Restaurateur Brandy Clay serves food, community
@stlouisamerican
@stlouisamerican
St. Louis American See page B1
The
Serving, empowering and advocating for equity in St. Louis since 1928
CAC Audited JUNE 23 – 29, 2022
stlamerican.com
A gateway to liberation Freedom Suits Memorial Monument unveiled as nation paused for Juneteenth
By Kenya Vaughn The St. Louis American
The Honorable Judge David Mason, who spoke at the unveiling of the Freedom Suits Memorial sculpture, with sons Harrison and William on Monday, June 20.
Etta Daniels stood out among the hundreds who braved the heat and humidity and gathered downtown in front of the Civil Courts Building early Monday evening. The courts were closed to commemorate the Juneteenth federal holn He [Preston iday. Jackson] entitled They came on a the 14-foot bronze day set aside to honor statue “Freedom’s the emancipation of Blacks in America to Home.” unveil, dedicate and bless the Freedom Suits Memorial Monument created by Preston Jackson. He entitled the 14-foot bronze statue “Freedom’s Home.” “It’s important as we celebrate that this unveiling coincides with Juneteenth, because this date has always been a symbol of Freedom deferred,” said U.S. Congresswoman Cori Bush. “We know that dream is yet to be realized because the vestiges
See LIBERATION, A7
Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American
Laronda Griffin credits the St. Louis city and county public schools for fostering her love for educating. Griffin leads her family during music class (left to right): LaRonda Griffin, Urias Carryl, Zakira Carryl and Victoria Walker.
Vol. 94 No. 13 COMPLIMENTARY
Well grounded
McKelvey digs working at Missouri Botanical Garden By Ashley Winters The St. Louis American Speaking to Daria McKelvey about horticulture and botany be prepared to be schooled because she has the knowledge and skill down to a deep understanding. A horticulturist/botanist at the Missouri Botanical Garden [MoBot], McKelvey serves in a supervisory role, and is a recent recipient of the Emerging Horticultural Professional Award. According to the American Horticulture Society, the award is “given in the early stages of an individual’s career and recognizes significant achievements and/or leadership that have advanced the field of horticulture in America.” #BlackGirlMagic “It’s a way to show people we can be in this field and we Daria should be in this field,” said McKelvey McKelvey. According to Zippia data, men outnumber women by 38% in the botany field. In addition, 76.2% of botanists are white and only 2.5% are Black. Nearly 70% of horticulturists are white and 11% are Black. McKelvey has been a horticulturist/botanist for 10 years. A graduate of the University of Texas Austin. She majored in Plant Biology and Ecology. She then earned her master’s from Texas Tech University after studying in its Horticulture program. McKelvey has worked at MoBot for four years after searching for a dream job that combined horticulture, ecology, and teaching. “It was the call I had been waiting for, for so long. It was just perfect, a perfect fit. I love the culture, the people, and what the garden is trying to accomplish,” said McKelvey. So, what is a horticulturist/botanist? A horticulturist is an expert in garden cultiva-
See MCKELVEY, A7
Lawsuit targets Missouri’s new voting restrictions St. Louis American staff Photo by Taylor McIntosh / St. Louis American
Homeschooling in COVID-19 era ‘We’re used to this lifestyle.’ – Laronda Griffin, homeschooling parent
By Sylvester Brown Jr. The St. Louis American Laronda Griffin was born to educate. As a child she remembers setting her dolls up in a make-believe classroom and playing teacher. “I am literally a teacher by heart,” Griffin said. “I’m always trying to teach somebody. I just love doing it. Griffin’s mother was a music teacher for
SPORTS
Best is yet to come for disappointed Tatum
Jayson Tatum’s quest to win his first NBA championship came to a disappointing end when Golden State defeated Boston in six games.
Page B3
more than 30 years but, she said, that’s not where her love for educating stems from. It was her experience learning in St. Louis’ city and county public schools that fostered her thirst for education. “I got all the way to high school feeling like I couldn’t do the basics (reading and math). So, I had to figure out how to teach myself.” Griffin said after she flunked the second
grade she was heartbroken because her twin sister moved ahead of her in school. Griffin caught up in the 8th grade, by taking extracurricular classes. Because of that accomplishment she and her twin sister graduated together. Griffin, who went on to earn a master’s degree in education, has five children that she
See HOMESCHOOLING, A6 HEALTH
Civil rights groups are suing Missouri state and local officials over a state election provision that disenfranchises voters with limited English proficiency or with disabilities who require assistance in casting a ballot. “The right to voting assistance by a person of one’s choice is essential to the voter’s ability to participate freely, yet Missouri law limits anyone from helping more than one voter in any election,” said Denise Lieberman, Missouri Voter Protection Coalition director and general counsel. “Missouri’s assistance restrictions burden both voters who need assistance voting from their trusted assister of choice as well as the individuals and groups who wish to provide that assistance. We should be helping make voting more accessible not constricting options for assistance.” Joining the litigation are the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund [MALDEF], ACLU of Missouri Foundation, Missouri Protection
See LAWSUIT, A6
LIVING IT
The Coronavirus strikes back!
George Clinton plays The Big Top July 10
Page A10
Page C1
Despite feelings that the pandemic is finally winding down, a distressing surge in the St. Louis region has pulled the public back into the “worry zone.”
If you’ve never seen a George Clinton Parliament/Funkadelic concert live, your final chance to do so in St. Louis could be nearing.