August 28th, 2025 edition

St. LouiS AmericAn

Serving, empowering and advocating for equity in St. Louis since 1928 Serving, empowering and advocating for equity in St. Louis since 1928

Lifetime of leadership

This is the first in a series citing the seven Salute to Excellence in Education awardees.

By Ashley Winters St. Louis American

Gas leak suspected in north St. Louis County explosion

By Sylvester Brown Jr. St. Louis American

About Salute to Education

By Raven Whitener St. Louis American

This fall, the St. Louis American Foundation will host its 38th Annual Salute to Excellence in Education Gala, a night dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the educators, leaders and students who make a lasting impact across

Family lawyers told The American they fear the Spencer administration will appeal the decision.

A massive explosion in north St. Louis County that leveled at least five homes, damaged more than 20 others and sent several residents to the hospital was most likely caused by a natural gas leak, authorities said Wednesday. Investigators have ruled out criminal behavior in the incident that occurred around 9:15 a.m. Monday near Black Jack. St. Louis County Police Chief Col. Kenneth Gregory said the “multihouse explosion was most likely a natural gas explosion,” adding, “There’s still more work to be done to determine that for sure.”

Gregory quashed rumors that a neighborhood meth lab caused the explosion. He cited investigators with the regional bomb and arson squad, who had already ruled out both that possibility and fireworks. Several people were transported to the Mercy Hospital’s burn unit, but no fatalities had been reported as of Wednesday afternoon. Dontea Anthony Jr., 18, however, was taken to a hospital with critical

See FOWLER, A6 See EXPLOSION, A8

See SALUTE, A8

JJK Community Center celebrates major milestone

By James T. Ingram

portrait of the icon known as JJK. Next to the portrait of the four-time See JJK, A8

How to appeal your St. Louis home assessment

By Wendy Todd St. Louis American

As of Tuesday, the Board of Equalization had completed 709 appeals. Of these, 35% resulted in lower taxes, while 65% had no change.

Kally Coleman paid well over market value when she bought her south city home in St. Louis in 2023. The housing market was competitive, and she needed to secure the property quickly because her former home had been flooded, she was ill and her partner was terminally ill and needed a place to live comfortably during his final days. Coleman became one of the 37,000 people who received a notice this summer saying their property tax bill went up by more than 15%. In 2024, Coleman’s home was valued at $169,222; this year, it could sell for $272,697. Still, she doesn’t believe the assessment of her home for tax purposes is as high as the city has declared, particularly since her home is identical to others on her block that have lower

Apollonia files suit against Prince estate over name and trademark rights

Prince’s “Purple Rain” co-star is taking the late music icon’s estate to court.

According to the former Prince protégé, Paisley Park Enterprises is trying to steal the name and trademarks she has been building for four decades.

Apollonia – whose legal name is Patty Kotero – filed the suit Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles. In court documents, Kotero is asking the court to determine who owns the name Apollonia and the trademarks associated with it, accusing Paisley Park Enterprises of embarking on an “aggressive campaign” before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) to cancel her legal ownership.

“It is highly likely Prince’s estate will demand Apollonia cease using her name and, if not, bring a trademark infringement action against her,” the lawsuit asserts. “Defendants’ allegations and the actual litigation before the TTAB threaten to disrupt not only Apollonia’s livelihood but also her identity, including interfering with

Apollonia’s relationships with her industry partners.”

Paisley Park Enterprises claims to own all things related to Prince. Three years ago, the estate barred Morris Day from performing as Morris Day and the Time.

Comic Reggie Carroll fatally shot near Memphis

Comedian Reggie Carroll was killed in a shooting that took place last Wednesday. He was 52 years old. The incident occurred in the community of Southaven, on the outskirts of Memphis. Local police confirmed that a suspect was taken into custody.

In a press release, authorities referred to the shooting as an isolated incident. Carroll was rushed to Regional One Hospital in Memphis, where he succumbed to his injuries, a police spokesperson said. The suspect’s identity has not been made public.

His brother, Jonathan Carroll, confirmed his broth er’s passing in a post on Facebook. “To all who have expressed condolences on the passing of Reggie Carroll, your love has been well received — thank you!!!” he wrote in part.

Fellow Baltimore native Mo’Nique took to social media to pay tribute to Carroll.

“This is why I say treat people the best you can because you never know if you’ll get a chance to see them again,” Mo’Nique said via Instagram. “I have no sad tears because all of our times together was amazing.”

Earlier this year, Carroll toured with Katt Williams on his “Heaven on Earth” Tour.

Lil Nas X arrested, hospitalized after reported assault of L.A. officer

Thursday morning rapper Lil Nas X was arrested in Los Angeles for battery on a police officer. His detainment came after 911 calls reported a man walking down Ventura Boulevard in his underwear and cowboy boots.

Celebrity news and gossip site TMZ released video footage of the “Old Town Road” rapper roaming around in the Studio City neighborhood at approximately 4 a.m. The footage showed him placing an orange traffic cone on top of his head – and also appearing to be completely naked. After the incident was reported to police, Nas reportedly charged at the officers. LAPD confirmed he was taken into custody and arrested for battery on a police

CAN’T-MISS LABOR DAY

officer. Officers told paramedics Nas was suffering from a possible overdose, and he was taken to the hospital.

Suspect arrested following attempted Lionel Richie home invasion

One person was arrested after police responded early Friday morning to a burglary at the Beverly Hills house of singer-songwriter and producer Lionel Richie.

Beverly Hills police received a 911 call just after midnight from the residence of the 76-year-old music legend about someone on the property, the agency told NBC4 Investigates. Richie was reportedly home at the time of the incident.

Officers responded and searched the neighborhood, finding a man a few blocks away who was taken into custody near Wilshire Boulevard and Beverly Glen. Law enforcement sources told NBC4 Investigates that the security cameras picked up images of the suspect, who entered the home but was apparently frightened off by the security alarm. No one was injured and nothing was taken from the home.

Sources People.com, TMZ.com, NBClosangeles.com, kare11.com, foxla.com

“I will continue to carry out my duties to help the American economy as I have been doing since 2022.” - Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook on not stepping down from her position following an unprecedented attempt by President Trump to remove her

Basketball family matriarch Rosetta Bonner dies at 88

By Earl Austin Jr.

St. Louis American

I have had the opportunity to watch some very special athletes during my nearly 40 years of covering high school sports in the St. Louis area.

In addition to witnessing the accomplishments of these athletes, I have also gotten to know many of their parents and family members over the years.

One of those truly special individuals was Rosetta Bonner, the matriarch of one of the top basketball-playing families in St. Louis. I was very sad to learn that Rosetta passed away recently at the age of 88.

The most well-known family member is Rosetta’s son, Anthony Bonner, the former Vashon High and Saint Louis University star who spent nine years in the National Basketball Association.

I have known Anthony for nearly 40 years, and whenever I see him at any kind of event, the conversation always starts with me asking him one question.

“How’s Mom?” I didn’t want to know about anything else until I

got a report on how Mrs. Bonner was doing. She had a beautiful soul with an outgoing personality that just drew people to her.

“She was like everybody’s mom,” said Daryl “Pee Wee” Lenard, a local basketball legend and close family friend. “She was always full of life and full of laughter. She was bold and very confident about life. We lost a special one.”

Rosetta Bonner was a constant presence at any game where a Bonner family member was playing. She loved basketball, and she loved her family. She was a regular at high school games, college games and even the summer league games at the Bonner League. When you walked into the gym, you didn’t have to look for her. You would hear her loud, raspy voice and say to yourself, “Yes, Mrs. Bonner is in the house.”

She was a wonderful lady, but she was always one who told you what was on her mind. If something needed to be said, she didn’t hesitate to say it.

“Everyone could relate to her because she was

Tech’s gym for another Vashon game. As I walked into the building, I heard this loud voice calling my name. I knew exactly who it was. It was Mrs. Bonner.

“Earl Austin! Earl Austin! I know your big (butt) wasn’t calling my grandbaby Urkel on the radio last week.” That entire section broke out in laughter. And guess what. So did I. All I could do was walk over into her waiting arms to give her a hug. I got a kick out of her always addressing me by my full name. One other moment that I will cherish with Mrs. Bonner came in 1994, when her husband, Isaac, passed away. I remember going over to the house and spending a few hours with her. I just sat and listened to her talk about her husband.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of the family members and friends of Rosetta Bonner. We loved her, and we are going to miss her very much.

real,” Anthony Bonner said. “She was the loudest and most vocal person at the games, and she was so supportive of us. And she would tell you what she thought. She was always herself at all times.”

Mrs. Bonner also had a sense of humor that was off the charts. It was quick, and it could be biting. I can attest to this per-

sonally because she got me one time at a game nearly 30 years ago. I mean she got me good. It was back in 1995 when I was doing radio play-by-play for Public High League basketball games on KATZ. On this night, the late Richard “Onion” Horton and I were broadcasting a Vashon game at

Gateway Tech. One of the Wolverines’ top players was Rosetta’s grandson, Lamont Bonner. He was wearing these thick goggles during the game. I made the comment to Onion that Lamont looked a little like Steve Urkel, from the ’90s sit-com, “Family Matters.”

A couple of weeks later, I was back in Gateway

Visitation for Rosetta Bonner will be Friday, Sept. 5, from 9-10 a.m. at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, 5597 Etzel Ave., St. Louis. A funeral will be held immediately following visitation. Mrs. Bonner will be interred at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.

Act now or lose control: Why SLPS must replace its superintendent

St. Louis Public Schools has not been adequately serving its students for decades, and the district is on track to slide further into decline. SLPS students lag significantly behind state averages in test scores, graduation rates and college readiness with wide racial and socioeconomic disparities.

The district is chronically underfunded, with state and local revenue continuing to shrink as families switch their students to charter schools, taking thousands of dollars of public money with them for each student. St. Louis continues to lose residents — and the local taxes they pay to support the district. School buildings, many of them crumbling or in serious disrepair, are severely under purposed.

We could go on and on.

St. Louis students deserve better. But it is clear it will not happen under the current superintendent, Millicent Borishade, who, along with her predecessor, has shown more interest in spending district money on her allies than on people, initiatives or services that could benefit students.

We have no confidence that she has the skills or political savvy to seriously address the numerous and complex issues — compounded by the effects of concentrated poverty — that are preventing our students from getting the education they deserve.

The school board should never have elevated her role as interim superintendent to a permanent one after the termination of former Superintendent Keisha Scarlett, who recruited her to the district. Both played a role in the fiscal mismanagement that has drawn the attention of state legislators and Gov. Mike Kehoe, who happily approved the state takeover of St. Louis’ police department earlier this year. The governor hinted last week that the state might consider seizing control of St. Louis Public Schools as well.

The school board hired Borishade as full-time superintendent in February without a national or local search. Toni Cousins, president of the board at the time, said Borishade demonstrated “strong, thoughtful leadership during her time as interim superintendent.” Cousins was resoundingly defeated in her re-election bid, and board

member Matt Davis, who also voted for Borishade’s hiring, did not seek re-election.

The newly-elected board was saddled with Borishade when it took office, but it does not have to sit quietly and wait for the state to move in.

The board should negotiate a buyout for the remainder of Borishade’s contract, name an interim and conduct a valid national search for the next leader of St. Louis Public Schools.

During her time working with Scarlett and Cousins, Borishade did not display the leadership qualities the district will need in coming days, months and years. The district’s future is clouded with deficits and declining student enrollment, which were exacerbated by the devastating May 16 tornado.

This week, nearly 2,000 St. Louis teachers and support staff gave Borishade a vote of no confidence. They are troubled by Borishade’s possible pursuit of closure of 37 school buildings, which is suggested in a consultant’s report, and other concerns. Because of the city’s declining population, shrinking tax base and dramatic loss of students, many schools may need to be repurposed due to their poor physical condition.

As interim superintendent, Borshade’s salary was reported at $230,000 a year. A negotiated buyout to replace her is worth pursuing, regardless of cost. Regional business, community and civic leaders who claimed during the mayoral election that we need to do what’s best for St. Louis should step up and help finance Borishade’s buyout.

Effective leadership in the superintendent’s office is critical, and it is impossible to have confidence in its current leader to lead the needed transformation.

St. Louis must stand up for itself and make improving SLPS the most highest priority of its many needs.

A buyout of Superintendent Borishade’s contract will tell Kehoe and the state to keep its distance from SLPS. Without board action, the state will likely barge in inappropriately, and another wall of the city’s sovereignty will crumble.

Fears from the past are becoming facts

By Larry Smith

Discussing and debating political history is a cherished pastime that transcends cultural or geographic boundaries.

In America, we love to verbally joust in barbershops, basements and bars. We sit in the present, pontificating about what our course of action would have been during times of uncertainty in the past.

Some of us openly boast about how we would have reacted during a horrific historic event. American chattel slavery, the Holocaust or a mass shooting are examples. Alternatively, it could be something that exceeded human design and control. A hurricane, earthquake or pandemic, for instance.

The circumstances might be radically diverse, but our claim is stubbornly common: “I would have done XYZ if I had been in that situation!”

Our current historical moment presents us with the opportunity to be the heroes that we conjure in our imagination. We need no capes or superpowers; all we need is courage, will and our voices.

potentially perpetrating “the most extensive injustice.”

Although Thomas Jefferson did not directly participate in debates during the Constitutional Convention, his views reflected a deep fear concerning the ability of a president to become an “elective despot.”

The Federalist Papers, which were drafted to persuade states to ratify the Constitution, said that the president’s power was purposely limited so that the people of the U.S. would elect integrous heads of state.

However, the Anti-Federalists argued that the Constitution as written lacked the teeth to limit a president’s power. They believed that he would be able to use the dearth of checks on his power to his advantage — and the disadvantage of the people. They were also leery of a president’s power to pardon, believing that it could cause him to engage in treason without facing consequences. (Ironically, our current Supreme Court has made that fear a reality.)

Today, the U.S. faces a demonstrably unprecedented challenge. Less than 12 months shy of the 250th anniversary of our Declaration of Independence, we have the kind of rogue president about which many of our founders warned.

Some of their fears were generalized, such as presidents being subject to corruption by foreign governments, bribery from wealthy individuals or extortion based on illicit behavior.

Patrick Henry feared that a powerful president could become a tyrannical despot who would attempt to undo the democratic principles for which the new nation had fought the Revolution against England.

George Mason staunchly promoted a so-called “Bill of Rights” that would protect individual liberties from a monarchical president, who he described as

Despite decades of warning about a tyrannical government abrogating our rights, the NRA and its ideological brothers are strangely silent as creeping authoritarianism flows almost daily from the Executive Branch. For example, Trump has the world’s most lethal military occupying our nation’s capital as if it were a foreign hot zone.

The plain fact is that nobody is coming to save us — except us. Now is the time to lift every voice and shout in defense of our fragile democratic ideals.

Now is the time to challenge every attempt to curb free speech, every legislative maneuver that seeks to limit our rights, every policy that would reduce us to mere subjects of an authoritarian state. Now is the time to be the heroes that we’ve always claimed that we would be.

Larry Smith is a political columnist for the Indianapolis Recorder.

As I See It - A Forum for Community

Issues

Federal overreach undermines Black mayors

By Marc Morial

American cities reflect the soul of the nation. From their skylines and cultural institutions to their small businesses and neighborhoods, cities are where American identity is built, tested and transformed. They are global symbols of innovation, diversity and resilience, and their leadership is central to the nation’s future.

For generations, Black mayors have shaped that future by fighting for equity, accountability and justice. Their leadership has centered marginalized communities and expanded access to opportunity. Today, that legacy is as vital as ever.

This past week, misleading statements from national leadership describing the District of Columbia as overtaken by “violent gangs,” “roving mobs of wild youth,” and “drugged-out maniacs” evoked a familiar and troubling pattern.

Once again, fear-based narratives are being used to justify federal overreach and to undermine local governance, particularly in cities led by Black mayors. These attacks are not only factually inaccurate, but they are also politically motivated, racially coded, and historically rooted.

of violent crime in half and transformed a corrupt law enforcement agency into a national model.

Today, that legacy continues.

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott’s Group Violence Reduction Strategy, grounded in community engagement and public health, has contributed to the lowest levels of homicides the city has seen in more than 30 years. In Chicago, Mayor Brandon Johnson has prioritized early childhood education, youth employment, and mental health access, alongside a measurable decline in gun violence.

Mayor Karen Bass in Los Angeles is advancing housing-first strategies to address homelessness and has pushed back against federal attempts to criminalize urban poverty and violations of the Constitution with the attempted ICE takeovers this June.

Across the country, Black mayors are demonstrating that community-based leadership is effective and transformative. The work of mayors, past and present, illustrates a sustained commitment to justice, even in the face of systemic barriers and public criticism.

In the 1970s, Detroit Mayor Coleman Young eliminated the city’s notoriously violent STRESS unit and implemented one of the earliest models of community policing. He understood that policing without accountability erodes public trust.

In New Orleans, my father, Ernest “Dutch” Morial, fought to integrate city departments and create more equitable access to public services. As the city’s first Black mayor, he laid a foundation for representative governance at the local level.

During my own two terms as New Orleans mayor, our investments in innovative youth programs and a commitment to police accountability slashed the rate

These leaders and many others are governing with urgency, guided by data and driven by the needs of their communities. They are not only responding to crises. They are reshaping systems. This is not new. Black mayors have long served as a moral compass in American cities, advocating for marginalized populations, resisting federal overreach, and creating innovative local policies rooted in justice.

The challenges cities face, from public safety to housing, from education to economic inclusion, demand comprehensive solutions and collaborative leadership. What they do not need are politically charged narratives that undermine progress and demonize communities.

To be equal, America must trust the leadership of its cities. It must invest in their success. And it must recognize the historic and ongoing contributions of Black mayors who have turned local governance into a platform for transformative change. Their legacy is not one of chaos. It is one of courage, care, and commitment to what is right.

Vivian Ayers Allen, mother of Phylicia Rashad and Debbie Allen, dies at 102

By American Staff

Vivian Elizabeth Ayers Allen, a Pulitzer Prize-nominated poet, cultural activist and mother of beloved Black cultural icons Debbie Allen and Phylicia Rashad, has died at age 102.

Debbie Allen shared the news of her mother’s death via Instagram with a post that included a photo montage set to Stevie Wonder’s “Golden Lady,” and with the text “Into the Eternal Light Vivian Ayers.”

According to the post, she died on Aug. 18.

“Mommie you have transformed into that cosmic bird Hawk that lives and breathes Freedom,” the Emmy-winning choreographer and actress wrote in the caption. “We will follow your trail of golden dust and continue to climb higher. We promise ‘to be true, be beautiful, be free.”

Ayers Allen was born July 29, 1923, in Chester, South Carolina. She attended Barber-Scotia College and Bennett College.

Her marriage to Andrew Arthur Allen Sr. produced four children — musician Andrew “Tex” Allen Jr., actress-choreographer Debbie Allen, banking executive Hugh Allen and actress Phylicia Rashad. Following her 1954 divorce, Ayers Allen

continued to build on a remarkable legacy as a Pulitzer Prize-nominated poet, playwright, literary agent, activist and cultural curator.

In 1952, she wrote the poetry collection “Spice of Dawns,” which earned her a Pulitzer Prize nomination. In 1957, she wrote “Hawk,” an allegorical poem set in outer space. In 1966, she became the first Black faculty member at Rice University in Houston.

Ayers Allen was one of the Hidden Figures of the Apollo 11 Space Mission. Last year, on the eve of the 55th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, NASA honored Allen and others at the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, by renaming Building 12 to the “Dorothy Vaughan Center in Honor of Women of Apollo.”

Ayers Allen received honorary doctorate degrees from her alma mater, Bennett College, and from Wilberforce University.

“The rearing I received from my mother, words cannot express,” Rashad once said in an interview from her days as Claire Huxtable on the cultural staple “The Cosby Show.” “I could live in any time. I could live in any country. I could live on any planet — and I would be fine.”

A different kind of new school year

By Camike Jones

The landscape of education has changed greatly from the previous school year.

As I see all the first-day-of-school photos on my Facebook timeline, I wonder what the future holds for students. School choices that were becoming expected are no longer the norm as students and families navigate all these policy changes.

Locally and nationally, our education system is in a period of transformation, with a very fuzzy picture of where we will end up.

Private school vouchers are available to all Indiana residents regardless of household income. What was once touted as a means of access for families who could not afford tuition out of pocket is now open to even the wealthiest families.

the DOE was a failing system. But if the system was failing, wouldn’t it need more resources?

Could a greater, more strategic investment in education improve outcomes? The system may need to be addressed, but it seems like it would be tougher to address a system that no longer exists.

Uncertainty looms as pathways that were once available are now shaky. Extended payment plans, low interest rates and deferments made it possible for people to take on student loans and start paying them back once their careers and salaries developed.

DEI resources are being removed from schools, eliminating a number of training programs and support for students and faculty of color.

Here in Indiana, Indiana University and several other state colleges and universities have suspended or eliminated numerous degree programs based on the number of students who have graduated. However, the schools can still petition to offer the degrees.

Notably, IU Bloomington suspended the bachelor and doctoral degree programs in African American and African Diaspora Studies.

The Department of Education is being dismantled, with states expected to take over its duties.

“Closing the Department of Education would provide children and their families the opportunity to escape a system that is failing them,” according to the Improving Education Outcomes by Empowering Parents, States and Communities Executive Order from March 20, 2025.

Citing the decline in academic achievement, the rationale was that

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median weekly income for a person with a college degree was about twice as much as the weekly income of someone with a high school diploma. Whether deterred by the cost of tuition or lack of academic preparation, where does that leave students who have been guided away from pursuing college?

Education was widely considered a path to the American dream. The path, though challenging, used to seem pretty clear: Graduate from high school. Go to college for as little money as possible. Get a good job. Take care of your family. Repeat. That was the blueprint for the American middle class.

While I don’t believe education was the one and only key to success, it was a key that helped many families move up the economic ladder. But the rules keep changing, leaving prospective students and their families unsure about what will happen and how to plan for it.

From the looks of it, the achievement gap between the haves and the have-nots will continue to widen as the path to educational attainment is less certain.

Camike Jones is the editor-in-chief of the Indianapolis Recorder

the home and real estate photos to make the assessment. No one ever came out in person to assess her property before determining its value.

And while the house looks nice, it had issues that weren’t obvious.

“When we switched from air-conditioning to heat, all of the cracks reappeared from the paint that they just painted over,” Coleman said. “The garage flooded. There were a lot of issues with the house that wouldn’t have shown up.” Coleman’s situation is not unique, but it takes research and determination to understand property taxes and what a homeowner can do to fight back when they disagree with their assessment.

In 1945, the authority to levy property taxes was transferred to local governments. In 1946, the Missouri Department of Revenue was created with five divisions, including the Division of Collection, Division of Budget & Comptroller, Division of Procurement, Division of Fund Commissioners and Division of Public Buildings.

Local governments across the country depend on property taxes as their primary source of revenue, using the funds to pay for area resources. Between taxes on real estate, personal property and vehicles, St. Louis collects between $80 million and $85 million per year. The city takes about 20% of these funds, with the rest distributed among schools, libraries, the St. Louis Zoo, museums, mental health funds and more.

Fowler

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that mirrors the profound impact he has had on countless lives.

Missouri ranks 23rd in the nation for property taxes as a share of owner-occupied housing value, placing the state near the middle compared to other states.

The state requires property to be reassessed every two years, and in every odd year new values are assigned to property. If properties have been undervalued by assessments in the past or if the market has gone up, taxes can increase. Making substantial upgrades to a home, such as adding a deck or bathroom, can also increase its value.

“It’s all about the characteristics of the property,” said Shawn Ordway, deputy assessor for St. Louis. “Where is it? Location, location, location. What condition is it in? In the city of St. Louis, the average property was built in 1922 just to start with.”

A property tax freeze credit for senior citizens took effect in St. Louis in 2024. The credit locked the city’s portion of property taxes at 2023 levels for eligible residents. While it did not eliminate overall increases in tax bills, it helped reduce the total rise for qualifying seniors.

Missouri uses a classified property tax system that assesses property types at different percentages of their market value, such as 19% for residential and 32% for commercial. There are two ways to potentially save money on annual property taxes.

Missouri provides refunds of up to $750 for renters and $1,100 for homeowners through a property tax credit program for eligible seniors and disabled residents.

Property owners can also file an appeal with the

Fowler’s passion for helping young people succeed has long inspired those around him. Under his leadership, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis reached new heights, transforming the lives of countless youth through his commitment to cultivating greatness. He first took the helm in 1996, when the organization was still known as the Herbert

United for a cause

SEIU Local 1 janitors march in front of the Regions Centre in Clayton on Tuesday. Members say contracts impacting 1,600 janitors are set to expire soon, and they are demanding fair wages and job security.

Board of Equalization if they disagree with the assessment of their property.

To file an appeal, property owners make an appointment with the Board of Equalization, which consists of four board members and a president, who is also the city assessor. Board members are appointed by the mayor. Qualifications to file an appeal include being a property owner

Hoover Boys & Girls Club on North Grand Boulevard

— a role that would define the next three decades of his life’s work.

After nearly three decades of dedication, service and hard work, Fowler retired in 2024, leaving behind a legacy that stretches far beyond

who has paid property taxes for at least five years. Those who appeal must also bring paperwork that supports their claim for a lower property tax.

As of Tuesday, the Board of Equalization had completed 709 appeals. Of these, 35% resulted in lower taxes, while 65% had no change. The appeal process is the same for residents of the county.

Though Coleman’s appeal did result in lower

the Boys & Girls Clubs. His leadership has touched nearly every corner of youth development in the region — from guiding young scouts through the Boy Scouts of America Greater St. Louis Area Council to opening doors of opportunity with Saint Louis University’s

taxes, she remains frustrated. Unlike some of her neighbors, Coleman is not on a fixed income where such an increase could be financially devastating. For those who are struggling to keep up with increases, there are resources.

If home or real estate owners cannot pay their full tax bills, they can make partial payments to avoid losing their home.

Additionally, if home-

Upward Bound program, Operation Teamwork and INROADS-St. Louis. In each role, his steady hand and compassionate vision have helped young people see what’s possible for their future.

“I’m really excited to receive the award. It was difficult for me to kind of imagine myself in that position. But I guess as I look back over my career and the opportunities that I’ve had, it seems pretty exciting to me,” Dr. Fowler said.

Fowler’s three adult children remember him not only as a leader in the community but as a steady presence at home. Stacey Fowler, his youngest daughter, recalls how her dad always reminded her to try her best, no matter how difficult the task.

Before dropping Stacey and her siblings — Jessica and Evan — off at college, he left them with words they still carry today: “Never forget who you are or whose you are.” Jessica remembers a moment that perfectly captures her father’s way of encouraging connection. During her residency at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia graduation, he asked if she knew the name of one of the cafeteria staff members — and whether she had heard about the woman’s daughter, who wanted to study medicine. To Jessica, it was clear what he was really saying: “Go and connect. Go and support.” That gentle nudge to see others, to invest in them, has been one of the greatest lessons her father has taught.

June Fowler, his wife of 44 years, says her husband is a man of joy. “He brings joy wherever he is,” she said, noting that even in high school, he was voted “Friendliest Kid” — she jokingly called him “Friendly Flint Fowler.” That same spirit of generosity has shaped their family life. After becoming empty nesters in 2009, the couple enjoyed seven years of “footloose and fancy-free” living.

owners find themselves at risk of a tax foreclosure, they can seek relief from the Real Estate Tax Assistance Fund, which helps prevent the displacement of St. Louis homeowners who cannot afford their property tax bills.

Wendy Todd is a member of Report for America, which supports local journalists who cover under-reported issues and communities.

But when their six-yearold great-niece needed a stable home, June turned to her husband and asked if they could open their home. His answer was immediate: “It’s not even a question — of course she can stay with us.” The couple has been raising her ever since; now a teenager, she has just started high school, a reflection of the couple’s continued commitment to family.

Before stepping into leadership at the Boys & Girls Clubs in 1996, Fowler had already dedicated his career to youth development through several other programs. A lifelong learner himself, he earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and Black studies and a master’s in psychology with an emphasis in Minority Mental Health from Washington University, followed by a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from Saint Louis University. When he retired in December 2024 after 28 years as president of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis, he left behind an organization that had grown from one site into a network of 11, reaching nearly 14,000 young people each year. Under his guidance, the Clubs expanded to offer programs in leadership, academic success, career readiness, the arts and athletics — along with initiatives like Mentor St. Louis, Keystone Clubs, Diplomas to Degrees, Money Matters, Career Launch, St. Louis Internship programs, and even a free dental clinic.

“When someone asks me to reflect on my life, I get a chance to say, Wow, maybe I did make a difference,” Fowler said. “Somehow, I set a model to put the right opportunities or tools in place for young people, the right programs, the right services, and the right people that they could connect with. It’s pretty gratifying to know that I contributed to someone’s well-being.”

JJK

Continued from A1

Olympian is the caption, “Black excellence is you,” a mantra and an affirmation that every child entering these doors ingests.

If community adulation were music, those within Joyner-Kersee’s sphere of influence would form a symphony of praise for the humble native daughter who has given so much to her hometown.

Former East St. Louis Mayor Carl E. Officer called Joyner-Kersee “one of the most pre-eminent athletes and human beings in the world.” Her lifelong friend and high school teammate, Dr. Debra Powell — the first female mayor of East St. Louis — said JJK had “the mindset to take what you give her and make it the best.” And her former track coach, Nino Fennoy, reflected that he “learned how to coach with Jackie JoynerKersee, and she pushed me to be a better coach.”

Then there’s former Jackie Joyner-Kersee Boys & Girls Club alumna Aja

Junior Williams, now a vice president with the local PBS station who affirms that through the JJK Center, “I learned about the importance of community for youth, which has driven me in my life and career today.”

Sitting at her eponymous facility after a quarter of a century, JoynerKersee continues to model the athleticism and fitness that define her brand, looking competition-ready in a red polo and black warmup pants.

She said it was important for children entering the building to know that “Black excellence is in all of us, and I want them to be motivated and inspired and to see the JJK Center as a destination, just as the Mary Brown Center was for me growing up.”

It also was important to improve her service model over the years, adding transportation to maximize access beyond the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Metrolink

stop, which adjoins the property, as well as add hot meals for participants as a part of her commitment to the nutrition and health of those who are a part of the JJK ecosystem.

Joyner-Kersee proudly beamed as she noted that her center annually services 10,000 families and serves about 50,000 meals, stressing that “it’s difficult for children to learn if they are hungry.”

The center also hosts a summer program, which had an enrollment of 500 youth this summer.

In addition, the 41,000-square-foot facility has grown into a state-ofthe-art campus, replete with on-going construction.

The grounds that surround the center are beyond impressive: a school-based JJK Academy (K-5), football fields with artificial turf, a City SC soccer area, St. Louis Cardinals-sponsored youth baseball diamonds, a new JJK Foundation building, a new JJK Food, Agriculture & Nutrition Innovation Center and, under construction, a new technology facility. Fennoy described it as “the most active physical facility that continues to grow, … and she’s not standing still.”

That was evident when Joyner-Kersee was asked to expound on her legacy and where she sees the JJK Center and Foundation 25 years from now.

Without pausing or taking a breath, she waxed eloquently about her longterm vision: building a $25 million to $50 million endowment for sustainability, constructing an indoor track and field facility, and attracting more corporate and philanthropic support, with the JJK Center as the glue.

“I don’t ever want to become complacent,” she said.

Among the valuable lessons she has learned over the years are, “You have to be a great listener” and that “not everybody is your friend.”

JJK 5K Run/Walk Sept 1 at WWT Raceway

The Jackie JoynerKersee Foundation will host the third annual JJK 5K Run & Walk on Monday, Sept. 1, at the World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois.

Runners and walkers of all ages and skill levels are welcome at the event on the NASCAR track during the Enjoy Illinois 300 Cup Series weekend. Participants will receive a commemorative T-shirt, medal, free

parking, downloadable photos and two tickets to the Sep. 7 NASCAR Cup Race. Awards will be given to top finishers in the 5K.

Proceeds benefit the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation’s mission to “Fuel the Dream,” to carry out Joyner-Kersee’s determined effort to provide youth in East St. Louis the opportunity to succeed in life.

Through supportive educational and enrich-

low moments.”

ment opportunities offered in summer camp, afterschool, athletic and leadership programs for young people — especially those in East St. Louis — the foundation helps shape the future of youths, adults and families.

Joyner-Kersee’s

Winning in Life program, which is celebrating its 25th year, has been honored for providing solutions for youth who face severe economic and societal hurdles.

The Walk/Run begins at 9 a.m. on Sept. 1, and participants can choose between a 5K run ($50; $15 for ages 1-12) or a 1.25-mile walk ($20; $10 for ages 1-12), both launching registration will be open until 10 a.m. World Wide Technology Raceway is located just off I-64 in Madison, Illinois. To register, please visit runsignup.com/Race/IL/ Madison/JJK5K

sometimes cannot believe it when they see me here.

injuries. The recent Hazelwood Central graduate was the only member of the family inside his home and had to escape through the flames, which left him burned on 85% of his body.

Family members have set up a GoFundMe page with a goal of raising $10,000. An aunt of Dontea’s told KSDK-TV that her nephew has “a very challenging road ahead” and that the family needs help “recovering and rebuilding.”

Although there was widespread damage to homes and condominiums surrounding the blast, residents who were initially advised not to return to their homes were told electric power had been restored and it was safe to return to the area. Immediately after the explosion, Molly Rose, a spokesperson for Spire, told St. Louis Public Radio that the utility company had no reports of a smell of gas or digging that could have damaged gas lines. St. Louis County bomb and arson investigators are working with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to determine the source of the explosion.

The American Red Cross has opened a shelter at St. Angela Merici in Florissant for residents displaced by the explosion. A spokesperson said the church can hold up to 200 people. St. Louisans who need help can also call 800-RED-CROSS.

Sylvester Brown Jr. is the Deaconess Foundation Community Advocacy Fellow.

our community.

For nearly four decades, the Salute has stood as one of our region’s most cherished traditions. It is more than an awards ceremony, it’s a reminder of the power of education to change lives and strengthen communities. Each year, we gather to honor trailblazers whose dedication has opened doors for countless young people and to uplift students whose promise reflects the

Asked what advice she had for young Black women, she ticked off a thoughtful list:

“Stay connected to people who know you.”

“Don’t let anyone tell you what you can’t do.”

“Be the best version of yourself.”

“Success is an ever-evolving door.”

“Be motivated by the

Her pride was clearest when she was asked what she wanted the world to know about her that had never been asked.

After a thoughtful pause, she smiled and said, “People don’t know my heart and soul and what drives me to be in this community. They

Yes, I could be in LA or in other places, but there is a lot of good here, and I want to counteract the negative stigma about East St. Louis.”

It was a sentiment that echoed her mantra of “Black excellence” and, as her friend Dr. Debra

bright future of St. Louis.

“This year, honoring those who help our children is more important than ever, as so many initiatives are under attack,” said Foundation Board Chairman Michael Holmes. “We must push back against this tidal wave that threatens the future of our children. It will take all of us to accomplish this for the current and next generation.”

On Saturday, Nov. 1 at America’s Center, the foundation will recognize some of the most inspiring figures in education today.

Our Lifetime Achiever in Education, Dr. Flint Fowler, will be honored for his remarkable legacy as president of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis, where he dedicated nearly three decades to empowering youth.

This year’s Stellar Performer, Mary Elizabeth Grimes, will be celebrated for her tireless leadership as president of Marian Middle School and her transformative work in advancing opportunities for young women.

The foundation also is honoring Bob and Maxine

Clark with the Champion in Education Award. While the award itself is a longstanding tradition, this will be the first time a couple is recognized together, highlighting their shared vision and philanthropic leadership in education.

In addition, four Excellence in Education Awardees will be recognized as outstanding educators across our region who embody passion, innovation and commitment in the classroom. The evening also supports the foundation’s vital work, including scholarships for deserving students

and programs like the Newspaper in Education initiative, which brings resources directly to young learners. This work is strengthened by partner universities that continue to provide the prestigious Donald M. Suggs Scholarships, ensuring that opportunity is extended to the next generation of scholars.

The Salute has long been regarded as one of St. Louis’ premier galas, where community leaders and changemakers gather in style to celebrate excellence. To make the evening even more excit-

Powell put it, “We don’t allow the world to dictate how we feel about East St. Louis. We know who we are. Give us your lemons and we’ll give you some sweet lemonade.”

James T. Ingram, an East St. Louis native and writer, covers the Illinois political scene.

ing, following the formal program, the celebration continues with an Old School vs. New School DJ Battle After Party, a multi-generational favorite that ensures this top-notch evening ends on a vibrant, unforgettable note. The Salute brings together the community to affirm that education is the cornerstone of opportunity, and an investment in educators and students is an investment in the future of St. Louis.

Raven Whitener is director of the St. Louis American Foundation.

HealthMattersHealthMattersHealthMatters

Closing the maternal health gap

Disabilities from maternal health conditions could cause Black women giving birth this year to lose 350,000 healthy life years.

By Jennifer Porter Gore Word In Black

They are well-known facts: The U.S. has some of the worst maternal and infant mortality rates in the industrialized world, and Black women are two to four times more likely to die in childbirth than white women.

Yet a new report finds that a few key changes to improve Black maternal and newborn health would not only save the lives of more than 3,100 Black mothers and 35,000 Black infants, but also inject an astounding $25 billion into the economy and save $385 million in healthcare costs. If the changes were implemented today, according to the report from the McKinsey Institute for Economic Mobility, the financial dividends could be seen as early as 2040.

See MATERNAL, page A11

Health disparities

Wake-up call

Rural Missourians may feel the sting of Medicaid cuts

By Dr. Denise Hooks-Anderson

I was not privy to the “behind the scenes” culture of medicine prior to my entrance into healthcare. Unlike many of my classmates in medical school, my parents were not doctors, nor were their friends. My family did not attend hospital galas, and they did not dine with the local politicians.

Yes, I admit I was naive. My philosophy was simple. I wanted to provide excellent care to my patients, and I didn’t choose the profession to be rich. I wasn’t interested in the business of medicine. So, imagine my surprise when the blinders were removed from my eyes and I had a chance to see the ugly side of my profession, healthcare and politics.

and doctors become

Our present-day moment is a good example of the ugliness of healthcare and politics. When did scientists, researchers and doctors become villains? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was a major part of my medical education and now it is being portrayed by this present administration as incompetent, and it is not being allowed to provide necessary education to the public without its work being scrutinized and redacted in some instances.

What kind of uninformed authoritarian regime is this?

Furthermore, cutting aid to the most vulnerable of our population was an additional outrageous act that was supported by many healthcare providers in the United States Congress. That cowardly act will hurt millions of people, particularly in rural America.

For some reason in this country,

See ANDERSON, A11

Building a pipeline for Black women in medicine

Black women in medicine are navigating systemic barriers using Houston’s mentorship and community solutions.

By Laura Onyeneho Houston Defender

Dr. Ashley Patterson, founder of Phoenix Medical Center, has wanted a career in medicine for as long as she can remember. Although she had no immediate family members in medicine, her positive experiences with her pediatrician and her innate interest in science and caring for others set her on this path. It wasn’t until college, however, that she encountered a devastating and motivating force, the concept of health disparities.

Black Americans make up about 13% of the U.S. population, but only 7% of U.S. medical students are Black.

“It just blew my mind and devastated me… that happens to Black people all the time,” she recalls. This realization fueled her commitment to medicine, pushing her to focus on preventative care to address chronic illnesses disproportionately affecting the Black community.

Patterson’s journey is a vivid example

See MEDICINE, A11

HealthMattersHealthMattersHealthMatters

Care of

Medicine

Continued from A10

of a profound national challenge. Black Americans make up about 13% of the U.S. population, but only 7% of U.S. medical students are Black. Among those students, 61% are women. For aspiring Black women physicians, the path to medicine is often steep, shaped by systemic barriers, financial hurdles and a lack of visible role models.

In Houston, community leaders and healthcare executives are working to change those barriers by widening access to education, increasing mentorship opportunities and ensuring representation in medical spaces where Black women have historically been underrepresented.

Wanda Harris, senior vice president and Houston market president at VillageMD, has spent over 25 years in the healthcare industry. She sees the lack of Black women in medicine as a problem that starts long before medical school.

“In elementary and high school, the first barrier is visibility,” Harris says.

Maternal

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“I’ve always said health is wealth. This report brings dollar signs to the crisis,” says Dr. Faith Ohuoba, OB-GYN Department Chair and Specialty Medical Director at Memorial Hermann Health System in Houston.

“The public sometimes becomes numb to the daunting statistics or may not readily relate to the stories behind the statistics regarding Black maternal health,” she says. “[But] these figures aren’t just numbers — they represent lives saved, communities stabilized and an economy strengthened by investing in Black maternal well-being.”

The persistent crisis of Black maternal and infant deaths

Almost a decade ago, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that more than 80% of pregnancy-related deaths were preventable. Yet as recently as 2023 — while all other demographic groups saw improvements in maternal death rates after the worst of the Covid-19 pandemic subsided — Black women were the only racial group whose maternal death rate increased.

Dr. Amanda P. Williams, interim medical director for the nonprofit March of Dimes, called the situation “unacceptable.”

“The maternal mortality rate for Black moms has returned to near pre-pandemic levels, with the gap between them and white

“If you don’t see people who look like you in medicine, you’re less likely to picture yourself there.”

She points to under-resourced schools, limited access to advanced STEM courses and standardized testing as obstacles that can discourage young students early on.

When students reach college or consider medical school, costs and admissions criteria can narrow the field even further. The price of medical education can easily exceed $200,000 and admissions processes often give weight to factors such as legacy connections or expensive prep resources that many first-generation students lack.

Harris believes the solution must start earlier. Through her non-profit Porter Billups Leadership Academy, she connects fourth graders through high school seniors with hands-on STEM experiences, hospital visits and mentorship from healthcare professionals who share their cultural backgrounds.

“They need to see

people who look like them in these roles,” she says.

This lack of visible role models was a significant challenge for Patterson. She had to seek out resources specifically for students of color.

This led her to the Minority Association of Pre-Health Students (MAPS) in undergrad. Through MAPS, she met a Black pediatrician who became her mentor, helping her navigate the complex prerequisites and application process.

“I was in her office off and on for eight years,” Patterson says, highlighting the sustained guidance she received.

Dr. Lutricia Harrison, president of Houston Community College (HCC) Coleman College for Health Sciences, works at the point where students are deciding how to enter the healthcare workforce.

Harrison’s passion for healthcare began in childhood; her mother, a nurse, was the primary influencer. She started her career in nursing, ultimately becoming a family nurse practitioner before moving into education leadership.

She says representation is not just about workforce diversity; it directly impacts patient care.

“People trust people whom they’re familiar with,” Harrison explains. “When patients see someone who looks like them, they feel more comfortable sharing their concerns and fears. They feel valued.”

This trust, she says, can lead to better health outcomes and a stronger connection between patients and providers.

Harrison’s approach is focused on making healthcare careers financially accessible.

“I had to work and go to school because my family couldn’t pay for my education,” she recalls. That experience shaped how she now helps students navigate career pathways that avoid overwhelming debt.

At HCC Coleman, students can start in high school with dual credit programs, earn a certified nursing assistant (CNA) license and build toward higher credentials like licensed vocational nurse (LVN), registered nurse (RN) or even advanced practice degrees.

Hospitals often provide tuition reimbursement, allowing students to advance without taking on large loans.

“There are so many roles in healthcare that people don’t think about,” Harrison says.

“It might be radiography, surgical technology, anesthesia technology or jobs that pay well with twoyear degrees. Students can start working, get experience and get their education paid for.”

Harrison credits her success to mentors who encouraged her through advanced nursing training. Now she makes it

moms widening from 2.5 times in 2019 to 3.5 times in 2023,” she says. The data “confirms the urgent need for systemic changes to eliminate these inequities in maternal healthcare.”

And the peril doesn’t stop after the baby arrives. Black infants in the U.S. are more than twice as likely to die before their first birthday compared to infants from

Continued from A10

poor people are often characterized as living in urban slums. However, 25% of Missouri’s rural counties have poverty rates above 20%. So, what will Medicaid cuts look like for those citizens?

Rural hospitals were already struggling before

cuts to Medicaid. Now, many of those hospitals will close. So, let’s imagine if Grandma Karen had a stroke. To optimize her survival and lessen the chance of morbidity from her stroke, she needs treatment within a few hours. However, now her local hospital no longer exists, and her family must get her to Kansas City or St. Louis. The likelihood of her having a good outcome

most other demographic groups. McKinsey’s analysis shows that closing the Black infant mortality gap could save the lives of 2,885 babies this year alone.

Steps toward a solution

According to the McKinsey report, reversing the disproportionately high rate of Black maternal mortality must begin

is now very low. Let’s not stop with the stroke example. Deaths from drug overdose are also a problem in rural Missouri. Looming budget cuts mean that there are fewer programs to assist people with opioid use disorders.

Per the CDC, in 2019 the rate of drug overdose deaths involving psychostimulants with abuse potential (drugs such as

with accurately measuring the extent of the problem since “health systems cannot improve what they do not measure.” That alone, however, is a significant challenge.

As recently as 2019, roughly 15% of reported maternal deaths were misclassified on several states’ death certificates, according to the CDC. And the McKinsey report notes that many hospitals and public

methamphetamine) was 1.4 times higher in rural counties (6.7 per 100,000) than in urban counties.

But let us not forget, however, that the majority of rural Missouri supported this current administration. Oh, the irony of it all!

Keeping the citizens of this country healthy should be a collaborative venture between our healthcare infrastructure, public

a point to serve as that example for younger students.

“I want to be that person who a young girl can see and say, ‘I can do that too,’” she says. Harris uses her network to connect students with shadowing opportunities, internships and leadership exposure. She emphasizes the importance of sponsorship and advocates for students behind closed doors alongside traditional mentorship.

Patterson is the secretary of the Houston Medical Forum (HMF), a chapter of the National Medical Association (NMA), an organization for Black physicians. HMF offers mentoring events, mock interviews and opportunities for students to connect with doctors.

“Many of us are dedicated to mentoring or just being accessible to pre-med people, especially in a changing political landscape where diversity and inclusion initiatives are being challenged, Patterson says. “That’s what I sought out. That’s how I got through. These organizations provide essential, dedicated support for students who may not find it elsewhere.”

maternal care deserts or expanding access to midwives, doulas and mental health professionals.

There’s also evidence that pharmaceutical companies aren’t producing medications for maternal and infant health as they do for other health issues. That needs to change, according to the report. Adjusting the medical system to more closely address the needs of Black women could produce the $25 billion economic boon by improving Black women’s health and workforce participation over their lifetimes. The annual healthcare cost savings would come by way of $215 million from reducing unnecessary C-sections among Black women, and $170 million from improved maternal morbidity outcomes.

Still, some public health experts point out that Black maternal mortality is rooted in systemic racism. So the solution will need to change the system. Closing the Black maternal health gap, they say, will require better data, equitable care and steadily increasing investment.

health systems still keep separate records for mothers and newborns, making it hard to track health outcomes.

The report also recommends training healthcare providers in culturally competent, respectful care rooted in Black women’s lived experience and addressing chronic conditions like hypertension and diabetes. The report also calls for eliminating

agencies and a competent, functioning government.

As a primary care provider living in this current moment of uncertainty, I must somehow reassure my patients that everything will be OK.

My patients are worried about the next pandemic.

Is this country ready? Do we have the right people in charge to help us navigate a crisis? Will our researchers have the funds

with

“Structural racism does not show up in the birthing experience as one bad actor — it’s not a nurse or an OB who is just a racist person,” Dr. Ndidiamaka Amutah-Onukagha, professor of Black maternal health and founder of the Center of Black Maternal Health and Reproductive Justice at Tufts University School of Medicine, said in a 2024 interview with STAT news.

“It’s the entire health care system that has policies, procedures that are enacted and enforced, really to exacerbate racism,” she said.

they need to continue scientific advancements? The answers to these questions are unknown, but I do hope the past eight months have been a wake-up call to many.

Denise HooksAnderson, MD, FAAFP, is the medical accuracy editor for The St. Louis American. She can be reached at yourhealthmatters@stlamerican.com

Harris-Stowe center aims to preserve Black history while growing new businesses

By Alex Heuer St. Louis Public Radio

Emilia Robertson has always been the friend at parties who makes the drinks. Among her circle, she became known for one thing in particular — making great Jell-O shots.

Robertson eventually turned that reputation into a business. She launched ShotsByEmilia with an initial focus on Jell-O shots, but now, about a decade later, the company is operating as a licensed mobile bartending business.

Robertson credits much of her growth to HarrisStowe State University’s Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, in which she participated in 2022.

“It actually helped me to create my elevator pitch because I did not have one,” Robertson said. “It helped me create confidence in my business and actually be able to talk with people, push myself in those rooms that I need to be in, and also find out ways to help market myself.”

Launched in 2021, the center provides mentorship and resources to support Black entrepreneurs in overcoming systemic barriers. Executive Director Kristy Jackson said the center exists to tackle a big challenge: Only about 4% of African Americans nationally own businesses, and in St. Louis, it’s closer to 2%. As the only HBCU in St. Louis, Jackson said the center is a logical place to concentrate resources for Black entrepreneurs. “It really was a natural solution to a challenge

gram through Harris-Stowe State University’s Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

that we identified in providing education, access to resources and capital for small businesses,” she said.

The center opened virtually during the pandemic in 2021 and moved last year into its permanent space, a renovated building at the corner of Olive Street and Compton Avenue that once housed the Universal Pictures Film Exchange.

The location carries its own history: It occupies a space that was once part of Mill Creek Valley, a historic, predominantly Black community that was dismantled in 1959 in the name of urban renewal.

“We just understand

our place and purpose in this entire ecosystem as it relates to entrepreneurship and our place in history in St. Louis,” Jackson said.

For Robertson, the Jell-O shot-maker turned entrepreneur, the center’s hands-on support has been invaluable. A native New Yorker, she said St. Louis is a great place to be an entrepreneur.

“One thing about St. Louis natives is that if they love something, they support it, and they support it 100%. I think that’s the difference between coming from a bigger city, where you do have the support there, but you have to do a little bit more footwork,” she said.

St. Louis needs a communal response to the tornado

By Jamala Rogers

We miss the point that the trauma is only within the body and the life of the individual person and what I’m worried about is the trauma has been experienced by the earth itself. There is a risk associated with place — places that are abandoned, places that are physically destroyed, places that don’t have basic infrastructure. … This was greatly exacerbated by the tornado. Unless we pay serious attention to that, … we will create communities at a higher risk for violence and if we continue to blame people, we will simply see an increase in carceral force and we will be overwhelmed in our social, mental and clinical care environments because we will keep trying to intervene at the individual, personal level. This is a communal reality … and we need to treat it as such.

The above excerpt is from the wisdom of Dr. LJ Punch when asked about trauma and the May 16 tornado on my radio program, “The City’s Tornado Response.”

Dr. Punch is a local, respected trauma surgeon who has an intimate relationship with trauma from dealing with bullet-related injuries to fentanyl overdoses and everything in between. His analysis of trauma from disasters was affirmed by people who directly experienced the trauma of Hurricane Katrina on a subsequent radio program, “Lessons from Hurricane Katrina.”

As a community organizer and storyteller with public platforms, I believe my responsibility is not just to sound the alarm of looming catastrophes (political or natural), but to arm my community with information and strategies for survival and transformative changes. I’ve been obsessed with what the tornado brought to St. Louis.

The number of town halls on tornado recovery and the lack of substantive answers seem to be only adding to the trauma and frustration for victims. For the people still living in tents in their front yards or hassling with insurance companies, relief is not coming fast enough.

For those of us not directly burdened with tornado relief for our families, we have to be relentless advocates for —

in Dr. Punch’s words — a communal response to the tornado. This means fighting for a long-term, integrated approach that addresses the persistent economic inequalities and racial disparities that plague our most vulnerable communities. We must resist the approach to react to the saddest plight or the most vocal survivor. Given the piecemeal recovery efforts that are unfolding, there will be two rebuilt houses on a city block in isolation from a beloved community and the critical resources that come with it. It has been over 90 days since the tornado hit us with a vengeance. There is still no convening of political, civic, social and medical minds to develop a comprehensive plan. There remains no unified office to provide tornado victims with information and resources. Instead, responses are reactive and fragmented, undermining effective support.

As the nation focuses on the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, most coverage will be the sanitized version that highlights a gentrified New Orleans and ignores the Mississippi Gulf towns. I doubt if accounts will show that with the displacement of thousands of African Americans, the Crescent City is now predominantly white.

Coverage will not boast of a school district that fired all 8,000 public school staffers after the hurricane in favor of charter schools and what this has meant for remaining neighborhoods and for the students of families who were permanently displaced. What is the backstory about residents who were violently separated from their familial and cultural roots, who lost homes, schools, businesses, and their places of worship?

St. Louis has a unique opportunity to embrace a communal response, which means building the infrastructure necessary for healthy and protected communities. We have a wealth of experience from other natural and man-made disasters to inform a successful and healthy recovery. To ignore them is at our own peril.

Jamala Rogers is an opinion writer and one of the founding members of the Organization for Black Struggle, based in St. Louis.

FOOD

TRUCK FOOD TRUCK

Combating food insecurity

North County farm secures major investment to expand food access, local farming

“We need healthy foods available to our families. The grocery stores are gone. The residents are still here.

— Deborah Hughey

By Ashley Winters St. Louis American

The small patch of soil that eventually grew into Rustic Roots Sanctuary recently received a funding commitment that places it in a much stronger position to combat food insecurity in North St. Louis County.

The 16-acre nonprofit community hub in Spanish Lake will receive nearly $1 million to expand its programs and deepen its impact, which aligns perfectly with the vision Janett Lewis had when she founded Rustic Roots in 2020.

“It all started in my front yard,” Lewis said. “I had this little community garden, and neighbors from near and far would stop by to help plant, pull weeds and keep it going. It was more than a garden — it was a place for people to connect.”

Today, the team grows fresh, chemical-free produce year-round, trains emerging farmers through volunteer and mentorship programs and operates the Spanish Lake Farmers Market to connect local growers directly with the community. Their regenerative farming practices not only yield nutrient-rich food but also help restore the health of the soil and the surrounding ecosystem.

Groceries are expensive: Stick to this food budget

By Laura Onyeneho Houston Defender

Millennials today face all kinds of financial woes. Still, one problem in particular has them wondering if they’ll have to survive on ramen noodles like in their college days: skyrocketing grocery prices.

For many

A U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report reveals a brutal truth — groceries are up a staggering 10.7% year-overyear, with essentials like meat and eggs taking a bigger bite at 13%. This inflation surge forces young adults to embrace a new strategy — conquering the grocery bill. But don’t worry. With some planning and expert advice, navigating the grocery aisle and enjoying delicious

commissioner of corrections

Nate Hayward has been appointed St. Louis commissioner of corrections after serving as deputy director of security at St. Louis County Justice Services. Hayward has 32 years of correctional experience, beginning as a correctional officer. He oversaw the daily operations of the County Justice Center and was responsible for the safety and health of detainees. Hayward succeeds Doug Burris, who served as interim commissioner of corrections since January. Hayward and Burris previously worked together at the County Justice Center when Burris was director of justice services.

joins McCarthy Building

named

Vladimir Monroe

director of workforce and community engagement for the central region. Monroe will lead workforce development and community engagement efforts across the 29-state region. Monroe joined St. Louis Development Corporation in 2015 as contract compliance manager for its Minority Business Development Department.

Kim Allen, the former principal of Huffman Elementary School in the Cahokia Unit School District, has been named director/principal of SIUE-East St. Louis Charter High School.

Allen named SIUE-East St. Louis Charter principal Kim Allen

She returns to East St. Louis School District 189 after serving as assistant principal of Dunbar Elementary School from 2021 to 2024. Allen was also assistant principal of East St. Louis Senior High School from 2018 to 2021 and was previously a special education teacher at that school.

has been appointed principal of Sister Thea Bowman Catholic School in East St. Louis, Illinois. Nance most recently served as a physical education and health instructor at Althoff Catholic High School. Prior to that, he taught fourth and fifth grade at Sister Thea Bowman as both a math and science instructor and physical education teacher. He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Lindenwood University-Belleville and has begun working on his master’s degree in education leadership.

Promotion, board appointment, new hire, award... please submit your People on the Move item (including photo) to areid@stlamerican.com

The $965,000 total includes a $724,000 grant from the Missouri Department of Agriculture’s Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure program and $241,000 in matching funds from the Missouri Foundation for Health. Rustic Roots was one of only a few recipients selected for Missouri’s competitive Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program RFSI grants, which are part of a $6.9 million statewide effort to strengthen local food supply chains.

The matching funds from the Missouri Foundation for Health come through its 20-year Food Justice Initiative, launched in 2023 to address the root causes of food insecurity across the state.

“This grant is such a blessing, not just for Rustic Roots Sanctuary, but for the entire community,” Lewis said. “It allows multiple farmers to safely wash, store and package the food we grow — right here in Spanish

Groceries

meals doesn’t have to break the bank.

Lake.” The investment will fund new farm infrastructure, create jobs rooted in agriculture and wellness, and establish a shared-use commercial facility with cold storage and food processing equipment. Local farmers will be able to prepare and distribute their harvest directly to neighbors, markets and

For many people, rising food costs can mean more hardships. Higher earners are more equipped to handle the effects of rising prices. However, a small expense increase might greatly impact those barely making ends meet. This includes households with low incomes, where the expense of food accounts for, on average, 30% of income.

Food costs have always fluctuated, but they did so more so during the pandemic. Throughout 2020, food prices increased steadily due to a mix of supply-chain interruptions, labor costs, inflation and taxes on select foreign imports.

Luckily, unlike fixed payments like car notes and rent, paying for groceries is more flexible. You can reduce your monthly shopping bill with a few strategies.

retailers — keeping fresh food local.

Lewis believes local farms should directly connect with neighbors, creating shared-use spaces for food production and distribution, and integrating cultural and educational programming.

Farming is a part of Lewis’ heritage. Her father and grandfather worked on

Planning is your budget blueprint

Jennifer Jones is a certified integrative nutritionist, executive wellness coach and the founder of JENuine Nutrition. She teaches professionals and organizations how to optimize their health and performance through nutrition and lifestyle management.

“Planning and flexibility are key,” says Jones. “Millennials are busy, but dedicating your time during the week to plan meals and create a list

It is something spiritual for her to have her hands in that dirt, growing food from the soil.

“When I’m in that dirt, I’m connected to my father and grandfather and all the ones that came before them, it’s empowering for me,” Lewis said.

St. Louis County Councilwoman Shalonda Webb called the award a major step forward for North County.

“This funding provides much-needed resources to grow healthy, nutritious food right here in Spanish Lake in a way that is sustainable, empowering and locally driven,” Webb said.

the family farm in Georgia on a 150-acre plantation. Lewis says a lot of Black and brown communities don’t realize the power that lies in growing their own food. She says consumers can save so much money by eating from the land they live on. And she says that the people who know that should teach those around them.

can save them significant money.”

Jones says there are strategies for purchasing healthy, affordable food without breaking the bank.

“Cooking a large batch of food on the weekend can be used for multiple weekly meals. This reduces the temptation to eat out, which can be significantly more expensive,” she explains. “Leftovers can be re-purposed into new meals, further maximizing your grocery budget.”

Impulse buys at the

Since opening shortly after the closure of local grocery stores, Rustic Roots has distributed more than 50,000 pounds of fresh produce, much of it free or at low cost to residents. The farm also serves as a gathering place for community wellness programs, educational workshops, and neighborhood events.

Longtime resident Deborah Hughey said the farm’s role is essential.

“We need healthy foods available to our families. The grocery stores are gone. The residents are

grocery store are a budget killer. Meal planning is your secret weapon against unplanned spending. Dedicate some time each week to plan your meals and create a grocery list based on those plans. Use online resources and cookbooks to find budget-friendly recipes. Consider incorporating seasonal ingredients, which are often more affordable.

still here.

The grant will allow Lewis to launch a shareduse facility aimed at strengthening the local food system. The hub will give farmers the tools to scale up production, including cold storage to preserve freshness and food processing equipment to turn surplus produce into value-added products. The cold storage will help prevent waste and extend the selling season, and the processing space will help transform raw crops into products that create new revenue streams for farmers. The hub will also serve as a central distribution point, making it easier to get healthy, affordable food.

Necole Cheung, executive director of the Christian Hospital Foundation, said the partnership aligns with the hospital’s commitment to community health.

“In a community with limited food options and high rates of diabetes, access to nutritious food isn’t just about meals, it’s about empowering residents to take charge of their health and well-being,” Cheung said in a statement.

Stock up on non-perishable staples like beans, rice, pasta, canned goods and dried herbs. These versatile ingredients can be transformed into countless meals, reducing reliance on expensive pre-made or pre-cut options.

Don’t be afraid of store brands! Many private-label brands offer comparable quality to national brands at a fraction of the price. Consider generic versions of your favorite pantry staples and compare unit prices before deciding. Use store loyalty programs and apps to access exclusive discounts and promotions.

InSIdE SportS

With Earl Austin Jr.

Top local teams seeking nation’s best to start season

One of the big developments that we’ve witnessed in high school football in recent years is the growing number of St. Louis area teams that are scheduling games against top out-of-state competition.

This has been the case with high school basketball for decades. Of course, it’s much easier with so many more games along with the big shootouts, showcase events and tournaments that are held around the country. To me, this is kind of cool to see happening in football.

The East St. Louis Flyers have been playing top-level national competition for many years. Many other programs have also followed suit as they test themselves against some of the nation’s top programs. This is definitely the case during this opening weekend of games. East St. Louis is headed to the East Coast to take on Bergen Catholic (New Jersey) on Thursday in the Battle of the Beach Football Classic. Bergen Catholic is ranked No. 20 in the Max Preps Preseason Top 25 rankings.

(Illinois) on Friday night. East St. Louis’ visit to Bergen Catholic is just one game in a non-conference slate full of national opponents. On Sept. 6, the Flyers will host Gladsen County (Florida) in the Gateway Scholars Football Classic at Clyde C. Jordan Stadium. The following week, East St. Louis travels to Las Vegas to take on perennial power Bishop Gorman, the No. 3 team in the preseason Max Prep rankings.

The Flyers will close out the regular season with a game at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. IMG is No. 6 in the preseason national rankings. It will be the third meeting between East St. Louis and IMG. In last year’s game at East St. Louis, IMG pulled out a 14-13 victory in an overtime thriller.

In addition to Sacred Heart-Griffin, CBC has a couple of big national games against Lipscomb (Tennessee) on Sept. 26 and Rabun Gap-Nacoochee (Georgia) on Oct. 3. In the past two seasons, the Cadets have played against Bryant High, a dominant force in Arkansas.

Defending Class 6 state champion DeSmet will begin its season on the road in Nebraska against Creighton Prep in a battle of Jesuit schools on Saturday night in Omaha.

St. Louis University High will travel to Chicago to take on St. Ignatius, while CBC will host Springfield Sacred Heart Griffin

will head to Tennessee to take on Baylor High on Sept. 12.

East St. Louis football game to be broadcast on KLIS

Cardinal Ritter College Prep will make the trip to talent-rich Ohio to take on perennial power Massillon on Oct. 3. The Lions travelled to New Orleans last season and defeated a strong program in St. Augustine, 36-20.

Up-and-coming smallschool program Lift for Life will also be going on the road during non-conference play. The Hawks

The nationally-ranked East St. Louis Flyers football team will have their games broadcast on AM-590 KLIS (The Lou Information Station) this season. Native East St. Louisan Maurice Scott will be the play-by-play voice of the Flyers, who won the IHSA Class 6A state championship last season. East Side will open its season on Thursday against Bergen Catholic at the Battle in the Beach Classic in New Jersey.

DeSmet basketball players earn summer grassroots honors

A pair of standout basketball players from DeSmet earned Most Valuable Player awards for their stellar play during the summer grassroots season. Senior forward Jordan Boyd was named the MVP of the Recruit Looks circuit. The 6’4” Boyd played for Mid Pro South’s 17U during the summer. He has earned scholarship offers from Division I schools such as North Dakota State and Southern Illinois. Junior guard Will Foulk was named the MVP of the New Balance P32 League. The 5’11” point guard led the Gateway-Knights to the championship in the

SportS EyE

With Alvin A. Reid

16U Division. RIP Sheldon Webster

As a McCluer North graduate, I was saddened to learn of the passing of our fellow North Star alum Sheldon Webster. Sheldon graduated from McCluer North in 1978 and the University of MissouriSt. Louis in 1986. He enjoyed an outstanding 30-year coaching career in track and cross country. He was also the head coach of McCluer North’s girls track and field team, which he led to back-toback state championships in 2014 and 2015. It was the first time McCluer North had ever won a state championship in girls track and field. He was inducted

into the Missouri Track & Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2015.

Quentin Coleman narrows final list to six schools

Standout basketball player Quentin Coleman of Principia has narrowed his final recruiting list to six schools. The four-star guard lists Saint Louis University, Texas Tech, Texas A&M, Iowa, Illinois and Wake Forest as his six finalists. He was the Missouri Class 3 Player of the Year after leading Principia to the state championship last season. He was also instrumental in Brad Beal Elite winning its first ever Nike EYBL Peach Jam championship in July.

Services for Rosetta Bonner at set

Services are set for Rosetta Bonner, the mother of former St. Louis area basketball star Anthony Bonner. She passed away last week at age 88. The services will be held on Friday, Sept. 5 at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church. Visitation will be from 9-10 a.m. with the funeral service to follow from 10 a.m. to noon.

(You can listen to Earl talk sports on The Earl Austin Experience on Saturday mornings from 9-10 on 590 KLIS, the Lou Information Station. Joining the show this weekend will be Lutheran North football coach Lorenzo Brinkley and some of his players).

Forbes list of athletes’ pay is intriguing

Forbes’ list of the 50 highest-paid athletes in the world is again loaded with African American players in a variety of sports.

The monetary figure for each player combines team contracts, endorsements and other income, and it includes many familiar names from the NBA.

The list illuminates — aside from Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson — that having a fun personality and steering clear of legal and/or personal problems pays off in sizable endorsement deals.

Leading the Top 10 is soccer superstar Christiano Ronaldo at $275 million in total earnings, ($225M in on-field earnings and $50M in off-field earnings) Following him is Golden State Warrior guard Stephen Curry at $156 million ($56M, $100M).

Rounding out the top five are boxer Tyson Fury of England ($146M; $140M, $6M); Dak Prescott ($137M; $127M, $10M) and Lionel Messi ($135M; $60M, $75M).

Topping the next five is LeBron James at

$133.8 million ($48.8M, $85M). Closing the Top 10 are Juan Soto ($114M; $109M, $5M), Karim Benzema (French soccer player $104M; $100M, $4M), Shohei Ohtani ($102.5M; $2.5M, $100M), Kevin Durant ($101.4M; $51.4M, $50M). Ohtani’s L.A. Dodgers contract is backloaded, meaning he could be on this list for years to come. Within the Top 25, there are many players of color with recognizable names.

13. Giannis Antetokounmpo ($94.4M; $49.4M, $45M), 15. Deshaun Watson ($91.8M; $90.8M, $1M). 18. Patrick Mahomes ($86.8M; $58.8M, $28M), 19. Jordan Love ($83M; $79M, $4M), 22. F-1 driver Lewis Hamilton ($80M; $60M, $20M).

There are no women in the Forbes Top 50, which demonstrates that underpaying female athletes is not only prevalent in the United States — it’s international.

Coco Gauff, reigning French Open champion, is the highest paid female athlete in the world,

according to Forbes’ ranking of tennis players. With endorsements, the two-time Grand Slam tournament winner makes $37.2 million and ranks third behind Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. That figure will rise based on her performance in the U.S. Open, which is underway in New York.

St. Louis native Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics did not make the Top 50 in 2025, but his contract extension does not begin until the start of the 2025-26 NBA season in October.

Tatum will begin earning $54.2 million annually, and he has partnerships

with Jordan Brand, Gatorade, Subway, Ruffles and NBA 2K. Forbes estimates he makes up to $13 million a year in endorsements.

At $67.2 million, Tatum would rank 30th on this year’s list. Bradley Beal, another St. Louisan in the NBA, is ranked 40th on the 2025 list at $58.2 million ($50.2M, $8M).

The Reid Roundup

St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn has battled a sore knee since the All-Star break. If surgery is needed, he should have it immediately and end his 2025 season.

Golden State Warrior guard Stephen Curry is the world’s second-highest paid athlete with total compensation of $156 million in 2025.

Winn was hitting .258 with nine homers and 46 RBIs in 116 games this season…Katie Woo of The Athletic wrote this week that neither Jordan Walker or Lars Nootbaar are guaranteed a spot on the 2026 Cardinals roster when Chain Bloom takes over as president of baseball operations…A question for Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum: If the NBA can play preseason games in Abu Dhabi, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Melbourne, Australia, and Macao, China, why can’t it send two teams to St. Louis?...When drafted by the Washington Wizards, John Wall was supposed

to be the NBA’s next superstar. Injuries limited the newly retired Wall, but over 11 seasons he averaged 18.7 points, 4.2 rebounds and 8.9 assists a game and made five All-Star teams…After a poor performance at QB in Cleveland’s last preseason game, the Browns did not release Shedeur Sanders and will carry four quarterbacks on the 53-man roster…Shilo Sanders punched a Buffalo Bills player during a preseason game on Saturday, and Tampa Bay waived him on Sunday...New York Yankees infielder Jazz Chisholm said his “best friend” had passed away the day before he hit career home runs 100 and 101 in a Sunday win over Boston…Washington commanders star receiver Terry McLaurin proved again that holding out pays off. He will sign a threeyear, $96 million contract extension with $30 million guaranteed…Some fans of the soccer team Parma spewed racial insults at Juventus player Weston McKennie during Serie A Italian League match on Sunday. McKennie is a member of the United States men’s national team.

Lambert International Airport lands federal support

St. Louis Lambert International Airport will receive nearly $14 million in federal money to rebuild 3,200 feet of taxiway pavement, U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell announced this week.

“Time and again, I hear from business and community leaders that our airport is one of the biggest barriers to regional growth,” Bell said.

“If St. Louis is going to compete, we need an airport that works for travelers and businesses alike. This investment is another step toward making sure Lambert meets the needs of our region and supports the economic growth we all want to see.”

The Lambert Expansion plan, which was approved by the Federal Aviation Administration in 2023, will consolidate all commercial airline passenger activities into a single new terminal. The plan includes road improvements and a larger parking garage.

The consolidated terminal will sit on the site of Terminal 1, which dates from 1956, with only the historic domes being retained.

Terminal 2, which has been used by Southwest Airlines since 1998, will be repurposed for yet-to-be determined uses.

Ameren partnerships work to keep residents cool

The United Way of Greater St. Louis and Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis are among the area organizations that have partnered with Ameren Missouri to help keep residents cool during this torrid summer, which followed a devastating May 16 tornado.

Ameren says customers who typically qualify for energy assistance may now be eligible to receive up to $1,400 in bill payment assistance across various programs.

The utility is collaborating with several agencies “that can bundle our energy assistance programs and provide additional services for our customers,” said Joe Solari, vice president of customer experience for Ameren.

Las week, Ameren donated $4 million to community action agencies following the $1 million in support for victims of the tornado.

Michelle Tucker, president and CEO of United

Way of Greater St. Louis, said a mother of six recently contacted her organization for help after being displaced from her home.

“After bundling numerous energy assistance programs and funds from Ameren Missouri and more, her family was able to relocate and is now set up with a payment they can afford,” Tucker said Tucker.

“We know the power of connection, and we’ve seen significant success

when our families reach out to seek available assistance. We are grateful for Ameren Missouri’s donation and remain ready to connect those in need with resources and support.”

Ameren Missouri’s partner agencies include United Way, Cooldownstlouis. org and Cooldownmissouri. org, the Urban League, Community Action Agency of St. Louis County, North

East Community Action Corporation, East Missouri Action Agency Central Missouri Community Action and more. The energy assistance programs that can be bundled depending on eligibility include:

• Dollar More, which can provide eligible households with up to $600 per calendar year when their bill is past due.

• Keeping Cool, which provides up to five bill credits of $50 each (up

to $250 per year) to eligible customers from May through September for two calendar years, which means customers could qualify for up to $350 under the program.

• Missouri’s Summer Energy Crisis Intervention Program, which offers those in financial crisis up to $300 from June through September.

• Ameren Energy Relief Grant, which provides a $150 one-time grant to eligible customers with a balance of at least $150.

Living It

“It’s interesting because when you’re first getting started, when you do something really well, then they kind of just send you a lot of scripts like that.”

- Taraji P. Henson discusses almost being typecast after her role as Yvette in “Baby

A cowboy party in the Gateway

Inaugural trail ride and field party celebrated country culture

By Zaria Mac St. Louis American

Regardless of what the mainstream country music scene refuses to accept or believe, cowboy culture is Black culture. It has been from the very beginning.

The success of Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” – which is based on the club banger from St. Louis’ own J-Kwon – and Beyoncé’s Grammy Award-winning “Cowboy Carter” have resulted in appropriation accusations from current artists and fans of the genre.

They only need a brief history lesson to learn that cowboy culture – and the music it inspired – is rooted in Blackness.

Cahokia native Michael B. Whitfield, known professionally as Michael B. Whit, has

been paying his dues as a country artist long before it became fashionable.

Whit’s grind inspired veteran St. Louis promoter Phil of Liquid Assets to bring an event that celebrated country culture to the region this weekend with the inaugural Gateway Trail Ride & Field Party to Rolling Ranch in Sauget, IL. He teamed up with Certified Steppas Trail Riders and Whit to present the event.

Whit, who also owns Rolling Ranch, combined his musical passion and his beloved pastime of farming to create an event that celebrated the music and the lifestyle he loves – and promotes through his artistry.

The three-day event included all the country staples – a pig chase, pony rides, sack races and mechanical bull stations. There was even a line dancing competition that gave away $1000 in prize money. These attractions were split by musical performances and DJ sets with music ranging from country to funk, R&B and hip hop.

The event was the perfect

example of how to strike while the iron is hot with respect to the trend of country culture. The added bonus was that the organizers handed country back to the descendants of its originators – and created an unforgettable cultural event that could be enjoyed by the entire family.

Whit – who happens to be an Emmy nominated country artist – was among the headliners of the concert portion. He gave a rousing performance as he sang and strummed the guitar while backed by a full band. They brought classic country twang to the set through selections like “One That I Want” and “Light It Up” – which features the St. Lunatic Murphy Lee. Whit also performed “40 Acres Down,” a seamless mix of country and R&B lyrics, over the music of Prince’s “Purple Rain.” He finished with “Backwoods,” a song that further blended the country and R&B music culture.

The performances continued with national sensation Pokey Bear. A veteran of the blues and southern soul circuit,

See TRAIL RIDE, C3

Trap, running and fun

Popular race returns to The Ville next weekend

By Zaria Mac The St. Louis American

Kameel Stanley, Arron Williams, and Celeste Grayer came together to change the narrative about surrounding the value of health within the Black community. The response of the small and mighty team was the Northside Trap Run.

The event – which has grown to become a staple among Black running and fitness communities within the region – returns to the Ville next weekend.

“Trap Run is a hip Hop themed 5K that is a really good blend of both community events,” said Kameel, co-founder of the Trap Run. “And one that highlights how much we care about our neighborhood and our future,”

The Trap Run grew out of the community organization Young Friends

Photos courtesy of Northside Trap Run

Northside Trap Run, a race and community festival, will take place in The Ville on Saturday, September 6.

of the Ville – an offshoot of Northside Community Housing, which has focused on affordable housing, development and other needs of the community for the past five decades.

“The Young Friends organization is a mix of young professionals who love The

‘I will always have roots in St. Louis’

Antonio DouthitBoyd leaves COCA after a decade to lead dance program in Florida

By Kenya Vaughn The St. Louis American

After exactly ten years of heading up the very department that turned him into a world-class dancer, St. Louis native Antonio Douthit-Boyd is leaving COCA to assume a similar position in Florida. He broke the news to the cultural community he has helped elevate with a “love letter to St. Louis.”

“Thank you for providing me with the space to grow, the courage to lead, and the wisdom to boldly step into the next chapter of my life,” Douthit-Boyd wrote. “Returning home after a career on the world’s stages and being embraced once again by this community has been one of the greatest honors of my life.”

This fall he will become Chair of the Patel Conservatory Dance Department and Artistic Director of their Next Generation Ballet.

“I could have stayed at COCA for another ten years, but the opportunity landed in my lap,” Douthit-Boyd said. “I thought that I should go and spread all of the knowledge that we learned here in St. Louis, in New York and abroad.”

Most young people with a passion for dance dream of showcasing their gift for the world. What set COCA alum Antonio Douthit-Boyd apart from early on was that the dance concert stage was only part of his bucket list life. The bigger dream for him was to make young people feel as nurtured and supported as he did when COCA instantly transformed his life while helping him hone his talent and get fully immersed within the art form.

“I could have stayed at COCA for another ten years, but the opportunity landed in my lap,”

Antonio Douthit-Boyd

“As a young person leaving St. Louis and going into the dance world, I was so prepared,” Douthit-Boyd said. “I was prepared physically, mentally prepared and I was excited for the challenge of becoming a dancer.”

He enjoyed a performance career few dancers could even imagine for themselves – particularly his tenure as a principal company member for the famed Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

“I feel so blessed. I feel so humbled that I can do what I love,” Douthit-Boyd said. “I never felt like I had to work a day in my life. I feel honored to have a position and a purpose in this life to give the art of dance to people.”

Ville,” Stanley said. “We are invested in its future so we wanted to come up with an annual event for the neighborhood and also a fundraiser.”

See TRAP RUN, C3

Night after night, Douthit-Boyd would share details of what was next for him with his extremely tight-knit friendship triangle that included Alicia Graf Mack and future husband Kirven Douthit-Boyd.

“We would be in our hotel room or on the bus and Antonio used to say, ‘I’m

See COCA, C4

CONCERTS

Thurs., Aug. 28, 8 p.m.

The Muny Presents: Diana Ross & Jon Batiste, The Muny, 1 Theatre Drive, St. Louis, MO 63112. For more information, visit https://muny.org

Fri., Aug. 29, 7 p.m., Last Stop On The Love Train - The Final Tour starring The O’Jays, The Factory at The District, 17105 North Outer 40 Road Chesterfield, MO 63005. For more information, visit www.thefactorystl.com.

Thurs., Sep. 4, 8 p.m., The Pageant welcomes Gary Clark Jr., The Pageant, 6161 Delmar. For more information, visit www.thepageant.com.

Fri., Sep. 5, 7 p.m., Breezy Bowl XX World Tour starring Chris Brown, Dome at America’s Center. For more information, visit livenation.com.

Sat., Sep. 6, 8 p.m. Sexxy Red & Friends: Back 2 School Bash, Enterprise Center, 1401 Clark Ave, St. Louis, MO 63103. For more information, visit www.enterprisecenter.com.

Sun., Sep. 7, 8 p.m., When We Evolve Tour starring St. Louis’ own AJ McQueen, Delmar Hall. For more information, visit www.thepageant.com.

Sun., Sep. 7, 6:15 p.m., Uncle Charlie’s R&B Cookout starring Charlie Wilson and

STL Sites & Sounds

featuring Babyface, El DeBarge and K-Ci Haley, Hollywood Casino Amphitheater. For more information, visit www.livenation.com.

Fri., Sep. 12-14, 10 a.m. Music at the Intersection (MATI), Grand Center Arts District, 634 Grand Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63103. For more information, visit https://matistl.org.

Sat., Sep. 20, 7:30 p.m. NBA Youngboy MASA Tour, Enterprise Center. For more information, visit www.livenation.com

SPECIAL EVENTS

Thur., Aug 28, 5 p.m. RAC’s 40th Birthday Bash, Midway West @ Union Station, 1820 Market Street, St. Louis, MO 63103. For more information, visit https://racstl.org.

Fri., Aug. 29-31, 8 a.m.

Paint Louis: The World’s Largest Graffiti Festival, The Mural Mile, 1000 South Wharf Street, St. Louis, MO, 63104. For more information https:// paintlouis.com.

Fri., Sep. 5, 6 p.m. Raceway to Runway, Neiman Marcus St. Louis, 100 Plaza Frontenac St, St. Louis, MO 63131. Limited capacity. RSVP required to rsvpstlouis@nemanmarcus.com.

Sat., Sep. 20, 12 noon, Frizzy By Nature presents Frizzfest 2025 with musical headliner Melanie

Fiona, Tower Grove Park. For more information, visit www.frizzybynature.com

COMEDY

Fri., Sep. 5-7, 7 p.m.

Helium Presents: Don Curry, Helium Comedy Club, 1151 St Louis Galleria Street, St. Louis MO 63117. Multiple shows at varying times, find more information at https://st-louis.heliumcomedy.com.

Fri., Sep. 12, 7 p.m.

THEATRE

Thur., Aug. 28, 6 p.m.

When Allies Go Dark: A Theatrical Performance, St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum, 36 Millstone Campus Dr, St. Louis, MO 63146. For tickets visit https://tickets. stlholocaustmuseum.org.

Wed., Sep. 3-21, 7 p.m.

The Black Rep opens Season 49 with Raisin (The Musical), Edison Theatre, 6465 Forsyth Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63105. For more information, visit www.theblackrep.org.

Wed., Sep 3-28, 7 p.m.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents The Cottage, LorettoHilton Center, 130 Edgar Rd, Webster Groves, MO 63119. Matinee showtime available. For more information, visit https://www.repstl.org.

https://cwescene.com.

Thur., Sep. 21, 3 p.m.

Sat., Sep. 13, 7 p.m. Ali Siddiq: In the Shadows Tour, Stifel Theatre, 1400 Market St, St. Louis, MO 63103. For more information, visit www.stifeltheatre.com.

ST. LOUIS MUSIC SPOTLIGHT

Sat., Aug. 30, 1 p.m. Central West End Jazz & Blues Festival, Central West End, Euclid Ave & Laclede Ave. St. Louis, MO 63108. For more information, visit

DeRay Davis: Live On Stage, The Pageant, 6161 Delmar Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63112. For more information, visit www. thepageant.com.

Starlight Concert Series featuring Adrianne Felton- King, Heman Park Miracle Playground, 7200, Olive Blvd, University City, MO 63130. For more information, visit www. ucitymo.org.

Wed., Sep. 24, 7 p.m., World Chess Hall of Fame Music Series presents Chuck Flowers Sings the Music of Bill Withers, 4652 Maryland Ave. St. Louis, MO 63108. For more information, visit worldchesshof.regfox.com.

ART

Through Aug. 30, A Quiet Composition, Saint Louis Artist’ Guild, 12 N Jackson Ave, St. Louis, MO 63105. For more information, visit www. stlouisartistsguild.org.

Thur., Sep. 4, 6 p.m. opening reception for To STL With Love: A Celebration of St. Louis Hip-Hop Culture, Sophie’s Artist Lounge, 3333 Washington Ave, St. Louis, O 63103. For more information, visit https://kranzbergartsfoundation.org.

TRAIL RIDE

Continued from C1

he kept up a cute groove while maintaining his ladies’ man persona.

“Here Come Pokey” got everyone on their feet. “They Call Me REMIX” kept them there. He further explained who he is and what he is about before he jumped in the “Good Foot.” The crowd erupted into a line dance.

Pokey Bear comically uttered “What happens in East St. Louis stays in East St. Louis,” before performing “Keep It on the Down Low” and “I Left Home to be With My Side Piece.” He exited the stage to Boosie’s “Wipe Me Down.” He capped off his groovy performance with his signature bop – among other dances – and relished the cheers of his fans.

The final entertainment of the evening was a line dance competition broken up into two divisions – singles and group dancers. The winners of each category received $500 each based on how loudly the audience cheered. This competition exposed the audience to various line dances that merged Black music with mainstream country. The remix of Morgan Wallen’s “Dangerous” featuring Twista and “Country Girl” by Tonio Armani.

The singles competition took place earlier in the evening with line dances to songs like “Boots on the

COCA

Continued from C1

going back to St. Louis to teach at COCA, and you’re coming with me,” Graf Mack told The American in 2015. Those conversations turned out to be prophetic. Graf Mack did indeed teach at COCA while pursuing her graduate studies at Washington University.

Douthit-Boyd and husband Kirven Douthit-Boyd, already familiar faces to the COCA family, relocated to St. Louis at the prime of their respective performance careers to lead the organization’s dance department.

“We thought, ‘You could continue to do this for a few more years – or you can help this next generation out’,” DouthitBoyd said. “We followed the leadership and the direction that was given to us by Ms. Jamison and Robert Battle. We didn’t feel like it was a struggle

TRAP RUN

Continued from C1

Northside Trap Run, which is named after a popular rap subgenre that has roots in Atlanta, came into fruition in 2018. It returns on Saturday, September 6th at the intersection of North Sarah and Dr. Martin Luther King Drive.

Festivities begin at 8 a.m. There will be an 8:30 a.m. warm-up with yoga and stretching brought by The Collective, a group of Black yoga practitioners. The run is named after a popular subgenre of rap that originated in Atlanta. It will begin at 9 a.m., and is set to feature 14 local DJs who will keep runners and walkers pumped and energized at cheer stations sponsored by local organizations.

At the end of the race, participants can vote for which station they believed was the most hype. The organization who wins the vote will receive a $500 donation from Trap Run.

guests can also play with Black Girl Recess by way of Double Dutch ropes, line dancing and various games.

Ground.” Happy Feet won that competition with his dance to “Help Me Find My Drawls” also by Tonio Armani. He performed the sensual line dance in a black muscle tee with jeans and boots to match. He also caressed and twirled a red towel as he danced.

The final competition brought more hit songs like “Keep on Steppin”

to leave the stage. We felt that it was for a purpose.”

Last month, Graf Mack took the helm as Ailey’s fourth artistic director. After several years of leading at COCA together, Kirven transformed Big Muddy into Saint Louis Dance Theatre when he became artistic director two years ago.

“I think that’s what St. Louis does,” Antonio said. “It grooms you to become bigger and better than you could ever imagine you’d be.”

After a decade of transformational work building upon the legacy of the late Lee Nolting, Douthit-Boyd is excited about his next chapter.

“It’s a testament to what St. Louis has done for me,” Antonio said. “It has shaped me to take this new position and to spread the blueprint of what we have done here in St. Louis.”

Kirven will step back in at COCA as interim artistic director of dance until the position is filled. Antonio will still be

by Mike Clark Jr. Couple

Sky and Chris performed in all black with shining silver accents that reflected under the spotlight as they danced. They were up against Activate. The group of girl dancers had dips and twirls that showed high enthusiasm and creativity, but they were not able to take home the win from fan favorites Sky and Chris.

working with COCA for the next couple of years through ongoing projects.

Antonio describes the opportunity to teach young people fundamentals within the art of dance as “mind blowing.” He says that he has learned more than he could ever teach his students and defines the experience as “a gift that keeps giving, and giv ing…and giving.”

“I will always have roots in St. Louis – at Saint Louis Dance Theatre, at COCA and at all of the places,” Antonio said. “We have young people that we’ve trained coming back to St. Louis for their dance careers. St. Louis is now a thriving center for dance. St. Louis and COCA will always be a part of my life, no matter where I go in the world.”

“I’m excited for the world to witness all of this beautiful artistry that comes from St. Louis,” Antonio added. “And to know that I had just a little part in it.”

“The Trap Run is a 5K like no other,” Stanley said. “Our race has big vibes, big energy and can feel like a cross between a block party and a family reunion with friends, family and community.”

Though it is called the Trap Run, running is not

“Trap Run to us means celebrating beauty that perseveres through struggle,” Stanley said. “Just as hip hop, trap music is all about transcending hardships very much familiar to the Black experience. We wanted to involve movement, health, wellness – and do it in a way that is very authentic to us.

“[Trap Run] is a beautiful tapestry of community.”

While the event has grown each year, Trap Run

Though they were doubted and discouraged – including people who turned their nose up at the event’s name – Trap run has become a go-to signature event for Black St. Louis that gets bigger every year.

“[Through Trap Run] we are very serious about trying to highlight the beauty of neighborhoods in St. Louis that far too many ignore,” Stanley said. “We want you to be thinking about how you can cross the block and suddenly things seem much more tended to – you can see for yourself areas that have

Twilight Thursdays at the Missouri History Museum

By the Missouri Historical Society

Twilight Thursdays returns to the Missouri History Museum on September 4, 11, 18, and 25! This popular, free outdoor concert series takes place on the Museum’s Edward and Margaret Imo Family Plaza and brings a lineup of spectacular shows from local musicians and bands. The Museum’s galleries—including The 1904 World’s Fair, Collected, and The Life of Kids’ Clothes—will be open through intermission, and some of the area’s best food trucks will be on hand. (Food truck schedules are subject to change.)

On September 4, Twilight Thursdays kicks off with The Music of Usher, with J. C. on lead vocals and music directed by Billy Gritz of the Just In Time Band Scheduled food trucks include the Best Wurst, Chillax Tap & Co., Antojitos de Guatemala, Mr. Gonzo’s Tacos, Dessert Road Coffee and Sweets, Street Dogz, Trippy Bacon, Tropical Pot, and Zacchi.

The September 11 show is a tribute to Frankie Beverly and Maze. Attendees are invited to wear all white to honor the legendary soul singer Beverly, who passed away in 2024. Beverly and his soul band Maze rose to stardom after opening for Marvin Gaye, eventually cruising all the way to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The group’s success culminated in nine gold albums and a massive following with hits like “Joy and Pain,” “Happy Feelin’,” and “Before I Let Go.” Vocalists include Dakota, Keith Conway, and Jeremiah Allen, who is also the music director for this concert. Scheduled food trucks include the Best Wurst, Chillax Tap & Co., Clementine’s Ice Cream, Dynasty Manna, Five Aces BBQ, Antojitos de Guatemala, Honey B. Charcuterie, Pure Catering, and SNS Goodies.

Music from Then ’til Now will be featured on September 18. Enjoy favorite hits from every era—Motown, blues, disco, soul, R&B, hip-hop, house, pop, line dance, new jack swing, and more—all performed and directed by Honeyvox

Scheduled food trucks for September 18 include Chillax Tap & Co., Clementine’s Ice Cream, the Crooked Boot, Duchess Rose Royal Street Food, Pappy’s Smokehouse, Pure Catering, SNS Goodies, and Trippy Bacon.

The final concert is a tribute to Charlie Wilson and the Gap Band, with lead vocals by Steve Williams and music directed by Kenneth Black. Scheduled food trucks include Chillax Tap & Co., Clementine’s Ice Cream, the Crooked Boot, Duchess Rose Royal Street Food, Homestyle Grill, Salt + Smoke, Street Dogz, Tropical Pot, and Zacchi. All concerts begin at 6pm. Plan to arrive early to explore the Museum’s exhibits and to save a spot on the North Lawn at Lindell Boulevard. Blankets, lawn chairs, tables smaller than 3 by 3 feet, and well-behaved dogs on leashes are permitted. Tents, large umbrellas, and barbecue grills are prohibited. Pack a picnic basket or small cooler with snacks, soft drinks, water bottles, and alcoholic beverages (no glass bottles, please), or save time and support a local small business by visiting one of the many food trucks available each week.

Parking is available within Forest Park and on Lindell Boulevard. The Museum’s west lot is available on a first-come, firstserved basis and is partially reserved for accessible parking. In addition, there are 400 parking spots in the twin lots across from the Dennis & Judith Jones Visitor and Education Center and alongside the Dwight Davis Tennis Center. Nearby public transit stops provide additional options. The STL Loop Trolley offers free transportation and extended hours on concert days. Park at the Loop Trolley lot at 5875 Delmar Boulevard and catch the trolley at the Hamilton Station. The trolley will leave the Museum at 8:15pm for the return trip.

In the event of inclement weather, call the Twilight Thursdays Information Hotline at (314) 454-3199 after 2pm or listen to iHeartMedia radio stations.

To apply, please send a current resume, along with a cover letter, to SLCCourtJobs@courts.mo.gov or to the following address (application materials must be postmarked by September 30, 2025): Family Court of St. Louis County, Attn: Human Resources Department, 105 S. Central Ave., Clayton, MO 63105. EOE. Please contact the Human Resources Department at 615-4471 (voice) or RelayMo 711 or 800-735-2966 if you need any accommodations in the application process, or if you would like this posting in an alternative form.

CLOSING AND FUNDING MANAGER

Mission: St. Louis, a non-profit organization, is seeking qualified candidates for a fulltime (exempt, on-site in the City of St. Louis) position with our Healthy Home Repair Program (HHRP).

Position Overview:

The Closing and Funding Manager will oversee daily closing operations, ensuring loan files are processed accurately, efficiently, and in compliance with ffiJD, SLFRF, and other applicable guidelines. This is a producing role in addition to supervising team performance, the manager will personally handle files and closings.

Key Responsibilities:

• Supervise and support the closing & project management team, driving accuracy, and efficiency.

• Review and close loan files; verify data, calculate income, and determine eligibility.

• Track and report program data; maintain strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Office.

• Provide exceptional customer service, including handling complex calls and correspondence.

• Ensure compliance with organizational policies and funding partners requirements.

Qualifications:

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in loan processing or equivalent, with at least 2 years in a management role.

• Strong knowledge offfiJD, SLFRF, and related guidelines.

• Excellent communication skills, ability to read, write, and speak English required.

• Professional demeanor and appearance.

• Valid driver’s license with reliable, insured vehicle.

To Apply: Submit a cover letter and resume to information@hhrp.missionstl.org by September 8, 2025

Mission: St. Louis is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This position may be financed in part or in whole through Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) provided by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the City of St. Louis Community Development Administration.

522-4115 ext. 3744. QuestCDN Customer Support is available at 952-233-1632 or info@questcdn.com

BIDS REQUESTED NEW CONSTRUCTION

Section 3 / MBE / WBE Encouraged 40 units 20 Duplexes Maintenance Building FREDERICKTOWN, MO For Bid Information: 573-204-3097 or nleoni@sbcglobal.net or zventura@vendev.cc

Golden Eagle Construction 2201 Walton Road, Ste. B Jackson, MO 63755

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Sealed bids for the Bennington Place Resurfacing project, St. Louis County Project No. AR-1752, Federal Project No. STP-5559(602) will be received electronically thru the County’s Vendor Self Service portal at https:// stlouiscountymovendors. munisselfservice.com/ Vendors/default.aspx, until 2:00 PM on September 24, 2025

Plans and specifications will be available on August 25, 2025 from the St. Louis County Web Site (www.stlouiscountymo. gov) or by contacting Cross Rhodes Print & Technologies, 2731 South Jefferson Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63118 (314) 678-0087.

DIRECTOR OF PROCUREMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES ST. LOUIS COUNTY DECLARE IN-HOME

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District Requests for Quotes, Bids and Proposals are posted online for public download. Please navigate to www.msdprojectclear.org > Doing Business With Us > View Bid Opportunities

Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

The School District of University City is seeking sealed proposals for Flynn Park Elementary School Gym Improvements. Proposals are due by 2:00 PM on September 19, 2025. A mandatory pre-bid walkthrough will be held at 10:00 AM on September 5, 2025, at Flynn Park Elementary School, located at 7220 Waterman Avenue, University City, MO 63130. Substantial completion is August 7, 2026. For more information and the complete RFP package, please contact Likitha Kaki at lkaki@ kwamebuildinggroup.com

SEALED BIDS

Bids for REBID Renovate Interior & Exterior at St. Clair Readiness Center, Project No. T2326-01, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, October 2, 2025. Project information available at: http://oa.mo. gov/facilities

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Gentry Residential Treatment Center - Replace HVAC, Cabool, MO, Project No H2409-01. will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, September 23, 2025. Project information available at: http://oa.mo. gov/facilities

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

The School District of University City is seeking sealed proposals for Brittany Woods Middle School Rainscreen Panels. Proposals are due by 2:00 PM on September 11, 2025. A mandatory pre-bid walkthrough will be held at 10:00 AM on September 4, 2025, at Brittany Woods Middle School, located at 8125 Groby Rd, University City, MO 63130. Project expected to start in October 2025. For more information and the complete RFP package, please contact Likitha Kaki at lkaki@ kwamebuildinggroup.com.

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Sealed bids for the Kiefer Creek Pipe Culvert Replacement, St. Louis County Project No. CR-1928, will be received electronically thru the County’s Vendor Self Service portal at https:// stlouiscountymovendors. munisselfservice.com/ Vendors/default.aspx, until 2:00 PM on October 8, 2025

Plans and specifications will be available on August 25, 2025 from the St. Louis County Web Site (www.stlouis countymo. gov) or by contacting Cross Rhodes Print & Technologies, 2731 South Jefferson Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63118 (314) 678-0087.

DIRECTOR OF PROCUREMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES

ST. LOUIS COUNTY

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Improvements for Infection Control, Mount Vernon Veterans Home, Project No. U2301-04 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 9/25/25. Project information available at: http:// oa.mo.gov/ facilities

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE:

Advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, imitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial\status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination.“We will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.”Call Angelita Houston at 314-289-5430 or email ahouston@stlamerican.com to place your ads today!

NOTICE OF PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE

St. Louis County will hold an open house for the Old Halls Ferry Road Resurfacing project, Thursday, September 25, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Barrington Elementary School located at 15600 Old Halls Ferry Road, Florissant, MO 63034.

This project will improve safety for all users by changing the roadway, improving ADA compliance, adding separated bike lanes, and resurfacing Old Halls Ferry Road from New Halls Ferry Road to Vaile Avenue.

For more information, follow the QR code below:

SEALED BIDS

A public hearing for purchase of real estate at 74 Kearney St, St Louis, will be held by FMDC, State of MO, at the South St. Louis County Service Center, 7545 South Lindbergh Blvd., Mehlville MO at 10:00 AM, September 5, 2025. Further information available at: https://oa.mo. gov/facilities/ public-notice

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Tusconia Reclamation Project, Barton County, Project No. Y2303-01, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, September 30, 2025. Project information available at: http://oa.mo. gov/facilities

Religion Church brings baptism and aid to the homeless

A Houston church’s first outdoor baptism brought faith, food and hope to hundreds facing homelessness

By Tannistha Sinha Houston Defender

By late morning, the Houston

heat was already pressing down like a heavy hand. Sweat beaded on brows, backpacks clung to backs and the air shimmered above the asphalt.

Yet, at the Community of Faith Church’s first-ever outdoor baptism for the homeless, “Alive by Faith,” a long line wound toward the portable baptismal pools, where one by one, men and women stepped forward, some barefoot, some still clutching their few possessions, ready to be submerged in water that promised more than just a shortlived relief from the scorching sun.

Keith James, 70, stood near the front, a white towel draped across his shoulders. Just weeks earlier, he had lost his apartment, ending up on the streets.

“I was close to God once before and I felt like I needed to get rebaptized again,” James said.

When he emerged from the pool, water streaming down his face, James said he felt renewed, like he had closed a distance that had grown over time between himself and his faith.

James hopes he is not lost within the statistics.

In 2023, over 23,000 people in Texas’ Harris, Fort Bend and Montgomery counties accessed

a homeless service, which rises to 52,000 people when clothing or food assistance is included, according to the Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County. The 2024 Homeless Count & Survey shows that we can expect to see 3,280 people experiencing homelessness at any given moment in the Houston region.

But organizers said this was a day for second chances. Over 170 people were fed hot meals, and more than 300 T-shirts and towels, donated by the nonprofit Hoodies 4 Healing, were handed out. For the first time, the church’s baptism service extended beyond its walls to meet people where they were, at a corner of Houston where homelessness is visible in every direction.

“Today is the day of new beginnings,” said Bishop James Dixon II, pastor of the Community of Faith Church.

“Pray for us as we baptise God’s homeless sons and daughters.”

Rosemary Tucker, founder of Hoodies 4 Healing, echoed his sentiments about organizing a baptism for the “hurting, homeless and hungry.”

“Everybody is looking for a way to renew their faith with Jesus,” she said. “We’re going to celebrate God’s goodness and grace for all his children.”

Some came for the food and left with more than they expected. Tony Bursie, 38, has been

in Houston since March, fleeing domestic abuse in Detroit. In the sprawling city he landed in, Bursie is still looking for a job.

“Once I get a job, I’ll be all right,” he assured himself, the sun beating down on his shirtless back and unkempt hair. “I get by by the grace of God. If it wasn’t for him, I don’t know where I would be. … If you know what God does, then you know He’s got a funny way of doing things. He sends you through battles. He wanna see what you’re going to do. This is a test, that’s all it is.”

Others, like Chlae Carroll, 27, said they were drawn by the chance to reach the younger generation.

“We need awareness,” she said. “I know that I can reach the young. If they see me, they can say, ‘Oh, you’re young. I can do it too.’”

Minister Jerri Thomas, who has been with the Community of Faith for years, said the event was designed to be both spiritual and practical. She said showing up for people in need encourages them to fight all odds. For some, the odds are heavily stacked against them. Comlisa [last name withheld], experiencing homelessness for the first time, described how difficult it is to simply find a restroom or a safe place to rest. With no job and a gnawing

The Spirit of Partnership: Why Pressure Doesn’t Open the Right Doors

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”

– Ephesians 4:2

It came wrapped in courtesy, but you could feel the edge: “If I don’t get this meeting, I may have to take my business elsewhere.” I get these messages more often than people might think. Some are direct. Others use phrases like, “I don’t want to have to…” — dangling a consequence to get attention. This rarely leads to trust or breakthrough.

The Pause Before the Call

When I got this note, I didn’t respond right away. I took a breath, stepped away, and stared out the window.

Then I did what I always do before hard conversations: I got still. And I prayed — not for the right words, but for the right heart.

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” – Psalm 51:10

The Real Conversation

I called her. She was full of vision. She spoke with conviction and pride. I listened. Then I said: “I appreciate what you’re building. And I’m open to seeing where we align. But access doesn’t come through pressure. That’s not how partnership works. Not with me.” Silence. Then: “I didn’t mean it like that. I just didn’t know how else to be heard.”

That’s where leadership lives — in the space between how we express and what we actually need. Too often, pressure masquerades as passion. And we confuse threat with strategy.

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.”

– Proverbs 14:12

A Different Kind of Persistence

Another time, a gentleman reached out for a partnership. He was persistent but respectful. I took a few of his calls, but nothing materialized. Over a year later, he called again. This time, I had space. The timing was right.

hunger accompanying her every move, she smiles when she says, “Maybe I’m just behind — it’s OK. As long as you’re not taking from anybody, the Lord will provide for you.”

Her words blended into the hum of praise music and the soft splash of baptismal water. Dixon said the outreach was born from a simple truth: People need to be reminded of their worth. By the time the last person stepped out of the pool, the sun was high and unforgiving. But under the shade tents, volunteers kept serving plates, handing out water bottles and wrapping towels around dripping shoulders.

He admitted he was afraid to keep calling and pestering. But he stayed in position long enough for the door to open — not to force a transaction, but to find alignment. When things finally clicked, they clicked the right way.

“Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:9

Sometimes It’s Not Rejection.

It’s Reality. It’s not that I wasn’t interested the first time. I just didn’t have the capacity.

Leaders carry weight — unseen demands and hard decisions.

Sometimes, it’s not about willingness — it’s about bandwidth. The opportunity may not be wrong — just early.

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” – Ecclesiastes 3:1

The Leadership Lesson People try to skip the process when passion burns hot and patience runs thin. But real leaders don’t respond to pressure. They respond to purpose.

“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” – Proverbs 19:21

Respect opens more doors than pressure ever will. If your vision needs a threat to enter, it’s not ready for the room. The best conversations happen when ego steps aside and honesty steps forward. That’s when creativity flourishes. People connect. God moves.

“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” – James 4:6

A Final Word to the Dreamers

To the passionate builder, the nonprofit founder, the entrepreneur with a dream: Next time you’re advocating for your vision — pause. Choose partnership over posturing. Presence over pressure. And if the door doesn’t open right away? Don’t threaten to walk. Keep knocking — with clarity, humility, and consistency. “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.” – Matthew 7:7

Because the best leaders don’t force their way in. They earn the right to enter — guided by faith, not fear.