Jordyn Norde has prescription for equity in her field
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Biles is Wash U commencement speaker Promises ‘unforgettable day’
By Namratha Prasad St. Louis American Simone Biles, an 11-time Olympic medalist, will deliver the commencement address at Washington University graduation ceremonies on May 12, 2025. She will also receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters. In a video addressed to students, Biles said she is excited to celebrate with the class of 2025 in St. Louis. “Get ready for an unforgettable day,” she said in the video. “Because this isn’t a ceremony— it’s your victory lap.”
See BILES, A6
Vol. 96 No. 52 COMPLIMENTARY
SLDC looms large in mayoral race
‘Follow the money’ By Sylvester Brown, Jr. St. Louis American
Photo courtesy of USA Gymnastics
Simone Biles, an 11-time Olympic medalist, will deliver the commencement address at Washington University graduation ceremonies on May 12, 2025.
“Oh well, I guess it’s all part of the job.” Neal Richardson, chair, president & CEO of the St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC) was trying to be diplomatic, but his frustration was palpable. His agency is under harsh media scrutiny as former SLDC board member, Alderwoman Cara Spencer (8th ward) is running for mayor. Neal Richardson, who was Richardson nominated for his position in 2021 by Mayor Tishaura Jones, feels SLDC has been unfairly placed in the middle of a political contest that may ultimately result in his firing and/or the restructuring of SLDC. Late last year, Spencer resigned from SLDC’s board. She Shameem launched accusations Clarkof internal dysfunction Hubbard and lack of transparency while questioning how the agency doles out public funds and tax incentives. She said SLDC’s board ignored her
See SLDC, A6
Photo by Taylor Marrie / St. Louis American
Opening Day fun
Angel Howard, Stacey Coleman, Andrea Jones, Kandi Coleman, Hillary Palmer, Keisha Hicks, and Chamille Gathing joined in the fun during St. Louis Cardinals Opening Day festivities at Kiener Plaza on March 27, 2025. The Cardinals took flight in the season’s first game by topping the Minnesota Twins 5-3 and they went on to sweep the three-game series.
AKAs ‘Soaring in the Lou’
Birthplace of the founder, and vision By Kenya Vaughn The St. Louis American More than 4000 members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated will be in the city where their sisterhood all began this weekend when the
91st Central Regional Conference gets underway at America’s Center. “Howard University gets to claim the founding of AKA,” said Kiahna W. Davis, Alpha Kappa Alpha Central Regional Director. “But St. Louis gets to claim not only the birthplace of the founder, but the birthplace of the vision.” The year was 1907. Howard University student and Sumner High School graduate Ethel Hedgeman (later Ethel Hedgeman Lyle) was back home
HEALTH
Brain aneurysms: a silent killer in the Black community
On May 19, 2024, Jacqueline Rhone passed away after being diagnosed with a brain aneurysm – an ailment that strikes Black Americans at a higher rate than other ethnic groups.
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in St. Louis for summer break. She spent her downtime from school developing the concept for a trailblazing service organization and sisterhood that would change the world. “When she went back to school at Howard University, her path was to influence other like-minded young ladies to join together in this,” Davis said. “I can only imagine her smiling
See AKA, A7
Crime continues to fall in city
Homicides down 45% By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American With Gov. Mike Kehoe’s abduction of control of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department complete, he is contemplating a board that will face a daunting task – doing as well as the current administration when it comes to reduction in crime. During the first three months of 2025, a historic decline in crime in the city has continued. St. Louis has experienced its lowest number of homicides, 23, since 2005, January through March. After the first quarter of 2024, the city recorded 40 homicides. During the same period, there were 36
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SPORTS
Justin Tatum’s Aussie team on top ‘Down Under’
Justin Tatum coached the Illawarra Hawks to the championship of the National Basketball League, the top professional league in Australia.
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