March 15th, 2012 Edition

Repeat performance McCluer North goes back-to-back winning the Class 5 state championship for the second year in a row.

Page B3

Vol. 83 No. 50

CAC Audited MARCH 15 – 21, 2012

COMPLIMENTARY

stlamerican.com

Boy Scouts partner with BFL

Better Family Life’s James Clark discusses a new mentor initiative during a meeting at the Boy Scouts MacArthur Service Center in the city’s Central West End.

Campaign to recruit 100 volunteers by Father’s Day By Rebecca S. Rivas Of The St. Louis American

Photo by Wiley Price

The St. Louis community can change the path that is leading our young men to prison, to the graveyard or to a life of underachievement, said James Clark, vice president of community outreach for Better Family Life, Inc. “When you look at all the statistics, we have almost become numbed with analysis,” Clark said.

“We know that the problem exists. We know who are the most vulnerable. The Boy Scouts are the best equipped and prepared to go into the heart of the urban core and give our young men what they need.” In January, the St. Louis Area Council Boys Scouts of America appointed Clark to be its district commissioner. Last week, Keith Antone Willis, publisher of Who’s Who in Black St. Louis, became the new district chairman for the Boy

Scouts. Together the two are working on a “new thrust” for the city of St. Louis. Their first order of business is recruit 100 volunteers by Father’s Day. “We’ve been working with Better Family Life since this summer,” said David Pettiford, district director of the St. Louis Area Council Boys Scouts of

“We are looking for individuals from all races, both genders, from all social and social and economic backgrounds.” – James Clark, Better Family Life

See SCOUTS, A7

30K Baptist educators to convene in STL Rev. Sammie Jones: ‘We are going to have a glorious week’ By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American More than two months remain until 30,000 Baptists convene in St. Louis for a faith-filled learning experience when the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education hosts its 107th Annual Session. Host committee cochair the Rev. Sammie E. Jones could barely contain his excitement as he spoke of the actionpacked activities planned for the conference when it comes to America’s Center during the week of June 17- 22. “Oh Lord, we are going to have a glorious week,” said Jones, Senior Pastor of the Mount Zion Baptist Church Christian Complex. “We are “We are coming going to bring together and bringing millions of dolliberation through Christ lars in to town to the city of St. Louis. that week and It’s about lifting up the name of our Lord to the we will share community and helping with the black them along the way.” community.” Jones says that playing host to the largest – the Rev. traveling school in the Sammie E. Jones country is no small matter. How could it be, considering that more than 300 classes will take place over the course of the week? The National Baptist Congress of Christian Education serves as the primary training arm of the National Baptist Convention. It was constituted to fulfill Objective #3 of Article III of the Constitution of the National Baptist Convention, U.S.A., Inc.: “To encourage and support Christian Education.” Founded in 1886, the National Baptist

See JONES, A7

Photo by Wiley Price

Uplifted by Dr. Seuss Mary McCauley reads “The Cat in The Hat” to Amairis Jackson, 8, and Jeremiah Cole, 7, during the celebration of Dr. Seuss’ birthday. Kirkland Academy, with sponsorship from St. Peters AME’s Project Uplift, served green eggs and ham and read books by the beloved children’s author.

BJC unveils ‘one-stop shop for healthcare’ $98.5M project in CWE grooms minority apprentice workers By Sandra Jordan Of The St. Louis American The new 11-story Barnes-Jewish Center for Outpatient Health is open for business at the corner of Euclid and Forest Park Parkway in St. Louis. A group of hospital officials and city leaders attended the facility’s unveiling on Thursday, March 8. On Tuesday, March 12, various BJC

departments and clinics began moving into the 322,400 sq. ft. building. The $98.5 million project was designed by Christner Inc. and built by Tarlton general contractors, with a portion of the work designated for minorities and women. A joint venture between Tarlton and minority-owned Interface Construction Corp. provided construction management. “At BJC we value diversity and inclusion in

“These clinics primarily serve our Medicaid and underinsured members of our community.” – Rich Liekweg, president of Barnes-Jewish Hospital everything we do,” Rich Liekweg, president of Barnes-Jewish Hospital, said. “And when it

See BJC, A6