Focusing on women’s health rights
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St. Louis American See page A8
The
Serving, empowering and advocating for equity in St. Louis since 1928
CAC Audited APRIL 4 – 10, 2024
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‘Eclipse Day’
Vol. 95 No. 52 COMPLIMENTARY
James Washington passes at 73
How Metro East schools will handle the celestial phenomenon
NNPA publishing giant
Some in path of ‘totality’ By Kelly Smits St. Louis Public Radio
By Donnell Suggs The Atlanta Voice
Next Monday afternoon, April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will cross southern Illinois as it traverses the country, and some metro-east school districts are changing their instructional plans for the day. A handful of metro-east districts that are near to or within the eclipse’s “path of totality” — the area where people can see the moon completely cover the sun — will be closed Monday. Most others are operating as usual and organizing activities to engage students with the celestial phenomenon that won’t happen again in the contiguous United States until August 2044. Some school districts will have early release to avoid dismissing students during the eclipse. School will be in session as normal for
James Washington, the president and general manager of The Atlanta Voice, a longtime advocate of the Black press, and the 2019 National Association of Black Journalists Legacy Award winner passed away surrounded by family and loved ones on Tuesday, April 2 2024. He was 73. Washington’s column “Spiritually Speaking” was published in the St. Louis American for many years and was carried by many National Newspaper Publishers Association newspapers. The NNPA trade association represents more than 250 African American-owned newspapers and media companies in the Black James Press of America. Washington “James Washington was devoted to the Black Press and its future viability,” said Donald M. Suggs, St. Louis American publisher and executive editor. “A gifted writer, Jim was a forward thinker, a resourceful publisher, close personal friend and mentor. I and many other colleagues and friends will miss him deeply.” According to an NNPA Newswire article by Stacy M. Brown, Washington said he considered a run to chair the NNPA in 2019 and 2021. Highly principled, he declined to compete against his friends, Houston Forward Times Publisher, and former chair Karen
See ECLIPSE, A7
Photo by Carolina Hidalgo / St. Louis Public Radio
Avian Flores, Racheal Byenga and Malik Davidson look up at the total solar eclipse in August 2017 at Long International Middle School in St. Louis’ Bevo neighborhood.
See WASHINGTON, A7
Graham retains STLCC trustee seat
Photo by Eric Schmid / St. Louis Public Radio
Francis Howell halts DEI assault
Carr Lane VPA Middle School flag girls Jariyah Tucker, Mariah Hudson and Artist Powell performing at the 15th Annual Better Family Life Youth Empowerment Rally at Chaifetz Arena.
BFL puts words into ‘Action’ at rally
‘We want to empower our youth’ By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American
Jessica Swafford Marcella, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services deputy assistant secretary for the Office of Population Affairs (OPA) and director of the Office of Adolescent Health, said Wednesday in St. Louis it’s time to act on behalf of the nation’s youth. Marcella discussed her office’s “Take Action for Adolescent Health: A Call to Action for Adolescent Health
BUSINESS
Young Business Professionals talk growth, networking The networking social featured a former entrepreneur, Mayor Tishaura Jones, who presented YBP with a proclamation honoring the positive community impact that they have.
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By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American
and Well-Being” initiative during the 15th Annual Better Family Life Youth Empowerment Rally at Chaifetz Arena on the St. Louis University campus. “It is critical that we take action for adolescents now,” said Marcella. “This new call to action will inspire collaborative efforts across youth-serving sectors to build a healthier future for America’s young people.” The initiative’s goals include eliminating disparities to advance health equity, increasing youth engagement, expanding strengthening training and support for caring adults. “This annual rally empowers our youth and addresses crucial issues related to adolescent health and well-being,” said Gerald Quincy Jones, BFL adolescent health and wellness
See BFL, A6
Doris A. Graham resoundingly retains her seat as a member of the St. Louis Community College Board of Trustee, Subdistrict 1. Graham was first elected to the board in 2012 and re-elected in 2018. Graham garnered 49.7% of the vote (12,684 votes), easily surpassing Clem Smith who closed with 26.2% of the vote (6,690 votes). Theo Brown, Sr. was third with 14.1% (3,596 votes) and Cortez Smith finished fourth with 10% (2,552 votes). Graham was a recipient of the 2020 St. Louis American Charitable Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award during the virtual Salute to Excellence in Education ceremony. She began her 38-year career as a teacher and administrator in the St. Louis Public Schools district at Clark
See GRAHAM, A7
SPORTS
St. Louis American Girls ‘Fab Five’ All-Stars
The 2024 team represents a combination of the talented young players in the area along with some seasoned veterans who have enjoyed stellar careers.
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