May 23rd, 2019 Edition

t. LouiS A

ESL is home to Vietnam Veterans Memorial

‘Remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice’

By Rebecca Rivas Of The St. Louis American

Le Roy Gee had a beautiful voice, and he was always singing.

His family can still remember Gee trying to imitate the Temptations’ dance moves and sing at the same time – and doing an “okay” job of it. He was also good at making connections with people, particularly at his alma mater, Lincoln Senior High School in East St. Louis.

“If you say his name, most of my class looks up,” said Vietnam Veteran Henry Ballard, who graduated from Lincoln Senior High around the same time. “He was just a really good guy.”

Gee graduated from Lincoln Senior High

in 1967 and enrolled in the U.S. Marines –while most of his friends were being drafted for the Vietnam War. At 18, Gee started his tour in Vietnam as a rifleman on June 20, 1968, according to records on the Wall of Faces website. Ten days later, on July 9, he was killed in action.

“Most of my friends were shook up that he was killed on his first trip into combat,” Ballard said. “He never even fired his gun.”

His family was equally shaken, said his niece Cheryl Gee. Le Roy was the baby of a big family and the youngest of four close brothers.

“It was a devastating time, and I can recall my grandmother actually had a stroke

Le Roy Gee is among 59 men from East St. Louis who are listed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial located at 1601 Piggott Ave. in East St. Louis’ Lincoln

May 19.

Why I am resigning as state rep

I will continue to do the work of the people

It is with sadness that I announce this will be my last session in the Missouri House of Representatives. This was a difficult decision that I have made for the sake of my health, particularly mental.

Bruce

The past three years have been both incredibly rewarding and unexpectedly depleting. From winning an election that nobody thought I could win to being a young black man from an economically distressed community sitting here in this legislative body, this has been an essential step for me and for the people I represent, who too rarely see someone who looks like them serving in government. However, I would be lying if I didn’t also acknowledge the enormous toll the past three years have taken on my physical health and my mental health. This past year has been marked by deep personal trauma, from the loss of my best friend and godson to gun violence to the strain that comes from trying to support a family on the salary of an elected official with no financial safety net.

n I’ve fought many battles, but none greater than my ongoing struggle with anxiety and depression. This year, for the first time in my life, I decided to get help.

I’ve fought many battles, but none greater than my ongoing struggle with anxiety and depression. This year, for the first time in my life, I decided to get help. After much reflection, I decided to prioritize my health and my family above my political ambition. Further, the changing dynamics in the legislative body made it clear that there is little room for the kind of bipartisanship that allowed me to effect meaningful change for my constituents in the past three years. Time is our most valuable resource, and my community doesn’t have the privilege to wait for change.

I am incredibly proud of some of the work that my colleagues and I have been able to accomplish these past three years. Passing HCR-70, which declared youth violence a public health epidemic, putting millions of dollars into the budget for youth jobs, and creating a Veterans’ Bill of Rights are just some of the highlights.

I am just as proud of my communities and those across Missouri that took matters in their own hands and engaged civically to put help pass bills and create laws that benefit people, not parties or

‘Saint Shirley’ LeFlore laid to rest Poet laureate emeritus honored with music and poetry at homegoing

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

poetic interludes infused with music, gospel selections, and remarks from civic leaders. Through an abundance of profound words from those whose life she touched, the service reflected her contributions to the region and beyond both as an artist and a human being. Author and cultural critic Kevin Powell referred to her as “Saint Shirley” in a poem he wrote to express what she meant to him and the other young writers she influenced.

n “She believed in us more than we believed in ourselves.”

– Kevin Powell

“She believed in us more than we believed in ourselves,” Powell said. “And there is no way I would be standing up here as the author of 13 books if it wasn’t for people like Shirley LeFlore. She never stopped celebrating younger writers.”

The church was just about at capacity as guests from all walks of life and generations sat in the audience and addressed those in attendance. There was sadness, but more celebration and recognition of a life well-

State Rep. Bruce Franks Jr.

The St. Louis American

Photo by Wiley Price

Cheerleaders from Carr Lane VPA Middle School made their way down the parade route of the 109th Annie Malone May Day Parade in downtown St. Louis on Sunday,

Carr Lane VPA on parade

Franks

The life of St. Louis Poet Laureate Emeritus Shirley LeFlore was celebrated Friday, May 17 at Christ Church Cathedral, with her daughters Hope PriceLindsay and Lyah Beth LeFlore sitting in the front row. She passed away at the age of 79 on Sunday, May 12.

Photo by Maurice Meredith

Nipsey Hussle’s sister reportedly granted temporary custody

Last month, Nipsey Hussle’s sister filed for legal guardianship of his daughter, Emani, despite objections from the child’s mother. According to TMZ.com, a judge ruled on Monday that Emani will stay with her aunt, Samantha Smith, until the next hearing in July.

Emani’s mother, Tanisha Foster, was said to be upset by the verdict and vows to keep fighting for custody of her daughter. In the meantime, a visitation schedule is being worked out.

Brian McKnight and Ne-Yo’s former manager found guilty of fraud

Last year, the former manager for R&B singers Brian McKnight and Ne-Yo was found guilty on 16 counts of defrauding them both out of millions of dollars. Kevin R. Foster has been sentenced to seven years in prison and ordered to pay $7.8 million in restitution to the victims.

Foster convinced McKnight and Ne-Yo to invest in a water company but failed to notify them that he was the CEO and CFO of the company. Then he used the money to support his lavish lifestyle.

Foster also allegedly took out a $2 million loan in Ne-Yo’s name without his knowledge and withdrew money from Brian’s account without permission.

Cardi B postpones upcoming shows to recover from plastic surgery

Rapper Cardi B postponed several upcoming tour dates to recover from cosmetic surgery. “Cardi was overzealous in getting back to work; she didn’t take the time necessary to fully recover from her surgery,” reps for the rapper told PEOPLE Magazine. “Her strenuous schedule has taken a toll on her body and she has been given strict doctor’s orders to pull out of the rest of her performances in May.”

One insider told E! News that, “After her plastic surgery, Cardi B jumped right back into her work so she wouldn’t disappoint her fans and wanted fulfil her obligations. The traveling, flying and the performances took a toll on her body.”

Cardi recently said it was “important” to her to speak publicly about her liposuction, so her fans know it’s not as

simple a “process” as it looks.

“It was important for me, because I don’t like lying about things,” Cardi B said. “Like when you see somebody that had lipo you think that they just go into the doctor’s and like ‘boop,’ you come out and you look amazing. But it’s actually like a very long process, recovery. It actually takes like a little bit more than three or four months.”

After 7 founding member Melvin Edmonds passes at 65

Melvin Edmonds, one of the founders of the R&B vocal group After 7, passed away on Saturday following a brief illness. He was 65. Edmonds was also the older brother of R&B heavy hitter Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds. The Grammy Award nominated group also featured Edmonds’ younger brother, Kevon. When Melvin left the group, his son (also named Melvin) replaced him. According to USA Today, the origins of After 7 are on the campus of Indiana University, where Kevon Edmonds and Keith Mitchell were members of the IU Soul Revue.

“Weekends and during the summer months we would come to Indianapolis and hook up with my brother Melvin, and we’d sing harmony parts together,” Kevon told The Indianapolis News in 1990.

“It just kind of culminated over a period of years.”

After 7 was nominated for a Grammy in the category of best R&B performance by a duo or group for 1990 single “Can’t Stop.”

Jason Mitchell accused of harassing ‘The Chi’ co-star

This week, fans of the Showtime series “The Chi” were stunned when it was announced that the show’s star, Jason Mitchell, had been fired and dropped by his agents and managers.

The Hollywood Reporter has provided more insight on the situation.

“A source with knowledge of the Showtime series says Tiffany Boone, who played Mitchell’s girlfriend on The Chi, was among several actresses on the series who had issues with Mitchell,” The Hollywood Reporter said. “She made repeated complaints of sexual harassment and allegedly felt so unsafe with her co-star that at times her fiancé, ‘Dear White People’ actor Marque Richardson came to set when she shot scenes with him.

The source also says Boone ultimately informed producers at Fox 21 that she could no longer work with Mitchell. Initially, he was retained while she was released at her request to pursue other projects. Other actresses on the series also were said to have had problems with Mitchell. It’s unclear what finally led the studio to act.”

Sources: The Hollywood Reporter, E! News, People.com, TMZ.com

Cardi B

‘An anti-biased, anti-racist, Montessori and neighborhood school’

City Garden Montessori plans to open three schools, increase enrollment to 2,500

By Ryan Delaney Of St. Louis Public Radio

A sought-after and successful charter school has plans to grow significantly in St. Louis. City Garden Montessori expects to increase enrollment tenfold over the next decade, which would make it one of the largest charter school systems in the city.

The plan would expand City Garden’s current school in Botanical Heights serving children in preschool through eighth grade and add three new locations. It will also start its own teacher-training program.

“We know that City Garden offers a really unique model for families as an antibiased, anti-racist Montessori and neighborhood school,” Executive Director Christie Huck said. “And it’s something that families across the city have expressed interest in having access to.”

If City Garden can replicate its model, it could improve the outcomes and demographics of public schools in a region where education is highly segregated and imbalanced.

The independent publicly funded school opened in the Botanical Heights neighborhood in 2008. It predominantly serves children in that neighborhood, as well as Forest Park Southeast, Shaw and Southwest Garden.

It’s one of the most racially and socio-economically diverse public schools in the city. It

also consistently scores highly on state reports cards given to schools. Currently, about 40 percent of its students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, and half the students are white.

The school has struggled at times to maintain that diversity, because neighborhoods around the school are quickly gentrifying. Demand for the school outpaces open seats 2-to-1, Huck said, which means the school holds an admissions lottery.

City Garden is trying to purchase its current building in order to add an expansion and begin increasing its 276-student enrollment in 2020. A new school will open each of the following three school years, according to its plan. Huck said locations have not been determined.

“As we grow, we will absolutely be thoughtful and intentional about where we situate our school communities, about how we engage with the neighborhoods and build partnerships, and make sure neighborhoods and communities would want our model there,” Huck said. If City Garden’s student population grows to 2,500, it will become one of the three biggest charter school operators in the city, along with KIPP St. Louis and Confluence Academies. About one-third of St. Louis’ 33,500 public-school children currently attend 16 charter schools.

St. Louis’ population has

draw at City

an admissions

276 students to 2,500 over 10 years.

been declining for decades, and Saint Louis Public Schools has hemorrhaged students, in small part to charter schools since they opened in 2001.

Adams Elementary School, in Forest Park Southeast, has only 270 students. That is not low enough for the district to consider it for closure, but is much smaller than the 475 students at Mullanphy

Elementary School in Shaw.

“Anytime anybody does anything in terms of how it impacts enrollment in the city, I am concerned,” said Saint Louis Superintendent Kelvin Adams regarding City Garden’s plans.

Huck acknowledged her school’s growth could impact enrollment of neighborhood schools run by Saint Louis

Public Schools but said their intention is not to shut down other schools. Successfully educating children in St. Louis should not be a district-versuscharter discussion, she added.

“We are all fighting over crumbs, resource-wise,”

Huck said. “All of the city schools need and deserve more resources.”

Along with adding schools,

City Garden plans to create its own teacher-training program that will certify educators for both teaching in public schools and in the Montessori model with an anti-racist focus. City Garden will need to raise $10.8 million in philanthropic support to make its strategic plan reality. Follow Ryan on Twitter: @ rpatrickdelaney

Photo by Ryan Delaney / St. Louis Public Radio

Children

Garden Montessori school. Demand for the school outpaces open seats 2-to-1, which means the school holds

lottery. The school plans to open three new schools and increase enrollment from

Abortion ban with no rape or incest exemptions is barbaric

No matter your stance on reproductive rights and the rights of the unborn, anyone with a conscience or soul must recoil at the thought of girls and women being forced to carry a pregnancy to term in the case of rape or incest. Yet this will be the law of the land in Missouri if and when Governor Mike Parson almost certainly signs into law House Bill 126, known as “Missouri Stands for the Unborn Act,” which criminalizes abortion at eight weeks’ gestation, punishable with five to 15 years in prison for doctors who perform them. Parson takes no umbrage at the bill’s extremities. In fact, these extremities are central to the extreme right’s strategy to bring “fetal personhood” to the U.S. Supreme Court where the conservative majority can overturn Roe v. Wade Eight states have passed bills to limit abortion procedures this year, spurred on by the confirmation of Justice Brett Kavanaugh which tipped the Supreme Court to a conservative-right majority. Far-right Republicans have become more strident – and, perhaps reckless – fueled by Trump’s tribal warfare, general lawlessness, and scorched-earth antics. This should come as no surprise. The prospect of doing away with Roe v. Wade was what brought the white religious right to support a philanderer with a history of hedonism, sexual assault and dubious business practices.

Even through this, the Missouri legislature, the floor debate of House Bill 126 did have some surprisingly – even shockingly – ignorant and offensive moments. State Representative Barry Hovis (R-Cape Girardeau) went national as a meme for voicing his sincere belief – based on his experience in law enforcement, he said – that there is something called “consensual rape” that is more common than, he said, “a gentlemen jumping out of the bushes.” Such a hideously ignorant and dangerous statement is indicative of a mindset that rationalizes forcing girls and women to carry their pregnancies to term, even if they are carrying the child of their rapist, even if their rapist is a family member.

This ignores the clear and devastating fact that violence against women in its many forms endangers their health and well-being and threatens their right to their own bodies. Some women may endure and, on some level, transcend this violence, but most face protracted struggles for their mental health, well-being and quality of life. This is especially true for girls and women of limited means, because the so-called “Pro-Life” movement shows little interest in providing social support to women and children once the child is born.

A society that does not protect the most vulnerable amongst us from violence, including

and cruel

sexual violence, and instead inscribes it in law is barbaric and should be unacceptable to anyone who values human decency and human rights.

We must remind our ignorant elected leaders of the tragic, persistently high, black infant mortality rates, disproportionate to the rest of the U.S. population. This abomination isn’t being addressed by the extreme right “Pro-Life” movement, which painfully reminds us that African-American women and children living in poverty and distress are less of a concern to them than a fetus. These conditions are often preventable and can be successfully treated if proper attention is paid and adequate resources provided to fortify the lives of black women and children.

African-American women in St. Louis are particularly vulnerable at this time when our community has one of the highest rates of sexually transmitted disease in the country. Rather than increasingly restrictive family planning options, we need to raise the consciousness, particularly among our youth, of safe sex practices. We must teach them how they can develop a healthy, respectful appreciation of their bodies and their sexuality, establish and defend personal boundaries, and access the appropriate medical services. If HB 126 becomes law, young women will again risk death if they are forced to go underground to get an abortion, or administer abortions to themselves without proper medical attention.

For the moment, Roe v. Wade remains the law of the land. Programs, clinics, and health care facilities that provide health services to women, including abortion, while under threat, are still legally available (though in the entire state of Missouri, only in St. Louis). Women still may continue to visit doctors and providers who can help them with their reproductive decisions and provide them with basic health care. We anticipate and encourage legal challenges that try to stay these bans.

It is up to the people – a diverse amalgamation of women, men and transgenders in this country – who are resisting this rapacious war against women’s rights. Many are willing to stand up and put their bodies on the line to protect their reproductive rights and those of our daughters. It’s this mass of people taking to the streets that poses the greatest threat to those who seek to turn back the clock and tighten the grip of white male supremacy in this country. Because it is clear that this assault on women’s rights is aligned with the efforts heightened during this Trump administration to impose social control on groups that challenge a regressive, hierarchical order in this country.

As I See It - A Forum for Community Issues

When legislators fail, stay engaged

By Marty Joe Murray Jr. For The St. Louis American

The Missouri Legislature just concluded session. It can be difficult to keep up with the many changes and shifts that occur in our state’s Capitol. Everyone is aware of the nationally publicized house bill 126 that limits abortions at eight weeks from conception. This is a blatant attempt to restrict women’s right to choose; it also goes gives no exception for instances of rape or incest.

Additionally, during the recent session attempts were made to undo the will of the citizens with the attempted passage of House Joint Resolutions 48, 47, and 46. It began as an attempt to change the rules of the House of Representatives, with each resolution aimed to change the Clean Missouri Amendment. These are only a few examples of where our legislators have failed us. The citizens’ ability to alter the Missouri Constitution by the ballot petition process is vital in picking up where our legislators fail us.

Back in November 2018 city/county voters marched to the polls to send a loud and clear message to our legislators. That message was that we the people want and won’t accept anything less than transparent government, lobbyist gifts lowered, campaign contribution limits, and a fair process for redistricting. Across the state, Amendment 1 passed by 68 percent. Locally St. Louisans voted overwhelmingly in favor of the changes. Similarly to Amendment 1

citizens voted to increase the states’ minimum wage to $12 an hour. Over 60 percent of Missouri Voters voted in favor of Proposition B. The passage of the proposition means that the minimum wage was set at $8.60 per hour and would increase yearly until reaching $12 per hour by 2023. Despite the voters’ attempt to enact a livable wage, House Bill 763 has been progressing through the legislature. This bill seeks to exempt private school teachers from the minimum wage increases. Teachers and school workers are severely underpaid and they look after our children. The bill has passed out of the House and you can look forward to hearing about this once the Senate is back during the second half of session. The house joint resolutions that passed in the House sought to make subtle changes. The original Amendment 1 created the nonpartisan redistricting commission; the resolution replaces it with a bipartisan redistricting commission. It offers an all-out lobbyist gift ban instead of the original less than $5 gift ban and completely changes the way we draw districts. Although the general assembly is not constitutionally able to undo Clean Missouri without putting it on the ballot again, I feel it is unnecessary to change Clean Missouri

HomEgrown BlaCk malEs

Agent of deliverance, catalyst for healing

By the Rev. Eric Battle For The St. Louis American

They say that everything in life comes full circle; I am a living witness to this truth. My story is that of a prodigal son who went halfway around the world to escape my homegrown ministry, only to return to St. Louis and continue in the legacy of my progeny. There have been five generations of Pentecostal pastors in my family: my great-greatgrandfather, my greatgrandfather, my grandfather, my father, and now me. Becoming a preacher was the last thing I wanted for myself. As a younger man, I was determined to let that cup pass from me. Not only did I run from the cup, but I actively tried to knock it out of God’s hand.

Growing up in St. Louis and in a sanctified church, I became very adept at sneaking around. I could not sow my wild oats in front of my parents who fully endorsed the message found in Proverbs 13:24: that sparing the rod creates a spoiled child. So, to spare myself from the rod, I was forced to take my hijinks underground. There is definitely something to the saying that preachers’ kids are among the most rebellious. When I turned 14, my life changed dramatically after my mother died of a brain aneurysm. Losing my mother gave me the reason I was looking for to cement my hatred of God and His church. Why would I want to serve a God who would separate a

mother from her son? Why would I want to serve a God who just killed my best friend?

My running from my legacy turned into outright rebellion. When I left home to attend Saint Louis University, I quickly acclimated myself to the college parties. After a year of getting drunk and getting high, my grades were so bad that I was told that I could not remain at the university.

The next semester I enrolled at the University of Missouri— St. Louis. I spent a lot of time by myself, wrestling with my demons. I got serious about my studies and even found my way back to the church. I made peace with God and am glad to say that God received me back like the prodigal son that I was.

As a junior, I made the decision that instead of being a lawyer, saving people from jail, I wanted to be a preacher, saving souls from hell.

Upon graduating from UMSL, I left St. Louis and

n Why would I want to serve a God who just killed my best friend?

went to Princeton University, where I received a Master of Divinity degree. While at Princeton, I met and married the love of my life, Marie. After graduating from Princeton, I worked as a director of a drug rehabilitation center in Paterson, New Jersey. From there I was called to pastor a church in the small town of Clifton located 10 miles west of New York City.

In 2001, I was commissioned as lieutenant in the United States Navy Chaplain Corps. I served two years on a guided missile cruiser stationed at

Letters to the editor

It’s time to rise up

before we get the chance to see how it works in its current form. Fortunately, the string of house joint resolutions by state Representative Dean Plocher (R-St. Louis County) stalled in committee after being referred to the Senate.

Every time you step foot into a voting booth it is not about getting one of those fancy voting stickers. Each time we hope that legislators will stay true to the citizens. In times when they fail, you must understand not to give up. Citizens must remain vigilant and engaged in the process. Do not just sit there feeling defeated; ask, “What can I do about it now?”

Although it is likely that House Bill 126 will be signed by Governor Parson; call to voice your stance on the restrictive bill and request he veto House Bill 126. His office can be reached at P.O. Box 720 Jefferson City, MO 65102, (573) 751-3222. As House Bill 763 makes its way through the Senate, call and urge your state senators to oppose the bill. If you reside in the 5th Senate District, contact (573) 751-4415, Jamilah. Nasheed@Senate.mo.gov; if you are in the 4th Senate District, contact (573)751-3599 Karla.May@Senate.mo.gov. For more information on ballot measures or initiative petitions contact the Secretary of State’s office at (573)7514936. Marty Joe Murray Jr. was elected in 2016 as the Democratic Committeeman in the 7th Ward and currently chairs the 1st Congressional District Committee.

Missouri Gov. Parson should be ashamed of riding the disgraceful coattails of 25 white men in Alabama who just voted to ban safe, legal abortion. Following in their footsteps and those of politicians in Georgia, Ohio, Kentucky, and Mississippi will be disastrous for the patients Planned Parenthood serves and for women all across the country. Women: it’s time to rise up. Politicians have no place in our health care decisions. Every vote to ban abortion is a vote against us. We are counting and we will hold you accountable. It is no coincidence Missouri politicians are moving to ban abortion care within hours of Alabama’s disastrous vote and days after Georgia enacted its own extreme ban. This is a deliberate attempt to bring a direct challenge to Roe v. Wade, and to end the right to access safe, legal abortion in this country.

Dr. Leana Wen, president Planned Parenthood Action Fund

Our doors remain open

Make no mistake, this ban on abortion has nothing to do with the health and safety of patients. The 53-page bill is full of medically inaccurate information and false statements about abortion. Bans on abortion are clear messages of lawmakers taking control over patients’ reproductive health decisions. Medical decisions should be made by a patient in consultation with

Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Halfway through my tour, I received a message that my next duty station would be none other than St. Louis, as a chaplain for the Coast Guard station downtown. These orders brought me back home and completed the circle that God had drawn before I was born.

My father, Bishop Jesse Battle Jr., retired from fulltime pastoring in 2014 and recommended to the Board of Directors that I be selected as his successor. I was unanimously approved as the third pastor and have been the pastor of the House of Deliverance church for the past five years. I am not only back in St. Louis, pastoring a church that I grew up in, but I am also a student at UMSL once again. I am two years into a PhD program in political science. As the name of our church implies, I see the calling on my life as an agent of deliverance. My heart’s desire is to spread the message of deliverance to everyone and especially the struggling, hurting and disaffected. The same God who rescued me and preserved my life is waiting to do the same for them. St. Louis is in need of social and spiritual renewal. My hope and prayer is that the church can fulfill its historic role as a catalyst for healing.

Reverend Eric Fitzgerald Battle is the senior pastor of the House of Deliverance Church of the Apostolic Faith Inc.

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

their doctor. At this moment, abortion is still legal in Missouri and safe, high quality care is available in the state. If this Missouri ban on abortion goes into effect, the additional burden of outof-state travel will be placed on patients. Hope Clinic for Women sees patients from neighboring states, including Missouri on a daily basis. It witnesses firsthand the barriers patients are already facing to obtain abortion care and that restricting access to abortion has devastating consequences for patients, their families and their communities. Our doors remain open for any patient who needs abortion care. We will do everything in our power to make sure that further barriers like expenses associated with seeking this care such as traveling long distances, time off from work, and childcare are lessened to the best of our ability.

Dr. Erin King, executive director Hope Clinic

Guest Columnist

Rev. Eric Battle

Guest Columnist Marty Joe Murray Jr.

Outdoors fun made easier

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) now offers a free mobile app – MO Outdoors. MO Outdoors users can quickly and easily find MDC outdoor offerings based on the types of outdoor activities they want to enjoy.

MO Outdoors can help users find MDC conservation areas, fishing accesses, hiking trails, shooting ranges, and nature centers around the state based on their desired types of outdoor activities, including birdwatching, camping, fishing, hiking, hunting, or shooting.

MO Outdoors also connects users to area regulations and season information, hours of operation, images, area closings, and interactive maps of area boundaries and features. The map function also displays features such as parking lots, boat ramps, and wildlife viewing areas, and allows users to easily navigate to the features using their device’s GPS. Users can also download maps for offline use.

MO Outdoors and MDC’s other free apps – MO Hunting, MO Fishing, and MO Con Mag – are available for download through Google Play for Android devices or the App Store for Apple devices.

Neckties for school kids

Last fall, University City High School launched “Tied to Greatness” a tie drive in which the high school started collecting new or gently used neckties to be given to students taking part in mentoring programs. Since the launch, there has been an overwhelming response with neckties and dress shirts being donated to the school. To donate a necktie or other clothing item, please visit www.ucityschools.org/T2G.

North St. Louis is dying death by death

By Dorothy Dempsey For The St. Louis American

North St. Louis is a living testament of a city in decay. There have been five people shot in the 4000 block of Shreve and Kossuth in one night with four now dead. There was another death in the 4800 block of Kossuth and another man shot in the leg on Shreve and Anderson – all within less than one month.

Churches in the Penrose neighborhood are on shutdown after hours because of the robberies and break-ins.

Where are the police? Police security should be on high alert in an area like this. We don’t even know what a police car looks like cruising through the Penrose area of North St. Louis.

People are asking: where in the world do all the guns come from? Does the Penrose area have a gun stockade? It is like a war zone in the Penrose area, with gunshots every single day and night. The police seem to be lying low just like the drug dealers, afraid that they may be the next victims in line. It is understandable. Police are humans. They have loved ones and a life, and we empathize with them. But it is like the roaring days of gangsters and mobsters, and there seems to be no end in sight.

A policeman’s duty is to serve and protect; this is what they signed on to do. If the job is too dangerous for them, then they need to move on and just stop receiving a paycheck every payday from the citizens’ hard-earned tax money.

When you call to ask for the 6th District police captain, he is never available and they never know when he will be back. Many have tried to speak with him, especially after a neighborhood meeting where he spoke of his availability to the people.

It has not always been like this. A previous police captain a few years back in the 6th District was very accessible, and it meant a lot to the people.

The total lawlessness of St. Louis and the Penrose area is heartbreaking. It’s not only the police, but also others in high office who do not follow the rules of responsibility, truth and honor. The people of the City of St. Louis are suffering from the gross neglect of people who just do not care.

Where do we go from here? Where we go from here is to come together with qualified black folks around the table working together with qualified others to put St. Louis back together again. When the city has been fixed, then maybe we can talk about togetherness.

Putting St. Louis back together again expediently as possible should be top of the priority list. The police department should be a top priority. Time is a very precious commodity, and St. Louis does not have a lot of time. We are dying death by death.

U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters, a Vashon Hall of Famer from the Class of 1956, visited her alma mater to speak with students as part of the Sister Circle team leadership forum on Monday, May 13.

Maxine at Vashon

Dorothy Dempsey

Photo by Wiley Price

LEFLORE

Continued from A1

lived. Powell referred to her as a “supernatural word warrior.” And it was made clear that she was black girl magic long before the term was coined.

“LeFlore ranks with the great jazz poet Jane Cortez in her use and knowledge of musical forms and history –and the cross-fertilization of literary musical forms and techniques,” said Eugene B. Redmond, poet laureate of East St. Louis. “She eloped with language and stayed married to music all her days.”

Though a handful of ministers and people of the faith offered words of tribute to her life, LeFlore essentially eulogized herself with her most notable poems read by others throughout the service.

“I Have Known Women” and “I Am The Black Woman” were among the half dozen of her poems recited by Cheeraz Gormon, Maurice Minor, Cheryl D.S. Walker, and Jacqui Germain.

Other presenters used the creativity she inspired to deliver original works.

“Forty-plus years ago, I was captured by her charm,” Marsha Cann recited. “I wanted more of Shirley LeFlore, so I stayed around. Shirley was bad – not bad bad, but bad good. I thought she was standing on a mountain when she talked about life. Then I realized that she was the mountain – and the sky above it.”

According to Rudy Nickens, LeFlore was also a sanctuary.

“I’m glad we are in this church today, but what I’ve always known is that wherever Shirley was, there was church,” Nickens said. “She made church every day.

Shirley Joyce Bradley Price LeFlore lived her baptismal covenant better than any person I have ever met –ordained or lay. She knew what it meant to love your neighbor as yourself.”

Matriarch cut from a different cloth

As a little girl, Hope PriceLindsay remembered wanting a mother who was more like June Cleaver of the 1950s television classic “Leave it to Beaver.” Her mother lived in defiant opposition of the norms and expectations of the mothers of her day. LeFlore dressed in African garb and lived an artist’s life.

“As I get older, I find myself becoming my mother – and I can so appreciate the woman that she was,” PriceLindsay said. “One of the most admirable things about my mother, in addition to her talent and creativity, was her spirit and humility. Being an artist, sometimes life served her caviar and champagne, and other times bone soup. She had the courage to be true to herself. She lived for her art, which sustained her

spirit.”

Not conforming to norms and expectations continued as LeFlore’s family expanded into its next generation.

“She wasn’t the type of grandmother who was knitting sweaters and baking cookies, but she gave us so much more,” Noelle Lindsay-Stewart said of her grandmother. Instead, LeFlore would share stories and cart them out way past their bedtime to smoky jazz lounges or to the homes of her musician friends to hear them jam.

“Those are the moments that I’ll really miss,” LindsayStewart said. “She fostered our creativity and our call to service and social justice.”

As her three daughters, two granddaughters and two grandsons spoke, they talked about continuing the family tradition of writing and poetry. Her 5-year-old granddaughter Bella Ituen read an original poem. Bella’s mother Lyah Beth LeFlore-Ituen read a poem written by LeFlore’s grandmother.

“She got it from her mama, who got it from her mama, who got it from her mama,” LeFlore-Ituen said.

Rivers of influence

Her influence was unique and broad reaching. She had a U.S. congressman and a representative of her beloved Carr Square Village community speak with equal passion and fervor about the impact she had on them. Unlike most services where a proclamation is given and standard remarks are delivered, political leaders and dignitaries shared personal stories about LeFlore and her influence on their lives.

“To me, Shirley LeFlore was family,” Comptroller Darlene Green said. “She was smart and funny, sassy and brassy. And I happened to love the way she said my name –always smiling with her little raspy voice. She was a gifted and creative artist. She loved her craft and was loved by so many.”

Alderwoman Marlene Davis spoke on behalf of her 19th Ward, but also on behalf of her family. She said LeFlore helped her raise her siblings when Davis’ parents passed away. Davis spoke of the shy, introverted younger sister whom LeFlore pulled out of her shell by engaging her through poetry.

“Shirley turned her into a poet who was ready to stand before people and speak her

words,” Davis said. “Not only did she speak her words, but she is published in the Library of Congress. She gave so much to not only this community, but to this world.”

Recently retired 18th Ward Alderman Terry Kennedy was introduced to LeFlore as a small boy, when she and his older sister were in the same Girl Scout troupe. He seemed to invoke her style of delivery in remarks that resembled poetry.

“There was a mighty spirit amongst us. Small in stature, big at heart. We called her ‘Shirley,’” Kennedy said. “It was a mighty spirit in a little, bitty body with a raspy voice that would say things in a way that would make you go, ‘Mmmm.’”

He also used LeFlore’s

words to comfort guests, reciting “Breathprints” from her book of poetry entitled “Brassbones and Rainbows.”

“Light a candle for me. Say a prayer. Whisper me into the wind. Lay a love wreath on the altar of your heart and remember my good days amongst you. Weep if you must. It’s good to unburden your tears, but make brief your grief,” Kennedy said as he recited LeFlore.

“Let the joy of my laughter comfort you. My spirit will be the music above your head, my love like the wind beneath your wings to lift you in your weary years so that you may see the sunrise. All is well with my soul.”

Continued from A1 politicians. There will be those who will frame my decision as selfish or rash, or who will want to try to reframe this story from what it should be about – my decision to take care of my mental health and to share my story so that it can help others to do the same. Those who know me know that I am a person who doesn’t let his pride overpower his judgment. Real leadership means doing what’s necessary to be the most effective you can be. I will continue to do the work of the people, no longer as an elected official, but as an advocate for social justice, as a disruptor to the status quo and as a champion of change. I’m a soldier, and soldiers belong on the battlefield. My battlefields are communities that are still fighting for black lives, racial equity, voting rights, criminal justice reform, gender equality, public education, LGBTQ rights, and livable wages. So, while I am resigning my title and seat in this body, I am not resigning my role as a leader for my community — instead, just redesigning it to be the most effective I can be. So that includes taking care of my mental health and advocating that others in my community do the same. Thank you to my constituents for the privilege of serving you. I will continue to fight on your behalf. Thank you to the members of the House of Representatives. I have made many friends here both Democrat and Republican, whom I will hold dear for life. I have also made foes here — both Democrat and Republican. I will continue to show up, knock on your doors and hold you accountable. Above all, thank you to my kids for keeping me grounded and forcing me to think about how I can be the best version of myself. State Rep. Bruce Franks Jr. (D-St. Louis) represented District 78 in the Missouri House of Representatives.

East St. Louis Poet Laureate Eugene B. Redmond remembered Shirley LeFlore during her homegoing service at Christ Church Cathedral on Friday, May 17.

Photo by Maurice Meredith

MEMORIAL

Continued from A1

after he died,” Cheryl said. Even though she was only 7 at the time, she will never forget the date of his death because it was the day after her niece was born and several days before her youngest sister was born.

Le Roy Gee is among 59 men from East St. Louis who are listed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial located at 1601 Piggott Ave. in East St. Louis’ Lincoln Park.

Established in 1997, the memorial is a polished black granite stone with the 59 names etched into it, along with the dates that the men died in combat. Two of the names are men who were missing in action. Above the names, it reads: “Remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice.”

The iconic bronze sculpture of three Vietnam soldiers walking into combat is embedded into the top of the stone.

Like Gee, each of the men listed have a story – and the community needed a place where these stories could be shared and remembered, Ballard said. Around 1994, a group of East St. Louis Vietnam Veterans got together and decided to honor their brothers who were killed or missing in action.

The four veterans leading the project, including Ballard, did research and raised funds for three years before the memorial became a reality – with the support of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 3480, the East St. Louis Jaycees, and the East St. Louis Park Board.

Up until a few years ago, the memorial simply consisted of the stone. However, the East St Louis Business Development Chamber of Commerce received a grant to put in a plaza with benches and landscaping, which was completed in 2015. Although the memorial has been there for many years, Ballard said he still has people coming up to him saying that they didn’t know it existed.

n “Hopefully some of the relatives who are no longer living in the area realize it’s here and come out to see it.”

– Henry Ballard

Gee’s family is among those who didn’t know about the memorial. This Memorial Day – on Monday, May 27 –Ballard wanted to make sure that the relatives of these men knew they had a place to pay tribute to their loved ones.

“Hopefully some of the relatives who are no longer living in the area realize it’s here and come out to see it,” Ballard said. He also wanted the community to know that they are allowed to leave flowers. Ballard served in North Vietnam with the U.S. Navy for eight months, working to put war-damaged ships back into service. He served in the Navy a total of four years. About 10 of the people on the memorial were Ballard’s friends from high school. There are also several East St. Louis High School alumni

remembered as well. They were guys that loved to have fun, he said, and all had bright futures ahead of them.

Cheryl Gee remembers when the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall, a smaller version of the wall in Washington, D.C., traveled through Granite City.

“It was tearful looking at all the names that was on that wall and seeing someone in your family listed among them,” Cheryl said. “He was still a child. He really did come from a family that loved him.”

Recently, someone from the Wall of Faces tracked her down to find a photo of Le Roy for the website. She had to dig through the family files, but she was able to provide one.

“I wanted that connection and the information out there,” she said. “When I was finally able to get her a picture, it was one of those unexplained

things. It was an indescribable emotion, to have him be remembered.”

Cheryl believes she will have a similar reaction when she sees the East St. Louis memorial for the first time this weekend. She commends the work of the East St. Louis Vietnam Veterans and those around the country who have worked so hard to preserve the memory of these fallen soldiers.

Cheryl’s brother Samuel T. Gee was 3 when his uncle Le Roy died. But what he does know is that Le Roy was part of a family – and particularly a pack of brothers – who held family as their top priority.

“You can have a lot of things but the most important thing was love, and it lasts a lifetime,” Samuel said. “You can’t scrub it off. It’s all in you. That’s what they showed us.”

Henry Ballard was one of the Vietnam Veterans who established the Vietnam Veterans Memorial located at 1601 Piggott Ave. in East St. Louis’ Lincoln Park.

Photo by Wiley Price

Where ‘the buck’ stops at the thuggish Post-Dispatch editorial board

Thug gonna be thug.

That is the point that Political EYE drew from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch editorial on the resignation of state Rep. Bruce Franks Jr. (D-St. Louis). The thug, in this instance, is certainly not Franks, who counts civic leadership (at the street level – Cherokee Street, that is) and youth mentoring among his life and career experiences. The thug is the Post-Dispatch editorial board.

The Post is still huffing on that crack pipe of swirling, unsourced rumors of federal investigation into black leadership – even when it’s nested under white leadership, as is the case of Franks in what the Post surmises (without any evidence) to be Franks’ real reason for resigning. This takes some explaining.

Franks’ stated reason for resigning is that he has mental health issues that compel his attention. He has spoken of grappling with depression, anxiety and trauma, which includes survivor’s trauma, an effect of living through the deaths of a great many family members and friends. Tragically, these conditions and experiences are shared by too many young black people who grow up in St. Louis, especially young black men. What is more

rare is for someone from this community to admit that they need professional help and to seek it.

The Post-Dispatch editorial board does not include anyone who is black or young. Its seven members include five white men, one Hispanic man (admittedly, Hispanic people often can and do identify as white, but we’re trying to give the Post the benefit of a diversity doubt here) and one white woman. Its youngest member, according to the Post website, is 48, and that notyoung not-black man lives on the not-mean streets of Washington, Missouri; at the 2010 Census, Washington’s population was nearly 97 percent white.

None of these people is black or young, and none is a medical professional specializing in depression, anxiety or trauma. Yet they published an editorial in the voice of the Post that dismissed Franks’ own explanation for why he resigned from his seat in the State House of Representatives. Without evidence, they stated that Franks really resigned because he misrepresented the hours he worked mentoring youth with a non-profit agency that has a contract with the City of St. Louis via the St. Louis Agency

on Training and Employment (SLATE).

This matter came out of reporting done by Lauren Trager for KMOV based on time sheets submitted by Franks that reported him doing mentoring work at times when Franks’ real-time self-reports on social media revealed him doing something else. Franks has admitted that some of his time sheets recorded the incorrect hours he worked, but denied the insinuation that he billed his employer (and the city paying for the work) for work that he did not do.

“Although some of the times reported may have been off, the actual work and amount of hours are all accurate, as well as the day those hours were worked,” Franks wrote in this paper. In this work, Franks was a 24-hour mentor, available to youth at all times; talking about this aspect of the work, Franks has said that youth don’t only need help between 9 and 5. However, according to someone who worked for SLATE when Franks filed

these time sheets, many aspects of work at SLATE were irregular and out of step dating back to the administration of Mayor Francis G. Slay, and it’s believable that someone working on a new, indeed innovative schedule – that of 24-hour mentor – would misreport his hours according to a more conventional time clock.

To be clear: people who report the hours they work should report the actual hours they work. This is especially true of elected officials, such as Franks, and even more importantly true for black elected officials in a media market like St. Louis where black elected officials are mainstream media click bait. Clearly, Franks should have accurately reported his hours. However, if he and his supervisors testify that he worked as many hours as he claimed that he worked, it is extremely difficult to imagine any serious repercussions coming from this misdeed or mistake.

Keep in mind that we are talking about a $15 an hour part-time job. Yes, this frightful boondoggle that allegedly chased a talented (and popular) legislator from public office concerns misrepresenting when he worked hours he would testify that he did work for the grand sum of $15 per hour. This makes it especially thuggish for the Post editorial board to compare Franks to disgraced St. Louis County Executive Steve Stenger, who admitted to fraudulently awarding six-figure public

contracts while raising campaign sums in the seven figures. Those are the numbers that engage federal prosecutors, not $15 an hour paid for working the wrong hours recorded on a time sheet.

And yet the thugs at the Post can’t keep their mouths off that crack pipe of unsourced rumors of federal investigation into black leadership. In this smug editorial about why Franks “really” resigned, the Post dribbles out the following obscene piece of journalismlike product: “St. Louis city officials have alluded to a federal investigation involving SLATE ...” This claim must be taken apart piece by piece, since this drivel is used to insinuate that Franks is not seeking help for medical issues but rather “really” fleeing a federal investigation into what the Post is hinting is his corruption.

Let’s start with “a federal investigation.” In fact, according to reliable sources at SLATE, the U.S. Department of Labor is auditing the agency’s books and time sheets. That does, in fact, constitute “a federal investigation.” It does not, however, constitute a federal criminal investigation by the long arm of the Department of Justice, though that is the clear implication of the Post comparing Franks to Stenger and using the criminally vague phrase “a federal investigation.” It’s also impossible to refute this claim because, as the thugs at the Post know, the DOJ neither confirms nor denies its investigations until it’s

Photo by Wiley Price

indictment time. And then there is this putrid piece of language: “St. Louis city officials.” The Post endorsed the makeStenger-king Better Together proposal for merging city and county governments, so they know how fragmented our government is. This makes “city officials” such a criminally vague phrase that the dog catcher could be the Post’s source. However, “city officials” clearly could include people in the administration of Mayor Lyda Krewson. In that case, these rumors are being swirled by officials ultimately responsible for SLATE. Yet the Post does not follow the swirling rumor to the top and make any attempt to hold Krewson responsible. But, one might object, that would not be fair. Ah, but the Post spent more than a year attacking then County Executive Charlie Dooley (in news stories and on the Tony Messenger-led editorial page) for alleged corruption in his administration. Those stories and editorials were all warmed up with rumors of federal investigations into Dooley (stories placed, in many cases, by none other than Stenger), although Dooley denied he was being investigated and was never charged. When the Post endorsed its prize source – Stenger – over Dooley, it did so with a political cartoon of Dooley and the phrase “the buck stops here.” Clearly, for the Post, “the buck” stops at the top when a black man is at the top. But not when a white person is sitting at the top. Indeed, here Krewson’s own administration seems to be swirling the rumors about an alleged “federal investigation” of one its own departments, but those rumors don’t swirl to the top. They settle down at the bottom. In this case, for the Post, “the buck” stops at the black man getting paid $15 an hour.

State Rep. Bruce Franks Jr. (D-St. Louis) spoke

‘Adulting’ with sickle cell anemia

Transition clinics help young patients aging out of pediatric care

By Sandra Jordan Of The St. Louis American

Moving from childhood to adolescence into adulthood brings its own milestones, freedoms and responsibilities of growing up. For a young person with a chronic or an inherited health condition, such as sickle cell anemia, the transition can be overwhelming going from pediatric care to adult health care. That transition is being made smoother by the Adolescent and Young Adult Transition Clinic for Sickle Cell Disease, located at Christian Hospital and the Center for Advanced Medicine.

“As they are getting older and going into that adult side, we have found that that’s when the mortality and the morbidity start to rise,”

n “The most common presenting complaint is pain, but sickle cell patients are at super-high risk for stroke.”

– Cecelia Calhoun, M.D.

said pediatric oncologist Cecelia Calhoun, M.D. She and Allison King, M.D. treat young adult patients at the transition clinics.

“Transitioning to an adult as a teenager is hard, and then you add on a chronic disease – one that causes pain, one that has very limited therapies and cures – it’s

a challenging space for our teens,” Calhoun said. “We are trying to capture as many patients as we can, because a lot of people fall off. Consequently, they get a lot of their care in the emergency department, which is not good.”

Transition readiness is not just an age, she said. Under pediatric care, children become more actively involved in conversations about their care as they age, making sure that youth understand their medications – even as early as 12 years of age. Using patient input from a transition readiness assessment form from the American Society of Hematology and the patient’s full medical history, doctors determine if the teen is at the right the

See SICKLE, A13

Abortion ban puts Missouri mothers at greater risk

Threatens criminal penalties for delivering evidence-based, necessary health care

By Missouri Section of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

The Missouri Section of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists strongly opposes HB 126, a medically unjustified and dangerous bill. It represents unnecessary political interference in the patient-provider relationship, granting politicians final decision-making power over individual health care decisions specific to pregnancy with no acknowledgement of its complicated and unpredictable nature.

n Missouri currently stands at 41 out of 50 states, making us one of the states with the highest rates maternal mortality and morbidity. This legislation will only serve to increase the numbers in Missouri.

As providers of obstetric care, we all too often see the real risks of pregnancy – risks that only increase as pregnancy progresses, and risks that can lead to serious morbidity and even mortality. Missouri currently stands at 41 out of 50 states, making us one of the states with the highest rates maternal mortality and morbidity. This legislation will only serve to increase the numbers in Missouri and put our patients at a greater risk.

The decision about whether or not to continue a pregnancy is deeply personal and private. We believe our patients to be thoughtful and capable of considering their own personal circumstances, together with the counsel of trusted health care providers and loved ones. Politics must remain firmly outside of these decisions.

Ob-gyns and other women’s health care providers should not be threatened with criminal penalties for delivering evidence-

Missouri passes eight-week abortion ban

Asked about lack of rape or incest exceptions, Parson says, ‘All life has value to us’

By Jason Rosenbaum and Rachel Lippmann Of St. Louis Public Radio

Missouri lawmakers sent legislation banning abortion after eight weeks to Gov. Mike Parson, the culmination of an emotional and contentious week that ended with many of the GOP governor’s priorities accomplished.

The House voted 110-44 to send state Rep. Nick Schroer’s abortion bill to the governor on Friday, May 17. It would ban abortion after eight weeks if a heartbeat or brain activity is detected. And the measure would bar abortion

completely, except in medical emergencies, if Roe v. Wade is overturned. Doctors who violate the bill’s provisions could face felony charges and jail time. If that eight-week ban is struck down, there is language in the bill that would increase the amount of time a woman could get an abortion. The first tier is 14 weeks. If that is overturned by a court, the state would have an 18-week ban. And if that doesn’t hold up, Missouri would bar abortions after 20 weeks.

A12

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • MAY 23 – 29, 2019

Brittany Butts checks in with Dr. Cecelia Calhoun at the Adolescent and Young Adult Transition Clinic for patients living with sickle cell disease at the Center for Advanced Medicine in St. Louis.

Photo by Wiley Price

House Speaker Elijah Haahr spoke to news reporters on the last day of the legislative session in Jefferson City on Friday, May 17.

Photo by Carolina Hidalgo / St. Louis Public Radio

Gun rights fears kill Rx monitoring program in Missouri

Every other state uses database designed to help spot the abuse of prescription drugs

By Lauren Weber Of Kaiser Health News

Missouri retained its lonely title as the only state without a statewide prescription drug monitoring program — for the seventh year in a row — after the legislative session ended Friday.

Patient advocates, politicians, experts and members of the medical community had hoped this would finally be the year Missouri would create a statewide electronic database designed to help spot the abuse of prescription drugs. After all, Republican Gov. Mike Parson had pushed for it and, more important, its longtime opponent was no longer in office to block it. But, because of ongoing fears about privacy violations tangled up with gun control, the bill never got a full Senate vote.

Katie Reichard, a lobbyist with Missouri Primary Care Association who has been working in and around the Missouri legislature for almost 15 years and previously pushed for the issue, said this proposal has bedeviled the state capital as none other while the opioid crisis continues to rage nationwide.

“I’ve never seen anything take seven years to get anywhere,” Reichard said, “and especially something that’s going to be put into place to save lives.”

Missouri’s cities, neighboring states and the federal government have been forced to create a patchwork of incomplete workarounds. Those

SICKLE CELL

Continued from A12

maturity level to go to the adult clinic. That could be at age 18 for some young adults and age 20 for others.

“We make sure they feel comfortable talking on their own and are mostly comfortable with tasks that are necessary for selfmanagement,” Calhoun said. She said the transition clinic also sees young adult patients who were in pediatric care at other health facilities as well. When young adults visit the clinic, they learn expectations and set goals for their managing their own care. The transition clinic sees 18- to 26-year-olds. Sickle cell disease, diagnosed during infancy

BAN

Continued from A10

“So, in sum, this bill is undoubtedly the most comprehensive, the most legally sound legislation not only in this state, but in this nation,” said Schroer, R-O’Fallon.

Proponents see Schroer’s bill as a culmination of decades of advocacy against abortion rights. State Rep.

ABORTION

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include a voluntary program tracking patients’ prescriptions run by St. Louis County that receives federal funding and a statewide monitoring system put into place by former Republican Gov. Eric Greitens that tracks physicians’ prescriptions.

And yet, the state cannot seem to legislate a complete fix. “It’s frustrating to watch the rest of the country get this done and watch Missouri be the last one,” said interim St. Louis County Executive Sam Page, the St. Louis County prescription drug monitoring program architect.

To be sure, the databases don’t eliminate the ability of drug abusers to acquire prescription opioids. But the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has called such statewide patient monitoring databases “among the most promising state-level interventions” to improve opioid prescribing and protect at-risk patients. It’s an embarrassment Missouri can’t figure out its own statewide system, often referred to as a PDMP, according to St. Joseph pharmacist JulieMarie Nickelson. “No one in the pharmacy or medical world really understands it,” she said.

While a PDMP bill has been introduced every year in the Missouri legislature since 2005, it was initially championed by the minority Democratic Party, which meant it didn’t have much of a shot at passing until 2012.

Then New Hampshire approved a statewide program

through newborn screenings, is an inherited blood disorder that occurs when normally round red blood cells are sickleshaped and don’t carry oxygen as well throughout the body. The sickled cells sometimes gather and become lodged in smaller blood vessels – causing extreme pain episodes and blocking blood flow, which can lead to serious health complications – higher risk of stroke, organ damage and shorter life spans. Sickle cell disease is not limited to painful episodes.

Calhoun said inside the body, sickle cell anemia damages the organs and affects brain cognition.

“The most common presenting complaint is pain, but sickle cell patients are at super-high risk for stroke,” Calhoun said, adding that

Holly Rehder, R-Sikeston, told her colleagues how she became pregnant at 15 — and had to subsequently deal with homelessness and poverty.

“And I do care for those who’ve gone through poverty after they are born? I’ve lived it,” Rehder said. “Pregnant and homeless at 15? I’ve lived it. With a family that I couldn’t turn to? I’ve lived it. And this bill is the right thing to do.”

But Democrats contend the bill is unconstitutional. They also believe the measure

in 2012, leaving Missouri as the sole holdout. That pressure, combined with an uptick in awareness of drug abuse, led to a swell of bipartisan agreement.

A statewide PDMP bill passed the Missouri House handily that year, then met its biggest adversary: Republican state Sen. Robert Schaaf, whose district stretched from Kansas City to St. Joseph along Missouri’s western border.

Since then, Schaaf — who is also a family physician — filibustered or insisted on kill clauses that would never pass the House, citing his concerns over privacy and personal liberty issues along with his belief it was an ineffective tool. Year after year, his efforts would defeat PDMP bills.

Schaaf has said the risk of a database of patient information being hacked — and the government having access to the information — far outweighed the potential benefits. He also tapped into

underlying fears of privacy violations, driven in part by a 2013 scandal over the Missouri Highway Patrol turning over a database of concealed weapons permit holders to a federal agent.

“I’ve always been opposed to taking private citizens’ information and putting it on a government database to which many, many people have access,” he told Kaiser Health News. “My understanding is there is no computer information to which the NSA is not privy. How long is it going to be ’til this is used to pare down the number of people with concealed weapons or weapons at all?”

By stoking privacy fears and connecting them to gun rights, Schaaf also helped tap into grassroots far-right opposition that lives on to this day. A YouTube video tweeted by this year’s anti-PDMP supporters details how the St. Louis County monitoring

n “As they are getting older and going into that adult side, we have found that that’s when the mortality and the morbidity start to rise.”

– Cecelia Calhoun, M.D.

seeing an 8-year-old girl who had a stroke and could not move one side of her body brought her into this field of medicine.

“We can’t just say you are turning a certain age, and ‘we’re good’ because we know that even if you have no changes on your MRI, you can have a loss in IQ points that can affect your quality of life –and all because of your sickle cell disease – not because you have any other thing going on.”

A child is born with sickle cell disease if he or she inherits

will saddle the state with years of protracted litigation. And state Rep. Cora Faith Walker, D-Ferguson, sharply questioned why Republicans weren’t more focused on reducing mortality rates among black women giving birth.

“If we believed in life, I would not be afraid to have a child right now,” Walker said. “Because the likelihood of me dying in childbirth is four times higher.”

Most Democrats were

the sickle cell gene from both parents. If each parent carries the sickle cell trait, the child has a one in four chance of having full-blown sickle cell disease. It is more prevalent among persons of African, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean descent.

Monica Hulbert, M.D., a pediatric hematologist at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, said treatment and care for persons with sickle cell anemia has improved over the years, changing the approach to treating pain episodes by using

especially critical of the lack of exceptions for rape and incest. That included House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, a Springfield Democrat who was a victim of sexual abuse.

“I hope every time the rest of you see me in this hallway that you think of the story I told you from my trauma, from my abuse,” Quade said. “That abuse does not define me, but it is me. I think about it every day. I relive it in my most intimate moments with my very own husband. When you

system could be used in “passing your personal information on to the federal government, which could use it to infringe on your right to bear arms.”

To date, the only reported hack has been of Virginia’s PDMP database, though it is unclear if the hackers were able to access medical records.

Over the years, Missouri’s PDMP advocates, led by Republican state Rep. Holly Rehder, unsuccessfully tried to assuage such concerns by offering amendments to delete records older than three years and ensure medical information could not be tied to buying a gun. And while Schaaf did an about-face in 2017 and agreed to stop filibustering the proposal, he effectively killed it with his only stipulation: that all physicians be required to use it. That measure, which took away the inherent voluntary aspect of the PDMP, failed in the House.

“If they’re going to take our liberty away for something that’s never been proven to work, doctors have to use it,” Schaaf told Kaiser Health News.

The former head of the St. Louis County Health Department, Faisal Khan, who in 2017 helped start the voluntary county-based PDMP program that now covers other portions of the state, claims the opposition goes deeper than what he called “totally unfounded” privacy concerns.

“They view St. Louis County and St. Louis city

maintenance medication to prevent them altogether or to at least lessen pain crises.

Hulbert said, “Since 2014, it’s recommended that all children with severe manifestations of sickle cell disease should be treated with a medication called hydroxyurea, which is a daily oral medication that kids can take at home that reduces the likelihood of the red blood cells to sickle, reduces the chances of having a pain crisis, and also helps to protect their organs – like their kidneys, their lungs and their heart.”

Hulbert said there are other treatments in development that are options for some patients with sickle cell disease.

“Some patients get blood transfusions regularly, some patients can even be eligible for a bone marrow transplant, and

each see me in this hallway, remember what you’re doing to little girls who were like me.” Parson, who said he would sign the bill, was asked multiple times during his press availability about the lack of rape or incest exceptions.

“I think that all life has value to us,” he said. “I’ve been pretty clear about that my entire career. And I’m going to stand up for people that don’t have a voice. And everybody should have a right

n Ob-gyns and other women’s health care providers should not be threatened with criminal penalties for delivering evidence based, necessary health care.

based, necessary health care. HB 126 would force clinicians to decide between their patient’s needs and facing criminal proceedings. All clinicians must be able to practice medicine that is informed by their years of medical education, training, experience, and the available

evidence, freely and without threat of criminal punishment. As women’s health care physicians dedicated to

meeting the reproductive health care needs of Missourians, we urge the governor to veto this legislation. Health care

and St. Louis, in general, as this liberal Democratic bastion that they don’t want anything to do with,” he said. “It’s the usual nonsense that we’re seeing around the country at the moment, and it’s stymying progress in the parts of the state where we need it the most.”

But this year, Schaaf had hit his term limit of eight years in office and did not return to the Missouri Senate. Finally becoming like every other state seemed within reach — until a group of six Republican state senators formed a new conservative caucus and filibustered yet again over the issue, citing the same privacy issues and civil liberties.

“The conservative caucus has carried his torch on,” Reichard said.

Now, because the legislature has refused to move on the issue, cities, states and the federal government must continue to rely on the stopgaps they created to help address the opioid problem ravaging Missouri.

Today, 72 jurisdictions have opted into St. Louis County’s voluntary prescription drug monitoring system so pharmacists and doctors could check a patient’s other prescriptions. It now covers 84 percent of the state’s population. Even St. Joseph, one of the areas hardest hit by the opioid epidemic and where Schaaf lives, joined last year.

Lauren Weber: LaurenW@ kff.org, @LaurenWeberHP Edited for space and reprinted with permission from Kaiser Health News.

now we have gene therapy as a potential treatment that is still in research phases,” Hulbert said.

Calhoun said the transition clinic is a space where young people living with sickle cell can get knowledge, gain independence and learn how to take the best care of themselves.

Hulbert said progress is being made for persons living with sickle cell disease.

“We are able to offer much better care than what was around 20 or even 10 years ago,” Hulbert said. “And with everybody – researchers and physicians who take care of patients and patients and families themselves – we are all able to work together to make some progress and help people live longer and healthier with better quality of life.”

to life, and I believe that.” Before the House took a vote, demonstrations broke out in the chamber’s gallery. The crowd eventually protested in front of Parson’s office, with some leaving notes on his door demanding that he veto the legislation. Asked what the Democratic caucus can do to fight or roll back abortion restrictions in Missouri, Quade replied: “We can win elections.”

policy must be evidencebased, medically accurate, and grounded in sincere intention to promote the best health outcomes. Founded in 1951, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (The College) is the specialty’s premier professional membership organization dedicated to the improvement of women’s health.

This is not about the

sanctity of life

I told you some years ago that these conservative folks would make being a “gleam in yo’ daddy’s eye” the start of conception. Fast forward and we see the aggressive attack on abortion rights by Republican lawbreakers.

Several southern states have just passed “heartbeat” laws, a draconian measure that culminates a multifaceted strategy to slam dunk

the 14th Amendment in the trash bin of U.S. history.

Southern states –including Missouri – have made abortions illegal at six and eight weeks. Alabama’s governor just signed the harshest legislature yet. It makes abortion a felony regardless of circumstances like rape or incest.

We know this is not about the sanctity of life. Most of these

legislatures have ignored lifesaving programs by killing any proposed legislation or de-funding programs.

Missouri Governor Mike Parson jubilantly looks forward

outlines cases of inmate deaths, suicides, rapes, extortion of the families of prisoners, and rampant contraband weapons and drugs—with prison guards leading the lawlessness. For the second time in modern history, the DOJ is threatening to take over the corrupt and lethal prison system.

Over the years, the religious right and other conservative forces have used three basic tactics to get to the destruction of Roe v. Wade, the U.S. Supreme Court case in 1973 where the ruling was based on the 14th Amendment.

Clinics, doctors, other medical personnel and innocent bystanders literally have bull’s eyes on their backs. Since the legalization of abortion, extremists have resorted to arson, stabbings, shootings, stalking, and bombings to get their way.

to signing the anti-abortion bill passed by his GOP posse. Parson claims he wants to make Missouri “one of the strongest pro-life states in the country.” Being pro-life does not begin and end with abortion. When it comes to health and well-being indicators of all Missouri

One of those tactics is to constantly chip away at the law on the state level. For the last couple of decades, anti-choice legislation has been at the top of the Republican’s state and federal agendas. There was not a wholesale attack due to the public’s overwhelming support of a women’s right to choose. With Trump in office, all that’s about civil and human rights have become a punching bag.

n There will be plenty of rallies nationally, but we need to develop some effective counter tactics that make our demands real.

citizens, this state is often at the bottom. Deal with that, Mr. Governor. Alabama needs to be addressing its murderous conditions in its dungeons called prisons. The Department of Justice has spotlighted the inhumane and unconstitutional conditions in the state’s prison system. Its detailed report

The above tactic included defunding of abortion clinics, including clinics like Planned Parenthood that provide a host of services; abortions make up about three percent of its services.

Another tactic is the fear whip. Women seeking abortion services often must pass through a double line of shoutin’, shamin’ antiabortion protestors. For graphic effect, some hold gigantic posters of mutilated fetuses.

Dr. George Tiller was one of the few doctors in the country to perform late-term abortions. He was harassed and threatened for years. Then he was assassinated in his church – not at his clinic. The closing of his clinic soon followed. These effective tactics have led to a dramatic drop in the number of abortion services. Missouri now has only one facility, and that’s Planned Parenthood in St. Louis. The anti-abortion army is not just white zealots, although many white men are the public face of that movement. There are also misguided blacks who cry genocide every so often. The last cry was met with the “Trust Black Women” campaign spearheaded by women of color groups who fight for reproductive justice.

The most lethal tactic that the right is gunning for is getting Roe v. Wade before the conservative U.S. Supreme Court where the hope is that it will be overturned once and for all.

As a black, voting woman, I have serious concerns about my right to exist as a free citizen with all the protected fundamental rights including the power over my own body. Stand up and join the movements to support women and to protect reproductive rights. There will be plenty of rallies nationally, but we need to develop some effective counter tactics that make our demands real. The institutions created to protect those rights must be held accountable.

Columnist Jamala Rogers

Missouri Governor Mike Parson

Business

UMSL recognizes business alumni

Michael

Michael Mohr, Opal Jones, Jessica Portis and Mark Deadwyler honored

in 132 counties across Missouri and Illinois.

Melvin Blanchard, MD, was named to the newly created position of vice chair for education in the Department of Medicine at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. He will continue in his role as director of the department’s Division of Medical Education until a national search is concluded and a replacement is named. The department has named Dominique Cosco, MD, as interim director of the Internal Medicine Residency Program, a role Blanchard also held.

Yvonne Berry was awarded the inaugural Outstanding Field Instructor Award by the School of Social Work at University of Missouri-St. Louis. She is the senior volunteer engagement specialist at the American Red Cross of Missouri and Arkansas. The award recognizes an individual for supporting BSW and MSW students in field internships. She has been at the Red Cross for 40 years and supervised 75 social work students from programs across the region.

American staff

Nearly one-third of graduates from the University of Missouri–St. Louis share one thing in common: an education from the College of Business Administration.

More than 30,000 business professionals hold a UMSL degree, making up the largest alumni network in the St. Louis region. Many of these graduates have become C-level executives, successful entrepreneurs and leaders in companies of all sizes.

The UMSL Alumni Association and UMSL Business Alumni Chapter recognized a sampling of these standout alumni May 1 during the annual Salute to Business Achievement awards ceremony in Anheuser-Busch Hall.

n More than 30,000 business professionals hold a UMSL degree, making up the largest alumni network in the St. Louis region.

supply chain network in the pharmaceutical industry. Teva provides medicines to 200 million people around the world each day.

Prior to joining Teva, Mark led a host of global finance functions over his 26 years at Monsanto, including global supply chain and global research and development. He also served as CFO of the Asia Pacific region.

The $9 million organization has four housing programs and a 24-hour residential care facility.

Jones also serves as president of the National AIDS Housing Coalition, which allows her to meet with other national leaders, legislators and government officials about HIV/AIDS policies. Jones additionally serves on several advisory committees, including Eagle Bank, the Missouri Housing Trust Fund and St. Louis Regional Health Commission.

U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO) was honored for his exemplary leadership in the charter school sector. The award was sponsored by The 74, the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, Walton Family Foundation, #RolandMartinUnfiltered Daily Digital Show, 100 Black Men of America, Inc. and Education Reform Now. The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools is the leading national nonprofit organization committed to advancing the public charter school movement.

Jones, BSBA 2000, MBA 2017, serves as president and CEO of DOORWAYS, an interfaith nonprofit organization in St. Louis that provides housing and support services to people living with HIV/AIDS. DOORWAYS assists more than 3,100 individuals annually

Mohr, BSBA 1992, BS in economics 1992, founded Mohr Advantage in 2018 to assist employers in the areas of sales operations, sales enablement and sales effectiveness. The firm helps employers define, architect and create high-performance sales infrastructures to accelerate profitable revenue growth. Prior to starting the company, Mohr spent 28 years with private, public and S&P 500 companies. He has been involved in 16 corporate acquisitions

The honorees were Mark Deadwyler, Opal Jones, Michael Mohr and Jessica Portis. Deadwyler, MBA 1993, is the senior vice president and chief financial officer of Teva Global Operations, where he is responsible for stewarding the largest manufacturing and See UMSL, B6

‘We don’t know what else we will find’

By Chad Davis Of St. Louis Public Radio

Missouri Auditor Nicole Galloway announced on May 17 that her office will accept the St. Louis County Council’s request to conduct an audit of county government following federal charges against former County Executive Steve Stenger and others. Galloway said the audit will be done by the

n “My office will focus our audit work on county practices relating to contracting and procurement.”

– Missouri Auditor Nicole Galloway

in the

The

and

will

of the development partnership, Sheila Sweeney, pleaded guilty to federal charges for her role in the Stenger illegal activity. Galloway said her department will meet with

See GALLOWAY, B2

Velma Bailey was honored with the Harriett Woods Award for Exemplary Community Service from the League of Women Voters of Missouri. A former teacher and St. Louis alderwoman for the 19th Ward, Bailey founded St. Louis Torchbearers 2 in 2011. This youth development organization trains young people to serve in leadership roles among their peers and in their communities.

Jamal Shaddid of Black Jack received the Multicultural/ International Leadership Award during Missouri State UniversityWest Plains’ annual Celebration of Leaders student awards ceremony April 25 at the West Plains Civic Center. The award recognizes students who make the greatest contribution to and/or exceptionally represents the multicultural/international community through involvement in campus and civic organizations.

Fayeshun D. Brown was selected as the student speaker to deliver the “Words of Inspiration” near the beginning of Webster University’s 2019 Commencement program. She is vice president of Webster’s Student Government Association and volunteers for the

Jamal Shaddid

Yvonne Berry

Fayeshun D. Brown

Velma Bailey Melvin Blanchard, MD

Emanuel Cleaver

Mohr, founder of Mohr Advantage; Opal Jones, president and CEO of DOORWAYS; Jessica Portis, a partner for Mercer Investment Consulting; and Mark Deadwyler, senior vice president and chief financial officer of Teva Global Operations

Photo by Chad Davis / St. Louis Public Radio

$40M graduation gift

Commencement speaker promises to pay off student loans for Morehouse College’s Class of 2019

By Frederick H Lowe Of BlackmansStreet.Today

Black billionaire Robert F. Smith awarded the class of 2019 at Morehouse College for men a gift graduating seniors and their parents won’t ever forget.

Smith, founder, and chair of Vista Equity Partners and a philanthropist, announced on Sunday, May 19 that he would pay off student loan debt for all 400 of the college’s Class of 2019 graduates, which is estimated to be $40 million.

founded in 1867 in the basement of Springfield Baptist Church in Augusta, Georgia to educate black men. The school moved to Atlanta in 1885. Well-known graduates include filmmaker and actor Spike Lee, actor Samuel L. Jackson, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. A large number of Rhodes Scholars have graduated from Morehouse.

n “You great Morehouse men are bound by only the limits of your conviction and your own creativity.”

– Robert F. Smith, founder, and chair of Vista Equity Partners

“My family is going to create a grant to eliminate your student loans,” Smith told seniors during Morehouse’s 135th Commencement address. “You great Morehouse men are bound by only the limits of your conviction and your own creativity.” After he made the announcement, students chanted “MVP.” Morehouse College was

GALLOWAY

continued from page B1

the council to determine what other entities should be subject to review.

Forbes estimates that Vista has assets of $5 billion, making Smith the wealthiest AfricanAmerican man in the U.S. Along with Warren Buffet and Bill and Melinda Gates, Smith is part of a group of American billionaires committed to dispersing their wealth to improve the lives of others. Smith urged graduates to help others.

Smith’s decision to pay off the student loan debt followed his earlier announcement that he would donate $1.5 million to Morehouse. Reprinted with permission from BlackmansStreet.Today.

“The information that has come to light about the actions of Steve Stenger and his administration are deeply troubling,” said Galloway, who came to St. Louis County to announce the audit. “In the wake of these disturbing allegations, my office will focus our audit work on county practices relating to contracting and procurement.”

n The state will conduct forensic and performance audits which will be turned over to law enforcement if possible criminal activity is found.

The state will conduct forensic and performance audits which will be turned over to law enforcement if possible criminal activity is found.

Galloway said the initial field work for the audit will start in June, but the time frame

for the full audit is not yet known. Auditor representatives will be meeting with council officials in the coming weeks to discuss the specifics and the scope of the audit work.

“We don’t know what else we will find in this audit until we begin the work,” Galloway said. “We will be tough, and we will be thorough so we can

UMSL

continued from page B1 that delivered revenue growth ranging from $42 million to $760 million. His past leadership roles include executive positions, sales, sales operations, client relations, product innovation, practice leadership and merger and acquisition consulting. He is a member of the UMSL Finance and Legal Studies Advisory

get answers for taxpayers.”

The council unanimously requested a state audit earlier this month. The request came after Stenger pleaded guilty to public corruption for steering county contracts to campaign donors.

St. Louis Economic Development Partnership Chairman Karlos Ramirez said in a statement that the partnership looks forward to working with Galloway.

“In January, we named Rodney Crim interim CEO and began a comprehensive review of our organization.

Board and has fostered animals for St. Charles County Pet Adoption Center since 2008.

“My family is going to create a grant to eliminate your student loans,” Robert F. Smith told seniors during Morehouse’s 135th Commencement address.

As a result of the review, we have made changes to improve transparency and ensure fair and equitable policies and practices,” Ramirez said. “As a board, we remain committed to the mission of the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership, which is to attract, retain and facilitate the growth of businesses in the St. Louis region.”

Follow Chad on Twitter @ iamcdavis Reprinted with permission from news.stlpublicradio.org.

Portis, BS in accounting 2002, is a partner for Mercer Investment Consulting. She is the firm’s U.S. nonprofit consulting services leader and is responsible for the development and delivery of investment-related services for domestic nonprofit clients. Prior to this role, Portis was responsible for advising nonprofit clients on asset allocation design, investment manager selection and strategy implementation. She is a chartered financial analyst and a member of the CFA Institute and the CFA Society of St. Louis. She serves on the board of directors of the Hawthorn Leadership School for Girls and the Visiting Nurse Association of Greater St. Louis. Portis previously served as chair of the Investment and Audit Committee for the St. Louis Area Foodbank and was on the organization’s board of directors for six years.

“I got to a point awhere I was doing more crying than playing ... I just wanted to lock back in on the game.”

— Draymond Green, on his great play in the Western Conference Finals

Sports

TraCk & FIeld noTebook

~ See ‘Sports

Finalists go to head of the class

Top track athletes will convene in state capital

The top track and field athletes in the state of Missouri will convene in the state capital this weekend for the Missouri State High School Activities Association State Championships at Jefferson City High School.

The competition for Classes 3, 4 and 5 schools will begin on Friday with field events at 9:30 a.m. and the prelim races at 10:30 a.m. On Saturday, the field events will begin at 9:30 a.m. with the championship races set to begin at 11 a.m.

Here are some scenarios to watch out for at this weekend’s state championships.

*Hazelwood West junior Justin Robinson is looking for individual state titles in the Class 5 boys 100-, 200- and 400-meter dashes. He posted sizzling times of 10.52 seconds in the 100, 21.08 in the 200 and 47.17 in the 400 at the Class 5, Sectional 2 meet at Lafayette last Saturday. He is among the nation’s top performers in the 400.

*The race for the Class 3 boys team championship should be a tremendous battle between defending champion Cardinal Ritter and rival Trinity. Both teams will be taking a big group of incredible athletes to the state meet. A pair of the top individuals to watch in this battle will be star sprinters Jameson Williams of Cardinal Ritter and Kemeric Winston of Trinity.

*Senior sprinter Joshua Sutton of MICDS will attempt to repeat as a state champion in the Class 4 boys 100 and 200. Sutton posted fast times of 10.48 in the 100 and 21.26 in the 200 at the Class 4, Sectional 3 meet at Montgomery County.

*There are some tremendous girls’ sprinters from St. Louis who are headed to the state meet in all three classes.

Senior Madison Fuller of John Burroughs will be one of the top sprinters to watch in Class 3. She posted times of 11.7 in the 100, 24.1 in the 200 and 56.5 in the 400, which were all personal bests. The Vanderbilt signee has made a strong comeback from an injury-plagued junior season. Junior Alicia Burnett of Parkway North will

The week leading up to the fight was filled with drama. The fight was called off at least twice. Tyson had gotten his infamous facial tattoo a week before the fight, stopped showing up to training camp, missed a few flights to Memphis and reportedly came down with the flu. When he didn’t show, Etienne and his team left Memphis. Once Tyson finally made his way to town, Etienne initially refused to return. Eventually, both fighters agreed that the show must go on. Neither could afford to pass on the payday and the fight happened on its scheduled date. It lasted all of 49 seconds before a Tyson right hand sent “The Black Rhino” into a deep slumber.

You might expect that after the four-hour drive,

In February of 2003, I recall hopping in the whip for a road trip down I-55S to Memphis, Tenn. It was my second trip to Memphis in an eight-month span, alongside Mike Dickson, my good friend and former co-host of Boxing Addictz and In the Clench YouTube boxing shows. Both trips were to get a glimpse of Mike Tyson aka “The Baddest Man on the Planet.” For the first trip, we simply wanted to be a part of the mega fight experience when Tyson squared off against Lennox Lewis. It was one of the most highly-anticipated heavyweight fights in history. No, we didn’t make it into The Pyramid for the actual fight. Those ticket prices were far beyond our pay grades and baller statuses. Instead, we watched with hundreds of other people at a nearby establishment. The Tyson-Etienne fight was a different story. Gone were the Hollywood celebrities and the sky high ticket prices. It was Tyson’s comeback fight after a disappointing loss of Lewis.

Wilder’s ninth-consecutive title defense was his most exciting. The Barclay’s crowd went crazy. Meme-worthy faces of shock and awe were created as Breazeale crumbled to the canvas. Outside Breazeale and his inner circle, there wasn’t

Earl Austin Jr.

Ishmael H. Sistrunk

Ishmael H. Sistrunk

Hazelwood West junior Justin Robinson will be looking for

dashes. He posted sizzling times of 10.52 seconds in the 100, 21.08 in the 200 and 47.17 in the 400 at the Class 5, Sectional 2 meet at Lafayette last Saturday. He is among the nation’s top performers in the 400.

WBC Heavyweight Champion Deontay Wilder lands a jab as Dominic Breazeale covers up. Wilder knocked out Breazeale in the first round to retain his title.

Photo by Wiley Price

Photo by Tom Casino / Showtime

SportS EyE

With Alvin A. Reid

This black guy has a lot of Blues, hockey memories

Wayne Gretzky was 9 years old when he saw highlights of Bobby Orr’s Game Four Stanley Cup Finals goal that beat the St. Louis Blues 4-3 and brought the NHL championship to Boston for the first time in 29 years.

In an ESPN article celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the NHL in 2017, Orr’s goal for the Bruins was named the most iconic moment in league history.

“There’s some moments in hockey that are just so special that we’ll never be able to ever sort of recreate that moment again,” Gretzky said.

“And that’s one of those iconic moments that we’ll never be able to recreate.”

So, I’ve been waiting 49 years for a chance to watch the Blues win a Stanley Cup Finals game. The time has come. As fate would have it, the Blues will take on the Bruins when the championship series begins on Memorial Day night.

There might have been snow on the ground on May 10, 1970 in Gretzky’s native Ontario, but it was a hot spring day in St. Louis. Here, a fellow 9-year-old was sad that the Blues lost – for the third consecutive year in a Stanley Cup finals sweep.

It was me.

When the NHL expanded from the Original Six, the Blues came into existence. One of the six expansion teams was gifted a trip to the Finals if it won a pair of series against fellow newcomers.

In 1968 and 1969, the Montreal Canadiens swept respective series against the Blues to win the Cup. In 1970, the Bruins were on the way to doing the same thing. But the Blues forced overtime in the fourth game and I just wanted to win one game.

As they say, the rest is history.

I think the Blues will win the first Stanley Cup game in franchise history – I’m not as confident The Cup will tour the region throughout the summer after a Blues’ title win. But the Blues have made believers out of all doubters – and that’s all of us. The team with the lowest point total in the NHL on January 3, now has a chance to be its champion. Go figure. By the way, I wrote a poem that Sunday afternoon in St. Louis honoring Orr. Something along the lines of “The Great Bobby Orr: No. 4.”

Almost 50 years later, I’m still writing about sports. Once again, go figure.

Holiday hockey, holiday blues

I didn’t see my first Blues game until I was 12, in January 1973. St. Louis tied with the expansion Atlanta Flames 3-3.

Just like going to a restaurant or when taking an airplane flight, fans at the game actually dressed nicely. I went with my dad and I had to wear my Sunday school pants.

While that was my first Blues game, I had witnessed the best in collegiate hockey in the Arena. Saint Louis University took part in a twonight event called the Holiday Hockey Tournament. I saw

Brown, Wisconsin and other highly ranked teams during the two years I went. My father was a pressman and he and others got the tickets through work. Hockey still had not become the norm in St. Louis, so college hockey tickets weren’t in high demand.

I’ve mentioned my late father, Robert A. Reid, a couple of times here. The Blues helped me say goodbye to him when he passed away in November 1990, just a few days after Thanksgiving I flew back to St. Louis from Little Rock, Arkansas where I was an editor with the Arkansas Gazette. My dad died suddenly of a heart attack at just 55 years old.

Almost a week would pass before his funeral as family gathered. The evening of November 29, I decided to get my mind off things and go to the Blues game. Gretzky and the L.A. Kings were the opponent.

I didn’t have a ticket. I went to the Arena, held up my index finger and hoped someone would sell me one. Sure enough, a nice guy young man sold me one and jokingly said, “you’ll have to sit with me and my girlfriend.”

It turns out that his friend’s girlfriend could not attend that night, so I got her ticket. I went in and sat down and shortly before the game began, they came in. We chatted a bit and it wasn’t long before I told them I was in

from Little Rock for my dad’s funeral.

One of the guy’s said, “you’re not paying for any beer tonight.” At that time, you could just buy three beers at a time, so throughout the game, we topped off each other’s cups. Two white guys, a white young lady and a black guy in his 30s sharing beers at The Arena.

After a scoreless first period, the Blues stormed to a 4-0 lead in the second period. Brett Hull scored a pair of goals. In the third, the Kings tallied four goals, with Gretzky netting one. The game went to overtime and ended in a 4-4 tie.

I’ll never forget those people, even if I never really knew their names.

Playing hockey

I, and many other black kids in the 1960s, learned how to ice skate. I never played hockey, but I still enjoy renting a pair of size 8 hockey skates at the Kirkwood Community Center rink and buzzing around the ice for 20-30 minutes.

While I never played on ice, we played street hockey all the time. Black boys and white owned hockey sticks, and our neighborhood – which was around Rose Hill Elementary School – actually played other neighborhood teams.

Ray Taylor, a friend of mine and physical education teacher in the Riverview Gardens School District, introduced floor hockey in the gymnasium to his students when he was in the Normandy district.

“When I first told them, the boys said ‘man, don’t nobody want to play hockey.’ We started playing and they realized how athletic a game it is and they had a blast,” he said.

“When we were young, we knew all the Blues players names, we used to watch games on TV seems like every Sunday.”

I think I still have one stick somewhere in my mom’s house in Kirkwood.

Bring back McKegney

The Enterprise Center will host dozens of the Blues’ greatest players when the Stanley Cup Finals return to St. Louis for the first time in 49 years when Game Three is played at the Enterprise Center.

There is one former player the Blues should make sure is here and introduced to the fans – and reintroduced to the hockey world.

He played just two seasons here, 1987-88 and 88-89. He scored 40 goals and played in a team high 80 games that first season, and added 25 goals in 71 games the next year.

He is Tony McKegney –the St. Louis Blues first black player.

In all, McKegney played 912 games over 13 seasons in the NHL, scoring 320 goals with 319 assists for the Buffalo Sabres, Quebec Nordiques, Minnesota North Stars, New York Rangers, Blues, Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks.

When he was 20, McKegney signed a contract to play in the World Hockey Association with the Birmingham franchise.

The team’s owner illegally refused to honor the deal after fans threatened to boycott the team for having a black player.

This was in 1978, folks.

NHL and minor league players of color still face vulgar, racist comments from fans today. You can just imagine what McKegney had to put up with.

Born in Montreal, Quebec, McKegney was adopted by a white family in Sarnia, Ontario and followed in an older brother’s footsteps and played hockey.

His is a story of perseverance that should be shared on the national stage during the

Stanley Cup Finals. It’s one that is part of Blues’ history and should never be forgotten.

The Reid Roundup If the Blues do win the Stanley Cup, I hope it will travel north of Delmar a few times during the offseason … During the dismal first half of the season, I wondered in the Roundup when the Blues would start selling bargain price tickets. I’ll admit I was wrong. I wish other media members would do the same … What must Kevin Durant be thinking now after the Golden State Warriors swept the Portland Trailblazers without him playing a single minute?

Sandy Alcantara, the former St. Louis Cardinals pitcher who was the main player in the deal to acquire outfielder Marcell Ozuna, threw an 89-pitch shutout against the New York Mets last week … Tommy Pham update: .279 batting average with five home runs, 18 RBI and six stolen bases … Of course, of players dealt away in the last year by the Cardinals, New York Yankees first baseman/DH Luke Voit is making the most noise. As of Tuesday, he posted 11 home runs with 34 RBIs and has become a fan favorite … I watched two periods of Sunday’s 5-0 Blues win at San Jose in a place with nine televisions. None of them had the Cardinals’ game on the screen.

Alvin A. Reid was honored as the 2017 “Best Sports Columnist – Weeklies” in the Missouri Press Association’s Better Newspaper Contest and is a New York Times contributor. He is a panelist on the Nine Network program, Donnybrook, a weekly contributor to “The Charlie Tuna Show” on KFNS and appears monthly on “The Dave Glover Show” on 97.1 Talk.” His Twitter handle is @aareid1.

Alvin A. Reid

In an ESPN article celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the NHL in 2017, Bobby Orr’s Game Four Stanley Cup Finals goal for Boston that beat the St. Louis Blues was named the most iconic moment in league history.

From The easT side

With Maurice Scott Jr.

Flyerettes soar as state champions

The East St. Louis Flyerettes won the Illinois Class 2A state championship last weekend in Charleston. It was their first state title since the 2011 season.

The Flyerettes won the state title with 72 points as they won a battle with Springfield Southeast, who finished second with 65 points. This one was special because East Side won the championship in dramatic fashion.

Entering the final event of the day trailing Southeast by three points, the Flyerettes had the capacity crowd at Eastern Illinois University on their feet as they won the finals of the 4x400-meter relay.

Led by Shonjahnea Griggs, Maysha Vickers, Jariah Turner and Faith Mitchell, East St. Louis won the 4x400 in a blazing time of 3 minutes 52.96 seconds, which was just .03 seconds away from the state record.

CLUTCH

Continued from C7

WBO champ, has the most titles. That would make him Cersei Lannister, the current occupant of the Iron Throne. Fury (27-0-1, 19 KO) currently has no titles but is the lineal heavyweight champion. As the Jon Snow of this example, The Gypsy King of the North is the true heir to the throne.

Wilder is often criticized for being the least technically

The Flyerettes rode their outstanding relay teams to the state championship as they also won the 4x100- and 4x200-meter relays as well as the 4x400.

Junior Veronica Sherrod put on a show in winning the 300meter low hurdles in a time of 43.97 seconds.

Legendary head coach Nino Fennoy once again proved that he’s an icon in East St. Louis as he brought his 17th state championship as a coach back to the City of Champions. Fennoy also has a talented staff which consists of Kim Jennings, Phoebe Washington, Clarence Nolden, Cortez Branch, James Franklin, Roderick Glover and Adam Sandifer. Congratulations to the East St. Louis Flyerettes.

Scott’s Notes

• Belleville Althoff sophomore sensation Nariah Parks captured the state championship in the 400-meter dash in a time of 58.07 seconds. She also finished sixth in the 200-meter dash. An outstanding basketball player, Parks is the daughter of former East St. Louis mayor Alvin Parks Jr.

• The East St. Louis Flyers boys’ track and field team will make the trek to Eastern Illinois today for the Class 2A state championships. After being denied an opportunity for a state championship last year, the Flyers are also the favorites to win the state title this weekend.

Leading the way for East St. Louis is Willie Johnson,

sound fighter of the championship trio. However, he might as well name his right hand Drogan. The Daenerys Targaryen of boxing leaves dusted fighters and fallen enemies in his wake. With every debilitating knockout (or knockdown in the case of Fury), more people believe that he can be the savior of the heavyweight division. How the heavyweight story will end remains a mystery. It appears that the politics (promoters, TV networks and sanctioning bodies) of boxing is destined to keep us from

true clarity and an undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.

Getting Joshua and Wilder in the ring together seems much more difficult than previously thought. We are repeatedly teased with negotiations and reported agreements only to be dashed by complications of purse splits, dates and locations. Even landing a rematch with Wilder and Fury is no longer a certainty. Eventually, these things will work their way out. Or maybe they won’t. This is the sport of boxing we’re talking about.

The sT. Louis american PreP aThLeTes oF The Week

Josh Sutton

MICDS – Boys Track & Field

The senior sprinter was one of the top individual performers at last weekend’s Class 4, Sectional 3 meet at Montgomery County. Sutton won sectional titles in the 100- and 200-meter dashes and set two new school records in the process. He turned in times

of 10.48 seconds in the 100 and 21.26 in the 200. Sutton will attempt to defend his state championships in the 100 and 200 at the Class 4 state meet in Jefferson City this weekend.

Moten Westminster – Baseball

The sophomore pitcher has been a big contributor in the Wildcats drive to a district championship.

In the Class 4, District 5 semifinals, Moten tossed a one-hit shutout in the Wildcats 1-0 victory

over Clayton. He struck out five in pitching a complete game. For the season, Moten has compiled a 7-2 record with an earned run average of 2.32. He has struck out 58 hitters while walking only 21.

who is one of the premiere 400-meter dash runners in the country. Johnson won the 400 at the Herrin sectional last week with teammate Marcus Lampley finishing second and qualifying for state. The dynamic duo also finished first and second in the 200. Johnson also anchors a very talented 4x400-meter relay team. All-state basketball standout Terrance Hargrove Jr. qualified for the state meet in the high jump after winning the sectional title by clearing 6 feet, 10 inches. This is Hargrove’s first year of competing in track and field.

The Flyers will try to make history for the City of Champions this weekend as they attempt to win the city’s third state championship of the season, joining the boys’ basketball and girls’ track teams.

However, one thing is clear. With his devastating power and penchant for unfiltered interviews, The Bronze Bomber is this generation’s Mike Tyson Hopefully, one day I’ll have an opportunity to travel for hours by plane, train or automobile to see him knock out some poor soul in less than three minutes.

Blues have a date with Lord Stanley Congratulations to the St. Louis Blues for earning a trip to the Stanley Cup

TRACK

Continued from C7

be the favorite in the Class 4 100 and 200. As a freshman at Fort Zumwalt South in 2017, Burnett was the state champion in the 100, 200 and 400. She sat out of the 2018 season after transferring to Parkway North.

In Class 5, senior Danielle Frank of Hazelwood Central and juniors Courtney Williams of Nerinx Hall and Lauryn Taylor of McCluer North are all major contenders in the sprints. Taylor was the Lafayette sectional champion in the 100, Frank won the 200 while Williams won the 400 with all of them posting very

Finals. Despite getting cheated in Game 3, the Blues team regained its composure and cruised to a 4-2 series win over the San Jose Sharks. Now the Blues will face off against the Boston Bruins as the team attempts to bring the Stanley Cup to St. Louis for the first time in franchise history. The Bruins will enter the Finals as massive favorites but the scrappy, underdog Blues would have it no other way.

#LetsGoBlues!

Be sure to check In the Clutch online and also follow Ishmael on Twitter @ishcreates. Subscribe to The St. Louis American’s YouTube page to see bi-weekly sports videos starring Ishmael and Melvin Moore at youtube.com/stlamer-

Nobody expected this Blues to make the playoffs when the team changed head coaches and goalies in the middle of the season. However, the team bonded behind interim coach Craig Berube and rookie goalie Jordan Binnington and has never looked back. Blues fever is taking over St. Louis. Even the most-skeptical fans, myself included, are finally starting to believe.

fast times. Junior Michelle Owens of McCluer North is looking to repeat as the state champion in the Class 5 girls’ 100-meter high hurdles. Owens turned in a personal best time of 13.79 seconds at the sectional meet at Lafayette.

Pattonville is taking an excellent group of field event athletes to Jefferson City.

Senior Diamond Richardson was the sectional champion in the girls’ shot put and discus while senior Brooke Jenkins was also a double-winner in the long jump and triple jump at the sectionals. Senior Mike Jackson also qualified as a sectional champion in the long jump.

*Area athletes win Class 2 state championships A number of St. Louis athletes brought home state-championship medals from the Class 2 state meet in Jefferson City last weekend. Senior Buwisa Asinga of Principia won the Class 2 girls state championship in the 100-meter dash and the 300-meter low hurdles. She also finished second in the 200meter dash.

Junior McKinlee Morris of Crossroads won the girls’ Class 2 state championship in the shot put with an effort of 42 feet, 1 inch. Junior Deablo McGee of Cleveland Naval Jr. ROTC had an excellent day at the state meet as he won the high jump, triple jump and finished third in the long jump.

Maurice Scott Jr.

The East St. Louis Flyerettes won the Illinois Class 2A state championship last weekend at Eastern Illinois University. The Flyerettes scored 72 points to win the state title.

Shelley descendents speak up

Family whose case outlawed housing segregation often left ‘out of the picture’

By Clara Germani

For The St. Louis American

What’s wrong with this picture? That’s what Monica Beckham Holmes and other descendants of J.D. and Ethel Shelley were wondering last January when news photos of the dedication of a new historic marker to replace a stolen one at the Shelley House at 4600 Labadie Ave. showed up in news stories. The photo included Mayor Lyda Krewson, U.S. Rep. William Lacy Clay, various real estate businessmen, housing activists, and the current owner of the national historic landmark.

But there were no Shelleys –nor were any invited.

J.D. and Ethel Shelley’s home was at stake in the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case – Shelley vs. Kraemer that outlawed race-restrictive real estate covenants in 1948. Racial covenants – which were signed by homeowners to perpetually keep their homes from being sold to anyone but Caucasians – created the first draft of housing segregation that we still see today in urban neighborhoods across the country.

The Shelley civil rights case, which unwound right here in St. Louis, is studied by all American law students. The strategy for the case was engineered by Thurgood Marshall and used as the roadmap for 14th Amendment – equal protection – arguments for Brown v. Board of Education and other civil rights cases to come. And the case is dissected in hundreds of legal books and scholarly articles.

But the Shelleys themselves have largely been erased from

histories of their legal battle that typically feature heroic narratives of the educated middle-class black activists and professionals who steered their case.

The photo of the dignitaries crowding into the photo at the Shelley House was a telling epilogue to a study I just finished in my Washington University master’s program on the Shelleys, in which I try to revive their place in civil rights and housing history after generations of erasure.

My study aimed to shine light on the Shelleys, who have existed in an historic shadow. I followed them from their poverty-stricken Starkville, Mississippi childhood where, U.S. Census data say, they were doing farm labor by the age of five, to the trigger moment of the family’s 1939 departure north when J.D. feared lynching or abuse of his children because he’d crossed the authorities by helping a black girl beaten by the sheriff. I outlined the family’s rapid rise in the booming World War II St. Louis economy into working-class prosperity.

Theirs was an everyman heroism. It involved quiet endurance, working multiple jobs while suffering for three years the anxiety of knowing that they could be forced out of their house at any moment; of rocks thrown through their windows and slurs of graffiti on their home; of the worry that white antagonists were picking on their children.

They also faced the uncertainty of placing their fate in the hands of educated upperclass blacks who engineered the real estate deal that landed them and their investment

in legal hot water and then steered their case through the complexities of the courts. Those black proxies for the Shelleys didn’t always hold the family’s best interest–they were working for the larger cause of civil rights and sometimes in the interest of their own profit. It was evident when Edith Shelley took the witness stand in court in October 1945 to defend against her white neighbors’ effort to force the Shelleys out of the house they’d bought for $5,700 that she didn’t fully understand the case. For example, she didn’t know that the sales price included a $1,000 profit for her church pastor/real estate agent, nor did she understand why the integrated Greater Ville neighborhood with black children playing in some yards

Monica Holmes, the greatgranddaughter of the Shelleys in the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case Shelley vs. Kraemer –will speak at the historic at 4600 Labadie at 10 a.m. Friday, May 24.

had spiritual premonitions, might disagree and say that the family’s fate was held by God.

But what stands out in all my research about the Shelleys – who raised five birth children and three of Edith’s much younger siblings – is how their fate was steered by their character compass and their hold to true north: the hard work, perseverance, and faith that kept them afloat in a hostile world, first in the Mississippi lynching environment and later in the mean segregation of St. Louis.

The Shelleys’ only surviving child, Chatlee Williams, 87, lives in Northwoods and suffers severe memory loss.

could be off limits for her own family.

It’s also uncertain if the Shelleys ever understood that later, when their prominent local black attorney George Vaughn was preparing to take the case to the U.S. Supreme Court, an array of civil rights organizations – including Thurgood Marshall at the NAACP – urged the lawyer not to be too “soft hearted” about the Shelleys and to let them lose their home because the case was legally weak and could harm the efforts of the larger Civil Rights Movement.

Today, Monica Holmes, the great-granddaughter of the Shelleys, observes that these battling groups really held the Shelleys’ fate “in their hands.” Edith Shelley, a devout Christian who Holmes says spoke in tongues and

But I found it heartbreakingly touching to hear her answer my question about what she remembers of her parents: “They sing.” Yes, there was always an optimism in the gospel singing that filled the house, recalls Holmes, who grew up in the Shelleys’ home. (She adds that Cardinals games on the radio ran a close second in the sounds of the household.)

The Shelleys themselves, in their quiet walk, did little to elevate their profile. Holmes explains that most of the Shelley family born after their 1948 victory didn’t even know about J.D. and Ethel’s place in history until their former home on Labadie became a National Park Service historic landmark in 1988. At that time a huge parade honored J.D. (Ethel died in 1983) and Holmes describes her shocking realization that her great-grandparents were somebody in national history and the civil rights struggle.

The Shelleys may get some focus Friday at 10 a.m. at the

Shelley House at 4600 Labadie Ave. when Clay will announce the designation of the landmark as part of his African American Civil Rights Network Act. Some participants – including Northside Community Housing Inc. and Rebuilding Together St. Louis, which has contributed $25,000 of the $100,000 in repairs the owners of the Shelley House need to maintain it – say it was an oversight not to have invited the Shelleys in January. It was a hasty event because Clay was in town for the photo op, even though the government shutdown delayed the designation of the site and the weather was too cold to install the new plaque. In echoes of the Shelleys’ historic erasure, the organizers of Friday’s do-over – the Interior Department and Rep. Clay’s office – mention the Shelley family descendants for special thanks in the printed program, just as their name is the marquee on the house and the landmark Supreme Court case. While they won’t speak, the NAACP – which in 1947 tried to nix the Shelley case –will be at the mic to speak. Barry Upchurch, of Rebuilding Together St. Louis, invited Holmes and Williams, who plan to attend. But it’s still uncertain if the Shelleys will actually be in the picture.

Clara Germani, a former editor at The Christian Science Monitor in Boston, received her master’s in American Culture Studies from Washington University last week. Her thesis is a narrative of the Shelleys prior to their Supreme Court case.

Photo by Sara Bannoura

Living It

‘She was blown away’

Annie Malone’s great-great niece introduced to annual parade held in aunt’s honor

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

“I’ve been coming to the May Day Parade since I was 8 years old,” radio personality BJ Holiday, known to listeners as “BJ The DJ,” was eager to share his personal parade history to parade co-host Gary Boyd when the Majic 103.7 car rode past the judges’ station at the 109th Annual Annie Malone Parade downtown on Sunday afternoon.

As a small child, he was a spectator. Decades later, he stood front and center as a St. Louis celebrity representing iHeart Media. He couldn’t say much, because he had to keep moving for

the sake of the next participant. But he managed to let guests know how much he loves coming every year and that it’s a tradition that should continue for generations to come.

“This is our parade,” BJ said. Next year will mark the second decade of

Brainy, beautiful and engaged at CAM

New shows fulfill every challenge of contemporary art

By Chris King

Of The St. Louis American

Curators of contemporary art museums face a competing set of challenges, and the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis responds to them all with dazzling creativity in the set of shows that opened on Friday, May 17 and close August 18. They have to be brainy in unique and daring

Black Rep’s ‘Four Women’ connects with audiences

Performances, music of Nina Simone historical reimagination fares well

Annie Malone Children and Family Services CEO Sara Lahman with Sasha Turnbo and Annie Malone Weekend chair and parade cohost Gary Boyd as the 109th Annual Mayday Parade wrapped Sunday afternoon.

the second century that Annie Malone Children and Family Services Center has been consecutively producing the parade as a fundraiser for the organization named in honor of its wealthy

See PARADE, C9

ways because that is the industry standard of contemporary art museums. All of the new shows on CAM’s ground level — extending outside into the courtyard and, through a conceptual portal there, into the streets and surrounding neighborhoods — are brainy in ways that will keep attentive visitors thinking in new ways long after the shows close.

Beirut-based Lawrence Abu Hamdan’s threepart show “Earwitness Theatre” rethinks

Jamijna Westbrook, Donyae, 2019. Digital photograph

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

the sensory parameters of what constitutes evidence, including evidence in a legal sense, very much including criminal evidence. These conceptual explorations depart from work he did for Amnesty International and Forensic Architecture documenting victims of violence at a prison in Syria. He has designed a listening room where he explores the threshold of

See CAM, C4

n Christina Ham’s “Nina Simone: Four Women” brings to life the characters of Simone’s iconic jazz standard “Four Women” – substituting Simone herself for Peaches.

Nina Simone is widely known as the personification of the tortured genius. Her life was made even more complicated as one of the countless African Americans forced to endure generations of systematic barriers impeded on their life and experiences that stretched back to when black people were kept in bondage and all the way through the onset of the Civil Rights Era. Contrary to popular belief, not even successful artists were immune to being held back because of their blackness. Despite years of dedicated training and natural talent, Eunice Waymon was refused the opportunity to achieve her life’s goal in becoming a classical pianist. But as Nina Simone, she fulfilled her destiny as an artist who provided unflinching insight into the trauma imposed on African Americans through racial violence and segregation. Her music was part of the soundtrack for the movement as she tuned into the suffering, rage and frustration of a people in the midst of fighting against the oppression intended to keep them from their well-deserved piece of the American dream. Through its final production of the 42nd season, The Black Rep asks its patrons to imagine with them the moment that created the seismic shift of Simone from successful singer and pianist to a cultural icon – the bombing of Birmingham’s 16th Street Baptist Church.

Christina Ham’s “Nina Simone: Four Women” brings to life the characters of Simone’s iconic jazz standard “Four Women” – substituting Simone herself for Peaches. The ladies sit in the burned out sanctuary of Birmingham’s 16th Street Baptist Church in the wake of the bombing by the Ku Klux Klan that took the life of four young parishioners and sparked international outrage. Simone eventually became both an ambassador for black pride and a musical translator of black suffering as it relates to racism and the impact on those it forced into second class citizenship. The audience’s palpable reaction to the play indicate a crowd favorite – as did the impressive number of guests in the seats for Friday’s opening night production at Washington University’s Edison Theatre. Simone is engaged in an attempt to create an artistic response to the righteous anger as the streets erupt with protest as a result of the killings when Aunt Sarah enters the building seeking refuge from the chaos happening just outside the ravaged walls. Sephronia follows and then Sweet Thing. While processing the world as they know it coming undone, they engage in discourse that addresses issues such as colorism, classism and misogyny and the complicated internal layers that further impede the fight for social justice,

See REP, C4

How to place a calendar listing

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

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

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

concerts

Fri., May 24, 9 p.m., Kandi Koated Entertainment presents Welcome to the Dungeon feat. Kandi Burruss with special guests Tamar Braxton and Trina The Pageant, 6161 Delmar Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www. ticketmaster.com.

Fri., May 31, 8 p.m., Chaifetz Arena presents the 2019 Spring Music Festival feat. Jaheim, Monica, Tank, Avant, and Donell Jones. 1 S. Compton Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www. thechaifetzarena.com.

Wed., June 5, 7 p.m., The Whitaker Music Festival presents Terence Blanchard feat. The E-Collective Missouri Botanical Gardens, 4344 Shaw Blvd., 63110. For more information, visit www. missouribotanicalgarden.org.

Fri., June 7, 7 p.m., The Pageant presents Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue 6161 Delmar Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www.thepageant.com.

Fri., June 7, 7:30 p.m., St. Louis Symphony Orchestra hosts an Evening with Ledisi. Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www.slso. org.

Mon., June 10, 8 p.m., Old Rock House presents J.S. Ondara with Adam Melchor. 1200 S. 7 th St., 63104. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

Sat., June 15, 6 p.m., The Eta Boule Foundation Salute Fathers & Mentors feat. Nick Colionne with Lynne Fiddmont Sheldon Concert Hall, 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Sat., June 15, 6 p.m., Fox Theatre presents The O’Jays: The Last Word Tour with special guest Stephanie Mills. 527 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Sat., June 22, 11 a.m., The Omicron Theta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. presents Pink Pizzazz Scholarship Brunch featuring Denise Thimes, Renaissance St. Louis Airport Hotel. For more information, e-mail rbritt@ stlamerican.com

local gigs

Sun., May 26, 5:30 p.m., The Ambassador presents Marvin Gaye Celebration: A Musical Tribute. Feat. Andrew Bethany & The Drew Project, Justin Hoskin and The Movie, and more. 9800 Halls Ferry Rd., 63136. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Tues., May 21, 6 p.m., Missouri History Museum presents Twilight Tuesdays: R&B and Jazz Night with Love Jones the Band. 5700 Lindell Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www. mohistory.org.

May 22 – 26, Jazz St. Louis presents Billie & Blue Eyes Feat. The John Pizzarelli Trio and Catherine Russell. Jazz at the Bistro, 3536 Washington Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www. jazzstl.org.

Sun., May 26, 5:30 p.m., The Ambassador presents Marvin Gaye Celebration: A Musical Tribute. Feat. Andrew Bethany & The Drew Project, Justin Hoskin and The Movie, and more. 9800 Halls Ferry Rd., 63136. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

The Guide

Kenya Vaughn recommends

2019

special events

May 23 – 28, 40th Annual St. Louis Senior Olympics. Men and women 50 years of age and better will compete in over 90 events at over a dozen local venues. For more information, visit www. stlouisseniorolympics.org.

Thur., May 23, 5:30 p.m., Empower Missouri’s St. Louis Chapter Annual Dinner. Keynote address by St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell. Il Monastero, 3050 Olive St., 63103. For more information, visit www. empowermissouri.org.

May 23 – 25, Dance St. Louis presents the Emerson Spring to Dance Festival 2019. Touhill Performing Arts Center, 1 University Blvd., 63121. For more information, visit www.touhill.org.

Sat., May 25, 11:30 a.m., The St. Louis Morehouse College Parents Association, Inc. presents the 11th Annual Morehouse Men of Style Scholarship Luncheon & Fashion Show, Hilton Frontenac Hotel, 1335 S. Lindbergh Blvd. St. Louis,

Missouri 63131. For more information, visit www. stlmorehousecollegeparents. eventbrite.com

Sat., May 25, 6 p.m., David Peaston Foundation presents Distinguished Gents: Rising Above the Stars. Leslie Johnson, Jeff Radford, Shamar Jordan, Herman Gordon, and Marquise Knox will present compositions in jazz, blues, R&B, and more. Grandel, 3610 Grandel Sq., 63108. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Sun., May 26, 5 p.m., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Gamma Omega Chapter invites you to the 2019 Fashionetta Scholarship Cotillion. Marriott St. Louis Grand, 800 Washington Ave., 63101. For more information, visit www.akagostl.com.

Sun., May 26, 6 p.m., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., East St. Louis Alumni Chapter presents the Sundress and Linen Memorial Day Party. 10701 Lambert International Blvd., 63145. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Sun., May 26, 5 p.m., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Gamma Omega Chapter and the Ivy

Alliance Foundation hosts a 35th Year Fashionetta Reunion. Monroe’s Bar & Grill, 2299 N. Florissant Ave., 63106. For more information, email krgoodwin1991@gmail. com.

Fri., May 31, 5 p.m., The St. Louis Area Foodbank invites you to Rock Out Hunger Come for food trucks, music, and to raise money for local St. Louisans in need. Chesterfield Amphitheater, 631 Veterans Pl Dr., 63017. For more information, visit www. stlfoodbank.org/roh.

Sat., June 1, 12 noon, Sumner High School Alumni Association’s 11th Annual Scholarship Awards Luncheon & Fashion Show, Renaissance St. Louis Airport Hotel, Concourse Ballroom. For more information, e-mail sumneralumniassn@yahoo. com

Sun., June 2 – 3, 2nd Annual Hurbert H. Hoosman Jr. Circle of Excellence Scholarship Foundation Reception and Golf Tournament. Glen Echo Country Club. For registration and/or additional information, visit www.hhhcoesfoundation. org or call (314) 853-6889.

Sat., Jun 15, 8 a.m., St. John AME presents Vendor Summerfest 2019, participating vendor items include: jewelry, MARY KAY, AVON, household goods, crafts, clothing and more, St. John A.M.E. Church, 547 Washington Street, St. Charles, MO 63301. For more information, call (314) 7125463.

Sat., June 15, 5:30 p.m., The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis Salute to Women in Leadership, among the 2019 honorees are Jenifer Lewis, Regina Belle and Bernadette Stanis, Marriott Grand Hotel, 800 Washington. For more information, visit www.ulstl. com or call (314) 615-3668.

literary

Mon., June 3, 7 p.m., Left Bank Books hosts author Sherry Jones, author of Josephine Baker’s Last Dance A look at Josephine’s early years in servitude, rise to fame, activism, and loves and losses. 399 N. Euclid Ave., 63108. For more information, visit www.left-bank.com.

Thur., June 6, 6 p.m., Subterranean Books hosts author DuEwa Frazier, author of Alice’s Musical Debut. The story reimagines one day in the early childhood of notable jazz pianist, harpist, and organist Alice Coltrane. St. Louis Public Library – Central Branch, 1301 Olive. For more information, visit www.store. subbooks.com.

May 25 – 27, The St. Louis African Arts Festival. World’s Fair Pavilion in Forest Park, 1904 Concourse Dr., 63110. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Through May 31, The Griot Museum of Black History presents Still We Thrive. 2505 St. Louis Ave., 63106. For more information, visit www. thegriotmuseum.com.

comedy

Sat., May 25, 6 p.m., Love and Laugh Hour St. Louis. Feat. Tahir Moore, Tony Baker, and KevOnStage. City of Life Christian Church, 8333 Fullerton Ave., 63132. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Sat., May 25, 7:30 p.m., Laugh At U Comedy Show. Feat. Shon Don, Jason Jenkins, and Gerald Houston. Proceeds go towards books and scholarships for college students. Legacy Books and Café, 5249 Delmar Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www.facebook.com.

Mon., June 3, 7:30 p.m., 2019 Funny Bone Comedy Competition. Watch as the funniest comedians in St Louis compete. 614 West Port Plaza, 63146. For more information, visit www.stlouisfunnybone. com.

Wed., June 5, 7 p.m., Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre presents Adam Sandler. 14141 Riverport Dr., 63043. For more information, visit www.ticketmaster.com.

theatre

Sat., May 25, 2 p.m., Missouri History Museum presents The Legend Singers. Join the legend singers as they guide you through a musical journey dedicated to the African American

Spring Music Festival feat. Jaheim, Monica, Tank, Avant, and Donell Jones. For more information, see CONCERTS.

theater experience. 5700 Lindell Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www. mohistory.org.

Through June 2, The Black Rep presents Nina Simone: Four Women, Edison Theatre, 6445 Forsyth (on the campus of Washington University). Tickets are available at theblackrep.org, or by phone at 314-534-3807.

Sun., June 16, 11:30 a.m., The Archway Links and Opera Theatre of Saint Louis present a special brunch celebrating the world premiere of “Fire Shut Up In My Bones.” Brunch guests will include Terence Blanchard, Kasi Lemmons and Charles Blow. Centene Center for the Arts. Price of brunch includes ticket to the production. For more information, visit experienceopera.org/brunch or call (314) 961-0644.

lectures and workshops

Tues., May 28, 7 p.m., Medicare for All Update. Ed Weisbart MD, chair of PNHP-MO, will be giving an update on single payer Medicare for All. Webster Groves Public Library, 301 E Lockwood Ave., 63119. For more information, visit www. facebook.com.

Sat., June 1, 8:30 a.m., 2019 Elevate Conference. A conference for those looking to start a business or nonprofit, or for those who already have one. Harris Stowe, 3026 Laclede Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Sat., June 1, 10 a.m., Women of Success Conference. Clayton Community Center, 50 Gay Ave., 63105. For more information, call (314) 4899808.

Sat., June 1, 1:30 p.m., Missouri Progressive Action Group monthly meeting, Grant View Library, 9700

Kenya Vaughn recommends

Musick Ave. 63123. Sun., June 2, 3 p.m., Washington University presents Blacks in America: A Trilogy Commemorating the 400th Anniversary of Blacks in America Civil Rights – Past and Present Guest speaker Cornell W. Brooks. Graham Chapel, 1 Brookings Dr., 63105. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Tues., June 4, 6 p.m., Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District Rate Commission Public Hearing. An opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed rate increase. Richmond Heights Community Center, 8001 Dale Ave., 63117. For more information, visit www.stlmsd. com.

Tues., June 4, 6:30 p.m.,

The Beautiful Challenge of Liberation: Juneteenth and the Politics of Hope. Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www. mohistory.org.

Sat., June 8, 10 a.m., West Side Missionary Baptist Church 3rd Annual Financial Empowerment, West Side Missionary Baptist Church, 2677 Dunn Road. For more information, visit financialpower2019.eventbrite. com

health

Thur., May 23, 6:30 p.m., WUSTL Prosper presents Health Disparities & Policy in St. Louis. nnovation Hall, 4220 Duncan Ave., 63110. For more information, visit www.

Kandi Koated Entertainment presents Welcome to the Dungeon featuring Kandi Burruss with special guests Tamar Braxton and Trina. See CONCERTS for details.

Sat., June 1, 12 noon, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Upsilon Phi Omega Chapter presents, “Celebrating Excellence Through Your Charmed and Best Life” annual Hattitude Scholarship Luncheon. Featured speaker will be Omarosa Manigault Newman, Commons Building, Lewis and Clark Community College, 5800 Godfrey Rd. For more information, e-mail, AKAuphio1908@gmail.com.

Thur., June 13, 6 p.m., American Lung Association invites you to The Evening of Promise Gala. A culinary experience to try bites of all types of different food while raising money to prevent lung disease. Bissinger’s, 1600 N. Broadway, 63102. For more information, visit www. alaumw.ejoinme.org.

Mon., May 27, 8 a.m., Union Missionary Baptist Church 27th Annual Memorial Day Service. 2957 Dayton, St. Louis, MO 63106, at the corner of Dayton and Garrison. Rev. Dr. Calvin Jones is Pastor.

sites.wustl.edu/prosper.

Sat., May 25, 1:30 p.m., Kick, Push, Pull Training & Development Coalition presents Matters of Heart Health and Wellness: The Mind is a Terrible Thing to Waste. Free speaker series for women only. Medici MediaSpace, 2055 Walton Rd., 63114. For more information, visitwww.eventbrite.com.

Tues., May 28, 7 p.m., Medicare for All Update. Ed Weisbart MD, chair of PNHP-MO, will be giving an update on single payer Medicare for All. Webster Groves Public Library, 301 E Lockwood Ave., 63119. For more information, visit www. facebook.com.

Fri., May 31, 7 p.m., Pretty Faces of Lupus presents the 2nd Annual Ball for a

Cause. A Lupus charity ball. Ferguson Community Center, 1050 Smith Ave., 63135. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Sat., June 8, Susan Komen More Than Pink Greater St. Louis Walk. For more information, visit www. komenmissouri.org/STLwalk.

Sat., June 1, 8 a.m., 15th Annual Heart to Heart 5K & 10K Run. Music, inflatables, splash mad, and more. Creve Coeur Parks & Recreation, 2 Barnes West Dr., 63141. For more information, visit www. crevecoeurmo.gov/hearttoheart.

Sat., June 8, 11 a.m., Salvation Army 3010 Apartments Health and Wellness Fair. 3010 Washington Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

May 31 – June 1, A.L.I.V.E. presents Kingdom Woman: Beautiful, Bold & Blessed Action Christian Center, 100 Kirkwood Pl., 63122. For more information, visit www. facebook.com.

May 31 – June 4, Temple Church of Christ presents Worship Arts Summit 2019 2741 Dayton St., 63106. For more information, visit www. tcoc100.ticketspice.com.

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

Fri., May 24, Aladdin starring Will Smith opens in theaters nationwide.

equality and even artistic freedom.

Simone’s music – and her struggles – take center stage, alongside the women Ham took the liberty of expounding upon with her play.

The play itself – which weaves in Simone’s music and other tunes performed by her and the quartet ensemble – is interesting and insightful, but falls short in a few places, mainly, in how the characters forge their respective connections. Yes, the situation is imagined, but Ham still could have been more realistic in some of the situations and connections between the ladies. However, audiences seem to thoroughly enjoy every element of the story as it unfolds – even

the small helping of urban stage play elements woven into the writing. The Black Rep’s presentation of the work has the advantage of Ron Himes’ precise direction and solid performances to carry it through. Watching Denise Thimes’ impressive take

on Aunt Sarah was particularly enjoyable. A veteran of the stage, though known mostly to St. Louis audiences as a jazz singer, Thimes captures the essence of her character – a domestic worker who relies on her faith to manage the indignities imposed upon her for sim-

ply being a black woman born in the south. In her first leading role, Leah Stewart showcases her potential as an actress with her portrayal of Simone – as do newcomers Camille Sharp and Alex Jay as Sweet Thing and Sephronia. The technical elements of

“Nina Simone: Four Women” accentuate the experience of the play. The scenic design of Tim Jones, costume design of Nikki Glaros, lighting design of Sean Savoie and sound design of Justin Schmitz transport the audience to one of America’s darkest hours. With Glaros’

dressing of Thimes as Sarah and Sharp as Sweet Thing, she nails the intention of the characters – and illustrates the importance of a character’s connection to his or her clothing. The Black Rep’s presentation of Nina Simone: Four Women continues at Washington University’s Edison Theatre (6445 Forsyth Blvd.) through June 2. For tickets and/or more information, visit www. theblackrep.org or call (314) 534-3807

sound, how the absence of an answer in interrogation or the purposefully muted sound of a whisper constitute important evidence that escapes legal definitions. In a newly commissioned work, he presents various implements and props that make sounds associated with actions that can land people in criminal court. It turns out that dropping a young coconut makes a sound similar to a beheading. He also designed a sound chamber using a car door that simulates the sound of a body being thrown around in the back of a van. A separate video piece explores sounds heard through

barriers like doors or walls that were critical in arguing criminal cases, such as Oscar Pistorius murdering his girlfriend. No, this is not a feelgood summer show, but then we count on contemporary art museums for providing alternative realities to feel-good summers. Executive Director Lisa Melandri and Chief Curator Wassan Al-Khudhairi understand this responsibility and respond unflinchingly. Not only brainy and alternative, but contemporary art museums must also be beautiful. As Wallace Stevens wrote in his analysis of what constitutes a “supreme fiction” (that is, great art): “It must give pleasure.” A contemporary art museum cannot be all brains and no beauty, and Paul Mpagi Sepuya’s new self-titled show at CAM features many

photographs of great beauty. Sepuya’s work has theoretical and formal dimensions, which should go without saying in this setting, but you can forget all that, if you’re not feeling very brainy, and just keep saying, “Wow, that’s beautiful. Cool photo.” A gay black man from Los Angeles, Sepuya mostly shoots portraits of diverse men that he disrupts by using mirrors while shooting and also cutting and splicing images after the shoot. What’s most beautiful is how he cuts and reconnects images of different bodies and body parts without anybody looking mutilated or any composite form looking monstrous, even when they look really weird. Therein lies one conceptual dimension of this work. Sepuya reminds us that people can complete each other, even if

we are fragmented when we find each other and our new, combined form was not what we were looking for or even something we could have imagined before we mashed up. Particularly in this cultural moment of mutilated bodies and fragmented communities, when our culture is unusually focused on these crises, contemporary art museums must be relevant. They can’t be only safe, enlightening spaces for art lovers (which is not to doubt or discount the value of safety, enlightenment, or loving art). Museums also must be engaged in dialogue with their communities and be actively doing things to unite and elevate those communities, and CAM is heavily invested in community-building. This new set of shows includes “Tool Shed” by Eric Ellingsen of Washington University, an exhibit in the

courtyard that will evolve as Ellingsen conducts field recordings on walkabouts with museum visitors in CAM’s neighboring communities. But even more deeply ingrained in the community are the museum’s ongoing programs New Art in the Neighborhood, ArtReach, and the LEAP Middle School Initiative. Consider this brief note a promise to revisit all of these programs for feature stories while the beautiful new shows emanating from them are still on view. For now, two points.

One: go upstairs and see the youth shows. Your visit to CAM is not complete unless you do. It’s a creative use of what could have been mere office space that the museum dedicates, along with staff resources, to developing our youth. The museum did not waste that space, and the public should not waste their effort

and investment or ignore the striking art made by local youth.

Two: let’s go out, for now, listening to museum educator Jose Garza talking about his approach to developing youth through contemporary visual art.

“I am interested in their ability to come into a space they are not familiar with and engage with new peers,” Garza said. “The unknown is where learning happens. I want them to achieve some empathy with the unknown. You get some unexpected results. And these things extend to their lived experiences.”

Admission to Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis, 3750 Washington Blvd., is free. Visit https://camstl.org, email info@camstl.org or call (314) 535–4660.

The Black Rep’s presentation of ‘Nina Simone: Four Women’ continues through June 2 at Washington University’s Edison Theatre.

Photo by Phil Hamer

109th Annie Malone May Day Parade in 2019

The St. Louis American’s Hall of Fame photojournalist Wiley Price captured the community as always when the 109th Annie Malone May Day Parade made its way through the streets of downtown St. Louis on Sunday, May 19.

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Celebrations

Educator Honors

Six Hazelwood School District teachers were honored by Napleton Hyundai as part of the dealership’s 2nd annual Teacher of the Year Awards last week. Students, parents, and community members were encouraged to nominate their favorite HSD teachers for their educational success. Congratulations to Jessica Reese of Grannemann Elementary School, who was selected as the Elementary School Teacher of the Year.

Reunions

com or send your questions to P.O. Box 155, Florissant, MO 63032.

Dr. Wanda LeFlore Day was proclaimed by St. Louis Mayor Lydia Krewson on May 1, School Principals’ Day. Kennard’s PTO members presented Principal LeFlore with the proclamation her for services and contributions in the field of education. After working at SIU-E, School District 189, and thirty-one years with Saint Louis Public Schools, Principal LeFlore is retiring. She led of one of the best public elementary schools in the St. Louis area, Kennard CJA. Congratulations and best wishes!

For more information, contact Milton Jackson at 314-2764392 or Yolanda Lockhart at lockhartyo08@gmail.com.

Beaumont Class Of 1969 will celebrate its 50-year reunion Sept 20-22, 2019 at Embassy Suites St. Charles.. Come join us as we celebrate these golden years, “Living Life Like It’s Golden.” For more information contact Dennis Hayden 314 276-6188 or beaumontclassof1969@yahoo.

Beaumont Class of 1974 is planning its 45-year reunion for the weekend of July 26-28, 2019. To update us with your information please email us at ten55jw@yahoo.com, forward communications to Beaumont Alumni 1974, PO Box 37091, St. Louis MO 63141 or call James White, 314-494-5554. Details coming soon!

Beaumont Class of 1979 is planning its 40-year reunion. All activities are scheduled for the weekend of September 27-29. The location is The Airport Marriot at 10700 Pear Tree Drive, St. Louis 63134.

Kinloch Class of 1969 is planning its 50-year reunion on August 21, 22 and 23. Dinner dance at Orlandos, 2050 Dorsett Village Plaza. For information call Ruben at 314239-5202 or Ophelia at 314280-6596. Classmates please respond by April 2019.

Northwest Class of 1969 is planning a 50-year reunion June 7-9, 2019. Contract Evelyn (McClendon) Hines for details at (314) 361-5150.

Northwest Class of 1979 is planning on cruising for our

40-year reunion and would love for you to join us! Date to sail is set for July 20, 2019 and you can feel free to contact: Duane Daniels at 314-568-2057 or Howard Day at 414-698-4261 for further information.

Soldan Class of 1974 Alumni Association is planning its 45-year reunion. Please get your contact information to dhblackjack@charter.net or call 314-749-3803.

Soldan Class of 1979 is planning its 40-year reunion for the weekend of August 2-3, 2019. Yearlong reunion activities will begin with a kickoff at Soldan High School Homecoming on Saturday,

October 13, 2018 prior to the game at 1 p.m. For more information or to assist with reunion activities, please email at: soldanclassof1979@gmail. com or call Barbara at 314 4563391.

Sumner Alumni Association hosts its 11th Annual Scholarship Awards Luncheon & Fashion Show June 1, 2019, Noon until 4pm honoring our own Dr. Ronald L. Gregory, Ms. Keri R. Burns, LPC ‘92 our Master of Ceremony and KMJtheDJ. The cost is $50 to attend and it comes with a cash bar, free parking, attendance prizes and more. For more info, contact B. Louis at 314.385.9843 or email: sumneralumniassn@yahoo.

Do you have a celebration you’re proud of? If so we would like to share your good news with our readers. Whether it’s a birth, wedding, engagement announcement, anniversary, retirement or birthday, send your photos and a brief announcement (50 words or less) to us and we may include it in our paper and website – AT NO COST – as space is available Photos will not be returned. Send your announcements to: kdaniel@stlamerican. com or mail to: St. Louis American Celebrations c/o Kate Daniel 2315 Pine St. St.

MO 63103 Deadline is 10 a.m. on Friday. If you’d like your class to be featured in a reunion profile, email or mail photos to us. Our email address is: reunions@stlamerican.com

Where to find SSM Health pediatric services in North County

ministry, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon becomes the first and only health care provider to open a pediatric specialty services center in North St. Louis County. Area families are now able to receive safe, high-quality care from SLUCare providers without leaving their community. The new center offers several specialty services including endocrinology, ENT, gastroenterology, imaging, neurology, orthopedics, pulmonology, renal/ hypertension, sleep, sports medicine and urology

On

In addition, a new SSM Health Medical Group location features pediatric primary care providers Anita Stiffelman, MD, April Tyus-Myles, MD and Jahmille Simon, PPCNP. Their office provides care for patients from birth through adolescence, such as treatment for childhood diseases, vaccinations and well-child exams. Visit cardinalglennon.com/NorthCounty to learn more. To make an appointment with a pediatric specialist, call 314-268-4010. To schedule a pediatric primary care exam with SSM Health Medical Group, call 314-838-7500.

Our Love for Kids is Growing in North County

From ice cream cones to long afternoons at the local pool, summer feels packed with activities—and for many kids, “reading a book” likely falls pretty far down on the to-do list. But the end of the school year doesn’t have to signal a hiatus from reading. Even without the structure of school and homework assignments, parents can help encourage their child’s love of reading by working it into the summer activities in a natural way. Exploring your local library is a great way to keep reading strong in the summer months. Kids can check out books and magazines they haven’t seen before. For children and teens who have only read what is assigned at school, this can be a wonderful opportunity to discover what they actually enjoy reading. Perhaps science fiction or books about animals draw their interests. Spending time browsing the books can help them uncover their love of reading. Many libraries have summer reading programs, book clubs and reading contests for kids at various age levels. These programs often come with their

own incentives, such as earning a free book after logging a certain number of hours or completing their summer reading lists. Of course, there is the added perk of children feeling more grown-up when checking out books with their own library card. Vacation can be a great time to get in some extra reading as well. A breezy beach book tends to be exclusively parent territory –after all, most children won’t forgo swimming and sand castles for a good read –but the trip itself is a great time for reading. During long car

trips, make sure the back seat is filled with plenty of your child’s favorite reads. Families can even choose audiobooks together to enjoy during the drive to your destination. Writing is another way to keep young readers’ minds sharp during the summer months. Emails and shorter than 144-character messages may be the fad, but there’s something to be said for taking the time to write a letter or even a postcard to share with a family member. If your family chooses not to go on summer vacation, your child can still drop a line to grandma and grandpa to share stories. Kids may lose the routine of going to school during the summer, but that doesn’t mean that other reading rituals have to pause. If you read to your children before bedtime, keep it up. If you have a beautiful afternoon and a favorite shade tree, take advantage of the opportunity to read together and enjoy the day. Whatever traditions your family has, don’t toss them aside during the summer. You and your child are creating important memories. Making your own books is another fun opportunity for summer learning. Many parents enjoy scrapbooking, and this is a great activity to engage your child. As you select pictures, ask your child to write down the story of what was happening during those pictures. If your child is too young, it is okay to dictate the story. The point is that you’re interacting and engaging your child’s mind. However you choose to encourage your young reader, it is important for children to know that reading isn’t just an assignment to check off their homework list. It is a ticket to adventure, knowledge and wonder every time they open a book. Happy reading!

Summer Reading

For most kids, a bicycle is the official vehicle of summer. What other ride takes them to pick-up games at the park, sounds like a motorcycle with the simple addition of baseball cards, and helps get them home before the streetlights come on? Bikes can be part of the happiest memories of childhood. That’s why it is so important for kids to get the proper bike and learn how to safely spend their time on two wheels. Riding a two-wheeled bike is a little like potty-training: Parents shouldn’t push their child to ride their bike without training wheels until they are ready. It’s natural for children to be a bit apprehensive about trying their bike without training wheels for the first time. Parents should keep in mind a child’s coordination when evaluating whether the child is ready to ride without wheels. A bike with foot (pedal) brakes rather than hand brakes is a good starter bike for a child who is still learning.As a parent, it can be very exciting to surprise your child with a muchcoveted gift, but it is important to take your child with you when shopping for the bike. This can allow you and the child to be sure the bike is the proper size and type. Bikes should be the correct size for a child and not one that a child can grow into, as an oversize bike can be dangerous. Parents should talk to their child about bike safety but should set a nonnegotiable rule: A helmet must be worn at all times, on every ride. Injuries can happen on a sidewalk just outside a child’s house just as easily as they can occur anywhere else. “The most important thing about choosing a helmet is getting the right size helmet and the correct helmet for the activity”, said Lori Winkler, injury prevention nurse coordinator at SSM

“If they want to figure out the correct size before they get to the store, they should know the measurement around the child’s eyebrows,” Winkler said. “One important thing to note is, helmet sizes are usually printed on the box in centimeters. So if parents get that measurement with a measuring tape, they will know how many centimeters and the best size when they get to the store.” In addition to a helmet, it is wise to make sure that your child wears sneakers or shoes when riding the bike, as serious injuries can occur to unprotected feet. A child’s first time riding the bicycle without a parent pushing the back is a momentous occasion that can lead to a lifetime of joyful, two-wheeled memories. By ensuring that your child is as safe as possible, you will have a hand in helping create those memories.

Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. Buying a bicycle helmet, rather than a skateboarding or football helmet, is crucial.

Bicycle Safety

The Obamas go Hollywood

Higher Ground Productions announce projects, set to launch films with Netflix

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Correspondent

(NNPA)

– When former President Barack Obama occupied the White House, it wasn’t uncommon to see a myriad of celebrities meeting with the commander in chief and first lady Michelle Obama. Some even called Washington, D.C., “Hollywood East,” because of the popularity of the Obamas even among superstars. Now, one year after launching their production company, “Higher Ground Productions,” the Obamas have officially gone Hollywood.

The former president and

first lady have announced seven projects that are scheduled to be developed and released in the years to come. The projects include “American Factory,” a documentary from this year’s Sundance Film Festival that examines the clash of cultures in Ohio when a Chinese billionaire sets up a new factory in the old General Motors plant and hires some 2,000 blue-collar Americans.

The film was acquired by Higher Ground Productions in partnership with Netflix, where the Obamas have a content deal.

“Crip Camp” is also a documentary acquired by Higher Ground and Netflix,

currently in production with support from the Sundance Institute, according to Entertainment Weekly which reported that the film will follow a ramshackle summer camp for disabled teenagers in the early 1970s that helped set

in motion the disability rights movement in America.

“We created Higher Ground to harness the power of storytelling. That’s why we couldn’t be more excited about these projects,” President Obama said in a statement from

Higher Ground. “Touching on issues of race and class, democracy and civil rights, and much more, we believe each of these productions won’t just entertain, but will educate, connect, and inspire us all.”

Michelle Obama added: “We love this slate because it spans so many different interests and experiences, yet it’s all woven together with stories that are relevant to our daily lives.”

According to Entertainment Weekly, other projects include Risk, a non-fiction series based on Michael Lewis’ best-selling book “Fifth Risk,” an examination of the Trump administration’s impact on America’s key government agencies; “Bloom,” a period drama exploring the upstairs-downstairs worlds of women and people of color in a post-WWII New York; a scripted anthology

permanent smile on her face.

“She was blown away,” Boyd said. He got a kick out of showing her how much St. Louis loved her “Granny.”

early benefactor. As the second largest annual historically black parade, BJ’s sentiments were echoed as people made stops to speak to the crowd as they danced and partied down Market.

But there was one special invited guest to Sunday’s parade who had no idea of its prominence and cultural significance in the region. The 109th parade was the introduction of the Annie Malone Parade to Sasha Turnbo. She is Annie Malone’s great-great niece, though everyone in her family refers to Malone as “Granny.”

According to Gary Boyd, chair of the Annie Malone Weekend festivities and cohost of the 109th parade, the Turnbo/Malone family thought that St. Louis had “a little parade in memory of her” and that was it.

“Pat Washington (Annie Malone’s vice president of Development and External Affairs) reached out to invite her,” Boyd said. “The family had no idea of the scale of the parade.”

Turnbo sat in the station with Grand Marshal Orvin T. Kimbrough, Merdean Gales and other dignitaries with a

“You know how it is with younger generations, as time goes on people stop coming,” Boyd said. “So, by the time it got to Sasha’s generation, she

n The 109th parade was the introduction of the Annie Malone Parade to Sasha Turnbo. She is Annie Malone’s great-great niece, though everyone in her family refers to Malone as “Granny.”

and the young folks who are related to Annie Malone just didn’t know this was happening like this.”

Turnbo, who works in the fashion industry in New York, was noticeably in awe for the entire three hours that the parade was underway. Guests were probably wondering who she was amongst the regular attendees perched above the

series called “Overlooked,” based on the New York Times’ obituary column about people whose deaths were not initially reported by the paper; and a feature film adaptation of author David W. Blight’s Pulitzer Prizewinning biography, “Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom.”

There is also a preschool series with the title, “Listen to Your Vegetables & Eat Your Parents.”

That series is described as taking young children and their families on a global adventure to learn where their food comes from.

It’s a project that’s reportedly closely connected with Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” initiative that she spearheaded during her tenure as first lady to get all Americans more access and education to eating and living healthily.

parade route as she smiled and waved to participants who gave every ounce of themselves for the entire mile-and-a-half route. When the parade was over, Turnbo was invited to address the crowd.

“My family had no idea that you were remembering our granny like this in St. Louis,” Turnbo said. “We really didn’t know y’all were doing it like this! This is amazing.”

Boyd said that Turnbo was so excited about what she saw last Sunday in honor of her cherished great-great aunt, that not only are several more family members making provisions to attend, but they will be planning a family reunion in St. Louis around the parade and be a part of it in the near future.

Boyd hopes that black St. Louis as a whole – and elected officials – will join them as they create a renewed connection with their ancestor by way of the parade.

“It’s one thing to have people show up when things are bad, but our young people need to see everyone when things are going good to tell them they are doing a good job,” Boyd said.

“People tend to forget that they plan all year for this one special moment – picking the outfits, rehearsing routines … all of it. We want to see everybody encouraging those who are working hard and doing right.”

Photo By Wiley Price

Barack and Michelle Obama

Though she was dutifully volunteering as usual, Linda Robinson managed to steal a moment to snap a pic with film and television star Lamann Rucker. Rucker, who currently stars in the OWN Network drama

“Greenleaf” was the celebrity guest for Spectrum’s Community Impact Day Saturday at the Monsanto Family YMCA.

A soggy May Day. Of all the years I decide that I’m going to get to the May Day Parade extra early, the rain says “ooh, me too.” I got soaked to the bone – and my stallion parade ponytail was dripping and sloppily slinging to the side. I wrung myself out as best I could and kept it moving until the parade got underway. Even though I never completely dried out, and I’m so glad I stayed. I got my whole life from the sights and sounds of the 109th Annual May Day Parade. Parade co-host Gary “Them Yo People” Boyd didn’t let a little thing like laryngitis stop him from announcing every single participant and giving his own side commentary. He was serving Weezy Jefferson vocal cord realness, but he was a joyful kee-kee as usual to watch. Everybody pretty much showed up and showed out this year – and I’m noticing that my favorites are consistently slaying the whole parade. Diva Sweat Dance Company brought that heat with their racecar-themed outfits. The fraternities and sororities did it big with baby step shows on top of flatbed trucks and whatnot. And for those wondering who that baby Que was setting it “owt” with his future bruhs, that was Michael Jones III, the two-year-old grandson of Friendly Temple Senior Pastor Michael Jones Sr. and son of Michael Jr. Wasn’t he the cutest?! And I will be keeping my eye out to see what the Royal Lancers Drum Corps does for May Day 2020, because they slayed 2019.

A tornado on my Twilight Tuesday parade. This space right here was to be dedicated to telling you how Love Jones The Band tore down the stage for their debut as a headliner for the Missouri History Twilight Tuesday Concert Series. I was a little birdie at the final rehearsal, and they were going to give us life more abundantly with their show that brought in more singers and a horn trio – Tank Hughes and his crew were gonna kill it! Instead, I was sitting in the bathroom with my head between my knees. Okay, I’m only flexible enough to get my chin to my chest, but you get my drift. I will be sure to hip y’all to the reschedule, because if it goes down even remotely how they were planning for it Love Jones The Band will blow y’all away worse than that twister that had the National Weather Service texting me with alerts every five seconds like a thirsty ex. Stay tuned for the make-up date. Boosie about town. I’m surprised I didn’t see the artist formerly known as Lil Boosie bopping down Market to “Wipe Me Down” as part of the parade, because he was all over the city ahead of his show Sunday night at The Ambassador. He was perched at the Posh Shoe Bar for a meet and greet Sunday afternoon and had it bursting at the seams – and was mixing and mingling with the folks in the down to earth way that makes me have a special place in my heart for those type of celebs. It was quite the cute up close and personal celebrity event. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to give a recap of the concert. I got there kind of early and decided to double-back to the house for a quick cat nap before he showed up. Well, thanks to being worn down by the May Day festivities, that cat nap turned into a grizzly bear hibernation. I barely got up to get my nephew off to school Monday morning. I didn’t hear anything bad about the show, and when I drove off the lot for my ill-fated nap, the parking lot of the Ambassador was pretty full, so I’m going to assume he had a packed house and gave the people what they wanted while on stage.

A not so funny thing happened at the comedy show. So, Saturday night I made it my business to head to Westport to check out Jordan Rock weekend engagement at the Funny Bone. Before I get started on what happened at the show, let me say how wonderful it felt to be welcomed with opened arms by the Funny Bone staff and management after being suddenly treated any old kind of way for the past few months every time I try to stop by Helium to show love to the black comics when they come through. After I took my seat, a couple sat down next to me and everything was cool – until opening act Stephon Hightower mentioned the Ferguson protest to frame one of his jokes. He mentioned Michael Brown and the man booed. He mentioned getting tear-gassed and the man applauded. The joke ended up tickling my table neighbor’s racist bone instead of his funny bone. It was such a trigger for him to start being a bigot that he referred to comedian Michael D’Bey as “boy.” I said, “Wow, that’s offensive.” And he decided to keep it up. I said to myself I was going to let him know he was out-of-pocket after the show. He tried it with Jordan Rock, but he called him out about it – which I secretly think is what he was hoping for. The glorious thing was Jordan was so smooth with it that the good ole boy didn’t even get to make a scene. After he told dude he was being disrespectful and needed a black friend so he can know what to say – and what not to say – he just carried on with the rest of his set and the racist dude didn’t even get a chance to continue getting loud. He was so irritated that he didn’t get the racially motivated outburst of his dreams that he and his lady got up and left early. My soul wouldn’t allow him to leave without me telling him that calling a black man boy is offensive. He told me that his best friend is black – and that he calls his bff boy, and the “boy” calls him “cracker.” Then he told me to mind my business. I told him if he wouldn’t have been being a racist, he could have had all of his business to himself. His lady got between me and him and lovingly nudged him out the door. Jordan was hilarious again until all those shots of alcohol the audience kept sending him kicked in.

Heather and Samantha were all dolled up for the Black Rep’s opening night performance of ‘Nina Simone: Four Women’ Friday night @ The Edison Theatre

Black Rep vets Cindy and Chuck caught up following the opening night performance of ‘Nina Simone: Four Women’ Friday night @ Edison Theatre

Angelina and Nikki helped their brother Barry usher in his “second act” with a bang during his birthday party Saturday afternoon @ The Corner

Rebecca wished Barry a happy b-day as he celebrated the big 5-0 with family and friends Saturday afternoon @ The Corner

Veteran actor J. Samuel Davis with Leah Stewart, Alex Jay, Camille Sharp of The Black Rep’s ‘Nina Simone: Four Women’ Friday night @ The Edison Theatre

DJ G. Wiz held it down as the official DJ of the 109th Annual Annie Malone May Day Parade Sunday Afternoon

Director Ron Himes and Leah Stewart, who played the title role in ‘Nina Simone: Four Women’ following the opening night performance Friday @ Edison Theatre

Chanta and Jamie were bright and early for the 109th Annual May Day Parade Sunday afternoon

Shelton and Trevon were on site to soak in the sights, sounds and celebrations of the 109th Annual May Day Parade Sunday afternoon

Melva chopped it up with super funny comedian Jordan Rock following his Friday night show of a weekend engagement at the St. Louis Funny Bone

& RESIDUE

METABOLISM

CHEMISTRY SCIENTIST I

Bayer CropScience L.P. seeks Metabolism & Residue Chemistry Scientist I to work in Chesterfield, MO, & support Bayer safety programs as well as enforce workplace safety. Duties include acting as GLP study director or principal analytical investigator for regulatory & investigative metabolism & residue studies, etc. Apply at https://career.bayer.us, #40693.

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

COORDINATOR

–ACCOUNT SERVICESPOLICY OPERATIONS

at our Training Center, 1084 Kenran Industrial Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63137. You must be 18 years of age or older, have a high school diploma or a G.E.D to complete an application. A drug-screening test will be required for employment. Random drug and alcohol testing are required thereafter. Please No Phone Calls

FIREFIGHTER/ PARAMEDIC

Maryland Heights Fire Protection District is accepting applications for the position of Firefighter/Paramedic. Qualifications and requirement packets may be picked up from District Headquarters at 2600 Schuetz Road Maryland Heights, MO. 63043 beginning May 20, 2019 through June 5, 2019 between 09:00am and 3:00pm Monday-Thursday. Completed packets must be turned in no later than 3:00pm on June 5, 2019.

Maryland Heights Fire District is an Equal Opportunity Employer

The St. Louis County Library is seeking a full-time Graphic Designer. Responsible for creative collateral of all kinds to enhance the program and services of St. Louis County Library. Must have experience with Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign. Mac environment. Must be creative and able to handle multiple projects with rapid turn-around. Ability to lift 25lbs. Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design and three years professional experience required. Salary: $33,758. Apply online at www.slcl.org.

Equal Opportunity Employer.

Responsible for providing client / customer support for the department’s operational functions to include the production of Primary and Excess Workers’ Compensation, Commercial Auto, General Liability, Excess Liability and Specialty Lines transactions (New Business, Renewals, Endorsements, Cancellations, Reinstatements and Non-renewals). This position includes the accuracy in which transactions are issued, correct billing and proper distribution of final product to our customers To apply, please visit: https://www. safetynational.com/careers-page/

at the St. Louis City Family Court Juvenile Division, including full benefit package, plus no cost retirement plandetailed info at www.stlcitycircuitcourt.com , click employment opportunities EOE

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION COUNSELOR

The State of Missouri is accepting applications for a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor in the St. Louis area. Starting salary is $39,528-$41,496. View job description, benefits and application instructions at https://dese.applicantpro.com/ jobs/

DIRECTOR CORPORATE COMPLIANCE - CLAIMS

Under the direction of the Vice President, Corporate Compliance, responsible for overall management of the Claims Compliance Unit of the Corporate Compliance Department which Unit encompasses claims compliance and broker licensing/appointments.

To apply, please visit: https://www.safetynational.com/ careers-page/

Vintech Solutions Inc has openings for the positions: “Systems Analyst” with Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering (any),Technology or related to analyze user requirements, procedures, and problems to automate processing or to improve existing computer system. Design, develop, implement, test and maintain business functions using a variety of computer operating systems, languages, tools, methodologies and technologies. Prepare functional, system and program specifications for the requirement. Provide

“Software

of languages, tools, methodologies and technologies. Develop, create and modify general computer applications software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software solutions. Design software or customize software for client use with the aim of optimizing operational efficiency.

To assist the Finance and Accounting Department with cash receipts, accounts payable, and to assist in other accounting and administrative duties.

To apply, please visit: https://www. safetynational.com/careers-page/

The Metropolitan St. Louis Equal Housing & Opportunity Council (EHOC) seeks: FT EDUCATION

COORDINATOR

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

ADVERTISEMENT FOR: REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

The City of St Louis Department of Health is seeking proposals to link individuals identified as high risk for hypertension with healthy foods, health education, cooking demonstrations, and referrals to hypertension programs incorporating Self-Monitoring Blood Pressure (SMBP) to optimize health outcomes.

Requests for Proposals may be obtained beginning May 17, 2019, from the City of St. Louis Department of Health, Bobie Williams, 1520 Market Street-Suite 4051, St. Louis MO 63103, williamsb@stlouis-mo.gov, (314) 657-1475. Proposals may also be downloaded from the City of St. Louis website at http://www.stlouis-mo.gov/. All questions must be submitted in writing no later than May 24, 2019, to Bobie Williams at the information listed above. All questions will be addressed through addenda posted on the St. Louis City website at http://stlouis-mo.gov/.

The deadline for submitting proposals is June 7, 2019, by 5:00 P.M. to Candace Da Silva at the address listed above. The Department of Health reserves the right to reject any or all responses with or without cause.

“Software Developer” with Master’s degree in Computer/Digital Science, Engineering any, Technology, Any Analytical Science or related to develop, create and modify general computer applications software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user requirements and convert requirements to design documents. Test, maintain and recommend software improvements to ensure strong functionality and optimization. Work location is Olivette,MO with required travel to client locations throughout the USA.Please mail resumes to 9715 Olive Blvd, Floor 2, Olivette, MO 63132 (OR) e-mail: legal@vintech.com

Opportunity Clause” and the “Standard Federal Equal Employment Specifications” set forth within and referenced at www.stlbps.org (Announcements).

St. LouiS american Bids & Public Notices

St. LouiS american

SEALED BIDS

The City of Wellston will accept sealed bids for its upcoming Neighborhood Cleanup Activity. All bidders are strongly advised to read and familiarize themselves with this invitation, the bid specifications, and the locations where the work will take place. This activity is funded in whole or in part with Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds pursuant to Title1 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended. All applicable federal regulations shall be in full force and effect.

A complete bid packet along with additional bid information must be obtained from Jann Trigg, City Administrator, City Administrator, 1414 Evergreen Ave., cityadministrator@ cityofwellston.com. All sealed bids must be received by Tuesday, May 28, 2019 at 3:00 pm. The City of Wellston reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and/ or combinations thereof and to waive informalities therein.

LETTING #8698

ADA UPGRADE AND RENOVATIONS TO GREGORY J. CARTER PARK

Sealed proposals will be received by the Board of Public Service in Room 208 City Hall, 1200 Market Street, St. Louis, Mo. Until 1:45 PM, CT, on June 25th, 2019, then publicly opened and read. Plans and Specifications may be examined on the Board of Public Service website http://www.stl-bps.org/ planroom.aspx (BPS On Line Plan Room) and may be purchased directly through the BPS website from INDOX Services at cost plus shipping. No refunds will be made.

A mandatory pre-bid walk thru for all contractors bidding on this project will be held at Gregory J. Carter Park, 5757 Lilian Avenue, St. Louis, MO. 63120, June 11, 2019 at 10:00 A.M. All bidders are encouraged to attend.

Bidders shall comply with all applicable City, State and Federal laws (including MBE/WBE policies).

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

LETTING #8694

TERMINAL 1 AND 2 PARKING FACILITY STRUCTURAL REPAIRS AT ST. LOUIS LAMBERT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

The Department of Public Safety- Division of Corrections is seeking proposals to provide Inmate Healthcare and Associated Services for the City Justice Center and Medium Security Institution. Proposals are due by 5:00 PM CST, Monday July 15, 2019 to the Office of the Commissioner, City Justice Center, 200 S. Tucker, St. Louis, MO 63102.

A pre-bid conference and walk through will be held on May 30, 2019 9:00 AM, at the City Justice Center, 200 S. Tucker. For more information or a copy of the RFP please contact Kim Maloney, Fiscal Operations Support Manager, Division of Corrections at 314-621-5848, ext. 1059, maloneyk@stlouis-mo.gov, or visit https://www.stlouis-mo. gov/government/procurement

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS

SEWER DISTRICT

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS

SEWER DISTRICT

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District will receive RFQ’s in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103-2555 until 10:00 a.m. on June 26, 2019 to contract with a company for: Equipment Trailers - 20,000 LBS & 24,000 LBS. Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from www.stlmsd.com, click on the “MSD AT WORK” link, (bid opportunities). The bid document will be identified as 9982 RFQ. If you do not have access to the internet, call 314.768.2735 to request a copy of this bid. Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District will receive RFQ’s in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103-2555 until 10:00 a.m. on June 25, 2019 to contract with a company for: Compact Excavators- 13,000 LBS & 18,000 LBS. Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from www.stlmsd.com, click on the “MSD AT WORK” link, (bid opportunities). The bid document will be identified as 9981 RFQ. If you do not have access to the internet, call 314.768.2735 to request a copy of this bid. Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Sealed proposals will be received by the Board of Public Service in Room 208 City Hall, 1200 Market Street, St. Louis, Mo. Until 1:45 PM, CT, on June 4, 2019 then publicly opened and read. Plans and Specifications may be examined on the Board of Public Service website http://www.stlbps.org/planroom.aspx (BPS On Line Plan Room) and may be purchased directly through the BPS website from INDOX Services at cost plus shipping. No refunds will be made.

Bidders shall comply with all applicable City, State and Federal laws (including MBE/WBE policies). Mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 14, 2019, at 1:30 PM in the Ozark Conference Room at the Airport Office Building, 11495 Navaid Rd., Bridgeton, MO 63044.

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

TO ADVERTISE YOUR BIDS

PLEASE CALL ANGELITA HOUSTON AT 314-2895430

Public Notice of Single Source Procurement

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is proposing to procure: EFFLUENT PUMP REPAIR. The District is proposing single source procurement for this equipment/service because VANDEVANTER ENGINEERING is the only known available source for the equipment/service. Any inquiries should be sent to gjamison@stlmsd.com. Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District will receive RFQ’s in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103-2555 until 11:00 a.m. on May 23, 2019 to contract with a company for: GRAPHIC AND DRAFTING SUPPLIES.

Specifications and bid forms may be

obtained from www.stlmsd.com, click on the “MSD AT WORK” link, (bid opportunities). The bid document will be identified as 9983 RFQ. If you do not have access to the internet, call 314-768-6254 to request a copy of this bid. Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

LETTING #8696

RECONSTRUCTION OF TAXIWAY KILO FROM TAXIWAY FOXTROT TO CARGO APRON ST. LOUIS LAMBERT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Sealed proposals will be received by the Board of Public Service, Room 208, City Hall, 1200 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri, 63103 until 1:45 PM, CT, on June 4, 2019, then publicly opened and read. Plans and Specifications may be examined on the Board of Public Service website http:// www.stl bps.org/planroom (BPS On Line Plan Room) and may be purchased directly through the BPS website from INDOX Services at cost plus shipping. No refunds will be made.

Bidders shall comply with all applicable City and State laws (including DBE/MBE/WBE policies). Mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 14, 2019, at 10:00 A.M. in the Ozark Conference Room (A0-4066) at the Airport Office Building, 11495 Navaid Rd., Bridgeton, MO 63044.

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

SEALED BIDS

Services,Electrical, CentralRegion, State ofMissouri, ProjectNo. ZASIDIQ-9022, willbereceivedby FMDC,Stateof MO, UNTIL1:30PM, Thursday,June6, 2019.Forspecific projectinformation andordering plans,go to:http://oa.mo.gov/ facilities

ST. LOUIS COUNTY PUBLIC NOTICE

SEALED BIDS

for R

& Conversion,CCC DiningLodge, Sam A.BakerState Park, Patterson, Missouri, ProjectNo. X180101willbe received byFMDC,State ofMO,UNTIL 1:30PM, 6/6/2019. Forspecificproject informationand orderingplans,go to:http://oa.mo. gov/ facilities

BIDS for theREBIDOF StatewideJob Order Contract, ProjectNo. ZASIDIQ-9017, willbereceived by FMDC,State ofMO, UNTIL 1:30PM, Thursday, June6, 2019.For specific project information andordering plans, goto:http:// oa.mo. gov/facilities

St. Louis County as an Urban Entitlement County is eligible to apply for and receive federal funds from the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the Community Development Block Grant, HOME Investment Partnership and Emergency Solutions Grant programs. St. Louis County is also the Lead Agency for the St. Louis County HOME Consortium. The St. Louis County HOME Consortium is a group of contiguous units of local government that have joined together for the purpose of receiving a HOME allocation and administering a HOME Program as a single grantee. The members of the St. Louis County HOME Consortium include St. Louis County, the City of Florissant, the City of O’Fallon, Jefferson County and St. Charles County.

The St. Louis County HOME Consortium has prepared a draft of its Fiscal Year 2019 Action Plan which is an application for federal funds which will be provided by HUD for the aforementioned programs. This draft 2019 Action Plan includes proposed activities that the St. Louis County HOME Consortium plans to undertake utilizing funds that should be made available on or about July 1, 2019. Copies of this draft 2019 Action Plan will be available for public review and comment beginning Thursday, May 23, 2019 thru June 24, 2019, at the following locations during normal business hours (8 am – 4 pm Monday thru Friday).

St. Louis County Government Centers

• West-74 Clarkson-Wilson Center Chesterfield, MO 63017 (314-615-0900)

• Northwest Crossing – 715 Northwest Plaza Drive

St. Ann, MO 63074 (314-615-7400)

• South-4546 Lemay Ferry Road

St. Louis, MO 63129 (314-615-4000)

St. Louis County Department of Planning

• Office of Community Development - 41 S. Central, 5th floor, Clayton, MO 63105 (314-615-4414)

St. Louis County Library System

• Headquarters Location - 1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63131 (314-994-3300)

City of Florissant

• Government Building - 1055 Rue St. Francois, Florissant, MO 63031 (314-839-7680)

City of O’Fallon

• City Hall - 100 N. Main Street, O’Fallon, MO 63366 (636-240-2000)

Jefferson County

• Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation - 5217 Highway B, Hillsboro, MO 63050 (636-797-5336)

St. Charles County

• Administrative Building - 201 N. Second St., St. Charles, MO 63301 (636-949-7900)

All comments regarding the draft of the 2019 Action Plan should be put in writing on or before June 24, 2019 and directed to:

Mr. Jim Holtzman, Director Office of Community Development 41 S. Central Avenue, 5th floor Clayton, MO 63105 Phone: (314) 615-4414 (VOICE) 1-800-735-2966 (Relay Missouri TTY Callers) 1-800-735-2466 (Relay Missouri Voice Callers) EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

INVITATION TO BID

JUNE 1 -30, 2019

ST. LOUIS CELEBRITY

SENIORS, INC.

Accepting written narrative applications from St. Louis Metropolitan area 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that are seeking volunteers and/or financial assistance for social service, scientific or educational programs for 2019/2020. Narrative must not be more than 500 words and include proof of nonprofit status. Any questions should be directed to Ellen White at (314) 630-7538 or by email at ewhite5341@sbcglobal.net

Mail applications to:

St. Louis Celebrity Seniors, Inc.

P.O. Box 4113

St. Louis, MO 63136

PUBLIC NOTICE

The 2019 Assessment Book of taxable property within the City of St. Louis is open for inspection in the Assessor’s Office, Room 114, City Hall. The 2019 values can also be viewed at https://www.stlouis-mo. gov/data/address-search/.

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

Michael R. Dauphin City of St. Louis Assessor

INVITATION TO BID

BIDS

DowntownSTL, Inc. is seeking bids for providing political and public relations consulting services for creation of a Community Improvement District. A copy of the RFP can be found at downtownstl.org/bids.

Brinkmann Constructors would like to invite you to bid on the Demolition, Earthwork, SWPPP and Utility packages of work for the Missouri S&T Student Design Center Expansion. Please use the civil drawings dated 4/23/19 and the geotech report dated December 21, 2018 for estimating.

Please contact Andrew Lucas with Brinkmann Constructors at (636) 537-9700 with any questions.

Brinkmann will have the bid documents online at: https://secure.smartinsight.co/#/ PublicBidProject/445648

SEALED BIDS

WesternMissouri CorrectionalCenter, Cameron,Missouri, ProjectNo. C1926-01willbe received

FMDC,State ofMO,UNTIL

PM,5/23/19. Forspecificproject informationand orderingplans,go to:http://oa.mo.gov/ facilities

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Millstone Weber, LLC is soliciting proposals for Reconstruction of Taxiway K from Taxiway F to Cargo Apron, Letting No 8696 at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport. Please phone 636-6888794, fax 636-949-3129 or email bob.stubbs@millstoneweber.com or ryan.taylor@millstoneweber. com, quotes to Bob Stubbs by 5:00 pm Monday, June 3rd. Subcontract work includes, removals, concrete, bituminous pavement, PCC backfill, hauling, landscaping, striping, and electrical. Plans and Specifications are available for review on City of St Louis website http:// www.stl-bps.org/planroom.aspx or at Millstone Weber office.

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS

SEWER DISTRICT

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is accepting proposals in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103-2555 until 10:00 a.m. on June 25th, 2019 to contract with a company for a: Missouri One Call Application Software.

Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from www.stlmsd.com, click on the “MSD AT WORK” link, (bid opportunities). The bid document will be identified as 9972 RFP. If you do not have access to the internet, call 314.768.2735 to request a copy of this bid.

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

SEALED BIDS

ST. LOUIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

byFMDC,State ofMO.UNTIL 1:30PM, 6/20/2019. Forspecific project informationand orderingplans,go to:http://oa.mo. gov/ facilities

St. Louis Community College will receive separate sealed bids for Contract No. F 19 406, Renovation of Enrollment Services, St. Louis Community College at Forest Park, until p.m. local time, Tuesday, June 4, 2019. Bids will be publicly opened and read aloud at the office of the Manager of Engineering and Design, 5464 Highland Park Drive (Plan Room). Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from the Manager’s office, at the above address or by calling (314)

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE:

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

Religion

Greater Grace joins North County Churches Uniting for Racial Harmony and Justice

Plus, Pastor Wilkerson launches Life Church

Of TruthSt. Louis

American staff

Greater Grace Church in Ferguson recently joined North County Churches Uniting for Racial Harmony and Justice by signing its Covenant Statement following President Rance Thomas’ presentation.

It became the 27th church to become a member of this organization, committing the church and members to work to promote racial understanding and social justice within North St. Louis County.

Just a few months’ prior to this, St. Martin DePorres Catholic Church in Hazelwood became the 26th church to join North County Churches Uniting for Racial Harmony and Justice following Thomas’ presentation.

At both services Bishop Larry Jones preached on the rewards of giving not only money but time and effort to others and various causes. He stated that when we give we are rewarded in many ways. The presentations by Thomas emphasized the good works Christians are expected to do.

“We are not saved by our good works but are saved to do good works,” Thomas said, “and good works take many forms.”

The primary theme of North County Churches Uniting for

Racial Harmony and Justice since its very beginning has been: “If God loves each person unconditionally, why can’t we do the same? Therefore, it works to promote understanding between individuals including between the police and the community”.

Pastor Wilkerson launches Life Church Of Truth - St. Louis

Pastor Mark J. Wilkerson, a native of St. Louis, has returned

to his roots and place of birth in the Gateway City to launch

The Life Church Of Truth – St. Louis.

“It’s a ministry with a mission to minister to the whole man, both body, soul and mind,” Wilkerson said. “It is a ministry where it’s not about your clothes but ministry for the soul.”

He and Lady Faye Wilkerson are senior pastors, Bishop Michael Bates serves as organizational leader.

Wilkerson, also known as “Shakey,” is from the North

n “We are not saved by our good works but are saved to do good works, and good works take many forms.”

– Rance Thomas North County Churches Uniting for Racial Harmony and Justice

The Message

Do something

A minister friend of mine once told me that a person can have theology but no faith. He told me this because at one time I was considering going to school to study the Bible. My friend, recognizing that I was a rookie trying to crack the starting ,lineup for Christ, suggested maybe a different course of action would be better for me and I now know he was correct.

For most of my life I could intellectualize myself out of or into any situation. Therefore, as you can imagine, my brain was easily corrupted by Satan so much so that I never really accepted Christ into my life, although I considered myself a good and decent person.

That was the point, according to my minister friend.

Many people can quote scripture and are experts in what the Bible says, but clearly, they have little to no faith. So instead of surrounding yourself with academicians, surround yourself with people who are believers first.

I have since found his words prophetic, because one of my blind spots dealing with faith was the hypocritical nature of scripture-quoting Christians, who obviously demonstrated little faith from Sunday to Sunday. From the pulpit to the pew, it was enough to keep me out of church. That mindset made a winner out of the devil and a loser out of me.

Side and is a 1982 graduate of Central High School. He has been ministering the gospel for approximately 38 years and is currently the founder and senior pastor of the Life Church Of Bainbridge, Georgia.

Excited about fulfilling the call on his life and to spread the word of Jesus, he said God has directed him to launch this new ministry and second location in St. Louis.

Life Church Of Truth – St. Louis is located at 5007 Waterman Blvd. in St. Louis, meeting In the First Unitarian Church Of St. Louis.

“Come worship with us,” Wilkerson said. Dress down for worship every Saturday at 1 p.m. “We may be a little out of the box, but we are still in the Book.”

For more information, call (314) 328-4168 or email LifeChurchSTLOUIS314@gmail. com or markwilkerson7979@ gmail.com.

I hear all the time that God is not a God of confusion. He has in fact made this thing rather simple. I believe James when he says faith by itself if not accompanied by some display of works is dead. I now also believe that faith, real faith in the Almighty, demands a change in us. Faith demands that we do something, act in such a manner that those who know us best, see an attempt to walk in the ways of Christ. There is nothing intellectual about this, and I’m glad to have been hungry enough for the Word that it led me to others’ hunger just like mine.

Now when I go to church and see what I deem hypocrisy, I cannot respond intellectually or even emotionally anymore. I am not now nor have I ever been in a position to cast the first stone. Isn’t that the point?

“Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous man is powerful and effective.” James 5:16. Human beings sin and make mistakes against God. It is in our nature. Faith enters the picture as we come to realize the mystery of the gospel. Jesus died to save us from us. Hence, God’s grace gives us insight that in Christ, salvation is still ours if we only give all things up to the indisputable mercy of God and His love for us. Once you step to Him, then life and death become pretty clear.

Being with others who know this is as important as knowing it for yourself. At that point theology becomes obvious and faith becomes tangible, so tangible in fact that you can see it, touch it – and subsequently act on it.

Columnist James Washington