St. Louis American celebrates its 95th anniversary!
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FOCUS St. Louis lifts up women during Women’s History Month
By JoAnn Weaver The St. Louis American
Black women make up 59% of the labor force compared to other women, but make 63 cents for every dollar earned by a White man, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Being a woman of color in the corporate world can be a challenge, but women continue to change the business landscape through leadership, innovation and entrepreneurship.
Bernie Frazier speaking at the Women’s Forum Mar. 15, stated “You are worthy of your dream. I challenge us to get out of our own way. Bring out your greatness and do it unapologetically.”
This is the sentiment that the four-woman panel spoke to throughout the 2023 Women’s History Month Breakfast produced by FOCUS St. Louis, which took place on Wednesday morning at Edward Jones. The panelists for the grounded, inspirational discussion included Bernie Frazier, SPHR, President, CAREERCompass LLC, and author of “Your Success is in YOU!: Empowering and Equipping You
See WOMEN, A7
Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American
Vol. 94 No. 50 COMPLIMENTARY
A ‘thriver,’ not a survivor
STLCC Trustee candidate Nicole Robinson seeks to serve By Sylvester Brown, Jr. St. Louis American There is absolutely no upside to cancer, but oddly, Nicole Robinson credits her 2014 diagnosis of Stage 2 breast cancer as her genesis in truly finding purpose in life. “What motivates me…is knowing that God is keeping me and that I have purpose,” Robinson said. “Knowing that he strategically guides me and embraces me and yet has work for me to do. So, while I’m here, well, I’m gonna go with that.” Robinson is a breast cancer “thriver.” The term, she said, was coined by women who haven’t beaten breast cancer but are “still in the fight.” Robinson finds herself “still in the fight,” after she was re-diagnosed in 2018, this time with Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. This after whirlwind challenges four years prior with Nicole aggressive chemo, radiation Robinson treatments and lumpectomy surgery to eradicate the cancer cells which had already traveled to her lymph nodes. Robinson is still trying to discover new ways to positively uplift and impact others who face the challenges she did growing up in poverty or trying to achieve higher education to improve their lives. The “thriver” is currently running in the St. Louis Community College Trustee race next month. Her opponent is incumbent Pam Ross, who was elected to the STLCC board in 2017. “I’ve always had a passion for education but
See ROBINSON, A7
Photo by Brian Munoz / St. Louis Public Radio
314 Day creators Terrell “Young Dip” Evans, left, and Tatum Polk, right, acknowledge cheering students and staff during a celebration at Harris-Stowe State University on Tuesday. The inaugural 314 Day in 2006 was held “to spread positivity on everything St. Louis has to provide. It has grown into a movement not just for Black St. Louis. but for people of all races and cultures,” according to Evans.
Nelly launching 314 Day project
Marvin Teer curiously moves on
Mayor Jones advances economic justice agenda By Danielle Brown and Ashley Winters St. Louis American Let the games begin! Nelly used 314 Day to announce he is launching a series of STEM, athletic, and social competitions in 2024 called the High School Alumni Games in conjunction with the 314 Day Foundation. Nelly said he was inspired by the oftenasked regional question, “Where did you go to high school?” “That question embodies anybody that you ever meet from St. Louis,” the University City High School alum said.
HEALTH
Children’s Hospital honors health care champions
n “314 day is a proud day to be a St. Louisan and today we have much to celebrate about the momentum of our Economic Justice Action Plan,” said Jones.
“Why? Because generally that tells people a lot of things. It tells where you live, where you’re from, how you grew up and just different scenarios.” He wants the competition to “galvanize the city; to come together to do something we all
BUSINESS
Restaurateur brings Creole cuisine downtown
Muriel Smith, St. Louis Area Diaper Bank executive director, and Missouri state Sen, Brian Williams were recently honored for their dedicated work on behalf of children.
Founder and chef Amorio Parish opened Mozay Restaurant last fall at the intersection of 13th and Olive, and says business has been great.
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Gardner seeks dismissal of ouster petition
can take pride in while celebrating education.” 314 Day founders Terrell “Young Dip” Evans and Tatum Polk created the celebration of the St. Louis area code in 2006 to highlight unity and positivity. 314 Day now includes a week of community, entertainment, and philanthropy events that stretch beyond the city’s borders. “There’s not just one thing that makes 314 Day special,” Nelly said. “It’s not just one event, it’s not what Nelly does, it’s not what the Cardinals do. It’s coming together with the 314 Day founders to make the day possible.”
See 314 DAY, A6
By Sylvester Brown, Jr. The St. Louis American Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner on Tuesday night filed a motion requesting that the state Supreme Court dismiss state Attorney General Andrew Bailey’s petition to have her removed from office. Her mandatory response came about three hours before a midnight Wednesday March 15 deadline. To fulfill Missouri statute requirements for her removal, Gardner’s attorneys contend Bailey “must allege a willful and intentional failure, not negligence.” “[The statute] has only been applied to oust a prosecutor (or any other official) when they have engaged in intentional corrupt acts in derogation of their official duties, and ouster of prosecutors under this statute has been uniformly denied for anything less. (Infra at 9-19.) “Taking Mr. Bailey’s allegations in his Petition as true and giving them their broadest reading, his
See GARDNER, A6
SPORTS
Vashon squads hit Springfield as favorites
Vashon will take both its boys and girls basketball teams to this weekend’s Missouri State High School Activities State Championships in Springfield.
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