‘BlackWallStreet314’ a reminder of Black economic power
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CAC Audited JUNE 17 – 23, 2021
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Jumping to Juilliard
Vol. 93 No. 12 COMPLIMENTARY
Landlords bank Feds’ cash, keep filing eviction notices Housing advocates warn of looming housing crisis
By Karen Robinson-Jacobs of the St. Louis American
artist, as a dancer.” “I got to…find more ways to use my body more, [and learn] how to utilize it so it can stay healthy and strong,” Ashe said. He has been learning virtually since the 10th grade, after he began to study as part of the pre-professional program at COCA, so adaptation to virtual school came relatively easily. “I learned…I need more patience with myself, because I tend to rush myself.” Ruth Christopher, a bassist at McKinley High School, found the transition to practicing her art in isolation difficult, due to the energy and inspiration she gets from playing music in a group setting. “A lot of my inspiration and what I enjoy about playing music comes from other people, and the connections you make with other people when you play with a chamber group. It’s like, a very intimate—you connect with their eyes,
Even as local landlords accepted millions in loans from the federal government meant to help covid-impacted businesses pay their workers, some continued eviction proceedings against tenants also hurt by n “We were the economic crisis, already subaccording to a new sidizing these local housing report particular com- and lending data. Housing advocates plexes and say they see a double for them to standard as the city also not show proposes spending mercy upon more than $35 million in federal relief these tenants, funds, in part to blunt is somewhat a predicted wave unconscionable of evictions, which in a situation could disproportionately harm people of like this.” color. “These large cor– Willie Jordan, porations have benexecutive efited already from director of the government funding,” Metropolitan said Willie Jordan, St. Louis executive director of Equal Housing the Metropolitan St. Opportunity Louis Equal Housing Council Opportunity Council. “We were already subsidizing these particular complexes and for them to also not show mercy upon these tenants, is somewhat unconscionable in a situation like this. “They recognize it is an emergency,” he added. “Why wouldn’t they recognize the needs of those tenants as well?”
See JUILLIARD, A7
See HOUSING, A6
Photo by Judd Demaline
COCA graduate Miles Ashe is taking his dance skills to The Juilliard School in New York in the fall. Miles said he had been learning virtually since he was a sophomore, so he was prepared to deal with online instruction. “I need more patience with myself, because I tend to rush myself,” he said.
Two SLPS students taking skills to prestigious school in New York City By Sophie Hurwitz of the St. Louis American While most seniors spent their final year of high school adapting to COVID restrictions, quarantines and a senior year landscape that was nothing like they imagined, certain students’ challenges were unique. Ruth Christopher and Miles Ashe, two St. Louis Public Schools seniors and artists — a double bassist and a dancer, respectively — navigated the challenges of performing their group-based arts from isolation. And they grew through the experience. Both are headed to The Juilliard School in New York City this fall to continue their professional journeys in the arts. Ashe explained that he was “kind of grateful” for the ways that the COVID-19 quarantine allowed him the space and isolation to focus on his art. Though he began to study dance at the age of eight, this moment allowed him to pause from his meteoric trajectory and “think of who I am, as an
n Ashe explained that he was “kind of grateful” for the ways that the COVID-19 quarantine allowed him the space and isolation to focus on his art.
Federal funds ‘just the beginning’ of Jones’ public safety plan
Aldermen must approve spending plan allocations
Senate gives OK to historic bill as it nears being national holiday
By Dana Rieck of The St. Louis American St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones announced Tuesday how her administration plans to spend the first $80 million in federal relief money from President Joe Biden’s American Rescue Plan Act. Jones urged the n “We knew these St. Louis Board of problems existed Aldermen to approve the plan by July 1, before, but COVID-19 highlighted how unsus- which is the day the federal CARES Act tainable the status quo rental assistance protruly is in this city.” gram is set to expire. If approved, most of – St. Louis Mayor the money — $58 Tishaura Jones million — will be allocated to “direct, urgent relief” including housing and utility assistance, support for the unhoused and immediate cash assistance. Another $11.5 million of the money is slated to address the root causes of crime and improve public safety. Jones said her administration plans to do that through See SPENDING, A6
St. Louis to celebrate Juneteenth By Alvin A. Reid of the St. Louis American
Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American
St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones outlined a proposal for spending $80 million in stimulus funds Tuesday, June 15.
Juneteenth celebrations are scheduled throughout the St. Louis area the weekend of June 18-20 and events have even more historical significance in 2021. On Tuesday, the Senate passed a bill that would make Juneteenth, or June 19th, a federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. Juneteenth would become the 12th federal holiday, and the bill is expected to easily pass in the House. Juneteenth commemorates when the last enslaved African Americans learned they were free. While Robert E. and the Confederacy surrendered in April 1865, word did not reach all enslaved Black people until June 19. Union soldiers brought news of the Civil War’s end and true Emancipation to Galveston, Texas, on that day. See JUNETEENTH, A7