New bus stop links riders to jobs, retail in East St. Louis
St. Louis American See page A5
The
APRIL 16 – 22, 2026
Serving, empowering and advocating for equity in St. Louis since 1928
stlamerican.com
Mill Creek’s Mile Artist and ‘Pillars of the Valley’ creator Damon Davis joined Great Rivers Greenway and partners on Monday, April 13, as they celebrated the opening of the new Brickline Greenway segment on Market Street. The stretch expands the monument’s footprint honoring the legacy of the historically Black community Mill Creek Valley.
Brickline Greenway opens along Market Street By Kenya Vaughn St. Louis American What unfolded this week along Market Street didn’t feel like a ribbon-cutting. The Harris-Stowe State University Swarm Drumline buzzed as Double Dutch ropes slapped the pavement, turning Monday’s opening of the Brickline Greenway’s newest segment into something closer to a family reunion — a block party rooted in history and reaching toward possibility. In many ways, that’s exactly what it was. The celebration introduced nearly a mile of new greenway between Compton Avenue and 22nd Street, part of the larger Brickline Greenway. The long-planned network is designed to connect neighborhoods and destinations such as Energizer Park
What opened Monday is more than pavement — it’s a new connection through the city, linking communities and carrying forward the legacy of Mill Creek Valley.
See Greenway, A13
SPORTS
COMPLIMENTARY
Video undercuts police shooting account By Sylvester Brown Jr. St. Louis American
Photo by Lawrence Bryant / St. Louis American
INSIDE
Vol. 98 No. 1
Building bridges
Chess makes its move between students, first responders
Newly released body camera footage is raising serious questions about the fatal police shooting of a 17-year-old in St. Louis nearly two years ago, challenging initial accounts from authorities and intensifying calls for accountability. The video shows Emeshyon Wilkins running from an officer during a brief foot pursuit in June 2024 before he is shot from behind. Authorities initially said the teen had turned and pointed a gun, but the footage appears to show he had nothing in his hands at the time he was shot. KSDK obtained the officer’s deposition interview about the shooting, which shows Kayla Reed the officer involved invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self incrimination more than 100 times. The officer involved remains on the force, assigned to desk duty, according to attorneys for the family. “Our community is once again being asked to accept the unacceptable. A 17-year-old is dead, and the officer responsible has chosen silence,” said Kayla Reed, executive director, Action St. Louis, an activist organization formed following the 2014 killing of Mike Brown, Jr. “That is not justice. That is obstruction. Our families deserve answers, transparency and a system that values Black
See Shooting, A13
SLPS turns to Dr. Berry for steady leadership Immediately gains support of Teachers Union
By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American
Photo by Lawrence Bryant / St. Louis American
St. Louis American names its boys ‘Fab Five’ for 2026 Quentin Coleman of Principia, after leading the Panthers to their second consecutive Class 3 state championship, was named the St. Louis American Player of the Year. Coleman, along with four others, make up this year’s ‘Fab Five’.
~ Page B5 ~
Malia Gerdine makes her move across the board as Benjamin Bayless looks on during a chess match at the First Responders C.H.E.S.S. program at Busch Stadium on April 9, 2026. By Na’Porsha Williams For The St. Louis American The field-level concourse at Busch Stadium usually echoes with the crack of a bat. Last Thursday, it was filled instead with the rhythmic clicking of chess pieces. The First Responders Chess Helping Enhance Student Skills (CHESS) program brought local students, police
officers and firefighters together in the Cardinals’ dugout, using competition to build connections. “It’s a unique experience for the kids,” said Rex Sinquefield, president of the Saint Louis Chess Club. “They get to roam the ballpark, but they also love meeting the first responders. They’re in the news so much; it’s nice to interact in
See Chess, A12
Facing a budget shortfall, declining enrollment and leadership turnover, St. Louis Public Schools has named Dr. Myra Berry as its latest superintendent after months in an interim role. The Board of Education voted unanimously in a closed session last week to appoint Berry, a longtime district educator who has led the system since October following the abrupt firing of Superintendent Millicent Borishade. Ray Cummings, AFT St. Louis Local 420 president, said in a release on Tuesday the union “offers enthusiastic support,” for the Berry hire, establishing a relationship that will be critical to SLPS future success. “We have worked with Berry and I look forward to continuing the relationship. Berry becomes the district’s third superintendent in less than two years, a period marked by instability at the top and mounting challenges across the system. Her appointment comes as the district
See Berry, A12