October 3rd, 2019 Edition

St. Louis County Police Chaplain

Byron Watson wears a badge – and a cross

Working out of the North County Precinct, Watson goes wherever the action is to see if anyone on the scene needs to talk – or pray. He is spiritually armed and available to minister to victims, their family members, and police officers alike.

often in harm’s way.

“That’s a dynamic I can’t live with – that a man of God has to wear a bulletproof vest,” Watson said. “But I am not going to put on riot gear or pull out my weapon.”

He finds that many people on the victim side are surprised to find that a police department employs spiritual leaders who report to crime scenes. Police officers know about his role, but may be hesitant to take advantage of it. “They don’t want to be seen

as showing weakness,” Watson said. So, he has learned to look for a certain gleam in an officer’s eye. “I get in their peripheral view,” he said. “I don’t approach them. I let them approach me.” He has prayed with cops in hospital corridors, around corners near crime scenes, and in their squad cars.

Watson understands their work and pain. He retired from the St. Louis County Police Department as a sergeant after 35 years and

You

got to Believe

give a performance on October 1, during the open-

Teen Center of Excellence opens in Ferguson

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis provides new ‘Innovative Education Hub’

By Chris King

Of The St. Louis American

The Ferguson Commission called the community to action in its “Forward Through Ferguson” report, and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis are responding with their new Teen Center of Excellence, which opens Thursday, October 3 at 9200 West Florissant Ave. in Ferguson.

“Placing ‘Youth at the Center’ is needed to impact generational change. This center is an expansion of the Innovative Education Hub called for in the report,” said Flint Fowler, president of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis.

“We strongly believe that greater attention

n “Scholarships and other forms of support are available for those who qualify. No child is ever turned away due a family’s inability to pay.”

– Flint Fowler, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis

must be given to the massive out-of-school time opportunities we have to support, protect and prepare our children and teens.”

The newly built $12.4 million,

(RNC) and

reelection campaign for

the U.S. Census for purely partisan fundraising pitches. The RNC and Trump campaign authorized and distributed campaign mailers to targeted households in Missouri’s 1st Congressional District, and other areas across the country, that are deliberately designed to look like official

26,856-square-foot center will house an innovation center, recording studio, teaching kitchen, gymnasium, theatre, gaming room, fitness zone, garden area, concession stand, and intellectual commons.

“All Teen Center programs align with our current logic model, driven by our Formula for Impact theory of change,” Fowler said.

“These are the four Pillars of (program) Excellence: Education and Workforce Development; Health and Wellness; Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (S.T.E.M.); and Leadership and Civic Engagement.”

He said specific programming will include

By Chris King For The

Photo by Wiley Price

Glasgow Elementary School students in the Riverview School District

ing of a new reading space at the school called The Believe Project.

St. Louis County Police Chaplain Byron Watson

Photo by Wiley Price

U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay

Mathew Knowles reveals breast cancer battle on ‘Good Morning America’

Mathew Knowles, the father of singers Beyoncé and Solange, disclosed that he is a breast cancer survivor.

The music executive, 67, appeared on “Good Morning America” on Wednesday to talk about his health battle and told host Michael Strahan that he was diagnosed about two months ago after he and his wife noticed small dots of blood on his shirts and the bedsheet.

He said his initial response to the diagnosis was to ask, “Why me?”

“Of all the things I could get, why would I get this?” he said. “From a man’s perspective, I’m thinking, ‘Why me?’”

Knowles revealed that he underwent surgery at the end of July and is doing “really good.” He said he wanted to share his story to urge other men to get tested for the disease.

R. Kelly’s team citing ‘health issues’ in latest release request

According to the Chicago SunTimes, incarcerated R&B singer R. Kelly’s lawyers said in a court filing on Monday that Kelly has “numbness in his hand, anxiety, and an untreated hernia.”

The Sun-Times says the 11-page document filed in federal District of New York is the latest attempt by Kelly’s lawyer to get him released from jail for the federal sex charges Kelly is

Though Kelly has been moved to general population in Chicago’s downtown Metropolitan Correctional Center, defense attorney Steve Greenberg argued in the new filing that Kelly’s conditions of confinement

“remain stifling.” Greenberg pointed out Kelly “has a number of health issues which need to be addressed and for which he is not presently receiving adequate medical care.”

“He is limited to 300 minutes on the telephone, per month,” Greenberg wrote. “His visits are severely restricted; presently, he is only allowed one unrelated person to visit. In other words, although he lives and has lived with two lady friends, only one of them is allowed to be on his visiting list, and after 90 days he is required to switch.”

“No other friends or professional colleagues are allowed to visit. That is not right.”

Stacey Dash arrested for domestic violence

“Clueless” star and alt-right talking head Stacey Dash found herself in handcuffs Sunday night after she was arrested for domestic battery in Pasco County.

Dash was arrested at the Trinity Club apartments in New Port Richey. She initially called 911, claiming to the dispatcher she had been assaulted by her husband, Jeffrey Marty.

face. I pushed her back. He put me into a chokehold,” said Dash. During the call, her husband said in the background it wasn’t a chokehold and Dash said she had marks on her neck.

The arrest affidavit said Dash pushed and slapped her husband, and deputies found red scratch marks on his arm.

“We’re going to tell them exactly what happened, and if me pulling you off was not okay then fine. But I’m not scratching, hitting and all that stuff. I’m the one with the scratches,” her husband said in the background of the 911 call.

Dash was arrested for domestic battery and taken to jail where she bonded out Monday morning. Pasco County deputies said the charge is a misdemeanor, and it will be up to the state attorney to decide whether to file formal charges.

Dash said during her 911 call that she doesn’t live in Florida and wanted to get a flight back to Los Angeles as soon as she could.

Stacey Dash reportedly married Marty, a lawyer and alt-right Twitter personality, just 10 days after meeting.

“We were all arguing. I asked the daughter to get out of my face because she was in my

Mathew Knowles

R. Kelly

Stacey Dash

‘It has always been about right and righteousness’

Juanita Abernathy passes at 87

By Marc H. Morial National Urban League

“I started when there were no cameras and no newspapers writing nice things about you, instead they were writing all sorts of ugly things,” said Juanita Jones Abernathy. “But we kept going. It wasn’t about us. It wasn’t about me. It has always been about right and righteousness. Justice and equality. Not just for me and my family, but for all of God’s children.”

In this digital age, we can organize a protest march, urge a boycott or raise awareness about social issues with a click of a mouse.

In the dark and dangerous days of Jim Crow, half a century ago, civil rights activism was more labor intensive. And nothing embodies the boots-on-theground labor that was involved more than the image of Juanita Jones Abernathy, pounding away at her typewriter, creating fliers for the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

“She said that if she typed with a heavy hand, she could make seven copies at once,” her son Kwame Abernathy told the New York Times And the image of the Abernathys’ firebombed home illustrates the danger of such work.

Juanita Abernathy, who passed away on September 12 at the age of 87, was not only a stalwart of the 20th Century Civil Rights Movement, she was a champion for marginalized people, a brilliant businesswoman and a dedicated

community servant. Her husband, Ralph Abernathy, who died in 1990, was known as Martin Luther King Jr.’s close friend and collaborator. She, like most of the women of the Civil Rights Movement didn’t receive their due recognition at the time, as Mrs. Abernathy would be the first to tell you.

“The men ran the movement, but we were the actual bodies that made it happen,” she once told an interviewer.

Mrs. Abernathy worked in the Alabama chapter of the NAACP when Rosa Parks was arrested, sparking the 381-day Montgomery Bus Boycott. In addition to typing up flyers, she organized a transit plan to get people to work without patronizing the buses, arranging intricate car pools using extra cars lent by a local funeral home.

A few weeks after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled, in Browder v. Gayle, that bus segregation was unconstitutional, a pregnant Mrs. Abernathy was at home with her toddler daughter. Her husband was away with Dr. King, organizing the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

Ku Klux Klan members, enraged by the desegregation ruling, firebombed her house and First Baptist Church, where Ralph Abernathy served as pastor.

Cybersecurity and fraud prevention are now essential to every business. The impact of fraudulent activity is staggering. In fact, according to Juniper research, cybercrimes have resulted in $2 trillion in losses in 2019 with an estimated $6 trillion per year by 2021¹. Although businesses of all sizes are not immune, it’s estimated that half of all cyberattacks are made against small-to-middle sized businesses. “Business cybersecurity and fraud schemes are here to stay and, unfortunately, criminals are only getting more sophisticated,” said Jon Moen, CTP, Senior Vice President, Director of Product, and previous Director of Treasury Management for First Bank. “It’s important to be prepared, educate your teams, and invest in the latest technological resources.”

Although there are many fraudulent scams, currently, there are three types impacting businesses at an alarming rate as a result of Business Email Compromise (BEC). These include executive, vendor, and payroll fraud. According to the 2019 AFP Payments Fraud and Control Report, over 80% of organizations experienced business email compromise. Executive Fraud Scam–“The fraud scheme involving an executive is where the criminal hacks into the email accounts of a CEO or manager,” he explained, “and gains access to emails, contacts, personal identifier details, employee information, and calendar events.” This information is then used to maliciously gain intelligence that can be exploited to compromise a business from the inside, including requesting an employee to make false wire transfers.

“For instance, if a senior executive is out of town and his email account was compromised,

She and her daughter escaped the house unharmed. The church was destroyed. The white supremacist terrorists who confessed to the bombings were acquitted by an all-white jury.

Her grace, determination and bravery in the face of life-threatening danger remain overwhelmingly inspirational.

Mrs. Abernathy was the youngest of eight children born into a farming family designated by Tuskeegee Institute as the most successful Black farmers in the Black Belt in the 1940s. She earned a bachelor of science degree in business education from Tennessee State University in Nashville and married Rev. Abernathy in 1952.

In 1961, the family left Montgomery for Atlanta, where she worked to integrate the public schools and fought for the creation of the fought for the Food Stamp program and a National Free Meal Program for public school children.

She stepped back from the Civil Rights Movement following the assassination of Dr. King, and became a successful saleswoman for the Mary Kay cosmetics company, eventually rising to national sales director and proudly piloting a series of pink Cadillacs, the company’s signature high-sales award.

Her activism continued, however, as she traveled the world on peace missions, risking her life in Northern Ireland in 1972.

She fittingly occupied a place of honor at President Barack Obama’s inauguration in 2009.

Mrs. Abernathy’s passing touches me personally, as she was a contemporary of my parents – also NAACP members during those turbulent years, and who also faced death threats as a result of their work. She, like they, have my eternal gratitude and continue to inspire not just myself but everyone in the Urban League Movement.

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

the cybercriminal can fictitiously email an employee to say things that only the manager would have known, including where he’s traveling to or from,” he said. “There’s often a sense of urgency in the email and, of course, they indicate to keep the wire transfer confidential. They’ll use many excuses to persuade the employee to do so. Sadly, once the fraudulent wire transfer is made, that money is gone.”

Vendor Fraud Scam–This same type of malicious behavior can also compromise a vendor email, requesting that payments be re-routed or changed. “Cybercriminals are now hacking into a company’s email account, creating false invoices, and then sending them out to their contacts,” he explained, “requesting that payment be sent to a new address or account number.”

Payroll Fraud Scam–Much like the other fraud schemes, payroll fraud involves hacking into a personal or business email account, posing as an employee, and requesting that said employee’s direct deposit payroll be rerouted to another bank or account number. To help prevent fraudulent scams from impacting your business or organization, Moen stressed the importance of ongoing education with all of your employees, regardless of their role or title.

“Educate your staff on what to look for in both phishing and fraudulent emails,” he said. “Consider establishing a company policy requiring employee verification for all payroll changes and implementing dual controls on all wire transfers.” He suggested that business owners consider developing a system to indicate if an email is coming from an internal or external source. Moen stressed the importance of using caution and staying alert for all business email compromise scams.

“Other fraudulent crimes, like check fraud, are also still impacting businesses,” he said. “Using technology, education, and all of the tools available, such as First Bank’s Positive Pay, can help in the fight against fraud for your business.”

Judge Michael Noble honored for Judicial Excellence

Missouri Chief Justice George W. Draper III honored St. Louis Circuit Judge Michael Noble at a ceremony last week for his dedication to the effective administration of justice in Missouri. Noble received the 2019 Judicial Excellence Award – Circuit.

“It is a privilege to recognize individuals who serve diligently and with integrity, lead by example and provide the citizens of Missouri with the quality of justice they demand and deserve,” Draper said before presenting his 2019 chief justice awards, including judicial excellence awards.

“Judge Noble’s military background, beginning as a West Point cadet and continuing as a captain

commanding a company of 200 in the Army Reserve, has been the backbone of his desire to be a public servant,” Draper said in presenting Noble’s award.

“As a public defender, he witnessed firsthand the disastrous effects of drugs on his clients, which led him to apply to be a drug court commissioner. As a circuit judge, he has continued to devote his time and efforts to help those affected by drug addiction through his work with the Supreme Court’s alternate treatment courts committee. Today, one of his favorite parts of the job is to mentor young attorneys.” Noble’s entire judicial career has been in the 22nd Judicial Circuit (St. Louis city). He was appointed a drug court commissioner in October 2007; was appointed an associate circuit judge in March 2013; and has served as a circuit judge since November 2015. Voters retained him in that office during the November 2018 general election. Draper presented Noble with the judicial excellence award during a ceremony held Thursday, September 19, 2019, as part of the annual meeting of the Judicial Conference of Missouri, the organization of all the state’s judges, which was held in conjunction with the annual meeting of The Missouri Bar at the Hilton Branson Convention Center.

Missouri Chief Justice George W. Draper III and St. Louis Circuit Judge Michael Noble

Juanita Abernathy

Guest Columnist

Marc Morial

Editorial /CommEntary

We must keep our most vulnerable students in the classroom

The patterns are not new: black students are more likely to be suspended than white students; boys are more likely to be suspended than girls; students with disabilities are more likely to be suspended than able students. So it wasn’t exactly shocking to find that the students at the intersection of these disparities – disabled black boys – are the most likely to be suspended. But just how much more vulnerable they are – black boys with a disability in the St. Louis region are about 25 times more likely to be suspended than able white girls – should be alarming and force change in the administration of education in this region and state. Indeed, black boys with disabilities at some school were 40, 50, and even over 60 times more likely to be suspended than their white, female, able classmates. That alarming statistic comes from “Falling Through the Cracks,” a recent collaboration between Forward Through Ferguson, Washington University’s Brown School, and the community. Their report documents patterns in out-of-school suspension taking into consideration race, gender, and disability. Many previous studies of St. Louis schools have looked at each of those traits alone and found them to be associated with increased levels of discipline, but this report for the first time considers all of these factors together.

As the report reveals, our children can’t be simplified to one characteristic. When we fail to look at their experiences holistically, we allow the extreme challenges that some students face go unnoticed. To build thriving learning environments and raise education outcomes for our most vulnerable students, we must take an intentional look at the intersection of race, gender, and ability. The egregious disparities in out-of-school suspension have very real implications, both for the students who get suspended and for the region. Pushing students out of the classroom hampers their education, which in turn damages other life outcomes and their future productivity.

Even when they are not suspended, many students are characterized as special needs or disabled because they may have some behavioral issues or other characteristics that make them difficult to deal with in the classroom. This creates an incentive for teachers and schools to label them, especially black boys, as having deficits. This often removes able but troubled students from regular classrooms and places them into special education situations, which may not be appropriate.

One major problem with forcing change based on such a report is that the region is experiencing disparity fatigue. In recent years, our region has generated countless reports documenting racial disparities in health, employment, wages,

home ownership, environmental toxicity. The recent Equity Indicators report, for example, found that white workers were nearly three times more likely than black workers to be employed in high-wage occupations and that white households’ median income is nearly twice that of black households. The region is losing out on billions of dollars in economic activity because of the substantial number of black people who are not thriving on par with their white peers. These and countless other disparities that exist in our region are a burden born primarily by black St. Louisans, children, families, and neighborhoods, but they also hinder the region as a whole from realizing more of its substantial potential. Disparities in education, like those revealed in “Falling Through the Cracks,” feed into all of these downstream inequities.

We agree with the authors of the report that our students deserve systemic change, not just temporary and reactionary solutions, and that is a responsibility that we all must share. We should begin by developing a regional strategy for education equity. Plans like Better Together’s proposal for merging St. Louis and St. Louis County, among its many failures, left our region’s deep educational fragmentation completely unaddressed. There is a great deal of excellent work happening among education researchers and innovators to develop equitable, trauma-informed, anti-bias schools. To expand these efforts will require a more comprehensive strategy coordinated between students, parents, educators, researchers, and policymakers. Whatever disparity fatigue may have set in, we must fight for greater equity in those most crucial spaces where our future is being nurtured – schools and classrooms – and we must devise policies and strategies that keep our most vulnerable students in the schools and classrooms where education happens.

Read the report at https:// forwardthroughferguson.org/falling-through-thecracks/.

St. Louis needs voting reform to empower the new majority

By Rasheen Aldridge Jr. and Rev. Darryl Gray

Louis American

For the St.

St. Louis elections are broken. Too often, our leaders are elected by the few, instead of the many. When winners don’t have a mandate to govern, big money special interests have too much power. We agree with The St. Louis American editorial, written when the 2019 aldermanic president primary produced another winner with 36 percent or less support: the “majority needs to learn how to leverage its power.”

That’s why we are part of the broad coalition supporting STL Approves, the desperately needed reform to give power to city voters and ensure government of, by, and for the people.

St. Louis should join the growing number of places like Kansas City, Minneapolis, Fargo, and San Francisco that use better voting systems to help ensure the winner has broad support.

After conversations among local advocates, election administrators, and national experts, it’s clear what we need: allow voters to choose all the candidates they approve of in the March primary (“approval voting”); then, the top two candidates compete in the April general election.

of voters, not small margins of victory or a few parts of the city.

This will avoid the cost of buying new election machines, since our current machines already allow voters to select multiple candidates, such as in school board races. We support updating our machines to handle Ranked-Choice and other systems, but this reform does not require purchasing new machines or software.

STL Approves will stop the votesplitting that has diluted the power of voters across the city. It will help elect the people’s representatives and hold them accountable to do what’s best for the whole city, like public safety policy that is fair and balanced. With STL Approves, candidates must gather signatures, not just pay money, to appear on the ballot. Instead of picking just one candidate, Approval Voting allows you to choose all the candidates you wish in the primary, then the top two candidates compete in a runoff election.

Voters can vote for their favorite candidate, even if they have less money, without worrying about their vote being a spoiler. Candidates will be required to earn broad support

It was clear that we were headed for another split election in 2019. If no change is made, we will run into the same issues in 2021 and beyond. This campaign is not about any particular candidate or elected official. No leader has a mandate to govern when over 60 percent of voters choose someone else. This is not how democracy was intended to work.

We are excited that this critical reform has been endorsed by the League of Women Voters of Metro St. Louis, Show Me Integrity, the Center for Election Science, Treasurer Tishaura O. Jones, former UMSL Political Theory Professor Wally Siewert, and Democratic Committeeman Marty Joe Murray.

The STL Approves coalition will gather over 10,000 valid signatures for a ballot initiative, Proposition D – D is for Democracy – for voters to decide the future of our elections. With this election reform, St. Louis can become a leading city in building a more democratic society and empowering our leaders to govern the whole city.

Learn more, sign the petition, and support the campaign at stlapproves.org.

Rasheen Aldridge Jr. is the 5th Ward Committeeman for the City of St. Louis, Democratic candidate for the 78th Missouri House District, and was the youngest member of the Ferguson Commission.

Rev. Darryl Gray is a longtime civil rights leader and serves as pastor at a Baptist church in St. Louis and as Chair of the Progressive Caucus of the Missouri Democratic Party.

Only housing solves homelessness

By Charlene Crowell For the St. Louis American

On September 16, California Governor Gavin Newsom wrote a letter that urged President Donald Trump to recognize homelessness as a “national crisis decades in the making that demands action at every level of government.” He was joined by state officials representing cities and counties.

“Mr. President – shelter solves sleep,” wrote the California officials, “but only housing solves homelessness.”

In 2018, 67 percent of America’s homeless people were individuals. The remaining 33 percent were families with dependent children, according to a report by the National Alliance to End Homelessness.

Further, according to a new 2019 report by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, “Our nation is currently in the midst of a long period of economic expansion. Yet stagnant wages, rising housing costs and inaccessible job opportunities keep many children and families trapped in impoverished communities. And despite economic growth, we have not seen significant reduction in poverty.”

The Casey Foundation report also found that between 2013-2017, black and Native American children were the most likely to live in concentrated poverty. For example, half of Michigan’s black children live in high poverty.

National Coalition for the Homeless.

“Consumers are already struggling with crushing debt from student loans and medical expenses or facing triple-digit interest rates when they attempt to access small dollar loans,” noted Marisabel Torres, director of California Policy with the Center for Responsible Lending, “When they also have to pay some of the highest housing costs in the nation, it is unfortunately unsurprising that there are such large numbers of homeless people in many of California’s large cities.”

Torres noted that “the problem is a national one that deserves to be recognized and acted upon.”

In 1987 there was an expression of national will to respond to America’s homeless through enactment of the McKinney Homeless Act. That statute created the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness dedicating the ongoing support of 19 federal agencies to prevent and end homelessness. HUD is one of the participating agencies. The Council on Homelessness even has a written plan, “Home, Together,” that lays out federal remedies over the fiscal years of 2018-2022.

According to the 2018 report by the Council on Homelessness, “Crisis services are the critical front line of communities’ responses to homelessness, helping people meet basic survival needs while also helping them swiftly secure permanent housing opportunities.”

Other states where child poverty runs the risk of homelessness are Mississippi (43 percent), Ohio, (43 percent), Pennsylvania (42 percent) and Wisconsin (44 percent).

Yet HUD Secretary Ben Carson sent Governor Newsom a stark rejection of California’s appeal for federal financial assistance to alleviate California’s homeless.

Carson’s September 18 reply said, in part, “California cannot spend its way out of this problem using Federal funds … More vouchers are clearly not the solution the State needs. To address this crisis, California must reduce its regulatory burdens on housing.”

Advocates for homeless and low-income people strongly disagreed.

“We know that the number one cause of homelessness is the lack of affordable housing,” said Megan Hustings, managing director of the

Letters to the editor

Governor’s gun violence proposal fails to address gun violence

In developing his proposal, the governor left many important voices out of the conversation. And while shifting more resources to St. Louis is appropriate, that does nothing for Kansas City or rural areas affected by increases in gun-related suicides and local violence.

A major factor in Missouri’s gun violence crisis is that too many guns are in the hands of too many people who shouldn’t have them. Since the governor’s proposal to address gun violence doesn’t include strengthening Missouri’s dangerously weak gun laws, I fear it will end up being little more than a public relations campaign that produces few, if any, tangible results.

House Minority Leader Crystal Quade Springfield

We need sensible gun legislation

While we applaud Governor Parson’s realization that gun violence needs immediate attention, the plan to, as he put it, “get more boots on the ground,” is only a small step needed to curb this epidemic. This small gesture of acknowledgement not only ignores root causes that lead to gun violence, but it ignores that gun violence is increasing throughout all of Missouri. We need action to be taken in every Missouri community, and that should have taken priority in the special session over automobile trade-in tax incentives.

To reduce gun violence tearing apart Missouri’s communities, we need sensible legislation like fixing the loopholes in background

Someone should give Carson a copy. And if that takes a while, consider what U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters (D-California) advised the leadership of the House Appropriations Committee this past June.

“In the richest country in the world, it is simply unconscionable that this many of our neighbors across the country are living without a place to call home,” said Waters. “

Several communities have experienced severe increases in their homeless populations, further illuminating that homelessness is a crisis. The federal government must recognize the national crisis at hand and support communities and local service providers who are on the streets helping.” Charlene Crowell is the Communications deputy director with the Center for Responsible Lending. She can be reached at Charlene. crowell@responsiblelending.org.

checks, red flag laws to keep guns out of the hands of those who would do harm to another, and simply requiring training for those who choose to own a firearm to ensure the safety of all Missourians.

Jean Peters Baker Missouri Democratic Party chair Kansas City

Collective bargaining in the open

Although the 2020 legislative session is still a few months away, I hope Missouri officials are planning to reengage the issue of government union reform and particularly open collective

and

bargaining. Currently, the vast majority of the contract negotiations between public officials and organized labor can be conducted out of sight of the taxpayers — the very taxpayers who must pay the salaries and benefits that are agreed to.

Collective bargaining with our government officials should be done in the open and subject to close taxpayer oversight. Anything less undermines trust in the agreements struck and violates principles of good governance.

Patrick Ishmael Director of Government Accountability Show-Me Institute Kansas City

Free help with Federal Student Aid forms

St. Louis Community College will host on-campus events to help students complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, also known as FAFSA. Students will receive free professional help to complete the application form, which is primarily used by federal, state and institutional financial assistance programs to determine an individual’s eligibility for grants, loans, work-study and scholarships. Any student, regardless of where they plan to attend college, is invited to FAFSA Frenzy.

STLCC FAFSA Frenzy will be held 3-6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 7, at STLCC-Meramec, 11333 Big Bend Rd., in Business Administration 105; 3-6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8 at STLCCForest Park, 5600 Oakland Ave. in the Student Center, SC-031 Café East; 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9 at STLCC-Wildwood, 2645 Generations Dr., in Room 102A; 3-6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10 at STLCC-Florissant Valley, 3400 Pershall Rd., in Student Center, Room 258.

Students will need: student and parent Federal Student Aid identification information, parent(s) 2018 taxes and 2018 W-2s, student 2018 taxes and 2018 W-2s, parent(s) Social Security card, student Social Security card, and a list of schools to which you have applied, been accepted to, or are interested in attending. St. Louis Community College’s school code is 002469.

Students who plan to take classes in spring or summer 2020 need to complete the 2019-2020 FAFSA. Students who plan to take classes in fall 2020 should complete the 20202021 FAFSA. Students began completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid on October 1.

Quilter unveils collaboration with East St. Louis students

Edna Patterson Petty recently unveiled the quilt that Students from the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Center’s (ESLC) Project Success program completed this summer. The Children’s Quilting Project: Healing through Art was made possible through a grant from the SIUE Meridian Society The creative activity was a collaboration between SIUE, Project Success and the Greater East St. Louis Community Fund. The Project Success Program is a comprehensive after-school tutorial enrichment childcare program, which services children ages 5-14. The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services funds the program. It is designed to serve children who are in protective custody and are referred by the Department of Children and Family Services caseworkers.

Why is Natural Bridge Avenue such an eyesore?

By Dorothy Dempsey For The St. Louis American

Why is it that Natural Bridge Avenue – a main thoroughfare on the North Side of St. Louis, a street teaming with many places of business – is such an eyesore? There are vacant lots filled with trash, an empty filling station property prone to vagrants the homeless and debris, a vacant old National Supermarket, and another empty filling station lot where the city has seen fit to utilize part of the property and left the other part looking the same. It seems the residents on Natural Bridge should complain. There are many businesses on Natural Bridge: Commerce Bank, Walgreens, Schnucks, Lee’s Chicken, McDonald’s, Burger King, Family Dollar, Save A Lot and Auto Zone, just to name a few, plus the Julia Davis Branch of the St. Louis Public Library. Natural Bridge seems to be a thriving boulevard, yet the question might be why residents, business people and the city are not of one accord in trying to keep their neighborhood clean and favorable to people living and doing business there.

The neighborhood belongs to those who have a financial stake in it. Their businesses, their mainstay and livelihood, should be like their homes. The people who frequent their businesses – the people who are keeping them in business – appreciate when the grass is cut and the trash is picked up.

The neighborhoods in North St. Louis are not the best. We are fighting every day to resolve the issue of the decay of the North St. Louis.

There is a young lady in our neighborhood who is so avid about keeping the North Side clean that she has dedicated all of her spare time to taking Brightside trash bags and attaching them to poles in the neighborhoods. When the bags are filled with trash, she goes back to pick them up. If only we had more dedicated people like her.

Natural Bridge is a part of our neighborhood The business owners on Natural Bridge Avenue can start taking an active part in trying to help to clean up North St. Louis, starting with Natural Bridge. This is a shout out to them to please understand that we are all in this fight together and that the people are the ones who support your businesses every single day.

Dorothy Dempsey

Continued from A1

mentions. The St. Louis American won 11 first place awards in a broad range of categories.

In news reporting, Rebecca Rivas won Best News Story for her coverage of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department being sued over brutal kettling arrests during the Stockley verdict protests in 2017. The judges noted that the story shows “the important role of the press in keeping this issue and its impact on victims in the minds of the public.” Rivas also won Best Story About Education for her Salute to Excellence in Education story about Moline Elementary School, “Scores Up, Suspensions Down.”

In editorial, Chris King won Best Headline Writing. “Headlines were thoughtful and respectful of difficult subjects, clever (nice use of wordplay in several headlines) and set the appropriate tone for the stories that followed,” judges noted of King’s headlines.

In illustration, Kevin Belford won Best Editorial Cartoon for his “Whites Only” cartoon of the Statue of Liberty illustrating an editorial about the Trump administration’s racist immigration policies. “Simple, artistically pleasing and easy to understand,” judges noted of Belford’s cartoon.

In sports, Ishmael Sistrunk Gold Cup

Clay

Continued from A1 Census forms.

The deceptive mailing, which is entitled “2019 Congressional District Census,” is not authorized by the 2020 Census and has nothing to do with the federal government’s crucial mandate to make an accurate count of residents to determine, among other things, the apportionment of

won Best Sports Feature Story for his feature on Lift 4 Life weightlifters “Six Minutes of Glory,” and The St. Louis American’s sports Staff (Earl Austin Jr., Alvin A. Reid, Maurice Scott and Sistrunk) won Best Sports Pages. “Interesting and compelling writing made this a clear standout,” judges notes of the paper’s sports pages. In design, Mike Terhaar

federal funds to states and local districts.

“This is a shameful attempt to deceive and confuse my constituents for purely partisan purposes,” Clay said in a statement on Tuesday, October 1.

“I am demanding that U.S. Postal Service investigate this attempt to trample on the rights of residents who deserve to be fully counted by sending out this outrageous attempt to weaponize the Census for political purposes. The word

won for Best Front Page and the design team of Melvin Moore and Terhaar won for Best Overall Design. In video, Rivas won Best Video for her video feature on James Clark of Better Family Life. For the sixth year in a row – for all six years that this particular award has been given – Rivas won first place.

In special section, the entire staff (led by Barb Sills) won

n

Best News or Feature Special Section for The St. Louis American’s 90th Anniversary special edition of March 14-20, 2018.

In a new category of MultiMedia Reporting, The St. Louis American won first place for its coverage of the Gas Mart protests when two employees kicked a homeless woman outside of the store. The multimedia team that reported the

“This is a shameful attempt to deceive and confuse my constituents for purely partisan purposes.”

– U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay

‘Census’ should never, ever be used in a political mailing seeking to raise money from residents who may feel confused or threatened by a document that closely mimics the actual Census form.”

Clay said he will hold a series of town hall meetings across Missouri’s 1st congressional district to combat confusion and remind residents why everyone has a stake in ensuring a complete count for

In a new category of Multi-Media Reporting, The St. Louis American won first place for its coverage of the Gas Mart protests when two employees kicked a homeless woman outside of the store. The multi-media team that reported the story included Rebecca Rivas, Dawn Suggs, Wiley Price and Ashley Jones.

Michael McMillan of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis), web (Best Website for stlamerican.com, led by Kenya Vaughn and Sistrunk), Best Newspaper in Education Project (Cathy Sewell) and Community Service (for the St. Louis American Foundation’s annual Salute to Excellence programs).

Third place awards included Best Investigative Reporting (Rebecca Rivas), Best News or Feature Series (“Homegrown Black Males,” a partnership with the Brown School of Social Work at Washington University), Best Local Business Coverage, Best Editorial Pages, Best Columnist-Serious (Mike Jones), Best Photo Package (Moore’s layout of the UniverSoul Circus story), Sports Columnist (Alvin A. Reid) and General Excellence.

“This is a total team effort, from the reception desk to our news room, sales department, design team, accounting and administrative staff,” said Donald M. Suggs, publisher and executive editor of The St. Louis American.

story included Rivas, Dawn Suggs, Wiley Price and Ashley Jones.

The paper’s second place awards also ran the gamut, from news (Best Story About Education for King’s piece “Empowering boys at Pierre Laclede”), photojournalism (Best News Photograph for Price’s photo of the Gas Mart protests), video (Best Video for Rivas’ video feature on

the 2020 Census.

Clay led U.S. House Oversight efforts over the 2010 Census, which he described as the most accurate census of all time.

“First, the Trump Administration tried to rig the 2020 Census with a racist citizenship question to intentionally increase the undercount of non-white persons,” Clay stated.

“And now, they send an ‘imitation census’ mailing to confuse Americans while

“We couldn’t be more proud. We don’t take these awards lightly. These accolades from industry professionals are a testament to the consistent, professional, work we strive to provide for our community.”

The 2019 Better Newspaper Contest awards were presented Sept. 28 at the Missouri Press Association’s 153rd annual convention in Kansas City.

trying to raise money for the president’s reelection.” Clay put the deceptive Census mailing in the context of Trump’s ongoing disruptive actions, which have led to an impeachment inquiry that Trump is using as a platform for outrageous talk of civil war in the U.S. Clay stated, “With every action, this president and his enablers show their complete contempt for the truth, the rule of law and the Constitution.”

Photo by Wiley Price

yoga, healthy habits, open gym, college tours, ACT/SAT prep, tutoring, job readiness, internships and summer employment, visual and performing arts, coding, app creation, robotics, community service, character programs, advocacy training.

The center is intended for youth ages 12-18 and primarily for members of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis. Fowler said the clubs hope to serve more than 1,500 teens with the center.

“We do, however, want to serve the needs of the community and will work with groups and neighbors to support their needs,” Fowler said.

“It is envisioned that the center will be used for community meetings, workforce training, adult education programming and other initiatives – as long as they don’t interfere with our primary mission of serving teens and their families.”

The clubs’ annual basic membership fee for teens is only $25; however, Fowler said, there may be other program-related charges for summer camp and/or other major outings.

“Scholarships and other

Watson

Continued from A1

Continued from A1 still answers to the nickname “Sarge.” (He also served as a voice of law enforcement on the Ferguson Commission.) He never expected to find himself back on the police force, but after he was ordained as an elder in his church, he answered the call to put back on a badge with his cross. Ministering to families of victims, who so often are lost to senseless violence, poses an ongoing problem. Where is

forms of support are available for those who qualify,” Fowler said. “No child is ever turned away due to a family’s inability to pay.”

The mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis is “to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens.” For over 50 years, they have provided afterschool, teen, sports and summer programs to youth in the St. Louis area while also providing a safe place for them to learn and grow.

The clubs now serve St. Louis youth at 10 locations (Adams Park Club, Hazelwood Elementary School Club, Herbert Hoover Club, Lee Hamilton Elementary School Club, O’Fallon Park Club, Riverview Gardens Club, Hazelwood Southeast Middle School Club and the Teen Center of Excellence). They also operate dropout prevention programs within Normandy High School and Roosevelt High School, as well as the Mentor St. Louis and St. Louis Internship programs.

For more information or to become a member, call (314) 335-8000 or visit www.bgcstl.org.

God in a world with so much senseless death and pain?

Watson often has to answer this question. He puts it in God’s hands.

“I tell them, ‘God doesn’t think like we do,’” Watson said. “I don’t have the answer. But I know there are some things that are beyond our thought process. I tell them, ‘It’s okay to be mad. It’s okay to be angry. God understands that. But God’s will has to be done.’ It’s hard to explain.”

He responded to the hospital twice on September 12 when both a 3-year-old, Rodney March III, and a 13-year-old,

n “So many of them don’t have a home church or know a pastor. Many times, I am the first person who ever said to someone, ‘Let me pray for you.’”

– Police Chaplain Byron Watson

Clifford Swan III, were fatally shot in North County that day. He ministered to both officers and families.

“It’s mainly praying with them,” he said of the families. “There’s nothing you can say. Sometimes I don’t say anything. I just sit there with

them. And sometimes that’s all they need. To know they are not alone.”

Watson grew up in North St. Louis and was raised Baptist in Mt. Olive Baptist Church. “It was ingrained in me at a young age,” he said. “I knew God. When I

found myself floating away, I always made my way back.”

He converted to the Apostolic faith after marrying a woman in that faith and now worships at Faith Miracle Temple in North County. As an elder of the church, he performs baptisms and does outreach on the streets.

He sees the streets and the community changing. They are, he said, more godless. He has been invited to conduct many funerals after ministering to a victim’s family at a crime scene simply because they knew no one else to ask. “So many of them

don’t have a home church or know a pastor,” Watson said. “Many times, I am the first person who ever said to someone, ‘Let me pray for you.’” It may be the first but often is not the last time they seek the solace of prayer.

“Times like this is when people draw close to God,” Watson said. “Man cannot soothe the pain they are going through. I always try to give them hope that whatever they are going through is God’s will. Even in the darkest hours, God is with them.”

“We strongly believe that greater attention must be given to the massive out-of-school time opportunities we have to support, protect and prepare our children and teens,” Flint Fowler, president of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis, said of their new Teen Center of Excellence in Ferguson.

Photo by Wiley Price

Habitat for Humanity has built more than 400 homes in St. Louis city and county

By Kimberly McKinney For The St. Louis American

World Habitat Day was established by the United Nations as “a day to reflect on the state of our towns and cities and on the basic right of all to adequate shelter.” As a transplanted St. Louisan and CEO of our local affiliate, Habitat for Humanity Saint Louis, I am proud to celebrate the work our organization has accomplished in filling a critical need in this community.

Since our beginning in 1986 – the same year as World Habitat Day was created –Habitat for Humanity Saint Louis has built more than 400 homes throughout St. Louis city and county. Contrary to popular belief, not even one of those homes has been given away: in fact, every home we build is purchased by a lowincome homebuyer who has devoted at least 350 hours of “sweat equity” service and makes monthly mortgage payments – just like anyone else who buys a home. To date, more than 1,600 men, women and children have lived and thrived under the roof of one of our homes – an important first step toward creating a more sound economic future.

As I celebrate Habitat Saint Louis’ accomplishments, I

also look toward a future with many challenges – for both our organization and the St. Louis community. Housing costs in our region continue to increase at a rate greater than salaries, which creates an often crippling burden for families living at or near the poverty line. Demand for our services is tremendous, with more than 5,800 calls each year from people desperately in search of a way out of substandard and overpriced housing. I wish we could help all of them – but the simple reality is that our resources are limited: we can build between 15-25 houses in any given year – and how many is entirely dependent on how

n The more funding we receive directly from the community, the more homes we can build and families we can help to build a promising future.

much funding we can raise in our own community. I truly believe that St. Louis is a city on the verge of greatness. Companies are investing in our region, bringing jobs and opportunities that will strengthen our economy. But with that influx of cash also comes the responsibility to ensure that this increase in financial health for some does not create a greater burden on those who are living paycheck to paycheck, barely making ends meet. Habitat for Humanity Saint Louis seeks

to level the playing field by providing an opportunity for people from all walks of life to work together to build homes, and create greater stability for our entire community, one family at a time. In order to accomplish our goals, we need your support – your volunteerism, your financial contributions, and your advocacy. It may surprise you to learn that we only receive about 2 percent of our operating funds from our parent organization, Habitat for Humanity International, and we must come up with 98 percent of our annual budget by ourselves. If you want to build homes that will benefit people and neighborhoods in St. Louis, it is crucial that you make your contributions directly to our local affiliate at 3830 South Grand Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63118, or online at www.habitatSTL.org. The more funding we receive directly from the community, the more homes we can build and families we can help to build a promising future. I am grateful for every individual, ecumenical partner and company that helped Habitat for Humanity Saint Louis in our achievements thus far; they have been catalysts for progress in our region. World Habitat Day celebrates all of their efforts to work toward a St. Louis where everyone has a decent place to live. Together, we can continue this mission to build homes, communities and hope.

Kimberly McKinney is CEO of Habitat for Humanity Saint Louis.

Columnist

Kimberly McKinney

Why did Mayor Krewson and Koran Addo exclude the black weekly from their media list?

What do St. Louis Mayor

Lyda Krewson and U.S. President Donald Trump have in common? The same thing their first directors of Communication, Koran Addo and Sean Spicer, have in common. They all inherited from their predecessor a media list that included The St. Louis American – and then eliminated St. Louis’ award-winning black newspaper from that media list and access to public information.

Trump’s predecessor, President Barack Obama assembled what must have been the first media list that included local minority media in White House history. When Obama was in power, blackowned newspapers received his office’s news at the same time as CNN and The New York Times Trump has never used the list. The St. Louis American has never received any public information from the Trump White House.

foremost black newspaper disappeared from Krewson’s media list on or just after December 28, 2017.

(Addo recently accepted a communications position in Chicago. His last day is October 7.)

Krewson’s predecessor, Mayor Francis G. Slay, included The American on his media list, even though the newspaper fiercely opposed his handling of Fire Chief Sherman George and fire department promotions in 2007 and battled frequently with Slay throughout his long reign. Yet the paper continued to receive public information from the mayor’s office during his entire tenure.

When Krewson was sworn in as mayor on April 17, 2017 and appointed Koran Addo – a Post-Dispatch reporter who had covered the mayoral race that she won – as director of Communications, they inherited a media list that included The American. Then the city’s

This mayor, to be blunt, does not produce much news of substance or interest to our readers, which explains why the absence of information coming from Krewson’s office was not noticed immediately. An editor at The American only thought to look into the matter on September 23 of this year when Jason Rosenbaum, a reporter at St. Louis Public Radio, posted on Twitter a list of Krewson’s appointees to the Board of Freeholders that will consider a possible city/county merger. That was genuinely important news. Where did Rosenbaum get it?

From a press release, he said. However, no one at The St. Louis American had received it. Why not?

A search of staff emails revealed that the last media release that Krewson had sent to The American via Addo was sent on December 28, 2017. It was the tenth release that Addo had sent that month. That’s not a very brisk pace for a director of Communications for a midsized American city, but it’s a lot more than zero, which is the number of media releases that Krewson and Addo have sent in the 21 subsequent months. What happened?

On Monday, September 30, an editor at The American emailed Krewson and Addo to ask them when and why the newspaper removed was from the mayor’s media list. They

did not reply. The editor, Chris King, took to Twitter to put Krewson and Addo on public notice. They still did not reply. Ironically at that same time, the newspaper staff, excluded from the mayor’s public information, learned that for the fifth time in seven years, The American had been awarded as the state’s best large weekly newspaper by the Missouri Press Association.

At 10:45 a.m. on Tuesday, October 2, the editor forwarded to Krewson the last media release that The American had received from them on December 28, 2017 with the following questions.

“This is the last media advisory that Rebecca Rivas or I have any record of receiving from Koran Addo regarding the mayor’s office. At what time after this date did you remove The St. Louis American from your media distribution list, and why did you make that decision?

“Further, are you aware that The St. Louis American is a black-owned news organization with a majorityblack readership? I think you

information released by this administration sometime after December 28, 2017. If you dispute that Conway’s message confirms that our news staff and our readers were excluded from the public information released by this administration sometime after December 28, 2017, please dispute it.”

They did not reply.

are. Did the minority status of the newspaper’s ownership and readership figure into your calculation to remove the newspaper from your media list? If so, how?”

Finally, the Krewson administration has touted its strides in researching “metrics” for “racial equity” in the city and city government. We asked how does the decision to exclude the region’s principal black newspaper and its readers from public information comport with Krewson’s alleged concern for racial equity?

They did not reply.

An hour and a half later, at 12:10 p.m., Stephen J. Conway, Krewson’s chief of staff, emailed the editor: “I will make sure that you are on the Media Advisory list. Should I use this email address?”

The editor responded with a list of newspaper staff to add to the list and then wrote separately to Conway, Krewson, and Addo: “I appreciate the confirmation that our news staff and our readers were excluded from the public

In the absence of an answer, The American did some sleuth work. On the last day that Krewson and Addo included The American and its readers in their distribution of public information, they announced that Krewson and Director of Public Safety Jimmie Edwards had appointed John Hayden as police commissioner. St. Louis American reporter Rebecca Rivas accepted their invite to the press conference.

At that press conference, Rivas challenged Hayden for standing silently by thenInterim Police Chief Lawrence O’Toole on June 21 when O’Toole told the media that a black off-duty police officer named Officer Milton Green was shot during an “exchange of gunfire.” In fact, Green was shot by a white city cop when he approached a crime scene near his home in an effort to help out.

“The Ethical Society alleges that O’Toole lied in his statement to the public in attempt to cover up the situation,” Rivas reported after the press conference. “At the news conference announcing that Hayden had been selected as chief of police, Hayden acknowledged he had been aware that the black cop had been shot by a white cop when O’Toole had made his statement that night –ultimately acknowledging that it was indeed a false statement. Police sources said that Hayden

later confronted O’Toole about his decision to make a false public statement. But at today’s press conference, Hayden said that he did not confront O’Toole.”

That was the last press conference to which Krewson and Addo would invite the city’s leading black weekly for nearly two years.

Since Krewson’s office has remained silent on her motive for excluding the newspaper and its readers, perhaps Krewson’s comments to Rivas on April 26, 2017, a little more than a week after she was sworn in, may provide a clue.

During that meeting, Rivas pointed out that she had asked for an interview on March 9, shortly after Krewson’s narrow primary victory over Tishaura O. Jones, whom The American endorsed. Krewson’s campaign spokesperson responded that he would check with Krewson and respond by March 13, but never responded.

Krewson openly admitted that she had ignored the newspaper because of its endorsement of her opponent. “That would have been right after the primary,” Krewson said. “Well, you were strongly on one side so …” Rivas responded, “Our newspaper serves a certain population of this city, and I think it is important for your voice to be included in the paper in order to reach this population. Wouldn’t you agree?” Krewson paused. Addo said, “Yes, we’re here for you, Rebecca.”

“This isn’t about me or anyone at the paper,” Rivas said. “It’s about the community.” Krewson responded, “We are all big kids here.”

In Loving Memory of Charles

Guybert Jones

Lyda KrewsonKoran Addo

iFM brings mobile clinics to the community

By Clover Johnson For The St. Louis American

The funky sound of Marvin Gaye suggested more of a house party than a house call. In fact, Wesley House provided the space for iFM Community Medicine to have both. iFM has an organized web of mobile clinicians who provide wellness and education services in agencies across greater St. Louis.

n The open house at Wesley House was a cue to those who might not know about tools available for any young person who might need extra support.

With 20 clinics around the St. Louis area, the staff and volunteers of iFM are accustomed to creating clinic space within community. On a recent hot July day, that is exactly what happened at the Wesley House open house. Against a backdrop of music that spanned several decades, families in multi-generational units sang to music from an outdoor sound system that seemed to double as a PA for fun. Food was provided for all in attendance. At some points the slight metronome of synchronized chewing took over dads and their daughters, grandparents and cousins, who all seemed to move to the same beats with laughter filling in the melody lines. It was a good day, and although we are now well past the official end of summer, it is good to remember how organizations like iFM and Wesley House partner to bring wellness into the various communities of greater St. Louis. Now is a good time to remember the bounty of St. Louis, including the spaces that extend harbors of safety along with wellness journeys.

Wellness does not just include blood pressure monitors and weights.

The Wesley House open house was a fun example of how small behavior changes lead to overall better health and wellness.

Volunteer Alexia Robinson shared pictures of her presentation on a recent journaling activity with Wesley House board chair and how journaling motivated her in her quest to become Miss Missouri and now Miss United States. Robinson, a native of St. Louis, lends credibility to the power of channeling resources as she speaks of her own walk through hurdles and obstacles. Alexia often credits journaling

as an aid in decision making in all areas of life, including wellness. The open house event was a good reminder that wellness does not exist in a vacuum. Other community organizations were invited to promote healthier lives and safer lifestyles to those in attendance. So while young people were able to receive health screenings with iFM, they and their families were also able to explore other

By Eugene Robinson Washington Post

“It is impossible to prepare for an apocalypse,” Dr. Duane Sands, the health minister of the Bahamas, told reporters. Somehow, though, we all had better try.

Those who have witnessed the devastation wrought by Hurricane Dorian on Grand Bahama, Great Abaco and Little Abaco islands struggle to describe it.

“Some places it’s like nothing happened,” Mark Green, administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development, told The Washington Post after an aerial tour. “Other places, it’s like they were hit by a nuclear bomb.”

n Climate scientists have predicted that human-induced global warming will make hurricanes stronger, more laden with rainfall and, possibly, more likely to stall –just like Dorian.

Dorian, then a Category 5 storm bearing sustained winds of 185 miles per hour and gusts even stronger, stalled over the northern Bahamas and barely moved for nearly three full days. The result was the kind of damage more commonly seen from tornados, except that a tornado touchdown typically lasts just minutes. In the town of Marsh Harbour on Great Abaco, entire neighborhoods were smashed into rubble and then the broken pieces were blown around like confetti. Journalists who reached those places said the smell of death was everywhere. An exact number of casualties will likely never be known because Dorian’s tsunami-like storm surge carried many victims away. Survivors have told wrenching stories of how they watched helplessly as loved ones were swept out to sea.

Tens of thousands of people who remain in the devastated areas, and who have lost everything, desperately need food, shelter, clothing and medical attention. This slow-

Guns pose ‘public health emergency’

Clay, Kelly fight for bill that would allow cities to set own gun laws

By Chris King Of The St. Louis American

U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay (D-Missouri) and U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Illinois) appeared before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security on Thursday, September 26 in support of H.R. 3435, the Local Public Health and Safety Protection Act.

The bill would, for the first time at the federal level, give local communities the freedom to enact their own gun restrictions to protect residents, neighborhoods and first responders, regardless of what state legislatures allow.

“This nation and the community that I represent in St. Louis are facing a public health emergency,” Clay testified.

“And I am not just speaking about the tragic

n “The new legislation will “help curb the slow-motion mass shootings that occur in St. Louis, in Chicago, and other urban communities, every week.”

– U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay

frequency of mass shootings in schools and other public spaces. The people living and working in my district where nearly 600 shootings have occurred so far this year do not have the choice to remain silent while these issues impact their daily lives.” Since May, at least 22 children under

See GUNS, A11

A10

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN •

Eugene Robinson

Alexia Robinson was a Wesley House volunteer who said journaling helped with her overall health and wellness and motivated her in her quest to become Miss Missouri and now Miss United States.

U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay (D-Missouri) and U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Illinois) appeared before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security on Thursday, September 26 in support of H.R. 3435, the Local Public Health and Safety Protection Act.

County Police introduces sticker program alerting officers to disabilities

The St. Louis County Police Department has introduced a new P.I.N. program designed to better serve potentially impaired or non-verbal persons. The program provides color-coded stickers to residents indicating an impairment or disability. Those stickers are intended to be displayed on a front window of a home or the back window of a vehicle. The presence of a sticker will alert officers to potentially impaired or non-verbal persons or those with serious medical conditions who may become nonverbal during times of stress.

n Impairments or disabilities covered under the program: deaf, service animal, autism, Alzheimer’s, dementia, diabetic, vision impaired, epilepsy, or other non-verbal disabilities.

The program is voluntary and open to all residents of St. Louis County. Individuals with serious medical conditions or impairments that may cause them to become non-verbal are eligible to receive the sticker(s). The following impairments or disabilities are covered under the P.I.N. sticker program: deaf, service animal, autism, Alzheimer’s or dementia, diabetic, vision impaired, epilepsy, or other unlisted, non-verbal disability.

For the safety and security of program participants, the color codes associated with them will not be publicized.

Residents of St. Louis County, or their caretakers, who wish to obtain a sticker can appear in person to their St. Louis County Police Department Precinct or request an officer be dispatched to their home. To locate a precinct, visit https://www.stlouiscountypolice.com/ or call 636-529-8210 to request an officer.

The St. Louis County Police Department has introduced a new P.I.N. program that provides color-coded stickers to residents indicating an impairment or disability.

Missouri starts Medicaid waitlist for developmental disabilities patients

The Department of Mental Health’s Division of Developmental Disabilities has started a waitlist for in-home and residential Medicaid waiver services for individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities because the Missouri State Legislature did not approve adequate funding.

The Fiscal Year 2020 budget that was approved by the Missouri General Assembly only includes enough funds to serve approximately 444 new individuals annually, which is expected to leave more than 800 individuals waiting for services. Services affected include residential, personal assistance, behavior therapy/counseling services, specialized medical equipment and supplies, day habilitation programs, employment services, adaptive equipment and much more.

The Division of Development Disabilities is monitoring funding on a monthly basis. In-home services will be limited to 30 new individuals a month. Residential services will be limited to 5 new individuals per month, with 91 individuals already on the waitlist as of September 2.

Continued from A10 agencies at the event to learn about substance abuse prevention, cancer screening and conflict mediation. Those aged 11-24 who did

Robinson

Continued from A10

motion catastrophe is unfolding barely 100 miles off the coast of Florida. One thing the United States government can do is avoid a repeat of forcing scores of refugees to disembark from a ferry about to head from Grand Bahama to Fort Lauderdale because they did not have visas to enter the country.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection blamed the ferry company; the ferry’s crew reportedly blamed CBP. Whoever was responsible, such cruelty must not happen again.

As a

have their blood pressure and other vitals screenings were provided with a free water bottle. They also received information on how they could receive health and education service from Epworth Drop-In Center, one of our twenty partners. Like Wesley House, Epworth

Republican U.S. Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott of Florida have asked President Trump to waive all visa requirements for Bahamians with relatives in the United States. In other respects, U.S. officials seem to be doing everything they can to help the Bahamas cope with the immediate tragedy. Sadly, however, our government is willfully blind to the bigger picture.

Climate scientists have predicted that human-induced global warming will make hurricanes stronger, more laden with rainfall and, possibly, more likely to stall – just like Dorian. Rising sea levels, due

Drop-In is a resource that serves young people who might need some extra tools for growing strong.

Our youth in St. Louis have a variety of resources available at the community level. The open house at Wesley House was a cue to those who might not know

EPA accepting nominations for Green Chemistry Challenge Awards

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is accepting nominations for the 2020 Green Chemistry Challenge Awards for companies or institutions that have developed a new process or product that helps protect public health and the environment. Green chemistry is the design of chemical products and processes that reduce both the generation and use of chemicals that are hazardous to the environment and people’s health. Nominations for innovative technologies are due to the agency by December 31.

More information on past award winners and how to submit entries can be found at http://www.epa.gov/ greenchemistry.

about these tools available for any young person who might need extra support.

For more than 20 years, iFM has been committed to the health and wellness needs of the St. Louis community. Although hurt and pain may not always be treatable in a doctor’s office, iFM is

n Trump may believe climate change is a hoax, but the next hurricane could potentially do to his Palm Beach estate what Dorian did to Marsh Harbour.

to climate change, make lowlying coastal communities more vulnerable than in the past. Trump may believe climate change is a hoax, but the next hurricane could potentially do to his Palm Beach estate what Dorian did to Marsh Harbour.

Our government should be moving on two fronts.

First, it should join the rest of the world in acknowledging

the need to try to limit climate change by reducing the use of fossil fuels. It is insane that while the Trump administration sends resources to help the Bahamas, it is simultaneously throwing a legal fit over the decision by California and major car manufacturers to make their vehicles emit less heat-trapping carbon than Trump would prefer. The president refuses to see the Guns

Continued from A10

16 years of age have been killed by guns in the St. Louis region – some due to random shootings, others due to accidents and unsecured handguns.

“It is due to statistics like this that black families are 62 percent more likely to lose a son to a bullet than to a car accident,” Clay said. “That is why I, along with my esteemed colleague and friend, Congresswoman Robin Kelly, introduced legislation to restore the ability of these local leaders to pass common sense laws and regulations.”

n “The people living and working in my district where nearly 600 shootings have occurred so far this year do not have the choice to remain silent.”

– U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay

He said the new legislation will “help curb the slow-motion mass shootings that occur in St. Louis, in Chicago, and other urban communities, every week.” He said that H.R. 3435, the Local Public Health and Safety Protection Act would allow the Department of Justice to provide grants to states that reverse their illadvised firearm pre-emption laws and allow local governments to take reasonable measures to address gun violence on their streets.

Under the bill, states should not prohibit or restrict a local government from:

• Requiring background checks for firearms purchases;

• Restricting the ability to carry a firearm in public places;

• Restricting the quantity and type of ammunition that an individual is allowed to purchase;

• Requiring gun owners to safely store their firearms, especially in households with children;

• And prohibiting the sale and transfer of certain types of especially deadly firearms and accessories, including: semi-automatic assault weapons and large capacity ammunition magazines, among other provisions.

H.R. 3435, the Local Public Health and Safety Protection Act is supported by: Giffords: Courage to Fight Gun Violence; Everytown for Gun Safety; Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America; the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence; March for Our Lives; Brady; Newtown Action Alliance; Survivors Empowered; States United to Prevent Gun Violence; National Coalition Against Domestic Violence; and Amnesty International USA. To learn more about this important new legislation to protect communities against gun violence, visit https:// tinyurl.com/yy2h7kuo.

concerned with the health and safety needs of young people and is proud of its collaboration with partners around St. Louis who treat more than the human body.

Epworth Drop-in Center is located at 7520 Natural Bridge Rd; iFM’s free medical clinic is available on Tuesdays and Fridays from 1-4 p.m. for ages 11-20. Ages 21-24 please call 34-952-8689 for an appointment. You can learn more about iFM and each of our 20 clinics at on Twitter @ifmstl. Clover Johnson is an iFM AmeriCorps/Vista Volunteer.

contradiction. Perhaps someone could draw it for him with a Sharpie.

For a start, we should immediately resume participation in the landmark Paris accords. Trump won’t; perhaps his successor will.

Federal officials also should begin taking seriously the increased risks created by warming that has already taken place and further warming that is inevitable. That means, basically, preparing for the next apocalypse.

Think of the immense loss of life and property that would have been suffered had Dorian parked itself over Miami instead. Then work backward: What preparations

and precautions could have mitigated that hypothetical damage? Do we need to change building codes and development patterns? Do we need to create more natural or manmade storm-surge barriers? In 2050, when sea levels are projected to have risen an additional foot and a half, will some coastal areas no longer be safe for habitation?

Let’s open our hearts to the suffering people of the Bahamas. But let’s also try to make sure that the Bahamas –and our own coastlines – have a viable future.

Eugene Robinson’s email address is eugenerobinson@ washpost.com.

Planning A Healthy Menu Create an Obstacle Course

Nutrition Challenge:

Look through the food ads in today’s newspaper and plan a healthy dinner menu for your family using what you find. Consider earlier lessons regarding

Exercise Challenge:

With your parent’s help and permission, create an obstacle course or fitness trail in your own backyard. Be sure to include balance, endurance, skill and speed challenges. Activities could include standing on one foot, running around a shed, tossing a ball into a bucket,

What is peer pressure?

Peer Pressure

Anytime a friend or classmate pushes you to do something that you really don’t want to do, that is considered peer pressure. Sometimes it’s just harmless fun, like daring a friend to eat a food that s/he doesn’t really like. But if you are feeling pressure

Healthy Kids Healthy Kids

serving sizes, variety and nutrition. List all of the items for your meal and categorize by food group (dairy, protein, fruits, etc.).

Present your “meal” to your classmates. Now, as a class, determine which meal would be the most delicious… and nutritious!

Learning Standards: HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 1, NH 5

push-ups against the side of the house and crawling under the

to do something that is dangerous, unhealthy or illegal, ask yourself, “Who is pressuring me, and why should I do something just to make that person happy?”

Always make smart choices based on what you know to be right and you’ll do better in life.

Learning Standards: HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 2, NH 4

lowest branch of a tree. Who could do the most push-ups? Who did all of the challenges the fastest? Consider holding a weekly competition to see who is the new winner.

Learning Standards: HPE 2, HPE 4, HPE 5, NH 1

Cheesy Pretzels

small square of the cheese and another pretzel. Heat for 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Dip in mustard.

Shauntori Nails, Registered Medical Assistant

Where do you work? I am the Medical Assistant Program director and instructor at St. Louis College of Health Careers.

Where did you go to school? I graduated from Hazelwood West High School and then earned a Medical Assistant diploma at Allied Medical and an Associate of Applied Science and a Bachelor of Health Care Administration from St. Louis College Health Careers. I also became Registered with American Medical Technologist.

What does a program director and instructor do? I teach young and older adults how to perform blood draws, blood pressures, injections of medication and CPR training, and all the skills completed at a doctor’s visit. I place students on externship to show off their skills to get an awesome job as a medical assistant.

Why did you choose this career? I chose this career because it is my passion to help patients to achieve a healthier life and to see the students I have trained in their new career as a medical assistant, while making the doctors and patients happy.

What is your favorite part of the job you have? The best part about this job is making a difference and showing others how to do the same, by putting smiles on all the patients’ faces.

Learning Standards: HPE6, NH3

“Questions or comments? Contact Cathy Sewell csewell@stlamerican.com or 314-289-5422

Questions or comments? Contact Cathy Sewell csewell@stlamerican.com or

CLASSROOM SPOTLIGHT

Glasgow Elementary school fifth grade teacher Gerald Williams demonstrates an experiment inspired by the newspaper’s STEM page to students

Civil engineers who design bridges are problem solvers. Their goal is to create a structure that will allow people and vehicles to travel over railroad tracks, roads, rivers, and other obstacles. The bridge design must be able to support the necessary weight and withstand earthquakes, strong winds, freezing and thawing. The design and cost of the bridge also needs to be considered. Bridges must be maintained, just like roads. There are many types of bridges, including beam bridges, arch bridges, suspension bridges, cantilever bridges, truss bridges, and cable-stayed bridges. Bridges need to withstand two forces: tension and compression. Tension is the force created when

SCIENCE INVESTIGATION

Background Information:

The goal of this experiment is to create a paper bridge that can support 100 pennies.

Materials Needed:

• Piece of 8½” x 11” Paper

• 6 Books • 100 Pennies

• Ruler

Procedure:

an object is pulled, such as a rope in tug of war. If a bridge cannot support the tension, it will snap (imagine a rubber band pulled too far). Compression is the force created when pressure is placed on an object to push it down and shorten the length. Imagine your finger applying pressure to compress a marshmallow. If a bridge cannot support the compression, it will buckle. In order to support tension and compression, engineers need to redistribute the weight that is applying pressure.

Learning Standards: I can read nonfiction text for main idea and supporting details. I can make text-to-text and text-to-world connections.

Build a Paper Bridge!

the bridge support before it collapses? What happens if the pennies are in the center of the bridge or spread across the bridge?

SCIENCE STARS

African-American Civil Engineer Karl W Reid

Karl Reid is the executive director of the National Society of Black Engineers, which has over 30,000 members who are black engineers that succeed academically, professionally, and personally. These engineers also have a positive impact in their community. Dr. Reid was chosen for this position after he worked for 15 years at the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) to help low income and minority students receive access to college. Dr. Reid has also served as executive director of Engineering Outreach Programs for MIT’s School of Engineering. He worked to recruit minority students in the STEM related careers. Reid was born and raised in New York. His parents encouraged his success in education and Reid looked up to his older brother, who excelled in math and science, and the brothers both attended MIT. At MIT, Reid earned his Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Materials Science and Engineering. He became involved in Tau Beta Pi, an engineering honor society, which he states helped boost his confidence and leadership skills. Reid then earned his Doctorate of Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. After graduation, Reid worked for 12 years in the computer industry.

q Make two stacks of books of equal height. Put them 6 inches apart.

w Make a bridge by putting a sheet of paper across the books.

e Put some pennies on the bridge. How many pennies can

MATH CONNECTION

Today’s word problems are all about travel!

r How can you make the bridge stronger? Can you change the design of your bridge to support more pennies? Try bending, folding, or tearing the paper.

t Test your bridge again by adding pennies one at a time. How many pennies can your bridge support?

Learning Standards: I can follow directions to complete an experiment. I can analyze results and draw conclusions.

Travel with Math!

z Joyce drove 256 miles at 64 miles per hour. How long did Joyce drive?

x If Gary bicycled 18 miles at 12 miles per hour, how long was Gary travelling?

c It took Rick 3.5 hours to ride to Clarkson’s house at 55 miles per hour. How far is it between Rick’s house and Clarkson’s house? ________

v If Rachel skated 22 miles at 8 miles per hour, how long was Rachel travelling? ________

DID YOU KNOW?

b Sharon rode a bike to Shirley’s house. It is 20 miles from Sharon’s house to Shirley’s house. It took Sharon 5 hours to get there. How fast did Sharon go? ________

n If Paula sailed 15 miles at 6 miles per hour, how long was Paula travelling?

Learning Standards: I can add, subtract, multiply, and divide to solve a problem. I can make text-to-world connections.

In his free time, Reid volunteers at the Reid Temple AME church where he directs Christian education. He also writes a blog about striving for academic achievement. He is a member of Tau Beta Pi National Engineering Honor Society, the DC STEM Network Advisory Council, and the American Society of Civil Engineers’ “Dream Big” IMAX Movie Technical Advisory Council. He was named one of the “Top 100 Executives in America” by Uptown Professional magazine. Dr. Reid has received the NSBE Golden Torch Award for “Minority Engineering Program Director of the Year” and the Outstanding Advisor of the Year award from the MIT Academic Resource Center. Dr. Reid is also a recipient of the YMCA Black Achievers Award, the MIT Presidential Award for Community Service and the MIT Excellence Award.

To read Karl W Reid’s blog and advice for school success, visit: http://karlwreid.com/.

Learning Standards: I can read a biography about a person who has made a contribution in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math.

MAP CORNER

Enjoy these activities that help you get to know your St. Louis American newspaper.

Activity One —

Antonyms: Find five sets of antonyms in the newspaper. Clip them out and then double-check your answers with a dictionary or thesaurus.

Activity Two —

Slogans: Companies create slogans to use in advertising. Slogans help customers connect with the business and remember the company name, product, or service. Find five slogans in the newspaper. State what you like or dislike about the slogan.

Learning Standards: I can use the newspaper to locate information. I can use resource materials. I can evaluate text. I can create text-to-world connections.

Building Bridges

Renee’Ya Gale, Betty Jones, Cortney Stokes, Promise Green, and Khamilah Bailey.

Photo by Wiley Price/St. Louis American

The Golden Gate Bridge has been declared as one of the modern wonders of the world by the American Society of

Fall 2015 issue of the NSBE magazine.

History Museum celebrates International Day of the Girl

‘Girls need to know that they can change the world’

By Ellen Kunkelmann

For The St. Louis American

In 2012 the United Nations

commemorated October 11 as International Day of the Girl, an annual day to highlight and address girls’ needs and

Tracie Berry-McGhee founded SistaKeeper Empowerment Center, a culturally relevant mentoring program, in 2002 and later created the I Define ME Movement, both based in St. Louis.

SistaKeeper Empowerment Center, a culturally relevant mentoring program, in 2002 and later created the I Define ME Movement. Both organizations are based in St. Louis.

challenges, as well as promote their empowerment and human rights. This year St. Louis will celebrate International Day of the Girl with a special event at the Missouri History Museum on Friday morning, October 11. Event organizer Tracie

Berry-McGhee notes, “International Day of the Girl is important because it celebrates positivity. Girls historically have been told that they should

be seen and not heard. Girls need to know that they can change the world and are keepers of our community.”

Berry-McGhee founded

CRIME PREVENTION SUMMIT

“The I Define ME Movement was birthed out of a need for girls to know that society doesn’t define them. Girls should define their voices and define their stories by speaking to issues that impact them and their communities,” she explains.

“In combination with the images they view on TV and in other popular media, the resounding perception is that girls are valued for their physical traits and bodily

characteristics. Despite the emphasis in recent years on changing that narrative, the majority of adolescent girls are receiving the message that they are less represented, less powerful, less safe, and overall less valued than boys.”

For International Day of the Girl, Berry-McGhee’s target audience is middle school girls in grades six to eight.

“We will be focusing our efforts to champion equal representation for young women in the media. We want to call out discrimination and stereotyping on screen, in print, and in advertising to make room for stories of girls’ power and achievements,” she says.

“We want girls to know that regardless of your color, race, religion, or economic status, you can rewrite your story.”

Berry-McGhee notes that the International Day of the Girl celebration in St. Louis is unique because it will include an “I Define ME” walk from the Muny to the Missouri History Museum and a symposium for middle-school girls from various local districts like Parkway, Rockwood, and Ferguson-Florissant, as well as LaSalle Middle School, City Academy, and other schools. Homeschooling groups are welcome as well. Participants should arrive at the Muny by 8 a.m., wear bright colors, and bring a water bottle. The walk will begin promptly at 8:30 a.m.

Afterward, girls and women from across the region will attend a Girl Symposium in the Lee Auditorium at the Museum, starting at 9 a.m.

“Girls will take the I Define ME pledge and hear I Define ME girl poetry. Local women leaders from St. Louis will share their stories, and our I Define ME Girl Ambassador will speak. Girls will leave empowered to define their voices and rewrite their stories,” Berry-McGhee says.

“If you are a woman leader or have a woman-owned business, you are welcome to join us for the walk and the symposium or follow the hashtag #rewriteherstory on social media.”

“Girls who take the I Define ME pledge understand the value of self-awareness, academic excellence, and positive community engagement,” adds BerryMcGhee. “Our girls deal with negative images in society, bullying, being pushed out of school, teen pregnancy, and the many isms designed to devalue them, making them feel they are not enough. Our pledge allows girls to see that they define themselves inside and out.”

Berry-McGhee enjoys working with the Missouri Historical Society for this event.

“MHS is a pillar of the community,” she says. “It represents diversity in our community and is committed to showcasing local history. The museum is the perfect space for girls to stand on the steps of history and rewrite their stories. This partnership speaks volumes to the message we want the world to see: that our girls are truly defining themselves.”

Come to Forest Park to celebrate International Day of the Girl on Friday morning, October 11. Participants will walk from the Muny to the Missouri History Museum at 8:30 a.m. The Girl Symposium will take place in the museum’s Lee Auditorium from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

For more information about this event or the I Define ME Movement, email Tracie Berry-McGhee at idefinememovement@gmail. com. Ellen Kunkelmann is associate editor at the Missouri Historical Society.

Business

OCTOBER

Tamia Coleman-Hawkins mixes batter for her signature chocolate chip cookies. She buys all of her ingredients with the money she makes from Mia’s Treats Delight. She saves 30 percent from every sale, and she gets to choose how to use the remainder of her money.

‘You’re a kid.

12-year-old

baker/entrepreneur says that kids can be their own boss

By Marissanne Lewis-Thompson

Of St. Louis Public Radio

When 12-year-old Tamia Coleman-Hawkins is not in school or participating in extracurricular activities, she is baking batches of sweet treats for her customers.

Tamia is the founder and CEO of Mia’s Treats Delight. The Florissant native bakes brownies and cupcakes. However, her customerrequested cookies were a game-changer for her business. So far, Tamia’s customers have ordered 10 unique flavors, and she’s open to customizing more orders.

“That’s where my chocolate chip pecan and cranberry cookie came from,” Tamia said. “Me

n Tamia Coleman-Hawkins got her baking chops from her grandmother when she was just 4, but she got an itch to start her business when she was 8.

and mom were like, ‘Chocolate chip pecan cranberry — uh, OK. A little weird, but OK.’”

She still makes fan favorites like chocolate chip and cookies ‘n’ creme cookies. Her base recipe incorporates classic ingredients like flour, sugar and lots of butter that leave the cookies

with a glazed finish. But she is keeping her secret ingredient under lock and key.

Tamia got her baking chops from her grandmother when she was just 4, but she got an itch to start her business when she was 8.

“My mom has always been telling me to be my own boss and own my own business when I became an adult,” Tamia said.

Then in the third grade, Tamia took an economics class at her school where she learned the basics about having a business and dealing with money.

“I walked up to my mom that night and told her that I didn’t want to wait until I was an adult

See HAWKINS, B2

Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation

Competing with seven other nonprofits across the nation for $66K prize

Supporters of the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation have until 3 p.m. Friday, October 4 to vote for the foundation to win $66,000 to continue its mission “to instill youth in the Greater East St. Louis area with the dream, drive and determination necessary to succeed in academics, athletics and leadership.”

The Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation is one of eight nonprofits across the nation nominated for this year’s Gerry Rauenhorst Building Community Award sponsored by the Opus Foundation. The winner will be chosen by popular online vote.

“If we win, we will be the first nonprofit from the St. Louis region to ever take home the prize,” said Joyner-Kersee. “We’re hoping the entire Metro East and St. Louis community will support us by going online to vote.”

See JJK, B2

St. Louis Circuit Judge Michael Noble received the 2019 Judicial Excellence Award – Circuit from Missouri Chief Justice George W. Draper III. “As a public defender, he witnessed firsthand the disastrous effects of drugs on his clients, which led him to apply to be a drug court commissioner,” Draper said. “As a circuit judge, he has continued to devote his time and efforts to help those affected by drug addiction.”

Denise HooksAnderson, M.D., received the Dr. Norman A. White Award for Engaged Scholarship and Service from Saint Louis University. She is an associate professor in family and community medicine at SLU and a SLUCare family physician, we well as medical accuracy editor for The St. Louis American. The award honors a faculty member’s contributions to the university and to the St. Louis community.

Devin Macklin participated in a rite of passage at the Kappa Beautillion, National College Signing Day, and Awards Ceremony. The event was the culmination of his affiliation with the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., St. Louis Alumni Chapter’s Guide Right/Kappa League (KL) Program. KL is a mentoring program for young males in grades 6 – 12. He is a graduate of Rockwood Summit High School who will attend Xavier University in New Orleans, LA.

Venessa A. Brown, PhD, associate chancellor and chief diversity officer at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, shares in SIUE’s receiving the 2019 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education. SIUE joins a select group of 35 institutions that have earned the distinction for six consecutive years.

Michael Casimir joined the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra full-time on viola following a oneyear appointment as a replacement musician. A graduate of the Juilliard School and the Curtis Music Institute, he was awarded second place in the 2015 and 2011 International Sphinx Competitions, and won the grand prize at the Hudson Valley Philharmonic Competition in 2013. He recorded for the “Lion King” soundtrack and has composed music for a mobile game.

Roberta Gibson joined the Board of Directors of ARCHS (Area Resources for Community and Human Services), which funds and strategically enhances initiatives that improve the lives of children and families facing disparities and disadvantages in St. Louis’ most resource deprived communities. She is Commercial Relationship manager at Regions Bank.

On the move? Congratulations! Send your good professional news and a color headshot to cking@stlamerican. com

Michael Casimir

Denise HooksAnderson

Venessa A. Brown

Michael Noble

Devin Macklin

Roberta Gibson

Photo by Carolina Hidalgo / St. Louis Public Radio

Jackie JoynerKersee with East St. Louis youth

Photo by Wiley Price

By Chris King Of The St.

Louis

SpenDebt wins MAC Tank Pitch competition

Its mission is ‘to turn generational curses into generational wealth’

American

SpenDebt won the “Best Investment” title at Missouri Athletic Club’s first MAC Tank Pitch competition for local startups, sponsored by Polsinelli law firm in St. Louis. Five entrepreneurial groups competed for the title.

n The company was founded by a husband and wife team, both engineers who found themselves with more than $100,000 of consumer debt after they graduated from college.

SpenDebt is a financial technology company designed to assist people to pay off debt leveraging micropayments through everyday transactions. As consumers spend, a pre-defined amount is added on top from their bank account and sent to their creditors to pay down their debt.

The company was founded by Kiley and Ty’lisha Summers, a husband and wife team, both engineers who found themselves with more than $100,000 of consumer debt after they graduated from college. Debt was nothing new, Ty’lisha Summers said, as growing up in single parent homes, it was engraved in them that you would always owe someone.

Determined to break these generational curses, the couple

set a plan to get out of debt. They hired a financial advisor and listed out their loans. If there was any feeling of guilt or shame, Ty’lisha Summers said, being transparent together made the exercise invaluable and deepened their personal relationship beyond numbers on paper. The debts were prioritized from least to greatest, and they set a date to become debtfree. They set a realistic budget and began their journey. Seven years later, they were debt-free. In sharing their testimony they realized others were suffering from the same issues.

“God sent the vision to create a tool to help people pay off debt in parallel with their spending habits,”

Ty’lisha Summers said, “and SpenDebt was born.” Their mission is to turn generational curses into generational wealth.

“Becoming debt free not only increases your bank account,”

Ty’lisha Summers said, “but opens doors and provides you the ability to make a greater impact on the world.” For more information, visit https://www.spendebt.com or email info@spendebt.com.

Hawkins

continued from page B1 to start my own business, and I wanted to start it then,” she said.

Tamia and her mother, Tamishio Hawkins, went to the store that night and purchased ingredients for chocolate cupcakes. She sold the cupcakes the same night, her first official sale.

Tamishio said she was eager to support her daughter. She said that growing up, things like financial literacy and the idea of being an entrepreneur were never suggested to her.

“It was, ‘Go to school, graduate, get a job, retire,’” Tamishio said. “That’s what I thought life was. So when she came to me, of course, I didn’t want to tell her, ‘No, you’re too young.’ Because I had always told her you can do whatever you put your mind to. So that kind of put me in the mode of, ‘OK, I don’t really know what I’m doing, but we’re going to figure this out together.’”

The mother-daughter duo delivers the treats to her customers. Tamia buys all of her ingredients with the

money she makes from Mia’s Treats Delight. She stashes 30 percent from every sale into her savings account, and she gets to choose how to use the remainder of her money.

Tamia doesn’t have an exact figure for the dough she’s bringing in. “But I can say it’s enough to pay for a whole Paris trip with spending money,” she said. “And that’s money saved up.”

When Tamia isn’t running her business, she’s a leader in her community. Earlier this year, she was chosen to serve on the Kids Board of Directors for the national online retailer Kidbox and even traveled to New York City for her first board meeting and a charity event. Kidbox donates new clothes to children in need for each box that purchasers keep.

“If you buy a box from Kidbox, then they will give you a list of four charities for you to pick from, and that’s the charity that they will donate to,” Tamia said.

Tamia said kids should not let their age stop them from pursuing their dreams and being their own boss.

“Usually it’s just, ‘These are the careers that you can do,’”

she said. “ And all of them are just jobs that are controlled by other people. That’s never entrepreneurship. So I say, ‘You’re a kid. You can do it. Don’t wait if you don’t want to.’” However, being a 12-yearold boss is not easy without support from parents. That’s why her mother said it’s important to support your children and their goals.

“Help them cultivate their dreams and their aspirations,” Tamishio said. “If you notice that they have certain hobbies, see how maybe you can turn that into a business. Because if they’re doing something that they love, it’ll never seem like work. And you never know what it’s going to turn into.”

Tamia primarily runs her business from her kitchen at home. She said her next move is to work from a commercial kitchen and eventually for Mia’s Treats Delight to have its own brick-and-mortar location. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/ miastreatsdelight2015/.

SpenDebt was founded by Kiley and Ty’lisha Summers, a husband and wife team.

Tamia Coleman-Hawkins puts her chocolate chip cookies in the oven. She started her business Mia’s Treats Delight after taking an economics class in the third grade.

Photo by Carolina Hidalgo / St. Louis Public Radio

— St Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina

Sports

McCluer North continues the turnaround

We are just past the midway point of the season and there are still several undefeated teams in the St. Louis metropolitan area.

On the Missouri side, the teams with 5-0 records are DeSmet, Cardinal Ritter, Fort Zumwalt North, Ladue, Marquette, Wentzville Holt, Lutheran St. Charles, Washington and St. Charles West.

Earl Austin Jr.

There are three teams on the Illinois side with unblemished records, led by East St. Louis and its 5-0 record. The Flyers are joined by Triad and Columbia as undefeated metro east teams.

McCluer North on the rise

The McCluer North Stars have been experienced quite a turnaround in the past two seasons. In the 2017 season, the Stars finished with a 0-10 record and scored 29 points during the entire season. North started to turn things around last season as it won five games and competed for a district championship in Class 5. The improvement has continued into this season as the Stars are currently 4-1 with their only loss coming to perennial metro east powerhouse Edwardsville.

In those four victories, the Stars are averaging 45 points a game while their defense has surrendered only a total of 24 points. The offense is led by the explosive duo of senior Travon Springfield and junior Angelo Butts, who have both scored 10 touchdowns. Springfield has rushed for 575 yards while Butts has more than 700 total yards as a quarterback, running back

Professional boxing is a sport filled with titlists and champions. What’s the difference? A titlist holds a world title from one of the 8,364 major sanctioning bodies. Due to the sport’s reputation for shady promoters, greased wheels and backroom deals, a fighter who holds a world title is not always considered a legitimate champion by the boxing community. To be considered a champion requires more than a belt around one’s waist. Championships have to be earned. Winning a vacant title over a sacrificial lamb may very well earn a fighter some flashy hardware, but it won’t earn them respect. Many in the boxing community had little doubt that both Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr. and “Showtime” Shawn Porter had earned their statuses as champions well before their Sept. 28 fight. However,

some remained on the fence with Spence. While Porter’s resume was indisputably solid, Spence’s was a little lighter in terms of top-flight experience. Nevertheless, Spence entered Saturday’s fight as the favorite. Yet he knew that he would have to walk through his toughest, and roughest, opponent to earn the respect he deserves. That’s just what he did. In one of the most-exciting battles of the year, Spence (260-0, 21 KO) defeated Porter via split decision to unify the IBF and WBC World Welterweight titles. The scorecards were wildly different. Scores of 116111 for Spence were turned in by judges Steve Weisfeld and Ray Danseco. They overruled a score of 115-112 for Porter by Larry Hazzard What is amazing is that despite the scoring differences, the three judges were in agreement on a total of seven

Ishmael H. Sistrunk

SLUH’s Tommy Etling (28) and Luke Schuermann(8) try to bring down CBC’s Kenneth Hamilton (13) during their Friday Sept. 27, 2019 game at SLUH. The Cadets of CBC went on to defeat the Jr. Bill’s 45-14 to move to 4-1 on the season.

Errol Spence Jr. (right) lands a right hand on the face of Shawn Porter on Saturday night. Spence earned a split decision victory to become the unified WBC and IBF world welterweight champion.

Photo by Wiley Price

SportS EyE

With Alvin A. Reid

Fowler finds himself on top of his game, back in postseason with Cardinals

The last time the baseball world saw Dexter Fowler in a postseason, he led off Game Seven of the 2016 World Series with a home run on the road against the Cleveland Indians.

While the game would later be in jeopardy, thanks to several perplexing decisions by now-former manager Joe Maddon, Fowler’s homer helped propel the Cubs to an early lead and their first World Series title since 1908.

Now, he’s back in the playoffs for the first time as a St. Louis Cardinal –and he’s headed to his hometown of Atlanta to take on the National League East champion Braves. Without Fowler’s successful return to the leadoff spot in the Cardinals lineup in August, it’s quite possible his team would not have made the playoffs for a fourth consecutive season.

get on base in the leadoff position in the lineup sparked the Cardinals’ turnaround.

After he retuned to the leadoff spot, the Cardinals went 31-18, finished with 91 wins and a two-game lead over the wild card Milwaukee Brewers.

“We’ve had our ups and downs. A lot of people counted us out early. But we believed in ourselves from the beginning and it has been awesome,” a champagne-soaked Fowler told Jim Hayes of Fox Sports Midwest as the Cardinals celebrated the NL Central Division-clinching victory on Sunday.

“This is a good group of guys. We really meshed.”

Fowler’s turnaround actually began in July 2018 when Mike Matheny was fired as manager and Mike Shildt took over as interim manager. Fowler had the misfortune of breaking his foot in August and missed the remainder of the season.

While he, like other Cardinals, struggled at the plate in the season’s final weeks (he hit .202 in September), Fowler starred in an almost must-win game against the Cubs last Sunday. He blasted a lengthy home run, reached base four times, drove in two runs and scored two himself.

The Cardinals prevailed 9-0 and, like that night in Cleveland in 2016, Fowler helped his team shake off any early game jitters and prevail.

Fowler closed the regular season with career-highs in home runs (19) and RBI’s (67).

While his .238 batting average won’t win him a batting title, he added 69 runs scored and a .346 on-base percentage.

His ability to earn walks and

His and Matheny’s relationship was toxic and many Cardinal fans blamed Fowler, not the overmatched manager. They were livid when Shildt and John Mozeliak, president of baseball operations, announced during the offseason that they still had confidence in Fowler’s abilities and would be a starter in 2019.

Fowler, who told the PostDispatch that the front office leaders visited him in Las Vegas last December, said their confidence in him “went a long way,” in his return to being a solid player.

“These guys believed in me. That’s all you ask for. You take that, and you never want to disappoint when people believe in

you,” he told Hayes. He also reminded the Cardinals during the season that he is far from a liability in the outfield – especially as the season neared its close.

After splitting the first two games of a critical series at home against the Washington Nationals, the Cardinals led the rubber game 5-1 in the eighth inning on Sept. 18. Nationals second baseman Asdrubal Cabrera hit a shot to right field that cleared the wall and apparently tightened the score to 5-4.

But Fowler made a perfectly-timed jump and snared the ball, robbing Cabrera of a home run.

“I did hoop,” Fowler told mlb.com after the game.

“Thought those days were over, but I guess Asdrubal threw me an alley oop.

“Big play in the game. It kind of changes the momentum if the ball goes over the wall. Fortunately, I was there and could get it.”

The Cardinals traveled to Chicago the next day and completed a four-game sweep over the weekend that pretty much ended the Cubs’ season. It was announced last Sunday that Maddon would not return as manager.

Maddon will forever be a hero in Chicago. Fowler’s Game Seven home run in 2016 will never be forgotten.

But new, historic moments

Dexter Fowler’s back in the playoffs for the first time as a St. Louis Cardinal – and he’s headed to his hometown of Atlanta to take on the National League East champion Braves.

Ellison said. “The referees didn’t want to hear it, either.” Jackson Superintendent John Link told the Tribune he wasn’t aware of the racial taunts, but said he is “looking into it.” The Tribune left a voice mail inquiry with the Missouri State High School Activities Association, but had not received a response as of Tuesday morning.

In addition to the racial taunts, Ellison said his team’s locker room was vandalized during the second half of the game.

Bananas were mashed in lockers, clothes and other locker contents were dumped on the floor. Wallets were emptied with contents spread on the floor, according to Ellison. He said a Jackson official said Battle players did those things.

“We were accused of damaging our own things,” Ellison said.

The Reid Roundup

could be awaiting if Fowler puts together a great postseason run and the Cardinals go deep in the playoffs. It all begins at 4:20 p.m. Thursday – and Fowler will be at the top of the batting order and right at home.

Take that, NCAA

As expected, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-Calif.) signed into law on Monday a bill that, beginning in 2023, allows college athletes to hire agents and profit from endorsement deals.

The NCAA has threatened all California schools that are members with expulsion from the organization. But as the Associated Press reported, “Critics have long complained that schools are getting rich off the backs of athletes — often, black athletes struggling to get by financially.”

Newsom, whose bill signing was televised on LeBron James’ HBO show, “The Shop: Uninterrupted,” said the bill gives student athletes the same rights as fellow students.

“Other college students with a talent, whether it be literature, music, or technological innovation, can monetize their skill and hard work,” Newsom said, with James alongside.

“Student athletes, however, are prohibited from being compensated while their respective colleges and universities make millions, often at great risk to athletes’ health, academics and professional careers.”

James said on Instagram, California’s action “will change the lives for countless athletes who deserve it!”

“NCAA, you got the next move. We can solve this for everyone!”

South Carolina has a similar bill making its run through that state’s legislature and it is expected to pass. Several North

Carolina legislators support similar action and, importantly, reportedly have the support of respective head basketball coaches Mike Krzyzewski of Duke and Roy Williams of the University of North Carolina.

The coming law will prohibit schools from kicking athletes off the team if they get paid and/or revoking scholarships. Community colleges are exempt and athletes cannot accept endorsement deals that conflict with a schools’ existing contracts.

For example. KU has an apparel deal with Adidas. A player could not sign a deal with Converse and wear that brand of shoe during games.

Speaking of Kansas, a legislator there said he supports the California law, but that he foresaw no similar action from that state because “for better or worse,” it defers to the NCAA.

There is no word what Missouri’s legislature thinks of the measure, but I’ll be contacting local black legislators this week.

Battle on with class

Battle High School football coach Atiyyah Ellison said Monday that players and cheerleaders from his school in Columbia were targeted with racial slurs and taunts during last Friday’s away game at Jackson High School (Cape Girardeau County.)

Ellison told the Columbia Daily Tribune that Jackson fans shouted a racial slur that starts with “n” at players and cheerleaders. Cheerleaders were also sexually harassed.

He said referees were informed of the vile language and that they heard the taunts, but took no action.

“The kids, we’re trying to work on our discipline,”

Former Missouri star receiver Jeremy Maclin, former coach Gary Pinkel and 10 others will be named as Missouri Sports Legends by the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame on Nov. 3 in Columbia Tim Anderson, Chicago White Sox shortstop and one of MLB’s top, young black players, won the American League batting title with a .335 average … Dave Roberts, L.A. Dodgers manager and the lone MLB black skipper, is guiding a team with a 9-to-4 chance to win the World Series. Only the Houston Astros, at 2-to-1, have better odds. The Cardinals are a 14-to-1 shot … Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper reportedly will ask the city of Charlotte for $200 million for stadium upgrades in an attempt to land an MLS expansion team. Tepper is worth an estimated at $10 billion by FORBES … The basketball court at Walton Arena on the University of Arkansas campus will be named in honor of former coach Nolan Richardson before an exhibition game against the Arkansas-Little Rock on Oct. 20. In 17 seasons Richardson led Arkansas to a school-record 389 victories, 13 NCAA Tournament appearances, three trips to the Final Four and the 1994 national championship. When he took the helm in 1985, he became the first black coach of a major basketball program in the South … Sam Cooper of Yahoo Sports is among several college football writers that list Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts as the current favorite to win the Heisman Trophy. 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

Clutch

Continued from B3 the fight. He landed 221 of 745 punches (29.7 percent) compared to 172 of 744 punches by Porter (23.1 percent). Though Spence threw one more punch than Porter, it was Porter who appeared to be the aggressor for much of the fight. This may be because Porter’s lunges, shoves and shoulders aren’t tracked by CompuBox. What was tracked was the lethal left hand Spence landed on Porter’s chin in the 11th round that sent “Showtime” to the canvas for the second time in his career. Porter didn’t end up flat on his back, as is the case in many knockdowns, but the punch short-circuited his legs and caused his left glove to touch the canvas (which prevented his butt from doing the same).

Porter quickly regained his wits and finished the fight strong. However, the knockdown was the moment for many onlookers that solidified the night as belonging to Spence. By dropping the granite-chinned Porter, Spence cemented his rightful claim as legitimate champion who deserves to have his name on the short list for the best pound for pound fighter in the world What’s next for Spence will be interesting. PBC stable-

from B3

and receiver. The defense is led by senior Bakale Harris, who has six quarterback sacks.

Earl’s Pick Game of the Week

Lutheran St. Charles (5-0) at Trinity (3-2), Friday, 7p.m.

– A most intriguing game in North County, in which I will be in attendance. Lutheran St. Charles has a young and talented squad that is rolling along at 5-0. They are led by talented sophomore running back Arlen Harris Jr. and his 13 touchdowns.

Trinity is 3-2 with its two losses from Lutheran North and East St. Louis in early-season showdowns. The Titans have rebounded with three impressive victories. We will find out a lot about both teams in this Archdiocesan Athletic Association Showdown on Friday night. Is Lutheran St. Charles ready to rumble with the big boys? Or is Trinity all the way back after those two early season defeats? We cannot wait to find out.

Top Individual Performers last weekend

Quarterback Mekhi Hagens of Cardinal Ritter passed for 368 yards and three touchdowns in the Lions’ 72-12 over Father Tolton.

Quarterback Tyler Macon of East St. Louis passed for 395

mate and former two-division champion Danny Garcia was brought into the ring following the fight to challenge Spence. Garcia lost to Porter a year ago, but brings a completely different style that would make for a fairly interesting matchup. Spence has previously called out the other two welterweight champions, Manny Pacquiao and Terence Crawford, in hopes of unifying the titles. He has also offered to “run it back” with Porter in a rematch. Whatever he and the matchmakers at PBC decide to do, you can bet that plenty of people will tune in for his next fight.

Shields aims for historic victory

Speaking of bona fide and respected champions, the GWOAT Claressa Shields will be in action this weekend attempting to make history. Shields (9-0-0, 2 KO) will attempt to become a three-division world champion in just her tenth professional fight. She’ll square off Saturday night (Oct. 5) in Flint, Mich. against No. 1 contender Ivana Habazin for the WBC and WBO women’s super welterweight titles. A victory would make her the fastest man or woman to accomplish such a feat. The current record is held by Vasyl Lomachenko, who

yards and five touchdowns in the Flyers’ 54-7 victory over Belleville West.

Vincent Perry of Cahokia rushed for 188 yards and two touchdowns in the Comanches’ 34-28 victory over Carbondale.

Caden Phipps of Lafayette rushed for 164 yards and scored four touchdowns in the Lancers’ 35-7 victory over Northwest Cedar Hill.

Demontay Love of Gateway STEM caught four passes for 147 yards and scored two touchdowns in the Jaguars’

accomplished the feat in just his twelfth fight.

The 24 year-old Shields won the WBA and IBF super middleweight titles in just her fourth professional fight. She then dropped down to middleweight to win the same titles at 160-pounds in just her sixth pro scrap. Now she’s dropping down in weight once again in search of more hardware and history.

The fight will be televised by Showtime Championship Boxing at 8PM CST.

Dame vs Shaq

In a fisticuffs battle, Portland Trailblazers superstar Damian Lillard would be way out of his weight class trying to battle Shaquille O’Neal When it comes to the mic though, Shaq Diesel might be the one to discover that Lillard is lyrically out of his league.

The basketball rapper beef kicked off when Lillard was asked to if he had “better music than Shaq” on the Joe Budden Podcast

“I think I rap better than Shaq,” Lillard responded.

“People wasn’t looking at it like it’s a real rapper,” he continued. “It was like that’s Shaq rapping.”

O’Neal wasted no time dropping a diss track aimed at Lillard on his Instagram page. The diss was surprisingly solid despite an old school feel.

38-20 victory over Vashon.

On Tap this Weekend

Edwardsville (4-1) at East

St. Louis (5-0), Friday, 7 p.m.

Lutheran St. Charles (5-0) at Trinity (3-2), Friday, 7 p.m.

MICDS (4-1) at Lutheran North (4-1), Friday, 7 p.m.

Cardinal Ritter (5-0) at St. Mary’s (3-2), Friday, 7 p.m.

Washington (5-0) at Fort Zumwalt North (5-0), Friday, 7 p.m.

Eureka (4-1) at Lindbergh

The ST. LouiS AmericAn PreP AThLeTe of The Week

Gideon Niboh

Francis Howell – Football

The senior running back enjoyed a big performance in the Vikings victory over Troy last Friday night. Niboh scored four touchdowns in the Vikings’ 42-24 victory over Troy during Homecoming weekend. Niboh scored on runs of 62 and 15 yards and pass receptions of 21 and 41 yards.

For the season, Niboh has rushed for 546 yards along with four receptions for 116 yards. He has scored nine touchdowns in leading Howell to a 4-1 record. Francis Howell will visit Gateway Athletic Conference rival Fort Zumwalt West on Saturday at 1 p.m.

“If you’re a – rapper, Dame/ What the [heck] am I?/I’m accomplishments, you can’t reach/I’m too high,” O’Neal rapped.

“Call me when you win a back-to-back-to-back-to-back/ Why would I want to be a rapper?/Rappers wanna be Shaq!”

Social media went crazy with O’Neal going after Lillard. Less than 24 hours later though, Dame D.O.L.L.A. came back with the heat.

Lillard released a response on his SoundClound page entitled “Reign Reign Go Away.”

“Nursery rhymes spitting/ small car sitting/Icy Hot poster boy, TNT snitching,” Lillard raps with precision.

However, the killshot may have come near the end of the song with following flurry.

“This is different era/you the past and you the past/Said yourself that I’m a Tesla/No longer need Diesel gas.”

“Kinda like the Cavs ain’t really need Diesel a--/And even in Miami, won that on the strength of Flash.”

Please cue the Supa Hot Fire memes. I’ve previously stated that Lillard has officially passed O’Neal as the greatest NBA rapper of all-time. Since O’Neal won’t pass the torch willingly, it looks as if Lillard will have to snatch it from his cold, gigantic hands.

Still, I’m here for the rap battle. After all, the NBA regular season is still a few weeks

(3-2), Friday, 7 p.m.

Hazelwood East (3-2) at McCluer North (4-1), Saturday, noon.

Francis Howell (4-1) at Fort Zumwalt West (4-1), Saturday, 1 p.m.

Gateway Tech (4-1) vs. Roosevelt (4-1) at Soldan, Saturday, 1 p.m.

Priory (4-1) at John Burroughs (4-1), Saturday, 1 p.m.

ago. This battle of bars will be much better than the preseason. Follow Ishmael and In the

Clutch online at stlamerican. com and on Twitter @ishcreates.

Claressa Shields (left) will face Ivana Habazin on Saturday night as she attempts to become the fastest fighter, man or woman, to win world titles in three different divisions.

Politicos support striking auto workers

Glenn Kaye, president of United Auto Workers Local 2250 (right), spoke to union workers at the General Motors Plant in Wentzville on Wednesday, September 17. State Senator Jamilah Nasheed (D-St. Louis), state Representatives LaKeySha Bosley (D-St. Louis) and Paula Brown (D-Hazelwood), made the trip to show their support, along with Rasheed Aldridge, Democratic nominee for state representative and Michelle Sherod, candidate for state senator.

JJK

continued from page B1

For more information about the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation, visit www. jjkfoundation.org.

This honor recognizes the legacy of Gerry Rauenhorst, the founder of The Opus

Financial Focus

By Veronica Coleman

Be creative when withdrawing from retirement accounts

Group, a family of commercial real estate development, construction and design companies headquartered in Minneapolis with offices and projects across the country. Each of the eight national finalists completed a short video about their mission that will be featured on The Opus Group website. People are encouraged to

visit www.opus-group.com/ BuildingCommunityAward to vote for the organization that best exemplifies the values of the Opus Group’s founder, including his entrepreneurial spirit, collaborative approach and commitment to excellence.

Voting closes on October 4 at 3 p.m. CDT. The winner will be announced October 11 at 3 p.m. CDT.

Visit The St. Louis American at www.stlamerican.com

Photo by Wiley Price

‘Voice from God’ ascends to heaven

Opera great Jessye Norman passed away on Monday, September 30 due to complications from a spinal cord injury she suffered in 2015.

World renowned opera legend Jessye Norman passes at 74

By Kenya Vaughn

Of The St. Louis American

St. Louis audiences owe opera great Jessye

Norman a recent debt of gratitude. Norman was among the early influences of Karen Slack, who delivered a critically acclaimed performance as she originated the role of Billie Blow during the world premiere of Terence Blanchard’s “Fire Shut Up In My Bones” as part of the 2019 Opera Theatre of Saint Louis season.

While attending the Philadelphia High School for Performing and Creative Arts, Slack’s choral teacher would play opera every morning before their first class.

“I heard Jessye Norman for the first time. She’s my idol – my favorite opera singer of all time,”

See Jessye, C4

Quincy Troupe to perform with his cousin Keyon Harrold

By Chris King Of The

St. Louis American

St. Louis poet Quincy Troupe mentioned the same range of numbers “15, 16, 17” twice in a conversation about his returning home to perform with trumpeter Keyon Harrold 7 p.m. Friday, October 11 at the Saint Louis Art Museum.

He guessed that Harrold was 15, 16 or 17 when Troupe first heard him play trumpet; though Harrold is half Troupe’s age, the two men are cousins and both hail from the St. Louis area. “I couldn’t believe how mature and good he was then,” Troupe said. Harrold has since recorded music across genres with Jay-z, Beyoncé, and Keith Richards and been called “The Future of The Trumpet” by Wynton Marsalis.

Then Troupe estimated that he rewrites each of his poems “15, 16, 17 times” before finishing one. “I got the dates on them to prove it,” Troupe said.

With his cousin playing his compositions on trumpet, Troupe said he will perform “some new poems, some old poems” at the museum. They rehearsed for two hours over the past weekend at Troupe’s home in New York and will rehearse another two or three times before the show. “I feel really good about it,” Troupe said.

The Saint Louis Art Museum concert will not be their first live performance together. Previously they performed at the Harlem Arts Salon curated by Margaret Porter Troupe, the poet’s wife. Will Calhoun of Living Color also was on that gig. “People were hanging like bats from the ceiling,” Troupe said.

Troupe will be able to draw both old and new poems from one of the books he is working on now, to be titled “Duende,” a large compilation of poems from 1966 to the present forthcoming in 2020 on Seven Stories Press. He also has two recent books of poems, previously reviewed here, a long poem titled “Ghost Voices” and another compilation, “Seduction.”

When he spoke to The American on Monday, September 30, Troupe had been working that morning on a

new poem titled “Hugh Masekela” and talked about another poem of recent vintage about the Trump years titled “Maggots.”

He had been walking around in his wife’s hometown of Gloster, Mississippi when he came upon an “evil smell” and discovered that somebody had put a dead dog in a trashcan. “There were all these maggots everywhere,” Troupe said. “It was an amazing image. I took that image home and didn’t know what do with it, I just wrote it down.” Then he thought of the president of the United States and thought, “Oh, I know what I will do with it.” Troupe being Troupe, he has too many other creative projects in the works to keep track of. He continues to forge ahead on a novel,

Accordion Years.” Like his upcoming collection of poems, it starts in 1966.

“That was when I seriously started writing,” Troupe said. “I moved to California when I came back from the Army. I moved to Los Angeles, Watts. That’s when I met Jane Cortez, Ornette Coleman, K. Curtis Lyle. My life as a writer started over there. It chronicles me becoming writer instead of a basketball player” – he attended Grambling State University on a basketball scholarship and played on the U.S. Army team in France – “and other crazy shit growing up in St. Louis.” Then there is the much-delayed film “Miles and Me,” based on his previous memoir about working with Miles Davis on his as-told-told autobiography. It’s produced by Rudy Langlais, formerly Troupe’s editor who assigned him the Spin magazine profile on Davis that evolved into the book. Langlais now produces films and made “Hurricane” with Denzel Washington, who also is committed to directing “Miles and Me,” with Michael K. Williams (“The Wire,” “Boardwalk Empire”) playing Davis. Why the delays?

“Denzel really, really, really wants to get it right,” Troupe said. “He is a perfectionist. Denzel asks really good questions about the script. I respect him as a human being and

Prince protégé embodies the Queen of Soul

Ashley Tamar Smith’s journey includes role in ‘A Night with Janis Joplin’

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

The first song that Grammy Awardnominated singer/songwriter Ashley Tamar

Smith performed on a public stage during her high school years was Aretha Franklin’s “Dr. Feelgood.”

“Of course, I was too young to know what those lyrics were about,” Smith said with a hint of laughter.

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

“It’s

“I took a gravitation towards Aretha Franklin from the time that I was very little. I don’t think it hit me that I was playing her until after she passed.”

Smith portrays “The Queen of Soul” and a couple of other roles (including Nina Simone) in the North American tour of the Tony Awardnominated Broadway Musical “A Night with Janis Joplin,” which makes a stop at the Stifel Theatre on October 8-9.

“Randy Johnson nailed bringing together a piece of work around one artist by bringing her influences,” Smith said about the show’s creator, writer and director. “And I’m honored to be an African-American woman playing these parts.”

The show starring Mary Bridget Davies in the title role takes audiences on a musical journey of the Woodstock era while giving a well-rounded musical experience by highlighting not only Joplin’s music, but the

See Tamar, C4

Ashley Tamar Smith is one of the stars of the national tour of “A Night with Janis Joplin,” which plays Stifel Theatre October 8-9.

See Troupe, C4

Photo by Chester Higgins Quincy Troupe

See Troupe, C4

Keyon Harrold

Sheldon, 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Saturdays, 8 a.m., The Ferguson Farmers Market Plaza at 501, 501 S. Florissant Rd., 63135. For more information, visit www. facebook.com.

literary

Sat., Oct. 5, 11 a.m., The Noble Life Experience & Book Signing.. Twillman House, 11840 Bellefontaine Rd., 63138. For more information, visit www. tammyrnobles.com.

Sat., Oct. 12, 10 a.m., Local Authors Book Fair. Authors include: Kelly Byrd, Brian Alan Bild, Rebecca Clark, Aja Owens, and more. Field House Museum, 634 S. Broadway, 63102. For more information, visit www. fieldhousemuseum.org/event.

Mon., Oct. 14, 7 p.m., Left Bank Books hosts author Saeed Jones, author of How We Fight for Our Lives: A Memoir. The High Low, 3301 Washington Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www. left-bank.com.

Mon., Oct. 14, 7 p.m., Left Bank Books hosts author Saeed Jones, author of How We Fight for Our Lives: A Memoir. The story of a young, black, gay man and his fight to create a place for himself. The High Low, 3301 Washington Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www. left-bank.com.

Sat., Oct. 19, 1:30 p.m., Missouri History Museum hosts author Dr. Richard Bell, author of Stolen: Five Free Boys Kidnapped Into Slavery and Their Astonishing Odyssey Home 5700 Lindell Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www.mohistory.org.

Tues., Oct. 22, 7 p.m., Left Bank Books hosts author Ben Crump, author of Open Season: Legalized Genocide of Colored People. The book describes Crump’s journey working on some of the most egregious cases that have shocked the nation. The Grandel, 3610 Grandel Sq., 63108. For more information, visit www.left-bank.com.

Wed., Oct. 23, 7 p.m., Left Bank Books hosts author Pete Souza, author of SHADE: A Tale of Two Presidents. Souza was the Chief Official White House Photographer under President Barack Obama. The Grandel, 3610 Grandel Sq., 63108. For more information, visit www. left-bank.com.

Thur., Oct. 24, 7 p.m., Left Bank Books hosts author Kekla Magoon, author of Light It Up. This YA novel begins when a white police officer shoots an unarmed, 13-year-old black girl, igniting controversy, grief, and rage in the community. 399 N. Euclid Ave., 63108. For more information, visit www.left-bank.com.

Oct. 5 – 6, 2019 Historic Shaw Art Fair. Featuring 135 artists, food, music, art demonstrations and kids activities, and more. 4200 Flora Pl., 63110. For more information, visit www. shawartfair.org.

Oct. 12 – 13, 10 a.m., The Highland Arts Council hosts the 16th Annual Art in the Park. Lindendale Park, 2005 Park Hill Dr., Highland, IL. 62249. www. highlandartscouncil.org

Fri., Nov. 1, 7 p.m., The Power of Aesthetics. Larry Ossei-Mensah, Susanne Feld Hilberry Senior Curator at The Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit and co-founder of ARTNOIR. St. Louis Art Museum, 1 Fine Arts Dr., 63110. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Kenya Vaughn recommends (800) 745-3000.

Pageant presents Eric Andre: Legalize Everything Tour. With Sarah Squirm. 6161 Delmar Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www. thepageant.com.

Sun., Oct. 27, 6 p.m., STL Baby Boy Productions presents the St. Louis Comedy Festival ft. Marvin Dixon, Hope Flood, and Tyler Craig. Sun Theatre, 3625 Grandel Sq., 63108. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

theatre

October 8 – October 9, Stifel Theatre welcomes A Night with Janis Joplin, Stifel Theatre, 1400 Market. For more information, visit www. stifeltheatre.com.

Through Oct. 13, Upstream Theater presents The Agitators. A look into the thunder and lightning of the 45-year friendship between Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony. Kranzberg Arts Center, 501 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

Fri., Oct. 12, 7:30 p.m., The Black Rep Gala featuring a concert version of the Broadway classic “Ain’t Misbehavin’” Other highlights will include the presentation

of Frankie Muse Freeman Spirit Awards to Anne Marie Clark & Wesley Bell as well as the Woodie King, Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award to Dr. Glory Van Scott and George Faison. 560 Music Center, 560 Trinity Ave. For more information, call (314) 534-3807 or visit www. theblackrep.org.

Oct. 18 – 27, The Black Rep and COCA present Four Little Girls: Birmingham 1963. 524 Trinity Ave., 63130. For more information, visit www.cocastl.org.

Sun., Oct. 20, 3 p.m., Stifel Theatre presents Peppa Pig Live: Peppa Pig’s Adventure! 1400 Market St., 63103. For more information, visit www.stifeltheatre.com.

lectures and workshops

Thurs., Oct. 3, 7:30 a.m., COCAbiz Session, From Courtroom to Couture: Designing an Unexpected Career with Wale Oyejide Staenberg Performance Lab at COCA, 524 Trinity Ave, University City.

Mon., Oct. 7, 6:30 p.m., St. Louis County Library presents Retirement

Planning. Registration recommended. Jamestown Bluffs Branch, 4153 N. Highway 67, 63034. For more information, visit www.slcl. org/events.

Tues., Oct. 8, 6 p.m., Understanding Financial Statements: Where is your money going? SBA/Urban League Small Business Empowerment Alliance, 9420 West Florissant Ave., 63136. For more information, visit www.missouri.ecenterdirect. com.

Tues., Oct. 8, 7:30 p.m., Advanced Social Security Strategies. Bridgeton Trails Branch Library, 3455 McKelvey Rd., 63044. For more information, visit www. slcl.org/events.

Sun., Oct. 13, 2 p.m.,

Sat., Oct. 5, 7 p.m., The

St. Louis Symphony Orchestra presents a Tribute to Aretha Franklin.. See CONCERTS for details.

Sat., Oct. 19, 12 p.m., St. Louis Fashion Fund presents the Speaking of Fashion Speakers Event: Daniel “Dapper Dan” Day. Emerson Auditorium, Washington University, 1 Brookings Dr., 63105. For more information, visit www. saintlouisfashionfund.org.

Sun., Oct. 6, 8 a.m., The National Children’s Cancer Society Golf Classic. The Courses at Forest Park, 6141 Lagoon Dr., 63112. For more information, visit www. thenccs.org/golf.

Sun., Oct. 6, 3 p.m., The Gateway Illinois Chapter of the Links, Inc. invites you to the Salute to Our Survivors Breast Cancer Awareness Tea. 1 Norwood Hills Country Club, 63121. For more information, email gatewaylinksinc@gmail.com.

Madison County Historical Society Speaker Series: The Underground Railroad. Gertrude Barlabie, Amanda Kitchell and Those Who Helped Them is the story of two St. Louis women who escaped slavery. Immanuel United Methodist Church, 800 N. Main St., Edwardsville, IL. 62025. For more information, call (618) 656-7569.

Wed., Oct. 16, 6:30 p.m., Financial Aid Basics. The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis, 6825 Clayton Ave., 63139. For more information, visit www.sfstl.org.

Thurs., Oct. 17, 7:30 p.m., Dr. Neil DeGrasse Tyson, who will be highlighting his new book “Letters from an Astrophysicist,” Stifel Theatre. For more information, visit www.ticketmaster.com or call

Mon., Oct. 7, 6 p.m., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Metropolitan St. Louis Chapters Breast Cancer Awareness Impact Day Normandy High School, 6701 St. Charles Rock Rd., 63133. For more information, visit www.facebook.com.

Sun., Oct. 6, 8 a.m., The National Children’s Cancer Society Golf Classic. The Courses at Forest Park, 6141 Lagoon Dr., 63112. For more information, visit www. thenccs.org/golf.

spiritual

Fri., Oct. 4 – Oct. 5, Green The Church Bus Tour, the largest environmental justice and sustainability conference for the Black Church will visit the St. Louis region. For more information, visit http://greenthechurch.org/ st-louis-2019/

Slack said. “When I was in the 9th grade, he played her recordings and I was like ‘Oh, I want to do that.’”

Norman’s voice was flawlessly classical, but Slack could hear “the chocolate and the soul all over it.”

Norman, the pioneering opera singer whose voice was considered to be technical perfection by critics and audiences alike, passed away on September 30. Her death came two weeks after her 74th birthday and was a result of organ failure that stemmed from a spinal cord injury she suffered in 2015.

“A voice from God,” was a phrase repeated on social media as she was memorialized. She was commonly referred to as a “dramatic soprano.”

Pristinely executed notes coupled with passion and impeccable vocal control meant that Norman could move an audience to follow her on an emotional journey that could eclipse a full ensemble of players conveying the most intense and emotionally climactic scene.

Her voice was the standard among the leading opera singers of her era. The color of her skin made her an outsider within the field. But the unmatched quality of her voice with that somehow simultaneously articulated unbridled passion and skillful vocal dexterity made the notion of whether she belonged within the art form indisputable.

She was brave – and not just for her blackness. Norman often sought and performed roles outside of what many considered to be her range. Vocal critics referred to her voice type as Falcon- which is mezzo-soprano in timbre, but dramatic tessitura – or general position within a vocal range.

Troupe

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for his craft, his dedication to craft.” At this point, Troupe mentioned how many times he revises his poems to affirm his own dedication to craft.

Langlais has not exactly helped speed the project along.

“Rudy is also a precise kind of guy, very painstaking,”

Norman begged to differ.

“As for my voice, it cannot be categorized—and I like it that way, because I sing things that would be considered in the dramatic, mezzo or spinto range,” Norman once told The New York Times. “I like so many different kinds of music that I’ve never allowed myself the limitations of one particular range.”

Born on September 15, 1945 in Augusta, Georgia, Norman was one of five children born to Silas Norman and Janie KingNorman. She was introduced to classical voice as a child after being given a radio for her 9th birthday and soon after discovered the weekly broadcasts of the Metropolitan Opera, which served as a soundtrack when she cleaned her room every Saturday morning.

In the same manner that Slack was inspired by her, Norman listened to the recordings of Marian Anderson and Leontyne Price. At age 16, she competed in the Marian Anderson Vocal Competition in Philadelphia – which led to a full scholarship at Howard University.

In 1966, Norman won the National Society of Arts and Letters singing competition. The next year, she graduated from Howard with a degree in music. In 1968, she earned a master’s degree from the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance. 1969 she won the ARD International Music Competition in Munich and landed a three-year contract with the Deutsche Oper Berlin. She made her operatic debut that same year as Elisabeth in Richard Wagner’s Tannhäuser at the Deutsche Oper Berlin. Critics at the time described Norman as having “the greatest voice since the German soprano Lehmann.” It was the launching of a career that spanned four decades and carried her to stages around the world and earned her countless awards

Troupe said. “I work quick. He calls me ‘Q.’ He’ll say, ‘Q, let me do this. You know what Hollywood is like.’ I don’t care. I just want to do this film!”

Troupe also knows what St. Louis is like – and he loves it. “I love St. Louis,” he said. “I grew up there. People can talk to me any kind of way in St. Louis, people who have been knowing me all of my life, and I can talk to them.”

Quincy Troupe and Keyon

and status as a National treasure.

In 1997, President Bill Clinton recognized Norman’s contributions to the arts by selecting her as the youngest recipient in the award’s 20-year history of the Kennedy Center Honors.

On March 11, 2002, Norman performed “America the Beautiful” at a service unveiling two monumental columns of light at the site of the former World Trade Center, as a memorial for the victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on New York City.

Norman won four Grammy Awards throughout her career – and was honored with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006

In March 2009, Norman curated Honor!, a celebration of the African-American cultural legacy. The festival honored African-American trailblazers and artists with concerts, recitals, lectures, panel discussions, and exhibitions hosted by Carnegie Hall, the Apollo Theater, the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, and other sites around New York City. Later that year she was named by President Barack Obama as a recipient of a National Medal of The Arts.

In 2013, the NAACP named Norman as the 2013 recipient of the Spingarn Award – the organization’s highest honor.

In April 2018, Norman was honored as the 12th recipient of the Glenn Gould Prize for her contribution to opera and the arts.

Slack said that Norman’s gift transcended race, color and gender within opera – and carved a space for singers like her.

“I connected with that sound in a way that I can’t even describe,” Slack said. “Except to say that listening to her made me know there was a place for me [in classical music].”

Continued from C1

and Black Rep founder. In a few short years, the annual awards ceremony/concert/ fundraiser has become a staple of the local theatre community.

The Black Rep Gala returns to Washington University’s 560 Music Center next Saturday (October 12) with a special concert performance of “Ain’t Misbehavin,’” a musical embodiment of The Harlem Renaissance as told through the musical genius of Fats Waller.

Capped off by a night of beloved musical theater, the show celebrates black theater legends and agents for social justice.

The 2019 Gala Woodie King Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award recipients include George Faison and Glory Van Scott.

Faison, a famed dancer and choreographer, set the original 1972 Broadway production of “Don’t Bother Me, I Can’t Cope” to movement. The Black Rep opened its 43rd season with a production of the award-winning groundbreaking musical by Micki Grant.

Van Scott is a Broadway veteran dancer and choreographer as well as a producer, performer, educator, and civic activist. She was a principal dancer the Katherine Dunham Dance Company – as well as with the Agnes DeMille, and Talley Beatty dance companies and was a member of the American Ballet Company.

St. Louis City Family Court Commissioner Anne Marie Clark and Wesley Bell, who

made history by becoming the first black St. Louis County prosecutor, will receive Frankie Muse Freeman Spirit Awards.

“She was a strong supporter of The Black Rep over the years,” Himes said of Freeman.

“This award being named in her honor was our way of paying tribute to not only her lifelong fight for justice and equality but for being such a faithful advocate for our organization.”

Proceeds from the 2019 Gala go to support The Black Rep’s Community and Education programs such as: Summer Performing Arts (SPA), Teen Tech Program, The Professional Intern Program

among others.

“Ain’t

The Black Rep Gala will take place at

p.m. at Washington University’s 560 Music Center, located at 560 Trinity Avenue in University City. For tickets or more information, call 314-534-3807 or visit theblackrep.org.

Harrold will perform 7 p.m. Friday, October 11 in the Farrell Auditorium at the Saint Louis Art Museum. Their performance is related to “The Shape of Abstraction: Selections from the Ollie Collection,” an exhibition of abstract works by black artists now on view at the museum. Tickets are $10 and available in person at the museum and through MetroTix.

Continued from C1

icons who helped shape her signature sound. Many of them are black women – including Nina Simone, Odetta, Bessie Smith and Franklin. The show also features Tawny Dolley, Francesca Ferrari, Amma Osei and Jennifer Leigh Warren.

“It’s interesting to hear in the show what Janis went through – and to hear her tell of what the black women artists who are featured in the show went through at the time and how they really set a path,” Smith said. “They had an agenda in mind not to hurt the men or

hurt other women. They were the embodiment of creation. To hear their stories and to hear the struggle in their songs – and they really struggled and put it in their music. What’s going on in today’s world, including women – especially black women – having lower salaries, they were also dealing with that back then.”

Smith had been performing the role of Aretha Franklin since before she passed away last August. But her death gave Smith a new appreciation for the woman she embodies each night on stage.

“She transcended over all genres and she was in front of kings and queens,” Smith said of Franklin. “She’s one of those artists that I really would have just passed out in front of.”

That’s saying a lot considering that Smith was a protégé of the late musical icon Prince and performed alongside Beyonce as a member of Girl’s Tyme, which eventually evolved into Destiny’s Child.

Smith co-wrote the Grammynominated song “Beautiful, Loved and Blessed,” with Prince and has special insight on the intensely private music star. She came on his radar when a demo tape she recorded at age 11 made its way to him. She was invited to record at Paisley Park Studios. Even though Prince wasn’t there for her first recordings at Paisley

Park, the pair later became creative and performance partners.

“I’m very close to my parents and they were always around. He really loved how I honored my parents,” Smith said. “He and I talked about the bible all the time. I would go to the Hall with him. I didn’t have an agenda with him, and I think that’s why he kept giving. He gave without expecting anything in return.”

Smith said she honors his legacy by staying independent as an artist and always being honest.

“He moved at his own spiritual wavelength and that’s what I think will always transcend time – when you honor and obey God,” Smith said. It’s a path she intends to continue to follow in honor of Prince’s memory – and her own faith.

“It’s hard, but God keeps making ways and opening doors,” Smith said. “My mother told me, ‘Whatever God is going to do with you, He is going to plant your roots so strong that no one can pluck you.’ And this year alone it is all starting to make sense.”

A Night with Janis Joplin will play for two nights at The Stifel Theatre as part of its Broadway Series on October 8-9 at 7:30 p.m. For tickets or additional information, visit www.stifeltheatre.com or call (314) 499-7600.

Tamar

Misbehavin’” is sponsored in part by Centene Corporation, Enterprise Renta-Car, Edward Jones, Webster University, McCormack Baron Salazar Inc., Keith Williamson, Gisele Marcus, Tom and Barbara Feiner, Loren and Marcia Grossman, Lionel Phillip, Hank Webber and Chris Jacobs.

7:30

George Faison

Anne Marie Clark Glory Van Scott

Wesley Bell

Birthdays

Happy 11th

Birthday to Delali Maxine Suggs-Akaffu on October 7! Delali is the daughter of Dawn Suggs, video department director at the St. Louis American, and granddaughter of publisher Donald M. Suggs.

All reunion announcements can be viewed online!

Jennings High Class of 1989 is celebrating its 30-year reunion on the weekend of October 11 - 13. Please contact class

Happy 7th Birthday to Julianna Brooks (Susie) on October 3, from Meemaw, Mommy, and Jason. May you have many blessed more. Love you!

president, Tara Henderson for additional information at taraahenderson@yahoo.com. All are welcome!

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.

Sumner Alumni Association presents its Maroon & White Homecoming Week Oct. 14-19, 2019. Bowling Mon. 7-9pm at Crest Bowl ($10), Alumni Happy Hour Wed.

Celebrations

Anniversary

We are elated to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary on October 6. Thank you family and friends for all of your support, love, and prayers during our journey of Holy Matrimony. Through all of the ups and downs, we’re still loving each other to the moon and back. – Charles and Sonja Staton

at Dejavu II Cafe 6-10pm, Homecoming Dance Fri. 18 at the Machinist Hall $15/$20, Tailgate/Block Party Sat. noon and Lift for Life vs. Soldan/Sumner at Sumner’s Tuskegee Airmen Field at Football game 1pm. Contacts: Ms Prissy at 314.556.3944, Michelle Elgin at 314.452.1275 or email: sumneralumniassn@ yahoo.com.

Vashon-Hadley Old School Reunion 1960-67, October 19, 2019, 2-6 pm at The Atrium in Christian

Hospital. For more details text (only) Brenda Mahr at 314-580-5155 or email at: brendamahr@att.net.

Vashon High School Class of 1969 Alumni committee is planning it’s 50-year Reunion: October 18 and 19, 2019, at the Renaissance Hotel, 9801 Natural Bridge Road, Berkeley, MO. Meet and Greet will take place Friday night from 6-10 p.m. Reunion Banquet is Saturday night from 6-11 p.m. Contact Genies Jordan 314-448-6658, Yvonne

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

Clemons 314-620-0551 for additional information or email Liz35206@yahoo.com to register.

Vashon High School Class of 1974 is planning for its 45th reunion. We are in the process of rounding up all classmates. To provide or update your contact information, please email ljbady@gmail.com or contact: Joe Verrie Johnson 314-640-5842, Jordan Perry 314-724-4563, or LaVerne James-Bady 314-382-0890.

A night of life for and by L.I.F.E. I really didn’t get to the bottom of why Chrisette Michele wasn’t at the Pageant for a benefit concert, mainly because I was so glad that because of her absence, I was able to catch another one that I would have been even more disgusted than I was already geared up to be, had I missed it. Ferguson resident Brian Owens and his Ferguson based L.I.F.E.

McDonald – yes, the blue eyed soul O.G.

Arts Inc. honored Ferguson native Michael

– at a benefit concert where proceeds went not only to the nonprofit started by Owens to train artists in every element of the music business, but a portion also went to Todd Shelton, the McCluer South-Berkeley High School football coach who was paralyzed from the neck down as the result of a shooting earlier this year. That show and the energy flowing from both sides of the stage was the most inspiring thing I’ve seen in a minute Sunday night at The Touhill. The fact that Michael McDonald was being honored with whole concert speaks to how invested he is in the healing of his hometown. And before I go any further, let me just say if Delores Shante is ever honored for a lifetime of beating these streets, I want Owens and his team to organize the tributes. They had everybody from Pat Riley to Patti LaBelle and Chaka Khan singing the praises of Mr. McDonald via video on his special night. Now let’s get on with the show. Owens had the most masterful band – including not one, not two, not three, but four keyboardists –including Alvin Quinn killing it on the bass and a whole host of others. Shedrick Mitchell, Peter Martin, Pops Jackson and Michael McDonald were an absolute dream team on the keys. Brian was clutch on the vocals and Michael McDonald served up a show like he was playing Busch Stadium. I can’t say enough about it. And let’s talk about the composure of Kennedy Holmes, when her mic was trippin’ just before she was to be Michael’s stand-in Patti for “On My Own.” When I was 14, if I was on stage singing alongside my freshman concert choir and the microphone didn’t work, I would have dropped it, run through the crowd and out the door never to be seen again. Kennedy grabbed that mic and belted like nobody’s business. Michael – and the rest of us – couldn’t help but be impressed. The whole night was life indeed.

A packed out Peacefest. Speaking of packed and positive energy – let me tell y’all about Better Family Life’s Peacefest 2019 at Bella Fontaine Park Sunday afternoon. I thought I was going to be able to pull into a spot and head straight to mingle with other guests and catch a taste of Dirty Muggs and it be as simple as that. There were so many folks that slid through that they had to have parking monitors direct traffic through the park like it was Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre. I was so happy to see BFL get the community support it deserves – and to hit up those food vendors before I kicked off my post-salute 30 recovery program on October 1.

Boyz II Men breezing through the hits. Because they have been suited and booted their last few visits to town, I was surprised the veteran R&B trio came out quite casual in their last all-white grown and sexy party attire for the season at The Fox on Friday night. Wanya was doing the absolute most – not only with his neck, but his whole body as he danced around during their show opening performance of “Motown Philly.” He was a dancing machine! It was a cute show, but when it was over, I was like “that was quick.” Their show ended so early that if I hadn’t had other spots to hit, I could have caught the last bit of “Dateline.” Folks didn’t seem too bothered by the brevity, because they packed so much into their little time. I peeped that gospel singer BeBe Winans was in the audience acting like he didn’t want to be bothered with any fans at the same time his sister was on stage at The Touhill. I guess he’s seen her sing enough to come to town just to visit and catch a little “Cooleyhighharmony” while she was giving the faith-based folks their life. Speaking of life, who else felt all warm and fuzzy by how the folks were in perfect harmony with the group as they belted out Mariah Carey’s part for “One Sweet Day?”

Shift 58’s Dark Room takeover. Because Boyz II Men’s concert ended like they were on punishment for not getting home before curfew, I was able to walk right over to the Dark Room and catch the last sip of Shift 58 setting up shop in the intimate listening room in the lobby of the Grandel Friday night. As with mostly all of Shift 58’s sets, It was so cute – full of beautiful people partying with a grown folks influencer energy.

Biko and Agile One were good to the last drop. How do you know when a DJ is blazing the tables? When instead of sprinting to the nearest elevator to make your escape from a rooftop party that the rain won’t let be great, the folks huddle under an awning and groove like nothing’s happening. That’s how it went down at the Last Hotel Saturday night when James Biko and Agile One had the rooftop looking like a diverse hipster rom-com club scene. Who was that woman in the green romper serving up that Dollar Tree Paula Abdul choreography, like the rain wasn’t coming down? I can’t say I’ve seen a kicking it set so integrated – at least without a crossover national celebrity –in a long time. As I was leaving out, the rain came pouring out of nowhere – and cleared up just as quickly. But not fast enough to save the silk presses of more than a few young ladies. It’s me. I’m the young ladies. I went from whipping my leftover Salute hair back and forth like a ‘tween Willow Smith, to rocking rough and stuff with my afro puffs.

Another fine Freakum dress festivity. Jenni Lovette had her annual gathering of the freakum dresses Saturday night at Blue and I saw people paying homage to everyone from Shug Avery to Oaktown 357 with their seductive ensembles. Do biker shorts and bodysuits usually count as freakum dresses? Well they did Saturday night I’m going to say that Jenni’s beaded green and black form fitting little ditty was my favorite of the night. The fellas came through with their freakum blazers and actual going out attire too. And by fellas, I mostly mean Will Henton.

Murphy Lee and KyJuan took time to mingle with all who made their way to The Basement Party, including Nichole Friday @ Blueberry Hill

The Basement Party @ Blueberry Hill was just getting started when Dominique, Crystal, Erica and Shauna arrived Friday night

Ono, Lewka, Mustapha and DJ Koko came together to host The Nigerian Experience @Dos Salas Saturday

The Freakum Dress party was in full effect when Jason and Denzel arrived with hostess and event creator Jenni Lovette Saturday @ Blue Dine

2019 Beast Mode kick-

Laron and Onnie Bella hosted their first StL Cribs event @ an exclusive location Saturday night

Omi of BLACK MODANNA JUJU and Adjo of Tribe 228 were among the many vendors @ Better Family Life’s PeaceFest

Stefani and Shannon were in The House of Soul for the Suite Mix Friday night

Danielle and Nelli enjoyed the sounds as The Dirty Muggs played in the background Sunday @ PeaceFest 2019 @ Bella Fontaine Park

Jacques was on hand to support Kisha of The Woke Brand at the 1st Unlimited Expression event on Sunday

Radio One Sales Manager Christina Bailey welcomed Grammy Award-winning soul singer Chrisette Michele to St. Louis as she prepared to present merit awards during the Girls World Expo hosted by Harris-Stowe State University and Hot 104.1 and 95.5 R&B.

Photos by V. Lang

JANITORIAL - HIRING

Full & Part-Time positions, 3 Shifts

Background check. Steady work history preferred. Apply at 314 N. Jefferson at Olive. M - F, 9A to 5P. Must have two forms of I.D.

CARPENTRY INSTRUCTOR

Seeking individual with general knowledge of the trade and a specific knowledge of Concrete Formwork and Scaffolding. Industry Certifications, Teaching Experience, College Degree, and ACT WorkKeys NCRC Gold Level Desirable. Computer Skills Required. Must have minimum of 9 years in good standing and be a current member of the UBCJA. Send resume to BOX address below by 10/15/19 EOE/AA Employer No Walk- ins or e-mail copy will be accepted.

The St. Louis American Newspaper 2315 Pine St. St. Louis, MO 63103 Carpentry Instructor BLIND BOX (20)

FULL TIME NUTRITION CENTER ASSISTANT

Job Description:

The Nutrition Center Assistant coordinates the inventory, stocking and scanning of groceries; ensures that menu data is accurately entered into our databases; trains volunteers in these various tasks; and rotates through the kitchen as the chef. Must have excellent people skills. Great benefits. Food Outreach is a non-profit agency providing nutrition support to men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS or cancer. Qualifications: Must have completed a certified Culinary/Nutrition degree program. ServSafe Certification (food safety and sanitation). Flexible work hours—able to work some evenings and weekends. Must be able to lift a minimum of 50 lbs. Email: kathy@foodoutreach.org

POLICE OFFICER

The City of Richmond Heights is accepting applications for a Police Officer. To apply got to https://richmondheights. applicantpro.com/jobs/ Applications will be accepted from September 21, 2019 through October 11, 2019.

VICE PRESIDENT OF SCHOOL AGE INITIATIVES

RECEPTIONIST & ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

St. Louis Development Corporation is hiring a Receptionist and an Administrative Assistant to add to our team of professionals located in downtown St. Louis. If you are a motivated, self-directed individual with a pleasant and positive attitude who thrives in a team-oriented environment, we want to talk to you. Full position descriptions can be found on-line at www.stlouis-mo.gov/sldc

probationary period.

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

SENIOR CENTER VAN DRIVER

Full-time position primarily working 8-4pm during the week M-F Safely transporting senior citizens from their homes to the Center, medical appointments, and other local destinations. Requirements:

Applicants must have at least:

• A High School diploma or G.E.D.

• Ability to communicate with seniors, staff and the general public

• Valid Missouri Drivers’ License with a clean driving record

• Reliable and dependable

• Knowledge of St. Louis City streets and neighborhoods

Bayer U.S. LLC’s St. Louis, MO, office seeks Unit Head Project Controls to provide leadership & management of the Project Controlling function for Engineering &Technology Americas w/ regard to Consumer Health, Pharma & Crop Science. Apply at https://career.bayer.us, #50230.

Please submit resumes to dlakine@nsyssc.com

CITY OF JENNINGS JOB OPENINGS

The St. Louis Housing Authority is seeking a highly qualified and experienced individual to serve as its Director of Operations – HCV and Public Housing. The Director of Operations is responsible for the coordination and management of the daily operations of the Housing Choice Voucher and Public Housing Programs. The selected candidate will be responsible for ensuring that admissions and occupancy are performed in accordance with HUD guidelines and SLHA policies and procedures, monitoring the HCV and Public Housing budgets, monitoring the private management agents to ensure compliance with security, safety and regulatory contract provisions, monitoring and analyzing market trends to ensure the housing programs are competitive, supervising the daily activities of departmental personnel and ensuring high performance on the PHAS and SEMAP indicators. The ideal candidate must have a minimum of a 4-year college degree from an accredited college or university and ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in property management or managing public housing programs. An advanced degree and experience with property/asset management preferred. Must be certified as a Public Housing Manager within six (6) months of employment. Apply via website https://slha.aaimtrack.com or by mail to St. Louis Housing Authority, Attention: Althelia Thomas, 3520 Page Blvd., St. Louis MO 63106 or via email to athomas@slha.org. Opened Until Filled. A Drug Free Work Place/EOE.

SPECIALISTINSURANCE UNDERWRITING OPERATIONS

SLDC values a diverse workforce and is an equal opportunity employer. MORNING

ARCHS, a highly respected not-forprofit funding agency, is seeking a VP for School Age Initiatives to manage our portfolio of grants supporting after school and youth development programs. This leaderships position oversees grant contracts, budgets, data collection, results reporting, evaluation, and relationships with funded partners. The successful candidate will possess a Master’s Degree in Business or Education (Doctorate a plus), excellent management and communications skills, five to seven years of supervisory experience, and proficiency in Word Office Suite. Strong team building, project management, state and federal government grant reporting experience a plus. Submit letter of application and resume to careers@stlarchs.org or Fax to HR, 314-289-5670. No Phone Calls Please.

Responsible for rating and quoting of various type of Primary Workers’ Compensation, Commercial Auto Liability, General Liability, and Umbrella prospects / policies, consisting of Large Deductible, Self Insured, Retro and Captive Program Business as applicable. This includes verification of state algorithms, rates, surcharges, and forms, etc. are properly applied, as well as the review and consolidation of loss run data, exposure to trending, and securing of licensing information when needed.

Responsible for additional related duties on bound accounts, to include: application of the deductible/SIR factor, binder billings, various system updates, distribution of written Account information, follow-up on legal agreement documents, forwarding necessary internal documents to: Account Services, Claims, Finance and Loss Control, etc. To apply, please visit: https:// www.safetynational.com/careers-page/

The City of Jennings is accepting applications for Code Enforcement Inspectors, Correctional Officers, Public Works Street/Park Laborers, P/T Bus Driver, P/T Site Monitor, Permit Clerk, Court Clerk, & P/T Prosecuting Attorney Clerk. Please see the full job descriptions online at www.cityofjennings.org. Applications are available at the Jennings City Hall or on the website at www.cityofjennings.org.

The City of Jennings is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for  employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

COORDINATOR –INSURANCE UNDERWRITING OPERATIONS

Perform a variety of entry and analytic processes inherent in the underwriting of prospective and current Large Casualty business to include set-up and support of accounts, review and formatting of loss runs for Primary Workers Compensation, Commercial Auto Liability, General Liability and the Umbrella lines of business. Work performed adheres to established process procedures, guidelines, and customer service standards set by the organization with flexibility allowed in completion of tasks.

Responsible for all reporting needs on assigned lines of business - this includes supporting queries utilizing various applicable internal system applications, including AcendantOne (A1), IMS, Guidewire PolicyCenter and AS400, etc. Maintains management reports and reporting frequency as established, including but not limited to: Line of Business Expense Report, Combined Report, Prospects Received, Expiration List/Pre Renewal Reports, etc. To apply, please visit: https://www.safetynational.com/careers-page/

SERVICE DESK MANAGER

The Service Desk Manager reports directly to the Director of IT Service Management and oversees / supports the day-today activities the Service Desk staff, Incident Management, and Service Request Management.

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

Apply expertise in Excess

Underwriting area, including specific Public Entity and Specialty lines of business, and assist applicable Underwriters by performing review and analytic processes at account level. Review and make recommendations related to a variety of policy life cycle transactions, system needs or underwriting report analysis. To apply, please visit: https://www. safetynational.com/careers-page/

ASSISTANT – ACCOUNT SERVICES –POLICY OPERATIONS

Responsible for monitoring and follow through of service related requests for the Policy Operations unit, and tracking all Primary Workers’ Compensation, Commercial Auto, and General Liability transactions to include: New Business, Renewals, Endorsements, Cancellations, Reinstatements and Non-renewals. This position includes the accuracy in which transactions are issued and distributed to our customers. To apply, please visit: https://www. safetynational.com/careers-page/

ASSISTANT –INFORMATION SERVICES

The I.S. Administrative Coordinator is responsible for providing professional level administrative support to the Information Services Department. This position also develops and maintains positive working relationships with all levels of Safety National personnel and outside vendors to help facilitate the Information Services Department goals and objectives. To apply, please visit: https://www. safetynational.com/careers-page/

and

City of Alton, IL

See website for requirements and application www.cityofaltonil.com/careers

Testing for this position will be held on October 12, 2019

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

The Employ Milwaukee, Inc. requests proposals for a Workforce Program Service Provider This Request for Proposals (“RFP”) is being released to invite qualified individuals and professional firms to submit proposals to provide workforce program services for the period of November 15, 2019 through September 30, 2020. A copy of the Workforce Program Service Provider RFP will be available from October 1 – October 31, 2019 on the Employ Milwaukee website at https://www.employmilwaukee.org/ Employ-Milwaukee/Partners/RFPs.htm and at Employ Milwaukee - 2342 N. 27th St., Milwaukee, WI 53210. Proposals must be submitted via email to Julie Cayo, Director of Research and Planning, Employ Milwaukee, Inc., julie.cayo@ employmilwaukee.org no later than November 1, 2019 at 5:00 PM CST.

BIDS

Five Oaks Associates, LLC is accepting bids for the following project for University of Missouri: Critical Care Addition - New Cath Lab and Interventional Radiology in Columbia, Missouri, PROJECT NUMBER: CP190671 and CP180491. It bids on Tuesday, October 15th, 2019. We would like to have your bids by 9:00 am. You may fax your bid at: 573-682-9514; email at: admin@5oaksassociates.com. You may also reach us at 573-682-1314.

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Missouri 63103-2555 until 10:00 a.m. on November 4, 2017 to contract with a company for: 16 PUMP STATION FIBERGLASS GRATING AND LADDER REPLACEMENTS. 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 10178 RFQ.

If you do not have access to the internet, call 314.768.6269 to request a copy of this bid.

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

NOTICE REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR PROGRAM

DELIVERY/GRANT ADMINISTRATION SERVICES ST. LOUIS CITY, MISSOURI

The Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority (LCRA) of the City of St. Louis, Missouri is seeking proposals for Program Delivery Services to assist in a project to be funded with 2008 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Disaster Recovery Supplemental #2 funds administered by the Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED). LCRA expects to be awarded approximately $5,300,000.00 for infrastructure improvements including streets, sidewalks, and lighting in historic Laclede’s Landing which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

ST. LOUIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

St. Louis Community College will receive separate sealed bids for Contract No.F 20 404, New Flooring in Theatre, Student Center and Bridges, St. Louis Community College at Forest Park, until 2:00 p.m. local time, Monday, October 7, 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) 644-9770.

An Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer

SEALED BIDS

electronic

SEALED BIDS

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

City of St. Louis Department of Health Bureau of Communicable Disease Grants Administration

Starting Thursday, September 26, 2019, The City of St. Louis, Department of Health (DOH), Bureau of Communicable Disease - Grants Administration is requesting proposals from local organizations, community agencies, universities, local governmental entities and other interested parties eligible to receive federal funds to provide the following services: Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) Housing to people living with HIV/AIDS in the St. Louis Transitional Grant Area and portions of Illinois.

A copy of the Request for Proposals can be obtained from Regina Smith, Contract Compliance Officer, DOH, 1520 Market Avenue, Room 4027, by either calling 314-657-1581 or via email smithre@stlouis-mo.gov.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

City of St. Louis Department of Health Bureau of Communicable Disease Grants Administration

Starting Thursday, September 26, 2019, The City of St. Louis, Department of Health (DOH), Bureau of Communicable Disease - Grants Administration is requesting proposals from local organizations, community agencies, universities, local governmental entities and other interested parties eligible to receive federal funds to provide the following services: Minority AIDS Initiative (MAI) Program for Ryan White Part A, Health Education/Risk Reduction provision of services for targeted minority populations living with HIV. A copy of the Request for Proposals can be obtained from Regina Smith, Contract

ELECTRONIC

Notice is hereby given that The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (District) will receive sealed bids for Edna-Thursby, Essex, Treasure Cove, Wayfarer East and Yarnell Creek West I/I Reduction under Letting No. 12160015.1, at this office, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103, until 02:00 PM on Thursday, October 31, 2019, at a place designated. Bids will be received only from companies that are pre-qualified by the District’s Engineering Department for: SEWER CONSTRUCTION – St. Louis County drainlayer’s license required Plans and Specifications are available for free electronic download. Please go to MSD’s website and look for a link to “ELECTRONIC PLANROOM.” Plans and Specifications are also available for viewing or purchase at Cross Rhodes Reprographics located at 1712 Macklind Avenue, St. Louis MO 63110. All bidders must obtain a set of plans and specifications in order to submit a bid in the name of the entity submitting the bid. The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer. CITY OF ST. LOUIS ST. LOUIS LAMBERT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

BIDS for ReplaceRoofs, FoodService/ DiningBuilding No.12,Boonville Correctional Center,Boonville, Missouri,Project No.C1905-01 willbereceived byFMDC,State ofMO,UNTIL 1:30PM, 10/17/2019via MissouriBUYS.

Biddersmustbe registeredtobid. Forspecificproject informationand orderingplans,go to:https://oa.mo. gov/facilities

SEALED, ELECTRONIC BIDS

electronic bidsforRehabilitate Elevators,MONG Headquarters Building,Ike SkeltonTraining Site,JeffersonCity, Missouri,Project No.T1901-01will bereceivedby FMDC,Stateof MO,UNTIL1:30 PM,10/31/2019 viaMissouriBUYS. Biddersmustbe registeredtobid. Forspecificproject informationand orderingplans, goto:https:// missouribuys. mo.gov

Sealed proposals will be received at 1520 Market Street Suite 2000 St. Louis, Missouri 63103 (Attention Rob Orr), until 3:00 PM on Monday, October 21, 2019 at which time they will be opened.

The full invitation and all other documents may be downloaded at: stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/sldc/documents/request-for-proposals-for-program-delivery-grant-administration-services.cfm

bidsforNew OutdoorFiring Range,Missouri StateHighway Patrol,Jefferson City,Missouri, ProjectNo.R180601willbereceived byFMDC,State ofMO,UNTIL 1:30PM, 10/24/2019via MissouriBUYS. Biddersmustbe registeredtobid. Forspecificproject informationand orderingplans, goto:https:// missouribuys. mo.gov.

electronic bidsforUpgrade WestCampground Utilities,Missouri StateFairgrounds, Sedalia,MO, ProjectNo. F1903-01willbe received byFMDC,State ofMO,UNTIL 1:30PM, 10/22/2019via MissouriBUYS. Biddersmustbe registeredtobid. Forspecificprojectinformation andordering plans,goto: https:// missouribuys. mo.gov.

Interested parties may also download the RFP from the City of St. Louis website at http://www.stlouis-mo.gov/ govemrnentlprocurement.cfm. If interested parties who have downloaded the proposal from the website, must register with Ms. Smith in order to be notified of any changes or amendments to the RFPs. The deadline for submitting proposals is 5:00 p.m., Tuesday November 5, 2019, at the address referenced above.

RAILROAD ADA RUMBLE PAD INSTALLATION RFP 2019

The Saint Louis Zoo seeks bids from qualified contractors to supply and install approximately 450 feet of detectible warning pads on asphalt at Railroad crossings. All work must be done between 11/4/2019 and completed by 12/31/2019. Bid documents are available as of 10/3/2019 on the Saint Louis Zoo website: https:// www.stlzoo.org/about/contact/ vendoropportunities

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

City of St. Louis 1218-24 N. 15th Street Redevelopment

Solicitation For Bids (SFB) for Terminal Cleaning Services Bids Wanted

Bid documents may be obtained at St. Louis Lambert International Airport, Airport Properties Division, Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., or by calling (314) 890-1802. This SFB may also be obtained by visiting our website at www.flystl.com/business/ contract-opportunites.

Robert Salarano Airport Properties Division Manager

BIDS

DowntownSTL, Inc. is seeking bids for Landscape and Maintenance Services. A copy of the RFP can be found at downtownstl.org/bids

The City of St. Louis is requesting proposals from consultants for the preparation of an Affordable Housing Report relating to work completed by the Community Development Administration (CDA). The selected consultant will be responsible for compiling a report that can be presented to CDA, City Officials as well as the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The product should consist of a Narrative Report including an Executive Summary, a PowerPoint Presentation, and a listing of the various affordable housing projects produced in the City by address. The report should also include a listing of permit data. The report should list all incentives available in each individual project, i.e. CDBG, HOME, NSP, Affordable Housing, federal and state incentives including LIHTC, historic tax credits, tax abatement, TIF, etc. The selected consultant must be conversant with and knowledgeable of local affordable housing programs and incentives.

The RFP in its entirety can be found on the Community Development Administration (CDA) website: https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/cda/. Proposals must be submitted no later than 4:00 p.m. on November 15, 2019 to Matt Moak, Community Development Administration, 1520 Market St – Suite 2000, St. Louis, MO 63103. Questions concerning the RFP may be directed to MoakM@stlouis-mo.gov.

CDA does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, familial status or sexual orientation in the administration of the program.

CDA is an Equal Opportunity Agency

Minority Participation is Encouraged

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

City of St. Louis 1218-24 N. 15th Street Redevelopment

The City of St. Louis requests proposals from qualified developers for the purchase and redevelopment of a nonprofit civic enterprise empowerment center. The activity is partially funded by a Choice Neighborhood Implementation Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development administered by the Community Development Administration (CDA). The completion deadline is December 2023. Additional funding is available through New Market Tax Credits (NMTCs) issued for the project through the St. Louis Development Corporation. Prospective bidders are required to purchase property at 1218-1224 North 15th Street and own it for a minimum of seven years to facilitate the use of NMTCs. CDA will award a contract to the lowest and most responsive proposal. Developer selection is subject to federal funding and is at the sole discretion of the City of St. Louis.

The RFP in its entirety can be found on the Community Development Administration (CDA) website: https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/cda/. Proposals must be submitted no later than 4:00 p.m. on October 31, 2019 to Matt Moak, Community Development Administration, 1520 Market St – Suite 2000, St. Louis, MO 63103. Questions concerning the RFP may be directed to MoakM@stlouis-mo.gov.

CDA does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, familial status or sexual orientation in the administration of the program.

CDA is an Equal Opportunity Agency

Minority Participation is Encouraged

SOCIETY NEST PROGRAM 2019

SPONSORSHIP: AUDUBON SOCIETY was used for the purchase of this sponsorship. Any inquiries should be sent to gjamison@stlmsd.com.

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

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Great Rivers Greenway is seeking requests for qualifications for planning services, engineering services, surveying services, landscape architecture, and architecture services for our 2020-2022 Vendors list. Check https://greatriversgreenway. org/jobs-bids and submit by November 1, 2019.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Henges Shooting RangeJob# 90-23-19 & 90-23-20. Due 09.11.19 by 2 PM. Demien Const. 636.332.5500 / 636.332.5465 Fax / Call for Email

Public Notice of Single Source Procurement

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is confirming procurement: Bypass Pump Assembly Rental. The District is confirming single source procurement to Mobile Mini for this equipment.Any inquiries should be sent to ameyer@stlmsd.com. Metropolitan St. Louis

Public Notice of Single Source Procurement

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is proposing to procure:

EXCEL BUSINESS CONCEPTS 2019-2020 MSD HIGHLIGHTS REPORT: EXCEL BUSINESS CONCEPTS LLC was used for this purchase. Any inquiries should be sent to gjamison@stlmsd.com.

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

CITY OF ST. LOUIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL – VIOLENCE PREVENTION ALTERNATIVES

The City of St. Louis Department of Public Safety is seeking proposals from qualified not-for-profit providers to implement a violence prevention alternative program in the City of St. Louis. To obtain a copy of the RFP, please visit https://www. stlouis-mo.gov/government/ procurement/index.cfm . The RFP will be listed under “Active RFPs, RFQs and RFIs.” Proposals must be received by 12:00 Noon CDT on Wednesday, October 30, 2019.

Public Notice of Single Source Procurement Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is proposing to procure temporary help services from K-Force in an effort to support the IT Technology Plan. The District is proposing single source pro- curement for this service because it does not have the internal exper- tise to fulfill this Information Technology role. Any inquiries should be sent to strenz@stlmsd.com.

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

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

The City of St Louis Department of Health is seeking proposals to provide its Communicable Disease program with Radio Broadcast/Internet Radio Advertising for its HIV Prevention Programming.

Requests for Proposals may be obtained beginning September 24, 2019, from the City of St. Louis Department of Health, Franda Thomas, 1520 Market Street-Suite 4027, St. Louis MO 63103, thomasf@stlouis-mo.gov, (314) 657-1461. Proposals may also be downloaded from the City of St. Louis website at www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/ procurement.cfm. All questions must be submitted in writing no later than September 27, 2019, to Franda Thomas 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 October 22, 2019, by 4:30 P.M. at the address listed above. The Department of Health reserves the right to reject any or all responses with or without cause.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Great Rivers Greenway is soliciting proposals to develop specifications and on-going support for existing

cameras. Check https://greatriversgreenway.org/

and submit by October 17, 2019.

The

Requests for Proposals may be obtained beginning September 27, 2019, from the City of St. Louis Department of Health, Harold Bailey, 1520 Market Street-Suite 4051, St. Louis MO 63103, baileyh@ stlouis-mo.gov, (314) 657-1568. 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 October 1, 2019, to Harold Bailey 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 October 18, 2019, by 5:00 P.M. at the address listed above. The Department of Health reserves the right to reject any or all responses with or without cause.

interested and qualified SBE, DBE, WBE, SDVOB, AND VOB businessesshould contact, in writing, (certified letter, return receipt requested) Greg Bachler or Joe Seymour to discuss the subcontracting opportunities. All negotiations must be completed prior to the bid opening date 10/03/2019 @ 1:30 PM. Proposals will be evaluated in order on the basis of low responsive bid received.

CERTIFICATION OF DBE/WBE/MBE/SDVOB/VOB STATUS MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH BID. BID DOCUMENTS MAY BE OBTAINED BY:

1) Email your company name, contact name and phone number, as well as the project you are interested in to bid@rccllc.com

2) You will then receive an email invitation for that project with a link to our SmartBid Net system.

Religion

Building ‘Kingdom men’ at San Francisco Temple

Minister Fred Wilson to speak at 5th annual Men’s Conference on Oct. 13

By Allif Dove For The St. Louis American

Minister Fred Wilson will speak at San Francisco Temple Christian Assembly Church’s 5th annual Men’s Conference on Sunday, October 13 at the 10:30 a.m. service.

Wilson has been charged with 53 felonies (with 30 convictions), been imprisoned in Maximum security seven times and never thought he would escape a live of criminal activity.

He was born and raised in St. Louis. He recalls attending Rising Star Missionary Baptist Church as a youth with his parents, who would later divorce. “That’s when I began seeking approval,” he said.

“Many people think that individuals who use and sell drugs, as I did, simply have those problems, but actually, the problem starts before their habit or addiction begins. The problem starts within the person and, unless the individual gets to the root of the problem, there is little hope for positive and productive change.”

He was out of prison and living in a halfway house when he attended Lively Stone Apostolic Church one night.

Finding himself back in prison, he said, “I was comfortable and had lost the fear of doing sin and of going to hell. I was on the top tier of the prison while the Crips and Bloods were fighting on another below.”

Then something happened in his life again.

“I remember telling Jesus, ‘I don’t love you or your mother Mary. I don’t love myself,” he said. “Right then I saw a vision of a Being and two arms came out and a voice said, ‘I came down to Earth through 42 generations because I love you.’”

Stunned, he asked Jesus to teach me how to love and how to change his character. “And that is when I received the revelation that Jesus is God,” he said. Wilson came to understand, as he grew, that truly accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior of his life is what is known as “salvation” and that the essence of salvation is integrity. And with integrity, Wilson has been able to get to the root of his problems and has learned to surrender and submit to God’s authority, enabling him

“I went to church that night and Mother Scott (wife of Pastor Alphonso Scott) worked with me directly on the alter and I was filled with the Holy Spirit, just as promised in Acts 2:38, with the evidence of speaking in tongues,” Wilson said. He began working, serving God. He had a new apartment, a new car and was even engaged to be married. But then he began to think negatively, and feelings of low selfesteem returned and ultimately sabotaged his relationship with Christ.

to escape a life of criminal behavior and begin to live out God’s purpose for his life.

“I remember being at New Beginnings Church, under the leadership of Pastor Herman Gantt, and asking God to teach me how to be a husband because I wanted to find a wife,” he said. He believed the word of God which states in Proverbs 18:22: “He that findeth a wife, findeth a good thing and obtaineth favor of the Lord.”

n His salvation, deliverance and fellowship with God have enabled him to become a true husband, a better father and a “fisher of men” (Matthew 4:19).

Francisco Temple congregation for allowing him to lift up the name of Jesus and to help build the Kingdom of God.

As a result of his prayers and his faith in God, he found his wife, Queen Wilson, who he has been married to now for over three years.

“I believe having a father in the home, especially a Kingdom man (a man who follow Christ), is important” he said. And believing that divorce results in post-traumatic stress, Wilson strongly feels this needs to be addressed. And he knows

from personal experience (with three previous marriages and seven children affected) that learning to be a Kingdom man, who embodies integrity and a strong sense of responsibility, can help reduce the trauma that many of our youth and mothers experience.

Wilson is now committed to helping the Lord build more Kingdom men.

Some of the people who have helped him find his identity in God are his current pastor and first lady at the Lighthouse Church of Independence, Bishop Rodney and Reverend Candice Bartlow; Bishop Alton Davis Jr. of True Redemption Center Church, St. Louis; Pastor Jeff Johnson, Circle of Lights Church, St. Louis; Bishop Ken Hardin Sr.; Pastor Ray Price; and Minister Mike Anders (Bro. Boogie) of Family of Faith Missionary Baptist Church of Ferguson.

He also gives a special thanks to his wife for her constant support.

And finally, Wilson thanks Bishop and Senior Pastor Luther J. Blackwell Jr., Elder Lysanders Ivy (a long-time friend and mentor) and the San

Being grateful for what God has done for him (transforming his life) motivates Minister Wilson to seek God according to the promises found in two of his favorite scriptures (1 Cor 15:58 and Joshua 1:9). His salvation, deliverance and fellowship with God have enabled him to become a true husband, a better father and a “fisher of men” (Matthew 4:19). Also, as a result of his transformation he works a licensed substance abuse and mental health specialist recovery coach for two behavioral health organizations in the Kansas City area, as a volunteer certified mentor for the State of Kansas Department of Corrections, as a volunteer providing church services at a minimum-security prison, as a mentor in a maximum-security prison and as a minister at the Lighthouse Church of Independence. And he says all of this has been made possible because he fully surrendered his life to Christ.

The theme for this year’s Men’s Conference is “The fight is on!” It begins Friday, October 11 with a 7 p.m. service that features Minister DeMingo Loggins. On Saturday the focus will be on health, featuring two chiropractors, Dr. Xaivier Tipler Sr. and Dr. Edgar Everett III of Proficient Chiropractic with a Continental breakfast that begins at 8 a.m. In the closing day, Minister Fred Wilson will speak at the 10:30 a.m. service. San Francisco Temple Christian Assembly Church is located at 10191 Halls Ferry Rd. All are welcome.

Minister Fred Wilson and Queen Wilson