Soul Train icon Don Cornelius dies “Don was a visionary pioneer and a giant in our business,” says friend, colleague and business partner Quincy Jones.
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Vol. 83 No. 44
CAC Audited FEBRUARY 2 – 8, 2012
COMPLIMENTARY
stlamerican.com
STL honors Iraq and Afghanistan vets
OPINION
Fighting the petition effort Drawing the line in the shifting sands of local control By Jamala Rogers For The St. Louis American
Photo by Wiley Price
Shafaye Hooks, with her daughters Desani Hooks, 11, and Delaia Hooks, 7, waved and took pictures of veterans as they paraded down Market Street on Saturday. People lined a parade route in downtown St. Louis for the nation’s first parade to honor those who have served in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Forum tackles accreditation crisis
See PETITION, A6
Turner vs. Clayton ruling could roil SLPS By Rebecca S. Rivas Of The St. Louis American When it comes to making decisions about children, folks get heated. Since 2010, many have been searching for a peaceful solution to the Turner vs. Clayton School District ruling, where the Missouri
Supreme Court upheld a 1993 state law that allows children from unaccredited schools – which now includes St. Louis and Kansas City Public Schools and Riverview Gardens – to transfer to accredited districts. On one side, if St. Louis City students are allowed to leave the school district, it would most likely bankrupt the district and overwhelm
the St. Louis County schools, said state Rep. Tishaura O. Jones at Washington University’s Jan. 26 forum on the issue. On the other hand, no one wants to damn students to a subpar education, said state Rep. Scott Dieckhaus, who also chairs the house See FORUM, A7
Simmons takes skills to law firm Gov. Nixon’s Commissioner of Administration moves to SNR Denton By Chris King Of The St. Louis American As Commissioner of Administration for Gov. Jay Nixon, Kelvin Simmons was the highest-ranking African American in Missouri government. Working at the senior level for a conserva-
HEALTH
When Safer Missouri Citizens Coalition called for a petition ceremony for its local control ballot initiative on Monday, they were met with citizens demanding real local control. The group, sponsored by billionaire financier Rex Sinquefield, had promised the support of Jamala more civic leaders and Rogers elected officials than it was able to deliver. Aldermanic President Lewis Reed reportedly refused to attend the event, though his name was used in an announcement. James Buford, president of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, and Alderwoman Marlene Davis showed up, but did an about-face when they learned what
KEVIN POWELL WILL HOST YOUNG LEADERS Public intellectual is celebrity host for Feb. 23 Salute event By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American
tive Democrat who had few meaningful ties to black people, Simmons loomed large to the African-American political and business communities. Though his departure from the Nixon administration is perceived as a great loss of opportunity for African Americans in the state, Simmons has seized a significant personal opportunity. He has moved from an administrative post in a mid-sized state’s government in the middle of the country to being a principal at one of the top 25 law firms in the world, SNR Denton. “The firm comes from the recent merger of an international firm based in London (Denton Wilde Sapte LLP) with a
“There needs to be a new kind of black leadership,” Kevin Powell said. “One that’s rooted in unconditional love – and building instead of protesting.” Just as he does in his widely read “open letters” that tend to spark a flame among readers, Powell unapologetically calls it how he sees it. “I am in love with black people,” Powell said. “And when you are really in love with someone, it should be tied to honesty. It’s the only way to heal– to look ourselves in the mirror and be honest. My grandmother used
See SIMMONS, A6
See POWELL, A7
Kelvin Simmons
SPORTS
HISTORY
Recovering from strokes
Marvin Neals wins 600th game
The fire-breather, the gym, and the city
Cristal Adams, a nurse and former Salute awardee, talks about how she is bouncing back from her own stroke.
Soldan/Cardinal Ritter coach continues to endure and excel throughout a career that has spanned four decades.
Part 1of author and Philly native Gerald Early’s stirring essay about “How boxer Joe Frazier defined Philadelphia.”
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