June 27th, 2024 edition

St. LouiS AmericAn

American again wins NNPA’s highest honor

Named nation’s #1 Black newspaper

By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American

The St. Louis American was honored with the John Brown Russwurm Award for the 15th time since 1995 during the National Newspaper Publishers ‘Messenger Awards’ ceremony on June 20, 2024, at the annual convention in Baltimore. The American has been named the Russwurm winner eight times in the past decade.

The awards recognize excellence in journalism and entrepreneurship among the Black Press of America. The American won 12 national awards including the Russwurm, which is the top honor of the competition. It is awarded to the newspaper with the highest cumulative score.

CEO

Horsing around

A rodeo rider leaps from his horse during the calf roping competition at the Southeastern Rodeo Association Black Rodeo at Chaifetz Arena on June 20. The 7:30 p.m. show sold out so quickly that a 1 p.m. show was added, which offered two opportunities for Black rodeo fans to enjoy the entertainment.

Charter Commission lists governance proposals

By Marissanne Lewis-Thompson St. Louis Public Radio

After months of public comment and meeting of working groups, the St. Louis City Charter Commission has released its draft proposal of amendments.

“We care deeply about incorporating changes and making updates that are reflective of St. Louis City as it is right now,” said Briana Bobo, the commission’s chair. “Also, providing enough freedom to be malleable to how St. Louis can grow into the future.”

The original charter was created in 1914 to function as the city’s constitution and roadmap for running its government.

St. Louis Alderman Rasheen Aldridge introduced a bill of his own in May proposing a change to the charter that would give the board the ability to increase the city’s budget. The proposal would also eliminate the Board of Estimate and Apportionment, remove comptroller as an elected office and instead shift the responsibilities to a newly created finance department under the mayor’s office, and give the

Father & son wealth management firm are a team that manages to work

By Sylvester Brown, Jr. St. Louis American

“I like to tell people that it’s because I grew up and matured enough and he calmed down enough to where it works.”

That was the amusing answer Geoff Ratliff gave when asked how he and his father, Harry Ratliff, have managed to operate their company - The Ratliff Wealth Management Group at Merrill Lynch - so efficiently over the years. Geoff, 47, and Harry, 76, have almost 50 years combined experience in advising private companies, nonprofits, families and individuals about how to best meet their financial goals. The duo offers a range of services that include portfolio management, estate and retirement planning, tax services and much more.

Geoff Ratliff

Maintaining a successful family-owned business, however, is replete with challenges. According to SCORE.org, a business mentoring site, only 30% of family-owned businesses survive the transition from first to second generation. Additionally, a mere 13% of those enterprises remain in the family for more than 60 years. The agency defines “family-owned” as “any business in which two or more family members operate the company, and the majority of ownership or control lies within a family.” Of the 28.8 million small businesses in America, 19% are owned by families.

n Geoff, 47, and Harry, 76, have almost 50 years combined experience in advising private companies, nonprofits, families and individuals about how to best meet their financial goals.

Geoff’s comment about “maturing enough” was in reference to his early desire not to follow in his dad’s footprints. Yes, he and his sister, Jennifer, were aware of Harry’s hard work and determination to carve his own niche in the wealth management arena but neither were particularly keen on pursuing his entrepreneurial endeavor.

Before the kids were born, Harry had already started an advertising and sales promotion firm servicing corporations and educational institutions. By 1979, he had transitioned to a sales rep for Bristol Labs of St. Louis.

The 1970s were characterized by

Harry Ratliff

National Newspaper Publishers Association Chair Bobby Henry, NNPA Fund Chair Karen Carter Richards, and NNPA President &

Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., presented Isaiah Peters of the St. Louis American with one of 12 awards the newspaper won at the 2024 National NNPA Foundation Messenger Awards in Baltimore on June 20.

Photo by Mark Mahoney / NNPA

Photo courtesy of the AP

OWN Network’s Iyanla gets backlash for awarding Jonathan Majors

Polarizing inspirational speaker

Iyanla Vanzant presented Jonathan Majors with the Perseverance Award at the 4th Impact Awards. Many on social media felt that Iyanla stooped even lower by greeting him with a prolonged kiss on the forehead and an overly zealous hug.

He won the award for ‘persevering’ his conviction on assault and harassment charges in December 2023.

“I reckon folks wanna know about this last year,” Majors said.

“As a Black man in the criminal justice system, I felt anger, sadness, hurt, surprise. When they snatched me up out of my apartment

in handcuffs, I didn’t feel like all that.

I didn’t feel like Jonathan Majors… I felt like a little scared, weak boy.”

Travis Scott monetizes his arrest selling photoshopped mugshot

Never above a quick buck, Travis Scott jumped at the opportunity to capitalize on his June 20 Miami-Dade County arrest for trespassing and public intoxication to merchandise his mugshot.

Scott’s team knew a golden opportunity had arisen with their boss in the slammer. Within a few hours, the 33-year-old rapper’s new shirts made it to his website. For greater appeal and lack of authenticity, the team altered the mugshot for the merchandise. The team replaced his actual somber and stoic appearance in the mugshot with a smiling and false photoshopped image for the t-shirts. The Travis Scott team offered fans the ability to support profiting on illegality

by paying $35 for a simple t-shirt titled “Free the Rage Tee #2.” Rare collector’s used versions of the tee are currently on resale for $175.

Akil McLeod annouced as new Gerber baby

Gerber announced the winner of its 14th annual photo search—an adorable little boy named Akil McLeod who goes by Sonny for his sunny personality and infectious smile won the hearts of the judges.

In an adorable photo, the 1-year-old can be seen wearing a yellow-and-white striped onesie, smiling as he poses near a squishy My 1st ABC book. According to the company, Sonny recently celebrated his first birthday with his parents, Dominque and Akil McLeod Sr., and his big sister Sage, who all hail from Arizona.

As the winner of this year’s Photo Search, Sonny will be the 2024 Gerber Baby and will be featured on Gerber’s social media channels and in marketing campaigns throughout the year.

In addition, Sonny and his family received a $25,000 cash prize, a year’s supply of free Gerber products, and a

new wardrobe courtesy of Gerber Childrenswear. The family will also enjoy surprise perks from Gerber partners throughout the year.

Letitia Wright discusses future in Marvel universe

Letitia Wright was ‘purr-fect’ in her role as Shuri in the 2018 epic Black Panther and 2022 sequel, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and would like to reprise the role in future sequels.

The 30-year-old said on “The View” on June 26, 2024, “There are some new Avenger movies on the horizon, and everyone wants to know if Shuri will be making another appearance in the Marvel universe.”

“I would like to continue with Shuri. She’s one of my favorite characters, such a blessing, honestly, I kid you not. I’m so grateful for her.”

In January 2023, Wright told Variety that a third Black Panther film was in the works.

Wright visited “The View to discuss her role behind the camera of an upcoming movie. She was promoting Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot, which she produced. It is scheduled for release on July 4.

Akil McLeod

- Opal Lee, the ‘Grandmother of Juneteenth’ during a

Toolkit prepares students for next chapter in life

By Ashley Winters The St. Louis American

Not every high school or college graduate knows what the next step of their journey will be like. It’s possible that their academic careers, education, life experiences, and passion have prepared them for the next chapter. But what if it hasn’t? Then what?

The Graduation Toolkit is a free graduation gift from The DeBruce Foundation to help graduates explore life after school. Dr. Darren Woodruff, The DeBruce Foundation senior director, leads initiatives and partnerships that expand access to education, workforce preparation, and career opportunities.

The DeBruce Foundation has partnered with Harris-Stowe State University to equip entrepreneurs with the knowledge and tools to build an empowered career. The Graduates of the Spring ‘24 Entrepreneurship Accelerator program at HSSU have utilized the tools in the Graduation Toolkit within their program curriculum at HSSU.

“We want to help young people make good decisions about next steps after graduation,” said Woodruff. “Rather it is going to college, or entering the workforce, or becoming an entrepreneur.” Woodruff believes information is power and partnerships

A graduation gift

are critical to success. He said he hopes the tool kit helps young people build career literacy and network strength.

The DeBruce Foundation is a national nonprofit foundation, headquartered in Kansas City, Mo. The Foundation’s mission is to expand career pathways.

The Graduation Toolkit is The DeBruce Foundation’s gift to the Class of 2024, offering a collection of free online tools to equip and empower high school and college graduates.

Most students don’t know how to navigate the myriad of available options to find the best career that is a great fit for them, Woodruff said. The Graduation Tool Kit comes with five separate kits, each one designed to fit a specific need.

Agile Work Profile:

● 15-20 minute assessment

● Helps students identify strengths and interests

● Helps students identify spe-

cific talents

● Helps students identify their passion

Career Explorer Tools:

● Helps students find jobs

● Tells the salary of chosen careers

● Gives additional information on needed education/ training

● The tool explains if the career choice is in high demand or not

● List schools and other institutions for education/ training

Income Estimator:

● Students type in the lifestyle they want to have and the income estimator will calculate an estimate on the salary needed to meet those expectations

Resume Builder:

● Helps students build a professional resume

Chaneyll Anderson, owner of C5 Events & Décor, displays her certificate as a graduate of the Spring ‘24 Entrepreneurship Accelerator program at HSSU. She is joined by Brandi Brooks, Minority Entrepreneurship Collaboration Center for Advancement (MECCA) director (left) and Kristy Jackson, Anheuser-Busch School of Business Center of Innovation & Entrepreneurship (CIE) at HSSU executive director.

Draw Your Future:

● Helps students who need a visual plan to set their goals

● Students use the template to draw their goals and steps to achieve them

The foundation has done a lot of research to assemble the tool kit which Woodruff offers to young people of color. “We are trying to erase that gap in knowledge and information about how to start your career,” he said.

“Young people feel empowered when using the tool kit, and confident. They learn more about themselves.”

The foundation’s partnership with HSSU helps expand career opportunities among graduating students.

Kristy Jackson, AnheuserBusch School of Business Center of Innovation & Entrepreneurship (CIE) at HSSU

executive director, has embedded the tools included in the Graduation Toolkit within the numerous CIE programs that HSSU offers to scholars and entrepreneurs.

Jackson is excited about the partnership with the DeBruce Foundation and intergrating the tool kit into HSSU’s curriculum, The Agile Work Profiler is embedded in the program curriculum for the CIE’s MECCA program. It utilizes the Agile Work Profiler to help entrepreneurs discover their skills and interests related to work, or their Agilities.

“It seamlessly embeds in so many spaces,” she said “It has become a staple in what we’re doing here.”

Jackson favors the assessment test and resume builder portion of the tool kit. She said she believes the agilities give graduating students a real-life picture of how to map out their success stories.

Chaneyll Anderson owner of C5 Events & Décor began her journey into the world of event planning when she planned her wedding.

“Despite the initial stress, the process turned out to be incredibly enjoyable,” she said.

It was the realization that sparked the idea for her business. After taking the Agile Work Profiler, Anderson learned about some of her attributes that she didn’t even realize she had.

“I was pretty surprised to see that I have character development as a skill,” said Anderson. Woodruff said he plans to partner with other high schools and HBCUs. To learn more visit debruce.org/gradgift

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

Tyler Small photography

Guest Editorial Commentary

Black Republicans aren’t persuading Black voters

By Keith Boykin

If you want to know why Black people don’t vote for Republicans, just look at the Black Republicans.

America’s top Black Republican, Tim Scott, claims that “woke supremacy is as bad as white supremacy.” What on earth is woke supremacy? Scott is so desperate for white approval that he voted against the first Black woman on the Supreme Court, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, even while three of his white Republican colleagues voted for her.

Then there’s Byron Donalds, who claimed that “the Black family was together” under Jim Crow. Donalds is one of 26 House Republicans who refused to sign a letter denouncing white supremacy. And he was one of only two Black members of Congress who voted to overturn the 2020 election results, which would have disenfranchised Black voters in Philadelphia, Detroit, Atlanta, and other cities. And just in time for Juneteenth, three Black Republicans in the House of Representatives (Donalds, Burgess Owens, and Wesley Hunt) voted to restore a racist, Confederate monument at Arlington National Cemetery.

owes, it’s you,” he says.

Robinson became popular in the GOP precisely because he loves to attack Black people. He called the Black Panther movie “trash” made by a “satanic marxist,” said that Halle Berry, Mariah Carey, and Issa Rae wear “whore dresses,” and repeatedly misgendered former first lady Michelle Obama as a man

Next up is Daniel Cameron, the former Kentucky Attorney General who said the police killing of Breonna Taylor was “justified” and declined to charge the officers responsible for her death. I guess Black lives really don’t matter to Republicans.

Or Ben Carson, the Trump appointee who thinks systemic racism ended with the civil rights movement, says Colin Kaepernick would never have been criticized if he had just said he loved America, and claims that Obamacare is the “worst thing that has happened in this nation since slavery.” Really, Dr. Carson? Providing health care to Black people is worse than segregation, lynchings, and mass incarceration?

What these Black Republicans have in common is that none of them were chosen by Black people. They may have been born in Black communities decades ago, but none of them represent Black districts or interests. That means they have no accountability to the majority of Black Americans.

n What Black man with 34 felony convictions gets a pass from Republicans?

Republicans love Black people — who love white people.

Tim Scott and Byron Donalds have an excuse, but it’s not a good one. They are so desperate to be Trump’s running mate that they refuse to upset his base or hold him accountable even after he was convicted of 34 felonies. What Black man with 34 felony convictions gets a pass from Republicans?

But one of the most notorious Black Republicans today is North Carolina gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson. Robinson tells Black people, “nobody owes you anything for slavery,” and invokes the history of Black abolitionists and civil rights leaders to excuse white people from accountability. “If anybody

And that’s important because Black and white people, like Democrats and Republicans, see the world differently. A new study from the Pew Research Center found that nearly 80 % of Biden supporters say that white people benefit from racial advantages in society, while only 22% of Trump supporters say this.

In order for Black Republicans to stay relevant with the base, they have to pretend — or in some cases, they may even believe — that racism is not an issue in America. But the majority of Black people know better. If Black Republicans spent more time in Black communities, they’d know it too.

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

Louisiana sinks to Medieval madness

By Marc Morial

Not to be outdone by other southern states trying to regress to the Jim Crow era, my home state of Louisiana is trying to regress to the Medieval era.

A barbaric proposal to allow judges to sentence certain convicted sex offenders to surgical castration passed the legislature and awaits Gov. Landry’s signature. Louisiana would become the first state with such a law, joining the ranks of nations like Pakistan and Nigeria.

The bill has been compared to the Tuskegee Study and Josef Mengele’s experiments at Auschwitz II-Birkenau.

Child sexual abuse is a heinous crime with devastating consequences. It is also the crime with the highest rate of perjury or false accusations. In recent years, Orleans Parish in Louisiana has been called the wrongful conviction capital of the United States, with 10 times the number of exonerations per capita than the national average. And Black people are eight times more likely to be wrongly convicted than a white person for a crime involving sexual violence.

target of an active child sex-trafficking investigation — would be subject to the draconian punishment.

While Louisiana lawmakers clearly are desperate to portray themselves as tough on crime, their brutal proposal is unlikely to prevent a single assault. Researchers have found no cause-and-effect relationship between testosterone levels and sexual offending. On the other hand, psychological treatment has been shown to reduce recidivism among sex offenders. It would be naïve to assume that preventing crime is the chief motivation behind this bill, however. Earlier this year, even as violent crime rates were falling, Louisiana rolled back criminal justice reforms that had saved the state more than $150 million.

Severe sentences do not deter crime, retribution often does not help survivors of crime heal, and the U.S. sentencing system overestimates who is a current danger to the community and when incarceration is needed for public safety, as a Vera Institute of Justice report makes clear.

n Black people are eight times more likely to be wrongly convicted than a white person for a crime involving sexual violence.

Just as state Sen. Royce Duplessis noted when Louisiana was in the process of rolling back its effective criminal justice reforms, the state continues to prioritize political grandstanding over effective public safety.

Even the sponsor of the bill acknowledged Louisiana’s appallingly high rate of wrongful convictions.

The proposal raises the question of whether Catholic priests in the Archdiocese of New Orleans — currently the

“We could have actually done a lot of things to prevent crime on the front end, instead of continuing to advance policies that do great for campaigns, but do very little to actually prevent crime,” he said.

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

Commentary

Poor people are the new swing vote

By William J. Barber II

If you’re an ordinary American who goes to work to pay the bills or takes care of a loved one most days, it’s easy to feel down when you see the headlines about the 2024 election.

Donald J. Trump has been convicted of 34 felonies for falsifying business records to cover up hush money he paid to bury an alleged affair with a porn star during the 2016 campaign, and the Republican Party continues to think he’s their best candidate.

At the same time, President Biden is struggling to hold together his Democratic base as images of devastation in Gaza continue to dominate the news. Stories of good news in politics seem rare.

But as a preacher, I learned a long time ago that you don’t get to the good news by looking away from problems; the good news is most often found right amid trouble. Yes, politics is a mess in 2024.

itics.

A report from Lake Research Partners demonstrates just how powerful this untapped coalition of low-income voters could be. Looking back at the past three Presidential elections, they found that in the seven states that will likely decide the 2024 election—Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Nevada, and Pennsylvania—low-income voter participation was an average of 12 percentage points lower than that of their higher-income voters.

But, at the same time, several popular movements of everyday people struggling for economic justice have emerged that have the potential to reshape our politics. Against the backdrop of decades of rising inequality, low-wage worker movements have made huge strides since the pandemic, insisting that living wages are a moral issue for “essential workers” and seeing the largest increase in real wages in decades.

Guest Columnist

J. Barber II

Young people who’ve watched education and healthcare costs soar have come together to form effective coalitions for debt relief and won billions in loan forgiveness. Leveraging worker power, unions have waged effective strikes and negotiated new contracts while expanding to include new workers, especially in the South.

Though they’re rarely in the headlines, these movements made up of millions of low-income workers have the potential to re-frame political debates for people who are weary of the status quo. The good news in 2024 is that poor and working people are the new swing vote in US pol-

Using past averages to project 2024 turnout, this study measured the difference between the margin of victory in the last Trump/Biden matchup and the number of eligible low-income voters who are likely not to vote. In Georgia, for example, Biden won by almost 12,000 votes in 2020. In North Carolina, he lost by 74,000. But in both states, more than a million eligible low-income voters will likely not vote. The study used exit poll data from 2020 to ask who unlikely low-income voters would vote for if they did turn out in 2024. Of the 1.3 million likely nonvoters in Georgia, 746,000 would likely be Biden voters. Of the 1.1 million in North Carolina, some 594,000 would likely go for Biden.

This is why our campaign has committed to holding a Mass Poor People’s and Low-Wage Worker’s Assembly in Washington, DC, on June 29th. We are committing to go home to our communities and reach 15 million of the unlikely low-income voters with the message that they have power in 2024. If they show up, especially in seven key states, their votes will decide the outcome in 2024. When they do, they will be able to help shape the reconstruction of an American democracy that works for all of us.

William J. Barber, II is President of Repairers of the Breach and author of the new White Poverty: How Exposing Myths About Race and Class Can Reconstruct American Democracy.

William

Columnist Marc Morial

Guest Columnist Keith Boykin

Orchestrating Diversity, which provides free music education and instruments to ensure more access to playing in orchestras, has a pair of concerts scheduled for July 7 and July 14, respectively.

Orchestrating Diversity will perform Bach concerts in July

St. Louis American

Orchestrating Diversity, an El Sistema program of the Lemp Neighborhood Arts Center, will perform three of Bach’s 6 Brandenburg Concerti in a pair of concerts.

The first is at 3:30 p.m. July 7 2024, at Epiphany United Church of Christ, 2911 McNair Ave, St. Louis, 63118

The second performance is at 2 p.m. July 14 at the St. Louis Art Museum, 1 Fine Arts Dr, St. Louis, 63110

All concerts are open to the public, and a $5 donation is requested.

Orchestrating Diversity was the 11th recognized El Sistema program in America. El Sistema, which translates to The System, is a music-education program founded in Venezuela in 1975 by educator, musician,

and activist José Antonio Abreu.

It provides free music education and instruments to ensure more access to playing in orchestras, according to Mark Sarich, founder.

“We believe that children who play string instruments better see their own abilities,” Sarich said in a release.

“We believe in the transformative power of music to bring discipline and an ability to work with others and to enrich the self-concept of young people, empowering them to their full potential.”

Sarich describes Orchestrating Diversity as a “social-change-through-music education and performance program” which brings professional musical training to the youth of St. Louis, especially underserved communities, in an intense educational program.

Why it’s so hard to just leave

By Carmike Jones

In the now infamous video, Cassie Ventura is seen rushing barefoot down a hotel hallway with a small bag. She hurriedly pushed the button for the elevator before Sean “Diddy” Combs chased and then attacked her. She was leaving the best way she knew how. Despite her best efforts, she was dragged back into a clearly volatile situation.

It was heartbreaking to hear people question Ventura’s motives for coming forward with her lawsuit — especially when it takes so much courage to speak up.

Years ago, I used to be a member of the “why can’t they just leave?” chorus. I thought it should be simple to pack your bags and get out of a situation that was clearly harmful. I was wrong. It’s hard to leave, sometimes even impossible.

Until I met survivors who were willing to share their stories, I could not begin to understand. When I sat in their homes and looked in their faces and heard their pain, I slowly started to get it. What I learned was that most of the women I met deeply loved their partners and just wanted their relationships to be better.

“Leaving an abuser is the most dangerous time for a victim of domestic violence,” according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

“One study found in interviews with men who have killed their wives that either threats of separation by their partner or actual separations were most often the precipitating events that lead to the murder.”

I have heard firsthand from survivors who escaped or attempted to escape their abusers. Sometimes, they left with just the clothes on their backs. They left with a friend or loved one or all alone. They left afraid or distraught or in a state of confusion. They left in the rain or in the snow, on foot and without transportation, with their children or without their children, with a bit of money or without a penny to their name. Some left with a plan or a place to stay. Some did not. In other words, they left the best way they knew how.

The more I heard, the more knowledge I gained, and the more I could see why it was just so hard to leave. It was not a matter of strength, social status or self-esteem. Abuse has no demographic. It can happen to anyone at any time.

According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, there are specific “tactics abusive partners use to keep survivors in a relationship.” These include intimidation, isolation, emotional manipulation, making light of their partner’s concerns, guilt, withholding money, not allowing their partner to work, coercion and threats.

The judgments targeted toward survivors are both inaccurate and harmful. When a person’s life hangs in the balance, that is when they need support the most. Carrying doubt and shame from others should be the least of their worries. Their safety quite literally comes first.

Advocates are needed in this space. The voices of those who understand, empathize and care need to be louder than those making people feel ashamed or guilty. The accusations against survivors who come forward discourage others who have not yet been able to seek help.

The chorus of support needs to be heard loudly and continuously. No one should ever be made to feel too ashamed to get help because it is not easy to just leave.

If you or someone you know needs assistance, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).

Carmike Jones is editor-in-chief of the Indianapolis Recorder

Courtesy photo

Carmike Jones

‘Taking

Care of You’

Serving those who served our nation

A.T. Still provides dental care for vets

By Ashley Winters

The St. Louis American

“It’s more than just getting high-quality dental care. It’s the whole experience, they are very kind and patient. It’s like family,” said Navy veteran Meldon Quarells.

He had just finished getting some dental work done when he explained to the St. Louis American about the dental care he receives from a dental student at A.T. Still UniversityMissouri School of Dentistry and Oral Health.

n “I think it’s time for us to give back.”

– Euslah Kigen

The Vietnam veteran said some veterans don’t qualify for dental care benefits from the VA. Without the free or low-cost program provided by the university and the partnership with Affinia Healthcare – Quarells wouldn’t be able to afford dental care.

The Vietnam vet is approaching 70 and is only now receiving dental care since his departure from the military.

Active members of the U.S. military receive dental care from the government–those who are non-active don’t qualify for dental care from the VA unless they are considered 100% disabled.

He says the faculty and students take time to explain the dental care

plan needed for the vets. Dr. Herbert Silva, DMD, ATSU-MOSDOH assistant professor, comprehensive care director, and leader of the Dentures for Veterans Project at the St. Louis Dental Center takes extra time to explain the procedure to the students performing dental work on the vets.

Dr. Silva, a Marine who served in Vietnam, along with his team at the St. Louis Dental Center, located at 1500 Park Avenue, will host a Veterans Clinic from 7-11 a.m. on July 13, 2024, to provide comprehensive dental screenings for veterans at no cost, funded by Affinia Healthcare.

“This is our eighth year of welcoming veterans to the St. Louis Dental Center for no-cost, affordable care.

See DENTAL, A7

An ‘Unforgettable’ evening

Play dedicated to those who care for loved ones with Alzheimer’s

By Alvin A. Reid

St. Louis American

Theon Phillips and his family are a true-life story of the emotional play Unforgettable which will be performed at 7 p.m. June 29, 2024, at Harris-Stowe State University.

Phillips and his sister, Adrianne, grew up in East St. Louis. Despite being raised in what he describes as “humble beginnings,” both rose to success. He says his sister was gifted in many ways, with a particular aptitude for business and entrepreneurship. She was an outstanding student at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville and began her career with Ameren. Advancement soon took her to Colgate Palmolive near Detroit.

Phillips said his sister loved “jazz music on the Detroit scene” and called her “laser focused.”

She was also developing a new business concept of her own. Suddenly, friends shared with Theon that his sister “was acting oddly.’

“I knew something was wrong when she called and asked for a loan. She was not that kind of person.’ Relatives who live in Michigan told Theon that Adrienne could sometimes not find her keys or park at a grocery store, walk home, then say she lost her car. At 58, she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. See PLAY, A7

Examining ills of alcohol use disorder

By Lindiwe Vilakazi

Research conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that alcohol-related deaths have spiked by 30% over recent years, causing a daily occurrence of nearly 500 U.S. deaths by way of liver disease, car accidents, or numerous other risks. With the growing rate of illness and fatalities from alcohol use disorder (AUD), wellness experts are working to address the underlying causes of this potentially fatal health challenge.

The 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) reports that 29.5 million people ages 12 and older experienced AUD within the past year, including 17.4 million males age 12 and older; 12.2 million women ages 12 and older; and 3.6 million Black or African American people aged 12 and older across the United States. Further, an estimated 178,000 people die from excessive alcohol use in the U.S. each year.

“Alcohol-related problems continue to take a heavy toll on individuals, families, and communities. More than 200 disease and injury-related conditions are associated with alcohol misuse,” as reported by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

n An estimated 178,000 people die from excessive alcohol use in the U.S. each year.

The dangers of alcoholism are copious, as alcohol impairs the brain’s communication pathways, and excessive alcohol use can consequently affect the way the brain looks and functions. Ultimately, these disruptions can change behavior and mood, complicating the ability to think clearly and move with proper coordination. The health implications of alcohol use disorder vary from moderate to severe, significantly altering the quality of one’s life. Excessive drinking over long periods or even too much on a single occasion can damage the vital organs

See VILAKAZI, A7

From left, Caroline, Adrianne, and Theon Phillips are truly an inspiring family who can relate to the play “unforgettable.” Adrianne was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s when she was 58, and Theon and Caroline serve as her primary caregivers.

A.T. Still University dental students Kimberly Belcher and Euslah Kigen practice their procedures on a model in class at it’s south-side campus Tuesday, June 25.

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Photo courtesy of Phillips family

Lindiwe Vilakazi

Impact of state abortion ban cannot be ignored

Missouri Foundation for Health

Missouri was the first state in the nation to make abortion illegal in the wake of the Dobbs decision.

Immediately after the Supreme Court’s ruling, a trigger law banned the procedure in the state in nearly all circumstances, with no exceptions for rape or incest. As we mark the second anniversary of the overturning of Roe v. Wade, abortion remains one of the most consequential issues in the nation. As a Foundation, we have a responsibility to speak out on health equity matters, especially those with such far-reaching consequences. While recognizing that this is a fraught topic that elicits strong emotions, Missouri Foundation for Health stands firmly on the side of reproductive freedom. Abortion services are essential health care, and

Play

Continued from A6

Phillips and his wife Caroline are her primary caregivers.

“I encourage everyone to see the play,” said Phillips.

“There has been a life adjustment. We have had to give up some things. But this has been a blessing. Adrianne hasn’t taken from our lives; she has added to our lives.”

Developed by Gdavis Productions and Films, LLC, the play is a presentation of the Alzheimer’s Association. It examines early detection and diagnosis of the disease, and the importance of underrepresented communities participating in clinical trials.

St. Louis is one of 10 cities hosting productions of “Unforgettable” this year. Currently there are more than 6 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s, including 120,000 Missouri residents.

Older Black Americans are twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease as white Americans. Black Americans are also less likely to receive a timely diagnosis, with many receiving a diagnosis much later in the disease, when their medical needs are greater.

Dental

Continued from A6

Our services are important because only 15% of veterans are eligible for dental care through the Veterans Administration,” said Silva.

“When veterans are not in pain and can smile again, they are more likely to engage with work, family, and socialization. These meaningful connections can prevent isolation and desperation.

“A veteran is someone

Vilakazi

Continued from A6

and cause life-threatening health complications such as cancer, and affect the heart, liver, pancreas and immune system.

we must acknowledge the deeply harmful effects that this ban has on the well-being of Missourians.

Abortion bans make people less safe. Basic health care practices are being jeopardized because doctors lack clarity on when they can act when a person is pregnant. There are stories in Missouri and across the nation of people being denied the normal spectrum of care, including being turned away from emergency rooms, because health care professionals fear prosecution. Even under the best of circumstances, pregnancy and childbirth are inherently risky much more so than an abortion. The United States’ maternal mortality rate is higher than any other high-income country and Missouri’s rates are worse than the national average. Further,

Black Missourians are three times more likely to die within one year of pregnancy compared to white women. These inequities are expected to worsen in the wake of the Dobb’s decision.

Abortion bans deny basic bodily autonomy. People should have the right to make decisions about their bodies without interference. Beyond issues of safety, pregnancy and childbirth bring a variety of changes to a person’s body that should not be forced upon anyone. There is broad consensus on this issue among groups such as the American Medical Association, National Medical Association, the National Organization for Women, the United Nations, and Human Rights Watch, to name a few.

Abortion bans increase inequity. With abortion still legal to some degree

in approximately half of all U.S. states, people with means are able to find ways around the ban. They can take time away from work, arrange child care, and have access to transportation, enabling them to travel long distances to receive care when no local options remain.

As mentioned previously, pregnancy and childbirth are particularly dangerous for Black Missourians. Even before the ban, they faced significantly worse reproductive health outcomes overall Black, Hispanic, rural, and other marginalized people are more likely to be forced to drop out of school, delay their education, and/or leave their jobs because they were denied a wanted abortion. These consequences have the potential to shape the socioeconomic trajectory for the rest

“Unforgettable,” which is playing at Harris-Stowe State University at 7 p.m. Saturday June 29, examines the importance of early detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, and the importance of underrepresented communities participating in clinical trials.

“There is a lack of culturally appropriate and tailored programming that resonates with disproportionately affected and underserved audiences as it relates to Alzheimer’s and other dementia care and support,” said Carl V. Hill, Ph.D., M.P.H., chief

who writes a blank check to the government for up to and including their life.”

Veterans must bring a photo ID and their veteran certification form (DD214) or VA card to the dental care center. Affinia Healthcare’s Health Outreach Team will assist with Medicaid enrollment for all eligible uninsured adults.

Dental student Rosann Marattil has been doing Quarells dental work since he joined the program, and knowing the disadvantages vets face just breaks her heart. “ You would think

Cancer: The National Cancer Institute reports a “strong scientific consensus that alcohol drinking can cause several types of cancer” including esophageal cancer, liver cancer, breast cancer, head and neck cancer, and col-

diversity, equity and inclusion officer, Alzheimer’s Association.

“This community theater gives us the opportunity to deliver important disease-related information in a fun and entertaining way. We want audiences to come away with a better understanding of

all vets would get dental care from the VA especially because they served this country,” she said. Adding “ It shouldn’t even be based on your level of disability.” Quarells is considered 60 percent disabled but still doesn’t qualify for VA dental care benefits.

Marattil has done about $2,296 worth of dental work on Quarells–he has paid only $300 for the exam. After the exam Quarells receives a treatment plan for his oral health care. He has had teeth cleaning, six

orectal cancer.

Heart: With heart challenges, one is at risk of strokes, high blood pressure, arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat), and cardiomyopathy (the stretching and drooping of the heart muscle).

Liver: Heavy alcohol

of their families’ lives.

Poor economic outcomes are just one of the many increased racial disparities that are arising in a post-Roe America.

The list goes on. Abortion bans lead to an increase in intimate partner violence. They create worse outcomes for families with children They drive new doctors away, create maternity care deserts, and prevent students from moving in Where do we go from here?

It’s important to acknowledge that abortion bans and restrictions are only one part of a much broader collection of systemic inequities that perpetuate and worsen health outcomes. The Foundation believes that people should have the power to decide if and when to have children, and the ability to parent those children in safe and sustainable communities. This belief intersects

left his family feeling lost. Davis’ experience as a Black male caregiver inspired the story of the Davenport-Rodriguez family, and its plan to care for matriarch Mama D after her Alzheimer’s diagnosis.

First staged in 2022, “Unforgettable” has been viewed live by more than 10,000 people, including many affected by the disease.

“My focus is not just on the incredible performances but also on highlighting the profound impact of our collaboration with the Alzheimer’s Association,” Davis said.

“We’re dedicated to addressing health disparities in communities of color, working towards a future where everyone, regardless of their background, has access to the care and support they deserve.”

Several cast members of “Unforgettable” starred in the drama series “Daddy’s Boys,” including Dartez Wright and Kenneth Pierce.

Alzheimer’s, other dementia and the resources and support that are available from the Alzheimer’s Association to help families who are affected.”

Creator Garrett Davis wrote “Unforgettable” in tribute to his late grandmother, Goodness, whose dementia diagnosis

extractions, two crowns, and is receiving partial dentures. “The quality care here is phenomenal,” he said. Through a unique partnership between A.T. Still University-Missouri School of Dentistry and Oral Health (ATSUMOSDOH) and Affinia Healthcare, the St. Louis Dental Center is a federally qualified health center serving underserved and vulnerable populations. Many veterans have no health insurance or access to quality oral healthcare. To date, more than

use takes a dangerous toll on the liver, exacerbating inflammations including fibrosis, alcoholic hepatitis, or fatty liver.

Pancreas: Alcohol causes the pancreas to produce toxic substances that can eventually lead to a dangerous inflammation

with a host of issues that MFH is involved in, including everything from contraceptive access, maternal health, Medicaid expansion, behavioral health, food justice, and firearm injury and death prevention.

Our journey to achieve health equity in Missouri is simply not possible without reproductive freedom. Abortion is one of the defining health issues of our day, and there are a variety of ways to let your voice be heard. When it comes to a topic with such a wide and devastating impact, we need to be paying attention, employing all the democratic tools available, and voting accordingly.

The opinions expressed in this article represent the official stance of Missouri Foundation for Health. They do not necessarily reflect the opinion of individual staff members.

of the lead singers from the Grammy award-winning group Donald Lawrence & the Tri-City Singers.

“Reaching and engaging underserved audiences that are disproportionately affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementias is a top priority for the Alzheimer’s Association,” Hill said.

“Engaging diverse perspectives is critical to achieving health equity — meaning that all communities have a fair and just opportunity for early diagnosis and access to risk reduction and quality care.”

“American Idol” finalist Scott Savol, LeJuene Thompson from Donald Lawrence & the TriCity Singers, and Yessie Rodriguez from the drama series “My Family” are also featured. The “Unforgettable” theme song was written by songwriter and vocalist Blanche McAllister, one

1,000 veterans have been screened and treated, and over 590 veterans have received more than 1,000 arches of full and partial dentures –at no cost to the recipient veteran.

Euslah Kigen and Kimberly Belcher are third-year dental students and have served in the U.S. Military. According to Kigen, only 15% of U.S. vets qualify for dental care benefits from the VA. Belcher said the other 85% of vets who don’t qualify for those benefits have a difficult time getting oral and dental care

causing pain or swelling, and impairing its ability to make hormones or enzymes to guide proper digestion.

Immune System: Heavy drinking is prone to weakening the immune system, making the body more suscepti-

Greater Missouri Alzheimer’s Association staff will be on hand before and after the play to provide information on local support and education services and to answer audience questions. The play will be preceded by a community concert featuring Adrian Crutchfield, saxophonist and the last horn-man to perform and record with Prince and the New Power Generation. The concert will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, June 28 at Harris-Stowe State University.

For more information about “Unforgettable” and to reserve a free ticket for the performance, visit Unforgettableplay.com.

insurance on top of not getting dental care at all.

“I think it’s time for us to give back,” said Kigen. “This is full circle, to provide the care they need.”

Belcher followed by saying, “ It’s an honor.” She gets excited that she can take care of a veteran patient.

For more information about and to register call (314) 685-3553.

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

ble to contracting diseases like tuberculosis or pneumonia compared to people who do not drink much.

Lindiwe Vilakazi is health reporter for the Washington Informer

Photo courtesy of Alzheimer’s Association

periods of economic turbulence known as “stagflation,” which included high inflation, high unemployment, an energy crisis, the declining dollar, deindustrialization and other worrisome economic woes.

Despite market challenges, Harry – an ardent observer of the economy – said he recognized a “changing business landscape.” The breakdown of regulatory barriers between banks, insurance companies and brokerage firms, he said, “provided people with a wide range of services through one network.”

“Baby boomers” (people born from 1946 to 1964), including some affluent African Americans, had risen to a point where they needed experts to help them “manage their financial resources going forward,” Harry said.

So, in 1983, he joined Merrill Lynch’s Clayton office. It was not an accidental choice.

“The number one reason I joined Merrill was because they had the best general training program on Wall Street,” the senior Ratliff explained. “So, I knew I’d get great training. Merrill was small then, but it was very diverse and has grown to be even more so in accepting everyone no matter their (ethnic) background. It’s a good place for exceptional talent to be recruited because the firm looks for excellence.”

Geoff said he was about

American

Continued from A1

The American also won first place in the Newspaper Excellence –John H. Sengstacke Award competition, which is judged on three issues of a publication, August 10, 17 and 24, 2023.

Proposals

Continued from A1

Board of Aldermen an independent legal department.

7 or 8 years old when his father joined Merrill Lynch. He recalled how he recruited him and his younger sister and their friends to stuff mailers for potential clients. At an early age, Geoff said he recognized his father’s “effort and hustle.”

“This was in the mid80s when we didn’t have all the technology we have today,” Geoff recalled. “He (his dad) talked frankly to me and my sister about what he did – and not from just from a fiscally responsible, budgeting standpoint – but about the importance of finance and investing and how that helps over the long term. (He preached) the simple principles of compounding interests and getting involved in those things early and how it was all an equalizer if people could get a level of financial independence.”

Geoff said that both his parents (his mother, Deborah has since passed away) insisted education “was a gateway to whatever we wanted to do in life.” And, as he got older, Geoff said he recognized that his peers who didn’t have the same “educational foundation and opportunities” afforded to him and Jennifer, had “limited opportunities” as adults.

Geoff said his father never pressured him or Jennifer to join his business. So, when he reached adulthood, he set off to do his own thing. He got married and moved to New Jersey where he worked in what he called “entrepreneurial and nonprofit spaces.”

But, like his dad, Geoff,

The American had two other first place awards: Layout & Design (Broadsheet) (Mike Terhaar and Melvin Moore) and Entertainment (Living It sections of August 24, and Aug. 31).

Second place awards were for: Special Edition (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion – A Business Priority); Facebook

Crockett comes home

Texas Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, a St. Louis area native, urged Black voters to go to the polls in November and the importance of stemming challenges to Black voter participation and erasure of Black history in her keynote address during the St. Louis County Annual Freedom Fund Dinner on June 20, 2024, at the Airport Marriott.

who is also business and finance-inclined, saw how his father’s vision had evolved even more. He said he came to believe that “advising people with comprehensive planning” and a career where he could make a good living while giving back and helping people appealed to him. So, Geoff moved back to St. Louis and joined Merrill Lynch in 2015. Three years later, he partnered with his father. The idea of building a “legacy” that could be passed down to future family members, he said, appealed to him.

The Ratliff Wealth Management Group is licensed in 18 states.

“I enjoy what we do

Campaign (The World of Black NASCAR); Youth and Children (Ashley Winters’ article on Legacy Jackson); Original Advertising (Central Baptist Church in DEI issue; Angelita Houston)

The American had four third place awards: Health (Sylvester Brown, Gallant youth survives two transplants); Editorial and

because we help a lot of people,” Harry added.

“We’ve seen people who’ve been able to achieve the American Dream; sending their kids to college, put themselves in a position where they could enjoy a fruitful retirement. We don’t just manage people’s money; we help them manage their lives. We try to be part of the fabric of our client’s lives.”

SCORE lists numerous reasons why many family businesses tend to fail. They include conflicts that fuel little to no communication; confusing business revenue with personal finances; nepotism-placing loved ones ahead of better performers-and an unartic-

Opinion (“Superhuman, but never enough” –Recognizing achievements of Black women); Instagram Campaign (St. Louis American Young Leaders); Fashion Beauty and Lifestyle (Coverage of Nelly Black and White Ball; Story by Ashley Winters, photos by Taylor Marrie)

“We are honored and

ulated leadership structure or succession plan.

None of those reasons apply to the Ratliff father and son team. Even though he didn’t always take his father’s advice in his younger years, Geoff insists the duo works well together today, mostly because of their “complementary skills.”

“We are both good communicators with our clients. I get more into putting the plan together whereas he (Harry) is really sharp as far as the specifics around the investment management portion of it … figuring out the best products we use to help solidify people’s plans.” The father/son com-

humbled to receive again the Russwurm Award as well as the other recognitions from our peers,” said Donald M. Suggs, St. Louis American publisher and executive editor.

ponent of their business doesn’t hurt either. It “resonates with our clients,” Harry added.

“Quite frankly, a lot of working families don’t work well together,” Geoff explained, adding: “We (he and Harry) don’t have any of the issues or nightmare stories you may hear of families that break apart because of failed business relationships.

“For us, the business has only brought us closer together and it’s really been a joy.”

Sylvester Brown Jr. is the Deaconess Foundation Community Advocacy Fellow and author of When We Listen: Recognizing the Potential of Urban Youth

“This is a team effort and this gratifying recognition could not have been achieved without the teamwork, professionalism and camaraderie we share at the American.

“We lost COO Kevin Jones who passed away unexpectedly in January 2024 but his hard work and dedication to the American, its staff and our readers are reflected in this year’s Merit Awards. We are proud to have represented his legacy as a testament to this year’s achievement.”

Further amendments would establish the Office of the Public Advocate. The office, which would be led by a citywide elected official, would answer complaints about city services.

Bobo said the Public Advocate could be “Someone [residents] can go to with questions.”

She said the office would have “guardrails up that would protect against potential conflicts of interest or some of the things that we have seen play out in the last three to five years.”

The nine-member commission was established last April following a vote from residents. Bobo said public comments and working groups “zeroed in on a common thread of improving transparency and efficiency.”

The proposed changes include:

• E&A “Heavy” Reform: Abolish the Board of Estimate and Apportionment, eliminate the Office of Comptroller as an elected office and reassign the Comptroller’s responsibilities to a newly created Director of Finance under Mayoral authority,

alter the city’s budget process empowering the Board of Aldermen to increase the budget.

• Standalone Public Advocate: Newly create an Office of Public Advocate led by an elected public advocate – even if E&A “Heavy” Reform does not advance – that responds to complaints regarding city services and is supported by a legal department with subpoena power that is separate and independent from the City Counselor’s Office;

• Standalone Board of Aldermen Enhanced Budget Authority: Empower the Council with authority to increase budgetary amounts even if E&A “Heavy” Reform

does not advance;

• Department of Transportation: Newly create a Department of Transportation;

• Mayoral Appointments: Newly allow the mayor to directly appoint the police chief, fire chief and personnel director as well as identify other mayoral appointments of department heads in Article VIII;

• Revamp City Voting: Change the timing of general municipal elections from April to November of even years and primaries to August, increase the notice requirements, expand permitted publications of election notices, lower the threshold for signatures on initiatives petitions, newly require approval voting for all county offices except the circuit attorney, and rename the “Board of Aldermen” to the “City Council.

• Modernize Charter Language: Make specific, global changes to charter language to convert pronouns to titles of offices, update methods of advertisement, remove obsolete language, reflect modern titles of offices and officers, and provide for compensation to be set by ordinance.

The commission’s final recommendations will be sent to the Board of Elections by Aug. 15. Residents could then vote on the amendments in November.

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

PeoPle on the Move

Cathy’s Kitchen now cookin’ in Dellwood

Opened on Juneteenth in R&R Marketplace

By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American

When the R&R Marketplace in Dellwood officially opened on Sept. 15, 2023, Cathy Jenkins, co-owner of Cathy’s Kitchen in Ferguson with her husband Jerome, told guests the restaurant would soon join the list of tenants.

“We are coming, and we can’t wait,” she said.

“And we are not just moving; our Ferguson location will be there. We might have a few different menu items here, but Cathy’s Kitchen will have two locations.”

The Dellwood location officially opened on Wednesday June 19, 2024,

n The décor includes art which depicts the Ferguson Uprising, a time when Cathy’s Kitchen Restaurant and Diner was new and then suddenly an invaluable part of the community.

Juneteenth, with friends, guests and many eager diners on hand.

They included St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell, Dellwood Mayor Reggie Jones and Ferguson Mayor Ella Jones.

“The day has finally come,” Jenkins

beamed on a Facebook post.

“We must have had 20 plumbers and 20 electricians come through here. I’m so glad we took our time to decorate.”

The décor includes art which depicts the Ferguson Uprising, a time when Cathy’s Kitchen Restaurant and Diner was new and then suddenly an invaluable part of the community.

As for the new Dellwood location “everything is new,” says Jenkins.

“There are new appliances, the kitchen is clean, immaculate.”

Cathy’s is also modern. It takes no cash, and all purchases must be made with a debit or credit card. All orders are placed electronically on a kiosk and

Black voters back early childhood education tax credit

96% want expanded federal support

NNPA Newswire

A First Five years poll by the bipartisan research team New Bridge Strategies (R) and Hart Research (D) found that voters by overwhelming margins want candidates to have a plan to address child care challenges in the United States.

The poll finds that 89% agree; 80% of Republicans, 88% of Independents, and 99% of Democrats feel this way.

There’s dedicated support from Black voters for funding to make it happen:

• They were asked, “Do you think that federal funding for quality early education from birth to age five—including childcare and preschool—should be increased, decreased, or kept about the same as it is today?” A majority (71%) of Black voters support an increase; this is the highest percentage of all

groups surveyed. Overall, 56% of all voters support an increase.

• They also were asked, “There is also a federal tax credit to help families cover childcare costs. If this tax credit were increased from an average of $600 to an average of $4,000 per child to help more working middle-class families afford quality childcare and early learning programs, would you support or oppose this proposal?” The poll found 92% of Black voters said “yes.” Overall, a large majority of

voters (76%) support increasing the federal childcare tax credit.

• 96% of Black voters support expanding federal support for childcare. They were asked if they support the following: “Congress would provide more funding to states to expand their existing childcare programs so that lower-income and middle-income families who work or go to school could affordably send their child

Daniel Isom has been appointed to the Bi-State Development Board of Commissioners. The 10-member board provides policy direction for Bi-State Development and its enterprises. Isom is vice president of safety, security, and crisis management for Ameren. He served as interim director of public safety for the city of St. Louis in 2021 and as police commissioner from 2008-2013. He was St. Louis’ third Black police chief. He holds a Ph.D. and a Master of Arts in criminology and criminal justice from the University of Missouri–St. Louis. He also earned a Master of Arts in public administration from Saint Louis University and a Bachelor of Arts in criminology and criminal justice from UM-Missouri St.

Romell Calhoun honored for history exhibit

Romell Calhoun

Sumner High School student Romell Calhoun of St. Louis, received the Outstanding Entry Award at the National History Day contest June 9-13 in College Park, Maryland for his exhibit, “When They Finally Listened: The Genius of Joseph Blair.” Calhoun’s exhibit was also selected and shown at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.

Gregory Glore elected Flance board president

Flance Early Learning Center has elected Gregory M. Glore as its new board president. Glore has been a member of the Flance board, and he has contributed to both the development and program committees. He has worked with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis (BGCSTL), the Center of Creative Arts (COCA), Jazz St. Louis, the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis and Philanthropy Missouri.

Rev. Gray to serve on Missouri Workforce board

Rev. Darryl Gray

Rev. Darryl Gray to serve on Missouri Workforce board Rev. Darryl Gray has been appointed to the Missouri Workforce Development Board. Rev. Gray is senior pastor of the Greater Fairfax Missionary Baptist Church, Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc, director general for social justice, St. Louis Metropolitan Clergy Coalition political coordinator and Gray & Gray Associates, LLC. President and CEO.

Daniel Isom

From left, Dellwood Mayor Reggie Jones, Cathy Jenkins and state Sen. Brian Williams celebrated the ribbon cutting for Cathy’s Kitchen in Dellwood on June 19, 2024, Juneteenth.

Photo by Bill Greenblatt / St. Louis American

See KITCHEN, B2

Gregory Glore

Courtesy graphic

Kitchen

Continued from B1

“Plato” an automated robot helps clear tables.

The restaurant opened in 2013 and was quickly becoming a St. Louis favorite. The north St. Louis County location drew diners from throughout the region and gained rave reviews.

Then, on a hot Saturday August 9, 2014, afternoon Michael Brown was killed by a Ferguson Police officer.

Cathy’s Kitchen is only two doors from the Ferguson Police Department. It was ground zero for a militarized police presence and daily protests. Doing business was an impossibility as all sales to the restaurant stopped.

Realizing her predicament, Cathy Jenkins prepared all the uncooked food in the restaurant, put it on a cart and “rolled the cart up to the protesters.

In November, former St. Louis County Prosecutor Bob McCulloch announced the Ferguson officer would not be charged with any crime.

Tax credit

Continued from B1 to a quality childcare, early learning or pre-kindergarten program of their choice. The amount that parents would pay would be based on their household income, with the lowest-income families paying low or no cost.”

Riots and arson broke out.

According to Jenkins, to her surprise all the protesters she fed created a human chain around her restaurant and protected her building from damage. The next day, Cathy’s was the only business that

The poll, which surveyed 1,000 registered voters nationwide and 530 registered voters in Senate swing states (Arizona, Maryland, Montana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Nevada), finds voters make a strong connection between expanding access to quality childcare and a strong economy. Across all demographics, voters express dedicated support for solutions including increasing funding going to states to expand childcare options and modernizing the tax system to support childcare and early learning. In addition, voters are just as likely now as they were during the height of the pandemic to say Congress and the White House should make

could open for business.

Her generosity created a new popularity for the restaurant and people came from all over the world to dine at Cathy’s Kitchen.

Among those who dined there were actors Danny Glover, the late

expanding access to quality childcare a top or high priority. In September 2020, 51% of voters felt this way and in April 2024, 54% of voters felt this way.

Voters across the political spectrum make a strong connection between childcare and a strong economy, with 68% saying access to high-quality, affordable childcare is “essential” or “very important” to strengthening the economy. There’s also dedicated support (84%) for expanding federal tax credits to employ-

Belafonte, Kevin

singer Melissa Etheridge and former U.S. Speaker of The House Nancy Pelosi.

“When the smoke cleared and everybody went home, there was zero business happening,”

ers to encourage them to provide childcare benefits; this percentage is the same nationally as it is for the swing states.

The First Five Years Fund is focused on making sure more families have affordable access to quality childcare and early learning programs for their children according to Sarah Rittling, FFYF’s executive director.

She says voters are concerned about the impacts a lack of access to affordable, quality childcare can have on children’s education and development as

Cathy’s Kitchen is only two doors from the Ferguson Police Department. It was ground zero for a militarized police presence and daily protests.

Cathy Jenkins told The American’s Sylvester Brown in 2021. “It was getting to the point where we thought we would have to close.”

Etheridge’s visit turned into a genuine friendship that opened unprecedent-

well as families’ economic prospects. Top messages in support of increasing federal funding for childcare and early learning include giving children a solid foundation, reducing financial strain on families paying for childcare, addressing low wages for childcare workers, and overcoming the limits placed on parents in the workplace when they cannot find quality, affordable care.

“This poll clearly demonstrates that not only do voters want Congress to do more to address

ed doors for the Jenkins.

Cathy was invited to be a celebrity chef on an Etheridge tour, because of their connections to Etheridge, the couple was invited to the Grammys, and they returned in 2023.

Cathy’s Kitchen also was quick to respond to the COVID-19 challenge

Before the country shut down, Cathy’s Kitchen began pick-up and delivery services only. They focused on feeding kids, just as they did for protestors, for free and utilized the Internet to show off new dishes and staff antics aimed at boosting the morale of their employees, customers and all who visited their website.

That spirit and camaraderie is still very much a part of the Cathy’s Kitchen menu.

“It ain’t no good time without you,” said Cathy Jenkins.

“And make sure you bring your appetite,” Jerom Jenkins adds.

Ironically, it was Bell, who defeated McCulloch to win the Democratic primary in August 2018, and then the prosecutor’s office in November, who placed the first order in the new Cathy’s Kitchen location.

childcare challenges today, but they also want future lawmakers to have a plan for addressing childcare challenges tomorrow. Actions like improving childcare credits and increasing federal childcare funding for states are incredibly popular,” said Rittling.

Current lawmakers and candidates on the campaign trail have the opportunity now to leverage this clear bipartisan support to bring much-needed assistance to working families with young children.”

Harry

Costner,

n “At the end of the day, I’m 16 years old running…grownman times.”

BaSkEtBall NotEBook

By Earl Austin Jr.

French accent

Napheesa Collier named to women’s USA basketball team

Congratulations to St. Louisan Napheesa Collier, who was recently selected to the United States women’s Olympic basketball team for the second time in her stellar career.

The former Incarnate Word Academy AllAmerican was selected to the 12-player team, which will be in search of the USA’s record eighth consecutive gold medal in women’s basketball. The Summer Olympics will be held from July 26 to Aug. 11 in Paris, France. In her second trip to the Olympics, Collier figures to have a more prominent role as she has emerged as one of the top players in the WNBA. She made her first Olympics appearance with Team USA in 2021 as the youngest player on a loaded team that rolled to the gold medal. To be named to this team twice is quite an accomplishment as it’s pretty well known that one of the hardest teams to make in all of sports is the USA women’s Olympic basketball team. In her sixth season with the Minnesota Lynx, the 27-year old Collier is having an MVP-type season in leading her team to a 13-3 record, which is currently third best in the league and first in the Western Conference. The Lynx entered this week’s action on a six-game winning

– Sprinter Quincy Wilson, who narrowly missed qualifying for Paris Olympics streak. With each season, Collier continues to add to her already expansive offensive game, which has enabled her to climb up the ranks of top players in the league. She has always been a dynamic player around the basket with her tremendous footwork and low post game. Now, she has become even more comfortable on the perimeter to the point where she is taking and making more

3-pointers.

At 6-feet-1, Collier is the primary inside player for the Lynx, which means she is usually matched up with the likes of 6’5” A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Sparks, 6’4” Breanna Stewart and 6’6” Jonquel Jones of the New York Liberty, yet she continues to produce at a very high level. Through the first 13 games of the season, Collier has become one of the best two-way

players in the WNBA. She is averaging 20.9 points, 10.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.3 steals and 1.4 blocks a game while shooting 46 percent from the field and 83 percent from the free throw line. In an 81-76 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks last Friday, Collier scored a gamehigh 30 points, along with six rebounds and a season-high eight steals. It was her second game in which she has scored

SportS EyE

With Alvin A. Reid

St. Louisan Napheesa Collier will be seeking her second gold medal when she competes with the US women’s basketball team in the Paris Summer Olympics next month.

at least 30 points this season. On May 23, Collier had 31 points and 11 rebounds in an overtime loss to the Connecticut Sun, the leader in the Eastern Conference. It has been quite a successful year for Collier on and off the court. Earlier this month, it was announced that she and fellow WNBA star Breanna Stewart will found a new women’s professional league called “Unrivaled.”

The new league will make its debut in January of 2025. It will feature 30 players on six teams in a 3-on-3 format on a compressed full court. The league will be played during a 10-week period with all games being held in Miami. The league will also give WNBA players an opportunity to earn more money while staying in the USA for the winter months instead of going overseas to play.

St. Louis’ brilliant young shortstop makes path easier for Cards to Winn

St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn was in rare air.

His .301 batting average on June 20 placed him among just 13 Major League Baseball players with the minimum required of at-bats to be at or above the .300 mark.

The batting average dipped to .299 at the close of the Cardinals’ threegame sweep of the San Francisco Giants, but Winn has been instrumental in the team resurgence

The Cardinals climbed to two games over .500 and held a wildcard playoff slot as of Monday, June 24. His stellar hitting and on-base/slugging percentage (.778) includes four home runs, 28 RBI, eight stolen bases and 31 runs scored.

Mookie Betts will likely gather the highest number of All-Star votes and be the ceremonial starter. However, he is sidelined after being struck by a pitch which broke his hand two weeks ago. There is tough competition for a shortstop slot on the NL All-Star team.

Elly de la Cruz’ 37 stolen bases and flashy brilliance will garner many votes on All-Star ballots. He has 13 home runs and 37 RBI but has struck out an embarrassingly high 103 times. Winn has whiffed just 53 times.

Ezequiel Tovar, Colorado Rockies shortstop, carries a .285 average with 12 home runs and 36 RBIs. He strikes out too much, fanning 92 times.

Winn could be named a 2024 National League All-Star and play in the All-Star Game on July 16 in Arlington, Texas. It will take some work, but it would be quite a homecoming for the Katy, Texas native.

L.A. Dodgers shortstop

Star, which works in his favor.

Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Willy Adames (13 R, 54 RBIs, .246), who has been a clutch hitter for the NL Central leaders, would get my vote ahead of Winn.

CJ Abrams (12 HR, 39 RBIS, .270) of the Washinton Nationals could be that team’s lone All-

All teams must have an All-Star Game representative, so Tovar also has that advantage over Winn. Cardinals reliever Ryan Helsley has 26 saves and a 2.38 ERA, which should garner him a spot on the team. Unfortunately, Winn’s defense weighs heavily against Winn’s All-Star Game participation.

Tovar and Adames rank second and third, respectively, in fielding in the

National League. Each of them has four errors compared to Winn’s 10. The Cardinals shortstop ranks ninth, just ahead of Betts at No. 8.

Abrams has five errors and ranks fifth, while de la Cruz is 11th with a stunningly high 15 errors.

Along with an outstanding rookie season, Winn also shined as the Cardinals lone Black player participating in the tribute to the late Willie Mays and Negro Leagues players during a game against the

The St. Louis Cardinals’ Masyn Winn being interviewed recently at Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Ala.

San Francisco Giants last Thursday at Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Ala.

In an interview with mlb.com’ s John Denton, Winn shard the game’s importance to his family and the African American communities throughout America.

““It means the world to me and to my stepdad, who came into my life early on and taught me about the history of Black baseball players and their significance in our community,” Winn said.

The 22-year-old shortstop added on social media that he admired several Black players with the Cardinals.

“Growing up, looking up to players like Ozzie Smith, Willie McGee and Willie Mays, it’s going to be a true honor to be there,” Winn wrote.

“The guys that have paved the way before us have made it easier for us. We’re so thankful. It’s truly a blessing to have Black players to look up to, and we want to follow their footsteps.”

The Reid Roundup I’m weary of the manufactured Angel Reese v. Caitlin Clarke melodrama…Sha’Carri Richardson stumbled at the start of the U.S. Trials women’s 100 meters dash but still posted a 10.88 time to qualify for the Paris Summer Olympics. She qualified for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020 at the Olympics trials, but tested positive for THC and was suspended…Noah Lyles won the men’s 100 meters to qualify for the Olympics, as well…

Earl Austin Jr.

Alvin A. Reid

Photo courtesy of USA Basketball

Courtesy photo

Ameren, Cooldown partner to provide AC to vulnerable residents

The oppressive heat on Tuesday June 25, 2024 foreshadowed the importance of air conditioning in the homes of seniors and people with health ailments accelerated by high temperatures.

Ameren Missouri and partner Cooldownstlouis.org and Cooldownmissouri.org loaded and delivered 800 ENERGY STAR certified window air conditioners and 100 smart thermostats to support the most vulnerable customers in St. Louis and eastern Missouri.

“It is critically important for our most vulnerable customers to have access to air conditioners ahead of the dangerous heat,” said Mark Birk, chair and president of Ameren Missouri. “Thanks to this impactful partnership, we can continue to help keep our neighbors cool and safe this summer.”

This is the 24th anniversary of Cooldownstlouis.org’s “Save our Seniors” Cooling Summer Project.

Ameren Missouri has participated in the program for 19 years.

Founder and Director of Cool Down St. Louis Gentry Trotter said elderly people are the most at risk.

Administration of the St. Louis Region’s Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) Certification Program will transfer to St. Louis Development Corpo ration (SLDC) from Business Diversity Development (BDD) at St. Louis Lambert International Airport.

The transfer will be complete by August 30, 2024. BDD, which cur-

Trotter told ksdk.com since the program began, they’ve given out 25,000 air conditioners, adding the need is greater than ever this year.

As summer now heads to July, Trotter said the organization has received dozens of requests from people who do not have an air conditioner. Cool Down is prioritizing helping people with no air condition who are elderly or people living with disabilities.

Cooling centers are available for those without air conditioning throughout the area.

There are multiple centers on the city’s north side including the Northside Youth and Senior Center on Maffitt Avenue.

On the south side, there’s a cooling center at the Buder Library Branch on Hampton Avenue.

If you live close to downtown there are several to choose from, including the Christ Church Cathedral on Locust Street.

For a full list of cooling centers, go to www.stlouis-mo.gov/ live-work/summer/cooling-centers.cfm

SLDC to serve as airport MBWE administrator

rently administers the MWBE Certification Program for St. Louis City and County, is no longer taking new MWBE applications, MWBE No Change Affidavits and new MWBE Expansion applications from MWBE firms requesting additional North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes. It will process MWBE applications it received prior to June 21. SLDC is

also working in partnership with St. Louis County to support the certification of MWBEs in the entire St. Louis Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) who are interested in doing business in the St. Louis Region.

The MWBE Program was established to encourage businesses owned by minority groups to participate in city contracting opportunities and on development projects

incentivized by the city.

SLDC oversees monitoring of MWBE utilization on such projects to ensure goals and objectives are achieved. SLDC works to promote business opportunities and capabilities of MWBEs and to eliminate barriers to equal economic opportunity for all businesses in the marketplace.

“Bringing the MWBE Certification Program in-house aligns with the Economic

Empowerment objectives of the Economic Justice Action Plan and SLDC’s numerous investments in creating a healthy ecosystem that provides opportunities for small and diverse businesses to launch, grow and sustain their operations,” said Neal Richardson, SLDC president and CEO.

“We are grateful to the Business Diversity Department at Lambert International Airport for

their support in maintaining the integrity of the MWBE certification process over the years.”

MWBEs with questions or concerns about the Certification Program or those submitting MWBE No Change Affidavits should email certification@stlouis-mo.gov, call (314) 617-0360 or visit https://www.developstlouis.org/resources-formwbes

Volunteers helped load 800 window air conditioners on trucks on Tuesday, June 25, for distribution throughout the St. Louis area. Ameren partnered with Cooldown St. Louis and Cool Down Missouri to provide the air conditioners to vulnerable residents.

Photo by Bill Greenblatt / St. Louis American

Cowboy Chaifetz

Black rodeo fans show up in droves for SERA

By Kenya Vaughn St. Louis American

Someone driving any direction near Compton and Market on Saturday afternoon or evening might have given Beyonce some credit she didn’t deserve.

The thousands in bedazzled cowboy hats, boots, “Daisy Dukes” and other giddy up gear who marched to Chaifetz Arena for the St. Louis SERA Black Rodeo had the day on their agenda long before “Cowboy Carter” was even announced.

The 7:30 p.m. show sold out so quickly that a 1 p.m. show was added. Because it is one of the rare opportunities that local Black rodeo fans can see themselves reflected in a major way, the traveling Southeastern Rodeo Association’s St. Louis stop has been climbing its way towards becoming a staple of our Black cultural calendar over the years. It’s on the cusp of joining The African Arts Festival, The Annie Malone May Day Parade, The UniverSoul Circus and other can’t miss events.

The date for Saturday’s rodeo was serendipitous in a way because it fell on Juneteenth weekend.

“June 19th was a historical day for the African American cowboy, cowgirl – and, of course, the African American people in general as well,” said co-host and SERA founder Walter Hull. “1865 is a year and June 19th is a day that we will always remember.”

Hull’s statement served as a reminder about Juneteenth, but also that cowboy culture and Black culture has always coexisted – and that generations of

Living It

by Wiley Price/St. Louis American Cowboys and cowgirls gave unforgettable performances for two shows of the St. Louis SERA Black Rodeo Saturday at Chaifetz Arena.

intended erasure could remove Blackness from the origin story.

The legacy of Blacks and the rodeo was demonstrated through the SERA though James Berry III.

“He represents three generations of cowboys,” said Hull.

Berry learned from his father – and Berry’s twin sons rode during the junior portion of the rodeo.

“I had a great weekend in St Louis thanks to the man above and my great horse Megan,” Berry said. “She really makes it easy.” The cowboys, cowgirls and rodeo fans who occupied Chaifetz Arena on Saturday broke the mold with respect to mainstream tradition. Music from Maze featuring Frankie Beverly to Rich Homie Quan hyped the crowd.

And in lieu of square dancing, the SERA hoedown intermission included the “Tamia” line dance and “The Wobble.”

When the competition was in full swing, all eyes were centered on the main event – which was hard to do considering the creative, elaborate rodeo getup.

See Rodeo, C3

Farewell for an icon

Frankie Beverly bids adieu to The Lou

By Ashley Winters

The St. Louis American

St. Louis’ “aunts and uncles” showed out Saturday night June 22 decked out in their all-white for their final goodbye to living legend and icon Frankie Beverly and Maze. Even though the concert was held at the Enterprise Center, it felt like one big backyard party filled with family and friends. There was so much love and appreciation for music trailblazers like the Whispers and the O’Jays. The concert was a memorable show of epic proportions.

Kicking off the R&B/ Soul train were the iconic California R&B group The Whispers–they came strutting on stage in matching burgundy suits with shoes to match and they took the crowd by storm with their chart-topping single ‘And The Beat Goes On’. Not one person who could stand up was sitting. Concertgoers were immediately on their feet dancing and snapping their fingers. On the floor level, some people were even dancing in the aisles. The Whispers have been performing for over three decades and still got it. Each member showed perfection in every turn, step out, and sway. The R&B group had their routine to a ‘T’. Singing six of their hits like ‘Get You In The Mood’ which caused some couples to slow dance in the aisles. Then they performed Rocksteady. People were doing the music group’s iconic dance right along with them. At the end of their set, like true gentlemen, they handed out a couple dozen red roses to the ladies in the audience.

Eddie Levert was on his game, before the O’Jays could step on stage people were cheering and screaming. Lights flashing throughout the venue provided the perfect setup, they opened up with ‘Give The People What They Want’. The audience was singing in unison with the soulful group. They were dancing their old-school routine not missing a beat. But after the upbeat song lead singer Eddie

“To anyone that hates me. That’s fine. I’m sending you peace, safety, and prosperity.”

General Hospital star Tabyana Ali in response to online racist attacks

Effie’s truth

Tiffany Mann talks embodying famed ‘Dreamgirls’ character for Muny audiences

By Kenya Vaughn The St. Louis American

For context regarding the scale of her talent, one only needs to consider who most recently filled the role before Tiffany Mann steps on stage this week as Effie White for The Muny’s presentation of “Dreamgirls.”

That would be none other than the Grammy Award-winning, Tony Award winning original Effie White, Jennifer Holiday.

“It is a huge pair of shoes to fill,” Mann said. “But what I love about the Muny is they encourage you to be yourself and embrace your individuality. I appreciate that they trust me. And the best way I can honor the legacy of the role is by being my entire self.”

Levert told the crowd. “ I’m gone, sit my ass down” and sat down on his chair. Fans laughed at his joke knowing he truly meant he was going to sit down. But they didn’t because of that the fact that they were seeing the O’Jays perform was good enough for them. He sang from that chair most of their set, but there were times when he was really feeling the music and would give the adoring fans a one-two step. The group slowed it down a bit, calling this part of their set the ‘baby-making music’ portion, and did a mash-up of ‘Sunshine’, ‘Brandy, I Really Miss You’, ‘Let Me Make Love To You’, and ‘Forever Mine’. One of the most amazing effects of music is it is able to bring

“Performing his last song ‘Thank You’ some people were in tears because they knew this was the last time they would see the iconic Frankie Beverly and Maze perform again.”

Photo by Maurice Meredith

n “It is a huge pair of shoes to fill. But what I love about the Muny is they encourage you to be yourself and embrace your individuality. I appreciate that they trust me.

- Tiffany Mann

Directed by Robert Clater, “Dreamgirls” also stars Aisha Jackson, Courtnee Carter, Charl Brown, Nick Rashad Burroughs, Ron Himes, Aramie Payton, Robby Clater and Natalie Kaye Clater and will play The Muny through July 3. “First of all, it is the Muny stage,” Mann said. “The Muny is huge and that’s how they do everything. I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but there are some pretty big things to look forward to.”

Honoring a legacy of talent through authenticity by way of a huge platform is familiar territory for Mann. As the daughter of David and Tamela Mann, it is in her blood. “At first it was daunting,” Mann said of establishing herself as an artist in her own right. “Having my own relationship with God – The Universe, however you’d like to name it – that connection helped me stand in my individuality.”

So does the unwavering support she receives from them.

“It is a huge responsibility, and an honor, to have the gifts to carry that legacy on,” Mann said. “Even though it is in a different way that they do. I am an entirely different part of the field, so I get to let my light shine in a different way –in a different place.” And shine does she ever.

people from all walks of life together– the O’Jays performed ‘Love Train’ and concertgoers instantly held hands with the person beside them. For those few minutes, everyone was in harmony with one another. Race, social economic status, or any other identity didn’t matter. For those moments everyone was family.

Headliner Frankie Beverly and Maze kept the audience wanting more, to describe his band in two words– divine talent. From the drums to the bass player, even the guy who played the congo drums and tambourine was on point. His

“When I tell you the girl is bad, the girl is bad,” Himes said of Mann. He plays the role of Marty in the production. He doesn’t mean bad meaning bad –nor does he mean good. When Himes says “bad,” he means “sing the stage down to the studs and a deliver a heartfelt performance audiences won’t soon forget at the same time.”

Himes beamed like a proud theater father when he spoke of directing her in her first professional stage role several years ago. It was a production of “Ain’t Misbehavin’” in Mann’s hometown of Fort Worth, Texas.

Photos

Photo courtesy of The Muny

Actress and singer Tiffany Mann will star as Effie White in The Muny’s upcoming performance of the musical theatre classic ‘Dreamgirls.’ The production will run through July 3.

CONCERTS AND LIVE SHOWS

Young Buck

6/27/2024 8:15pm

6/28/2024 8:00 pm

Pop’s Concert Venue

300 Monsanto Avenue Sauget, IL (618) 274-6720 Free

Dreamgirls

6/27/2024 8:15pm

6/28/2024 8:15pm

6/29/2024 8:15pm

6/30/2024 8:15pm The Muny 1 Theatre Dr St. Louis, MO $46+

A CALL TO

CONSCIENCE PRESENTS

“LIVE AT CLUB RIVIERA”

6/28/2024 7:00 p.m.

6/29/2024 7:00 p.m.

STL Sites & Sounds

The classic R&B musical “Dreamgirls,” loosely-based on the story of The Supremes, opens at the Muny Thursday night and runs through Wednesday July 3, 2024.

and more. Tower Grove Park

4257 Northeast Drive St. Louis, MO

Tower Grove Farmers’ Market

6/29/2024 8:00 a.m. The Tower Grove Farmers’ Market Tower Grove Park 4257 Northeast Drive St. Louis, MO Free COMMUNITY

NorthWest 79 Alumni

Directed by Thomasina Clarke, “Live At The Club Riviera” features The Point of View Jazz Ensemble & The North County Big Band under the direction of Harvey Lockhart, with choreography by Vivian Watt. “Live at the Club Riviera’’ is a landmark portrait of one of the most significant yet, scarcely docu establishment. The Church 1407 N. Taylor St. Louis, MO $15.00

8/1/2024 7:00 p.m. Stifel Theatre 1400 Market St, St. Louis, MO Hands-on art activities and special interactive components for kids within the galleries. Each week’s activities focus on a different, family-friendly theme. Saint Louis Art Museum One Fine Arts Drive St. Louis, MO Free

Gladys Knight

7/3/2024 opens at 11:00 a.m.

7/4/2024 opens at 11:00 a.m.

A tech-infused mini golf experience with theme nights and theme cocktails Puttshack - St. Louis 3730 Foundry Way St. Louis, MO $14.00 Sensory-Friendly Tent

6/29/2024 2:00 p.m. Top Shelf Bar and Grill 3533 Dunn Road, Suite 244 Florissant, MO 63033 (at Hall Ferry & Dunn Road)

Brownpreneurs Entrepreneurship Academy (BEA)

6/29/2024 11:00 a.m, Networking, and learning

Photo by Wiley Price I St. Louis American

Dr. Monica R. Butler, Darius Heavens, Maileith Hays, and Dr. Renetta Watson at the Black Rodeo Sat. June 22,2024 at the Chaifetz Arena on the campus of St. Louis University.

Rodeo

Continued from C1

“We don’t let off the gas,” co-host Bobcat told the crowd. “We are going to have a good time – and if you see some good runs, make some noise.”

He didn’t have to tell them twice. They shouted with encouragement, particularly for cowgirls LJ Graves, Karen Mitchell and Erica Singleton, cowboys Kent Hall, Berry, Anthony

from C1

look reminded the crowd of those days of family reunions and block parties. His humble spirit graced the stage throughout his performance. He performed all of his hits–and smiled from ear to ear. He was filled with so much love when the audience sang with him. ‘We Are One’, ‘Golden Time of

Winston and every single junior competitor.

They audibly gasped on the rare instance when things went left – but quickly served up applause as reassurance.

The participants added soul and swag to the experience as well. One cowboy hit a “C-walk” as his victory dance. Their outfits and embellishments to their horses were as much a reflection of Black culture as a representation of rodeo life.

“This is a historic event, and one of our best events, because we decided to

Day’, ‘Happy Feelings’, ‘Joy&Pain’, ‘Before I Let You Go’--the entire set most of the crowd was standing and no one wanted to sit. Dancing with him and his band was a part of the experience. Performing his last song ‘ Thank You’ some people were in tears because they knew this was the last time they would see this iconic Frankie Beverly and Maze perform. The man who has been a part of our families for over three decades. He was at every Bar-B-Que,

do a crazy thing,” Bobcat said.

That crazy thing was three rodeos in one weekend. It was unprecedented in the SERA’s 11 year history – and necessary because the St. Louis show sold out so quickly. So, after a successful evening in Springfield, IL they spent the entire day in St. Louis for an afternoon and evening show.

“Three rodeos in one weekend,” Hull said. “And what a great time it has been – and what a great atmosphere.”

wedding, and graduation party. His music celebrates life and love. The tours are over, but his music and spirit will forever be in our hearts, at our family get-togethers, crossing over all generations. Well done and thank you Frankie Beverly and Maze for all you have given us.

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

St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission

Cue the Good Times

By Barry Draper

This time of year, the region’s pools, lakes and rivers beckon, but when you’re not in the water, you’re going to need something fun to fill your days. Luckily, we’ve got a variety of things to do this July that will make it the most memorable month of the summer.

Want to enjoy the season without breaking the bank? Check out the best options for free summer fun at explorestlouis.com/whats-new/free-summer-fun-inst-louis.

Dreamgirls June 27 to July 3

Dreamgirls, the smash-hit musical that became an Oscar-nominated film, will take Muny audiences through the thrilling and invigorating changes in American pop music during the 1960s. Follow the moving and inspirational tale of an all-girl singing trio from Chicago that rises from obscurity to superstardom. As they ascend to their dreams, they must question the price of their success and the meaning of their own family.

Celebrate Saint Louis July 4

Concerts, parades and fireworks galore – Fair St. Louis has been reimagined as Celebrate St. Louis. Engaging, serving and celebrating the region through diverse, impactful and entertaining experiences, the Fourth of July event will take place in downtown St. Louis with a special focus on the 150th anniversary of the Eads Bridge, which has been a local landmark since its dedication on July 4, 1874.

summer. As you stroll through the streets and shops of the historic downtown, enjoy the sights and sounds of the annual festival, which features live art demonstrations, performances by regional musicians and children’s activities – plus, food and drinks from the neighborhood’s award-winning purveyors.

Art Hill Film Series

July 12 and 19

This July, Art Hill will once again transform into the city’s biggest cinema. During the Art Hill Film Series, catch Back to the Future (July 12) and Meet Me in St. Louis (July 19) in the idyllic setting. Before the show begins at 9 p.m., enjoy live music, food trucks and a cash bar.

Block Party July 19

Nothing says summer like a block party, and the Delmar Maker District is hosting one of the hottest ones on July 19. From 5 to 10 p.m., artsy spaces such as Third Degree Glass Factory, MADE for Kids and Craft Alliance will be open for demonstrations, shopping and hands-on activities. Live music will set the tone, while Steve’s Hot Dogs, Beyond Sweet Kitchen + Bar and Scoops of Joy will serve eats and treats.

Columnist Barry Draper

Ferguson 4th of July Celebration July 4

January-Wabash Park in Ferguson, Missouri, has all the fun you need on the Fourth of July. Beginning at 10 a.m., a merry parade will make its way to the park, followed by a festival from 4 to 9 p.m. Expect live music, food trucks, family-friendly activities and fireworks at approximately 9:15 p.m.

Let Them Eat Art

July 12

A celebration of the arts and a whimsical tribute to Bastille Day, Let Them Eat Art takes place in Maplewood every

The Tempest July 30 to August 25

As part of the St. Louis Shakespeare Festival, TourCO will take a larger-than-life production of The Tempest on the road. Featuring a traveling cast of six talented performers, the play is set on an island full of magic, mischief and plots of revenge in epic proportions. Free outdoor performances will happen in 24 parks in Missouri and Illinois beginning July 30.

SUE: The T. rex Experience Until September 15

Meet SUE in the LOU. The most complete, best-preserved Tyrannosaurus rex specimen ever discovered, SUE is now roaring at the Saint Louis Science Center. The T. rex Experience explains how the fossils were unearthed and explores the sights, sounds and smells of SUE’s world. At the special exhibition, you can also meet SUE’s nemesis, Triceratops. Continue your discovery in the Science Center’s earth sciences gallery full of animatronic dinosaurs and real fossils.

EMPLOYMENT

CONNECTION

NOT-FOR-PROFIT

AGENCY OPEN

POSITIONS

EOE M/F/D/V

For Full Description and to Apply for these positions

Visit: https://www. employmentstl.org/ come-work-with-us

MINIMUM

Court of Missouri. Note: This

(3)

is subject to continued availability of funding.

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

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST FOR OUR SUMMER CAMP

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

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

Positions include Housing Specialist, DOCY Program Manager, DOCY Youth Specialist, Career Specialist (Missouri and Illinois Locations), WIOA Career Specialist, and Manager of Green Jobs.

PRODUCT & PIPELINE PLATFORM TECHNICAL ARCHITECT

Bayer U.S. LLC’s Creve Coeur, MO, office seeks a Product & Pipeline Platform Technical Architect. This is a hybrid office/work-from-home position to contribute to the alignment of the IT strategy with the business goals and objectives, build the roadmap for overall IT landscape or parts of it based on the IT strategy. Apply at http:// career.bayer.us, #819233 or Careers_us@bayer. com with resume, salary requirements, and reference to #819233 (Product & Pipeline Platform Technical Architect).

seeking for each plan include handling an investment platform, administrative and recordkeeping, providing plan documents and trust services, access to investment products, employee communication, and investment education and advisory services.

Proposals will be received until:

Closing Time: 3:00 p.m. (CST)

Closing Date: Tuesday, July 30, 2024

Where: St. Louis Housing Authority Attn: Procurement Manager 3520 Page Boulevard St. Louis, MO 63106

Phone: (314) 286-4339 FAX (314) 289-7339 TDD (314) 286-4223

Proposals received after the stated time and date will not be considered.

A contract will be awarded to the most responsible offeror whose proposal is most advantageous to SLHA, with price and other factors considered as defined in the Evaluation and Selection Criteria in the Request for Proposals (RFP) packet.

Proposal documents will be available at: http://www.slha.org/for-partners/vendors/

A virtual pre-proposal conference will be held as follows:

Time: July 8, 2024 at 10:00 AM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7351036062?pwd=ODBkbkJVL1dpaG8zMk9ydHRhMHNx Zz09&omn=81852170177

Meeting ID: 735 103 6062

Passcode: 758305

One tap mobile +13017158592,,7351036062#,,,,*758305# US (Washington DC) +13052241968,,7351036062#,,,,*758305# US

Dial by your location

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdozFIl8ES

REQUEST FOR BIDS

Tarlton Corporation, Construction Manager as Agent, for the Saint Louis Zoo, invites you to submit a bid proposal on the Destination Discovery project for the Saint Louis Zoo located at 1 Government Drive, St. Louis MO 63110. Please note the packages referenced below.

The Saint Louis Zoo intends to renovate and renew a 2.8-acre site. The project includes a 10,255 SF “Discovery Center” and a 3,391 SF “Ambassador Animal” building to house Exhibit, Activity, Education, and Animal event space. The project also includes an addition on the Animals and Us building, several animal care buildings, outdoor living exhibit spaces, an elevated boardwalk, café, Splashpad, and climbing structure.

Tarlton is bidding out the following Early Works Packages: 02A Sitework and Site Utilities

02B Select Demolition

24 Life Support Systems (Mechanical)

26A Underground Electrical Raceways

32A Construction Fencing

Prebid meeting and site inspection will be held on July 8, 2024, at 3 p.m. in the Living World building on Government Drive in Forest Park, lower level in the Bayer Lecture Theatre. (Attendance is not mandatory for subcontractors/suppliers.) Subbids are due at 3 p.m. on July 19, 2024. These may be emailed to bids@tarltoncorp.com. Any questions, please feel free to contact Cameron Grubb at 314.762.7250 or cjgrubb@tarltoncorp.com

Saint Louis Zoo has established a goal of at least 25% MBE participation and at least 5% WBE participation for this project.

Bid documents explaining the requirements for bidding and performing the work will be made available at the following locations: BuildingConnected website: https://app.buildingconnected.com/public/55b2997ad17b380700 6f2618

Tarlton is an equal opportunity employer.

ADVERTISEMENT TO BID

Sealed bids will be received by the Construction Manager, S. M. Wilson, at the main office of S. M. Wilson & Co. located at 2185 Hampton Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63139 or submitted through Building Connected, until 2:00 pm CDT, on Tuesday, July 9th, 2024, for the Bid Packages described herein.

Bids will be publicly opened and read aloud at the main office of S. M. Wilson & Co. located at 2185 Hampton Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63139.

Northwest R-1 School District

Bid Package 01 - Brennan Woods Elementary

Bid Package 01 - Maple Grove Elementary

A Pre-bid Meeting for Maple Grove Elementary Bid Package No. 1 will begin at 9:00 pm on Tuesday, June 26th 2024, at Maple Grove Elementary School located at 7887 Dittmer Ridge Rd, Dittmer, MO 63023.

A Pre-bid Meeting for Brennan Woods Elementary Bid Package No. 1 will begin at 10:00 am on Tuesday, June 26th 2024, at Brennan Woods Elementary School located at 4630 Brennan Road, High Ridge, MO 63049. The purpose of this meeting is to address technical questions concerning the project from prospective bidders. Contractors shall not visit the site unless prior arrangements are made with the Construction Manager.

The School District reserves the right to reject any and all Bids, and to waive informalities therein to determine the lowest and best bid.

The bid documents will be available for viewing on BuildingConnected.com. https://app.buildingconnected.com/public/5913928fce945d0a00d28943

Plans will also be available for viewing or purchase at: Cross Rhodes Print & Technologies 2713 S Jefferson Ave, St Louis, MO 63118.

No Bid may be withdrawn for a period of sixty (60) days subsequent to the specified time for receipt of Bids.

Any offer exceeding $100,000 will be subject to a Bid Bond or Certified Check made payable to the Owner, in the amount of 5% of the Base Bid shall accompany the Bid Packages as a guarantee that the bidder, if awarded the Contract, may be asked to furnish a satisfactory Performance and Payment Bond; execute the Contract; and proceed with the work. Upon failure to do so, he shall forfeit the deposit or amount of the Bid Bond as liquidated damages, and no mistakes or errors on the part of the Bidder shall excuse the Bidder or entitle him to a return of the deposit or Bid Bond.

The prevailing wage law is in effect on this project. All bidders shall conform to the State of Missouri, Division of Labor Standards, Annual Wage Order No. 31, Section 010, Jefferson County in accordance with Section 290.262 CUM. Supp. RSMo (1994). All Contractors and Subcontractors shall conform to the Excessive Unemployment Articles 290.550 through 290.580 of the Prevailing Wage Law.

Bidders must be in compliance with the rules and regulations of the Fair Employment Practices Commission.

The Construction Management Agency for this project is S. M. Wilson

Contact info: Brian Nuehring, 314-306-7566 brian.nuehring@smwilson.com

Northwest R-1 School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

S. M. Wilson. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. S. M. Wilson strives to make our industry a more inclusive community and to sustain this model for future generations. Bidders agree to take all reasonable steps necessary to ensure Minority, Women and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises have an opportunity to participate in the performance of this project. Consideration of subcontract award may be based on diversity involvement.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FY 2025 OLDER ADULT PROGRAMS

Aging Ahead invites proposals for the purchase of tablets with a monthly data subscription and WiFi capabilities for use by older adults within the counties of St. Louis, St. Charles, Jefferson, and Franklin.

Awards to be made are governed by Titles III of OAA regulations and specifications of U.S. Dept. of HHS, MO Div. of Senior and Disability Services and Aging Ahead. Agency reserves the right to award multiple contracts within each program.

The total cost for IIIB program mentioned above is $292,500 & for IIIC programs mentioned above is $292,500. 100% ($585,000) of IIIB & IIIC is funded through Contract # ERS10521008 from MO Dept. of Health & Senior Services and U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services, Administration on Community Living.

Initial contract period is October 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025. Contracts may be extended for two additional fiscal years. Specifications and proposal packets may be obtained from Aging Ahead’s website at https://www.agingahead.org/who-weare/financials/ at noon on July 1, 2024. A public hearing is scheduled for July 12, 2024 at 10:00am via Zoom. Agency reserves right to accept or reject any or all proposals. Closing date for receipt of electronic proposals is August 2, 2024 at 4:00pm.

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Sealed bids for the Midland Boulevard Resurfacing project, St. Louis County Project No. AR-1797, Federal Project No. STP-5523(624), will be received electronically thru the County’s Vendor Self Service portal at https://stlouiscountymovendors. munisselfservice.com/Vendors/ default.aspx, until 2:00 PM on July 24, 2024.

Plans and specifications will be available on June 24, 2024 from the St. Louis County Web Site (www.stlouiscountymo.gov) or by contacting Cross Rhodes Print & Technologies, 2731 South Jefferson Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63118 (314) 678-0087.

ACTING DIRECTOR OF PROCUREMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES ST. LOUIS COUNTY

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Roof Replacement, Tuckpointing and Interior Repair at Sikeston Readiness Center, Project No. T2235-01, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, July 25, 2024, via MissouriBUYS. Bidders must be registered to bid. Project information available at: http://oa.mo. gov/facilities

ADVERTISEMENT FOR QUALIFICATIONS

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Construct New Columbarium Wall at Higginsville Veterans Cemetery, Project No. U2406-01, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, July 23, 2024 via MissouriBUYS. Bidders must be registered to bid. Project information available at: http://oa.mo.gov/ facilities

The City of St. Peters is seeking qualifications for the 24-145 –Spencer Road Multi-Use Path, Phase 1 (TAP-5640(614)) until 2:00 p.m. local time, July 22, 2024. This will be a Non-Public opening. The purpose of this project is to provide construction phase services and prepare all required plans and specifications required to acquire needed property rights and bid the construction of the Spencer Road multi-use path from City Centre Park and Mexico Road to Spencer Road and Executive Centre Parkway.

The RFQ will be available on June 27, 2024 and may be obtained from the City of St. Peters website https://mo-stpeters.civicplus.com/ Bids.aspx.

If your firm would like to be considered for providing these consulting services, please prepare a Technical Proposal. This proposal should include any information which might help us in the selection process, such as the persons or team you would assign to each project, the backgrounds of those individuals, and other projects your company has recently completed or are now active. The proposal shall be submitted in quadruplicate, in a sealed package, and clearly marked with the Consultant’s name and City of St. Peters –24-145 – Spencer Road Multi-Use Path, Phase 1 (TAP-5640(614)).

The proposal must be received by the City of St. Peters Purchasing Department by 2:00 p.m., local time, July 22, 2024.

All questions regarding the project and proposal submittal are to be submitted via e-mail to Bids@stpetersmo.net and specify in the subject line 24-145 – Spencer Road Multi-Use Path, Phase 1 (TAP5640(614))” before noon local time, July 11, 2024.

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

Once a proposal is selected, a contract will be negotiated with the firm based on a mutually agreed upon scope of services. This project has received federal reimbursement funding through the Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) administered by the East-West Gateway Coordinating Council of Governments. A DBE goal of 10% has been determined by Missouri Department of Transportation for the Preliminary Engineering portion of the project.

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

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

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

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.

SOLICITING BIDS

C. Rallo Contracting Co. is soliciting bids from MBE, SDVE, WBE & DBE firms for Middlebrush Farm –NextGen Center for Influenza Research – Phase II. C. Rallo has goals of 10% MBE, 3% SDVE, 10% Combined WBE, DBE, Veteran Owned Business for this project. Please contact Mark Haynes with any questions or if you need assistance accessing bid documents. Contact: Mark Haynes 314-633-9703 markh@crallo.com

Website: www.crallo.com

PUBLIC NOTICE

MBE/WBE/SDVE/

DBE/VBE

K&S Associates, Inc. is soliciting MBE/WBE/SDVE/ DBE/VBE for the following project for the Month of July 2024Bellefontaine Readiness Center. Plans and Specs can be viewed at www.ksgcstl.com or please call us at 314-647-3535 x102 for more details. Please submit your bids to estimating@ksgcstl.com

INVITATION TO BID

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

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

The St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC), hereby requests proposals from respondents wishing to establishing workforce development training programs and/or offices within the facility. The selected Respondent will work closely with SLDC staff, the architectural design team, identified and prospective tenants, and service providers who will maintain the facilities. For a copy of the RFP please visit our website at https://www.developstlouis.org/ opportunities selecting link for a complete copy of the RFP, or contact:

Stacey Fowler Sr. VP, Minority & Small Business Empowerment & Compliance

St. Louis Development Corporation 1520 Market Street, Suite 2000 St. Louis, MO 63103 Main: (314) 657-3707 Fax: (314) 603-7011 fowlers@stlouis-mo.gov

Proposals are due no later than 4:00 pm Central Daylight Time on Friday, July 19, 2024.

ADVERTISEMENT TO BID

Sealed bids will be received by the Construction Manager, S. M. Wilson, at the NORTHWEST R-1 SCHOOL DISTRICT OFFICE located at 4290 Gravois Road House Springs, MO 63051 or submitted through Building Connected, until 2:00 pm CDT, on Tuesday, July 2nd, 2024, for the Bid Packages described herein.

Bids will be publicly opened and read aloud at NORTHWEST R-1 SCHOOL DISTRICT OFFICE located at 4290 Gravois Road House Springs, MO 63051.

Northwest R-1 School District

Bid Package 01 - House Springs Elementary - 03D Precast Concrete

Bid Package 03 - Northwest High School Addition Work Package - 08H Glass & Glazing

A Pre-bid Meeting will not be held at this time. Contractors shall not visit the site unless prior arrangements are made with the Construction Manager.

The School District reserves the right to reject any and all Bids, and to waive informalities therein to determine the lowest and best bid.

The bid documents will be available for viewing on BuildingConnected.com https://app.buildingconnected.com/public/5913928fce945d0a00d28943

Plans will also be available for viewing or purchase at: Cross Rhodes Print & Technologies 2713 S Jefferson Ave, St Louis, MO 63118.

No Bid may be withdrawn for a period of sixty (60) days subsequent to the specified time for receipt of Bids.

Any offer exceeding $100,000 will be subject to a Bid Bond or Certified Check made payable to the Owner, in the amount of 5% of the Base Bid shall accompany the Bid Packages as a guarantee that the bidder, if awarded the Contract, may be asked to furnish a satisfactory Performance and Payment Bond; execute the Contract; and proceed with the work. Upon failure to do so, he shall forfeit the deposit or amount of the Bid Bond as liquidated damages, and no mistakes or errors on the part of the Bidder shall excuse the Bidder or entitle him to a return of the deposit or Bid Bond.

The prevailing wage law is in effect on this project. All bidders shall conform to the State of Missouri, Division of Labor Standards, Annual Wage Order No. 31, Section 010, Jefferson County in accordance with Section 290.262 CUM. Supp. RSMo (1994). All Contractors and Subcontractors shall conform to the Excessive Unemployment Articles 290.550 through 290.580 of the Prevailing Wage Law. Bidders must be in compliance with the rules and regulations of the Fair Employment Practices Commission.

The Construction Management Agency for this project is S. M. Wilson Contact info: Brian Nuehring, 314-306-7566 brian.nuehring@smwilson.com

Northwest R-1 School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

S. M. Wilson. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. S. M. Wilson strives to make our industry a more inclusive community and to sustain this model for future generations. Bidders agree to take all reasonable steps necessary to ensure Minority, Women and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises have an opportunity to participate in the performance of this project. Consideration of subcontract award may be based on diversity involvement.

St. LouiS american Bids & Public Notices St.

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This project will have prevailing wage requirements.

Goals for Construction Business Enterprise

• 21% African American

• 11% Women

• .5% Asian American

• .5% Native American

• 2% Hispanic American

Goals for Workforce (field) participation

• 25% Minority

• 7% Women

• 20% Apprentice

• 23% City of St Louis Resident

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

PARIC CORPORATION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Minor Renovations for Infection Control at Mexico Veterans Home, Project No. U2302-04, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, July 25, 2024 via MissouriBUYS.

Bidders must be registered to bid. Project information available at: http://oa.mo. gov/facilities

PUBLIC NOTICE

Donald Maggi Inc. is accepting bids from Disadvantaged Business Enterprises for subcontracting opportunities on the RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES DEMOLITIONPHASE 2

Project No.: RC000664 Bid Date and Time: 2:30 PM on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, Plans/Specification is available via email/ dropbox or www.adsplanroom.com Contact Donald Maggi Inc. at 573-364-7733 or email maggiconst@gmail. com

Donald Maggi Inc.

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Replace Switchgear, Powerplant & Maintenance Building at Eastern Reception & Diagnostic Correctional Center, Project No. C2330-01, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, July 30, 2024 via MissouriBUYS. Bidders must be registered to bid. Project information available at: http://oa.mo. gov/facilities

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Replace Roofs at Department of Mental Health Joplin Regional Office, Project No. M2331-01, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, August 1, 2024 via MissouriBUYS. Bidders must be registered to bid. Project information available at: http://oa.mo. gov/facilities

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Replace Fire Alarm System, Infrastructure at Northeast Correctional Center, Project No. C2314-01, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, July 30, 2024 via MissouriBUYS. Bidders must be registered to bid. Project information available at: http://oa.mo. gov/facilities

SEALED BIDS

Bids for HVAC Improvements for Infection Control, Mexico Veterans Home Project No. U2301-03 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, July 25, 2024. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/facilities

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

America’s Center is seeking RFP’s from qualified companies to provide Preferred Audio Visual Services for the America’s Center for America’s Center. Bid packages available Monday, June 24th, 2024, at 9am at the Administrative Office at 701 Convention Plaza, or by visiting: https://explorestlouis.com/ audio-visual-services/ Interested bidders must attend a mandatory pre-bid conference & walk thru Tuesday, July 9th10am CST at America’s Center Facilities Office Conference Room B. Contact John Ervin at 314-342-5095 with any questions. The facility reserves the right to reject any or all bids. EOE.

REQUEST FOR BIDS

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

RFP

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

consisting of Basic GTL and VGTL. The SLHA is also requesting quotations for Optional Employee Coverage and Optional Dependent Coverage.

Proposals will be received until:

Closing Time: 3:00 p.m. (CST)

Closing Date: Tuesday, July 30, 2024

Where: St. Louis Housing Authority Attn: Procurement Manager 3520 Page Boulevard St. Louis, MO 63106

Phone: (314) 286-4339 FAX (314) 289-7339 TDD (314) 286-4223

Proposals received after the stated time and date will not be considered.

A contract will be awarded to the most responsible offeror whose proposal is most advantageous to SLHA, with price and other factors considered as defined in the Evaluation and Selection Criteria in the Request for Proposals (RFP) packet.

Proposal documents will be available at: http://www.slha.org/for-partners/vendors/

A virtual pre-proposal conference will be held as follows:

Time: July 8, 2024 at 12:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7351036062?pwd=ODBkbkJVL1dpaG8zMk9ydHRhMHNx Zz09&omn=89700226224

Meeting ID: 735 103 6062

Passcode: 758305

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Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdozFIl8ES AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Sealed bids for the New Florissant Road Resurfacing project, St. Louis County Project No. AR-1796, Federal Project No. STP5595(618), will be received electronically thru the County’s Vendor Self Service portal at https:// stlouiscountymovendors. munisselfservice.com/ Vendors/default.aspx, until 2:00 PM on July 10, 2024

Plans and specifications will be available on June 10, 2024 from the St. Louis County Web Site (www. stlouiscountymo.gov) or by contacting Cross Rhodes Print & Technologies, 2731 South Jefferson Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63118 (314) 678-0087.

ACTING DIRECTOR OF PROCUREMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES ST. LOUIS COUNTY

CITY OF ST. LOUIS ST. LOUIS LAMBERT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Request For Proposals (RFP)

Service: Security Guard Services

Pre-Proposal Meeting Date: July 15,

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE:

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

Since then, her resume has grown – not only in the arena of stage, but also includes film and television – which was the goal when she took a leap of faith and left Fort Worth for New York City.

“First of all, I tricked myself into moving to New York,” Mann said. “I told myself I was going to visit. That visit turned into a couple of auditions – which turned into getting an agent and booking my first job.”

The mind trick method was so that she wouldn’t give herself an opportunity to talk herself out of the move.

“I had to go – and thankfully it has been an incredible experience,” Mann said. “New York will drop kick you in the throat every once in a while. But it will also

embrace you in ways that nowhere else in this country will do.”

She’s been seen on Broadway in productions of “Be More Chill,” and “The Waitress.” She’s been on television thanks to shows such as “Orange is the New Black” and “New Amsterdam.” She’s been in films such as “The Color Purple” and “You Go Girl!” She’s also been seen on the Muny stage in their production of “Smokey Joe’s Café.”

“Words can do it no justice,” Mann said of playing The Muny for the first time. “The Muny makes sure that the human is taken care of first and foremost. Then the artistry can flow from that.”

At the top of Mann’s artistic agenda when it comes to embodying Effie White is revealing the character’s truth.

“From the moment I say yes to the job, it is my responsibility to be honest and true to that character so that they may feel that

honesty and truth,” Mann said. “It’s less about the performance and the spectacle. Effie is a huge role and there are songs that are iconic, but if you are not standing in truth it won’t touch your heart.”

Mann’s truth for Effie is that she is a woman seeking to be seen.

“The way I’m playing her is that she comes from a large family and her gift was the only way that she was able to be seen,” Mann said. “And in the moments where her gifts are not honored, she doesn’t know how to be seen. I want Effie’s truth to be that her simply existing is worthy of being seen – and honored.”

The Muny’s production of “Dreamgirls” begin at 8:15 p.m. nightly through July 3. Tickets are available at muny.org, by calling MetroTix at (314) 5341111 or in person at the Muny Box Office, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. daily.