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CAC Audited JANUARY 3 – 9, 2019
Vol. 90 No. 41 COMPLIMENTARY
stlamerican.com
‘We’re all in this together’
The rise and fall of Lincoln Law School
Wesley Bell calls for unity in St. Louis County – and among his own staff
And the disappearance of Lloyd Gaines
By Sandra Jordan Of The St. Louis American St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell began his first day in office on January 1 with two swearing-in ceremonies and a promise to work together with fairness n “We’re for all. going to “The goal of implement this office is to these keep St. Louis County residents changes, safe, first and and we but we want every- foremost, plan to do that in a one in that manner that is not office to be only going to keep St. Louis County a part of residents safe, but our team.” also help people that need help,” – St. Louis Bell told reporters County shortly after midProsecuting night at his New Attorney Year’s celebration Wesley Bell at the Sheraton Hotel in Clayton. “We’re going to expand diversion programs and treatment programs for nonviolent offenders. We want to give them the tools they need in the toolbox to be productive citizens and not be progressing to the violent crimes. We want to make sure that we are implementing policies that are not disproportionately affecting people See BELL, A6
Photo by Wiley Price
St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell addressed family, supporters and team members gathered at the Sheraton Hotel in Clayton after being sworn into office moments into the New Year on January 1.
‘I am not going to sit down’ Bonita Cornute considers next move after Fox 2 buyout By Chris King Of The St. Louis American Bonita Cornute is willing to entertain offers for how to continue to serve her adopted community of St. Louis now that she accepted a buyout from Fox 2, where she reported and anchored the news for more than 35 years. But not just yet. n “I believe “I am ready to chill,” I am on the she said – and not only cusp of another at home. “I am going to opportunity, I travel a little. I need the just don’t know mountains. I need a lake. I need to go sit by some what the heck water and some trees, that is.” not think about anything. Breathe in God’s good air – Bonita Cornute and figure out what to do next.” When she gets back to work, she is not sure what that will be. She might do some acting, her first love. She has done some readings with Ron Himes at Black Rep and an “Elegy” monologue with Bert Coleman, and she said she “might try” some more See CORNUTE, A6
By Dwyane Smith For The St. Louis American On December 12, 1938 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the University of Missouri had to admit Lloyd Gaines into its law school or the state had to provide a “separate but equal” school. This decision was a major victory for the NAACP and its team of attorneys – Charles Houston, Thurgood Marshall and Sidney Redmond. In a triumphant speech, Gaines declared, “I am ready, willing and able to enroll in the law department at the University of Missouri in September, and I have the fullest intention of doing so.” Unfortunately, his pursuit would eventually Lloyd prove to be impossible. Gaines The State of Missouri hastily appropriated $275,000 through House Bill 195 for the establishment of the Lincoln Law School to comply with the Gaines decision. Then Gaines’ life sadly began to unravel. Prior to the Supreme Court decision, Gaines earned a master’s degree in economics from the University of Michigan. Though he was now a prominent symbol for the burgeoning Civil Rights Movement – one of his final speaking engagements was in Kansas City for the NAACP Forum with an audience of over a thousand – even with two college degrees he could not find suitable employment. He was relegated to pumping gas at a station for 12 hours a day, seven days a week. With his financial situation dire, he
See GAINES, A7
Black candidates have better chance in next Ferguson-Florissant school board election By Jeffrey A. Mittman For The St. Louis American When the Ferguson-Florissant School District was court-ordered to annex the Berkeley School District and the Kinloch School District in 1975, it was to remedy the effects of discrimination against African-American students. n Filing for school Forty years later, there was board candidates is just one African-American open until January 15. member on the seven-member board in a district where AfricanWe hope to see robust Americans constitute 77 percent participation in the of the student body. upcoming election. That’s why we filed a lawsuit against the Ferguson-Florissant School District, on behalf of the Missouri NAACP and AfricanAmerican residents, charging that the district’s electoral system locked African Americans out of the political process through the at-large system that dilutes African-American voting strength. At-large voting can dilute the votes of black voters when
Bonita Cornute has accepted a buyout from Fox 2, where she reported and anchored the news for more than 35 years.
See ELECTION, A7