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St. Louis American The
CAC Audited DECEMBER 23 – 29, 2021
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stlamerican.com
City’s new health director has no time to complain
lenging but Hlatshwayo Davis believes she’s up to the task. “I can sit here and say it’s very unfair Dr. Matifadza Hlatshwayo Davis that I inherited all of this, but at the doesn’t have the luxury to complain. same time, you don’t step up to the plate It was a critical time in the region if you’re not willing to lead,” she said. when Mayor Tishaura Jones appointed Davis, an infectious disease expert Hlatshwayo who focuses on addressing health (pronounced disparities among marginalized com“Shla-chmunities, seems well equipped to lead why-o”) the city’s health department during Hlatshwayo Davis, Davis as the city’s new health departthese dire times. Since the coronavirus St. Louis health director ment director. emerged in early 2020, the doctor has The health department suffered from been the guest on numerous national, high burnout rates, increased staff turnover, and a serious international, and local news outlets sharing her thoughts lack of funding. Gun violence and mental health illnesses on COVID-19, other infectious diseases, and racial bias in were on the rise, and the department was still struggling to society and in the medical, science and public health arenas. combat misinformation generated by political and internet When accepting the offer to run the health department, sources that complicated efforts to get people vaccinated. See HEALTH, A7 Entering this quagmire of complicated issues was chalBy Sylvester Brown Jr. The St. Louis American
n “I can sit here and say it’s very unfair that I inherited all of this but at the same time you don’t step up to the plate if you’re not willing to lead.” – Dr. Matifadza Hlatshwayo Davis, director of the city’s health department
Giving away toys and vaccines CARE STL held a Health Santa Land Toy Giveaway & Vaccine Clinic Saturday, Dec.18, at its Homer G. Phillips location in the Ville neighborhood. LaChelle Livingston, director of population health, Dorothy Williams and Brigitte Curtis pull toys for the kids.
Vol. 93 No. 39 COMPLIMENTARY
Sen. Steve Roberts belatedly claims to see the light Alderwoman Tyus rebukes his assertion on Ordinance 71038
By JoAnn Weaver The St. Louis American While many state and local elected officials were speaking out against a tiny three-bed medical center in north St. Louis being named after the crusading late Homer G. Phillips, state Sen. Steve Roberts remained n “I supported building a mum. The controversial facility, but I issue sparked protests did not supand community outrage port the name since late summer, and subsequently led the being used. Board of Aldermen to When it was pass overwhelmingly a introduced, resolution condemning developer Paul McKee it was not called Homer and the facility’s board of directors for cultural G. Phillips appropriation. Hospital.” Roberts has finally joined the chorus of – Alderwoman objectors this week. Sharon Tyus “This unique legacy should not be exploited and cannot be duplicated,” Roberts said, adding that he has family ties to the historic hospital. “I have strong personal feelings regarding this matter. My grandfather, Charles R. Frazer, Jr., received his training as a general surgeon at Homer G. Phillips Hospital in the 1940s. The original Homer G. Phillips Hospital is of great [historic] significance See ROBERTS, A7
Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American
Last in a series
Food activists see more, want more government action
Decades after researchers highlighted ‘food deserts’, governmental progress has been slow By Karen Robinson-Jacobs The St. Louis American
When Erica Williams’ Wellston-based nonprofit A Red Circle was awarded up to $18,676 in a new state Agriculture Department program designed to address food access in low-income urban communities, it could have been a Godsend. The program, Food Insecure Urban Agriculture Grants, launched in the state’s 2020 fiscal year, ended June 30, 2020, and is the only Agriculture Department program Williams and a department official know of aimed specifically at urban food access. However, the program’s red tape can bind up cashstrapped urban farmers. The grants, for example, do not offer upfront cash, and they instead reimburse participants for funds spent on food access efforts. So Williams’
See FOOD, A6
Photo by Torrey Park Photography / St. Louis American
Erica Williams’ A Red Circle nonprofit works to boost access to healthy food in low income areas.
Jones’ search for police chief hindered by city department Chief John Hayden to step down Feb. 23
By Dana Rieck The St. Louis American An independent city department is butting heads with St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones in the search for the city’s next police chief. St. Louis Police Chief John Hayden announced his retirement in early September. He will step down Feb. 23, the day marking his 35th anniversary with the department. At the time of Hayden’s announcement, Jones said the nationwide search for Dan Isom Hayden’s successor would start immediately and would “focus on individuals who are experienced in 21st-century policing methods.” She also swore to keep the process transparent to the public with listening sessions and a town hall. The vacancy presents a significant opportunity in Jones’ effort to re-envision policing in the city. However, sources within Jones’ administration told The St. Louis American the See CHIEF, A7