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Vol. 84 No. 2
CAC Audited APRIL 11 – 17, 2013
COMPLIMENTARY
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Q&A with TD El-Amin State rep busted for bribery emerges as ‘multiculturalist romance writer’ By Chris King Of The St. Louis American
Talibdin “TD” El-Amin with his wife, Yaphett El-Amin of MOKAN, and children: Brooklynn, 20, Ruqaiyah, 8, Hasan, 12, and Myles, 15.
In January 2010, Talibdin “TD” El-Amin was sentenced to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty to federal bribery charges and ordered to pay $2,100 in restitution. This was exactly the paltry sum that ElAmin, then a state representative, had accepted from a constituent to help him handle a problem with city government. He was released in April 2011 after serving most of his sentence, and now he has self-published a novel, Mia Farone: Lost and Turned Out, that he started writing while incarcerated. He reads from his novel in a free event at Missouri History Museum 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 19. The American asked him about his emergence as a writer.
See EL-AMIN, A6
HEALTH SALUTE
Physician, business leader Dr. Johnetta Craig is 2013 Health Care Administrator of the Year By Bridjes O’Neil Of The St. Louis American Everyone should have access to quality and affordable primary health care services, says Johnetta Craig, M.D., M.B.A., a board-certified family medicine physician and chief medical officer at Family Care Health Centers. A community-based Federally Qualified Health Center, Family Care has two locations (Carondelet and Forest Park Southeast) in St. Louis city. As a member of the administrative staff, Craig works directly with the executive team Johnetta Craig, M.D., and is responsible for the overall operation of the organization. She M.B.A. has been on staff at Family Care Health Centers since 2002. On April 26, Craig will receive the 2013 Health Care Administrator of the Year award at the St.
Photo by Wiley Price
Homegirl opener Daria Ford, 9, enjoys a cupcake during festivities for the St. Louis Cardinals’ 2013 home opener in Kiener Plaza on Monday.
See SALUTE, A6
Pastor Horry turns 50 Ark of Safety in St. Charles celebrates birthday of founder By Erica R. Van Buren For The St. Louis American
in federal funding to start a training program in modern manufacturing. In 2012, the college trained 271 people. St. Louis Community College is leading a consortium of public community and technical colleges that received a collective $15 million for the Missouri Manufacturing Workforce Innovation Networks (MoManufacturing WINS) initiative through the U.S. Department of Labor’s Trade Adjustment Assistance
The Ark of Safety Christian Church, located at 2529 Charwood St. in St. Charles, Mo. recently celebrated its Pastor Raymond Horry’s 50th birthday. Pastor Horry was first honored with a Gala Banquet at the Old Hickory Golf Club in St. Peters where he was joined by many out of town friends and family, his church conFirst Lady and gregation, and local Minister Kathy D. friends and family. Horry and Pastor “Even though we Raymond Horry were hit with a snow storm the day before, it didn’t stop the celebration from going on,” said First Lady and Minister Kathy D. Horry. The celebration continued with what Minister Horry called a “Super Soul Celebration.” Everyone
See DORSEY, A7
See HORRY, A7
Photo by Wiley Price
Working with the community Chancellor Dorsey pushes workforce training at community college By Rebecca S. Rivas Of The St. Louis American People need jobs. And to get jobs, they need training. Myrtle Dorsey, chancellor of St. Louis Community College, has made it a point to go after grants that will expand opportunities for those looking to get in the workforce. “If there is a new work opportunity coming in the area, it is the responsibility of the community college to train them,” Dorsey
“If there is a new work opportunity coming in the area, it is the responsibility of the community college to train them.” – Chancellor Myrtle Dorsey
said. “That is a critical piece of what we do.” Last year, the college received $4 million