org.