STL ‘Survivor’ Latasha Fox belongs to ‘Brains Tribe’ for Season 28 of CBS hit
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St. LouiS AmericAn
CAC Audited FEB. 27 – MAR. 5, 2014
INSIDE
COMPLIMENTARY
stlamerican.com
Researchers seek feedback
In the footsteps of Ervin and McLeod
Scholars studying black health in St. Louis will host a forum Monday, March 3 at the Forest Park Visitor Center.
Robyn S. Hadley becomes second director of Ervin Scholars Program at WUSTL
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By Rebecca Rivas Of The St. Louis American
COMMUNITY
BLACK HISTORY
Robyn S. Hadley has gone from being a corporate CEO to the founder of a grassroots education program that has earned White House recognition for getting more high school students into colleges and careers. On Feb. 24, she stepped into her new role as associate vice chancellor and director of the John B. Ervin Scholars Program at Washington University. The late James E. McLeod served as director of the program from its
inception in 1986 until his death on Sept. 6, 2011. Hadley will be the program’s second director. “Robyn is passionate about education, young people and creating Robyn S. opportunities for Hadley success for students,” said Sharon Stahl, vice chancellor for students. “She understands the difference that a community of scholarship, leadership and service, like the Ervin Scholars
n Hadley founded the “What’s After High School?” program in the AlamanceBurlington School System, a low-income district in North Carolina.
Program, can provide for a student coming into a university community like Washington University.” See HADLEY, A6
Pioneer surgeon passes Frank O. Richards, M.D., was the first African American to become a member of the St. Louis Surgical Society.
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BUSINESS
Andy’s Seasoning debuts products
SPORTS
SLU remains in Top 10 Saint Louis University has risen to No. 8 in the nation in the latest USA Today Coaches poll. SLU is currently ranked 25-2 and 12-0 in the Atlantic 10 Conference.
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SLU’s Dwayne Evans
SpeAking of fAith
Catalyst of ESL Rev. Herman L. Watson of Mount Sinai MB Church By Devese Ursery For The St. Louis American “The nucleus of any community is the church,” said Rev. Herman L. Watson, Sr., who has been pastor of Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church, located at 1200 St. Louis Ave. in East St. Louis, for more than 28 years. “If a church is vibrant and visible, then it energizes the community. If the church is dead, then the community is dead. So the church has to be the catalyst for that community to Rev. survive.” Herman L. Rev. Watson Watson uses his church as a catalyst to revitalize East St. Louis. In 2002, Rev. Watson helped to establish the Sinai Family Life Center, which offers after-school tutoring, a Summer Enrichment Camp for youths ages 5-12 and a Wednesday-night program for teens. The center also engages seniors on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., where seniors can participate in activities, prayer and various seminars. The center reaches out to the See WATSON, A7
Local black-owned business Andy’s Seasoning is now selling Golden Fish Batter and Shrimp Tempura Batter.
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Vol. 84 No. 47
Photo by Wiley Price
Cheryl Brown Henderson speaks with students from De Le Salle Middle School who attended a presentation she and her sister, Linda Brown Thompson, gave Friday at Saint Louis University School of Law’s Civil Rights Symposium.
Brown sisters speak at SLU Law Nearly 60 years after school segregation was outlawed, two members of the family most associated with the case say that St. Louis-area student transfers show that the true goals of the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling remain unfulfilled. Linda Brown Thompson and Cheryl Brown Henderson, whose Topeka, Kan., family was the lead plaintiff in the landmark 1954 ruling, told an audience at Saint Louis University law school Friday that their case was more about equality of resources and
n “It takes a keen eye and ear to detect subtle areas of discrimination, because it has become a matter of economic segregation.” – Linda Brown Thompson
opportunity than simply letting black and white students sit together. Asked how the transfers from unaccredited Normandy and Riverview Gardens fit into the educational equality the high court ruling envisioned, Henderson
Fathers’ Support Center graduates its 100th class By Bridjes O’Neil Of The St. Louis American
said that the true goal was giving everyone an equal chance at achievement. “I think the challenges that districts are having are with wanting to make sure they can close the achievement gap and looking at alternate ways to make that happen, and the transfer program here in Missouri seems to be one of those ways,” she said in an interview. “The challenge, however, is making certain you don’t bankrupt the district that the students are coming from, so that it can rebuild. Because even though it may have lost accreditation, it should be given
Mario Turner sat among 22 members of the Fathers’ Support Center of St. Louis’ 100th graduating class last n “What Wednesday, you do for February 19 at the Bank yourself of America dies with Plaza – St. you. What Louis Branch you do for in downtown others lives St. Louis. His twoforever. And year-old what you daughter, do for your Mia, sat on children her father’s knee, bashfully is your holding her legacy.” father’s folder containing his – Michael graduation McMillan certificate. Turner said he joined the program to learn how to be a better father and he learned how to be more loving and understanding. “I’m not a quitter at anything,”
See SISTERS, A7
See FATHERS, A6
Plaintiffs in historic deseg suit look back – and forward By Dale Singer Of St. Louis Public Radio
Fathers in formation