Walensky returns to St. Louis as mask requirtements are removed
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CAC Audited MARCH 10 – 16, 2022
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“I share this award with outstanding people who give so much and keep me motivated.” – Sanders Thompson, Vice Chairperson of the Missouri Foundation for Health board of directors
Thompson is Lifetime Achiever in Health Care
By Sylvester Brown, Jr. The St. Louis American
Washington University’s Vetta L. Sanders Thompson is the 2022 Lifetime Achiever for the Salute to Excellence in Health Care.
When asked about the news that she’d been selected to receive The St. Louis American’s 2022 Lifetime Achiever in Healthcare award, Vetta L. Sanders Thompson said she was “definitely honored but overwhelmed.” “I thought they could have picked someone more deserving,” Sanders Thompson explained, adding, “Hopefully, before I’m done, I’ll feel like I actually earned it.” Sanders Thompson’s resume does indeed underscore a lifetime of stellar achievement. Recently, she was re-elected to the board of the Missouri
See THOMPSON, A7
Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American
Vol. 93 No. 50 COMPLIMENTARY
Emmett Till AntiLynching Act passed by Senate After 200 attempts it finally will be law
By Isaiah Peters The St. Louis American The Emmett Till Anti-Lynching Act, which designates that those convicted of a hate crime may receive sentences of up to 30 years in prison, needs only President Joe Biden’s signature to become law. “Lynching is a longstanding and uniquely American weapon of racial terror that has for decades been used to maintain the white hierarchy,” Rep. Bobby Rush, D-Ill., a longtime sponsor of the legislation, told the Chicago Tribune. “It’s a victory for Emmett Till, his legacy, his family and the over 6,000 people who were lynched in our nation, all the way up to this moment. This is really an intergenerational, historical victory. “Who would have imagined that lynching was not a federal U.S. Rep. crime until our present day. Bobby Rush We’re looking forward to a more perfect union.” This bill and similar ones, which have been debated and turned down by Congress for decades, found renewed attention following the outcry surrounding the murder of George Floyd in 2020. Last week, the bill passed the House of Representatives with a 422-3 vote. The three Republicans opposing the bill condemning lynching were U.S. Reps. Andrew Clyde of Georgia, Thomas Massie of Kentucky, and Chip Roy of Texas. According to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, 4,743 lynchings occurred between 1882 to 1968, the most occurring
See TILL ACT, A6
Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American
Williams Academy staffer Robera Noble plays with Anthony Smith, 3, at the agency’s Beverly Hills location in north county Wednesday, Mar. 9. Co-owner David Williams, like many Black entrepreneurs, had to overcome hurdles to gain funding.
Organizations boost flow of funds to Black businesses Increased capital seen as key to bridging the wealth gap
By Karen Robinson-Jacobs The St. Louis American Near as he can recall, St. Louis area educator David Williams was turned down at least six times by banks as he sought loans for his would-be academy. Those denials came despite his collateral, good credit and the assistance of his aunt who is a long-time educator and stood ready to help guide his embryonic business – a center to teach STEAM curriculum to children
BUSINESS
‘Networking is your superpower’
Kesha Kent uses interpersonal skills to her advantage as a diversity and inclusion leader for Ascension, a faith-based healthcare company.
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from birth to age 13. “It’s a struggle,” said Williams, as a soothing lullaby played in the background at his Williams Academy on Natural Bridge. “It’s a challenge to get off the ground because we’re not funded properly.” For reasons that range from racism and redlining to more subtle factors like not knowing the right people, Black-owned businesses like Williams’ have continually been under capitalized compared with their white counterparts.
In the wake of the nation’s reckoning on race, local and national organizations are pumping more money into Black-owned businesses in the hope of bridging the stubbornly persistent wealth gap. Williams eventually secured at least $10,000 in grants through the Greater St. Louis Inc.’s Diverse Business Accelerator and other sources. Overcoming the biggest hurdle – finding at
See FUNDS, A6 LIVING IT
ARPA to help some city homeowners with tax woes Mayor announces $500K RETAF infusion
St. Louis American staff With the April 19, 2022, real estate tax due date looming, the city of St. Louis will move $500,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to the St. Louis Real Estate Tax Assistance Fund (RETAF) to assist some delinquent taxpayers. “Preventing foreclosures benefits our entire city, and with the American Rescue Plan Act, we’re trying new ways to get St. Louisans the support they need,” Mayor Tishaura O. Jones said during a Wednesday press conference. “I’m excited to work together with Collector of Revenue Gregory F.X. Daly and fellow members of the RETAF coalition to keep families in their
See ARPA, A7
SPORTS
‘She is her, I am she’ continues
Cardinal Ritter claws way back to quarterfinals
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Artist Shevare’ Perry had a pop-up exhibit last weekend titled She Is Her, I Am She III its a continuation a collection she premiered last year.
The Lions topped talented Westminster Christian 50-48 to win the Class 5, District 3 championship on the Wildcats’ home court on March 5.