Apparel, sneaker shop elevates community
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St. Louis American See page B1
The
CAC Audited JULY 14 – 20, 2022
Serving, empowering and advocating for equity in St. Louis since 1928
stlamerican.com
Biles becomes youngest Medal of Freedom recipient Honored at White House
President Joe Biden awards the nation’s highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, to Simone Biles at the White House in Washington, Thursday, July 7, 2022.
NNPA Newswire
With a smile as bright as a gold medal, retired gymnast Simone Biles was one of 17 Americans who received the Presidential Medal of Freedom on July 7, 2002, at The White House. “I’m so honored [and] thankful to be recognized as a recipient by President Biden for this prestigious award. I still have no words. I’m shocked!,” Biles said on Twitter following the ceremony. Jonathan Owens, Simone’s fiancé, and a native St. Louisan who starred at CBC in football and plays for the Houston Texans, called the day “a surreal experience.” “You’re one of the strongest people I know and are so deserving, I’m so blessed to be able to experience this with
See BILES, A6
Vol. 94 No. 16 COMPLIMENTARY
Damion Baker remembered as ‘great kid’ Gun violence victim died a hero
By Alvin A. Reid The St. Louis American Damion Baker was honored in death on Wednesday as his killer remained free. Baker, a member of the undefeated 2014-15 CBC state champion football team, was killed in the early hours of Sunday, July 3, 2022, just south of Busch Stadium. His mother, An’namarie Baker, said her son died a hero, according to what the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department has shared with her. “Damion was escorting a young lady to her car. His car was closer, so they walked to his car and then he dropped her off,” Damion she said. Baker Tragedy soon struck. A man jumped in Damion Baker’s car in an apparent attempt to drive off with it. Baker responded, a fight began, and the shooting began. “He put himself between them,” Baker said. “He was shot multiple times.” Police reported that a woman was also shot in the legs and feet and was transported to a hospital. After starring at CBC, Damion Baker played college football at Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, and studied psychology. His mother said he returned to St. Louis with dreams of a career in the construction industry. She said he was a journeyman with St. Louis Laborers Local 42, and with Glaziers Local 513. “Building was his passion,” she said.
Photo courtesy of The AP
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Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American
Yvonne Jones, President of the Homer G. Phillips Nursing Association addresses the media on the use of the name illegally by developer Paul McKee at the new NGA site. At left is the associations Atty. Richard Voytas Jr. At right is Zenobia Thompson former president of the nurses association and retired Homer G. nurse Jobyna Foster.
McKee faces federal lawsuit for use of Homer G. Phillips’ name
Accused of trademark infringement By Alvin A. Reid The St. Louis American
Developer Paul McKee has arrogantly refused to honor calls from the community to not use the name Homer G. Phillips on a three-bed urgent care facility at Jefferson and Thomas Street. Plaintiffs hope a federal lawsuit filed by Homer G. Phillips Nurses Alumni Inc., will get his attention, and cause him to rethink his
SPORTS
Won’t be much diversity during MLB All-Star Game
The American League will present a starting team with Black players holding three positions. That is an impressive 33%, especially considering MLB’s opening day rosters.
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plan, which is vehemently opposed. Zenobia Thompson, who served as a head nurse at Homer G. Phillips, said the urgent care building can stay – but the name must go. “Let us be clear, we are not against the facility. We want to protect the name and legacy of Homer G. Phillips by having the current named removed from the building,” she said during a press conference on Monday at the Thomas F. Eagleton Federal Courthouse. “Keeping the legacy of the Homer G. Phillips location in The Ville, along with Annie Malone Children’s Home and Sumner High School is a must.” Walle Amusa, a Change the Name
Mayor Jones applauds Safer Communities Act “Keep up the momentum”
St. Louis American staff
Coalition member, said the organization stands with the lawsuit plaintiffs. “Our community and allies overwhelmingly support the demand for Paul McKee to remove the name Homer G. Phillips from the clinic,” he said in a release. “It was more than two years ago when community activists, civic, political, and religious leaders joined with the Nurses Alumni to organize and mobilize our community to demand McKee remove the name of Homer G. Phillips from the clinic. Attorney Homer G. Phillips was prominent in both civil rights and politics and founded
St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O. Jones was thankful President Joe Biden signed the Safer Communities Act on Monday and was on hand at The White House for the important event. The Act is the first major federal gun safety law in nearly 26 years and drew some Republican support in the House and Senate. “The Safer Communities Act is a strong first step towards making our neighborhoods safer by expanding background checks, incentivizing red flag laws, disarming domestic abusers, and investing in community violence intervention and mental health resources,” Jones said via zoon following the bill signing. “Our leaders in Washington need to keep up the momentum - Congress must renew the assault weapons ban.” Jones also called for confirmation of Steven Dettelbach as director of the Bureau of Alcohol,
See McKEE, A6
See JONES, A7
HEALTH
LIVING IT
Walking a major step in improving women’s health
Bolanos now directs COCA arts programming
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Black women are more likely to die from heart disease than other groups, so GirlTrek mobilizes them to reclaim their health and streets.
Graves Bolaños will lead COCA’s artistic and programmatic initiatives. He brings more than 20 years of international experience.