Lift for Life girls win Class 3, District 4 championship
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St. Louis American See page B3
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Tishaura top vote leader in primary
Jones will face Spencer in general election
COMPLIMENTARY
‘Approval voting’ checks the boxes Primary Election By Dana Rieck Of The St. Louis American Sixty-one-year-old Danny Thomas walked out of Fanning Elementary School in Tower Grove South on Tuesday morning having done something he had never done before in his life: Vote. The St. Louis native said he’s lived in various states throughout his life and never considered voting because he moved around so much. “I decided to participate in what’s going on,” Thomas said. “Made me really realize, I am supposed to be voting. I’ve Danny been in different states living Thomas and I really didn’t consider voting because I would always leave that state. But I’m back home now so I’m participating in it.” Thomas chose to become a voter in a particularly interesting election for the city – the first election in which “approval voting” has been implemented with the passage Lawrence of Proposition D in November Jones 2020. Under the new rules, candidates are no longer affiliated with a political party on the ballot and voters can choose as many candidates as they approve of in each race. The two candidates with the most votes will then face off in the general election. The approval voting method affects elections for mayor, comptroller, board president and alderpersons. “It was okay, since this was my first time
By Dana Rieck Of The St. Louis American St. Louis Treasurer Tishaura Jones and Alderwoman Cara Spencer won the city’s March 2 mayoral primary election and will face off on April 6 to become the city’s next leader. Numbers in this election look different, as voters were asked to vote for as many mayoral candidates as they approved of, with the top two vote-getters advancing to the general election. Unofficial results indicated that 44,538 people voted, or 22.12% of registered voters in the city. Jones took first n Jones took place, receiving first place, approval from 56.97% receiving of voters who cast approval from their ballot, equating to 56.97% of vot- 25,374 votes. Spencer came in second with ers who cast 20,649 votes, or their ballot, 46.36% of voters. equating to Their opponents, Aldermanic President 25,374 votes. Spencer came Lewis Reed and utilexecutive Andrew in second with ity Jones, received 17,162 20,649 votes, votes (38.53%) and 6,422 votes (14.42%) or 46.36% of respectively. voters. During a Zoom appearance Tuesday night, Jones said she did not take lightly the decision to run for mayor for a second time. Jones lost to Lyda Krewson in 2017 by 888 votes. “The decision to run and throw my hat in the ring came down to one simple belief: That you should be able to succeed here regardless of your skin color, who you love, how you worship, your zip code or any identity you have. You should be able to succeed and St. Louis should be welcome to you,” she said. Jones also thanked her supporters and her campaign volunteers. “Our success this evening could not have been possible without you, one thing is very clear: we are ready to tackle the next phase of this election and we are ready to win,” she said. “It won’t be easy, we will most certainly
Vol. 92 No. 49
See ELECTION, A7 Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American
St. Louis Treasurer Tishaura Jones addresses her supporters after being declared the winner of the March 2nd mayoral primary election. be outspent and the most powerful special interests will all line up in favor of the status quo … but here’s the thing — the people, the people, are on our side. We have built an unmatched and unparalleled grassroots campaign and we will not be stopped.” Jones also held a separate media briefing
following her Zoom appearance. “It is essential that the next mayor has experience to lead on day one,” Jones said. “There will be no time to waste to begin delivering real results for the people of our
See TISHAURA, A6
Eve’s Bloom allows mothers to ‘bloom together’ into parenthood Nethra Hill’s program gives mothers support system
By Sylvester Brown Of The St. Louis American It took Nethra Hill a few minutes to recall what she did for a living before she married and became a stay-at-home mom. “Let me think, what was I doing? Was I a secretary, no; was I at the airport or at Hollywood Video? Nope. Oh yeah, I was working part time at the Central Library and at a Christian Book store?” It’s not that Hill wants to forget her past; it’s just that once her children came along (Colin, born in 2011, Destiny and Brooklyn born in 2012 and 2017 respectively), motherhood has become her full-time vocation. Since her marriage in 2010 to videographer, Christopher Hill, Nethra proudly boasts of her current job titles: “Stay-at-home mom, home-schooler and entrepreneur.” “I’m a crafter,” Hill explained. “I make T-shirts, mugs, tumblers, and ‘busy books,’ for school-age children.” The true gift of an entrepreneur is the ability to hone-in and capitalize on a marketable need. For Hill, the choice was a no-brainer,
See HILL, A6
Photo by Christopher Hill
Nethra Hill teaching her children,from left, Brooklyn Hill, Colin Hill and Destiny Hill.
Civil Rights icon Vernon Jordan dies at age 85 By Derwin Johnson Of The St. Louis American Vernon Jordan, civil rights leader, business and political power broker, who advised presidents and business executives, died Monday evening at his home in Washington, D.C. “My father passed away last night around 10 p.m. surrounded by loved ones, his wife and daughter by his side,” his daughter Vickee Jordan Adams said in a statement Photo courtesy of the AP released to President Barack Obama news organizawalks with Vernon tions. Jordan, left, after attendJordan was ing the Alfafa luncheon born in a segat Jordan’s home in regated section 2016. of Atlanta, Georgia in 1935, raised by a postal worker and caterer. The family moved north to Indiana, during the great migration of Blacks leaving the Jim Crow South. He attended DePauw University and was the only Black student in his graduating class. He went on to attend and grad-
See JORDAN, A7