Pearlie’s Pickles has tasty treats on grocers’ shelves
@stlouisamerican
@stlouisamerican
St. Louis American See page B1
The
Serving, empowering and advocating for equity in St. Louis since 1928
CAC Audited MAY 25 – 31, 2023
stlamerican.com
Rest well, Queen
By Kenya Vaughn The St. Louis American
See TURNER, A7
COMPLIMENTARY
Health Salute
Music icon Tina Turner, rock music goddess with St. Louis roots, passes at 83 When her bus reached its St. Louis destination from Nutbush, Tennessee in 1956, Anna Mae Bullock arrived as a shy teenager. During her time in the region, she would be primed to become one of the biggest names in music. The icon who destroyed barriers with respect to age, race, and gender on her ascent to global superstardom passed away at her home near Zurich, Switzerland on Wednesday, May 24 after a lengthy illness. She was 83. “With her music and her boundless passion for life, she enchanted millions of fans around the world and inspired the stars of tomorrow,” a statement read from Turner’s official Instagram account. “Today we say goodbye to a dear friend
Vol. 95 No. 8
Honorees dedicated to improving mental health By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American
Courtesy of the AP
Superstar Tina Turner passed away at age 83 on Wednesday, May 24.
Black adults are experiencing depression diagnoses at twice the rate of white adults, according to a Gallup study released on Monday. Depression is on the rise in the United States, and it’s affecting these groups most: women, young adults, and Black people. Black mental health is in crisis, which makes the work of the St. LaTosha Louis County Children’s Fowlkes Fund Dr. John Anderson Mental Health awardees even more vital. The Excellence in Mental Health – Community Mental Health Provider awardee is LaTosha Fowlkes, The Core Collective at Saint Vincent president and CEO. The Excellence in the Lizette Field of Mental Health Smith awardee is Lizette Smith, Our Little Haven Clinical Programs director.
See SALUTE, A7
A principled approach
Masa Massenburg-Johnson new Rosati-Kain principal Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American
The Jennings High School marching band breaks it down for the parade goers during the 113th Annual Annie Malone May Day Parade Sunday, May 21.
shirts that said “CVPA Strong” and held a banner with the same phrase. The band performed a harmonious rendition of Lil Nas X and Jack Harlow’s “Industry Baby.” “Get It CJ! That’s my cousin right there!,” shouted a parade attendee. 100.3 The Beat’s Beejay The DJ, a parade emcee, commended the students on their strength.
In January, Dr. Masa MassenburgJohnson, along with fellow educators, parents and students at LaSalle Middle School, learned that it would close at the end of the school year. Founded as a private Catholic school, LaSalle, a predominantly Black charter school, served about 120 6th-8th grade students. In a letter from the board, MassenburgJohnson, the school’s assistant principal and others learned that low Dr. Masa student test scores was Massenburg- a reason the Missouri Johnson Public Charter School Commission had lost confidence in the institution. “It stunned me, because LaSalle has been a haven for me, a place where I learned and was really able to connect with the community in servant leadership. It was a jolt.” Seemingly skeptical of the stated reason for closing the school, Massenburg-
See MALONE, A6
See JOHNSON, A6
‘Those will be the best memories’ 113th Annie Malone May Day Parade a historic family affair
By Danielle Brown St. Louis American Unapologetic Blackness, community, and culture weren’t the only themes on display at The 113th Annie Malone May Day Parade downtown on Sunday, May 21. There was also resilience. Tragedy struck Central Visual Performing Art High School last October when former student Orlando
Harris fatally shot 15-year-old Alexzandria Bell, and health and physical education teacher Jean Kuczka, 61. He was killed by police. After the heartbreaking year, the school, SLPS district, community, and St. Louis watched CVPA’s band make its comeback in the parade. Its proud members showed they haven’t missed a beat. Students dressed in the school colors yellow, black and white wore
HEALTH
Nation’s first pediatric diabetes unit unveiled
The first-of-its-kind mobile pediatric diabetes unit provides accessible, comprehensive, and individualized health care to the most vulnerable children and adolescents in the region.
Page A12
By Sylvester Brown Jr. The St. Louis American
SPORTS
Track standouts head to championship meets
The high school track and field season closes this weekend with Missouri Class 3, 4, and 5 state championships to be held at Jefferson City High.
Page B3