September 28th, 2023 edition

St. LouiS AmericAn

Bush, AOC hit picket line with UAW strikers

‘Solidarity is the strategy’

By Dawn Suggs St. Louis American

Ten days after tens of thousands UAW workers walked off their jobs at selected sites and began a “stand-up” strike against the “Big Three” automobile manufacturers Ford, General Motors, and Stilantis, Congresswomen Cori Bush (D-St. Louis) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) joined a picket line at the GM Assembly Plant in Wentzville.

The duo spoke earlier at the Sept. 24 rally for UAW workers of Local Union 2250 in the Union Hall.

AOC asserted that contrary to what “Wall Street analysts” and “Washington insiders” tell you, “Our whole economy is in a special kind of crisis; an absolute economic crisis of

See STRIKERS, A7

wins Gold Cup

Seventh time in last 11 years for MPA’s highest honor

By St. Louis American Staff

31 total statewide awards in the Better Newspaper Contest against newspapers with a circulation of 5,000 or more. The awards include the first place award for general excellence, which the American has now won eight times. Each year, a different state press association judges the competition. This year, it was the Kansas Press Association. Regarding the general excellence award, judges stated “This

newspaper is the definition of community journalism with its exceptional reader-focused strategy. Content that appeals to a wide range of interests and ages, fantastic layouts, great opinion content ... I want to subscribe to this newspaper now. The team is clearly exceptional and serving its audience -and journalism as a whole -- extremely

Marvin Thomas loves tinkering

“I see things differently than other people.”

By Sylvester Brown Jr. St. Louis American

Marvin Thomas, 65, is an inventor. He is the oldest son of a father who happened to be named Benjamin Franklin Thomas. It would be an interesting tidbit if his dad followed the path of Benjamin Franklin, who was a writer, political philosopher, scientist and noted inventor. But Thomas’ father was well known as a beloved automotive instructor at several area high schools and technical schools and didn’t consider himself an official “inventor.”

“He just loved to take things apart and fix them,” Thomas recalled. There was one thing his “mechanically

See THOMAS, A7

Kathy Osborn a ‘Champion of Education’ works for equity for all

By Alvin A. Reid

was founded in 2000, President and CEO Kathy Osborn ensured that K-12 education be one of its foundational priorities.

While 23 years have passed and the RBC has grown from 50 to 100 presidents and CEOs representing the region’s largest mid-sized companies, Osborn’s organization continues its outstanding support for educators, students, and staffs at public and charter schools. The RBC website states it “works to invest advance opportunities for learning and academic excellence for every child in the region, especially disadvantaged youth.”

“We aim to ensure all students have access to an excellent education by developing strong leaders for every classroom and school, promoting high performing school districts and fostering quality governance at local and state levels.” For her dedication to education and stewarding RBC’s exemplary history of

See OSBORN, A6

The Legendary Byron Juicy Couture walks in a competition at Maven Lee’s fabulous 4th Ball in The Park, at Tower Grove Pride in Tower Grove Park on September 24, 2023.

From left, U.S. Rep. Cori Bush, UAW Local 2250 President Katie Deatherage, and U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) were on the picket line at the GM Wentzville Assembly Plant on the 10th day of a “stand-up” strike against the Big Three Automakers on Sept. 24, 2023.

Photo by Dawn Suggs / St. Louis American

Photo by Taylor Marrie / St. Louis American

Marvin Thomas

Kathy Osborn

A Super Sunday of soul for Usher

“It’s an honor of a lifetime to finally check a Super Bowl performance off my bucket list,” said Usher after the eight-time Grammy winner was introduced by the NFL as headline entertainer during the 2024 halftime show of Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas. Usher, 44, performed at the Super Bowl halftime show in 2011 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, as a complement to the lead act, the Black Eyed Peas. The 23-time Grammy nominee won his first Grammy in 2001 in the category best male R&B vocal performance for the song “U Remind Me.”

His popularity rose in 2004 when he released the album “Confessions.” His most recent Grammy win came in 2013 for

the song, “Climax.” Usher, who currently stars as a coach for “The Voice” on NBC, has been performing concerts in Paris.

The Super Bowl will take place on Feb. 11, 2024 and be televised by NBC (what a coincidence.)

Infidelity not a reason for Teyana Taylor and Iman Shumpert separation

According to ET, model, singer, Teyana Taylor took to Instagram to invite us into a ‘group chat’ stating that infidelity did not play a part in a separation between her and husband Iman Shumpert amid cheating rumors. In her post, Taylor wrote: “AHT AHT! Not too much on my bestie! In all fairness, Iman and I are separated and have been for a while, “To be 1000% clear,

“infidelity” ain’t one of the reasons for our departure,” she added. “We are still the best of friends, great business partners, and are one hell of a team when it comes to co-parenting our 2 beautiful children. Most importantly we are FAMILY & in the 10 years together, 7 years married we ain’t ever played with or about THAT.” Taylor’s news comes after rumors began circulating around the internet that the former basketball star was cheating on Taylor. Taylor, 32, and Shumpert, 33, tied the knot in 2016. Together, the pair are parents of Iman “Junie” Shumpert, 7, and Rue Rose Shumpert, 3.

Lil Kim isn’t happy with her Ebony cover photo

Lil Kim is one of five covers released by Ebony magazine in celebration for Hip-Hop’s 50th anniversary. However, the Bedstuy, Brooklyn rap vet wasn’t too happy with the final “heavily retouched” cover, leading her to accuse the longstanding publication

of “sabotage.”

Keith Major, the mag’s director of photography, countered Kim’s claims, as he revealed that the “Crush On You” rhymer actually took control of edits. Now, the Queen Bee has shared the original photo that she “approved,” although critics say there isn’t much difference between the two photos aside from a few coloring edits.

On Tuesday (Sept. 19), Ebony unveiled Kim’s cover on Instagram with the caption, “There will never be another like @lilkimthequeenbee — she still is and has always been ‘That Bi**h.’” Immediately, the comment section filled with admiration, but also backlash about the photoshopping of Kim’s face. Catching wind of the commentary, Kim posted the cover to her IG Story with the overlaid text, “Who is this? Cuz that’s not the photo I approved or any other content they’ve put out.”

However, the respected photographer begged to differ. Major responded to critics in Ebony’s comment section with, “Man, she wanted to be in control of the retouching so this is what we got.”

Sources: The New York Times, Vibe Magazine, ET

There’s going to be an [Artificial Intelligence] revolution. Having African Americans as a part of it…is really important.”

- New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker

A brighter future

By Alvin A. Reid

St. Louis American

Better Family Life has linked purpose with purple.

BFL’s “Light Up the Night” campaign is underway, bringing “attention, respect, and action” to its effort of reducing violence and addiction in St. Louis. In the mission to create a safer and more compassionate community, BFL developed its annual Light Up the Night approach to engaging St. Louis residents through a series of upcoming events to foster neighborly connections, according to Tyrone Turner, vice president of community Engagement and development.

The keystone of the campaign is distribution of 4,000 purple light bulbs, which can be placed in porch lights across the city, symbolizing a collective commitment to stand against the darkness caused by violence and addiction.

“We believe that change begins with conversation and awareness,” Turner said.

“By literally illuminating the night with these purple bulbs, we are high-

lighting the solutions that can lead to safer communities, healthier families, and a brighter future for St. Louis.”

Turner said Light Up the Night’s core pillars are Awareness, Honor and Action.

From October 1 through Oct. 10, St. Louis residents are encouraged to install purple light bulbs in their porch lights.

“This simple yet powerful gesture serves as a conversation starter, facilitating open dialogues with neighbors about the pressing issues of addiction and violence that deeply affect families and neighborhoods,” said Turner.

Supportive events begin at 10 a.m. Saturday Sept. 30 with the “Uniting Against Addiction & Violence Walk/Unity Fest.” The walk will begin at Better Family Life headquarters, 5415 Page Blvd.

The walk’s path includes significant streets and culminates at Ivory Perry Park. At the park, an annual tree planting ceremony will be held to remember and honor those lost to addiction and violence.

Unity Fest will follow at noon at the park and

will feature music performances, a variety of food trucks, and a diverse range of vendors showcasing crafts.

“Unity Fest embodies the spirit of unity and celebrates the diverse tapestry of the community in a joyful and unforgettable atmosphere,” said Turner.

The campaign is also in conjunction with “National Night Out” during the first week of October. BFL will collaborate with

local churches, non-profit organizations, concerned citizens, youth groups, and city officials to amplify efforts to address violence and addiction.

According to the city’s website, National Night Out was established in 1984 to generate the participation of local anticrime programs and is traditionally observed on the first Tuesday in August in many communities. In 2017, the National

Night Out date in the City of St. Louis to the first Tuesday in October. National Night Out is designed to:

- Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness

- Generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime programs

- Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships

- Send a message to criminals letting them

Tory Russell, a Better Family Life volunteer, installs a purple bulb in a porch light as homeowner Gwen Cogshell and Jihad Khayyam, BFL director of community engagement, look on. 4,000 purple lights are being distributed as part of the Better Family Life “Light Up the Night” campaign which begins on October 1. The lights symbolize a commitment to stand against violence and addiction.

Photo courtesy of BFL

know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

A list of National Night Out neighborhood celebration sites can be found at www.stlouis-mo.gov. Once at the site, go to Neighborhood Stabilization Office/ National Night Out.

Better Family Life Inc. was established in 1983 and is in its 40th year of helping to stabilize innercity neighborhoods.

BFL serves more than 50,000 low-income children and adults, including the underemployed, unemployed, and skill-deficient, with various programs - economic, housing, workforce development, educational, youth, social, cultural, and artistic.

“Through combining resources and expertise, this collective endeavor aims to drive tangible change, fostering safer communities, healthier families, and a brighter future for St. Louis,” said Turner.

Editorial/Commentary

Guest

Editorial

Trump’s henchmen nothing more than terrorists

By Marc Morial

“I keep the promise of my oath to the United States and Georgia Constitutions and do not allow myself to be bullied and threatened by Members of Congress, local elected officials, or others who believe lady justice should not be blind and that America has different laws for different citizens.” — Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis

The FBI continues to investigate threats against Fulton County officials in connection to the indictment of Donald Trump and others on charges of election interference in Georgia. While the FBI did not share details of the threat, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis said earlier this month that the threats and harassment she has received ever since opening her investigation of Trump are “very grotesque.”

The FBI and other law enforcement agencies already are investigating an earlier spate of threats against Willis and the grand jurors who issued the indictments.

dations of democracy and the rule of law.

Trump has made no secret of his desire for the authoritarian power of a tyrant. He emulates Joseph Stalin by denouncing his critics as “enemies of the people.” He openly covets the oppressive control that brutal dictator Kim Jong Un holds over the people of North Korea. He called the extrajudicial execution of thousands of Filipinos, including at least 122 children, “the right way” to enforce drug laws. He’s vowed to pardon the violent insurrectionists who attacked Congress. He wants to purge the federal government of nonpartisan civil servants and replace them with loyalist accomplices and lackeys. He would use the Department of Justice to prosecute and imprison his adversaries.

In challenging the authority of Willis — or any prosecutor — to hold Trump accountable to the law, Trump’s henchmen are working to make Trump’s nightmarish vision a reality.

If the 150,000 workers in the UAW all strike simultaneously, which has not happened yet, the union has enough in the strike fund to keep them out for three months.

UAW strike is not ‘class warfare’

By Julianne Malveaux

The United Auto Workers and the Big Three automobile manufacturers — Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis — are at a stalemate in negotiations and a “stand-up” strike will enter its second week on Sept. 29, 2023.

The chilling pattern of Trump’s most dangerous supporters attempting or committing violence against anyone who defies Trump’s will or holds him accountable emerged even before his election and reached a peak on Jan. 6, 2021.

But threats and acts of violence aren’t the only method Trump and his supporters are using to intimidate Willis. He and allies in Congress and the Georgia state legislature have targeted her with lies and baseless insinuations, threats to withhold federal funds to deprive her of the means to carry out her authority, and an unjustified campaign to sanction her or to oust her from her duly elected position, simply for holding Trump accountable for the law.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has denounced his colleagues’ efforts, dismissing them as political theater. But they are far more sinister than that. They are deliberate and direct assaults on the foun-

House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan is hardly seeking to uphold the law with his unconstitutional demand that Willis turn over all documents related the case. On the contrary, as Willis observed in her scathing response, “Its obvious purpose is to obstruct a Georgia criminal proceeding and to advance outrageous partisan misrepresentations.” Rep. Eric Swalwell, who serves on the committee, suggested Jordan and his cohorts have no intention of pursuing the documents, lest they dispel the “innuendo and allegation” Jordan is trying to create.

The National Urban League commends Willis’ grace under fire and her commitment to apply justice equitably. We pray for her safety and the safety of all the officials and grand jurors who face these obscene threats. And we call on every elected official to uphold their sworn duty to uphold the Constitution and defend the rule of law.

Marc Morial is president and CEO of the National Urban League

As I See It - A Forum for Community Issues

Black achievement is part of America’s past, present, future

By Sonny Messiah Jiles

As we acknowledge the 60th anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington and the 1963 bombing of 16th Street Baptist Church, which killed four little Black girls in Birmingham, Alabama, I am reminded of the resilience of Black people.

The recent speech made by Black businessman and philanthropist Robert Smith at the March on Washington and the first Black female Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s keynote comments at 16th Street Baptist speak “Truth to Power.”

Smith, the billionaire CEO of Vista Equity Partners and the richest African American, reflected on his economic justice comments in his Linkedin post and wrote, “Black Americans continue to break significant barriers in our society but still endure systemic obstacles… Despite these hindrances, Black Americans persevere, remain steadfast and work to shape the future of this country. Yet, there remains a struggle for relevance, a sense of belonging and ownership of this nation.”

their accomplishments and tried to erase their existence.

Here in Houston, we celebrate the accomplishments of four formerly enslaved people who, in 1872, united to purchase 10 acres of land to commemorate their freedom and named the land Emancipation Park in the historic Third Ward.

In December 1955, following Rosa Parks’ refusal to give up her bus seat to a white man, Black people in Alabama began the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

For 381 days, they gave up their time and convenience, and walked — sometimes using other forms of transportation — facing harassment and the loss of jobs. The bus company suffered financially as the city became desperate to end the boycott.

These three incidents showcase our abilities and determination to shape our destiny despite the odds. Our historical journey is a reflection of our resilience and is based in truth - a “truth” Supreme Court Justice Jackson spoke about during her recent remarks at 16th Street Baptist Church.

Shawn Fein, UAW International president, is committed to the work stoppage because workers should be better compensated and should recoup some concessions they made to manufacturers when the automobile industry was in trouble in 2009.

The CEOs of the Big Three are touting their “generous” offer to the union, claiming they’d be bankrupt if they met union demands, and using terms like “class warfare” to describe the current situation.

CNBC business anchor Jim Cramer was among the first to mention class warfare when the UAW offered a set of reasonable demands.

He fails to understand that when CEOs make hundreds of times more than the average worker, there is some kind of warfare. Predatory capitalists extract surplus value from workers and direct it to shareholders and themselves.

Those hired before 2007 earn $33 an hour, but those employed after 2007 make only $17 an hour, the two-tier compensation the UAW is fighting to eliminate. How fair is it that two workers, standing side by side, have such a pay differential, one earning about half of what the other is making? That’s called worker exploitation.

The UAW agreed to it under challenging circumstances, and those circumstances don’t exist anymore. By the way, the lower-paid workers also get fewer health and pension benefits, and the union proposal is partly about equalizing some of these benefits. The quest for fairness is something that CNBC’s Cramer describes as “frightening.”

Columnist Juliann Malveaux

Thus, Ford GM Mary Barras earns more than $30 million a year, 362 times the average worker’s earnings. Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares earns more than $24.8 million, 365 times the average worker. And Ford’s James Farley earns $21 million, 281 times as much as the average worker.

Barras defended her high salary by indicating that her pay is “performance based.” She would not have performance were it not for worker productivity, but there is a gap between worker pay and productivity. Predatory capitalists are capturing the benefits of both worker productivity and worker concessions, resulting in record profits among auto manufacturers.

President Joe Biden was spot on when he said that record profits should mean record contracts. In other words, pay the people whose labor contributed to the record profits.

While the Big Three CEOs saw their compensation rise by at least 40% in the last four years, they’d deny similar pay increases to their workers. Indeed, the average auto worker earns $28 an hour, just a dollar, or less than four percent, more than last year.

What is frightening is the increasing poverty in our nation. It’s frightening that predatory capitalists are getting away with extreme exploitation.

It is frightening that CEOs make so much compared to labor and find nothing wrong with this.

If the 150,000 workers in the UAW all strike simultaneously, which has not happened yet, the union has enough in the strike fund to keep them out for three months.

Meanwhile, the auto industry could lose over $5 billion, and a strike may push the economy toward a recession. Auto workers aren’t the only ones at risk. Those who supply auto manufacturers with parts will probably have to lay workers off if auto manufacturing slows. There may be fewer automobiles available, and the fourth quarter is often a time when car sales go up. Fewer cars may also mean inflationary increases in automobile prices.

The auto strike encourages other workers to stand up for themselves. Kaiser employees will reportedly strike within days if they can’t agree with management about the terms and conditions of work.

Others are considering strikes, and labor unrest is at an all-time high. Workers want to be paid fairly. That’s not class warfare, that’s survival. To the extent that predatory capitalists resist paying fairly, there has always been class warfare.

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

During the March on Washington observance, Smith stressed to Black America that “We are enough,” encouraging us to take it upon ourselves to “build the economic infrastructure needed to bridge the #racialwealthgap. And it is up to us to invest in #education, digital #technology and the talent pipeline to help close opportunity gaps that affect Black Americans, including the #generationalwealthgap.”

His words resonated with me as I thought of our proactive fights as Black people against slavery, lynchings, and police killings, and for voting rights, economic equity, and quality education.

We have a history of fighting the good fight. We excelled with “Black Wall Street,” a thriving business district in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in the early 1900s. As Black people achieved against the odds and demonstrated their resilience, they were confronted by those who envied

The work of our time is maintaining that hard-won freedom, and to do that, we’re going to need the truth — the whole truth — about our past,” she said.

“We must teach it to our children and preserve it for theirs,” Jackson said. “Knowledge of the past is what enables us to mark our forward progress. If we’re going to continue to move forward as a nation, we can’t allow concern about discomfort to displace knowledge, truth, or history.”

When we acknowledge our past accomplishments and traumas, and embrace our present abilities and capacity, then we can shape our future and continue to show our resilience.

Never forget “We are enough” because today, we can collectively make the change we want tomorrow.

Sonceria “Sonny” Messiah Jiles is CEO of the Houston Defender Network

Guest Columnist Sonny Messiah Jiles

Columnist Marc H. Morial

Smith,

Lankford to serve as Tree of Light co-chairs

American staff

The temperature may still be in the 80s in the St. Louis region but it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

The Salvation Army will launch its 76th annual Tree of Lights Campaign with a fashion show, “Reimagine: Timeless Elegance in Black and White,” at 7 p.m. Friday, October 20, 2023, at The Sheldon, 3648 Washington Boulevard.

“Reimagine” will feature St. Louis designers and fashion curators and serve as the official announcement and presentation of The Salvation Army’s 2023 Tree of Lights’ chairpersons, Ozzie Smith, and Yolonda Lankford.

“I am proud to co-chair The Salvation Army’s Tree of Lights Campaign. The Salvation Army does incredible work in our community, helping thousands of people in need every year,” said Smith, a Major League Baseball Hall of Fame member, St. Louis Cardinals great and civic leader.

Lankford has received an Oprah Winfrey Angel Award, been voted one of

St. Louis’s Most Magnetic Personalities by St. Louis magazine and is a recipient of the National Council of Negro Women Legacy Award.

Premier event sponsors include Tarlton, CASS Information Systems, and Margaret and Gordon Finley. James F. Hoffmeister is community sponsor for the event with Chelsea Haynes of Fox 2’s Studio STL serving as host.

Fashion show judges include Jeff and Mary Clarke, Mother Model Management owners, Susan Sherman, Saint Louis Fashion Fund co-founder, and Matthew Anderson, MANGO styling manager. The Salvation Army will again partner with The Vault Luxury Resale and Paul Mitchell The School St. Louis.

The Tree of Lights is The Salvation Army’s biggest fundraising campaign of the year, raising funds for social services programs that support people in our community. Tickets for “Reimagine: Timeless Elegance in Black and White” and more information on the event are available at SalArmyMidland.org

Kamala Harris scores a big win

By E. Faye Williams

So many things of interest happened this past week that it’s hard to know where to begin. We’ve had the Hunter Biden case of lying on a gun application and not a word from the gun owners who defend any and every kind of gun ownership. They never care about how people got them or how they use them. Well, Hunter owned his gun for just 11 days and never used it for any reason.

We had formalities for the Sidney Powell/Kenneth Chesebro trial. Trump wants all the trials involving him pushed off until after the 2024 elections so he can pardon himself! Judge Scott McAfee in the Fulton County, Georgia, case ran a great hearing and continued to do so when counsel for his client really went there in trying to discredit a Black woman lawyer for the state. He claimed attorney Daysha Young lied to the court about existing law. The judge asked him to stop the conversation. When he didn’t, the judge just shut him down by telling him directly his conversation was over.

Three of the Memphis police officers accused of beating Tyree Nichols to death and indicted were in court this week for this horrible crime.

Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy faced a small rebellion in Congress by some of his members, and they went home without a resolution — but not before Kevin had to stoop to using the F-word. (I wonder if DeSantis is going to ban that word!

Well, amid all that negative stuff, something good happened. Vice President Kamala Harris took a trip down to Hampton University in Virginia, and did she get a serious welcome from the students! It reminded us of the Barack Obama-type welcomes. Students were so excited to have her there. The lines to get in were impressive.

Some students were so excited by her presence that they wasted no time in getting registered for the first time to vote! Her presence and her message serve as encouragement for other students at other colleges to hold the same kind of events.

If so, that is great news for the Democratic Party. From the news this week, it may also be time for Republican young people who are concerned about what young Democrats are concerned and many older Republicans seem not to care, to join forces: Climate Change, Environmental Issues, and Preservation of Democracy. That, too, sounds good for the Democrats.

Vice President Harris was at Hampton to kick off her “Fight for Our Freedoms” college tour. If she gets the same response as she received at Hampton, that’s good news for her party. At many universities, the issues she supports are issues students support — diversity, equity, and inclusion — and they will certainly be a part of her remarks.

She’s also been seen hosting a hip-hop event recently where she called hip-hop “the ultimate American art form” at a 50th-anniversary event. The party was held at the vice president’s residence. Common was there and we saw the vice president celebrate the anniversary by dancing to the music! A lot of people are beginning to understand the value of the vote of young people.

Young people should be concerned about voting when they see how far down some politicians have sunk on issues that certainly have a significant impact on the young. It is a blessing to see the work of young Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost and of David Hogg, a gun-control activist who survived the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Florida. I believe 2024 will bring a lot of young people into prominence who will not only vote but will run for office. We need them!

E. Faye Williams is president of The Dick Gregory Society (www.thedickgregorysociety.org)

Ozzie Smith and Yolanda Lankford will serve as the 2023 Salvation Army Tree of Lights co-chairs.

Photos courtesy of Salvation Army

E. Faye Williams

well.” The St. Louis American won 14 first place awards from Missouri Press, including:

• General Excellence (the eighth time the American has won this first place award)

• Community Service (for its Salute to Excellence annual programs)

• Multi-Media

Reporting (The 35th annual Salute to Excellence in Education Gala

• Best News or Feature Obituary (Alvin Reid’s piece on Tuskegee airman Christopher Newman)

• Best Video (Dawn Suggs piece on Stellar Performer in Education Dr. LaTonia CollinsSmith)

• Best Headline

Writing

• Best Story About Rural Life/Agriculture (Ashley Winters’ piece on Rustic Roots)

• Best News or Feature Special Section (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: A Business Imperative)

• Best News Story (Sylvester Brown’s piece on the execution of Kevin Johnson)

• Best News or Feature Series (Sylvester Brown’s series on the execution of Kevin Johnson)

• Tilghman Cloud Memorial Award for Best Editorial (Shining light on a historically dark day)

• Best News Photograph (Wiley Price’s

Osborn

Continued from A1

educational support of St. Louis Public Schools and districts throughout the region, Osborne will be honored as the 2023 Champion of Education during the St. Louis American Foundation’s 36th Salute to Excellence in Education on Nov. 4 at America’s Center.

Tony Thompson, chair and CEO of The Kwame Building Group and a RBC founding member,

photo capturing a Kevin Johnson supporter)

• Best Sports Columnist (Alvin A. Reid)

• Best Editorial Pages & Opinion Pages Regarding the American’s first place award for community service for its Salute to Excellence annual programs, one judge stated “This entry was amazing and should have been in a category by itself, given its scale. I cannot begin to imagine the good a program like this does.”

Second place awards include:

• Best Overall Design

• Tilghman Cloud Memorial Award for Best Editorial (Coming together in time of tragedy)

• Best Business Story (Karen Robinson-Jacobs’ piece on grants for the North Side)

• Best Coverage of Government (Aldermen scandal series)

• Best Video (Kevin Jones’ & James LeBine’s video about photojournalist Wiley Price)

Third place awards include:

• Best Online Newspaper or Website (stlamerican.com)

• Best Video (Dawn Suggs’ video on Salute awardee Yolanda Rodgers-Garvin)

• Best Breaking News Story (Ashley Winters & Alvin Reid’s piece on the SLPS school shooting)

• Best News or Feature Series (Aldermanic scandal

praised Osborn for being “a consistent champion for education, especially public schools and specifically St. Louis Public Schools.”

“She has a steadfast, laser focus in support of public education, including charter schools.’

Thompson said Osborn and he were part of the selection committee that recommended hiring Kelvin Adams as SLPS superintendent.

“He helped put SLPS back on track,” said Thompson.

“Kathy worked closely with Kelvin and the dis-

series)

• Best Columnist

– Serious (Dr. Denise Hooks-Anderson)

• Best News

Photograph (Wiley Price’s grim reminder)

• Best Sports News

Package (Alvin Reid)

• Best Sports Columnist (Earl Austin, Jr.)

• Best Newspaper In Education Project (Cathy Sewell)

• Best Healthy Story (Sylvester Brown’s piece on Republicans thwarting Medicaid expansion)

Photojournalist Wiley Price won a special award, the Photo of the Year, topping all weekly and daily newspapers, for his photo on supporters of Kevin Johnson.

“This is an affirmation of the journalism quality of our mission-driven work that is achieved by a total team effort, from the reception desk to our news room, sales department, design team, accounting and administrative staff,” said Donald M. Suggs, publisher and executive editor of the St. Louis American who was inducted formally into the Missouri Press Association Hall of Fame last weekend as well.

“We couldn’t be more proud of our team. We don’t take these awards lightly. These accolades from industry professionals are a testament to the consistent, professional, work we are committed to as we strive to provide for the community we love and are privileged to serve.”

trict to stabilize the situation. She had RBC members participate in helping with behind-the-scenes maters like financial stabilization.”

“I think everything Kathy and the RBC invested in when it comes to education has panned out.”

Adams retired from his role as SLPS superintendent at the close of 2022, and now serves as St. Louis Community Foundation president and CEO.

“Kathy has proven to be one of our community’s strongest champi-

ons of public education. During my tenure as Superintendent for the Saint Louis Public School District, I considered her a partner in resource alignment and advocating for students,” Adams said.

“Kathy took on the unique and nuanced challenge of keeping our local business community engaged in issues related to education. Her thoughtful leadership in this area brought real resources to the table.

“Kathy is a fierce advocate for education on the local, state, and even

national level – she is a true force to be reckoned with and is very deserving of this award and recognition.”

Osborn’s support for education did not begin with her RBC endeavor.

She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from UMSL and went on to serve as the vice chancellor of university relations.

Osborn is active in many organizations in the region including her ardent support of and collaberation with the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis.

Mike McMillan, Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis president says Kathy Osborn has spent her entire life trying to uplift those who need assistance with education, jobs, public safety, and overall quality of life issues,” said Mike McMillan, Urban League president and CEO.

“She has been an exceptionally supportive

partner, friend, mentor, and ally to me and to the Urban League movement in St. Louis by giving her personal time, counsel, and advice. [Also] her professional resources and those of the RBC to help African Americans and people of all races live their best lives in their community.

“Kathy is an iconic figure in the civic, charitable, and corporate communities as the great uniter for our region championing progress and prosperity for St. Louis. She understands that our community must have an educated, highly skilled workforce.”

Tickets for the 36th Annual Salute to Excellence in Education Scholarship & Awards Gala, Saturday, Nov. 4 at America’s Center, are $125 each or a table of 10 for $1,250, or $175 each for VIP tickets and VIP/ Corporate table of 10 for $1,750. Visit stlamerican. com to reserve tickets or call 314-533-8000.

On Nov. 29, 2022, St. Louis American photographer Wiley Price captured Kirkwood resident Alvin Miller launching a candle lit balloon in honor of the executed Kevin Johnson. Price’s work garnered Photo of the Year honors from the Missouri Press Association.

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Photo

inclined” father invented, but never patented. Thomas described it as a “weighing plate” used in the rebuilding of transmissions. Mechanics still use it to this day, he insisted.

It was Thomas, who followed in similar footsteps as the 18th century innovative American statesman. To date, he has invented more than eight products, ranging from a self-cleaning gutter system to a hands-free, vertical, and horizontal leveler. Unlike his father, Thomas has secured one patent and has applied for several more.

“I’ve been inventing things since I was 8 years old,” Thomas said.

He said he was already a pretty good baseball player at that age but wanted to improve his bat speed. So, he came up with a device to do just that.

“I developed a weight machine with wheels and pulleys and a hook that you’d attach to a bat. It was designed to strengthen your arm and improve your swing,” he explained.

There was a considerable gap between the 8-year-old’s first invention and the ones he started developing in later years.

Until his early 20s, sports were Thomas’ main passion. Raised in North St. Louis around the Natural Bridge and Fair Avenue area, Thomas attended Vashon High School. He was enrolled there because his father was the automotive instructor before assuming similar roles at O’Fallon Technical and North County Technical schools.

After graduating high school, Thomas was

Strikers

Continued from A1 inequality.”

“They say, ‘Look at [Gross Domestic Product.]’ They say ‘look at growth rates, look at job numbers. How are we in crisis?”’ said Cortez.

“That’s an easy thing to say for someone who primarily experiences this economy on paper, who isn’t choosing between childcare and work, or medicine and rent.

“It’s easy to say that when you’re not making those decision because those of us that do have to make those decisions feel them in the calluses of our hands and the aches in our joints at the end of a long day when we don’t have time to spend with our children and our loved ones. That’s where we feel the economy, and this is where this crisis is going on today.”

Both Bush and OcasioCortez thanked Katie Deatherage, UAW Local 2250 president, and Brandon Campbell, UAW Region 4 director, who spoke at the rally.

Bush also acknowledged St. Louis County NAACP Director John Bowman, and a number of St. Louis Board of Aldermen members who attended the rally.

Bush introduced herself as “The daughter of a former union meat cutter.”

“I know first-hand how the union can help people to live better lives, good lives, providing safety for families and better benefits. So, to you all, my UAW siblings, you

awarded a four-year baseball scholarship at the University of Arkansas - Pine Bluff. He boasted about his .471 batting average in his freshman year, adding that a .300 average is considered “good” for any minor or major league player.

Thomas dropped out of Pine Bluff after a knee injury, immediately enlisted in the Marines, and joined the Corps’ football team.

“They called me the ‘Mack Truck’ because I was the type that ran over you not around you,” Thomas chuckled.

After another injury, this time to his back, Thomas left the Marines after serving 18 months of active duty. He came back to St. Louis and was recruited by Harris-Stowe State College to play base-

deserve to have your needs met.”

Bush cited the fact that GM’s CEO makes 362 times more in salary than median worker pay.

“I don’t think that the CEO, any CEOs are worth 362 times more than the workers who are building their product,” said Bush.

The most raucous response from the crowd came when Bush said, “When workers who build a Chevy Colorado can’t afford to buy a Chevy Colorado, that’s a red flag.”

“When the Big Three raise the prices on cars by over 35% for the past four years and UAW wages have only gone up 6% during that same time, that’s a red flag. It’s time for a change and that’s a simple concept for me.”

Bush and OcasioCortez’ talking points dovetailed with what UAW International

President Shawn Fain and President Biden, the first president to join a picket line in modern times according to the White House, and all have pointed out: UAW workers are owed for their sacrifices, which helped the Obama Administration bail out and subsidize the automobile industry which was collapsing during the recession that began in 2008.

“I think the UAW gave up an incredible amount back when the automobile industry was going under,” said Biden in a press conference on Monday before he joined the strike on Tuesday in Wayne County, Michigan.

“They gave up everything from their pensions

ball again.

He caught the eye of recruiters from the Minnesota Twins and was invited for tryouts. He struck out nine players in a row, but bad luck came calling again when he threw his shoulder out during the drills.

“I was in my 20s, so I knew my baseball days were over with,” Thomas said.

Now a disabled veteran, Thomas went to work with his father who specialized in rebuilding transmissions. The back injury rendered that work impossible, so he transitioned to construction and plumbing working with a local construction company.

In 2014, he started his own company, using his father’s initials. He named it “BFT Construction (now BFT Products).”

on and they saved the automobile industry and I think that now that the industry is growing back that they should participate in the benefit of that, and I would take a look at significant increases in salaries for executives and

In 2016 he patented a drill tap bolt extractor. Basically, the tool drills into any stripped bolt and extracts it. Next, he developed a hands-free leveler with a plastic hook that wraps around any pipe as it’s being installed. At the age of 62, Thomas enrolled at St. Louis Community College - Forest Park to pursue an engineering degree. An engineering title, he thought, would add more legitimacy to his inventions. He still has several chemistry, math, and science classes to complete. Thomas has drawn up plans for a self-cleaning gutter system but said he’s still “perfecting it.” Next, was a toilet tank support system. Not much bigger than a pack of cigarettes, the inexpensive tool is propped between the toilet

growth of the industry.”

Bush earmarked “Community project spending for the UAW” and mentioned over $1 million she brought to St. Louis to create the automotive repair training center.

tank and a wall to avoid shifting or leaking.

“My invention (allows plumbers) to install toilet tanks, regardless of the measurement dynamics,” Thomas told “The Scene,” Forest Park’s newspaper in 2021. “It takes less than a minute to install, no tools are required, and it’s economical.”

His latest “big idea,” is a solar-powered “Auxiliary Storm Drain System” designed to prevent flooding by diverting flood waters back to the nearest river or lake. He’s hoping the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) or some other government agency will fund the idea he thinks will benefit any flood-ravaged area.

Thomas’ said his target market for several of his construction and

“That is estimated to [bring] direct annual economic impact of $4.2 million to the region. It’s UAW.”

She mentioned her support of the UAW proposal for a four-day, 32-hour, work week and helped

plumbing-related products are the more than 7,000 technical and vocational schools across the country. He’s even had conversations with retail outlets like Home Depot. Some have expressed interest but all voiced reservations about his ability to meet mass production demands. He needs about $35,000 to produce 5,000 units of his hands-free leveler.

“As a Black inventor, it’s hard to get funds to put my products out there on the market,” Thomas lamented.

Recognizing his dilemma, his daughter, Marilyn Perry, secretly contacted producers of the reality show, “Shark Tank” to get him an audition. Her hope was that the panel of celebrity investors would like her father’s toilet tank support system enough to invest money that would allow him to mass produce the product. Thomas auditioned in 2020, unfortunately right before the pandemic hit. Therefore, he wasn’t invited to appear on the show. Shark Tank producers, however, did give him permission to use the show’s name in his advertisements and promotional materials.

He said Shark Tank producers recently called about him auditioning again for the show’s next season. When it comes to his ideas and inventions, Thomas simply describes himself as an “out-of-thebox” thinker.

“I see things differently than other people. What I try to do is improve the existing…I find ways to improve something or create something altogether new.”

To see some of Thomas’s inventions visit: https://www.bftproducts. com/

present a resolution which the county NAACP issued in support of the UAW workers.

The picket lines at the assembly plant was comprised of about 45% African Americans and was also intergenerational.

Inventor Marvin Thomas at Forest Park Community College with two of his patented plumbing inventions Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023.

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Full steam ahead

STEAM Academy among state’s top academic performers

St. Louis American staff

STEAM Academy at McCluer SouthBerkeley High School in FergusonFlorissant School District is among the area schools that U.S. News & World Report recently ranked as one of the best high schools in America.

STEAM ranked No. 84 out of 718 high schools in Missouri, placing it in the top 12% of high schools in the state. It is among the top 35% of more than 17,600 high schools nationally.

The school’s curriculum centers on science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics. The total minority enrollment is 85%, and 99% of students are economically disadvantaged.

“Being recognized as one of the top high schools in the country is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our students, teachers, and staff, “ said Superintendent Dr. Joseph Davis.

“We are extremely proud of the commitment to excellence that is demonstrated every day. This achievement reflects our ongoing efforts to provide a rigorous and innovative education that prepares our students for success in college and beyond. We will continue to strive for excellence and provide our students with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.”

The publication ranks high schools on six factors based on how students demonstrated outstanding outcomes above

expectations including college readiness, graduation rate, number of students taking AP courses, and state assessment performance.

The Advanced Placement participation rate at STEAM Academy is 84%.

In 2021, STEAM was recognized as a Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Distinguished High School, one of 204 U.S. high schools to receive the honor.

The program “celebrates districts and schools committed to helping to empower students to unlock their potential by developing in-demand, real-world knowledge and skills necessary to thrive beyond the classroom,” said Jane Crawford, STEAM principal.

The school was recognized for its “pathways,” which include computer science, engineering, business/finance, and biomedical science.

To garner the recognition, high schools must:

-Have students enrolled in at least three PLTW High School courses from any STEM pathway during the 2019-20 school year.

-Have 25% or more students who participated in PLTW High School courses from any pathway during the 2019-20 school year, or at least 33% of those students who participated during the 201920 school year take at least two PLTW courses during their tenure at STEAM school.

-Have strategies and procedures that support proportional representation regarding race, ethnicity, poverty, and gender.

STEAM is also an NAF Academy, which is a career readiness learning program. According to the NAF website, the academies are “small, focused learning communities that fit within and enhance high school systems.”

New – but not really

Over the summer, after hearing complaints and concerns from voters, I conducted my own, unscientific survey.

The survey was on the performance of the highly anticipated, newly reconstructed, and most diverse city Board of Alderpersons that is in its first legislative session. I graded the BOA and gave them a C-. My grade is based on anger, disappointment, and skepticism. The 20232024 session is not over so let us mention some optimism and make some course adjustments.

I move all around the city. I go to many meetings and events. I attend ward meetings and tune into city of St. Louis zoom meetings. When I’m in line at the grocery store, I always get an earful about what folk think is going on.

Sometimes I feel compelled to correct or clarify a person’s perception of a situation or quote. Mostly, I listen and often those opinions and sentiments are incorporated into my columns.

In April, a historic board was sworn in. Historic—not yet in deeds—but in the process. The number of wards were reduced from 28 to 14. Annual salaries were doubled from the previous board’s wage, and BOA members now have much-needed administrative support.

The “In-Justice” Center should be providing a haven for those innocent-until-proven-innocent citizens waiting to be charged for offenses.

How is it that no one knows who is getting a whopping 850 acres of land on the Northside and for what it will be used? That’s a land mass roughly equivalent to combining Wellston and Hillsdale municipalities.

People are also upset about the attempts to privatize Fairgrounds Park. Recalling the racial riots that led to its desegregation back in 1949, this effort takes the city backward.

These are just a few of the concerns that must be addressed by those who can do something. There’s still time to make sure the city gets onto a progressive trajectory. Voters have put people in office, from the mayor to the alderpersons, to work together and implement a citizens’ agenda. We all have homework to do if that C- grade is to be raised to an A.

Many voters think that new board members have gotten the “big head,” and see themselves as king or queen of their respective fiefdoms. They feel like some clear mandates expressed by voters are being ignored.

Those include public safety (not police appeasement), land use (who’s getting our real estate?), social services (give the people what they need), and transparency (what y’all doing?).

Woke voters want to know why the Chief of Police’s salary and downtown police overtime are subsidized by the Police Foundation when citizens have demanded the police footprint be decreased.

The city jail is sucking unnecessary resources (time and money) due to persistent unsafe and unsanitary conditions that are resulting in lawsuits.

Elected and appointed officials must remember they are public servants, and that their job should always be about the greater good. They asked for citizen participation in governmental affairs. Now they need to honor and support that engagement. Be humble and responsive.

Voters should review some basic civics lessons and understand the role and authority of elected officials and governmental bodies. Criticizing an alderperson for the trash on I-70 is a complaint for the Missouri Department of Transportation. Be humble and informed.

St. Louis has less population now than it has in a century. We are majority nonwhite, yet our problems seem to increase. The city is at a crossroads as to whether it will embark upon a road of inclusion, racial equity, and accountability. The alternative is digging deeper trenches of parochialism, racial divisions, and stagnation.

Let’s all do our homework and create a brighter and more progressive future for the city.

Columnist Jamala Rogers

STEAM Academy at McCluer South-Berkeley High

Wedding Announcement

Kimberly Nicole Middleton Gray and Michael Brandon Kennedy

Kimberly Nicole Middleton Gray and Michael Brandon Kennedy found solace and love in each other as they exchanged vows in a private ceremony at the Four Seasons in St. Louis. Surrounded by their families, the couple embraced the start of a new chapter in their lives, promising to cherish and support each other every step of the way on their journey together.

Kimberly Gray, Managing Partner at Cordell & Cordell, a nationwide domestic litigation firm specializing in family law, and Michael Kennedy, the visionary CEO and owner of KAI Enterprises and The UP Companies, began dating in 2021. KAI Enterprises is a renowned national design and build firm, while The UP Companies have established themselves as one of the largest carpentry, electrical, and laborer subcontracting self-perform companies in the state of Missouri.

The joy of this union is further enriched by the presence of Kimberly and Michael’s children, who played an integral role in the ceremony, symbolizing the harmonious blending of two families. Kimberly, a loving mother, is blessed with two wonderful sons aged 8 and 10 while Michael is a devoted father to a 9-year-old son. As a newly blended family, they look forward to creating cherished moments filled with excitement and love.

As vows were exchanged, Kimberly and Michael were filled with

love and anticipation for the future they will share together. Surrounded by their families, the couple expressed profound gratitude for the opportunity to build a nurturing home for their children. The private ceremony marked the union of two St. Louis families vested in transforming the communities they serve.

“We are beyond grateful for the love and support of our families as we begin this new chapter together,” said Kimberly. “Our children are the center of our world, and we can’t wait to build a loving and nurturing home for them.”

Michael added, “Today is a day of immense joy and gratitude. Our love is not only for each other but

also for our children. We are excited to watch them grow together and treasure every moment as a blended family.”

Continuing their Family Legacy

Kimberly is the eldest daughter of Drs. Michael and Julie Middleton of Columbia, Missouri. Michael A. Middleton is Deputy Chancellor Emeritus and Professor Emeritus of Law and former Interim President at the University of Missouri and Julie N. Middleton is the retired Director of Organizational Development at the University of Missouri. Michael is the eldest son of Michael and Joya Kennedy of St. Louis.

Obama Museum Director joins cultural leaders in Advancing Change at Art Museum tomorrow

The Saint Louis Art Museum invites you to join us tomorrow, Friday, September 29, for our third annual Advancing Change in-person and virtual diversity summit. The Art Museum continues to set the stage for ongoing changes to ensure it remains relevant to the people it serves. From its exhibitions and acquisitions to its community collaborations to its boards and staffing. Advancing Change: Museums, Libraries, and Communities diversity summit showcases the Art Museum’s commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in cultural institutions and its dedication to fostering meaningful community engagement.

The Art Museum doors open at 8 a.m. with morning coffee and tea before presentations, and lively discussions begin at 9 a.m. The summit brings together museum and library leaders to share how they are constructing places for community engagement beyond the institution’s walls, transforming the perception of museums and libraries as unchanging spaces.

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

Dr. Louise Bernard, senior vice president at the Obama Foundation and founding director of the Obama Presidential Center Museum, will deliver the keynote address. Since 2017, Bernard has led the design, development, and operation of the Museum of the Obama

Dr. Carla Hayden, Director of the Library of Congress

Presidential Center, which is scheduled to open in Chicago in 2025.

Dr. Carla Hayden will bring us remarks from Washington. Hayden was sworn in as the 14th Librarian of Congress in 2016 as the first woman and first African American to lead the national library in Washington. She was nominated to the position by President Barack Obama.

Celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Romare Bearden Graduate Museum Fellowship, the Saint Louis Art Museum welcomes back more than 25 alumni of the fellowship who have gone on to become arts leaders. This year’s two-panel discussions center museum and library leaders in their communities and explore alternative collaborative models to better engage with the citizens we serve. We invite you to register today for this informative and inspirational event at slam.org under events for in-person or virtual session. Free tickets for the on-site program can be picked up in person at the Museum’s Information Centers.

All tickets secured through MetroTix incur a service charge; the service charge is waived for tickets obtained in person at the Museum.

Kimberly Nicole Middleton Gray and Michael Brandon Kennedy

United Way Leadership Society kicks off Divine 9 fundraising challenge

Friendly competition raises thousands of dollars every year to support the community

Recently United Way of Greater St. Louis’ Charmaine Chapman Society kicked off the Divine 9 fundraising challenge. The Charmaine Chapman Society has 600 members and is one of the largest Black philanthropic groups in the nation.

The Divine 9 challenge is designed to increase financial support for United Way’s annual campaign and celebrate Black Sorority’s and Fraternity’s continued commitment to service that ensures the St. Louis region is a better place to live, work and thrive.

Last year’s challenge raised a total of $354,000

and the winners were: Sorority = Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. - $107,857 Fraternity = Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.$53,273

This year’s Divine 9 co-chairs will be Francella Jackson and Cedric Mitchell. The fundraising challenge will run through November 20.

This challenge will serve as an avenue to bring together members of the nine historically Black Sororities and Fraternities in the St. Louis region to support the community by pledging to the United Way Leadership level annual gift of $1,000 or more.

“Since 2001, I have

Howard Richards, Keith Williamson, Michelle and Kennard Tucker and Mike Claiborne helped celebrate the start of the Divine 9 fundraising challenge.

supported United Way’s Charmaine Chapman Society because it serves as a tremendous vehicle that delivers a vast array of hope to people in need,” said Jackson. “I am looking forward to the competitive aspect of the challenge in that it creates a chance to come together with other Divine 9 organizations to raise money to amplify our support for United Way and contribute positively to

our community.”

The money raised for United Way’s campaign will be used to support over 160 local nonprofits throughout the region that help the people they serve get access to essential needs, youth success, jobs and financial security, health and wellbeing, and community and crisis response. Thirty of the nonprofits served by United Way are led by

Black CEOs or executive directors.

Those looking to support United Way by making a donation can visit Helpingpeople.org.

“The Charmaine Chapman Society has been one of the pillars of United Way’s philanthropic efforts in the community for a long time and we are so grateful for their leadership and support,” said Michelle Tucker, Presi-

dent and CEO of United Way of Greater St. Louis.

“This Divine 9 challenge is a way for us to spark the spirit of cheerful giving amongst our philanthropic leaders who want to make a difference in the community. The great thing about this competition is that the community will win no matter what.”

As each of us gets older, what we need for our healthcare changes— sometimes more than once. That’s why Humana has providers like Oak Street Health in our network that specialize in geriatric care. We connect you with doctors who take time to get to know you, offering care that evolves alongside you and a dedicated team who prioritizes your whole health.

North City 3451 Union Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63115 Florissant 472 N. Highway 67 Florissant, MO 63031 Jennings 8033 W. Florissant Ave. Jennings, MO 63136

Other Providers are available in our network. Provider may also contract with other plan sponsors. Important! At Humana, it is important you are treated fairly. Humana Inc. and its subsidiaries comply with applicable Federal Civil Rights laws and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, ancestry, marital status or religion. ATTENTION: If you do not speak English, language assistance services, free of charge, are available to you. Call 1-855-360-4575 (TTY: 711) Español (Spanish): ATENCIÓN: Si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingü.stica. Llame al 1-800-706-6167 (TTY: 711)

The AKAs are getting ready for the campaign.

The Kappas were in the house as well.

The Delta ladies led all sororities and fraternities last year.

Getting schooled on College Kids facts

Despite this column breaking the news last week that St. Louis Public Schools had suddenly decided to freeze its contract with the City Treasurer’s Office for the College Kids program, our reporting was dismissed on social media as “rumors” and “gossip.”

But on Monday this week, the Riverfront Times released its more detailed coverage of the story –disclosed that the so-called “gossip” was not only true but further revealed the unfortunate politics that have gotten in the way of serving St. Louis schoolchildren.

In an unfortunate “he said, she said,” two City organizations - both led by elected officials - have became engaged in heated conflict over the College Kids fund. Board President Antoinette “Toni” Cousins says that the Board of Education needs more information about the program; the Treasurer’s Office, led by former Board of Education member Adam Layne maintains that the information requested is already publicly available.

The freeze comes after more than 7 years since the program’s initiation by then-treasurer, now-Mayor Tishaura Jones. In 2015, Jones - answering one of the recommendations called for in the Ferguson Report - created the College Kids savings fund.

The conflict also means that SLPS is freezing its participation in the city’s upcoming Guaranteed Basic Income pilot program, which would distribute $500 monthly payments

to SLPS parents for an 18-month period. An estimated 440 families were expecting to participate in the GBI pilot program that was supposed to begin later this year.

In the broader picture, a lapse in communication is an easy fix, and, among the back and forth, those who are harmed the most are St. Louis schoolchildren and their families who otherwise might not have the opportunity to save for college or pay for groceries. We hope that whatever information is needed is provided, we want SLPS families to get their much-needed relief soon, and look forward to seeing this roadblock cleared soon.

•

Only a few years after the U.S. Department of Justice ended its oversight of the St. Louis County Family Court, the judicial system is once again facing public scrutiny for what seems to be repeated behavior that first caught federal attention ten years ago. In 2013, the DOJ opened an investigation into the county family court after families reported that their children were not being given access to attorneys and Black children were being discriminated against by judges and prosecutors. The County and the DOJ entered into a three-year agreement in 2016, which required double the available defense counsel for children accused of crimes; providing better training to court staff in working with

children; incorporating a probable cause standard in detention hearings; standardizing the format for court hearings to ensure that children who enter guilty pleas are doing so knowingly and voluntarily; holding public meetings; and collecting court data properly.

The scathing 61-page report pulled no punches in pointing out the racist, prejudicial practices that were regularly practiced within the juvenile criminal system, but St. Louis County agreed to do better. However, after the DOJ pulled out in 2019, it seems as if the earlier culture inside the county’s juvenile detention facilities has returned.

On Tuesday afternoon,

the St. Louis County Council called an emergency meeting to discuss very serious issues raised by parents of children who are incarcerated in the county juvenile detention center. In addition to unnecessary and excessive force complaints against county corrections staff, parents say their children are sometimes not allowed to call them and others have reported bed bugs. Even more concerning are the reports that children are not allowed out of their cells to use a toilet, forcing them to urinate in food containers inside of their cells. Access to showers and personal hygiene concerns were also cited by parents.

Last week, Clayton po-

lice responded to an assault reported at the juvenile facility, further underscoring the need for immediate oversight by someone outside of the courts.

According to the most recent data, there are around 60 children detained in the St. Louis County juvenile facility, with the majority being young Black boys primarily from Jennings, Dellwood, Ferguson, and Bellefontaine Neighbors. Considering the County’s well-documented history of violating the rights of children - Black children in particular - perhaps it’s not too soon to ask the DOJ to come back.

Finally, the Missouri House Speaker, Dean Plocher (R-Des Peres), has gained the FBI’s attention following allegations that he threatened to fire a nonpartisan staff member whom Plocher reportedly tried to pressure into hiring a private company for a $400,000-per-year contract.

Last week, a 20+ year veteran of the Missouri House and the current chief clerk emailed another Republican lawmaker to address threats that Plocher made regarding her employment after she pushed back on the House Speaker’s demands to retain a private company that manages a software database of constituent information.

Citing Plocher’s lieutenant governor aspirations and upcoming political campaign activity, the clerk

additionally expressed her “growing concerns of unethical and perhaps unlawful conduct.” Considering the power wielded by a legislative leader in a Republican super-majority state, “unethical and perhaps unlawful” is a generous way to frame his alledged behavior. Other legislative employees have complained about Plocher’s borderline abusive behavior, but there was an FBI agent at a legislative committee hearing last week when Plocher discussed the issue of the contract. The committee ultimately opted to continue to use the current and free constituent management database.

Most recently, Plocher’s contributions to the St. Louis regional community have included actively trying to undermine St. Louis City voters and our municipal sovereignty by supporting a state takeover of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (despite declining homicides, robberies, and other violent crimes). He’s also been very public about his irrational fear of St. Louis City. Furthermore, despite not being a City resident and is indifferent to its budget reality, he has been a loud opponent of the City’s earning tax. All of this is driven by his politically-motivated pandering to the GOP’s rural base prior to the 2024 election. This is another example of a politician willing to use any means, no matter how unethical or baseless, to take power.

Food for thought on your next trip to the grocery store.

Every item that winds up in your paper – or plastic – bag wouldn’t make it home if some of your favorite grocery store workers didn’t make it to work by riding Metro.

The more you look around, the more you’ll see. We all need Metro, whether we ride or not.

RIDE ON to grocery store runs RideOnMetro.org

Antoinette “Toni” Cousins

‘Taking Care of You’

Stewarding future nurses

David Steward II endows Goldfarb scholarship to honor mom

Kayla Washington of East St. Louis, Illinois is the first nursing student to benefit from the

Steward Future Nurse of Excellence Scholarship at Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School

or Goldfarb for short.

By Ashley Winters

The St. Louis American

Academy Award-winning producer and owner of multiple entertainment businesses including Lion Forge

Animation David Steward II is awarding future nurses with the Thelma Steward Future Nurse of Excellence Scholarship at Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing

In honor of his mother, a former nurse, Steward’s gift provides a full-tuition scholarship to African American nursing students each year. The animation creator hopes to see more diverse

nurses in the field from this opportunity and address the critical demand in health care.

“I have a deep respect for all the work nurses do. A lot of them are the driving force in some medical situations,” said Steward.

Steward says it’s important for him and his family to try and enu-

merate more people in the field of nursing, especially because the lack of diversity depicts some patients’ level of confidence in the care they are receiving.

“It’s important to support more Black nurses,” said Steward. He says having the scholarship would encourage more future nurses to act on their career of choice, especially those who are facing financial barriers.

Kayla Washington of East St. Louis, Illinois is the first nursing student to benefit from the Thelma

Addressing Parkinson’s disease in Black community

By Valerie Gibson

Too many African Americans with Parkinson’s disease experience invisibility when it comes to their medical care. In fact, no one in the Parkinson’s healthcare community even has an estimate as to the number of Black people in this country living with the disease. As a Black neurological physical therapist who has treated Parkinson’s patients for over 40 years, I am painfully aware of the pervasive racial disparities in healthcare that deprive Black Parkinson’s patients of the care they need and deserve. Parkinson’s is a disorder of the central nervous system that affects movement and coordination. Caused by nerve cell damage in the brain, it is a chronic, progressive disease in which motor symptoms continue to worsen and become more debilitating. Typically, Black patients with Parkinson’s are first seen at later stages of their disease than white patients.

n Typically, Black patients with Parkinson’s are first seen at later stages of their disease than White patients.

Much of this disparity is attributable to an inequitable healthcare system. While there is no known cure for Parkinson’s, physical, occupational and speech therapy, combined with certain medications, are critical to effective treatment. A recent study commissioned by the Michael J. Fox Foundation found that profound disparities exist in Black Parkinson’s patients’ access to care, treatment, and rehabilitation. (Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Parkinson Disease, A Call to Action (2023). Among the study’s findings were that Blacks were much more likely to be previously undiagnosed with Parkinson’s disease

Eating disorders do not avoid Black community

Ailments often overlooked

By JoAnn Weaver St. Louis American

Eating disorders are on the rise in America, and the Black community is not immune from the trend.

Research published in the Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology in 2018 found that Black girls were at higher initial levels of all eating disorder symptoms. They do register a greater decline of symptoms over time.

Black girls had a greater likelihood of being in the decreasing trajectories for dieting, bulimia/food preoccupation, and total eating disorder symptom scores. White girls were more likely to follow increasing trajectories of dieting and total eating disorder symp-

n Black girls had a greater likelihood of being in the decreasing trajectories for dieting, bulimia/food preoccupation, and total eating disorder symptom scores.

tom scores compared to Black girls, according to that same study. There is limited research regarding how eating disorders affect Black children, according to Melissa Spann, chief clinical officer at Monte Nido & Affiliates, although they are less

See EATING, A15

As with many health detriments, Black Americans often do not receive proper treatment for eating disorders because physicians and health professionals do not inquire information from Black patients.

Thelma

of Nursing,

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

See NURSES, A15

See PARKINSON’S, A15

Photo courtesy of Zinnia Health

Valerie Gibson

David Steward II

‘Taking Care of You’

Medical debt to be banned from credit scores

Kaiser Health News

The Biden administration announced a major initiative to protect Americans from medical debt on Thursday, outlining plans to develop federal rules barring unpaid medical bills from affecting patients’ credit scores.

The regulations, if enacted, would potentially help tens of millions of people who have medical debt on their credit reports, eliminating information that can depress consumers’ scores and make it harder for many to get a job, rent an apartment, or secure a car loan.

New rules would also represent one of the most significant federal actions to tackle medical debt, a problem that burdens about 100 million people and forces legions to take on extra work, give up their homes, and ration food and other essentials, a KFF Health News-NPR investigation found.

“No one in this country should have to go into debt to get the quality health care they need,” said Vice President Kamala Harris,

Nurses

Continued from A14

Steward Future Nurse of Excellence Scholarship at Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing, or Goldfarb for short.

Her first term began in January, and she is on target to graduate in August 2024 with a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing.

“I literally screamed to the top of my lungs

Eating

Continued from A14 likely to be diagnosed with anorexia than white children.

“However, once the diagnosis is made, they’ve often been struggling for a longer period of time, so what that tells us is that people are struggling in silence and that eating disorders are going undiagnosed, and some of that research comes particularly from primary physicians,” she said.

Spann said a diagnosis of this disorder usually means that a Black child may have suffered longer than a white child due to lack of questioning by a primary care physician.

“In general, the sort of research says that BIPOC folks are less likely than white folks to be asked by a doctor about eating disorders,” she said.

“That’s concerning certainly when we talk about the onset and development

Parkinson’s

Continued from A14 and/or misdiagnosed with a different movement disorder, delays in diagnosis often result in Black patients presenting for care at more advanced stages of Parkinson’s and therefore exhibiting worse symptoms as compared with white patients, and there exists a glaring lack of diversity in Parkinson’s clinical trials. These findings mirror

who announced the new moves along with Rohit Chopra, head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, or CFPB. The agency will be charged with developing the new rules.

“These measures will improve the credit scores of millions of Americans so that they will better be able to invest in their future,” Harris said.

Enacting new regulations can be a lengthy process.

Administration officials said Thursday that the new rules would be developed next year.

Such an aggressive step to restrict credit reporting and debt collection by hospitals and other medical providers will also almost certainly stir industry opposition.

At the same time, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which was formed in response to the 2008 financial crisis, is under fire from Republicans, and its future may be jeopardized by a case before the Supreme Court, whose conservative majority has been chipping away at

when I read that I received a full ride to school,” said Washington.

It was Christmas Eve when Washington opened her email to the most exciting news of her academic career. She was at home with her family prepping for Christmas dinner— “It was the best Christmas present ever,” she said.

Having the scholarship frees Washington from worrying about tuition fees, she says growing up in East St. Louis didn’t provide her with a lot of

in eating disorders.”

One of the more alarming numbers is how Black children are disproportionately affected by bulimia, or the act of purging the stomach after eating a meal.

“This is probably one of the more staggering statistics about eating disorders in the Black community that I’ve seen, which is that Black teenagers are 50% more likely than white teenagers to exhibit bulimic behavior,” she said.

Spann said the stigma around mental health services also sometimes blocks treatment.

“I think that’s sort of the mixed bag and overall I think within the Black community that the question is actually how often are mental health services sought in general, and so I think in different populations, there’s significant stigmas associated with mental health, and as a result of that, people might be less likely to ask for help in addition to physi-

my own observations and experience in treating Black people with Parkinson’s. Case in point – a Black patient was told by her doctors after her medications were no longer effective that “there was nothing more” that could be done for her even though they failed to refer her for any movement disorder therapy. She is currently undergoing a vigorous physical therapy regimen in my clinic and showing marked improvement as a result. What can we do to pro-

federal regulatory powers.

But the move by the Biden administration drew strong praise from patients’ and consumer groups, many of whom have been pushing for years for the federal government to strengthen protections against medical debt.

“This is an important milestone in our collective efforts and will provide immediate relief to people that have unfairly had their credit impacted simply because they got sick,” said Emily Stewart, executive director of Community Catalyst, a Boston nonprofit that has helped lead national medical debt efforts.

Credit reporting, a threat designed to induce patients to pay their bills, is the most common collection tactic used by hospitals, a KFF Health News analysis has shown.

“Negative credit reporting is one of the biggest pain points for patients with medical

opportunities compared to communities like Fairview Heights or St. Louis. Her family lives off one income, something most people take for granted like healthy food options for Washington wasn’t always available. In her neighborhood, they were far and in between—she describes life sometimes as a real struggle.

With gratitude in her voice, Washington said the scholarship took a load off her and her parents, especially because she was looking for a part-time job

debt,” said Chi Chi Wu, a senior attorney at the National Consumer Law Center. “When we hear from consumers about medical debt, they often talk about the devastating consequences that bad credit from medical debts has had on their financial lives.” Although a single black mark on a credit score may not have a huge effect for some people, the impact can be devastating for those with large unpaid medical bills. There is growing evidence, for example, that credit scores depressed by medical debt can threaten people’s access to housing and fuel homelessness in many communities.

At the same time, CFPB researchers have found that medical debt — unlike other kinds of debt — does not accurately predict a consumer’s creditworthiness, calling into question how useful

to help pay for school.

“Now I can focus on my education and not have to worry about my finances, I will have more time to study,” said the nursing student.

Washington was inspired by her late aunt to pursue a career in nursing, her aunt would tell her regularly that nursing was the best job she ever had. In 2006 her aunt died from breast cancer, Washington remembers the loving care her aunt received from the nurses who

cians asking the questions to make appropriate diagnoses; sort of both of those things together can certainly contribute to individuals not getting the help that they need,” she said.

Spann went on to talk about how monitoring this behavior and seeking treatment when appropriate would be the best course of action to combat the disorder.

“The onus does go back to parents, families, coaches, and the communities in

vide Black people living with Parkinson’s the same level of care given to their white counterparts? We must work more effectively to educate the African American community and medical providers to recognize Parkinson’s symptoms in Black people at the earliest stage possible. Emphasis must be on earlier and accurate diagnosis – the earlier the diagnosis and beginning of treatment, the better chance to mitigate symptoms and arrive at an improved outcome. Timely referrals

it is on a credit report.

The three largest credit agencies — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — said they would stop including some medical debt on credit reports as of last year. The excluded debts included paid-off bills and those less than $500. But the agencies’ voluntary actions left out millions of patients with bigger medical bills on their credit reports. And many consumer and patient advocates called for more action.

The National Consumer Law Center, Community Catalyst, and some 50 other groups in March sent letters to the CFPB and IRS urging stronger federal action to rein in hospital debt collection.

State leaders also have taken steps to expand consumer protections. In June, Colorado enacted a bill that prohibits medical debt from being included on residents’ credit reports or factored into their credit scores.

Hospital leaders and representatives of the debt collection industry have warned that such

took care of her–she says they were wonderful, and those moments inspired her to follow in her aunt’s footsteps. It’s her way of honoring her legacy.

The nursing student’s time at Goldfarb as she describes it is simply amazing, she has opportunities that she didn’t think she would partake in, for instance, peer tutoring and peer leaders–the peer leaders help her with job placement. She says her teachers go out of their way to make sure she is succeeding academically.

campuses. In fact, it is estimated that between 10% to 20% of women and 4% to 10% of men in college suffer from an eating disorder.

“Back to school brings on a lot of different stressors and pressures, so there are adjustments to new teachers, new schedules, often times if kids are playing any kind of sports or, what are they doing after school, then it’s figuring out how to fit in both academically and socially,” Spann said

which we live to keep our kids healthy,” she said. With students back in school and college, parents should be aware of eating disorders as numbers are rising.

The start of the school year can be a new beginning for some, while the pressures can lead to unhealthy ways of coping for others, including behaviors indicative of eating disorders.

Eating disorders have been on the rise on school

must be made to physical therapists and other movement disorder specialists as their programs can make a substantial difference in the well-being of Black Parkinson’s patients. Efforts must be made to identify and recruit more Black people to participate in clinical trials to facilitate better research into how the disease affects Black people specifically. Finally, foundations and other organizations must grant funds for programs designed to treat

restrictions on the ability of medical providers to get their bills paid may have unintended consequences, such as prompting more hospitals and physicians to require upfront payment before delivering care.

Looser credit requirements could also make it easier for consumers who can’t handle more debt to get loans they might not be able to pay off, others have warned.

“It is unfortunate that the CFPB and the White House are not considering the host of consequences that will result if medical providers are singled out in their billing, compared to other professions or industries,” said Scott Purcell, chief executive of ACA International, the collection industry’s leading trade association.

KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism.

“It’s almost impossible to not be successful at Goldfarb,” said Washington. The future nurse needs to be a shining star for the kids in East St. Louis, she wants to show them how someone from their neighborhood can be a success.

“I want to show them that if I can do it, they can do it too,” said Washington.

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

pay attention to so I think for families in particular, one of the biggest warning signs is if you’re coming from a family where you guys eat together and suddenly your kid refuses to eat with you or is eating in the room or wants to eat somewhere else that’s something to be mindful of,” she said.

“All of those things sort of become a little bit of a melting pot of potential challenges to mental health, and from that is where we can see unhealthy habits develop.”

According to Spann, medical professionals observe this disorder start to develop in middle/high school. When asked about warning signs, she said families should pay attention to sudden changes in a child’s eating habits.

“There’s a lot of different warning signs to

and rehabilitate the African American Parkinson’s community. Recently, the Parkinson’s Foundation denied applications for grants for physical therapy programs for Black patients specifically, while continuing to fund therapy and wellness programs treating other demographic communities. It is past time for the Parkinson’s Foundation to stop paying lip-service to being inclusive and to become serious about funding programs that would provide better outcomes for Black people

“If you see any changes or fluctuations in weight, oftentimes with eating disorders people think about being a smaller body or weight loss and that’s especially in different communities with different populations, that’s where eating disorders get missed.”

Spann pointed out that binge eating is also a form of eating disorder.

“It can also be someone who is eating and then exercising really hard to lose the weight or purging in any sort of way, or it could be hiding or hoarding or stealing food, or whatever would be normal for that particular kid,” the medical officer said.

with the disease. Every Parkinson’s patient, regardless of race or ethnicity, is entitled to be equally visible to the medical community and should be given the highest quality care possible to enable them to live a life with dignity. Unequal healthcare is not only unjust, but also inhumane. We must do better.

Valerie Gibson, PT, DPT is founder and CEO of the Advanced Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Center.

Kamala Harris

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

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

At the St Louis American’s 2023 Summer Science Academy, participants in the Saint Louis Science Center’s Youth Exploring Science ( YES) Program assist young science students in an engineering project to build a roller coaster out of

SCIENCE CORNER

Geology

Geologists are scientists who study the matter that makes up the ear th. They also study the ear th’s histor y and the processes that have formed it I t has been said that geologists tell the stor y of the ear th. Geologists study ear thquakes rock formations oil exploration, groundwater volcanoes and soil erosion. Geologists may work in the use a variety of chemistr y, biology physics, and other sciences

Farmers depend on accurate soil sampling, land erosion monitoring and water drainage information provided by geologists Fishermen also seek the help

SCIENCE INVESTIGATION

I t ’s your turn to be a geologist In this experiment, you will learn about the weathering of rocks

Materials Needed:

•

Notebook • Camera

Process:

q Moisten the clay with a little bit of water

of geologists who can explain silting, under water seismic events, and other factors that may impact the waters Geologists are usually logical thinkers, good problem solvers and enjoy work ing outdoors

Discussion Questions: Would you be interested in a career in geology? Why or why not?

For More Information, Go to: www k idsgeo com/geology-for-k ids

Learning Standards: I can read careers in science

w Divide the clay into two equal pieces, and roll it into a ball or use it to form a square

e Use the plastic wrap to carefully wrap each piece of clay

r Place one piece of clay into the freezer and leave the other piece on a counter The clay will stay in the freezer overnight

MATH CONNECTION

Practicing math facts is fun when you use rocks or pebbles Tr y these three activities

q Sor ting: Use rocks and pebbles

Sor t them in categories such as small, medium, and large Sor t them by sur face: rough or smooth. Sor t them by color. Have students decide a rule for sor ting their rocks and have the other students guess what rule they used to sor t the rocks

w Calculate I t: Use chalk to draw 10 squares on the sidewalk or black top. Label the squares 1-10. Each student will throw two pebbles into a square The student will then

t After the clay has sat rnight, take the clay out of the freezer and unwrap both pieces y Make obser vations How is the sur face of the clay? Do you notice any cracks? Take a picture of both pieces of clay and write your obser vations in your notebook u Place the clay in the freezer and repeat the process for several days Which piece of clay looks more weathered, the piece that has been frozen or the piece that has been on the counter? What obser vation can you make about temperature and rocks? How do the cracks change over time?

Rock On with math games

add, subtract, multiply or divide those two numbers For an added challenge, you can use 20 squares e Rock Review : Use a marker to label 20 pebbles with the numbers 1-20. Place them in a sealed bag Students will take turns drawing two pebbles to practice addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division sk ills For example, if a student draws a 2 and a 6. They can state 2+6=8, 6-2=4, 6x2=12, 6/2=3.

Learning Standards: I can add, subtract, multiply, and divide to solve a problem.

SCIENCE STARS

Samuel B. Mukasa

Samuel B Mukasa was born on September 29, 1955, in Maseno, Kenya His parents divorced when he was only six years old, and he was raised by his mother. He attended high school in Kampala, Uganda, and then went to the University of New Hampshire in 1977 for his bachelor s degree in geology In 1980, he received his master s degree in geology from Ohio State University In 1984, Mukasa received his doctorate degree in geochemistr y from the University of California

After graduation, Mukasa worked at the Laborator y at Lamont-Doherty Earth obser vator y at Columbia University for a few years before he worked as an assistant professor at the University of Florida. In 1989, Mukasa began work at the University of Michigan In 2007, he was promoted to the dean of the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences at the University of New Hampshire Mukasa’s research focused on the plate tectonics of the continents which describes the motion of the plates covering the earth He has also participated in several ser vice organizations including the Polar Research Board of the National Research Council and the National Science Foundation Mukasa received an honorar y Doctorate of Science by the Nkumba University in Uganda. In 2010, he was elected to ser ve as president of the Geochemical Society He has written and received many grants to continue research in students Most importantly Mukasa worked with the Science and Technology Recruiting to Improve Diversity and Excellence (STRIDE). STRIDE provides assistance to communities with minorities who wish to pursue higher education after they graduate from high school

Discussion Questions: in science terms? Can you think of any other types of scientist geochemist does?

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

Gigantic

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

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

CLASSROOM SPOTLIGHT

At the St. Louis American’s 2023 Summer Science Academy, participants in the Saint Louis Science Center’s Youth Exploring Science (YES) Program assist young science students in an engineering project to build a roller coaster out of recycled items.

Teachers, if you are using

SCIENCE CORNER

What Is Geology ?

Geology is the study of the earth, its rocks and minerals. Geologists are scientists who study the matter that makes up the earth. They also study the earth’s history and the processes that have formed it. It has been said that geologists tell the story of the earth. Geologists study earthquakes, rock formations, oil exploration, groundwater, volcanoes and soil erosion. Geologists may work in the research lab or in the field. They use a variety of chemistry, biology, physics, and other sciences.

Farmers depend on accurate soil sampling, land erosion monitoring and water drainage information provided by geologists. Fishermen also seek the help

SCIENCE INVESTIGATION

It’s your turn to be a geologist. In this experiment, you will learn about the weathering of rocks.

Materials Needed:

• Plastic Wrap • Clay • Water • Notebook • Camera Process:

q Moisten the clay with a little bit of water.

of geologists who can explain silting, underwater seismic events, and other factors that may impact the waters. Geologists are usually logical thinkers, good problem solvers and enjoy working outdoors.

Discussion Questions: Would you be interested in a career in geology? Why or why not?

For More Information, Go to: www.kidsgeo.com/geology-for-kids

Learning Standards: I can read nonfiction text to learn about careers in science.

w Divide the clay into two equal pieces, and roll it into a ball or use it to form a square.

e Use the plastic wrap to carefully wrap each piece of clay.

r Place one piece of clay into the freezer and leave the other piece on a counter. The clay will stay in the freezer overnight.

MATH CONNECTION

Practicing math facts is fun when you use rocks or pebbles. Try these three activities.

q Sorting: Use rocks and pebbles of different shapes, sizes, and colors. Sort them in categories such as small, medium, and large. Sort them by surface: rough or smooth. Sort them by color. Have students decide a rule for sorting their rocks and have the other students guess what rule they used to sort the rocks.

w Calculate It: Use chalk to draw 10 squares on the sidewalk or black top. Label the squares 1-10. Each student will throw two pebbles into a square. The student will then

DID YOU KNOW?

t After the clay has sat overnight, take the clay out of the freezer and unwrap both pieces.

y Make observations. How is the surface of the clay? Do you notice any cracks? Take a picture of both pieces of clay and write your observations in your notebook.

u Place the clay in the freezer and repeat the process for several days. Which piece of clay looks more weathered, the piece that has been frozen or the piece that has been on the counter? What observation can you make about temperature and rocks? How do the cracks change over time?

Rock

add, subtract, multiply or divide those two numbers. For an added challenge, you can use 20 squares. e Rock Review: Use a marker to label 20 pebbles with the numbers 1-20. Place them in a sealed bag. Students will take turns drawing two pebbles to practice addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division skills. For example, if a student draws a 2 and a 6. They can state 2+6=8, 6-2=4, 6x2=12, 6/2=3.

Learning Standards: I can add, subtract, multiply, and divide to solve a problem.

SCIENCE STARS

AFRICAN AMERICAN GEOCHEMIST: Samuel B. Mukasa

Samuel B. Mukasa was born on September 29, 1955, in Maseno, Kenya. His parents divorced when he was only six years old, and he was raised by his mother. He attended high school in Kampala, Uganda, and then went to the University of New Hampshire in 1977 for his bachelor’s degree in geology. In 1980, he received his master’s degree in geology from Ohio State University. In 1984, Mukasa received his doctorate degree in geochemistry from the University of California.

After graduation, Mukasa worked at the Laboratory at Lamont-Doherty Earth observatory at Columbia University for a few years before he worked as an assistant professor at the University of Florida. In 1989, Mukasa began work at the University of Michigan. In 2007, he was promoted to the dean of the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences at the University of New Hampshire.

Mukasa’s research focused on the plate tectonics of the continents, which describes the motion of the plates covering the earth. He has also participated in several service organizations, including the Polar Research Board of the National Research Council, and the National Science Foundation. Mukasa received an honorary Doctorate of Science by the Nkumba University in Uganda. In 2010, he was elected to serve as president of the Geochemical Society. He has written and received many grants to continue research in the field of geochemistry and has served as a mentor to many students. Most importantly, Mukasa worked with the Science and Technology Recruiting to Improve Diversity and Excellence (STRIDE). STRIDE provides assistance to communities with minorities who wish to pursue higher education after they graduate from high school.

Discussion Questions: What does the prefix “geo” mean in science terms? Can you think of any other types of scientist with “geo” as a prefix? What do you think a geologist or geochemist does?

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

MAP CORNER

Use the newspaper to complete the following activities: Save the Earth: Think about ways human activity affects our environment.

Locate pictures of people solving environmental problems in your community. Cut and paste the pictures in a mural titled, “We Can Save the Earth.”

Future Artifacts: Artifacts help us learn about our history. Locate a picture of something in the newspaper that could someday be used as an artifact. Paste the picture on a piece of paper and write about what the future scientists could learn from the artifact.

Learning Standards:

I can use the newspaper to locate information. I can create a bar graph and make observations.

The word fossil comes from the Latin word “fossilis,”

Gigantic pink granite boulders can be found at Elephant Rocks State Park near Graniteville, Mo. The rocks even have names. The largest one is named Dumbo and stands 27 feet tall, 35 feet long, and 17 feet wide. It weighs 680 tons.

The Great Barrier Reef in Australia is the largest living structure in the world.

Rock found at the bottom of the Grand Canyon is around 2 billion years old.

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

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

CLASSROOM SPOTLIGHT

At the St. Louis American’s 2023 Summer Science Academy, participants in the Saint Louis Science Center’s Youth Exploring Science (YES) Program assist young science students in an engineering project to build a roller coaster out of recycled items.

Teachers, if you are using

SCIENCE CORNER

What Is Geology ?

Geology is the study of the earth, its rocks and minerals. Geologists are scientists who study the matter that makes up the earth. They also study the earth’s history and the processes that have formed it. It has been said that geologists tell the story of the earth. Geologists study earthquakes, rock formations, oil exploration, groundwater, volcanoes and soil erosion. Geologists may work in the research lab or in the field. They use a variety of chemistry, biology, physics, and other sciences.

Farmers depend on accurate soil sampling, land erosion monitoring and water drainage information provided by geologists. Fishermen also seek the help

SCIENCE INVESTIGATION

It’s your turn to be a geologist. In this experiment, you will learn about the weathering of rocks.

Materials Needed:

• Plastic Wrap • Clay • Water • Notebook • Camera Process:

q Moisten the clay with a little bit of water.

of geologists who can explain silting, underwater seismic events, and other factors that may impact the waters. Geologists are usually logical thinkers, good problem solvers and enjoy working outdoors.

Discussion Questions: Would you be interested in a career in geology? Why or why not?

For More Information, Go to: www.kidsgeo.com/geology-for-kids

Learning Standards: I can read nonfiction text to learn about careers in science.

w Divide the clay into two equal pieces, and roll it into a ball or use it to form a square.

e Use the plastic wrap to carefully wrap each piece of clay.

r Place one piece of clay into the freezer and leave the other piece on a counter. The clay will stay in the freezer overnight.

MATH CONNECTION

Practicing math facts is fun when you use rocks or pebbles. Try these three activities.

q Sorting: Use rocks and pebbles of different shapes, sizes, and colors. Sort them in categories such as small, medium, and large. Sort them by surface: rough or smooth. Sort them by color. Have students decide a rule for sorting their rocks and have the other students guess what rule they used to sort the rocks.

w Calculate It: Use chalk to draw 10 squares on the sidewalk or black top. Label the squares 1-10. Each student will throw two pebbles into a square. The student will then

DID YOU KNOW?

t After the clay has sat overnight, take the clay out of the freezer and unwrap both pieces.

y Make observations. How is the surface of the clay? Do you notice any cracks? Take a picture of both pieces of clay and write your observations in your notebook.

u Place the clay in the freezer and repeat the process for several days. Which piece of clay looks more weathered, the piece that has been frozen or the piece that has been on the counter? What observation can you make about temperature and rocks? How do the cracks change over time?

Rock

add, subtract, multiply or divide those two numbers. For an added challenge, you can use 20 squares. e Rock Review: Use a marker to label 20 pebbles with the numbers 1-20. Place them in a sealed bag. Students will take turns drawing two pebbles to practice addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division skills. For example, if a student draws a 2 and a 6. They can state 2+6=8, 6-2=4, 6x2=12, 6/2=3.

Learning Standards: I can add, subtract, multiply, and divide to solve a problem.

SCIENCE STARS

AFRICAN AMERICAN GEOCHEMIST: Samuel B. Mukasa

Samuel B. Mukasa was born on September 29, 1955, in Maseno, Kenya. His parents divorced when he was only six years old, and he was raised by his mother. He attended high school in Kampala, Uganda, and then went to the University of New Hampshire in 1977 for his bachelor’s degree in geology. In 1980, he received his master’s degree in geology from Ohio State University. In 1984, Mukasa received his doctorate degree in geochemistry from the University of California.

After graduation, Mukasa worked at the Laboratory at Lamont-Doherty Earth observatory at Columbia University for a few years before he worked as an assistant professor at the University of Florida. In 1989, Mukasa began work at the University of Michigan. In 2007, he was promoted to the dean of the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences at the University of New Hampshire.

Mukasa’s research focused on the plate tectonics of the continents, which describes the motion of the plates covering the earth. He has also participated in several service organizations, including the Polar Research Board of the National Research Council, and the National Science Foundation. Mukasa received an honorary Doctorate of Science by the Nkumba University in Uganda. In 2010, he was elected to serve as president of the Geochemical Society. He has written and received many grants to continue research in the field of geochemistry and has served as a mentor to many students. Most importantly, Mukasa worked with the Science and Technology Recruiting to Improve Diversity and Excellence (STRIDE). STRIDE provides assistance to communities with minorities who wish to pursue higher education after they graduate from high school.

Discussion Questions: What does the prefix “geo” mean in science terms? Can you think of any other types of scientist with “geo” as a prefix? What do you think a geologist or geochemist does?

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

MAP CORNER

Use the newspaper to complete the following activities: Save the Earth: Think about ways human activity affects our environment.

Locate pictures of people solving environmental problems in your community. Cut and paste the pictures in a mural titled, “We Can Save the Earth.”

Future Artifacts: Artifacts help us learn about our history. Locate a picture of something in the newspaper that could someday be used as an artifact. Paste the picture on a piece of paper and write about what the future scientists could learn from the artifact.

Learning Standards:

I can use the newspaper to locate information. I can create a bar graph and make observations.

The word fossil comes from the Latin word “fossilis,”

Gigantic pink granite boulders can be found at Elephant Rocks State Park near Graniteville, Mo. The rocks even have names. The largest one is named Dumbo and stands 27 feet tall, 35 feet long, and 17 feet wide. It weighs 680 tons.

The Great Barrier Reef in Australia is the largest living structure in the world.

Rock found at the bottom of the Grand Canyon is around 2 billion years old.

Matching Black tutors with Black students

Angelica Harris, founder and CEO of Top Tutors for Us, a company that specializes in teaching mostly students of color the fundamentals of standardized testing strategies.

By Sylvester Brown Jr. St. Louis American

Sometimes an early life event can impact a person’s career trajectory.

That’s the case with Angelica Harris, founder and CEO of Top Tutors for Us, a company that specializes in teaching mostly students of color the fundamentals of standardized testing strategies.

In little more than a year, Harris’ company has already signed contracts with St. Louis and New Orleans’ school districts and other educational entities such as Kipp St. Louis. What’s most interesting is that Harris’ tutoring model took seed in her high school years when she struggled to achieve a better ACT score.

State

Harris was born and raised in New Orleans’ Westbank area, aptly named because the mostly residential area lies on the western bank of the Mississippi River. She was seven years old when Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans in August 2005, and can’t fully comprehend the full devastation.

But she remembers the images of drowned houses, downed bridges, dead people floating in high waters or covered in body bags.

“After our neighborhood was struck by Hurricane Katrina, I had to split my time between school and helping to rebuild our life,” she said.

At an early age, Harris joined “First Tee,” a national nonprofit program that teaches kids strength-building through golf. Having her clubs with her as she

traveled from Louisiana to Mississippi was a salvation for the grade schooler.

“I was a great student,” Harris recalled. “I was extremely disciplined and hardworking as a child. I loved school, especially math. I loved calculations and counting things. I planned to be an entrepreneur like my parents.”

It wasn’t until junior high school while taking the ACT test, Harris realized she had a problem. Most competitive universities prefer scores in the 32-36 range. Harris desired to attend an Ivy League school which requires average test scores higher than 30. Harris recalled her horrified reaction when she saw her ACT scores.

“My initial score was a 16 with a 12

See HARRIS, B2

PeoPle on the Move

McCaskill becomes executive director

Forward Through Ferguson (FTF) has named Annissa McCaskill as its next executive director, effective at the beginning of October 2023. Previously, McCaskill served as the executive director at Dutchtown South Community Corporation, where she led the organization’s efforts to advance neighborhood vitality through community empowerment, housing stabilization and real estate development through a socioeconomic and racial equity lens. A native of Earlington, Kentucky, McCaskill has called the Greater St. Louis Area home since 1996.

LaTonya Jackson named to Doorways board

LaTonya Jackson was elected to a three year term on the board of directors for Doorways. She is the assistant vice president of business services at St. Louis Community Credit Union. She has previous community development work with Midwest BankCentre and Electro Savings and Loan. She serves on the board of Better Family Life, Inc., St. Louis Voices Academy of Media Arts, and co-chairs the St. Louis Regional Financial Empowerment Coalition. She holds a MBA from Fontbonne University.

Dr. Chanel Mitchell joins NOVUS Health

NOVUS Health recently add Dr. Chanel M. Mitchell, Ph.D., LCSW as its newest behavioral health specialist. Dr. Mitchell joins our growing behavioral health team as a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) with over nine years in behavioral health. She received her bachelor of psychology from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University and her masters and doctor of philosophy in social work from Saint Louis University. Her dissertation examined compassion fatigue among community mental health social workers.

$12 billion disparity for HBCUs nationwide

By Ariana Figueroa Missouri Independent

States engaged in decades of underfunding of land-grant Historically Black Colleges and Universities, leading to a more than $12 billion disparity with comparable white institutions, leaders of the U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Sept. 18, 2023.

Shockingly, the state of Missouri underfunded Lincoln University in Jefferson City by $361 million.

“Unacceptable funding inequities have forced many of our nation’s distinguished Historically Black Colleges and Universities to operate with inadequate resources and delay critical investments in everything from campus infrastructure to research and development to student support services,” Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said in a statement.

Cardona and USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack sent a letter to each of 16

See LINCOLN, B2

Group recently added

as marketing

In her new role,

helps to strategize and implement the firm’s marketing efforts and supports the marketing manager and other team members. Bell leads proposal production, social media campaigns, and conducts secondary market research to help compile a position and supporting strategies. Bell has a BA in business administration with an emphasis in marketing from Lindenwood University.

Annissa McCaskill

Chanel M. Mitchell

The Lawrence

Ciara Bell

coordinator.

Bell

Ciara Bell named marketing coordinator

Ciara Bell

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

LaTonya Jackson

Dr. Miguel Cardona, (center) visited Compton-Drew Middle School on Sept. 6, 2023, in support of public schools and student mental health. Joining Cardona were Congresswoman Cori Bush (left) and Xavier Becerra, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Harris

Continued from B1 in reading…I couldn’t understand how my scores were low,” she said.

She said her parents signed her up with an “expensive test prep company” to with her grades up but it only helped marginally.

“Everybody in the course had scores in the high 20’s and 30’s - that’s what I was aiming for,” Harris said, adding: “When I tested again, I only raised my score to 18.”

Harris said she had no intention of letting a lowtest score stop her from attending a high-quality college. She said she buckled down, “studied, practiced and practiced” to help fill the gaps missing from the prep course on her own.

Once she addressed her self-identified shortcomings, Harris wound up with an ACT score of 32, 1.5 million dollars in scholarship opportunities and a “full ride” offer to her “dream school,” Washington University in St. Louis.

She wound up successfully tutoring students-mostly African American-throughout her six plus years at Washington University. She still remembers the impact of a professional Black college counselor

from Los Angeles who contacted her just to say that he found her selfmade tutoring program to be of great value.

It was around that time Harris realized she had stumbled on to her niche.

“It finally dawned on me that most of the Black high school students I tutored were saying they never had a Black tutor,” she said. “Some felt they faced racism or microaggressions during their tutoring sessions. I was like ‘wow, there must be a better way for students of color to get tutoring from people who understood them.”

After graduating from Washington University with three degrees, including a master’s degree in computer science, Harris went about the business of officially establishing Top Tutors for Us. She pitched her idea and won Washington University’s Skandalaris Venture Competition. Along with a $10,000 award, winners of the competition receive expert mentorship to help commercialize and launch their ideas.

Armed with data showing that Black and Hispanic or Latino students routinely score lower on standardized testing, Harris decided her company would focus primarily on students of color who face some of the issues she grappled with in

high school.

“A big problem we found with Black students is that of low confidence,” Harris explained. “Sometimes it’s being the ‘only one,’ with students of color hesitant to ask questions. I’ve developed an inclusive environment where our students work with tutors who know and understand them.” She admits to being surprised by her company’s success since its founding in 2022. Not only has she signed with in and out-of-state schools and school districts, but she also notes how Top Tutors is already being compared with top-tier college admission service companies such as The Princeton Review. Harris may be successful, but she remains humble.

“I don’t have that ego thing where I feel like I ‘made it.’ I’m always hungry for new information. I still have that student mindset. I’m like a sponge; I remain curious, I remain in discovery mode. Harris is also unapologetic about her desire to tutor mostly students of color.

“Not every Black student is specifically looking for a Black tutor,” she explained. “We get that. But some do. Some students just want to learn from someone who shares their lived experience.

Lincoln

Continued from B1

governors calculating how each state’s land-grant HBCU, established under an 1890 law, has been underfunded per student in state funds from 1987 to 2020.

That figure was arrived at by comparing the HBCU funding to that of land grant institutions that were established in those states for white students in 1862.

Six of those states — Arkansas, Florida, Maryland, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia — have not participated in one-to-one federal match funding for the 1890 land grant HBCU institutions in recent years, but did so for the 1862 land grant institutions.

The secretaries said that inequitable funding of the 1890 institutions “caused a severe financial gap, in the last 30 years alone.”

The letter follows after lawsuits in several states have alleged discrimination was responsible for decades of underfunding of land grant HBCUs.

“This is a situation that clearly predates all of us,” Vilsack and Cardona wrote in their letter. “However, it is a problem that we can work together to solve. In fact, it is our hope that we can collaborate to avoid burdensome and costly litigation that has occurred in several states.”

In 2021, the state of Maryland reached a $577 million settlement to end a 15-year-old federal lawsuit that accused the state of providing inequitable resources to its four HBCUs.

Vilsack and Cardona sent a letter to Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, a

Democrat and the first Black governor of the state. They noted that the 1890 land-grant institution in that state, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, “has not been able to advance in ways that are on par with University of Maryland – College Park … in large part due to unbalanced funding.”

If that institution was on equal footing with the 1862 land grant institution, it should have received $321 million in funding over the last 30 years, the secretaries said.

1890 land-grant Institutions are a byproduct of a Civil War-era law that gave land to dozens of universities for white students, through the Morrill Act in 1862, but the land had been forcibly taken from Indigenous tribes. In total, nearly 11 million acres were taken from more than 250 tribes, according to a project published in High Country News.

Because Black Americans were excluded from those institutions, the Second Morrill Act of 1890 was signed into law and established landgrant institutions for Black students. In total, there are 19 land grant HBCUs. Tuskegee University in Alabama is also a land grant, HBCU, but it is a private state-related institution and was not mentioned in the letter to Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey. Delaware and Ohio have equitably funded their respective universities, so those governors did not receive a letter, the secretaries said. Cardona and Vilsack noted to the governors that “it would be ambitious to address the funding disparity over the course of several years in the state budget.”

The Lincoln University of Missouri School of Nursing is one of the HBCU’s many programs that could have received additional resources if the state of Missouri had not underfunded the land-grant university by more than $360 million, according to the Department of Education.

They suggested, if that is not possible, “a combination of a substantial state allocation toward the 1890 deficit combined with a forward-looking budget commitment for a twoto-one match of federal land-grant funding for these institutions in order to bring parity to funding levels.” Cardona and Vilsack stressed to the governors they should not reduce funding at other institutions to rectify funding gaps at the land grant HBCUs.

There is currently a class action lawsuit in which Florida A&M students have alleged racial discrimination in state funding, according to the Tallahassee Democrat. Tennessee State University has a $2.1 billion disparity funding, compared to the University of TennesseeKnoxville, the 1862 landgrant institution.

Prairie View A & M University in Texas and Southern University and A&M College in Louisiana both have $1.1 billion in underfunding, compared to the 1862 land-grant institutions in their states. “The documented discrepancies are a clarion call for governors to act without delay to provide significant support for the 1890 land-grant institutions in their respective states,” Vilsack, a former governor of Iowa, said in a statement. “Failing to do so will have severe and lasting consequences to the agriculture and food industry at a time when it must remain resilient and competitive.”

This story was originally published in the Missouri Independent

Photo courtesy of Lincoln U.

n “When you’re carrying the ball, you’re carrying the entire program.”

– Penn State head coach James Franklin, whose team has not committed a turnover

prEp Football NotEbook

By Earl Austin Jr.

Metro powers to mix it up for conference supremacy

Metro League powers Lutheran North and MICDS are undefeated at 5-0 but only one of the teams will have a spotless record after Friday’s 6 p.m. showdown.

Both teams also got tuned up with big victories over rival schools last week. Lutheran North defeated Lutheran South 63-0, while MICDS posted a 42-13 victory over John Burroughs.

Lutheran North enters Friday night’s game as the No. 1 team in the state’s Class 4 rankings. Lutheran North has posted impressive wins at Blair Oaks and Francis Howell, who were respective state champions last season.

The Crusaders have plenty of talent on both sides of the ball. Junior quarterback Dakarri Hollis has been excellent at the controls with 1,130 yards passing with 12 touchdowns and no interceptions. He has also rushed for 409 yards and seven touchdowns. Receivers Trey Bass and Michael Clark have four touchdown receptions each. On defense, the Crusaders feature senior safety Karvon Jefferson, who has recorded a team high 59 tackles.

Graham Faust form a solid group of receivers while running back Jeremiah Clay has three rushing touchdowns.

The Rams have a pair of excellent players on defense in 6’6” 260pound defensive lineman Lucas Allgeyer and senior linebacker Carter Enyard, who has committed to Kent State. Allgeyer has recorded six quarterback sacks while Enyard has five sacks.

Standout Performers from Week 5

• Quarterback Jackson Sommerville of Hazelwood Central completed six of nine passes for 166 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 165 yards and three touchdowns in the Hawks’ 52-17 victory over Parkway Central.

• Running back Madden Irving of Chaminade rushed for 205 yards on 15 carries and six touchdowns in the Red Devils’ 59-0 victory over Soldan.

48-6 victory over Vianney.

• Running back Dierre Hill Jr. of Althoff rushed for 135 yards and scored two touchdowns on runs of 99 and 36 yards in the Crusaders’ 42-0 victory over Alton Marquette.

• Quarterback Dillon Duff of DeSmet rushed for 113 yards and two touchdowns and passed for 94 yards and a touchdown in the Spartans’ 49-14 victory over CBC.

• Quarterback Preston Brown of Hillsboro passed for 148 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 120 yards in the Hawks’ 42-20 victory over Festus.

• Quarterback Brian Gould of MICDS rushed for 143 yards and three touchdowns and passed for 143 yards and two touchdowns in the Rams’ 42-13 victory over John Burroughs.

• Running back Payton Brown rushed for 153 yards and four touchdowns in the Hawks’ 42-21 victory over Festus.

• Running back Collin Parsons of Francis Howell Central rushed for 201 yards on 20 carries and five touchdowns in the Spartans’ 42-21 victory over Timberland.

In last season’s game, Lutheran North defeated MICDS 34-18, thus handing the Rams a rare home field loss.

• Running back Zamier Collins of St. Mary’s scored three touchdowns on runs of 6, 52 and 25 yards in the Dragons’ 57-8 victory over Duchesne.

NFL

MICDS also features a talented dual-threat quarterback in junior Brian Gould. He has passed for 805 yards and seven touchdowns while also rushing for 496 yards and 10 touchdowns. Gabe Weaver, Henry Rohan and and likewise you should not be further penalized if the opponent does not gain possession. So therefore, the ball should be marked where the fumble occurred.”

During the Sept. 14 Thursday night game between the Minnesota Vikings and host Philadelphia Eagles, Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson fumbled at the 1-yard-line and the football traveled through the end zone and landed out of bounds. The result was 1st and 10 for the Eagles at their own 20-yard-line.

Kyle Brandt, one of four hosts on Good Morning Football jokingly said the next day on air, “Next year is an election year and the big topics are going to be the economy, healthcare and fumbling through the back of the end zone. When [Ron] DeSantis and [Mike] Pence are debating, never mind what you think about foreign policy, how do you feel about this? You have two minutes on the clock, let’s go.”

• Running back Thomas Pulliam of St. Dominic rushed for 201 yards on 16 carries and three touchdowns in the Crusaders’ 34-24 victory over Borgia.

• Quarterback Marco Sansone of SLUH completed 13 of 16 passes for 314 yards and four touchdowns in the Jr. Bills’

SportS EyE

With Alvin A. Reid

• Wide receiver Michael Clark of Lutheran North caught six passes for 130 yards and two touchdowns in the Crusaders’ 63-0 victory over Lutheran South.

Former Vice President Mike Pence then wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “You should not be able to advance the football with a recovery in the end zone,

Brandt took the debate concept even further with a spoof segment on the Thursday, Sept. 21 episode of Good Morning Football. Sadly, his words were accompanied by the song “Dixie,” which was continuously played in the background. Ha-Ha. Really funny. The NFL Network and Good Morning Football should be profoundly ashamed of the use of “Dixie” in any manner. What “Dixie” stood for – and still does in many parts of America – is hardly humorous regardless of how it is used.

The song was written and first performed in 1859 – before the Civil War – by Daniel Emmett. It would become an anthem of the Confederacy during the Civil War, a war fought primarily

about slavery in the United States.

Emmett also founded the Virginia Minstrels, the first troupe of the Black-face entertainers the Virginia Minstrels. He wasn’t born in the “Land of Cotton,” by the way. He was a native of Mount Vernon, Ohio.

As shocking as the use of the song is the fact that

Brandt’s fellow Good Morning Football host Jason McCourty, a Black former NFL player, apparently did not find anything wrong with the segment. Seven years ago, the University of Mississippi marching band, The Pride of the South, ended its tradition of playing “Dixie” or any variation of the song during game days.

• Quarterback Joseph Federer of Parkway West completed 33 of 52 passes for 310 yards and a touchdown in the Longhorns’ 35-17 victory over Lafayette.

• Quarterback Grant Gibson of Summit completed 11 of 19 passes for 180 yards and four touchdowns in the Falcons’ 35-10 victory over Lindbergh.

• Defensive back Leontre Bradford of East St. Louis recorded eight tackles and two quarterback sacks in the Flyers’ 54-13 victory over O’Fallon.

Network apparently thinks ‘Dixie’ is a funny song

Yet, someone at Good Morning Football thought it would be funny to share it during a nationally-televised program.

“Dixie” isn’t funny. It is a disgrace.

The Reid Roundup

Colorado coach Deion Sanders isn’t bashful with his words, and neither is Oregon’s Dan Lanning Before his team’s 42-6 beat down of Sanders’ Buffaloes, Lanning told his players, “They’re fighting for clicks. We’re fighting for wins. This game ain’t gonna be played in Hollywood. It’s gonna be played on the grass.”

The Ducks coach knew ABC was filming him and obviously didn’t care if his verbiage reached the visitors’ locker room. After the game, Sanders said with confidence, “This is the worst we’re gonna be. You better get me right now.” …Bradley Beal, who was traded from the Washington Wizards to the Phoenix Suns, is apparently moving to the Southwest. Beal has put his $10 million mansion

in Bethesda, Maryland up for sale, also an $8.5 million mansion in Venice, Calif. The Bethesda residence comes with a full-size, underground basketball court in case you’re interested…Fourtime Olympic champion Simone Biles will lead the U.S. Women’s Gymnastics team into the 2023 World Gymnastics Championships in Antwerp, Belgium Sept. 30-October 8. Fellow Black gymnasts Skye Blakely and Shilese Jones will join Biles along with Joscelyn Roberson and Leanne Wong. Biles led all performers in points during the team’s selection camp which ended Sept. 21…The New York Post recently reported that Black baseball player Asher Akridge met with manager Greg Guilliams to inquire why he was no longer on the team. Akridge has dreadlocks and Guilliams told him he is no longer with the team “because your hair is too long.” Knowing he would not be believed, Akridge was wise to tape the conversation.

Earl Austin Jr.

Alvin A. Reid

Minnesota Vikings’ Justin Jefferson fumbles at 1-yard-line during their Sept. 14 Thursday night game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Clayton Greyhound wide receiver Trenton Mitchell (1) runs past Normandy Vikings’ Marlo James (6) and DMaun Woods (19) during action Saturday, Sept. 23. The Greyhounds went on to defeat the Vikings 28-14.

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Photo provided by Bring Me The Sports on FanNation

Business Diversity Fellows Experience celebrates 17th cohort

The St. Louis Business Diversity Fellows Experience — an initiative of Greater St. Louis, Inc. devoted to the growth and cultivation of multicultural business and civic leadership — recently held the graduation ceremony for its 17th cohort at the headquarters of Edward Jones, a dedicated program partner.

“Graduates of the Fellows Experience make an impact on St. Louis. They are the future

YWCA Metro St. Louis recently announced its 2023 Leaders of Distinction, to be honored at the 43rd Annual YWCA Leader Lunch on Thursday, December 7. The women will take their place among the YWCA Academy of Leaders (300+ honorees from the past four decades), thereby joining the most notable group of accomplished women in St. Louis.

Public recognition of the achievements of YWCA Academy members and their journeys sends a message

business and civic leaders driving change across our metro and beyond,” said Valerie Patton, Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer for Greater St. Louis, Inc.

The Fellows Experience addresses the interests and challenges professionals of color face as they work to advance their careers.

The year-long program enhances each Fellow’s leadership capacity through professional

to women of all ages and races that, despite the inevitable obstacles, success is within reach.

The overarching message of YWCA Leader Lunch, as embodied in the achievements of the honorees, is one of talent, persistence, work ethic and sisterhood.

“This year’s class of leaders is another excellent representation of women in leadership across St. Louis – private business, corporate, non-profit, civic, innovation and philanthropy,” said Dr. Cheryl Watkins, MBA, YWCA Metro St. Louis

development, relationship building, and civic engagement.

Last Thursday’s graduation event was the 17th in the history of this groundbreaking program that has seen more than 1,100 future leaders participate.

“We know that 70% of Fellows are promoted within two years of participating in the program, and over a quarter of them are elected to boards or appointed to

committees where they can put their leadership skills to work,” added Patton. “That’s making a real difference as we promote inclusive economic growth.”

The graduation ceremony featured remarks from business leaders, a panel discussion, and the awarding of certificates to the members of the graduating class of Fellows.

president and CEO. “I am also honored to present Dr. Marilyn Robinson with our President’s Award. She served as president and CEO of our agency from 1989 to 1994.

“Dr. Robinson brought

perfect occasion for us to express our appreciation.”

The 2023 YWCA Leaders of Distinction honorees are:

• Akberet Boykin Farr, vice president of human resources, Emerson

• Donna Erbs, partner, strategic growth, Anders CPAs + Advisors

Head Start to YWCA and initiated some of the changes we have made in our Women’s Crisis Services – her leadership has impacted thousands of women and families in our community, and this is the

• Constance Gully, president and CEO, Parents as Teachers National Center

• Carolyn Kindle, CEO, St. Louis CITY SC

• Nalini Mahadevan, principal attorney, MLO Law, LLC

• Chrissy Nardini,

KAI Enterprises hires Barlow as VP of 360 Construction Services

KAI Enterprises proudly announces the hiring of Tracy Barlow as vice president of its construction management division, 360 Construction Services (360 CS). In his new role,

Barlow will oversee 360 CS operations in Atlanta as well as St. Louis and Dallas-Fort Worth.

Working with internal and external stakeholders, Barlow will help to fulfill KAI’s vison, policies and

overall goals.

Career projects have included two new wastewater treatment plants in Nassau, Bahamas; municipal water/wastewater programs for the City

of Atlanta, District of Columbia and City of Pittsburg; and work with the Dallas Rapid Transit Authority (DART) and the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA). He also

manages a master services agreement with Rice Capital Access for the Department of Education to provide construction oversight services for Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

president, American Metals Supply

• Natalie Self, senior vice president, Equitable Economic Impact, Cortex

• Shelby Schagrin, founder, The Spirit of St. Louis Women’s Fund Leader Lunch 43 will be held at Union Station Hotel on Thursday, December 7. A private Holiday Bazaar featuring women-owned businesses will precede the program. Individual tickets and tables are on sale now. Historically, this event attracts 800+ attendees, so early purchase is recommended.

YWCA announces 2023 Leaders of Distinction

Tracy Barlow

Akberet Boykin Farr

Marilyn Robinson

Constance Gully

A play for Donny

Kelvin Roston, Jr. honors Hathaway’s legacy on stage at

The Rep

By Kenya Vaughn The St. Louis American

There is a line from one of St. Louis native Donny Hathaway’s most recognizable soul classics that could be used in an autobiography for actor/ singer/writer Kelvin Roston, Jr.

“I’ve acted out my life on stage, with ten thousand people watching,” Hathaway croons on the ballad. For more than twenty years, Roston has lived that hat lyric. And for 18 of those years, he has been paying tribute to Hathaway through his one-man show

Staging COVID

C2C uses theater to share pandemic stories to strengthen sense of community

By Kenya Vaughn

The St. Louis American

Fannie Belle Lebby uses theater as a form of protest.

“I’m too old to get out in the streets and lay my body across highway 40,” said Lebby, artistic director of A Call to Conscience Interactive Theater of Social Change. “My feet hurt and so I can’t walk the pavement. But I can use the arts to talk about these issues.”

This weekend, A Call to Conscience (better known as C2C) will use the stage as a platform to share thoughts and feelings that have occurred as part of the aftershock of the COVID-19 pandemic. “COVID-19 is very much a social justice issue because there were so many people in some of these marginalized communities who did not have access

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis will present St. Louis native Kelvin Roston, Jr.’s ‘Twisted Melodies,’ which pays tribute to fellow St. Louisan Donny Hathaway, at COCA’s Catherine B. Berges Theatre from October 4 – 22. Roston has performed his one-man show on stages across the nation, including a co-production with Baltimore Center Stage and Congo Square Theatre Company.

Twisted Melodies. “Donny Hathaway never really got his due really as an artist – and as the genius that he was,” Roston said. Roston will be singing Hathaway’s songs – and shedding light on the late singer/songwriter’s battle with mental illness when Twisted Melodies opens for The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis the weekend of October 6th at COCA’s Berges Theatre. The production’s upcoming staging will be directed by Reggie White, The Rep’s Associate Artistic director.

“Twisted Melodies has given me a sense of purpose,” Roston said. “I credit him [Hathaway] because of his amazing artistry. I try to get as close as possible, but there is only one him. For me, the biggest thing has been lifting this veil on mental illness – and Donny has been an incredible vehicle.” Hathaway burst on the music scene in the late 1960s with his critically acclaimed debut album Everything is Everything

See Rep, C8

A Call to Conscience Interactive Theater of Social Change will present ‘Emerging from the Pandemic: St. Louisans Share their Stories. The production will run Friday, September 29 – Sunday October 1 at First Congregational Church of St. Louis, located at 6501 Wydown. The play is a follow up to their 2021 production of ‘Celebration of Survival.’

to equitable health care and resources,” said Lebby. “And you have a lot that is still unfolding as a byproduct of COVID –especially in the area of mental health.” It is with this in mind that the orga-

nization will present Emerging from the

See C2C, C8

Rewriting history

Michael Harriot’s “Black AF History” an unabashed look at America

By Ashley Winters

The St. Louis American

Michael Harriot, a noted journalist, author, and cultural critic, calls his latest book “Black AF History: The Un-Whitewashed Story of America” a tale of American history from the perspective of the Black experience. His current book tour found him at the Schlafly Library on Friday, September 22, and the intimate session gave the audience a peek into his “unapologetic history of this country’s biggest lies.”

According to Harriot, “Black AF History” presents a more accurate story of America’s history. He sifts through centuries of half-truths and exaggerated historical moments.

His research included him combing through century-old newspapers and documents. He turned to the work of pioneering Black historians, journalists, and scholars. His goal is to “erase the pacifying white hero narrative and place Black people in the center of this country’s story.”

As a young man, Harriot read ‘Souls of the Black Folks’ by W.E.B Dubois.

“That was my introduction to the history of America, through this lens that wasn’t tainted by a white perspective,” he said.”

He proclaims himself a “wypipologist,” a slang term for someone who studies white people or white culture, including political, economic, and social habits. His book takes readers through the earliest arrival of African enslaved people in 1619 and includes his family lineage of Gullah culture.

According to Education Week, 44 states have enacted or are considering proposals to restrict the teaching of “divisive” topics. Last year, there were more requests for book bans than there have been in decades.

“If this country continues down this road, interesting topics like the history of the Gullah culture will go under the rug,” Harriot said.

In chapter three of his book, the author talks about growing up speaking Geechee and his family’s Gullah culture.

He explained the development of language and how it was created out of necessity. It is a combination of multiple West African and Caribbean cultures.

“The freedom on a rice plantation that

See History, C8

Photo courtesy of C2C

Photos by Richard Anderson/The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis

CONCERTS AND LIVE SHOWS

Marvin F. Cockrell and Focus

17th Annual Smooth Jazz Concert

9/30/2023 8:00pm 3648 Washington Blvd

St. Louis, MO

$75.00

Michael B. Whit Performs a Tribute to Garth Brooks

9/30/23, 8:00pm

Michael B. Whit brings a soulful tribute to Mr. Garth Brooks’ music

The Westport Playhouse 635 West Port Plaza Dr. Maryland Heights, MO

$39.00

Victor Wooten Bass Extremes

10/1/2023 8:00pm 501 North Grand Blvd St. Louis, MO

Todrick Hall: 2023 Velvet Rage Tour

10/1/2023 8:00pm 6133 Delmar Blvd St. Louis, MO

$30.00

Sankofa Live! At The Grandel

9/30/2023 3610 Grandel Square

St. Louis, MO

The Eric Andre Explosion

10/4/2023 7:00pm 17105 North Outer 40 Road Chesterfield, MO

$49.50 - $69.50

A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie

9/30/2023 8:00pm 1 South Compton Ave St. Louis, MO

This venue has a clear bag policy and cashless concessions.

$47.50 - $62.50

Rhoda G. ‘Revamped’(saxophonist w/ special guest)

3x Amateur Night at The Apollo winner

STL Sites & Sounds

10/1/2023 7:00pm 3224 Locust St St. Louis, MO

10/1/2023, 7:00pm Kranzberg Arts Center 501 North Grand Blvd.

Atif Aslam - Live in Concert 10/1/2023, 7:30pm (predominantly sings in Urdu, but has also sung in Hindi, Punjabi, Bengali, and Pashto) Stifel Theatre 1400 Market Street

St. Louis, MO

$49.00 to $249.00

Victor Wooten Bass Extremes

Victor Wooten is a 5-time Grammy Award winner and a founding member of the supergroup Béla Fleck and the Flecktones.

10/1/23, 8:00pm Kranzberg Arts Center 501 North Grand Blvd

St. Louis, MO

FAIRS, FESTIVALS AND MARKETS

Astronomy Festival

9/30/2023 2:00pm 4257 Northeast Drive St. Louis, MO

Tower Grove Farmers’ Market

9/30/2023 8:00am 4257 Northeast Drive St. Louis, MO

Little Amal: 12-ft Puppet of 10-y/o Syrian Refugee visits STL

10/1/2023 12:30pm Gateway Arch

TALKS & LECTURES

SLATE’s Find a Job Friday Series

9/29/2023 10:00am 1520 Market St, St. Louis, MO, United States, Missouri Job Center St. Louis, MO Free

NIGHTLIFE

Wednesday Night Jazz Jam

9/28/2023, The Dark Room 3610 Grandel Square St. Louis, MO

Karaoke at The Attic with Shaggy Sounds

9/28/2023 5:00pm 4247 South Kingshighway Blvd., 2nd Floor St. Louis, MO Free

Broadway Rave

9/29/2023 9:00pm 6133 Delmar Blvd St. Louis, MO

$15.00

SLAM Underground: REMIX

9/29/2023

the first of two SLAM Undergrounds highlighting the exhibition The Culture: Hip Hop and Contemporary Art in the 21st Century with music, performances, art making, cocktails, and more!

Saint Louis Art Museum

One Fine Arts Drive St. Louis, MO

The Championship with Retro Champ 9/30/2023 7:00pm Pop’s Concert Venue

300 Monsanto Ave Sauget, IL

$10.00

Gimme Gimme Disco

9/30/2023 9:00pm 6133 Delmar Blvd

St. Louis, MO

$15.00

ART ACTIVITIES, EXHIBITS AND MUSEUMS

Energy Stage: STEM Perfor-

mance The Saint Louis Science Center’s Energy Stage

9/28/2023 11:15am

5050 Oakland Ave

St. Louis, MO

Everything Blue - a juried art event 9/28/2023 12:00pm

Soulard Art Gallery 2028 S 12th Street

St. Louis, MO Free

Khaite Trunk Show Barrett Barrera Projects is thrilled to host their friends Merch Mates for the upcoming KHAITE trunk 9/29/2023 10:00am

St. Louis, MO

NIGHT OUT / Mud + Merlot: The Shape of Your Home

9/29/2023, 6:30 pm - 9:30 p.m. Laumeier Sculpture Park 12580 Rott Road

St. Louis, MO

Ages 21 + / $58 REGISTER

Salon de Griot 9/29/2023, 6:30 pm The Griot Museum of Black History

2505 Saint Louis Avenue

St. Louis, MO

Our inaugural Salon will be a farewell celebration for phenomenal class artist Doretha Washington, as she relocates from St. Louis to Atlanta. We hope you will join us.Please RSVP at thegriotmuseum.com by September 16th.

COMMUNITY

NAACP Mammo-Gram-Athon 9/30/23 8am-12pm SSM Health DePaul Hospital - St. Louis 3440 DePaul Lane, St. Louis, MO

To register, please call 314-739-

0924

The Educator’s Healing House Saturday, September 30, 2023 , 1:00pm-4:00pm specially curated space for teachers’ healing and rejuvenation Deaconess Foundation St. Louis, MO Free

Laura Meckler - Dream Town: Shaker Heights and the Quest for Racial Equity

10/2/2023 7:00pm 399 N Euclid Ave St. Louis, MO

City Council Meeting in person at City Hall

10/3/2023 7:00pm Black Jack, MO

Drop-in Collection Tour: Artful Architecture

9/30/2023

St. Louis Art Museum

One Fine Arts Drive St. Louis, MO

Prison Performing Arts

10/4/23 and 10/5/23 8:00pm A Chilling Evening of One Acts featuring Waiting for Hecate and The Privilege of Being Born Rehearsal Studio of Prison Performing Arts and St. Louis Shakespeare Festival 3333 Washington Avenue St. Louis, MO

Residential housing & Zoning 10/4/2023 6:30pm 500 Skinker Blvd St. Louis, MO

RELIGION

Voices of Jubilation UMSL Community Gospel Choir 10/3/2023 7:00pm One University Blvd St. Louis, MO $10.00 - $30.00

Be a Tourist in Your Own Town

St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission

Fall for St. Louis anew

By Barry Draper

Who doesn’t love fall? The season is especially enjoyable in St. Louis, and this October, the events calendar is bursting with activities that will inspire you to get out and about in the city. For more fresh ideas for things to do, visit explorestlouis.com.

Best of Missouri Market

October 6 to 8

This fall, the Best of Missouri Market returns to the Missouri Botanical Garden with almost 100 vendors, offering unique handicrafts, local ly produced foodstuffs, bespoke jewelry, native plants and more. Kids will also have a blast with seasonal activities such as sustainable pumpkin decorating.

GroveFest

October 7

Dance, eat and party in the streets of The Grove during this annual festival praised for its diversity. Live music, interactive art, street performers, fashion shows and a bubble bus set the tone, so you know that you’ll have a good time. While you’re in the area, fuel up at the Food Village, which boasts bites and sips from local establishments.

Beetlejuice

October 10 to 22

He earned his stripes on Broadway. Now, the ghost-withthe-most is coming to St. Louis. Based on Tim Burton’s dearly beloved film, this hilarious musical tells the story of Lydia Deetz, an unusual teenager whose whole life changes when she meets a recently deceased couple and a demon with a thing for stripes. With an astonishing set, an irreverent book and a score that’s out of this netherworld, Beetlejuice is “screamingly good fun,” according to Variety. Under its uproarious surface (six feet under, to be exact), it’s also a remarkably touching show about family, love and making the most of every DayO!

Boo at the Zoo

October 13 to 29

lives to educating and freeing enslaved people. On the night of May 21, 1855, Mary attempted to help a small group of enslaved people cross the Mississippi River, from St. Louis to Illinois, where slavery was outlawed. At least five enslaved people were caught, and Mary was arrested and charged in criminal court for assisting the “fugitives.” In 2001, the National Park Service recognized the site of the escape as part of the Underground Railroad Network to Freedom. Every year, the Great Rivers Greenway celebrates the Mary Meachum Freedom Crossing with a reenactment at the site. The free community event also includes food, drinks, children’s activities, local artists and makers, live music from various eras and skits that showcase historical scenes from Black communities in St. Louis. This year’s theme, From Field Hollas to Hip-Hop, recognizes the 50th anniversary of the birth of hip-hop, as well.

Frights and Heights October 14

Halloween returns to the Gateway Arch during its annual “Frights & Heights” event. Attendees are encouraged to wear their best costumes and participate in various Halloween-themed activities. Trick or Tram will offer spooktacular sights on the ride to the top of the tallest monument in the U.S.

Guest Columnist Barry Draper

Don’t be scared! The Saint Louis Zoo’s nighttime Halloween experience, Boo at the Zoo, features festive decorations, entertaining performers and special food and drink menus, so you can enjoy the holiday without catching a fright.

Mary Meachum Freedom Crossing Celebration October 14

Mary Meachum and her husband, Reverend John Berry Meachum, were staunch abolitionists who dedicated their

The ghosts of Dick Bowser, Meriwether Lewis and others will entertain audiences with living history performances. And a puppet show will describe Lewis and Clark’s journey west, including some scary true stories from the trail. Families can enjoy freaky face painting, boo-loon animals, creepy crafts, mesmerizing music and not-so-scary stories throughout the evening, too.

St. Louis Street Food Festival October 14 and 15

Ballpark Village will host the first St. Louis Street Food Festival on Oct. 14 and 15. The scrumptious weekend event will feature the area’s top food trucks and restaurants. The best part? All food items will be $5 or less – plus, your first drink is free! Sample a wide range of flavors as you enjoy eating competitions, cooking demonstrations, axe throwing, live entertainment, family-friendly activities and more.

St. Louis Beer Fest

October 21

More than 40 local and national breweries will come together for the St. Louis Beer Fest. There will be 120 beers available, and admission includes unlimited samplings as well as access to all the exhibits at the Saint Louis Science Center.

The King of Market Street

By Kirstan Riddle, African American History Initiative Intern

Born in 1883 to Bettie Baxley and Henry Johnson in Clarksville, Tennessee, Jesse J. Johnson became an essential part of Mill Creek Valley’s social culture and the St. Louis blues scene through his personal and business enterprise. Known as the “King of Market Street,” he was a restaurant owner, music promoter, booking agent, businessman, and entrepreneur through his business empire, DeLuxe Enterprises.

His wife, Edith North Johnson, who was born in 1903 in St. Louis, was a classic blues singer as well as a pianist and songwriter. An animated person with a lively and expressive voice, Edith recorded frequently, sometimes under the names Hattie North or Maybelle Allen. She cut 18 songs in 1928 and 1929 alone, including “Honey Dripper Blues.”

Together the Johnsons curated a social culture in Mill Creek Valley that expanded far outside of their community. DeLuxe Enterprises included the DeLuxe Taxicab Company, DeLuxe Chicken Shack, DeLuxe Music Shoppe, and DeLuxe Restaurant, all located within Mill Creek Valley. These businesses employed over 90 people and created numerous opportunities and resources for local residents, with DeLuxe Restaurant becoming a beacon of community interaction.

The St. Louis music scene owes Jesse many thanks for his work as a highly successful promoter and the only licensed music booker in Missouri. He worked with some of the biggest names in blues. Musicians like Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn, Juan Tizol, and Herb Jeffries joined together for jam sessions at his Club 49. He booked Cab Calloway, Louis Armstrong, and other household names for gigs in St. Louis, including Ella Fitzgerald’s performance at O’Fallon Park. Jesse was known for driving through St. Louis with musicians playing in the bed of his truck, and his DeLuxe Music Shoppe was ground zero for aspiring blues and jazz musicians in St. Louis. Edith worked alongside Jesse, keeping an eye out for local talent and honing the skills of those who stopped by the store. When singers came in to audition, it was often Edith who decided if they were passed along.

View looking west on Market Street in Mill Creek Valley toward Grand Avenue, 1956.

On February 15, 1946, Jesse died after experiencing a stroke on a train from Chicago to St. Louis. Before his passing, he had announced plans for improvements and expansions of his promotional and business ventures. He already had a working plan for a concert with singer and saxophonist Tony Pastor at the Kiel Auditorium, and it was thanks to Edith that this event still happened as planned. Edith continued to run the restaurant and taxi company before eventually devoting her career to social work. In the late 1950s and early ’60s, she was contacted by music researchers including Paul Oliver, who interviewed her for his book Conversations with the Blues. She passed away in St. Louis in 1988. The story of Jesse and Edith Johnson only scratches the surface of Mill Creek Valley’s history. On Thursday, September 28, the Missouri History Museum will host a deep dive into the history and remembrance of Mill Creek Valley with Damon Davis, artist and creator of the Mill Creek monument Pillars of the Valley on the Great Rivers Greenway Brickline Greenway at CITYPARK Stadium; and Vivian Gibson, Mill Creek Valley resident and author of The Last Children of Mill Creek. The conversation, which will be led by Gwen Moore of the Missouri Historical Society, will explore the rich cultural heritage of Mill Creek Valley with a nod to the concept of congregation versus segregation and consider ways to preserve and reestablish Black communities through improved infrastructure, affordable housing, community businesses, and neighborhood schools.

Part of the Thursday Nights at the Museum series, the evening begins with happy hour featuring food and drinks for purchase from the Key Bistro and resource tables about Mill Creek Valley’s history and legacy. Great Rivers Greenway representatives will be on hand to talk about Pillars of the Valley. Gibson will sign copies of her book, The Last Children of Mill Creek, available at a 10 percent discount in the Museum Shop. The Museum’s galleries will be open until 8:00pm, including Soccer City, Coloring STL, and the St. Louis Sound continuing exhibit on the second floor.

This program is associated with Soccer City, presented by Bank of America. African American History Initiative programming is presented by Wells Fargo.

Photo courtesy of The Missouri Historical Society Collections.

By Hamil R. Harris Washington Informer

The Washington National Cathedral was filled with people and purpose as leaders of the Episcopal Church unveiled two stained glass windows, created by world-renowned artist Kerry James Marshall, on Sept. 23, 2023.

The reimagined windows, titled “Now and Forever,” marked a new chapter in the Cathedral’s historical legacy of art and architecture that replaced previous stone tablets that paid tribute to Confederate Generals Robert E. Lee and Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson.

“The church in general, across all faiths and this National Cathedral in particular, exists as a symbolic representation of humankind’s aspirations toward perfection, and a desire to keep the promise of redemption when we offend and fall short of the impossible,” said Marshall during the dedication.

The dedication also celebrated Elizabeth Alexander’s poem “America’s Song,” which will be hand-carved into limestone

tablets over the next nine months.

“I am forever honored to have been invited to offer these words to live alongside Kerry James Marshall’s magnificent stained glass windows, making space for feeling and reflection on our multivocal history as we try to move forward into a more just and beautiful future,’ said Alexander, during the event.

The new windows and poem are reminders of the Cathedral’s mission of inclusivity.

“This is a House of Prayer for all of God’s children and a House of Prayer for all of God’s People,” said the Rev. Canon Rosemarie Logan Duncan. She works to put together all of the services at the national cathedral.

Rev. Randolph Marshall Hollerith, dean of the Washington National Cathedral, said the new windows and poem “marks a significant moment in the Cathedral’s history.”

“Windows that celebrated division are being replaced by windows extolling the pursuit of justice,” Hollerith said.

The newly designed windows replace windows that contained two depictions of the

Confederate battle flag; those windows were removed in 2017.

The windows, according to a press release, “capture both darkness and light, both the pain of yesterday and the promise of tomorrow, as well as the quiet and exemplary dignity of the African American struggle for justice and equality and the indelible and progressive impact it has had on American society.”

The Cathedral’s commissioning is Marshall’s first time working with stained glass as a medium. The artist weighed in on the significance of the work.

“Today’s event has been organized to highlight one instance where a change of symbolism is meant to repair a breach of America’s creation promise of liberty and justice for all, and to reinforce those ideals and

aspirations embodied in the Cathedral’s structure and its mission to remind us that we can be better, and do better, than we did yesterday, today,” he said.

The windows will be one of only three permanent public exhibitions of Marshall’s art in the United States.

The people who showed up were so respectful and it brings tears to my eyes because I see my wife over there crying,” Marshall told the Informer. He was also joined by his sisters, brother, and other family members including his aunt from Birmingham, Alabama.

The newly installed racial justice windows will remain a permanent part of the Cathedral’s world-renowned sacred iconography.

“The addition of these win-

dows and the powerful words that accompany them allows us to tell a truer story of America, a story that confronts our past and invites all of us into a more inclusive and hopeful future,” Hollerith said.

The service concluded with all present singing “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” also known as the Black National Anthem.

Following the service, Rev. Canon Michele V. Hagans said, “This is just the beginning that should represent how we are to move forward and fill this breach.”

“As we come into this space,” Hagans continued, “it should be a symbol that should inspire us and give us hope.”

VISITING AND ADJUNCT FACULTY

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

CUSTODIAN

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

DIRECTOR OF TECHNOLOGY

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

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

• 5+ years equivalent and related experience

• 3+ years of supervisory experience.

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

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT AND CAMP RANGER

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

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

ACCOUNTING COORDINATOR

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

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATORS

Kirkwood School District is hiring EC Educators for 23/24 and beyond. Pay starts at $19.52/hour.

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

FIREFIGHTER PARAMEDIC

The City of Richmond Heights is accepting applications for the position of Firefighter Paramedic (must have CPAT)

$67,569 - 72,522 . To apply go to https://richmondheights. applicantpro.com/ jobs/3047767

RECREATION SUPERVISORRENTAL SERVICES

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

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

MAINTENANCE WORKER

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

To Advertise your Job Opportunity or to place a bid email ahouston@stlamerican.com

AVP - WC CLAIMS STRATEGY & OPERATIONS

The position works closely with the WC Leadership team to formulate, develop, and execute short and long-term planning to achieve Department goals. Working closely with the Vice President WC, the AVP will be responsible for structured problem solving, performance trend analysis, efficient workflow management, and project management. The position will have high visibility within the department and within the company. To apply, please visit: https://www.safetynational.com/careers-page/

CHIEF ENGAGEMENT & BELONGING OFFICER

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

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

JR76315 International Student & Scholar Advisor - Provost Office

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

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

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

• Urologic Surgery Clinic

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

• Facial Plastic Surgery Clinic

• Gastroenterology Clinic

Resumes accepted: tracey.faulkner@wustl.edu

Staff Therapist or Clinical Social Worker (Part Time)

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

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

• REQUIRED LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION/REGISTRATION

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

Resumes accepted: tracey.faulkner@wustl.edu

For a full description of these positions and other career opportunities, please visit

INVITATION FOR BID

PARKVIEW APARTMENTS ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEM

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

The General Scope of Work for this project will consist of, but not be limited to, the procurement and installation of all required equipment, cabling, and applicable software for an access control system to be provided for the use of the St. Louis Housing Authority and its designated agents. Tenants shall be able to utilize a physical credential (card) with proximity detection to access the doors and elevators, and parking lot gates. Cards must be photo-printable. System will be installed at the Parkview Apartments, 4451 Forest Park Ave., St. Louis, MO 63108.

Bid information available at https://www.slha.org/partner-with-slha/ on October 2, 2023

A pre-bid conference will be held on site at 2:00 PM (local time), Thursday, October 12, 2023, at the project site.

Sealed bids are due 3:00 PM (local time) Thursday, November 9, 2023 via QuestCDN or delivered personally at SLHA Offices at 3520 Page Blvd, Saint Louis, MO 63106.

Fran Bruce Acting Contracting Officer

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

INVITATION TO BID

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

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Wastewater Treatment Facility

Improvements, Big Lake State Park, Craig, MO Project No. X2211-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 10/26/23. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/facilities

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Constructions Services –Southeast Region and Constructions Services –East Region, Project Nos. IDIQMCA-4003 and IDIQMCA-4004, respectively, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, October 5, 2023, via MissouriBUYS. Bidders must be registered to bid. Project information available at: http://oa.mo.gov/ facilities

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Sealed bids for the Buckley Road Bridges No. 528 & 528-P project, St. Louis County Project No. CR-1772 will be received electronically thru the County’s Vendor Self Service portal at https://stlouiscountymovendors. munisselfservice.com/Venclors/ default.aspx, until 2:00 PM on October 25, 2023.

Plans and specifications will be available on September 25, 2023 from the St. Louis County Web Site (www.stlouiscountymo.gov) or by contacting Cross Rhodes Print & Technologies, 2731 South Jefferson Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63118 (314) 678-0087.

DIRECTOR OF PROCUREMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES ST. LOUIS, COUNTY

SEALED BIDS

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

SEALED BIDS

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

PUBLIC NOTICE

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

Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

SEALED BIDS

SEALED BIDS

SEALED BIDS

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

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

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

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

We Publish Every Thursday in the Newspaper & Online

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

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

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

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

Bids for this project are due on October 11 at 3:00 p.m. For any questions or would like to find out more detailed information on this opportunity, please contact Matt Davis at 636-561-9531 or msdavis@paric.com

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

PARIC CORPORATION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

INVITATION TO BID

The Housing Partnership, Inc. (THP) is soliciting bids from qualified firms for the demolition of a residential structure at 200 E. Felton Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63125. The work generally consists of abatement of asbestos-containing materials, removal of hazardous materials/ universal waste items, demolition of the structure, the removal of demolition debris, site filling and grading.

Bid documents may be obtained on the THP website at www.TheHousingPartnershipSTL.org

Bids are to be submitted to: Kevin Poe – Executive Director The Housing Partnership, Inc. 729 Lemay Ferry Road St. Louis, Missouri 63125

Any questions or clarifications should be directed to the Executive Director at the THP office at 314-631-9905.

THP will accept sealed bids for the work at its office submitted until Friday, October 13, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. at which time bids will be opened and read aloud.

This activity is funded in whole or part with Community Development Block Grant funds pursuant to theTitle I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended. All applicable federal regulations shall be in full force and effect.

THP is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

PUBLIC NOTICE

In accordance with Section 99.865.3 of the TIF Act, the City of Dellwood provides the following information for the Chambers/West Florissant Tax Increment Finance District. The development potential of the site, prior to redevelopment, was limited by improper subdivision or obsolete platting; deterioration of site improvements; defective or inadequate street layout; and unsanitary or unsafe conditions resulting in the site not meeting its commercial potential. The project benefits improved the commercial property into a productive and tax-generating development

Following are the revenues collected within the District, the debt service payments and outstanding debt per year (January 1 through December 31)

Any questions should be sent to Mayor Reggie Jones (314) 521-4339

Manager

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

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

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

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

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

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

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

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

St. Louis Economic Development Partnership Equal Opportunity Employer

UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI

ST. LOUIS – MILLENIUM STUDENT CENTER - ROOF REPLACEMENT

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

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

Bids are due to Color Art Construction no later than: Wednesday, October 4th at 2:00pm. Please email your bid or any questions bidrequestsCAC@color-art.com

SUPPLIER DIVERSITY PARTICIPATION GOALS:

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

CITY OF ST. LOUIS ST. LOUIS LAMBERT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT®

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)

Service: Runway Incursion Warning System With Vehicle Tracking Services

Pre-Proposal Meeting Date: September 29, 2023, 11:00 AM (via Zoom)

Question Due Date: October 2, 2023

Bid Due Date: October 31, 2023, 2:00pm

M/WBE Goals & Incentives:

MBE goals: 25% WBE goal: 5%.

A 15% M/WBE incentive credit shall be applied to the evaluation of professional service prime consultant who are currently certified MBE -African American, Hispanic American, Asian American, Native American and WBE-Women owned Business Enterprises Point of Contact: Delia Cummings –dfcummings@flystl.com

Proposal documents may be obtained at St. Louis Lambert International Airport®, Airport Properties Division Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., or by calling (314) 426-8174. This RFP may also be obtained by visiting our website at www.flystl.com/business/contractopportunites.

Robert Salarano Airport Properties Division Manager

INVITATION FOR EQUIPMENT BIDS

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

PUBLIC NOTICE

Income Based Wait List Opening

Taking Application for 1 Bedroom Apts. Tuesday, October 3rdWednesday, October 4th, 2023 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Location: 600 Kingshighway St. Louis. Mo. 63108

All applicants must be 18 or older and have a valid driver’s license or state ID ( You must have all social security numbers for each household members) Requests for a reasonable accommodation due to a disability

Should be submitted to Washington Apts. 600 Kingshighway St. Louis, Mo. 63108. 314-361-1400

Washington Apartments does not discriminate based on disability status in the admission or access to or, treatment or employment in, its federally assisted programs and activities.

SEALED BIDS

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

Construction Project”

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

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

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

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.”

Call Angelita Houston at 314-289-5430 or email ahouston@stlamerican.com to place your ads today!

ST. LOUIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES 2023-2024 WARMING AND COOLING EMERGENCY SHELTER REQUEST FOR PROPOSALBID #1749

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

His career was further catapulted when he and his Howard University classmate Roberta Flack joined forces for a match made in R&B heaven. Sadly, before the endless potential of his gifts as a singer, songwriter and composer could be realized, he began the battle with schizophrenia that ended when he took his own life in 1979. He was only 33.

The footprint of his musical genius has spanned decades – and continues to this very day.

It was Hathaway who provided the original lead vocals on the demo records for an emerging young musical group in search of a record deal. That band was Earth, Wind and Fire. His perfect tenor pitch seasoned with haunting soulful improvisations were the blueprint for Philip Bailey, Luther Vandross, Peabo Bryson, Jeffrey Osborne, and countless other vocalists. His influence can still be heard today through artists such as John Legend and Hathaway’s own daughter Lalah. Twisted Melodies originated when Roston was working for The St. Louis Black Repertory Company and Founder and Producing Director Ron Himes requested that Roston write a one-person musical. He was working on a piece that paid homage to his three major musical heroes – Ray Charles, Hathaway, and Stevie Wonder. Himes told him to narrow the piece down to one artist.

“Though I was not planning to write a show

about mental illness, it actually was finding out that he suffered from mental illness that pulled me into him,” Roston said. “I grew up dealing with family members with mental illness. I was like, ‘Oh, I didn’t know that.’ It made him more familiar to me immediately. And he went to Vashon. It was like he could be someone in my family.”

Roston has shared Hathaway’s story on some of the nation’s biggest stages – including the famed Apollo Theater.

“That experience was amazing – surreal,” Roston said. “But I don’t care where I go, nothing is bigger to me than when I get to come back home. I’ll be honest, I’m trying not to freak out right now.”

He will be making his Repertory Theatre of St. Louis debut with Twisted Melodies –which despite being in the region, is a long way from the Cardinal Ritter stage where the seed for his career was planted for the Wellston native. He had been performing in plays throughout his childhood, but one show let him know that the stage was somewhere he could flourish if given the opportunity. Ironically, it was the work of another artist with St. Louis roots that was responsible for fertilizing that seed.

“My first spring musical – freshman year in high school – was a show called Betsey Brown by Ntozake Shange,” Roston said. “It was the first show that let me know that I had more in me than I knew – and I knew I wanted to do all the rest of the shows.”

He still sings the praises of the Cardinal Ritter College Prep theater department but admitted

that studying theater after graduation wasn’t something that he was conditioned to consider. His thinking changed when he connected with The Black Rep. They offered him a production assistant position.

“I had been working for the airlines,” Roston said. “I quit my job and took the position – which paid less than an intern. I said, ‘This might be the only window to open for me to get me on stage. By the end of that season, I was in ‘Damn Yankees.’”

Those starring roles are still coming for Roston, who is now based in Chicago.

“I live in Chicago, but I am a St. Louisan all day,” Roston said. “The caliber of artistry that we have in our city just compels me to try to be an example for my city as well – no matter where I go.”

Through his own art, he hopes to dispel stereotypes, raise awareness, and foster empathy as opposed to sympathy for those who suffer with mental health struggles.

“Be open to going on the journey with me, and I really believe that you will leave the show differently than when you came in,” Roston said. “I don’t believe that you will be able to hear Donny Hathaway’s music the same – our ears and minds can be made open to all of his heart that he pours out.”

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis will present Twisted Melodies from October 4 – October 22 at The Catherine B. Berges Theatre at COCA, 6880 Washington Avenue. For tickets and/or additional information, call (314) 968-4925 visit www.repstl. org.

C2C

Continued from C1

Pandemic: St. Louisans

Share their Stories

The production will run Friday, September 29 –Sunday October 1 at First Congregational Church of St. Louis, located at 6501 Wydown.

Through the voices of residents of all ages and backgrounds, C2C will ask audiences “how are you coping?” “How are you coping spiritually? How are you coping financially? How are you coping mentally – and How are you coping emotionally,” Lebby said. “That’s what we want to check in with people about.”

Programming for the weekend will include a Playback Theatre Session with Joan Lipkin and a collage workshop facilitated by Maria Ojascastro. It is the second production for C2C that is framed around the pandemic. They produced Celebration of Survival in 2021.

“I thought that it was important that we do a part two – that’s what I am calling this,” said Lebby. “There are just so many things that so many people are going through as a result of this – things that we never in our lives expected to experience.”

C2C wanted to give voice to those experiences. The organization enlisted writers to tell the stories

History

Continued from C1

slaves had [was] because the working conditions were so bad [and] because the weather was so hot, the white slave owners and overseers stayed inside,” said Harriot.

“This allowed them to speak freely and combine these cultures to create a subculture in the Black community in South Carolina. And to this day that culture is still surviving.”

Harriot’s work goes into depth about how “rice culture” influenced American culture and why that story is important to Black people. He gives a perspective of those who were alive during that era.

A National Public Radio review says “Harriot

of everyday citizens as they navigate through their new normal. They ended up with 30. LaVelle Wilkins-Chinn condensed the stories into a 45-minute production that Lebby directs.

“This whole process has been a good way for everyone to release,” Lebby said. “Lot of people were isolated, and they felt like they didn’t have anyone to talk to. In the story circles, a lot of them found out that they had similar experiences. That’s how you build community, when you come together.”

There were stories of loss. “One person lost a relative and they couldn’t have a funeral for them –and we are big on funerals in the Black community,” Lebby said. “They had to have the funeral and burial at the same time and only a few people can come.”

Other stories framed around grief included relatives being diagnosed and dying before relatives could fully wrap their heads around what was happening.

“There was one woman – and this was her favorite relative – One day he was told he had it. The next day he was in the hospital. The next week he was gone,” Lebby said. There were stories of mental health struggles. There was one man who said COVID reminded him of incarceration. “It made him scared and anxious because he had to stay in,” Lebby said. “He was

peels back the layers of those lies to reveal stories about the Black experience in this country that are as remarkable for their content as they are for their absence from our history textbooks.”

He details how enslaved people, skilled at growing rice on the West African coast, were responsible for saving “the entire Carolina economic system from collapse — with the introduction of America’s first edible cash crop.”

Harriot also recounts how a massive slave rebellion accelerated the process of the Territory of Orleans becoming the state of Louisiana.

He documents the brief period during which formerly enslaved people received the 40 acres promised them by the U.S. Government — until the land was taken back and returned to its former

forced to stay in his room and be with himself and it triggered that prison feeling for him from all those years ago. Most of us might not have been to prison, but now we all know what that experience of being locked in feels like – and we still have trauma from it.”

Lebby hopes that through the Emerging from the Pandemic: St. Louisans Share their Stories audiences learn something about themselves – and each other.

“The overwhelming majority of the people who were a part of the stories walked away feeling like they had more strength than they knew they had,” said Lebby. “My hope is that the audience feels that way too – and I’m hoping it will change people’s way of doing things and how we treat each other. We have to do better in helping take care of our community as a whole.”

C2C’s presentation of Emerging from the Pandemic: St. Louisans Share their Stories. The production will run Friday, September 29 –Sunday October 1 at First Congregational Church of St. Louis, located at 6501 Wydown. The Friday performance is “Pay What You Can Night.” For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com and search A Call to Conscience, Inc. or email fannie.c2c@ gmail.com

Confederate owners. Harriot’s book isn’t all dates and numbers. Even in the darkest stories, a reader will experience a hint of humor.

“It’s the way Black people relate to each other,” he said.

“Humor catches people in a way that makes things relatable. I want my book to be for people who might not ever pick up a history book and find interest in how I write history.

“To see how slavery, Jim Crow, mass incarceration, the ‘War on Drugs’, to see what Black people have accomplished in a short amount of time with everything that has been done to us is the greatest story of all time.

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

Stifel Bank & Trust offers FREE online financial education courses

Financial literacy is crucial for a stable financial foundation; making wise financial decisions can help you succeed. Not knowing where to get started can be overwhelming. If you’re not sure where to start, we can help. Stefanie Michell, community lending development specialist, says “We are excited to share that Stifel Bank & Trust offers FREE online financial courses to help guide you toward financial wellness. You can learn the basics, including topics on budgeting, spending, and saving. Or take a closer look at specific topics such as owning a home, investing in your future, entering the real world, or preparing for retirement.”

Our clients looking to purchase their first home often ask about topics related

to the homebuying process. Buying a home can be intimidating, but Stifel Bank & Trust has developed a curriculum of short, simple videos you can watch at your leisure to learn about buying and financing a home. Some of these homebuying topics include:

• Considering Homeownership

– understand what you need to consider before buying a home.

• Investment Property – explore the world of property investment to see if it is right for you.

• Refinancing - does it make sense for me to refinance my mortgage?

• Buying a Home – learn the process, resources, and strategies to help you buy a home while sticking to a budget.

• Mortgages – working with a lender you trust and finding a mortgage that fits your needs and budget.

Investing in yourself through financial education is the first step to financial success, contributing to your financial health and overall well-being. Remember, learning how to manage money can begin at any age; it’s never too late. Get started here: www. StifelMortgage.com and click on Mindful Money Workshops.

Want to learn more about our financial education offerings?

Contact Stefanie Mitchell, community lending development specialist, at (314) 317-1235 or via email mitchellst@stifelbank.com, NMLS# 2086497. Stefanie enjoys developing her relationships in the community through thoughtful engagement to help build more vital and healthy communities.

Ready to purchase a home? Contact Daulton Hillemann, mortgage loan officer, at (314) 317-6926 or via email hillemannd@stifelbank.com, NMLS# 1296887. Daulton takes great pride in helping people purchase a home. His clients enjoy his energy and willingness to go above and beyond to ensure their loan process goes smoothly.

Five tips to make saving money a habit

(StatePoint) It’s no secret that saving money is hard. Millions of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck and four out of 10 have less than $400 in savings. Similar to healthy eating, exercising or getting enough sleep, saving money works best when you make it a habit. Here’s how to prioritize saving money so that it becomes second nature:

1. Set a specific, realistic goal. Get very clear on what’s most important to you, whether that’s a rainy day fund to cover unexpected expenses, a family vacation, a house or retirement. Having a target amount for your savings and seeing your progress can keep you motivated.

2. Start small. Think of one or two actions you can take today to help you reach your goal. For example, cut back on expenses like eating out and put that money toward a weekly or monthly savings target. Accomplishing bite-sized goals can result in major progress over time.

3. Make it automatic. The more a habit is automatic, the more likely you’ll be to stick with it. Set up your direct deposit to put a portion of every paycheck into your savings account — before you have the chance to spend it. There are many online banking and digital tools that make it simple to set up automatic transfers to make consistent deposits. There are also mobile apps that will round up your purchases to the nearest dollar and deliver the change into a savings fund.

4. Reward yourself. While building a healthy habit is its own reward, it doesn’t hurt to thank yourself for being consistent. With support from the Wells Fargo Foundation, the nonprofit SaverLife launched a free mobile app that can help you build a habit of savings through fun, daily challenges, cash rewards and tips from financial coaches. The prize offerings change regularly, which can help you stay motivated and on track to hit your money goals. In the first six months of joining SaverLife, members typically more than double their savings rates and 58% deposit at least $500 into their savings accounts. To get started, download the free SaverLife app from the iOS or Android app store.

5. Get empowered. Knowledge is power, and fortunately, free online resources abound that can give you the financial literacy you need to meet your savings goals and gain insights into your money decisions. For example, Our Money Matters is a free financial wellness hub, also supported by the Wells

Fargo Foundation, that offers personalized financial wellness tools and educational content to help you with things like budgeting, ways to pay for college, building good credit and savings for goals. To sign up for free, visit our-money-matters. org.

“The key is to get started and build on each small success,” says Bonnie Wallace, head of Financial Health Philanthropy at Wells Fargo. “We’re committed to supporting programs that connect people with resources that can help them boost their savings and build greater financial security over time.”

Five insights to help find your dream job

(StatePoint) With one in four U.S. adults currently job seeking, it’s a competitive market, but experts say that finding your dream job is within reach if you use smart strategies.

“A well-executed job search that combines powerful search tools and the right mindset will connect you with companies that value their employees and set them up to thrive,” says Kristin Kelley, chief marketing officer of CareerBuilder.

As you get your job search under way, consider these five tips and insights from CareerBuilder:

1. Define your dream job: Research shows that the goals and desires of job seekers vary by industry. However, whether you’re an administrative assistant, a retail worker or a software developer, it’s important to define what matters to you in a job, as doing so will

help you narrow your search. This means nailing down details like your salary requirements, while also considering intangible factors, such as whether the work will allow you to make an impact and whether the company’s values align with yours.

2. Build a better resume: A resume is often the first point of connection between you and your next job, yet knowing its importance can make it feel daunting to create. To make a great impression with a minimal amount of effort, check out online tools like CareerBuilder’s “Create Resume” feature. The platform allows you to create multiple variations of your resume that call out specific areas of expertise as they may relate to particular roles. The site has already outlined the most important fields for you to fill in, making it easy to

authentically highlight a mix of skills that will get you noticed by top employers.

3. Streamline your search: Work smart, not hard. Rather than apply for jobs individually, turn to a job search platform that will make your profile and resume available to thousands of employers. In the case of CareerBuilder, you don’t actually need to register for an account to search through its millions of job listings. Search for jobs using filters like degree requirement, keywords, industry and mileage radius, then apply for positions directly on the site. A salary search function, along with career advice and tips, make it an invaluable one-stop site for job seekers.

4. Prepare for interviews: Preparing answers to common interview questions and even practicing with a spouse

or friend beforehand can help you feel competent and confident when the real interview rolls around. For behavioral questions, CareerBuilder recommends using the STAR method, in which you describe the Situation, Task, Action and Result to explain how you would act in specific work situations.

5. Check the terms: A dream job is only a dream job if the terms of employment suit you. Before signing a contract, check such details as compensation, start date, the company’s leave policy, professional development opportunities, perks and benefits, as well as items that could impact you in the future, like non-disclosure agreements.

For more career advice, or to register and search for jobs, visit careerbuilder. com/jobs.

What should you ask a financial advisor?

Managing your finances and investing for your future are important tasks — and they can be challenging. But you don’t have to go it alone. Many people benefit from working with a financial advisor, someone who knows their needs and goals and makes appropriate recommendations. If you’re considering getting some help, you’ll want to ensure a particular financial advisor is right for you, so it’s a good idea to ask questions. Here are some to consider:

• Have you worked with people like me? All of us are unique individuals. Yet, you do share certain characteristics with others — age, income, family situation and so on. And you might feel comfortable knowing that a financial advisor has worked with people like you and can readily understand and appreciate your needs and specific goals: college for your children, a certain type of retirement lifestyle, the kind of legacy you’d like to

leave and others. The more information you can provide about yourself upfront, the better your chances of finding a good match.

• Do you have a particular investment philosophy? Some financial advisors follow a particular investment style, while others might focus on specific investments or categories. There’s nothing inherently wrong with these types of approaches, but you might be better served by working with someone who takes a broader view — one that emphasizes helping clients meet their goals over any particular philosophy or strategy.

• How will you communicate with me? Open and frequent communication are key to a successful relationship with a financial advisor. So, you’ll want to know what you can expect. Will you have annual or semi-annual reviews of your accounts? In between these reviews,

can you contact your advisor at any time with questions you may have? How will an advisor notify you to recommend investment moves? Is the financial advisor the individual you’ll communicate with, or are other people involved?

• How do you define success for your clients? Some investors track their portfolios’ performance against that of a specific market index, such as the S&P 500. But these types of benchmarks can be misleading. For one thing, investors should strive for a diversified portfolio of stocks, bonds and other investments, whereas the S&P 500 only tracks the largest U.S. stocks. So, when you talk to potential financial advisors about how they define success for their clients, you may want to look for responses that go beyond numbers and encompass statements such as these: “I’m successful if my clients trust me to

do the right things for them. And, most important, I’m successful when I know I’ve helped my clients reach all their goals.”

• How are you compensated? Financial advisors are compensated in different ways — some work on commissions, some charge fees, and some combine fees and commissions. There isn’t necessarily any best method, from a client’s point of view, but you should clearly understand how a potential advisor is compensated before you begin a professional relationship.

These aren’t the only questions you might ask a potential financial advisor, but they should give you a good start. When you’re trusting someone to help you with your important financial goals, you want to be completely comfortable with that individual — so ask whatever is on your mind.

Give your paycheck a checkup

By: Terrence Harris Director, corporate retail sales management, Commerce Bank

Payday can be one of the most exciting days of the week. But making sense of the money deducted from your paycheck before your actual take home pay can be confusing, especially if you’re a new employee. Understanding what those deductions mean — and how much control you have over them — can put you in a better position to save for the future, lower your taxable income, and make the most of your earnings.

Paycheck deductions are a portion of your earnings withheld to pay taxes and certain employee benefits. Some of these deductions represent money your employer is required to withhold every month, like taxes, while other deductions may include benefits you sign up for vol-

untarily through your employer, like health insurance. Here are the different types of deductions you might see on your paycheck, as well as the tax categories they may fall under.

Mandatory deductions include federal tax withholdings, state and local income tax, Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA), which includes Medicare and Social Security based on a percentage of your income and wage garnishments if applicable.

Voluntary deductions require employee consent and may include health insurance, retirement plans, life insurance, childcare, health savings accounts (HSA) and flexible spending accounts (FSA). Pre-tax voluntary deductions are taken before any taxes are with-

held. These can include health insurance, HSAs, FSAs, group term life insurance and certain types of retirement plans, like a 401(k). Post-tax voluntary deductions are taken after all required taxes are withheld. These include certain retirement plans like Roth 401(k), disability insurance, union dues and donations to charity.

To determine the tax withholding from your paycheck, consult the information you provide on your W-4 form. This information determines how much your employer withholds from each paycheck for federal income taxes. You can use the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator to help you determine the right amount of allowances to claim on your W-4 form. It’s a good idea to review your W-4 withholdings after a

life event like getting married, adding a dependent, or buying a house, so your withholding amount more accurately reflects your tax liability.

There are a few other things to consider regarding paycheck deductions. Always be sure to carefully review your first paystub from a new employer to make sure the information is accurate. You can also consider increasing pretax deductions that help you save for retirement, especially if your employer offers to match a portion of your contributions. Lastly, be sure to save your last paycheck of the year to compare your annual earnings and deductions with your W-2.

If you have questions about paycheck deductions, Commerce Bank is here to help. To learn more, connect with a Commerce banker, find your nearest branch or visit commercebank.com.

Terrence Harris

Black folks are at risk of poverty in retirement

By Bria Overs Word In Black

Working for a lifetime is rarely any person’s dream. As people get closer to their 65th birthday, they start putting together their plans for living out the rest of their lives.

However, too many Americans lack the “longevity literacy” to prepare for retirement properly.

In a study of the TIAA-Global Financial Literacy Excellence Center’s Personal Finance Index, only 12% of adults had “strong longevity literacy.”

An estimate for 2021 from health policy research organization KFF showed the average life expectancy for Americans has declined since 2019 from 78.8 years to 76.1. Black people are down to 70.8 years from 74.8.

Still, people live longer than they ever have, often unexpectedly. And their retirement savings and preparedness must

match that, if not surpass it.

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

“If they underestimate the life expectancy and end up living longer, and did not plan for income, they are short on funds,” Surya P. Kolluri, head of the TIAA Institute, says. “So, correcting the notion of how long people live will help them plan better.”

Longevity literacy is part of the foundation of retirement readiness.

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

But, improving financial literacy is only one piece of this puzzle.

How to save for retirement

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

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

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

Studies from Northwestern Mutual and Charles Schwab found that Americans feel they will need at least $1.27 million to $1.9 million to retire.

In his research with the Urban Institute, Angelino Viceisza, professor of economics at Spelman College and

president of the National Economic Association, found that Black people had the “second-lowest retirement wealth” at $11,157 for women and $19,382 for men.

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

Finding more ways to prepare

As people age, they should reassess their retirement savings and other investments to ensure they’re on the right track to have what they expect to need.

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