June 13th, 2024 e-Edition

St. LouiS AmericAn

White House a ‘North Star’ for Juneteenth gala

NNPA Newswire

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris hosted a Juneteenth celebration at the White House which included a concert to commemorate the upcoming federal holiday on June 17, 2024, that honors the ending of U.S. slavery and the granting of freedoms for formerly enslaved Black Americans.

Thousands of invited guests joined on the White House South Lawn for the two-hour musical concert that saw performances from a lineup that included Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight, Kirk Franklin, Charlie Wilson, Anthony Hamilton, Raheem DeVaughn, upcoming country artist Brittney Spencer, and singer-actress and star of “Raising Kanan” Patina Miller.

“It wasn’t just a symbolic gesture,”

Reading is righteous

Harley Staples, Korra Watt, and Parker Mitchell display their temporary henna tattoos during the Literacy for The Lou Sneaker Ball on June 1, 2024, at O’Fallon Park Recreation Center. More than 2,000 students, parents and volunteers celebrated SLPS students reading for a 1,838 combined minutes. The celebration included DJs, music and face painting. For more Sneaker Ball coverage, see page A5.

Juneteenth joy will be spread across region

By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American

Juneteenth celebrations will be held throughout the St. Louis region as the June 17, 2024 national holiday nears. A recognition centered on some of the nation’s most important historic legal challenges will be from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday June 19, 2024, at the Freedom Suits Monument Plaza located at the St. Louis Civil Courts

A8

Award-winning author and speaker Gail Milissa Grant passes at 75

By American Staff

Louisans who sued for their freedom in St Louis prior to the Emancipation Proclamation from 1816-1840, some of whom were successful in winning their freedom in St. Louis Civil Court.

“If you study history, any place in the world where freedom has been denied, you find that there are those who are fighting to get it. This is no less true than for the American slave,” said 22nd Circuit Court Judge David Mason said during the inaugural celebration in June 2023.

She dreamed of a life in the entertainment industry. But ultimately, Gail Milissa Grant chose to live her life as if it were the basis of a screenplay. She was a leading lady unafraid to reinvent herself. And in doing so, she proved what can be possible if one refuses to accept the limits that are often imposed on them– for Black women in particular. Grant, an author, public speaker, and former U.S. Foreign Service officer, died peacefully in Rome, Italy, on May 13th after a long battle with cancer at the age of 75. She was born on May 5, 1949, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Civil Rights activist and lawyer David M. Grant and Mildred Grant. By the time Gail Milissa Grant and brother David W. Grant had come along, her parents had spent years in the struggle for equality.

Her father was a close associate of leaders and celebrities linked to the Civil Rights Movement, both locally and nationally. He fought against segregation and racism in general. But when he decided to move his family to South St. Louis, the fight became specific – and personal. David M. Grant’s bold move had a hand in dismantling the racial covenants and redlining with respect to home ownership. The Grants were the only Blacks in their South City neighborhood. They were also the only professional family. And Grant and her brother were the only Protestants in a Catholic grade school.

RemaRkable black Family

Kelly Wimbley’s Quest to be the best for his sons

By Sylvester Brown Jr.

The St. Louis American

For decades, Black fathers have shouldered the burden of negative stereotypes. The pervasive notion that Black dads are uninvolved in the lives of their children persists. This despite contradictory research, such as the 2013 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study which found that of all fathers, Black dads are the most involved on average.

Kelly Wimbley, 55, a computer engineer and father of two adult sons –Kafele, 25, and Jabari, 22, – is the epitome of the CDC’s conclusions. Wembley, See FATHER, A6

Gail Milissa Grant

From left Billy Porter, second gentleman Doug Emhoff, Vice President Kamala Harris, President Joe Biden, Philonise Floyd, George Floyd’s brother, and his wife Keeta Floyd, listen during a Juneteenth concert on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Monday, June 10, 2024.

Photo courtesy of the AP

Photo courtesy of SLPS

Black superstars across generations take center stage for Juneteenth

President Joe Biden celebrated Juneteenth early with legends such as Gladys Knight and Patti LaBelle as part of the holiday celebration on the White House South Lawn on Monday, June 10.

Biden signed a law in 2021 that made June 19 a federal holiday.

Other appearances commemorating the freedom from enslavement at the White House event were rapper Doug E. Fresh singer and songwriter Anthony Hamilton, singer and actress Patina Miller, singer and songwriter Raheem

DeVaughn, gospel singer Kirk Franklin, country singer and songwriter Brittney Spencer, jazz musician Trombone Shorty, singer and songwriter Charlie Wilson and the comedian and actor Roy Wood Jr.

Juneteenth commemorates when the last enslaved people in the United States learned they were free. After more than two years following President Abraham Lincoln’s signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, which liberated Southern enslaved people in the Confederacy during the Civil War, slaves in Texas learned they were free.

Tory Lanez’ less than year-old marriage is shot

Tory Lanez and his wife Raina Chassa-

are calling it quits

Entertainment Tonight reports that Chassagne has filed to divorce the rapper after less than one year of marriage. The couple are parents to their son, Kai’lon Peterson, 7.

Married on June 25, 2023, the couple jumped the broom just six months after Lanez was convicted of shooting Megan Thee Stallion in the foot in 2020. He received a 10-year prison sentence.

According to court documents obtained by ET, Chassagne cited “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for dissolving her marriage to the rapper.

Additionally, Chassagne is seeking legal and physical custody of their son, Kai’lon, who has visited his father while imprisoned.

50 Cent grovels for Trump

50 Cent went to Washington, D.C., last Wednesday for discussions about “the Black wealth agenda, the widening of the wealth gap, and corporate

America’s marginalization of Blackowned companies.”

50 Cent is still on the Donald Trump train following his 2020 endorsement. The outspoken rapper has continued pushing conservative talking points. He went as far as to say Black men can relate to Trump’s criminality.

“Because they [Black men] got RICO charges,” Jackson said, referring to the monolith that is all Black men, and to Trump and his co-defendants racketeering charges.

It’s almost like reading a manual to 50 Cent; he also played with pushing the Big Lie [believing the 2020 election was stolen].

Demonstrating further 50 Cent’s political blindness, he was photographed with ultra-conservatives, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, Steve Scalise, R-La., and Lauren Boebert, R-CO.

Hollywood Reporter, Entertainment Tonight, AllHiphop

“We shall send our [2,000] police officers to restore peace”

- Kenyan President William Ruto on helping quelch rampant gang violence in Haiti

Diamond Divas finds innovative ways to be heard

Online and on the air

Devored A. Horton Jr.

The St. Louis American Communication is a key component to awareness and the Diamond Divas Empowerment Foundation makes sure of it on their end.

The Diamonds Divas Empowerment Foundation is a Black-owned nonprofit organization dedicated to educating, strengthening, and empowering women and children affected by domestic violence and various socio-economic conditions.

“We are part of the Violence of Office Prevention, with St. Louis City, “ said Bran-dee Jelks, Co-Founder/Director of Programs. “So, we are consistently in the public every third Saturday of the month with them, and they have been pushing that initiative through several platforms as far as TV and radio.”

Addressing domestic violence is a priority for the city and for good reason. In the city of St. Louis, the Missouri Highway Patrol reports that approximately 2,200 incidents of domestic violence are reported to police annually, so making sure resources are available to help victims is critical.

Jelks said getting the word to the right people is an important part of their process. For example, www.2def.org is a great way to find them, she said. They also invest time and resources in community outreach, conducting interviews with people in need and sponsoring festivals to raise

The Diamond Divas Empowerment Foundation knows spreading its message on ending domestic violence is imperative in the St. Louis area, and the ongoing media outreach included an interview with Andy Rudzicka on STLTV in February.

awareness.

Shantasha Love, Director of Business/Program Development, says the emphasis is primarily on making sure people know where they can go to find help, rather than advertising these important services.

“We have to understand that we are a domestic violence organization so security is a need.

“We are in the process of doing some PSA’s just to bring awareness that our name will be affiliated with knowing where to go for help,” Jelks said. “Also, we are part of pamphlets that actual police hand out, as far as domestic violence when they go into those situations; when they feel like it’s domes

they stand together with other organizations, like the Office of Violence Prevention.

“Domestic violence has so many layers, that we have other partners that are great partners as well,” Jelks said. “We stand together as a community and we share resources. So, where our services end, other agencies’ services begin. Such as Haven of Grace, we send our counseling to them. If we need to extend someone’s emergency hotel stay, we work with them as well.”

Individuals looking for shelter can contact Diamond Divas to help locate those shelters with availability, Jelks said. The Diamond Divas also have several key events that are coming up this year.

“We have three anchor events,” said Jelks. “We have already celebrated the 11th year in our Love Package Program, which is our personal hygiene drive and giveaway. We support all the domestic violence shelters along with other agencies and the public if they need those.”

Diamond Divas promote the ‘Pathway To Brightness” empowerment program along with the “Real Men Don’t Hit” mentorship program. The founder, Eddie Ross, is working with local schools to teach entrepreneurship to young men while also helping them to understand how they can understand their emotions and channel them in positive, not violent, ways. Diamond Divas also will have a gala on June 13 to raise $50,000 toward both programs.

Diamond Divas will have its fourth annual domestic violence rally and march on Oct. 19, 2024, to recognize Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

You deserve extraordinary care, close to home.

here for you and your family–every day–because you deserve extraordinary care.

Photo courtesy of Diamond Divas

Guest Editorial Commentary

The myth of the broken Black family

Black Republican Byron Donalds has come under fire for saying that “during Jim Crow, the Black family was together.”

The Florida congressman made the remarks at a “Black Americans for Trump” event in “one of the whitest and most conservative parts” of Philadelphia.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries responded by suggesting that Donalds was making a “factually inaccurate statement that Black folks were better off during Jim Crow” and cited a number of historical examples to disprove that claim.

Donalds replied by accusing Jeffries of lying about his remarks. “What I said was you had more Black families under Jim Crow,” Donalds argued.

First, Jim Crow was the era between 1877 and 1964 when Black people were racially segregated by law in America. The total Black population was only 18.9 million in 1960 compared to 47 million today, so it’s technically impossible that there were “more Black families under Jim Crow.”

Second, Donalds seems to be making the conservative paternalistic argument that non-marital Black families aren’t really families. But who gave him the authority to decide what constitutes a Black family?

shown that Black fathers are actually more engaged with their children than we’re led to believe. A CDC report found that Black men were more likely than white men to bathe, dress, diaper, or eat meals with their children. And a Pew Research Center study found that Black fathers who don’t live with their children were more likely than white fathers to visit their children on a regular basis.

Donalds, who has been desperately campaigning to be Trump’s running mate, claims that “Democrat policies under HEW, under the welfare state” helped to “destroy the Black family.” First, let’s be clear. HEW, the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, was started in 1953 under Republican President Dwight Eisenhower. And history indicates that white Americans had much less of a problem with government programs — from Social Security to the GI Bill to Medicare — when white people were the designated beneficiaries.

Third, Donalds’ claim that the Black family was “together” during this period repeats a popular myth of conservative nostalgia. Remember the story of 14-year-old George Stinney, Jr., who was raised in a working, church-going Black family in 1940s South Carolina. Stinney was wrongly accused of murdering a white girl but was convicted by an allwhite male jury that took just 10 minutes to decide his fate.

The 14-year-old Black boy was sentenced to death and executed just weeks after he was arrested. Although Stinney’s parents did everything this country expects of Black families, they could not protect their child from white supremacy and state-sanctioned racial terrorism.

The conservative argument echoes a common refrain from Black Republicans who want to “make America great again.” “Fatherless families are one of the primary root causes of Black Americans’ current socioeconomic challenges,” according to former Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill. If that were true, then what was the cause of rampant Black poverty and unemployment before these so-called “fatherless families”?

Contrary to stereotype, research has

Second, the policies that Donalds attacks are the very policies that have helped Black families since the 1960s. As author Clay Cane noted in response to Donalds, the Black poverty rate in America fell from 55% during the Jim Crow year of 1959 to a record low of 17% in 2022. And even more recently, President Obama’s Affordable Care Act, another Democratic policy, reduced the rate of Black people without health insurance from 20% to 10% in just over 10 years.

Donalds follows the predictable Republican logic used from Ronald Reagan to the present that has tried to shift the burden of America’s problems from government and society to individuals and families. To do this, they deny or diminish the significance of structural racism, sexism, and economic inequality, and perpetuate outdated myths of Black inferiority.

From slavery to segregation to the present, Black families have been under social, political, and economic assault. The last thing our families need is Republicans blaming us for the problems that society helped to create.

“Black Vote, Black Power,” a collaboration between Keith Boykin and Word In Black, examines the issues, the candidates, and what’s at stake for Black America in the 2024 presidential election.

Justice Alito sullies Supreme Court integrity

By Marc Morial

“Professional baseball would never allow an umpire to continue to officiate the World Series after learning that the pennant of one of the two teams competing was flying in the front yard of the umpire’s home. Nor would an umpire be allowed to call balls and strikes in a World Series game after the umpire’s wife tried to get the official score of a prior game in the series overthrown and canceled out to benefit the losing team. If judges are like umpires, then they should be treated like umpires, not team owners, team fans or players.” — U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin

When the U.S. Supreme Court unveiled its so-called Code of Conduct late last year, I said it would do nothing to restrain unethical behavior by the justices.

Justice Samuel Alito has wasted no time in proving me right.

The upside-down flag — a symbol of allegiance to the Big Lie about the 2020 election — displayed at Alito’s home in January 2021 violates even the watered-down provisions of the code and disqualifies him from the Jan. 6 cases that are before the court. His feeble explanation was that it was his wife’s decision to fly the flag and she denied his requests to take it down.

According to the code, “A Justice should disqualify himself or herself in a proceeding in which the Justice’s impartiality might reasonably be questioned,” including such instances in which the Justice’s spouse is known by the Justice to have an interest in the outcome of the proceeding.

Even if Alito does not share his wife’s false beliefs about the 2020 election, he can hardly argue that her interest is not known to him. Lest her decision to fly that flag — if, indeed, it was solely her decision — be dismissed as a fleeting whim of passion, another symbol of loyalty to Trump’s lies, flew over the Alito’s vacation home as recently as last summer.

These partisan displays, and Alito’s obstinate refusal to recuse himself, are merely the latest examples of Alito’s corruption and contempt for ethical standards. He accepted the gift of a luxury fishing trip with a billionaire whose hedge fund has repeatedly had business before the court, and failed to disclose it. The Code of Conduct says justices “should comply” with regulations that prohibit judicial officers from accepting gifts “from anyone who is seeking official action from or doing business with the court” and require the disclosure of gifts. He is credibly suspected of leaking to conservative activists his ruling in 2014’s Burwell v. Hobby Lobby, exempting private companies from regulations in the case of religious objections. Another of his rulings, in 2022’s Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization also was leaked.

While Alito’s behavior clearly violates the court’s Code of Conduct, as I noted in November the code lacks any enforcement mechanism. In fact, “adapting” the federal judiciary’s code of conduct, the court conspicuously dropped word “enforce” from the opening section.

U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin makes a convincing argument that the Department of Justice can petition the other justices to require Alito’s recusal under the due process clause of the U.S. Constitution and a federal statute that mandates judicial disqualification for questionable impartiality. But the other justices, as Raskin notes, do not need to wait for such a petition. Alito’s past behavior already has made a mockery of judicial ethics; his refusal to recuse himself from cases related to the 2020 election is just another slap in the face of the American people. If his fellow justices do not step up to their constitutional obligation to require his recusal, they will be a party to his mockery.

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

Commentary

Generation Z: Deradicalized

By Leilani Billups

While I do not believe my generation to be any worse than the generations that came before us, I observe a disconcerting mentality amongst a large number of us: the value of extremity over nuance.

In many ways, the world seems to be in shambles. War, economic disparity, political scandal, and other anxious happenings proliferate all around us. However, amongst my peers, the mentality on how to tackle these issues has become increasingly focused on awareness and deconstruction.

While awareness and deconstruction serve as steppingstones to fostering change, when does awareness become less about true activism and humanitarianism, and when does it develop into a competition of moral grandstanding and aesthetics?

Social media does an amazing job of bringing things to one’s attention. New fashion trends, music, literature, politics, pop culture, violence, finance, oppression, you name it. However, what social media seldom ever captures is nuance. The complexities of a situation, an ideology, or a moral objective are often lost within the 30-second video that lands on your algorithm. Extremity is rewarded on social media, you are much more likely to get a like, share, repost, or follow by making bold and simple statements as opposed to more convoluted ones.

we need, or if we even want that power. Now, while we may lack the power to change these things directly, we do have influence. We have the potential to influence those who have spent years garnering power over society that we do not yet have. Our influence does not come from reposting a cause you see as you scroll online from the comfort of your home. Our influence comes from deep reflection and knowledge, which takes more work and discipline.

What positions on the world do you hold and what is your reasoning for holding these positions? It is easy to fall into the idea that you must be “radicalized” to have a strong position on something. Most people who understand the ideologies they latch onto are anything but radicals. For example:

Are you an anarchist, or did you see a convincing post about anarchy that resonated with you?

When you saw this post did you research it (deep research, past the second page of Google)?

If you feel anarchy suits you, then go past that second page of Google. Better yet, buy a credible book on the topic. Even better, discuss it with someone who disagrees with you.

What is your strategy to make change? Are you a performer of activism who puts on a show of moral egoism to loudly profess your views? Are you someone who embraces the discomfort of learning and steps outside to see what needs to happen to foster true change?

A new level of confirmation bias has ensued, regardless of race, gender, socioeconomic status, or political affiliation. When we try to engage in activism, when we try to evoke true change, all we have are bits and pieces of knowledge and a strong sense of idealism. Any effective activist will tell you idealism only gets you so far.

We lose ourselves in this aesthetics of activism and radicalism. We have created an attractive view of what changing the world may look like, without ever taking real and pragmatic steps to make the change we wish to see.

The harsh reality of it is this. We are powerless in any of the situations we wish to see changed, and we do not have a true understanding of how to garner the power

We cannot let ourselves become a generation that only desires to put on an appearance of morality and kindness. We cannot become so radicalized that we lose grip on the reality of the cogs of society. We must be the mechanics that update the machine. We can’t lie complacent, watching the machine whir in dysfunction. Take these words and reflect on your ideals, your desires, and what you have done so far to reach them.

Leilani Billups, a McCluer South STEAM Academy High School senior, is a Substack columnist and former St. Louis County Prosecutor communications office intern.

Guest Columnist

Leilani Billups

Columnist Marc Morial

Guest Columnist Keith Boykin

SLPS celebrates Literacy for the Lou Sneaker Ball

St. Louis American

More than 2,000 students, families, and volunteers celebrated literacy during the St. Louis Public Schools Literacy for the Lou Sneaker Ball on June 1, 2024, at O’Fallon Park Recreation Center YMCA, 4343 W Florissant Ave.

“This event is the culmination of our reading incentive challenge and celebrated students who read 1,838 minutes,” according to SLPS Superintendent Keisha Scarlett.

The target number is not a coincidence. The St. Louis Public Schools District was founded in 1838.

When launched in February, Scarlett called Literacy for the Lou “an all hands-on-deck mobilization of our entire city.”

“We plan to get children reading, family and friends coaching, and the entire community asking the question: “What book are you

reading right now?”

SLPS and partners continue to provide thousands of books and families at no charge, with a goal of establishing home libraries.

“If they have their own library at home with books they want to read, they will learn [to love it,]” Scarlett said.

The ball included face painting, haircuts, and a DJ in celebration of student reading achievement and the effort to raise literacy rates throughout the region.

“In the citywide plan for education, [literacy] was one of the areas where families really shared about how they really wanted their children reading at high levels, and this has also been a district goal for a long time,” Scarlett said.

Coaching is also available to families on how to teach through the ‘science of reading’ and help young readers learn and improve.

The game-changing power of love

By Kali Thorne Ladd

Resolute workers in the early childhood field understand the need to offer our youngest children nurturing and caring environments that stimulate learning and healthy development.

The neuroscience of brain development helps us understand why. In the first year of life, 1 million neural connections are made in the brain every minute. The first 1,000 days of a child’s life are most critical to brain development and social-emotional well-being. 95% percent of brain development happens in the first five years of a child’s life.

When a child experiences stressful things, especially over a prolonged period, there is great danger that the stress can register in the brain and body as trauma.

These traumatic wounds can fuel the fires of addiction and mental illness and cast shadows over the path of learning and growth.

The ability to scaffold our brain toward resiliency starts early and has a lasting impact. But many things can get in the way of optimal development for young children. Abuse, racism, and poverty can cause stress and trauma.

Being bullied in school or elsewhere can create significant challenges and undermine a sense of belonging.

The lack of caring adults in these circumstances can leave children feeling unsafe and insecure.

Loving, caring relationships are the most crucial factor in building sturdy brain architecture and turning stress into resiliency. This is game-changing.

The good news is that we have plenty of examples and efforts to build from. Now we simply need the commitment to act in the best interest of our children.

Here are some next steps:

– Create dedicated funding streams for the expansion of early childhood programs and services at local, state, and federal levels.

– Ensure public access to quality preschool programs that promote early learning and health development while simultaneously strengthening the supply of childcare and the needs of working parents and families.

– Ensure that policymaking at all levels centers on young children and their families, including housing, healthcare, behavioral health, law enforcement, economic development, and education.

Now, it can be overwhelming to think about changing these complex systems. But there is a way to simplify things and for each of us to commit to doing what’s right for children in our world today, right now. Reach into your soul and heart and imagine your power to give the gift of love and resiliency to a child.

It’s a child you know, a classroom you’re familiar with, a community or church that is part of your life. When you look inside, know that you can be an ambassador for love, an ambassador for helping children thrive in a community of love.

It takes a lot of love to heal the world, but only takes a little to help a child know they belong, that they are cared for and safe, that they are loved and that they can heal. When we do that, we can change the world with one act of love followed by another, and another.

Kali Thorne Ladd is chief executive officer of the Children’s Institute in Portland, Oregon, which leverages research, practice, policy and advocacy to shift systems toward justice for families.

Line dancing was on display during the SLPS Literacy for The Lou Sneaker Ball on June 1, 2024, at O’Fallon Park Recreation Center. From the program’s launch in February through may, students met the goal of reading 1,838 combined minutes.

Photo courtesy of SLPS

Kali Thorne Ladd

whose father exited his life at the age of five, purposely set out to discover the tenets of responsible fatherhood.

He recalled, as a high schooler, expressing the lack of a father in his life when his mother complimented him, insisting he’d make “a really great dad,” someday.

“I said ‘well, I don’t know about that,” Wimbley remembered, adding: “I know how to be a great mom,’ because she was a great mom. But I always felt like there was something in me my mom didn’t understand.”

To fill the void, he set out to find out what fatherhood should look like, be like, feel like. So, he studied Black fathers in his neighborhood, at barber shops, in schools, in church and other places.

“I didn’t know when I’d have children, but I thought, ‘if I do, I’d like to have some ideas,’” Wimbley explained. “So, I observed men who looked like they knew what they were doing. I started ask-

Grant

Continued from A1

“[It was] an intimidating situation to be sure,” Grant said. “But one that was ultimately fortifying and uplifting.” A graduate of Washington University and Howard University, Grant embarked on a diplomatic career in 1980 –after teaching art and architectural history at Howard.

As a Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Information Agency and the U.S. State Department, she was assigned to Norway, France, West Africa and Brazil. Grant performed extensive press advance work for three

ing questions like when a man would say, ‘My children do what I say,’ I’d ask ‘well, why? Is it out of fear or respect?’’

Wimbley said he also studied men from Asia, East and West Africa and other cultures.

“Basically, I watched men who looked like they knew what respect was,” he said.

Wimbley and his two older brothers were born in Centreville, Ill.,which he still unabashedly calls “East St. Louis.” He attended Bishop DuBourg High School for his freshman and sophomore years, then graduated from Roosevelt High School. He attended Southeast Missouri State University where he majored in computer science.

A college level course on world religion at Bishop DuBourg, put Wimbley on a course of spirituality, self-discovery and self-consciousness.

Kelly said he came of age during the 80s, “the Cosby and ‘Different World’ decade.”

“Oh, man, that was my era,” he said. “That whole consciousness thing was happening. People wearing braids and dreads and locs

U.S. presidents on four continents before her retirement in 2001.

“I never made it to Broadway,” Grant wrote in the biography on her website.

“But after more than twenty five years of chasing other muses, I returned to my childhood dream of writing – books instead of plays.”

In 2006 Grant married famed stage designer Gaetano Castelli and relocated to Rome, Italy – where she lived the remainder of her life. By 2008, she had released her first book “At the Elbows of my Elders: One Family’s Journey Towards Civil Rights.” The biography was published by Missouri Historical Society Press.

again.

After graduating high school, Wimbley and his brothers drove a pickup truck from St. Louis to New York City, Buffalo, Washington D.C. and eventually Canada. Not only did his quest to answer the riddles of Black fatherhood continue, but his worldview also expanded. He was exposed to the teachings of the Nation of Islam and was

“Besides the innumerable stories my parents told me about how they navigated through a segregated America, they also broke a residential color line when, in the late 1940s, they created our home in an all-white neighborhood,” Grant said. “Even while in grade school, I felt that one day their story and mine would be of interest to others.”

“At the Elbows of My Elders” went on to win awards and garner critical acclaim.

“Gail Milissa Grant’s achingly honest family memoir is social history at its finest,” said twotime Pulitzer Prize winner and New York University Professor of History

Brothers Jabari and Kafele Wimbley recently spent some time together in Los Angeles, where Jabari resides. Kafele lives in Austin, Texas and the siblings stay in touch with their father, Kelly, on a frequent basis.

A-level work was real

A-level work,” Wimbley stressed. While attending Bishop DuBourg, he said he was a “C-B student” who started getting straight A’s when he was transferred to Roosevelt.

“The stuff wasn’t challenging,” Wimbley admitted, to underscore he and his wife’s commitment to put Kafele and Jabari on a more progressive educational track.

fascinated with the “rebirth of the Black Panthers.”

By 1999, the time his eldest boy, Kafele, was born, Wimbley felt he was prepared to play the essential father-role in his sons’ lives. He proudly recalled how, as a “healer” he helped deliver both his sons.

“Mine were the first hands that touched them,” he boasted.

At the time, he and his

David Levering Lewis.

“‘At the Elbows of My Elders’ brings alive an era already but dimly remembered when privileged, proud productive people of color in towns and cities everywhere defied the logic of racial prejudice in their domestic and civic lives and, thereby, set an indispensable example for the civil rights triumphs of the coming generations of Americans – Black and white.”

The book also catapulted Grant as a writer and lecturer.

“I’ve resurrected my thespian talents as a public speaker, talking about my book and unknown civil rights activists and their accomplishments in Europe, the United States,

former wife operated a hairstyling/acupuncturing shop on the south side of the city. Wanting their boys to have a good, disciplined education, the couple homeschooled the boys until they and other homeschoolers got together and established a charter school, Ptah Academy of Arts and Sciences, in early 2000s.

“I needed them to be at a school where their

and North Africa,” said Grant.

She presented her book and lectured on civil rights history at over eighty venues, including Oxford University, Columbia University, New York University, Mohammed V University (Morocco), the Smithsonian Institute, and numerous US embassies throughout Europe.

“[The book] was a love letter,” Grant said. “Not only to my ancestors but also to a whole generation of black Americans who fought the good fight way before the more publicized Civil Rights movement of the 1950s.”

As part of her lifelong dedication to cultural

After Ptah Academy closed, the boys were enrolled into City Garden Montessori School and later, Crossroads College Prep where they graduated. His sons are out on their own, doing their own thing. Kafele graduated with a degree in software engineering and computational mathematics. Jabari, who studied international business and fashion merchandising, is pursuing a career in the arts.

Insisting that he and his sons are still extremely “tight,” Wimbley said they talk or text each other several times a week.

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

understanding and civil rights advocacy, she also produced art exhibitions, directed conferences, and organized film programs. Her first novel, “The Sable Cloak,” is scheduled to be published posthumously in February 2005 by the Hachette Book Group.

Grant’s legacy lives on through her family, including her brother, David W. Grant, nieces Amara and Dana, stepchildren Chiara and Cristiano, and many dear friends around the world.

Charitable donations may be made to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation in the name of Gail Melissa Grant

Courtesy photo

Gala

Continued from A1

Biden said of his signing the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act in 2021.

“It was a testament to the resilience of generations of Black Americans who kept their eyes set on the nation’s North Star. That North Star was the idea that we’re all created equal, in the image of God and deserve to be treated equally throughout our lives.”

Biden concluded his remarks by saying “Black history is American history.”

The Grio reported that Harris decried the “fullon attack on hard-fought, hard-won freedoms.”

This includes voting rights, a woman’s right to abortion care – which disproportionately impacts Black and brown women – and “the freedom to learn and acknowledge our nation’s true and full history.”

“In many ways, the story of Juneteenth and of our nation is a story of our ongoing fight to realize that promise, our ongoing fight to build a nation that is more equal, more fair, and more free,” said

Juneteenth

Continued from A1

“They would run. They would rebel. They would sing. They filed these lawsuits when they heard that the law would allow it. Every open door, every parted bush, every treaded blade of grass that could lead to freedom, the slaves and my ancestors trod.”

Mason, whose research of past court records led to the memorial, is founder of the , Freedom Suits Memorial Foundation.

Speakers will include Adolphus Pruitt, St Louis NAACP president emeritus, Arrey Obenson, International Institute president and CEO and Rabbi Susan Talve of Central Reform Synagogue.

Other upcoming events include:

The Black Family Reunion Fest will be held in partnership with HarrisStowe State University on Saturday June 15 on Compton Ave. adjacent to the HSSU Campus.

“BLK Family Reunion Festival was created to unite the Midwest and showcase the region’s culture through music, activities, food, and family,” Caroline Wagna explains on the event website.

“It’s a place to celebrate Blackness without having to accommodate to everyone.”

This Juneteenth Weekend extravaganza hopes to attract residents from Kansas City, Chicago, Memphis, and other neighboring cities into St. Louis.

Hosted by radio personality Tammie Holland and Moche Latte, the 2024 entertainment lineup

Harris. “A nation where every person has the opportunity not to just get by but get ahead. Since taking office, with the support of so many of the leaders here

includes the Dirty Muggs, an array of Midwest DJs, A Tribute to Kool And The Gang by Terry Colman, Smokin’ Lions with A Tribute to Bob Marley, and Murphy Lee Live with a band.

The event is free and open to the public. Please visit www.blkfrfest.com for a schedule of DJs and for event rules.

The North County STL Juneteenth Celebration will be a free five-day event throughout North St. Louis County presented through a collaborative effort of St. Louis County Council District 1, District 4, and municipality mayors. The theme for 2023 is “Together We Can!” and each event will highlight Black contributions and culture. The event lineup is as follows:

Gospel singer Kirk Franklin dances with Vice President Kamala Harris during a Juneteenth concert on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Monday, June 10, 2024.

today, President Biden and I have continued that fight.” Comedian Roy Wood Jr. hosted the event and reminded the audience to remember the two

Friday, June 16Community Beautification Events from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in various locations.

Saturday, June 17Bellefontaine Neighbors Juneteenth Celebration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Ferguson Juneteenth Celebration from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Sunday, June 18Community Worship Events at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.; Juneteenth Music Festival in Florissant from 2 p.m.- 6 p.m.

Monday, June 19Dellwood parade followed by a full community event at their Recreation Center

people most responsible for nationalizing the holiday: Opal Lee and the late Texas State Rep. Al Edwards.

Lee, 97, the “Grandmother of

A JeffVanderLou Juneteenth Celebration will be held from 1 to 7 p.m. Saturday June 15 with presenting partner People Planning and Working Together. A performance by the Story Stitchers is at 1:30 p.m., and it will focus on firearm safety. The event at 1717 Coleman Street is family-friendly and free.

The OVP Kickback –Juneteenth Celebration will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 15 at the intersection of Goodfellow Blvd. and St. Louis Ave. in North St. Louis in Barrett Brothers Park. The presenting part-

Juneteenth” was recently honored with a Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House. She organized a 2.5-mile walk to commemorate the two and half years it took for enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas, to learn that they were freed by President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation.

Edwards, who died in 2020 before Juneteenth became a federal holiday, authored the bill that made Texas the first state to designate Juneteenth a holiday. He would go on to found the nonprofit Juneteenth USA, which was dedicated to expanding the Texas holiday to other states and, eventually, getting it recognized on the federal level.

Edwards’ son, Jason Edwards, called the gala “absolutely wonderful.”

“It was great to hear Dad’s name recognized for his hard work.”

ner is the St. Louis Office of Violence Prevention.

The Story Stitchers will present their firearm safety performance at 3:30 p.m.

Story Stitchers is committed to placing youth at the center of the work both in identifying topics for exploration as well as the methods for engagement. According to Story Stitchers, gun violence continues to be a pressing public health crisis that consumes the attention of the engaged youth, and artistic expression helps youth work through the pain and loss they have experienced.

Photo courtesy of the AP

Let’s talk about sex

Dr.

De-Andrea

Blaylock-Solar is state’s first Black certified sex therapist

By Ashley Winters

The St. Louis American

De-Andrea Blaylock-Solar has made history as the state of Missouri’s first certified Black sex therapist. Blaylock-Solar was certified through the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT). The history-making sex therapist has been in the field since 2011.

What is a sex therapist?

A licensed mental health practitioner who has additional certification and training on sexuality and relationships. Not only is Baylock-Solar

n “We are constantly measuring ourselves to those colonized sexual standards and sometimes we don’t even know it.”

Dr. De-Andrea Baylock-Solar

breaking the glass ceiling, she also works full-time as a licensed clinical social worker.

Over time she has been asked why she chose sex therapy as a career,

Riisa Rawlins new Regional Health Commission CEO

Seeks ‘zero health disparities’

St. Louis American

With a vowed quest for her organization to help eliminate the healthcare divide in the region, Riisa Rawlins has been named St. Louis Regional Health Commission (RHC) CEO. Rawlins served as interim CEO since November 1, 2023, for the organization that was founded in 2001 following closure of St. Louis Regional Medical Center. It was the region’s last public hospital.

“I can think of no greater vocation than to advance an equity centered, trauma informed

which is not as ordinary as someone choosing to become a firefighter or teacher. “I always knew I wanted a career in relationship therapy,” said the therapist. But she said she wanted to add a twist to being a sex therapist by incorporating her perspectives as a Christian. During undergrad, she was having a conversation with her line sister about their future goals of becoming social workers. She took a course on human sexuality taught by Linda Winer, whom she considers the OG of teaching human sexuality. This was the future

See THERAPIST, A9

approach into a community and systems partnership framework dedicated to achieving zero health disparities,” Rawlins said in a release.

“I am extremely grateful for the numerous partnerships across systems and in community that have inspired me to embrace collaboration over duplication or competition.”

In February of 2023, the RHC and Alive and Well Communities (AWC) announced an affiliation to advance health equity across the State of Missouri and beyond.

The combined efforts of RHC and AWC are dedicated to improving healthcare access, experience and outcomes for residents across Missouri, with a focus on equity-centered trauma-informed care, according to Dr. Sheila Grigsby, who now serves as RHC board chair

See RAWLINS, A9

Eleven tips for a healthier summer

By Dr. Graham A. Colditz Siteman Cancer Center

The weather and school calendars have moved quickly toward summer, and that makes it a great time to think about ways we — and our families — can keep up with healthy routines while enjoying all that the season has to offer. While it’s hard to find a time of year that feels more relaxed than summer, it can also have some unique challenges that can make it more difficult to keep up with, or build on, our healthy behaviors. Here are 11 tips that may help: For warm weather

• Get outside for walks early or in evening Take a moment to look at the forecast and try to get out when it’s cooler, or choose indoor activities at a gym or rec center.

• Stay hydrated. When we’re out walking or playing with our family, it’s easy to get behind on hydration. So, it’s good to keep water bottles filled and in reach for when we need them.

n Take a moment to look at the forecast and try to get out when it’s cooler, or choose indoor activities at a gym or rec center.

• Enjoy green spaces. Our parks and other open areas are great places to enjoy physical activity. The trees and shade can provide a break from the heat, and studies have found that just spending time in green spaces can have many mental and physical benefits.

For BBQs and picnics

• Save space on the plate for healthy options. It’s important to enjoy foods that make summer feel like summer. But those aren’t always the healthiest

See COLDITZ, A9

Riisa Rawlins, St. Louis Regional Health Commission CEO, delivered the keynote address during the University of Missouri St. Louis Women Trailblazer Awards on March 20, 2024.

Dr. De-Andrea Blaylock-Solar has made history as Missouri’s first certified Black sex therapist.

Photo courtesy of Blackdoctor.org

Photo by Drik Holtmann

Graham A. Colditz

‘Taking

St. Jude Legacy of Hope Dinner on June 21

St. Louis American

The St. Jude Legacy of Hope Dinner will be held at 6 p.m. Friday June 21, 2024, at the Missouri Athletic Club, 405 Washington Avenue in St. Louis.

During its 61-year history, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has been steadfast in leading the way in understanding, treating, and defeating childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

The hospital has the world’s best survival rates for the most aggressive childhood cancers, and treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20% to

Therapist

Continued from A8

therapist’s first time meeting a certified professional. That experience set the tone for her.

In 2006, she went to the AASECT conference in St. Louis and soon realized there weren’t many in the room who looked like her – an observation that made her reluctant to stay on this career path. She wasn’t sure if there was space for her in that line of work and she didn’t think AASECT would be receptive to a Black woman. Fortunately, that was not the case.

“It took me a while to move forward with pursuing the certification,” Blaylock-Solar said. “I found out the AASECT is open to accepting me.”

As for her clients, she said people seek sex therapy for a variety of reasons, most of which are not all that glamorous. The majority of her clients come in experiencing low libido or, in other words, a low interest in sex. Some couples seek advice on how to please each other,

Rawlins

Continued from A8

and as an associate professor at the University of Missouri—St. Louis College of Nursing.

“I believe wholeheartedly in the vision of the RHC to provide health care for the underserved,” said Grigsby, a public health professional, researcher and nurse educator for over 20 years.

“I look forward to continuing the legacy of the great work that the RHC has shepherded over the past 20 years.”

She added “the RHC is in the right hands under

Colditz

Continued from A8

options, so be sure to save space on your plate for healthy, and still tasty, options, like watermelon, grilled corn and grilled chicken breasts.

• Go for healthy drinks. Instead of sugary drinks or beer or hard seltzers, try unsweetened fizzy waters and the growing number of good alcohol-free beers or similar options.

over 80% since the hospital opened its doors in 1962.

The St. Jude Legacy of Hope dinner invites the regional community to support making a difference in the lives of desperately ill children here and around the world by advancing the mission: “Finding Cures. Saving Children.”

Guests will learn more about how their support helps advance research and treatment by St. Jude for childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

Fundraising from events like Legacy of Hope Dinner help ensure families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing, or

especially when the relationship is a ‘mix-match,’ with one partner being more interested in sex than the other. Finally, she said she advises several couples who don’t prioritize their relationship.

And then there is sex addiction. Or is that a real term? Not according to Blaylock-Solar, who tells the St. Louis American that sex addiction is not a diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM5. She said sex addiction refers to individuals whose sexual behavior is out of control. For example, sexual thoughts or behaviors that are intrusive and difficult to control. But she said the cure isn’t abstinence. Instead, she recommends that individuals with those behaviors continue to have sex as long as they do so in a way that isn’t harmful.

You can’t talk with a sex therapist without talking about safe sex. Blaylock-Solar recommends communicating with your partner(s) and being open and honest about your health status. Don’t be afraid to ask them about theirs. She

[Rawlins’] leadership.”

Rawlins, who also has over 20 years of professional experience in healthcare and mental health environments, holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Loyola University and master’s degree in social work from the Brown School at WUSTL where she was a Bettie Schroth Johnson Women in Leadership scholar. She is pursuing her PhD in Political Science at the University of Missouri – St. Louis.

Rawlins joined the RHC in June of 2020 and served as chief operations and strategy officer before being named inter-

For time in the sun

• Pick a 30 SPF or higher sunscreen that you like — and use it regularly. Most sunscreens today provide good protection. Chemical sunscreens help absorb the sun’s damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays. Mineral sunscreens help block UV rays. Both types are safe to use. So, pick the ones you like — and keep them handy when heading outside.

• Use enough sunscreen — and reapply To get the full protection sunscreens offer, it’s

food—so they can focus on helping their child live.

In addition, from the day it was established, its founder, the late Danny

Thomas, believed that “no child should die in the dawn of life.”

According to the St. Jude website, “When

The St. Jude Legacy of Hope Dinner will be held at 6 p.m. Friday June 21, 2024, at the Missouri Athletic Club, 405 Washington Avenue in St. Louis.

Thomas founded St. Jude, he courageously challenged the status quo and was committed to health equity and access

suggests getting tested for an STI and HIV/AIDS and continuing to have the conversation about safe sex. “Don’t stop at 60,” she said. “There is an uptick in STI infections amongst older adults.”

The topic of sex has been taboo for many generations, largely because of white supremacists who used it to control the oppressed, she said. Colonization allowed white supremacists to create their idea of sexual standards that they didn’t

im CEO.

In the previous role she fostered community and health system partnerships, developed and institutionalized power-sharing frameworks, coordinated the day-today management of operations, managed staff and associated contractors, and supported the work of volunteer stakeholder bodies.

“Alongside Dr. Grigsby, a longtime champion of community voice in healthcare, I look forward to deepening collaboration with our current and future systems and community partners in St. Louis, the Bootheel, Kansas City and beyond,”

important to use enough. Most of us don’t. Apply about one ounce — or the amount that fills the center of the palm of your hand. And reapply about every two hours, or after swimming or exercising.

• Wear sun-safe clothes — and find shade. A little planning can make it a lot easier to stay sun-safe. Think about where you might find shade, or set up an umbrella or canopy. And bring enough sun-safe clothes for you and your family — long-sleeve shirts, widebrim hats and UV-protective sunglasses.

even live up to. This is the reason why discussions of sex and sexuality are still taboo in some Black families.

“We are constantly measuring ourselves to those colonized sexual standards and sometimes we don’t even know it,” she said.

Fortunately, this expert was raised in a home that talked openly about sex and sexuality. Laughing at her joke she said, “It’s no surprise I became a sex therapist.”

said Rawlins. Rawlins recently delivered the keynote address during the University of Missouri -St. Louis Women Trailblazers Awards, and also presented the commencement speech for UMSL’s Fall graduation in December.

The RHC has adopted a new strategic plan that integrates the efforts of Alive & Well Communities. This plan aims to facilitate systems-level change, guided by community members who are experiencing unjust health outcomes.

According to its website, RHC “knows that all communities experience harm from trauma, and

Sleep

• Keep a good sleep routine. Summer can be tough on sleep, with the long days filled with activities. But it’s still important to get good sleep. Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. Avoid large meals, caffeine, alcohol and exercise within a couple hours of bedtime.

• Make your bedroom comfortable for sleep. Try to keep the bedroom at a good temperature, and use eye masks or a white noise app, if light or noise are

for children regardless of race, religion or socio-economic status.

“St. Jude stands for the elimination of all forms of discrimination.”

St. Jude is inspired to be an inclusive, culturally responsive and equitable environment where current and future employees, patients, families and members of our community feel a sense of belonging, empowerment and respect.

“At St. Jude, we value and celebrate the uniqueness in all people.”

For tickets and to learn more about fundraising, sponsorship, and volunteer opportunities at www.stjude.org/legacyofhope

Sex therapist Dr. De-Andrea Blaylock-Solar encourages Black parents to have discussions with young kids when they become curious or ask questions about sex. The questions are coming from a place of curiosity, so provide information without judgment.

She urges parents to have that discussion with young kids when they become curious or ask questions about it. Give age-appropriate information in a way they can easily understand. The questions are coming from a place of curiosity, so provide information without judgment, she said.

She said she firmly believes that someone in her position as a Christian sex therapist is so important to the Black community.

those exposed to the trauma of racism are at higher risk of unjust health outcomes.”

The merger between the Regional Health Commission and Alive & Well Communities implements a statewide strategy of bringing together cross-sector stakeholders and community members around a common goal of building healthy, healed communities.

The organization “believes it is possible to facilitate co-creation between impacted community members and our state’s institutions to change the conditions in our state that lead to early death and to facilitate

an issue in your home or neighborhood.

Kid and family routines

“I enjoy helping people dismantle bad theology so they can have good sex,” she said. In her line of work, she has come across people who have learned negative things about sex and it came from their faith community. “Some faith leaders attempt to control the sexuality of their congregation, especially women,” she added.

Blaylock-Solar teaches her clients how to work through negative ideologies so they can have good, healthy experiences with sex – even if they believe in abstinence before marriage. She follows the work of Brittany Broddaus-Smith a Christian Sexologist, who believes God created people to be sexual beings, and being abstinent before marriage doesn’t mean sexual desires are absent or should be prayed away.

“How you show up in this world inclusive of your gender identity, inclusive of your sexuality... That’s a gift from God.”

Ashley Winters is a Report for America reporter for the St. Louis American.

healing from the trauma of injustice.”

RHC signed on to a letter to the state legislature in opposition of proposed bills that would limiting the ability of public and private organizations to conduct training or implement initiatives focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion. It also submitted public comment in support of proposed rule 13 CSR 70-25.160 Doula Services, which would establish the Department of Social Services’ MO HealthNet Division guidelines regarding coverage and reimbursement for community doula services.

• Make it easy for kids to be active and find healthy snacks and drinks. Summer vacation can be a big change in kids’ regular routines. So, it’s important to help them keep up with behaviors that are good for their long-term health and growth. Keep fruit out in the open and a pitcher of water and cut-up vegetables at eye level in the fridge. And encourage kids to sit less and move more by walking or cycling with them to day care or summer camp, or by going on walks to the park after dinner.

Enjoy a great summer.

Dr. Graham A. Colditz, associate director of prevention and control at Siteman Cancer Center at BarnesJewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, is an internationally recognized leader in cancer prevention and the creator of the free prevention tool, Your Disease Risk

Photo courtesy of Blackdoctor.org

Photo courtesy of St. Jude

Sound advice

Ric Louis revels in record player restoration

By Sylvester Brown Jr. St. Louis American

Ric Louis will host his first silent auction on Father’s Day June 16, 2024, but sound is what it is all about.

Louis is selling vintage record players from the 1940s through the 70s that he’s painstakingly restored. He hopes to draw an “eclectic” crowd of collectors, buyers and folks like him who have warm memories of younger days listening to 33, 45 and old 78 RPM (revolutions per minute) vinyl records.

Louis, a true enthusiast, insists vinyl records played on portable consoles sound better than digital audio recordings.

n “Those movies and songs were so upbeat and happy; it was like they were always having a good time,” Louis recalled.

For Louis, 73, his hobby stems from a childhood growing up and hanging out with relatives at the John Deshields, Norman E. Owens or John Robinson Housing projects in East St. Louis. He said he didn’t like “cliques” and therefore crafted a world of his liking.

“I was an only child and let’s face

it, I wasn’t that popular in school,” Louis said recalling his reclusive childhood. “I was alone, but never lonely.”

He was captivated by old black and white movies, mostly musicals. He thinks he may be the only kid who could name movie stars such as Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers; big band leaders including Artie Shaw and Cab Calloway; performers like the tap-dancing Nicholas Brothers and songs from movies such as “Swing Time” (1936), “Stormy Weather,” Cabin in the Sky (1943) or “An American in Paris” (1951).

“Those movies and songs were so upbeat and happy; it was like they were always having a good time,” Louis

Federal appeals court rules against Fearless Fund

By Marvelous Maeze For Word In Black

In today’s multifaceted social and political landscape, the Fearless Fund appeal stands out as a defining moment in the continuous fight for civil rights and economic empowerment for Black women.

Established by Black women, the Fearless Fund absorbed a legal setback on June 3, 2024 when a federal appeals court in Georgia ruled against the Fearless Fund grant program for Black female entrepreneurs, calling it discriminatory.

The Fearless Fund is challenging the court’s decision.

The recent legal hurdles against the Fearless Fund’s endeavor emphasize the urgency of comprehensive protections that acknowledge and tackle the interconnected issues of race, gender, and the weaponization of social biases.

Black women have long been at the forefront of the fights for equity

See FEARLESS, B2

Harris-Stowe’s Freddie Willis invited to MLI

Dr. Freddie E. Wills Jr., HarrisStowe State University STEM Initiatives and Research Partnerships vice president, will participate in the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) Millennium Leadership Initiative (MLI). MLI is dedicated to diversifying and enriching the American college presidency. Willis develops and implements institutional partnerships to advance HSSU’s STEM agenda and support student success. As a principal investigator, he provides leadership for the operation of three National Science Foundation grants awarded to the HBCU.

Fox-Ray is new assistant principal

Dr. Adrienne Fox-Ray has been named assistant principal at Westchester Elementary School in the Kirkwood School District. She has been in education for 18 years and has been at Westchester for the last eight.

Fox-Ray

Fox-Ray previously taught fourth grade in the Riverview Gardens School District and was named Westchester Teacher of the Year in 2022. She had been serving as instructional specialist at Westchester. Her leadership experience also includes her time over the last three summers at Horizons St. Louis, where she coordinated and administered assessments, organized staff training, managed program activities, and supervised staff members.

McCrary new middle school assistant principal

Elysabeth McCrary has been appointed assistant principal of Old Bonhomme Elementary School in the Ladue School District.

As a 6th-grade science teacher at Ladue Middle School, McCrary made a significant impact on her school since arriving in 2020. She sponsored the STEM GEMS After School Club, the Harry Potter “STEAM” After School Club, and partnered with Webster University Youth Game Jams.

Before becoming an educator, McCrary served in the U.S. Air Force on active duty and the Air National Guard overseas and stateside. She is a former St. Louis County Police officer.

Scholarship Foundation welcomes new members

The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis is welcoming its new members and officers to the board of directors.

Joining the board are Brian Fernandez, Larson Financial president; Michael F. Jones II, Community Engagement and Co- Curricular Education director in the Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Washington University; Paula D. Knight, Jennings School District superintendent and Gwendolyn Goosby Mizell, president Ameren Corporation - chief sustainability, diversity & philanthropy officer.

Freddie E. Willis Jr.

From left, Ryan Wilson, Shamea Morton, Ayana K. Parsons, Arian Simone, attorney Benjamin Crump, Georgia state Rep Dar’Shun Kendrick and Chloe Cheyenne at The Gathering Spot on Thursday, August 17, 2023 in Atlanta.

Adrienne

Ric Louis is selling vintage record players from the 1940s through the 70s that he’s painstakingly restored.

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Elysabeth McCrary

Photo by Itoro N. Umontuen / The Atlanta Voice

Louis

Continued from B1 recalled.

“And remember, some were made during the worst of times–the 30s and 40s during World War II. They reminded me that there had to be a better life other than what was going on in East St. Louis.”

Louis said he was an inquisitive child who started “tinkering with stuff,” taking televisions, radios and record players apart then challenging himself to put them back together.

“I didn’t have a clue what I was doing. So, I just figured it out,” Louis said. His mother and “aunties” tolerated his hobbybut they did have limits.

“They’d say, ‘I need to see my news, so can you please put my television back together?’”

Louis’ fascination with portable record players is punctuated with early

Fearless

Continued from B1 and equality. Activists, artists, and political leaders like Angela Davis, Shirley Chisolm, and Audra Lorde used their gifts to advance the social currency of Black women by championing civil rights. Yet, Black women continue to bear a disproportionate burden of socio-economic injustices. Initiatives like those of the Fearless Fund transcend mere inclusivity; they represent a critical step in redressing long-standing grievances to rectify historical inequities.

In RepresentWomen’s 2024 brief, Breaking Barriers for Black Women

life memories. No one in his family owned the big, wooden consoles complete with built-in television, radio and record player.

Most owned portable consoles, manufactured by the likes of Motorola, RCA, Zenith, General Electric or Columbia.

“If you had a record player, you had a party,” Louis said, remembering the sounds of Motown echoing through the hallways of the projects or visits with an aunt who owned a floor model stereo. She was the one who shared her vinyl collection of artists like Brook Benton, Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington and Ray Charles.

That aunt, Louis said, is the reason he’s a huge Diana Ross fan. The day she bought the Supreme’s “new” album, “Where Did Our Love Go” with the chart-topping singles “Baby Love” and “Come See About Me” is still a special memory for Louis. In high school, Louis

Candidates, our research found Black businesswomen face unique barriers to accessing capital. These obstacles often stem from false and reductive stereotypes about their capacity and potential for success, hindering their entrepreneurial potential. Despite being the most educated group in America, this country’s legacy of racism often threatens Black women’s chances of experiencing significant upward mobility or creating generational wealth. According to the Fearless Fund’s website, only 1% of the $120 billion venture capital raised in 2018 was allocated to businesses founded by women of color, with no specific data listed for

said he felt even more like an outsider. His peers, he said, talked of getting a good education so they ‘could get a good job.’ He had another conversation.

“I wanted to get out of East St. Louis. My thinking was, ‘I’m going to get a good education to get a better life.”

Louis recalled how his classmates laughed when he announced he planned to live in Paris. He did,

Black women-owned businesses.

The Fearless Fund’s initiative stands as a necessary corrective measure to ensure equitable opportunities for Black women in the business realm. This appeal extends beyond a singular grant program; it underscores the vital importance of targeted measures in realizing authentic equity.

The Fearless Fund is a necessary incubator for change that can result in more Black women CEOs and founders like Ursula M. Burns, Cathay Hughes, and Madam C.J. Walker.

The appeal of the Fearless Fund is a rallying cry to all who believe in the promise of the pursuit of happiness. The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals

eventually.

After graduating from Southern Illinois University (SIU) in Carbondale, he moved to New York and enrolled at the Fashion Institute of Technology, an art school that focuses on technology connected to the fashion industry.

After graduating, he worked as a fashion designer. It wasn’t the Gucci, Fendi or Prada type

ruled that the fund’s grant program likely violated the Civil Rights Act of 1866 due to its exclusive focus on funding Black women. Yet, the judges failed to understand that this exclusivity was born from exclusion from the white majority. If Black women did not fund ourselves, who would fund us?

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) were created because white lawmakers and college boards blocked Black students from receiving an education at the same institutions of higher learning as white students, perhaps fearing it would level the playing field too much for their comfort. Similarly, the

of luxury fashion designing; it was more like creating knockoffs for stores like JCPenney, Sears, or Montgomery Ward.

Still, he was in the fashion industry and soon had an agent who got him modeling gigs that took him to Paris and Milan where he lived for about six months. By the late 1980s/ early 90s, Louis decided to come back to St. Louis.

The AIDS crisis had robbed him of many friends. He also felt his ailing mother needed him home. They bought a house together and Louis worked a variety of jobs including a five-year stint with Metro Theater Company before becoming a TSA agent from where he retired a few years ago.

Retirement has provided the luxury of revisiting his childhood passions.

Louis hosts several karaoke shows around town. In between that, he’s once again “tinkering with stuff”- refurbishing vin-

Fearless Fund was created to fill an opportunity vacuum. However, this court’s ruling may have marginalized members of the populace questioning whether its rationale was based on the fear of equality and Black success, i.e., Black excellence.

Our legal frameworks should not be purposely misinterpreted to strip away rights from targeted groups or individuals. Rather, they should protect the inalienable rights of historically disenfranchised and marginalized Americans. Initiatives like the Fearless Fund were created to address challenges faced by Black women in a society that has deliberately and systematically made it more difficult for us to succeed.

tage record players. Unlike back in the day, the internet has gifted him with a wide berth of collectors, fellow hobbyists or online groups who offer advice or resources to find old, discarded consoles and/or parts needed to bring them back to life.

“Life is good,” Louis said. An old Artie Shaw record played in the background on one of his refurbished consoles. It’s the only way to play that genre of music, Louis insists.

“Digitized music is much cleaner now but some of these better stereo models were made to play this kind of music,” he stated matter-of-factly.

“The warmth of it, to me, it just sounds better.”

For more information about “Ric Louis’ Menagerie of Musical Machines” June 16 at the Hilton Garden Inn call 314-608-2424

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

Let the necessity of this appeal also be a somber reminder that we, as a collective, must support Black women in both entrepreneurial and political spheres now more than ever before. There are forces determined to roll back our civil rights. Lest we forget, we are all only free so long as we are willing to do what is necessary to protect our freedoms. By supporting initiatives like the Fearless Fund and investing in Black women in politics, we are not just upholding civil rights—we are actively working towards a more fair and progress-minded future.

Marvelous Maeze is executive chair of Human Rights First in New York

Ric Louis with some of his restored record players.

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

n “Everyone’s still hungry and just excited to get rolling.’

– Green Bay QB Jordan Love as mandatory minicamp opened on Tuesday

track & FiEld NotEbook

By Earl Austin Jr.

Griffins repeat as TBL Midwest Conference champions

In the hours leading up to Sunday’s evening Game 2 of the NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks, I was really looking for something to do other than lying in bed and passing the time.

While looking on my phone, I came across the Instagram account of the St. Louis Griffins of The Basketball League. They were playing their Midwest Conference championship game on Sunday afternoon at St. Louis Priory.

I thought to myself, “Yes. That’s the ticket right there. I’m headed to Priory.”

an incredibly talented Timberjacks team. The music was loud, the crowd was raucous and the action on the court was heated as would expect for a championship game.

The Griffins were formed last year by its namesake Nate Griffin, who is the founder and head coach. To compete in the hyper-competitive TBL, he needed a lot of talent and he found what he needed right here in St. Louis.

I’ve been telling my friend Nate Griffin for weeks that I was going to make it to a game if my schedule ever lightened up. Sunday was the day to make good on that promise.

It turned out to be the best three hours of my weekend. I witnessed a tremendous championship game as the Griffins defeated the Modera Timberjacks 127-121 in double-overtime to win their second consecutive Midwest Conference championship. It was the third and deciding game of this best of three series in which the road team won the first two games. It was a wonderful atmosphere at Priory as the Griffins rallied from a 15-point deficit in the second half to force overtime and eventually outlast

Most of the squad is home grown with many former St. Louis area prep stars from years past.

“It was just a great feeling to put on for our city,” Griffin said. “It’s special because these young men have been putting on for the city of St. Louis for a very long time. A lot of them have won state titles, Pro-Am titles, and men’s leagues, and for me to be able to give them a stage and platform to show their professionalism is great.”

One of those players was former Jennings High standout Courtney Stockard, who scored a game-high 40 points. Stockard was also a collegiate standout at St. Bonaventure, who led the Bonnies to the NCAA Tournament in 2018.

“This was big for us because we had a target on our backs after winning last year, Stockard said. “A lot of teams wanted to knock us, but our team showed a lot of resilience

throughout the season and in this round in particular.”

Former Hazelwood Central standout Ranell

If only American baseball fans would have embraced and enjoyed the talent of Black players before 1947 as many are now.

If so, the game between the St. Louis Cardinals and San Francisco Giants at Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama on Thursday June 20, 2024, would not have an average ticket price of more than $4,000 on the secondary market.

If so, Major League Baseball’s decision to incorporate Negro Leagues statistics into its records annal would not be met with the fierce opposition being shared on some social media sites.

Crossland scored 18 points and Marcus Latham (Alton) added 18 points, including seven points in

EyE

With Alvin A. Reid

If only the Stars had aligned earlier for great Black

The Cardinals will honor the St. Louis Stars, a Negro League powerhouse in the late 1920s and early 1930s, with a promotional Stars cap for fans over 21 years old. That too is outstanding.

The Stars recognition is part of Black Heritage Day on June 23 and includes a Cardinals jersey designed by St. Louis artist Brock Seals for fans who purchase a “Special Theme Ticket.”

If so, franchises including the St. Louis Cardinals would not feel obligated to honor Black players and Negro League teams that were barred from MLB participation solely because of skin color.

The Rickwood Field game honoring Willie Mays, the Birmingham Black Barons, and Negro Leagues baseball is a tremendous event, don’t get me wrong.

The theme ticket is not needed to receive the Stars cap, we can thank Budweiser as the sponsor. The fanfare is great, but the story of MLB’s segregationist history remains troubling.

A team that featured three future Baseball Hall of Fame members – centerfielder James “Cool Papa” Bell, first baseman George “Mule” Suttles, and shortstop Willie Wells could have certainly competed in the Majors. The Stars won Negro National League titles in 1929, 1930, and 1931, and routinely played before packed Stars Park crowds

players SportS

of more than 10,000 fans. Most MLB franchises of that era envied that success but didn’t dare sign a Black player to achieve that level of excellence.

“This opportunity to pay tribute to the Negro Leagues as the Giants and Cardinals play a regular season game at this iconic location is a great honor,”

MLB Commissioner Robert Manfred said when the game was announced.

The Cardinals have a connection to the Barons

and Rickwood Field.

After a standout spring training game performance for an Asheville, N.C. Negro League minor league team against the visiting Black Barons, pitcher Bill Greason was signed to a contract by Birmingham. He would become one of Mays’ teammates and later be signed as the Cardinals first Black pitcher in 1954. Tom Alston, a first baseman, was St. Louis’ first African

Bill Greason, the St. Louis Cardinals first Black pitcher, threw a ceremonial first pitch on Sept. 21, 2014, at Busch Stadium.

American player. Greason started two games and appeared as a reliver in one. His short-lived MLB career came to a close when he pitched a scoreless inning of relief against the New York Giants – a team that included his former Black Barons teammate Mays. I’m not making it down to Birmingham for the June 20 game, but I will be sporting a Stars cap following the June 23 contest at Busch Stadium.

The Reid Roundup In a worst-case scenario for United Football League co-owners Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia and Gerry Cardinale, the St. Louis Battlehawks were grounded by the San Antonio Brahmas 25-15 in the XFL Conference Championship Game on June 8 at the Dome of America’s Center…A raucous crowd had emptied the stadium when Garcia presented the trophy to the Brahmas. She put on a happy face, but it wasn’t easy…St. Louis will host the UFL Championship game with USFL Conference Champion Birmingham taking on the Brahmas. An anticipated crowd of more than 40,000 could sink below 10,000…Minutes after the game, Brahmas coach Wade Phillips, a former NFL head coach with the Denver Broncos and Dallas Cowboys, sincerely told Battlehawks receiver Hakeem Butler, “I’m going to tell everybody in the NFL that I talk to, you need to be playing.” The comment was caught live on FOX.

Earl Austin Jr.

Alvin A. Reid

The St. Louis Griffins celebrate after defeating the Modera Timberjacks 127-121 to win The Basketball League Midwest Conference championship last Sunday at St. Louis Priory. Holding the championship trophy founder and head coach Nate Griffin and Evelyn Magley, the CEO of the TBL (red jacket). Holding the second trophy is assistant coach Brandon Rigmaiden (white shirt).

Photo by Earl Austin Jr. / St. Louis American

the second overtime. He hit a big 3-pointer to give the Griffins the lead to stay in the second extra session. Martavian “Tae Tae” Payne, a former Imagine Prep standout, also scored 14 points.

Photo courtesy of St. Louis Cardinals

More than 20 entrepreneurs recently completed the MECCA Entrepreneurship Accelerator program offered by the ABSB CIE at Harris-Stowe State University. The ABSB CIE is recipient of a $25,000 Entrepreneurship Education Innovation Grant for the 2024-2025 academic year from fellow HBCU Howard University & PNC National Center for Entrepreneurship.

HSSU CIE awarded $25,000 Entrepreneurship Education Innovation grant

Howard University & PNC National Center for Entrepreneurship

(HUxPNC) has selected the AnheuserBusch School of Business (ABSB) Center of Innovation & Entrepreneurship (CIE) at Harris-Stowe State University as a recipient of a $25,000 Entrepreneurship Education Innovation Grant for the 2024-2025 academic year.

The grant supports Harris-Stowe’s efforts to enhance the entrepreneurial ecosystem and offerings,

St. Louis Community College’s program that allows area high school students to earn college-level credits has been granted accreditation by the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP).

benefiting scholars, faculty, staff, alumni, and the community at large.

The grant is a part of PNC’s $88 billion Community Benefits Plan, which includes a commitment of over $1.5 billion to empower Black Americans and low- to moderateincome communities. The initiative seeks to foster entrepreneurship at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and support Black business owners nationwide.

“We are so excited

about the Entrepreneurship Education Innovation Grant from HUxPNC,” said Dr. Stacy Gee Hollins, Academic Affairs interim associate provost and ABSB dean.

“As we work to expand our resources and increase the number of entrepreneurs we serve, I am grateful to be included in a nationally recognized network to advance these efforts.”

The ABSB CIE at Harris-Stowe effort to enhance entrepreneurship education and foster innovation is recognized

through this grant.

The university’s dedication to empowering its scholars and community “aligns perfectly with the goals of Howard University & PNC National Center for Entrepreneurship,” according to a release.

During the 2nd Annual Black Commerce Conference, the CIE will be honored as a grant recipient and its leaders will also have the chance to present the InnovateX program - a new creative technology program soon to be offered by the CIE.

The conference will take place from June 19th-21, 2024, in National Harbor, Maryland.

“The InnovateX program is an exciting new endeavor of ours,” said Kristy Jackson, ABSB CIE executive director.

“We can’t wait to unveil our efforts to bolster our creative technology capabilities. We want our entrepreneurs to have access to cutting-edge technology tools such as gaming equipment for E-ports, 3D printers,

STLCC earns NACEP accreditation for unique program

As the nation’s only accrediting body for these educational partnerships, NACEP’s standards serve as the model criteria for ensuring parity in faculty, course content, student outcomes, and support. Receiving NACEP

accreditation means an institution has met the nation’s most rigorous standard in concurrent enrollment program development, management and evaluation across multiple, multifaceted program areas.

“The path to accreditation has truly been a team effort, buoyed by the passion and care of not just our STLCC staff and faculty, but our high school teachers, students and liaisons as well,” said Ellen Wottrich, STLCC’s

district manager of dual credit/enrollment partnerships.

“The outpouring of support we received from St. Louis-area high schools as we prepared our application and hosted our site visit was

virtual reality equipment, and computer workstations to encourage innovation and experimentation.”

Twenty-three entrepreneurs recently completed the MECCA Entrepreneurship Accelerator program offered by the ABSB CIE at Harris-Stowe. Additionally, six entrepreneurs completed the 18-credit hour Entrepreneurship Certificate at the HarrisStowe State University ABSB during the spring semester.

tremendous. We are so proud of our program and every person involved with providing this life-changing access to affordable, high quality college credit.”

Photo courtesy of HSSU

Living It

“I got this rich-ass life. I’ve got great-grandchildren I want to get to know better.”

- Chaka Kahn on cutting down tour dates

Faith, fatherhood, family and music

Brian and Thomas Owens bring ‘Duets with Dad’ to the Sheldon on Sunday

By Kenya Vaughn

The St. Louis American

For Belleville native and longtime Ferguson resident Brian Owens, it doesn’t get any better than being able to share a musical moment with his father Thomas Owens.

n “‘Duets with Dad’ is the show brand. The Owens Family is the family brand and ‘Forever Young’ is the album.”

-

Brian Owens

The feeling is mutual – and based on the viral video of them performing a duet of the Sam Cooke classic “A Change Is Gonna Come,” the whole world agrees. The clip has garnered 117 million views and counting – 40 million more than the official lyrical video featuring Cooke’s vocals.

“It’s a blessing,” Thomas Owens said. “I see it as a service. I see all the lyrics, our singing and the vocal arrangements as a service – and I hope it sends that family message.”

Last year, they commemorated the 10th anniversary of the video with the inaugural “Duets With Dad” concert –and a musical project of the same name. On Sunday they will spend Father’s Day on the Sheldon stage for their second annual performance. The 6 p.m. show will serve as a preview for their upcoming album entitled “Forever Young,”

which features major names in music that share a St. Louis connection. The show will introduce the project, slated for release next month, and The Owens Family – including Brian Owens’ wife and children.

“June 16th for me is a launching off point. It’s a new brand,” Brian said.

“‘Duets with Dad’ is the show brand. The

Owens Family is the family brand and

‘Forever Young’ is the album.”

The album consists of cover songs curated with the intention to encourage and inspire. The title track was released last week and features another father and son musical duo – Dylan McDonald and his father Michael McDonald.

“Recording with my dad, Michael

Father Figures are healing at The Village Path

By Ashley Winters

The St. Louis American

“I was able to show up for my daughter because I would see in her things I needed.”

When Tyler Small’s third annual rendition of Father Figures Heartfelt Legacies Exhibition opened on May 31, it took on a very personal meaning because it paid tribute to an exceptional man in his life –his grandfather.

“This year’s Father Figures event is dedicated to my grandfather, who transitioned in December 2023,” Small said. “My grandfather helped me build more understanding with my feelings due to his ease with his own deep emotions.”

The exhibit at The Monaco in the Cherokee neighborhood is displayed in partnership with The Village Path, a non-profit organization that promotes awareness, access, and acceptance of mental wellness in the Black community. Small sells his portraits to help raise funds to support the mission of The Village Path. The exhibit will be at the gallery until June 16. There is no cost to attend the event, but donations are encouraged and the artwork is for sale.

This year, Small partnered with The Monaco, where he had his first exhibit displaying his works, taking photos of community members who are father figures in their loved ones’ lives.

The Village Path organization envisions a world where Black self-identified men are holistically well. Founded by Jemar Perry and Bryant Antoine, The Village PATH offers free mental health counseling to Black men in the St. Louis area, through the Healing and Writing Circle, and The Village ROPE (Rites of Passage Enrichment Program).

Small has been using his gift as an artist for the past three years to highlight the importance that fatherhood has had in his life.

“Black fathers do exist,” said Bryant Antoine, Director of Operations and

Co-founder of The Village Path. “His exhibit demonstrates there is a lot that goes into fatherhood. Self-care and mental wellness is a part of fatherhood.”

Antoine describes the artist’s pieces as combining images of Black fatherhood and having an open dialogue about the importance of Black fathers having a support system.

There is beauty in Black parenthood and popular culture doesn’t highlight it,

Antoine said. Growing up Small didn’t have his dad around. This, he said, caused him to try too hard to prove to others he was enough because he wanted to be accepted. He began to create his idea of fatherhood and manhood based on the examples he saw growing up. Those examples, however, don’t align with his current ideology of

McDonald and his son Dylan was one of the top three musical moments I have ever experienced in my life,” Brian said. “Seeing Mike and my dad sing together, that’s bucket list.” That’s saying a lot, considering Brian has performed at The

See Duet, C8

Blending Beyoncé and Beethoven

Steve Hackman shares his creative process for upcoming SLSO presentation

By Kenya Vaughn The St. Louis American

Steve Hackman is a musical anomaly. For several years the multi-hyphenate composer, conductor, producer, DJ, arranger, songwriter, singer, and pianist has been on an artistic campaign to

Beyoncé, C3

Father, C3

Photos courtesy of Brian and Thomas Owens

Father and son musical duo Brian and Thomas Owens will take the stage at The Sheldon Concert Hall for their 2nd Annual Duets with Dad Concert on Father’s Day, June 16.

Photo by Wiley Price I St. Louis American

Local artist Tyler Small at the opning of his new exhibit "Father Figures" that opened Fri. May 31, 2024 at The Monaco.

Courtesy photo

The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra will present ‘Beethoven X Beyoncé’ on Sunday, June 23rd at the Stifel Theatre.

CONCERTS AND LIVE SHOWS

Cedric BurnsideHill Country Love Tour

6/15/2024 8:00pm

Blueberry Hill Duck Room

6504 Delmar Blvd St. Louis, MO $18.00

6lack - No More Lonely Nights Tour

6/18/2024 8:00 p.m.

The Pageant

6161 Delmar Blvd

St. Louis, MO

$50.00 - $65.00

A Celebration of Black Composers

6/20/2024 7:30 p.m.

The Gateway Festival Orchestra led by Guest Conductor

Terrence Abernathy celebrates Juneteenth with a cultural and musical feast that pays homage to the enduring contributions of Black composers. Florissant Valley Theater, Florissant Valley Community College 3400 Pershall Rd Ferguson, MO Free

NIGHTLIFE

CITY Block Party ft. DJ Mahf and Dsmoovee

6/19/2024 4:30 p.m.

W CITYPARK 2100 Market St. St. Louis, MO Free

STL Sites & Sounds

3730 Foundry Way St. Louis, MO $14.00

ART ACTIVITIES, EXHIBITS AND MUSEUMS

Family Day in the Grand Center Arts District

6/15/2024 9:30 a.m.

Take part in family-centered activities on a special Summer Family Day in the Grand Center Arts District. Drop in at any time throughout the morning to join CAM educators and community partners for hands-on visual and performing arts activities, or catch the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra Family Performance at 10:00 am. Visit the nearby Pulitzer Arts Foundation and The Sheldon for more family-friendly fun. Snacks provided at each location. Contemporary Art Museum, St. Louis 3750 Washington Boulevard St. Louis, MO Free

FAIRS FESTIVALS

Sauce Magazine Food Truck Friday 6/14/2024 4:00 p.m. Tower Grove Park 4257 Northeast Drive St. Louis, MO

Juneteenth Caribbean Heritage Festival

Delmar Loop St. Louis, MO

Tower Grove

Farmers’ Market

6/15/2024 8:00 a.m.

The Tower Grove Farmers’ Market is Saturdays from 8 a.m.12:30 p.m. (April through November) and Tuesdays from 4-7 p.m. (May through September).

Tower Grove Park 4257 Northeast Drive St. Louis, MO

St. Louis Bourbon & Brews Festival

6/15/2024 12:00pm Frankie Martin’s Garden St. Louis, MO

Dellwood Juneteenth Festival : City of Dellwood Celebration, Parade & more 6/19/2024 12:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

COMMUNITY

Author Talk: Walking South City

6/14/2024 1:00 p.m.

A walk that would take him block-by-block through the tales of history and community in South City. From it came this book, a love letter to the people and places that call South City home. Field House Museum 634 S Broadway St. Louis, MO Free

2024 BLK Family Reunion Festival 6/15/2024 11:00am

“BLK Family Reunion Festival was created to unite the Midwest and showcase the region’s culture through music, activities and food. Proceeds benefit Har-

June 23 Sun 7:00pm • Stifel Theatre

Steve Hackman, conductor

Experience Steve Hackman’s thrilling new blend of pop/R&B’s queen and classical music’s king as Beyoncé’s iconic repertoire is seamlessly interwoven with Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony in

Fathers

Continued from C1

fatherhood and manhood.

When he became a dad in 2020, he decided to focus on his mental health so that he could set a better example for his daughter.

“This allowed me to step up for her, to honor those parts of myself,” Small said. “I was able to show up for my daughter because I would see in her things I needed.”

Beyoncé

Continued from C1

The Village Path helped Small heal from his past traumas and he was able to heal with other Black men.

“For a long time, I aligned myself with the stoicism, like most men, and taking that pain and doing whatever I can with it,” Small said. But being a part of The Village Path allowed him to find father figures to fill that space.

Small said, “One of the elders of The Village Path, Baba Victor, said things to me I wanted to hear my whole life. And I’ve been able to hold space for

bridge the works of contemporary popular artists with the masters of classical music.

As an artist, he grew up in both spaces and values them equally.

“Everybody in classical music has to be an advocate and an ambassador to activate your community,” Hackman said. He has become internationally renowned for such orchestral fusions as Brahms X Radiohead and The Resurrection Mixtape (Mahler X Notorious BIG X Tupac Shakur).

And although he didn’t come right out and explicitly say so, he’s also a member of the BeyHive. When he started explaining the origins of his latest creation– which will play the Stifel Theatre thanks to the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra next Sunday – he didn’t need to.

“Simply put, Beyoncé is the queen and Beethoven is the king,” Hackman said.

One might ask, “The king and queen of what?” It’s a fair question. And the answer is dance music.

St. Louis audiences will find

other men as well.”

Ricky Hughes, one of the dads that Small used as a subject for his exhibit said being a dad to his two daughters is one of the best gifts God has ever given him. “ Being a dad allows me to give love and receive love,” he said. Hughes opened up about having a hard time loving himself. “Being a dad has truly changed my life,” he added.

When Hughes was seeking a Black therapist, his first instinct was to reach out to Small for direction

out for themselves on June 23 when Hackman comes to town with a band and powerhouse vocalists to present and conduct Beethoven X Beyoncé.

“I looked at Beyoncé’s work and I just tried to identify, ‘If you could create a playlist of Beyoncé songs, what are the essential ones,’” Hackman said. “The ones that show how groundbreaking and era-defining she is – and how she has become this leading figure and voice in pop culture.”

The piece merges his ultimate Beyoncé playlist – which includes 14 essential tracks and fan favorites with Beethoven’s 7th Symphony.

“There are songs you know you are going to have to do –just like with Beethoven it’s going to be 3rd Symphony, 5th Symphony, 7th Symphony and 9th symphony,” Hackman said. “With Beyoncé, you know you are doing ‘Run The World.’ You know you are going to do ‘Single Ladies,’ ‘Halo’ and ‘Crazy in Love.’

Then there are the songs that might not necessarily be hits, but they are the songs that the die-hard fans – like Hackman –know are her best.

“Songs like ‘Formation,’ ‘Sorry’ or ‘Daddy’s Lessons,’” Hackman said. “Hold Up” is also on his “Beyoncé essentials” playlist. “That was just, ‘Oh my gosh. I can’t believe what she has done’.”

on getting help. “ We have to be whole, we have to be our best selves in order to show up for our kids,” said Hughes. “Mental health and fatherhood go hand-inhand.”

Ashley Winters is a Report for America reporter for the St. Louis American.

DSmoove Shabazz and his daughter, Daya, were featured in photos at Tyler Small’s art exhibit.

He includes “Run the World” as a favorite because it perfectly aligns with her identity, her brand and message with respect to female empowerment.

There was a method to his selection process that also included tracks that perfectly illustrated the possibility for creating a

n “Simply put, Beyoncé is the queen and Beethoven is the king,” Hackman said. One might ask, “The king and queen of what?” It’s a fair question. And the answer is dance music.

fusion experience between Beyoncé and Beethoven. All in all, Hackman’s list runs the gamut from Beyoncé’s “Crazy In Love” solo debut, to her most recent album “Cowboy Carter.”

Hackman and his musical team premiered the work last week in Indianapolis.

“It proved that Beethoven’s 7th [Symphony] was the right piece to act as a canvas onto which these fusions would overlay – and I’m so excited about it.”

He was eager to point out that the 7th Symphony was famously called the apotheosis of dance by famed composer Richard Wagner.

“It’s one of the most joyful, energetic, frenetic pieces and it’s Beethoven interpolating all of the dance rhythms of the day – and doing it in the way only he can,” Hackman said.

“And Beyoncé has done that with all her albums. Dance is such a huge part of who she is as an artist and of her music. And with different albums she takes on different forms of music and different styles.”

At the same time that Hackman was matriculating through his classical training, he kept his finger on the pulse of popular music and other genres as he developed his skills as a singer/ songwriter.

“That notion of, ‘do we, or do we not have to pick a side,’ is at the crux of my personal artistic identity and journey,” Hackman said. “And it continues to be a dilemma for me, because there are so many things that I want to do within music and they are spanning across these two possibly parallel, but separate tracks.

As much as people have advised me that I have to pick one, I’ve never been willing to relinquish one side of me. I have rebelled against that idea from the very beginning.”

The more he brings the worlds

together, the more he sees their similarities.

“If we take this far enough, they can all be a part of the same musical landscape – and I can find a way to do it all.”

He proves as much with this work.

“The second movement of the 7th Symphony is the probably most perfect movement ever composed,” Hackman said. “It’s mournful, but it’s beautiful – and that’s what I paired with ‘Halo.’ The dialogue between Beyoncé and Beethoven that I had hoped for and the respective deepening for the other’s music that I was hoping for, I do think was achieved.”

According to him, a fusion of Beethoven’s 7th Symphony and the music of Beyonce played by a world-class orchestra and six phenomenal guest artists – bass, drums, piano, guitar and three vocalists is an easy sell.

“The magic is how it is going to be in how it will all be mixed together,” said Hackman. “Every combination is explored. The ratio of how much of this is Beethoven and how much is Beyonce is constantly shifting.”

SLSO will present Steve Hackman’s “Beethoven X Beyoncé” at 7 p.m. on Sunday, June 23rd at the Stifel Theatre. For tickets and/or additional information, visit www.slso.org.

Photo by Tyler Small

Civil rights icon Rev. James Lawson Jr. passes at 95

Risked life as Freedom Rider and in Selma

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire

Rev. James Lawson Jr., a foundational figure in the Civil Rights Movement and an original Freedom Rider, passed away at 95, his family announced on Monday, June 10, 2024.

Lawson, who dedicated his life to advocating nonviolent protest, died on June 9 in Los Angeles following a short illness.

Lawson’s commitment to nonviolence and civil rights profoundly impacted the movement. He was a close adviser to Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., who hailed him as “the leading theorist and strategist of nonviolence in the world.”

During a three-year stay in India, Lawson’s studies of Mohandas K. Gandhi’s independence movement significantly influenced his understanding of nonviolent resistance.

Born in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, on September 22, 1928, and raised in Massillon, Ohio, Lawson’s early experiences with racism and the contrasting influences of his parents—his father, an itinerant African Methodist Episcopal minister, and his Jamaican-born mother, who believed in resolving conflicts peacefully—shaped his lifelong commitment to nonviolent resis-

tance. At age 10, an incident where he slapped a white child who had insulted him was a pivotal moment. His mother’s admonishment that love and intelligence were stronger than hate left an indelible mark on him.

Lawson’s activism began in earnest as an Ohio Oberlin College student. After spending 13 months in prison for refusing to register for the draft during the Korean War, he met King in 1957. The two young pastors quickly bonded over their admiration for Gandhi’s ideas. King urged Lawson to use these ideas in the American South due to his firsthand experiences.

In 1960, Lawson orchestrated sit-ins that led to the desegregation of public accommodations in Nashville, one of the first major Southern cities to do so.

His workshops trained activists, including future leaders like John Lewis, Marion S. Barry, Diane Nash, James Bevel, and Bernard Lafayette, to withstand violent reactions from white authorities.

n “If Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was our modern-day Christ, James Lawson was John the Baptist.”

Lawson’s activism placed him at the heart of several key events in the civil rights movement. In 1961, he was one of the first Freedom Riders arrested in Jackson, Mississippi, for attempting

to integrate interstate bus and train travel.

During the 1965 “Bloody Sunday” march in Selma, Alabama, he was among the protesters beaten by authorities at the Edmund Pettus Bridge. In 1968, while pastoring in Memphis, he persuaded King to support the city’s striking sanitation workers. King’s assassination followed shortly after, and years later, Lawson visited James Earl Ray, King’s convicted assassin, in prison. Lawson ministered to Ray and publicly supported theories suggesting Ray had been framed. Throughout his career, Lawson remained steadfast in his commitment to nonviolence, even as segments of the Black community shifted towards militancy and separatism. His activism extended beyond civil rights

The Rev. James LawsonJr., a foundational figure in the civil rights movement, passed away at age 95 on Sunday June 9, 2024, in Los Angeles. The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. called his confidant Lawson ““the leading theorist and strategist of nonviolence in the world.”

to include opposition to the Vietnam War, support for labor unions, gay rights, expanded abortion access, and liberalized immigration policies.

In 1974, Lawson became the senior pastor of Holman United Methodist Church in Los Angeles, where he served until his retirement in 1999. His teachings continued through his role as a visiting professor at Vanderbilt University, which had expelled him 46 years earlier for his activism. Vanderbilt invited him back in 2006 and requested his papers for their archives.

Rev. Lawson is survived by his wife, Dorothy Wood, his son, John C. Lawson II, a brother, and three grandchildren. His son, C. Seth Lawson, died in 2019. His life and work are a testament to the nonviolent resistance’s power and the ongoing struggle for social justice.

“If Dr. King was our modern-day Christ, James Lawson was John the Baptist,” Rev. Mark Thompson stated.

Photo by Michael Swan / The Catholic Register

CHURCH PLACE

SPACE AVAILABLE

Beautiful space available that’s perfect for church services, located in Bellefontaine Neighbors. Available times for worship service are Sundays at 12:30 -3:30pm, Bible study time can be on Tuesday or on Thursday 6:30 – 9pm. For more info email us at rosewhitehead1@ gmail.com

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC) has openings for multiple positions. To apply online and see a full job description go to https://www. developstlouis.org/ careers and click “Open Positions & Apply Online.”

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST FOR OUR SUMMER CAMP

Gene Slay’s Girls & Boys Club seeks a part-time

Youth Development Specialist for our Summer Camp. The Youth Development Specialist (YDS) is passionate about working with youth and is responsible for the delivery and implementation of program activities in accordance with the estab- lished program plan. The YDS fosters an environ- ment of positive outcomes for youth and promotes the development of academic, physical, intellec- tual and emotional potential of our members. To be successful in this position, you must possess knowledge of human development and trends in youth development; have 2 – 3 years previous experience working with children and youth in a group setting; high School diploma or equivalen- cy, required; Associates or Bachelor’s Degree in Education, Human Services, Psychology, preferred and have the ability to organize and supervise members in a supportive and safe environment. This position may be financed in part through an allocation of Community Development Block Grant funds from the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the City of St. Louis Community Development Administration.

To see the full job posting and submit your resume, visit: https://www.gsgbcstl.org/job- openings/

INDIVIDUAL GIVING MANAGER

Forest Park Forever has a position open for an Individual Giving Manager. The position is responsible for cultivating and maintaining relationships with individual donors to secure financial support to advance the mission and objectives of Forest Park Forever. Please visit https://www.forestparkforever.org/jobs for full details and to apply online.

APPLICATIONS SOUGHT CHIEF OF THE FIRE DISTRICT

AFFTON FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MISSOURI

The Affton Fire Protection District of St. Louis County, Missouri, will be accepting applications/resumes for the position of Chief of the Fire Protection District and EMS. This is a full time regular, exempt position. The Applicant selected shall possess strong communication skills and team-building abilities. Applications/ Resumes for the position of Fire Chief will be accepted June 10th, 2024, through July 10th, 2024. Applications/Resumes will be accepted between the hours of 9am and 4pm at the Law Office of Hammond & Shinners, P.C., located at 13205 Manchester Road, Ste. 210, Des Peres, MO 63131. Applications/Resumes should be addressed to the attention of Daniel M. McLaughlin. In lieu of in-person delivery of applications/resumes can be emailed to Daniel McLaughlin at dmclaughlin@hammondshinners.com

Required and preferred certification, education, and experience qualifications include the following:

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Firefighter I and II certification, by the St. Louis County Fire Standards Commission

• Fire Officer I and II certification, by the Missouri Division of Fire Safety

• Fire Service Instructor I certification, by the Missouri Division of Fire Safety

• Ten (10) years of broad and increasingly responsible fire service operations, EMS, rescue, and related experience

• Three (3) years administrative/supervisor experience as Chief, Fire Marshal, Assistant Chief, Division Chief, Deputy Chief, Battalion Chief or Captain.

• NIMS Compliant – IMS 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, 800

• Bachelor’s degree in Fire Science, or Public Administration, or related field, from an accredited college or university, or a combination of education and experience

• Current Emergency Medical Technician or Paramedic License

• Valid Drivers’ License

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Fire Service Instructor II certification, by the Missouri Division of Fire Safety

• Master’s degree in public administration or business

• Current Paramedic License

• Demonstrated leadership skills

• Strong Background in EMS and ALS management and operations

• Executive Fire Officer or Chief Fire Officer designation

For any additional questions relative to the application process, please contact Daniel M. McLaughlin at (314) 727-1015, or via email at dmclaughlin@hammondshinners.com

GUARDIAN AD LITEM –FAMILY COURT - JUVENILE DIVISION

litem experience are highly preferred), and completion of necessary guardian ad litem training as required by the Supreme Court of Missouri. Note: This position is subject to continued availability of funding.

To apply, please send a current resume, along with a cover letter, to SLCCourtJobs@courts.mo.gov or to the following address (application materials must be postmarked by July 12, 2024): Family Court of St. Louis County, Attn: Human Resources Department, 105 S. Central Ave., Clayton, MO 63105. EOE. Please contact the Human Resources Department at 615-4471 (voice) or RelayMo 711 or 800-735-2966 if you need any accommodations in the application process, or if you would like this posting in an alternative form.

JR80209 Graduate Program Coordinator (Hybrid) - Biomedical Engineering

This position is responsible for developing an admission development strategy for attracting high quality Ph.D. candidates to a top-ranked department of biomedical engineering (BME), building the program’s brand and creating new paths to improve professional development opportunities for those students. The role will be responsible for organizing recruiting events and interviews, responsible for organizing department-specific orientation events, and contributing to 1st year experience of matriculating PhD student body. The ideal candidate will meet the following required qualifications: High school diploma or equivalent high school certification. Three years of relevant experience.

Career Fair – Medical School Operations and Facilities Management

Washington University in St. Louis will be hosting a career fair on June 29th from 9AM-12PM for our Medical School Operations and Facilities Management Department. Seeking candidates for roles in: Public Safety, Custodial Services, Mailroom, Painters, Plumbers, Electricians, HVAC Techs, General Maintenance, Engineers, Accountants, Data Analysts, Admin Assistants, Customer Service Reps and MORE!

Interview on the spot with hiring managers and speak with staff about your skills.

When: Saturday, June 29, 2024 from 9 AM – 12 PM

Where: Eric P. Newman Education Center (EPNEC) – 320 S Euclid Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110

Parking: Metro Garage – 4560 Nash Way, St. Louis, MO 63110. Parking is free during the event.

Register: https://tinyurl.com/WashUCareer

INVITATION TO BID

Sealed bids will be received by the Valley Park School District at the VPSD Administrative Office, One Main Street, Valley Park, MO 63088 until Monday, July 1, 2024, at 2:00PM CST, for the following projects: Bid Package #6 – Campus Security Door Hardware. No less than the prevailing hourly wage rates determined by the State of Missouri, Division of Labor Standards, shall be paid to all workers employed on this project. The district reserves the right to waive technicalities, to select any contractor filing a proposal, and to reject any or all bids. Drawings & specifications can be accessed via Custom Blueprint & Supply’s Plan Room: https://customblueprint-supply. com/plan-room/ Username: Wachterbidder Password: VPSDbidder then complete the login with your contact information. Bidders may obtain printed copies at their own expense.

TO ADVERTISE YOUR BID, PUBLIC NOTICE, SUMMARY, OR REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL EMAIL

Angelita Houston at ahouston@stlamerican.com

NOTICE TO CONSULTANTS

The St. Louis County Department of Transportation and Public Works is requesting the services of a highlyqualified consulting engineering firm to perform professional engineering services for the West Florissant Avenue -Lucas-Hunt to STL City Limits project-St. Louis County Project No. AR-1876, Federal Project No. STBG-5606(607). Full details for this project, including submittal requirements and deadline, will be available on June 10, 2024 from the St. Louis County Vendor Self-Service portal: https:// stlouiscountymovendors .munisselfservice.com/ Vendors/default.aspx

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS COMPREHENSIVE CLIMATE ACTION PLAN

East-West Gateway is seeking submittals from consultants to develop a Comprehensive Climate Action Plan for the St. Louis, MO-IL MSA. Submittals are due no later than 1:00 p.m. on July 10, 2024. Submittal details and specifications can be obtained at www.ewgateway.org

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Sealed bids for the New Florissant Road Resurfacing project, St. Louis County Project No. AR-1796, Federal Project No. STP5595(618), will be received electronically thru the County’s Vendor Self Service portal at https:// stlouiscountymovendors. munisselfservice.com/ Vendors/default.aspx, until 2:00 PM on July 10, 2024 Plans and specifications will be available on June 10, 2024 from the St. Louis County Web Site (www. stlouiscountymo.gov) or by contacting Cross Rhodes Print & Technologies, 2731 South Jefferson Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63118 (314) 678-0087.

ACTING DIRECTOR OF PROCUREMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES ST. LOUIS COUNTY

NOTICE REGARDING TRAFFIC COURT COMMISSIONER VACANCY

TO ALL ATTORNEYS RESIDING IN ST. LOUIS

COUNTY, MISSOURI

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

The Circuit Judges and Associate Judges will make the appointment for a term of (4) years, at an annual salary of (1/3) of an associate circuit judge and (1/3) the approximate time commitment, payable by the State of Missouri, pursuant to RSMo §479.500

Missouri law requires the Traffic Court Commissioner(s) to possess the same qualifications as an associate circuit judge, including those set forth in the Missouri Constitution, Article V, Section 21, to wit, they must be qualified voters of the state, residents of St. Louis County, Missouri, at least twenty-five years old, licensed to practice law in Missouri; and possess all other qualifications as required by law. (See RSMo §479.500).

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

Completed questionnaires must be submitted in writing to St. Louis County Circuit Court, ATTN: Human Resources, 105 S. Central Avenue, Clayton, Missouri 63105, or via email to SLCCourtJobs@ courts.mo.gov on or before June 28, 2024

The appointment is scheduled to take place upon a vote of the Court en Banc on or about July 10, 2024 or at such time as announced by the Presiding Judge. EOE. Please contact the Human Resources Department at 615-4471 (voice) or RelayMo 711 or 800-735-2966 if you need any accommodations in the application process, or if you would like this posting in an alternative form.

DESTINATION DISCOVERY ART II RFP 2024

The Saint Louis Zoo seeks bids from qualified firms to submit proposals. Bid documents are available as of 6/12/24 on the Saint Louis Zoo website: stlzoo.org/vendor

NOTICE TO CONSULTANTS

The St. Louis County Department of Transportation and Public Works is requesting the services of a highlyqualified consulting engineering firm to perform professional engineering services for the Old Halls Ferry Road - New Halls Ferry to Vaile project-St. Louis County Project No. AR-1899, Federal Project No. STBG-5610(610).

Full details for this project, including submittal requirements and deadline, will be available on June 10, 2024 from the St. Louis County Vendor Self-Service portal: https:// stlouiscountymovendors. munisselfservice.com/ Vendors/default.aspx

PUBLIC NOTICE

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

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Replace Siding at Dillard Mill State Historic Site, Project No. X23MP-01, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, July 9, 2024 via MissouriBUYS. Bidders must be registered to bid.

Project information available at: http://oa.mo. gov/facilities

SEALED BIDS

Bids for New Premium Campsites Weston Bend State Park, Project No. X2221-01, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 7/16/24. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http:// oa.mo.gov/ facilities

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

PARIC Corporation is seeking proposals for the following project: DELMAR DIVINE PHASE II, located at 5535 Delmar Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63112.

This project is the historic rehabilitation and conversion of historic Buildings 3, 4, 5A, and 5B of the former St. Luke’s Hospital Complex to house 81 market rate apartment units, support amenities office suites, indoor parking, exterior parking. and rooftop amenities space, utilizing state and historic tax credits. The elevator, fire protection, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical scopes have been awarded as part of a separate bid effort. We are currently soliciting bids for the following scopes: DEMOLITION, CONCRETE, MASONRY RESTORATION, STRUCTURAL STEEL, ROUGH AND FINISH CARPENTRY, CASEWORK, MEMBRANE ROOFING, SHEET METAL FLASHING AND TRIM, FIRESTOPPING, JOINT SEALANTS, DOORS, FRAMES, AND HARDWARE, OVERHEAD DOORS, ENTRANCES AND STOREFRONTS, ALUMINUM WINDOWS, DRYWALL, INTERIOR FINISHES, SIGNAGE, TOILET ACCESSORIES, FIRE PROTECTION SPECIALTIES, POSTAL SPECIALTIES, WARDROBE AND CLOSET SPECIALTIES, APPLIANCES, WINDOW TREATMENTS, FACILITY CHUTES, EARTHWORK, ASPHALT PAVING, FENCES AND GATES, LANDSCAPING, AND SITE UTILITIES.

Access to documents is available from our Smartbid link. If you do not receive a bid invitation, please send your company information to tlalexander@paric.com

A PREBID meeting will be held on Wednesday, 6/12 at 9:00am at the project site.

Questions / RFI’s are due to Paric by June 26th, 2024.

BIDS WILL BE DUE ON July 9th, 2024 @ 2:00pm.

Send all questions to Grant Whitson (gwhitson@ paric.com).

This project will have prevailing wage requirements.

Goals for Construction Business Enterprise

• 21% African American • 11% Women

.5% Asian American • .5% Native American • 2% Hispanic American

Goals for Workforce (field) participation • 25% Minority • 7% Women • 20% Apprentice • 23% City of St Louis Resident

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

PARIC CORPORATION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

SEALED BID

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Marina Wastewater System Improvements at Harry S Truman State Park, Project No. X2308-01, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, July 11, 2024 via MissouriBUYS. Bidders must be registered to bid. Project information available at: http://oa.mo. gov/facilities

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Replace 29 Basic Sites with 25 New Premium Sites at Lake of the Ozarks State Park, Project No. X2316-01, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, July 18, 2024 via MissouriBUYS. Bidders must be registered to bid. Project information available at: http://oa.mo. gov/facilities

OA-FMDC, State of MO will have the following ARPA funded construction projects across the state available for public bid throughout 2024, subject to available funding. Schedule and bid documents will be available at https://oa.mo.gov/facilities/ C2318-02 Farmington Corr. Ctr, Water/ Wastewater (WW) Improvs C2318-03 Licking South Central Corr. Ctr., W/W Improvs F2302-01 MO St Fair Improvs to Storm W/W Collection H2314-01 Waverly Youth Ctr Replace HVAC & BAS M2301-01 NW MO Psych Rehab Ctr ADA Upgrades M2301-02 SE MO Mental Health ADA Upgrades M2301-03 St Louis Forensic ADA Upgrades M2307-01 Bellefontaine Hab Ctr Replace Boiler & HVAC M2329-01 Springfield Reg Office Bldg HVAC Renov. O2366-01 Supreme Court Bldg Install Emergency Generator T2301-02 Camp Clark Training Site 1 Connect Sewer Sys to City of Nevada Sewer X2301-01 Babler St Park Connect Utility to American Water & Rebuild Lagoon X2303-01 Meramec St Park Convert Lagoon to Sprayfield X2304-02 Echo Bluff St Park W/W Improvs X2304-03 Montauk St Park W/W Improvs X2305-02 Knob Noster St Park W/W Improvs

X2305-03 Bothwell Lodge St Historic Site, W/W Improvs X2305-04 Confederate Memorial St Historic Site W/W X2306-02 Onondaga Cave St Park W/W Improvs X2306-03 Meramec St Park W/W X2307-02 Lake Ozark St Park, W/W X2310-01 St Francois St Park, Convert Lagoon to Sprayfield

X2321-01 Graham St Park Improvs to W/W Sys. X2322-01

St. LouiS american Bids & Public Notices

LETTING #8775

GENAIRE DRIVE CONCRETE PAVEMENT REPLACEMENT

Electronic bids submitted through the Bid Express Online Portal will be received by the Board of Public Service until 1:45 PM, CT, on JULY 16, 2024, then publicly opened and read. Proposals must be submitted electronically using the “Bid Express Online Portal” at https://www.bidexpress. com/businesses/20618/home. The bidder must pay $40 to submit a bid through the Bid Express service. Monthly subscriptions are available.

Plans, Specifications, and the Agreement may be examined online through Bid Express at https://www.bidexpress.com/ businesses/20618/home?agency=true and may be downloaded for free.

A pre-bid conference for all contractors bidding on this project will be held June 27, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. The pre-bid conference will be held in City Hall, 1200 Market Street, Room #305, St. Louis, Missouri 63103. Bidders shall comply with all applicable City, State, and Federal laws (including MBE/WBE policies).

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

REQUEST FOR BIDS

Great Rivers Greenway is requesting bids for Construction Management for Mississippi Greenway: Kiener Plaza Improvements. Go to www. greatriversgreenway.org/ jobs-bids for more information and submit by July 03, 2024.

REQUEST FOR BIDS

Great Rivers Greenway is hiring a Conservation Program Manager. Go to www. greatriversgreenway. org/jobs-bids for more information.

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Improvements to Water and Wastewater Systems Infrastructure, St. James Veterans Home, Project No. U2309-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, June 25, 2024. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http:// oa.mo.gov/ facilities

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Minor Renovations for Infection Control, Cameron Veterans Home, Project No. U230203 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, July 9, 2024. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/facilities

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Replace Fire Alarm System, Infrastructure at Algoa Correctional Center, Project No. C2315-01, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, July 16, 2024 via MissouriBUYS. Bidders must be registered to bid. Project information available at: http://oa.mo.gov/ facilities

REQUEST FOR BIDS

KCI is requesting subcontract bids and/or material quotes from qualifying woman and minority enterprises for the Reconstruction of Taxilane C at Lambert International Airport for the City of St. Louis. Interested parties should contact the KCI office at (314) 894-8888 or sferrenbach@ kciconstruction.com. Subcontractor/Supplier bids are due in our office by 6/24/25.

PUBLIC NOTICE

Donald Maggi Inc. is accepting bids from Disadvantaged Business Enterprises for subcontracting opportunities on the Improvements to Water and Wastwater System Infrastructure

Project No.: U2309-01

Bid Date and Time: 1:30 pm, June 25, 2024

Plans/Specification is available via Dropbox or google drive or www.adsplanroom.net

Contact Donald Maggi Inc. at 573-364-7733 or email maggiconst@gmail.com Donald Maggi Inc.

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Sewer System, Battle of Athens State Historic Site, Project No. X2302-04 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 6/27/24. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/facilities

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Construct Bellefontaine Readiness Center, St. Louis, MO, Project No. T2150-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 7/11/24 For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http:// oa.mo.gov/ facilities

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Wappapello Training Site - Design & Construct Lagoon Expansion, Project No. T2317-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, June 27, 2024. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http:// oa.mo.gov/ facilities

Advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, imitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial\ status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination. “We will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.” Call Angelita Houston at 314-289-5430 or email ahouston@stlamerican.com to place your ads today!

INVITATION FOR BIDS

COMMUNITY

ACTION AGENCY

OF ST. LOUIS COUNTY, INC. (CAASTLC) LOW

INCOME

WEATHERIZATION PROGRAM (LIWAP)

CAASTLC is accepting sealed bids to provide labor and materials for its residential weatherization program. LIWAP (made available through CAASTLC) is federally funded and administered by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) through the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

This weatherization grant is funded through the DOE and is subject to all its provisions. Bid packages will be available to be picked up at CAASTLC starting Monday, 6/17/2024, at 9:00 a.m. and will be available for downloading on CAASTLC’s homepage at https://www.caastlc.org

CAASTLC will have a Pre-bid Conference, via online Zoom Conference, on Tuesday, 6/25/2024, at 2:00 p.m. for questions, etc. The meeting link for this Conference will be available on CAASTLC’s homepage (https://www.caastlc.org/) the day of the Conference and the login attendee ID and password for this Conference will be in the bid packages.

Bids must be sealed, marked “LIWAP – DNR Sealed Bid” and delivered to CAASTLC, Inc., 2709 Woodson Road, St. Louis, MO 63114, no later than 5:00 p.m., Monday, 7/01/2024.

Bids will be opened and read publicly, via online Zoom Conference, at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, 7/02/2024, at CAASTLC’s main office. The meeting link for this Conference will be available on CAASTLC’s homepage (https://www.caastlc.org/) the day of the bid opening and the login attendee ID and password for this Conference will be in the bid packages.

REQUEST FOR BIDS

Bids for the Dual Brand Hotel Kimpton/Staybridge Revision 1 in St Louis, Missouri are being received by Brinkmann Constructors. Bids must be turned in by Monday, June 24 – 12PM CST

Bids may be delivered to our office at 16650 Chesterfield Grove Rd Chesterfield, MO 63005

Attn Chris Kaintz or emailed to bids@ BrinkmannConstructors. com

Plans may be viewed or downloaded at https://securecc. smartinsight.co/#/ PublicBidProject/759576

Contact Brinkmann Constructors for further details on the project at 636-537-9700

White House on “The Today Show” and during the World Series.

“Mike came in and he’s so humble. Dylan is so laid back,” Brian said. “Immediately it was like old friends reconnecting and making something meaningful.”

“For me, this was a vocal connection made in heaven,” Thomas Owens added. “And his humility was just a blessing for me.”

The album also features the late David Sanborn, a personal friend of Brian’s. The Kirkwood native played a saxophone solo on Brian and Thomas Owens’ rendition of “Bridge Over Troubled Waters.”

“It felt like we weren’t there just to make a record,” Brian Owens said of recording with Ferguson native Michael McDonald, his son Dylan and Brian’s dad Thomas. “We were all engaged in a meaningful experience that was transcendent of what was happening in that moment.”

Sunday will also be about more than them and their new music.

“We will be celebrating fatherhood – celebrating the men who have stepped up and been in our lives and take up that mantle. Especially God, the

Father,” Brian Owens said. “It’s not about me and dad. There is a Father who loves us more than our earthly fathers could ever imagine.”

Both Thomas and Brian Owens have used fatherhood as a demonstration of Christ’s love. Brian watched Thomas Owens sing in gospel groups and preach the Word while working for Nestle Ralston for 40 years. Thomas

Owens passed up opportunities that could have resulted in mainstream musical success.

“I chose to be with my family,” Thomas said. “The sacrifice would have been if I had made a different choice. I had the opportunity to be with my family – that was the only choice for me.”

He now gets to do what he loves full-time – and it is a family affair.

“I’m excited to be at this place in life. I’m excited to be at this place with my dad alive,” Brian said. “I wish my mom was here to see it, because she would have flipped.”

Brian also had the opportunity to present his gifts on national and international platforms, but was obedient to the call of using music and mentorship to promote healing at home.

“I don’t have any regrets about letting go of certain ambitions or no longer chasing all the stuff that was out there in the industry,” Owens said. “When I look at my kids and know that I have been blessed to watch them grow up, the artists that I have been able to mentor and the meaningful music I have made – and that I have a video that touches and helps people in some

“We will be celebrating fatherhood – celebrating the men who have stepped up and been in our lives and take up that mantle. Especially God, the Father. It’s not about me and dad. There is a Father who loves us more than our earthly fathers could ever imagine.”

- Brian Owens

way – that’s my Grammy.” Brian doesn’t see their current experience as living a dream, but rather that his father, his family and him are experiencing what it is like to “live God’s reality for our lives.”

“Live every moment that He gives you to the full extent,” Thomas Owens said. “Capture the moment. I think that’s what our music does. It engages people to capture His blessings and live in the full moment of them to the extent in which God, our Father, gives them to you.”

The 2nd Annual Duets with Dad Concert featuring Brian and Thomas Owens will take place at 6 p.m. on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 16 at The Sheldon Concert Hall, 3648 Washington Blvd. For tickets visit www. metrotix.com or call (314) 534-1111.

Empowering homebuyers

Stifel Bank & Trust’s Affordable Mortgage Solutions

Stifel Bank & Trust strives to strengthen our community by making purchasing a home more accessible through transformative programs aimed at reducing the barriers to homeownership. Saving up money to cover a down payment in addition to the expense of purchasing a home is a challenge for many potential homebuyers. The Stifel Bank & Trust Affordable Mortgage Program (AMP) and MHDC’s First Place Program are reshaping home buying, making owning a home a reality for more and more individuals and families.

Stifel Bank & Trust’s commitment to affordability lies in our Affordable Mortgage Program, designed to alleviate the financial burden of closing costs and prepaid items for qualified homebuyers. With a contribution from Stifel Bank & Trust of up to $7,500, our borrowers significantly reduce their total cash outlay, easing the path to homeownership without the obligation of repayment. “By shouldering a portion of these upfront expenses, Stifel Bank & Trust empowers prospective homeowners to take the crucial step towards securing their dream property with greater ease and confidence,” said Daulton Hillemann, a Stifel Bank & Trust mortgage lender.

“By shouldering a portion of these upfront expenses, Stifel Bank & Trust empowers prospective homeowners to take the crucial step towards securing their dream property with greater ease and confidence.”

Complementing AMP is the MHDC First Place Program, a lifeline for first-time homebuyers navigating the real estate market. This initiative extends a helping hand through affordable interest rates and offers a Cash Assistance Payment (CAP) to further purchasing power. With a grant equivalent to 4% of the loan amount, aspiring homeowners receive support for down payment and closing costs, paving the way for a smoother and more affordable home buying journey. The program’s flexibility, accommodating various mortgage options including Conventional, FHA, VA, or USDA loans, ensures that individuals from diverse backgrounds may find a suitable financing solution tailored to their unique circumstances.

Stifel Bank & Trust’s Mortgage Loan Officers are committed to personalized service and expert guidance derived from years of working with clients through many different scenarios, including medical or other debt, credit scores, and mortgage qualifying criteria. With a team of seasoned lenders at the helm, clients are guided through the lending process, empowering them with the knowledge and resources needed to make informed decisions. Whether assisting first-time buyers in navigating the complexities of mortgage financing or guiding seasoned homeowners through the refinancing process, Stifel Bank & Trust stands as a trusted partner, providing comprehensive support across every facet of home finance.

In a city where the desire for homeownership is a fundamental part of the culture, Stifel Bank & Trust is making a difference by offering access to affordable housing and promoting financial empowerment. Through our commitment to integrity and excellence, Stifel Bank & Trust works to change lives and enhances communities, one home at a time.

As St. Louis continues to evolve and thrive, Stifel Bank & Trust remains steadfast in its mission to make homeownership a reality. With our dedication to customer satisfaction, we look forward to a bright, inclusive future where every individual has the opportunity to unlock the doors to their dream home.

Get started here: www.StifelMortgage.com or call (314) 317-6926 for additional information. Stifel Bank & Trust, NLMS #375103

Maximum lender contribution of $7,500 is subject to limitations of selected loan type – FHA, Conventional or VA. Additional eligibility requirements apply. FHA – closing cost contribution limited to the lesser of actual costs incurred or 6% of the sale price. Conventional – closing cost contribution limited to the lesser of the actual costs incurred or 3% (10% down), 6% (10 – 24.99%), or 9% (25% or more) of sale price. VA – closing cost contribution limited to the lesser of actual costs

See STIFEL, D3

Why and how homeowners build equity

By Evette Baker, Community Home Loan Originator, Commerce Bank

We all know that buying a home is a significant investment. In addition to saving for a down payment and closing costs when you purchase a home, homeowners also have ongoing expenses like property taxes, homeowner’s insurance, maintenance and repairs.

But while buying can be pricier than renting, home ownership offers several financial advantages. The biggest are the potential for creating substantial home equity and increasing your net worth over time.

What is home equity?

down payment. He now has 20% home equity, and with each monthly mortgage payment, James’ equity will increase.

What are the benefits of home equity?

People who build equity in their homes typically have more control over their financial future.

First, homeowners can access their available equity by selling the house or borrowing against it using a home equity loan or home equity line of credit. You might do this to:

• Eliminate high-interest debt.

• Cover home renovation costs.

• Pay for higher education expenses.

• Pay for unexpected expenses without depleting savings.

Home equity is the difference between the current market value of a home and the amount owed on the property. Said another way, equity is equal to the home’s current fair-market value minus the mortgage or debt owned.

Owning a home allows you to transform a mortgage (debt) into equity (ownership) over time, unlike traditional purchases like cars that simply deplete resources. Let’s say Paula just made her last mortgage payment on a 30-year mortgage; if she has no other loans or liens on the property, she now has 100% home equity. If Paula decides to sell her home, she will keep all of the proceeds from the sale after paying closing costs and realtor commissions.

For another example, let’s say James purchased a $500,000 home a few months ago, using a $100,000 inheritance to make the

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incurred or 4% of the sale price. Borrower may be required to participate in homeownership education program.

First-time homebuyers are defined as those persons who have not owned a home or had an ownership interest in a primary residence for the past three years. The amounts indicated for MHDC price and income limits are based on 1-2 occupants 18+. Limits may

It’s important to note that the ups and downs of the real estate market can both stall or speed equity growth. Fortunately, there are practical strategies you can implement to increase the value of your biggest asset in spite of changing economic conditions.

How can I increase my home equity?

While you can’t control real estate values in your local market, there are several factors within your control that you can use to build home equity quickly.

1. Pay off your mortgage more quickly.

Paying the mortgage principal is the most reliable way to increase home equity. The larger the gap between the loan balance and See EQUITY, D7

increase if additional occupants are 18+.

Closing cost contribution provided by Stifel Bank & Trust does not require repayment. This is not an offer to lend, subject to approval and availability of program funding. Please contact your Stifel Bank & Trust Lender for loan program details. This information is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to extend consumer credit as defined by section 1026.2 of Regulation “Z.” Interest rate, program terms, and conditions are subject to change without notice.

Evette Baker

Midwest BankCentre offers mortgage relief

MBC offers 2% rate reduction for qualifying new mortgages and refinancing

Midwest BankCentre (MBC), the second-largest privately held community bank in the St. Louis region, is bringing mortgage relief to qualifying St. Louisans. MBC is among the first in the region to offer the just-announced Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) of Des Moines’ Mortgage Rate Relief product to St. Louis buyers and homeowners. This product offers a 2% rate reduction from the current market rate to home buyers or refinancing homeowners who earn up to 80% of the area’s median income, which

in St. Louis equals to $82,560 (per household). The FHLB has committed $25 million to this program, funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The program is scheduled to run until the $25 million is exhausted or through the end of 2024, whichever comes first.

Homeowners may combine this program with Home$tart, Beyond Housing’s down payment and closing cost assistance or other eligible down payment programs.

qualify for a home loan, or lower monthly payments for a more affordable mortgage.”

“At Midwest BankCentre, we believe everyone in our community deserves the opportunity to achieve their financial goals and improve their lives.” said Orvin Kimbrough, Midwest BankCentre’s Chairman and CEO. “This mortgage offer is designed to empower our community, whether the goal is to

As an example, a family today applying for a $250,000 mortgage would find the current market rate* at 7.125%. Dropping that rate by 2% will save that homeowner $116,200 over the life of a 30-year loan.

“By offering this product Midwest BankCentre is helping our local economy by creating home ownership or saving opportunities for more people,” said Mr. Kimbrough. “This further stimulates the demand for goods and services which benefits local businesses. We at Midwest BankCentre care about the communities we serve and offering this program is just one more way that we can support St.

Louis families.”

This product is only for the purchase or refinancing of owner-occupied 1-4 family residential properties with 30-year fixed conforming conventional loans. Private mortgage insurance is required.

The FHLB Des Moines is a bank for financial institutions – one of 11 regional banks that make up the Federal Home Loan Bank System. A member-owned cooperative, the FHLB Des Moines works with more than 1,200 financial institutions to support mortgage lending, economic development, and affordable housing.

To set up an appointment, interested home buyers and homeowners can find more information at learn.midwestbankcentre.com/mortgage-relief or contact us at 314-631-5500.

Orvin Kimbrough

Down payment assistance programs boost Black home ownership

Here is how to get help

By Sheryl Merritt

For Black consumers and first-time homebuyers, saving for a down payment can be a significant hurdle. Families and individuals can often manage a monthly mortgage but lack the upfront resources for a down payment. However, crucial programs are available that can assist homebuyers with their down payments, making homeownership more accessible.

The National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) provides answers to questions about down payment assistance programs and encourages more potential home buyers, including Black consumers, to identify and use them.

Black consumers must be made aware that these programs are available. Down payment assistance programs are usually funded by local, state, or even federal agencies that funnel the funds to institutions they partner with, expanding inclusivity in the homebuying process.

These programs can come in the form of loans or grants, depending on the specific program. Eligibility for these programs can differ. Often, you can earn no more than 80% of the area median income to qualify, but some programs allow up to 120% of median income.

BMO Financial Group works with NAREB on a Homebuyer Assistance Program for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBI) graduates. The program offers homebuyers $6,000 in down payment assistance and can be layered with other programs to receive up to $20,000 or more in assistance.

Eligible homebuyers must purchase their home in BMO’s footprint, including, but not limited to Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Milwaukee, Phoenix, Minneapolis, and Indianapolis.

NAREB partners, Bank of America and Wells Fargo, also offer down

Finding a down payment assistance program can help Black families secure a home, which can help their future financial security. These programs can come in the form of loans or grants.

payment assistance programs.

Here are some FAQs on down payment assistance:

What is down payment assistance?

Down payment assistance refers to programs designed to help homebuyers cover the cost of their down payment through grants, loans, or other financial aid. These programs are often aimed at first-time homebuyers, low-income individuals, or those purchasing in specific areas.

Who qualifies for down payment

assistance?

Eligibility for down payment assistance can vary widely depending on the program. Factors such as income level, credit score, property location, and whether the applicant is a first-time homebuyer are considered. Each program will have its specific criteria that must be met.

How do I apply for down payment assistance?

The application process typically involves completing an application form, providing documentation to prove eligibility (such as income statements and

credit reports), and sometimes attending educational courses on homeownership. It is essential to check the specific program requirements to which you are applying.

Are there several types of down payment assistance programs?

Yes, down payment assistance can come in various forms, including grants (which do not need to be repaid), forgivable loans (which are only repaid if certain conditions are not met), and low-interest or deferred payment loans. The type

Photo courtesy of NAREB

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of assistance available will depend on the specific program.

Do down payment assistance programs have to be repaid?

Some programs offer grants that do not need to be repaid, while others provide loans that may need to be repaid through monthly payments or when selling the home. Forgivable loans are loans that do not need to be repaid if the homeowner meets certain conditions, such as living in the house for a specified period.

Can down payment assistance be combined with other programs?

Sometimes, down payment assistance can be used with other homebuying programs, such as first-time homebuyer incentives or tax credits. It is essential to

consult with a mortgage advisor or housing counselor to understand how different programs can work together.

What are the eligibility criteria for assistance programs?

Eligibility criteria for down payment assistance programs vary widely depending on the program and location. Common factors often considered include the applicant’s income, credit score, employment history, and whether they are a first-time homebuyer. Some programs may also consider the location of the home being purchased and the overall cost of the house. It is crucial to review the specific requirements of each program to determine eligibility.

How does down payment assistance affect mortgage approval?

Down payment assistance can positively impact the mortgage approval process by reducing the money a buyer needs to save for the initial down payment. Buyers

may qualify for better mortgage terms and lower interest rates by having additional funds available. However, each lender may have different policies regarding the use of down payment assistance, so it is essential to inform your mortgage lender about any help you plan to receive and understand how it will be factored into your mortgage application.

Are there any restrictions on the type of home I can buy?

Some down payment assistance programs restrict the types of properties that qualify for assistance. These restrictions can include limitations on the purchase price, the property’s location, and the home’s condition. For example, some programs only offer assistance for single-family homes, while others might cover multi-family units or manufactured homes.

Additionally, certain programs might prioritize homes in specific geographic areas or those that require rehabilitation.

Always check the program’s guidelines to ensure your desired property meets the criteria.

How can I find out about programs in my area?

There are several ways to find down payment assistance programs in your area. Start by contacting local housing agencies or non-profit organizations specializing in homeownership assistance. Many states and municipalities have websites with information about local programs.

Additionally, speaking with a NAREB Realtor, mortgage advisor, or real estate agent can provide valuable insights into options.

You can go to https://downpaymentresource.com/ for help in finding down payment assistance programs in your area. Sheryl Merritt is CEO of New Legacy Realty Inc., in Raleigh-Durham North Carolina and a NAREB member.

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the property’s fair market value, the larger the home equity. There are lots of ways to pay off a mortgage early. For example, you could:

• Apply bonus paychecks and tax refunds to the principal balance.

• Round up the minimum payment to the nearest thousand dollars; for example,

Midwest

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About Midwest BankCentre

Midwest BankCentre’s current assets exceed $2.75 billion, and deposits total more than $2.29 billion as of quarter ended 12/31/2024. A mainstay of the greater St. Louis community banking scene since 1906, the Bank employs a staff of about 280 working at 17 bank locations in the City of St. Louis, St. Louis, Jefferson, and St. Charles counties in Missouri and St. Clair County in Illinois and 11 states throughout the United States. The Bank also opened a business production office in Kansas City, Missouri, in 2023. It empowers people, enables businesses, and energizes neighborhoods through the strength of its financial services, including personalized consumer and business banking, business cash management, mortgage lending, home equity loans, financial planning and investments, insurance, and digital banking.

Since 2001, Midwest BankCentre has consecutively achieved the Bauer Financial 5-Star Superior financial rating each quarter. The Bank has been recognized for its success in bringing access to reasonably priced capital to traditionally underserved markets and elevating financial inclusivity by addressing the banking needs of low- and moderate-income market customers who are often overlooked. Recent awards include the 2023 Innovation in Philanthropy Awards from the St. Louis Business Journal, the 2022 Champions of Diversity & Inclusion Award (for-profits) from the St. Louis Business Journal, and Energage’s 2021, 2022, and 2023 National Top Workplace overall award and awards for diversity, equity, and inclusion practices.

*Mortgage rates can change daily.

if your payment is $2,500, round it up to $3,000.

• Make an extra payment each year.

Before changing your mortgage payment, make sure to speak with your loan servicer to ensure that your extra payments will be applied to the principal balance versus interest.

2. Make property improvements.

As any fan of HGTV knows, making improvements to your home can have

a big impact on the home’s fair market value. An annual report by the Journal of Light Construction that compares national average remodeling costs to the amount recouped at sale identified four projects that provide at least a 100% return on investment:

• HVAC conversion (electrification)

• Garage door replacement

• Manufactured stone veneer

• Entry door replacement

The good news is that even if you’re

unable to make any home improvements, your home is likely to increase in value or appreciate over time due to rising home values across the United States.

So, consider purchasing a home or, if you’re already a homeowner, consider making improvements or paying off your mortgage more quickly. Building home equity now is a fantastic way to ensure you have access to significant cash when you need it most.

Here are five ways to increase your home’s value

You can up your future selling price

By Marcia Griffin Washington Informer

There are many rewards to homeownership. You have a place to call your own, you can leave a legacy to your family, and you have a vehicle for building wealth.

However, you may decide that you don’t want to stay in your current house forever. You may choose to move to a bigger house, you may want to relocate to a different city or state, or you may simply want to sell your house for a profit. If you do decide to sell, you want to get as much money for your house as you can. While you can’t control the real estate market, here are steps you can take to increase the odds that your house will increase in value over time.

Keep the outside looking good. While you may be focused on your kitchen or your family room, the way your home looks on the outside to those who are passing by can affect your house’s worth. Many people are willing to pay more for a house that is attractive to the eye. That also goes for the houses of your neighbors. Houses in neighborhoods where the grass is cut, bushes are trimmed and yards are neat are likely to command a higher sales price than houses that are unkept and appear to be neglected. By taking the time to beautify your outdoor surroundings, you can increase your home’s overall value.

Get rid of inside clutter. Not only can it help to make the outside look appealing, but it can have an influence on your home’s value if you pay attention to how it looks inside as well. If you’re trying to sell your house, potential buyers could be

turned off if they’re walking through and see closets stuffed with bags, clothes and other objects. Some potential buyers may not even realize why they’re turned off; they simply may feel like your house is not the one for them. When your house is free from clutter and your belongings are stored neatly, your home feels more comfortable. For a potential buyer, that extra comfort could be the one thing that drives them toward sealing the deal.

Advocate for stores, restaurants and leisure activities. Homeowners can benefit from Living near amenities. People like to have things to do. If your neighborhood has restaurants, stores and other places of leisure, you’re likely to attract buyers that would be willing to pay more money for your home. Neighborhoods near transportation hubs are also likely to attract more buyers. If you already own your home, pay attention to efforts to bring new amenities into your community

and support them.

Make renovations that make sense. You may be dreaming about renovating your kitchen, but there is another reason to make the effort: Some renovations can increase the value of your house because potential buyers might be willing to pay more because you made those renovations. Some renovations are more valuable than others. For example, credit scoring company Experian points out that renovating the kitchen and adding hardwood floors are among the changes that can make a big difference.

Make your home energy efficient. One thing that many buyers take into consideration when choosing a house is energy efficiency. If a house uses energy more efficiently that can translate into lower heating, cooling and maintenance costs for the buyer. There are a number of changes you can make to increase your

Installing new windows and glass-front storm doors can add future value to your home because many consumers in the housing market are looking for energy efficient residences.

home’s energy efficiency:

• You can upgrade to a smart thermostat that lets you adjust the temperature from anywhere.

• You can replace any windows where you notice drafts of air coming in.

• You can add insulation to your house.

Not only will you enjoy a more comfortable environment by making these changes, but you may also be able to get more for your house when it comes time to sell.

Buying your home is only the first part of the journey. You want to make sure your home is kept up so that you can protect your investment and make it grow. If you’re unsure of steps you can take to ensure your house retains and increases value, contact a Homeownership Advisor Your home is a key component to your long-term plan for wealth.

Marcia Griffin is the CEO and founder of HomeFree-USA.

Photo courtesy of Washington Informer