Oral cancer costly to Black Americans’ health
@stlouisamerican
@stlouisamerican
St. Louis American See page A10
The
CAC Audited MAY 15 – 21, 2025
Serving, empowering and advocating for equity in St. Louis since 1928
stlamerican.com
Biles tells Wash U grads ‘be bold’ not perfect
By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American
Simone Biles knows it’s impossible to score a “perfect 10” in gymnastics since the open-ended scoring method was adopted in 2006. Biles, who has posted 9.9 scores in various events during her historic USA Gymnastics career, told Washington University graduates on Monday, May 12, 2025, that perfection is not as important as personal growth and achievement. “The world doesn’t need you to be perfect. It needs you to be bold. It needs you to care. It needs you to keep going even when things don’t go as planned,” Biles said while delivering the Washington University Commencement address at Francis Field. “Go out there and write your own story. Only one that you can tell.” Biles could be considered an honorary St. Louisan by marriage. Her husband, Jonathan Owens, was a star linebacker at CBC High School and Missouri Western University. He is now in his eighth NFL season and a member of the Green
See BILES, A6
Vol. 97 No. 6 COMPLIMENTARY
Oneon-one with Otis Williams SLDC interim director says, ‘I’m not for sale’
By Sylvester Brown, Jr. St. Louis American
Photo courtesy of Washington University
Simone Biles challenged Washington University graduates to “be bold” and “to care” during her Commencement address Monday, May 12, 2025.
Rarely in the history of St. Louis politics has an agency like the St. Louis Development Corporation had an impact on a mayoral election. That started to change last year after Clayco founder Bob Clark’s proposal to build a concrete plant in North St. Louis was rejected by the agency. Clark, reportedly angry with SLDC and former Mayor Tishaura Jones, publicly backed candidate Cara Spencer’s campaign and promised to influence other wealthy developers to follow suit. Spencer resigned from SLDC’s board Otis citing claims of inefWilliams ficiency. She went on to receive unprecedented donations from some developers and won the election. The future of then SLDC president Neal Richardson became shrouded in doubt. It was soon announced that Richardson was out and former SLDC leader Otis Williams, 77, would serve on an interim basis. By all accounts, Williams served efficiently during his 22 years as head of SLDC. He’s credited for facilitating projects like the redevelopment of Busch Stadium, Ballpark Village and navigat-
See WILLIAMS, A6
Net attraction
Photo courtesy of the AP
Trainers help Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum up and off the court after he was suffered a non-contact injury during the second half of Game 4 in the Eastern Conference semifinals of the NBA basketball playoffs against the New York Knicks Monday, May 12, 2025, in New York.
The first words you view on Jayson Tatum’s Instagram page are, “In Jesus Name I Play” and “Oh yeah I’m from the LOU.” A man of faith and believer in his native St. Louis, Tatum is a civic booster and major philanthropist who supports financial literacy and affordable
housing projects. He is among the best basketball players in the world, yet he is much more than just an athlete. St. Louis and the basketball world watched in shock as Tatum crumpled to the ground in agony on Monday night after rupturing his right Achilles. The Boston Celtics lost much more than a basketball game against the New York Knicks in Madison Square
BUSINESS
Rent vs. own: Is now the best time to buy?
Homeownership has been long associated with the American Dream, yet the economic climate of recent years has left some potential homebuyers on edge.
Page B1
St. Louis American staff
Garden. Late in his team’s 121-113 loss in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, Tatum went for a loose ball and his season ended. There is a chance he will not play until the latter part of next season - if at all. He underwent successful surgery on Tuesday afternoon, according to
As the St. Louis region prepares to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Arthur Ashe winning the 1975 Wimbledon tennis championship over Belleville’s Jimmy Connors, East St. Louis School District 189 will unveil six new tennis courts at East St. Louis Senior High School A ribbon cutting will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, May 16, 2025, at the high school located at 4901 State Street. The “post-tension concrete courts” are built to last and are equipped with advanced lighting and blended court lines to enhance use for student athletes and the Metro East community. The celebration takes place during National Tennis Month and reinforces the District’s commitment to expanding access to top-tier facilities and opportunities for youth devel-
See TATUM, A7
See COURTS, A7
Jayson Tatum suffers devastating injury
By Earl Austin Jr. The St. Louis American
ESL Schools to unveil new tennis courts
SPORTS
Lift for Life shines during small schools district meets The boys and girls’ teams from Lift for Life Academy came away with team championship trophies from Saturday’s Class 3, District 2 meet at Lutheran North.
Page B3