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St. Louis American The

SEPTEMBER 24 – 30, 2026

Serving, empowering and advocating for equity in St. Louis since 1928

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Vol. 98 No. 24 COMPLIMENTARY

From humble beginnings to billions

David Steward’s faith and family remain central to his success By Na’Porsha Williams St. Louis American David Steward grew up in a small Missouri house without indoor plumbing or heat. His family raised livestock and grew vegetables for the family, and his

father worked several jobs to support eight children. Today, the visionary St. Louis businessman is worth an estimated $12.3 billion, making him Missouri’s richest person and the wealthiest Black man in America who pub-

David Steward, with his wife, Thelma, remains Missouri’s richest person, according to the 2026 Forbes 400.

Photo by Lawrence Bryant / St. Louis American

licly identifies as Black, according to Forbes’

newly released ranking of the 400 wealthiest

Americans. His fortune far exceeds those of Oprah Winfrey, worth an estimated $3.4 billion, and Jay-Z, whose wealth is estimated at $2.8 billion. Forbes lists Palantir co-founder Alexander Karp, who has expressed ambiguity about his racial identity, ahead of Steward. Steward, 75, founder and chairman of St. Louis-based World Wide Technology, ranks No. 110 nationally on the 2026

Forbes 400. His fortune is nearly $4 billion greater than that of Missouri’s second-richest person, Cargill shareholder Pauline MacMillan Keinath, whose wealth Forbes estimates at $8.4 billion. Forbes’ estimates were calculated as of Sept. 4. Steward founded World Wide Technology in 1990. Forbes estimates the company has annual revenue of about $20 billion. WWT

See Steward, A15

Lease fight leaves seniors waiting for repairs By Na’Porsha Williams St. Louis American Residents of Homer G. Phillips Senior Apartments say they have endured heating, cooling and other maintenance problems for years, but a disagreement over how to address those conditions has become intertwined with a political dispute over the property’s future. “I came to the STL American because I wanted people to know the residents of Homer G. Phillips Dignity House are being held as hostages in a political battle,” resident Rosalind Guy said. At issue is a proposed transfer

See Lease, A16

Photo by Lawrence Bryant / St. Louis American

A glow with the flow

Friends and family members, from left, Tomiyah Bell, Shenna Woods, Leilah Lewis, Sherise Ivy and Lucca Ivy stand beneath colorful hot air balloons during the Great Forest Park Balloon Race GLOW on Friday, Sept. 18, in Forest Park. The annual St. Louis tradition drew thousands to Emerson Central Fields for an evening of music and illuminated balloons ahead of Saturday’s race.

Salute awardee Dr. March works to give children the advantages she found in Clayton

The gift of Hiyab and Wuhbto

By Syvester Brown Jr. St. Louis American

rocked to the rhythm of her voice. They looked around at the reporters and cameras that hovered above them with the wide-eyed curiosity of any toddlers. It was the kind of everyday moment that had once been impossible. Hiyab and Wuhbto were born facing opposite directions, sharing a network

Dr. Samantha March, founding associate partner of early learning with Opportunity Trust, is on a “bring-back” mission. She grew up in North St. Louis but attended Dr. Samantha schools in the posh Clayton School March District through the desegregation program. March, who still lives in North St. Louis, wants children in disadvantaged communities to have the educa-

See Twins, A16

See March, A15

Global effort brings Ethiopian twins to St. Louis for surgery to separate them By Kenya Vaughn St. Louis American Two toddlers who survived one of the rarest and most complex procedures in pediatric medicine were the center of a celebration last week inside SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Hospital’s Danis Auditorium. But the most powerful moment of the morning wasn’t at the

podium. A few floors up, in a designated play area, Hiyab and Wuhbto — 2-year-old craniopagus twins born joined at the head in northern Ethiopia and separated earlier this year — lay together on a pillow. When Kate Corbett, their primary caregiver in St. Louis, started singing, both girls lit up. They smiled, laughed and

BUSINESS

Bringing opportunity home

LIVING IT

Chef Pat turns side hustle into growing business

9th Annual Frizz fest draws impressive crowd

Long before Patricia Gray was catering meals for entertainers or serving steady crowds from Chef Pat’s Kitchen, she was selling plates to barbershops, beauty salons and businesses.

Food trucks and vendors lined the area from Grand and Magnolia down to the middle of the park and when the Healthy Hair Solutions Hair Show kicked off at 2:30 p.m., the festival seemed to instantly activate.

Page A5

Page B1

Editorial / Commentary

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • SEPTEMBER 24 – 30, 2026

Guest Editorial

The selling of Amendment 3 from undue state interference. The other trick: When the Legislature The politics of deception are loomapproved Amendment 3 for the baling large in November’s election. Will lot, the actual wording of the proposed voters again, as they did in August, stop constitutional amendment would ban a power grab that takes power from indiabortion in nearly all cases and allow viduals and gives it to politicians? politicians to flesh out the details of how Missourians in August resoundingthe ban is refined and enforced. How did ly rejected Amendment 4, an attempt the Legislature’s proposed ballot wording by the Legislature to remove describe this ban? Here is what Missourians’ ability to initilawmakers wrote: “Ensure womate and pass changes to our en’s safety during abortions.” Did Constitution. Missouri voters also the Legislature mention that new saw through the Legislature’s Amendment 3 would reinstate a well-funded attempt in ban on most abortions or that it Amendment 5 to change the state would repeal the Reproductive Constitution to let politicians in Rights Initiative the voters Jefferson City switch out income approved in 2024? No, it did not. Columnist taxes (paid mostly by the affluBut the courts did. Because ent) to sales taxes (paid by all of of a lawsuit, the voters will see Michael A. us), which would have weighed ballot wording that correctly Wolff most heavily on those who live says that Amendment 3 would paycheck to paycheck. “Repeal the 2024 voter-approved But the fight over who decides our Amendment providing reproductive future — the people or politicians — is healthcare rights, including abortion not over. through fetal viability.” In 2024, most Missouri voters decided This year’s Amendment 3, in the that certain very personal decisions were Legislature’s words, “Allows legislation none of the government’s business. As regulating abortion.” That would restore a result, the Missouri Constitution now various unnecessary restrictions placed contains in its Bill of Rights a provision on women’s health care that were struck that keeps politicians out of decisions down after the 2024 amendment passed. around pregnancy and abortion and The politicians already have tipped their makes sure those decisions can hand and shown voters laws be made by women with their they would like to impose on doctors and their families. us, in addition to the restricThe fight The voter-enacted constitutions that would be revived. tional “Right to Reproductive For example, in 2026, a House over who Freedom Initiative” also probill was introduced that would decides our tects decisions about birth conacknowledge the Legislature’s future — the intent, among several extreme trol, prenatal care, childbirth, people or postpartum care and miscaroutcomes, to “abolish aborriage care from government tion in this state.” This would politicians interference. It also protects include making abortion a crime — is not respectful birthing conditions of murder, which can carry the over. and doctors and other health death penalty in Missouri. care providers who render care Currently, Missourians are within the scope of their licensprotected from politicians’ es. extreme attempts to ban aborNow, through a new — but defition, birth control and other necessary nitely not improved — Amendment 3 medical care because a majority of the on the November ballot, the Missouri state’s voters approved the Right to Legislature is asking voters to repeal the Reproductive Freedom Initiative in 2024. Right to Reproductive Freedom Initiative Despite opposition from a majority of and impose a new abortion ban, essenthe state’s politicians, voters placed those tially reviving Missouri’s prior abortion rights in the Missouri Constitution’s Bill ban. of Rights. How do politicians get voters to In August, Missourians overwhelmchange their minds? Answer: Try to trick ingly rejected the same politicians’ them. attempt to gut our constitutional right to The first trick: The new Amendment direct democracy. I understand that some 3 includes a ban on gender transition voters find it tiresome to have to keep medical care for minors. But an informed saying no to bad ideas from Jefferson voter might ask, “Isn’t that type of care City, especially when they have to take a already banned? Hasn’t the law banning second look to figure out what the politigender transition care for minors already cians are trying to sell us. been upheld by the Supreme Court of Yes, we did vote just two years ago Missouri?” Yes and yes. to protect the fundamental right to reproFurthermore, that type of care will ductive freedom. And now, we need to remain banned regardless of the outcome vote again to protect that constitutional of this election. But the average voter right, stop a new abortion ban and keep probably doesn’t know that, so a “transprivate medical decisions with women gender ban” polls well, and the camand their doctors and health care providpaign against reproductive health rights ers. This year, to protect the rights we (which has nothing to do with gender secured in 2024, a NO vote is needed on transition care) focuses on transgender Amendment 3. care for minors. That’s a distraction from Michael A. Wolff is a retired judge, Amendment 3’s real purpose, which is to former chief justice of the Missouri repeal the previous constitutional amendSupreme Court and former dean of Saint ment protecting reproductive decisions Louis University School of Law. By Michael A. Wolff

St. Louis American stlamerican.com

Nathan B. Young (1894 - 1993) • Founder N.A. Sweets (1901 - 1988) • Publisher

Bennie G. Rodgers (1914 - 2000) • Executive Editor Melba Sweets (1909 - 2006) • Editor

Donald M. Suggs Publisher

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Fred Sweets • Ellen Sweets

ADMINISTRATION Dina M. Suggs – Sr. Vice President Julie Erickson – Chief Operating Officer Raven Whitener – Director, The St. Louis American Foundation and Special Events Reba Smith – Executive Assistant-Coordinator

PRODUCTION Mike Terhaar – Art Director

EDITORIAL Rod Hicks – Executive Editor Alvin A. Reid – City Editor Kenya Vaughn – Arts and Entertainment Editor Earl Austin Jr. – Sports Editor Lawrence Bryant – Visual Journalist Sylvester Brown Jr. – Deaconess Advocacy Fellow Na’Porsha Williams – Breaking News Reporter

DIGITAL Dawn Suggs – Digital Director James LeBine – Multimedia Specialist SALES Pam Simmons – Senior Account Executive Angelita F. Houston – Classified Manager Ashley Simmons – Account Executive

The St. Louis American 2315 Pine St. St. Louis, MO 63103 314-533-8000

The largest weekly newspaper in Missouri

100% independently owned & operated continuously published, without interruption since 1928

Guest Commentary

An ‘Affordability agenda’ for all Americans By Marc Morial

one of the greatest threats to affordability for working families. Repeal its harmful cuts and restore investments in Medicaid, education, student aid, nutrition assistance and other programs that help families succeed, not just survive.

It is a peculiar time in America when economists offer varying outlooks on our economy. Some herald the artificial intelligence era as a period of great prosper3. Housing vouchers ity. The stock market continues Housing vouchers should work to climb, nearly unscathed by a more like SNAP or Medicaid: if war that costs the nation nearly you qualify, you receive assis$1 billion every day. And the tance. Fully fund the Housing current administration, despite Choice Voucher (HCV) program, firing the official overseeing so every eligible family can access the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ safe, affordable housing while monthly jobs report just over a Columnist expanding pathways for homeyear ago, says the job market ownership. shows signs of growth. Marc Morial But for most Americans, the 4. Launch a national affordreality paints a much dimmer able housing trust picture. America cannot solve the housing This Iran war has cost the average crisis without dramatically increasing the household over $1,200 in the last seven supply of affordable homes. Establish a months as gas prices reach record highs. robust national Housing Trust Fund to Access to safe, affordable food is growfinance the construction and preservation ing scarcer, with nearly weekly recalls of affordable and workforce on nutritious items. And as housing at the scale the crisis tariffs and global spats threaten demands. energy prices, disastrous cuts to Medicaid, Medicare and SNAP This Iran 5. Restore affordable interbenefits loom on the horizon. war has cost net access The National Urban League the average Reestablish and strengthen sees the pain Americans face household the Affordable Connectivity every day, and we’re meeting Program (ACP) so every family over $1,200 the moment the best way we can afford broadband. In today’s can through job programs and in the last economy, internet access is as housing and education supseven essential as electricity for work, port, but now is also a time for months as education, health care and ecoCongress to act. nomic mobility. Less than two months ahead gas prices of the midterm elections, we’re reach record 6. End inflationary tariffs no longer waiting on either highs. that raise costs side of the aisle to present American families should an agenda that will serve the not bear the cost of policies people. We’ve developed one that make everyday goods more ourselves. expensive. Repeal inflationary tariffs Here is a blueprint to rescue the and replace them with trade policies that American Dream and put working famistrengthen American competitiveness lies first: the Affordability for All agenwithout driving up household costs. da. The six calls to action: Our nation is facing an unprecedented crisis driven by unregulated technology 1. Pass a national living wage that threatens to upend our workforce and No one who works full-time should education system. We have had enough live in poverty. Raise the federal minof spending our resources on misplaced imum wage to reflect today’s cost of priorities and vanity projects. living and index it to inflation so wages Now is the time to adopt the keep pace with rising costs. Affordability for All agenda and make America prosperous again. 2. Repeal and replace the “Big Ugly Marc Morial is president and CEO of Bill” H.R. 1, “the Big Ugly Bill,” represents the National Urban League.

Commentary

Dems could cash in on ‘Trump dividend’

messaging on tariffs and tips is the more important point. “No tax on tips” tells a waitress, bartender or other tipped worker Donald Trump’s promise to send immediately what Trump says he wants American adults a $5,000 “Trump to do for them. And tariffs were the soluDividend” if Republicans retain control tion to the problem of foreigners “ripping of Congress deserves more than ridicule off” American workers frustrated because from Democrats. their wages aren’t rising fast enough. There are plenty of reasons to quesThe $5,000 dividend takes tariffs and tion the proposal. Trump has not tips messaging another step furprovided a detailed mechanism ther. for delivering the payments. Trump is offering voters a Congress would have to act and proposition requiring almost no Republicans themselves are dividexplanation. The message is simed over the idea. The estimated ple. Republicans keep Congress cost is well over $1 trillion, raisand American adults get $5,000. ing legitimate concerns about Democrats should scrutinize deficits, interest rates and inflathe facts without getting so lost tion as the war in Iran rages on. Columnist in the policy that their messaging Also, Republicans already control misses the economic pain workCongress and could simply act on Kevin Harris ing-class families are experiencthis now if they wanted to. ing. But Democrats should be careful not Rather than mocking Trump, to assume that any of these facts matter to Democrats should ensure voters know struggling Americans. what their plans are for direct economic Trump has repeatedly demonstrated relief. an instinct for economic policies that are Even a bad Trump plan beats no plan exceptionally easy for voters to underfrom Democrats. stand and voters have consistently shown Democrats should remember that the they don’t care about the details. working class experiences the economy Consider “no tax on tips” and the personally. They know what groceries Trump tariffs he campaigned on in 2024. cost. They know their rent or mortgage The tariffs have raised costs for payment. They know what they earn working families while straining small every two weeks. They certainly underbusinesses and rural America, just as stand what an additional $5,000 would Democrats warned they would. American mean to their household. And they are importers pay the tariffs, and some of those costs are passed on to consumers — willing to take another chance on Trump despite Trump’s claims that foreign coun- because he’s put direct payments into their bank accounts before. tries are footing the bill. Trump’s proposal may ultimately And similarly, no tax on tips has prove impossible to enact but that doesn’t not lived up to what was promised. eliminate the political appeal to workRepublicans enacted a temporary deducing-class families who feel abandoned by tion for qualified tipped income as part the Democratic Party. of their 2025 tax legislation. The policy Democrats should take that lesson is more limited than the slogan suggests. Eligible workers can deduct up to $25,000 seriously, even if they don’t take Trump’s $5,000 promise at face value. in qualified tips from federal taxable Kevin Harris served in the Obama income, but that’s subject to income limits, and payroll taxes still apply. That ulti- administration, held Cabinet positions mately doesn’t put much income back into under two big-city mayors and served as the pockets of workers who rely on tips to executive director of the Congressional Black Caucus and senior adviser to a make ends meet. state’s attorney. But politically, the simplicity of the By Kevin Harris

“Last night was a reminder that our son’s life does not matter to those who hold positions that are supposed to serve and protect the public.” — Christine Wonsley, mother of Nolan Wells, after a grand jury declined to bring charges in her son’s death.

News

SEPTEMBER 24 – 30, 2026

Urban League celebrates women who lead

Pam Grier, Jayne Kennedy among honorees at annual St. Louis gala By Sylvester Brown Jr. St. Louis American The success of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis’ annual gala, honoring an exceptional group of women in leadership, speaks to the reason the organization has received the National Urban League’s Five-Star Status certification. The National Urban League doesn’t rank its affiliate chapters from “best to worst.” It assesses local chapters based on key indicators of success, including governance, fiscal accountability and program execution. The St. Louis chapter has been recognized as a top-performing affiliate, earning Five-Star Status for more than 20 consecutive years. Although the national organization’s assessment doesn’t include “class,” it was on full display Saturday night, beginning with the choice of honorees, who included Pam Grier, Jayne Kennedy and Dr. Aysha Mubarak. The Salute to Women in Leadership Gala recognizes women from various professions who are

making a major difference across the region and beyond. The sold-out event at the Marriott St. Louis Grand Hotel downtown attracted a room full of elegantly dressed supporters and big-name sponsors, with musical entertainment by “American Idol” winner Ruben Studdard. Daphney Williams, an Edward Jones employee, shared what she liked most about the night. “I really enjoyed seeing the women being honored and hearing about the things they’re doing in the community and across the country.” Courtney Bond, also with Edward Jones, agreed with Williams but added another reason for attending. “Yes, I’m looking forward to seeing all these fabulous women being honored but I’m also here to network with people out here in the St. Louis community,” Bond said. Michael McMillan, president and CEO of the local Urban League, shared his enthusiasm for the evening. “The individuals here tonight were able to see,

Photo by Lawrence Bryant / St. Louis American

Jayne Kennedy, left, and Pam Grier share a moment at the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis’ Salute to Women in Leadership Gala at the Marriott St. Louis Grand Hotel. hear and touch these amazing women locally, nationally and even one internationally from the Kingdom of Bahrain (Dr. Aysha S. Mubarak), who flew all the way from the Middle East to highlight the work she’s done on humanitarian work, women’s rights and how to bring people together on racial unity. “So, when you look at the careers and the various ways these women have impacted society, it’s just been an amazing blessing,

and we were blessed to honor them.” Speakers and honorees spoke from a large stage with a backdrop of red and gold drapery. Monitors on either side of the stage highlighted the organization’s activities in the city, from food drives and utility bill assistance to the unprecedented aid it provided tornado victims after last year’s devastating tornado. In a written statement shared with attendees, National Urban League

President Marc R. Morial congratulated the organization’s “five-star” affiliate for its “outstanding work and transformative impact throughout the region.” He also spoke to the power of the gala. “Tonight’s celebration pays tribute to extraordinary women whose resilience, dedication, service and visionary leadership have left an indelible mark on our communities,” Morial wrote. “Their tireless commitment continues to inspire us all and illuminate the way toward a brighter, more equitable future.” Local awardees included Robin Carey-Boyd, president of the East St. Louis branch of the NAACP; Sheila Forrest, community leader and president of Afro World Hair & Fashion Company; Stephanie Vojicic, president of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield among several other local leaders. Sisters Jala and Jenae Christmas said they believe in the importance of honoring women in leadership because they, too, “aspire to be leaders” in their communities. Ameren employee Ray Sims said he came out to support his colleague, Constance Taylor, Ameren’s director of community engagement and impact, another Salute to Women in Leadership

honoree. JR Ford, who returned to St. Louis after 20 years to explore the possibility of expanding his tech company, Payken, in the region, said he attended for one specific reason. “I’m hoping to make a donation tonight,” Ford said. “We’ve been blessed, and we’re really trying to put money back in St. Louis.” James Clark, vice president of the Urban League’s division of public safety and community response, strutted proudly among the crowd. He said he couldn’t be prouder of the night’s turnout. “St. Louis is represented here with all social, economic positions throughout the metropolitan area. You have barbers, nightclub owners and corporate executives all under the same roof,” Clark said. “It’s a testament to Mr. McMillan’s leadership and his fervor to recognize the fact that we’ve got to take a deep dive. “We deal with the people’s needs every day,” Clark continued. “There’s not a day that goes by that we don’t service thousands of people who find themselves with immediate needs. That’s our secret sauce.” Sylvester Brown Jr. is the Deaconess Foundation Community Advocacy Fellow.

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • SEPTEMBER 24 – 30, 2026

News Briefs

Ferguson approves $1.8 billion data center project

Ferguson City Council members voted 4-3 Tuesday night to approve a technology hub and data center at the former Emerson campus, with an initial investment estimated at $1.8 billion. The revised deal authorizes up to $1.5 billion in tax incentives and $22 billion in industrial revenue bonds for development, expansion and equipment replacement over two decades. Developer Next Revolution Technologies LLC plans to redevel-

op the 217-acre site. Supporters say the project could bring jobs and revenue to the financially struggling city. Opponents raised concerns about noise, water use, utility costs and tax breaks. The agreement includes $7.5 million over 10 years for neighborhood improvements, a $250,000 environmental mitigation fund, water-conserving cooling technology and compliance with city noise regulations.

St. Louis County sues over tourism board seats St. Louis County has sued the regional tourism board, seeking to force it to seat two appointees of County Executive Sam Page. The lawsuit, filed Tuesday, asks a judge to declare former Explore St. Louis President Kitty Ratcliffe and former County Councilwoman Rochelle Walton Gray legally entitled to serve on the St. Louis

Regional Convention and Visitors Commission. The commission rejected their appointments, citing discrepancies involving the timing of Walton Gray’s appointment and the length of Ratcliffe’s term. The county contends the commission exceeded its authority by refusing to seat them.

Sculpture honors DuSable’s St. Charles ties A bronze sculpture honoring Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable, the founder of Chicago who later lived in St. Charles, was installed Sept. 16 outside the St. Charles County Historical Society. Sculptor Erik Blome created

and donated the 8.5-foot-tall work, titled “Explorer.” DuSable, a Black trader and businessman, operated a ferry across the Missouri River after leaving Chicago in the early 1800s. He died in 1818 and is buried in St. Charles.

Schnucks shoppers can round up for United Way Schnucks customers can donate to United Way through Tuesday, Sept. 29, by rounding up their purchases to the nearest dollar at traditional checkout lanes. Self-checkout customers can make donations of $1, $3 or $5 through the grocer’s Scan and Give program. Schnucks Rewards mem-

bers can also donate their rewards points. Schnucks said its employees, customers and the company contributed more than $2.1 million during last year’s United Way campaign, including more than $108,000 donated through the checkout roundup program.

Commentary

We the people should all count

nutrition and emergency services. In fiscal year 2021, at least 353 federal programs The U.S. Constitution begins with three used census-related data in distributing powerful words: “We the People.” History more than $2.8 trillion. The Census Bureau immediately asks: Which people? explains how its data inform federal fundWhen those words were written, ing. “we” did not include enslaved people, The census is economic infrastructure. Indigenous people, women or many White An inaccurate count can mean crowded men without property. Enslaved Black classrooms, burdened clinics and inadepeople were counted as three-fifths of a quate transportation. Governments cannot person for representation, although they plan intelligently for people who disappear had no representatives of their own. From from the data. the beginning, counting people The possible elimination of has been about power. questions about race and ethnicity Now the Trump administraraises another issue. Race is a tion is considering sweeping social construct, not a biological changes to the 2030 census. Its fact. Yet racial data are used to proposal could exclude undocidentify disparities and enforce umented immigrants and some civil-rights protections. Race may people who are legally presbe constructed, but racial inequalient—including refugees, asylum ty can be measured. seekers and students—from popWithout those data, how do we ulation totals used to divide seats document disparities in employin the House of Representatives. ment, housing, lending and Julianne The administration is also reconeducation? How do we identify Malveaux sidering questions about race and differences in maternal mortality, ethnicity, according to a recent unemployment, income and wealth? How Reuters report. do courts evaluate claims involving racially The census is not clerical housekeeppolarized voting? How do communities ing. It is a ledger of power. Numbers determine whether public investment is become congressional seats. Numbers reaching them? become federal dollars. Numbers become Eliminating racial categories would not schools, hospitals and highways. Change eliminate racial disparities. It would make the numbers, and you change who gets those disparities harder to measure. If the what. racial wealth gap is not measured, officials The administration says people without cannot track whether it is widening or sufficient legal ties or allegiance to the narrowing. If Black women’s employment United States should not be included in losses are not reported separately, their apportionment totals. Critics contend that experiences disappear inside national averthis approach conflicts with the Fourteenth ages. If racially polarized voting is not docAmendment. Its language says representa- umented, certain forms of discrimination tives must be apportioned according to the become harder to establish in court. “whole number of persons in each state.” What does this have to do with the 2026 Not citizens. Not permanent residents. midterms? The November election will Persons. not use the 2030 census. But the Congress Excluding millions of residents could elected this year will appropriate money for produce a census that does not reflect the the Census Bureau, conduct oversight, hold population living here. It could also shift hearings and consider legislation affecting House seats and Electoral College votes the count. The midterm connection is not away from states with large immigrant rhetorical. It is institutional. populations. Those states would not have The question remains as old as the fewer residents. They would have fewer Constitution itself: Who are “We the residents counted for representation. People”? Census Bureau data help guide trillions Before America can answer, it must of dollars in federal spending. The numdecide who will be counted. bers inform decisions involving health Julianne Malveaux is a Washington, care, housing, education, transportation, DC-based economist and author. By Julianne Malveaux

Business SEPTEMBER 24 – 30, 2026

Chef Pat turns side hustle into growing business

PEOPLE On The Move Michael Noble elected presiding judge St. Louis Circuit Judge Michael W. Noble has been unanimously elected presiding judge of the 22nd Judicial Circuit. His two-year term begins in January 2027. Noble said his priorities include increasing jury participation, improving civic engageMichael ment and helping Noble residents understand Missouri’s Nonpartisan Court Plan for selecting judges. Noble was appointed circuit judge in 2015 after serving two years as an associate circuit judge. He previously served as the circuit’s drug court commissioner and worked as a patent agent, attorney, public defender and U.S. Army field artillery officer.

Genell Reynolds joins Nine PBS

Photo by Lawrence Bryant / St. Louis American

Chef Pat prepares a fresh dish in the kitchen, putting the finishing touches on a meal before it heads out to customers.

Restaurant has served entertainers such as Maze, Ice Cube and O’Jays By Jihad Hassan Muhammad For The St. Louis American Long before Patricia Gray was catering meals for entertainers or serving steady crowds from Chef Pat’s Kitchen on Goodfellow Boulevard, she was selling plates to barbershops, beauty salons and businesses along the same North St. Louis corridor. The side hustle started partly out of necessity. Gray, known as Chef Pat, was attending L’Ecole

Videos on Patricia Gray’s Instagram page show some of her celebrity customers praising her food. Neo-soul singer Musiq Soulchild calls Gray “one of the greatest in the game.”

Culinaire while raising her daughter and working full time. Culinary school required her to complete 365 hours of unpaid training, she said, and she needed another source of income.

“I started making lil plates, selling them to different barber shops, beauty salons and businesses up and down Goodfellow and West Florissant,” Gray said. Her pitch was simple:

“I’m trying to start my own business. If you like it, support me.” People did. Before long, customers were calling her “the food lady.” Years later, Gray has turned those early plate sales into Chef Pat’s Kitchen, a carryout restaurant at 4719 Goodfellow Blvd., along with a catering business that has served entertainers including the O’Jays, Frankie Beverly and Maze, Ronald Isley, The Whispers, Lil Wayne, Ice Cube, Boosie, Chris Brown See Chef Pat, A6

Sponsored Content

Moving beyond survival

A mindset shift for wealth and purpose By Orvin T. Kimbrough

Photo by Lawrence Bryant / St. Louis American

Dwayne James joins other participants at the Northside Trap Run, where movement, music and community came together to encourage healthier lifestyles in St. Louis.

A healthier life starts with small steps

St. Louis residents show how movement, nutrition and community support can make a difference By Na’Porsha Williams St. Louis American Shavette Wayne wasn’t a runner when she first joined the Northside Trap Run in 2019. She started as a slow walker, drawn to an event that combines music, neighborhood pride and physical activity. Seven years later, she walks and jogs in intervals and participates in other 5K events throughout the year. “Trap Run put my mind more on

“Trap Run put my mind more on fitness and my health.” -Shavette Wayne

fitness and my health. It made me more active,” Wayne told The St. Louis American earlier this month. Getting healthier doesn’t require

running marathons or spending hours in the gym. Walking regularly, eating nutritious foods and finding enjoyable ways to stay active can make a difference, even for people who have spent years being inactive. The health benefits extend well beyond weight loss. Regular exercise can lower the risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and several types of cancer. It also can improve

A couple of weeks ago, I was having a conversation with a professional in their mid-50s. Somehow, we got onto a topic from my book, Twice Over a Man, where I mention that, when I was younger, I didn’t realize there was a greater purpose to work beyond simply making enough to get by. I was referencing how exposure to different people and ideas expands your sense of what’s possible when you aim for more than just meeting basic needs, Orvin T. food, shelter, occaKimbrough sional entertainment, and travel. Earning a surplus gives you options. As a young person, and early in my career, I had no sense of aspiration to do more than survive. I suspect there are many people with that same mindset. For most of us, we simply don’t know what we don’t know until we see it. During this conversation, the person in their mid-50s asked, “Is it too late to start planning for retirement?” My answer was an emphatic “no.” I remember the first time I was introduced to a 403(b) account early in my career, a retirement account similar to a 401(k) but for the charitable sector. The representative explained that the organization would match up

See Healthy Life, A10

See Kimbrough, A10

Boxing champ puts fitness in kids’ corner

Devon Alexander uses the sport to help children build strength, confidence and discipline By Jihad Hassan Muhammad For The St. Louis American Former world boxing champion Devon Alexander is using the sport that shaped his life to help St. Louis children get fit, build confidence and develop healthy habits. Through his Devon Alexander Foundation, the St. Louis native introduces young people to recreational boxing, combining physical activity with lessons in discipline and self-control. Boxing offers more than a workout for the arms. Footwork, punching drills

and conditioning exercises can raise the heart rate while developing endurance, balance and coordination. Noncontact workouts allow children and adults to gain those fitness benefits without sparDevon ring or competing in Alexander the ring. The foundation promotes physical

See Alexander, A10

Isabella Edwards, 8, in pink, Alannah Wilson, 10, in black, and Leyla Grant, 10, train during a youth boxing session with the Devon Alexander Foundation in St. Louis. Alexander uses boxing to help young people build fitness, confidence and discipline.

Photo by Lawrence Bryant / St. Louis American

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Health Life Continued from A11 sleep, reduce anxiety and help people maintain their strength and mobility as they age. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise a week, along with muscle-strengthening activities on two days. That could mean brisk walking for 30 minutes

Kimbrough Continued from A11 to 3% if I participated. But at the time, I chose not to participate because I had

five days a week, although shorter sessions also provide benefits. And you don’t need to reach the often-cited goal of 10,000 steps a day to improve your health. A 2025 research review published in The Lancet Public Health found that walking 7,000 steps daily was associated with a 47% lower risk of death from any cause compared with walking 2,000 steps. The Northside Trap Run gives residents an opportunity to exercise alongside neighbors while

enjoying music and a community gathering. Bilal Olushola, an emergency medical technician and retired deputy fire chief and fire marshal with the Northeast Ambulance and Fire Protection District, believes improving community health requires a collective effort. “All community … members must pool our resources (intellectual, spiritual, economic and physical) to improve the overall quality of life,” Olushola said. Having safe places

to walk, affordable recreational facilities and access to nutritious food can make healthier living easier, particularly in neighborhoods where such resources are limited. St. Louis entrepreneur Victoria McCoy began changing her eating habits after being diagnosed with lupus at age 19 and experiencing serious health complications. She later established Victorious Foods, a meal-preparation company specializing in nutritious meals. I had to prepare for

success,” McCoy told The American last month. Eating more vegetables, fruits, whole grains and lean proteins while limiting excess sodium and added sugars can help manage blood pressure, blood sugar and weight. Such changes don’t require giving up familiar foods or completely overhauling a family’s diet. The body carries out that work every day through the liver, kidneys and digestive system. A nutritious diet, adequate hydration and regular

physical activity help support overall health, including the normal functioning of those organs. For people who have been inactive, health experts recommend starting with manageable exercise goals and gradually increasing activity. Those with serious medical conditions should consult their health care providers about appropriate exercise.

“more important” things to spend on, I had more consuming to do. You know what I mean. Now I can calculate what I missed out on by not participating back then. The point here is, as I

told a group of company leaders recently, the best time to plant a tree was yesterday. The best time to cast a vision, to start investing, was yesterday. But the next best time is today.

As I’ve been out and about in the region, I’ve been surprised by the fundamental questions I get. “So, you’re a banker?” Yes, I am. “So, banks are where the money is?” Yes, there is money

in banks. “Bankers only deal with wealthy people, right?” No, we deal with people from all walks of life, some with significant wealth, and many who are everyday working men and women. The questions continue: “How do I build wealth? How do I become wealthy? How do I preserve wealth?” In my book, I talk about reframing our thinking, reclaiming personal agency, and renaming our social networks. Building and preserving wealth is closely connected to this trifecta. To the mid-50s professional who said, “I haven’t saved much” and expressed worry about the future, I say: Start today. Stand in faith that if you start now and commit fully, you’ll be okay (reframe your thinking). Don’t make it a New Year’s goal; begin immediately (reclaim personal agency). And surround yourself with people who support this vision (rename

your social networks). To anyone feeling it’s too late to start building wealth or planning for the future, remember: every small step counts. Start today, however you can. Take ownership of your journey by shifting your mindset, taking decisive action, and surrounding yourself with people who lift you up. Wealth-building isn’t just about money. It’s about reclaiming your power to create options, security, and a meaningful future beyond survival. No matter where you’re starting from, the best time to begin is always now.

Alexander

bullying she was receiving has stopped,” Edwards said. Denale Powell, whose 6-year-old son, Devon, also participates in the program, said his son’s confidence and discipline are improving. Alexander believes the confidence children develop through boxing can help them handle difficult situations outside the gym. “I believe in the boxing concept when it comes to our youth. They feel empowered when walking away from arguments, without feeling like a punk or a coward,” Alexander said. He has used his own money and resources to support his work with St. Louis children for the past three years. For Alexander, helping young people discover the benefits of boxing is part of his responsibility as a champion. “How can you call yourself a champion and are never around the people?” Alexander said. “You got to give it all back. If you are blessed like this, you have to serve.”

Continued from A11 fitness and personal development among children in underserved communities, according to its website. Alexander grew up in a two-bedroom home with 13 siblings — eight sisters and five brothers — and began boxing at age 8 after school at Clay Elementary in St. Louis. He went on to become a world champion in two weight divisions. “That first day at eight years old really became the rest of my life,” Alexander said. Now 39, Alexander is introducing children to the sport that became his career, hoping they will gain some of the same confidence and discipline he developed through training. Genita Edwards said she has noticed a change in her 8-year-old daughter, Isabella, since she began training with the foundation. “The camp has affected her tremendously. Her confidence, she believes in herself more. Even the

St. Louis writer Jihad Hassan Muhammad contributed to this report.

It Matters Where You Bank Orvin T. Kimbrough is chairman and CEO of Midwest BankCentre and author of Twice Over a Man, More Than a Conqueror and Ward and the State. For more, visit OrvinKimbrough.com or MidwestBankCentre.com.

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Sponsored Content

Investing in our neighbors, strengthening our region

United Way Across our region, families are working hard to build better futures, but for many, the margin between stability and crisis remains thin. A job loss, medical emergency, housing challenge, or transportation issue can quickly disrupt stability for hardworking households doing everything they can to get ahead. That’s why the United Way of Greater St. Louis annual Community Campaign is so important. The campaign brings together individuals, businesses, labor partners, nonprofit organizations, and volunteers to invest in solutions that help our neighbors and strengthen our region. Through the Community Campaign, United Way and its network of more than 150 nonprofit partners help one in three people across our region each year. Together, those organizations provide support,

stability, and opportunity for more than one million people throughout Missouri and Illinois. That’s the power of community. It’s also a reminder that none of us thrives alone. Parents are balancing jobs and childcare. Young people are preparing for school and careers. Seniors are stretching fixed incomes. Individuals are working to overcome unexpected setbacks and create greater stability for themselves and their families. Yet despite their efforts, too many households remain one unexpected setback away from financial instability. A sudden job loss, medical emergency, housing challenge, transportation issue, or unexpected expense can quickly create financial hardship. Many hardworking families are doing everything right and still finding it difficult to get ahead. While our region has made progress, significant needs remain,

and too many of our neighbors continue to face barriers to opportunity. These challenges affect all of us because the strength of our community depends on the well-being of everyone who calls this region home. That is why the Community Campaign matters. It is more than an annual fundraiser. It is a community-wide investment in the future of our region. One community. One campaign. One collective impact.

It brings together businesses, labor partners, nonprofit organizations, volunteers, and individual donors who share a common belief: everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive. Most importantly, the Community Campaign recognizes that no single

organization can solve our community’s challenges alone.

United, we give because it takes all of us: nonprofit organizations working every day on the front lines of our community, employers who invest in the neighborhoods where their employees live and work, volunteers who give their time and talents, donors who choose to support causes larger than themselves, and neighbors who understand that when one family succeeds, our entire community benefits. Through the Community Campaign, United Way invests in a broad network of local organizations that are helping people meet immediate needs while creating pathways to long-term success. These organizations provide critical services that help families remain

housed, connect individuals to food and healthcare resources, support children and youth, strengthen financial stability, and respond to crises. United Way’s role is to bring people, resources, and funding together so this network can do what it does best: help our neighbors thrive. Through initiatives like 211, United Way also connects hundreds of thousands of people each year to local services and support, ensuring that help is available when and where it is needed most. The impact reaches far beyond any one individual. When a child has access to opportunities that support learning and development, that child is better prepared for future success. When a family remains stable during a difficult season, children are more likely to stay on track in school. When individuals gain the skills and support needed to achieve financial mobility, our workforce grows stronger. When seniors can remain

healthy, safe, and connected, entire families benefit. These successes create stronger neighborhoods, a stronger economy, and a stronger region. Michelle Tucker, President and CEO of United Way of Greater St. Louis, says the Community Campaign demonstrates what’s possible when people come together to invest in one another. “Every contribution makes a difference and inspires hope throughout our region,” said Tucker. “When we unite behind a shared commitment to helping one another, we can create lasting change. This campaign invites everyone to help build a stronger, more resilient region.” Every day, nonprofit organizations across our region are creating opportunities, restoring hope, and helping people overcome challenges. Their work is strengthen-

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Sponsored Content

Building wealth and wellness through homeownership Stifel Bank & Trust When people think about wellness, they often focus on physical health, nutrition, or exercise. Yet one of the most important components of overall well-being is financial wellness. Having the ability to manage expenses, prepare for unexpected challenges, and plan for the future can reduce stress and provide peace of mind for individuals and families alike. For many families in the St. Louis region, homeownership is one of the most effective ways to build both long-term wealth and financial wellness. Beyond simply providing a place to live, a home can create stability, support family goals, and serve as a foundation for future generations. Why financial wellness matters Financial stress remains one of the most common challenges facing house-

holds today. Concerns about rising costs, monthly bills, and long-term financial security can affect not only finances but also mental and emotional well-being. Financial wellness means having a plan, understanding your resources, and feeling confident in your ability to meet both current and future goals. While there are many ways to improve financial wellness, homeownership often plays a central role because it helps families build equity and create a long-term asset. The wealth-building power of homeownership One of the primary benefits of homeownership is the opportunity to build equity. As homeowners make mortgage payments, they gradually increase their ownership stake in the property. Over time, that equity can become one of the most valuable assets a family owns. Unlike rent payments,

Preparing for homeownership

which generally provide no future financial return, mortgage payments can contribute to building wealth. With each payment, homeowners build equity, or their percentage of ownership in the home. As equity grows, homeowners may be able to leverage that value to support life goals such as education expenses, home improvements, business opportunities, or retirement planning. Additionally, home values have historically appreciated over time, allowing many homeowners to benefit from long-term growth in their investment while enjoying the stability of homeownership. The connection between housing stability and wellness The benefits of homeownership extend beyond

finances. Housing stability can have a meaningful impact on overall wellness by creating a sense of security and consistency for individuals and families. When families have confidence in where they will live, they can focus more energy on career development, education, family relationships, and community engagement. A stable home environment often reduces financial uncertainty and helps create a stronger foundation for long-term planning. Many homeowners also appreciate the ability to personalize their living space, establish roots in their community, and invest in a neighborhood they care about. These factors can contribute to a stronger sense of belonging and overall quality of life.

For first-time homebuyers, the journey can feel overwhelming. However, preparation and understanding the process can help make buying a home more manageable and less stressful. Budgeting ·Create a realistic monthly budget · Understand how much home fits comfortably within your financial goals · Account for ongoing homeownership expenses beyond the mortgage payment Credit · Review your credit report regularly · Pay bills on time · Avoid taking on unnecessary debt before purchasing a home Savings · Build funds for a down payment and closing costs · Maintain an emergency savings reserve

· Explore loan programs that offer flexible down payment options Taking these steps early can help buyers feel more prepared and confident when the right home becomes available. Creating opportunities for future generations Homeownership has long been recognized as one of the primary ways families build generational wealth. A home is often among the largest assets a family owns, and the equity accumulated over time may create opportunities for future generations. Whether helping fund education, supporting future home purchases, or simply providing additional financial security, homeownership can be an important part of a family’s long-term wealth strategy. Strong communities are also built by residents who invest in their neigh-

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Sponsored Content

Birth Injury Compensation:

How lawyers determine the full impact

costs associated with the injury. However, not every When welcoming a new member into a family complication during birth leads to a legal claim. turns into a tragedy due That’s why it’s important to a medical error, it’s to hire an attorney who has important to know your experience in these types child’s rights as well as of cases to ensure a comthe right questions to ask. plete analysis is Birth injuries done up front. can significantly Some of the affect a child’s most common future, not only birth injuries their health, but include: Hypoxic their ability to ischemic encephattend school, alopathy (HIE), work and live cerebral palsy, independently. Erb’s palsy or While some injubrachial plexus ries heal with injuries (shoulder Elizabeth time and minimal dystocia injuries), Lenivy treatment, others brain bleeds, result in lifelong fractures and dislocations. medical, financial and Some injuries will heal emotional challenges. with time and treatment, Determining the full while others can permaimpact of a birth injury nently affect a child’s due to medical negligence is essential when assessing development, mobility or compensation that for both independence. Some birth injuries immediate and long-term occur because of complineeds. cations that could have Birth injury attorneys been prevented with propinvestigate how an injury er medical care. Misuse occurred, assess the damof forceps or vacuum ages and work with medextractors, failure to perical and financial experts form a timely C-section, to calculate the potential By Elizabeth Lenivy

inadequate monitoring of fetal distress or oxygen deprivation during labor or delivery can cause permanent and severe injuries. Attorneys begin birth injury cases by reviewing medical records from the mother’s prenatal care and labor and delivery and baby’s neonatal treatment and pediatric care. Those records help establish a timeline and provide evidence about what happened. If it appears that there may have been negligence, medical experts will be consulted to confirm the negligence and to prepare detailed reports as to the child’s current condition and future needs. Depending on the circumstances, those experts may include OB-GYNs, labor and delivery nurses, neonatologists, radiologists, pediatric neurologists and developmental specialists. Life care planners may evaluate long-term needs such as future medical

costs including surgeries, medications, and therapies; mobility equipment or assistive devices; in-home nursing care or facility care; and modifications to a family’s home or vehicle. Economic experts can help calculate the financial effects of an injury, including inflation, potential lost earning capacity and circumstances in which a parent may have to leave the workforce to provide full-time care. Together, these assessments can provide a more complete picture of the medical and financial realities a family may face. However, as every family of a child with developmental disabilities knows, the impact is not necessarily financial alone. The law also allows juries to compensate injured individuals for their pain and suffering, which broadly includes physical pain, emotional distress and mental anguish, loss of

enjoyment of life, physical impairment and disfigurement, and inconvenience. However, it is important to understand that certain states, including Missouri, have “caps” on damages for pain and suffering, meaning that regardless of the amount a jury may award in a verdict, there is a ceiling for the amount the defendant healthcare providers would have to pay. All medical malpractice cases require evidence to support the three elements of the claim: (1) that negligence occurred; (2) that this negligence caused or directly caused the injury; and (3) that the patient suffered damages. However, although all cases require evidence to support all three elements, there is no one-size-fits-all answer for determining the value of a birth injury claim. Factors include the degree of medical negligence involved, the link between the negligence and the injury, and the severity and permanence of the injury, its impact on daily life and long-term

prognosis, and the anticipated cost of lifelong medical care and support. Because every child’s circumstances are different, an attorney can provide a clearer assessment only after reviewing the specific facts of the case. In Missouri, deadlines for filing medical malpractice claims can also vary depending on the circumstances. While most medical malpractice claims must generally be filed within two years of the injury, Missouri law provides additional time in certain cases involving minors. Families who are unsure about the applicable deadline should consult an attorney regarding their specific circumstances. At Simon Law, we understand that no amount of compensation can undo the pain caused by a preventable birth injury. Careful evaluation of the medical, financial and long-term effects can help families understand their legal options and the resources that may be necessary to care for their child in the years ahead.

Better sidewalks open paths to fitness St. Louis American staff A safe place to walk can make it easier to stay active. But in neighborhoods with broken sidewalks, dangerous crossings or few nearby parks, residents may have fewer opportunities to exercise. Those conditions can affect heart health and even how long people live, said Rodrigo Siqueira Reis, a professor of pub-

lic health at Washington University in St. Louis. “And that’s going to impact your cardiovascular system and, eventually, your mortality,” Reis told WashU Magazine. Walking is one way to get regular exercise, but residents may be less inclined to walk to a store, bus stop or park if the route feels unsafe. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

In St. Louis, plans to rebuild sidewalks and improve crossings along 20th Street would provide a safer route connecting North St. Louis neighborhoods to the Brickline Greenway. recommends that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity each week. A brisk 30-minute walk five days

a week can meet that goal, and shorter walks count toward it, too. Safer sidewalks and crossings can make those

walks easier to fit into daily life. In St. Louis, plans to rebuild sidewalks and improve crossings along 20th Street would provide a safer route connecting North St. Louis neighborhoods to the Brickline Greenway. The project is part of a wider city effort to improve streets for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers. Reis teaches WashU students to examine how

streets, housing and transportation affect residents’ health. He says zoning and city planning decisions can leave some communities with fewer safe places to exercise than others. His students also study how other cities make room for walking and biking. In Bogotá, Colombia, streets are closed to cars on Sundays so residents can use them for exercise and recreation.

Stifel

future and their overall well-being.

Continued from A11 borhoods. Homeowners frequently contribute time, resources, and energy to the places where they live, supporting the overall vitality of the community. The value of a trusted banking partner Building wealth and financial wellness does not happen overnight. It requires planning, education, and informed decision-making. Having a trusted mortgage professional to help navigate the process can make homeownership feel more accessible and less intimidating. For many families, a home is more than a financial investment. It is a place where memories are created, goals are pursued, and long-term stability takes shape. By taking steps toward homeownership, families can strengthen both their financial

United Way Continued from A11 ing families, supporting children, assisting seniors, and helping people build brighter futures. But the true impact comes from a community that chooses to invest in its neighbors and refuses to leave anyone behind. The needs in our community are real. So is our collective ability to meet them. Every gift. Every volunteer hour. Every work-

Ready to take the next step? To learn more about the homebuying process, contact Daulton Hillemann, NMLS #1296887, at hillemannd@stifelbank. com or (314) 317-6926. Get started here: www. StifelMortgage.com or call (314) 317-6900 for additional information. Stifel Bank & Trust, Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender, NMLS #375103 Please contact your Stifel Bank & Trust lender for loan program details. This information is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to extend consumer credit as defined by Section 1026.2 of Regulation Z. Interest rates, program terms, and conditions are subject to change. Stifel Bank & Trust offers mortgage services throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area of Missouri and Illinois.

place campaign contribution. Every act of generosity strengthens the network of support that helps our neighbors move from surviving to thriving. Because thriving communities are not built by a single organization. They are built by people who believe that every neighbor matters and that opportunity should be within reach for everyone. When we invest in our neighbors, we invest in our future, helping our entire region thrive. To donate, volunteer, or get involved, visit helping people.org.

A15

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • SEPTEMBER 24 – 30, 2026

Steward Continued from A1 CEO Jim Kavanaugh ranks third among Missouri’s wealthiest residents, with an estimated fortune of $7.7 billion. Steward’s journey from a small, segregated Missouri town to the chairman’s office of a massive global technology company is also a story of faith, family and giving back. Lessons from his father Born in Chicago in 1951, Steward moved with his family shortly after his birth to his mother’s hometown of Clinton, Missouri. According to a biography published by the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Steward’s father worked as a mechanic and took on other jobs when racial discrimination limited his employment opportunities. “My father was the first entrepreneur I ever knew,” Steward told the association. “He was an entrepreneur out of necessity.” Steward was the first Black student to attend Clinton’s newly integrated elementary school and later was the only Black male in his high school graduating class. After graduating from Central Missouri State University in 1973, he moved to St. Louis and worked as a substitute teacher before taking sales positions with Missouri Pacific Railroad and Federal Express. In 1984, Steward borrowed $2,000 from his father to start a freight-bill auditing business. Six years later, he founded World Wide Technology.

March Continued from A1 tional opportunities she encountered in Clayton. She will be recognized as an Excellence in Education honoree during the St. Louis American Foundation’s 39th annual Salute to Excellence in Education Scholarship & Awards Gala on Oct. 17 at the St. Louis Union Station Hotel. Julius B. Anthony, president and CEO of the Believe Projects, has known March for more than 10 years, dating to her days as a classroom teacher. “After being in her classroom for five minutes, I knew exactly what kind of teacher Samantha was,” Anthony said. “She was very creative and very attentive to her children.” March’s path to that classroom was shaped by her family and the experience of growing up in two different worlds. She and her three siblings spent weekdays with their father and weekends with their mother. Her father encouraged her to push past her doubts and fears. Her mother kept her involved in church, while an aunt and uncle worked as educational administrators for St. Louis Public Schools. “The combination of them all kind of drove me into the world of early childhood education.” In her doctoral thesis, March described living in the city while attending school in Clayton as existing in “two different galaxies.” “It was a totally different atmosphere going from my neighborhood to a predominantly white institution in the county. So, I just navigated through learning how to be myself while adapting to a new culture and standard of living.” She “navigated” ele-

Success did not come immediately. Steward sometimes went without a paycheck, and his car was repossessed from the company parking lot as employees watched. The business survived those struggles and grew into one of the nation’s largest Black-owned companies. Faith and family For Steward, faith has remained central to his business decisions and family life. In 2004, he published Doing Business by the Good Book, connecting biblical teachings with business practices. He and his wife, Thelma, also taught a Bible study class at Salem United Methodist Church in St. Louis. The Rev. Terri Swan, the church’s senior pastor, said Steward’s religious convictions influence his approach to business and community service. “He is a man of faith and action,” Swan said. “He believes that that faith should be put into action.” Swan said Steward believes “he has been blessed so that he can bless others.” Thelma Steward, a retired registered nurse who began her career at Homer G. Phillips Hospital, shares that commitment to serving others. Their son, David Steward II, established a nursing scholarship in her name through the Foundation for BarnesJewish Hospital, encouraging Black students to pursue nursing. The couple established the Steward Family Foundation in 2013, extending their philanthropic work in education, community development and other areas.

mentary and high school, then accepted a full-ride scholarship to Dillard University, a historically Black university in New Orleans. Pregnancy interrupted her studies, and she returned home to have her son. Her father, as was his habit, pushed her to get on with life. “Dad said, ‘Well, you gotta work and you want your son around you,’” March recalled. “‘So, why not get a job in childcare?’” March found a job at the University of MissouriSt. Louis that allowed her to bring her son to work while pursuing a degree in education. “I went to work from 9-to-5 Monday through Thursday, then I went to school from 5:30-to-8:30 and I had my little baby with me.” She has never forgotten the comfort of knowing her son was safe nearby. “Everything was unknown and uncertain when I came back (home), but the one thing that was always stable for me was childcare,” March recalled. “It was a place where I could take my child, and every day he felt safe and I did, too.” March graduated cum laude from UMSL with a bachelor’s degree and certification in early childhood education. She later earned a master’s degree and doctorate in educational leadership from Maryville University. She worked her way from teacher’s assistant to director of early childhood education for St. Louis Public Schools, overseeing the state’s largest public prekindergarten program. Those years helped shape her belief in learning through play and making sure children feel welcome, supported and loved. One of March’s mentors, Sheila SmithAnderson, described her as

Giving back to St. Louis Michael McMillan, president and CEO of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, said the couple’s support has been important to his organization for more than 25 years. “David and Thelma Steward along with WWT have been Godsends to me personally and the Urban League for over 25 years as mentors, friends, allies, advisors and advocates,” McMillan said. “We would not be as successful as we are without them.” McMillan said WWT has provided the Urban League with technology, volunteers and financial support. The Stewards have also supported the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, The Muny, The Sheldon and Jazz St. Louis. “He and his wife Thelma do just as much in the community as they do in the boardroom,” McMillan said. Michelle Tucker, president and CEO of United Way of Greater St. Louis, also praised Steward’s longtime philanthropy. “Dave has been a trusted friend, thought partner and champion whose leadership continually challenges us to think bigger, innovate and find new ways to strengthen our region,” Tucker said. Steward declined a St. Louis American request for an interview. But in a previously published United Way interview, he reflected on his parents’ sacrifices. “Every day I ask myself: ‘Am I living my life worthy of the sacrifices they made on my behalf to be in the position I am today?’”

an “innovative, exquisite educator who has her finger on the pulse of early childhood education and has been a champion of early education for so many years.” In 2023, March left the district to join Opportunity Trust, a St. Louis-based education nonprofit, and lead its St. Louis Pre-K Cooperative. The network connects childcare providers and schools to expand educational opportunities for children ages 3 to 5 across the region. “I left my good job with SLPS as the director of the largest preschool program in the state of Missouri for my great job now with Opportunity Trust,” March said. “Now I can impact students all over the region. I work with home daycares, child development centers, public charter schools … I’m able to impact thousands of children.” Cortagia Collins, owner of Good Shepherd Early Learning Center, said March’s current role has broadened her reach. “Oh, my goodness! Dr. March is the most amazing advocate for early childhood providers,” Collins said. “She is such an asset to the industry, the community and the whole ecosystem of childhood education.” March said the Excellence in Education award is a milestone, not a stopping point. She remains committed to bringing the advantages she saw in Clayton back to neighborhoods like her own. “Everything I do is about making sure our kids get the best of what we normally see in affluent areas. I’m able to bring that to our disadvantaged areas. “This award says to me, ‘keep going.’” Sylvester Brown Jr. is the Deaconess Foundation Community Advocacy Fellow.

Take me out to the ball game and tell me the story

father’s recognition in the National Baseball Hall of Fame while working to raise funds for lights at the Flowers for Curt Flood mural by artist Gregory Michael Carter at “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” 3180 Gravois. Her persistence is is one of those songs that crosses a reminder that remembering our geography, culture, and color. For heroes requires more than admiragenerations, its familiar words have tion. It requires action. carried us to summer afternoons, So, this fall, let’s all answer neighborhood diamonds, packed the call to action. Bring the young stadiums, and the timeless rhythm people in your life to St. Louis at of baseball. Bat. Let them see the artifacts, phoBut as the Missouri History tographs, and stories that connect Museum prepares to open St. Louis generations of St. Louisans to baseat Bat: 100 Moments in Baseball ball. Let them ask questions. Let History on October 3, I want us to them discover why a street bears the listen for something name of “Cool Papa” deeper between the Bell. Let them undernotes: the stories of stand that a ballpark African American that no longer stands baseball heroes who can still stand in our helped shape the collective memory. game—and, in doing See for yourselves so, helped shape how Black St. Louisans America. built, challenged, and Think of the transformed the game. Black players who Then talk about it. ruled segregated Because oral tradition diamonds and stood is about passing on, not atop hallowed passing over. mounds, wielding On Tuesday, bats that swung brilOctober 20, at 6:30pm, liance, defiance, and join me for “Beyond Lyah LeFlore-Ituen extraordinary athletic the Diamond,” a speprowess. They played a cial ticketed African game that often denied American History Initiative prothem the same opportunities it gram at the Missouri History offered others, yet they transformed Museum featuring acclaimed St. it anyway. Louis journalist and broadcaster How many of us have driven Mike Claiborne in conversation past the field at Harris-Stowe State with Bob Kendrick, president of the University without knowing that it Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. sits on the site of Stars Park, once Together, they will explore Black home to the St. Louis Stars of the baseball as more than Negro National a game—as a lens League? The Stars on justice, resilience, played there from community, and 1922 to 1931. Hall Flood spent 12 sealegacy, from Jackie of Famers James sons with the St. Robinson to the St. “Cool Papa” Bell, Louis Cardinals, Louis Cardinals’ own Willie Wells, and earning three All-Star Curt Flood, from the George “Mule” legions of unsung Suttles helped make selections and seven that ground sacred to Gold Gloves and help- Black players before to the generations Black baseball histoing lead the Cardinals that have followed. ry. Today, baseball to two World Series The idea began is still being played with a discussion championships. But there. with my dear friend And then there is his most consequenMike Claiborne. Curt Flood. tial contribution came He said “yes” withFlood spent 12 after the 1969 seaout hesitation and seasons with the St. son, when he refused brought his good Louis Cardinals, earning three Allto accept a trade and friend Bob Kendrick into the conversaStar selections and challenged baseball’s tion. This is a special seven Gold Gloves reserve clause. ticketed event to and helping lead support the work of the Cardinals to the AAHI. Tickets two World Series are $20, or $15 for championships. But MHS members, and I encourage his most consequential contribution you to bring at least two friends to came after the 1969 season, when see the exhibit and hear about the he refused to accept a trade and camaraderie and courage of Black challenged baseball’s reserve clause. ballplayers. I cannot wait to see He lost his Supreme Court case what happens when these two voicin 1972, but his challenge helped es meet in the room. pave the way for free agency and Because sports have always been changed the business of professional more than sports. For Black combaseball forever. munities, the diamond, the court, That story hits differently for me and the field have often been places because history is personal. Curt where we told our stories, built and Beverly Flood’s five children community, and fought for possiare family. Two of his daughters, bility. Debbie and Shelly Flood, often So this fall, let’s celebrate. Let’s return to St. Louis during baseball illuminate. Let’s magnify. season to honor their father. Shelly Come to the Museum. Put is especially outspoken and refuses October 20 on your calendar. And to let the world forget her father’s when you leave, take the stories story, often saying, “If there was with you. Because exhibits open no Jackie Robinson, my dad would and close. But our stories? have never had a chance. If there Those are ours to keep passing were no Curt Flood, there would be on. no free agency.” She continues to advocate for her By Lyah B. LeFlore-Ituen, African American History Initiative Director

Saturday, October 17th St. Louis Union Station Hotel

A16

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • SEPTEMBER 24 – 30, 2026

Twins Continued from A1 of veins that made separation extraordinarily dangerous. Their journey to St. Louis began with a phone call from a colleague working in northern Ethiopia. Their arrival in the United States required an international coalition. World Pediatrics coordinated travel, visas and logistics. Ethiopian Airlines removed six rows of seats to accommodate a special bed. Ronald McDonald House and Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital supported their care. Dr. Joanna Kemp, head pediatric neurosurgeon, described the preparation. “Our responsibility was to understand exactly how the twins were connected,” she said. “Months before entering the operating room, our teams were engaged in extensive imaging, simulations and multidisciplinary reviews.” Six major procedures — and more than 60 caregivers — contributed to the final separation. Four surgeries were required to divide the shared veins. The brains were mostly separate, but small fused areas required careful navigation. Dr. Kevin Chen led the reconstruction efforts. Three-dimensional imaging was one of several technological tools the team relied upon. “The skull reconstruction was like a jigsaw puzzle — in the best way possible,” he said. The separation began with the twins lying on their sides on two operating beds. It ended at 2:31 a.m. after nearly 24 hours.

Lease Continued from A1 of the lease for the cityowned senior apartment building at 2601 Whittier Street. The current leaseholder, EPV2 Dignity House, LLC, wants to assign its interest to CIG Homer I LLC. The transfer requires city approval. Alderwoman Sharon Tyus, who represents the 12th Ward, wants financial scrutiny before the transfer. Guy says seniors should not have to wait for those questions to be resolved before the lease transfer and needed improvements move forward. “I want the city to make them account for the money,” Tyus said. The property’s longterm lease dates from 1998. The legislation authorizing the proposed transfer does not specify a repair budget, deadlines or changes to day-to-day management. It remains unclear whether CIG Homer I has committed to funding the improvements

Guardian Kate Corbett and neurology PA Emily Fleckenstein enjoy playtime with formerly conjoined twins Hiyab and Wuhbto at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital on Wednesday, Sept. 16.

Photo by Lawrence Bryant / St. Louis American

Wuhbto has already undergone her cranioplasty, a procedure to repair her skull. Hiyab’s is scheduled for later this fall. After surgery, the girls moved to Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital, where Dr. Nick Holekamp said they are making daily progress. “They are beginning to take advantage of the miracle of the surgeries,” he said. “They’re learning to sit upright, eat, speak, socialize and play — including with each other.” Before surgery, they could not see one anoth-

er. Now they steal toys, refuse naps and interact like any toddlers. Their guardian, Abebe Fantahun — founder of Lola Children’s Home in Tigray — said the girls became family the moment they entered his care. “My hope is that they will return home knowing how deeply they are loved — both in Ethiopia and in St. Louis,” he said. Corbett, who also serves as senior program director for the U.S. region for World Pediatrics, said their personalities are

already clear. “Music is their love language,” she said. “Wuhbto is feisty and rambunctious. Hiyab welcomes you immediately — and her giggles are contagious.” She described the moment they first saw each other after surgery. “It was so beautiful,” she said. The separation also created the opportunity for Corbett and others to form a deeper connection with the girls. “As caregivers, what do you do when your little one is upset?” Corbett

said. “You pick them up and you put them on your shoulder. And we weren’t able to do that. After surgery, we were able to draw them close, put them on our shoulders and love them as we would our own kids.” Corbett pointed out that their names mean “gift.” And surrounded by the people who fought for their future, they were exactly that. “I hope St. Louis is a household name for these girls in Ethiopia,” she said. “I want them to

know that they were loved — and how much faith and love their parents had to have to let their girls go into the loving arms of Abebe.” Corbett also noted that about 30 families from their region of Ethiopia live in St. Louis, and several have helped care for the girls as they recover and stay connected to their homeland and native language. “These girls are here because you chose to care,” Fantahun said. “Thank you for believing in them.”

residents seek. Tyus introduced Board Bill 27 in May to authorize the lease assignment. On Sept. 18, 14th Ward Alderman Rasheen Aldridge introduced Board Bill 80, seeking authorization for the same transfer. Both bills were referred to the Housing, Urban Development and Zoning Committee. Tyus accused Aldridge of “conspiring to conceal the fact that there was millions of dollars that were unaccounted for” by introducing legislation concerning the property. That same day, Tyus introduced Resolution 122, calling on EPV2 to submit audited financial statements from 2020 through 2026 to the Board of Aldermen, the St. Louis Development Corporation and Tyus for expert review before the Board approves a lease transfer. Tyus said she began seeking information after the property became part of her ward in 2023. She alleges required financial reports were not provided to the Board or SLDC.

She cited $113 million walk hazards and packages that she believes should arriving after the main be accounted for under office closes. Tyus cited the lease arrangements. trash in hallways and broWhat the figure represents, ken glass near trash bins, how it was calculated while Guy said residents and whether any money have dealt with bugs. is missing Guy opposhave not been es holding up independently the transfer Tyus accused verified. while the city Aldridge of “The issue seeks financial is, where’s the records. “conspiring $113 million?” “I don’t feel to conceal the Tyus said. Sharon Tyus fact that there Tyus said has the right to was millions the financial hold Homer G. questions matPhillips Dignity of dollars that ter because of House residents were unacresidents’ livhostage until the counted for” ing conditions. documents she by introducing has requested” She said residents previous- legislation are provided, ly went without concerning the Guy said. adequate heat Guy has proand were given property. posed approxspace heaters, imately $3 which she conmillion for heatsidered dangerous. She and ing and air-conditioning her assistant instead helped upgrades, along with water provide electric blankets. system improvements, “That’s how we got the gated parking and surveilelectric blankets, because lance cameras. She also they were putting dangerproposed about $150,000 ous, dangerous space heat- in common-area improveers,” Tyus said. ments and wants someone Residents also have within SLDC designated raised concerns about mal- to oversee repairs and payfunctioning doors, sidements.

Tyus said she wants documentation showing whether the leaseholder met its financial and maintenance obligations. Resolution 122 describes $4.95 million in total base rent, payable in annual installments of $50,000. It also cites an agreement to defer ground lease payments to help cover operating costs, maintain services and minimize rent increases. “We must stand up for seniors,” Tyus said. “We must make sure that they complete repairs at Homer G. Phillips.” The dispute drew wider attention after remarks Tyus made about Aldridge during a resident meeting circulated on social media. While discussing why she does not trust Aldridge, Tyus said, “If you was in my Black Caucus, you would be the first person I would put a bullet in your head because you are not trustworthy.” Tyus said the recording took her comments out of context and referred to a conversation with

Aldridge from about three years earlier. She described the remark as a hypothetical “foxhole” analogy. On Sept. 18, the Board of Aldermen adopted Resolution 125, calling on Tyus to issue a written public apology to Aldridge within seven days and referring the matter to a committee for consideration of censure. Tyus has said she will not apologize and disputes the Board’s authority to censure her. She said she is prepared to take legal action if the Board moves forward. “If this board goes outside of their authority … then I will personally sue them individually,” Tyus said. Guy said she wants the attention returned to residents and believes improvements are more important than the disagreement among city officials. “If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem,” Guy said. Aldridge did not respond to a request for comment.

“You are the prize. You have the thing that we need.” -Taraji P. Henson

Living It

SEPTEMBER 24 – 30, 2026

Black hair and Black joy

9th Annual Frizz Fest draws impressive crowd despite high temperatures By Kenya Vaughn St. Louis American At 2 p.m. on Saturday in Tower Grove Park, the 9th Annual Frizz Fest appeared to be a casualty of the debilitating heat across the St. Louis area. Less than a handful of people sat in the chairs facing the Frizz Fest mainstage, feeling the sun beating directly on their backs. Food trucks and vendors lined the area from Grand and Magnolia down to the middle of the park, but the space normally buzzing with people celebrating textured hair of all types was uncharacteristically empty. Stage host Tee Parks did her best to keep the crowd engaged, but reminded them to stay hydrated. Aloha Mischeaux hit the stage with the song “I Love My Hair,” performing as if oblivious to the triple-digit heat index —

and the crowd appreciated the energy. But when the Healthy Hair Solutions Hair Show kicked off at 2:30 p.m., the festival seemed to instantly activate. “We have been with Frizz Fest for the past…I don’t know how many years. I’m not counting anymore,” said Tendai Morris, founder of the

Healthy Hair Solutions natural hair care line. “It gets bigger and better every year,” Morris said. “Let’s give it up for Leslie and Val for doing such an amazing job and give a shout out to the whole team.” Healthy Hair Solutions has been growing as well. Founded in St. Louis, the brand now has a national footprint. Morris

Photos by Lawrence Bryant / St. Louis American

See Frizz Fest, B4

Talent lifts ‘The Color Purple’ despite missteps

Cast, musicians carry the production as creative decisions undercut key moments

See Color Purple, B3

Jacobs-Jenkins breaks down the art of American drama at WashU Morrin Lecture By Kenya Vaughn St. Louis American

By Kenya Vaughn St. Louis American The St. Louis Black Repertory Company opened its milestone 50th anniversary season with a production its audiences have never seen from them. The Color Purple premiered on a Black Rep stage on September 7 and continues through September 27 at Washington University’s Edison Theatre. The Black Rep’s reputation as a toptier producer of musicals stretches almost as far back as the company’s storied history. Their ability to deliver musical Casual thetheater on a scale that meets — and often exceeds — the expectations of atergoers and Broadway tour regulars and patrons devoted Black of Broadway itself is part of their Rep subscribsignature. So it was no surprise ers alike will that the company chose to sing and enjoy The Color dance its way into its golden season. That made the hiccups within Purple. The Color Purple surprising. The deviations were unlikely, but the caliber of talent — characteristic of a Black Rep musical — kept the production afloat. Casual theatergoers and devoted Black Rep subscribers alike will enjoy The Color Purple. But anyone tasked with identifying shortcomings — someone who usually has to squint to find them in a Black Rep musical — will see that this production is not quite like the others. Questionable creative choices that don’t necessarily

Discussing American drama

Photo by Lawrence Bryant / St. Louis American

Morgan Taylor as Nettie and Angela Wildflower as Celie perform in The Black Rep’s premiere of The Color Purple, the production that opens the company’s 50th anniversary season at Washington University’s Edison Theatre. The show runs through Sept. 27.

Early in the conversation between Branden Jacobs-Jenkins and WashU Assistant Professor of Performing Arts Zachariah Ezer, which served as the university’s 2026 Morrin Lecture, As one of the most it was clear that influential playJacobs-Jenkins is wrights of his gencerebral. Not in a eration, his achievecondescending manner – but in a way ments were not at that compels everythe center of their one who speaks discussion. with him to consider things in a new way. His “interrogation” of American theater’s contribution to the canon of global theater brought him to the conclusion of musical theater and family drama. “The scholars would say that it is the social unit from which all [American] drama rises,” Jacobs-Jenkins said of the latter during the talk that took place Friday afternoon in the auditorium of WashU’s Olin School of Business. His play “Appropriate,” the centerpiece of the Tennessee Williams Festival-St. Louis 11th Season, lends to his theory. Set in a dilapidated Arkansas plantation house, the Lafayette siblings must face a truth that subsequent See Drama B3

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • SEPTEMBER 24 – 30, 2026

St. Louis American Calendar

CONCERTS

SPECIAL EVENTS

Sat., Sept. 26, 8 p.m., Begging for Sax starring Chris Mitchell, The Pageant, 6161 Delmar. For more information, visit thepageant.com.

Fri., Sept. 25, 7 p.m., Disney On Ice, Chaifetz Arena. For tickets, visit www.ticketmaster.com

Sat., Oct. 3, 7:30 p.m., Bryson Tiller presents The NeoSoul Trap Tour, Hollywood Casino Amphitheater. For more information, visit www. livenation.com. Sun., Oct. 4, 8 p.m. (7 p.m. doors), Swayze The Nostalgia Tour, The Pageant, 6161 Delmar. For more information, visit thepageant.com. Wed., Oct. 7, 8 p.m. (7 p.m. doors), Chance The Rapper Coloring Book 10th Anniversary Tour, The Pageant, 6161 Delmar. For more information, visit thepageant. com. Sat., Oct. 9, 6 p.m. & 9:30 p.m., City Winery welcomes Tamar Braxton, City Winery St. Louis, 3730 Foundry Way. For more information, visit citywinery.com Thurs., Oct. 29, 7:30 p.m., Thundercat: Distracted AF Tour, The Factory at The District, 17105 N. Outer 40 Road, Chesterfield, MO 63005. For more information, visit thefactorystl.com. Oct. 30 – Oct. 31, Josh Johnson’s Comedy Band Camp, The Factory at The District, 17105 N. Outer 40 Road, Chesterfield, MO 63005. For more information, visit thefactorystl. com.

ents Little Women, The Loretto-Hilton, 130 Edgar Rd, Webster Groves, MO 63119. For more information, visit www.repstl.org. City Winery St. Louis welcomes Grammynominated singer and ‘Braxton Family Values’ star Tamar Braxton. See concerts for more information.

Sat., Sept. 26, 10 a.m., St. Louis County Library Little Readers Festival, Florissant Branch Library. 195 S. New Florissant Rd. For more information, visit www.slcl.org. Thurs., Oct. 15, 7 p.m., The St. Louis County Library Foundation presents D.L. Hughley, The Pageant. 6161 Delmar. For more information, visit www. thepageant.com. Sat., October 17, St. Louis American Foundation’s 39th Annual Salute to Excellence in Education Scholarship and Awards Gala, Cardinal Ritter President Tamiko Armstead will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award, Jennings School District Superintendent Dr. Paula Knight will receive the Stellar Performer Award and Richard “Rich” McClure will receive the Champion in Education Award. St. Louis Union Station Hotel. For more information, call 314.533.8000 or visit www.stlamerican.com. COMEDY Sept. 25 – Sept. 27, Tommy Davidson, Helium Comedy Club, 1151 St Louis Galleria Street, St Louis MO 63117. For more information, visit https://st-louis. heliumcomedy.com/ Sat., Sept. 26, 8 p.m.

Through October 18, Stages Saint Louis presents Come Away with Me, Performing Arts Center, 210 E. Monroe Ave. Kirkwood, MO 63122. For more information, visit stagesstlouis. org. ART Through November 8, Fri., Oct. 2, 5 p.m., The Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis (CAM) presents First Friday: Celebrating Vaughn Terrell Davis Jr., Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis, 3750 Washington Boulevard, 63108. For more information, visit camstl.org.

Martin Lawrence’s Y’all Still Know What It Is Tour, Stifel Theatre, 1400 Market. For tickets or more information, visit www.stifeltheatre.com. Sun., Oct. 11. 7:30 p.m., Grief Sucks: A One-Man Show by KevOnStage, The Pageant, 6161 Delmar. For more information, visit www.thepageant.com. ST. LOUIS MUSIC SPOTLIGHT Thurs., Sept. 24, 6 p.m., Twilight Thursdays presents Blues Bash featuring Skeet Rodgers and Andrea Taylor, Missouri History Museum. For more information, visit www.mohistory.org.

Fri., Sept. 25, 10 p.m., Dee Jazz presents Jazzyonce, The Dark Room at The Grandel, 3610 Grandel Square. For more information, visit kranzbergartsfoundation. org Sun., Sept. 27, 5 p.m., The Lamar Harris Sextet, The Dark Room at The Grandel, 3610 Grandel Square. For more information, visit kranzbergartsfoundation.org Thurs., Oct. 1, 6 p.m., Twilight Thursdays presents The Music of The O’Jays, Missouri History Museum. For more information, visit www.mohistory.org.

THEATRE Through Sept. 27, 7 p.m., The 11th Annual Tennessee Williams Festival presents Appropriate by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, Catherine B. Berges Theatre, COCA. For more information, visit www.twstl.org. Through Sept. 27, The Black Rep opens their 50th Anniversary Season with The Color Purple, Washington University’s Edison Theatre. For more information, visit www. theblackrep.org. Through September 27, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis pres-

Through November 8, A Hum Beneath the Surface by Lillian Stephen, on display through November 8. The Kranzberg Gallery, 501 N. Grand Blvd. For more information, visit kranzbergartsfoundation.org Through February 7, 2027, Ayana Evans: Nobody’s Gonna Love You the Way I Do, Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis, 3750 Washington Boulevard St. Louis, MO 63108. For more information, visit camstl.org. Through Dec. 12, Counterpublic 2026: Coyote Time, various locations. For more information, visit counterpublic.org.

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • SEPTEMBER 24 – 30, 2026

Drama Continued from B1 generations have worked diligently to avoid – a legacy that is complicit with racial terror. The Tony Award-winning production continues through September 27 at COCA’s Berges Theatre. As one of the most influential playwrights of his generation, his achievements – including back-to-back Tony Awards for Appropriate in 2024 and Purpose in 2025 – were not at the center of their discussion. Jacobs-Jenkins’ creative process, his foray into television and the college education that led to his practice as a playwright and professor were at the core of the talk. “If anything, it made me really appreciate actors,” Jacobs-Jenkins said of his television work. “I had this realization that everything that happens in films and television is all about hoping that the actor comes out and does something interesting on camera. That’s it. There’s this village that kind of pops out on set. Everyone is this busy bee on set but the minute they call actors to set; everything gets really quiet.” He said that his television work further engaged him in the casting process, because he saw what can happen at the intersection of engaging material and a phenomenal actor. Stage adaptations from other mediums was another moment where Ezer’s picking of his brain unearthed another gem. “Adaptation is not to replace the original thing, but to send people back to the original thing with a new point of view,” Jacobs-Jenkins said. “When you adapt a novel into a play, you are not recreating a novel.

Photo by Lawrence Bryant / St. Louis American

Playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins and WashU’s Zachariah Ezer discuss American drama during the university’s 2026 Morrin Lecture on Sept. 18 at the Olin Business School auditorium. Plays and novels ask for two different things from their audiences.” In the case of his play “An Octoroon,” an adaptation of the 1859 play “The Octoroon,” he felt an adaptation of a play into another play was a necessity. “‘An Octoroon’ came about because I really wanted to see the original,” Jacobs-Jenkins said. “I felt that in order to honor the original, I have to do it differently. We’re not the same audience as we were back then. I had to do the job of translating across centuries.” The play earned him the 2017 “Most Promising

Playwright” in the past distincdecade – and tion at the Ezer put He became the first as Critics Circle it “so many Black playwright to honors that Theatre win back-to-back Awards. if I were In the near to read Tony Awards and decade since, the first to win them there Jacobswouldn’t be Best Play since Jenkins has time enough August Wilson in gone on to to have our win countless 1987. conversaawards. tion.” He As with became the most visionfirst Black playwright to aries, Jacobs-Jenkins had win back-to-back Tony his eye on the future – Awards and the first including the promise he to win Best Play since sees in regional theater. August Wilson in 1987. “New York theater has He has won three Pulitzer kind of turned into inside Prize awards for drama baseball – and turning

movies into musicals that nobody wants,” JacobsJenkins said. He said that Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis – and the organization’s current production – is a part of what’s right about regional theater. Tennessee Williams Festival-St. Louis made history in its own right by having “Appropriate” as the first work not written by its namesake – who spent his formative years in the St. Louis region. The production is also historic in that it is the first play by a Black playwright and has a Black director (Benny

Sato Ambush) at the helm of the production. “‘Appropriate’ looks at the notion of ownership – the play is all about ownership with the family,” Jacobs-Jenkins said. “The vision is mine on the page, but the magic is that these theaters use it to tell stories that somehow reflect their community and assess its values.” The Tennessee Williams Festival-St. Louis production of “Appropriate” continues through September 27. For tickets and additional information, visit www.twstl.org.

Color Purple Continued from B1 serve the story appear early. Before the audience can absorb the swift transition from the lighthearted introduction of Celie and Nettie to the harsh reality of Celie’s trauma, director Daniel Bryant inserts a scene featuring moans that suggest an ancestral, ritualistic aura. Its only function is to spoil the shock of the transition that illustrates the contrast between Celie’s life as a young teen and the adult circumstances that shape the musical’s story. The cast is strong — from the ensemble to the central characters. Before the leads deliver a single note, the trio of “singing sisters,” Anita Michelle Jackson, Olivia Neal and Alexandria Rose, set the bar high. They carry the harmony of the show — and could easily package themselves as background vocalists for national recording artists, studio sessions and concert tours. St. Louis native singer/songwriter Morgan Taylor is impressive in her musical theater debut as Nettie. She holds her own alongside stage veteran Angela Wildflower’s Celie. Their performances of “Somebody Gonna Love You” and “Our Prayer” set a high bar for the musical numbers. Alexis J. Roston also makes a memorable Black Rep debut as Shug Avery. Black Rep veteran Kelvin Roston plays Mister opposite his reallife wife. J. Samuel Davis once again uses a small role to leave a strong impression through his portrayal of Ole Mister.

Morgan Taylor as Nettie and Angela Wildflower as Celie perform in The Black Rep’s premiere of The Color Purple.

Photo by Lawrence Bryant / St. Louis American

Tyler White, who began her career as a student in the company’s summer camp, has grown up on the Black Rep stage and serves the role of Squeak well. Adrienne Spann makes

A few of the most glaring issues included the body language between Shug and Celie. They displayed overtly romantic public gestures in the Depressionera South, yet in private they appeared distant. her Black Rep debut as Sophia, playing opposite Black Rep regular Brian McKinley as Harpo. Olajuwon Davis and DaJuan Johnson round out the talented cast. While the performers’ gifts were the redeeming feature, missteps — including bouts of oversinging and overthetop antics — kept the pro-

duction from realizing its potential to usher in year 50 with another outstanding musical. A few of the most glaring issues included the body language between Shug and Celie. They displayed overtly romantic public gestures in the Depression-era South, yet in private they appeared distant. The dinner table scene — a centerpiece moment in both Black cinema and more recent musical adaptations — was made awkward by Sophia being relegated to a rocking chair on the other side of the room. Another point of confusion was the contrasting costume choices by Jarrod Barnes. Some characters were modest to the point of appearing 19th-century, while others — namely Shug’s juke joint ensemble — were so provocative and modern that they felt out of place in the 1930s. But as the artists — and the stellar musicians supporting them — execute, the shortcomings will likely be water under the bridge for the first show of The Black Rep’s season

50. The Black Rep’s production of The Color

Purple continues through Sunday, September 27. For tickets and additional

information, visit www. theblackrep.org or call 3145343807.

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • SEPTEMBER 24 – 30, 2026

Photos by Lawrence Bryant / St. Louis American Your friendly Education Salute reminder. This is a T-23 day check in as we enter in the final laps of our 39th Annual Salute to Excellence in Education Scholarship and Awards Gala prep work. Sistas, how y’all feelin’? Brothers, y’all all right? Okay cool. Every year The St. Louis American Foundation comes through with a gala that has us talking until the next one. This year, the opulent turn up will be taking place at the St Louis Union Station Hotel. Right now, I’m torn between three looks. I might do a change for the reception, the program and the after party and rock all three. My second choice might be my first look. As of today, I can get it on. But if I cop a squat, I’ll bust out of it like I’m turning into the Incredible Hulk. I will keep y’all posted on my progress. Be there for my big reveal – and to help us celebrate educators, scholars and supporters. Saturday, October 17. We have a reception at 5 p.m. before the program gets going at 6 p.m. Visit www. stlamerican.com Fried at Frizz Fest. I had an absolute blast, but I almost didn’t survive when I stopped by Frizzy By Nature’s 9th Annual Frizz Fest Saturday afternoon in Tower Grove Park. By the time I made it from my car to the stage, I had to lay out in the lounge McDonald’s had set up for the performers before and after their sets. A woman asked me if I was an artist. I said, “No, but you might wanna leave me be if you don’t want the sound of an ambulance drowning out the performers.” I got my second wind just in time for the Healthy Hair Solutions hair show. I was not expecting a real-time big chop to start the show off! Ms. Seven stepped on stage. And as the Vybe Dance Studio got it in, Tendai Morris got busy with those clippers. I know you feel lighter when you get a fade, but light enough to plop into a full split? Seven had me considering a “G.I. Jane” for summer 2027. Frizz Fest is for natural hair, but the sun felt like a hot comb on the back of my neck. Once I got to kicking it, I fought through the heat while running into some of my favorite folks. If I name them all, there won’t be room for anything else. I was sizzling like some Orville Redenbacher on the stovetop as I waited for Kirby to take the stage. Didn’t she make it worth the broil! I’m sure she made hundreds of new fans. Shout out to Leslie, Val and the whole team for another natural good time. Oh, and shout out to Don Lemon for showing the event some love. I cannot wait to see what Frizzy By Nature has up their sleeves for the 10th Anniversary. Gala En Heat. I had to take off running after Kirby’s thrilling take on Nelly’s “Hot In Herre” and hit the highway. I was headed across the bridge to World Wide Technology Raceway for Urban Sprouts’ 7th Annual Gala En Blanc. I ain’t never been so happy for an all-white dress code after Labor Day in all my life. I would have burned to a crisp if we had been in all black! I had the time of all times with Ellicia Lanier and ‘nem. I was just bragging about telling the Whitfield twins apart. Why did I call Marlon by the wrong name at Gala En Blanc, when Mark was all the way in K.C.? But back to the event. The vibe was vibing – and the atmosphere was so cute! If somebody tries to tell you that Black St. Louis doesn’t show up and show out for worthy philanthropic causes, tell them about the $471K that was raised by a soldout crowd! The worth of women leaders. Speaking of sold-out crowds, I

The Healthy Hair Solutions Hair Show team brought even more heat to the 9th Annual Frizz Fest as they strutted the stage in Tower Grove Park

Ruben Studdard sang the sold-out crowd home with his Luther Vandross tribute at the Urban League’s 23rd Annual Salute to Women In Leadership Saturday at The Grand Marriott

Fire Captain Garon Mosby, Alderwoman Shameem ClarkHubbard and Marlon Whitfield at the 7th Annual Gala En Blanc Saturday at World Wide Technology Raceway

felt like a marshmallow in a pile of blackberries when I sped off from the track like Bubba Wallace was right behind me to catch the last sip of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis’ 23rd Annual Salute to Women In Leadership at the Grand Marriott. And before I get any racially charged accusations, I was talking about my attire compared to everyone else representing Black elegance with their black gowns and suits. Rita McMillan and Xernona Clayton…did y’all have to gag us like that with your glorious looks? If I thought the bedazzled material would cover more than my left shoulder blade, Ms. Xernona would have had to come up off that cape for one of my Salute looks. I’m so glad I powered through instead staying on 70, because I had the time of my life for those few little minutes. I got there just as the eternally stunning Jayne Kennedy received her lifetime achievement award. Shout out to her, fellow lifetime achievement award honoree Pam Grier as well as all the lovely ladies – from local to global – who were given their flowers in grand fashion. Ruben Studdard gave the crowd a cute bite-sized Luther tribute. My girl Rochelle Calhoun was singing along like she was on stage next to him from her seat.

Frizz Fest Continued from B1 announced on the Frizz Fest stage that they recently expanded to the Dallas, Texas region. Before the models walked the stage with hair and fashion that looked like it was blooming from their heads and bodies, Morris had a surprise. “There’s a saying by Coco Chanel,” Morris said. “It says, ‘A woman who cuts her hair is about to change her life.’ I met somebody and I said, ‘Would you be willing to cut your hair off?’” A woman who called herself Seven walked on stage wearing a long wig — and carrying a Chanel purse. Morris encouraged the crowd to chant “take it off,” as Seven pulled the wig from her head and revealed a full head of straightened hair. “We’ve got some beautiful hair under here,” Morris said. “But what are we about to do?” The crowd chanted again: “Take it off.” “She’s gonna cry, y’all,” Morris said. “Make some noise for her. Going natural is a lifestyle — it’s not just a hairstyle; it is a lifestyle.” Morris pulled a pair of clippers from the pocket of her copper-colored parachute pants and ran them across Seven’s head. Several inches of hair fell to the floor. As she cut Seven’s hair, Vybe Dance Company performed Tyla’s hit “Chanel” in the area just in front of the stage. After the initial cut, the hair was swept up and the hair show got underway — creative styles and fashions that spoke to the intention of the natural hair festival that has grown into one of the biggest in the Midwest. A typical Frizz Fest crowd had sprouted

KIRBY lights up the Frizz Fest stage with soul, style and Southern energy during the annual celebration of Black hair, culture and joy.

Photo by Lawrence Bryant / St. Louis American

between the start of the hair show and its conclusion, which featured Seven returning to the stage with a bald buzz cut. “I feel like such a weight has been lifted off of me,” Seven said after leaving the stage. She then collapsed into tears. “People are going to see you crying like this and think you hate it,” Morris said as she consoled her. Seven shot up from Morris’ arms. “I will tell them that I love it,” she said. “I absolutely love it.” Leslie Hughes of Frizzy By Nature, producer of Frizz Fest, stood smiling as the models walked through the crowd. “It’s hot, but we

went through the rain last tions,” Christian-Wilson year,” Hughes said. “We said. “The smiles were are letting the infectious edges show, and it was we are letting just what my the sweat heart needed Morris pulled a drip, and we — pure love, pair of clippers are letting the happiness and from the pocket frizz out.” joy.” of her copper-colLeslie Her ChristianDiversity ored parachute Wilson, a Gallery booth, pants and ran pioneer in manned by them across the St. Louis herself and Seven’s head. natural hair her mothcare moveer Rubina Several inches ment through Patton, stayed of hair fell to the her Diversity heavy with floor. Gallery, felt traffic. “I the love. “I want to thank reconnected Leslie and Val with people (Frizzy by I hadn’t seen in a while Nature co-founder Valerie — and made so many Hughes). The Frizz Fest new friends and connecteam’s vision and commit-

ment to our community is impeccable,” Wilson said. “And St. Louis, thank you for reflecting what our community is capable of achieving. We are so grateful and our hearts are so full.” By the time R&B artist Kirby took the stage as the musical headliner to close out the event, Frizz Fest 2026 was in full effect. “I feel like I got some southern cousins out here,” Kirby told the crowd. She was right. She found out for sure when she shouted out her home state. “They say Mississippi ain’t good for nothing but racism and backwoods,” Kirby said. “But I want you to know that if it wasn’t for

Mississippi, you wouldn’t have the blues. And if you didn’t have the blues, you wouldn’t have jazz. And if you didn’t have jazz, you wouldn’t have hip hop.” Backed by a full band, she performed a jazzedout version of her song “Thick and Country.” Afterward she remixed St. Louis rap star Nelly’s “Hot in Herre” with a taste of the blues – a perfect fit for the weather. “People still came and showed out because of the feeling and the energy and the joy that you get in this space,” Hughes said. “When you are here, you are safe, seen and celebrated.”

Sports

“The game really wasn’t as fast as I thought. It was more of me calming myself down.” — Los Angeles Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald, after playing his first NFL game since the 2023 season.

SEPTEMBER 24 – 30, 2026

Inside Sports With Earl Austin Jr.

Wildcats duo no longer under radar

rebounds and 2.0 assists Hazelwood West is while shooting 55% off to a 2-2 start this seafrom the field, helping son behind its dynamic the Wolverines reach the offensive duo of senior Class 4 state tournament’s Emanuel Gray and junior Final Four. Maquavion Jackson. Gray and Jackson are a Powell is the son of pair of excellent athletes former Vashon High who have been under the standout Leon Powell, radar but are starting to who played college emerge and grab some basketball at Southeast attention for themselves Missouri State. He and the Wildcats. had a tremendous Gray is a summer grassroots senior dual-threat season playing quarterback who for the Southwest had 390 yards of Illinois Jets. total offense and five touchdowns Belmont won the in the Wildcats’ Missouri Valley 57-14 victory over Earl Conference reguParkway Central Austin Jr. lar-season champilast Thursday. He onship last season. passed for 245 yards and four touchdowns Highlight performances while rushing for 145 from last weekend yards and another score. Jackson is an exciting Malik Waters (De junior offensive weapon Smet): The sophomore who has already lined up running back rushed for at multiple positions this 196 yards and four touchseason. In the victory over downs in the Spartans’ Parkway Central, he lined 62-14 victory over up at wide receiver and Chaminade. caught five passes for 171 yards and three touchDerrion Brown downs. (Kirkwood): The junior In the season opener running back rushed for against Hazelwood East, 152 yards and two touchJackson played quarterdowns on 16 carries in the back and passed for 167 Pioneers’ 52-21 victory yards and three touchover Marquette. downs while rushing for 72 yards in the Wildcats’ Raheem Floyd (East victory. He has also played St. Louis): The senior corrunning back. nerback had two intercepThe Wildcats will tions in the Flyers’ 61-0 return to action Friday victory over Belleville when they visit Ritenour. East. Kickoff is at 6 p.m. Leon Powell Jr. commits to Belmont Vashon High basketball standout Leon Powell Jr. has committed to Belmont. The 6-foot-6 senior guard made his announcement over the weekend on his social media account. As a junior, Powell averaged 13.6 points, 5.4

Photos by Lawrence Bryant / St. Louis American

Hazelwood West’s duo of Maquavion Jackson, left, and Emanuel Gray, right, have the Wildcats off to a 2-2 start this season. Jackson has already lined up at multiple positions while Gray is a dual-threat quarterback who can beat teams with his arm or legs. in the Lions’ 55-40 loss to Millard South (Nebraska).

rushing touchdown in the Comanches’ 48-14 victory over Carbondale.

Omari Hagen (East St. Louis): The junior linebacker had 12 tackles and two sacks in the Flyers’ 61-0 victory over Belleville East.

Tristan Moss (Lift for Life): The senior running back scored two rushing touchdowns in the Hawks’ 49-0 victory over Lutheran-St. Charles.

Mason Coleman (MICDS): The sophomore linebacker had 12 tackles and one sack in the Rams’ 22-12 victory over Westminster.

Ryan McDavis (Cardinal Ritter): The junior wide receiver had two touchdown receptions and returned a kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown

Nigel Gooden (Cahokia): The senior quarterback completed 14 of 16 passes for 231 yards and two touchdowns. He also scored a

Chase Cooper (De Smet): The junior quarterback completed 18 of 23 passes for 260 yards and three touchdowns in the Spartans’ 62-14 victory over Chaminade.

What’s on tap this weekend • Normandy at University City, Thursday, 6 p.m. • Cardinal Ritter at The St. James Performance Academy (Virginia), Friday, 6 p.m. • Lift for Life at SLUH, Friday, 6 p.m. • Ladue at Parkway North, Friday, 6:30 p.m. • Lafayette at Marquette, Friday, 6:30 p.m. • Orchard Farm at St.

Charles West, Friday, 7 p.m. • Kirkwood at Eureka, Friday, 7 p.m. • Summit at Lindbergh, Friday, 7 p.m. • East St. Louis at Edwardsville, Friday, 7 p.m. • McCluer North at Northwest Cedar Hill, Friday, 7 p.m. • CBC at Lipscomb, Friday, 7 p.m. • St. Dominic at Chaminade, Friday, 7 p.m. • MICDS at John Burroughs, Sat., 2 p.m.

Sports Eye With Alvin A. Reid

Mahomes’ magic is back

For the first time in has captivated us for close months, a certain uneasto a decade now. My wife iness had left my mind Carmen literally became when it came to the NFL a Chiefs fan because of late Sunday evening. Mahomes. Watching pro football She sometimes refers to had not been the same him as “my son.” since Kansas City Chiefs Mahomes has a lot of quarterback Patrick surrogate moms and dads Mahomes hobbled off the out here, many of whom field during a December are fans of other teams. 2025 game against On Sunday, the Los Angeles Mahomes put most Chargers. He had of my fears to rest suffered a major when he guided knee injury, and the Chiefs to a his return for the 33-30 overtime Chiefs’ season victory against the opener at home Indianapolis Colts. against the vaunted Mahomes passed Alvin A. Denver Broncos for 382 yards and Reid was in doubt. three touchdowns While he vowed — and was clutch to return for the season’s when the Chiefs needed first kickoff, I worried. a pair of field goals from Don’t rush back, Harrison Butker to pull Patrick. Make sure you are out the overtime victory. 100% healthy. You are too Butker’s second kick, from valuable. 40 yards, won the game as Those were my time expired. thoughts. I’m sure a multitude of Black NFL fans, “It’s fun for me,” he not just Chiefs followers, said with a smile after the were thinking the same. game. When I say “too “We showcased that valuable,” I mean more we can throw the ball than just at quarterback. down the field, we can Mahomes’ rise to stardom play action and can also

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes passed for 382 yards and three touchdowns in a 33-30 overtime victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.

Photo by Sam Lutz / Courtesy of the Chiefs

still run the ball. I thought coach [Andy] Reid and coach [Eric] Bieniemy did a great job calling the game, mixing it in everywhere so they couldn’t get a good gauge on what we were doing.” While Mahomes, as always, deflected the glory from himself, this was his game, his statement, his reminder to the NFL that he remains the best at the

most important position. Mahomes’ 97th regular-season victory matched Tom Brady’s total through his first 10 NFL seasons. Mahomes’ thrilling performance was greeted with enthusiasm throughout the sports world. I was not alone. Former Missouri star quarterback and ESPN analyst Chase Daniel declared on X, “Tonight …

officially declaring Patrick Mahomes is back.” Robert Griffin III, whose promising NFL career was derailed by a knee injury, wrote, “There is no one in the NFL that you can trust more than Patrick Mahomes with the game on the line. He is inevitable.” Scott Kacsmar, an NFL data analyst and writer, declared, “Alright, maybe the 2018-22 Chiefs are back. Almost 400 yards for Mahomes and had to take the lead twice in OT to get the classic KC win.” The 2-0 Chiefs are tied for first place in the AFC West with the surprising Las Vegas Raiders and are headed to Miami for their first road game on Sept. 27. Look for the Mahomes magic to continue against the struggling Dolphins. I’ll still hold my breath every time Mahomes is hit this season, but I breathed a sigh of relief on Sunday. Patrick Mahomes is back. The Reid Roundup Along with Patrick Mahomes, new Kansas

City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker III has put a charge into the NFL season. He is the league’s rushing leader after two games with 290 yards, including 117 against Indianapolis… Kansas Citian Jason Sudeikis included the National Negro Leagues Museum in the season four opening episode of “Ted Lasso” that aired in August. The result is a surge in attendance at the museum. “I’ll tell you — it has superseded anything that I could have ever even remotely imagined,” Bob Kendrick, president and CEO of the museum said. “I honestly did not know that it would have this kind of interest and immediate impact on the museum.”…Actor Tom Cruise visited the museum while in Kansas City for the Chiefs’ home opener against Denver… While he slumped in September, Jordan Walker should be the St. Louis Cardinals’ MVP for 2026.

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • SEPTEMBER 24 – 30, 2026

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EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY O’FALLON FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT The O’Fallon Fire Protection District is currently seeking qualified applicants to establish a hiring pool for the position of Firefighter/EMT-P. Application packets can be picked up at the O’Fallon Fire Protection District Administration Office located at 111 Laura K Drive, 2nd Floor, O’Fallon, MO 63366 beginning September 28, 2026 through October 16, 2026 between the hours of at 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. CST Monday through Friday. Packets may be obtained electronically by going to our website ofallonfire.org and downloading the application packet beginning September 28, 2026 or by contacting the office at 636-272-3493 x 9112. Application Packets can be returned beginning September 28, 2026 through October 16, 2026 between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Packets are to be returned in person ONLY. The O’Fallon Fire Protection District is not responsible for any correspondence that is lost or misdirected, or received after 4:30 p.m. on October 16, 2026. The O’Fallon Fire Protection District is an Equal Opportunity Employer

REQUEST FOR REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS PROPOSALS Proposals are requested from qualified hauling and waste-management contractors to remove, transport, and dispose of approximately 1,500 deteriorated mattresses from Kinloch, Missouri. Selected contractors shall dispose of the material through permitted landfills within the region. This project is managed in part by the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership. A copy of the RFP is available at https://stlpartnership.com/ rfp-rfq/.

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

Safe Streets Safe Neighborhoods seeks to hire an Assistant Director to lead the nonprofit’s operations, partnerships and fundraising. PT position up to $30k. More information & apply at: bit.ly/3SSg4si

St. Louis American Ad Code: D&C_M252201 Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Construction Manager at Risk for the New Kansas City Mental Health Hospital, Project No. M2522-01, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, October 8, 2026. RFQ information available at: http://oa.mo.gov/ facilities

PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given that The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District Requests for Quotes, Bids, Proposals and Single Source Procurements are posted on-line for public download. Please navigate to: > www.msdprojectclear.org > Doing Business With Us > View Bid Opportunities The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer

PARKING AND REVENUE Bids for Water CONTROL SYSTEM Supply System, REQUEST FOR Bryant Creek State Park, PROPOSALS

Equal Opportunity Employer

EQUIPMENT RFP 2026 The Saint Louis Zoo seeks bids from qualified vendors. Bid documents are available as of 9/23/26 on the Saint Louis Zoo website: stlzoo. org/vendor. BOILER MAINTENANCE SERVICES RFP 2026

The Saint Louis Zoo seeks bids from qualified vendors. Bid documents are available as of 9/23/26 on the Saint Louis Zoo website: stlzoo. org/vendor.

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS Sealed bids for the New Halls Ferry Road Sidewalk project, St. Louis County Project No. AR-1857, Federal Project No. TAP-9901(685) will be received electronically thru the County’s Vendor Self Service portal at https://stlouis countymo.bonfirehub. com/portal/?tab=openOpportunities, until 2:00 PM on October 21, 2026

Plans and specifications will be available on September 21, 2026 from the St. SEALED Louis County Web Site BIDS (www.stlouiscountymo. gov) or by contacting Bids for Cross Rhodes Print & Renovate Technologies, 2731 Building No. 5 at Missouri South Jefferson Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63118 Interoperability (314) 678-0087. Center in

Jefferson City, DIRECTOR OF Project No. PROCUREMENT R2607-01, will be received by ST. LOUIS COUNTY FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL NOTICE TO 1:30 PM, CONTRACTORS October 29, 2026. Project Sealed bids for the NFL information Fund Subdivision available at: Traffic Calming, http://oa.mo. Package 1 project, St. gov/facilities Louis County Project

No. CR-1951, will be received electronically thru the County’s Vendor Self Service portal at https://stlouis countymovendors. munis selfservice. com/Vendors/default. aspx, until 2:00 PM on October 21, 2026

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SEALED BIDS

available at: http://oa.mo. gov/facilities

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SEPTEMBER 24 - 30, 2026

Proposals are requested from qualified contractors to clear and dispose of vegetation, Ava, Missouri brush, and overgrowth Project No. along designated rights-ofway in Kinloch, Missouri. X2409-01 will www.stltreasurer.org/ This project be received by request-for-proposals/ is managed in part by FMDC, State of the St. Louis Economic MO, UNTIL stlouis-mo.gov/govern Development Partnership. 1:30 PM, A copy of the ment/procurement/ October 22, RFP is available at https://stlpartnership.com/ 2026. Project rfp-rfq/. information RENTAL Proposals must be received no later than 3 PM CT on Thursday, October 15, 2026.

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Plans and specifications will be available on September 21, 2026 from the St. Louis County Web Site (www.stlouiscountymo. gov) or by contacting Cross Rhodes Print & Technologies, 2731 South Jefferson Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63118 (314) 678-0087. DIRECTOR OF PROCUREMENT ST. LOUIS COUNTY

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Repair Bids for Design Bids for & Renovate & Construct REBID Replace Interior Replacement Concrete Judiciary Nurse Call Driveway at Library, Systems at Higginsville Supreme Court Missouri Veterans of Missouri, Veterans Cemetery, Jefferson Homes Project No. City, Missouri Statewide, Project No. Project No. U2603-01, will O2604-01 will U2602-01, will be received by be received by be received by FMDC, State of FMDC, State of FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL MO, UNTIL MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 1:30 PM, 1:30 PM, October 20, October 27, October 27, 2026. Project 2026. Project 2026. Project information information information available at: available at: available at: http://oa.mo. http://oa.mo. http://oa.mo. gov/facilities gov/facilities gov/facilities

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Bids & Public Notices ST. LOUIS AMERICAN

LETTING NO. 8799 TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT ENHANCEMENTS, PHASE VI FEDERAL PROJECT NO. CMAQ-9901(699)

Electronic bids submitted through the Bid Express Online Portal will be received by the Board of Public Service until 1:45 PM, CT, on OCTOBER 20, 2026, then publicly opened and read. Proposals must be submitted electronically using “Bid Express Online Portal” at https://www.bidexpress.com/business es/20618/home.

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LETTING NO. 8798 UNION LINDELL BRIDGE RECONSTRUCTION FEDERAL PROJECT NO. STP-9901(663)

Plans and Specifications may be examined online through Bid Express at https://www.bidexpress.com/ business es/20618/home and may be downloaded for free.

A pre-bid conference for all contractors bidding on this project will be held October 1, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. The pre-bid conference will be held in City Hall, 1200 Market Street, Room #301, St. Louis, Missouri 63103.

A pre-bid conference for all contractors bidding on this project will be held September 29, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. The pre-bid conference will be held in City Hall, 1200 Market Street, Room #301, St. Louis, Missouri 63103.

The project has a DBE goal of 0%, and there is not an On the Job Training (OJT) goal.

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

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

REQUEST FOR LETTERS OF INTEREST FOR DESIGN-BUILD SERVICES The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) is soliciting Letters of Interest from companies interested in providing Design-Build services for the Forward 44: U.S. 50 Interchange Improvements Project in Franklin County, Missouri. One Design-Build team will be selected to design and construct the project. MoDOT will use a Best Value selection process to evaluate the ability of the Design-Build proposers to meet or exceed the project goals. An informational in-person meeting is scheduled at 1 p.m. on November 2nd, 2026, at MoDOT’s Transportation Management Center, 14301 South Outer 40 Road, Chesterfield, MO 63017. It is anticipated the Request for Qualiﬁcations (RFQ) will be released that same day. At the meeting, a presentation will be made on the project, followed by a question-and-answer period. Firms interested in receiving Forward 44: U.S. 50 Interchange Improvements Project information should send a one-page Letter of Interest to MoDOT via email to SLForward44@modot.mo.gov no later than Wednesday, October 28th, 2026 to ensure that you receive all information. The Letters of Interest will allow MoDOT to compile a list of interested companies for notices and any announcements relating to this project. Address all letters or emails to: Forward 44: U.S. 50 Interchange Improvements Project SLForward44@modot.mo.gov Include in your Letter of Interest the company name and a contact person at your company including, address, phone, and e-mail. Please indicate if your firm is a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE).

To Advertise Real Estate, Angelita Houston at ahouston@stlamerican.com 314-289-5430 FOR RENT

1, 3 & 4 Bed Apts & Rooms for Rent $600 - $1,000/mo Plus $500/Dep Section 8 Accepted

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Religion

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SEPTEMBER 24 – 30, 2026

‘Wake Up Running’ calls faith communities to action By Rev. Dorothy S. Boulware Word In Black “I hope you’ll wake up running, because the moment I’m addressing is urgent.” That is what the Rev. Walter Earl Fluker hopes readers carry from “Wake Up Running: Building Democratic Space at the Crossings.” Published Sept. 15 by Broadleaf Books, the book arrives as religious communities wrestle with political division, declining participation and questions about whether the church is prepared for the future. Fluker begins with an African proverb: The gazelle wakes running because it fears becoming the lion’s breakfast, while the lion runs because it must feed its cubs. Everyone on the savannah wakes up running. “Where are we running to?” Fluker asked in an interview with Word In Black. “What might new democratic futures look like, especially for people who are part of religious institutions, the church being primary for me, but not limited to the church?” ‘It must become flesh’ For Fluker, democracy begins before elections or government institutions. Its foundation is “democratic space” — places where people can meet across their differences

and recognize one another’s humanity. Fluker is the Martin Luther King Jr. professor emeritus of ethical leadership at Boston University and distinguished professor at the Howard Thurman Center at Hartford International University for Religion and Peace. He also directs the Howard Thurman Papers Project. Fluker spent much of his career thinking about Enoch walking with God and editing Thurman sermons titled “Walking With God.” But, he said, the context has changed. “The gospel, the Word, must always find context,” he said. “It must become flesh. It must become incarnate.”

ministry” detached from neighbors’ suffering. “The praise of God itself is political because God is united with oppressed people, with the poor, with the left out and the left behind,” he said. Generational challenges

‘Congregate, conjure, conspire’ In this moment, walking is not enough. Fluker turns to Moses running across the desert to Midian, Hagar and Elijah on the run and abolitionist Harriet Tubman repeatedly leading others toward freedom. He gives the church three assignments: “Congregate, conjure and conspire at crossings.” Congregating means gathering people across race, class, sexuality, generation and conflicting perspectives, then creating room for honest disagreement. Fluker points to

Photo courtesy of Walter Earl Fluker

In “Wake Up Running,” Walter Earl Fluker calls on churches to bridge differences and build community. maroons — Africans who escaped slavery and established communities in difficult-to-reach places throughout the Americas. They survived by protecting one another and preserving African spiritual practices. “What the maroons and the renegades teach us is that we don’t have the choice of not running

together despite our differences,” he said. To conjure is to retrieve what has been discarded or forgotten — memory, testimony, ancestral practices and stories of resistance. Fluker believes much of the contemporary church has exchanged that inheritance for prosperity preaching and a “managerial, transactional model of

Fluker also challenges worship that generates excitement but produces no public action. The energy expressed on Sunday, he says, must enter social, political and economic life during the week. He recalled his son announcing at 14 or 15 that he would no longer attend church because he was bored. “Why are you all bored, too?” the teenager asked after watching the adults around him. Fluker admitted, “He wasn’t lying.” Fluker calls members of Generation Z and Generation Alpha “errant” wanderers — young people who are looking, wondering and questioning. Rather than condemning them for leaving the church, he wants churches to invite them to help reshape their life. Young people often respond to mission — feeding people, teaching children and organizing communities — more readily than rituals disconnected from action. Conspiring, the third assignment, means “breathing together.”

Honoring ancestral memories Fluker finds prophetic imagination beyond church walls in writer Octavia Butler’s fiction, screenwriter-director Ryan Coogler’s film “Sinners” and Pulitzer Prize winner Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ play “Purpose.” “The stones whom the builders have rejected,” Fluker said, may yet “become the head.” Running is personal for him. His parents were Mississippi sharecroppers who left for Chicago. When Fluker received the Roosevelt Institute’s Freedom of Worship Award in 2023, he was overcome with tears. His parents, he said, had arrived in that moment; the honor belonged to them. That ancestral memory shapes the destination imagined in “Wake Up Running.” Home is “both memory and vision, which informs mission.” Fluker closes the book with the spiritual “Oh, What a Beautiful City,” whose 12 gates open in every direction. That, he suggests, is the future the church should be running toward — not a guarded enclosure, but a home with many entrances. “Homemaking,” he said, must become part of the church’s mission. “How do we create a home where there are 12 gates to the city? Then we can shout together.”

September 24th, 2026 edition