June 18th, 2026 edition

See the full list of Reader’s Choice winners

St. Louis American See page A12

The

JUNE 18 – 24, 2026

Serving, empowering and advocating for equity in St. Louis since 1928

stlamerican.com

Vol. 98 No. 10 COMPLIMENTARY

Juneteenth – STL remembers

Program helps fathers deepen family bonds

By Ashley Winters St. Louis American Learning how to stay calm under pressure and show up consistently for his children was one of the biggest lessons Mikhail Foster Sr. took away from six weeks in the Responsible Fatherhood program at Fathers & Families Support Center.

The father of six said the program challenged him to look inward, manage his emotions and strengthen his faith so he can be a better father and role model for his children.

“I have to stay positive for my kids,” Foster said.

“Everything starts “I have to with me.” stay posAs families itive for celebrate Father’s Day this weekend, my kids.

Everything research continto challenge starts with ues long-standing me” stereotypes about Black fatherhood. A – Mikhail landmark study by Foster Sr. the National Center for Health Statistics found that Black fathers are highly engaged in their children’s lives and, in several measures of daily caregiving, reported higher levels of involvement than white and Hispanic fathers.

Researchers found Black fathers were more likely to help young children with activities such as bathing, dressing and diapering and were often highly involved in daily routines such as reading, playing and helping with homework.

Studies have also linked positive father involvement to stronger social-emotional development, improved academic outcomes and healthier relationships for children.

For nearly three decades, Fathers & Families Support Center has worked to help fathers build on that involvement by strengthening parenting skills, improving communication and increasing emotional and

Photo by Lawrence Bryant / St. Louis American

Alyssa Harris paints the face of Dominique Walker, 1, as she sits with her mother, Tamara Beasley, during the Soulard Juneteenth event last weekend.

Four generations share how Juneteenth shaped their understanding of history

By Lauren Marisol Preston For The St. Louis American

Elizabeth Nash holds a family photo inside her home as she reflects on her family’s survival after the 1917 East St. Louis Race Massacre.

Elizabeth Nash was well into adulthood before she heard much about Juneteenth. Her family’s understanding of freedom began instead with survival — escaping the 1917 East St. Louis Race Massacre.

As Juneteenth celebrations draw thousands across the St. Louis region, Nash represents a generation of Black Americans who did not grow up observing the holiday, even as its themes shaped their lives.

“We lived it,” Nash said. “It wasn’t anything to celebrate.”

On June 19, 1865, Union troops arrived in

See Fathers, A11

See Freedom, A10

More Juneteenth coverage on pages A3, B1, B6-B9.

Photo by Lawrence Bryant / St. Louis American

St. Louis seeks to grow pipeline of skilled-trades workers

$8 million investment will help The Opportunity Trust expand career training

By Na’Porsha Williams St. Louis American Erion Johnson spends his summers teaching teenagers how to frame walls, wire electrical systems and work with the

tools of the construction trades.

As a fourth-generation carpenter and founder of Youth Builder STL, Johnson sees skilled trades as more than a career path.

He sees them as a way to

strengthen families, create opportunity and help rebuild neighborhoods.

His mission aligns with a new effort to expand skilled-trades training in St. Louis. The Opportunity Trust recently announced

BUSINESS

Centennial Christian Church awarded $3 million to rebuild The Federal Emergency Management Agency approved more than $77 million in post-disaster funding clearing the way to help Centennial Christian rebuild its tornado-destroyed North St. Louis worship center.

Page A5

it will receive $8 million over three years through a Bloomberg Philanthropies initiative aimed at helping high school students enter careers in construction, manufacturing and other skilled trades.

The funding will support the expansion of Next Prep, a program that connects students with technical training, industry credentials and apprenticeship opportunities while they are still in high school.

Johnson said the need for trained workers has become even more apparent since the May 16, 2025, tornado that damaged thousands of homes

See Workers, A10

LIVING IT

ETA Boule Foundation hosts Jeffrey Osborne A healthy dose of nostalgia was on display at An Evening with Jeffrey Osborne, presented by the ETA Boule Foundation as part of its 8th Annual Salute to Fathers and Mentors.

Page B1

Editorial / Commentary

A2

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • JUNE 18 – 24, 2026

Guest Editorial

Obama Center an investment in justice

Center offers a hopeful blueprint on growth

“This is an economic engine, not just for the South Side of Chicago … most certainly here, but it’s going to be an engine for the city and the region. It’s going to be a beacon of hope to the world at a time where I think we can all use a little hope.”

— Valerie Jarrett

By Marc Morial At a moment when a sitting president squanders resources on hollow symbols of personal aggrandizement, the Barack Obama Presidential Center stands as a transformative investment in community, economy and civic life.

I recently had the opportunity to visit the Obama Presidential Center, and I plan to attend its grand opening on Juneteenth.

I found it to be a powerful testament to leadership, community and the ongoing mission to create opportunity.

Rooted in the values of service, democracy and advancement, this critical space reminds us what’s possible when we invest in people, in hope and in shared progress.

President Obama has called the Center “a living destination for people who refuse to accept the status quo.”

Economic projections tied to the Center estimate hundreds of thousands of annual visitors and billions in long-term Photo by Fred Sweets / St. Louis American economic activity, with thousands of jobs The Barack Obama Presidential Center created during construction and ongoing operations. In communities that have space, human health, and the arts finds endured decades of disinvestment, that expression everywhere, for everyone; level of investment represents economic and the future appears collaborative and mobility for residents who have too often hopeful.” been left out of the wealth generated in More than a traditional presidential their own neighborhoods. library, the Center’s Forum includes Like Chicago, cities across the counthe Hadiya Pendleton Atrium, a media try are grappling with the challenge of suite for recording music and attracting investment while propodcasts and the Elie Wiesel tecting vulnerable communities Auditorium for performances and from displacement. The Obama lectures. The campus includes a Presidential Center is unfolding regulation-size basketball court, in real time as an example that a branch of the Chicago Public policymakers, advocates and Library and the Eleanor Roosevelt developers alike will study closeFruit and Vegetable Garden. The ly. campus playground even includes The Center can demonstrate Columnist a sledding hill; Michelle Obama that economic development and had always wished for one when equity are not competing goals Marc Morial she was growing up in the largely but complementary ones. It can flat neighborhood. show that inclusive planning, community The Obama Presidential Center is a input and enforceable protections can reminder that development can be a catproduce growth that benefits everyone.

Our own Urban League Empowerment alyst for both growth and justice. When we center community, honor history Center was conceived in this very same and invest with thoughtful intention, we spirit, with a projected economic impact can build institutions that uplift neighof $300 million right here in Harlem. borhoods rather than displace them. At But the Center’s mission, like our a time when our nation is searching for own, goes beyond economic impact. As models of progress that are inclusive and Chicago Tribune art critic Lori Waxman sustainable, the Center offers a hopeful wrote, “Visiting the OPC felt like being blueprint. in an alternate reality. One where people of diverse origin, ability, and belief Marc Morial is National Urban co-exist peacefully and productively; League president and CEO. the value of the environment, public

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The St. Louis American 2315 Pine St. St. Louis, MO 63103 314-533-8000

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Commentary

How the Democratic party lost its way called it the Rainbow Coalition, and the name itself was the argument.

Andrew fought for the working man The party of Andrew Jackson has and drew the circle around white men spent a decade running from him. It only. Jesse drew it around all of us. should keep the two things he got right.

They came for Jesse in 1984, and It was Andrew Jackson’s plantation, again in 1988. They came for outside Nashville. More than 300 Bernie Sanders in 2016, and again men, women and children were in 2020. Each time, the offense enslaved there. The ground is was the same: a candidate would sacred, and it is stained. The man not choose between fighting for who made it was a proponent — working people and fighting the and often an active participant — powers that prey on them. in nearly every vicious form of It is never what happens to one racism of his day. candidate that matters. It is the For that reason, the party pattern.

Columnist he founded has spent the last The pattern is a class of cordecade distancing itself from Ben Jealous porate consultants who hijacked him. Dinners renamed. Statues the party of the working man and removed. Traditions reconsidrented it back to the highest bidder. They ered. Most of Andrew Jackson’s legacy poll-tested the conviction out of it. They troubles me deeply. taught it to fear its own base and court its And yet. own predators..

His is the third-most-visited presidenWe climbed the mountial plantation in America. tain on race — the work of Presidents made the trip. generations, against fierce They came to pay homage to resistance, much of it our the man who founded a party So where did own. I gave my life to it. But to fight for working people. the party lose somewhere on the way up, we He was wrong about its way? It let go of the ground we started almost everything that matstrayed from from. Fighting for working ters. people and standing against the only two And yet, again. He was the powers that prey on them right about two things. things the two was not a plank. It was the Working people deserve Jacksons ever cornerstone. Pull the cornera party that will fight for agreed on... stone, and one day the house them. And they deserve a comes down. party with the courage to So where did the party take on the financial powers lose its way? It strayed from the only that strip-mine families and wreck the two things the two Jacksons ever agreed American dream itself. on: that the American worker deserves a Those two convictions are the only champion and that the greediest interests true spine this party has ever had. They in this country deserve a foe. carried it through Franklin Roosevelt.

That is the reconciliation I am after.

They carried it through Lyndon Johnson.

Not of the men. The two Jacksons will Both men had real sins. Roosevelt put never sit easily together, and they should Japanese American families behind not. It is the principle. Keep the two barbed wire. Johnson sank us into they shared. Finish the work the first one Vietnam. But on those two issues — the would not. worker and the powers arrayed against the worker — they held the line. The Ben Jealous is a professor of praccountry was stronger for it. tice at the University of Pennsylvania Jesse Jackson spent his life advancing and former president and CEO of the a single idea: that working people of NAACP. every color belong in one coalition. He

By Ben Jealous

Commentary

Sliding back to racial tyranny

conducted a reign of terror. In fact, more than 6,500 Blacks were lynched, according to the Equal Justice Initiative, from When U.S. Rep. James Clyburn 1830 to 1950. warned that America risks sliding backCourts weakened civil rights protecward toward the post-Reconstruction era, tions. States erected barriers to voting. many heard the words but failed to grasp Poll taxes, literacy tests, grandfather the horror behind them. clauses and intimidation campaigns transThey should. formed constitutional rights into empty The soft-spoken South Carolina conpromises. gressman is not given to exaggeration.

Today, similar circumstances that When Clyburn invokes the disenfranchised Black people are specter of post-Reconstruction arising. The Supreme Court has America, he is not quoting a disissued a series of rulings that crittant chapter in a textbook. He is ics argue have weakened protecwarning of a period so brutal, so tions for Black voters. morally disfiguring, that its scars In addition, President Trump remain visible in the American has instituted one of the most antilandscape more than a century Black campaigns that suggests the later. return of the post-Reconstruction His warning came after he Columnist period. This includes firing Black narrowly survived a congressional administrative and military leadBarbara redistricting battle that threatened ers, dismantling civil rights proReynolds to erase the district he represents. tections, gutting federal jobs that Had it succeeded, many Black helped build the Black middle class and South Carolinians would have seen their canceling diversity programs that aided political influence diminished in a state Black colleges. In fact, 300,000 jobs held where Black voters have long fought for

by Black women were terminated last fair representation. year.

Clyburn’s warning reminds Trump officials are ordering us of the tyranny that followed GOP leaders in Southern states slavery’s end. to gerrymander voter districts After the Civil War, America 300,000 to curtail Black voters who are entered Reconstruction, which jobs held key to the Democratic base. lasted from 1865 to 1877.

by Black Missouri is included.

Nearly four million formerly That is why Clyburn’s warnwomen were enslaved people were recoging deserves attention. nized as citizens rather than terminated He recounts in his book, property. last year.

“The First Eight,” how eight The passage of the 13th Black men from South Carolina Amendment abolished slavery, were elected to Congress during the 14th granted citizenship and the post-Reconstruction era. Yet the 15th protected the voting within a decade, a combination of viorights of Black men. Women would not lence, voter suppression and legal barriers gain the right to vote until 1920. drove them from office.

Black Americans voted. They orgaAs the doors of democracy begin to nized. They built businesses, churches, close again, we must remember: What is schools and communities. More than taken from one group is taken from us all.

1,500 African Americans held public If America returns to the spirit of Jim office. Twenty served in the U.S. House Crow, the greatest loss will not be Black of Representatives. Two served in the political representation alone. It will be U.S. Senate. the moral core of the nation itself.

Then came the backlash.

And as Clyburn warns, some damage The U.S. Supreme Court aided and would take generations to undo. abetted a rising anti-Black campaign to suppress Black political advancement. In Barbara Reynolds is a former colum1896, the high court’s Plessy v. Ferguson nist and editorial board member for USA decision legalized racial segregation.

Today, where she served from 1982 to Without the protection of the legal 1996. system, the KKK and white vigilantes

By Barbara Reynolds

“Enough is enough. If they not killing us, they throwing us in jail!!”

— Rapper Yung Miami, claiming racial disparities in the sentencing of Black Texas teen Karmelo Anthony

News

A3

JUNE 18 – 24, 2026

Black rodeo returns

Event celebrates Juneteenth, the overlooked Western legacy

By Zaria Mac St. Louis American The Southeastern Rodeo Association’s annual Black Rodeo returns to St. Louis on Juneteenth weekend with a mission beyond entertainment: highlighting the overlooked legacy of Black cowboys and cowgirls. The event will be held Saturday, June 20, at Chaifetz Arena, with performances at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

SERA founder Walter Hull said the rodeo was created to bring families together while educating audiences about the history of Black cowboys and cowgirls.

“I was in entertainment all along and then the idea of a Black Rodeo came to me,” Hull said.

“Family entertainment was lacking at that time. ... We want to educate people on the history of the Black cowboy and cowgirl that helped tame the Old West.”

The event is held during the Juneteenth season by design.

“June 19th was a historical day for the African American cowboy, cowgirl — and, of course, the African American people in general as well,” Hull told attendees at last year’s rodeo. “1865 is a year and June 19th is a day that we will always remember.”

Historians estimate

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

The Southeastern Rodeo Association’s Black Rodeo returns to Chaifetz Arena on Saturday, June 20. The event has become a Juneteenth-weekend tradition in St. Louis since its first appearance in 2019. that as many as one in four cowboys in the American West were Black. Many were formerly enslaved people who found work in the cattle industry after

the Civil War, helping drive herds north along trails that became central to the mythology of the American frontier.

Despite their contri-

butions, Black cowboys were largely absent from many popular depictions of the West in movies and television.

“On TV we never

saw Black cowboys and cowgirls,” Hull said. “We only saw the Lone Ranger, Rawhide and people like that — nobody that looked like us.”

The first SERA rodeo was held in 2013 in Montgomery, Alabama.

Since then, the organization has staged events across the South, Midwest and East Coast.

Representation remains a central part of the mission.

“The rodeo is done out of a love for horses and western culture,” Hull said. “And if you have aspirations to be a cowboy, you’ll see somebody in the ring that looks just like you.”

Saturday’s rodeo will feature events including barrel racing, bronc riding, tie-down roping and steer wrestling.

Steer wrestling itself has roots in Black rodeo history. Bill Pickett, a Texas cowboy born in 1870, is credited with creating the event, which remains a staple of professional rodeos today.

Pickett became one of the first Black stars of the rodeo circuit and was later inducted into the Rodeo Hall of Fame.

Hull said many of the competitors have spent their lives in the sport.

“The people we have performing have been part of the rodeo all their life,” he said.

For Hull, the event’s purpose extends beyond competition.

“When you come out to the rodeo,” he said, “know that you’ll see somebody that looks like you.”

A4

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • JUNE 18 – 24, 2026

News Briefs

Aldermen advance major St. Louis water-rate increase

St. Louis aldermen have given initial approval to a plan that would raise city water rates by more than 80% over the next six years to help pay for infrastructure upgrades and improve the financial stability of the city’s water system.

The proposal includes two 18% increases in 2026 and 2027, followed by smaller annual increases through

2032.

City officials say the additional revenue is needed to maintain and modernize an aging system. Under the proposal, the average residential bill would increase by about $7 to $9 per month in 2026 and by a similar amount in 2027.

The measure still requires final approval.

Judge upholds police funding requirement A judge has ruled that Missouri’s requirement that St. Louis devote a minimum level of funding to its police department does not violate the state constitution.

The decision rejects a challenge to the law approved by state lawmak-

ers in 2022. Supporters argued the funding mandate helps ensure public safety, while opponents contended it infringes on local control.

The ruling allows the funding requirement to remain in effect unless overturned on appeal.

Bell joins House Foreign Affairs Committee U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell has been appointed to the House Foreign Affairs Committee, adding responsibility for issues including foreign aid, arms control and international relations.

Bell, a Democrat from St. Louis,

said he hopes to counter foreign policies he believes have weakened the nation’s global standing.

Bell will retain his seats on the House Oversight and Armed Services committees

Sen. Sanders backs Bush comeback bid U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders has endorsed Cori Bush in her bid to return to Congress representing Missouri’s 1st District.

Bush, who lost the 2024 Democratic primary to now-U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell, is seeking a rematch in 2026 as Bell runs for re-election.

Bush said Sanders’ support reflects their shared progressive priorities on economic issues, health care and housing.

Sanders previously endorsed Bush during her successful 2020 campaign that unseated longtime incumbent William Lacy Clay.

SIUE to host crime scene, courtroom workshop Southern Illinois University Edwardsville will host its free Crime Scene to Court program June 22-26 at the Southwest Illinois Center for Justice and Workforce Development in Belleville.

The program is open to students entering grades 10-12 and will intro-

duce participants to crime scene investigation, forensic evidence analysis and courtroom procedures. Lunch will be provided.

For information, contact De’Angelo Williams at deangwi@ siue.edu or 618-660-9838.

Commentary

A presidential prince and the paupers

same way.

Poor people are investigated for survival. Working people are lectured about America once worried about an personal responsibility. Black families imperial presidency. Now we have an imperial presidency merged with a fam- are criminalized for minor infractions.

Yet wealthy elites convert influence into ily business. wealth and are celebrated as savvy busiAnd somehow, too many Americans nessmen. are shrugging.

A poor woman receiving excess food Perhaps that shrug is less agreement stamps is treated like a criminal masterthan exhaustion. Americans are tired — tired of the scandals, the outrage cycles, mind. Billionaires gaming the tax code are called “smart.” the endless circus where every day Trump did not create that system. He produces another ethical breach, another understands it instinctively because he fundraising scheme, another spectahas benefited from it for decades. But his cle competing for attention. People presidency has accelerated something even are struggling with rent, groceries, more corrosive: the collapse of ethical health care, caregiving and retirement. expectations altogether.

Corruption fatigue has become part of A democracy cannot function when our political culture, and that exhaustion citizens conclude that public office is simis dangerous because corruption flourply another avenue for private ishes when people become too enrichment. Once people stop weary to resist it. believing government serves any Donald Trump did not public purpose, cynicism replacinvent corruption. He simply es citizenship. Voters disengage. removed the curtains. Previous Institutions weaken. Democracy presidents at least understood itself becomes transactional and that public office required the transactions always favor the appearance of restraint. Trump wealthy. has transformed the presidenWhat worries me most is not cy into something between a merely Trump himself, but the branding opportunity, a grievnational adjustment surrounding ance machine and a family Julianne him. Americans are not embracbusiness.

Malveaux ing the circus so much as surCampaign fundraising, rendering to it. The daily chaos cryptocurrency ventures, donor creates a numbing effect. Every scandal cultivation, luxury branding, political competes with five others. Every outrage memorabilia, legal defense funds and is replaced before citizens can fully absorb efforts to monetize political influence its implications. now swirl together into one giant That shift in public consciousness is transactional enterprise where political profoundly dangerous. power and private wealth are increasHistory teaches us that republics rarely ingly difficult to separate. The presidencollapse in one dramatic moment. More cy is no longer merely an office; it is often, they are hollowed out gradually — becoming a monetization platform. one indulgence, one rationalization, one Multiple news organizations have ethical compromise at a time. reported that Trump-linked cryptocurThe presidency is not supposed to be rency ventures have generated substana family inheritance project, a licensing tial revenue for Trump-affiliated entioperation or a speculative investment ties while the administration oversees vehicle. Public office is supposed to be a policies affecting the broader crypto public trust. industry. In another era, such conflicts Yet public trust is eroding rapidly. would have triggered bipartisan outrage.

The grift matters. But the greater danger Today, many Americans barely react is the national numbness surrounding it. before the next scandal arrives.

Corruption survives when exhaustion Julianne Malveaux, a former college sets in and citizens begin believing that president, is an economist, author and everybody is dirty anyway, although commentator based in Washington, D.C. everybody is clearly not dirty in the

By Julianne Malveaux

Business JUNE 18 – 24, 2026

FEMA helps make a vision a reality

A5

PEOPLE On The Move

Lawrence named executive director at SWIC Mya Walker Lawrence has been named executive director of Southwestern Illinois College’s Sam Wolf Granite City Campus.

Lawrence brings more than 21 years of higher education experience. She previously held leadership positions at Johnson County Community College in Overland Mya Walker Park, Kansas; Lawrence Park University in Parkville, Missouri; and William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri.

She holds a doctorate in educational leadership and policy studies from the University of Kansas, an MBA from Keller Graduate School and a bachelor’s degree in mass communications from Lindenwood University. ***************************

STL Confluence elects treasurer, adds to board

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Centennial Christian Church sits at the front entrance of Fountain Park and was severely damaged by the high winds that crossed over Kingshighway into the Fountain Park neighborhood late Friday afternoon May 16, 2025.

Centennial Christian Church awarded $3 million to rebuild

By Andrea Y. Henderson St. Louis Public Radio Centennial Christian Church has received more than $3 million in federal funding to help rebuild its tornado-destroyed North St. Louis worship center.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency approved more than $77 million in post-disaster funding through its Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which helps repair, rebuild and stabilize

communities FEMA’s recent affected by funding invest“We have recent disasters. ment is a step in found this The Fountain the right direcPark neighbor[FEMA] staff to tion, said Dietra hood church is Wise Baker, be dedicated the only nonprofCentennial it in the St. Louis and helpful in Christian area that received our journey.”

Church’s transiFEMA’s most tion pastor. _Dietra Wise recent disas“We have Baker ter-related fundfound this ing grant.

[FEMA] staff to It has been be dedicated and a painful year helpful in our for the church family, but journey, but this is a story

that’s really about the resilience of a congregation in the community that will not give up on the dignity, the historic value of our community, and won’t give up on our people,” Wise Baker said.

FEMA awarded a supplemental grant of more than $2 million to help Centennial with rebuilding the historic structure and more than $1 million to assist with replacing contents inside the See Church, A6

St. Louis awards $3.9 million for affordable housing

Funding will support 34 housing units, including new homes in The Ville

A home at 2606 N. Sarah in The Ville, was completed in 2022 as part of an earlier Generations housing project.

New funding will support construction of additional homes nearby.

St. Louis American staff The city of St. Louis has awarded nearly $3.9 million in federal housing funds to support affordable housing development and rehabilitation projects expected to create or improve 34 housing units across the city.

The funding, announced by the Community Development Administration, will help finance projects in The Ville, Hyde Park, Fox Park, Dutchtown, Gravois Park and the Central West End. Combined with other public and private investment, the projects represent more than $10.9 million in development See Housing, A6

Photo courtesy of the city of St. Louis

St. Louis Confluence, a nonprofit that supports TEDxStLouis and TEDxStLouis Women, has elected Esmeralda Aharon as treasurer and appointed Huvona Watkins, Larry Morris and Lyah B. LeFlore-Ituen to its board of directors.

Aharon serves as faculty, staff and community engagement proEsmeralda gram director in the Aharon Office of Ignatian Mission in Medicine at the Saint Louis University School of Medicine. An Army veteran, she is also co-founder of Latinas Rising, an organization focused on leadership development and mentorship for women.

Watkins is Huvona executive director Watkins of Almost Home, a nonprofit that helps teen mothers achieve self-sufficiency and build stable futures for themselves and their children.

Morris serves as programs and partnerships director for the Kranzberg Arts Foundation, where he oversees artist Larry residencies, comMorris munity engagement initiatives and institutional partnerships.

LeFlore-Ituen is director of African American History Initiatives at the Missouri History Museum. She is a New York Times bestselling author, award-winning producer and NAACP Lyah B. Image Award LeFlore Ituen winner with more than 30 years of experience in media, history and storytelling.

The organization also selected Sarah Arnosky Ko, a civic and economic development leader at Greater St. Louis Inc., to serve as board chair.

Jia Lian Yang of Forward Through Ferguson was elected secretary.

Promotion, board appointment, new hire, award... please submit your People on the Move item (including photo) to areid@stlamerican.com.

A6

Amazon commits $10B to data center campus Amazon plans to invest $10 billion in a data center campus in Montgomery County, increasing the project’s projected cost by $2 billion.

The company said the development will create more than 400 permanent jobs and thousands of construction jobs. Amazon also announced more than $7 million in community investments and said it will pay the costs of connecting

Church Continued from A5 building and restoring the church’s operations and community services. These funds are reimbursed to the church in part as the grant-funded project moves toward completion.

Before the church can start rebuilding, Wise Baker said leaders are required to go through the New Beginnings process with the Christian Church Disciples of Christ. It includes helping Centennial redefine its mission and performing needs assessments and demographic data collection to help the church gain a clear idea of its future.

“The church’s intention is to be a historic church again in Fountain Park,” she said. “It now has to go through a deeper planning process to make that vision a reality, that’s not a 1-2-3 process, that’s going to take some time.”

On May 16, 2025, Centennial’s roof and steeple caved in as an EF3 tornado ripped through parts of St. Louis. Three people were trapped inside,

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • JUNE 18 – 24, 2026

Business Briefs the campus to Ameren Missouri’s electric grid.

The project is one of two massive data center developments planned for the county, alongside a proposed $15 billion Google campus.

Lambert security officers ratify 1st union contract More than 100 security officers at St. Louis Lambert International Airport have approved their first union contract,

along with longtime church member Patricia Penelton, who was killed.

Penelton’s husband filed a lawsuit against the City of St. Louis and the church in April.

The tornado-destroyed church was demolished in April. After the storm, the congregation began holding worship services at Florissant Valley Christian Church in Florissant.

As the church moves through the rebuilding process, Wise Baker said it will need continuous financial help from the community. It is accepting donations to support recovery and rebuilding, and to support the Fountain Park community and surrounding areas with social services.

“We have a family that’s grieving still that we care for and that we are in relationship with, alongside of a city that is still struggling deeply to recover and is not getting fully all the support that it needs to do that,” Wise Baker said. “It’s not just about Centennial, we care deeply about what’s happening in Fountain Park and in North St. Louis.”

securing wage protections, seniority-based raises and expanded paid leave.

The agreement covers 111 GardaWorld employees represented by Service Employees International Union Local 1 and runs through April 2029.

The contract also establishes a “just cause” standard for discipline and a grievance process for disputes. Union leaders said the deal is intended to improve retention and stability among workers responsible for airport security screening and traffic operations.

Wellston industrial site slated for redevelopment

A 28-acre industrial property in Wellston is slated for redevelopment into a business park focused on manufacturing and logistics, local officials announced.

The former Wellston Industrial Park, at 1335 Ogden Ave., is owned by the Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority of St. Louis County and will be purchased and redeveloped by THO

Investments LLC. Officials said the site could support as much as 300,000 square feet of industrial development.

The project is part of Wellston’s 2023 Empower Wellston Community Plan, which calls for housing, economic development and reinvestment in historically disinvested areas.

Officials said construction is expected to take about 36 months once work begins. The site is near the Wellston MetroLink station and other community amenities.

MetroTix, United Way launch donation program MetroTix customers can now make donations to United Way of Greater St. Louis while purchasing tickets under a new partnership announced by the two organizations.

The program allows ticket buyers to add donations of $1, $5 or $10 at checkout. Funds will support United Way programs and services across its 16-county region in Missouri and Illinois.

Photo by Lawrence Bryant / St. Louis American

An excavator crashes through the front corner of Centennial Christian Church, sending bricks and debris into the air, as demolition continues on the tornado-damaged structure from the May 16, 2025 storm.

Housing Continued from A5 activity.

Among the largest awards is nearly $835,000 for The Ville Generations project, which will bring nine newly constructed homes to North Sarah Street in the tornado-impacted Greater Ville neighborhood. The homes are planned for blocks north of Dr. Martin Luther King Drive that were affected by the powerful tornado that struck St. Louis on May 16, 2025.

The funding comes as city leaders continue efforts to rebuild damaged neighborhoods and address a shortage of affordable housing.

Other projects receiving funding include seven new homes in Fox Park, 11 rehabilitated homes in

Among the largest awards is nearly $835,000 for The Ville Generations project, which will bring nine newly constructed homes to North Sarah Street in the tornado-impacted Greater Ville neighborhood.

Hyde Park, two housing units in Gravois Park and additional rehabilitation work in Dutchtown.

Several projects received supplemental funding to complete previously approved developments.

The awards are funded through the federal HOME Investment Partnerships Program and Community Development Block Grant program, both administered locally by the Community Development Administration.

Funding recommenda-

tions were originally part of the agency’s Spring 2025 affordable housing competition but were delayed as staff shifted resources to tornado response and recovery efforts.

The Community Development Administration said the projects will return vacant properties to residential use, support homeownership opportunities and expand the city’s supply of affordable housing.

HealthMatters your

‘Taking Care of You’ ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • JUNE 18 – 24, 2026

A7

Doctors warn ballot initiative could raise medical costs

Co-grand marshals Morgan Harris and Jordyn Burrell walk with Jaxson Creswell during the fourth annual J Steppin’ 4 Autism Fun Walk at MRH High School in Maplewood on Saturday, June 6.

The event brought families, community partners and supporters together to promote autism awareness, acceptance and inclusion.

St. Louis American staff Physicians and health care advocates opposed to a ballot measure that would eliminate Missouri’s income tax and could lead to higher sales taxes are warning that the proposal could increase health care costs for Missouri families, seniors and patients.

Autism and advocacy

Photos by Lawrence Bryant / St. Louis American

Mom-founded walk highlights challenges facing Black families

By Lawrence Bryant St. Louis American When Kimberly Creswell’s son was diagnosed with autism during the COVID-19 pandemic, she found herself searching for support, understanding and spaces where children on the spectrum could feel accepted.

Four years later, that experience has grown into a community effort aimed at connecting families with resources and one another while raising awareness about autism and the challenges many families face.

The fourth annual J Steppin’ 4

Autism Fun Walk recently drew about 75 people to the Maplewood Richmond Heights High School track for a morning focused on autism awareness, acceptance and inclusion.

The free event was founded by Creswell in support of her son, Jaxson, who was diagnosed with autism at age 2½ in 2020.

“Jaxson brings so much joy into my life that I felt a calling to share that happiness and advocate for him and the wider community,” Creswell said.

“I wanted to ensure he and every child like him grows up in a world where they feel safe, seen and loved.”

The event’s message carries added significance in Black communities, where families have historically faced barriers to diagnosis and support services. Researchers reported in a 2023 review published by the National Library of Medicine that Black children with autism have often been diagnosed later than white children, delaying access to therapies and support services. The review also found Black children were more likely to receive other diagnoses before autism was identified.

See Autism, page A8

Amendment 5, which will appear on the Aug. 4 ballot, would gradually reduce and eventually Priya Pal eliminate the state income tax if certain revenue-growth benchmarks are met.

The proposal would also give lawmakers broader authority to modify sales taxes and other revenue sources to offset the loss of income tax revenue.

Christian Supporters of the Hendrix measure, including Gov. Mike Kehoe, say eliminating the income tax would allow Missourians to keep more of their earnings while strengthening the state’s economy.

The physicians and advocates said replacing income tax revenue could eventually Leslie lead to higher costs for Ortbals goods and services, including health care. They said their concerns center on how rising costs can affect patients’ ability to obtain care, fill prescriptions and seek preventive treatment.

“As physicians, we see every day what happens when health care becomes unaffordable,” said Dr. Priya Pal, a physician-scientist specializing in HIV research. “People delay appointSee Ballot, A8

Never too old to take the plunge

Making waves against fear

Senior swimmers overcome barriers passed down through generations

By Jennifer Porter Gore Word In Black Raised by her grandparents from the time she was 8 months old, Velmar Byrd grew up on a farm in North Carolina under the shadow of Jim Crow.

She and her family Inez grew their Watson own vegetables, raised chickens and pigs, and lived largely off the land.

It was a full life — but

Inez Watson began swimming as a youngster at Druid Hill Park, one of the few city pools open to Black people.

swimming wasn’t part of it.

“Nobody in my family talked about swimming,” Byrd recalls, even though there were ponds, creeks and beaches nearby. “I wasn’t going to jump into any of those creeks. No,

A senior swimmer swims laps for her daily exercise. Swimming is a great form of exercise by most Black adults say that they have never taken a swimming lesson.

no, no.”

Inez Watson is a child of Jim Crow, too, and grew up in segregated Baltimore. But she began swimming as a youngster at Druid Hill Park, one of the few city pools open to Black people. She swam every day during the summertime and, as a teenager, took diving lessons and taught people to swim.

Her community, however, wasn’t so interested.

Persistent problem “The fear may be instilled in young children,” Watson says.

“People hear reports of a child drowning or an

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adult drowning, and then it becomes, ‘You’re not going near the water.’

And that fear gets passed down.”

Now, Byrd and Watson, both senior citizens, are swimming ambassadors of a sort. They are not only swimming regularly for

their own health but also encouraging other Black people to learn a skill See Fund, A8

HealthMatters your

‘Taking Care of You’

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • JUNE 18 – 24, 2026

A8

Ballot Continued from A7 ments, skip medications, postpone screenings and arrive sicker than they otherwise would have.”

Pal said future tax changes could make health care less affordable for some Missourians.

Dr. Christian Hendrix,

an internal medicine physician training in infectious diseases and critical care medicine, said the proposal could make it harder for patients to afford doctor visits, medications and other necessities.

“If this bill will make affording doctor visits and medicines harder for patients, while having the ultra rich pay less to help their neighbors,

this is nothing more than a wealth transfer from everyday, working people to billionaires,” Hendrix said.

Leslie Ortbals, a health care advocate who lives with multiple chronic illnesses, said families already struggling with medical expenses could face additional financial pressure if everyday costs rise.

“If Amendment 5 passes and makes health care and everyday necessities more expensive, it won’t be the politicians making these decisions who bear the consequences,” Ortbals said. “It will be people trying to afford a prescription, seniors stretching a fixed income, parents caring for children with disabilities and young families like mine trying

to build a future while managing the rising cost of simply getting by.”

The Missouri Budget Project, which opposes the amendment, has argued that replacing income tax revenue would likely require higher sales taxes or expanding sales taxes to additional goods and services. The organization estimates that between 60% and 80%

Swimming

confronting a fear she had carried for years.

“I had to unlearn some of those fears in order for me to move forward,” she says.

Around age 69, Byrd enrolled in swim lessons and eventually found an instructor who would not let her quit. She began taking regular lessons at 70.

“That’s where I really learned,” she says.

Continued from A7 many in their communities never had the opportunity to develop.

Last month, two U.S. soldiers who went missing during a training exercise in Morocco were later found to have drowned.

Both were Black, and one was known to be a non-swimmer — a tragedy that reflects a longstanding disparity.

Almost 40 million U.S. adults report being unable to swim. Roughly 1 in 3 Black adults say they can’t swim, compared with about 15% of adults overall. Most Black adults have never taken a swimming lesson.

Researchers say the causes are layered, including a legacy of segregated pools and beaches during the Jim Crow era, generational gaps in swimming culture and fears about water that have been passed down through families for decades.

No fear here Both Watson and Byrd are living proof that fear can be overcome.

Watson, 89, calls her athleticism “a gift from God.” She still teaches

Autism Continued from A7 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that about 1 in 31 8-year-old children were identified with autism spectrum disorder in 2022.

The agency also found that Black children with autism were more likely than white children to be identified with an intellectual disability, a pattern

of Missourians could see a net tax increase under a system that relies more heavily on sales taxes.

Amendment 5 has been the subject of court challenges over its ballot language. Missouri appellate judges recently ordered revisions to the summary language voters will see but allowed the measure to remain on the Aug. 4 ballot.

‘Fear is blockage’

fitness classes with her daughter and remains active in her community.

“Everything I’ve done has been about quality of life. I saw that it was fun and when I got older, I realized it [swimming] can

save your life,” Watson says.

Byrd swims and does water aerobics at least twice a week.

“I come out feeling good,” she says simply.

Her path to the

water was much longer.

When Byrd moved to Connecticut as a young woman, a friend offered to teach her to swim, but the lessons never took hold.

“I wanted to learn,” Byrd says.

Decades passed before she took her first formal lesson.

Learning to swim became about more than exercise. It was also about

Watson hopes more people will see swimming not only as recreation but as a life-saving skill.

That message resonates with Byrd.

“Any kind of fear is a blockage,” she says. “That comes with swimming, too.”

She believes the most powerful intervention begins with parents, encouraging children to become comfortable around water before fear takes root.

She also believes the way adults talk about water can either reinforce fear or build confidence.

Her message to anyone still hesitant is straightforward.

“There are hundreds of thousands of swimmers.

They’re still living,” Byrd says. “I can learn to swim and live.”

researchers say may reflect missed opportunities for earlier diagnosis and intervention.

Advocates say Black families often face barriers to diagnosis and treatment, including limited access to specialists, long waits for evaluations and challenges finding culturally responsive services.

Before the walk begins each year, Creswell asks participants to repeat the event’s motto: “Autism is a part of them, but it does

not define them.”

She said the ritual allows parents, caregivers and supporters to affirm that message while setting the tone for the event.

“For me, I preach acceptance of kiddos on the spectrum,” Creswell said. “With so many things going on in the world and our kids being bullied or attacked, I think it’s important that we continue to foster inclusion.”

Anitra Little attended the walk in support of her

son, who has autism.

“I’m here for the Autism Walk, of course, to support autism,” Little said. “My son has autism, and I just want to be here to support others that are like my son.”

Little said events such as J Steppin’ 4 Autism help families build connections and find support.

“Autism is common, and it’s important that we have events so that we can know that there are others who are like us that we can go to if we need assistance,” she said. “Support is a big thing in the autism community.”

She also emphasized the importance of early intervention.

“It’s not easy, but it’s something that you want to make sure that you notice and take care of immediately,” Little said. “Early

intervention is the key.

Go ahead and do the therapies, whatever it takes to make sure that he or she has what they need to thrive.”

Community partners included Autism Support Now, Latitude Therapy and St. Louis Arc. Creswell’s advocacy efforts began in 2021 with Jaxson’s Give the Gift of Play, an annual holiday toy drive that provides sensory-friendly and developmentally supportive toys to children with autism. The effort recently completed its fifth year, donating more than 500 toys and surpassing 1,000 toys distributed since it began.

The first J Steppin’ 4 Autism Fun Walk followed in 2023, growing from about 10 family members and friends into

a larger community event.

Creswell said the walk is intended not only for families affected by autism but also for people who want to learn more and help create a more welcoming community.

“A walk like this brings the community together,” she said. “It shows our kiddos and adults who are on the spectrum that we support them. It also brings those without autism to the table and lets them know a little bit more about them.”

For Creswell, awareness is important, but acceptance remains the larger goal.

“The more we get together and promote autism awareness and acceptance, hopefully we can continue to grow and get support for our kiddos,” she said.

Envato photo

A senior swimmer tracks laps for another swimmer while competing at the Senior Games. Roughly 1 in 3 Black adults say they can’t swim, compared with about 15% of adults overall.

Never too late

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ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • JUNE 18 – 24, 2026

Keke Palmer gets candid about growing up in fame Keke Palmer opened up about stand each other than it was for how early fame affected her and her them to understand me because family during a conversation with they’re still trying to understand Whoopi Goldberg at the Tribeca and metabolize their very crazy Festival. Palmer said that while she experience,” Palmer remembered. was becoming a star in projects “While I’m experiencing what it’s like Akeelah and the Bee and True like for everybody around me to Jackson, VP, her family was dealing be now affected by everybody’s with the pressures that came with perceiving me when really I’m the her rising profile. same as I’ve always been.”

She said they were all “being Palmer, who grew up in Illinois Keke traumatized by fame,” but in differbefore her family moved to Los Palmer ent ways — with her parents and Angeles to support her career, siblings adjusting to life in her shadis one of four children raised by ow while she tried to stay grounded.

Sharon and Lawrence “Larry” Palmer.

“So it’s easier for them, I think, to under***************************

Tyra Banks plans to sue Netflix over ANTM documentary Tyra Banks is preparing to take legal action against Netflix over its new America’s Next Top Model documentary — and she’s making it clear she did not sign off on the project.

According to multiple reports, Banks says the streamer used her image and likeness without permission.

In a statement shared through her representatives, Banks said she was “blindsided” by the documentary and “never agreed to participate in or authorize the use of my name, image or story in this

Tyra Banks

production.”

The Hollywood Reporter said that Banks claims the series used selective editing and missing context to misrepresent her answers.

Banks alleges that the documentary created a false narrative about her role in some of the show’s most serious controversies. The complaint says the finished series damaged her reputation by making her appear dismissive, forgetful, or responsible for situations she says were not fairly presented to her.

Netflix has not publicly responded to Banks’ claims.

DMX street naming ceremony derails after son calls out family exclusion A street naming ceremony honoring DMX in Yonkers took a sharp turn when his eldest son, Xavier Simmons, publicly challenged how the rapper’s “original family” was treated during the event.

The ceremony, meant to celebrate the unveiling of Earl “DMX” Simmons Way, had already featured remarks from several speakers — including DMX’s fiancée, Desiree Lindstrom, who co-administers the estate with his daughter Sasha. It appeared the program would end without hearing from the children DMX shared with his former wife, Tashera Simmons.

Allhiphop.com reported that Xavier was given time at the last minute, and he used it.

“There is absolutely no way that you will close this ceremony and we will not hear from his original entire family,” he said, calling his mother and siblings to the stage. He thanked Tashera for helping push the street-naming effort forward and acknowledged Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano and city officials for supporting the project.

Then Xavier addressed Lindstrom directly, accusing her of excluding DMX’s children and mother from key moments tied to the rapper’s legacy. His microphone was cut almost immediately after those remarks.

Lindstrom had been scheduled to unveil the street sign, but the mayor did it instead. While not confirmed, witnesses said Lindstrom appeared to have left after the incident. ***************************

Kevin Hart says Spike Lee deserves championship ring Kevin Hart and ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith are among those calling for Spike Lee to get a championship ring after the New York Knicks won their first title in 53 years.

Hart posted a video on Instagram saying the longtime Knicks superfan has earned it. “Give Spike a ring,” Hart said, noting that Lee has spent “many millions” supporting the team over the last four decades.

Lee has been a courtside fixture at Madison Square Garden for decades and has held Knicks season tickets since 1985.

Hart said that loyalty alone should qualify him for a championship ring.

Hot Sheet Sources:

Allhiphop.com, The Hollywood Reporter, Instagram, People.com,

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ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • JUNE 18 – 24, 2026

‘Each generation should teach the next’

Freedom

Continued from A1 Galveston, Texas, and informed enslaved people they were free — more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. The message had traveled slowly.

The memory of that day traveled much farther.

For generations, Black communities kept Juneteenth alive through church gatherings, family reunions, neighborhood cookouts and local celebrations. Juneteenth gained broader national attention following the racial justice protests of 2020 and became a federal holiday the following year after decades of advocacy.

Yet behind the festivals, parades and public celebrations are personal stories that reveal how Black Americans have experienced freedom, resilience and progress across generations.

For Nash, 84, the first Black and first female postmaster in Central Illinois, Juneteenth was not part of her childhood.

Raised in East St. Louis, she said she did not learn much about the holiday until recent years.

Her family’s story is tied directly to the 1917 East St. Louis Race Massacre, one of the deadliest outbreaks of racial violence in American history.

“My family survived the race riots because the white people my grandmother worked for helped get us across the bridge to St. Louis safely,” Nash said. “Without that, there’s no me, and there’s no rea-

son to celebrate anything.

That is where my story starts when it comes to freedom.”

Her mother was born the following year in 1918.

Despite that history, Nash remembers a childhood shaped by strong families and close-knit neighborhoods.

“I didn’t know life was not good for us because my parents and community protected us from that,” she said.

Today, Nash volunteers with Bridges Ministry in East St. Louis, helping provide meals to residents in need.

“You have to look out for other people,” she said.

If Nash represents a generation that lived through history without formally celebrating Juneteenth, Joyce Hughes, 75, represents a generation determined to preserve those stories.

Hughes, president of Neighbors Impacting Communities and founder of the Soulard Juneteenth Festival, remembers attending Juneteenth celebrations at Fairground Park in the 1970s. She worries many people know the celebration without fully understanding the history behind it.

“I love Blackness. I love my people. I love history,” Hughes said.

What began as a small festival with vendors and music has grown over five years into a community celebration that attracts thousands of attendees, artists, educators and community organizations.

For Hughes, however, Juneteenth is about more than entertainment.

“I hope they learn the true history,” she said.

“There was a cost paid.”

when he first heard about a Juneteenth jazz event, long before the holiday gained national recognition.

Later, while researching Black arts and culture in Missouri, he discovered the state had its own emancipation tradition, known as Jubilee.

Missourians celebrated the end of slavery in January 1865 — months before Juneteenth became part of Texas history. Yet Jubilee largely disappeared from public memory.

“As somebody from St.

Louis, I had never heard of Jubilee,” he said.

For Sadiq, that disappearance underscores the importance of preserving history.

“Documentation determines what survives,” he said.

He embraces the joy of modern Juneteenth celebrations but hopes they are paired with education and reflection.

“I think dance is a sublime way of celebrating liberation,” Sadiq said.

“But if we’re celebrating

that Black people are free, the other question is: Are Black people free?”

That question lands differently for younger generations, including Alyssa Harris, 19, who has never known a world without Juneteenth. Unlike Nash’s generation, Harris grew up with Juneteenth as a familiar holiday on the calendar.

Originally from St. Louis, Harris now attends Marquette University in Milwaukee, majoring in psychology. She is also the owner of Create the Aura Studio, where she offers face painting at Juneteenth events.

“Kids get so excited because they kind of get to become this personality for the day,” she said.

Harris first learned about Juneteenth in fifth grade at City Academy in North St. Louis. Her mother, she said, made sure she understood not just what the holiday was, but why telling its stories mattered.

“My mom gave us a lot of information about what Juneteenth was, why it’s important that we know, and why it’s important that we share our stories,” Harris said.

To her, the holiday is both a celebration and a reminder of progress made and struggles not yet finished.

“We have a really big focus on trying to find ways to make changes and end the things that have been going on for so long,” she said.

Across four generations, their stories reflect how the meaning of Juneteenth continues to evolve while remaining rooted in history.

“Each generation should teach the next generation,” Hughes said.

Workers

and-learn opportunities,” Foster said.

The program is scheduled to launch this fall with 40 students and is expected to grow to serve 100 students annually by 2029. Participating students will receive training in fields including electrical work, carpentry, construction, HVAC, welding and advanced manufacturing.

Johnson said skilled trades deserve the same respect as traditional college pathways because they offer opportunities for students whose strengths are better suited to handson learning.

“I don’t talk against college because somebody has to make the blueprints.

Somebody has to be able to read the blueprints,” Johnson said. “Everybody ain’t gonna be made for college.”

Participating students will receive technical training, industry credentials and exposure to apprenticeship opportunities while still in high school.

Funding also will support

transportation, career coaching and work-based learning experiences.

Foster said the initiative is intended to connect students directly to skilledtrades careers through apprenticeships and other work-based learning experiences.

Johnson, whose Youth Builder STL program provides 10 weeks of training in carpentry, framing and electrical work, said not every student learns best through lectures and traditional classroom instruction.

“We have to have a skill. This is something AI is not going to take over,” Johnson said.

The Opportunity Trust will lead the effort through a coalition of more than 40 employers, labor organizations, schools and community partners. Participating schools include Gateway Science Academy, Kairos Academies and University City High School.

Bloomberg Philanthropies announced the $90 million national initiative June 9.

Photo by Lawrence Bryant / St. Louis American

Paulia Simmons helps her daughter, Gabriella, with an arts and crafts activity during the Soulard Juneteenth event at the Loop.

That commitment led her to partner this year with local educators and historians, including The 13th Amendment Freedom Week Movement.

MK Sadiq, 47, came to know Juneteenth through the arts.

A George Mason University research fellow and cultural researcher at the St. Louis Regional Arts Commission, Sadiq was involved in St. Louis’ Black arts community around 2000 through Legacy Books and Café

Continued from A1 and buildings across North St. Louis.

“You see how the city looks right now.

Something happens to your house right now it’ll take you so long to get a handyman,” Johnson said.

The initiative comes as employers continue to report shortages of skilledtrades workers. Missouri is projected to have thousands of annual openings in occupations such as carpentry, electrical work and plumbing, according to the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center.

Riley Foster, director of Next Prep, said the program is designed to combine classroom instruction with hands-on experience that allows students to explore careers before graduating from high school.

“That is why we are leaning so heavily into apprenticeships and earn-

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • JUNE 18 – 24, 2026

Wishing the future were rosier

By Jamala Rogers ‘Tis the season for graduations. Graduations from kindergarten, middle school, high school and college. These are joyful milestones in the life of a loved one to be celebrated by family, friends and community.

For the recent college grad, after the champagne stops flowing and the cell phone cameras cease clicking, the prospects are more sobering, maybe even somber. Careers and job stability are most uncertain in these turbulent political and economic times.

Fathers Continued from A1 financial support for their children.

Founded in 1997 by Halbert Sullivan, the St. Louis organization offers parenting education, employment services, legal assistance and mentoring programs designed to help parents become more emotionally and financially involved in their children’s lives.

The Family Formation Program, the organization’s cornerstone initiative, begins with an intensive six-week course focused on parenting, communication, healthy relationships and financial responsibility, followed by at least a year of supportive services.

Since its first Responsible Fatherhood class nearly 28 years ago, the organization has served almost 23,000 fathers and positively impacted more than 57,000 children.

The organization reports measurable results.

Since COVID, Black college graduates have found the job market to be unforgiving. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the unemployment rate in 2024 for Black workers with a bachelor’s degree stood at nearly 6%. .

Facing no job, underpaying jobs, racial discrimination and crippling debt is a depressing forecast for any human being, let alone the young, gifted and Black who were poised to set the world on fire.

Currently, anti-Black and anti-Black women policies and practices are real. MAGA’s contempt for Diversity, Equity

In 2025, 81% of participants said they improved their parenting skills, 78% reported stronger co-parenting relationships and 71% said they increased interactions with their children.

For Foster, those findings reflect what he and his fellow graduates worked toward during the six-week program.

“My biggest takeaway was learning how to get outside of myself,” he said. “Looking at myself and learning how I can better myself.”

He said the program taught him the importance of controlling his emotions, strengthening his faith and allowing spirituality to serve as a guide in his life.

Cheri Tillis, CEO of Fathers & Families Support Center, said she watched significant changes unfold during the sixweek program.

“In those six weeks, lives were transformed,” Tillis said. “Frowns were turned into smiles. Men who may have been experiencing loneliness now

and Inclusion harsher conse(DEI) has come quences for work at a steep cost. violations. The Between February endless stress and July 2025, negatively affects Black women lost relationships, roughly 319,000 health and projobs while other ductivity. demographic I believe socigroups posted ety, and particugains. Economists larly the African Jamala have pointed to American comRogers federal workforce munity, has given cuts and attacks our young people on DEI programs as major rose-colored glasses when contributors to those losswe should’ve been fighting es. harder for a rosier future.

Black workers have We have drilled into our always been the last hired young people to work and first fired. In between hard, be well-rounded and time, they faced unfair tap into their social capital. workload expectations and That’s only half of the for-

Envato photo

For nearly three decades, Fathers & Families Support Center has worked to help fathers build on that involvement by strengthening parenting skills have a brotherhood.”

She said the fathers made a conscious decision to invest in themselves and their children.

“Most importantly, your children have role models they can look to,” Tillis told graduates during the ceremony. “They can feel the difference.”

Darryl Covin, a facil-

itator with the program, said the curriculum goes beyond teaching fathers how to provide financially.

It also focuses on emotional intelligence, communication and accountability.

“We know how hard you can be as a man, but let’s see how soft you can be,” Covin said.

A11

mula for success.

The other half is that we must all be contributing to the elimination of the class, racial, gender and disability-related barriers that prohibit opportunity for growth and advancement. It is disingenuous to tell our children they can be anything they want to be, and we have not wrestled racism, sexism, homophobia and other forms of discrimination to the ground.

Have we told our daughters that they will typically earn 65 cents on the dollar compared to white men, regardless of their education? Have we

warned our Black boys that this racist society is willing to cage them at $65,000 than invest in their well-being? I have silently vowed to redouble my efforts to fight for a world where merit and character are valued and protected. African American young adults don’t need empty promises or false narratives. They are the future and deserve so much more.

He encourages participants to practice patience, listen more carefully and communicate more effectively with their families.

“We encourage the men to take their rightful place as leaders in the family,” he added.

The emphasis on emotional intelligence mirrors what researchers have found about effective fatherhood. Studies show children benefit not only from financial support but also from consistent emotional connection, guidance and engagement.

Experts say fathers who are actively involved in their children’s daily lives can have a lasting impact on their confidence, behavior and overall well-being.

The program also seeks to strengthen families through economic stability. The center served 977 individuals in 2025, while 267 participants gained or maintained employment, earning an average wage of $18.65 per hour.

According to the organization, those employment gains translated into more than $10 million reinvest-

ed into the local economy.

Between 2019 and 2024, participants in the Family Formation Program contributed nearly $5.9 million in child-support payments, helping provide greater financial stability for children and families throughout the region. The organization estimates that for every dollar invested in its programs, nearly five dollars are returned to the St. Louis community through increased employment, family stability and reduced dependence on public assistance.

For Tillis, the graduation ceremony was not the finish line but the beginning.

“I’m most proud that they took a leap of faith and stayed committed,” she said. “Showing up is the first step.”

She hopes graduates continue applying the lessons learned long after the certificates are handed out.

“There is no playbook for parenthood,” Tillis said. “But if they utilize what they’ve learned here, they will be better for it.”

Jamala Rogers is an opinion writer and one of the founding members of the Organization for Black Struggle, based in St. Louis.

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN

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JUNE 18 - 24, 2026

St. Louis American Reader’s Choice Awards 2026

The St. Louis community weighed in, casting about 60,000 votes in the inaugural St. Louis American Reader’s Choice Awards. The winners and finalists are listed below. A special Reader’s Choice tabloid featuring the winners is scheduled to be published Thursday, Aug. 6. The complete list of winners and finalists will remain available online until next year’s nominations begin.

ARTS, CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT Best Actor Sterling K. Brown - Winner Joe Torry - Finalist Zion Thomas - Finalist Best Actress Jenifer Lewis - Winner Ricki Franklin - Finalist Raevyn Ferguson - Finalist Best Art Gallery Griot Museum of Black Histor - Winner Saint Louis Art Museum - Finalist Missouri History Museum - Finalist Best Boutique Lady Tee’s Blinged Boutique Winner 2 Bald Chicks Boutique - Finalist Afro World Hair and Fashion Company - Finalist Best Comedian Cedric the Entertainer - Winner Darius Bradford - Finalist Jason Jenkins - Finalist Best Creators / Journalists Rene Knott - Winner Travis Cummings - Finalist Carol Daniel - Finalist Best Cultural Event Frizz Fest - Winner African Arts Festival - Finalist Black Creatives in the Lou @ Neiman Marcus - Finalist

Remrod - Finalist Joe JLR Richardson- Finalist Best Visual Artist Lauren Younge - Winner Brock Seals - Finalist Cbabi Bayoc - Finalist

BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL SERVICES Best Bank Midwest BankCentre - Winner St. Johns Bank - Finalist Commerce Bank - Finalist Best Car Sales Person Mike Frazier - Winner Ricky Whittington - Finalist Carplug JB- Finalist Best Consultant Darlene Davis- Winner Lynette Watson- Finalist Liv Group / Andrew Turnage- Finalist Best Credit Union First Community Credit Union - Winner (Tied) St. Louis Community Credit Union Winner (Tied) Navy Federal Credit Union- Finalist Neighbors Credit Union - Finalist Best Financial Planner Cathey Williamson - Winner Ayana (Ana) Stringfellow- Finalist Artis Keith Turner- Finalist

Best Curator Morgan Casey- Winner Remrod - Finalist Alonzo Townsend - Finalist

Best Lawyer Shonte Byrd - Winner Jerryl Christmas - Finalist Kenneth Powell - Finalist

Best Dance Studio The Diva University - Winner Best Dance & Talent Center - Finalist COCA - Center of Creative Arts Finalist

Best Mail Carrier/Mail person Pamela Echols - Winner Adam Arnold - Finalist Michelle Simmons - Finalist

Best Dancer Redd Williams - Winner Gheremi Clay - Finalist MJ Imani - Finalist Best Designer Brandin Vaughn - Winner Yoro Newson - Yoro Creations Finalist Young Addy Finalist Best Event Planner Morgan Casey - Winner Brainchild Next - Finalist Personal Touches by Jeanetta, Inc. Finalist Best Event Space Infinite Occasions Banquet and Conference Center- Winner The Jade event center - Finalist 21c Museum Hotel St Louis - Finalist Best Exhibition Mill Creek: Black Metropolis - Winner Griot Museum of Black History Finalist To STL With Love at Sophie Artist Lounge - Finalist Best Fashion Brandin Vaughn - Winner The Woke Brand - Finalist Redd Williams - Finalist Best Fashion Show “I Don’t Give A Fashion” showcase at The Fox Theater - Winner Black Creatives in the Lou @ Neiman Marcus - Finalist Gent Fashion Week - Finalist Best Festival Frizz Fest - Winner African Arts Festival - Finalist Music at the Intersection (MATI), Kranzberg Arts Foundation - Finalist Best Graphic Designer Media By Reaghan - Winner Amanda S. Andrew - Finalist Emmanuel Mooty - Finalist Best House Band Dirty Muggs - Winner Drew Project - Finalist Flirt no ID - Finalist Best Influencer Morgan Casey - Winner Remrod - Finalist Church Pinkston - Finalist Best Local DJ TreHitz - Winner Infamous DJ Quinn - Finalist Shorty Da Prince - Finalist Best MC Queen Mochalatte - Winner Carol Daniels - Finalist Michael McMillan - Finalist

Best Realtor Janelle Stowers - Winner Ebony Ingram - Finalist Rhonda Liddell-Davis - Finalist Best Tax Professional Darlene Davis- Winner Francine Cody - Finalist Steven Harris - Finalist

CHURCH

Best Church (Smaller Congregation) Haven House - City of Refuge ChurchWinner Unity Chapel Church- Finalist Washington Tabernacle MBC- Finalist Best Deacon John Hayden- Winner William Joseph- Finalist Sylvester Dunn- Finalist Best Minister Pastor Shaun Williams (Christian Believers Ministries) - Winner Minister Aaron Letcher (Pleasant Green Missionary Baptist Church) - Finalist Bishop Lawrence Wooten (Williams Temple Church of God in Christ) - Finalist Best Music Ministry Living The Word Church- Winner Pleasant Green Missionary Baptist Church- Finalist Jesse Williams and Total Praise- Finalist Best Recording Jesse Williams and Total Praise Shalom Church (City of Peace)- Finalist Levi “Too” King- Finalist Best Senior Pastor Pastor Shaun Williams (Christian Believers Ministries)- Winner Reverend Freddy J. Clark (Shalom Church (City of Peace)- Finalist Dr. Anthony L. Riley (Central Baptist Church)- Finalist

Best Podcast The Rundown With Rene Knott Winner Chat & Chew- Finalist Fashion is Cool Podcast- Finalist

Best Youth Pastor Pastor Marvin Blake - Winner Minister Preston Williams (Shalom Church (City of Peace) - Finalist Dr. Michael Jones, Jr (Friendly Temple) - Finalist

Best Poet/Spoken Word Kristen “KMoney the Poet” HarrisWinner Tef Poe- Finalist Branden Lewis- Finalist

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS

Best PR Professional or Promoter Asia Mobley- Winner Donielle Elizabeth- Finalist Morgan Casey- Finalist

Best Asst. Principal Courtney Rachel - Winner Dr. Rapheal Rogers - Finalist Pamela Hamilton - Finalist

Best Radio Personality BJ the DJ- Winner Tony Scott - Finalist Shorty Da Prince - Finalist

Best Charter School Lift for Life Academy High SchoolWinner KIPP - Finalist Momentum Academy: Fox Park Finalist

Be.Be the Neo-Soul- Winner Denise Thimes - Finalist Tish Haynes - Finalist Best St. Louis Act Dirty Muggs- Winner St. Lunatics - Finalist Morgan Taylor - Finalist Best Stylist Yoro Newson - Yoro Creations Winner Ambra Graham- Finalist Brandin Vaughn- Finalist

Best Teacher Leigh Cleggett- Winner Wilma Higgins - Finalist Shaniya Gilmore - Finalist Best University Harris-Stowe State University - Winner Washington University in St. Louis Finalist University of Missouri-St. Louis Finalist

FOOD & BEVERAGE Best African Restaurant Levels - Winner Fufu n’ Sauce - Finalist African Palace - Finalist Best Asian Restaurant Mai Lee- Winner Corner 17 - Finalist The Rice House - Finalist Best Bakery/Baker Shanti’s Specialty Sweets- Winner SweetArt Bakeshop + Café - Finalist Mia’s Treats Delight - Finalist Best Bar/Bartender KJ’s Bar and Grill - Winner Renee’s Restaurant & Bar - Finalist Terminal 3 Bar & Grill - Finalist Best Barbeque Bandana’s Bar-B-Q- Winner BobaQue - Finalist Red’s The One And Only BBQ Finalist Best Brunch/Breakfast Latté Lounge + HG Eatery- Winner Elicious Southern Style Breakfast and Brunch - Finalist First Watch - Finalist

Best Caterer Cathy’s Kitchen - Winner Blessed Occasion Catering & Event Planning- Finalist Gourmet Soul Restaurant and CateringFinalist

Best Usher Sherwin Zenon - Winner Christine Allen- Finalist Glenn Bond- Finalist

Best Singer

Best Nonprofit Organization (Local) The Little Bit Foundation - Winner Better Family Life Inc - Finalist Action St. Louis - Finalist

Best Church (Medium Size Congregation) Open Door Christian Center- Winner Pleasant Grove Baptist Church- Finalist Pleasant Green Missionary Baptist Church- Finalist

Best Photographer Church Pinkston (Church Productions)Winner Media By Reaghan- Finalist Wiley Price- Finalist

Best Reporter Rene Knott - Winner Travis Cummings - Finalist Melanie Johnson - Finalist

Best Sorority Graduate Chapter Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Gamma Omega Chapter, St. Louis, Mo.- Winner Saint Louis Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc - Finalist Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc- Zeta Sigma Chapter - Finalist

Best Burger Bus Loop Burgers- Winner Wine Down Cafe - Finalist Cathy’s Kitchen - Finalist

Best Songwriter Pastor Shaun Williams (Christian Believers Ministries) - Winner Corn Robinson Jr.- Finalist Levi “Too” King- Finalist

Best Rapper Nelly- Winner Tef Poe - Finalist KVtheWriter - Finalist

Granberry Mortuary - Finalist

Best Choir Pleasant Green Missionary Baptist Church- Winner Pleasant Grove Baptist Church - Finalist Shalom Church (City of Peace) - Finalist Best Church (Larger Congregation) Shalom Church (City of Peace) Winner Living The Word Church - Finalist Friendly Temple Church- Finalist

Best News Anchor Rene Knott- Winner Travis Cummings - Finalist Kelly Jackson - Finalist

Best Radio Station 100.3 the beat- Winner 96.3 The Lou - WFUN-FM - Finalist BOOST Radio - Finalist WSIE 88.7 “The Sound” - Finalist (Tied)

Felicia Miller- Finalist

Best Coach Earnest Cheatham- Winner LaTesha Alexander - Finalist LaQuita and Jarrett Campbell - Finalist Best College St. Louis Community College - Forest Park - Winner Ranken Technical College - Finalist Columbia College-St Louis- Finalist Best Elementary School City Academy- Winner Adams Community School - Finalist Gateway Elementary School - Finalist Best Fraternity Graduate Chapter Alpha Phi Alpha - Epsilon Lambda Chapter - St. Louis, MO- Winner (Tied) Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity St. Louis Alumnae Chapter - Winner (Tied) Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Kappa Sigma Chapter - Finalist Best High School Cardinal Ritter College Prep High School- Winner St. Louis University High SchoolFinalist University City High School- Finalist

Best Venue Sophie’s Artist Lounge- Winner Infinite Occasions Banquet and Conference Center - Finalist Jazz St. Louis - Finalist

Best Middle School Marian Middle School - Winner Gateway Science Academy of St. Louis (GSA) - Finalist Storman-Lyons Leadership Academy Finalist

Best Videographer Church Pinkston (Church Productions)Winner

Best Principal Dr. Craige Edwards- Winner Tavonda Palmer Harvey- Finalist

Best Caribbean Restaurant Mi Hungry BBQ & Jamaican CuisineWinner De Palm Tree Restaurant- Finalist Jerk Unlimited- Finalist

Best Club/Afterhours Ash Cigar & Bar Lounge- Winner After Hours Bar and Grill - Finalist TopShelf Bar and Grill- Finalist Best Ethnic Cuisine King Of Soul- Winner Mi Ranchito- Finalist Africana Restaurant & Adinkra Lounge on Delmar- Finalist Best Fine Dining 801 Chophouse- Winner Ferguson Chophouse- Finalist Ramsay’s Kitchen St. Louis- Finalist Best Food Truck Pure Catering STL- Winner A’Deans Kitchen & Catering- Finalist Ron Ron’s Fried Rice- Finalist Best Fusion of Non-Traditional Pop Pop Hurray! Gourmet Popcorn Winner Lefty’s Fried Rice - Finalist French Frie Factory - Finalist Best Ice Cream Clementine’s Ice Cream- Winner Crown Candy Kitchen- Finalist Ted Drewes Frozen Custard - Finalist Best Latin American Restaurant El Maguey Mexican Restaurant- Winner Mi Ranchito- Finalist Las Fuentes Mexican RestaurantFinalist Best Pop-up Pharoah’s Donuts- Winner WillieAnn’s Snack Shop - Finalist Crispy Sips - Finalist Best Restaurant Vails Brothers Shrimp Chicken & FishWinner Wine Down Cafe - Finalist Tucker’s Place - Finalist Best Seafood Big Jay’s Chicken And Shrimp- Winner Broadway Oyster Bar - Finalist The Kickin’ Crab - Finalist

Best Nonprofit Organization (National or International) Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, Inc.- Winner Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis - Mathews-Dickey Club - Finalist United Way of Greater Saint Louis Finalist Best Nonprofit Organization (Regional) Rung for Women - Winner Annie Malone Children and Family Services - Finalist Affinia Healthcare - Finalist Best Pet Service Humane Society of Missouri- Winner Williamsburg Pet Hotel & Suites Finalist Four Muddy Paws - Finalist

HEALTH Best Dental Practice Children’s Dental Zone - Winner Affinia Healthcare - Finalist A.T. Still University - Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health - Finalist Best Dentist Dr. Candace Wakefield - Winner Dr. Michele Abidin - Finalist Dr. Anne M. Steward - Finalist Best Dermatologist Dr. Eric W. Pitts - Winner Dr. Osamuede Osemwota - Finalist Dr. Madhavi Kandula - Finalist Best Health Center Holistik Wellness Center - Winner Affinia Healthcare - Finalist Trinity Healthcare Practice - Finalist Best Home Caregiver Breakthrough Healthcare LLC- Winner Deer Valley Home Health Services Finalist At Home - Finalist Best Nurse Kayla A. Ross, LPN- Winner Leonora Muhammad, DNP- Finalist Torri Taylor-Spencer, APRN- Finalist Best OB/GYN Dr. Andrea Sample- Winner Dr. Eboni January- Finalist Dr. Carolyn J. Pryor- Finalist Best Oncologist Dr. Lannis E. Hall - Winner Dr. Jovita Oruwari- Finalist Dr. Mia Weiss- Finalist Best Pharmacy GreaterHealth Pharmacy & Wellness at Delmar DivINe- Winner Affinia Healthcare- Finalist CVS (Clayton Road) - Finalist

Best Hair Stylist Tee Thomas - Winner Charity Pikes- Finalist Ambra Graham- Finalist (Tied) Whitney Marie - Finalist (Tied) Best Lash Technician iStyleustare - Winner Ebonee Eyes - Finalist Stefani Ellis - Finalist Best Loctician Damara Kelly - Winner Bossette Stylez - Finalist Locs by Tara E. - Finalist Best Make-up Artist Slay Queen - Winner Aignee’ LaShay - Finalist Khadijah Amirah - Finalist Best Massage Therapist Sandra Roberts - Winner BodybyQue LLC - Finalist (Tied) Erika Sharp Massage Therapy - Finalist (Tied) Stefani Ellis (LMT) (Tied) Best Nail Tech / Nail Salon Monet’s Touch - Winner Aignee’ LaShay - Finalist Sonder Lush Nail Studio - Finalist Best Skin Care Products Sweethead Naturals - Winner Skin Pretty Esthetics - Finalist Oil On Me - Finalist Best Tailor Tailored Gents at Savile Row - Winner Heavenly Stitches Alterations - Finalist Nordstrom Rack - Finalist Best Tattoo Artist Black Pearl Tattoo- Winner Shawn Smith - Finalist The House Of Art Doll - Finalist

SHOPPING Best Boutique Style-Taneous Styles - Winner Lady Tee’s Blinged Boutique - Finalist Sugaz Kouture Boutique LLC - Finalist Best Jewelry Store/Jeweler 1 Blingz Jewelry & Blingtique- Winner Mulatto Designs Jewelry - Finalist LUXE Department Store - Finalist Best Men’s Clothing Store/Designer Milano Mens Wear - Winner LUXE Department Store - Finalist Tailored Gents at Savile Row - Finalist Best Thrift Store Society of St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store - Creve Coeur- Winner The Vault Luxury Resale - Finalist NCJW The Resale Shop - Finalist Best Women’s Clothing Store/Designer 1Blingz Jewelry- Winner Nordstrom Rack - Finalist Epiphany Boutique - Finalist

SPORTS

Best Physician Dr. Janiece N Stewart- Winner Tracy Norfleet, MD - Finalist Jacqueline Hayes, MD - Finalist

Best College Baseball Athlete Tashaun Coleman - Winner Jordan Bradley - Finalist Kevin Stephens - Finalist

Best Therapist Dr. Jameca Woody Cooper- Winner Emme Harms, LCSW - Finalist Brianne Overton - Finalist

Best College Basketball Athlete Hannah Wallace- Winner Kellen Thames - Finalist Demetris Phillips - Finalist

HOME & GARDEN Best Air Conditioning/HVAC Service Design Aire Heating and CoolingWinner Hoffmann Brothers - Finalist (Tied) Duane’s Heating & Air Conditioning Finalist (Tied) Evans Heating and Cooling - Finalist (Tied) Best Architect Kaelo Architecture LLC- Winner Kwame Building Group Inc - Finalist KAI Enterprises - Finalist Best Contractor Deidre Lewis - Winner Walter Neely - Finalist We Improve - Finalist Best Home Construction | Home Improvement Kwame Building Group Inc- Winner Keely Construction Group - Finalist We Improve - Finalist Best Landscaping Barnes Landscaping- Winner Fletcher’s Creations - Finalist BlackBerry Landscaping - Finalist Best Pest Control Rottler Pest Solutions- Winner St. Louis Pest Control - Finalist Midwestern Termite & Pest Control Finalist

LIFESTYLE & BEAUTY

Best College Football Athlete Ke’Andre McClendon- Winner Luther Burden III - Finalist La’Revious Woods - Finalist Best College Soccer Athlete Kennedi Hooks - Winner Mikai Neal - Finalist Olivia Clemons - Finalist Best College Track Athlete Sarai Brown- Winner Sherrod Tate - Finalist Giovanni Jones - Finalist Best High School Basketball Athlete Jamison White- Winner Moriyah Douglass - Finalist Lauren Lanton - Finalist Best High School Football Athlete Bryce Clayborn- Winner Keenan Harris - Finalist Manny Ellis - Finalist Best High School Track Athlete Bryce Clayborn- Winner Gabrielle Campbell - Finalist Sydney Lanton - Finalist Best High School Volleyball Athlete Bailey Hensgens- Winner Jordan Brown - Finalist Moriyah Douglass - Finalist Best Pro Baseball Athlete Jordan Walker- Winner Masyn Winn - Finalist Victor Scott II - Finalist

Best Soul Food Cathy’s Kitchen- Winner King Of Soul - Finalist Diner’s Delight - Finalist

Best Barber Jerrod Harris- Winner Wiz The Barber - Finalist Art Green Sr - Finalist

Best Pro Football Athlete Hakeem Butler- Winner Jarveon Howard - Finalist Daniel Isom - Finalist

Best Vegan/Vegetarian SweetArt Bakeshop + Café - Winner Bougie Bites STL - Finalist Adina’s Vegan Cuisine - Finalist

Best Barbershop First Class Barber Shop- Winner Shack’s Barber Shop - Finalist Dees Cutz Barber Salon - Finalist

Best Pro Soccer Athlete Mykhi Joyner - Winner Miguel Perez - Finalist Rafael Santos - Finalist

Best Botox Evolutions MedSpa- Winner Racquel Aesthetics & Wellness Finalist Metro Medspa - Finalist

Most Popular Athlete from St. Louis Jayson Tatum- Winner Jeremiyah Love - Finalist Luther Burden III - Finalist

GENERAL SERVICES Best Aromatherapy African Naturals- Winner BJ’s Everlasting Oils Inc - Finalist Cassie’s - Finalist Best Casino Ameristar Casino Resort Spa St. Charles - Winner Hollywood Casino & Hotel St. Louis Finalist DraftKings at Casino Queen - Finalist Best Childcare/Preschool/Daycare Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, Inc.- Winner University City Children’s Center Finalist Stix ECC Elementary School - Finalist Best Dispensary Luxury Leaf Dispensary & Weed Delivery- Winner Greenlight Dispensary Ferguson Finalist Feel State Weed Dispensary - Florissant - Finalist - Finalist Best Florist Schnucks- Winner Trader Joe’s - Finalist Dierbergs Markets - Brentwood Pointe - Finalist Best Funeral Home Reliable Funeral Home- Winner William C. Harris Funeral Directors and Cremation - Finalist

VEHICLE & SERVICES

Best Dry Cleaner Marquard’s Cleaners - Winner Apple Cleaners - Finalist Family Dry Cleaning & Laundry Services - Finalist

Best Auto Body Repair Collier Brothers Auto Body- Winner Stepney Bros Auto Body Inc - Finalist Schaefer Autobody Centers - Finalist

Best Esthetician Kii Lux Beauty- Winner Emily Bradley - Finalist Tennille McClain - Finalist

Best Auto Dealership O’Fallon Buick GMC- Winner Johnny Londoff Chevrolet - Finalist Honda of Frontenac - Finalist

Best Fitness Trainer Monica Campbell - Winner Corey Tate - Finalist Donna Yates - Finalist

Best Auto Service Center Collier Brothers Auto Body- Winner Schaefer Autobody Centers - Finalist I-70 Performance - Finalist

Best Gym BKM Fitness Boot Camp- Winner Planet Fitness - Finalist The GEM Factory - Finalist

Best Car Detailing Elite Detailing- Winner Touch of class, woodson road - Finalist Showroom Finish Detailing - Finalist

Best Hair Braider Uniquely Bamm - Winner BraidedbyBri - Finalist Be.You.tiful By Veda - Finalist Best Hair Salon Locs Of Glory - Winner Formation Salon and Spa - Finalist SafeHaven Salon - Finalist

Best Full Service Car Wash Club Car Wash- Winner Waterway Carwash - Finalist Elite Detailing - Finalist

“We did it! It’s been 53 years. Fifty-three years!”

– Spike Lee

Living It B1 • ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • JUNE 18 – 24, 2026

Musical salute to fathers and mentors

ETA Boule Foundation hosts Jeffrey Osborne

By Zaria Mac St. Louis American

Support, celebration and a healthy dose of nostalgia were on display at An Evening with Jeffrey Osborne, presented by the ETA Boule Foundation as part of its 8th Annual Salute to Fathers and Mentors.

Held at the historic Sheldon Concert Hall in Grand Center, fathers, sons and the women who support them gathered ahead of Father’s Day to honor the dedication of the men in their lives.

“The ETA Boule Foundation celebrates 10 years of honoring fathers, father figures and mentors who have shaped our lives,” said chairman Darryl Jones. “The men who have encouraged us, guided us, challenged us and helped open doors for those going behind them.”

Jones noted that the foundation remains rooted in its mission to support initiatives that benefit Black males, their families and their communities. Members volunteer with organizations including Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri, the Incarnate Word Foundation, the Today and Tomorrow Educational Foundation, BJC Children’s Hospital, Gateway to Medicine and Lincoln University.

Since its inception a decade ago, the foundation has donated $300,000 in educational assistance to more than 80 St. Louis students and contributed $150,000 to youth, family and See Osborne, B4

Pop, funk and soul music veteran Jeffrey Osborne

Photos by Lawrfence Bryant / St. Louis American

Nostalgia and nonstop movement

‘Second Sunday: The Cookout’ featured early 2000s hits and a celeb surprise

By Zaria Mac St. Louis American The sounds of early 2000s hiphop, R&B and pop filled the air on June 7 as Second Sunday: The Cookout transformed Atomic

by Jamo into a nostalgic celebration of music, community and dance. What began as local party series First There Sunday less than two years was little ago continues to standing gain momentum, around drawing larger and even crowds with each event. A mileless sitting down. stone was marked this month with The playits first celebrity lists were guest appearance.

The Cookout curated delivered a highto keep energy atmopeople sphere where moving. friends reunited, strangers became dance partners and the soundtrack reminded everyone why the era’s music still resonates. With rotating sets from local DJs Zari Ferrari, Nyara and See Sunday, B3

Soul of a people

SLSO’s Juneteenth concert lifts the legacy of Black music

By Kenya Vaughn St. Louis American Music is the thread that weaves together the Black experience in America. The contributions of Black people to the canon of American music represent more than creative expression through sound. They are volumes of American history in their own right — art that reflects the unshakable will and resilience of a people who have defied the odds at every turn.

Before freedom came, Black Americans sang about their hope for it. And even without liberation, they proved their determination to survive so that future generations could experience the freedom they had been denied for centuries.

See SLSO, B4

Photo by Taylor Marrie / St. Louis American

‘Second Sunday: The Cookout’ brought early 2000s hiphop, R&B and pop to Atomic by Jamo on Sunday, June 7.

B2

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • JUNE 18 – 24, 2026

St. Louis American Calendar

JUNETEENTH EVENTS Fri., June 19, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Rest Reimagined—A Juneteenth Celebration presented by Frizzy

By Nature, honoring Juneteenth and the power of rest, reflection, and release, Saint Louis Art Museum. For more information, visit www.slam. org.

Fri., June 19, 10 a.m., Summer Family Fun Series: Celebrating Juneteenth, Missouri History Museum, Lindell and DeBaliviere in Forest Park. For more information, visit www.mohistory. org.

Fri., June 19, 12 noon, House of Soul’s 7th Annual Juneteenth Festival Block Party, House of Soul, 1204 Washington Ave. For more information, visit www. houseofsoulstl.com.

Fri., June 19, 12 noon, JuneteenthSTL Festival Parade & Cultural Celebration presented by the City of Dellwood, featuring a blend of national and regional talent, including Southern soul sensation Pokey Bear and hip-hop artist Lil Scrappy, Dellwood Recreation Center, 10266 W. Florissant Ave. Thurs., June 18, 5 p.m., Missouri Historical Society’s African American History Programs, Thursday Nights at the Museum presents Joyful Juneteenth: An Evening of Performances, Missouri History Museum, Lindell and DeBaliviere

in Forest Park. For more information, visit www. mohistory.org.

R&B veteran Stokely and hip-hop legend Kool Moe Dee will perform at The Pageant for The Gogel Law Firm’s presentation of The R&B Meets Throwback Hip Hop Tour. See CONCERTS for details.

Fri., June 18, 7 p.m., The Gateway Festival Orchestra presents A Juneteenth Orchestral Event conducted by TJ Abernathy and featuring baritone Vince Wallace, Ritenour High School Auditorium, 9100 St. Charles Rock Road.

For more information, visit www.gatewayfestivalorchestra.org or call 314-741-5948.

Fri., June 19, 7:30 p.m., Soul of a People A Juneteenth Celebration of Black Music featuring LaKisha Jones (American Idol) and Ryan Shaw (America’s Got Talent) alongside the SLSO and IN UNISON Chorus.

Powell Symphony Hall.

For more information, visit www.slso.org.

Courtesy photo

63112. For more information, visit www.thepageant.com.

For more information, visit www.blackwallstreet314. com

Fri., June 19, doors 8 p.m. The Juneteenth Joint w/ Frankie DoWop, The Key, 3225 Olive St, St. Louis, MO 63103. For more information, visit www.thekeystl.com.

Tue., July 21, 7 p.m.

The R&B Tour starring Usher and Chris Brown, The Dome. See https:// explorestlouis.com.

COMEDY

CONCERTS

Sat., June 20, 1p.m. and 7:30 p.m. St. Louis SERA Rodeo, Chaifetz Arena, find more information at www.chaifetzarena. com.

Fri., June 19, 8 p.m.

(7 p.m. doors) The Gogel Law Firm welcomes The R&B Meets Throwback Hip Hop Tour with Stokely and Kool Moe Dee, The Pageant, 6161 Delmar. For more information, visit www.thepageant.com.

Fri., July 10 doors 7 p.m. St. Lunatics 25th Anniversary Show, The Pageant, 6161 Delmar Blvd, St. Louis, MO

SPECIAL EVENTS

Fri., June 26, doors 7 p.m. Strawberry Bounce, The Golden Record, 2720 Cherokee St. St. Louis, MO 63118. For more information, visit https:// thegoldenrecord.com.

Sat., June 27, 1 p.m., Black Wall Street 314 Festival, Wellston Loop.

Fri., June 19 - 20, doors 6:30 p.m. Comedy Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre presents “Comic Book Killer”, The Lemp Mansion Restaurant and Inn, 3322 Demenil Pl, St. Louis, MO 63118.

Recurring event. For more information, visit www. lempmansion.com.

Fri., June 26th, 7:30 p.m. Tee Sanders, City Winery, 3730 Foundry Way, St. Louis, MO. For more information, visit https://citywinery.com.

Fri., June 26 - 28, 7 p.m. Special Event: Earthquake, Helium Comedy Club, 1151 St Louis Galleria St, St Louis

MO 63117. For more information, visit https:// st-louis.heliumcomedy. com.

ST. LOUIS MUSIC SPOTLIGHT Wed., June 24, 6 p.m.

Live music at Buddy’s Wine Bar & Bistro with Sya Collins and Antonio Foster, 1001 Washington Ave, St. Louis, MO 63101. For more information www.drinkingbuddys.com.

Thurs., June 25, 7:30 p.m., Wellston’s own A.J. McQueen, City Winery, 3730 Foundry Way, St. Louis, MO. For more information, visit www.citywinery.com.

Sat., June 27, 8 p.m. doors, Raashad the Dude & Friends, The Dark Room, 3610 Grandel

Sq, St. Louis, MO 63103.

For more information, visit https://kranzbergartsfoundation.org.

THEATRE Through June 21, 8:15 p.m. The Muny presents Hairspray, The Muny, 1 Theatre Drive, St. Louis, MO 63112. For more information, visit https:// muny.org/.

Through June 21, 8 p.m., St. Louis Shakespeare Festival presents The Tempest, Shakespeare Glen in Forest Park. For more information, visit stlshakes.org Through June 27, 8 p.m. We Will Rock You, The Marelle, 3310 Samuel Shepard Dr, St. Louis, MO 63103. For more information, visit www.newlinetheatre.com.

ART Through June 28, Martine Syms: Soliloquy, St. Louis Art Museum, 1 Fine Arts Drive, Forest Park, St. Louis, MO 63110. For more information, visit www.slam.org.

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

Through Aug. 9, Teaser by Ayana Evans, Contemporary Art Museum, 3750 Washington Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63108. For more information, visit https://camstl.org.

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • JUNE 18 – 24, 2026

Osborne Continued from B1 health organizations.

Members also give up to $1,500 individually as a demonstration of personal commitment. In addition, more than $150,000 has been donated to community relief efforts, including support during the COVID19 pandemic and following last year’s May 16 tornado. The Salute to Fathers and Mentors serves as both a celebration and a fundraiser, with attendees raising an additional $5,000 last year.

“This celebration gives us an opportunity to use this platform for a great purpose,” Jones said.

“Raising funds, supporting academic excellence and helping create opportunities for deserving students to continue their educational journey.” The audience was then introduced to the scholarship recipients — HarrisStowe State University students pursuing fields ranging from biology and communication to secondary education and business administration.

Throughout the year, these young men — along with their fathers and mentors — work to build a world where representation, equity and prestige can coexist. This evening offered a chance to pause and celebrate that progress.

The program opened with comedian and radio host Darius Bradford, best known for his appearances on The Ricky Smiley Morning Show. Bradford took the audience back to growing up in the 1980s, when fast food was actually fast and cousins often felt like siblings. He joked about house phones connecting entire families at once and how pay phones limited how often someone could reach you — unlike today’s cell phones that ring day and night.

He closed his set with a nostalgic roll call, inviting attendees to share their name, zodiac sign and, of course, their high school — a moment that quickly energized the room.

With the audience fully warmed up, Jeffrey Osborne emerged from the back of the hall wearing an indigo blue suit and performing L.T.D.’s “We Party Hearty.” Singing as he made his way to the stage, he was joined by a full band and two background vocalists. He moved into “Stranger,” prompting the crowd to sing along from the opening chords.

The energy rose as the band launched into “Don’t You Get So Mad,” filling the room with a warm glow and a groovy bass line. Osborne kept the momentum with “Eenie Meenie,” “Holding On” and “Stay With Me Tonight.”

He shifted the mood with romantic ballads including “We’re Going All the Way,” “On the Wings of Love” and “We Both Deserve Each Other.” Couples slow danced in the aisles while others sang along, savoring a rare evening of slow jams.

With the crowd already on its feet, Osborne moved into “You Should Be Mine (The Woo Woo Song).”

The audience recognized it instantly. He stepped offstage to hand the microphone to several attendees, including one man celebrating his 35th wedding anniversary who serenaded his wife. St. Louis jazz legend Denise Thimes also took a turn, showcasing the voice that has made her a local favorite.

Osborne closed with “(Every Time I Turn Around) Back in Love Again,” sending the room into full celebration. Fans danced, clapped and sang along as the song’s bright rhythm filled the hall, creating a moment of joy and release.

An Evening with Jeffrey Osborne served as a heartfelt tribute to fathers, mentors and the communities they help build. Through music, laughter and shared memories, the event offered families a chance to honor the men who guide them and reflect on the lasting impact of mentorship and love.

Photo by Taylor Marrie / St. Louis American

The crowd enjoying Ray Ray and Roc Royal of Mindless Behavior — the first celebrity guests in Second Sunday’s history.

Sunday Continued from B1 Second Sunday curator DJ Naybahood, the event moved seamlessly from 1999 to the 2000s, keeping the dance floor full from afternoon into evening.

Unlike nightlife events where phones often take center stage, Second Sunday has built its reputation on presence. The party encourages guests to put devices away and stay in the moment. Aside from a few clips that surfaced online, the experience lived mostly in real time — in the room, not on the camera roll.

There was little standing around and even less sitting down. The playlists were curated to keep people moving, and they did exactly that.

Zari Ferrari opened with crowd-pleasing hits from artists like Nicki Minaj and Soulja Boy, instantly pulling guests into the nostalgia of school dances and house parties.

The room sang along to every word, dusting off dance moves many hadn’t performed in years.

DJ Nyara followed with a set that pushed the energy even higher. One of the night’s standout moments came when Yung Joc’s “It’s Goin’ Down” blasted through the speakers. The crowd responded immediately, filling the floor to hit the motorcycle dance that defined the song’s rise. Nyara closed with “NSYNC’s “Bye Bye Bye,” sending the room into another wave of early2000s memory.

Still, the night’s biggest musical moment belonged to DJ Naybahood. Opening with “Get’cha Head in the Game” from High School Musical, they captured the crowd instantly. The familiar bounce of basketballs and squeaking sneakers drew cheers before the set shifted into Rihanna’s “Pon de Replay,” prompting an eruption on the dance floor. Women danced like they were stepping into a music video, while others crowded the floor to sing along. Naybahood kept the momentum with a nonstop run of favorites from Nelly, Omarion, Lloyd and The Cheetah Girls — one of the most energetic stretches of the night.

The event’s defining moment came with a surprise appearance from Ray Ray and Roc Royal of Mindless Behavior — the first celebrity guests in Second Sunday’s history. Their performances of “My Girl” and “Mrs. Right” brought a wave of nostalgia, complete with a classic boyband dance break that transported fans back to the group’s peak.

Attendees sang every lyric while capturing what may become one of the series’ most memorable moments.

As the afternoon shifted into evening, The Cookout continued without interruption — just joy, laughter and togetherness. In a time when many events compete for online attention, Second Sunday stands out by prioritizing genuine connection and shared experience.

With growing attendance, rising buzz and now its first celebrity appearance, Second Sunday is positioning itself as one of the region’s most anticipated monthly events — proving that some of the best memories are still made on the dance floor.

Finding our way back to Black joy Families are more dispersed.

Screens often compete with faceto-face connection. Many young people know more about what is There was a time when summer happening across the country than in Black St. Louis arrived long what happened on the block where before the calendar said June. they live.

For me, it began with the May And while every generation faces Day Parade. its own challenges, I sometimes As a child in the 1970s, I rememwonder if what we’ve truly lost is ber standing along the route, eyes not the parade, the picnic, or the wide, watching the drum majors, penny candy. Perhaps we’ve lost majorettes, marching bands, drill some of the spaces where commuteams, fraternities, sororities, church nity was regularly practiced. The groups, and neighborhood orgaplaces where children saw elders. nizations pass by. By the 1980s, The places where neighbors became I was no longer watching from family. The places where history the sidelines. I was in the parade, was passed from one generation to marching alongside members of the the next through stories, traditions, Divine Nine, community leaders, and shared experiences. and young people proud to represent The good news is that history their schools and neighborhoods. is not only about what happened.

The parade History is also a guide wasn’t simply for what is possible. an event. It was At the Missouri a declaration. It History Museum’s announced that sumAfrican American mer had arrived.

History Initiative, we And what a sumspend our days premer it was. serving the stories, Long before photographs, archives, Juneteenth became and memories of Black a national holiday, St. Louis. Every collecBlack families in St. tion tells us something Louis understood important: the people June as a season of who came before us celebration, reflecbuilt community intention, and gathering. tionally.

Forest Park came alive Lyah LeFlore-Ituen They understood with family picnics. that culture does not Fairground Park filled survive by accident. It with reunions, music, survives because people choose to laughter, and children racing across gather. open fields. Churches organized They choose to mentor. They outings. Neighbors pulled lawn choose to celebrate. They choose to chairs into front yards. Backyard remember. grills fired up on Friday evenings As we move deeper into this and often didn’t cool down until summer, perhaps the question is Sunday night. not whether we can recreate the The soundtrack of summer St. Louis of 1975 or drifted through 1985. We cannot. open windows and Nor should we try across front porchThe question The question is es. Summer meant is whether we can running through whether we can the spirit that sprinklers until the recover the spirit that recover made those summers streetlights came on. made those summers meaningful.

Walking to the cormeaningful.

Can we create ner store with a few safe spaces for our dollars and returning children to play and with enough candy to dream? Can we supshare with friends. It port local parades, meant double-dutch festivals, drill teams, and youth proropes slapping against concrete, basgrams? Can we spend less time docketball games that lasted until dark, umenting every moment and more and elders sitting outside keeping time fully experiencing it? Can we watch over the block. reconnect with the simple but powLooking back, I realize what erful act of knowing our neighbors? made those summers special wasn’t Black joy has always been more simply the activities themselves. It than happiness. It is resilience. It is was the feeling we belonged to one love made visible. And perhaps that another. That sense of togetherness is the lesson summer has always existed despite the realities of segreoffered us. gation and discrimination.

Not that life was perfect. Not Our history reminds us that placthat hardship didn’t exist. But es like Fairground Park also carry that even in challenging times, we painful memories. Yet even in the found ways to gather, celebrate, face of exclusion, Black St. Louis and remind one another that we created spaces of joy. We built trabelonged. ditions, institutions, and communiMaybe that’s what this generaties capable of nurturing hope. tion needs most. Not a return to the Today, much has changed. past. But a return to each other.

Neighborhoods have shifted.

By Lyah B. LeFlore-Ituen, Missouri Historical Society

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ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • JUNE 18 – 24, 2026

Photo by Lawrence Bryant / St. Louis American The Black Rep’s golden season. When I tell you I was outside this weekend – I’m talking all over this town, all weekend long. I got things started in Lafayette Square – where me and several of my favorite folks came to toast the Black Rep’s 50th anniversary at a fabulously converted firehouse that now serves as a swank event space. Ron Himes also gave us some tea by sharing the lineup of their golden anniversary season – or as I like to call it, “The Colored Season.”

What? Before you start throwing shots at me on social media, let me share the show titles so you can tell me how right I am. The season kicks off with “The Color (ed) Purple,” then carries on with “The Colored Museum” and includes a special 50th anniversary presentation of St. Louis’ own Ntozake Shange’s “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf.” The season also includes “Purpose.”

And would it really be a Black Rep season without sprinkling some August Wilson up in there? Of course not! They will be closing season 50 out with “Gem of the Ocean.”

But let me tell y’all about who was up in there with raised glasses. Denise Thimes, Heather Himes, Cheryl Beal, Rudy Nickens, Andreal Hoosman, Pops Jackson, Phil Graves and the Adewales were just a few.

Speaking of toasts, was I the only one fighting for my life after only one of those “Color Purple” margaritas?

PJ Morton’s surprise pop-up. I thought I was gonna have to wait until MATI next month (July 19 to be exact) before I had a chance to spend some time with one of my favorite singer/songwriters in the game. So imagine my delight when my girl Beth Hoops hit me up to say that PJ Morton was on his way to the STL for a pop-up listening party for his new album Saturday Night, Sunday Morning, which drops on June 19.

When I tell you it’s a bop, trust that I wouldn’t lie to you! And he was as kind and humble as ever when he spent hours engaging with STL fans and the creative community at Sophie’s on Friday.

I saw some of my absolute faves – Tiffany Elle (remember when she sang the stage down when he popped up at the late great Lola?), Theresa Payne, Vanita Thompson are just a couple. Bates was doing her thing behind the bar.

It felt like Cheers up in there.

I cannot wait until PJ and dozens of others take the stage next month for MATI 2026. He will be in good company when the can’t-miss musical experience returns July 17–19. Get your tickets at matistl.org.

Jukin with Jeffrey. I don’t know what kind of Silver Sneakers fitness regimen Jeffrey Osborne is on, but SIGN. ME. UP! Y’all, he is almost 80!

Mr. “Woo Woo Woo” made all my Gen X and Millennial veteran R&B singers look downright silly when he hit the stage as the headliner for the Eta Boule Foundation’s 8th Annual Salute to Fathers and Mentors Saturday at The Sheldon.

Y’all, he worked that stage with a corded microphone! I was so nervous he was gonna pull a Lloyd or Ginuwine and tumble clean off the stage. And didn’t! He got caught up one time, but spun out of it cleaner than a male figure skater closing out a perfect routine.

Scott Hamilton, you better be lucky Jeffrey had the gift of song. Otherwise, we never would have known your name!

Anyway, a time was had and the folks went crazy – as they should have for the type of show he served up. I was worn out just by watching him work the whole venue. And when he shared the microphone, the folks slayed as much as

Dr. Pam with music veteran Jeffrey Osborne and his backup singers following the Eta Boule Foundation’s Salute to Fathers and Mentors Saturday at The Sheldon

Jocelynn and Grammy-winning singer/songwriter PJ Morton at a special pop-up album listening party for ‘Saturday Night/Sunday Morning” Friday at Sophie’s

he did.

Denise Thimes! Girl! How you gonna out “woo” the headliner! I wouldn’t expect any less!

Sunday funday shenanigans. Now you heard me say I was outside Thursday, Friday and Saturday. You would have thought that the folks would have let me get some R&R on Sunday, but nawl (yes, nawl) the people had to have two of the hottest sets so far this season. So much for my Killer Beside Me binge-watch plans.

And then they had the nerve to be on opposite sides of town. I must say that they were worth the commute!

Morgan Casey and ‘nem had Atomic by Jamo and the surrounding area in The Grove looking like the Budweiser Superfest with their R&B Block Party! I was expecting Kurtis Blow or Doug E. Fresh to pop out on the stage. But STL folks were the main character and a time was had.

I made the mistake of wearing my church shoes. I cut up so bad that I’ve been in Skechers all week and these feet still haven’t fully recovered.

To male matters worse, I limped over to Clayton for Tongue and Groove on the rooftop of The Ritz. Keith from Koncepts and Fred Finley did the doggone thing so tough that I didn’t notice my feet were on fire until I hopped in the car to head home!

SLSO Continued from A1 The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra will honor that legacy with Soul of a People: A Juneteenth Celebration of Black Music — a concert centered on the history, healing and hope that Black music has carried through generations.

Conducted by Kevin McBeth and featuring vocalists LaKisha Jones and Ryan Shaw, the June 19 performance at Powell Hall will blend gospel, soul, R&B and pop classics. The music reflects nearly a century of Black creativity, backed by the full force of the SLSO and the IN UNISON Chorus.

For Jones, the invitation felt different from the symphonic shows she’s used to. “This one is more personal, because it’s celebrating us as a people,” she said. “To be able to do that with the symphony orchestra — and to sing the classics and the songs that we all know — is just a beautiful thing.”

McBeth said the program was designed to feel like a dance party as much as a tribute. “It’s a really feel-good concert,” he said. “We came to have a good time.”

The setlist includes Stevie Wonder’s “Signed, Sealed, Delivered,” backed by full orchestra — a sound McBeth said transforms the familiar into something electric. The program moves through Lionel Richie’s “All Night Long,” Kool & the Gang’s “Celebration,” and orchestral features including Stevie Wonder’s “Sir Duke.”

There will also be moments of reflection. The chorus will perform “A Change Is Gonna Come,” a song McBeth said “hits different” in 2026 than it did when Sam Cooke first recorded it. “That song

was released at a time that is so much different from today, but also kind of similar,” McBeth said.

“There are so many people who still identify with what Sam Cooke talks about when he was singing the song.”

Jones will bring her own history to the stage with “I’m Here” from The Color Purple. She performed in the musical alongside fellow Idol alum Fantasia on Broadway.

“It’s such a meaningful song for the moment,” she said. “I absolutely want the spirit to move in the atmosphere.”

Jones and McBeth both spoke about the deep connection between Black music and Black freedom — a through line that makes this Juneteenth performance more than a concert.

“Music was a healing for us as a people,” Jones said, noting how hymns and spirituals carried enslaved Africans through the harshest conditions and how music continued to anchor the Civil Rights Movement. “To be able to do that on stage, and come together as one to celebrate us is a beautiful thing.”

McBeth echoed that sentiment, saying the program reflects the defiant idealism that has always lived inside Black music.

“We sing when we have tragedy, we sing out of our defiance, and we sing to celebrate,” he said. “We use music in all areas of our lives.”

He added that presenting this music in a symphonic setting challenges assumptions about who orchestral music is for.

“It’s our job to help people come up with a new narrative,” he said. “Come and experience it for yourself and realize that the heart of music for everybody comes from the same place.”

While Jones and Shaw are both known

from national television — American Idol and America’s Got Talent, respectively — McBeth said St. Louis audiences are about to discover the depth of their artistry.

“These are rock stars in their field,” he said.

“They bring emotion, spirit, professionalism — and they can truly sing.”

Jones said she’s excited to share the stage with Shaw for the first time.

“He is dynamic,” she said.

“We have some duets in the show, and I’m excited to be sharing the stage with such a talented, blessed performer.”

While the SLSO has presented Juneteenth programs in partner churches for years, McBeth said this is the first time the orchestra is offering a Juneteenth concert of this scale inside Powell Hall. “We want this to be a destination event,” he said. “When 7:30 rolls around, we want this to be the event that’s on everybody’s minds.”

Jones said she hopes audiences leave with a deeper appreciation for the contributions of Black artists — and for the resilience behind the music. “I hope they leave enriched in their hearts and spirits,” she said. “We should be celebrated not one day, but every day.”

And for her, the night will feel like something familiar. “I feel like I’m going to have a family reunion,” she said. “I’m ready to celebrate us.”

Soul of a People: A Juneteenth Celebration of Black Music takes place Friday, June 19 at 7:30 p.m. at Powell Hall.

The concert will feature the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, the IN UNISON Chorus, as well as guest vocalists LaKisha Jones and Ryan Shaw.

For tickets and more information, visit www. slso.org

“I didn’t respond to them then, I’m damn sure not gonna respond to them now.”

— New York Knicks player Jalen Brunson, responding to critics who said he was too small to lead a team to an NBA championship

Sports

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JUNE 18 – 24, 2026

Sports Eye With Alvin A. Reid

Lewis Hamilton makes Ferrari dream an F1 reality

provide a competitive Lewis Hamilton won car. The team went back his first Formula One race to the proverbial drawing and a drivers’ championboard to design and build ship with McLaren before a machine capable of moving to Mercedes and competing under Formula becoming the sport’s most One’s new technical specdominant driver for more ifications. than a decade.

“We made so many When Hamilton joined changes and so many Ferrari two seasons ago, improvements. On top of many expected him to add that, I’ve got the greatest another championship to fan base an athlete could his résumé. Immediate ever ask for. Thank you. success proved eluThank you to everybody,” sive, with a bewildered Hamilton said.

Hamilton questionCount me among ing his form and that fan base for wondering aloud nearly 15 years. whether he was F1’s move from still a championESPN and ABC ship-caliber driver to Apple TV has during last season’s caused me to miss disappointing cammore races than I’d paign.

Alvin A. like. Fortunately, But the F1 Reid Samsung TV superstar bounced re-airs races, back in 2026. allowing me to catch Hamilton won the Hamilton’s victory at 2 Spanish Grand Prix by a.m. Monday. more than 19 seconds Hamilton said his using a brilliant three-stop dream of driving for strategy — and a bit of Ferrari began when he good fortune. watched races as a child A late virtual safety car following Kimi Antonelli’s and imagined competing in the iconic red cars of retirement with 24 laps the Italian manufacturer. remaining allowed Ferrari “I watched Ferrari have to bring Hamilton in for all that success when I was fresh tires, helping propel younger, watching it on him to victory over forTV, and as I’ve been racmer Mercedes teammate ing here, I’d always watch George Russell. the screens and wonder “I started out with a what it would be like to dream last year, which win in that car, and it’s seemed almost impossicome,” he said. ble during my time last The victory raised year. But we never gave Hamilton’s Formula One up hope. The team just record to 106 career wins, continued to lift me up,” but he noted this one was Hamilton told Sky Sports different. after the race.

“They’re all special Hamilton’s previous in their own way but this victory came nearly two years ago when the British one’s something else,” he said. driver won the Belgian “I guess I’m just happy Grand Prix in July 2024. in my life, so I’m in a While Hamilton struggood place. I love doing gled mightily last season, what I do — there’s no Ferrari often failed to

Photo courtesy of Formula One

Lewis Hamilton celebrates his first victory as a Ferrari driver after winning the Spanish Grand Prix. greater feeling than racing a Formula One car.”

Hamilton acknowledged that Mercedes remains the team to beat in the Constructors’ Championship. He trails Antonelli 156-115 in the drivers’ standings, with Russell third at 106 points.

“We’re going to keep working, we’re going to keep trying to close that

gap. It’s not over, that’s for sure,” said the victorious Hamilton.

The Reid Roundup Jalen Brunson scored 45 points to lead yet another New York Knicks double-digit comeback over the San Antonio Spurs and win the NBA Finals title last Friday. He is a very deserving Finals

MVP, but…All this talk of Brunson being the Knicks all-time greatest player is ridiculous. Bill Bradley, Walt Frazier, and the late Willis Reed were on both the 1970 and 1973 world championship teams, with Frazier still serving as the team’s TV analyst. This is a classic example of ‘recency bias.’…Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs could win the next

three titles and not live down blowing a 29-point second half lead in Game Four of the NBA titles…

I’d rather party with Seth Jarvis and K’Andre Miller this week than any of the Knicks. The players helped the Carolina Hurricanes win the Stanley Cup on Sunday with a 3-0 win over Las Vegas.

Inside Sports With Earl Austin Jr.

Local players shine at Midwest Showcase One of my favorite high Saint Louis University, school basketball events to Iowa, Oklahoma, Utah attend during the summer State, DePaul, Minnesota, is the Midwest Showcase.

Nebraska, Kansas State, This year’s event was Tulsa, Lindenwood, held last weekend at the SEMO, Austin Peay and Columbia Fieldhouse in many, many others. mid-Missouri. I cannot The St. Louis area was stress enough how much I well represented with love and look forward to many teams in attenattending this event every dance. Local powerhousyear. es Principia and My friends Vashon were among at the Missouri the showcase teams Basketball Coaches for the event. On Association put Sunday, the two on a tremendous teams played their showcase featuring respective games high school teams simultaneously on from six differadjacent courts.

Earl ent states. This A swarm of Austin Jr. year’s event feacollege coaches tured boys teams attended those from Missouri, Kansas, games, and for good reaNebraska, Iowa, Oklahoma son. Both teams look to and Arkansas. The elite be not only the best in the teams get a chance to test state but among the best in themselves against the best the country. from other states. It makes Principia features one for some high-level basof the tallest front lines ketball. in the country in 6-footThe event is held during 11 senior Tyran Frazier, an NCAA live recruiting 6-foot-9 senior Sekou period in June, which Cisse and 6-foot-9 sophallows college coaches to omore Majok Ater. The attend. And a slew of colPanthers also feature a lege coaches were in atten- strong set of guards in dance. Some of the schools 6-foot-3 seniors Gassim whose staffs attended Toure and Kingston included Missouri and Money.

outstanding throughout the weekend in Columbia.

They are the sons of former Vashon greats Jimmy McKinney and Leon Powell, continuing a strong family tradition.

By the way, Vashon and Principia are scheduled to play each other at the Edwardsville Live event on Friday, June 26 at 6 p.m.

Several other players from the St. Louis area also put in strong performances during the Midwest Showcase. Here are five players I watched who really stood out.

• Scottie Adkinson: The senior guard of Webster Groves was playing in:front of his future coaching staff at the University of Missouri.

Photo Lawrence Bryant / St. Louis American

Vashon High’s Jimmy McKinney was one of the top players competing at the Midwest Showcase in Columbia last weekend. McKinney led the Wolverines to a 4-0 record during the event. He is shown here against Webster Groves on February 14.

Vashon looks to be recharged after a fourthplace finish in the Class 4

state tournament. Seniors Jimmy McKinney III and Leon Powell Jr. were

• Sebastian Bolden: A 6-foot-4 senior guard from Clayton who is a smooth perimeter shooter.

• Elijah Poniewaz: A physical 6-foot junior point guard from Chaminade who can really score.

• Nolan Struckman: A

6-foot-8 senior forward from St. Dominic who is an excellent ball handler and perimeter shooter • Coleman Watson: A smooth 6-foot-4 junior point guard from Lafayette who is very fluid.

Girls Midwest Showcase event set for this weekend The Midwest Showcase resumes this weekend with the girls event, which will also be held at the Columbia Fieldhouse in mid-Missouri.

The event will feature 75 high school teams from seven different states, including Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, Iowa, Oklahoma, Minnesota and Florida.

Several of the top programs in the St. Louis area will also be on hand to compete. These include Incarnate Word Academy, Lift for Life, Cardinal Ritter, University City, Troy, Marquette, Lutheran North, Hazelwood West and Francis Howell.

The action will begin Thursday afternoon and run through Saturday.

JUNE 18 – 24, 2026

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Local firm plays key role in Juneteenth museum

St. Louis-based firm KAI helping lead project slated to break ground Oct. 7

By Rod Hicks St. Louis American A St. Louis architecture firm is helping bring the long-planned National Juneteenth Museum closer to reality as the project moves toward a groundbreaking in Texas scheduled for Oct. 7, 2026 — the 100th birthday of activist and educator Opal Lee. Fort Worth officials’ acquisition of the final parcels needed for the site and approval of plans to relocate a community center occupying part of the property have helped advance the project after

years of fundraising, planning and delays.

The $63 million museum is planned for Fort Worth’s Historic Southside neighborhood and will serve as a national center for exhibitions, education and public programming focused on the history and legacy of Juneteenth.

The museum is closely associated with Lee, whose yearslong campaign helped make Juneteenth a federal holiday in 2021 when President Joe Biden signed legislation establishing the observance nationwide.

She has long advocated See Museum, B8

Rendering courtesy of Bjarke Ingels Group & KAI Enterprises

A rendering of the National Juneteenth Museum scheduled for an Oct. 7, 2026 groundbreaking in Texas.

JUNETEENTH • JUNE 4 – 10, 2026

Juneteenth celebrations across St. Louis and the Metro East will offer a variety of opportunities to commemorate the holiday through history, music, community service, education and entertainment.

From festivals and parades to concerts, museum programs and community gatherings, organizations throughout the region are planning events to honor freedom and reflect on the significance of June 19.

Here is a guide to some of the activities scheduled for Juneteenth 2026.

Juneteenth 2026 events

Friday, June 19 (Juneteenth) 9 a.m.-4 p.m. — “Rest Reimagined — A

Jones (“American Idol”) and Ryan Shaw (“America’s Got Talent”) with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and IN UNISON Chorus, Powell Symphony Hall.

For more information, visit www.slso.org.

8 p.m. — The Juneteenth Joint with Frankie DoWop, The Key, 3225 Olive St. For more information, visit www. thekeystl.com.

Saturday, June 20

Thursday, June 18 3 p.m. — JuneteenthSTL Meet and Greet, Firehouse 282 Restaurant and Bar, 1315 Vandeventer Ave. 5 p.m. — Missouri Historical Society’s African American History Programs, Thursday Nights at the Museum presents “Joyful Juneteenth: An Evening of Performances,” Missouri History Museum, Lindell Boulevard and DeBaliviere Avenue in Forest Park. For more information, visit www.mohistory.org.

7 p.m. — The Gateway Festival Orchestra presents “A Juneteenth Orchestral Event,” conducted by TJ Abernathy and featuring baritone Vince Wallace, Ritenour High School Auditorium, 9100 St. Charles Rock Road.

For more information, visit www.gatewayfestivalorchestra.org or call 314-741-5948.

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Photo by Lawrence Bryant / St. Louis American

Gentlemen of Vision perform at the Juneteenth Celebration in University City’s Delmar Loop on Saturday, June 13, 2026.

Juneteenth Celebration,” presented by Frizzy

By Nature, honoring Juneteenth and the power of rest, reflection and release, Saint Louis Art Museum. For more information, visit www.slam. org.

10 a.m. — Summer Family Fun Series: Celebrating Juneteenth, Missouri History Museum, Lindell Boulevard and DeBaliviere Avenue in Forest Park. For more information, visit www. mohistory.org.

11 a.m. — Freedom in Equity Festival, presented

by Juneteenth Freedom Day-East St. Louis, Jones Park, 2900 Argonne Drive, Washington Park, Illinois.

11 a.m. — Juneteenth at The Garden, featuring St. Louis Black Authors, Story Time, Spoken Word and a book giveaway.

A screening of “Annie Malone Turnbo: The Untold Story” follows at 1 p.m., Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Blvd.

For more information, visit www.mobot.org.

11:30 a.m. — Griot Museum’s Juneteenth Festival, Griot Museum of Black History, 2505 St. Louis Ave. Noon — House of Soul’s 7th Annual Juneteenth Festival Block Party, House of Soul, 1204 Washington Ave. For more information, visit www. houseofsoulstl.com.

Noon — JuneteenthSTL Festival Parade & Cultural Celebration, presented by the city of Dellwood, featuring national and region-

al performers, including Southern soul artist Pokey Bear and hip-hop artist Lil Scrappy, Dellwood Recreation Center, 10266 W. Florissant Ave. Noon — Illinois Black Woodstock Festival’s Juneteenth Edition, featuring DJs, food vendors, Black-owned business showcases and family activities, 8206 State St., East St. Louis, Illinois.

7:30 p.m. — “Soul of a People: A Juneteenth Celebration of Black Music,” featuring LaKisha

1 p.m. — Juneteenth Holiday Inc. Parade & Celebration, Beckett Park, 1201 N. Taylor Ave. Described as St. Louis’ oldest annual Juneteenth parade. Includes live performances, African dancers and drummers, raffles, board games, food and other activities.

1 p.m. — Fountain Park Juneteenth Community Celebration.

The 2026 theme, “Resilient Roots: Honoring Freedom, Remembering Lives, Strengthening Community,” recognizes the community’s resilience and recovery following the May 16 tornado. Fountain Park, 4861 Fountain Ave. Monday, June 22 6:30 p.m. — Meaningful Conversations St. Louis presents “From Tolerance to True Unity,” University City Public Library, 6701 Delmar Blvd.

Saturday, June 27 1 p.m. — Black Wall Street 314 Festival, Wellston Loop. For more information, visit www. blackwallstreet314.com.

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JUNETEENTH • JUNE 4 – 10, 2026

Rendering courtesy of Bjarke Ingels Group & KAI Enterprises

A rendering of one of the exhibition galleries inside the National Juneteenth Museum.

Museum Continued from B6 for a national institution dedicated to preserving and teaching the history of Juneteenth.

Before plans for the national museum took shape, Lee operated a smaller Juneteenth museum in Fort Worth for nearly two decades.

“Seeing the national museum moving forward is a dream fulfilled,” Lee told Architect magazine.

Museum CEO Jarred

Howard said the institution is intended to help tell the story of Juneteenth to a broader audience.

“The reality is, we think America needs to know what Juneteenth is,” Howard said in a recent interview with Atlanta public radio station WABE. Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, and informed enslaved people they were free more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation

Proclamation.

The museum is intended to provide a permanent home for that history while serving as a community anchor in the neighborhood where it is being built.

Plans call for a 50,000-square-foot facility featuring exhibition galleries, a theater, a food hall, a business incubator that will support entrepreneurs and community gathering spaces. Museum leaders say the facility is intended to be more than a traditional museum, with space designed for educational

programs, community events and neighborhood activity.

That mission is closely tied to Fort Worth’s Historic Southside, a historically Black neighborhood that was once a center of Black culture and commerce. Community leaders say the area experienced decades of disinvestment after construction of Interstate 35W divided the neighborhood.

St. Louis-based KAI Enterprises is serving as executive architect for the project alongside the Bjarke Ingels Group,

known as BIG. In that role, KAI is overseeing coordination among designers and consultants and helping guide the project through final design work and preparation for construction.

KAI’s involvement predates the museum itself.

The firm became involved through broader revitalization efforts in the Historic Southside and participated in some of the initial discussions surrounding formation of the National Juneteenth Museum Foundation before being selected through a com-

petitive process.

Darren James, president of KAI Enterprises, said the firm’s “passion for engaging the local community” and experience working in similar neighborhoods helped position it for the project.

The project is also notable for the role Blackowned firms are playing in its design and construction. According to Shoppe Black, KAI is among several Black-owned companies serving in leadership roles on the project team.

James told Architect magazine he was “honored to contribute to this significant and important part of U.S. history.”

The museum is expected to be KAI’s most internationally recognized museum project to date. The firm previously worked on projects including the Saint Louis Art Museum expansion and the Museum of Westward Expansion at Gateway Arch National Park.

KAI said final construction plans are about 90% complete and are expected to be finished later this summer.

Organizers unveiled plans for the museum in 2022 and initially hoped to begin construction much sooner. Fundraising challenges, site issues and property negotiations contributed to delays.

With land acquisition complete, final construction plans nearing completion and a groundbreaking date now on the calendar, the museum is closer to construction than at any point since it was first announced.

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JUNETEENTH • JUNE 4 – 10, 2026

Juneteenth and the covenant of economic liberation

By Orvin T. Kimbrough Freedom was declared.

But the news arrived late.

And for far too many, the fullness of freedom is still delayed.

On June 19, 1865, under the blistering Texas sun in Galveston, the last enslaved people in America heard the words that should have reached them years earlier: You are free.

But as our ancestors quickly learned, freedom is more than the absence of chains.

Freedom Orvin T. is access.

Kimbrough Freedom is agency. Freedom is ownership.

Freedom is the ability to build, protect, pass down and determine the future of your family.

On that sacred day, we were promised a beginning. Forty acres to till.

A mule to move forward.

A chance to build something of our own. The Freedman’s Savings Bank opened. Black families placed their hopes, wages and futures into that institution. When it collapsed, it did more than destroy savings. It shattered trust.

It delayed dreams.

And yet, we are still here. Still building.

Still rising. That is why Juneteenth cannot only be a day of remembrance.

It must also be a day of

Black Commandment number 6 states that thou shalt be present in the lives of our children.

recommitment to the unfinished work of economic liberation. Because liberation is not only what we are freed from. It is what we are freed to build.

On this Juneteenth, I believe we are called to rebuild a covenant.

A commitment to build wealth, pass down wisdom and make sure our descendants do not always have to start from scratch.

And to our allies — our neighbors, co-workers, board members, civic leaders and friends — this is not only Black history.

It is American history.

When communities rise, we all gain.

So let these be more than ideas. Let these be our covenant.

The 10 Black Commandments for Legacy and Liberation 1. Thou shalt own property and land Ownership is power.

Our ancestors worked soil they did not own. They built wealth for others while being denied the right to build stability for themselves. We must claim what they were denied. Land is leverage. It is security.

2. Thou shalt engage politics — from the block to the ballot Freedom without voice is fragile. From zoning laws to school boards, from city halls to state legislatures, policy shapes life. We must vote with intention, serve with conviction and hold power accountable.

3. Thou shalt be educated — in mind, trade and spirit There was a time when our people were punished for learning to read.

Today, knowledge remains one of our greatest forms of resistance. Whether in schools, churches or living rooms, we must learn, teach, question and

liberate.

4. Thou shalt own and champion Black enterprise and leadership Freedom must have a storefront and a seat at the table. From corner businesses to corporate headquarters, Black entrepreneurship and Black leadership are resistance in motion. We must build, buy, believe in and support Black enterprise.

5. Thou shalt work hard and work smart We come from people who worked for nothing.

But hard work alone is not enough. We must also teach strategy, discipline, ownership and discernment.

6. Thou shalt be present in the lives of our children Legacy begins when a child knows someone is watching, listening, correcting, encouraging and expecting more from them.

Everyone can invest in a child’s future — through

chains, build institutions mentoring or simply and honor the sacrifices being a steady adult in an of those who prayed for a unsteady world. future they would never 7. Thou shalt pass see. down knowledge and wealth From emancipation If we die with our to empowerment wisdom, we have failed the next generation. We Juneteenth is not only must pass down more than about what was denied. It money. We must pass is about what we are still down stories, values, faith determined to build. From and ambitions. the silence of delayed 8. Thou shalt master freedom, we raise a new financial literacy and sound — a sound of stratestrategy gy, stewardship, ownership Wealth that is not manand faith. aged is wealth that disThis is our covenant. appears. We must budget Not merely a list of goals, and teach others to do the but a spiritual contract same. Real estate. Stocks. with those who came Business ownership. before us and those yet to Side hustles. Retirement come. accounts.

Here is the Insurance. charge: Choose Estate planning. one commandStack it. Grow Legacy begins ment. Live it. Protect it. when a child it this week.

Pass it on. knows someShare it with 9. Thou one is watchsomeone you shalt build love. Then networks and ing, listening, choose another. influence insti- correcting, And another. tutions encouraging Because freeWe must and expectdom must be build bridges ing more from remembered. in institutions.

But it must also Build coalitions them. be built. rooted in integMay our rity and shared labor yield legpurpose. We acy. And may must not only enter these institutions. We our children never experience the chains we broke must influence them.

— only the doors we built.

10. Thou shalt be Orvin T. Kimbrough anchored in faith and is chairman and CEO purpose of Midwest BankCentre We are not chasing and author of Twice riches for riches’ sake.

Over a Man, More Than With every dollar, we a Conqueror and Ward honor something bigger and the State. The column than ourselves. Wealth was trimmed for space. rooted in faith becomes For the full version, go to a tool for service — a OrvinKimbrough.com. way to bless others, break

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ST. LOUIS AMERICAN

SOFTWARE DEVELOPER

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SOFTWARE DEVELOPER Vizva Tech Solutions, LLC, an IT Consulting Services Firm in Chesterfield, MO seeks professionals:

• Software Developer with MS degree in Comp. Sci., Info. Tech., or Mgmt Info. Sys. plus completed college coursework in Bus App Database Mgmt Syst; Bus1 Syst Analysis & Design; Applied Business Analytics SAS; C Prg. & Data Structures; Database Management Systems; Object Oriented Programming. Ref# IT-2026-002

• Software Developer with MS degree in Comp. Sci. or Info. Tech. plus 1 year of experience in Python; SQL; GCP; Machine Learning; DevOps. Ref#IT-2026-001

Resumes to: Recruiting, iBrain Technologies, Inc., 1018 Wilmas Hollow Drive, Chesterfield, MO 63005 or ibjobs@ibrain-tech.com

Must be willing to work at unanticipated worksite locations for all positions. Telecommuting permissible. The position does not require travel in order to perform the duties of the position.

Resumes to: Recruiting, Vizva Tech Solutions, LLC., 1018 Wilmas Hollow Drive, Chesterfield, MO 63005 or vijobs@vizva-tech.com www.stlamerican.com

REQUEST FOR PUBLIC COMMENT/ NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING East-West Gateway Council of Governments (EWG) is inviting public review and comment on the draft of its updated FY 2027-2030 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). Bi-state area residents will have the opportunity to engage with this important regional planning document by attending four in-person meetings. The draft TIP includes detailed maps, project statuses, and funding information.

The TIP outlines planned or active state and federal transportation projects throughout the region over the next four years. These projects, including roads, bridges, transit, and supporting infrastructure, are aligned with the region’s Long-Range Transportation Plan, also produced by EWG. The public comment period begins Wednesday, 7/1/26, and ends Friday, 7/31/26. The draft TIP will also be posted online for comment at www.ewgateway.org on 7/1/26. Residents are encouraged to review the TIP and provide feedback online through EWG’s interactive eTIP database at ewgateway.ecointeractive.com. Comment forms may also be submitted in writing or digitally at scheduled in-person meetings.

Comments can further be submitted by email to TIP@ewgateway. org or by mail to East-West Gateway Council of Governments, Attn: TIP, 1 S. Memorial Drive, Ste. 1600, St. Louis, MO 63102. Public input is a vital part of the regional planning process, helping ensure that transportation investments reflect the needs and priorities of local communities. Throughout the comment period, EWG staff will answer questions on the document. Comments or questions must be received or postmarked by midnight, Friday, 7/31/26.

The public is invited to view these documents and supporting materials at a series of open house meetings. Dates and locations are listed below.

• Tuesday, 7/7/26 – Washington, MO City Hall – 405 Jefferson St., Washington, MO 63090, 4:30-6:30 p.m.

• Thursday, 7/9/26 –Richmond Heights Community Center- 8001 Dale Ave., Richmond Heights, MO 63117, 4:30-6:30 p.m.

• Monday, 7/13/26 – Belleville, IL City Hall – 101 S. Illinois St., Belleville, IL 62220, 4:30-6:30 p.m.

• Thursday, 7/16/26 – Lake St. Louis, MO City Hall – 200 Civic Center Dr., Lake St. Louis, MO 63367, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.

EWG is committed to ensuring that all meetings are both ADA and LEP accessible. To request a reasonable accommodation for the open house meetings please contact EWG’s Title VI Coordinator at least 48 business hours prior to an open house meeting at (314) 421-4220 or (618) 274-2750 or titlevi@ewgateway.org.

REQUEST FOR BIDS Great Rivers Greenway is requesting bids for St. Vincent Greenway: Eskridge High School to St. Charles Rock Road. Go to https://greatriversgreenway.org/bids/ for details and submit by June 18, 2026.

St. Louis american THE

JUNE 18 - 24, 2026

iBrain Technologies, an IT Consulting Services Firm in Chesterfield, MO seeks professionals:

Must be willing to work at unanticipated worksite locations for all positions. Telecommuting permissible. The positions do not require travel in order to perform the duties of the position.

THE

Career Center

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PARAMEDIC/ FIREFIGHTER PARAMEDIC

CODE ENFORCEMENT

The Village of Hanley Hills is seeking requests The City of Richmond Heights is accepting applifor proposals for code cations for the position of enforcement services Paramedic or Firefighter from qualified Paramedic professionals to enforce $66,400 - 78,161. the city code To apply go to https:// throughout the Village. richmondheights.applicant pro.com/jobs/ .

Please submit all proposals to the attention of Gregory Robinson at 7713 Utica Drive, We Publish every St. Louis, MO 63133.

Thursday Newspaper and Online

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.

CITY OF ST. LOUIS ST. LOUIS LAMBERT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) Service: Emergency Medical and Ambulance Services Pre-Proposal Meeting Date: June 30, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. local time Meeting will be held via Zoom.

See RFP for details.

Question Due Date: July 2, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. local time Proposal Due Date: July 22, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.

Point of Contact: Delia Cummings – dfcummings@flystl.com Proposal documents may be obtained at St. Louis Lambert International Airport, Airport Properties Division, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., or by calling (314) 426-8174. This RFP may also be obtained by visiting our website at https://www.flystl.com/business/ contract-opportunities/ Robert Salarano Airport Properties Division Manager

CITY OF PINE LAWN PROPERTY AUCTION Sealed Bids Due FRIDAY - JULY 10, 2026 - 10 am @ Pine Lawn City Hall for 26 Pine Lawn owned residential properties. Properties are “sold as is” @ starting bid $5,000. Auction Bid Requirements & address list available at PL City Hall (6250 Steve Marre Ave., STL 63121).

Bidders Q&A Workshop 6 pm June 15 and Bid opening 6 pm July 10 @ PL City Hall.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS The International Institute of St. Louis is seeking bid proposals for Programmatic and Networking Services as part of the STL Career Pathways Program.

Interested parties should submit at https://www.iistl.org/ workforce-solutions/ on or before Friday, July 31st no later than 5pm.

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Bids & Public Notices ST. LOUIS AMERICAN

SEALED BIDS

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Jefferson City Readiness Center Building 1, Repairs to Interior/ Exterior, 801 Armory Drive, Jefferson City MO, 65109, Project No. T2505-01 will be received

by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, July 28, 2026. Project information available at: http://oa.mo. gov/facilities

Bids for Accessibility Improvements, Multiple Group Camp Assets, Crowder State Park, Trenton, MO, Project No. X2534-01will be received

by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, July 23, 2026. Project information available at: http://oa.mo. gov/facilities

www.stlamerican.com

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St. Louis american THE

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JUNE 18 - 24, 2026

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE PAGEDALE CITY HALL 1420 FERGUSON AVENUE PAGEDALE, MO 63133 On Thursday, July 9, 2026, at 6:30 p.m., at the City of Pagedale City Hall located at 1420 Ferguson Avenue, Pagedale, Missouri, 63133, there shall be a public hearing by the city’s Board of Alderpersons to hear, review and render a decision as to whether to accept or reject the recommendations of the Planning and Zoning Commission as to the City of Pagedale’s Application(s) to create and adopt a Planned Use Development (“PUD”) and incorporate same into the city’s zoning code, thereby amending same, with respect to the Lulu Heights neighborhood development and to apply the PUD to the Lulu Heights neighborhood development.

CITY OF ST. LOUIS ST. LOUIS LAMBERT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT SOLICITATION FOR BIDS (SFB) Service: Oxygen Inhalators Equipment and Services Pre-Bid Meeting Date: June 17, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. Local Time Question Due Date: June 18, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Local Time Bid Due Date: July 6, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.

Local Time Point of Contact: Delia Cummings – dfcummings@flystl.com Bid documents may be obtained at St. Louis Lambert International Airport, Airport Properties Division, Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., or by calling (314) 426-8174. This SFB may also be obtained by visiting our website at https:// www.flystl.com/business/contract-opportunities/ Robert Salarano Airport Properties Division Manager

FARM TO SAINT LOUIS ZOO PRODUCE PROCUREMENT RFP 2026 The Saint Louis Zoo seeks bids from qualified vendors.

Bid documents are available as of 6/17/26 on the Saint Louis Zoo website: stlzoo.org/vendor.

We Publish every Thursday Newspaper and Online

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL FERGUSON-FLORISSANT SCHOOL DISTRICT DISTRICTWIDE JOB DESCRIPTION REVIEW AND MODERNIZATION SERVICES NOTICE The Ferguson-Florissant School District (District) will accept proposals as described in the attached request. Qualified organizations (Respondent) are invited to submit an electronic copy of a proposal as described herein.

PROPOSAL SHALL BE LABELED: “PROPOSAL-Districtwide Job Description Review and Modernization Consulting Services” AND SUBMITTED TO: Chris Schwan, Administrative Assistant to the Chief Human Resource Officer cschwan@fergflor.org All Request For Proposal packets should be submitted by 4:00 p.m on June 29, 2026. The email subject line for information packet submissions should be ““PROPOSAL Districtwide Job Description Review and Modernization Services”. The document must be a single file in PDF format. An email receipt will be sent when a packet is received. Any submissions received after the specified date will be excluded from consideration.

Questions may be directed to Katy Chambers Phone: 314-250-8879 Email: kchambers@fergflor.org General District Information: www.fergflor.org FFSD Equity Resolution: www.fergflor.org/equity The Ferguson-Florissant School District reserves the right to reject any and all proposals, to waive technical defects, and to select the proposal deemed most advantageous to the District.

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE:

To Advertise Real Estate, Angelita Houston at ahouston@ stlamerican.com 314-289-5430

Advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, imitation, ROOMS FOR RENT or discrimination because Ms. Shonda Upscale, Very Clean, Good ROOMS of race, color, heating and $550/mo cooling. Cable religion, sex, handicap, 314-484-3147 314-761-7991 familial\status, or national origin, ROOMS FOR RENT or intention to make any such Clean, Furnished, preference, limitation, or Wash/Dry Util, Free Wi-Fi, $600/ discrimination.“We will not know- mo, $150/Dep ingly accept any advertising for 314-629-5051 real estate which is in violation WINTER GARDEN APTS. of the law. All persons are hereby HUD Low Income Sr. Housing informed that all dwellings adverCommunity Now accepting applications for tised are available on an equal 1 and 2 bedroom waitlists; Age 62+ and/or disabled opportunity basis.”

Call Angelita Houston at 314-289-5430 or email ahouston@stlamerican.com to place your ads today!

Recently renovated apartments with new interiors, cabinetry, HVAC & vinyl plank flooring Income restrictions apply. ADA. Pet friendly, gated, near Metro Link 5708 Kingsbury Place, St. Louis, MO 63112

314-361-7225 TTY 800-735-2966

Religion

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JUNE 18 – 24, 2026

Churches fire up grills for summer outreach Grill to Glory program returns with food and community services at 351 locations

By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American What began six years ago at one St. Louis church has grown into a weekly summer outreach effort involving 351 churches across the St. Louis region and beyond.

The Grill to Glory initiative, coordinated by the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis and participating congregations, provides free hot dogs and other community services on Saturdays at churches throughout St. Louis, St. Louis County and the Metro East.

“We have gone from 12 churches to 22, to 65, to 112, to over 250 last year. This year, we have 351 churches,” said James Clark, the Urban League’s vice president of public safety.

Churches participating in the program distribute food and connect residents with services from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays during the summer.

Clark said the effort began at Leonard Missionary Baptist Church as a response to the opioid crisis.

“Leonard Baptist Church is where it all started in response to the opioid crisis,” Clark said recently during the annual

Tony Robinson and Jackie Carpenter prepare food during the Grill to Glory initiative which had grown to 351 churches.

Photo by Lawrence Bryant / St. Louis American

kickoff event and cookout at Urban League headquarters. “There are things you can’t deal with in an office (or) in a building.

You have to be out and be visible.”

Many participating churches offer more than food. Some provide hair-

cuts for young people, clothing, toiletries, recreational activities and information about community resources.

According to the Urban League, more than 80% of participating churches reported increased Sunday attendance. The organiza-

tion also said the initiative helped place more than 100 people in jobs last year and assisted residents with housing and utility needs. Organizers said the program also has helped resolve more than 100 arrest warrants during the past three years.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints provides thousands of hot dogs for the effort each summer. Douglas K. Weible of Fred Weber Inc. has donated grills for participating churches, purchasing more than 400 since 2017, organizers

said.

Minister Anthony McMiller of Leonard Missionary Baptist Church said the program is intended to strengthen connections between churches and their surrounding neighborhoods.

“Grill to Glory is not just feeding the community; it is feeding the spirit,” McMiller said. “It’s about drawing the community to the church.”

Clark said the initiative, which also launched in Memphis six years ago, has expanded to include churches in Indianapolis, Seattle, Houston, Dallas and Nashville.

He said organizers see the program as a way to address challenges such as addiction, violence and social isolation by building stronger ties between churches and the communities they serve.

“The Black church was a cornerstone of the civil rights movement,” Clark said. “It again can be a spark for this mission to take on opioid addiction and violence in the community through Grill to Glory.”

For more information about Grill to Glory, visit the Urban League website at ulstl.com.