March 27th, 2025 edition

The St. Louis American endorses

St. LouiS AmericAn

One-on-One with Cara Spencer

Denies calling Mayor Jones corrupt

By Sylvester Brown, Jr.

St. Louis American

Alderwoman Cara Spencer (8th Ward) has proven to be a formidable contender for mayor of the city of St. Louis. She’s raised more in donations than her opponent, incumbent Mayor Tishaura O. Jones, and received more votes than Jones in last month’s primary election.

In an interview with the St. Louis American, Spencer was challenged on her statement that more Black people have left the city under Jones’ term than any other mayor, how she plans to pay for the improvements she’s promising, and why she thinks wealthy developers are donating so substantially to her campaign.

By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American

St. Louis American Gov. Mike Kehoe

will put himself in a form of protective custody at the St. Louis Police Officer’s Association headquarters on Hampton Thursday, March 27, 2025, after officially stripping residents of the city of St. Louis of the right to run their own police force.

SPENCER, A6 Taking flight!

The Lift For Life Academy Hawks girls’ basketball team celebrated its second consecutive state title on Saturday March 22, 2025, at Mizzou Arena after downing St. Teresa’s Academy of Kansas City 63-42. After winning a Class 4 championship last year, the Hawks were reclassified to 5A yet still captured a third title in five seasons. Sophomore point guard Amaya Manuel led Lift For Life with 21 points and also scored the 1,000th point of her career during the game’s second quarter.

SLU slavery apology on hold

Descendants disappointed

By Namratha Prasad

St. Louis American

A planned apology Wednesday afternoon from St. Louis University to the Descendants of the St. Louis University Enslaved (DSLUE) at St.

Long COVID continues its haunting impact

Xavier College Church was abruptly cancelled.

According to (DSLUE) representatives, the organization did not participate after it received an agenda from SLU officials that it had not approved by midnight of the day of the event. Eric Proudie, a descendant of Henrietta Mills, said he flew in from Florida for the event. He said the apology included in the agenda that was sent to DSLUE had words meant to “pacify” them.

chronic conditions after contracting COVID-19, while others do not. Page A8

“We decided we could not support a fake apology,” Eric Proudie said on the steps in front of St. Xavier College Church while surrounded by other descendants.

Robin Proudie, another descendant of Mills and the founder and executive director of DSLUE, said the apology in the agenda included the name of an organization whose values “do not align with the DSLUE’s vision for

Rasheen Aldridge

Kehoe will perform a ceremonious signing of House Bill (HB) 495 under the watchful eye of police at the union building. The bill gives the state of Missouri control of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.

On Wednesday, with representatives of the police union standing behind him in Jefferson City, Kehoe signed the legislation that he admits will not reduce crime.

“You can’t legislate lower crime,” when asked by a reporter if the bill would reduce crime in St. Louis.

“You can give law enforcement the tools that it takes.”

Mayor Tishaura Jones said the bill has been a “sham…from the very beginning.”

Voting opens for April 8 elections

By Sylvester Brown, Jr.

Louis

No-excuse absentee voting means a person can vote absentee without needing to provide an excuse. It will continue for two weeks leading up to Election Day. The date to submit an absentee ballot by mail, March 26, 2025, has expired, according to the St. Louis Board of Election Commissioners.

The city of St. Louis will hold general elections for mayor, comptroller, board of aldermen, and community college board on April 8, 2025. Candidates will compete in Aldermanic Wards 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13. The St. Louis mayoral race is arguably the most contentious and highly watched competition this year. Incumbent Mayor Tishaura Jones is defending her seat against Ald. Cara Spencer (8th Ward). In

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

8th Ward Alderwoman Cara Spencer being interviewed by St. Louis American reporter Sylvester Brown about her run for mayor Wednesday, Mar. 19, 2025.

Photo courtesy of Lift For Life Facebook

Meagan Good is now Mrs. Majors

Actors Jonathan Majors and Meagan Good are husband and wife.

Entertainment Tonight was the first to report the marriage, saying that the couple exchanged vows in a “a super small private wedding ceremony at their home in Los Angeles on Tuesday.”

According to the celebrity news outlet, Majors’ mother, who is a pastor, officiated the ceremony. Good’s mom was the witness. ET says that the Majors, Good and their mothers were the only attendees.

“She’s just my best friend. She motivates me so much,” Majors told ET’s Kevin Frazier.

“You don’t know anybody until you’ve been through all the seasons with them...she’s seen me in every spot, and I’ve seen her in every spot.”

The couple began

dating nearly two years ago. Their engagement was made public when Good flashed her massive ring while on the red carpet for the Ebony Power 100 Gala last fall.

Tony Buzbee drops out of more than a dozen Diddy lawsuits

Houston attorney Tony Buzbee withdrew from a civil lawsuit filed against Bad Boy Entertainment CEO, Sean “Diddy” Combs, after he was barred from practicing in the Southern District of New York.

Court TV reported that Buzbee has removed himself from more than a dozen cases involving the embattled entertainment mogul.

“Texas attorney Tony Buzbee filed to withdraw from 15 suits filed against Diddy after Diddy’s attorneys argued Buzbee isn’t authorized to practice in the southern district of New York,” the legal news site said. “The lawsuits will go on despite Buzbee stepping down.”

Mathew Knowles comes for Kanye

Last week Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s twins Sir and

Rumi Carter were targeted in the latest social media rant from Kanye West. In a series of tweets, West described the 7-year-old twins with a slur related to cognitive abilities.

The post was removed, but West said it was not done out of respect for the Carter family.

“I need everyone to know that I took the post about Jay-Z and Beyoncé’s family down because there was a possibility of my Twitter being cancelled, not because I am a good person,” West tweeted. The tweet continued with another attack on the Carter twins.

Beyoncé and Jay-Z have made no comment on the remarks – that escalated to personal attacks on Jay-Z. But Beyonce’s father, Mathew Knowles, had a few choice words for the rapper/ producer.

“People pay a price for being stupid, especially in the music industry,” Knowles told TMZ.

“I’m hopeful Kanye gets the type of help he needs, in terms of mental health.”

Dawn Robinson proclaims car residency is by choice

The internet and social media exploded with a range of responses to former En Vogue and Lucy Pearl singer Dawn Robinson’s video confessional where she admitted that she has been living in her car for the past three years.

Robinson issued a statement to People Magazine to clear up rumors and misconceptions surrounding her revelation.

“I want to make it clear: I am not homeless. I am temporarily choosing car life as part of my journey of healing and self-discovery,” the statement read. “I took a risk and jumped headfirst into this lifestyle, and WOW, what a crazy, fun, sometimes scary ride it’s been. For me, failure is NOT an option. Being vulnerable sucks, but here I GROW. This is about embracing freedom, trusting the process, and finding strength in the unexpected.”

Robinson also warned fans against campaigns that claim to be raising money on her behalf.

“I’ve been made aware that some individuals may be requesting funds on my behalf through platforms like Cash App, GoFundMe or other means,” Robinson said. “I want to be clear: I have not authorized any fundraising campaigns, and I do not want anyone—especially my loyal fans—to be scammed or taken advantage of. Your love and support mean the world to me, and I want to ensure that your kindness is not misused. Please be cautious and do not send money to anyone claiming to act on my behalf.”

Sources: CourtTV.com, ETonline. com, People.com, TMZ.com, X.com

Meagan Good

‘More than just a game’

Dellwood debuts ‘Midnight Madness’ basketball program

By Ashley Winters

St. Louis American

The City of Dellwood is investing in its youth with the North County Midnight Madness Basketball Program, which tipped off Friday, March 21 at the Dellwood Recreation Center.

The free, late-night basketball initiative is open to youth ages 13 through 19 and the program will run Friday nights from 7:30 pm until 11 pm through the summer months.

“The North County Midnight Madness Basketball Program is more than just a game,” said Mayor Reggie Jones.

“This is about creating opportunities, building relationships, and investing in the future of our youth. We are committed to providing a safe space where young people can connect, grow, and thrive.”

Jones, who says Dellwood is “rebounding” in many ways, said the program is designed to provide a safe, positive, and engaging space for young people, featuring organized basketball games, mentorship opportunities, career development workshops, and access to vital community resources.

He added that the basketball league gives North County youth an additional positive outlet.

“It is designed to keep them off the streets during times when unlawful behavior commonly takes place with our young people,” said Jones.

The St. Louis Area Violence Prevention Commission funds the program. STL VPC works to reduce violent crime in the region by promoting and advocating for coordinated, well-resourced policies, support systems, and interventions among area governments, institutions, and agencies that serve individuals and families most at risk of violent crime.

VPC’s approach to violent prevention is an upstream model that examines access to the social determinants of healthconditions of where a person lives, learns, plays, and worksthat affect their health outcomes.

For example, whether a person engages in violence can be determined by social determinants of health including economic stability, education, built environment, and more.

After a shooting downtown St. Louis in 2023 that left one teenager dead and 11 others injured, Mayor Tishaura Jones, youth leaders, and the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis collaborated to find safe activities for teens. The City of St. Louis extended weekend hours for two recreation centers.

Wohl Recreation Center in north St. Louis and Dunn-Marquette Recreation Center in south St. Louis — provided safe spaces for teens to socialize until 1:00 a.m.

Reggie Jones said with activities that are centered around basketball games, mentorship, and personal

development workshops, the program will give kids alternate choices.

He hopes the program will help reduce youth-related crime, promote healthy lifestyles, and strengthen relationships beyond the Dellwood community.

The Results For America: Interrupting and Deescalating Violence; St. Louis, Missouri data shows in 2017, the US Department of Justice that found that St. Louis had higher rates of homicide and gun-related crime than its peer cities.

The city’s existing violence prevention efforts were underresourced. Cure Violence began operating in St. Louis in 2020. The Cure Violence model takes

a public health approach to reducing violence.

Under this approach, trained violence interrupters and outreach staff identify and intervene in potentially violent situations, conduct outreach to those most likely to engage in violence and work to change community norms that perpetuate violent acts. In Cure Violence’s first year of operations in St. Louis, violence interrupters were able to intervene in more than 600 conflicts across the three geographies it serves.

The program is a collaborative effort, bringing together school districts including Riverview Gardens, Hazelwood,

Normandy, Ferguson-Florissant, and Jennings. The partnership includes North County Police Co-Op law enforcement and service providers such as Employ St. Louis, Refuge and Restoration.

Youth from across North St. Louis County are encouraged to participate. Registration is now open, additional information is available at the Dellwood Recreation Center.

“I'm looking forward to not only making sure youth are having fun in a safe space but also building relationships with local police and resourceproviding organizations,” said the Dellwood mayor.

Photo by Wiley Price I St. Louis American

Dellwood Mayor Reggie Jones with City Administrator Terry Wilson at the city’s newly refurbished Dellwood Rec Center Fri. Mar. 21, 2025.

Editorial

The Case for Tishaura Jones’ Re-Election

The debate between the two candidates vying to become the next mayor of St. Louis offers a valuable opportunity to assess their respective priorities and leadership styles. Incumbent Mayor Tishaura Jones, born and raised in North St. Louis, is now seeking re-election after her first term. She has emphasized accomplishments such as expanding affordable housing, improving public safety through alternative responses, and reforming the city’s budget to better reflect the entire community’s needs.

Her prior service as a ward committeewoman, state representative, and 8 years as Treasurer, a city-wide elected office, further demonstrates her deep familiarity with the city’s complex landscape. In contrast, Alderman Cara Spencer, raised in South St. Louis and St. Louis County, while well-spoken and earnest in her approach, lacks experience managing a large organization—a notable concern for a city facing deep structural challenges and budgetary constraints. It is fair to say her learning curve would be steep.

Further complicating the race is the outsized influence of Bob Clark, a wealthy high-profile developer and seasoned veteran of political influence through campaign contributions. He had a role in helping to hold up the critical downtown convention center’s expansion, which led to increased costs and a reduction in the scope of the project that reduced its competitiveness. His heavy financial backing of Spencer’s campaign raises questions about the independence of her policy decisions.

Importantly, Mayor Jones has made significant policy changes that protect the City from the continuation of some previous unfair business deals.

But we want to make it clear that as an African American-facing newspaper we have absolutely no reason to feel that either Ald. Spencer or Bob Clark are themselves racist. The fact is that both have a commendable history of being progressive on the issue of race in both their public and private lives. Nevertheless, it is also clear that certain aspects of the Spencer campaign do come across as racial dog whistles. Also, an uncontrolled social media is replete with posts that are clearly racist. It is regrettable that both candidates have supporters who base their election choices on the people they find more relatable because of race rather than fitness for an office.

At the same time, it’s important to recognize that both candidates bring valuable public service experience to the table. In an era of increasing polarization, objective journalism (the organization with the region’s largest newsroom often seems to have a vendetta against Jones in its editorials) and a commitment to accountability—regardless of political affiliation—

remain essential.

St. Louis continues to grapple with serious challenges: a declining population and tax base, crime (there has been some encouraging improvement), and controversial, even unprincipled developers.

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated existing issues including population loss. Public schools continue to struggle with mounting problems, and the city lost several major businesses and institutions in the aftermath of that outbreak. Some of the city’s losses occurred long ago, including the departure of corporate headquarters, the failure to develop a regional airport in the 1970s, and the Rams’ exit from St. Louis as a result of a flawed contract—all stemmed from decisions and forces beyond City Hall’s control. Macroeconomic trends, state and federal policies, and global shifts all play a role in shaping the city’s reality.

Yet, amid these struggles, the importance of delivering basic city services cannot be overstated. They are essential to residents’ daily lives, and although not easily addressed, they remain fundamental to any effort to build a better future for the city.

Despite all of these daunting challenges, St. Louis holds significant competitive advantages including: ownership of the region’s major airport that is expected to see a transformative overhaul soon, affordable land, historic architecture, ample water, two top-tier medical centers, esteemed research universities that are leaders in geospatial, plant science and medical research, as well as a community college system to provide workforce for 21st century jobs, parks with great amenities, professional sports teams, as well as exceptional arts and cultural assets. Capital and talent are drawn to cities that combine these strengths with sound leadership and a welcoming environment.

We believe St. Louis is in the early stages of a substantial revival. But future growth must be inclusive—rooted in equity, opportunity, and a clear departure from the divisive harmful practices of the past. This requires elected officials who are not only competent but committed to equitable progress for all.

Incumbent Mayor Jones faces a difficult path to re-election following a lopsided primary result, but the general election will be decided by the incremental voters who show up—especially young people and women, key constituencies in her previous political victories.

The St. Louis American feels strongly that Mayor Jones’ experience, record of leadership, and inclusive practices make her the clear choice to continue guiding our city forward.

We endorse Tishaura Jones for re-election as Mayor of St. Louis.

Commentary

Killing MBDA will weaken American economy

By Marc Morial

“We must also provide an expanded opportunity to participate in the free enterprise system at all levels–not only to share the economic benefits of the free enterprise system more broadly, but also to encourage pride, dignity, and a sense of independence. In order to do this, we need to remove commercial obstacles which have too often stood in the way of minority group members–obstacles such as the unavailability of credit, insurance, and technical assistance. Involvement in business has always been a major route toward participation in the mainstream of American life. Our aim is to open that route to potentially successful persons who have not had access to it before.” –

President Richard M. Nixon

The Trump administration’s efforts to rewrite American history under the guise of fighting a mythical “anti-white” racism took a dangerous turn this week as the White House issued an executive order effectively gutting the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA).

Since President Nixon established it over 50 years ago, the MBDA has provided government financing and contracting opportunities that have fueled the growth of minority-owned businesses and strengthened our communities.

entrepreneurs, arguing that the MBDA’s mission of supporting minority business owners amounted to unconstitutional racial discrimination.

While the judge acknowledged that racial minorities face greater challenges in accessing capital, including lower loan approval rates, smaller funding amounts, and higher interest rates, his astonishing ruling was that there was insufficient evidence that government policies contributed to these disparities.

An important task of the MBDA is helping minority owned firms gain access to capital. It accomplishes this mission by identifying financing opportunities and sourcing deals, assisting with financial management and planning, financing forums and networking events, and identifying mergers and acquisitions that could lead to opportunities.

The National Urban League waged a decade-long fight to elevate the MBDA to a statutory agency because its role in driving economic equity and closing the racial wealth gap is irreplaceable. In fiscal year 2023 alone, the agency facilitated $1.2 billion in capital, secured $1.6 billion in contracts, and generated or saved more than 14,000 jobs.

Dismantling the MBDA is the latest example of right-wing extremists rolling back hard-won civil rights victories that have helped level the economic playing field. Under the pretense of race neutrality, they are actively working to erase policies that acknowledge and address systemic disparities.

In March 2024, a federal judge in Texas appointed by Donald Trump, ruled in favor of a lawsuit brought by white

This ruling, coupled with the administration’s actions, threatens to undo decades of economic progress. Eliminating race-conscious programs under the false premise of equality ignores the stark realities of systemic discrimination and denies communities of color access to resources essential for closing the racial wealth gap. Minority business enterprises seeking to expand into new markets — domestic & global — and grow in size and scale, can access business experts at a MBDA Business Center.

The administration’s decision is not just unlawful and unjust— it is an economic disaster in the making. Minority-owned businesses contribute trillions to the U.S. economy and employ millions of workers. Stripping them of vital federal support will stifle job creation, weaken local economies, and widen the wealth divide.

At a time when economic inequality remains one of the nation’s most pressing challenges, the federal government should be expanding opportunities for underserved businesses, not eliminating them. This is not just a policy fight, it is a battle for economic justice, and we cannot afford to lose.

Marc Morial is president and CEO of the National Urban League

Commentary

Stealing valor from Black soldiers, families

By Floydetta McAfee

The military is not just a chapter in my life. It’s my bloodline, my inheritance, and my foundation.

My father, Floyd McAfee, was a career Army officer. My uncles fought in World War II. My younger brother stood guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. My nephew and many cousins also served.

As a teenager, my father left Tuskegee Institute to enlist in President Harry S. Truman’s newly desegregated Army. After finishing his hitch and then graduating from college, he chose an officer’s commission over an opportunity to play for the Green Bay Packers.

Reared as an Army brat, my family and I lived in a dozen places — Army bases named for Confederate heroes, overseas in Germany, and at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

My husband served in the Marine Corps.

Yet for all the valor, all the sacrifice to the country by my family and friends, I have never been able to shake the bitter truth: From the Revolutionary War to the war in Afghanistan, Black Americans have fought for this nation, but this nation has not always fought for them.

The move aligns with President Donald Trump’s crusade against diversity, equity, and inclusion in the federal government and military. In less than two months, Trump has undone generations of work by Black soldiers, sailors, and Marines who fought and changed an unfair system. His purge of the military began at the top, with the living.

Trump fired General Charles Q. Brown Jr. — a decorated fighter pilot and commander who battled racism in his own squadron between combat missions, and was only the second Black chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in its 76-year history. Trump also dismissed the Navy’s first female secretary, stripped images of women and people of color from military recruiting materials, and banned use of the word “diversity.”

The president’s hand-picked defense secretary — a man who sports prominent tattoos affiliated with white Christian nationalism — declared that the military was too focused on diversity. But history asks a different question: are diversity and strength mutually exclusive? Weren’t men and women of color who served with distinction — the colored Union soldiers of the Civil War, Harriet Tubman, the Navajo Code Talkers — the definition of strength?

Often disrespected by their peers and their country while in uniform, Black service members are being dishonored in death at the most sacred resting place in the country: Arlington National Cemetery, where my dad is buried.

On March 14, 2025, Authorities at Arlington National Cemetery stripped from its website information about heroic or noteworthy Black, Latino, Indigenous, and women service members buried there.

Task & Purpose magazine, which covers the military, reported that the cemetery’s website scrubbed “dozens” of pages that told the stories of outstanding service members of color at rest in Arlington’s hallowed ground.

To erase their contributions is not just an insult. It’s a lie. Now is the time for action to keep that from happening.

We must speak up and challenge the false narrative that diversity is at odds with military strength. We must demand that Congress and military leaders preserve their histories. And we must vote with purpose, choosing leaders who respect the full, unvarnished history of all veterans.

Floydetta McAfee has written and produced documentary specials, including “Pilgrimage to Tulsa: Witnessing America in Greenwood;” “Eyes on The Prize: Then and Now,” and “Women of the Movement: 1954-1965.”

Columnist Marc Morial

Guest Columnist Floydetta McAfee

As part of Black Maternal Health Week, SSM Health DePaul Hospital is partnering with BKM 4 Life Foundation to host the Family Birthplace 5k Run/Walk at 8 a.m. Saturday, April 12, and the Community Baby Shower will follow at 10 a.m.

DePaul Hospital, BKM 4 Life partner for women’s health

St. Louis American

SSM Health DePaul Hospital is partnering with BKM 4 Life Foundation for Fitness and Health to present a pair of events to bring attention to the alarming mortality rates of Black mothers and the subsequent complications Black mothers face during pregnancy.

The Family Birthplace 5k Run/Walk is at 8 a.m. Saturday, April 12, and the Community Baby Shower will follow on that Saturday at 10 am.

Both events will be held at SSM Health DePaul Hospital – St. Louis, 12303 De Paul Drive, Bridgeton, Missouri, 63044

The Community Baby Shower is for expecting mothers seeking education on their birthing journey and will provide resources for them from partnering local organizations.

Black women have higher rates of preeclampsia, diabetes, and other pregnancy-relat-

ed illnesses, and Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than white women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“It’s important for us to raise awareness of Black maternal health and be an active partner in the solution, especially [for] mothers who feel unheard by the healthcare community,” said Dr. Jade James Halbert, department chair of obstetrics and gynecology at SSM Health DePaul Hospital.

Briant K. Mitchell, BKM 4 Life founder and executive director, said, “the Black maternal health crisis is not just a women’s issue.”

“As husbands, fathers, and brothers, maternal morbidity impacts us as well.”

Registration for both events is required.

Please visit BKM 4 Life Black Maternal Health 5K; Black Maternal Health Week Community Baby Shower

Fighting outward, building inward

By Julianne Malveaux

The 47th president has upended business as usual, in federal government, in classrooms, in business.

Tariffs are here and gone tomorrow. Tantrums in the Oval Office. State Departments of Education are being threatened. Stock markets crashing, with the market logging its worst performance for a “new” president since 2009.

The 47th president promised no business as usual. What he meant was no business at all.

The disruption that has riddled both the federal government and our total way of life is, at best, disturbing. Not everyone is experiencing it, but everyone knows someone who is. What are we to do? I say that in the middle of disruption, of being shaken up, we go back to basics, back to our roots. What does that mean? We shop Black, work Black, live Black, aspire Black.

Those deluded folk who seemed to think that the 47th president would be better for the economy are now about to find out what Malcolm X meant when he talked about “chickens coming home to roost.”

We’ve been there, done that with government cutbacks. The most glaring history is that of the racist President Woodrow Wilson, who fired most of the senior Black people in his administration.

Most notably, the demotion of Daniel Murray, assistant librarian of Congress, was a disgrace that reminds us that those who serve at “the pleasure of the president” can be easily let go. Their firings may be challenged but the work of their agencies will slow, if not stop. And the 47th president’s overreaching has a chilling effect on the progress of some agencies.

The 47th president attempted to remove Gywnne Wilcox as a member of the National Labor Relations Board shortly after he was installed. A federal judge reminded 47 that he did not have the authority to fire the member of the independent agency.

In her decision, U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell wrote that “An American president is not a king — not even an elected one — and his power to remove federal officers and honest civil servants like plaintiff is not absolute.” The NLRB was crippled for a few weeks because it lacked a quorum. What else can we look forward to?

I am especially concerned about Smithsonian leader Dr. Lonnie Bunch, an amazing scholar and leader. His term lasts until 2027, but if he serves “at the pleasure” of a president who does not believe in Black history or diversity, his days may be numbered.

Similarly, Dr. Carla Hayden, the 14th librarian of Congress, was appointed by President Biden to serve as the first woman and the first African American in that role. Her term ends in 2026. 47 may hold his power, or he may go after her sooner. These amazing public servants may find themselves on the chopping block.

It’s overtime for us to fight outward and build inward. Fight outward — protest, protest, protest. Build inward — strengthen our connections, work more collaboratively.

In 1919, the Harlem Renaissance poet Claude McKay wrote:

“If we must die, let it not be like hogs, hunted and penned to this inglorious spot. Pressed to the wall, dying but fighting back.”

Julianne Malveaux is an economist, author and commentator based in Washington, D.C.

Courtesy photo Marian Wright Edelman

Spencer

Continued from A1

St. Louis American: You’ve been an elected official for 10 years which means you’ve served under three mayors: Jones, Lyda Krewson and Francis Slay. In your opinion, which administration did the best job?

Cara Spencer: Oh, it depends on the issue. I really disagreed with a lot of things, maybe the philosophy of Mayor Slay but, at the time, I’d say city services rated the best…there was a lot more hope in the air for downtown and neighborhoods were growing.

STL American: How about economic development in distressed areas?

CS: Philosophically speaking, I agree with the current mayor about investing in distressed areas but it’s not just about throwing money at the problem. You (must) be strategic and effective. What’s been remarkable is the population lost in the last four years has been worse in distressed areas under this mayor. Whether it’s the policy or philosophy of what’s been communicated and even the expenditure has not been effective.

STL American: Weren’t we losing population before Jones? I mean, we’ve gone from almost a million in the 50s to around 350,000 today.

CS: You’re right, but there was a lot of white flight during that time.

STL American: But we lost Black people during Slay and Krewson, too.

CS: Yes, but it’s been like a remarkable falling off a cliff under this administration. The popu-

lation loss has accelerated and concentrated in that geographic area of North St. Louis.

STL American: We also have a dwindling tax base. I’m curious as to how you will raise the funds to address the things you’ve criticized Mayor Jones for not doing such as better trash service, the hiring of additional police officers and other things?

CS: Let’s talk about trash service. Right now, the city doesn’t do the job. It doesn’t engage in proactive auditing to ensure that property owners are paying for trash service and we’re not doing nearly enough to crack down on illegal dumping. These are revenue sources. When it comes to the building division, we have tens of millions of dollars in outstanding building code fines that we’re not collecting, and we should be. Those investments pay for themselves.

STL American: You’re talking about additional personnel, updated systems and even hiring more police officers. You talk about the return on investments but where’s the initial investment going to come from?

CS: The police department is a tricky one and, frankly, we’ll have to see how the state takeover plays out. I’m really concerned that the state directing aspects of our police department could have a very, very serious impact on the city’s financial health.

STL American: Before the takeover, Jones vowed to sue the state. Are you in favor of that?

CS: It’s interesting. I’ve talked a lot about legal challenges and if there is a path, we will take it, but I’ve heard through the grapevine that

the mayor’s legal counsel has advised her there is no path.

STL American: I’m no lawyer but people voted for local control and the state just took it away. Isn’t that a precedent for a lawsuit?

CS: There could be, but what I don’t want to do is get into a situation where we’re spending millions of dollars for a political stunt. I think that’s really harmful.

STL American: Mayor Jones is investing or trying to invest in businesses, and neighborhoods in North St. Louis. Will you do better, or will you continue her efforts or what?

CS: I would continue it, but I would do it better. I would do it by being led by the communities. One of the big initiatives that I supported while on the board was this $37 million in ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds going into the North City grant program. It’s been an abysmal failure. That in addition to the private building stabilization program, a $17 million dollar program that was supposed to into stabilizing buildings has resulted in a politically connected building inspector syphoning off millions into companies he owns. So, it’s not just about a philosophy or throwing money at a problem; you (must) do it in a way that works and that isn’t corrupt.

STL American: Last year, you abruptly resigned from a top post with the city’s nonprofit development, SLDC…

CS: Well, I wouldn’t say ‘abruptly’…

STL American: OK, but when you did, you took issue with Jones’ appointment of Neal Richardson and his dual

role as CEO and Chair of the Board. But wasn’t that the same structure under previous mayors?

CS: No, it wasn’t. There was a period under Krewson when Otis Williams (former SLDC director) served in that dual role…but you do not want the CEO and the chair of our oversight board to be the same person.

STL American: You seem to have attracted many wealthy developers who’ve contributed your campaign; Bob Clark’s Clayco construction, Brinkmann Construction, Grewe Brokerage & Development and ARCO Construction to just name a few.

CS: Hmm, I didn’t even know about all those.

STL American: That’s according to financials from the Brighter Future for St. Louis PAC which supports you, right?

CS: I should watch them more closely but, yes, (donations) are going toward my PAC which is supporting me, but I don’t get to control them in any way, shape or form.

STL American: Why do you think these wealthy developers are your supporting your campaign?

CS: These are very serious business folk who want to see the city succeed. They’ve been very frustrated and disappointed with the administration and they’re supporting change.

ME N E NIGHTIGHT THEME NIGHT GHT EME

last round. So, I’m on a list of very prestigious recipients of his contributions. With regards to Paul McKee, I don’t know where Bob stands with him…

STL American: Reportedly, they’ve partnered on several projects in the NGA area…

CS: To be honest, I haven’t spoken to Bob about Paul McKee except asking if he has current business dealings and he’s indicated he does not. Besides, I was the first elected official to strongly come out against McKee and I stand on that position today.

STL American: So, because those properties surrounding the NGA is so valuable and will, no doubt, become more valuable, I would think McKee, Clark and the Bank of Washington would want to maintain control of that land.

CS: Well, frankly speaking, I don’t believe that what has happened or is currently happening with those properties over the last 10 years has been in the best interest of the city.

STL American: So, the fact that you’ve vowed to fire Neal Richardson (SLDC director) has nothing to do with the wishes of the wealthy developers supporting you?

said because that’s what I believe it to be, especially with this list of politically connected folks getting grants in North city.

STL American: But you’re still hinting at corruption without any concrete proof. Yes, there may have been mismanagement and flaws, but ‘corruption’ is a strong allegation.

CS: You’re right and I’m most comfortable describing it as ‘mismanagement.’

STL American: Your opponent, Mayor Jones said you talk a good game…

CS: Well, thank you (laughs). I haven’t heard her say that, but I like it.

STL American: I hear you…but she says you haven’t adequately explained how you’re going to make all your promises come true and that you’re basically inexperienced.

CS: Yes, she’s said that, but people basically said the same thing when Kamala Harris was running. What I can say is that experience does not equal leadership nor excellence and we’ve seen what Mayor Jones’ experience has brought us.

STL American:

CS: I didn’t ‘vow’ to fire him. What I said was, we need new leadership there. I think it’s important that we structurally change the rules and bylaws of the organization. Neal is a very nice person…but he was put in an untenable situation by requiring him to serve as both CEO and director (chair).

STL American: You’ve alleged there’s corruption at SLDC. That’s a strong allegation…

Speaking of Harris, I think you’ll agree that Trump used racist and sexist tropes and stereotyping against a Black woman. Some have accused you of doing the same in this competition. How are you navigating that fine line?

NIGHT

THE NIGHT

STL American: But there’s an alleged connection between one of your donors, Clark, Mckee and SLDC’s decision to place hundreds of acres of land under eminent domain near the NGA site. What would you say to voters who know Clark, McKee’s bank (Bank of Washington) and other developers who’ve contributed to your campaign might expect a quid pro quo arrangement after you’re elected?

CS: First of all, Bob Clark has a long history of supporting a lot of good democrats across the board. He was one of Obama’s top ten donors in this area and raised a ton of money for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in this

Police

Continued from A1

“The Governor’s signature represents nothing but disrespect for every Missouri voter who supported local control,” Jones said in a release.

“The residents of the City of St. Louis are safer today because my administration has made difficult and bold decisions that have resulted in a historic

CS: I’ve said ‘alleged corruption’ out of city departments. We’ve seen that very clearly, but I don’t think I’ve used the word ‘corruption.’

STL American: Actually, you did. I took notice at the Paraquad Center debate…

CS: Appearance of corruption is what I believe I

reduction in crime.

“State takeover is not based in reality and only shows that Gov. Kehoe and the legislature are willing to throw out facts, reason, and the will of the people in order to give the safety of our city away to special interests.”

“This legislation is an overstep of the legislature in an attempt to prevent life-saving gun violence reform in the City of St. Louis,” said Sheleasa Blackwell, volunteer lead

CS: Those accusations are easily made, especially at a time when things are so divisive. I don’t believe in bullying or name-calling, and I don’t believe in misleading the public and that’s, unfortunately, what’s happening here. I know where my heart is and that’s where I’ll stay strong. I’m going to serve St. Louis. Not only will I improve city services across the board, I know I can serve our citizens equitably and equally. And I’m putting my reputation on the line to do that.

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

with the St. Louis chapter of Moms Demand Action.

“Let’s be crystal clear about HB 495: it’s not about keeping our residents safe; it’s about seizing absolute power over our police department,” said Alderman Rasheen Aldridge, who hoped Gov. Kehoe would veto the bill. His wishes, and those of the mayor and many other St. Louisans were dashed on Wednesday.

Apology

Continued from A1

reparations.”

“It looked good on the outside,” Proudie told The American

“When we read the president’s apology, [it] was beautiful to us. But there are certain elements that were added to the apology aligning with an organization that we explicitly told them that we don’t agree with.”

Proudie said because the administration sent the agenda so late at night, she felt it was an attempt to ensure the organization would not read it before the event - and they would be forced to agree with it.

She said she sent amendments in response to the agenda which could not be approved by the SLU board in time for the event. This led the organization to step back and reconsider their past conversations with SLU.

“They put out a statement that they may need to come back to the table, so hopefully they’ll do that. We didn’t want this to happen, but we had to do what we had to do,” Proudie said.

Proudie formed the non-profit organization to honor and commemorate Jesuit and St. Louis University Enslaved Ancestors, preserve heritage and legacy, repair historical harms, and educate

Voting

Continued from A1

the 2021 April Municipal Election, Jones won 51.70% votes compared to Spencer’s 47.75%.

Ward-by-ward results released by the St. Louis City Board of Election Commissioners show that both candidates kept their majorities in the wards where they performed best

the broader public about this history now and in the future.

From 1823 to 1865, Proudie’s ancestors helped build SLU and St. Xavier College Church. Proudie said Chauvin was enslaved to a local St. Louis woman named Amanda Curtis. She said her ancestors also helped sustain the

in the primary. The northsouth political divide was highly visible in wards on each side of Delmar Boulevard with Jones retaining a commanding lead in nine wards, with more than three-quarters of the vote.

Although Spencer’s main source of support was in largely white wards, Jones garnered historic reception in largely Black wards around the city and several high-vot-

new university as well as the first mission of the Jesuit in St. Louis, including Jesuit-led schools, churches, and farms in our region.

Proudie also discovered the founder of SLU, Bishop Louis William V. DuBourg, and the first president, Peter Verhaegen, S.J., enslaved

ing white or integrated wards. There was 29% voter turnout in the 2021 general election which was slightly lower than the 2017 general election when Mayor Lyda Krewson ran against candidates from other parties. However, the turnout was still higher than turnout in the primary, showing an increase of more than six percentage points. Voter turnout

her ancestors, and the first 11 presidents owned at least 70 slaves.

Descendants of St. Louis University Enslaved DSLUE is seeking reparative and restorative justice.

Descendants of Henrietta Mills gathered at St. Louis University on February 8, 2024 to announce that the estimated value of wealth

in the March 2025 primary election was a bit under 18%.

County voters wishing to cast a ballot before April 8 can do so at the St. Louis County Board of Elections at 725 Northwest Plaza Drive in St. Ann between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. On March 31, six satellite voting sites will open to accommodate voters:

• North County Recreation Complex | 2577 Redman Road, St.

acquired from slave labor by the university is worth $361 million to $70 billion

The organization’s civil rights attorney Avera Martin told The American she felt that the agenda “was not a descendant-led process.” She said the timing of it surprised the organization.

“The descendants did not cancel this event,” Martin said. “This felt like an ambush.”

Namratha Prasad is an NBC Universal/reporter for the American. Ashley WInters, St. Louis American assistant editor, contributed to this report.

Photo by Namratha Prasad / St. Louis American

Robin Proudie, speaks on behalf of descendants of Henrietta Mills, and supporters gathered on the steps outside St. Xavier College Church on the St. Louis University campus after a planned apology for the school’s history involving slave ownership and labor was cancelled.

‘Taking Care of You’

Long COVID continues its haunting impact

Illness remains a mystery

St. Louisan Brittanie Goldsby is living with COVID complications, including fatigue and shortness of breath. She underwent stress tests and follow-up visits with a cardiologist to determine the underlying cause of her discomfort. African Americans have a higher risk of developing long COVID, and there is still no recommended treatment or FDA approved medication.

By Ashley Winters

The St. Louis American

Five years have passed since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic, unleashing an unforgettable chain of events. It was an ordeal the U.S. had not endured in more than a century. COVID has killed more than 7 million people, including more than 1.2 million Americans. As of Feb. 16, 2025, roughly 3,800 Americans were hospitalized due to COVID19, according to World Health Organization (WHO) data Centers for Disease Control (CDC) data shows that during the week ending March 1, the rate of COVID-19-associated hospitalizations was 1.4 per 100,000 people, significantly lower than the peak of 35.6 per 100,000 people during the 2021-22 season. Yet those diagnosed with long

Missouri child vaccination rates receding

Heath director issues stern warning

By Sarah Fentem St. Louis Public Radio

Vaccination rates among Missouri kindergarteners had fallen many percentage points in the past five years, according to St. Louis Health Director Mati Hlatshwayo Davis.

Speaking during an online media briefing sponsored by the Infectious Diseases Society of America on March 7, 2025, Davis said a lack of immunizations could lead to rising cases of measles and other preventable diseases

COVID are still seeking answers. Experts don’t understand why some people develop life-changing chronic conditions after contracting COVID-19, while others do not.

Brittanie Goldsby is a filmmaker and creative strategist living with lingering complications, including fatigue and shortness of breath, from COVID19. She underwent stress tests and follow-up visits with a cardiologist to

See COVID, A9

Beware of misleading nutritional information

By Denise Hooks-Anderson

I can’t begin to tell you how often my patients come into my office to share with me about some supplement or medication that they learned about from the internet, their friends, or social media.

Many of these items claim to be natural or provide certain enhancements like bulkier muscles, weight loss, or improved health. But how do you know if these claims are true? Where else should you look for trusted information about nutrition?

Wellness is definitely big business now. Consumers are increasingly seeking out nutritional information to make informed dietary choices. However, misleading nutritional statements pose a significant challenge. Misinformation is everywhere: well-intentioned but inaccurate health blogs, food packaging, and advertisements. Understanding the implications of misleading nutritional information is crucial for making healthier choices and advocating for better regulatory practices.

n “My personal opinion is that juice should NOT be an option for WIC.”

Food packaging is one of the primary sources of misleading nutritional information. To attract health-conscious consumers, manufacturers often use buzzwords like “sugar-free”, “low-fat”, “natural”, or my favorite “organic”. However, these items can be deceptive. For example, a product labeled “low-fat” might compensate for reduced fat content by increasing sodium which ultimately makes the item less healthy. Similarly, “natural” does not necessarily mean the product is free from preservatives or artificial additives. The lack of stringent oversight on these terms allows companies to exploit consumer trust, leading to choices that might not align with their health goals. How products are advertised can also be misleading. Advertisements often highlight the positive attributes of a product while downplaying or

See ANDERSON, A9

Federal officials are beginning to take a more hands-off approach to immunizations and other public health guidance, Hlatshwayo Davis said during the briefing. The federal government has also been slow to issue guidance on how to test for and prevent avian flu, which has affected millions of birds in Missouri, she said.

“We are seeing trusted places that the community leans into already making adjustments,” she said. “And now is the time for us to have more information that is standardized and clear when things like this occur.”

According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, vaccinaSee VACCINATION, A9

Photo courtesy of Brittanie Goldsby

Denise HooksAnderson

COVID

Continued from A8

determine the underlying cause of her discomfort.

Goldsby caught COVID-19 in the spring of 2022. She assumed she would have a rough few days of flu-like symptoms highlighted by a fever, chills, and body aches. Instead, she started to feel something she wasn’t expecting - fatigue.

“It wasn’t just being tired; it was like my body physically couldn’t keep up,” Goldsby said. “Even getting out of bed felt like a challenge.” She said she experienced brain fog and was in a constant daze.

“I kept telling myself I’d bounce back in a couple of weeks, but that never really happened.”

Long COVID can cause more than 200 different symptoms and affect the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, eyes and skin. Sadly, there’s no approved test for it or recommended treatment.

Research shows long COVID is more common in middle-aged people, particularly women, and those with weakened immune systems.

About one in 20 adults in the U.S., or about 14 million, live with long COVID. Other data shows that up to 5.8 million children may be affected by

Vaccination

Continued from A8

tion rates for polio, measles, hepatitis and other diseases among kindergarteners in Missouri have decreased since at least 2020

DHSS data shows 10% of the state’s kindergarteners have not been vaccinated against measles. That’s a drop of four percentage points since 2020.

One in 10 kindergarten students is unvaccinated against measles, and close to one-fourth of parochial school students in St. Louis are unvaccinated, Davis said.

Davis added federal budget cuts could affect the city’s health department. More than half the department’s budget relies on grant funding, much of which comes from federal sources, she said.

Fewer vaccines, higher flu rates

Flu-related deaths hit a seven-year high in January and February, the two months that usually account for the height of flu season, according to a Stateline analysis of preliminary federal statistics. There were about 9,800 deaths across the country, up from 5,000 in the same period last year and the most since 2018, when there were about 10,800. Despite that, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has canceled or postponed meetings to prepare for next fall’s flu vaccine,

Anderson

Continued from A8

omitting less favorable aspects. Breakfast cereals are great examples of this. Some cereals are promoted as “whole grain” to imply health benefits, but the cereal could be high in sugar and low in actual

the condition. However, experts say these numbers are likely underestimated because there’s no official monitoring system in place, according to the CDC

After a few weeks, Goldsby expected to feel like herself again, but instead she still felt exhausted all the time.

Walking short distances left her feeling out of breath. “I noticed my heart would start racing for no reason. At first, I thought I was just out of shape from being sick, but then my Apple Watch started sending me alerts that my heart rate was way too high,” she said.

Goldsby’s research

into her symptoms led her to Reddit, where she read post after post from people describing the same symptoms she was having, and these weird heart rate spikes that doctors didn’t seem to have answers for.

Although there are diagnostic tools to confirm symptoms of long

COVID, there isn’t a test that can diagnose the condition or distinguish it from similar illnesses, the CDC says.

According to a CDC LONG COVID Survey, 6% of adults in the U.S., or roughly 18 million, are estimated to be living with the damaging aftermath of catching the virus. Doctors

when experts talk about what influenza strains they expect they’ll be battling. The cancellations raised protests from medical professionals and state and federal officials. U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, a New York Democrat, said in a statement that her state is having its worst flu season in at least 15 years, with more deaths from flu and other causes as the state’s health care system struggles under the strain of flu patients.

Some experts say put-

whole grains. The goal of advertising is to shape perception and without critical evaluation, consumers may be swayed to claims that are not entirely truthful.

Advertisements and marketing also target certain communities. For instance, ever wonder why you see so many different flavors of sugary drinks

ting off vaccine planning will only feed false narratives that discourage lifesaving vaccinations.

“These delays not only weaken pandemic preparedness but also undermine public confidence in vaccination efforts,” said Dr. Akram Khan, an Oregon pulmonologist and associate professor at Oregon Health & Science University who has studied attitudes toward vaccines.

Flu vaccine distribution in the United States has been declining in recent

in poorer neighborhoods than more affluent ones?

I chuckle when I see juices advertised as less sugar when the content has gone from 50 grams of sugar down to 30 grams of sugar per serving, which is still a high level of sugar. Furthermore, my personal opinion is that juice should NOT be an option

years, and as of the first week of 2025 was down 16% from 2022, according to federal statistics

The flu was a factor in 9,800 deaths in January and February, according to the analysis, using provisional data collected by states and compiled by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The highest death rates were in Oklahoma, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, South Dakota and Kentucky, all at about four deaths per 100,000 popula-

for WIC. Providing juice as an option allows parents to believe that juice is ok to give to kids when in fact we should be aiming to reduce extraneous sugar as much as possible. Social media has given rise to a plethora of health and wellness blogs and people claiming to be wellness coaches. While many of these sources aim

are trying to figure out how to treat long COVID and the many areas it impacts the body.

“Trying to get answers was frustrating. I went to a doctor expecting some kind of explanation, but instead, I kept hearing things like, ‘It’ll pass’ or ‘It’s probably just anxiety’”, Goldsby said. She pushed for more tests and second opinions. She finally found a doctor who acknowledged what she was going through.

“The whole process made me realize how many people are probably struggling with long COVID symptoms and getting brushed off by the medical system, just like I was.”

The need to pay attention to her body and advocate for herself when something feels off has been a wake-up call for her, Goldsby said.

Last month, the Trump administration terminated the Health and Human Services Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Long COVID. This could further delay the research of therapies for long COVID.

“I believe shedding light on post-COVID heart health could be incredibly valuable for those navigating these issues, especially for our Black and brown communities since we are disproportionately affected,” Goldsby said.

A woman receives a flu vaccination at a recent clinic in Cambridge, Mass., conducted by health care providers from the Cambridge Health Alliance. Flu-related deaths are at a seven-year high as vaccination levels fall, according to a Stateline analysis.

tion so far this year. Some counties in Florida, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, as well as Oklahoma and Kentucky, were even higher — at about six deaths per 100,000.

The highest rates have been among older people. Statistics show the deaths hit white people and American Indians especially hard.

The American Cancer Society says vaccination for people with cancer may or may not be recommended

to provide helpful information, they may sometimes perpetuate myths or unverified claims. Examples of this include fad diets that claim you can lose so many pounds in a few days.

depending on individual circumstances. Many states are relaxing vaccine requirements as public skepticism rises. But many are taking action to warn residents and reassure them that vaccinations are safe and can help prevent deaths, despite misinformation to the contrary.

Stateline reporter Tim Henderson and Alvin A. Reid of the St. Louis American contributed to this report

Having information at our fingertips can be good and bad. However, not all information is good information if the source is not trustworthy. When in doubt, go to websites like Medlineplus.gov, speak with your personal provider, or seek out professionals like a registered dietitian.

Family physician Denise Hooks-Anderson, MD, FAAFP can be contacted at yourhealthmatters@stlamerican.com

Photo courtesy of the City of Cambridge

Questions or comments? Contact Cathy Sewell csewell@stlamerican.com or 618-910-9551

Questions

CLASSROOM SPOTLIGHT

Students Koryeon Johnson, Isaiah Jones, and Cadyn Edwards, in Ms. Cheryl M. Christian’s 9th grade

Students at The American’s Summer Science Academy work in teams to discover the many different computer programming languages.

Teachers, if you are using the St. Louis American’s NIE program and would like to nominate your class for a Classroom Spotlight, please email: csewell@stlamerican. com

SCIENCE CORNER

SCIENCE STARS

AFRICAN-AMERICAN MYCOLOGIST AND EDUCATOR:

Jeanette Jones

AFRICAN-AMERICAN INORGANIC CHEMIST AND EDUCATOR: Donald J. Darensbourg

Donald J. Darensbourg is a chemist and a chemistry professor who received a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from California State University in Los Angeles. In 1968, he received a doctorate degree in inorganic chemistry from the University of Illinois.

Jeanette Jones was born on September 19, 1950, in Fort Valley, Georgia. Jones graduated from Fort Valley State University in 1972 with a bachelor’s degree in biology education. In 1973, Jones received her master’s degree in botany and mycology (a branch of biology that studies fungi) from The Ohio State University. In 1976, she received her doctorate (Ph.D.) degree.

SCIENCE CORNER

The Carbon Dioxide

What Are Fungi ?

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

SCIENCE INVESTIGATION

Did you know that all living things are made of carbon? Carbon is part of the ocean, air, and even the rocks. Carbon does not stay still; it moves. When in the atmosphere, carbon attaches to oxygen in a gas called carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide and sunlight help plants to make their own food and grow. It creates a cycle. Carbon becomes part of the plant. Plants that die are buried and turn into fossil fuels made of carbon (such as coal and oil). Carbon enters the atmosphere as carbon dioxide when humans burn fossil fuels. Carbon dioxide heats the atmosphere because it is a

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

Materials Needed:

• 3 slices of bread • Water • 3 Ziploc bags

SCIENCE INVESTIGATION

• 10x10 square centimeter grid • Ruler

Process:

In this experiment, you will see carbon dioxide in action.

Club soda contains carbon dioxide. This carbon dioxide is the cause of the fizz and bubbles you experience when you drink soda.

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

Darensbourg has worked at the State University of New York and also Tulane University. In 1992, he joined the faculty at Texas A&M University, conducting research in the field of inorganic chemistry and publishing over 300 articles. His research focused on the chemistry of carbon dioxide, and impacted many fields, including medicine, which was able to create biodegradable medical supplies.

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

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

greenhouse gas. With the increase of fuel use, there is more carbon dioxide in the air today than there was 150 years ago, and many say the earth is becoming a warmer place.

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

Discuss: What is carbon dioxide? What purpose does it serve? Explain the steps of the carbon dioxide cycle. For more information: https://climatekids.nasa.

Growing Mold!

gov/carbon/ Learning Standards: I can read nonfiction text to find main idea and supporting details.

t For five days, measure the square centimeters of mold on each piece of bread through the bag. Use a grid, if possible, or a ruler. If mold covers more than half a square centimeter, it is counted as one full centimeter. If it is less, it is counted as 0 centimeters. This will give you the area of mold on each slice of bread y At the end of a week (5 days of measuring) or longer, use your final results to say what percentage of the bread was covered in mold. Make a table or graph to display the information.

same time. Observe what happens.

e Finally, add club soda to the glass and slowly add raisins. Observe what happens.

Evalute: Were your predictions correct?

Darensbourg served as a mentor, graduating over 48 Ph.D. chemistry students. He has won numerous awards for both his teaching and research, including the Distinguished Achievement Award in Teaching and the Distinguished Achievement Award in Research. In 2010, Darensbourg received the American Chemical Society (ACS) Award in Inorganic Chemistry. Darensbourg is a member of the International Scientific Committee’s International Conference on Carbon Dioxide Utilization and also the National Science Foundation’s Chemistry Division.

Discussion Questions:

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

q Dr. Darensbourg has graduated a significant number of Ph.D. chemistry students. What do you think this says about his role as a mentor? Is there anyone that you consider a mentor? How does this person help or assist you?

w What organisms give off carbon dioxide? What organisms use carbon dioxide? Why do you think carbon dioxide is a good source of material to work with in experiments?

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

Predict what will happen when raisins are added to a glass of club soda. Will they sink? Will they float? Does it make a difference if the raisins are added first, last, or at the same time as the club soda?

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

Materials Needed:

Did it matter what order the raisins were added: When carbon dioxide reaches the surface, it releases its gases into the air. How does this release affect the motion of the raisins?

Large, Clear Glass • Raisins • Club Soda

Procedure:

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

q Add raisins to the empty glass. Slowly, add club soda and observe what happens.

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

Learning Standards: I can make predictions and complete an experiment to test their accuracy.

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

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

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

w Next, add raisins and club soda to the glass at the

r Place the third bag with a dry slice of bread in the refrigerator.

MATH CONNECTION

MATH CONNECTION

Analyzing a Bar Graph

MAP CORNER

Use the newspaper to complete the following activities:

Types of News:

Use the newspaper to complete these activities:

Carbon dioxide traps heat. Temperature is one way to measure heat. In this activity, you will convert Fahrenheit to Celsius and vice versa.

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

Learning Standards: I can read a biography to learn about the contributions in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math. Use the Conversions to Solve the Following Problems:

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

Convert That Number:

TO CONVERT FAHRENHEIT TO CELSIUS: subtract 32, then multiply by 5, and divide by 9. -32, x5, ÷9

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

TO CONVERT CELSIUS TO FAHRENHEIT: multiply by 9, then divide by 5, then add 32. x9, ÷5, +32

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

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

Learning

Partial numbers can be displayed as a fraction, a decimal, or a percent. Use the newspaper to find a percent and convert that number to a decimal and a fraction.

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

There are over 10,000 species of mold, with 1,000 of those species found in the United States.

or gas.

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

Local Famous Missourian: You have been given the task to write about a local Missourian who has contributed to your community. Skim through the newspaper to find the person who best fits this description. Tell how this person has impacted the community and why he or she should be recognized for his or her contributions.

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

Learning Standards: I can add, subtract, multiply, and divide to solve a problem. I can write for a specific purpose and audience.

ConvertFahrenheittoCelSius!

Dancing Raisins

Photo by Cheryl Christian

Penicilllin mold commonly grows on fruit

One-term Black mayor a calculated plan

Even before Mayor Tishaura Jones was sworn in as the first African American female mayor, the murmurs of the curse started to swirl. Would she break the curse or fall victim to it? We will find out soon enough.

The first two Black mayors were male. Freeman Bosley, Jr. and Clarence Harmon were both one-termers, both allegedly cursed. Two quite different administrations, yet the outcome was the same. How is it that Black mayors in St. Louis don’t get a second chance to course-correct while mediocre white mayors get multiple chances. I’m thinking about Vince Schoemehl who was given three chances and Francis Slay who received four chances. These two hardly went down in history as the greatest mayors.

A contrasting, curse-free picture of Black mayors exists down the highway where all mayors face term limits, regardless of race or gender. Kansas City elected its first Black mayor in 1991—Emmanuel Cleaver. Then came Sly James followed by Quinton Lucas, the youngest mayor to hold that office at 35 years old, who is halfway into his second term. All three are quite different people running different kinds of administrations. While the city has its share of urban challenges, it has continued to grow and flourish. Kansas City is now the largest city in the state, while St. Louis loses population.

The conclusion will always be that Black people are incapable of leading. It must be genetics because look, they can’t hold office beyond one term. It is a racist narrative that both whites and Black people will internalize, then start to parrot as fact, because it’s been beaten into their psyche for years.

The difference between St. Louis and Kansas City is not so much about bad, Black leadership but more a lack of a forward-thinking vision by the white establishment. A refusal to share power. A refusal to be held accountable by nonwhites. A refusal to step beyond the southern, patriarchal structure that acknowledges the rights and liberties of all--regardless of race, gender, religion and sexual orientation.

This is why the country is in the take-back mode, rolling back the laws and policies that respect and protect all human beings. St. Louis is happy to jump on the MAGA bandwagon that goes backwards. Take back the police department, take back women’s right to choose, take back livable wages, take back the freedom of a wrongfully convicted Black man. Take, take, take.

St. Louis County Library to Host Largest-Ever Community Autism Expo

This scenario should intrigue any critically thinking person. What’s even more intriguing is the two cities’ demographics. In Kansas City, whites are about 55 percent of the population and Black folks are a little over 25 percent. St. Louis is predominantly people of color with whites hovering at 46 percent.

What the white, corporate and civic power structure in St. Louis has successfully done is to create a false narrative about Black leadership that is persistently negative. The white, mainstream media is eager to amplify any mistakes, magnify missteps and lie if necessary.

Once you look at the situation from all angles, then it becomes painfully clear where Missouri is trying to go with the upcoming mayoral election. It’s the place where Supreme Court Justice Roger Taney took us in the Dred and Harriett Scott decision. Black people are “so far inferior, that they had no rights which the white man was bound to respect.” We can see from the current attitudes, practices and laws that women are also included in the no-respect category.

The St. Louis General Election on April 8 is a consequential one, but we should not be myopic in our views. It’s not just about one mayor. We have to change the political, economic and social factors that shapes the city’s soul, its life force. Please join me in refusing to go back to 1857.

Families and individuals seeking resources and support for autism are invited to the St. Louis County Library’s Community Autism Expo on Saturday, April 5, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Clark Family Branch. This free event will feature over 40 local organizations offering valuable information and services tailored for individuals on the autism spectrum and their families.

Now in its sixth year, the Expo has grown significantly, doubling the number of participating organizations. This year’s event will focus on providing essential resources, especially for young adults transitioning into adulthood. Representatives from local support agencies will be available to discuss their programs and answer questions.

Some of the participating organizations include: AB Spectrum Artists First

Autism Support Now Black Autism Support Network Easterseals Midwest Legal Services of Eastern Missouri Recreation Council of Greater St. Louis St. Louis Arc Vocational Rehabilitation And many more.

In addition to connecting with community organizations, attendees will learn about St. Louis County Library’s autism-friendly programs and resources, such as Sensory Story Time, which provides a calm and inclusive reading environment, and Sensory Bags, designed to help reduce sensory overload for visitors.

The Clark Family Branch is located at 1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63131. The Expo is free and open to the public. For more details, visit www.slcl.org/ events/community-autism-expo.

Columnist Jamala Rogers

Boeing lands multi-billion fighter jet contract

‘It’s a big payoff’

Boeing is a sponsor of the Red Tail Cadets program in the Ferguson-Florissant School District. The program introduces students to the aviation industry through classroom instruction, flight simulator training, in-aircraft flight training, financial literacy seminars, leadership training, and life-skills development, with the ultimate goal of setting them on the path towards a career in aviation. Boeing learned last week it had secured a multi-billion-dollar contract to produce a new fighter jet.

By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American

President Trump, the 47th president, announced last week that the U.S. Air Force has selected Boeing to build the F-47 fighter jet, a boon for St. Louis area workers and its economy.

The jet, known as Next Generation Air Dominance, replaces the F-22 Raptor with a crewed aircraft capable of entering combat alongside drones.

“We recognize the importance of designing, building and delivering a 6th-generation fighter capability for the United States Air Force,” Steve

Parker, interim president and chief executive officer, Boeing Defense, Space & Security, said in a release.

“In preparation for this mission, we made the most significant investment in the history of our defense business, and we are ready to provide the most advanced and innovative NGAD aircraft needed to support the mission.”

The preparation included a successful request from St. Louis County for about $155 million in tax breaks for the project. Boeing guaranteed 500 new high-paying jobs would be created. Last year, Boeing laid off 700 workers. St. Louis County Executive Sam

Page said the decision validated the county’s move to offer the incentives.

“It’s a big payoff,” he told St. Louis Public Radio.

“These jobs will continue for decades: the supply chain for the construction, for the building, the planes, the services that are needed to support the facility.”

Boeing employs more than 16,000 people at locations in north St. Louis County, St. Charles County and St. Clair County in the Metro East.

A release from the St. Louis County Council confirmed that construction of

See BOEING, B2

Target sales down after dropping DEI initiatives

seen its stock plunge by $27.27 per share, and is grappling with multiple lawsuits linked to its shifting DEI policies.

By Stacy M. Brown Washington Informer

Target has officially taken a financial hit after reversing course on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

The retail giant has reportedly lost more than $12.4 billion in revenue,

In addition to boycotts in recent weeks, more actions are planned throughout the coming months.

The People’s Union boycott will include different companies throughout the spring and into summer, according to USA TODAY. A new, broader oneday economic blackout will be on April 18 and a third is set for July 4.

Separate but powerful actions from

Black-led organizations and faith leaders have intensified pressure on the company.

The Rev. Jamal Bryant launched a national Target Fast, calling for continued community mobilization.

Meanwhile, National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) and the NAACP initiated public education and selective buying campaigns. While distinct in approach, the collective efforts have amplified scrutiny and economic consequences for Target.

See TARGET, B2

SLPS new administrative leaders

St. Louis Public Schools has announced several new administrative leaders, under the direction of Superintendent Millicent Borishade.

Kimberly Johnson-Millerchief financial officer. Johnson-Miller holds a Bachelor’s of Science in chemistry from Illinois Institute of Technology, as well as an MBA and a Master’s in Financial Management (Accounting) from Keller Graduate School of Management. Before joining SLPS, she spent 21 years in leadership roles across various government agencies.

Laura L. McLaughlin – general counsel/chief legal officer. With a background in corporate and education law, she has represented colleges and universities in Missouri, Illinois, and Massachusetts. McLaughlin Laura holds a law degree from St. Louis University and a Master’s in HR Management.

Natasha Mitchell – chief technology officer. Mitchell has served SLPS for over 17 years and will oversees district-wide technology initiatives, cybersecurity, and digital learning strategies to enhance student achievement. She previously served as Director of Virtual Learning & Gifted Education for SLPS, administrating multi-million-dollar educational technology initiatives.

Charles K. Poole – executive director of communications. Prior to joining SLPS, Poole held leadership roles at major corporations, including Anheuser-Busch InBev, Citigroup, Boeing, and Equifax. He also previously led communications for the St. Louis Housing Authority, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, and the Missouri Treasurer’s Office.

“This team brings a wealth of experience, passion, and innovation to Saint Louis Public Schools,” Borishade said.

“With our leadership structure in place, we are ready to implement strategic initiatives that will enhance student outcomes, improve operational efficiency, and strengthen community partnerships.

“Together, we are committed to ensuring that every student in SLPS has access to the highest quality education and the support needed to thrive.”

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

Photo courtesy of Ferguson-Florissant School District

Kimberly JohnsonMiller

Laura L. McLaughlin

Natasha Mitchell

Charles K. Poole

Photo by Richard D. Elliott / The Washington Informer

Continued from B1

Early data from analytics firms Placer. ai and Numerator confirms a decline in consumer support. Numerator found that Black and Hispanic households are reducing their visits to Target at the highest rates. Placer.ai reported that on Feb. 28, the economic blackout day nationwide, Target saw an 11% decline in store traffic compared to average Friday visits.

Since the company’s Jan. 24 DEI reversal, Placer.ai data shows

Continued from B1

the jet fighter “will take place at Boeing’s expanding facility in north St. Louis County, bolstering the region’s aerospace leadership.”

In conjunction with the $1.8 billion expansion near St. Louis Lambert International Airport, the contract will create 500 direct jobs and more in supporting industries,

The contract will “add to Boeing’s local workforce of nearly 16,000 employees and 34,000 additional jobs across the area.

Rita Days, Council chair, said, “This is a monumental win for North St. Louis County.”

“Boeing’s decision to anchor this program here reflects our skilled workforce and strategic location [The selection] underscores St. Louis County’s vital role in national security and advanced manufacturing.”

The announcement drew praise from other

Target’s overall foot traffic has fallen every week. In contrast, Costco has gained ground. The warehouse chain rejected a shareholder proposal to weaken its diversity programs and stayed firm in its DEI stance. Analysts say Costco’s consistency and longstanding commitment to high wages and strong employee benefits may attract consumers frustrated with Target’s retreat.

Costco’s shares have outperformed those of Walmart and Target over the same period.

Walmart has also seen a dip in foot traffic, though not as sharply as Target.

While grassroots boycotts are not always financially damaging in the long term, Target’s situation may prove different.

“Boycotts put a ‘negative spotlight’ on the company that can have reputational consequences,” Brayden King, professor at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, told Forbes.

He noted that consumer trust, closely tied to corporate reputation, plays a critical role in shopping habits.

In addition to its woes, Target issued a string of recalls in 2025 involving products sold on shelves due to undeclared aller-

gens and injury hazards. Affected items included Gerber Soothe N Chew Teething Sticks, Dorel Safety 1st Comfort Ride and Magic Squadchild car seats, Nuby stroller fans, Baby joy high chairs, Chomps beef and turkey sticks, and Pearl Milling Company pancake mix.

Bryant said the Target fast, in association with Lent, the 40 days and nights leading to Easter (April 20), has now mobilized more than 150,000 participants and persuaded over 100 Black vendors to withdraw their products from Target. He urged

continued focus and unity in holding the company accountable.

“It is critical that Black people can’t afford to get A.D.D; we can’t taper off and lose synergy. It’s important that people stay the course and keep amplifying our voices because it is being heard from Wall Street to Main Street,” Bryant said.

The Rev. Al Sharpton, founder of the National Action Network, said Black consumers should continue to support Costco over other retailers that reneged on DEI promises and fired DEI executives.

“As I stood in Washington on King Day,

business leaders in the region. Greater St. Louis Inc.’s Chief Business Attraction Officer Maggie Kost called the move a “generational impact” for the region for the next few decades.

“You can never take an employer for granted in your community,” she said.

“Let alone one that depends on these big defense contracts like this. There was a whole coalition of folks at the state, county and local level that wanted to support Boeing

in their bid for this.”

Council members also stated it “appreciates Boeing’s commitment to the region, North County in particular, and includes $13 million in charitable annual contributions and support for local initiatives.”

“As construction and production ramp up, St. Louis County is ready to assist Boeing in delivering these advanced fighters.”

Page added, “We need to make big moves to keep our successful large employers here. And we

just as Donald Trump put his hand on the bible and launched a crusade against DEI, I made it clear NAN will be thoughtful in how it identifies those who have gone back on our word to us,” he said last month in a release.

“We have convened a council with our partners to examine what companies have reneged on DEI, what their profit margins are, and how we can use Black buying power to make a statement. We appreciate the spirit of the various efforts but the only one that I and NAN have authorized will be announced at our national convention this April.”

need to be making moves to attract new employers here.”

According to Boeing’s latest Sustainability & Social Impact Report (November 2024) it had increased the number of Black employees at its company by 17% since 2020, making its U.S. workforce 7.5% Black.

It also raised its racial and ethnic minority representation in its U.S. workforce by 37.6% in 2023.

According to a profile of the company at DiversIQ.com, Boeing’s workforce is 24.2%

and 75.8%

It is 64.2% White, 7.5% Black/African American, 8.6% Hispanic/Latino, 15.8% Asian, and 4.1% other.

Represented in the S&P 100, there are 12 companies from the Industrials sector.

Amongst them, Boeing ranks 10th for Black/ African American diversity, 9th for Hispanic/ Latino diversity, 1st for Asian diversity, and 1st for “other” diversity. Boeing’s board is

30.8% female, and 69.2% male, 76.9% White, 15.4% Black/African American, 0% Hispanic/Latino, and 7.7% Asian.

In October 2024, Bloomberg, citing people familiar with the matter, reported that Boeing had dismantled its global diversity, equity and inclusion department.

The report said the staff from Boeing’s DEI office would be combined with another human resources team focused on talent and employee experience.

n “Give me the (mother-friggin’) ball.”

– Maryland’s Derik Queen before game-winning shot against Colorado State

Four area high schools now stand at the forefront of Missouri prep basketball as respective winners of Missouri State High School Activities Association championships in Columbia, Mo. Incarnate Word Academy and Lift for Life won girls’ titles, while the Vashon and Webster Groves boys hoisted championship trophies.

Very Vashon

Vashon was dominant in winning its fifth consecutive Class 5 state championship. The Wolverines defeated Potosi 90-30 in the semifinals, then followed up with an 81-45 victory over St. Joe Benton in the state championship game.

InSIdE SportS

With Earl Austin Jr.

Four the record

STL dominates on state basketball stage

weekend as it won its eighth consecutive state championship. The Red Knights defeated Staley 55-41 to win the Class 6 state championship. The Red Knights defeated fellow MWAA Conference school Cor Jesu in the semifinals.

It was also the first state championship under the direction of first-year head coach Jimmy McKinney Jr., the former Vashon High star who took over for Tony Irons, who is now at Mineral Area College.

The Wolverines were led by senior guard Trey Williams Jr, who scored 19 points in both games in the Final Four. Sophomore guard Jimmy McKinney III, the coach’s son, averaged 13.5 points in the two games in Columbia while 6’6” senior Terron Garrett was excellent as he scored 17 points in the championship game. Vashon also got big contributions from brothers Dehrio and Dorea McCaskill and sophomore guard Leon Powell.

Word Up

The Incarnate Word girls’ basketball dynasty kept on rolling last

The Red Knights’ stellar starting backcourt of Nevaeh Caffey and Peyton Hill concluded their careers as four-time state champions. Hill, an Eastern Michigan recruit, scored a team-high 16 points in the state championship game against Staley. Nevaeh Lucious, a 6’3” junior forward, had a big Final Four weekend as she averaged 15 points, seven rebounds and two blocks in the two Final Four games. In addition to winning the state championship, the Red Knights also put themselves in the record books with their winning streak of 141 games, which set a new national mark for girls’ high school basketball. The streak spanned over five seasons.

Up-Lifting performance

Lift for Life defeated St. Teresa’s Academy 55-41 to win the Class 5 state championship. The Hawks are repeat champions after winning the Class 4 state title last season. The Hawks have won three state titles in five years in three different classes. They won the Class 3 state championship in 2021.

Sophomore guard Amaya Manuel was dominant in the state championship game with 21 points, 10 rebounds, four steals and two 3-pointers.

during first-period action

The Hawks overwhelmed Fort Zumwalt South and St. Teresa’s with their speed and quickness.

The quartet of Amaya and Cara Manuel, Zha Harris, and Diamond Polk all shined during the weekend in Columbia.

Stating their case

Webster Groves defeated Summit Christian Academy 67-56 to win the Class 5 state championship. The Statesmen won their sixth state championship, and fourth in the past eight seasons.

Sophomore star Scottie Adkinson put on a show in the Final Four as he scored 59 points in the two games. The 6’3” guard scored 30 points in the semifinals against Westminster Christian and followed up with 29 points against SCA in the championship game. Adkinson was also named the Gatorade Player of the Year in the state of Missouri last week.

Earl’s World Four other schools were present at the Final

SportS EyE

With Alvin A.

Reid

Four last weekend… Chaminade College Prep finished as runners-up in the Class 6 boys tournament….Westminster Christian’s boys finished third in the Class 5 tournament…Fort Zumwalt South’s girls finished third in the Class 5 tournament…The MICDS girls finished fourth in the Class 4 tournament…The Lindenwood University women’s basketball team advanced to the Super 16 of the WNIT. The Lions have defeated Tulsa and Tarleton State in the first two rounds of the tourna-

ment. Lindenwood is in its third year as a NCAA Division I program…St. Louisan Caleb Love is the area’s last hope to bring home the NCAA men’s basketball title. The 6’3” guard from CBC helped guide the Wildcats to the Sweet 16 with victories over Akron and Oregon. Love scored 20 of his game-high 29 points in the second half to lead Arizona over the Ducks 87-83 in the second round. Arizona will now face Cooper Flagg and Duke on March 27.

Hard work pays off for Cardinals’ Victor Scott II

I received an email Monday from the St. Louis Cardinals saying, “limited tickets” were still available for Opening Day. My, how the mighty have fallen. Yet, the excitement of Opening Day still exists.

I still celebrate it –especially since the Cardinals will again have three Black players on the firstgame roster. That was confirmed on Sunday when the team announced that Victor Scott II will be the Opening Day centerfielder. He will also receive an extended look during the early months of the season and need not fear demotion.

seven RBIs, and five stolen bases.

While the preseason is certainly not the real thing, Scott’s spring totals surpassed what he accomplished during his entire 2024 53-game MLB campaign. After a winter dedicated to improving his hitting and power statistics, Scott arrived in Jupiter, Florida knowing he must either impress the front office or be headed to Triple-A Memphis.

“It’s cool to be rewarded for hard work,” Scott told Katie Woo of The Athletic.

Joining him will be shortstop Masyn Winn, who is nursing a sore wrist, and outfielder Jordan Walker, who remains in search of steady offensive production.

Scott earned his introduction to the crowd while riding in a convertible at Busch Stadium on Thursday by hitting .349 in Spring Training with 15 hits, four home runs,

“It’s a testament to the work I put in there during this offseason, some of the studying I’ve done through the course of last year. To be able to apply it now, it’s pretty cool to see.”

Wynn returns as Opening Day shortstop after a solid rookie season. However, a bothersome wrist kept him out of a number of Spring Training games. He hit just .080 and drove in one run.

Walker will start most games in right field but must get his bat together to stay in the lineup – and in St. Louis as opposed to Memphis. He hit just .161 in Spring Training, with no home runs. Hopefully, the Clydesdales circling the field will not be a high point of the season for the Cardinals. The team’s trio

of Black starters will have a lot to say about the outcome of 2025.

The Reid Roundup

It did not take long for the “fire Dennis Gates” idiots to clutter social media and chat rooms following the Missouri Tigers disappointing setback to Drake in their first

game of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament.

“He’s a great recruiter but a terrible coach,” was a constant refrain. Too many Missouri fans have short memories – especially those with an obvious bias…My NCAA bracket blew up over the weekend. I doubted the SEC and it placed a record seven teams in the Sweet 16… And then there was one. Houston coach Kelvin Sampson is the only coach of color to reach the Sweet 16 in the tournament… Texas fired coach Rodney Terry after his team’s First Four exit from the tournament. Xavier’s Sean Miller will reportedly be hired…Larry Vickers, former coach of the HBCU Norfolk State women’s basketball team, is now in charge of the SEC’s Auburn Tigers. Norfolk State won three consecutive Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championships, which earned NCAA tournament appearances… F1 championship driver Lewis Hamilton’s debut season with Ferrari has been semi-disastrous.

He finished 10th in the

Australian Grand Prix and followed that up Sunday with a disqualification in the Chinese Grand Prix for “a breach in technical regulations.” Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc was also DQ’d after his car was found underweight… With the Enjoy Illinois 300 NASCAR Cup Series race moving to September, WWT Raceway will host the IndyNXT series featuring upcoming Indy car racers on June 15. Myles Rowe, the circuit’s only Black driver, finished fourth in the season-opening St. Petersburg, Florida race on March 2. He is currently fourth in the driver’s standings…The Frozen Four men’s hockey tournament is headed to St. Louis April 10-12, and four outstanding Black players could reach Enterprise Center. Trey Augustine, a sophomore goaltender for Michigan State, Maine sophomore defenseman Albin Boija, and Jacob Fowler, a Boston College sophomore defenseman, were finalists for the Mike Richter Award, which goes to the season’s top player.

Earl Austin Jr.

Alvin A. Reid

Vashon Wolverine’s Terron Garrett (23) fights his way around St. Joe Benton’s Mach Mayom (35)

Saturday, Mar. 22, 2025. Vashon went on to win 81-45.

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Victor Scott II will be the opening Day centerfielder for the St. Louis Cardinals.

Photo courtesy of KSDK.com

United Way names Community Campaign chairs

United Way of Greater St. Louis has announced that Lal Karsanbhai, president and CEO of Emerson, and Andrew Davidson, managing partner for KPMG’s St. Louis Office, will serve as chair and co-chair of its 2025 annual community campaign.

“For over a century, United Way has positively contributed to the overall health and vitality of the St. Louis region, and I am honored to be a part of its efforts to continue building strong, resilient communities where everyone can thrive,” said Karsanbhai.

“As United Way’s campaign chair, I hope to garner engagement and support for United Way’s ability to accelerate immediate and long-lasting impact on our region with the help of generous local individuals, companies, unions and foundations.”

Last year, UWGSL reached a historic milestone, crossing the $3 billion threshold raised to benefit our local community throughout its 102-year history. The 2024 Community Campaign raised nearly $58 million of over $67 million invested in strengthening the St. Louis region last year.

UWGSL annually impacts over 1 million people across Missouri and Illinois – helping 1 in 3 individuals across 16 counties. UWGSL funding ensures that 160 local nonprofits continue providing vital services to those in need. These partner nonprofits help UWGSL address immediate needs

like food, shelter, and transportation, as well as long-term solutions such as education, job training, and counseling.

“United Way’s mission to help people live their best possible lives is impactful and inspiring and that is why I am proud to be a part of their campaign as co-chair,” said Davidson.

“United Way’s efforts to support local individuals and families stabilize our region. Support for United Way ensures needs are met and communities are strong, and I look forward to communicating that sentiment with potential donors.”

In addition to funding its health and human service partners, UWGSL manages the region’s largest Volunteer Center which has been connecting individuals with causes that ignite their desire to give back for almost a century.

“There is so much excitement building at United Way for our upcoming campaign and the addition of Lal and Andrew as chairs has increased our enthusiasm to unite thousands of people behind our efforts to make a collective impact this campaign season,” said Michelle D. Tucker, president and CEO of United Way of Greater St. Louis.

“People helping people is a powerful principle and it is what our campaign is built on. Each year, we see the power of united impact, and together, we can create a strong foundation for our region now and generations to come.”

While shouting “U.S. Mail is not for sale,” members of the American Postal Workers Union and supporters gathered outside the downtown main Post Office on Thursday morning March 20, 2025.

They rallied in opposition to potential Trump administration moves to privatize the U.S. Postal Service, and also Postmaster Louis DeJoy, who resigned on Monday.

DeJoy had just announced plans to cut 10,000 jobs and slash billions from the USPS budget in collaboration with Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), according to a letter sent to Congress earlier this month.

Mark Dimondstein, American Postal Workers Union (APSU) president said the change of postmasters will not deter Trump’s plans.

“Beware of a White House intent on breaking up and selling off the public United States Postal

Service,” he told CNN.

“I’ve said it before, and I will say it again, this attack on the USPS is part of the ongoing coup by oligarchs against the vital public services APWU members and other public servants provide to the country. Privatized postal services will lead to higher postage prices, and a lower quality of service to the public.”

William “Bill” Bradley, APWU St. Louis Gateway District Area Local 8 president, said in a release, “Privatizing the U.S. Postal Service will destroy 600,000 good union jobs [and] the USPS is the largest civilian employer of veterans.

“The U.S. Postal Service delivers to every address in the country. That’s 169 million addresses and 318 million pieces of mail per day, no matter who you are or where you live.”

Postal workers and supporters protested outside the main U.S. Post Office downtown on

Thursday March 20, 2025. They rallied against Trump administration plans to possibly privatize the postal service and lay off hundreds of workers.

Photo by Alvin A. Reid / St. Louis American

Living It

If it weren’t for the women

“We are learning each other and falling more in love with each other every day.”

- Grant Ellis, The Bachelor, after picking Juliana Pasquarosa to be his future wife

Black Rep world-premiere pays homage to historic 19th century protest

By Kenya Vaughn

The St. Louis American

The Black Rep season continues with a production that aligns Women’s History Month – and demonstrates one of the many instances where Black women helped shape history.

“The Wash” is a play written by a Black woman (Kelundra Smith), directed by a Black woman (Chris Anthony) and

starring Black women. The play brings to life a forgotten moment in history that demonstrates the unstoppable will that Black women possess.

Less than twenty years after slavery ended – and nearly forty years before women had the right to vote, a group of Black washer women decided to stand up for their right to a living wage in Atlanta. Their strike caught the world’s attention when it happened in 1881. By the time Smith stumbled upon women who put their lives on the line to secure proper pay for their services, it was a long-forgotten historical footnote.

“I am a journalist by training, and I

was on assignment to cover the opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture,” Smith said during a Q&A following the March 13th preview performance. “I saw an article about the Atlanta Washer Women’s Strike, and I was like, ‘What is that?’ I’m born and raised in Georgia –and I’ve never heard this story before.”

When Smith returned to Atlanta, she was on a mission to learn everything about it. She went through newspaper archives and was astounded by how the

See Women, C3

Discovering the Diaspora through cinema

Washington University’s

African Film Festival returns for

19th year

By American Staff

For nearly two decades, cinematic art that counters negative stereotypes, combats false narratives and offers first-hand insight about the continent of Africa have been showcased at Washington University.

On Friday (March 28) the 19th Annual African Film Festival returns to campus. It features a full weekend of programming that also showcases the diversity of the African Diaspora. Its rich culture and resilience are showcased through the lens of acclaimed new, emerging and established filmmakers. The festival showcases films, less than two years old, that have fared well at international festivals.

“The highlight of the festival is

‘Village Next to Paradise’ by Mo Harawe, the first Somali film to be featured as an official selection at the Cannes Film Festival,” said festival founder Wilmetta Toliver-Diallo, PhD,

“Village Next to Paradise” by Mo Harawe is the first Somali film to be featured as an official selection at the Cannes Film Festival. It will be featured as part of Washington University’s 19th Annual African Film Festival.

Photo courtesy of the African Fil Festival

Memphis rap star Glorilla halted her performance after repeated fights when The Glorious Tour made its way to The Factory at

District in Chesterfield Monday night.

Scuffles bring abrupt end to STL leg of Glorilla’s Glorious Tour

By Zaria Mac

The St. Louis American

Before she ended her set, Memphis rap star Glorilla issued a warning to a rowdy faction of her fan base at the St. Louis leg of the Glorious Tour Monday night at The Factory.

“I think y’all came to the wrong show…Y’all wasn’t supposed to be at the Glorious Tour, doing all this fighting,” It was her final plea to calm them down. “Any more fighting and I’ll have to stop the show.”

Unfortunately, it was a promise she was forced to keep.

n “When my fans listen to my music, I want them to feel glorious like I do,” Glorilla said. “[To] Take away that they can do whatever they put they mind to, say whatever they want to say and just be them.”

Glorilla left the stage in the middle of her viral hit “Whatchu Kno About Me” as a series of fights broke out. The fly ladies and their friends, before laughing and taking pictures, shuffled out to the parking lot, their long braids swaying behind them. Some stayed behind –super fans in pre-ordered Glorious Tour merch atop ruffle shorts and baby doll skirts, waiting to see if she would return to the stage. After the house lights came on and the crew began to remove the light that continuously flashed across the audience, it became clear the artist would not be returning.

Prior to the three fights that ended the night, Glorilla gave a dynamic performance. She named her tour “The Glorious Tour,” a pun on her real name Gloria Hallelujah with Queen Key and Real Boston Richey for opening acts.

who serves as Washington University’s Senior Assistant Dean, Pre-Professional and Post-Graduate Planning. “The story

See Film, C3

“When my fans listen to my music, I want them to feel glorious like I do,” Glorilla said. “[To] Take away that they

Photo by Dawn Suggs/St. Louis American

the

Photo by Keshon Campbell

The Black Rep’s presentation of Kelundra Smith’s ‘The Wash,’ which is part of a rolling world-premiere, continues through Sunday, March 30th at COCA’S Catherine Berges Theatre.

CONCERTS

Fri., Mar. 28, 8 p.m. The 17th Annual Gateway Blues Festival, Chaifetz Arena, 1 Compton Ave, St. Louis, MO 63103. For more information visit www.chaifetzarena.com.

Fri., Mar. 28, 7 p.m. Jagged Edge, The Pageant, 6161 Delmar Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63112. For more information, visit www.thepageant.com.

Wed., Apr. 2, 7 p.m. Tank and The Bangas with Elliott Skinner & DJ Zeus, Delmar Hall, 6133 Delmar Blvd. Saint Louis, MO 63112. For more information, visit www.thepageant.com.

Fri., Apr. 4, 7 p.m. St. Louis Symphony Orchestra: Batman In Concert, Stifel Theatre, 1400 Market Street St. Louis, MO 63103. For more information, visit https://shop.slso.org.

Thurs., Apr. 10, 8 p.m., Big 30 Still King Tour, Delmar Hall, 6133 Delmar. For More information, visit www.thepageant.com.

Sat., Apr. 12, 8 p.m., The R&B Invitation Tour starring Eric Benet, Joe and Musiq Soulchild, Chaifetz Arena, 1 Compton Ave, St. Louis, MO 63103. For more information visit www.chaifetzarena.com.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Thur., Mar. 27, 12 p.m. High

Noon: Putting the Buzz in the Locust Business District, High Low, 3301 Washington Ave. St. Louis, MO 63103. For more information, visit https://kranzbergartsfoundation.org.

Thur., Mar. 27, 6:30 p.m. Tour De Dance, The Sun Theatre, 3645 Grandel Square St. Louis,

STL Sites & Sounds

MO 63108. For more information, visit www.saintlouisdancetheatre.org.

Fri., Mar. 28, 9 p.m. Kre8 Jamz: The Kreatives Jam Session, The Dark Room, 3610 Grandel Sq. St. Louis. MO 63103. For more information, visit https://kranzbergartsfoundation.org.

Mar. 28-Mar. 30, She Believed Weekend Takeover, a celebration of women’s voices, art, and empowerment, hosted by Her Eminent Reign For more information, visit hereminentreign.art.

Mar. 28 – Mar. 30, 19th

Annual Washington University African Film Festival, Brown Hall, Room 100. Free For more information, visit africanfilm. washu.edu or call 314.935-7879.

Apr. 1 – Apr. 3, 9:30 a.m. & 10:45 a.m., SLSO, Ready Readers and COCA present excerpts from Tiny Tunes Tortoise and the Hare, Lee Theatre, Touhill Performing Arts Center. For more information, visit www.slso.org/tinytunes.

Sat., Apr. 5, 7:30 p.m., Dance St. Louis presents Collage Dance Collective, Touhill Performing Arts Center. For more information, visit www. dancestlouis.org.

Sat., Apr. 12, 1 p.m., Photos with the Easter Bunny, Emerson YMCA, 3390 Pershall Rd., Ferguson MO 63135.

COMEDY

Fri., Mar. 28, 7:30 p.m. Wanda

Sykes: Please & Thank You Tour with Special Guest Keith Robinson, Stifel Theatre, 1400 Market Street, Saint Louis, MO 63103. For more information, www.ticketmaster.com

Fri., Apr. 11, 8 p.m. We Them Ones Comedy Tour, Chaifetz Arena, 1 Compton Ave, St. Louis, MO 63103. For more information visit www.ticketmaster.com.

Sat., Apr. 12, 6 p.m. The Derrick Sr. All-Star Comedy Jam, The Ambassador, 9800 Halls Ferry Rd. St. Louis, MO 63136. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

ST. LOUIS MUSIC SPOTLIGHT

Thur., Mar. 27, 9 p.m. Strawberry Bounce, Tschuss, 2847 Cherokee Street, St. Louis, MO 63118. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Sat., Mar. 29, 9 p.m. Revenge of the 80’s w/ BIKO fka Needles, Sophie’s Artist Lounge, 3333 Washington Ave. St. Louis, MO 63103. For more information, visit https://kranzbergartsfoundation.org.

Tue., Apr. 1, 7 p.m. Lil Skies, Delmar Hall, 6133 Delmar Blvd. Saint Louis, MO 63112. For more information, visit www. thepageant.com/.

THEATRE

Through Mar. 30, The Black Rep presents The Wash, COCA, 6880 Washington Ave., St. Louis, MO 63130. Various showtimes available. For more information, visit www.theblack-

rep.org or call 314.534.3807.

Through Mar. 30, 8 p.m. The Beauty Queen of Leenane, Kranzberg Black Box, 501 N. Grand Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63108. Matinee showtimes available. For more information, visit https://albiontheatrestl.org

Through Mar. 30, Metro Theater Company presents But What Can You Do? , The Sun Theatre, 3625 Grandel Square, St. Louis MO 63108. For more information, visit www.metroplays.org

Apr. 11 – Apr. 13, COCA presents Kaleidoscope Crown by Ashleigh Akilah Rucker, COCA, 6880 Washington Ave., St. Louis, MO 63130. For more info, visit www.cocastl.org.

ART

Through March 29, From The Deep, a solo exhibition by Michael Marshall, Atrium Gallery, 665 S. Skinker Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63105. For more information, call (314) 367-1076 or visit www.atriumgallery.net.

Through Apr. 13, 2025, Saint Louis Art Museum presents Federal Art Project 1935-1945, Saint Louis Art Museum, One Fine Arts Drive, St. Louis, MO 63110. For more information, visit www.slam.org.

Through Jul. 27, Veronica Ryan: Unruly Objects, Pulitzer Arts Foundation, 3716 Washington Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63108. For more information, visit https://pulitzerarts.org.

Through Aug. 10, Like Water, Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis, 3750 Washington Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108. For more info visit https://camstl.org/.

Grammy Award-winners Tank and the Bangas will bring their signature sound to Delmar Hall on Wednesday, April 2. See CONCERTS for more details.

Photo by Tre'bor Jones

Women

story made international news at the time.

“It was so wild to me that Black women not working was such a radical act – and it would still be now,” Smith said. “After researching those articles, there was something about this narrative that just wouldn’t leave me.”

She was driving home from work one day and she heard these voices in her head. She saw the characters and she wrote what became the first pages of “The Wash.”

“I think so often that the historical narrative about Black people is that of servants with no lives, no connection to others,” Smith said. “These women – and the people from that time, despite everything, had full lives.”

Audiences get a glimpse of these lives through The Black Rep’s staging –which stars Velma Austin, Paulette Dawn, Christina Yancy, Joy Ike, Alex Jay and Jennifer Theby-Quinn.

Push has come to shove for these washer women. The white people who are supposed to pay them for their services simply decide to opt out of the agreed upon rate. The expectation that the washing will continue with whatever amount or form of payment they decide –or none.

While the Emancipation Proclamation declared their freedom, these women – and the vast

Photo courtesy of the African Fil Festival

Less than twenty years after slavery ended –and nearly forty years before women had the right to vote, a group of Black washer women decided to stand up for their right to a living wage in Atlanta. “The Wash” chronicles their story.

majority Black people in general – were at the mercy of white people’s perceived value of their work, no matter how essential.

“The Wash” is part of a trilogy of plays she is writing about the African American experience during Reconstruction.

Though the moment in history was an era of great progress for Black people – progress that was soon snatched away – any form of resistance against the systems of oppression meant the possibility of life-ending consequences. And yet these women persisted in their resistance. Less than one generation

out of enslavement, they put their lives and livelihoods on the line for themselves and future generations to have the opportunity to live and thrive.

“To me, ‘The Wash’ is a triumph story,” Smith said. “They won.”

The Black Rep’s presentation of “The Wash,” a rolling world-premiere, will continue through Sunday, March 30 at COCA’s Catherine B. Berges Theatre, 6880 Washington Avenue, St. Louis MO 63130. For more information, visit www.theblackrep.org or call 314.534.3807.

Film

Continued from C1

follows a novelist attending the courtroom drama of a woman accused of infanticide.”

The film is one of six features that will be showcased at the festival, which is sponsored by African & African American Studies and Film & Media Studies in Arts & Sciences, and the African Student Association. It is funded in part by the Missouri Arts Council and the Women’s Society of Washington University.

Toliver-Diallo founded the festival in fall 2005 to increase dynamic conversations about the African continent on Washington University’s campus.

The festival promotes African filmmakers, who have limited access to international distribution.

“Year after year, the films screened in this festival eloquently demonstrate how moving image media can give us important perspectives on Africa and on the shared concerns of humanity in the 21st century,” said Gaylyn Studlar, Washington University’s David May Distinguished Professor in the Humanities and Professor of Film and Media Studies.

An all-age matinee introduces authentic African perspectives to young people. The program takes place on Saturday, March 29 at 3pm and will include animation and short narratives.

Festival include a Saturday evening reception for festival goers hosted by the Saint Louis Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and Q&A sessions. This year’s Q&A will be led by renowned filmmaker Ekwa Msangi. He will speak with a producer for the film ‘Demba’ as well as Abbesi Akhamie, director of “The Incredible Sensational Fiancée of Sèyí Àjàyí.”

“Our festival has screened Mamadou Dia’s short and feature film in previous festivals,” Toliver-Diallo said. “We are proud to screen his third film (second feature), ‘Demba.’”

Continued from C1

can do whatever they put they mind to, say whatever they want to say and just be them.”

The concert started with a dramatic rendition of “Intro” with an amplified bass and frenzied light show across the stage. There was also a row of lights at the front of the stage just for the audience, which made it feel as if they were in their own music video.

Glorilla’s main look was a long sleeve metallic gold jumpsuit with black lace cutouts along the arms and legs and a sultry keyhole neckline. She had six dancers with her on stage who came to life when they performed her hit “HOLLON.” The crowd began jumping up and down and recording themselves reenacting the song’s internet sensation dance routine.

She then performed her featured verse on OMB Peezy’s viral hit “Lay Down. A sea of lights filled the crowd recording her as she did the viral wall dance. She then moved into “LET HER COOK” and the audience went wild screaming the chorus over the again amplified bass backed by engineer and producer Dynasty Digitals. It was an unexpected

twist when Glorilla said, “Now this is the point of the show we bring somebody on stage.” The dancers searched the crowd and found one lucky gentleman that was brought to a chair in the middle of the stage as “Shake Dat [expletive]” by BossMan Dlow began to play. Glorilla danced around the beaming fan, seductively rapping her verse before taking a seat on his lap.

Glorilla performed “STOP PLAYING” and her verse from “BOP” by Big Boogie and DJ Drama before transitioning into a serious tone with “DON’T DESERVE.” She dedicated the song to anyone who has survived or is currently enduring domestic violence. “Don’t ever let him cheat on you,” she said as the lyrics of the chorus flashed on the screen above her. Don’t ever let him beat on you.”

She followed this with “I AIN’T GOING,” another song that decried violence against women.

“I ain’t goin’ for all that ruff me up and grab me by the neck. [N-word expletive] put his hands on me, we gon’ be smokin’ on him next.”

It seemed important to Glorilla that her fans felt confident and self-assured. This message was lost on some members of the crowd who resorted to violence against each other as the concert continued. She performed “I LUV

HER” and brought out Queen Key for “Hell Woods 2” before getting the party started again with “All Dere.” The dancers came out in black bralettes and THICK shorts – which were available for purchase at the merch table. They showed off their acrobatics skills, flipping and jumping into splits.

Glorilla was able to make it through her verse on Tyler the Creator’s “Sticky” and “HOW I LOOK” just before the chaos broke loose. It was during a dance break on “TGIF” that a fight broke out causing the artist to stop to address the crowd.

“Y’all ain’t that mad,” Glorilla said as security worked to calm the situation. “Ain’t nobody did nothing that bad for y’all to be out there fighting.”

When she threatened to leave the stage, several fans yelled out “NO” – and encouraged her to stay on stage. She began performing “WHATCHU KNO ABOUT ME” and after two more fights in quick succession Glorilla left the stage.

“I’m sorry, y’all, but we gotta end the show right here,” Glorilla told the crowd in her charming Memphis accent. “It’s another [expletive] fight. I love y’all. I didn’t want to do this, but we gotta make sure safety [is] first. I love y’all St. Louis.”

“I was thrilled that St. Louis recognized the significance of supporting African films and African filmmakers as they shed light on their reality,” said Toliver-Diallo.

The festival introduces contemporary artistic production by African artists to American audiences.

“The Saint Louis Art Museum supports the youth matinee each year,” Toliver-Diallo said.

“The Art Museum prepares take home craft kits associated with the youth matinee theme and donates materials to the festival for youth activities.”

Programming staples for the African Film

The 19th Annual Washington University African Film Festival will take place March 28–30th in Brown Hall Room 100 on the Campus of Washington University. All programming is free and open to the public. For more information and a full schedule of selections/ activities visit https://africanfilm.wustl.edu/ or call (314) 935-7879.

Glo

Photo courtesy of the African Fil Festival

Mamadou Dia’s ‘Demba’ will be among the films screened at Washington University’s 19th Annual African Film Festival, which takes place on campus from March 28-30 in room 100 of Brown Hall.

DATA AND PERFORMANCE ANALYST

The City of Saint Louis Mental Health Board of Trustees is seeking a Data and Performance Analyst in St. Louis who will be responsible for a number of data analysis responsibilities including planning and evaluation to assess community needs, designing and implementing data collection, analysis, and sharing, among other duties. Master’s in Social Work, Public Policy, Public Health, Sociology, Psychology, or related field required, as well as 48 months of experience in positions involving data analysis. For the full job positing, visit www.stlmhb.org/ about-us/careers/

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

The Hazelwood School District is seeking a bid to replace two 1,600-amp panels at Northwest Middle School.

Interested parties should submit their bid proposal through Vendor Registry via the district’s website at https://www.hazelwoodschools.org/ Page/2238 on or before Monday, April 14, 2025 not later than 9:00 a.m.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

URBAN SEARCH & RESCUE TASK FORCE INITIAL TRAINING SERIES

East-West Gateway is seeking submittals from consultants to provide an Urban Search & Rescue Task Force Initial Training Series, funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security / FEMA. Submittals are due no later than 1:00 p.m. on April 17, 2025. D/S/W/ MBEs are encouraged to submit proposals. Submittal details can be obtained at www.ewgateway.org.

SOLICITING BIDS

Great Rivers Greenway is soliciting bids for McKinley Bridge Bikeway Fence Installation. Go to https:// greatriversgreenway. org/bids/ and submit by April 21, 2025.

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Replace Fire Alarm Panels and Devices, Hawthorn Childrens Psychiatric Hospital, St. Louis, MO, Project No. M241401 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, April 15, 2025. Project information available at: http://oa.mo. gov/facilities

PUBLIC NOTICES

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

East-West Gateway is seeking submittals from consultants develop a Regional Security Risk Management Strategy, funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security / FEMA. Submittals are due no later than 1:00 p.m. on April 21, 2025. D/S/W/ MBEs are encouraged to submit proposals. Submittal details can be obtained at www.ewgateway.org.

SOLICITING BIDS

Great Rivers Greenway is soliciting electronic bids via Bid Express for Mississippi Greenway: NPS Radio Tower. Go to https://greatriversgreenway. org/bids/ and submit by April 25, 2025.

INVITATION TO BID

McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. requests bids from qualified contractors for:

Phelps Health Emergency Department Addition

For the following scopes of work: Mechanical (Plumbing/HVAC/ T&B), Electrical & Low Voltage, Earthwork and Site Utilities

The new addition will be approximately 63,000 SF and includes a fully fit-out Emergency Department, shelled spaces and support areas.

BID DATE:

April 8, 2025 by 2:00 PM CDT

Bid Documents will be available by 3/20/25. All contractors interested in this project must contact Mary Peterein via email at: mpeterein@mccarthy.com

McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. is proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. 12851 Manchester Road | St. Louis, MO 63131

REQUEST FOR BIDS

PARIC Corporation (GC) is requesting bids for the Relocation of Airfield Maintenance (AFM) and Snow Removal Equipment (SRE) Facilities at St. Louis Lambert International Airport.

The proposed Work includes Construction of a new 35-acre campus with (2) main buildings built upon the land totaling 230,000 sq ft of enclosed space. For mor information on this project please contact Trena Alexander (TALexander@paric.com).

Proposals are due on April 11th at 3:00pm CST. We request that you send in your scope clarification with inclusions and exclusions by April 10th at 10:00am CST.

The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) participation goal for this Letting is 20%. DBE firms must be certified and listed in the Missouri Regional Certification Committee (MRCC) DBE Directory as of the bid opening date and listed here: https://flystl. diversitycompliance.com.

INVITATION TO BID

The Northeast Ambulance and Fire Protection District’s Front Lobby Upgrade.

Sealed bids are being requested from the Northeast Ambulance and Fire Protection District and will be received and publicly available on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at 4:30 pm during the open public meeting held at 7100 Natural Bridge Road, St. Louis, MO 63121. Prebid walk throughs will begin on Thursday, April 3, 202:5 at 9:00 am at 7100 Natural Bridge Road. All bids must be received by the end of the business day on Thursday, April 10, 2025. For further information or questions, contact Deputy Chief Albert Calmese, JR at (acalmese@neafpd.org).

PUBLIC NOTICE

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

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

REQUEST FOR BIDS

The School District of University City is seeking bids for roofing at UCHS and Jackson Park Elementary. Deadline for bids is 2pm April 23th. The Mandatory Pre-Bid Walkthrough is at 10am on April 11th. 7401 Balson Ave, University City, MO 63130, UCHS Kwame Field Office Room 138. Email Likitha Kaki, lkaki@kwamebuildinggroup.com for more information.

NOTICE TO CONSULTANTS

The St. Louis County Department of Transportation is requesting the services of a highly-qualified consulting engineering firm to perform professional engineering services for the Mason Lane Bridge No. 305 project (St. Louis County Project No. CR-1913). Full details for this project, including submittal requirements and deadline, will be available on March 24, 2025 from the St. Louis County Vendor Self-Service portal: https://stlouiscounty movendors.munisself service.com/Vendors/ default.aspx

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Ozark Correction CenterInstall Single Generator Backup, Fordland, MO, Project No. C241401 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, April 22, 2025. Project information available at: http://oa.mo. gov/facilities

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Renovate Lobby and Restroom 1st and 2nd Floor, Project No. O233901 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, April 22, 2025. Project information available at: http:// oa.mo.gov/ facilities

SEALED BIDS

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Anti-Ligature Upgrades, Multiple Assets at Fulton State Hospital, Project No. M231201, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, April 17, 2025. Project information available at: http://oa.mo. gov/facilities

SOUVENIR COIN PROGRAM

RFP, PHOTO BOOTH PROGRAM RFP, AND CARICATURES & FACE PAINTING PROGRAM RFP 2025

The Saint Louis Zoo seeks proposals from qualified firms for: · Souvenir Coin Program and Photo Booth ProgramAvailable 3/26/25 · Caricatures & Face Painting ProgramAvailable 4/2/25 Bid documents are posted on the the Saint Louis Zoo website: stlzoo.org/vendor

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

The Hazelwood School District is seeking bid proposals to replace the current carpeted areas with rubber tiles at schools throughout the district.

Interested parties should submit their bid proposal through Vendor Registry via the district’s website at https://www. hazelwoodschools.org/ Page/2238 on or before Wednesday, April 3, 2025, not later than 11:00 a.m.

www.stlamerican.com

NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS

March 27, 2025

City of St. Louis Community Development Administration (CDA) 1520 Market Street, Suite 2000 St. Louis, Missouri 63103

Trey McCarter, Community Development Planner III, CDA (314) 657-3834

On or about April 4, 2025, the City of St. Louis will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of the Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Grant (LHR), authorized by Section 1011 of the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992 (Title X of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992) (42 U.S.C. 4852), and section 501 and 502 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1970 (12 U.S.C. 1701z-1 and 1701z-2). Funding for this program is provided by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022, approved March 15, 2022 (Public Law 117-103), the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, approved December 29, 2022 (Public Law 117-328), and the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2024, approved March 9, 2024, (Public Law 118-42). The LHR Grant Program will be used for the purpose of remediating 240 housing units to lead-safe status throughout St. Louis City (the program target area). The City of St. Louis in conjunction with the City Building Division (BD) and Health Department (HD) will utilize LHR funds for hazard reduction activities, outreach, screening, temporary relocation services, and lead inspection and risk assessments. The City of St. Louis is requesting the release of $3,606,493 in LHR funds for the period of performance of February 1, 2025 through February 1, 2029.

The proposed hazard reduction activities to be funded under this program are categorically excluded from the National Environmental Policy Act requirements, but subject to compliance with some of the environmental laws and authorities listed at § 58.5 of 24 CFR Part 58. In accordance with §58.15, a tiered review process has been structured, whereby some environmental laws and authorities have been reviewed and studied for the intended target area listed above. Other applicable environmental laws and authorities will be complied with, when individual projects are ripe for review. Specifically, the target area has been studied and in compliance with the following laws and authorities has been achieved in this Tier 1 review: Airport Hazards, Coastal Barrier Resources Act, Clean Air, Coastal Zone Management Act, Endangered Species Act, Explosive and Flammable Hazards, Farmlands Protection, Noise Abatement and Control, Sole Source Aquifers, Wetlands Protection, and Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. Site-specific environmental reviews will include compliance with the following environmental laws and authorities for proposed projects funded under the program listed above: Flood Insurance Program requirements, Contamination and Toxic Substances, Floodplain Management, and Historic Preservation. Should individual aggregate projects exceed the threshold for categorical exclusion detailed at §58.35(a), an Environmental Assessment will be completed and a separate Finding of No Significant Impact and Request for Release of Funds published. Copies of the compliance documentation worksheets are available at the address below.

An Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for this project, and more fully describes the tiered review process cited above, is on file at the City of St. Louis CDA, at the abovereferenced address, and may be examined or copied weekdays 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., or visit HYPERLINK “https://cpd.hud.gov/cpd-public/environmentalreviews” https://cpd.hud.gov/cpd-public/environmental-reviews to review the HUD ERR.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to Trey McCarter. All comments received by April 3, 2025 will be considered by the City of St. Louis prior to authorizing submission of a Request for Release of Funds and Environmental Certification to HUD.

RELEASE OF FUNDS

Bids for Carpeting and Painting at Kansas City DOLIR Office Building, Project No. O243401, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, April 24, 2025. Project information available at: http://oa.mo. gov/facilities

The City of St. Louis certifies to HUD that Nahuel Fefer in his official capacity as Executive Director of CDA, consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities, and allows the City of St. Louis to utilize federal funds and implement the Program.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

HUD will consider objections to its release of funds and the City of St. Louis certification for a period of fifteen days following either the anticipated submission date (cited above) or HUD’s actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if the objections are on one of the following bases: (a) that the Certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the City of St. Louis); (b) the City of St. Louis has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58; (c) the City of St. Louis has committed funds or incurred costs not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58), and may be addressed to HUD and sent to the email address as follows: Michael Bishop, Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, HYPERLINK “mailto:michael.a.bishop@hud.gov” michael.a.bishop@hud.gov. Potential objectors may contact HUD directly to verify the actual last day of the objection/comment period.

Nahuel Fefer, Certifying Officer

Rev. Carlton R. Caldwell closes historic Galilee chapter

Revigorated church, spread Gospel

St. Louis American

On May 18, 1992, Rev. Carlton R. Caldwell began his ministry at Galilee Missionary Baptist Church and exactly 33 years later Caldwell will close out his preaching journey there.

Caldwell’s “journey of love and enthusiasm,” will be celebrated with three events to mark his retirement as pastor.

Community Night will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, May 16 with Bishop Mike Jones, pastor of Friendly Temple, paying homage to Caldwell

Two services will be held respectively on Sunday, May 18.

At 10:15 a.m., Jimmy Brown from St. Luke Memorial will be the morning speaker and then at 3 p.m. the Rev. Earl Nance, Jr. from Greater Mt. Carmel will be the speaker of the hour.

During his distinguished career, Caldwell had many achievements including the remodeling of Galilee’s sanctuary. A new church van has been purchased, a portion of Pendleton was renamed for renowned congregation member Dr. I.C. Peay Av., and the I.C. Peay Fellowship Hall has been paid off.

The pastor established the Carlton R. Caldwell Library and the Galilee Community Development Corporation, and created Small Groups, The Bread and Loaves Saturday Evangelism effort, The Power in Praise Dance Ministry, The

Walking Up The Stairs Book Club, the Galilee Café and WET (Wednesday Evenings Together) where meals are made available to all who come and that includes those who may be homeless.

The Bread and Loaves ministry got an elevation by integrating the Grill to Glory program which is sponsored by the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis. Most recent accomplishment is completing Phase 1 of the church heating and cooling system.

Caldwell knew his work was not confined to his church. He traveled to preach the word, learning, and finishing his education all while shepherding the congregation at Galilee. He has had an audience with the Pope; a mission tour to Kenya; two trips to the Holy Land; and visits to the Steps of Paul.

He has been an adjunct professor at Covenant Seminary. He has authored 3 books: We Are All Ministers - Moving Members From The Pews To Purpose –2012; Little by Little – 2014; and “But Now, That’s A Fact” sermons from the Apostle Paul; and he has demonstrated leadership by being the moderator in two different district associations: Mt. Carmel Missionary District Association and Berean Missionary Baptist District Association.

In a 2014 St. Louis American interview, Caldwell said Little by Little “reveals important

truths he discovered throughout his life (in bad times as well as in good), and he hopes readers will be inspired and find humor in his story.

The book weaves personal narrative with Biblical passages. He was inspired by the text of Deuteronomy 7:22, “in which God says that He will remove the obstacles in front of His chosen people ‘little by little.’

A native of Little Rock, Ark. who was reared in a strict Christian household, Caldwell said the book examines his early years as a Black boy dealing with segregation in the Jim Crow era. He left home his junior year in high school, searching for “an

opportunity to flap his wings in the world,” he said. His “wild partying” led him astray, much like the Parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15:11-32. He also ran from the ministry and grew up wanting to be a disc jockey or the next Calvin Murphy in the NBA. Murphy was, at that time, the shortest player to be drafted in the NBA. He had returned to the church and was singing in the choir at Mt. Pleasant M.B. in Kansas City, Mo when his pastor stopped him and inquired ‘What are you going to do with your life?’” He accepted the call to join the ministry in the early 1970s. He earned a bachelor’s degree

from Westminster College, a Master of Divinity from Covenant Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry from Southern Baptist Seminary. His first full-time pastoral role was at Second Baptist Church in Mexico, Mo. He moved to St. Louis in 1990; and two years later, he became pastor of Galilee M.B. Church.

“There are no easy steps to maturity,” Caldwell said. “Be patient with God’s plan for your growth.’”

Pastor Caldwell said while his pastoring journey may end on Sunday, May 18,2025, [my] life journey shall continue as [I] picks up my next passion- travel with love and enthusiasm.”

Kaleidoscope Crown by playwright Ashleigh Akilah Rucker tells the story of a young girl who awakes with a shocking new ability: with every new feeling her hair is catapulted into multicolor tresses. Her new development throws the uniformity and peace of her small traditional village into disarray. Rucker draws inspiration from the art and traditions of the African Diaspora bringing the culture to the forefront of this new work.

Photo courtesy of Galilee M.B. Church

The Rev. Carlton R. Caldwell began his career as pastor of Galilee Missionary Baptist Church on May 18, 1992, and he will close the chapter of his life exactly 33 years later to the day.