September 1st, 2022 edition

Missourians cry out for capping health care costs

By

A ‘Friend’ of education

Holly Parran Cousins is 2022 Lifetime Achiever in Education

raising five children, while working full time as a cartographer for the Defense Mapping Agency.

After graduation from Webster High School, Cousins earned a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts at Webster University and then her Masters degree in teaching. She devoted more than 30 years to

For her lifelong devotion to the classroom and preparing young people for the future, Holly Cousins has been selected as the 2022 St. Louis American Foundation Lifetime Achiever.

Members of the African dance troup Groupo Atlantica perform on stage during the Festival of Nations on Saturday, August 26 at Tower Grove Park. The festival is St. Louis’ largest multicultural celebration.

Voting to open for Board of Aldermen president race

Sept. 13 Special Primary under new laws

By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American staff

While a pair of voter protection lawsuits have been filed against the state of Missouri and Attorney General Jay Ashcroft, St. Louis’ first election under now-challenged state law is Tuesday, September 13, 2022.

The Special Primary Municipal Election will fill the vacant President of the Board of Alderman position. Lewis Reed resigned the post and has pleaded guilty to federal corruption charges.

Alderwoman Megan Green, who is endorsed by Mayor Tishaura Jones, and Alderman Jack Coater are running for the open seat.

The St. Louis Board of Election Commissioners has created a pilot program that will offer 15 Vote

See VOTING, A6

Third in a series

St. Louis American staff

And then there were none.

While former Board of Aldermen

President Lewis Reed, and former Aldermen John Collins-Muhammad and Jeffrey Boyd pleaded not guilty to a series of corruption charges, the trio of disgraced former office holders have all now admitted to their crimes. Each face sentencing in December, and face years in prison for their illegal deeds. Collins-Muhammad, the first to be indicted, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Stephen Clark on August 23, 2022. In separate hearings on August 26, Reed and Boyd pleaded guilty to a series of felonies

n Federal sentencing structure says they must serve between 2½ and four years in prison. Missouri law calls for them to pay restitution and the men forfeited pension earned after August 28, 2014.

including bribery. Federal sentencing structure says they must serve between 2½ and four years in prison. Missouri law calls for them to pay restitution and the men forfeited pension earned after

August 28, 2014. Boyd also pleaded guilty in a second federal case involving insurance fraud at his used car lot.

According to St. Louis Pubic Rdio, Boyd was diagnosed with PTSD in December 2020, telling Clark he had been on prescribed medications for the condition since January 2022. While he said the medications can make him forgetful, he was in the right mind to be able to enter a plea. He also admitted that he had talked to a therapist about addiction issues.

Non-profit groups see affordable units in crumbling building shells

Alvin A. Reid

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Photo by Taylor McIntosh / St. Louis American

Vanessa Bryant awarded $16 million in damages from LA County Sheriff’s office

A federal jury awarded $31 million in damages to Vanessa Bryant and co-plaintiff Christopher Chester for cruel and reckless acts by members of the Los Angeles County Sheriff and Fire Departments following the January 2020 helicopter crash that claimed the lives of Kobe and Gianna Chester’s daughter.

Bryant was awarded $16 million in damages, and Chester received $15 million.

Bryant left the courthouse without making a statement but did post a picture of her, Kobe, and their daughter Gianna Instagram, captioning everything she does is for them and justice for both.

“This case has always been about accountability,” Bryant’s attorney Luis Li said in a state ment. “And now the jury has unanimously spoken.”

After the verdict, county attorney Mira Hashmall, who oversaw counsel for L.A. County, released a statement.

“While we disagree with the jury’s findings as to the County’s liability, we believe the monetary award shows that jurors didn’t believe the evidence supported the Plaintiffs’ request of $75 million for emotional distress,” Hashmall said. “We will be discussing the next steps with our client. Meanwhile, we hope the Bryant and Chester families continue to heal from their tragic loss.”

Photos of the crash site were shared by police and fire personnel who had been on the scene. Photos were dispersed on social media, and evidence was presented of photos being shown to people not connected with the case in public places, including restaurants. The photos showed wreckage from the helicopter and the victims’ crushed bodies.

Offset sues Quality Control over solo music career rights

Offset’s is suing his label, Quality Control Records, as he continues a solo career. He accuses Quality Control of ignoring a negotiation contract in January 2021, according to documents secured by TMZ He claims he paid “a generous amount” for his solo artist rights, but QC will not recognize the deal.

He contends the label is “inaccurately maintaining his new music,” including his Baby Keemproduced single, “54321.”

Offset is preparing to release his sophomore solo album, the followup to 2019’s “Father of 4.” He will drop his new song “Code,” featuring Moneybagg Yo, on Motown Records, the label he signed with as a solo act.

Although he’s signed to QC in partnership with Migos, he wants the court to state that QC doesn’t own rights to any music he’s created since Jan. 15, 2021.

Migos’ future is undetermined. In May, the group sparked disbandment rumors after unfollowing one another on Instagram and later backed out of their performance at the Governors Ball, stating there was a scheduling conflict.

him posing for maternity photos with model Brittany Bell, confirming his third child with her.

All three members are pursuing respective solo careers, with Quavo and Takeoff now performing as the duo Unc & Phew. They’ve released the songs “Hotel Lobby” and “Us Vs. Them,” featuring Gucci Mane

Nick Cannon expecting his ninth child a month after having a newborn son

It has been almost a month since the arrival of Nick Cannon’s son Legendary with model Bre Tiesi - and Cannon is expecting his ninth child.

Cannon posted an Instagram video of

“Time Stopped, and This Happened…” Cannon captioned the post showing the two being affectionate and playing with their 5-year-old son Golden and 1-year-old daughter Powerful.

He also included the hashtags “Sunshine” and “SonRISE” in the post, which could be an indicator that the two are expecting another baby boy.

Cannon held Bell’s stomach in the video while they wore coordinated outfits. Golden and Powerful also joined them in a few pregnancy announcement photos too. Cannon admitted in June that he wanted to have more children. In addition to his children with Bell and Tiesi, he is also the father of 11-year-old twins Moroccan and Monroe with his ex-wife Mariah Carey, 1-year-old twins Zion and Zillion with Abby De La Rosa, who is currently pregnant and hasn’t revealed who the father of the child is yet. In December 2021, Cannon’s 5-month-old son Zen with Alyssa Scott died from a malignant brain tumor diagnosis.

Sources: Rap-Up TV, Today, TMZ, Instagram, CNN

Nick Cannon

“Certainly,

- Gregory Robinson, NASA James Webb Space

The people’s podcast

By Ashley Winters

The St. Louis American

The Speak Up St. Louis Podcast elevates diverse voices that are part of ‘The Lou,’ according to host and cocreator Quinton Ward.

Topics include food, pop culture, politics, and art. If it’s about the ‘Gateway to the West,’ Ward is ready and willing to talk about it. When it comes to food, Ward’s experience as senior manager for the St. Louis Metro Market, a farmer’s market on wheels, is on the podcast’s menu.

The market offers fresh, affordable, healthy food options throughout the St. Louis area because it truly offers ‘meals on wheels.’

Ward and Signorelli were looking for a creative outlet outside of work. Ward had been promoted to Metro Market executive director, and Signorelli began hinting that they should start a podcast.

The first episode was released in the fall of 2020, with Antwan Pope of Cure Violence as debut guest. Ward calls the first episode “ground zero.”

n Turns out we really enjoyed it, we started pumping out episodes once every week

- Quinton Ward, Speak Up St. Louis Podcast host and co-creator

The market is where he and former co-host, Lucas Signorelli, meet and connect with the community. If the bus was there, Ward was making you a new friend.

“We were meeting so many folks, and we were trying to figure out ‘how do we capture some of these stories of people in St. Louis doing amazing stuff?” said Ward.

“It’s about the real folks of St. Louis, not necessarily the ones always up front leading the work, but also everyday folks,” said Ward.

In winter 2020, the pandemic put much of the world on pause, including the St. Louis Metro Market.

With no podcast equipment, it was recorded on an iPhone with a mini microphone attached. They sat in a huddle and passed the phone around, taking turns speaking.

“Turns out we really enjoyed it. We started pumping out episodes once every week,” said Ward.

Most of the first season was taped at Ward’s art studio, which included a yellow futon and a table and chair for guests.

From its humble beginning, the podcast grew its audience and Ward acquired better equipment.

Season one featured about 60 episodes, and guests ranged from Murphy Lee and Kyjuan of the St. Lunatics to state Sen. Brian Williams.

“It’s like wow, the range of people who want to be on the podcast,” Ward said.

He credits most of the guests on his podcast to the St. Louis Metro Market, which allowed him to connect with folks that he might not have met.

“When I’m meeting folks on the Metro Market, I invite them to be on the podcast,” said Ward.

His audience now includes St. Louis, The united States of America, and other parts of the world.

“It just shows folks in St. Louis, and internationally, care about what happens here,” said Ward. “The podcast is an opportunity to be able to have a reach in a place where it is accessible to anyone.”

He also says he has no intention of

leaving this area.

“The reality is [St. Louis] has [steadied] me. It’s where I went to school, it’s where opportunities have happened for me. Why would I turn my back on St. Louis?” said Ward.

The podcast is his way of telling the St. Louis’ story, and he determines how it is told.

Following the killing of Michael Brown and the Ferguson Uprising

guson era,” he said.

“In fact, there is so much work that needs to be done. We are still dealing with the trauma of that epic moment in history. I may not be on the front line, but how can I make sure that we’re continuing to have a conversation about the systemic racial social economic issues here at home,” said Ward.

Ashley Winters is The St. Louis

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Quinton Ward (back row center) with his staff Tiffany Taylor (back row left) Front row are Nailia Murtic,

Nancy Rucker and JaVonte Earl in front of the Metro Market Food Bus ready to service the community from the parking lot of Affinia Health Care’s Lemp Ave. location in the city’s McKinley Heights neighborhood.

Guest Editorial

President Biden deserves credit not complacency

By Congressman James E. Clyburn

We all have heard the popular expression, “give credit where credit is due.” After hearing numerous critics over the past 18 months, it is refreshing to see President Joe Biden finally getting the credit he deserves for what is one of the most productive starts to a presidential term in recent history.

The Financial Times’ Associate Editor Ed Luce recently wrote an opinion piece entitled, “The unexpected triumph of Joe Biden: Recent legislative successes suggest a good political system in good working order, but complacency is misplaced.”

Mr. Luce made the case for why President Biden’s star is rising, but warned that despite his impressive legislative record, voters may not give him the credit he deserves because too many people respond more to style than substance. I agree with Mr. Luce’s assessment. Our media-driven culture rates words and deeds that generate headlines over those that make headway. Joe Biden, and those of us who support him, prefer putting people over politics.

n

When President Biden took office, the country was in the grip of a global pandemic. Businesses were shuttering, schools were closing, and people were dying. The country needed leadership. Unfortunately, we had a show man at the helm when a statesman was needed. Forty-five was pre-occupied with scoring political points and securing media hits. And when voters were given a chance to express themselves, by a margin of nearly seven million votes, they chose statesmanship over showmanship.

Joe Biden was sworn in on January 20, 2021. On that day, the country’s unemployment rate was 6.4 percent. COVID-19 was infecting 193,030 Americans a day and people were dying at a rate of 3,167 a day. From day one, Biden focused on shoring up the shaky foundation left by the previous Administration.

Unfortunately,

On March 11, 2021, less than two months after he took office, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan (ARP) into law. It accelerated the American economic recovery by putting money in people’s pockets, getting children back in school and lifting nearly half of them out of poverty.

The ARP also prevented evictions and foreclosures for millions of America’s families, kept hundreds of large businesses open and reopened thousands of small businesses. It helped stem the deadly rampage of COVID-19 by expanding testing and access to vaccines. Republicans put their politics over people’s needs and voted unanimously against this legislation. Democrats put people over politics and started building a foundation for the country’s recovery.

The second corner of Biden’s foundation came on November 15, 2021, when he signed into law the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. This legislation made historic investments in our crumbling and outdated infrastructure. It invested in high-speed internet, clean drinking water, a resilient electric grid, replacing lead pipes, making a down payment on clean energy transmission, and charging stations for electric vehicles. These infrastructure investments are creating jobs and strengthening critical links in our supply chain.

During all of this, President Biden nominated the first Black woman to the United States Supreme Court, a Black woman to the DC Circuit Court of Appeals, and 26 other Black women to various federal courts, more than the combined total of all previous Presidents.

President Biden continued working, away from public view, to help get the final two corners of his foundation solidified, and on August 9, he signed the CHIPS and Science Act into law. This third corner of his platform restores America’s standing as a global science and technology leader by providing the resources and tools needed to make more products like semiconductor chips here at home. It will create good-paying jobs, invest in building a more diverse workforce, and bolster our supply chains.

The fourth and final corner of the Biden platform, the Inflation Reduction Act, passed the Congress with every Democrat voting for it, and every Republican voting against it. Under this new law, signed by President Biden on August 16, Medicare recipients will see their out-ofpocket prescription drugs capped at $2,000 annually and their cost of insulin capped at $35 monthly. It reduces the cost of health care for 13 million Americans by extending the Affordable Care Act subsidies for more than three years with an average savings of $800 per year. The new law includes provisions to increase taxes on corporations, address climate change, and decrease the prices of prescription drugs.

The IRA will help cut climate pollution by 40 percent by 2030, while building a new, clean energy economy and creating nine million new jobs. It invests in environmental justice by cleaning up legacy pollution most often found in communities of color and provides tax credits to ensure nuclear energy producers can continue to provide clean energy for consumers. The IRA will require corporations to pay a minimum tax of 15 percent and reduce the deficit by $300 billion over the next decade.

As Mr. Luce warns us, “complacency is misplaced.” Voters should see this “good political system in good working order” as motivation to go to the polls to support more positive progress. President Biden is finally getting some of the credit he is due. And he and my fellow Democrats will continue putting the American people over partisan politics.

Congressman James E. Clyburn (D-SC), is House Majority Whip

Commentary

Back to school, back to fighting attacks on education

By Ben Jealous

Just when you thought far-right attacks on public education couldn’t get any more absurd, we hear about something new.

For the first time in almost 15 years, Sarasota, Florida schools this fall are turning down hundreds of free dictionaries from the local Rotary Club.

Why? Because the district is afraid of violating a radical new law that’s part of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’s crackdown on inclusive curricula. The district can’t buy or accept any new books until it hires someone to make sure they comply with the state’s draconian censorship regulations. So, the dictionaries sit on the shelf.

The idea that dictionaries might be hazardous to kids would be laughable if it weren’t so dangerous. This new school year is starting as more states are passing laws to make it easier to ban books. States are also passing laws to stop teachers from talking about topics like racism; according to Education Week, 42 states have now enacted limits on what teachers can say about racism or sexism in the classroom.

In Missouri, school librarians could be jailed for shelving books right-wing state legislators deem inappropriate. GOP lawmakers also vow to present bills in 2023 directly attacking how Black history and other issues of race are addressed in classrooms.

warns that the current wave of book bans amounts to “the silencing of stories and the suppressing of information” that will make “the next generation less able to function in society.” Children learn better when they can see themselves in others and see their communities as part of the great American story. At the same time, science tells us that learning how to understand and empathize with people across differences is essential to children’s healthy development. Looking honestly at our past helps students develop critical thinking skills that are desperately needed when every smart phone is a gateway to disinformation.

Democracy, too, depends on informed citizens to function. It’s no coincidence that the crowd that stormed the Capitol in 2021, was acting on lies and misinformation.

Authoritarianism feasts on ignorance. Election deniers and censors of history are in the same camp, and should get nowhere near our schools.

These same political forces want to make schools teach a whitewashed version of our history and our current reality in the name of “patriotic” education. They’re trying to take over school boards to impose their political ideology on teachers and students. That’s bad for our kids. And it’s bad for our country.

The freedom to learn is at risk.

This fall, it’s more important than ever to stand for the rights of teachers to teach, and students to learn, about the full spectrum of the American experience. That means lessons that include and celebrate diverse communities. It means history that doesn’t erase the experiences of Black people, brown people, LGBTQ people, women, immigrants, people with disabilities, and other communities that have been historically marginalized.

The director of the nonprofit EveryLibrary

We cannot begin to heal our divisions until we acknowledge and teach our whole history—good and bad. And we know that standing up for the freedom to learn will be a challenging task. This school year follows one in which reports of book bans and censorship reached record levels according to the American Library Association. Far-right groups and politicians are offering rewards and setting up tip lines to “report” teachers who cover “divisive” topics. School board members are receiving death threats. But we don’t shy away from these challenges when we act from a place of love. Loving our children means being advocates for them when political extremists want to limit what they can learn. It means showing up to school board meetings and organizing to make ourselves heard. It means running for the school board. It means rejecting one of the censors’ most harmful assumptions: that students are too fragile to hear the history our people have lived.

Millions of families are getting ready to send their kids back to school. Let’s also get ready to defend the freedom to learn. Before the dictionary ends up on your district’s banned-books list. Ben Jealous serves as president of People For the American Way

Commentary

Rule of law covers

Trump

by Marc Morial

“No man is above the law and no man is below it; nor do we ask any man’s permission when we require him to obey it. Obedience to the law is demanded as a right; not asked as a favor.” — Theodore Roosevelt

If you chanted “Lock her up!” in 2016 but shrug off potential violations of the Espionage Act in 2022, it wasn’t concern for national security that you were defending.

If you responded to “Black Lives Matter” with “Blue Lives Matter” in 2020, and you scream “Defund the FBI” in 2022, it wasn’t respect for law enforcement that you were defending.

The presence of highly classified material at former President Donald Trump’s Palm Beach estate, Mar-a-Lago, is not necessarily proof that Trump himself is guilty of the potential criminal violations that investigators listed in the search warrant: concealment or removal of federal records, destruction or alteration of records in a federal investigation and transmitting defense information. But a judge would not have approved the warrant — indeed, the Department of Justice would not even have sought approval — without powerful evidence that such violations were committed.

A former president is as bound by the law as anyone else. He’s entitled to the same due process as anyone else. And failure to hold him as accountable for his actions as anyone else would be disastrous for the nation.

of committing while serving as president or campaigning for the office. Due to a combination of obstruction by partisan loyalists in Congress and a policy among federal law enforcement against prosecuting a sitting president, Trump never was held to account for his misdeeds as president or candidate.

No president in American history has challenged this principle to a greater degree than Donald Trump. From his first days in office, he insisted he had the authority to end the investigation into his campaign’s coordination with Russian election saboteurs. After shocking the international community by sharing classified information with Russia, endangering an ally’s intelligence asset, Trump declared that he had the “absolute right” to do so. When officials warned him that withholding military aid to Ukraine was illegal, “he didn’t seem to care,” according to former Defense Secretary Mark Esper.

The government ethics watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington has identified 48 criminal offenses of which Trump has been credibly accused

Each successive escape from justice appears to have reinforce Trump’s already-powerful mystique of being above the law. He was recorded boasting, with regard to sexual assault, “When you’re a star, they let you do it. You can do anything.” At least 26 women have accused President Donald Trump of sexual misconduct, including assault, since the 1970s. He has never been criminally charged. The real estate company Trump inherited from his father is on trial for alleged crimes dating back 15 years; Trump himself has not been charged. As we saw on Jan. 6, 2021, Trump’s supporters are inclined to retaliate with deadly violence against any perceived slight against him. Pursuing charges against Trump carries a serious risk of an even more violent response. “While the consequences of action might be dire,” columnist Jamelle Bouie wrote in The New York Times, “the consequences of inaction might be even worse.” Bouie and others have pointed to the 1874 takeover of the Louisiana statehouse, New Orleans City Hall and the city’s arsenal by white supremacists bent on deposing Gov. William Pitt Kellogg and installing his opponent from the previous election in 1872. While federal troops quelled the rebellion, Bouie wrote, “There was no punishment for the men who planned this attempted coup. So there was no reason not to try again.”

The second attempt, after the 1876 election, succeeded. The promise of Reconstruction in Louisiana died, and white supremacist terror reigned for the next nine decades.

The possible reaction of a violent fringe of Trump supporters should not dictate the course of a federal investigation. Caving into blackmail does not deter blackmailers; it emboldens them. Failure to hold even a former president accountable to the law is a sure path to tyranny. Marc Morial is president/CEO of the National Urban League.

Guest Columnist

James E. Clyburn

ESL FamFun3K Walk helps corral childhood obesity

Black children at greater risk

Louis American staff

St.

Childhood obesity is a health concern throughout America, and Black children are more at risk. 23% of Black children and adolescents between 7 and 16 years old are obese, compared to 15.5% White children, according to U.S Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health statistics. People who are overweight are more likely to suffer from high blood pressure, elevated levels of blood fats, diabetes, and LDL cholesterol. This greatly increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.

September is Childhood Obesity Month, and the Childhood Obesity FamFun3k Walk returns at 10 a.m. Saturday Sept. 10, 2022, at Lincoln Park in East St. Louis, 605 S. 15th Street. Now in its sixth year, the walk helps families “move into a healthier lifestyle by connecting the

African American community to health and wellness resources,” said “Coach” Melody McClellan, Unwrap You and I Am ESTL Foundation founder.

In 2018, African Americans were 20% less likely to engage in physical activities as compared to white Americans.

“The FamFun3k walk has served thousands in the community, providing education and fundraising to fight childhood obesity in the Metro East,” McClellan said.

“The FamFun3k Walk donated $14,500 to three Illinois and Missouri programs. The walk will have participants moving in-person or virtually in three continents and 20 states to help reduce childhood obesity.”

The FamFun3k Walk is sponsored by 96.3, SIHF Healthcare, Touchette Regional Hospital, and Hot 104.1. For additional information, contact McClellan at (314) 740-3285 or email unwrapyou@gmail.com.

Revolutions, Evolutions and Serena Williams

By Dr. Julianne Malveaux

Unquestionably, Venus and Serena Williams revolutionized women’s tennis. With serves that approached the speed of light, fantastic agility, exceptional athleticism, and the grace of gazelles, they changed how women played tennis.

Furthermore, they were outspoken about issues like pay equity, advocating that women tennis players should earn as much as men. While they were graceful, they were not gracious, sometimes because of the hateful, racist barbs lobbed at them. Serena had a couple of famous meltdowns and shouting matches with referees. She paid the price for them, and, often, she won anyway.

And she’s given us many magic tennis moments. Consider the iconic black catsuit she wore in 2018 as a new mom. Conventional tennis was aghast, and the French Tennis Federation went so far as to ban the look. Venus and Serena’s presence in championship tennis was an irritant to those who once saw tennis as a narrow white occasion, and their appearance was harshly criticized when, as teens, they sported beaded braids. Some criticism was so ugly and vociferous that one wonders if the protest was on the Williams sisters’ fashion or their simple presence.

While Serena has been well-sponsored, I don’t think she’s ever gotten her “due.” I’ll never forget the 2006 US Open “I Feel Pretty” campaign celebrating Maria Sharapova and her white blondness. The sizzling Serena is the antithesis of white blondness, and there has never been such a celebration of her Black beauty. Despite slights large and small (and it was rather disgusting to see all these Sharapova look-alikes sprinkled throughout Manhattan and on television “feeling pretty”), Serena has been the personification of Dr. Maya Angelou’s poem, “And Still I Rise.” “You can write me down in history with your bitter, twisted lies; you may trod me in the very dirt, but still, like dust, I rise.”

Serena says she is “evolving away” from tennis and toward other things, including her venture capital firm. After winning 23 grand slams, the most in the Open era, she says she will likely hang her racket up after this month’s US Open. Many say she is unlikely to win it – she’s not won a tournament since winning Wimbledon in 2016. More recently, she’s given birth to daughter Alexis Olympia Ohanian in 2017 and has since been plagued with injuries. Still, she has continued to compete and speak out about Black maternal health after her harrowing birth experience. She continues to grace magazine covers and remains an advocate for women, civil rights, and human rights.

Serena will be 41 on September 26. Her evolution is timely. She and her husband want to expand their family. She has other fish to fry in the sizzling grease of life. And she continues to inspire young people, not only tennis players but many others who admire her persistence, resilience, and presence.

Indeed, Serena’s evolution reminds us all about the seasons of life and the transitions we all experience as we age. Our movements are evolving, too. Even our methods of organizing are evolving. The internet has changed the ways we communicate, organize, and interact. It has changed how we view politics, economics, and even race matters. The combination of communications shifts and COVID has revolutionized the workplace, with only the most turgid bureaucracies insisting that things must be as they always were. Hybrid schedules and hybrid learning are more the rule than the exception, with employers learning that they can expect more productivity from workers who can enjoy flexibility. Additionally, our planet may benefit from the new workplace flexibility as our carbon footprint shrinks when we do less commuting.

Serena Williams and her sister, Venus, revolutionized tennis as we knew it fifty years ago when Martina Navratilova and Chrissie Everet dominated the sport. The Williams women opened the door for a generation of more diverse and hard-hitting players. Now Serena is doing another kind of role-modeling. She is modeling balance, the art of aging gently and gracefully, and the magic inherent in second and third acts and new life chapters. Serena has not always gotten her due, but she will always be an iconic champion, a tennis GOAT (greatest of all time). In her evolution, may she forever rise.

Dr. Julianne Malveaux is an economist, author and Dean of the College of Ethnic Studies at Cal State LA.

September is Childhood Obesity Month, and the 6th annual Childhood Obesity FamFun3k Walk will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday Sept. 10 at Lincoln Park in East St. Louis.

Photo courtesy of FamFun3K Walk

Julianne Malveaux

Guilty

Continued from A1

Reed, 59, is who is represented by attorney Scott Rosenblum, said in response to questions from the judge, that he was supposed to take

Voting

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Centers for residents, as well as 5 no-excuse absentee voting locations through September 12. Voters are reminded that they must have a photo identification.

Any city voter can cast a ballot, regardless of their registered precinct, at the following locations. These will be the only polling places on Election Day for the September 13 Special Primary.

• Lexington School (5030

Cousins

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children’s education, serving 17 years as an elementary school teacher in the Jennings School District.

For her lifelong devotion to the classroom and excellence in preparing young people for the future, Holly Cousins has been selected as the 2022 St. Louis American Foundation Lifetime Achiever.

She will be honored during the milestone 35th Annual Salute to Excellence in Education Scholarship and Awards Gala on October 1 at America’s Center in downtown St. Louis.

While working in the Jennings School District at Fairview Elementary School, Cousins created the Special Friends program, which paired

Adderall, a stimulant that can be used to treat ADHD, but that he felt had not needed to.

Both Boyd and Reed said they were of sound mind to make their respective guilty pleas.

The investigation into the bribery scheme stretched over 2 ½ years, and included

Lexington Ave)

• Nance Elementary School (8959 Riverview Blvd)

• Herbert Hoover Boys and Girls Club (2901 N. Grand Ave)

• Missouri School for the Blind (3867 Magnolia Ave)

• Salvation Army Temple Corps located (2740 Arsenal St)

• Betty Wheeler Classical Junior Academy (5031 Potomac)

• Carondelet Library located (6800 Michigan Ave)

• Woodward School (725 Bellerive Blvd)

• Buder Library (4401 Hampton Ave)

• Schlafly Library (225 N.

teachers and students as mentors and mentees.

After two years of success, the program was rechristened as “Special Friends Extended,” which paired each classroom from kindergarten to 8th grade [over 400 students] with professionals from the St. Louis community.

“They would visit twice a year, and as high impact professional mentors had one-on-one, get-acquainted meetings with their mentee,” she explained.

“They then adjourned to class with that mentee, led a discussion and spoke to that class, guided by lesson plans that were prepared for each grade level on life skills.”

The importance of maintaining academic excellence, good character, citizenship, as well as advice on how to pursue career goals were part of the sessions. If students had a career path in mind, they gained guidance

recordings of hundreds of meetings and telephone calls, court-ordered search warrants and the review of thousands of text messages and emails, according to STLPR’s report.

Reed, Boyd and CollinsMuhammad required a developer listed as “John Doe” on indictments, who was wired

Euclid)

• Metro Academic (4015 McPherson Ave)

• Froebel School (3709 Nebraska Ave)

• Friendly Temple MB Church (5544 ML King Dr)

• Walnut Park Library (5760 W. Florissant)

• Julia Davis Library (4415 Natural Bridge)

Voters can vote absentee without an excuse, and for the Special Primary Municipal Election, eligible voters will be able to cast an in-person “no excuse” absentee ballot at the Board of Elections and four libraries across the City:

from mentors on how to reach that goal.

The range of mentors included lawyers, doctors, engineers from various fields, dentists, architects, journalists, judges, psychiatrists, authors, teachers, elected public officials, first responders, clergy members, business and civic leaders and STEM professionals.

The program was expanded to five Jennings schools, three schools in the Riverview Gardens School District and a high school in Central California for four years.

She accomplished this feat while still teaching at Fairview, receiving no pay for nurturing her innovative project.

Since its modest creation in 2006, the program currently reaches 2,500 students yearly.

Always seeking ways to help, Cousins raised funds for a playground at Fairview, and library furniture for two other

by the FBI during several conversations, to essentially pay them before they received support for tax abatement incentives.

Reed accepted $6,000 in cash and $3,500 in campaign contributions, according to court documents, for his help in “John Doe” obtaining a

• St. Louis City Election Board (300 N. Tucker Blvd)

• Buder Library (4401 Hampton Ave)

• Carondelet Library (6800 Michigan Ave)

• Julia David Library (4415 Natural Bridge Ave)

• Walnut Park Library (5760 West Florissant Ave)

Hours for the St. Louis City Election Board are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Absentee voting will be open 9 a.m. to 1 pm, Saturday, Sept. 10. Library Absentee Centers voting will take place Noon

schools.

After retiring from teaching in 2013, Cousins continued the program maintaining a constant presence in schools.

When COVID-19 struck in 2020 and schools were closed or operating on a limited schedule, Cousins “re-engineered and reimagined” her program.

The mentoring portion was reinstated, but only at Jennings High School. She added another dimension to the program: providing scholarships to JHS graduates.

Special Friends Extended has continued as the Holly Cousins Special Friends Extended Scholarship. Established in 2021, it awards two scholarships of $3,000 each to two graduating senior students “who demonstrate high academic achievement, leadership, promise and contribute to a positive social environment.”

Four scholarships have been

Minority Business Enterprise certification and city trucking and hauling contracts. Reed also admitted accepting $9,000 in cash bribes for helping the businessman get a property tax abatement in CollinsMuhammad’s ward.

Boyd accepted $9,500 in cash bribes to help obtain a

to 4 p.m. Monday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 1 p.m. to 5pm on Saturdays. All locations will be closed Labor Day, September 5.

Voters can approve of either, both, or none of the two candidates on the ballot. The candidates will then both be on the ballot in the November 8, 2022, Special General Municipal Election. If a voter does not have a State of Missouri or federally issued photo ID, the voter can still vote at the voter’s polling place by casting a provisional ballot.

After Election Day, a bipar-

awarded, one going to Joye Graham. She was a member of the National Honor Society and a former Fairview student.

She won the award along with Marena Keys, a National Honor Society member like Graham, who was also first in her class at JHS in 2022.

The motto of Special Friends Extended has always been “If they can see it, they can be it,” Cousins said. These words were spoken to her by her mother when Cousins first shared the ideas and elements of the program with her in 2006.

Cousins is also a painter and has two of her paintings juried at Coastal Art Gallery in Half Moon Bay, California. She was a co-recipient of the Frankie Muse Freeman/Norman R Seay Commitment to St. Louis Award in 2017, and was awarded the Peabody Locos Leadership in Education Award in 2011.

commercial property in Boyd’s ward. Boyd also admitted guilt to influencing the Land Reutilization Authority to accept Doe’s bid of $14,000 when the property was listed as worth $50,000 by the city. Boyd also accepted free repairs on two of his vehicles.

tisan team of election judges will compare the signature on the voter’s provisional ballot envelope to their voter registration signature on file at the Election Board. If the signature matches, their vote will count. For more information on voting and upcoming elections, visit the Board of Election Commissioners webpage.

For a list of acceptable forms of voter ID, visit the Secretary of State’s website. Free photo IDs for voting are available from the Missouri Department of Revenue. www.showit2vote.com

She served on the Board of Trustees of the Saint Louis Art Museum from 2004 to 2012 and was a Forest Park Leffingwell Society Hat Lucheon co-chair in 2011. She helped raise approximately $500,000 for Forest Park Forever. She is a member of The Girl Friends, Inc., and The Paupers Club of St. Louis. Cousins also serves on the Women’s Society of Washington University Board. She was born to Holland and Barbara Tyler Parran, and has four siblings, Cheryl, Holland Jr., Diana, and Faye. She is married to Steve Cousins, a former partner at Armstrong Teasdale and current CEO of Cousins Allied Strategic Advisors. She has two daughters, Stephanie, an OBGYN physician, and Heather, a film editor. They both reside in California.

Vacancy

Continued from A1

More than a decade after moving in, Muhammad came out of retirement to found the Hyde Park Neighborhood Association of North St. Louis, in part to deal with a curse that has plagued parts of North City for generations: vacant properties.

“I have come out of retirement to do the work that is needed in our community,” she said of the 2017 association launch. “I do it with love for my people, the community and the betterment of all. No one heard the voices of the community until now, that’s why I do it.”

To help spur progress, the neighborhood association turned to Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, Inc., which in 2018 brought to St. Louis the Neighborhood Vacancy Initiative, a spinoff of a similar program born in Kansas City that uses the courts to help break up the logjam that keeps vacant, decaying properties from being sold to would-be developers.

Between 2018 and 2022, the Hyde Park Neighborhood Association filed at least a dozen lawsuits against neighborhood property owners, according to a search of filings in Missouri Courts. It’s been among the most active neighborhood groups in taking negligent property owners to court. Its lawsuit list includes the case against the former “absentee” owner of an especially dilapidated property at 3519 Blair.

“I definitely remember this being one of the worst houses I have ever seen,” said Peter Hoffman, managing attorney for the Neighborhood Vacancy Initiative of the Legal Services group, describing it as “terrible, owners long deceased, heirs unknown ... If the neighborhood hadn’t intervened, this house may very well not be standing anymore.”

At Hoffman’s urging, developer and real estate broker Tenesia Looney-Brown looked at more than a dozen properties in north St. Louis, several of them owned by developer Paul McKee’s NorthSide Regeneration. Many of them she felt “needed to be torn down.”

The property on Blair was “horrible too,” but she felt, “this is the lesser of all the evils … Altogether, I probably spent about $160,000 on it and I sold it for” $93,000, she said. “Our main focus everywhere we go is the urban core and revitalizing it.”

At 1514 Mallinckrodt Street,

a former multi-family home built in 1892, “the entire rear of the building had fallen to the ground,” Muhammad said. The Vacancy Collaborative listed eight “major” city code violations at the property before it was demolished in recent years.

The new owner of the land, the St. Louis-based nonprofit Dream Builders 4 Equity, plans to use the property as the site of its first ground-up build. The organization, co-founded by Michael Woods, aims to rehab at least 25 vacant properties to be sold to first-time homeowners, and provide free home renovations worth up to $10,000 for 25 seniors.

“I wanted [Dream Builders] to be the change … to be that first investment or to be that person or a part of some group that inspires other people to really see and understand that this is needed, like it has to be done,” said Woods.

Muhammad cited progress at the two Mallinckrodt addresses as court-aided wins for the community.

Partnering with Legal Services of Eastern Missouri allowed Muhammad to find rehab partners able to restore historic homes in the neighborhood. “Now, these properties are being rehabbed into affordable beautiful homes,” she said.

“These are the real stories. ... the successes, the wins,” she added. “The community has been so excited about the processes as we work block by block to bring about change in our community.”

In an area where residents often are portrayed as victims, Muhammad sees the legal strategy as evidence of residents’ collective agency.

“Residents are joining together, taking back their power,” she said. “Working and collaborating with city departments, neighborhoods, other organizations and businesses. Working as a unit with transparency has been our focus.”

But there is still much work to do. And that raises questions about current north St. Louis revitalization plans.

At least 30 vacant properties in Hyde Park are owned by NorthSide Regeneration, McKee’s company, according to the Vacancy Collaborative database.

A city database showed that, as of mid-July, NorthSide Regeneration still owed 2020 and 2021 taxes for at least 222 of the company’s vacant buildings in neighborhoods slated for development as part of the city’s Project Connect program, which seeks to revitalize the area around the under-construction western headquarters of the National GeospatialIntelligence Agency.

That’s not counting taxes

Hoffman called the vacancy issue “an enormous problem,” adding, “it’s going to take years to fix. You know, it’s been 50 years in the making. It’s not going to be something that’s going to go away overnight.

But hopefully, the thing that I think that maybe people are more optimistic about, I know I’m optimistic about, is that there are federal funds that are now available.”

He said the problems in the Project Connect neighborhoods won’t be solved by investment alone.

owed on vacant lots.

Under state law, tax collectors can start procedures to collect delinquent taxes within one year, but the city typically files suit to collect taxes after a property has been three years behind on taxes, according to the St. Louis Collector of Revenue. Some owners, like NorthSide, seem to pay just one year’s derelict taxes at the last minute, to avoid legal action.

Piggee, McKee’s attorney, did not respond to questions about unpaid taxes at specific properties, but said, “We pay our taxes.”

City officials did not respond to questions regarding property owners who still owe taxes for 2020 and 2021. We also asked what neighbors are wondering — whether these same owners will be allowed to profit from the revitalization. The city did not respond.

None of the dozen lawsuits filed by the Hyde Park Association was against NorthSide. Muhammad did not say why.

But the city’s Department of Public Safety, which contains the Building Division, has taken the developer to court at least six times since 2018, securing judgments totaling more than $4,500. The amount of delinquent tax, penalties and fees due on a piece of property at the time of a court judgment is included in that judgment, according to Tom Vollmer, a deputy with the Collector of Revenue department.

Hoffman, of Legal Services’ neighborhood vacancy initiative and the lead attorney in many of the court cases, declined to discuss specific court cases.

But he, like the residents interviewed, expressed hope that the city might be moving toward substantive change. “I believe there’s a commitment from this current mayor, to try to make a dent in this problem,” Hoffman said.

In her first State of the City Address in April, Mayor Tishaura Jones — who describes herself as the “first mayor in over 20 years to be born, raised and still live in north St. Louis” — said she

would like to see $150 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding spent on the north side of the city. That’s beyond the $37 million in ARPA money already committed to the area.

The aim is to bring change.

“This change looks like fewer boarded-up buildings and crumbling vacant [structures] on our blocks,” she said.

She said it “is accurate” to note the city has not done enough in the past, but the city was now determined to “hold neglectful property owners like Northside Regeneration accountable.”

Still, she said, progress may be slower than some would like.

“Fixing a decades-old issue won’t happen in a day, or even a year, but we have started making a concerted effort to reverse these historic wrongs,” she said in an email to The American. “In this year’s budget, we’ve included $6 million to help address vacant buildings, including rehabilitation or demolition.

Jones divided her proposed $150 million spending plan — which must be approved by the Board of Aldermen and the Board of Estimate & Apportionment — into three categories, including one labeled “neighborhood transformation.”

That includes “capacity building, vacancy [abatement]... environmental justice” and improving housing accessibility. That category would get up to $70 million — nearly half of the $150 million Jones is pushing for.

“In most city neighborhoods, the owners of vacant nuisance properties are varied,” he said. “Many of the blighted properties around the NGA site are due in large part to one particular bad actor. The key to addressing those [resides] in addressing that particular owner.”

Asked if he was referring to McKee, Hoffman said, “Yes. I think anyone reading this will know who I’m referring to.”

For residents like Patricia Dees of the St Louis Place Community Association, the thought that negligent property owners might be in line for hefty profits brings with it “a sense of frustration.”

“It’s derelict properties around that nobody is taking care of,” she said. “And all of a sudden, the properties will get sold at this astronomical amount. And then here I have been, cutting your grass or cleaning up trash or whatever else to keep my property from looking a mess. So, you know, there is a lot of animosity.”

Without commenting on specific properties, Piggee said, the company has “had to devote precious resources to defending frivolous litigation and inexplicable in-fighting with the City. We are making every effort to ensure that demolition proceeds where necessary to protect the public.”

Dr. Annessa Blackmun, who opened a business in the Old North neighborhood in 2013, thinks the focus on McKee has taken the spotlight off of the city and its responsibility to address the problem.

“I really want to take the

focus off of Mr. McKee and put it back on the city and what kinds of plans or resources or incentives are there to get these parcels not to be vacant. You know what I mean? Because at some point, it’s like this big circle and it all goes back to this supposedly horrible bad guy and I don’t know if that’s good enough anymore for me.” So far, officials have yet to articulate a specific game plan. Leaders in the city’s development corporation say they plan to address multiple issues in north St. Louis, from development to the threat of gentrification.

Many of the specifics, however, have yet to be determined. Listening to residents and crafting a plan is expected to take two years, according to Lance Knuckles, who last fall joined the St. Louis Development Corporation as director of strategic growth and development. He did not have a total figure for how much will be spent in the Project Connect area but outlined some funding sources.

The city is planning on using $20 million in ARPA funds to support affordable housing in north St. Louis and $5 million for grants to small businesses negatively affected by COVID, he said.

Another $2.5 million will go to small business lending for community development corporations and neighborhood organizations across north St. Louis.

Meanwhile, residents like Dees see in the concurrent activity of the SLDC, the Vacancy Collaborative, Legal Aid, and others, as threads which — if taken together — could form a lifeline.

“I’ve got all these people woven and braided together in this rope,” said Dees. “And I’m holding on to this rope … by a thread, praying that they are going to do what they promise us that they’re going to do.” Research assistance by Paco Alvarez and Nina Zweig of Type Investigations. Produced with support from Report For America. Logo by Kyle Alcott. Next – The rehabbers

The nonprofit Dream Builders 4 Equity is working to rehabilitate vacant buildings in North St. Louis. The team includes, from left, Colin Nelson, construction manager; Jessica Gaines, construction manager; Michael Woods president & CEO; Lucy Redd, director of operations and DeMarkus Turner, media & youth support specialist.

‘Herstory” Queens’ Tea on Sept. 4 at Griot Museum

St. Louis American staff

The Griot Museum of Black History will introduce the inaugural class of St. Louisarea women honored during the “Black Herstory Initiative” [BHI] Queens’ Tea at 1 p.m. Sunday, September 4, 2022, at 2505 St. Louis Ave.

The Tea is modeled after the traditional English afternoon tea, but with an Afro-centric twist in décor, refreshments, and entertainment.

The “Black Herstory Initiative” is a community-driven project that honors the life and legacy of St. Louis women whose contributions span political, social, community, and cultural spheres.

The honorees include Barbara Bowman, Vice President & Controller, Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis; Adelia Parker-Castro, multi-media artist and arts educator; AnneMarie Clarke, family court commissioner (retired); Bonita Cornute, broadcast journalist and media specialist. Also, Etta Daniels, historic preservationist; Kendra Holmes, chief operating officer and incoming president of at Affinia Healthcare; St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones; Traci Berry-McGhee, mentoring coach and motivational speaker; Sandra Moore, community development and human services executive; Edna Hanks Pipes, educator; and Jamala Rogers, social activist, and St.

Tea time

Louis American columnist; and Ollie Stewart senior citizens’ advocate.

The Black Herstory Initiative will continue in 2023 as this cohort, along with Black women ancestors, are memorialized in memorymaking, public art installations on the Museum grounds and throughout the community.

The ancestors who will be honored include Fontella Bass, Loretta Hall, Annie Malone, Betty Thompson, Edna Thompson, Matilda Tyler, Shirley LeFlore, Alice Windom, and others.

the country, The Griot Museum of Black History opened as The Black World History Wax Museum in February 1997.

n The ancestors who will be honored include Fontella Bass, Loretta Hall, Annie Malone, Betty Thompson, Edna Thompson, Matilda Tyler, Shirley LeFlore, Alice Windom, and others.

A series of community engagement activities, oral history interviews, and intergenerational storytelling will complement the public art installations. Only the second of its kind in

“In 2009, we hit upon what seems to be the perfect name, which more accurately reflects what we do -collect, preserve, interpret, and share the stories, culture, and history of Black people - particularly highlighting their regional connection to American history,” according to Lois Conley, founder and executive director.

The core galleries of The Griot include life-size wax figures, other art, artifacts, and memorabilia to help interpret the stories of Black people who have contributed to our country’s development.

Lois Conley, Griot Museum of Black History founder and executive director, says the Sept. 4 Queens’ Tea will be served in traditional English style “with an Afro-centric twist.”

Photo courtesy of Griot Museum

Visitors can “meet” and learn about Carter G. Woodson, Josephine Baker, Dred and Harriet Scott, Elizabeth Keckley, William Wells Brown, James Milton Turner, Clark Terry, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the Rev. Earl. E. Nance Sr., Miles Davis, Madame C.J. Walker, York, Percy Green, Macler Shepard, Chief Sherman George, and others.

The event is sponsored by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, a Philadelphia-based nonprofit public art and history studio that collaborates with artists, students, educators, activists, municipal agencies, and cultural institutions on participatory approaches to public engagement and collective memory.

Tickets for the “Black Herstory Tea” are $65 per person. Seating is limited. Reservations may be made on The Griot’s website thegriotmuseum.com. For more information, call 314-241-7057 or email info@ thegriotmuseum.com.

“Taking Care of You”

Missourians cry out for capping health care costs

People of color face heavier burden

By JoAnn Weaver

The St. Louis American

Missourians are concerned about affordability of health care and want the government to enact consumer protections, according to a recent survey.

According to Altarum’s, Healthcare Experience State Survey, 62% of respondents have endured a hardship in the last year.

Respondents of color reported higher rates of going without care and rationing medication due to cost (34%) when compared to white respondents (30%). An alarming 82% worry about affording some aspect of health care now or in the future.

“The results of the survey reinforce what we already know. In 2020, Missourians made

n “Missourians made their voice heard when they overwhelmingly voted to expand Medicaid because residents want affordable, quality health care for themselves and neighbors.”

– Sheldon Weisgrau, Missouri Foundation for Health vice president of health policy

their voice heard when they overwhelmingly voted to expand Medicaid because residents want affordable, quality health care for

themselves and neighbors,” said Sheldon Weisgrau, Missouri Foundation for Health vice president of health policy.

The processing time for a Medicaid application, which averaged 100 days at the beginning of August, is now “about 90 days, 85 days,” Kim Evans, director of the state’s Family Support Division, said in a Missouri Independent article.

A mitigation plan approved last month by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) requires Missouri to get that wait time down to 45 days by Sept. 30.

“We are on target right now to do that,” Evans said.

Before Medicaid eligibility was expand-

Community health centers keep giving back

By Alexa Spencer

The first community health centers were funded in 1965 to provide healthcare to people in vulnerable communities who couldn’t afford to pay. Nearly 60 years later, 11,000 sites around the United States continue to stand in the gap for communities that need accessible, affordable healthcare.

For Black folks, who are more likely than white people to be uninsured, community health centers help eliminate some of the systemic barriers to health care — including lack of insurance and transportation.

I recently interviewed Susan Burton, National Association of Community Health Centers National Grassroots Advocacy director to discuss the role of health centers in local communities, how we can access care, and even have a say in what services are provided.

What are community health centers? And who are they for?

n For Black folks, who are more likely than white people to be uninsured, community health centers help eliminate some of the systemic barriers to health care.

SB: Community health centers are for everybody. And I mean they are for everybody. We don’t turn away patients [who don’t have] the ability to pay. Doesn’t matter your insurance status. There are people that are insured. There are people that are uninsured. The kind of official name in law is a federally qualified health center. And it means that there is a significant amount of funding that comes from the federal government — and that’s what helps them get set up. So there’s a base grant that every health center gets through our federal tax dollars. So, it’s bringing federal tax dollars back to local communities. They have to be in medically underserved communities, which means that there often are

Good sleep at heart of cardiovascular disease battle

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire

Proper rest is essential in the ongoing battle against heart disease and stroke, which is a nightmare for a growing number of Black Americans who do not get a good night’s sleep.

A staggering 90% of people sometimes fail to achieve a good night’s sleep, according to new international research presented at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress. Its authors estimate that seven in 10 cardiovascular conditions could be prevented if everyone was a good sleeper. Black Americans suffer worse from short sleep or sleep apnea. Earlier this year, the Journal of American Medicine Association’s Open Network disclosed

that the “suboptimal sleep” problem continues to worsen for African Americans.

JAMA researchers discovered that Black Americans get less sleep than white people, a deficit of 15 minutes a day in childhood that grows into almost an hour in adulthood.

Additionally, an Oxford study found that far more Black and Hispanic people than white people report routinely getting less than 6 hours of sleep, well short of the recommended 7 to 9 hours for adults.

“Sleep is a privilege,” Dayna Johnson, a sleep epidemiologist at Emory University, told Science.org

“If we can target sleep, we might be

A proper night’s rest is found to help reduce cardiovascular disease. Recent studies show that Black people are getting less sleep than whites for several reasons, including the stress of inequality.

Sharon Coleman (left) signs an authorization form allowing application counselor Sunni Johnson to submit Coleman’s Medicaid application online. Coleman is one of the roughly 275,000 people in Missouri who became eligible for Medicaid after voters in 2020 approved expansion of the federal-state health care program for those with low incomes.

Photo by Bram Sable-Smith / Kaiser Health News

Photo courtesy of NNPA

Alexa Spencer

“Taking Care of You”

Health Care

Continued from A10

ed to include low-income adults last year, the average processing time was eight days. While wait times remain high, the backlog of pending applications has dropped to 23,804 as of Friday morning, down from 35,393 at the end of July.

The federal government formally requested the state produce a mitigation plan in May, after identifying “multiple issues related to Missouri’s timely processing of applications,” according to a letter obtained by The Independent.

Though all demographics are impacted by financial burdens, some groups bear the brunt more than others. Reported problems are more pronounced among people of color, women, people with disabilities, those with lower incomes, and certain age groups.

According to the survey, people of color reported slightly higher rates of affordability burdens than white respondents. In addition, respondents with households earning less than $50,000 annually and people with disabilities reported higher rates of going without care and incurring debt due to health care costs.

Of respondents, 71% believe the health care system needs to change. Addressing health care problems is a top priority Missourians want government officials to work on.

“This is not a partisan issue,” Weisgrau said. “Missourians want policymakers working together on solutions that will make a real difference in their lives and ensure people get the care they need at a price they can afford.”

Respondents cited drug companies, hospitals, and insurance companies as the main drivers for out-of-control costs and identified a number of ways the government could

Sleep

Continued from A10

able to reduce the burden of all types of diseases among racial minorities.”

Science Direct found that more than a dozen studies have identified racial discrimination as a contributor to sleep disparities.

“Black people reported more discrimination and more severe insomnia symptoms than white people, and a statistical analysis determined discrimination accounted for 60% of their insomnia severity,” researchers wrote at Science Direct.

Researchers also discovered that environmental factors also cut into sleep. For example, multiple studies have found that Black, Hispanic, and other individuals of color tend to reside in areas where they are exposed to approximately twice as much ambient light at night as white people.

“Exposure to artificial light from the street and commercial buildings has been found to suppress melatonin—a hormone that helps initiate sleep,” researchers wrote.

“That causes people to fall asleep later at night, resulting in poorer sleep overall.”

Science.org also found that Black, Hispanic, and Asian people in the United States are also exposed to

Spencer

Continued from A10

not providers in those communities. So, there are a lot of remote locations. There are urban locations where 51% of the board members have to be patients, which means that the patients are informing what kind of care is needed in the community.

What type of care can a person expect to receive at a community health center?

tackle these issues.

Several of the strategies received broad bipartisan support including making it easier to switch insurers if a health plan drops your doctor (94%); authorizing the attorney

general to take legal action to prevent price gouging or unfair prescription drug price hikes (92%); requiring insurers to provide up-front cost estimates (92%); and expanding health insurance options so that every-

disproportionately high levels of particulate air pollution.

The researchers reported that exposure to this type of pollution can cause inflammation of the nose and throat, and some evidence suggests chronic exposure can worsen sleep apnea and increase daytime sleepiness.

“And then there is nighttime noise, which a 2017 study

at hundreds of sites across the United States found is higher in neighborhoods with a higher proportion of Black residents,” they wrote.

The low prevalence of good sleepers “was expected given our busy, 24/7 lives,” said study author Dr. Aboubakari Nambiema of INSERM (the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research), in Paris, France.

“The importance of sleep quality and quantity for heart health should be taught early in life when healthy behaviors become established. Minimizing night-time noise and stress at work can both help improve sleep.”

According to a news release from the ESC, previous studies on sleep and heart disease have

one can afford quality coverage (90%).

The survey “elicited respondents’ unbiased views on a wide range of health system issues, including confidence using the health system, finan-

focused on one sleep habit, such as sleep duration or sleep apnea, where breathing stops and starts while sleeping.

Researchers in France used a healthy sleep score combining five sleep habits. They investigated the association between the baseline sleep score, changes over time in the sleep score, and incident cardiovascular disease.

Researchers recruited people aged 50 to 75 years and free of cardiovascular disease to a preventive medical center between 2008 and 2011. The average age was 59.7 years, and 62% were men.

Participants underwent a physical examination and completed questionnaires on lifestyle, personal and family medical history, and medical conditions.

The researchers checked for incident coronary heart disease and stroke every two years for a total of 10 years.

At baseline, 10% of participants had an optimal sleep score, and 8% had a poor score.

“During a median follow-up of eight years, 274 participants developed coronary heart disease or stroke,” according to the release.

The researchers analyzed the association between sleep scores and cardiovascular events after adjusting for age, sex, alcohol consumption, occupation, smoking, body mass index, physical activity,

cial burden and views on fixes that might be needed,” according to its authors. Over 1,100 Missouri adults were polled from April 1 to April 18, 2022.

cholesterol level, diabetes, and family history of heart attack, stroke, or sudden cardiac death. They found that the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke decreased by 22% for every 1-point rise in the sleep score at baseline.

More specifically, compared to those with a score of 0 or 1, participants with a score of 5 had a 75% lower risk of heart disease or stroke.

The researchers estimated the proportion of cardiovascular events that could be prevented with healthier sleep.

They found that if all participants had an optimal sleep score, 72% of new cases of coronary heart disease and stroke might be avoided each year.

Over two follow-ups, almost half of the participants (48%) changed their sleep score: in 25%, it decreased, whereas, in 23%, it improved.

“Our study illustrates the potential for sleeping well to preserve heart health and suggests that improving sleep is linked with lower risks of coronary heart disease and stroke,” Dr. Nambiema stated in the release.

“We also found that most people have sleep difficulties. Given that cardiovascular disease is the top cause of death worldwide, greater awareness is needed on the importance of good sleep for maintaining a healthy heart.”

SB: Health centers are known for preventative care…I think that one of the first doctors at health centers was writing prescriptions for fruits and vegetables because they realized that one of the issues that was impacting the patient’s health was not accessing healthy food

what happens when we find someone who’s got a substance use disorder or mental health challenge.”

So primary care is part of that, but there are a lot of health centers that have builtin behavioral health. Because again, when the patients define it, they begin saying, “well, wait a minute, it’s great that we’re getting physicals or we’ve got access to make sure we stay healthy, but

There are some health centers that serve people speaking many, many different languages. And so there are translation services available. So when you walk into a health center, there’s pretty much a guarantee that you’re going to be served, and the things that you need to be healthy are going to be there.

You mentioned that community health centers don’t turn anyone away, regardless of

their ability to pay. Are services free, or can patients expect a bill later on?

SB: There’s a sliding scale…There are a couple of things. One is that there’s something called enabling services, which are a whole list of services that are going to wrap around primary care that you might need.

But if someone’s uninsured, they’re going to look to see if they qualify for Medicaid. So, there are people that do outreach and enrollment, because we know that there are a lot of people that are eligible for Medicaid that don’t either

know about it, or have a stigma attached to it, or just haven’t gotten enrolled.

While cost is one barrier to accessing healthcare, there are others, such as transportation. Can you give an example of how community health centers are working to eliminate barriers other than coverage?

SB: There’s a community in Tennessee that has no public transportation. So, one of the services they offer is transportation to get their patients to the site. During COVID, we saw — and this was happening before — that

there are a lot of community centers that have mobile units that will go to different locations. There’s a health center that is partnering with the VFWs to make sure that the veterans in their community have access to care. So they’re taking their mobile unit to the parking lot. To find out if there’s a community health center near you, visit www. findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov. Alexa Spencer is a reporter and columnist with Word In Black

Jim Torres and Charity Tovar encourage people to enroll in Missouri’s expanded Medicaid program at Samuel U. Rogers Health Center Downtown Campus in Columbia, Missouri.

Photo by Alex Smith / Kaiser Health News

Dayna Johnson, Emory University epidemiology professor, discussed her study on determinants of poor sleep among African Americans during a recent Sleep Symposium. Better sleep could lead to a reduction in cardiovascular ailments, according to a recent survey.

As Coatar seeks to climb the ladder, his past needs deeper scrutiny

Last Friday, former Board of Aldermen president Lewis Reed and former 22nd Ward aldermen Jeffrey Boyd pleaded guilty to federal white collar felony crimes. Their colleague, former 21st Ward alderman John Collins Muhammad changed his plea from “not guilty” to “guilty” earlier in the week. All three will not be sentenced until December 6, but each faces a term of between two to five years of incarceration - and up to $750,000 in fines - under federal sentencing guidelines, along with restitution payments and other unspecified terms of the final agreement. While we at the EYE will not celebrate the potential incarceration of three Black men, we do recognize that there will be monumental shifts in St. Louis politics that stem directly from the FBI’s two-and-a-half-year investigation into Reed, Collins Muhammad, Boyd, and perhaps others. City Hall insiders have suggested that there may even be more indictments on the way as a result of this investigation.

To be clear, corrupt politicians have no business calling the shots at City Hall - regardless of their political parties or affiliations. The fall of the three former aldermen represents a changing tide within City Hall - a shift away from “business as usual.” Airport privatization efforts failed, the Better Together merger plan royally

imploded, the Rams left St. Louis. Coupled with the very public, ongoing federal criminal investigation into the nowdefunct St. Louis-Kansas City Carpenters District Council and its leader Al Bond, the local political landscape has become much more unfriendly for the “Establishment,” the socalled “old guard” of St. Louis political elites and the remnants of their political machines that have fizzled into irrelevancy.

Enter stage right: Alderman Jack Coatar of the 7th Ward. The millennial poster child for the Establishment, Coatar has ingratiated himself into these weakened political circles – and they have welcomed him with open arms his willingness to engage in dubious practices. Coatar was enthusiastically backed by the union for white cops, the St. Louis Police Officers Association, and he has returned the favor by sponsoring legislation to funnel more public dollars to the pereniallylacking police department and by fighting measures to improve oversight of and accountability for police.

Prior to his announcement of his run for the vacant 7th Ward seat, Coatar hitched his political wagon - and allegiances - to the Kelley Group - the same political consulting group that helped deliver the elections of Reed, former county executive Steve Stenger, and one-term former mayor Lyda Krewson. The Kelley Group is run by Mike

Kelley, the Republican strategist best known for his involvement with the failed Better Together project that was funded by rightwing billionaire Rex Sinquefield and aimed to make Stenger the unelected “king” of St. Louis City and County until his own federal indictments and prison sentence. Are we seeing a pattern here?

Coatar’s first campaign for

alderman was backed by some other eyebrow-raising characters, including his former boss and famous parking ticket recipient Brian Wahby, and police-lobbyist-turned-hugelydefeated political-candidate Jane Dueker. As part of the Wahby inner circle, Coatar has rubbed elbows with Robbyn Wahby, current executive director for the Missouri Charter

Public School Commission, and Republican lawyer Marc Ellinger, one of the dark money lobbyists pushing Amendment 3 (the bad marijuana legalization petition). And of course, there are Rex Sinquefield connections to Coatar, from Coatar’s own involvement with efforts to privatize Lambert Airport to Coatar’s support of Sinquefield’s City-County merger plans.

By aligning himself with some of the area’s currently out of favor consultants and pundits, Coatar embraced a St. Louis of a different era when corruption was the accepted status quo and political palmgreasing was common practice.

But if there’s one thing the recent trio of aldermanic indictments has shown us, it’s that the public’s tolerance for corruption has sharply declined. Voters no longer seem willing to accept candidates who engage in shady backroom deals and take bribes in exchange for political favors. And most importantly, there are federal investigators and prosecutors who are willing to follow through with prosecutions.

In a previous column, we dove deep into Coatar’s past close connections to Reed, Collins Muhammad and Boyd, including overlapping donors, developers, and political mentors. In another column, the EYE revealed that Coatar had failed to recuse himself from a Preservation Board vote,

In Your Community

Get Together with the Brunch Bunch

Join AARP volunteers on September 17 for a morning of exploration – starting with a ride on MetroLink to the Central Library in downtown St. Louis. As one of the Citizens for Modern Transit’s Ten Toe Express walks, you’ll enjoy a tour of one of the best history-filled locales in our region while making new friends and enjoying a meal at a local restaurant. Ready for an adventure? It’s just a few steps away.

Brunch Bunch

Saturday, September 17 | 8:50 a.m.

For more information or to register, visit aarp.org/stlouis.

*Please note that event dates, locations, times and format are subject to change due to AARP Covid-19 protocols with little to no notice. By registering for this event or program you agree to assume all Covid-19 risk.

/aarpmissouri

@aarpmissouri

where he voted to benefit one of his biggest campaign donors. Coatar even failed to file the now-required Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form to document the receipt of campaign contributions from that donor, and is now legally mandated since the passage of Proposition R in April of this year. Coatar, perhaps unsurprisingly, is a named plaintiff challenging the validity of Prop R and the conflict of interest disclosure requirements - right alongside Collins Muhammad. But, because Prop R is in full force and effect, Coatar’s obligations to disclose his financial conflicts of interest are still unfulfilled. Consider how quickly after his election Coatar was hired by law and lobbying firm Spencer Fane – within months, the young alderman was positioned within the City’s highest legislative body to advocate for his firm’s clients from the inside and help push through legislation that financially benefitted them. As a candidate he vocally supported the notorious Stan Kroenke, who our readers will recall as the cagey multimillionaire tycoon and Public Enemy No. 1 in St. Louis, who misled the city about his true intentions as he plotted deceitfully to return the Rams to Los Angeles. Fortunately, Kroenke lost the four-and-a-half year legal battle that led to a $790 million settlement. Since his election in April 2015, Coatar has made no attempt to rectify his wellearned image of being less than forthright, instead leaning further into his practice of doing backroom deals by continuing to sponsor and vote on legislation that helps people donating to his campaign. Coatar repeatedly has refused to follow the legal requirement of disclosing conflict of interests to the Board of Alderman’s attorney. While on the payroll for Spencer Fane, Coatar wielded his power and privilege on faulty medical marijuana production licenses and was forced to disclose a conflict of interest in the privatization of Lambert International Airport after a reporter requested open public records that linked Coatar (and Wahby) to a bidder. Coatar also remained a close ally of both Reed and Boyd prior to their grand jury indictments and has made no public statement on the scandal beyond an unsubstantial “I’m running!” press release. During the 2021 mayoral primary between Reed, Alderwoman Cara Spencer (D-Ward 20), and Mayor Tishaura O. Jones, Coatar endorsed Reed, declaring without irony that “Lewis Reed will work to ensure an equitable delivery of economic development and create new opportunities in our city.”

Simply put: Coatar has engaged in conduct that is functionally no different in principle than what former alderman Collins Muhammad now admits to doing while holding elected office and what Boyd and Reed admitted to doing during their separate hearings last Friday. The only real difference is the race of the perpetrator and their respective costs of doing business.

Photo courtesy of facebook.com

Alderman Jack Coatar of the 7th Ward.

Deep rooted

Vanity Rose in full bloom assisting post-surgery clients

By Ashley Winters

The St. Louis American

Vanity Rose Rooted Skin Deep brings care to postoperative clients and owner Jennifer Black’s mission is providing a relaxed environment filled with comfort. Her vow is ensuring patients receive top-notch post-op lymphatic drainage massage after cosmetic or health-related surgery.

Black understands the importance of quality care because she has experienced the impact of an operation.

“What we go through, through surgery you have to dig deep to get through the recovery,” said Black.

While her business is known for post-op care for cosmetic surgery patients, Black said her calling is caring for breast cancer patients and people who suffer from lymphedema, a condition that causes swelling in the body from an

By Alvin A. Reid

abnormal accumulation on a lymph node.

“Breast cancer survivors are close to my heart because my dad’s mother had breast cancer,” Black said.

So how did the Vanity Rose owner get her start? Like many entrepreneurs, she felt pushed to the limit at a former job. Black was working at BioMerieux as a production operator and data entry specialist. Feeling unappreciated, overworked, and underpaid, she decided to jump into

the beauty industry as an eyelash

“This ain’t me,” she said of her work at BioMerieux.

I see myself as more, I prayed for two years and I did a lot, but I still needed confirmation from God,” said Black.

Black credits her grandmother for giving her the push she needed, when she told her she should have quit her job much earlier.

She put in her two-weeks notice and pulled all her money out of a 401k, which totaled $35,000. She paid her rent for one year and went back to school. Black received her certification as a licensed esthetician from Salon Professional Academy and opened her business Lashing Avenue in May of 2017.

Everything was going great, and then boom, the COIVD-19 pandemic hit.

See ROSE, B2

Wheeling and dealing

Deaconess Foundation promotes Harper to VP

Constance Harper, Esq. has been promoted to vice president of policy, advocacy, and strategic initiatives at Deaconess Foundation. As the former director of advocacy and freedom schools, with more than five years at the organization, Harper brings a breadth of experience and learnings into her new role. Harper has the overall strategic and operational responsibility to articulate policy priorities developed in partnership with impacted communities and formulate strategies to advance those priorities. She earned her law degree from California Western School of Law. She is a native of St. Louis.

Shields Ryan named chief marketing officer

Shuntae Shields Ryan

United Way of Greater St. Louis has named Shuntae Shields Ryan as its chief marketing officer. Shields Ryan will lead United Way’s communications and marketing efforts across its 16-county footprint, including digital marketing, public relations, advertising, collateral, and video. Additionally, she will support volunteer leaders in their work to share United Way’s message and impact within networks and to the public. Shuntae brings over two decades of marketing experience, most recently serving as vice president of marketing, public relations and communications at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis.

Carl Green promoted at PFC

Carl Green was promoted to director of training and development at People’s Family of Corporations. Green joined Betty Jean Kerr People’s Health Centers in 2009 and has served as outreach marketing agent, supervisor of certified application counselors, and most recently, director of marketing and communications. This role recognizes Green’s contributions to People’s Family of Corporations during his tenure with the organization. Green has a BS degree in communications and marketing from Washington University in St. Louis. He is also a Maxwell Leadership Team Certified Independent Speaker, Coach, and Trainer.

Dailey named senior mortgage loan officer

Samantha Dailey was recently named senior mortgage loan officer at Stifel Bank & Trust. Since joining Stifel Bank & Trust, Dailey has continuously proven to be a trusted partner and resource in making the loan process seamless for her clients as they navigate their homeownership journey. She gets to know each client to understand their unique needs. Dailey works alongside the Bank’s skilled in-house team from underwriting to closing, offering competitive pricing and diverse loan solutions to provide all clients with the best experience possible.

Jennifer Black in her west St. Louis County salon for women recovering from major surgery Mon. Aug. 8.

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

stylist.

Carl Green

Samantha Dailey

Constance Harper

Photo courtesy of National Minority Trucker Association

Rose

Continued from B1

Black says she had to pause like so many others. But she didn’t sit idle. She got on her laptop and started researching and planning her next move.

“I have two boys. I have to make sure they have a roof over their head,” said Black.

Black decided to rebrand her business. She wanted to provide a service where she could connect with people, and offer a service “that has substance and is meaningful.”

“I think the pandemic pulled the soul out of everyone; [it enabled them] to put their mind at pause [and] create things that they already had in them,” said Black.

She went to Atlanta where she trained under Dr. Andrew Jimerson commonly known as Dr. Curves and received her certification in postoperative care. The massage therapist was now trained and qualified. It was time to find a location

SLATE

Continued from B1

come.”

The St. Louis regional economy and service providers depend on thousands of commercial drivers delivering goods to households and businesses.

The license also opens careers in heavy machinery operation for construction projects, repairing roads, picking up refuse, and driving Metro and school buses.

A shortage of bus drivers is plaguing many school districts throughout the United States. St. Louis Public Schools was forced to suspend routes to eight schools for the first few weeks of the school year. It is trying to get more bus drivers on the road, but the company

for her new business.

“It was really scary to find a location in the middle of the pandemic,” said Black.

She moved to a rental space in Bridgeton and gave her new location a complete makeover. Lavender paint and gold asymmetrical design accent walls give Vanity Rose “a perfect

n “What we go through, through surgery you have to dig deep to get through the recovery,” said Black.

sophisticated, yet girly touch,” Black said.

With a little grit and sweat equity, Vanity Rose Rooted Skin Deep was open for business. Black connected with local plastic surgeons and medical doctors. Several said they heard of the care she was providing and began sending her postoperative patients. From there, “things just took off.”

“It went from an ant to ele-

providing the drivers cannot currently recruit enough candidates.

Finding itself in need of drivers, the trucking industry offers flexible schedules, job security, and a high earning potential for many positions.

The trucking industry is also trying to increase diversity among its drivers.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data for truck transportation in 2020 show that women make up 12.4% of trucking’s workforce, while comprising more than 50% of the nation’s total workforce.

In addition, 76.6% of the industry is white, 22.6% Hispanic or Latino, 17.1% Black and 3.6% Asian.

“The business environment has moved faster than ever, so you have to have diversity of ethnicity, diversity of gender, diversity of thought, and

phant overnight,” Black says.

“It was non-stop”.

Her staff sees about 20 patients a day, providing specialized massages that ease pain and help release fluid buildup that is common after surgery.

“I ask God to please keep me humble,” she said.

Vanity Rose also offers post-surgery compression garments, to help with the healing process and swelling.

In January 2022, she received a phlebotomy license, which is the process of making a puncture in a vein, usually in the arm, for the purpose of drawing blood, and she is planning to go back to school to become a paramedic.

The entrepreneur plans to open a second location in the Kansas City area in 2023.

“Whatever your goals are, do them. Life is too short not to go after what you want out of it,” she said. For more information visit Vanity Rose Rooted Skin Deep at www.vanityrosersd.com.

diversity of experience,” Eric Fuller, CEO of U.S. Xpress said during the American Trucking Associations’ 2021 Management Conference in Nashville, according to fleetowner.com.

“We are very open about our intention to be more diverse,” Fuller said. “We’ve had a number of candidates that we tried to hire who are unwilling to come to U.S. Xpress because of their perception about the industry.”

According to the Labor Dept, there were 80,000 open truck driving positions in 2021, which the SLATE program can help alleviate.

SLATE is partnering with MTC, Roadmasters, and 160 Driving to provide CDL training, and the program offers a combination of classroom lectures and handson experience. The goal is preparing students to obtain a Class A CDL certification and then apply for work with national carriers, municipalities, and local contractors.

To participate, candidates must be at least 18 years of age, have a valid U.S. Driver›s License, reside in St. Louis or St. Louis County, and have a high school diploma or equivalency.

Individuals can call (314) 589-8000 to schedule an appointment or visit to SLATE, located at 1520 Market Street, Ste. 3050, Missouri 63103. The office is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. It is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information about SLATE, visit www.stlworks. com To apply for a position with the City’s Refuse Division, which includes a $3,000 hiring bonus, visit the city website’s Refuse Division page.

Jennifer Black’s vow is ensuring patients receive top-notch post-op lymphatic drainage massage after cosmetic or health-related surgery.

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

n

don’t think there’s a reason to look that far down

–

Sports

prEp Football NotEbook

By Earl Austin Jr.

Explosive Vashon tops Kirkwood

There are lofty expectations around the Vashon High School football program after last year’s breakthrough 9-2 season.

The Wolverines returned several key players from last year’s team that won a district championship and advanced to the quarterfinals of the Class 4 playoffs. Inviting challenges was part of this season’s game plan, as Vashon beefed up its non-conference schedule with road games against Cardinal Ritter, Fort Zumwalt North and last Friday night’s trip to Class 6 Kirkwood to open the season.

Vashon passed its first big test in dramatic fashion, posting a thrilling 28-27 victory over the Pioneers.

With 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Wolverines trailed 27-6 and were without an offensive touchdown. That was when sophomore sensation Dierre Hill took over the game.

The talented running back scored three consecutive touchdowns, including the game winner on an 81-yard romp with 42 seconds left in the game. He finished with 177 yards on the ground while adding 98 more yards on his three receptions. He is a big-time talent who has already received several Division I scholarship offers.

Junior quarterback Malious Cain completed nine of 15 passes for 181 yards while senior linebacker Terrell Peete led the defensive effort with nine solo tackles, a sack and an 88-yard touchdown return on a fumble recovery. Vashon and Cardinal Ritter will kick things off at 7 p.m. on Friday night.

Top Individual Performers from Week 1

Jamal Roberts rushed for 194 yards on 12 carries and scored two touchdowns in St. Mary’s 42-10 win over SLUH.

• Wide receiver Jeremiah McClellan of CBC had five receptions for 130 yards and two touchdowns in the Cadets’ 41-27 victory over Milton (GA) at the Freedom Bowl in Canton, OH.

• Quarterback Byron McNair of Pattonville completed 11 of 15 passes for 278 yards and a touchdown in a 22-15 victory over Ritenour.

• Running back DJ Burgess of Parkway Central rushed for 175 yards on 28 carries and scored four touchdowns in a 36-18 victory over Parkway South.

• Running back Chris Caldwell of O’Fallon rushed for 193 yards on 31 carries and two touchdowns in a 23-17 victory over Normal Community.

• Running back Quaran Williams of Parkway North rushed for 213 yards on 14

St. Mary’s snaps SLUH

carries and two touchdowns in the Vikings 21-14 victory over Hazelwood East.

• Running back Deion Brown of Kirkwood rushed for 177 yards on 11 carries and three touchdowns in the Pioneers’ 28-27 loss to Vashon.

• Running back Elijan Stevens of Summit rushed for 133 yards on 14 carries and three touchdowns in a 61-0 victory over Webster Groves.

• Running back Steve Hall of MICDS rushed for 107 yards on 11 carries and three touchdowns in a 37-2 victory over Harrisonville.

• Running back Marvin Burks of Cardinal Ritter scored three touchdowns in the Lions’ 46-0 victory over McCluer.

What’s On Tap This Weekend

CBC (1-0) at East St. Louis, Saturday, 6 p.m. – The feature game at this weekend’s East St. Louis Classic at Jordan Stadium. Both teams staged an epic opening season game last year at CBC with East Side taking a thrilling 48-44 victory.

DeSmet (0-1) vs. IMG Academy, Saturday, 3 p.m. – In the opening game of the East St. Louis Classic, DeSmet will take on national power IMG Academy from Florida. DeSmet opened its season with a narrow loss to Ohio power Springfield last Saturday in Indianapolis. Troy (1-0) at O’Fallon (1-0), Friday, 7 p.m. – GAC power Troy makes a trip over to the metro east to take on a strong O’Fallon team out of the Southwestern Conference.

SportS EyE

With Alvin A. Reid

Lutheran North (1-0) at Blair Oaks (1-0), Friday, 7 p.m. – This will be a battle of two of the top small school programs in the state as Lutheran North will make the trip to Wardsville in Mid-Missouri to take on an always powerful Blair Oaks.

Jackson (0-1) at Francis Howell (1-0), Friday, 7 p.m. – SEMO area powerhouse Jackson comes to St. Charles County to take on an excellent Francis Howell team.

Lift for

Friday,

Academics are in spotlight; FAMU flops in classroom

Alvin A. Reid

When Marcus Freeman leads Notre Dame against host Ohio State on Saturday, Sept. 3, he will do so knowing his team is No. 1, not Alabama. I’m not talking about the Associated Press Top 25, I’m referring to the US News & World Report 2022 rankings of national collegiate institutions. Of the Top 25 college football teams, Notre Dame’s No. 19 ranking made it the highest rated by U.S. News. This includes all the teams in the “Also receiving Votes” category. In actual football, The Fighting Irish are ranked No. 5 in the AP poll. Before any Crimson Tide faithful get upset with me, I’m just sayin.’ No. 1 Alabama is in a tie at No. 148. As a reference point, Missouri is tied at No. 122 with several schools including the University of Kansas.

No. 2 Ohio State is at a very respectable No. 49, and here is something I found surprising. No. 3 Georgia is No. 48. I’ve heard and read that it is an excellent school, but I didn’t realize it would rank that highly.

No. 4 Clemson is at No. 75, and then comes Notre Dame. No. 6 Texas A&M comes in at No. 68, and No. 7 Utah made the top 100 at No. 99. No. 8 Michigan is Notre Dame’s closest challenger, posting at No. 23. No. 9 Oklahoma is at No. 127, and the Top 10 is rounded out by Baylor with a solid No. 75 ranking. The school to watch that could enter the Top 25 and rise past Notre Dame in US News ranking is No. 9 Northwestern. The Wildcats upset Nebraska in a game played in Ireland last Saturday, and that should land them with the “Others Receiving Votes.” The Cornhuskers were in that category, so obviously they are out. With respective home games against Duke Sept. 10, and

Southern Illinois-Carbondale on Sept. 17, Northwestern could be the academic/football leader in America.

HBCUs back in action

The Jackson State Tigers begin the season as defending SWAC champions and at No.1 in the HBCU-Pro Sports Media Association preseason poll. MEAC champion

South Carolina State, which stunned JSU 31-10 in the 2021 Celebration Bowl, is tied at No. 2 with Florida A&M. While its academic standards are in question, FAMU’s gritty performance at North Carolina on Saturday, August 27 must be applauded. Twenty players, including FCS National Defensive Player of the Year linebacker Isaiah Land, were ruled academically

ineligible two days before the game against the Tar Heels. The young men who did play held tough throughout the first half before bowing 56-24. Getting back to the poll, North Carolina A&T and Tennessee State are ranked Nos. 3 and 4, respectively.

The Southern Jaguars reached the top half at No. 5, and were followed by the Alcorn State Braves, Alabama A&M Bulldogs, Norfolk State Spartans, and North Carolina Central Eagles. Prairie View A&M and Grambling State are just outside the Top 10.

The Reid Roundup

A BYU fan has been from all campus sporting event’s after repeatedly hurling a racial slut at Duke women’s volleyball player Rachel Richardson last week during a match. Richardson wrote on Twitter, BYU officials were slow to act when made aware, nor did they adequately address the situation immediately after the match. “No athlete, regardless of their race should ever be subject to such hostile conditions.”…NFL players voted Tom Brady as No. 1 in an NFL Network ranking of the Top 100 players. ESPN’s ranking has Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes No. 1 for a third consecutive season…Baltimore Orioles AllStar outfielder Cedric Mullins will help represent the United States in the World Baseball Classic next year. Of the first nine players announced for the team, Mullins is the lone Black player. Also slated to play are Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado of the St. Louis Cardinals… Serena Williams won her opening U.S. Open match on Monday, defeating Danka Kovinic 6-3, 6-3. She was scheduled to play No 2-seed Anett Kontaveit on Wednesday night, August 31 in what could be the final match of her career...Gatorade is airing a commercial honoring Williams, narrated by her friend Beyoncé She also graces the cover of this week’s TIME magazine.

Life (1-0) at St. Dominic (1-0),

7 p.m. – Lift for Life returns to St. Charles after its opening season win at Duchesne to face a strong Class 4 St. Dominic team. Summit (1-0) at Marquette (1-0), Friday, 7 p.m. – A battle of Rockwood school district programs that tasted victory in the opening week of the season.

Earl Austin Jr.

“I

the road.”

STL native Ezekiel Elliott on his future with Dallas Cowboys

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Jamal Roberts (20) of St. Mary’s picks up yards during third-quarter action against SLUH Friday night Aug. 26. The Dragons of St. Mary’s went on to defeat the Jr. Bill’s 42-10.

Isaiah Land, FAMU rattled by academic suspensions

Photo courtesy of HBCU Gameday

By Laura Barczewski

KSDK

Boeing announced last week it will be partnering with the St. Louis Regional Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Center to open a brand new manufacturing facility in north St. Louis City.

Boeing gave $5 million to the project. The new manufacturing facility in north St. Louis will serve different industries including aerospace, agriculture and construction.

“This new facility will have workstreams across workforce development, developing the talent and future the most advanced R&D that you can imagine in manufacturing, and production and prototyping capability for industry,”

AMICSTL Board of Directors Chair Dennis Muilenberg said.

Boeing officials said there’s really no limit on what this new manufacturing facility can do.

Boeing puts $5M into new AMICSTL manufacturing facility in north St. Louis

“We do some commercial operations here in the St. Louis site, but we do a lot of defense as well. But there are The new manufacturing facility

COCA directors of dance honored at National Dance Teacher awards

COCA Co-Artistic Directors

of Dance Antonio DouthitBoyd and Kirven DouthitBoyd recently received Dance Teacher Awards at the 2022 Dance Teacher Awards held at The Sheen Center for Thought & Culture in NYC. The Douthit-Boyds are among eight extraordinary dance educators who will be celebrated for shaping the next generation of dancers.

Dance Teacher Awards are given to dance educators who have a unique impact on their students and/or community,

strive to bring out the best in their students as dancers and people, have a thoughtful and forward-thinking approach to pedagogy, are dedicated to their own continued learning, prioritize dancers’ mental and physical health and safety, and are committed to anti-racism, equity, and inclusion. As co-artistic directors of dance at COCA, the DouthitBoyds oversee the PreProfessional Division Dance Program, which includes three student companies—Ballet Eclectica, COCAdance, and

COCA Hip-Hop Crew, and provides advanced curriculum to student artists who have committed to training in dance. They also manage all aspects of COCA’s broader dance department, which provides classes for students of all ages.

Prior to COCA, they were principal artists with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, performing internationally and working with world-renowned choreographers. In 2021, they received the Excellence in Arts Award from the Arts and Education Council in St. Louis.

Douthit-Boyd

Paint the town

Living It “Richard III” opens Black Rep season

‘Coloring STL’ a masterpiece awaiting visitors’ touch

By Danielle Brown

The St. Louis American

Coloring STL, a 6,000-square-foot interactive and educational exhibit, is on display at the Missouri History Museum.

Guests can color and doodle on more than 50 past and present architectural structures on gallery walls.

The opening reception weekend was hosted on Aug. 20, 2022, and it left quite the impression amongst community members, according to Andrew Wanko, public historian and content lead on the Coloring STL.

“We had a great turnout for opening weekend and erased the wall once because it filled up pretty quickly,” Andrew Wanko, Coloring STL historian and content lead, said.

Landmarks and neighborhood gems including Homer G. Phillips Hospital, the late Annie Malone’s Poro College, Union Station, City Museum are reimagined through visitors’ animation. There is no limit on creative selfexpression.

“The idea behind Coloring STL is to celebrate and explore St. Louis architecture in all its shapes, styles, and sizes,” Wanko said.

“We knew architecture would be a huge hit, but we didn’t want to just put a bunch of photos

‘Honk

for Jesus’

Marginally funny satire stars STL native Sterling K. Brown

By Kenya Vaughn

The brilliance of St. Louis native Sterling K. Brown and his magnificent co-star Regina Hall conjures up enough conviction for audiences to see Honk For Jesus. Save Your Soul through to the end. Unfortunately, all the talent and chemistry in the world won’t deliver audiences from what ends up being an insufficiently funny film caught between genres that never quite serves the audience most likely to lend support. On the short list of films to receive overwhelming buzz at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, the satire/dark comedy/social critique makes its way to mainstream audiences this weekend when it opens in theatres nationwide on Friday, September 2. The twin sister creative team of Adamma and Adanne, known collec-

of the buildings on the wall. It wouldn’t have captured the curiosity and fascinations many people have about St. Louis’ environment.”

Coloring STL also features artifacts and information from institutions that no longer

n “I hope what comes out of the exhibit is people start conversations about why the buildings matter to them and parents can chat with their children about the type of house they were raised in.”

- Andrew Wanko, historian and content lead on the Coloring STL

stand including the Northland Shopping Center, River Roads Mall, and St. Louis Arena.

“St. Louis malls, including River Roads, became architectural treasures due to the terracotta tiles outside Stix, Baer, and Fuller,” Wanko said.

“There were more than 14,000 mid-century modern geometric tiles outside the mall until it tore down in 2006.”

St. Louis housing developments are another explorable component of Coloring STL.

Wanko said the origins of the city’s common two-family flat households and “gingerbread homes” [houses with swoopy roofs, stone surface, and limestone stain glass windows and arch doorway exteriors] are unique and hold significance.

“St. Louis once had a massive streetcar system, making two-family flats the best of both worlds for people,” he said.

“It was a place where renters could afford their yard, which wasn’t accessible in areas closer to downtown. We have to look at the deeper meaning behind why some of these homes look the way they look, they’re a product of The Great Depression, and that period was the first time architecture was more fantastical with all that was happening in our world.”

The late acclaimed civil rights attorney Frankie Muse Freeman’s daughter, Shelbe Patricia Bullock, told Wanko her mother once lived in a building across the street from Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis. It is featured

See Paint, C8

tively as The Ebo Sisters are behind the film. Adamma Ebo makes her directorial debut while Adanne serves as producer.

The big names attached to the feature film debut of writer-director Adamma Ebo don’t stop with its stars. Academy Award winners Daniel Kaluuya and Jordan Peele are attached to the project as producers. So are the film’s leading actors. Brown and Hall star in Honk For Jesus as a disgraced megachurch pastor and his blindly

St. Louis native Sterling K. Brown and co-star Regina Hall are masterful in ‘Honk For Jesus. Save Your Soul.’ The satirical film opens in theatres nationwide on Friday, September 2.

Back for its 46th season, The St. Louis Black Repertory Company opens with “The African Company Presents Richard III ‘’ by Carlyle Brown and directed by Founder and Producing Director Ron Himes. Previews for the production begin Sept. 7, 2022, at Washington University’s Edison Theatre.

Show premieres Sept. 9 at Edison Theatre

St. Louis American Staff

Back for its 46th season, The St. Louis Black Repertory Company opens on Sept. 9 at Edison Theater with “The African Company Presents Richard III” by Carlyle Brown. It is directed by Black Rep Founder and Producing Director Ron Himes.

The story is based in 1821, and begins with the African Company of New York presenting “Richard III” to an audience of Black and white people.

A white theater owner faces adversity because of his competition’s success and attempts to shut the show down.

“The African Company Presents Richard III” narrates the journey of American theater history and the African Grove Theatre’s termination. It is considered the nation’s first Black theater.

“It was clearly a radical act for founder William Brown to establish the African Grove Theatre in 1821 - a full six years before the full abolition of slavery in New York,” said Himes.

n Under Ron Himes’ direction, the production features scenic design by Jamie Bullins, costume design by Andre Harrington, lighting by Jasmine Williams, and sound by Kareem Deanes. Tracy HolliwayWiggins is the stage manager.

devoted first lady attempting to redeem their reputation and fledgling ministry after being rocked by scandal. Pastor Lee-Curtis Childs has become immersed in serving himself through his ministry at Wander to Greater Paths Baptist Church. Somewhere along the way he deems himself impervious to scandal and acts accord-

See Film, C8

“And, that his theater was perceived as such a powerful threat to the city’s white elite, makes for a powerful story.” The Black Rep’s production of “The African Company Presents Richard III” features Wali Jamal Abdullah as Papa Shakespeare, Coda Boyce as Ann Johnson, Cameron Jamarr Davis as James Hewlett, Olajuwon Davis as William Henry Brown, Alex Jay as Sarah, Dustin Lane Petrillo as The Constable Man, and Eric Dean White as Steven Price. Under Himes’ direction, the production features scenic design by Jamie Bullins, costume design by Andre Harrington, lighting by Jasmine Williams, and sound by Kareem Deanes. Tracy HolliwayWiggins is the stage manager.

“With our 46th Season focused on how we respond to barriers - seen and unseen - Brown’s historical take on the struggles of Black theater really speaks to that theme,” said Himes. Season 46 subscriptions and single tickets to The African Company Presents Richard III can be

The St. Louis American

Photo by Wiley Price / ST. /Louis American

Lashonda Lockhart helping her kids Gracie 5, Alex 4, Sari 19 months, and Lydia 9, put their creative touch on COLOR STL at the Missouri Histoty Museum Tues. Aug. 23, 2022.

CareSTL Health 3rd Project O – Opioid Awareness Day 5K or 1 mile Walk/Run

CareSTL Health hosted the 3rd Project O – Opioid Awareness Day 5K, or fun 1-mile Walk/Run in Forest Park Saturday, August 6, 2022, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. on the Upper Muny Parking Lot. A special thanks to our sponsors, BJC Healthcare, Aetna, United Healthcare, and Healthy Blue, and to all of the walkers and runners whose participation helped make Project O a huge

success. More than 250 participants walked or ran on one of the hottest days in St. Louis! Congratulations to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishers, Keteyian Cade, Anthony Glassner, and William Stewart. BJC Healthcare won a trophy for the largest sponsorship team. The Bulldogs took home a trophy for the largest participant group.

for participants.

CareSTL Health staff Dr. Carol Henley, Kamilah Adams, Jandi Cox, and her son Boston Lee took a moment for a quick picture with one of the awesome BJC team members.

Members of the winning Bulldogs team took a moment to take a photo and share the meaning behind their t-shirts.

Myron McGee, and Father’s Support Center’s Andrew Glass and Reginald Slaughter walked the 5k route.

The Bulldogs took home the largest participant team trophy.

Start Community Coalition

(from left to right) First place

Keteyian Cade, Pres. & CEO Angela Clabon and 3rd place winner William Stewart pose for a photo after receiving their finishing medals. Cade and Stewart’s finishing times were impressive on a day with a heat advisory in effect!

CareSTL Health welcomed St. Louis Metropolitan Police Chief Lt. Col. Michael Sack to share insight about the opioid epidemic with the large crowd.

Them Yo People Mr. Gary never misses

it comes to loyal Aetna sponsors. Aetna’s

Outreach Coordinator Alonzo Johnson and his family had a ball being interviewed by Mr. Gary, the King of Hospitality!

President & CEO Angela Clabon and Father’s Support Center’s Community Outreach Coordinator Reginald Slaughter

CareSTL Health former Board Member Jethro Fortenberry delivered the prayer for a successful walk/run.

Health Commission Advisory Member Robin Cole talked shared membership information with attendees who stopped by her table.

Our loyal partners from the Missouri Institute of Mental Health (MIMH) and STL CRUSH were on hand with resources

The teams took a moment to pose for a photo with CareSTL Health President & CEO Angela Clabon (third from left).

Behavioral Health Consultant Dr. Naaman Lauderdale shared CareSTL Health service information with attendees.

CareSTL Health Pres., & CEO Angela Clabon, her husband James Clabon, and their family showed up to support the walk.

September events at the Missouri History Museum

By Ellen Kunkelmann, Missouri Historical Society

From coloring on the walls to concerts on the lawn, the Missouri History Museum is the place to find yourself in September. The Museum’s newest exhibit, Coloring STL, presented by the William T. Kemper Foundation, opened on August 20 and is attracting visitors of all ages. Visitors can interact with St. Louis’s fascinating buildings in a way they never have before—by coloring them, right on the walls. This interactive exhibit with illustrations created by local artist Rori! delves into the stories of more than 50 local structures and explores the dreamers and designers who used the materials beneath our feet to leave their mark on the city.

On September 8, the Thursday Nights at the Museum program series focuses on Black Builders of St. Louis. A panel discussion moderated by Cheeraz Gormon begins at 6:30pm with Elise Preston Mallory, Melisa Betts Sanders, Angela da Silva, Anthony Thompson, and DeAna Carter, centering on the work of Black St. Louisans who are impacting the city’s built, unbuilt, and rebuilt environments while creating family legacies, helping communities, and establishing pipelines for underrepresented groups. Food and drinks will be available for purchase from Salt + Smoke from 5:00 to 7:00pm, and the Museum’s exhibits, including Coloring STL and St. Louis Sound, will be open until 8:00pm. Enjoy displays of artwork and visit resource tables to learn more about community organizations and labor unions. This program is generously sponsored by Ann E. and Greg R. Rhomberg in memory of Larry W. Giles, founder, National Building Arts Center.

On September 9 and 10, the History Exploration Days series returns, offering engaging activities designed for families with learners from pre-K to high school. The theme for September is “Takin’ Care of Business: St. Louis Labor History.” This region has long been a hub of industry and innovation, but it wouldn’t be that way without the workers who made it possible. Explore St. Louis’s history of labor activism, local businesses and products made in STL, and

innovations as well as the many people and movements that had a lasting impact on our city.

Drop-in or scheduled activities include a St. Louis labor activism workshop for ages 8 and up, storytelling, crafts, a scavenger hunt through the galleries, a touch table, and an inquiry station about St. Louis–made products like Tums and Hydraulic Press bricks. On Saturday at 11:30am, gather in the Grand Hall for Bread and Roses Presents The Worker’s Opera, an original piece about the lives of St. Louis workersturned-artists and the labor issues that affect them and their families.

Registration for History Exploration Days is not required, but please check in at the Welcome Desk upon arrival. Visit mohistory.org/history-exploration-days for more information and the complete schedule, and be sure to save the date for upcoming History Exploration Days including “Underground STL” (Oct. 14–15), “Picturing History: Native American Heritage Month” (Nov. 11–12), and “Celebrate Good Times” (Dec. 9–10).

The Twilight Thursdays concert series returns on September 15 with the Aretha Franklin Catalog, with lead vocalist Cheryl Brown and music director Jeremiah Allen. September 22 features A Tribute to Kool and the Gang, showcasing the talents of Julius Williams

(lead vocals), Jason Swagler (horn arrangements), and Terry Coleman (music director). The final concert on September 29 honors Prince and the Music of Minneapolis–St. Paul with Jeff Mack of Morris Day & the Time and music director KaRynn Calvin. Concerts begin at 6:00pm. Plan to arrive early to explore the Museum’s exhibits, which will be open until 8:00pm, and to save a spot on the North Lawn facing Lindell Boulevard. Blankets, lawn chairs, tables smaller than 3 by 3 feet, and well-behaved dogs on leashes are permitted. Tents, large umbrellas, and barbecue grills are prohibited. Pack a picnic basket or small cooler with snacks, soft drinks, water bottles, and alcoholic beverages (no glass bottles, please), or save time and support a local small business by visiting one of the many food trucks that will be available each week. Parking is available within Forest Park and on Lindell Boulevard. The Museum’s west lot is available on a first-come, first-served basis and is partially reserved for accessible parking. Nearby public transit stops provide additional options. In the event of inclement weather, call the Twilight Thursdays Information Hotline at (314) 454-3199 after 2:00pm, or listen to iHeartMedia radio stations. We’ll see you in September!

28 – SEPT 18

Community Gospel Choir sings out for equity, justice

New singers welcomed

St. Louis American staff

Gospel music has long been a part of the fight for fairness, inclusion, and racial justice in America, and a St. Louis choir presents an opportunity for singers to continue the chorus.

The Community Gospel Choir of St. Louis is inviting all who love to sing to join, whether you read music or just love to sing. Rehearsals are open with no auditions and there is no membership fee.

As a diverse group of singers, the choir is a “community” of people who join in the mission to break down racial barriers in our city,” says Suzanne Palmer, artistic director, and conductor.

“The Community Gospel Choir is proud to have singers

Oh, to live in the nirvana of salvation

Can you imagine a moment lasting a lifetime? My reference here is understanding the phrase, “living in the moment.” My point and what I’m trying to get at is the reality of faith that knowing the truth is forever and that truth stays with you like it happened this morning. My example? Have you ever

of all levels of singing ability,” Palmer said. “We provide a variety of tools to help all singers succeed,” she adds.

The choir looks for a commitment but asks for a few visits before a singer makes a final decision.

Weekly rehearsals for the fall semester begin at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 12, 2022, at Second Baptist Church, 9030 Clayton Rd. Interested singers can visit rehearsals on any Monday. All singers must provide proof of COVID vaccination.

More information about the choir can be found at www. communitygospelchoir.org or by emailing communitygospelchoir@gmail.com.

The choir was formed in the summer of 2007, has grown to more than 50 members, and is recognized as one of the premier gospel choirs in the region.

The choir features the tradition of African American spiri-

had a moment when you found out something was true? Can you remember the moment you fell in love with someone, when you knew there was no Santa Claus or when you found out somebody didn’t love you? It probably didn’t happen over a period of time.

More than likely, it happened in the blink of an eye, a touch of a hand, a smile, a hug, a glance, maybe just remembering a series of events. Whatever it was, I’m sure the knowing piece was a momentary conviction you knew instantly. If you could capture that moment and hold onto it, then you would begin to see what I’m talking about. If you could measure time in that moment, I

tuals and the energy of Gospel music.

“We deliver the messages of hope and joy found in the Good News. It has become recognized as one of the premier gospel choirs in the region,” Palmer said Palmer brings more than 30 years’ experience in music education and as a conductor. She is a music teacher in the Normandy School District and has worked as a private voice coach and musician. She earned a Master of Education Administration degree from the University of Missouri-St.

believe you might see a little of what eternity looks like.

Time passes but that moment lasts forever. It remains in your mind. We are taught that God loved us before we even existed in time, that is, before we were born.

God’s love for his people is a universal truth. His faithfulness cannot be questioned.

The Community Gospel Choir, a diverse group of singers who join in the mission to break down racial barriers, begins rehearsals for the fall semester at 6:30 p.m.

Monday, Sept. 12, 2022, at Second Baptist Church, 9030 Clayton Rd.

Photo courtesy of Community Gospel Choir

exact moment that you found the Lord.

Columnist James Washington

I would like to take a moment and try to illustrate what happens in that moment that we try to be faithful back to Him. Wouldn’t it be awesome to live in the moment of your own salvation? I mean, stay in the

I can’t speak for your experience, but I know mine was incredibly deep. For an instant, for one fleeting moment, I knew without question that God was the answer to everything. I knew that I knew that I knew. The emotional turmoil that followed was overwhelming. Guilt, sorrow, anxiety, helplessness, fear and above all love. It all came down to me at the same time. To be honest, it scared the hell out of me, and heaven took its place.

They say when you’re about to die, your life flashes before your eyes. I’m here to witness to you that the same thing happens when you’re saved. Your old life flashes before you in preparation for the new one to come. It really is a joyful experience. Back to my original question. Can you imagine a moment lasting a lifetime?

If you can look into the moment of your own salvation, I believe it’s the first step towards comprehending the difference between God’s time and your own.

I know I’m on thin ice here, but that moment of salvation gives such insight into the meaning of faith. How long does it take for a thought to

occur? How long does it take to replace a lie with the truth?

One might say in no time at all, or some might say time is irrelevant. I choose to believe that time, God’s time, is forever, here, and now at this very moment. For me to make sense of this to myself, I just try to remember the moment of my own salvation and know that it was in the making forever. Concentrate on your moment of faithfulness.

May God bless and keep you forever.

The commentary was originally published in the Atlanta Voice

US BE/BC NEPHROLOGIST

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

• J1 and H1B Eligible

• Great Starting Salary

• Shared Call with 3 Physicians & 2 Extender

• Competitive Compensation and Benefits Package

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

• Medical Directorship/JV/Real Estate Investment Opportunity Potential

• 6 Weeks PTO (including paid holidays)

• CME Time & Stipend Included

• Contact: 318-483-1961

FOOD OUTREACH MANAGER

Guardian Angel Settlement Association is seeking a Food Outreach Manager to manage our Client-Choice Food Pantry. Job duties include: Outreach in the community; intake, case management, and resource referrals; and day-to-day operation of the Food Pantry including receiving donations and assisting clients. The scheduled hours for the position are 8:30am – 4:30pm Monday through Friday. Starting Salary: $16 - $19/hour. Bachelor’s Degree preferred. Strong communication skills, counseling/case management experience, proficient computer skills and the ability to work with diverse populations also required. Physical requirements include the ability to climb ladders, and lift and carry fifty (50) pounds. Bilingual English/Spanish a plus. Background check required. Resumes can be sent to hr@gasastl.org EOE.

CITY OF OLIVETTE JOB OPENINGS PLANNING & ZONING COORDINATOR AND BUILDING INSPECTOR II

The 22nd Judicial CircuitJuvenile The City of Olivette is accepting cover letters and resumes for a Planning and Zoning Coordinator and a Building Inspector II. The job descriptions and salary information can be found at www. olivettemo.com or by contacting Human Resources at dmandle@olivettemo.com

THE CITY OF OLIVETTE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

FRONT

DESK RECEPTIONIST/ CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

We are looking to hire a front desk receptionist/customer service representative, the successful candidate should be outgoing and friendly with a gregarious personality and a natural talent for customer service to join our Purpose-Driven team immediately. If interested contact : zlee5349@gmail.com

LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER

Better Family Life, Incorporated is seeking an experienced fully Missouri licensed Clinical Social Worker to provide services as the Director to our multidisciplinary and dynamic team of clinical professionals. This individual should have exceptional leadership experience, the ability to embrace our mission and vision, which is the foundation of the passion and care we have for the community and clients we serve. Send resume ONLY to: hr@betterfamilylife.org No phone calls, please!

Better Family Life is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

FAMILY SUPPORT SPECIALIST LLL

Urban Strategies, Inc is seeking applicants for the Family Support Specialist lll. To view the full job description for Family Support Specialist lll visit https://tinyurl. com/5bvpuwsp or our website www. urbanstrategiesinc.org. After entering our website, click on Who We Are and select Join Our Team to find career opportunities. USI is an Equal Opportunity employer, and this position is funded in whole or in part with Choice Neighborhood Initiative grant funds from the US Department of HUD. Deadline to apply is 09/14/22

(NextGen Information Services, Inc. has multiple openings in St. Louis, MO)

Software Engineer: Plan, design, develop, & document comp. s/w programs. Req. MS in Comp. Sci., Engr., or related & 1 yr exp. or BS in same & 5 yrs prog. exp.

QA Analyst: Develop, analyze, execute, define, maintain, & handle test automation scripts & manual test cases using the test automation process. Req. MS in Comp. Sci., Engr., or related & 1 yr exp.

Technology Business Analyst: Test integrated software (SIT, UAT, & Performance Testing). Req. MS in Comp. Sci., Comp. Engr., Comp. Info. Sys., or related & 3 yrs exp. or BS in same & 5 yrs prog. exp.

All Positions: Will work in unanticipated locations. Send resume to NextGen Information Services, Inc. 3660 S. Geyer Rd. Suite 340, St. Louis, MO 63127 or email to hr_applicant@nextgen-is.com

SUPERVISING REGISTERED NURSE

The 22nd Judicial Circuit-Juvenile Division seeks applicants for a Supervising Registered Nurse. Candidates must be a graduate of an accredited nursing program and a registered nurse in the State of Missouri.

A Bachelor of Science in Nursing is preferred. A minimum of 3 years of nursing experience preferred. Experience in supervision of medical staff preferred. Must wear and provide a medical uniform. Candidates must be at least 21 years of age. Salary range is $60,866-$88,478.

Please email resumes to: stl.resumes@courts.mo.gov

See www.stlcitycircuitcourt.com and click on Employment Opportunities for complete job description. EOE.

THE CITY OF JENNINGS IS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS:

The City of Jennings is accepting applications for the following positions: Recreation Specialist; Deputy Building Commissioner; Finance Director; Correctional Officers, Seasonal Parks Crew Laborer; Court Clerk, Public Works Laborer; F/T Accounting Clerk; P/T Accounting Clerk; P/T Assistant to the City Clerk; P/T Public Works Laborers; P/T Site Monitor; P/T Concession P/T Stand workers; P/T Umpire; P/T Scorekeeper; P/T Economic Development Assistant. Please see the full job descriptions online at www.cityofjennings.org. Applications are available at the Jennings City Hall or on the website at www.cityofjennings.org. The City of Jennings is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

ASSISTANT – LEGAL

This position is responsible for administrative support of the Senior Vice President – Operations and General Counsel (SVPO & GC). Position will work closely with the SVPO & GC to participate on varied and complex tasks requiring aptitude, initiative, critical thinking and discretion. To apply, please visit: https://www.safetynational.com/careers-page/

PRINCIPAL

Are you a strong, faith-driven leader prepared to lead a premier Jesuit high school in its third century of excellence? St. Louis University High is seeking qualified candidates to fill the position of Principal, one who will lead our academic and formational programs that challenge students to think critically, lead courageously, and transform the world as Men for Others. To learn more and apply, visit sluh.org/principal.

AVP & SENIOR COUNSEL

Under the direction of the Vice President & Assistant General Counsel (“VP & AGC”), manages business transactional support for the Company’s various business units, select corporate (nonClaims) litigation, and other legal affairs of the Company.

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

St. LouiS american Bids & Public Notices

ADVERTISEMENT FOR PROPOSAL

Sealed Proposals regarding 22-177 Transportation Assistance Services which is to provide transportation assistance services to low and moderate income households (80% AMI) in St. Peters, Missouri are being solicited by the St. Peters Office of Community Services. The organization should have the capacity to provide round-trip transportation within St. Charles County and outside the County for medical purposes. Transportation should be provided to any person without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status or national origin.

Proposals will be received by the City of St. Peters, City Hall, One St. Peters Centre Blvd., P.O. Box 9, St. Peters, Missouri 63376 until 2:00 PM local time, September 15, 2022. This will be a non-public opening.

Proposal documents will be available on September 1, 2022 and may be obtained from the City of St. Peters, One St. Peters Centre Boulevard, St. Peters, MO 63376 or requested in writing to Bids@stpetersmo.net under the subject line “22-177; Transportation Assistance Services”.

All questions regarding this project shall be submitted to the City of St. Peters Purchasing Department in writing to Bids@stpetersmo.net under the subject line “22-177; Transportation Assistance Services” or by mail to City of St. Peters Purchasing Department, One St. Peters Centre Boulevard, P.O. Box 9, St. Peters, MO 63376 before noon local time, September 8, 2022.

The City reserves the right to waive any informality, and to accept the proposal most advantageous to the City.

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Replace HVAC System, Administration

U2002-01, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1 : 3 0 P M , 9/27/2022 via MissouriBUYS. Bidders must be registered t o b i d . F o r specific project information, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/facilities

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Install Ground Mounted S o l a r P a n e l Array & LED Lighting, Festus FMS Building – Readiness Center, Project No. T2029-01, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1 : 3 0 P M , 9/15/2022 via MissouriBUYS. Bidders must be registered t o b i d . F o r specific project information, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/facilities

INVITATION TO BID

The Twenty-Second Judicial Circuit is currently soliciting bid proposals for replacement of ceiling tile in Divisions 3 and 5 on the 5th Floor of the Civil Court Building. The request for proposal is available on the Court’s website www.stlcitycircuitcourt.com Click on General Information, Then Request for Proposals. A mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held on September 12, 2022 at 8:30 a.m. in Division 3 at the Civil Court Building, located at 10 N. Tucker, St. Louis, MO 63101. Bids are due September 26, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. EOE

SEALED BIDS

EducationPlus is accepting sealed bids to provide Roofing Supplies and Services, Waterproofing, and Related Products and Services as part of its Cooperative Purchasing program. Bids are due Tuesday, November 1, 2022 by 2 p.m. local time.

EducationPlus, located at 1460 Craig Rd, St. Louis, MO 63146, is a purchasing cooperative representing nearly 60 school districts as well as non-member schools, political subdivisions and nonprofits across the state. Bidders must be able to provide their proposed products and services throughout Missouri.

Bid information may be viewed and download at www.edplus.org by clicking on the Cooperative Purchasing tab, then the Open Bids tab. Please direct questions to Dr. Steve Griggs at sgriggs@edplus.org

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

ADVERTISE YOUR BIDS, PUBLIC NOTICES, AUCTIONS, AUDITS, SUMMARY & LEGAL NOTICES

Alberici Constructors, Kwame Building Group and the Saint Louis Zoo seek bids from qualified firms to submit proposals for a project at the Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Park. The project consists of interior renovations of the headquarters office building. To request bid documents, please send an E-mail to stlzoobids@alberici.com

NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS

Date of First Publication: 8/25/22

City of St. Louis: Community Development Administration (CDA) 1520 Market Street, Suite 2000 St. Louis, Missouri 63103 314-657-3700 / 314-589-6000 (TTY)

On or after 9/2/22, the City of St. Louis (“the City”) will submit a request to the U.S. Dept. of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) for the release of the following funds, under Title I of the Housing & Community Development Act of 1974, PL93-383, as amended, 42 U.S.C.-5301 et seq., to undertake the following Public Improvement, within the City:

Choice Neighborhoods: Loretta Hall Park Renewal

Purpose: The renovation and improvement of the park

Location: 1000 Selby Place, St. Louis, MO 63106

Estimated Cost: Total development cost of this project is approximately $1,105,000, with $475,000 of funding coming from St. Louis City’s CHOICE Neighborhood Implementation Grant Funds— Grant # MO7E527CNG116.

The activity proposed is categorically excluded subject to under HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58 from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements. An Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for these projects is can be found online by visiting https://www.onecpd.info/ environmental-review/environmental-review-records or on file at the City’s CDA, at the address listed above, and may be examined or copied weekdays 8 A.M to 4 P.M, by contacting Rashonda Alexander, CDA, Special Assistant for Development, at (314) 314-657-3803.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to Rashonda Alexander, CDA, Special Assistant for Development, at the address listed above. Comments and questions pertaining to these programs can also be directed to Justin Jackson, CDA, Executive Director, at the address listed above. All comments received by 9/2/22 will be considered by the City prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which notice they are addressing. Visit https://www.onecpd.info/environmental-review/environmental-review-records to review HUD ERR.

RELEASE OF FUNDS

The Certifying Officer of the City of St. Louis, Justin Jackson, in his capacity as Executive Director of CDA, consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the City to use these program funds.

OBJECTION TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and the City’s certification for a period of 15 days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the City; b) the City has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58; c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD/State; or d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58.76) and shall be addressed to Dana Buckner, U.S. Department of HUD, Office of Community Planning and Development, 1222 Spruce Street, Suite 3.203, St. Louis, MO 63103. Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

Justin Jackson, Executive Director Certifying Officer

DISTRICT

SCHOOL

HVAC INSULATION REPLACEMENT @ CENTRAL ELEMENTARY

TRACK RESURFACING MCCLUER, MCCLUER NORTH, MCCLUER SOUTH

Sealed bids for the above projects are being equested from the FFSD and will be received and publicly opened on Tuesday, September 13th, 2022 @ 1:00pm CST (Central elementary HVAC Insulation Replacement) and Friday, October 14th 2022 @ 1:15pm pm CST (Track resurfacing for High Schools) at the Operation and Maintenance Dept. located at 8855 Dunn Rd. (REAR) Hazelwood, MO 63042. Pre bid meetings are as follow: Tuesday September 6th 2022 @ 9am @ 201 Wesley Ave. Ferguson, MO 63135 for Central HVAC Insulation and Monday October 3rd, 2022 @ 9:00am @ 705 Waterford Dr. Florissant, MO 63033 for Track Resurfacing. Bid specs must be obtained at http:// new.fergflor.k12.mo.us/facilities-rfq. Contact Matt Furfaro at mfurfaro@fergflor.org for further information/questions.

Notice is hereby given that

Requests for Quotes, Bids and Proposals are

public

Please navigate to www.msdprojectclear.org > Doing Business With Us > View Non-Capital Bids (commodities and services) or >Visit Planroom (capital construction bids) Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer. INVITATION TO BID: FERGUSON-FLORISSANT

SOLICITING BID

Reinhardt Construction LLC is Soliciting Bids from MBE/WBE/ DBE/Veteran/SDVE for the following:

CP220981 Virginia Ave. Parking

Structure- Relocate C- Store from Pershing Hall

Contact: Mike Murray ; mikem@ reinhardtconstructionllc.com

Phone: 573-682-5505

REHAB CONTRACTORS NEEDED IN DECATUR

Multi-million-dollar rehabilitation projects available for contractors in Decatur, IL. City of Decatur seeks pre-qualified, qualified, and lead-abatement contractors to help meet this demand. The goal is to rehab 150-300 homes over the next two years. Bids will require prevailing wage, excluding any lead-abatement work. A Contractor’s Loan Fund is available to provide additional cash flow if needed. Visit www.decaturil.gov/ contractors-manual to view the Contractor’s Manual and be added to our list, or contact Connie Hamilton at 217-4502350, cfarrar@decaturil.gov

INVITATION TO BID:

FERGUSON-FLORISSANT SCHOOL

DISTRICT CENTRAL ELEMENTARY BI POLAR IONIZERS (MATERIALS ONLY)

ZERO TURN MOWER

MCCLUER HIGH FOOTBALL FIELD SOUND SYSTEM

Sealed bids for the above projects are being requested from the FFSD and will be received and publicly opened on Friday, September 9th, 2022 @ (1:00pm CST Zero Turn Mower), (1:15 pm CST Football Field sound system), and (1:45pm CST Central Elem Bi Polar Ionizers) at the Operation and Maintenance Dept. located at 8855 Dunn Rd. (REAR) Hazelwood, MO 63042. Pre bid meeting Tuesday September 6th 2022 @ 9am @ 1896 S. New Florissant Rd. FOR Football Field Sound System. Bid specs must be obtained at http://new.fergflor.k12. mo.us/facilities-rfq. Contact Matt Furfaro at mfurfaro@fergflor.org for further information/ questions.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

The St. Louis City Family Court is seeking proposals from medical providers to provide medical services to detained youth in the Detention Center. Proposals will start to be considered at 9:00 a.m. on September 1, 2022, but position is open until filled. Interested providers may obtain the Proposal Specifications by accessing www.stlcitycircuitcourt.com then check for RFPs under General Information and follow the Medical Services Proposal Specifications.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

Hankins Construction is Requesting Proposals for the following project: Project: Central Transportation Facility for Special School District Project Location: 5500 North Hanley Road, Kinloch, MO 63134 This project is Tax Exempt and Prevailing Wage. It also has a combined M/WBE Goal of 15%.

Bid Date: September 8th, 2022 @ 2:00 PM

The estimator working on this project is Erik Hankins. Please send all proposals to office@ hankinsmidwest.com. If you have any questions, please call our office at 314-426-7030.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

Alberici Constructors, Kwame Building Group and the Saint Louis Zoo seek bids from qualified firms to submit proposals for a project at the Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Park. The project consists of furnishing and installing 10 agricultural style barns. To request bid documents, please send an E-mail to stlzoobids@alberici.com

ADVERTISEMENT FOR QUALIFICATIONS

Sealed qualifications for 22-170 - Water Interconnect Booster Pump Station will be received by the City of St. Peters, Purchasing Department, One St. Peters Centre Boulevard, P.O. Box 9, St. Peters, Missouri, 63376 until 2:00 PM local time, September 22, 2022. This is a non-public opening.

Qualification requirements will be available August 25, 2022 and may be obtained from the City of St. Peters, One St. Peters Centre Boulevard, St. Peters, MO 63376 or requested in writing to Bids@stpetersmo. net under the subject line 22-170 - Water Interconnect Booster Pump Station.

All questions regarding this project shall be submitted to the City of St. Peters Purchasing Department in writing to Bids@stpetersmo.net under the subject line 22-170 - Water Interconnect Booster Pump Station or by mail One St. Peters Centre Boulevard, St. Peters, MO 63376 before noon local time, September 15, 2022.

The City reserves the right to waive any informality, and to accept the proposal most advantageous to the City.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

> Proposal for Repair & Preventative Maintenance of Parking Garages & Parking Lot Repairs

> Proposals will be received by City of St. Louis Treasurer UNTIL 3:00PM 9/2/2022

> For specific project information, go to > https://www.stltreasurer.org/Request for Proposals/

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE:

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

“We will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law.

All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.”

RENT $550/mo, $100/dep Fully Furnished Utilities Included Call Janice 314-402-8289

REQUEST FOR BIDS

KICHENETTE

in Coloring STL.

“She said her mom looked out at the cathedral’s dome every time she came to visit her,” Wanko said. “In honor of her mom, she went to the wall and colored the entire dome.”

Lashonda Lockhart and her five children each grabbed a dry erase marker to participate during a recent visit.

Lockhart, who hails from

purchased now on theblackrep. org or through the Box Office at 314-534-3807. Educators, museum staff, seniors, and students can receive reduced pricing. Groups of 12 are also

Miami, Florida and moved to St. Louis with her native husband 11 years ago, said she relates most with Union Station and Homer g. Phillips. “I resonate with Union Station because my sister-inlaw works at another hotel and whenever she comes into town, we always stay there to have a ‘staycation,’” Lockhart said.

“I saw a documentary about Homer G. Phillips Hospital and I can only imagine what it must have been like to give birth at that hospital.”

Wanko said he hopes Coloring STL evokes nostalgic

offered discounted tickets.

Safety remains The Black Rep’s top priority. In managing proper health protocol, there is 50% capacity seating, a mask requirement, and proof of vaccination or a negative test result must be presented. These protocols will be in place for the 46th season.Visit theblackrep. org for more information.

The Black Rep’s 46th Main

memories and teachable history.

“I want this to be a place where memories are made with family and friends,” Wanko said.

“I hope what comes out of the exhibit is people start conversations about why the buildings matter to them and parents can chat with their children about the type of house they were raised in.”

For more information visit Missouri History Museum’s website.

Stage Season support comes from the Arts and Education Council, The Black Seed Initiative, Caleres, Missouri Arts Council, Regional Arts Commission, RogersTownsend, The Shubert Foundation, the Steward Family Foundation, and Washington University in St. Louis.

Sterling K. Brown and Regina Hall star in “Honk For Jesus” as a disgraced megachurch pastor and his blindly devoted first lady attempting to redeem their reputation and fledgling ministry after being rocked by scandal.

from C1

ingly. He finds out the hard way that devotion has its limits – well, except for when it comes to his wife Trinitie Childs. She is as committed to stand by her man – even if it is mostly for the sake of the status that comes with the role of first lady – as she is to her faith.

Because of indiscretions that mirrored a real-life scandal within the Atlanta faith community, WTGP – which once boasted enough members to constitute its own county – has dwindled to a membership of less than a half-dozen. To make matters worse, their former protégés in the ministry have courted WTGP members to their own up and coming megachurch – which is a thorn in the side of Pastor Lee-Curtis and First Lady Trinitie Childs’ miraculous comeback.

The film fleshes out the story of Adamma’s 2018 short film of the same name. The blistering portrait of a pastor who falls far short of glory and watches his ministry spiral down consequently was hailed at Sundance for its satirical examination. Critics and cine-

philes praised the film – and rightfully so for The Ebo Sisters ambition in tackling a traditional Black experience through the lens of pure satire. Honk For Jesus is a Black comedy and a black comedy – but without the safety net of slapstick, physical comedy or the inside jokes that are go-to cackles within Black culture.

The risk comes with the reward of being innovative within the space of Black filmmaking.

But their creative liberties also come at the expense of losing what could have been a hilarious or somberly self-reflective piece of cinematic art that Black culture could properly laugh at, argue with or both. There is one scene where audiences will truly understand what could have been, had the sisters dialed into the natural comedy that is at every turn within our culture.

Honk For Jesus is unrealized potential at every angle. The lack of structured and/or strategized humor won’t sit well – especially among a group who takes pride in their ability to “laugh to keep from crying.”

The social criticism without depth, emotional accountability, self-reflection, awareness or even acknowledgement makes it hard to discern the point of it all. And that’s compounded

by the fact that the film comes with no discernable resolution. But the saving grace of Honk for Jesus can be found in the performances. Brown and Hall deserve a love offering from the congregation of Black moviegoers for their portrayal of the Childs’ as they face countless hurdles on their attempted path to redemption. Brown’s Childs is the personification of a cult of personality. He effectively conveys the character’s shortcomings. He is a flawed man who has designated himself as a victim of his own poor choices – which he is convinced will be used as a testimony to further exalt his ministry. Regina Hall is breathtaking as a woman who has decided her destiny is tied to being the foundation of her man’s ministry and the trappings that come with the status of first lady. Nicole Beharie and Cophidance’s portrayal as heir-apparent preaching power couple Shakura Sumpter and Keon Sumpter add a delicious spicy kick to the on-screen dynamics of Honk For Jesus. Honk For Jesus. Save Your Soul opens in theatres nationwide on Friday, September 2. The film is rated R with a running time of 102 minutes.

Continued