Ric Louis revels in record player restoration
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St. Louis American See page B1
The
CAC Audited JUNE 13 – 19, 2024
Serving, empowering and advocating for equity in St. Louis since 1928
Vol. 96 No. 10 COMPLIMENTARY
stlamerican.com
White House a ‘North Star’ for Juneteenth gala NNPA Newswire President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris hosted a Juneteenth celebration at the White House which included a concert to commemorate the upcoming federal holiday on June 17, 2024, that honors the ending of U.S. slavery and the granting of freedoms for formerly enslaved Black Americans. Thousands of invited guests joined on the White House South Lawn for the two-hour musical concert that saw performances from a lineup that included Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight, Kirk Franklin, Charlie Wilson, Anthony Hamilton, Raheem DeVaughn, upcoming country artist Brittney Spencer, and singer-actress and star of “Raising Kanan” Patina Miller. “It wasn’t just a symbolic gesture,”
See GALA, A7
In the arms of her ancestors Award-winning author and speaker Gail Milissa Grant passes at 75 By American Staff
Photo courtesy of the AP
From left Billy Porter, second gentleman Doug Emhoff, Vice President Kamala Harris, President Joe Biden, Philonise Floyd, George Floyd’s brother, and his wife Keeta Floyd, listen during a Juneteenth concert on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Monday, June 10, 2024.
She dreamed of a life in the entertainment industry. But ultimately, Gail Milissa Grant chose to live her life as if it were the basis of a screenplay. She was a leading lady unafraid to reinvent herself. And in doing so, she proved what can be possible if one refuses to accept the limits that are often imposed on them– for Black women in particular. Grant, an author, public speaker, and former U.S. Foreign Service officer, died peacefully in Rome, Italy, on May 13th after a long battle with cancer at the age of 75. She was born on May 5, 1949, in St. Gail Milissa Louis, Missouri, to Grant Civil Rights activist and lawyer David M. Grant and Mildred Grant. By the time Gail Milissa Grant and brother David W. Grant had come along, her parents had spent years in the struggle for equality. Her father was a close associate of leaders and celebrities linked to the Civil Rights Movement, both locally and nationally. He fought against segregation and racism in general. But when he decided to move his family to South St. Louis, the fight became specific – and personal. David M. Grant’s bold move had a hand in dismantling the racial covenants and redlining with respect to home ownership. The Grants were the only Blacks in their South City neighborhood. They were also the only professional family. And Grant and her brother were the only Protestants in a Catholic grade school.
See GRANT, A6
Remarkable Black Family
Reading is righteous
Photo courtesy of SLPS
Harley Staples, Korra Watt, and Parker Mitchell display their temporary henna tattoos during the Literacy for The Lou Sneaker Ball on June 1, 2024, at O’Fallon Park Recreation Center. More than 2,000 students, parents and volunteers celebrated SLPS students reading for a 1,838 combined minutes. The celebration included DJs, music and face painting. For more Sneaker Ball coverage, see page A5.
On becoming a good Black father Kelly Wimbley’s Quest to be the best for his sons
Juneteenth joy will be spread across region By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American Juneteenth celebrations will be held throughout the St. Louis region as the June 17, 2024 national holiday nears. A recognition centered on some of the nation’s most important historic legal challenges will be from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday June 19, 2024, at the Freedom Suits Monument Plaza located at the St. Louis Civil Courts Building downtown. The Freedom Suits Memorial commemorates the 300 St.
HEALTH
By Sylvester Brown Jr. The St. Louis American
Louisans who sued for their freedom in St Louis prior to the Emancipation Proclamation from 1816-1840, some of whom were successful in winning their freedom in St. Louis Civil Court. “If you study history, any place in the world where freedom has been denied, you find that there are those who are fighting to get it. This is no less true than for the American slave,” said 22nd Circuit Court Judge David Mason said during the inaugural celebration in June 2023.
For decades, Black fathers have shouldered the burden of negative stereotypes. The pervasive notion that Black dads are uninvolved in the lives of their children persists. This despite contradictory research, such as the 2013 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study which found that of all fathers, Black dads are the most involved on average. Kelly Wimbley, 55, a computer engineer and father of two adult sons – Kafele, 25, and Jabari, 22, – is the epitome of the CDC’s conclusions. Wembley,
See JUNETEENTH, A7
See FATHER, A6 SPORTS
Dr. Blaylock-Solar is state’s first Black certified sex therapist
Giffins repeat as TBL Midwest Conference champions
Baylock-Solar was certified through the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT). The history-making sex therapist has been in the field since 2011.
The St. Louis Griffins defeated the Modera Timberjacks 127-121 in double-overtime to win their second consecutive Midwest Conference championship.
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