Partnership to give kids educational head start
@stlouisamerican
@stlouisamerican
St. Louis American See page B1
The
CAC Audited JUNE 29 – JULY 5, 2023
Serving, empowering and advocating for equity in St. Louis since 1928
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A healthy dose of spirit STL American Foundation honors health care stalwarts
By JoAnn Weaver St. Louis American A spirit of celebration and community pride flowed as guests networked during the 23rd Annual Salute to Excellence in Health Care, presented by The St. Louis American Foundation. This event centered on making mental health a priority and honored outstanding health care workers from a range of careers Rebeccah Bennett, founder and principal of Emerging Wisdom LLC, moderated a three-person panel discussion on community health that included Rev. Bethany Johnson-Javois, president and CEO of the Deaconess Foundation Challenge, Ciearra Walker, president and CEO of the St. Louis Community Health Worker Coalition, and Dr. LJ Punch, who is both a trauma surgeon and director of the Bullet Related Injury Clinic. “As an integral part of its mission, The St. Louis American Foundation has hosted this program
See SALUTE, A6
Vol. 95 No. 13 COMPLIMENTARY
Reflection
‘A harsh reminder of just how short and precious life really is’ By Earl Austin Jr. St. Louis American
Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American
From left, Bethany Johnson-Javois, Deaconess Foundation Challenge president and CEO, Ciearra Walker, St. Louis Community Health Worker Coalition president and CEO, Dr. LJ Punch, trauma surgeon and director of the Bullet Related Injury Clinic, and Rebeccah Bennett, Emerging Wisdom LLC founder, took part in a spirited panel discussion.
My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of former Confluence Prep Academy basketball standout Kamaren Bevel, who was shot and killed on June 16, 2023, in University City. Two men are facing murder charges in connection with the shootings that claimed Bevel’s life and left another man wounded in the 1400 block of Mount Vernon Avenue. According to University City police court statements, the shots were from a Pontiac G8 hit Bevel and one other man. Bevel died at the scene. The other Kamaren man was taken to Bevel a hospital and survived. Bevel had committed to play NAIA basketball for William Penn University in Oskaloosa, Iowa, in the fall to begin his junior year. He previously played two seasons with North Central Missouri College
See BEVEL, A7
Photo by Tristen Rouse / St. Louis Public Radio
Erica Singleton, right, reaches out toward a calf Saturday evening during the St. Louis Open Black Rodeo at Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis. The event was held by the Southeastern Rodeo Association, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.
Cowboy up!
Reggie Smith has been around animals his entire life. The Foristell native fondly recalls growing up on a farm, often tending to livestock and riding horses. “We had horses, chicken, pigs,” he said. “I’ve always been an animal type of guy.” Smith, who coined the nickname “Sauce Boss” for his local line of hot sauces, has had a competitive itch his entire life, so eventually his work as a
n “Nobody else competed from St. Louis, so I had to compete.” – Reggie Smith
cowboy in rural St. Charles County let him to bull riding. The 50-yearold entered his first competition at 35 and called it quits when he turned 40 — until this year, when he noticed there wasn’t someone from St. Louis on the roster.
HEALTH
BJC backs non-profit health groups with donations
BJC has donated $30,000 to be divided among nine local organizations. Each will receive a donation ranging from $2,000 to $5,000 and among them is the Sickle Cell Association.
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‘Nothing prepared me for the journey’
By Sylvester Brown Jr. The St. Louis American
STL Black Rodeo ropes in fans at Chaifetz By Brian Munoz Tristen Rouse St. Louis Public Radio
Clergical advisors share personal impact of executions
“I got to represent for the hometown, man,” Smith said Saturday evening with a chuckle at the dirt entry to the competition ring at Chaifetz Arena. The smell of horses, leather and manure wafted through the air as he spoke to reporters before the start of the show. “Nobody else competed from St. Louis, so I had to compete.” Smith is one of the dozens of competitors vying for the title of champion in the Southeastern Rodeo Association St. Louis Open Black Rodeo. The organization has prided itself in upkeeping the cowboy way of life and “upholding the important
See BLACK RODEO, A6
Oftentimes, when there is a state-sponsored execution, we hear from spiritual advisors who’ve shared the last moments with the accused. They speak of redemption and remorse while describing horrifying verbal images of inmates strapped to gurneys, with life-stopping chemicals coursing through their veins. We rarely hear about Rev. Darryl the impact on spiritual Gray advisors or counselors. Those situations were addressed Saturday during Missourians to Abolish the Death Penalty’s (MADP) annual
See EXECUTIONS, A7
SPORTS
Lindenwood U. ‘Pops’ up with recruiting coup
The Lindenwood Lions received a verbal commitment from one of the top players in the St. Louis area in Robert “Pops” Battle of East St. Louis.
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