Deaconess doubles down to reduce ‘stressors’ in community
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St. Louis American See page A12
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CAC Audited JULY 20 – 26, 2023
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Adams to lead STL Community Foundation
‘Once in a lifetime position’
Former St. Louis Public Schools Superintendent Kelvin Adams is about to step into his new role at the Greater St. Louis Community Foundation in Oak Knoll Park. He took a short break with The St. Louis American in the Community Foundation library on a busy day of meet and greets, Wednesday, July 19, 2023.
By Chris King For the St. Louis American When considering people who have been there, in recent years, for St. Louis and its most precious resource, our children and youth, Kelvin R. Adams must be one of the first names that come to mind. A native of Louisiana who previously had done a turnaround for the public schools in New Orleans, Adams served as superintendent for St. Louis Public Schools for 14 years, retiring at the end of 2022. He led the district through both a once-in-a-century global pandemic and a mass shooting at the end of a tenure during which he, district staff and the students faced every kind of challenge every day that can get in the way of learning. After his retirement from SLPS, Adams told
See ADAMS, A7
Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American
Kyndric Flye, an 8-yearold who received two heart transplant, with St. Louis Children’s Hospital nurse, Zoe Stayton.
Vol. 95 No. 16 COMPLIMENTARY
Shaw will help CAO review Dunn conviction Appointed by Gabe Gore
By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American St. Louis Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore has appointed retired Judge Booker Shaw as a Special Assistant Circuit Attorney to assist his office in reviewing the conviction of Christopher Dunn. Judge Shaw, currently a partner at Thompson Coburn, will assist Circuit Attorney Gore in his assessment of the case and advise him regarding whether the filing of a motion to vacate the conviction is appropriate. Dunn, then 18, was convicted of killing 15-year-old Recco Rodgers on May 19, 1990. Dunn has maintained Booker his innocence, testifying Shaw repeatedly that he was at home speaking on the phone with the friend when the murder occurred. Days later, 14-year-old DeMorris Stepp and 12-year-old Michael Davis, told prosecutors under oath that Dunn was at the scene of the crime. Dunn told ABC News in October 2022 his public defender, who died in 2013, encouraged him to plead guilty to second-degree murder in exchange for a
See SHAW, A7
Jesse Jackson steps down as Rainbow/ PUSH leader ‘We’re not retiring’
Have a heart
Photo courtesy of BJC HealthCare
Gallant youth survives two transplants By Sylvester Brown Jr. The St. Louis American Imagine having a four-year-old son who seemed healthy and normal. Suddenly, your child has trouble keeping food down and then loses his appetite completely. You take him to the hospital, and he’s diagnosed with a bowel obstruction. You then find
out it’s a misdiagnosis; your child’s heart is failing, and he’s been placed on the donor list for an immediate heart transplant. “The news hit us like a ton of bricks,” said Makiyah Mosley-Flye. She and her husband, Antonio, live in Cape Girardeau, Mo. They have two children: a 12-year-old daughter, Adrianna and Kyndric who’s now 8
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Levels Nigerian Cuisine offers fine dining, rich culture
years old. Makiyah and Antonio were expecting a quick procedure after Kyndric was transported by ambulance from St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau to St. Louis. Fortunately, they were sent to one of the best facilities in the nation for pediatric heart transplants.
See TRANSPLANT, A6
By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American With a quiet voice, the Rev. Jesse Jackson announced on July 14, 2023, that he is retiring as president and CEO of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition. “I am somebody,” he said. “Green or yellow, brown, Black, or white, we’re all perfect in God’s eyes. Everybody is somebody. Stop the violence. Save the children. Keep hope alive.” Jesse On August 20, 1972, Jackson during the Wattstax Festival in Los Angeles, Jackson delivered his powerful “I Am Somebody,” speech which helped launch his national reputation as a political and
See JACKSON, A6
SPORTS
Lady BBE was off to the races in Louisville
Ono Ikanone has created something unique with his restaurant, something upscale but affordable to all who want to experience Nigerian food but also a place Nigerians can be proud of.
Lady BBE ventured to Louisville, Kentucky, to participate in the prestigious Run 4 the Roses Showcase and came back champions.
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