‘Rooted’ initiative provides 20K to some city residents
@stlouisamerican
@stlouisamerican
St. Louis American See page B1
The
CAC Audited JULY 13 – 19, 2023
Serving, empowering and advocating for equity in St. Louis since 1928
stlamerican.com
Time is now for SLPS’s Keisha Scarlett
‘I was sent here as part of a divine plan.’ By Sylvester Brown Jr. St. Louis American
Dr. Keisha Scarlett, the new superintendent of the St. Louis Public School System (SLPS), is not only an intelligent, commanding, and statuesque figure (she’s six feet tall), she’s also fun to listen to. The Seattle native has a unique, literary lexicon filled with poetic and colorful phrases. For example, when describing St. Louis’ historic architecture, she speaks of a city “with “beautiful bones even though some are broken.” She’s only been in town about a month but finds St. Louisans to be cordial, nice and welcoming. The city, she said, has a “nice little scoop of the South” in it. Scarlett began her career in public education 24 years ago as a STEM (science, technology, engineer-
See SCARLETT, A7
Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American
Dr. Keisha Scarlett shows her appreiation to the audience after being sworn in as the new superintendent of St. Louis Public Schools by board president Antionette “Toni” Cousins July 11, 2023 at Carr Lane Elementary.
Mayor Jones signs bill to help slow evictions
Mayor Tishaura O. Jones on Wednesday signed Board Bill 59, which will help provide access to legal representation for tenants facing eviction. The bill, which creates a Right to Counsel program, represents the “the city of St. Louis’ commitment to protecting renters while preventing families from ending up out on the street,” according to the mayor’s office. Jones was joined by Board of Aldermen President Megan Green, and Alderpersons Anne Schweitzer, Alisha Sonnier, Michael Browning, Shameem Clark-Hubbard, Rasheen Aldridge, and local tenants for the bill signing. “In a city where Mayor almost 60% of houseTishaura holds are renters, Jones this bill demonstrates St. Louis’ commitment to strengthening tenant protections and reducing housing instability in our communities,” said Jones. “When we protect tenants, when we make sure families have a place to stay, we are addressing a major root cause of crime in our neighborhoods and across our entire city. Today is just the first phase in what will be a long-term project, and it is important to remember it will take time
See EVICTIONS, A7
Restitution reform advocates aren’t giving up
Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American
Karla May enters Senate race, blasts Hawley Calls incumbent a ‘traitor’
State Sen. Karla May called incumbent Sen. Josh Hawley a traitor and insinuated that he is a coward during a stirring speech announcing her candidacy for Senate on Tuesday July 11, 2023, on the east steps of the Civil Courts Building in downtown
St. Louis. “Traitors were cheered on by Josh Hawley with his clenched fist held high. He then turned on his heels and ran from the rabid crowd he incited. Hawley violated our constitution. May’s main challengers for the Democratic nomination for Hawley’s Senate seat are Lucas Kunce and St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney
HEALTH
Rising maternal mortality rate worse among Black moms Nationally, the maternal mortality rate is two to four times higher for the non-Hispanic Black population than non-Hispanic whites, recent research showed.
Page A14
COMPLIMENTARY
By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American
Missouri State Senator Karla May officially announced her bid to run for the U.S. Senate on the steps of the Civil Courts building Tues. July 11, 2023. This adds to a growing list of candidates looking to unseat incumbent U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley in 2024.
By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American
Vol. 95 No. 15
Wesley Bell. She did not attack either candidate in her speech. When asked about concerns with splitting Democratic – and primarily – Black voters in the St. Louis region and throughout the state, May said her candidacy “is not about race, personality or Black and white.”
See MAY, A6
Critical of Parson veto By Sarah Kellogg St. Louis Public Radio State Sen. Brian Williams and other legislators are not giving up on state restitution for people unjustly convicted of felonies. Gov. Mike Parson vetoed an omnibus bill last week with multiple provisions related to criminal law, many of which had broad bipartisan support. One of those provisions expanded who would be able to receive restitution from the state if they were exonerated after being convicted of a crime. Currently, those who are convicted of a felony but later exonerated through DNA evidence are eligible for restitution from the state. The vetoed legislation expanded that to also include those determined to be innocent through other evidentiary
See RESTITUTION, A6
SPORTS
Spectacular AAU tourney lights up Louisville
When it comes to girls’ summer grassroots basketball, it does not get any bigger than the Run 4 the Roses, an event that is spread out over more than 80 courts.
Page B3