Darryl Trotter lights up his candle company
@stlouisamerican
@stlouisamerican
St. Louis American See page B1
The
Serving, empowering and advocating for equity in St. Louis since 1928
CAC Audited FEBRUARY 8 – 14, 2024
stlamerican.com
Joe Madison, activist, radio icon, passes at 74
See MADISON, A6
Inclusive growth initiatives have allies in STL, nationwide By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American World Wide Technology recently took part in a three-year study, entitled “The Great Transformation,” with an intent to help close the gap on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) by developing inclusive leaders. Led by David Steward, founder and chair, WWT employs about 10,000 people across the globe and brought in $17 billion Bob Ferrell in revenue in 2022, according to Forbes. It holds the title as the largest Blackowned business in America, and it has not wavered in its support of DEIB, regardless of a Salute to recent Supreme Court Business decision limiting “affirmative action” in college acceptance and conservative attacks on existence and expansion of DEI programs. “WWT’s culture and our success are inextricably linked. Diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging are foundational to WWT’s culture,” Bob Ferrell, executive vice president of DEI and Public
Photo by Fred Sweets
Joe Madison, known as “The Black Eagle” on the radio airwaves, shown speaking to a rally in Washington,DC in 2012 following the murder of Trayvon Martin.
n “Justice requires that Christopher Dunn’s murder conviction be vacated.” -Atty. Gabe Gore
Gore seeks to vacate Dunn conviction
See SALUTE, A7
By Sylvester Brown Jr. St. Louis American Last year, shortly after Governor Mike Parson appointed Attorney Gabe Gore to head the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s office, the St. Louis American conducted a one-one-interview with the seasoned lawyer to discuss an array of issues. One of those questions concerned Christopher Dunn, an inmate who Gore’s predecessor, Kim Gardner, filed a motion to vacate his life sentence. It was Gardner’s last act in office in May, the day Christopher before she resigned. Dunn Gore emphasized that he had withdrawn Gardner’s motion with the courts because he needed time to conduct his own thorough review and make a conclusion based on his own findings. On Wednesday, during a news conference, Gore stated he was filing a motion with the Circuit Court of the City of St. Louis to vacate Dunn’s 33-year-old murder conviction. There is “clear and convincing evidence” of Dunn’s innocence, Gore said, adding: “Justice requires that Christopher Dunn’s murder conviction be vacated.” On May 18, 1990, 15-year-old Ricco Rogers, was shot dead just before mid-
See DUNN, A6
ChappelleNadal enters race for Congress By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American
Steppin’ up
Maria Chappelle-Nadal, a former state representative, is returning to politics in pursuit of the Democratic nomination for the 1st Congressional District held by incumbent Cori Bush. Wesley Bell, St. Louis County prosecutor, is also a candidate and ChappelleNadal rebuked both in her campaign announcement on Twitter/X. “I have more legislative experience than Cori Bush and Wesley Bell combined,” she said. “Right wing groups have flooded Wesley Bell’s bank account with Republican money since he abandoned his floundering campaign for Senate last year, while Cori Bush’s campaign is under investigation by the Department of
Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American
Jahfi Studio West African dancers Sahfi Uwizeye (front) and Ramla Muhambi dance during a Black History Step show at the Florissant Performance Center Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024.
HEALTH
Future of precision medicine must involve Black community Black Genome Project is a community-based research project that seeks to better understand how Black St. Louisans are impacted by genetics research.
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COMPLIMENTARY
2024 Salute to Business
By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Joe Madison, who excelled as a student and football player at Washington University before launching his iconic civil rights and radio careers, died on Jan. 31, 2024 at 74 in Washington, D.C. Madison, a native of Dayton, Ohio, graduated from WashU in 1971 with a degree in sociology. He was a first team All-Missouri Valley Conference selection during his senior year and the Bears were the co-conference champion that season. A man of many talents, Madison was also a baritone soloist in the choir and a DJ on the campus radio station. He was the first person in his family to graduate college. In 2017, Madison earned the WashU Arts & Sciences’ Distinguished Alumni Award. In 2019, he earned an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree. He also addressed Brown School graduates that day, reminding them that they must always remember those who have come before them. “May they always inspire you with their vision and their valor, may their lives
Vol. 95 No. 44
See CONGRESS, A7
SPORTS
Caleb Love is a Jerry West Award candidate
The Naismith Hall of Fame announced that the Arizona Wildcat, who starred at CBC, is one of 10 finalists for the Jerry West Award, which is presented to the nation’s top shooting guard.
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