The St. Louis American - May 21, 2015

God bless the King Riley “B.B.” King will rest among giants for bringing blues to broad audiences

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Vol. 86 No. 7 COMPLIMENTARY

‘Use your privilege for purpose’ Rev. Traci Blackmon addressed the new black graduates of Saint Louis University during Sankofa, an Afrocentric graduation recognition ceremony, on May 14.

Rev. Traci Blackmon urges black SLU grads to pay their success forward

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

Photo by Wiley Price

“Your very presence in this place as graduates of Saint Louis University stands as a contradiction to the world’s expectations,” Rev. Traci Blackmon told the participants of Sankofa, the annual graduate recognition ceremony presented by the African American Studies Program at Saint Louis University.

“It means that your hard work has paid off, but this moment does not just belong to you.”

Nearly 30 students sat front and center as family and friends cheered them on from the pews of Washington AME Zion Church on Thursday, May 14.

Blackmon was a fitting keynote speaker because

n “Even in the face of oppression and obstacles, you are still privileged – no matter how hard you worked to get it.”

– Rev. Traci Blackmon

of the bond she shared with many graduating SLU seniors. Many were active participants in the protests that erupted in Ferguson as they were beginning their

See BLACKMON, A7

No charges filed in police shooting of VonDerrit Myers Jr. Prosecutor says evidence of gunfight justifies use of lethal force

By Chris King Of The St. Louis American

Photo by Wiley Price

Marching to victory

The Marching Vikings of Normandy High School won best marching band in the high school division of the 2015 Annie Malone May Day Parade on Sunday.

City prosecutor protested Activists angry at decision on Myers killing visit Joyce at work and home

By Mariah Stewart Ferguson Fellow Protests were sparked after St. Louis Circuit Attorney Jennifer Joyce released a report stating no charges would be filed against the police officer who killed 18-year-old, VonDerrit Myers Jr. last October on Shaw Boulevard in St. Louis.

The initial response was muted on Monday, May 18 following the mid-afternoon announcement, in part because the protest community was fixated on

mainstream media’s response to a bloody biker riot in Waco, Texas.

But on Tuesday, Joyce was protested twice – in the morning where she works at the Carnahan Courthouse downtown, and that night at her home in the Holly Hills neighborhood.

Around 50 protesters gathered on the steps of the courts building on Tuesday morning to demand a meeting with Joyce. “We want Jennifer,” the protesters See PROTEST, A6

Photo by Lawrence Bryant

VonDerrit Myers Sr. and Syreeta Myers, parents of VonDerrit Myers Jr.,

St. Louis Circuit Attorney Jennifer Joyce has decided not to file criminal charges in the fatal police shooting of 18-year-old VonDerrit Myers Jr., she announced on Monday, May 18. Joyce based her decision on physical evidence that Myers had a gun that he fired at the St. Louis police n It was officer who killed him, justified as along with eyewitnesses self-defense, who said that both men she argued, were firing at each other. as well as The St. Louis Metropolitan Police according to identified the a state statute Department shooter as Officer Jason H. outlining Flanery. Flanery remains acceptable on active duty with the department. uses of lethal Joyce argued that the force for police October 8 fatal shooting officers. on Shaw Boulevard was justified on two grounds, according to Missouri law, once the evidence that Myers was armed and shooting was accepted. It was justified as self-defense, she argued, as well as according to a state statute outlining acceptable uses of lethal force for police officers, which states “deadly force” is justified when a suspect “is attempting to escape by use of a deadly weapon.”

Joyce did not take the case to the grand jury, which is a 5th Amendment protection against unreasonable prosecution. As state’s attorney for the City of St. Louis, she is empowered to decide against bringing charges in any case within her jurisdiction. She told The American she did not take this case to the grand jury because See MYERS, A7

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • MAY 21 - 27, 2015

A2

(sic) one more time and one time only. The next time I hear anything from him or his family I promise you they will hate me.”

Toni also claims that Tyga is using Kylie Jenner for fame and takes things a step further by calling him a pervert..

“He fakin’ on the girl for a come up you ask me,” Toni said. “All of a sudden he is going to be in Barbershop 3. All of a sudden a reality TV show. Hold up!! Kanye West did say its good Tyga got in early. When Tyga get (sic) that tiger, Kylie and all the other children, Jaden Smith, came to see the tiger. The whole time you were planning to take that little boy’s girlfriend. How perverted is that?” *

THE STUFF THAT HAS PEOPLE TALKING Blac Chyna’s mother jumps in Tyga/ Kardashian/Jenner beef The mother of Tyga’s ex has jumped in the circle of beef aimed at the Kardashians that has been simmering for the past several months.

Over the weekend Blac Chyna’s mother, Tokyo Toni, fired shots at Tyga on her weekly radio show – claiming he slandered her daughter in public.

Now Toni is threatening to leak BIG Kardashian and Tyga Black secrets.

Chyna “Guess what? I have a big secret!!! If one more word is said about my daughter, I want to turn the USA upside down with this. Trust and believe me,” Toni said via Instagram.”

Blac Chyna, who was once close friends with Kim, famously fell out with the Kardashian clan when her former fiancé Tyga was rumored to be dating Kim’s teen sister Kylie Jenner.

“The moral to my story is this he was worn

Confidenti@l. “Leading up to the first show, everyone involved was wondering why this wasn’t rehearsed to death.

She can sing, but she hardly walks during the show. They’re always wheeling her out on some prop,” says our source, who adds that perhaps the lack of rehearsal time contributed to the lack of dance routines in the show.”

infrastructure money for the many chapters that were growing like beautiful dandelions, Carters wrote a huge check.”

Soon after tweeting on Sunday, she sent another indicating that she had been told to “shut the [expletive] up & head to brunch.”

“Gonna erase my error ridden rant. Hope you got your little screenshot,” she added.

It wasn’t clear who asked her to stop tweeting or why, but hampton later returned to Twitter to confirm her statements.

“It’s true they gave, which is why I tweeted it,” she said.

Bey-Z gave big bucks to Baltimore and Ferguson Writer, filmmaker and activist dream hampton took to twitter to disclose that Jay Z and Beyoncé donated sizable sums to Ferguson and Baltimore protest movements.

Complex Magazine broke the news about a series of tweets, that have since been deleted, where hampton – who worked with Jay Z on his best-selling book, “Decoded,” - said that he aided the protest movements against police-brutality on more than one occasion.

“I’m going to tweet this and I don’t care if Jay gets mad,” hampton said. “When we needed money for bail for Baltimore protesters, I asked hit Jay up, as I had for Ferguson, wired tens of thousands in mins.

Mariah “When BLM needed Carey

Is Mariah ill-prepared for Vegas run?

Last week Mariah Carey shocked and angered when she canceled a performance with very short notice just one week into her 3 month Las Vegas residency.

Insiders now say that Carey doesn’t have the chops to power through a full-fledged Vegas stay.

Sources told The New York Daily News’ Confidenti@l that her sometimes fair weather voice is the least of her worries.

“Mariah simply didn’t rehearse enough before startin this many concerts and now she’s feeling it,” the source told

Did marriage woes drive Janet back to music?

Over the weekend Janet Jackson confirmed rumors she was releasing a new album and headed out on a world tour.

Several gossip outlets are claiming Jackson is hitting the road to avoid her rocky marriage.

Last year there were rumors Janet Jackson was ready to pull the plug on her three year marriage to billionaire Quatri businessman Wissam Al Mana.

Now sources told Naughty Gossip that Janet may be throwing herself back into her work because her marriage is definitely on the outs.

Sources: Complex Magazine, Naughty Gossip, New York Daily News, Instagram.

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ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • MAY 21 - 27, 2015

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Changes coming for Normandy schools Charles Pearson, interim superintendent of the Normandy school district, addressed a public hearing in April.

He was named permanent superintendent on May 14.

Pearson moved from interim to permanent superintendent

By Dale Singer Of St. Louis Public Radio After conducting a nationwide search, the Normandy school district announced Thursday, May 14 that it was naming interim superintendent Charles Pearson to the position permanently, effective immediately.

Pearson will complete the current school year with his current salary of $150,000 a year; his new contract begins July 1, with his salary still being negotiated.

Pearson had been head of Normandy’s appointed board when he stepped down from that position in January to succeed Ty McNichols as superintendent. McNichols, who had been in the job for a little more than 18 months, resigned after the board decided to seek applications for his job.

After hiring a Chicago-based search firm for $25,000 to look nationwide for a superintendent, 17 finalists were named from a field of 68 applicants.

After reviewing the pool of possible replacements, the search firm recommended hiring Pearson. The firm cited Pearson’s experience, training and track record.

Pearson began his career in the Normandy schools more than 30 years ago and has also worked in the Clayton and Maplewood-Richmond Heights school districts. Since 2008, he has worked as an instructional leadership consultant.

The announcement of Pearson’s appointment came after he told the board in its public meeting that he expects Normandy to be able to survive the next year financially - with a little help from superintendents in nearby districts.

A budget proposal presented to the appointed board of the Normandy Schools Collaborative Thursday night projected that 544 students would be transferring to accredited districts in the next school year.

That is above the 530 students that state officials have said could force the district to go broke from the costs of tuition and transportation.

Photo by Wiley Price

But Pearson said he plans to work with superintendents from other districts to see how they might be able to ease the district’s budget problems, by providing instructional and other kinds of help.

He said he is committed to moving as many dollars as possible out of administration and other support services, and into Normandy classrooms.

“We were into a survival budget,” Pearson said after the meeting of Normandy’s appointed board. “And from that survival budget, we’re now trying to reshift into more of an instructional budget. Because it was candidly about ‘can we keep our doors open?’ before.

Now, we’re saying we’re going to keep the doors open, but keeping the doors open without really delivering strong instruction is not good enough.”

He also said that Normandy’s board is committed to not starting the school year in August if it can’t be sure to keep its schools open all year.

Much of Thursday night’s meeting was taken up with Pearson’s restructuring plan. He wants to take sixth graders out of Normandy Middle School and put them into the district’s elementary school with the hope that the move improves their academic achievement. He also floated the idea of taking kindergarten students out of the elementary school and putting them in their own center, in the now-shuttered BelNor school.

But one feature of his plan, hiring seven instructional coaches to help at all levels in the district, was shelved by the board when questions arose about the program’s cost and effectiveness.

Pearson said that because Normandy

will be able to hire from a better group of prospective teachers than it could last year, he expects advanced placement classes to return because the district will be able to find the teachers to conduct them.

A preliminary budget for the coming school year showed that the district would start July 1 with a fund balance of $5 million, or $1,250 per student; that’s far below the average of $3,450 per student for other St. Louis County districts.

“It’s enough to start the year with,” said Mick Willis, assistant superintendent of operations. “It’s certainly not zero. But we have a long way to go.”

He said the costs for tuition and transportation for transfer students would total $7.5 million, compared with the current year’s $5.8 million for 424 transfer students. That’s an average tuition of $12,850 per student.

Willis said the district had identified $2.6 million that could be shifted from administrative services to the classroom.

The board took no action on Pearson’s restructuring plan; it is scheduled to meet again in late May. In public comments before Pearson’s presentation of the plan, questions were raised about the kindergarten center and the new structure in general.

Robert Miller, who often questions moves by Normandy’s board and administration, questioned research behind Pearson’s proposals.

“This is not right,” he said. “This is not right. You’re just kicking the can down the road.”

Edited for length and reprinted with permission from news.stlpublicradio.org.

Clayborne kicks it with campaign funds

By James T. Ingram For the St. Louis American

$88,000 on domestic and international travel to places like Egypt, England, Japan, China, Puerto Rico, South You would think that after Africa, Jordan, Turkey and former congressman Jesse Vietnam, upgrading his tickets Jackson Jr. was convicted, at least 62 times, but only sentenced and served a reimbursing costs on one 30-month federal sentence occasion (how generous of for diverting about $750, 000 him). in campaign funds for his Is Clayborne’s spending and personal use, that politicians globetrotting with campaign would clean up their acts. funds illegal? Maybe not, but But, apparently, Illinois it’s as unethical as hell. state Senator James F. But since when have Clayborne feels that ethics ever stopped campaign funds are an Clayborne or any other entitlement to be used professional politicians at his discretion. from being self-serving When KTVI Fox 2 “public serpents”? reporter Elliot Davis Why should recently confronted Clayborne care that Clayborne about his representing a poor campaign-funded James community like East St. extravagances, the Ingram Louis (where median politician dismissed Davis as engaging in “trash journalism.” He added, “Campaign dollars are donations. They’re not public dollars.”

Not so, according to Kristina Rasmussen, executive director of the Illinois Policy Institute, who said, “Campaign money should go towards campaigning.”

Let’s look at how Clayborne kicked it utilizing campaign donations.

During the years 20032014, Clayborne rode in style, spending nearly $43,000 with Book-A-Limo, a New Yorkbased company, utilizing their services at least 236 times for speeches, golf outings, meetings, funerals and even for the impeachment hearings for then-Governor Rod Blagojevich.

Clayborne spent nearly

income is less than $20,000 per year), while living a lifestyle of the rich and infamous funded by campaign donations, is inappropriate?

Given the fact that Clayborne barely won re-election last November (with only 51.8 percent of the vote) running against a little-known Republican by the name of Katherine Ruocco, he might want to spend a little more time in America, specifically Illinois, or next time he might not be so lucky.

But if he does lose next time, the good news is that he’ll have a lot more time on his hands for international travel and limo rides … at his own expense.

Email: jtingram_1960@ yahoo.com; Twitter@ JamesTIngram.

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Editorial / Commentary ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • MAY 21 - 27, 2015

A4

Governor must veto HB 42

As I See It - A Forum for Community Issues

We must fight the gun lobby State Rep. Stacey Newman For The St. Louis American

House Bill 42 is being heralded as a so-called student transfer “fix.” However, the legislation will actually increase the number of virtual schools and charter schools to the detriment of students in districts like Normandy, Riverview Gardens and St. Louis Public Schools. HB 42 does not “fix” the transfer problem. It is a school reform bill with its own agenda that does nothing to solve the financial problems associated with the current transfer law.

The Normandy Schools Collaborative is on the brink of financial ruin as a result of the failure of the Legislature to properly address the flaws in the current transfer law. HB 42 does nothing to correct this unintended financial consequence. Why not mirror what the Voluntary Interdistrict Choice Corporation (VICC) program is doing? VICC has a cap of $7,200 per student paid to receiving districts for transfer students.

This covers transportation and tuition costs. We believe this would be a positive, actual “fix” for the current transfer law and avoid bankrupting struggling school districts.

St. Louis Public Schools has sold vacant school properties to charter schools at fair market value and collaborated with KIPP-STL to re-open two closed schools over the past few years. HB 42 would force SLPS to give vacant buildings to out-of-town for-profit charter operators without any regard for the citizens of St. Louis who paid for the buildings with their tax dollars. We fail to see how this is a “fix” for the students in an unaccredited district.

HB 42 proposes to fix the transfer law problem by granting charter schools unprecedented autonomy from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and the State Board of Education. It seems like something is inherently wrong when 520 public school districts in Missouri, the vast majority of which are highly successful, are required to adhere to standards

established by DESE and the State Board, yet charter schools are given carte blanche to do it their own way.

The current transfer law was passed to provide an alternative for students attending schools in unaccredited school districts. However, HB 42 allows for-profit virtual school operators to open for business in almost every school district in Missouri. These virtual schools will be able to charge school districts a higher rate than the State of Missouri currently charges through the existing Missouri Virtual Instruction Program (MOVIP). We do not see how this will “fix” the current transfer problem.

Nixon vetoed the transfer law last year because it did not “fix” the transfer issue facing the unaccredited school districts like Normandy and Riverview Gardens. HB 42 does nothing to “fix” the problem this year. We urge Nixon to once again use his veto and send a message to our legislators to “fix” the transfer law – not give in to school reformists.

There is no educational or political justification for Nixon to sign HB 42. It leaves every deficiency in the student transfer statue while giving a license to privatizers, profiteers and pirates to raid the public treasury in the form of unregulated charter and virtual schools that would have zero public accountability.

Mike Jones, a member of both the State Board of Education and The American’s editorial board, issued a defiant challenge on Tuesday, May 19 at the State Board’s meeting in Jefferson City.

For those who believe in the myth of rational markets and think that vouchers and dismantling public school infrastructure for low-income children of color is way to go, know this,” Jones said: “You have a committed adversary whose prepared to fight for as long as it takes for you to lose.” We stand with our colleague’s position on this issue. Nixon must stand firm and veto HB 42.

As I See It - A Forum for Community Issues

Women leading at the frontline

By Marc H. Morial National Urban League Marilyn Mosby was sworn into office as Maryland state’s attorney for Baltimore City in January of this year. Before unseating the incumbent, Gregg Bernstein, for the job, the 35-year-old had never held an elected office.

Five months later, the city’s newly-minted, top prosecutor – the youngest chief prosecutor in any major American city – announced charges (including murder, manslaughter and assault) against six police officers in the unwarranted death of Freddie Gray, simultaneously emerging into the national spotlight as an advocate for those demanding police accountability and an adversary for those who would protect the status quo.

On the night of her swearing in, Mosby was joined by a host of dignitaries, including her husband, Baltimore City councilman Nick Mosby – who represents the West Baltimore area that has been the backdrop to the protests over Gray’s death – along with her two daughters. Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake advised Mosby that “public service is not just a job, it’s a calling and it is a privilege.”

Mosby’s calling to public service was born of tragedy and tradition. When Mosby was 14, her 17-year-old cousin was mistaken for a drug dealer and shot and killed near her home. She often credits her cousin’s murder as the reason why she decided to become a prosecutor.

She also comes from five generations of law enforcement officials. Both of her parents, an aunt, four uncles and her

grandfather – who was a founding member of the first association of Black police officers in her hometown of Massachusetts – were police officers.

Mosby knows the good that good police officers can do in our communities. She indicted six police officers on Friday, not an entire force. Her actions are not anti-cop; they are pro-police accountability.

She assured the public that her administration is “committed to creating a fair and equitable justice system for all. No matter what your occupation, your age, your race, Guest Columnist your color or your creed.”

Marc H. Mayor Morial Rawlings-Blake has been at the frontline, grappling with the deeply entrenched challenges of the city left in her charge since replacing a former mayor, who resigned under charges of corruption, then being elected to her first full term as mayor in 2011. She has been touched by the almost inescapable violence that stems from these challenges when in 2002 she found her brother covered in blood and nearly decapitated by a sword that was used during a carjacking in front of her house.

In her 2014 State of Black America essay, Mayor Rawlings-Blake noted that in Baltimore, more than 1 in 5 African-American adult residents live in poverty, while 1 in every 3 African-American children and teens are also living in poverty. She warned that, “Poverty is a deep-rooted ill, permeated with inequity,

and it will take a focused, concerted assault on all fronts to excise it.”

Mayor Rawlings-Blake is the daughter of the legendary Howard “Pete” Rawlings, the first African American to become chair of the Appropriations Committee in the Maryland House of Delegates. She is only one of two black female mayors of the 100 largest cities in the country. She currently serves as secretary of the Democratic National Committee and is vice president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

But she is grabbing our attention today for her unflagging commitment to the fight in Baltimore for equality and justice. As she promised in a recent press conference, “As mayor, I will be relentless in changing the culture of the police department to ensure that everyone in our city is treated equally under the law.”

Now the prosecutor’s office will present its case to a city grand jury that will consider the charges and decide whether to indict. At the same time, the Department of Justice – now being led by another AfricanAmerican woman, Loretta Lynch – is also conducting an investigation into the case and into the Baltimore Police Department.

I applaud these women who are fighting for justice for Freddie and, by extension, for us. I applaud these leaders as they claim their place in the pantheon of black female fighters who have traditionally played a key role in our nation’s struggle for equality and justice – for all.

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

Fifteen years ago, I helped to organize a 60-member St. Louis delegation attending the historic Million Mom March in Washington, D.C. on Mother’s Day. The march, instigated by a New York mother after the Columbine and Granada Hills mass shootings, galvanized survivors, families, physicians, law enforcement, clergy, celebrities and elected officials, including President Bill Clinton. On that Mother’s Day, over 750,000 people from almost every state (as well as several other countries) showed up at the U.S. capital, with rallies in 70 other cities at the same time. Over one million people on May 14, 2000 demanded that Congress do something about gun violence.

Inner city parents, emergency room physicians and Robert F. Kennedy’s daughters were among those who spoke of loss. Hundreds of thousands of us were told to go back home and determinedly work to pass policies to save lives.

Senseless gun violence was out of control in our cities in 2000. Losing 10 children a day then to gun violence was unacceptable.

Today?

Nine children continue to be shot every day in the United States. Twenty first graders and six educators were gunned down in their grade school, yet Congress turned a blind eye and did absolutely nothing.

Over 100 school and university shootings have since occurred.

In Missouri, gun deaths have

outpaced automobile deaths three years in a row, while St. Louis and Kansas City rank among the top 10 cities in the U.S. in gun murders.

Like a surreal movie, the rate of gun violence has continued to explode in our own metropolitan area. Yet many remain numb to the everyday media reports because we’ve succumbed to the gun lobby influence or we believe it doesn’t affect our neighborhood or families … yet.

Voters last November amended our state constitution giving felons more gun rights, hamstringing Guest Columnist prosecutors and allowing Stacey criminals back Newman on the street.

Our state Legislature every year focuses on increasing firearm access, rather than protecting people.

A few weeks ago the state House debated expanding our “Castle Doctrine/Shoot to Kill” law while bills ensuring background checks for all gun sales (supported by over 80 percent of Missourians) and removing guns from domestic abusers are completely ignored.

There is absolutely no appetite by the GOP leadership in the state capital to do anything about the violence.

They blame lack of jobs, extreme poverty, inadequate schools and spout NRA “gun rights” talking points while backing gun interests.

As a mother I felt optimistic 15 years ago that we could stop the horror of burying our

Letters to the Editor County exec for sale County Executive Steve Stenger promised change when running for St. Louis County’s top job. He also promised increased transparency and accountability. Yet many of his actions since taking office have not matched the promises.

Stenger appointed retired St. Louis Parks Director Gary Bess as St. Louis County Director of Parks and Recreation. While Bess was city parks director, nearly $500,000 was embezzled by park department employees.

Yet Stenger severely criticized Charlie Dooley for the embezzlement that went on in the county Department of Health.

Another appointment was Peter Krane as county counselor. Krane had essentially been unemployed since last summer. At the January 6 meeting where he was confirmed by the County Council, when he was only on the job a few days, Krane told the council he needed two more lawyers in his department. The council members went along.

The two lawyer positions were patronage jobs and Stenger no doubt wanted the appointments, but no one will say for sure. One lawyer hired was a law clerk in Stenger’s law firm who only passed the Missouri Bar exam last July.

One of Stenger’s $130,000-a-year assistants, former County Councilman Jeff Wagener, made a “request” to a member of the Mehlville school board that he withdraw his name for consideration as the Democratic nominee to run for Stenger’s former council seat. He was told the county executive favored Kevin O’Leary, so he withdrew. Interfering in a nomination process to influence the outcome is completely improper.

Stenger recently appointed Craig Concannon, one of his biggest campaign contributors, as a county municipal judge.

Concannon contributed $21,001 to the county executive’s campaign. The appointment makes it appear as if judgeships are for sale. It’s doubtful the change that County Executive Stenger is bringing to county

children before their time. Yet today it’s easy to despair that nothing will change, as few in Jefferson City even bother to stand up in debate for those who are slaughtered by guns.

I cannot accept this. I cannot stand by and let just survivors do the tireless work in order to prevent the rest of us from an unimaginable lifetime of pain.

That is why I keep working with like-minded legislators here in Missouri and in other states, along with mayors, police chiefs and prosecutors.

I cannot be silent as more mothers and fathers join that awful club of grief.

We cannot allow the gun lobby to continue to flood our streets with guns and threaten our city. We can no longer stay home on election day and have no voice in who represents us.

We cannot accept dismal voter turnout. We cannot accept complacency to rule when the actual power to make policy to save lives rests with each of us.

I am optimistic as I work with the newly launched Washington University Institute of Public Health’s gun violence prevention initiative. And I am newly motivated as I met more in the mother’s grief club at a national event recently honoring women organizers from the Million Mom March.

I beg you to demand that our elected officials not be bought or silenced by the gun lobby.

I urge you to fight back. We must collectively make saving lives a priority. We cannot sacrifice any more.

Stacey Newman (D-St. Louis) represents District 87 in the Missouri House of Representatives.

All letters are edited for length and style.

government is what St. Louis County residents were expecting.

Tom Sullivan, University City

Kinloch no ‘laughingstock’ It was reported recently in The St. Louis American that Kinloch is considered to be a laughingstock. I was a bit surprised that The American would print something like this about a community so rich with African-American heritage.

There is a new day in Kinloch. A new administration is working diligently to see that Kinloch moves forward and does not become a community unincorporated and soon forgotten. Has anyone at the St. Louis American observed the

The largest weekly newspaper in Missouri 70,000 copies - CAC Audited 100% Independently owned & operated Continuously published, without interruption since 1928

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changes that are taking place in Kinloch?

Did you know that developers are breaking ground in Kinloch and there are going to be hundreds of jobs there?

Did you know that the new police chief has a Ph.D and the city administrator will soon be awarded a doctorate also?

Did you know that many of the police officers that are there now have advanced degrees?

We do not expect that many media outlets will report on anything that is positive in Kinloch, But I truly believe that if The St. Louis American were to do an investigation it would be found out that great things are taking place in this small municipality.

James Everett, St. Louis Editor’s note: We will look into your suggestion. Thank you.

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The St. Louis American

2315 Pine Street, St. Louis, MO, 63103.

Phone: 314-533-8000 / Fax: 314-533-2332

A5

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • MAY 21 – 27, 2015

Meacham Park group raises scholarship funds The Meacham Park Neighborhood Improvement Association recently recognized and thanked several contributors to the Meacham Park Scholars award fund on Monday, April 27, at the James Milton Turner Elementary School Complex in Kirkwood.

Among those honored was Henry Hall, a 1969 graduate of Kirkwood High School.

Hall, who now lives in West Los Angeles, Calif., was in Kirkwood to donate $1,354 to the fund in memory of his late mother, Mattie Hall, who taught at the James Milton Turner School in Meacham Park in the early 1950s.

Mrs. Hall died in December 2014, and her son said he wanted to help support African-American students from the Meacham Park neighborhood pursue higher education.

Others recognized for donations to the scholarship fund were Kirkwood City Councilman Bob Sears, attorney Bruce Hilton, the Rev. Barbara Gadon on behalf of Eliot Unitarian Chapel, and Dennis Roach, president of the Bonhomme Township Democratic Club.

The scholarship fund was established in January with the goal of rewarding African- American students for high academic achievement.

The neighborhood association is a 501(c)-3 public charity with a mission to help improve the quality of life for residents of historic Meacham Park. For more information, visit www. meachamparknia.org.

Teaching people to tell their own story

By Esther J. Cepeda Washington Post

Photo by Wiley Price

Girl on the run Mikylah Goodwin, 10, a student at Johnson Wabash Elementary School in the Ferguson-Florissant School District, crossed the finish line with cheers from family members at The Girls On The Run 5K event held on Saturday, May 9 in downtown St. Louis.

When journalists get the opportunity to share and collaborate with those they report on – to give something back, rather than simply taking their photos or their statements – it can be life-changing.

On May 1-2, an inaugural regional conference focused on poverty gathered a group of journalists to train residents of South Dakota’s Pine Ridge Indian Reservation on media literacy, multimedia skills and entrepreneurial journalism. In most cases, the reporters, who were members of the group UNITY: Journalists for Diversity, traveled to the homeland of the Oglala Sioux Tribe at their own expense and on their personal time.

You may recall that 57 children from Pine Ridge’s American Horse School made headlines in January after asking local police to investigate an incident in which they were harassed at a Rapid City minor league hockey game. They said a group of men sprayed beer and yelled racial slurs at the kids, some as young as 9.

More recently, the young adults of Pine Ridge made the front page of The New York Times because a shocking number of them have committed or attempted suicide.

“The event was designed to teach the people there to tell their own story through social media, through investigative journalism and to take steps to empower themselves through research and access to public information,” said UNITY President Russell Contreras, a reporter for The Associated Press.

I knew nothing about this when I saw Lalo Esther J. Alcaraz’s online campaign (GoFundMe.com) asking Cepeda for donations for “airfare and cartooning supplies for the almost 60 native students from American Horse School signed up for the workshop” he’d be conducting alongside fellow cartoonist Ricardo Cate, who creates “Without Reservations.”

Beautiful pictures of Pine Ridge and the people attending the workshops quickly started popping up all over my social media networks.

In the midst of the solemn black-and-white images of Wounded Knee, the Oglala Lakota College Historical Center and children with fresh pens and sketch books, there was Alcaraz, creator of the comic strip “La Cucaracha” and editor-in-chief of Pocho.com, sitting in a blue kindergarten chair in a newly built youth center with reservation dogs lapping at his feet.

Alcaraz had many reflections about his short time on the reservation that will inspire his social commentary just as the experience will improve the reporting of all the journalists in attendance.

“It was very eye-opening to me, how similar it was,” Alcaraz told me.

“Yes, there’s 80 percent unemployment and high poverty, but to me it was like any poor little barrio in California or New Mexico.

He said they are going to go back in the fall to get some stories out of the older kids.

“We really want to target the seventh- and eighth-graders, because it’s the older ones who probably felt the brunt of the hockey incident and they are the next generation,” he said. “We need to at least make them visible to the rest of the country, help them tell their story, and show them that they can publicize what’s going on in their homeland and not do it in a poverty porn way.”

Esther Cepeda’s email address is estherjcepeda@washpost.com. Follow her on Twitter, @estherjcepeda.

A6

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • MAY 21 – 27, 2015

St. Louis Circuit Attorney Jennifer Joyce was protested on Tuesday, May 19 at the Carnahan Courthouse in downtown St. Louis following her announcement the previous day that no charges would be filed against the police officer who killed 18-year-old VonDerrit Myers Jr. last October.

MYERS Continued from A1 her review of the evidence convinced her there was no reasonable basis for filing criminal charges.

The 51-page report was prepared by an investigative team from the prosecutor’s office that included, at Joyce’s invitation, an assistant U.S. attorney. It was prepared independently of the St. Louis police, though it relied on physical evidence and witness testimony gathered by the police.

Police claim to have retrieved the gun that Myers was firing, allegedly a 9mm Smith and Wesson, and ballistics evidence connected to the gun. The ballistics evidence is consistent with two people firing different guns from different directions, Joyce concluded. Police collected three bullets that went into the ground allegedly fired by Myers that match the Smith and Wesson. Another bullet shattered the window of a car across the street from where Myers died, though that ballistic evidence was too compromised to identify the type of that bullet.

Immediately after the shooting, police identified Myers’ gun as a 9mm Ruger, which they soon changed to the Smith and Wesson. Police explained the misidentification as an honest mistake between identifying two similar gun types in a rush to offer immediate details to the public.

The second gun identified by police, the Smith and Wesson – too conveniently, many critics claimed – matched a photograph of Myers posing with firearms that surfaced soon after his killing.

For the first time, Joyce’s report connected the Smith and Wesson to Myers more directly. A staff attorney prosecuting a separate gun theft noticed that Myers was mentioned as a suspect in the theft of a 9mm Smith and Wesson reported stolen on September 30. Myers was

Photo by Lawrence Bryant

posthumously identified in a photo lineup as the thief of the precise 9mm Smith and Wesson that police claimed they found next to Myers, according to the report.

Joyce told The American that police had not made this precise connection between Myers and the stolen Smith and Wesson and would learn about it for the first time in her report.

Gaps in evidence Joyce’s report also pointed out several major gaps in physical evidence.

Gunpowder residue recovered from Myers’ hands and jeans was previously presented by police as proof that Myers discharged a firearm that night. However, Joyce found this physical evidence inconclusive. It could also be explained, she concluded, by the fact that Myers was shot repeatedly.

The gun identified as Myers’ yielded no fingerprints or DNA evidence, from Myers or the police officer. Joyce said DNA is seldom retrieved from handguns unless there was blood on the gun. According to a 2012 report in the Journal of Forensic Identification, firearms retain fingerprints about 7 to 12 percent of the

time.

A firearm with no DNA or fingerprint evidence also would be consistent with a gun wiped clean and planted as evidence, but no witness has come forth claiming that police planted evidence. Joyce quoted Jermaine Wooten and Jerryl Christmas, attorneys for the Myers family, making claims to media that they had witnesses who said that police fabricated evidence. Joyce included in her report repeated letters her office sent appealing to the attorneys for them to produce these witnesses, but they never did.

Joyce had to subpoena three friends of Myers who witnessed the incident, but under the advice of Wooten and Christmas, they invoked the 5th Amendment protection against self-incrimination.

The American was approached by a citizen on November 14 who claimed to have heard gunshots on the scene of the Myers shooting after Myers had been killed, which would be consistent with fabricated ballistic evidence.

However, despite repeated urging, this citizen did not testify to prosecutors.

None of the witnesses who did come forward gave any testimony about police planting guns or fabricating

ballistic evidence. However, several witnesses did testify to a two-way exchange of gunfire between Myers and the police officer consistent with the casings and bullets that police claim they collected from the scene.

Other physical evidence, previously reported and included in the report, remains disturbing. Though Myers died from a fatal shot to the right side of the head and was also shot on the right hip, six bullets entered his body from the backs of his legs. Police previously explained these shots from behind by claiming that Myers was already on the ground at the time and raising his legs in the air.

Joyce’s report concluded that Myers turned and shot at the police officer first from the top of a short, steep hill on Shaw, then turned to run down a gangway between two houses, so when the police officer immediately returned fire, he struck Myers in the backs of his legs. At that point, the report concluded, Myers dropped to the ground and they continued to exchange fire until the fatal shot hit Myers in the head.

A case of mistaken identity Even those who accept the eyewitness testimony about a gunfight, and physical evidence that in part supports this testimony, may be troubled by a new detail uncovered for the first time in Joyce’s report: Myers died as a result of mistaken identity, Joyce concluded.

Myers was wearing an anklet with a GPS monitor as a court-ordered bond condition related to a previous gun charge from June. From this GPS evidence, Joyce concluded, Myers was not the suspect the officer was looking

for when he confronted the youth on Shaw Boulevard.

This fatal incident began at about 7 p.m. October 8 when the officer, wearing his police uniform while working a department-approved secondary job for GCI Security, noticed a group of youth. He claimed they fled when they saw his sedan with lights on top, a retired police cruiser that witnesses recognized as a security vehicle driven by a police officer.

Police often cite a 2000 U.S. Supreme court ruling in Illinois v. Wardlow, where a 5-4 court majority ruled that unprovoked flight from a police officer justifies the officer in pursuing the suspect for an investigative stop.

One youth who fled, the officer testified, wore his hair in twists and had one hand pinned to the front of his body.

The officer claimed that was evidence that the youth was trying to hold onto a gun as he ran. Though the officer chased them in his car and then on foot, they got away.

After they got away, the officer came upon Myers, who wore his hair in twists, walking on the sidewalk with friends.

Myers’ friends told police they had gone inside to get jackets, which they were putting on when the officer confronted them. The officer told police – he did not consent to an interview with the prosecutor – that he thought Myers was the same youth with twists he had been chasing and that they were now putting on jackets so he would not recognize them.

In fact, according to GPS evidence, Myers was in the house getting a jacket when the police officer was chasing the youth who fled. So when the officer approached Myers and told him, as one of Myers’ friends testified, to get on the ground, the officer thought he was apprehending a suspect

who had fled, but Myers and friends thought they were being harassed by police without reason.

According to the officer and witnesses, Myers resisted.

The officer claimed Myers cursed him and grabbed at his waistband and so the officer drew his service revolver, thinking Myers was going for a gun. Then the officer claimed he holstered his gun after Myers lifted his hands.

Myers refused another order to get on the ground, and when the officer grabbed him to forcibly initiate arrest, Myers fought back, according to the report. After a physical scuffle, the officer claimed, Myers fled and ran up a small hill in the front yard of a home. It was then, the officer claimed, that Myers pulled his weapon and initiated the gunfight.

Joyce told The American that police would learn of the GPS evidence about the mistaken identity for the first time in her report. When interviewed by police, the officer claimed the person with twists who resisted him – Myers – was the same youth with twists who had fled.

According to Missouri law, Joyce concluded, the officer was justified in trying to arrest Myers even though he had confronted the wrong person.

Missouri Statute 563.046 states the use of physical force, such as forcibly grabbing Myers, is legally justified when “the officer reasonably believes the arrest is lawful.” Joyce concluded that the perceived physical similarities between Myers and the suspect, and the fact that Myers was putting on a jacket (which would alter his appearance), meant the officer “reasonably believed” that Myers was his suspect.

The report did not mention if the other suspect was ever identified and then compared to a picture of Myers to judge if they bore a reasonable resemblance, other than being young, black males who wore their hair in twists.

Joyce noted in her report that her responsibility was to determine whether she thinks a crime can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt, not to comment on “the efficacy of police policies, procedures, training” or the fairness of Missouri law. Once she accepted the testimony and evidence that Myers discharged a firearm at the police officer, she argued, there was no legal basis to prosecute the officer.

As she noted in the report, “a police officer, under the law, is entitled to self-defense even if he or she is the initial aggressor.”

A7

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • MAY 21 – 27, 2015

PROTEST Continued from A1 chanted. They demanded a group meeting with the prosecutor. Joyce offered to meet with protestors in groups of two, but was rejected, she said.

Syreeta Myers, the mother of VonDerrit Myers Jr., said that Joyce disrespected her family in the way she released the report.

“When we met with her, she said when she came to a decision, she would sit down with the family and talk with us,” Myers told The American.

“She didn’t do that. She called our attorneys at 3:25 p.m. The decision was put out at 3:30 p.m.”

Joyce told The American that she notified the Myers family attorney and the attorney for Police Officer Jason H. Flanery, but did not call the Myers family or Flanery directly. Flanery is the St. Louis police officer who killed Myers on October 8 after a gunfight, Joyce concluded in her report.

Syreeta Myers said she expected no charges to come to Flanery, but says she had a bit hope that Joyce “would do the right thing.”

Joyce argued in her report that there was convincing eyewitness and physical evidence of a gunfight between

BLACKMON Continued from A1 junior year of college, and then moved into the city and onto the campus of SLU. “Not only did you show up in the class, but many of you showed up in the streets,” Blackmon said. “Not only did you show up in the books, but you showed up sharing banners that said ‘Black Lives Matter.’

The long nights of studying, the rigorous class schedules, the commitment to fully show up for class in the midst of

Myers and Flanery, which justified the killing as selfdefense and according to a state statute that outlines justifiable use of lethal force by a police officer.

“You’re not going to kill my son, shut me up, and think I’m going to take your decision and sit on the couch and be okay with it,” Syreeta Myers said. “We want justice, we’re demanding justice and we want it now.”

While on the sidewalk, two women were arrested during the daytime demonstration downtown.

Observing the daytime protest action was Anthony Gray, an attorney for the family of Michael Brown Jr. Gray told The American he was “not too terribly surprised by what resulted from the investigation.”

“I think for quite some time, they’ve been telegraphing that this is the direction they were going to go in,” Gray said.

Gray said controversial police shootings build community distrust in police narratives and make it difficult to believe any decision that relies on evidence gathered by police. Though Joyce prepared her report with an independent investigative team that included, at her request, an assistant U.S. attorney, it relied on evidence gathered by police.

“When you think about South Carolina, the report that officer wrote sounds just like

the report that [Flanery] wrote, but only in that case they had a video and here we don’t,” said Gray.

In fact, Flanery’s statement was taken by Sgt. Roger Engelhardt, commander of the city police’s Force Investigative Unit.

“Even if VonDerrit did shoot – and I’m not saying he did or he didn’t – again, how does that justify what has been characterized as multiple shots in the back?” Gray said to The American.

Joyce concluded that Myers shot at Flanery and then ran, as Flanery claimed, so that when Flanery returned fire, he struck Myers six times in the backs of his legs. The fatal shot went to Myers’ head after he fell to the ground and continued shooting, according to the report.

Late Tuesday night, a few dozen protesters gathered outside of Joyce’s home. They placed on her porch illuminated lightboxes honoring Myers and pledging to “fight back.” Again, they asked her to meet with them. Joyce did not come outside. Pepper spray was dispersed by police officers, and at least six demonstrators were arrested, including Hands Up United co-founder Tef Poe and veteran Ferguson jail support activist Keith Rose.

Follow this reporter on Twitter @MzzzMariah.

This story is published as part of between The St. Louis American and The Huffington Post.

struggles – and in the midst of a city that was erupting in protest. And whether you showed up in the front lines of Ferguson or the frontline of a classroom on Lindell, we salute you.”

A stole that read “Black Lives Matter” was draped across Blackmon’s robe as she delivered her address.

“I don’t know how many of you were involved in occupying Saint Louis University, but to this date, the agreements that came out of Saint Louis University between the protesters and the faculty – including your president – are

n “Not only did you show up in the class, but many of you showed up in the streets.”

Photo by Lawrence Bryant

St. Louis police used mace to disperse protestors at the Holly Hills home of St. Louis Circuit Attorney Jennifer Joyce on the night of Tuesday, May 19. The previous day she announced that no charges would be filed against the police officer who killed 18-year-old VonDerrit Myers Jr. last October.

– Rev. Traci Blackmon

the only concrete changes that we have received in Ferguson led by young people,” Blackmon said. “That is something to be proud of.”

African American Studies Program director Stefan Bradley, who often joined his students on the frontlines of Ferguson, nodded like a proud parent.

“It’s something to be proud

of when people who didn’t get to be inside the gates [as students] show up and say, ‘We need to be seen’ and ‘we need to be helped,’ and meet someone inside the gates who says to them, ‘You are our guest’ and allow them to come on campus for their voices to be heard,” Blackmon said.

Blackmon reminded the graduates that, by virtue of

their degrees, they are set apart.

“Even in the face of oppression and obstacles, you are still privileged – no matter how hard you worked to get it, no matter how many jobs you had to have, you are still among the privileged,” Blackmon said.

“That may be a difficult message to receive, as we observe all that has been and endured by black and brown bodies all over this nation and, indeed, in our region. We need you to use your privilege for purpose.”

Her message to them was to remain rooted in their

community.

“It would be easy for you to go to law school and medical school and make the best of your education and talk about how you pulled yourself up by your bootstraps,” Blackmon said. “It would be easy to act like we don’t understand the complications and complexities that can keep an entire body of people oppressed.”

That, she said, would be easy, but cowardly.

“That is what it means to try to hide so that no one notices you,” she said. “We need you. We need you to use the strength of your voice.”

A8

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • MAY 21 - 27, 2015

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • MAY 21 - 27, 2015

A9

By Melanie Adams

‘The Fight for Sumner High School’

Photo: Missouri History Museum

The 1921 class of Sumner High School at their graduation.

History Museum youth troupe dramatizes public school history By the Teens Make History Players For The St. Louis American In 1875 – 10 years after the abolition of slavery – St. Louis still did not have a high school for African Americans. Through the hard work of African-American activists and community members, however, that would change with the founding of Sumner High School.

This summer, we, the Teens Make History Players, will be performing “Unlocking the Golden Door: The Fight for Sumner High School.”

We wrote this play to accompany the new exhibit “A Walk in 1875 St. Louis.” This exhibit uses Compton and Dry’s Pictorial St. Louis – a huge bird’s-eye map of the city – to explore different aspects of daily life in 1875.

Our play charts the events of 1875 that led up to the founding of Sumner High School, the first high school for African Americans west of the Mississippi, and it includes key historical African-American activists like Charlton Tandy who were fighting for equal rights during that time.

We spent several weeks researching for our play using both primary and secondary sources.

Our research was not just on the year 1875, though. Our research began with the years immediately following the Civil War. We read articles on the many groups that were fighting for the rights of newly freed slaves, such as the Missouri Equal Rights League that fought for voting rights.

Other civil rights issues in St. Louis during this time included desegregating the streetcars and working for equal educational opportunities. From 1847 through 1865, it was illegal for African Americans to receive an education in Missouri. Following the abolition of slavery, education became an important means of exercising citizenship – or, as George Washington Carver once said, “Education is the key to unlock the golden door of freedom.”

Here in St. Louis, men and women fought tirelessly to gain educational opportunities for their children. Citizens of St. Louis signed a petition for an African-American high school – a petition that went all the way to the state

Legislature. It was a huge victory when the state passed an act in March 1875 requiring the St. Louis school board to provide a high school for African-American students.

However, when the school board finally created an African-American high school later that year in September, the battle was still not over. African-American students were given the old Washington School, which had been declared unfit for white children because of its location near the jail and railroads.

Outraged, African Americans, under the leadership of Charlton Tandy, called for community meetings at the Eighth Street Colored Baptist Church (later Central Baptist Church) to highlight the fact that a school that was inappropriate for white children was not acceptable for African-American children either.

The fight for a suitable location, as well as the fight to have African-American teachers in the schools, would continue long after the success of founding Sumner High School in 1875.

In “Unlocking the Golden Door,” we interweave the historical events and context of 1875 with the story of a fictional family that represents the experiences of many real families in St. Louis at the time. The parents are former slaves who had little education, but their youngest daughter loves to learn and desperately wants to continue her education beyond elementary school. We chose to include this family as a way to show the importance of education on an individual level.

In researching and writing this play we have learned a lot about St. Louis history and the hard work of civil rights. We have often heard stories about African-American activists in the historic Civil Rights Movement of the twentieth century, but in working on this play, we uncovered incredible stories of African-American activists like Charlton Tandy and James Milton Turner, who did the hard work of civil rights long before then.

We want to share these stories in order to show how the years following the abolition of slavery were a time when African Americans were actively working together to achieve civil rights. The success of founding Sumner High School was therefore part of a much larger story; it was a stepping stone in the long fight for equality.

“Unlocking the Golden Door: The Fight for Sumner High School” premieres Saturday, June 6 at 2 p.m. in the Missouri History Museum’s lower level. We will be performing this play throughout the summer on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 11 a.m. and on Saturdays at 2 p.m. Performances last about 35 minutes with a 10-minute Q&A session following each performance.

We hope to see you there!

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A10

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • MAY 21 - 27, 2015

Congress addressing police-community crisis

By U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay and U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen For The St. Louis American In the wake of recent highly publicized tragedies in Ferguson, Cleveland, Staten Island, North Charleston and Baltimore, it is abundantly clear that the gulf of mistrust between some local law enforcement agencies and many communities of color is very deep and in urgent need of Guest Columnist repair.

While the Wm. Lacy Constitution Clay promises every American equal justice under the law, the reality of our criminal justice system falls far short of that sacred intention. From flawed policing practices to inequitable Guest Columnist sentencing guidelines, to Steve pipelines that Cohen lead far too many young African Americans and Latinos to prison; we have a system that does not resemble what justice should look like in 2015.

The most common interaction Americans have with our legal system is generally with local police. And for citizens in inner-city neighborhoods, those interactions are too frequently, demonstrably and statistically different than they are for nonminorities.

For many, the recent deaths of unarmed African-American young men while in police custody confirm that view.

And the use of military-style

Photo by Lawrence Bryant

equipment like sniper rifles, night scopes and armored vehicles deployed on our streets in response to citizens peacefully exercising their constitutional rights reinforces the decades of fear and deep distrust of police that many minorities carry with them on a daily basis.

While the vast majority of police officers do a difficult and dangerous job with honor, bravery and integrity,

with urban communities for the better. Among them were the use of independent prosecutors for cases in which police officers are accused of crimes relating to their use of deadly force, improved training to help officers better understand the communities they serve, and requiring full disclosure and prompt reporting of all instances in which deadly force is used.

Last week, we introduced

n “It is ridiculous that I can’t tell you how many people were shot by the police last week, last month, last year.”

– FBI Director James Comey across the nation there are still numerous instances of local law enforcement using excessive force in minority communities. That is an ugly reality that America and this Congress can no longer afford to ignore.

This week’s presidential report on policing tactics recommended a number of policy proposals that would help transform local law enforcement’s relationship

the Police Training and Independent Review Act, which would help improve community-police relations by ensuring officers better understand the citizens they are charged with protecting.

Our legislation would also help alleged victims of excessive force get the justice they deserve by putting an independent prosecutor in charge of investigating and prosecuting instances when

police use deadly force.

And it would remove the perception problem. Even if prosecutors act properly, as most certainly do, there is still a perception problem which damages the public trust. Asking prosecutors to investigate the same police with whom they work so closely just does not look fair.

Finally, in far too many instances, this use of excessive force is never reported. FBI Director James Comey even said, “It is ridiculous that I can’t tell you how many people were shot by the police last week, last month, last year.”

As we have both seen in our districts, failing to properly investigate, much less report on, alleged excessive force by police heightens the sense of injustice among communities that already feel antagonized by law enforcement.

Our National Statistics on Deadly Force Transparency Act would help ensure that comprehensive data regarding both justified and unjustified uses of deadly force are reported and made available to the public. The public has a right to know how often police use deadly force against the people they are sworn to protect. This information should be made available in a fully transparent manner, without delay.

Thankfully, a bipartisan House Judiciary Committee also recognized that something must change and met on Tuesday, May 19 to consider a 21st century approach to policing strategies. We urge the House Judiciary Committee to incorporate our worthy legislation as they continue their work reforming our nation’s policing tactics and strategies.

Clay (D-Missouri) represents Missouri’s 1st congressional district which includes Ferguson. Cohen (D-Tennessee) is the ranking member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice and previously served as an attorney for the Memphis Police Department.

Remembering Isadore Wayne

Photo by Wiley Price

Isadore Wayne, co-founder and director of Community Affairs & Outreach for The Empowerment Network, Inc., died Friday, May 15, 2015.

Services Friday at New Sunny Mount for Empowerment Network cofounder

By Sandra Jordan Of The St. Louis American The cofounder of a St. Louis prostate cancer survivor’s advocacy organization is being remembered. Isadore Wayne, co-founder and director of Community Affairs & Outreach for The Empowerment Network, Inc. known as TEN, died Friday, May 15, 2015.

TEN is dedicated to awareness and education, testing, treatment and support for men with prostate cancer.

“Isadore was a soldier, a fighter and an advocate against prostate cancer,” said TEN cofounder Mellve Shahid.

“His loss will be huge to the prostate cancer community in St. Louis. Today we grieve and tomorrow, we fight.”

Wayne and Shahid founded The Empowerment Network in 2008.

Since then, the group

became nationally recognized for its work, which includes a weekly radio program, a prayer team and a cancer center located at 6000 West Florissant Ave. More than 300 African American and other men have benefitted from the brotherhood of support from fellow prostate cancer survivors. It is the one of the largest prostate cancer support groups in the urban community in the Midwest.

On April 30, The Empowerment Network received honors by the St. Louis American Foundation’s Salute to Excellence in Health Care as the 2015 Health Care Advocacy Organization of the Year.

“My dad lived a life filled with purpose; he didn’t stick around waiting for things to happen – he made things happen,” Wayne’s youngest son, Ishmael Wayne, said. “He showed leadership through his actions, wisdom through his advice and realness when it needed to be presented.”

Visitation for Isadore Wayne is at 10 a.m., Friday, May 22 at New Sunny Mount Missionary Baptist Church, 4700 West Florissant Ave., followed by the funeral at 11 a.m. Interment is at St. Peters Cemetery.

Austin Layne Mortuary is handling the arrangements.

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ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • MAY 21 - 27, 2015

Black lives matter to Ken Burns ‘Our cities and towns and suburbs cannot become modern plantations’

By Ken Burns

new under the sun.”

We have continually superimposed our complex Chancellor Wrighton, and contradictory nature over members of the Board of Trustees and the administration, the random course of human events. All of our inherent distinguished faculty, Class strengths and weaknesses, of 1965, hard-working staff, our greed and generosity, our my fellow honorees, proud puritanism and our prurience and relieved parents, calm and parade before our eyes, serene grandparents, distracted generation after generation after but secretly pleased siblings, ladies and gentlemen, boys and generation. This often gives girls, graduating students, good us the impression that history repeats itself. It doesn’t. morning.

I have come to the It had been my intention this realization that history is not morning to parcel out some a fixed thing, a collection good advice at the end of these of precise dates, facts and remarks -- the “goodness” events that add up to of that being of course a quantifiable, certain, subjective in the extreme confidently known, – but then I realized truth. It is a mysterious that this is the land of and malleable thing.

Mark Twain, and I came And each generation to the conclusion that rediscovers and any commentary today reexamines that part ought to be framed in the of its past that gives sublime shadow of this its present, and most quote of his: “It’s not that Columnist important, its future the world is full of fools, Ken new meaning, new it’s just that lightning isn’t Burns possibilities and new distributed right.” power.

I am in the business For most of the 40 years of history. It is my job to try I’ve been making historical to discern some patterns and documentaries, I have been themes from the past to help haunted and inspired by a us interpret our dizzyingly handful of sentences from an confusing and sometimes extraordinary speech I came dismaying present. Without a across early in my professional knowledge of that past, how life by a neighbor of yours can we possibly know where just up the road in Springfield, we are and, most important, Illinois. In January of 1838, where we are going? shortly before his 29th Over the years I’ve come birthday, a tall, thin lawyer, to understand an important prone to bouts of debilitating fact, I think: that we are not depression, addressed the condemned to repeat, as the Young Men’s Lyceum. The cliché goes and we are fond topic that day was national of quoting, what we don’t security. remember. That’s a clever, “At what point shall even poetic phrase, but not we expect the approach of even close to the truth. Nor danger?” he asked his audience. are there cycles of history, “Shall we expect some as the academic community transatlantic military giant to periodically promotes. The step the Earth and crush us at a Bible, Ecclesiastes to be blow?” Then he answered his specific, got it right, I think: own question: “Never. All the “What has been will be again. armies of Europe, Asia, and What has been done will be Africa could not by force take done again. There is nothing

A father consoled his daughter during a protest in Ferguson on August 14 that was met with a militarized police response. Photo by Lawrence Bryant

a drink from the Ohio [River] or make a track on the Blue Ridge in a trial of a thousand years. If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time, or die by suicide.”

country on earth, we are still stitched together by words and, most important, their dangerous progeny, ideas. We return to him for a sense of unity, conscience and national purpose.

It seems to me that he

n The same stultifying conditions and sentiments that brought on our Civil War are still on such vivid and unpleasant display.

That young man was, of course, Abraham Lincoln, and he would go on to preside over the closest this country has ever come to near national suicide, our Civil War. We have counted on Abraham Lincoln for more than a century and a half to get it right when the undertow in the tide of those human events has threatened to overwhelm and capsize us. We always come back to him for the kind of sustaining vision of why we Americans still agree to cohere, why unlike any other

gave our fragile experiment a conscious shock that enabled it to outgrow the monumental hypocrisy of slavery inherited at our founding.

The issue of race, which was foremost on the mind of Lincoln back in 1838, is still here with us today.

The enormous strides in equality achieved in statutes and laws in the 150 years since the Civil War are in danger of being undone by our still imperfect human nature and by politicians who now insist on a hypocritical

color-blindness – after four centuries of discrimination.

That discrimination now takes on new, sometimes subtler, less obvious but still malevolent forms today.

Now in places like – but not limited to – your other neighbors a few miles as the crow flies from here in Ferguson, we see the ghastly remnants of our great shame emerging still, the shame Lincoln thought would lead to national suicide, our inability to see beyond the color of someone’s skin. It has been with us since our founding.

When Thomas Jefferson wrote that immortal second sentence of the Declaration that begins, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal...,” he owned more than a hundred human beings. He never saw the contradiction, never saw the hypocrisy, and more important never saw fit in his lifetime to free any one of those human beings. It would take a bloody, bloody Civil War to even begin to redress the imbalance.

But the shame continues: prison populations exploding with young black men, young black men killed almost weekly by policemen, whole communities of color burdened by corrupt municipalities that resemble more the predatory company store of a supposedly bygone era than a responsible local government. Our cities and towns and suburbs cannot become modern plantations.

It is unconscionable, as you emerge from this privileged sanctuary, that a few miles from here -- and nearly everywhere else in America: Baltimore, New York City, North Charleston, Cleveland, Oklahoma, Sanford, Florida, nearly everywhere else – we are still playing out, sadly, an utterly American story, that the same stultifying conditions and sentiments that brought on our Civil War are still on such vivid and unpleasant display.

Today, today. There’s nothing new under the sun.

Many years after our Civil War, in 1883, Mark Twain took up writing in earnest a novel he had started and abandoned several times over the last halfdozen years. It would be a very different kind of story from his celebrated Tom Sawyer book, told this time in the plain language of his Missouri boyhood.

Set near here, before the Civil War and emancipation, “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” is the story of two runaways – a white

boy, Tom Sawyer’s old friend Huck, fleeing civilization, and a black man, Jim, who is running away from slavery.

They escape together on a raft going down the Mississippi River.

Twain, writing after the Civil War and after the collapse of Reconstruction, a misunderstood period devoted to trying to enforce civil rights, expressed his profound disappointment that racial differences still persisted in America, that racism still festered in this favored land, founded as it was on the most noble principle yet advanced by humankind – that all men are created equal.

That civil war had not cleansed our original sin, a sin we continue to confront today, daily, in this supposedly enlightened “post-racial” time.

It is into this disorienting and sometimes disappointing world that you now plummet, I’m afraid, unprotected from the shelter of family and school. You have fresh prospects and real dreams, and I wish each and every one of you the very best. But I am drafting you now into a new Union Army that must be committed to preserving the values, the sense of humor, the sense of cohesion that have long been a part of our American nature, too.

You’re joining a movement that must be dedicated above all else to the preservation of this country’s most enduring ideals. You have to learn, and then re-teach the rest of us that equality – real equality – is the hallmark and birthright of ALL Americans. Thankfully, you will become a vanguard against a new separatism that seems to have infected our ranks, a vanguard against those forces that, in the name of our great democracy, have managed to diminish it.

Remember: Black lives matter. All lives matter.

Reject fundamentalism wherever it raises its ugly head. It’s not civilized.

Do not descend too deeply into specialism. Educate all your parts. You will be healthier.

Replace cynicism with its old-fashioned antidote, skepticism.

Don’t confuse monetary success with excellence. The poet Robert Penn Warren once warned me that “careerism is death.”

Try not to make the other wrong.

Be curious, not cool.

Remember, insecurity makes liars of us all.

Listen to jazz. A lot. It is our music.

Read. The book is still the greatest manmade machine of all.

Do not allow our social media to segregate us into ever smaller tribes and clans, fiercely and sometimes appropriately loyal to our group, but also capable of metastasizing into profound distrust of the other.

Serve your country. By all means serve your country. But insist that we fight the right wars. Governments always forget that.

Convince your government that the real threat, as Lincoln knew, comes from within.

Governments always forget that, too. Do not let your government outsource honesty, transparency or candor. Do not let your government outsource democracy.

Vote. Elect good leaders.

Insist that we support science and the arts, especially the arts. They have nothing to do with the actual defense of the country – they just make the country worth defending.

Do not lose your enthusiasm. In its Greek etymology, the word enthusiasm means simply, “God in us.”

Edited for length and reprinted from his 2015 commencement lecture at Washington University.

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ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • MAY 21 - 27, 2015

Why I don’t want to be SBE president An urban black Democrat explains his role on the State Board of Education

By Mike Jones Of The St. Louis American A couple months ago Peter Herschend said he would like to have a conversation about transitioning the presidency of the State Board of Education (SBE). I told him I’d been thinking about the same thing.

The normal order of succession is the board vice president becomes the next president.

I told him I didn’t want to be the next president. I told him at the time I would share my reasons publicly as to spare us the crazy conspiracy theories that are the zombies of political life.

In team sports (and the SBE is a team), you are successful when you get player match ups that give you an advantage.

In other words, put the right player in the right place at the right time in the game. Ain’t real complicated – hard, but not complicated.

Unless you’re a member of the SBE, you wouldn’t necessarily know that one of the most important things the president does for the board and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is deal with the Legislature, particularly legislative leadership.

Even the most casual observer would objectively describe the Missouri General Assembly as overwhelmingly white, overwhelmingly

Republican and severely conservative. It’s safe to stipulate that I’m an overwhelmingly black, liberal, urban Democrat. So you wouldn’t have to be a political Phil Jackson or Greg Popovich to conclude that might not be the best match up for the SBE. That’s especially true when you have three current members of this board who have served in the Legislature and have longstanding, working political

he has to work to develop and maintain a consensus among the board members on educational policy. When he speaks publicly, he must always be mindful that he’s speaking for more than himself.

This was my reason declining the position. I didn’t want to be compromised by the responsibilities of the office.

I want to be free to speak to and advocate for those children in places like Normandy that never have anybody in positions of authority and influence make their fate the single most important priority. We have a statewide educational and political apparatus to look out for “all

n If we cannot make successfully educating black children, our children, our number one priority, bar none, then we are truly unworthy of the sacrifice of our ancestors. relationships with members of the Legislature. So it was clear to me if you want the match up that would give this board and DESE the best chance at political success with the legislature, you needed to call somebody else’s number, not mine.

That’s a good and politically smart reason for me declining the presidency. However, it was not my primary reason for declining the position.

The board president speaks for the entire board and is its official voice. As such,

our children,” as people are so ready to say. I’m going to focus exclusively on these children.

What would the SBE member from the First Congressional District be required to say that would be imprudent and politically unwise for the board president?

Let’s take the Missouri General Assembly that concluded what they call a legislative session and I would call a farce.

If they were serious about helping children of Normandy or any unaccredited district, there were a lot of things they

could have done but only one thing they had to do – fix the transfer statue. For the second consecutive year, they didn’t get it done.

There are two rational explanations for this failure: gross political incompetence or a malicious callous disregard for the educational welfare of children in places like Normandy. The SBE president couldn’t and shouldn’t say something like this, because he or she has to maintain the fiction of a working relationship.

DESE has multiple issues affecting every child in Missouri, and it needs at least some cooperation from the Legislature in order to function.

I, on the other hand, see the Legislature as somewhere between politically hostile to generally useless when it comes to supporting the education of black children in urban areas.

As for the SBE and DESE, what about us? We have to be more honest about what we’re facing. We publicly say we’re holding people accountable for a level of performance. We also have to say we know they don’t have right tools to get the job done. We have to be prepared to loudly and consistently say – whether it’s the budgets we’re given or statues that define how we operate – when what we have is insufficient to educate every child in Missouri.

To the black community of St Louis, who I love with the life you’ve given me, we have to do better and be better.

When you read Elisa Crouch’s Post-Dispatch articles on the difference in the educational experiences of Angel Matthews, who transferred to Kirkwood, and Cameron Hensley, who decided to stay at Normandy, it breaks your heart. There was no difference in their ability or desire, just in the adults responsible for their education. If we cannot make successfully educating black children, our children, our number one priority, bar none, then we are truly unworthy of the sacrifice of our ancestors.

Edited from remarks made at the May 19 public meeting of the State Board of Education.

Community Briefs Hazelwood Super on administrative leave After being on medical leave for a few weeks, Hazelwood School District Superintendent Grayling Tobias is now on an indefinite administrative leave.

“Dr. Grayling Tobias is on administrative leave until further notice, and since this is a personnel matter, the board has no statement to make,” according to an email from the district.

Tobias has been with the district for more than a decade, first as director of secondary elementary, then assistant superintendent of accountability. He became superintendent in November, 2012. Ingrid Clark-Jackson is serving as interim superintendent.

Mike Brown memorial being replaced Ferguson Mayor James Knowles III and the Ferguson City Council announced Wednesday that Canfield Drive in Ferguson will be resurfaced and repaved by the end of this week, with the impromptu memorial to Michael Brown Jr. being removed.

The memorial in the middle of the road will be replaced with a permanent statue and plaque. City officials held a joint press conference with Michael Brown Sr. to announce the project.

Knowles said Lipton Property Management Company, the owner of Canfield Green Apartments, will pay for the project.

“We understand this situation is not easy for all parties involved,” said Knowles. “This event will forever be a part of Ferguson’s history – but it is important that the community moves forward.”

The City of Ferguson is preparing for its next town hall meeting 7 p.m. May 28 at the Ferguson Community Center, which will focus on community policing.

SSM hiring 250 nurses SSM Health Care – St. Louis recruiters are hosting two nursing hiring events. Hiring managers will be on hand to interview and hire 250 nursing positions. They are hiring for Inpatient Registered Nurses, Critical Care Nurses, Clinical Support Nurses, Behavioral Health Nurses, Home Care and Hospice Nurses, Operating Room Nurses and Emergency Department Nurses.

One event will be held 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 27 at St. Joseph Hospital West – O’Fallon Room, 100 Medical Plaza, Lake St. Louis, MO 63367. The other event will be held 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday, May 28 at DePaul Health Center - May Center, 12303 De Paul Dr., Bridgeton, MO 63044.

For more info on openings, visit: http://www.ssmhealth.com/ employment. Candidates can schedule an appointment by calling Danielle in recruiting at 314-344-6690. Walk-in interviews are welcome.

Will Return Next Week

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • MAY 21 - 27, 2015

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ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • MAY 21 - 27, 2015

Business

B1

MAY 21 – 27, 2015

Auto, student loan crisis worsening

Both amount of debt and delinquencies are rising

By Charlene Crowell Center for Responsible Lending

A recent report by the New York Federal Reserve Bank seems to be saying that America’s household credit and debt are about as uneven as the nation’s economic recovery. A new economic analysis found fewer foreclosures, bankruptcies and credit card delinquencies. However, the rates of delinquent auto and student loans are worse than before.

For most consumers, debt may seem like a constant companion – not a friend but somehow lurking near. How consumers manage their debts can also trigger financial stress.

n For the first time since before the recession started in 2007, the 90-day delinquency rate for auto loans (3.5 percent) is now greater than that of mortgages (3.1 percent).

In December 2014, the nation’s consumers collectively carried $710 billion of debt. Of this amount, $570 billion was 90 days or more delinquent.

It should also be noted that from mortgages to car loans, credit cards, auto financing and more,

the high costs of predatory lending unnecessarily raise the costs of a wide range of products. In two specific lending areas – student and auto loans – both the amount of debt and delinquencies are rising. Both areas have also been under scrutiny by regulators and researcher alike as

evidence mounts on predatory loan practices.

For the first time since before the recession started in 2007, the 90-day delinquency rate for auto loans (3.5 percent) is now greater than that of mortgages (3.1 percent). Auto loan balances continued to increase this quarter by $21 billion, and is larger than any time in history. That growth also comes with greater financial risk.

“Underwriting standards have steadily weakened in auto lending,” says Chris Kukla, senior vice-president with the Center See CRISIS, B2

Citizen Steward

Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI

IKEA hiring nearly 300 positions in STL IKEA has started recruiting staff for its future St. Louis store, opening Fall 2015 along Interstate 64 at the intersection of Vandeventer and Forest Park Avenues in the Cortex Innovation District.

The company will hire nearly 300 positions, including: home furnishings sales, interior design, customer service, safety and security, cashier, facility management, receiving, stock replenishment and warehouse, as well as approximately 60 food service jobs.

According to an IKEA press release, benefits include: vacation, paid maternity/paternity leave and paid time off for child adoption, tuition assistance, a bonus program, 401(k) matching, a pension plan, professional development, training and mentoring programs, and employee discounts at IKEA. Candidates interested in working at the future IKEA St. Louis should apply online at IKEA-USA. com. Candidates without computer access are encouraged to visit the St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment (SLATE) at 1520 Market Street, 3rd Floor.

Brittany NobleJones was named the 2015 Emerging Journalist of the Year by the National Association of Black Journalists. The award recognizes outstanding achievement by black journalists and Brittany Noblea commitment to Jones providing balanced coverage of the black community and society at large. She is a general assignment reporter at KMOV-TV, a CBS affiliate in St. Louis.

Howard Richards is the new senior manager of external relations for the College of Arts and Science at the University of Missouri – Columbia. He will be responsible Howard for developing, Richards implementing and coordinating an overarching outreach strategy for St. Louis. He served for 13 years at the Central Intelligence Agency after an NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys.

Patricia J. Brown was selected as a 2015 Lead PBS Learning Media Digital Innovator. She will receive yearlong professional development opportunities that Patricia J. include virtual Brown trainings, access to premium and exclusive resources, and invitations to special events. She is a technology integration coach for Ladue School District, an adjunct professor at Lindenwood University and an Edtech consultant.

David Steward, chairman and founder of World Wide Technology, greeted friends after being honored as St. Louis Citizen of the Year in Ladue on May 13. Steward, who started the company in 1990 with a handful of employees, has grown the systems integrator and supply chain solutions provider to 3,000 employees and an annual revenue of $6.8 billion. Steward and WWT are extending their commitment to the region by planning to build a new $30 million corporate headquarters maybe in St. Louis County.

Business Brief

People on the Move

Deciding how United Way invests its money William Garry is an allocations panel volunteer for philanthropy funder American staff As one of the most generous region’s in the country, St. Louisans often live by the principle “to whom much is given, much is required.”

Residents of our region give generously of their time and fortunes to help people in our community thrive.

At United Way of Greater St. Louis, a William special group of Garry volunteers takes this mantra a step further as volunteers on United Way’s allocations panel, which helps to determine how the money donated to United Way’s fall campaign is invested back into the community.

William Garry of St. Louis is one of those dedicated volunteers.

n “We need the ideas and energy of young people to inspire the allocations panel and agencies.”

Maurice Thames has joined KAI Design & Build as project manager. He will be responsible for the internal and external success of project design, schedule, deliverables and Maurice budgets. He will Thames also develop project objectives while exercising his independent judgment in achieving the objectives and manage team members. Most recently he was deputy director of Architecture for Jacobs.

Devon MoodyGraham received the Power Moves Award in Business and Entrepreneurship from the University of Illinois UrbanaChampaign Black Alumni Network.

Devon An entrepreneur Moodyand small business Graham advocate, MoodyGraham will also be opening the first coworking center in East St. Louis and the first black-owned coworking space in the region this summer.

– William Garry

Since 2008, Garry has served as an allocations panel volunteer, helping United Way to decide how to invest into its more than 170 agencies across 16 counties of the metro area. Garry was invited to learn about United Way’s allocations process through a friend who thought he would bring value to the panel.

“United Way is a major funder for many nonprofits that are in need of a number of diverse voices,” said Garry.

“Those agencies provide funds to sustain programs that support people throughout the St. Louis community including people we know or even ourselves.”

Garry is referring to the $21.3

million that was invested by United Way into organizations that primarily served African Americans in 2013. That year, 40 percent of the clients served by United Way-supported agencies were African Americans.

According to Garry, the St. Louis community is reaching a point where diversity will be at the top of the to-do list for companies and nonprofits.

“Voices of people of color, in particular young people, are critical as we move forward into a new environment of funding,” said Garry. “We need the ideas and energy of young people to inspire See GARRY, B2

Valden Campbell received the University of Missouri-St. Louis Distinguished Achievement Award for Excellence in World Languages. The award recognizes Valden high school juniors Campbell who demonstrate outstanding achievement in academics and languages, as well as participation in foreign language-related activities and studies. Campbell, whose achievement was for his study of the Spanish language, is a junior at McCluer High School.

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

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ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • MAY 21 – 27, 2015

Personal Finance

CRISIS

Your credit score: updates you should know

By Jason Alderman Credit scoring has evolved over the last three decades and this fall, FICO made one more important change. Borrowers who have struggled with medical debt and those with a limited credit history might see better FICO numbers in the future. Even if these situations don’t apply to you, understanding how credit scoring is changing can help you better manage your credit over time.

FICO Score 9, rolled out last fall, is described as a more “nuanced” version of the original FICO Score that the leading credit scoring company introduced in 1989.

It is offered by three major credit bureaus – Equifax (www.equifax.com), Experian (http://www.experian.com) and TransUnion. (http:// www.transunion.com). It now bypasses collection agency accounts and weighs medical debt differently than nonmedical debt on a person’s credit record. Borrowers

with a median score of 711 whose only negative credit data comes from medical collections will see their credit score go up 25 points under the new system.

As for consumers with limited credit histories – what the industry calls “thin files” – FICO says the new system will better determine the ability of someone in that situation to repay a debt.

What doesn’t FICO 9 address? At this point, the latest credit-scoring model really doesn’t loosen or change requirements for mortgage and refinancing opportunities.

Even so, there are many things ordinary borrowers can do to improve their credit scores and overall financial health over time.

The first step is for borrowers to review each of their credit reports once a year. Credit reports and credit scores are two different things. Consider credit scores are a three-digit summary of creditworthiness; credit reports are the detailed

record of a borrower’s credit history. Consumers can view each of their credit reports from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion once a year for free (www.annualcreditreport. com). Stagger receipt of each agency’s credit reports throughout the year to weed out any inconsistencies, inaccuracies, or worse, indications of fraudulent credit applications or identity theft.

Borrowers are seeing something else that’s new – some lenders are making the credit scores they apply to existing borrowers available for free. A few major lenders have taken part in the industryonly FICO Score Open Access Program, which lets current customers see the exact credit scoring data applied to them at no charge. FICO’s site doesn’t offer the names of participating lenders, but a customer should ask their lender if they are offering free scores through that program.

Consumers should know how credit scores are compiled. FICO uses five key ingredients: • Payment history (35 percent) • Amounts owed (30 percent) • Length of credit history (15

percent) • New credit (10 percent) • Types of credit used (10 percent).

Visit www.myfico.com for a list of tips for borrowers to improve their scores. Base FICO scores have a 300 to 850 score range, and though FICO doesn’t release what it considers good or bad scores, borrowers with excellent credit typically have scores in the mid-700s and up.

There are ways to preserve and raise existing credit scores. It might be wise for borrowers to ask if they can increase the credit limit on individual accounts while paying down existing balances on those accounts. Smart borrowers generally keep their outstanding balances at 30 percent or less of their available credit limit.

Bottom line: Smart credit management starts with an understanding of one’s credit reports and credit scores.

Jason Alderman directs Visa’s financial education programs. To Follow Jason Alderman on Twitter: www. twitter.com/PracticalMoney.

Continued from B1 for Responsible Lending (CRL). “Dealers are pushing borrowers into longer loans and routinely making loans that are more than the car is worth. When dealer interest rate markups are allowed, the interest rate for compensation and other risky practices are added on top of the loans. CRL is concerned that these losses will continue to mount.”

Student loan debts in this same period rose to a new total of $1.16 trillion. In comparing student loan balances between 2013 and 2014, the New York Fed found the yearly increase to be $77 billion. Further, student loan delinquencies and defaults were even more than double that of auto lending at 11.3 percent and may actually understate the full delinquency rate due to deferments, grace periods, forbearance that are not included in the repayment cycle.

“The increasing trend in student loan balances and delinquencies is concerning,” said Donghoon Lee, research officer at the New York Fed. “Student loan delinquencies and repayment problems appear to be reducing borrowers’ ability to form their own households.”

“Student loan debt can be a great financial tool for many borrowers to obtain a valuable college degree,” said Maura Dundon, a CRL senior policy counsel. “Sharply rising balances coupled with slow repayment and high delinquency rates may indicate that student loan debt is beginning to drain Americans economically. A disproportionate share of defaulters attended for-profit colleges, which are in urgent need of reform.”

Lee’s observation on the slowdown of new households is also shared by a number of other policy experts who also view that growing student debts have delayed home purchases for many. New mortgage loan originations totaled $355 billion, a historically low figure according to the New York Fed. At the same time, mortgage delinquencies continued to decline, balances on home equity lines of credit dropped by $2 billion and fewer consumers are filing for bankruptcy.

In the last quarter of 2014, nearly 20 percent fewer bankruptcies were filed than at the same time last year: 268,000.

Before making a decision on a major purchase or finance, try to learn as much as you can about the range of products and finance options available. The Internet offers a wealth of information from governmental office like the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Department of Education.

CFPB offers the opportunity to file or check the status of formal complaints or blow the whistle on businesses suspected of violating laws. Similarly, the FTC’s web accepts consumer complaints including identity theft or adding your phone number to the nation’s Do Not Call Registry. Consumers can also request free copies of their credit reports.

Additional consumer lending information is al so available on CRL’s website, responsiblelending.org.

Charlene Crowell is a communications manager with the Center for Responsible Lending. She can be reached at Charlene.crowell@responsiblelending.org.

GARRY Continued from B1 the allocations panel and agencies in order to attract and utilize the dollars at their disposal to best serve the St. Louis community.”

Working with inspiring talent is another reason Garry remains a United Way allocations volunteer.

“It’s a wonderful experience to interact with so many bright minds and people who I wouldn’t normally have a chance to n “United Way interact with in my day-to-day work is a major and my local community,” Garry funder for many said.

“I’ve enjoyed the friendships nonprofits that that I’ve fostered, and I’ve enjoyed are in need of experiencing the future of St. Louis a number of with the young people who come diverse voices.” into the allocations process. They bring incredible ideas and energy to – William Garry the people who have been involved with the process for years.”

United Way seeks volunteers for its 2015 allocations panel. Garry encourages African Americans to become volunteers to lend their thoughts and expertise on how to help families in need live their best possible lives, and to think about ways the community can continue to advance how United Way makes future investments.

Individuals interested in becoming an allocations panel volunteer can visit United Way’s website at www.

HelpingPeople.org or call 314-421-0700.

n “The Clippers are still the Clippers.”

– Magic Johnson

Sports

INSIDE

A good, hard look at what not to do ~ See ‘Claib’s Call’ page B4 ~

B3

MAY 21 – 27, 2015

Track & Field Notebook With Earl Austin Jr.

Comanches seek repeat

Sectional time Missouri Classes 3, 4 and 5 action on Saturday

By Earl Austin Jr. Of The St. Louis American

qualified as sectional champions in the 4x100- and 4x200-meter relays and runners-up in the 4x400.

O’Fallon High qualified athletes in 10 events, including all four relays at the Class 3A state championships. The Panthers won the sectional championship, which they hosted.

Among the top individual Metro East qualifiers in Class 3A include: Alton’s LaJarvia Brown in the long jump, triple jump and 300-meter

We have reached the Sectional round for Missouri Classes 3, 4 and 5, which will all take place on Saturday.

The Class 3 sectional meets with area teams will be held at Lutheran South and Montgomery County. The Class 4 sectionals will be at Lutheran South and MICDS. The Class 5 sectionals will be at Washington and MICDS. The top four finishers at each sectional meet will qualify for next weekend’s state championships in Jefferson City.

Here are some of the highlights performers from last weekend’s district championships.

The Hazelwood Central girls’ sprinters dominated the Class 5, District 3 meet at Lutheran North. Ariana Phillips, Brittany n The Johnson and Marcya Hazelwood Spivey finished first, Central girls’ second and third in the 100-meter dash, sprinters respectively. Destiny dominated the Nash finished first in Class 5, District the 400. The Hawks 3 meet at also won the 4x100Lutheran North. meter relay in 47.43 seconds and the 4x200 in 1:41.02.

Maya Cody (Lutheran South): Won the 100, 200 and 400meter dashes at the Class 4, District 2 meet at Seckman.

Hannah Long (Eureka): Won the 800, 1,600 and ran a leg on the Wildcats’ 4x800 at the Class 5, District 2 meet at Principia.

Harry Ballard (McCluer North): Won the high jump and long jump at the Class 5, District 3 meet at Lutheran North.

Laron Woods (Eureka): Won the 100, 200 and ran legs on the first-place 4x100 and 4x200meter relays at the Class 5, District 2 meet at Principia.

Zionn Peason (MICDS): Won the 100-meter high hurdles, long jump and ran a leg on the Rams’ first-place 4x100 at the Class 4, District 3 meet at MICDS. Tuvone Clark (McCluer South-Berkeley): Won the 110-meter high hurdles, 300-meter intermediate hurdles and ran legs on the Bulldogs first-place 4x200 and 4x400 relays at the Class 3, District 3 meet at Lutheran North.

Michael Miller (McCluer South-Berkeley): Won the 200, 400 and ran legs on the Bulldogs first-place 4x200 and 4x400 relays at the Class 3, District 3 meet at Lutheran North.

Lailah Elliott (John Burroughs): Won the long jump, triple jump and high jump at the Class 3, District 2 meet at Principia.

Madison Leigh (Francis Howell): Won the

See CAHOKIA, B5

See TRACK, B5

Photo by Wiley Price

During Saturday’s Class 5 Distict 4 Championships Alicia Alexander, a junior from Timberland, won the Girls 200-meter dash with a time of 25.90 at Parkway Central.

Cahokia heads to Charleston for state championships

By Earl Austin Jr. Of The St. Louis American The Cahokia Comanches girls’ track and field team made history last season when they won their first state championship.

The Comanches are seeking a repeat performance as they head to Charleston for this weekend’s Illinois Class 2A State Track and Field Championships at Eastern Illinois University.

The preliminary races will be

held on Friday with the championship races set for Saturday.

Cahokia prepared for its state run by winning the Triad Sectional championship with 121 points. Despite a rash of injuries to Earl key performers, the Austin Comanches will take athletes in seven events and three relays to the state meet, including nine sectional champions.

The top performer is sophomore Mariya Hudson, who won sectional titles in the 100, 200, 400-meter dashes and the long jump.

She is the defending state champion in the 400. Junior Raynesha Lewis was a sectional champion in the 100-meter high hurdles and Jr. triple jump.

Cahokia’s other individual sectional champion was Takyra Buford in the 300-meter low hurdles. The Comanches also

In The Clutch With Ishmael Sistrunk

Time for the return of the player-coach Despite Dan Gilbert’s denihe overruled Blatt’s silly play als, Cleveland Cavaliers’ rookcall to have him inbound the ie head coach David Blatt is ball with the game on the on the hot seat. The Euroleague line. Recent forecasts out of import was initially brought Cleveland suggest that Baxter over to help the Cavs’ Blatt could be punted rebuilding efforts. out of town even if Things changed drasthe Cavs win the NBA tically when LeBron title. Marinate on that “King” James aka thought for just a sec“Two Ringz” came ond. Blatt could win a strolling back to town NBA title in his first with Kevin Love on season and still get his side. Title expectacanned.

This shouldn’t come tions immediately balIshmael H. as a surprise. The absurlooned from non-exisSistrunk dity has been building tent to unrepentant for for years. Year-afterthe boys in burgundy.

After a mediocre start, the pub- year we have seen coaches lic calls for Blatt’s job began. with winning records get More than once this season, dumped left and right. The reathe passive-aggressive James son for these firings is almost has publically hung his coach always due to friction between out to dry. After his heroics coaches and players or front in the Game 4 victory of the offices pandering to potential Chicago Bulls, James made big-name free agents. George sure that everyone knew that Karl was axed in Denver the

Rumors around the league claim that David Blatt (right) could be out of a job even if the Cavaliers win the NBA Championship.

If that happens, Cleveland should just name LeBron James as player-coach.

same season he won Coach of the Year. Avery Johnson was

out in Dallas in 2008 despite a 51-31 record and a Coach

of the Year award in 2007.

Mark Jackson was handed

n Recent forecasts out of Cleveland suggest that Baxter Blatt could be punted out of town even if the Cavs win the NBA title.

a pink slip by the Golden State Warriors after posting an identical record to Avery.

Of course, that move could pay dividends as rookie coach Steve Kerr, has the Warriors looking like title favorites.

Nowadays coaches cannot get by just by being brilliant at X’s and O’s, they must skillfully pander to the real bosses See CLUTCH, B5

B4

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • MAY 14 – 20, 2015

Claib’s Call With Mike Claiborne

A good, hard look at what not to do The NFL continues to mystify those of sound mind and body. The scandal over the deflated footballs used by the New England Patriots gets even more bizarre.

Last week, Commissioner Roger Goodell (through Senior Vice President Troy Vincent) leveled a four-game suspension on Patriot Quarterback Tom Brady, not to mention a $1 million fine to the team and the loss of future draft picks. On the surface, it almost sounded like the NFL was finding its way when it came to a path to credibility. I spoke too soon.

Since then, the players association has gotten involved, Mike along with the Claiborne threat of legal action by Brady and the Patriots. It gets better, as Brady filed an appeal with the league on his suspension. It will be heard by no other than (you guessed it) Goodell, the commissioner. Strange and yet true, as this is how the NFL rolls. The players association is planning on calling Goodell as a witness. And they say there are too many lawyers in the world.

Did I mention that owner Robert Kraft is debating on whether he should jump the reservation of owners and take this thing to court, which is frowned upon by the owners?

With all the woes of the NFL, one wonders how this league can find its way these days, and yet they have ratings higher than most hockey games on TV when they show the draft. While each league tries to stay in the news for a variety of reasons, the insanity that is being displayed by the NFL,

the key is Trevor Ariza. He is good on both ends of the floor, a winner with the Lakers and is a clutch player who can make a free throw.

In all, it should be a great series. I like the Warriors.

The other side features LeBron against the Atlanta Hawks. Seldom have we seen a coach like Cleveland’s David Blatt have so little to do with the outcome other than make sure he does what LeBron says. Kyrie Irving is really good when healthy, so the Cavs have their work cut out for them. The Atlanta Hawks went wire to wire during the regular season and have been solid in the post-season so far. Damare Carroll is one of the few players who give LeBron a problem defensively, so let’s see if King James has to remind the referees that he is on the throne and they should acquiesce accordingly.

I love the fact that new faces are here and some may be here for a while.

New coach at Ritter

Stan Kroenke and the St. Louis Rams has displayed over and over again what not to do. its leadership and owners these days is beyond sad.

Normally, their media stooges would be trying to cover their players in their off-season

transgressions. Have not heard much about that lately. Let’s all knock on wood and hope they can stay straight.

On the local front, the NFL

cannot get out of its own way either. Just because it’s the NFL is no longer a reason to support the Rams, as their leadership has failed miserably in so many ways. Buy a ticket? Why?, Oh yes, It’s the NFL. No sale here.

I think the Rams should be treated like they have treated St. Louis. Instead of year to year, try week to week when it comes to buying tickets. The players and coaches are the only reason why I would even suggest that. There are people at Rams Park who do not deserve to put in the middle of this mess, but those who are in control should be held accountable for their actions. They call it a business, so it should be treated like that on both sides of this fence.

If there will be football in St. Louis in the future, it will have to be by a different ownership group as this one has played its last hand. Whoever owns the next team should take a good, hard look at what not to do, as the Rams have set the template that should be remembered by all fans of what you don’t want in an ownership group.

Then there were four The conference finals for the NBA are underway this week and, my, have the faces changed. No Kobe, D-Wade, Durant, Bosh or any of the other faves from the past. I guess for the annual front runners who flock to say their team is the team now, you might want to familiarize

yourself with the players that are not named LeBron. Say hello to Curry and Thompson, LeBron and Kyrie, Horford and Carroll, and Harden.

When you look at the teams, the one that stands out is the Houston Rockets. They have James Harden, a scorer who plays for himself most nights, and Dwight “coach killer” Howard. They were left for dead in the last round, until they realized who they were

n Normally, their media stooges would be trying to cover their players in their off-season transgressions. Have not heard much about that lately.

playing: The Clippers. Yes, those Los Angeles Clippers who have found a way to remain the crowned princes of the NBA no matter who is coaching them or who wears the uniform. It was a bad collection of players to start with, and Coach “Doc” Rivers had only so many speeches and not enough depth on his bench to beat anyone after the second round.

As for the Golden State Warriors, what don’t you like about them? They can score with anyone and play defense to back it up. Maybe one jump shot too many at times, but they play more as a team than the Rockets and they are more fundamentally sound. Houston has Harden and Howard, but

It was not long ago that Cardinal Ritter made a change in their coaching staff in parting ways with Hall of Famer Marvin Neals. The manner in which they handled it was not ideal, if not classless. Now there is a new coach on the scene, and he is Randy Reid.

Reid was a high school standout at Vashon and in college at Kansas State. An overseas pro career is also on his resume as well as stellar high school coaching career in St. Louis. Coach Reid is coming from St. Louis Community College at Forest Park. He will do well at Ritter. He will keep the tradition alive and well at Cardinal Ritter.

As for the vacancy at Forest Park, there are lots of names that have been tossed around. Floyd Irons is, not was, a good basketball coach. Yes, he had a legal issue that has been well documented, so there is no reason to go back in time now. With that said, if there is a person who has the people skills as a mentor, coach – and a man with some hard experiences to convey to prevent others from going down that path – it may be Irons.

It would also give him a chance to assemble a team of players that could compete on a national level, as well as develop some young coaches who can pursue a coaching career with a vast amount of experience. Irons could intertwine the program and its players in the community, where the next generation will have something and someone to look to for the right reasons.

Enough time has passed; it’s time to move on. Too many good ones are on the sidelines now in Neals and Irons. Fierce competitors as coaches when they faced each other, but I could not think of two others I would rather have leading the way. Too much knowledge is being wasted with them on the sidelines.

B5

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • MAY 14 – 20, 2015

LeBron James is really running the show in Cleveland so let’s see if he can be like the great Bill Russell and win a few rings as the star and the czar.

CLUTCH Continued from B3 of the team – the star players.

If Deron Williams can get a Hall of Fame coach like Jerry Sloan ousted in Utah, you know Avery and Jason Kidd didn’t stand a chance in Brooklyn.

Kidd was smart enough to see the writing on the wall and bailed for Milwaukee before Williams could ruin his coaching career before it really got started. Now all the hype about Williams has subsided and the team has tired of his antics. The man who signed a five year, $98.7 contract 2012 is more like a midlevel exception player now. His new coach Lionel Hollins was non-renewed in Memphis in 2013 after a 56-26 season because Zach Randoph was not his biggest fan. Hollins benched Williams for a few months and stated boldly that “he is not a franchise player anymore.” Expect Williams to be dealt this offseason.

Gregg Popovich, the best active coach in the game, doesn’t baby his players. Pop is known to be blunt and direct about his team’s shortcomings and has aired out his team and his star players on many occasions. He gets the most out of his players because he’s not afraid of them and he has the titles to prove that it works. Larry Brown was the last coach to win a NBA Championship during his first season with a team when he led the Detroit Pistons to a title in 2004. Brown was another coach

CAHOKIA Continued from B3 low hurdles; Belleville East’s Miya Dorsey in the 100-meter high hurdles and 300-meter low hurdles; and Aaliah Herron of East St. Louis in the shot put and discus.

On the Missouri side, the small schools take center stage at this weekend’s Class 1-2 State Championships in Jefferson City. Friday’s prelims begin at noon with the championship races set for Saturday at noon at Dwight T. Reed Stadium.

The area’s top qualifier is Brentwood High junior Sophia Rivera, who is the twotime defending Class 2 state

TRACK Continued from B3 800, 1,600, 3,200 and ran a leg on the Vikings’ first-place 4x800 at the Class 5,District 4 at Parkway Central.

Valarie Whitted (Cardinal Ritter): Won the 100-meter high hurdles, 300-meter low hurdles and ran a leg on the Lions’ first-place 4x400 at the Class 3, District 2 meet at Principia.

St. Louis American

Prep Athletes of the Week

Jasmine Barge McCluer North – Girls Track The senior standout won four events at the Class 5, District 3 meet at Lutheran North.

Barge won the 100-meter high hurdles, 300-meter low hurdles, 200-meter dash and ran an explosive anchor leg on the Stars’ first-place 4x400-meter relay team.

Barge posted winning times of 14.06 seconds in the 100-meter hurdles, 43.31 in the 300-meter hurdles and 24.78 in the 200.

As a junior, Barge won two individual events and two relay gold medals in leading the Stars to the Class 4 state championship. She will compete in the Class 5, Sectional 2 meet at MICDS on Saturday.

who refused to bite his tongue and carried respect with him wherever he went. Otherwise, it has generally taken NBA coaches at least three-to-four years of stability to build franchises into contenders.

More teams should be like San Antonio (and Brooklyn?) who hire a coach and let him run the show, his way. I’m not anti-player. They are the stars of the show and deserve the big bucks due to the massive amount of dollars they generate. They deserve to have their voices heard and even be solicited for their opinions during coaches searches and front office moves. It should stop there though. Let opinions be opinions and not mandates.

Otherwise, let’s see the return of the player-coach.

If the Cavaliers fire Blatt, instead of quietly asking James who to hire, they should just give James the job. There would be some rules to navigate (player-coaches can only earn a player salary, not both).

However, we all know that James is really running the show in Cleveland so let’s see if he can be like the great Bill Russell and win a few rings as the star and the czar. Tom Thibideau is likely on the way out in Chicago, make Derrick Rose the coach. He has enough suits and experience sitting on the sidelines anyway (low blow, I know). The Oklahoma City Thunder just hired Billy Donovan away from Florida, but they should’ve just handed Kevin Durant the clipboard.

Derek Fisher had a rough start

in New York, maybe Phil Jackson should concede and introduce Coach Carmelo Antony to the basketball world.

If I were a GM and one of my players came to me to complain about the coach, I’d ask him if he wanted the job. If not, I’d tell him to stay in his lane and be a player. Friction between players and coaches is good. It helps both parties grow, develop and evolve.

Sadly, star players have so much power these days that they often pull the strings behind the scenes, so the coaching carousel isn’t likely to end anytime soon.

n Jada Doll of Cleveland Naval Jr. ROTC qualified for state in the long jump and triple jump.

in six events, including its 4x100-meter relay team that won a Class 1 state title last season. Senior Jamila Rickets was a sectional champion in the long jump, triple jump and as a member of the 4x100.

Jada Doll of Cleveland Naval Jr. ROTC qualified for state in the long jump and triple jump. The boys of ROTC are going to state in seven events, which include sectional champion James Allen in the 800 and the 4x400 relay team that also finished first.

Nature Williams-Harkins of St. Louis Bio/Medical is a state qualifier in the girls’ 100-meter high hurdles and the 100-meter dash. Brentwood’s boys qualified in three events, including a sectional championship in the 4x100.

Chris Maxwell of McKinley Classical Leadership qualified in the 110-meter high hurdles and 300-meter intermediate hurdles.

champion in the shot put and discus. Rivera easily won the Class 2 sectional title in both events last weekend at Park Hills Central.

The girls of McKinley Classical Leadership qualified

Follow Ishmael and In the Clutch on Twitter @ IshmaelSistrunk

Kamira Franklin McCluer South-Berkeley – Girls Track The senior sprinter won four events at the Class 3, District 3 meet at Lutheran North.

Franklin won the 100-, 200- and 400meter dashes. She also ran a leg on the firstplace 4x400-meter relay as the Bulldogs also won the district championship in the team standings.

Franklin posted winning times of 12.43 seconds in the 100, 25.68 in the 200 and 57.36 in the 400. As a junior, Franklin won four medals in the Class 3 state meet, including state championships with the Bulldogs 4x100 and 4x400-meter relays.

McCluer South-Berkeley will be competing in the Class 3, Sectional 2 meet at Montgomery County on Saturday.

B6

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • MAY 21 – 27, 2015

Where do you spend your money?

By Adolphus Pruitt For The St. Louis American As consumers, where we decide to spend our money has a critical impact on where and how we live and, more importantly, on how society treats us. Globally, regionally and, especially locally, “Black Lives Matter” in socioeconomic ways that we can no longer afford to ignore.

As a result of the subprime lending debacle, there was an estimated total loss of wealth for people of color of between $164 billion and $213 billion for subprime loans.

Adolphus According Pruitt to the United for a Fair Economy report “Foreclosed – State of the Dream,” it was the greatest loss of wealth for people of color in modern U.S. history.

The three main actors who were responsible for the discrimination were, first and foremost, the abusive lenders who preyed on the unsuspecting and trusting consumers and stripped equity from their homes. Second were the more traditional prime lenders, who retreated from traditionally underserved neighborhoods, leaving a vacuum that abusive lenders eagerly filled with high-cost and discriminatory loans.

And third were the federal regulatory agencies, whose lax enforcement of the nation’s fair lending and anti-discrimination laws enabled the crisis.

Moreover, low-income families across the country are paying too much for minimum car-insurance coverage, even

with clean driving records, according to the Consumer Federation of America.

Researchers at the advocacy group found that the five largest auto insurers – Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, Progressive and State Farm – do not offer basic policies to safe drivers for less than $500 a year in more than one-third of the nation’s low-income areas.

“High insurance premiums act to deny [low-income] Americans economic opportunity and also help to explain why so many lowincome drivers drive without insurance,” said Tom Feltner, CFA’s director of financial services and the principal author of the report.

If African Americans were a country, our GDP would make us the 10th largest country in the world. We are about 15 percent of the U.S. population, with an estimated population of 42 million people.

Many corporations in the U.S. rely heavily on black consumers, even some in our region, and most don’t seem concerned about how we vote with our dollars. Its a little ironic, because these companies need to build a positive perception of their brands among blacks, because as a people we can collectively have a major impact their bottom lines if they do things that offend and harm us.

Blacks have a lot of power to demand accountability when corporate behavior enables inflammatory rhetoric that threatens our safety or laws that threaten our rights. With $1.1 trillion in annual buying power, black consumers have a lot of leverage.

Since 1827, the Black Press has communicated and helped to influence African-American views on the various social, political and economic issues that commonly confront “Black

Lives” and their respective communities. The Black Press was and is needed because elements of the established press routinely ignore or denigrate African Americans in print, often questioning both the integrity and morality of the entire race. If “Black Lives” truly matter we can no longer allow America’s advertisers to ignore the Black Press and the concerns of its audience. The current “Black Lives Matter” benefits from an engaged Black Press. Perhaps it’s time for the movement to focus on the practices of America’s advertisers and their record of investing in our institutions, including the Black Press.

But do “Black Lives Matter” to advertisers? While roughly 14 percent of the U.S. population is black, a Nielsen study found that U.S. advertisers allocated just 3 percent of the $109 billion they spend on media that focused on black audiences.

In fact, ad spending targeted to black audiences is comparatively low because, Nielsen states, “companies mistakenly believe [that] a ‘one-size-fits-all’ strategy is an effective way to reach African Americans.” Instead, Nielsen says, connecting with African Americans requires understanding the cultural nuances that resonate with them.

Where do you spend your money? And where do the places where you spend your money spend their money?

Who do they employ?

Where do they direct their philanthropy? It matters. There needs to be greater reciprocity with all of their customer base and their respective communities. In fact, we should demand it.

Pruitt is president of the St. Louis City Chapter of the NAACP.

Financial Focus

By Roger M. Macon – AAMS

Should you make investments based on a strong dollar?

Currently, the U.S. dollar is pumped-up and powerful.

But what does a strong dollar mean to you, as an investor?

To begin with, it’s important to understand just what is meant by a “strong” dollar. The U.S. dollar does not exist in a vacuum — its value, from a global perspective, is determined by its changing strength relative to that of other currencies. Let’s look at an example: Suppose that, in 2011, you traveled to Europe and wanted to trade in one dollar for its equivalent value in euros. At that time, your dollar would have converted to about .75 of a euro. Fast forward to early 2015; if you returned to Europe now, your dollar would fetch you almost one full euro. In other words, you can buy more euros because the dollar is “stronger.”

In fact, earlier this year, the euro hit a 12-year low versus the dollar. And it isn’t just the euro; the dollar is strong against almost every other major currency in the world. What has led to this strength? It’s not always easy to determine what’s behind foreign exchange rates — which can fluctuate even more than

the stock market — but the recent investing an appropriate surge in the dollar seems to be due, amount internationally, at least in part, to its obvious congaining exposure to differnection to the American economy, ent economies and markets, which has been growing faster than you can help diversify many other economies around the your holdings, which is world. The stronger dollar is also important. Although diverdue to expectations sification can’t that interest rates will guarantee a profit remain higher in the or always protect n At differU.S. than in many against loss, it can ent times, other countries. help reduce the the marBut whatever the impact of volatility kets have reasons for it, the on your portfolio. dollar’s strength may Be aware, though, performed be having an impact that international well with on your investments. investing carboth a A strengthening dolries special risks lar typically lowers beyond currency strong and returns from interfluctuations, a weak national investments including political dollar. because you get fewer and economic dollars in exchange instability. for the value in euros The strong or other foreign currencies. And dollar may have attracted some U.S. companies with a global your attention, but don’t presence may face challenges due to be distracted by it — and lower earnings from their internadon’t overreact. Currency tional operations. exchange rates can fluctuThese results might lead you to ate rapidly, and no one can think that a strong dollar would be predict how long a strong bad news for the stock market, but dollar environment will that hasn’t been the case in the past. last. By sticking with a At different times, the markets have solid, long-term investment performed well with both a strong strategy, you can help keep and a weak dollar. up the “strength” of your In contrast to its impact on U.S. own dollars. companies, a strong dollar can This article was written help foreign companies compete

by Edward Jones for use by and may give them an earnings your local Edward Jones boost from their U.S. sales. Also, Financial Advisor. the stronger dollar can help make For further information foreign investments “cheaper.” contact Roger Macon Even more importantly, by taking at (314) 481-3962 or advantage of the stronger dollar and 1-800-EDJONES.

Check out this week’s

PARTYLINE See Page C10

C1 • ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • MAY 21 - 27, 2015

September 16, 1925 – May 13, 2015

Memorable May Day Parade

God bless the King

Riley “B.B.” King passed away Thursday, May 13, 2015 at age 89 in his Las Vegas home.

Annie Malone’s staple event shows staying power in 2015

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

Riley “B.B.” King will rest among giants for bringing blues to broad audiences

“This is the longest parade I’ve seen yet, and I’ve been here every year since 1976,” said Dr. Mary Tillman, chair of the judging committee, with a huge smile on her face.

The set ending time of 4 p.m. arrived before the end of the parade for the Annie Malone Children and Family Services Center’s 127th Annual May Day Parade.

Hundreds danced, stepped, played, cheered, drove or marched down the stretch of Market Street between 8th and 18th streets on Sunday, May 17.

For the thousands who attended, it was the rare opportunity to get up close with local celebrities and See MAY DAY, C4

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American Riley “B.B.” King passed away Thursday, May 13, 2015 at age 89 in his Las Vegas home, leaving behind an unmatched legacy among his bluesman contemporaries.

But to call B.B. King “the King of The Blues” and leave it at that is the ultimate shortchange and disservice to King’s place among the greats in music.

Of course, his name is synonymous with the blues – and not just because “B.B.” stands for “Blues Boy.” Yes, he rests comfortably among the blues gods worshipped by the first generation of imported rock stars acquired through “The British Invasion.” They used “race records” by King and many others as their primary education for blues guitar licks and note-bending and repackaged them in a way that white America (and the world) found suitable.

King indeed took blues music from juke joints to gigantic concert halls on a scale never before seen after he crossed over into mainstream music with his 1951 hit “Three O’clock Blues.”

And as the genre’s unofficial ambassador, King worked tirelessly to keep the blues top of mind with 45 studio albums and a relentless touring schedule that often exceeded 300 shows

Photos by Wiley Price and Lawrence Bryant

See KING, C4

Djembe Xplosion draws masters to STL

•Only Online •

J.B.’s comedy groove

African drum conference held in conjunction with Black Dance USA, May 21-24 American staff People from across the world will pour into St. Louis on Thursday, May 21 for Africa United Ballet’s first ever Grandmaster Djembe Xplosion.

The four-day drum conference will take place at Better Family Life Cultural, Educational and Business Center, 5415

Grandmaster drummer Bolokada Conde from Guinea invites African music lovers to his drum conference at Better Family Life Cultural, Educational and Business Center from May 21-24. Proceeds will benefit his new touring company, Africa United Ballet International.

Page Blvd., May 21-24.

Seven drum instructors from Guinea, Mali, Ivory Coast, New York and Chicago will lead more than 20 workshops and demonstrations focusing on the rhythms played on the djembe and dununs, types of African hand drums. In addition, the instructors will discuss African history and culture.

The event is the brainchild of Bolokada Conde, a Malinke master drummer from Guinea, and Malena Amusa, a producer and dancer from St. Louis.

“With seven pioneers of African drum, from Africa and America, teaching so many intensive sessions at once, the demand has been tremendous for this conference, with drummers flying in from all over,” Amusa said.

See DRUMS, C4

J.B. Smoove proved himself a polished veteran with a natural knack for standup during his headlining set Thursday night at Lumiere Theatre.

www.stlamerican.com

Calendar

C2

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • MAY 21 – 27, 2015 The University City Jazz Festival will be held as part of the fair on Saturday, June 6th.

There will be carnival rides provided by American Banner Amusements. Local food and community vendors. Fun for the whole family. Heman Park, 7210 Olive Blvd., 63130.

For more information, call (314) 505-8696 or visit www. fairucity.com.

How to place a calendar listing 1. Email your listing to calendar@stlamerican. com OR 2. Visit the calendar section on stlamerican.com and place your listing Calendar listings are free of charge, are edited for space and run on a space-available basis.

concerts Fri., May 22, 7 p.m., Scottrade Center presents New Kids on the Block feat. TLC and Nelly. 1401 Clark Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www. scottradecenter.com.

Thur., May 21, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m., Jazz at the Bistro presents Avishai Cohen’s Triveni. 3536 Washington Ave., 63103. For more information, visit jazzstl.org.

May 27 – 31, Jazz at the Bistro presents Dr. Lonnie Smith Trio with Lionel Loueke. This rare pairing combines the music of West Africa with African American music and jazz in unexpected and exciting ways. 3536 Washington Ave., 63103. For More information, visit www. jazzstl.org.

Sun., May 31, 7:30 p.m., The Scottrade Center presents Forever Charlie Tour feat.

Charlie Wilson and special guests Kem and Joe. 1401 Clark Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www. scottradecenter.com.

Fri., June 19, 7 p.m., K & LG Enterprises presents Floetry: The Reunion Tour. The Pageant, 6161 Delmar Blvd., 63112. For more information, call (314) 726-6161 or visit www.thepageant.com.

Sat., June 20, 7 p.m., The Pageant presents Tyler, the Creator. 6161 Delmar Blvd., 63112. For more information, call (314) 726-6161 or visit

Fri., June 19, 8 p.m., Scottrade Center presents Bellator MMA: Unfinished Business Kimbo Slice vs.

Shamrock. 1401 Clark ave., 63103. For more information, visit www.scottradecenter.com.

www.thepageant.com.

local gigs May 22 – 23, Jazz at the Bistro presents Mardra and Reggie Thomas CD release.

The duo will be celebrating the release of their new cd, Matters of the Heart. This music was designed to spark your memory and touch your heart. 3536 Washington Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www. jazzstl.org.

May 27 – 31, Jazz at the Bistro presents Dr. Lonnie Smith Trio with Lionel Loueke. This rare pairing combines the music of West Africa with African American music and jazz in unexpected and exciting ways. 3536 Washington Ave., 63103. For More information, visit www. jazzstl.org.

Sun., May 31, 6 p.m., Jazz Edge Orchestra, Kirkwood Station Restaurant and Brewing Co., 10 E. Jefferson Ave. Tues., June 2, 6 p.m., Missouri History Museum presents Twilight Tuesday: Honey Vox. 5700 Lindell Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www. mohistory.org.

Mon., June 8, 6:30 p.m., University City Municipal Commission on Arts & Letters presents The Starlight Concert Series: Coleman Hughes Project feat. Adrianne Felton. This concert is free and open to

LooseCannon Celebrity Basketball Game with special guest Lil Wayne and many more. A portion of the proceeds benefit Better Family Life’s Put Down the Pistol Campaign. See SPECIAL EVENTS for details.

the public. Heman Park, 1028 Midland Blvd., 63130. For more information, call (314) 863-6333.

Sat., June 20, The Grove Neighborhood presents RFT Music Showcase. The best and brightest local bands, as voted by the Readers of the Riverfront Times, are featured at venues throughout The Grove Neighborhood. 4140 Manchester Ave., 63110. For more information, visit www. riverfronttimes.com.

Wednesdays, 6-10 p.m., Lexus Len’s “Wednesday Night Live” featuring: Cheryl Brown, Jeremiah Allen, Jeff Taylor, Gerald Warren & Amos Brewer, The Marquee, 1911 Locust.

special events

Sat., May 23, 8 p.m., Fox Theatre presents 26th Annual Bob Costas Benefit featuring performances by Diana Ross and Martin Short. The annual Bob Costas Benefit supports the Costas Center at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center. 527 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www. fabulousfox.com.

May 21 – 26, 36th Annual St. Louis Senior Olympics.

We promote the health and wellness of men and women 50 years of age and better by

providing them opportunities to participate in competitive sports and social events. St. Louis is proud to host one of the most prestigious Senior Games in the country. With the help of 200+ volunteers, more than 1,100 athletes are able to participate in 90 events over Memorial Day Weekend each year.

For more information, call (314) 442-3279 or visit www. stlouisseniorolympics.org.

Fri., May 22, 11 a.m., Assumption Greek Orthodox Church presents St. Louis County Greek Fest. Come experience authentic Greek food and pastries, live Greek music, an Agora Marketplace, kids corner and more. 1755 Des Peres Rd., 63131. For more information, visit www. stlgreekfest.com.

May 22 – 24, America’s Center presents Wizard World St. Louis Comic Con. This event celebrates graphic novels, comic books, movies, TV shows, gaming, technology, toys and social networking.

Special guests include Alec Ogletree, B.J. Britt, Seth Rollins, Giancarlo Esposito, and George Ramero. 701 Convention Plaza, 63101. For more information, visit www. wizardworld.com.

May 24, 7:30 p.m., Network Inc. presents The Original Pre-Memorial Day All White Party featuring Dirty Muggs an Flirt & No I.D. The Old Rock House, 1200 S. 7th

Street. For more information, call (314) 588-0505.

May 28 – June 28, Circus Flora: “ One Summer on 2nd Street. Circus Flora, St. Louis’s own intimate onering theatre circus where audience members are as close as two-feet and never more than 40 feet from the ring.

Enter the Big Top and travel to the Roaring Twenties, to a typical block on a typical day, and meet a very atypical set of families. 3511 Samuel Shepard Dr., 63103. For show time information, visit www. circusflora.org.

Sat., May 30, 11 a.m., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Omicron Theta Omega presents Pink Pizzazz Jazz Brunch: Spring Fling.

Music will be provided

by The Montez Coleman Band with vocalist Brian Owens. Our chapter has been actively serving the St. Louis community for over 30 years. This annual event is our primary fundraiser for academic scholarships and community service programs.

Professional dress attire.

Valet parking. Norwood Hills Country Club, One Norwood Hills Country Club Dr., 63121.

For more information, email ehiggin1@gmail.com.

Sat., May 30, 6:30 p.m., Circus Flora presents Flora Dora Gala –Speakeasy. Join us for a gourmet dinner and special performance at the Big Top in support of our artistic and outreach programs! Enter the circus lot, and you’ll step inside a Speakeasy peopled with amazing aerialists, jazz artists, equestrians, and maybe a bootlegger or two.

Circus Flora Big Top, 718 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, call (314) 2894043 or visit www.circusflora. org.

Sun., May 31, p.m., LooseCannon Celebrity Basketball Game with Lil Wayne and many more. A portion of the proceeds benefit Better Family Life’s Put Down the Pistol Campaign. Chaifetz Arena. For more information, visit www.ticketmaster.com June 5 – 7, Fair U City 2015.

This is a community carnival staged by volunteers who want to raise funds for a University City Community Foundation.

Sat., June 20, 9 a.m., The Butterfly House hosts 14th Annual Green Homes Festival. Explore the links between sustainability, energy efficiency, conservation at home and a healthy environment. 15193 Olive Blvd., 63017. For more information, visit www. missouribotanicalgarden.org.

Jun. 20, Sabayet Inc. Juneteeth celebration, Sabayet Center, 4000 Maffitt Ave. For more information, e-mail: manetkhufu@aol.com Thursdays, 7 p.m. (6 p.m. practice), The Cultural Bop Society Of St. Louis Continuing the Bop with Style (CBS) (BOP the official Dance of St. Louis, Free Bop Lessons and Bop Set Every Thursday Night, 7555 Olive Blvd. in U-City, St. Louis, MO 63130.

literary Mon., June 1, 7 p.m., St. Louis County Library Foundation hosts author Bengie Molina, author of Molina: The Story of the Father Who Raised an Unlikely Baseball Dynasty.

Library Headquarters, 1640 S. Lindbergh, 63131. For more information, call (314) 9943300 or visit www.slcl.org.

Thur., June 4, 7 p.m., St. Louis Public Library hosts author Jabari Asim, author of Only the Strong. Central Branch, 1301 Olive St., 63103.

For more information, call (314) 241-2288 or visit www. slpl.org.

Thur., June 11, 7 p.m., St. Louis County Library Foundation hosts author Mary Pilon, author of The Monopolists: Obsession, Fury, and Scandal Behind the World’s Favorite Boardgame.

Library Headquarters, 1640 S. Lindbergh, 63131. For more information, call (314) 9943300 or visit www.slcl.org.

dance Through May 23, Better Family Life, Inc. presents Black Dance – USA: A Celebration in Movement.

This is an incredibly energetic, educational and high spirited national dance festival that consists of dance workshops in traditional West Afrikan (Mali, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Guinea), Dunham Technique, Afro Cuban (ritual and social), African Caribbean, hip-hop, and Kemetic yoga, as well as Afro Cuban percussion. Better Family Life Cultural, Educational and Business Center, 5415 Page Blvd., 63112. For more information, call (314)

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • MAY 21 – 27, 2015 367-3440 or visit www. blackdanceusa.com.

May 30 – 31, Ashleyliane Dance Company presents The Odyssey. Founder Ashley Tate brings her company of trained classical, contemporary and commercial dancers for a weekend of performance art. The Odyssey will feature several pieces from their repertoire along with new choreographic works. You will experience hip-hop, contemporary, jazz, and musical theater in one action-packed concert.

Edison Theatre, Washington University, 6445 Forsyth Blvd., 63105. For more information, call (314) 935-6543 or visit www.edison.wustl.edu.

theatre May 22- June 21, Gitana Productions presents “Black and Blue,” opens May 22 for a four-week run. Tickets are free but reservations are required for all performances except the Missouri History Museum. Register online at www.gitana-inc.org or call (314) 721-6556 or email info@ gitana-inc.org.

May 22 – June 14, Shakespeare Festival St. Louis presents Antony and Cleopatra. Enjoy a lovely night of Shakespeare under the stars in beautiful Forest Park. Thursday performances are signed for the hearing impaired. Shakespeare Glen, Forest Park, 6604 Fine Arts Dr., 63110. For more information, visit www.sfstl. com.

May 29 – June 28, Robert G. Reim Theatre presents Smokey Joe’s Cafe. Featuring nearly 40 chart-topping hits that span over three decades of popular American music.

Relive the glory days of rock and roll with such pop standards as “Stand By Me”, “Jailhouse Rock,” “I’m A Woman,” “Hound Dog,” and “On Broadway.” 111 S. Geyer Rd., 63122. For more information, visit www. stagesstlouis.org.

June 3 – 28,The Playhouse at Westport Plaza presents Disney’s The Aristocats.

Madame’s furry felines have been cat-napped! Luckily, Thomas O’Malley and his ragtag bunch of Alley Cats are ready to spring to the rescue of Duchess and her Aristokittens.

What happens next is anyone’s guess. This modern version of the familiar Disney classic is just purrrrr-fect for the entire family. 635 West Port Plaza, 63146. For more information, visit www.stagesstlouis.org.

lectures/ workshops Thur., May 28, 5:30, FOCUS St. Louis and the Brown School at Washington University present For the Sake of All Community

The Scottrade Center presents Forever Charlie Tour featuring Charlie Wilson and special guests Kem and Joe. For more information, see CONCERTS.

Featured Event May 23 – 25, 24th Annual St. Louis African Arts Festival. This is an arts and cultural event designed for the entire family. Festival visitors will experience African culture via children’s activities, cultural demonstrations, art displays, live entertainment, and more.

(In ARTS)

Action Forum: Investing in Coordinated School Health.

This event will explore ways to invest in coordinated school health for all K-12 students.

Regional Arts Commission, 6128 Delmar Blvd., 63112.

For more information, call (314) 657-4027 or visit www. focus-stl.org.

Thur., May 28, 6:30 p.m., Maplewood Public Library presents Dred and Harriet Scott: The Legal and Family Story. 7550 Lohmeyer Ave., 63143. For more information, call (314) 781-2174 or visit www.maplewood.lib.mo.us.

Tues., June 9, 12 p.m., Missouri History Museum presents Josephine Baker: More than a Banana Skirt and Living St. Louis: Katherine Dunham. St. Louis. 5700 Lindell Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www. mohistory.org.

Tues., Jun. 16, 6:30 p.m., Woman’s Place will offer our free HOW TO HELP WORKSHOP for friends and family members of someone suffering domestic violence.

The workshop highlights how to best support victims, encourage safe choices and identify “red flags” of potentially lethal escalation.

Located at 8300 Morganford Rd. 63123. Alternate times can be arranged. Preregistration is required. Call 314-645-4848 to reserve your place.

Parkway Area Adult Education and Literacy offers FREE classes for adults to help them prepare for the High School Equivalency test (formerly GED). All teachers have degrees and are state certified in adult education.

If you are 17 years of age or older and not enrolled in high school, you are eligible to attend classes to prepare for the High School Equivalency test, work on academic skills or learn English as a Second Language. Please call 314415-4940 for information about class locations and times.

arts May 30 – 31, Midtown Taste and Art Fair. The event will feature the best in arts, crafts, entertainment, and restaurants in this St. Louis street festival

for two days. With main stage entertainment, and lots of activities, our estimated crowd of 60,000 will delight in this fun family oriented event.

Midtown St. Louis between Compton Avenue East to T.E. Huntleigh Avenue. For more information, call (314) 3673146.

May 23 – 25, 24th Annual St. Louis African Arts Festival.

This is an arts and cultural event designed for the entire family. Festival visitors will experience African culture via children’s activities, cultural demonstrations, art displays, live entertainment, and a variety of ethnic and American food. Forest Park, 5600 Clayton Ave., 63110.

For more information, call (314) 935-9676 or visit www. stlafricanartsfest.com.

May 29, 7 p.m., Exhibition for The Blooming Artists Project, which facilitates bonds between young artists in St. Louis regional school districts with local, established artists.

For more information about The Blooming Artists Project, contact Marilyn Callahan at mmatcall@aol.com. For more information about the gallery, visit the Clayton Fine Art Gallery’s website, www. claytonfineartgallery.com.

Through June 12, The Vaughn Cultural Center presents the exhibition “Black Americans in Flight: A Salute to Military Service.” 3701 Grandel Square, St. Louis, MO 63108 in the Urban League Building. Open hours are from 10am until 5pm.

Through Sept. 7, The St. Louis Art Museum presents Adorning Self and Space: West African Textile Exhibit.

1 Fine Arts Dr., 63110. For more information, visit www. slam.org.

health Tues., June 2, 9 a.m., Shalom Church City of Peace hosts Mini Health Fair: Free Screening Mammograms.

Missouri Baptist Medical Center’s mobile mammography van will be on site providing screenings for women aged 40 – 64 who have no insurance

or that have high deductibles.

We do accept most insurance plans for those who do have courage. Berkeley Campus, 6136 Garfield Ave., 63134.

To schedule an appointment call (314) 996-5170 or (800) 870-5731. For additional information, call (314) 9569829.

spiritual May 21-22, 6:30 p.m., Prophetess Apostle Shirley Ann Albriton, Founder and Pastor of Shekinah Glory House of Refuge located in Las Vegas. New Shining Light, 740 Broadway, Venice, IL. May 30, 12 noon, Bethesda Temple Community Outreach Day, free music, activities and workshops, 5401 Bishop J.A. Johnson Lane. For more information, call (314) 382-5401.

Sat., Jun. 13, 7 p.m., San Francisco Temple’s 30th Annual Dr. Marie McDaniels Christian Prom, Renaissance St. Louis Grand Hotel, 800 Washington Ave., St. Louis, MO. Attire: Black Tie. Reservations: $25; Special guest: 2015 Grammy and Stellar Awards Nominees

C3 The Walls Group. Please call Angelita Jackson 314-5203245 or email sanfranmedia@ att.net Fri., June 19, 7 p.m., F.A.S.T. Movement presents Flame in concert, Tribe of Judah Church, 10229 Lewis and Clark. For more information, call (314) 291-8898.

film Sun., May 24, 8 p.m., Movie Night at the Muny – Film Screening: The First Grader. Muny West Pavilion, 1 Theatre Dr., 63112. For more information, call (314) 935-9676 or visit www. stlafricanartsfest.com.

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • MAY 21 - 27, 2015

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More scenes from the May Day Parade

KING Continued from C1

Photos by Wiley Price and Lawrence Bryant

per calendar year – a pace that would continue into his 80s.

The tributes are still pouring in, citing King’s influence over his nearly 70-year musical career.

He received an endless list of awards.

He earned a staggering 30 Grammy nominations; 15 Grammy wins spanning from 1970 to 2008 and varied in genre: pop, R&B and blues.

In 1977 King was awarded an honorary doctorate from Yale University, and fellow Ivy League school Brown University would follow suit exactly 30 years later.

He was among the second class to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.

King was presented with the National Medal of the Arts by President George H.W. Bush, Kennedy Center Honors by President Bill Clinton and the Presidential Medal of Freedom

by President George W. Bush.

In 2012, during “The White House In Performance: Red White and Blues,” he compelled President Barack

DRUMS Continued from C1 Proceeds from the conference will benefit the Africa United Ballet International Inc., a new touring company Conde and Amusa started.

“We are asking everybody to support Africa United and this big conference,” Conde said.

“We are uniting the top artists from across West Africa to feed a global need for the djembe and the music and dance that makes people happy, makes people want to change their life.”

Djembe X will feature instructors Bolokada Conde;

MAY DAY Continued from C1 esteemed citizens.

“Hi, Elliott Davis, ‘you paid

for it,’” one guest yelled out.

The veteran broadcast investigative journalist waved, and she absolutely delighted in the moment.

“April Simpson brought her dog out here,” the woman said

of the Fox 2 reporter. “I didn’t know she has a dog.”

William C. Harris of William C. Harris Funeral Home, star of “Funeral Boss,” released doves as they made their way down Market Street in a fleet of

limousines.

While not as overwhelmingly popular as it once was, the parade still draws a devoted group of folk who religiously attend and participate in the festivities.

“Go, Vikings! You know Normandy throws down every year – off tops,” said one of the moms from the Diamond Divas of St. Louis Dance Troupe.

Her daughter’s group was one of the last to march, but it was apparent that she was a regular and her animated reaction to nearly every participant was almost as

Obama to join him for a few bars of his rendition of the blues standard “Sweet Home Chicago,” the president’s adoptive home town.

In 2008 an entire museum was designed and dedicated to honor his legacy. Indianola, Mississippi’s B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center will now also serve as King’s final resting place when he is interned there next weekend.

Born in 1925 on a plantation between Indianola and Itta Bena, King joined a generation of sharecroppers’ children escaping the toughest grips of Jim Crow for better opportunities. His fate was sealed when he set out for Memphis and became a Beale Street attraction. “Beale Street Blues Boy” was his original moniker before it was shortened early in his career.

Upon his burial, he’ll return home as a source of pride and one of the state’s most celebrated native sons – proof positive of the impact of B.B. King’s Blues.

King’s greatest gift to music, however, was the way in which he used his music to serve as a reminder that the foundation for every genre rooted in American music can be traced back to the

blues. It was also the secret to his success and staying power.

Rock, pop, funk, metal, soul, R&B, jazz and even hip-hop can be heard echoing through the dynamic duo of King and his lovely guitar, Lucille.

He also welcomed collaborations with open arms as he stuck to his agenda of bringing the blues to a broader audience.

King recorded “When Love Comes to Town” with U2 in 1988. His 1997 album “Deuces Wild,” was comprised of duets with musicians from nearly every genre. The roster included Eric Clapton, Bonnie Rait, Dionne Warwick, Tracy Chapman, Van Morrison, The Rolling Stones, D’ Angelo and Heavy D. He re-teamed with Clapton for “Riding With King” (2001), which earned them both a “Best Traditional Blues Album” Grammy Award.

But in every incarnation – from his days as Beale Street Blues Boy to his more than half-century reign as “King of the Blues” – King used his immeasurable talent to show the world that there’s nothing anybody can do musically that a blues man hasn’t already done first.

Moussa Traore, a Mali godfather of the djembe; Mangue Sylla, reigning king of the dunun orchestra, and a virtuoso grandmaster of traditional and ballet symphonies of Guinea; St. Louis’ own Caph Guei of the Ivory Coast; Khadyjah Harper of New York City; and Michael Taylor and Tosha Alston of Chicago.

“To be able to launch Djembe X in St. Louis is amazing,” Amusa said. “It is definitely a tribute to the early pioneers, such as the great master drummer Mor Thiam, from Senegal, who blazed the trail for djembe drumming in St. Louis and nationally. We have always been a major hub of African arts and will

continue to spring forth from this legacy.”

Amusa, Conde, and Africa United Ballet have organized this event in conjunction with Earth Rhythms Healing in St. Louis and Better Family Life, Inc.’s 30th anniversary Black Dance USA. “Black Dance USA has an incredible program every year,” Amusa said. “Adding the drum conference means St. Louis will be home to two epic drum and dance events, taking place at the same time, in the same venue.”

For more information and registration, call Malena Amusa at (314) 458-4282 or visit http://www.africaunitedint. com/#!xplosion-2015/c24bq.

entertaining as the parade.

As they stood in formation near the judges’ station, she was cheering Normandy on and claiming their victory among the bands before they had even begun.

“They are gonna kill it.”

She was right.

The drummers dropped the beat for Mark Ronson’s “Uptown Funk,” and the drum major dropped with it – bending almost to the concrete as he led a high-energy routine.

They were only the second band to perform, but it was clear from the performance that they would be the band to

beat. Indeed, Normandy High proved to be unbeatable – and took home the top prize for the Junior High and High School Band Division.

“We’re going to have to add a dance category next year,” parade judge Sheila Cunningham told Tillman.

“Shows like ‘Bring It’ and ‘Dance Moms’ have them out here!”

“We’re also going to have to ask the judges to commit to staying until 5 p.m.” Tillman said. “And that’s a good thing – because the more marchers we have, the more money we get for the children.”

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ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • MAY 21 – 27, 2015

Celebrations Birthdays

Anniversary Etta Henderson celebrated her 104th birthday on May 17!

Mrs. Henderson was married to the late Rev. Aaron Henderson for 50+ years. She has been an active member of Compton Hill Baptist Church for 80+ years.

TeMajai J. Perry celebrated her 14th birthday on May 18t and her 8th grade graduation from Nipher Middle School. Please join us in wishing her much happiness and success in her future. Much Love, All your family Happy terrific two-year-old birthday to Brooklyn Alleana Preston-Schuman on May 21!

Love you more, Proud parents, Jessica and Cameron; proud grandmother, Annie Sue; proud grandfather, Melvin

Reunions All reunion announcements can be viewed online!

Beaumont High School Class of 1965 will celebrate their 50th Class Reunion on September 26, 2015 at the Royale Orleans, 2801 Telegraph. Dinner dance with open bar is $65/person. For additional information contact Geraldine Carter-Reid at 314868-8284 or bluejackets65@ gmail.com.

Beaumont Alumni Class 1968 47th Reunion will be June 5-6, 2015. June 5, “All White Party” and June 6, “Family & Friends Picnic.” Last meeting for 47th Reunion planning is Saturday, May 30, 2015 2-5 p.m. at the STL County Library, 7606 Natural Bridge.

For more information email bhsco1968@att.net or call 314869-8312.

East St. Louis Sr. High School Class of 1980 will celebrate its 35th Class Reunion July 24-26, 2015 at the Hilton Garden Inn Regency/O’Fallon, IL. For more information please contact Bonita Adams-Blair at 314-369-3742 or by email at bonitablair04@yahoo.com.

Homer G. Phillips 2015 Reunion, June12-14, 2015 at the Hilton St. Louis Airport, 10330 Natural Bridge 63134.

Room Rate is $95.00 + tax, 1-800-314-2117 to reserve the rooms, reference HGP Nurses Alumni. Registration cost will be $150.00 which includes you banquet ticket. No tickets at the door. IMPORTANT! Our P.O. Box has changed New box #- P.O. Box 8033, St. Louis, MO, 63156-8033.

Questions? asims4@charter. net.

Kinloch High School Alumni Association will host a Kinloch Reunion Dinner dance on July 24, 2015. For more information, please contact Arlene Owens Davis at 314792-0659, Lester Wilson

FREE OF CHARGE O’Neal and Clenora Stafford will celebrate 52 years of marriage on May 22. They were blessed with four children, who send love and best wishes on their anniversary!

Student Achiever Winston Senor II recently received the Missouri Botanical Garden Youth Volunteer Service Award. Winston is the first recipient of this new award that recognizes young adults who demonstrate enthusiasm for volunteering and achieve positive results for the mission and goals of the Missouri Botanical Garden.

Congratulations, Winston!

at 314-863-2180, Reuben Melton at 314-239-5202, Mc McKinnies at 314-5240126 or Darryl Henderson at hendodh@sbcglobal.net.

9611 or AnnieSue Preston (314) 606 5618, Email: Soldanclass75@gmail.com or view our Facebook page: Soldan class 75.

Soldan Class of 1970 Reunion Committee presents 45 Year Reunion Weekend, August 7– 9. Total cost for the weekend is $90 per person. Check or money order should be sent to: Soldan Alumni Class of 1970, P. O. Box 812, St. Louis Missouri 63032. Final payment must be received by July 24, 2015. When mailing your payment please include your T-Shirt sizes.

Soldan Class of 1976 is planning the 40th Class Reunion. Call or text current contact info to Linda Brown at 314-805-5585 or Yvonne Lillard at 314-601-2865.

Email: soldanclassof1976@ yahoo.com and Facebook: Soldan High School Class of 1976.

Soldan High School Class of 75, 40th Reunion, September 11-13, 2015, Contact: Terese Cole- Marshall, (314) 640

University City Class of 1981 is preparing for their 35th reunion to be held August 5-7, 2016. Please send contact information to Denise Weatherford-Bell at msdenise38@yahoo.com.

Do you have a celebration you’re proud of? If so we would like to share your good news with our readers.

Whether it’s a birth, graduation, wedding, engagement announcement, anniversary, retirement or birthday, send your photos and a brief announcement (50 words or less) to us and we may include it in our paper and website – AT NO COST – as space is available. Photos will not be returned.

Send your announcements to: kdaniel@stlamerican. com or mail to: St. Louis American Celebrations c/o Kate Daniel 2315 Pine St. St. Louis, MO 63103

Reunion notices are free of charge and based on space availability.

We prefer that notices be emailed to us!

However, notices may also be sent by mail to: Kate Daniel, 2315 Pine St., St. Louis, MO 63103 Deadline is 10 a.m. on Friday. If you’d like your class to be featured in a reunion profile, email or mail photos to us.

Our email address is:

reunions@ stlamerican.com

Religion

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • MAY 21 - 27, 2015

Orphans from Uganda sing of God’s love

The Message

Lost and found

Plus, COGIC sends medical mission to Nepal American staff The Watoto Children’s Choir, a group of musically talented orphan children from Uganda, gave a live concert for students, faculty, staff and community members recently at St. Louis Community College-Wildwood.

The concert was one of the activities held during the week to recognize the importance of global education.

Sue Bierbaum, instructor for teacher education and organizer of the event, welcomed the audience.

“Our purpose is to bring the world to Wildwood,”she said.

The children’s messages were woven together through lively and poignant songs and dance. They expressed two themes during the concert – their strong belief in the love of God, and the need for people to help one another to realize their dreams.

“I’m doing what I do because of people who encouraged me,” said one of the young adult leaders of the group during the concert. “I always thought a child should have a chance to have a proper education, food, a house and, most of all, a family to become the person you are supposed to become.”

Edwin, age 12, echoed the same sentiments. “Dreams need help to become a reality,” he said.

The universal message was relevant to the students in the crowd. They agreed that

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Members of the Watoto Children’s Choir with St. Louis Community College students.

encouragement and help from others have helped them continue with their education.

STLCC students presented each of the members of the choir with a handmade bookmark to commemorate their visit.

COGIC supports Nepal Bishop Vincent Mathews Jr., president of the Church of God in Christ (COGIC) International Missions, took a team to Nepal to assist in the hardest hit areas of the recent earthquake.

The media reports that more than 7,000 people have died and more than 11,000 injured after one of the worst natural disasters to hit Nepal.

The Church of God in Christ sent Bishop Mathews to answer the call for much needed medical supplies, water purification tablets, tents and much more.

Bishop Mathews and a Missions delegation landed in Kathmandu with a medical doctor to assist in any way they can.

Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake Sr. said, “The Church of God in Christ is sending a team to assist our brothers and sisters in Nepal. Our COGIC congregation and the thousands in the area affected by this disaster are in desperate need of our help.”

Bishop Mathews said, “After seeing the devastation of the 7.8 magnitude earthquake, Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake Sr. felt it vital that we put some boots on the ground to help the people of

Nepal in some of the hardest hit areas.”

C.E. Blake Ministries, Inc. is making a Ten Thousand Dollar gift to COGIC Charities to assist in the alleviation of this and other tragedies around the world. Bishop Blake said, “I want to challenge COGIC members, leaders and churches to give generously to support this effort.”

For online donations, log onto www.cogic.org. To donate by mail, please write to Church of God in Christ, HELP COGIC HELP NEPAL, World Headquarters, 930 Mason St., Memphis, TN 38126. Please make checks payable to COGIC Charities Disaster Fund. Your donations are tax deductible.

Are you lost? Are you found? And who determines which answer is correct?

Biblically speaking, we lost it all in Eden and had it restored via the cross. In this instance, the “it” is us. Can you be found without first being lost?

In my case, I know what lost is because once I found Christ, I found me. This may sound somewhat trite to you, but finding myself in relationship with God was and is an eye-opening experience, the likes of which I would wish on every one of you.

You see, being lost in this world is being vulnerable to it. The world will see to it that you lose yourself to its entanglements, its temptations, its so-called pleasures, known as whatever your weaknesses are – greed, ambition, pride, sex, drugs and power. Pick your poison. But know that being lost allows your poison to pick you.

Now when you make an honest effort to find yourself spiritually, like the addict who must first admit his or her addiction, the effort is defined by an acknowledgment that you are indeed lost and in need of divine guidance to ultimately get this thing called life in order.

In the Parable of the Lost Son, that James A. acknowledgement sounds like this.

Washington “Father I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of you hired men.” Luke 15: 18-19.

His truth he could not deny. He was lost. He had to become lost. He went looking for lost and found it. It enabled him to “find” himself and find his way home.

And you know what he found? A waiting father, who had to explain it to his other son who never left, “But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” Luke 15:32.

When you finally get it, there’s only one place to go: home. And in this case, home is where God is.

The way was prepared by Christ who, like a homing beacon, shows us all how to find ourselves and thus be found.

If you’ve ever been truly lost, you know the exhilaration you feel when you finally figure it out and get going in the right direction. As the kids say, you better recognize! Being lost is not the issue.

Having enough sense to know it and do something about it is.

I promise you the moment you begin to look for the Lord He will find you. It’s not like God lost you.

It kind of gives new meaning to the Lost & Found.

THE

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN

Career Center ST. LOUIS AMERICAN

•

THE

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN C7

MAY 21 - 27 , 2015

$29 $22.50/week $19.50/week

SHIRT PRESSER DRYCLEANER PRESSER Full Time Position TIP TOP CLEANERS 2908 Market Street 40 N. Euclid 6360 Clayton Road

Covenant House Missouri is seeking FT and PT residential advisors. Bachelor’s degree preferred. Experience working with homeless and at risk youth 16-21. Familiar with mental health, substance use, crisis management, and trauma care required.Apply via website or send resume to tbelk@covenanthousemo.org.

No phone calls Please.

PAYROLL & ACCOUNTING ASSOCIATE The Missouri Historical Society is seeking a Payroll & Accounting Associate. The ideal candidate will perform functions relating to processing payroll and related benefits expenses. The full job description can be found at www.mohistory.org.

Annie Malone has the following available: Special Education Teacher (Certified) Therapist Full-time (LCSW or LPC) Case Managers Crisis Care Workers (Days & Nights) Receptionist Please submit resumes and/or applications to St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC) has lhutch@anniemalone.com, 314-531-0125 FAX, a receptionist position open in the Real Estate walkins between the hours 9a.m-4p.m. department. To apply online and see a Must be submitted before June 15, 2015. full job description go to: http://www.stlouis-mo.gov/sldc/ and click on “Careers at SLDC.” SLDC is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity.

REAL ESTATE RECEPTIONIST

ACCOUNTING ASSOCIATE

Not for profit housing program has a part-time position for an individual with knowledge of payroll, benefits, A/P & A/R, cash disbursements, annual budgets, rent schedules & HUD billing. Great opportunity for semi-retirees; SAGE MIP exp a plus.

Must have min of an AS degree, BS preferred.

Send resume to HNHI Attn.: Executive Director 4144 Lindell Blvd, Suite 411, St. Louis, MO 63108

An Equal Opportunity Employer

DIRECTOR OF BANDS The Fine Arts Division at Missouri Baptist University in St. Louis is seeking a full-time Director of Bands effective August 2015. The director will lead the Concert Band, Jazz Band, and Pep Band. Experience with Marching Band is a plus, as a Marching Band program is being planned. The Director of Bands will also be responsible for recruiting music majors and band members from the local schools and the campus community. Other teaching assignments could include applied lessons, instrumental methods classes, music education classes, conducting, or other areas of strength for the chosen candidate. Doctorate is preferred, Masters is required.

Applicants should supply a letter of application, current curriculum vita, record of work in print or video links (or both), three letters of reference and contact information for other references, and academic transcripts from all colleges attended.

Please e-mail materials to: Larry Smith, Fine Arts Chair Missouri Baptist University One College Park Drive St. Louis, MO 63141 smithl@mobap.edu

www.stlamerican.com

POLICE OFFICER The city of Rock Hill is accepting applications for a part time police officer. Candidate must be Post Certified and hold a Class A license. Prior experience is preferred. Applications are available at Rock Hill PD, 320 W Thornton, Rock Hill MO. Deadline for applications is 05/29/2015. The city of Rock Hill is an EOE.

DEPARTMENT ASSOCIATE

Apply Today - Work Tomorrow!

The School of Communications is hiring a Department Associate to support the Chairperson, faculty and students of the Electronic & Photographic Media Department, and the Dean of the School of Communications.

Please visit our website at www.webster.edu for a complete job description.

No phone calls please.

Opportunities available for all skills sets.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity affirmative action employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.

PARAMEDIC/ FIREFIGHTER The Robertson Fire Protection District is accepting applications for the position of Paramedic/Firefighter. Qualifications and requirement packet must be picked up from District Headquarters at 12641 Missouri Bottom Road, Hazelwood, MO. 63042 beginning May 18, 2015 through May 27, 2015 between 9:00am and 3:00pm Monday-Thursday.

Completed packet must be turned in no later than 3:00pm on May 28, 2015.

Robertson Fire Protection District is an Equal Opportunity Employer

“JANITORIAL” Possible Full, Part-Time positions, background check.Steady work history for 3-5 years, forklift or equipment operating experience preferred. MUST apply in person at 314 N. Jefferson at Olive. Monday - Friday 9A to 5P. Two forms of I.D.

Need a Job?

Apply at: St. Louis Staffing-Earth City 514 Earth City Plaza, Ste. 220 Earth City, MO 63045 PH: 636-240-7823 www.stlouis-staffing.com The Pillars of North County, a premier skilled nursing facility, has immediate openings for:

CNA Full Time - Evening Shift, Night Shift, and Evening/Night Shift Mix or Part Time - Day Shift Previous nursing facility experience a plus, but we are willing to hire/train new CNA's who have strong geriatric care skills. We are looking for hard-working and compassionate CNA's who will provide great care for our elderly residents.

We are creative with scheduling, including double shifts for more days off! Stable nursing management team. Clean environment with family atmosphere. Electronic charting system in place for CNA's. Very competitive pay, dependent upon experience and interview.

We are conveniently located near the intersection of Lindbergh and Old Halls Ferry in Florissant, MO. We would love for you to join our team of geriatric care professionals!

Please complete application in person at 13700 Old Halls Ferry Road, Florissant, MO 63033; or fax resume to 314-355-8169.

EOE. www.thehomeswithheart.com

CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSIONER REPLACEMENT Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District The Board of Trustees of the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is currently accepting resumes and cover letters from individuals interested in being considered for appointment to the District’s Civil Service Commission.

Candidates must be a resident and registered voter in St. Louis City or County for at least three years. Civil Service Commissioners only convene several times a year for hearings regarding personnel administration, disciplinary actions, and administrative actions in accordance with MSD’s Civil Service Rules and Regulations. Each meeting is compensated $20, with a maximum annual sum of $500.

Please submit resume with cover letter before June 11, 2015 to: Vicki T. Edwards, Commission Secretary Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District 2350 Market Street St. Louis, MO 63103 Information may also be emailed to: vltayl@stlmsd.com

Email your ads to vmedina@ stlamerican.com

Visit us at www.stlamerican.com

LPN

needed for vitals and assessments for Home Health Care Agency. Please fax resume to

314-395-7932.

CAMPUS PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER Harris-Stowe State University has immediate openings for experienced Public Safety Officers. Duties: enforcing campus regulations, federal, state and city statutes; protecting the University’s property and persons; controlling campus traffic; providing security escort service; and conducting emergency evacuation of campus, if necessary.

Qualifications: Excellent oral and written communications skills, experience with traffic control preferred; ability to work flexible hours; ability to follow detailed oral and written instructions; and excellent human relations skills. May be required to use protective devices such as pepper spray or baton. Must possess a high school degree or GED, be at least 21 years of age, possess a valid driver’s license and be licensed to/be eligible to carry a firearm through the Watchman’s Division, St. Louis County Private Security Section. Applications will be accepted until filled.

Candidates should send a letter of application, resume, high school/GED transcript, university employment application and names of three professional references to: Harris-Stowe State University, Human Resources Dept.

3026 Laclede Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63103 Fax: 314 (340-3395) Application for employment may be downloaded off our web site at: www.hssu.edu “Please No Phone Calls.”

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER

www.stlamerican.com

RESIDENTIAL ADVISORS

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

THE

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN C8

Bids & Notices ST. LOUIS AMERICAN

REQUEST FOR BIDS The Americas’ Center is soliciting bids for the installation of a High Speed Rigid Roll Up Door at the Edward Jones Dome. A pre-bid & walkthrough meeting is scheduled for May 26, 2015 at 10:00am. Meeting Location: 901 N. Broadway Street, St. Louis, MO 63101.

Contact David Savage at 314-342-5357 with project inquiries. The Americas Center reserves the right to reject any or all proposals. EOE St. Louis Celebrity Seniors, Inc.

INVITATION FOR BID For Volunteer and/or Financial Support For nonprofit 501(c)(3) Organizations St. Louis Celebrity Seniors, Inc. is accepting written narrative applications from 501(c )(3) nonprofit organizations who seek volunteer services and/or financial support for social ervice, scientific or educational programs for year 2015/2016. Narratives must not exceed 500 words and include proof of nonprofit status.

Applications accepted June 1 through June 30, 2015.

St. Louis Celebrity Seniors, Inc. P.O. Box 4113 St. Louis, MO 63136

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District will receive RFQ’s in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103-2555 until 10:00 a.m. on June 22, 2015 to contract with a company for: ELECTRICAL SUPPLIES. Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from www.stlmsd.com, click on the “MSD AT WORK” link, (bid opportunities). The bid document will be identified as 5951 RFQ. If you do not have access to the internet, call 314-768-6254 to request a copy of this bid.

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

NOTICE TO MINORITY, WOMEN, & VETERAN BUSINESS ENTERPRISES: McAfee Construction, Inc. is seeking MBE, WBE, & DBE Subcontractors and Suppliers who are interested in bidding on the following project: University of Missouri – Chemistry-Modify Various Rooms. Plans and Specs may be viewed at http://www.cf.missouri.edu/pdc/adsite/ project.php?project=CP151492&format=html Bids are due in our office by Noon on May 27th, 2015. Interested bidders please contact McAfee Construction, Inc. at 573-474-4397.

MCAFEE CONSTRUCTION, INC. IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is accepting proposals in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103-2555 until 9:00 a.m. on June 17th, 2015 to contract with a company for: Scrap Metal Removal & Recycling Services.

Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from www.stlmsd.com, click on the “MSD AT WORK” link, (bid opportunities). The bid document will be identified as 5949 RFQ. If you do not have access to the internet, call 314.768.2735 to request a copy of this bid.

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

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS Sealed bids for Baxter Road Infrastructure, St. Louis County Project No. AR-1408, will be received at the Office of the Director of Procurement for the County of St. Louis, County Government Center Administration Building, 41 South Central Avenue, 8th Floor, Clayton, Missouri 63105, until 2:00 p.m. on June 3, 2015.

Plans and specifications will be available on May 11, 2015 from the St. Louis County Web Site (www.stlouisco.com), or by contacting County Blue Reprographics, Inc., 1449 Strassner Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63144, (314) 961-3800.

DIRECTOR OF PROCUREMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES ST. LOUIS, COUNTY

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS # 57815139, Beverage Vending Machines and Services Harris-Stowe State University (HSSU) is requesting sealed proposals for Beverage Vending Machines and Services. Proposals will be accepted in sealed envelopes, clearly marked “PROPOSAL FOR BEVERAGE VENDING MACHINES AND SERVICES”) in the Dr. Henry Givens, Jr., Administration building, Room 105, 3026 Laclede Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63103 until Wednesday, June 10, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. The bids will then be publicly opened and the name(s) of the Contractors read at 10:00 a.m. in Room 311 on Wednesday, June 10, 2015.

A copy of the Request for Proposals can be obtained by emailing the request to morrowb@hssu.edu, faxing a written request to HSSU, ATTN: B. A. Morrow, (314) 340-3322 or by calling (314) 340-5763 and leaving contact information.

Any proposal received after the time of bid opening shall not be accepted and shall be returned unopened. No award shall be made at the time proposals are opened and the names read.

SEALED BIDS for

Replace Boilers, Hawthorn Childrens Psychiatric Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri, Project No. M1514-01 will be received

by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 6/11/2015. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to http://www.oa.mo. gov/fmdc/dc/list.htm

www.stlamerican.com

MBE / WBE / DBE Envirotech Inc. is seeking a Union MBE / WBE / DBE / Section 3 / MEP Firms to participate on upcoming Environmental Project for the Madison County Housing Authority. (Project # 1407-495).

Please E-mail Jesse@EnvirotechSTL.com with all inquiries & qualifications.

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS Notice is hereby given that The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (District) will receive sealed bids for Roanoke and Loekes Storm Sewer under Letting No. 11127-015.1, at this office, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103, until 02:00 PM on Wednesday, June 17, 2015, at a place designated.

Bids will be received only from companies that are pre-qualified by the District’s Engineering Department for: SEWER CONSTRUCTION – St. Louis County drainlayer’s license required Plans and Specifications are available for free electronic download. Please go to MSD’s website and look for a link to “ELECTRONIC PLANROOM.” Plans and Specifications are also available for viewing or purchase at Cross Rhodes Reprographics located at 1710 Macklind Avenue, St. Louis MO 63110. All bidders must obtain a set of plans and specifications in order to submit a bid in the name of the entity submitting the bid.

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

ST. LOUIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE St. Louis Community College will receive separate sealed bids for Contract No. F 15 603, Interior Renovations In Instructional Resources Building, St. Louis Community College at Meramec, until 2:00 p.m. local time Thursday, May 28, 2015. Bids will be publicly opened and read aloud at the office of the Manager of Engineering and Design, 300 South Broadway (Room 423, Fourth Floor). Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from the Manager's office, at the above address or by calling (314) 539-5015.

An Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer Non Mandatory Pre-Bid Meeting to Be Held 1:00 pm May 19, 2015 at Meramec Instructional Resources Building Lobby

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS Notice is hereby given that The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (District) will receive sealed bids for Liggett to Big Bend Channel Repairs under Letting No. 10370-015.1, at this office, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103, until 03:00 PM on Wednesday, June 17, 2015, at a place designated.

Bids will be received only from companies that are pre-qualified by the District’s Engineering Department for: NATURAL CHANNEL RESTORATION AND BIO-RETENTION Plans and Specifications are available for free electronic download. Please go to MSD’s website and look for a link to “ELECTRONIC PLANROOM.” Plans and Specifications are also available for viewing or purchase at Cross Rhodes Reprographics located at 1710 Macklind Avenue, St. Louis MO 63110. All bidders must obtain a set of plans and specifications in order to submit a bid in the name of the entity submitting the bid.

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

Need a quote?

Send your ad text to vmedina@stlamerican.com

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS Notice is hereby given that The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (District) will receive sealed bids for BALLAS ROAD SUBTRUNK SOUTH I/I REDUCTION under Letting No. 11682-015.1, at this office, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103, until 03:00 PM on Tuesday, June 16, 2015, at a place designated.

Bids will be received only from companies that are pre-qualified by the District’s Engineering Department for: SEWER CONSTRUCTION – St. Louis County drainlayer’s license required Plans and Specifications are available for free electronic download. Please go to MSD’s website and look for a link to “ELECTRONIC PLANROOM.” Plans and Specifications are also available for viewing or purchase at Cross Rhodes Reprographics located at 1710 Macklind Avenue, St. Louis MO 63110. All bidders must obtain a set of plans and specifications in order to submit a bid in the name of the entity submitting the bid.

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

•

THE

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN

MAY 21 - 27 , 2015

BIDS/PROPOSALS WANTED

REQUEST FOR BIDS Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis Head Start Educational Centers Bid Category Bus Transportation The scope includes the bus transportation of approximately 267 children to and from local Head Start Education Centers, Bid specifications will be available after 2:00 PM C. S. T., Friday May29, 2015 at the Head Start Headquarters of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, 8964 Jennings Station Road, St. Louis, MO 63136 (ph 314-867-9100). Sealed bids must be received by 10:00 am Friday, June 12, 2015 at which time they will be publicly opened and read.

Each bid must be accompanied by a bid Security in the form of a cashier’s check, certified check, or a Bid Bond executed by the Bidder and an approved surety company, payable to the Urban League of Metro St. Louis, in the amount of five percent (5%) of the sum total of the base bid.

The Urban League reserves the right to reject any and all Bids, to waive informalities therein to determine the lowest and best Bid and to approve the Bond. No bid may be withdrawn for a period of sixty (60) days subsequent to the specified time for receipt of Bids.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS This announcement serves as an open invitation to all non-profits serving St. Louis County children and their families in the areas of mental health and substance abuse.

St. Louis County Children’s Service Fund (CSF) is kicking off the 2016-2017 Core Funding Cycle. Two cycle overview sessions are scheduled to occur at the St. Louis County Library - 1640 South Lindbergh as follows: For currently funded agencies only - June 1, 2015 from 9:30 – 11:30 am For any organization not currently funded by CSF - June 2, 2015 from 9:30 – 11:00 am Proposals will be accepted from new and returning applicants under all ten fundable service areas for services to children/youth ages nineteen and under and their families in St. Louis County. Special consideration will be given to organizations currently or willing to work in the following zip codes: 63088, 63114, 63121, 63125, 63133, 63135, 63136, 63137 and 63138. For more information please visit www.keepingkidsfirst.com.

Space is limited to no more than two people per organization. Make your required reservations by calling (314) 615-5852 or emailing keepingkidsfirst@stlouisco.com.

LETTING NUMBER 8581 RECONSTRUCTION OF TAXIWAY FOXTROT FROM TAXIWAY KILO TO TAXIWAY JULIET; RECONSTRUCTION OF TAXIWAY JULIET FROM TAXIWAY FOXTROT TO RUNWAY 12L-30R Lambert-St. Louis International Airport Sealed proposals will be received by the Board of Public Service, Room 208, City Hall, 1200 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri, 63103 until 1:45 PM, CT, on June 23, 2015, then publicly opened and read. Plans and Specifications may be examined on the Board of Public Service website http://www.stl-bps.org/planroom.aspx (BPS On Line Plan Room) and may be purchased directly through the BPS website from INDOX Services at cost plus shipping. No refunds will be made.

Bidders shall comply with all applicable City, State and Federal laws (including DBE/MBE/WBE policies). Mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 2, 2015, at 10:00 A.M. in the Training Room (AO-4066) at the Airport Office Building, 11495 Navaid Rd., Bridgeton, MO 63044.

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

LETTING #8578 BALL FIELD IMPROVEMENTS AT VARIOUS PARKS Sealed proposals will be received by the Board of Public Service in Room 208 City Hall, 1200 Market Street, St. Louis, Mo. Until 1:45 PM, CT, on __JUNE 9, 2015, then publicly opened and read. Plans and Specifications may be examined on the Board of Public Service website http://www.stl-bps.org/planroom.aspx (BPS On Line Plan Room) and may be purchased directly through the BPS website from INDOX Services at cost plus shipping. No refunds will be made.

A pre-bid conference for all contractors bidding on this project will be held on May 26, 2015 at 10:00 A.M. in Room 301 City Hall.

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).

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

The City of Dellwood, MO will hold a public hearing to discuss the allocation of $20,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds which will become available after January 1,2016. The public hearing will be held at 7:15 pm on June 8th, 2015 at Dellwood City Hall.

To further its commitment to fair and equitable treatment of all citizens, the City of Dellwood, MO has enacted and/or enforces the following: A Fair Housing Ordinance prohibiting unlawful discrimination against any person because of race, sex, color, religion, disability, familial status or national origin; A Policy of Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in the admission or access to, or employment in, its federally assisted programs or activities; A Policy of Equal Opportunity to Participate in Municipal Programs and Services regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, familial status, national origin, or political affiliation; A requirement for bidding on CDBG activities that promotes employment opportunities created by HUD funding and that these opportunities be afforded low-income community residents and businesses.

If you would like information regarding the above policies or if you believe you have been unlawfully discriminated against, contact the following municipal official or employee who has been designated to coordinate compliance with the equal employment opportunity requirements referenced above.

Cordaryl Patrick, City Administrator 1415 Chambers Rd. Dellwood, Mo 63135 314-521-4339 If you are a person with a disability or have special needs in order to participate in this public hearing, please contact City of Dellwood no later than June 2, 2015 For more information Call: 1-800-735-2466 RELAY MISSOURI VOICE 1-800-735-2966 RELAY MISSOURI TDD Equal Opportunity Employer

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The City of St. Louis Workforce Investment Board and the City of St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment announce the availability of a Request for Proposal (RFP). The release date is May 21, 2015. The RFP is seeking bids for Young Adult Program.

The RFP is available for pick-up, in person, at the St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment office, 1520 Market Street, Room 3050, St. Louis, MO 63103, 314-589-8000, beginning May 21, 2015, 8:00 a.m. (local time) – 5:00 p.m. (local time), Monday – Friday, except holidays.

The RFP can also be downloaded from our website: www.stlworks.com.

A mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held at 10:00 am, Friday, May 29, 2015, at SLATE (see address above.) Questions regarding the RFP may be submitted to the St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment (see address above), Attn: Deputy Director and must be received prior to 5:00 p.m. June 9, 2015. You may also submit questions to Kelley Bernardi at kbernardi@stlworks.com . A copy of the written inquiry and response will be posted on the website: www.stlworks.com.

Proposals must be received by the St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment (see address above) no later than 5:00 p.m., (local time) on June 19, 2015. No fax or e-mail copies will be accepted. Applications received after this date and time will not be considered. One original and five copies in a sealed package must be submitted.

NOTICE TO MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISE (MBE) BUSINESSES Plocher Construction Company, Inc. 2808 Thole-Plocher Road Highland, IL 62249 PH: (618) 654-9408 Fax: (618) 654-6454 bids@plocherco.com is seeking MBE (African American and Hispanic American) businesses for the MSD Coldwater Creek WWTF Screenings & Washer/Compactor Improvements for Union Subcontracting & Supply opportunities in the following areas: Site Work, Rebar, Masonry, Metals, Roofing, Sheet Metal, Doors & Windows, Painting, Specialties, Equipment, Hazardous Abatement, Mechanical, Electrical All interested and qualified business should contact Chuck Wagner in writing or via email to discuss the subcontracting and supply opportunities.

Work Scopes and Supply Scopes are requested 10 business days prior to submitting a bid. All quotes must be received one day prior to the bid opening date of June 10, 2015 All proposals will be reviewed for the lowest, responsive, and responsible quote.

MSD will have a Pre-Bid Conference at the Bissell Point WWTP, 10 East Grand Avenue, St. Louis, MO on May 28, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. A site visit at the Coldwater WWTP will be held immediately following the pre-bid conference.

Plocher Construction will hold its own Prebid meeting on May 21st, at 9:00am at Plocher’s office: 2808 Thole-Plocher Rd, Highland, IL. Plans and Specifications are available for free electronic download. Please go to MSD’s website and look for a link to “ELECTRONIC PLANROOM.”

ATTENTION: MBE/WBE Contractors and non -minority contractors Insituform Technologies USA, LLC , 17988 Edison Ave. Chesterfield, MO 63005, is seeking subcontractor quotes for The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (District), Missouri River Service Area I/I ReductionCreve Coeur Creek East, Letting No. 11774-015.1, Bidding June 11, 2015 at 2:00pm.

Potential subcontracting opportunities available for consideration on these projects include: Lab testing services, closed-circuit television inspection and cleaning of existing sewer lines, interstate hauling with a reefer truck, protection and site restoration, manhole location, manhole cover remove and replacement, cementitious manhole rehabilitation, CIPP lateral connection repair, and point repairs all in accordance with project specifications. IMPORTANT: QUOTE LINE ITEMS ON A TURNKEY BASIS AND INCLUDE PERMITS, TRAFFIC CONTROL, SEWER BY-PASSING, ETC, IF REQUIRED. All MWBE and non- minority contractors should contact Greg Patton or Mark Reeves in writing (certified letter, return receipt requested) to discuss bid opportunities. In lieu of a certified letter, contact can be made by e-mail to gpatton@insituform.com and mwreeves@insituform.com. Acknowledge in your quote your company will meet the workforce per trade minority requirements per the project specifications. A pre-bid conference for the bid will be held at Insituform Technologies USA, LLC’s Training Center , 580 Goddard Avenue, Chesterfield, MO 63005 on Tuesday, June 2, 2015 at 9:00 AM. Quotes must be completed and submitted to Kenny Pipitone at kpipitone@insituform.com by 11:00 AM, Tuesday, June 9, 2015, along with a copy of your current MWBE Certification. Please complete EPA form attached with your quote.

All quotations will be evaluated for overall compliance with the project specifications, scheduling availability and pricing. Subcontractors should review and meet the Work Force Utilization requirements of the project.

Visit us on the web @ www.stlamerican.com

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS Notice is hereby given that The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (District) will receive sealed bids for Coldwater Creek WWTF Screenings & Washer/Compactor Improvements under Letting No. 11809-015.1, at this office, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103, until 02:00 PM on Wednesday, June 10, 2015, at a place designated.

A general description of the work to be done under these contract documents is: Headworks building work generally consists of demolition of existing sluice trough and compactor equipment, a new building addition, new sluice troughs, screening compactors, associated piping and equipment, ventilation, heating, odor control, plumbing and electrical work for new building addition and existing structure modifications.

Digester Gallery/Tank work generally consists of demolition of existing piping and equipment, improvements to existing room for new sludge pump, a new sludge pump with variable frequency drive, associated piping and equipment, and ventilation, heating, plumbing and electrical work for new sludge pump room.

Bids will be received only from companies that are pre-qualified by the District’s Engineering Department for: Building Construction OR Mechanical / Electrical / Plumbing

Plans and Specifications are available for free electronic download. Please go to MSD’s website and look for a link to “ELECTRONIC PLANROOM.” Plans and Specifications are also available for viewing or purchase at Cross Rhodes Reprographics located at 1710 Macklind Avenue, St. Louis MO 63110. All bidders must obtain a set of plans and specifications in order to submit a bid in the name of the entity submitting the bid. The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

A non-mandatory Pre-Bid conference will be held at the Bissell Point WWTP, 10 East Grand Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63147 on Thursday, May 28, 2015 at 9:00 am. A site visit at the Coldwater WWTP will be held immediately following the pre-bid conference.

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

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ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • MAY 21 - 27, 2015

C10

Celebrity Swag Snap of the Week

Queen Mocha Latte, William H, and Deerra just before Trey Songz hit the stage Thursday @ The Marquee Most recently seen on the BET “Real Husbands of Hollywood,” veteran comic J.B. Smoove had fans like Rozina Jones rolling with laughter as he returned to his standup roots for a two show set at Lumiere Theatre Saturday night.

Whitney, Tana, and Kathy were too thrilled at the idea of getting up close and personal with Trey Songz and JR Thursday night @ The Marquee

(Where is)Trey day. Okay I’m going to sound like the bad guy when I say this…who am I kidding, y’all know I don’t care. But why were there less people to see “Trigga” Trey Songz at the Marquee on Thursday night than a typical Saturday night with no celebrity whatsoever? The folks probably fell back, assuming he would show up when he felt like it, stay a few little minutes and then hit it. They were absolutely right. Okay, I get that it’s cool to be fashionably late when famous people are paid to come to the club, but 1:48 a.m…on a Thursday? I was afraid he was pulling a DeBarge (as in no call, no show). Somebody was laid across the conference table snoozing their way through the staff meeting Friday morning. Trey arrived, I stayed long enough to look him in the face to make sure it wasn’t an R&B impersonator and I beat it. Somebody who shall remain nameless said “girl, you leaving…

Trey just got here. You gonna miss the show.” I said “yes, I’m leaving. And yes, Trey just got here. But it is 2:15 a.m. How much show can he give me when the club closes in 15 minutes?” I got more life from the Hot 104.1 peeps, who kept the crowd at bay for the entire night. There was not a single “boo” or “we want Trey.” On the strength of that alone the Hot folks deserve a cut of what Trigga Trey was paid.

‘Love and Hip Hop’ stars Rasheeda and Kirk of Love with Niddy Friday @ HG

Kyra and Keshia stopped through the Hennessey Black Party Friday @ The Marquee

Hennessy Black for the grads. While “Love and Hip Hop” stars Rasheeda and Kirk were floundering up the street amongst the lightest of crowds at HG, MPAC and Koncepts were winning with their Hennessy Black Grads Party (their name, not mine) at The Marquee. People will surely accuse me of hating because Trey took so long to show his face, but they may have edged him out on the crowd size.

Tricky of Close to Famous and Super Ego Mitch came out to Element Saturdays @ the Marquee to spread the word about their party with Nelly

Chuckles for J.B. Okay, so I had a chance to see Chris Rock and Kevin Hart sidekick J.B. Smoove do his own thing on stage Saturday night as the headliner for the latest Lumiere laugh fest. I must say, aside from needing to be slapped upside the head for booking that god awful opening act, I was more impressed than I expected to be. Lucky for that opener, I was so traumatized by his unfunny that I subconsciously forced myself to forget his name – otherwise he’d be absolutely on blast right now. J.B. Smoove had to put in all types of work to get me out of the temporary depression that dude imposed on my soul. But he finally did it. Now don’t get me wrong, I didn’t laugh my face off like Coco Soul and her cousin – but I served up a respectable amount of cackles. His set was pretty regular in my opinion, but he was such a natural on that stage. He’s been in the comedy game for at least 20 years and he learned every trick of the trade. He was so relaxed and natural (sorry Pantene, I had to swipe your line) that it was like he was in his living room telling those filthy jokes.

Marquee owners Melanie and Dre chopped it up with Mo Spoon of Mpac and Keith of Koncepts Friday @ The Hennessy Black Party

Ono’s legend continues. After I left J.B. I made my way down Washington to get into the nightlife. I was headed to Rustic Goat and HG, but I had to park all the way down by Central Baptist. Sorry Dr. Scott if I was in your spot. But anyway, I thought HG and RG are going to be ________________ (insert new slang for “off the chain”). Turns out I was halfway right. Ono’s latest Espionage spot was the place to be. At this point, I almost want to send a note from a concerned church member to all of the other promoters if they go against him they will almost certainly suffer a loss that night.

Jessica and Kiarra were all smiles Friday night @ The Marquee

My hat off to May Day. I know the highbrow folks stay hating on the May Day Parade of late, but anybody who was on Market Sunday afternoon showing their love to Annie Malone for year 127 couldn’t have had anything bad to say. I lived from start to finish! I’d need the whole Partyline to really do justice (but y’all can look at C1 for some highlights). I will say that I knew Normandy was gonna “take house” as soon as that drum major dropped so low he could lick the ground. Central VPA gave them a run for their money though. Overall it was absolutely everything and the masses should consider making their way downtown next year to show their support.

Brittany and Kia came through to catch their favorite heartthrob show is face Thursday night @ The Marquee

Twilight Tuesday with Tish. The other night was my first Twilight Tuesday of the season and my girl Tish Haynes Keys and her band absolutely killed it with her Chaka Chan Tribute. The way she belted out “You Got The Love,”Oh.My.Goodness. She could have hummed or whistled the rest of the night after that and I would have considered it an evening well spent. The folks were perched almost all the way down to the Cabanne House to hear her throw down – and I know not a single soul was mad with what she served up. My only question is: Who was that elderly Carol Brady slaying the girls with her slide skills near the front? She could teach a Wobble 101 class and I would be the first to sign up.

Natural beauties Tiera, Keegan, and Alyx came out to celebrate with the grads Friday @ The Marquee Photos by Lawrence Bryant & John Scott

Farewell to Ms. Fine. Okay, so by now most of y’all know that the lovely Sharon Reed is leaving her anchor spot at KMOV-TV for Atlanta. I used to catch myself hating when the folks got to basking in her bosomy beauty, but she is actually at least as gorgeous on the inside as she on the outside and deserves all the success that comes her way. And the fact that she was able to win us over when y’all know how we feel about unfamiliar folks trying to feed us news is a reflection of her talent. When I saw how she handled the Ferguson coverage on the nights when things got hectic I knew that somebody was gonna scoop her up from us – and I was right. I wish her the absolute best. Since I’m wishing people in the news the best, I’m sure Sharon won’t mind me telling folks to make sure they stay tuned to KMOV for Brittany Noble-Jones, who made a huge splash during Ferguson and was named the National Association of Black Journalists’ “Emerging Journalist of the Year.”

Deedee and Toya did their thing Saturday @ The Rustic Goat for Espionage 6.0

WWW.STLAMERICAN.COM

YOUR HEALTH MATTERS

Page 2

May 21 – 27, 2015

A plea for our children Ever spend time with newborn babies and wonder what the future holds for them? Ever gaze into their eyes thinking “is this the next Bill Gates or the next Jackie Robinson?” I personally like to think of infants as unformed clay ready to be molded into greatness. Their potential could be limitless if given the opportunity, but the problem therein lies in the obstacles strewn in their paths inhibiting their progress.

Early in my career I had the distinct pleasure or misfortune, depending upon your point of view, to be verbally assaulted by a 3-year-old. I was working at a community health center at the time and was pretty naive about the inner workings of urban family medicine. This particular child was brought to the office by his grandmother for some behavioral concerns. During the examination, the child apparently became annoyed with me and yelled out, “get your hands off me, -itch!” After getting over my initial shock, I started to think how this kid’s vocabulary was quite advanced for his age. Even though he spoke inappropriate words, the ability to string together a five word sentence was a huge accomplishment for a child that young.

The child’s mother later came up to the office to apologize and to say that

she did not know where he when these decisions are made could have learned such without reflection upon the words and sexually provocaconsequences. Unprotected tive innuendos. Her response intercourse is the process for and reaction were common. conceiving no matter how Maybe she honestly did not patients try to say it is not! realize the rap music blaring Simply put, if you are not in the car, the rated R movies ready to parent, use birth shown on the family televicontrol or abstain. Children sion, or the people who spoke brought into this world adult conversations in the deserve your full, undivided child’s presence were affectattention. ing his development.

For the most part, healthy No matter how fancy your babies come from healthy Denise Hooks oven or kitchen utensils are, parents. Therefore, if a mother Anderson, M.D. your cake is only as good is using street drugs or ceras the ingredients you place tain prescribed medications in it! Children are no different. From during conception and pregnancy, this infancy till the dirt has splattered across could affect her baby and cause numerour coffins, we humans are affected by ous problems including birth defects and what is in us and around us. We cannot death. As a result, it is always best to truly believe that the words and images discuss these situations with your doctor spoken to our children via conversation, prior to conceiving to reduce the risk music, videos, and photographs will not of unwanted problems. Furthermore, affect their development one day. tobacco and alcohol use, depression, and Even prior to conception, we adults being the victim of domestic violence have a responsibility to our children. are all risk factors for poor outcomes in The first and most important responsipregnancy. bility in my opinion is sexual maturity.

Once this precious creature is born Intercourse between two consensual an even greater task is thrust upon paradults is a private matter and is none of ents, ensuring every basic need is met, our business. However, my concern is like food, shelter, and safety. Infants are totally dependent upon their parents. So if parents lack the resources to provide housing and nutrition, proper development cannot occur. I’ve had experiences where parents have diluted the formula to make it stretch or simply could not

read and therefore did not understand the preparation instructions. The brain needs those nutrients more than ever during this phase of development and cannot withstand such nutritional insults for long periods of time.

As our children grow and develop, the types of food choices with which we expose them will determine the choices they make as they age. If pizza pockets and fast foods are the hallmarks of their meals, we can only expect obesity and high blood pressure issues to ensue. Per the CDC, in 2012, more than a third of children were either overweight or obese.

Though lack of exercise is a huge problem for our children, the quality of the food is also a major contributor to the epidemic.

Lastly, there have been so many social ills that have bombarded the news recently – such as poor education, violence, poverty and the list could go on and on. Hopefully, we now see these situations are beyond out of control and if we do not intervene higher up the chain we will continue to reap the same awful results. In my opinion, let’s get back to basics. Let’s ensure our children’s needs are met and let’s assist parents who obviously need our help!

Yours in Service, Denise Hooks-Anderson, M.D. Assistant Professor SLUCare Family Medicine yourhealthmatters@stlamerican.com

Your Health Matters A bi-monthly special supplement of the St. Louis American

May 21, 2015 Your Health Matters provides up-to-date information, from an African-American perspective, about one of the most important subjects in evryone’s life – their personal health.

Donald M. Suggs, President and Publisher Kevin Jones, Senior Vice President, COO Dina M. Suggs, Senior Vice President Chris King, Editorial Director Denise Hooks Anderson, M.D., Medical Accuracy Editor Sandra Jordan, Health Reporter Debbie Chase, Director of Health Strategy & Outreach Onye Hollomon, Barb Sills, Pamela Simmons, Sales Michael Terhaar, Art/Production Manager Angelita Jackson, Cover Design Wiley Price, Photojournalist

St. Louis American The

May 21 – 27, 2015

YOUR HEALTH MATTERS

Page 3

De’Borah Gibson-Harris and daughter Za’niyah are clients of Raising St. Louis, a partnership between health, education and community organizations to create better ealth and educational outcomes for children by the time they enter the third grade.

Photo by Wiley Price

Creating stronger paths for health and learning for children

By Sandra Jordan Of The St. Louis American

n “Our primary long-term goal is meaningful improvement in health and school outcome by third grade.”

Beginning with pregnancy and continuing until the child is ready to enter the third grade, health, education and community support organizations are collaborating to give moms and their new babies a greater bond while boosting the child’s development. It’s Raising St. Louis, a program launched in January 2014 only in a few zip codes – 63112, 63113, 63115 and 63120.

“Our primary long-term goal is meaningful improvement in health and school outcome by third grade,” said Thomas Santel, lead developer of Raising St. Louis. It works systematically with effective programs already in existence,

– Thomas Santel, lead developer of Raising St. Louis

and connects expectant mothers and new moms with babies to those services.

Raising St. Louis chose the four zip codes because data indicated those locations may have the most need.

“The demographics in those four zip codes indicated significant challenges and appeared to us to be a little bit less served by various organizations, so we just thought we’d start there,” Santel added.

Services for mothers and babies signing up for Raising St. Louis are free of charge throughout pregnancy and early childhood. The visit at-home (or another convenient place) program includes services from Nurses for Newborns and Parents as Teachers; information about health, safety and child development; parenting tips, rewards and referrals for other resources, such as food pantries and shelters.

“All of my kids were spaced out, so I was pretty much clueless and was trying to remember what it was like when I had a baby,” said mother of three, De’Borah Gibson-Harris of St. Louis. She has a 14-year old son, a 9-year-old daughter and a 15-month-old daughter Za’niyah, who she describes as her high-energy baby. Gibson-Harris said the program was a welcome refresher course during her pregnancy.

The visits after Za’niyah was born have been impactful as well.

“They come out – they teach her new things and show her things and she mocks what they do,” Gibson-Harris described. “Za’niyah loves picking out

See CHILDREN, page 5

Page 4

uly

YOUR HEALTH MATTERS

May 21 – 27, 2015

Ferguson Commission examines health policy Rosetta Keeton with the St. Louis Regional Health Commission spoke on healthcare disparities in the African-American community during the 11th Ferguson commission meeting at the St. Louis Gateway classic foundation tonight.

The Ferguson Commission held its eleventh full commission meeting on Monday, May 11 at the St. Louis Gateway Classic Sports Foundation in St. Louis. The meeting focused on health policy and its impact on access and disparities among the most vulnerable in our region. Ryan Barker, vice president of Health Policy for the Missouri Foundation for Health presented an overview of policies that impact health access and health disparities. Robert Fruend, CEO of the St. Louis Regional Health Commission presented regional health data trends over the past decade, how the commission evolved and the Gateway to Better Health extensions to get poor and uninsured people into primary care access.

Photo by Wiley Price

May 21 – 27, 2015

YOUR HEALTH MATTERS

CHILDREN Continued from page 3 the books.”

In fact, her baby’s curiosity during one visit turned into a development milestone.

“When they switched my worker … the first time Crystal came, my baby was messing with her shoes and I think that’s what started her crawling, because everywhere Crystal moved her shoes, she went.”

Mothers we talked to particularly enjoy the monthly group sessions with other parents.

“I like them, because they have the group connection meetings where you get to know other parents and know their experiences,” Gibson-Harris said. “Some experiences are alike and other peoples’ experiences are completely different.”

“It helps you interact with other parents and see their perspective on things too. I really enjoy the program,” said Keisha Ross of St. Louis.

Ross is mother to an 8-month-old daughter Jon’nae, after having three sons, ages 15, 8 and 7. She said the program has helped her interact and better understand her baby.

“It was like starting over again, but some things that I did know but they helped me understand it,” Ross said. “As my baby was growing, sometimes I wanted to know exactly what was happening, like why the baby was sleeping so much and they were telling me how the brain works, and all of that. It’s pretty much going into detail so that you fully understand what’s going on with your baby – health-wise, milestones, all of it.”

Raising St. Louis’ kid’s cash program is an incentive for the mothers.

“It’s like doing the stuff you have to do but you get rewarded for it also, like when you take your baby to get the shots and stuff,” Ross said. “You show them the shot record and they give you the kid’s cash for it.”

Raising St. Louis partners include BJC Healthcare, Father’s Support Center, St. Louis, Barnes Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing; Maternal, Child and Family Health Coalition; Nurses for Newborns; Parents As Teachers; St. Louis College of Pharmacy; St. Louis Public Schools; and Washington University in St. Louis’ School of Medicine and Brown School of Social Work.

“A lot of programs are made for teens and stuff and it’s really for all ages, and I like it,” Ross added.

Currently, Raising St. Louis is working with more than 80 families that live in those four zip codes. If families are already registered and moved in other locations, the services do follow them to other areas in Missouri. And they are expanding their recruiting area by two zip codes on June 1.

“We’re going to add 63106 and 63107,” Santel said.

To register for Raising St. Louis, call 314-747-7785 or for more information, visit www.raisingstl.org.

Is diet or exercise the best way to reduce diabetes risk?

In a paper recently published in Diabetes Care, Saint Louis University associate professor of nutrition and dietetics Edward Weiss, Ph.D, and colleagues found that, though people often think of the benefits from exercise, calorie restriction and weight loss as interchangeable, it appears that they may all offer distinct and cumulative benefits when it comes to managing Type 2 diabetes risk.

The SLU study enrolled sedentary, overweight, middle-aged men and women who were assigned to one of three groups designed to reduce weight by 6-8 percent through calorie restriction, exercise or a combination of both.

Researchers recorded the participants’ insulin sensitivity levels, a marker for diabetes risk that measures how effectively the body is able to use insulin.

“Your blood sugar may be perfectly normal, but if your insulin sensitivity is low, you are on the way to blood sugar issues and, potentially, Type 2 diabetes,” Weiss said.

The investigators found that both exercise and calorie restriction had positive effects on insulin sensitivity. Most interestingly, the group that did both saw two times the improvement in insulin sensitivity than either of the single-approach groups.

The study suggests that both exercise and calorie restriction have additive beneficial effects on glucoregulation (the steady maintenance of glucose, or sugar, in the body).

“The exercise group was, in a way, our control group. It was already known that exercise can improve glucoregulation, both through weight loss and through mechanisms that are independent of weight loss,” Weiss said. “This means that even if you don’t lose weight, exercise helps.”

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YOUR HEALTH MATTERS

May 21 – 27, 2015

Calendar Thurs. May 21, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m., East St. Louis Asthma Awareness Kick-Off at the Rotunda, presented by the Southwestern Illinois Asthma Coalition, Harmony Health Plan and the City of East St. Louis. Free resources for children with asthma as well as their families and friends; event includes poster contest award winners, activity tables, displays, refreshments, Fredbird, JJK Dancers and a special message by Jackie Joyner Kersee.

For more information, call 618-3444230.

Sat. June 6, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Camp MAGIC (Mending a Heart, Grief in Children) at Purina Farms in Gray Summit, Mo. This is a free grief retreat for children ages 6-12

by SSM Health at Home Hospice.

Registration deadline is May 30.

For more information, call 636-6952054 or email Kathleen_taggart@ ssmhc.com.

Sat., June 13, 6:30 a.m., 17th Annual Susan G. Komen St. Louis Race for the Cure in downtown St. Louis. To form a team, join a team, or register as an individual participant; or to choose to Sleep In for the Cure, visit www.komenstlouis. org/Race.

Fri. June 19, 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m., Toxic Stress & Trauma in Our Region, the annual NAHSE Health Disparities Symposium In Partnership with the St. Louis Regional Health Commission.

BJC Learning Institute, Lower Level Auditorium, 8300 Eager Rd., St. Louis 63144. Cost is free; includes a light breakfast. RSVP to nahseSTL@gmail. com.

Fri. June 19-Sun. June 21, Camp Catch-Ya-Breath, YMCA of the Ozarks, 13528 State Hwy AA, Potosi, Mo. It is a free, weekend camp that helps children learn about their asthma and how to control it. Applications are due June

1.For an application, call 573-882-8034, email breathe@missouri.edu or visit http://shp.missouri.edu/rt/asthma_camp1/ pdf/CamperApp.pdf.

Mon., July 20, Annual AAFA Golf Classic, Persimmon Wood Golf Course, Weldon Spring, Mo. For more information, visit aafastl.org.

Fridays & Saturdays, 11 am – Noon, Get Pumped! Free Slide/Zumba classes, O’Fallon Park Recreation Complex YMCA, 4343 W. Florissant Ave. 63115.

Sundays, 10 a.m. – Alcoholics Anonymous Group 109 meets in the 11th floor conference room at Christian Hospital, 11133 Dunn Road at I-270/ Hwy. 367. This is an open meeting for alcoholics, drug addicts and their family and friends.

Mondays, 7 p.m. – “Tobacco Free for Life” support group – free weekly meetings at St. Peters Mo. City Hall.

Supported by SSM Cancer Care; RSVP initial participation to 636947-5304.

Tuesdays, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. – Alcohol and Drug Informational meeting, Christian Hospital, Professional Office Building 2, Suite 401. For information, call 314-839-3171.

Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. – STEPS Schizophrenia Support Group This nationally recognized program provides education and support for those with schizophrenia.

Group is facilitated by an experienced STEPS nurse. For more information, call 314-839-3171.

Free psychiatric and chemical dependency evaluations are confidential at the Christian Hospital Center for Mental Health. Call 314-839-3171.

May 21 – 27, 2015

YOUR HEALTH MATTERS

Page 7

Health Resources Asthma Free asthma and allergy clinic by Saint Louis University students at the HRC, every other Wednesday afternoon 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. by appointment with SLU physician Dr. Raymond Slavin.

The clinic offers allergy skin tests, pulmonary function tests and asthma and allergy education. It is located in the Victor Roberts Building, 1408 N. Kingshighway, between Martin Luther King Drive and Page Blvd. For more information, call 314-720-1522.

Behavioral Christian Hospital offers free and confidential psychiatric and chemical dependency evaluations at the Christian Hospital Center for Mental Health. For more information, call 314-839-3171.

Christian Hospital Key Program offers support and education to patients with chronic mental illness to prevent increased severity of symptoms and to reduce the need for inpatient re-hospitalization. Call confidentially to 314-8393171 or 1-800-447-4301.

Crime Victim Advocacy Center pro-

vides no cost support for persons affected by criminal acts. Email peggy@supportvictims.org, visit or call the 24-hour hotline 314-OK-BE-MAD (652-3673) or visit www.supportvictims.org.

Diabetes CHIPS Diabetes Support Group is open to anyone and meets on Wednesday evenings from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. For more information, call 314-652-9231.

Bike helmet safety The St. Louis County Health Department provides free bicycle helmets to St. Louis County residents between ages 1 and 17 by appointment only. Proof of residency is required. For the location nearest you, visit www. tinyurl.freebikehelmets.

SSM St. Mary’s Health Center provides free, Diabetes Support Group sessions the second Tuesday of every month from 6 – 7 p.m. to address health management issues. It’s located at Meeting Room 1 on the second floor, 6420 Clayton Rd. in St. Louis. To register, call toll free 866-SSM-DOCS (866-776-3627).

Breast Cancer Gateway to Hope offers no-charge medical and reconstructive treatment for uninsured breast cancer patients in Missouri. Contact 314-569-1113.

Fresh Food Coop Community Helpings Coop sells fresh fruits, vegetables and other foods at wholesale prices in locations throughout the St. Louis area and Metro-East. For more information, visit www.communityhelpingscoop.com.

Dental Free Dental Hygiene Clinic - No charge dental exams, x-rays, cleanings and other dental services for children and adults provided by dental students at Missouri College. Patients needing more extensive dental work (fillings, crowns, etc.) will be referred to local dentists. For information, call 314-768-7899.

Health Partnerships The Center for Community Health and Partnerships: Building Bridges for Healthy Communities works to develop and support beneficial community-academic partnerships to address the health needs of the St. Louis. For more information, email publichealth@wustl.edu; phone 314-747-9212 or visit publichealth. wustl.edu.

Information Missouri 2-1-1 offers referral and information on a wide range of social service and helpful resources. Call 2-1-1.

Lupus A Lupus Support Group in North St. Louis County meets the third Thursday of the month from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in Community Room #1 at Northwest Health Care, 1225 Graham Rd. in Hazelwood. RSVP to the Lupus Foundation of America at 314-644-2222 or email info@lfaheartland.org.

Medical CHIPS Health & Wellness Center offers no cost medical, dental, psychiatric, chiropractic health care for uninsured children and adults by appointment only. $25 annual fee requested. For more information, call 314-652-9231 or visit www. chipsstl.org.

Newstead, St. Louis, Mo. for those who are uninsured. For more information, call 314-533-0534.

Nutrition Food Outreach provides food, meals and nutritional education/ counseling to eligible persons living with HIV/AIDS or cancer in St. Louis. For more information, call 314-652-3663 or visit www. foodoutreach.org.

St. Louis Milk Depot - SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital is a breast milk depot for the Indiana Mother’s Milk Bank. Milk Depot staff will store and ship your milk to IMMB. For more information, call (314) 242-5912.

Prostate Cancer The Cancer Center of The Empowerment Network at 6000 W. Florissant in St. Louis provides information on prostate and other types of cancer, and services and support. For more information, call 314-385-0998.

Prescription Cost Help Schnucks Pharmacies – now offers certain prescription prenatal vitamins for free and offers no-cost generic prescription antibiotics at select locations.

Wal-Mart Pharmacies – offer select prescriptions for $4 or less for a 30-day supply or $10 for a 90-day supply. View the list at www.walmart.com/pharmacy.

Respiratory Health Free lung function screening - Christian Hospital Breathing Center at Northwest HealthCare, 1225 Graham Rd. For more information, call 314-953-6040.

Free flu shots for patients being treated for an illness or injury at Downtown Urgent Care (314-436-9300), North City Urgent Care (314-932-1213), Creve Coeur Urgent Care (314-548-6550) and Eureka Urgent Care (636-549-2100).

Sexual Health St. Louis County Health Department offers free, confidential testing, counseling and treatment at the North Central Community Health Center, 4000 Jennings Station Road, St. Louis, MO 63121. For more information, call 314679-7800.

Boys & Girls Clubs Dental & Vision Clinic at Herbert Hoover Club, 2901 N. Grand, St. Louis. Open year-round for members at no additional fee by appointment only. Teeth cleaning, braces, x-rays, root canals, some extractions; vision mobile unit, comprehensive exam and glasses, if required. Make an appointment by calling 314-355-8122.

The SPOT offers private, reproductive, mental and behavioral health services at no charge to youth ages 13-24, Monday – Friday, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. at 4169 Laclede Ave. For more information, call 314-535-0413 or visit http:// thespot.wustl.edu.

Salam Free Saturday Clinic, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Isom Community Center at Lane Tabernacle CME Church, 916 N.

STI testing and treatment at North City Urgent Care and Downtown Urgent Care. For more information, call 314436-9300.

YOUR HEALTH MATTERS

Page 8

May 21 – 27, 2015

Asparagus and Lemon Risotto Serves 6 Ingredients 1 lb. asparagus, bottoms trimmed; cut on the bias into 1-inch pieces 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 3 shallots, chopped 2 garlic cloves, chopped 2 cups Arborio rice 1 cup white wine 6 cups low-sodium vegetable stock/broth Grated zest of 2 lemons and one orange Juice of one lemon Juice of one orange One-fourth tsp Salt One-fourth tsp freshly ground black pepper Preparation: • Fill a small pot with water and bring to a boil. Blanch the asparagus in the boiling water for 1 minute. Then chill in an ice bath, drain, and sprinkle with a pinch each of salt and pepper. Set aside.

• Place a large sauté plan with steep sides over medium heat. Add the olive

oil and heat for 30 seconds (be careful not to let it smoke) • Add the shallots and sauté for 3 minutes. Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute; add a pinch of salt and the rice; sauté for 2 minutes stirring frequently.

• Add the cup of wine, stirring constantly until it has been completely absorbed and evaporated.

Add the 6 cups of vegetable stock/broth, 1 cup at a time and stirring after each cup is added until the liquid is absorbed (it should take 30 minutes to add all 6 cups). As you cook the rice, season periodically with salt and pepper to taste.

• Fold in the zest from the orange and lemon. Add the asparagus and continue cooking for 20-30 minutes until the

asparagus is heated through and the risotto is thick and creamy.

• Remove from heat and gently stir in the juice of lemon and orange. (adjust the seasoning as necessary).

• Serve immediately with a few toasted pine nuts sprinkled on top.

Nutritional Information: (per serving) Calories: 319 Total Fats: 5g (Saturated Fat: .7g; Monounsaturated Fat: 3.3g; Polyunsaturated Fat: .5g) Cholesterol: 0mg Carbohydrates: 58g Sugar: 5g Dietary Fiber: 3g Protein: 7g Sodium: 143mg *

Box: About Food Outreach Established in 1988, Food Outreach continues to be the only nonprofit organization in greater St. Louis that focuses on comprehensive nutritional support at no cost to low-income men, women and children undergoing treatment for cancer or HIV/AIDS. The on-staff chef, registered dietitians, and nearly 28 years’ experience providing support to individuals with a life threatening illness are what make Food Outreach unique.

Through a combination of freshly prepared frozen meals, groceries, produce, and professional nutrition counseling and education, clients have access to the critical dietary needs to enhance their quality of life and optimize their treatments.

Food Outreach is located in midtown St. Louis. In 2014, Food Outreach provided 561,505 nutritious meals to nearly 2,000 clients in 189 Missouri and Illinois zip codes. For more information, call 314-652-3663 x 11 or visit www.foodoutreach.org.