Women helping others navigate grief from gun and gang violence
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“I’m trying my best to heal and not just one individual; but heal people on a local, national and global level. That’s my calling.” – Dr. Will Will R. Ross
Ross has served as Director of Washington University’s Hemodialysis unit and then Vice President of Medical Affairs at the former St. Louis Regional Medical Center. He has helped open free medical clinics for uninsured patients and is a founding member of the Collegiate School of Medicine and Bioscience.
Vol. 94 No. 41 COMPLIMENTARY
Business Salute
Kimbrough prides himself on being ‘a thinker and doer’
To be honored during Salute to Excellence in Business By Chris King For The St. Louis American
This is just a snapshot of Ross’ considerable accomplishments, but, when listed in total Dr. Ross says he’s still not satisfied. “No, I am not satisfied when tens of thousands or millions of people go to bed hungry,” Ross explained. “I cannot be satisfied when people are dying from preventable diseases, when whole communities in Ethiopia or in
The beginning of Orvin Kimbrough’s pathway to success was far from smooth. Yet, he now serves as the chair and CEO of Midwest BankCentre. He is the first and only African American to lead one of the 100-plus mainstream banks in the St. Louis region. Midwest BankCentre is St. Louis’ second largest privately owned local bank, with over $2.4 billion in assets and 2 billion in loans. It brands itself as a values-based financial Orvin Kimbrough institution that influences and advances its communities by empowering people, enabling business and energizing neighborhoods. Prior to joining Midwest BankCentre, Kimbrough spent nearly 20 years in leadership roles in prominent nonprofit agencies, most recently as the president and CEO of the United Way of Greater St. Louis. During his tenure as CEO, the United Way of St. Louis grew to the nation’s largest affiliate, raising nearly $80 million annually. After being born to a single mother in East St. Louis, Illinois, Kimbrough grew up in an abusive household that was followed by foster care at Annie Malone Children’s and Family Services and Emergency Children’s Home in North St. Louis City. He is a product of the St. Louis Public Schools, graduating from Gateway Tech
See ROSS, A6
See KIMBROUGH, A7
Photo by Matt Miller | Washington University
‘Doing the Greatest Good’
Dr. Will R. Ross, MD, MPH is St. Louis American’s Person of the Year By Sylvester Brown Jr. The St. Louis American Mention the name “Will R. Ross” and plenty well-deserved accolades will flow. Dr. Ross, MD, MPH is an Alumni Endowed Professor of Medicine, Nephrology, and Associate Dean for Diversity at Washington University School of Medicine. His reputation as a kidney specialist, a developer of long-term
health equity programs locally, nationally, and globally is legendary. Ross has served as Director of Washington University’s Hemodialysis unit and then Vice President of Medical Affairs at the former St. Louis Regional Medical Center. He has helped open free medical clinics for uninsured patients and is the founding member of the Collegiate School of Medicine and Bioscience, a magnet health professions high school in St. Louis.
Johnson remembered for his love of people, his community Hundreds attend memorial service
By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American
Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American
St. Louis American Sports Editor Earl Austin Jr. spoke of the respect Demetrious Johnson received for his tireless work in the community Monday, Jan. 2, at the Chefiez Arena on the St. Louis University campus.
SPORTS
Highland basketball tourney is one of Midwest’s best
The late Demetrious Johnson had treasured words he often shared with the world, and not just about athletes. “Big-time players, make big-time plays, in bigtime games,” he would say. Johnson, who died from a rare heart condition on Christmas Eve, received a big-time send off during his memorial service at Chaifetz Arena on the St.
BUSINESS
A Californian couple brings new flavor to St. Louis
The Highland Optimist Shootout is annually one of the top high school basketball events in the Midwest region. This year’s event is Saturday, January 7.
Darren Young and Charlene Lopez-Young nurtured the seedling that was once their Milque Toast pop-up in 2017 and transformed it into the Fattened Caf.
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Louis University campus on Jan. 2, 2022. The new year came in without Johnson, and hundreds of friends, former teammates, and members of all sectors of the St. Louis community shared touching remembrances of the gentle soul that devoted his post-football career to helping others. For every tear, there were many more smiles. Johnson would have wanted it that way, and those in attendance knew it. From a moving poem by Alvin Miller to recollection of late-night phone calls, the afternoon was a true tribute. Many speakers touched on Johnson’s ability to See JOHNSON, A7
LIVING IT
Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle coming to STL
Coming off the heels of their recent West Coast tour, the two comedy greats are bringing the 2023 U.S. Arena Tour to St. Louis on Jan. 22 at the Enterprise Center.
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