St. LouiS AmericAn The
CAC Audited DECEMBER 25 – 31, 2014
COMPLIMENTARY
stlamerican.com
Packnett tasked by President Obama Brittany to serve on White House taskforce on policing By Rebecca Rivas Of The St. Louis American Brittany Packnett, Executive Director of Teach For America St. Louis, has been on the frontlines of the Ferguson movement, demanding stronger police accountability for more than 130 days. She has met twice as an appointed member of the Ferguson Commission created by
n “So many of these stories are, ‘I was walking home from school,’ or ‘I was walking to my grandma’s house.’” – Brittany Packnett
Gov. Jay Nixon. Last week, President Barack Obama selected Packnett to serve on a White House taskforce to study “21st century policing” and
ways to increase the public’s trust in police officers. See PACKNETT, A7
Vol. 85 No. 38
n “I have the unique perspective of talking to so many young people.” – Brittany Packnett
Justice for christmas
Emerson donates $500K to HarrisStowe Gift will fund STEM scholarships for North County students By Rebecca Rivas Of The St. Louis American
Photo by Lawrence Bryant
Out of 34 public and private institutions, Harris-Stowe State University currently ranks number one in graduating African Americans with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. Building on this base, the university aims to become a regional and national leader in graduating African Americans and other underrepresented groups with STEM degrees – or degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Harris-Stowe President Dwaun J. Warmack announced Pat Sly, recently that Emerson Executive will donate $500,000 Vice over five years to help President at the university reach Emerson this goal. The gift will provide STEM scholarships for North County students to attend Harris-Stowe and will expand on existing efforts and activities in STEM. “This scholarship will be a significant catalyst to support our on ongoing mission in STEM,” Warmack said, “and allows us to continue to strengthen and increase
A protestor dressed as Santa Claus told St. Louis he wants justice for Christmas during a direct action that temporarily shut down the intersection of Market Street and Broadway Boulevard near the Old Courthouse on Friday, December 12.
See EMERSON, A6
23rd annual prayer vigil for victims Mothers Against Senseless Killing organized a candlelight vigil at the Ferguson Police Department on Thursday, December 18 as part of a national movement.
Families Advocating for Safe Streets mourns those lost in 2014 By Chris King Of The St. Louis American African Americans in St. Louis do not mourn only victims of police violence, as critics of the Ferguson protest movement frequently claim. In fact, this New Year’s Eve will mark the 23rd annual prayer vigil for victims of violence organized by Families Advocating for Safe Streets. “It’s for people who lost their lives to violence in the past year,” said St. Louis Alderman Sam Moore, vice president of the organization. The 23rd annual prayer vigil will be held 4 p.m. New Year Eve’s at William’s Temple Church of God in Christ, 1500 Union Blvd. at
n “We’re continually trying to bring to the forefront that our problem is not just with police killing people.” – Alderman Sam Moore
Martin Luther King Boulevard. “We commemorate those who lost their lives,” Moore said. “We light candles, read the names of all the victims and release 149 balloons – hopefully it’s still at 149, but See VIGIL, A7 Photo by Lawrence Bryant