Antonio’s anniversary Douthit-Boyd’s return to the Fox marks 10 years with Ailey.
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St. LouiS AmericAn The
CAC Audited APRIL 17 – 23, 2014
Vol. 85 No. 2 COMPLIMENTARY
stlamerican.com
Sigmas honor Dr. Carver President pins replica of George Washington Carver, a Sigma brother By Chris King Of The St. Louis American
Photo by Lawrence Bryant
Sigma brothers Brandon Henry and Brandon Harvey watched as Phi Beta Sigma, Inc. International President Jonathan Mason pinned the fraternity’s pin on the wax likeness of Dr. George Washington Carver installed at the Griot Museum, 2505 St. Louis Ave., on Saturday.
SLU Black Alumni host prayer breakfast
Dr. George Washington Carver is now a Phi Beta Sigma, Inc. brother for all the world to see – or at least that part of the world that passes through the Griot Museum of Black History in St. Louis. Phi Beta Sigma, Inc. International President Jonathan Mason pinned the fraternity’s pin on the wax likeness of Carver installed at the Griot Museum, 2505 St. Louis Ave., in a small,
fraternal ceremony on Saturday morning. “Dr. Carver is a brother we hold in high esteem, and it is an honor for our organization to enter this historic facility and place a fraternity pin on his replica,” said Mason, who was visiting St. Louis for the local Sigma chapter’s Centennial Gala at the Sheldon. The fraternal organization is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2014. Dr. Carver (1864 – 1943) was a charter member of Gamma Sigma Alumni chapter at
n “This helps us recognize we are brothers of Dr. Carver’s, and that’s a special feeling in your heart.” – Robert T. Jordan Jr., president of the local graduate Sigma chapter
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chiLdren of Light
Business executive Jessie J. Knight Jr. to be honored at scholarship fundraiser By Rebecca Rivas Of The St. Louis American
n “Saint Louis University afforded me the opportunity to study in Spain my junior year. It literally changed my life.” – Jessie J. Knight Jr., executive vice president of external affairs for Sempra Energy
Seventy years ago, the first AfricanAmerican students were allowed to study at Saint Louis University. Two graduate students and three undergraduates were admitted. “These students bucked the system,” said Darryl Jones chairman of the SLU Black Alumni Association’s anniversary committee. “They could have chosen to go to a historically black college or university, but these young kids went to a predominately white university and said, ‘We want to make an impact.’” The Black Alumni Association’s Pioneers of Inclusion Endowed Scholarship recognizes the strength and courage of the five men and women who became SLU’s first black students in 1944. The scholarship honors their legacy by supporting a
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Photo by Wiley Price
Shelby Holman, 11, Alex Williams, 6, and Kaleb Williams, 9, performed with the New Shining Light Anointed Hands Mime Ministry on Friday night at the American Heart Association’s Most Powerful Voices Gospel Concert and Health Fair hosted at Abundant Life Fellowship Church, 6055 Parker Rd. in Florissant. Gospel singer Yolanda Adams headlined the free concert organized to educate the African-American community about the risk factors associated with stroke.
Who killed my son? Carman Weber encourages the community to help police solve murder By Bridjes O’Neil Of The St. Louis American The murder of Antonio Duff, 24, of the 9000 block of Romona Ave. in Bel-Ridge, remains unsolved two years after he was gunned down on April 9, 2012. On the anniversary of his death, family and friends once again gathered for a candlelight vigil near the crime scene in the 4900 block of Warwick in North St. Louis. A red “R.I.P.” T-shirt with Duff’s image hung on a schoolyard fence next to a set of balloons, and yards away a yellow sign warned that the surrounding area was a drug-free and gun-free school zone.
n “Stop being scared and not telling what’s going on.” – Carman Weber
His mother, Carman Weber, plans to hold a vigil every year until her son’s killer is apprehended and brought to justice. “This is for Antonio,” Weber told the crowd. She then raised her voice, glancing across
See MURDER, A6
Photo by Wiley Price
Carman Weber is consoled by a supporter on April 9 before a candlelight vigil she organized for her son, Antonio Duff, who was murdered April 9, 2012. His murder remains unsolved.