January 22nd, 2026 edition

St. LouiS AmericAn

empowering and advocating

‘Comfortable with uncertainty’

Entertainment mogul Eric Rhone named Entrepreneur of the Year

By Sylvester Brown Jr.

St. Louis American

“I’m comfortable with a little uncertainty.”

That’s a frank statement from Eric Rhone, a man with nearly 40 years in the highly competitive entertainment business and a longtime close friend and business manager of Cedric the Entertainer. Rhone is president and CEO of A Bird and A Bear Entertainment LLC — the production company he co-founded with Cedric — and founder of

Visions Management Group Inc., his talent management firm. On any given day, Rhone is meeting with his team to assess current projects across television, film and new media — from CBS’ “The Neighborhood” to feature films, acquisitions of available intellectual property and emerging content opportunities. His role, he said, is less about micromanaging and more about stewardship.

“My personal role is to listen to my team and

Page Boulevard and Dr. Martin Luther

King Jr. Boulevard run parallel in St. Louis — streets that never meet on a map. But on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, they seemed to intersect in spirit, as residents and volunteers gathered near Page for a drive-thru food distribution hosted by the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis in partnership with the St. Louis Area Foodbank.

Cars entered the parking lot at Page and Kingshighway on Monday, many lining up for hours before the noon start

MLK statue stands tall in Fountain Park

As a frigid wind blew and snow turned from flurries to a wintry bombardment Saturday, Missouri’s only statue of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stood defiant in its longtime home in Fountain Park.

King’s statue had weathered a storm of its own on May 16, 2025.

That’s when a historic tornado tore through nearby Centennial Christian Church and wide swaths of North St. Louis, toppling the 11-foot statue, erected in 1978, and leaving it severely damaged. Committeewoman Yolonda “Yogi” Yancie arrived at Fountain Park shortly after the tornado and learned that her friend, Patricia Penelton, had been killed while preparing meals for the homeless at Centennial. While stunned by the wreckage in the park and news of her

“I see that there is far too much work left to do. In Dr. King’s words, ‘justice delayed is justice denied.’”

– In Dr. King’s letter written while in a Birmingham, Alabama, jail

By Sylvester Brown Jr. St. Louis American

Since last May, the U.S. Department of Justice has asked at least 40 states, including Missouri, to turn over unredacted statewide voter registration data as part of a national review of voter rolls. The requests seek full voter files and personal identifying information that many states typically protect.

Missouri has not yet entered into an agreement with the Justice Department. Rachael Dunn, spokeswoman for Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins, said the state has not signed a DOJ agreement “at this time.”

VOTER ROLLS, A12

Courtesy photo

By Kenya Vaughn St. Louis American

By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American

Jones has been selected as a spring fellow at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, joining a class that includes for-

transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg.

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, in partnership with Centennial Christian Church, hosts a rededication unveiling of the MLK statue in Fountain Park on Saturday, Jan. 17. The statue was knocked down and damaged during the May 16 tornado.

Photo by Lawrence Bryant / St. Louis American

Editorial/CommEntary

Guest Editorial

ICE ushers in domestic terrorism

By Marc Morial

“The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.”

- George Orwell, “1984”

“Don’t believe your lying eyes.”

The quote, which originated in the Marx Brothers’ movie “Duck Soup” in 1933, has been deployed in a variety of contexts by comics, authors and orators, leaning into irony for nearly a century.

I never thought that I would see the day when the federal government would use it to defend the execution of an American citizen on American soil, in broad daylight, on camera. That is precisely what occurred on the morning of Jan. 7, when 37-year-old wife and mother Renee Nicole Good was shot at point-blank range by an immigration enforcement officer as she tried to leave the scene of a protest in Minneapolis.

The shooting has ignited a firestorm of controversy for a number of reasons. Since this administration has accelerated its ruthless immigration enforcement activities, sending masked, armed officers with minimal training and experience into major cities primarily led by political opponents, nine people have been shot by agents.

the news broke of the White House abandoning the balance of power that requires Congress to approve acts of war when it decided to take over Venezuela.

Less than a week later, an American is killed, not by a foreign government or terror organization from abroad, but by her own government. And not for breaking the law or even fully exercising her right to peacefully protest as protected by the First Amendment of our Constitution. But for simply being in the vicinity of one.

In a time when efforts to ramp up immigrant enforcement are juxtaposed with a deepening erosion of privacy, we are entering uncharted waters. When immigration enforcement can track and target Americans without permission through cell towers and social media, we have entered a police state. A police state that can question you without cause, charge you with an increasingly broadening definition of “domestic terrorism” under NSPM-7, and federal officers can take your life on camera simply because they want to. In African American communities, we are no strangers to surveillance and overpolicing.

But the driving factor behind this outrage was the federal government’s response. Leaders from immigration enforcement to the office of the vice president took to social media and the airwaves to not only place blame on the deceased, but also to outright lie by stating that the driver attempted to assault officers with her vehicle. An accusation that was clearly debunked by videos from multiple angles of the incident.

Beyond the government’s willingness to lie without compunction, perhaps the most chilling part of this story is the message it sends to the American people. A message that says that the state can do anything that it wants to you, including claiming your life, and not only will there be no effort to bring your assailant, in this case killer, to justice, but they will be justified.

For millions of Americans entering the new year emboldened to take a stand against a government that has seemingly gone rogue, Americans had just set down their New Year’s Eve party hats when

From the Jim Crow laws enacted during Reconstruction and the CIA-led tactics to suppress Civil Rights organizations in the 1960s to the countless deaths caused by officers and vigilantes who have been exonerated by simply stating they “feared for their lives,” Black life in America is a cautionary tale for what is to come.

It is also a blueprint for elected officials, community leaders and legal professionals to take a stand against the criminal activity of rogue officers emboldened by corrupt leaders.

As we mourn the death of Renee Good and hope for the speedy recovery of the two people shot just a day after her by ICE officers in Portland, Oregon, we denounce state-sanctioned violence in all forms. We stand by the First Amendment clauses that protect free speech and the right to protest peacefully. We stand by the Fourth Amendment’s protection of American citizens from unreasonable search and seizure, where, as we saw in the disturbing videos in Minneapolis, far too often result in death and/or serious injury. And we stand beside Americans fighting for justice against tyranny in all forms.

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

Commentary Finishing the work that MLK died for

By Ben Jealous

This year let’s honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., by remembering his final mission — and by picking up the mantle he left behind.

Dr. King was assassinated in Memphis in April 1968 while supporting striking sanitation workers and preparing to launch the Poor People’s Campaign. He was there because he had come to understand something fundamental about American life: that racism and economic exploitation are intertwined, and that neither can be defeated without confronting both.

He was not killed while leading a desegregation battle in a northern suburb. He was killed while trying to unite economically struggling Americans across racial lines around shared demands for dignity, wages, and opportunity.

The Poor People’s Campaign was designed to confront that reality directly. King envisioned a coalition of poor people drawn from many communities — Black and white, Native American, Latino, Asian American and other communities pushed to the margins — coming together to demand economic rights that democracy had long promised but rarely delivered.

History reveals a pattern we are often reluctant to name.

mon with each other than with the forces exploiting them.

That image — Black, brown, and white organizers standing together, unapologetically — was the point.

Less than a year later, Hampton was killed by Chicago police in a predawn raid.

Harry Moore was the founding president of the Florida NAACP and one of the most effective organizers the association ever produced. Under his leadership, Black voter registration in Florida surged despite poll taxes, intimidation, and violence. He fought for equal pay for Black teachers and worked closely with labor and progressive allies, believing racial justice and economic justice could not be separated.

Harriette Moore was not simply his wife. She was an organizer, educator and strategist who sustained the work under constant threat.

On Christmas night in 1951, a bomb exploded beneath their home in Mims, Florida. Both Harry and Harriette Moore would die from their injuries. Their crime was not extremism. It was being effective.

In the United States, one of the most dangerous roles a leader can take on is the work of uniting poor and working people across racial lines — especially when that unity threatens systems that depend on division to function.

Fred Hampton understood that early.

Most people remember Hampton only as a Black Panther, frozen in time at age 21, killed during a predawn police raid in Chicago in December 1969. But before joining the Panthers, Hampton first gained recognition as a teenage organizer in the NAACP. As a youth leader, he showed a rare ability to mobilize people, build coalitions, and translate moral clarity into action.

That instinct carried forward.

As a Panther leader, Hampton helped build the original Rainbow Coalition — bringing together the Black Panthers, the Puerto Rican Young Lords, and the Young Patriots Organization, made up largely of poor white Appalachian migrants. In one of his most consequential public moments, Hampton stood at a press conference alongside William “Preacherman” Fesperman, a leader of the Young Patriots, to declare that poor and working people had more in com-

Malcolm X’s life followed a similar arc. After returning from Mecca in 1964, he spoke and wrote about encountering a brotherhood that crossed racial lines. His politics remained complex and uncompromising, but the direction was unmistakable: away from race as destiny and toward coalition as possibility. Within a year, he was assassinated. Dr. King understood that uniting people across racial lines was not just morally right — it was practically necessary. It was the only way to build enough power to secure health care, fair wages, food security, and basic stability for everyone. So, when we honor Dr. King, we should be careful to remember him accurately — not as a safely sanitized icon, but as a leader who followed justice to its most challenging conclusion. This holiday should not simply reassure us. It should challenge us.

The question before us is the same one history keeps asking: Are we willing to continue the work Dr. King died doing? Because the pattern tells us what happens when we do. And today’s headlines keep telling us what happens when we don’t.

Ben Jealous is a professor of practice at the University of Pennsylvania and former national president and CEO of the NAACP.

By Frances Murphy Draper

Following the nation’s celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the real question is not how loudly we celebrated — but whether we are willing to live by the values Dr. King demanded. Each January, the nation knows how to celebrate. We mark the day. We replay the speeches. We share the quotes. The music plays, the tributes roll, and for a moment, it can feel settled — as if remembrance was the same as responsibility. It is not. We live in a country that knows how to enjoy Black culture without fully reckoning with Black reality. That truth frames how King Day is observed — and too often, misunderstood.

When Dr. King finally received a holiday in his name, celebration was never the finish line. The day was meant to be a reckoning — a reminder that honoring Dr. King requires more than words, more than symbols, more than a once-a-year pause. Repetition is not the same as aligning our actions with the values he stood for — and remembrance alone does not equal responsibility.

language is borrowed. Black style is marketed. But when Black history tells the truth about power, exclusion, and inequality — when it becomes instructional rather than inspirational — the mood changes. Admiration gives way to discomfort. Celebration gives way to resistance.

That tension is not new.

For Black America, King Day has never been abstract. It has always been personal. It has always been earned. In today’s political climate, it is once again instructive.

A holiday can be officially recognized and still quietly diminished. Not by removing it from the calendar, but by draining it of meaning. Not by denying the man, but by reshaping the message. This day matters only if the principles behind it are taken seriously. Right now, those principles are under pressure. Black creativity is celebrated. Black

Dr. King was not opposed in his lifetime because he lacked vision. He was opposed because he refused to dilute the truth. He challenged a nation that wanted harmony without justice and unity without sacrifice. He understood what history keeps confirming: progress does not sustain itself. Rights do not protect themselves. What is gained through struggle can be weakened through neglect. That reality helps explain why honoring Dr. King was never easy. Establishing a holiday in his name took years of organizing and persistence. Even after federal recognition, full observance across the states came slowly. The resistance was never about logistics. It was about discomfort — about whether the nation was prepared to honor a Black man who demanded accountability rather than applause.

That discomfort has not disappeared. Today, Dr. King is quoted often, but selectively. His calls for justice are softened into calls for civility. His critique of economic inequality is pushed aside. His warnings about the misuse of power and the danger of moral complacency are frequently left out. What remains is a version of Dr. King that reassures rather than challenges. But reassurance was never his assignment.

Frances Murphy Draper is CEO and publisher of The

Guest Columnist Frances Murphy Draper

Columnist Marc Morial

Guest Columnist Ben Jealous

In St. Louis, King’s dream lives on through acts of care and service

By Ashley Winters St. Louis American

In St. Louis’ most vulnerable neighborhoods, the work of justice does not always arrive with a bullhorn or a banner.

Sometimes it comes quietly — a cup of coffee in a warm room where people are allowed to rest.

Sometimes it grows from the soil, passed hand to hand as collard greens over a garden fence.

Sometimes it shows up in a classroom, where a child opens a first bank account after learning how to code.

More than a half-century after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. articulated his vision of a more just society, that dream continues to take root in places where access, dignity and opportunity remain elusive.

For self-love advocate LeLe Nolan, urban farmer Dail Chambers and nonprofit founder Keithen Stallings, King’s legacy is not symbolic — it is practical. Through mental health advocacy, food sovereignty and youth leadership development, their work confronts the same inequities King challenged, often in neighborhoods long overlooked by systems of power.

Inside Healing She Got Faith, Nolan’s Puerto Rican-led community mental wellness space in Overland, justice begins with something many

marginalized communities have historically been denied: rest.

Healing She Got Faith offers accessible mental health resources to Black and brown residents navigating economic stress, trauma and systemic neglect. The space is intentionally home-like — welcoming people not only for structured programming, but simply to be.

“Providing mental health services in underserved Black and Brown communities opens doors,” Nolan said. “It’s healing generational curses and habits.”

For Nolan, the work is deeply personal. She grew up watching her parents carry depression and grief without the language or resources to address it.

“They were the original community center,” Nolan said. “But I wish they had access to services that would have helped them when they were tired.”

After moving from New York to St. Louis in the early 1990s, Nolan found a similar culture of care among Black women in the city.

“I saw how hard they worked,” she said. “And I saw the tears. They loved deeply, but they felt like failures if they stopped.”

Healing She Got Faith was created in honor of those women. Beyond therapy referrals or workshops, Nolan’s space affirms a radical idea she believes aligns with King’s

moral vision: that rest is not laziness, but liberation.

“Sometimes people don’t need curriculum,” she said. “They need a safe place to drink coffee, read a book or just breathe.”

For Nolan, the kind of moral leadership King championed means prioritizing people over profit.

“Moral leadership is doing the right thing whether you’re recognized or not,” she said.

In North St. Louis City, Chambers practices justice with her hands in the dirt.

A Black woman urban farmer whose work serves residents facing food insecurity, Chambers grows more than produce. Her farm functions as a com-

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munity resource and learning space in a neighborhood with few full-service grocery options.

“We think economic stability is about how much money we can accrue,” Chambers said. “But for me, economic freedom is having my needs met.”

Chambers learned to grow food from her elders, continuing a tradition passed down through five generations of family connected to North St. Louis.

Reclaiming land in a historically neglected area has not come without obstacles. Chambers has faced denied funding, stolen tools and difficulty accessing land.

“Racism is visible in all

aspects of this city,” she said.

Still, Chambers’ farm is a space of healing. She hosts homeschool groups, educational tours and restorative justice circles, including gatherings held after the May 16 tornado.

Community members meet among trees, pollinators and produce — learning, grieving and rebuilding together.

“We’re not just feeding people,” she said. “We’re learning how to live together. That’s the Beloved Community.”

Stallings, founder and CEO of The Access Foundation, says King’s legacy is carried forward by preparing young people not only to navigate existing systems, but to transform them.

The Access Foundation focuses on STEM education, leadership development, mentorship and economic empowerment. Its programs serve children and teens across

the region, particularly those in under-resourced schools.

“Dr. King believed injustice was about denied access,” Stallings said. “Access to education, to opportunity, to full participation.”

Programs such as Black Boys Matter and TRAP Coding expose youth ages 8 to 17 to technology and leadership training.

“Talent is universal, even when opportunity is not,” Stallings said.

For many students, he said, the exposure is transformative.

“That moment when a young person sees themselves in a space they never imagined — that exposure changes everything,” Stallings said. “It tells them, ‘You belong here.’”

From a quiet mental wellness space to an urban farm to classrooms filled with possibility, King’s dream remains alive in St. Louis — not frozen in history, but evolving through people committed to care, access and service.

As Nolan put it, “Mental health advocacy shows everyone is worthy.”

And as Chambers nurtures land shaped by generations and Stallings equips youth to shape the future, their work echoes a shared belief: The Beloved Community is still being built — one healed body, one shared harvest and one empowered young person at a time.

Photo

Lincoln University celebrates 160th Founders Day Convocation

East St. Louis family honored

Lincoln University formally began its 160th year of serving students from Missouri and around the world during its annual Founders Day Convocation on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Mitchell Auditorium.

In 1866, enlisted men and officers of the 62nd and 65th United States Colored Infantry regiments founded the institution “to ensure the right to education for freed Black Americans.”

Keynote speaker Valerie DanielsCarter, Lincoln University Class of 1978, asked students in attendance, “How will you honor what they sacrificed?”

“You honor it by learning. You honor it by leading. You honor it by serving. You honor it by daring to imagine a future as bold as those who imagined it

in 1866.”

Daniels-Carter is president and CEO of V&J Holding Companies, the nation’s largest woman-owned restaurant franchise organization. She is also a minority owner of the Milwaukee Bucks and a board member of the NFL’s Green Bay Packers.

She called her decision to attend Lincoln “one of the most important choices of her life,” and told students to embrace the belief that “vision has no boundaries.”

“It’s about being a 2026 Blue Tiger who looks forward with the same boldness that defined our beginning,” she said.

The university also recognized the Cooper family of East St. Louis, Illinois, as the 2026 Family of the Year. The family’s multigenerational legacy includes six graduates and two current student leaders.

Commentary

The first year of Trump’s second term

By Camike Jones

In the year since Donald Trump was inaugurated on January 20, 2025, we saw the unfolding of a decadeslong plan to reshape America.

For some, namely the crafters of Project 2025, this was a moment to implement the policies that best represented their values and to establish the America of their dreams.

For others, 2025 was far from a dream. It was a rude awakening, with many lingering questions about who belongs in America and who should benefit from its bounty.

The writers and supporters of Project 2025 had years to develop this multipronged “America First” plan – rolling back DEI, dismantling the Department of Education, limiting immigration and enacting mass deportations and detainments.

why they would take away benefits from hardworking Americans, can we start asking why these hardworking Americans aren’t earning a living wage?

Why would people who are working 40 or more hours per week, living in one of the richest nations in the world, need government assistance to eat?

This year we saw the questioning of museum exhibits and cultural institutions that did not align with the “America First” ideology. Even the Smithsonian was under investigation, being accused of “revisionist history.” But the question we ought to ask is why accurate American history was not taught from the beginning.

One of my biggest takeaways was just how fragile the infrastructure is that undergirds America. Some of our most necessary systems were already broken, such as health care, housing, and education. The upending of these sectors illuminated the weak spots that had been there for years.

We experienced one of the most extended government shutdowns in history. As Democrats held out for more sustainable terms for health care subsidies, I couldn’t help but to think that we may be missing a solution because we haven’t been asking the right questions. Why do we need subsidies anyway?

The disruption of SNAP benefits in the latter part of 2025 showed the vast disparities between Americans. Many believed that some folks were hungry because they just weren’t working hard enough. Others knew too well that many Americans are working full-time and not earning enough money to feed themselves or their families. Again, I wonder if we’re even asking the right question. Instead of asking the government

Stacey Abrams, an attorney, voting rights activist, and a former member of the Georgia House of Representatives, shared the playbook for authoritarianism. Abrams is on a nationwide campaign to “resist and reverse” this from occurring.

The U.S. is not immune to succumbing to this playbook, as many other countries have done over time.

Here are the 10 steps to autocracy and authoritarianism according to Abrams.

1. Win the last fair election.

2. Expand executive power.

3. Capture the other branches.

4. Gut the government.

5. Install loyalists.

6. Attack the media.

7. Scapegoat vulnerable communities.

8. Destroy support systems.

9. Normalize violence.

10. End democracy itself.

Since Trump began his second term, we learned that 1) the president has a lot more power than we thought and 2) checks and balances only work if you work them.

If we’ve learned nothing else, we cannot take for granted the institutions that collectively form America. And we are all responsible for upholding the America we envision.

Camike Jones is Indianapolis Recorder editor-in-chief

Keynote speaker Valerie Daniels-Carter encouraged students not to limit their boundaries during Lincoln University’s Founders Day Convocation.

Photo courtesy of Lincoln University

Camike Jones

Former Mayor Jones headed to Harvard as spring fellow

By Rod Hicks St. Louis American

Former St. Louis Mayor

Tishaura Jones has been selected as a spring fellow at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, joining a class that includes former transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg and former House speaker Kevin McCarthy. Jones is one of six resident fellows named to the Kennedy School’s Institute of Politics. Resident fellows live on campus and lead an eight-week, non-credit study group drawing on their pro-

Resident fellows live on campus and lead an eight-week, non-credit study group drawing on their professional experience.

fessional experience. They also mentor Harvard undergraduates and hold office hours. There also are two visiting fellows — Buttigieg and McCarthy — who are not required to live in the area.

Jones’ experience in politics, including as the

St. Louis treasurer and a Missouri state representative, factored into her selection as a fellow, institute Interim Co-directors Beth Myers and Ned Price said in a statement to The St. Louis American.

“Her extensive experience in both state and

municipal government allows her to bring a unique perspective to campus and will offer students an essential glimpse into the mechanics of governing on the front lines,” they said. “Her work within the community, as well as her focus on racial equity and economic justice, will be a focus of her study groups, and we know our students will benefit immensely from her expertise.”

Jones said she will focus her study group on the intersection of race and gender in American politics. “The

On The Move

Reed, Action St. Louis honored by WashU

efforts to restore North St. Louis after the deadly May 16 tornado. In partnership with ForTheCultureSTL, Action St. Louis established a full-scale relief hub, distributing supplies, coordinating community cleanups and connecting residents to long-term support.

Croft promoted at Tarleton Corporation

Roslyn Croft

Roslyn Croft has been promoted to director of community engagement at Tarleton Corporation, a St. Louis construction management firm. Croft, who has been with the firm since 2009, previously served as inclusion and diversity manager. She has served on several committees and boards, including the Associated General Contractors of Missouri’s Diversity Committee, the St. Louis Public Schools Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee and the St. Louis Council of Construction Consumers Diversity Committee.

Lovelace named Rehab Institute CEO

Takisha Lovelace has been named CEO of The Rehabilitation Institute of St. Louis–St. Peters. She will lead hospital operations with a focus on patient-centered rehabilitation care, team development and community impact across the St. Charles County region.

Lovelace previously served as vice president and COO at Affinia Healthcare. She holds a Master of Arts in business from the George Herbert Walker School of Business at Webster University and a Bachelor of Arts in business from Columbia College.

By Laura Onyeneho Houston Defender

A six-figure salary used to mean stability. Today, more Americans say it barely covers the basics.

That is the message coming from a recent Harris Poll, which shows that a six-figure income is starting to feel like a struggle.

The survey reached more than 2,000 adults nationwide, including more than 700 people earning at least $100,000 per year. One in three respondents reported feeling financially distressed. Two in three said that a six-figure salary is not a sign of wealth. And three-quarters said they had recently used a credit card because they had run out of cash. More than half said they would need to double their income to feel financially secure.

Part of the strain comes

Six figures, but still broke

from cumulative inflation.

Prices surged during the pandemic and have not since returned to their previous levels. Since 2020, costs have climbed at least 24%, according to Bankrate. Even though inflation slowed to around 3% this year, households are still paying higher prices that were locked in over the past several years.

poverty line should be closer to $140,000. Quddus says the comparison falls short.

Households with higher incomes often take on higher expectations, larger homes, and pricier lifestyle habits.

Dr. Munir Quddus, a professor of economics at Prairie View A&M University, says the tension reflects shifting expectations. He recalls reading about a stockbroker who makes well above six figures yet insists that “he feels poor” and believes the real

“He’s confusing the poverty line with middle-income status,” he says.

“Real poverty is when people cannot meet the rent and have to struggle with groceries every month.”

Many people on social media chimed in on the topic. Financial influencers like Denise, the Money Mindset Mentor, shared how she landed a $185,000 salary, yet only had $23 in savings, and still lived paycheck to paycheck. It was due to her money management style.

“I was watching everyone buy homes, start families,

travel the world, and I would remember thinking, I did everything right. … ‘Why the F**k would I feel stuck?’ she explained. “You cannot budget your way to freedom if your mindset is still in survival mode. I stopped trying to just earn more, and I started learning how money actually works.”

Six-figure earners told Harris Poll they are cutting back on medical care, selling personal items, and in some cases skipping meals. Many said they rely on credit cards or Buy Now Pay Later services to manage cash flow. High earners were actually more likely than lower-income households to use these tools when money gets tight.

Those whose income is variable may be better able to buffer their expenses than those on a salary. A business

Shabazz keynotes SIU-E MLK celebration Ilyasah Shabazz

Ilyasah Shabazz, author, educator and daughter of civil rights leaders Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz, delivered the keynote address during the 43rd annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Shabazz has authored five historical novels, served as a project advisor for the PBS award-winning documentary “Prince Among Slaves” and is producing a television series based on her latest publication, “The Awakening of Malcolm X,” in partnership with Sony Pictures Television’s TriStar.

submit your People on the Move item (including photo) to areid@stlamerican.com

Kayla Reed

Photo courtesy of Tishaura Jones

Takisha Lovelace

Former St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones will lead an eight-week, non-credit study group for students at Harvard University after being selected as a spring 2026 fellow at the Kennedy School’s Institute of Politics.

Jones

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tentative title that I have selected is race, identity and backlash, and then race, gender and the future of inclusive democracy,” she said.

Jones said she was stunned by the selection and the high-profile class of fellows.

“I was blown away!” she said. “It’s an honor, and I’m really humble to know that my name is among such distinguished fellows.”

Jones said she will guide conversations about identity, political backlash and the pressures facing public officials. She said she hopes students leave with sharper context for how debates over race and gender shape policy and the public climate around it.

“I’m excited,” Jones said, calling the current climate “a critical juncture in our nation’s history where DEI and everything about race and gender seems to be under attack.”

Jones said she hopes the study group helps students develop practical tools for navigating polarization and misinformation — challenges she said local leaders increasingly confront.

“I hope that they can

Harvard Fellows

Here are the Institute of Politics at Harvard Kennedy School’s spring 2026 resident fellows and visiting fellows. Resident fellows live on campus and lead an eight-week study group. Visiting fellows have shorter stays and participate in a variety of discussions and events.

Resident fellows

● Rohit Chopra — Former Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

● Chrystia Freeland — Former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of Canada and Economic Advisor to President Zelensky

● Aimee Rogstad Guidera — Outgoing Virginia Secretary of Education

● Tishaura Jones — Former Mayor of St. Louis, Missouri

● Christopher Liddell — Former White House Deputy Chief of Staff

● Byron York — Chief Political Correspondent, Washington Examiner & Fox News Contributor

Visiting fellows

● Pete Buttigieg — Former U.S. Secretary of Transportation

● Kevin McCarthy — Former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives

get a historical perspective,” she said.

Harvard described Jones as a longtime public servant with more than 20 years of experience in local and state govern-

ment. She made history in 2021 as St. Louis’ first Black woman elected mayor, overseeing city operations that included a $1.2 billion budget and more than 5,000 employ-

ees. The Harvard fellowship will overlap with another academic role. Washington University in St. Louis has selected Jones as the inaugural visiting distinguished

fellow-in-residence at the Center for the Study of Race, Ethnicity and Equity for the spring semester. The university said Jones will help shape a series of public programs.

St. Louis joins Gateways for Growth program

The city of St. Louis will participate in the Gateways for Growth (G4G) program through the American Immigration Council and Welcoming America, two national nonprofits working to support immigrant inclusion in communities across the country.

St. Louis will receive tailored research briefs, customized technical assistance and participation in a community of practice, with the goal of deepening the inclusion of interna-

tional communities in every aspect of St. Louis.

More than 75 communities have participated in the initiative since its launch in 2016. This announcement follows significant regional success in attracting foreign-born

residents.

“One of the best things about St. Louis is that we are a community made up of people and cultures from all over the world,” said Mayor Cara Spencer. “St. Louis has a rich immigrant history that continues

Broke

Continued from A5

owner can raise prices in an inflationary period. A teacher or social worker cannot. Salaries do not update as quickly as everyday costs. And households with higher

to make our city a more interesting and prosperous place. I look forward to using this opportunity to support and grow our foreign-born community even more.”

In 2023, the St. Louis metropolitan area had the

incomes often take on higher expectations, larger homes, and pricier lifestyle habits, which makes any increase in the cost of living feel sharper.

Many people lack sufficient discipline and become entangled in the trap of overspending.

“This opportunity allows me to share lessons from my journey in public service, and learn from the brilliant minds shaping our future,” Jones said in the university’s announcement. “I look forward to meaningful conversations, collaboration and continuing the work of building stronger, more inclusive communities.”

Jones said she expects to split her time, living in Cambridge while traveling back to St. Louis to continue her work at WashU. She said WashU’s programming will address similar themes as her Harvard work, but with a stronger emphasis on local issues and public engagement. WashU seminars will be open to the public, she said. Jones holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from Hampton University and a master’s degree in health administration from Saint Louis University. She also completed the Executives in State and Local Government program at Harvard’s Kennedy School.

She previously served as vice president of public finance at the Blaylock Robert Van investment firm, now Blaylock Van, and as adjunct faculty at Harris-Stowe State University’s AnheuserBusch School of Business.

highest percentage increase in foreign-born population in the U.S., according to the U.S. Census Bureau The number of foreign-born

Quddus recommends simple habits such as cutting back on luxuries, making firm grocery lists, using coupons, avoiding impulse buys and “set aside something from your salary in a very disciplined way so that you have a cushion.” He also encourages longterm investing, especially in stocks.

HealthMattersHealthMattersHealthMatters

Obesity isn’t a personal failure

How Black Americans face higher risks

The American Heart Association recommends systemic solutions beyond diet, exercise, and costly weight-loss drugs.

By Jennifer Porter Gore

When it comes to obesity, there is no shortage of areas to lay blame, from the supersized American diet to neighborhoods that lack safe spaces to walk or exercise to food manufacturers who scientifically engineer cheap, fatty, salt-and-sugar-laden products that all but guarantee overeating.

Yet when it comes to solving the problem, society usually focuses on individuals, blaming them for being too indulgent, too sedentary, or too lacking in discipline to lose weight. The Black community, which has

disproportionately higher rates of obesity than the white community, is particularly susceptible to those attitudes, given the country’s history of racial tropes and stereotypes involving body weight.

The real skinny on treating obesity

But a new research paper from the American Heart Association points out that obesity is a multifaceted health problem shaped by social and economic barriers that Black Americans and people in lower-income communities routinely face. Personal discipline isn’t the only factor in the struggle to maintain a healthy weight. And despite the rise of breakthrough

See OBESITY, page A8

Black Press USA

How filtered water can elevate your life

StatePoint

Water isn’t just something to drink; it flows through every aspect of life – from your morning coffee to your nightly skincare routine. The cleaner it is, the more it supports your health, beauty, your family’s well-being, home and even the environment. Enhancing your home’s water purity can make an impact every day.

The Foundation of Wellness

If you’ve ever filled a glass of water from the tap, taken a sip and thought something tasted off, it may have contained elevated levels of chemicals such as iron, manganese and hydrogen sulfide. Elevated levels of these contaminants not only make water less enjoyable to drink, but also pose potential health hazards. Water filters, such as the Moen Whole Home Water Filtration System, can enhance water quality by helping remove elevated levels of contaminants, reducing odors and

See WATER, A8

Empowering Black parenting

Tips and insights that matter

Parenting is a challenge for all cultures, considering that you have the desire to transmit knowledge, love, and acceptance to your child so they can be prepared to go on the journey that matters. This involves having open conversations about the world they live in, prioritizing emotional wellness, and more.

As a Black person, you are probably finding that the journey of being a good parent is laced with more parenting challenges than you expected, especially as the world is changing rapidly around you. If you feel like you could do with some more tools to help you navigate this journey, then you are in the right place.

Empowering Black parenting is all about honoring your heritage, nurturing emotional well-being, and giving your children the strategies to survive in an increasingly complex and dangerous world.

The biggest gift that African American parenting can bestow upon its children is a strong sense of identity. In a world

The biggest gift that African American parenting can bestow upon its children is a strong sense of identity.

that’s constantly pulling them in all directions, they need an anchor that will show them who they are and where they stand.

You can begin this journey early by making everyday choices relevant to your culture:

• Choosing books that feature Black protagonists

• Listening to music and experiencing art that’s rooted in Black culture

• Watching movies that have brilliant, strong African American actors and actresses (Black Pantherbeing one great example) See

Photo by Pexels / Julia Larson

Courtesy photo

Teaching basic financial literacy, goal setting, and decision-making skills will go a long way in the future.

A new study from the American Heart Association points out that personal discipline is not the only factor in determining obesity.

Obesity

Continued from A7 anti-obesity drugs like Ozempic or Wegovy, the paper says, more collaboration between government, health care professionals, community organizations and individuals is still needed.

An individual’s lifestyle is one factor, but obesity comes from more than just overeating or lacking exercise.

“Obesity rates are highest among Black children and adults, low-income families, people living in rural areas, and adults with a high school education or less,” the AHA statement says. “[G]enetic factors can contribute to the development of obesity, [but] previous studies have found that genetic predisposition is not the primary driver of high obesity rates.”

These issues, plus the stigma of being overweight, and the financial costs of treating obesity worsened by a lack of health insurance, make the disease difficult to treat..

Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford, AHA’s vice chair of the scientific statement writing group, said in a statement that people with fewer resources are more likely to develop obesity “because of a combination of factors,” from the type of job they have to whether their neighborhood is quiet enough for a good night’s sleep.

“We must recognize that obesity is not a personal choice,” said Stanford, an associate professor of medicine and pediatrics and an obesity medicine physician scientist at Massachusetts

Parenting

Continued from A7

• Sharing family stories and showing Black family dynamics that display resilience and achievement

It’s not about celebrating Black History Month and then forgetting about it for the rest of the year.

Having open conversations about the world they live in

The world is getting increasingly complicated and complex. It’s not the same as when you or your parents grew up, and that needs to be acknowledged.

Your children need to understand the world they live in so they can navigate it better. This is especially true for African American children living in certain parts of the United States, where they are in more danger than in other spaces.

Keep your conversations at age-appropriate levels, but start having these conversations right

Water

Continued from A7

producing better-tasting water. This means quality meals, enjoyable drinks and a natural boost to your hydration. And when you drink more water, you support digestion, energy and overall health.

Beauty boost from the tap

The benefits of clean water don’t end in the kitchen. Chlorine and other harsh contaminants can strip your natural oils,

HealthMattersHealthMattersHealthMatters

General Hospital and Harvard Medical School.

“It is highly influenced by multiple social and environmental factors,” and people with fewer resources are more likely to struggle with weight.

“This is a critical component for addressing the obesity epidemic in the U.S. and obesity-related health conditions, including cardiovascular disease,” she said.

now. These chats about fairness, justice, safety, and self-advocacy will ensure your children process their experiences, rather than internalizing confusion, fear, or even shame.

Advocating within educational spaces

The cost of childcare in NYC can be exorbitant, and if you cannot do without it, then you will want to find a way to advocate for your child in such educational places. You want your child to go into these spaces and feel accepted, loved, and supported.

They should be treated fairly, supported fully, and challenged appropriately, so:

• Attend the meetings

• Communicate regularly with the teachers

• Understand the school policies

• Join any additional extracurricular activities as necessary

• Remember that advocacy isn’t about confrontation but about collaboration.

leaving skin dry and hair dull. Have you ever wondered why your skin feels tight after a shower, no matter the products you use? That culprit is likely those contaminants. When your home uses purified water, your shower can become a more enjoyable experience. In addition to filtering water, you can also consider a water softener to help with skin sensitivity by reducing irritation and maintaining your body’s natural moisture balance. With cleaner water, every shower can be transformed into a beauty ritual, creating a spa-like experience at home.

An issue that crept up over 60 years

Since the U.S. first began measuring obesity rates in 1960, adult obesity has risen sharply. Back then, just over 13% of adults aged 20 to 74 were defined as obese; by 2018, obesity among adults aged 20 had more than tripled to just over 42%, with roughly 9% diagnosed with severe obesity.

Focusing on emotional wellness

Your child needs to be emotionally healthy as much as they need to do well academically. That emotional wellness comes from you and the skills you transmit to them.

For generations, emotional struggles were ignored, unnamed, and relegated to the sidelines or minimized. The time has come to remove that silence, to break that cycle. Teach your children to name their feelings, practice empathy, and seek help when they feel overwhelmed with their emotions or anything else. Your children need to know that you will be there for them no matter what emotional hurdle comes their way.

Modeling financial and life skills

We live in a capitalistic society where financial knowledge, or lack thereof, can make a huge difference in a child’s life. Start modeling financial and life skills right now, speaking to your child about it reg-

Pure water for peace of mind

Kids and pets can be especially sensitive to what’s in the water they consume and bathe in.

Cleaner, filtered water can help support healthy growth, strong immune systems and development in kids, while four-legged family members benefit through better digestion, more hydration and a shinier coat of fur. Whether it’s a sippy cup at dinner or bath time before bed, a whole-home water filtration system can provide peace of mind.

An individual’s lifestyle is one factor, but obesity comes from more than just overeating or lacking exercise.

increased risk of obesity and related diseases.

Although weightloss drugs like Wegovy, Ozempic, and others in the GLP-1 class have taken the market by storm, they are also priced out of reach for most low-income patients. Paradoxically, however, simply acknowledging their use can exacerbate weight stigma: even celebrities like Oprah Winfrey and the pop star Lizzohave been confronted with questions and criticism about using them.

Data from 2023, the most recent numbers available, finds that obesity affects around 4 in 10 adults and more than 21% of children ages 2 to 19. The disease significantly increases the likelihood of being diagnosed with high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and Type 2 diabetes — all of which disproportionately affect Black people.

ularly so they don’t miss out on this important capability.

Teaching basic financial literacy, goal setting, and decision-making skills will go a long way in the future. Start a 529 College Savings Plan for them so they don’t have to go into heavy debt for their education in the future.

Encouraging joy, rest, and play

Life isn’t just about toiling away at some task until you die. It should also be joyous and beautiful.

You can help your children by making space for them:

• To be creative

• To laugh freely

• To explore interests

• To experiment, and more You will also benefit from rest, so teach selfcare not only to your child but to yourself as well. Practicing healthy boundaries will also help here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Preserve your home, protect your family

Purified water is better for your home’s functionality. Contaminants and minerals such as chlorine, calcium and magnesium can cause scale buildup and corrosion in appliances, affecting their efficiency and leading to stains on sinks and fixtures. Straining out these sediments helps appliances run smoothly and last longer, while keeping your home looking its best.

To further safeguard your home where water is concerned, consider

When it comes to lifestyle, Individuals whose employment requires shift work, as well as people whose neighborhoods are noisy or have intense nighttime light, are also at increased risk for obesity. These factors interrupt the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle and can prevent individuals from getting enough high-quality sleep. Such disruptions are strongly associated with an

How can Black parents challenge stereotypes through everyday actions?

As Black parents, you are probably going to notice stereotypes being foisted upon your children regularly. People are ignorant, and there’s nothing you can do about them.

But you can make your child’s identity and individuality strong enough that they can handle all of these prejudices without faltering. Affirmations, positive reinforcement, and consistent support remind children that they are capable, valued, and deserving of opportunity.

How to build strong Black parenting support networks?

Children need a community of supportive people around them, and that’s why building a strong support network around you is going to be crucial. It’s not only for your child, but also for yourself.

You can’t do it all yourself, no matter how much you would like to. Having a group of friends, family members, loved ones, and

installing the Flo Smart Water Monitor and Shutoff device, which constantly monitors water pressure and flow rate, helping detect and alert you of leaks as small as a drop per minute.

Water without waste

When tap water isn’t up to par, it can be tempting to turn to bottled water. Filtration systems eliminate the need for single-use plastic, cutting down on waste and reducing your household’s overall environmental footprint. In fact, water filters can save you up to 92%

Meanwhile, landmark research confirms that overweight or obese people face wide-ranging stigma and discrimination in the workplace and in healthcare settings, as well as in education and the media. They can also have difficulty in interpersonal relationships, all of which increases mental health struggles and can make individuals avoid seeking medical treatment. “The most effective weight management programs are culturally and socially informed and involve stakeholders from across all levels of society working together to support people at risk for or living with obesity. Improving the affordability of fruits and vegetables specific to cultural diets, increasing access to healthy weight management programs, promoting physical activity, and advocating for public policies such as insurance coverage of obesity medications are key strategies that could have large societal impacts,” Stanford said.

colleagues who all support you in this parenting journey is going to ensure you don’t burn out on the journey. It will also teach your child about teamwork and the importance of good friendships and strong family roots.

Empowered Black parenting raises confident children

Empowering Black parenting is rooted in intention, love, and vision. It honors the past while actively shaping a better future.

Take the steps listed above, and it will ensure you equip your children with all the skills necessary to take on the world as it comes at them, without breaking down or becoming anxious. Every conversation, tradition, and lesson contributes to raising children who know who they are and believe in what they can become. Please read through related articles on our website for more articles sharing the voice of the Black community.

compared to buying bottled water, translating to $354.05 per year per person. Additionally, wholehome systems eliminate the need for individual, short-term filters on pitchers, sinks and showerheads for less waste, more savings, and a more consistent experience throughout the house.

Whether it’s drinking, cooking, bathing or protecting your home, improving your water quality has the power to elevate daily life.

For more information on how water can enhance your life, visit moen.com.

Luenell and Al B. Sure make it Instagram official

Veteran standup comedian Luenell and R&B singer/songwriter Al B. Sure took to social media to share with the world that they are in a romantic relationship.

“Yup it’s love,” Luenell said as the caption for a video that shows the pair displaying physical affection for each other.

“If you know, you know,” Luenell said. “Finally out of the shadows. 2026…let’s go.”

In another Instagram video, the couple appear together at a boat dock. It the clip, they cuddle and profess their mutual love.

“When I was in a coma, I heard you whispering in my ear,” Sure said as he embraced Luenell and planted kisses on her cheek.

“This is not new,” Luenell said.

Nene Leakes returns to Bravo

Nene Leakes took to Instagram on Wednesday, Jan. 14, to open up about her upcoming return to the Bravo Network and its popular “Real Housewives” franchise. “This has been a really long, long journey, and gosh, I’m happy, overjoyed to say that I will be returning to Bravo,” “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” alum said in the Instagram video. “I almost can’t believe the words that are coming out of my mouth. I’m so happy.”

died suddenly in his home last week. He was 50 years old.

The Martha’s Vineyard Times reported that the cause of death has not yet been determined, but family friends confirmed to the outlet that Forté suffered a serious health setback one year ago when he was hospitalized after a seizure. Since then, Forte, who would have been 51 on Jan. 30, had reportedly been taking medication to control the threat of a grand mal seizure. Forté, a rapper and record producer, was known as a member of the musical collective Refugee Camp All-Stars. He earned a Grammy nomination for his work on The Fugees album “The Score.”

Famed hip hop journalist

James Bernard confirmed dead

Nene continued in her emotional video message, “I’m excited to see all of you girls... It’s going to be a time. Yes! [B-word expletive], I am back. Now pick your faces off the floor. OK!? See you on Bravo. Love you.”

On his Sirius XM Show, franchise creator Andy Cohen opened up about Nene’s future appearance on “The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Roaring 20th” on the same day the core cast for the series was confirmed. “She’s gonna be making an appearance,” Cohen said. “People are very happy about it. Listen, we are going to be celebrating 20 years of Housewives, and it would be hard not to without her, and so I’m happy about it.”

John Forté passes at 50 Grammy-nominated recording artist John Forté

A year after he was reported missing, celebrated hip hop journalist James Bernard has been confirmed dead. Bernard was best known as co-founder of the pioneering hip-hop magazines The Source and XXL. A spokesman for the Burlington County, N.J., prosecutor’s office told Journalisms on Monday that his death is “being treated as a suicide.”

“His body was discovered on December 29, 2025, by hunters in a wooded area of Pemberton Township,” the public information officer told Journal-isms.

“The conclusion is based on a determination from the medical examiner’s office.”

The revelation comes after the journalist had been reported missing more than 17 months ago, according to New Jersey records. It appeared that Bernard died soon after his last reported sighting in March of 2024. He was 58.

Former Nickelodeon star

fatally struck in hit-and-run

Kianna Underwood, a child actor who appeared on Nickelodeon’s “All That” and “Little Bill,” died after a hit-and-run in New York City last week, multiple news organizations reported. She was 33.

Underwood was struck by a black SUV while crossing an intersection in Brooklyn’s Brownsville neighborhood on January 16. While lying on the street, she was reportedly hit by a black and gray sedan, according to the news outlets.

Underwood was part of the cast on Season 10 of the children’s sketch comedy show “All That” in 2005 and a voice actor on the animated series “Little Bill” in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Nene Leakes

award winning NIE program offers newspapers and resources to St. Louis area teachers and students each week throughout the school year, at no charge.

Questions or comments? Contact us at nie@stlamerican.com or 314-533-8000

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SCIENCE STARS Engineering Healing:

AFRICAN-AMERICAN MYCOLOGIST AND EDUCATOR:

African American Meterologist William “Bill” Parker

The Work of Dr. Treena Livingston Arinzeh

Jones was born on September 19,

Valley, Georgia. Jones

William (Bill) Parker grew up in New Orleans. He graduated from JFK High School, which focused on math, science, and engineering. Parker was

SCIENCE CORNER

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

SCIENCE CORNER

What Is Chemical Engineering?

Are Fungi ?

degree,

Imagine you have the best chocolate chip cookie recipe that you like to make for family and friends. Imagine you sold this recipe to a company. Now, they need to produce thousands of cookies each day. Each cookie must be the same size and have the same taste. What kind of equipment would they use? How would the recipe change? How could they produce the cookies at a low cost? These are the questions for a chemical engineer.

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

SCIENCE INVESTIGATION

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

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

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

Chemical engineers use math, chemistry, and physics to solve problems, such as pollution. They design equipment and find ways to make chemicals. Chemical engineers work in labs, factories, or testing

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

SCIENCE INVESTIGATION

SCIENCE INVESTIGATION

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

Procedure:

Materials Needed:

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

• 3 slices of bread • Water • 3 Ziploc bags • 10x10 square centimeter grid • Ruler Process:

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

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

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

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

r Tape the seam, pressing the duct tape firmly to

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

r Place the third bag with a dry slice

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

MATH CONNECTION

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

sites. In order to become a chemical engineer, you will need to earn your bachelor’s degree, taking courses in math, English, chemistry, biology, physics, social studies, and computers. Engineering majors often do projects as teams, so cooperation skills are very important. If you are a creative and curious person who loves math, logic, and solving problems, this is a good career for you.

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

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

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

For More Information and Interactive Games, Visit: www.discoverengineering.org.

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

Growing Mold!

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

Learning Standards: I can read nonfiction text to gain information about careers in math, science, and technology.

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

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

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

w Working with a group, brainstorm ideas of how to create a device that will create square bubbles.

e Use trial and error to evaluate your ideas.

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

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

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

r Record your results on paper, noting what worked and what didn’t work. What changes did your group make?

Analyze: How did water and air create a hurricane?

t Discuss results as a class.

Discussion Questions: Did your group work well together? Were you able to create square bubbles? What method was the most effective?

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

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

Learning Standards: I can follow sequential directions to complete an experiment.

Math Storms!

I can display my results, make observations, and draw conclusions.

Learning Standards: I can follow directions to complete an experiment. I can use trial and error to evaluate my ideas. I can work cooperatively with a group.

Analyzing

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

X has grown to have wind speeds of 48 miles per hour. How much faster will the winds have to become for Tropical Storm X to become Hurricane X? ______

a Bar Graph

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

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

c A tropical storm takes on a hurricane status when the winds reach 74 miles per hour. After three days, Tropical Storm

DID YOU KNOW?

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

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

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

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

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

There

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

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

Treena Livingston Arinzeh grew up in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, where her love for science began at home, doing pretend experiments in the kitchen with her mother, a home economics teacher. Her curiosity deepened in high school after a physics teacher recognized her potential and encouraged her to pursue engineering.

Dr. Arinzeh earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Rutgers University, a master’s degree in biomedical engineering from Johns Hopkins University, and a Ph.D. in bioengineering from the University of Pennsylvania. After working in biotechnology, she became a professor at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, where she founded the Tissue Engineering and Applied Biomaterials Laboratory.

In 1975, Jones was listed in the World’s Women’s Who’s Who and she was named an Outstanding Young Woman of America in 1978. Beta Beta Beta National Biological Honor Society awarded her the distinguished service award. Jones also received the Significant Service Award from the NASA Space Life Sciences Training Program and the Extramural Associate Research Development Award from the National Institute of Health. In 1990 and 2006, she was named Woman of the Year at Alabama A&M University and was given the Outstanding Leadership Award by the Faculty Senate. The U.S. Army presented Jones the Commander’s Award for Outstanding Civilian Service as a member of the Army Science Board.

Her research focuses on tissue engineering, finding ways to repair damaged tissues such as bone and cartilage. One of her most important discoveries showed that stem cells from one person could safely be used in another person to support bone growth, a breakthrough that advanced medical treatment options. She also studies “smart” biomaterials, including piezoelectric materials that generate small electrical signals to help tissues heal faster. Her work blends engineering, biology, and medicine to improve human health.

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

Discussion Questions: Dr. Jones received many awards and honors. How would you describe her achievements and her contributions to science? Dr. Jones is studying how fungi might be used as agents of war. What purpose do you think fungi serve in modern warfare? Are fungi beneficial or harmful?

Beyond her research, Dr. Arinzeh is deeply committed to teaching and mentoring. She invites students into her lab for hands-on experiences and works intentionally to support students from underrepresented groups. Through her mentorship, she encourages young people, especially girls, to see themselves as scientists and engineers who can make a difference.

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

ELA Questions

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

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

What discoveries has Dr. Treena Livingston Arinzeh made in the field of tissue engineering?

Use the newspaper to complete the following activities: Types of News:

How does Dr. Arinzeh inspire and support students who want to pursue science and engineering?

MAP CORNER

Enjoy these activities

Louis American newspaper.

Science involves identifying a problem and finding a solution.

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

Activities — Who works where? a picture of a building in the newspaper and tell what kind

Find a newspaper story about a problem and a solution. Summarize the problem and solution in a paragraph.

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

In addition to natural hazards, there are also chemical hazards (such as pollution), biological hazards (such as pollen and viruses), safety hazards (such as workplace safety, transportation), and personal hazards (such as smoking and drinking). Discuss the risk of these hazards, then find newspaper stories or pictures and identify the type of hazard that is illustrated.

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

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

Learning Standards: I can use the newspaper to find information. I can locate a problem and solution. I can categorize.

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

Jeanette Jones

Jeanette

1950, in Fort

Penicilllin mold commonly grows on fruit

SCIENCE CORNER

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

Photo by Ms. Stovall

class. In this class, he learned rain. Parker wanted to attend

study meteorology. He graduated with his bachelor’s

Photo by Cathy Sewell

time. By 1 p.m., the line still stretched several blocks, extending past Whittier.

As recipients drove up to the distribution point, they were greeted by Carl — dancing to the music of DJ Tossin’ Ted while directing cars forward.

Despite the freezing temperatures, the energy felt like a family reunion. Cookout classics from Earth, Wind & Fire, Chic and Kirk Franklin blasted through the speakers. Volunteers who hadn’t seen each other since the last event shared embraces and swapped holiday stories. Some were bundled so tightly in layers that it took a second look to recognize familiar faces.

Two lines of cars pulled up and popped their trunks. Hundreds of boxes and bags of potatoes, onions and peppers were stacked in a central pile. An assembly line of volunteers — clearly practiced in the rhythm of efficiency — kept the cars moving smoothly.

“You’re gonna need to open your back door, too,” one volunteer instructed. A man shifted items in the back seat of his Toyota Corolla to make room.

Two boxes went into his trunk: one filled with nonperishables — soups, beans, cereal, mac and cheese — and another with toiletries and other essentials. Fresh vegetables and a turkey were placed in the back seat, along with cases of beverages.

At the distribution point, volunteers smiled as they helped recipients make room for more than many expected.

Just beyond the drive-thru area, signs of the May 16 tornado were still impossible to ignore — including a twisted ball of metal that was once a building in Roberts Village, directly adjacent to the distribution site.

“I am out here for my uncle and my granny too,” said a recipient who asked

Voter rolls

Continued from A1

In a new development, the Democratic National Committee sent Hoskins a formal letter on Jan. 9 warning that signing the DOJ’s proposed agreement could contribute to unlawful voter purges and violate the National Voter Registration Act. Missouri has also participated in efforts to share limited voter information on its own terms. In November, Missouri and

Kansas signed an agreement to exchange registration information to identify people registered in both states. Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab said the goal is to reduce duplicate registrations when residents move across the state line.

National push for voter data

The federal request is part of a sweeping effort. Most states have declined to share complete records. Instead, many have provided only publicly

to remain anonymous. She, her uncle and her grandmother were all affected by the May 16 tornado. “This will help more than people know,” she said. “It feels great to see people helping us out like this. This is what Dr. King was talking about.”

She pointed out the diversity among both volunteers and recipients — the Asian woman handing a box to the car across from her, the white man dancing alongside Carl as he made his way back to

available voter lists that exclude sensitive data such as Social Security numbers and driver’s license numbers, according to the Brennan Center for Justice, a law and policy institute. Some states have refused entirely. Attorney General Pamela Bondi has publicly announced a wave of lawsuits tied to the effort, as the Justice Department presses states to provide broader access to voter registration records. The Justice Department has sued 24 states and Washington, D.C., in an effort to com-

his station.

“It is a blessing. We are all out here together,” she said. “It makes you feel like you are not alone.”

The recipient was one of more than 3,000 people who received $300,000 worth of donated food and essential items, according to the Urban League.

“On this Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we are answering Dr. King’s call to action by serving our neighbors and

pel compliance.

Those lawsuits have largely targeted Democratic-led states where election officials rejected the department’s initial data demands. Some state leaders have argued the request is unlawful and puts the privacy of millions of voters at risk. Critics have also voiced fears that the Trump administration could use the information to target political opponents.

The DOJ says the effort is tied to federal responsibilities under voting laws and part of its stated

Residents and volunteers gathered near Page for a drive-thru food distribution hosted by the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis in partnership with the St. Louis Area Foodbank.

helping meet immediate needs,” said Michael P. McMillan, president and CEO of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis. “Service is a powerful way to honor his legacy and strengthen our community.”

As volunteers lifted boxes, filled trunks and rotated duties to warm up in a heated tent, a King quote came to mind — one that captured the unity and service unfolding in the heart of a community still recovering.

goal to strengthen election integrity. Harmeet Dhillon, who was confirmed in April as assistant attorney general for civil rights and leads the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, said the department “has a statutory mandate to enforce federal voting rights laws,” and said maintaining confidence in elections is a top priority of the Trump administration.

Proposed requirements

The Justice Department has proposed agreements that would require states to submit their full voter files. Under the agreements, the DOJ would analyze the data and notify states of what it identifies as deficiencies or concerns. The agreements say states would then have 45 days to remove any ineligible voters identified through the review and resubmit updated lists to the DOJ.

David Becker, executive director of the nonpartisan Center for Election Innovation & Research, called the DOJ requests alarming, saying they seek highly sensitive personal information, including dates of birth, Social Security information and driver’s license data. “They’re trying to use the power of the executive branch to bully states into turning over highly sensitive data,” Becker said.

Voting rights advocates also warn the information could be used to justify aggressive voter purges if database matches are inaccurate.

At the same time, at least 11 states — Alabama, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia and Missouri — have expressed willingness to work with the department, according to Eric Neff, acting chief of the DOJ’s Voting Section.

Missouri already on DOJ’s radar

Missouri has appeared on the DOJ’s radar for some time. In 2024, the Missouri Independent reported that the Justice

“We must learn to live together as brothers or perish as fools,” King said at Christ Church Cathedral on March 22, 1964.

Nearly 65 years after King spoke those words, the Urban League and its partners demonstrated the enduring power of brotherhood, empathy and service.

“We are here reflecting Dr. King’s belief that service to humanity is a pathway to justice and dignity,” McMillan said.

Department contacted state election officials seeking access to voting equipment used in the 2020 presidential election.

A memo from the Missouri Association of County Clerks and Election Authorities said at least two county clerks were contacted by a DOJ official. Jasper County Clerk Charlie Davis said former Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft also encouraged him to cooperate. The American Civil Liberties Union and ACLU of Rhode Island have sued to block the DOJ from obtaining Rhode Island’s full voter file, arguing that the request includes “sensitive, non-public information” such as full names, addresses, birth dates and driver’s license or Social Security data.

“This voter data could be misused to justify large-scale voter purges,” said Ari Savitzky, a senior staff attorney with the ACLU’s Voting Rights Project.

The Brennan Center’s Eileen O’Connor said the DOJ’s actions point toward a broader plan.

“With each passing lawsuit, they are clearly trying to create a national database of every voter in the country,” she said. What happens next will depend on the outcome of ongoing lawsuits and negotiations with state election officials. But the federal effort has already suffered its first major legal setback: On Jan. 15, a federal judge dismissed the Justice Department’s lawsuit against California, calling the demand for unredacted voter data an unprecedented and illegal overreach and warning that centralizing sensitive voter information could deter registration and participation.

For Missouri voters, the outcome could affect how personal information is handled, how closely federal officials become involved in state elections and whether future elections face new scrutiny over voter eligibility.

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

Photo by Taylor Marrie / St. Louis American

Living It

Dr. King’s dream, reimagined

BCL kicks off Black History Month in style at Neiman Marcus

By Zaria Mac St. Louis American

SLAM’s MLK program empowers young voices to carry his legacy forward

An endearing and resonant celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. took place at the Saint Louis Art Museum Sunday afternoon. “The Dream Reimagined: Youth Voices Uplifted,” placed the next generation in the spotlight. The tribute highlighted talented youth and the orga nizations nurturing them, set against the powerful backdrop of images by legend ary Civil Rights photographer Moneta Sleet, Jr. Guiding the program’s rhythm and reflection was St. Louis Poet Laureate

Pacia Anderson. Her words anchored the afternoon with grace and urgency. Parents, friends, art instructors and allies filed into The Farrell Auditorium, filling the seats well before the 2 p.m. start time. They were all waiting to see the performances of swinging melodies and heavenly wails from the Cahokia High School Jazz Band and the COCA Allegro concert choir, striking move

See SLAM, B3

Lifting the legacy of Black composers

SLSO, IN UNISON Young Artists honor Dr. King and the power of Black music

By Kenya Vaughn St. Louis American

Every seat in the Missouri History Museum’s Lee Auditorium was filled Friday night for a gathering that honored the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by celebrating Blackness through the lens of classical music. “Let It Resound: The Legacy of Black Composers” brought together musicians of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and the voices of the IN UNISON Young Artists. It was presented by the Missouri Historical Society’s African American History Initiative.

Much of the evening centered on the rediscovered brilliance of Florence Price — a composer whose name, for decades, nearly slipped through the cracks of his tory.

“Tonight, we celebrate music and the stories behind it,” said Michelle Byrd, manager of the SLSO’s IN UNISON

Chorus. “Every composer writes with hope that their work will live on — that someone will play it and that their voice will not be forgotten. Yet history often silences more voices than it preserves.”

Byrd reminded the audience that Price’s manuscripts were found in 2009 in an abandoned house — “pages curling, ink bleeding, history decomposing.” What could have been trash turned out to be treasure: symphonies, concertos, chamber

Soloist Alayna Epps at the SLSO Community Concert: Let It Resound - The Legacy of Black Composers that was held at the Missouri History Museum.

usher in Black History Month with a fashion event that celebrates area designers and artists.

Retailer hosts showcase

of STL Black designers, artistry and fashion

fellowship

By Zaria Mac St. Louis American

Next Saturday, Neiman Marcus will welcome the return of Black Creatives in the Lou (BCL) for an evening that blends high fashion with local artistry. The collective, founded by Yolanda “Yoro” Newson, will debut its latest designer exhibition from 4 to 7 p.m. on January 31. Guests can expect sweet treats, fashion‑forward fellowship and a showcase of storytelling designs that will remain on display throughout the month of February.

works, and hundreds of compositions bearing the same name on their title page. Born in Little Rock in 1887, Price graduated from the New England Conservatory at 19. She mastered European classical traditions while remaining rooted in the Black musical life that shaped her — fusing spirituals, blues,

Attendees can look forward to a first‑ever designer showcase, where one garment from each featured creative will be brought to life on the runway. The presentation gives guests — and poten tial buyers — an intimate look into each designer’s collection and artistic vision. This Black History Month fashion exhibition will highlight eight designers presenting couture, up‑cycled pieces and, of course, signature streetwear. The showcase also includes work from four jewelry designers and four visual artists, rounding out a multi disciplinary cele bration of Black creativity. The kickoff event will feature a live‑painting activation and music by

Photos by Taylor Marrie/St. Louis American

The Saint Louis Art Museum’s MLK Celebration, ‘The Dream Reimagined: Youth Voices Uplifted,’ highlighted the talents of young artists from throughout the region Sunday afternoon at The Saint Louis Art Museum.

Photo courtesy of BCL Black Creatives in the Lou, founded by Yolanda “Yoro” Newson, will return to Neiman Marcus on January 31 to

Photos by Taylor Marrie/ St. Louis American

CONCERTS

Wed., Jan. 28, 7:30 p.m. The Evolution of Beyoncé: The Cowboy Carter Experience Tribute, City Winery St. Louis, 3730 Foundry Way, St. Louis, MO 63110. For more information, visit https://tickets.citywinery.com.

Sun., Feb, 15, 7 p.m. The Queens! 4 Legends 1 Stage featuring Chaka Khan, Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight & Stephanie Mills, Enterprise Center, 1401 Clark Ave, St Louis, Missouri 63103. For more information, visit www.enterprisecenter.com.

Sun., Feb. 22, doors 6 p.m. Boys 4 Life Tour featuring B2K & Bow Wow, 1 S Compton Ave, St. Louis, MO 63103. For more information, visit www.chaifetzarena.com.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Sat., Jan. 24, 1 p.m. Annie Turnbo Malone: The Untold Story, Sun Theater, 3625 Grandel Square. For more information, visit www.anniemalonefilm.org.

Sat., Jan 24, 6 p.m. Science Center Up Late: Laws of Attraction, St. Louis Science Center, 5050 Oakland Ave. St. Louis, MO 63110. For more information visit, www.slsc.org.

Fri., Feb. 6, 7 p.m. 4th Annual Bob Marley’s Birthday Bash, Atomic Garage, 4140 Manchester Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110. Purchase tickets at www. ticketweb.com.

Thurs., Jan. 29, 7:30 p.m. Maddie in the Morning Live with TS Madison, City Winery

STL Sites & Sounds

St. Louis, 3730 Foundry Way, St. Louis, MO 63110. For more information, visit https://citywinery.com.

COMEDY

Fri., Feb. 13, 6 p.m. Leslie Jones: Live!, City Winery St. Louis, 3730 Foundry Way, St. Louis, MO 63110. Purchase ticket at https://tickets.citywinery. com.

Fri., Jan. 23 - 24, 7:30 p.m. Guy Torry, St. Louis Funny Bone, 614 Westport Plaza Dr. Maryland Heights, MO 63146. For more information, visit www.stlouisfunnybone.com.

Fri., Jan. 30 - 31, 7 p.m. Special Event Donnell Rawlings, Helium Comedy Club, 1151 St. Louis Galleria St. St. Louis, MO 63117. For more information visit https://st-louis. heliumcomedy.com.

ST. LOUIS MUSIC SPOTLIGHT

Thur., Jan 22, 7:30 p.m. The Best Of Diana Ross and The Supremes, Blue Strawberry, 364 N. Boyle Ave, St. Louis, MO 63108. For more information, visit https://bluestrawberrystl.com.

Sat., Jan. 24, doors 7 p.m. HOT IN HERRE: 2000’s Dance Party, The Sovereign, 3306 Washington Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63103. For more information, visit https://oldrockhouse.com.

Sat., Jan. 24, 7:30 p.m., R&B After Dark, City Winery St. Louis, 3730 Foundry Way, St. Louis, MO 63110. For more

information, visit https://tickets. citywinery.com.

Sat., Jan 31, 9 p.m. DJ Mursa & DaSkwaad: A Tribute to New Jack Swing, The Dark Room, 3610 Grandel Sq. St. Louis, MO 63103. For more information visit https://kranzbergartsfoundation.org.

Sun., Feb. 1, 7 p.m., Denise Thimes: The Nina Simone & Billie Holliday Experience, City Winery St. Louis, 3730 Foundry Way, St. Louis, MO 63110. For more information, visit https:// tickets.citywinery.com.

Mon., Feb. 2, 7:30 p.m., “Take 2” with Chuck Flowers and

Roz White, Power Creative, 3221 Oak Hill. For more information, email chuckluvmusic@ gmail.com.

THEATRE

Thurs., Jan. 22 - Feb. 1, 7:30 p.m. Alice By Heart, Looking Glass Playhouse, 301 West St. Louis St., Lebanon, IL 62254. For more information, visit www.lookingglassplayhouse. com.

Through Sun., Jan 25, The Black Rep presents The Dance on Widow’s Row, Edison Theatre, 6465 Forsyth Blvd. For more information, visit www.

theblackrep.org.

Fri., Jan. 23 - Feb. 8, 7:30 p.m. Myth of the Ostrich, The Marcelle, 3310 Samuel Shepard Dr, St. Louis, MO 63103. For more information, visit https:// kranzbergartsfoundation.org/. Jan. 27 – Feb. 8, The Fabulous Fox presents Hell’s Kitchen, The Fabulous Fox. For more information, visit www.thefabulousfox.com.

ART

Through February 14, Portfolio Inc. presents the All Colors Arts Invitation and Juried Exhibition, The St. Louis Artists Guild, 12 North Jackson Ave, Clayton, MO 63105. For more information, visit www.portfoliogallerystl.org.

Through February 1, 2026, Jennie C. Jones: A Line When Broken Begins Again, Pulitzer Arts Foundation and Museum, 3716 Washington Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63108. For more information, visit https://pulitzerarts.org.

Through February 8, 2026, Teresa Baker: Somewhere Between Earth and Sky, Contemporary Art Museum, 3750 Washington Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63108. For more information visit, https://camstl.org.

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

Comedy veteran, media personality and St. Louis’ own Guy Torry is coming to The Funny Bone. See COMEDY for details.

Continued from B1

ments from Legacy Roots Dance Ensemble and the Gentlemen of Vision step team, and a thought-provoking scene from the students of Grand Center Arts Academy.

The program began with words from Marcus A. Creighton of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity (Epsilon Lambda Chapter), who spoke in honor of his fraternity brother Dr. King. Creighton discussed King’s vision and what he would think of the state of our communities. He also interpreted a path to emancipation through King’s eyes.

“Dr. King would urge a pivot from dependence to leverage,” Creighton said. “With cooperative economics, employee owned firms and professional collectives especially in healthcare and education.”

“And targeted consumer discipline” he continued, “not blanket boycotts.” His words were profound, filled with a sense of purpose that resonated with all the listeners in the auditorium.

Creighton was followed by the talents of the young performers. Each performance was introduced by an elaborate poem by Anderson. They took the audience through time, illustrating how the past

Dunham. When The Gentlemen of Vision marched onto the stage for their portion of the show, they took the energy in the auditorium to a new level. The mentoring organization—known for its 100% high school graduation rate—uses the Black American art form of step as both discipline and cultural expression, and their award-winning mastery was unmistakable. Their movements created melodies of their own: precise, percussive and deeply intentional. They created shapes and changed formations with ease.

Continued from B1

the Blackbird Ensemble, founded by the late Tyler “Tai” Davis. As a close friend of Newson, she says his presence remains deeply felt — and she has planned a special surprise as part of the tribute to honor his life, artistry and legacy.

Producing this event — and building the partnership between BCL and Neiman Marcus — carries special meaning for Newson. “I consider

SLSO

Continued from B1

and church music with orchestral form.

“She had talent, education and relentless drive,” Byrd said. “What she lacked was permission.”

In 1933, Price became the first Black woman to have a symphony performed by a major American orchestra when the Chicago Symphony Orchestra premiered her work. “But doors closed as quickly as they opened,” Byrd added. “Orchestras ignored her. Critics dismissed her. Her achievements were treated as novelty, not legacy.”

Price’s influence, however, extended far beyond the concert hall. She arranged the version of “My Soul Has Been Anchored in the Lord” that Marian Anderson performed at the Lincoln Memorial in 1939 after being barred from Constitution Hall by the Daughters of the American Revolution. More than 75,000 attended the performance that unapologetically protested segregation standards of the time. By the 1940s, Price was teaching piano, playing organ for silent films, and composing late into the night. She once wrote to a conductor, “I have two handicaps — those of sex and race.” Byrd paused before adding, “Genius cannot be buried. Eventually someone opens the door.”

The IN UNISON Young Artists and SLSO musicians kicked the door open. Their performance

was a time of constraint for Black intellect and the growth that is allowed when we let the youth play and sing, dance, step and act.

The first performance of the program was a hopeful jazzy medley from the Cahokia Jazz Band. They tackled challenging melodies like “Crazy Race” produced by Roy Hargrove with The RH Factor and

myself a bridge builder and a gap filler,” she said. “I’m always working to build bridges and fill gaps so no one misses an opportunity for people to truly see who they are.” Her vision extends beyond the runway. “I want the community to be unified,” she continued. “Even though this is for Black History Month, we are all part of Black history — no matter our color or who we are.”

Last year’s event drew nearly 300 fashion and art enthusiasts, and Newson expects an even larger turnout this time around.

of Price’s “Praise the Lord” showcased her full cultural toolbox — jazz, Negro spirituals, blues, and classical technique woven into a sound that was unmistakably her own.

“When orchestras refused her, Price composed for smaller ensembles,” Byrd said. “When concert halls shut their doors, she wrote for radio.”

The program also highlighted the next generation of Black composers shaped by Price’s legacy.

“Her legacy inspires new generations of Black composers,” Byrd said. “Whose music tells not only their own story, but the music of those who came before, no matter what walk of life. These voices will echo into the future.”

Nkeiru Okoye’s “Movements for String Quartet” paid direct homage to Dr. King through a three-part suite.

“Overcoming” offered a refreshed take on “We Shall Overcome,” led by a cello line that carried the familiar melody into new emotional territory. “King Fallen” blended blues and gospel harmonies with sweeping orchestral textures that captured the grief and unrest following King’s assassination.

“Dancing Barefoot in the Rain” pulsed with the defiant optimism embedded in Black resilience — its staccato rhythms and call-and-response strings echoing a moment of praise.

IN UNISON Director Kevin McBeth introduced another contemporary work, “Stardust,” by

“We’re a Winner” by Curtis Mayfield. They added a jazzy flare to each by way of saxophone solos and duets that featured scat singing.

COCA’s Allegro continued with a performance of “The Cloths of Heaven,” a song about dreams that go unfulfilled. The choir sang softly over a piano that would at times back out allowing the choir’s voices

Her own journey in fashion began as a jewelry designer, crafting bold rings and statement necklaces. Invitations to show her work came quickly, and while she loved the experience, she also faced challenges.

“Being part of a fashion show as an accessory designer, it’s kinda hard to have the models look cohesive,” she said. “I found myself thrifting and sourcing pieces just to pull the looks together. That’s how I got into styling — because I had no other choice,” she added with a laugh.

young Texas composer Britney Boykin. “What if the people we lost to tragedy — Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery — what if they’re still with us?” McBeth said, quoting Boykin.

“What if they are stardust?” The haunting choral piece drew a lengthy ovation.

The energy continued with a soulful arrangement of Ben E. King’s “Stand By Me” and Brandon Williams’ “Fierce Love,” both delivered with conviction by the Young Artists.

“Tonight was truly a beautiful program that showcased the legacy, the love and beauty of Black composition, Black music and Black history,” said Julia Clark, program specialist for the African American History Initiative

What resonated most was the richness and depth of Black musical lineage — from Price’s nearly forgotten manuscripts to the young composers shaping the future. The program made clear that Black classical music stretches beyond a footnote. It is a foundation.

Byrd provided definitions of the words “let it resound” to further drive home the evening’s intention – to allow, and to fill a space with sound loud enough to be repeated or reverberated.

“Florence’s music resounds tonight – patient, powerful, undeniable,” Byrd said. “She was always a genius. The world simply refused to admit it. Now it has no choice.”

to become the music. This heavenly arrangement was followed by a duet singing “Wheels of a Dream.” Their voices carried the hopeful determination of the lyrics and moved the crowd to a standing ovation.

Legacy Roots Dance Ensemble took the stage, making their debut under the artistic direction of its founder Nashayla

Through that process, she became an avid thrifter. “I was in control of both aspects of it,” she said. “Thrifting helped me build a collection of clothing that truly complemented my jewelry.”

Her styling didn’t stop at fashion shows. Newson has gone on to dress local officials like former congresswoman Cori Bush and Black entertainment royalty such as Kinloch’s own Jenifer Lewis. Her wardrobe work has appeared in commercials, television shows and films, including the 2025 release “Soul on Fire.”

Montgomery. Starting with a small group jazz number, three ladies personified strength to a mashup of Nina Simone’s “Feeling Good” and Duke Ellington’s “It Don’t Mean A Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing) performed by Ella Fitzgerald. They returned to the stage later with a large group Afromodern fusion number inspired by Katherine

She credits her father, Willie Lee, as a foundational force behind her creativity. A carpenter by trade, he often fashioned metals into fishing sinkers while she watched from the floor at his feet.

“I sat under his feet for years, and watching him — and his philanthropy — became entwined with who I am,” Newson said. “Like the weaves of a basket, I can see all the threads of my parents — their love, support and guidance — shaping me.”

A scene performed by drama students from Grand Center Arts Academy offered the audience a moment of reflection. Their piece explored the long-standing tension between the “eye for an eye” mindset and the “turn the other cheek” philosophy—a cultural divide that still shapes conversations about justice today. Ultimately, the students suggested that while protest takes many forms, violence remains violence no matter who wields it. Watching these youth programs pour their hearts into the stage was a grounding, hopeful experience—one that left the audience genuinely optimistic about the future these young artists are already beginning to shape.

“I feel like the city is hurting in many ways,” Newson said. “And I’m trying to be part of the solution.”

Black Creatives of the Lou will take place from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. on Saturday, January 31 at Neiman Marcus.

Through BCL and collaborations with high-end department stores like Neiman Marcus, Newson is putting that philosophy into practice. In a city searching for healing and connection, Newson is stitching together a future where creativity becomes the bridge.

Photos by Taylor Marrie/St. Louis American

The Saint Louis Art Museum’s MLK Celebration, ‘The Dream Reimagined: Youth Voices Uplifted,’ highlighted the talents of young artists from throughout the region Sunday afternoon at The Saint Louis Art Museum.

A STL funny legacy. I really hate it when events fall on a Wednesday, because it feels like five weeks ago by the time I write about it. Oh well. Here we go. Our homeboy Joe Torry brought his comedy home to some of the first folks to hear his jokes – and I was glad to be in the building. He’s been at City Winery locations in some major cities – ATL, Chicago, Oakland, etc.

But I’m sure he knows after his STL set that there is no place like home. Southwest and Lincoln were definitely in the building. I got some cute chuckles from Joe. And I felt like a proud auntie when Joe’s son had me hollering. From now on, He will be known to me as Killa Kam, because Kameron had me on the floor. I love it when the next generation makes their bloodline proud. And if things go the way they should, Kameron Torry is a name we will all get to know – and not just because of his daddy. But back to the show. City Winery did me a solid by perching me next to Darius Bradford. He deserved a love offering from Joe and ‘nem by how he added 10x to the jokes with his shenanigans from the seat. I’m gonna be hollering back to back in the name of a Torry, because Guy Torry will be tearing it up THIS WEEKEND at the St. Louis Funny Bone in Westport Plaza. I can wait for the triple dose of Torry!

about my girl Chrisette Michele singing the stage down when she came to town. I was sad that I wasn’t able to make it to the City Winery shows because I was out in these streets so heavy. But when I tell you the fact that the Lord saw fit for Chrisette to pop up at 922, I was up in the club shouting “won’t he do it!” Yes, Chrisette Michele. Yes, that 922 – the one in Jennings. I would have missed it if I hadn’t been breaking my New Year’s diet up in the White Castle drive-thru on Jennings Station Road, I would have missed it all. Me getting my number 2 with bottom buns and cheese on my fries was the perfect example of what the devil meant for evil, God meant for good. Because gluttony had me right down the street when the FB Lives popped up on me. I ran up in there like somebody was chasing me. And I was right on time to catch yet another powerhouse vocalist show these stars what our region is made of. True, girl, you did that!

Chrisette in the city. Since I’m already talking about City Winery, I might as well talk

Seeing Truenessia Combs and Chrisette Michele scat it out to “Summertime” in Jennings was absolutely not on my 2026 bingo card. But the fact that it happened let me know that 2026 is about to be on one in the best way possible. The bad news is that I might have trade my car in, because the double cheeseburger with extra onions smell is apparently here to stay. I was sad that I didn’t get to catch a whole show, but then I saw a flyer about her doing a pop-up show at the National

Blues Museum Monday night. I thought I was gonna have another Chrisette Michelle praise report. Not so much. I pulled up, expecting to be fashionably late. I saw Chrisette and her band playing around on the stage, but not a soul in the seats. The speakers weren’t on, so I couldn’t hear what was happening. I sat there for twenty minutes and then punched after being fearful of looking like a stalker. I found out the next day the Blues Museum show was canceled, but I’m still counting my blessings – and thrilled with how True turned it out with her and the band at 922.

Kut and Steve Lacy strike

again. The folks were really taking advantage of us not having to go to work the next day, because I was out in these streets worse than those monkeys on Sunday. My first stop was The Experience II: MLK Edition. If I’m being fully transparent I can feel a type of way about nightlife events that use Dr. King’s name or likeness. But in Steve Lacy and DJ Kut’s defense, they didn’t put Dr. King on a flyer – remember that one circulating a few years ago with an iced out grill and gold chains? And Steve and Kut (and special features Ebony and DJ Bounce) gave yet another party that we will be talking about until their next party. The folks of a certain

age were in the place to be at Private Nightclub (formerly Maurizio’s). PETA would not have been pleased with some of the outfit choices, but they ought to know us by now. We’ve been rocking “mink stoves” and full-length furs with matching hats since the Harlem Renaissance. If I had been wearing those animals while getting down on the dancefloor with my new pet perimenopause, they would have had to treat me for a heat stroke in the middle of a freezing weather advisory. It made for great people watching, though. All of my faves were in the place. Ebony, those finger waves were waving! It was so________[insert new slang for “lit] that I was a bit underwhelmed when I made my way to Treasures for the “Tonight’s Conversation” afterset hosted by chocolate heartthrob Lance Gross. Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t mad at it. I just knew the windows would be sweating thanks to the folks packing the set to the gills…and…well…not so much.

1. J. Ross with the one and only Chrisette Michele Sunday night at 922 2. Antawon and STL comedy legend Joe Torry after his show at City Winery last Wednesday night

3. Mai Lee and Nicole Murphy at Love Lace Film’s private industry networking event last week at Buddy’s Photo by C-Dot Visuals

Photos by Taylor Marrie/St. Louis American

“I didn’t think it was possible, but to be here, it’s surreal.”

— Indiana linebacker Mikail Kamara, who blocked a punt for a touchdown in the CFP national championship game.

sports eye

With Alvin A. Reid

Black coaches playing Game of NFL Thrones

When the NFL season opened in September, there were plenty of starting Black quarterbacks (14) among 32 teams, and few Black head coaches (five).

Black men guiding teams when the season kicked off were Aaron Glenn, New York Jets; Todd Bowles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Raheem Morris, Atlanta Falcons; DeMeco Ryans, Houston Texans; and Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers.

That five is currently down to three following Tomlin’s decision to step down and Morris’ ouster in Atlanta.

coordinator, was hired Tuesday by the Tennessee Titans after miraculously holding the 49ers defense together after it was shredded by injuries. He’s of Lebanese descent, and it’s great to see him get another top job after dealing with the dysfunctional Jets.

Glenn is a solid favorite to be the first head coach fired next season. It is fair to wonder how Bowles kept his job after the Bucs failed to reach the playoffs.

With the Buffalo Bills canning Sean McDermott following a heartbreaking divisional playoff game loss to the Denver Broncos, 10 teams (almost a third of NFL franchises) terminated their coach during or after the season.

The New York Giants fired Brian Daboll before season’s end and replaced him with John Harbaugh, who was fired by the Baltimore Ravens.

The Falcons replaced Morris with Kevin Stefanski, who was let go by the Cleveland Browns.

Robert Saleh, former Jets head coach and San Francisco 49ers defensive

Miami tabbed Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley as its new coach after the Dolphins dismissed Mike McDaniel earlier this month. That leaves the Bills, Browns, Ravens, Steelers, Arizona Cardinals, and Las Vegas Raiders in need of a new head coach — at least as of Tuesday afternoon. I was confident at least one Black head coach would be hired to fill a vacancy, but the jobs are dwindling.

New Pittsburgh Courier sports columnist Aubrey Bruce wrote this week what many Black sports fans, including me, are now thinking.

“Many people won’t or don’t think of a head coaching ‘color line’ in the NFL. But there is such a thing as a bottomless ‘moat’ that surrounds and protects the ‘castle of tradition’ where the ‘sanctuary of hiring’ is carefully locked away in the ivory tower of generational and systemic bias,” Bruce contends.

“For the 106 years that the NFL has existed, people of color have been

forced to accept as well as be grateful when a Black head coach or any coach of color is hired.”

If there were five Black head coaches in the NFL when the 2025 season began, why should I accept just four at the start of 2026. Yet, that is a reality. Glenn was a hot prospect after last season for his work as Detroit Lions defensive coordinator. There is no Black equivalent to him heading into the 2026 season. If a Black coach is hired, you’ll likely know his name.

Brian Flores, Minnesota Vikings defensive coor-

dinator, is a noted guru of perplexing schemes, which routinely befuddle the best NFL offenses. Of course, there is that pesky discrimination lawsuit against the league and several teams likely working against him.

Tomlin says he is not interested in coaching in 2026, but he will be in high demand in 2027. I look forward to his return, and hopefully a few more Black coaches in control of NFL teams.

The Reid Roundup

Former Miami Dolphins head coach

InsIde sports

Earl Austin Jr.

With

years.

Mike McDaniel, who has a Black father, could land one of the open jobs. If not, I hope the Houston Texans hire him to work with struggling C.J. Stroud…Granted he was missing wide receiver Nico Collins, Stroud was awful in his divisional round loss to the New England Patriots. “I let a lot of people down,” he said after his four-interception performance…Caleb Williams’ miraculous 18-yard TD pass to force overtime against the L.A. Rams in frigid Chicago had the Bears on the cusp of the NFC Championship game. His three intercep-

tions, including one in OT, doomed the effort…I want all Black QBs to succeed but Bears head coach Ben Johnson is such a jerk I find myself rooting against Williams…STL native Kyren Williams scored both Rams’ touchdowns in the 20-17 win over the Bears. As for the weather, Williams said “We’re built for anything that comes our way.” …Coming the Rams’ way are the Seattle Seahawks and All Pro wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, defensive tackle Leonard Williams, linebacker Ernest Jones IV, and cornerback Devon Witherspoon

St. Louis loses legendary boxing icon

The St. Louis boxing community recently lost a legendary figure in Winston “Buddy” Shaw, who died Jan. 10 at age 84. Shaw’s brilliant career as a coach and trainer to amateur and professional boxers in the St. Louis area spanned five decades. Not only was he a tremendous coach, he was also a great man who was beloved and respected by all.

Buddy Shaw had a tremendous impact on countless young men in St. Louis.

Simply put, Buddy Shaw was a coach and trainer of champions. Buddy Shaw was also a mentor and father figure to many youths and young adult men.

“He was a nice man who was genuine,” said his daughter, Ebony Shaw. “He wanted to impact young lives and he never wavered from that. He taught kids discipline, in and out of the ring. I could remember the boys always hanging out at our house. Many would sleep over, then head out in the morning to go out of town for a big tournament. He made

such a big impact in the community.” Throughout his career, Shaw set up residence at many of the different recreation centers around the city. He trained boxers at the DeSoto, Wohl, Gamble and Cochran recreation centers over a span of nearly 50 years. He was part of a golden era of boxing coaches in St. Louis that included Ben Stewart, Kenny Loehr, Marvin Millett and Jim Howell.

A former boxer himself, Shaw started to get into training when his son, Winston Shaw Jr., expressed interest in the sport. Some of the boxers he trained over the years include Arthur “Flash” Johnson, William Guthrie, Corey Spinks, Keith Strickland, Tony Robinson, Roy Ritchie and countless others. Buddy’s grandson, Stephan “Big Shot” Shaw, is a talented heavyweight boxer who has carried on the family name in recent years. Most have experienced some level of championship success either as an amateur or a professional under Shaw’s tutelage. In the past several days,

I’ve been able to talk to friends and family, as well as some of the boxers he trained. I also read countless glowing testimonials on social media from people who knew Buddy and were impacted by his guidance, tough love and unwavering support.

One such athlete was Johnson, who trained under Shaw throughout his

amateur and professional careers. He was a former Golden Gloves champion and Olympian who also fought for multiple world titles as a professional.

“Buddy was there for me in the worst of times and the best of times,” said Johnson. “Here was there for me when I burst on the scene, knocking out the likes of Kennedy

McKinney and becoming a world champion. He was also there for me when I suffered setbacks. His loyalty to me was unmatched.

“Apart from that, he was a friend. He was someone you could call on long after your career was over to simply chat. He loved boxing and he loved the kids that he worked with. He was a special

man.” Keith Strickland is another former boxer who credits Shaw for helping to point him in the right direction. Strickland was a Diamond Gloves champion who competed in the U.S. Junior Olympics.

“He was more than a trainer to me,” Strickland said. “He was like a second father to me. “He gave me purpose and direction. He would take me to tournaments even when I was fighting. He wanted to keep me from hanging out in the hood. It was a big plus for me.”

Years later, when Strickland’s son, Marcus Strickland, decided he wanted to box, he made sure Buddy Shaw trained him. Marcus Strickland became a Golden Gloves champion.

“I never thought that Buddy Shaw would end up coaching my son,” Strickland said. “That meant a lot to me. I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Services for Shaw will be held Saturday, Jan. 24, at Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist Church, 5544 Dr. Martin Luther King Drive, St. Louis, beginning at 9:30 a.m.

Mike Tomlin won’t be patrolling the Pittsburgh Steelers sideline for the first time in 19

Alvin A. Reid

Legendary boxing coach Winston “Buddy” Shaw passed away Jan. 10 at the age of 84. Shaw’s stellar coaching career spanned five decades.

Photo by Maurice Meredith

Photo courtesy of steelersnow.com

Earl Austin Jr.

FOSTER CARE CASE MANAGER

Provide case management services for children in foster care. Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in social work or related field. Minimum of one year of employment in child welfare field. Interested candidates forward letter of interest and resume to:vatkins@posimpacts. com, Attention: Valerie Atkins. Employee will be employed by Positive Impacts, Inc. and contracted to Epworth Children & Family Services.

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Renovate Interior and Exterior, George Washington Carver State Office Building, Jefferson City, Project No. O2424-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, February 19, 2026. Project information available at: http://oa.mo. gov/facilities

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Extend Metal Boardwalk, Big Oak Tree State Park, East Prairie, Missouri, Project No. X2407-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 2/12/26. Project information available at: http:// oa.mo.gov/ facilities

MACHINE LEARNING ENGINEER

FinLocker in Clayton, MO seeks Machine Learning Engineer to design, develop, and test databases, data pipelines, and data warehouses. Requires MS in Machine Learning, AI, or related + demonstrated knowledge in Python, C#, and others. Apply to bryan. garcia@finlocker.com

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

Sealed proposals for Food Service Management will be received at Epworth Children & Family Services, Inc., 110 N. Elm Ave. St. Louis, Mo. 63119 until 9:00 am on Saturday, March 1st, 2026 and then publicly opened.

To receive copies of January 22, 2026, RFP or for more information contact Kimberly Mims at (314) 324-5966.

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Sealed bids for the Laclede Station Road – Watson to Weil project, St. Louis County Project No. AR-1838, Federal Project No. STP-4901(651) will be received electronically thru the County’s Vendor Self Service portal at https:// stlouiscountymovendors. munisselfservice.com/ Vendors/default.aspx, until 2:00 PM on February 18, 2026

Plans and specifications will be available on January 19, 2026 from the St. Louis County Web Site (www.stlouiscountymo.gov) or by contacting Cross Rhodes Print & Technologies, 2731 South Jefferson Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63118 (314) 678-0087.

DIRECTOR OF PROCUREMENT ST. LOUIS COUNTY

ADVERTISEMENT FOR QUALIFICATIONS

The City of St. Peters is seeking qualifications for 26-121 - McClay Road Resurfacing & Improvements (STBG-7303(629)) until 2:00 p.m. local time, February 12, 2026. This will be a Non-Public opening. The purpose of this project is to provide construction phase services and prepare all required plans and specifications required to acquire needed property rights and bid the construction of the reconstruction and intersection improvements of McClay Road from Jungermann Road to McClay Village Drive.

The RFQ will be available on January 22, 2026 and may be obtained from the City of St. Peters website https://mo-stpeters.civicplus.com/ Bids.aspx.

If your firm would like to be considered for providing these consulting services, please prepare a Technical Proposal. This qualification should include any information which might help us in the selection process, such as the persons or team you would assign to each project, the backgrounds of those individuals, and other projects your company has recently completed or are now active. The qualification shall be submitted in quadruplicate, in a sealed package, and clearly marked with the Consultant’s name and City of St. Peters –26-121 - McClay Road Resurfacing & Improvements (STBG-7303(629)).

All questions regarding the project and qualification submittal are to be submitted via e-mail to Bids@stpetersmo.net and specify in the subject line 26-121- McClay Road Resurfacing & Improvements (STBG-7303(629)) before noon local time, February 5, 2026.

The City of St. Peters will evaluate firms based on a) experience and competence, b) the capacity of the firm to perform the work in the timeframe needed, c) past performance.

Once a qualification is selected, a contract will be negotiated, with the firm, based on a mutually agreed upon scope of services. This project has received federal reimbursement funding through the Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) administered by the East-West Gateway Coordinating Council of Governments. A DBE goal of 0% has been determined by Missouri Department of Transportation for the Preliminary Engineering portion of the project.

DBE firms must be listed in the MRCC DBE Directory located on MoDOT’s website at www.modot.gov, in order to be counted as participation towards an established DBE Goal. We encourage DBE firms to submit qualifications as prime consultants for any project they feel can be managed by their firm.

It is required that your firm’s Statement of Qualification (RSMo 8.285 through 8.291) and an Affidavit of Compliance with the federal work authorization program along with a copy of your firm’s E-Verify Memorandum of Understanding (15 CSR 60-15.020) be submitted with your firm’s technical proposal and with your firm’s Letter of Interest. It is also required that your firm be prequalified with MoDOT and listed in MoDOT’s Approved Consultant Prequalification List.

The City reserves the right to waive any informality and to accept the qualifications most advantageous to the City.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Alberici Constructors, Kwame Building Group and the Saint Louis Zoo seek bids from qualified firms to submit proposals for a project at the Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Park. The project consists of constructing 10 Glamping cabins. To request bid documents, please send an E-mail to stlzoobids@alberici.com

SEALED PROPOSALS

Sealed Proposals for B251246 Commercial Card Services will be received at Lincoln University Purchasing Dept 1002 Chestnut St, RM 101 Shipping & Receiving Bldg, JCMO 65101 until 2PM CT on 12FEB2026. Download Proposal Request at “https://www. lincolnu.edu/about-lincoln/purchasing/bid-informa tion/index.html”

UNIVERSITY CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY

6701 DELMAR BLVD. UNIVERSITY CITY, MO 63130 REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONSARCHITECTURAL SERVICES

The Board of Trustees of the University City Public Library invites qualified firms with experience in library planning, design and construction to submit their qualifications for services related to assessing the facility, planning and preparing cost estimates for adding doors to the Library’s first floor restrooms. If you are interested in being considered for this project, please provide us with four (4) printed copies of the following information no later than 4 p.m. on February 11, 2026.

For Scope of Services, proposal instructions, Criteria for Selection and other information, please refer to full RFQ at https://bit.ly/ 4pNl2Rq, https://www.ucitylibrary.org/ wp-content/uploads/2026/01/UniversityCity-Public-Library-RFQ-re-ArchitecturalServices.pdf

Proposals shall be sealed and clearly marked “Request for Qualifications – Architectural Services.” Please send proposals to:

Patrick Wall, Director University City Public Library 6701 Delmar Blvd. University City, MO 63130 many and all firms.

SOLICITING BIDS

Curtiss-Manes-Schulte, Inc. is soliciting bids from MBE/WBE/SDVE/DBE subcontractors and suppliers for work on the Bingham Hall Courtyard at the University of Missouri in Columbia, MO. If you are interested in bidding, please contact Bob Brown at 573.392.6553 or bbrown@cms-gc.com. Bids are due January 27, 2026.

Curtiss-Manes-Schulte, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Paved Trail Repair Phase 2, Project No. X2117-02 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 2/26/26. Project information available at: http://oa.mo.gov/ facilities. This is an equal opportunity bidding event and MBE/WBE firms are encouraged to respond. Federal funds are being used in the project, and all relevant federal, state and local requirements apply.

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Replumb Heating Loop, Potosi Correctional Center, Project No. C241601 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, February 17, 2026. Project information available at: http://oa.mo. gov/facilities

REQUEST FOR BIDS

RL Persons Construction Inc is soliciting bids from MBE/ WBE/SDVE Subcontractors and Suppliers for our proposal on the X2319-01 REBID

Renovate Cabins 1-4, 14, & 19 - Sam A. Baker State Park. A diversity goal of 10% MBE, 10% WBE and 3% SDVE has been established for this project. To access the bid documents, or if you have any questions, please email/call Shaun at admin@rlpersons.com /573686-1323. Please submit bids to admin@rlpersons.com by 10:00AM on 2/9/2026. RL Persons Construction Inc is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

ADVERTISEMENT FOR QUALIFICATIONS

The City of St. Peters is seeking qualifications for 26-123 - Suemandy Drive Resurfacing & Intersection Improvements (STBG-7303(630)) until 2:00 p.m. local time, February 12, 2026. This will be a Non-Public opening. The purpose of this project is to provide construction phase services and prepare all required plans and specifications required to acquire needed property rights and bid the construction of the reconstruction and intersection improvements of Suemandy Drive from the intersection of Mid Rivers Mall Drive to the MoDOT right-of-way on north side of the signalized intersection at Executive Centre Pkwy.

The RFQ will be available on January 22, 2026 and may be obtained from the City of St. Peters website https://mo-stpeters.civicplus.com/ Bids.aspx.

If your firm would like to be considered for providing these consulting services, please prepare a Technical Proposal. This qualification should include any information which might help us in the selection process, such as the persons or team you would assign to each project, the backgrounds of those individuals, and other projects your company has recently completed or are now active. The qualification shall be submitted in quadruplicate, in a sealed package, and clearly marked with the Consultant’s name and City of St. Peters – 26-123 - Suemandy Drive Resurfacing & Intersection Improvements (STBG-7303(630)).

All questions regarding the project and qualification submittal are to be submitted via e-mail to Bids@stpetersmo.net and specify in the subject line 26-123 - Suemandy Drive Resurfacing & Intersection Improvements (STBG-7303(630)) before noon local time, February 5, 2026.

The City of St. Peters will evaluate firms based on a) experience and competence, b) the capacity of the firm to perform the work in the timeframe needed, c) past performance.

Once a qualification is selected, a contract will be negotiated, with the firm, based on a mutually agreed upon scope of services. This project has received federal reimbursement funding through the Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) administered by the East-West Gateway Coordinating Council of Governments. A DBE goal of 0% has been determined by Missouri Department of Transportation for the Preliminary Engineering portion of the project.

DBE firms must be listed in the MRCC DBE Directory located on MoDOT’s website at www.modot.gov, in order to be counted as participation towards an established DBE Goal. We encourage DBE firms to submit qualifications as prime consultants for any project they feel can be managed by their firm.

It is required that your firm’s Statement of Qualification (RSMo 8.285 through 8.291) and an Affidavit of Compliance with the federal work authorization program along with a copy of your firm’s E-Verify Memorandum of Understanding (15 CSR 60-15.020) be submitted with your firm’s technical proposal and with your firm’s Letter of Interest. It is also required that your firm be prequalified with MoDOT and listed in MoDOT’s Approved Consultant Prequalification List.

The City reserves the right to waive any informality and to accept the qualifications most advantageous to the City.

REQUEST FOR BIDS

The St. Louis Economic Development Partnership (“SLEDP”), in conjunction with the City of Kinloch, Missouri, solicits bids from firms to demolish approximately eleven (11) structures in Kinloch, Missouri, as more fully described in the request for bids. The work generally consists of abatement of hazardous material as needed, demolition of structures under wet conditions, removal of demolition debris, site clearing, and grading. SLEDP will accept sealed bids for the work until Friday, February 13, 2026, at 10 AM CT, at which time all bids will be opened and read publicly via Microsoft Teams. Bid documents and bid opening details are available at https://stlpartnership.com/ rfp-rfqs/. Electronic proposals should be sent to SKroner@ stlpartnership.com. St. Louis Economic Development Partnership Equal Opportunity Employer

PUBLIC NOTICE

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

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

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Confluence Academies will be seeking bids for the removal and replacement of a roof at our Old North Campus. Information and specs regarding this project as well as the info for a MANDATORY pre-bid meeting can be found by visiting www.con fluenceacademy.org

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Alberici Constructors, Kwame Building Group and the Saint Louis Zoo seek bids from qualified firms to submit proposals for a project at the Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Park. The project consists of providing fully equipped food and retail carts. To request bid documents, please send an E-mail to stlzoobids@alberici.com

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Campground Shower House Replacement at Wakonda State Park, Project No. X2531-01, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, February 10, 2026. The State of Missouri, OA-FMDC, hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively ensure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, ancestry or national origin in consideration for an award. Federal Land and Water Conservation Funds are being used in this project, and all relevant federal, state and local requirements apply. Project information available at: http://oa.mo. gov/facilities

MLK’s Birmingham jail letter and the new civil rights backlash

King’s legendary message reminds America what justice demands

By Rev. Dorothy S. Boulware

Word In Black

The Rev. Martin

Luther King Jr. wrote some of his most enduring words behind bars. From a Birmingham, Alabama, jail cell in 1963, on smuggled bits of paper, he wrote a legendary essay that still lands like a warning — and a dare. Serving a five-day sentence for leading civil rights protests in Birmingham, Alabama, King drafted what became “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” a direct response to a group of white Alabama clergymen who criticized his protest tactics and urged patience. More than six decades later Black faith leaders and scholars say the letter remains both a spiritual challenge and a political blueprint, particularly in

an era when health care access, voting rights, and civil rights protections are once again under strain.

Demanding Freedom

King’s letter was not originally intended as a public manifesto. But its sharp moral clarity — and its unapologetic insistence that justice cannot wait — have made it one of the most widely quoted texts of the modern civil rights movement. “We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed,” King wrote. According to the Martin Luther King Jr. Research and Education Institute at Stanford University, King began writing the letter in the margins of newspaper

serving a five-day sentence for

scraps that were brought to him during his confinement. The document would grow into a sweeping defense of direct action, and a rebuke of those more devoted to “order” than justice.

King was not calling for reckless disruption, but for moral urgency. He defended civil disobedience, arguing that unjust laws must be confronted rather than quietly obeyed. In language that still unsettles religious institutions, he urged churchgoers to “break loose from the paralyzing chains of conformity” and commit themselves to justice.

‘Order’ Versus Justice

“The letter is timeless because it speaks to a tension America still hasn’t resolved: order versus justice,” says Bryan Beverly, a deacon and statistician who has studied King’s writings. That tension feels especially urgent now, as Black communities face rising health care costs and deep anxieties about whether the government will protect or weaken access to essential services. Even when the debate is not explicitly religious, Beverly says, arguments about policy often get framed through competing visions of morality.

Dr. Harold A. Carter

Jr., senior pastor of New Shiloh Baptist Church in Baltimore, says the letter still rings with truth because King refused to let faith leaders hide behind neutrality.

Rebuking Religious Complacency

“He was criticizing Christian leaders for their apathy, complacency, and procrastination,” Carter said. King, he added, understood that silence is not passive; it is consequential. He pointed to how the civil rights icon described white religious leaders who promised eventual support but refused to act in the moment.

That delay, Carter says, was tantamount to complicity.

“Even today, protests are taking place for a number of issues,” including the shooting of Renee Good by federal agents in Minneapolis, Carter says. “Yet too often those who can best effect change remain silent.”

Carter also noted King embraced being called an “extremist.” The civil rights icon redefined the term, Carter says, in the letter by aligning himself with Jesus, the prophet Amos, Martin Luther, and Abraham Lincoln.

“Our present culture has deemed extremists as fringe and negative,” Carter said. “King’s letter asserts that love — even as Jesus loved — is worth being labeled an extremist for.”

‘Peace Without Justice’

Dr. Alvin Hathaway,

Every leader walks into the room with an internal wiring system already at work — shaping decisions, filtering information, interpreting people, and triggering reactions before logic ever gets a chance to speak.

Most of us were never taught this.

We were taught strategy. We were taught performance. We were taught communication skills — how to think, how to speak, how to act.

But no one sat us down and said, “Your nervous system is leading you long before your title does.”

Your emotional architecture — the neural pathways built by your story, your environment, your trauma, your beliefs — determines how you show up under pressure. And until you understand what’s wired in you, you will confuse emotional reactivity with leadership instinct.

Here’s the quiet truth: Much of what we call “leadership style” is actually unexamined emotional habit.

Did you catch that?

Some leaders shut down because they were taught early that emotions were unsafe. Some leaders over-function because they learned that being indispensable kept them close to power. Some leaders overreact because they spent their whole

president and CEO of the Beloved Community Services Corporation, said King’s letter offers more than inspiration, particularly at a time of civic unrest and creeping authoritarianism. It offers instruction on what faithbased leadership must look like in 2026.

“To uphold Dr. King’s views today, one must move beyond symbolic support and engage in disciplined, nonviolent action,” Hathaway said.

Honoring King in 2026

That means defending civil rights protections — voting rights, fair housing, equal education, and employment equity — not only during election cycles, but through sustained civic engagement, Hathaway said. He added that the letter calls faith leaders and nonprofit institutions to refuse neutrality, even when the cost is discomfort.

“It requires building broad coalitions that link racial justice to economic justice,” Hathaway said, noting King’s insistence that inequality is structural and interconnected.

On an individual level, Hathaway said, honoring King requires believers to resist the temptation to delay and to align daily decisions — where they work, give, organize, and lead — with justice rather than convenience.

“To honor King in 2026 is to treat justice as an urgent moral obligation, not a deferred ideal,” Hathaway said.

lives fighting to be heard. Some leaders try to control everything because deep down they fear being abandoned or betrayed.

This is architecture, not personality. And the good news is — it can be rewired.

Rewiring doesn’t happen in motivational moments. It happens in honest ones.

It begins with awareness — naming the pattern instead of excusing it. It continues with reframing — asking, “Where did this come from? Does it still serve who I’m becoming?” And it matures with practice — choosing new responses until the wiring bends in a different direction.

Leaders who do this inner reconstruction rise differently. They lead from grounding, not grasping. They build trust without demanding it. They carry pressure without collapsing under it. They show up whole, not hidden.

Your emotional architecture is not your destiny. It’s simply your starting point.

And the leaders who thrive long-term — the ones who truly embody The Thriver’s Path™ — are the ones who stop living on autopilot and start leading from awareness, agency, and intentional growth.

Reflection Question: What emotional pattern keeps showing up in your leadership, and what might it be trying to teach you?

Courtesy Photo

While

leading civil rights protests in Birmingham, Alabama, Martin Luther King Jr. drafted what became “Letter from Birmingham Jail.”

The