September 7th, 2017 Edition

HuffPost teams with American to listen to STL

“By partnering with local news organizations who are on the ground in places all around the country, we can re-start this conversation about our identity.”

“United we bargain, divided we beg,” announced a union protestor at the Show Me 15 rally held before the start of the 2017 Labor Day Parade in downtown St. Louis on Monday, September 4. Labor activism is up in Missouri since the Republicandominated legislature and Republican Governor Eric Greitens enacted legislation for so-called Right to Work policy, which diminishes labor funding and union participation, and for stopping cities like St. Louis from passing higher standards for the minimum wage than the state establishes.

should stand with protestors

Rev. Renita Marie Lamkin Green

It was 6:30 the other morning when a message came to my inbox.

“What’s going on with clergy and frontliners? I’m hearing some disturbing news about a counterprotest against the frontliners. I thought we were in this together, but this will look goofy and crazy.” Truth.

Clergy, against the people? I cannot fathom the logic of this.

During the Ferguson uprising, there was constant tension between clergy and protestors. Rev. Tommie Pierson was among the first who opened the doors of the church for protestors – I took refuge in that space one night after terror was unleashed. There were others whose constant

obstacles to

By Rebecca Rivas

Peoples said. “Every day they talk about college.” His older brother was part of the history-making senior class that just graduated in the spring, where 160 students received diplomas — a 97 percent

By Chris King Of The St. Louis American

Polgreen,

– Lydia Polgreen, HuffPost editor-inchief

Photo by Damon Dahlen/HuffPost

American staff

Carl J. Bruce passed away on August 29, 2017 after a valiant battle with cancer wherein he received his final healing.

Carl J. Bruce was born June 29, 1938 in St. Louis to Carl and Ella (Zimmerman) Bruce; both preceded him in

Jennings High School counselor Rhonda Key talked with students Deanna Obrebey and Asha Amerson at the school on Wednesday, September 6.

Photo by Wiley Price

Photo by Wiley Price

According to TMZ.com, rapper Lil Wayne has been released from the hospital after suffering multiple seizures over the holiday weekend.

Sources close to the rapper told TMZ that the seizures that forced him into the hospital Sunday were due to a super busy schedule mixed with the fact he was not getting enough sleep.

The celebrity news and gossip site says that following back-toback concerts, Wayne was going out after shows and heading straight from the club to the studio without any rest – and the lack of sleep was what triggered the medical emergency.

Wayne has reportedly been advised to take it easy on tour and is taking a two week vacation before his

next show, which takes place September 23.

Tweet makes recovery

R&B singer Tweet is reportedly feeling better after being hospitalized for blood clots.

On Wednesday, her boyfriend, Baltimore pastor Jamal Bryant, asked for prayers as she was suffering from clots in her lungs at right arm.

Less than a week later, it appears those prayers helped.

“Miracles still happen,” Tweet said on Instagram. “Just wanted to say thank you all for your love, concern, flowers, cards and most of all your prayers. I am doing well and going home soon. I was down, but never count GOD out!!! TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!!”

Interviewer goes off after Usher accuser claims to have video proof

Last month, Usher fans were shocked after Quantasia Sharpton filed a civil lawsuit against the pop star accusing him of

exposing her to the herpes virus

In a recent interview with YouTube personality, Miss Jacob Kohinoor, Sharpton insists her encounter with Usher was recorded. She said that attorney Lisa Bloom would not have taken her case without proof. She also says she wants Usher jailed for exposing her to the virus.

“I have things on my phone. I keep everything on my phone,” Sharpton said.

“He knew that you were recording him doing sexual [expletive] on video? Girl, stop,” Kohinoor said.

“People lie, but videos don’t,” Sharpton said. “Do you think that if there was no evidence that she would have taken my case?”

“How do we know that he didn’t tell you that he had herpes,” Kohinoor said. Sharpton admitted that there is no way for anyone else to know, but she told Kohinoor that he didn’t tell her he wasn’t infected –because she never would have had sex with someone with an STD.

Kandi Burruss

“Yes, because she’s hungry for fame,” Kohinoor said. “Usher was okay with you videotaping it? Ms. Sharpton, you are something special to have him all infatuated with you to let you record him. You’ve got to tell us your secret.”

“I don’t’ know if other people have videos,” Sharpton said. “Girl, you know if other people had videos, they would have leaked that expletive already,” Kohinoor clapped back.

“That’s not true, because I haven’t leaked mine,” Sharpton said.

Kohinoor went on to ask her more questions about the experience and questioning the validity of Sharpton’s claims.

“So you do know that anybody you have sex with could have an STD,” Kohinoor said.

Kandi’s restaurant suffers suspicious health inspections

Kandi Burruss’ Atlanta restaurant earns low marks from the Georgia Health Inspector. According to reports, the Old Lady Gang scored a 79 grade C during its August 24, 2017 health inspection. Among the seven violations found by the inspector the most serious was not having hand washing facilities readily available for employees. Other violations included issues with cleanliness of food contact surfaces, personal cleanliness, and improper temperatures for refrigerated foods.

Sources: TMZ.com, YouTube.com, Instagram.com, Essence.com

Lil Wayne home from the hospital following seizures

Lil Wayne

Helping students reach for their goals

Kim Quain is 2017 SEMO Counselor of the Year

By Rebecca Rivas Of The St. Louis American

When she was growing up, Kim Quain never doubted whether she was going to earn a college degree. Quain, now a college/career counselor at Hazelwood West High School, was raised by a single mother worked at General Electric in the factory for 42 years. Her mother, Jeanette Lewis, repeatedly told her two children that they would further their education, Quain said.

“Didn’t have a lot of money,” Quain said. “Didn’t know how we were going to do it, but there was never a doubt since I was little that I was going to go to college and that was the goal. With her pushing and driving me, that’s where I am today.”

After Quain earned her masters’ degree, her mother retired from General Electric.

Quain plans to retire as a counselor.

“It’s very rewarding to help students reach for goals and achieve their goals,” Quain said. “I plan on doing this as long as I can. I love working with my families.”

During the six years that Quain has been a college counselor at Hazelwood West, the amount of scholarships earned by their students has doubled.

“Kimberly has done a phenomenal job over the last several years in helping our students to realize their academic potential,” said Bruce Green, assistant superintendent for Hazelwood high schools. “In fact, she was responsible for helping the 2017 Hazelwood West

graduates to secure postsecondary scholarship opportunities that exceeded $11 million. I am very proud of her.”

On September 23, Quain will receive the 2017 SEMO Counselor of the Year Award at the St. Louis American Foundation’s 30th annual Salute to Excellence in Education Scholarship and Awards Gala. The proceeds from the event, held at the America’s Center, benefit the foundation, which distributed more than $700,000 in minority scholarships and grants last year.

A St. Louis native, Quain graduated from Ritenour High School and earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Louisiana – Monroe, where she also earned her master’s in education.

As a first-generation college student, Quain worked throughout college to support herself and pay tuition. She said she understands the obstacles that many of her students are facing today when pursuing their post-secondary education.

She spent nine years as a counselor at Ritenour, and she is starting her 11th year at Hazelwood West – where she’s served the last six years as a college counselor. In her first four years, she was a guidance counselor.

She is proud of her relationship with her students’ parents. They often reach out to her for information on financial aid, applications and other things.

“Knowing that they feel comfortable contacting me is what I think is most gratifying

in my job,” Quain said. Quain has developed and implemented several programs to bridge the gap between school and parents. During her tenure at Hazelwood West, she has implemented a Curriculum Fair, Financial Aid Night, and

n “It’s very rewarding to help students reach for goals and achieve their goals.”

College and Career Recognition Day.

In her first year as a college counselor, the Hazelwood administration decided they wanted to recognize not just the graduating athletes but also “students who have done what they needed to do to start

CELEBRATION OF LIFE FOR

MORRIS E. BOHANNON

Kim Quain, a college/career counselor at Hazelwood West High School, will receive the 2017 SEMO Counselor of the Year Award at the St. Louis American Foundation’s Salute to Excellence in Education Scholarship and Awards Gala on September 23.

by Wiley Price

the next step of their life,” she said. So, Quain organized the College Recognition Day, which is a reception where students are individually recognized for their acceptance into their college of choice. The students are announced, and they shake the principal’s hand.

registration time, is another successful program that she started. During one evening, students will come in with registration sheets and representatives from every department are available to talk to students about what they can expect from the different courses. Some teachers give demonstrations of their classes.

– Kim Quain

Students can also talk to representatives from clubs and sports teams.

“It’s a very exciting time for them,” Quain said. “The community loves it. It was so well received here that the other buildings in the district started doing it as well.”

Quain’s Curriculum Fair, which happens during

Since starting the fair, the school has been able increase the number of students who sign up for AP classes and extracurricular activities, she said. The fair’s attendance has also gone up from 300 in the first year to 1,100 last year.

“Our faculty enjoys it also because they get to meet with parents and answer questions,” she said.

As a college counselor, she

loves to watch students start the process of seeing schools they want to attend and what they want to major in.

“Throughout the years that I work with them, we tweak that,” Quain said. “And by the time they are seniors, it’s so rewarding to see them have grown so much and to see them go on to the next step of their life.”

The 2017 Salute to Excellence in Education Gala will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday, September 23, 2017 at the America’s Center Ballroom, following a reception at 5 p.m. Tickets are on sale now. Individual tickets are $85 each/$850 table, and VIP/ Corporate tickets are $1,500 table. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www. stlamerican.com and click on Salute to Excellence, or call 314-533-8000.

Photo

State. Rep. Warren Love must resign or be removed from office

We reckon that Governor Eric Greitens and the Republican leadership in the Missouri Legislature would be hypocrites at best and enablers of vigilante violence at worst if they don’t call for the immediate resignation of state Rep. Warren Love (R-Osceola) – and initiate proceedings to remove Love if he does not resign.

Love is a self-described good-old-boy who hankers for a bygone time when cowboys could string up people from a tree with a rope and take public executions into their own hands.

The good old cowboy from Osceola – 92 percent white in the 2010 U.S. Census, with exactly 15 black people counted in the town of less than 900 – got itchy for his lasso finger when he heard about the vandalism of a Confederate monument in Springfield National Cemetery on Wednesday, August 30. In response, Love posted on Facebook: “This is totally against the law. I hope they are found & hung from a tall tree with a long rope. National Veterans Cemetery in Springfield, Mo.”

violence are unacceptable. He needs to resign.” Webber also called for Chappelle-Nadal’s resignation.

Do the Republicans who pressed for Chappelle-Nadal’s resignation or removal believe that one of her colleagues should be removed from public office after calling for vigilante execution of a cemetery vandal?

Apparently not.

The governor, Republican leadership in the Legislature and even the Missouri Democratic Party called promptly for state Senator Maria Chappelle-Nadal to resign when she posted on a Facebook comment thread that she hoped President Trump would be assassinated. We also called for her resignation. No elected official should make a public death wish for anyone, including a disruptive and unhinged U.S. president who daily endangers millions of lives.

The president did not vandalize the Confederate monument in Springfield, but whoever committed the crime should not be punished by death, and no elected official should be calling for perpetrators’ deaths at the hands of vigilantes. Clearly, Love is unfit to represent the people of Missouri in public office.

U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill (D-Missouri) gets it. “Representative Love should resign for his unacceptable comments,” she stated. McCaskill also called for Chappelle-Nadal’s resignation.

Stephen Webber, chairman of the Missouri Democratic Party, gets it.

“This is a call for lynching by a sitting state representative,” he stated. “Calls for political

None of the many Republicans who emailed The American with calls for Chappelle-Nadal’s resignation had sent a statement nearly a week after Love’s post. Queries to the governor, U.S. Senator Blunt and other Republican leaders were not answered.

Love, clearly, does not get it. The best he could do by way of apology was: “What I said was a stupid remark and I am Sorry to everyone that it offends.” Love told the Kansas City Star (Osceola is about 100 miles southeast of K.C.) that he will not delete the post. ChappelleNadal immediately deleted her post about Trump and issued a public retraction and apology.

Over the phone, Love joked with The Star about how a friend had corrected him, saying he should have written a “short rope” rather than a long one, The Star reported. A short rope, of could, would make for more certain death for the person lynched.

He later emailed to The Star that he had not intended to incite violence in calling for a public hanging and that he “was only using and (sic) old Cowboy Statement that is a western custom of a penalty for Thieves that steal Cattle & Horses.”

We reckon that the misnamed Rep. Love never learned his letters all that well, when it comes to knowing what letters to capitalize. And we reckon he don’t much understand what words mean, either. He publicly posted that he hoped vandals – who desecrated something as controversial and emotional as a Confederate monument – would be “found & hung.” That is unmistakably an incitement to violence.

No one who incites vigilante violence should hold public office. Love must resign or be removed from the Missouri House of Representatives. If Republican leaders do not agree, then they are enablers of this call for vigilante violence – by a method, lynching, intimately associated with historic white-on-black vigilante violence and public executions.

As I See It - A Forum for Community Issues

Not at all quiet for Trump on the Russia front

Just so there’s no confusion: Donald Trump’s longtime personal lawyer emailed Vladimir Putin’s personal spokesman? Seeking help from the Kremlin on a deal to build a Trump Tower in Moscow? During the presidential campaign?

Yes, this really happened. While most attention was rightly focused on the devastating flood in Houston, there was quite a bit of news on the Russia front – all of it, from Trump’s perspective, quite bad. The revelations begin with a Trump business associate named Felix Sater. A Russian emigre who bragged about his Kremlin connections, Sater was a principal figure in development of the Trump Soho hotel and condominium project in lower Manhattan. Sater wrote a series of emails to Trump’s lawyer, Michael Cohen, touting the Moscow Trump Tower project as a way to help Trump win the presidency.

In November 2015 – five months after Trump had entered the race for the Republican presidential nomination –Sater wrote to Cohen that he had “arranged” for Trump’s daughter Ivanka, during a 2006 visit to Moscow, “to sit in Putins private chair at his desk and office in the Kremlin.”

The email went on, “I will get Putin on this program and we will get Donald elected. We both know no one else knows how to pull this off without stupidity or greed getting in the way. I know how to play it and we will get this done. Buddy our boy can become President of the USA and we can engineer it. I will get all of Putins team to buy in on this.”

Commentary

We look to the governor to show true

By Bruce Franks Jr. Guest columnist

Governor Greitens, I want to believe that it wasn’t the media, the many signatures, the phone calls and continued pressure that allowed you to stay the execution of Marcellus Williams. But no matter the reason, this shows a willingness to see things from a different perspective. I would hope that you make the right decision in many more situations. I hope you will embrace instances when you see bipartisan efforts to make life better for all Missourians, and trust the people that represent each district in Missouri.

I hope that the governor who stood up to social injustices before he was governor would show up more often. I hope the conversation you had with the Missouri Legislative Black Caucus about police accountability, police/ community relationships, and addressing challenges and barriers in black and economically distressed communities wasn’t just for optics. I was elected to fight for not only the 78th House District but all Missourians, even if they don’t agree with me, and I hope that you share this sentiment. With the Marcellus Williams case in mind, I will remain an optimist and refuse to believe that your conscience told you that signing SB 43 was right. The fact that we will be rolling

L

leadership

back civil rights 60 years, making it nearly impossible to prove discrimination in the workplace, is immoral and wrong. You have chosen to stand against other forms of discrimination, but in this case you decided to stand with a state senator who filed a selfserving bill to protect him and other business owners from the very thing he is being sued for.

You held a special session because you wanted to bring jobs to New Madrid. The black woman who is suing the business of the senator who introduced SB 43 is from New Madrid. So exactly whose job security and future were you fighting for down there in New Madrid?

I’m sure she would have loved for the man who opposed SJR 39 and stood against the terrible acts of vandalism at the Jewish cemetery in St. Louis would show up for her in New Madrid.

Moreover, I refuse to believe that you don’t want people of St. Louis to make livable wages. To allow the people of St. Louis to work hard to raise the city’s minimum wage, only for it to be stripped away, is not acceptable. We fought, businesses fought, the people

etters to the editor

Remove Love and Chappelle-Nadal

I join United States Senator Claire McCaskill and our State Party Chairman Stephen Webber in calling for the expulsion of Senator Chappelle-Nadal and I am calling for the resignation of Representative Warren Love as well. Without Senator Chappelle-Nadal’s removal, we have no moral standing to call for Representative Love’s removal.

fought to raise the minimum wage, and politics shouldn’t be allowed to decide the livelihood of everyday people who just want to survive.

Unfortunately, on August 28, laws that will set us back went into effect, and laws that would actually help us did not. In a bipartisan effort to save HCB 3, both chambers were able pass the bill, yet you vetoed it.

The legislature had made it so the city of St. Louis could raise their wage, and you defeated our efforts.

Not listening to the people of Missouri, you fought to bring Right to Work to our state, ignoring numerous studies and other real evidence that shows all of the issues associated with being a Right-to-Work state. The people didn’t agree. Unions organized around Missouri and collected enough votes to take it to the people, rightfully so.

Now we look to you to show true leadership and use your office to advocate for all of the residents of Missouri, regardless of differences in political ideology. As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “There comes a time where you must do something not because of politics or because it’s safe but because your conscience tells you it’s right.” Bruce Franks Jr. (D-St. Louis) represents the 78th House District in the Missouri House of Representatives.

All letters are edited for length and style.

He sent an email to Dmitry Peskov, Putin’s longtime personal spokesman, “hereby requesting your assistance.” Peskov confirmed that the email was received but said he did nothing about it and that it was not given to Putin.

So Trump was lying when he tweeted, shortly before his inauguration, that “I HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH RUSSIA – NO DEALS, NO LOANS, NO NOTHING!” The truth is that in October 2015, on the same day he participated in a GOP candidates’ debate, he

Could Sater be just a blowhard who exaggerated his influence with the Russian president? Perhaps. But Ivanka Trump did tell The New York Times that she took a “brief tour of Red Square and the Kremlin” during that 2006 visit. The Times reported she said that “it is possible she sat in Mr. Putin’s chair during that tour but she did not recall it.” There is no evidence that Cohen, one of Trump’s closest associates, found anything improper in Sater’s pledge to get Putin “on this program.” Nor did Cohen or anyone in the Trump Organization bother to disclose the emails – or the Trump firm’s effort, even during the campaign, to profitably emblazon the Trump name on the Moscow skyline – until the correspondence was turned over to the House Intelligence Committee on August 28. And there’s more: In January 2016, with the Moscow project apparently stalled, Cohen went straight to the top to get it back on track – or at least tried to.

signed a letter of intent for the Moscow Trump Tower project.

That is a “deal,” and Trump’s hunger to keep it alive may explain his reluctance to say anything critical about Putin. Or it may tell just part of the story.

The other part involves the whole question of collusion between Russian officials and the Trump campaign to meddle with the election and boost Trump’s chances. Sater’s boasts, by themselves, are hardly definitive. But of course there is the larger context, which includes the infamous meeting that Donald Trump Jr. convened in New York at which he hoped to receive dirt, courtesy of the Russian government, on Hillary Clinton.

Thus far we have the president’s son, his son-in-law Jared Kushner (who was at that meeting), his then-campaign manager Paul Manafort (also at the meeting), and now his personal lawyer all seemingly eager for Russian help in the election. Who in the campaign wasn’t willing to collude?

All of this is under scrutiny by special counsel Robert Mueller and the various congressional committees that are conducting investigations. Some have suggested that Trump’s pardon of Joe Arpaio, the unrepentant “birther” and racial profiler, might have been a message to Trump associates facing heat from prosecutors: Hang tough and don’t worry, you’ll get pardons.

But there was more bad news for the president: Politico reported that Mueller is now cooperating and sharing information with New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman. Presidents can only issue pardons for federal offenses, not state crimes.

State Rep. Joshua Peters St. Louis

Show compassion for a stupid mistake

It was disheartening to read that The St. Louis American has been swept up in the mob mentality of misogynists, racists and holier-than-thou Missourians who are calling for state Sen. Maria ChappelleNadal’s removal from the state legislature.

Yes, Chappelle-Nadal made a hateful, hurtful, stupid comment (five words) on her own Facebook page. She quickly realized her error and removed the comment. She promptly apologized and took the additional step of calling a press conference, where she stood in front of cameras and reporters and issued a public apology to the president, his family, her constituents, and members of the Missouri legislature. She knows that she disappointed a great many people, and she took responsibility for her actions with grace and dignity.

So what should our response be now? I believe that we should accept her apology and move on. My religious tradition (Jewish) teaches that it is important to let go of anger and forgive when someone is trying to make an amend. Revenge may seem like an appropriate response to many people, but ultimately revenge and vindictiveness are just cruel.

Your editorial contends that Chappelle-Nadal “destroyed her credibility and effectiveness as an elected official.” In fact, as a member of the minority party in Jefferson City (and as a

black woman), the senator has had very little opportunity to be an effective legislator. You also state that Chappelle-Nadal has shown “courage and conviction and intellect and passion.” Those are four qualities that are desperately needed in Jefferson City today. Let’s put down the torches and let the senator complete her last term. And let’s see if we can summon up some degree of compassion and understanding for a woman who simply made a stupid mistake.

Barbara L. Finch Clayton

Embarrassing and discriminatory

This bill, SB 43, from Republican officeholders in Jefferson City is an embarrassing and discriminatory measure that diminishes Missouri’s workers, hurts our economy, and

pushes our state backwards. In contrast to the Republican establishment, Missouri Democrats will continue to fight every day to advance civil rights and the economic priorities of working families.

Stephen Webber, chair Missouri Democratic Party Chair, Columbia

Save babies in hot cars

Someone has to develop an app or some kind of warning device to stop children from dying in hot cars! Again we hear of a baby dying in a hot car! Why can’t an app be developed to sound an alarm if the driver’s seat of a car is empty but the child’s car seat still has a child in it? The alarm could alert the parents’ phones (and other designated phones) plus make a loud noise from the car itself.

Linda Caravelli, Florissant

Guest Columnist Bruce Franks Jr.

Columnist Eugene Robinson

Warren Love

Ron Wilkinson, friends and the Cardinals

Ron Wilkinson and friends are celebrating five years of partnership with the St. Louis Cardinals to assist local non-profit organizations. Not only do attendees get to enjoy the ballgame at a discounted ticket price, they can also sing either the National Anthem, “God Bless America” or, if you’re a veteran, you can participate in the flag ceremony on the field. This year, 13 churches from St. Louis and East St. Louis are participating. The last of three Ron and Friends games is August 24 against the San Diego Padres. If you or your organization would like to become a partner in the future, please contact Ron Wilkinson at 314-681-1722 or email Ron4earth@gmail.com

Civil rights leaders counter Justice Department’s attack on affirmative action

By Charlene Crowell Columnist

As millions of students return to school, the nation’s Justice Department (DOJ) is beginning an investigation that could potentially sue universities over affirmative action admissions policies.

As first reported by the New York Times, Justice’s Civil Rights Division will carry out this effort to determine whether white applicants were discriminated against.

For black people and other ethnic and racial minorities, this investigation seems like window-dressing to deny millions of students a quality education in the name of injustice. Such actions also signal a more subtle message is to roll back to the progress achieved in broadly affording students of all races and ethnicities the benefits that higher education derives.

Among education and civil rights advocates a strong belief

holds that everyone benefits when obstacles to educational opportunity are overcome.

“The American Dream offers each new generation the opportunity to build on the successes of previous ones,” wrote Nikitra Bailey, an executive vice president with the Center for Responsible Lending, in a related op-ed.

“However, if you are AfricanAmerican, the nation’s history of enslavement and legal bigotry consistently requires each generation to start anew.” Bailey is correct.

Despite the vigilance of civil rights heroes over multiple generations, the heralded 1954 Supreme Court ruling in Brown v. Board of Education, or a series of 1960s laws that were enacted to guarantee full and first-class citizenship to every black American, even more work remains to be done before everyone is afforded the promises of America. It’s been several years since the anti-affirmation

action crusade took its venomous campaign to states across the country.

Beginning in California in 1996 and continuing through 2010, Ward Connerly, a former University of California regent, led a series of statewide campaigns to constitutionally ban affirmative action in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Washington State. The goal was to make it illegal for public colleges and universities to include consideration of race or ethnicity in college admissions.

advocates in opposition.

Prior to the November 2006 Proposal 2 ballot vote in Michigan, Paul Hillegonds, a white Republican and former Speaker of the State House, helped to lead a statewide coalition of more than 200 organizations pledged to defeat the measure.

Only in Colorado was the effort turned back by voters. In all of the other locales, the measure passed with broad support, often despite many business and corporate leaders joining with civil rights

“If it passes, we are announcing to the world that women and minorities will not be given an equal opportunity to succeed in business in our state,” said Hillegonds. “This is the wrong message to send at a time when we are trying to attract new businesses and develop a talented, multicultural workforce ready to meet the demands of the 21st Century economy.”

State-approved bans on affirmative action in higher education also led to fewer

black students in the University of California system as well as at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor.

Today the U.S. Justice Department is resuming a fight for the preservation of white privilege that is armed with resources and personnel that taxpayers of all colors provide.

“President Trump’s Justice Department has hardly been worthy of its name,” said Sherrilynn A. Ifill, president and director-counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund. “It has retreated from meaningful police reform, argued on behalf of state laws that suppress minority voting rights, directed prosecutors to seek harsh sentences for nonviolent drug offenses, and extended the federal government’s power to seize the property of innocent Americans.”

She said each of these efforts “disproportionately and systematically burdens people of color” and widens “the racial

divides that this country has struggled for so long to close.”

The United States Supreme Court recently affirmed the use of affirmative action in admissions decisions in Fisher v. University of Texas. In that ruling, the importance of diversity as a compelling state interest was affirmed as settled law. The decision was also a victory for equal opportunity and recognized again that it is critical for schools to create diverse and inclusive student bodies.

“The U.S. Justice Department must enforce inclusive educational policies as they open the doors of opportunity for all,” said Bailey.

Charlene Crowell is the communications deputy director for the Center for Responsible Lending. She can be reached at charlene. crowell@responsiblelending. org.

Charlene Crowell

CLERGY

presence didn’t get them lumped into “the clergy” but, as a collective, our name was bad. Eventually, things started turning around when clergy with access used their influence to raise dollars and lower bail for a group who were arrested.

Rev. Osagyefo Sekou led clergy in placing their bodies on the line in front of, instead of, and alongside protestors.

Rev. David Gerth coordinated clergy to be a witness of presence and assistance. More doors began opening, more clergy found their space, and deeper relationships and partnerships emerged.

One night in Ferguson as the crowd was dispersing, police surged into the crowd and snatched one of the protestors. The police surged again. At some point clergymen arrived, spoke to the police, then came to our group with negotiations. There was a promise of a release before midnight if we stayed out

BRUCE

Continued from A1

Continued from A1 Church and later joined West Side Missionary Baptist Church.

Carl married Linda Sharp and to this union Sheree was born. Later, on May 26, 1989, Carl and Rose Carnes were united in holy matrimony and to this union Carl Bruce III was born.

Carl worked several jobs early in life, supporting his family by working for General Motors and as a union painter. But Carl found his real passion was found in photography. He took classes at Forest Park Community College and perfected his photography skills through hard work and his unique ability to connect with

of the street and the rest at midnight if everyone was gone. That night three or four hostages were taken. Later we would learn that while the clergy were “negotiating,” the police had already driven

people. For over 35 years, Carl used his gift of photography to foster social action and civil justice as the object of entrepreneurial spirit and as a call for unity. Carl used his camera to document lives across a wide spectrum.

Carl’s work has been recognized by several entities. He has won awards and been recognized by the Greater St Louis Association of Black Journalists, Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. – The Young Black Achievers Award; The Northwest County Jaycees – Jaycee of the Year; The 100 Black Men - Member of The Year Award; The Missouri Lottery - Business of the Year; The International Photographers Association; and by the Paula J. Carter Foundation.

Carl’s ability to tell a story

off with our comrades. That night on the street, chants of “F* the police” turned to “F* the clergy.” I pray this sad commentary doesn’t befall us again. We must be clear: Police

through his photo lens and his ability to connect with people led to him being chosen to record many significant events. He developed an extensive client list, which included the committee for the St. Louis Martin Luther King Jr. March, 100 Black Men of Greater St. Louis, the Million Man March, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri, the Human Development Corporation, the Greater Ville Neighborhood Association, the Urban League’s Annual Conference, the NAACP National Convention, and several other philanthropic events such as Joe Torry’s Give Back the Love charity event.

Carl’s national client list included Coors, King Cobra, Anheuser Busch, Grey Eagle Distributing and Lohr’s

n Protesting is an act of resistance –laments from the souls of the afflicted which are heard in heaven.

– Rev. Renita Marie Lamkin Green

are agents of the state. They have historically used the clergy’s access and influence to control the people. In return, clergy have gained access to those in power. To what end? Our children are still hunted

Distributing, to name a few. Carl’s photos have been published in The St. Louis American, but also The Metro Sentinel, The Argus, East St. Louis Monitor, The Magnolia Revue and Ladue News. Readers could also find Carl’s pictures in Jet Magazine, Michelle Magazine, ‘A’ Magazine and Proud Inspiration Magazine

Carl’s chosen field afforded him the opportunity to photograph many local and national celebrities. He accumulated a vast array of pictures of entertainers, politicians, sports figures and other notables

Carl J. Bruce was a quiet and humble man. Through a kind, determined and warm spirit, Carl blessed others as he interacted with them through the lens of his life. So many people referred to him as

prey. Our communities are still blighted. Our schools are underfunded.

What does it profit a preacher to gain the ear of a politician while losing the soul of the community? We must starve with the people before gathering one crumb from the king’s table.

Rev. Clinton Stancil, pastor of Wayman AME Church declared, “The clergy will stand with the activist, and we stand behind and we support them because we, too, are tired.”

Some clergy have stated that they will stand with activists as long as the protests remain non-violent. During the height of the protests, no one was injured by protestors. Protestors have always been non-violent.

“Stand with” simply means to be “on the side of.” For clergypersons, “stand with” means that we will not be accessible to power as tools against the people. It means we will put context, not condemnation to the tactics of the protestors; raise righteous ruckus when the police use violence against the people; place the interest of the

“Carl, the Photographer” that it became associated with his personal identity. In 2016, Carl and his associates, James Cotter and George Cotton, were recognized by the Missouri History Museum for their contributions to the Saint Louis community for their creation and publication of Michelle Magazine and ‘A’ Magazine They were featured in a program and with an exhibit at the museum.

Carl enjoyed spending time with his wife and children, often involving them in his many service projects. Carl contributed abundantly to his community and enriched the lives of many others. He was a member of the 100 Black Men, the Urban League and a Life member of the NAACP.

He served the Lord through his interactions with others and

whole over the interest of ourselves; be available for advice, encouragement and consolation; and speak life, justice, hope, and healing to and about protestors.

“The cry of the community has come to me, I have seen for myself how cruelly they’ve been treated by those in power. It is time for you to go back, to bring my people out of systemic oppression –tell White Supremacy, let my people go.” Exodus 3:9-10

Protesting is an act of resistance – laments from the souls of the afflicted which are heard in heaven.

Some clergy have stated they will oppose the protestors. I hope this is not the case. I hope that clergy will not make God look goofy and crazy to those who are watching. I hope, for the sake of the Kingdom, that we unite forces, stand with (and as) protestors and declare, “Satan, we’re gonna tear your kingdom down!”

appreciated his church family at the West Side Missionary Baptist Church. Carl leaves to treasure his memories: his wife, Dr. Rose Carnes-Bruce; his daughter Sheree Bruce-Conyers (Larry) of Houston, Texas; his son Carl Bruce III (Tia); siblings Ann (Bruce) Benn of Kokomo, Indiana; Yvonne Collins; Michael Collins; Carl-Bo Collins; and a host of many relatives and many friends. Carl will be dearly missed by all who had the opportunity to know him.

Services for Carl J. Bruce will be held Saturday, September 9 at West Side Missionary Baptist Church, 4675 Page Ave., St. Louis, MO 63113 (phone: 314-535-9002). A family visitation will be held 4:30-5:30 p.m., followed by a Remembrance Service at 6 p.m.

Rev. Renita Marie Lamkin Green is pastor of St. James AME Church in Cape Girardeau.

SALUTE

graduation rate and the highest in St. Louis County.

Every one of those graduates has a plan in place for their next steps in life. Sixty percent of the graduating class is enrolled in college, and the rest found employment, which includes five students enlisting in the military.

A quarter of those students left high school with some college credits, and 120 students went through careerfocused academies.

The high school is 98 percent African-American, and all students qualify for free or reduced lunch. Its neighboring districts have gone through state takeovers and loss of accreditation. However, Jennings School District became fully accredited in the 2015-16 school year. The high school scored a 91 on the state assessment the following year, which falls within the “accredited with distinction” category.

“The world sees that this is possible,” said Jennings Superintendent Art McCoy. “And not only is it possible, but it’s becoming the norm for our school district. And it’s possible for it to become the norm anywhere with the right elements in place.”

On September 23, Jennings Senior High School will receive the Monsanto School of Excellence Award at the St.

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Continued from A1 Suggs, publisher and executive editor), as well as community leaders: Rev. Starsky Wilson, president of the Deaconess Foundation and former co-chair of the Ferguson Commission; St. Louis Treasurer Tishaura O. Jones; and 15th Ward Alderwoman Megan Ellyia Green.

Louis American Foundation’s Salute to Excellence in Education Scholarship and Awards Gala. The proceeds from the event, held at the America’s Center, benefit the foundation, which distributed more than $700,000 in minority scholarships and grants last year.

One reason for the high school’s success in college and career placement is the variety of opportunities for students, said Principal Rhonda Key.

“We have something for every child and every interest,” Key said.

The high school offers free dual-enrollment and dualcredit courses. Students can earn a job certification through their partnership with the National Academy Foundation, which works with schools to establish career-oriented academy tracks for students. Students can participate in programs for pharmacy tech, certified nursing assistant and construction trades.

Through the school’s college prep program, students can double up on courses.

“By the time they’re juniors, they’ve completed most of their school credits and are attending colleges,” Key said.

The school has more than 20 corporate partnerships, which donate $100,000 or more and offer mentors and paid internships.

“We can promise every junior or senior a paid internship before graduation, as well scholarship support,” McCoy said.

That afternoon, from 2-5 p.m., the listening bus will make its first tour stop in the University City Loop near the statue of Chuck Berry. The public will be invited to climb aboard the bus and record an interview with HuffPost staffers, who are being trained in advance by psychologist Renee Lertzman in the art of the open-ended interview.

“We are doing a completely open-ended survey of what’s

Walking into the school’s forensics class on a Monday morning, one student was playing dead in the middle a crime scene and others students were busy sketching and writing down details about what they saw. Key pointed out that some kids had ties and red jackets, which denoted that they were college prep students.

“Some of those students were careers students, and some were special needs students,” Key said. “But when you walked into that classroom, students were engaged and you couldn’t tell the difference.”

Senior Taj Robinson, who hopes to study crossspecies genetics in college, is a teaching assistant in the

keeping people up at night and what they feel hopeful about,” Hillary Frey, head of strategy for HuffPost, told Nieman Reports

At 7 p.m. that evening, HuffPost and The American will present a forum, “Three Years After Ferguson: Seeking Solutions in St. Louis,” at The Royale, 3132 S Kingshighway Blvd. Polgreen will give the introduction, and an editor at The American will moderate

forensics class. He transferred to Jennings from Chaminade College Preparatory School, and he feels like the studentteacher relationships are really what make Jennings shine.

“When you have that connection with your teachers where you feel comfortable in class and you want to do the work and you have fun while doing work, I think that sets up the best type of environment for kids,” Robinson said.

Junior LaDaja Whitt said that her teachers are the reason why she pushes herself academically.

“When I think that I can’t do something, there is always someone there to say, ‘Yes, you can’ or ‘I have your back,’” she said.

the panel, featuring Rev. Wilson, Alderwoman Green, organizer and strategist Kayla Reed, attorney Blake Stroke of ArchCity Defenders, and Kevin Ahlbrand, former member of the Ferguson Commission, former president of the Missouri Fraternal Order of Police, and a sergeant in the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.

“We have a really, really big task ahead of us, which

Peoples also said that the personalities of the teachers and administrators are one of the school’s greatest attributes.

“They don’t get frustrated,” Peoples said. “They take the time to work with you, which helps build relationships with the teachers and helps us form bonds so we work well as a team.”

Aside from the career and academic opportunities, the high school also has a wealth of social services that students can tap into.

For the school’s most vulnerable students, there is the Jennings Hope House for teens who are homeless. The in-school SPOT Clinic, which is operated by Washington University, provides students

is essentially to try and re-engage with the country in a fundamentally different way than the national news media has in the past,” Polgreen told CNN.

with physicals and health needs. They also provide behavioral health services, not just for the students but for the entire family, Key said.

“So there is no excuse why you shouldn’t come to school,” Key said. “You can’t say you’re sick. Well, we have a doctor on site. Come to school.”

There are psychologists, social workers and counselors on hand to help families get through any situation they are going through, she said.

“We’ve taken away the excuses,” Key said. “We have students who never dreamed of going to college. But you know what? You can go, and you can go for free. That opportunity is for you.”

For these and many other reasons, Robinson said that Jennings isn’t just another high school.

He said, “This is where kids can grow and they can find a great place after high school and in high school.”

The 2017 Salute to Excellence in Education Gala will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday, September 23, 2017 at the America’s Center Ballroom, following a reception at 5 p.m. Tickets are on sale now. Individual tickets are $85 each/$850 table, and VIP/Corporate tickets are $1,500 table. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.stlamerican. com and click on Salute to Excellence, or call 314-5338000.

“And the reason that we’re doing this bus tour is that we feel that, by partnering with local news organizations who are on the ground in places all around the country, we can re-start this conversation about our identity, who we are as Americans, what are our values.”

As part of the HuffPost’s collaboration with The American, reporters from the two organizations are teamwriting a story that they will co-publish on their respective news sites on September 12. For more information, visit www.huffpost.com or the HuffPost’s “Listen to America” Facebook page, or email listening@huffpost.com.

Jennings High School counselor Rhonda Key with students Deanna Obrebey and Asha Amerson.

Photo by Wiley Price

‘The county executive does not want anyone scrutinizing his moves’

Why Steve Stenger really wants the county auditor fired

Before we get into the weeds of why St. Louis County Executive Steve Stenger is trying to get the St. Louis County Council’s watchdog over his financial operations fired (big surprise), can we pause and say what a reckless, God-awful reporter News 4’s Lauren Trager is?

It seems like her only sources are shady, white politicians who have an axe to grind against newly elected or appointed black folks. And in this case, her sources for her recent “investigative story” about the St. Louis County Auditor Mark Tucker, who just might be the only black county auditor in the state - and maybe ever – were Stenger and County Prosecutor Bob McCulloch. Enough said.

On September 5, Stenger wrote a letter to County Council Chairman Sam Page saying that he wanted the council to terminate Tucker, who was appointed by the council. He used Trager’s reporting as the basis of his argument.

Trager reported on a 2011 document - yes folks, a sixyear-old document - from the county recorder of deeds that showed Tucker faced a federal tax lien of $91,496 at that time. She then reported that Tucker currently “owes more than $91,000,” and Stenger mouthed off about how irresponsible it is to have an auditor who is “delinquent” in his federal taxes.

Trager also reported that Tucker didn’t keep regular hours at his county office.

Since Tucker was hired in March, Stenger has moaned about Tucker not having five years’ experience in accounting

- and he did so again in his letter to Page. And he complained that Tucker hasn’t produced any audits yet. Let’s just start by unpacking what Tucker’s job is. First, the council hires him and gives him assignments. One of the auditor’s responsibilities is to be the legislative branch’s watchdog on the executive branch. So, naturally, Stenger is going to be grumpy about whomever the council appoints if it wasn’t his choice. Page told The St. Louis American that the auditor’s job is not only to produce audits. That is one part, but the council has not yet assigned him an audit to work on.

“We need fiscal oversight to do the budgets,” Page said. Now let’s look at Stenger’s complaints against Tucker. Page said Tucker’s federal tax lien related to his past divorce, when he had to close out his 401K early and thus had to pay large amounts of taxes. He has been on a payment plan with the Internal Revenue Service since then, Page said, so the lien is hardly delinquent.

The American asked Stenger to produce recent evidence of Tucker’s tax delinquency - something that wasn’t a six-year-old document - and Stenger’s spokesman countered that Page needed to produce evidence that showed Tucker wasn’t delinquent.

Pause. You go and smear this man’s good name based on the fact that he is currently delinquent in his federal taxes, and you have no evidence?

Here is Tucker’s response to Stenger’s attack.

“I’m paying it,” Tucker said. “If I weren’t, I wouldn’t even have a paycheck because

basically gave no power to the County Council, Tucker said. If the County Council had questions, they still had to go through county executive to get answers, he said.

“We enhanced the language,” he said. “The budget comes out of the County Council, so I made it stronger for the County Council. That’s my job.”

The RFP consumed quite a bit of his time, and now he is fielding phone calls from vendors who are responding to it.

“There’s no way one person can do this all by himself,” he said.

Typical Stenger Sabotage

Councilwoman Hazel Erby said that she believes Stenger’s ire is coming at this time because Tucker has requested information that “ruffled his feathers.”

the federal government would garnish your wages.”

Tucker believes he and his family are getting caught in the middle of bad blood between Stenger and the County Council.

“Shame on the person who is making this happen,” Tucker said. “I have an ex-wife and a kid who is watching this happen. I’m nauseous just thinking about it. It’s not relevant; it’s personal between the council and Stenger. I’m trying to get my job done, but it’s hard when I get 50 phone calls from media over this.”

Page also agrees that Stenger’s attack is groundless.

“It didn’t preclude him from working for the Missouri Senate or state government, and it shouldn’t prevent him working for the County Council,” Page said.

Since Tucker started in March, he has been met with a slew of barricades that have prevented him from doing his job. Tucker is supposed to have two staffers to help him, but right now, he is the only person in the office.

In May, Tucker’s deputy auditor gave him a one-hour notice that she was quitting, he said. She is now working in another position in the county. So when asked about his irregular hours, Tucker said that he is doing the work of three people right now and that requires him to work weekends and nights.

“If I only did it between 9 to 5, nothing would get done,” Tucker said.

He has been trying to fill those two positions since his deputy left, but he is up against the “merit system,” he said.

Even though the office is meant to serve the legislative branch, all of Tucker’s staff has to be approved through Stenger’s office. While Tucker posted the job position, Stenger’s staff screens the applicants through their merit system, and then they give him a few options to choose from that meet their approval.

“The process is questionable, because Congress doesn’t call the president so that they can hire a secretary - not that the deputy auditor is at all a secretary,” Tucker said.

“The point is, this is not a conversation for the county executive to have. It’s out of his lane.”

Even though the budget allocated funds to hire two employees, Stenger’s administration has only approved for him to replace the deputy auditor position. They’ve told Tucker that it’s because of a hiring “slushy” - meaning they have hiring freezes in some areas and not others, he said.

The thing about audits is that they’re never done by one person, Tucker said. That leaves too much room for errors with only one pair of eyes working on it. So if Stenger wants more

audits, then he needs to get more staff in the office.

Stenger’s spokesman said, “We hope to have [the deputy auditor] selected in the next few weeks.”

As far as Tucker’s experience, he worked with the state legislature since 2011 doing exactly what the council wants him to do for them.

According to his resume, he did heavy analysis of state tax revenue and market conditions to help in formulating departmental budgets. He researched and analyzed economic trends in support of legislative initiatives. He also determined economic impact regarding policy decisions, agency regulations and past/ proposed legislation.

While he is not an accountant - just like about half of the county auditors in the state – he certainly has more five years’ experience working in accounting, based on what he did in Jefferson City. His official titles were legislative liaison for the Office of Administration’s executive branch from June 2015, until the county hired him. Before that he was the state Senate’s policy director from 2011 to 2015.

Stenger’s spokesman said that Stenger has requested but has never been given a copy of Tucker’s resume. Stenger has been going off of Tucker’s LinkedIn page - and forwarding it to the press - when he claims Tucker has no accounting experience, the spokesman said.

The most recent thing that Tucker has been working on is an Request For Proposals (RFP) for a three-year audit for Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR).

Tucker said the report has three aspects: a financial report of the county, an audit for its retirement plan and audit of the county’s grants.

“That was the first thing I was tasked with,” Tucker said. “I had to rewrite the whole thing because it wasn’t written correctly. It didn’t meet the standards based on my experience.”

The way it was written

“Everything the county auditor has tried to do, there has been a road block,” Erby said. “The county executive does not want anyone scrutinizing his moves. If you scrutinize him at all, he’s ruthless. He’ll come after you.” Erby said Tucker spent his first three weeks just trying to get his computer working.

“[Stenger’s staff] hacked and locked it,” Erby said. “They did the same thing to Rochelle Walton Gray when she didn’t agree with their handling of Jamestown Mall. These are the games that this administration plays and people don’t realize.”

Stenger’s spokesman said that this is not true.

“We have an IT staff that’s independent from our office,” he said. “It’s ridiculous to suggest that we would lock someone out of their computer. We don’t have the ability to do that.”

Erby said Tucker is doing his job, despite all the resistance Stenger is putting up.

“Stenger has nothing to do with who we hire,” Erby said. “He needs to handle his own office and he has some issues there. In the last three years, that administration has been used to not being questioned. We are trying to regain control and bring some integrity.”

That’s why they wanted an auditor that wasn’t connected to Stenger, she said. Stenger has accused Page of playing favorites by hiring Tucker, who worked with Page when he was a state representative in Jefferson City.

In June 2017, PostDispatch reporter Stephen Deere detailed how Stenger’s campaign did not disclose that some donors had a contractual relationship with the county.

Stenger already has raised more than $2 million for his re-election campaign, and by state law he needs to report contributions that came from people who run businesses that have landed county contracts. But Stenger didn’t, Deere found.

“It’s ironic that this county executive will accuse the chair of the council as playing favoritism with all the stories about contracts that are awarded because of contributions to his campaign,” Erby said. “He has a lot of nerve.”

Photo by Lawrence Bryant

Political EYE never tires of this July 2015 file photo of Brother Anthony Shahid tearing into County Executive Steve Stenger during a St. Louis County Council meeting.

Cell Association, teaching the sickle cell symptom cycle.

Church spreads sickle cell awareness

Christian Embassy Church supports Sickle Cell Association with Harvest Fest

By Sandra Jordan

Of The St. Louis American

Christian Embassy Church in Black Jack has planned three days of activities in mid-September for its 13th annual Harvest Fest, which includes a 5K Run/Walk to benefit the Sickle Cell Association in St. Louis.

“CEC is honored to raise funds for the Sickle Cell Association and to help bring awareness to the disease because of its impact on the African-American community,” said Robert S. Griffin, senior pastor and founder of Christian Assembly Church. The CEC Harvest Fest takes place

n “Individuals can be almost any race and carry the gene for sickle cell or produce a child with sickle cell disease.”

– Rosemary Britts, Sickle Cell Association

Friday, September 15-17. The church is located at 13775 Old Jamestown Road (63033). On Friday, activities begin with a VIP Dinner at 6 p.m. followed by an 8 p.m. theatrical production, “Standing Firm,”

Logan partners with public health providers

Chiropractic care offers alternative

By Sandra Jordan Of The St. Louis American

directed by Andre Hewitt.

At 9 a.m. until noon on Saturday, September 16 the church will have a 5K Run/ Walk to benefit the Sickle Cell Association in St. Louis. They are asking for a donation of $10. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.

Rosemary Britts, executive director of the Sickle Cell Association of St. Louis, said the donation will further its mission to educate for greater awareness of sickle cell anemia, which is an inherited trait from both parents. It’s often mistakenly thought that sickle cell anemia is only a black person’s disease.

“Sickle cell can affect almost any race. From the areas that it comes from – Africa,

Patient Rowena Jones receives chiropractic care at Myrtle Hilliard Davis Comprehensive Health Center. Making the adjustments is Ross Mattox, DC, head clinician at Logan’s integrated health center at MHDCHC, along with a student intern.

There are better and less dramatic treatment options for fibroids

By Keith Pereira Guest columnist

Heavy or prolonged bleeding. Pelvic pain. Backache. Uncomfortable sex.

These could be symptoms of Uterine Fibroids, an exceedingly common, yet unspoken, condition that affects more than 50 percent of all American women by age 50 – a figure that jumps to 80 percent among African Americans.

In some, this can eventually cause physical distress due to fatigue and loss of energy, as well as emotional distress, both of which can severely affect quality of life. In desperation, a woman succumbs to surrendering her uterus: a.k.a. a hysterectomy.

A whopping 600,000 hysterectomies are performed in the U.S. every year; by the age of 60, more than one in every three women have had one. More perturbing, the most common reason for hysterectomy is fibroids, despite their non-cancerous composition.

While hysterectomy does end a woman’s suffering from fibroids, the price of losing her uterus is often underestimated. Women who undergo hysterectomy can struggle psychologically and sexually. This is above and beyond the risks of “going under the knife” – inherent risks of surgery, risks of general anesthesia, long surgical recovery and days lost from work.

n While hysterectomy does end a woman’s suffering from fibroids, the price of losing her uterus is often underestimated.

Here is the good news: Fibroids are benign. A simple 10-minute ultrasound is all that’s needed to diagnose fibroids. More importantly, move over, hysterectomy. There are now better and less dramatic treatment options for fibroids.

A treatment option is available that offers women relief of symptoms, enables them to avoid surgery entirely, and allows them to keep their uterus. No, this is not an investigative procedure or a clinical trial. One of the best kept secrets in the treatment of fibroids is Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE).

UFE has been performed for over 20 years, but has languished in relative obscurity despite well-documented, strong medical

Keith Pereira

Rosemary Britts, executive director of Sickle

Photo by Maggie Hallam

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the Mediterranean, South America, India – individuals can be almost any race and carry the gene for sickle cell or produce a child with sickle cell disease,” Britts said.

Even if you don’t live in those regions, ancestry is important.

“Individuals with ancestors from any of the locations that I named could be carriers of the gene and, therefore, if there are two parents carrying the gene – we call sickle cell traits – they have a 25 percent chance of producing a child with sickle cell disease.”

She said those are the odds that parents face with each pregnancy. Rather than having normal, round red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout the body, in sickle cell anemia, some red blood cells are rigid, sticky and crescent- or sickle-shaped. These misshapen cells can get stuck in small blood vessels and block or impede the flow of oxygen to the body, causing a sickle cell crisis (also called episode or attack). Sickle cell crises are very painful and can cause strokes or other health complications, and can be lifethreatening or fatal.

There is currently no

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cure for sickle cell anemia, although bone marrow transplants in children and young adults have shown some promising results. Most persons who live with sickle cell anemia get treatment for extreme pain and other health complications.

On Saturday, September 16, the Harvest Moon Fest begins at 5 p.m., hosted by the City of Black Jack in Harold J. Evangelista Park, located next door to the church. There will be live music, inflatables, food and other activities.

n “CEC is honored to raise funds for the Sickle Cell Association and to help bring awareness to the disease because of its impact on the AfricanAmerican community.”

– Pastor Robert S. Griffin

predominantly,” said Patrick Battaglia, DC, Logan’s lead clinician at Affinia.

“Once the primary care docs started realizing we could start managing conditions outside of the spine, then that opened up the referrals as well. It’s nice to have a conservative, nondrug, non-surgery option to manage that complaint.”

Battaglia said they also implement “active care” of a patient’s condition.

“We kind of teach them how to self-manage their care as well if the pain does recur, rather than feel they have no options rather than popping a pill.”

Overseeing chiropractic care is Barry Wiese, DC, associate dean of clinic compliance and director of integrated health center development at Logan, and David Mann, DC, Logan’s first integrated spine care resident.

Wiese said, “We look forward to being a vital

PEREIRA

Continued from A10

evidence for both the safety and effectiveness of UFE.

UFE is a minimally invasive treatment option performed by a board-certified vascular interventional radiologist. UFE begins with a tiny pinhole incision in the wrist that provides the physician access to arteries that feed the fibroids via a small catheter (small tube). The catheter delivers nanoparticles to block off blood vessels to the fibroids. Once treated, the microscopic tools are removed and a Band-Aid is applied.

The entire UFE treatment typically lasts less than one hour. You return home the same day and can resume normal activities after a

The weekend culminates on Sunday, September 17 with worship service at 9:30 a.m.

“I’m very grateful to Christian Embassy Church,” Britts said, “as well as others who are stepping up to bring awareness and raise funds to help those living with sickle cell disease.”

For additional Harvest Fest information, visit http://bit.ly/2eBXj5j.

The Sickle Cell Association has several other events this month, including a Sickle Cell Stroll on September 9; a Diversity in Clinical Trials and Research Forum on September 14; a Sickle Cell Town Hall meeting on September 22; and a Sickle Cell Gala on September 30. For more information, visit sicklecellassociation.org.

component of their health care system and making a difference in the lives of the patients we treat.”

In addition to Affinia, Logan provides chiropractic care to patients of Family Care Health Centers and to Myrtle Hilliard Davis Comprehensive Health Centers, where its CEO, Angela Clabon, said “chiropractic services had been phenomenal” for them.

“We have now expanded our services to two more health center sites. As you know, the opioid crisis is real in our community and it has been determined that lack of access to pain management providers impacts this crisis,” said Clabon.

“Having the partnership with Logan has afforded us the opportunity to help our patients/community in a very creative way with this crisis. Watching this opioid crisis escalate brings me to tears, but participating in the chiropractic integration pilot project places a smile on my heart. It’s a miracle for our community to bring this to them free of charge.”

couple of days rest. Almost magically, UFE results in shrinking the unwanted fibroids and yet sparing blood flow and function of the uterus, both important for healthy aging. So, stop coping with uterine fibroids. Seek help. This is about your uterus. Why not leave here with what you came with?

A hysterectomy should not be a first choice. Choose minimally invasive and modern medicine. UFE can get you back to your life in the least disruptive, fastest way possible. It helps save your uterus, preserve your femininity and improve your quality of life. Start living fibroid-free.

Keith Pereira, MD, is an assistant professor in the Division of Vascular Interventional Radiology at Saint Louis University Hospital.

Bike safety tips from the pros

United Healthcare Pro Cycling team members donated professional bike helmets and gave safety demonstrations recently to youth at the Adams Park Boys & Girls Club. The cyclists also provided stretching tips to encourage kids to be safe, stay active and participate in the various events for kids and families during the four-day Gateway Cup, which was held September 1-4.

Health and

Employment fair at Union Memorial Sept. 9

Union Memorial United Methodist Church, located at 11412 Belt Ave. in St. Louis (63112), is holding a Health and Employment Fair on Saturday, September 9 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Union Memorial is pastored by Rev. Cheree Mills, M.D. The health fair includes blood pressure, cholesterol and stroke screenings and dental exams. There will be a bounce house, games and haircuts for children, along with food, drinks and giveaways for children and adults. Participating groups include Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis Children’s Hospital, Comprehensive Health and Dental Centers, Humana Insurance Group and Walgreens. Participating employers include BJC, Amazon, Express Scripts, Veteran’s Hospital, Jones Home Health Care, Better Family Life. For more information, call 314367-8314.

For the Sake of All nets $1.1M grant to work in public schools

For the Sake of All, a Washington University-based initiative working to improve health equity for African Americans in the St. Louis region, has received a $1.1 million grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to work within St. Louis Public Schools and the Normandy

Schools Collaborative.

For the Sake of All’s grant will support research and development of a “toolkit” for the implementation of effective programs and strategies to create inclusive, healthy

Jason Purnell

school environments. The project will include input and oversight from nine regional organizations and five research centers at Washington University and Virginia Commonwealth University.

“So many diverse organizations want to help students be healthy and succeed in school, but often the systems aren’t in place to fully integrate those programs and services,” said Jason Purnell, director of For the Sake of All.

National Medical Association statement on Charlottesville

The National Medical Association (NMA) condemns all acts of violence and the particular acts of racism and bigotry recently displayed in Charlottesville, Virginia. We are deeply saddened and offer our condolences to all those who were impacted by these divisive actions.

For over a century, the

NMA has advocated for equitable access to healthcare, education, economics, housing, and criminal justice for communities of color in the United States. We know that health disparities along racial lines are directly related to the persistence of institutional racism and its effects on communities of color. NMA will not stand silently idle while the health and wellness of this nation is at stake.

The NMA applauds Kenneth Frazier, CEO and Chairman of Merck and other business leaders who have denounced these events for their definitive stance against racial intolerance and extremism. It is this type of leadership that ensures that the future of America is a future that our children can be proud; a future of true equity.

The National Medical Association serves as the collective voice of physicians of African descent and a leading force for parity in medicine, elimination of health disparities and promotion of optimal health.

Above: Ronicia Otey, who has Sickle Cell Anemia; Robert S. Griffin, senior pastor and founder of Christian Embassy Church; Rosemary Britts, executive director, Sickle Cell Association; and Vivial Lopez, CEC member who nominated SSA to benefit from Harvest Fest 2017.

Left: Rosemary Britts, executive director of Sickle Cell Association, discussing the illness with members of Christian Embassy Church in Black Jack.

Photo by Tim Vizer

Healthy Kids Kids

4 Eat Before You Go 4 Make a List 4 Shop the Walls (Natural, healthier choices are often located along the walls of the store.)

How Healthy Is Your Heart?

Get Some Sleep!

Your heart is an amazing thing! It is actually a muscle that pumps blood throughout your body. A beating heart is what keeps you alive.

Let’s test your heart health. First make sure you have been completely inactive for at least 10 minutes. Locate your pulse* and count how many beats you feel in 15 seconds. Multiply that by 4 and you have your resting heart rate. Ideally this number should be 60-100 beats for anyone over 10 years old.

> Do you often feel tired during the day?

> Do you fall asleep at your desk?

In order to be at your best, go to bed early enough to allow for at least 8 hours of sleep. You’ll feel more rested and alert and ready to start a new day!

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

Colorize — Just like your dinner plate should be “colorful,” so should your shopping cart. Fill your basket with colorful, fresh fruits and vegetables.

Learning Standards:

If your resting heart rate is above that, your heart is possibly working too hard. Discuss with your pediatrician or school nurse ways that you can improve your heart’s health. Following the Nutrition and Exercise guidelines in the Healthy Kids page over the next several months can help improve your heart health too!

Visit:

*http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/heartfailure/watching-rate-monitor for tips on how to take your pulse.

Learning Standards: HPE 1, NH 1, NH 5

What

Why

the importance of social service was stressed, so I knew that giving was going to be a part of my career path. I had a natural affinity for science and health fields, so medicine just became a natural choice for me.

What is your favorite part of the job you have? I like talking to the patients on a regular basis, forming relationships, and they appreciate someone that cares about them and their overall health. I enjoy when patients actually follow the advice that I give and they have some successes and improvements in their health. Learning Standards: HPE6, NH3

CLASSROOM SPOTLIGHT

Principal Mr. Virdue Dunbar Elementary School

The Biology of Nutrition

The food we eat provides nutrients and keeps our body working properly. It’s important to eat a balanced diet of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, dairy, and lean protein. Dairy products provide vitamins such as calcium and phosphorus to build strong teeth and bones. Milk, yogurt, and cheese products provide dairy. Fruits and vegetables provide the majority of vitamins and minerals to keep our bodies healthy and to help fight infection. It is important to eat five servings a day and to

eat a variety of fruits and vegetables. Whole grains provide fiber and help control heart disease, cholesterol, and much more. Wheat, oatmeal, and brown rice are examples of whole grains. Protein is found in fish, meat, eggs, and beans. Protein helps build muscle, skin, and hair.

There is an expression that says, “Garbage in, garbage out”. This means that if you eat a lot of junk food, your mind and body will not function properly. However, eating a balanced diet will help your body and mind develop and work correctly.

Discuss: Why is it important to make healthy food choices? How can you make healthy food choices at home, school,

SCIENCE STARS

Alfred

O. Coffin

Alfred O. Coffin accomplished many great things in his lifetime. Born in Pontotoc, Miss., in 1861, Coffin became the first African American to earn a doctorate degree in biology from Illinois Wesleyan University. Biology is the study of all living things: plants, animals, people, etc. But he didn’t stop there. Alfred also earned a doctorate in zoology, which is the study of animals both living and extinct.

Coffin was passionate about education. He became a public school principal both in San Antonio, Texas, and in Kansas City, Mo. At Wiley University, in Texas, Alfred Coffin taught mathematics and romance languages. Romance languages include such languages as French, Italian, and Spanish. Many people feel the greatest accomplishments Alfred O. Coffin had were his two books: “The Origin of the Mound Builders” and “The Byways of Mexico.” “Mound builders” was a term used to describe the people who created pyramid shaped housing from Mississippi Valley to Southeast Mexico. Coffin’s second book was based on research during his travels to Mexico. This book is important because it is the first book about the Latin American culture written by an African American.

Discuss:

Education was important to Alfred O. Coffin. What clues in the story support this statement? What is the definition of extinct? What clues helped you with this definition?

In the News:

Sugar Buzz SCIENCE INVESTIGATION

Background Information: Have you ever noticed that when you eat a lot of sugar you feel a jolt of energy? Sugar enters the bloodstream quickly and your body goes to work to remove it. When your body has removed the sugar, you feel tired, hungry, or achy. Carbohydrates, found in foods such as bread and potatoes, enters the bloodstream more slowly. In this experiment, you will observe how the bloodstream absorbs sugar and carbohydrates.

Materials

Needed: 2 glasses, corn syrup, red food coloring, measuring spoon, sugar, flour

Directions:

STEP 1. Fill two glasses halfway with corn syrup

STEP 2. Add two drops of red food coloring to each glass to represent artificial blood.

STEP 3. Place one teaspoon of sugar on top of the liquid in one glass and one teaspoon of flour on top of the liquid in the other.

STEP 4. Watch the two glasses to see which is absorbed more quickly.

Analyze: Record your observations. What can you conclude about eating sugar and carbohydrates?

Artifacts help us learn about our history. Coffin used artifacts to learn about the mound builders. 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 future scientists could learn from the artifact.

Extension: “Biology: Life as We Know It!” by Dan Green is a biology book for children age 9 and up. If you are interested in learning about plants, animals, or humans, check it out!

Standards:

Read nonfiction text to draw conclusions and make connections.

DOWNLOAD—”The Byways of Mexico” in the Adobe PDF, EPUB, or Kindle formats: GO TO—http://archive.org/details/landwithoutchimn00coff

MATH CONNECTION By the Numbers

Directions: Use your math skills to analyze food labels.

ACTIVITY q Fat has 9 calories per gram. If your food has 4 grams of fat, it would have 36 total calories from fat. Look at your label. How many grams of fat does it contain? ____ How many calories is this? _____________

DID YOU KNOW?

ACTIVITY w Protein has 4 calories per gram. If your food has 4 grams of protein, it would have 16 total calories from protein. Look at your label. How many grams of protein does it contain? _____ How many calories is this? _______

ACTIVITY e

Carbohydrate also has 4 calories per gram. How many grams of carbohydrates are listed on your label? ____ How many calories is this?_______

Extension: If you have food with multiple servings included, such as a bag of chips, try estimating the portion size. Next, count or weigh the item to see how accurate your estimation is.

Standards: I can use numbers to add, subtract, multiply, and divide to solve problems.

Breakfast means: “break” the “fast”

The word breakfast means to “break” (stop) the “fast.” When you fast, you go a long time without eating. When you get a good night’s sleep, your body is fasting. Breakfast ends this fasting and provides important vitamins. Did you know several studies have shown that eating a healthy breakfast improves concentration, memory, alertness, problem solving abilities, test scores, and school attendance? How many breakfast ideas can you list with your classmates?

Directions: Use the newspaper to complete the following activities to sharpen your skills for the MAP test.

Activity One: Recipes

Abound Newspapers can be a great source of finding recipes. Imagine you have found an excellent recipe and would like enough to share with your classmates. Convert the serving size and ingredient list to accommodate your class size.

Activity Two: Recipe for Reading the Newspaper Think about what you do when you read a newspaper. What do you do first? Second? Write a recipe for reading the newspaper by giving step-bystep instructions. Make sure to include time order words. Trade your recipe with a friend and compare.

Activity Three: Food Group Pictograph Identify the food groups used in a grocery ad. Calculate the total number of items in each group. Construct a pictograph to model the information. Make sure you give the graph a title and label the X and Y axis.

Standards: Use nonfiction text to locate specific information. Add, subtract, and multiply for real life application.

Dunbar Elementary School principal Anthony Virdure helps students Karyn Allen, Jayonna Dorsey and Marshall Huntley identify vowels and consonants using an exercise from the newspaper’s NIE page.

Photo by Wiley Price/ St. Louis American

Janaye Ingram brings activism to Airbnb

Janaye Ingram is the first director of National Partnerships for Airbnb.

Director of National Partnerships trying to attract more diverse hosts and travelers

By Sophie Hurwitz

For The St. Louis American

Janaye Ingram, the first director of National Partnerships for Airbnb, brings some unusual qualifications to the job. She was previously employed as the executive director of National Action Network, Al Sharpton’s civil rights advocacy group, and as an organizer for the Women’s March on Washington.

“I think my activism and the advocacy that I’ve done, specifically on behalf of communities of color and women, are something that add to my ability to do my job effectively,” Ingram said.

“I’ve been on the side of the table that I

n “Our very foundation is in creating economic levers that allow people to earn additional income.”

– Janaye Ingram

now sit across from as I’m coming up with these partnership deals. I’ve also seen what organizations need, and how corporate partners and corporate sponsors can be better citizens, and really add to the work that is happening.”

In her role as director of National Partnerships, she reaches out to other organizations and forms connections with different groups all over the world to try to get as diverse a client base as possible for Airbnb. As such, she visited the National Urban League’s 2017 Annual Conference in St. Louis. Though she’s a New Jersey native, she has friends and family here, so the city wasn’t entirely new to her.

Though Airbnb’s stated mission is to connect people from around the world, regardless of origin, and to make people feel like they could “belong anywhere,” the company has faced

See INGRAM, B6

Hazelwood students excel in Boeing competition

American staff

Three Hazelwood Southeast Middle School students recently participated in the Boeing Engineering Design Challenge, held at Washington University. During the event, the students received first place in the Division 1 creative appearance contest with their glider “Air Ace.” Eighth grade Southeast Middle students Josiah Futrell, Cohl Dodds-Arrington, and ReShawn Nettles participated in the event. Akilah Smith, teacher at Southeast Middle, and Boeing mentors and Hazelwood alumni James Thomas and Bellande Saint-Louis helped sponsor the students. During the event, 70 teams of nearly 240 students from public and private schools across the St. Louis metro region gathered to test their design. The program, now in its ninth year, challenges students to design and construct a glider out of balsa wood with the help of supplies and a mentor provided by the Boeing Company. However, the challenge goes far beyond simply building a glider. Over the course of six months, the gliders undergo design and technical readiness reviews. The students must also give a presentation of their design before a panel of Boeing engineers.

Katrina Peoples joined Epworth Children & Family Services as chief program officer. She is responsible for programs providing comprehensive solutions to safety, security and stability challenges for youth and families in crisis. More than 13,000 children and families turn to Epworth each year where a continuum of care is offered ranging from family support services to emergency or transitional shelter and psychological or residential treatment for youth.

Jarel Loveless was named the 2017 Outstanding Young Professional for the St. Louis Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. The award will be presented at National Philanthropy Day on November 14 in the St. Louis Union Station Ballroom. He serves as the associate director of Development for the UMSL College of Business Administration, and also serves on the Board of Directors for Memory Care Home Solutions.

Sheena R. Hamilton was elected to the American Bar Association’s 44-member Board of Governors. She is an attorney at Dowd Bennett LLP. Founded in 1878, the ABA has over 400,000 members. It supports the legal profession with practical resources while improving the administration of justice, accrediting law schools, and establishing model ethical codes.

Divine Shelton was hired to the newly created position of Project Connect manager at the St. Louis Development Corporation. Project Connect is the action plan between the City of St. Louis and citizens to coordinate redevelopment efforts in neighborhoods north of downtown, including the future home of the Next NGA West. Most recently he worked in U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill’s office as a field representative.

Celisia Harris was named chair of the Young Professional Board for the Saint Louis Crisis Nursery. She is Business Developing manager for Dr. Pepper Snapple Group. The Saint Louis Crisis Nursery is an independent, notfor-profit agency providing short-term, safe havens to 7,500 children a year, birth through age 12, whose families are faced with an emergency or crisis.

Chauncey A. Patterson graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San AntonioLackland, San Antonio, Texas as U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class. He completed an intensive, eightweek program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. He is the son of Cammeo K. and Charles L. Patterson of Florissant.

Katrina Peoples

Sheena R. Hamilton

Divine Shelton

Chauncey A. Patterson

Celisia Harris

Jarel Loveless

Eighth grade Southeast Middle students Josiah Futrell, Cohl Dodds-Arrington and ReShawn Nettles took first place in the Division 1 creative appearance contest in the Boeing Engineering Design Challenge with their glider “Air Ace.”

State AGs ask Education Secretary DeVos to protect federal student financial aid

By Charlene Crowell Columnist

An old adage teaches, ‘if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.’ In recent months, the troubled Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) tried and lost two legal attempts to recover eligibility for federal education funds.

But don’t be surprised if a third ACICS effort soon makes its way to the desk of U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. Secretary DeVos brings to her position a long record of support for private education. The vast majority of schools formerly accredited by ACICS were private, for-profit colleges.

funding restored? The answer is money. Each year, $129 billion is spent on federal student aid. In just one year – 2015 – ACICS schools received nearly $5 billion in taxpayer dollars. It is also legal for up to 90 percent of for-profit college revenues to come from Title IV federal aid. If veterans’ financial aid is added to that of Title IV, taxpayer dollars can subsidize even more than 90 percent of for-profit revenues.

If ACICS sounds familiar to readers, there’s a reason. In December 2016, then-Education Secretary John B. King ruled that the educational accreditor would no longer be recognized by the department. That action also meant that none of ACICS’ 240 institutions would have access to federal funds –including the 17 institutions that have been sued by either state or federal officials for defrauding students and other deceptive practices. Last year, shortly before Christmas and on December 21, ACICS’ request for a temporary restraining order was denied. Then in late February, DC’s U.S. District Judge Reggie B. Walton refused to rescind the Education Department’s ruling.

So what would make ACICS and its institutions so determined to have federal

These and other concerns have now led to attorneys general from 17 states and the District of Columbia sharing their collective concerns directly with Secretary DeVos.

Among those signing the communique were Attorneys General (AGs) representing largely populated states such as Illinois, Maryland, New York, North Carolina and Pennsylvania.

Noting their support to protect students and taxpayers, the AGs letter alerted the new Secretary to three specific and major concerns:

1. How for-profit schools have harmed student borrowers;

2. Why vigorous oversight of accreditors is in the best interests of taxpayers and students; and

3. The importance of preserving two departmental rules – the Gainful Employment Rule and the Borrower Defense to Repayment rule set to go into effect at mid-year.

“We are deeply concerned that rollbacks of these protections would again signal ‘open season’ on students for

the worst actors among forprofit post-secondary schools,” wrote the AGs. “Over the past 15 years, millions of students have been defrauded by unscrupulous for-profit post-secondary schools. With accreditors asleep at the wheel, State Attorneys General Offices have stepped in to stop some of the worst abuses.”

“Many schools inflated job placement numbers and/

or promised career services resources that did not exist,” continued the AGs. “Many students were placed in loans that the schools knew from experience their graduates could not pay…In short, the entire for-profit education system was failing students and taxpayers.”

The Gainful Employment Rule is designed to ensure that programs equip graduates

with skills and employment opportunities that enable them to successfully repay their student loans. Should annual loan payments be more than 30 percent of discretionary income or 12 percent of earnings in two out of three consecutive years, the educational program loses access to Title IV federal student loans and grants. Similarly, the Borrower Defense to Repayment Rule,

Introducing Black Wealth 2020

businesses.

By Hazel Trice Edney Of TriceEdneyWire.com

A recent study by Harvard University found that homeownership in the black community stands at only 42.2 percent in the nation’s largest metro areas. That’s below the Latino-American community, which is at 46 percent and well below the white-American community, which is at 72 percent.

In addition, the mortgage denial rate for blacks is more than 25 percent, near 20 percent for Latinos but just over 10 percent for white applicants, according to the Center for Enterprise Development.

Likewise, the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. says the lack of access to capital remains the greatest barrier to the establishment, expansion and growth of Black-owned

Finally, black-owned banks, which grant an overwhelming majority of their loans to Black people, continue to climb their way out of the disparate hit they took during the great recession while maintaining their historic role in stabilizing black communities.

These revelations illustrating the economic struggles of African Americans are the driving forces behind the founding of a new group that’s leading a movement for black economic justice across America. Black Wealth 2020, formally established only two years ago, aims to lock arms with national civic and civil rights organizations with a goal to impact economic outcomes in Black America over the next three years. The group’s three-pronged strategy is to increase the number of black homeowners, strengthen black-

owned businesses and increase deposits in black banks by the year 2020.

“Those really are the three pillars of economic empowerment,” says Marie Johns, former deputy administrator at the Small Business Administration and retired president of Verizon Washington, who is a member of Black Wealth 2020.

“If you have strong business ownership, strong home ownership and strong financial institutions, that’s freedom. It’s the closest proximity that we’ll get,” said Johns, also chair of the Howard University board of visitors and creator of SBA’s Council on Underserved Communities.

The group gelled after National Bankers Association President Michael Grant, National Association of Blackowned Broadcasters President Jim Winston and U.S. Black

Chamber President Ron Busby joined forces with U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) to push for black business inclusion in a proposed merger between Comcast and NBC Universal.

Winston had asked Waters, ranking Democrat on the House Financial Services Committee, to take action in the situation. Winston then pulled in Grant who pulled in Busby. The Comcast merger ultimately failed. But, “We decided to put together some kind of organizational team,” recalls Grant, “So that whenever these issues come up, we’ll have a united front and we’ll have a lot of organizations. That’s how Black Wealth 2020 was formed.”

Other leaders in Black Wealth 2020 are HomeFree USA President Marcia Griffin; Zenviba Academy of Arts and Science President John Templeton; Collective Empowerment Group National President Dr. Jonathan Weaver; National Association of Real Estate Brokers President Ron Cooper; Enlightened: Beyond Expectations President

Antwanye Ford; and Delta Sigma Theta President Dr. Paulette Walker.

Members of Black Wealth 2020 point to the historic roots of its economic goals.

When Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968, he had launched a “Poor People’s Campaign,” an economic justice movement that had begun in Memphis.

“King said he wasn’t going to get to the promised land with us. But we as a people will get to the promised land. And people have forgotten that,” said John Templeton, founder of the now 14-year-old National Black Business Month in August.

“This current administration is going to force us to look internally because we don’t have any help coming from outside our community,” said USBC President Ron Busby.

National Bankers President Grant says the participation of youth is key. Black Wealth 2020 has begun incorporating and mentoring youth economic leaders in their monthly meetings.

“It’s a fact that more than

set to take effect on July 1, provides legal recourse for students who were harmed by for-profit colleges.

Many of the issues raised in the 7-page letter to Secretary DeVos were noted in an earlier report prepared and released last fall by the Office of Senator Elizabeth Warren.

“[T]his taxpayer investment is wasted when student aid funds are funneled to sham colleges – many of which operate as for-profit entities that use federal student aid dollars to enrich top executives. Meanwhile, students are left with a shoddy education and a staggering debt load, unable to rely on their education to secure a job that will help them responsibly repay their loans,” states the report.

“The title of a recent Century Foundation report characterizes the situation we find ourselves in perfectly: The For-Profit College Story: Scandal, Regulate, Forget, Repeat,” said Robin Howarth, a senior researcher with the Center for Responsible Lending specializing in student loans and related debt. “We now have the opportunity to break this vicious cycle that is so costly to students and taxpayers. It’s imperative that we keep the pressure on for-profit colleges through prudent regulation and oversight thus avoiding a repeat of past abuses.”

Charlene Crowell is the communications deputy director with the Center for Responsible Lending. She can be reached at Charlene. crowell@responsiblelending. org

half of all African- Americans in our country rent. It’s a fact that a homeowner’s net worth is 36 times that of a renter. And it’s a fact that the median income for an AfricanAmerican household is $35,000 compared to the national average of $53,000,” says Marcia Griffin of HomeFree USA. “This is an unacceptable situation for our people, and Black Wealth 2020 initiatives are critical in reversing these statistics and rebuilding wealth in the black community.”

Despite the name, representatives of the Black Wealth 2020 movement said they have vision well beyond only three years from now.

“Our goal, of course, is to continue beyond 2020. Building wealth in the AfricanAmerican community is not an item that has a time line on it or a deadline on it,” Winston said. “We just wanted to give ourselves a target where we can see some substantial improvements in that time frame.” For more information, visit https://www.blackwealth2020. com.

But don’t be surprised if a third ACICS effort soon makes its way to the desk of U.S.

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. Secretary DeVos brings to her position a long record of support for private education.

Charlene Crowell

“I am not damaged. I’ll be back and I’ll be the same player.”

– Newly acquired Cavaliers guard Isaiah Thomas, on his hip injury

PreP Football Notebook

Flyers flock the Hawks

The Lindbergh Flyers were off to an excellent start in the first two weeks of the season, but they were looking for a statement victory to really gain some notice. That victory came last Saturday when the Flyers ventured to Hazelwood Central and came away with an impressive 43-26 victory to improve to 3-0 on the season.

Lindbergh’s passing game was formidable as quarterback Parker Powell completed 15 of 24 passes for 304 yards and three touchdowns. Senior receiver Rico Payton had six receptions for 177 yards and three touchdowns on plays of 97, 14 and 51 yards. Fellow senior David Grenia also had six receptions for 112 yards. He added a 100-yard interception return for a touchdown to seal the victory late in the game. On defense, the Flyers had seven quarterback sacks and three interceptions, which two were returned for touchdowns.

Defensive End Logan Wells led the defense with three sacks.

Lindbergh will try to keep things going on Friday night when it will host Lafayette.

Trinity Dominates

Trinity Catholic has been absolutely dominant in its first two games as it has outscored its opponents 102-0. The Titans defeated Cardinal Ritter 57-0 in a battle of Archdiocesan Athletic Association rivals last Friday night at Ritter.

Junior quarterback Isaiah Williams passed for 325 yards and four touchdowns while rushing for 108 yards, including a 76 yard TD run. There were big plays all around from the Titans. Junior receiver Marcus Washington caught three passes for 113 yards and two TDs. Sophomore James Frenchie had four receptions for 130 yards and two touchdowns.

IN the ClutCh With Ishmael H. Sistrunk

The days of ‘shut up and

Kaepernick’s impact reminiscent of Curt Flood

When St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Curt Flood decided to sue Major League Baseball in 1970 for the right to become a free agent, he did so knowing that would likely be career suicide.

“I told [Flood] that given the courts’ history of bias towards the owners and their monopoly, he didn’t have a chance in hell of winning,” recalled Marvin Miller, the founder and former executive director of the Players Association.” More important than that, I told him even if he won, he’d never get anything out of it— he’d never get a job in baseball again.”

According to The Atlantic, Flood asked Miller if his lawsuit would benefit other players in spite of the damage it would do to his career. When he was told that it would, he replied, “That’s good enough for me.” Flood only played one more season in the Major Leagues (1971) after filing the lawsuit

that would ultimately change players’ rights in professional sports forever. However, the impact of his courageous decision is still felt today. Just ask Albert Pujols ($26M), Russell Wilson ($21.9M) or Stephen Curry ($34.7M) if they have benefitted from the free agency system that Flood’s fight created. As the NFL season approaches, a big question on everybody’s mind is whether former San Francisco 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick will land a job. Among rational individuals, there is little doubt that Kaepernick possesses the skill and ability to deserve an NFL roster spot, but like Flood, he is being punished by league owners and executives for rocking the boat. Just like the fight for free agency went on after Flood was ushered out the game (Despite Flood’s lawsuit, free agency wasn’t realized in the MLB until 1976), professional athletes protesting the national anthem and speaking out

play’ are gone

away

against racial injustice and inequality will continue. Even if Kaepernick never squeezes his epic, blacktivist ‘fro into another football helmet, the

torch has already been lit. Players are not here for the days of “shut up and play” anymore. This week, Seattle

With Earl Austin Jr.

Earl Austin Jr.

See CLUTCH, B5

Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett, released a letter accusing police officers in Las Vegas of using excessive force against him.

According to Bennett, as he headed back to his hotel following the fight between Floyd

See PREP, B5

Ishmael H. Sistrunk

Michael Bennett was one of Kaepernick’s first outspoken supporters. In August, Bennett pledged to protest the national anthem for the entire 2017 season to make a stand for equality.

Lindbergh Flyers’ wide receiver Rico Payton (1) catches a touchdown over Hazelwood Central’s Demingo Loggins (4) during Saturday’s game at Central. The Flyer’s went on to defeat Central 43-26.

Photo By Wiley Price

SportS EyE

With Alvin A. Reid

Elliott’s eligibility to play Sunday seems orchestrated by NFL for TV ratings

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott’s sixgame suspension was upheld by an arbitrator on Tuesday night – yet he’s eligible to play against the New York Giants on Sunday night.

That makes no sense. However, the he-said, she-said mess that has now erupted into a legal tussle that will take months to conclude has never quite made much sense.

Somehow, arbitrator Harold Henderson could not make up his mind on Elliott’s appeal until after a 3 p.m. deadline, meaning Elliott can play on Sunday night. I think the NFL orchestrated the move to guarantee a huge TV audience for NBC.

Elliott’s legal team, which includes St. Louisan Scott Rosenbloom is seeking an injunction to slap down any suspension until their client can have his day in a federal court. Judge Amos L. Mazzaint III is expected to rule by Friday on the preliminary injunction motion.

Elliott’s attorneys realized Henderson would most likely rubber-stamp the suspension handed down by Commissioner Roger Goodell and released a statement minutes after Henderson announced his opinion.

“We are extremely disappointed with Mr. Henderson’s inability to navigate through legal politics, and follow the evidence, and, most importantly, his conscious. The evidence that Mr. Elliott and his team presented on appeal clearly demonstrated that Mr. Elliott was the victim of a conspiracy orchestrated by the National Football League and its officers to keep exonerating evidence from the decision-makers, including the advisors and Roger Goodell. The only just decision was to overturn the suspension in its entirety. Mr. Elliott is looking forward to having his day in federal court where the playing field will be level and the NFL will have to answer for its unfair and unjust practices.”

We don’t know what is going to happen next, but there are a few things we do know.

We DO know that NFL investigator Kia Roberts recommended that Elliott not be suspended because she did not find his accuser’s stories credible. This was disclosed during Elliott’s appeal of the suspension.

We DO know that Roberts

was barred from a meeting with Goodell and others to discuss Elliott’s punishment by Lisa Friel, the senior vice president for investigations. You can take this for what it is worth, but we DO know that Friel is a devout New York Giants fan whose league office decoration has included portraits of former Giants quarterback Phil Simms and current quarterback Eli Manning We DO know that the NFL has countered with its own suit in New York saying Elliott does not have the right to question the NFL’s authority to punish him.

We DO know that Elliott admitted under oath to having used drugs at Ohio State and

paying for his former girlfriend/ accuser’s abortion.

We DO know that this entire episode is an embarrassment to the NFL, Elliott, Goodell, the Cowboys, Ohio State, John Burroughs School, etc.

A high-five for Howard

The Howard University Bisons left Las Vegas early Sunday with $600,000, a big smile and one of college football’s all-time biggest upsets. Howard, a 45-point underdog, stunned the University of Nevada-Las Vegas 43-40 on Saturday night and got off to a rousing start under new coach Mike London. London is a former head coach of the

University of Virginia and had served as associate head coach/defensive line coach for Maryland before taking the Howard position last January.

He told his team, winners of just three games over the past two years, its motto is “Mission: Possible.”

“One of the best sights that I’ve ever seen – for young men, people involved with the program, to have a sense of satisfaction and a smile of accomplishment on their face,” London said after the game.

“My players, the guys, I’m telling you, they are sky high right now in terms of confidence, in terms of belonging,” London went on. “We talked about how this was a business trip. This wasn’t the old typical I-AA, it’s your money game, and we’re going to be cannon fodder for this team. We came here to win the game, and that’s what happened.”

Howard received $600,000 for the game – and it’s obvious UNLV was expecting a good show – but not from their opponent. The payout would only be earned if the band and cheerleaders made the trip.

Caylin Newton Cam Newton’s younger brother, surprised many people by choosing to play at Howard.

Newton carried 21 times for 190 yards and two touchdowns, threw for 140 yards and a touchdown and scored a critical two-point conversion early in the fourth quarter to give Howard a 36-33 lead.

After the Rebels regained the lead, Newton dashed in for his second rushing TD of the game and the Bison held off UNLV to secure the upset.

“I mean, coming to Howard, it’s not a football school right now,” Newton said last month. “It will be.”

For a week, at least, Howard is as much a football school as Alabama.

Aaron Rodgers backs Kap

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers told ESPN last week that Colin Kaepernick “should be on a roster,” and that his sitting then kneeling during national anthem last year is why he is out of football.

“I think he should be on a

roster right now,” Rodgers said. “I think because of his protests, he’s not.” Rodgers called Kaepernick’s protest, “peaceful and respectful.”

“I’m gonna stand because that’s the way I feel about the flag – but I’m also 100 percent supportive of my teammates or any fellow players who are choosing not to,” Rodgers said.

“They have a battle for racial equality. That’s what they’re trying to get a conversation started around.

“I think the best way I can say this is: I don’t understand what it’s like to be in that situation. What it is to be pulled over, or profiled, or any number of issues that have happened, that Colin was referencing – or any of my teammates have talked to me about.”

Alvin A. Reid is a panelist on the Nine Network program, Donnybrook, is a weekly contributor to “The Charlie Tuna Show” on KFNS and can also be heard on Frank Cusumano’s “The Press Box.” His Twitter handle is #aareid1.

Alvin A. Reid

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott’s six-game suspension was upheld by an arbitrator on Tuesday night – yet he’s eligible to play against the New York Giants on Sunday night.

From The easT side

With Maurice Scott

One of area’s top rivalries set for Friday night

East St. Louis Flyers

Edwardsville takes on defending state champion East St. Louis

head football coach Darren Sunkett was quite pleased with his team’s performance despite the 14-6 loss to perennial Louisiana power Evangel Christian Academy last Saturday night.

More than 7,000 people were in attendance to witness the feature game of the Second Annual Gateway Scholars Football Classic at Clyde C. Jordan Stadium.

“We played an outstanding football team down to the final minute of the game;” Sunkett said. “We had our chances and just didn’t execute in a few crucial situations. We

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Mayweather Jr. and Conor McGregor, he heard gunshots. As he, and everyone nearby, scrambled to find safety, he was singled out by police as a threat.

“A police officer ordered me to get on the ground,” Bennett’s statement reads. “As I laid on the ground, complying with his commands to not move, he placed his gun near my head and warned me that if I moved he would ‘blow my [expletive] head off... A second officer came over and forcefully jammed his knee into my back making it difficult for me to breathe.”

Bennett’s story is all-too-familiar. In his statement, he invoked the names of Eric Garner, Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice and Charleena Lyles Fortunately for Bennett, he escaped the situation alive.

Though his status as a millionaire athlete didn’t prevent him from suffering from abusive conduct by the officers, it may have helped to diffuse the situation. Once the officers verified his identity, you know, millionaire NFL hero, Bennett was released without any charges. Even before the incident, Bennett was one of Kaepernick’s first outspoken supporters. In August, Bennett pledged to protest the national anthem for the entire 2017 season to make a stand for equality. He has called for other high-profile players to speak

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Sophomore Teryion Cooper had two rushes for 118 yards, including an 83-yard TD run. Trinity’s defense was just as overwhelming with its overall team speed and swarming activity. Juniors Shammond Cooper and Marvin Perry led the Titans dominant defensive effort. The Titans advanced to the Class 2 state championship game last season, losing to six-time state champion Lamar.

will learn from this experience and get ready for our conference schedule.”

Next up on the schedule for the Flyers is a Friday night matchup with the big bad Edwardsville Tigers, who come to East Boogie to take on the Flyers to open Southwestern Conference play. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. in the “House of Pain.”

The Flyers are the topranked team in Illinois Class 7A and defending state champions. They are looking to run the table the rest of the way after going 1-1 to open the season.

“We prepare our non-conference schedule to get us

ready for a state championship run,” Sunkett said. “Our players understand and enjoy the competition and competitive football atmospheres we play in. That›s what it›s all about here at East St. Louis, playing the best teams we can find to play us during our non-conference schedule.

“Our staff and players excepted the challenge last Saturday night and we came up a little short. Our players have nothing to be ashamed of or hang their heads about. We

are a pretty good football team that fought to the end against one of the top programs in the country.” East St .Louis will get a shot at making Edwardsville 0-3 for the first time since 1994 tomorrow night. The Tigers lost All American A.J. Epenesa to graduation and it has showed the last two weeks, giving up 782 yards of total offense to Naperville North (472) and CBC (310) in the last two games. However, Edwardsville will look to quarterback

out against injustice. “I think the biggest problem in the NFL is that we have to be able to get the biggest people involved in the issues,” Bennett told The Undefeated “Every day a white quarterback throws the ball to a black receiver, but when it comes to Black Lives Matter issues, they won’t step up and be like, ‘There is an issue.’ Could you imagine if Tom Brady was to say what happened to Philando Castile was a tragedy? How would that change America if Aaron Rodgers was to say, ‘Black lives do matter’?”

White players such as Chris Long, Justin Britt, Derek Carr and Seth DeValve have

Individual Accolades

Senior Hassan Haskins of Eureka rushed for 228 yards on 22 carries and two touchdowns in the Wildcats’ 31-7 victory over Pattonville. Senior defensive back

Austin Thompson of MICDS had three interceptions in the Rams’ 18-13 victory over Lutheran South last Saturday.

Senior Freddy Edwards of Granite City rushed for 190 yards and three touchdowns in a 55-30 victory over Carbondale. Edwards has rushed for 437 yards and scored seven touchdowns in two games.

shown support for the national anthem protests and the fight against injustice. According to Sports Illustrated, more than 30 individual players have been involved in some type of demonstration during the anthem during this preseason.

Philadelphia Eagles safety

Malcolm Jenkins and recently retired NFL wide receiver Anquan Boldin released a video Wednesday morning, explaining the motivations behind the national anthem demonstrations.

“One of the many things that make our country great is that it was founded on the idea of justice for all,” Boldin said. “And we feel that it’s our responsibility to take a stand

Junior Maurice Chavers of Hazelwood East rushed for 250 yards and two touchdowns in a 34-13 victory over Mehlville.

Top Games of the Week

MICDS (2-1) at Lutheran North (3-0), Thursday, 7 p.m.

Webster Groves (3-0) at Ritenour (3-0), Friday, 7 p.m.

CBC (2-1) at Chaminade (2-1), Friday, 7 p.m.

Former St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Curt Flood sued Major League Baseball in 1970 in order to gain status as a free agent. Though he ultimately lost the case, it paved the way for free agency as it is known today.

Kendall Abdur-Rahman and running back Dionte Rogers, one of the best one-two combinations in the St. Louis area, to get them in the win column tomorrow night.

East St. Louis will continue to rely on the play of quarterback Christian Perez who was 11 for 23 for 209 yards and a touchdown against a stout Evangel Christian Academy Eagles defense last week .

Flyers running back DeMonta Witherspoon got the start replacing the injured Jerrell Anderson against the Eagles and responded for 74 yards on 18 carries, often giving blows

previously discussed the outspoken efforts of NBA players.

A few players in baseball, tennis and even hockey have also come out from the shadows.

Expecting a professional athlete to “shut up and play” is just as outrageous as telling the guy fixing your sink to “shut up and stick to plumbing” when he asks you about the Cardinals. It’s as absurd as telling your doctor to “shut up and stick to medicine” when she asks about the weather.

Surely a few players and owners told Flood to “stick to baseball” when he challenged

along the way to the Evangel Christian Academy defense. The Edwardsville vs. East St. Louis game is one of the biggest rivalries in the metropolitan area. However, this year’s game is obviously huge for both programs, coming off loses in the beginning of conference play.

PREDICTION: Flyers head coach Darren Sunkett and his boys dial it up tomorrow night and make a statement doing it, sending the Tigers home 0-3 for the first time since 1994. East St. Louis 38Edwardsville 17.

his trade between the St. Louis Cardinals and Philadelphia Phillies way back in 1969. He didn’t listen and professional athletes (and their sports) are in a much better place because of it.

Down the road, maybe our society will be in a much better place because Kaepernick, Bennett, Jenkins and other players chose to take a public stand against injustice – despite the backlash and potential personal repercussions.

Follow Ishmael and In the Clutch on Twitter @ IshmaelSistrunk

The sT. Louis american PreP aThLeTe oF The Week Rico Payton

Lindbergh – Football

against the injustices that we see happening in America right now.”

“This season, I’ll be raising my fist to take a stand for racial equality and a much needed reform to our criminal justice system,” Jenkins added.

Jenkins and Boldin named specific issues they are focused on tackling, including putting an end to the money-bail system, an effort to seal non-violent misdemeanor records after 10 years and police accountability.

Though having only 30+ players speak out in a league of nearly 1,700 may seem like a drop in the bucket, it’s significantly more than the handful who spoke up last season. I’ve

Parkway Central (3-0) vs. Ladue (1-2) at Kirkwood, Friday, 7 p.m.

Edwardsville (0-2) at East St. Louis (1-1), Friday, 7 p.m. Cardinal Ritter (2-1) at Lutheran St. Charles (3-0), Friday, 7 p.m.

Parkway North (2-1) at Summit (2-1), Friday, 7 p.m. Kirkwood (3-0) at Pattonville (1-2), Friday, 7 p.m.

The senior wide receiver enjoyed a big game in leading the Flyers to a 43-26 victory over Hazelwood Central last Saturday. The 6’1”, 165pound Payton caught six passes for 177 yards and three touchdowns. He scored on receptions of 14, 97 and 51 yards. For the season, Payton

has caught 13 passes for 322 yards and seven touchdowns. He is averaging nearly 25 yards per reception in leading the Flyers to a 3-0 record. He has already committed to Southern Illinois University.

Lindbergh (3-0) will host Lafayette on Friday night at 7 p.m.

Maurice Scott

Janaye Ingram was previously employed as the executive director of National Action Network, Al Sharpton’s civil rights advocacy group.

INGRAM

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allegations of racism over the years. In some instances, Airbnb hosts have refused to let someone stay at their home because of their race.

Ingram and her colleagues at Airbnb are working to change that, and to make the company truly live up to its vision.

“Airbnb has done a lot of work in addressing the claims and the issues of racism and discrimination on the platform, even prior to me coming,” Ingram said.

“In bringing someone like me in, people might not think that it would be a good fit, because I am an activist. I am someone who has often fought for equity and equality and justice and things of that nature. But that just shows that Airbnb continues to work towards creating a platform that that eliminates bias, and that really provides opportunity for people to engage.”

Financial Focus

By Aaron Ezell

Brighten your grandchildren’s financial future

another beneficiary. Generally, a 529 plan owned by a grandparent won’t be reported as an asset on the Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), but withdrawals from

With instant booking, Ingram explained, “A host is basically saying, ‘My home is open to anyone to come in and book, no matter what you look like, no matter what your religion is, no matter what your ideologies are.’ It doesn’t matter.”

The company was founded in the middle of the 2008 housing crisis by three people who “couldn’t pay their rent, and they needed to figure out a way to make ends meet,” she said. They rented out an air mattress in their apartment, and Airbnb was born.

“Our very foundation is in creating economic levers that allow people to earn additional income,” Ingram said. “We want to make sure that as this is happening, communities of color are also being brought into that process.” As part of their efforts to

The company has removed racist hosts from the platform, and sometimes sued those who have abused travelers. They have also modified their technology to eliminate unconscious bias, Ingram said. With the “instant registration” option on the Airbnb app, which rolled out in this past year, hosts agree to host anyone who registers, without having to pre-approve them.

reach out to African-American communities, Airbnb partnered with the NAACP.

“Through partnering with NAACP, we are saying to communities of color, ‘We want to ensure that you understand who we are, what we do, and how you can be a part of our growing community,’” she said.

Airbnb hosts, according to Ingram, can lift up whole communities, not just individuals or families.

“Especially in communities of color, they are showing up in places where there aren’t a plethora of hotels, there’s not a lot of tourist activity,” she said.

Aside from recruiting more hosts, Ingram wants to encourage more AfricanAmerican travelers to use Airbnb.

She reflected on a friend who recently stayed with an Airbnb host in Thailand. “She connected with this woman and shared stories with this woman,” Ingram said. “And she’s a black woman from New Jersey, and yet she went to another country and had this really unique experience.”

For more information, visit https://www.airbnb.com.

Plus, a 529 plan is flexible: If your grandchild decides against college, you can transfer the plan to

Humor and family healing

Black Rep season opener ‘Dot’ sheds light on Alzheimer’s disease and dementia

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

“I was telling my class the other day, rarely has African American theatre had the luxury of doing theatre merely for art’s sake,” said Ron Himes, founder and producing director of the St. Louis Black Repertory Company.

This week they opened their 41st season with Colman Domingo’s “Dot” at Washington University’s Edison Theatre. The play is humorous, but it is framed around the serious issue. The play’s namesake and family matriarch is suffering with the early stages of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Justice deferred

A soulful farewell to summer

“It’s

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

Tennessee Williams as told by Ghana

African theater company presents ‘10 Blocks on the Camino Real’ in St. Louis

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

Last year, famed international director David Kaplan realized an item on his professional wish list that was nearly 20 years in the making when he worked with The National Theatre of Ghana. In 1997, he was on a plane in Uzbekistan when a member of The Peace Corps recognized him from a television interview he had done while working on a play there.

“The man did his early Peace Corps work in northern part of Ghana,” Kaplan said. “He said, ‘There’s a rich theater culture there and you should be a part of it.’”

Kaplan went about establishing a connection. No sooner than he started the relationship with Ghana through the U.S. Embassy, all of his contacts were voted out of office. The idea was put on the back burner until he was having a conversation with an American actor in Central Park a few years ago.

“I owed him a favor. He wanted to talk about work,” Kaplan said. So they did. “I asked him the most interesting thing he had done professionally,” Kaplan said. “He said, ‘Oh, I worked with the National Theatre of Ghana for about nine months out of the year,’” Kaplan said.

“My head almost spun off of my shoulders.”

Through his actor friend, Kaplan formed a connection with The National Theatre of Ghana.

Last year they presented Tennessee Williams’ play “10 Blocks on the Camino Real.”

“This is an unusual Tennessee Williams play

because it was like street theatre,” Kaplan said.

“I knew that they would get this combination of music and dance and storytelling, because it’s what they do. They wouldn’t be coming to it in the same way that an American troupe would – with all of this baggage about ‘The Glass Menagerie’ or ‘A Streetcar Named Desire.’”

This weekend, thanks to Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis, they will bring the show to various locations in St. Louis in a series of street theatre-style performances.

“What better place to bring it than the place where Tennessee Williams found his voice,” Kaplan said.

“The 19 years he spent here were very informative and have colored and influenced his body of work,” said Carrie Houk, executive artistic director of Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis. Kaplan describes this

and gets taken advantage of. And while it is different from his other works, it’s is among the same

The Black Rep opens its 41st season with the Colman Domingo comedy ‘Dot.’ The play continues through September 24 at The Edison Theatre on the campus of Washington University. Photo by Phil Hamer

The National Theatre of Ghana performing ‘10 Blocks on the Camino Real’ last year in Accra, Ghana. The production will come to St. Louis this weekend thanks to the Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis.

Heights’ starring Lakeith Stanfield opens in St.

Photo by Vincent Lang

How to place a calendar listing

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

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

Calendar listings are free of charge, are edited for space and run on a space-available basis.

concerts

Sat., Sept. 9, 4 p.m., Alton Jazz & Wine Fest. Performances by Ptah Williams Quartet, Keyon Harrold and more. Liberty Bank Alton Amphitheater, 1 Henry St., Alton, IL. 62002. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

Sept. 9 – 10, Loufest 2017. Performances by Snoop Dogg, Smino and more. Central Field – Forest Park, 5300 Wells Dr., 63112. For more information, visit www.seatgeek.com.

Sun., Sept. 10, 4 p.m., National Blues Museum presents Soulful Sundays feat. The Jeremiah Johnson Band 615 Washington Ave., 63101. For more information, visit www.nationalbluesmuseum. org.

Sun., Sept. 10, 8 p.m., RockHouse & Still Blessed Entertainment present Tony! Toni! Tone! The Pageant, 6161 Delmar Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www. ticketmaster.com.

Wed., Sept. 13, 8 p.m., Fox Theatre presents An Evening with Mary J. Blige: Strength of a Woman Tour. 527 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Wed., Sept. 13, 8 p.m., Shabazz Palaces with special guest Porter Ray. The Ready Room, 4195 Machester Ave., 63110. For more information, visit www.ticketfly.com.

Sun., Sept. 24, 7 p.m., From the Soul – Unplugged Acoustic Show feat. Drew “X-Man” Exum & the X-Men Band. Dark Room, 3610 Grandel Sq., 63108. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Sun., Sept. 24, 6:30 p.m., The Sheldon Concert Hall presents Black Violin. 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108. For

more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

local gigs

Sun., Sept. 3, 6 p.m., Soul Train: The Ride of Life, Love and Happiness. Sieglinda Fox with featured artists Alli Mays and Cheron Brash. The Signature Room, 9002 Overland Plaza, 63114. For more information, visit www.thesignatureclub.net.

Fri., Sept. 8, 7:30 p.m., Chamber Project St. Louis presents Faith. A program that explores the power, practice, and questioning of faith through the lens of music by American composers. 5700 Lindell Blvd., 63112. Wed., Sept. 13, 8 p.m., Shabazz Palaces with special guest Porter Ray. The Ready Room, 4195 Machester Ave., 63110. For more information, visit www.ticketfly.com.

Fri., Sept. 15, 7 p.m., Tribute to Gladys Knight feat. Kim Massie. The Beale on Broadway, 701 S. Broadway, 63102. For more information, call (314) 621-7880.

Thur., Sept. 21, 8 p.m., Let’s Start the Music feat. Brian Owens. A performance of Michael Jackson’s “Off the Wall “album. Proceeds benefit Let’s Start, a program for families impacted by incarceration. Sheldon, 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

special events

Sat., Sept. 9, 7:30 p.m., CommUNITY Arts Festival A lineup including dance, theater, poetry, and film has been assembled to speak out against violence. Sept. 2: Marcelle Theater, 3310 Samuel Shepard Dr.; Sept. 9, Grandel

The

St. Louis American recommends

Theatre, 3610 Grandel Sq. For more information, visit www. communityartsfestival.com.

Thur., Sept. 7, 5:30 p.m., Prison Performing Arts 11th Annual Bash: Empowering Voices. Join us for food from Sugarfire, a silent auction, music, and more. Centene Center for the Arts, 3547 Olive St., 63103. For more information, visit wwww. prisonartsstl.org.

Sat., Sept. 9, 9 a.m., Ferguson 1000 Hiring Event. Meet employers ready to hire people on the spot. St. Louis Community College – Florissant Valley, 3400 Pershall Rd., 63135. For more information or to register, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Sat., Sept. 9, 12 p.m., Solidarity Economy St. Louis presents Reclaim + Sustain: A Food and Farm Weekend. Everyone should have access to healthy and affordable food. Thomas Dunn Learning Center, 3113 Gasconade St., 63118. For more information, visit www.facebook.com.

Sat., Sept. 9, 6 p.m., St. Louis University Black Law School Association’s 15th Annual Casino Night Scholarship Fundraiser. 100 N. Tucker Blvd., 63101. For more information, email blsa@slu. edu.

Tues., Sept. 12, 11:30 a.m., Stray Rescue’s 20th Annual Golf Tournament. Norman K. Probstein Golf Club, 6141 Lagoon Dr., 63112. For more

information, visit www. facebook.com.

Wed., Sept. 13, 10 a.m., St. Louis Partners Job Fair

Several companies will be on site to provide information and assist in the hiring process. Dress professional and bring a resume. Bringing Families Together, 7151 N. Lindbergh Blvd., 63042. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Wed., Sept. 13, 11 a.m., St. Louis Diversity Job Fair. Employers for education, finance, optical care, human resources, clerical, healthcare, and more. Ferguson Community Center, 1050 Smith Ave., 63135. For more information or to register, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Wed., Sept. 13, 7 p.m., RIP Katt – 15 years, the life of late Bits N Pieces rapper Cornelius “Katt” Davis will be celebrated, RKDE 2720 Cherokee (second floor).

Thur., Sept. 14, 10 a.m., Job News St. Louis Job Fair. In addition to have employers on scene we will have two workshops and resume review. Double Tree – Westport, 1973 Craigshire Rd., 63146. For more information or to register, visit www.eventbrite. com.

Sat., Sept. 16, 11 a.m., South Grand Fall Fest. Enjoy a craft zone, game area, vendors, live entertainment, discounts from local businesses, and more. 3115 S. Grand Blvd., 63118.

Fox Theatre presents An Evening with Mary J. Blige: Strength of a Woman Tour. See CONCERTS for details.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com.

Tues., Sept. 19, 6 p.m., Operation Food Search presents Bake for Good Event. A culinary instructor will cook a special dish for the audience to enjoy while learning about OFS programs. 1644 Lotsie Blvd., 63132. For more information, visit www. cooklearnshare.org.

Thur., Sept. 21, 5:30 p.m., Community Action Agency of St. Louis County invites you to the Doors of Opportunity Fundraiser. Join us for a fun evening to raise funds to help move people from poverty. 2050 Dorsett Village Plaza, 63034. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Fri., Sept. 22, 7 a.m., McDonald’s presents the Scramble for Charity Golf Tournament. Proceeds benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis. The Legends Country Club, 625 Legends Parkway, 63025. For more information, visit www. rmhcstl.com/scramble/.

Sat., Sept. 23, 5 p.m., The St. Louis American Foundation presents the 30th Annual Salute to Excellence in Education Scholarship and Awards Gala, America’s Center. For more information, call (314) 533-8000 or visit www.stlamerican.com.

Fri., Sept. 29, 8 p.m., The Sumner Alumni Association presents its Maroon & White Homecoming Dance Machinist Hall, 12365 St. Charles Rock Road 63044. For tickets, call 314.556.3944 or 314.452.1275. For more info email: sumneralumniassn@ yahoo.com.

comedy

Sept. 15 – 16, Helium Comedy Club presents Sherri Shepard. 1151 St. Louis Galleria, 63117.

Sept. 15 – 16, The Laugh Lounge presents Tony Roberts. 11208 W. Florissant Ave., 63033. For more information, visit www. thelaughloungestl.com.

Sat., Sept. 16, 7 p.m., Nick Cannon Presents Wild’n Out

Live STL. The Ambassador, 9800 Halls Ferry Rd., 63120. For more information, visit www.facebook.com.

Thur., Sept. 7, 7 p.m., Missouri History Museum, hosts author Keona Ervin author of Gateway to Equality: Black Women and the Struggle for Economic Justice in St. Louis 5700 Lindell Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www.mohistory.org.

Wed., Sept. 13, 7 p.m., Left Bank Books hosts author Aaron Layton, author of Dear White Christian: What Every White Christian Needs to Know About How Black Christians See, Think, & Experince Racism in America 399 N. Euclid Ave. For more information, call (314) 3676731.

Thur., Sept. 14, 7 p.m., Left Bank Books hosts author Sally Freeman, author of The Jersey Brothers: A Missing Naval Officer in the Pacific and His Family’s Quest to Bring Him Home. A story of brotherly love, three men finding their loyalty to each other tested under the tortures of war. Mon., Sept. 18, 7 p.m., Left Bank Books hosts author David Collins, author of Accidental Activists: Mark Phariss, Vic Holmes and Their Fight for Marriage Equality in Texas. 399 N. Euclid Ave. For more information, call (314) 367-6731.

Sat., Sept. 16, 9 a.m., Write Sistahs Literary Group Writing Workshop & Retreat. Pallottine Renewal Center, 15270 Old Halls Ferry, 63034. For more information, call (314) 210-4774.

Mon., Sept. 18, 7 p.m., Left Bank Books hosts author David Collins, author of Accidental Activists: Mark Phariss, Vic Holmes, and Their Fight for Marriage Equality in Texas

Fri., Sept. 22, 7 p.m., Pulitzer Arts Foundation presents the 100 Boots Poetry Series: Wendy Xu & Rickey Laurentiis. Xu is the author of Phrasis, and Laurentiis is the author of Boy with Thorn

3716 Washington Blvd., 63018. For more information, visit www.left-bank.com.

Sat., Sept. 23, 10:30 a.m., Central West End Scene and Left Bank Books present BookFest St. Louis. Featuring locally and internationally renowned writers, speaker panels, activities, and more. 4715 McPherson Ave., 63108. For more information, visit www.bookfeststl.com.

Sat., Sept. 23, 3 p.m., Author Lewis Diuguid will sign and discuss his latest book Our Fathers: Making Black Men George B. Vashon African American Museum, 2223 St. Louis Ave.

Sept. 8 – 10, Centene

Charitable Foundation presents Saint Louis Art Fair We will have artists displaying their work in ceramics, jewelry, drawing, photography, and more. Forsyth Blvd. & Meramec Ave., 63105. For more information, visit www. saintlouisartfair.com.

Through October 7, The Pulitzer Arts Foundation presents Blue Black curated by Glenn Ligon, The Pulitzer Arts Foundation, 3716 Washington Blvd. For more information, visit www. pulitzerarts.org.

lectures and workshops

Fri., Sept. 8, 6 p.m., Ferguson 1000 presents Empowerment Lecture Learn about technology for financial literacy, poverty, social justice and more. St. Louis Community College – Florissant Valley, 3400 Pershall Rd., 63135. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Tues., Sept. 12, 7 p.m., Let’s Talk About What Happened. Join Stacey Newman, Rev.

Dr. Cassandra Gould, and Rabbi Susan Talve, to talk about What Happened by Hillary Clinton. Left Bank Book, 399 N. Euclid Ave., 63108. For more information, visit www.left-bank.com.

Thur., Sept. 14, 6 p.m., The Bridge: An Intergenerational Conversation with Civil Rights Leaders. Civil rights leaders come together to reveal how activism has evolved throughout history. Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www. mohistory.org.

Thur., Sept. 14, 7 p.m., Pulitzer Arts Foundation presents A Lecture by Dr. Mindy Fullilove. Dr. Fullilove is a Professor of Urban Policy and Health at The New School, and will discuss “root shock”. 3716 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www. pulitzerarts.org.

Wednesdays, Sept. 20 – Oct. 5, 6:30 p.m., The Missouri Bar presents the 2017 Mini Law School for the Public. Learn about the courts, jury trials, landlord-tenant law, lawsuits and more. S. Central Ave., 63105. For more information, call visit www. missourilawyershelp.org/minilaw-school.

theatre

Fri., Sept. 15, 8 p.m., The Link Auditorium presents Through the Eyes of York: The Lewis and Clark Expedition. The story of a slave, treated as a free man, then returned to slavery. 4504 Westminster Pl., 63108. For more information, visit www. racstl.org/event.

Sept. 16 – 17, Metro Theater Company presents Games Dad Didn’t Play. Lucas moves to a new town with his mom after his dad is incarcerated, and attempts to write his own future. Grandel, 3610 Grandel Sq., 63108. For more information, visit www.

metrotix.com.

Sun., Sept. 17, 3 & 7:30 p.m., Priest Tyaire presents Momma’s Boy. An all-star cast unites to tell the story of a young man who takes pride in being macho but really is a momma’s boy. Fox Theatre, 527 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

Through Sept. 24, The St. Louis Black Repertory Company will open their 41st season with Colman Domingo’s new comedy DOT. The Edison Theatre on the campus of Washington University. For more information, visit www. theblackrep.org or call (314) 534-3807.

Sat., Sept. 9, 11 a.m., Community Health and Wellness Day. New Sunny Mount Missionary Baptist Church, 4700 W. Florissant Ave., 63115. For more information, call (314) 3673707.

Thur., Sept. 14, 6 p.m., Sickle Cell Association presents Diversity in Clinical Trials and Research Forum. Understand clinical trials and the importance of diverse participation. Regional Arts Commission, 6128 Delmar Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Sat., Sept. 16, 8 a.m., St. Louis Alzheimer’s Association presents the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Scottrade Center, 1401 Clark Ave., 63103. For more information, call (314) 2899990.

Wed., Sept. 20, St. Louis Alzheimer’s Association presents The Basics: Memory Loss, Dementia, and Alzheimer’s. Learn about diagnosis, progression, treatment, resources and support. Monsanto Family YMCA, 5555 Page Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www.facebook.com.

Sat., Sept. 23, 9 a.m., Taking Control Of Your Diabetes Conference & Health

Fair. We will have speakers, motivating workshops, handson activities, free screenings, and more. America’s Center, 701 Convention Plaza, 63101. For more information, visit www.tcoyd.org.

spiritual

Fri., Sept. 8, 7 p.m., Believers Temple Word Fellowship Annual Women’s Conference feat. Jekalyn Carr. 2115 Chambers Rd., 63136. For more information, visit www. bandsintown.com.

Fri., Sept. 8, 7:30 p.m., Chamber Project St. Louis presents Faith. A program that explores the power, practice, and questioning of faith through the lens of music by American composers. 5700 Lindell Blvd., 63112.

Sept. 9 -10, The City of Life Christian Church presents the Singles Conference 2017: He’s Able to Keep You from Falling. Speakers include Pastor Joe L. Middleton, Min. Taneika Jones, and Min. Sheri Carthan. 8333 Fullerton Ave., 63132. For more information, visit www.thecityoflife.com.

Sun., Sept. 10, 5:30 p.m., Arts & Faith St. Louis Seventh Annual Interfaith Concert: Building Bridges. Sheldon, 3648 Washington Ave., 63108. For more information, visit www.artsfaithstl.org.

Sun., Sept. 17, 8 a.m., Southern Mission Baptist Church Christian Women Annual Day with special guest Minister Nicole Edwards of Shalom Church City of Peace Southern Mission Baptist Church (SMBC), 8171 Wesley Ave, Kinloch MO Fri., Sept. 22, 7 p.m., Kingdom Promotions hosts Tamela and David Mann’s World Tour – Concert & Comedy Show. Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist Church, 5553 Dr. Martin Luther King Dr., 63112. For more information, visit www. kingdomtickets.com.

Let’s Start the Music featuring Brian Owens. For more information, see LOCAL GIGS.

The St. Louis American recommends

which was recently released in select cities and hits St. Louis theaters on Friday (September 8), has thrust him into leading man stratosphere. But his career was the last thing on Stanfield’s heart and mind when he committed himself to the character.

“I want people to know about Colin Warner’s story –and that it’s not as unique as people might think. And that one case like this is too many.”

Writer/director Matt Ruskin was compelled to bring Warner’s story to the big screen when he heard Warner detail his life experience on the popular NPR podcast “This American Life.”

Warner came from Trinidad and settled into to the Brooklyn neighborhood of Crown Heights for a piece of the American dream. A case of coerced mistaken identity meant that Warner would spend more than two decades behind bars for a crime that he did not commit.

“It was heavy material,” Stanfield said. “It made me realize some of the things I take for granted – and see how easy it is to become wrapped up in the system without any real sense of justice.”

Warner was a teen when he entered jail. He was approaching middle age when he was exonerated thanks mostly to relentless pursuit by Warner’s neighborhood friend Carl King – portrayed by Nnamdi Asomugha (who is also one of the film’s executive producers).

“There is just so much to be done with this whole prison industrial complex system – not only with the rehabilitation process, but with identifying who is a criminal and who isn’t,” Stanfield said.

The story is as much about the strength of friendships as it is the weakness of a justice system rooted in bias, racism and mass incarceration. King makes unimaginable sacrifices for Warner and moves forward with what little resources he

has available to continue the fight for Warner’s release.

“We can’t do anything big and worth it by ourselves – it takes a community of courageous people to bring about change, but it starts within you,” Stanfield said. “We start within ourselves by being the type of person – a catalyst for change – that works to make things better.”

Crown Heights debuted at last year’s Sundance Film Festival, where it won the coveted Audience Award.

“It was an honor for me to walk in the shoes of someone as courageous as Colin Warner,” said Stanfield. “I don’t think there can be enough light shed on topics like this.

My ignorance of this particular story prior to going into it made me want to dive into it even more.

There are things like this happening every day and those people on the inside don’t have a voice. I’m lucky enough in this profession to be able to be a voice when it comes to stories like this.”

Stanfield says that audiences themselves also become a voice by supporting films like Crown Heights – and bearing witness to stories like Warner’s. Ideally viewers will be compelled to learn more about the justice system and hold it accountable in developing effective manners of upholding the law that are from a paradigm of understanding as opposed to fear.

“[By seeing this movie] I hope people will mobilize themselves and engage in the conversation about justice and do what’s right and hold their administrative branches to high standards and not blindly accept whatever is given to them – I hope that would be the case,” Stanfield said. “That’s a very optimistic view, but I don’t think that it’s too much to put upon a human being.”

Crown Heights opens at AMC Creve Coeur on Friday, September 9. The film is Rated R with a running time of 99 minutes. For more information, visit http://crownheightsthemovie.com/.

vein.

“All of Tennessee Williams’ work boils down to one simple thing: The summer is short. Love is short. Beauty is short,” Kaplan said. “Because it doesn’t last very long, there is an imperative to talk about it, the very fact that it is ephemeral is the reason that we have to keep talking about it and remember not to waste it.”

Connecting continents through theater

“Theater provides a window to the world for people who don’t have the opportunity to travel,” Houk said. “With this production, I’m hoping to open a new window. I think that we need to constantly broaden our horizons as theatregoers.”

Kaplan believes that seeing the production presented by the talented troupe will also serve to shed new light on the

continent.

“The news out of Africa is always negative and as a whole tends to portray African people as victims – and it turns artwork that comes out Africa into stories of misery or pain,” Kaplan said. “That’s there, but to dwell in that exclusively is to stay in the bathroom of your house and never go into the living room or the dining room.”

Houk was particularly interested in this production because she’s also a professor at Webster University, and

Continued from C1

– while living in her older sister’s basement.

“It’s a wonderful play. There is definitely a lot going on,” Himes said. “But their mother’s health eventually brings them closer as a family.”

“Dot” stars Jacqueline Thompson, Chauncy Thomas, Thomasina Clarke, Heather Beal, Courtney Elaine Brown, Paul Edwards and Ryan Lawson-Maeske and plays through September 24th at The Edison. Their mother’s health crisis is a topic that hits home for many African American families.

“Early on when I started reading about the play, I started looking at the statis-

tics,” said Himes, who also directs the play. “I noticed it’s one of those things now where nobody understands why but African American’s are getting Alzheimer’s at twice the rate of white people.

“Ten percent of white people over the age of 70 are getting it versus 21 percent of blacks over 70. It’s not necessarily a taboo, but it’s not something we are really talking about.”

They have partnered with the Alzheimer’s Research Project out of the Washington University Medical School and the Alzheimer’s Association for this production.

It’s the second time The Black Rep has partnered with Alzheimer’s organizations as a result of a play that were producing. A few years ago, they did a play called “For Pete’s Sake.”

“It’s some information that

they have a newly opened campus in Accra, Ghana. The company will be in residency at Webster for the week of the performances and she hopes to generate enough excitement among the Webster student body on the St. Louis campus that it will spark interest for them to consider studying abroad in Accra.

Kaplan hopes that audiences will soak in the cultural bridge that takes place thanks to the troupe, which has existed as a company for nearly 35 years and reflects the rich, lively and

we need to get out – and I’m sure that these agencies have been trying to get out – but this play can serve as a vehicle in that way,” Himes said. “It’s been a great thing to be able to partner with the agencies who that is their direct mission. We’ve been able to work together to get the information out to the African American community.”

The organizations will participate in post-show discussions during the run of the play and assist the company with the process of capturing the effects of dementia with authenticity and grace as they were mounting the show.

Aligning the arts in the name of public health is nothing new to the Black Rep. According to Himes, it falls in line with the company’s mission of heightening the social and cultural education of the community.

unique experience of Ghanaian theater.

“This is a proud, skilled group of African professional actors who comes from a tradition that is over 100 years old and they are sharing this American story with an American audience,” Kaplan said. “Not because they are the kids from the orphanage, but because they have something to say about it too. And that’s something that I want people to see.”

Free public performances of The National Theatre of Ghana’s production of ‘10 Blocks on the Camino Real’ presented by Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis will take place from Friday, September 8 – Sunday, September 10 at various locations and times in the late morning and afternoon at Strauss Park in Grand Center, Soulard Farmer’s Market and on the campus of Webster University. Thanks to a grant by PNC Arts Alive, the productions are free and open to the public. For full schedule and details, visit www.twstl.org.

“We’ve done pieces that dealt with teen pregnancy. We’ve done pieces that have dealt with lead poisoning. We’ve done pieces that have dealt with sickle cell and HIV/ AIDS,” Himes said. “For me it is a vehicle that allows us to service the community as a resource in getting information out. I see our work being a vehicle for this kind of education and dissemination of information.

The theatre that we have done has always been political and relevant to contemporary issues and the community – and that includes our health.”

The Black Rep’s presentation of “Dot” continues through September 24 at The Edison Theatre at Washington University. For more information, visit www.blackrep.org or call (314) 534-3810.

Mathews-Dickey 2017 Family Reunion Weekend

Jennifer Irvin, the school-community health coordinator for BJC HealthCare, Bill Fronczak the vice president of institutional advancement at Mathews-Dickey, present the Leadership & Professional Development Advocate of the Year Award to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Omicron Theta Omega Chapter President Jan Sanders-Smith.

Scholar-Athlete Award Kobe Dozier maintains a 3.4 GPA as a rising senior at North Tech High School.

Basketball, comedy and concert for scholar athletes

Mathews-Dickey Boys’ & Girls’ Club (MDBGC) recently hosted its second annual Family Reunion Weekend. MTV Wild N Out cast members DC Young Fly, Rip Michaels and Hitman Holla headlined the Hoopin’ & Hollerin’ basketball exhibition and comedy show sponsored by Stifel and in partnership with Mo Betta Sports. Twelve community leaders and youth were recognized at the Centene-sponsored Martin L. Mathews Awards Program & Benefit Concert, A Serenade by Brian McKnight and Ginuwine, at the Fox Theatre that Saturday. The proceedings generated total pledges of $336,000 to support the MDBGC’s efforts to build well-educated, physically active and hopeful scholar athletes. For more information visit Mathews-dickey.com.

DC Young Fly of MTV’s Wild N Out performs at Hoopin’ & Hollerin’, the kick off to the Family Reunion Weekend on August 25.

Hitman Holla of MTV’s Wild N Out leads the game of Family Reunion at Hoopin’ & Hollerin’.

Sixteen-time GRAMMY winner Brian McKnight headlines the Martin L. Mathews Awards Program & Benefit Concert.

Michael McMillan, president of Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis and Dwayne Butler, president & CEO at Betty Jean Kerr People’s Health Clinic, present St. Louis City Treasurer Tishaura Jones the Ida Goodwin-Woolfolk Education Advocate Award.

Mathews-Dickey President & CEO Wendell Covington, Jr. and Co-founder Martin L. Mathews.

Gary Gunter, vice president and general manager at Radio One St. Louis, and John Paul Johnson from

Ginuwine provides a highoctane opening act.

Cillah Hall, publisher of Gazelle and from presenting sponsor Centene, their Manager of Diversity & Inclusion Alishea Johnson recognize TIAA VP Stephanie Adams with the Benjamin F. Edwards III Memorial Award.

Mathews-Dickey Athletic Director Rae Merriweather and Chief Operating Officer Tom Sullivan salute the 2017 RBI World Series Champion Mathews-Dickey Lady Cardinals.

Mathews-Dickey Cultural Arts & Health Direc-

tor LaJuan Williams and ShowMe Arts Founder Marty Casey present the Arts Advocate Award to Regional Arts Commission Executive Director Felicia Shaw.

The National Anthem was performed by ShowMe Arts member Morgan Taylor.

Karl Grice, founder and principal of Grice Architects and Mathews-Dickey Co-Founder Martin Luther Mathews present the Martin L. Mathews Award for Non-Profit Leadership to Clark-Fox Family Foundation CEO and BuildA-Bear Workshop Founder Maxine Clark.

KTVI FOX 2’s Shirley Washington and 95.5 FM The Lou’s Staci Static emceed the proceedings.

Mary Luckey, reward strategy director, Maritz Motivation Solutions, and , Rev. Starsky Wilson, president of Deaconess Foundation, present the Bill Maritz Memorial Award to Teach for America’s VP, National Community Alliances Brittany Packnett.

Sheleia Phillips, grant-writer and health & outcomes coordinator for Mathews-Dickey, and Melissa Logsdon, program officer of the Missouri Foundation for Health, present the Healthy Living Advocate Award to Operation Food Search’s Lucinda Perry.

(Left) Cheryl Jones, executive director of Girls Inc., and Captain Garon Mosby, public information officer, St. Louis Fire Department, presents the Outstanding Youth Achiever Award to Riana McDonald, a rising senior at Cardinal Ritter with a 3.8 GPA.

Change is happening in St. Louis County municipal courts

By Judge Douglas R. Beach Guest columnist

Three years after the death of Michael Brown Jr. in Ferguson, long-overdue systemic reform of St. Louis County’s municipal court system is underway.

For decades, many residents – especially those of color –felt they had been victimized and denied their constitutional rights by law enforcement and municipal courts in St. Louis County’s hodgepodge of 89 municipalities.

Some municipalities used police to generate revenue to keep inefficient city operations afloat. Others ran municipal courts like debtors’ prisons, jailing indigent citizens for days or even weeks when they were unable to pay fines for minor offenses like broken tail lights or uncut grass, wreaking havoc on their personal lives. And if folks didn’t show up for court, their fines kept growing. Now, with new state law, new Missouri Supreme Court minimum operating standards and new local court rules in place to compel reform, the hard work of change is moving forward.

Although historically they have operated independently, municipal courts are, in fact, divisions of the circuit court.

With nearly 80 divisions in St. Louis County to monitor, it is a painstaking and, at times, frustrating process. Old ways die hard.

But, make no mistake: Change is happening. We are beginning to see greater consistency, accountability,

transparency and equity in St. Louis County and across the state, just as the law demands and the public deserves.

Today, more municipalities are complying with state law that requires them to report records of conviction statistics on moving violations.

Fewer citations are being written by police officers for minor traffic offenses.

There are fewer arrests, fewer warrants and fewer individuals going to jail.

The percentage of municipal general revenue generated by fines and costs has been reduced dramatically. In most municipalities in St. Louis County, that percentage is at or below the 20 percent cap set by state law.

Indigent defendants are being allowed to present evidence of their financial condition when fines or fees are set, as required by law. Payment plans are required for those who need them. And, for residents who cannot afford to pay their fines, community service is being offered as an alternative.

Communities that have consolidated their municipal court operations are using consistent protocols, procedures, and fee schedules. This means that a ticket for a noisy muffler costs the same in the six municipalities

now operating out of the St. Ann Consolidated Courts and the nine operating out of Normandy. Fifteen courts consolidated into two is real progress.

In Ferguson – whose municipal court has made significant strides under the supervision of the U.S. Department of Justice – fines can no longer be doubled or tripled whenever a charge is amended to a charge of the same classification.

Training, including implicit bias training, is being provided to help professionalize municipal judges, court clerks and prosecutors on a state-wide basis to ensure that follow the law.

All those involved in the day-to-day administration of justice – from city attorneys and municipal judges to prosecutors and police chiefs -- are working to improve cooperation that is essential to progress.

Are all municipal courts in St. Louis County operating as they should? Not yet.

Are there still serious issues to resolve? Yes.

Are we on the path of progress? Absolutely.

Taking the steps necessary to improve the municipal courts in St. Louis County is my top priority.

Reaching our shared goal of fair and impartial justice for everyone in our court system is a journey of 10,000 steps.

Together, we will get there –one step at a time.

Judge Douglas R. Beach is the presiding judge of the St. Louis County Circuit Court.

MADCO brings steps toward understanding

In FREEDOM, four choreographers put racial analysis in motion

By Kristie Lein For The St. Louis American

Untangling complex themes such as race and prejudice through words is difficult. Expressing them through dance is another challenge entirely.

Yet Modern American Dance Company, in partnership with the Olin Library at Washington University in St. Louis, saw it as a springboard to dialogue. The result is FREEDOM, a suite of four works inspired by Ferguson and historic documents, photos, and films housed at Washington University.

“It would be easier to put on a pretty piece of music and create some interesting movement to go with it. But would you remember that the day after you saw it? I usually don’t,” says Stacy West, MADCO’s executive and artistic director.

“I believe art can heal. But the reality is that a project like FREEDOM can only scratch the surface of this incredibly sensitive topic. As much as I would love it, changing the face of discrimination isn’t going to happen by dancing. We believe it’s important to provide a safe space for artists to create relevant work and for audiences to experience the emotion of the subject matter.”

Even though FREEDOM’s four choreographers drew inspiration from the same source material, their backgrounds influenced their respective works in poignant ways. Cecil Slaughter is an African-American man who was born in Alabama in the early 1960s. Jennifer Archibald is a black woman from Toronto who now lives in Brooklyn. Nejla Yatkin was raised in Berlin and saw the Berlin Wall come down when she was 18 years old. Gina Patterson is a white woman who grew up in Pittsburgh and now calls Wyoming home.

Individual demographics aside, the country’s political climate stirred strong feelings in each of them, and it’s obvious in their choreography.

For Yatkin, President Trump’s pledge to build a border wall was reminiscent of her childhood in a divided Germany. Slaughter and Archibald were compelled to address the diminishing human rights for immigrants, refugees, and indigenous people. Patterson says the country’s turmoil left her exhausted and emotional; as a result, her work creates a meditative landscape of images.

For MADCO’s company manager, Emilee

Morton, FREEDOM was a call to step outside her comfort zone.

“I realized that I live in a bubble,” she says. “I surround myself with people who are like me. This is normal, so I guess the true realization is understanding how I’ve subconsciously closed myself off from learning and understanding different perspectives. Connecting with others has a healing energy that lends itself to understanding – even if we agree to disagree.”

Nicole Whitesell, a MADCO dancer and director, had a similar shift in perspective, recognizing she can’t keep going through life with blinders on. But what really surprised her was hearing the dancers’ stories about the hate and negativity they’ve experienced throughout their lives.

“It shocked me,” she says. “I have always known it was in the world – and have seen it from afar – but I personally have not experienced it. I didn’t realize what some of my friends have to deal with on a daily basis. It was eye-opening to hear their stories. It has encouraged me to do my part and help by continuing to educate myself and help to educate others by using my voice in, hopefully, effective ways.”

West marvels at how many hours the dancers and choreographers spent talking about and reflecting on their lives, and how intensely personal these works are.

“Not one of the steps in FREEDOM is just a step,” she says. “The work is a physical expression of deep internal emotions. The audience may not know the exact story a dancer is thinking about, but the emotion of it is conveyed.”

FREEDOM’s message is resonating. Morton says people regularly pull her aside to talk about it. “Most people aren’t just generically saying, FREEDOM was so powerful, and MADCO looked amazing!’ which is always wonderful to hear, and I appreciate that feedback,” Morton says.

“With FREEDOM, audience members have very specific things to say about the performance. I’ve had people tell me, ‘I can’t get the imagery of the dancer hanging from the silks out of my mind,’ or ‘The ferocity and passion in the second work reminds me that MADCO is a powerhouse dance company in this community – it is a performance that I simply can’t forget.’ FREEDOM is incredibly relevant, and the support we’ve received solidifies my belief that art can bring people together.”

FREEDOM takes place on Thursday, October 5, and Friday, October 6, at 7 p.m. in the Missouri History Museum’s Lee Auditorium. Tickets are $7 to $10. Visit mohistory.org/ freedom-dance or call (314) 361-9017 for additional details.

Guest Columnist

Douglas H. Beach

Photo by David Lancaster

Dancers perform Nejla Yatkin’s piece in FREEDOM.

Celebrations

Anniversaries

Congratulations to Arnold and Adrienne Isaac, who celebrate their 5th wedding anniversary on September 13.

Reunions

Beaumont High Class of 1968 Reunion Committee will begin planning for our 50th Class Reunion to be held in St. Louis, Missouri in 2018. For more information contact Vanetta Cobbs, 314-869-5665, or email vanetta.cobbs@ sbcglobal.net.

Happy Anniversary to Rodger and Micki Jones—married September 13, 1980 and celebrating 37 years! To God be the glory for the things He has done.

Beaumont High School Class of 1977 will celebrate its 40year reunion Sept. 15–17, 2017. For further information, please contact: Karen Handley (314) 330-0129, Audrey Dixon (314) 413-9202, Lois Moore (314) 315-0474, Kelvin Ellison (314) 599-6733.

Beaumont High Class of 1978 will celebrate its 40-year reunion in 2018. For further information, please contact: Marietta Shegog Shelby, 314-799-5296, madeshe@ sbcglobal.net.

Hadley Tech Classes of 1962-1963 are having their 55th year reunion on October 13-15, 2017 at the St. Louis Airport Marriott. For more

information, please contact Hellon (Merritt) Jefferson at 314-307-3681, Ora (Scott) Roberts at 314-222-3662, Wilhelmina (Gibson) Baker at 314-630-9647, Pearl (Tillman) Holden 314-6850466 or Virdell (Robinson) Stennis at 314-773-8177.

Northwest High Class of 1978 is planning its 40 year reunion for next year. PLEASE reach out to our classmates, tell them get ready for this. If you have any questions please contact Sly at ( 314) 397-0311 or email us at northwestbluedevils@78 gmail.com. Check us out on Facebook Northwest High School-Class of 1978.

Birthdays

Happy Birthday to my mom, Delores Owens, on September 12! You are amazing, kind, funny and you have a pure heart. I’m so grateful to have you as my mom, and I love you with all my heart. From: Your daughter Latanya, son Mack, grandkids Dara, Mack’eo and Mack’enzie

Elder Melvin Westbrook, Jr. celebrates his birthday on September 11. He is a humble man of God who leads us by example. He is a man of dignity and grace. He is a Vietnam War Veteran and a retiree of the Veterans Administration. Most importantly, he’s our dad. Happy Birthday! Love, Pamela, Melvin and SherRon

O’Fallon Technical High School Class of 1967, will be celebrating its 50th reunion on September 15-17, 2017. If you have not received a letter or e-mail, please call 314630-8452 with your contact information, and a committee member will contact you.

Soldan High School Class of 1967 will be holding its 50th class reunion September 29-30, 2017. For additional information, please contact Nona Binion Simpkins at 314-361-3799or Melvia Forniss at 314-725-8103.

Sumner High Class of 1972 reunion will be held September 15-17, 2017 at the Airport Hilton, 10330 Natural

Bridge Rd., 63134. Please contact Earlene Brown 314226-7019/314-534-0467 or Jazelle Brown 314-954-1470 or Kathi Washington Scott 314-445-4715.

Vashon High School will celebrate its 90th anniversary October 5-7, 2017 for alumni, students and community activities to celebrate educational commitment and tradition. For additional information, go to Vashonhigh.org or contact Elvis Hopson, elvishopson@ att.net, (314) 535-0243, Pearl Lake, lakep6@aol.com, (314) 388-0743 or Cozy W. Marks, Jr., jr3810@sbcglobal.net, (314) 383-5682.

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

Louis, MO 63103 FREE OF CHARGE

Reunion notices are free of charge and based on space availability. We prefer that notices be emailed to us! However, notices may also be sent by mail to: Kate Daniel, 2315 Pine St., St. Louis, MO 63103 Deadline is 10 a.m. on Friday. If you’d like your class to be featured in a reunion profile, email or mail photos to us. Our email address is: reunions@ stlamerican.com

May the Lord bless you with many more!

Around the corner from Salute. This holiday weekend was so action-packed that it made up for the regularness of the nightlife scene for summer 2017. I rolled through so many places that I don’t know where to start. Actually, why don’t I tell y’all how bomb the 30th Anniversary of Salute is going to be and get that out of the way? And by Salute, I’m sure you know I mean the 30th Annual Salute to Excellence in Education Scholarship and Awards Gala. Aside from the turkey ribs and pulled pork, my 21-day cleanse has been a triumph and I’m halfway to joining all of the other black and fabulous folks who will have the America’s Center on elegance overload in just over two weeks. Be sure to get your tickets by calling (314) 533-8000 or visiting www.stlamerican.com.

A fair weather District Rhythms finale. I got a chance to see my boy Johnny Gill give the grand finale of the District Rhythms concert series at Ballpark Village Friday night. The weather was absolutely perfect! Because it was so nice, I was expecting a few more folks to be up in there. But it was a solid sized crowd. I’ll tell you what I was not expecting – and that’s for Johnny Gill to serve up some Ricky Ricardo realness by accompanying himself on the Congo drum for a rendition of Maze featuring Frankie Beverly’s “Before I Let Go” and then head over to the drum set to show off. And I don’t know who he handed the microphone too, but that man crooning from the audience was throwing down. It was a good show –though his voice went rogue on a couple of the high notes. And when I tell you that “My My My” went on so long that I wanted to say “Bye Bye Bye”… trust that it absolutely turned into the song that never ends. As per usual, I had a blast with the District Rhythm Series and I want to thank Veto Bracy, Larry Blue, 95.5 The Lou FM and the rest of the folks that helped make it happen again this year. Brooklyn’s big night. Friday night my boy Brooklyn Kingsboro used the twoyear anniversary of the ARTC gallery walk for a solo exhibit full of graffiti art that gave me more life than what Ramo was serving on the subways in “Beat Street.” I know I’m aging myself with that one, but I just want y’all to know how seriously good it was. Before I knew it, I was pop-locking from one piece to the next up in the UrbArts. And just as I was walking out the door, some dude spontaneously combusted into the most “woke” spoken word piece I’ve heard in a minute. Folks were snapping so tough I’m sure they had blisters on their fingers by the end of the poem. Bad vibes. So here’s the part where I was planning to tell y’all about Vibes STL, the fresh art collective that went down this weekend. Well, I hope that the art was better than the attitudes of the duo working the door at the Majorette. Because of them, I never actually made it inside. I don’t know if they were mother and son or what. But I know they cost the event some coverage, that’s for sure. So I step up and tell them my name and who I’m with, and they go into this nasty toned spill about how I was the third person who claimed to be from The American – and nobody else is going to use that to try to get in free. Their tone was so ugly that I didn’t even try to get into why they didn’t ask “all the other people” who came in claiming to be from the paper for credentials. But I showed them mine just to prove that I was actually coming through to give them some publicity. I had planned on letting the arts reporter know to stop through their second day at the Delmar Hall for the sake of an Entertainment section feature based on what I saw. But since I wasn’t allowed to see anything, the Vibes crew missed out on the coverage. A lovely woman named Sierra (sp?) tried to straighten things out, but by then the damage was done. Hopefully there will be some positive vibes for next year, but I’ll probably pass.

Kenya’s Smooth Jazz. Just because I wanted to give the grown folks some play, I stopped by Voce for the Regal Sports presentation of smooth jazz artist Kenya on Saturday night. I must say that I was super impressed with her set. She had me when she did justice to Sade’s “Kiss of Life.” I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen folks butcher her music like a serial killer. And just when I thought I couldn’t feel Kenya any more than I was, she blew me away with her original songs. She was much chattier than I care for, but she has the chops to make a real splash on the music scene.

Eat, drink and filled. The win of the holiday weekend goes to the Labor Day weekend edition of Eat.Drink.Chill on Sunday at Ballpark Village. There was plenty of soul up in that place this weekend between their day party and District Rhythms. I was not expecting them to have the whole doggone building on lock like that! They had the upstairs, the downstairs, the rooms and even some strays hanging back because they didn’t want to scrape together the admission fee. I don’t know if this was the last day party of the season for them. If it was, they sure went out with a bang.

Big Ups to Big Muddy. I made my way back to the Big Muddy Blues Festival for the first time in a while. Don’t quote me on this, but I think the last time I came through Laclede’s Landing to check it out, Shameka Copeland was on stage. This year they went all local with the lineup. I saw so much solid talent that a national act was actually unnecessary - which is to be expected considering our long history with the blues. I must give a special shout out to Marquise Knox. For those who don’t know, he was violently stabbed just a few days before and still managed to slay the Big Muddy Blues. I didn’t even have time to hit him with a get well soon. He was already back at it. The weekend was so packed with events that I only caught a few of the 50 or so acts that took the stage, but what I saw was fantastic.

Jazzibel Jewels Boutique hipped the cool kids to the hottest shades during Eat Drink Chill @ Sunday

Nina Suga and Shay were just getting the party started @ II Restaurant and Hookah Saturday

Og Wood Rebel, Archie Rebel teamed up with Zeus as he hosted the inaugural Zeus Fest @ Nephews on Saturday

Chef Jack, Misha K and Roy took a quick break from preparing “Fish and Grits” to greet the guests Sunday @ ShiSha

Mr. and Mrs. Hellm enjoyed a night of smooth jazz with national recording artist Kenya Saturday @VOCE

Mr. Bennie Redd and Mesha were lucky to snag a seat at Ballpark Village Sunday during Eat Drink Chill Sunday night

The Farrar Twins were in town and kicked it with the Kappas on Sunday @ The Kappa House

Taylor and Michael looked ready for a fall photo shoot on Friday at the OBar

Photos by V. Lang Terrell and Juanita @HG on Saturday

Show opener Will Robinson had a chance to dap it up with R&B legend Johnny Gill after the Grammy Award nominated singer brought down the house at Ballpark Village on Friday as the District Rhythms concert series closed out the 2017 season.

April and T Billups stopped through for the Fish & Grits Sunday Brunch @ ShiSha

Job Posting

Deputy City Clerk

The City of Jennings is accepting applications for the full time position of Deputy City Clerk. The duties of the position entails providing administrative, clerical, and human resource functions to assistance the City Clerk.

The Deputy City Clerk shall complete the City clerk’s duties when the City Clerk is unavailable to or unable to perform the duties of the position.

The duties of the Deputy City Clerk will include working Monday – Friday and some evenings based upon the meeting dates of the City Council, City Committees and Commissions. The starting annual salary is $36,036 (GS14C).

Applications available at Jennings City Hall or online at www. cityofjennings.org. All Applications should be returned to Jennings City Hall, 2120 Hord Ave., 63136 or to jobs@cityofjennings. org. NO RESUMES ARE ACCEPTED WITHOUT AN APPLICATION! Applications accepted through Friday, September 15, 2017.

SITE VISIT COORDINATOR SALES

Explore St. Louis has an immediate opening for a Site Visit Coordinator in the Sales department. This position is responsible for coordinating all aspects of client visits to St. Louis/America’s Center Facility for the sales department. The ideal individual will be able to coordinate all citywide site visits, including all reservations, transportation, etc. Will coordinate with all internal departments regarding site visits and maintaining all calendars and information regarding the site visits. An Associate degree or 1- 3 years’ experience or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. Must possess effective oral and written communication skills. Skill in grammar /dictation and proofreading skills are essential. Proficiency in writing reports and general business correspondence is required. Ability to conduct meetings, and make presentations and speak effectively while presenting information and responding to questions from managers, employees, customers and the general public. Must be able to work a flexible schedule including nights, weekends, and holidays. Applicants please email resume with cover letter to jobs@explorestlouis.com. NO PHONE

LEGAL ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

MISSOURI COALITION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT SEEKS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

Greensfelder has an opening for an experienced legal administrative assistant in the Belleville, IL office. Qualified applicants must type 70+ wpm with excellent accuracy & have top word processing, administrative & organizational skills. Strong computer, proofreading, grammar skills & attention to detail are also necessary. The position requires 3+ yrs law firm litigation exp. Additional duties consist of providing support services including typing, time entry, transcription, proofreading, electronic filing, scheduling & various other administrative duties. Apply at http://www.greensfelder.com/ careers.html. PART-TIME PARK POLICE OFFICER

EOE/Minorities/Females/Vet/Disabled/ Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity

The REJIS Commission has developed an EEOP Utilization Report as required by the United States Department of Justice. It is available for review on our website at:rejis.org/employment.

http://www.moenvironment.org/get-involved/job-openings

SECURITY OFFICER

Saint Louis Art Museum. Security Officer- Part-Time. Weekdays and weekend. Apply at www.slam.org/careers

The City of Florissant has an immediate opening for part-time Park Police Officer. Applicants must meet (P.O.S.T.) certification requirements. Prior Police Experience preferred. Starting salary $25.50/hour for a maximum of 29 hours weekly. Applications are available at www.florissantmo.com and Human Resources, 1055 rue St. Francois, Florissant, MO 63031. EOE/M/F/DISABLED/ VETERAN

SYSTEM ADMINISTRATOR Saint Louis Art Museum. System Administrator- Full- Time- Weekdays- Apply at www.slam.org/careeers www.stlamerican.com

Responsible for handling assigned claims from initial assignment to closure as well as provide assistance in various administrative functions associated with the Treaty Reinsurance LOB. To apply, please visit: www.safetynational.com and click on the Careers tab.

Desired services include telephony, networking, data management (copiers, printers, fax), and audio visual. For more information visit www.deaconess. org. Proposals are due by 5:00 p.m. Central Time on September 5, 2017.

REQUEST FOR BIDS

MINORITY SUBCONTRACTORS

Tarlton Corporation is seeking proposals from MBE (African American) businesses on Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District Farmers Pump Station Replacement project located at Farmers Mill Lane, Chesterfield MO. Work consists of the construction of a Pump Station, approximately 170 LF of pipe sewers, varying in size from 4” to 84” in diameter and appurtenances to be constructed in an area located south of Interstate 40 and West of Clarkson Road, in the City of Chesterfield, MO. While MSD will not have a prebid, Tarlton will have a non-mandatory prebid meeting on September 22, 2017 at 9 a.m. at Tarlton’s offices, 5500 West Park Ave., St. Louis 63110. Please contact Scott Snyders at 314-633-3300 or SWSnyders@tarltoncorp.com if you plan to attend. Subbids are due at 12 p.m. on October 2, 2017 via email to bids@tarltoncorp.com. Questions should also be directed to Scott Snyders.

Tarlton will be soliciting bids for: Aggregate, demolition, Fencing, Hauling, Seeding & Sodding, Cast In Place Concrete, Concrete Supply, Reinforcing Steel, Metal Fabrications, Access Doors, Structural Steel, Joint Sealants, Painting, Plumbing, Mechanical, Testing and Balancing, Electrical, Earthwork, Paving, Site Utilities, Pumps, and Waste & Wastewater Equipment.

The owner has established a total combined goal of at least 17% for MBE (African American) utilization for all non-building construction contracts in the amount of $50,000 or more. Additional workforce requirements apply to contracts in the amount of $500,000 or more.

Plans, specifications and bid Documents are available by visiting MSD or Tarlton’s website at http://tarltoncorp.com.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

At St. Louis Lambert International Airport

Sealed proposals will be received by the Board of Public Service in Room 208 City Hall, 1200 Market Street, St. Louis, Mo. Until 1:45 PM, CT, on October 3, 2017 then publicly opened and read. Plans and Specifications may be examined on the Board of Public Service website http://www.stl-bps.org/planroom.aspx (BPS On Line Plan Room) and may be purchased directly through the BPS website from INDOX Services at cost plus shipping. No refunds will be made.

Bidders shall comply with all applicable City, State and Federal laws (including MBE/WBE policies). ). Mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 12, 2017, at 10:00 AM in the Ozark Conference Room at the Airport Office Building, 11495 Navaid Rd., Bridgeton, MO 63044.

All bidders must regard Federal Executive Order 11246, “Notice of Requirement for Affirmative Action to Ensure Equal Employment Opportunity”, the “Equal Opportunity Clause” and the “Standard Federal Equal Employment Specifications” set forth within and referenced at www.stl-bps.org (Announcements).

REQUEST FOR BIDS

The City of University City is accepting sealed bids for at least One Thousand (1,000) Residential Roll-out Recycling Carts. We are seeking pricing on containers ranging in size from 90 to 96 gallons. Sealed bids shall be submitted with an original proposal by 10:00 am CST Monday, September 18, 2017. Submit responses (bids) to the Finance Department, 6801 Delmar Blvd., University City, MO 63130. Bid packages are available beginning September 7, 2017 online at www. Ucitymo. org by clicking “Bids” under the Quick Links section. The City reserves the right to reject any and all proposals, to waive irregularities, and/or informalities in any proposal and to make an award in any manner, consistent with the law, deemed in the best interest of the City.

LETTING # 8649

GERMANIA STREET IMPROVEMENTS, GRAVOIS AVENUE TO I-55

FEDERAL PROJECT NO. STP-5424(606)

TIP NO. 6501-16

Sealed proposals will be received by the Board of Public Service in Room 208, City Hall, 1200 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103 until 1:45 PM, CT, on OCTOBER 10, 2017, then publicly opened and read. Drawings and Specifications may be examined on the Board of Public Service website http://www.stl-bps.org/ planroom.aspx (BPS On Line Plan Room) and may be purchased directly through the BPS website from INDOX Services at cost plus shipping. No refunds will be made. The prime contractor must have a fully responsive contractor questionnaire on file with the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission at least 7 days prior to bid opening date in order for MODOT to concur with the award of this project. Bidders shall comply with all applicable City, State and Federal laws (including DBE policies).

All bidders must regard Federal Executive Order 11246, “Notice of Requirement for Affirmative Action to Ensure Equal Employment Opportunity”, the “Equal Opportunity Clause” and the “Standard Federal Equal Employment Specifications” set forth within and referenced at www.stl-bps.org (Announcements).

MWBE Pre-bid Meeting Notice

The SITE Improvement Association is hosting a Pre-bid meeting for Qualified and Certified MWBE contractors to discuss working on MSD’s North Rider Trail 4220-4224 Sanitary Relief Sewer Project Contract Letting No. 12775-015.1

A pre-bid meeting is being held on behalf of the following SITE contractor members:

J. M. Marschuetz

15 Truitt Drive Eureka, MO 63025

636/938-3600

The meeting will take place at 10:30 a.m. September 14, 2017 SITE Improvement Association 2071 Exchange Drive, St. Charles, MO 63303

Project plans are available from MSD. For questions regarding this prebid meeting, Contact the SITE Improvement Association office at 314/966-2950.

BID NOTICE

REQUEST FOR BIDS

The America’s Center is soliciting bids for cleaning, inspecting, and testing medium voltage metal-clad switchgear at the dome facility. A pre-bid & walkthrough meeting is scheduled for September 26, 2017 at 10:00am. Meeting Location: 901 Broadway Street, St. Louis, MO 63101. Contact David Savage at 314-342-5357 with project inquiries. The Americas Center reserves the right to reject any or all proposals. EOE

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

DEVELOPMENT PARTNER FOR NEW HOME CONSTRUCTION AT LA SAISON

SOLICITATION NO. RD 16-04A

The St. Louis Housing Authority (SLHA) is seeking proposals from developers of affordable housing to plan, finance, construct, market and sell 10 single-family, for-sale homes on sites already owned by SLHA. The desired outcome is a development which blends into the surrounding areas and create additional for-sale housing. SLHA contemplates providing homeownership opportunities to low, moderate, middle-income and market rate families within the “La Saison” neighborhood. The La Saison community is bordered on the west by 13th St and 14th St, Rutger and Hickory on the north, Tucker on the east and Park to the south. The project lots are buildable and have infrastructure improvements already installed.

SLHA can offer approximately $818,501 of public funds that can be used as a construction loan or to subsidize buyers whose income is below 80% of AMI (Average Median Income). The affordable Housing Commission awarded $150,000 to the previous solicitation for this project, which may be transferable to an eligible developer for this project. The developer is expected to obtain other private or public sources to finance the development.

Solicitation documents will be available at no charge beginning Monday, 9/11/17 at 2:00 p.m. from the SLHA, 3520 Page Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63106.

A Pre-Proposal Conference will be held on: 9/18/17, at 3:00 p.m. (Local Time), at the SLHA Central Office. SLHA will answer questions and/or provide clarifications as they relate to the requirements of the proposal.

Please direct all inquiries regarding this solicitation to Fran Bruce, (314) 286-4365; Email fbruce@slha.org.

The SLHA will receive proposals until 3:00 p.m. (local time) 10/2/17. All Offerors must comply with MBE/WBE and Section 3 requirements. The SLHA is an Equal

ST. LOUIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

St. Louis Community College will receive separate sealed bids for Contract No. F 18 001, Theater Rigging Batten Installation, St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley and Meramec, until 2:00 p.m. local time Tuesday, September 12, 2017. Bids will be publicly opened and read aloud at the office of the Manager of Engineering and Design, 300 South Broadway (Room 423, Fourth Floor). Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from the Manager’s office at the above address, or by calling (314) 539-5012. Mandatory Pre-Bid Meeting at the Meramec Theatre, 11333 Big Bend Road, at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 31

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is accepting proposals in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103-2555 until 10:00 a.m. on October 3rd, 2017 to contract with a company for: Elevator Preventative Maintenance & Repair Services.

Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from www.stlmsd.com, click on the “MSD AT WORK” link, (bid opportunities). The bid document will be identified as 9144 RFP. If you do not have access to the internet, call 314.768.2735 to request a copy of this bid.

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

BID NOTICE

Maxim Construction, a local St. Louis general contractor, is seeking MBE union contractors to be involved in our projects. We are looking for mechanical, electrical, laborer, carpenter, millwright, iron worker, painting and plumbing contractors. We will be having a Pre-Bid Meeting on 9/18/17, please contact Adam or Steve (314772-5665) for details.

NOTICE & AUCTION

Bids for St. Louis Community College on B0003659 for Supplemental Armed Security Services will be received until 2:00 p.m., on Thursday, September 21, 2017, Purchasing Dept., 300 S. Broadway, St. Louis, MO 63102, and immediately opened and read. Bid documents can be accessed on our website at www.stlcc.edu/purchasing. Call (314) 539-5246 for additional information. EOE/AA Employer

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS

SEWER DISTRICT

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District will receive sealed bids in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103-2555 until 10:00am October 5, 2017 for: BREAKERS

Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from www.stlmsd.com - click on “MSD At Work”, then “Bidding on Projects”. The bid document will be identified as 9154 RFQ. If you do not have access to the internet, call (314) 768-6314 to request a copy of this bid.

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

BID REQUEST

KCI CONSTRUCTION REQUESTS

SUBCONTRACT PROPOSALS FOR THE MSD COLDWATER CREEK CLARIFIER REPLACEMENT. PROPOSALS ARE DUE IN OUR OFFICE BY 10 A.M. ON OCTOBER 10, 2017. PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS ARE AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING IN OUR OFFICES AT: 10315 LAKE BLUFF DRIVE, ST. LOUIS, MO, 63123. 314-894-8888. A PRE-BID MEETING WILL BE HELD IN OUR OFFICE AT 10:00 AM ON SEPTEMBER 25, 2017. KCI IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

BID NOTICE

Bids for St. Louis Community College on B0003661 for Data Center Relocation Services

The following people are in debt to Gateway Storage Mall of Belleville, Columbia, & Dupo. The contents of their storage unit(s) will be sold at auction to compensate all or part of that debt. Auction will be held on site with Jersey County Auctions on September 19, 2017 at 9:00 am. A cash deposit will be REQUIRED for all winning bids. Units: Col. 161 – Lisa Schmitz, Col. 149 – Lisa Schmitz, Col. 77 – Amanda Bartsch, Col. 195 – Dane Huebner, Bel. C08 – Michelle Holmes, Bel. A14 – Allen Klingelhoefer, Bel. E02 – Rita Slider, Bel. C11 – Ashley Wittenbrink, Bel. 101 - Cecelie Holmes, Bel. 540 – Jennifer Briggs, Bel. 636 - Daryl Jones, Bel. 622 - Jennifer McGough, Bel. 307 - Stephine Patterson, Bel. 530 - Kasha BuchanonGlenn, Bel. 3 – Ikeisha Manuel, Bel. 534 –Vivian Mosley, Bel. 6 – Ernest Sawyer. For all rules, regulations and bidding process, contact Jersey County Auctions. All other questions, please call 618-421-4022 or mail PO Box 81, Dupo, IL 62239.

SEALED BIDS

Sealed bids for the St. Louis County Library -Mid County Branch project are being received by Brinkmann Constructors on Sept 29 at 2 PM

All sealed bids to be hand delivered to Mid-County Branch 7821 Maryland Ave

St. Louis MO 63105 Attn Steve Hunter, St Louis County Library on Sept 29 at 2 PM

Plans may be viewed or downloaded at https://go.smartbid.co/# /PublicBidProject/325225

Contact Brinkmann Constructors for further details on the project or obtaining plans at 636-537-9700

*All bidders must bein compliance with the Fair Employment Practices Commission

*This project is a Missouri Public Works Project

*St. Louis County Library & Brinkmann Constructors are Equal Opportunity Employers

BID REQUEST

Keller Construction Inc.

Requests subcontractor and or material supplier quotations from Illinois Department of Transportation Certified subcontractors, suppliers and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises for the letting to be held September 22, 2017. Interested parties should contact Keller Construction at (618) 656-0033. All quotations must be submitted by 4:30 PM Thurs September 21, 2017. Keller Construction is an equal opportunity employer.

BID NOTICE

Bids for St. Louis Community

be accessed on our website at www. stlcc.edu/purchasing. Call (314) 5395226 for additional information. EOE/AA Employer

BID NOTICE

Bids for St. Louis Community College Bid No. B0003657-contract for Instructional Biological Materials will be received until 3:00 p.m. (local time) Thursday, 9/21/2017, at the Dept. of Purchasing, 300 S. Broadway, St. Louis, MO 63102, and immediately thereafter opened and read. Bid documents can be accessed on our website at www.stlcc.edu/purchasing or call (314) 539-5225. EOE/AA Employer.

BID NOTICE

Bids for St. Louis Community College on B0003646-contract for Casual Collegiate Clothing/Resale will be received until 3:00 p.m., local time, Wednesday, 9/20/2017, Purchasing Dept., 300 S. Broadway, St. Louis, MO 63102, and immediately opened and read. Bid documents can be accessed on our website at www.stlcc. edu/purchasing. Call (314) 539-5225 for additional information. EOE/AA Employer

The Message

Card-carrying Christians

Just how hard is it to be a card-carrying Christian these days? Republicans, Democrats, the NAACP, the ACLU all carry cards and encourage like-minded people to become card-carrying members. You can get a card for just about any group or organization.

Now when it comes to being a spiritual card-carrying man or woman of faith, the results can be devastating. Someone scream, “Incoming!” for there is indeed an artillery barrage headed our way. Scripture suggests that accepting Jesus Christ as a way of life was no easy task for early practitioners. Crucifixion, becoming lion pate for fun and games, beheadings and at a minimum being labeled outcast were normal expectations for those who believed and then lived according to the Word of God. Is today so different?

Once one takes up the standard of this revolutionary thinking, once you commit, once you decide to live humbly and mercifully in love and forgiveness, isn’t it interesting the kind of attention you attract?

“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a raring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”

1 Peter 5:8-9. Religious persecution is still a critical component of man’s inhumanity to man. Real and fake news will show you that people all over the world are being annihilated for the God they worship. We sometimes take for granted the religious freedom we have in this country, and I believe that has lulled us into a false belief that being Christian is easy.

Well, it’s not. It’s empowering. It’s enlightening. It’s eternal. But it is not easy. The good news is we are not alone and never have been. Living for God is probably the best realty check. Its reward is an inner understanding of the workings of the universe that affords one the idea that physical life is temporary while the spiritual is eternal.

Many of us believe in life after physical death. The faithful have some insight into this. Life as we know it can be cruel. We have come to think that eternal life is just the opposite. Rationalizing the difference is where and when faith resides.

Our membership card is most assuredly a ticket into a kingdom blood bought and faith preserved for believers, the same believers who are shunned and persecuted and murdered today and yesterday in the name of God. This is not ancient history, not if you profess Jesus is still Lord.

NCCU grows membership to 25 churches

North County Churches Uniting for Racial Harmony and Justice adds Florissant, Ferguson members

American staff

North County Churches Uniting for Racial Harmony and Justice (NCCU) added churches 24 and 25 to its organization recently.

Trinity Church of the Nazarene in Florissant became a member on May 7, following its service and a presentation by NCCU President Rance Thomas on some of the activities of NCCU since it was organized in 1998 and after inviting members to join NCCU .

Then Immanuel United Church of Christ in Ferguson became a member on July 30, following its two services and two presentations by Thomas on the activities of NCCU since its formation.

Membership consists of a church’s congregation signing NCCU’s Covenant Statement committing members to work with NCCU to promote racial understanding and social justice. The Covenant Statement is an ecumenical statement committing individuals to work together to promote understanding between the races and social justice within North County.

“The signing at Immanuel UCC was very inspirational and unusual because approximately 15 children came forward and signed the statement without being coerced,” Thomas said. “They were very excited to do so. This is the first time this has happened.” Each church will receive

membership plaques during NCCU’s annual Covenant Renewal Ceremony where various churches will come together and celebrate a general Covenant Renewal Ceremony in November.

NCCU now consist of 25 churches of various denomination, including seven Catholic and several non-denominational churches in Florissant, Ferguson, unincorporated North County, Black Jack, Bellefontaine and other municipalities. It was organized in 1998 when 19 churches on various denominations came together at John Knox Presbyterian Church to discuss the changing demographics in North County due to the massive influx of

individuals into the county from the city of St. Louis. This resulted in a massive movement of long-time residents to St. Charles and beyond. Many individuals were concerned about the uncertainty and the future of North County. After meeting for three and a half hours, the group decided to form NCCU to work to bring individuals together to help them overcome some of the myths and misunderstanding they had of one another.

Since that time, NCCU has brought thousands of individuals together through community forums, conferences, workshops, prayer services and health screenings. It has coordinated various activities with other organizations including St. Louis Community College at

Jimmy Watson, pastor at Immanuel United Church of Christ, Ferguson, and Church Council President Keith Wogtech hold the signatures of its members as the church celebrated its new covenant with North County Churches Uniting for Racial Harmony and Justice during worship on July 30.

Florissant Valley, University of Missouri at St. Louis, North County Incorporated, People’s Health Center, St. County Health Department, Christian Hospital, SSM DePaul Hospital, Hazelwood and FergusonFlorissant School Districts, and elected officials.

Since the Ferguson unrest following Michael Brown Jr.’s killing, NCCU has been working with the police chiefs and departments of St. Louis County, Florissant, Hazelwood, Clayton and Alton, Illinois, to improve the relations between the police and the community.

“We also have a North County Youth Task Force that is working to improve condition for students,” Thomas said. “This includes a Computer Academy where each summer 20-45 students are trained to build a computer and use software and upon completion of the training, we give them the computers free of charge.

Thomas is impressed that the organization remains together and growing after almost 20 years. He said, “What has been so amazing is the willingness of individuals, churches, school districts, and police department to continue to work on these issues for such a long time.” For more information, visit http://nccustl.org/ or email RThomas257@aol.com.

Columnist

James Washington