St. LouiS AmericAn
Critical solution to empower community
‘Early childhood education is not just caregiving’
Ellicia Lanier to receive Stellar Performer Award at 37th Education Salute
By Kenya Vaughn The St. Louis American
Ellicia Lanier relies on the standard greeting of the Masai people to start each of her staff meetings. In the African tribe’s native language, it is “Casserian Engeri.” But Lanier presents it in its English translation as a simple question.
“How are the children?”
“That is the single most important thing about this work,” said Lanier, founding executive director of Urban Sprouts Child Development Center – a nationally recognized early childhood learning center in University City. “I think so many of our children are robbed by not having good early childhood experienc-
Ellicia Lanier, Founding Executive Director of Urban Sprouts Child Development Center, will receive the Stellar Performer Award at the St. Louis American Foundation’s 37th Annual Salute to Excellence in Education Scholarship and Awards Gala on Saturday, October 12th at America’s Center.
Polls say Harris topped Trump in debate
By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire
VP kept him on defensive
Vice President Kamala Harris took control early in the first presidential debate with former President Donald Trump in Philadelphia on Tuesday night and put Trump on the defensive for much of the evening.
538, a website that focuses on opinion poll analysis, collected three national polls and one swingstate poll conducted after the debate. As of noon Wednesday, the three showed that more people who watched the debate felt Harris won over Trump.
n On average, 57% of debate watchers nationally said Harris turned in the better performance, compared to 34% who said Trump did.
On average, 57% of debate watchers nationally said Harris turned in the better performance, compared to 34% who said Trump did.
A CNN/SSRS poll, which included pre- and post-debate queries, concluded Harris’ net favorability rating among debate watchers rose from 39% favorable and 50% unfavorable before the debate to 45% favorable and 44% unfavorable after it. Trump’s net favorability rating, however, barely changed (from -11 points to -12 points).
Moderators David Muir and Linsey Davis of ABC News kept a tight handle on the debate, significantly improving CNN’s June handling of Trump and President Joe Biden.
The debate began with a surprise as Harris approached Trump to shake his hand and introduced herself as “Kamala Harris,” an unusual move that set the tone for the night. Trump’s trademark scowl stayed in place throughout the debate, as Harris pressed him on his legal woes and taunted his record. Applying her prosecutorial skills,
President
Harris consistently turned the conversation toward Trump’s convictions, his business fraud case, and his role in the January 6 insurrection. Harris positioned herself as a prob-
Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis
is
collaborating with
Maze frontman Frankie Beverly passes at 77
By Kenya Vaughn
Frankie Beverly spent more than five decades as the frontman for a soul band that was an essential component of the soundtrack of Black America. The music of Maze featuring Frankie Beverly etched a composite of the naturally idealistic and optimistic approach to managing the highs and lows of life that has sustained Black people from the very beginning –both in life and in love.
Frankie Beverly
lem-solver, taking on issues like housing, childcare, and the economy. In her opening statement, she outlined
The massive band could create a groove like nobody’s business. Beverly and his signature ball cap would vibe right along with the audience as he delivered his rich tenor vocals.
Just weeks after the conclusion of a multi-city farewell tour that included St. Louis, the Maze lead singer passed away on Wednesday, September 11. He was 77. No cause of death was given immediately.
“During this time, as we are navigating feelings of sorrow, reflection, and remembrance we kindly ask for privacy and understanding, allowing us the space to grieve in our own way,” the family said in a statement, according to CNN.
“This period is one of healing, and your respect for our need for solitude is appreciated as we honor the memory of our beloved Howard Stanley Beverly
Reproductive rights measure survives legal threat
By Sylvester Brown Jr. St. Louis American
Initiatives or amendments dealing with pregnancy have surged in response to the 2022 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that ended a nationwide right to abortion and shifted the issue to states.
At least nine states, including Missouri, will consider constitutional amendments enshrining abortion rights this November. Most would guarantee a right to abortion until fetal viability and allow it later for the health of the pregnant woman.
Missouri Amendment 3, the Right to Reproductive Freedom Initiative, is on the November ballot. The amendment, “will prohibit any regulation of abortion, including regulations designed to protect women undergoing abortions and prohibit any civil or criminal recourse against anyone who performs an abortion and hurts or kills the pregnant women.”
To put a citizen-led constitution-
Photo courtesy of Kamala Harris Facebook
Vice
Kamala Harris won the Tuesday night presidential debate against Donald Trump according to several polls following the debate.
Ellicia Lanier
Kendrick Lamar shakes Drake by landing Super Bowl halftime gig
The NFL, with the guidance of JAY-Z, has tabbed Kendrick Lamar as its Super Bowl halftime entertainer. This is probably much to the chagrin of Drake.
Lamar will perform during the Apple Music Super Bowl 2025 Halftime Show on Feb. 25, 2025 in New Orleans, as announced by the NFL.
“Kendrick Lamar is truly a once-in-a-generation artist and performer,” JAY-Z said of the 17-time Grammy Award winner. “His deep love for Hip-Hop and culture informs his artistic vision. He has an unparalleled ability to define and influence culture globally. Kendrick’s work transcends music, and his impact will be felt for years to come.”
avail.
One can wonder if his coziness with Donald Trump played a part in the Lamar pick.
Sade and André 3000 cut album to support transgender community
The large multi-genre musical compilation album titled Transa features over 100 musicians and some big names.
The project is described as a “spiritual journey celebrating trans people” by Red Hot Organization, a non-profit, 501 3 international organization promoting diversity through equal access to healthcare through pop culture, which has put together the album.
The release titled “Young Lion” will be only Sade’s second song released since 2010 and the first release in over six years. She is a mother to a transgender man named Izaak Theo Adu.
Transa, written as TRAИSA, has eight chapters: “Womb of the Soul,” “Survival,” “Dark Night,” “Awakening, Grief,” “Acceptance,” “Liberation,” and “Reinvention.”
Hip-hop icon Fatman Scoop dies
Isaac Freeman III, known as Fatman Scoop, died on Aug. 31 at age 53 after he collapsed during a performance at the Green and Gold Party summer concert in Hamden, CT.
No cause of death had been shared at the time of writing.
The artist became a recognizable figure in the late 90s with his notable hit “Be Faithful” and is remembered by many as an icon in the rap community after his death.
made us dance and embrace life with positivity,” his family shared with social media.
Scoop became a popular feature artist and began an impressive success run with hits like 2004’s “Lose Control” with Missy Elliott, 2005’s “It’s Like That” with Mariah Carey, and was honored with several awards, including a Grammy for best short-form music video in 2006.
“Fatman Scoop VOICE & energy have contributed to MANY songs that made the people feel HAPPY & want to dance for over 2 decades,” Elliott said. “Your IMPACT is HUGE & will NEVER be forgotten.”
Lil Wayne, a New Orleans native, had openly requested that he perform in the prized showcase but it was to no
Outkast’s André 3000 performed a 30-minute cover of the late transgender icon SOPHIE
“The world lost a radiant soul, a beacon of light on the stage and in life. Fatman Scoop was known to the world as the undisputed voice of the club. His music
“I want to thank FATMAN SCOOP for being an embodiment of what hip hop was truly about,” Questlove said.”So sad to see you go, my brother. You will be missed, but you will NEVER be forgotten.”
“Scoop was one of those people that reminded you what the word LOVE Truly means.”
Fatman Scoop
Kendrick Lamar
Tyreek
Ascension Golf Clinic
tees up skills for local youths
By Devored Hortin
St. Louis American
About 75 young golfers recently got the chance to tee off with professional experts who took the time to lend their expertise so that these local youth could sharpen their skills and improve their respective games.
“Getting the kids out here and letting them try something new like golf, getting them outdoors to adventure something they would not see day to day is what makes the event so special,” said Kyle Pearson, business operations specialist for Accenture.
Accenture, a global professional services company, hosted the 4th annual Youth Golf Clinic Thursday, Sept. 5, at Norwood Hills Country Club.
Participating youth represented several local organizations, including Diversity Golf, First Tee of Greater St. Louis, PGA REACH Gateway, and Special Olympics Missouri.
Young golfers were given an opportunity to receive instruction within three different golf stations: chipping, putting, and irons. Trent Turner, father of young golfer Justin Turner, said this was outside the norm for his child.
“In the environment my son has been brought up in, it is a different sport, so we tend to as parents guide our kids to what we know,” Turner said. “For me, I know basketball, boxing, and football things of that nature. So,
this was outside of the regular norm for my child, and he likes it.”
Dean Wright, father of another young golfer, Phillip Wright, knew his son was interested in golf at an early age and thinks his son could gain some more experience to help his golf game more.
“When Phillip was four years old, he saw his grandfather playing with me and my brother,” Wright said. “I think the experience of seeing all the different people that enjoy the game of golf and hopefully he picks up a few pointers to help his game because he plays a decent amount and meets new people, maybe new friends.”
Most of the instructors were from the Lincoln UniversityMissouri golf team and the players of the team were proud to work with the young golfers who were there.
This event is important for the youth to get exposure,” said Remon Rabie, member of the Lincoln University-Missouri golf team. “There are a lot of children out there and this is their first practice. Being focused is much better than playing in groups because I can help them work on what they specifically want to get better at.”
Blake Meredith, another member of the Lincoln University-Missouri golf team, said he was encouraged by the experience.
“I feel like the kids and the
The Ascension Charity Classic Youth Clinic presented by Accenture on Thursday Sept. 5, 2024, provided young golfers the opportunity to gain experience and develop golf skills, and receive tips from PGA TOUR Champions and local golf organization leaders. Participating youth represented local organizations including Diversity Golf, First Tee of Greater St. Louis, PGA REACH Gateway, and Special Olympics Missouri.
youth are very important to the game of golf because golf in the last 50 years has been more and more inclusive than it used to be,” Meredith said. “It used to be a very privileged sport to
get kids from all around from diverse backgrounds. The youth is vital, the next generation is vital to keep the game of golf going and just try to make it fun as well for them.”
Photo courtesy of Accenture
Devored Horton is The St. Louis American’s Comcast/ NBCUniversal WIB fellow
Guest Editorial Kamala Harris trounced Trump in debate
By Keith Boykin
Kamala Harris was virtually flawless in Philadelphia on Tuesday night’s debate against Donald Trump.
From the beginning, when she approached Donald Trump and forced him to shake her hand, she took command. Then, she stayed on offense all night long and simply gave Trump the rope to hang himself. And he did.
While Harris spoke about her plans for new families, first-time homebuyers, and small businesses, the angry, petulant Trump raised his voice, yelled, and screamed, and looked unhinged as he took the bait she fed to him at every question, whining about his grievances from the past, relitigating the 2020 election, and fighting against a candidate who is no longer in the race.
Trump made the baffling claim that “we have a president that doesn’t know he’s alive,” while Kamala Harris reminded him “You’re not running against Joe Biden, you’re running against me.”
As Harris wisely introduced herself to the audience and talked about her middle-class upbringing, Trump revealed a total lack of message discipline and a wildly inappropriate temperament, refusing even to look at her.
the same false accusation moments later.
“I read where she was not Black,” he said. It was a farcical assertion for an old white man to make about a self-identified Black woman with a Jamaican father, a Howard University degree, and an Alpha Kappa Alpha membership.
And he claimed that Harris is soft on crime, but she would not let him forget that Trump, himself, is two months away from a potential ankle bracelet or a prison sentence.
Trump had a lot of nerve coming to Philadelphia, the place where he tried to throw out thousands of votes in this largely Black city after he lost the 2020 election and manufactured bogus claims of election fraud. But he repeated those claims tonight, echoing language from the past that votes in Philly, Detroit, Atlanta, and Milwaukee were “fraudulently or illegally obtained” when he accused those cities of being “politically corrupt.”
“And this…former president,” said Kamala Harris with a pregnant pause as she spoke, letting the audience know that she wanted to call him something else but had the restraint not to do so.
The debate covered the economy, abortion, immigration, fracking, the January 6 insurrection, Gaza, Ukraine, Afghanistan, race, health care, and climate change, and Kamala Harris came out on top of every single issue.
Toni Morrison once said that the function of racism is distraction. “It keeps you from doing your work. It keeps you explaining, over and over again.”
Maybe that was Trump’s debate strategy, if you can call it that, tonight as the 78-year-old former game show host spent the evening rambling on about his greatest hits.
He blamed immigrants for taking “African American jobs,” a claim that was debunked months ago.
He claimed not to care about Kamala Harris’s racial identity but then repeated
Kamala Harris responded to Trump’s lies with a cool, calm composure. She did not take the bait to make personal attacks against Trump on race and instead used the question to bemoan the “tragedy” that a former president had “consistently over the course of his career attempted to use race to divide the American people.”
She cited Trump’s decades-long history of racism even before he was elected — housing discrimination in the 1970s, vilifying innocent Black teenagers in the Central Park Five Case in the 1980s, and birtherism in the 2010s.
So, these are the options, America. One of these two people will be the next president of the United States, and you, the voter, get to decide.
Do you want four more years of old man Trump and his circus of chaos, crises, court cases, and corruption on your TV every night? Or do you want a president who will lead and behave with dignity, respect, and maturity?
I don’t know about you, but I’m not going back.
“Black Vote, Black Power,” a collaboration between St. Louis native Keith Boykin and Word In Black, examines the issues, the candidates, and what’s at stake for Black America in the 2024 presidential election.
Commentary
John Lewis Act is ‘vital to democracy’
By Marc Morial
“As long as some among us are oppressed — and we are part of that oppression — it must blunt our faith and sap the strength of our high purpose. Thus, this is a victory for the freedom of the American Negro. But it is also a victory for the freedom of the American Nation. And every family across this great, entire, searching land will live stronger in liberty, will live more splendid in expectation, and will be prouder to be American because of the act that you have passed that I will sign today.”
— President Lyndon B. Johnson, on signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965
The National Urban League has joined with the Brennan Center and Democracy SENTRY for a conversation on voting rights.
“One of the first things I want to do, should we have the presidency and keep the majority, is change the rules and enact both the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Act,” the keynote speaker, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, said.
He later told reporters, “This is vital to democracy. This is not just another extraneous issue. This is the wellspring of it all.”
aries in places with large populations of color, imposing stricter documentation or ID requirements to vote, making it easier to purge voters of color from the rolls, or significantly reducing the opportunity to vote in communities of color.
Other provisions of the John Lewis Act include:
• Making Election Day a public holiday.
• Expanding voter registration, including same-day and automatic registration.
• Expanding early voting and vote-bymail options.
• Requiring public announcement of voting changes at least 180 days before an election.
When the Supreme Court stripped the preclearance provision from the Voting Rights Act, Chief Justice John Roberts argued that “the conditions that originally justified these measures no longer characterize voting in the covered jurisdictions.”
Within hours, lawmakers in Texas and Alabama proved how wrong he was, announcing they would move forward with restrictive voting laws that had been blocked under the preclearance provision.
The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act would update the preclearance formula that Roberts called “outdated,” reinvigorating the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and strengthening legal protections against racially motivated voter suppression.
Some changes would require preclearance nationwide, such as creating at-large districts or changing jurisdiction bound-
• Enabling the federal government to dispatch observers to polling places with a noted pattern of discrimination.
• Expanding restrictions on campaign spending by foreign nationals.
• Banning partisan gerrymandering.
• Make it a criminal offense to “corruptly hinder, interfere with, or prevent another person from registering to vote or helping someone register to vote.”
Since the Shelby decision, states have added at least 100 restrictive voting laws. Voters in almost half the country will face new voting restrictions this fall. And if the architects of the extremist Project 2025 agenda have their way, voting rights will be even further eviscerated.
The Civil Rights Division of U.S. Department of Justice, which enforces civil provisions of the federal laws that protect the right to vote, would be eliminated. The FBI would be prohibited from combating the spread of misinformation and disinformation, which has given rise to election-related violence and harassment of election workers.
Next year marks the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act. Will we meet that anniversary proudly, having honored the promises of the act? Or will those promises lie shattered at our feet?
Marc Morial is president/CEO of the National Urban League.
Commentary
Role models guided Harris’ path
By Ben Jealous
When Kamala Harris was sworn in as vice president in 2021, she swore her oath of office on two Bibles.
One belonged to our nation’s first Black Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. Marshall, the civil rights giant who founded the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, inspired a generation that included Harris to embrace the law to advance equality and justice. Harris chose to attend Howard University, Marshall’s alma mater.
The other Bible on which Harris was sworn in was the family Bible of Regina Shelton. Shelton was a neighbor, trusted caretaker, and mentor to Vice President Harris and her little sister Maya as children after school when her mom was working. Harris refers to Shelton as her “second mother.” It was Harris’s actual mother Shyamala Gopalan who guided and encouraged that relationship.
A civil rights activist herself, Gopalan was keenly aware that the world would see and treat her biracial daughters as Black women and of what that meant in America. She knew it was important for the girls to bond with other Black girls and women.
for women’s rights, staff health clinics in rural Black communities, offer job training programs, and more. Vice President Harris’s dedication to service was not only inspired by her personal relationships and affiliations. Her chosen path as a lawyer was shaped by important icons who embodied a commitment to freedom, justice, and equity. Justice Marshall was one of them. Another one was Judge Thelton E. Henderson.
Before becoming a legendary judge on the U.S. District Court for the Northern California District, Henderson was the first African American lawyer to serve in the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. He was a field investigator, working alongside Dr. King and other movement leaders.
Regina Shelton was from Louisiana, part of the migration of African Americans from Jim Crow South. Shelton shared her perspective on Black culture and identity, took the Harris girls to church, taught them to cook soul food, and inspired them with stories of important Black female leaders. She was one of the people who exemplified and passed on to both Harris girls “a responsibility to give and serve,” according to the vice president.
That responsibility to give and serve was also influenced by Vice President Harris’s sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha.
Founded at Howard, AKA has been on the front lines of fights for social justice for more than a century. AKA members organized to stop lynchings, advocate
He was famously fired for loaning Dr. King his government rental car in Alabama because Dr. King’s car had a problem with a tire and Henderson feared for King’s safety if he got stranded. Judge Henderson defended the rights of prisoners who were being abused and denied adequate health care. He made the Oakland Police Department more accountable to federal monitoring over police brutality. He was the first judge in the country to recognize the Constitution’s guarantee of equal protection and due process rights for gay people – decades before the Supreme Court recognized same-sex couples’ right to marry A fierce defender of civil rights, a champion of the law’s role in protecting the vulnerable and marginalized, who understands the importance of laws and regulations that protect our environment and health. That description applies to both Thelton Henderson and Vice President Harris – and that is no coincidence.
Ben Jealous is the Executive Director of the Sierra Club and a Professor of Practice at the University of Pennsylvania.
Guest Columnist Keith Boykin
Columnist Ben Jealous
Columnist Marc Morial
Dance the Vote on Sept. 14, 2024, at the Missouri History Museum will have many dance style performances including hip hop, AfroCuban, West African, tap, drill, and modern. The non-partisan event promotes voter awareness.
Dance the Vote at Missouri History Museum Sept. 14
St. Louis American
Dance the Vote returns from 10
a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept 14 at the Missouri History Museum to promote voter awareness before the November 5 election.
Dance the Vote made its debut before the midterm elections in 2018 and returned before the midterm elections of 2022. The nonpartisan all-inclusive event has drawn thousands of participants, including virtual performances during the pandemic.
“At Dance the Vote, we will energize attendees to participate in the elections and exercise their precious right, up and down the ballot,” said Joan Lipkin, producing artistic director of Dance the Vote.
“Our event also honors National Voter Registration Day, Constitution Week, and National Disability Voter Rights Week and will feature an all-inclusive short
community dance taught for people of all ages and abilities, including people with disabilities.”
Children’s programming begins at 10 a.m. inside the museum. At noon, activities for all ages take place outside in the front of the museum, including a giant photo shoot and community dance between 12:30 and 1 p.m. The program of dance companies, singers and speakers follows.
Dance styles will include hip hop, Afro-Cuban, West African, tap, drill, and modern.
Confirmed dance companies include Ashleyliane Dance Company, Kimaiya Hall Dance Company, Almas Del Ritmo Dance Company, Resilience Dance Company, STL Rhythm Collaborative, dance soloist Tia Taylor, Without Limits Dance Company, Beyond Measure Dance Theater and The Afro Kuumba Dancers.
Honoring Freedom Summer
By Marian Wright Edelman
As summer draws to a close, we are also nearing the end of an extraordinary milestone — the 60th anniversary of the civil rights movement’s Freedom Summer.
As a Yale Law School graduate in 1963, I was fortunate enough to receive one of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund’s (LDF) first two fellowships to help young attorneys seeking to practice in the South. After a year of intensive preparation at LDF’s New York City headquarters under the tutelage of an extraordinarily gifted and committed band of attorneys, I opened a law office in Jackson, Mississippi.
I moved to Mississippi at an extraordinary moment — just in time to witness firsthand and assist the unfolding of the 1964 Mississippi Freedom Summer Project.
The Mississippi Freedom Summer Project engaged college students from around the country to work together with local Black community members to open Mississippi’s closed society and demand basic human and civil rights for all Mississippians.
Hundreds of white middle-class students brought visibility to the too long invisible and incredibly courageous struggles of Mississippi’s Black citizens for simple justice and the right to vote.
While attending one of the training sessions at Western College for Women in Oxford, Ohio, designed to prepare the white students for Mississippi’s harsh realities, the horrible news reached us of the disappearance of James Chaney, Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner, who had left the Ohio training to return to Mississippi to investigate the burning of Mount Zion Methodist Church in Neshoba County.
A huge pall and fear swept over all of us after hearing they were missing. Bob Moses urged everyone to think hard about the grave dangers involved in the summer project and whether they still wanted to participate. Few went home. Most were determined to continue in the movement that over the next few months laid the groundwork for transforming Mississippi and ultimately our nation.
One of the highlights of the summer project was the creation of Freedom Schools, which were designed to keep Black children and youths out of harm’s way and give them a richer education experience than Mississippi public schools.
Some student Freedom Summer volunteers were trained to teach in these “schools,” held in church basements, on back porches, in parks and even under trees. I remember visiting a freedom school under a tall old oak tree in Greenwood, Mississippi, and hearing Pete Seeger sing.
Freedom schools provided reading instruction, a humanities curriculum including creative writing, a general mathematics and science curriculum, and even French.
They also taught subjects the public schools did not, including Black history and constitutional rights, and covered the freedom movement in detail — encouraging students to be independent thinkers and problem solvers and become agents of social change in their own communities. More than 3,000 children, teens and adults attended the freedom schools that summer.
More than 30 years ago, the Children’s Defense Fund began proudly drawing on the 1964 freedom schools’ tradition. This summer, more than 13,000 K-12 scholars in 29 states and 102 cities enrolled in the CDF Freedom Schools program. CDF Freedom Schools sites give scholars in grades K-12 safe spaces where they are taught by college-aged student mentors who often come from their own communities and look like them.
Marian Wright Edelman is founder and president emerita of the Children’s Defense Fund.
Photo courtesy of Dance St. Louis
Marian Wright Edelman
al amendment on November’s ballot, the campaign had to collect signatures from 8% of voters in six of Missouri’s eight congressional districts which equates to a bit more than 171,000 signatures. That measure was met with more than 380,000 signatures collected in just three months that qualified the initiative for this year’s statewide ballot.
Additionally, according to Ballotpedia, a political issues website, A “yes” vote supports amending the Missouri Constitution to provide “the right to make and carry out decisions about all matters relating to reproductive health care, including but not limited to prenatal care, childbirth, postpartum care, birth control, abortion care, miscarriage care, and respectful birthing conditions.”
Responding to the amendment earlier this year, Rachel Sweet, campaign manager for Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, the primary group supporting the measure, told MSNBC News: “I am honored to say that it is our turn to do something that no other state has done before — end a total abortion ban at the ballot box. This November, Missouri voters will have the opportunity to make their voices heard and return decisions about abortion to their rightful place — with women, their families and their doctors, not politicians.”
Last week the amendment was placed in question. Two Republican state lawmakers and a prominent anti-abortion leader sued to have the amendment thrown out. On Friday, Cole County
Circuit Judge Christopher Limbaugh ruled that the abortion-rights campaign did not meet legal requirements to qualify for the November ballot.
According to Limbaugh, his decision was based on the campaign’s “failure to include any statute or provision that will be repealed, especially when many of these statues are apparent. The court must conclude that the defendant-intervenors’ initiative petition was insufficient.”
Limbaugh, however, stopped short of removing the measure from the ballot by giving the campaign a chance to file a last-minute appeal. Recognizing “the gravity of the unique issues involved in this case and the lack of direct precedent on point,” Limbaugh wrote that he’d wait until Tuesday for the amendment to be removed from the ballot, giving an appellate court time to decide whether or not to uphold his ruling.
Hoping for a swift resolution, Missourians for Constitutional Freedom appealed Limbaugh’s decision. On Tuesday, the Missouri Supreme Court ruled that the proposed amendment will remain on the general election ballot. The decision came less than three hours before a 5 p.m. deadline to finalize the ballot.
The state’s seven-member high court released a one-page order requiring the amendment to appear on the Nov. 5 ballot, but didn’t immediately issue a majority opinion, leaving its reasoning unclear, according to the Kansas City Star.
In a statement after the court’s decision, Sweet wrote: “Today’s decision is a victory for both direct democracy and reproductive freedom in Missouri. The Missouri Supreme Court’s ruling ensures that Amendment 3, the
Upgrades for MetroLink
Pamica Isom, 52, of St. Louis, exits a newly installed turnstile on Monday at the Emerson Park Metro stop in East St. Louis. “I think [the turnstiles] are great because some of the things that have been going on the Metro,” she told St. Louis Public Radio. “Everyone just wants to feel safe.” The upgraded stop is the first of MetroLink’s “secure platforms” — a $52 million upgrade for stations throughout the region that will include turnstiles, gates and fencing.
Right to Reproductive Freedom Initiative, will appear on the November ballot, giving voters—not politicians—the power to decide on this critical issue”
State Line
Emphasizing just how critical things may be for women if their reproductive rights are further infringed, the Lincoln Project-a leading pro-democracy organization that has been very critical of former President Donald Trump, his allies and policies-released a new political ad recently titled, “State Line.”
The video starts innocuously enough. A policeman pulls over a car driven by a father with his young daughter. After asking the father for his license and registration, the officer ominously
peers into the driver’s side window and addresses the daughter.
“Abigail, right? Have you been spotting recently?” he states knowingly, before asking even more personal questions: “What are you, ‘bout eight weeks pregnant? You had any cramps or nausea? You been taking your prenatal vitamins?”
The policeman informs the incredulous passengers that he knows – by the car’s navigation system –that Abigail is heading to a clinic “in one of those abortion states.”
“We have the right to travel,” Abigail protests.
“Not anymore,” the cop casually replies.
He then orders the father and daughter out of the car.
“You, sir, are under arrest for crossing state lines to obtain an abortion for a minor under your
care,” he informs the father. “And you, young lady …” the cop continues as he handcuffs Abigail “… are under arrest for evading motherhood.”
The advertisement, according to the Lincoln Project, is designed to highlight the dangers of Project 2025 – a multipronged initiative created by the conservative Heritage Foundation – that serves as a controversial blueprint for the next Republican president that will institutionalize sweeping government overhauls.
On X (formerly Twitter), the Lincoln Project writes: “Project 2025 and its evil architects envision an America where women will be monitored, prosecuted, and jailed for exercising their own bodily autonomy. We are not going back!”
The Lincoln Project video, the creators explained, was produced to help voters “envision an America where women will be monitored, prosecuted, and jailed for exercising their own bodily autonomy.”
Polling conducted last month by Saint Louis University and YouGov found the amendment was on the path toward passage, with 52% of respondents supportive of the measure.
Sylvester Brown Jr. is the Deaconess Foundation Community Advocacy Fellow.
To vote in the Tuesday, November 5, 2024, general election, voters must register by mail, online or in person by Wednesday, October 9, 2024. For more information visit: https://www.vote411.org/ missouri
es.” Lanier will receive Stellar Performer honors at The St. Louis American Foundation’s 37th Annual Salute to Excellence in Education Scholarship and Awards Gala on Saturday, October 12 at America’s Center. This year’s honorees include Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Jackie Joyner-Kersee. David and Thelma Steward will serve as event co-chairs.
“Going from a GED to getting an education award for ECE (early childhood education) is something
that, honestly, I can’t even describe in words,” Lanier said. “This recognition holds great value in our community, and in my field. I don’t take it lightly that I come behind some incredible men and women who have been honored with this award.”
It’s impossible to hear about her journey – both personal and professional – and not be inspired. She was born in St. Louis, but spent most of her childhood in California. They returned after her mother fell ill with Lupus. She was a straight A student when she had to leave high school to take care of her mother and become a provider for the family.
“There are so many
young people, like me, who had to choose between school and their family’s survival,” Lanier said. “And when you are at that intersection, sometimes you have to choose the family. I hope that young girls – or anyone – feeling like they are in a hopeless situation are inspired by my story to keep going. The things that gave people something to talk about back then are now a part of my testimony.”
Her mother passed away, and she found herself pregnant at 19 with limited access to support. She became a resident of Coleman House within Missouri Baptist Children’s Home, now
known as Martin Youth Center.
“It was a place where single mothers could go and stay with their child,” Lanier said. “While pregnant, I was attending college there. I began to take some early childhood courses, and quickly fell in love with it.”
After becoming a single parent, her quest to give her child the best resources and opportunities led her further down the path of early childhood education research. She began to understand it as a neuroscience. “I just became so intrigued when I found out that early childhood is not just caregiving,” Lanier said. “There is a real science behind what we do. And it has been an amazing journey to be able to take the care and love that I have for children and give it to our community by way of early childhood education through Urban Sprouts.”
Growing Urban Sprouts
After working for several years as an early childhood teacher, she founded Urban Sprouts In 2009. Her vision for the school that focuses on children from infancy to pre-K was to give children of the community – including her own – a place where they could live, grow and learn. And also, a place where they could have voice, freedom and agency.
As her family grew to include four children, so did the school her motherhood inspired. She started with less than 30 students. Urban Sprouts now educates more than 100 students using the child-centered Reggio Emilia education model – and is on its third location with a major expansion currently underway.
“That school to me is the gold standard,” said Alison Ferring, philan-
thropist and early childhood education advocate. “She’s getting things done and she has this amazing vision. She doesn’t just want to take care of 100 kids. She wants to take care of 500, and have a campus and teach people.”
Urban Sprouts is wrapping up the first rounds of renovations with the preschool expansion scheduled to be completed in the first week of December.
“This is somebody that can make stuff happen and make a huge difference long term,” Ferring said.
These days Urban Sprouts provides the same type of early childhood classes that introduced Lanier to the field through a partnership with the school and St. Louis Community College.
Lanier has been recognized for her achievements within the community, and given a Distinguished Director Award from ARCHS (2012). She is a member of the North American Reggio Emilio Alliance, Urban League of Young Professionals, National Black Child Development Institution, and the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
Fifteen years after Urban Sprouts opened its doors, Lanier has educated all four of her children there – and several hundred others.
“I built this for my children, but the hope is that it will continue to live on and that my children’s children and their children,” Lanier said. “We haven’t done it alone – and we are really paving the way for so many children in the future.”
In collaboration with Webster University, Lanier organized a conference attended by 20 Reggio Emilia providers based in China highlighting advanced interaction between children, teachers, and their peers. In addi-
tion, she developed a charter to launch the National Black Child Development Institute (NBDCI) chapter in St. Louis. Lanier recently hosted Chelsea Clinton’s visit to St. Louis in partnership with Child Care Aware of Eastern Missouri.
Lanier says that the next chapter for Urban Sprouts is a focus on the entire family.
“We have a whole unit that needs support,” Lanier said. “We are spending this next phase of our work really thinking about how we make sure that the whole family is thriving and that they are able to attain physical, mental and financial health and wealth opportunities on our campus.” Her vision for those opportunities includes walking parents through home purchases and making the unbanked fully bankable.
“We want to give them hope – and help to care for their families.”
Though often an unsung element of a child’s learning experience, Lanier sees investment in early childhood education as a critical solution for community empowerment – especially in communities of color – in terms of providing youth with the tools they need to thrive.
“I wouldn’t choose any other age group to work with,” Lanier said. “I’m completely amazed by what children can do before the age of five and I’m grateful that I’m blessed to be able to show up here every day.”
The St. Louis American Foundation’s 37th Annual Salute to Excellence in Education will take place on Saturday, October 12th at America’s center. Stay tuned to stlamerican.com for future details on the event as more honorees will be announced online and in print in the coming weeks.
Photo by Brian Munoz / St. Louis Public Radio
Must do: Build an emergency fund
By Ashley O’Neal, Senior Vice PresidentRetail Banking, Midwest BankCentre
If your car broke down tomorrow, would you have enough money saved to cover its repairs?
Life happens, and while we can’t predict it, we can be prepared for it. If you want to take control of your financial future, building an emergency fund should be at the top of your to-do list. What is an emergency fund?
in-case” fund, empowering you to tackle whatever life throws your way.
Why is it important?
An emergency fund is like your financial safety net, ready to catch you when unexpected expenses or emergencies arise. It’s a stash of money set aside specifically for life’s curveballs, whether it’s a medical emergency, a sudden home repair, or even unexpected job loss. Essentially, it’s your “just-
Frankie Beverly performed with Maze as part of the Tom Joyner Fantastic Voyage Cruise in the early 2000s. He passed away on September 11 at the age of 77.
Imagine that a storm damages your home. Your furnace goes out in the dead of winter. Or you injure yourself and have to take time off work, leaving you with a hefty hospital bill. Without an emergency fund, you might have to borrow money or dip into your savings meant for other goals. You could fall victim to predatory payday lenders that charge up to 400% APY or go into credit card debt at high interest rates.
Having an emergency fund means you can handle these unforeseen expenses without disrupting your financial goals or going into debt. It can act as a buffer, giving you the freedom to navigate life’s surprises with confidence.
As important as it is, only about half of U.S. households had emergency savings to cover one month of income in 2022, according to the Urban Institute. For Black households, the number dips to 38%, indicating that the majority of Black families are likely to face hardship due to financial emergencies.
If you don’t have emergency savings, my advice is to start today with whatever you can afford.
How to Get Started
1. Open a savings account. You don’t need a significant investment to open an account, but talk to your banker to make sure you’re meeting your minimum balance requirement. Your banker should have a no-cost account option as well.
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known to the world as Frankie Beverly.” He was born Howard Stanley Beverly in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on December 6, 1946. Raised in the East Germantown section of the city, he began singing where so many soul legends established their musical foundation – the church.
He performed in doowop groups and first became a recording artist as the lead singer of The Butlers in 1963. They caught the eye of legendary songwriter and producer Kenny Gamble in 1967. The Butlers struggled to carve out their own place within the famed “Sound of Philadelphia” era, so they relocated to the Bay Area and rebranded themselves as Raw Soul in 1970.
Their mix of soul, funk and R&B reportedly captured the attention of
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her “opportunity economy” plan, which focuses on bolstering the middle class.
“I was raised as a middle-class kid, and I am actually the only person on this stage who has a plan that is about lifting up the middle class and working people of America,” Harris said. She detailed a $6,000 child tax credit as part of her plan to support young families.
Abortion rights were another major focus of the night. Trump, when asked if he would veto a federal abortion ban, declined to answer directly, stating, “I
legendary singer Marvin Gaye, who invited them to tour with him as his opening act.
“He told us, ‘I love y’all’s sound. But I hate that [expletive] name,” Beverly told audiences during their St. Louis Music Festival headlining performance at Chaifetz Arena back in 2013. And just like that Raw Soul became Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly. Beverly became known as a powerful crooner in his own right through songs like hits like “Joy and Pain,” “Golden Time of Day,” “We Are One,” “Happy Feelin’s.”
And no cookout, family reunion is complete until “Before I Let Go!” blasts through the speakers of the stereo or sound system. Music superstar Beyonce recorded a version of the Black music classic in 2019.
While Frankie Beverly is a household name in Black culture, mainstream critical acclaim and recognition eluded the band who was organically in
won’t have to,” and arguing that the end of Roe v. Wade had satisfied everyone. Harris, in contrast, vowed to restore Roe’s protections through federal legislation if elected.
“I pledge to you: when Congress passes a bill to put back in place the protections of Roe v. Wade as President of the United States, I will proudly sign it into law,” she said.
Trump repeated several conspiracy theories, including a claim that migrants were eating pets in U.S. cities, which Muir quickly fact-checked. Trump doubled down, citing “people on television” as his source. Harris largely let Trump’s more outlandish statements pass, opting to stay on policy
2. Automate it. Set up the account so that a certain amount is automatically transferred to it from your checking every month or pay cycle. Treat it like every other bill that needs to be paid.
3. Set a goal. The amount you need in an emergency account is different for each individual. A single college student would require less emergency funds than a family of five that owns a home and two vehicles. Evaluate your budget and expenses. Think about worst case scenarios. If you lose your job or experience a slowdown in income, how much would you need to get by?
How to Build the Fund
1. Prioritize it. Emergen-
cy funds are a necessity. Make a commitment to fund it consistently, and only use it when you absolutely have to. If your finances get tight, your emergency account should be the last to get cut.
2. Trim unnecessary expenses. Take a close look at your budget and cut out what you reasonably can. Whether it’s dining out less often or canceling subscriptions, redirecting that money into your emergency fund can accelerate your savings.
3. Allocate windfalls. Whenever you receive unexpected funds, like tax refunds or work bonuses, resist the temptation to splurge. Instead, funnel these extra funds directly into your emergency account.
tune to express Blackness with perfect pitch. They sold out tours for decades and created music that was a soothing balm that connected generations. But it would be 2012 before Beverly earned his first major recognition for his band’s contributions. He received a Lifetime Achievement Award during that year’s BET Awards.
The gesture so moved Beverly that he spoke about it when the band toured in subsequent years.
“I’m grateful for it because we don’t get many awards for some reason or another,” Beverly said at the St. Louis Music Festival the year after he was bestowed with the honor.
“While we don’t get many awards, we keep receiving the reward of your love and support after all these years.”
He announced his retirement earlier this year. As part of their farewell tour, Maze played Enterprise Center in June.
while allowing the moderators to address his factually inaccurate remarks.
The night clearly contrasted Biden’s earlier debate with Trump, as Harris managed to keep Trump on the defensive. Trump continued to fixate on conspiracy theories and past grievances, while Harris stayed focused on presenting her vision for the future.
With fewer than 60 days until the election, the debate sets the tone for what will likely be a hard-fought campaign. As the debate ended, Harris closed with a message to the American people: “This is about who we are as a country. The choice is clear—between chaos and leadership, fear and hope.”
4. Monitor and adjust as needed. Life is unpredictable, and your financial situation may change over time. Periodically reassess your emergency fund goal and adjust it as needed. As your account grows, you may be able to transfer some funds into a higher yield product, like a certificate of deposit, to earn a higher interest rate. And if you dip into your fund for a legitimate emergency, make it a priority to replenish it as soon as possible.
Even if you start small, with consistency the payoff is big: financial stability and peace of mind. If you’re ready to take control of your financial future, give Midwest BankCentre a call at 314-631-5500. One of our banking specialists can help you set up a savings account, or you can open one online in minutes at MidwestBankCentre.com. Start saving today to prepare for the uncertainties of tomorrow!
Saturday September 28th 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. 4231 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63107
Join Jubilee Church, PECaD, Affinia Healthcare, American Cancer Society’s Cancer Action Network and the Urban League’s Division of Public Safety for our Health and Wellness Expo: A Smart Health Event! This fun-filled event will include a variety of activities for the entire family on Saturday, September 28th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Enjoy live music, food, free giveaways, and a fun atmosphere to learn about staying healthy and opportunities for free health screenings. For more information about this event, call 314-286-2587, or register online at siteman.wustl.edu.
Photo by Maurice Meredith / St. Louis American
Ashley O’Neal
URBAN LEAGUE OF METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS PARTNERS WITH LOCAL ENERGY COMPANIES TO LAUNCH ENERGY JOBS PROGRAM
The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, in collaboration with local energy companies including Ameren, Spire, Miller Pipeline, Intren, Mears, Trice Construction, and Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC), has launched the Career Advancement & Readiness in Energy (C.A.R.E.) program. This initiative, part of the Energy Jobs Program, aims to provide career readiness training to underserved communities in the region. The program, supported by the National Urban League and the Center for Energy Workforce Development, will prepare over 100 individuals for roles like Line Workers, Gas Technicians, and Skilled Laborers. St. Louis is one of five cities chosen to pilot this program, which offers pathways into energy careers through Pre-Apprenticeships and Registered Apprenticeships. Speakers at the program’s launch event include Spire Missouri Senior VP & President of Spire Missouri, Stephen Mills, Regional Executive VP of Economic Development at Urban League, Michael Holmes, Ameren Senior Manager, Sustainability, Diversity, Philanthropy and Energy Equity Solutions, Connie Taylor and Urban League, Regional Director, Save Our Sons & Sisters, Tydrell Stevens.
‘Taking
Care of You’
State-of-art Siteman Cancer Center to take patients Sept. 30
‘When science, community come together we save lives’
all humankind” during a dedication ceremony on Tuesday,
St. Louis American
Siteman Cancer Center – based at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis – will soon greet patients in its new home for worldclass cancer care.
The nine-story, 657,250-square-foot building, located on the Washington University Medical Campus, is dedicated to outpatient cancer care, and will officially open its doors on Sept. 30,” 2024.
It makes me proud to be the mayor of a city where world-class minds work together to solve the most complex and important issues for the betterment of all humankind,” St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O. Jones said Tuesday during ceremony at Siteman.
“To everyone involved in making this Ambulatory Cancer Building a reality, and to everyone who will work here, I want you to know that the City of St. Louis is deeply grateful for what you have done and what you keep doing for our community.” Designed specifically with cancer patients in mind, the unique model means patients can see a multidisciplinary team of WashU Medicine cancer experts and receive chemother-
See SITEMAN, A11
Small changes can lead to big health gains
By Dr. Graham A. Colditz Siteman Cancer Center
When it comes to daily aches and pains, it’s common for our knees to be a main source. And while there can be many different long-term causes of such issues, osteoarthritis often is a reason, especially as we age. In knee osteoarthritis, the cartilage between knee bones wears down. In a healthy knee, this cartilage helps the joint move smoothly and also helps protect it. When that cartilage thins and wears down, problems can begin – and often get worse over time.
n Losing 10 pounds reduces stress on the knees by 40 pounds with each step, and that can significantly help with joint pain.
“Osteoarthritis can cause knee pain and stiffness, which can negatively impact a person’s activity level, risk of falling, mood and general quality of life,” said Dr. Abby Cheng, an orthopedic surgeon at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis who also specializes in physiatry, which is the non-surgical treatment and rehabilitation of conditions like arthritis. And these issues can impact us in ways we may not immediately think about. Pain and mobility problems from osteoarthritis can lead to days off work and lost income, and lower levels of physical activity can lead to increased risk of other chronic diseases, including heart disease, cancer and diabetes.
For a disease that can have such a wide-ranging impact on people’s lives, it’s also quite common. More than 30 million adults in the U.S. have some form of osteoarthritis, with the knee most often impacted. And while the disease usually affects older adults, about half of the cases are in people of working age.
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Language bias in healthcare helps widen disparities
Words impact caliber of care
By Jennifer Porter Gore Washington Informer
A ground-breaking study found glaring disparities in the language that healthcare professionals use when recording patient interactions, which could have an impact on the caliber of care that minority groups receive.
Titled “Examining Linguistic Differences in Electronic Health Records for Diverse Patients with Diabetes: Natural Language Processing Analysis,” the study analyzed electronic health records (EHRs) of Black, white, and Hispanic or Latino patients treated by 281 physicians in a major metropolitan area. The findings highlight how racial
and ethnic biases may permeate even the most intimate and routine aspects of healthcare.
The research, led by Eden King, the Lynette S. Autrey professor of Psychological Sciences at Rice University, sought to ascertain whether doctors use biased language when describing patients in post-visit reports.
“Language and communication are central to social interactions across cultures, including the critical exchanges that occur between clinicians and patients,” King stated. “Our study sought to uncover whether the words physicians use in health records
See LANGUAGE, A11 A recent study examined whether the words physicians use in health records reflect biases “and the results are concerning.”
Mayor Tishaura Jones said the new Siteman Cancer Center building is a testament to “the betterment of
Sept. 10, 2024.
Photo by Matt Miller / Washington University
Graham A. Colditz
Photo courtesy of Forward Times
‘Taking
Siteman
apy and other services in collaboration with BJC caregivers during a single visit. The approach prioritizes patients’ comfort and convenience and reduces the need to return for multiple appointments.
Located at 4500 Forest Park Ave., it will demonstrate BJC HealthCare and WashU Medicine in providing innovative cancer care based on the latest research, and an ongoing, deep commitment to the health of our region.
“Patients inspire everything we do here,” said Timothy J. Eberlein, MD, director of Siteman Cancer Center, the Spencer T. and Ann W. Olin Distinguished Professor and senior associate dean for cancer programs at WashU Medicine and BJC HealthCare.
“This facility expands on our 25-year history of leading-edge care and consolidates outpatient care to make visits easier for patients. We want every patient who walks through our doors to experience a supportive, calming, and hopeful environment. This building was created with those goals in mind.”
Cancer patients and survivors and their families — together with physicians, nurses, social workers, and other caregivers — met with the building’s architects and designers before construction began to share insights aimed at enhancing care and improving the overall experience for patients and their family members.
About 75,000 patients seek care at Siteman each year – a number that is growing as more patients from across the region and all 50 states and beyond seek the expertise of WashU Medicine cancer specialists and access to leading-edge clinical trials.
Among those patients are prostate cancer survivors who are members of The Empowerment Network, which was founded by survivor
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reflect biases, and the results are concerning.”
Melve Shahid.
“Partnerships and collaboration are what it is all about,” Shahid said following the dedication ceremony.
“When the community and the world o science come together, we save lives.”
Through Siteman’s Program for the Elimination of Cancer Disparities (PECaD), WashU Medicine experts have helped to reduce rates of breast cancer deaths among Black women in St. Louis and St. Louis County by just over 30%. Similar outreach and implementation science efforts have reduced hot spots of colorectal cancer deaths in the
The study employed a sophisticated natural language processing tool, the Sentiment Analysis and Social Cognition Engine (SEANCE), to examine various linguistic markers in the EHR text. The analysis revealed that physicians’ notes for Black and Hispanic or Latino patients contained significantly more negative adjectives — such as “unkind,” “negative,” and “stupid” — and words associated with fear and disgust, including “intimidate,” “attack,” and “cringe.” In contrast, notes for white, non-Hispanic patients featured more positive language, including adjectives like “supportive” and “kind,” as well as verbs indicating trust, such as “affirm” and “advise.”
Colditz
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“Having weak leg muscles and being overweight or obese increases a person’s risk for knee osteoarthritis,” Cheng said. “Women, older adults, people with a prior knee injury and those with a family history of osteoarthritis are also more likely to have the condition.”
For people with osteoarthritis, healthy behaviors and other treatments can
of
“These findings align with a growing body of research demonstrating that racial and ethnic minorities often receive inferior care, marked by less empathy, reduced rapport, and diminished patient trust,” King explained in a news release.
The study’s results are consistent with previous reports, such as the 2018
help deal with symptoms like pain and poor mobility – and may even slow worsening of the condition.
“Eating more plants and less processed or sugary food reduces inflammation in the body, which can reduce pain from osteoarthritis in all joints,” Cheng said. “Other common treatments for knee osteoarthritis include strengthening the thigh muscles, using knee braces, taking anti-inflammatory medications, getting cortisone and other injections, and sometimes
Mississippi River valley areas in Missouri and Illinois, which have some of the highest rates of colorectal cancer mortality in the country.
While the new building will replace Siteman’s outpatient cancer clinics in the Center for Advanced Medicine on the Washington University Medical Campus, Siteman will continue to provide the same exceptional outpatient cancer care for adults at its five other locations in the St. Louis region, including in southern Illinois, as well as for pediatric patients at Siteman Kids at St. Louis Children’s Hospital.
“At WashU Medicine,
National Healthcare Disparities Report which found that Black and Hispanic patients frequently experience worse care on numerous quality measures compared to their white counterparts. This includes receiving less respect and attention from physicians, further contributing to health disparities.
Researchers assert that the implications of these linguistic biases are far-reaching. Language in EHRs not merely reflects a physician’s observations but also influences future medical decisions, as these records are
having knee replacement surgery.”
Health-care providers can help patients put together plans for managing their condition as well as put them in touch with programs and other resources to get started and keep up with healthy behaviors over time.
And even small changes to behaviors can have important benefits when it comes to osteoarthritis, Cheng said. For example, in someone who is overweight, losing 10 pounds reduces stress on the knees
we invest in pioneering research to advance cancer care, create better outcomes for patients, and improve the overall health of our community,” said David H. Perlmutter, MD, the George and Carol Bauer Dean of WashU Medicine, executive vice chancellor for medical affairs and the Spencer T. and Ann W. Olin Distinguished Professor at WashU Medicine.
“In turn, our care deepens and expands our cancer research to move the field forward, so we are continually pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in caring for patients. The clinical trial capabilities that come
reviewed and referenced in subsequent patient encounters. Bias in these records can perpetuate negative stereotypes and lead to ongoing disparities in care. The study’s authors emphasize that understanding and addressing these biases is crucial for improving health outcomes for minority populations.
King and her team hope their research will be a wake-up call to the medical community.
“If we can develop and refine algorithms to detect such biases, we can raise awareness among clinicians during patient interactions,” King said in the release. “This heightened awareness could be a
by 40 pounds with each step, and that can significantly help with joint pain.
Many of these same approaches can also help lower the risk of developing osteoarthritis in the first place. This includes being physically active – including running, contrary to popular belief –keeping weight in check and eating a healthy diet rich in whole grains, fruits and vegetables and low in processed and refined foods. While osteoarthritis is
4500 Forest Park Ave., St. Louis, MO 63108
• Start of construction: May 3, 2021
• Opening: Sept. 30, 2024
• Square feet: 657,250
• Stories: 9
• Exam rooms: 101
• Chemotherapy infusion rooms: 88
• Patient parking spots: 433, on three levels
• WashU Medicine and Barnes-Jewish Hospital employees in the building: 400-450
• Construction workers: 2,000 Project Team
• Architects: Lawrence Group and Perkins Eastman
• Mechanical, electric, plumbing and fire engineer: Introba
• Construction manager: Clayco WashU Medicine Team
• Senior Project Executive (Planning and Construction): Melissa Rockwell-Hopkins
• Senior Project Manager: Paul Sedovic
• Construction Manager & Equipment Coordinator: Jeff Schimek
from our research teams will be housed in this new building and represent one of the truly distinguishing features of what is possible for our patients at Siteman Cancer Center.”
Among the building’s features are 101 exam rooms and another 88 private infusion rooms for patients receiving chemotherapy. Patients also will have access to complete radiology and breast imaging services.
The building also includes original artwork created by local artists who have their own personal connection to cancer, as well as a café, pharmacy and parking garage that is integrated into the facil-
critical step toward more equitable healthcare.”
The study also points to the need for systemic changes in how medical professionals are trained and how EHRs are utilized. While EHRs are essential for documenting patient care, officials noted that the language used in these records can reflect unconscious biases that may influence patient outcomes. They said the research underscores the importance of ongoing education and training for healthcare providers to recognize and mitigate these biases.
The study’s findings open the door for further research into the rela-
a different type of disease than cancer or heart disease, it still has a major impact on the health, well-being and quality of life of millions of people. And like those other diseases, there are steps we can take to help lower our risk – and that of our families.
“Some people think that because a parent or grandparent had osteoarthritis, they will develop it too,” Cheng said. “And while it’s true that osteoarthritis can run in families, it doesn’t mean there’s
ity. An enclosed, elevated walkway connects the building to other areas of the Medical Campus.
“BJC will bring to the building the very latest imaging technology, which plays a key role in diagnosing and monitoring patients following their courses of treatment,” said Rich Liekweg, chief executive officer, BJC Health System. “We are grateful to the numerous experts who have worked tirelessly over the past four years to bring our vision of patient-centered cancer care to life. It’s a privilege to be able to invest in our community in such a life-sustaining way.”
tionship between biased language in medical records and patient outcomes. The research team, which includes experts from institutions such as the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, the University of Houston, and Duke University, plans to explore whether biased language correlates with poorer health outcomes for minority patients and whether interventions can reduce these disparities. The study, supported in part by a grant from the Rice Race and AntiRacism Research Fund, was published in JMIR Medical Informatics and is available at medinform. jmir.org
nothing a person can do to successfully lower their risk of developing it.” It’s your health. Take control.
Dr. Graham A. Colditz, associate director of prevention and control at Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, is an internationally recognized leader in cancer prevention and the creator of the free prevention tool YourDiseaseRisk. com.
Photo by Matt Miller / Washington University
Mellve Shahid, a prostate cancer survivor and founder of the cancer patients support organization The Empowerment Network, prepares to place a message of inspiration on the Inspiring Hope board at the new Siteman Cancer Center on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024.
You want to build and share your wealth. We have tools to help you do both. Together, we’re unstoppable.
Scan the QR code to learn more.
Urban League, partners to energize new employment avenues
Announces launch of CARE program
Stephen Mills, senior vice president and president of Spire Missouri, said joining in partnership with the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis and other companies and organizations to launch the Career Advancement and Readiness in Energy (CARE) program is part of his firm’s mission.
By Alvin A. Reid
The St. Louis American
The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis (ULSTL) is taking the care needed to help people find employment in the energy industry.
The Urban League is collaborating with local energy companies including Ameren, Spire, Miller Pipeline, Intren, Mears, Trice Construction, Independent Electrical Contractors
(IEC), and others, in launching the Career Advancement and Readiness in Energy (CARE) program as part of the Energy Jobs Program.
This initiative, in partnership with the National Urban League (NUL) and the Center for Energy Workforce Development (CEWD), aims to fuel the energy talent pipeline by providing career readiness education to underrepresented communities in the region.
Stephen Mills, senior vice president
and president of Spire Missouri, said his company’s role in the partnership is part of its mission during announcement of the program on Saturday Sept. 7, 2024 at the Urban League headquarters.
“Part of our mission statement is to advance every community [and] enrich every life,” he said.
“No matter what your socio-economic background is. No matter what your ethnicity is. No matter how much or how
See PROGRAM, B2
CBC report holds corporate America to DEI promises
By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire
The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) has released a firstof-its-kind report detailing the importance of diversity and equity in corporate America.
The report, titled “What Good Looks Like: A Corporate Accountability Report on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” aims to hold Fortune 500 companies accountable for their commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the wake of George Floyd’s murder and the racial justice movement that followed, according to CBC Chair Steven Horsford of Nevada.
This initiative comes as corporate America faces renewed scrutiny following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn affirmative action in the Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard case
“Following the murder of George Floyd on May 25, 2020, we witnessed a nationwide response calling for long-overdue justice and accountability,” Horsford wrote in the report. “Millions of Americans flooded the streets in protest to advocate for an end to the cycles of violence against Black Americans that are perpetuated by systemic racism ingrained deeply in the United States.
“Now, in order to move forward and achieve the goals of these
commitments, we must evaluate where we are and stay the course. We cannot allow a handful of right-wing agitators to bully corporations away from their promises.”
The CBC’s report highlights which corporations are making tangible progress in advancing DEI and offers a roadmap for other companies to follow. Despite efforts from right-wing groups to dismantle diver-
sity initiatives, the report finds that many Fortune 500 companies are standing firm in their commitments.
The report also examines DEI practices in manufacturing, finance, insurance, and technology sectors, providing industry-specific insights.
Simril named chair of Civilian Oversight Board
Ciera Simril is new chair of the Civilian Oversight Board for the City of St. Louis. In her third term on the board after being appointed by Mayor Tishaura Jones, Simril represents District 7, overseeing police misconduct allegations in the Saint Louis Metropolitan Police Department. A graduate of Soldan International Studies High School, the University of Missouri-St. Louis, and Webster University, Simril serves as president of the Federation of Block Units and is an Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis board member.
Simril is a US Bancorp Impact Finance project manager and recipient of the Earl E. Howe Community Service Award and Nextdoor Hero Award.
Stephanie Grice joins SLDC staff as COO
Stephanie Grice
Stephanie Grise, JD, MBA has joined the St. Louis Development Corp., as EVP, chief operating officer. As COO, she will develop and implement operational strategies that align with SLDC’s mission “to empower, develop and transform St. Louis through a vibrant, just and growing economy where all people can thrive.” Grise will oversee all internal operations including economic research and analysis, finance, contract compliance, marketing and communications and human resources.
Ferguson-Florissant announces additions
Ferguson-Florissant School
District has named Dr. Lavon Singleton as assistant superintendent of business services/CFO and Dr. Ebonee Shaw as executive director for the Ferguson-Florissant Foundation for Education.
Dr. Ebonee Shaw
Singleton joins the district from Riverview Gardens, where he served as CFO.
He holds a doctorate in educational leadership from St. Louis University, a master’s degree in business administration from Lindenwood University, and an education specialist degree from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville.
Shaw has over 20 years of experience in fundraising and charitable giving and was the director of business and philanthropic events at Health Leads USA.
She served as the director of special programs at Maryville University, overseeing a $1.1M budget. Shaw is also a former development director for Tabernacle Community Development Corporation and senior director of special events for Saint Louis Crisis Nursery.
Shaw holds a doctorate in business administration and social impact management from Walden University. She earned her master’s degree in business administration and a bachelor’s degree in finance from Xavier University of Louisiana.
Photo courtesy of Urban League
Ciera Simril
Congressman Steven Horsford of Nevada, Congressional Black Caucus chair, said the CBC’s report on corporate accountability for DEI promises will evaluate progress and setbacks since the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Photo by Jeff Scheid / courtesy of Nevada Independent
Dr. Lavon Singleton
Program
Continued from B1
little social, financial, or political capital you have.”
The C.A.R.E. program will train over 100 individuals, equipping them with the skills necessary to pursue careers as line workers, gas technicians, skilled laborers, and other roles within the energy industry.
St. Louis is one of five inaugural cities chosen to pilot this program, which aims to bridge the gap between underrepresented job seekers and energy career opportunities, according to Michael K. Holmes, Urban League regional executive vice president of Economic Development, Workforce and Partnership.
“We are proud to be a member of this partnership. If partnerships were
Report
Continued from B1
Most Fortune 500 companies participating in the CBC’s survey demonstrated their commitment to DEI even after the Supreme Court’s ruling. CBC members said this is crucial because conservative organizations, such as Stephen Millerled America First Legal, are increasingly waging legal and political attacks against corporations’ diversity initiatives. These groups argue that DEI initiatives violate federal law, threatening legal action against companies that continue to promote workplace diversity.
The Findings
The CBC’s report
easy, everyone would do them,” he said.
“There will be bumps in the road, but we will work through them. The work we do is useful, and it is much needed.”
Michael McMillan, Urban League president
offers a detailed analysis of diversity efforts across various industries, using data from the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) and the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). Key findings include:
• Sector Representation: The bulk of the responses came from companies in manufacturing (31%), finance and insurance (25%), and information (16%).
• Best Practices: The report identifies 12 best practices, including leadership accountability, data disaggregation, talent retention, and pay equity. These examples provide a model for other companies to implement DEI strategies effectively.
• Progress and Challenges: While
and CEO, said in a release, “Diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility are critical in the workforce development space around the globe, but especially right here in St. Louis, where there are tremendous opportunities to
many companies have made significant strides, persistent gaps remain, particularly in leadership diversity and retention rates. The report encourages corporations to move beyond public statements and implement measurable DEI outcomes.
The CBC hopes the report will serve as a tool for corporations to benchmark their progress and adopt more robust DEI measures. “What Good Looks Like” outlines not only where companies are succeeding but also where opportunities for improvement lie, urging corporate leaders to align their actions with their stated DEI values.
Conservative backlash and the fight for DEI
Officials said the CBC’s efforts to hold
strengthen and authentically represent the talent pipeline,” McMillan said.
“Through C.A.R.E., the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis and our local energy partners are committed to empowering people from under-
corporations accountable come amid heightened political tensions. Since the Supreme Court’s ruling, Donald Trump and his supporters have escalated their attacks on DEI programs. Right-wing legal campaigns have targeted not only corporate diversity efforts, but also federal programs aimed at leveling the playing field for Black and minority-owned businesses.
Conservative attorneys general from over a dozen states have warned Fortune 500 companies, threatening legal action over their diversity programs. Additionally, anti-DEI bills have been introduced in more than 30 states, aiming to restrict diversity efforts in college admissions and the workplace. Despite the attacks, the CBC said it remains steadfast in its commitment to
Connie Taylor, Ameren senior manager, sustainability, diversity, philanthropy, and energy equity solutions, said Ameren is proud to be part of the CARE program, which is designed to help create employment opportunities for people from underserved communities and the entire region.
represented communities to achieve their full career potential.”
Missy Henriksen, CEWD executive director, said the energy sector’s continuing growth is creating “an opportunity and an appetite to ensure com-
advancing racial and economic equity. In December 2023, the CBC sent Fortune 500 companies an accountability letter urging them to uphold their DEI commitments in the face of political pressure, which catalyzed the report.
Corporate America’s response has been overwhelmingly positive. Since the CBC’s letter, companies have held over 50 meetings with CBC representatives, affirming their dedication to diversity. The CBC has also convened discussions with industry trade associations and hosted a briefing with more than 300 Fortune 500 company representatives to strengthen collaboration on DEI efforts.
Moving Forward
The CBC’s report is not just a reflection on
panies build a workforce representative of the communities they serve.”
“This collaborative partnership makes that possible through its local, grassroots approach.
Having strong partners lead the local program efforts in St. Louis, I’m confident in the progressive work being done and look forward to seeing the positive impact their efforts will have on shaping the future of the energy business.”
The initiative will include recruitment, intake assessments, career readiness training, and referrals to registered apprenticeship program opportunities. This initiative is supported by the NUL’s Department of Labor Apprenticeships Build America grant.
“I look forward to two years, five years, a decade from now to see how this blossoms,” said Mills.
past efforts but a call to action for the future. It highlights the importance of cross-industry learning, encouraging companies to share best practices and build upon one another’s successes. The CBC also recommends that corporations adopt consistent performance metrics to track progress and foster accountability. Looking ahead, the CBC plans to push for more economic opportunities for Black Americans, focusing on closing the racial wealth gap. Horsford emphasized that DEI is not only a moral imperative but also an economic one. Research from McKinsey & Company shows that racially diverse companies outperform their peers by 39% in profitability, further underscoring the business case for diversity.
Photo courtesy of Urban League
n “It was good to finish these questions.”
– Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott after landing a four-year, $240 million contract extension
prEp Football NotEbook
With Earl Austin Jr.
Stars rising in East
Spartans sporting fast start to season
The football program at Hazelwood East is on the upswing.
The Spartans were once a state power for decades as they competed for state championships while sending players to the college ranks and the National Football League.
East has been out of the spotlight for awhile, but the program has been making positive strides. The Spartans broke through last season as they finished 9-2 and played for a district championship. They are off to a good start this season with impressive victories over Hazelwood West and Parkway Central.
Junior running back Terrance Little sparks the Spartans offense with a team-high 238 yards rushing and eight touchdowns. The defense is led by senior Semaj Flowers, who has 17 total tackles, two interceptions and one fumble recovery. Junior defensive back Bobby Cole already has two interceptions.
High School Week 2 Standouts
• Quarterback Jonathan Moore of Lutheran North completed 14 of 20 yards and five touchdowns in a 58-28 victory over Blair Oaks.
• Wide receiver Cameron Brown of Fort Zumwalt South had nine
Gateway STEM running back Maqel Campbell pulls away from a Soldan defender during Gateway’s 35-0 victory on Saturday Sept. 7, 2024. After topping Normandy Collaborative by an identical score of 35-0 in the season’s first week, the Jaguars are 2-0 and have not surrendered a point.
receptions for 215 yards and three touchdowns in the Bulldogs victory over Riverview Gardens.
• Running back Jamarion Parker of Cardinal Ritter rushed for 247 yards on 21 carries and two touchdowns in the Lions 28-10 victory over Rochester.
• Quarterback Will Powers of Westminster completed 16 of 17 passes for 331 yards and
four touchdowns in the Wildcats’ 42-0 victory over Clayton.
• Running back Dierre Hill of Althoff rushed for 175 yards and three touchdowns and also returned a kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown in the Crusaders’ 61-0 victory over Decatur St. Teresa
• Linebacker Nolan Bailey of Webster Groves had 10 tackles and two quarterback sacks in the
Statesmen’s 15-13 victory over Hazelwood West.
• Quarterback Kyren Eleby of SLUH passed for 209 yards and a touchdown and rushed for another score in the Junior Bills’ 21-14 victory over Hillsboro.
• Quarterback Owen Nesslage of Kirkwood completed 24 of 34 passes for 320 yards in the Pioneers 50-20 victory over Pattonville.
SportS EyE
With Alvin A. Reid
• Running back Terrance Little of Hazelwood East rushed for 131 yards and five touchdowns in the Spartans’ 48-0 victory over Parkway Central
On Tap for Week 3
Friday, September 13
CBC at Chaminade, 6 p.m. John Burroughs at Lutheran North, 6 p.m. McCluer at Hazelwood East, 6 p.m.
DeSmet at SLUH, 6 p.m. Cardinal Ritter at Francis Howell, 6:30 p.m. St. Dominic at Borgia, 7 p.m. Marquette at Pattonville, 7 p.m. Kirkwood at Lafayette, 7 p.m.
Saturday, September 14
Parkway West at McCluer North, 1 p.m. MICDS at Westminster, 2 p.m. East St. Louis at Imotep (PA), 7 p.m.
Everything Earl
Vashon High basketball standout Trey Williams has given a commitment to Missouri State University and head coach Cuonzo Martin. A 6’2” senior guard, Williams has been a stalwart for the Wolverines last three Class 4 state championship games. As a junior, he averaged 12.9 points, 2.6 assists and 2.2 steals…It was a productive day for St. Louisans during the opening weekend of the National Football League. Former Cardinal Ritter star Jameson Williams caught five passes for 121 yards and a touchdown in the Detroit Lions’ overtime victory over the Los Angeles Rams. In the same game, for Vianney star Kyren Williams of the Rams rushed for 50 yards and a touchdown. Former CBC standout Jonathan Owens of the Chicago Bears scored on a blocked punt to spark a rally in the Bears’ 21-17 win over the Tennessee Titans.
Last weekend, I took a memorable rock concert/sports road trip that saw me travel from St. Louis to Tuscola, Illinois, to Champaign, Ill., and Chicago. It involved antiquing, a delicious ribeye sandwich from the Moose Lodge in Tuscola, attendance at a college football game between my Kansas Jayhawks and Illinois, the 2024 Chicago Cubs Hall of Fame celebration and Sunday’s game at Wrigley Field featuring the New York Yankees.
midnight.
KU took on Illinois at 6 p.m. Saturday in Champaign, which is 22 miles north on I-57.
The trip began Friday night (my birthday) with the Jeff Lynne Electric Light Orchestra Concert at the Enterprise Center. I saw Lynne and ELO six years ago in Chicago and purchased a ticket back in March for this show. It was fantastic.
What wasn’t fantastic was the drive to the Holiday Inn Express in Tuscola following the show. This old gray mare ain’t what he used to be when it comes to driving at night after dancing his proverbial tail off. No liquor was involved, but I was quite tired upon my arrival at the hotel after
I had most of the day to myself, so I hit a couple antique stores. I found a nice stained-glass pumpkin for my wife and several collector’s Hallmark Christmas ornaments. Included was an ornament with a Black Mary Joseph and Jesus. I also got a dandy hardback atlas of UFO sightings throughout the world for just $1.50. On the way back to the hotel, I purchased my Moose Lodge ribeye sandwich, a Coke and bag of chips. Yummy lunch. That night, the fired-up Illini gave their fans a treat by topping the Jayhawks 23-17. KU had more yards, first downs, and time of possession – yet lost. A disappointing night on which the temperature dropped into the 40s. It was on to Chicago for the Cubs vs. Yankees game the next morning. There is an expansive free parking lot near Wrigley Field and fans are transported to the stadium on yellow school buses. You are dropped off about four
blocks from Wrigley, and buses return to the lot every 15 minutes throughout the game.
Former Cubs stars pitcher Kerry Wood and third baseman Aramis Ramirez were officially inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame before the game and the Cubs prevailed 2-1 to send the crowd home happy.
were
While
the
and
the same
related and were dating –that was until they arrived at the game at Wrigley Field. The couple was sitting directly behind me when Javier’s cell phone rang. It was his mother. He explained, partly in Spanish mostly in English,
Javier Soto proposed to his girlfriend, Aurora, at Wrigley Field before the Chicago Cubs topped the New York Yankees 2-1 last Sunday.
that he proposed to Aurora before the game, and she accepted. He was ecstatic as he told his mom “I love Aurora, and I love Wrigley Field. I decided to do it.”
I told Javier that my wife of 41 years once told me that if I had proposed at a sporting event we might not have ever been married. The couple laughed. I hope they reach 40 years together and more. It was really a touching moment.
Forty years ago, I covered Illinois football and basketball games as a sports reporter for the Danville (Ill.) Commercial-News. I had not been back in the stadium since 1985. I’m 64 and I felt 24 for a few days. That made the whirlwind trip worth it.
The Reid Roundup
Former Chicago Cub and 2016 World Series hero Anthony Rizzo returned to Wrigley Field for the first time as a member of the New York Yankees. He was greeted with a standing ovation each time he batted…Since his most recent call-up on Sept. 1, STL Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker has hit .304 with two home runs and six RBIs… Tyreek Hill, don’t tell a police officer not to tap on your window and cooperate during a traffic stop - and Miami-Dade cops, don’t drag people out of their car unlawfully if they do as Hill did…I don’t see much standing in the way of Missouri and Luther Burden III reaching the College Football Playoff.
Among
joyous fans
Javier
Aurora Soto.
they share
surname, they aren’t
Earl Austin Jr.
Alvin A. Reid
Photo by Maurica Meredith / St. Louis American
Photo by Alvin A. Reid / St. Louis American
United Way of Greater St. Louis kicks off annual community campaign
United Way of Greater St. Louis (UWGSL) is set to kick off its 2024 annual community campaign, which raises more than $70 million annually to help individuals and families across Missouri and Illinois through more than 160 local nonprofits.
Campaign Chairs Nina Leigh Krueger, CEO of Nestle Purina Petcare, and Mike Dierberg, chair of First Bank, and Vice Chair SiSi Beltrán Martí, leader of philanthropy programs at Build-A-Bear and Build-A Bear Foundation, announced the launch with Michelle Tucker, president and CEO United Way of Greater St. Louis.
“United Way really exemplifies the power of community, and the opportunity to support one another in times of need,” said Krueger. I’ve seen first-hand through friends and colleagues how United Way supports the community in so many ways.”
UWGSL helps 1 in 3 people in 16 counties throughout Missouri and Illinois. They provide stable funding throughout the year to a network of more than 160 local high-performing nonprofits that address a breadth of community needs.
“I am a big fan of United Way and its impact on the St. Louis
region. We should all be proud of the success United Way has had over the years, and how generous St. Louis residents and businesses have been,” said Dierberg.
Over 40% of all households in the St. Louis region do not have the monthly income to meet their basic needs.
“When you choose to support United Way, you’re not picking one cause, you’re picking the community.” said Beltrán Martí. “While St. Louis is such a charitable and giving community, it is easy for some needs to be left behind or underfunded and United Way ensures that there is support.”
Tucker said, “This is such a special time for our United Way.”
“The campaign is a way for the community to come together and lend their generous support so that our local neighbors will continue to be able to live here and thrive,” she said.
“We are a part of the fabric of this community, we have been helping here for over a century and we are all better off because of it. As our community continues to unite with us, we will grow, expand and make a positive impact in the years to come.”
Maryville welcomes record freshman class
Maryville University again reached a historic milestone with a 20% increase in its freshman class, marking the largest first-year class ever admitted. Maryville has welcomed over 1,000 new students this fall. The university is experiencing near-capacity in campus housing as a result, and plans are underway to finance and add an additional residence hall.
Maryville reported a 9+% increase in its undergraduate population just in Fall of 2023, documenting consistent growth for over 15 years in a row. The university remains as one of the top 5 fastest-growing private universities in the nation, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education.
“We are incredibly excited to welcome such a robust and diverse
freshman class to Maryville University,”
said Dr. Mark Lombardi, president of Maryville University.
“This significant increase reflects our commitment to providing a high-quality, innovative education that attracts
students from all backgrounds.”
Shani LenoreJenkins, vice president of enrollment at Maryville, said, “Even amid the most recent challenges facing higher education including COVID and the tumultuous new
FAFSA rollout, Maryville remained steadfast in our commitment and investment in providing students a high-quality academic, digitally innovative, personalized and remarkably engaged college experience.”
Photo courtesy of United Way
United Way of Greater St. Louis (UWGSL) is launching its 2024 annual community campaign with United Way Night at the Ballpark at Busch Stadium. Seated from left are Michelle Tucker, president and CEO United Way of Greater St. Louis, and SiSi Beltran Marti, campaign vice chair. Standing from left are Nina Leigh Krueger, CEO of Nestle Purina Petcare, and Mike Dierberg, chair of First Bank, campaign chairs.
- Samuel L. Jackson on working with the star-filled cast of Peacock’s ‘Fight Night.’
Living It
A night fit for a Legend Happy birthday, Leonard Slatkin
Muny concerts return in grand fashion
By Kenya Vaughn
The St. Louis American
The story of the Muny’s triumphant return to presenting concerts after a nearly 35-year hiatus didn’t begin when music star John Legend and the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra emerged on stage Saturday night. It began about an hour or so before the prompt start time. Traffic leading into Forest Park had a 30-minute delay in every direction.
The hustle and bustle hinted at the scale of the audience who came to see them present a popular music artist for the first time since Kansas and the Moody Blues graced the Muny stage in 1991. But
that didn’t make the sight of the crowd in its totality any less awe inspiring. The final attendance count was 10,334 – a number that rivaled the populations of Berkeley, Town and Country or the combined residents of Brentwood and Moline Acres.
“St. Louis, It’s been a minute,” Legend said after opening the show with the prelude to the title track of his debut album “Get Lifted.” Wearing an impeccably tailored tuxedo with a white jacket typical of vintage crooners, he quickly transitioned into “Ooh Laa” which heavily samples The Flamingos’ pop standard “I Only Have Eyes For You.” Then he jumped into a slick and refreshing reimagination of his infectious R&B hit “Tonight.” It was his first return to the city
since he headlined the sold-out Variety Children’s Charity Dinner with the Stars in 2018 at The Peabody Opera House (Now Stifel Theatre).
Billed as “John Legend: A Night of Songs and Stories,” the show was exactly that. From start to finish, he lived up to his audacious moniker – and even shared with the audience how acquired the stage name. The pristinely curated show blended selections from his now 20-year catalog – as well as several covers –with a series of anecdotes that offered a biographical sketch of his personal and career trajectory. He promised to take the audience on a journey back to the very
See Legend, C8
James Earl Jones, the voice of a generation, passes at 93
Stage, television and film star defied stereotypes with portrayals of Black men
By Kenya Vaughn
The St. Louis American
James Earl Jones was often rightly referred to as “the man with the golden voice.” The rich, booming baritone pronounced each syllable with dignified intention. Whether it was Darth Vader or a Disney character – when you heard him speak, there was no mistaking him for anyone else.
But he was more than just a voice. Jones was also a spellbinding actor. And in addition to his words, Jones used every inch of his body – and all of his instincts – to embody portrayals of Black men from all walks of life with dignity, strength and authenticity in an era when they were as dehumanized on the stage and screen as in real life.
Jones passed away on Monday, September 9. He was 93.
“James Earl Jones was a man whose voice could move mountains – but it was his heart and grace that left the deepest impact,” said fellow screen legend Billy Dee Williams in an Instagram tribute. Williams starred with Jones in more than one film – including “Star Wars: Episode V – The Emperor Strikes Back,” “The
A chance to celebrate maestro turning 80
By Chris King For the St. Louis American
Leonard Slatkin’s adopted city of St. Louis will celebrate his 80th birthday in grand style.
Slatkin, conductor laureate of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, curated an SLSO program for October 25 and 27 themed around his birthday.
“I wanted to have it as a family affair,” Slatkin said in an interview with The St. Louis American.
It opens with “Timepiece” (2000) by Cindy McTee, Slatkin’s wife. (The time she was keeping was not birthdays but rather the Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s 100th anniversary.) Then SLSO will take up Slatkin’s own transcriptions of “Five Sonatas for Orchestral Wind Ensemble” by Domenico Scarlatti (1685-1757). The first half of the program closes with the U.S. premiere of “Voyager 130” by Daniel Slatkin, the maestro’s St. Louis-born son.
Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings,” and “Percy and Thunder” among others.
“He brought power, wisdom and soul to every role,” Williams said. “But more than that he was a kind, humble soul who inspired everyone around him.”
From the time he stepped on a Broadway stage in 1958’s “Sunrise at Campobello” – and made his film debut seven years later in Stanley Kubrick’s cinematic masterpiece “Dr. Strangelove” – Jones’ contributions to the canon of film, television and theater became crystal clear.
He provided a counternarrative to stereotypes and/or one-dimensional roles Black actors were forced to settle for by offering depth and richness. His performances were critical to the audiences’
Spellbinding actor James Earl Jones passed away on Monday, September 9. He was 93.
connection to the work –and aided filmmakers and stage directors in achieving their desired intention.
Being known globally for his voice and applying it to impassioned stage performances that still resonate is an unlikely legacy for a shy child with a stutter born in the heart of the Jim Crow South.
James Earl Jones was born on January 17, 1931 in Arkabutla, Mississippi. Acting was literally in Jones’ blood. His father, Robert Earl Jones, left the family in Mississippi soon after his son’s birth and went on to become a stage and film actor. Cast in the 1938 Langston Hughes play “Don’t You Want to be Free,” The elder Jones became a leading man for
The American spoke at length with Leonard Slatkin about his intergenerational musical wealth, his evolving literary career from unpublishable science fictionist to award-winning author, his moving back to his adopted home of St. Louis, his recipes for salmon and onion on the grill, Ray Bradbury, Frank Sinatra, and chamber music.
n Chamber music brings musicians together. Everybody is required to know what everybody else is doing.
St. Louis American: You›re throwing yourself open to Chamber Music Society of St. Louis for this birthday celebration. Why the dedication to this particular organization?
Leonard Slatkin: I grew up in a house that was multifaceted in terms of their musical lives. Part of it was devoted to being members of the Hollywood studios and the orchestras there. Another part was in the popular music industry, particularly Capitol Records. The other part was the Hollywood String Quartet. So I grew up virtually every night listening to my parents’ quartet rehearse from the earliest possible times.
Chamber music became to me the kind of music where composers seem to reach down deeper into themselves. Chamber music brings musicians together. Everybody is required to know what everybody else is doing. It’s not that way with an orchestra. Very rarely, say, do the percussionists know what the strings are doing all the time. But in a quartet or trio, there is this collective knowledge that is so vital to making a complete musician.
St. Louis American: Why have you continued your devotion to St. Louis? When I see you, I think, wow, this guy could be anywhere today, and he›s here.
Photo courtesy of The Muny
Music star John Legend as he performed with The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra at the Muny on Saturday, September 7 for its first concert presentation in more than 33 years.
Courtesy photo
Courtesy photo Leonard Slatkin
CONCERTS AND LIVE SHOWS
Twilight Thursdays Concert Series
9/12/2024 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
As the weather cools down, the long-awaited concert season returns on the recently renovated North Plaza of the Missouri History Museum. Some of the area’s best food trucks will be on hand. Missouri History Museum 5700 Lindell
St. Louis, MO Free
SLAM Jam featuring J-Rob
9/13/2024 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Live music, food trucks, yard games, and drinks from a cash bar while exploring the Grace Taylor Broughton Sculpture Garden during the SLAM Jam series, featuring music by J-Rob.
Saint Louis Art Museum
One Fine Arts Drive, Forest Park St. Louis, MO
Sexyy Red
9/13/2024 7:00 p.m.
Sexyy Red comes to Enterprise Center on Friday, September 13 with Hunxho, Loe Shimmy, BlakeIANA! Continue Reading Enterprise Center 1401 Clark Ave
St. Louis, MO
$45.50 - $145.50
Orchestra Noir Presents: The Y2K Meets 90s Tour
9/14/2024 8 p.m.
The Pageant 6161 Delmar Blvd
St. Louis, MO
$71.00 to $101.00
Ice Cube
9/15/2024 7:30 p.m.
The Factory 17105 North Outer 40 Road
St. Louis, MO
$64.50 - $99.50
St. Louis American Calendar
STL Sites & Sounds
Tiny Habits - Just A Little Bit Farther Tour
9/15/2024 8:00 p.m.
Blueberry Hill Duck Room 6504 Delmar Blvd St. Louis, MO $20.00
Arlo Parks
9/18/2024 8:00 p.m. The Hawthorn 2231 Washington Avenue St. Louis, MO
$30.00
BLK ODYSSY: The Fantasy House Tour
9/18/2024 8:00 p.m. Off Broadway St Louis 3509 Lemp Ave St. Louis, MO $30.00 - $80.00
Forest Park Concert
9/19/2024 7:00 p.m.
Kick off the 24/25 season in our annual free concert in Forest Park. Music Director Stéphane Denève leads a program for everyone, featuring music from the upcoming year. St. Louis Symphony Orchestra 718 N. Grand Blvd. St. Louis, MO
NIGHTLIFE
Sapphic factory: queer joy party - all ages
9/13/2024 9:00 p.m. Off Broadway St Louis 3509 Lemp Ave St. Louis, MO $16.00
Paint & Sip: STL Starry Night
9/15/2024 6:00 p.m.
9/16/2024 6:00 p.m.
Pop’s Concert Venue 300 Monsanto Ave Sauget, IL $20.00
FAIRS FESTIVALS
Cherokee Pop Shop
9/14/2024 4:00 p.m.
Eat, shop and drink, and listen to Velvet Stranger and DJ Mermix
The Rita Ford Community Center
3353 California Ave St. Louis, MO Free
Tower Grove Farmers’ Market
9/14/2024 8:00 a.m.
9/17/2024 4:00 p.m.
Tower Grove Park
4257 Northeast Drive St. Louis, MO Free
ART ACTIVITIES, EXHIBITS AND MUSEUMS
Seat At the Table: Preserving Historic Black Cemeteries 9/12/24 7:00 p.m. Interested in preserving historic Black cemeteries?
Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis 3750 Washington Blvd St. Louis, MO Tickets are free and spots are limited. Register now. Contact: (314) 535-4660
Finding Peace in Current Times 9/13/2024
The daylong event will include film screenings; a live youth performance that includes spoken word, music, and dance; and guided interfaith tours in the SLAM collection galleries that focus on themes of light, darkness, nature, and peace. Saint Louis Art Museum 1
This program will feature a panel of archivists, genealogists, historic preservationists, and researchers dedicated to preserving and maintaining cemeteries in St. Louis, MO. Scott Joplin House State Historic Site Redbud Café 2658 Delmar Blvd. Saint Louis, MO, 7pm Free
Contemporary Art Museum’s Brown Bag Art Lunch 9/13/24 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
Part of the Music at the INTERSECTION Conference in St. Louis. This\opportunity allows attendees to dine and dish with some of the most influential artists and creators from the vibrant St. Louis art scene. The Panel: Brock Seals/ Visual Artist & Musician Carlos Zamora/ Chief Creative Officer & Founder CARTEL Mee Jay/ Multidisciplinary Artist Yowshien Kuo/ Visual Artist Alicia LaChance/ Contemporary Artist Maxi Glamour/ Multimedia Artist
Project 2025: What Does It Mean
9/16/2024 5:00p.m. STL Village and the Central Justice League are hosting, “Project 2025: What Does It Mean For You?” This
will include DeMarco Davidson, United St. Louis; Adolphus Pruitt, St. Louis City NAACP Central Baptist Church
Award-Winning Author Sarah Lewis to Headline Diversity Summit at SLAM
The Saint Louis Art Museum is hosting a free virtual diversity summit, Advancing Change: Centering Mentorship in Arts, Education, and Community, on Thursday, September 26, from 10 am to 1 pm via Zoom. We invite you to join this year’s free virtual summit on diversity, which focuses on the role of mentorship in fostering the next generation of leaders and defining strategies for creating space in museums, education, and community.
The keynote address by Sarah Lewis will set the stage for a deep exploration of how mentorship can shape and elevate careers in arts-related fields. Lewis is the founder of Vision & Justice and the John L. Loeb Associate Professor of the Humanities and Associate Professor of African and African American Studies at Harvard University.
She is the author of The Unseen Truth: When Race Changed Sight in America and bestseller The Rise: Creativity, the Gift of Failure, and the Search for Mastery. She is the organizer of the landmark Vision & Justice Convening at Harvard University, and the editor of the award-winning volumes, “Vision & Justice” by Aperture magazine and the anthology on the work of artist Carrie Mae Weems.
Lewis’s awards include the Infinity Award, the Andrew Carnegie Fellowship, a Cullman Fellowship, the Freedom Scholar Award (ASALH), the Arthur Danto/ASA Prize from the American Philosophical Association, and the Photography Network Book Prize. Her writing has been published in the New Yorker, the New York Times, Artforum, and the New York Review of Books, and her work has been the subject of profiles from The Boston Globe and the New York Times
Graduate Museum Fellowship who have carved out impactful careers as art professionals – Rehema Barber, director of curatorial affairs for the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts; Jade Powers, the Hugh Kaul Curator of Contemporary Art at the Birmingham Museum of Art; and Joi Ellene Stampley-Whiley, an artist, art instructor and arts administrator.
Advancing Change: Centering Mentorship in Arts, Education, and Community
Thursday, September 26, 2024 10 am –1 pm Zoom, Register to receive the link Free
Lewis is a sought-after public speaker, with a mainstage TED talk that received more than 3 million views. She received a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University, master’s degrees from Oxford University and the Courtauld Institute of Art, and a doctorate from Yale University. She lives in New York City and Cambridge, Massachusetts. Following the keynote address, attendees also will gain invaluable insights from three accomplished alumnae of the Saint Louis Art Museum’s Romare Bearden
The Saint Louis Art Museum launched Advancing Change in 2021. The annual summit is devoted to addressing best practices for nurturing diverse talent within museums and cultural institutions. This program is inspired by more than 30 years of SLAM’s Romare Bearden Graduate Museum Fellowship, one of the nation’s longest-running postgraduate training opportunities for museum professionals from historically underrepresented populations.
Register today at slam.org/events to join us for an engaging virtual diversity summit on Thursday, September 26, at 10 am to 1 pm on Zoom. This free public program will include automated closed captions.
High School) in Brethren, Michigan, Jones was vice president of his class.
pioneering Black filmmaker Oscar Micheaux and earned steady work in crime dramas on television and in film.
By the time father and son reconnected, James Earl Jones was on his way to making a name for himself as an actor in the 1950s.
His mother, Ruth Jones, sent James Earl Jones to live with her parents on a farm in rural Michigan when he was five years old. The uprooting of his life was so traumatic for the young boy that his speech became impaired.
“I was a stutterer,” Jones said in a 2019 interview with The American Academy of Achievement.
“I couldn’t talk. So, my first year of school was my first mute year, and then those mute years continued until I got to high school.”
He was liberated from his shell of silence by an English teacher, Donald Crouch, who discovered Jones had a gift for writing poetry. Crouch urged him to recite the words he had written in front of his classmates. By the time he graduated from Dickson Rural Agricultural School (now Brethren
He entered the University of Michigan with the initial goal of becoming a doctor. Fate had other plans. In his junior year, he decided to focus on drama. He worked on the stage crew and acted at the Ramsdell Theatre in Manistee, Michigan. In 1955, he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Drama. Two years later he was on Broadway. A film career that continues to inspire followed a few years after that. And in 1965, Jones became one of the first African American actors in a continuing role on a daytime television drama when he appeared in “As the World Turns.”
His credits are countless – and his best role depends on who you ask. But what is universally agreed upon is the power of his influence.
“He’s my hero,” Academy Award-winner Denzel Washington told Variety Magazine.
“My college theater career started because of ‘The Emperor Jones’ and ‘Othello’ with James Earl Jones.”
Washington earned a Tony award and an Oscar nomination with his portrayal of Troy Maxon in August Wilson’s Fences,
which won Jones a Tony when he originated the role in 1987.
“He was who I wanted to be,” Washington said.
He played a Lion King as Mufasa in Disney’s “The Lion King” – and a king who wore a lion in the Eddie Murphy film “Coming to America.”
Jones also played a series of powerful leaders on stage in numerous productions with Shakespeare in the Park, including “Othello,” “Hamlet,” “Coriolanus” and “King Lear.”
His awards and honors are almost as extensive as his acting credits.
A few of them include being a 2002 Kennedy Center Honors award recipient, a 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Screen Actors Guild in 2009, and an honorary Oscar in 2012. In 2022, Jones became the first Black actor to have a Broadway Theatre named in his honor when The Cort Theatre was rechristened as The James Earl Jones Theatre. The Cort was the same stage on which Jones made his Broadway debut as a featured performer.
“His legacy will live on forever,” Willims said.
“And though he’s gone, his presence will always be felt.”
History Exploration Days at the Missouri History Museum
Support for History Exploration Days is provided by PNC
Lori
Robert
Educational Endowment, the Bellwether Foundation, Saigh Foundation, and the Rudolph and Mary Frances Wise Endowment Fund.
By the Missouri Historical Society
September is an exciting month at the Missouri History Museum, with Twilight Thursdays on the North Lawn on September 12 and 26, a happy hour before the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra concert on September 19, and the return of History Exploration Days on September 13–14! One Friday and Saturday each month throughout the school year, the Museum celebrates education and family learning with History Exploration Days. Each month, we will explore a new topic through engaging activities designed for families with students and learners from PreK through high school. Families can discover new people, places, and perspectives through scavenger hunts, gallery tours, and open-ended play; investigate history with hands-on workshops and artifact touch tables; and have creative fun in our craft room. Featuring community collaborations with performances and interactive opportunities, History Exploration Days offer ways to explore history inside the Museum and at home.
The first topic for the 2024–2025 school year is “Dance the Vote.” Dance the vote is about two things: celebrating the right to vote and encouraging everyone to exercise it. On September 13–14, from 10am to 3pm, families will rock and roll their way through games, voting activities, crafts, storytelling, performances, historic images, and more as they learn about the importance of voting and the people past and present who voted to make St. Louis the city it is today.
On Friday and Saturday (10:30–11:15am), Storytelling in the Museum will feature stories about how to be a good neighbor and build a better community for all. American Sign Language interpretation will be provided by DEAF Inc. on both days, and stories will also be read in Spanish on Saturday for Cuentos en el Museo.
Thinking Historically is a series for parents, educators, and students to explore the skills and habits of the mind that help us learn and understand history. On Friday
(11:30am–12:00pm), participants will discover how to analyze primary sources by applying media literacy to campaign slogans and messages of the past, then make their own campaign buttons. Be sure to stop by the Seeking St. Louis: Reflections gallery at 11:30am or 12:30pm to meet Victoria Clay Haley, a suffragist from St. Louis history, and hear her story about her fight for the right to vote in the face of racism and resistance.
Throughout the day on both Friday and Saturday, families can explore the galleries to learn about decisions that shaped St. Louis; design flags and ballot boxes in a craft room; discover items used by voting rights activists with artifacts from the Museum’s teaching collection, including protest signs, banners, sashes, and more; and learn when different groups gained the right to vote at a touch table and inquiry station (10am–3pm). On Friday, teens can learn how to be informed and engaged citizens with Civitas, a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring local students in grades 6–12 to be active citizens through a variety of free events and programs. Also on Friday (10am–1pm), little ones can explore famous monuments and buildings around the world, across the country, and in our own city with a sensory bin.
Registration is not required for History Exploration Days. This event is free and open to all families and educators who are teaching and learning at home or at school.
Save the date for other History Exploration Days this school year: “Nothing About Us Without Us: Disability History in St. Louis” (October 12–13), “Native Traditions throughout Time” (November 1–2), “Celebrate St. Louis” (December 13–14), “Solidarity STL” (January 17–18), “Black Missourians in STEM” (Saturday, February 15 only), “Express Yourself: Women’s History through Fashion” (March 14–15), “Art + Engineering: STEAM in St. Louis” (April 11–12), and “Global City: The World of St. Louis” (May 9–10).
Grow Up Great,
and
Duesenberg
Photo by S. Rosner
Sarah Lewis
Jones
National Baptist Convention facing turbulent times
A leadership crisis
By Dorothy Boulware Word in Black
On the surface, the annual meeting of the National Baptist Convention USA, which wrapped up this week in Baltimore, has been the picture of unity and fellowship.
Thousands of members of the nation’s largest Black Protestant organization worshiped, sang, heard guest lectures and even rolled up their sleeves for a blood donor drive.
Beneath the surface, the NBCUSA, whose history includes a historic gathering in St. Louis in 1886, is grappling with a leadership crisis.
that it has become a must-stop for aspiring politicians.
The organization’s largest, most immediate issue is its presidency: NBCUSA bylaws prevent Young from running for a third term. But only one candidate, Rev. Boise Kimber of Connecticut, has been approved as a presidential candidate.
Yet rank-and-file members have not coalesced behind Kimber, for various reasons.
Critical issues have divided the church and brought simmering tensions into the open and laid bare structural challenges that could threaten the organization’s influence.
The stakes are so high for the organization that Dr. Jerry Young, the outgoing, two-term NBCUSA president, didn’t sugar-coat his feelings in remarks opening the conference. Young spoke of perilous times, “when we have knowledge without character; when people want to worship but don’t want to obey.”
The NBCUSA, he says, has “preachers who want theology, but no doxology.”
It was a stark reminder of the scope of issues before the Nashville-based organization, which counts between 5.2 and 7.5 million members nationwide — and wields such political clout
Opponents are organizing for a majority “no” vote against him, but the move would create an extended leadership vacuum for the nation’s oldest Black religious organization, with no clear path forward.
At issue are new restrictions, based largely on congregation size and financial status, that determine which churches can submit NBCUSA presidential nominees. But many member churches with aging, dwindling congregations, while others — in a post-pandemic era, where in-person worship is declining — are struggling to fill their coffers as well as their pews.
That includes several churches which nominated presidential candidates, but saw their favorites disqualified because of the financial and membership restrictions. The election will be held before the end of the conference and the outcome is likely to pit the NBCUSA membership against itself.
“In a season where denominations are more needed than ever, we’re more divided,” Rev.
Breonus Mitychell, Nashville pastor and NBCUSA board member, told USA Today “And because of our division, people are feeling like you’re not essential anymore.”
The presidency vote was scheduled to take place Thursday.
Leadership issues aside, NBCUSA attendees heard from a variety of notable speakers, including Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, the state’s first Black governor and a rising star in the Democratic Party. GIven the NBCUSA’s strong record on social justice, Moore, an Army combat veteran, touted the state’s aggressive plan to create afford-
able housing, but he also talked about his faith.
“Before I left for Afghanistan, my grandparents gave me a little Bible and on every mission I put that Bible in a pocket over my heart,” he said. “In it, my grandfather wrote, ‘Have faith, not fear,’ an inscription that has guided his life.
Conventioneers also heard from Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court.
The National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. traces a history of growth and achievements to Saturday, November 22, 1880 when 151 persons from 11 states met in Montgomery, Alabama
Dr. Jerry Young, the outgoing National Baptist Convention USA president, speaks during the 2022 Convention in Houston, Texas. The organization finds itself in controversy regarding some of its policies and leadership decisions.
and organized the Baptist Foreign Mission Convention.
According to the organization’s website, its founding was “A yearning to see the Gospel of Jesus Christ preached on the Mother Soil of Africa drove this organizing. The Rev. W. H. McAlpine of Alabama was elected as its first president.
Six years later in 1886, 600 delegates from 17 states gathered at the First Baptist Church in St. Louis, Missouri and formed the National Baptist Convention of America. Seven years later in 1893, the National Baptist Education Convention was formed.
Photo courtesy of NBCUSA
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI EXTENSION HAS MULTIPLE NUTRITION PROGRAM ASSOCIATES POSITIONS
University of Missouri Extension has multiple Nutrition Program Associates positions in St. Louis, teaching low-income community members about healthy foods, basic cooking, and food safety through community partnerships. Reliable transportation, associate’s degree or equivalent education/ experience, and 6 months of work experience required. Offices on UMSL campus. FT (40 hr./wk.) with occasional evenings, weekends, or overnights. Pays $18/hr. w/full benefits. Flexible start dates. University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity/Access/ Affirmative Action/Pro Disabled & Veteran Employer. Online application at https://erecruit. umsystem.edu and select Prospective Staff and search for Job ID: 50597
GUARDIAN AD LITEM – FAMILY COURT - JUVENILE DIVISION
Family Court (Juvenile Division) of St. Louis County is seeking an attorney to serve as guardian ad litem (GAL) in the Family Court to handle juvenile matters/ parent attorney. A GAL who serves the Court must commit to serve on various Family Court (Juvenile) cases on an as needed basis for a monthly retainer to be paid by public funds. The current retainer is in the amount of $2,300.00 per month. Payments for time expended in adoption, guardianship of minor, and termination of parental rights matters may be made over and above the retainer fee.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Graduation from an accredited law school, possession of a current license to practice law in the State of Missouri, up to three (3) years of trial experience preferred; preferably in juvenile or family law (additional years of trial experience and guardian ad litem experience are highly preferred), and completion of necessary guardian ad litem training as required by the Supreme Court of Missouri. Note: This position is subject to continued availability of funding.
To apply, please send a current resume, along with a cover letter, to SLCCourtJobs@courts.mo.gov or to the following address (application materials must be postmarked by October 4, 2024): Family Court of St. Louis County, Attn: Human Resources Department, 105 S. Central Ave., Clayton, MO 63105. EOE. Please contact the Human Resources Department at 615-4471 (voice) or RelayMo 711 or 800-735-2966 if you need any accommodations in the application process, or if you would like this posting in an alternative form.
DEPUTY JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATOR –21ST CIRCUIT COURT
The St. Louis County Circuit Court (21st Circuit) is seeking a Deputy Director of Judicial Administration assist the Judicial Administrator with the overall operation of the Twenty-First Judicial Circuit Court. The Deputy Director carries out any and all executive and administrative duties as assigned by the Judicial Administrator including, but not limited to, case flow management, records management, fiscal management, statistical analysis and projections, public relations, technology management, court security management, and personnel management, including directing day-to-day operations, such as performance management, hiring, disciplinary actions, and implements court policies adopted by the Judges. This position reports to the Judicial Administrator (JA). Work includes review of memoranda or orders for Judges or Commissioners concerning cases before them or review of court procedures, rules, or statutes. This position requires a JD and at least 8 years of professional level operational or administrative level experience (or equivalent. This position reports to the Judicial Administrator.
Note: All selected individuals will be required to submit to a background check. Apply on line by October 11, 2024 at: www.governmentjobs.com/careers/stlouis/jobs/4646400 EOE. Please contact the Human Resources Department at 314-615-4471 (voice) or RelayMO 711 or 800-735-2966 if you need any accommodations in the application process, or if you would like this posting in an alternative format. Cover letter and resume may also be sent to: Attention: Human Resources, Circuit Court of St. Louis County, 105 S. Central Avenue, Clayton, MO 63105.
SLDC IS EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
The St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC) is eagerly seeking candidates to join our team as we endeavor to bring economic justice to St. Louis City residents and communities that were disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
There are multiple 2-4-year limited term positions available, term of employment will vary for each position.
These positions will assist in the administration and implementation of various Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (SLFRF) Programs targeted for households, small businesses and communities adversely impacted by the pandemic.
All positions will be funded in whole or in part through an allocation of Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) from the US Department of the Treasury and the City of St. Louis’ Community Development Administration.
To apply online and see a full job description go to https://www.developstlouis.org/careers and then click “Open Positions & Apply Online.”
Ultrasound Sonographer OB/GYN – JR84401
Wash U Dept. of OB/Gyn has open ultrasound sonographer positions in our Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine/Ultrasound and our Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility.
The Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine/Ultrasound is hiring full time Ultrasound Sonographers to work Monday-Friday (no call, no weekends/evenings/holidays) from 7:45 am-4:15 pm. This Ultrasound Team consists of 16 sonographers, 1 Genetic Counselor and 3 front desk team members. We have 8 locations within MO/IL. This Sonographer will work primarily on the Wash U Campus, but will need to be flexible to cover other locations as business needs present. We have a positive, team-oriented work environment where everyone works together to provide quality patient care and the team feels supported by one another. We are looking for someone who is friendly with patients, reliable, flexible and a team player.
Salary range for this position is 32.73-50.74 hourly based on direct OB/GYN, MFM scanning experience. Wash U offers amazing benefits, professional development, time off for work/ life balance and wellness resources. As a Sonographer on our team, you will have a unique learning experience scanning both inpatient and outpatient high risk patients, multiples and working side by side with our physicians, residents, fellows and Fetal Care team.
NOTICE TO NOTICE OF FUNDS AVAILABLE AFFORDABLE
Frequently Asked Questions and the How to Apply for Affordable Housing Trust Fund Guide will be posted on the Affordable Housing Commission website beginning, Monday, September 9,
The deadline for submission is 4:00 p.m., Friday, October 18, 2024. For additional information, please call the Affordable Housing Commission at 314-657-3880.
CITY OF ST. LOUIS BOARD OF PUBLIC SERVICE
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS FOR PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR ON-CALL TRAFFIC ENGINEERING SERVICES, ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI. Statements of Qualifications due by 5:00 P.M. CT, SEPTEMBER 27, 2024 through the Bid Express online portal at https://www.bidexpress. com/businesses/20618/home? agency=true RFQ may be obtained from the BPS website https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/ government/departments/ public-service/, under BPS RFQ and RFP Announcement, or call Board of Public Service at 314-589-6214. 25% MBE and 5% WBE participation goals
PUBLIC NOTICE
Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District Requests for Quotes, Bids and Proposals are posted online for public download. Please navigate to www.msdprojectclear.org
> Doing Business With Us > View Bid Opportunities
Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
TO ADVERTISE
YOUR PUBLIC NOTICES
Angelita Houston at ahouston@stlamerican.com
ADVERTISEMENT TO BID
Sealed bids will be received by the Construction Manager, S. M. Wilson, at the NORTHWEST R-1 SCHOOL DISTRICT OFFICE located at 4290 Gravois Road House Springs, MO 63051 or submitted through Building Connected, until 2:00 pm CDT, on Thursday, September 26th, 2024, for the Bid Packages described herein.
Bids will be publicly opened and read aloud at NORTHWEST R-1 SCHOOL DISTRICT OFFICE located at 4290 Gravois Road House Springs, MO 63051.
Northwest R-1 School District
Bid Package 02 - Valley Middle School
Bid Package 02 - Brennan Woods Elementary
Bid Package 02 - Maple Grove Elementary
A Pre-bid Meeting for Bid Package No. 2 will begin at 3:00 pm on September 10th, 2024, at the Northwest R-1 School District Office located at 4290 Gravois Road House Springs, MO 63051. The purpose of this meeting is to address technical questions concerning the project from prospective bidders. Contractors shall not visit the site unless prior arrangements are made with the Construction Manager.
The School District reserves the right to reject any and all Bids, and to waive informalities therein to determine the lowest and best bid. The bid documents will be available for viewing on BuildingConnected. com. https://app.buildingconnected.com/public/5913928fce945d0a00d28943
Plans will also be available for viewing or purchase at: Cross Rhodes Print & Technologies 2713 S Jefferson Ave, St Louis, MO 63118.
No Bid may be withdrawn for a period of thirty (30) days subsequent to the specified time for receipt of Bids.
Any offer exceeding $100,000 will be subject to a Bid Bond or Certified Check made payable to the Owner, in the amount of 5% of the Base Bid shall accompany the Bid Packages as a guarantee that the bidder, if awarded the Contract, may be asked to furnish a satisfactory Performance and Payment Bond; execute the Contract; and proceed with the work. Upon failure to do so, he shall forfeit the deposit or amount of the Bid Bond as liquidated damages, and no mistakes or errors on the part of the Bidder shall excuse the Bidder or entitle him to a return of the deposit or Bid Bond.
The prevailing wage law is in effect on this project. All bidders shall conform to the State of Missouri, Division of Labor Standards, Annual Wage Order No. 31, Section 010, Jefferson County in accordance with Section 290.262 CUM. Supp. RSMo (1994). All Contractors and Subcontractors shall conform to the Excessive Unemployment Articles 290.550 through 290.580 of the Prevailing Wage Law.
Bidders must be in compliance with the rules and regulations of the Fair Employment Practices Commission.
The Construction Management Agency for this project is S. M. Wilson Contact info: Brian Nuehring, 314-306-7566 brian.nuehring@smwilson.com
Northwest R-1 School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
S. M. Wilson. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. S. M. Wilson strives to make our industry a more inclusive community and to sustain this model for future generations. Bidders agree to take all reasonable steps necessary to ensure Minority, Women and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises have an opportunity to participate in the performance of this project. Consideration of subcontract award may be based on diversity involvement.
CAMPER MANAGEMENT/ PARENT PORTAL RFP 2024
The Saint Louis Zoo seeks bids from qualified firms to submit proposals. Bid documents are available as of 9/11/24 on the Saint Louis Zoo website: stlzoo.org/vendor.
REQUEST FOR BIDS
Interface Construction Corporation is bidding the Family Health Center at 3800 S. Grand. This is a new 27,000sf health care facility. Bids are due 9/24 at 9:00am. Please contact dougs@ interfacestl.com; phone 314-522-1011. The project had MWBE goals per the mayors executive order.
RFQ PROFESSIONAL DESIGN SERVICES
The School District of University City is seeking design services for a variety of Proposition U projects. Email DeAna Carter Dcarter@ kwamebuildinggroup.com for more information. Deadline for intent to respond and questions is September 6th at 10am. RFQ response due September 13th, 2024, at 10am.
SEALED BIDS
OA-FMDC, State of MO will have the following MO National Guard projects that will be open for public bid through September 2024, subject to available funding. When released, bid documents will be available at https:// oa.mo.gov/facilities/ T2329-01 AVCRAD HVAC Repairs, Blade & Paint Shop
T2333-01 Joplin Readiness Ctr Construct Addtn
T2336-01 Ike Skelton Training Site Construct Addtn
T2407-01 St Joe Rosecrans Bldg 25 Renovs
SEALED BIDS
Bids for Repave Parking Lot at Professional Registration Building, Project No. O2364-01, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, September 17, 2024 via MissouriBUYS. Bidders must be registered to bid. Project information available at: http://oa.mo. gov/facilities
SEALED BIDS
Bids for Crime Lab-Exterior Renovations Troop-H Headquarters Building, Project No. R2338-01will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, September 10, 2024. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http:// oa.mo.gov/ facilities
SEALED BIDS
Bids for Replace Rooftop Units 5-7-8-9 and Server Room Air Conditioners, Lottery Headquarters, Project No. N2301-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 9/26/24. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http:// oa.mo.gov/ facilities
ST. LOUIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Will receive separate sealed bids for CONTRACT NO. F25 501, Renovation of existing buildings and demolition of existing buildings at Florissant Valley Campus for STLCC Transformed, until 2:00 p.m. local time on Tuesday, October 1st, 2024. Bids will be publicly opened and read aloud at the Engineering and Design office in Forest Park, 5464 Highland Park, St. Louis, MO 631101314. Drawings, Specifications and bid forms and other related contract information may be obtained from Cross Rhodes’ Plan room at 2731 S. Jefferson, St. Louis, MO 63118 (https://www.x-rhodesplanroom.com).
Electronic bid sets are also available in Bonfire at https://stlcc.bonfirehub.com and may be printed by the plan holders.
Questions regarding the scope of work should be directed to the Construction Manager (NAVIGATE Building Solutions), Kevin McGinnis, kevin@ NAVIGATEBuildingSolutions.com and Nick Fiehler, nick@NAVIGATEBuildingSolutions. com You may schedule additional site visits by contacting Nathan Gluesenkamp at ngluesenkamp@stlcc.edu
The College has the proposed minority goals MBE 15% and WBE 12%.
The College also proposes their subcontractors employ apprentices in each of the building trades involved in this project.
Individuals with special needs as addressed by the Americans with Disabilities Act may contact: 314-513-4551
St. LouiS american Bids &
ADVERTISEMENT FOR PROPOSALS
Sealed Proposals regarding 24-171; Transportation Assistance Services to provide transportation assistance services to low and moderate income households (80% AMI) in St. Peters, Missouri are being solicited by the St. Peters Office of Community Services. The organization should have the capacity to provide round-trip transportation within St. Charles County and outside the County for medical purposes. Transportation should be provided to any person without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status or national origin.
Proposals will be received by the City of St. Peters, City Hall, One St. Peters Centre Blvd., P.O. Box 9, St. Peters, Missouri 63376 until 2:00 PM local time, Tuesday, September 24, 2024. This will be a nonpublic opening.
Proposal documents will be available on Thursday, September 12, 2024 and may be obtained from the City of St. Peters website www.stpetersmo.net/bids.aspx.
All questions regarding this project shall be submitted to the City of St. Peters Purchasing Department in writing to Bids@stpetersmo.net under the subject line “24-171; Transportation Assistance Services” before noon local time, Wednesday, September 18, 2024.
The City reserves the right to waive any informality, and to accept the proposal most advantageous to the City.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTIONS
Manchester, MO., [September 9, 2024] – Aging Ahead will hold elections to fill three seats for the Board of Directors representing St. Louis County.
Elections will be held at the Aging Ahead Senior Center in Ferguson, MO on Tuesday, September 24, 2024. See www.agingahead.org for center location and more information.
If interested, reach out to your local senior center, call 636-207-0847, or email kwillcoxson@ agingahead.org for an Application for Candidacy and more information. Completed applications are due to senior centers or at Aging Ahead’s central office, 14535 Manchester Rd, Manchester, MO 63011 by Monday, September 16, 2024 no later than 12pm via mail, email or in person.
In addition to operating 19 community locations, including 15 self-operated centers, in its four-county service area of St. Louis, St. Charles, Jefferson, and Franklin counties, Aging Ahead provides supportive services to persons 60 and over, family caregivers and adults with disabilities.
INVITATION TO BID
The Twenty-Second
Court’s website http://www.stlcitycircuitcourt.com, click on General Information, then Request for Proposals.
NOW LEASING-THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF EAST ST. LOUIS
Income Based/Income Restrictions Apartments 2, 3, 4, 5 Bedrooms and Single-family houses available. Visit our website at eslha.org to complete an on-line application or contact our leasing department at (618) 646-7131 for additional information.
Candidates are encouraged to contact their local senior center for more information. ROOM FOR RENT All Utilities included, clean, shared Kitchen & Bath, Own Fridge, W/D Must bring TV, $500/mo 314-629-5051 FURNISHED ROOM FOR RENT Lg Rms, Near Buslines, Util. Cable, Laundry, Mature Adults & VET Welcome $125/wk 314-546-8130 TO ADVERTISE
METRO TRANSIT SEEKING PUBLIC INPUT ON PROPOSED METROBUS ROUTE CHANGES
Metro Transit invites you to join us at open house public meetings to provide input on proposed route changes aimed at improving MetroBus service. In Person Open Houses (stop by anytime): ILLINOIS Monday, September 23
2:30PM – 5:30PM Belleville Transit Center
Tuesday, September 24 2:30PM – 5:30PM Fairview Heights Transit Center MISSOURI Monday, September 30 2:30PM – 5:30PM Shrewsbury Transit Center
Tuesday, October 1 2:30PM – 5:30PM Riverview Transit Center Wednesday, October 2 2:30PM – 5:30PM
PUBLISHER’S NOTICE:
Advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, imitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial\ status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination. “We will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.”
Call Angelita Houston at 314-289-5430 or email ahouston@stlamerican.com to place your ads today!
Leonard Slatkin:
About six years ago, I completed my tenure with the Detroit Symphony. I realized that the business part of the orchestra world had changed so radically from when I started that I no longer wanted to do it anymore. I decided it was time to stop and focus on guest conducting, writing books, writing music.
But where would my wife and I reside? My son, who’s a composer for film and television, lives out in L.A. Why not go to L.A., where I started my life? Well, fires, earthquakes, floods, taxes, cost of living, traffic, pollution - no, not for me.
Then I was guest conducting here, and my wife - who really didn’t know St. Louis very well, although we met here back in the nineties - took the car, and while she was driving around, she thought, it is actually quite nice here. The next day she went out with a real estate agent, and two months later we identified a property where we could design the interior of the house.
That was one reason - we could shape the physical house for what we had. All the orchestras I worked with had housed my various libraries and my piano. Now, without an orchestra, I had to have a whole space for what was a rather massive library.
I’ve had two major heart surgeries over the last 15 years, and St. Louis is always near the top of the list when it comes to medical facilities. Since I usually came here every year to conduct, I maintained relationships with those doctors.
My son was born here as well. He was the fourth generation of Slatkins to be associated with St. Louis: my grandfather, who came from Russia; my dad, who was born here and was assistant con certmaster of the orchestra; myself, of course; and
my son. So there was a nice history.
St. Louis American: What’s next for you?
Leonard Slatkin: In January I premier sort of an original piece. A few years ago I was conducting in Hiroshima, and I was doing Mahler 6. After the concert the administration of the orchestra said they wanted to honor Franz Schubert for whatever anniversary is coming up, and they asked my wife to write the piece. Well, she’s moved away from being a composer. She’s more now into photography.
But I was starting to do more composition again. And I said, Schubert, I’m there. I’d be happy to write it. So, I actually got my first commission. Everything else I’ve ever written has just been because I sat down and wanted to write.
The first volume of the Score Study series that you have is out; the next one will show up in November. Being on a 9-to 10-month timeline means I have to do a lot of work. It takes a lot of study and research to get those done.
So, those are the things that occupy me - and the cooking. This time of year I’m out there on the grill every day I could be there.
St. Louis American: Leonard Slatkin at the grill?
Leonard Slatkin: Look, I’m from L.A. We used to go down to the beach in Santa Monica, where they have these pits. You
n This time of year I’m out there on the grill every day I could be there.
- Leonard Slatkin
Courtesy photo
St. Louis Ameri-
can: You ve grilled at the beach with Frank Sinatra?
Leonard Slatkin: Oh, yeah. Sinatra was a close friend to the family, really close. He wouldn’t do anything without my parents playing and in some cases my dad conducting. We called him Uncle Frank. He came to the house often. After dinner he would walk me and my brother upstairs, tuck us in and sing us to sleep. Not too bad.
St. Louis American: What have you been cooking lately?
Leonard Slatkin: It’s mostly on the grill, so there’s been a degree of simplicity to it. I do a really nice pecan-crusted salmon on a cedar plank. I have a lovely thing that I do with an onion where I just take a little wedge out of it from the top. You infuse it with chicken stock, maybe some peach preserves, you wrap it up in foil, and you put it on the grill. It is so delicious. I mean, I’m not bragging. It’s just really good.
Chamber Music Society of St. Louis will celebrate the 80th birthday of Leonard Slatkin on September 9 at The Sheldon. Visit chambermusicstl.org. The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra will perform “Slatkin’s Legacy” October 25 and 27 at the Touhill Performing Arts Center. Visit https://shop. slso.org/. 8174/8175. For Leonard Slatkin’s online journal, books and record-
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beginning. Most assumed that meant his Grammy Award-winning debut album. “We’re going back even further than that,” Legend said.
What could be further back than his first album? His first breaths. He started with baby photos and spoke of his childhood growing up in the Pentecostal faith in his native Springfield, Ohio. “It’s a very conservative religion,” Legend said. “In fact, I’m going to hell for songs I’ve already sung tonight.” It was in the church that he fell in love with music, thanks to a special relationship with his grandmother – who was the organist for his family church. His mother was the choir director.
As a tribute to this portion of his life, he sang a trio of selections backed by the Jesse D. Williams and Total Praise choir.
mother and his mother’s subsequent struggle with addiction in the wake of her mother’s sudden passing. But the mood quickly lightened when he talked about his transition into high school – where he was skipped ahead two grades. “My nickname was Doogie Howser,” Legend said, referring to the sitcom that starred Neil Patrick Harris as a child prodigy physician.
He also talked about his introduction to secular music by performing in local talent shows. One of his go-to songs was “Ribbon in the Sky,” by his musical hero, Stevie Wonder. Legend performed the song – and shared with the audience that Wonder sang the song at his wedding to model, influencer and television personality Chrissy Teigen. He apologized in advance for the name-dropping –which continued through the show for the sake of context as opposed to simply clout flexing.
featured covers of “What’s Going On” from Marvin Gaye and a scaled down, soul-driven take on Bruce Springsteen’s “Dancing in the Dark” was further evidence of his keen ability to produce top-notch content. The comedic timing for the bits were perfectly executed. He didn’t dwell too long in a particular chapter. And he didn’t pile on so many songs that diminished the experience or distracted from the storytelling.
The Symphony and Jesse D. Williams & Total Praise were perfect musical compliments for Legend and his band – particularly with the selections of “So High” and “Glory.”
Gospel standards “Mary, Don’t You Weep” and “Take My Hand, Precious Lord.” He paid tribute to his late grandmother with a cover of “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” Each of the songs also seemed to pay of homage to the late great Aretha Franklin in their arrangement and performance – and the fact they have all been recorded by her.
Legend discussed his formative years – with a few heavy moments about the loss of his grand
The name drops continued when he discussed how his path crossed with Kanye West. And how a connection with a fellow student at University of Pennsylvania landed him a co-writing credit on the cultural phenomenon that was “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.” He was paid a whopping $500 and his classmates began referring to him as “track 13” after incessantly mentioning his role on the hit single “Everything is Everything.”
The show, which also
“We wrote ‘Glory’ not only inspired by the film but by the protesters who were marching in Ferguson and all over the streets of America in the present day,” Legend said of the song he wrote with rap star Common after he discussed the mission he proclaimed at the age of 15 – to become a famous recording artist and use his platform to fight for causes that impact the Black community.
“We won the Academy Award for ‘Best Original Song’ in 2015. I will never forget that night,” said Legend, one of only 21 individuals who have achieved EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Award wins) status. “We stood on the stage and said ‘Selma is now,’ because we know that the fight for justice is far from over.”
Photo courtesy of The Muny
Billed
“John Legend: A Night of Songs and Stories,” the show was exactly that. From start to finish, he lived up to his audacious moniker.