July 4th, 2019 Edition

St. LouiS AmericAn

Union protests conditions at Goodfellow Complex

Management denies all requests in grievances based on OSHA report

By Francene Bethune For St. Louis American

On Saturday, June 29, members and leadership of the American Federation of Government Employees rallied to demand change at the Goodfellow Federal Complex in St. Louis, where cancer-causing chemicals have been a concern for decades.

“No justice, no peace,” chanted the protestors, a group that included AFGE Local 1336 president Wil Grant.

The union filed grievances on April 12 regarding unsafe and unhealthy working conditions at the federal complex at 4300 Goodfellow Blvd., which holds about 2,400 employees who work for the Social Security Administration, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Agriculture Department, and the General Services Administration.

See PROTESTS, A7

Black and proud

A man with a rainbow beard smiled his way down the parade route in St. Louis Pride Parade 2019 on Sunday, June 30.

Members and leadership of the American Federation of Government Employees rallied to demand change at the Goodfellow Federal Complex in St. Louis on Saturday, June 29, after management denied a set of union requests based on OSHA reports of unhealthy work conditions.

The education of Caroline Washington

Judge Draper will be next chief justice of Missouri

After Judge Ronnie White, second AfricanAmerican to lead state’s highest court

By Chris King Of The St.

Louis American

Judge George W. Draper will become Missouri’s next chief justice July 1, by order of the Supreme Court of Missouri. He will become the state’s AfricanAmerican second chief justice; Judge Ronnie White, the first black to serve on the Supreme Court of Missouri, was chief justice 2003-5. Draper was, however, the first AfricanAmerican chief judge of the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District, from July 2004 through June 2005. Draper, a St. Louis native, attended Hamilton Elementary School in St. Louis before his family moved to Silver Spring, Maryland, where he completed his education in the public school system. He received his bachelor of arts in psychology in 1977 from Morehouse College in Atlanta and, following in the footsteps of his father and his wife, Judge Judy Draper, received his law degree in 1981 from Howard University in Washington, D.C. He then clerked for the Honorable Shellie Bowers (also a St. Louis native) of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Draper returned to St. Louis in 1984 as a prosecutor in the St. Louis circuit attorney’s office, for which was promoted to a team

‘Gun violence is a public health emergency’

Clay sponsors bill that would penalize states that restrict cities from reforming gun laws

By Richard H. Weiss For The St. Louis American

This story was produced in partnership with the Pulitzer Center.

Education is an obsession for the Washington family of Pasadena Hills. Parents Theo and Denise will tell you that their studies were the means by which they got their purchase on the American Dream. Though both sides of their family come from humble origins, Denise and Theo’s son, Teddy, is a third-generation college student. And as a rising senior at Ladue’s Horton Watkins High School, Caroline soon will join him. So no one who knows the family would be surprised that Caroline, 17, has visited scores of campuses as the family considers her college choice. Or that Teddy,

Rising Ladue senior has visited 78 college campuses –including 19 last spring break See WASHINGTON, A6

By Rebecca Rivas Of The St. Louis American

Hospital. But instead they are moments that have limited, altered or ended their lives. So far this year, 40 children have arrived at the hospital critically injured by gunshot wounds — 80 percent of them being under 15. “For the health care professionals here, this is not political,” Elward said. “It is not just professional. It’s intensely personal. There is nothing in medical or nursing school training that can adequately prepare you to inform the mother of an elementary school child who she just kissed goodbye See VIOLENCE, A7 Judge George W. Draper

Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI

Caroline Washington with her father, Theo, brother Teddy, and mother, Denise as they go through family albums. The family members have been outspoken advocates for education and social justice over many generations.

Photo by Wiley Price

Photo by Francene Bethune

Friday morning (June 28), urban radio legend Tom Joyner announced his successor once he retires from the eponymous show he has helmed for a quarter-century.

Joyner announced live on air that Rickey Smiley will be the person to assume Joyner’s hosting responsibilities at the start of 2020.

While the name of the show has yet to be determined, Smiley will be joined by familiar on-air talent Eva Marcille and Gary Wit Da Tea, according to a press release.

Rickey Smiley tapped to replace Tom Joyner

left off.”

Smiley, who currently hosts his own syndicated morning show that airs in more than 60 markets, said he was excited about all the possibilities that lay ahead for the show.

“We broke some ground, raised the bar for what audiences expected from Black radio all while partying with a purpose,” Joyner said in a brief statement.

“Yeah, we’ve done a lot, but there’s still a lot left to be done.

I’m confident that Rickey’s activism along with his love for radio, the community, and HBCUs, will pick up where we

“It’s an honor to continue the legacy of my boss and frat brother, Tom Joyner,” Smiley said referencing their Omega Psi Phi bond.

“Not only has he been a friend to my family and me over the years, but we consider him family.

Tom’s mentorship has instilled in me valuable wisdom that I will carry with me through this new morning show.”

Chaka Khan hated Kanye’s use of ‘Through the Fire’ sample

Chaka Khan was none too pleased with how Kanye West used a sample of her 1984 R&B classic “Through The

Fire” for his breakthrough hit “Through The Wire.”

Khan stopped by the Bravo Network’s “Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen,” where she discussed

with the final result.

“[The conversations went] very differently than the song turned out. Obviously,” Khan told Cohen. “... He called me when he just got out of the

a little bit to the song, but I had to eat through a wire, you know, and I was wired shut, through a straw.’”

“It meant that much to me and it really got my heart. It pulled... at my [heart] strings,” she continued. “So, I said, ‘Yeah. Use it.’ Then when it came out... I was [expletive].”

Khan said she thought the song was ‘a little insulting,’ before clarifying her remarks. “Not insulting. I thought it was stupid,” she said. “If I had known he was gonna do that I would’ve said, ‘Hell no.’”

Alleged 20-year-old sex tape reportedly submitted to R. Kelly defense team

Despite her dislike for West’s song –which, Khan confirmed, she did receive money from – she has not expressed her feelings directly to West.

“I didn’t. What can I say?” Khan asked. “The best way to tell him is silence. And give him crickets.”

Three weeks ago, a former employee of R. Kelly testified before a grand jury with claims that the embattled R&B singer taped himself performing sex acts with minors over the years.

According to Chicago ABC affiliate KATV 7, a tape has been turned over to the team of lawyers set to defend Kelly in court.

“Prosecutors have turned over to R. Kelly’s attorneys a tape they say shows the singer having sex with a minor girl two decades ago,” KATV.com said. “The judge in the case said he hopes that at least one of the four cases against Kelly will go to trial early next year.”

Sources: Newsone.com, KATV.com, MSN.com., Bravo.com, Facebook.com

THE STUFF THAT HAS PEOPLE TALKING

Rickey Smiley

R. Kelly

Chaka Khan

National Council of Negro Women helps college-bound students

Bertha Black Rhoda Section gives school and dorm supplies in ‘Legacy Trunk’

By Sandra Jordan Of The St. Louis American

Seven incoming college freshmen have many of the supplies they need to move into their dormitories, thanks to members of the Bertha Black Rhoda Section of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) in St. Louis.

At its ninth annual Legacy Trunk Presentation Luncheon, held June 8 at the Orlando Garden’s Event Center in Maryland Heights, the seven young women were each presented with a trunk of supplies valued between $400$500, including bedding, rugs, cleaning supplies and a gift card for personal items. The items were donated by NCNW members and purchased through a grant by the Zonta Club of St. Louis. The seven awardees were nominated by their school counselors. NCNW rotates high schools each year. Once accepted, the students have three NCNW events to attend – a meet and greet where the young ladies meet the NCNW women who mentor them over the course of their senior year; a college preparation day, where the students learn about studying, health and safety and budgeting; and the Legacy Trunk Luncheon.

“A wonderful black woman named Georgette Banks took me shopping for my trunk and school supplies just before I started college,” said Lisa Johnson Haire, president of the NCNW Bertha Black Rhoda

Section. “She saw how hard I worked and wanted to see me flourish. Being prepared and having someone else’s support was just what I needed at that time. I am forever grateful to her. Being a part of NCNW Bertha Black Rhoda Section and our Legacy Trunk Program has given me the opportunity to pay it forward to others. I hope others will do the same in the future, making it a true legacy.”

All but one of this year’s Legacy Trunk recipients plan to pursue higher education locally.

Deja Austell, an Incarnate Word Academy graduate, will attend Fontbonne University to pursue a degree in social work. Austell’s NCNW mentors are Karen Banks and Tracee Lewis.

Shakira Bent, a Riverview Gardens High School graduate, will attend Lincoln University to earn a degree in elementary education. Bent’s NCNW mentors are Gayle JacksonEvans and DeNisa McGraw.

Gabrielle Brown, a Normandy High School graduate, will attend the University of Missouri-St. Louis to pursue a degree in computer science. Brown’s NCNW mentors are Ruth Jamison Banks and Claudia Dillworth-Turner.

Breana Lee, a Hazelwood East High School graduate, will attend Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, to pursue a degree in nursing. Lee’s NCNW mentors are Sharron Burroughs and Lisa Johnson Haire.

Shawanda Martin, a Jennings High School graduate, will attend the University of Missouri-St. Louis to earn a degree in computer science.

Martin’s NCNW mentors are Ckarla Banks and Sandra Murdock.

Shyann Sampson, a McCluer South Berkley High School graduate, will attend Berea College in Kentucky to earn a degree in nursing. Sampson’s NCNW mentors are Deborah Baker-Dukes and Carolyn Creswell.

Annika Williams, a University City High School graduate, will attend St. Louis Community College, to pursue

a degree in neonatal nursing.

Her NCNW mentors are Laura Mabry and Stella Hughes.

Mistress of Ceremonies

Ruth Jamison Banks said many mentees and mentors stay in touch throughout their higher education journey.

Luncheon guest speaker was motivational speaker and millennial Kendra Elaine, who encouraged the young adults by letting them know that what they want out in life is available to them – but they must put in the work to achieve it and stay focused on their goals.

“Know and own your power” is what Elaine said she

would have told her younger self on that same journey. “You really have the power to create the kind of life that you want and the legacy that you want.”

She said after going from being a youngster with almost no control, in college she was in control of almost everything and kind of got lost in all that power and focused on the wrong things – like where she went or what time she got up.

“If I could go back, I would focus on the power to really control my life – make choices and plan for my future and be more strategic with where I want to go,” Elaine said. That is, having an idea of what you

want to be, where you want to go, and how you can get there.

“I think the best way to do that is to always have a northern star – have something that you’re working toward –understanding, for you, what does success mean to you?” She suggested journaling and taking time to think about what a successful life would look like for them, beyond material things.

“That way, when you go throughout your life and you come against those difficult times that are going to come up during college and come up during life, you have that goal that is going to keep you focused and keep you steady in where you are going,” Elaine said.

“There are going to be a lot of things that knock us off our path, and they’re going to try to distract you and take you away from what you’re trying to do. But when you have that solid vision of what you want for your life, it’s easier to stay focused. It’s easier to remove those things that are not in line with the vision that you want for your life.”

The trunk committee members are Karen Banks, Ckarla Banks, Ruth Banks, Debora Baker Dukes, Gail Jackson Evans, Lisa Johnson Haire and Laura Mabry. For more information about membership in the Bertha Black Rhoda Section of the National Council of Negro Women or its mentoring program, email ncnwbbr@ gmail.com.

Photo by Karen Banks

2019 National Council of Negro Women Bertha Black Rhoda Section Legacy Trunk mentees Shawanda Martin, Breana Lee, Deja Austell, Shakira Bent, Gabrielle Brown,

Shyann Sampson and Annika Williams

Democrats need to face up to the strength of the Republican message on Trump

The Republican incumbent in the 2020 presidential election, according to former president Jimmy Carter, is an illegitimate president who was elected through Russian interference. Missouri’s governor, Mike Parson, was not elected to that office at all; he was elected lieutenant governor and took the higher office when Eric Greitens resigned from it. So when Governor Parson endorsed President Donald Trump for reelection, it was an unelected governor endorsing an arguably illegitimate president. However, what Parson said in his endorsement should be heard very clearly and taken very seriously by candidates and voters who aim to defeat Trump in 2020.

“As 2020 Democrat candidates argue over who is the most socialist, who can raise taxes higher, or who can increase government control of our lives sooner, President Trump has unleashed America’s potential, delivered historic tax cuts, put Americans and our businesses first, fulfilled his promise to secure our borders, prioritized fixing our broken health care system, and restored America’s military strength,” Parson stated. “President Trump has sparked an economic boom across our entire nation, including historic job growth, higher wages, and record-low unemployment right at home here in Missouri. The case for electing President Trump for a second term is simple: America needs more freedom and less government, more jobs and higher wages, stronger borders, and an improved health care system.”

This is a sneak preview of how Republicans will try to sell Trump’s reelection and to marginalize his Democratic opposition. We know that this message is based on fantasy rather than reality, in particular the assertion that reelecting Trump would usher in “an improved health care system.” We know that it gives Trump undue credit for economic trends that he inherited. We know that Parson’s regurgitated Republican talking points leave out the great many reasons Trump has inflamed so many passions to defeat him: his stoking racial resentment, boorishness, ignorance, cruelty and embrace of dictators. Nor does it mention many of the key issues of our time: global warming, gun violence, student debt, nor a huge tax cut that offered little to the lower and middle classes and swelled the national debt.

However, anyone who wants to defeat Trump needs to pay attention to the fact

that Republicans already have a message for 2020, and it’s an attractive message: “more freedom and less government, more jobs and higher wages, stronger borders, and an improved health care system.”

Forgetting however much one may be outraged at the Trump presidency, we must face the fact that the Republicans already have a compelling message – and a strong economy to lend credence to its central tenet of “more jobs and higher wages.” They also have a well-crafted dismissal of Democrats – as socialists who would raise taxes and increase government meddling in our lives –that some of the Democratic candidates are providing evidence to support.

When the squabbling of the Democratic primary is over, Democrats will need to unite around a single, simple message, and it has to be better than the Republican message – “more freedom and less government, more jobs and higher wages, stronger borders, and an improved health care system.” Or Democrats must find a way to coopt these disingenuous Republican talking points and convince voters that their candidate can deliver freedom (from want and fear), jobs, health care and a solution to our southern border crisis better than Trump. What should be unthinkable – that Americans could reelect this divisive, disastrous and arguably illegitimate president – should be considered at this point likely. We strongly encourage Democratic candidates and their supporters to keep the appeal of the Republican message to gullible voters in mind as we fight out this mess of a Democratic primary.

St. Louis needs new leadership across the board

By Rasheen Aldridge For The St. Louis American

Now that the flood waters of the Mighty Mississippi and the miracle run of the Blues no longer command the role of lead stories, we are back on normal ground where crime, murder and shootings are the lead stories. Did we need a break or distraction?

Yes, but in the last month our region has been hit by a storm of corruption, allegations of cronyism, racism in the police department, prisoners dying, public funds being used to enrich the lives of a few who are close to the mayor and the indicted former county executive, in addition to our more retail crimes. Our leaders are ghosts when it comes to taking responsibility.

We need quantum changes across the board that involve total regime change. St. Louis is shrinking, we are losing population and leadership has shown no ability to offer a passionate view for our future. Neither the mayor nor police leadership seem to be able to grapple with entrenched racism within the police department. And I am tired of hearing about sensitivity training. This requires common sense, simple management and a redline between right and wrong. All

City of St. Louis employees are required to sign a code of conduct that governs how all employees act, on and off the job. The same is true with prisoners dying in St. Louis County. Why are they reacting to this problem as opposed to having policies and people in place that make sure these tragedies never happen? This lack of governance, accountability, control and leadership would not be acceptable in anyone’s household or business.

St. Louis leads the nation in murder, but we must also rank just as high with cronyism and corruption. Virtually every person indicted in the crime spree in St. Louis County has close ties to the administration in St. Louis city. The leadership of both administrations share political consultants and insiders. And unfortunately, the people pay the cost for poor leadership and corruption. And yet, there are no cries for independent investigations.

Being tough on crime hasn’t gotten us anywhere. We can and must be smarter. First and foremost, we need and must have visionary leadership and the capacity for honesty and openness. Transparency is not a negotiable item. No more insider deals, like privatization efforts at the airport or the Better Together fiasco. We need leaders who trust the voters because the voters voted for them. Mayor Krewson said that local voters could not be

Missouri attorney general is on wrong side of cash bail suit

By Elad Gross For The St. Louis American

In a mostly empty St. Louis courtroom, a man sat in the jury box, facing the judge. He was in an orange jumpsuit, as were the three men closest to him.

These men were inmates at the St. Louis Workhouse, the jail in North St. Louis. They were in jail because they couldn’t afford bond. These men haven’t been convicted of anything, and they were all just waiting for their trials to start or for their cases to be dismissed. They were in court because a federal judge recently ruled that people should not lose their freedom simply because they’re poor.

Bond reduction hearings are supposed to be an opportunity for people accused of crimes to go before a judge, explain that they do not have money, describe their ties to the community, and ask to be released pending a trial, oftentimes with some conditions attached.

That’s a lot to go through. But before the federal judge got involved, these hearings could take just 60 seconds per person. Pretrial detainees reported that they were told to be quiet and just get through it. With the federal order in place, all of the hearings I saw took 10-15 minutes. They were real hearings.

The man sitting in his orange jumpsuit was there to have his bond reduced to $500;

he’d gotten someone to loan him that money. At one point, the judge asked, “How long has he been in jail?”

The public defender answered, “Several months.”

The judge, visibly upset, put his hand to his face and said lowly, “That shouldn’t have happened.”

Today, close to 400 people are kept in poor conditions in the Workhouse, and it costs St. Louis $16 million to keep it open.

On the same day as many of these court hearings, Cure Violence, an international organization that reduces neighborhood violence by hiring and training local mentors and mediators, was presenting at the Deaconess Foundation. They have successfully reduced homicides in cities and towns throughout the world, including Kansas City. Each site they run costs about $500,000 and serves between 10-20,000 people.

For the cost of one Workhouse, we could have 32 Cure Violence sites in St. Louis, which would cover more than the entire city. For a tiny fraction of our public safety budget in our state, we could be doing a lot more to ensure the public’s safety.

Our policies are backward and broken. We need policymakers, and especially an attorney general, who shows up, listens, and has real plans in place to make Missouri a better and fairer home for all of us.

The judge got through three of the four pre-trial detainees in his court. The fourth was represented by a private attorney, but many of the private attorneys on these cases did not receive notice that their clients were even having hearings. So the judge

Letters to the Editor

trusted to vote on the airport deal or the Better Together plan. Yet she is going to ask these very same voters to vote for and re-elect her. People who steal at the upper levels of our government must be treated the same as those caught for street theft. And we must have a sensible plan for our region that seeks to lift all of our challenged areas, because when we are strong as a region, we grow.

I still have a lot to learn and a lot of living ahead of me. But I have seen and experienced more than most at age 25. I have been a victim of crime, and I have worked with others in efforts to reduce crime and stabilize our communities. I have also been a victim of bad police behavior, but have also personally seen kindness and compassion in some officers.

I do not want to grow up in a city that is dying because its leaders were incapable of leading. I want our city to be vibrant and strong and exciting. I also want people who sit at the proverbial leadership tables to be truly diverse (no more hand-picked patsies who do what they are told) because differences make us stronger. We can make this happen, but not with the current crew. They have proven that.

Rasheen Aldridge was elected in 2016 as the youngest African-American Democratic committeeman in St. Louis history from the 5th Ward and currently chairs the 78 District Legislative Committee.

made sure to call the attorney. During the wait, the judge mentioned how he had plenty of time to have more hearings, but he wasn’t being assigned more.

While the judge was asking for more work to fix this problem, his attorney was arguing that he needed less and that poor people should remain in jail. His attorney is our attorney general, and the attorney general’s staff went to federal court to argue that the Friday deadline was too soon, that the judges couldn’t possibly review the cases. The federal court disagreed, and so did this city judge.

During this crisis – while men and women were being dressed in orange jumpsuits and held in cells just because they couldn’t afford a few hundred dollars, while our neighbors were losing their housing and jobs as a result of their stays, while our justice system was broken and some judges were still setting high bond amounts for non-violent crimes despite the federal ruling – our attorney general was nowhere to be found.

I’ve represented people who were held in the Workhouse, including an innocent 18-year-old who lost seven months of her life because she couldn’t afford her bond. That experience has affected her entire life. While our communities face the consequences, our government has no sense of urgency. We need a government that truly protects the rights of the people, not the money of the powerful.

Elad Gross is a constitutional and civil rights attorney and an educator in St. Louis. He is a candidate for Missouri attorney general.

Ferguson picks ‘Not McCall’ for chief

Ferguson just completed a search for police chief to replace Delrish Moss, who left Ferguson in November 2018. Moss felt confident that his legacy would be continued through Assistant Chief Frank McCall, who had become his right-hand man. McCall was hired to implement the consent decree that Ferguson was a party to in 2016. The right person was right there. They could have just promoted him. Moss highly recommended that they do so. But no, they didn’t do that. And this is where the story becomes

all too familiar among African Americans.

The police search that began in November 2018 was cancelled days before final interviews were scheduled in February. Why? A new search was opened in March, and five applicants were invited to interview in mid-April. But three candidates dropped out days before the interviews, leaving just two candidates –McCall, and Jason Armstrong. One, selected by the outgoing chief to replace him with over a decade experience as chief, the other a Georgia resident with

only a month or two experience as an interim chief. So after an eight month process that unfortunately boiled down to just twocandidates, the interim city manager, with the approval of City Council is poised to appoint the “Not McCall” candidate for police chief. The optics is clear. They could have saved us a lot of time and effort if they would have stated this upfront. The mayor and council want a police chief they hope to micro-manage.

Cassandra Butler Ferguson

Needed: Renters Tax Credit

I agree with Willie Dickerson in his letter “Address the causes of hunger” about steps we can take in our tax code to help people in poverty. In addition to the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit, our members of Congress can also help by passing a Renters Tax Credit. Many people are unaware of a growing housing crisis

in America. Since 1960, American renters’ median earnings have gone up 5 percent while rents have risen by 61 percent - and only 37 affordable and available rental homes exist for every 100 extremely low-income renter households. However, because of inadequate funding, only 1 in 4 eligible households can get rental housing assistance.

Stable housing makes our lives and our communities better. It improves job performance and helps our children stay happy, healthy, and safe. I call on Senators Blunt and Hawley as well as Representatives Clay and Wagner to shift tax resources to support a Renters Tax Credit for low- and moderate-income families.

Cynthia Changyit Levin Town and Country

Columnist

Rasheen Aldridge

Columnist

Elad Gross

Official White House photo by Shealah Craighead

President Donald Trump and Missouri

Governor Mike Parson

County cooling shelter open 24 hours a day through Sept. 6

St. Louis County will open a cooling shelter at 10740 Page Ave., just east of Lindbergh Boulevard, on Monday, July 1. It will operate 24 hours a day, seven days through Friday, September 6. The shelter can accommodate up to 48 individuals on any given day. Salvation Army staff at the cooling shelter will assist in providing meals, laundry facilities and case management services. Additionally, the shelter will help link the unsheltered to services provided by the St. Louis County Continuum of Care, and it will serve as an avenue for those experiencing homelessness to be placed on a regional housing list. For more information, call the Salvation Army at (314) 423-7770 or the Regional Help Line at (314) 802-5444.

Sept. 13 deadline for MetroScapes public art competition

The deadline for submissions is Friday, September 13 for the 2019 MetroScapes, a public art program that showcases local art at Metro Transit locations.

The original work of 10 local artists will be selected and reproduced as large-scale posters that will be put on display at more than 100 MetroBus shelters and transit locations. Artwork selected for the program will also be reproduced as smaller, limited-edition posters available for purchase.

Each artist selected for MetroScapes will receive a copy of the limited-edition poster and $1,000 for the use of their original work in the program. An exhibition and reception for the winning artists will be held later this year.

There is no submission fee. Artists must reside within 50 miles of St. Louis to be eligible. Local artists may submit up to three images for consideration, and all submitted images must be high-resolution with a minimum 300 dpi. All entries must be submitted online through the “Opportunities” page of the Metro Arts in Transit website at artsintransit.org.

Important policy changes from the Missouri Senate

By Jamilah Nasheed For The St. Louis American

Throughout my years of public service, many of you have come to know me and my story. My father died before I was born, a victim of gun violence. When I was a small child, my mother died from suicide. Missouri’s systems had failed her: our economic system, our education system, our health care system. All of them.

Growing up, these systems failed me too, and in turn, I failed myself time and time again. As a young person, I lacked faith, purpose and hope. I did not finish high school; however, that didn’t stop me from pursuing my education and seeking more knowledge. Eventually, I found faith. I found purpose. And I found my calling in public service.

In 2006, I was elected me to the Missouri House of Representatives. I was reelected in the state House twice before I was elected to the state Senate in 2012, where I was reelected in 2016. Each time, with each election and every ballot, voters put their trust in me.

Each year, I’ve worked hard to honor that trust. This past year was no different, as I delivered on a number of important policy changes to help the citizens, families and neighborhoods of St. Louis.

I cosponsored Senate Bill 1 to help more people expunge their nonviolent criminal records. Expanding expungement opportunities will help former offenders live their new lives as law-abiding citizens.

I sponsored Senate Bill 203 to clean up neighborhoods and fix blight by allowing law enforcement to take quicker action on nuisance properties. Hopefully, this will make our streets safer and neighborhoods stronger.

We also passed House Bill 192 to help end debtors’ prisons in Missouri. Included in this bill is language I sponsored to allow courts to evaluate fines on a case-by-case basis for certain traffic offenses. This will help stop mandatory, unmanageable financial penalties against drivers who are not able to pay.

We also passed Senate Bill 224 to help fight crime by protecting the identity of witnesses. Without this law, alleged criminals could learn the identity of witnesses cooperating with police before charges are made. This law will protect witnesses’ identities to keep them safety. I also helped secure $18.3 million in the state budget for projects and programs that will directly benefit citizens, schools and organizations in the City of St. Louis.

All of these bills received bipartisan support in both chambers and are awaiting the governor’s signature.

Looking ahead to 2020, there is still work to be done. Because of term limits, 2020 will be my last year as a state senator.

Going into my final session, I am driven by the same goal that has kept moving me forward all these years: to make St. Louis better than the one I grew up in. To make sure that a child born like me – into violence, into poverty, into despair – will not just survive, but thrive.

That’s why I’ve worked for better schools and safer streets. It’s why I’ve brought millions of state dollars back home to St. Louis to lift up our communities. And it’s why I’ve never been shy of speaking truth to power – especially when it gives a voice to the voiceless.

I have one year left in the state Senate, and I intend on using it to keep fighting for the City of St. Louis.

Jamilah Nasheed (D-St. Louis) represents the 5th District in the Missouri Senate.

Dellwood gets new City Hall

Jamilah Nasheed

Dellwood Mayor Reggie Jones visited with state Senators Sharon Pace and Brian Williams at the opening of the new Dellwood City Hall back on May 10.

Photo by Wiley Price

18, has finished a successful freshman year at Washington University.

Or that the Washington family focuses on lessons learned from a painful incident a year ago this month – when, on July 7, 2018, Teddy and nine other rising black Wash U freshman were stopped late at night by Clayton police in an act the students considered racial profiling.

Education is a big part of why the Washingtons felt it important to step up and protest the incident, which started at an IHOP restaurant at Clayton’s edge. In the days following, Teddy Washington made his mark, fielding interviews by The St. Louis American and other local media, as well as TV stations and national networks as he explained the pain and anger he felt from the incident.

That’s the first of two threads that run through generations on both sides of this family: to speak up in the face of discrimination, bigotry and ignorance, whatever might get in the way of equal opportunity. Not just for themselves, but for others in their community.

The second thread is hard work and a commitment to fully participate in whatever educational opportunities would be made available to them. Advanced placement courses, but extracurriculars too.

What is the payoff of such an education? Good jobs that allowed Theo and Denise to build a nest egg, invest in a home in a beautiful and diverse neighborhood in Pasadena Hills, and afford tuition at excellent schools. That set their kids up to win scholarships and to someday get internships, which will then qualify them for high-paying jobs. Teddy is looking toward Wall Street. Caroline is looking

toward joining a law firm or maybe going to Hollywood, as either an actor or an agent.

Neither Caroline nor Teddy see obstacles in their paths.

Caroline understands that this is rather remarkable, given the nation’s history, the region’s history, and her family’s history. “I think we have led a privileged life,” she said. “When kids talk about what they have been through, I don’t relate to that. Sometimes it feels like survivor’s guilt.”

Of course that sense of privilege goes only so far. It’s safe to say most well-off white youths aren’t burdened with survivor’s guilt.

And it’s safe to say that

Caroline knows of racial inequities and the extra hurdles her family has faced across generations. As is the case with so many AfricanAmerican families in our region, the Washingtons on both sides of the family started with few resources and with odds stacked against them in pursuing a quality education.

But in recent years, Caroline and Teddy’s path to success has been so much smoother and the problems only something they read about in newspapers, saw on television and studied in school.

Then Caroline suddenly saw it up close as her brother dealt with the fallout from that IHOP incident.

Teddy was just getting started at Washington University when the encounter with Clayton police unfolded.

The controversy and the protest it sparked arguably resulted in progress and reform.

The City of Clayton, while asserting that its gendarmes followed policy to the letter in the IHOP incident, hired an outside firm to re-examine those policies and the police department’s approach to community policing. The city is due soon to issue a report based on months of study and discussions with residents and others who visit Clayton to shop or do business.

Now it is Caroline’s turn

to soon embark on her own college experience. Though she just finished her high school junior year, Caroline’s search for just the right university has been going on for years. Theo and Denise have made it part of nearly every road trip they have taken with Caroline. Since she was 8, Caroline has been to 78 college campuses. Over spring break this year, they visited –not a typo – 19 universities.

Advocacy and protest

Even before her brother’s encounter with the Clayton police, Caroline had been well versed in the arts of advocacy and protest.

She helped try to form an LGBTQ support group at Nerinx Hall, where she spent her freshman and sophomore years. She also played a role in the school’s Diversity Club; she protested when school

officials would not allow members to sell a jersey with a closed fist in rainbow colors that suggested empowerment for marginalized groups. That is one of the reasons she transferred to Ladue. With that said, the Washingtons have a profound respect for a Catholic education. Caroline’s greatgrandmother, Eloise, sent her seven children to archdiocesan schools beginning in the 1950s. Not long ago, Caroline’s grandmother, Carol HendersonPowell, shared that history with Caroline. The occasion came up when Caroline and her classmates in an AfricanAmerican studies class were assigned to delve into their families’ backgrounds and tell a story. It explains to a great degree why Caroline feels privileged.

Carol, now 67, remembers getting a quality education, but

an integrated one as well in archdiocesan schools, which she deemed just as important. It gave her the means and understanding as a teacher and a principal to navigate in St. Louis’ rocky racial terrain. It also helped her to raise Caroline’s mother, Denise, to help her feel comfortable where whites predominate and to selfadvocate in whatever way is most effective. This has come to be called code switching, speaking differently to people based on their race and your sense of how they grew up.

Carol went on to become an educator in both Catholic and city schools and to become quite comfortable in any classroom environment. “I always felt like I could fit with anybody,” she said.

Her supervisors picked up on this, and when St. Louis Public Schools finally got around to living up to

ANOTHER FIRST FOR SLPS

Natalie Vowell, City of St.

Louis

Vice President of the Board of Education

Since its inception in 1838, the Saint Louis Public School District developed a reputation for forwardthinking, inclusive approaches to education. In 1873, we became the first district to offer public kindergarten; in 1875, we opened the first high school west of the Mississippi River forAfricanAmerican students; in the early 1900s, we engineered the first open-air and accessible schools to ensure that no child affected by disease or physiological disadvantage was bereft of a chance at a quality education.

St. Louis City is currently writing an unprecedented education comeback story. On July 1, 2019, the St. Louis Board of Education made history by regaining elected control of our district after state intervention revoked the Board’s authority over a decade ago. The 2007 loss of accreditation led to the installation of an appointed Special Administrative Board, which would govern SLPS for the next 12 years. OnApril 16, 2019, the

State Board of Education voted to restore governance to the duly elected Board of Education.

We are now engaged in a highstakes, high-reward endeavor to rebuild trust in our community, re-empower St. Louis citizens, and equitably manage a $400 million budget to effect positive change in the lives of over 20,000 SLPS students. Presently, disenfranchised districts across the nation are looking to St. Louis as a model, and once again, we are reclaiming our legacy of “firsts.”

As we resume governance, it is important to understand what a school board does and does not do; in fact, that was the first challenge the Board of Education itself had to confront. The Board’s sole responsibilities are setting the District’s goals, vision and hiring a superintendent who will carry out the procedures necessary to meet those expectations. The Board should not directly manage district affairs but instead evaluate the superintendent in relation to student achievement and equitable outcomes. That is how the SAB has operated, and the Board of Education intends to support Superintendent Dr. KelvinAdams and continue to build and improve upon that progress. It is time to jettison the toofamiliar, tired mention of the “dysfunction” inherent to an elected school board. Grievously underemphasized have been the

qualities of an effective board. The governance team driving SLPS’s narrative out of the past and into the future is comprised of parents, nonprofit professionals, former teachers and administrators, business executives, community leaders, volunteers, but—most importantly—seven people, chosen by the voters of St. Louis, who have exemplified dedication to serving the students of SLPS.

Sacrificing many nights and weekends over the past year through extensive training via collaboration with the National School Boards’Association, the Missouri School Boards’ Association, the Special Administrative Board, the Superintendent and SLPS staff, the Board is prepared to break new ground at our first meeting as a governing body on July 9th, 2019. We hope to see you, our

rightful constituents, there to hold us accountable with great expectations and help pave the way for new milestones in public education.

The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. on July 9th at Saint Louis Public Schools District Office, 801 N. 11th Street, St. Louis MO, 63101.

Natalie Vowell is the Vice President of the Board of Education of the City of St. Louis. Ms. Vowell is a 22nd Ward resident, elected to the Board in April 2017. She can be reached at Natalie.Vowell@slps.org.

the U.S. Supreme Court’s desegregation mandate, Carol was the first black teacher sent to the all-white Windsor Elementary School in South City. She remembers being interviewed several times for the assignment, as if she was some kind of Jackie Robinson. Would she be able to handle the stress that would come with breaking the color barrier?

Caroline and her fellow students were conducting their interview of Carol using FaceTime from a classroom at Horton Watkins High School. A few years ago the school underwent an $82 million renovation, supported not only with tax dollars, but with an additional $2 million from a foundation funded by businesses and well-to-do donors. Carol was sitting at her dining room table in the city’s O’Fallon neighborhood. Her home is in the Vashon High School attendance area, which has one of the lowest high school graduation rates in the region.

Caroline has always loved visiting her grandma’s home. Growing up, she remembers the walls filled with art, the shelves lined with books, and her grandma’s tolerance for letting her ride her trike up and down the hallways. But she also remembers hearing gunfire in the neighborhood, and knowing it was not always so safe to play outside.

‘Our parents always pushed us’

Like her grandma, Caroline started at a Catholic school, St. Roch, in the SkinkerDeBaliviere neighborhood.

Monsignor Salvatore E. Polizzi, longtime St. Roch’s pastor, has worked with developers and city officials since 1981 to keep the neighborhood both stable and diverse. The school is also diverse with a 60-percent white, 40-percent non-white split among its 200 students. Students post outstanding scores on standardized tests and when moving on to high school, typically win admission to the most competitive schools in the region – schools like St. Louis University High, where Teddy would go, and Nerinx Hall.

At St. Roch, Caroline said she never felt defined by her race, more by her talent and her passion for sports and drama. “It was like utopia,” she recalled, “but I remember my mom telling me it’s not always going to be like that.” Caroline moved from St. Roch to Nerinx Hall, which works hard on diversity recruitment. It addresses such issues as white privilege and Black Lives Matter in class and at assemblies. But Caroline discerned that the administration was progressive only to a point. She remembers an administrator putting the kibosh on the Diversity Club’s effort to create the jersey with the rainbow colored fist.

“We were told it was a loaded symbol,” Caroline said. And when a fellow student raised the issue with an assistant principal, Caroline heard him say: “If you don’t like it, you can go somewhere else.” (Caroline said the administrator later apologized.) So it was on to Ladue, which would not be available to Caroline as a Pasadena Hills resident except that her dad teaches in the district.

Caroline plunged into her studies but remained busy before and after school. She made many friends, both black and white, and has found it relatively easy to navigate among groups. She took it in stride when, in a case of color-blind casting, she was given the role of Vi, the wife of the ultraconservative white preacher in Footloose. (Dianne Wiest played her in the movie.)

As she looks this summer at even more colleges, Caroline will look for a campus where she can do theater, get prepared for law school, but most of all play herself in the unfolding Washington-family saga.

“Our parents have always pushed us to see how far we can go,” she said. “Let’s see what I can do. Let’s see how far I can go.”

This account is taken from a longer narrative. Readers are invited to learn more and join the project’s e-mail list at beforefergusonbeyondferguson. com.

Though she attended parochial schools for most of her life, Caroline Washington transferred to Ladue’s Horton Watkins High School for her junior and senior years. Throughout, she has thrived in diverse classrooms.

Photo by Wiley Price

Violence

Continued from A1

moments earlier that she will never have that opportunity again.”

Almost 25 percent of the gun-wound incidents involved firearms that were improperly stored and secured, she said.

Elward’s heart-wrenching comments about treating children with these wounds came during a press conference announcing a new bill sponsored by U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay (D-St. Louis), the Local Public Health and Safety Protection Act (H.R. 3435.)

This bill would — for the first time via federal legislation — prohibit any state that receives public safety grant funding from the U.S. Department of Justice from restricting the ability of a local government to enact tougher gun regulations than the current laws of that state, he said.

“In St. Louis and across the nation, we are faced with an ugly, obscene, inescapable

Protests

Continued from A1

The union requested the immediate removal of all bargaining unit employees from the complex, with employees who are eligible working from home and other moved to a safe, clean facility. The union also requested hazard pay and provision of health screenings by a physician of the employee’s

Draper

Continued from A1 leader position in 1990 and to first assistant in 1993.

truth,” Clay said. “Gun violence is a public health emergency.”

Clay said the bill is a strong federal response to the publichealth crisis of gun violence in urban centers, such as St. Louis, that are currently prohibited from enacting their own tougher gun laws by state statute. That situation exists in 43 states, he said. Local governments would be able to require background checks, restrict residents from carrying firearms in public spaces, limit the quantity and types of ammunition, require gun owners to safely store their firearms (especially in households with children), prohibit the sale and transfer of deadly weapons, including semi-automatic guns and large-capacity ammunition magazines.

“Like you, I’m tired of the violence,” Clay said. “I’m tired of the excuses, and I’m tired of the state legislature being either unable or too frightened to do something about gun violence because they are being held hostage by the NRA” (National Rifle Association).

choice to determine if there are any health issues.

On June 25, management denied all requests, but said a testing program to implement for impacted employees is being developed. The conflict stems from an investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) that was conducted in July 2016. OSHA noted while conducting the audit that it issued “seven serious citations” that include hazardous contamination.

In July 1994, Draper was appointed as an associate circuit judge of the 21st Judicial Circuit (St. Louis County) by Governor Mel Carnahan. Four years later, Carnahan appointed Draper as a circuit judge for the 21st Judicial Circuit. In October 2011, Governor Jeremiah (Jay) Nixon appointed

The real work of getting a fair hearing on the legislation starts now, he said, and it happens to align with a time that the NRA is weakened by infighting.

“I feel confident because I do have groups that want common-sense solutions to addressing a scourge that has infected this country,” he said.

St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson said that the state’s “one size doesn’t fit all” approach doesn’t work in the urban core, and the legislation is necessary.

Several others spoke in support, including Public Safety Director Jimmie Edwards and representatives from Better Family Life and Moms Demand Action.

Clay said he is a gun carrier himself and supports the Second Amendment, but the violence epidemic is different in urban areas than in smaller cities and towns across Missouri.

“Unless we get control of the flow of unrestricted guns into our community,” Clay said, “we are not going to solve this problem.”

OSHA found traces of lead, asbestos, and other known cancer-causing agents. It also noted that GSA Public Building Services “did not take adequate action to protect tenants, contractors, and visitors from hazards at the Goodfellow complex due to ineffective environmental management programs, policies, and guidance.”

From January 2002, through December 31, 2016, the GSA Public Building Services conducted 33 studies costing

Draper to the Supreme Court of Missouri; voters retained him in November 2012. He is chair of the state’s treatment courts coordinating commission and serves as the court’s liaison to the judiciary’s family court committee as well as its ad

$1.9 million to sample and provide an analysis of the condition of the building. It found some of the same hazards that are reported in the OSHA Report.

GSA Public Building Services’ approach of conducting duplicative studies instead of taking action to remediate the hazardous contamination or prevent access to contaminated areas endangered the health of people at the complex and wasted taxpayer money, according to

hoc committee on racial and ethnic fairness.

Draper and his wife, the Honorable Judy P. Draper, a former St. Louis County associate circuit judge, live in St. Louis County and have one daughter, Chelsea Westin Draper, JD/LLM, who serves

OSHA.

After its own studies, GSA Public Building Services was aware of the environmental hazards, but did not inform tenants, contractors, and visitors. This violated the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, which requires federal agencies to be free of hazards, and the policy requires the agency to access the unsafe condition within 30 days.

The facility’s management knowingly exposed

as deputy chief of staff to the St. Louis County prosecuting attorney. Draper also is a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. and the Covenant Community Church in north St. Louis County. Since 1996, he also has served as an adjunct

employees to hazardous contaminants, according to OSHA.

The union also has appealed to U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay (D-MO). In response, Clay urged the House Committee on Oversight and Reform to launch a congressional investigation into GSA Public Building Services, stating that it “failed to protect the health and safety of St. Louis’s federal workers.”

professor of law at Saint Louis University, where he teaches trial advocacy. Draper’s term as chief justice will run through June 30, 2021. He succeeds Judge Zel M. Fischer, who remains on the Court.

Photo by Wiley Price

The Riverview School District held graduation ceremonies May 30th for Danforth Elementary kindergartners who will be moving on to the first grade.

Moving on

Clay rallies staff, patients at Planned Parenthood

Court rules that state denying Medicaid funds to Planned Parenthood is unconstitutional

By Sandra Jordan

Of The St. Louis American

A powerful congressional ally visited Reproductive Health Services at Planned Parenthood in St. Louis on Friday, June 28, just as it received news that the state administrative hearing commissioner granted a stay to allow abortion services to continue while Planned Parenthood appeals through the administrative process. With reproductive rights under attack nationwide by Republicans as well as here in Missouri, U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay (D-St. Louis) visited Planned Parenthood of St. Louis – the state’s sole remaining clinic that provides

abortions.

“I’ve been in this fight for 35 years, as a state senator, state rep.,” Clay said. “We conducted our filibusters in the ‘90s to stop the draconian efforts of those who deny women access to adequate health care, and we know what this is about. We know this is targeting poor women who otherwise could not have access to different types of health care.”

Employees at the facility, many of them longtime staff members, described the range of reproductive health services for women and men available at Planned Parenthood, including birth control, pap smears, urinary tract infections, prostate

cancer testing, vasectomies, STI testing and referrals for additional health needs.

“Comprehensive healthcare for anybody who walks through the door, regardless of their ability to pay,” Clay summed up.

Planned Parenthood stresses that it has never closed and is open for all health services it provides to patients. The legal challenge only surrounds its license to provide abortions in Missouri.

“They will still be able to show up and get care,” said M’Evie Mead, director of Planned Parenthood Advocates.

Medical and other staff also talked about

Black depression and anxiety matter

By Brendan Underwood For The St. Louis

American

August 27, 2014 was the worst and best birthday of my life. The night of that birthday I was furious. My face was stained with tears of frustration and pain at what had transpired in Ferguson just 18 days earlier. On August 9, Michael Brown was gunned down in the middle of the street. His body laid in the street for four hours.

An officer had again decided to become the judge, jury, and executioner of a young, black male. Mike Brown was 18 years old. He was a recent high school graduate with plans for his future. Yet the media wasted no time in dragging his name through the mud. My indignation to this unjust death began to give way to fear, however, because I had just turned 17. I was only one year younger than Mike Brown. That night my tears froze on my face as I no longer saw Mike Brown’s body lying in the street, but my own. I lost control of my fear, and I soon began to imagine the bodies of my older brother Danny and my younger brother Marcus lying before me on the hot pavement. The pain was unbearable. I was still in high school at the time, but for months I was lost in paralyzing fear and a deep depression that darkened each day to the point that I felt like I had fallen into a listless abyss. The only thing that occupied my time were burning questions in my soul.

How could the life of a black person be worth so little? How could the lives of young black men like me be tossed to the side and then be justified by narratives spun by media outlets? These questions needed answers. I needed to find a reason to climb back out.

The night and the following months were some of the worst moments of my life, but it also was one of the best birthdays because it started me on the path of constant intellectual growth. I found growth in reasoning out the answers to the questions that seemed to cloud my mind for a grueling semester. I started to ask new questions that led me into

‘We understand the community because we are a part of the community’

How black pharmacists are closing the cultural gap in competent health care

By Cara Anthony For Kaiser Health News

SHILOH, Ill. — After a health insurance change forced Bernard Macon to cut ties with his black doctor, he struggled to find another African-American physician online. Then, he realized two health advocates were hiding in plain sight. At a nearby drugstore in the suburbs outside of St. Louis, a pair of pharmacists became the unexpected allies of Macon and his wife, Brandy. Much like the Macons, the pharmacists were energetic young parents who were married — and unapologetically black. Vincent and Lekeisha Williams, owners of LV Health and Wellness Pharmacy, didn’t hesitate to help when Brandy had a hard time

getting the medicine she needed before and after sinus surgery last year. The Williamses made calls when Brandy, a physician assistant who has worked in the medical field for 15 years, didn’t feel heard by her doctor’s office.

“They completely went above and beyond,” said Bernard Macon, 36, a computer programmer and father of two.

“They turned what could have been a bad experience into a good experience.”

Now more than ever, the Macons are betting on black medical professionals to give their family better care. The Macon children see a black pediatrician. A black dentist takes care of their teeth. Brandy

Bernard

picks up his prescription on June 6 at LV Health and Wellness Pharmacy in Shiloh, Illinois. “I still remember the very first day I went there,” Macon said. “It was almost like a barbershop feel.”

U.S. Rep. William Lacy Clay visits Reproductive Health Services of Planned Parenthood of St. Louis on Friday, June 28.

Macon

Photo by Wiley Price

Photo by Michael B. Thomas for KHN

Brendan Underwood

CLAY

Continued from A8

their experience with state regulators who inspected the site prior to its license not being renewed— using the terms “targeting,” “harassment” of trainees and “intimidation” which allegedly ratcheted up under Gov. Mike Parson. Clay said he will share the staff’s concerns with his colleagues in Washington, D.C. When he asked what message he could take to his colleagues, a Planned Parenthood rep responded, “Abortion is health care. That’s it.”

The U.S. House of Representatives has no standing in a state legal dispute. Clay stopped by Planned Parenthood while he was in the city to talk about a bill he is introducing to help local governments curb gun violence at Children’s Hospital.

Court says state can’t deny Medicaid payments to Planned Parenthood

The state courts recently delivered a victory for Planned Parenthood on a separate funding matter. The 22nd Circuit Court in St. Louis ruled on June 18 that Missouri’s attempt to block Planned Parenthood from receiving Medicaid payments was unconstitutional. The court order prevents the state from discriminating against Planned Parenthood patients who rely on publicly funded health care programs. The state unsuccessfully argued that budget bills passed by the

COMMUNITY

Continued from A8

Macon relies on a black gynecologist. And now the two black pharmacists fill the gap for Bernard Macon while he searches for a primary care doctor in his network, giving him trusted confidants that chain pharmacies likely wouldn’t. Black Americans continue to face persistent health care disparities. Compared with their white counterparts, black men and women are more likely to die of heart disease, stroke, cancer, asthma, influenza, pneumonia, diabetes and AIDS, according to the Office of Minority Health But medical providers who give patients culturally competent care — the act of acknowledging a patient’s heritage, beliefs and values during treatment — often see improved patient outcomes, according to multiple studies. Part of it is trust and understanding, and part of it can be more nuanced knowledge of the medical conditions that may be more prevalent in those populations.

For patients, finding a way to identify with their pharmacist can pay off big time. Cutting pills in half, skipping doses or not taking medication altogether can be damaging to one’s health — even deadly. And many patients see their pharmacists monthly, far more often

MALES

Continued from A8 a higher calling of advocacy that compelled me to share my voice with the community around me.

I sought every day to bridge a connection to those around me I cared about to help them better understand the world we lived in and how it was changing and how it seemingly never changes for black bodies. I found profound joy in discovering the truth. I smiled every time I learned the

Missouri Legislature allowed them to “defund” Planned Parenthood health centers, which provide thousands of Missouri safety-net patients with vital preventive care including birth control, cancer screenings, and STI testing. In a press release, Planned

than annual visits to their medical doctors, creating more opportunities for supportive care.

That’s why some black pharmacists are finding ways to connect with customers in and outside of their stores.

Inspirational music, counseling, accessibility and transparency have turned some minorityowned pharmacies into hubs for culturally competent care.

“We understand the community because we are a part of the community,” Lekeisha Williams said. “We are visible in our area doing outreach, attending events and promoting health and wellness.”

To be sure, such care is not just relevant to African Americans. But mistrust of the medical profession is especially a hurdle to overcome when treating black Americans.

Many are still shaken by the history of Henrietta Lacks, whose cells were used in research worldwide without her family’s knowledge; the Tuskegee Project, which failed to treat black men with syphilis; and other projects that used African Americans unethically for research.

Filling more than prescriptions

At black-owned Premier Pharmacy and Wellness Center near Grier Heights, a historically black neighborhood in Charlotte, N.C., the playlist is almost as important as the acute care clinic attached to

roots of the ills that plague our society.

I wanted to share my love and passion with others, so I spoke in front of 1,700 likeminded individuals at the Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice in Washington, D.C. I dedicated myself to honing my public speaking skills, because I have major stage fright, but my passion for speaking this truth to others pushed me into the late nights with revisions and practices. My fatigue never grew, because I knew I had something important to discover and share. I felt my passion would guide me

Parenthood said the case underscores aggressive attacks levied by state lawmakers and Governor Mike Parson’s administration on all aspects of reproductive health care. It says public health outcomes are alarming under Parson’s watch, with maternal mortality

the drugstore. Owner Martez Prince watches his customers shimmy down the aisles as they make their way through the store listening to JayZ, Beyoncé, Kirk Franklin, Whitney Houston and other black artists.

Prince said the music helps him in his goal of making health care more accessible and providing medical advice patients can trust.

In rural Georgia, Teresa Mitchell, a black woman with 25 years of pharmacy experience, connects her customers with home health aides, shows them how to access insurance services online and even makes house calls. Her Total Care Pharmacy is the only health care provider in Baconton, where roughly half the town’s 900 residents are black.

rates 50 percent higher in Missouri than the rest of the country and a syphilis outbreak is sweeping the state.

“Gov. Parson says he values life but his actions are endangering Missourians’ health and lives,” Planned Parenthood stated.

go out of town and get our medicine.”

Lakesha M. Butler, president of the National Pharmaceutical Association, advocates for such culturally competent care through the professional organization representing minorities in the pharmacy industry and studies it in her academic work at the Edwardsville campus of Southern Illinois University. She also feels its impact directly, she said, when she sees patients at clinics two days a week in St. Charles, Mo., and East St. Louis, Ill.

n “We understand the community because we are a part of the community. We are visible in our area doing research.”

– Lekeisha Williams, LV Health and Wellness Pharmacy

“We do more than just dispense,” Mitchell said.

Iradean Bradley, 72, became a customer soon after Total Care Pharmacy opened in 2016. She struggled to pick up prescriptions before Mitchell came to town.

“It was so hectic because I didn’t have transportation of my own,” Bradley said. “It’s so convenient for us older people, who have to pay someone to

through whatever chaos might throw at me. But college seemed to be a new but similar weight.

I came stronger than most into my first two years of college, but there was soon a new battle with my mental health that was more grueling than the last. In the fall of 2018, I was challenged with day-to-day battles. Depression made it hard for me to focus on my passion for learning. Anxiety grew out of my seeming lack of having my passion. And panic attacks began to rock my body after the weight of my unknown

“It’s just amazing to me when I’m practicing in a clinic setting and an AfricanAmerican patient sees me,” Butler said. “It’s a pure joy that comes over their face, a sigh of relief. It’s like ‘OK, I’m glad that you’re here because I can be honest with you and I know you will be honest with me.’”

She often finds herself educating her black patients about diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and other common conditions.

“Unfortunately, there’s still a lack of knowledge in those areas,” Butler said. “That’s why those conditions can be so prevalent.”

future weighed on my chest all at once.

I did not know where to turn, because what drudged me out of my previous abyss was focusing on an outside problem and putting my mind and soul to work. But I no longer had this urge at my side. I was alone. I was forced, for the first time, to grapple with who I was as a young black man with severe depression, anxiety, and panic attacks. I have come to realize many crucial things in this reflection period that I hope will benefit others. You are never done learning how to get back up

Planned Parenthood staff described the scope of their reproductive health care to U.S. Rep. William Lacy Clay when he stopped in for a visit on Friday, June 28.

“Governor Parson and other state leaders want to deny patients the chance to access sexual and reproductive health care, but the court has stepped in on behalf of Missourians,” said M’Evie Mead, director of Policy and Organizing, Planned

Avoiding medical microaggressions

For Macon, his experiences with medical professionals of backgrounds different from his own left him repeatedly disappointed and hesitant to open up.

After his wife had a miscarriage, Macon said, the couple didn’t receive the compassion they longed for while grieving the loss.

A few years later, a bad experience with their children’s pediatrician when their oldest child had a painful ear infection sparked a move to a different provider.

“My daughter needed attention right away, but we couldn’t get through to anybody,” Macon recalled. “That’s when my wife said, ‘We aren’t doing this anymore!’”

Today, Macon’s idea of good health care isn’t colorblind. If a doctor can’t provide empathetic and expert treatment, he’s ready to move, even if a replacement is hard to find.

Kimberly Wilson, 31, will soon launch an app for consumers like Macon who are seeking culturally competent care. Therapists, doulas, dentists, specialists and even pharmacists of color will be invited to list their services on HUED. Beta testing is expected to start this summer in New York City and Washington, D.C., and the app will be free for consumers.

“Black Americans are more

from the weight of the world, but you will get stronger. You can have a passion that drives you to wake up every morning, but it means nothing if you are not at peace and in love with who you are on your worst day. You will fall and sometimes fall hard, but you must keep moving forward for yourself and those who care about you.

I still have my passion for serving and discovering the truth that I hope will liberate those who need it most, but I also know that all of this is for nothing if I do not love and take care of myself with the same passion and fire.

those with private insurance.”

conscious of their health from a lot of different perspectives,” Wilson said. “We’ve begun to put ourselves forward.” But even after the introduction of HUED, such health care could be hard to find. While about 13 percent of the U.S. population is black, only about 6 percent of the country’s doctors and surgeons are black, according to Data USA. Black pharmacists make up about 7 percent of the professionals in their field, and, though the demand is high, black students accounted for about 9 percent of all students enrolled in pharmacy school in 2018.

For Macon, though, the Williamses’ LV Health and Wellness Pharmacy in Shiloh provides some of the support he has been seeking.

“I still remember the very first day I went there. It was almost like a barbershop feel,” Macon said, likening it to the community hubs where customers can chitchat about sports, family and faith while getting their hair cut. “I could relate to who was behind the counter.”

Cara Anthony, Midwest Correspondent, comes to Kaiser Health News after serving as a multimedia reporter at the Belleville NewsDemocrat. A native of East St. Louis, Ill., she previously worked at The Indianapolis Star, The Frederick (Md.) News-Post and the Daily Press (Newport News, Va.). Contact: canthony@kff.org, @ CaraRAnthony.

Brendan Underwood is a Ronald E. McNair Scholar and completing his undergraduate studies at Saint Louis University.

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

Photo by Wiley Price

Parenthood Advocates in Missouri.

“Patients who rely on Medicaid and the state family planning program should have access to the same high-quality care received by

Immigration crisis: what can St. Louisans do?

After hearing the heartbreaking stories of children in inhumane and unsanitary detention centers — that experts are now deeming concentration camps – many St. Louisans have been asking what they can do.

‘We should be collectively outraged and appalled’

advocates said. The president then he decided to delay the deportations.

Local advocacy groups agree that the most important things people can do is to be informed about the immigration process and to send donations to groups that are providing legal support and aid for asylum seekers at the border.

“How we respond as a community to what is happening in these camps is a reflection of our values as a society,” according to a statement from the Missouri Immigrant and Refugee Advocates (MIRA).

n

“This has been going on for a long time, and organizers all over the country are trying to harness the new energy.”

–

MIRA is holding an immigration workshop, “The facts and how to help,” on Wednesday, July 10 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 2725 Clifton Ave. The local immigrant community has expressed a need for more education around knowing their rights — and for the general public to support them by also knowing them as well, said MIRA’s Amanda Tello

Elizabeth Vega, Artivists

“We should be collectively outraged and appalled. We ask our allies, and community members, that recognize the tragedy that is unfolding before us, to respond by contacting their elected officials and join us in educating friends and families.”

Here is what several local groups are doing and ways you can plug in.

MIRA, ACLU, IFCLA and more

After President Donald Trump announced recently that the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents would be rounding up and deporting families en masse, the local immigrant community was quite shaken,

Recently there was a Facebook post about ICE agents going into the Bevo Mill area, Tello said, which caused a big stir in the immigrant community.

St. Louisans can help by learning how to observe and document situations like this. MIRA has toolkits and videos on its website: https://www.mira-mo. org.

MIRA is working with the ACLU of Missouri St. Louis Inter-Faith Committee on Latin America (IFCLA) and the Scholarship Foundation to host the July 10 training and other such initiatives.

St. Francis Community Services

The human-services agency St. Francis Community Services assists unaccompanied children who are asylum seekers when they come to the St. Louis area. With the president’s announcement of mass deportations, it now has many “terrified clients” who fear that they will be picked up

and their children left alone.

“We continue to try to plan with those families to make sure they have a power of attorney in place, so that someone can make decisions and take care of children,” said Karen Wallensak executive director at St. Francis Community Services.

“We continue to provide youth programming and mental health counseling, especially for unaccompanied minors who have experienced trauma on their journey here.”

Youth programs give the children something to take

In April, the agency sent a group of its staff, including lawyers and social workers, down to San Antonio to work right at the border.

“That increased our understanding of the trauma and the experience they had getting here,” Wallensak said. “It helps us deliver better services.”

The group helped at welcome centers that help the families when they get out of the detention centers and are awaiting their asylum hearings.

“People are being put on a bus, no idea of their next steps,” she said. “Most people have what they are wearing and nothing else. Most of them haven’t eaten or slept well for a long time. The centers give them a place to relax and clean up and regroup.”

Volunteers also review their paperwork and make sure they get the legal support they need.

their minds off their worries, she said.

Although Wallensak said she gets many calls from people who want to sponsor an unaccompanied child, there is no way to do that. The children come to St. Louis to stay with an identified family member or friend, and the organization works with that family.

“Cash donations really do help because it allows us to expand our capacity to help more families, through hiring professional counselors to assist folks,” Wallensak said. “Gift cards also help.”

If you are looking to give to those working on the ground, the groups the St. Francis team worked with in San Antonio were: American Gateways (http://www.americangateways. org/), Catholic Charities in San Antonio (https:// ccaosa.org/), The Interfaith Welcome Coalition (https:// interfaithwelcomecoalition. org/), RAICES (https://www. raicestexas.org/).

St. Francis can be found here: https://sfcsstl.org/

Artists in action

In December, activists and organizations throughout the country staged a 10-day occupation, campaigning against the child detention center in Tornillo, Texas, near El Paso.

The Tornillo coalition are asking people to donate to the Casa Carmelita at Paypal.me/ borderresistance as well as the Fianza Fund, Fianzafund.org, who are working to get families out of the detention centers.

“This has been going on for a long time, and organizers all over the country are trying to harness the new energy,” said Elizabeth Vega, leader of the Artivists and part of the Tornillo Occupation Coalition. “Keep focus on the grassroots folks at the border.” The Latinx Arts Network St. Louis is also exploring a community mural project and other projects in St. Louis as a way to invite the community to express their anger and sadness at the current situation through art. For more information, contact the network here: https://www.latinxstl.com/ contact.

“The children inside Tornillo, who ranged from 13 to 17, described horrendous conditions that are similar to those that news outlets are now calling concentration camps,” Tello said, who attended. The action was led by local El Paso advocates and a Ferguson activist group known as the Artivists, who created protest art that was displayed around the camp. They even flew kites with messages of hope for the children. This united effort formed the Tornillo Occupation Coalition and purchased a house a block from the border bridge now called Casa Carmelita. There, they are doing “food not walls” and assisting people who are being released from the “hieleras,” which translates as “ice box.” These are the detention centers that are being shown on TV with people needing blankets because they are cold and packed with people, advocates said.

Activist Patricia Okoumou, who climbed the Statue of Liberty, participated in direct actions with the Tornillo Occupation Coalition in February in Texas.

Photo courtesy of the Tornillo Occupation

Business

‘Get trained now before construction begins’

Construction training event for NGA West project held at Boys and Girls Club

By Francene Bethune

American

Louis

For St.

On Thursday, June 20, The U.S Army Corps of Engineers hosted the second of three Next National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) construction training events at the Boys and Girls Club of Saint Louis on North Grand Boulevard.

The purpose of the fair was to expose opportunities in construction trades such as carpentry, HVAC, plumbing, heavy equipment operation.

“We want to encourage people to get trained now before construction begins,” said John Stiffler, executive secretary-treasurer of The St. Louis Building and Construction Trades Council in the press release. “And with these apprenticeship programs available right now, individuals are able to find a trade that fits them.”

n “We want to encourage people to get trained now before construction begins.”

– John Stiffler, St. Louis Building and Construction Trades Council

The apprenticeship program offered at the fair allows attendees to train with professionals and learn the profession before going into the field to work on the new NGA building.

“We know there are many jobs out there in the construction field,” said Amy Snively, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers spokeswoman. “If you got into an apprenticeship today and get trained up, it will take a year or two, so you will still

have a chance to work on the project because it will span for five years.”

The St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment, Building Union Diversity, MOKAN, the Associated General Contractors of Missouri, McCarthy Building Companies, HITT Contracting, and Employment Connection had representatives at the event.

Other organizations that will take part in the building of the new agency will be Black & Veatch Special Projects Corporation and Gensler.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will host its third construction training fair 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, August 27 at St. Stanislaus Community Center, 1413 N. 20th St.

For more information on the opportunities available within the Next NGA West construction project, call the project hotline at (314) 676-9418. For more information, visit http://nextngawest.com/.

New report reveals 30 percent disparity in homeownership rates

43 percent of blacks, 73 percent of whites own their own homes

By Charlene Crowell

For The St. Louis American

Nearly 90 years ago, Kelly Miller (18631939), a black sociologist and mathematician, said, “The Negro is up against the white man’s standard, without the white man’s opportunity.” As the first black man to enroll as a graduate student at Johns Hopkins University in 1908, Miller also authored a book entitled “Race Adjustment,” published in 1908. Despite the passage of time, Miller’s words express the same sentiment held today by many black Americans. As a people and across succeeding generations, we have held fast to our hopes for a better life. Yet it is painfully true that

many opportunities enjoyed by Americans have been elusive for people of color.

Author and journalist Ta-Nehisi Coates expressed a similar view during his June 19 Capitol Hill testimony on reparations.

“Enslavement reigned for 250 years on these shores,” noted Coates. “When it ended, this country could have extended its hallowed principles – life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness – to all, regardless of color. But America had other principles in mind. And so

for a century after the Civil War, black people were subjected to a relentless campaign of terror, a campaign that extended well into the lifetime of Majority Leader McConnell.”

While economists, public policy think tanks and other entities may sing a chorus of how well the American economy is performing and expanding, people of color – especially blacks and browns – have yet to see or feel economic vibrancy in our own lives – particularly when it comes to housing and homeownership.

On June 25, Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies (JCHS) released its annual report, “The State of the Nation’s Housing.” One

Gwen Mizell was promoted to vice president of sustainability and electrification at Ameren Corporation. She will lead Ameren’s efforts to develop strategies and policies for efficient electrification programs. She will retain her responsibilities for Ameren’s corporate social responsibility efforts, which she has overseen in her previous role as senior director of corporate social responsibility. She joined Ameren in 2015 as director of diversity and inclusion.

Brandon Tilghman was recognized as a 2019 Harvard Hero by Harvard University. A St. Charles native and graduate of Francis Howell North Senior High School, he is Academic Appointments manager at Harvard University’s Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. He was commended for creating “innovative, inclusive ways for underrepresented members of the community to meet and network.”

Gwen Diggs will be serving as the new vice president of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis. She is retiring from Jennings School District after more than three decades of services in the public school system. In this new role, she will continue to lead and support Jennings families as well as others in St. Louis, Illinois, and the metropolitan area.

Tyran D. Proctor graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas as an U.S. Air Force Airman. He completed an intensive, eightweek program that included training in military discipline and studies, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. He is the son of Sophia Proctor of Bristow, Okla., and Lazell Siggers of St. Louis.

Yvonne Osei was chosen as one of 10 finalists for the ninth Great Rivers Biennial Arts Award Program presented by the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis and the Gateway Foundation. They were chosen from among more than 85 applicants by a panel of jurors. From the 10 finalists, three artists will be selected to receive $20,000 and will be featured in the Great Rivers Biennial exhibition next year at CAM.

Larry Brown was inducted into Marquis Who’s Who. He is the owner and board chair of WORKNET, Inc., and was the founding president of Grace Chapel Ministries from 1981 to 2014 and the project coordinator at Oasis from 2004 to 2008. Individuals profiled are selected on the basis of position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field.

Yvonne Osei

Brandon Tilghman

Larry Brown

Tyran D. Proctor

Gwen Mizell

Gwen Diggs

Calvin Burks, a career specialist at Employment Connection (seated), advised people who attended a construction training event for the five-year NGA West project at the Boys and Girls Club of Saint Louis on Thursday, June 20. The next construction training fair will be held 4-7 p.m. August 27 at St. Stanislaus Community Center, 1413 N. 20th St.

Photo by Francene Bethune

Charlene Crowell

By Michael Butler

For The St. Louis American

I am glad that the Supreme Court of the United States has decided to postpone Trump’s Commerce Department from adding the citizenship question and allow the lower court to reconsider the flawed, biased, and counter-productive citizenship question. The highest mission – the only mission – of the United States Census is to ensure a complete and accurate count of its residents – not to check citizenship status.

Crowell

continued from page B1

of the housing industry’s most broadly anticipated and cited reports, it once again chronicles recent trends and issues.

“The limited supply of smaller, more affordable homes in the face of rising demand suggests that the rising land costs and the difficult development environment make it unprofitable to build for the middle market,” said Chris Herbert, JCHS’s managing director.

Among this year’s key findings:

• Since 2018, the monthly housing payment on a medianpriced home has been $1,775

• In 2019, the cost of a median-priced home rose by 4 percent to $261,600 when a comparable home in 2011 was priced far lower at $177,400.

• This rise in home prices is also the seventh straight year that median household incomes have failed to keep pace in 85 of the nation’s largest 100

Fill out the Census form –or we don’t count

This vital information is used by government agencies, companies, researchers, and more to analyze our nation’s economic and social changes and wellbeing. Companies use Census data to predict new markets, realtors use Census data to price homes, and governments use Census numbers to create new urban development.

Inclusion of the citizenship question would not only deter immigrants, refugees, and legal permanent residents from wanting to fill out the entire form, it deters African

markets

• Nearly $52,000 would be required to make a 20 percent down payment on a medianpriced home. Even if buyers opted for an FHA 3.5 percent down payment mortgage, more than $9,000 would be needed to pay it, closing costs, and related fees

• In rental housing, four million units of housing priced at $800 or less were lost between 2011 and 2019; also, since 2010, renters now include consumers earning $75,000 or more.

For families who already own their own homes, these findings signal that their investments are appreciating, growing in equity and wealth. But for those trying to make that important transition from renting to owning, it’s a very different outlook. As rental prices continue to soar and moderately priced apartments disappear from the marketplace, both prospective homeowners and current renters face a shrinking supply of affordable housing. When homeownership is

Butler

Americans from wanting to answer as well. Also, there is a meaningful African immigrant population in St. Louis, and many families have mixed-status households with some citizens, with some on the pathway to citizenship. It would deeply hurt our urban core. It will impact how much

funding St. Louis gets for roads, schools, hospitals. Each person who doesn’t get counted will cost our state an estimated $19,500, according to Professor Andrew Reamer. We may even lose a Congressional seat. But the harm is more than financial or political. The citizenship question singles out some of our most vulnerable, and most productive, residents for disparate treatment. As Recorder of Deeds for St. Louis, our office welcomes constituents of all ethnicities, nationalities and immigration statuses. It is our pleasure to

n “For a century after the Civil War, black people were subjected to a relentless campaign of terror, a campaign that extended well into the lifetime of Majority Leader McConnell.”

Ta-Nehisi Coates

–

possible, housing costs can be better contained with fixedinterest rate mortgages, tax credits, and eventual equity. Even so, the Harvard report finds that only 36 percent of all consumers could afford to buy their own home in 2018. With higher-priced homes in 2019, the affordability challenge worsens.

“It is equally noteworthy that once again this key report shares how consumers of color continue to face challenges in becoming homeowners,” noted Nikitra Bailey, an EVP with the Center for Responsible Lending. “According to the

n Census information is used by government agencies, companies, researchers, and more to analyze our nation’s economic and social changes and wellbeing.

help our neighbors apply for marriages, and get records on personal milestones like birth, death, or buying a first home. We respect and affirm all St. Louis city residents.

I encourage all St. Louisans to fill out the Census, in spite of reluctance or fear. If we are

Washington Post op-ed column, Schermerhorn addressed the historic disparities that Black America continues to suffer.

not counted, we do not count. It is the only way for us to make our voices heard and to ensure that our children’s schools get funded – it is our path to a brighter future.

Michael Butler is St. Louis City Recorder of Deeds.

report, only 43 percent of blacks and 47 percent of Latinx own their own home, while white homeownership remains at 73 percent.”

She said this 30 percent disparity deserves further examination and proportional remedies.

“Greater access to safe and affordable credit, better fair housing enforcement, preservation of antidiscrimination laws – including disparate impact – can play a role in eliminating homeownership gaps,” Bailey said. “Further, as the future of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are publicly debated, a renewed commitment to serve all creditworthy borrowers must be embraced.”

Calvin Schermerhorn, a professor of history in Arizona State University’s School of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies and author of “The Business of Slavery and the Rise of American Capitalism, 1815-1860,” holds similar views to those expressed by Bailey. In a recent

“One-fifth of African American families have a net worth of $0 or below; 75 percent have less than $10,000 for retirement,” wrote Schermerhorn. “The enduring barriers to black economic equality are structural rather than individual…. Escalators into the middle class have slowed and stalled, and the rung of the economic ladder one starts on is most likely where one will end up.”

On the same day as the Harvard report’s release, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that establishes a new advisory body that will be led by HUD Secretary Ben Carson. A total of eight federal agencies will work with state and local government officials to remove “burdensome governmental regulations” affecting affordable housing.

“Increasing the supply of housing by removing overly burdensome rules and regulations will reduce housing costs, boost economic growth, and provide more Americans with opportunities for economic mobility,” stated Carson

If Carson means that local zoning rules favor singlefamily homes over multi-family developments is a fundamental public policy flaw, he may be on to something. However this focus misses the crux of the affordable housing crisis:

wages are not rising in line with increasing housing costs. And now, after the housing industry continues to cater to more affluent consumers, while many older adults choose to age in place, the market has very little to offer those who want their own American Dream, including some who are anxiously awaiting the chance to form their own households. Builders have historically, not just of late, complained about the time it takes to secure permits or the series of inspections that must be approved during construction and before properties can be listed for sale. What is missing from this new initiative is a solution to the financial challenges that average people face. It was scant regulation and regulatory voids that enabled risky mortgage products with questionable terms that took our national economy to the brink of financial collapse with worldwide effects. Taxpayer dollars to rescue financiers while many unnecessary foreclosures stripped away home equity and wealth from working families. Time will tell whether new advisors and proposals remember the lessons from the Great Recession.

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

Michael

n “I was just playing my game. No matter who I play against, I want to win.” –

Cori “Coco” Gauff

Sports

Napheesa Collier impacts the WNBA

By Earl Austin Jr.

Of The St. Louis American

Former Incarnate Word

Academy basketball star Napheesa Collier has already been able to make an impact as a rookie in the WNBA for the Minnesota Lynx. After her stellar collegiate career at Connecticut, Collier was the No. 6 pick in the first round of the WNBA Draft. In her first game, she scored 27 points in a victory over Chicago Sky on May 25. It was the second most points by a rookie player in her debut game in the 23-year history of the league. The most was 34 points, scored by current superstar Candace Parker of the Los Angeles Sparks. She also had six rebounds, three steals and two blocks in that game. Collier has been one of the league’s most productive rookies through the first part of the season. Through 12 games, the 6’1” Collier is averaging 12.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 0.9 blocks while shooting 53 percent from the field and 79 percent from the free throw line.

Megan Rapinoe is more American than any of her detractors can ever hope to be

By Ishmael H. Sistrunk

Of The St. Louis American

In last week’s column, “Big Baller banned,” I opined about the infamous interaction between LaVar Ball and Molly Qerim that resulted in Ball getting banned from ESPN. Due to the nature of the topic, I expected that some readers would experience ruffled feathers.

I did not expect to ruffle the feathers of my favorite sports journalist on the planet, Jemele Hill You know, staff writer at The Atlantic, host of “Jemele Hill is Unbothered” podcast, Ms. SC6 – that Jemele Hill. To borrow a phrase from undisputed women’s middleweight champion Claressa Shields, Hill is the GWOAT of sports journalism. Hill reached out to let me know that she took issue with my column. In the piece, I used an example of an interaction between Hill and former New

England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski in an attempt to point out hypocrisy by the network. Though I intended no criticism or shade directed at Hill, she was 100 percent right to be offended. The example I used with Hill and “Gronk” was not relevant to the issue at hand. It was a light-hearted moment that occurred on her personal time. It had nothing to do with work and nothing to do with the story. Had I taken the time to do proper research and examine the context of the interaction, I would’ve, and should’ve, quickly dismissed it. It was a lazy example brought about by a timeshortened deadline and a rush to get the column done instead of getting it right. While it is fair to debate the nature of the communication between Qerim and Ball (Hill and I respectfully disagree on that interaction), even unintentionally painting Hill as a hypocrite must be considered

Earl Austin Jr.

Ishmael H. Sistrunk

Former Incarnate Word Academy basketball star Napheesa

SportS EyE

With Alvin A. Reid

Megan Rapinoe is more American than her detractors can ever hope to be

In 2016, when most athletes and team executives were running away from former San Francisco Giants quarterback Colin Kaepernick as fast as their mouths and legs could carry them, American women’s soccer superstar Megan Rapinoe took a knee during the national anthem before a game.

In support of Kaepernick, Rapinoe said, “Being a gay American, I know what it means to look at the flag and not have it protect all of your liberties.”

about that,” Rapinoe said in a news conference before a 2-0 quarterfinal win over host France.

Months ago, when asked if she would visit the White House of the U.S. team wins the women’s World Cup, she got right to the point. The comments were recently republished

“I’m not going to the f-----White House,” the 33-year-old co-captain told EightByEight magazine.

“No f------ way will we be invited to the White House,” she said. “[The President] tries to avoid inviting a team that might decline. Or, like he did when the [Golden State] Warriors turned him down, he’ll claim they hadn’t been invited in the first place.”

In today’s America, that means you’re un-American in millions of people’s eyes. It starts at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

The president took to Twitter to accuse her of disrespecting the flag, the nation – and most importantly – him.

“I stand by the comments I made about not wanting to go to the White House, with the exception of the expletive. My mom will be very upset

“But I think obviously (I was) answering with a lot of passion, considering how much time and effort and pride we take in the platform that we have and using it for good, and for leaving the game in a better place and hopefully the world in a better place. I don’t think that I would want to go, and I would encourage my teammates to think hard about lending that platform or having that co-opted by an administration that doesn’t feel the same way and doesn’t fight for the same things that we fight for.”

Heading into Tuesday’s semifinal against England, Rapinoe had scored five goals, tying her with teammate Alex Morgan, England’s Ellen White and Australia’s Sam Kerr for most in the World Cup.

Morgan also said a White House visit is out of the question.

Rapinoe told the world she was gay in 2012 and hasn’t missed a beat in her career. She also said something it already knows but refuses to acknowledge.

“You can’t win a championship without gays on your team, it’s pretty much never been done before, ever,” she said. “Science right there.”

After Rapinoe knelt during the national anthem in 2016, U.S. Soccer adopted a regulation that players must stand. True to her word, she has abided by that edict. She does not sing or put her hand over heart, which has led to more

attacks on her patriotism Rapinoe will never be known as an American Sweetheart, but she is among the best things the United States can offer – especially on an international stage and with the current occupant of the White House.

The Blues House

Look for the St. Louis Blues to make a White House visit in late March.

The Stanley Cup champions play at Florida on March 21 before traveling to Washington to play the Capitals on March 24. The team’s next game is at Los Angeles on Friday, March 27.

I’ll go on the record now that I don’t care if the entire team goes and has a good time. Hopefully, they won’t be offered fast food and they’ll visit the African-American history museum.

Not starstruck

For all the talk MLB and Commissioner Robert Manfred do about increasing black

participation in baseball on the field and in the stands, the lineups for the All-Star Game on July 9 won’t help accomplish either.

The National League will feature no black starters and no black pitchers. Starters are selected via the fan vote.

Josh Bell, Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman, is the lone African American on the squad after being named as a reserve. He narrowly lost the fan vote to Atlanta’s Freddie Freeman.

American League fans, primarily fans of the Houston Astros, did better. Astros outfielders Michael Brantley and George Springer will man two of the three respective outfield positions. The game’s leading votegetter, Mike Trout, will start in centerfield.

Trout, for yet another year, turned down an opportunity to participate in the Home Run Derby competition on July 8. Bell said yes to the same invitation.

Mookie Betts, Red Sox outfielder and reigning AL MVP, was named as a reserve.

The AL could have had White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson as a reserve, but he suffered a severe ankle sprain last week and is on the Injured List.

Paul DeJong is the St. Louis Cardinals only player on the NL squad – and every team must be represented.

Miami Marlins pitcher Sandy Alcantara was named

to the NL’s pitching squad.

The former Cardinals prospect was traded to the Marlins in the deal to acquire Marcel Ozuna.

Speaking of Ozuna, he will miss a large part of the season’s second half after fracturing several bones in the fingers of his left hand while diving back into first base last week in San Diego.

Leader of the band

Chris Grier, Miami Dolphins general manager, made it clear last week that first-year head coach Brian Flores was hired for his leadership skills and not the color of his skin.

“I was looking for the best leader,” Grier said at the twoday NFL coaching summit in Atlanta.

For me, it wasn’t a matter of offense or defense,” Grier said.

“It was a matter of finding the right guy that we felt was going to be a leader of men, that was going to interact with this generation.

“This generation is different. When I grew up, I couldn’t talk back to my mom and dad. These kids, you see it out on the field, they’re talking back to coaches. It’s a different world. It’s a hard job, coaching these kids.”

While many owners and GMs have said similar things about newly-hired black coaches in all sports, Grier’s comments are notable because he too is black – a rarity in the NFL and Major League Baseball.

Flores is a defensive mastermind that made all defensive play calls for the Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots. Ironically, the aim of the coaching summit was to “bolster the pipeline of minority offensive coaches to be better positioned for headcoaching jobs.”

Grier said after Flores’ hire that he would be given adequate time to change the culture of the Dolphins who last won a playoff game in the year 2000.

The Arizona Cardinals fired black head coach Steve Wilks after one season. Unproven supposed offensive genius Kliff Kingsbury replaced his. Vance Joseph only got two years before John Elway fired him and hired Vin Fangio.

The Reid roundup

The St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs will play in London next summer, and hopefully, the games will resemble baseball. The twogame series featuring the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox last weekend was just plain silly. Fifty runs combined, the games totaling more than nine hours, reportedly no buzz in the streets and very few folks from England in the stands. Five-time Wimbledon women singles champion Venus Williams, now in her third decade on the pro circuit, will take on 15-yearold qualifier Cori Gauff in the tournament’s opening round. Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill reportedly met with NFL security and administrative personnel for more than eight hours last week. Look for him to be suspended several games. Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott was scheduled to meet with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on Tuesday to discuss his dust-up with a security guard in Las Vegas in May. The episode was captured on video and began with Elliott arguing with a woman, presumably his girlfriend and ended with him in handcuffs. I think he will be suspended in the season opener at home against the New York Giants.

ESPN’s Dan Graziano is the latest to speculate that Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott might not receive a long-term contract offer from the team. His offfield behavior is one concern, the wear-and-tear on his body as a workhouse back is another. Elliott is listed by several publications and pundits as the best pick at No. 1 in your fantasy football league. Alvin A. Reid was honored as the 2017 “Best Sports Columnist – Weeklies” in the Missouri Press Association’s Better Newspaper Contest and is a New York Times contributor. He is a panelist on the Nine Network program, Donnybrook, a weekly contributor to “The Charlie Tuna Show” on KFNS and appears monthly on “The Dave Glover Show” on 97.1 Talk.” His Twitter handle is #aareid1.

Alvin A. Reid

Megan Rapinoe has said publicly that she will not go to the White House if the U.S. women win the World Cup and are invited to Washington, D.C.

Clutch

Continued from B3

Due to her refusal to stay silent in the face of bigotry, I have no doubt that Hill has become a target of internet trolls and salty MAGA Americans. Unfortunately, my column may have served as fodder for those who desperately seek to discredit Hill.

Therefore, I offer a sincere and heartfelt apology to Hill. Referencing her Instagram post in my column was unnecessary and unwarranted. Though she certainly has the strength to navigate through negativity on her own, I am compelled to set the record straight for the readers of In the Clutch Jemele Hill is a national treasure and should be protected at all cost.

KD and Uncle Drew to Brooklyn kicks off frantic free agency

All throughout the 2018-19 NBA season, speculation ran rampant that Kevin Durant would flee Golden State in free agency. Though Durant rarely commented on free agency during the season, it was suspected by many that he would be changing zip codes at season’s end.

The same holds true for Kyrie Irving. With a deep desire to escape the looming shadow of LeBron James and lead his own team, Irving forced a trade to the Boston Celtics in 2017. The following season, a knee injury ended Irving’s season early. The team’s young players stepped up and led the Celtics to the Eastern Conference Finals.

When Irving returned for the 2018-19 season, it quickly became evident that Boston was no longer clearly his team. Jayson Tatum earned a bigger role. Jaylen Brown fought for his seat at the table. Gordon Hayward struggled to find his place after returning from injury. Terry Rozier wanted his chance to shine. The writing

for Irving was on the wall.

So when the free agency scramble officially began on Sunday, it was no surprise to find that Durant and Irving decided to don new jerseys. However, it was shocking that the perennial All-Stars decided to pair up to play in Brooklyn. Even with Durant expected to miss the entire 2019-20 season due to a torn Achilles tendon, the expected signings (players can’t officially sign contracts until July 6), will return the Nets to relevancy.

With D’Angelo Russell leading the way, the Nets team earned its way to the playoffs for the first time since 2015.

While Russell gave the Nets hopes of playoff contention, Durant and Irving will give fans legitimate dreams of championship rings. It is doubtful that Russell will lose any sleep over the deal. The All-Star guard was dealt to the Warriors in a sign-and-trade that will allow him to serve as the No. 2 guy beside Steph Curry as Klay Thompson recovers from a

torn ACL.

Meanwhile, the Celtics agreed to terms with Kemba Walker. Walker will allow Boston to keep continue to field All-Star talent at the point guard position. The team will need it since heart and soul Al Horford is expected to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers.

As you can tell, this NBA offseason is shaping up to be a wild ride.

Be sure to check In the Clutch online and also follow Ishmael on Twitter @ ishcreates.

Standout baseball player Christian Little of CBC has been selected to participate in the Baseball Factory Under Armour All-American Game, which will be held on July 22 at Wrigley Field in Chicago. The 6’3” 195-pound pitcher is one of the youngest players to be selected to the game, which features 40 top players from the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

Little completed a dominant season for the Cadets on the mound in leading them to a 21-8 record and a district championship. He finished the season with a 6-1 record with an earned-run average of 1.88. He has already verbally committed to NCAA champion Vanderbilt.

Kevin Durant (left) and Kyrie Irving will soon be teammates. The perennial All-Stars have both agreed to terms with the Brooklyn Nets.

Christian Little of CBC

Congratulations to the STL Elite fifth/sixth grade boys basketball team on winning the championship at last weekend’s Reebok Classic at Whitfield School. The team members are (front row, left to right) Darrion Lee, Marvin Neals, Timothy Coleman, Michael Clark. (Back row, left to right) Leon Powell, coach; Ronald Henry, Jayvyn Jenkins, Jyon Thomas, Deandre Hollis, Milan Kyles, Donald Davis, coach.

STL Elite boys win Reebok Classic

Refinancing airport bonds saves St. Louis $29M

American staff

The City of St. Louis saved more than $29 million by refinancing St. Louis Lambert International Airport’s Series 2009A-1 Airport Revenue bonds on Thursday, June 27. The financing was well received by the market with robust investor interest. Investors’ orders amounted to 3.4 times the amount of offered bonds, or more than $317 million. This interest was in part due to rating upgrades since 2018, reflecting the strength of the airport’s credit quality.

“With favorable market conditions, the City of St. Louis was able to deliver a $29.26 million present value savings for St. Louis Lambert International Airport,” said St. Louis Comptroller Darlene Green. “This is a victory for the people of St. Louis and the flying public, as these

savings enhance the operating efficiency and financial strength of our airport.”

The majority of the financing’s savings were structured within the first five years to help manage the airport’s future debt service and maintain the airport’s cost per enplanement and operations.

The entire financing resulted in an aggregate all-in true interest cost of 2.87 percent.

As part of the transaction, the City of St. Louis issued approximately $23 million of new airport revenue bonds that will fund a variety of projects in the airport’s five-year capital improvement plan.

“This bond refunding continues to further enhance our financial sustainability with the net present savings that not only reduces future debt payments, but also happens to cover the cost of a new bond issuance that will cover new investments into airport

facilities and equipment,” said airport Director Rhonda Hamm-Niebruegge.

Prior to selling the bonds, S&P Global Ratings assigned its “A” rating to the city’s Series 2019 airport revenue and refunding bonds issued in 2009 and upgraded its rating on outstanding airport revenue bonds to “A” from “A-.” The outlook for all city airport bond ratings by S&P is stable.

In addition, Moody’s Investor Services affirmed its rating for the city’s airport bonds at ‘A2’ with a stable outlook.

This good news about the airport’s fiscal health comes at a time when both Mayor Lyda Krewson and Aldermanic President Lewis Reed support a study of whether the city should privatize airport operations that was initiated by financier and political speculator Rex Sinquefield. Green opposes the study.

July 16 deadline to apply for Delta Leadership Institute Executive Academy

Through July 16, the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) is accepting applications for the 2019 – 2020 Delta Leadership Institute Executive Academy.

The Delta Regional Authority is a federal-state partnership created by Congress in 2000 to help create jobs, build communities, and improve lives through strategic investments in economic development in 252 counties and parishes across eight states

Since 2005, the Delta Leadership Institute (DLI) has trained a diverse group of community leaders who currently live and/or work in the Mississippi Delta.

DLI is an extensive 10-month program where Executive Academy Fellows

travel to communities in each of DRA’s eight member states, including Missouri, exploring existing economic and community development programs and best practices.

Throughout the Executive Academy’s seven sessions, Fellows will focus on leadership development and regionally-significant policy issues, with an emphasis on economic development, infrastructure, workforce training and education, entrepreneurship, business development, and public health.

Upon graduation, DLI fellows become members of the Delta Leadership Network, which provides peer-to-peer engagement opportunities for continued leadership

development, information sharing, and collaboration with other leaders dedicated to the future of the DRA region.

The DLI will be limited to 40 Fellows, comprised of representatives from the Delta’s public, private, and non-profit sectors. Chosen through a competitive application process, the 2019 –2020 Executive Academy class will include fellows from each of the eight states in the DRA footprint.

The 2019 – 2020 Delta Leadership Institute Executive Academy will run from October 2019 – August 2020. Those interested can apply through July 16 at www.dra. gov/leadership.

Financial Focus

By Lucien Blackwell

Responding to wild swings in financial markets

Uvee’s blues basement party

Local music veteran returns with new music and new tour

By

When she’s not on stage, Uvee Hayes has the most unassuming presence. She spends much more time listening than talking, Her speaking voice barely registers above a whisper. What gives her away as a performer is her eyes. She gives her undivided attention and engages in a manner that forms a deep connection.

Discussing her career in music – and contributions to the rich legacy of St. Louis blues – make her piercing eyes dance and smile.

“Music has been in me for a long, long time,” Hayes said. “Even when I was a little girl watching TV –watching James Brown – I knew it was something that See UVEE, C4

Changing lives book by book

Books N Bros celebrates black excellence and literacy with inaugural gala

By Kenya Vaughn

Of The St. Louis American

Wesley Bell, the first African American to serve as St. Louis County Prosecutor, vividly remembered two books that transformed his relationship with reading when delivering the keynote address at Books N Bros sold-out inaugural Black Excellence in Literacy Gala Sunday night at Innovation Hall. The first was the Wilson Rawlings novel “Where The Red Fern Grows.” He still hadn’t developed a passion for reading when he was assigned the book in third or fourth grade, but he still thought, “this is a good book.”

n “I believe that we must lead by example. Look at what Sidney has done. He has taken his love of reading and changed lives.”

– Mistress of ceremonies

But as a 13-year-old student at Kirby Junior High, he stumbled upon “The Autobiography of Malcolm X” when his teacher took him to the school library for an assignment that changed his relationship with books forever. He knew the name, but had no idea there was a book about him –let alone in his school library. “It was like I discovered a lost treasure,” Bell said. “I was like, ‘they have a book on Malcolm X! If we want to reach our young people, we have to find what interests them. Often times its someone or something that they can identify with.”

Marty K. Casey

At 13, Books N Bros founder Sidney Keys III is the same age as Bell was when he found the book that sparked his interest in reading. Through his book club, Keys has been promoting literacy among young black boys. Keys’ Journey with Books N Bros also began when he found a common bond within the pages of a book.

His mother, Winnie Caldwell, took Keys to Eye See Me Books – a specialty store that focuses on African-American children’s literature. He picked up a copy of Ty Allan Jackson’s “Danny Dollar Millionaire Extraordinaire” and couldn’t put it down. Caldwell post a video clip of Keys reading that went viral. Keys wanted other young black boys to experience the same euphoria that came over him when connected with a young black boy character. He started Books N Bros. Nearly three years later, Keys has received international acclaim for Books N Bros. And on Sunday, the people who connected the dots were in the building celebrating together.

Jeffrey Blair, owner of Eye See Me Books sat at the same

table with Jackson. Each table was named in honor of a legend in black literature. Among the names included James Baldwin and longtime St. Louis resident Patricia McKissack.

“It’s really quite overwhelming to see the progression in such a short period of time,” Jackson said. “To see where this has come from to where it is, it is really quite spectacular.” Jackson spoke of courage and purpose during his brief time at the podium.

“ It took the courage to open Eye See Me, for Winnie to take her son to the bookstore,” Jackson said. “It took the cour-

Tag team comedy

85 South Live brings big laughs, St. Louis love with nonstop funny freestyle

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

Chico Bean, DC Young Fly and Karlous Miller have taken the off the cuff improvisation skills they honed on “Nick Cannon’s Wild ‘N Out” and applied them to their own brand of comedy by way of the 85 South Show.

St. Louis got a taste of the trio and what they offer by way of their popular “85 South Comedy Show” podcast when their 85 South Live Comedy Tour played a sold-out Stifel Theatre Saturday night. After a lengthy wait, the three comics emerged on stage together. The shenanigans started out the gate as they clowned each other and the audience while showing love to the city by way of shouting out information normally reserved for natives and insiders.

“Who from the Dub,” Miller said. The crowd was elated as the St. Louis references continued early on in the show.

“St. Louis, y’all some gangstas, but you be up in the Skate King like this,” DC Young Fly said while twisting and contorting his body to emulate smooth moves on the rink. Miller referred to Vashon High School and the residents of former Bluemeyer Housing Project who attended the school. And Bean referred to Nelly’s “Country Grammar” as “one of the coldest rap records of all time.”

See 85 SOUTH, C4

85 South Comedy stars Chico Bean, Karlous Miller and DC Young Fly brought big laughs with their sold-out live show Saturday night at Stifel Theatre.

Photo by Lawrence Bryant

Singer Uvee Hayes on stage at the National Blues Museum for a special performance last month.

Books N Bros founder Sidney Keys III with St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell, who delivered the keynote address for the inaugural Black Excellence in Literacy Gala at Innovation Hall Sunday evening.

Photo by Mena Darre

Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

How to place a calendar listing

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

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

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

concerts

Fri., July 12, 7 p.m., Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre presents Santana: Natural Now. 14141 Riverport Dr,, 63043. For more information, visit www. ticketmaster.com.

Sat., July 13, 7:30 p.m., 95.5

The Lou presents The Tom Joyner One More Time Experience feat. Tom Joyner, KEM, and Maze feat. Frankie Beverly. Chaifetz Arena, 1 S. Compton Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www.thechaifetzarena. com.

Fri., July 12, 7:30 & 9:30 p.m., Jazz St. Louis presents Carlos Brown, Jr. & Ingenuity. Jazz at the Bistro, 3536 Washington Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www.jazzstl.org.

Sat., July 13, 7 p.m., The Ready Room presents Leikeli47: The Acrylic Tour 4195 Manchester Ave., 63110. For more information, www. thereadyroom.com.

Mon., July 15, 7 p.m., The Ready Room presents Devin the Dude. The Ready Room, 4195 Manchester Ave., 63110. For more information, visit www.thereadyroom.com.

Sun., July 21, 6 p.m., Fox Sports Midwest Live presents Bone Thugs-N-Harmony ft. Dirty Muggs. 601 Clark Ave., 63102. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Sun., July 21, 7:30 p.m., Stifel Theatre presents Earth, Wind & Fire. 1400 Market St., 63103. For more information, visit www. ticketmaster.com.

Thur., July 25, 8 p.m., The Fox Theatre presents Diana Ross: Music Book Tour. 527 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www. fabulousfox.com.

Sat., July 27, 8 p.m., Blac Youngsta Live. Ambassador, 9800 Halls Ferry Rd.,63136. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

local gigs

Sat., July 6, 7 p.m., Jazz Triple Play feat. The Bosman Twins, The Coleman-Hughes Project ft. Adrianne, and Mark Harris II. The Grandel, 3610 Grandel Sq., 63103. For more information, call (314) 837-3424.

Tues., July 9, 7:30 p.m., Gaslight Jazz Series with Lamar Harris. The Gaslight Theater, 358 N. Boyle Ave., 63108. For more information, visit www.stlas.org.

Thur., July 11, 6:30 p.m., 2019 Whitaker Urban Evening Concert Series feat. Kim Massie.. St. Louis Park Place, Rauschenbach & St. Louis Ave., 63107. For more information, visit www. gracehillsettlement.org.

Fri., July 12, 7:30 & 9:30 p.m., Jazz St. Louis presents Celebrating George Benson Performance by the Montez Coleman Quintet. Jazz at the Bistro, 3536 Washington Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www.jazzstl.org.

Sat., July 13, Atomic Cowboy presents Kim Massie: Steely Dan Tribute. 41410 Manchester Ave., 63110. For more information, visit www. ticketmaster.com.

Wed., July 17, 7 p.m., Sean Coray. Renaissance St. Louis Airport Hotel, 9801 Natural Bridge Rd., 63134. For more information, visit www. seancoray.com.

Sat., July 20, 7 p.m., Masters Touch Summer Concert The Ambassador, 9800 Halls Ferry Rd., 63136. For more information, visit www. thenewambassadorstl.com.

The Guide

Kenya Vaughn recommends

special events

Thur., July 4, 5 p.m., Kinloch Fire Protection District 4th of July Fireworks. Dunk tank, bounce house, become an honorary firefighter, and more. Kinloch Park, 5541 Mable Ave., 63140. For more information, visit www.facebook.com.

July 4 – July 6, Fair St. Louis 2019 featuring performances by Johnny Gill and Keith Sweat. Gateway Arch National Park. For more information, visit https://www. fairsaintlouis.org/

Sat., July 6, 12 p.m., Show Me Kicks Expo 2019. The premier buy, sale, and trade sneaker expo. Old Post Office, 815 Olive St., 63101. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

July 13 – 14, Nightchaser presents Daychaser in Forest Park. An outdoor dance party with a hearty dose of circus, art, yoga, flow, and more. World’s Fair Pavillion, 1904 Concourse Dr., 63110. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Wed., July 17, 10 a.m., JobNewsUSA presents a St. Louis Job Fair. DoubleTree Westport, 1973 Craigshire Rd., 63146. For more information, visit www.jobnewsusa.com.

Sat., July 20, 12 p.m., Frizz Fest 2019: To Encourage Self-Love and Inspire Confidence Among Women. Vendors, food trucks, performances, activities, giveaways, and more. Tower Grove Park, 4256 Magnolia Ave., 63110. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

July 20 – 21, Ultimate HBCU Experience Majorette Dance

Workshop. Auxiliary Studio, 8894 Jennings Station Rd., 63136. For more information, call (314) 884-8650.

Sat., July 20, 7:30 p.m., The Willie Akins Scholarship Benefit Concert. Feat. The Harvey Lockhart Collective, The Matt McKeever Quartet, and the Kendrick Smith Quartet. Scholarships provide tuition assistance to music majors at Webster University. The Grandel, 3610 Grandel Sq., 63103. For more information, visit www. facebook.com.

Wed., July 24, 9:30 a.m., HireLive presents St. Louis Job Fair. DoubleTree Westport, 1973 Craigshire Rd., 63146. For more information, visit www.hirelive.com.

Sat., July 27, 10 a.m., Saint Louis World Day Against Trafficking. International Institute, 3401 Arsenal St., 63118. For more information, visit www.unausa.org.

Sat., July 27, 4 p.m., Queen Camp, Inc., presents Worthy: The 6th Annual Miss Divine Destiny Pageant. St. Louis University Center for Global Citizenship Auditorium, 3672 West Pine Mall, 63108. For more information, visit www. thequeensguidetolife.com.

Sat., July 27, 6 p.m., StyleTaneous Styles 4th Annual Fashion Show. New Spring Church, 10229 Lewis and Clark Blvd., 63136. For more information, visit www. styletaneousstyles.com

literary

Sat., July 13, 6 p.m., Author Teresa Dickerson Book Signing. Dickerson will discuss her new book The Blu Print to Owning Your Own Fashion Boutique Graffiti Girls Boutique, 4532 Gravois St., 63116. For more

The Ready Room presents Leikeli47: The Acrylic Tour. See CONCERTS for details.

information, visit www. facebook.com.

July 19 – 23, 41st Annual YMCA Book Fair. The largest single fundraising event for the Gateway Region YMCA. Greensfelder Recreation Center, Queeny Park, 550 Weidman Rd., 63011. For more information, visit www.ymcabookfair.org.

art

Sat., July 13, 10 a.m., Pulitzer Arts Foundation presents a Family Day Block Party. Families are invited to take part in free art activities. Designed for ages 3 – 12. Grand Center Arts District, 3716 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www.pulitzerarts.org.

comedy

July 5 – 6, Helium Comedy Club presents The Plastic Cup Boyz. 1151 St. Louis Galleria St., 63117. For more information, visit www. heliumcomedy.com.

Sun., July 7, 7 p.m., NMotion Ent. & TNT Ent. present the Last Laugh Comedy Tour. Feat. Dyon Brooks & Timothy Wilson. The Laugh Lounge, 11208 W. Florissant Ave., 63033. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Thur., July 11, 8 p.m., Smart, Funny & Black with Amanda Seales: U Kno the Vibeonics: 101. The Pageant, 6161 Delmar Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www. ticketmaster.com.

July 18 – 20, Helium Comedy Club presents Don “DC” Curry. 1151 St. Louis Galleria St., 63117. For more information, visit www. heliumcomedy.com.

Fri., July 19, 7 a.m., The Funniest Friday Night Ever. Feat. Deon Benson, Brandon Taylor, and Mike Gerdine. Special Tymes Banquet Hall, 5950 Natural Bridge Rd., 63120. For more information, visit www.facebook.com.

July 19 – 20, Funny Bone St. Louis presents Roy Wood Jr 614 Westport Plaza, 63146. For more information, visit www.stlouisfunnybone.com.

July 25 – 28, Helium Comedy Club presents Tony Rock 1151 St. Louis Galleria St., 63117.

July 5 – 14, St. Louis Actors Studio presents Labute New Theater Festival. Set One includes: Great Negro Works of Art, Color Timer, Privilege, and Kim Jong Rosemary. The Gaslight Theater, 358 N. Boyle Ave., 63108. For more information, visit www.stlas. org.

July 8 – 16, The Muny presents Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella. 1 Theatre Dr., 63112. For more information, visit www.muny. org.

July 11 & 20, Encore Theater Group presents A Raisin in the Sun. Fellowship STL, 3453 S. Jefferson Ave., 63118. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

July 12 – 14, Independent Theater Company presents For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf. The Theatre Guild of Webster Groves, 517 Theatre Ln., 63119. For more information, visit www. brownpapertickets.com. July 26 – 27, Rockshow Productions presents Disney’s Frozen Jr. The Grandel, 3610 Grandel Sq., 63108. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

lectures and workshops

Wed., July 3, 2 p.m., Washington University Libraries presents Stories of Independence. Event includes a talk about the Declaration of Independence, reading of Frederick Douglass’ speech, and more. Olin Library, One Brookings Dr., 63130. For more information, visit www. library.wustl.edu.

Tues., July 9, 1:30 p.m., The Secret of Happiness. Hear from Tim Bono about the scientific study of “the good life” and strategies for life satisfaction based on research in positive psychology. Center of Clayton, 50 Gay Ave., 63105. For more information, visit www.stloasis.org.

Thur., July 11, 5:30 p.m., Focus St. Louis presents Equity in City/County Reform. Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www.focus-stl.org.

Sat., July 13, 11 a.m., Queen Key Escapes hosts Human Trafficking Awareness and Vendor Fair. Keynote speaker Dr. Shante Lampley, performances, and testimonies. Club Diamond, 3156 Pershall Rd., 63136. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Sat., July 13, 1 p.m., St. Louis Area Violence Prevention Commission presents Conversations on the Future of Community Policing in St. Louis. St. Louis Public Library, 5760 W. Florissant Ave., 63120. For more information, visit www. slpl.org.

Tues., July 16, 5 p.m., Grace Hill Women’s Business Center presents a Legal Clinic. Meet with an attorney from Legal Services of Eastern Missouri to discuss business related questions. 2125 Bissell St., 63107. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Tues., July 23, 9 a.m.,

U.S. Small Business Administration Workshop

St. Louis Public Library, 1301 Olive St., 63103. For more information, visit www.slpl. org.

health

Tues., July 9, 6:30 p.m., How Does Henrietta Lacks Apply to Me? A Discussion on Key Ethical Considerations of Precision Medicine. St. Louis Science Center, 5050 Oakland Ave., 63110. For more information, visit www. academyofsciencestl.org.

Sat., July 13, 10:30 a.m., Transformation Christian Church & World Outreach Center hosts a Free Community Health Fair & Funfest. 4141 Cook Ave., 63113. For more information, call (314) 535-1176.

spiritual

Sun., July 7, 11 a.m. & 3

p.m., St. Michael’s Temple of the Expanded Mind’s 50th Anniversary Celebration. 6520 Arsenal St., 63139. For more information, visit www. facebook.com.

Sat., July 13, 8:45 a.m., Refuge and Restoration Church presents Not Easily Broken Marriage Conference. Renaissance Airport Hotel, 9801 Natural Bridge Rd., 63134. For more information, visit www. facebook.com.

Sun., July 14, 10 a.m., Newstead Avenue Missionary Baptist Church’s 49th Educational Anniversary. 4370 North Market St., 63113. For more information, call (314) 371-4436.

July 15 – 19, Newstead Avenue Missionary Baptist Church invites you to Vacation Bible School. 4370 N. Market St., 63113. For more information, call (314) 371-4436.

July 19 – 20, Ferguson

Gospel Choral Workshop The Gospel Workshop will culminate in a Saturday evening performance highlighting the workshop choir. St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 33 N. Clay Ave., 63135. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Sat., July 20, 1 p.m., Speak to the City presents Speak! 2019 Outdoor Family Concert. Feat. Tish Haynes Keys, Cedric Shannon Rivers and the Brothers, Ricky Davaine, and DJ Quinn. Hosted by Kimm Gaines. Fairgrounds Park, 4061 N. Grand Blvd., 63107. For more information, call (314) 699-4100.

July 21 – 26, Missouri Midwest Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction – C.O.G.I.C. invites you to the 4th Annual Holy Convocation. For more information, visit www.mmej. org

Thursdays, 6 p.m., Coffee Cake & True Islam, 4529 Emerson Ave.

film

Fri., July 5, 6 p.m., St. Louis Science Center presents First Friday: Gladiator. 5050 Oakland Ave., 63110. For more information, visit www. slsc.org.

Fri., July 12, 6 p.m., Art Hill Film Series: Black Panther. Food trucks will be on site. 1 Fine Arts Dr., 63110. For more info, visit www.slam.org.

July 12 – 21, Cinema St. Louis presents the St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase. Brown Hall, Washington University, 1 Brookings Dr., 63105. For more information, visit www.cinemastlouis.org.

Kenya Vaughn recommends

Jazz Triple Play feat. The Bosman Twins, The Coleman-Hughes Project ft. Adrianne, and Mark Harris II. For more information, see LOCAL GIGS.

from C1

age for us black authors to cre-

ate this literature so that these young people can find and see themselves reflected. It’s not enough to just have courage, you need the action after the courage.”

Books N Bros was pointed to as courage in action.

“I believe that we must lead by example,” mistress of ceremonies Marty K. Casey. “Look at what Sidney has done. He has taken his love of reading and changed lives.”

Books N Bros took time to honor the mentors of the club – endearingly referred to as “big bros.”

“I’m a big bro to Winnie literally and a big bro to these kids figuratively,” said Ishmael Sistrunk, who spoke on behalf of the big bros receiving their certificates.

“All of these guys we are at the meetings every month. We see all of the kids. We talk to them. We read with them,” Sistrunk said. “I think it’s so important for them to

Continued from C1

I wanted to do. Even with my education and my career, it was always there. I would never leave it, even if I could only do it part-time.”

Her life shifted when she retired from her career as a school psychologist in 2010. She pursues music full-time, though she continues to do part-time work in the field out

see young black men reading with them. They are changing the narrative by reading and I think that we are also changing the narrative by being mentors by trying to guide them, help them and show them that positive influence.”

Books N Bros also has an “adopt a bro” program established in honor of Sistrunk and Winnie’s late brother Anthony Caldwell.

“I’m just grateful to see an organization in his name being able to help children and fund literacy,” Sistrunk said. “I want to tell the bros to keep dreaming big. And parents, continue to encourage them. Even if you don’t see their dream, even if you don’t understand it – keep them get resources to put behind it.

I don’t think Sidney thought that Books N Bros would grow and take him around the country and around the world. Your kids’ ideas and dreams can do the same.”

Winnie was overwhelmed by the support and response to Books N Bros and the organization’s inaugural gala.

“Tonight has exceeded my

of a love for children.

“After retirement I got even more into the music,” Hayes said. “I enjoy that.”

The past six months have been a whirlwind: a national tour and a local performance on the bill with blues legend Bobby Rush when he came to St. Louis in May and a trip to the East Coast in June. At the end of September, she’ll set sail as a featured performer on the European Blues Cruise – which stops in France, Italy and Spain.

wildest dreams – just like the summer of 2016 did,” Winnie said. “Through your support, you are currently a part of a faith walk. You joined our journey of unwavering faith. It’s been almost three years and we’ve never stopped.”

She was thrilled with how far the music had taken her, but over the moon about performing before a hometown crowd in her native of Macon, Mississippi.

“I can’t wait,” Hayes said. “There are so many family members and friends who have been asking, ‘When are you coming for us to see you?’”

At the top of her agenda as far as her hometown set list is her latest single “Basement Party.” A song that was made for line dancing, Hayes

Bell told the audience that the work of Books N Bros has the power to change lives.

“In my new job, I believe in what we call research driven, data based policies,” Bell said. “We look at what works. And the facts are if you give young

recorded a music video for “Basement Party,” where she twirls along with the dancers who bop to the song. It was in Macon that Hayes was “born and reared with the blues – from a little girl on up.”

“My mom had a little country store and they would have Friday and Saturday night gatherings, and people would come from everywhere,” Hayes said. “You could hear nothing but the blues and the stomping on the floor – you’ve heard about how people can

Several members of Books N Bros Book Club with their mentors, whom they call “Big bros,” during the inaugural Black Excellence in Literacy Gala Sunday night at Innovation Hall.

people an education, they are less likely to commit crimes.

If you give them opportunity, they are less likely to commit crime. If you give young people jobs, they are less likely to commit crime.

of these things start with

dance the dust up off the floor?

That’s what would happen.”

Watching her mother’s store turn into a temporary juke joint on the weekends fueled her love of the blues. A 9th grade talent show sealed the deal as far as her desire to become an entertainer. Now she is finally fully devoting herself to the music at an almost manic pace.

As she discussed what was new and next regarding her musical journey in her husband Bernie Hayes’s office in The Wolff Jazz Institute & Art Gallery on the campus of Harris-Stowe State University, Bernie couldn’t help but chime in once or twice.

“Her last album was a jazz album, and before that was a soul album – and now she has a blues album,” Bernie said. “She has three albums on the market right now in three different genres.”

Proving her words that he is her biggest supporter, Bernie showed off her CDs.

“I can do a little bit jazz, and a little bit of soul, but I love the blues,” Uvee Hayes said. “Blues is what I love to listen to, but soul is me when it comes to singing.”

When she first started recording, she did it on 45 wax records.

“Oh my, that was back in 1972,” she recalled. “I did a record called ‘Testify’ with the late Oliver Sain. Can you

85 South

Continued from C1

“Man, he was straight harmonizing about a drive-by,” Bean said.

“And it made me think ‘my people in St. Louis doing drivebys in Range Rovers? Our folks running up in a Ford Taurus,” Miller chimed in.

They dissected the lyrics from a few of Nelly’s classic hits, gave shouts to other artists from the city who crossed over into mainstream such as Chingy an J’Kwon and did a bit on former St. Lunatic member Slo Down. But they also used music to prove their knowledge of St. Louis goes deeper than the surface of the rap music that received national and international acclaim.

“What y’all know about Pretty Willie,” Bean said before singing and rapping along “Lay Your Body Down” and “She Got A Man at Home.”

Karlous Miller made sure to bring up rap duo Tha Whole 9.

“Some of y’all’s knees still hurtin’ from all of that Nina Poppin’ y’all used to do up in the club,” Miller said, referring to the dance move and song by the group that was a local sensation in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Their stroll down St. Louis’ memory lane through music and neighborhoods locked the audience in – and the comedy crew kept the undivided attention of the crowd for the rest of the night during their freestyle format that was a stark contrast from the typical comedy show.

It was expected after they came out together to greet the crowd that they would leave

believe it’s been that long?” She then went on to give shout outs to the many producers and songwriters she has worked with from around the country over the years, such as the late Luther Ingram, who gained acclaim as a performer with his hit slow jam “If Loving You Is Wrong (I Don’t Want to Be Right).” She also worked with Tom Tom Washington, the late Otis Clay and many others who have produced music for her that has stretched across genres.

“I don’t want to be in a box,” Uvee Hayes said. “I love music. And most of the time, if I hear it and I love it, I’ll just do it. If I feel like I have the voice I will just do it.” She is fearless when it comes to keeping her career going – and being a woman of a certain age embarking on an industry stereotypically associated with youth.

“There is something within you that says, ‘Come on now, you’ve got to do this,’” Uvee Hayes said. “It’s something that just won’t go away. Plus, I enjoy my audience. Jazz, R&B, the blues – they love it all. And if you are with me, you are going to have a good time.”

When asked to describe herself as an artist, she asked for Bernie to give his thoughts.

“One word,” he said. “Versatile.”

and come back one comic at a time to deliver a set. But 85 South crew had all three comics on stage riffing off of each other for nearly two hours. There was no headliner or featured performers – just a group of comics with natural chemistry and an ability to tag team in and out of the jokes.

The only intentions seemed to be to bring the funny and to make sure it was clear that they were a sum of three equal parts as opposed to one getting more time in the spotlight or landing more punchlines. When one seemed to be getting more shine, one of the others would ask for another of the comics to jump in – but the ebb and flow was so natural that it didn’t feel forced. There was a couch and table set up on stage, but it was only used as a place to fall out with laughter after being so amused with the antics of another comic, or themselves. They also had a musician on stage and a microphone equipped with autotune – which DC Young Fly used most to offer hilarious sound bites and musical effects.

It was a go with the flow style on a completely different spectrum from typical comedy show – which usually features a familiar face telling mostly familiar jokes with a few new bits sprinkled in. The 85 South crowd didn’t know what would happen next – and it didn’t seem like the comics did either. They proved themselves masters of improvisation as they recreated a common scenario from true crime hit “The First 48” and jumped into the crowd to target certain members of the audience for their fashion choices.

Photo by Mena Darre

Birthdays

Reunions

Vashon High School Class of 1974 is planning for its 45-year reunion. We are in the process of rounding up all classmates. To provide or update your contact information, please email ljbady@gmail.com or contact: Joe Verrie Johnson 314-6405842, Jordan Perry 314-7244563, or LaVerne James-Bady 314-382-0890.

Vashon-Hadley Old School

Reunion 1960-67, October 19, 2019, 2-6 pm at The Atrium in Christian Hospital. For more details text (only) Brenda Mahr at 314-580-5155 or email at: brendamahr@att.net.

Sumner Class of 1974 is having its 45-year reunion: July 26 and 27, 2019. Friday Meet and Greet at the Machinist Hall, 12345 St. Charles Rock Road, Bridgeton, Mo “Roaring Twenties” event.

Celebrations

Happy 100th Birthday to Johnie B. Tiner, a wonderful mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend on July 6! God has kept you and blessed you! Enjoy your day!

Brother James Stowers was born June 23, 1923 in Macon Mississippi. Happy 96th Birthday to you, Dad. Love, Janet and family

I would like to wish my mother Dee Dee BowdryEvans a Happy Birthday on July 3! From, your son Mannie (Steven) Bowdry Jr.

“Each day of our lives we make deposits in the memory banks of our children.” Here is to making great memories! Happy 4th birthday to Brandon on June 27! Love, Mama and Daddy!

We would like to wish Elizabeth Clark a Happy 76th Birthday on June 30. We love you and hope that you a blessed and joyous day. Love always, your family!

Saturday Dinner Dance, “A Red Carpet Affair” at The Four Seasons Hotel, 999 North Second Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63102. Rooms have been blocked. Please call 314.881.5800 Contact Pamela Mason Clarkson, President 314.324.5439, or Irving Hanks Vice President 314.229.2582 for information.

Sumner Class of 1969 50-year reunion “Living Life Like It’s Golden” June 28-30, 2019. Looking for classmates of 1969 to contact us with your updated information via address:sumnerclass1969@ gmail.com or our FB page: Sumner High.

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

Soldan Class of 1974 Alumni Association is planning its 45-year reunion. Please get your contact information to

dhblackjack@charter.net or call 314-749-3803.

Soldan is having its 14th AllClass Alumni Picnic, August 17, 2019, at Tiemeyer Park, 3311 Ashby Rd., St. Ann, MO 63074 from 10 am-6 pm. Bring your own basket or grill out there. Food trucks will be present. T-Shirts are $15—get your grad year on your t-shirt before August 3, 2019. For more information call: (314) 413-9088.

Parkway North Class of 1999 will celebrate its 20-year reunion on July 20 at 7 pm at the Fox Sports VIP Lounge at Ballpark Village. Cost is $60/ person. For info contact Cyndi at Cyndi@varsityreunion.com.

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

Kinloch Class of 1969 is planning its 50-year reunion, August 21-23. Dinner dance at Orlandos, 2050 Dorsett Village Plaza. For information

call Ruben at 314-239-5202 or Ophelia at 314-280-6596. Classmates please respond by April 2019.

Beaumont High School Class of 1979 is planning its 40-year reunion. All activities are scheduled for the weekend of September 27-29. The location is The Airport Marriot at 10700 Pear Tree Drive, St. Louis 63134. For more information, contact Milton Jackson at 314-2764392 or Yolanda Lockhart at lockhartyo08@gmail.com.

Beaumont Class of 1974 is planning its 45-year reunion for the weekend of July 26-28, 2019. To update us with your information please email us

at ten55jw@yahoo.com, forward communications to Beaumont Alumni 1974, PO Box 37091, St. Louis MO 63141 or call James White, 314-494-5554. Details coming soon!

Beaumont High School Class of 1969 will celebrate its 50-year reunion Sept 20-22, 2019 at Embassy Suites St. Charles. Come join us as we celebrate these golden years, “Living Life Like It’s Golden.” For more information contact Dennis Hayden 314 276-6188 or beaumontclassof1969@ yahoo.com or send your questions to P.O. Box 155, Florissant, MO 63032.

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

63103

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

Brandon

Johnie B. Tiner

Dee Dee Bowdry-Evans

James Stowers

Elizabeth Clark

Mynita and Michaela supported the brave and talented spoken word artists participating in Poetic Justice Sunday @ The

Swag Snap of the Week

Megan Thee Stallion’s 20-minute twerk out. Big Freedia there’s a thick girl from Houston in a two-piece coming for your spot as the twerk queen of the South! I’m just saying. The folks were throwing it in a circle all across, over and through The Pageant Thursday night as the newest rap vixen Megan Thee Stallion stomped through for a sold-out mini-cardio session disguised as a hip-hop concert. King of Diamonds realness was being delivered all the way around. I know folks were bothered that the show was so brief, but with all of those people twerking nonstop, it was quietly a good thing. Besides her only having a few little songs, otherwise the EMT would have had to get involved to come to the rescue of folks who had twerked themselves into a state of heat exhaustion. All shapes, sizes and genders were twerking like their lives depended on it – from rail thin to super-plus. I can’t tell you one song she performed as she rapped to those tracks , but she served at least three solid signature twerks: the “drop it low to the flo,’” the “make your knees touch your elbows” and the “make it clap while you bounce it back” were among them. Featured performer Mai Lee even got in on the twerkin’ fun.

Keke croons again. Folks can say what they want about KeKe Wyatt, but I have seen very few vocalists who can hold all the notes and carry them across the stage down like her. She was true to form Friday night when Angel brought her through for the latest edition of “A Night Of Soul Searching” at The Ready Room. I wanted to get up and slap her for sounding so good – and y’all know I’ve seen some saingin’ (yes, saingin’) in my day. Also true to form was the sickening band that continues to blow the minds of national music acts.

A peace party on the East Side with Lyte. Saturday afternoon I ventured over to the East Side to see one of my favorite MCs of all time party with the city of East St. Louis for their Peacefest community event and concert. MC Lyte looked a little thinner than usual, but she sounded great! And I also had a blast hanging in the city of champions and hitting up the food vendors on deck. Yashica McKinney is going to have to deal with the guilt of knowing that her desserts out the jar are one of the primary reasons I’m not in one-piece shape for the summer of 2019. 85 South crew laughs with The Lou. Now y’all know how

By Delores Shante dshante@stlamerican.com

I love it when out-of-town folks know and love our city. Well

Chico Bean and Karlous Miller of the 85 South comedy crew earned a place in my hall of fame for the STL references they gave the folks during their sold-out show Saturday at Stifel Theatre. I was into every bit of it – well except for the part when comedian Willie C. rushed the stage. I have a strong feeling that was pre-orchestrated – which has me scratching my head about why he didn’t have better roasts when he finally got the mic. He had an hour-and-a-half sitting in his seat to get his reads together. We are a city of “joaners,” and they roasted him for filth for not bringing the thunder – especially DC Young Fly. Next time just have some pre-tested shade in your mental rolodex. Aside from Willie, the woman in the blouse made of orange bag mesh and the man with the Davy Crockett coonskin cap everybody else up in there seemed to have had a blast. The fun spilled over into the Marquee when DC Young Fly stopped through for a nightcap. I was expecting wall-to-wall, but the crowd was still a solid size. And everyone seemed to have had a good time mixing and mingling with the down-to-earth funny man.

Brunchin’ at Blood and Sand. The name of the spot and the vibe had me a nervous wreck that I was stumbling into some sort of “John Wick” style members-only international eatery. But instead of getting my head chopped off with a sword, I got my whole entire life from their shrimp and grits at brunch-ish monthly meal and day party. It would have been great if the party portion was on a dance vibe so we could have burned off some of the calories we consumed from the delicious menu. Listen, I haven’t

been so impressed with a chicken and waffle plate since the late great Lola was serving them up. I’m so glad I had some calories to spare from my struggle twerk attempts to match the moves of Megan and company.

A delightful Delta stomp down. For those of you who were not at Ballpark Village’s Midwest Live Sunday afternoon for the latest Delta Sigma Theta step show, you missed a black Greek party/stompdown of epic proportions. There was not a single space to spare up in the whole place. If it weren’t for the kindness of Barry Neal, I would have been watching the show from behind the counter next to the lady selling nachos! And the routines were cute – especially the one inspired by “Thriller.” I see y’all SG Rho...out here snatching trophies! I feel like this is the third time y’all took house at a step show I attended.

12th consecutive Trap Soul & Paint turn up. Y’all already know what it is by now. Nichol and company should be over the moon that 12 entire months of Trap, Soul & Paint sold-out. The vibe was the same as always at The House of Soul for their one-year anniversary Sunday evening….litty, lit, lit! Too bad the weather has been either burning up or bitterly cold, because they might have to expand the canvases out into the patio to accommodate the crowd.

A hot, cool Pride. Speaking of the heat, I think it had everything to do with how subdued this year’s Pride STL parade and Sunday festivities were. It was still super cute, I just feel like the fact that it was a hot, humid mess had the folks more reserved than usual. I know I was propped up in the shade in front of the sound booth barely hanging on as I waited for my girl Martha Wash to sing the rest of my eyebrows off. There were some folks who decided that the heat index was not going to deny them from being great. The woman in the orange and black camo outfit twerking like she was at the Pageant on Thursday and the gentleman who still knew all the choreography to Britney Spears’ “Hit Me Baby One More Time” and was gracious enough to perform every bit of it from the audience as Brian Justin Crum covered the pop classic. As an ally, I will be back next year for sure. Hopefully it won’t be so simmering that folks will refrain from doing the most.

Photos by V. Lang

Melanie and Dre welcomed rising comedy star DC Young Fly to the Marquee, the official 85 South Live after party Saturday night. Earlier in the evening, he and his 85 South team of Chico Bean and Karlous Miller had a sold-out crowd at Stifel Theatre in stitches.

Matthew and Mya were tearing up the dance floor @ DC Young Fly’s 85 South Live after party Saturday night @ The Marquee.

Keke Wyatt was welcomed by Angel Patterson as the latest super talented songstress for her Night of Soul Searching series Friday night @ The Ready Room.

Vanessa of RockHouse Ent. with emerging hip-hop vixen Megan Thee Stallion before she made her STL debut before a sold-out crowd Thursday @ The Pageant.

Tony and Topp of the Trap, Soul & Paint team celebrated their one-year anniversary with another sold-out event Sunday @ House of Soul.

Trap, Soul & Paint brought out the creative side of Alexis and Jermaine Sunday @ House of Soul.

EL and Steve enjoyed the live band as they waited for KeKe Wyatt to hit the stage Friday @ The Ready Room.

Kyri and Kenyatta were ready for the fun but were not spared from the sun as they watched the PRIDE STL Parade Sunday afternoon.

Kranzberg Arts Center.

DOING BUSINESS WITH THE U.S. NAVY & MARINE CORPS

As part of St. Louis Navy Week, Mr. Jimmy Smith, Director, Department of the Navy’s Office of Small Business Programs, in partnership with the Missouri Procurement Technical Assistant Centers, will conduct a small business workshop on September 5th at Grant’s View St. Louis Public Library.

This small business workshop is designed to educate small businesses on how to do business with the Navy and Marine Corps. The workshop will also cover how to find out about upcoming contracting opportunities and how small businesses can contribute to the warfighter mission.

Location: Saint Louis Public Library Grant’s View 9700 Musick Ave. St. Louis, MO 63123

Date & Time: Thursday, September 5th from 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM CT

Cost: FREE

Registration: bit.ly/ptacnavysep5

Contacts: Elaine Palangpour, (573) 882-8058 Missouri PTAC: http://www.missouribusiness.net/ptac

This procurement technical assistance center is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the Defense Logistics Agency.

To staff the Missouri HIV Justice Coalition and serve as the main conduit to community groups, advocates, and other supporters of modernizing Missouri’s outdated laws regarding HIV. A strong commitment to social justice and experience working with marginalized populations – such as people living with low incomes, people living with HIV (PLHIV), People of Color (POC), and or Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Queer (LGBTQ) communities. Please send resume and cover letter to jobs@empowermissouri.org

COMMUNICATIONS

DIRECTOR

Thompson Coburn LLP has the following positions available in our St. Louis office:

Administrative Clerk – Loss Prevention Provide administrative support to the Loss Prevention Dept. Some college preferred; prior law firm experience a plus.

Payroll and Benefits Coordinator

2+ yrs exp. in payroll, HR or a law firm. Associate degree/payroll certification preferred; strong math skills required.

For more details and to complete our online application, visit www.thompsoncoburncareers.com Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V

VARSITYSOCCER COACH

ASSISTANT MANAGER, CIRCULATION

The City of Rock Hill is currently accepting applications for one (1) full-time Police Officer. All candidates must be Post Certified and hold a Class A license. Starting pay is $40,718 per year, based on 2184 hours worked. The City provides a full, competitive benefit package. Applications can be picked up at the Rock Hill Police Department, 827 N Rock Hill Rd., Rock Hill, MO 63119 or the City website under POLICE at www.rockhillmo.net. Completed applications can be returned in person to the above address, mailed to the above address, or emailed to mharries@stljg.org. The deadline for applications is July 15, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. Applications will be processed as soon as they are received. The Rock Hill Police Department is an equal opportunity employer. SCHOOL BUS DRIVER Looking for a long term career with growth opportunities? Great opportunity to join an organization making a positive impact in the community. Excellent pay, Employer pays 100% of Medical and Dental premiums all year long, safety & attendance bonuses, pension and 403(b) retirement, vacation and holiday pay and breakfast. Lift For Life Academy is seeking seasoned bus drivers looking for Full or Part time driving for our new Elementary School K-2 students opening August 1st. Must have valid Class B CDL with Passenger and School Bus endorsements, DOT card, good driving record and relevant driving experience. Must be able to pass fingerprint background check and drug screen. Please email your resume to HR Director at jderby@liftforlifeacademy.org or

MO Coalition for Environment seeks Comm Dir for graphic design, production & distribution of branded outreach materials across all electronic & print mediums, including website, newsletter, social media, e-alerts, press releases, annual report. Qualifications: Familiarity w MS Office, Adobe or similar programs & demonstrated success w websites, social media, email marketing, media outlets. Excellent verbal & written skills. Flexible work style that can work independently or with team, meet deadlines, balance many projects. Full-time, benefits. See www.moenvironment.org. Send resume, cover letter, work sample & 2 references to moenviron@moenviron.org with Communications Director in subject line.

POLICE OFFICER AND FIREFIGHTER/ PARAMEDIC

The City of Clayton is now accepting applications for the full-time positions of Police Officer and Firefighter/ Paramedic. To apply, go to www.claytonmo.gov/jobs.

EOE ARE YOU AN ANOINTED MUSICIAN? SOMEONE WHO PLAYS FOR THE GLORY OF GOD? *****************

Small but Mighty St. Louis Church has an immediate opening for a Pianist/Minister of Music to lead its 15 member gospel choir. Contact Bruce Fleming for details at 314-398-3932.

FINANCIAL PLANNING EDUCATION SPECIALIST

MOSERS is recruiting for a Financial Planning Education Specialist. This position reports to the Defined Contribution Education Coordinator who is located in Jefferson City, but works remotely in the greater St. Louis and Southeast Missouri areas. This position is in the field 80% of the workweek, meeting with plan participants and presenting about our 457 and 401a plans and providing information about investment concepts, cost of living in retirement, and financial planning. Three years’ experience in financial planning and Certified Financial Planner or Chartered Financial Consultant designations strongly preferred. Bachelor’s degree required. Starting salary $56,500 - $61,500 dependent on experience. Read full job description and apply at www.mosers. org, click “Careers”. EOE:M/F/V/D.

VARSITYTRACK COACH

Incarnate WordAcademy is a college preparatory high school that strives to challenge young women of faith to achieve their God-given potential academically, physically, spiritually and emotionally, thereby empowering themselves and others to make a positive impact on our world. The school is a sponsored ministry of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word. Incarnate WordAcademy is seeking applicants for the following positions for the 2019-20 school year:

Varsity Soccer Coach

Varsity Track Coach

Qualified candidates should send a resume to Dan Rolfes,Athletic Director, at: drolfes@iwacademy.org

Applications will be accepted until July 14, 2019. Electronic submissions only. AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The St. Louis County Library is seeking applicants for a full time Assistant Manager, Circulation at the Lewis & Clark Branch. This position will assist the Branch Manager with the operation and maintenance of the branch to provide quality Library services to all Library customers. A Bachelor’s degree is required. Must possess excellent communication and organizational skills. Salary: $53,810 plus paid health insurance and vacation. Apply online at www.slcl.org. Equal Opportunity Employer.

www.ehocstl.org/job-opportunities for info EHOC is an equal opportunity employer.

The Missouri Historical Society has position openings for the following:

• Soldiers Memorial Military Museum Education and Visitor Experience Interpreter

Please visit www.mohistory.org under the “Current Openings” tab for position details and to apply. An Equal Opportunity Employer

HOME REPAIR

PROJECT COORDINATOR

Mission: St. Louis is looking for a Home Repair Coordinator, to coordinate and perform minor home repairs for the Energy Efficiency, Accessibility, and Weatherization Program, which serves senior citizens in the city of St. Louis. Applicants should possess at least 3 years home repair or construction experience.

If interested, submit cover letter & resume to todd.martin@missionstl.org by July 12, 2019.

Interviews will begin immediately.

Mission: St. Louis is an EOE

L

ST. LOUIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

St. Louis Community College will receive separate sealed bids for Contract No. F 20 101, Renovations for Truck Driving Program, St. Louis Community College at Highland Park, until 2:00 p.m. local time, Tuesday, July 16, 2019. Bids will be publicly opened and read aloud at the office of the Manager of Engineering and Design, 5464 Highland Park Drive (Plan Room). Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from the Manager’s office, at the above address or by calling (314) 644-9770.

Mandatory Pre-bid Meeting: July 8, 2019 9:00 a.m., 5460 Highland Park Drive, St. Louis, MO 63110

Public Notice of Single Source Procurement

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is confirming procurement: review services of plans to reduce conflicts between MSD and Missouri American Water lines. The District is confirming single source procurement to Missouri American Water for this service. Any inquiries should be sent to ameyer@stlmsd.com. Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

ST. LOUIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

St. Louis Community College will receive separate sealed bids for Contract No. F 20 601, Roof Overlay on Service Building, St. Louis Community College at Meramec, until p.m. local time, Tuesday, July 23, 2019. Bids will be publicly opened and read aloud at the office of the Manager of Engineering and Design, 5464 Highland Park Drive (Plan Room). Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from the Manager's office, at the above address or by calling (314) 644-9770.

Voluntary Pre-bid Meeting: July 16, 2019

An Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer

ST. LOUIS

COMMUNITY COLLEGE

St. Louis Community College will receive separate sealed bids for Contract No. F 19 002, Concrete Work, St. Louis Community College at Meramec and Florissant Valley, until 2:00 p.m. local time, July 16, 2019. Bids will be publicly opened and read aloud at the office of the Manager of Engineering and Design, 5464 Highland Park Drive (Plan Room). Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from the Manager's office, at the above address or by calling (314) 644-9770.

Voluntary Pre-bid Meeting: By Appointment

An Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer

INVITATION

TO BID

Ferguson-Florissant School District District Pest Control Services AND Playground Ground Cover

Two (2) sealed bids will be accepted for the following projects: Mark sealed envelopes accordingly until Wednesday July 17, 2019

1) Pest Control Services

10:00 a.m. CST Matt Furfaro 314-506-9184

2) Playground Ground Cover

10:30 a.m. CST Mike Kirchoff 314-506-9185 by the Ferguson-Florissant School District, and will be publicly opened and read aloud at the Facilities Department 7469 Mintert Ind. Dr. Ferguson, MO. 63135. Submit interest at District Web site http://new. fergflor.k12.mo.us/facilities-rfq.

Public Notice of Single Source Procurement

Notice is hereby given that the

Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is proposing to procure: IBM Maximo Annual Renewal of Maintenance Agreement: Software and Licenses.

The District is proposing single source procurement to IBM for this service as MSD is in the final year of the contract of services. Any inquiries should be sent to ameyer@stlmsd.com.

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

SEALED

BIDS forDNA

LabExpansion, MSHP Gen

al Headquarters Complex, Jefferson City,Missouri, ProjectNo. R1910-01 willbereceived byFMDC, Stateof MO,UNTIL 1:30PM, 8/1/2019.For specificproject informationand orderingplans,go to:http://oa.mo. gov/ facilities

SEALED BIDS

forRepair, Sealcoat&Stripe AsphaltPavement, MissouriNational Guard,Camp Clark, CampCrowder, &IkeSkelton Training S

Public Notice of Single Source Procurement

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is proposing to procure: SULZER PUMPS. The District is proposing single source procurement for this equipment because MUNICIPAL EQUIPMENT COMPANY INC is the only known available source for the equipment. Any inquiries should be sent to gjamison@stlmsd.com.

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

ST. LOUIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

St. Louis Community College will receive separate sealed bids for CONTRACT NO.

F 20 401A, Pre-Demolition Abatement of A and B Towers at St. Louis Community College at Forest Park Campus, until 10:00 a.m. local time, July 23,2019. Bids will be publicly opened and read aloud at the office of the Manager of Engineering and Design, 5464 Highland Park, St. Louis, MO 63110-1314. Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from the Manager’s office, at the above address or by calling (314) 644-9770.

Mandatory Pre-Bid Meeting: July 10, 2019, 1:00 pm, Meet at “D” Tower, Plaza Level – Forest Park Campus An Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Sealed bids for 2019 CRS Pavement Rehabilitation, Area C, St. Louis County Project No. CR-1789, will be received at the Office of the Director of Procurement for the County of St. Louis, County Government Center Administration Building, 41 South Central Avenue, 8th Floor, Clayton, Missouri 63105, until 11:00 a.m. on July 31, 2019. Plans and specifications will be available on July 1, 2019 from the St. Louis County Web Site (www.stlouisco.com), or by contacting County Blue Reprographics, Inc., 1449 Strassner Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63144, (314) 961-3800.

PUBLIC NOTICE NAME CHANGE

Kimberly Henderson will be changing her name to Kimistry Victorious.

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Notice

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

this office, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103, until 02:00 PM on Wednesday, July 31, 2019, at a place designated. Bids will be received only from companies that are pre-qualified by the District’s Engineering Department for: DEMOLITION – St. Louis City demolition, CLASS II, license required Plans and Specifications are available for free electronic download. Please go to MSD’s website and look for a link to “ELECTRONIC PLANROOM.” Plans and Specifications are also available for viewing or purchase at Cross Rhodes Reprographics located at 1712 Macklind Avenue, St. Louis MO 63110. All bidders must obtain a set of plans and specifications in order to submit a bid in the name of the entity submitting the bid.

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

NOTICE

, Neosho,Jefferson City,Missouri, Project No.T1925-01, willbe receivedby FMDC, StateofMO, UNTIL1:30PM, 8/1/2019 Forspecificproject i

orderingplans,go to:http://oa.mo. gov/ facilities

SEALED

BIDS for Water System Improvements, ElephantRocks StatePark,Pilot Knob,Missouri, ProjectNo. X1707-01 willbereceived byFMDC, Stateof MO, UNTIL 1:30PM, 7/25/2019 Forspecific project informationand orderingplans,go to:http://oa.mo. gov/ facilities

ELECTONIC

BIDS forthe REBIDOF Repair ParkingLotsand Driveways,Troop CHeadquarters, WeldonSprings, St.Charles County, Missouri,Project No.R1905-01 will bereceivedby FMDC,Stateof MO, UNTIL1:30PM, 7/25/2019.For specificproject informationand orderingplans, goto: http://oa.mo.gov/ facilities

ST. LOUIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

St. Louis Community College will receive separate sealed bids for Contract No. F 20 401B through F 20 401S, BID RELEASE #1 – Stair Tower, St. Louis Community College at Forest Park, until July 16, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. local time CDT, which includes the following packages: BP-02A Demolition, BP-03A Concrete Foundations, Flatwork and Drilled Piers, BP04A Masonry, BP-05A Structural and Misc. Steel, BP-06A Carpentry and General Trades, BP-07A Membrane Roofing, BP-07B Sheet Metal and Flashing, BP-07C Spray Fireproofing, BP-08A Glass and Glazing, BP-09A Drywall and Air/Vapor Barrier, BP-09B Painting, BP-09C Ceilings, BP-09D Flooring, BP-10A Signage, BP-14A Elevators, BP-21A Fire Protection, BP-22A Plumbing, BP-23A Mechanical, BP26A Electrical, Bids will be publicly opened and read aloud at the office of the Manager of Engineering and Design, 5464 Highland Park Drive. A Pre-bid meeting will be held on July 2, 2019 at 1:30pm at St. Louis Community College Forest Park, Rm C112. Drawings, specifications and bid information may be obtained from Cross Rhodes’ Plan room at 1712 Macklind Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110 or at Tarlton Corporation’s website at www.tarltoncorp.com.

An Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer

ONE BEDROOM

WAITING LIST OPENING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Kendelwood Place Apartments located in Black Jack, Missouri in accordance with regulations outlined by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and in accordance with the Section 8 Tenant Selection Plan for the above project will reopen the ONE BEDROOM waiting list for all individuals from August 5, 2019 through August 9, 2019. Applications will be available to the public and accepted each business day during this open period from 10:00AM – 3:00PM at the Kendelwood Place Leasing Office, 12404 Centerbrook Drive, Black Jack, Missouri 63033. You may call or email to request an application in lieu of coming to the office to apply in person. Application must be signed and returned with a picture ID within the open period. In addition to the Approved Tenant Selection Criteria, eligibility is based

ASPHALT OVERLAY FOR BANSHEE RD. – NAVAID RD. TO MISSOURI BOTTOM RD.

At St. Louis Lambert International Airport

Sealed proposals will be received by the Board of Public Service in Room 208 City Hall, 1200 Market Street, St. Louis, Mo. Until 1:45 PM, CT, on July 23, 2019 then publicly opened and read. Plans and Specifications may be examined on the Board of Public Service website http:// www.stl-bps.org/planroom.aspx (BPS On Line Plan Room) and may be purchased directly through the BPS website from INDOX Services at cost plus shipping. No refunds will be made.

Bidders shall comply with all applicable City, State and Federal laws (including MBE/WBE policies). ). Mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 2, 2019, at 10:00 AM in the Ozark Conference Room at the Airport Office Building, 11495 Navaid Rd., Bridgeton, MO 63044. All bidders must regard Federal Executive Order 11246, “Notice of Requirement for Affirmative Action to Ensure Equal Employment Opportunity”, the “Equal Opportunity Clause” and the “Standard Federal Equal Employment Specifications” set forth within and referenced at www.stl-bps.org (Announcements).

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS

SEWER DISTRICT

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District will receive Proposals in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103-2555 until 11:00 a.m. on July 31, 2019 to contract with a company for: CCTV TRUCKS. Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from www.stlmsd.com, click

Plan Room) and may be purchased directly through the BPS website from INDOX Services at cost plus shipping. No refunds will be made.

Bidders shall comply with all applicable City and State laws (including DBE/MBE/WBE policies). Mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 9, 2019, at 1:30 P.M. in the Ozark Conference Room (AO-4066) at the Airport Office Building, 11495 Navaid Rd., Bridgeton, MO 63044. All bidders must regard Federal Executive Order 11246, “Notice of Requirement for Affirmative Action to Ensure Equal Employment Opportunity”, the “Equal Opportunity Clause” and the “Standard Federal Equal Employment Specifications” set forth within and referenced at www.stl-bps.org (Virtual Plan Room).

Missouri Historical Society Request for Proposal

The Missouri Historical Society Press, a not-for-profit publisher, is creating a children’s book entitled Ruth’s River Dreams. We are seeking a graphic designer to lay out the book and design the cover.

For details, please use the following link: https:// mohistory.org/about/ requests-for-proposal

Submission Deadline: July 7, 2019

ST. LOUIS COUNTY LIBRARY DISTRICT INVITATION FOR BID: DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION /

9, 2019

The Board of Trustees of the St. Louis County Library District (the “Library District”) requests the submission of responses for qualifications from qualified firms or individuals to provide a quote for Diversity and Inclusion / Prevention of Harassment Training.

For more information please see https://www.slcl.org/bid -opportunities.

INVITATION FOR BIDS #: 57819170

Harris-Stowe State University (HSSU) is requesting proposals for Charter Bus Services. A copy of the RFP is available by emailing: morrowb@hssu.edu, faxing a written request to: (314) 340-3322 or calling (314) 340-5763. Proposals must be submitted to room 105 in the Dr. Henry Givens, Jr., Administration (HGA) building no later than 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 3, 2019 and will be opened at 10:15 a.m. in room 123 in the HGA building.

The

gov/data/address-search/.

The Board of Equalization will meet from July 1st through August 23, 2019. The deadline to appeal to the Board of Equalization is July 8, 2019. Any person may appeal their assessment by writing to the Board of Equalization, 1200 Market Street, Room 120, St. Louis, MO 63103 or by email to zasr@stlouis-mo.gov.

Michael R. Dauphin City of St. Louis Assessor

BID PROPOSAL

ACCESS CONTROL & IDENTITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Ferguson-Florissant School District is issuing a Request for Proposals for Access Control & Identity Management System. There is a pre-bid meeting on July 15, 2019 9:00 a.m. CST. Proposal must be submitted no later than 1:15 p.m., July 24, 2019. For additional information visit our Website at http://new.fergflor.k12.mo.us/ Facilities-rfq Matt Furfaro

KCI Construction requests subcontract proposals from MBE, WBE, and SDVE businesses for the Construct Changing Rooms AVCRAD Army Aviation Site, The State of Missouri Office of Administration, Jefferson City, MO. Project #T1828-01

Plans and specifications are available

•To view electronically at no charge from:https://www.adsplanroom.net

•To view at our Camdenton office: 5505 Old South 5, Camdenton, MO 65020

• By a request for a Dropbox Link from jmorrow@kciconstruction.com

Subcontractor bids are due by 12:30 p.m. Thursday, July 25, 2019. You may email bids to jmorrow@kciconstruction.com or send a fax to 573-346-9739. Please call if you have any questions: 314-200-6496.

SEALED BIDS

for CONSTRUCT CHANGING ROOMS, AVCRADARMY AVIATION SITE, SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI, Project No.T1828-01 willbe receivedby FMDC, StateofMO, UNTIL 1:30PM, 7/25/2019. Forspecificprojectinformation andordering plans,go to:http://oa.mo. gov/ facilities

patients whose plans of care began prior to the closure effective date, payment to the agency can be made for services furnished up to 30 days following the effective date of closure.

We would like to thank our staff, physicians and community for their trust and support.

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

Lincoln Bible unveiled at Lincoln Library in Springfield

Wife gave it to minister to help her dispute claims the president was an atheist

By Daisy Contreras Of NPR Illinois

A bible belonging to Abraham Lincoln has been unveiled to the public for the first time in 150 years.

Mary Todd Lincoln gave the bible to the Rev. Noyes Miner — a family friend and Springfield neighbor — after the president’s death. Mary wanted Miner to help her dispute claims that the president had been an atheist.

And for the next 150 years, the book stayed with the Miner family, until they decided to donate it to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield. It will be on display there all year.

Alan Lowe, executive director of the museum, said the bible says a lot about Lincoln’s evolving religious views. “Their evolution over time is a fascinating one, that tells us much about our 16th president — how he viewed himself, the world around him and the future of our nation,” Lowe said.

Samuel Wheeler, the state historian, said the bible also gives insight into Mary’s quest to preserve her husband’s legacy.

“One of her strategies was cultivating allies like Miner who could offer a sympathetic portrait,” Wheeler said.

The bible was a token of appreciation to Miner for his help in defending Mary up until her death, Wheeler said.

Ian Hunt, head of acquisition for the museum, was part of the transport team that brought the bible home to Illinois. He said transferring the 18-pound tome from San Francisco to Springfield was a journey like no other.

“When we went into the private screening room to show TSA that we were in fact carrying a bible, the United Airlines representative literally teared up and had to walk out of the room, by just simply looking at this item,” he said. “This is the power that these

A

artifacts hold.”

The bible was lightly cleaned and examined page-by-page, according to Bonnie Parr, the museum’s director of conservation. Ribbons that served as bookmarks were found throughout the bible, she said. Lincoln originally received the bible

as a gift from a Philadelphia hospital that treated sick and wounded soldiers during the Civil War in 1864.

The bible will be exhibited in the museum’s Treasures Gallery, which houses other Lincoln artifacts. Reprinted with permission from news.stlpublicradio.org.

The Message

Are you betraying me?

I wish I could remember where I heard this. But it is worth repeating for those of you who know what real pain feels like.

A televangelist, who shall remain anonymous, reminded me of the real powerful nature of words that sometimes strike at your very heart. He said, in order for someone to really hurt you, he or she has to be close enough to you to kiss you. Whoa! Now this immediately made me sit up and take notice as it should you.

Beyond the biblical reference about Jesus and Judas, this is a pretty dynamic point of which people of faith should take note. Real pain comes from people and circumstances and issues that you really, really care about.

James Washington

Life does not always encourage you to live with your guard down. But each of us, if we’re honest with ourselves, has done just that when we feel safe with those around us. It is that vulnerability that gives the kiss of death the power to crush your very being. There is no pain like unexpected pain deliberately aimed at you when you’re not looking. I find it ironic that as Christians we are supposed to reveal to the external world our internal souls. Those who see us should indeed see who we are and whose we are. It’s a very public declaration and then, by how we live our lives, the world should know we belong to God. Irony might not be the best word to describe my example, but remember the ultimate kiss is the kiss of betrayal.

The difference between you, me and Christ however, is that Christ knew it was coming. As a matter of fact, not only did He know it was coming, Christ needed it to fulfill His divine mission. It was a kiss that was part of a plan that saved the world. “He (Judas) approached Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus asked him ’Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?’” Luke 22:48

We are the ones who are blindsided by kisses we wish we could have seen coming. Think back for a minute about that devastating kiss in your own life and I’ll bet you today that it gives you reason to have particular insight into testimony, yours own. Maybe your kiss was part of a plan intended to save you.

I know this may be difficult to hear because of the pain it caused you, but if you can possibly reconcile the effect it had on you with the life God planned for you, then perhaps the best is yet to come for you and me.

I don’t know about you but because of past betrayal, I’ve learned that I cannot live a guarded life and expect God to heal my heart; been there done that. It doesn’t work. A closed heart can neither give nor receive and that includes love from and love of the Lord; just like a closed hand can neither give nor receive anything. I want to believe I can see Judas coming these days and as Christ did, accept his effort as but another failed attempt to destroy my joy. Well the good news for today is been there, bless that! Those closest to me today know this and my heart is open to them as well as to you, should we ever meet. Everybody else can simply keep their lips to themselves.

bible belonging to Abraham Lincoln has been unveiled to the public for the first time in 150 years at Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, Illinois. Lincoln originally received the bible as a gift from a Philadelphia hospital that treated sick and wounded soldiers during the Civil War in 1864.