December 13th, 2018 Edition

Supreme Court sides with Kim Gardner

Cops indicted on felony charges

By Rebecca Rivas

September 17, 2017 protest, when city police

maced and arrested more than 100 people while chanting, “Whose streets? Our streets!”

Rules that circuit attorney can investigate officers she summons as witnesses

The protest occurred two days after former St. Louis Police Officer Jason Stockley was acquitted of a firstdegree murder charge relating to the 2011 shooting death of Anthony Lamar Smith.

By Rebecca Rivas

Of The St. Louis American

The indictment charges officers Dustin Boone, 35, Bailey Colletta, 25, Randy Hays, 31, and Christopher Myers, 27, with various felonies, including deprivation of constitutional rights, conspiracy to obstruct justice, destruction of evidence, and obstruction of justice.

A Missouri Supreme Court ruling issued on December 4 added clarity as to whether the St. Louis City Circuit Attorney’s office can summon police officers to be witnesses in prosecuting their cases and then investigate them for use of force.

The four officers have been placed on administrative leave

The state’s highest court unanimously ruled that Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner’s office does have that authority and that 22nd Circuit Court Judge Timothy J. Boyer was wrong when he disqualified her from investigating a city officer for use of force earlier this year.

“[Gardner] holds one of the most powerful positions in our legal system, and [Boyer] cannot control the way [Gardner] chooses to exercise the broad, almost

Hooping for health

City jail costs diabetic inmate who can’t post bail a toe

Files federal lawsuit alleging inadequate medical care at Justice Center

By Rebecca Rivas Of The St. Louis American

By Marcel Scaife For The St. Louis American

Laddie Roebuck, a 59-year-old

City tries to finalize land buy so ownership group can apply for MLS franchise

By Chris King Of The St. Louis American

Body cam footage shows cops casually discussing brutality during protest

By Rebecca Rivas

Carolyn Kindle Betz, who is leading the ownership group trying to bring a Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise to St. Louis, has a long-term, big-picture argument for why this would be good for St. Louis – and put no unfair burden on overstressed taxpayers in a city with a lot of problems more pressing than the absence of professional soccer. But she also wants to be clear about the short-term, smallpicture perspective. And that is: the St. Louis group – led by the Taylor family of Enterprise Holdings and Jim Kavanaugh of World Wide Technology - has

On Christmas Eve 2014, hundreds of people had gathered at a gas station in Berkeley to protest the death of Antonio Martin, 18, at the hands of a Berkeley police officer. Martin’s body – which had just been moved – was still visible when the unrest got underway. That night several protestors were

Clarice Evans

Part of a year-long series, presented by The American and the Brown School at Washington University, on changing the narratives and outcomes of young black males in St. Louis. I grew up in a two-parent, two-income household in Jennings. I would say I had it pretty good. In the late 1980s and early ‘90s, Jennings was a great place to be. I can remember my dad taking me to Northland or River Roads to shop. I had white classmates and white neighbors. I understood that I was black, but in my limited view of the world there was nothing wrong with that. From an early age, my father taught me that a man should always work and provide for his family. This is something I carry with me to this day. With all my fathers’ great attributes, there was still something missing that I now see I needed: emotional support. Most black boys are taught to grow up tough, to man up, not to cry, and that showing their nurturing side makes them weak. Black boys often must go to extreme measures to prove how tough they are. There was also little encouragement growing up. I didn’t hear how great I was or that I could do anything I set my mind to. My father would often tell me that getting good grades was a requirement and that’s the only job I had. Countless rejection after countless rejection would define me as a person. When it was time for me to step out and face the world, I had a lot of insecurities. I struggled with communicating because holding a conversation wasn’t something done too often in my home. While in high school I joined the U.S. Army to

Of The St. Louis American

Photo by Wiley Price

Of The St.

Marcel Scaife

Photo by Lawrence Bryant

Laddie Roebuck

Photo by Wiley Price

Photo by Carolina Hidalgo / St. Louis Public Radio

Carolyn Kindle Betz high-fived Lewis Reed, president of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen, after an aldermanic committee recently expressed support for

plan to bring a Major League Soccer franchise to St. Louis.

Kevin Hart no longer hosting Oscars

Two days after announcing that he would be hosting, Kevin Hart said via Twitter early last Friday morning that he was stepping down from hosting the 2019 year’s Oscars ceremony.

The move comes after the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences asked him to apologize for old tweets that used homophobic language, which he initially refused to do.

“I have made the choice to step down from hosting this year’s Oscar’s,” Hart, tweeted. “This is because I do not want to be a distraction on a night that should be celebrated by so many amazing talented artists. I sincerely apologize to the LGBTQ community for my insensitive words from my past.”

Hart’s remarks were an about face from an Instagram video posted a few hours before the news of his departure as host of the Oscars. In the

video, posted las Thursday night, he refused to apologize for the tweets.

“Stop looking for reasons to be negative, stop searching for reasons to be angry,” Hart said in the caption for Thursday’s Instagram video. “I wish that you could see/understand the mental place that I’m in. I’m truly happy, people. There’s nothing you can do to change that…NOTHING.”

Cardi B said to be torn over Offset split

hit out at claims that their split has been contrived in order to generate interest in their relationship.

“Y’all gotta understand, there’s a kid involved. Ain’t no type of publicity that I would ever want that would have my daughter looking at me crazy when she get older,” Cardi said. “I just really hate how people say we trying to do this for publicity. Think we want to put our life out there for what - what we gain from publicity? Nothing. I have my heart on my sleeve right now, you know what I’m saying?”

is reportedly “very torn” over the thought of rekindling her Offset. “She still loves Offset – and wants her family to be whole again,” a source reportedly told E! News. “She doesn’t want to have to co-parent Kulture, but isn’t quite sure if they can make their relationship work.”

The New York-born rap star recently took to her Instagram Live to

Michelle Williams and Chad Johnson have split

According to a now deleted Instagram story, Michelle Williams implied that she has split from Chad Johnson again.

“I still remain fearless. I guess I still remain single! Things didn’t work out,” Williams wrote. “The healing that needs to take place is a must! I don’t wanna destroy another relationship. Blessings to him, his family and ministry. #FEARLESS (sic)”

Williams previously revealed she ended her engagement when she battled with depression and felt it was the right thing to do.

“I’d been there before in that darkness. I was like, ‘No, you better go [to the hospital],” Williams said, according to Celebretainment. com. “By the time I got there, I was stable.

However, I would’ve understood if he left. He’s been praying for a wife. He didn’t pray for a depressed wife.”

Back in July, Michelle revealed she was “proudly” seeking help for her depression and had recently “sought help from a great team of healthcare professionals.”

Did custody woes make Tisha Campbell and Duane Martin divorce turn ugly?

According to TMZ.com, Tisha Campbell and Duane Martin’s divorce proceedings have hit a speedbump because of a custody battle. The celebrity news and gossip site claims Campbell is accusing Martin of being difficult in the process of their custody logistics.

“In the docs, obtained by TMZ, she says Duane will often not respond to her nor cooperate on previously agreed upon swap times for the kids -- adding that he also threatens to keep their sons beyond his allotted dad time,” TMZ.com said. “ Tisha is asking a judge to put a 50-50 custody deal in writing with an alternating weekly schedule and a neutral exchange location ... like a police station, she suggests. She also wants a judge to force Duane to respond to her emails within 24 hours.”

Sources: Instagram.com, Twitter.com, E! News, TMZ.com, Celebretainment.com

Kevin Hart

Michelle Williams

Kansas City memorial is first to honor a Missouri lynching victim

Levi Harrington remembered with marker in West Terrace Park neighborhood

By Michelle Tyrene Johnson Of Sharing America

Levi Harrington was lynched on April 3, 1882, in the West Bottoms neighborhood of Kansas City, Missouri. That may seem like a long time ago, but after 136 years, the racial terror of lynchings reverberates today. That’s why lynchings — and Harrington — are being remembered in Kansas City with a new memorial.

The story of Harrington provides a compelling example of how racial terror lynchings were routinely carried out prior to the era of Jim Crow laws.

Harrington, a black man in his 30s at the time of his lynching, was a married father of five who worked as a porter and laborer, according to Geri Sanders, an archivist with the Black Archives of MidAmerica who is researching the Harrington story.

Harrington’s parents had moved their family to Kansas City, most likely to escape the racial horrors of Mississippi after their time as slaves had ended. Newspaper accounts show that Harrington was accused of killing a police officer.

“He was a good man and he just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time,” Saunders said. “They said he was eating, the mob came, he looked up, saw the white mob and he ran. So they caught him. And you know what happens with a mob is

that they go ahead and lynch whoever they found.”

Shortly after Harrington’s lynching, the actual culprit was arrested and put on trial.

Harrington’s lynching was remembered on December 1, with the placement of a memorial marker in West Terrace Park overlooking the West Bottoms in Kansas City. He is the first Missouri lynching victim to receive a memorial.

The Black Archives of Mid-America in Kansas City, the Missouri Conference of the NAACP, Missouri Faith Voices, Missourians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty and the Equal Justice Initiative teamed up to make it happen.

Staci Pratt, who leads Missourians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, was a driving force behind the marker. She sees a connection between lynching and the work she does advocating against capital punishment.

“There was really a connection between the regions in Missouri, where we’re engaging in capital punishment, producing executions, have more pending capital cases and the historical practice of lynching,” Pratt said.

She said race is the biggest correlation, both in who was chosen for lynching then and who gets the death penalty now.

“If the victim is a white female, you are 14 times more likely to get a capital sentence

Archivist Geri Sanders, who conducts research at the Black Archives of MidAmerica, is researching the Levi Harrington story.

Levi Harrington’s lynching was remembered in a ceremony on December 1, with the placement of a memorial marker in West Terrace Park overlooking the West Bottoms in Kansas City.

Photos by Michelle Tyrene Johnson

than if the victim is a black male,” Pratt said of sentences in Missouri. “(Those punishments) are not made upon a methodical examination of what is considered the worst of the worst crimes. They’re made on a structure that is meant to reinforce racial hierarchies.”

Outside of the South, Missouri had the second highest number of lynchings during the period between slavery and the Jim Crow era.

The National Memorial for Peace and Justice, in Montgomery, Alabama,

is dedicated to honoring the victims of racial terror lynchings. It has collected soil from many of the sites of documented lynchings. Soil from the spot of Harrington’s lynching has already joined the memorial in Alabama.

Sanders said the work doesn’t end with the Harrington memorial. She is still doing research to find his descendants. And she wants Missouri to honor the other victims with a museum, continuing the work of the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) to identify lynching victims around the country.

“We’re trying to establish now some type of template to continue to recognize the other 60 (victims) and try to identify those who maybe the EJI did not,” Sanders said.

Poet Glenn North, who worked for several years at the Black Archives of MidAmerica, said this memorial begins a conversation in the community about truth and reconciliation, similar to those that have happened in South Africa and in Germany. The conversation, however, isn’t about making whites in America feel bad or guilty, but to encourage more awareness.

North said, “If we are able to look at that truth, if we really want to move towards reconciliation, then at this point, having learned more about that history, I think white people are in a unique position to employ what I call a proper use of privilege to dismantle some of the systems that are in place that keeps this legacy of racial terror alive.”

Michelle Tyrene Johnson is a reporter at KCUR 89.3 in Kansas City and part of the public radio collaborative Sharing America, covering the intersection of race, identity and culture. This initiative, funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, includes reporters in Kansas City, St. Louis, Hartford, Connecticut and Portland, Oregon.

/CommEntary

St. Louis shows promise for bail reform

This week, we reported on a diabetic inmate in the St. Louis City Justice Center who had his gangrene-infected toe amputated at the end of November after what he described as medical neglect. He is in jail awaiting trial for robbery only because he cannot post a $40,000 cashonly bond. This begs the question: Is St. Louis getting the bail reform it badly needs?

The answer, surprisingly, is yes.

Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner has brought in the nonprofit research group Vera Institute of Justice to guide her office in creating various bail reform initiatives. In October, Mayor Lyda Krewson brought in two fellows from the national nonprofit FUSE to work on developing alternatives to cash bail and other criminal justice initiatives. It appears that Krewson, Gardner and the 22nd Circuit Court are all in agreement that keeping people out of jail pretrial is being smart on crime. Gardner has launched a diversion program, particularly for drug offenders, to get them services instead of probation or jail time. She also has started evaluating low-level felony cases, where there is no threat to public safety, to see if the accused could be issued a summons instead of an arrest warrant.

amount.

Wilford Pinkney, the FUSE fellow who is working on bail reform, said that the judges seem receptive to change, but the conversation has to happen throughout the system – and not just in one office. He is trying to educate all parties about pre-trial alternatives. Pinkney plans to help the city develop a risk-assessment tool that can be used in bail determinations.

n “If you set high bonds and they lose their jobs and they lose their families, then you are creating conditions by which they will re-offend.”

Asked if the judges fear getting rid of bond amounts in case the accused commit crimes while at liberty, he said that’s a common fear, not just in the courts but in the community– and it’s unfounded.

“Research has shown that bonds don’t stop that from happening, and we need to move away from that thinking,” Pinkney said. “If you set high bonds and they lose their jobs and they lose their families, then you are creating conditions by which they will re-offend.”

Pinkney further said that it costs about one-third of the amount of one day in jail to get people services they need – and they are then less likely to commit crimes. And, regardless, the accused will be tried on their charges. “This is not a soft-oncrime approach,” Pinkney said. “They still have to stand and will be held accountable.”

Republicans are killing democracy in broad daylight

By Charles Jaco For The St. Louis American

The White People’s Nationalist Party, formerly known as the GOP, hisses in a rolling boil of rage and grievance, convinced that parasitic and violent black people, drug-peddling Spanishspeaking immigrants, and white elitist liberals have conspired to rob them of money, privilege, safety, and status. For them, political power serving their tribal interests is an end in itself and, channeling their inner Malcolm X, believe that it has to be seized and maintained by any means necessary.

“Locking everyone up and even putting them on probation is not right,” Gardner said. “The number one reason of going to prison in this jurisdiction is probation violations. So why not try something different?”

However, Gardner said she has met a road block – the judges. When she recommends a summons, she said, most of the time judges tell her “no” and issue an arrest warrant with a bail

The FUSE fellows will be in St. Louis only one year. Gardner and Krewson already are half-way through their first terms and likely will face primary challengers in two years. Criminal justice in St. Louis remains a major cause of local concern, if not a national disgrace. We need everyone at the same table and real change to show for it – now.

am grateful for having kept my pledge

By Malik Ahmed

For The St. Louis American

Part of a year-long series, presented by The American and the Brown School at Washington University, on changing the narratives and outcomes of young black males in St. Louis.

I am grateful to be alive and in relatively good health. Many black men who were born and raised under impoverished conditions don’t live long enough to tell their story of overcoming the many obstacles that clogged their path and the joy of the journey.

I am grateful to have been raised by a loving mother and father and caring brothers and sisters allowing me to share this same love and gratitude with my wife of 37 years, a son and grandchildren, and the community I have dedicated my life to serve.

I am grateful to have traveled to many parts of the world, especially the black world of Africa, where I served in Mali, West Africa for three years with the United States Peace Corps. While living in Mali I learned to speak elementary French, worked on a major sanitation project for the capital city of Bamako, played basketball on a semiprofessional Malian team, and became the first black American to be given a plot of land from the government.

I am grateful for having kept my pledge to do all I can in the way I can to advance the interest, aspirations and ideas of the black community and, by extension, marginalized people

the world over.

I am grateful for the opportunity, through the organized vehicle of Better Family Life, Inc., to have spent the better part of the last 40 years intentionally working to assist underserved people through youth, workforce, housing, community engagement, and cultural arts programs. These combined efforts have helped to lift thousands out of poverty to live respectable lives and enjoy the fruits of their labor.

I am grateful to the people who have worked with us and those who still make up the Better Family Life family. Thanks to the brave BFL soldiers/ leaders including DeBorah Ahmed, James Clark, Darryl Grimes, Tyrone Turner, Miranda Jones, Connie Wilson and the courageous Board of Directors. They are trailblazers in community development.

Many of the youth who have participated in our youth development programs are now adults raising children. They have become outstanding professionals, impactful leaders and are making significant contributions to their respective communities. They fire my grateful soul. The work we do with the support of a phenomenal staff is monumental. The impact we

are having on families, youth and children, public safety and economic redevelopment is a proud story that has not been fully told. I am equally grateful for the partnerships we have developed, consisting of government agencies, educational institutions, community organizations and a multitude of individuals who provide us with support, love and financial contributions.

I give all of this gratitude to the God I serve for blessing me with the vision, tenacity and courage to struggle on in spite of road blocks, setbacks and naysayers. On many occasions, I have fallen down due to my own faults, have been criticized, failed to achieve what I have sought, been disappointed with people around me, yet I remain grateful and steadfast in my belief that good will triumph.

I remain steadfast that BFL will continue its inspirational work and that our people, families and communities will grow and prosper. I extend heartfelt gratitude to all.

Malik Ahmed is CEO and founder of Better Family Life, Inc.

“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, edited by Sean Joe, Benjamin E. Youngdahl Professor and associate dean at the Brown School, and Chris King, managing editor of The American, in memory of Michael Brown.

In Missouri, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, and North Carolina, Republicans are busily subverting election results in order to stop Democrats from taking office, gutting their power before Democrats can even be sworn in or overturning progressive ballot initiatives. The Banana Republicans gleefully admit they’re subverting democracy because democracy produced results they don’t like.

Voters in Missouri passed initiatives to reform gerrymandering, stop so-called “right-to-work” and raise the state’s minimum wage. In Wisconsin, voters purged GOP Gov. Scott Walker’s administration and elected a Democratic governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general. Michigan voters also elected Democrats as governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general and approved de-criminalizing marijuana, gerrymandering reforms, and automatic voter registration. Ohio voters approved gerrymandering reforms in a special May election. And voters in North Carolina’s Ninth Congressional District tried to elect a Democratic U.S. representative.

In each of those cases, Republicans are trying to overturn election results through either legislative coups d’état, or outright theft. They’re doing it openly because they feel invulnerable. They know their angry white base will support them because they’re keeping the liberal, darkskinned barbarians from the gates. And they’re betting that, if any lawsuits challenging them make it to federal court, the GOP will be upheld by one of a record number of federal judges Trump has appointed. They’re strangling democracy is broad daylight on Fifth Avenue and daring anyone to stop them.

The homicide, though, uses different weapons depending on the state you’re in. In Missouri,

Correction

Due to an editing error, Ray Cummings’ column on the Saint Louis Public Schools board election misreported the number of votes cast. Candidates received more than 165,000 votes, but voters could vote for two candidates, so roughly half that number of votes were cast. We regret the error.

Which side will Hawley be on?

Thanks to The St. Louis American for endorsing Claire

two-thirds of voters rejected the anti-union “right-to-work” law in August. But while a GOP lawmaker has introduced a bill re-instating the law, Missouri Republican Governor Mike Parsons is trying to finesse it into existence by proposing that “right-to-work” be implemented county-bycounty, starting with the less than a dozen of Missouri’s 116 counties that voted for it. Missourians also overwhelmingly approved a state constitutional amendment to reform partisan gerrymandering and to implement campaign finance limits in a state that currently has none. The amendment, called Clean MO, takes drawing state legislative districts out of the hands of the state legislature and gives the job to a professional demographer. Since drawing honest district boundaries would threaten the GOP’s super-majority in the Missouri legislature, the Banana Republicans acted fast.

First, they created a dark money political action committee called “Fair Missouri” with the aim of getting an initiative on the 2020 ballot to preserve GOP power to gerrymander districts. Then, the incoming Missouri House speaker, state Rep. Elijah Haahr (R-Springfield), said he’s going to “talk to” (nudge nudge, wink wink) black lawmakers, trying to convince them to help undermine Clean MO in the legislature. Using the scare tactic that some majority-black districts could be broken up, he wants to strike a phony bargain: more black-controlled seats in exchange for fewer overall Democratic seats.

Those tactics are polite compared to what’s going on in Wisconsin and Michigan.

In those Lake Michigan states, the GOP legislatures have been meeting in late-night sessions to take power away from incoming Democratic governors. Their lame-duck purges of democracy in Wisconsin would cut early voting hours (which tend to benefit Democrats), slash the incoming governor’s ability to issue any regulations, and give the GOP legislature control over Wisconsin’s huge state development agency.

In Michigan, the Republican legislature, meeting in a

McCaskill for U.S. Senate. While she did not win, she deserves our appreciation for standing up for the public interest during her 12 years in the Senate.

For example, she voted against the nomination of Scott Pruitt to be administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); Pruitt later resigned in disgrace for his lavish spending and selfdealing. Senator McCaskill also voted against Brett Kavanaugh for U.S. Supreme Court.

Kavanaugh has a history of judicial decisions that favor corporate polluters over the public health. The Sierra Club

similar lame-duck session, has passed bills gutting public employee unions, is prepared to take away the ability of the incoming Democratic secretary of state and attorney general to oversee campaign finance laws, and have unilaterally re-written and effectively destroyed to ballot measures Michiganders were supposed to vote on next November. One would raise the state’s minimum wage, the other would mandate paid sick leave for employees. In Ohio, the GOP majority in its legislature is responding to the gerrymandering reforms passed by voters by preparing to pass a bill that outlaws amending the state constitution by popular vote. At the same time, they’re considering a bill that would declare that any women who receives an abortion is guilty of murder and could face the death penalty.

In North Carolina’s Ninth Congressional District, where the Republican won by 905 votes (a 0.8 percent margin of victory), a contractor working for the GOP candidate paid people to go door-to-door and collect absentee ballot from mostly trusting, elderly, black voters. Those ballots, probably overwhelmingly Democratic, were apparently trashed and never counted. Republicans in the Tarheel State are ignoring the apparent fraud and outright theft and are instead criticizing the state Board of Elections for conducting a – wait for it –witch hunt.

When maintaining power for their white nationalist tribe is the issue, Republicans in the Trump era are, literally, capable of almost any sort of subversion of democracy and insult to voters. They know their angry base will stick with them. But they’re also putting their money on indifferent Democratic voters, wagering that the wave of young people, blacks, and progressive whites that resulted in a gain of 40 Democratic congressional seats last month won’t be repeated and they have nothing to worry about going forward. They might be right. The huge turnout in Stacey Abrams’ unsuccessful run for Georgia governor was nowhere to be seen last week, when a Republican easily won a special election to be Georgia’s secretary of state.

The Washington Post’s motto, “Democracy dies in darkness,” isn’t quite right. It’s being killed in broad daylight, right in front of our eyes. Charles Jaco is a journalist, author, and activist. Follow him on Twitter at @ charlesjaco1.

applauds McCaskill taking these tough votes for clean air and clean water.

In Missouri, air pollution particularly impacts AfricanAmerican children, who experience double the rate as white children, according to the state Department of Health and Senior Services. Let’s keep on eyes on U.S. Senator-elect Josh Hawley, to see which side he is on. Will he vote for the public health, or for corporate polluters?

John Hickey, director Sierra Club, Missouri Chapter St. Louis

Columnist Charles Jaco

Gloves 4 Grades to ‘Creed II’

Youth in the Gloves 4 Grades recently were treated to a private screening of “Creed II” at Marcus Ronnie’s Cinema, thanks to local businessman Shaun Swearengen, the owner of Jump Into It Boutique, and Gloves 4 Grades, which was founded by Committeeman Marty Joe Murray Jr. They were transported by chartered school bus from Marquette Recreational Center. “This event was meant to show the students that academic excellence is to be rewarded,” Murray said. “When I was a child, I had the honor roll breakfast to look forward to. I wanted to provide the children with something a bit more fun than flap jacks and bacon.” For more information, contact Gloves4Grades@outlook.com or 314.425.9259.

Free hats and gloves on December 19

Anyone in need of warm hats or gloves should visit the North Hanley MetroLink Station from 6:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 19, when police officers from St. Louis, St. Louis County and St. Clair County and security staff from Metro Public Safety will be handing them out for free and serving hot chocolate and cookies. New and lightly used coats and blankets will also be collected for a local charity. To learn more about the “Stay Toasty on Transit” event, call Citizens for Modern Transit at (314) 231-7272, visit https://cmt-stl.org/ or follow them on Twitter @cmt_stl.

Filing open for Ferguson-Florissant school board

Filing for two open seats on the 2019 Ferguson-Florissant School District Board of Education election opened on December 11 and will close at 5 p.m. Tuesday, January 15. Declarations of Candidacy may be picked up in the Office of the Superintendent, 8855 Dunn Rd., Hazelwood, MO from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on days the district is open. Candidates must be a citizen of the United States, at least 24 years old, a resident taxpayer of the school district, a resident of the state of Missouri for at least one year. The election is Tuesday, April 2, 2019.

Equal opportunity for owning a home

By Charlene Crowell Center for Responsible Lending

A decade has passed since the housing collapse. In that time, bank profits are back and continue to rise. Despite occasional trading fluctuations, the stock market remains profitable for most investors. Then there’s the low rate of unemployment that is often cited as if economic strides have included nearly everyone.

But unemployment data does not reflect the vast number of people who today are working and earning less, otherwise known as the underemployed.

People who toil at jobs that pay less than in previous years often have a work ethic that is bigger than their paycheck. Even for those who take a second job, the extra and modest earnings seldom free them from hoping they have enough money to make it through each month.

I also think about the families who sacrificed retirement or building savings to give their children a college education. Both new college graduates, their parents and sometimes grandparents are startled at the amount of debt they share and how long it will take to fully repay it.

The stark reality is that between the rising cost of college and the equally rising costs of homeownership, much of the country that works for a living is in a financial catch-22.

This contention is borne out by an updated consumer survey that annually measures profiles of both home buyers and sellers. Each year, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) surveys consumers who purchased a primary home in the past year. For 2018, NAR used a 129-question survey of consumers who purchased a home between July 2017 and June 2018.

Summarizing results, NAR concluded that current housing trends are affected by “mounting student debt balances,” along with rising interest rates, higher home prices and larger down payments.

“With the lower end of the housing market – smaller, moderately priced homes – seeing the worst of the inventory shortage, first-time home buyers who want to enter the market are having difficulty finding a home they can afford,” said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun.

NAR found that the past year meant a median home purchase price of $250,000 required a median household income of $91,600 for a successful mortgage application. Additionally, the nation’s median home down payment now is 13 percent, or $32,500 for that $250,000 priced home.

How long does it take for families to amass $32,000 for a home down payment? According to new research by the Urban Institute, median wealth for black parents is $14,400 compared to white parents at $215,000, and $35,000 for Hispanic parents.

“Efforts should be directed toward pairing low-down payments with affordable and responsible mortgage products so that low-income households and borrowers of color have equal access to the opportunities that come from owning a home of one’s own,” said Mark Lindblad, a senior researcher with the Center for Responsible Lending.

Making that important financial transition from renter to homeowner will become harder as mortgage interest rates climb from the historic lows of recent years. Additionally, should home inventories remain low, the likelihood of “supply and demand” economics will keep driving prices higher as well.

“Now more than ever,” said Lisa Rice, president and CEO of the National Fair Housing Alliance, “we need radical policies that will spur the development of affordable housing in all communities.”

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

Charlene Crowell

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not yet filed an application for an MLS franchise and won’t until the City of St. Louis acquires the land intended for the stadium (which is near Union Station) from the Missouri Department of Transportation. Those talks are ongoing, she said, and could be finalized by the end of the year. Their application would follow immediately.

Further: the St. Louis Board of Aldermen passed a resolution welcoming the project, but it’s only a nonbinding resolution. Enabling legislation will await the land transfer, application and MLS interest.

But Kindle Betz said the ownership group will pursue minority inclusion in the project from stadium design through vending at a completed stadium, and Tom Shepard, chief of staff for Lewis Reed, president of the Board of Aldermen, said that the city ordinance mandating inclusion of minorities and women on projects with public subsidy would be enforced on the project.

As for the long-term big picture, Kindle Betz said, “It would be good for the overall city for St. Louis to become a more international city.” In a Nielsen global survey from

GARDNER

Continued from A1

unfettered, discretion conferred upon her by statute,” the Missouri Supreme Court ruled. The ruling stems from a case where a St. Louis police officer, referred to as A.F., filed a motion to disqualify the Circuit Attorney’s Office from investigating him for use of force. He argued that Gardner’s investigation created an “appearance of impropriety” because he was acting as a witness in one of the prosecutor’s cases against a man named Wendell Davis. Davis was a passenger in a truck that A.F. pursued after learning the licenses plates belonged to a stolen vehicle. When the truck stopped and the two passengers fled on foot, Davis allegedly pulled a gun on the officer, so A.F. allegedly

are leading a group trying

would benefit from the city acquiring the land and owning the stadium, after it is built with the $390 million in private risk capital. “The city owning the stadium and land would alleviate the property tax bill,” she said.

Stephen Conway, the chief of staff for Mayor Lyda Krewson, agreed with that summation of facts, but he pointed out that the city already is earning zero property taxes from the unused piece of the land where the stadium would be built. Conway said the city projects that it would take in $1.5 million a year in new local taxes from stadium events – and “not one city penny is going in, no general revenue.”

The city owning a soccer stadium evokes bad memories of the currently little-used football stadium that the city owns, but Conway said the soccer deal reflects having “learned from bad experiences.”

2017, 43 percent of people said they were “interested” or “very interested” in soccer, the highest percentage for any sport; basketball – another sport where St. Louis sorely lacks a professional franchise – scored second with 36 percent. She also argued that an MLS franchise in downtown St. Louis would be another high-profile amenity to help the region retain and attract promising young talent. “Hopefully more of our

fired a shot into his back, paralyzing him, the court ruling states.

In a routine practice, Gardner initiated an investigation into the officer’s use of force against Davis. Before A.F.’s hearing, he filed a motion to disqualify the Circuit Attorney’s Office from investigating his actions. Boyer sided with the officer, ruling that there was a “potential conflict of interest” in Gardner’s office investigating the same officer providing evidence as a witness. Gardner appealed, but the Court of Appeals denied her petition. She then went to the Supreme Court.

“I understand that the Supreme Court could have chosen not to rule on this case,” Gardner said in a statement. “I appreciate that they believed it was significant enough to take a unanimous stand against this unprecedented decision by the

graduates coming out of our great colleges and universities would be influenced to stay in the region to raise families and continue careers,” she said.

As for the payoff to the local black community, Kindle Betz responded to The American in the key of “all lives matter,” rather than “black lives matter.”

She said, “The ownership team believes the team must be a part of the community, all of the community, so anyone working with youth soccer in any kind

Circuit Court.”

Use-of-force investigations

The debate about the circuit attorney’s role in use-of-force

of community, we want to help make that activity happen.”

This was both candid –though an international sport beloved in Africa, soccer has never been a particularly black sport in St. Louis – and reflective of her apparent lack of political savvy. The senior vice president and executive director of the Enterprise Holdings Foundation, the charitable arm of Enterprise Holdings, Kindle Betz is making her first public foray

in use-of-force cases – using one percent of the police department’s annual budget, or about $1.6 million, to do it.

For many years, police reform advocates have been calling to take investigations into officer-involved shootings out of the police department.

n “[Judge Boyer] cannot control the way [Circuit Attorney Gardner] chooses to exercise the broad, almost unfettered, discretion conferred upon her by statute.”

– Missouri Supreme Court

into local politics in leading the MLS franchise effort.

If anything, her apparent transparency and lack of guile is refreshing.

She also was upfront about the public benefits that the ownership team would receive if the proposal currently on the table moves forward. In addition to three 1 percent user taxes levied only on people, largely from outside the city, who come to the soccer stadium, the ownership team

explained that some members of law enforcement are even afraid to participate in the current process for fear of retaliation, and community trust is at the heart of the issue. St. Louis is close to being number one in officer-involved cases nationwide, she said.

“This bill supports police,” she said. “This is not a onesided bill. We need to sit down together, because what’s at stake is the whole criminal justice system.”

In the lease, he said, “the ownership group will be on the hook for all repairs, all maintenance and improvements” and they will pay 2.5 percent into a reserve fund for the city. So, Conway said, if all these grand plans go belly up a few years down the road and the city ends up with another empty stadium, “we will have the funding to tear it down.”

question to you in terms of the officer,” Gardner responded. “If they are telling the truth and they say X, Y, Z happened, then why are they worried about the officer-involved shooting case?” They have the same rights against self-incrimination as any other suspect, Coatar said.

investigations is not only happening among the courts.

In January, Alderman Brandon Bosley filed a bill to make the Circuit Attorney’s Office the lead investigator

“It is no longer acceptable for the police to investigate themselves,” Gardner said at a March 7 aldermanic committee hearing for the bill.

At the hearing, Gardner

However, 6th Ward Alderman Jack Coatar questioned how she plans to handle conflicts of interests, seeing that her office works closely with the police department. Coatar, who previously served as assistant circuit attorney, asked why prosecutors wouldn’t clear officers if they find them credible enough to use them as witnesses.

“I will pose the same

CWAH

Continued from C1

many people as we can. Can we count on you today to offer a little relief for this holiday season?

To donate, call 314-2897523, visit www.cwah.org or send donations to: CWAH, 3963 West Belle Place, St. Louis, MO 63108.

Case 1: A single mom currently in transition (homeless) due to loss of employment has a part-time job and is seeking to find fulltime employment and to learn financial strategies to improve her living situation to keep from going from house to house, shelter to shelter.

Case 2: A husband and wife, parents to five children, were recently homeless and the mother has health issues and is waiting on disability requests pots, pans, dishes, books, basketball, jewelry, Bath & Body Works products.

Case 3: Due to vision loss and disability, a mother no longer works and has a hard time providing for her and her

“Why would you open yourself up to cross examination if you haven’t been cleared with the agency you’re supposed to be working with and assisting?” he asked. Gardner said that prosecutors in the investigative unit would only work on officer-involved shooting cases. So, one day they wouldn’t be working with officers on charging individuals with crimes and then the next day investigate officers for excessive force.

The bill died in committee, but Bosley said he plans to reintroduce a modified version of the bill.

five children is looking for HUD-assisted housing.

Case 4: A family experiencing financial hardship, with the mother working 18 hours per day between two jobs seeks mental health services, pots, pans, dishes, silverware, T shirts, jerseys, jeans, underwear, body wash and gift cards.

Case 5: A woman who is on disability and needs a heart transplant is taking care of the six children from out of state from her sister who passed this year needs clothing, coats, boots, scarves, gloves, personal care items, books, educational toys and perfume.

Case 6: A single mother of three who is pursuing a bachelor’s of social work and is working overnight hours trying to keep her son in private school and stay in school herself needs clothing, coats (medium men, 10 boys, 8 boys), boots (10 men, 2 kids, 1 kids), underwear, socks, toy cars and action figures. To donate, call 314-2897523, visit www.cwah.org or send donations to: CWAH, 3963 West Belle Place, St. Louis, MO 63108.

The Taylor family of Enterprise Holdings and Jim Kavanaugh of World Wide Technology

to bring a Major League Soccer franchise to St. Louis that announced its plans at a press conference at MathewsDickey Boys & Girls Club on October 9.

Gov. Parson should appoint Dogan state treasurer

Adolphus M. Pruitt II

President St. Louis City

NAACP

The first African American to be elected to Missouri’s legislature was Walthall M. Moore Sr. of St. Louis city’s 3rd District in 1921; his district was overwhelmingly white. A postal clerk and a Republican, he served in the 51st, 53rd, 54th, and 55th General Assemblies. It took another 39 years before the first African American was elected to the Missouri Senate when Theodore McNeal of St. Louis was elected state senator in 1960.

However, 97 years after electing the first African American to the Missouri House of Representatives we still have not elected or appointed an African American to serve in our state’s Executive Branch as a statewide official. And, according to an analysis by the Associated Press, Missouri is one of the few states with such a distinction.

Mark Sawyer, director of the Center for the Study of Race, Ethnicity and Politics at UCLA, writes that “progress

BAIL

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attorney Nicole Nelson, executive director of Equity Legal Services Inc.

On December 5, Nelson visited Roebuck, who is now in a wheelchair and back at the Justice Center.

“He told me the dressing on his foot, where his toe was amputated, had not been changed in almost three days,” Nelson said. He is also depressed and not eating, she said.

“He is terrified of what the staff there will try to do to him,” Nelson said. “They have continually threatened him before and since his return, including threats of putting things in his food.”

The city is unable to comment on Roebuck’s case because of the pending lawsuit, City Counselor Julian Bush told The American Roebuck, who is facing a robbery charge, has been in the Justice Center since February and has already gone to the hospital three times for hyperglycemia, or having excessively high blood-sugar levels, and for treatment of his infected, diabetic foot ulcers.

Nelson first heard about Roebuck’s situation in June, and she emailed a letter to the city counselor on August 11.

“I saw his left leg and foot swollen almost beyond recognition,” she stated to Bush in the letter.

“On the bottom of Mr. Roebuck’s left foot is a deep, brown sore; it appears to be infected. There were no bandages or dressings on this wound on the bottom of Mr. Roebuck’s left foot; simply a compression sock that he purchased which is now stained with blood from this wound. Mr. Roebuck has indicated multiple times that he has very little feeling in this left leg and that it often feels ‘ice cold’ and that he experiences much pain in this leg.”

She requested that Roebuck be immediately sent to a hospital and insisted that any delay could result in “disastrous, irreparable consequences such as the amputation of his leg or even death.”

Bush responded that she needed to get in touch with City Corrections Commissioner Dale Glass directly. When she explained that Glass had not been responsive and the matter was pressing, Bush wrote that he reached out to Glass and stated, “He reports that your client is receiving all the medical care the situation requires, was looked at yesterday and will be looked at again today.”

Hence on September 11, Roebuck filed a 62-page complaint in federal court against the city, jail, Glass and

for minorities on the statewide level has stalled since a wave of moderate, black officials was elected in the 1980s.” That wave must have missed Missouri. African-American candidates may succeed in the state’s urban centers (AfricanAmerican strongholds), but none has made a transition to statewide office. Now there is an opportunity for Governor Mike Parson to move Missouri forward with the state treasurer seat left open by Parson’s appointment of state Treasurer Eric Schmitt to fill the state attorney general seat left open by the election of Attorney General Josh Hawley to the U.S. Senate. Parson can make history with the appointment of State Representative Shamed Dogan (R-Ballwin) as state treasurer. Dogan is a Republican member of the Missouri House of Representatives,

Corizon Health – the agency that the city pays more than $8 million a year to provide medical services in the city’s two jails.

Roebuck claimed that the jail was denying him adequate medical care to treat his Type2 diabetes, specifically right foot care to prevent ulcers and infection. Although the court ordered on September 13 that the defendants respond within 10 days, the city and Glass obtained an extension until December 13. Since that time, Roebuck was hospitalized from November 21 to November 29, and he had to have his toe amputated because gangrene had set in.

“He said he’s been told by medical providers that he’s not all out of the woods,” Nelson said.

On October 22, Corizon provided a response in federal court, denying all the claims of wrongdoing and stating that Roebuck was refusing medical care. Corizon acknowledged some of Roebuck’s symptoms, but stated, “Corizon believes those symptoms occurred in spite of appropriate medical care.” Corizon also said that the two “related hospitalizations” coincided with “long stretches of plaintiff’s refusal of offered medical services.”

However, Nelson said Roebuck only refused treatment when offered an incorrect dosage of insulin.

Roebuck’s complaint states that some nurses had allegedly tried to give him a higher dose of insulin, something that Michael O’Neil, an emergency physician at St. Louis University Hospital, directed against in his evaluation of Roebuck in June. When Roebuck told one nurse that he was only prescribed to receive 30 units insulin instead of 40, the nurse allegedly told him to “pack up his things and go to the suicide cell,” the complaint states.

Receiving inconsistent doses of insulin gives him chest pain, among other symptoms, the complaint states, and he has been sent to the suicide cell eight times.

On November 27, Roebuck filed a temporary restraining order, in an attempt to make sure the jail staff follows the care plan he was given at SLU Hospital.

The restraining order includes a statement from podiatrist Dr. Shelley Gath, who evaluated the medical documents on Roebuck’s care. Gath first noted that his diet is problematic and inconsistent with the diet required for diabetics.

“The current diabetic tray provided would create hyperglycemia or high blood sugar levels on a regular basis,” Gath stated.

A doctor diagnosed Roebuck with a diabetic ulcer on February 3, she noted, and pus was draining from his diabetic

representing the 98th District in St. Louis County; he was elected to his first two-year term in November 2014 and re-elected ever since. His fair and balanced approach representing all Missourians –regardless of race and gender, rural or urban – has earned him the titled as statesman. And his qualifications are impeccable.

He is a graduate from Yale University (political science and philosophy) and has worked for the Black America’s Political Action Committee, the National Republican Senatorial Committee, and U.S. Senator Jim Talent as a legislative assistant. Previous he served as deputy coalitions director of the Missouri Republican Party and as an alderman representing Ballwin’s 2nd Ward.

He is a board member for the Epworth Children & Family Services and former board member of the Epilepsy Foundation of Missouri & Kansas, the St. Louis Area Young Republicans, and the West St. Louis County Jaycees. Shamed Dogan should be our next state treasurer; Governor Parson should make history.

ulcer since shortly after he arrived at the Justice Center.

“Medical records I reviewed reflect insufficient care of the diabetic ulcer on Mr. Roebuck’s foot,” Gath stated.

“He was only receiving dressing changes, no cleaning or debridement of the wound. Continued improper care for his wound can place him at risk of amputation, as he has expressed to medical staff per

the records.”

In an email to The American Bush commented on Roebuck’s current condition, saying that the “loss of his toe is, of course, regrettable. Whether the fault lies with the city, with Corizon, with Mr. Roebuck himself, or with no one will be determined in the pending lawsuit.”

If Roebuck didn’t have such a high bail amount of $40,000,

he might be able to be out of jail and receive better medical care, Nelson said. Roebuck is accused of attempting to rob a woman outside of grocery store, without any kind of weapon. He has felony charges that stem from when he was 16, and he spent decades in prison.

Kindle Lige, 3, launched a putt with the help of Gina Francis of Children’s Hospital during the 4th annual city-wide Double Dutch Showcase at Wohl Recreation Center on Saturday, December 8. The Missouri Foundation for Health provided funding to BJC School Outreach and Youth Development and Saint Louis Public Schools for the Healthy Schools Healthy Communities initiative.

While Roebuck does have prior convictions, he is also navigating two mental illnesses and substance addiction that “no one seems to be addressing,” Nelson said.

“They’re okay with letting Mr. Roebuck sit there since August – minimally – and saying, ‘He’s getting adequate care,’ when someone is saying he’s at risk of amputation,” Nelson said. “And here we are five months later, and now he’s had an amputation.”

Guest Columnist

Adolphus M. Pruitt II

Photo by Wiley Price

Trump won’t be impeached, but can he be indicted?

Charles Jaco – journalist, author, and activist (on Twitter at @charlesjaco1) – who took down U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill’s Republican challenger Todd Akin six years ago in a bruising broadcast interview, came out of retirement to write for The American before the November 6 general election and has stuck with it. He penned this guest Political EYE.

In a country that needs to laugh to keep from crying, a Saturday Night Live sketch this last weekend hit our national funny bone with a ballpeen hammer. Called “Them Trumps,” it asked “What if Trump was black?” and presented President Darius Trump with wife Malika and their children Darius Junior and L’evanka. Two minutes later, the Empire-inspired conniving, adulterous, amoral Trump was both indicted and impeached. That, of course, is exactly how it would go. Barack Obama was the most morally upright man to occupy the Oval Office since at least Dwight D. Eisenhower, and he was called a foreign-born Muslim terrorist supporter and the first lady an ape. The part of white America that lost its collective mind over a black president then elected a treasonous orange racist sociopath, who cheated on both everyone he ever did business with and all three wives while conspiring with the Kremlin and lying, on average, 247 times per day. But he will never be impeached and convicted, because it would take all the

Democrats and 20 members of the White People’s Nationalist Party, formerly known as the GOP, in the U.S. Senate to find him guilty.

Impeachment, though, is not the only solution. Robert Mueller, or federal prosecutors in New York, could attempt to indict Donald Trump. The pile of court filings last week from the special prosecutor and prosecutors from the Southern District of New York implicate Trump in two federal felonies and point toward eventual charges of both obstruction of justice and conspiring with a hostile foreign power. Trump supporters maintain a president can’t be indicted but, like a lot of what they say, that may not be the truth.

In laying out the case against former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen, the New York feds concluded Cohen paid a porn star and a Playboy model to keep quiet about their affairs with Trump “in cooperation with and at the direction of Individual 1.” The unnamed Individual 1 in the court filings is Trump.

In one case, Trump apparently directed a criminal conspiracy to violate federal campaign finance laws by paying off Stormy Daniels In the other, the money to pay off and silence Playboy model Karen McDougal came from the Trump Organization, making Trump in that case potentially liable for both criminal conspiracy and money laundering.

In a separate filing in the Cohen case from the special

A Saturday Night Live sketch called “Them Trumps” asked “What if Trump was black?” and showed a conniving, adulterous, amoral President Darius Trump getting both indicted and impeached in no time flat.

prosecutor, Mueller said it was Trump’s idea to have Cohen try to contact the Russians about his presidential campaign in September 2015. In court filings in the case of former campaign manager Paul Manafort, Mueller hinted that conspiracy and suborning perjury charges against Trump might be possible, given that Manafort had violated his plea deal with Mueller by lying and by being in constant contact with Trump’s lawyers.

In the Manafort filings, Mueller also noted that Manafort has lied repeatedly in written responses, which Mueller believes are more serious than lying in person because the lies in written answers don’t come “spontaneously from a line of examination” but from premeditation. This is important

IN LOVING MEMORY OF

Lila Lee Ruffin

Lila Lee Ruffin who quietly departed in her sleep Tuesday, December 11, 2018, at 78 years of age. "Our family and friends have truly lost a very special person who made it her mission to inspire and spread love in her community. She is survived by her loving children: Jerry Ruffin, Sonya Henry, DeVoin Ruffin, and Gordon Ruffin.

because since Trump refused to sit and be questioned by Mueller, his responses are … in writing.

Trump’s minions know he would never be convicted by a complicit GOP Senate, so they’re pre-emptively claiming Trump skates, no matter what happens, because a sitting president of the United States cannot be indicted. Except that it seems he can.

The U.S. Constitution does not say anything about indicting a president. The entire theory of a non-indictable chief executive comes from two memos from the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel. One was written by Richard Nixon’s administration in 1973, as Watergate threatened to sink his presidency, while the other was written by Bill Clinton’s Justice Department in 2000,

right after the Senate failed to convict him in his impeachment trial. And that’s it.

The U.S. Supreme Court has never ruled on the issue.

The closest it came was in the United States v Richard Nixon in 1974, and Bill Clinton v Paula Jones in 1997. In both cases, the court ruled a sitting president is subject to the legal system, just like the rest of us. But both of those cases involved subpoenas for tapes and documents, which is an entirely different thing than hauling a president into court on charges.

But the reasoning in both cases – that a sitting president “of course” is subject to the same legal system as other Americans – would seem to point toward allowing an indictment, since grand juries and indictments are integral

parts of that legal system. A final reading on that would have to come from the Supreme Court. Trump’s refuseniks, led by Rudy Giuliani, take it even further. They argue that not only can a president not be indicted, a president cannot be subpoenaed to give grand jury testimony.

Back on May 1, the Washington Post reported on a March 5 meeting between Mueller and Trump’s attorneys. According to four different sources, Mueller told Trump’s legal team that he was prepared to issue a subpoena for Trump to talk to a grand jury if all else fails. That sent Team Trump into what the Post described as “turmoil,” indicating that Trump’s lawyers weren’t so sure that a president can dodge a subpoena for grand jury testimony.

It might very well be that the Supreme Court’s five conservative justices, among them two Trump appointees, would rule that a president is above the law, at least when it comes to indictments and subpoenas. In 1982, the High Court ruled in Nixon v Fitzgerald that a sitting president is immune from civil suits for anything done while in office. But as then-Chief Justice Warren Burger made clear, the case only involves civil, not criminal, conduct.

That we are even arguing about this shows the depths to which the Trump presidency has sunk, and the seriousness of the crimes – conspiracy, witness tampering, perjury, money laundering – with which Trump could be charged. Trump likes to think he’s above the law. Let’s see if prosecutors and the federal courts believe him.

The GOP’s rolling coup

By Jamala Rogers

For The St. Louis American

A month past the November election, North Carolina’s election board has refused to certify the results in the 9th Congressional District. The bi-partisan board is investigating voter irregularities and possible criminal deviations around absentee ballots. Once the smoke finally clears, it could mean a new election between Republican Mark Harris and Democrat Dan McCready. Voter suppression and intimidation along with outright theft of votes is how the GOP keeps winning. Successful gerrymandering has assured dominance in state and national elections.

Back in 2016, the North Carolina Republican-dominated state legislature passed a package of bills that stifled incoming Democratic Governor Roy Cooper’s vision and leadership. This included not being able to make key cabinet appointments without legislative approval, drastically cutting the size of the new administration and changing the Board of Elections so that Republicans would control it in the future. By the scope of the bills, it was apparent to the trusting Democrats that the coup had been in the works for a while. Ooh, that’s so evil. Governor Cooper now spends a lot of time in defense mode – vetoing bills only to have them repealed by the state legislature and filing lawsuits. This is no way to govern.

Did the Democrats learn any lessons from the GOP punch in the gut of democracy? Apparently not. Wisconsin and Michigan are dealing with Republic encores.

Wisconsin Governor-elect Tony Evers is victim to the GOP lame duck muck. The not-so-sneaky power grab led by State Assembly Speaker Robin Vos could be crippling for Governor Evers and his new Attorney General Josh Kaul if the outgoing Governor Scott Walker signs off on it. Evers has called the power grab a “hot mess.” The progressive platform that he ran on is being sabotaged, like stopping the Republican’s legal challenge of the Affordable Care Act.

The power grab is taken out of the GOP playbook

n Getting Democratic voters out in the future will become more difficult if their efforts still result in Republican rule.

in North Carolina. There Democrats were ambushed by a special session called by the Republican governor during the lame duck period. I’ve often criticized the Democratic Party for being asleep at the wheel. One big area where there is little or no aggressive offensive is gerrymandering. That’s what North Carolina, Michigan and Wisconsin all have in common.

Democrats won every statewide contest in Wisconsin’s 2018 midterms. Yet Republicans were able to keep control of the

gerrymandered state legislature. The GOP received just 45 percent of the vote overall, but will control 63 of 99 seats in the assembly. Shrewd.

Getting Democratic voters out in the future will become more difficult if their efforts still result in Republican rule. We’ll see red figuratively and politically.

Missouri could face the GOP lame duck much if we elect a Democratic governor in 2020 with a Republican General Assembly. That’s why Amendment 1, which voters just passed, is critical to implement.

Getting big, corporate dollars out of politics and fair redistricting were the core elements of the measure. Already the GOP is exploring how to pick off black elected officials and help undermine the measure’s intent and strength.

By now, it should be indisputably clear that the GOP is all about power for themselves, by any means necessary. Their actions have absolutely nothing to do with God, country, the U.S. Constitution, the flag or any other symbolism thrown in our faces to justify its unfettered seizure and abuse of power.

The two-party system is slowing turning into a one-party dictatorship. The checks and balances in the three branches of government – Executive, Legislative and Judicial - are methodically vanishing. If one party winning an election still means that the other party is running the show because of politricks, then the people must rise to save ourselves and the country.

The Declaration of Independence reminds us that it’s both our right and duty to check our government. This is what democracy looks like.

Columnist

Jamala Rogers

Fighting chronic kidney disease

Healthier diets and exercise would slow rise of the disease

An abundance of high-sugar, high-salt foods in many American diets and obesityrelated health problems such as diabetes are likely driving an increase in kidney disease cases, including in young adults, according to researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

By Kristina Sauerwein Washington University School of Medicine

Advances in treating cancer, heart disease and other major health conditions in recent decades have extended life spans for millions of people. However, chronic kidney disease is an outlier, with cases accelerating at a faster pace than all other noninfectious diseases, according to a study from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and the Veterans Affairs (VA) St. Louis Health Care System.

The researchers found that the burden of chronic kidney disease, as well as the probability of death related to chronic kidney disease, have increased substantially over the past 15 years in all 50 U.S. states. Such increases also were seen in younger adults ages 20 to 54, a group in which kidney disease had

n The burden of chronic kidney disease, as well as the probability of death related to chronic kidney disease, have increased substantially over the past 15 years in all 50 U.S. states.

been uncommon.

The findings were published November 30 in JAMA Network Open.

“Unfortunately, chronic kidney disease is known as a ‘silent epidemic’ because many people don’t realize they have it until the disease is at an advanced stage,” said

Dr. Ziyad Al-Aly, the study’s senior author and an assistant professor of medicine.

“It is particularly concerning that chronic kidney disease is becoming more common in younger people. This is a remarkable move in the wrong direction.”

The researchers noted that the abundance of high-sugar, high-salt foods in many American diets and obesity-related health problems such as high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes are likely driving the increase in kidney disease. This is because poor diets and metabolic problems contribute to the buildup of toxins that can interfere with the kidneys’ job, which is to remove harmful waste from the body.

The researchers also showed that the increasing rates of chronic kidney disease

See KIDNEY, A13

Christian Hospital Auxiliary named best in state

Number of uninsured children rose in 2017

By Denise Hooks-Anderson, M.D. Of The St. Louis American

New administrations bring about changes: some good, some not so good. Take for instance the Trump administration.

Per a recent Georgetown University report on children’s health coverage, for the first time in this decade the number of uninsured children rose by 276,000 kids in 2017. There were 3,925,000 children uninsured in 2017, as compared to 3,649,000 in 2016. Though statistically, the rise is small, the upward trend is still shocking when typically uninsured rates for children drop during periods of economic growth.

Health coverage for children is important for numerous reasons, such as improving immunization rates, providing needed services such as well-child checks, and improving public health in general. Children who are healthy are also more likely to miss fewer days of school, which impacts future educational and economic opportunities.

Children with conditions such as asthma need regular medical care and consistent access to medications. It is also well-recognized that poor children may have limited access to care even if they are insured. Therefore, adding a lack of insurance hurdle only further complicates the situation.

n It is not surprising that threefourths of the children who lost coverage between 2016 and 2017 were from states that did not expand Medicaid.

It is not surprising that three-fourths of the children who lost coverage between 2016 and 2017 were from states that did not expand Medicaid. Interestingly enough, eight of the nine states with the most statistically significant increases were in states that voted for President Trump (Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Texas, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah). One in five uninsured children in the U.S. lives in Texas, making it the state with the largest share of children without coverage. Only the District of Columbia saw a decline in the number of uninsured children. As a reminder, this current body of congressional legislators unsuccessfully tried to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA, otherwise demonized as “Obamacare”) and cap Medicaid funding and caused a temporary delay of funding for the Children Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Furthermore, the individual mandate to purchase health insurance was repealed by this Congress. The individual mandate was originally put in the legislation so that the risk pool would include healthy as well as sick people. Reducing the open enrollment period and cutting outreach and enrollment grants were additional efforts by the Trump administration to weaken the ACA.

Per the Georgetown study, certain policies by the Trump Administration are deterring immigrant parents from enrolling their children in Medicaid or CHIP even though these kids are U.S. citizens. Parents, quite frankly, are afraid of being deported.

When comparing years 2016 and 2017, American Indian and Native Alaskans had the highest rates of uninsured children, followed by Hispanics. The uninsured rate of black children

Denise HooksAnderson, MD

The Christian Hospital Auxiliary was recognized by the Missouri Hospital Association as its 2018 Auxiliary of the Year. It was honored in the large-hospital category (300-plus members) in recognition of nearly 46,000 hours of service to the hospital, BJC HealthCare and the community. This is the eighth time the Christian Hospital Auxiliary has received the award in the last 40 years.

The Christian Hospital Auxiliary operates the hospital gift shop, as well as the Curiosity Shoppe resale shop. The group was chartered in 1964 and hosts numerous fund-raisers throughout the year. Seated: Rick Stevens, Christian Hospital president; Sheryl McClary, auxiliary director; Millie Hancock, auxiliary president; Mary Trice, auxiliary president-elect; Necole Powell, Christian Hospital Foundation executive director. Standing: auxiliary members Janet Rector, Linda Rieves, Shirley Hemphill, Lea Creamer, Martie Buck, Johnnie Greenlaw and Valerie White.

Photo Courtesy of Missouri Hospital Association

Green spaces may decrease heart disease and strokes

Researchers from University of Louisville find vegetation reduces markers for stress

American staff

People who live in leafy, green neighborhoods may have a lower risk of developing heart disease and strokes, according to new research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, the openaccess journal of the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.

In this first of its kind study, researchers from the University of Louisville investigated the impact of neighborhood greenspaces on individuallevel markers of stress and cardiovascular disease risk.

Over five-years, blood and urine samples were collected from 408 people of varying ages, ethnicities and socioeconomic levels, then assessed for biomarkers of blood vessel injury and the risk of having cardiovascular disease. Risk was calculated using biomarkers measured from blood and urine samples. The participants were recruited from the University of Louisville’s outpatient cardiology clinic and were largely at elevated risk for developing cardiovascular diseases.

The density of the greenspaces near the participants’ residences was measured using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), a tool that indicates levels of vegetation density created from satellite imagery collected by NASA and the United States Geological Survey. Air pollution levels were also assessed using particulate matter from the EPA and roadway exposure measurements.

intervention.”

People who live in neighborhoods with more greenspaces may have better blood vessel health and lower levels of stress, and a lower risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks, strokes and others, according to new research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

Researchers found living in areas with more green vegetation was associated with lower urinary levels of epinephrine, indicating lower levels of stress; lower urinary levels of F2-isoprostane, indicating better health (less oxidative stress); and higher capacity to repair blood vessels.

were stronger among women, study participants not taking beta-blockers – which reduce the heart’s workload and lower blood pressure – and people who had not previously had a heart attack.

They also found that associations with epinephrine

“Our study shows that living in a neighborhood dense with trees, bushes and other green vegetation may be good for the health of your heart and blood

vessels,” said Aruni Bhatnagar, lead study author and professor of medicine and director of the University of Louisville Diabetes and Obesity Center.

“Indeed, increasing the amount of vegetation in a neighborhood may be an unrecognized environmental influence on cardiovascular health and a potentially significant public health

Pattonville launches employee health clinics with area districts

Pattonville School District is partnering with two nearby school districts to open employee health clinics which provide health care services to staff members near their work sites.

A clinic in Pattonville’s boundaries opened November 26, and employees now have the option of using their own physicians or using the employee clinic for a variety of health care needs. The model, which has been shown to increase medical access for

KIDNEY

Continued from A12

varied considerably by state. For example, while all states experienced rising rates of chronic kidney disease, significantly higher increases occurred in states with the highest obesity rates among adults — such as West Virginia, Mississippi, Louisiana, Georgia and Alabama.

“The findings suggest the need to address the health risks such as diabetes that can lead to kidney disease,” Al-Aly said. “This means healthier diets and exercise, as well as increased monitoring by health-care workers of patients with obesity or metabolic disorders who are at a greater risk of developing kidney disease.” To compare rates of kidney

employees and reduce health care expenses for employers, is being used by other school districts and companies both locally and nationally.

“Many struggle with access to health care because most doctor appointments are available during times which take our dedicated staff away from their students,” said Ron Orr, Pattonville chief financial officer. “The clinics provide an option to ensure our staff can focus on their health and not impact their commitment to

disease with other diseases, the researchers tapped into a public database of the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) initiative. It provides a detailed epidemiologic assessment of about 350 diseases and injuries by age and sex, as well as more than 80 risk factors, in all U.S. states and countries worldwide. For this study, the analysis focused on U.S. data by age from 2002 to 2016. The researchers measured and compared the percent change in healthy life-years lost due to kidney disease with the diseases and injuries in the GBD database. They found that chronic kidney disease rates are increasing faster than the rates of all noninfectious diseases, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, cirrhosis, and other chronic lung diseases, mental disorders and

our students.”

Pattonville and partner school districts Parkway and Francis Howell chose CareATC to be the provider for the new clinics, which offer acute services for symptoms such as cold, flu and sore throats, fever and infections, skin irritations, bumps and bruises, sprains and strains, cuts and lacerations and allergies; preventative services such as physical exams, healthrisk screenings, wellness services, disease management,

neurological disorders.

The measure of how many years of healthy life are lost is often referred to as “disability-adjusted life years.” During the 15-year period covered by the study, health loss due to kidney disease increased by 18 percent, while the burden of cardiovascular disease and cancer have decreased by 22 percent and 13 percent, respectively.

“The decline is largely reflective of medical advances in cardiovascular disease and cancer treatment,” Al-Aly said. “Similarly, the increase in chronic kidney disease reflects a relative stagnation in new treatments. There have been no major advances to slow or reverse kidney disease during the past two decades.”

Overall, deaths due to chronic kidney disease increased 58 percent from

lab tests, immunizations and tobacco cessation; and additional services, such as occupational health, safety, pharmacy, dental, vision, physical therapy and telemedicine.

The clinics are operated by a medical doctor who can dispense many prescriptions on site, avoiding the need for sick or injured employees to make a second trip to a pharmacy.

52,127 in 2002 to 82,539 in 2016.

While deaths attributable to chronic kidney disease are rare among younger people, the numbers are rising.

Among adults ages 20 to 54, the probability of death due to chronic kidney disease increased almost 26.8 percent, from 0.1 percent (or 100 deaths per 100,000 people) in 2002 to 0.125 percent (125 deaths per 100,000 people) in 2016.

“This also is worrisome from an economic perspective because it is the younger adults, in particular, who often contribute most to economic prosperity on local, state and federal levels,” Al-Aly said.

Those 55 years and older experienced a 25.6 percent increase in deaths due to chronic kidney disease, from 1.95 percent (1,950 deaths per 100,000 people in 2002 to 2.45 percent (2,450 deaths per

The findings were independent of age, sex, ethnicity, smoking status, neighborhood deprivation, use of statin medications and roadway exposure.

Previous studies have also suggested that neighborhood greenspaces are associated with positive effects on overall physical and psychosocial health and well-being, as well as reduced rates of death from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, and improved rates of stroke survival, according to Bhatnagar. However, Bhatnagar said, these reports are largely limited by their reliance on self-reported questionnaires and area-level records and evaluations.

Free Tai Chi for diabetics at Alton Memorial Hospital

Alton Memorial Hospital (AMH) offers a Tai Chi class for diabetics from 7:15-8:30 p.m. on Thursdays and at 1 p.m. every Thursday – except for the third Thursday of the month, when AMH diabetes educator Lisa James conducts her monthly diabetes support group. The Tai Chi classes, led by certified yoga instructor Betsy Smith, are free and meet at the AMH Human Motion Institute North location, 226 Regional Dr. in Alton. For more information about the Tai Chi classes or the diabetes support group, call Lisa James or Debbie Frazier at 618-4637526.

100,000 people) in 2016.

Chronic kidney disease also accounted for a 52 percent increase among all age groups of healthy life-years lost, from 1.2 million in 2002 to 2 million in 2016.

“Public health priorities, policy initiatives, funding allocation and advocacy efforts need to catch up to this reality that the burden of chronic kidney disease is rising, and the speed of change now outpaces other noncommunicable diseases,” Al-Aly said. “A concerted effort should be made to put the brakes on this.”

ANDERSON

Continued from A12 rose from 3.9 percent in 2016 to 4.8 percent in 2017.

Therefore, without the proper checks and balances, the authors of this study concluded that rates of uninsured children will continue to rise. The ACA Marketplace will also continue to struggle and show declining enrollment due to perception (the belief that ACA no longer exists) and infrastructure problems.

Ensuring the well-being of our most vulnerable populations is a responsibility of us all. The current trend of health insurance coverage for our children is concerning and will have negative effects on our communities if our voices are not heard.

Denise Hooks-Anderson, M.D., is assistant professor at SLUCare Family Medicine and medical accuracy editor for The St. Louis American. Email her at yourhealthmatters@ stlamerican.com.

Healthy Kids Kids

Holiday E ating!

Nutrition Challenge:

The holidays bring parties, family time, plays, concerts and more. Many of these events also include food!

Let’s review some ways to eat smart during these fun times.

> Eat a healthy snack before attending such an event — this way you won’t be tempted to overdo it.

> Remember to fill ½ of your plate with fruits/ vegetables.

Follow The Leader!

Guns!

Choose one leader from your group of friends. Everyone should line up behind the leader and follow him or her throughout the house, yard or playground.

The leader will do a variety of actions using their arms and legs: jumping,

> If you want to try a special treat, just keep it to a taste.

Be sure to drink plenty of water!

> What are other ways to eat healthy during the holidays? — BONUS — Healthy eating helps your body fight off winter colds and other sickness.

Learning Standards: HPE 2, HPE 3, HPE 5, NH 1, NH 5

skipping, clapping, etc. Do what the leader does until they change to a new action. Take turns being the leader and creating more

NEVER, ever play with any kind of gun. Even if you think the gun isn’t loaded, or maybe it looks like a toy — it isn’t worth taking a chance. Immediately tell

if you find a gun. And remember that many kids are killed each year by a gun that they thought was unloaded.

Learning Standards:

Melissa Douglass, Counselor

difficult, interesting and fun activities along the way.

Following the leader is a great way to stay active, increase your heart rate and burn calories throughout the day. Have fun!

Learning Standards: HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 1

Holiday Kabobs

Directions: Skewer the ingredients onto the toothpick in the following order: grape, banana

strawberry (wide portion on the bottom), and marshmallow on top.

Why

we

connect with a video call and I can not only support them through hard times, but a lot of good times as well.

Learning Standards: HPE6, NH3

“Questions or comments? Contact Cathy Sewell csewell@stlamerican.com or 314-289-5422

CLASSROOM SPOTLIGHT

In Mrs. Kristy Roesch’s 4th grade class at the James Avant Elementary School in East St. Louis, Illinois, students Ja’Nyi Tolden, Karrisa Temple and Garnet Patton learn about neuroscience from an experiment they found using the STEM page in the newspaper. Photo by Wiley Price/St. Louis American

Music can inspire you to do many things and feel a variety of emotions, but did you know it can improve your brain activity? Many scientific studies, including one at Stanford University in August of 2007, have found that music can improve memory and concentration. As your brain detects patterns in the music, it stimulates the brain waves.

Furthermore, learning to play an instrument has even more benefits than simply listening to music.

The 2007 Stanford study found that people who played music had a larger vocabulary and could handle multiple tasks simultaneously.

SCIENCE INVESTIGATION

Background Information:

In this experiment, you will be creating a model that displays the rings of Saturn. Note: The rings of Saturn do not go in alphabetical order.

Materials Needed: • Small Styrofoam Ball (about 1.5 inches in diameter) • CD

• Permanent Markers • 4 Colors of Sequins or Glitter • Glue • Dowel

• Modeling Clay • Paper • Protractor

• Compass • Ruler

Procedure:

q Cut your foam ball in half and place one piece of it on the CD.

w Trace around the foam ball with a magic marker. (You will glue the foam ball to the center of the CD later).

e The D ring will be created first. In reality, the D ring is 4600 miles across. Mark a point that is about 3 mm from where you outlined the planet. Use a compass to help you draw a circle that is 3 mm thick. Place white glue inside this area and sprinkle one color of sequins or glitter on the glue to represent the D ring. Let it dry.

r The C ring will be created next. It is larger than the D ring—over 10,000 miles wide in real life. In your model, use your ruler and compass to create a circle that’s 7

MATH CONNECTION

Music has also been proven to enhance exercise—fast paced beats inspire runners to keep pace, upbeat tempos encourage participants to enjoy the workout and continue moving, and slow tempos allow for an effective cool down and stretch session to enhance flexibility.

For A Video About the Effect of Music on the Brain, Visit: http://ed.ted.com/ lessons/how-playing-an-instrument-benefitsyour-brain-anita-collins.

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

SCIENCE STARS

AFRICAN AMERICAN PHYSICIST, EDUCATOR, AND JAZZ MUSICIAN:

Stephon Alexander

Stephon Alexander was born in Trinidad and moved with his family to the Bronx in New York when he was 8 years old. He first became interested in physics when he took apart a used computer to see how it

worked. Alexander attended De Witt Clinton high school, where his love of science was recognized and encouraged by a physics teacher. The same teacher also cultivated his love of jazz music and Stephon began to play the saxophone. In 1993, Alexander received his bachelor’s degree in physics from Haverford College in Pennsylvania. Seven years later, he received his doctorate degree in physics from Brown University. He continued to follow his love of music and used it not only as a form of stress relief, but as a means to help him understand difficult concepts. In an interview with National Geographic, he stated, “For me, playing and composing music can help my mind relax, the way a muscle would relax, and allow me to think more freely.” Alexander also uses music to explain difficult concepts (such as the Big Bang Theory) and has produced music professionally. He states, “By connecting physics with music, I want to inspire young people and open their eyes to new possibilities.”

mm thick. Cover the circle in glue and place a different color of sequins or glitter. Let it dry.

t The B ring will be created next. In reality, it is 15,000 miles across. In your model, it will be 1 cm thick. Measure this area, cover it with glue, and place a third color of sequins or glitter.

y The A ring comes next. In reality, it is 9000 miles wide. Make a circle that is 5 mm thick. It has a gap 2/3 of the way across the width of the ring. Make a thin black circle here to show the division, and then add white glue and glitter to the rest of the A ring.

u On the outside of the rings, draw another black line about 2 mm thick. Leave a small space after the last black line.

i The F ring is the smallest and final ring in this model. A sliver of the shiny CD will serve as the F ring. Color the rest of the CD black.

o When the glitter and glue has dried, glue one half of the foam ball to the top of the CD. When that is dry, glue the bottom of the ball to the bottom of the CD. When everything has dried, place a dowel into the bottom of the Styrofoam ball and position it at a 27 degree angle. Use your protractor to find the angle.

Learning Standards: I can follow sequential directions to create a scaled model.

Equations & Physics!

An equation used in physics is F=MA (Force=mass times acceleration). Use the formula to solve the following math problems.

z If a 6 kg soccer ball is traveling at a rate of 1.4 m/s, what is the force on it? __________

x I am a roller skater with a mass of 115 pounds. If I am accelerating toward a wall at 3.7 m/s, what will be the amount of force at which I hit the wall? __________ Make a Model of the Rings of Saturn!

DID YOU KNOW?

Because of thermal expansion, the Eiffel Tower is 15 cm taller in summer.

c How much force must be applied to a toy car that has a mass of .28 kg to achieve an acceleration of 2.6 m/s?

v How much force is needed to move a 0.2 kg snowball at a rate of 16 m/s upward? __________ Learning Standards: I can add, subtract, multiply, and divide to solve a problem. I can apply a mathematical formula.

Albert Einstein said, “If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music.... I do know that I get most joy in life out of my violin.”

Alexander served as an assistant professor of physics, astronomy, and astrophysics at Penn State University before transferring to Haverford College as a physics professor. In 2012, he joined Dartmouth College as a professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy. He was elected as a National Geographic Emerging Explorer.

Stephon Alexander’s Homepage Is Found Here: https://stephonalexander.org/.

To Listen to His Music, Visit: http://pitchfork.com/ reviews/albums/19576-rioux-stephon-alexander-here-comesnow/.

Learning Standards: I can read a biography about a person who has made contributions in the fields of science, math, and technology.

Use the newspaper to complete the following activities.

Activity One — Giving Directions: Choose a partner for this activity. Select a news story you would like for them to read. Give them directions to reach the article (e.g., section B, page 6, three lines down, two columns to the right). Did your partner find the correct article? Read the article together and summarize the main idea and supporting details.

Activity Two — Natural Disasters: Collect news articles about natural disasters. Locate the geographic location on a map and determine the cause and effect.

Learning Standards: I can use the newspaper to locate information. I can follow directions. determine cause and effect.

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

Photo courtesy John Sherman, johnshermanphotography.com

DOJ salutes James Clark

Soon after accepting the 2018 Non-Profit Executive of the Year award from the St. Louis American Foundation and the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis at the Salute to Excellence in Business, James Clark of Better Family Life (BFL) was honored by the U.S. Department of Justice with its Project Safe Neighborhoods Award for Outstanding Community Involvement.

“With the help of staff at BFL, Clark has developed and implemented a Gun Violence De-escalation Program that has successfully thwarted numerous interpersonal feuds between individuals in and around the St. Louis area that, but for Clark’s intervention, would have devolved into violent encounters. Clark’s and BFL’s efforts have helped to save multiple lives,” the DOJ stated.

“Through collaboration with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri, Clark has and will continue to meet with and train other U.S. Attorneys’ Offices around the country that seek to establish de-escalation programs in their districts.”

Project Safe Neighborhoods is a national initiative by the United States Department of Justice to reduce gun violence.

Steve Cousins to launch new consulting practice

Allied Strategic Advisors will still consult at Armstrong Teasdale and some of its clients

By Chris King

As of January, Steven Cousins – the first African-American attorney, partner and Executive Committee member at Armstrong Teasdale – will set out on his own as president and CEO of Cousins Allied Strategic Advisors, with a cornerstone client he identified only as “a nationally prominent family of companies doing

Steven Cousins

business across the country.”

He also will remain a consultant to the firm, which he served for 38 years with a nationally known bankruptcy practice. He founded the firm’s Financial Restructuring, Reorganization and Bankruptcy practice area in 1984, becoming the first associate to lead a

practice, and has been involved in a litany of historically significant events in the bankruptcy

“We can’t cut corners, we can’t misrepresent, we can’t shade,” Cousins has explained his legal practice to The American. “You’ve got to speak with clarity and conviction and you’ve got to win a case based on the facts, not on a

See COUSINS, B6

KAI Design & Build awarded for Deaconess Center for Child Well-Being

KAI Design & Build received a 2018 Honor Award in the Commercial-Office Buildings category from the Design-Build Institute of America – Mid-America Region for its work on the Deaconess Center for Child Well-Being. KAI completed construction of the $8.5 million center in December 2017.

The project achieved 36 percent Minority Business Enterprises (MBE) and 3 percent Women Owned Business Enterprises (WBE) participation. Elizabeth Noonan, an economic development professional and United Church of Christ member, served as the project manager, and minority-owned Kwame Building Group was the construction manager.

The 21,272-square-foot facility at 1000 North Vandeventer Ave. provides meeting rooms, a chapel, and a large conference space for up to 125 people, as well as administrative offices for the Deaconess Foundation, Vision for Children at Risk, and Neighborhood Houses – a United Church of Christ ministry that supports lowincome children and families of the inner core of St. Louis City.

The facility’s design incorporates many

Nelson Williams joined Thompson Coburn as a partner. He represents employers in litigation and has defended multiple single-plaintiff and complex employment lawsuits, having handled more than a dozen class litigation matters from inception to completion. He also represents employers in various union arbitrations covering both employee discharge decisions and contract interpretation grievances.

Veta Jeffery joined the Board of Directors of the Empowerment Network, a nonprofit organization that serves as a resource of volunteers with peer-to-peer support and educational materials to help men and their families/caregivers make informed decisions about prostate cancer detection, treatment options and related side effects. She is senior vice president of community and economic development at Midwest BankCentre.

Dwaun Warmack recently served as the keynote luncheon speaker at the Inaugural Title IV Presidential Leadership Summit, hosted by the U.S. Department of Education, which focused on presidential behaviors and institutional best practices that have a positive impact on students. He is president of Harris-Stowe State University.

Cora Faith Walker was honored by Beyond Housing during their 24:1 Initiative event for her efforts to promote the use of traumainformed treatment programs. A state representative from Ferguson, she worked during the legislative session to secure passage of legislation that creates the TraumaInformed Care for Children and Families Board. Her legislation was incorporated into SB 819, which was signed into law.

Alonzo Byrd joined the Deaconess Foundation Board of Trustees. He is assistant vice president of public affairs for Enterprise Holdings, the largest rental car company in North America, and a member of the Enterprise Committee on Corporate Responsibility. He is responsible for the development and execution of corporate citizenship initiatives nationwide.

Andrea Stanley joined Board of Directors of Legal Services of Eastern Missouri. She is an associate with Brown & Crouppen who practices personal injury litigation and was a 2018 recipient of a Missouri Bar Association-Young Lawyers Section Pro Bono award for her volunteer work. She chairs the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis’ Young Lawyers Division.

the move?

Veta Jeffery

Andrea Stanley

Cora Faith Walker

Nelson Williams

Dwaun Warmack

Photo by Wiley Price

Of The St. Louis American

“America is already a great country: our challenge is to make its greatness apply fairly and equitably to all of its people,” said newly elected House Majority Whip Rep. James Clyburn. “As the only member of elected leadership from a red state and largely rural district, I will work tirelessly to be a voice for the millions of Americans who feel left out and communities that are too often left behind.”

New House majority must address income inequality

n “As Justice Brandeis said, ‘We may have democracy, or we may have wealth concentrated in the hands of a few, but we can’t have both.’”

- Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi

The pending Democratic takeover of the U.S. House of Representatives marks a major turning point, perhaps far more significant than most Americans realize. For the last two years,

the current administration has careened, unchecked, through a series of misguided policy mishaps, from family separations at the border to emboldening white nationalists and neo-Nazis, and mangling the response to Hurricane Maria. The administration’s signature achievement, a massive tax shift to benefit corporations and the wealthiest Americans, serves only to worsen income inequality and explode the federal deficit. The clear mission of the incoming Congress is not only to put a halt to the administration’s misguided agenda but to advance an agenda aimed at

reducing inequality, expanding opportunity and enforcing civil rights and racial justice.

An encouraging sign that the Democratic majority does intend to advance such an agenda was the unveiling of a legislative package – known as H.B. 1, to emphasize its importance – reforming the nation’s political processes.

The bill includes new donor disclosure requirements for political organizations, public financing for political campaigns, a mandatory Supreme Court ethical code, expansion of access to the polls and a reduction of partisan gerrymandering.

Marc H. Morial

We believe H.B. 1 is a good start. Among the other issues the incoming House majority must address on Day 1 are: increasing the federal minimum wage and indexing

Black Funders of St. Louis awards grants to three non-profits

Black Funders of St. Louis awarded more than $2,000 in grants to three area non-profits: Ferguson Youth Initiative, Imani Learning and Leadership, and My 180 Youth Program, which received the most nominations from a pool of applications. Ferguson Youth Initiative empowers teens to become productive, positive, and contributing members of the community. Imani Learning and Leadership emphasizes male education in STEM. My 180 Youth Program supports youth and their skills development in math and science.

Black Funders of St. Louis, founded by Maranda Richardson, encourages its

membership to pool time, talents, and treasures to invest in the black community and positively impact the well-being of black children, youth, adults and families in the St. Louis metropolitan area. For more information, email blackfundersstl@ gmail.com.

it to inflation, strengthening and restoring the Affordable Care Act, a comprehensive and targeted infrastructure bill and protection for “Dreamers” – young immigrants covered by Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).

The most significant and impactful initiatives the new House majority could adopt, which includes much of the above, can be found in the National Urban League’s Main Street Marshall Plan, a comprehensive blueprint addressing lack of opportunity and economic inequality in America’s urban communities. Elements of the Main Street Marshall Plan were introduced as part of a major legislative proposal introduced by members of the Congressional Black Caucus earlier this year.

The Congressional Black

Caucus’ Jobs and Justice Act includes Main Street Marshall Plan proposals addressing investment in public schools and infrastructure, a living wage for all Americans, restorative justice for ex-offenders, and tax incentives for hiring young people, veterans, and the unemployed.

It’s significant that the incoming Congress is the most racially and culturally diverse in history, including first Native American congresswomen and the first Muslim congresswomen. The practical effect of such diversity is that Congress can more truly represent the interests of all its citizens – not just the wealthy, white men who still make up its largest contingent.

“It is my hope that as we deliver on our For The People agenda – lower health costs, higher wages by rebuilding America and restoring integrity

in government – we do so in a way that will address economic disparity in this Country,” incoming Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi wrote in an open letter to her colleagues.

“This freshman class has also made integrity in government its priority, supporting H.R. 1, in our Better Deal for Our Democracy. As Justice Brandeis said, ‘We may have democracy, or we may have wealth concentrated in the hands of a few, but we can’t have both.’”

We look forward to working with Rep. Pelosi and her colleagues on both sides of the aisle to restore integrity to government and create economic, educational and social opportunity for all Americans.

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

MOKAN recognizes UP Companies for Workforce Diversity and Inclusion Award

The UP Companies received a Workforce Diversity and Inclusion Award from MOKAN, a St. Louis-based advocate organization and facilitator for the inclusion of minority and women-owned businesses on construction projects.

Minority-owned UPCO – which consists of Power Up Electrical Contractors, Square UP Builders and Hustle UP – employs a diverse, skilled, union workforce that consistently meets or exceeds minority participation requirements on every project.

COUSINS

continued from page B1

technicality.”

In his new practice as a consultant and strategic advisor, he will provide highlevel strategic advice to a select group of clients while also continuing to provide counsel to various Armstrong Teasdale clients.

Most recently, he served as co-counsel for Peabody Energy, the largest private sector coal company in the world; and Payless Shoe Source, Inc., the largest specialty family shoe retailer in the Western Hemisphere. He also has served as general counsel to the St. Louis Regional Chamber & Growth Association (RCGA) for 25 years.

UPCO currently employs over 75 union apprentices and has grown its workforce from an initial 30 to more than 250, which includes 20 percent minorities. UPCO has also initiated several programs aimed at recruiting a diverse workforce and encouraging young minorities to pursue careers in skilled labor. Company representatives regularly visit high schools, technical high schools, trade schools and universities throughout the St. Louis area to recruit minority students for training at the Carpenters Union and Electricians Local 57.

“UPCO has continued to realize the value in mentoring young minorities and is striving to give disadvantaged youth throughout the St. Louis area the opportunity to pursue a lifelong, respectable career in skilled labor,” said UPCO Owner Michael Kennedy Jr. “Not all high school graduates go on to college. There are plenty of skilled labor jobs available right here in St. Louis with competitive salaries and benefits just waiting for them.”

Moreover, Cousins led the defense team that successfully represented former HUD Secretary Alphonso Jackson in a three-year Department of Justice investigation.

In the civic sector, Cousins has been involved with over 25 boards, including the St. Louis Internship program (SLIP), serving as co-chair since its inception in 1992 until 2005, and is founder and past co-chair of the St. Louis Public Schools Foundation. He previously provided legal assistance to the national office of the NAACP on a pro bono basis during a time when the organization experienced financial tumult.

Most recently, in October, he was selected to join the advisory board of the prestigious Hutchins Center for African & African American Research at Harvard University, which is the pre-eminent research center focusing on the history and culture of people of African descent all over the world. He is a fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy and was most recently recognized in 2017 with The Missouri Bar Foundation Martin J. Purcell Award for professionalism, which also recognizes commitment and success outside the courtroom and corner office.

“They go hand in glove, professional excellence and civic excellence,” Cousins told The American when he won the award. “They’re both sort of puzzling through problems, to solve what’s ailing the clients or to solve what’s ailing your community.”

Sports

The Midwest Showdown Shootout is at Webster Groves

By Earl Austin Jr.

Of the St. Louis American

One of the biggest events on the high school basketball calendar is the Rameybasketball Midwest Showdown Shootout, which is presented by area basketball coordinator Terrell Ramey. The 12th edition of the Midwest Showdown Shootout will be held this Saturday with six games at Webster Groves High School. There will be teams represented by teams on both Illinois and Missouri as well as a team from Alabama.

Here is a preview of the event:

Game 1: Mt. Vernon (Illinois) vs. Monroe City (Missouri), 1 p.m. – Mt. Vernon is an excellent team from Southern Illinois that is led by standout junior guard Amir Spann. Monroe City is a top Class 3 team in Missouri that features 6’3” senior guard CE Talton, a two-time AllState performer.

Game 2: Alton vs. Jennings, 2:30 p.m. – An excellent Illinois vs. Missouri matchup of very athletic teams that mirror each other. Alton is a contender in the Southwestern Conference with top players such as 6’7” senior Donovan Clay and 6’3” senior Malik Smith. Jennings finished third in the Class 4 state tournament a year ago. The Warriors are led by 6’4” senior Elijah Hicks and 6’6” senior forward Buck Bowling.

Game 3: Lee (Alabama) vs. Hazelwood Central, 4 p.m. – Huntsville Lee is led by Top 100 recruit Kobe Brown, who has committed to Missouri. Hazelwood Central is led by 6’2” senior guard Isaiah Ervin and 6’0” sophomore guard Aamoud Scarbrough. The Hawks are off to a good start in a transition season.

Game 4: Springfield Parkview vs. East St. Louis, 5:30 p.m. – This game features two of the most spectacular athletes in the twostate area. East St. Louis is led by 6’7” senior Terrance Hargrove, a Saint Louis University

Lutheran North wins Little Caesars Invitational

The Lutheran North girls basketball team won the championship of the Little Caesars Invitational Tournament at Lutheran St. Charles. The Crusaders defeated Francis Howell Central in the semifinals and host Lutheran St. Charles in the championship game. The members of the team are (in alphabetical order): Alivia Brown, Madison Buford, Heaven Davis, Taleah Dilworth, Amaya Earls, Raevyn Ferguson, Kaylynn Hayden, Nevaeh Howard, Brianna Jackson, Olivia Smith, Jordyn White, and MaKayla Williams. Its Head coach is Chris Forrest, assistant coaches are Renaud Lucas and Michael Williams.

sPorts eye

With Alvin A. Reid

On August 12, 1991, Barry Bonds became a Hall of Famer in my opinion.

The Pittsburgh Pirates were battling the St. Louis Cardinals in the final game of a threegame series. If the Cardinals won, just five games would stand between them and the first-place Pirates in the National League East division.

The Redbirds posted a run in the top of the 11th inning, and closer Lee Smith was brought on to protect a 3-2 lead. The Pirates put a man on base and Bonds came to the plate. What followed was an iconic home run that remains a signature moment for Bonds. The Bucs won 4-3, the Cardinals dropped to seven games behind them and that was that.

I was working at USA TODAY Baseball Weekly and I remember that homer like it was yesterday. It seemed like Smith, Bonds, the fans in Three Rivers Stadium and I all knew it was coming.

This was before Bonds signed with San Francisco as a free agent, before he became the Major’s all-time home run king and the start of the steroid scandal that blocks his path to the Hall of Fame.

On that night in Pittsburgh, Bonds was the best player on the field and he had been the best player in baseball for a couple of years. Somehow, someway, Smith will be

Earl Austin Jr.

Alvin A. Reid

Lee Smith was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame by the Today’s Modern Game Era committee.

Smith did retire in 1997 as the all-time saves leader and is now in third place behind Mariano Rivera and Trevor Hoffman. Hoffman is in the HOF and Rivera might be the first player elected unanimously when the full 2019 class is announced next year.

Of Lee’s 478 career saves, 160 came during his four seasons with the Cardinals. He arrived from Boston in a mid-season deal in 1990 and was traded to the New York Yankees late in the 1993 season.

In 22 seasons, Baines collected 2,866 hits, 384 home runs and 1,628 RBIs. He hit .289 in his career and closed at or above .300 eight times. Really good, but far from great.

In his seven seasons with the Pirates, Bonds had 984 hits, belted 176 home runs and garnered 556 RBI with a.275 batting average. Throw in 251 stolen bases, three Gold Gloves and a pair of NL MVP awards. The steroid accusations crept up in the early 2000s. He played without being under scrutiny for at least six seasons in San Francisco.

Bonds is worthy of the Hall of Fame, but most voters know that. He is being punished, while other HOF members somehow gained acceptance – i.e. Ivan Rodriguez and Jeff Bagwell.

So how did Baines really get in? Our buddy Tony La Russa probably had a hand in the deal. La Russa is part of the 16-member Today’s Era Game Committee and was Baines’ manager during his short tenure at the helm of the Chicago White Sox. Other members include Jerry Reinsdorf, Baines’ owner in Chicago; Roberto Alomar, a teammate with the Orioles and Pat Gillick, his GM in Baltimore. Bert Blyleven and executives Paul Beeston, John Schuerholz and Andy MacPhail, also committee members, were

American League fixtures during Baines› career. The committee in question just made the best argument for Bonds’ enshrinement. I doubt smug, pompous voters will pay heed in 2020. But hopefully, the day will arrive when they stop ignoring the obvious.

Cards deal a nice hand

Give the St. Louis Cardinals a tip of the cap for landing first baseman Paul Goldschmidt in a trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He should provide the middle-of-order bat sorely needed by the Redbirds for several seasons.

A Gold Glover, he will also upgrade a defense that led the National League in errors. The thought of Matt Carpenter at third base for an entire season is frightening, but Goldschmidt should save him from many throwing errors.

Before this week ends, I’m predicting that Bryce Harper will be a member of the Chicago Cubs.

Theo Epstein, Cubs president of baseball operations, praised the Cardinals for the Goldschmidt deal – which makes me very suspicious. He’s got a trick or two up his sleeve or I think he would not have given so much glowing praise.

One other note – I’m tired of hearing Goldschmidt is “the prefect Cardinal.” What does that mean exactly? What are the qualifications?

NFL coaching update

Suddenly, Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers finds his future with that franchise in serious doubt.

After Sunday’s shocking loss at Oakland, Tomlin is being scorched by Pittsburgh media members and many fans. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was injured in the first half, then sat out until the game was in peril late in the fourth quarter. Tomlin is being blamed. Who knows what is going on in Pittsburgh, but a three-game losing streak and daily dysfunction has Tomlin on the hot seat.

Ron Cook of the Pittsburgh Post- Gazette blasted Tomlin,

saying “he mismanaged his way to a loss to lowly Oakland.”

The Steelers host the New England Patriots on Sunday. The Steelers are still favored to win the AFC North division. But a bad loss to Patriots, who could be reeling after a crazy loss at Miami last Sunday, could mean Tomlin’s days in Pittsburgh are numbered.

The New York Jets surprised the Buffalo Bills 27-23 last week, but Todd Bowles is still almost certainly going to be let go at season’s end. Injuries have devastated the Cincinnati Bengals, but Marvin Lewis’ team is still putting up a fight, as proven by a 26-21

KIEKOW

Continued from B3

service project. Our players have also excelled in the classroom, but that is nothing new. They are moving forward with their heads held high.

Now that our players have done their part, I am hoping the community will do its part. We need to show support for these young men at Wednesday’s game, so anyone wearing Riverview Gardens High School colors can attend the game for free. The gym should be filled with students, parents, staff, alumni, and community members.

Some will ask, “Why should I show support for players who got into a fight on the basketball court?”

My answer: this is not about basketball, basketball

After Sunday’s shocking loss at Oakland, Pittsburgh Steelers’ head coach MikeTomlin is being scorched by Pittsburgh media members and many fans.

black head coaches to return next year.

The Reid Roundup

loss to the talented San Diego Chargers on the road. But Lewis will not return to the playoffs and it might be time for a change.

The Chargers’ Anthony Lynn has his team just a game behind high-flying Kansas City and the teams will square off in a Thursday night showdown. Barring a collapse, Lynn will receive some Coach of the Year votes. If the Chargers beat the Chiefs and win the AFC West division, they will be considered a threat to reach the Super Bowl.

After posting three consecutive wins, Vance Joseph’s Denver Broncos blew a chance

to move into a wild-card playoff slot with a haunting 20-14 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

To secure his position, the Broncos had better finish the season strong. Steve Wilks’ Arizona Cardinals visited Green Bay two Sundays ago and came away with a victory that cost longtime Packers coach Mike McCarthy his job. Arizona returned home and lost to the pitiful Detroit Lions 17-3. In his first year, Wilks will return in 2019.

Here’s a scary thought; With Hue Jackson already fired by Cleveland, Lynn and Wilks could be the only two of seven

Did you see the 4th and nine-yard pass from Patrick Mahomes to Tyreek Hill that led to the game-tying touchdown and overtime victory for the Kansas City Chiefs over Baltimore? If you did, you stood up. And what about that no-look NBA-style pass to Travis Kelce for a big first down? ... If the Los Angeles Rams and Kansas City Chiefs agreed to play a preseason game in St. Louis, would you go? ... The Boston Celtics were without Al Horford, Kyrie Irving, Gordon Hayward, Aron Baynes and Guerschon Yabusele because of various injuries on Monday night. No problem. Jayson Tatum stepped up with 21 points and six rebounds in a 113-100 victory. Former KU star Marcus Morris had a season-high 31 points … Tatum and the Celtics faced Bradley Beal and the struggling Washington Wizards on Wednesday night … Beal scored 30 points in a 109-101 loss to Indiana on Monday night. He is averaging 28.4 points over his last five games … Who would have guessed that conservative Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch would be the driving force behind a bill that will, according to FORBES, “establish a national clearinghouse designed to operate as the country’s official resource center for sports wagering integrity.” 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

n Now that our players have done their part, I am hoping the community will do its part.

players, or a fight. In fact, it is not even about our school or team. It is about sending young people across St. Louis a critical message: if you make a mistake, all is not lost. We will still support you. We will still

love you.

On Wednesday, we have a chance to inspire young people to overcome mistakes. The game starts at 5:30 p.m. See you there! Those who cannot attend the game can mail letters of encouragement to Riverview Gardens High School at 1218 Shepley Dr., St. Louis, MO, 63137. Messages can also be emailed to communications@ rgsd.k12.mo.us. I will read them to our team before the game. Anthony Kiekow is executive director of Communications for the Riverview Gardens School District.

recruit. Parkview is led by 6’6” Missouri State signee Tyem Freeman. Both of these two players are highlight-reel performers with tremendous athleticism.

Game 5: Webster Groves vs. Cardinal Ritter, 7 p.m. – A contest featuring two of the area’s top programs year-in and year-out. The Statesmen are coming off the championship of their own tournament. They are led by the backcourt trio of 6’0” Amorey Womack, 6’3” Ray Adams and 5’10” Joe Jones. Cardinal Ritter has one of the area’s top guards in 5’10” senior Malek Davis and a solid young forward in 6’3” sophomore Mario Tillman. Freshman guard Luther Burden is just coming off an outstanding football season.

Game 6: Belleville West vs. CBC, 8:30 p.m. – The Maroons are coming off their first IHSA Class 4 state championship. They are led by tremendous 6’7” senior forward E.J. Liddell, who is headed to The Ohio State University, along with excellent point guard Lawrence Brazil and solid power forward Keith Randolph. CBC is led by stellar 6’3” junior guard Caleb Love and hard-working 6’6” senior forward Josh Wallace.

Admission for the event is $12 and tickets will only be available at the door.

GAC-Suburban

Shootout returns to Lindenwood

Another big event this week will be the annual GACSuburban Basketball Challenge, which will be held this week at Lindenwood University in St. Charles. The four-day 16-game event features matchups of teams from St. Charles County against teams from Suburban St. Louis County. Here is the schedule for the

GAC-Suburban Challenge: Wednesday, December 12: Pattonville vs. Warrenton, 5 p.m.; McCluer vs. Fort Zumwalt North, 6:30 p.m.; Parkway South vs. Francis Howell Central, 8 p.m.

Thursday, December 13: MICDS vs. Timberland, 5 p.m.; McCluer South-Berkeley vs. St. Charles, 6:30 p.m.; Eureka vs. St. Charles West, 8 p.m.

Friday, December 14: University City vs. Washington, 4 p.m.; Parkway North vs. Fort Zumwalt West, 5:30 p.m.; Whitfield vs. Troy, 7 p.m.; Parkway Central vs. Fort Zumwalt North, 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, December 15: Normandy vs. Winfield, 11 a.m.; Duchesne vs. Francis Howell North, 12:30 p.m.; Parkway West vs. ChristianO’Fallon, 2 p.m.; DuBourg vs. Holt, 3:30 p.m.; Maplewood vs. Liberty, 5 p.m.; Lutheran North vs. Francis Howell, 6:30 p.m.

Fort Zumwalt South takes Warrior Classic

One of the most impressive tournament championship performances from last week came from the Fort Zumwalt South Bulldogs, who won the championship of the St. Charles West Warrior Classic. The Bulldogs were able to win the championship without the services of top scoring guard E.J. Bellinger, who is out with an injured hand. Bellinger averaged 24 points a game last season. Junior forward J.J. Schwepker and senior guard Jake Patton stepped up and had big tournaments. In the championship game, South defeated Marquette 62-61 in overtime on a 3-pointer by guard Judah Nunn as time expired.

The senior guard was impressive in leading the Red Devils to a pair of victories last week. The 6’2” Batchman had 20 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists in a 76-43 victory over Vianney. He followed up with 25 points, seven rebounds and eight assists in a 96-62 victory over Maplewood.

Vashon senior Mario McKinney slams home a dunk during their Friday night sold out game against Cardinal Ritter Dec. 7, 2018. McKinney had 18 points, 8 rebounds, a blocked shot and 4 assists.

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

By Rebecca Rivas

Of The St. Louis American

A bill to allow a public vote on privatization of airport operations has stalled again.

Bill for public vote on airport privatization stalls

Petition initiative moves forward

On Thursday, December 6, the aldermanic Transportation and Commerce Committee held its fourth hearing for 20th Ward Alderwoman Cara Spencer’s bill to require a city-wide vote to approve any proposal to privatize operations of the St. Louis Lambert International Airport. However, 19th Ward Alderwoman Marlene Davis, the committee’s chairman, did not allow the committee to take a vote on the legislation, saying that any potential proposals wouldn’t come in for at least another 18 months.

“A vote on this could discourage bidders,” Davis said.

Spencer said that the proposal timeline should not matter.

“This measure will say, ‘Look, public, if we are going to move forward on a proposal, you’ll get a say,’” Spencer said.

The South City alderwoman doesn’t understand why the committee is having such a “difficult time” moving forward on a vote, she said in an interview after the hearing.

“If it doesn’t make it through this round because the chairwoman is going to continue to hold it up, one way or another we are going to get somewhere,” Spencer said.

She was referring to the St. Louis Not For Sale petition initiative, led by the citizen group TeamTIF, to require a public vote on airport privatization. The group has obtained more than 3,000

signatures and is on track to meet their goal of having 10,000 signatures by August, organizers said.

“We think these hearings are just theater because there doesn’t seem to be any desire by the chair to send this to a full board vote,” said Glenn Burleigh, spokesman for the petition initiative. “We are going to get our signatures. The public should expect a vote on this even if the Board of Alderman doesn’t take Board Bill 93 for a vote.”

Support of a public vote has now become a campaign issue for candidates looking towards the March 2019 primary municipal election, Burleigh said.

President of the Board of Aldermen Lewis Reed, who is up for re-election this spring, has not yet responded to The St. Louis American’s request for comment on his stance. St. Louis Comptroller Darlene Green stated on Twitter this week that she agrees there should be a

public vote. However, Mayor Lyda Krewson said she does not support giving the public a chance to vote because a proposal would already have to be approved by the Board of Aldermen, Board of Estimate and Apportionment – which is made up of Krewson, Green and Reed – as well as the airlines and FAA, St. Louis Public Radio reported.

“I personally think that those four groups will do a good job of evaluating any proposal, if we get to the

point where we even receive proposals,” Krewson said at an October news conference.

Leasing the airport would require a city ordinance, approved by the Board of Aldermen, or a City Charter amendment, which would require 60 percent voter approval.

However, the mayor has been criticized for supporting a proposal process filled with so many potential conflicts of interest.

Billionaire conservative Rex Sinquefield’s nonprofit Grow Missouri paid for the application into the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Privatization Program.

Grow Missouri has also launched “Fly314,” its outreach project to gain support for privatizing Lambert. If the deal is successful, Grow Missouri will be reimbursed for the application fee and its promotion efforts.

Then-Mayor Francis G. Slay initiated the application process just weeks before he left the office and now is a lobbyist for a firm believed to be a leading contender for a privatization contract. Slay’s former chief of staff and campaign manager Jeff Rainford is also a lobbyist for one of the potential bidders.

Not only could taxpayers potentially pay Sinquefield’s nonprofit to privatize operations of the city’s single most lucrative asset, but city residents are currently paying for two lobbyists with strong Sinquefield ties to represent city residents’ interests.

Since January, former state Senator Tom Dempsey (R-St. Charles) – who also works at Sinquefield’s primary political

shop, Pelopidas LLC – has been registered as a lobbyist for the City of St. Louis. The city’s main lobbyist, Jeff Aboussie, also represents Great St. Louis, a Sinquefield-backed political action committee.

Aside from local conflicts, Spencer said in the December 6 hearing that the Trump Administration is in strong support of airport privatization, which “should raise red flags.” Citizen watchdogs agree.

“When Trump came in and announced his privatization plans, all these Democratic elected officials said, ‘Boo for Trump’s structural privatization plans,’” Burleigh said. “But when it came to St. Louis, they seem to be more than happy to talk. We think that’s pretty disturbing in an all-Democratic Board of Aldermen and in a city that votes resoundingly against Donald Trump.”

Leaders of the St. Louis City NAACP expressed their support of privatization – and opposition to a public vote – at a November 12 event. Experts in finance and engineering spoke about the NAACP’s plans on monitoring the proposal process to analyze the benefits and how “realistic” they are, they said.

“We need to make sure that the opportunity for something to come to the table happens,” said Adolphus Pruitt, president of the St. Louis City NAACP. “And right now I’ve been concerned that there is enough chatter that act as an impediment and keep a potential deal from coming to the table. And that is the wrong thing for St. Louis.”

File photo by Durrie Bouscaren / St. Louis Public Radio

20th Ward Alderwoman Cara Spencer is pushing her bill to require a city-wide vote to approve any proposal to privatize operations of the St. Louis Lambert International Airport. However, 19th Ward Alderwoman Marlene Davis chairs the committee where the bill is stalled because, Davis said, “A vote on this could discourage bidders.”

Cedric’s Way

The corner of the corner of Olive and Vandeventer will be renamed Cedric The Entertainer Way at 10 a.m. Saturday, December 15. A civic ceremony in honor of the film, television and standup star will take place – and the day will be proclaimed Cedric The Entertainer Day in the city of St. Louis.

STL street will be named in honor of comedy star and actor on Saturday

By American Staff

This summer, Cedric The Entertainer’s legacy in show business was cemented with a star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame. On Saturday, December 15, he will be honored with his own street in St. Louis.

“What an extraordinary and mind-blowing honor,” said Cedric, who currently stars in the CBS sitcom “The Neighborhood,” alongside Tichina Arnold. “I just could not have ever even dreamed this one up!”

Thanks to 19th Ward Alderwoman Marlene Davis, the corner of Olive and Vandeventer –right outside the fraternity house of his beloved Kappa Alpha Psi – will be known as “Cedric The Entertainer Way.”

By

American

A few days after her 14th birthday, John Burroughs eighth-grader Kennedy Holmes stood alongside a group of singers hoping for a chance to be voted through to the finals in an instant save. For her it was unfamiliar territory.

Over the course of the 15th season of NBC’s hit vocal talent competition “The Voice,” Holmes seemed to be the only sure thing. She was the first to compel all four celebrity coaches to turn their chair during the blind auditions that opened the season. Her rendition of Adele’s “Turning Tables” had all four coaches convinced that she was a favorite to win the latest season. They were even more convinced once they learned that this poised, graceful singer with the control and range of an established professional was only 13 years old.

After singing her way to an instant save on Tuesday night’s semifinal elimination round, Florissant native Kennedy Holmes will be one of four performers vying for the top prize on the season 15 finale of NBC’s ‘The Voice’ Monday night.

As the number of contestants shrank with each episode, Holmes was usually the first or second name called. “America saved Kennedy Holmes,” was a line that viewers came to expect “The Voice” host Carson Daly to proclaim.

But things didn’t go as normal for her during the semifinals. Black country singer Kirk Jay of team

See KENNEDY, C4 n December 15 will be proclaimed Cedric The Entertainer Day in the city of St. Louis.

“It’s surreal and at the same time it’s an exceptionally cool affirmation that far and beyond my career successes, the charitable work and the giving back I am committed to doing has meant so much to the people and city of St Louis, my hometown,” Cedric said. Local city officials, members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, members of Grand Arts District, Emily Pulitzer and more are expected to attend the unveiling ceremony – where December 15 will be proclaimed Cedric The Entertainer Day in the city of St. Louis.

“His leadership, drive, and extraordinary philanthropy ... served to benefit and inspire the entire community,” said St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson. “Thus, ensuring he’ll always hold legendary status among the people of St. Louis. “Standing as the physical manifestation of that fact, will be the street bearing his name as an enduring part of ‘The Neighborhood’ – an especially apt note considering the title of his No.1-ranked TV series.”

Cedric became a household name when he was tapped to host the second season of BET’S Comic View – following in the footsteps of fellow future “King of Comedy” D.L. Hughley, who served as the hit urban comedy series’ inaugural host.

Soon after, he co-starred with fellow comic Steve Harvey on the hit WB sitcom “The Steve Harvey Show.” In 2000, Cedric starred alongSee CEDRIC, C4

Docuseries creator Cami Thomas dives into STL one neighborhood at a time

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

“I kind of became a documentary filmmaker by accident,” said Cami Thomas. “I felt like this was the best way to tell this particular story –and that’s the way it happened.”

She’s two seasons into “Smoke City” –the web docuseries she created, produced and directed that is available for viewing on Thomas’ media network “For The Culture TV” FTCTV for short. The second season of “Smoke City” debuted this fall.

Cami Thomas, creator, director and producer of documentary series ‘Smoke City,’ is shown with fellow filmmaker Calvin Tigre. The webbased series showcases different neighborhoods and municipalities to provide insight on the communities that weave together to create the St. Louis region.

The show features Thomas talking with residents in different neighborhoods throughout the region –Chesterfield, U. City, Dogtown, Old North to Walnut Park, Ferguson and Thomas’ native Florissant among them –in an effort to shed light on the varying perspectives and realities that come with each respective community. Her goal with the series was to teach people about her city beyond the headlines that focused on the events on and after August 9, 2014. When the Ferguson unrest hit the region

C4

Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis

The Guide

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.

HOLIDAY HAPS

holiday haps

www.facebook.com.

Thur., Dec. 6, 7 p.m., A Charlie Brown Christmas Live on Stage. Stifel Theatre, 1400 Market St., 63103. For more information, visit www. stifeltheatre.com

Dec. 13 – 16, Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas The Musical. Stifel Theatre, 1400 Market St., 63103. For more information, visit www. stifeltheatre.com.

Fri., Dec. 14, 7 p.m., Kirk

Dec. 6 – 9, Fox Theatre presents A Christmas Carol Dickens’ classic tale follows Mr. Scrooge as he learns the values of brotherhood and unselfishness. 527 N Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Whalum presents the 7th Annual A Gospel According to Jazz Christmas. Performances by Sheila E, John Stoddart, Brian Owens, and more. Friendly Temple Church, 5515 Dr. Martin Luther King Dr., 63112. For more information, visit www.friendlytemple. org.

Sun., Dec. 16, 3 p.m., CHRISTmas Concert. Newstead Avenue Missionary Baptist Church, 4370 N. Market St., 63113. For more information, call (314) 371-4436.

Sun., Dec. 9, 4:30 p.m., Holiday Jazz feat. Brian Owens and the Adam Maness Trio. Special performance by Chancellor Thomas F. George. Jazz St. Louis, 3536 Washington Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www.umslalumni.org.

Sun., Dec. 16, 5 p.m., 2JO’s and FOYO Entertainment present A Motown Christmas Tribute. Feat. Enkore. 9800 Halls Ferry Rd., 63136. For more information, call (314) 496-9358 or (314) 680-9539.

Sun., Dec. 9, 5:30 p.m., Allusion Entertainment Productions presents A Duke Ellington Tribute: Take the Holiday Train. Performances by Andrew Bethany, Anita Jackson, Gregg Haynes, and more. The Ambassador, 9800 Halls Ferry Rd., 63136. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Fri., Dec. 14, 7 p.m., Smino’s 3rd Annual Kribmas concert, The Pageant, 6161 Delmar. For more information visit www. thepageant.com

Dec. 7 – 9, Touhill Performing Arts Center presents Ambassadors of Harmony: Sounds of the Season. 1 University Blvd., 63121. For more information, visit www.touhill.org.

Tues., Dec. 18, 6;30 p.m., East Saint Love’s Annual Kwanzaa Expo, keynote address by Malik Ahmed, founder of Better Family Life, East St. Louis Higher Education Campus, Building B, Room 2083 601 J.R. Thompson Drive, East St. Louis.

Dec. 7 – 9, Touhill

Sat., Dec. 8, 9 a.m., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., St. Louis Alumnae Chapter presents Breakfast with Santa. Free pancake breakfast and Christmas presents for all children. Innovative Concept Academy, 1927 Cass Ave., 63107. For more information, visit www.dst-sla.org.

Sat., Dec. 15, 10 a.m., Better Family Life Kwanzaa Holiday Expo. Enjoy purchasing hand crafted goods, performances, lectures and discussion panels, a children’s village, and more. 5415 Page Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Dec. 14 – 15, Gateway Men’s Chorus presents ‘Twas The Night. Union Avenue Christian Church, 733 Union Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www.gmcstl.org.

Sat., Dec. 8, 10 a.m., Foundry Arts Center presents Santa’s Workshop. 520 N. Main Center, 63301. For more information, visit www.foundryartcentre.org.

Performing Arts Center presents Ambassadors of Harmony: Sounds of the Season. 1 University Blvd., 63121. For more information, visit www.touhill.org.

Dec. 18 – Dec. 20, Jazz St. Louis Big Band Plays Ellington’s Nutcracker, featuring Duke Ellington’s jazz interpretations of Tchaikovsky’s ballet. Ferring Jazz Bistro, 3536 Washington in Grand Center. For more information, visit www.jazzstl.org.

Thur., Dec. 20, Metro Boomin Christmas Giveaway for Single Mothers. Join us for refreshments and giveaways. Greater Bethlehem Church, 4005 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, call (314) 484-9984.

December 9, 4 PM, The Voices of St. Alphonsus present their Annual Christmas Concert featuring the North City Deanery Choir, St. Matthews Angels of Harmony, Liturgical Leaders in Motions praise dancers and Carolyn Yandell as MC. St. Alphonsus Liguori ‘Rock’ Church 1118 North Grand Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63106. For more information visitwww.stalphonsusrock.org

Kenya Vaughn recommends

Kenya Vaughn recommends

Halls Ferry Rd., 63136. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

presents Christmas at The Cathedral, St. Paul AME, 1260 Hamilton.

Jazz St. Louis welcomes Robert Glasper. For more information see CONCERTS.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www.slso. org.

concerts

Thur., Dec. 13, 6 p.m., Experience The Mission. Join the Red Cross and learn how easy and little time it takes to have such an enormous impact on your local community. 10195 Corporate Square Dr., 63132. For more information, call (314) 281-7968.

Thur., Dec. 13, 6 p.m., Rockhouse Ent. presents Lover’s Winter Fest with Dru Hill Silk and Troop. The Pageant, 6161 Delmar Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www.ticketmaster.com.

Sat., Dec. 15, 10:30 a.m., Mathews-Dickey Boys and Girls Club presents Sheer Elegance 30, Hyatt Regency at The Arch. For more information, call (314) 679-4232 or visit www.mathews-dickey. com.

Thur., Dec. 13, 7:30 p.m., Live Nation presents Justin Timberlake: The Man of the Woods Tour. Enterprise Center, 1401 Clark Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www.enterprisecenter. com.

Sat., Dec. 15, 11 a.m., 9th Annual NAACP St. Louis County Soulful Jazz Brunch Extravaganza. Enjoy a fashion show, silent auction, bazaar, and more. Sheraton Westport Chalet Hotel, 191 West Port Plaza Dr., 63146. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

special events

Sat., Dec. 8, 2 & 7 p.m., The Original Harlem Globetrotters. Enterprise Center, 1401 Clark Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www.enterprisecenter. com.

Sat., Dec. 15, 11 a.m., Sheer Elegance No. 30. A fashion show and featuring “Project Runway” alumni, celebrity escorts, door prizes, and more. Proceeds benefit MathewsDickey Boys’ & Girls’ Club. 4245 N. Kingshighway Blvd., 63115. For more information, visit www.mathews-dickey. com.

For more information visit www.thepageant.com

Tues., Dec. 11, 9:30 p.m., Bach Society of St. Louis presents Christmas Candlelight Concert Special guests include The St. Louis Children’s Choirs and legendary jazz singer Denise Thimes. Powell Hall, 718 N Grand Blvd., 63013. For more information, visit www. bachsociety.org.

Sun., Dec. 23, 9 pm, An Ugly Sweater Festivus For The Rest Of Us, The Ready Room, 4195 Manchester, St. Louis, MO 63110. For tickets and more information: anuglysweaterfestivus. eventbrite.com, Instagram: @ anuglysweaterfestivus

Sat., Dec. 8, 5 p.m., Northside Seventh-Day Adventist Church presents Rejoice, How Great Our . A Christmas musical Feat. Angelo “Sax” Shaw and Michael Green. 9001 Lucas & Hunt Rd., 63138. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Sat., Dec. 15, 1p.m., 2018 Saint Louis Healthcare Community Choir Concert. Donations of winter hats, scarves, and gloves are requested for donation to St. Louis Transitional Hope House. Carr Lane Visual and Performing Arts Middle School, 1004 N. Jefferson, 63106. For more information, call (314) 446-6454.

Sat., Dec. 15, 1 p.m., Broken but Recovered invites you to Hope for the Holidays. St. Louis Skatium, 120 E. Catalan, 63111. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Sat., Dec. 8, 6:30 p.m., Gift Chronicles V feat. God’s Chosen, Dello Thedford, and Anita W. Stevens Central Baptist Church, 2842 Washington Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit

Dec. 21 – 23, 2 & 7:30 p.m., St. Louis Symphony presents the Mercy Holiday Celebration. Enjoy festive sounds of the season with the SLSO and Santa Claus. 718 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www.slso.org.

Sun., Dec. 9, 4:30 p.m., Holiday Jazz feat. Brian Owens and the Adam Maness Trio. Special performance by Chancellor Thomas F. George. Jazz St. Louis, 3536 Washington Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www.umslalumni.org.

Dec. 21- Dec. 22, A Very Manley Christmas with Jim Manley’s Mad Brass & Rhythm, Ferring Jazz Bistro, 3536 Washington in Grand Center. For more information, visit www.jazzstl.org

Dec. 13 – 16, Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas The Musical. Stifel Theatre, 1400 Market St., 63103. For more information, visit www. stifeltheatre.com.

Mon., Dec. 24, 7 p.m., Christmas Eve Jazz Lessons and Carols, Kranzberg artists the Owen Ragland Quintet will provide accompaniment and perform solo. St. Paul’s Church, 6518 Michigan Ave., St. Louis, MO 63111. For more information, visit http://www. carondeletchurch.org

Fri., Dec. 14, 7 p.m., Kirk Whalum presents the 7th Annual A Gospel According to Jazz Christmas Performances by Sheila E, John Stoddart, Brian Owens and more. Friendly Temple Church, 5515 Dr. Martin Luther King Dr., 63112. For more information, visit www. friendlytemple.org

Sat., Dec. 22, p.m., The Cathedral at St. Paul A.M.E.

Sun., Dec. 9, 5:30 p.m., Allusion Entertainment Productions presents A Duke Ellington Tribute: Take the Holiday Train. Performances by Andrew Bethany, Anita Jackson, Gregg Haynes, and more. The Ambassador, 9800

Thurs., Dec. 27, 10:30 a.m., Winter Wonderland Performances at the Missouri History Museum, Five talented musicians from the Sheldon will celebrate the season with a wonderful mix of winter and holiday music both old and new. Missouri History Muse-

Fri., Dec. 14, 7 p.m., Smino’s rd Annual Kribmas concert, The Pageant, 6161 Delmar.

um, 5700 Lindell. For more information, visit www.mohistory.org.

Sat., Dec. 15, 10 a.m., Better Family Life Kwanzaa Holiday Expo. Enjoy purchasing hand crafted goods, performances, lectures and discussion panels, a children’s village, and more. 5415 Page Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com

Dec. 14 – 15, Gateway Men’s Chorus presents ‘Twas The Night. Union Avenue Christian Church, 733 Union Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www.gmcstl. org.

Thurs., Dec. 27, 6 p.m., St. Louis Public Library Kwanzaa Celebration, Llibations ceremony honoring the Ancestors, lighting the candle holder (Kinara), reflections on the seven principles of Kwanzaa (Nguzo Saba), poetry, crafts and more. St. Louis Public Library – Carpenter Branch, 3309 S. Grand. For more information, visit https://slpl. bibliocommons.com/events/ 5b1a9cc5189c8c3f002b8fe5

Sat., Dec. 15, 1p.m., 2018 Saint Louis Healthcare Community Choir Concert. Donations of winter hats, scarves, and gloves are requested for donation to St. Louis Transitional Hope House. Carr Lane Visual and Performing Arts Middle School, 1004 N. Jefferson, 63106. For more information, call (314) 446-6454.

Mon., Dec. 31, 10:30 a.m., Family Friendly Noon Year’s Eve party at Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell. For more information, visit www. mohistory.org.

Mon., Dec. 31, 7 pm., AfroSexyCool New Year’s Eve with special guests ZO! + Carmen Rodgers plus ASC residents Blvck Spvde, Makeda Kravitz, DJ Nico, and ASC creator James Biko, .Zack, 3224 Locust St. in Grand

Sat., Dec. 15, 1 p.m., Broken but Recovered invites you to

Hope for the Holidays. St. Louis Skatium, 120 E. Catalan, 63111. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Center. Tickets available at metrotix.com.

CONCERTS

Sun., Dec. 16, 3 p.m., CHRISTmas Concert. Newstead Avenue Missionary Baptist Church, 4370 N. Market St., 63113. For more information, call (314) 371-

Thur., Dec. 13, 6 p.m., Rockhouse Ent. presents Lover’s Winter Fest with Dru Hill Silk and Troop. The Pageant, 6161 Delmar Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www. ticketmaster.com.

Sun., Dec. 16, 5 p.m., 2JO’s and FOYO Entertainment present A Motown Christmas Tribute. Feat. Enkore. 9800 Halls Ferry Rd., 63136. For more information, call (314) 496-9358 or (314) 680-9539.

Through Dec. 16, Jazz St. Louis welcomes Robert Glasper, Ferring Jazz Bistro, 3536 Washington. For more information, visit www.jazzstl. org

Sat., Dec. 8, 11 a.m., 2018 Double Dutch Showcase. Gather a team of 3-5 people and participate in this showcase. Wohl Rec Center, 1515 N. Kingshighway Blvd., 63113. For more information, call (314) 286-0527.

Sat., Dec. 15, 11 a.m., 9th Annual NAACP St. Louis County Soulful Jazz Brunch Extravaganza. Enjoy a fashion show, silent auction, bazaar, and more. Sheraton Westport Chalet Hotel, 191 West Port Plaza Dr., 63146. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Sun., Dec. 9, 2:30 p.m., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Edwardsville Collinsville Alumni Chapter 2018 Black & White Gala. Four Points, 319 Fountains Parkway, Fairview Heights, IL. 62208. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Dec. 15 – 16, 5:30 p.m.,JoliMel Women’s Fashion Show. JoliMel’s first showing of her Afro-American clothing designs, inspired by her life in Ivory Coast and America. St. Louis Photo Authority, 858 Hodiamont Ave., 63112. For more information, call (714) 910-3738.

Dec. 18, 7:30 p.m., The Fabulous Fox Theatre welcomes Straight No Chaser, The Fox Theatre. Visit www.ticketmaster.com for more information.

Thur., Dec. 20, Metro Boomin Christmas Giveaway for Single Mothers. Join us for refreshments and giveaways. Greater Bethlehem Church, 4005 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, call (314) 484-

Tues., Dec. 11, 11 a.m., National Career Fair’s St. Louis Career Fair. Participating employers include New York Life, AAA, Spectrum, Fresenius Medical Care, and more. Doubletree Hotel, 1973 Craigshire Rd., 63146. For more information or to register, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Thur., Dec. 20, Metro Boomin Christmas Giveaway for Single Mothers. Join us for refreshments and giveaways. Greater Bethlehem Church, 4005 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, call (314) 484-9984.

Dec. 21 – 23, 2 & 7:30 p.m., St. Louis Symphony presents the Mercy Holiday Celebration. Enjoy festive sounds of the season with the SLSO and Santa Claus. 718 N.

Jan. 23, The Pageant Welcomes Noname, The Pageant, 6161 Delmar. For more information, visit www.thepageant. com.

Wed., Dec. 12, 6:30 p.m., Urban League St. Louis 6th Annual Whitney M. Young Society Reception. Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www.ulstl.com.

Thur., Dec. 13, 6 p.m., Experience The Mission. Join

Sun., Dec. 23, 5 p.m., DELUX Magazine Power 100 Gala, Chase Park Plaza. For more information, visit www.Delux-

Enterprise Center welcomes The Original Harlem Globetrotters. Enterprise

Power100.org

Fri., Dec. 28, That 90s Jam 5 Year Anniversary, The Ready Room, 4195 Manchester, St. Louis, MO 63110.

Sat., Jan. 5, 2nd Annual Mississippi Nights Reunion, Delmar Hall. For more information, visit www.ticketmaster. com

Jan. 12-13, Mississippi Valley Bike + Outdoor Expo, St. Louis Union Station Hotel, For more information, visit www. bikeandoutdoorexpo.com.

Jan. 21, 28th annual St. Louis Arts Awards, Chase Park Plaza Royal Sonesta Hotel. For more information, visit KeepArtHappening. org/2019ArtsAwards.

Jan. 31 – Feb.3, Disney On Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic, Enterprise Center in St. Louis. Tickets are available by calling Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000 or visiting www. Ticketmaster.com. To discover more about Disney On Ice, go to www.Disneyonice.com.

LITERARY

Dec. 15, 7 p.m. Dani Skye LLC presents Smokin Da Mic with special guest Cassius The Poet, Medici Media Space, 2055 Walton Rd. For more information, email daniskye1980@yahoo.com.

Fri., Dec. 21, 7 p.m., Kaiserrific’s Poetry and Open Mic “Big Holiday Show,” Legacy Books and Café, 5249 Delmar

Friday, December 28, 10:30 a.m., the St. Louis Black Authors of Children’s Literature will “The Snowy Day” and “Feast for 10.” The first 200 children in attendance will receive their own copy of one of the featured picture books. Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell. For more information, visit www.mohistory. org.

Sun., Dec. 30, 7:30 p.m., Poetic Justice Open Mic, The

Kenya Vaughn recommends

New Year’s Weekend Comedy Festival. Feat. Mike Epps and Guy Torry. For more information see COMEDY.

Ready Room, 4195 Manchester, St. Louis, MO 63110.

COMEDY

Dec. 27 – 29, Helium Comedy Club presents Nicole Byer 1151 St. Louis Galleria St., 63117. For more information, visit www.heliumcomedy.com.

Sat., Dec. 29, 8 p.m., New Year’s Weekend Comedy Festival. Feat. Mike Epps, Sommore, DC Young Fly, Guy Torry, and Mark Curry. Chaifetz Arena, 1 S. Compton Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www.ticketmaster. com.

THEATRE

Dec. 14 – 23, Tesseract The-

atre presents Facing. Zack, 3224 Locust St., 63103. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Dec. 14 – 16, COCA presents The Little Dancer. The tale of the famous sculpture, The Little Dancer of 14 Years, as it comes to life and discovers the world in magical ways. Edison Theatre, Washington University, 6465 Forsyth Blvd., 63105. For more information, visit www. cocastl.org.

Through December 15, Black Mirror Theatre presents Of Human Kindness - An Evening of Short Plays. Stories include Letters From Mom and Dad, Ravensbruck, and Etchings Kranzberg Arts Center, 501 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www.blackmirrortheatre.com.

Through December 16, Fox Theatre presents Les Miserables. 527 N Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

Through December 30, Metro Theater Company presents Wonderland: Alice’s Rock & Roll Adventure. 7-1/2-year-old Alice chases through Wonderland in search of her own inner musical voice. Grandel, 3610 Grandel Sq., 63108. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Jan. 17- Jan 27, Max and Louie Productions presents “Love, Linda, ” directed by Ken Page, Marcelle Theater, 3310 Samuel Shepard Drive (3 blocks east of Grand Blvd). Tickets are on sale at metrotix. com and by phone at (314)) 534-1111. For more informa-

tion, visit maxandlouie.com

ART

Dec. 21, 6 p.m., Opening reception for Dimitrina Stamboldjiev Kutriansky’s The Sentimental Landscape, Third Degree Glass Factory, 5200 Delmar. Exhibit runs through Jan., 15, 2019.

Through February 3, The Saint Louis Art Museum presents Graphic Revolution: American Prints 1960 to Now, Saint Louis Art Museum. One Fine Arts Drive, Forest Park. For more information, call (314) 721-0072 or visit www. slam.org.

Through February 10, Kehinde Wiley: Saint Louis, Saint Louis Art Museum. One Fine Arts Drive, Forest Park. For more information, call (314) 721-0072 or visit http:// www.slam.org/exhibitions/ kehinde-wiley.php

LECTURES AND WORKSHOPS

Thur., Dec. 13, 2 p.m., St. Louis Public Library’s Grants & Foundation Center presents Financial Management Basics for Nonprofits CPA managers present best practices for financial statements and overseeing budgeting. 1301 Olive Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www.slpl.org.

Sat., Dec. 15, 10 a.m., 3rd Annual Lead in High Heels: A Women in Leadership Workshop. Hear from guest speakers and learn your personal brand and leadership strengths. One US Bank Plaza, 505 N. 7th St., 63101. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Tues., Dec. 18, 5 p.m., Grace Hill Women’s Business Center presents a Legal Clinic Meet with an attorney from Legal Services of Eastern Missouri to discuss business related questions. 2125 Bissell St.,

63107. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Wed., Dec. 19, 1 p.m., Grace Hill Women’s Business Center presents Office Hours with a Banker. Sign up for a 30-minute session with a banker. Discuss business/personal finance questions and concerns. 2125 Bissell St., 63107. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

HEALTH

Through December 15, Alton Memorial Hospital (AMH) will offer free previews of Yoga and Tai Chi classes led by certified yoga instructor Betsy Smith. All classes will be held at the AMH Human Motion Institute North location (226 Regional Dr. in Alton). For more information, call Lisa James or Debbie Frazier at 618463-7526.To sign up for sessions in 2019 (the first sessions begin the week of January 8), call 800-392-0936.

Fri., Dec. 28, 6 p.m. 2K19 Health & Wellness Seminar with keynote speaker “The Minister Of Wellness” Nathaniel Jordan, Omega Center, 3900 Goodfellow Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63120.

SPIRITUAL

Sun., Dec. 16, 3 p.m., Oh Jesus: An Abstract Worship Experience. Enjoy dance, spoken word, lifted voices, and dramatic presentations. Barak Christian Church, 7370 N Hanley Rd., 63042. For more information, visit www.barakchristianchurch.org.

Sat., Jan. 5, 3 p.m., Washington Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church to present “The Heal Our Land” Concert featuring Lowell Pye (formally of the gospel group Men of Standard), guest artist Leah Joelle, Christopher Watkins and band, 3200 Washington Ave. For more information, contact the church at (314) 5338763.

in response to the killing of Michael Brown, then college student Cami Thomas felt compelled to do something. Home from the summer from Loyola University in New Orleans, she only had a few days before it was time to head back to school.

When she moved back to St. Louis after completing her undergraduate degree, “the smoke has cleared” was the catch phrase that was often repeated when she wanted to talk about the sensitive subject of the unrest. She found the opposite to be true – which inspired the show’s title “Smoke City.”

“People I worked with would often say that,” Thomas said. “I would ask, ‘have you ever talked to anybody in North County?’ Usually the answer was no, they hadn’t. That’s the way St. Louisans are raised, to stay in their area.”

The assumption that everything was all good, but she felt like there was a lot of work left to be done, especially conversations across communities.

“The conditions that caused things to get explosive are still here,” Thomas said. “The tension was still there. People were still feeling oppressed and overpoliced. It made me think, ‘What would make people think that the work is done? What would make people think, “We’re good now’… that people’s emotions have calmed down?”

Thomas felt compelled to respond creatively. Writing is her typical outlet, but she was driven to create a visual firsthand illustration of diving into communities outside of her own to tear down walls and build bridges.

“There seems like there’s this imaginary barrier that people are sort of afraid to cross and go into,” Thomas said. “They can’t see themselves in this neighborhood or that neighborhood, so I basically jumped in front of the camera

– because I wanted to show myself in those neighborhoods.

I said, ‘This is going to keep happening until we act like we’re neighbors and introduce ourselves to each other.’”

The point of the series to introduce people to different neighborhoods, but the main takeaway was to say that the next step is to actually go out and do it themselves.

Growing up in Florissant, attending high school in Ladue (MICDS) with family sprinkled all over – from North City to Chesterfield – Thomas felt she had a pretty broad take on St. Louis.

Through “Smoke City” she learned she was wrong.

“Every time we went out with a camera, I got surprised with something or another,” Thomas said.

The “aha-moment” was written all over Thomas’ face during the episode exploring University City. Two residents, a black woman nearing middle age and a young white man, had experiences so different that it sounded as if they were describing upbringings in different states. He became even more keenly aware of his

arbitrary privileges by suffering the trauma of learning the tragic fate of his black close friend and classmate – in an area known for diversity and inclusiveness.

“I assumed that my understanding of St. Louis was more comprehensive in that I didn’t have biases like other people,” Thomas said. “I found out that actually was incorrect – and that working against those assumptions has to be intentional, daily work.”

She hopes “Smoke City” will inspire St. Louisans to take it upon themselves to visit other areas to find out more about them – and talk to people to put forth building communities through understanding one another.

“I thought that me doing that throughout the episodes will show people, ‘Hey, it’s not that hard to go out,’” Thomas said. “That’s the best way to get out and get to know your neighbors.”

For more information on Smoke City, or to watch episodes from both seasons, visit https://www.ftctvofficial.com/ smoke-city.

KENNEDY

Continued from C1

Blake Shelton was the first name called. Chevel Shepherd of Kelly Clarkson’s team was next. She was followed by Chris Kroeze, another member of Shelton’s team. It was clear that the voting audience of the season 15 semifinals had heart for country.

Where did that leave Holmes? Standing alongside two gospel singers, a blues singer and a pop singer praying for a chance to sing their way into the finals for the instant save portion of the show.

Daly did his part to keep the suspense brewing.

“Kennedy, if you were to go home tonight, what would you say to your coach?”

“From blinds I feel like I’ve grown so much and to just have this opportunity at such a young age is so unusual, so thank you so much,” Holmes said.

She counted being able to sing “The Greatest Love of All” and showcasing her dance moves as two of the most memorable moments of her journey on the show.

“Whitney Houston was an idol for me, so just being able to sing that song on The Voice stage was an amazing way to honor her,” Holmes said. “Getting to dance and sing was something I had been dying to do on The Voice stage.

Dancing and singing are things that I love and to do them here was an amazing opportunity.”

CEDRIC

Continued from C1

side Harvey, Hughley and the late Bernie Mac in the recordbreaking “Kings of Comedy” Tour, which also spawned a blockbuster film of the same name.

Cedric went on to film and television success in films such as “The Honeymooners,” the “Barbershop” franchise, “Johnson Family Vacation,” “Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins” and “Be Cool” to name a few.

“Wherever Cedric goes, he speaks so warmly about his hometown of St Louis. I have been fortunate enough to know him for over 25 years,” Steven Schankman, president of Contemporary Productions. Schankman co-produced

“This girl is a star,” Jennifer Hudson said earlier in the night. “And I know we all

As Holmes waited to hear her fate, the thought of her going home seemed unfathomable – even to her competitors.

“You got this baby girl,” Kymberli Joye whispered to Holmes and squeezed her hand with assurance.

Joye, a member of Clarkson’s team, was right.

Holmes was the final singer of three selected to perform on the spot for the fourth slot on the finale. The viewing audience had five minutes to vote for their favorite via Twitter.

“Kings of Comedy,” which is the biggest comedy tour in history and had a hand in the process of getting a street named after his colleague and friend.

“After attending the extraordinary ceremony in Los Angeles earlier this year where Cedric received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, I knew St. Louis would also want to tribute him in an especially public and permanent way as well,” Schankman said. “Working jointly with the Mayor’s Office and Board of Aldermen, we are extremely happy to name a street in Cedric’s honor.”

Cedric will spend the morning being honored. That same evening, he will jump right into giving back. Cedric’s annual SSM Health Foundation fundraising charity Gala, newly titled “A Not So Silent Night with Cedric The Entertainer” will be held in the Khorassan

“This girl is a star,” Hudson said earlier in the night. “And I know we all want to be a part of that and say we had something to do with that – so vote for Kennedy.” She was the last to perform during the instant save segment, following Mackenzie Thomas and Reagan Strange.

Viewers were then directed to Twitter for five minutes of voting, They apparently heard Hudson loud and clear.

“America instantly saved Kennedy Holmes,” Daly said. When she takes the stage next week, she’ll be the youngest finalist in the show’s history.

She made the brilliant decision to sing a country song, the pop crossover ballad “How Do I Live.” Leann Rhimes was just a couple of years older than Holmes when she recorded the song. True to form, the performance put her coach on her feet.

Ballroom at the Chase Park Plaza Royal Sonesta St. Louis at 7 p.m. on Saturday, featuring performances by Cedric and The Fabulous Motown Revue. Proceeds from the event will help support Women’s Health programs at SSM Health Foundation via The Rosetta Boyce Kyles Women’s Pavilion, named in honor of Cedric’s late mom; empowering SSM Health to continue to impact patients and their families served in the greater St. Louis region.

“We welcome Cedric back to his own with this heartfelt endorsement,” said Krewson.

“A Not So Silent Night with Cedric The Entertainer” will take place at 7p.m. on Saturday, December 15 in the Khorassan Ballroom at the Chase Park Plaza Royal Sonesta St. Louis. For tickets or more information, email EventSTL@ssmhealth.com

Nuptials

Celebrations

Celebrations

Anniversary

On December 22, 1992, God blessed me by bringing the love of my life and best friend into my life. On December 12, 2012, we united into one and continue to be blessed every day. Happy Anniversary to my wonderful husband, TK. Love you forever! Your wife, Terry Lowman

Reunions

Reunions

All reunion announcements can be viewed online!

Beaumont Class of 1971 is holding a happy hour “Road to 50” Kick-off and 50/50 Raffle fundraiser on Friday, December 7, 2018. It will

Beaumont High School Class of 1979 is planning its 40 year reunion. All activities are scheduled for the weekend of September 27-29. The location is The Airport Marriot at 10700 Pear Tree Drive, St. Louis 63134. For more information, contact Milton Jackson at 314276-4392 or Yolanda Lockhart at lockhartyo08@gmail.com.

be held at Déjà Vu ll, 2805 Target Drive, St. Louis, Mo. 63136 from 5:30-7:30 pm. All classes are invited to attend. For more information, send email to Gladys Smith at beaumontalumni1971@aol. com.

The 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!

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

The Soldan Class of 1979 is planning its 40th year reunion for the weekend of

Anniversaries

Birthdays

Wishing my granddaughter, Liberty Marie Farrar, a “Happy 7th Bornday” on December 7! GeGe and Papa love you so much!

Congratulations to John and Portia Simpson as they celebrate 54 years of marriage on December 12.

information. Please don’t miss the boat!

August 2-3, 2019. For more information or to assist with reunion activities, please email at: soldanclassof1979@gmail. com or call Barbara at 314 4563391.

Sumner Class of ‘76

Annual Christmas Party, Friday, December 21, 2018, 7pm @ DEJAVU II Cafe, 2805 Target Dr., 63136. 2 for 1 Drink Specials (5:307:30pm), free parking, band performs from 7:30 - 9:30pm.

Soldan Class of 1979 is planning its 40th year reunion for the weekend of August 2-3, 2019. Yearlong reunion activities will begin with a kickoff at Soldan High School Homecoming on Saturday, October 13, 2018 prior to the game at 1 p.m. For more information or to assist with reunion activities, please email at: soldanclassof1979@gmail. com or call Barbara at 314 456-3391. Sumner Class of 1976

Happy 90th Birthday to Roland Hill Sr. on December 12! He plans to celebrate at the W Karaoke Lounge. Roland is a Korean War veteran and is retired from the United States Post Office. He loves to have a good time and he’s ready to sing into his 90th birthday.

On November 29, Bishop Alton Davis Jr. and First Lady Michelle Davis Founder and Pastors of True Redemption Center Church (TRC) celebrated their Wedding Anniversary! We thank God for this awesome blessed couple, Thank you for your kindness, support, teachings, and mostly the love of God in your hearts and everyday lives. Bishop and First Lady Davis we salute you! Love, your TRC Family and Friends

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.

Annual Christmas Party, Friday, December 7pm @ DEJAVU II Cafe, 2805 Target Dr., 63136. 2 for 1 Drink Specials (5:307:30pm), free parking, band performs from 7:30 - 9:30pm. no cover charge; classmates and guest each pays $5 for the catered food, served during intermission, whether partake of it or not. Limited reserved seating available until 10 pm. (Doors open 5 pm/ close 1 am) For more info, call B. Louis at 314.385.9843. Sumner Class Of 1969 50th

no cover charge; classmates and guest each pays $5 for the catered food, served during intermission, whether you partake of it or not. Limited reserved seating available until 10 pm. (Doors open 5 pm/close 1 am) For more info, call B. Louis at 314.385.9843.

Sumner Class Of 1969 50th reunion “Living Life Like It’s Golden” June 28-30, 2019. Looking for classmates of 1969 to contact us with

“Living Life Like It’s Golden” June 28-30, 2019. Looking for classmates of 1969 to contact us with your updated information via address:sumnerclass1969@ gmail.com or our FB page: Sumner High.

your updated information via address:sumnerclass1969@ gmail.com or our FB page: Sumner High.

The Sumner Class of ‘79 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.

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 314-4064309. Join our Facebook group at Sumner High Class of ‘79.

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

Be a Tourist in Your Own Town

St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission

Winter Getaway 2018 at Missouri History Museum

Many activities offered December 27, 28, 29, and 31, beginning at 10:30 a.m.

By Lindsay Newton For The St. Louis American

A much-loved event that brings fun for the whole family, the annual Winter Getaway Series at the Missouri History Museum in Forest Park is a festive way to end the year. Many activities will be offered December 27, 28, 29, and 31, beginning at 10:30 a.m. each day. Thanks to generous support from Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, these programs are free for families.

Throughout the week kids can get creative in make-and-take workshops inspired by the museum’s special exhibits “Panoramas of the City” and “Muny Memories.” Kids can dress up as the star of their own show by making a star-shaped crown, or they can share personal stories by creating a 2D camera with a filmstrip of hand-drawn memories. They can also make customizable snow globes, a craft inspired by Muny souvenirs.

On Thursday, December 27, at 10:30 a.m. and noon, families are invited to live Winter Wonderland performances. Five talented musicians from the Sheldon will celebrate the season with a wonderful mix of winter and holiday music both old and new, from “Let It Snow!” to “Let It Go.” Families are encouraged to join in and sing along.

On Friday, December 28, the St. Louis Black Authors of Children’s Literature will celebrate two popular books that are perfect for the winter season and spending time together with family: “The Snowy Day” and “Feast for 10.” The group is committed to fostering awareness about the importance of early literacy by creating innovative opportunities for all kids to have access to black children’s literature.

Written and illustrated by Ezra Jack Keats and published in 1962, the beloved picture book “The Snowy Day” was one of the first to feature an African-American child as the main character. The book “Feast for 10,” written by Cathryn Falwell and published in 1993, features a black family who spends the entire day together, first going to the grocery store, then preparing a meal, and finally enjoying the tasty food.

On this special Friday, 10 local authors from the St. Louis Black Authors of Children’s Literature will present “The Snowy Day,” “Feast for 10,” and their own children’s books. Families can dive into a snowy day of their own by making snowflakes and snowballs that won’t melt in their pockets and get ready for a feast by setting tables for meals and sharing recipes. The first 200 children in attendance will receive their own copy of one of the featured picture books beginning at 10:30 a.m.

Even though we are months away from a season of musicals at the nation’s largest and oldest continually operating outdoor theater, families are invited to experience a day of Munyinspired family fun on Saturday, December 29.

Counting down to noon at last year’s Winter Getaway. The grand finale of the Winter Getaway Series is a Noon Year’s Eve party from 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. on Monday, December 31.

In addition to exploring the “Muny Memories” exhibit, families can enjoy live music and dance. At 10:30 a.m. the Muny Kids will take center stage for a special holiday performance. Don’t miss out on this 30-minute performance that spotlights local children with exceptional talent and lots of holiday spirit! After the show you can catch a screening of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid,” which has been brought to life on the Muny stage in summers past.

The end of the year is a time to celebrate, but not everyone can stay awake until midnight. The grand finale of the Winter Getaway Series is a Noon Year’s Eve party from 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. on Monday, December 31.

To get festive, kids can make New Year’s hats, visit a photo booth, and create their very own miniature ball-drop crafts with lots of sparkly style. Make your way to the dance floor where the band Fire Dog will play music that’s sure to get you moving and grooving. Families can also enjoy stilt walkers and visit the Snow Queen who will read your fortune amid the flakes floating inside her magical snow globe. And finally, you won’t want to miss the New Year’s countdown when the clock strikes noon: A balloon drop and tons of confetti, noisemakers, and energy will put a smile on everyone’s face.

We hope that your family can make a trip to the Missouri History Museum and enjoy some time together as we close out 2018. Be sure to check www.mohistory.org/wintergetaway for a fully updated schedule of each day’s activities.

Art Museum Celebrates Kwanzaa: Wearing Our CROWN

Kwanzaa celebrates family, culture and community. This African American holiday is designed around seven principles that promote unity, self-determination, cooperation, community and faith. Originally created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, Kwanzaa is now celebrated by millions of people and is recognized as a significant winter holiday. On Sunday, December 30, the Saint Louis Art Museum will host Kwanzaa Celebration: Wearing Our CROWN, an afternoon of art making, performance and a self-guided tour and scavenger hunt. Kwanzaa is a sevenday holiday that begins on December 26. Each year, the Saint Louis Art Museum hosts one of the city’s largest Kwanzaa celebrations. The Museum-wide event incorporates the Kwanzaa principle of the day and visitors can enjoy a variety of cultural activities. This year, the Museum’s celebration occurs on the fifth day of Kwanzaa and the principle of the day is Nia the Swahili word for purpose. The afternoon’s events include a free art activity, performances in the Farrell Auditorium and a scavenger hunt. For more than 20 years the Art Museum has presented this Kwanzaa celebration in collaboration with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., St. Louis Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter. Beginning at noon on December 30, visitors can make their own wearable work of art in the form of an arm band, decorated with African patterns and jewels. This year’s theme, “Wearing Our CROWN,” is an acronym for compassionate, resilient, outstanding, worthy and noble.

Families can show off their work of art and capture a special memory in the photo booth. Visitors wishing to attend the performance in the Farrell Auditorium can acquire tickets at the Museum on site only starting at noon on December 30. Tickets are limited and will be distributed while quantities last.

The Museum’s Kwanzaa performance includes storytelling by Kenya Ajanaku, African dancing and drumming by the Sunshine Cultural Arts Center’s Community Performance Ensemble, folklore and masquerade by Kunama Mtendaji and presentations by members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., St Louis Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter. The performance begins with a procession of sorority members into the auditorium accompanied by live drumming and continues with presentations that focus on the day’s theme, “Wearing Our CROWN.” In addition to the art activity and performance, all visitors are encouraged to take a self-guided tour using a scavenger hunt to view works of art from the African galleries and contemporary works by prominent African American artists such as Kehinde Wiley. Scavenger hunts will be made available at the Museum’s information desks starting on December 26 through January 1, including the day of the Kwanzaa Celebration on December 30. Each scavenger hunt clue connects a work of art to one of the seven principles of Kwanzaa. For more information about the Museum’s annual Kwanzaa Celebration and other events, visit slam.org.

Catholic leadership must declare: ‘Black Lives Matter’

Catholic leadership must declare: ‘Black Lives Matter’

By Dan Stout For The St. Louis American

I am now in my 20th year teaching theology at Catholic schools in St. Louis.

I have been asked what I need from Archbishop Robert Carlson and the church regarding racism. I need Archbishop Carlson and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) to literally and loudly proclaim “Black Lives Matter.”

Say the words: “Black Lives Matter.”

My partner and I have been to numerous Black Lives Matter protests with our 4- and 7-year-old daughters. There has been no Catholic Leadership presence. None.

Other Christian faiths are well represented and even on the front lines. I need my church on the front lines. I need pastors in white parishes to literally say “Black Lives Matter” as loudly as they proclaim that unborn lives matter.

Archbishop Carlson mandated pastors in the Archdiocese of St. Louis to preach on racism during Lent. From what I heard from friends and family, many did not and many that did preach on racism did not do it justice. This needs to change.

I recently attended a listening session for the USCCB Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism. They were preparing to release a new document, which they released in November, “Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love - A Pastoral Letter Against Racism.”

Local and national clergy of conscience advanced on the Ferguson Police Department to request a meeting with Police Chief Thomas Jackson as part of the Weekend of Resistance, also known as Ferguson October, in October 2014.

“We read the headlines that report the killing of unarmed African Americans by law enforcement officials. In our prisons, the number of inmates of color, notably those who are brown and black, is grossly disproportionate. Despite the great blessings of liberty that this country offers, we must admit the plain truth that for many of our fellow citizens, who have done nothing wrong, interactions with the police are often fraught with fear and even danger,” the open letter states.

“At the same time, we reject harsh rhetoric that belittles and dehumanizes law enforcement personnel who labor to keep our communities safe. We also condemn violent attacks against police.”

In a section on “The African-American Experience,” the open letter states: “The generational effects of slavery, segregation, and the systemic use of violence –

including the lynching of more than 4,000 black men, women, and children across 800 different counties throughout the United States between 1877 and 1950 –are realities that must be fully recognized and addressed in any process that hopes to combat racism.”

Bishop Shelton J. Fabre, chairman of the committee, said that we need forgiveness. A sinner must take decisive action before getting redemption for their sin. The Catholic Church is no exception.

My church has been silent to the sin of racism for far too long. This proclamation has to come in more than prayer, even more than a document. The church needs to take action.

Read “Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love - A Pastoral Letter Against Racism” at https://tinyurl.com/ bishops-racism.

The Message

Thank God

Have you ever thought about just thanking God for being God? I know at times I must get on His last nerve, and it’s just nice to know that He forgives.

Jesus’ frustration with the apostles sometimes took on a whiff of righteous indignation. After all, how many times did He have to explain what to Him was so simple and basic? He was the truth, the light, and the way. What His first followers questioned really must have tried His patience, as I do today and will do again tomorrow. Couple that with a behavior that is not always spiritual in purpose, and you get my point.

Plain and simple, I’m a sinner. We all are. I’ve sinned with the best of them, and it’s hard for me to accept that God indeed still loves me.

As my mother might have said, “You come home with your tail between your legs” because you know that she knows that what you been doing is something that you really had no business doing. You instinctively find that place where you feel the safest, a place where love supersedes your horrible judgment. It’s a place called home. A true believer must come home. However difficult it might be, confession is what I’m talking about. It continues to be the key to understanding the depth and breadth of God’s love for us, unless you think Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice was a minor detail of salvation. The act of confession seems to give us sinners hope that our missteps, our indiscretions, our failures to comply have a spiritual home to go to. Daddy is waiting up when you get home, and His expectation is that you will eventually show up.

“That if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess you are saved.” Romans 10:9-10.

You must act after you confess. We must at least attempt to recognize and learn from our mistakes with the certainty that we are already forgiven. Believe it or not, God expects us to make mistakes as you expect your children to. You know they will. But, when you get knocked down or you stumble on your own, you’ve got to get up.

God expects you, upon confession, to seek His helping hand and in doing so, let others see that a true follower of Christ will sincerely try to rise above personal passions and worldly aspirations. In this regard and only in this regard, will you overcome this world and enjoy eternal salvation. Believe it or not, confession really is good for the soul. Hey, you gotta come home someday. Today just might be that day.

Columnist James Washington

Photo by Wiley Price

S

. LouiS american Career Center

COURTS DEPARTMENT

The City of Jennings is accepting applications in the Courts Department for the positions of Chief Court Clerk and Temporary Court Clerk. Please visit the City of Jennings website at www.cityofjennings.org for job descriptions. The positions are full time, Monday through Friday, with additional work on Tuesday evenings from approximately 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. The starting salary is $37,118 (GS-14) for the Chief Court Clerk position and $27,376 (GS-7) for the Temporary Court Clerk position. Prior court or related experience preferred.

Applications are available at Jennings City Hall, 2120 Hord Ave. or at www.cityofjennings.org. NO RESUMES WILL BE ACCEPTED WITHOUT COMPLETION OF OUR APPLICATION! Completed applications may be emailed to jobs@cityofjennings.org or faxed to 314-388-3999. Applications must be returned to City Hall by Thursday, December 13, 2018 at 5:00 pm.

& vendor files and provide additional financial support as necessary. Proficiency in MS Word and Excel, excellent organizational skills and attention to detail required. Written & oral communication is critical. Associates Degree from 2-year college or technical school, three year’s related experience and/or training in

ADVERTISE WITH US

MISSOURI HISTORICALSOCIETY

Responsible for assisting in the testing, organizing, documenting of the policy administration system, imaging system, and various software applications, and continually aiding in the assessment and improvement of all Underwriting system support including training end users. Responsible for the preparation of scheduled reports and queries as defined by Underwriting Department Management. To apply, please visit: https://www. safetynational.com/careers-page/.

www.mohistory.org under the “Current Openings” tab for position details and to apply.

JOB POSTING

Logan University is comprised of the College of Chiropractic and the College of Health Sciences and blends the perfect balance of tradition with innovation. Established in 1935, Logan College of Chiropractic is one of the largest and most respected chiropractic colleges in North America. Through the College of Health Sciences, Logan offers master’s degrees in sports science and rehabilitation, and nutrition and human performance that are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of North Central. Other program offerings include undergraduate coursework including an Accelerated Science Program to help students complete their basic science coursework at an accelerated pace, offered in both online and on-campus formats, and two baccalaureate degrees- A Bachelor of Science degree in Human Biology and a Bachelor of Science degree in Life Science.

Learn more about this position at Logan University, please visit our website at https://www.logan.edu/about-logan/human-resources-department

Job Title: Faculty

Department: College of Chiropractic

Status: Full-Time/Exempt

Summary: The relationship of faculty to student is one of leader, teacher, adviser, mentor, scholar, and facilitator or learning. As part of this process, the College of Chiropractic faculty is responsible for designing, developing, and delivering highly engaging courses that deliver and assess course outcomes that align with program outcomes using evidence-informed content and pedagogical approaches. In addition to engaging classroom teaching, this highly engaged faculty member will be involved with university service and actively engage in scholarship at the level appropriate to their rank or higher and will demonstrate a commitment to teaching excellence that includes an ability to incorporate innovative strategies an integrate technology appropriately into their teaching.

MULTIPLE OPENINGS

St. Louis Community College is a multi-campus district comprised of four campuses and six satellite locations. More than 3,000 full and part-time staff, faculty and administrators and 500 student employees are employed by the college. One of the most rewarding things about working at the College is the chance to make a tangible difference in people’s lives. At St. Louis Community College, we expand minds and change lives every day!

St. Louis Community College invites you to apply for the following positions by visiting the referenced links:

Enrollment Operations Manager

http://jobs.stlcc.edu/postings/7843

Manager, Academic Advising http://jobs.stlcc.edu/postings/7793

Instructor II/Assistant Professor of Interior Design http://jobs.stlcc.edu/postings/7830

Instructor II/Assistant Professor of Biology http://jobs.stlcc.edu/postings/7143

Instructor II/Assistant Professor Dental Hygiene http://jobs.stlcc.edu/postings/7839

Adjunct Faculty Surgical Technology http://jobs.stlcc.edu/postings/7332

Facility Manager http://jobs.stlcc.edu/postings/7763

Application Process: All candidates must complete an online application.

EO/AA/VET/Disability Employer

St. LouiS american Bids & Public Notices St.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

The St. Louis Economic Development Partnership (the “Partnership”) has issued an open request for qualifications from DBE, MBE, and/or WBE professional services/consulting firms for various projects initiated in 2019. The Partnership seeks to be more intentional and deliberate in connecting to diverse firms as it works to advance economic opportunities for all businesses in the St. Louis region. This is an “Open RFQ” from which the Partnership may refer during the year, as projects become available.

The Partnership will accept qualifications throughout 2019. Qualifications should include the information indicated in the Request for Qualifications (“RFQ”), which may be obtained from the Partnership’s web site at www.stlpartnership.com Qualifications may be sent by email to hbean@stlpartnership.com

This RFQ shall not be construed as an offer. Submission of qualifications does not obligate the Partnership to consider a responding firm for any project or contract. 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

Public Notice of Single Source Procurement

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is proposing to procure an agreement for submersible pump repairs for Sulzer/ABS pumps. The District is proposing single source procurement for this service because State Motor & Control Solutions is the only authorized service center for pumps that are manufactured by Sulzer/ABS in the St. Louis Metropolitan area. Any inquiries should be sent to strenz@stlmsd.com.

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

BID PROPOSAL

Great Rivers Greenway is seeking proposals for seasonal native

and greenway care. Check https://greatriversgreenway.org/ jobs-bids/ and submit by December 20, 2018.

LETTING #8681

CONCRETE & BRICK REMOVAL/ REPLACEMENT AND COMPLETE SIDEWALK INSTALLATION SP-109

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 January 15, 2019, then publicly opened and read. Plans and Specifications may be examined on the Board of Public Service website http://www.stl-bps.org/planroom.aspx (BPS On Line Plan Room) and may be purchased directly through the BPS website from INDOX Services at cost plus shipping. No refunds will be made.

A pre-bid conference for all contractors bidding on this project will be held on December 11, 2018 at 10:00 A.M. in Room 305, City Hall, 1200 Market Street, St. Louis MO 63103. Bidders shall comply with all applicable City, State and Federal laws (including MBE/WBE policies).

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

Public Notice of Single Source Procurement

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is proposing to procure: TRACK FOR PRIMARY #4 REBUILD. The District is proposing single source procurement for this equipment/service because EVOQUA WATER TECHNOLOGIES is the only known available source. Any inquiries should be sent to gjamison@stlmsd.com.

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

INVITATION TO BID

McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. requests bids for Design/ Build Mechanical, Plumbing, Fire Protection and Electrical scopes from qualified subcontractors for the following project: Saint Louis University SLUCare Administration Offices – Imagine Building and Drummond Hall

A Pre-Bid and Partnering/Outreach Meeting will be held on Thursday, December 20, 2018 at 10:00 AM at the Imagine Building, 1008 S. Spring Ave. St. Louis, MO 63110. Parking is available in the lot to the west (SW corner of Spring Ave. and Chouteau Ave.) Certified MBE/WBE/DBE subcontractors are encouraged to attend the Outreach to learn about partnering opportunities with Saint Louis University’s identified Design/Build bidders.

Tentative Bid Date: January 15, 2019

Contact: Mary Peterein at mpeterein@mccarthy.com or 314-919-2171 for more information

Prequalification is required and can be accessed at https://www.mccarthy.com/subcontractors

McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. is proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.

Public Notice of Single Source Procurement

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is proposing to procure repair services for our muffin monster grinder units from Muffin Monster LLC. The District is proposing single source procurement for this service because Muffin Monster LLC (Ressler & Associates) is the exclusive dealer for Eastern Missouri. Any inquiries should be sent to strenz@stlmsd.com. Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS

SEWER DISTRICT

The

THE VILLAGE OF HANLEY HILLS CANDIDACY FILING FOR ELECTION TO THE BOARD OF HANLEY HILLS IS SCHEDULED TO OPEN

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2018 AT 8:00 A.M. AND WILL BE CLOSED ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2019 AT 5:00 PM

POLLING PLACE: VILLAGE OF HANLEY HILLS, CITY HALL, 7713 UTICA DRIVE, HANLEY HILLS, MO 63133

Election Day: April 2, 2019

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 January 22, 2019, then publicly opened and read. Plans and Specifications may be examined on the Board of Public Service website http://www.stl-bps.org/planroom.aspx (BPS On Line Plan Room) and may be purchased directly through the BPS website from INDOX Services at cost plus shipping. No refunds will be made.

A pre-bid conference for all contractors bidding on this project will be held on December 18, 2018 at 10:00 A.M. in Room 305, City Hall, 1200 Market Street, St. Louis MO 63103.

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

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

CANDIDACY INFORMATION CAN BE OBTAINED FROM: Dorothy Matthews, Village Clerk/Ofc Mgr The Village of Hanley Hills City Hall 7713 Utica Drive St. Louis, Missouri 314-725-0909 LETTING #8683 CONCRETE & BRICK REMOVAL/ REPLACEMENT AND COMPLETE SIDEWALK INSTALLATION SP-110

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 January 23, 2019 to contract with a company for: FIBERGLASS GRATING & LADDER REPLACEMENT AT FIELDS & LEONA-CROSBY PUMP STATIONS. 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 9719 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.

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

REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS

On or after 12/29/18, the City will submit a request to the U.S. Dept. of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) for the release of the City’s Federal CDBG Program funds under Title II of the

Housing Act of 1990, as amended, to undertake the following

Project Title: West End Apartments

Purpose: Renovation of a 3-story apartment building containing 30 units total, comprising 12 one-bedroom and 18 two-bedroom apartments

Location: 5882-96 Cabanne, St. Louis, Missouri 63112

Estimated Cost: Total development cost of this project is approximately $3,933,000.00, with $600,000.00 of funding coming from St. Louis City’s Year 2016 Federal CDBG Program funds.

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

The City has determined that these projects will have no significant impact on the human environment. Certain conditions will apply to this project. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional information for each project is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) on file at the City PDA, at the above address, where the ERR is available for review and may be examined or copied weekdays, 8 A.M. to 4 P.M.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to Mark Jefferies, Environmental Review Officer, PDA, at the address listed above. All comments received by 12/28/18 will be considered by the City prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which notice they are addressing.

RELEASE OF FUNDS

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

OBJECTION TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and the City’s certification for a period of 15 days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying

SEALED BIDS for New Fulton State Hospital, Furniture, F i x t u r e s , a n d Equipment, Fulton, Missouri , Project N o . M 1 4 11 - 11 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 12/27/2018. For specific project information and ordering plans, goto: http:// oa.mo.gov/ facilities

SEALED BIDS

for Replace Seawall, Wa l k w a y sand Docks, Thousand Hills State Park, Adair County, Missouri, Project No. X1808-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 12/20/2018. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/ facilities

Public Notice of Single Source Procurement

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is

Public Notice of Single Source Procurement

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is proposing to procure: Gate Actuator at Miller Floodwall. The District is proposing single source procurement to The Kerry Company for this equipment. Any inquiries should be sent to ameyer@stlmsd.com.

St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer. INVITATION FOR BID LaSalle

SOLICITATION NO. RD18-05

REQUEST FOR BIDS

Near Southside Employment Coalition is soliciting bids from qualified contractors for environmental remediation of petroleum contaminated soil at 2649 Pestalozzi St., St. Louis, MO. Sealed bids will be accepted until 4:00pm on Friday, January 25, 2019. Work is to be performed under the Missouri Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund administered by the Environmental Improvement and Energy Resources Authority (EIERA) and funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The property is enrolled in the Missouri Department of Natural Resources Brownfield Voluntary Cleanup Program and it will be the contractor’s responsibility to abide by an approved Remediation Action Plan and to obtain a “certificate of completion” for work at the site. Detailed bid specifications are available on the EIERA website at http://eiera.mo.gov/brownfieldsrlf or by email request to oward@nsecworks.org.

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

CHECK OUT THE BIDS & NOTICES ON OUR WEBSITE AT www. stlamerican.com

Northwoods seeks Construction Contractor City of Northwoods is seeking a licensed, bonded and insured Contractor to repair walls, floors, ceiling tiles & lighting in the City Hall Board/Multi-Purpose Activity Rm. (1264 sq.ft.) + Carpet area (336 sq.ft.); Lobby (672 sq.ft.); Lobby Bathrooms (180 sq.ft.); & Kitchenette (130 sq.ft.) at 4600 Oakridge Blvd., Northwoods Mo. 63121. Detailed Specifications can be picked up at Northwoods City Hall 8:30 am-5:00 pm (closed 1-2pm daily for lunch). Sealed bids are due Jan. 3, 2019 at 11 am. Questions call (314) 477-4051.

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE:

Advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, imitation, or discrimination

mechanical basement and a new penthouse enclosure. The work consists of abatement, demolition, concrete, masonry, steel, carpentry, woodwork, metal wall panels, EPDM roofing, firestopping, doors, glass, drywall, ACT ceilings, tile and resilient flooring, epoxy flooring and wall systems, painting, specialties, lockers, laboratory equipment and casework, plumbing, fire protection , mechanical, electrical and associated site work.

A prebid meeting will be held at 9:30 am, November 27, 2018 in the Medical Science Addition, Acuff Auditorium, Rm MA217, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, followed by a walk-through at the site.

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

Bids for this project are due on December 12th, at 2:00 p.m. 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.

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

Plans and specifications will be available to view at Paric’s Main office at 77 Westport Plaza, Suite 250, St. Louis, MO 63146.

Show your rising stars some Young Leaders love. This week I’m starting things off with a shameless plug for the next upcoming festivity presented by the St. Louis American Foundation. Hey, at least I’m consistent. Anyway, nominations are underway for the 2019 class of Young Leaders. If you know somebody under the age of 40 making major moves in the St. Louis metro area, you have until December 30, 2018 to submit their name in the mix to be considered. The competition is always fierce. And each year I’m more and more impressed by each cohort – which will be revealed leading up to and celebrated at the 9th Annual Salute to Young Leaders in February. Our Young Leader alums have gone on to do phenomenal things. I would need the rest of Partyline – and more than a few extra pages – for their sum total of accomplishments. The list is narrowed down to twenty of the cream of the crop, but you won’t know if someone you may consider a diamond will shine amongst the nominees if you don’t submit their name. Visit www.stlamerican.com to download the nomination form, which must be emailed to kdaniel@stlamerican.com. For more information, call (314) 533-8000.

Cheering on Kennedy Holmes. I know Partyline is pretty much for grown people, but my soul wouldn’t sit right if I didn’t holler from here to Hollywood with delight that our own Kennedy Holmes will be singing for team J-Hud on the season 15 finale of “The Voice.” At 14, she’s the youngest finalist in the show’s history. She is such a super-talented gem, comes from a wonderful family and has done our city proud so far – and will continue as one of the top four next week. I’m claiming that Holmes will bring it home Monday night!

Haute glamour at the 100’s winter gala. I was hoping I had hopped up in the Grand Marriott just in time for the 100 Black Men Winter Royale Gala after-party when I headed up the escalator Saturday night. What? Y’all already know formal programs are not my jam! I got there just as things were wrapping up, which means I had a chance to see the slayage of some of the folks who probably wouldn’t be a part of the post gala turnup. Primarily, Urban League CEO Michael McMillan’s mother Ms. Rita. Can we just talk about that splendid bob for a second? It was life. Actually, she was serving from head to toe – as per usual. The Winter Royale was probably the most stylish per capita of any I’ve seen (with the exception of our Salute to Excellence in Education, of course). The folks were taking fashion risks, and every gamble paid off. Namely, the gentleman I only know as Frederick S. Some people call it mermaid, others call it unicorn – I call it the two-sided sequins that is all the rage on throw pillows this year. Whatever it is, Frederick had a whole jacket made out of it and served up a LEWK! folks couldn’t resist rubbing it back and forth from black to white. Then there was Winnie Caldwell, who was serving a contemporary big chop shadow fade up top and “Harlem Nights” realness from the neck down with a magenta and gold iridescent gown with a matching train. It sounds extra –which it was, but it was also life. And can I say that I have never seen black-on-black sequined/rhinestone so many times and so many ways as from Marquita Chapman, and I’m here for it each time. Also, let me tell you about the glorious and gorgeous melanin love that was on display through Olympic Gold medalist Dawn Harper Nelson and her handsome husband Alonzo. They looked like they walked right out of Wakanda – and I drank in every second of it! Congrats on the baby! He or she will be a chocolate delight! Before I get accused of being utterly superficial, let me give a shout out to all of the men and women the 100 Black Men honored at their gala for the good works within the region.

A Power 100 preview. Since I’m already on the subjects of influencers, achievers and the number 100, I might as well let y’all know that DELUX Magazine’s Power 100 is coming to the Chase Park Plaza on the Sunday before Christmas. Because Keith Griffin and company know how to pack out a party to the point where there’s really no need for preview coverage, I normally reserve my remarks for the recap. It might be sold out already. But I wanted to make sure I gave a reminder to the folks since plenty of my faves are among this year’s honorees. It’s going down Dec. 23. Be sure to check back here for the rundown.

Tavern night turn up. I have a feeling that the world’s best dry cleaners won’t be able to fully alleviate the now permanent aroma of Newports, Kool Filter Kings and Benson and Hedges Menthol Lights with a side of chicken wing grease smell from my new coat. But the clearly permanent aroma was a small price to pay in exchange for the kicking it experience served up at Tavern Night Sunday at The Ambassador. I’m telling you, I had the time of my life! Whoever the DJ was on the tables before DJ Kid Capri showed up was so good, that I would have thought it was Capri if he hadn’t been so quiet as far as hyping on the mic. And when Capri hit the stage, baby it was a wrap. Quick weaves, sew ins, full units and silk presses (okay, it was more like press-n-curl on the tavern scene) alike became casualties of the dance floor. He and Doug E. Fresh are neck and neck when it comes to getting the party live. Yes, it was that __________(insert new slang for lit). The favorites of the tavern community were toasted and the turn up was real! Hip-hop fans left young stars hangin’. I guess the millennials didn’t want to be bothered with the rising rap stars that rolled through the Lou early this week. Dave East’s supermodel good looks and cheekbones chiseled to the gods weren’t enough to get the girls over to Pop’s to see him in the flesh Sunday night. I was turning up with my tavern folks, but according to the social media channels of my dear friend Kevin Johnson of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, East’s empty boots show was canceled just before the headliner took the stage – and in lieu of refunds, fans were offered a bottle of alcohol and a photo opp with East. Help. The nearly as handsome Vic Mensa, who gave me my life when he opened for Beyonce at the Dome, sadly, he could probably see clean through to the window for his performance snippet as the latest Hot 104.1 FM Who’s Next artist when he

up the House of Soul Monday. Perhaps they should stick to weekend bookings.

hit

Kayla, Morgan and Jennifer were bright and beautiful @ The 100 Black Men Winter Royale Gala Saturday night @ Marriott St. Louis Grand

Geoffrey, Frederick and Brandon were extra dapper for The 100 Black Men Winter Royale Gala Saturday night @ Marriott St. Louis Grand

Winnie and Marwin were decked out to the nines for The 100 Black Men Winter Royale Gala Saturday night @ Marriott St. Louis Grand

Nicole, Mina and Sheliah were amongst the most stylish of The 100 Black Men Winter Royale Gala Saturday night @ Marriott St. Louis Grand

Lamar, Michelle ,Ashley and Benny made a couples’ night of the Black Funder’s 2nd Annual Holiday Mixer Friday night @ Urb Arts

Olympic Gold Medalist Dawn Harper Nelson and husband Alonzo were perfectly matched @ The 100 Black Men Winter Royale Gala Saturday @ Grand Marriott

Carlos came through the House of Soul to celebrate his birthday with Nichol Saturday night

Maranda and her husband Gary gave back through the 2nd annual Black Funders Holiday Mixer Friday night @ UrbArts

DJ Kid Capri absolutely killed it on the tables as the celebrity DJ for Tavern Night Sunday @ The Ambassador

Osei The Dark Secret of 100.3 The Beat came to show Lil D and his Hot 104.1 FM family some love for their Who’s Next Artist Showcase Monday @ House of Soul

Rapper Vic Mensa received, who received plenty of buzz when he came to town as Beyoncé’s opening act at The Dome, returned to STL as the latest Hot 104.1 FM Who’s Next artist. Midday personality Ms. Pooh was happy to show him some Hot 104.1 hospitality Monday night at The House of Soul.

Improving academic outcomes

East St. Louis School District 189

Many know that East St. Louis is the City of Champions. It has produced a number of Olympians and professional athletes. But teachers and administrators are working hard to instill the notion that this is also the City of Academic Champions.

Student academic performance in East St. Louis School District 189 is continuously improving and is near meeting national expectations according to the results of an analysis of five years of Northwest Evaluation Association Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) test data.

East St. Louis School District 189 is seeking certified teachers and administrators.

District 189, along with 485 other districts in Illinois, uses the State Board of Educationapproved Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) to determine if a student is performing below, at or above grade level and which areas need focus to help the student continue to grow academically. MAP tests are nationallynormed, which also lets the District know how their students’ growth compares to that of students across the nation.

District 189 gives MAP tests 2-3 times per year to students in grades K-10. This allows their teachers, parents, and students to continuously monitor progress. “Our expectation is that our students’ academic skills are competitive nationally, and this test gives us one measure of progress on that goal,” said Superintendent Arthur Culver. Culver continued, “Our most important goal is to improve academic outcomes for our students. We provide strong supports and professional development to instructional staff. We have also focused on becoming a trauma-informed school

See ESL, C4

Start a STEM career with a FYRE

Missouri S&T

Kaysi Lee, an undergraduate student from St. Louis, came to Missouri University of Science and Technology last fall with a passion for science that had been nurtured through the years by her female high school science teachers and by her parents.

Lee excelled academically in her coursework, but initially had concerns she might not belong.

• How to recruit and graduate more diverse students?

• Building Union Diversity recruiting workers for trades

• SheCode engages young women in computer science

But later that semester, Lee’s academic experience solidified when she applied and was accepted into an experiential learning opportunity sponsored by S&T’s College of Arts, Sciences, and Business (CASB) – the First Year Research Experience (FYRE) program.

She had chosen Missouri S&T because of its strong STEM reputation, but she often found herself the only African American and sometimes the only female student in her STEM classes.

In the FYRE program, first-year and transfer

students enrolled in a CASB academic major work one-on-one with a faculty mentor on a specific research project. The program helps them improve critical thinking, communication and leadership skills, fully engaging them in their education. At the time Lee joined, 18 different research projects were available. And this year— for the second year in a row—the

Chemistry major Kaysi Lee works in a nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy preparation

Photo by Kandi Woessner

How to recruit and graduate more diverse students?

Three University of Missouri campuses work together on national program

By Jonathan Ahl

Of St. Louis Public Radio

Three University of Missouri campuses are part of a national program looking to increase college access for minorities and lower income students and increase their graduation rates.

The University of MissouriColumbia, Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla and the University of Missouri-Kansas City are participating in the project. The Association of Public Land-grant Universities has assembled 130 schools around the country to address the issues of college costs, barriers to enrollment and graduation rates of students who start degree programs.

Mike Brost, assistant director of public affairs for the association, said all of the schools involved want to increase enrollment, and they need to work together.

“Institutions aren’t always excited about sharing notes on how to attract students, because they often compete for students,” Brost said. “But the common goals are so important they see the need to work together. With the number of high school graduates stagnating nationwide, schools need to focus on the untapped population of potential college students.”

Missouri S&T Vice Provost

Jeff Cawlfield said the number of high school students

Photo by Jason Rosenbaum / St. Louis Public Radio

The University of Missouri-Columbia (above), Missouri University of Science and Technology and the University of Missouri-Kansas City are participating in a project with the Association of Public Land-grant Universities to address the issues of college costs, barriers to enrollment and graduation rates of students who start degree programs.

traditionally interested in STEM fields is declining.

“For our workforce, and for our society we’re going to have to figure out a way to attract and keep and graduate underrepresented minority groups, first-generation students, the low-income folks socioeconomically,” Cawlfield said. Representatives from the schools met this month in sub-groups to begin the process. Mizzou is in the cluster representing eastern universities, UMKC is in a group with metropolitan schools, and Missouri S&T is in the tech sub-set.

They will continue to meet in the coming years, with a goal of making improvements in the overall number of degrees the schools award by 2025. There isn’t a specific goal, but the organization is promoting the intent of “awarding hundreds of thousands of more degrees.”

Some of the specific areas schools are examining are making it easier to apply to college, reducing costs, increasing scholarship opportunities, and addressing financial and social issues that may keep a student who starts college from finishing it.

Cawlfield said the program is of great importance to his

FYRE

Continued from D1

FYRE program has doubled in size.

As a freshman in chemistry, Lee began her FYRE work as an apprentice to Dr. Klaus Woelk, associate professor of chemistry, working in the lab alongside chemistry graduate student Ming Huang.

“One of the great benefits for students getting a degree from Missouri S&T is that we try to involve our students in research at the earliest time possible,” says Woelk. “And even more importantly, what we’re calling research is not repeating what others have already solved — it’s cutting edge and excitingly new.”

For her FYRE project, Lee, Woelk and Huang tested nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy for pH measurement as a replacement for measuring with traditional pH electrodes. The goal of their continuing research is to be able to determine the pH of an aqueous sample based on the NMR spectra and chemical shifts they observe without taking the sample out of the machine. If this can be done, the process would broaden the uses of NMR, and it ultimately could be used in a medical setting to test the pH of a patient’s blood or in various quality control settings for pharmaceuticals.

campus and the nation.

“We need to make sure there is a workforce big enough and prepared enough to fill the jobs requiring a college education,” Cawlfield said.

“This campus, and this institution as a whole, the University of Missouri, has to address this.”

The schools in the program will connect through web meetings and conference calls, and then in-person in November 2019 to report on specific goals and progress.

Follow Jonathan on Twitter: @JonathanAhl.

Reprinted with permission from news.stlpublicradio.org.

“In the FYRE program, I really learned what NMR labs do,” Lee says. “Once I did, I was able to apply the knowledge to my classwork,

2019

and my work improved. And once I understood where the equations came from, I was able to create better experiments.”

“When Dr. Woelk saw I had grasped the project, he encouraged me to make posters and oral presentations of our hypothesis and results at scientific conferences — like S&T’s Undergraduate Research Conference and at the Missouri Academy of Science, as well as the international Experimental Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Conference in Orlando,” says Lee.

“I learned to assimilate everything I knew about our project and to be able to answer questions on the spot.”

“Those experiences helped me find my voice and build confidence,” Lee adds.

Lee’s recognition in the FYRE program allowed her to progress into the Opportunities for Undergraduate Research Experiences (OURE) program, a more advanced experiential learning program that S&T offers every spring. In OURE this year she’s expanding her work with pH and NMR and plans to submit her results with Huang for publication in the peer-reviewed journal, Magnetic Resonance in Chemistry.

Lee is grateful for her FYRE learning experience.

“It’s great that someone took me under their wing,” says Lee. “I’m learning where I want to go and what working with pharmaceuticals would be like. Right now, I want to pursue a Ph.D. I want to keep going … and it all started with FYRE.”

New Year New Career

district and enhancing social emotional supports for our students because this correlates with academic achievement.”

These efforts have led to a number of academic highlights, including:

From Fall 2014 to Spring 2018, all student cohort groups achieved 88 percent to 156 percent of nationally normed growth expectation in NWEA reading and math.

One hundred percent of general education and special education inclusion students were accepted to a 2 or 4-year college, vocational and/or military program for Class of 2018.

The East St. Louis School District 189 is a state leader in restorative practices and is on the cutting edge of educational innovation. All 10 district schools are less than 15 years old. Every classroom is equipped with Promethean interactive white boards, new textbooks and nearly a 1:1 ratio of computers to students. District 189 offers some of the most competitive pay in the region, generous benefits including employer-paid health, dental, vision and life insurance, opportunities for leadership roles and continuing professional development programs.

Over the past five years, District 189 has drastically improved its Illinois School Report Card scores, its graduation rates and the amount of money its graduates have received in college

n “The East St. Louis School District 189 is aggressively seeking top talent and to ensure each classroom is led by highly-effective certified teachers in school year 2018-19.”

– Superintendent Arthur Culver

scholarships. Superintendent Arthur Culver said, “I am eager to build on the momentum we have generated by adding high-quality teachers, administrators and support staff members who can help East St. Louis students get the best education possible. The East

St. Louis School District 189 is aggressively seeking top talent and to ensure each classroom is led by highly-effective certified teachers in school year 2018-19. The district is also seeking administrators and non-certified applicants to join our dynamic team.”

East St. Louis School District 189 is focused on providing rigorous, high quality education and exceptional educational experiences to the nearly 6,000 students within the community. Our vision is for students to be supported physically, socially, and emotionally in a safe and nurturing environment to achieve academic success that prepares them for college, the workforce, and citizenship in the 21st century. For more information, visit www.estl189. com.

Follow more great stories @estl189 on Facebook and Twitter.

Pathways to Success

Job outlook for nurses remains at the top of all professions

By

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of registered nurses is projected to grow 15 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. Growth will occur for a number of reasons. Demand for healthcare services will increase because of the aging population, given that older people typically have more medical problems than younger people. Nurses also will be needed to educate and care for patients with various chronic conditions, such as arthritis, dementia, diabetes, and obesity.

The financial pressure on hospitals to discharge patients as soon as possible may result in more people being admitted to long-term care facilities and outpatient care centers, and greater need for healthcare at home. Job growth is expected in facilities that provide long-term rehabilitation for stroke and head injury patients, and in facilities that treat people withAlzheimer’s disease. In addition, because many older people prefer to be treated at home or in

residential care facilities, registered nurses will be in demand in those settings.

Growth is also expected to be faster than average in outpatient care centers, where patients do not stay overnight, such as those which provide same-day chemotherapy, rehabilitation, and surgery. In addition, an increased number of procedures, as well as more sophisticated procedures previously done only in hospitals, are being performed in ambulatory care settings and physicians’ offices.

Learn more by going to https://www. bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses. htm#tab-6

Sponsored By:

The St. Louis American Staff

Building Union Diversity recruiting workers for trades

Carpenters Union

Since its inception in 2014, Building Union Diversity (BUD) has graduated more than 100 St. Louisans, with an impressive job placement rate of nearly 90 percent. It’s a life-changing experience for BUD students, who are either minorities, women or chronically unemployed.

Before BUD, Albert Thomas, a self-employed handyman, was struggling to get by. He earned enough to provide basic needs for his family but needed government assistance from Medicaid to insure his two children. Then, Thomas enrolled in BUD, graduating with a job offer to work as a carpenter apprentice for Paric Construction. After 500 hours on the job, his union benefits kicked in, providing healthcare coverage for himself and, more importantly, for his entire family.

“I now have the financial stability I lacked before,”

says the 39-year-old, who enjoys working with his hands and has always aspired to be a carpenter. “I was able to purchase a vehicle to get back and forth from work, and I got my kids off welfare. They can rely on me now.”

Success stories like this are hardly unique. The vast majority of graduates are finding apprentice jobs in one of the participating trades such as carpenters, laborers, electricians, bricklayers and pipefitters.

discover that they don’t have much interest in, or aptitude for, the trade they have been assigned. BUD students get hands-on experience with a variety of skills and choose the one that fits them best.

Program has job placement rate of nearly 90 percent

Operating in conjunction with the trade unions and the St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment (SLATE), BUD has been nationally recognized for its approach.

BUD’s approach to training stands out from other programs because students spend time at each of the trade training centers. Too often, students like these get placed in apprenticeships only to

“We saw a problem, and we didn’t wait for someone else to tell us to solve it,” said John Gaal, director of Training and Workforce Development for the Carpenters Union.

“The trade unions launched the concept, and we brought the management associations, faith-based and community

organizations to the table.”

Recognizing that many obstacles can stand in the way for adult students, BUD goes the extra mile to offer assistance like transportation to the training centers, bus passes, a weekly stipend, safety equipment, and mentoring after the program from Missouri Women in Trades and the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists.

The main challenge now is getting more people aware and enrolled in BUD. But that should not be a problem, provided the program continues to graduate people like Albert Thomas.

“I speak highly of BUD to any young man or woman I come across who’s looking for a career,” he said. “I know for sure that I’ve gotten two people enrolled in BUD, and I’ve probably gotten a couple strangers to join, too.”

For information on future BUD classes, contact SLATE at (314) 657-3545.

WEBSTER

Continued from D1

one of the oldest school systems in St. Louis County, is the product of a diverse, closeknit community that has long valued the importance of public education. People move here for excellent schools, small town friendliness and strong community spirit. The district is known for an excellent faculty and highperforming students as well as a curriculum that offers the best in traditional and innovative programs. Standard & Poor’s School Evaluation Services has named the district an “academic outperformer.” Student achievement has always ranked above state and national averages and 94 percent of the class of 2018 enrolled in college. Three district schools have received Gold Stars from the state and the district preschool was honored as the number one early childhood program in the state in 2010-11 by the Missouri School Boards’ Association. For more information, visit www.webster.k12.mo.us.

New Year New Career

Recent graduates celebrate completing the Building Union Diversity pre-apprenticeship program in St. Louis.

SheCode engages young women in computer science

‘They can one day be the leaders who create future technologies’

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

The field of computer science is a rapidly growing field with a projected employment growth rate of 19 percent by 2026. The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Engineering’s Department of Computer Science (CS) wants to ensure females are a part of the field’s surging growth and success.

The department’s second annual SheCode event introduced high school girls, the majority of them freshman, to computer science and problem solving.

Approximately 30 participants came from Alton, Belleville, Collinsville, Edwardsville, East St. Louis, Troy and other localities for the one-day educational experience on Saturday, December 1.

Participants were broken into two working groups:

those who had coded before and those who had not. Those with coding experience used Flutter, a framework developed by Google to make iOS and Android applications. They

n “We enjoy showing them that this STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) field is a reachable goal.”

– SIUE senior CS major Taylor Dowdy

experience were introduced to block coding. They also learned what computer science is and the many different ways it can be used.

“I love sharing my love of learning and computer science with these girls,” said SIUE senior CS major Taylor Dowdy, of Wood River.

“We enjoy showing them that this STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) field is a reachable goal. My favorite moments of SheCode are the ‘aha’ moments that participants experience when they learn and understand something new!”

learned about widgets and what goes into creating an app, and then designed their own.

Those without previous

New Year New Career

With the support of Dennis Bouvier, PhD, associate professor in the Department of CS, 12 current students coordinated the event. Additionally, three computer science alumnae, who are now working in the technology field, served as volunteer mentors during SheCode.

“It’s incredibly important for young girls to have female role models and mentors in the technology field, to show them the endless possibilities a career in this field can provide,” said Darla Ahlert, MS ’15, a technology enablement consultant at Slalom Consulting.

“I enjoy making the connection between every day interactions they have with technology and the fact that they can one day be the leaders who create future technologies.”

SheCode was made possible by the generous support of Centene Corporation, AT&T, NISC, OCI, Enterprise Holdings, Care Otter and Bayer.

For more information on SIUE’s Department of Computer Science, visit cs.siue. edu.

SIUE computer science alumna Darla Ahlert works with participants at SheCode 2018, including Breanna Goyea (left) from Governor French High School in Belleville, and Skylar Phenix (right), from Highland High School.

STLCC-Flo Valley honors 2018 class of Emerging Scholars

Students once behind academically honored for earning 3.5 GPAs

Track athlete Malik Williams is challenged by Professor Maurice Phipps to run faster in the 1995 film “Higher Learning,” because Williams is behind in the academic race.

St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley held its 23rd annual Emerging Scholars Awards Banquet Thursday, Nov. 1. During the celebration 10 students who started college struggling – like Williams – will be recognized as Emerging Scholars for earning 3.5 grade-point averages and overcoming academic challenges.

U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay was the guest speaker. To be selected as an Emerging Scholar, students must complete at least two or more developmental courses in English, math or reading. In addition, they must complete 24 or more college-level credit hours at STLCC-Florissant Valley while maintaining a grade-point average of 3.5 or above. Students who meet the criteria are invited by a committee to apply for the recognition.

“I can’t stress how important this program is to Florissant Valley,” said Elizabeth Gassel Perkins, provost. “Each of these students has worked incredibly hard to build a solid educational foundation by completing developmental

courses. It’s inspiring to see how they’ve used that success as a springboard to academic excellence.”

The Emerging Scholars program was established in 1996 at STLCC-Florissant Valley as a way to recognize academic excellence and encourage students taking developmental courses. Since then, the program has been adopted district-wide and has provided students with thousands of dollars in scholarships.

During the ceremony students were named Emerging Scholars and received an award

and certificate from the college.

They also received a resolution from state Senator Gina Walsh. The faculty or staff who the student identified as having made the most significant impact on their success were named Mentors and also received certificates.

This year’s Emerging Scholars (with Mentors listed inside the parenthesis) are:

• Mohamed Abdelmaboud (Joseph Bauer, instructor II, mathematics and Charles Burkhardt, adjunct faculty, physical science)

• Anwar Alabad (Jeanne Florini, professor, dietetic technology),

• Wendy M. Brower (Kevin Toal, in memoriam, assistant professor, biology),

• Marcia Jane Fisher (Jasmin Marshall, assistant professor, dietetic technology, and Dwayne Morgan, coordinator of student orientation/ transition),

• Diane McCray (Howard Rosenthal, professor, human services and Carol Hake,

associate professor, English),

• Chantelle McNeil (Linda Collins, associate professor, history),

• Tina Patterson (Elida Kraja, professor, accounting and Dennis White, director, strategic planning initiatives),

• Ariel Piphus (James Gillespie, acting manager, Gateway to College),

• Bouchra Raji (Maria Darris, instructor II, nursing )

• Harley Warren (Carlos

Blanco, professor, reading and Dr. Carolyn Fuller, assistant professor, reading). Emerging Scholars Award recipients will receive paid memberships into Phi Theta Kappa, the largest honor society in American higher education. In addition, scholarships are awarded to some recipients based on financial need and funding levels in the scholarship fund. For more information about STLCC’s Emerging Scholars program or to make a donation, contact the STLCC Foundation at 314-539-5472.

Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI

Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay, incoming Missouri Senator Brian Williams and Jeff L. Pittman, chancellor of St. Louis Community College, join the Emerging Scholars during their graduation at St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley on November 1.

Hazelwood middle schoolers study forensics

On Friday, November 30, officers from the Saint Louis County Police Department Crime Lab visited Hazelwood East Middle School to talk with students in Chandria Howard’s class about crime scene investigations. This was the culminating activity for the students’ forensic unit.

Scholarships for those who want to serve the medically underserved

East Central Missouri Area Health Education Center, SSM Health, (ECMO AHEC, SSM Health) part of a nationwide system of Area Health Education Centers (AHECs), has extended their application deadline for their AHEC Scholars Program. This two-year interdisciplinary program is open to community college and 4-year college and university healthcare students in their last two years of training. Students should be interested in serving the medically underserved urban and rural

populations in East Central, MO. Target participants must reside in St. Louis, St. Louis County, St. Charles County, Jefferson County, and Franklin County, and attend a healthcare professions school in these areas.

The ECMO AHEC, SSM Health partners with local communities, schools, universities, and healthcare providers to offer AHEC Scholar students the opportunity to learn from experts on the local, state, and national levels. Students receive 40-hours

of didactic education as well as an additional 40-hours of community-based, experiential, and clinical training. The goal of the AHEC Scholars program is to help develop a diverse healthcare workforce and enhance student knowledge in the areas of interdisciplinary learning, behavioral health integration, social determinants of health, cultural competency, practice transformation and current and emerging healthcare issues.

Upon completion of the ECMO AHEC Scholars program, students will

receive the AHEC Scholars Certification, in addition to, other nationally recognized certifications.

ECMO AHEC, SSM Health partners with The Saint Louis University School of Medicine, A.T. Still University, Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, The University of Missouri Columbia School of Medicine and local communities.

Students interested in the AHEC Scholars program should contact Shearon Holmes or Jeanetta Stegall at ecmoahec@gmail.com.

New Year New Career

When you take the schools away, what’s left?

Berkeley residents challenge Ferguson-Florissant school board

By Chad Davis and Ryan Delaney

Of St. Louis Public Radio

When the FergusonFlorissant Board of Education weighed a plan to redraw boundaries and consolidate the district’s footprint this fall, residents in Berkeley heard a familiar threat in the undertow: a further washing away of their community identity and erosion of the city’s population.

Ferguson-Florissant School District plans to close two elementary schools — one of which is in Berkeley — and transform the high school Berkeley teenagers attend into a selective magnet school.

The move left many Berkeley residents wondering how their North St. Louis County community can continue to attract people to its neighborhoods when there are so few schools in them.

But school district officials contend the plan is a major step toward improving education that will make the entire district a more attractive place to live.

The basement walls of Calvin Usery’s home are covered in posters. Medals and trophies line shelves and fill empty fish tanks. A thousand awards, he estimates, won by just one of his two daughters; many while she was a track star at McCluer South-Berkeley High School.

He contributed his own awards from his time at the old Berkeley High School, where his son also ran. Usery, 54, grew up in Berkeley but lives in Black Jack. He’s a volunteer

track coach at McCluer SouthBerkeley. Now he’s afraid the memory and importance of those awards will be erased forever when McCluer SouthBerkeley starts pulling in kids from across the district’s nine municipalities: Berkeley, Calverton Park, Cool Valley, Dellwood, Ferguson, Florissant, Hazelwood, Kinloch, and Normandy.

“All of that is going to be gone. No records, no nothing,” said Usery.

The Ferguson-Florissant School Board voted narrowly during an emotional October meeting to approve a redistricting plan. Under the plan, McCluer South-Berkeley will become a magnet school, a move that will send some students north to McCluer High School instead. Two elementary schools - Airport in Berkeley and Vogt in Ferguson - as well as an alternative school and the former administrative building will be shuttered.

Usery worries about losing not only school spirit but a community identity, too. He wonders why anyone would want to move to Berkeley.

“Kids can’t go to Berkeley, so they’re going to get bused way somewhere else,” he said.

Many Berkeley residents have seen sweeping changes to their school system before. A federal judge forced the predominately white Berkeley schools and black Kinloch schools to fold into FergusonFlorissant in 1975. Most white residents fled soon after. The construction of

on Berkeley,” Davis said in an interview. “It’s really about the Ferguson-Florissant School District and the fiscal responsibility that we have to make sure we have our resources in the classroom.”

Ferguson-Florissant will expand preschool options by converting some elementary school buildings into early childhood centers.

“Economic development is the best way to improve people coming to the community, and education is a big part of that. So that’s what we’re after,” Davis said.

But some residents see the change as an economic blow rather than investment. Lisa Willis-James has two children at McCluer South-Berkeley, one a senior and the other is a freshman.

“If you know anything about Berkeley, we’re like a family,” Willis-James said. “They’re trying to take away from our neighborhoods, what we have in our area.”

Willis-James lives near Holman Elementary in the southwest corner of Berkeley. It will become a pre-K through second-grade school. After that, kids will go to what’s presently Berkeley Middle School on the other end of the city for later grades.

Interstate 170 knocked out

some neighborhoods. Then in the early 2000s, St. Louis Lambert International Airport bought out even more homes and bulldozed Berkeley High School, the junior high and the Caroline school.

Ferguson and Berkeley residents later publicly squabbled over naming the building that replaced Berkeley High School in 2003. Residents in Berkeley wanted the name preserved, even though the school was being built in Ferguson. But Ferguson residents objected, not wanting to be associated with the neighboring community.

McCluer South-Berkeley was the compromise.

A meeting attended by a handful of residents at Berkeley City Hall one night in November centered on how to preserve public education in Berkeley. Could they convince the school board to sponsor a

charter school? What would it take to secede from FergusonFlorissant and re-establish the Berkeley School District?

These are far-fetched ideas, motivated by a fear that the city of Berkeley won’t be able to survive with so few of schools. Next year, Berkeley will have two schools within its borders, down from the eight schools when Berkeley had its own district.

Judy-Ferguson Shaw graduated from Berkeley High School in 1969. She’s still an active member of the community and is campaign manager and treasurer of Grade A for Change, a political action committee supporting candidates for the FergusonFlorissant school board.

“When you take the schools away, the community just seems to die, because people don’t want to move into a community where there are no schools,” Shaw said.

In the years since the merger with Ferguson-Florissant, Berkeley residents and city officials have complained about a favoritism toward northern, typically whiter, parts of the district.

They look to neighboring Kinloch, which had four schools and thousands of residents at the time of the merger. Today, its 300 residents have no schools in their city.

That’s largely because the airport bought out most of the city’s homes in a noise abatement program.

Berkeley’s population of under 9,000 is half what it once was. As all of FergusonFlorissant has lost students, the district has closed schools elsewhere, too.

Superintendent Joseph Davis said that these changes are necessary for the district’s future.

“What I want folks to realize is this hasn’t been an attack

Willis-James said she is already hearing of plans from parents to move out of the neighborhood.

“I believe we as a Berkeley community are going to be affected by (the loss of) tax dollars because people are going to up and leave,” she said.

Airport and Vogt schools will close after the 2018-2019 school year and McCluer South-Berkeley will reopen as a magnet school in August. Davis said he wants to work with both his school board and Berkeley officials on how to repurpose the Airport School building.

“We have to do more bridgebuilding,” he said, “rather than tearing down.”

Follow Chad and Ryan on Twitter: @iamcdavis; @ rpatrickdelaney. Reprinted with permission from news.stlpublicradio.org.

Photo by Ryan Delaney / St. Louis Public Radio

Judy-Ferguson Shaw, a Berkeley resident and community activist, speaks at a meeting in November about the future of Berkeley schools.

KIPP believes in and supports all students

By Chris Frills KIPP Wonder Academy

My brother and I grew up on the west side of Chicago. We are ten 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.

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 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. 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 open-enrollment schools with a commitment to helping all kids climb the mountain to and through college. Here in St. Louis, KIPP operates five schools (and will open its sixth in the summer of 2019), 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. Each child’s homeroom is named after their teacher’s alma mater. 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 stu-

dents 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.

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 Nicholascould thrive.

Chris Frills is the founding school leader of KIPP Wonder Academy.

Scholarships for those who want to serve the medically underserved

East Central Missouri Area Health Education Center, SSM Health, (ECMO AHEC, SSM Health) part of a nationwide system of Area Health Education Centers (AHECs), has extended their application deadline for their AHEC Scholars Program. This two-year interdisciplinary program is open to community college and 4-year college and university healthcare students in their last two years of training. Students should be interested in serving the medically underserved urban and rural populations in East Central, MO. Target participants must reside in St. Louis, St. Louis County, St. Charles County, Jefferson County, and Franklin County, and attend a healthcare

professions school in these areas.

The ECMO AHEC, SSM Health partners with local communities, schools, universities, and healthcare providers to offer AHEC Scholar students the opportunity to learn from experts on the local, state, and national levels.

Students receive 40-hours of didactic education as well as an additional 40-hours of community-based, experiential, and clinical training. The goal of the AHEC Scholars program is to help develop a diverse healthcare workforce and enhance student knowledge in the areas of interdisciplinary learning, behavioral health integration, social determinants of health, cultural competency,

practice transformation and current and emerging healthcare issues.

Upon completion of the ECMO AHEC Scholars program, students will receive the AHEC Scholars Certification, in addition to, other nationally recognized certifications.

ECMO AHEC, SSM Health partners with The Saint Louis University School of Medicine, A.T. Still University, Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, The University of Missouri Columbia School of Medicine and local communities.

Students interested in the AHEC Scholars program should contact Shearon Holmes or Jeanetta Stegall at ecmoahec@gmail.com.

Chris Frills