CURLY NIKKI COMES HOME Native natural hair maven unites STL ‘curlfriends’ on Saturday
Page C1
Vol. 84 No. 1
CAC Audited APRIL 4 – 10, 2013
COMPLIMENTARY
stlamerican.com
Prop P passes
HEALTH SALUTE
Initiative will raise $780M for city, county parks, Arch By Rebecca S. Rivas Of The St. Louis American About 67 percent of St. Louis city residents who voted in the April 2 general election, and 53 percent in St. Louis County, said “yes” to Proposition P, a 3/16th sales tax increase for city and county park improvements. “This is going to be a project that sets the region apart,” said St. Louis Treasurer Tishaura O. Jones, who advocated for Proposition P. “It says we can all work together to move our
region forward.” There will be work to do. Initiative advocates estimate that Prop P will create 530 construction jobs and 4,400 permanent new jobs. “This means job creation and much-needed repairs for the Gateway Arch grounds,” Jones said. Walter Metcalfe, board chair of the CityArchRiver 2015 Foundation, said diversity in the workforce – both in construction and operations – has always been a part of the plan-
See PROP P, A7
“This is going to be a project that sets the region apart. It says we can all work together to move our region forward.” – Treasurer Tishaura O. Jones
“We are working with the National Park Service to ensure the local labor force is fully represented in the process.” – Walter Metcalfe, CityArchRiver 2015 Foundation
Pharmacist for the people Arthur Perry is 2013 Lifetime Achiever By Bridjes O’Neil Of The St. Louis American “Pharmacists are an integral part of all of health care,” said Arthur Perry, a retired pharmacist who began his pharmaceutical career at 14. The year was 1952. He was working at Sun Drug Stores, delivering prescriptions, pain pills, over-thecounter items, sodas and alcoholic drinks to customers in St. Louis city. Now, more than 60 years later, on Friday, April 26 Perry will receive the 2013 Lifetime Achiever award at the St. Louis American Foundation’s Salute to Excellence in Health Care “Students, Awards Luncheon at the faculty and Frontenac Hilton. It was his stepmother, staff need to Francis Barnes-Perry, who get some told him he had to get a job experience in when he asked her for a bike. caring for Her response was encrypted people unlike with a lifelong lesson he would never forget. She said them.” nothing is free and anything worth having he would have – Dr. Arthur to work hard for it. Perry
See PERRY, A6
Deadline looms for Summer Institute Photo by Wiley Price
Volunteers for the nonprofit Chocolate Diamondz prepare to distribute Easter baskets to needy children at Almost Home, 3200 St. Vincent Ave., an agency dedicated to serving homeless teenage mothers between the ages of 12-19 since 1993.
Easter help for teen moms Chocolate Diamondz donates baskets at Almost Home By Bridjes O’Neil Of The St. Louis American It was a gesture that came from the heart. Two days before the Easter holiday, Dana “Dynasty” Powell, founder of the nonprofit Chocolate Diamondz, her partner Athina Felton and members of her organization distributed Easter baskets to needy children. Their mothers are temporary residents at Almost Home, 3200 St. Vincent Ave., an agency dedicated to serving homeless teenage
“Chocolate Diamondz helped to make sure our teen moms and their babies have a nice Easter.” – Rhonda Gray, Almost Home
mothers between the ages of 12-19 since 1993. Operation Easter Basket received an over-
100 percent of graduates are attending a college or university By Rebecca S. Rivas Of The St. Louis American
whelming amount of support from the community, Powell said. People donated large amounts of candy, toys, crayons and coloring books for the children. “I am so grateful for the generosity of Chocolate Diamondz in helping to make sure our teen moms and their babies have a nice Easter,” said Rhonda Gray, executive director of Almost Home. “Their focus of supporting women is com-
The coming of spring means it’s time to figure out how to use this summer to get your favorite high-school students ahead in math and science – and also find ways for them to meet new friends, have fun and earn some money. The BESt Pharmacy Summer Institute might be your one-stop shop. Since 2008, the institute has been offering a sixweek summer program at the St. Louis College of Pharmacy to local multicultural students, who also earn a stipend for completing the program. BESt’s mission is to expose high-school students to careers
See EASTER, A7
See INSTITUTE, A7