Black nurses must react to racism in health care
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Playing ‘The Race Card’ Journalist Michele Norris speaks at SLU
By Sylvester Brown Jr. The St. Louis American
Journalist Michele Norris gives a lecture on “The Race Card Project: Eavesdropping on America’s Conversation on Race” on April 4, 2023.
St. Louis University welcomed journalist Michele Norris to its campus Tuesday night. Norris, shared thoughts on her “Race Card Project.” A contributing columnist and consultant at the Washington Post, Norris is founder of “The Race Card Project,” which has collected post card narratives, from all 50 states and 96 countries. As the discussion began, Norris asked the audience to provide their definition of the word, “race card.” After noting the negative connotations, she added her own interpretation.
See NORRIS, A6
Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American
COMPLIMENTARY
Dr. Banton honored as heroic health pioneer Modernized County Health Department
By Alvin A. Reid The St. Louis American In the annals of St. Louis African American history, the name Dr. William C. Banton is often overlooked. The late Dr. Banton, the first director of the St. Louis County Department of Public Health who is credited with “modernizing the office,” was honored Monday in celebration of National Public Health Week with members of his family in attendance “We wanted to take this time to honor and remember our first Black director of the Department of Public Health, Dr. Banton,” said Dr. Kanika Cunningham, director of the St. Louis County Department of Public Health.
Alisha Sonnier, alderwoman-elect of St. Louis’ 7th Ward, receives a victory hug from her 19-year-old brother Izaya Alexander after the race was called in her favor during an Election Night watch party at Meyers Okohson Political Consulting.
See BANTON, A6
Photo by Ashley Winters / St. Louis American
Reduced Board of Aldermen has big responsibilities Progressives win big
St. Louis American staff The St. Louis Board of Aldermen now has the historic 14 members that will help guide the city into a new era following the Tuesday April 4 Municipal Election. Instead of 28 members, the board has been reduced by half. It must work now with Mayor Tishaura Jones, Board of Aldermen President Megan Green, and Comptroller Darlene Green, who
comprise the Board of Estimate and Apportionment, and other elected officials at a pivotal time in St. Louis history. Megan Green ran unopposed and will now begin her first full term after winning the November race to fill the term of former BOA President Lewis Reed, who resigned before pleading guilty to corruption charges. Voter turnout was 18.05%, and most of the evening’s aldermanic
BUSINESS
Women entrepreneurs featured at WASHU Marketplace
The WashU Supplier Diversity and Institutional Equity Office featured more than 50 women entrepreneurs during its Women & Diverse-Owned Business Marketplace on March 30.
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races had clear victors. However, there were a few close contests. SLPS School Board member Alisha Sonnier will be changing her role as an elected official. Sonnier won the 7th Ward contest over J.P. Mitchom with 1,465 votes (60.6%). Mitchom was far behind with 930 votes (38.4%). “The 7th ward has chosen a new era of leadership,” said the newly elected alder-
See ALDERMEN, A7
Bragg confident he can bring Trump down Manhattan DA in international spotlight
St. Louis American staff Alvin Bragg, Manhattan District Attorney and the first Black person to hold the political office, said Tuesday he is not targeting Donald Trump personally. Instead, he is seeking legal punishment for a New York business owner who has flaunted the law. “This is the business capital of the world,” Bragg said during a Alvin Bragg press conference following Trump’s arrest and arraignment on Tuesday, April 4. “We regularly do cases involving false business statements. The bedrock of the basis for business integrity and a well-functioning business marketplace is accurate record-keeping.”
See BRAGG, A7
SPORTS
Women’s Final Four a wonderful display of talent Great players, great teams, and great coaches have elevated women’s basketball over generations and this year’s tournament set records for television viewership.
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