November 21st, 2024 edition

St. LouiS AmericAn

Sonnier, city clear hurdles for unhoused

The holiday season brings families and friends together in the comfort of homes throughout the St. Louis region.

Unfortunately, many area residents do not have shelter, in part because adequate housing is not available, leaving them unhoused.

Alderwoman Alisha Sonnier made it her task to help alleviate some roadblocks in the process of sheltering people by sponsoring Board Bill 114, which was passed by the Board of Aldermen on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.

On Tuesday, Mayor Tishaura O. Jones signed the bill which amends the city’s zoning code to make the process for opening shelters and transitional homes clearer.

Jones calls it “a crucial component in the city’s continued effort to reduce our unhoused population.”

From left celebrating the passage and signing of Board Bill 114 are Adam Pearson, St. Louis Department of Human Services director, Board of Aldermen President Megan Green, Mayor Tishaura O. Jones, and bill sponsor, Alderwoman Alisha Sonnier.

Civil Courts Building renamed for

By Alvin A. Reid

Louis

Brandon Williams to take reigns of BGCSTL

By Sylvester Brown, Jr.

St. Louis American

“As we work to implement a regional housing strategy, this legislation helps support the interim needs of residents getting ready for the rehousing & Girls Club and guided the nonprofit from one city location to 11 sites now serving some 14,000 youths throughout the region.

‘For me, the pressure is a privilege.’

In May, Flint W. Fowler, longtime president of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater St. Louis (BGSTL) announced his retirement at the end of 2024. Fowler joined BGCSTL in 1996 when it was the Herbert Hoover Boys

Fowler will leave big shoes to fill as of Jan. 1, 2025 and Brandon Williams says the challenge is in his size.

Williams, 40, a St. Louis native, former NFL player and XFL executive has

been named the organization’s incoming president and CEO. Before joining BGCSTL in 1996, Fowler worked with INROADS, Upward Bound, the Boy Scouts and Operation Teamwork. Williams brings a diverse, but different, background to

power, our solutions’

‘Facing Race’ conference convenes in St. Louis

By Sylvester Brown, Jr. St. Louis American

“Facing Race: A National Conference”the nation’s largest multiracial, intergenerational racial justice summit, is calling St. Louis home this week and will run through Friday, Nov. 22.

According to organizers, the one-ofa-kind biennial event “serves as a vital intersection where community organizers, activists, and movement makers converge to build power and strategies to advance racial justice. Additionally, the conference’s theme, “Our Power, Our Solutions,” serves as a “clarion call that resonates deeply with St. Louis’ residents and community leaders.”

Founded in 1981, Race Forward catalyzes movement-building for racial justice. In partnership with communities, organizations, and sectors, it works to build strategies to advance racial justice in

See RACE, A7

Mathews-Dickey Boys and Girls Club by Athletic Director Ray Merweather, left, gives Brandon Williams a tour of the facility. Williams will take over as its new president & chief executive officer Jan.1, 2025. See CAHILL, A6

Photo courtesy of Mayor Tishaura Jones office

Clyde S. Cahill

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Casino arrest charges dropped against Nelly

St. Louis rap star Nelly will not be facing charges after his drug possession arrest this past August.

The rapper, born Cornell Haynes Jr was arrested after a visit to Hollywood Casino.

He was charged at the time with possession of a controlled substance according to an online arrest report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

fer of Mr. Haynes’ winnings, this officer felt compelled to needlessly run a check for warrants,” Rosenblum said.

“The officer informed Mr. Haynes a background check was mandated when a player won over a certain amount.

Mr. Haynes knew this to be untrue as he had won several jackpots for similar or greater amounts.”

The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office announced on Wednesday (Nov. 13) that the charges against Nelly, 50, would be dropped.

“We don’t believe the facts in this case warrant the issuing of charges,” the attorney’s office said in a statement.

In a statement to USA Today at the time of his arrest, Nelly’s attorney, Scott Rosenblum, alleged the singer was “targeted by an overzealous, out of line officer” after winning several jackpots at Hollywood Casino.

“Instead of just supervising the trans-

Meagan Good is soon to be Mrs. Majors

Actors Jonathan Majors and Meagan Good revealed that they are engaged as they walked the green carpet of the “Ebo ny Power 100” event this weekend in Los Ange les. A clip from Ebony’s official Instagram page showed Good as she flashed a huge diamond on her ring finger. She pulled Majors closer as the two posed for pictures. The gala took place on November 17 at Nya Studios. Guests included some of the biggest names in Black Hollywood – including music superstar Usher Olympic Gold Med alist Jordan Chiles and Academy Award

winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph. NBA YoungBoy pleads guilty to pill mill charges

ABC4 of Utah was the first to report that rapper NBA YoungBoy pleaded guilty in a Logan City, Utah courtroom on Monday (Nov. 18) for his role in a large-scale prescription drug fraud ring.

A Misdemeanors and he was ordered to pay a $25,000 fine.

The 25-year-old rapper, whose legal name is Kentrell DeSean Gaulden, was originally charged in the Logan District Court with 46 charges related to the accusations. He pleaded guilty to two counts of third-degree felony identity fraud, two counts of third-degree felony forgery, and six counts of misdemeanor unlawful pharmacy conduct. Gaulden entered a “no contest” plea to the remaining charges.

ABC4.com reported that as part of the plea deal, Gaulden will not be asked to serve time in Utah State Prison. Instead, his four felony charges were reduced to Class

DJ Mustard makes legal move against ex-wife

According to new legal docs obtained by TMZ, divorce attorney Samantha Spector claims music producer DJ Mustard’s ex-wife, Chanel Thierry, has been violating the judge’s order that restricts either party from speaking negatively against each other.

The docs reportedly claim she tried to paint him as a deadbeat dad by falsely claiming the $275,000 equalization payment he made in their divorce settlement was only going toward back child support.

Mustard claims, according to the documents received by the celebrity news and gossip site, that his ex-wife released his private medical information to the masses when she posted online that he falsely claimed he had cancer.

Sources: Instagram.com, TMZ.com, ABC4.com, USAtoday.com

Meagan Good

DJ Mustard

NBA YoungBoy

- Nebraska state Sen. Terrell McKinney, who seeks recognition day for the Omaha native.

By Alvin A. Reid

St. Louis American

The Urban League Metro-

politan St. Louis’ region-wide acclaimed community service has earned it another feather in its hat – a Peacock feather.

During a “fireside chat” session at the Urban League headquarters at Page and N. Kingshighway on Monday Nov. 18, Dave Peacock, Advantage Solutions CEO and Urban League President and CEO Michael McMillan announced a “landmark” partnership.

It is being launched with $500,000 commitment to support the Urban League’s Save Our Sisters program, which offers resources, career fairs, and professional development opportunities to empower local women.

“[Advantage’s] generous support enables us to expand our programs and services, making a direct difference in the lives of those who need it most,” said McMillan during the event in which Carol Daniel, Save Our Sisters director, moderated.

“Together, we are building a more sustainable and prosperous future for the St. Louis community, creating lasting opportunities for generations to come.”

McMillan noted that over 70% of the 200,000 people that the Urban League serves are single women, head of households.

Peacock calls the partnership an opportunity “to do good in our own backyard,” noting that the firm recently moved its headquarters to the St. Louis area.

“We are delighted to partner with the Urban League by

Taking Advantage

supporting the Save Our Sisters program. It is empowering hundreds of women to achieve their life goals.”

Peacock, who has served on the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis board of trustees, has worked more than 30 years in the consumer-packaged goods and retail industry includes four years as president and chief operating officer of Schnuck Markets, Inc.

He also was an executive for two decades at Anheuser-Busch Cos., including three years as the company’s president.

Prior to joining Advantage, Peacock was chief operating officer and on the board of directors of Continental Grain Company, a global investor, owner and operator of companies across the food and agribusiness spectrum.

In 2014, Gov. Jay Nixon tasked Peacock with leadership of the an effort to keep the St. Louis Rams from relocating back to Los Anges.

He helped craft a plan to build a $1 billion stadium on the riverfront on the near northside of St. Louis.

The Rams ultimately moved in 2016, but Peacock’s work helped lead to a settlement with the Rams that netted the region $760 million.

Peacock also helped organize a group to successfully secure an MLS expansion franchise in 2016–2017, which is now STL City.

The Save Our Sisters initiative addresses challenges women face by providing them with access to career advancement tools, skill-building workshops, and

critical resources for sustainable growth.

Services also include initiatives focused on mind and body wellness, healthy relationships, life skills, financial literacy, entrepreneurship and mentorship.

Advantage Solutions has committed to making a difference at the local level, focusing on initiatives that drive meaningful, sustainable change, according to Peacock.

“This underscores the company’s commitment to its new home and its mission to contribute to an economically thriving and inclusive St. Louis,” Peacock said.

“It’s absolutely critical that women get the support and services they need to maintain that household, which will help send kids to school, making sure

they have clothes on their back, food in their stomach. It’s really important, so taking care of the women in this community is a priority for all of us.”

McMillan said the partners are “creating pathways to economic self-sufficiency and empowerment, fostering a stronger, more resilient community.”

Urban League Turkey giveaway Nov. 26

The Urban League will distribute nearly 2,000 free turkeys to needy area residents thanks to the support of TIAA Bank and Schnucks Supermarkets from noon to 3 p.m. Tuesday Nov. 26, 2024, at the Urban League headquarters at 1408 Kingshighway.

“We are very thankful to TIAA Bank for agreeing to sup-

port the Turkey Giveaway, which has helped thousands of needy families to have Thanksgiving Dinner over the years,” said McMillan.

“TIAA Bank is proud to support the communities in which we work and live,” said Joseph Hernandez, TIAA Bank senior vice president and CRA officer.

“The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis is making a difference in so many lives and we’re honored to team up to make an even bigger impact.”

The organization is also seeking volunteers to make the annual event a success.

To volunteer or for more information, please send email to njoseph@urbanleague-stl.org

Photo courtesy of the Urban League

From left, Carol Daniel, Save Our Sisters director, Dave Peacock, Advantage Solutions CEO, and Michael P. McMillan, Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis president and CEO, shared thoughts on community service in the region during a fireside chat at the Urban League headquarters on Monday Nov. 18. Advantage and the Urban League announced a partnership that includes a $500,000 commitment to the Save Our Sisters program.

Guest Editorial Commentary

We contest Kehoe’s support of DeValkenaere on facts, not wokeness

Kansas City Star

Former Kansas City police detective Eric DeValkenaere, a convicted killer, will come home. It’s no longer a matter of if the disgraced officer will be freed from prison but only a matter of when, according to Missouri Gov.-elect Mike Kehoe. Kehoe would like Gov. Mike Parson to do his bidding for him before Parson leaves office. And the current governor has said on record he doesn’t like where the ex-lawman is — behind bars where he should be. But at a post-election news conference, Kehoe all but assured DeValkenaere would be a free man soon, The Star reported this week. Kehoe campaigned on a promise to grant clemency to the ex-detective who killed Cameron Lamb, an unarmed Black man and father of three from Kansas City. Not only does Kehoe intend to back up his pledge but he said the quiet part out loud: Kehoe’s friendship with DeValkenaere and his wife Sarah and their children was way more important than the rule of law.

“I’m very sensitive to Eric’s case,” Kehoe told reporters in the wake of his election-night victory. “I would consider Sarah a good friend of my wife and I’s. I met Sarah and Eric before he was imprisoned and I would say wrongly. I believe we need to have Eric’s back. And I’ve been very vocal about saying should I succeed in running for governor, Eric DeValkenaere will be home with his family.” Does the trauma experienced by Lamb’s three small children matter at all? Those kids lost their father — unjustly, we might add. Shall we ignore the pain of his mother, Laurie Bey, whose child was killed in a senseless shooting that never should have happened? Nevermind any of that. DeValkenaere has friends in high places and apparently those connections are all you need to escape consequences for illegal acts committed under the color (not rule) of law.

Kehoe’s comments about his friendship with the DeValkenaere family have angered Lamb’s family, The Star reported. How could any of us blame them for being upset? This tasteless and off-putting statement released by Kehoe’s transition team only adds insult to injury: “Any action that may be taken by Kehoe in the Governor’s Office would be due to the unjust sentencing Eric received by a woke prosecutor, not their friendship.”

Reached Tuesday, Mike Mansur, a

spokesman for Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker reminded us all that judges, not prosecutors, determine how much time is given to convicted criminals.

“We’d like to correct the spokesperson for the Gov.-elect’s office: prosecutors do not sentence defendants,” Mansur wrote in a statement. “That’s the role of the judge.”

There’s little doubt DeValkenaere fatally shot Lamb in the backyard of a home he rented in the 4100 block of College Avenue. DeValkenaere had no business on the property.

We know this because during a 2021 bench trial, Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Dale Youngs found DeValkenaere guilty of second-degree involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action in Lamb’s death almost five years ago.

Evidence presented at trial suggests a gun found near the scene was planted. Youngs sentenced DeValkenaere to six years in prison. A state appellate court affirmed the conviction, and the Missouri Supreme Court rightfully declined to take up the matter. DeValkenaere has spent about a year behind bars. He should remain there to serve out his sentence, but he won’t.

In September, during an ongoing $10 million civil rights lawsuit filed by Lamb’s family, U.S. District Judge Beth Phillips ruled DeValkenaere violated Lamb’s civil rights when DeValkenaere fatally shot him on Dec. 3, 2019.

The cop had no business on the property where Lamb lived without probable cause that a crime had been committed or a warrant, Phillips ruled.

So why is Kehoe so intent on allowing this convicted killer to leave prison early? We can count many instances in which high-ranking state officials such as Parson and Attorney General Andrew Bailey have denied freedom to wrongfully convicted individuals and have fought to keep them in prison for crimes evidence has shown many of them most likely didn’t commit.

Kevin Strickland comes to mind.

Sandra Hemme does too. So does Marcellus “Khaliifah” Williams. The list goes on. In the DeValkenaere case, all Missourians should be sickened by this pending injustice.

This editorial originally appeared in The Kansas City Star. https://www.kansascity.com/opinion/ editorials/article295440369.html

Racial reckoning in Columbus, Ohio

By Dawn Montgomery

Since the Nov. 5 election I’ve tried to stay calm. I’ve tried to remain “very demure.”

But after what unfolded on Saturday Nov. 16, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio, I just can’t.

A group of masked white nationalists stormed the Short North Arts District area in Columbus waving swastika flags and shouting racial slurs. It was a ratchet display of pure hate.

I am annoyed, but we knew this was coming. Classic American terrorism, live and in color, was on display. And make no mistake—when Donald Trump ascends to his concocted throne, these events will only intensify.

Social media documented many angles of the chaos, showing what Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther called a “cowardly display.”

The mayor said he would not allow “our neighbors” to be “intimidated, threatened or harmed.” Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine echoed this sentiment, posting on X, “We will not tolerate hate in Ohio.”

inaction, white nationalist demonstrations are growing.

According to the Anti-Defamation League, white supremacist-organized events hit a record high of 282 in 2023— a staggering 63% increase from the 173 incidents reported in 2022. These aren’t just statistics; they’re warnings. They’re flashing signals from a society on the verge of re-normalizing hate.

In September, a group of white nationalists flew Nazi flags on the Tamm Overpass near Forest Park in St. Louis. Marches and public gatherings of White nationalists or people with Nazi flags have unfolded in recent years in Nashville, New Hampshire, Boston, Arkansas, Virginia, Washington , DC, and Michigan, where flags with swastikas were toted this month outside a community theater performance of “The Diary of Anne Frank.”

Dawn Montgomery

Despite these words of condemnation, the police did nothing. They were called to intervene but stood by as the violence unfolded. Ohio’s anti-KKK law explicitly bans masked groups from committing misdemeanors, with violations carrying felony-level penalties.

Not one masked white nationalist was arrested—not even those who pepper-sprayed patrons during an altercation outside a local bar.

Let’s be clear: everyone has a right to their beliefs, even their bigotry. But harassment, intimidation, and violence are not rights—they are crimes.

Failing to act is more than negligence—it’s an invitation. Emboldened by

On Nov. 17, a different group took to the same streets. This time, a group of Black men marched unmasked and unafraid. They came not to threaten but to protect, peacefully standing as a barrier against hate.

“We are seeing a lot more people blatant with their racism, their hatred, and it’s just sad,” Sean Walton, a local attorney, told NBC4.

“Let’s figure out how to come together and how to lead and love. There’s so much fear, and I think it’s important that we practice community care.”

This is what leadership looks like— unifying, protective, and restorative. Let me be crystal clear: Black women may have lost this battle, but not the war. We said what we said—we are not going back. Not just for us but for generations who refuse to inherit a legacy of hate. Dawn Montgomery is NNPA/Black Press USA national correspondent.

America seems headed to its ugly past

By Marc Morial

With Trump in the White House, social conservatives can use executive action to try to ban abortion; MAGA nationalists can end most forms of immigration, commence mass deportations and leverage civil rights laws against imagined “antiwhite” discrimination; and reactionary opponents of social insurance can weaken Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. And this is to say nothing of Trump’s own plans to rule as an autocrat under a court-sanctioned theory of unitary executive authority.” — Jamelle Bouie

Project 2025, the sweeping extremist policy agenda assembled by Donald Trump’s supporters, allies and veterans of his administration, is deeply unpopular with the American people.

As a candidate, Trump’s response was to feign ignorance.

During his Sept. 10 debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, he claimed he hadn’t even read it. What he didn’t say was whether he supported the alarming proposals it contains, or whether he would implement them as president. In fact, at least 270 of the proposals in Project 2025 match Trump’s own past policies, previous actions or current campaign promises.

place loyalty to Trump over loyalty to the Constitution, Trump will be free to implement a radical, extremist agenda that will obliterate racial justice initiatives and preserve advantages for white Americans.

The next Trump administration will use civil rights laws to counter the imaginary forces of “anti-white racism.” Trump has bragged that his administration banned “critical race theory” — a misnomer he and his allies have slapped on virtually any racial justice initiative — and promised to “finish the job.”

Project 2025 calls for using the Department of Justice to investigate and prosecute institutions, including private employers, with diversity, equity and inclusion policies in place.

Key to the agenda is a drastic overhaul of the federal government, purging it of conscientious civil servants and replacing them with Trump loyalists. Trump began that process late in his last term with Executive Order 13957, also known as Schedule F.

“Schedule F would be the most profound change to the civil service system since its creation in 1883,” Georgetown political scientist Don Moynihan wrote in The New York Times. “It would be a catastrophe for government performance” and for democracy, he said.

Trump’s term ended before he could implement Schedule F, and President Biden quickly rescinded it when he took office. Trump has vowed to reissue the order immediately and wield the power it gives him “very aggressively.” Civil servants deemed disloyal already have been compiled.

With a federal workforce who will

Trump’s policies also align with Project 2025 on the issue of immigration and the border. Trump has promised to “close the border” on day one of his administration and begin mass deportations of the estimated 11 million immigrants living in the United States without authorization. Project 2025 outlines various methods for facilitating those deportations, from requiring the cooperation of local law enforcement to authorizing “tent camps” to detain migrants.

Aside from the devastating human cost of tearing families apart, mass deportations and border closures will wreak havoc on the economy. The American Immigration Council estimates the deportations would result in a 4.2% to 6.8% reduction in GDP. By comparison, GDP fell by 4.3% during the Great Recession of 2007-2009. Closing the southern border would cost tens of billions of dollars per day, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has estimated.

The Heritage Foundation, which spearheaded Project 2025, also created a “Mandate for Leadership” during Trump’s first term. Within two years, Trump had embraced nearly two-thirds of that agenda. With a hyper-politicized, extreme right-wing cabinet, federal workforce and judiciary, Trump can go even further in his second term.

Marc Morial is president/CEO of the National Urban League.

Guest Columnist

Commentary

Columnist

Marc Morial

29, and customers can Round Up at the Register to support the red kettle campaign through Nov. 27.

Schnucks celebrates holiday giving with Salvation Army

St. Louis American

The holiday season has again come around, and Schnucks Markets customers can “Round Up at the Register to support the Salvation Army annual Red Kettle Campaign.

Through Wednesday, Nov. 27, Schnucks customers have the option to donate to The Salvation Army by rounding up to the nearest dollar, Shoppers who use self-checkout lanes may choose a $1, $3, or $5 “Scan and Give” option.

Schnucks Rewards members also can donate their Rewards to The Salvation Army as part of the Donate Your Rewards program.

Schnucks and its customers donated more than $230,000 to The Salvation Army as part of the Round Up campaign in 2023.

“Over the years, The Salvation Army has become a welcomed mainstay at Schnucks stores during the holidays - both at our check-

outs and our entrances,” said Schnucks Chair and CEO Todd Schnuck.

Schnucks will welcome back The Salvation Army’s bell ringers and their iconic red kettles beginning on Friday, Nov. 29, and continuing through Tuesday, Dec. 24. Bell ringers will greet Schnucks customers from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

“Every year during the Christmas season, we see the needs in our communities grow, particularly for those facing food and housing insecurity,” said Major Adam Moore, area commander of The Salvation Army in Greater St. Louis.

“Donations at the register and at our red kettles ensure families and individuals don’t have to make difficult decisions whether to pay their utility bills or put food on the table, for example. We’re thankful for Schnucks and their customers for helping us minimize those burdens.”

We can, and will, fight back

By Julianne Malveaux

It is becoming clear that Republicans will hold a majority in the House of Representatives, giving them a clean sweep in the Nov. 5 election.

Vice President Harris and President Biden offered great messages about accepting the vote, embracing the vision and moving ahead. They exhibited the grace that the president-elect was incapable of in 2020, when he led a rabid insurrection to protest the outcome of the vote.

Dr. Maya Angelou said that “when people show you who they are, believe them.”

Believe that the 47th president will have no respect for the law or for the Constitution.

Believe that he will attempt mass deportation and even mass firings of federal workers.

Believe that he will eviscerate our regulatory agencies, especially the ones who protect our workers — the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the Consumer Financial Protection Agency and more.

We are not without ways to fight.

The justice community can come together to plan, to monitor the regulatory agencies and stop any chicanery.

We can monitor the integrity of the Department of Education and legally fight to ensure that Title I programs are maintained.

We can challenge cuts in block grants.

We cannot roll over and allow the forces of Trump and Project 2025 to vanquish us.

It won’t be easy. It will be challenging to overcome the smugness that comes from a community that is enjoying their unexpected victory. But there will be allies at the edges.

Will conservative environmentalists be willing to sacrifice the future health of our planet to mollify Trump?

Will conservative labor activists be willing to weaken the NLRB? Is there any wiggle room in Project 2025, or is Mr. Trump willing to come in and start slashing and burning on day one?

What about deportations? Can the soon-to-be 47th president really organize mass deportations and border controls on day one? As we’ve seen from voter roll purges, these folks don’t always get the right people. There must be lawyers lined up, especially to protect people from illegal deportations.

I’m putting Republicans on notice. We will fight back. Those anti-education Republicans don’t want people to know Black history because they don’t want our young people to know that we’ve surmounted racism before.

In the wake of the Red Summer of 1919, when rabid whites attacked more than 30 Black communities in East St. Louis, Ill., Washington, D.C., Chicago, and other places, the poet Claude McKay wrote of this resistance, a fitting anthem for our time:

If we must die, let it not be like hogs

Hunted and penned in an inglorious spot,

While round us bark the mad and hungry dogs,

Making their mock at our accursed lot.

Julianne Malveaux is a former college president, an economist, and author based in Washington, D.C.

David Burks rings up donations while volunteering at a Salvation Army red kettle outside a store in Granite City, Ill. Bell ringers will again greet Schnucks shoppers beginning on Nov.

Photo by Mary Delach / St. Louis Public Radio

Julianne Malveaux

Trump, Project 2025 are stoppable – with a plan

By Jamala Rogers

After the disgusting and terrifying election of Donald Trump, former Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill conceded by saying that he “knows America better than we do.”

This is the same candidate for U.S. Senate who also didn’t “know “Missouri in 2018 when the experienced politician lost to Sen. Josh Hawley. The Democratic leadership has been stuck on stupid for several election cycles. Our fragile democracy is paying a hefty price.

In 2008, it’s hard to believe that Missouri was considered a swing state.

Barack Obama lost to

Cahill

Continued from A1

the age of 81.

“I just want to say thank you to everyone. I want to say that from the bottom of my heart.”

“His entire adult life was dedicated to a consistent and demonstrated commitment to truly equal justice for all,” the resolution says in part.

“While Judge Cahill did not always stand alone, he was a leader, and his career was consistently and valiantly one that put equal protection of law as his guiding principle…”

Judge Cahill attended St. Louis elementary schools and was a graduate of Vashon High School.

He served in the U.S. Air Force during World War II. After returning to his native St. Louis, Cahill graduated from the Saint Louis University Law School in 1951.

He engaged in private practice until 1954 when he joined the staff of the Circuit Attorney of the City of St. Louis. In 1961, he again returned to pri-

Unhoused

Continued from A1

process,” said Jones.

“We have been working on this legislation for a long time, and I want to thank our departments, the Board of Aldermen, and particularly Alderwoman Sonnier and Board of Aldermen President Megan Green for their significant efforts to help us make this positive change for

John McCain by half a percentage point. That was the time to launch a robust strategy to engage constituents of the Democratic Party in developing a yearround platform to advance working families. By 2012, the Republican presidential candidate would win in Missouri by nearly 10 percentage points. Instead of turning purple, Missouri became a blood-red state. The state is now a GOP trifecta, meaning Republicans control the state house, senate, and governor’s seat. The GOP playbook can boast Republican trifectas in nearly half of the 50 states. We were all horrified when we saw that

sea of red spreading across the U.S. map on election night.

The Dems have played the same flawed strategy for years on local, state, and national levels. They have disregarded the growing strength of reactionary forces and ignored states that held potential promise in the fight to fortify democracy.

The party elites have also ignored the right’s expanding influence on the Democrat’s own electoral base.

The Democratic Party abandoned a 50-state

strategy that educates and engages its constituents around a visionary platform for prosperity of the working class. Instead, it focused their resources on a few battleground states. The party is good at raising lots of money. That U.S. senate race in Missouri was one of the most expensive in history. The Harris-Walz team raised over a billion dollars during the election cycle. It was insufficient.

There are some in the post-election phase who say, “finger pointing is not

helpful, that we must all work together.”

I know this may seem like a ‘Kumbaya’ moment, however the reality of what we face when the full force of Project 2025 is unleashed calls for action. We must be strategic and intentional in our plan. We must build a winning team that includes players who know how and when to move the ball when it comes to them.

November 5, 2024, was a sad day for the nation indeed. Trump had shown his racist, misogynist criminal character, yet he still managed to get nearly 75 million votes. Now, he feels emboldened and will move aggressively with his so-called mandate.

vate practice while also serving as a special assistant circuit attorney until 1964.

From 1958 to 1965, Cahill also served as

St. Louis.”

The bill creates a clear and transparent process for shelters to apply for operation within the city, including opportunities for neighborhood input through a community notification requirement and public hearings for new shelter proposals.

“Housing is a human right and right now one in five of our families in Saint Louis Public Schools are unhoused,” Sonnier said.

“On average, a person

chief legal advisor to the Missouri NAACP and filed the first lawsuit in Missouri to implement the Supreme Court’s decision in Brown v. Board

has to wait more than 700 days for community housing and more than 250 days for emergency shelter. With the passage of this bill, providers not only have a clear pathway through our zoning code to offer life-saving services, but our residents and departments now have a transparent, community-centered, and streamlined process that provides critical enforcement tools for safety and compliance.”

Green thanked

of Education. He was also involved in other civil rights litigation in Missouri, Arkansas and Illinois.

In 1966, Judge Cahill

Sonnier for her dedication “to our unhoused neighbors and ensuring the city supports efforts to meet their needs.”

“I also commend community partners, and our colleagues for doing the challenging work of building consensus on an idea that makes our city work for our most vulnerable residents.”

Last month, the EastWest Gateway Council of Governments hosted the Housing First STL Summit, which brought

was appointed regional attorney for the United States Office of Economic Opportunity in Kansas City, where he worked to implement governmental

in regional officials and national experts to create a regional approach with aspirations to solve homelessness across the St. Louis region.

It focused on putting housing first with an emphasis on public-private partnerships to fund initiatives to make homelessness a brief and rare experience, rather than a persistent struggle.

“There is a shared understanding that we as a region need to adopt a Regional Emergency

But there is a new majority rising. It includes all the folks that Trump demeaned, criticized, and demonized on his way to the White House. It includes those targeted in Project 2025, immigrants, unions, women, gay people, organized resistors, etc. Our mission is to galvanize this majority into a cohesive force. It must be capable and committed to fighting for its self-interests. We must prevail in an atmosphere of disinformation, fearmongering, and repression. His MAGA movement has gained new momentum, but it is stoppable.

policies directed toward fighting the “War on Poverty.” In 1968, he returned to St. Louis as general manager of the Human Development Corporation of Metropolitan St. Louis and served until 1972, when he assumed the responsibilities of executive director and general counsel for the Legal Aid Society of the City and County of St. Louis. From 1975 to 1980, Cahill served as a circuit judge on the 22nd Judicial Circuit of the State of Missouri in St. Louis. He was appointed by President Jimmy Carter to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri on May 23, 1980. The St. Louis Board of Alderman recently passed board bill 92 to rename the Civil Courts Building and sent it to St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones for her signature. Court committees are planning to have commemorative plaques honoring Judge Cahill placed at the entrances of the courthouse at 10 North Tucker Boulevard.

Rehousing System,” said Adam Pearson, Department of Human Services director.

“This bill complements what that system needs to be, one where we have sufficient housing options for the people who need them, be it permanent supportive housing, or shelter options for those who are awaiting placement in long-term housing in the community.”

Jamala Rogers

During a service in 2005 in honor of the late Judge Clyde S. Cahill, Municipal Division Judge Marvin Teer, one of many Black law clerks who served under Cahill, said “that not a single day went by when he did not talk of his family. Nothing was more important than his beloved wife and family.” His family, including grandchildren, gathered around him during a birthday celebration.

Photo by Maurice Meredith

Williams

Continued from A1

the role.

His portfolio includes sports broadcasting, business-to-business marketing, sales and innovations, motivational speaking and he’s the author of “Millionaire Mindset—7 Principles Athletes Need for Financial Freedom.”

Williams comes to BGCSTL from his position with the St. Louis Battlehawks where he served as vice president of team business and event operations.

“Flint has been a pillar in this community for 28 years and has a lot of well-earned respect for the work he’s done and the person he is,” Williams said.

“I’m excited to work beside him for as long as he’s available to build the next strategy and blueprint for what the future of this club can look like and how we will impact kids around the metro area.”

Leaning into the advice and wisdom of his elders has been a mainstay in Williams’ life. There’s a 7- and 11-year gap between his younger siblings, so when they were born he inherited the moniker of “big brother and role model.”

“I was the only child for a while and I hung out with adults, learning and gaining knowledge from them and my mentors,” he recalled.

Williams, with the support of his parents and a couple uncles, started playing football at an early age, particularly at Mathews-Dickey Boys & Girls Club. After graduating from Hazelwood East High School, he enrolled at the University of Wisconsin where he majored in communications. In 2006 he was drafted into the NFL and for five seasons he played for the San Francisco 49ers, the St. Louis Rams and the Pittsburgh Stealers. Injuries, including a torn oblique and torn labrum, fueled his desire to leave the gridiron.

Willaims said he didn’t have “a solid vision” of what to do next but did know he wanted to get into the world of professional broadcasting. After participating in the NFL’s “Broadcast Bootcamp” at 26, he was invited in 2010 to join the “Big Ten Network,” a channel dedicated to Big Ten Conference sports.

While maintaining the broadcasting gig for nine

Race

Continued from A1

policies, institutions, and culture.

More than 4,000 attendees are expected to gather at the America’s Center Convention Complex for the three-day event. Unlike the gathering in 2022 during the pandemic, conveners say the 2024 event will return to its “original in-person experience.” Attendees, conveners say, will receive “unprecedented access to resources, information, and collaborative opportunities geared towards advancing racial equity for all.”

Joy-Ann Reid, author, progressive political commentator and analyst and host of “The ReidOut” on MSNBC, will serve as keynote speaker Friday morning.

“St. Louis stands as a

Farrakhan Shegog, Young Voices with Action president and CEO, gives a wave of thanks and appreciation after receiving recognition during the 17th National Council of Negro Women Inc., St. Louis Section Hidden Treasures Anchors in their Community Awards ceremony at the Renaissance St. Louis Airport Hotel. Young Voices with Action focuses on cultivating youth to take on leadership roles within their homes, schools, communities, places of worship and employment.

seasons, Williams pursued other interests in financial services, corporate leadership development and becoming a certified life coach.

He left Wisconsin and came back to St. Louis as the pandemic hit in 2020. He briefly worked for a construction staffing company while pursuing his MBA before joining Anheuser Busch’s “innovations team” managing beverage products from conception to distribution.

In 2022, he went to work for the St. Louis Battlehawks, where his team produced and marketed games, secured sponsorship and more.

When asked how such a wide and diverse employment background will influence his leadership at BGCSTL. Williams said his career emphasizes how everyone, including children, should take “every moment like it’s the last opportunity” they’ll ever get.

“There are specific ways that will give you a higher probability of making your dreams come true. For example, when I went to get my MBA, I

testament to resilience, innovation, and community spirit,” said Reid. “By gathering in St. Louis, we aim to amplify these themes by grounding our discussions in the fabric of a city that encapsulates much of what we advocate for at Facing Race.”

The Facing Race website features video interviews with partners and host committee members from St. Louis, including Dr. LJ Punch, Executive and Medical Director, Power4STL, Annissa G. McCaskill, Executive Director of Forward Through Ferguson, Matt Oldani, Vice President with the Deaconess Foundation and Michael Brown, Sr. co-founder of the Michael Brown Sr. Chosen for Change Organization. For more information visit: https://facingrace. raceforward.org/

knew that would increase the probability of me becoming an executive in sports. I had a goal, and I got the outcome I wanted because I leveraged education and experience into an opportunity,” he said.

When asked how he will implement some of his “Millionaire Mindset” principles at BGCSTL, Williams insists chasing “money” will not be among them.

“It’s not even close to being about money because money flows to solutions,” Williams

explained.

“If you have a solution to a problem, money will flow to you. If you don’t have the right mindset to believe that you are the solution, then you’re going to put a cap on how much you can make or what job you should take.

“Part of the millionaire mindset is helping kids create a really safe environment where they can literally obtain greater futures; have the self-actualization and confidence that they have committed themselves to doing some-

thing and therefore there will be a ROI (return on investment) to the time they’ve spent pursuing that something.

“That mindset is a game-changer and once you get a group of people to think like that, it’s powerful, it can change communities and cities over time.”

Is there pressure in accepting a role he’s never had before?

“Yes,” Williams quickly answered.

“Coming into this position you must have a bit of

naivety about the weight of it because, if you think about how heavy it is, it will crush you. But, for me, pressure is a privilege. When I was in the NFL, I used to get butterflies before every game. That’s how I knew I was ready.

“If you’re doing something that doesn’t have pressure, then why are you really doing it?”

Sylvester Brown Jr. is the Deaconess Foundation Community Advocacy Fellow.

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Saying thanks near Thanksgiving

‘Taking

Care of You’

Dreamline Pathways helping fill healthcare cavity

Program serves Tech High School students

By Ashley Winters

The St. Louis American

North and South Technical High School students participating in the Dreamline Pathways program recently visited the St. Louis Dental Center at A.T. Still University for an in-depth introduction to the profession of oral healthcare.

Stephanie McGrew, assistant director for diversity and inclusion at Still, says the Dreamline Pathways program was created as a resource for underserved students in the St. Louis region. She says students from these communities have more difficulty connecting with institutions in oral care.

Implemented eight years ago by Clinton Normore, chief diversity officer for ATSU, the program is now available across the United States.

“We do the hands-on activities for the students we serve at all of our

campuses,” said McGrew.

They can have shadowing opportunities and internship opportunities.”

She said students experience different types of activities, visit with leadership, and build a relationship with the university.

McGrew said the program has served 5,000 students nationwide, including more than 2,000 in the St.

DREAMLINE, A11

Black women face hidden stroke hazards

By Marcie McClellan Dumolga, PhD, PMP

Stroke, the silent assassin, strikes without warning, forever altering lives in its path. For Black women, the threat is especially pronounced, lurking beneath the surface of unique risk factors that often evade our attention. From pregnancy complications to the “Superwoman Syndrome,” Black women regularly experience stressors that increase their risk of stroke.

Pregnancy complications

n Pregnancy is often considered a beautiful and miraculous journey, but for Black women, it can sometimes feel like navigating a minefield of challenges and risks

Pregnancy is often considered a beautiful and miraculous journey, but for Black women, it can sometimes feel like navigating a minefield of challenges and risks Complications during pregnancy, such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and high blood pressure, are all hidden hazards that increase the risk of stroke in Black women. Preeclampsia, marked by high blood pressure and organ damage during pregnancy, disproportionately affects Black women.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Black women are 60% more likely to develop preeclampsia than their white counterparts, significantly elevating the

See DUMOLGA, A11

Overdose deaths are rising among Blacks

Rate for Black males is highest

By Tim Henderson For Missouri Independent

The recent decline in overdose deaths hides a tremendous disparity by race: Deaths have fallen only among white people while continuing to rise among people of color, according to a new Stateline analysis of federal data.

Health experts in nonwhite communities say they’re finding strategies that work in their areas, but they still struggle for recognition and funding to address the problems, especially among Black and Native people.

In all, nearly 5,000 more people of color died from overdoses in 2023 than in 2021, while deaths among white people dropped by more than 6,000, according to the analysis of provisional data from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

n According to the Missouri Department of Health, Black individuals across the state continue to be disproportionally affected by overdose deaths, with a mortality rate 2.75 times higher than white individuals in 2023.

According to the Missouri Department of Health, Black individuals across the state continue to be disproportionally affected by overdose deaths, with a mortality rate 2.75 times higher than white individuals in 2023. The total number of Black male overdose deaths decreased by 9% in 2023, however the mortality rate remains three times higher than white men and Black women. It is six times higher than white

See OVERDOSE, A11

In partnership with Americorps and the Black Alcohol/Drug Information Center (B.A.S.I.C), in 2022 the Urban League of Metropolitan

began distributing NARCAN in neighborhoods where

apparent. According to the FDA, NARCAN

opioid overdose.

Derrion Bennett, North Technical H.S. student participating in one of the many oral healthcare demonstrations for the Dreamline Pathways program fieldtrip.

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Photo courtesy of Urban League

St. Louis

open drug use is

has been shown to reverse an

Marcie McClellan Dumolga

from A10

women. The St. Louis region still has the highest total number of overdoes and mortality rate of overdose deaths, although it recorded a 14% drop in 2023 compared to 2022. Nationally, based on partial counts, Black and Native people remain the hardest hit, having earlier in the pandemic surpassed white rates. Hispanic and Asian people are still experiencing more overdose deaths as well.

White people had the highest rate of overdose deaths in 2019, before the

Dreamline

Continued from A10

Louis area.

“Hopefully the students see someone that they can relate to while they are here,” she said.

High school senior Derrion Bennett is studying dental science at North Technical High School, better known as North County Tech. He has learned about impressions, dental fillings, and other oral care techniques and enjoys the “hands-on experiences.”

“They have a lot of different opportunities here,” Bennett said.

“I want to be able to make a difference as a Black, gay teenager. I want to open doors for people like me that feel like this goal is not reachable.”

Students on the threehour tour participated in hands-on oral care demonstrations such as teeth cleaning, X-ray presentations, digital dentistry, and making a web lab mold using alginate. They learned the effect of sugars and acids on enamel and filling a cavity.

A.T. Still University of Health Sciences was established in 1892 by A.T. Still, DO, the founder of osteopathic medicine. A.T. Still University of Health Sciences (ATSU) began as the nation’s first college of osteopathic medicine and has evolved into a leading university of health sciences, comprising a growing community with a rich history in education and osteopathic healthcare.

ATSU offers certificate and master’s degrees

pandemic, at 25.4 deaths for every 100,000 people in the U.S. population. But rates for Black and Native people quickly surpassed white rates and continued to grow as white rates declined between 2021 and 2023. In 2023, the death rates were 49.5 and 39.8 per 100,000 for Black and Native people, respectively.

Tracie Gardner, co-director of the National Black Harm Reduction Network, said Black and Native people often have trouble navigating white-dominated institutions, including many harm reduction agencies. Such agencies need to have more people of color in leadership positions to

gain the trust of Black, Native and other people who use drugs, she said.

“It is our contention that Black harm reduction isn’t about drug use, it’s about the harms of not being a white person in this country,” Gardner said. “The only people doing worse or as poorly are Native Americans.”

Different trends

Between 2021 and 2023, overdose deaths among white people dropped in all but a dozen states, most of them in the West. But few states saw any decline in deaths among Black or Native American populations. Deaths among Black

people did decline, however, in Indiana (-75), the District of Columbia (-29) and Illinois (-22), while deaths among Native people declined in North Carolina (-34), Colorado (-11) and North Dakota (-9).

Connecticut was one of the few states to see a small rate drop among its Black residents. There was no change in the number of overdose deaths, but the Black population grew between 2021 and 2023. In the Black community, men older than 55 are especially hard hit, said Tracie M. Gardner, of the National Black Harm Reduction Network. She noticed their deaths start to increase in the mid-2010s,

when she served as New York state’s assistant secretary of health, and later realized those deaths were “the canary in the coal mine” that signaled deadly fentanyl’s infiltration into supplies of other drugs.

During the pandemic, “older [Black] men lost their communities, their family supports. There are some men who became homeless and there was no safety network,” Gardner said. “Plus, men still associate going out and getting health care with a woman’s thing. A lot of care is geared to women.”

Dr. Edwin Chapman, a District of Columbia physician whose practice serves many older Black men who use drugs, said

that like others trying to help Black and Native people, he’s had trouble getting funding. His innovations include early use of buprenorphine to curb opioid cravings. “There has been more pushback from local officials than help,” Chapman said.

Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline. org. Follow Stateline on Facebook and X

across health disciplines; and doctorates in athletic training, audiology, health administration, education, health sciences, medical science, nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, dental medicine, and osteopathic medicine.

Riley Parisi, a student at South Technical High

Continued from A10 support.

risk of stroke during pregnancy. This disparity sheds light on the stark reality of maternal mortality and morbidity among Black women, where complications like preeclampsia play a devastating role.

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a common complication during pregnancy for Black women. When left untreated, it can have dire consequences for both the mother and the baby. High blood pressure not only increases the risk of stroke during pregnancy but also leaves a lasting imprint on a woman’s health, making her more susceptible to stroke later in life. The role of high blood pressure in maternal health disparities among Black women is a stark reminder of the urgent need for equitable healthcare access and

Birth control methods

There are more birth control options than ever before. However, not all birth control options are the same, and for Black women, this choice can significantly impact stroke risk.

Oral contraceptives, commonly known as “the pill,” are a popular choice for many women, offering effective birth control. But here’s the catch—they come with an increased risk of stroke, especially for Black women. Research tells us that when hormonal birth control combines with other risk factors like smoking or obesity, the stakes get even higher.

Although there is a plethora of birth control options on the market today. Limited access to comprehensive family planning services can narrow down contracep-

School, studies dental sciences and said she learned a lot of cool things on her field trip to ATSU.

“We’ve done so many hands-on things and talked to some of the dental students, which is so cool to see,” said Parisi.

Even though she isn’t sure what part of dentist-

tive choices significantly, putting Black women at a disadvantage.

Healthcare providers need to step up their game. They should consider the unique risk factors Black women face and offer guidance on birth control methods that minimize stroke risk, like intrauterine devices (IUDs) or non-hormonal contraceptives to make informed choices that prioritize our health.

Superwoman Syndrome

Let’s dive into the factors that can raise the risk of stroke for Black women – it’s not just about genetics or luck, it’s about the choices we make and the challenges we face. You know, smoking? Unfortunately, more Black women are lighting up. And obesity? It’s on the rise in our community. These lifestyle factors aren’t just numbers—

ry she wants to pursue, the Dreamline Pathways program has given her a chance to get a better understanding of the multiple areas of dentistry she can focus on.

“I love that the dental field is an art form, forming the teeth of patients and helping beautify their

they’re about our daily choices and the hurdles we face. It’s time to make healthier moves and ensure that all communities have access to the resources they need to lower the risk of stroke among Black women.

It’s no secret that our lifestyle choices play a huge role in influencing our stroke risk. However, it’s essential to acknowledge that far too many Black women bear the weight of the “Superwoman Syndrome.” This complex phenomenon underscores the immense pressure Black women often face to be everything to everybody—be it as caretakers, breadwinners, or community leaders— often at the detriment of their own well-being. While systemic changes are undoubtedly needed to comprehensively address the challenges faced by Black women, there are tangible steps we can take in our daily lives to reduce

smile is very cool,” said Parisi.

Parisi and the other students also got a closer look at digital dentistry with a 3D printer experiment involving cooked eggs in cola/diet cola, alginate impression activity, and toothpaste making.

In addition to learning the issues of oral health and skills of dentistry, students learn from and are encouraged to become caring, community-minded healthcare providers. Ashley Winters is a Report for America reporter for the St. Louis American.

our risk of stroke:

• Prioritize Your Health: Seek regular check-ups and prioritize access to quality healthcare. Advocate for equitable access to healthcare services, including family planning and prenatal care, which plays a vital role in reducing complications during pregnancy and ensuring access to effective contraception.

• Knowledge is Power: Stay informed about the unique risk factors that Black women face. Understand the pressures associated with the “Superwoman Syndrome” and educate yourself about lifestyle choices that can help lower your stroke risk.

• Embrace Healthier Habits: Make a conscious effort to adopt healthier lifestyle choices. Incorporate regular

physical activity into your routine and make gradual improvements to your diet by choosing nutritious options over processed foods and sugary snacks. Small changes can add up to significant health benefits.

• Advocate for Yourself: Don’t be afraid to have open and honest conversations with your healthcare providers. You should feel empowered to make informed decisions about your health. Discuss the risks and benefits of various birth control methods, considering your unique health history and personal preferences.

Dr. Marcie McClellan Dumolga, a senior principal at Synergy Enterprises, Inc., is a leader in public health communications and project management. This commentary was originally published by Blackdoctor.org

Jordan Sparks, an A.T. Still University student instructing Dreamline Pathway students about the many techniques involved in oral healthcare.

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

The St. Louis American’s award winning NIE program provides newspapers and resources to more than 8,000 teachers and students each week throughout the school year, at no charge.

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

Photo by Cheryl Christian

SCIENCE CORNER

What is a stroke? When the brain is flooded with blood and can’t get oxygen, it is a stroke. Strokes can cause sickness, brain damage, muscle weakness, and even death. During a stroke, a person will often experience numbness on one side of the body, a bad headache, dizziness, loss of balance, and difficult speaking. It is important to get help immediately. Sometimes, strokes can be treated with medicine or surgery.

There are two main types of strokes: ischemic and hemorrhagic. Ischemic is caused from a blocked blood vessel. This blockage may be from a clot or a clogged artery. Hemorrhagic is caused when a weak or thin blood vessel bursts and blood spills out. High blood pressure weakens blood

SCIENCE INVESTIGATION

Your senses are much more effective when they are used together. In this experiment, you will see how your senses help each other.

Materials Needed:

• Cardboard Box • Scissors • Sock

• 5-10 Small Items to Place in the Box • Volunteers

Procedure:

q Cut a hole in the box that is big enough to fit your hand through for this experiment.

w Place your items in the box.

MATH CONNECTION

Flex those brain muscles as you answer these word problems!

z A fifth grade class sold 250 tickets to a play. They sold 160 adult tickets at $7.50 each, and 90 children’s tickets at $5.00 each. They donated ½ of the money to charity. How much money did they donate? ______

DID YOU KNOW?

vessels and is usually the cause of hemorrhagic strokes.

Doctors can diagnose strokes by using MRI imaging and CT scans. In order to prevent strokes, it is important not to smoke. This weakens your blood vessels and your immune system. Eat healthy. Limit fat intake and eat a lot of whole grains to keep your blood vessels clear from plaque. Be active. Check your blood pressure and keep an eye on risk factors such as high cholesterol, diabetes and high blood pressure.

Learning Standards: I can read nonfiction text for main idea and supporting details.

e Ask a volunteer to place a sock on their hand. They will place their hand in the hole and see how many items they can identify in the box.

r Next, the volunteer will repeat step 3 without the sock. Are they more successful identifying objects without their sense of touch affected?

t Finally, take the lid off the box and allow the volunteer to see all of the items.

Analyze: How do the sense of sight and touch work together?

Learning Standards: I can follow sequential directions to complete an experiment. I can analyze results and draw conclusions.

Brain EXERCISES!

x Jim, Carla and Tommy are members of the same family. Carla is 5 years older than Jim. Tommy is 6 years older than Carla. The sum of their three ages is 31 years. How old is each one them? ______

c How many minutes are in one week? ______ How many minutes are in one month? ______

v A painter charges $250 for materials and $35 per hour for labor. The total cost of painting an office is $372.50. How many hours did it take the painter to paint the office? ______

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

SCIENCE STARS

African-American Writer and Health Consultant

Andrea King Collier

Andrea King Collier is a writer, health editor, columnist, and national health consultant from Lansing, Michigan. She focuses on health issues in the AfricanAmerican community. She earned degrees in journalism and political science from Indiana University and is a member of the American Medical Writers Association and Medical Journalism for the National Cancer Institute. She started writing for national magazines, but expanded to include social media, websites, blogs, and photography. She has worked with Kellogg Fellows Leadership Alliance, the International Association of Culinary Professionals, Health Power, Inc., and the National Association of Black Journalists.

Collier has written two books, “Still With Me: A Daughter’s Journey of Love and Loss” was written about the last year of her mother’s life. Collier was raised by a strict single mother who remarried when she was twelve years old. Upon learning her mother had cancer, Collier invited her mother to live with her and her family. The last year of her mother’s life was spent finding peace with their relationship, as well as finding peace with cancer. The ladies rekindled their love of collecting vintage Barbies. In this book, Collier writes about her personal relationship with her mother and about health issues and how they affect the entire family.

“The Black Woman’s Guide to Black Men’s Health” was coauthored with Dr. Willarda Edwards, whom Collier met at an NAACP conference. Collier believes that African-American men are more likely to eat right, be active, and seek medical attention if they have an informed woman in their life. This book is divided into chapters that focus on the following health issues: lung, prostate and colon cancer, obesity, heart disease, diabetes, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, mental health, substance abuse, HIV/AIDS and violence against young black men. Each chapter contains facts, treatment and prevention information, personal stories from celebrities and noncelebrities, and questions and answers with the doctor. The book also focuses on how to select an insurance plan and find a health care provider, as well as how these topics affect the African-American community.

Many of Collier’s articles focus on health, wellness, and prevention. She believes strongly in supporting agriculture and making fresh foods available in urban communities. Colllier believes in strong family and community support. She says, “My parents raised me to believe I could accomplish anything. I’ve never shied away from trying new technology, applying for fellowships or attending professional conferences that allow me to build upon my success.”

To read a collection of Andrea King Collier’s articles, visit: http://civileats.com/author/acollier/. Learning Standards: has made a contribution to the fields of science, technology, engineering, or math.

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

Activities —

Help Wanted: Read the classified ads and find a job that lists a salary. Calculate the hourly wage, daily wage, weekly wage, monthly wage, annual wage and wages over a three year period.

Editorials: Find examples of editorials that were written to inform the reader, interpret the news for the reader, entertain the reader, and persuade the reader. As you read the editorial, underline the facts and circle the opinions.

Learning Standards: I can use the newspaper to locate information. I can identify author’s purpose. I can add, subtract, multiply, and divide to solve a problem.

Students Kadon Harbor and Khloe Sykes, in Ms. Cheryl M. Christian’s 9th grade class at Jennings Senior High School, analyze data (percent, average and graphing) using Skittles.

MAP CORNER

SLPS will spare all schools – for now

By Hiba Ahmad St. Louis Public Radio

St. Louis Public Schools will not close any schools during this academic year, according to district officials.

Interim Superintendent Millicent Borishade, school board President Toni Cousins and Vice President Matt Davis have said in interviews that district officials haven’t decided which schools will have to close their doors in coming years.

They did not provide a timeline for when the district would do so.

SLPS hired an architecture firm, Cordogan, Clark & Associates, to assess school buildings across the district. The firm concluded that it would cost $1.8 billion over 20 years to repair and maintain all school buildings — some of which are over 100 years old.

The architecture firm also is working with a demographer to determine exactly how many students live in St. Louis and where they live. The firm is wrapping up a feasibility study on how effectively each school building is being used, according to district officials.

Davis and Cousins said that once the studies are completed, the district will present the findings to the public through community events.

“We’re doing it in a way that we can have all the information and come up with something where we’re giving people, realistically, something better,” Davis said. “It may

not be the best thing for your neighborhood, but it’s going to be the best thing for your student’s education.”

Dorothy Rohde-Collins, an education, policy and equity doctoral candidate at St. Louis University, said the district should decide soon which schools to close.

“It’s great that these studies have been commissioned, but I would say that the timeline has been drawn out so long that the need to decide whether or not to close schools will become even more pressing as we get into next school year and the years that follow,” said RohdeCollins, who researches school closures.

Enrollment at St. Louis Public Schools has been declining for decades. The district’s peak enrollment was more than 115,000 students in 1967; this year, it’s around 16,500.

In December 2020, former Superintendent Kelvin Adams recommended that 11 schools should be

closed for good.

Among the schools was Charles H. Sumner High School in the Ville neighborhood of north St. Louis. It was the first high school for Black students west of the Mississippi River when it opened in 1875. Including Sumner, seven of the recommended closings were north of Delmar Boulevard. They were Clay, Dunbar, Farragut, Ford and Hickey, all elementary schools; Sumner and Northwest Academy of Law High School.

“So, the district has a strong past — we’re not here necessarily to focus on the past but really to use the past as a benchmark for thinking about what we need to do in the future,” Adams said, as he began his presentation. Adams noted that approximately 1,000 people participated in community vision workshops that sought to prioritize what the community sees as best when it comes to school consolidation.

Medicare plans change every year, so can your health. Visit Medicare.gov to see all your options side by side and compare coverage, costs, and quality ratings.

New in 2025, all Medicare plans will include a $2,000 cap on what you pay out of pocket for covered prescription drugs. The cap only applies to drugs that are covered by your plan, so it’s more important than ever to review your plan options to make sure your drugs are covered.

If you are struggling with your prescription drug costs, Extra Help is a Medicare program that can help pay for your drug coverage (Part D) premiums, deductibles, and other out-of-pocket costs. If you make less than $23,000 a year, it’s worth it to apply. Visit ssa.gov/extrahelp to complete an application. Compare

Get help with drug costs.

Empowering St. Louis, one woman at

a time

Rung celebrates exponential growth; accepting cohort applicants

By Kenya Vaughn

The St. Louis American

As she walked through the halls of their newly expanded South City campus earlier this fall, Rung For Women President & CEO Leslie Gill made a statement that lingered well after the tour had ended.

“Empowered women empower St. Louis,” Gill said.

When she was tapped to lead the

By Alvin A.Reid

The St. Louis American

organization seven years ago, Rung For Women was merely an idea of founder and Board Chairwoman Ali Hogan. Hogan had closed the nonprofit resale shop of the same name that provided women in the region access to affordable professional attire from 2010-2017. Rung’s next chapter would be so much more – and as the institution’s very first employee, Gill was charged with executing the vision that Hogan was still tinkering with.

“She was like, ‘Women need more than clothes,’” Gill said. “‘You’re going to figure out what that means.” Gill did exactly that.

The community was in awe of the additional 30,000-plus square footage (a total of nearly 65,000 square feet) within the space that arms the women who walk the halls with tools and resources to thrive personally, professionally and financially.

See RUNG, A9

A Capital idea

Investors, venture capitalists, and entrepreneurs recently met in New York during the Culture Shifting Summitt and the national NAACP announced it is launching NAACP Capital.

The NAACP Capital fund will invest in fund managers and startups that are focused on closing gaps facing communities of color. A campaign to raise $200 million is underway and the initiative was developed in partnership with Kapor Capital, Kapor Center, and nine venture fund managers.

African American entrepreneurs often face a struggle finding financing for start-up businesses or expansion of companies that have already proven to be successful. Derrick Johnson, NAACP president, said the fund can help close the financing gap which sometimes has more to do with race than sound investment strategy.

“The NAACP knows that innovation is borne out of inclusivity. Impact investing has the power to drive historic financial returns and uplift overlooked communities,” he said.

“Deeply entrenched systemic barriers are curtailing the innovative progress necessary to breed healthy competition in a global economy. We’re seeking to change that. Investment is the backbone of impact, and impact

Austin Jr. to be enshrined in Sports Hall

Earl Austin Jr., St. Louis American sports editor and author, will be inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame on Sunday Nov. 24 at the Chase Park Plaza.

Austin has been with the American since 1995 and has served as analyst on Saint Louis Billikens men’s basketball broadcasts for more than 30 years. He has published four books, including an 80-page tabloid about his first 20 years covering high school basketball, as well as “the PHL in the STL,” which focused on the history of basketball in the St. Louis Public High League.

Anderson elected House minority assistant leader

State Rep. Marlon Anderson of St. Louis has been elected assistant leader of the House Minority Caucus for the 2025 legislative session.

Marlon Anderson

KimberlyAnne Collins

“We know we have work to do. I will work diligently to uphold the Democratic values and the will of my community. Together, we can and will make a difference,” said Anderson.

State Rep. Ashley Aune of Kansas City was elected House minority leader.

State Rep. Kimberly-Ann Collins of St. Louis was elected Minority Caucus Vice-Chair, and state Rep. Bridget Walsh Moore of St. Louis, was elected Minority Caucus Policy.

Britt elected ABA Young Lawyers Division clerk

Portia Britt, associate county counselor for the St. Louis County Counselor’s Office, was recently elected as the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division clerk for the 2024-2025 year at the ABA Annual Meeting in August. It has been 30 years since a Missouri lawyer has served as clerk.

Britt is actively involved with The Missouri Bar Young Lawyers’ Section, currently serving as District 8 representative for the YLS Council. Her involvement at the bar started with The Missouri Bar Leadership Academy where she learned the important role the bar plays in progressing the practice of law by creating service opportunities and advocating for the needs of new and young lawyers.

Britt will serve as the speaker of the Young Lawyers Division Assembly for the 2025-26 year and is excited to lead the resolution process.

Earl Austin Jr.

Jay Lundy (left), managing director of NAACP Capital, and Derrick Johnson, national NAACP president, discussed the lack of investment funding for Black-owned start-up business during the Culture Shifting Summit

Photo courtesy of NAACP

Member Rose Wilson at the newly expanded Rung For Women campus in South St. Louis.

Photo courtesy of Rung For Women

Portia Britt

Continued from B1

fell 37% last year, funding to Black-founded startups dropped a staggering 71%, according to Crunchbase data.

Black-founded startups received less than 0.5% of the $140.4 billion in venture funding all U.S.-based startups received last year.

In 2021, Black-founded startups received 1.4% of all U.S. venture funding. In 2022, it was 1.1%.

In 2023, an investment fund for minority-owned businesses through a partnership between BJC HealthCare and WEPOWER Capital.

The pilot fund is managed by WEPOWER, a nonprofit working to build political and economic power in local communi-

Rung

Continued from B1

Meanwhile, class was in session for the fall 2024 cohort of members. She was on cloud nine as she talked about Rung celebrating the milestone of serving 500 members.

“I never envisioned this magnitude and this impact,” Gill said. “We have members who have bought their first home. And this year alone helped members reduce debt by over half a million dollars collectively. We are seeing the ripple effect of our mission and women’s lives are changed. Anytime I see a member outside of these walls, they are like ‘Rung changed my life.’ That feels amazing.”

Rung is currently accepting applications for its Spring 2025 cohort.

Members are guided

ties of color. Jay Lundy, who will serve as the inaugural managing director of NAACP Capital, hopes to help reverse this alarming trend.

“The NAACP and community engagement have long played a role in my family, which makes me even more excited to lead this pivotal effort and launch this historic fund,” said Lundy.

“Through this fund, we have an opportunity to invest and capitalize the next generation of managers and founders who will work to bring technology and innovation into our communities.”

Lundy, who holds a bachelor’s degree in government form Harvard University and a Master of Business Administration from The Wharton School, is a venture capital inves-

through employment pathways in high demand industries and are provided with career coaching and a community of support as they pursue a better future for themselves and their families.

“The Rung experience has taught me to be coachable and accountable professionally and personally,” member Rose Wilson said in her Rung Member Profile. “The one-on-one coaching, career coaching, Professional Power Skills, and Maryville course were the best experiences of a growth mindset I have ever seen. When you are a member of Rung, you have a sisterhood that extends and gives more than you could ever imagine.”

Gill says the program creates spaces where women can talk about finances and about being the first and/or the only in certain industries. They

tor and management consultant.

A founder of several businesses, Lundy began his career in education and impact investing.

He said NAACP Capital’s investment

can collaborate with a financial coach to reduce debt and build assets – so they are not in a constant cycle of living paycheck to paycheck.

“There are so many women who are one missed car payment, one car breakdown or one medical bill away from being homeless,” said Gill. “That’s the reality, unfortunately. We are trying to change those trends and we’re seeing it happen.”

strategy “will target the intersection of generational impact and tech innovation.”

“We believe that this holistic approach will allow us to drive both impact at scale and gener-

goal of helping women lead equitable and abundant lives by inspiring them to climb the rungs of the economic opportunity ladder.

“If you give someone a good job and a great opportunity, you can break a generational curse,” Gill said. “They can have a retirement. They can help put their kids through college. They can make enough money to save some money – a living wage.”

What started with two women and a mission that was under construction has blossomed into a staff of 30-plus. And along with several community and corporate partners, they work towards the common

ment.

“NAACP Capital is a natural extension of the Association’s deep heritage in the fight for social justice and a more inclusive economy. Many of the important issues that the NAACP has long fought for, from education to healthcare to financial access, are growing markets for startup innovation,” said Johnson.

This can be especially challenging for women due to the gender pay gap and other patriarchal systems in place that contribute to financial challenges and glass ceilings.

According to Gill,

ate top returns on investment,” Lundy explained.

Johnson said NAACP Capital is the newest initiative of the NAACP’s #KeepAdvancing campaign – a modernized approach to civic engage-

white women make 84 cents for every dollar that a white man makes and for women of color, that number keeps getting lower.

“The conditions are not set up for us to win. But we [at Rung] are trying to ensure that women can go in and advocate for themselves,” Gill said. “That they have the skills to do the job in the same way that their male counterparts can – and that they know what they need and what they want. We haven’t been on an equal playing field. That’s why we need organizations like Rung For Women in addition to allies in companies and hiring managers to make sure that the gap starts to close.”

Providing women with the tools to be successful long-term is the intention for every woman who walks through the doors of Rung For Women.

“By investing in fund managers focusing on these markets and startups directly, NAACP Capital will stake the NAACP into the technology and venture capital ecosystem. It’s time to invest in fund managers who share a forward-looking vision that invests in innovation and technology, ensuring the economy works for everybody, not just a select few.”

“Even though we’ve had such a strong 500 women, in the scheme of things there are so many more women who need our services,” Gill said.

“And they just don’t know about us.”

Though they are relishing in the present, Gill and the Rung For Women team have their eyes on the organization’s future. The first order of business is serving more women and revealing the magic that happens when women help women for the greater good of our region.

“Empowered women are empowering women to empower St. Louis,” Gill said. “That is happening in real time right here in this space.”

For more information on Rung For Women and details about the application process and deadlines for their Spring 2025 cohort, visit https://rungforwomen.org/

Leslie Gill

n “This team needs a total overhaul.”

– NFL analyst Louis Riddick on why Dallas Cowboys should trade Micah Parsons

InSIdE SportS

With Earl Austin Jr.

CBC ya later

Kirkwood stuns Cadets 28-26 in thrilling district final

The Kirkwood Pioneers sent shockwaves through the state of Missouri last Friday night when they took down CBC 28-26 in a Class 6 District 2 championship game at CBC.

The Pioneers, under head coach Jeremy Maclin, held off a late CBC rally to post the biggest victory since winning a state championship in 2016. CBC entered the contest ranked No. 1 in the Class 6 state polls, but suffered its first home playoff loss since 2012. The Pioneers are also the first St. Louis suburban school to defeat the Cadets since 2013.

Kirkwood (9-2) will host Jackson in the state quarterfinals on Friday at 7 p.m.

Top playoff performers

Quarterback Owen Nesslage of Kirkwood completed 24 of 36 passes for 381 yards and three touchdowns in the Pioneers’ 28-26 victory over CBC; Wide receiver Jacob Eberhart had eight receptions for 191 yards and two touchdowns in the Pioneers’ victory.

Wide receiver Mike Clark of Lutheran North had two touchdown receptions and a punt return for a touchdown in the Crusaders 80-0 victory over Miller Career Academy.

Running back Jy’Ren Green of Fort Zumwalt West rushed for 205 yards on 22 carries and four touchdowns in the Jaguars 48-14 victory over North Point.

Quarterback Kendrick Lyons of East St. Louis threw four touchdown passes in the Flyers 58-14 victory over ChathamGlenwood; Running back Christopher Bennett scored two rushing touchdowns and caught two touchdown passes in the Flyers’ win.

Quarterback John Gould of MICDS rushed for three touchdowns and threw two touchdown passes in the Rams 38-14 victory over Hazelwood East.

IHSA State Semifinals

Class 6A

Oak Lawn Richards at East St. Louis, Saturday, 2 p.m.

Cary Grove at Geneva, Saturday, 1 p.m.

Class 1A

Camp Point Central at Althoff, Saturday, 2 p.m.

Lena Winslow at LeRoy, Saturday, 2 p.m.

Outlook: Both East St. Louis and Althoff are one victory away from playing for state championships next weekend.

Missouri State Quarterfinals Matchups

Class 6 Jackson at Kirkwood,

Friday, 7 p.m.

Nixa at Lee’s Summit North, Friday, 7 p.m.

DeSmet at Rock Bridge, Saturday, 1 p.m.

Park Hill at Liberty, Saturday, 1 p.m.

Class 5 Lafayette at Cardinal Ritter, Saturday, 1 p.m.

Helias at Republic, Saturday, 1 p.m.

MICDS at Fort Zumwalt West, Friday, 7 p.m. Platte County at Webb City, Friday, 7 p.m.

Class 4 Festus at Gateway STEM, Saturday, 1 p.m. Warrenton at West

SportS EyE

With Alvin A. Reid

Lift off

Lift for Life Academy wide receiver Ekelian Henderson (7) leaps above John Burroughs defensive back Shawn Edmondson (24) for a touchdown reception on Sat. Nov. 16, 2024 at Burroughs. The Hawks defeated the Bombers 14-10 in a Class 3 District 2 football final.

Plains, Saturday, 1 p.m.

Lutheran North at Parkway North, Saturday, noon Kearney at Warrensburg, Friday, 7 p.m.

Class 3 Dexter vs. Lift for Life, Saturday, 1 p.m.

Earl’s World

Congratulations to Lafayette High’s talented volleyball sister act Maya and Shaye Witherspoon on leading the Lancers to another Class 4 state championship. It was the third state title in succes-

sion for the Lancers, who defeated Ozark in the championship match. Maya, a 5’11” senior, had a team-high 18 kills in the state championship game. Shaye, a 6’3” sophomore, had a team high seven blocks against Ozark. For the season, Shaye Witherspoon had a team-high 448 kills while Maya was second with 440…Prayers go out to family and friends of former Kirkwood High star DeVonna Smith, who passed away last week at 35. A 2009 graduate of Kirkwood, Smith was an all-state player in both basketball and track. She also lettered in softball, volleyball and soccer. She did it all. She played one year of hoops at Saint Louis U. before finishing her career at UMSL.. She was recently inducted into the Kirkwood High Athletic Hall of Fame…Congratulations to Cardinal Ritter girls track and field star Kyndal Spain, who officially signed with South Carolina last week. Spain, a state champion hurdler, is one of the best in the Midwest region in the event. She has been a big part of the Ritter girls track and field dynasty that has won four consecutive state championships…Former MICDS basketball standout Jessica Brooks recently scored her 1,000th point in her collegiate career at Washington University. Brooks reached the milestone in the Bears victory over Hyatt last week in the championship game of the Hyatt Place Tournament in Rock Island, IL. A 5’9” graduate student, Brooks is a two-time All University Athletic Association First-Team selection.

Credit Deion for bringing Buffaloes back to life

Deion Sanders of the Atlanta Falcons was entertaining. I liked him.

Deion Sanders of the San Francisco 49ers was a reason the Dallas Cowboys did not three-peat in Super Bowls in 1994. I didn’t like him.

Deion Sanders with the Cowboys a season later was spectacular and instrumental in Dallas winning a third Super Bowl in four years. I liked him.

Deion Sanders is now coach of the Colorado Buffaloes. He has the two best players in college football l- his son, quarterback Shedeur Sanders and Heisman Trophy front runner Travis Hunter. I sometimes don’t like this version of Deion Sanders because he is too brash and self-centered. I like that he transformed Colorado’s football program. When, not if, Sanders moves on to the NFL, the Buffs will probably fall back into mediocrity.

That could be next year.

His son and Hunter will enter the NFL Draft. Enjoy it now Colorado. Colorado is a win away from the Big 12 Championship Game, thanks to a 20-16 Kansas win over No. 6 and undefeated BYU. KU, a top 25 team when the season began, was 1-5 after six games, losing those games by a combined 19 points. The Jayhawks are playing their best football of the season and could qualify for a school-record third straight bowl game with wins over visiting Colorado and then Baylor on the road. In a matchup made for Deion Sanders, the nation will focus on Arrowhead Stadium. KU’s stadium is being remodeled and four of its home games were scheduled for Arrowhead. An NFL venue awaits a possible NFL coach and two guaranteed first-round NFL draft picks in Sanders and Hunter.

Deion Sanders, in stumping for Hunter’s

Heisman candidacy, said last week “Don’t let the hate for me take anything away from (Hunter.)”

I hope voters don’t intertwine the two, but I hoped voters would make a better decision on Nov. 5. Hate runs deep in America, and many Heisman voters despise Deion Sanders. I predict over 50,000 people will be at the game on Saturday. I’ll be one of them. I’m a proud

Jayhawk, and we will give the Buffs all they can handle – maybe upset them. The spread favors Colorado but it’s just 2.5 points. I look forward to what Deion has to say, win or lose.

The Reid Roundup Reports says Shedeur Sanders, and his dad Deion, want no part of the New York Giants or

New York Jets in the NFL Draft…76 million people voted for Donald Trump for president, which is why I’m not surprised 60 million viewers reportedly watched the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fraudulent boxing match…James Harden (2,975) moved past Ray Allen (2,973) for second place in NBA career three-point shots made list. Steph Curry, who remains one of the NBA’s best three-point shooters, is No. 1 with 3,782 three-pointers… Coach Mike Tomlin, quarterback Russell Wilson and the Pittsburgh Steelers proved that team is a force in the NFL. The 18-16 win over befuddled Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens proved it… The SLU women’s soccer team advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament with a 1-0 win over Kansas, before the third-largest crowd to view a soccer game at Hermann Park… Three KU women soccer players took a knee during the national anthem. Whatever the reason, good for

them…Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville put itself on the basketball map this week with three wins, including a 77-72 victory over Indiana State. Coach Brian Barone has his team at 5-2, with its losses coming to Big Ten powers Indiana and Illinois. Talented guard Ray’Sean Taylor was averaging 18.2 points per game going into Tuesday’s game at Wisconsin-Green Bay…LSU football coach Brian Kelly had a pair of heated conversations with respective receivers Chris Hilton Jr., and Kyren Lacy during last Saturday’s embarrassing 27-16 loss to struggling Florida. Missouri should have both players on the ‘contact for transfer’ list… Speaking of the Tigers, that was a tough game to lose on the road against South Carolina. Luther Burden III’s spectacular touchdown late in the fourth quarter looked like it was a game winner. But the Gamecocks marched down the field for a touchdown to take the game…

Earl Austin Jr.

Alvin A. Reid

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter strikes the Heisman photo following a TD last week.

Photo courtesy of CU Buffaloes

New program offers opportunity to pursue career in creative arts

Better Family Life Inc.

is thrilled to announce the launch of a unique employment and training program for TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) eligible individuals age 18 and older, residing in St. Louis City or St. Louis County. This innovative program is now open for enrollment and offers a rare opportunity to pursue careers in the creative arts, providing skills training, mentorship, and field experiences in areas typically underrepresented in job readiness initiatives.

The Sankofa Rising program is tailored for

those interested in exploring careers within the performing arts, creative product development, and the film/media industry, with a core emphasis on customer service. Unlike traditional programs focused on training for construction trades or entry-level medical and administrative roles, Sankofa Rising offers a distinct pathway for individuals to build careers in creative fields through artistically engaging experiences, one-on-one mentorships, and practical, real-world field experiences.

Program Highlights

• Employment and Career Preparation

Activities:

Enrollees will participate in workshops and training sessions designed to foster artistic talents and professional skills relevant to creative industries.

• In-Person

ative arts sectors.

Engagement: Interactive sessions and field experiences will provide direct exposure to realworld opportunities in cre-

• Mentorship: Participants will have access to the invaluable guidance of mentors to support their professional journeys.

“Sankofa Rising is more than just a job training program—it’s an invitation for creative-minded individuals to explore career paths that might otherwise seem out of reach,” says DeBorah Ahmed, Program Director. “This initiative

is truly one-of-a-kind, offering Missouri’s only TANF-supported program focused on employment in the creative industries. We’re excited to support the next generation of artists and creative professionals.”

ENROLLING NOW: Interested individuals are encouraged to complete the pre-screening interest form at Pre-Screening Interest Form Link.

About Sankofa Rising

Sankofa Rising is dedicated to empowering the St. Louis community

by providing innovative career training and opportunities in the creative arts. Through programs that emphasize the value of artistic engagement and skill-building, Sankofa Rising aims to inspire participants to reach their full potential and contribute to the cultural and economic growth of the region. For more information on Sankofa Rising and how you can join, please visit us in-person at 5415 Page Ave inside the Better Family Life Cultural Arts , Education and Business Center or contact us at 314-367-3440 ext 503 or 106.

Neighborhood station design workshops scheduled for MetroLink Green Line

Bi-State Development and Metro Transit together with the City of St. Louis will host a series of neighborhood station design workshops the first week of December. The purpose of these interactive workshops is for residents and the public to give their input on what they would like to see the proposed MetroLink Green Line stations on Jefferson Avenue look like, what amenities the stations might have, and how safety and security features should be integrated into the design.

Everyone is welcome to attend any of the three workshops. Each one will have the same format with the same information pre-

sented. This is not openhouse style, so attendees should plan on arriving at the start time and plan to participate in the full, twohour, interactive workshop.

Tues., Dec. 3, 2024 5-7:00 p.m.

Polish Heritage Center 1413 N. 20th St. St. Louis, MO 63106

Wed., Dec. 4, 2024 5-7:00 p.m.

German Cultural Society 3652 S. Jefferson Ave. St. Louis, MO 63118

Sat., Dec. 7, 2024 10:00 a.m.- Noon

Phyllis Wheatley Heritage Center

n MetroLink Green Line will provide new access to growing and established job centers, medical services, and educational institutions.

2711 Locust St. St. Louis, MO 63103

To request a disability accommodation or an ASL interpreter for a workshop, people should call 314200-5675 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting they will attend.

MetroLink Green Line will provide new access to growing and established job centers, medical services, and educational institutions.

It will also offer a new transit option for residents on the Jefferson Avenue corridor who have limited transportation choices. The project is an investment in historically underserved neighborhoods in the City of St. Louis.

The MetroLink Green Line project is currently in the environmental analysis and 30% design phase. NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) requires state or

local governments seeking federal funds for a project to conduct an environmental review. This review ensures the project does not significantly impact key environmental resources or low-income individuals or communities of color. Other potential impacts to be considered are parking, access, and noise and vibration from the light rail vehicles.

During this phase, project costs, the timeline and major design elements are being fine-tuned. The project team is working diligently to reduce estimated project costs.

The MetroLink Green Line will feature new,

low-floor, MetroLink light rail trains that will operate within a dedicated area on Jefferson Avenue (no cars allowed), separated from traffic by a curb. This will enhance safety and improve train travel times. Those unable to attend the workshops will be able to share their input online after the workshops at www. MetroLinkGreenLine.com/ comment. The 30% design and environmental analysis phase is expected to be completed next spring. After that, a public meeting will be held to present the environmental study results and to get additional public feedback.

DeBorah Ahmed

Living It

Tiara Marie debuts new Fashion Fur

Line at Saks Fifth Avenue

By Zaria Mac St. Louis American

n With ‘Fur is Fashion’ as her design motto, Marie was able to create and expose St. Louis to fur fashions that are versatile and not confined to any season.

The world renowned Furry Godmother, Tiara Marie, launched her fashion line FGM Bespoke at Saks Fifth Avenue in Frontenac on Thursday, Nov. 14 with a special show hosted by Fashion Bomb Daily’s Claire Sulmers. Marie’s line first premiered during Paris Fashion Week earlier this year. Looks from the show included day and night. Classic silhouettes like a denim jumpsuit with a collar fitted with a marble dyed Swakara fur, and a subtle trim of the same along the ankle also ripped the runway. There were classic looks, like a dazzling black floor-length gown with a seductive thigh-high slit and a simple fur cuff around the wrist. Several menswear looks – like suit jackets and two full Swakara fur sets – were arguably the stars of the show. A classic blazer and Bermuda short set dyed a mossy green color with subtle embellishments along the lining was arguably the most popular. Typically, the expectation would be for a fur set to be heavy and rigid. However, Marie’s design appeared to be lightweight and flexible. There was a semistacked pant and a denim style jacket with a cap sleeve. It was dyed in a black and white cow print, giving this clever look even more edge.

FGM represents her namesake, Furry Godmother, and Bespoke is befitting because every piece is made custom from the finest fur found around the world. She particularly enjoys working with Swaka ra, which is predominantly found in the southwestern countries of Africa. This type of fur includes more skin than wool, making it ideal for year round use. From afar it appears to be suede, however, looking closely one will discover the subtle fur, and become enamored by its majestic waves.

Born in Chicago, Ill., Marie did not know much about fur. That changed when

The

she was gifted a fur keychain by St. Louis business owner and now husband, John Hanlon, of The Fur & Leather Centre. Marie joined the business as co-owner and chief marketing officer four years ago to help regenerate sales for the company during the

COVID-19 pandemic. Her fur collection grew from a keychain to a scarf, to a vest, then to a coat. Now she has so many she can hardly keep count. She enjoyed the compliments and reactions she would get adorned in these fine furs and believed it was her duty to make fur an everyday fashion.

A vibe from Rod Wave

Last Lap Tour connects fans with the man behind the music

By Zaria Mac The St. Louis American

St. Louis fans eagerly counted down the days until four-time platinum selling artist Rod Wave brought his Last Lap Tour to Enterprise Center Friday night. They came out in the hottest fashions and trendy sneakers with their edges laid and tapers faded. And along with a few emerging and established hip hop artists, Wave gave them exactly what they had been waiting for.

He relied on acts like Eelmatic, Lil Poppa, and Dess Dior to get the party started. In between sets, DJ Chub904 kept the vibes high playing a mix of popular hip-hop hits from artists like Sexyy Red, Chief Keef, and Glorilla. Moneybagg Yo, a favorite among St. Louis trap music fans, and viral hip hop sensation Toosii took the stage just before Wave. Toosii performed his viral

hits with passion and intent – including songs like “Love Is,” which has more than forty million views on YouTube, and his “pretty girl anthem” “5’5” featuring Latto. He also took the time to engage with the fans, asking for their phones to take pictures and throwing out free merch for those lucky to snag floor seat tickets. Next Moneybagg Yo showed St. Louis that the love is mutual with his

“Something luxurious but approachable.”

- Idris Elba on his Porte Noire brand cognac, which is $104 per bottle

A message of music and love

will be back in St. Louis this weekend to present the season four opening concert of her Music as the Message series on Sunday afternoon at

STL native opera star opens new season of her acclaimed concert series at home

By Kenya Vaughn The St. Louis American

Adrienne Danrich is an Emmy Award-winning soprano who has performed on some of opera’s most renowned stages. But her foray into music started a bit differently than most of her contemporaries.

Her first solo took place in Tandy Park. She sang alongside her father, the late Roland Johnson, as a part of his funk band. The eight-year-old had no idea what the lyrics actually meant when she performed Aretha Franklin’s version of “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.” However, that moment put an exclamation point on her decision to pursue a career in music. The genre became clear soon after she started attending Central Visual and Performing Arts High School.

n “I have amassed – and when I say amassed, I mean amassed, honey – a lot of folks to come and sing.”

Gen Z rap star Rod Wave gave fans a dynamic live music experience when he brought his Last Lap Tour to Enterprise Center Friday night. Featured guests included Eelmatic, Lil Poppa, Dess Dior, Moneybagg Yo and Toosii.

electric performance. His set included a rousing DJ and several backup dancers, all dressed in money green. In addition to hits like “Said Sum” and “Wockesha,” Moneybagg Yo took his love for the city to the next level when he paid tribute to lost members of the St. Louis hip hop

See Wave, C3

- Adrienne Danrich

“Without my education at VAP, I would not be where I am right now,” Danrich said. “Taking voice lessons and really learning how to sing properly opened my eyes to a whole new world.” She studied with VAP legend Yvonne Ellis in the late 1980s. Ellis introduced her to singers such as Kathleen Battle, Leontyne Price, Jessye Norman – and, of course, St. Louis’ own Grace Bumbry. VAP was the pathway to her successful future in opera. While there, she won a talent competition that had the grand prize of vocal lessons at Washington University. Danrich still works with that vocal coach – her beloved teacher and mentor Mrs. Mary Stucky. On Sunday, Danrich will be home to open the fourth season of her Music as the Message (MaM) initiative. The latest installment of her acclaimed concert series will take place at 3 p.m. on Sunday, November 24th at St. Timothy Episcopal Church in Olivette.

“I have amassed – and when I say amassed, I mean amassed, honey – a lot of folks to come and sing,” Danrich said. “Some of them are not trained in opera, but they can sing it down.”

Opera Theatre of Saint Louis is a presenting partner of the concert. In 2022, Danrich gave a captivating performance in their world-premiere of “Awakenings.” She is an Opera Theatre of Saint Louis 2024 Thelma Steward Endowed Artist Alumni Award winner, and will return to the OTSL stage in 2025 for the world premiere of “This House” by Lynn Nottage and Ruby Aiyo Gerber.

Photo courtesy of Adrienne Danrich

St. Louis native, Emmy winner and opera star Adrienne Danrich

St. Timothy Church in Olivette.

Photos by Taylor Marrie

FGM Bespoke Launch Event and Fashion Show has held at Saks Fifth Ave at Frontenac Mall on Thursday November 11,

Photos by Taylor Marrie

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

Tues., Nov. 26 – Dec. 22, St. Louis Shakespeare Festival presents Christmas Carol: The Remix, .ZACK Theatre. 3224 Locust Street. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit stlshakes.org.

Fri., Nov. 29, 7:30 p.m., Mariah Carey’s Christmas Time, Enterprise Center. Visit www.tickemaster.com for more information.

Nov. 30 – Dec. 23, Saint Louis Ballet presents Gen Horiuchi’s The Nutcracker. Touhill Performing Arts Center. For more information, visit www. touhill.org.

Sat., Dec. 7, 12 noon, Frizzmas Holiday Extravaganza, Cortex Innovation Community, 4302 Forest Park Ave. St. Louis, MO 63108. For more information, visit frizzybynature.com.

Sun., Dec. 8, 3 p.m., UMSL Music presents Jazz for the Holidays, Touhill Performing Arts Center. For more information, visit www.touhill.org.

Wed., Dec. 11, 7 p.m. (VIP cocktail Christmas party at 5:30 p.m.), The Mildred Thimes Foundation presents It’s A Holly Jazzy Christmas starring Denise Thimes with special guests Kim Fuller, Robert Nelson and Antonio Fargas, The Sheldon Concert Hall, 3648 Washington. For tickets, visit www.metrotix.com.

Fri., Dec. 13, 7 p.m. St. Louis Symphony’s IN Unison Chorus presents A Gospel Christmas starring Grammy winning vocal group Take 6, Stifel Theatre. For more information, visit www.slso.org

Dec. 20 – Dec. 21, Jazz St.

STL Sites & Sounds

Louis and Saint Louis Dance Theatre present Ellington and Strayhorn’s Nutcracker, Skip Viragh Center for the Arts, 425 S. Lindbergh, 63131. For more information, visit www.

CONCERTS

Fri., Nov. 22, 8 p.m. (7 p.m. doors), BigXthaPlug with Ro$ama and Yung Hood, Delmar Hall, 6133 Delmar Blvd. For more information, visit thepageant.com.

Thurs., Dec. 19, 7:30 p.m., Justin Timberlake The Forget Tomorrow World Tour, Enterprise Center. Visit www. tickemaster.com for more information.

Sat., Dec. 21, Black Promoters Collective presents, Kash Doll: The Last Doll, The Hawthorn, 2231 Washington Ave. For tickets, visit BPCTickets.com

SPECIAL EVENTS

Fri., Nov. 22, 7 p.m., St. Louis County Library Foundation and The Novel Neighbor host Al Roker, who will discuss his new book “Al Roker’s Recipes to Live By,” St. Louis County Library – Clark Family Branch, 1640 South Lindbergh. For tickets and additional information, visit https://foundation.slcl.org/

Sun., Nov. 24, 12 noon, The Beauty Konnect presents Bridging the Gap Beauty Career Fair, Machinist Hall District 9, 12365 St. Charles Rock Road. For more information, email: thebeautykonnect@ gmail.com.

Wed., Nov. 27, 5:30 p.m. (4:30 p.m. doors), Guns’n Hoses Charity Boxing Event ing families of officers killed

in the line of duty, Enterprise Center. For more information, visit stlgunsnhoses.com.

Fri., Nov. 29, 7:30 p.m., Hip Hop and R&B Bingo with Tom Swoope, City Winery STL, 3730 Foundry Way. For tickets, visit www.citywinery.com.

COMEDY

Fri., Nov. 29 – Sat., Nov. 30, Helium welcomes St. Louis’ own Lavell Crawford, Helium Comedy Club, 1151 St Louis Galleria Street, St Louis MO 63117. For more information, call 314.727.1260 or visit st-louis.heliumcomedy.com.

Thurs., Dec. 5, The Follow tion, visit thepageant.com.

Sun., Dec. 15, 7 p.m. Class Klowns featuring Jovan Bibbs, Willie Lynch Jr. and Smokey Suarez, St. Charles Funny Bone, 1520 S. Fifth Street, Suite 108, 63303. For more information, visit www.stlouisfunnybone. com.

ST. LOUIS MUSIC SPOTLIGHT

Wed., Nov. 27, 7:30 p.m. (6 p.m. doors), Women Who Rocked The 90s with MeLan Kameyo, Emily Wallace, Dawn Weber and Anita Jackson, City Winery St. Louis, 3730 Foundry Way, 63110. For more information, visit citywinery.com.

Strawberry Showroom and Lounge, 364 N. Boyle, St. Louis MO 63108. For more information, visit www.bluestrawberrystl.com.

THEATRE

Fri., Nov. 22 (11 a.m.) & Sun., Nov. 24 (1:30 p.m.), The Secret Gallery African Art Adventures with The Black Rep, The Saint Louis Art Museum. For more information, visit slam.org or theblackrep.org.

Through Nov. 24, The Fabulous Fox presents Peter Pan, The Fox. For more information, visit www.fabulousfox. com.

Nov. 29 – Dec. 1, The Fabulous Fox presents Chicago For more information, visit www.fabulousfox.com.

ART

Sat., Nov. 30, 6 p.m., Can I Kick It?/Art of The Native Tongues (Art-Music-Era-

New Book from MHS Press

By Ellen Kunkelmann, Missouri Historical Society

On Thursday, December 5, the Missouri History Museum will host a book launch for the Missouri Historical Society Press’s newest publication, The Wonder and Complexity of the 1904 World’s Fair.

Marie’s “fur is fashion” movement inspired her to create FGM Bespoke, which is an offshoot brand at The Fur & Leather Centre, and design all-purpose looks that can be worn yearlong.

With the line, Marie was able to create a bridge between high fashion and street fashion by adding a few simple fur embellishments. For instance, she created a camouflage print mini skirt and included deep gold Swakara fur panels. The upcycle pro-

Wave

Continued from C1

community – including Bigbucks Eloo, Nuski, and DJ 2 Turnt.

With the bass bumping and the party in full swing, self-proclaimed “ghetto gospel evangelist” Rod Wave took the stage. A siren began and he appeared from the ground in a cloud of smoke rapping “Nostalgia.” The song is a collaboration with indie pop group Wet. The crowd only needed to hear the opening chords before they identified the song and started singing along. This became a pattern throughout his performance. As soon as the audience heard the melody, they would begin screaming in anticipation for the lyrics to start. The DJ could stop the music in the middle of the song and the audience would continue without missing a beat.

Rod Wave meticulous-

Music

Continued from C1

Danrich promises that Sunday’s concert will have something for everyone.

“One of the missions of Music as the Message is to shed light on the idea that music is healing,” Danrich said. “And whether you went to conservatory or whether you sing in the shower, music can uplift you to a place that is higher than you were before you started singing.”

Each of the concerts has its own theme. For Sunday, it will be “Love’s Language.” The performance is dedicated to the memory of Danrich’s late godmother, Rose-Marie Bell. She organized a choir in Mrs. Bell’s honor.

“Originally it was going to be called ‘Church After Church,’ which is a great name,” Danrich said. “But I learned so much about love from my godmother.”

The concert will feature music that addresses love of thy neighbor, romantic love and love for the world.

“Not just the people who are in your particular

vided a high end silhouette. She used a standard Chicago Bulls jersey, cropped it and added a luscious fur trim – and paired it with a cargo pant and an abundance of icy jewelry. This ensemble screamed hiphop, but it also displayed high fashion thanks to the fur. Her collection featured several denim looks with Swakara fur pockets and paneling. She even included looks for children to introduce them to the “fur is fashion” lifestyle. Among them was an A-line fur skirt with a subtle pastel cow print design, a maroon skirt with a zipper detailing and a sleeveless blouson jacket, perfect for

ly curated The Last Lap Tour– from the songs he chose to perform all the way down to the light-design and overhead graphics. They changed from black and white to a colorful light show based on the emotion of the song. The performance of his platinum-selling “Poison” featured deep blue strobe lights and visuals of icy blue smoke in a circle around him. For “Green Light,” he flooded the stage with flashing green strobe lights and a frantic fireworks show, to personify the loss and confusion one feels while reminiscing about friends who have been lost. He switched to a single spotlight while the rest of the stage remained dark as he performed “Cuban Links.” In between songs, Rod Wave included a montage of his achievement throughout his career. “When I found music, I found myself,” He told the crowd. “It changed my life.”

Rod Wave kept the

circle,” said Danrich. “But embracing people who don’t look like you, love like you and worship like you.”

Sunday afternoon will be a musical interpretation of love and joy. Music as the Message originated when Danrich – and the entire world – was in a dark place. Normally happy and jovial, she was filled with despair while grappling with the pandemic and the murder of George Floyd.

“In that moment I could not find this person,” Danrich said. “Everything was so messed up. We couldn’t go outside and we were at home captivated by this murder of a man who could have been someone in my family. The only way I could come out of that headspace was to sing.” She organized a Zoom concert. The very next day she reached out to American Opera Projects and Opera on Tap in search of support to keep MaM going as an initiative and concert series. The answer was a resounding yes.

Her goal with MaM is to bring joy, life and love into the community by way

the spring or fall. With “fur is fashion” as her design motto, Marie was able to create and expose St. Louis to fur fashions that are versatile and not confined to any season. With FGM Bespoke, she has introduced the region to sustainable fashion furs that are not only practical but can also be passed down through generations – and worn forever. Her designs have been featured in publications like Gazelle Magazine, Nylon Magazine, and Fashion Bomb Daily. This is only the beginning for Tiara Marie and FGM Bespoke.

In this companion book to the new 1904 World’s Fair exhibit, St. Louis scholars contribute essays on the untold stories of the Fair, exploring topics such as its visual culture, technology, and international reach. They also cover more challenging aspects: the Filipino people who were brought to St. Louis to be placed on display, the African Americans who were refused service, and the Chinese people who faced prejudice and arrest.

The book’s foreword was written by exhibit curator Sharon Smith. Contributors include Linda M. Nance, Dr. Arthelda Busch Williams, Ria Unson, Elizabeth Eikmann, Peter Tao, Kristie Lein, and Dave Walsh.

Nance is the current national historian for the National Association of Colored Women’s Clubs Inc., responsible for continuing efforts to preserve, protect, and promote the extraordinary narrative of this 128-year-old organization. She is also the founding president of the Annie Malone Historical Society. Through a series of lectures, tailored presentations, exhibits, displays, and classroom sessions she shares the life and legacy of the pioneering haircare and beauty icon Annie M. Turnbo Malone.

found an atmosphere in stark contrast to the World’s Fair held just four years earlier in Paris. Their reactions and public response are shared in the essay.

crowd roaring with party hits like “Heart on Ice” and “Turks and Caicos.”

“Call Your Friends” demonstrated that he is not afraid to display real emotions. As the show came to a close, the graphics turned into a ring of fire around him while he performed “Last Lap.” The song paid tribute to his most loyal supporter and manager Uncle Dee, who passed away this summer. He closed the show with “25.” As he belted, “All the same old thing, the same old games. Same old pain, think it’s time for a change,” The crowd fervently sang along. With this Last Lap Tour, Rod Wave took audiences on a journey that reveals he is just like us. He has hurt – and been hurt. He has been depressed, and has even sabotaged meaningful relationships. However, through his music he inspires fans to continue growing – and healing –for a better tomorrow.

of her passion – and her profession.

“I want people to know that when you step into Music as the Message on Sunday, you will be coming into my home,” Danrich said. “The environment that I am trying to create with the 300 odd people who are going to be there with us.

Her hope is to recreate in others the same feeling she had with the MaM’s very first virtual concert.

“My hope is that by the time you leave there, if you have any burdens on your shoulders, they will be lifted a little bit,” Danrich said. “And you can carry on and pass that peace along to everyone you meet.”

Music as the Message’s presentation of “Love’s Language,” will take place at 3 pm on Sunday, Nov. 24 at St. Timothy Episcopal Church, 808 N. Mason Road in Olivette, MO 63141. The performance is free, but registration is required. For more information and to register, visit https://Music-as-themessage-loves-language. eventbrite.com.

Dr. Busch Williams is a retired elementary school principal in the Saint Louis Public Schools district. She is among four generations of her family who have been members of the National Association of Colored Women’s Clubs Inc. (NACWC). She has served in several capacities, including Missouri state president, Missouri youth supervisor, and central region coordinator of young adults. Most recently, she served as the NACWC’s national historian from 2018 to 2022 and is the organization’s current membership chair. She earned her doctorate in adult and higher education from the University of Missouri–St. Louis, a result of her research on the NACWC.

Together they wrote one of the book’s essays, “Through a Colored Lens: A Stand for Justice at the 1904 World’s Fair.” Their essay explores the experiences of the attendees of the National Association of Colored Women (NACW). The NACW had scheduled its fourth annual convention to coincide with the World’s Fair in St. Louis. When a small coalition of delegates visited the Fair ahead of the convention, however, the club women

The other essays in the book are “Filipinos at the 1904 World’s Fair: A Legacy of Race and Empire” by Ria Unson; “An Authentic View of Progress: Progress and Anthropology at the 1904 World’s Fair” by Elizabeth Eikmann; “Why Should We, the Chinese, Meet at the Fair?” by Peter Tao; “Identity, Politics: How Nations Used the World’s Fair to Shape Their Global Image” by Kristie Lein; and “Spectacular Technology at the St. Louis World’s Fair” by Dave Walsh. Compelling images and artifacts from the Missouri Historical Society’s rich collections further enhance these stories, with a small catalog of additional images at the end of the book.

Beginning at 5pm on December 5, gather in the Grand Hall before our main-stage event to enjoy food and drinks available for purchase from the Key Bistro. Visit resource tables from local organizations to learn more about the World’s Fair, explore a World’s Fair touch table, and take a short gallery tour of the revitalized 1904 World’s Fair exhibit. At 6:30pm, head to the Lee Auditorium for an on-stage conversation with the authors. Books will be available for purchase and signing.

The Wonder and Complexity of the 1904 World’s Fair has 152 full-color pages and 112 images. The price is $30. Books are available for purchase at the Museum’s shop, Sold on St. Louis; at mohistory.org; through the distributor, the University of Chicago Press; and at area bookstores.

New from MO Historical Society Press

Photo by Taylor Marrie | St. Louis American

Designer Tiara Marie (center) at The FGM Bespoke

Launch Event and Fashion Show that was held at Saks Fifth Ave at Frontenac Mall.

SLDC IS EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

The St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC) is eagerly seeking candidates to join our team as we endeavor to bring economic justice to St. Louis City residents and communities that were disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

There are multiple 2-4-year limited term positions available, term of employment will vary for each position.

These positions will assist in the administration and implementation of various Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (SLFRF) Programs targeted for households, small businesses and communities adversely impacted by the pandemic.

All positions will be funded in whole or in part through an allocation of Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) from the US Department of the Treasury and the City of St. Louis’ Community Development Administration.

To apply online and see a full job description go to https://www.developstlouis.org/careers and then click “Open Positions & Apply Online.”

STATEMENTS OF QUALIFICATIONS FOR CONSULTANT

Great Rivers Greenway is seeking a highly qualified consultant to conduct database and asset management services, including Geographic Information System (GIS) analyses and metrics, mapping, financial projections and analyses, data hosting services, staff training, documentation, and technical integration of GRG’s various database software platforms. Statements of qualifications are due November 25, 2024. Go to https://greatriversgreenway. org/vendors/ for details.

INVITATION FOR BID (EXTENDED)

UAW Labor Employment and Training Corporation (UAWLETC) has extended its deadline for Sealed Bids to January 10, 2025, for Shop Equipment and installation of equipment, Tools, and (6) vehicles to set up a training lab for its Automotive Technology Training Program. Please contact Kelly Spangler at kspangler@letc. com or 314-716-3331 to request a bid packet with sealed bid instructions. Bid documents may also be obtained at 500 NW Plaza Drive, Suite 409, St. Ann, MO 63074, between the hours of 9:00am and 3:00pm from November 21, 2024, to January 3, 2025. All bids must be received by UAW-LETC by January 10, 2025, at 2:45pm. UAW-LETC encourages M/WBE’s to apply. Bids received late or incomplete will not be considered.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

The Missouri Historical Society is seeking a graphic designer to lay out the book and design the cover for a book about John Fremont’s time in St. Louis in 1861. For more details please contact, Lauren Mitchell, Director of Publications, Lmitchell@ mohistory.org. Submission deadline: December 1, 2024

SUN BEAR VIEWING STRUCTURE REPAIRS RFP 2024

The Saint Louis Zoo seeks bids from qualified firms to submit proposals. Bid documents are available as of 11/20/24 on the Saint Louis Zoo website: stlzoo.org/vendor.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING

A public meeting for the Mehl Avenue Sidewalk Improvements Project, St. Louis County Project No. CR-1888, Federal Project No. TAP-4900(644) will be held on Monday, December 2, 2024, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Keeven Elementary School located at 11230 Old Halls Ferry Road, St. Louis, MO 63136. The goal of this meeting is to inform the public and local stakeholders of St. Louis County’s plans to upgrade the sidewalk on the west side of Mehl Avenue to current County and ADA standards between New Halls Ferry Road to Old Halls Ferry Road. Any existing sidewalk and curb ramps on the east side of Mehl Avenue will be made ADA compliant. The signal at Mehl Ave and Old Halls Ferry will receive pedestrian upgrades to provide a safer pedestrian experience. The following QR code will link to the in-person meeting information on the St. Louis County Department of Transportation and Public Works website:

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICE AFFIDAVIT OF OWNERSHIP OF CERTIFICATE OF LIVE BIRTH

I Ralph C. Moore Jr a native of the original peoples of North America present Minnesota Court Rule 220. Birth Certificates. I am familiar with the facts recited, stating the party named in said birth certificate is the same party as one of the owners named in said certificate of title; and that thereafter the Registrar of Titles shall treat said registered owner as having attained the age of the majority at a date 18 years after the date of birth shown by said certificate. Task Force comment – 1991 Adoption. This rule is derived from 4th Dist. R. 11.05.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

The dome at Americas Center is seeking bids from qualified companies to replace approximately 220 light fixtures with LED fixtures. Interested bidders must attend a pre-bid meeting and walk thru which will be held at the Dome at Americas Center conference Room on Wednesday December 4, 2024 at 11AM. Park off Broadway at the Broadway Central entrance. The facility reserves the right to reject any or all bids. EOE.

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

Date of Publication: 11/21/2024

City of St. Louis

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

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

REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS

On or after 12/9/2024, the City will submit a request to the U.S. Dept. of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) for the release of the City’s Federal CDBG-CV funds under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (Pub.L.116136) (CARES Act), to undertake the following project:

Project Title: CARE STL

Purpose: Property acquisition and new construction of a two-story, 40,000 sq. ft. public health facility in response to COVID-19 and its long-term impacts. Project includes 169 parking spaces, 11 of which are ADA-accessible, landscaping and stormwater catchment areas.

Location: 4400 St. Louis Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63115

Estimated Cost: Total development cost of this project is approximately $24,000,000, with $2,000,000 of funding coming from St. Louis City’s Year 2020 Federal CDBG-CV Program Funds, Grant #B-20-MW-29-0006, awarded in the Spring 2021 NOFA.

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

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

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to Trey McCarter, Community Development Planner III, CDA, at the address listed above. All comments received by 12/6/2024 will be considered by the City prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which notice they are addressing.

ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION

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

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

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

Nahuel Fefer Certifying

Officer

St. LouiS american Bids & Public

INVITATION TO BID

FERGUSONFLORISSANT

SCHOOL DISTRICT

MCCLUER

NORTH CHILLER

ELECTRICAL UPGRADE

Sealed bids are being requested from the Ferguson Florissant School District and will be received and publicly opened on TUESDAY, DECEMBER

3RD 2024 @ 1:30PM cst at 8855 Dunn Rd. Hazelwood, MO 63042. Pre Bid Meeting will be held Tuesday, November 26th 2024 @ 9:00am @ 705 Waterford dr. Florissant MO 63033. Bid specs must be obtained at http://new.fergflor.k12. mo.us/facilities-rfq. Contact Matthew Furfaro @ mfurfaro@fergflor.org for further information/questions.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

NCRDA requests proposals from qualified consultants to serve as a Small Business Navigator. Person responsible for working with a diverse group of businesses to increase sustainability and growth, developing an inclusive system of support in coordination with area stakeholders, grant writing and management. Complete RFP at https:// northstlouiscounty.com/job/ small-businessnavigator-request-forproposal/. An Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. We encourage submissions from MBE, WBE, Immigrantowned, Vet-owned, & Labor Surplus Area businesses. Proposal deadline is 5 PM CST on Dec. 16, 2024.

BIDS REQUESTED NEW CONSTRUCTION

Section 3 / MBE /WBE Encouraged

40 Units Multi Family –PERRYVILLE, MO

For Bid Information:

573-204-3097 or nleoni@sbcglobal.net or zventura@vendev.cc

Double Diamond Construction

2201 Walton Road, Ste. B Jackson, MO 63755

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING

A public meeting for the Howdershell Road Improvements, St. Louis County Project No. AR-1874, Federal Project No. STBG-9901(696), will be held on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Armstrong Elementary School, 6255 Howdershell Road.

The goal of this meeting is to inform the public and local stakeholders of St. Louis County’s plans for this corridor. The Howdershell Road pavement has reached its useful lifecycle and needs repairs and maintenance. In addition to these pavement repairs and resurfacing, the sidewalks and traffic signals will be upgraded to be accessible by users of all abilities (ADA compliant), thereby improving traffic and pedestrian safety and providing better access to schools and neighborhoods.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Tarlton Corporation, Construction Manager as Agent, for the Saint Louis Zoo, invites you to submit a bid proposal for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Commissioning Services. Bid documents are available at the following: BuildingConnected website: https://app. buildingconnected.com/ public/55b2997ad17 b38 07006f2618lic/55b2997ad 17b3807006f2618

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

Great Rivers Greenway is requesting qualifications and Pre-qualifications for Fundraising and Development Consulting Services. Go to https:// greatriversgreenway. org/vendors/ for details and submit by December 10, 2024.

PUBLIC NOTICE

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

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

BIDS REQUESTED NEW CONSTRUCTION

MBE / WBE Encouraged

60 Units Multi Family –ST. LOUIS, MO

For Bid Information: 573-204-3097 or nleoni@sbcglobal.net or zventura@vendev.cc

Double Diamond Construction

2201 Walton Road, Ste. B Jackson, MO 63755

ST. LOUIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES CONTINUUM OF CARE PLANNING CONSULTANT GRANT FY2023

The St. Louis County Department of Human Services – Supportive Housing Program is seeking proposals for the Continuum of Care Planning Consultant Grant FY2023 Bid Number 2045. The total funding available is approximately $292,860.00. Proposals are due electronically by 2:00 p.m. on December 19, 2024. Request For Proposal details and specifications can be obtained at the St. Louis County Bids and RFPs webpage located at https:// stlouiscountymove ndors.munisselfservice. com/Vendors/VBids/

Electronic bids submitted through the Bid Express Online Portal will be received by the Board of Public Service until 1:45 PM, CT, on December 17, 2024, then publicly opened and read. Proposals must be submitted electronically using the “Bid Express Online Portal” at https://www.bidexpress.com/ businesses/20618/home.

Plans, Specifications, and the Agreement may be examined online through Bid Express at https://www.bidexpress.com/ businesses/20618/home?agency=true and may be downloaded for free.

A mandatory pre-bid conference for all contractors bidding on this project will be held on November 26, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. The pre-bid conference will be held in Room 325 City Hall, 1200 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103. NOTE: Contractors that attended the pre-bid meeting for SP-121 (Letting 8780) are eligible to bid without attending this meeting.

Bidders shall comply with all applicable City, State, and Federal laws (including MBE/WBE 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).

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Hankins Construction Co. is requesting proposals for the St. Louis Community College Forest Park Campus EHC Renovation. Bids are due no later than 9:00AM on 11/26/2024. This project has diversity goals of 15% MBE, and 12% WBE. To access the plans and specifications or if you have any questions please email/call Nicole at office@hankinsmidwest.com/ 314-426-7030. Please submit bids to Bids@hankinsmidwest.com

Hankins Construction Co. is requesting proposals for the UMSL Entrepreneurship Innovation Center. Bids are due no later than 10:00AM on 12/3/2024. This Project has diversity goals of 5% MBE, 5% WBE, 3% DBE, 3% DVBE. To access the plans and specifications or if you have any questions please email/call Nicole at office@hankinsmidwest.com/ 314-426-7030. Please submit bids to Bids@hankinsmidwest.com

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE:

Advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, imitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial\status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination. “We will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law.

All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.”Call Angelita Houston at 314-289-5430 or email ahouston@stlamerican.com

Heber Brown III tends fertile ground for Black Church

By Rev. Dorothy Boulware

Word In Black

In Baltimore’s Govans neighborhood, what started as a simple vegetable garden beside Pleasant Hope Baptist Church has grown into a nationwide movement of more than 230 congregations fighting food insecurity through self-sufficiency.

At the center of this transformation stands Rev. Dr. Heber Brown III, a third-generation preacher who’s reinventing how Black churches address hunger in their communities.

“If we embrace and renew our ability to feed ourselves, it will have an outreaching effect in so many other areas of our industry,” Brown says.

He started the Black Church Food Security Network (BCFSN) in 2015 with a revolutionary premise: rather than merely distributing food, churches can help their communities grow it. His vision extends beyond immediate hunger relief to rebuilding lost connections between people and land.

The network “co-creates Black food ecosystems anchored by Black churches working in partnership with Black farmers and other organizations,” tackling a crisis that disproportionately affects Black Americans.

Recent data from the Food Research & Action Center underscores the urgency of this work. While one in seven U.S. households faces food insecurity, the rate for Black households (23.3%) is more than double that of white households (9.9%). An estimated 13.8 million children lived in food-insecure households in 2023, marking a 3.2% increase from the previous year.

“The Black Church Food Security Network has been an invaluable partner in helping our church to establish a vegetable

garden,” said Rev. Dr. Sammie Logan III, pastor of New Hope Baptist Church in Chesapeake, Virginia, “that has energized members of our church and deepened our relationship with residents of our community.”

Word In Black: What do you want people to know about the Food Network?

Rev. Heber Brown: Our ability to feed ourselves is connected to so many of the other aspirations and dreams that we have as a community. It helps to create the runway and open the door for economic opportunity, for improved health outcomes, for youth and young adult mentoring and apprenticeships, for supporting our families with respect to heirs’ property and ensuring that family legacies remain long into the future.

WIB: Where’d you get your love for the earth?

HB: I am old enough to remember spending the summers down in the country when school

let out. For us, my maternal line of my family is in rural Virginia, a little town called Kilmarnock, Virginia, in Northumberland County. And my Momma Geraldine lived in one of those houses that sat like a mile off the main road. She had a different idea of conservation because there was a well and the water had to be fetched. She made me,

the preacher, and my brother Anthony, who’s now a worldwide known gospel music star, take a bath in the same bathtub and said, ‘y’all share that water because I’m not going back out to that well.’

Summers down in the country introduced me to a different

Heber Brown III says he learned his love of the land as a child in the South. He is founder of the Black Church Food Security Network, which helps Black churches nationwide grow food and distribute it in communities they serve.

rhythm of life. It brought me closer to the land. It brought me closer to farming and where our food came from. It was a real education beyond anything the classrooms had ever taught.

WIB: What are the young people missing without this frame of reference?

HB: It feels like for the first time what is beginning to emerge is a Black America that does not have that point of reference to land or farming or food, and perhaps is not interested. If you’re selling grandma’s land down in the country for a couple of dollars, and if you’re not appreciating fully what your daddy did in blood, sweat, and tears to get that land and pass it down to the children — if you sell it to Walmart or Costco or whatever big box store or somebody to make a parking lot, you don’t appreciate it.

WIB: Who were your role models?

HB: The first who comes to

mind is Rev. Vernon Johns, who was preceded Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as pastor of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church. He was a great preacher, theologian, all of that, religious leader, seminary president. He was also a farmer and set an example of growing food and selling his watermelons and produce at the church.

WIB: How did you summon the courage to follow your vision for your life rather than remain in a prevailing model of ministry?

HB: When I announced I was leaving the church, one of my deacons said, “Rev. Brown, I’m sad, but not surprised.” Because they’d seen me delivering sweet potatoes, driving a truck, singing, and making videos. I had to pay attention to what made my heart sing, what made me smile. It was hard work. But it was doing something to really give me life and joy. And that can be contagious for whatever field.

Photo courtesy of Heber Brown III