Vote Tuesday, April 5 20 10
Broad community support for Hattie Jackson for trustee
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COMPLIMENTARY
stlamerican.com
‘An open set of arms to the public’ Chalana Oliver reaches out to community for Jake Zimmerman Chalana Oliver will never forget the day she learned she would be sworn into the Missouri Bar. Oliver, the political director for state Rep. Jake Zimmerman’s campaign for St. Louis County Assessor, recalls reading her name from an online list on April 31, 2010. “I collapsed on the floor and started bawling,” she said. “Everything I fought for. Folks who said I couldn’t do it along the way. My grandparents telling me I could do anything. All of that culminated.
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Vol. 82 No. 52
CAC Audited MAR. 31 – APR. 6, 2011
By Rebecca S. Rivas Of The St. Louis American
First Place #1 Black Weekly in U.S.
Zimmerman has the support of U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay, County Executive Charlie A. Dooley and many other AfricanAmerican elected officials.
My mom picked me up and said she was proud of me.” Oliver, a proud graduate of Hazelwood Central High School in North St. Louis See OLIVER, A6
Birthday party for East Boogie East St. Louis turns 150 with celebration on Friday
Photo by Wiley Price
Chalana Oliver is the political director for Jake Zimmerman’s campaign for St. Louis County Assessor. The election is Tuesday, April 5.
“Being here has been very inspirational,” Northwest High School senior Michael Washington said of the 37th annual National Society of Black Engineers Convention held Wednesday, March 23 through Sunday in St. Louis. “It’s showing me the basics of being successful and how I want my future to look.”
American staff There was much talk about an American sesquicentennial – the 150th anniversary of the Civil War – but 2011 brings another “The City sesquiceneven will observe tennial closer to its 150th home: the 150th birthday by anniversary celebrating of the its past, founding of present East St. and bright Louis. And future.” East Boogie is throwing itself a birthday party from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, April 1 at East St. Louis City Hall Building, 301 River Park Dr. “The City will observe its 150th birthday by celebrating its past, present and bright future,” promised organizers from the City of East St. Louis See ESL, A7
HEALTH SALUTE
2011 Health Care awardees Photo by Wiley Price
NSBE overtakes St. Louis National Society of Black Engineers convenes in STL By Andrew Fowler For the St. Louis American
“For the pre-college students, this event gives them the reason why you should take your education seriously,”
This past week and weekend, St. Louis was the center of the world for African-American engineers. The 37th annual National Society of Black Engineers Convention brought 8,000 NSBE members to town, including professionals from a wide range of fields and students of all ages. The convention, held Wednesday, March 23 through Sunday in downtown St. Louis at America’s Center, set out to “engineer the gateway to
– NSBE’s Executive Director Carl Mack
success.” By all accounts, they succeeded. One of many great moments at the convention came from NSBE’s Executive Director Carl Mack. He made very plain the convention’s value to its many Pre-College Initiative student participants.
“For the pre-college students, this event gives them the reason why you should take your education seriously,” Mack said. “You have recruiters looking for young, educated people. These young people are getting jobs here because they are selling their minds.”
He then made a remarkable gesture on behalf of Brian Scott Allis, a student at Youngstown State University who attended the convention. “Because Brian carried his weight, I’m going to help him the rest of the way,” Mack said. Mack then personally handed Allis’ resume to Irene Kendall, the diversity officer for Apple Inc. – one of many recruiters in attendance – and introduced student and recruiter to talk about job opportunities. Ronald Moore headed the convenSee NSBE, A6
Celebration luncheon April 29 at Ritz Carlton By Sandra Jordan Of The St. Louis American The St. Louis American Foundation will recognize eight local professionals with its 2011 Excellence in Health Care award at the 11th Annual Salute to Excellence in Health Care Awards Luncheon at the Ritz-Carlton on April 29. Christal L. Adams, RN, BSN has been a registered nurse at Barnes-Jewish Hospital for nine years and is currently studying to be an adult nurse practitioner at Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College. The compassion and concern for others displayed by her mother as a nurse’s aide, Adams said, See AWARDEES, A7