April 23rd, 2026 edition

LouiS AmericAn

Voters to decide whether to expand sales tax

By Sylvester Brown Jr. St. Louis American

onto working families and seniors.

During the State of the State address in January, Gov. Mike Kehoe proposed phasing out the state’s income tax and expanding sales taxes. On Tuesday, the Republican-led House voted 95-59 to approve the proposed constitutional amendment. Because the House adopted changes made by the Senate last week,

not taxed as of Jan. 1, 2015, giving lawmakers the ability to broaden what is taxed. Future legislatures would determine

‘Fund North City’

Protest at mayor’s address exposes deep frustration over slow tornado recovery

By Sylvester Brown Jr.

St. Louis American

early a year after a tornado tore through North St. Louis, frustration over the pace of recovery spilled into City Hall last week, where protesters interrupted Mayor Cara Spencer’s State of the City address and demanded more resources for residents still rebuilding.

The disruption, which delayed the speech by about 20 minutes and led to multiple arrests, underscored broader concerns about housing, displacement and whether the city’s recovery efforts have reached some of its hardest-hit neighborhoods.

Chants of “Fund North City!” echoed through the marble-lined rotunda just seconds after Spencer began speaking Friday night. Protesters held signs with photos of homes they said remain damaged months after the May 16, 2025, storm.

“There are people living on the streets right now,” one protester shouted during the interruption. “Where the [expletive] are you leading us?”

which goods and services to tax, with income tax reductions expected to occur over time as revenue grows.

Supporters say eliminating the income tax would increase economic competitiveness, attract businesses and residents, increase workers’ take-home pay, mod-

‘This isn’t supposed to be normal’

For

many teens, youth violence is too common

By Ashley Winters St. Louis American

Jada Hampton still remembers the moment she heard about the recent fatal shooting at a high school track meet in North County St. Louis. The Jennings High School senior said the news didn’t just shock her — it felt familiar. “This is getting repetitive,” Hampton said. “When stuff like this happens in our community it’s becoming normalized.

By Na’Porsha Williams

For The St. Louis American

First Missionary Baptist Church of Kinloch stood as one of the last remaining structures when much of the surrounding community was bought out in the 1990s through airport-related programs tied to Lambert International Airport.

The expansion never came as envisioned, leaving much of the cleared land in Kinloch vacant for decades. But the church — rooted for generations in Missouri’s first Black incorporated city — was forced to move.

Now, as the congregation prepares to celebrate its 125th anniversary, its story

See Church, A10

St. Louis Metropolitan Police arrest Alexis Martin during Mayor Cara Spencer’s State of the City address on Friday, Apr. 17, at City Hall.

Photos by Lawrence Bryant / St. Louis American

A protester is arrested during Mayor Cara Spencer’s State of the City address.

First Missionary Baptist Church of Kinloch Senior Pastor Luther Butler preaches to the parishioners recently.

Photo by Lawrence Bryant / St. Louis American

Editorial/CommEntary

Guest Commentary Artemis II a mission of inclusivity

By G. Lamont Blackstone

Our nation needed something to counter the “make America great again” narratives attacking workplace diversity and inclusion.

It got it when Artemis II lifted off in Florida, circled the moon, and splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of southern California.

When the crew of astronauts, which included Victor Glover and Christina Koch, returned to Earth, the social epidemic of anti-wokeness — with its virulent strains of racism and sexism — was administered an inoculation. Think of it as a temporary vaccine against human resources stupidity.

With a Black man piloting the spacecraft, there was no crashing into the dark side of the moon. That was notwithstanding fears prominently expressed (by a famous MAGA advocate) of flying on commercial flights with Black pilots.

Also, to all the purported “manly men” populating the dank abyss known as the manosphere, I pose two questions. Could they have endured the rigors of space that Christina Koch did for 10 days? Could they have served as the flight’s “space plumber” — as she did?

Over the past centuries, Black Americans have experienced multiple divides — barriers either created intentionally or by the absence of empathy. There were the racial embargoes of segregation that hindered the pursuit of higher education, decent homes, and many jobs. In the early years of the Internet Age, a digital divide had evolved, characterized by limited access to computing power. That was based on the affordability of the technology or disparities in broadband availability in certain urban and rural communities.

Thus, America should be grateful that NASA is not part of the Department of Defense. For we would likely have seen Secretary Pete Hegseth purging Glover, a former Navy aviator, and Koch from the mission —just as he has repeatedly purged other Black and female talent in his culture war against diversity.

American social epidemics can be enduringly malevolent (e.g., Jim Crow, 20th-century anti-Asian sentiments, and 21st-century antisemitism). Or they can be uplifting. The diversity of the Artemis II mission offers us the latter. But it will be essential to continuously circulate images of all four crew members together. American eyeballs should see them in our schools and in Congress.

But the Artemis II mission offers yet one additional high note.

Most recently, we are seeing yet another digital divide regarding access to and proficiency with artificial intelligence (AI). As we march toward the year 2030, many Americans may face the threat of functional obsolescence or competitive disadvantage unless they are AI adept. There is also, however, the risk of a “cosmic divide.” This would involve the absence of Black Americans in future opportunities generated by space exploration.

So, here is the stark political reality. It confronts Black Americans and technical professionals of color — i.e., military officers, scientists, and engineers. NASA’s future objectives include establishing a long-term, continuous presence on and around the Moon. The Artemis II crew’s staffing, inclusive of Glover and Koch, had been established during the Biden Administration.

Yet I suspect that any attempt by Donald Trump to change the Artemis II crew would have delayed the recent mission. And that likely would have disrupted the timeline for subsequent lunar missions. But that doesn’t mean that his anti-Biden and anti-diversity instincts won’t attempt to bar a future Black presence in space.

G. Lamont Blackstone consults with organizations including the Urban Bankers Coalition and African American Real Estate Professionals of New York. This commentary was originally published by the Philadelphia Tribune

Trump has failed Black America, entire nation

By Brandon Weathersby

Donand Trump has spent more than a year in office during his second term making life harder for Black families. He has narrowed the pathways to opportunity that earlier generations fought to open, and gone to great lengths to strip the nation of an honest accounting of Black history.

This is not abstract. It is not rhetorical. It is real, measurable harm that is being felt in classrooms, workplaces, neighborhoods, and households across the country.

The economic story alone should force us to examine what it means to live under a president who sells prosperity to Black Americans just to rip it away as soon as he is sworn in.

During Trump’s first year back in office, Black unemployment rose to pandemic-era levels, driven by mass federal layoffs that landed hardest on Black workers.

In the private sector, Trump’s pressure campaign to force corporate retreat from Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs helped push 300,000 Black women out of the workforce. The result has been a collapse of career ladders that supported entire families and communities — losses that ripple through households already strained by high housing and food costs.

also restricts how much parents can borrow to help cover student tuition, reduces the maximum Pell Grant award, and limits aid for part-time students.

What makes this moment even more dangerous is that Trump has paired these economic attacks with a determined effort to control how Americans think about race, history, and identity. His signature executive order framed any discussion of equity as a threat and challenged schools to choose between honest teaching and their federal funding. In the months that followed, teachers reported fear and confusion about teaching routine lessons on Martin Luther King Jr., Ruby Bridges, and the Civil Rights Movement.

Trump’s whitewashing of history didn’t stop at the classroom door. His administration ordered reviews that led to the removal of exhibits acknowledging the role of slavery in the lives of the founders and the service of Black soldiers in World War II.

He has pursued the restoration of Confederate names of military bases with the zeal of a man intent on rewriting the nation’s memory. These choices do not reflect a president who values unity or truth.

When you step back from each individual decision, a larger truth about this presidency comes into focus.

Trump’s attacks also targeted institutions that support Black entrepreneurs, including the Minority Business Development Agency, which has historically delivered billions in capital and contracts and helped create thousands of jobs. The message to Black business owners was unmistakable: their progress was never a priority for this administration.

For generations, Black Americans have seen education as a ladder to the middle class and economic stability, but Trump is pulling the bottom rungs out of reach for some Black scholars. The spending bill signed into law last summer by the president caps federal student loan borrowing for graduate, law, and medical students. It

The rights and opportunities secured by earlier generations are not guaranteed. They depend on leadership that sees prosperity as a shared project and understands that communities thrive when the government invests in their success.

That is what Black America deserves, and it is what the entire country deserves. We need leaders who view our history as a source of strength and who treat economic stability and opportunity as national priorities, not bargaining chips in partisan fights.

We can demand better for Black America and for the country as a whole.

Brandon Weathersby is the presidential communications director at American Bridge 21st Century.

SCORE Act is a losing proposition

By Marc Morial

College sports can open the doors of opportunity for student-athletes. All too often, exploitation is what steps through the opening.

The SCORE Act and President Trump’s April 2026 executive order to “Save College Sports” would transfer billions in wealth from student-athletes to coaches and institutions, grant the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) unprecedented control over college athletics, and deny athletes the right to fair representation, while leaving smaller sports programs and institutions — including Title IX programs and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) — behind.

The National Urban League has urged Congress to delay consideration of the SCORE Act and similar proposals until after the midterms to ensure meaningful input from current and former players — and civil society — to promote a level playing field for student-athletes.

are not in compliance with the order. This scheme would likely negatively impact critical funding streams for institutions, including Pell Grants, which are a lifeline for many students. The NCAA’s mistreatment of student-athletes and strong pushback from the courts is not new. In Haywood v. NBA (1971), the Supreme Court rejected the NCAA’s eligibility framework, which forced athletes to remain in college for four years before having an opportunity to play professionally.

Both the SCORE Act and President Trump’s April 2026 executive order are fundamentally flawed. Their efforts represent a transfer of wealth from student-athletes to institutions and coaches who already benefit disproportionately from the lopsided system.

Not surprisingly, President Trump’s executive order does nothing to address this disparity or expand opportunities for fair compensation. Instead, it empowers the NCAA to define the “fair market value” of NIL deals between student-athletes and higher education institutions and constrains third-party NIL agreements, tying them to the compensation of other players.

This approach restricts athletes’ ability to receive fair compensation from both institutions and third parties, while relying on scholarships as a justification for limiting their earnings. Importantly, the executive order also threatens federal funding for colleges and universities that

Rather than acknowledging the NCAA’s mistreatment of student-athletes or pursuing reforms in compliance with the nation’s longstanding antitrust laws and recent court cases, the SCORE Act instead seeks to grant the NCAA an unprecedented antitrust exemption — insulating it from accountability and entrenching a system that extracts billions from athletes while denying them a commensurate share of the value they produce. Such an exemption would grant the NCAA sweeping control over nearly every aspect of college sports while significantly limiting athletes’ ability to secure a meaningful seat at the table or pursue legal recourse.

Equally concerning, the SCORE Act and President Trump’s executive order fail to provide student-athletes with meaningful representation or the opportunity to organize and collectively bargain. Both efforts appear designed to preempt the implications of Johnson v. NCAA (2024), which held that student-athletes may be classified as employees entitled to basic labor protections.

Meaningful reforms must ensure equitable revenue sharing, reject unwarranted antitrust exemptions, provide substantive representation, and directly support smaller programs and institutions, including Title IX programs and HBCUs.

Anything less is unacceptable.

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

Guest Columnist Brandon Weathersby

Guest Columnist G. Lamont Blackstone

Photo courtesy of NASA

Astronauts Victor Glover and Christina Koch celebrate the successful Artemis II mission to the moon and back.

Columnist

Marc Morial

““This is a critical step forward in our fight for immigrant justice and delivering our Haitian neighbors the protections they deserve.”

- Rep. Ayanna Pressley on plan to extend legal status for Haitians

New program puts city prosecutor’s office on display

By Ashley Winters St. Louis American

Richard Jackson wanted a clearer view of how justice works in St. Louis — not from a textbook, but from inside the system itself.

So the University of MissouriSt. Louis criminology student and community activist signed up for the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Citizens Academy, a six-week program designed to give residents a behind-thescenes look at how cases move through the courts.

“I joined the Citizens Academy because I wanted to know about the city of St. Louis’ arresting process,” Jackson said. “As a criminology student and a returning citizen, knowing their process — and how transparent they are — was important to me.”

The program, now underway for its spring 2026 session, is a public-facing initiative from the Circuit Attorney’s Office aimed at increasing transparency and improving relationships with residents.

Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore said the program is part of a broader effort to build trust, particularly in communities that have historically distrusted the legal system.

“I think the Citizens Academy helps rebuild that trust,” Gore said. Participants hear directly from assistant circuit attorneys, take part in discussions about realworld cases and participate in a mock trial designed to illustrate how courtroom decisions are made.

Jackson said the introductory

session covered familiar material but could benefit others with less exposure to the system.

“I didn’t learn much because the intro was basic and familiar to me,” he said. “But if you’ve never been part of the process before, it was very informative.”

He said access to information can shape how people view the justice system.

“Public events like this create open dialogue and transparency,” Jackson said.

But some advocates argue the program may not go far enough in addressing deeper transparency concerns.

Z. Gorley of ArchCity Defenders said the initiative offers only a limited view of the justice system.

“This initiative appears to be a one-dimensional ‘behind-thescenes look at how justice is pursued,’ given that it is limited to law enforcement—prosecutors and police—and ignores the other two-thirds of the equation: the bench and the defense,” Gorley said.

Gorley noted that Missouri already allows public access to court proceedings.

“Missouri has an open courts provision where proceedings can be observed by interested members of the public without being filtered through the perspective of the Circuit Attorney’s Office,” Gorley said.

They added that a stronger test of transparency would involve opening up parts of the system that are typically less visible.

“A better test of the Circuit Attorney’s Office’s commitment to transparency might be whether the public has access to aspects of the criminal legal pro-

convictions — without understanding the reasoning behind those decisions,” she said. “This kind of transparency helps reduce misconceptions and shows that the process is thoughtful, accountable and not arbitrary.” She added that direct interaction may also change how residents view the system.

“People’s perceptions are often shaped by media or limited personal interactions,” Upchurch said. “Opportunities like this allow residents to meet prosecutors and investigators as individuals and better understand the challenges they face.”

While she said she could not speak from a law enforcement perspective, Upchurch emphasized the importance of collaboration.

“Crime is regional — it’s two sides of the same coin,” she said.

“It’s through collaboration and working together that we build a successful team.”

cess that are often hidden, and over which the office has nearly full control,” Gorley said.

Sessions are held in person and include visits to courtrooms and partner agencies. Participants also receive an overview of how cases are reviewed and charged — an area Gore has said is part of ongoing efforts to improve efficiency within the office.

Gore described the first session as successful and said he plans to make the course a regular, biannual program.

J. Upchurch, director of community development for the St. Louis County Prosecuting

Attorney’s Office, attended the first session and said the program emphasized openness and dialogue.

“Upon observing the first session, I was most impressed by the transparency of the office and its welcoming environment for community partners,” Upchurch said. “The communication and positive atmosphere encouraged questions, respectful discussion and collaboration.” Upchurch said programs like the academy can help explain how prosecutorial decisions are made.

“Residents often only see the outcomes — arrests, charges,

The Citizens Academy follows a similar program introduced last year and is one of several initiatives launched under Gore’s leadership. The office has also pointed to efforts to speed up charging decisions and expand victim support as part of broader changes. The program is open to residents 18 and older and has drawn participants ranging from students to community leaders and early-career professionals.

As the current session continues, the Citizens Academy offers residents a closer look at how the prosecutor’s office operates — while raising broader questions about how transparency efforts translate into public trust.

Photo by Lawrence Bryant | St. Louis American

Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore spoke with attendees during the Spring Citizens Academy on April 9, 2026, as participants take part in an interactive session on the criminal justice process.

Commentary

$10,000 offered in killing of N. County food truck owner

Friends and fellow business owners are remembering Ronald Milton as a generous, community-minded entrepreneur while seeking answers in his killing.

Milton, 41, owned Backyard BBQ, a food truck that operated in Ferguson and across North St. Louis County. He was known for feeding neighbors in need, including after last year’s tornado, often staying late to serve families.

Bell calls for debates;

Bush says she’s open to the idea

U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell has called for televised debates with former Rep. Cori Bush ahead of the Aug. 4 Democratic primary, according to reporting by St. Louis Magazine.

Bush’s campaign said she is open to debates but raised safety concerns.

Polling shows a split electorate, with Bush stronger among younger, progressive voters in St. Louis, and Bell leading among older, frequent primary voters in St. Louis County. Campaign finance reports show Bell with a sizable cash advantage, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Triplett, 7 administrators to leave Normandy schools

Normandy Superintendent Michael Triplett and seven administrators, including the chief financial officer and head of human resources, will depart the Normandy Schools Collaborative in job cuts announced by the school board Tuesday.

According to minutes from an April 14 closed meeting, Triplett requested a buyout for the remaining 15 months of his contract. The board approved it and placed him on administrative leave.

District leaders have not given reasons for the departures.

Judge orders state to repay ex-Rep. Price over censure fine

A Cole County judge has ordered

“His smile. His energy. The way he gave,” Jay Johnson of King’s Auto Repair said of Milton, speaking to KSDK.

Milton was fatally shot Sunday while working at his food truck.

Local businesses have offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. Anyone with information should contact CrimeStoppers at 866-3718477.

Missouri officials to repay former state Rep. Wiley Price more than $22,000, ruling the House lacked authority to impose and collect a financial penalty tied to his 2021 censure.

Judge Brian Stumpe said the sanction expired with the prior legislative session.

The censure followed an ethics investigation into allegations he lied about a relationship with an intern and retaliated against a staffer.

Rev. Blackmon to keynote NAACP County Freedom

Fund Dinner

The NAACP St. Louis County Branch will host its 89th Annual Freedom Fund Dinner at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 6, at the St. Louis Airport Marriott Hotel.

The theme, “For Such a Time as This: Leadership Today, Tomorrow, and Always,” highlights the role of leadership in civil rights efforts, said branch president Charlie A. Dooley.

The Rev. Traci D. Blackmon, known for her role in the Ferguson protests, will deliver the keynote address.

Clayton to dedicate marker honoring historic Black church

The city of Clayton will host a marker dedication April 30 recognizing the First Baptist Church of Clayton, once a central institution in the area’s African American community.

The ceremony begins at 10 a.m. at Brentwood Boulevard and Bonhomme Avenue.

Speakers include Adrian Rice, Pastor L. James Tate and educator Donna RogersBeard, highlighting the church’s role before its closure in 1961.

War’s impact on Iran’s overlooked Black communities

By E. Faye Williams

According to news reports, poorer areas of Iran, including communities where people of African descent live, have been among the first harmed.

Others live there, too. It is not known how many of the girls killed at the bombed school were of African descent, but they were God’s children, and many were poor. This remains an actively developing story, and some details have not been independently verified.

What has been reported: On Feb. 28, the first day of the war, the Shajareh Tayyebeh girls’ elementary school in the Shahrak-e Al-Mahdi neighborhood of Minab, in Hormozgan province in southern Iran, was destroyed by a missile strike. According to Iranian state media, at least 175 people were killed, more than 100 of them schoolchildren. That is a tragedy no matter their background.

included children of military personnel and low-income families, including members of Iran’s Baluchi minority. The AfroIranian community in Hormozgan is historically documented, though the demographic makeup of the school population has not been independently verified.

I would not support the killing of any children, including those of Islamic Revolutionary Guard members. Children do not deserve to have their lives taken because of decisions made by adults.

The school was attended by a mix of children from military families and local residents, some drawn by relatively low tuition. That suggests some of the girls may have come from lower-income families, though that has not been fully documented.

The population of Minab includes Arab, Persian and Baloch communities, as well as descendants of African traders tied to Indian Ocean trade routes.

The region’s history suggests the possibility that some of the victims were of African descent, but that has not been confirmed.

Amnesty International, which interviewed a teacher in Minab and a Baluchi human rights defender, reported that victims

How does a president tell the people he represents that the federal government exists only for military protection — not Medicaid, Medicare or child care — and then suggest that states simply raise taxes to cover the rest? It is easy to dismiss the things American families depend on — education, health care and basic necessities — when you are not the one going without. Donald Trump and Pete Hegseth are acting irresponsibly.

This war does not appear to have broad public support, and members of Congress were not consulted, according to multiple reports. People struggling to afford gas, food, college tuition or housing did not vote for leadership focused primarily on war while domestic needs remain pressing.

May God help our country and protect us from its leaders. Thanks to Pope Leo XIV for speaking out against war.

E. Faye Williams is president of The Dick Gregory Society, which preserves the legacy of the late comedian, civil rights activist, health advocate and St. Louis native.

E. Faye Williams

Ronald Milton

Data Clash

St. Louis data center plan clears key hurdle

By Kavahn Mansouri

St. Louis Public Radio

Law student receives system service award

Myla Croft, a third-year law student at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, received a 2026 SIU System Distinguished Student Service Award.

A St. Louis native, Croft was previously named a Lincoln Laureate while earning a bachelor’s degree in political science at SIU Carbondale. As an undergraduate, she served the National Association of Colored Women’s Clubs as philanthropist chair and vice president. Croft is a teaching assistant in legal research and writing and serves as vice president of the Black Law Students Association and director of advocacy and external affairs for the Midwest Black Students Association.

Kirkwood school board chair Shurn honored

Nikole Shurn, the first Black woman to serve as chair of the Kirkwood School District board of education, was recognized during a recent reception for outgoing board members. Shurn was first elected in 2020 and served as board vice president. After her re-election in 2023, she was named board chair.

Board of Public Service approves permit allowing

A controversial $3 billion data center project planned near the Armory cleared a key hurdle Tuesday, weeks after Mayor Cara Spencer asked for more time to review the proposal. Members of the city’s Board of Public Service unanimously approved a conditional use permit allowing developers to move forward with the project, subject to a long list of conditions aimed at addressing concerns about water use, energy demand and community impact.

JPMorganChase

Three weeks ago, Spencer asked the board to delay the vote to allow for more due diligence, as opposition to the project and to data centers more broadly grew.

“As mayor, I cannot responsibly ignore the amount of good this amount of tax revenue will do for city services, SLPS students and some of the most important amenities and services that our community depends on,” Spencer said in a statement. “Though I share many concerns about

data centers, we have negotiated hard to address the concerns we have any control over and ensure that our community reaps the benefits if this development moves forward.”

The board’s vote was unanimous. Opponents attended the meeting and held protest signs, while board members participated virtually.

“There was a serious lack

Masters of money

Athletes’ careers are unpredictable. Less than 2% of NCAA college athletes turn professional, and many professional athletes retire before they’re 35. Yet nearly 65% of athletes say they never had financial education in school.

To help address the unique challenges athletes face, JPMorganChase announced a new initiative to help athletes navigate every aspect of their financial lives, from early career stages through retirement. The JPMorganChase Athlete Council brings together some of the world’s most accomplished sports figures, who will meet with JPMC leaders on a regular basis to discuss the unique financial needs of athletes and guide the development of programs to address them.

A former English language arts teacher in St. Louis Public Schools, Shurn is a 1996 graduate of Kirkwood High School. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business marketing from Kentucky State University and master’s degrees from Webster University in media communications and secondary education.

Affinia Healthcare hires Miles as finance director

Affinia Healthcare has named Mark O. Miles as director of finance. Miles has more than 20 years of accounting experience, including work in budgeting, financial reporting and project management. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and finance from Park College. In his role, Miles will oversee financial reporting and planning, support the chief financial officer, and help manage audits and the organization’s budget.

SIUE charter school student receives award

Keya Anderson, a student at SIU Edwardsville East St. Louis Charter High School, received a Racial Harmony Award from the Center for Racial Harmony The award recognizes students and community members for leadership in promoting respect and inclusion. Anderson was cited for her character, leadership and efforts to foster understanding in the community.

“Athletes face unique challenges and opportunities. Having the right educational resources and guidance is critical to making smart decisions about money

“Sports careers can be short and retirement unexpected,” said Kristin Lemkau, CEO of J.P. Morgan Wealth Management. “We want to develop a program by athletes for athletes to help them from college to professional sports to retirement.”

as your career evolves,” said Dwyane Wade, a three-time NBA champion and two-time Hall of Famer. At its inaugural meeting, JPMorganChase Athlete Council members shared their own personal experiences and discussed a range

The Belleville-based organization promotes dialogue, education and mediation to encourage cooperation and communication.

Myla Croft

Photo by Lawrence Bryant / St. Louis American

The Armory in St. Louis would be redeveloped as office space as part of a larger project that includes a proposed data center at a nearby site.

JPMorganChase Athlete Council members, top row from left, Ally Love, Tom Brady, Dwyane Wade, Megan Rapinoe and Kayvon Thibodeaux; bottom row from left, Alex Morgan, Jalen Brunson, Sue Bird and A’ja Wilson.

Photo courtesy of JPMorganChase

See Athletes, A6

Nikole Shurn

Mark O. Miles

Keya Anderson

Water bills could rise under St. Louis plan

St. Louis residents could see their water bills rise sharply over the next six years as the city looks to stabilize the finances of its aging water system.

Officials propose phased increases that could add about $29 a month by 2032. The plan, based on a rate study, aims to address aging infrastructure, rising costs and staffing needs while reducing emergency repairs.

A town hall is set for Tuesday at Buder Library, 4401 Hampton Ave., with additional sessions planned.

Data Center

Continued from A5

of transparency, not exactly adequate public notice, and a shortage of public engagement,” said Kat Logan Smith, a resident of Fox Park who attended the meeting in opposition.

“Complete disregard of the wishes of the community and a real ignorance of the health impacts of this data center and its ripple effects.”

Board Chair Richard

Athletes

Continued from A5

JPMorganChase Athlete Council and to serve as chair of this incredible group of athletes. The Council gives us the opportunity to share our experience and insights to help athletes build their financial knowledge and plan beyond their playing careers,” said Wade.

Student data exposed in Missouri voucher program

The Missouri treasurer’s office inadvertently posted personal data on students in the state’s MOScholars voucher program on its website for nearly a year, according to reporting by the Missouri Independent.

The information — including names, parent emails and scholarship amounts — was removed after the issue was flagged.

Lawmakers from both

Bradley said the approval includes requirements that mirror data center rules still under consideration by the city.

Under those conditions, developers must limit water use by using air-cooled systems, rely increasingly on renewable energy, and meet environmental and operational standards tied to noise, emissions and site design. The city can revoke the occupancy permit if those requirements are not met.

The approval also includes a negotiat-

JPMorganChase has a long history of serving athletes, teams and owners, including sponsorships of tournaments, venues and individual teams and players. Chase is also the designated financial education partner for League One Volleyball (LOVB) and Hudl, a leading sports tech platform for youth-tocollege athletes. “Our goal is to truly empower the athletes of today — and tomorrow

Business Briefs

parties called the disclosure a serious oversight, raising new concerns about the office’s handling and oversight of the $50 million program.

Respiratory care program earns national recognition

St. Louis Community College’s respiratory care program has received the 2025 President’s Award for Excellence in Credentialing Success from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care. The award recognizes

ed community benefits agreement requiring the developer to contribute an estimated $15 million toward projects such as the Brickline Greenway and other community improvements.

The agreement bars the developer from seeking local tax abatements or other city incentives, a point city officials highlighted as part of the project’s financial structure.

“They would enter into an acceptable agreement with the developer that could and would cover a number of other items that

— with financial literacy throughout their careers,” said Stevie Baron, head of Private Client Banking at JPMorganChase. “We are excited to partner with some of the nation’s top athletes to deliver a fully integrated experience.”

The JPMorganChase Athlete Council includes:

• Ally Love – Peloton instructor and vice president of instructor strategy and development; “Today” on-air contributor; founder

strong outcomes in credentialing, retention and overall performance. It marks the program’s sixth consecutive year of national recognition, following four years of receiving a distinguished credentialing success award from 2020 through 2023.

Health center opens in Dutchtown next month

Family Care Health Centers will open a new 27,000-square-foot facility at 3824 S. Grand Blvd. in the Dutchtown neighbor-

would not generally be covered in a conditional use setting,” Bradley said.

Developers plan to build a 120-megawatt facility at the former Macy’s/Famous-Barr warehouse site, adjacent to the Armory. The Armory itself would be redeveloped as office space as part of a broader technology district.

The development team includes Contour, TeraWatt, THO Investments, Steadfast City, ARCO and Lewis Rice.

The project has drawn

and CEO, Love Squad

• Tom Brady – seven-time Super Bowl champion with 10 Super Bowl appearances and 18 division titles

• Dwyane Wade (chair) – entrepreneur, two-time NBA Hall of Famer and three-time NBA champion celebrated for his legendary career with the Miami Heat

• Megan Rapinoe

– former professional soccer winger who co-captained the U.S. Women’s National Team and won two World Cup titles and an Olympic gold medal

• Kayvon Thibodeaux – New York Giants edge rusher and 2022 NFL Draft fifth overall pick; founded JREAM to support underserved youth

• Alex Morgan – twotime FIFA World Cup champion, Olympic gold medalist and former co-captain of the U.S. women’s national soccer team

• Jalen Brunson –Knicks All-Star guard and Clutch Player of the Year, empowering youth through his Second Round Foundation

• Sue Bird – Seattle Storm WNBA champion and five-time Olympic gold medalist turned first-ever managing director for USA Women’s Basketball

• A’ja Wilson – fourtime WNBA MVP who has led the Las Vegas

hood on May 21, with a ribbon-cutting scheduled for noon.

The site will offer primary care, pediatrics, behavioral health, nutrition services and an on-site pharmacy. Officials said the location was selected to expand access in an area with significant health needs and reduce barriers to care. Patient visits are expected to begin May 26.

Free STEAM camp offered for high school students

Area high school soph-

criticism since an earlier version proposed building a data center on the Armory parking lot. At a recent hearing, opponents spoke for hours, urging the city to reject data center development.

City officials are also considering a broader zoning framework that would limit where data centers can be built and impose additional requirements on future projects.

Supporters say the project could bring significant economic benefits. The mayor’s office

Aces to three championships

“Every athlete on this Council has been deeply committed to paying it forward to help the more than 500,000 college, working and retired athletes avoid some of the same pitfalls they stepped in. At JPMorganChase, we can help every athlete, regardless of income level, manage their financial plan for the future,” said Lemkau.

The firm is also supporting athletes with its new “Athlete Center of Excellence,” run by financial professionals who understand the athlete experience, and through financial education outreach at universities and major sports events to meet athletes where they are with curricula designed specifically for them.

JPMorganChase recently launched a dedicated educational content hub at jpmorgan.com/ace with a range of resources for athletes and tailored guides for each phase of their sports careers.

Participation on the Athlete Council or at JPMorganChase events does not constitute an endorsement or testimonial relating to the investment advisory services of J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, its advisors and wealth management businesses.

Learn more about the JPMorgan Chase Athlete Council at: jpmorgan.com/

omores and juniors can apply for a free weeklong STEAM camp hosted by Lincoln University of Missouri in partnership with University of Missouri. Set for July 6-12, the program offers handson learning in science, technology, engineering, agriculture and math, along with career exploration. Applications are due May 29, with selections announced by June 15. For more information, contact Saaruj Khadka at KhadkaS@lincolnu.edu.

estimates it would generate more than $400 million in tax revenue over its first decade, including more than $200 million for St. Louis Public Schools and more than $130 million for the city.

“The billions of dollars in new investment and jobs this project will bring will be transformative for the City of St. Louis,” said Greater St. Louis Inc. Managing Partner Ron Kitchen. “We applaud the approval of this development by the Board of Public Service.”

athletescouncil.

For informational/ educational purposes only: Views and strategies described in this article or provided via links may not be appropriate for everyone and are not intended as specific advice/recommendation for any business. Information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but JPMorgan Chase & Co. or its affiliates and/ or subsidiaries do not warrant its completeness or accuracy. The material is not intended to provide legal, tax, or financial advice or to indicate the availability or suitability of any JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. product or service. You should carefully consider your needs and objectives before making any decisions and consult the appropriate professional(s). Outlooks and past performance are not guarantees of future results. JPMorgan Chase & Co. and its affiliates are not responsible for, and do not provide or endorse third party products, services, or other content.

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HealthMattersHealthMattersHealthMatters

Care of You’

County clinics face uncertainty

Health director warns delay in hiring doctors could force some to close

By Sarah Fentem St. Louis Public Radio

The St. Louis County health director says the county council is slow-rolling a measure to allow its government-run health clinics to hire physicians. In a bill introduced nine months ago, the department asked the council to approve a three-year, $3.6 million contract that would authorize it to hire doctors from SSM Health to work at county-operated clinics.

The county operates two health centers in North St. Louis County and one in south county. Dr. Kanika Cunningham, the director of public health, said the contract primar-

ily puts staffing at the clinic in Sunset Hills at risk.

“To remove the department’s ability to provide a physician to maintain care, it is a problem for me, and it’s a problem for the community, and it should be a problem for the patients who utilize our services,” she said.

Cunningham said the money would also pay for SSM Health physicians to work at the department’s other clinics.

In an email, Chairwoman Rita Heard Days said she and other council members were concerned about potential entanglements between SSM and county officials.

“It is not a funding issue but a potential conflict of interest issue,” she wrote. “The Council’s questions have not been answered

See Clinics, A8

Missouri bill mandates contraception for rape victims

By Anna Spoerre Missouri Independent

Missouri hospitals and clinics that perform forensic exams following sexual assault are not required by law to offer emergency contraception to survivors, a coverage inconsistency a bipartisan group of lawmakers is trying to correct with legislation aimed at standardizing care after rape.

The proposal, called the Compassionate Assistance for Rape Emergencies Act, would require facilities providing emergency care to sexual assault survivors to offer emergency contraception as well as screening and treatment for sexually transmitted infections. The cost would be covered by the Missouri Department of Public Safety.

Supporters say the bill would fix an uneven system in which hospitals that don’t offer the medication often leave survivors to navigate travel, pharmacies

Emergency contraception, also called the morning-after pill, stops or delays ovulation but does not end an existing pregnancy.

and out-of-pocket

costs while racing a narrow window in which the medication is most effective.

“Missouri is a state that is under strain when it comes to access to reproductive healthcare,” said Michelle Trupiano, executive director of Beacon Reproductive Health Network. “So anything we can do to reduce barriers, to make it easier for people to access care,

Data contradicts Kennedy claim about Black children and ADHD

By Rod Hicks St. Louis American and Jennifer Porter Gore Word in Black

Health and Human Services Secre-

tary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told a House committee last week he did not recall making podcast remarks about “reparenting” Black children and their use of psychiatric medication, accusing a lawmaker of “just making stuff up.” But video recordings of the interview show otherwise — and public health data contradicts the premise behind the claim.

“Every Black kid is now just standard put on Adderall, SSRIs, benzos, which are known to induce violence,” Kennedy said during a 2024 appearance on the “19Keys” online show. “And those kids are going to have a chance to go somewhere and get re-parented.”

Adderall is a stimulant commonly prescribed to treat attention disorders, SSRIs are antidepressants used to treat conditions such as anxiety and depression and benzodiazepines are sedatives typically prescribed for anxiety or seizures.

During the hearing, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, a Democrat from Alabama, called the remarks “disturbing” and pressed Kennedy on whether he had made them.

“I’m not going to answer something I didn’t say,” Kennedy said. “You’re just making stuff up.”

Federal health data shows Black children are less likely — not more — to be diagnosed with or treated for mental health conditions such as Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity

See Kennedy, A8

Photo by Brian Munoz / St. Louis Public Radio

Photo courtesy of Plan B One Step

Dr. Kanika Cunningham, St. Louis County director of public health, in 2023.

Robert F. Kennedy

HealthMattersHealthMattersHealthMatters

Bill

Continued from A7

we see as a priority.”

The bill is sponsored by state Reps. Jaclyn Zimmermann, a Democrat from Manchester, and Cecelie Williams, a Republican from Dittmer, and is part of a broader bipartisan push to expand access to contraception in Missouri.

Emergency contraception, often known as the morning-after pill, works by stopping or delaying ovulation. It does not end an existing pregnancy.

Providers first administer a pregnancy test; if a patient is already pregnant, the

Clinics

Continued from A7 either by Dr. Cunningham or the County Executive.”

The council has for years raised concerns about whether County Executive Sam Page, an anesthesiologist, violated county rules through his affiliation with SSM Health. Representatives for Page and SSM have said his work is voluntary.

Days said she is also worried about Cunningham’s potential connections to SSM.

“In my opinion, we should be extremely careful regarding the perception of conflicts,” she wrote.

medication is not given. The medication can only be given within five days of the assault.

Tonya Vega is the chief nursing executive at SANE Healthcare Services, a Missouri-based nonprofit that provides forensic sexual assault exams for victims across 51 facilities. She has performed more than 600 of these exams and said one of the first questions survivors often ask is about emergency contraception.

Vega said about 83% of the patients who receive exams through her organization take emergency contraception. The rest either declined, didn’t qualify or were assaulted in a way that wouldn’t

Councilman Dennis Hancock of District 3 said he remains concerned.

“Even though he hasn’t admitted he works at SSM, he volunteers at SSM,” he said. “The question is why would we be looking to go into a multi-million dollar contract [with the system]”?

Hancock said the council has met with the health department about the bill but wants more information about why the staffing is necessary, since the county already employs several doctors.

County spokeswoman Sara Dayley said Cunningham is not employed by SSM. If the council doesn’t act before the current

result in pregnancy.

But not every health care facility stocks or prescribes the medication, Vega said, noting that while most hospitals with religious affiliations in Missouri do prescribe it, some are “adamant that they will not offer the medication.”

Emergency contraception, often known as the morning-after pill, works by stopping or delaying ovulation. It does not end an existing pregnancy.

For those who end up at emergency departments that don’t offer emergency contraceptives, the news can be “detrimental,” Vega

said. This is especially true of adolescents between 14 and 18, who make up 36% of the patients SANE sees, Vega said. She said denying emergency contraception at the time of the exam and requiring survivors to find a pharmacy and potentially pay out of pocket can be a significant burden, particularly in rural areas. But some lawmakers raised concerns about the state mandating that hos-

If the council doesn’t act before the current contract expires this summer, the clinic could lose services and patients could lose access to their doctors, officials said.

contract expires this summer, the clinic could lose services and patients could lose access to their doctors, officials said.

In letters and flyers, the health department has urged residents to ask their council members to approve the contract, saying the clinics serve Medicare, underinsured and uninsured patients.

If the bill isn’t approved, hundreds of patients could be forced

to find a new provider, appointments will be canceled and treatments delayed, a department flyer says.

The county’s community health centers offer primary care, STD testing, immunizations and other services regardless of ability to pay. A recent federal designation allows them to receive higher reimbursement rates and better pricing on prescriptions.

Tensions over clinic funding

pitals provide medication even if it conflicts with religious beliefs.

State Rep. Brad Banderman, a Republican from St. Clair, asked during a hearing whether hospitals could opt out using “conscientious objections.”

No, Vega said.

State Rep. Brian Seitz, a Republican from Branson, voiced concerns for Catholic hospitals and asked whether patients would be counseled.

“Rape is a traumatic event,” he said. “You’re not necessarily gonna be in the proper frame of mind to make certain decisions anyway.”

When the committee voted on the bill last

executive branch and the county council has run high after a contentious budget battle earlier this year. The county faced an approximately $80 million shortfall going into 2026, and the council floated cutting services, including care at the three clinics.

It’s rare in Missouri for public health departments to operate their own clinics.

Running the clinics “is going to be a tough sell, if we take a hard look at these things,” Hancock said during budget discussions last year. “It’s going to be a much easier conversation to have than explaining why we went bankrupt.”

week, Banderman and Seitz joined Republican state Reps. Holly Jones, of Eureka, and Bennie Cook, of Houston, in voting against it. “If people are anti-abortion, this would be something they should champion because this would prevent abortions from occurring in the first place,” Zimmermann said.

The uncertainty around abortion access in Missouri adds urgency to the debate. Abortion is currently legal until fetal viability after voters overturned a near-total ban in 2024, though access remains limited in parts of the state.

“If we can no longer sustain and provide clinical services and primary care services, how do we begin to talk about transitioning?” she asked. Page had wanted to use Rams settlement funds to shore up the budget. The council disagreed and passed a budget that cut the county executive’s requested spending by nearly $50 million. The clinics remained open.

Still, Cunningham said it’s possible council members are effectively trying to close them.

Tension between the

Kennedy

Continued from A7 Disorder.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 13.4% of white children ages 5 to 17 have been diagnosed with ADHD, compared with 10.8% of Black children and 8.9% of Hispanic children.

Research cited by the National Institute of Mental Health and other agencies has consistently found that Black children are less likely to receive diagnoses or medication, even when exhibiting similar symptoms as their white peers.

Public health experts attribute those gaps to a range of factors, including differences in access to care, insurance coverage, provider bias and stigma surrounding mental health treatment. Those findings run counter to claims that Black children are widely overmedicated, instead suggesting many face barriers to diagnosis and treatment.

Mental health advocates say such claims can reinforce harmful stereotypes and discourage families

Democratic Councilwoman Shalonda Webb said continued operation of the clinics warrants review.

from seeking care.

“RFK Jr. can run from his despicable views … but he can’t hide from the video receipts,” said Kayla Hancock, director of Protect Our Care’s Public Health Project. “The problem is, when someone of Kennedy’s … power as Health Secretary carelessly spews discredited myths … it matters and hurts a lot of people.”

The Black Mental Health Alliance said linking psychiatric medications to violence in Black children risks deepening stigma.

“To link psychiatric medications specifically to Black children and then label them as ‘violence-inducing’ is a dangerous trope that further stigmatizes mental health struggles in the Black community,” the group said in a statement. “It weaponizes medicine against our youth.”

Advocates also raised concerns about Kennedy’s suggestion that children could be removed from their homes or “reparented.”

“History shows that when the government decides Black children need to be ‘re-parented’ … it results in the destruction of Black wealth and

“They did not put me in a position to close,” she said, “but if they continue down this trend of not approving professional service contracts, that could essentially force me to close clinics and force people to have to seek care elsewhere.”

family stability,” representatives of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund said. “We’ve seen this film before.”

Untreated ADHD and other mental health conditions can affect academic performance, behavior and long-term well-being. Health experts say early diagnosis and appropriate treatment — which may include therapy, medication or both — are critical, but disparities in access mean many Black children do not receive consistent care.

Sewell said during the hearing that Black families often face systemic barriers when navigating health and social service systems.

“To suggest that Black families are not capable of raising their own children is deeply offensive,” she said. As debate over federal health policy continues, researchers and advocates say the data is clear: Black children are not being broadly overmedicated. If anything, they are more likely to face gaps in diagnosis, treatment and access to care — and misinformation from high-profile officials can make those gaps harder to close.

Singer d4vd arrested for murder

Los Angeles singer d4vd — real name David Burke — has been arrested in connection with the murder of Celeste Rivas, the teen whose body was found in his abandoned Tesla last September, according to NBC4 Investigates.

LAPD said the 21yearold is being held without bail, and the case is expected to be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office on Monday.

Police launched a homicide investigation after a decomposed, dismembered body was discovered in the front trunk of Burke’s Tesla, which had been left in the Hollywood Hills and later towed to an impound lot.

Workers reported a foul odor coming from the vehicle; officers found the remains wrapped in a bag. The car was registered to Burke, who was 20 at the time.

The body was later identified as Rivas. Her mother told TMZ that her daughter had been missing for more than a year — and that she had a boyfriend named David.

series “Mary Mary.” In one episode, Tina confronted the betrayal headon.

“I know that I never kissed another man,” Tina said on the show. “I never went out with another man, I’ve never entertained the wrong conversation, I never cheated in my head, I never did anything. I was 190 percent committed to that man and this is what you did? Every time I was gone you stole my life away from me. I’m angry.”

The divorce case will move forward in Los Angeles.

Sade, Mary J. Blige, The Isley Brothers and Lenny Kravitz among the 2026 Rock Hall class

Mary Mary’s Tina Campbell headed for divorce

Trecina “Tina” Campbell of the gospel duo Mary Mary is officially headed for divorce. Her husband, Glendon “Teddy” Campbell, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court on April 13, according to documents obtained by People

The couple married in 2000 and have been separated since June 2024. They share two minor children —and Teddy is requesting visitation. They also share three adult daughters.

Court filings list spousal support as “for future determination” and note that the pair do not share any quasicommunity property.

The split comes more than a decade after the couple publicly navigated Teddy’s 2014 cheating scandal — a storyline documented on their WeTV reality

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame announced its 2026 inductees — and Sade Mary J. Blige Lenny Kravitz, and The Isley Brothers headline this year’s list, representing decades of influence across soul, R&B, rock, and funk. They join fellow 2026 inductees Dave Matthews Band, Oasis, Daft

The B52s, and Los

Several highprofile Black nominees didn’t make the final cut this year. Mariah , who has shaped pop and R&B for more than three decades, was among the most talkedabout omissions. Other Black nominees left out include Chaka Khan Eric B. & Rakim, and Slick

Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence become grandparents — together

Eric Murphy, son of comedy icon Eddie Murphy, and Jasmin Lawrence, daughter of Martin Lawrence, have welcomed their first child.

Eddie Murphy shared the news with E! News on April 18 at the American Film Institute Achievement Award ceremony, where he was honored with the 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award.

“They just had a baby girl,” he said. “They just had her two weeks ago… yeah, Ari Skye.”

The couple quietly tied the knot in 2025 — a detail Eddie Murphy previously revealed during an appearance on “The Jennifer Hudson Show.” Eric and Jasmin first went public with their relationship in 2021 through an Instagram post.

Violence

Continued from A1

This is not supposed to be a normal thing — kids killing kids.”

Hampton was among dozens of teens who gathered at City Jump Family Entertainment Complex for the launch of a new Teen Summit Series, an initiative aimed at giving young people a platform to speak openly about violence, safety and the challenges they face in their communities.

Organizers say the goal is to tackle youth violence by centering the voices of teens themselves.

The urgency of these conversations comes amid conflicting trends in the region’s violence. Overall crime in St. Louis reached an 11-year low in 2024, according to city police data, and continued to decline in St. Louis County in 2025.

Protest

Continued from A1

The demonstration followed an earlier rally organized by Action St. Louis and other groups on the steps of City Hall, where participants outlined concerns about tornado recovery, conditions at the City Justice Center and other issues.

Organizers said that after the mayor’s address would be invitation-only and they planned an outdoor protest. By the time of the event, however, the address was open to the public, allowing demonstrators to enter City Hall.

Spencer later said she anticipated protests and

Church

Continued from A1

reflects both the upheaval that reshaped Kinloch and the resilience of an institution that has endured for more than a century.

The move came amid airport-related buyout programs that reshaped Kinloch beginning in the 1980s, as officials used federal funds to buy homes and properties in areas affected by expansion and aircraft noise. The buyouts took a heavy toll on the city, contributing to steep population loss and the disappearance of churches, businesses and other neighborhood institutions, according to historical accounts and news reports.

At its peak in 1960, Kinloch had more than 6,500 residents. By 2020, that number had fallen to 263, according to U.S. Census data.

Founded April 26, 1901, the church — the first in the city — began with families gathering on a vacant lot and in the home

Sales Tax

Continued from A1

ernize the tax system and limit state spending.

Rep. John Martin, a Republican from Columbia, said the proposal represents a rare opportunity.

“We have a historic opportunity to help Missourians to have more take-home pay, and they can choose to spend that,” he said.

The idea may appeal to many taxpayers, said Sarah Narkiewicz, director of the Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic at Washington University.

“Most people would welcome keeping more of their income rather than paying it in taxes. Additionally, eliminat-

Firearms are now the leading cause of death for children and teens in Missouri according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — a disparity local health officials say is acutely felt in St. Louis. Homicides also remain heavily concentrated in North Side neighborhoods and North County municipalities like Ferguson, a pattern reflected in regional police data and one that students like Hampton says reinforces a daily reality where safety is never guaranteed. That reality was underscored by a recent shooting at a track meet STEAM Academy at McCluer South-Berkeley High School in Ferguson. While the event involved multiple high schools, the victims were two eighth graders from Brittany Woods Middle School in the University City School District. One, 13-yearold LaJuan Swopes, was

chose to keep the event open to the public.

Police said officers issued multiple warnings before arresting at least five people who refused to stop disrupting the event or leave the building.

“In a collaborative decision with a City official, warnings were given by SLMPD for those involved to stop or leave the building,” said Mitch McCoy, director of public affairs for the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. “When those warnings were not followed, our officers and marshals took action.”

Those arrested were removed from the building, some after linking arms and refusing to move, according to wit-

of Francis Weaver before formally organizing and constructing its first building on Washington Avenue. Growth soon required larger spaces, prompting moves to Jefferson Avenue and later to Monroe Street after a planned site was destroyed by fire.

Through each transition, members say, the church’s mission remained constant. For those who have carried the church’s history across generations, that consistency is rooted in lived experience.

“My family came in, in 1914. My dad was a minister. He put the bell in the church that we have out in the vestibule right now,” said Zenobia Jackson, a Mother of the church — a senior woman who mentors and supports the congregation. “My mom was the first church clerk.”

For decades, the church served as a cornerstone in Kinloch, a historically Black community that became Missouri’s first Black incorporated municipality in 1948.

ing individual income tax might attract more residents and businesses to Missouri, potentially increasing state revenue through other means.”

But Narkiewicz warned the tradeoffs may not be immediately clear.

“State taxes fund essential services that residents often take for granted,” she said, citing funding for education, health care, transportation and public safety.

Missouri currently imposes a 3% sales tax for general revenue, with each additional 1% generating about $1.1 billion. Experts say replacing income tax revenue could require adding 8 percentage points or more to the current rate — potentially tripling the state’s base sales tax — depending on how broadly the tax base is expanded.

During debate, Minority

killed and another teen was injured. The 13-yearold suspect has been charged in family court with second-degree murder, first-degree assault, unlawful use of a weapon and two counts of armed criminal action. According to a spokesperson for the St. Louis County Courts, he appeared virtually from a juvenile detention center on Wednesday, where a commissioner ordered that he remain in custody.

The track meet, which began around 4 p.m. and included 20 schools, ended in gunfire shortly after 7 p.m. in the school’s parking lot on Brotherton Avenue, according to police. Officials said all three individuals involved were juveniles. A 13-yearold suspect was taken into custody nearby, and a firearm was recovered. Authorities said the suspect has since been charged with second-degree murder, first-degree assault, unlawful use of a

nesses. Most were released later that night, while one person was released the following day.

Organizers said the protest was intended to draw attention to what they described as slow and uneven recovery in North St. Louis, where some homes remain unrepaired and residents continue to navigate insurance claims and rebuilding costs.

“It was a simple, nonviolent event,” said Dr. Michael McLemore, an electoral justice organizer with Action St. Louis.

“We came to share our displeasure with the mayor and how the city has responded to the tornado.”

Inez Bordeaux, a Democratic committeewoman from St. Louis

According to historical church documents, the congregation served well over 11,700 hot meals during the Great Depression to people in Kinloch and surrounding areas.

“Back in the day on Sunday morning we would just stay here and eat almost every Sunday, not only us, our pastors fed the community,” said Shirley Washington, another Mother of the church. “You know that’s just how we are. We [are] just a giving church.”

That identity was tested in the 1990s, when the airport buyout led to widespread property acquisitions in Kinloch. Large portions of the city were cleared, and what had once been a thriving Black community steadily diminished as residents relocated and institutions closed.

The church ultimately relocated to Black Jack after more than a century in its original community.

“We had to move because of the airport — they never did the expansion, but they bought the

Leader Ashley Aune, a Democrat from Kansas City, called the proposal the largest sales tax increase in state history and warned it would disproportionately affect seniors, many of whom do not pay income tax.

“We have done a kindness to our seniors over the years by eliminating their income tax burden on Social Security,” Aune said. “Why did we bother doing that if we are going to make them pay more in sales taxes on the other end?”

The nonpartisan Missouri Budget Project called the proposal “regressive,” arguing that shifting from income taxes to sales taxes would increase costs for lowerand middle-income residents while reducing state revenue.

Former St. Louis

weapon and two counts of armed criminal action. The second victim, a 15-yearold, was hospitalized in serious condition and is expected to survive.

Rochelle Bea, founder and owner of City Jump and a former social worker with the Missouri Department of Social Services’ Child Abuse and Neglect Unit, said too often adults are making decisions about young people without including them in the conversation.

“What are we as adults not doing to support our young people?” Bea said. “We are often speaking and making decisions for teens, but we have not brought them to the table.”

The Teen Summit Series is designed to give teens a space to share their perspectives and identify the support they need.

For many teens, the conversations hit close to home.

Terrell Ramey Jr., a student at Cardinal Ritter

who was among those arrested, said the city should not have detained protesters.

“She should not have people arrested for exercising their First Amendment rights,” Bordeaux said.

Spencer said officers followed established protocols and attempted to de-escalate the situation before making arrests.

When she resumed her speech, Spencer acknowledged the concerns raised by protesters.

“To everyone who came tonight to hear the State of the City, the state of our city includes a lot of pain and a lot of hurt,” Spencer said. “It includes lifetimes of disinvestment and a lifetime of work

building from us,” said Ruthie Atkins, First Lady Emeritus.

Similar patterns have played out elsewhere in the region. In Clayton, First Baptist Church of Clayton — now known as Clayton Missionary Baptist Church — was a vital institution for Black residents from the late 1800s until urban renewal forced its relocation in 1961.

The congregation relocated to St. Louis, where it remains, but kept the Clayton name. Clayton will commemorate the church’s original site on April 30. The displacement reflects a broader pattern of Black institutions uprooted by policy and development decisions.

Atkins said members of the Kinloch church took an active role in shaping its future rather than waiting for the process to unfold.

Her late husband was pastor at the time, and she was asked to lead the church’s land committee, which oversaw the transition. Members pledged one month of their annual salary to help finance

Comptroller Virvus Jones was more blunt.

“It’s a process of starving the beast,” he said.

“They’re going to collect less money so they’re going to reduce the money spent on social services and safety net stuff. They’re going to cut those programs!”

“It’s basically going to put the larger burden of taxes on working class, poor people,” Jones alleged.

Supporters dispute that characterization.

Rep. Bishop Davidson, a Republican who sponsored the proposal, said the plan is designed to return revenue growth to taxpayers.

Rep. Mark Matthiesen, a Republican from O’Fallon, said replacing income tax revenue would require identifying more than $300 billion in currently untaxed transactions

College Prep, said incidents like that highlight how quickly situations can escalate.

“There was no need for guns to be involved,” he said. Others pointed to deeper issues driving violence.

Hampton said many teens come from difficult or violent backgrounds and believes those experiences often start at home. Ramey added that many young people simply don’t have the tools or support to process their emotions.

“I used to get into a lot of fights — I got picked on,” he said. “People don’t know how to express their feelings, and they don’t have an adult to talk to.”

Hampton said she could relate, recalling a period after losing a close family member when anger took over.

“I was just always angry and had my guards up,” she said.

Several teens also identified social media as a

ahead of us.”

The protest highlighted continuing debate over how the city is prioritizing recovery resources, including the balance between demolition and rebuilding in neighborhoods hit hardest by the storm.

“The biggest fight is funds allocated toward demolition and debris removal versus stabilization and repairs,” McLemore said.

major influence. Ramey described it bluntly:

“Social media is the parent.”

Richard Fairley, another high school student, said the lack of positive outlets has been a problem for years. He recalled losing friends to street violence as early as elementary school. “I got padnas that were dying in the fifth grade because they had nothing else to do,” Fairley said. “They say it’s stuff out here for us to do, but do these people really care about us?”

Bea said those perspectives are exactly why the summit series matters.

Organizers say the Teen Summit Series is intended to be more than a one-time event.

“We want teens to know there are individuals that care and support them,” Bea said. For students like Hampton, being heard is a critical first step.

Other concerns raised by protesters included conditions at the St. Louis City Justice Center. The St. Louis City NAACP recently asked Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore to investigate medical care at the facility after more than 20 people have died in custody since 2020.

construction of a new sanctuary.

Because property values in Kinloch had long been depressed by airport noise, buyout funds often fell short of what was needed to rebuild in surrounding suburbs, making the congregation’s financial sacrifice even more significant, according to historical accounts of the airport buyout program.

By 2001, the church had established its new home in Black Jack, Missouri, a suburb that remained almost entirely white for its first 130 years. The move placed the congregation in a community that in the 1970s had been the center of a landmark federal fight over racial exclusion. Today, Black Jack is a majority-Black community, with more than 80% of its residents identifying as Black, according to U.S. Census data. It’s a community embraced by the church since moving there.

“It’s all tailored toward the community — we want to make ourselves accessible,” said Senior

— a measure of how much economic activity could need to be brought under the sales tax to offset lost revenue.

The potential reach of an expanded sales tax worries some small business owners.

Ali Harper, owner of A&H Moving, Hauling and Towing Services, said taxing more services could hurt both businesses and customers.

“It’s hard enough out here,” Harper stressed.

“I’m already affected by higher gas prices … an increase like that is going to mess with my revenues.

To offset revenues, they’re going to raise taxes on my customers which will wind up hurting my business.”

Missouri is one of the majority of states that still rely on income taxes. The nine states without one often make up revenue

Despite the arrests, organizers said they plan to continue demonstrating, including around the one-year anniversary of the tornado next month.

“The city continues to lose population, particularly on the North Side,” McLemore said. “We need to focus on rehousing people who are still displaced and addressing the issues residents are facing every day.”

St. Louis American journalist Kenya Vaughn contributed to this report.

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

Pastor Luther Butler.

“Everything for me is just family oriented. I like to speak to them as I would out on the street.”

Today, the congregation continues its outreach through efforts such as a year-round canned food drive, collecting nonperishable items for donation to Team Food Pantry in Florissant.

“We have a lot to be thankful for because God has really just blessed us over the years,” Jackson said. “We just thank Him and hope that we can continuously grow and have the love for our members and all around the world.” As Kinloch changed, the church endured and, in many respects, thrived, maintaining its mission even as the city around it faded.

Members plan to mark 125 years with a reunion picnic April 25 at Spanish Lake Park, inviting current and former members to reconnect and reflect. The church did not just move. It carried its legacy beyond the community that built it.

through tourism or natural resource extraction.

“Missouri does not fit naturally into any of these categories,” Narkiewicz said.

Jones dismissed the idea that lower taxes alone would attract business investment.

“Think about it; the states with the lowest taxes have the worst social conditions and the worst of everything else.

Businesses don’t locate to those states because they don’t have enough money to provide basic services or there’s so much disparity in terms of how those services are provided,” he said.

“It’s all just crazy talk.”

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

Living It

Y2K magic Y2K magic

“This project does the impossible: it strips away the spectacle and shows us the person. For the first time, we aren’t looking at the “THE KING”— we’re looking at a human being.”

- The Roots drummer Questlove on the new film “Michael.”

Boys 4 Life Tour revived the era’s sound, style and swagger at Chaifetz Arena

By Zaria Mac The St. Louis American

The Millennium Tour, produced by Black Promoters Collective, turned Chaifetz Arena into a fullblown Y2K fantasy — a living, breathing time capsule for every ’90s baby in the building. With B2K and Bow Wow anchoring the Boys 4 Life Tour, the night felt like step ping straight into the golden era of early2000s R&B and hiphop. Fans showed up dressed for the moment. They wore airbrushed tees, jersey dresses, throwback fits — slowly filling the arena on a Thursday night humming with anticipation. Before the headliners hit the

stage, the tour dropped a surprise with boy band Pretty Ricky. Known for their seductive harmonies and unforgettable choreography, the trio (minus Corey “Slick ’Em” Mathis) wasted no time heating up the room. Wrapped in red leather and bathed in crimson light, they struck poses that instantly transported the crowd back to their early2000s reign. They ran through hits like “Your Body,” which peaked at No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and lived there for 20 weeks in 2005. The melody washed over the arena, and they closed with smooth, a cappella harmonies that blended seamlessly with thousands of voices singing along.

The nostalgia kept building. Amerie set the tone early with her 2005 smash “1 Thing,” igniting the

‘Say Yes’ Tour proves the subgenre’s staying power

By Kenya Vaughn

Stunning performance can’t redeem MJ biopic stifled by shallowness

By Kenya Vaughn St. Louis American

Michael Jackson wasn’t just an icon. He was a cultural phenomenon in human form — a once in a civilization force whose influence still shapes music, dance, fashion, and the very idea of superstardom nearly 20 years after his death. So when a major studio finally set out to bring a portion of his story to the big screen, expectations were sky high. And with Antoine Fuqua directing and Michael’s own nephew, Jaafar Jackson, stepping into the role, fans hoped for a film that matched the magnitude of the man. What they got instead was a performance for the ages trapped inside a movie that never rises to meet it.

“Michael,” which opens nationwide Friday, attempts to trace Jackson’s journey from Gary, Indiana, prodigy to the dawn of his “Bad” era. But while Jaafar Jackson delivers an uncanny and emotionally tuned performance, the film around him feels thin. “Michael” is a hollowed out retelling that plays more like a greatest hits montage than a fully realized biographical drama.

The issue starts with the script. John Logan’s writing skims across the surface of Jackson’s life. The Jackson 5’s rise, the family’s move to Los Angeles, the pressures of fame, and the early seeds of Michael’s creative independence are all there, but rarely explored with the depth or nuance that could have elevated the film beyond fan service. And yet, Jaafar Jackson refuses to let the story’s limitations shrink his performance. In his first feature film, he is nothing short of astonishing. He doesn’t

B2K (above) and Bow Wow’s Boys 4 Life Tour brought some of the early 2000s era’s defining artists to Chaifetz Arena Thursday night.

Bow Wow

Pretty Ricky

Yung Joc

Omarion

Amerie

The St. Louis American

St. Louis neosoul fans got the reunion they deserved Thursday night at Stifel Theatre as Floetry brought “Say Yes:

Tour” to town

Photo by Taylor Marrie/St. Louis American

Teedra Moses, Raheem DeVaughn and headliners Floetry delivered a rich blend of neosoul during ‘Say Yes: The Tour’ Thursday night at Stifel Theatre.

Photos by Lawrence Bryant/St. Louis American

Photo courtesy of Lionsgate Films

“Michael” opens in theaters nationwide on Friday, April 24. The film

CONCERTS

Fri., Apr. 24, 7 p.m. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Pop’s Nightclub & Concert Venue, 1403 Mississippi Ave, Sauget, IL 62201. For more information, visit www.ticketweb.com.

Fri., May 1, 7:30 p.m., The Love and Relationship Tour starring David and Tamela Mann, Stifel Theatre. For more information, visit www.stifeltheatre.com.

Sun., May 10, 7 p.m. The Queens: 4 Legends, 1 Stage with Chaka Khan, Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight & Stephanie Mills Enterprise Center, 1401 Clark Ave, St Louis, MO 63103. For more information, visit www.enterprisecenter.com.

Wed., May 13, 7 p.m. doors, Ari Lennox Vacancy Tour, The Factory at The District, 17105 North Outer 40 Road Chesterfield, MO 63005. For more information, visit www. thefactorystl.com.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Sat., Apr. 25- 26, 11 a.m. St. Louis Earth Day Festival, Forest Park Muny Grounds, 1 Theatre Dr, St. Louis, MO 63112. For more information, visit https://earthday-365.org.

Sun., Apr. 26, doors 5 p.m.

Daydream Sunday Funday Rooftop Party, Angard Arts Hotel, 3550 Samuel Shepard Dr, St. Louis, MO 63103. Purchase tickets on https://posh.vip.

STL Sites & Sounds

Sun., May 10, 11:30 a.m., Jazz St. Louis Mother’s Day Brunch with Anita Jackson, 3536 Washington Avenue. For more information, visit jazzstl. org.

Sun., May 10, 3 p.m., The 30th Annual Denise Thimes & Friends Mother’s Day Concert, Sheldon Concert Hall, 3648 Washington Blvd. For tickets, visit www.metrotix.com.

COMEDY

Fri., Apr. 24, 8 p.m. We Them Ones Comedy Tour starring Mike Epps, Karlous Miller, DC Young Fly and many more, Chaifetz Arena, 1 S Compton Ave, St. Louis, MO 63103. For more information, visit https://www.chaifetzarena.com.

Sat., Apr. 25, doors 6:30 p.m.

The Surviving and Thriving Tour with Michelle Buteau, The Pageant, 6161 Delmar Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63112. For more information, visit www.thepageant.com.

Fri., May 1-3, 7 p.m. Tisha Campbell, Helium Comedy Club, 1151 St. Louis Galleria St, St. Louis, MO 63117. For more information, visit https://st-louis. heliumcomedy.com.

ST. LOUIS MUSIC SPOTLIGHT

Fri., Apr. 24, 9 p.m. Just Peachy w/ Agile One + Anasi Spins, Sophie’s Artist Lounge, 3333 Washington Ave,

St. Louis, MO 63103. For more information, https:// kranzbergartsfoundation.org.

Sun., Apr. 26, 7 p.m. Soul Sunday with Tish Period, Broadway Oyster Bar, 736 S Broadway, St. Louis, MO 63102. For more information, visit www.broadwayoysterbar.com.

Thur., Apr. 30, 7:30 p.m. Purple Nights: A Tribute to Prince & The Time, Blue Strawberry, 364 N. Boyle Ave, St. Louis, MO 63108. For more information, visit https://bluestrawberrystl.com.

THEATRE

Apr. 24 – Apr. 26, The Fabulous Fox welcomes Beetlejuice: The Musical, The Fabulous Fox. For more information, visit www.fabulousfox.com.

Through Apr. 25, La Cage Aux Folles, Third Baptist Church, 620 N Grand Blvd, Saint Louis, MO 63103. For more information, visit www. taketwoproductions.org.

Fri., May 1 - 3, 8 p.m., The Black Rep presents August Wilson’s Jitney in Italian with English supertitles, Strauss Black Box at Kirkwood Performing Arts Center. For more information, visit www.theblackrep.org.

May 5 – May 17, The Fabulous Fox welcomes Monty Python’s Spamalot, The Fabulous Fox. For more information, visit www.fabulousfox.com.

Sat., May 9, 3 p.m., JPEK Creative Works presents “Respect My Shoes: If These Shoes Could Talk,” a compelling and emotionally charged stage play starring acclaimed performer and storyteller Drea Kelly, .Zack, 3224 Locust St. For tickets or more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

May 19 – May 24, The Fabulous Fox welcomes MJ The Musical, The Fabulous Fox. For more information, visit www.fabulousfox.com.

ART

Through Jun. 28, Martine Syms: Soliloquy, St. Louis Art Museum, 1 Fine Arts Drive, Forest Park, St. Louis, MO 63110. For more information, visit www.slam.org.

Through June 2026, The Future Is Female, 21c Hotel and Museum Hotel St. Louis, 1528 Locust St, St. Louis, MO 63103. For more information, visit https://21cmuseumhotels. com.

Through Aug. 9, Teaser by Ayana Evans, Contemporary Art Museum, 3750 Washington Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63108. For more

Simply

important gap in your healthcare coverage.

Medicare doesn’t pay for dental care.1

That’s right. As good as Medicare is, it was never meant to cover everything. That means if you want protection, you need to purchase individual insurance.

Early detection can prevent small problems from becoming expensive ones.

The best way to prevent large dental bills is preventive care. The American Dental Association recommends checkups twice a year.

Previous dental work can wear out.

Even if you’ve had quality dental work in the past, you shouldn’t take your dental health for granted. In fact, your odds of having a dental problem only go up as you age.2

Treatment is expensive — especially the services people over 50 often need. Consider these national average costs of treatment ... $274 for a checkup ... $299 for a filling ... $1,471 for a crown.3 Unexpected bills like this can be a real burden, especially if you’re on a fixed income.

St. Louis speaks

By Lyah LeFlore-Ituen, Missouri Historical Society

As we close out National Poetry Month, we are reminded that poetry in St. Louis has never been confined to the page. It moves. It evolves. It transforms. It becomes sound. Recently, while driving, Nelly’s “Country Grammar” came on the radio. I turned the volume up and began bobbing my head to the baseline. The song’s ode to African American hand-clap rhymes and chants brought back childhood playground memories. It also struck a familiar truth—what we hear as hip-hop is the same poetry we’ve always carried in storytelling, in memory. It is not separate.

It is poetry—evolved, extended, amplified, layered with rhythm and production, but rooted in the same impulse: to speak, to document, to be heard.

In St. Louis, these forms exist within the same continuum. The same neighborhoods that produced radio hits also produced poetry circles and organizing spaces. The same streets that carried music into the mainstream also carried protest, testimony, and community dialogue. Everything is connected.

So, when St. Louis emerged onto the national hip-hop stage in the early 2000s, it was not a beginning—it was a transformation. It was the city stepping into a broader platform with a voice that had already been fully formed.

recognize—perhaps later than it should have—is that St. Louis had its own language.

The slang, rhythm, bounce, and tone are reflections of a city that had long been speaking, even when it was not being heard at scale. But cities do not remain in one moment. They layer themselves.

As national attention shifted, the work did not stop—it deepened. St. Louis artists continued building, expanding the sound into something more fluid, more introspective, and more experimental.

At the same time, another lane has continued to rise—one rooted not in commercial visibility, but in truth telling. This is where music becomes testimony and artistry becomes activism. It does not lose itself as it grows—it stretches. Artists like Tef Poe stand firmly in that tradition, using their voices to confront systemic injustice while remaining grounded in the lived realities of the city. On the other hand, rapper Smino’s work creates something atmospheric and emotionally complex while still carrying the DNA of the city’s earlier sound.

What we hear today did not begin today. It has been carried—through voices, through spaces, through generations. In St. Louis, poetry became rhythm and the cadence of everyday life, its foundation of expression rooted in the Black Arts Movement of the 1960s. Poetry, music, and performance were never separate disciplines. They were interconnected forms of storytelling, resistance, and cultural affirmation—ways of naming reality and shaping it at the same time. That lineage matters.

Artists like Nelly and the St. Lunatics did not create the sound from nothing. They translated it. They carried a distinctly St. Louis cadence—melodic, conversational, grounded in the Midwest—and brought it to a global audience.

And the world responded.

That moment opened the door wider for artists like Chingy and J-Kwon, whose music also dominated radio while holding onto something essential: storytelling rooted in lived experience. Their records captured youth, environment, humor, and reality in ways that felt immediate and unfiltered.

What the music industry came to

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just resemble Michael — though the resemblance is striking. He channels him. He moves with the same fluid precision. He sings with the same breathy urgency. He captures the softness in Michael’s speaking voice, the tilt of his head, and the way he seemed to shrink and expand at the same time depending on who was watching.

What makes Jaafar’s performance remarkable is the emotional truth he brings to it. He finds the humanity beyond the spotlight. He reveals the loneliness, the sensitivity, and the relentless drive to turn the visions in Michael’s head into something the world could see. In the quiet moments, Jaafar gives glimpses of the man behind the myth — the one fans rarely witnessed because Michael’s rise to superstardom came long before social media or reality TV made vulnerability part of celebrity branding.

It’s the kind of performance that could have anchored a transformative biopic. But “Michael” never gives him the space. Instead, the film feels like a sanitized, made for the big screen version of “The Jacksons: An American Dream” — without the emotional

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crowd the moment the gogo drums hit. Yung Joc followed with “I Know You See It,” bringing that mid 2000s club energy that still hits today — even the staff couldn’t help but move.

Crime Mob took it up another level with “Rock Yo Hips” and “Knuck If You Buck,” flooding the arena with strobe lights and raw, unfiltered hype. Dem Franchize Boyz kept the momentum rolling with “I Think They Like Me” and “Everytime Tha Beat Drop,” priming the room for the night’s first headliner.

Alongside these artists, newcomers like St. Louis native AJ McQueen have stormed the streaming airwaves, bringing yet another dimension—one centered on elevation, discipline, and spiritual alignment, reflecting a growing movement within St. Louis that is not only documenting struggle, but transforming it. This, too, is part of the lineage. Because at its core, St. Louis expression has always been about more than sound. It is about survival. It is about reflection. It is about truth.

And that brings us back to poetry. The spoken word tradition in St. Louis remains a vital and active force—one that continues to hold memory, complexity, and emotional depth in ways that no single medium can contain. Poets like Pacia Elaine, T-Spirit, David A. N. Jackson, Poet Lightning, Dr. Jason Vasser-Elong, Ms. Nterpretation, Corey Black, Phree, and so many others carry that forward as part of a living continuum. Their work reminds us that the voice itself is an archive.

In their words, the city is revealed— not flattened, not simplified, but held in its full humanity. Humor and grief. Joy and tension. The interior life of a place that refuses to be reduced.

Through that convergence, the city continues to speak. In basslines and breathwork. In verses and testimony. In poetry and in song.

Not as a single voice—

But as a chorus.

depth that made that miniseries beloved for generations. Even if the filmmakers were determined to avoid controversy, there was room to explore the complexities of Michael’s world. The pressures of fame, the fractures within the family, and the creative battles that shaped his artistry would have made for a stronger connection. But the film rarely digs deeper than the surface. There are bright spots.

Juliano Krue Valdi, who plays young Michael,

the sensitivity, and the

warmth and quiet strength of Katherine Jackson, as often expressed by her famous children. Larenz Tate (Berry Gordy), KeiLyn Durrel Jones (Bill Bray), Miles Teller (John Branca), and Kendrick Sampson (Quincy Jones) make the most of their limited screen time.

But the rest of the Jackson family is treated like background scenery. In a story about one of the most famous musical families in history, the siblings are barely present. Even the animals get more screen time than some of the brothers. And his most famous sibling is missing from the film altogether.

A deeper exploration of the tensions surrounding the group’s split from Motown — especially the rift involving Jermaine — could have added layers the film needed.

nails the choreography, the head nods, and the spark that made a child from Gary impossible to ignore. Colman Domingo brings an intensity to Joseph Jackson that adds dimension beyond the widely accepted notion that he beat his children into superstardom. While heavy handed, Domingo’s Joseph is a man who refuses to accept less than perfection from his sons because he sees a life for them beyond the steel mill that barely allowed him to provide for his family. Nia Long leans into the

Still, the power of Michael Jackson’s legacy — even filtered through a flawed film — is undeniable. And Jaafar Jackson’s performance is so extraordinary that it almost redeems the movie’s shortcomings. For fans, “Michael” will offer a nostalgic, emotionally charged glimpse into the early chapters of a life that changed music forever. But it won’t give them the full story they deserve.

“Michael” opens in theaters nationwide on Friday, April 24. The film is rated PG13 with a running time of 135 minutes.

Bow Wow made a dramatic entrance — rising from the back of the stage in a cage for “Bounce With Me” before breaking free in a moment reminded the crowd why he’s been a star since day one. Dressed in baggy denim straight out of the 2000s, he delivered classics like “Bow Wow (That’s My Name)” and “Ghetto Girls,” with fans rapping every word and recording every second.

The nostalgia peaked with “Basketball” from Like Mike, followed by smoother hits like “Like You” and “Shortie Like Mine.” The arena shifted into giant school dance mode — swaying, singing, living in the moment.

Then came the night’s biggest eruption: Nelly. Bow Wow brought out the hometown legend for “Where the Party At,” “Hot in Herre,” and “E.I.” The crowd’s reaction was so loud it nearly swallowed the bass whole.

Floetry

Continued from B1

stage – and their songs with ease and true camaraderie.

“What you are witnessing is healing in real time,” Stewart told the crowd. They also made sure the audience knew how grateful they were for fans who stuck with them through every chapter.

Floetry’s impact has always stretched beyond their two album catalog. Their sound was so undeniable that Michael Jackson tapped Ambrosius to help remake “Butterflies” for his 2001 “Invincible” album — and Floetry still included their own version on their debut album “Floetic” the next year. Their blend of hypnotic beats, spoken word and raw emotional honesty helped shape the next era of R&B and progressive hiphop, particularly with female artists. Their musical fingerprints can be heard in the work of Doechii, Rapsody and SZA. But influences can also be found within Kendrick Lamar’s hip hop staple “To Pimp a Butterfly.”

On Thursday night, St. Louis got the best of them — and a pair of fellow neosoul veterans helped set the tone.

Teedra Moses opened the night with a short but potent set. Dressed in a hot red bodycon dress and matching belt, she moved across the stage with con-

B2K delivered the full boyband experience — tight choreography, highenergy dancers, nonstop movement. They even recreated a “You Got Served” moment, circling up and dancing to Joe Budden’s “Pump It Up.” The group tapped directly into the culture that shaped their legacy. Their setlist checked every box of the B2K era. Upbeat favorites like “Girlfriend” and “Gots Ta Be,” and slowburn ballads like “Why I Love You” and “What a Girl Wants,” were all delivered with precision and heart. Then came a second St. Louis surprise. KOKO C’vere turned his cameo into a fullon mob out and Nina pop moment when he brought out Chingy for “Right Thurr.” St. Louis hiphop stayed front and center all night, which also included pop up performances from Willie Moore

fidence and intention. She kicked things off with “All I Ever Wanted” before sliding into her latest single, “Single.”

Even as the crowd was still finding their seats, Moses stopped them in their tracks with “Wish U Were Here,” weaving in Camp Lo’s “Luchini” for good measure. She closed with “Be Your Girl,” the early2000s gem that found new life thanks to Gen Z and TikTok.

Raheem DeVaughn followed with the kind of set that reminded the audience why he’s been an R&B mainstay for two decades.

Celebrating the 20th anniversary of his breakthrough album “The Love Experience,” he leaned into nostalgia with covers of Smokey Robinson’s “Quiet Storm” and Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On.”

Along with his usual seductive antics, DeVaughn also brought a political edge. Draped around his mic stand was an American flag in red, black and green. After Gaye’s anthem, he moved into his own socially charged “Bulletproof,” blending it with Coolio’s “Gangsta’s Paradise.”

He revisited his “The Love Experience” classics — “Guess Who Loves You More,” which included a tribute to D’Angelo with a taste of “Brown Sugar.” The seductive material of his more recent songs also included many throwback R&B references. There was a nod to R. Kelly in “Cuffing Season Interlude,” Jill Scott in

Jr. (formerly known as Pretty Willie) and JKwon. Omarion’s solo moment shifted the mood with “Ice Box,” backed by a rotating ice carved heart on the screen and orchestral swells that had fans clutching their chests and singing every word like confession.

The night closed with B2K’s most anticipated hit, “Bump, Bump, Bump.” Dancers popped and dropped to the beat, and fans spilled into the aisles giving their best videovixen impressions — fully committed to the moment.

This was the night everyone dressed up for: a Y2K fantasy lived out in real time. The show was a chance to step back into a defining era, bridge the past to the present. It also left behind a sweet, dancedrenched memory that’s bound to linger long after the lights came up.

“Let’s Fall In Love” and Babyface during “Mo Better.” He closed with “Customer,” complete with roses and his signature stroll into the audience.

After a dance party intermission hosted by comedian Clint Coley, the women of the hour emerged — and the reconciliation was instantly clear.

With a bench and a bright red phone booth nodding to their “Floetic” album cover, Ambrosius and Stewart took fans on a 25year journey that reminded everyone why their influence still runs deep despite having only two studio albums as a duo.

They kept the focus on the group — no solo material, just Floetry. They moved through “Butterflies,” “Headache,” “Feelings,” “Hey You,” “Sunshine,” and deep cuts like “Mr. Messed Up” and “Ms. Stress.” The love — for the music and for each other — was palpable, especially during the extended live arrangements.

They saved the essentials for last. “Say Yes” was framed as the finale, but a playful bit with Coley led into “Getting Late,” and they closed the night by taking fans back to where it all began, with their debut album’s title track “Floetic.”

The show served as proof that neosoul’s heartbeat never faded, and that Floetry’s imprint is still pulsing through the culture.

Michael

Columnist Lyah B. LeFlore-Ituen

Jaafar Jackson reveals the loneliness,

relentless drive to turn the visions in Michael’s head into something the world could see.

Photo by Lawrence Bryant/St. Louis American Bow Wow brought out hometown legend Nelly for classic tunes “Where the Party At,” “Hot in Herre,” and “E.I.”

90s baby nostalgia. The Boys For Life Tour should have been called the Y2K mixtape by the way it flung the 90s babies’ favorite acts together in the best possible way Thursday night at Chaifetz Arena. I’m talking LimeWire, burning CDs and BET 106th & Park. And I was checking for every single minute of it. Bow Wow and B2K had top billing, but all 50 11 acts – especially the home team heroes who popped out on us as surprise special guests – did their thang (yes, thang!). And while I’ll never forgive him for that conk phase that had him out here in these streets looking like the 6th Heartbeat, but Yung Joc got everybody’s attention with his snatched and youthful appearance. He was looking as young as his little son, who joined him on stage. I would need the whole doggone Partyline if I were to single out everybody on the lineup. But all the folks got it in! I must say that Spectacular’s antics in that towel had my face all twisted up, but other than that I had a ball. Now what I am gonna do is give the STL legends and veter ans who popped out and showed us! Nelly and (most of) The St. Lunatics, Chingy, J-Kwon, KOKO C’vere, Murphy Lee and Pretty Willie did us proud while rep ping the Y2K era.

Floetry’s forgiveness tour. When I tell you Floetry’s Say Yes: The Tour was absolutely everything at the Stifel was utterly everything. I know what you’re thinking – and yes, I can be in two places at one time! I went up in there with caution based on my experience at their

reunion tour ten years ago at The Pageant. They were standing so far apart on that stage that I thought the Floacist was gonna fall off. But whatever issues they had in 2016 are clearly ancient history. Because they were not only work besties, they looked like biological sisters on that stage. Well not literally, but still. Their show was absolutely everything! And the show was good even before they hit the stage. I’m so glad that The Black Promoters Collective is out here dispelling myths about janky promoters for urban shows. The show was billed to start at 8 p.m. and Teedra Moses was on that stage by 7:56. If Floetry hadn’t taken their sweet time to give us all the hits, I probably would have been home in time to catch the last few minutes of “Law and Order SVU!” Teedra Moses is clearly sick of y’all comparing her to Phylicia Rashad. Because instead of Claire Huxtable, she hit the stage looking like Sandra from “227” in a totally 80s body dress, a big ole belt and some crimped bangs. It was cute too–and so was her et. I was a nervous wreck when host Clint Coley came out on stage in that purple sweatsuit looking like Barney on Ozempic, but he gave us some wonderful intermission moments. And DJ Active was a little overactive if you ask me. His playlist was top tier, but he didn’t even let the tracks play through to the chorus before he hopped on to the next one. And speaking of hopping, if your elderly millennial or

Gen X coworker was limping to the break room or you noticed a knee brace under their outfit Friday morning, it is because they had the whole Stifel vibrating with the Dru Hill “Tell Me” hop. I know my body regretted it. And I guess Raheem DeVaughn is just gonna give us some raunch for the rest of his career. His vocals are still giving, so I will give him a pass. Floetry was the best I have ever seen them, I’m so glad I didn’t let that last show they did here keep me from giving them another chance.

Ladies of STL soul. And since I’m talking about voices, I might as well let y’all know that I stopped by the Ladies of Soul show featuring Cherise LouisMason and Truenessia “Tru” Combs Saturday night at the St. Nicholas Parish Center. When I tell you they sang the roof off

that place! And let me take a second to talk about how sickening that band was! The band usually doesn’t get the credit it deserves during a live show that features stone cold singers like Reesie and Tru, but not even Prophet Brian Carn would have been able to call the band out with a nasty read. I know the worldly folks are like, “What? Who?” Well the church folks who secretly read Partyline are catching a real cackle. Trust me. Anyway, that band was throwing down – and the work they put in didn’t go to waste thanks to Reesie and Tru!

Jokes with the smoke. When I tell you I had a time at Kyjuan’s Smokes and Jokes 50th birthday set at The Pageant Sunday night, don’t take my word for it. Ask the elderly lady with good intentions who hemmed me up at the

Stelmacki’s Monday morning. I was minding my business trying to see what their turkey rib prices were talking about, when I heard a voice say, “It’s a way you can do what you gotta do without everybody knowing your business.” Because I’m so nosey, I look around to see what the fuss was about. Y’all! She was talking to me. “I smelled that stuff on you as soon as you walked in the door – and I’m all the way over here by the produce.” The gag is that I don’t smoke But the little shacket I wore smelled like it was used as rolling papers thanks to Smoke and Jokes the night before. I really hope nobody in there works someplace that does random drug tests. If so, by the time y’all read this, they are already unemployed. But enough about the smoke, let’s get to the jokes. Kyjuan used his birthday to remind us that St. Louis comedians can hold their own against any name brand comic you can think of. I see you filling out St. Louis Slym! It looks good on you, too. We might need to change your name to St. Louis Medium. Just a thought. And Jessie Taylor tore that stage down to the studs! I was cackling so heavy that my head popped like when the pressure drops in an airplane during the landing. I legit thought I had laughed myself into a stroke. Happy birthday Ky-weezy! Thanks for using your big 5-0 to give STL funny folks a platform to give us the best that they’ve got!

1. LaRhonda and Jody got into the groove of Floetry Thursday night at Stifel Theatre

2. Altonette had a chance meet and greet with B2K Thursday night at Chaifetz Arena

3. Sierra snapped a photo with Bow Wow Thursday at Chaifetz Arena

Photos by Lawrence Bryant and Taylor Marrie/St. Louis American

“I am no villain. I’m a nice guy with two kids and a wife.”

— CJ McCollum, after leading the Atlanta Hawks to a victory over the New York Knicks on Sunday at Madison Square Garden

InSIdE SportS

With Earl Austin Jr.

Show some Love

Former CBC star soon headed to the NFL

The entire St. Louis area football community knew that Jeremiyah Love was a special talent as he helped lead CBC to two Class 6 state championships.

In his final high school game in the 2021-22 season, he scored all four of CBC’s touchdowns, leading the Cadets to a thrilling overtime victory over Lee’s Summit North in the Class 6 state championship game in Columbia.

Four years later, Love is about to experience a moment that most young football players dream about. On Thursday night, he will hear his name called as one of the top picks in the National Football League draft. He will put on the team’s cap, walk onto the main stage and share that moment with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell — one of the great traditions of draft day.

He was also a finalist for the Heisman Trophy. He finished with 1,372 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns.

The 6-foot, 212-pound Love solidified his status as a top projected pick with a strong performance at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.36 seconds, one of the fastest times among running backs. He also recorded a broad jump of 10 feet, 8 inches and a vertical leap of 39 inches.

The NFL draft will be held Thursday through Saturday and will be televised on ESPN, ABC and NFL Network.

More St. Louisans to watch on draft day

This year’s NFL draft will be held in Pittsburgh. Love is one of 16 players invited to attend, all of whom are expected to be high draft picks. He has been projected as a topfive selection and will be able to share the moment with friends and family.

Love will take that next step to the professional ranks after a stellar collegiate career at University of Notre Dame. As a sophomore, he helped lead the Fighting Irish to a berth in the College Football Playoff championship game. He rushed for 1,125 yards and 17 touchdowns.

Love followed with an even better season, winning the Doak Walker Award, given to the nation’s top running back.

Several other players from the St. Louis area hope to hear their names called during the weekend. One is defensive back Toriano Pride, a former standout at Lutheran North and East St. Louis. The former University of Missouri standout recorded one of the fastest 40-yard dash times among defensive backs at the NFL scouting combine, clocking 4.32 seconds.

Former St. Mary’s standout Kevin Coleman is an excellent prospect as a wide receiver and kick returner. In his final collegiate season at Missouri, Coleman had a team-high 66 receptions for 732 yards. He is also a home run threat as a punt and kickoff returner.

Other St. Louisans to watch include former Kirkwood High stand-

Area basketball players in the college transfer portal

Former Incarnate Word Academy star Nevaeh Caffey is headed to the University of Missouri through the transfer portal. The 5-foot-10 Caffey started every game in her freshman season at Indiana University, where she averaged 8.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game.

Caffey was the St. Louis American Player of the Year in 2025 after leading the Red Knights to the Class 6 state championship. She is a talented point guard expected to be one of the cornerstones of head coach Kellie Harper’s Missouri program.

Former Parkway North standout Ade Popoola has committed to DePaul University. A 6-foot-5 shooting guard, Popoola played at University of Tulsa this past season. He was part of a team that reached 30 victories and advanced to the championship game of the National Invitation Tournament. As a junior, Popoola averaged 10.8 points and 4.2 rebounds while making 99 3-pointers and shooting 40% from beyond the arc. He averaged 14 points per game in the NIT while shooting 44% from 3-point range and made 21 3-pointers in the tournament.

Former O’Fallon High standout Shannon Dowell will head to University of California for her senior season. A 5-foot-10 guard, Dowell played last season at Missouri. As a junior, she averaged 14.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. Dowell led O’Fallon to an Illinois Class 4A state championship in 2023.

SportS EyE

America’s soccer problem starts with access

With the World Cup nearing its June kickoff, the United States still lacks a strong Black presence on high school and college soccer teams. In a sport dominated by Black and brown players internationally, America’s Olympic and World Cup teams remain overwhelmingly white.

I am hesitant to call American soccer “elitist,” but the nation’s best players mostly come from affluent neighborhoods, families and schools.

Rhoden last year, Winley explained the ongoing challenge.

“A kid from an under-resourced Latino community does not have to be convinced to play soccer, it’s part of their cultural conditioning. They’ve already been exposed to soccer,” said Winley.

In 2021, Major League Soccer hired Sola Winley as executive vice president and chief engagement officer with a mission of increasing representation, advancement and retention of “underrepresented groups” in the front offices of the league and its clubs. Five years into his job, there is still an obvious lack of Black American players at all levels. In an interview with ESPN Andscape’s William C.

“An African immigrant [in America] doesn’t need to be convinced to play soccer. A kid from a poor Black community has not yet been exposed to soccer in any sort of substantive or intentional way. It’s the last group on the globe that hasn’t been exposed to this sport. We have to figure out a better way of intentionally including that group.”

I would advise Winley that Black youths from any community, not just poor ones, are not truly exposed to soccer. They know what it is, but they don’t play it. I don’t think they avoid it; I think it avoids them.

Football, basketball and track draw the largest numbers of Black athletes, male or female. It isn’t just about money, either.

Soccer must address not only the fact that participation is limited by finances. It also must recognize that Black players and families deal with feelings of being unwelcome.

“We have to be intentional about making sure that everybody feels that soccer is the place for them,” Winley told

Julian Hall, 18, has five goals and two assists for the New York Red Bulls in 2026. He is an emerging African American player in Major League Soccer, which has more than 70 Black players.

Rhoden.

Winley also touched on the realities of the sport’s expense — in down-toearth terms.

“[It’s] a great barrier,” Winley said.

“It can cost $3,000 on average to play travel soccer, and that’s not including the cost of travel.”

While he said there is “a tremendous amount of generosity,” a dilemma often arises.

“‘Yeah, I’ll pay for Bill to come, but if Bill

is going to take my son’s spot, I may not want to continue to pay for him,’” Winley said, voicing the thought of some parents.

“We have to figure out a way to be able to have systemic change. The answer to that? I don’t know what that is yet.”

Founded as the MLS Black Players Coalition in 2020, Black Players for Change says MLS has about 70 Black players in the league.

St. Louis City SC is working to broaden participation and interest in soccer through its CITY Futures platform.

With partner BJC HealthCare, CITY Futures provides children ages 7–12 the opportunity to participate in no-cost weekly soccer training from March to November at five locations: North (Ferguson), West (University City), Central (Cardinal Ritter College Prep), South (Bayless High School) and East (Fairmont City, Illinois).

I’ll add this: Until America comes to grips with its lack of Black

youth soccer players, it will not be a world power in soccer.

The Reid Roundup

Florida A&M’s football program is on the short end of the score in academics. The result is a postseason ban. The Rattlers are not eligible for the 2026 SWAC championship game, Celebration Bowl or Football Championship Subdivision playoffs. “These penalties reflect a failure of institutional infrastructure, not a failure of our student-athletes,” FAMU President Marva Johnson said… Bethune-Cookman, an HBCU, has a blend of Black, Latino, and white players on its baseball team. Last week, it scored impressive victories over SEC powers LSU and Florida. “It’s always great when you’re able to take down two SEC powerhouse teams. We’re at the top of the SWAC standings, and we’re just taking care of business day by day,” said coach Jonathan Hernandez.

With Alvin A. Reid

out Will Lee III, who had an excellent career at linebacker at Texas A&M University. Will

Kaczmarek is a former MICDS standout who played tight end at Ohio State University. He is a

punishing run blocker who can also catch the ball.

Former CBC High football standout Jeremiyah Love is one of 16 players invited to attend this year’s NFL draft in Pittsbourgh. Love is expected to be a high draft pick.

Alvin A. Reid

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Earl Austin Jr.

Photo courtesy of New York red Bulls / MLS

The St.

and

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

CLASSOOM SPOTLIGHT

Students

Students at The American’s Summer Science Academy work in teams to discover the many different computer programming languages.

Teachers,

SCIENCE CORNER

SCIENCE STARS

SCIENCE STARS

African American Meterologist William “Bill” Parker

Christopher Lawrence: Butterfly Researcher

AFRICAN-AMERICAN MYCOLOGIST AND EDUCATOR: Jeanette Jones

SCIENCE CORNER

A hurricane forms over tropical and subtropical ocean water. Warm water and cool, moist air combine to create strong winds that can gust up to 200 miles per hour! These winds create waves that bring the storm on shore. Hurricanes are very destructive. They can flip cars, sink boats, uproot trees, and demolish houses.

SCIENCE CORNER

What Is Nutrition For The Brain ?

In addition to powerful winds, hurricanes bring a lot of rain. (Taiwan received 114 inches of rain in three days during a hurricane.) These rains can cause landslides and flash floods.

SCIENCE INVESTIGATION

In this experiment, you’ll create a replica of a hurricane and identify how the forces work together to create a hurricane.

Dr. Brown was a neurophysiologist who studied the brain. To picture the size and shape of your brain, place two fists together with your inner wrists touching. The brain is grayish in color and soft, composed mostly of fat and water. Neurons are brain cells that control thinking, learning, and feeling; there are over 100 billion of them in the brain! Neurons are shaped like an open hand with the fingers spread. Dendrites are represented by the fingers. Dendrites receive information from other neurons and send them through the axon to another neuron. In order for this transfer of information to move quickly and smoothly, you need proper nutrition.

Fungi are organisms made of filaments (called hyphe) that are stacked together. Unlike plants, fungi do not have chlorophyll, so they cannot make their own food. Some fungi are parasites, which mean they live off of other organisms. Some fungi feed off of dead and decaying matter. Fungi are everywhere in the environment, including the soil, lakes, river and seas, air, and on plants and animals. Fungi (plural of fungus) help organic matter to decay and release carbon and oxygen into the environment. Unlike plants, fungi do not have

SCIENCE INVESTIGATION

Materials Needed:

• 2 Soda Bottles • 3

•

SCIENCE INVESTIGATION

• Water Procedure:

Materials Needed:

What does your brain need to function effectively?

Hurricanes can last a few hours or several days. Most hurricanes occur during the fall months. How can you stay safe? Have an evacuation plan and an emergency kit prepared. Meteorologists can track these storms and keep you informed. For more hurricane facts, visit: http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/ sciencefacts/weather/hurricane.html.

Are Fungi ?

q Healthy fats found in fish, nuts, and seeds.

w Protein found in lean meats and beans.

e Carbohydrates found in whole grains, such as brown rice.

leaves, stems, or roots. Fungi use spores to reproduce. One common type of fungus is the mushrooms you find on your pizza. Mold, yeasts, and mildew are also types of fungus.

r B vitamins found in dark, leafy greens.

t Calcium found in milk and yogurt.

For More Information, Go to: https://kids.kiddle.co/Fungus

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

One of the most important nutritional needs is water. The brain is made of 75% water. When you do not drink enough water, the brain becomes dehydrated and the neurons, dendrites, and axons do not function efficiently. Remember… good nutrition is not only good for your body, it is also important for your mind.

Learning Standards: I can read nonfiction text to gain background information about fungi.

create a watertight seal. Continue taping 1 to 2 inches above and below the seam.

Growing Mold!

In this experiment, you will learn how mold grows best. Mold is an important fungus that has several uses, including breaking down dead organic material. Some purified molds are actually used as an antibiotic to treat illnesses.

• 3 slices of bread • Water • 3 Ziploc bags

q Fill one bottle with the paperclips, peanuts and sand. These represent the debris and help make the movement of water easier to see.

• 10x10 square centimeter grid • Ruler Process:

w Place the funnel in the mouth of the bottle and pour water into the bottle until it is 3/4 full, then remove the funnel.

Conduction is the transfer of heat from one material to another through direct contact. Heat spreads through some materials better than others. In this experiment, the spoon that loses its bead first is the best conductor.

q Wet one slice of bread enough to make it moist and place it in a bag. Seal the bag very tightly.

e Turn the second empty bottle upside down and hold it over the first bottle so that the mouths of the bottle are aligned. The bottles will look like an hourglass.

Materials Needed:

w Place the two other slices of dry bread in two separate bags and seal them, as well.

Tall Glasses • Plastic Beads • Wooden Spoon • Plastic Spoon • Metal Spoon • Drinking Straw • Pitcher of Hot Water • Butter or Margarine

r Tape the seam, pressing the duct tape firmly to

e Place the bag with the wet slice of bread and one of the bags with a dry slice of bread in a dark place, such as a closed cabinet or closet.

MATH CONNECTION

z A hurricane has moved 456 miles in 6 hours. How many miles per hour is the hurricane traveling? ______ If it continues to travel at that speed, how far will it travel in 10 hours? ______

MATH CONNECTION

Dr. Emery Neal Brown applies statistics to his studies of the brain (neurophysiology). Statistics involve collecting, organizing, and analyzing data. Complete these math activities to sharpen your statistic skills.

Activity One: A restaurant owner surveyed his customers for their favorite pizza topping. Look at this pie chart to analyze favorite pizza toppings. Which topping was the most popular? Which was the least popular?

x Hurricane Frederick is traveling at 86 miles per hour. If the hurricane is 129 miles from the coast, how many hours will it take until the hurricane reaches the coast? ______

Learning Standards: I can read a nonfiction text to find the claim (main idea) and evidence (supporting details).

t Hold the bottles by the middle and lift the jugs.

y Quickly, turn the bottles over so that the water-filled bottle is on top. Set the bottles on the table again.

u Observe the water as it drains into the bottle below. The water competes with the air from the empty bottle. Both substances push to pass through the neck.

t For five days, measure the square centimeters of mold on each piece of bread through the bag. Use a grid, if possible, or a ruler. If mold covers more than half a square centimeter, it is counted as one full centimeter. If it is less, it is counted as 0 centimeters. This will give you the area of mold on each slice of bread

Process:

q Use the butter to stick a bead to the end of each of the spoons and the straw.

w Stand them upright in the glasses.

y At the end of a week (5 days of measuring) or longer, use your final results to say what percentage of the bread was covered in mold. Make a table or graph to display the information.

i Turn the bottles over again. This time, shake the bottles in a circular motion. Be sure to keep the bottles vertical.

o The water will form a vortex as it drains into the next bottle. The water will flow along the outside of the neck, while air moves quickly up through the center of the vortex. The water will drain much faster.

Analyze: How did water and air create a hurricane?

e Pour hot water in so it covers the bottom third of each spoon/straw. Observe what happens to the beads over the next few minutes.

Reflect: Describe the process of conduction in this experiment. Which type of spoon was the best conductor? Why? Learning Standards: I can follow sequential directions to complete an experiment. I can analyze results.

Discussion Questions: How much mold was on the bread? Which location had the most mold? Which had the least? What conclusions can you draw about the conditions in which mold grows? How can food manufacturers and restaurant owners use this information to help them?

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

Math Storms!

Learning Standards: I can follow sequential directions to complete an experiment. I can display my results, make observations, and draw conclusions.

c A tropical storm takes on a hurricane status when the winds reach 74 miles per hour. After three days, Tropical Storm X has grown to have wind speeds of 48 miles per hour. How much faster will the winds have to become for Tropical Storm X to become Hurricane X? ______

Analyzing a Bar Graph

Scientists often use tables and graphs to display the results of their research. Looking at these displays, you can draw conclusions.

Activity Four: The average daily temperatures in degrees over one week were 60, 64, 70, 68, 78, 74 and 82., respectively. What is the range of temperatures? _______ What is the average temperature?

As we approach spring weather (and increased rain), create a bar graph that displays the amount of rain that falls for several consecutive days or weeks. (Day 1: 1.5 inches, Day 2: 0 inches, Day 3: 1.5 inches, etc.)

Activity Two: The prices of 4 different shirts at a store are $10.99, $9.99, $14.99, and $19.99. What is the range in prices of these shirts? ___________ What is the average price? _________________

v Upon landfall of a Category 4 hurricane, local officials ordered an evacuation. City A has a population of 9,613, City B has a population of 5,013 and City C has a population of 3,972. How many people were evacuated in all?

Activity Three: Jake earned a 95, 92, 88, and 89 on his latest science exams. What is his average score for these 4 tests? __________

DID YOU KNOW?

DID YOU KNOW?

According

Christopher Lawrence grew up in Louisville, Kentucky, in a community that shaped his love of nature, animals, and science. As he watched creatures move, change, and survive in different environments, he wondered: What makes some creatures able to change easily and others struggle? That curiosity led him into the field of ecology and evolution the study of how living things grow, change, and adapt to the world around them.

William (Bill) Parker grew up in New Orleans. He graduated from JFK High School, which focused on math, science, and engineering. Parker was interested in hurricanes at a young age, but he became interested in the weather after a high school statistics class. In this class, he learned how to predict the chance of rain. Parker wanted to attend a historically black college/ university (HBCU), so he chose Jackson State University to study meteorology. He graduated with his bachelor’s degree, in 1994.

Jeanette Jones was born on September 19, 1950, in Fort Valley, Georgia. Jones graduated from Fort Valley State University in 1972 with a bachelor’s degree in biology education. In 1973, Jones received her master’s degree in botany and mycology (a branch of biology that studies fungi) from The Ohio State University. In 1976, she received her doctorate (Ph.D.) degree.

In college and graduate school, Christopher studied genetics and biology, and eventually joined the department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology at Princeton University. He researches how different species, especially bright and colorful butterflies such as the “mimic” butterflies, have features that help them survive and adapt. For example, some butterflies can copy the look of other species to avoid predators. Christopher asks questions like: How does a butterfly know how to look like another one? How does its DNA help it adapt to changes?

Discussion Questions: Which day had the most measured rainfall? Which day(s) had the least? Looking at the bar graph, what might you conclude about rain patterns in March/April? What other observations can you make?

Activity Five: Survey your classmates to determine their favorite fruit. Create a bar graph to display the results of your research. _________

$115,264 in damage, City B reported $236,096 and City C reported $436,869 in damages. What was the total cost of damages rounded to the nearest thousand? ______ If the state and federal government promised $500,000 in aid, how much would the local people have to raise by themselves? ______

Learning Standards: I can use a bar graph to display information. I can use the information to make deductions and inferences.

Want More Statistic Fun? Check Out: http://www.onlinemathlearning.com/statisticsgames.html

b After citizens returned to their houses after the evacuation, reports of damage were totaled. City A reported

Learning Standards: I can collect and analyze data.

If you could harness the power

light bulb.

This special Newspaper In Education initiative is made possible, and delivered to classrooms through the St. Louis American Foundation and its NIE Corporate Partners:

There are over 10,000 species of mold, with 1,000 of those species found in the United States.

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

Information travels

She also studied at the University of Nevada, the University of California Medical School, the National Center for Disease Control-Atlanta, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. After graduation, Alabama A&M University hired Jones as an assistant biology professor. In 1986, she served as an adjunct professor in the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Services at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University and worked on a project with NASA. In 1991, Jones served as the first female vice president of research and development at Alabama A&M University. She also served as President of Alabama A&M University’s Faculty Senate from 2001 to 2006. In 1992, she was appointed to the U.S. Army Science Board by the U.S. Secretary of the Army, Togo West. Since 2004 Jones has been the director of the Center for Biomedical, Behavioral, and Environment Research at Alabama A&M University. She also worked as a consultant with federal agencies to help them develop training programs to attract women and minorities to STEM education and careers.

Christopher’s mission is to show that science and ecology aren’t just for a few people they’re for anyone curious about the living world. He works to share his love of nature and genetics with students from all backgrounds and encourages them to ask big questions, explore outdoors, and think about how humans and wildlife are connected. He believes that when we learn about how creatures adapt and evolve, we also learn more about our own place in nature.

In 1993, he began to gain experience in the field when he worked as a student meteorologist. One year later, he was a meteorologist intern at Shreveport. In 1998, Parker became a general forecaster, and ten years later, a lead forecaster. In 2012, he became a warning coordination meteorologist (WCM). There are only 122 people with this title in the United States, and Parker was the only African American. Parker is currently the meteorologist-in-charge (MIC) at the National Weather Service, leading a team of 26 weather professionals. Parker is also very active as a volunteer in his community. He is a member of the Shreveport-Bossier Mayors’ Prayer Breakfast Executive Committee, La Cima Bilingual Leadership Academy, Bossier Chamber of Commerce Education Committee, Volunteers for Youth Justice, and a coach for Bossier Parks and Recreation. Parker is also an associate minister at Elizabeth Baptist Church in Benton, where he has been serving the congregation since 1997.

One of Christopher’s important achievements is studying the “genetic architecture” behind new traits and behaviors in butterflies—basically how genes and environments work together so creatures can adapt in surprising ways. His work helps us understand how biodiversity works, why some species survive better than others, and what that might mean for the future of life on Earth.

His story teaches us that being a scientist means being curious, asking deep questions, working hard, and caring about living things. Christopher Lawrence shows that even a tiny butterfly can help us understand big ideas about survival, change, and the natural world.

ELA Questions

What kind of creatures does Christopher Lawrence study, and what big question does he try to answer about them?

In 1975, Jones was listed in the World’s Women’s Who’s Who and she was named an Outstanding Young Woman of America in 1978. Beta Beta Beta National Biological Honor Society awarded her the distinguished service award. Jones also received the Significant Service Award from the NASA Space Life Sciences Training Program and the Extramural Associate Research Development Award from the National Institute of Health. In 1990 and 2006, she was named Woman of the Year at Alabama A&M University and was given the Outstanding Leadership Award by the Faculty Senate. The U.S. Army presented Jones the Commander’s Award for Outstanding Civilian Service as a member of the Army Science Board. Discussion Questions: Dr. Jones received many awards and honors. How would you describe her achievements and her contributions to science? Dr. Jones is studying how fungi might be used as agents of war. What purpose do you think fungi serve in modern warfare? Are fungi beneficial or harmful?

How does Christopher’s story show that science and nature are connected, and how might that inspire you to explore the natural world?

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

Parker believes in serving as a role model to the youth and to recruiting African Americans in the STEM field. Personally, he has hired three African-American meteorologists. In addition, he has recruited minorities for summer intern positions. Parker has also mentored an Airline High School student for his senior project. Parker’s advice to students interested in meteorology is to take as many math and science classes as possible. Learn about summer opportunities in your community. If you are interested in meteorology, visit National Weather Service offices and serve as a volunteer or intern, and find leaders in your community to serve as your personal role models.

a person who has made contributions to the fields of science, technology,

Use the newspaper to complete these activities:

Use the newspaper to complete the following activities:

Types of News:

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

Use the front section of the newspaper to evaluate the types of news stories presented: local, national, and international. Sort the articles into the three categories and create a bar graph that displays the amount of coverage each type of news story received.

Activity One — Writing for Different Purposes: Write a personal letter, business letter, letter to the editor, postcard, and email message about one topic featured in the newspaper. How does your writing style change with the mode of writing and intended audience? You can also write thank you notes, sympathy messages, invitations, or other personal correspondence based on topics in the newspaper.

Activities — Who works where? a picture of a building in the newspaper and tell what kind of jobs people who work in that building could have.

Activity Two — Who Am I?

Iloveto“rescue” homelesscats anddogs.WhoAmI?

Mystery Story: Cut out several pictures from the newspaper without reading the caption. Place the pictures in a bag, and without looking, pick your mystery picture from the bag. That’s your stimulus for writing. Construct a graphic organizer to identify the 5Ws (who, what, when, where, and why) of your story by looking at your picture. Then, continue the writing process.

Riddles: Fold a piece of paper in half. On the outside flap, write a riddle about a character/person featured in the newspaper. Paste the article on the inside, and share your riddle with your classmates. They will use their newspaper to solve the riddle.

Problem and Solution: Over a period of weeks, clip articles from newspapers that deal with problems and issues facing your local or county government. Discuss the reasons for these problems and how the government hopes to solve them.

Learning Standards: I can write for various purposes and audiences. I can make deductions and inferences to solve a riddle.

Learning Standards: I can use the newspaper to locate information. I can categorize and summarize that information.

Learning Standards: I can use the newspaper to locate information. I can discuss problems and solutions. I can identify types of jobs. I can make text-to-world connections.

Students Aariyah Thompson and Savannah Fisher, in Ms. Stovall’s firstgrade class at Gateway MST Elementary School, are learning how to construct a series circuit.

Photo by Ms. Stovall

MAP CORNER

Photo by Cheryl Christian

NOTICE REGARDING TREATMENT COURT COMMISSIONER VACANCY TO ALL ATTORNEYS RESIDING IN ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MISSOURI

The Circuit Court of St. Louis County, Missouri, announces that it is soliciting candidates for the position of Treatment Court Commissioner of the Circuit Court of St. Louis County.

A majority of the Circuit and Associate Circuit Judges will make the appointment for a term of (4) years, at an annual salary of an associate circuit judge, payable by the State of Missouri, pursuant to RSMo §478.003.

Missouri law requires the Treatment Court Commissioner(s) to possess the same qualifications as an associate circuit judge, including those set forth in the Missouri Constitution, Article V, Section 21, to wit, they must be qualified voters of the state, residents of St. Louis County, Missouri, at least twenty-five years old, licensed to practice law in Missouri; and possess all other qualifications as required by law. (See RSMo Chapter 478).

Questionnaires and Candidate Instructions may be obtained by sending a resume and cover letter to St. Louis County Circuit Court, ATTN: Human Resources, 105 S. Central Avenue, Clayton, Missouri, 63105, or via email to SLCCourtJobs@courts.mo.gov

Completed questionnaires must be submitted in writing to St. Louis County Circuit Court, ATTN: Human Resources, 105 S. Central Avenue, Clayton, Missouri 63105, or via email to SLCCourtJobs@courts.mo.gov on or before May 18, 2026

The appointment is scheduled to take place upon a vote of the majority of the Circuit and Associate Judges en banc on or about June 10, 2026. EOE. Please contact the Human Resources Department at 615-4471 (voice) or RelayMo 711 or 800-735-2966 if you need any accommodations in the application process, or if you would like this posting in an alternative form.

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Means of Egress, Project No. E2332-01 Means of Egress, Missouri School for the Blind, St. Louis, Missouri, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, May 14, 2026. Project information available at: http://oa.mo. gov/facilities

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Improvements to HVAC/ Chiller, Troop C Service Center, Park Hills Project No. R2515-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, May 14, 2026. Project information available at: http://oa.mo. gov/facilities

SEALED BIDS

Bids for HVAC System Upgrades, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Troop C, Weldon Spring, Missouri, Project No. R2415-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, May 14, 2026. Project information available at: http://oa.mo. gov/facilities

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Replace Roof & Renovate Basement and Access, Support Services Building, Project No. R2508-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 5/12/26. Project information available at: http:// oa.mo.gov/ facilities

LETTING NO. 8794

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Replace Windows and Blinds, Project No. R2509-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, May 14, 2026. Project information available at: http:// oa.mo.gov/ facilities

RECONSTRUCTION OF RUNWAY 12L-30R FROM S TO L AT ST. LOUIS LAMBERT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (2004-23-420200-564500-3149)

Electronic bids submitted through the Bid Express Online Portal will be received by the Board of Public Service until 1:45 PM, CT, on May 19, 2026, then publicly opened and read. Proposals must be submitted electronically using “Bid Express Online Portal” at https://www.bidexpress.com/ businesses/20618/home.

Plans, Specifications, and the Agreement may be examined and downloaded online through Bid Express.

A mandatory pre-bid conference for all contractors bidding on this project will be held April 28, 2026 at 10:00 A.M., via Zoom: Meeting URL: https://cmtengr.zoom.us/j/81951381999?pwd=phWSddnnGnHQSaVzbmOqHxhbTv1w5n.1

Meeting ID: 819 5138 1999

Passcode: 386801

One tap mobile

+1(312)626-6799 819 5138 1999 US (Chicago)

+1(646)931-3860 819 5138 1999 US

Join instructions

https://cmtengr.zoom.us/meetings/81951381999/invitations?signature=nD jOuZ_j6o96ioAqYXI1lH1nBAmXpvP1QIyavjDnRvA

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

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

CITY CLERK

The City Clerk performs responsible administrative, statutory, and clerical duties in support of the operations of the City of Bellefontaine Neighbors. This position maintains official municipal records, prepares meeting agendas and minutes, records management, public inquiries, administrative functions of filing and communicating with the public and ensuring compliance with Missouri statutes, including the Sunshine Law. For more information, visit the website www.cityofbn.com

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.

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

The St. Louis Economic Development Partnership (the “Partnership”) issues this open request for qualifications from qualified firms to provide catering services. This is an “Open RFQ” from which the Partnership and its affiliated entities may refer during the year, as opportunities become available. A copy of the RFQ is available at https://stlpartner ship.com/rfp-rfq/. The Partnership will accept qualifications on a rolling basis throughout its fiscal year 2026 (ending September 30, 2026). St. Louis Economic Development Partnership Equal Opportunity Employer

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Replace HVAC & Mechanical Room Doors, Cottages A-E, Hawthorn Children’s Psychiatric Hospital, St. Louis, Project No. M2506-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, May 21, 2026. Project information available at: http://oa.mo. gov/facilities

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Renovations to Rebid Interior/ Exterior & Install Emergency Generator, Multiple Assets, Project No. R2502-01will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, May 19, 2026. Project information available at: http://oa.mo. gov/facilities

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Troop F Headquarters Parking Lot Site Improvements/ CDL Super Site Parking Lot Repairs, Project No. R2401-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 5/21/26. Project information available at: http://oa.mo. gov/facilities

REQUEST FOR BIDS

REQUEST FOR BIDS

Great Rivers Greenway is requesting bids for Three (3) Solar Charging Benches. Go to https://greatriversgre enway.org/bids/ for information and apply by May 11, 2026.

REQUEST FOR BIDS

Great Rivers Greenway is requesting bids for Two (2) Four-Door Crew Cab, One Half-Ton 4X4 Pick Up Trucks. Go to https://greatriversgre enway.org/bids/ for information and submit by May 11, 2026.

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

Date of Publication: 4/23/2026

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 5/11/2026, 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 Program funds under Title I of the Housing & Community Development Act of 1974, PL93-383, as amended, 42 U.S.C.-5301 et seq.; to undertake the following project:

Project Title: West End Court VI

Purpose: New construction of three (3) single-family detached homes on vacant lots. Each completed home will measure 1,562 square feet and will feature three (3) bedrooms and three (3) bathrooms.

Location: 5723 Vernon Ave., 5729 Vernon Ave, 5737 Vernon Ave, St. Louis, Missouri 63112.

Estimated Cost: Total development cost of this project is approximately $1,174,592, with an estimated $600,000.00 of funding coming from St. Louis City’s Year 2024 Federal CDBG Program Funds, Grant #B-24-MC-29-0006, and awarded in the Spring 2024 NOFA.

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

The City has determined that this 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 information for each project 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 Yeferson Parra, Community Development Planner II, CDA, at the address listed above. All comments received by 5/11/2026 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.

RELEASE OF FUNDS

The City certifies to HUD that, Matt Moak, 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 City to use the City’s abovereferenced HUD program funds.

OBJECTION TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and the City’s certification for a period of 15 days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the City; b) the City has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58; c) the grant recipient 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.

Matt Moak Certifying Officer

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Tennyson AML, Project No. Y2401-01, 1480 County Road 401, Fulton, MO 65251, 38.827789, -91.964014, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, May 21, 2026. Project information available at: http://oa.mo. gov/facilities

To Advertise Real Estate, Rentals, Contact Angelita Houston at ahouston@ stlamerican.com 314-289-5430

ROOMS FOR RENT Midtown, near downtown, $150-$600/mo W/D, All Util., Heat Cent. Air, Cable TV, Internet, Off Str. Park. 314-397-8422

3 FEMALES 3 MALES ICCF REGISTERED CANE CORSA PUPPIES AVAILABLE FOR SALE $1,500 Each 636-497-9697

ROOMS FOR RENT Upscale, Very Clean, Good heating and cooling. Cable 314-484-3147

WINTER GARDEN APTS.

HUD Low Income Sr. Housing Community Now accepting applications for 1 and 2 bedroom waitlists; Age 62+ and/or disabled Recently renovated apartments with new interiors, cabinetry, HVAC & vinyl plank flooring Income restrictions apply. ADA. Pet friendly, gated, near Metro Link 5708 Kingsbury Place, St. Louis, MO 63112 314-361-7225 TTY 800-735-2966

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE:

Advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, imitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial\status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination.“We will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.”

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

Seniors

Religion

‘Books, Not Bombs’: Moral Mondays Faith Leaders Slam Iran War

By Rev. Dorothy S. Boulware Word In Black

The chant came steady, rising through speakers and screens alike:

“Books, not bombs. Schools, not jails.”

At pulpits, in Zoom rooms and on street corners, faith leaders nationwide leaned into a familiar role of moral witnesses as they pushed back against the U.S. war with Iran. At demonstrations, they warned that even a fragile ceasefire between the two nations can’t quiet what they see as a deeper crisis of national values.

Barber, who is also the founding director of Yale University’s Center for Public Theology and Public Policy, has long argued that American militarism is one of the nation’s “interlocking injustices.”

“A budget that prioritizes bombs over bread is a violation of our deepest moral values,” he said.

The calls came during a livestreamed “Moral Mondays: Stop the War” gathering earlier this week, organized by Repairers of the Breach and the Poor People’s Campaign, twin faith-based anti-poverty, social justice nonprofits. The series of events brings together clergy, peace advocates, and community organizers intent on reframing the war as a moral failure with roots in poverty, racism, and economic injustice at home.

War Over Well-Being

“We cannot normalize war and call it peace,” said Bishop William J. Barber II, co-chair of the Poor People’s Campaign.

The gathering unfolded as a U.S.-brokered ceasefire paused weeks of escalating strikes between the U.S. and Iran — a break that officials described as necessary for stability, but that faith leaders warned masks the human and moral cost of the conflict.

For Barber and others, the issue is what the war reveals about the nation’s priorities. According to some experts, the war is costing U.S. taxpayers as much as $2 billion a day.

“The question is not whether we have the resources to lift people out of poverty,” Barber said. “The question is why we keep choosing war over the well-being of the people.”

Redirecting War Budgets

That tension — between military spending abroad and unmet needs at home — was the event’s throughline.

“We are spending billions

books,” he said. “We say books, not bombs. Schools, not jails.”

Rev. Stephen Erich of Takoma Park Seventh-day Adventist Church urged participants to think about the unseen toll of war — the devastation of communities and of consciences.

“Name the person you know who lost access to medication this year from policy violence,” he said. “Name the new family standing in line at the food pantry. Name the lies that have become commonplace.”

Faith-Led Resistance

For many gathered, the moment echoed a long tradition of faith-led resistance, from the civil rights movement to modern fights over voting rights, wages, and healthcare. In those instances, clergy stepped into political debates as moral arbiters, not partisans.

Barber made that lineage explicit.

on war while families struggle to afford healthcare, housing and food,” said Rev. Dr. Hanna Broome, national director of religious affairs at Repairers of the Breach. “That is not just a policy failure. It is a moral failure.”

Broome pointed to the scale of federal war spending — billions of dollars per day, according to some estimates — and what it could mean if redirected.

“That kind of money could mean nurses in hospitals, teachers in classrooms, housing for families, Medicaid for children and adults, Head Start for our babies,” she said. “We are here to

say people are worth more than war.”

Speakers also pushed beyond policy arguments, framing the conflict in deeply personal and spiritual terms.

‘Books, Not Bombs’

At one point, Elder Cortly C.D. Witherspoon leaned into the cadence of a sermon, naming what he called the real-world consequences of political choices.

“We need to have a real living wage. We need to ensure that our children go to schools that have

I had a conversation recently that reminded me of a leadership truth we don’t talk about enough: sooner or later, you will find yourself carrying the weight of someone else’s breakdown. You’ll hire the vendor, trust the partner, set the expectations… and still end up managing their chaos. These aren’t the glamorous parts of leadership. These are the parts that show up uninvited — with real deadlines, real consequences, and real people on the line.

In this case, a partner I trusted brought in a secondary vendor who wasn’t delivering. Missed timelines. Sloppy communication. Shifting expectations. Suddenly the project — one that should have been smooth — became complicated. Not because the work was hard, but because the dynamics around the work were breaking down.

If you’ve led anything for more than five minutes, you’ve lived this scene. But what struck me wasn’t the delay itself. It was the leadership moment hidden inside the delay. Because that’s where leadership always hides — in the cracks, in the frustrations, in the moments you didn’t create but still have to carry.

When the partner called, he didn’t make excuses. He didn’t deflect. He didn’t sugarcoat. He was honest. Transparent. Calm. He named the issue clearly and acknowledged the impact without pretending the mistake was his. That’s leadership — not perfection, but integrity in the middle of imperfection.

And that’s when it clicked for me: The real work wasn’t about code or cost or timelines. The real work was about clarity, boundaries, and presence. First, leadership requires honesty. Not the polished kind — the courageous kind. The kind that clears the air so both sides can breathe again. Too many leaders avoid these moments because they worry honesty

“We are standing in a tradition that refuses to bow to injustice,” he said. “From civil rights to today, people of faith have always been called to challenge policies that harm the most vulnerable.”

Even as the ceasefire holds, for now, faith leaders say their work is far from over.

Organizers pledged to continue prayer vigils, teach-ins, and demonstrations aimed at pressuring policymakers to pursue diplomacy over escalation. They are also determined to confront what they see as a deeper question beneath the headlines: What does it say about a nation when it invests more in war than in its people?

will make them look weak. But avoidance only widens the gap. Second, leadership requires boundaries.

Not as punishment, but as protection. “This vendor won’t be part of the next phase.” “We’re not repeating this mistake.” Boundaries secure the mission when trust has been compromised. Finally, leadership requires calm. Anyone can be calm when the plan works. But when someone else drops the ball — and you still choose composure — people remember who you are.

This is the part that ties directly to The Thriver’s Path™: You’re not stuck — you’re being strengthened.

This wasn’t a setback. It was a strengthening exercise. A real-time reminder that leadership is shaped in the moments you didn’t ask for. In the moments you didn’t choose. In the moments when grace matters more than frustration, and character matters more than convenience.

Anyone can lead when everything goes right. Real leaders rise when everything goes wrong. They reframe the moment. They reclaim the standard. They rename the situation for what it is: a leadership test.

So if you’re carrying someone else’s delay, misstep, or carelessness right now, hear this clearly: These are the moments that build your leadership muscle. These are the moments that deepen trust. These are the moments that show people why they follow you. The next time someone else drops the ball, don’t just fix the problem. Pay attention to the leader you’re becoming in the process.

Because that version of you? That’s the one who grows. That’s the one who inspires. And that’s the one ready for what’s next.

Reflection Question: When someone else’s mistake becomes yours to manage, how do you typically respond — and what would it look like to lead that moment with greater honesty, clearer boundaries, and a steadier sense of calm?

For more, visit OrvinKimbrough.com or

Image courtesy of Repairers of the Breach

Rev. Dr. Hanna Broome, a leader of the nonprofit Repairers of the Breach, called out the hypocrisy during a protest in Washington earlier this week. The protests, led by Bishop William J. Barber II, will take place at the beginning of each week in Washington, D.C.