People of color lag in COVID-19 innoculation
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Energy, spirit mark Annie Malone May Day festivities
Vol. 93 No. 8 COMPLIMENTARY
Parson vilified for abandoning Medicaid expansion Activists call for governor to uphold voters’ rights
By Dana Rieck Of The St. Louis American
Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American
Dancers from Best Dance and Talent Center perform in the conference room of the Annie Malone Foundation during the livestream of the 111th annual Annie Malone May Day Parade on Sunday, May 16. The agency, adjusting to the COVID-19 pandemic and rainy weather, held a virtual parade at their headquarters.
Event raised more than $102K for the center
By Danielle Brown Of the St. Louis American While virtual, the111th annual Annie Malone May Day Parade made a very real $102,000 in donations for the Annie Malone Children and Family Service Center. The center provides resources for more than 500 children and families in crisis around the region. Annie Malone’s great-great niece Sasha Turnbo was honored to watch the event in person in 2019 and said being a relative of Malone’s “makes me feel as though anything is possible.” “As I talk to younger kids and even older generations, I encourage them to tap into their legacy and their roots because all of us descend from empowered people.” Turnbo’s first parade experience was in 2019, calling it one of the most unforgettable experiences of her life. “Seeing how many people came out, how hard all of the kids worked, and everyone in the St. Louis community show-
ing me love was such a humbling experience,” Turnbo said. That was the last year the parade hit the streets, but the virtual celebration’s energy and spirit in 2021 was amazing. Tammie Holland, media professional and host of Brown&Crouppen’s “This Week with Tammie Holland,” and Rhyan Henson, KSDK news anchor, served as the master and mistress of the ceremony. Disc jockey DJ Charlie Chan Soprano mixed classic and new school music throughout the afternoon. Eyes were glued to the screen during the Saint Boogie Brass Band’s performance, with soulful renditions of Earth, Wind & Fire’s “Boogie Wonderland,” The Spinners “Could It Be I’m Falling In Love,” Kool & the Gang’s “Get Down On It” and Lil Duval’s “Smile.” Young ladies from The Best Dance and Talent Center busted out their best moves, featuring a pair of wardrobe changes that included blue short overalls with bright orange
n Mayor Jones, who was 2019 grand marshal, recalled finding a picture of her 3-year-old self at the event and being enamored by it as a teen.
See ANNIE MALONE, A8
Bridges to helm Arts of Africa, Oceania and the Americas Art Museum She plans to shine brighter light on African Art
By Kenya Vaughn Special to the American Nichole N. Bridges has been named the Saint Louis Art Museum Morton D. May Curator of the Arts of Africa, Oceania and the Americas. Bridges has served the museum for nearly a decade after joining the institution in 2013 as the associate curator in charge of the Africa, Oceania and the Americas department. “(The museum) has a world-class African Art collection that deserves more attention,” Bridges said. “And so that’s why I’m here.” In 2018, she refreshed its presentation of African art and there is more to come. See BRIDGES, A6
Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American
Nichole N. Bridges has been promoted to the role of Morton D. May Curator of Arts of Africa, Oceania and the Americas for the Saint Louis Art Museum. She says the museum “has a worldclass African Art collection that deserves more attention.”
Crowds gathered across the state May 14, including one in front of the State Office Building in St. Louis, to protest Missouri Gov. Mike Parson’s withdrawal from expanding Medicaid on Thursday, May 13. Organized by Jobs with Justice, speakers took to the microphone to express anger and disappointment in Parson n “We have going back on his word to fund the expansion, people all passed by Missouri voters over this in August as a constitustate who tional amendment. The Rev. Dr. Emmet are dying Baker said his daughsimply ter’s life could have been because we saved nine years ago don’t have by Medicaid expansion, which failed in the state Medicaid expansion.” 10 years ago. “We have people all over this state who are —Rev. Dr. Emmet Baker dying simply because we don’t have Medicaid expansion,” Baker said. “It is estimated that approximately 700 people a year in Missouri die because they don’t have healthcare.” Baker asked the crowd why Parson, who has healthcare, can deny other people the same. “Our politicians must recognize that we the people are the power,” Baker said. “It’s time for a change, it’s time for a change.” Dr. Heidi Miller has practiced internal medicine as a primary care doctor since 2013 at Family Care Health Centers, one of the Federally Qualified Health Centers in St. Louis. She also serves as Regional Health See MEDICAID, A6
State passes first police reform bill since Michael Brown’s death
Sen. Brian Williams says he feels fortunate to get the bill across the finish line By Dana Rieck Of The St. Louis American Last December, Sen. Brian Williams told The St. Louis American he was headed into the legislative session with one major goal in mind: passing his police reform bill by opening the dialogue with Republicans by sharing his and other people of color’s experiences. Last week, Williams was able to do just that. His bill, combined with another, will implement a whole list of police reforms including prohibiting law enforcement from using chokeholds unless deadly force is authorized; increasing the penalty to a Class E felony for officers and correctional staff who engage in sexual conduct with a person in their custody; and preventing officers who have been discharged from one department for wrongdoing from simply moving to See BILL, A7