Kyren Williams, other pros, keep STL close to heart
St. Louis American See page B5
The
JANUARY 15 – 21, 2026
Serving, empowering and advocating for equity in St. Louis since 1928
stlamerican.com
Vol. 97 No. 40 COMPLIMENTARY
A steady hand in civic leadership
Keith Williamson is Lifetime Achiever in Business Excellence By Ashley Winters St. Louis American Keith Williamson lets out a soft chuckle when he refers to himself as a senior citizen. At 73, he knows his age shows up on paper, but he insists that has not dulled his sense of purpose — or his appetite for pushing change. “I still have a lot to give,” he says, with the calm confidence of someone who means it. Born and raised in St. Louis,
Keith Williamson is being recognized not only for his impressive professional success, but his highly consequential leadership with some of St. Louis’ most influential institutions.
Williamson spent three decades on the East Coast building his career before returning home nearly 20 years ago. He does not describe the move as nostalgia so much as responsibility — a deliberate choice to bring experience, values and influence back to the city that shaped him. Williamson, now president of the Centene Foundation, has been selected by the St. Louis American Foundation as the
See WILLIAMSON, A12
Photo by Victor Junco
Business Salute returns Feb. 19 Four honorees to be recognized
By Sylvester Brown Jr. and Ashley Winters St. Louis American The St. Louis American Foundation is preparing for its Salute to Excellence in Business Awards and Networking Luncheon, which recognizes high achievement in business, including entrepreneurship, corporate leadership and nonprofit service, while raising funds for education and workforce initiatives. The 24th annual event, to be held Thursday, Feb. 19, at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis, is designed to bring leaders
See SALUTE, A12
Missouri board issues accreditation warning to SLPS
Photo illustration generated by Envato
King’s legacy endures amid political division By Sylvester Brown Jr. St. Louis American During January, people across the country reflect on the life and legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., whose words continue to be invoked in debates over race, immigration, free speech, health care and diversity programs. King’s quote, “Injustice any“Injustice anywhere where is a threat to justice everyis a threat to justice where,” did not speak directly to everywhere.” modern immigration policy. But some supporters say his broader messages of justice and human dignity align with contemporary arguments over immigrant rights. Politicians across the political spectrum cite King’s work, sometimes to make opposing points. Republicans have fre-
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By Ashley Winters St. Louis American
A2 - King was unpopular at the time of his death
The Missouri State Board of Education has issued St. Louis Public Schools a formal warning after the district failed to submit its annual financial audit by the required deadline — a move that keeps the district accredited but places it under a lower classification and could bring increased state oversight. On Tuesday, the board voted 6-1 to reclassify SLPS from fully accredited to what the state calls “provisional accreditation.” State officials said the action signals
B10 - ‘Dr. King’s dream is not confined to history’ B11 - MLK commemorative programming B13 - MLK observance in Fountain Park to focus on continued recovery
See SLPS, A13
See KING, A13 BUSINESS
LIVING IT
Wage garnishment returns for borrowers in default
A century of Harlem Globetrotters magic
Borrowers are considered in default after going at least 270 days without making a payment — a threshold millions have crossed.
The Harlem Globetrotters brought the house down as their 100th anniversary tour stopped at Chaifetz Arena on Saturday, January 10.
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