August 9th, 2018 Edition

Bell crushes McCulloch

Will be first black St. Louis County prosecutor

By Sandra Jordan Of The St. Louis American

n “We want to make sure the fact that you live in a certain zip code or you have a certain economic status should not increase the likelihood of you seeing the inside of a jail cell.”

– Wesley Bell

Wesley Bell handed a stunning defeat to incumbent St. Louis County Prosecutor Robert P. McCulloch in the Democratic primary on Tuesday, August 7, beating him by more than 24,000 votes, 56 percent to 43 percent. No Republican candidate filed for county prosecutor, so Bell is virtually assured to win the November general election – which will make him St. Louis County’s first black prosecuting attorney. The upset of McCulloch after 27 years on the job comes in his first electoral challenge following the killing of Michael Brown by a Ferguson police officer, which led to a grand jury process managed by McCulloch that made him many enemies in St. Louis County – and, indeed, all over the country.

“What we had that he did not have was the power of people,” Bell told supporters on election night at

See BELL, A6

Free Joshua Williams

Advocates call for clemency for protestor sentenced to 8 years for attempted arson

By Rebecca Rivas

Of The St. Louis American

Joshua Williams was 19 when he was arrested for lighting a trash can on fire, along with stealing a pack of gum and a bag of chips from a QuikTrip in Berkeley during the Ferguson unrest. He was sentenced to eight years, and he has already served three.

n “At the state Legislature, we are focusing on criminal justice reform, and making sure folks that shouldn’t be in jail don’t stay in jail.” – state Rep. Bruce Franks Jr.

He was one of the youngest activists protesting the police shooting death of unarmed black teenager Michael Brown in 2014. Williams did not burn down the QuikTrip in Ferguson on August 11, 2014, as some have mistakenly claimed. The incident in Berkeley happened months later after a separate police shooting of another black teenager, Antonio Martin.

On Friday, August 3, about 30 community leaders and protestors gathered together at the Buzz Westfall Justice Center in Clayton to ask Governor Mike Parson to pardon Williams and grant him clemency.

“We should be treating kids as kids,” said Mustafa Abdullah, lead organizer for ACLU of

Rep. Bruce Franks

and other advocates held a press conference at the Buzz Westfall Justice Center in Clayton on Friday, August 3 to ask Governor Mike Parson to pardon Joshua Williams and grant him clemency. A visible Ferguson protestor, Williams was sentenced to eight years in prison after he pleaded guilty to first-degree arson, second-degree burglary and a misdemeanor for stealing for an incident at a QuikTrip in Berkeley during a protest.

Missouri. “Josh is a young man who should have been headed to college, not to prison. As a part of our Smart Justice campaign, we are calling for smarter sentencing reforms in Missouri.”

Sgt. Heather Taylor, president of the Ethical Society of Police, said that the judge was trying to make an

example out of Williams.

“Black and brown people are always the examples,” Taylor said.

“It’s ridiculous. When the judge decided to make him the example, he did what the criminal justice system has always done – send people with

By Sean Joe and Chris King Of The St. Louis American

Four years ago to the day of our publication date – on August 9, 2014 — a Ferguson police officer shot and killed an 18-year-old black male named Michael Brown. A grand jury convened

Karla May upsets incumbent Jake Hummel

Karla May won a dramatic upset over incumbent 4th District state Senator Jacob W. Hummel in the August 7 Democratic primary, winning 20,204 votes (57 percent) to 15,137 votes (42 percent). The only candidate in the Republican primary, Robert J. Crump, garnered only 4,731 votes, so it’s a virtual certainty that May will win the general election and advance to the state Senate. With state Senator Jamilah Nasheed representing the 5th District, the City of St. Louis will have two black women state senators.

Wesley Bell thanked supporters on election night at Acapulco Restaurant & Lounge in St. Ann, near his campaign headquarters, after claiming victory in the St. Louis County prosecutor race.

Photo by Rebecca Rivas

Jr.

Photo by Wiley Price

Michael Brown

See MALES, A7

By Chris King Of The St. Louis American

R. Kelly’s brother Carey Kelly claps back after being mentioned in ‘I Admit’

R. Kelly’s brother Carey “Killa” Kelly was none too pleased with being mentioned in R. Kelly’s latest track, the 19-minute song “I Admit.”

Carey felt so strongly about it that he took to YouTube and promised to expose R. Kelly if he, or any other family members, are mentioned in such a manner again in Kelly’s music.

“You should have never mentioned me in no [expletive] song [n-word expletive],” Carey said. “You been [expletive] with me for years – blackballing me, making sure I don’t get my shine on with labels. You know what you did. And you know what the [expletive] I know.”

Carey implied that R. Kelly was guilty of something. He didn’t go into details, but said that it warrants jail time.

“You are being judged. You mighta got off in court [n-word expletive], but you guilty in the [expletive] streets,” Carey said. “Rob, you know I know the [expletive] truth. This ain’t no threat, this a [expletive] promise. If you mention my name again – if you mention Bruce’s name. If you mention my mama –

and you lie about how she’s buried and all this stuff. You know she got a $500 plaque that you didn’t even put in on it. If you try to clap back and [expletive] with me, I promise, you ain’t gone never get out of jail. You know what I know. And what I know is the [expletive] truth.”

Dionne Warwick denies molestation claims against late sister Dee Dee

In the explosive Kevin McDonald documentary “Whitney” – molestation allegations were made against Dee Dee Warwick, the deceased younger sister of singer Dionne Warwick. In the film, Dee Dee is accused of sexually abusing Whitney Houston and her older brother, Gary Houston

In an interview with King, Dionne vehemently denies the accusations.

“I have tried to refrain from responding to that, first of all it’s totally hogwash,” Dionne told King. “My sister would never ever have done anything to do any harm to any child especially within our family and for those lies to be perpetuated in this so-called documentary film…is evil. I will never, and I mean this ever, forgive those who perpetuated this insanity.”

Slim Thug apologizes for ‘corny’ Russell Wilson comments

During a morning radio show interview, rapper Slim Thug fired shots at Russell Wilson, claiming Ciara was married to him primarily for the money.

“Do a woman who used to talk to Future really want a Russell Wilson?” Thug asked. “No hate, I bought his shoes the other day … I’m just saying I have no personal issue with him, or her, God bless them. He’s just a corny dude. Ain’t nothing wrong with it. I ain’t gonna say corny cause that’s hatin’ but he’s just like a square…I don’t believe a girl coming from a street dude could even adapt to that.”

the September cover of Vogue and recruited the first black photographer to shoot her cover in the magazine’s 126-year history. In the accompanying interview, Beyonce shares details of her pregnancies and discusses embracing the curves that came with motherhood.

“After the birth of my first child, I believed in the things society said about how my body should look. After the twins, I approached things very differently.

Thug later said his words were taken out of

“I want to apologize to Russell Wilson for saying he was lame and corny,” Thug said via Instagram. “I shouldn’t have even used them as an example, but it was the only example I knew.”

Beyonce talks postbaby body image in ‘Vogue’ interview

Beyonce made history when she was given creative control over

I was 218 pounds the day I gave birth to Rumi and Sir. I was swollen from toxemia and had been on bed rest for over a month. My health and my babies’ health were in danger, so I had an emergency C-section. We spent many weeks in the NICU. After the C-section, my core felt different. It had been major surgery. I am not sure everyone understands that. I needed time to heal, to recover. During my recovery, I gave myself self-love and self-care, and I embraced being curvier. I accepted what my body wanted to be.

I think it’s important for women and men to see and appreciate the beauty in their natural bodies. That’s why I stripped away the wigs and hair extensions and used little makeup for this shoot.

To this day my arms, shoulders, breasts, and thighs are fuller. I have a little mommy pouch, and I’m in no rush to get rid of it. I think it’s real.”

Sources: Vogue, CNN, Instagram

Beyoncé

‘Criminal justice comes down to prosecutors’

Americans for Prosperity and ACLU of Missouri host panel on mass incarceration

By Jeremy Cady and Sara Baker For The St. Louis American

Americans for Prosperity (AFP) and American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri came together to host a bipartisan discussion on how to reduce the number of people in our jails and to ensure justice for all Missourians.

The July 27 panel featured legislators from across the political spectrum, including state Rep. Shamed Dogan (R-Ballwin), state Rep. Jean Evans (R-Manchester), state Rep. Bruce Franks (D-St. Louis), state Rep. Tracy McCreery (D-Olivette) and state Rep. Peter Merideth (D-St. Louis).

Missouri ranks No. 8 in the nation when it comes to how many of its citizens are behind bars. The state’s female population is the fastest growing in the nation.

Missouri prisons are operating at 105 percent capacity, with more than 36,000 people imprisoned. To keep up with incarceration trends, the state will have to build two new prisons costing taxpayers nearly $500 million by 2021.

Yet crime rates across the state are rising “because we’re locking up the wrong damn people,” said Dogan.

One of the solutions legislators are seeking is to end cash bail. Under

n “If the difference between you being in jail and not being in jail is whether you have money, then there is a problem.”

– state Rep. Peter Merideth

current Missouri law, only those who pay their full bail amount are eligible for release and have their money returned to them after they make all required court appearances.

“If the difference between you being in jail and not being in jail is

Americans for Prosperity and the ACLU of Missouri hosted a bipartisan panel on the effects of mass incarceration on July 27. Missouri ranks No. 8 in the nation when it comes to how many of its citizens are behind bars. The panelists included at state Rep. Peter Merideth (D-St. Louis), state Rep. Tracy McCreery (D-Olivette), and state Rep. Bruce Franks (D-St. Louis). Not pictured: state Rep. Jean Evans (R-Manchester) and state Rep. Shamed Dogan (R-Ballwin).

Photo by Wiley Price

whether you have money, then there is a problem,” said Rep. Merideth.

While the U.S. Constitution promises people the right to an effective attorney, Missouri’s public defense system is overworked, understaffed and underfunded. In 2015, only three percent of Missouri cases met the minimum number of hours for constitutional representation, as defined by the American Bar Association. Missouri ranks 49 out of 50 for sufficient publicdefense state funding.

Pitted against better-equipped state prosecutors who prioritize punishment over justice, Missouri finds itself in a never-ending cycle of over incarceration.

Legislators concluded by reminding the crowd of the significance of their voices in the upcoming primary election for St. Louis County prosecuting attorney, taking place in St. Louis County on August 7.

“Criminal justice comes down to prosecutors,” said Merideth. “They’re too focused in being seen as tough on crime instead of being smart on crime. And you can vote that latter in.”

Jeremy Cady is the state director of Americans for Prosperity – Missouri. Sara Baker is the legislative and policy director for the ACLU of Missouri.

Open letter on the IHOP dine-anddash debacle

By Rev. Darryl L. George For The St. Louis American

Dear Craig Owens, Clayton city manager and Mark Wrighton, Washington University chancellor: In response to your letters of apology, my intent is neither to exasperate or nullify the debacle that unfolded concerning “dine and dash” at the IHOP in Clayton. The IHOP company-wide revenue exceeds $2 billion, and the franchise fee to open an IHOP is $40,000 per restaurant. Surely an astute manager or franchise owner should have set a policy in place for someone to ride with the police to identify the suspects who allegedly committed the misdemeanor theft. The embarrassment for your brand and the humiliation to the Washington University students are inexcusable.

Papa John’s lost $300 million in stock market cap as a result of racial comments by its majority stockholder. IHOP also trades on the New York Stock Exchange (IHP), and the corporate leaders in Glendale, California should establish an economic covenant with the community to address social/ corporate responsibility to the greater St. Louis area. The entire 16 IHOP restaurants should be included in this agreement. Black patrons should not have fear weigh on their minds to enjoy a cup of coffee and a burger.

In the early 1970s, I had the dubious distinction of being hired as the first African-American Probation and Parole officer in St. Louis County government. I can assure you I received a baptism by fire.

This leads me to an incident that occurred on September 17, 2017, when St. Louis police officers reportedly chanted, “Whose streets? Our streets!” as protestors took to the streets following a jury verdict. Following that unabashed, abhorrent display of unprofessionalism, a letter of apology should have been forthcoming. The streets belong to all Americans and not merely the men and women in blue.

In my opinion, that chant uttered in 2017, fostered a mentality among some officers that those 10 Washington University students detained that night no longer had the right to have their constitutional rights protected on the streets.

The Clayton city manager, Washington University chancellor and corporate leaders of IHOP must begin to repair the damage that has been done to all the parties in this situation.

In light of the fact that my alumni status (Master of Social Work) has opened doors for me, I find it incumbent for me to applaud the hiring of Nicole Hudson to the staff of Washington University. However, I know it’s not the end all to be all. Elizabeth Williamson was a tremendous asset to the staff in the 1970s but she faced insurmountable obstacles as we fought to survive on a campus and the city of Clayton that could be difficult to navigate. As the school finds itself at the intersection of education, policing and politics, perhaps a partnership forum could be launched to bring together leaders to explore rewards, risk and opportunities in connecting the dots to monitor racial incidents on and off campus, and how they can be resolved.

Rev. Darryl L. George (Soldan Class of 1968) is an alumnus of Washington University.

Guest Columnist Rev. Darryl L. George

Elections are usually about the merits of individual candidates, but every now and then they’re about something more. Zeitgeist is a German word that means “spirit of the times.” It’s regularly used to describe what in a larger sense may be going on culturally, intellectually or politically. There are events and phenomena that one invokes as representative of a defined Zeitgeist.

One of the burning questions for people whose political activism was forged in the sixties is whether the progressive moment we are currently witnessing is a sixties déjà vu, or is seeing a relationship between Black Lives Matter, MeToo, Never Again and the sixties a case of hope triumphing over experience? Just as the Black Power and the Anti-War movements were examples of the sixties Zeitgeist, we believe Black Lives Matter, MeToo and Never Again will come to be seen as examples of the Zeitgeist of this generation.

It’s impossible to know how the August 7 Democratic Primary will be considered in the larger scope of history, but today it feels like a major paradigm shift for the St. Louis region generally and the black community specifically. August 7 has permanently changed St. Louis politics in the way the August 9, 2014 police killing of Michael Brown and its aftermath forever changed the St Louis region. In fact, you cannot understand what happened politically on August 7 outside of the context of August 9.

First, we congratulate Wesley Bell on his historic victory and commend him on a very well executed campaign. We judge candidates in a campaign like we judge young basketball players during a season: Are they learning, evolving, getting better?

Wesley Bell, starting as a long-shot but closing like a sure-shot, did all three of those. The candidate who claimed the mantle of victory was not the candidate that filed for office in February. We expect this impressive growth to continue as this inexperienced prosecutor takes office and begins to make some of the changes he has promised us. We also commend the activist community, not only for providing bodies, energy and legitimacy to the Bell campaign, but for their political maturity that made this victory possible. In order to make progress in the political system, you have to resist the urge to make the perfect the enemy of the good. When the best is not available, but better is, you take better and move the chains. As The Rolling Stones sing, “You can’t always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you might find you get what you need!” The American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri was especially damaging to McCulloch in educating the community about his record as a prosecutor in an unprecedented public education campaign.

Also, the larger, older African-American community of St. Louis County should be commended for a genuine willingness to pass the baton to a new generation by embracing Bell’s candidacy. For a community to remain healthy and strong, it must always have people willing to serve, but it also needs people who recognize when their service is no longer required and graciously accept the role of supporter. Bell’s absence of a primary challenger was a testament to restraint from many older, more seasoned attorneys who might have liked their chances.

August 7 also showed that the white community of St. Louis County in 2018 does

Photo by Wiley Price

not have the political will of the white community of 2014. Something happened. We doubted Bell when he told us that he was finding support among white voters, but there are not enough black voters to elect Bell as county prosecutor. For Bell to beat McCulloch 103,018 votes (56.62 percent) to 78,934 votes (43.38) in a county whose population is less than 25 percent black, clearly a critical number of white voters decided they have had enough of McCulloch’s tough (i.e., ineffective) on crime approach and his unapologetic arrogance in the face of a worsening crime crisis and over-incarceration. While Michael Brown’s death was a tragedy, how the aftermath of that tragedy was handled was an unmitigated disaster from which the region is yet to recover. Clearly, many county voters are ready to move on. More than any other public official, Bob McCulloch became St. Louis’ official face for Ferguson. It was McCulloch who made the August 7 primary worthy of the attention of the New York Times the day before the election. White voters in St. Louis County realized they couldn’t restore the county’s reputation and their good name as long as McCulloch was their prosecutor. They moved on. Oppressed people – the weak, the powerless, the disenfranchised – are taught from an early age about the moral superiority of forgiving those who have been responsible for their oppression. But in politics, the players – and voters – live by the brutal law of payback. We owed McCulloch, and we settled the score. There is nothing wrong with revenge, as long as it advances your interest. By the way, it’s best served cold. Enjoy.

Clancy’s win, propositions’ passage, will

St. Louis County voters made several good and necessary improvements to the St. Louis County Council in the primary election on Tuesday, August 7. In the only contested County Council race, Councilman Pat Dolan was toppled by challenger Lisa Clancy, who beat him soundly, 17,978 votes (58 percent) to 11,196 (36 percent). Clancy, a progressive who embraced the police accountability movement, promises to collaborate with the two black council members - Hazel Erby and Rochelle Walton Gray - to reinforce their emphasis on racial equity. Clancy is a major improvement over Dolan, who was the last ally that embattled County Executive Steve Stenger could claim on the council. Voters also approved two County Charter amendments on Tuesday. Proposition 2, which passed by only 11 votes, empowers the County Council to hire its own attorney. The role of attorney to the County Council is currently played by the county counselor, who is appointed by

improve county

the county executive. Council members have long complained that the county counselor did not adequately represent the council, especially when the council and the county executive disagreed over legal issues and policy questionswhich, during Stenger’s term, has been almost constantly. “The County Council worked together to pass this Charter amendment, even though the county counselor actively opposed us in court,” County Council Chairman Sam Page said of Proposition

License collector reelected despite shady dealings

St. Louis voters have a crazy way with the city’s so-called county offices. First they elected Sharon Quigley Carpenter as recorder of deeds, though she had resigned from that same office that same year (2014) after confessing to nepotism. And now on August 7 they reelected Mavis Thompson as license collector even after she illegally released the personal information of her primary challenger, Dana Kelly-Franks – including her Social Security number, date of birth, and state driver’s license number – when Thompson gathered that information on her challenger through her powers as license collector. This was revealed by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, after Thompson gave the paper this information in an attempt to discredit her challenger. Thompson was attempting to show that Kelly-Franks has been negligent in obtaining a business license over the years - an accusation the PostDispatch ran with. However, Kelly-Franks’ current financial consulting business - The Firm in South St. Louis city - is registered under her name, but the businesses she owned previously were registered in her partner’s name, according

to the Missouri Secretary of State’s website.

Amazingly, the Post reported that an elected official illegally released personal information about her challenger that she obtained through her official position – yet still did not endorse against Thompson. The Post has said it will not endorse candidates for the city’s county offices unless they pledge to eliminate it as an elected office – which Kelly-Franks did, in an op-ed published in this paper. Thompson also made some disingenuous claims in her campaign. She claimed a number of endorsements –

2. “Representation by legal counsel who has only our best interest in mind is an important step in establishing the legislative branch of county government as the guardian of accountability and transparency.”

While Proposition 2 passed narrowly, Proposition 3 passed by a wide margin. It updates the County Charter so that County Council members can work as independent contractors for other public entities. Proposition 3 was proposed by the council after Stenger’s attacks on one councilman, Ernie Trakas, who works as an attorney for school districts outside St. Louis County.

Clancy positioned her victory in the context of the passage of these propositions as well.

“District 5 voted to change county government, to get rid of insider deals, and to move the county in a more progressive direction,” Clancy said. “I look forward to getting to work for my neighbors and constituents.” We expect they will be much more pleased with her work than that of her predecessor.

Lessons to learn for Congressman Clay and Cori Bush

When Alexandria OcasioCortez stumped for Cori Bush’s Democratic primary campaign in St. Louis, her many progressive supporters hoped that lighting would strike in Missouri’s 1st Congressional District as it did in New York’s 14th District, where OcasioCortez upset an entrenched incumbent in the Democratic primary. This was not to be, as legacy incumbent Wm. Lacy Clay won easily on August 7 with 81,426 votes (57 percent) compared to 53,056 votes (37 percent) for Bush. However, we think there are lessons for both incumbent and challenger to be taken here.

Given that two other challengers (one of whom withdrew from the race too late to get off the ballot) got 9,188 votes (6 percent) between them, Clay has to face the fact that 43 percent of the district voted against him. Clay has never lost an election and boasted to the New York Times before the primary that he “smoked” his most recent primary challenger, but those are not invincible numbers. He should listen to what the progressives who oppose him are saying, improve his ground game in the district and show greater local engagement. However, some of his past moves (fierce, undoubting support of the NorthSide Regeneration project, past endorsements of Francis

Slay and Steve Stenger) have made him permanent enemies among many progressives.

It’s interesting that he did not host an election watch party on Tuesday; we suspect he feared an enthusiasm gap between his and Bush’s campaigns would not have played well, and we suspect he was correct. As for Bush, a protest leader who was seriously injured physically during her campaign yet battled on, she might reconsider her top-down electoral strategy. Before she ran and lost for the U.S. House, she ran for the U.S. Senate and lost. She is moving closer to earth, but she should realize that most successful politicians start the other way. The two primary opponents who beat her – Jason Kander and Clay –both started their careers in the state House of Representatives, as did Bruce Franks Jr. – a progressive candidate many expect to bid for higher office soon. Lightning can strike, and an Ocasio-Cortez can win a hot primary for Congress in her first electoral bid, but by far the surer path is to win a lower office, develop campaign strategies in a smaller field, garner name recognition and then, once elected, start to learn legislative procedures and prove political skill to constituents. Taking long-shot bids for higher office without working your way up is, of course, anyone’s prerogative, it’s just not a very promising strategy for political success.

Lisa Clancy

Cori Bush

Wm. Lacy Clay

Photo by Evie Hemphill / St. Louis Public Radio

by former

Dana Kelly-FranksMavis Thompson

STEM for summer

STEM Meets Humanities Robotics Program participants Kennedy Lacey, Jalen Mclemore and Aria Isom build a rover under the instruction of coordinator Candi Johnson and SIUE student Gaige Crowell. Metro East students ranging in age from five to 14 are participating in the robotics program being offered through the collaborative STEM Meets Humanities robotics program, presented in partnership by the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville STEM Center, Mannie Jackson Center for the Humanities and Madison County Housing Authority.

East St. Louis Heritage Festival to be held August 26

The East St. Louis Heritage Festival will be held noon and 5 p.m. on Sunday, August 26 at the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Center, located at 101 Jackie Joyner-Kersee Circle in East St. Louis. The free family event will look back at the rich history of the city with an eye toward the future. It will be presented by the City of East St. Louis, Governor’s Office of the Illinois Bicentennial and Ameren Illinois to coincide with the bicentennial celebration to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the signing of the first Illinois Constitution in Kaskaskia.

“We are showcasing a nostalgic walk down memory lane with exhibits rarely publicized to be shared with an appreciative audience,” said Charlotte Ottley, Heritage Festival coordinator. Mayor Emeka Jackson-Hicks will be on-hand to showcase renderings from various developers’ proposals showing what the City will look like in the future.

The festival will have numerous exhibits, live entertainment with a tribute to Miles Davis by the Bosman Twins; demonstrations, photo booth, market place vendors, a Children’s Village, Church Row hosted by Sparkman’s Magazine; Champions Corner, hosted by Olympian Jackie Joyner-Kersee; an interactive legacy wall that allows people to designate where their family moved throughout the City hosted by I AM EST Magazine; and an opportunity to listen to the political soapbox with the NAACP.

The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis will host Health Unit along with BJC HealthCare/ Belleville Memorial Hospital and St. Louis Children’s Hospital.

Ameren Illinois is the presenting sponsor for the event. The company recently opened a renovated operating center on Broadway Street and committed millions to modernize the City’s electric and natural gas infrastructure.

How inclusive was Wash. U’s search for its 15th chancellor?

Adria Crutchfield For The St. Louis American

The Washington University Board of Trustees’ announcement of Andrew D. Martin as my alma mater’s next chancellor was a failure of leadership to lead when presented with a transformative opportunity to do just that.

I have no grievance with Martin personally and only know him from what I have read online. But I do have serious concerns with the Board of Trustees and the institutional processes and policies that continue to perpetuate a discomforting experience for students of color and a status quo that does not reflect the strength of the university’s true diversity.

While an undergraduate Ervin Scholar and student athlete, I experienced a dearth of professors of color and witnessed the unfortunate handling of campus climate issues that centered on race and gender from multiple lenses. Fifteen years later, I fully expected that my alma mater would have seized this opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity from its highest and most influential perch. They did not.

make up 52.5 percent of the student body. A quick glance at the photos displayed for the Chancellor Search Committee shows that it too was not exactly representative of the current student population. In fact, the membership of the Commission on Diversity and Inclusion actually looked most representative, but it was not empowered to govern the search process.

The 2017 recommendations made by the Commission on Diversity and Inclusion, an initiative launched at the request of Chancellor Mark Wrighton and Provost Holden Thorp, appear to be a document created to collect dust rather than inform the process by which the university would make what is certainly the most critical decision it has in decades.

Beyond knowing that the bodies that made the chancellor decision were not diverse, we know little else about the pool of candidates who were under consideration and what recruiting efforts the Chancellor Search Committee employed to ensure that the search was diverse, inclusive, and equitable.

Our academic leaders turned a blind eye to history, the history of our institution and history as it has played out in the world surrounding the campus over the last four years. From the tragic shooting of Michael Brown by a Ferguson Police officer, to the subsequent national outrage and protests, to the recent racial profiling by the Clayton Police Department of 10 black Washington University students, to the election of a man who uses his presidential bully pulpit to sow divisions between people who have more in common than they have differences, the teachable moments have been painful but plentiful.

Perhaps it’s also worth taking a closer look at the composition of the Board of Trustees in order to better understand the dynamics of the university and possibly why another white male chancellor was selected. While the university website does not include photos or bios of the trustees, a count of the names yields 60 members. Of those 60 names, approximately 10 appear to be women. So, only 16.6 percent of the trustee membership is female, yet women

Washington University has made strides in retaining professors of color and accepting more Pell Grant-eligible students, but could benefit from deep self-reflection and an independent analysis of the makeup of the Board of Trustees.

As do many former Ervin Scholars, I carried the adage “to whom much is given, much is expected” in the forefront of my mind back when I was a student and even today. Alumni give a tremendous amount in terms of professional accomplishments, dollars, and volunteer time back to the university with the expectation that in return, the university will evolve into a better institution – for the faculty and staff, for its neighbors in St. Louis, Clayton, and University City, for strangers around the world and for future generations. Let’s hope that Washington University rises to the occasion the next time an opportunity presents itself.

Adria Crutchfield is a 2003 graduate of the College of Architecture at Washington University who has worked in housing affordability and community development and resides in New York City.

Adria Crutchfield

Continued from A1

Acapulco Restaurant & Lounge in St. Ann, near his campaign headquarters.

Bell’s campaign had broad, diverse support throughout the county, which included progressives and elected officials.

After the grand jury did not indict Darren Wilson in November of 2014, the Washington Post’s Dana Milbank wrote, “It appeared he (McCulloch) wasn’t even trying to get an indictment; he had a long record of protecting police in such cases, and his decision not to recommend a specific charge to the grand jury essentially guaranteed there would be no indictment.”

Owing to the national notoriety that McCulloch garnered in his handling of the Darren Wilson grand jury, Bell’s campaign also gained national attention – an endorsement by Democracy For America, Howard Dean’s organization – and the support of activist groups, including Color of Change PAC, which claimed to engage more than 200,000 voters on Bell’s behalf.

Locally, Organization for Black Struggle was one of many activist groups that stumped for Bell and harangued McCulloch. Its Executive Director Jamala Rogers exalted in Bell “sentencing McCulloch

WILLIAMS

Continued from A1

minimal criminal history to prison.” Taylor said that a former president of a police association received a lighter sentence for having child porn than Williams did.

“No one was hurt,” Taylor said. “It was a bag of chips. That’s what we’re talking about.” Williams’ sense of humor

to an early retirement.”

The American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri, which does not endorse candidates, made an unprecedented effort to educate the public on McCulloch’s

and willingness to confront authorities made him stand out during the protests, many said. He yelled at officials at public meetings and stood face-toface with heavily armed police during the unrest. He marched alongside the philosopher Cornel West and spoke at a rally in Washington, D.C., that the Rev. Al Sharpton organized. Then, just before Christmas 2014 and a few months after Brown’s death, a cop fatally shot a teenager whom the officer said pulled a gun on

record of holding people with misdemeanor offenses who could not post cash bail and the meager results of the diversion program for drug offenders that he initiated after Ferguson.

Bell supporters remained

him outside of a gas station in Berkeley, a town near Ferguson. Protests erupted at the scene and there were clashes with police officers. People looted a nearby QuikTrip convenience store, and video footage showed Williams (wearing a hoodie he frequently wore at protests and actions) attempting to light a fire near the building’s entrance. St. Louis County police arrested him on December 26, 2014. His bond amount was set at $30,000.

Many activists were in

upbeat as they waited for election returns to come in. Bell had a slight early lead starting with absentee votes, a lead that grew as precinct votes were counted and posted.

“It is an honor to be

court to support Williams, as he pleaded guilty on December 10, 2015, to firstdegree arson, second-degree burglary and a misdemeanor for stealing. His attorney told the judge Williams had never been in any major trouble before and that the medical evaluation had labeled his then-teenage client as “childlike.”

Yet Williams was sentenced to eight years in prison. That’s longer than other Missourians who committed similar crimes,

Wesley Bell hugged a supporter on election night at Acapulco Restaurant & Lounge in St. Ann, near his campaign headquarters, after claiming victory in the St. Louis County prosecutor race.

criminal justice policies. He told reporters his campaign message focused on bringing people of this region together.

“Not only was it about community policing, because that’s what I campaigned on, and court reform – we’ve got to make sure that everyone is treated fairly,” Bell said. “We want to make sure the fact that you live in a certain zip code or you have a certain economic status should not increase the likelihood of you seeing the inside of a jail cell.”

Bell ran for Ferguson City Council after the Ferguson unrest and won a seat that he must now relinquish. He also works as a municipal prosecutor and lawyer in private practice, which he also must abandon. Bell has never prosecuted a case in circuit court, which was McCulloch’s primary campaign issue. As McCulloch told St. Louis Public Radio, “Putting someone with zero experience in a position like this would be one of those things that is very detrimental to public safety.”

your next St. Louis County prosecutor,” Bell said as he claimed victory to supporters around 11 p.m., thanking all who worked to make it happen and promising reforms to the cash bail system and other

including a 28-year-old man who started a fire that caused $1 million damage at the University of Missouri and Stephens College, who was sentenced to six and a half years.

State Rep. Bruce Franks Jr., who is also a frontline Ferguson protestor, said that Josh made a mistake, but his sentence was excessive. And he has served enough time in a maximum security prison. Franks and others came together to file for Williams’ clemency last year, under

On the contrary, Bell argued that progressive reforms to the prosecutor’s office would make the county safer while also vowing to prosecute violent offenses vigorously.

“Let’s keep this momentum going,” Bell said after claiming victory, “so that we can bring change to this county that will make people safer, help people, help families.”

the former governor’s administration. But now they have to start over under new Governor Mike Parson.

“I’m fairly optimistic about this new governor,” Franks said. “At the state Legislature, we are focusing on criminal justice reform, and making sure folks that shouldn’t be in jail don’t stay in jail. We are at the point where it’s time to come to the table and talk about what we need to do.”

Mariah Stewart contributed to this report.

Photo by Wiley Price

Continued from A1

Hummel was appointed to the seat by the city’s Central Democratic Committee when Joe Keaveny stepped down to take a position as an administrative law judge in a meeting that Keaveny chaired.

“We have to stop allowing things like that to happen,” May said of the insider process that put Hummel in the seat.

“We have a district that is over 85 percent Democrat, so we should allow the people to choose who that person should be, not a select few playing politics, chaired by the person stepping down. The people did not have a chance to speak. This election allowed voters to speak for the first time. The people should never be silent.”

She plans to extend her respect for the voices of the public as a state senator.

“I want to give a voice to my constituents,” she said.

“I want to form a citizen’s advisory council, a senior’s advisory council. I want to have regular meetings in the district to educate constituents

MALES

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Wilson said he felt like “a five-year-old holding onto Hulk Hogan.” The police officer was giving his version of events about his first physical contact with Brown. Wilson was trying to establish that he feared for his life, and this was his image of the fear he felt for this youth he shot six times and killed — though the youth was not armed and Wilson knew he was not armed.

That is to say, Michael Brown was not armed with anything other than his own human arms; it was Wilson’s contact with one of the 18-year-old youth’s arms that made the 28-year-old police officer — armed with a .40 caliber Sig Sauer, in addition to his own two human arms — allegedly revert to a boy aged 5 clutching onto a 6’7” adult professional wrestler. Wilson also testified that Brown was a serious threat of overpowering and disarming him, though he was himself a large man. Officer Wilson was 6’4” 210 pounds, and Michael Brown was 6’4” 292 pounds.

This was an all-toocommon narrative about a black male told by a white male facing possible criminal

and have them weigh in at every level while bills are going through the process.”

In addition to the leverage of incumbency, Hummel’s campaign had a huge cash advantage and was expected to benefit from mainstream labor’s hard push to defeat Proposition A, the Right to Work referendum. Prop A was beat 2:1, yet Hummel lost to May by 15 points.

“People understood my work and were able to distinguish the two campaigns,” May said.

“Defeating Prop A was very important, but to try to line your campaign up with an issue, like Jake did, when people know who the true fighter on that issue is, backfired. I always fight against anti-worker laws.”

May is a trustee of the St. Louis Chapter of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists and had strong black labor support in her campaign.

May, who was term-limited in the state House, brings extensive knowledge of the state Legislature and looks forward to moving to the more powerful chamber.

“As a senator, you are one of 34 and have more influence

charges for killing the black male. And it helped to convince a St. Louis County grand jury that this white man with police powers and a powerful gun, 10 years older than the unarmed youth and just as tall, felt like a 5-year-old in the arms of a giant. That’s quite a story. In Michael Brown’s memory, starting this week we will present a year-long examination and critique of the narratives surrounding, attached to, and weaponized against black males. Each week we will invite a black male to think about the stories people tell about black males and to help us envision some new narratives about black males — in the hope that, at the end of these new narratives, the black males being talked about are empowered with real opportunities for healing, growth and upward mobility. We aim to cultivate a regional culture of opportunity and investment in black male development the likes of which the region has never witnessed. We want to reimagine St. Louis as a region greatly valuing black male upward mobility as an initial step, worthy of social and resource investments, alongside ongoing regional efforts to improve the health and economic outcomes of all where we live. We are invested and believe it would be critical to undertake a better

and better opportunities to get things done,” she said. “In the House, you are one of 163. So I will have greater leverage to get things passed. I already have a working relationship with a lot of Republicans, so I will be able to get things done. My relationships will be significant walking into the Senate.”

One Republican she has differed with recently is Gov. Mike Parson, who slashed from the budget funds she had secured as a state representative for adolescent behavioral health and for Harris-Stowe State University.

“I had a conversation with the governor about different avenues of funding for adolescent behavioral health, possibly through the Missouri Foundation of Health,” May said. “It’s funding we desperately need to gauge the impact of behavioral health. We don’t have those numbers. How many young people are being impacted by acute behavioral issues and are not being treated?”

As for Harris-Stowe, she said, “I will continue that fight. I will figure out that fight.”

understanding of dynamic black males and to change the narrative of how we think and talk about them — not simply for the betterment of black males, but for the moral and economic health of our region. We both cherish many black males who are family members, fathers, friends, colleagues, and mentors—real men who are surviving or thriving in spite of their challenging circumstances.

n In Michael Brown’s memory, starting this week we will present a yearlong examination and critique of the narratives surrounding, attached to, and weaponized against black males.

The deadly police shooting of Michael Brown in 2014 highlighted the long-standing disparities in health, education, employment, and overall well-being experienced by black boys and young men in the St. Louis region. In response, the HomeGrown STL initiative (within the Center for Social Development

at Washington University’s Brown School) for over three years brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, from across sectors, to build regional capacity and efficacy of programs dedicated to improving the social mobility of black boys and young men, ages 12-29, within one generation – by 2039. Thus, we undertake this project thinking about the wider public and the greater good. To coin a phrase from the old name of a project now called “Health Equity Works,” we want to better understand black males and improve their outcomes for the sake of all. To be very blunt and to the point, in our judgment it will not be possible to reverse declines in population and Fortune 500 companies of the St. Louis

region and to help the region grow and thrive and fulfill more of its vast potential if we don’t improve the lives, the well-being, the productivity, and the safety of black males.

Each month in the next year we also will report on a project, program or organization that is having some success with creative strategies to intervene in the lives of black males and to empower them and improve their lives. There will be opportunities along the way for readers to put down the paper or their mobile devices and get involved. Because this is not at heart merely a project of journalism. We also are hoping to help bring about positive change.

“Homegrown Black Males” is a partnership between HomeGrown STL at the Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis and The St. Louis American. It will be edited by Sean Joe, Benjamin E. Youngdahl Professor and associate dean at the Brown School, and Chris King, managing editor of The

Jay Ozier, president of the St. Louis Chapter of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU); Karla May, a CBTU trustee; Reginald Cavitt, treasurer of the local CBTU chapter; Lew Moye, president emeritus of the local CBTU chapter; and Denise Moye celebrated May’s win in the August 7 Democratic primary for 4th District state Senate.

American (under the guidance of the paper’s publisher and executive editor, Donald M. Suggs). You will hear from black male colleagues of the editors, but mostly we will share community voices: black males from very young ages to very seasoned black male voices. We will share the voices of black males from a wide range of income strata, occupations and neighborhoods. We will report on a wide variety of programs, projects and organizations that already are doing this necessary work and joined as member of HomeGrown STL in reimagining St. Louis as a desirable region for black boys to grow up and for black young men to work. Not that it will undo the loss of a very young black man who died far too young — in an otherwise meaningless incident in Ferguson that should not have resulted in his being shot six times and killed – but we dedicate “Homegrown Black Males” to the memory of Michael O.D. Brown.

Harris-Stowe to house Frankie M. Freeman Civil Rights Collection

Pioneering civil rights attorney passed away in January at the age of 101.

By Chris King Of The St. Louis American

Harris-Stowe State University will house the Frankie M. Freeman Civil Rights Collection, the documents from the estate of the pioneering civil rights lawyer who lived in St. Louis for decades and passed away in January 2018 at the age of 101. Her daughter, Shelbe Freeman Bullock, will be in St. Louis to announce the collection at Harris-Stowe on Wednesday, August 8.

“Her contributions locally and nationally forever changed the course of history, and all of us are the fortunate beneficiaries of her work,” said Dwaun J. Warmack, president of Harris-Stowe. “We are eager to share her story today and for generations to come.”

The Frankie M. Freeman Civil Rights Collection consists almost entirely of documents produced by the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, where Freeman served 19641979 after her appointment by President Lyndon B. Johnson

n “Her contributions locally and nationally forever changed the course of history, and all of us are the fortunate beneficiaries of her work.”

– Dwaun J. Warmack, president of Harris-Stowe.

challenged racial segregation in public housing. She also served as legal counsel to the NAACP legal team that filed suit against the St. Louis Board of Education in 1954 for racial equality in the public schools.

In 1965, President Johnson asked the commission to conduct a study on racial isolation in the public schools. After conducting hearings and studies around the country, the commission gave its report to the president, with a supplementary statement from Freeman.

– the first woman appointed to the commission. Some of the papers go back to 1954, before the commission was established

in 1957 as part of the Civil Rights Act of 1957. Freeman had already made civil rights history before that appointment. In 1952, she was the lead attorney for the landmark case Davis et. al. v. the St. Louis Housing Authority, which successfully

In her statement to the president, she said our country is on a “collision course” created by a divided education system based on economic background and race. Her statement was made in February 1967.

“It could also be said today,” Freeman said, when

she accepted the 2011 St. Louis Citizen of the Year Award. She also received the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People’s Spingarn Medal that year. In 1999 she led a task force to oversee a landmark settlement that ended segregation in St. Louisarea public schools. She and then-Washington University Chancellor William H. Danforth co-chaired a committee for monitoring and advising St. Louis Public Schools for over a decade. She authored a book, book, “A Song of Faith and Hope” (1967), a memoir of more than 60 years as a civil rights attorney and freedom fighter.

“We are so honored to be the repository of the Frankie M. Freeman Civil Rights Collection,” Warmack said.

Frankie M. Freeman

Welcome back to Wesley House

Celebration of a North Side community center on August 21

By Kristie Lein For The St. Louis American

St. Louis is a city of neighborhoods. Often those neighborhoods are anchored by a beloved place where residents gather to organize events, celebrate special occasions, or simply be together. For the North St. Louis neighborhood bounded by Interstate 70 and Natural Bridge Road to the north and south and Grand Boulevard and Kingshighway to the east and west – an area that’s home to about 25,000 people – the Wesley House Association (WHA) has served all of those roles and more since 1903. In conjunction with the Missouri Historical Society, WHA is celebrating its long history of service to the region with the event Welcome Back to the House, which will take place on Tuesday, August 21.

“To me, the most important function of Wesley House is to be a support to the residents,” said Tiffany Jackson, the WHA’s interim executive director. “To continue to provide programs and services that revitalize the youth, seniors, and families that make up this community.”

Though Jackson makes the mission sound easy enough, the scope of what Wesley House does is enormous. The organization’s youth services include an after-school program for kids ages 5 through 17 that focuses on academic achievement, positive peer relationships, and avoiding high-risk behaviors. For seniors, WHA promotes healthy living and social interaction through exercise classes, education, and programming, and it provides transportation to medical appointments. Services and programs for the broader community include employment and housing assistance, free access to its computer lab, and affordable computer classes.

The Wesley House is also a hub for volunteerism. It’s a place where citizens can work in its food pantry or help with mailings. It’s where elected officials hold monthly meetings and neighborhood associations puzzle through solutions.

“We are fortunate to be able to provide space for these groups to address pertinent issues that affect the community,” Jackson said. “It is an honor to work in a place that serves as a platform for civic awareness, engagement, and planning. Many important decisions and plans have been made in this building.”

Jackson said that WHA has reinforced her belief in the power of community – and how critical services and programs from neighborhood-based organizations like Wesley House are for residents.

“In my first week I met many residents who wanted to stop in and donate items, provide information for activities and events in the neighborhood, or just drop in to say hello,” she said. “I have always believed that programs aimed at addressing the needs of its participants – built on evidence-based outcomes and delivered by skilled staff – would succeed. Wesley House has added to my belief that the programs and services would be even more successful if they were offered with dedication, compassion, and a strong sense of hope. Many of the staff and board members are residents of the community and have a sincere interest in making sure the organization fulfills its mission.”

Though the WHA has touched hundreds of thousands of lives over the last 115 years, Jackson said its Welcome Back to the House event is for all people – whether they have been a part of WHA’s past or are interested in becoming a part of its future.

“We would love for the individuals and families who have benefited from WHA’s programs and services to come out and share their experience. We would also love for those in the community who aren’t as familiar with our services to come and hear about the rich history of Wesley House, gain information, and make connections to our current services and programs.”

Jackson hopes people will leave filled with optimism and inspired by the power of community, just as she has been.

“Working with an organization with such rich history, a reputation of providing support and resources to the community, and a skilled and devoted staff and board gives me a great sense of pride and hope for the community and other underserved communities as well,” she said.

Welcome Back to the House takes place at the Wesley House Association, located at 4507 Lee Avenue, on Tuesday, August 21. Greetings and refreshments begin at 1:30 p.m., and the event starts at 2 p.m. It is free and open to the public. To learn more about WHA, call (314) 385-1000.

Are you ready for change?

I have been thinking about the Ferguson Uprising a lot – the conditions that led to it, what lessons have been learned, where the region is going, where the country is headed.

My reflections on the Ferguson Uprising anniversary are still being formulated. Some days that clarity is sharper than others. After a couple of days with originator and animator of Fearless Dialogues, Greg Ellison, I feel all my senses have been heightened. The challenge made to participants submitting themselves to the fearless dialogue experience is: Are you ready for change?

Fearless Dialogues was hosted by the Deaconess Foundation as part of its Just for Kids Community Conversations Series. The series kicked off in this past spring with the pearls of wisdom by the veritable Marian Wright Edelman. Fearless Dialogues is an organization committed to creating unique spaces for unlikely partners to engage in difficult and passionate conversations that hopefully lead to transformative change on individual and community level.

Michael Brown became an unlikely martyr on August 9, 2014. When I ask people about what they think has changed

since the police killing of an unarmed black teen, I hear a variety of responses and most aren’t that positive. What if we used the next year to truly engage in fearless and unflinching dialogues with those unlikely partners to plan a future where our children will thrive? We would build upon the stories and hopes of poor and working people, especially African Americans, since they are the most vulnerable human beings who should be our critical focus.

Our mission would be informed by the reports produced over the last few years like, Forward Through Ferguson, For the Sake of All and Children of Metropolitan St. Louis that help us understand the scope of the problem. On the fifth anniversary of Mike Brown’s

n What if we used the next year to truly engage in fearless and unflinching dialogues with those unlikely partners to plan a future where our children will thrive?

murder in 2019, we could recommit ourselves to some measurable breakthroughs using a racial equity lens in areas like health, education, housing and public safety.

The alternative to not taking the best fork in the road is unacceptable. Given the hatefilled wannabe dictator in the

White House, the incessant murders of black and brown people by cops and a few other combustible factors, we’re racing towards another Ferguson Uprising. This week, the Forward Through Ferguson organization will release a progress report on the 47 Signature Priority Calls to Action. The Calls to Action were part of the Ferguson report created through a regionwide community engagement process after the Ferguson Uprising. In my opinion, we really haven’t worked consistently and relentlessly in the way that would lead to transformative change, so I look forward to reading the report. Is Ferguson ready to tackle the hard questions that are still bubbling just beneath the surface? Is America ready to embrace authentic and honest discussions about race and all its manifestations? Ferguson was America in 2014. Ferguson is America today and tomorrow. Unless something is spontaneously planned, it looks like there will be no big events on the fourth anniversary of the Mike Brown tragedy. This could be a time for quiet, sobering reflection for our community to look forward. We should seize the opportunity.

Four years after the unthinkable police killing of Mike Brown and the volcanic eruption of accumulated anger and betrayals, the question we must ask ourselves and each other: Are we ready for change?

A youth summer program held at Wesley House in 1994.

Columnist

Jamala Rogers

“Forget Me Not,” a stage production that illustrates how Alzheimer’s disease impacts the African-American community, played the Grandel Theatre on Wednesday, August 1 as part of the programming for the 46th annual National Black Nurses Association Conference, which convened in St. Louis from July 30 – August 5.

‘It

ain’t us –it’s the disease’

‘Forget Me Not’ play brings family impact of Alzheimer’s to the stage

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

Audience members laughed and cried –but mostly laughed – at The Grandel Theatre on Wednesday, August 1 as they watched an African-American family experience the effects of Alzheimer’s disease play out through the production of “Forget Me Not.”

The presentation of the play, which is underway with its tenth annual national tour, was part of the programming for the 46th annual National Black Nurses Association (NBNA) Conference that took place in St. Louis from July 30-August 5. The conference brought about a thousand black nursing professionals and administrators to the St.

n “Though African Americans are 13 percent of the U.S. population, we bear 33 percent of the total cost of Alzheimer’s in the United States.”

– Stephanie Monroe of AfricanAmericansAgainstAlzheimer’s

Louis region – including the more than 300 who came to see “Forget Me Not.” The play uses a urban/gospel stage performance format, which tends to keep

things light and fun – but the heavy parts of the production seemed to hit close to home. Several members of the audience were moved to tears as family patriarch June suffers through the disease. It was all too real for them as their emotional responses seemed to clue feelings of a familiar dynamic.

June’s family and his inner circle notice something is off with him. His short-term memory dissipates before their eyes. But they are too bogged down with other matters – particularly the failing health of the family matriarch – to give the clues that all is not well much attention.

See PLAY, A11

Mercy Children’s Hospital earns Pediatric Asthma Certification

Mercy Children’s Hospital St. Louis recently earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for Pediatric Asthma Certification, the only asthma-certified children’s hospital in Missouri. To earn the two-year certification, the multidisciplinary pediatric asthma certification team developed and tracked metrics over 18 months and hosted The Joint Commission during a site review to evaluate compliance with national disease-specific

care standards and pediatric asthma-specific requirements. Clinical practice guidelines and performance measures also were assessed.

Mercy Children’s pediatric asthma team works with newly diagnosed patients as well as those admitted with asthma complications. With clinical pathways, each patient receives care following specific steps to ensure the greatest treatment success. Recognition that asthma is a chronic disease is of critical importance for its proper management.

Established in 2002 and awarded for a two-year period, The Joint Commission’s Disease-Specific Care Certification evaluates clinical programs across the continuum of care and addresses three core areas: compliance with consensus-based national standards; effective use of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines to manage and optimize care; and an organized approach to performance measurement and improvement activities.

By Talcott Camp For The St. Louis American

Now that President Donald Trump has nominated Brett Kavanaugh to replace Justice Anthony Kennedy on the U.S. Supreme Court, it will be up to the U.S. Senate to fully vet him so that the American people can determine whether he will uphold the basic civil rights and liberties relied on by everyone in this country. This is particularly true when it comes to abortion rights, where Kavanaugh’s prior opinions on the subject, coupled with the fact that Donald Trump vowed to only nominate justices who would overturn Roe v. Wade, give rise to serious concern about women’s continued ability to access abortion if Kavanaugh is confirmed. The ACLU as a matter of policy does not endorse or oppose nominees to the Supreme Court. But we do think it’s essential, given Trump’s promise, that any nominee is questioned extensively and directly about their commitment to the 45-year-old precedent of Roe v. Wade Roe v. Wade made abortion legal in all 50 states by holding that politicians cannot constitutionally ban abortion — except after the point in pregnancy at which the fetus could survive outside the woman’s body. The 1973 decision nullified abortion bans across the country, but it provided imperfect protection for abortion access.

n Since 2011, politicians have passed more than 400 abortion restrictions. These include laws that shut down all or most of the clinics in a state under the guise of promoting women’s health.

Shortly after the decision, the Supreme Court held that politicians may exclude abortion coverage from Medicaid and may require parental or judicial involvement in a minor’s abortion decision. Those rulings cruelly placed abortion out of reach for many people — especially lowincome women and, disproportionately, women of color. Then, in 1992, in Planned Parenthood v. Casey, the Supreme Court opened the door to myriad additional restrictions on abortion access. In that decision, the court reaffirmed the core holding of Roe — that politicians cannot ban abortion — but ruled that states may restrict abortion as long as those restrictions do not impose an “undue burden” on a woman’s access.

And restrict it they did: Since 2011, politicians have quietly passed more than 400 abortion restrictions. These include laws that shut down all or most of the clinics in a state under the guise of promoting women’s health. Where possible, women, medical providers, and advocates have challenged these laws — and in many cases, lower courts weighed in on their side. In a critical decision, so did the Supreme Court. In Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt, the Supreme Court in 2016 struck down two such laws out of Texas: one law that banned abortion unless the physician had admitting privileges at a local hospital, and another that required

Photo by Kenya Vaughn

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“I have a granddaughter. She wears a shirt with three letters across her chest. I just can’t remember her name,” June says.

June repeats stories over and over. He doesn’t realize where he is. They charge his behavior to old age – that is, until a barely averted tragedy forces them to face the fact that the funny but strong father figure who was once the cornerstone of their family needs help.

“When you get mad and frustrated, it ain’t us – it’s the disease,” June says in the final scene. “Think back on all the good times we had together. I might not remember your name, but I have feelings. When you fuss and yell at me, I get confused – and I don’t want to be confused. I don’t want to disappoint nobody.”

There was an audible emotional response to his words. Deep gasps and sniffles could be heard during the pauses in his monologue.

“I want to change the way the world looks at Alzheimer’s disease,” playwright, director, producer and star of “Forget Me Not” Garrett Davis writes in the program notes.

Davis stars as June, alongside Samantha McSwain, Javon Bell, Latonya Sims, Kynya Milam and Darren McGill. In addition to writing the play and touring with the production as the star, Davis founded the Forget Me Not Project. The play and the project have the support of AfricanAmericansAgainstAlzheimer’s, which is a network of UsAgainstAlzheimer’s.

The mission of the Forget Me Not Project is to raise the awareness of Alzheimer’s disease in all communities and to enhance the capacity of and support for caregivers, while educating the general public – with special emphasis on underserved communities

where health disparities exist. Stephanie Monroe of AfricanAmericansAgainstAlzheimer’s said that while Alzheimer’s is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States, it is the fourth-leading cause of death for older African Americans.

“Alzheimer’s is the only disease in the top 10 causes of death that doctors can’t prevent, slow or cure,” Monroe said. “And though African Americans are 13 percent of the U.S. population, we bear 33 percent of the total cost of Alzheimer’s in the United

States.” Alzheimer’s disease currently affects more than 5.3 million Americans, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. And the association says that the disease is expected to increase by 70 percent over the next 70 years unless science

finds a way to prevent it, slow it or cure it.

“I may not live long enough to see a cure,” Davis said. “But it is my prayer that the endless work that our staff does will witness that day when we can see a world without Alzheimer’s.”

Black nurses convene in St. Louis

St. Louis Chapter hosts gathering of about 1,000 black nurses

violence reduction.

By Sandra Jordan

Of The St. Louis American

About one thousand nurses gathered in St. Louis from Tuesday, July 31 to Sunday, August 5 for the 46th annual Institute and Conference of the National Black Nurses Association (NBNA). The conference took place at downtown’s Union Station. Its sessions, workshops and other professional development activities were built around the conference theme

“The Art and Science of Nursing.”

“As we look at educating nurses to educate communities, it’s good that we are here in St. Louis to educate them on violence as a public health crisis and how can we treat violence as a disease and on how can we treat violence as a disease, looking at mental health, substance abuse, poverty, lack of education,” Williams said. “We have enough data on violence as a public health crisis.”

n “We have enough data on violence as a public health crisis.”

“We are looking at: How can we use science and the evidence of research to be creative and individualize our nursing care regarding individuals, families and communities?” said Eric J. Williams, DNP, who is the first male president of the NBNA. Williams said the other major program is on

– Eric J. Williams, National Black Nurses Association

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that physicians perform the procedure in a mini-hospital called an ambulatory surgical center. The five-justice majority, which included Justice Kennedy, relied on the undue burden standard articulated in Casey and ruled that these restrictions were an unconstitutional undue burden because they did nothing to safeguard patient health while shutting down three-quarters of the clinics in the state.

He said developing interventions is the next step.

“We need to move in a direction to develop interventions that are upward in nature to have strategic impacts to strengthen the African-American family to help us reduce violence,” Williams said, “and then, work with law enforcement to help them become culturally competent and then move beyond cultural

Despite that decision, states across the country continue to pass and defend laws that fail the standard articulated in Roe, Casey, and Whole Woman’s Health. Arkansas and Missouri, for example, are defending laws indistinguishable from the Texas laws the Supreme Court struck down in 2016. But legal advocates have been able to use the Whole Woman’s Health decision to challenge other restrictions, which federal courts have struck down in multiple states. If the Senate confirms a Supreme Court nominee who

Linda Burnes Bolton, vice president and chief nursing officer for Cedars Sinai Health System, addressed the Conference of the National Black Nurses Association in St. Louis on Thursday, August 2. The Black Nurses Association of Greater St. Louis hosted the 46th annual conference.

competence to a state of proficiency.”

The NBNA, headquartered in Silver Spring, Maryland,

shifts the balance on the court, and the court overturns Roe v. Wade, many states will ban abortion. By some counts, almost half the states would do so. Seventeen states already have laws on the books to accomplish this swiftly if the Supreme Court overturns Roe We would then have a legal patchwork in which large swaths of the South and Midwest lack abortion access, with no recourse to federal courts. Certain state constitutions would provide protections, as we saw in Iowa, where the state Supreme Court just relied on the state

represents 150,000 AfricanAmerican registered nurses, licensed vocational/practical nurses, nursing students and

constitution to block a ban on abortion starting at six weeks of pregnancy. But in most of the states where politicians seek to end abortion access, such state constitutional protections are the exception. But a new Supreme Court Justice could effectively decimate women’s access to abortion, even without overturning Roe outright. A new Supreme Court could uphold nearly unlimited state restrictions — including the kind of clinic shut-down laws from Texas that the court struck down in 2016. In upholding them, the court could

retired nurses from the U.S., Eastern Caribbean and Africa, with 92 chapters in 35 states.

“Our overall goal is to provide a forum for nurses to make a collective impact in the elimination of disparities among minority populations, especially African Americans and to improve consumer healthcare with precision medicine, and to educate them on their own health and promoting a culture of health in African-American communities,” Williams said.

“We have a lot of programs, whether it be diabetes, HIV, research, mentorship, global health – we’ve done work in Haiti and in Africa, so we’re about making things happen.”

Williams said special conference sessions included a youth institute to encourage them to enter the nursing profession, education on clinical trials, a culture of health symposium, and an under-40 forum to create the next cadre of nurse leaders.

“Those nurses who are under 40 can become deans, nurse practitioners, anesthesia nurses, educators and have more autonomy to make a collective impact with others,” he said. “Barnes-Jewish

say that it is simply applying the longstanding undue burden standard but deferring to legislative determinations of what is medically justified. In that way, the court would end abortion within the states that pass them — as surely as if the court had overturned Roe and allowed politicians to ban abortion explicitly.

In seven states, including Missouri, there is just a single women’s health center left providing abortion care. The only thing stopping politicians in those states from shuttering those clinics with faux health regulations is the federal

[Goldfarb] School of Nursing, Saint Louis U. and the St. Louis Chapter have been phenomenal in facilitating involvement of those locally.”

The Black Nurses Association of Greater St. Louis hosted the national conference. It is a membershipsupported organization with an emphasis on professional development of black nurses and a strong focus on community service.

“The Black Nurses Association of Greater St. Louis is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to provide mentorship, advocacy, scholarship, and networking to those residing in the Greater St. Louis metropolitan area,” stated Quita Stephens, president of the St. Louis BNA chapter.

“We work diligently to make a difference in the community by empowering people to live healthier lives.”

For more information on the local chapter, and its community outreach and promotion of health improvement for minorities through education, access and influencing legislation, visit http://www.bna-stlouis.org.

judiciary, and if the balance on the Supreme Court shifts against abortion rights, there will be nothing stopping them. Given the high stakes of filling Justice Kennedy’s seat, it’s imperative that senators press Brett Kavanaugh on whether he intends to protect a woman’s right to real access to abortion. If they don’t do their job, the impact could well be dire, and marginalized communities will pay the steepest price.

Talcott Camp is director of the ACLU Reproductive Freedom Project.

Photo by Kenya Vaughn

Photo by Wiley Price

Expert health care. No matter what.

Planned Parenthood is Missouri’s leading provider of sexual and reproductive health care, from wellness exams to birth control to STD testing and treatment.

We’ve got you covered - with or without insurance. We accept most health insurance including: Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Healthcare and more.

Right to Work loses by 2:1 margin

Nearly a million people voting against Prop A

By Jason Rosenbaum Of St. Louis Public Radio

Missouri voters rejected the Right-to-Work measure on Tuesday, August 7, delivering a big blow to a priority of the GOP-controlled Legislature and powerful business groups.

It’s the second time in the last 40 years that Missourians defeated the policy, which bars unions and employers from requiring workers to pay dues as a condition of employment.

In the other statewide contest on Tuesday’s ballot, Saundra McDowell bested three other Republicans to take on state Auditor Nicole Galloway.

The Right-to-Work referendum, known as Proposition A, failed by a margin of more than 67 percent, with nearly a million people voting against it. That means the Right-to-Work law that was implemented last year will be repealed.

“Together, we have made history two times in 40 years — we defeated Right to Work,” Missouri AFL-CIO

President Mike Louis said to a jubilant crowd.

Proponents contended the measure would draw businesses and economic opportunities to Missouri. But detractors of the policy believe it will ultimately lead to unions having less money — and therefore less power to negotiate higher wages and benefits.

Despite being passed with much fanfare in the early days of former Gov. Eric Greitens’ administration, Right to Work never actually went into effect. Unions gathered more than enough signatures to trigger a rare referendum vote. Missouri lawmakers moved the referendum from November to August, depriving Democrats of a potential turnout mechanism to help U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill in her re-election bid.

Labor groups poured millions of dollars to a committee seeking to defeat Proposition A. That money

paid for ads saying Rightto-Work states had lower collective wages, which was likely aimed at showing nonunion voters how the issue affected them.

Louis said Tuesday’s vote sent a big message to Missouri lawmakers — and the nation.

“I think it goes back to our messaging and our belief of what this is all about,” Louis said. “This is truly about rebuilding the middle class of America.”

Despite the victory Tuesday, labor unions aren’t necessarily out of the woods. That’s because the referendum doesn’t stop the Missouri General Assembly from passing a bill to implement Right to Work — or for Gov. Mike Parson to sign such a measure. Unions were hoping that a solid “no” vote would dissuade lawmakers from bringing the issue back up.

“The numbers don’t lie. Missouri will continue to fall behind until we pass freedom to work into law,” said Missouri Chamber of Commerce President Dan Mehan in a statement. “This statement is not a concession. With the future of our state’s economy on the line, we cannot concede hope that Missouri will soon join most other states and pass freedom to work protections.”

Missouri lawmakers already passed significant union restrictions during this past legislative session. That includes weakening the prevailing wage for some construction projects and restricting automatic deduction of dues for public sector union members.

For his part, Louis said Tuesday’s vote should be a warning against Republicans revisiting right to work.

“Some legislators have already made that statement that they don’t care if it passes or not, they’ve already got a plan to take care of this themselves when they go back,” Louis said. “I don’t know if there’s a way for them to do it without us stopping it. It’s sure got to make them think about what they’re doing when their own constituents have said ‘60-40 we don’t want this.’”

Reprinted with permission from news.stlpublicradio.org.

Photo by David Kovaluk / St. Louis Public Radio

Mike Louis, the president of the Missouri AFL-CIO, declares victory in defeating Proposition A on Tuesday, August 7 at Sheet Metal Workers Local 36.

Butler beats 38-year incumbent Carpenter

Becomes city’s first black recorder of deeds, first millennial elected citywide

By LaShana (Shan) Lewis

For The St. Louis American

Michael Butler defeated long-time incumbent Sharon Quigley Carpenter in the Democratic primary for recorder of deeds on Tuesday, August 7. Since no Republican filed for the office, it’s virtually assured that after the November general election, Butler will become the city’s first black recorder of deeds, as well as the first millennial elected to citywide office. Butler beat Carpenter 27,799 votes (51 percent) to 23,008 votes (42 percent). Perennial candidate Jimmie Matthews got 3,986 votes (7 percent).

“My incumbent has held the post for 38 years,” Butler told supporters after declaring victory at his watch party, held at Chalmer’s Mansion in the burgeoning Old North neighborhood. “She’s been in office as long as I’ve been alive.” Butler, 32, previously served as the Missouri House representative of District 79 in St. Louis city and Democratic Caucus chair in the House. He was not term-limited, but did not seek reelection to pursue citywide office, running on a platform of modernizing the office.

Butler entered his election watch party around 9:15 p.m., more than two hours after polls closed. He walked in and hugged everyone in sight, then made a beeline to his mother, who had been holding Butler’s young daughter.

“I’m his background support,” his mother said.

Butler picked up his daughter and carried her around as he waited for election results to pour in. At that point, Carpenter held a

Missouri voters are forward-looking

Organization for Black Struggle

The victories of Prop A and Wesley Bell are clear indicators that Missouri voters intend to move forward – not backward with old ideas and practices. Voters once again beat back the so-called Right to Work legislation that conservative lawmakers said would be good for working families. This twisted economic logic was soundly rejected at the ballot box because citizens know that greedy corporations would be the true beneficiaries of Prop A.

Wesley Bell’s defeat of long-time incumbent Bob McCulloch came as a shock to only those who haven’t been paying attention to the growing condemnation of unfair and racially biased judicial practices of the St. Louis County Prosecutor’s Office.

“Guilty as charged,” stated Jamala Rogers, executive director of the Organization for Black Struggle.

“That’s what voters were really saying with the vote against Bob McCulloch, and now he’s been sentenced to an early retirement.”

She believes that voters are becoming more engaged and outraged as lawmakers disregard their voices and as the influence of money favors the rich and elite.

The Organization for Black Struggle has been focused on workers’ rights and state repression issues since its founding nearly 40 years ago. The group also helped to collect signatures for getting big money out of politics and to raise the minimum wage. The two ballot initiatives have been certified for the November election.

Pathways to Success

By The St. Louis American Staff

Saving for retirement and college simultaneously is a balancing act that many families face. However, experts say these goals do not have to be in competition with each other. To manage both priorities, consider the following tips.

narrow lead: 1,722 votes to Butler’s 1,305.

Butler’s wife, Erin, repeatedly refreshed the election results page displayed for the watch party. At 9:45 p.m., Erin refreshed the screen with the third update to the election results: Butler had now taken the lead with nearly 49 percent of the vote, surpassing Carpenter’s 43 percent with over half of the precincts reported in. A roar went through the crowd as folks high-fived and hugged each other.

Butler held his little girl in that moment while he continued to stare at the new totals. While he waited for the next update, he ran inside and outside the Mansion, talking to

supporters.

Around 10:45 p.m., Butler shouted out, “The final totals are in!” Erin pulled the latest tallies up on the screen to reveal his victory by a margin of almost 10 points. After the cries and cheers died down, Butler turned to everyone who helped him with his campaign and thanked them individually. He called out the names of his relatives, friends, and supporters who worked on his campaign staff, remarking that it started out with almost no women and now he was the only man.

The evening ended with a bevy of pictures from constituents who congratulated St. Louis’ new - and black –recorder of deeds.

Get started now: “Your greatest asset is time,” said Mark Kantrowitz, bestselling author and financial expert, who points out that every dollar you save is approximately a dollar less you’ll have to borrow, and every dollar you borrow will cost about two dollars by the time you repay the debt. “By saving money, you literally save money.”

Makesavingforbothcollegeandretirement a given with automatic monthly transfers from your bank account to your different savings plans.

Don’t mix apples and oranges: Don’t use your retirement plan as a college savings fund. Distributions from retirement plans, even a tax-free return of contributions from a Roth IRA, count as income on financial aid application forms.

Saveforcollegeusinga529collegesavings plan, which according to savingforcollege. com, offers tax and financial aid advantages not available for other savings methods. Like a Roth IRA, with a 529 you invest aftertax dollars, earnings accumulate on a taxdeferred basis, and qualified distributions to pay for college costs are entirely tax free. But 529 plans can be treated more favorably by financial aid formulas.

Follow formulas: Maximize the employer match on contributions to your retirement plan. That’s free money, so take advantage of it. As a general rule, Kantrowitz recommends saving one-fifth of your income for the last fifth of your life.

As far as college is concerned, he said use the one-third rule to split future college costs: one third from savings, one third from current income and one third from loans.

Look at all funding sources: If scholarships, grants and federal loans in the student’s name fall short, consider private student loans or a private parent loan. For simple, personalized loan options, check out specialists in the industry, such as College Ave Student Loans. Using technology and expertise, they offer competitive rates, a wide range of repayment options and a customer-friendly experience from application through repayment.

Financial industry veteran Joe DePaulo, CEO and co-founder of College Ave Student Loans said keeping your child involved in college cost discussions is critical to avoid becoming the bank of Mom and Dad, and that parents can be very influential in setting up a student for long-term financial success. “As a general rule of thumb, students shouldn’t borrow more than what he or she expects to earn their first year out of school,” he said. A college education is invaluable, and with smart strategies, parents won’t have to compromise their financial future to fund it. For more information, tips and resources visit collegeavestudentloans.com.

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Photo by LaShana (Shan) Lewis

Michael Butler thanked supporters at his watch party, held at Chalmer’s Mansion, after declaring victory over incumbent Sharon Quigley Carpenter in the Democratic primary for recorder of deeds on Tuesday, August 7.

‘Voters in St. Louis County feel there is a need for change’

At midnight on election night, five hours after the polls closed in the Democratic primary for St. Louis County executive, incumbent Steve Stenger declared victory. In his opponent Mark Mantovani’s camp, though, no one was quite willing to concede defeat. The fact that Stenger only won by 1,157 votes – less than 1 percent of the total – along with the fact that electronic voting machines in St. Louis County District 5 malfunctioned and forced a manual count, meant that Mantovani was left unsure of what had really happened in his neck-to-neck race with Stenger.

“I have to understand the recount process, and I have to make a decision, but I’m not going to make that decision at 12:15 tonight,” he said.

“We’ll have to determine what our next steps are, in light of all these irregularities. In light of the uncertainty about how these votes were counted, we’ll evaluate our options. We just need to make certain the election was held in a proper fashion.”

Mantovani enjoyed strong black support, led by St. Louis County Councilwoman Hazel Erby, one of Stenger’s strongest critics. The County Council has had an adversarial relationship with Stenger, a former council member from Affton, during his tenure as county executive. Stenger often skips council meetings, while some members of the council accuse him of dark-money connections and criticize his confrontational leadership style. This led to Proposition 2 being placed on the August 7 ballot, and its narrow passage changes the County Charter to empower the council to hire its own attorney. Previously, the council had to rely on the county counselor, who reports to the county executive.

At 9:30 p.m., with about 12 percent of precincts counted, Stenger held a 10 percent lead, but then Mantovani began to

close in. At 10 p.m., when half the precincts were in, the challenger was only behind by 3 percent of the vote. By 11 p.m., the final results still weren’t in, though Stenger’s lead was down to 2 percent, with 90 percent of the vote counted. The remaining uncounted votes were in the Central Corridor.

“That’s good for us,” said a Mantovani campaign staffer.

The election results remained the same – with 11 percent of votes uncounted – until past 11:30 p.m.

“There seems to be some confusion at the election board,” Mantovani announced to the crowd. He said that, due to some voting machines being closed down incorrectly, ballots submitted electronically were being counted by hand.

At midnight, staff at the Hilton St. Louis Frontenac Hotel, where Mantovani hosted his election watch party, informed the group that they would have to leave the hotel so hotel workers could go home.

“I wrote two speeches, and I don’t get to give either of them!” Mantovani joked to the crowd. “I wrote these two speeches – they’re both lovely, by the way – and I thought to myself, ‘What if it’s too close to call?’ Then I thought, ‘No, there’s a two-speech load limit.’”

He remembered when the election commissioners gave him a tour of the election board, where he was told that St. Louis County voting machines were purchased in 2004 and had a 10-year life span. Some parts of the voting machines, Mantovani said, are no longer produced, and must be purchased on eBay. He said that the election commissioners had asked for money to replace these old machines, and that Stenger had refused.

“Little did I know that, five months later, here we would be, held hostage by those damn antiquated machines,”

Mantovani said. “Such is life.”

Eric Fey, Democratic director of elections for the county, said there were no “irregularities” in the vote count, contrary to Mantovani’s claims.

“The vote count progressed normally last night,” Fey told The American. “Our next steps will be to count the remaining absentee and provisional ballots. We will certify the results on August 21 per state law.”

Mid-afternoon on Wednesday, August 8, Mantovani seemed to have taken the election’s board word for that.

“With respect to yesterday’s county executive election, currently it is not our intention

n

“Mark Mantovani has great confidence in the election board and its leadership and he does not wish to extend the uncertainty associated with the election, but customary election procedures have to be carried out as they would be anyway.”

Regardless of the outcome after the last ballot is counted, Mantovani said that St. Louis County voters sent a clear message in the Democratic primary: Something needs to change. Stenger’s two closest allies in county government, Prosecutor Bob McCulloch and Councilman Pat Dolan, both lost by wide margins, the County Council passed two propositions to spite Stenger (the other, Proposition 3, allows council members to work as

“It’s clear that voters in St. Louis County feel there is a need for change.”

– Mark Mantovani

to contest the election. We’ve been advised that there are uncounted and outstanding provisional ballots that currently exceed the current difference between the Stenger and Mantovani vote totals.

Under those circumstances, it is probably necessary and appropriate to allow the normal statutory election procedures to be completed and allow the election board to certify the results according to its normal procedures,” the campaign stated.

support to defeat Proposition A driving Stenger voters to the polls) and one negative for himself (his campaign contribution to Eric Greitens’ gubernatorial bid, which Stenger used to paint Mantovani as a Republican in disguise). It also did not help him that the Post-Dispatch’s endorsement for his candidacy appeared in a Thursday edition rather than a more widely circulated edition such as a Sunday.

Speaking of Republicans, the two Republican candidates for county executive, Paul Berry III (who won the Republican primary) and Daniel Sampson tallied only 56,374 votes between them, so the winner of the Democratic primary – Stenger, at this point, who got 91,487 votes – is virtually assured to win the general election. However, if Berry, who is black, wins his longshot bid against the Democratic nominee in the strongly Democratic county, then St. Louis County would have

independent contractors for other government entities) and, if Stenger’s narrow victory stands, Stenger barely won.

“I think it’s clear from all of these races that the community believes the county needs change, and a new sort of leadership,” Mantovani said. “It’s clear that voters in St. Louis County feel there is a need for change.”

Mantovani almost certainly would be part of that change were it not for one positive for Stenger (the strong labor

Mark Mantovani spoke with supporters at his election watch party at the Hilton St. Louis Frontenac Hotel on Tuesday, August 7 as votes were slow to roll in from the election board, which reported problems with some voting machines. Unofficial results have Mantovani losing by 1,157 votes – less than 1 percent of the total – but enough ballots have not been counted to make up the difference. He has said he will not challenge the election results.

elected its second AfricanAmerican county executive.

Maria goes back to the House

The August 7 primary saw an oddity take place: A term-limited state senator was reelected to her old seat in the lower house, where she still has a term she can serve. Maria Chappelle-Nadal – who got national exposure during Ferguson for bearing witness at protests and calling then-Gov. Jay Nixon a name you can’t print in the paper – beat three other candidates for her old 86th District House seat, which Joe

Photo by David Kovaluk / St. Louis Public Radio

Primary winners for state offices

Brian Williams wins state Senate primary, Wiley Price IV wins state rep primary

American staff

The August 7 primary election decided a number of nominations for key state offices going into the November general election.

Democrat incumbent State Auditor Nicole Galloway will face David Wasinger in the November election. Galloway ran unopposed in the Democratic primary and garnered 515,398 votes statewide, while Wasinger topped three other GOP challengers with 26.715 percent of the GOP vote, which totaled 591,685 statewide.

In the 4th District state Senate race, Karla May defeated incumbent Jacob Hummel in the Democratic primary, receiving 57.169 percent of the vote to Hummel’s 42.831 percent. May will face Republican challenger Robert J. Crump, who ran unopposed in the primary. In the state Senate race in

District 14, Democrat Brian Williams won with 40.205 percent of the vote against Sharon Pace, who had 37.529 percent and Joe Adams, who had 22.266 percent of the vote. There were no Republican primary challengers. In the 66th House District, incumbent Tommie Pierson Jr. with 4,723 votes defeated Khalil Abdul Mumin, who picked up 1,464 votes. Pierson received 76.337 percent of the vote to Mumin’s 23.66 percent in the Democrat primary.

Incumbent Alan K. Green of the 67th District in North St. Louis County faced no Democrat challengers and received 9,199 votes. Green’s Republican challenger in November will be Patti Longworth, the sole GOP primary candidate, who received 755 votes.

Incumbent Jay Mosley of the 68th District received 6,605 votes with no Democrat or Republican challenger.

Cort VanOstran will face Ann Wagner

American staff

“Folks, there was no secret sauce to winning tonight,” said Cort VanOstran, the Democratic nominee in the 2nd Congressional District, shortly after coming onstage to huge applause for his victory

Wiley Price IV (right) celebrated his victory in the August 7 Democratic primary in Missouri’s 84th House District with Michael Butler, who won the Democratic primary for St. Louis recorder of deeds, and LakeySha Bosley, who won the Democratic primary for the 79th House District.

Incumbent Cora Faith Walker in the 74th District ran unopposed in the Democrat and Republican primary and received 5,325 votes.

Incumbent Alan Gray of the 75th District received 4,667 votes, 65.24 percent of the

five candidates to win the nomination in a district that has slowly but surely risen towards the top of national Democrat’s list as they look to reclaim the 25 seats that will allow them to regain control of the U.S. House.

speech Tuesday, August 7 at Llewelyn’s Pub in downtown Webster Groves. “We simply did something that the incumbent, Ann Wagner, hasn’t done for six years: We showed up in the district!”

VanOstran took 42 percent of the vote in a field of

Once a sure political hand in a seemingly safe district, Wagner seems to have lost her footing since the Trump ascendancy. She distanced herself from then-candidate Trump after the “Access Hollywood” tape emerged late in the 2016 campaign, only

vote, again defeating Democrat challenger Teona McGhawBoure,’ who received 2,487 or 34.76 percent of the vote. Gray had no Republican primary challenger.

In the open seat in the 76th District, Chris Carter defeated

to come crawling back just before Election Day. Since then she’s largely stuck to the party line, voting to cut health insurance for millions and cut taxes primarily for wealthy Americans while middle-class wages stagnate. She has not taken the opportunity to explain these votes, avoiding constituents by failing to hold a single town hall meeting since the 2016 election.

Unfortunately for her, this strategy has backfired. She became persona non grata to

three Democrat challengers in the primary, with 3,347 votes, or 53.178 percent of the vote to his closest opponent, Marissa Brown’s 2,530 votes, 40.197 percent of the vote. There was no Republican challenger.

In the 77th District, incumbent Steve Roberts Jr. won against Democrat challenger Kimberly-Ann Collins, receiving 3,202 votes or 59.996 percent of the vote to Collins’ 2,840 votes, or 47.004 percent. He had no Republican challengers.

In the 78th District, incumbent Democrat Bruce Franks Jr. ran unopposed and gained 4,730 votes.

In the 79th District, LakeySha Bosley defeated J.P. Johnson and two other Democrat challengers and one Libertarian candidate. Bosley received 50.223 percent, or 3,385 votes to Johnson’s 30.312 percent or 2,043 votes.

In the 81st District, Steve Butz defeated Democrat challenger Travis Estes. Butz received 2,899 votes, or 50.788 percent, to Estes’ 2,809 or 49.212 percent. He had no challengers from other parties.

In the 84th District, Wiley Price IV, with 3,710 votes (56.102 percent) defeated Brad Bakker, who had 2,903

the Trumpian right-wing after condemning him two years ago, yet has spent most of the intervening time alienating the moderate-to-conservative suburban moms who populate the 2nd District by voting with Trump the vast majority of the time.

Regardless, VanOstran still has an uphill battle in the fall. Wagner has hoarded campaign cash for years and sports a $3 million war chest, several times what VanOstran will have when he comes up for air after the primary.

or 43.898 percent of the vote. There was no GOP challenger. In the 86th District, Maria Chappelle-Nadal defeated three Democrat challengers with 4,388 votes, or 50.385 percent of the vote. Her nearest competitor, Farrakhan Shegog, who received 2,662 votes or 30.566 percent. In the 87th District, Ian Mackey defeated Sam K. Gladney in the Democrat race. Mackey received 3,958 votes 50.933 percent of the vote to Gladney’s 3,813 votes or 49.067 percent. Mackey will face Republican challenger Steven G. Bailey, who received 1,386 primary votes, and Green candidate, Robert W. Warbin, who received 11 primary votes, in the general election. In the 98th District race, incumbent State Representative Shamed Dogan of Ballwin was unopposed in the Republican primary and he received 3,696 votes. Dogan will face Democrat challenger Charles Triplett, who receive 4,009 votes. Voter turnout in St. Louis County primary election in St. Louis County on August 7 was 41.89 percent and more than 70 percent of ballots cast were in Democratic races.

VanOstran has a few things going for him as well, most notably the increasing Democratic tilt of the district in an election cycle that could produce a major blue wave. The telegenic young attorney also has a compelling personal story and a solid grasp of the issues and is expected to pose a strong challenge to Wagner – particularly if the national party decides to make a major investment in the

But

Photo by Wiley Price

MetroLink opens Cortex Station

Public transit key to economic development, says Citizens for Modern Transit board chair

By Evie Hemphill

St. Louis Public Radio

Of

MetroLink riders along the central corridor now have a new spot to hop aboard both redand blue-line trains. The new Cortex MetroLink Station – the 38th station for the light-rail system, which first began service 25 years ago –opened on Tuesday, July 31.

“There’s been a call to construct a station at this burgeoning Cortex innovation district for some time,” said Jessica Mefford-Miller, interim executive director of Metro Transit.

She emphasized the significance of the new light-rail stop – situated between the existing Central West End and Grand stations – as part of a major public-private partnership.

June Fowler – vice president for communications, marketing and public affairs at

n “There are people who need access from where they are to where the jobs are. And public transportation can be that

–

and the

alignment.

“We know the importance of transit and access to good transit for our employees, our patients and so many members of our community,” Fowler said. “We think of ourselves as not only an organization that provides great health care but also an important part of the economic development in this region. Public transit plays an integral role in that.”

She added that the advocacy organization Citizens for Modern Transit (CMT) works in partnership with Metro Transit to push for “good, comprehensive access to safe and reliable transit.”

Economic development was a primary focus in designing the Cortex stop, Mefford-Miller

Dr. Michael Crittenden was named chief of staff for the VA St. Louis Health Care System. He is a career Veterans Administration medical doctor who was recruited to the St. Louis VA Medical Center to become chief of the Surgical Service and chief of Cardiac Surgery. He also is an associate professor of Surgery at the Washington University School of Medicine.

Deborah CatchingsSmith was re-elected to a second two-year term as international president of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. Her leadership roles within the sorority span 36 years and include local, regional and national elected positions. She has been active in the sorority since her college years at Illinois State University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a minor in finance.

Stacy Clay joins First Bank as director of Community Affairs, where he will focus on growing the impact of First Bank’s Community Reinvestment Act efforts. He brings 14-plus years of education experience and organizational management expertise to First Bank from his previous role as deputy superintendent of Student Support Services at St. Louis Public Schools. Previously, he served as president of the University City Board of Education and founding executive director of College Summit in St. Louis.

Betty Porter Walls was selected to serve as president elect for the Missouri Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, the voice for all teacher education programs within Missouri and an affiliate of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education. She is associate professor in the College of Education at Harris-Stowe State University and the first Harris-Stowe educator to serve in this leadership role.

James “Jay” Redd joined Lathrop Gage as a Business Litigation associate in the firm’s St. Louis office. Most recently he worked as an attorney with a plaintiffs’ firm in St. Louis. From 2013 to 2016, he served as an associate at Lathrop Gage, where he represented businesses in litigated and non-litigated disputes involving creditors’ rights, employment claims, product liability claims, and claims brought under consumer protection statues.

Harriett E. Green was appointed to be the associate university librarian for the Digital Scholarship and Technology Services Division at Washington University Libraries. She is leaving the University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign, where she is the head of Scholarly Communication and Publishing, Scholarly Communication and

and

and

Dr. Michael Crittenden

Stacy Clay

Harriett E. Green

James ‘Jay’ Redd

Deborah CatchingsSmith

Betty Porter Walls

Transit and government officials cut the ribbon on the new Cortex MetroLink Station on Tuesday, July 31.

Photo by Maurice Meredith

Schnuck Markets launched Schnucks Rewards, a program that allows customers to earn points redeemable for dollars off future purchases.

Customers who sign up for Schnucks Rewards will earn 10 reward points for every dollar spent on qualifying purchases. After accruing 1,000 points (the equivalent of $100 in purchases), customers will earn $2 off a future purchase. They can choose to redeem dollars off as they are earned or allow

Schnucks launches rewards program

them to accumulate (up to $500).

Points may not be earned on lottery, tobacco, third-party gift card purchases, Schnucks Delivers orders, wire transfers or any non-food purchases made at customer service.

Points may be earned on pharmacy prescriptions and alcohol purchases; however, customers cannot redeem dollars on those purchases. Customers can participate in the program by downloading

Minimum wage raise will be on Missouri ballots in November

American staff

The Missouri secretary of state has officially certified the signatures submitted to place Proposition B on this November’s general election ballot.

Passage of Proposition B would gradually increase the minimum wage in Missouri from $7.85 an hour to $12 by 2023. The minimum wage would increase to $8.60 in 2019, and then by 85 cents each year until it reaches $12 an hour in 2023.

Advocates say this will give businesses time to adjust while experiencing the benefits of a rising minimum wage, such as increased consumer spending, cost savings from lower employee turnover, and increased productivity.

The state’s current minimum wage of $7.85 an hour means that someone working full-time earns just $314 a week or barely more than $16,000 a year. The current minimum wage has less buying power than the minimum wage in the 1960s. According to an analysis

conducted the Economic Policy Institute, Proposition B will result in an increase of more than $1 billion in consumer buying power in Missouri by the time it is fully phased in, affecting over 670,000 workers. This growth in buying power will be among the lowest wage families.

“The price of everything we need to get by, just the basics, keeps going up, but our wages haven’t kept pace,” said Kevina Townley, 36, a home health care worker and mother of two from St. Louis. “I can barely afford to feed my family and I know that we’re right on the brink because even though I work full time, I just don’t earn enough. Raising the minimum wage would provide me the extra income I need to make sure I can take care of my kids.” For more information, visit the Vote Yes On Proposition B website at www.RaiseUpMO. org or check Facebook (/VoteYesOnPropB) and Twitter (@ VoteYesOnPropB).

n After accruing 1,000 points (the equivalent of $100 in purchases), customers will earn $2 off a future purchase.

the Schnucks Rewards app from their smartphone’s App Store or Google Play. Customers can then either create an account, or those with an existing Schnupons digital coupon account may use that log-in information.

Customers who do not have a smartphone can visit www. schnucks.com/rewards and use their phone number to register. To earn points, customers will scan the Schnucks Rewards in-app barcode or enter their phone number at

checkout. Schnucks will also occasionally offer promotions such as double points and free items available exclusively to Schnucks Rewards customers.

“This is a modern way for us to say ‘thank you’ to customers for choosing Schnucks,” said Schnucks Chairman and CEO Todd Schnuck. “Customers will be rewarded for something they’re already doing – buying groceries to feed their families – and Schnucks will be helping

them to stretch their dollars even further.”

In addition to Schnucks Rewards, the new app also features enhanced item-location information, allowing shoppers to easily find the location of a specific item in any Schnucks store. Customers can also use the app to view the weekly sales ad, refill pharmacy prescriptions and access digital coupons.

Urban Strategies, McCormack Baron Salazar partner in $60M in HUD grants

American staff

St. Louis-based Urban Strategies and McCormack Baron Salazar are part of two 2017 Choice Neighborhood Implementation grants to redevelop severely distressed public housing and to revitalize surrounding neighborhoods in Tulsa and Baltimore. Each city was awarded $30 million in U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funding.

“As we have seen here in St. Louis, in the Near North Side neighborhood, and places like Louisville, Kentucky, the Choice Neighborhoods Grant catalyzes the creation of critical pathways for families and communities to thrive,” said Esther Shin, president of Urban Strategies.

In 2016, the City of St. Louis, Urban Strategies and McCormack Baron Salazar leveraged a $29.5 million

Grace

n “As we have seen here in St. Louis, Choice Neighborhoods Grant catalyzes the creation of critical pathways for families and communities to thrive.”

– Esther Shin, Urban Strategies

Choice Neighborhood Implementation Grant, along with $2.6 billion in additional support, to develop affordable housing, infrastructure, economic opportunities, and support services in near North Side St. Louis.

Since the Choice Neighborhood program began in 2010, McCormack Baron Salazar and Urban Strategies have been on 12 of the 27 teams who have received these HUD grants, according to Richard D. Baron, co-founder

and Chairman of McCormack Baron Salazar.

“Our holistic approach to transforming places through housing, human capital, and neighborhood development is key source to our success,” Baron said, “and a critical component of the developments we have planned with our local partners in Tulsa and Baltimore.”

These new grants resulted from 2017 applications filed by the Tulsa Housing Authority and the Housing Authority of

Baltimore City. McCormack Baron Salazar-led housing plans include developing new affordable and market rate apartment homes (460 in Tulsa and 629 in Baltimore) with a variety of mixed-use, townhouse-, garden-, and flatstyle apartments and featuring market rate amenities. The new housing will be complemented with new neighborhood amenities in the form of green spaces, retail shops, and shared community spaces. Urban Strategies’ People Plan for both communities includes results-based strategies for increasing the number of children in early education programs, increased resident access to quality physical and mental healthcare, connecting ex-offenders and working age adults to a coordinated pathway of economic mobility and neighborhood revitalization, and increasing adult financial empowerment skills.

Hill Women’s Business Center moves to 24:1 Center in Pagedale

The Grace Hill Women’s Business Center has relocated to the 24:1 Center, 6730 Page Ave. in Pagedale and is open

for business. It is next to the Red Dough Money Center (an anti-payday lending operation), the Excel Center

(financial advisement services), a St. Louis Community Credit Union kiosk and the new 24:1 Coffee House/Café. For more information, call 314584-6700, email wbcinfo@ gracehillsettlement.org or visit http://www.gracehillwbc.org.

Career fair for veterans in East St. Louis on August 9

VetMATCH will present a Veterans Metro East Training and Career Hub Career Fair from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, August 9 at SIUE East St. Louis Center, 601

METROLINK

continued from page B1

“We anticipate an estimated 13,000 jobs to be created in this part of the region that’s already growing very rapidly,” she said.

Fowler said she sees room for improvement in the transit system.

“It is absolutely no secret that there are challenges when it comes to some of the feelings and experiences that people have on the system,” Fowler said.

“We’re working not only at CMT but with Metro, with our law enforcement officials, to really address those issues. It is not just on the system where these issues of safety

James R. Thompson Blvd, Bldg. D in East St. Louis. Information will be provided on free training, certification and apprenticeship programs, and representatives from local community colleges, colleges and universities will be in attendance. Contact Jeremy Bailey at (618) 8476297 or jerbail@siue.edu or veteransub@siue.edu.

and security are taking place. It’s kind of endemic to our community right now. We’ve got to have a holistic approach to public safety.”

Another challenge, Fowler said, is the continuing need for expansion in other areas of the St. Louis region.

“The rate of expansion of the system can’t happen fast enough,” she said. “There are people who need access from where they are to where the jobs are. And public transportation can be that link.”

Missouri state Rep. Peter Meredith (D-St. Louis) asked about the possibility of making the St. Louis area transit free to riders, thereby removing the ticketing process entirely.

Mefford-Miller said that passenger fares are a significant source of operational funding.

“In our city and other cities nationwide, [passengers] actually support about 20 percent of the cost to provide service, and so there would have to be some revenue stream to offset that lost revenue,” she said.

“It’s not a one-for-one loss – certainly there are costs associated with collecting fares, fare enforcement, equipment and other technology out there. So, I hear ya, and certainly there’s a desire to do that. We are working to make the Metro system more accessible by reducing the barrier of fares.” She noted that Metro earlier this summer launched the Gateway Go Card, a halfprice pilot program for area youth ages 13 to 25.

Reprinted with permission from news.stlpublicradio.org.

n “My haters became my elevators.”

— Newly inducted NFL Hall of Famer

Brian Dawkins

Sports

Top collegiate football players from the ‘618’

The month of August is underway and football camps at all levels are in full motion.

At the collegiate level, there are a number of players from the metro east area, who will have a major impact on their respective teams during the 2018 season. In the next few weeks, I will give you a look at my top players from the “618” area code to watch at the collegiate level for the upcoming season.

Here is a look at the First Three:

Terry Beckner Jr. – Defensive lineman: Mizzou

The former East St. Louis Senior High All-American enters his senior season as one of the nation’s top defensive linemen. He turned down an opportunity to enter the NFL Draft early to return to the Tigers.

At 6’4” and 290 pounds, Beckner is considered to be the straw that stirs the drink on the defensive line for the Tigers. His first three seasons at Mizzou have been documented with injuries. However, after finishing strong in the second half of the 2017 season, Beckner finished with 20 tackles, including 11 for losses and seven quarterback sacks.

During the Southeastern Conference Media Days, Beckner discussed how important it was for him to stay local at Mizzou and fulfill his dream of earning his degree on time. It was something he promised himself and his mom after leaving high school.

“Earning my degree was something that I came to college to get

The good, bad and sweaty of the Hall of

Many people in our community are no longer checking for the NFL due to fallout from the Colin Kaepernick situation. However, Saturday’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony featured athletes from yesteryear, before the NFL turned into the No Fun League Stand Up, Shut Up and Play League. Three of the athletes inducted into the 2018 class represent the good, bad and the sweaty of this year’s ceremony…er…ceremonies.

Akai Gurley, Paul O’Neal, Eric Garner Freddie Gray, Walter Scott, Sandra Bland, Akiel Denkins, Alton Sterling Michael Brown Trayvon Martin, Brendon Glenn and Philando Castile and Terence Crutcher

Let’s start with the good. Randy Moss made a bold statement about the issue of police brutality against black people in America without saying a word. Moss’ speech was typical. He reminisced about his career. Thanked his family, former teammates and coaches. It was the words of his necktie though that spoke the loudest. Moss’ tie, dark blue with gold lettering, listed the names of 15 black people killed by the police. The names included: Greg Gunn Tamir Rice

“You see the names on my tie,” Moss stated during an interview on the NFL Network.

“There’s a lot of stuff going on in our country. And I just wanted to let these family members know that they’re not alone.”

The NFL keeps shooting itself in the foot trying to find a way to silence players who peacefully protest police brutality during the national anthem. Moss’ tie shows that no matter how hard the good ol’ boys try to silence black athletes, the Mosses and Kaepernicks of the world will find new and creative ways to ensure their voices are heard. On the other hand, players like Ray Lewis represent another story. Lewis took his

Maurice Scott

Ishmael H. Sistrunk

Former East St. Louis High All-American Terry Beckner Jr. enters his senior season for the University of Missouri as one of the nation’s

defensive linemen.

SportS EyE

With Alvin A. Reid

Time for Mizzou, SLU to renew

in-state

Two of the best arguments in favor of Saint Louis University and Missouri resuming a home-and-home men’s basketball series could be found in the respective teams’ non-conference schedules.

“Meh,” sums up Mizzou’s.

I’d like to start with SLU since the Billikens are the hometown team. But I can’t find a SLU 2018-19 SLU basketball schedule. It could be released at any time, but for now, good luck on planning when to attend a game at Chaifetz Arena.

The NCAA men’s basketball tournament selection committee has placed an emphasis on a quality nonconference schedule, and how respective teams fare in those contests – especially road games.

Missouri has one true road game – at Iowa State on Nov. 9. Should the Tigers be a bubble team come March, it is imperative they win at Ames. The Cyclones were abysmal last year, but have added Virginia transfer Marial Shayok and highly soughtafter freshman Talen HortonTucker

The top-heavy home schedule begins on Nov. 6 when Central Arkansas – the school of Scottie Pippen –visits Columbia. Temple comes calling on Nov. 27 and then Central Florida follows them to town.

Home games against UT-Arlington and Oral Roberts won’t fill the stands at Mizzou Arena, but a visit by Xavier on Dec. 18 will most likely garner a sell-out crowd and national TV audience.

The Braggin’ Rights game is Dec. 22 and will be a nice Christmas present for the St. Louis area. Former Illini recruit Mark Smith transferred to Missouri after last season, which will add a taste of bitterness to the rivalry. Fans will also see Illinois’ five-star freshman guard Ayo Dosunmu, who is projected to be a first-round NBA pick in 2020 or 2021. Illinois finished 14-18 overall last year and 11th in the Big Ten, yet the Tigers managed to lose to the Illini last season. Should it happen again, it could be costly come NCAA Tournament Selection Sunday.

The year closes with a Dec. 29 game against Morehead State, and then it’s SEC Conference time.

Mizzou’s schedule screams for a game against the up-andcoming Billikens. Mizzou already plays Xavier from the

men’s basketball showdown

Atlantic 10, so the conferences are familiar with one another.

While SLU is a private school, it is a true in-state rivalry. The game would be a guaranteed sellout on both campuses and would certainly end up on ESPN or another major sports network.

Hey, Alvin. Why do you want SLU to play Mizzou in basketball and you don’t want your beloved KU Jayhawks to do the same?

Because I can still hear that “S-E-C, S-E-C” chant when Mizzou won the Big 12 Conference Tournament the final season the Tigers were a member of the conference.

Get it done, SLU and Mizzou. It’s way past time.

Dak doubles down

As predicted here last week, black athletes from the NFL and other professional sports are livid at Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott for their respective comments on national anthem protests.

Prescott is far from backing down – in fact, he has doubled

down.

“As I said, I made my statement. I stand by what I said. I just said some people may have misunderstood it or whatever. I feel strongly about what I said. And it is what it is,” Prescott told the Fort Worth StarTelegram.

Of course, “there was a little misunderstanding,” Prescott said.

“I never said I didn’t believe in social injustice and things that were going on. I just said I didn’t think that the national anthem was the time. It’s two minutes out of our day that we could also be spending embracing what our country should be and what our country is going to be one day that we know that it’s not right now. That is the sad part about it. That it’s not.

“I respect everybody. And power to the people that kneel. That is what they believe in and they should be able to kneel. For me, the game of football has been such a peace. It’s a moment for me to be at peace and think about all the great things our country does

have.”

Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Solomon Jones remains highly critical of Prescott.

“When black professional athletes such as Dak Prescott ignore (the) reality (of police abuse), it hurts. It hurts because it shows that for Prescott and others like him, having peace during a football game is more important than having equality in the country we built.

“It shows that for Prescott and others like him, currying favor with Jerry Jones is more important than maintaining the respect of his community. It shows that for Prescott and others like him, identifying as a Dallas Cowboy is more important than identifying as a black man.”

Jones also wrote, “(Jerry Jones’) latest statements reminded me that team owners sometimes think and behave like slave owners.”

Mural, mural on the wall

Arlington, Texas artist Trey Wilder created a mural last week that depicts Prescott as the lead character “Chris” in Jordan Peele’s Academy Award -winning movie “Get Out.” Chris, who is black, visits the suburban home of his white girlfriend and all is well – until it’s not.

I have not seen the movie, and this is a big-time spoiler alert - white brains are being transplanted into black bodies. I’ll leave it at that.

Wilder told the StarTelegram, “Honestly, I know he’s a superstar, but I’m not scared of Dak Prescott.”

“But like in the movie, maybe (the mural) will be a flash for him. I think, with that platform, it was just weird how he dismissed the whole situation, especially being a black man himself.”

Within hours, the mural had been defaced. But the controversy will follow Prescott – and Elliott – throughout the season. I’m sure many of their fellow black players on opposing teams will make sure to remind them.

The Reid roundup

Tiger Woods is in town for the 100th PGA Championship. It would be cool if he won and the St. Louis area would forever be linked to the lore of the most fascinating, polarizing and dominant golfer in the game’s history… Kirkwood three-star wide receiver Maurice Massey, who transferred from Francis Howell, announced plans to play at Missouri in 2019. He chose the Tigers over Illinois. He hopes

The Dallas Cowboys’ Dak Prescott backed up what he said last week that kneeling for the national anthem was not appropriate and that he would stand for the anthem.

to convince Pioneer teammate Arvel Ferguson to do the same in 2020… President Trump insulted LeBron James by questioning his intelligence in a Tweet last week, and it ended with “I Like Mike,” a reference to the discussion of whether James or Michael Jordan is the best NBA player in history. Jordan responded, “I support LeBron James. He’s doing an amazing job for his community.” How weak is that? And I guess Jordan is not part of James’ community - the black community. … Shannon Sharpe of FOX rightfully called out Jordan. ““I was disappointed in Michael Jordan’s response. ... Michael wants to swim, but he doesn’t want to get wet.” … Ohio State coach Urban Meyer said he “failed” in the way he answered a question involving his knowledge of whether a former assistant allegedly physically abused his wife. There’s another word for that – lying. … Former Cardinal outfielder Tommy Pham was hit by a pitch and suffered a broken foot last Thursday. Ironically, Dexter Fowler went on the DL with a broken foot he sustained on Friday night. … Jarome Iginla, possibly the best player of color the NHL has ever seen, retired last week as a member of the Calgary Flames. I wanted him to play with the Blues earlier in his career, but it never happened. … Bill France, NASCAR chairman and CEO, was arrested and charged with DWI and criminal possession of oxycodone at 7:30 p.m. Sunday in Sag Harbor, N.Y. He has taken an extended leave of absence as NASCAR TV ratings continue to tank. The good news is that no one protests during the national anthem.

Alvin A. Reid was honored as the 2017 “Best Sports Columnist – Weeklies” in the Missouri Press Association’s Better Newspaper Contest and is a New York Times contributor. He is a panelist on the Nine Network program, Donnybrook, a weekly contributor to “The Charlie Tuna Show” on KFNS and appears monthly on “The Dave Glover Show” on 97.1 Talk.” His Twitter handle is @aareid1.

Alvin A. Reid

St. Louis athletes shine at AAU Junior Olympics Track & Field Championships

By Earl Austin Jr.

Of the St. Louis American

The St. Louis metropolitan area was represented well at last week’s Amateur Athletic Union Junior Olympics Track and Field Championships in Des Moines, Iowa.

Athletes from the various area summer track clubs brought home a total of 13 national championships as wells as dozens of other medals from the AAU Nationals.

John Burroughs phenom Brandon Miller added to his collection of national championships and records by winning the 800-meter run and 1,500-meter run in the boys’ 15-16 age division. Running for the Ultimate Speed Academy, Miller set a new national record in the 1,500 when he turned in a winning time of 3 minutes, 58.10 seconds. Miller broke a 38-year old record, held previously by former Crystal City star Jim Jennings. A couple of days after setting his new national record, Miller went out and won

the national title in the 800meter run in a winning time of 1:50.14. He already owns the national record in the 800 in that age group, which he set at last year’s AAU Junior Olympics. Miller is also the overall state record-holder in the 800. He broke that mark at the Class 3 state championships in Jefferson City at the end of May. That record stood for 31 years before Miller set the new standard.

Standout sprinter Alicia Burnett of the Ultimate Speed Academy took home the gold medal in the 100-meter dash in the girls’ 15-16 age group. Burnett won the title in a sizzling time of 11.71 seconds. She will be a junior at Parkway North. As a freshman at Fort Zumwalt South, Burnett dominated the Class 4 meet in 2017 in winning the 100, 200 and 400. She sat out the 2018 spring season after transferring to Parkway North.

Former Hillsboro High standout Isaiah Martin of the Jefferson County Jets was the national champion in the

CLUTCH

Continued from C5

got the nod. If there was a Hall of Fame for crying out for attention, Owens would certainly make it in on the first ballot.

Trump takes shots at LeBron and Don

Speaking of people who love attention, the POTUS continued his pattern of attacking journalists and black athletes by taking shots at Don Lemon and LeBron James. Though James was universally praised for opening his I Promise School last week, Trump insulted the intelligence of the two black men on Twitter.

“Lebron James was just interviewed by the dumbest man on television, Don Lemon. He made Lebron look smart, which isn’t easy to do. I like Mike!” the POTUS tweeted.

The President was angry that James stated that he believes the ever-divisive POTUS is trying to use sports to divide

EAST SIDE

Continued from C5

done,” Beckner recently told me. “I love the game of football. However, my education means a lot to me at this point in my life.” Terry Beckner Jr. seems to have everything going for him heading into his senior season. Being more of a vocal leader and staying healthy should land him in the upper rounds of the NFL Draft.

Jeff Thomas, Wide Receiver: University of Miami (The U) Miami head coach Mark Richt knew when he landed the

the nation. Thus far, James has ignored the prod. Lemon struck back.

While Lemon made a formal response on CNN, it was his Twitter response that was the most biting and accurate reply.

“Who’s the real dummy? A man who puts kids in classrooms or one who puts kids in cages? #BeBest,” Lemon tweeted. Burn.

EA censors Kap in rap

EA Sports might have unwittingly helped Colin Kaepernick’s collusion case against the NFL. The video game publisher was called out by rappers YG and Big Sean for censoring Kaepernick’s name (as if it were a curse word) out of the song Big Bank on the Madden 19 soundtrack.

EA claimed that the omission of Kaepernick’s name was a “misunderstanding” due to the fact that the company does not have the rights to use Kaepernick’s image or name within the game. That obviously does not apply to soundtracks and anybody’s

former Flyers’ All-American wide receiver that he had a playmaker in the making.

Thomas came through with a big freshman year for the Hurricanes, who were in the national championship hunt until late in the season. Richt, along with his coaching staff, labeled Thomas a future star for the Hurricanes.

“Jeff Thomas can be the best slot receiver in the country,” said Miami linebackers coach Jonathan Patke. “When he gets into extra, he’s faster than anybody else out there. He’s a real difference-maker.”

Thomas has really put on some muscle since his freshman year. Now, standing at a legit 5’10” and 180 pounds, the

decathlon in the boys’ 17-18 division. Martin won the event with a total of 7,125 points. He will be heading into his freshman year at Purdue University on a track scholarship. Another Jefferson County Jets’ athlete who shined in the multi-events was Anna Heacock, who finished first in the heptathlon in the girls’ 17-18 division.

The metro east produced a national champion when sprinter Willie Johnson of the East St. Louis Community Athletic Club won the 400-meter dash in the 15-16 age division. Johnson won the race with a personal best time of 47.82 seconds. He will be a junior at

John Burroughs junior track star Brandon Miller was the national champion in the 800- and 1,500meter runs at the Amateur Athletic Union Junior Olympics in Des Moines, IA. Miller runs summer track for the Ultimate Speed Academy.

East St. Louis Senior High. Aniyah Brown of the Blues Track Club was a three-time national champion in the girls’ 12-year old division. The talented sprinter won the 100, 200 and ran a leg on the Blues victorious 4x400-meter relay team. She turned in a winning time of 12.25 seconds in the

100 and 25.4 in the 200. She was joined on the 4x400 team by Azayla Martin, Jamyra Blair and Kyndall Spain. There were also a couple of national champions in the boys’ 12-year-old division. Both came in the field events as Charles Isom-McCall of the St. Louis Police Athletic League won the javelin with a throw of 133 feet, 5 inches. Michael Phillips, Jr. of the Blues Track Clue won the shot put with a heave of 43 feet 3 inches. Aaden Holmes of the Ultimate Speed Academy won the high jump in the boys’ 10-year-old division with a clearing height of 4 feet 5 inches. Deandra Young of the Mustangs Young Track Club won the 1,500-meter race walk in the girls’ 9-year-old division. In addition to the 13 national championship performances in Des Moines, there were more than 100 athletes from the area that brought home medals from the AAU Junior Olympics for placing in the top eight in their respective events. In keeping with a yearly tradition at the American, all of those athletes will be listed in next week’s sports section.

Brad Beal Elite 16Us win Jayhawk Finale Championship

Congratulations to the Brad Beal Elite 16U boys basketball team on winning the championship at the Jayhawk Finale last weekend in Overland Park, Kansas. Brad Beal Elite defeated Team Buddy Buckets (Oklahoma) 69-58 in the championship game. The team members are (front row left to right) Head coach Brandon Gilmore, Phillip Russell (Vashon), Cam’Ron Fletcher (Vashon), Jeremiah Walker (DeSmet), Jayce Catchings (Wentzville Liberty), Harrison Vickers (Chaminade), Chevy Brenson (Christian-O’Fallon), Coach Mylin Johnson. (Back row, left to right), Coach Maurice Jeffers, Dylan Branson (Mehlville), Coach Lawndale Thomas, Patrick Readye (Althoff), Lamontay Daugherty (Mehlville), and Devion Moore (Parkway Central).

name can appear in a song.

That also doesn’t explain why Kapernick’s name was also censored from Madden 18 on the song Bars of Soap by Mike

talented receiver now has the look of a more mature college football player.

As a sophomore, Thomas has risen to the No. 1 spot on the Hurricanes’ depth chart. In addition, his maturity has grown off the field.

“Playing for coach Darren Sunkett in a program like East St. Louis, I’ve been taught not to make excuses,” Thomas said. “I’m ready for the season to begin.”

Lester Cotton, Left Guard: Alabama

I’m including Lester because he still has plenty of family and friends that he keeps in touch with in East St. Louis, where he started

WiLL Made-It. Even though Kaepernick was not signed to a NFL team in 2018, he was still featured as a player in the

his career before moving to Alabama and becoming a prep All-American lineman.

Coached by Darren Sunkett and also a teammate of Terry Beckner Jr. on my undefeated freshman basketball team at East Side, Cotton is quietly becoming a key member of

Although the trial against the NFL colluding against Kaepernick is still ongoing, I have a feeling that the league will end up paying Kap as if

Alabama’s offensive line.

Known for his quickness and athletic ability, the 6’4” 324-pound Cotton has played since his freshman year, earning the opportunity to start last season at left guard for the 2018 national champions. Lester and Terry were very

was still lining up under center.

Earl Austin Jr.

imposing freshman teammates at East St. Louis. The following year, Cotton made the move to Tuscaloosa, where his mother had lived as a child. He was a standout player at Tuscaloosa Central High before signing the Crimson Tide.

game.

he

Follow Ishmael and In the Clutch on Twitter @ishcreates.

MSD accepting applications for rainscaping grants through October 31

The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) is accepting applications for the MSD Project Clear 2018-2019 Rainscaping Large Scale Grants Program through October 31. Landowners within the designated Program Area can apply for grant funding for rainscaping projects. There is not a set maximum reimbursement rate for this option; however, projects are reviewed for cost effectiveness.

MSD seeks to continue to build partnerships with municipalities, local government agencies, schools, community development organizations, and private developers on installing rainscaping features, which helps the environment by reducing the amount of stormwater entering the sewer system.

Using simple techniques, rainscaping collects and filters rainwater where it falls - the way nature intended. By lowering the amount of stormwater runoff entering the sewer system, rainscaping within the Program Area specifically helps to alleviate basement backups and sewer overflows. It also addresses water quality in the Mississippi River when overflows do occur.

MSD Project Clear is investing $100 million towards rainscaping efforts as part of an agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency and Missouri Coalition for the Environment. Interested applicants should visit www. ProjectClearSTL.org/rainscaping.

METERS

continued from page B1 (EPIC), “an attacker with $500 of equipment and materials could take command of a smart meter, making it possible that “just as identities, credit card numbers and financial information are harvested and sold, so too can smart grid information.”

This data is not only stored in individual homes with compromised security, but utilities may sell this

information to third parties. Data breaches have become a common and serious threat to consumers, who have little control over the protection of their data. In fact, 14.6 million Equifax customers had their social security numbers exposed in 2017. One hundred and forty five million eBay users saw their names, addresses, birthdays, and other information exposed. And there have been many other examples. Individual consumers have little control over their essential utility services. If

Local governments show improvement in reporting financial information

American staff

State Auditor Nicole Galloway said her work with the Missouri Legislature to ensure taxpayers have access to basic financial information about their local government is making an impact. A bipartisan measure signed into law in 2017 increases accountability by encouraging compliance with financial reporting requirements, and new information from the Auditor’s Office shows a noticeable improvement in Missouri municipalities meeting their reporting deadlines.

“Government at all levels must be accountable to the citizens they serve,” Galloway said. “A year after working with the legislature to put teeth

in the law, we’re seeing results. Today, taxpayers have more information about how their dollars are managed.”

Cities, towns and villages in Missouri are required to file annual financial reports with the State Auditor’s Office within six months of the end of their fiscal year. A law went into effect August 28, 2017, that added a penalty of $500 per day to any local government that fails to turn in required financial information to the State Auditor’s Office.

Prior to the legislation taking effect, nearly half of local governments failed to meet the reporting requirements. A report released last week noted a marked improvement in compliance, with the percentage of local governments missing the deadline falling to 37 percent. The State Auditor’s Office has also seen an increase in the number of local governments that file financial reports just a few weeks after the sixmonth deadline and expects compliance to further improve with increasing awareness after the first year of the new law. Citizens looking to access financial reporting information can do so easily by utilizing the Show-Me Local Government Map at https://tinyurl.com/ ydfsjv5s. The online tool promotes transparency in government finances. Users can search by county for financial reports, general obligation bonds and property taxes rates for political subdivisions in Missouri.

WOW air adds budget winter flights from St. Louis to Milan, Italy

WOW air will offer $389.99 flights from St. Louis cities to Milan, Italy this winter via Iceland three days per week (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays). The route, which was previously seasonal, will now

n Throughout the Missouri Public Service Commission’s 400-plus pages of rules, privacy is only mentioned twice, and only in relation to telecom companies.

expensive and sophisticated “smart meters” are going to be installed in more homes, greater safeguards will be needed to protect consumers’ privacy, as well as their pocketbooks. The Missouri Public Service Commission currently has virtually no rules

in place to safeguard utility customer privacy. In fact, throughout the commission’s 400-plus pages of rules, privacy is only mentioned twice, and only in relation to telecom companies. The commission’s rules contain no data regarding data privacy, data ownership or

run year-round with a threehour layover in Reykjavik, Iceland. The offer is available for travel November 2018 –March 2019 and applies for 700 seats on selected flights, only when booked on a return

data access.

Missouri utility bill-paying practices related to customer data privacy is lagging behind other states. In 2016, the National Regulatory Research Institute determined that Missouri only had minimal rules or adopted practices in nine of the 16 best practices for billing and privacy; on the other hand, 19 states had active policies in place regarding customer data privacy.

Consumer advocates are calling for more robust protections for utility consumers. “The deployment of smart meters raises concerns from an increase in disconnections to individual privacy concerns,” says Cara Spencer of the Consumers Council of Missouri. “We encourage the general public to share their concerns with the Public Service Commission as they consider new policies.” The Public Service Commission is accepting comments on privacy issues until August 10. Comments can be filed electronically at http://www.psc.mo.gov. by referencing Case No. AW-2018-0393.

Smart, Funny and Black tour comes to St. Louis

By Kenya Vaughn Of The

St. Louis American

Actress, comedienne and cultural critic

Amanda Seales is bringing her Smart, Funny and Black: The Lituation 101 Tour to The Delmar Hall tonight (Thursday, Aug. 9), but the first thing on her mind late Wednesday morning was Wesley Bell’s upset victory in the St. Louis County Prosecutor race.

“I’m hoping that the energy from that is going to trickle into the show – because I really think that’s fantastic for y’all’s city,” Seales said of Bell, who will become the first African American in the history of the office.

She perhaps is known best for her co-starring role as Tiffany on the HBO hit “Insecure.” But the politically astute and unapologetically black

Seales often lends her wit to the social justice movement. She is among the emerging community of woke celebrities who use their talent and platform to fight against stereotypes and for social justice. Such is the case with her 10-city tour.

“At Smart, Funny and Black we take black culture to church and create a safe space for you to laugh, learn and celebrate a culture that has contributed more to the world than it gets credit for,” Seales said. “Some people say it feels like a rally. Some people say it feels like a revival. To me it just feels like home. It feels like family.

“To have that feeling in a room of strangers in a shared space – and to do so within

Community Cuts for Kids grows up in the St. Louis region, expands to D.C. area

By Kenya Vaughn

The St. Louis American

Craig Shields was radio personality Craig Blac when he was told he needed to start a community service initiative by his boss at Q 95.5 FM. He organized the first ever Craig Blac’s Community Cuts For Kids. He came back and did it again the next year – and the next year after that. Next weekend, Community Cuts for Kids will celebrate its 18th consecutive year of serv-

ing the St. Louis and Metro East by providing kids heading back to school with fresh, free haircuts for the boys and styles for the girls.

“It’s definitely my baby – and has grown up into something wonderful,” Shields said as he makes final logistical moves for his 18th Annual Community Cuts for Kids this weekend. They will be providing free cuts and styles in East. St. Louis on Saturday at the Mary E. Brown Community Center and on Sunday at the O’Fallon Park Recreational Complex in St. Louis.

“I didn’t imagine I would be doing it this long when it started, but as the years creeped on, I envisioned it becoming a lot bigger – taking it to other cities and bringing it to my hometown,” Shields said.

“It’s a blessing to

be able to do it for all these years and it’s still going strong.”

Amidst all his life changes, he has stayed consistent with Community Cuts For Kids. He moved from St. Louis back to his hometown of Washington, D.C. He is now a fulltime federal government employee who does radio on the weekend. He was once a radio personality who was encouraged to give back to the community that listened to him. Now he feels like radio was the path to his actual passion of building young people’s self-esteem through the Community Cuts for Kids.

“Don’t get me wrong, I still

‘Art has the power to transform lives and art has the power to heal’

After a national search,

was selected as the successor for longtime

She will assume the position of Augustin Family Artistic Director when Woolf retires after the 2018-2019 Season.

Sharif named artistic director for the Repertory Theatre of STL

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

“I believe in great art and I believe that great art looks like all of us,” said Hana S. Sharif, a week after she was named as successor to Steven Woolf as artistic Director of the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis.

Seeing Sharif’s headshot attached to the news release from The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis’ announcement introducing her, left an impression.

Posed with her finger on her cheek, she wore a headwrap, trendy glasses and a dress with colors that felt as if they popped through the photo. The image itself was an exclamation point with respect to the organization’s intention for inclusion and diversity as The Rep transitions in their next chapter when Woolf steps down following the 2018-2019 season.

“There is this idea that it [The Rep] has had a very clear lens for the type of art that it produces – and that my lens was a wider, more diverse lens,” Sharif said. “The transition committee and the board of directors were really clear about wanting to embrace, and have this more diverse lens that is reflective of the way that the industry has evolved – and who we are as both a culture and a country.”

Listening to her views and ideas on her appointment, her take on the transformative power of the arts – theatre in particular – Sharif gives off the vibe of black excellence personified.

“I am enormously happy with this selection,” Woolf said. “I’d like to commend our search committee and its chair, Ann Cady Scott, for choosing Hana. She will be an excellent leader for The Rep moving forward.” Woolf’s sentiments echoed those of the national theatre community when the news broke that a black woman would be at the creative helm of an organization some people refer to as “The White Rep.”

“I’ve felt so incredibly blessed over the last week by the energy and the warm welcome that I have received – and the love across the field from some of the greatest minds in theatre,” Sharif said. “I know that with the announcement of my tenure as AD, people may have expectations of what that might mean – the patrons, the board, folks who are seeing the picture of me

Of

Hana S. Sharif

Repertory Theatre of St. Louis artistic director Steven Woolf.

Amanda Seales is bringing her Smart, Funny and Black: The Lituation 101 Tour to The Delmar Hall tonight (Thursday, Aug. 9). The 8 p.m. show is sold-out, but there is select seating available at the newly added 10:30 p.m. performance.

Craig Shields

R&B veteran Joe got up close and personal with fans during his headlining show Sunday night at The Ambassador. Joe sang many fan favorites during his hour-plus long show, including “I Wanna Know,” “The Love Scene” and “Stutter.”

Photo by Carlston Edwards

How to place a calendar listing

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

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

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

back-toschool events

Sat., Aug. 11, 10 a.m., Craig Blac Community Cuts for Kids, Mary E. Brown Community Center, 606 S. 15th St. East St. Louis, IL. For more information, visit thecraigshields foundation.org or email craigblac@gmail.com

Aug. 11 – 12, Urban Expo – Back to School & Community Festival with special guest gospel legend Fred Hammond, America’s Center Convention Complex, 701 Convention Plaza, 63101. For more information, visit www.ulstl.org.

Sun., Aug. 12, 2 p.m., Craig Blac Community Cuts for Kids, 4343 W. Florissant Ave. For more information, visit thecraigshields foundation.org or email craigblac@gmail.com

Sun., Aug. 12, 1 p.m., Made Moguls presents The 2018 Back 2 School Youth Summit. Open to all students ages 11 – 17. Guest speakers, panels, giveaways, and more. Harris Stowe, 3026 Laclede Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Sat., Aug. 18, 12:30 p.m., Girlz 4 Life Back to School Bash. For girls kindergarten through 12th grade. Lewis and Clark Branch, St. Louis County Library, 9909 Lewis and Clark Blvd., 63136. FOr more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Sat., Aug. 18, 6 p.m., Rich Girls, Real Women, Inc. presents a Back 2 School Family Bowling Night. RSVP

required. Tropicana Lanes, 7960 Clayton Rd., 63117. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

concerts

Fri., Aug. 10, 7 p.m., American Idol: Live! 2018. Feat. Cade, Caleb, Catie, Gabby, Jurnee, Maddie and Michael plus Season 8 winner, Kris Allen. Fox Theatre, 527 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Fri., Aug. 17, 8 p.m., Ideal Barbershop and Five Star Empire present R. Kelly: The Memory Lane Tour. Family Arena, 2002 Arena Pkwy., 63303. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

Sat., Aug. 18, 7:30 p.m., The Alton Little Theatre Performers present A Magical Night of Disney –Concert Celebration. Liberty Bank Alton Amphitheater, 1 Henry St., Alton, IL. 62002. For more information, visit www.metrtotix.com.

Wed., Aug. 22, 8 p.m., Live Nation presents Lil Baby –Harder Than Ever Tour. The Pageant, 6161 Delmar Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www.ticketmaster.com.

Fri., Aug. 24, 8 p.m., Stifel Theatre welcomes Earth, Wind & Fire., 1400 Market St., 63103. For more information, visit www. ticketmaster.com.

Wed., Aug. 29, 8 p.m., .Zack presents Sy Smith 3224 Locust St., 63103. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Aug. 31 – Sept. 2, 23rd Annual Big Muddy Blues Festival. Performances by

Kenya Vaughn recommends

The Laugh Lounge presents Damon Williams. For more information, see COMEDY.

Marquise Knox, Roland Johnson, Kingdom Brothers, Skeet Rodgers & The InnerCity Blues Band, and more. Laclede’s Landing, 710 N. 2nd St., 63102. For more information, visit www. bigmuddybluesfestival.com.

local gigs

Thur., Aug. 9, 6:30 p.m., Fairy Tales Can Come True Concert and Event. Proceeds benefit University City Children’s Center’s tuition assistance program. Bissingers Chocolate Factory, 1600 N. Broadway, 63102. For more information, visit www.uccc. org.

Fri., Aug. 10, 7 p.m., Nexcore hosts the Bring a Bag Concert. Featuring live music, food and drinks, a school supply drive, and a performance by C-Sharp. 2631 Gravois Ave., 63118. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Sat., Aug. 11, 7 p.m., Fermata Entertainment & TLT Productions presents Marvin F. Cockrell & Focus: 24K Gold. 3610 Grandel Sq., 63108. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

Mon., Aug. 13, 10 p.m., Get Money Stop Hatin’ Midwest Tour with Cory Gunz. Feat. Jess J. Jones, Jayali, Rambo, Boss P, Keyz Boston, and more. The Monocle, 4510 Manchester Ave., 63110. For more information, visit www. getmoneystophatin.com.

Sat., Aug. 25, 7 p.m., A Tribute to Kem and Chrisette Michele. Voce, 212 S. Tucker Blvd., 63102. For more information, visit www. PurplePass.com.

special events

Fri., Aug. 10, 6 p.m., All-N1 Entertainment presents a Shop-Paint & Party Event Mandarin Banquet Hall, 8008 Olive Blvd., 63130. For more information, call (314) 6903660.

Fri., Aug. 10, 7 p.m., Nexcore hosts the Bring a Bag Concert. Featuring live music, food and drinks, a school supply drive, and a performance by C-Sharp. 2631 Gravois Ave., 63118. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Sat., Aug. 11, 9 a.m., Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis presents the Save Our Sisters Women’s Empowerment Summit. America’s Center, 701 Convention Plaza, 63101. For more information, visit www. ulstl.com.

Sat., Aug. 11, 4 p.m., The 5th Annual Miss Divine Destiny Pageant. For girls in grades K-5. SLU, Center for Global Citizenship Auditorium, 3672 West Pine Mall, 63108. For more information, visit www. thequeensguidetolife.com.

Aug. 15 – 25, St. Lou Fringe Festival. A performing arts festival showcasing theatre and dance, storytelling and spoken word, burlesque and acrobatics, visual art and. For more information, visit www. stlouisfringe.com.

Fri., Aug. 17, 5 p.m., St. Louis World’s Fare Heritage Festival. Come out for live music, food trucks, an art village, world business expo, and much more. Forest Park, 5595 Grand Dr., 63112. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Sat., Aug. 18, 7 p.m., Mathews-Dickey Awards & Benefit Concert Cameo, Doug E. Fresh, and Love Jones in the Soul Funk Fest, hosted by Darius Bradford. Fabulous Fox Theatre, 527 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Sat., Aug. 18, 1 p.m., 5th Annual St. Louis African American Artifacts Festival and Bazaar. Enjoy children’s activities, health and wellness information, prizes, vendors, and more. Crown Square Plaza, 14th St. & St. Louis Ave., 63106. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Tues., Aug. 21, 4:30 p.m., YWCA St. Louis presents the 6th Annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes. An international men’s march to speak out against rape, sexual assault and gender violence. Missouri Athletic Club, 405 Washington Ave., 63102. For more information, visit www. ywcastlouis.org.

Thur., Aug. 23, 11:30 a.m., The 15th Annual Kwame Foundation Golf Tournament. Norman K. Probstein Golf Course, Forest Park, 6141 Lagoon Dr, St. Louis, MO 63112. For more information, visit www. kwamefoundation.org.

Thur., Aug. 23, 5 p.m., 28th Annual St. Louis Crisis Nursery Celebrity Waiters Night. West County Center, 80 W County Center Dr., 63130. For more information, visit crisisnurserykids.org/events.

Aug. 24 – 26, Kinloch Forever Weekend. Commemorate the City of

Kinloch’s 70th Incorporation Anniversary. Weekend includes a banquet, festival, and basketball tournament. For more information, call (314) 608-1340.

Sat., Aug. 25, 7 p.m. (6:30 p.m. doors) Kut-Nup Productions presents Sync or Swim Lip Sync competition Neosoul and R&B edition, Kappa League, 500 N. Vandeventer. For more information, call (314) 5657961.

Aug. 25 – 26, International Institute’s Festival of Nations. Featuring over 40 ethnic food booths, arts and crafts, and an international shopping bazaar. Tower Grove Park, 4256 Magnolia Ave., 63116.

Aug. 26, 5 p.m., East St. Louis Heritage Festival, hosted by legendary Olympic champion Jackie JoynerKersee, Joyner-Kersee Center, East St. Louis, IL.

Tues., Aug. 28, 5:30 p.m., Community Service Public Relations Council and the Young Nonprofit Professionals host Speed Networking for Nonprofit Professionals. Llewellyn’s, 17 W. Moody Ave., 63119. For more information, visit www. csprc.org.

Sat., Sept. 1, 3 p.m., AfroBeats Summer Fest. Featuring artist’s performances, dance performance, food vendors from various cultures, etc. Blue Dine and Lounge, 5917 Delmar Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

comedy

Thurs., Aug. 9, 8 p.m., Amanda Seales presents Smart Funny and Black, Delmar Hall, 6131 Delmar. For more information, visit www. thepageant.com.

Aug. 9 – 11, Helium Comedy Club presents John Witherspoon.

Aug. 24 – 26, The Laugh Lounge presents Damon Williams. 11208 W. Florissant Ave., 63033. For more information, visit www. laughloungestl.com.

Sat., Aug. 25, 8 p.m., Fox Theatre presents Bill Maher 527 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

literary

Sat., Aug. 11, 2 p.m., Kirkwood Public Library hosts author Jim Merkel author of The Making of an Icon: The Dreamers, the Schemers, and the Hard Hats Who Built the Gateway Arch 140 E. Jefferson Ave., 63122.

For more information, visit www.kirkwoodpubliclibrary.

org.

Mon., Aug., 13, Ethical

Society of St. Louis hosts

author Jason Kander, author of Outside the Wire: Ten Lessons I’ve Learned in Everyday Courage. Left Bank Books, 399 N. Euclid Ave., 63108.

Thur., Aug. 16, 7 p.m., Left Bank Books hosts author Michael Kench, author of Between Hope and Fear: A History of Vaccines and Human Immunity. 399 N. Euclid Ave., 63108.

Thur., Aug. 23, 7 p.m., Left Bank Books hosts author Robert Horsey, author of Gifted. 399 N. Euclid Ave., 63108.

theatre

Aug. 9 – 12, JPEK Creative Works Theatre presents Meeting at the Elder’s Circle. Kranzberg Theatre, 501 N. Grand Blvd., 63106. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com

Aug. 17 – 25, Union Avenue Opera presents Lost in the Stars. The story of a black man who kills his white neighbor in 1940s apartheid South Africa. 733 Union Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www.unionavenueopera. secure.force.com.

Sat., Aug 18, 4:30 p.m., Gordon’s Entertainment presents “Over The Rainbow Part II,” James Eagan Theatre (inside the Florissant Civic Center), For more information, visit www.florissantmo.com

Fri., Aug. 31, 7 p.m., St. Louis Story Stitchers Artists Collective presents Pick the City Up. Featuring hip hop, spoken word and story magic on public health issues St. Louis cares about including gun violence. .Zack, 3224 Locust St., 63103. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Sat., Sept. 1, 7:30 p.m., The Kranzberg Arts Foundation Resident Benefit Showcase: Labor of Love 2018. A unique evening of dance, theatre, music, and more to support rising stars and old favorites. Grandel, 3610 Grandel Sq., 63108. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

art

Through August 19, Contemporary Art Museum 2018 Great Rivers Biennial Featuring artists Addoley Dzegede, Sarah Paulsen, and Jacob Stanley, Amy Sherald, and Claudia Comte. On view through August 19. 3750 Washington Blvd., 63108.

Aug. 31 – Sept. 2, The Art Fair at Queeny Park. Over 100 juried artists from more than 20 states. 550 Weidman Rd., 63011. For more information, visit www. artfairatqueenypark.com.

Through September 3, Color-ism by Work/Play Kranzberg Arts Center, 501 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www. kranzbergartscenter.org.

Through September 30, Let’s Play Ball! Field House Museum, 634 S. Broadway, 63102. For more information, visit www.facebook.com.

lectures and workshops

Sat., Aug. 11, 1 p.m., Panelist Discussion with Black Bloggers of St. Louis. panelists include AK + Diamond, Vera Jeanae, Psyche Southwell, Ebbie Nicole and Winnie Caldwell. Covo STL, 401 Pine St., 63102. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Wed., Aug. 22, 9:30 a.m., Operation Hope presents a Free Credit and Money

Management Workshop. 6680 Delmar Blvd., 63130. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Sat., Aug. 25, 10 a.m., The Pink Angels Foundation presents the I’m Every Woman Leadership Conference. Bernnadette Stanis, Tina Landon, Olga Korbut, and Jasmine Guy share the stage. Harris Stowe, 3026 Laclede Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www. pinkangelsfoundation.org.

health

Wed., Aug. 15, 11 a.m., The Office of St. Louis Comptroller Darlene Green will host its semiannual American Red Cross Blood Drive. St. Louis City Hall, 1200 Market St., 63103. For more information or to register, visit www. redcrossblood.org.

Fri., Aug. 17, 5:30 p.m., Bet

on Black! Women of Color Changing the Game of Birth in St. Louis. Participate in conversations and visions from black women leaders in maternal-infant health. Jamaa Birth Village, 8 Church St., 63135. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Sat., Aug. 18, 10 a.m., People’s Health Center Community Resource and Health Fair, 5701 Delmar Blvd.

Fri., Aug. 24, 6:30 p.m., Hatz

4 Hearts Foundation presents The Pink Carpet Community Gala. A celebration of life, survivorship, and perseverance. Missouri Athletic Club, 405 Washington Ave., 63102. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Sun., Aug. 26, 8 a.m., Young Friends of the Ville presents Trap Run 5K! An infusion of hip hop music and culture into a traditional 5K walk/run event. MLK & N. Sarah St.,

63113. For more information, visit www.traprunstl.com.

spiritual

Through August 11, Black Jack Baptist Church’s Vacation Bible School. 4906 Meuse Dr., 63033. For more information, call (314) 2104272.

Aug. 10 – 12, New Salem Missionary Baptist Church hosts Phenomenal Woman Service & New Salem Women’s Day. 1905 Arlington Ave., 63112. For more information, call (314) 240-5725.

Aug. 12 – 17, The Union Missionary Baptist District Association Annual Session. Mount Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church, 2854 Abner Pl., 63120. For more information, visit www. facebook.com.

Sun., Aug. 12, 3 p.m., North Park United Methodist Church presents Many Faces of Fashion. A celebration of diverse cultural influences on fashion trends in America. 1525 Orchid Ave., 63147. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Sat., Aug. 18, 7 p.m., Faith Miracle Temple Church presents A Night of Poetry Feat. Preston Perry, Cheneta Jones, Chris Webb, and Jackie Hill-Perry. 870 Pershall Rd., 63137. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Sat., Aug. 25, Temple of Praise Ministries presents Empowerment Day. O Fallon Park, 4322 W. Florissant Ave., 63115. For more information, visit www. topministriesstl.org.

Aug. 20 – 24, James Lee Ward, Sr. District, Eastern Missouri First Jurisdiction presents the Auxiliaries in Ministry C.O.G.I.C. Convention: Pressing Toward the Mark. Nazareth Temple COGIC, 3300 Marshall Ave., 63114. For more information, visit www. facebook.com.

Fri., Aug. 31, 7 p.m., Faith Miracle Temple Church presents Marvin Sapp. 870 Pershall Rd., 63137. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com. film

Friday, Aug. 9, BlacKkKlansman starring John David Washington opens in theatres nationwide.

Thur., Aug. 23, 6 p.m., Major! Film Screening and Q&A. A documentary that explores the life and campaigns of Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, a formerly incarcerated Black transgender activist. The Stage at KDHX, 3524 Washington Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Kenya Vaughn recommends

Urban Expo – Back to School & Community Festival with special guest gospel legend Fred Hammond. See BACK TO SCHOOL EVENTS for details.

Continued from C1

the device of celebrating a culture that, especially right now, is consistently being vilified and attempted to be suppressed is very empowering on an individual and communal level.”

Smart, funny and black could also be used to describe Seales herself. She holds a master’s degree in African American Studies from Columbia University. For the show, she uses a game show format to connect black people across the country.

“It makes folks be more willing to engage,” Seales said. “I love games. Anytime I create something, I’m always trying to figure out how I can make something serve me as well as serve the audience. Edutainment is always my goal.”

St. Louis is one of the lucky select cities on the two-week tour. The first show sold-out soon after it was announced. There are tickets remaining for the newly added late show, but they will probably sell out as well – just like in Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Brooklyn, Chicago and Detroit. She has been overwhelmed by the positive energy that the show breeds.

“It’s one thing when you create a show at home and you do it at home and people in your home-base rock with it,” Seales said. “But when you leave home and you go to these other places and folks rock with it even harder – it’s almost surreal. It’s like, this is something that’s bigger than me.

“It’s like when you’re a painter creating a painting. When you see it in your studio, that’s one thing. But when you see it in someone else’s space and you see how that space comes together with it, it really comes to life in a new way.”

She developed the tour as a counter to the negative images of black people that the community is inundated with daily.

“The reality is we need to have a safe space where we can celebrate black culture and elevate it,” Seales said. “And

n “At Smart, Funny and Black we take black culture to church and create a safe space for you to laugh, learn and celebrate a culture that has contributed more to the world than it gets credit for.”

- Amanda Seales

TheATRe

Continued from C1

online.

“I’m deeply aware that there are many people who are bringing their expectations to the table and trying to figure out how to balance those expectations with my own artistic impulses and what the city of St. Louis will rise to tell me it needs.”

Her first order of business is understanding St. Louis – and how she can best be of service to the city in her new role at The Rep.

“I think the regional theatre movement was based on the idea that a theatre can exist and bring some of the most transformational art to the region, that you don’t have to go to New York to find that,” Sharif said. “I feel excited about building upon Steven’s legacy. As far as the field is concerned, he really gave the institution it’s national profile.”

theatre. “As a playwright I’m a generative artist, creating the world that the story guides us through,” Sharif said. “As a director I am an interpretive artist, which is when I take other generative artists work and aligning everyone on a single vision of how we will tell that story. And as a producer, I am a curatorial artist.”

Sharif currently serves as associate artistic director for Baltimore Center Stage and she has spent most of her career on the East Coast. She sees the parallels between Baltimore and St. Louis and is happy to continue her life’s work in this region.

the rest of the country on how to engage deeply in partnership and in conversation and healing – through the arts and otherwise.

I’m not someone who just complains – If I’m complaining about something, I’m going to try to figure out a way to at least be able to push the needle in the direction of change.

That’s what this show is.”

The impact of Smart, Funny and Black on those who attend was verbalized when she was in Detroit and one of the participants responded to the question, “We are starting the first black colony on Mars, what are the three things that you would give to our black colonists that you feel will help them live their best black lives on the red planet?”

He said that he would give them Seales. “I was so moved, I started to blush – and you know I’m light-skinned,” Seales said. “He encapsulated what the show is really about and was able to put it into words in a way that I had not expected or received as far as why the show is necessary.”

She admitted a lot of the work with respect to activism, grassroots work and art for justice’s sake is usually thankless.

“We’re fortunate with this show because we have ticket

sales to say, ‘see, people really want this,’” Seales said. “But a lot of folks are out here doing activism, they are not getting that. They are working in rooms with no windows to try and get folks like Wesley Bell elected – to try to get people out to vote to flip these elections.

Through Smart, Funny and Black, Seales wants to be a part of encouraging people to let them know that they have the agency for change. She also wants people to know that black culture is bigger than an influential subgenre within popular culture.

“It’s an ethnicity and a shared experience,” Seales said. “As a community, we have unity in that shared experience- but we need to show way more reverence and way more respect for it.”

The second show for the St. Louis leg of Amanda Seales’ Smart, Funny and Black Tour will take place at 10:30 p.m. (10 p.m. doors open) at The Delmar Hall, 6131 Delmar. For tickets or more information, visit www.thepageant.com or https://smartfunnyandblack. com/

Her professional career began 15 years ago at Hartford Stage. Within the span of seven years, Sharif rose through the ranks from entry-level artistic assistant to the associate artistic director. She also served as Hartford Stage’s director of new play development. Starting in 2012, Sharif served as program manager at ArtsEmerson, a leading world theatre company based at Boston’s Emerson College. Sharif considers herself a multidisciplinary artist within

CUTS

Continued from C1

have to get my fix, which is why I do weekends,” Shields said. “But if anybody has ever done any type of volunteerism, it’s something that makes your soul smile. I’ll keep doing it as long as I breathe – no matter what obstacles keep coming at me.”

He spends his vacation time traveling to St. Louis for the event every year. Last year, Community Cuts for Kids expanded to the D.C. area. It will return for a second year. One of his D.C. partners is giving him 200 bookbags for St. Louis. One of his partners in St. Louis is giving him a laptop that will be given away as part of a drawing in Washington, D.C.

“This is something I’ve wanted to do for a long, long time – to bring my program

“Like Baltimore, St. Louis is place with tremendous opportunity, complex relationships between neighborhoods and communities,” Sharif said. “I feel like art has the power to liberate – and art has the power to transform lives and art has the power to heal. To be in a community where we can leverage that in order to create bridges with real understanding and where real conversations can happen – and not the pretense of conversation – that was important to me. The energy, the spirit and the possibility of St. louis were all very appealing.” Baltimore and St. Louis simultaneously experienced unrest in response to fatal encounters between black men and law enforcement –Freddie Gray in Baltimore and Michael Brown in Ferguson. She believes Baltimore and St. Louis can be prototypes for

to my first home, because St. Louis is my second home,” Shields said. “It [St. Louis] is the place where I created and cultivated this thing. It’s kind of amazing to see it growing in D.C. too. I’m not even gonna lie.”

Shields is grateful for all the people “on the ground” in St. Louis and working as his eyes and ears to make sure things run smoothly as he attempts to organize an annual event from the other side of the country.

“It’s all about St. Louis helping out St. Louis – I’ve preached that since the very first year,” Shields said. “I know everybody likes to say the city hates on each other, but this is a prime example of how St. Louis shows up and supports St. Louis.” The barbers and stylists they take time out of their Saturday – that’s their main money-making day and on Sunday, their day off. And Shields uses every bit of his vacation to make sure young

“[I’ve seen] The public nature of the social justice work and what that means for a city when the national limelight is on you and all that it brings in addition to the very necessary, very real feelings and conversations that need to happen within the community and the pressure of that,” Sharif said. “To create authentic conversations to create space for the type and level of healing necessary to happen has been exciting to be a part of, but it’s not without its own set of challenges. It’s not an easy process, but it is a necessary one.” Sharif felt as if the universe was conspiring to bring her to St. Louis.

“I’m very excited about having deep meaningful conversations. I want to understand the triumph and the tensions,” Sharif said. “I want to understand the heartbeat of the city. I want to understand the artistic dreams and impulses of the people of St. Louis.

She also wants to understand how The Rep has fit into that narrative and what the dreams are of how it can fit into the future.

“I am looking forward to building that future hand in hand with the community of St. Louis,” Sharif said. “We are stronger, and our storytelling is deeper and more enriched by bringing everyone to the table.”

people in St. Louis and East St. Louis have an opportunity to head back to school in style. The event also provides free school supplies (while they last), health screenings, a computer giveaway and other festivities.

“It makes me feel so good that I can’t see myself not doing it,” Shields said. “If people could just see the smile on their faces and how the young people feel about their fresh cuts and hairdos. That look on the kids face after their style or cut is done … that’s what got me hooked.”

Craig Blac Community Cuts for Kids will take place at 10 a.m. on Saturday Aug. 11, 10 a.m. at the Mary E. Brown Community Center, 606 S. 15th St. East St. Louis, Illinois and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 12 at the O’Fallon Park Recreational Complex, 4343 West Florissant Ave. For more information, visit thec raigshieldsfoundation.org or email craigblac@gmail.com.

Celebrations

Centenarian

Jessie Trice O’Bryant, known to many as either “Miss Jessie” or “Aunt Dolly,” celebrated her 104th birthday on Saturday, July 21 at Village North Retirement Community and Health Center, where she has lived since September 2017. Five generations of family, friends, church members from East Union Missionary Baptist Church and staff from Village North joined the celebration.

Beaumont High Class of 1973 will celebrate its 45th reunion, Aug. 10-12, 2018! To register contact: Dr. Liz Franklin at, mychoice2succeed@yahoo. com or (636)293-9553. Also, check out the BHS Facebook page.

Beaumont Class of 1978 will have its 40th Reunion Extravaganza, Save the Date: October 5-7, 2018. Call or text Marietta Shegog Shelby

Anniversary

Congratulations and God’s continued blessings to Dr. Leonard and Rev. Oruelle Mershon as they celebrate 70 years of marriage, August 14th!

at 314-799-5296 for further details.

East St. Louis Sr. High School Class of 1968 will celebrate its 50 year reunion on Friday, October 12, 2018 at the Main Street Brewing Center, 6435 West Main Street, Belleville, IL. 62223. For more information contact Linda Ward Spencer (618) 830-8221 or laws50@aol.com.

Hadley Teach classes of 1962-1963 will host their Annual Picnic on Saturday, Aug. 18 at Marvin’s Park, 4003 Camellia. Hot dogs, soda and water provided. Bring your basket, chairs, family and friends! For more information, contact: Virdell Robinson Stennis 314-773-8177, Ora Scott Roberts 314-222-3662, Wilhelmina Gibson Baker 314630-9647 or Marvin Young 314-422-5757.

Northwest Class of 1979 is planning on cruising for our 40th class reunion and would love for you to join us! Date to sail is set for July 20, 2019 and you can feel free to contact: Duane Daniels at 314-568-2057 or Howard Day at 414-698-4261 for further information. Please don’t miss the boat!

O’Fallon Tech will be celebrating its “50th” Class Reunion on Nov. 2-3, 2018 at Hollywood Casino, 777 Casino Center Dr. Maryland Heights, MO 63043. Class of 1969 and others are invited. To RSVP for the head count, so please contact: Joann Durham Harris 314-363-4260, Donnell Jackson 314-494-4807, Gloria Houston King 314-591-7306 or Kelvin Murphy 314-616-1007. St. Rose of Lima (Goodfellow

Wedding Announcement

Ms. Taylor Simone Vales, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Steven Vales and granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Vitalis (Veto) Reid, will be married to Dr. Chandler David Schexnayder, son of Mrs. Damita Riley and Mr. David Schexnayder on Saturday, October 13, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

& Etzel, closed 1977) will host an all-class reunion on Saturday, Sept. 8, Jewel Center, 407 Dunn Rd. See www.strosereunion.com for details.

Sumner Class of 1979 will hold its “Bulldogs Rock the Boat” BIG 4-0 Reunion Cruise, June 22-27, 2019. For further information, email your contact information to sumner1979@ymail.com or call 314-406-4309. Join our Facebook group at Sumner High Class of ‘79.

Vashon High School Class of 1973 will celebrate its 45th reunion on Saturday, August

11, 2018 in St. Louis. We’re still in the process of rounding up all of our graduates and would love for you all to contact us. Please email us at tpjgramells@aol.com for additional information. You may also RSVP and pay by going to VashonHigh1973. myevent.com. For those not on the internet, please call Terri (Bell) Johnson 314-313-2113. Vashon High School Class of 1978 will celebrate its 40th reunion in Las Vegas, Nevada Sept. 13-16, 2018. Classmates interested in attending should contact Mrs. Vickie Young at 314-707-7053.

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

St. Louis American Celebrations c/o Kate Daniel 2315 Pine St. St. Louis, MO 63103 FREE OF CHARGE

Reunion notices are free of charge and based on space availability. We prefer that notices be emailed to us! However, notices may also be sent by mail to: Kate Daniel, 2315 Pine St., St. Louis, MO 63103

Deadline is 10 a.m. on Friday. If you’d like your class to be featured in a reunion profile, email or mail photos to us. Our email address is: reunions@ stlamerican.com

Religion

Seeking ‘a more accurate representation of the kingdom of God’

Kelli

Braggs diversifies pastoral team at The Gathering

By Ashley Jones For The St. Louis American

The Reverend Kelli Braggs was recently appointed by the bishop to The Gathering’s ministerial team as associate pastor.

“I’m appointed here for a year as a learning opportunity to do a church plant in the near future,” Braggs said.

Braggs was born and raised in the St. Louis community. She completed her undergraduate degree at Liberty University and is now working on a dual degree: Masters of Divinity from Eden Seminary and Masters of Social Work from Washington University.

Braggs owned and operated a fitness center called V Fit and sold her business last summer. She was also a senior pastor at the church she attended for two years prior to The Gathering.

“By trade I’m a personal trainer,” Braggs said. “I’ve owned and operated a personal training gym here in south city for the last 11 years. By ministry I’m a pastor so I’ve also been pastoring, and this is going into year three now.” Braggs says that her purpose is to help people and drive them to be excellent in mind, body, and spirit.

“People are made up of three different aspects, and when they are functioning properly you have a holistic well-being,” Braggs said.

In 2006, The Gathering was founded by Matt Miofsky, out of a belief that church could be different and based on a deep desire

to make a significant impact on the St. Louis community.

“I’m just going to bring my authentic self to the table,” Braggs said. “I will bring something unique just because of the experience that I’ve had. This is a predominantly white church, a very white church, which is not a bad thing.”

The Gathering is looking to diversify its following and become more inclusive for all members to enjoy.

“They are looking to bring diversity in their membership and often times, in order to diversify the membership, you have to begin to diversify your leadership. To be a black woman in a white church, it means something to me,” Braggs said.

“Being diverse is a more accurate representation of what we believe to be the kingdom of God. If your church is only allblack, or all-white, or all-Hispanic, that’s really not a representation of the kingdom. There should be a little bit of everything ethnic-wise, socioeconomic-wise – we should have a plethora of different people at the table.”

Braggs said that the Gathering has welcomed her with open arms as a new member of the pastoral team.

“They began praying for me the moment they found out that I was coming, which was three or four months prior to my arrival,” Braggs said. “The reaching out on social media, cards, it has been very warm, very receptive.”

The biggest outreach the church has going on right now is its partnership with St. Louis Public Schools on a literacy program.

“We have volunteers who work in the schools every week who are mentoring and tutoring students who are either below reading level or just learning to read,” Braggs said. “We found out one of the key factors on whether or not kids really graduate from high school or whether they go to college is based on how well they are able to read before second grade.”

For more information on The Gathering, visit https://gatheringnow.org/, email info@ gatheringnow.org, or call 314-646-7172.

The Message

Stewardship is an action

My word for today is steward or stewardship. I haven’t found this very important word in the Bible yet, but I have heard many a pastor preach on it. From the pulpit I’ve heard the question asked, “Are we good stewards of our own sexuality?”

I have personally received the message of stewardship as it has relates to tithing. However, it wasn’t until I heard someone ask the Lord (in prayer) to be a good steward of His Word that the term really hit home.

On many occasion I have prayed to be a worthy vessel for the Holy Spirit. Face down in prayer, I’ve asked my Lord and Savior to empty me of all of those human characteristics that would prohibit the Holy Spirit from residing in me. It is my way of asking God for help.

I am often reminded that I’ll never be worthy of such a request but, God loves me so much that He has already given me this great and wonderful gift. It’s just very hard for me to accept it.

But I’m working on it.

Stewardship or being a good steward is an action. It calls for an effort. When I heard the prayer calling on the Lord to be a good steward of His Word, I immediately thought about what that would mean for me. I came to the conclusion that if one was a good steward for God’s Word, then that Word should be nurtured and cultivated for one purpose and one purpose only: to bear fruit. In this case, that fruit should be given in such a manner that others at least recognize that you are a vendor for that fruit.

Somebody should see your fruit stand. Either through your behavior, your attitude, your verbal praise, your prayers or via some other outward manifestation, the world should be able to see God’s Word operating in you. When you are viewed by others, there should be no question as to who you are and whose you are.

I’m now more convinced than ever that stewardship is a verb. The Word cannot reside in you quietly. Nor can it be selectively used when it suits you. The Word is what it is.

If you are a child of God, people need to hear you say that you know who your Daddy is with pride and boldness. I believe that is what is meant by “being a good steward.” It requires action, the kind that makes those around us know, without a shadow of a doubt, that we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior and God Almighty as the one true God.

If those around you know that, then you are indeed a good steward in the business of bearing fruit. If no one around you knows this, then maybe you need to go shopping.

Columnist James Washington

The Reverend Kelli Braggs was recently appointed to the pastoral team at The Gathering as associate pastor.

Reverend Kelli Braggs

NATIONALDIRECTOR OF CONTRACTING & CONSTRUCTION

This role will require heavy engagement with construction specialists throughout the industry, working with national brokers as well as regional brokers and independents, including their specialty divisions, to identify current and emerging customer needs and to craft and deliver product and service solutions that will result in differentiation and underwriting profitability over the long term. Long term coverage solutions will span both the primary and excess casualty lines, written on both an admitted and non-admitted basis, with specific line of business responsibilities to encompass WC, GL,Auto, supported Excess/Umbrella and supported Contractor Controlled/ Owner Controlled programs.

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

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Small church looking for an administrative assistant. If interested please call Heavenly Bread Missionary Baptist Church (314)381-7691 MonFri 9:00a.m. to 12:00p.m. Only called in appointments will be interviewed. Please no drop by.

YOUTH LEADER

SPECIALIST I/II

FULL TIME POSITIONS OFFERING

NEW SALARIES, at the St. Louis City Family Court Juvenile Division, including full benefit package, plus no cost retirement plan - detailed info at www.stlcitycircuitcourt.com EOE

HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER

For a complete job description visit our website at: www.stlcountycourts.com

SALARY: $4343/month + State of MO benefits.

DEADLINE: Submit application by Friday,August 10, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. to: St. Louis County Circuit Court, Human Resources Department, Room 151, 105 South CentralAve., Clayton, MO 63105 or apply on-line. EOE

POLICE OFFICER/PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER

The Des Peres Department of Public Safety is hiring a full-time Police Officer/Public Safety Officer. Starting salary is $54,483 to $59,895 depending on qualifications and experience including excellent fringe benefit package. Successful applicant may be cross-trained as a Firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), and will be primarily assigned to patrol operations or the West County Center Detail (until fully trained).Applications are available at www.desperesmo.org or apply in person at the Des Peres Department of Public Safety, 1000 N. Ballas Road 63131.Applications will be accepted until 5:00 P.M. on Friday,August 24, 2018.

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS

SEWER

for: Minority Advertising Services. Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from www.stlmsd.com, click on the “MSD AT WORK” link, (bid opportunities). The bid document will be identified as 9460 RFP. If you do not have access to the internet, call 314.768.2735 to request a copy of this bid. Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS

SEWER DISTRICT Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is accepting proposals in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103-2555 until 10:00 a.m. on August 29th, 2018 to contract with a company for: House Lateral CCTV Inspections & Cleaning Services. Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from www.stlmsd.com, click on the “MSD AT WORK” link, (bid opportunities). The bid document will be identified as 9498 RFQ. If you do not have access to the internet, call 314.768.2735 to request a copy of this bid. Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

skills. Experience with Microsoft Word, Excel and Adobe are required. Candidates can apply online at http://www.greensfelder.com/careers. html. EOE

FOOD JUSTICE ORGANIZER

For a complete description visit https://www.moenvironment.org/getinvolved/job-openings.

SALARY: $36,000 Missouri Coalition for the Environment seeks Food Justice Organizer to better connect residents to the work of the St. Louis Food Policy Coalition. Organizer is responsible for 1) coordinating residents and local community groups to advance community goals around local food and 2) supporting the St. Louis Food Policy Coalition by developing a Food EquityAdvisory Board. Organizer will work with community members predominantly in North St. Louis City and County. Regular access to transportation required. Highly motivated to work with local community groups around local food issues. Demonstrated effectiveness working in a team. Good written and oral communication skills.Ability to work evenings and weekends. Send resume, cover letter, and three references to Melissa Vatterott at mvatterott@moenviron.org with “Food Justice Organizer” in subject line.

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS

SEWER DISTRICT Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District will receive RFQ’s in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103-2555 until 10:00 a.m. on August 30, 2018 to contract with a company for: GAS-COMPRESSED.

Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from www.stlmsd.com, click on the “MSD AT WORK” link, (bid opportunities). The bid document will be identified as 9492 RFQ. If you do not have access to the internet, call 314-768-6254 to request a copy of this bid.

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

from Neopoint Consulting in an effort to support the IT Technology Plan. The District is proposing single source procurement for this service because it does not have the internal expertise to fulfill this Information Technology role. Any inquiries should be sent to strenz@stlmsd.com.

a copy of this bid. Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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

Public Notice of Single Source Procurement

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is proposing to procure temporary help services from SmartGeoTech in an effort to support the IT Technology Plan. The District is proposing single source procurement for this service because it does not have the internal expertise to fulfill this Information Technology role. Any inquiries should be sent to strenz@stlmsd.com. Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

OVERLAY-TERMINAL 1 EXIT ROADWAYS AND PARKING LOT “B”

At St. Louis Lambert International Airport Sealed proposals will be received by the Board of Public Service in Room 208 City Hall, 1200 Market Street, St. Louis, Mo. Until 1:45 PM, CT, on Tuesday, August 28, 2018 then publicly opened and read. Plans and Specifications may be examined on the Board of Public Service website http://www.stl-bps.org/planroom (BPS On Line Plan Room) and may be purchased directly through the BPS website from INDOX Services at cost plus shipping. No refunds will be made.

Bidders shall comply with all applicable City, State and Federal laws (including MBE/WBE policies). ). Mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 7, 2018, at 10:00 AM in the Ozark Conference Room at the Airport Office Building, 11495 Navaid Rd., Bridgeton, MO 63044.

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

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON LOCATION AND DESIGN OF THE REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT OF THE SOUTHWEST AND COLUMBIA BRIDGES OVER UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD

Notice is hereby given to all interested persons that an open house public hearing will be held at the St. Louis Activity Center, 5602 Arsenal Street, St. Louis, MO 63139 on Tuesday, August 14, 2018, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Central Daylight Time. Handicap access is available. All interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard concerning their views on the location and design of the Replacement of the Southwest and Columbia Bridges over UPRR with reference to the economic and social effects of such location and design, its impact of the environment and its consistency with the goals and objectives of the community. The presently contemplated improvement is as follows:

The existing Southwest Ave and Columbia Ave bridges over Union Pacific Railroad, located between Marconi and Kingshighway, will be demolished and replaced with a single bridge. Columbia Ave will be re-routed to intersect with Southwest Ave east of the new bridge.

Maps, plats, environmental documentation, and other detail information prepared by the City of St. Louis and their consultant will be available for public inspection and copying at the office of the City of St. Louis, Board of Public Service, Room 301 City Hall. Written statements and exhibits as well as oral statements will be received at the hearing. Written statements and exhibits will be made a part of the public hearing transcript if received within ten days after the date of the hearing.

Tentative schedules for right of way acquisition and construction will be discussed at the hearing.

If you are disabled and require special services at the public hearing, please notify the City of St. Louis Office of the Disabled by August 3, 2018 at (314) 622-3686 so that arrangements for those services can be made.

Relocation advisory assistance will be available for all persons displaced as a result of this improvement. Information on relocation assistance programs will be provided, if applicable.

For information prior to the hearing, please contact (314) 589-6616.

CITY OF ST. LOUIS

BY Kevin Trapp, P.E. Asst. Chief of Design Board of

Public

Service

Company invites

is

CITY OF ST. LOUIS

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL FOR: ACTUARIAL SERVICES – GASB 75 REGARDING OTHER POSTEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS ISSUED: AUGUST 1, 2018

MAIL OR DELIVER PROPOSALS TO: Beverly Fitzsimmons, Deputy Comptroller City of St. Louis - Comptroller’s Office 1200 Market Street - Room 311 City Hall St. Louis, MO 63103

PROPOSALS DUE: NO LATER THAN 2:00 P.M. CST ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2018.

Five (5) copies of all proposals must be received by the above deadline, in a sealed envelope, with the envelope clearly marked “RFP – ACTUARIAL SERVICES” on the outside or it will not be considered. Direct all questions related to this RFP in writing to Beverly Fitzsimmons, via email (fitzsimmonsb@stlouis-mo.gov) by 5:00 p.m., CST, Wednesday, August 8, 2018. Joint proposals will not be accepted. Late proposals will not be accepted. No facsimiles or emails of the proposal will be accepted.

RFP’s available by visiting the website: https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/ departments/comptroller/documents/rfp-actuarialservices-1aug18.cfm

Notice to M/WBE Businesses

Plocher Construction Company, Inc.

2808 Thole-Plocher Road Highland, IL 62249

PH: (618) 654-9408

Fax: (618) 654-6454 bids@plocherco.com

Seeking MBE & WBE businesses for the MSD Gravois Trunk Sanitary Storage Facility Project for Union Subcontracting & Supply opportunities in the following areas:

Rebar, Masonry, Metals, Carpentry, Thermal & Moisture Protection, Openings, Finishes, Specialties, Plumbing, HVAC, Electrical, Earthwork, Exterior Improvements, and Utilities.

All interested and qualified business should contact Chuck Wagner (crwagner@plocherco.com) or Andrew Wirz (amwirz@ plocherco.com) in writing or via email to discuss the subcontracting and supply opportunities. All quotes are requested to be received by September 12, 2018 which is one day prior to the bid opening.

All proposals will be reviewed for the lowest, responsive, and responsible quote.

MSD will host a Pre-Bid conference. It will be held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, August 14, 2018 at the Crestwood Community Center Gym – 9245 Whitecliff Park Lane, Crestwood, MO 63126.

Following the Pre-Bid there will be a Diversity Fair held from 11-1 at the same location of which Plocher Construction will participate in. After 1pm, for anyone interested, there will be a site visit to the project location at 8645 Pardee Lane, Crestwood, MO 63126 from 2-4pm.

Plans and Specifications are available for free electronic download. Please go to MSD’s website and look for a link to “ELECTRONIC PLANROOM.”

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Notice is hereby given that The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (District) will receive sealed bids for Earth City Lake Front North Pump Station (P-711) Replacement under Letting No. 12154-015.1, at this office, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103, until 02:00 PM on Friday, September 14, 2018, at a place designated. Bids will be received only from companies that are pre-qualified by the District’s Engineering Department for: SEWER CONSTRUCTION – St. Louis County drainlayer’s license required Plans and Specifications are available for free electronic download. Please go to MSD’s

Bid Notice

Five Oaks Associates, LLC is accepting bids for the following project for University of Missouri, Columbia: 3916 S. Providence – Fitout Space for New Urgent Care. PROJECT NUMBER: CP181071. It bids on Thursday, August 23rd, 2018. We would like to have your bids by 9:00 am. You may fax your bid at: 573-682-9514; email at: admin@5oaksassociates.com. You may reach us at 573-682-1314 for any questions.

Attn: All MBE (African American)

Vendors & Subcontractors

St. Louis Bridge Construction Company is requesting proposals for MSD Contract Letting No. 13152-015.1, Bissell Point WWTF Influent Pump Station Bar Screen Replacement (IR) in St. Louis City, MO. Scope of work includes: Remove existing bar screens, disposal of existing bar screens, bar screen fabrication, bar screen installation, grit & debris removal, grit & debris transportation, concrete repairs, and inspect, calibrate & adjust rakes. This project bids on August 23rd, 2018. We will hold a preproposal meeting at our office on August 15th, 2018 from 4 pm to 5 pm at 655 Landmark Dr., Arnold, MO 63010. Please respond to estimating@stlbridge.com or fax 636/296-7416. Please email all questions. Equal Opportunity Employer

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

Request for Proposals for Removal and Proper Disposal of Hazardous Electronic Material 623-49 East Holly Ave. St. Louis, Missouri, 63147

of

to

on the 4101

Invitation to Bid – 4101 Manchester Lueder

7-story, 87,000 sf mixeduse building, as indicated in the Contract Documents. Bids can be emailed to dhennings@lueder.com, faxed to (402) 592-4769, or mailed to the attention of Dan Hennings at 9999 J St Omaha, NE 68127 by 2 p.m. (CT) on August 22, 2018. Project Documents are available from: Cross Rhodes Reprographics Custom Blueprint & Supply, Inc 1712 Macklind Ave 1632 South Broadway St. Louis, MO 63110 St. Louis, MO 63104

www.stlamerican.com

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

The St. Louis Economic Development Partnership (the “Partnership”) is soliciting proposals from

any or all proposals and to waive informalities therein. Any questions should be directed to Howl Bean II at (314) 615-7663 or hbean@stlpartnership.com.

St. Louis Economic Development Partnership Equal Opportunity Employer LETTING #8672

MWBE/DBE PreBid Meeting Notice

The SITE Improvement Association is hosting a Prebid meeting for Qualified and Certified MWBE contractors to discuss working on

MSD’s Dammert and Broadway Sanitary Relief (SKME-551) Part 2 Contract Letting No. 11155-015.2

This meeting is being held on behalf of the following SITE contractor members: Fred M. Luth & Sons, Inc. 4516 McRee Ave. St. Louis, MO 63110 314/771-3892

The meeting will take place at 10:00 a.m. August 16, 2018

SITE Improvement Association 0ffice, 2071 Exchange Drive St. Charles, MO 63303

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

The St. Louis County Department of Human Services, Homeless Services Program, is seeking proposals for the Housing Resource Commission Grant FY2019. The total funding available is $550,123.15. Proposals are due by 2:00 p.m. on August 31, 2018. The mandatory Pre-Proposal Conference will be held on August 17th at 10:00 -11:30 a.m. Request For Proposal details and specifications can be obtained August 10th at the St. Louis County Bids and RFPs webpage located at http://www.stlouisco.com/ YourGovernment/BidsandRFPs

PIEA is an Equal opportunity Employer, and Respondents shall comply with the Mayor’s Executive Order #28, as amended.

Request for Bids

The Great Rivers Greenway District is soliciting sealed bids for Federal Project Number TAP & STP 9901 (632), Gravois Greenway: Orlando’s to River des Peres Greenway – Phase 2 (118A). DBE goal of 20% on the project. Check https://greatriversgreenway.org/ jobs-bids/ and submit by August 23, 2018

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Paric Corporation is seeking proposals for the following project: University of Missouri - Patient Care Tower - 3rd & 4th floor fit out and AHU Modifications.

The project consists of construction of 6 new operating room suites into the existing shell space on the east end of the 3rd floor of the Patient Care Tower, 25 new pre and post-operative rooms into existing shell space on the east end of the 4th floor of the Patient Care Tower and a new freestanding auxiliary penthouse adjacent to the existing main penthouse for the Patient Care Tower.

Bids will be due by 12:30 PM on Thursday, August 2nd and should be submitted by e-mail to bids@paric.com or fax (636-561-9501).

A Diversity Participation goal of 10% MBE and 10% Combined WBE, DBE, Veteran Owned Business and 3% SDVE has been established for this contract.

For any questions or would like to find out more detailed information on this opportunity, please contact Evan Chiles at 636-561-9544 or emchiles@paric.com.

Plans and specifications will be available to view at Paric’s Main office at 77 Westport Plaza,

250, St. Louis, MO 63146.

SEALED BIDS

for Construction Services, Poplar Bluff, Missouri, P r

c t N o . ZASIDIQ-8012, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, Thursday, August 30, 2018. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/ facilities

SEALED BIDS

for Construction ServicesHVAC, Central Region, State of Missouri, Project No. ZASIDIQ-8013, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30

PM, Thursday, August 30, 2018. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/ facilities

SEALED BIDS

for Replace Single-Ply Roofing System, Missouri National Guard Readiness C e n t e r , C a p e Girardeau, Missouri, Project No. T180201 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 8/30/2018. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/ facilities

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

SEALED BIDS

for

Walnut, Reclamation

e s County, Missouri, Project No. Y180101 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 8/30/2018. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/ facilities

The St. Louis Economic Development Partnership (the “Partnership”) is soliciting proposals from qualified architectural and engineering design firms to provide architectural planning, design, and construction management services as part of the construction of 40,000 square feet of additional space at the Helix Center, located at 1100 Corporate Square Drive, in St. Louis County, Missouri. To be considered, proposals must be received no later than 3:00 PM CST on Thursday, August 23, 2018. Proposals should be sent by email to hbean@stlpartnership.com, or to St. Louis Economic Development Partnership, ATTN: Howl Bean II, 7733 Forsyth Blvd., Suite 2200, St. Louis, Missouri 63105. DBE, MBE, and WBE firms are encouraged to bid.

The Request for Proposals may be obtained from the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership’s web site at www.stlpartnership.com. The Partnership reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to waive informalities therein. Any questions should be directed to Howl Bean II at (314) 615-7663 or hbean@stlpartnership.com.

St. Louis Economic Development Partnership Equal Opportunity Employer

SEALED

BIDS for FORT LEONARD WOODREAD I N

S C E N T E R , MODIFICATIONS, FIRING RANGE 18A, ST. ROBERT, MISSOURI, Project No. T1810-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 9/6/2018. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/ facilities

BIDS

Group, Springfield, Missouri, Project No. T1808-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 9/6/2018. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/ facilities

SEALED BIDS

for Construct 25 Meter Range, Camp Clark Tr a i n i

g S i t e , Nevada, Missouri, Project No. T1838-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 9/6/2018 For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/ facilities

for this year are estimated at $ 714,264 for Operating Funds and, $380,629 for Capital Funds. All residents are encouraged to attend this hearing. A copy of the Five-Year Agency Plan and Annual Plan, ACOP, FR and UA will be available for review from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. August 7, 2018 thru October 10, 2018 prior to public hearing at the address below. Persons can also submit written comments prior to public hearing to: Wellston Housing Authority 6203 Cote Brilliante Avenue Wellston, MO 63133-2501 For further information please contact Ernestine Hernton, Asset Manager at (314) 385-4089

SEALED BIDS

for Construct Unheated Storage Building, Missouri National Guard –AVCRAD, S p r

i e l d , Missouri, Project No. T1729-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 9/6/2018. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/ facilities

SEALED

BIDS for Roof Replacement, C o m m u n i t y Services Building, Western Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center, St. Joseph, Missouri, Project No. C1809-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 9/6/2018. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/ facilities

SEALED BIDS

for Construct Laundry Building, Missouri National GuardCamp Crowder, Neosho, Missouri, Project No. T182501 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 9/6/2018. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/ facilities

SEALED BIDS

for Roof Replacement and Other Renovations, Missouri National Guard Readiness Center, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, Project No. T1803-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 9/6/2018. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/ facilities

SEALED BIDS

for Upgrade HVAC Multiple Buildings, Camp Crowder Tr a i n i n g S i t e , Neosho, Missouri, Project No. T182201 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 9/6/2018. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/ facilities

, MISSOURI, Project No.

Notice To Small (SBE), Disadvantaged (DBE), Minority (MBE), Women’s (WBE), Service Disabled Veteran Owned (SDVOB) & Veteran Owned (VOB) Businesses Advertisement River City Construction, L.L.C., 6640 American Setter Drive, Ashland, Missouri 65010, (573) 657-7380 (Phone) (573) 657-7381 (Fax) Is Seeking Qualified Small, Disadvantaged, Minority, Women’s, Service Disabled Veteran Owned & Veteran Owned Businesses For The University of Missouri Patient Care Tower –3rd & 4th Floor Fitout And AHU Modifications University Of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri:Project NumberS: CP150752, CP150753, CP150754e: for subcontracting opportunities in the following areas: demolition, masonry, metals, rough carpentry, roofing, doors, glazing, painting, drywall, flooring, specialties, furnishings, fire suppression, integrated automation, plumbing, HVAC, electrical, communications, electronic security. All interested and qualified SBE, DBE, WBE, SDVOB, AND VOB businesses should contact, in writing, (certified letter, return receipt requested) Josh Sanders or Joe Seymour to discuss the subcontracting opportunities. All negotiations must be completed prior to the bid opening date of 8/02/2018@ 1:30 PM. Proposals will be evaluated in order on the basis of low responsive bid received. CERTIFICATION OF DBE/WBE/MBE/SDVOB/VOB STATUS MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH BID. BID DOCUMENTS MAY BE OBTAINED BY:

1) Email your company name, contact name and phone number, as well as the project you are interested in to bid@rccllc.com

2) You will then receive an email invitation for that project with a link to our SmartBidNet system.

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King of comedy DL Hughley was happy to pose with the lovely Micha during his private meet and greet following the Friday night late show for his weekend engagement at Helium Comedy Club. Hughley’s entire three-night run sold out. They added a second show on Sunday night –and it sold out as well.

Swag Snap of the Week

DL did it again. Now before you assume that this is good news, let me tell you right out the gate that when I say, “did it again,” I’m speaking of recycled jokes. But let me start with the good news. It was so packed up in that late show for DL Hughley, I thought I was going to have to sit on somebody’s lap. And DL does not mess around with some half-funny opening acts. You are required to bring the thunder for him to bother letting you grace his stage. And he clearly had a dress code, because the folks were playas’ ball sharp. I know its serious if Willie Lynch Jr. had a church anniversary suit on. If it weren’t for Clint Coley – who probably got his pay docked by DL because of his around-the-way attire – the show could have been billed as The Cat Daddies of Comedy Tour. DL and Bo LastnameDacious were serving Player’s Ball realness. The openers brought that heat – and you already know none of it is safe for print. I wish I could say the same about my beloved DL. I couldn’t believe he brought up Michael Sam. I wanted to stop the show to say, “You know the Rams are in your town now, not ours, right?” Nobody in St. Louis wants to hear a thing about them at this point –especially a five-year-old joke – unless it’s a vicious Kroenke insult. And Caitlyn Jenner was woman of the year in 2015, which was not last year. The bits of fresh that he sprinkled in were hilarious. When he talked about how his sick father (who just passed away) said kind things to him only to learn that he thought he was talking to D.L.’s brother instead of him, I was weak. I wish he gave us some more of that “new new.” I know he spends a lot of time on his political and social justice commentary – and always has a brilliant and much needed perspective. I wish he would work some of that fresh stuff into his latest act. I still ride for him and will click any clip that comes in my timeline with his face on it. And He got extra points when I learned he paid for a woman’s tab after the lady cut up so bad arguing with the waitress about her bill that it interrupted his Sunday show. Kountry Wayne’s comedy come up. Now look, I feel like I can be honest with y’all. So, I might as well tell you that I was hesitant to hit up Kountry Wayne’s weekend engagement at the Laugh Lounge after seeing him at The Ambassador a in 2015. He was such a bust for me that I dusted him the other two times he came to town since that show. Listen, I know he’s a believer. With that in mind I won’t go on record as saying he sold his soul to the devil to get so funny so fast. I will just say he was miraculously “delivert” from his struggle of a routine. I’m telling you, he was downright hilarious. When he started going in on his snaggle tooth baby mama trying to get a reality show, I hit the floor. I also hollered when he talked about his cousin in the wheelchair that tries to pretend he’s not in a wheelchair when they all go to the club by having Wayne and another cousin hoist him up and position his body on demand. The bad news is that everybody and their mama was crammed into the Helium catching DL. And Wayne had the folks messed up with those ticket prices. He’ll get to the point where it will be nothing to ask folks for $50 sooner than later– but he found out the hard way that shole (yes, I said shole) ain’t there yet.

Blues at the Arch is back! I know that y’all don’t particularly check for the blues in this part of the paper, but I went down to the glorious new Arch grounds to check out Zac Harmon for the 2018 Blues at the Arch August concert series kickoff and got my whole entire life. The setting was beautiful, a lovely-sized crowd came out and Zac Harmon did his thing on that stage! I’ll most definitely be back before the series wraps at the end of August. They go down each Friday in August starting at 6 p.m.

Totally 90s with the millennials at Marquee. Saturday night I stopped by the Marquee to kick it with the young folks for Energy. The great news is that it was young people dancing to old music. I got my life from the 25 and underlings getting it in to 90s music in the middle of a Soul Train line. It was a cute crowd –and appeared to be the unofficial afterparty for the Alpha’s Midwest Marchdown (which I heard was quite nice!).

Joe was a pure joy. I ended my weekend with the smooth sounds of R&B veteran Joe. Anybody who knows me knows that I will catch Joe wherever he sings, because he is one of the most consistent live performers in R&B. Now, he will throw a fit in a heartbeat if the sound is not right tight – but he doesn’t owe anybody who buys a ticket a single thing. He worked up a sweat at the Ambassador Sunday night, which was packed to the gills with your grown cousins and aunties trying to look sexy for Joe. The kitten heel flipflops and rayon blouse mafia was in the building! Note to the vixens of a certain age who have maintained their shapes enough to pull off something skin tight: if your catsuit has stirrups, you might want to upgrade into something for this current century. They were hollering the whole Ambassador down and dancing in the aisles for Joe. But the opening acts…not so much. I’m saying this out of love, but there are levels to it – and you can’t just come out the gate singing a Luther tribute if you’re not all the way ready. Start with Keith Sweat, graduate to some Kashif and then try to master Tony Terry first. Please don’t take this as hate. Luther is no joke. The Rachelle Ferrell/Will Downing cover was cute though. And anybody who didn’t know that Snoopy does not mess around when it comes to keeping time when he manages a stage, learned the hard way Sunday night. Poor Baby D was like “A house is not a home when…good night everybody.” Ok, now I can get on with the man of the hour. As per usual, Joe absolutely killed it – and his voice was in prime form. He did the hits. He sped it up and slowed it down. He even gave an encore with his cover of Adele’s “Hello.” He put his foot in that finale y’all!

Chingy, “the hip-hop architect” Mike Ford and MC following the hip-hop architecture camp @ St. Louis County Library- Natural Bridge branch

Jordan, Lady Re and Kountry Wayne were all smiles backstage following Wayne’s headlining set Friday night @ The Laugh Lounge

R&B star Joe with Shae after he sang the stage down Sunday night @ The Ambassador

LaRhonda and Triky with Wesley Bell, who defeated Robert McCulloch in Tuesday’s STL Prosecutor primary, at his campaign party Saturday @ Blue

Kiara, Tati, Clemesha and Sabrina were just a few of the cuties in the place to be for Energy Saturday night @ The Marquee

Khadijah and Samiyah were the hostess with the most @ The Great Gatsby Meets Harlem Nights Sunday afternoon @ Champs

Jennifer and hubby DJ Quinn came through to catch the soulful sounds of Joe Sunday night @ The Ambassador

Kamish and Sam laughed themselves silly during DL Hughley’s Friday night late show @ Helium Comedy Club

Ami and Barbie proved that young people love the blues too as they grooved to Zac Harmon Friday @ Blues at the Arch

Jarred with Champs owner Marlon @ The Great Gatsby Meets Harlem Nights Sunday afternoon @ Champs

We have high expectations for all kids

By Chris Frills

For The St. Louis American

My brother and I grew up on the west side of Chicago. We are 10 months apart; we are so close in age that we were often mistaken as twins. We were raised by the same mom, lived in the same house, and attended the same schools.

Despite being extremely bright and well-mannered, as early as second grade Nicholas was deemed a “problem child,” and that label stuck. After graduating high school, Nicholas bounced between jobs, joined the military, and even spent months in jail.

surrounded by a community of adults that unconditionally believed in me, held me to high expectations, and invested in me. They gave me access to be my best self.

n I will be the school leader of our 3rd KIPP St. Louis elementary school opening in the fall of 2019.

When I was in kindergarten, I was labeled “gifted” and spent the rest of my elementary, middle, and high school years in advanced classes. I went on to graduate top of the class in high school with a full ride to a private college.

So why were the paths of two black boys from the inner city so different?

I deeply believe it was because I was

Now as an adult, that’s why I work as a leader at KIPP.

KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program) is a national network of free public openenrollment schools with a commitment to helping all kids climb the mountain to and through college. Here in St. Louis, KIPP operates five schools, with more than 2,000 students in grades K-10. At KIPP, we have high expectation for all kids. All students, starting in Kindergarten, are put on the path to college. Each class is named after the year that they will graduate high school and go to college (e.g. 2023, 2029). Each child’s homeroom is named after their teacher’s alma mater (e.g.

Mizzou, University of Texas Austin). If a student is struggling, academically or social-emotionally, we have a team of social workers and learning support teachers that work to ensure that students aren’t detoured from their path to college.

At KIPP, we also want our students to be well-rounded leaders of their community, and we know we must extend learning beyond the four walls of the school. That’s why we invest in field lessons, college visits, extracurricular activities and community engagement. For example, last year the boys of KIPP Triumph Academy middle school planned a community clean-up where they spent the morning, in partnership with the park district, cleaning and beautifying a local park.

At KIPP, our support doesn’t end the day of high school graduation. Our KIPP Through College program not only helps students secure scholarships and apply for college, they also support

our students currently in college to ensure that they successfully complete attain their degree.

As a leader at KIPP, I know that my role as an educator is not only to teach content but also to use my experiences to mentor and guide our students, to believe in them unwaveringly. It is my responsibility, and the responsibility of everyone who works at KIPP, to create schools where all students – even students like Nicholas – could thrive.

I’ve felt this sense of responsibility in all of my roles at KIPP. For the past two years, I’ve served as the assistant school leader at KIPP Triumph Academy (grades 5-8). Now I am the region’s most recent Fisher Fellow and will be the school leader of our 3rd KIPP St. Louis elementary school opening in the fall of 2019.

Chris Frills is a KIPP Fisher Fellow who will be the school leader of a new KIPP Elementary School in the school year 2019-2020. He has served as assistant school leader at KIPP Triumph Academy for the past two years.

Chris Frills

Is your student doing too much?

Advice from St. Louis Children’s Hospital

By Dr. Kelly Ross Washington University Pediatrician with STL Children’s Hospital

The task of creating balance in your child’s life may seem impossible with school and so many options of extracurricular activities. You want your kids to be involved in activities outside of school, but you also want to make sure that they are not overbooked and stressed because they have too much on their plate. As a parent, it is important to find a routine that works for your child as they take on more extracurricular activities in different stages of life.

There are a couple things to consider when assessing the appropriate number of activities for your child: What’s their temperament? Every child is a little different when it comes to

the number of activities they can take on without being overwhelmed. Some kids thrive on having a highly scheduled life with something going on every hour. Other kids need to be encouraged to participate in activities and may be more easily overwhelmed by such a busy schedule. Gauge your child’s activities with their individual temperament in mind.

What is their age? Four year olds having an activity every day when they don’t have homework and don’t have a certain time they have to wake up every single day is fine. As kids hit middle school and high school, balancing activities becomes more of a challenge with added homework.

Extracurricular activities are good, but remember to keep a balance in your child’s life. A general rule of thumb for middle school and high school is to pick two activities that your child really enjoys.

Technology can be a great solution for allowing you to create a healthy schedule for your child, especially for working moms. You can set limitations on the technology your child is using or you can also use technology to know that your child is where they say they are. In addition, using the buddy system with other moms can help you establish a schedule for your child that works with your schedule as well. Maybe one month into the school year, do a check-in to see if your child’s

n Is my child getting enough sleep? Are they getting their homework done? Did they seem stressed? Do they seem bored? Are they spending too much time on electronics?

schedule is working. A few questions you should ask yourself to assess whether the routine in place is working for your child are:

• Is my child getting enough sleep?

• Are they getting their homework done?

• Did they seem stressed?

• Do they seem bored?

• Are they spending too much time on electronics?

Use all of the information that you gather to determine how your current scheduling is going. Checking in frequently will allow you to figure out how much scheduling your child needs and what works best.

Source: St. Louis Children’s Hospital.

How to avoid ID theft on campus

Better Business Bureau

If you have a college student packing up to live on or near campus this fall, now’s a good time to talk about preventing fraud while they’re away from home. Better Business Bureau (BBB) recommends that they take a few simple steps to protect themselves from identity theft and other fraud on campus.

“Identity theft can affect penniless students as much or more than their parents,” said Michelle L. Corey, St. Louis BBB president and CEO. “Sometimes all thieves want is to exploit your clean credit record. By establishing good habits for monitoring and detecting fraud, students can greatly reduce their chance of being a victim of ID theft.”

According to Javelin Strategy and Research, 6.64 percent of consumers became victims of identity fraud in 2017, an increase of almost one million victims from the previous year. The amount stolen from these victims, who numbered 16.7 million this year, was nearly $17 billion.

BBB recommends that college-bound

students take the following steps to fight identity theft on campus:

• chool mailboxes are not always secure and often can be accessed easily in a dorm or apartment. To combat sticky fingers in the mailroom, have sensitive mail sent to a permanent address, such as a parent’s home or a post office box.

• Important documents should be stored under lock and key. This includes your Social Security card, passport and bank and credit card statements. Shred any paper documents that have sensitive financial information rather than just tossing them out. Also shred any credit card offers that come in the mail.

• Never lend your credit or debit card to anyone, even if they are a friend. Just say no if your friend wants you to cosign for a loan or financing for items like a TV.

• Make sure your computer, laptop or tablet has up-todate antivirus and anti-spyware software. Always install any updates and patches to your computer’s operating system or browser software, which help keep your computer safe from new schemes or hacks by identity thieves online.

• Always check your credit or debit card statements closely for any suspicious activity. The sooner you identify any potential fraud, the less you’ll suffer in the long run. Getting your statements online is more secure,

n “Sometimes all thieves want is to exploit your clean credit record.”

– Michelle L. Corey, St. Louis BBB president and CEO

but make sure you actually look at the statements.

• When shopping on unfamiliar websites, always check the company out first with BBB. Look for a website with the padlock on the page and “https” in the URL web address box. Also, look for trustmarks on websites like the BBB’s seal.

• Check your credit report at least once a year with all three reporting bureaus for any suspicious activity or inaccuracies. You can do this for free by visiting www.annualcreditreport.com.

For more advice on fighting fraud, visit bbb.org or call 888-996-3887.

ESL NAACP youth compete in ACT-SO nationals

American staff

The East St. Louis Branch of the NAACP sent a group of 12 students from Metro East schools to San Antonio, Texas for the 40th annual Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological, and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO) on July 12.

Among the 12 competitors were Benjamin Hirst, Christina Jones, Dominick Oranika, Haley Harrison, Jaylon Muchinson, Jermaine Windham, JoDasha King, Jordan Simms, Kaylon Brown, Lauren Evans, Miles Wadlington, and Taylor Jones.

They participated in Classical Instrument, Classical Vocals, Contemporary Vocals, Entrepreneurship, Poetry Written, Poetry Performance, Contemporary Instrument, Photography, Drawing, Oratory, Dramatics, Short Story and Original Essay.

On the day of competition, the competitors gave it their all: singing, playing their instruments, speaking their written words, showing their art and photography, and acting out their dramatizations as they showcased their talents before judges who were professionals in their areas of expertise.

In the end, two competitors stood out as winners; Christina Jones (Contemporary Vocals) won a gold medal for her explosive vocals as she sang “God Bless the Child,” and Miles Wadlington (Classical Vocals) also offered a strong baritone rendition of “Si, tra i ceppi,” which won him a bronze medal. Both medalists won monetary gifts along with the newly released Apple iPad 6.

Both youth also participated in the awards ceremony presentation. Miles conducted the ACT-SO Choir, and Christina was invited to be a soloist, lending her vocals in performing “What About the Children,” originally sung by the award-winning gospel artist Yolanda Adams. As Christina sang, she brought the crowd to tears and then a resounding standing ovation.

While in San Antonio, the youth

also participated in master classes, peer socials, and auditions for the awards ceremony presentations. In their free time, they did some sightseeing on the San Antonio Riverwalk, took a cruise around the city on river boats, and had pizza and swim parties.

Four of the 12 competitors will be moving on to college in the fall, and the other eight youth are already gearing up for the 2019 ACT-SO competitions. Traveling with the participants were

NAACP East St. Louis Branch President Stanley W. Franklin, ACT-SO Chair Ronda Franklin, and chaperones, Andrew Bailey, LaToya Owens, and Tandra Stewart-Clark.

Prior to the national competition, the NAACP ESL Branch ACT-SO students conducted several enrichment/mentoring sessions to assist the competitors enhance their skills and talents for the local level competition held on March 31, where the 12 youth were selected to move on to the

National ACT-SO competition based on their qualifying scores.

ACT-SO is a major youth initiative of the NAACP. The competition was founded in 1978 by renowned author and journalist Vernon Jarrett. The mission of ACT-SO is to prepare, recognize, and reward youth of African descent who exemplify scholastic and artistic excellence.

For more information on ACT-SO, visit https://www.naacp.org/act-so.

NAACP East St. Louis chaperone Andrew Bailey and ACT-SO Chair Ronda Franklin with gold medalist Christina Jones (Contemporary Vocals) and bronze medalist Miles Wadlington (Classical Vocals).

Why do students choose not to pursue college, or drop out?

College Changes Everything Conference addressed the tough questions

Illinois Student Assistance Commission

Why do students choose not to pursue college, or drop out of college, even when they are provided with significant college counseling, external encouragement, and assistance in accessing financial aid?

Mandy Savitz-Romer, Ph.D., director of the Harvard Graduate School of Education master’s program in Prevention Science and Practice and senior lecturer in education, provided some crucial answers to that question in her keynote to 500 educators, government, business and non-profit leaders attending the College Changes Everything (CCE) Conference on July 19 in Tinley Park.

The answers, said Savitz-Romer, are not necessarily to be found in more of the same—traditional college counseling,

See STUDENTS, page 10

Moderated by Teresa Ramos, Ph.D., director of Community Engagement at Advance Illinois, the student panel entitled Student Benefits when Organizations Work Together, included Denisse Rivera Flores, Montez Holton, and Aysha Ahmad. The panel shared their personal challenges and successes in high school and postsecondary education, with particular focus on the business and nonprofit partnerships that helped them on their education and career path.

Photo by Chris Pierson, ISAC

Back-to-school supplies drive and giveaway

Kingdom House, Gloves 4 Grades and 7th Ward Committeeman Marty Murray are hosting a back-to-school supplies drive and giveaway. They are collecting donations at Kingdom House, 1321 S. 11th St., 6:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 6:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday from now through the giveaway event, which will be held at Kingdom House 5-7 p.m. Monday, August 13. DJ D-Mack will provide music.

“Last year we were able to help 100plus students, and we are looking to help even more families,” Murray said. “This year we are giving away fully stocked book bags, free haircuts, food, great music, and door prize giveaways.”

Leonard’s Barber College will provide barbers for the event.

Founded in 1902 as a settlement house, Kingdom House helps the economically disadvantaged achieve economic independence, self-sufficiency and a path out of poverty.

Founded in 2016, Gloves 4 Grades encourages academic success with at-risk youth 18 and under by providing tutoring/mentoring, new boxing gear and academic scholarships. During the giveaway event, Gloves4Grades seeks to

n

“This year we are giving away fully stocked book bags, free haircuts, food, great music, and door prize giveaways.”

– 7th Ward Committeeman

Marty Murray

hire tutors and mentors starting at $10 per hour.

Other sponsors include Safety National, EPC Computers, LIFE Foundation, the Missouri Botanical Garden, Climb So Ill, Andy’s Frozen Custard, Pepsi Co.

For more information, contact Marty Murray at Gloves4Grades@outlook.com or call (314) 425-9259.

STUDENTS

Continued from page 8

college fairs, FAFSA help—all of which are important but not necessarily sufficient to get students, particularly first-generation students, to college.

“If we can’t do more, we may have to do different,” said Savitz-Romer, who has focused her research on adolescent development to understand the “constellation of obstacles” that keep students from attending or persisting in college, even when they have been offered a host of external supports.

Savitz-Romer highlighted some of the essential skills students need to pursue and succeed in college—from developing a growth mindset and selfefficacy, to self-regulation, including planning and delayed gratification— many of which are covered in detail in the book she co-authored, “Ready, Willing and Able: A Developmental Approach to College Access and Success.”

“There is a big difference between wanting to go to college, believing you deserve to be there and can succeed, and someone telling you that they want you to go to college,” said Savitz-

n “There is a big difference between wanting to go to college, believing you deserve to be there and can succeed, and someone telling you that they want you to go to college.”

– Mandy Savitz-Romer

Romer.

A luncheon panel discussion with two recent college graduates and a high school student, all of whom overcame significant obstacles to get to college, highlighted not only some of the topics Savitz-Romer covered, but also the crucial business, education, and nonprofit partnerships that helped build pathways to success for these students.

Exemplifying the success of college and career readiness partnerships is Vermilion Advantage, the 2018 recipient of the College Changes Everything Champion Award. The award is presented each year to a person or an organization that has made significant contributions to help the state improve college access and completion efforts for Illinois students. Vermilion Advantage provides workforce development, career awareness, and educational programs through its 60-plus business workforce

cluster members, the county K-12 education systems, and Danville Area Community College. Thousands of students in the area are sponsored by local businesses to help ensure that the region retains a qualified workforce. Conference breakout sessions, presented by state and local experts and practitioners, covered a range of college and career readiness programs and partnerships.

Sponsored by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) in collaboration with partner agencies and organizations, the annual CCE Conference is the state’s premier higher education conference focused on improving efforts to make college possible for all Illinois students.

For more information, visit collegechageseverything. org/2018conference.

Back to school event on August 11

State Rep. Steven Roberts will host a back-to-school event 2-4 p.m. Saturday, August 11 t the YeatmanLiddell College Preparatory Middle School, 4265 Athalone Ave. The purpose of event is to provide free backpacks to students in the 77th House District, along with St Louis as a whole.

Last year, over 700 backpacks were given to students, along with 25 free physicals to those needing them for school.

The event will have special guests to wish the students a great academic year, along with community partners who will have information about resources to help empower families who need it. The National Geospatial Agency (NGA) will be participating this year and providing information about the importance of STEM courses.

For more information, contact Rep. Steven Roberts at 573-7511400.

St. Charles County schools work with area businesses

CAPS ‘will help better prepare students for their future careers’

American staff

In August, the new St. Charles County CAPS Consortium will begin its work pairing high school students and local businesses for the 2018-19 school year. After more than a year of coordination between the five public school districts in St. Charles County, local superintendents and CAPS officials met with St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann to discuss this new initiative and how it will impact students and businesses.

CAPS, or Center for Advanced Professional Studies, teaches business etiquette and soft skills to participating high school juniors and seniors. It also places them in business internships during the school day to work on meaningful business projects and learn about specific career pathways. High school and college credit will be awarded to successful students in the program. Initial career tracks include healthcare, information technology and global business/

entrepreneurship.

Nearly 150 high school students are enrolled in the new CAPS program, which will begin with a special kickoff event August 14 at Lindenwood University.

“The public schools in St. Charles County are already among the best in Missouri,” says Ehlmann. “The new CAPS program is an excellent addition to the local curriculum that will help better prepare students for their future careers and help build new connections between our schools and growing businesses that are looking for their future workforce.”

Curtis Cain, superintendent of Wentzville School District, and Crystal Green, CAPS healthcare teacher, discuss the St. Charles County CAPS Consortium.

Businesses currently participating in the CAPS Consortium include BJC

HealthCare, Spectrum, EDC Business & Community Partners, SSM Health, Stauder Technologies and Vatterott College.

Ehlmann congratulated the superintendents and boards of Fort Zumwalt, Francis Howell, Orchard Farm, St. Charles and Wentzville school districts.

“As a former educator, I know the importance of getting students excited and engaged in what they are learning,” Ehlmann said. “The efforts of everyone involved in establishing the new CAPS Consortium in St. Charles County are to be congratulated.”

Ehlmann and educators also talked

about ways to provide mentorships, career shadowing and summer internships so even more students can gain “realworld” business experience prior to high school graduation.

“It will benefit everyone if we can get more business leaders and employers to partner with our schools on initiatives like CAPS, STEM, career shadowing and internships,” Ehlmann said. “It is up to all of us working together in the community to help prepare the workforce of tomorrow that we need and want in St. Charles County,” he says.

For more information about the new St. Charles County CAPS Consortium, contact CAPS Director Nicole Whitesell at 636-443-4077 or visit scccaps.org.

For more information about workforce, and business growth assistance, contact the St. Charles County Department of Workforce & Business Development at 636-255-6060 or visit sccmo.org/workforce.

Scholarship Foundation offers free financial aid workshops

2019-20 FAFSA will be available October 1

American staff

The Scholarship Foundation will host free workshops to help students and families successfully navigate the financial aid process, understand college affordability, and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at its office, 6825 Clayton Ave, Suite 100.

Financial Aid Basics Workshop, which helps students learn about different sources of financial aid and private scholarships and comparing best options, will be held:

• Wednesday, September 5, 6:30 to 7:30 pm

• Wednesday, November 14, 6:30 to 7:30 pm.

The FAFSA Workshop – which explains the FAFSA, its importance, and how to complete the application – will be held:

• Wednesday, September 26, 6:30 to 7:30 pm

• Wednesday, October 17, 6:30 to 7:30 pm.

FAFSA Completion

Assistance provides students and families with individualized assistance with completing and filing the FAFSA, as well as guidance about the financial aid process. Appointments can be scheduled individually with an advisor. Please contact The Scholarship Foundation to schedule an appointment. In addition, FAFSA Completion Assistance provides students and families with individualized assistance with completing and filing the FAFSA, as well as guidance about the financial aid process. Appointments can be scheduled individually with an

advisor. Please contact The Scholarship Foundation to schedule an appointment; call 314-725-7990 or email info@sfstl. org.

n Completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a critical step in applying for financial aid.

The 2019-20 FAFSA will be available October 1. Completion of the FAFSA is a critical step in applying for financial aid. High school seniors and current college students applying for financial aid for the 2019-20 academic year will want to file the FAFSA as soon after October 1 as possible; the FAFSA can be filed at fafsa.gov.

The FAFSA uses tax information from two years prior to the aid year for which the student is applying. Students applying for financial aid in the 2019-20 year will use tax information from 2017, allowing them to immediately transfer tax information from the IRS into the FAFSA.

The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis, a nonprofit organization founded in 1920, is based upon the conviction that an educated society is essential to a democracy. The Scholarship Foundation provides access to postsecondary education to members of our community who otherwise would not have the financial means to fulfill their educational goals. Annually, more than 500 students are awarded approximately $4 million in direct financial support in the form of interest-free loans and grants from The Scholarship Foundation.

The workshops will be held at The Scholarship Foundation office, 6825 Clayton Ave, Suite 100, St. Louis, MO 63139. All workshops are free and open to the public; registration is appreciated for all workshops, but not required. For more information or to register, call 314-725-7990 or email info@sfstl.org. For more information, visit www.sfstl. org.

Four tips for paying for college while saving for retirement

Saving for retirement and college simultaneously is a balancing act that many families face. However, experts say these goals do not have to be in competition with each other. To manage both priorities, consider the following tips.

• Get started now: “Your greatest asset is time,” said Mark Kantrowitz, bestselling author and financial expert, who points out that every dollar you save is approximately a dollar less you’ll have to borrow, and every dollar you borrow will cost about two dollars by the time you repay the debt. “By saving money, you literally save money.”

Make saving for both college and retirement a given with automatic monthly transfers from your bank account to your different savings plans.

• Don’t mix apples and oranges: Don’t use your retirement plan as a college savings fund. Distributions from retirement plans, even a tax-free return of contributions from a Roth IRA, count as income on financial aid forms.

Save for college using a 529 college savings plan, which according to savingforcollege.com, offers tax and financial aid advantages not available for other savings methods. Like a Roth IRA, with a 529 you invest after-tax dollars, earnings accumulate on a tax-deferred basis, and qualified distributions to pay for college costs are entirely tax free. But 529 plans can be treated more favorably by financial aid formulas.

• Follow formulas: Maximize the employer match on contributions to your

Make saving for both college and retirement a given with automatic monthly transfers from your bank account to your different savings plans.

retirement plan. That’s free money, so take advantage of it. As a general rule, Kantrowitz recommends saving one-fifth of your income for the last fifth of your life.

As far as college is concerned, he said use the one-third rule to split future college costs: one third from savings, one third from current income and one third from loans.

• Look at all funding sources: If scholarships, grants and federal loans in the student’s name fall short, con-

sider private student loans or a private parent loan. For simple, personalized loan options, check out specialists in the industry, such as College Ave Student Loans. Using technology and expertise, they offer competitive rates, a wide range of repayment options and a customer-friendly experience from application through repayment.

Financial industry veteran Joe DePaulo, CEO and co-founder of College Ave Student Loans said keeping your child involved in college cost discussions is critical to avoid becoming the bank of Mom and Dad, and that parents can be very influential in setting up a student for long-term financial success. “As a general rule of thumb, students shouldn’t borrow more than what he or she expects to earn their first year out of school,” he said.

A college education is invaluable, and with smart strategies, parents won’t have to compromise their future to fund it.

For more information, tips and resources visit collegeavestudentloans. com.

ESL Upward Bound alumni award scholarships to Upward Bound students

American staff

For six Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Center Upward Bound (UB) East St. Louis and Cahokia (EC) program alumni, their means of “paying it forward” involves cashing in on past opportunities afforded to them.

Donating a scholarship of $500 each to Kalay Lucas and Edgar Williams were UB alumni Eric Cooper, Brandon Jackson, Donnell Johnson, Donald Roberson, Jeremy Sanders and Craig Slaughter. Cooper, Jackson, Roberson and Sanders made the presentation to the recently graduated UB students on Tuesday, July 31 at the SIUE East St. Louis Center.

Lucas, who will be a freshman at Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio, plans to major in computer science. Williams, who will be a freshman at Harris-Stowe State University in St. Louis, plans to major in computer science.

According to Cooper, because Upward Bound helped him and his friends not

only visualize a college education, but take the steps to enroll and complete their post-secondary education, the men wanted to assist other young people in

obtaining a college degree.

Cooper said that he and his friends plan to award scholarships annually to selected ESLC Upward Bound graduates.

“This is a great example of showing the success of the Upward Bound Program, and how it helps students to achieve, be a positive force in the community and to give back to those who are coming behind them,” said Upward Bound Program Director Keith J. Ware.

The SIUE Upward Bound EC/ BEM program helps youth prepare for higher education and serves students from East St. Louis and Cahokia (EC), and Brooklyn, East St. Louis Charter and Madison (BEM), High Schools. Participants receive instruction in literature, composition and STEM subjects on college campuses after school, on Saturdays and during the summer. The quality services provided will prepare the students for successful high school completion and entrance into post-secondary programs. Upward Bound is a college-preparatory program designed to serve low-income and/or potential first-generation college students who are currently in grades 9-12.

For more information, visit http:// www.siue.edu/upward-bound/ec-bem.

Receiving their scholarship money are Edgar Williams (left) and Kalay Lucas (right). Congratulating them from left to right are Upward Bound Program Director Keith J. Ware; Eric Cooper, Donald Roberson III, Brandon Jackson and Jeremy Sanders, all UB alumni; UB Program Coordinator Barbra Sams; and UB Counselor Gary W. Traylor Sr.