May 28th, 2026 edition

St. LouiS AmericAn

Larry Hughes developing peak performers

Retired NBA player Larry Hughes leads students through basketball instruction at Lift For Life Academy’s elementary school as part of Developing Peak Performers, an after-school program that uses athletics, academics and mentorship to expand opportunities for St. Louis youth.

By Ashley Winters St. Louis American

arry Hughes remembers the kinds of choices many families in St. Louis have to make — deciding which activities they can afford and which opportunities their children have to miss. That reality, he said, pushed him to create something different: a program where cost would not stand in the way of participation and where basketball could be used to teach lessons beyond the court. That idea became Developing Peak Performers, an after-school initiative launched through his Foundation for Success. The program began in March at Lift For Life Academy’s elementary

Anti-abortion support expands

By Sylvester Brown Jr. St. Louis American

The great improviser

icon Sonny Rollins dies at 95

By Kenya Vaughn St. Louis American

There are musicians who play instruments, and then there was Sonny Rollins. He played, stretched, bent and reshaped his tenor saxophone into a language that was unmistakably his.

While Dexter Gordon is often credited with translating Charlie Parker’s breakneck phrasing to the tenor horn, Rollins used Bird’s blueprint to build an entirely new vocabulary. And for nearly eight decades, he spoke it fluently.

Rollins died Monday, May 25, at his home in Woodstock, New York. He was 95.

He spent his life excavating the creative possibility inside his horn. His best discoveries happened in real time, right in front of the people who came to hear him. His improvisations were legendary not because they were long, but because they were alive. In “Saxophone Colossus,” Robert Mugge’s documentary — named after one of Rollins’ essential albums — about his life and legacy, Rollins said, “Any instrument eventually gets to the point where it becomes a part of the person playing it.” One solo in the film stretches nearly 15 minutes.

Born Theodore Walter Rollins on Sept. 7, 1930, he was the youngest of three siblings in a Harlem household shaped by parents who had emigrated from the Virgin Islands. He grew up in central Harlem and on Sugar Hill. He started on piano, then moved to alto saxophone when the instrument was gifted to him as a child.

“My mother gave me my first saxophone, an alto saxophone, when I was seven years old,” Rollins told JazzTimes in a 2024 interview. “I got the saxophone, and I went into the bedroom and I started

See Rollins, A12

Editorial / CommEntary

Guest Editorial

Mississippi’s lesson in literacy Commentary

“A literacy law is an equity law, so states must make a bold stand and say they want this science-based approach. State education agencies should walk in their authority and ensure that their teachers are equipped, knowledgeable, and empowered to teach children how to read from the first day of class. That way, all states can start to see improvements in reading, the kind which will enable their students to enjoy the lifelong benefits of a quality education.”

— Kymyona Burk

By Marc Morial

A recent viral video that showed high school students struggling to read words below their grade level garnered millions of views.

The kids who mispronounced the word “silhouette” and failed to sound out “gauche” became the butt of jokes and the subject of conversations about the future of our country being “cooked.” But for our movement, it was a call to double down on our work to ensure that every child is ready for work and life, and that starts with reading.

Today, Mississippi Black 4th graders rank 3rd in the nation in reading and math scores among their peers.

As we assess ways to improve our education programs, like Project Ready, which provides on-site services to supplement what students learn in the classroom, we can look no further than Mississippi for a model of excellence.

Just over a decade ago, Mississippi ranked at the bottom of national K-12 education, sitting at 48th in on-time graduation, attendance, and reading proficiency. Rather than accepting a system that left students behind, it got to work. In 2013, the state passed the Literacy-Based Promotion Act. The law brought the “science of reading” to every classroom and provided teachers with literacy coaches to help fill skill gaps, focusing on students in K-3.

The law has become a model across the nation and a reminder that investing in the future of our children is a choice, and a choice that every city and state should make.

Improved literacy has a direct correlation to life outcomes, political participation, and critical thinking; a skill that experts say will not only be in demand, but essential in the artificial intelligence economy.

To put it plainly, we cannot afford to raise another generation of young people who cannot read. We can no longer cite the pandemic and state budget deficits as excuses to fail our young people.

As we assess ways to improve our education programs...we can look no further than Mississippi for a model of

12 years later, the state ranks number 1 in reading and math gains since 2013 and number 9 in the nation in 4th-grade reading scores, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress. For Black students, the impact was even greater.

Donald M. Suggs Publisher ADMINISTRATION

Dina M. Suggs – Sr. Vice President

Julie Erickson – Chief Operating Officer Raven Whitener – Director, The St. Louis American Foundation and Special Events

Reba Smith

Executive Assistant-Coordinator

EDITORIAL

Rod Hicks – Executive Editor

Alvin A. Reid – City Editor

Kenya Vaughn – Arts and Entertainment Editor

Earl Austin Jr. – Sports Editor

Denise Hooks – Anderson, M.D., –Medical Accuracy Editor

Lawrence Bryant – Visual Journalist

Sylvester Brown Jr. – Deaconess Advocacy Fellow

Ashley Winters –Assistant Editor, Community Editor

Zaria Mac – RAC St. Louis reporter

Taylor Marrie – RAC St. Louis Photographer / Videographer

A more literate America is a more competitive one. When our children succeed in school and can participate in our economy and our future, they feel a sense of pride and have a vision for their lives that goes beyond the limitations too often imposed on them.

The Urban League applauds Mississippi’s comeback story. It will continue to support our affiliates, state superintendents, and leaders who are fighting to stop our children from being the butt of cruel jokes and instead celebrate them as the guardians of our future.

Editor’s Note: The Missouri legislature debated but failed to vote on similar legislation during its recently ended session.

Marc Morial is president and CEO of the National Urban League.

We must have empathy for all victims

By Frances “Toni” Draper

The most dangerous bias in the media today is not necessarily partisan bias. Most Americans already expect that. Conservatives expect liberal slants. Progressives expect conservative framing. We have almost become numb to ideological spin.

What is far more troubling is a different kind of bias: the quiet, subtle, deeply ingrained bias that determines whose pain matters most.

Two recent stories brought that reality into sharp focus.

In San Diego, three innocent people were murdered in a shooting carried out by teenagers at a mosque. Yet much of the national coverage quickly pivoted toward understanding the perpetrators — their backgrounds, mental health struggles, online radicalization, family dynamics and warning signs.

Certainly, understanding violence matters. Prevention matters. Context matters.

workers risking death daily. The children orphaned before Western audiences began paying close attention.

If dozens of Africans die before America notices, what does that say about whose suffering the world has been conditioned to value?

This pattern is not new.

When missing persons cases involve attractive young White women, coverage often becomes relentless and wall-to-wall. Missing Black children and women frequently receive only a fraction of the attention — a disparity so well documented it has its own name: “Missing White Woman Syndrome.”

But somewhere in the coverage, the victims began to disappear.

Three human beings lost their lives. Families were shattered. Worshippers watched their sacred space become a crime scene. Yet too much of the storytelling centered on the shooters rather than the people whose lives were stolen.

Why does that happen so often?

Why do some victims become secondary characters in their own tragedy?

The second example is global but equally revealing.

The Ebola outbreak now spreading through the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda has already killed scores of Africans and infected hundreds more. The World Health Organization has declared it a global public health emergency. And yet many American headlines intensified only after reports emerged that an American citizen had contracted the disease.

To be clear: every life matters, including that American life.

But so do the Ugandan nurses. The Congolese families. The African health

When addiction devastated predominantly White rural communities, media narratives shifted toward public health and compassion. During earlier urban crack epidemics that ravaged Black communities, the dominant framing was crime, punishment and incarceration.

The question is not whether journalists care. Many do.

The question is whether newsrooms fully recognize the unconscious hierarchy that can shape storytelling. Whose humanity gets centered?

Whose background gets explored with empathy?

Media framing matters because it shapes public compassion. Compassion influences policy. Policy influences resources, funding, policing, healthcare and ultimately survival itself.

The press does more than report reality. It signals value. This is precisely why diverse ownership and diverse newsrooms matter. Communities that tell their own stories are far more likely to fully humanize the people inside those stories.

The challenge before American journalism is not simply to report faster or louder. It is to report more fairly — with equal humanity. It is whether we can fully see the humanity of people the world too often overlooked.

Frances “Toni” Draper is publisher of the AFRO American Newspapers.

Commentary

The shackles that still bind America

By Ben Jealous

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My grandmother was born in 1916 on the same red Virginia ground where her grandfather was born enslaved. She lived to be 105. She carried the weight of what her family had been to my family — and to itself — the way you carry a stone you cannot put down. When she died, the stone passed to me.

I went looking.

What I found was a paradox written in blood.

The man Thomas Jefferson called “the most learned and logical” of the founding generation was my fifth great-grandfather, Richard Bland. In 1766 he wrote that Parliament’s fleets and armies might give it power, but not right. He wrote that shackles, however nicely polished, would never sit easy on free men. He was Jefferson’s cousin and political mentor. He helped invent the American argument.

He owned 30 human beings.

In 1769, during Jefferson’s first session in the House of Burgesses, he asked his mentor, Bland, to introduce a bill making it easier for masters to free enslaved people. Bland did as Jefferson asked.

He kept his 30 slaves. He died still holding them.

That is the strange contradiction of the founding.

cobbled shoes. He preached. He kept a lighthouse on the same point of land where the patriot’s plantation once stood.

In 1879, the people of Prince George and Surry counties elected him to the Virginia House of Delegates as part of the most successful biracial coalition in the 19th-century South.

Black voters and White allies briefly built one of the South’s most ambitious Reconstruction governments. The Danville Massacre of 1883 ended that coalition with bullets. The argument went unfinished again. It is unfinished still.

A man who understood that government without consent is tyranny could not break the shackles in his own house. He indicted himself with his own argument. So did Jefferson. So did every Virginia patriot who signed his name to natural rights while holding title to another human being. They wrote the creed anyway. They knew it would destabilize them. And the argument they could not finish was picked up by the people they would not free.

A hundred years later, the great-greatgrandson of the man they would not free left the place of his enslavement as a teenager and never looked back. He

Last June, the president federalized California National Guardsmen and active-duty Marines and sent them into Los Angeles over the governor’s objection. A federal judge ruled it violated the Posse Comitatus Act. Patrick Henry warned of exactly this in 1788, using almost the same words. The Fourth Amendment was written because British officers used general warrants — blank checks to search any home, any paper, any person. In 2024, the Fifth Circuit ruled that geofence warrants, which sweep up the data of everyone near a crime scene, are “modern-day general warrants” forbidden by the Constitution. The 1033 Program has poured billions of dollars of military gear into local police departments. Breonna Taylor was killed in her bed. Amir Locke was killed in his sleep. Both died during no-knock police raids.

The patriot understood the principle and could not live by it. His descendant lived it and was outvoted by force. My grandmother carried the weight of that unfinished business her whole life.

It was unfinished in 1776. Unfinished in 1865. Unfinished in 1965.

It is unfinished now.

And it is ours to finish.

Ben Jealous is a professor of practice at the University of Pennsylvania and former president and CEO of the NAACP.

“Failure is a necessary part of the process. If you’re not falling from time to time, then baby, you’re not jumping high enough.”

— Actor and St. Louis native Sterling K. Brown, to Tulane University graduates

Berry outlines vision for trust, stability, growth at SLPS

By Ashley Winters St. Louis American

After months of leadership turnover and growing scrutiny from state officials, St. Louis Public Schools is entering another transition period under newly appointed Superintendent

Dr. Myra Berry. The district’s Board of Education voted unanimously last month to appoint Berry after she served as interim superintendent following the firing of former Superintendent Millicent Borishade in October.

focused on rebuilding trust, improving transparency and strengthening neighborhood schools. Berry spoke with The St. Louis American about stabilizing the district, rebuilding public trust and her plans for the future of SLPS.

Berry takes over as the district faces declining enrollment, vacant school buildings, financial pressures and an upcoming second-phase state audit examining district operations.

Berry takes over as the district faces declining enrollment, vacant school buildings, financial pressures and an upcoming second-phase state audit examining district operations. Since 2022, several leaders have cycled through the superintendent’s office, contributing to instability across the district.

A more than 20-year veteran of SLPS who began her career as a special education teacher at Turner Middle School, Berry said the district is

St. Louis American: What is your plan for dealing with vacant school buildings and possible school closures?

Dr. Myra Berry: We are developing a plan to reshape the district around the needs of the community. That includes looking at how buildings can be better utilized — whether that means reopening schools in neighborhoods where enrollment and demand have grown, or partnering with developers on projects that benefit families and the community. For example, we are exploring attainable housing opportunities for teachers, families and even unhoused families. We have three plans that we are going to present to a small committee in June.

American: How do

you plan to rebuild trust between SLPS and the community?

Berry: For too long, the district operated in isolation, but internally, we understand we cannot do this alone. Rebuilding trust starts with communication and transparency. We are not in a space where we can be anything but transparent because of what has happened in the past. We have to build trust through community input and engaging directly with our SLPS families.

American: How do you plan to stabilize the dis-

trict’s finances?

Berry: The district plans to ask voters to approve a $200 million tax-free bond issue on April 27, which Berry says would allow SLPS to reinvest in schools and neighborhoods without seeking additional funding beyond that request. In the past, bond issues focused on things like stair treads or windows. Now we want to show how we are going to rebuild our district. I want the community to see where their tax dollars are going. The district is also building partnerships across the community to

Dr. Myra Berry speaks after being announced as the permanent superintendent of

help invest in SLPS and restore confidence in how resources are managed.

American: What are your plans to attract more families and make the district more appealing?

Berry: My longterm vision is for SLPS to become a district of choice, where families feel confident sending their children to any school in the system. One goal is ensuring every graduating senior has access to an internship opportunity that could help offset college expenses and eventually connect

students back to careers in St. Louis. Every school should be just as good as the school down the street or across the Delmar Divide. That means every school has to be well-resourced. Community feedback will play a major role in shaping what families want and need from neighborhood schools.

American: What is your strategy for improving literacy and academic performance?

Berry: Literacy will remain one of the district’s central priorities, with an increased focus on phonics instruction and early reading intervention. We need to make sure that by the time students reach third and fourth grade, they have everything they need to become successful readers

American: What other approaches are you taking to improve staff recruitment and retention?

Berry: SLPS is working to change perceptions about the district and highlight the strength of its educators. We are really trying to get people to want to work for SLPS. I would put our teachers up against any teacher across the state. I’ve seen the magic they are doing in classrooms. We have some wonderful educators, and we also need the community to understand just how dynamic our teachers are.

Commentary

ARCHS awards $412,000 for free summer camps

Area Resources for Community and Human Services, known as ARCHS, has awarded $412,000 to 14 agencies to provide free summer camp programs for more than 1,040 low-income children and teens across 17 St. Louis-area sites this summer.

The camps, scheduled for June and July, will serve youth ages 6 to 17 and include academic enrichment, recreation, life-skills programming and meals. ARCHS officials said the programs also help families facing child care and food-access challeng-

Deposition revives scrutiny of Gardner administration

Former St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner was deposed by state legal ethics investigators as part of a disciplinary inquiry into allegations she misused public funds, according to transcripts recently unsealed by St. Louis Magazine.

The March deposition focused on accusations that Gardner improperly used taxpayer money from her office’s contingent fund to reimburse herself for fines and court costs tied to a Missouri Supreme Court reprimand over her office’s troubled 2018 prosecution of former Gov. Eric Greitens.

Under oath, the city’s first Black circuit attorney defended her turbulent tenure, arguing that severe staff-

es during the summer months. Grant recipients include Annie Malone Children & Family Services, Better Family Life, Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis, Communities First, Gene Slay Girls and Boys Club, Jennings School District, Lifewise STL, Mentors In Motion, New Avenue, Northside Youth and Senior Services, Salvation Army, Sprog Inc./Horizons, The Sophia Project and Wesley House Association.

ing shortages and relentless political opposition — rather than personal financial misconduct — contributed to her 2023 resignation

North County pool among closures tied to budget cuts

A North St. Louis County public pool that serves the Normandy area near the University of Missouri-St. Louis will remain closed this summer as the county scales back operations following budget cuts. The pool at St. Vincent Community Center in North County, and another at Kennedy Recreation Center in South County, did not open with the start of swim season because of aging infrastructure, recurring leaks and mounting repair costs, county officials said.

An unfilled educational promise

By Julianne Malveaux

Seventy-two years ago, the Supreme Court issued its ruling in Brown v. Board of Education, declaring that separate educational facilities are inherently unequal. For generations of Black families, Brown represented more than a legal decision. It represented aspiration, validation and possibility. It affirmed a simple but transformative principle: Black children deserved access to the full promise of American education.

That promise remains unfinished.

This year, Brown Day arrived during a season of commencements and reflection. On May 16, 2026, Bennett College celebrated its centennial commencement, honoring 100 years of Black women pursuing excellence against extraordinary odds. As Bennett’s 15th president from 2007 to 2012, I was especially honored to return for the centennial celebration and witness another generation of Black women stepping boldly into their futures.

shaped by segregated housing patterns and unequal tax bases. Schools serving Black students are more likely to experience staffing shortages, aging facilities, fewer advanced courses and harsher disciplinary systems.

And here lies the contradiction. Many of the same political voices lamenting declining educational outcomes are simultaneously attacking the institutions that help students learn. They denounce falling test scores while censoring history, restricting honest conversations about race, undermining teachers, weakening diversity initiatives and reducing educational resources for students who need them most. The ongoing weakening of the U.S. Department of Education sends a chilling message about national priorities.

We cannot claim to value excellence while starving the conditions that make excellence possible. Declining scores do not emerge in isolation. Hunger affects learning. Housing instability affects learning. Underfunded schools affect learning. Poverty and inequality affect learning. Educational outcomes reflect the conditions under which children live.

To stand on Bennett’s campus was to witness the power of educational persistence — generations of women who insisted on learning, leadership and achievement even when the nation offered them unequal schools, unequal resources and unequal expectations.

That history matters because we are once again debating the meaning and purpose of education in America.

We hear constant alarm about declining test scores, learning loss, teacher shortages and struggling schools. But too often these conversations avoid the deeper question: Who actually receives a quality education in America, and who does not?

Brown rested on a radical premise for its time — that Black children deserved the same educational investment as white children. Not leftover resources. Not overcrowded classrooms. Not crumbling facilities. Not diminished expectations. Equal opportunity.

Yet decades later, educational inequality remains deeply embedded in American life. School districts are still

This is why HBCUs remain so important. Institutions like Bennett continue to nurture Black intellect, cultivate leadership and affirm Black humanity, often while operating with fewer resources than predominantly white institutions. They remain places where students are encouraged not simply to survive, but to excel.

Many HBCU graduations also occur near Mother’s Day, and that connection should not be overlooked. Behind countless graduates stands a mother or grandmother who stretched limited resources, worked exhausting hours, deferred her own dreams and insisted that education mattered. Black educational achievement has always been sustained not only by institutions, but also by sacrifice. Brown opened doors. America has yet to decide whether it is truly committed to what lies beyond them: equal opportunity, equal investment and equal possibility.

Julianne Malveaux, a former college president, is an economist, author and commentator based in Washington, D.C.

Refinancing readiness

Navigating the process in today’s market

Depending on where you are in your homeownership journey, refinancing your mortgage can be an effective strategy to help you meet your financial goals. Refinancing may help you save money over time or add money back to your monthly budget if you score a lower interest rate. And depending on the type of refinance you choose, you could also borrow against your home’s equity to pay down debt or make a major purchase. Understanding when and why a refinance might make sense is the first step toward getting the most from this financial tool. There are also different types of refinances to consider, and one might work better for your goals than another.

sponsored Content

What is refinancing?

Refinancing replaces your current mortgage with a new one—usually with a new rate and/ or terms. It can often also come with a new set of closing costs. It may also come with a new lender.

So when does it make sense to refinance? You might want to consider a refinance if you want to:

•Change the loan length or lower your monthly payments

New generation of STL leadership honored

The St. Louis American Foundation celebrates its 15th class of Young Leaders

By Zaria Mac St. Louis American

This year, 22 honorees were recognized for work spanning advocacy, business, nonprofit leadership and community organizing.

Young leaders across St. Louis involved in service, entrepreneurship and community leadership took the spotlight last week as The St. Louis American Foundation hosted its 15th annual Salute to Young Leaders Awards Reception. This year, 22 honorees were recognized for work spanning advocacy, business, nonprofit leadership and community organizing — reflecting a generation of young professionals helping shape St. Louis through innovation, public service and entrepreneurship.

The 2026 Salute to Young Leader awardees. Louis American Foundation. “They are helping create change, and that’s what makes this night important.”

The event, held May 21 at Four Seasons Hotel, drew civic leaders, entrepreneurs, elected officials and families celebrating the honorees’ achievements.

1764, a public relations and brand development firm focused on supporting businesses and creatives.

“I’m so blessed to be here,” Anderson said. “It means a lot to be chosen to represent the community and the St. Louis American Foundation.”

named new education director

The Chamber Music Society of St. Louis has appointed Twinda Murry as director of education, overseeing the organization’s Chamber Academy and music education programs.

Murry spent 34 years teaching orchestra in the Hazelwood, Rockwood, Webster Groves and Ladue school districts. In Ladue, she helped expand student participation in the district’s orchestra program and supported multiple Missouri All-State Orchestra selections.

States Bank promotes Lurry, Allen

Midland States Bank has appointed Cornell D. Lurry Sr., community economic development director over St. Louis and Illinois and Maurice Allen, regional community development relationship manager for St. Louis and Southern Illinois. Lurry’s 20-plus year career includes financial and banking management experience in customer relations, business banking, employee development, financial planning, management, regulatory compliance, sales, and training with extensive consumer and residential lending. Allen develops and implements ways for financial institutions, non-profit organizations, and companies to progress economic and social conditions of local communities. This includes educating the community about finances, credit, assets, and wealth building to help reach financial success.

“What we saw across this cohort of honorees was a deep commitment to the city through advocacy, nonprofit and corporate leadership, creating opportunities for others and entrepreneurship,” said Raven Whitener, director of The St. See Leaders, A6

Among those honored was Jessica Anderson, known professionally as “Jess Live,” co-founder of Juxtapose

Known to radio listeners through her work on 96.3 R&B for the Lou and Hot

Promotion, board appointment, new hire, award...please submit your People on the Move item (including photo) to areid@stlamerican.com.

UMSL launches leadership institute

The University of Missouri-St. Louis is launching a new Leadership Institute aimed at expanding executive education and workforce development efforts across the region.

Business Briefs

Reggie Hill, UMSL’s vice chancellor for strategic enrollment and career advancement, said the initiative is intended to connect emerging and established leaders with leadership training, networking opportunities and workforce-focused programming tied to regional economic needs.

Racial Healing fund awards tornado grants

Seven St. Louis organizations will receive a combined $70,000 in grants to

The institute will serve as a hub for leadership training, social impact initiatives and professional development programs for business, nonprofit and community leaders, according to the university. Existing programs, including the St. Louis Coro Fellows Program and NextGen Leaders Program, will operate under the new structure.

Continued from A5 munities.

104.1, Anderson said her faith has helped guide her through both successes and setbacks.

“My faith is one of the key components of how I move forward,” she said. “There are times when I feel disappointed in myself, but I trust in God.”

Her mother, Valesa Anderson, watched proudly from the audience.

“She’s so much more than what people see,” she said. “People only see the fruit — they don’t see it when it’s growing.”

The evening’s keynote address came from Orvin Kimbrough, chairman and CEO of Midwest BankCentre, who urged honorees to recognize the influence they carry in their workplaces and com-

Refinancing

Continued from A5

•Secure a better or lower interest rate to save on monthly payments

•Switch from an adjustable-rate mortgage to a fixed-rate one.

•Change the loan type to remove mortgage insurance costs

•Access your home equity to fund home improvements, buying another property, or consolidate debt.

“Whatever you do — whether in business, nonprofit or government — do not underestimate the power of your seat,” Kimbrough said. “Your position gives you a chance to open doors, build bridges and shift narratives about what is possible.”

He also encouraged honorees to lead authentically.

“Do not shrink,” Kimbrough said. “Don’t hide your gifts. Do not wait for someone else to give you permission to occupy your space.”

Throughout the evening, attendees applauded as KSDK reporter Melanie Johnson introduced honorees and highlighted their professional and community work.

After the formal program, the evening shifted into a celebration featur-

How does refinancing work?

Much like your original mortgage, the refinancing process involves a thorough review of your current financial status to determine if you qualify. Here’s an example of what a lender may review:

•Credit score and history: Score requirements vary by lender and loan type; 620 is a general minimum for conventional mortgages. Lenders want to see responsible credit use, such as a positive payment history on your debt.

•Debt-to-income (DTI) ratio: This metric shows how much debt

support ongoing tornado recovery efforts in North St. Louis, leaders of the St. Louis Regional Racial Healing + Justice Fund announced.

The one-time crisis response grants were awarded to 314Oasis, 4theVille, Action St. Louis, Black Healers Collective, Dream Builders for Equity, Chosen For Change and St. James AME Church. Fund leaders said the groups were selected for their work organizing cleanup efforts, distributing resources and supporting residents after the May 16, 2025 tornado that heavily damaged parts of North St. Louis.

The grants are intended

ing music from DJ PBN Jeffy, a fragrance bar by Le Luxe STL and a coffee-and-floral installation curated by Latte Lounge. Early-2000s songs like “Bird Walk,” “Shoulder Lean” and “Photo Shoot” filled the ballroom as honorees posed for photos, reconnected with friends and celebrated with family members.

“The St. Louis American Foundation knows how to make someone feel seen and celebrated,” said Valerie Hughes, co-founder and executive director of Frizzy By Nature. “What an amazing group of Black and brown leaders.”

By the end of the evening, the atmosphere reflected the same mix of professionalism, ambition and community connection that organizers said defined this year’s class of honorees

you have in relation to your income. To calculate your DTI, add up your monthly debt payments and divide by your gross monthly income. Then multiply by 100 to get a percentage. A low DTI lets lenders know you’ll likely be able to manage your monthly payments with minimal issues.

•Property value and equity: Many homeowners have built equity over time, and the real estate market can cause property values to appreciate as well. When refinancing, your current loan balance and market value of the property will help the lender calculate a loanto-value (LTV) ratio.

to help organizations cover operational costs, expand programs and respond to community needs. The fund, launched in 2020 through a partnership that includes Forward Through Ferguson, supports racial healing and community-led recovery efforts across the St. Louis region.

United Way launches summer volunteer guide

The United Way of Greater St. Louis has launched its annual Summer Volunteer Guide, an online directory connecting residents with vol-

unteer opportunities across the St. Louis region. The guide includes more than 330 opportunities posted by 96 nonprofit organizations in Missouri and Illinois, ranging from mentoring and tutoring to neighborhood cleanups, food distribution and veteran services. Users can search opportunities by location, age group, interests and skill set.

Dellwood advances turf field project

Dellwood officials broke ground Tuesday on a new artificial turf football field at Dellwood Park, part of the city’s

voter-approved “Dellwood Renaissance” initiative aimed at expanding public recreation amenities.

City leaders said the field will support youth sports, school programs and community events. Officials also said few area municipalities currently offer publicly accessible turf football facilities.

Mayor Reggie Jones described the project as part of Dellwood’s broader effort to continue improving city amenities and recreational infrastructure.

Supporters say the field could expand opportunities for regional athletic events while strengthening the city’s parks system.

Refinancing qualifications usually prefer lower LTVs. What are my refinancing options and how do I choose the right one?

Let’s break down a few commonly offered types of refinancing:

•Rate-and-term refinance: This option allows you to replace your current loan with a new one with a different interest rate, different term or both. The primary aim is to secure terms that better suit your current financial situation, while the principal balance remains the same.

•Cash-out refinance: A cash-out refinance allows you to replace your existing mortgage with a new loan for more than you currently owe, leveraging equity you’ve built up in your home. This type of mortgage refinance might be more suited for those who need funds for significant expenses, such as home renovations or debt consolidation.

•No closing cost refinance: A no closing cost refinance allows borrowers to refinance without paying the upfront fees usually required. The lender may charge a slightly higher interest rate or fold the closing costs into the total loan amount.

Understanding your current financial goals and needs can help you decide which option works best.

The bottom line

Refinancing can be a smart financial move for many people. You may be able to save money in the long term, and you also have options to take cash out if that’s what would support your goals. A qualified mortgage professional or home lending advisor can help clarify whether a mortgage refinance makes sense for you and ensure you’re on the right path to achieving your financial goals.

For more information, visit chase.com/afford.

For informational/ educational purposes only: Views and strategies

described in this article or provided via links may not be appropriate for everyone and are not intended as specific advice/ recommendation for any business. Information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but JPMorgan Chase & Co. or its affiliates and/ or subsidiaries do not warrant its completeness or accuracy. The material is not intended to provide legal, tax, or financial advice or to indicate the availability or suitability of any JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. product or service. You should consider your needs and objectives before making any decisions and consult the appropriate professional(s). Past performance are not guarantees of future results. JPMorgan Chase & Co. and its affiliates are not responsible for, and do not provide or endorse third party products, services, or other content. Deposit products provided by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. Equal Opportunity Lender.

HealthMattersHealthMattersHealthMatters

Tornado recovery shapes health conference

Action St. Louis leader Kayla Reed honored for community response after the storm.

The equipment drive collected 4,045 pounds of donated medical equipment for

By St. Louis American staff

ust days before the one-year anniversary of the violent tornado that tore through North St. Louis, more than 600 health care and sustainability leaders gathered in St. Louis for a national conference focused on climate resilience, disaster preparedness and the future of environmentally sustainable health care.

The conference, CleanMed 2026, was held May 12-14 and hosted by Health Care Without Harm and Practice Greenhealth. Organizers said St. Louis was selected in part because of what last year’s tornado revealed about disaster response, neighborhood inequities and community resilience.

SSM Health to combine maternity, newborn care

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equipment after leaving the hospital.

“Because of insurance delays or cost barriers, securing what a child needs to be discharged by the time they need it can sometimes seem impossible for caregivers,” said Kristin LaRose, chief nursing officer at Ranken Jordan.

LaRose said many families face challenges obtaining equipment needed for home care, particularly as children grow and require new sizes or adaptations.

STL Help Executive Director Karen Lanter said the donations will support families recovering from illness or injury while also keeping reusable equipment out of landfills.

“Every wheelchair, walker, shower chair or pediatric mobility item donated today represents relief for a family facing a health crisis,” Lanter said.

The donated items included wheelchairs, walkers, shower chairs and pediatric mobility equipment. STL Help said the equipment will be cleaned, refurbished and redistributed to residents across the St. Louis area.

To learn more about Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital, visit RankenJordanFoundation. org. For more information about STL Help, visit STLHelp.org.

SSM Health

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HealthMattersHealthMattersHealthMatters

‘Taking Care of You’

The donated items included wheelchairs,

cleaned, refurbished and redistributed to residents

Psychological Association found that separating mothers and medically fragile newborns after birth can increase stress, interfere with bonding and breastfeeding, and compli-

cate recovery. Integrated “couplet care” models are designed to reduce that separation.

“Spanning four floors inside the new children’s hospital, the center will

include 18 maternal rooms, two cesarean delivery suites with fetal surgery capabilities, 10 maternal-newborn couplet rooms, and 90 Level IV NICU beds,” said Dr. Hossain Marandi, president of Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital and system vice president of pediatric services.

“When clinically appropriate, the couplet care model allows mothers and newborns receiving intensive care to remain together in the same private room, supporting bonding, breastfeeding, and maternal well-being while maintaining the highest standards of clinical safe-

Tornado

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“We chose St. Louis because of what the tornado revealed: the consequences of disinvestment, the power of community leadership, and how health care can prepare and engage differently before disaster strikes,” said Emily Bancroft, chief executive officer of Health Care Without Harm.

The conference repeatedly returned to the impact the tornado had on North St. Louis neighborhoods and the community response that followed.

One year after the storm, many residents in some of the hardest-hit neighborhoods still are dealing with damaged homes, demolitions, housing instability and uneven recovery efforts.

That reality shaped the work recognized during the conference, including the selection of Kayla Reed, co-founder and executive director of Action St. Louis, for CleanMed’s 2026 Community Catalyst Award. Other health care and sustainability leaders from around the country also received awards recognizing climate preparedness, environmental stewardship and public health leadership.

The center will build on the maternity program currently based at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital.

ty,” Marandi said. Hospital officials said the center will build on the maternity program currently based at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital while expanding coordination with pediatric and surgical specialists at Cardinal Glennon.

and honored to do this work every day,” Reed said. “Anytime the work is recognized, I’m really grateful, because it’s a team effort that shapes our impact in this region.”

Reed has spent more than a decade organizing in North St. Louis through campaigns focused on housing, voting rights, criminal justice reform and electoral organizing.

“What keeps me in this work is the quality of life of our babies,” she said. “That they are able to live in stable communities.”

That organizing network became part of a large grassroots relief effort after the tornado struck on May 16, 2025.

Within days, Action St. Louis created a resident intake form that collected more than 10,000 responses from 7,205 households representing more than 21,000 people. The information became the basis for a referral partnership with the St. Louis Integrated Health Network that connected residents with medical care, behavioral health services, prescription access and help managing chronic conditions disrupted by the storm.

The project also will connect directly with SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital and physicians from Saint Louis University School of Medicine and SSM Health SLUCare Physician Group, allowing mothers with highrisk pregnancies to access adult and pediatric specialists within the same medical campus. Hospital officials said the center will focus particularly on pregnancies involving fetal abnormalities, premature births and newborns requiring surgery or intensive medical treatment.

“I feel very privileged

Reed described the tornado as the moment when “a natural disaster really met a systemic disaster,” pointing to decades of disinvestment that made recovery more difficult for many North St. Louis residents.

“We needed to have continued relationships with institutions that could meet that moment,” she said.

“North City is a place that is often disinvested and ignored,” Reed added.

“But it is actually the spirit and soul of this city. Everything that people love about St. Louis comes from communities and families who live there.”

She said the neighborhoods hardest hit by the storm also are central to the city’s identity and future.

“North City is our North Star,” Reed said. “When North City is whole and well and thriving, the rest of St. Louis will absolutely be lifted up, too.” The conference, held at St. Louis Union Station Hotel, also highlighted broader efforts across the health care industry to address climate preparedness, hospital sustainability and emergency response planning.

Featured speaker Dr. Alexander Garza, chief community health officer at SSM Health, urged attendees to build partnerships before emergencies occur.

“Do things in the routine that you would do in the extreme,” Garza said. “Build those relationships in peacetime, so you have them when you need them.” intensive care. Research

Rob Base, one-half of the duo

Rob Base & D.J. EZ Rock and the voice behind the classic hit “It Takes Two,” has died at age 59. He passed away on May 22, just three days after his birthday, following a private battle with cancer.

A statement on his social media page said his “music, energy, and legacy helped shape a generation and brought joy to millions,” remembering him as a father, family man and creative force.

Born Robert Ginyard Jr. in Harlem, Base met EZ Rock in the fifth grade. Inspired by local pioneers like the Crash Crew, the two formed a duo as teenagers and began building the sound that would define their careers.

Base and D.J. EZ Rock — who died in 2014 — helped bring hiphop and house music into the mainstream in the late 1980s with their hit “It Takes Two.”

Sugar Ray Leonard’s son arrested

A predawn incident at a gated West Los Angeles estate has drawn Hall of Fame boxer Sugar Ray Leonard and his family into a difficult legal matter. His youngest son, 25yearold Daniel Leonard, was arrested early Wednesday after allegedly attempting to enter his father’s home in violation of a restraining order.

Los Angeles police Told TMZ.com that officers responded to the 1500 block of Amalfi Drive just before 5:30 a.m. after a

Actress and comedian Tiffany Haddish is adding “Sports Illustrated cover star” to her already stacked list of accomplishments. The comedian and actress is featured in the latest Sports Illustrated issue.

Haddish appears on the cover of the magazine’s special swimsuit edition that features women who are reshaping entertainment and culture.

call from the home’s security team. Daniel allegedly tried to gain entry by turning exterior door handles. Officers found him near the property’s pool house and took him into custody.

Court records obtained by TMZ show Sugar Ray recently sought the restraining order, though the circumstances remain unclear. A hearing is set for June 15.

Daniel is the youngest of Leonard’s four children.

“I wanted to follow in my grandmother’s footsteps of being a model, Haddish told E! News at a May 14 launch party in New York. “I feel like this is my way of honoring my grandmother and her legacy. So it’s a big deal for me.”

The Girls Trip star shared behindthescenes moments from the shoot on social media, thanking the publication for “seeing me, celebrat-

ing me, and letting me shine.”

“I’ve been wanting this since the 1900s,” Haddish said via Instagram. “When I used to run track and field, I wanted to be in Sports Illustrated for track and field. I thought I was gonna be Flo-Jo... I became a comedian, and I was like, oh, is my dream dead? But I still believed in it. So, here I am today. First comedian ever to be on the cover.”

DL Hughley exposes double standard

DL Hughley is calling out what he sees as a glaring contradiction in the federal government’s treatment of January 6 rioters — and says it unintentionally strengthens the case for Black reparations.

On his “Notes from the GED” radio program and podcast, Hughley said President Donald Trump “accidentally made the strongest case for Black reparations” by supporting government payments to people charged in the Capitol attack. If the government can cut checks to those individuals, he argued, dismissing compensation for Black Americans becomes harder.

“If we’re having reparations given out to people that were unjustly treated by the government, Black people should be the first in line,” he said. “If you can give people that [expletive] all over the Capitol money, you can give people that were [expletive] on by the Capitol money.”

Hughley also pushed back on the idea that reparations are only about slavery, citing Tulsa’s Greenwood district, Palm Springs and Seneca Village. “It isn’t what you did to us in slavery,” he said. “It’s what you took from us after we pulled ourselves up by our bootstraps and then you use the power of the government to take it away.”

The St. Louis American is providing a full listing of Reader’s Choice nominees who received enough nominations to advance to the voting phase. Voting ends Sunday, May 31. Only three nominees in each category will be selected by popular vote, one winner and two finalists. The list shows the breadth and depth of the businesses and professionals that welcome, serve and employ African Americans in the region. To cast your votes, visit stlamerican.com/readerschoice/

ARTS, CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT

Pinkston (Church Productions)

Gorman (Suzy Gorman

Christ)

Dr. Charles Pearson (Friendly Temple)

Minister Aaron Letcher (Pleasant Green

Missionary Baptist Church)

Pastor Maurice McDaniel Sr (Mount

Bethel Missionary Baptist Church)

Pastor Shaun Williams (Christian Believers Ministries)

Rev. Bethany Johnson Javois (Monument of Faith Church)

Reverend Kathie Adams-Shepherd (Christ Church Cathedral )

Best Music Ministry

Central Baptist Church

Connor Scott and Christ Church

Cathedral

Dello Thedford, Shalom Church (City of Peace)

Friendly Temple Church

Jesse Williams and Total Praise

Living The Word Church New Life Community Church

Pleasant Green Missionary Baptist Church

Pleasant Grove Baptist Church

Voices of Central at Central Baptist Church

Best Recording

Central Baptist Church

Jesse Williams and Total Praise

Levi “Too” King

Ricky Bell and Carole Dula St Louis

Shalom Church (City of Peace)

Best Senior Pastor

Dr. Anthony L. Riley (Central Baptist Church)

Pastor Shaun Williams (Christian Believers Ministries)

Rev. Dr. John K. Coar, III (Mount Zion

Missonary Baptist Church)

Rev. Michael F. Jones, Sr (Friendly

Temple)

Reverend Freddy J. Clark (Shalom Church (City of Peace))

Best Songwriter

Angel McKay & James McKay

Corn Robinson Jr.

Dr. Phillip A. Woodmore

Frank Leon Thompson (Harvest Church)

Levi “Too” King

Pastor Shaun Williams (Christian Believers Ministries)

Ricky Bell and Carole Dula St Louis

Best Usher

Christine Allen

Erica M Holmes

Glenn Bond

Lyndsey Taylor James, NP Rosie Jackson

Sharon Ammons

Sherwin Zenon

Best Youth Pastor

Darrel Hamilton (Church of God in Christ, Inc.)

Dr. Michael Jones, Jr (Friendly Temple)

Minister Preston Williams (Shalom

Church (City of Peace))

Pastor Marvin Blake

Pastor Maurice McDaniel Sr (Mount Bethel

Hospice Best Nurse

Carlita Vasser, RN

Kayla A. Ross, LPN

Kaylene Inama, NP

Leonora Muhammad, DNP

Lyndsey Taylor James, NP

Shemelle Taylor, RN Stephanie Turnage, APN

Tanika Prowell, RN

Torri Taylor-Spencer, APRN

Best OB/GYN

Dillon Mitchell

Dr. Abbe L Sudvarg

Dr. Andrea Sample

Dr. Carolyn J. Pryor

Dr. Eboni January

Dr. Mitul Shah

Dr. Renee D. Ewing

Surbhi Jain Best Oncologist

Dr. Foluso Ademuyiwa

Dr. Joe Switzer

Dr. Jovita Oruwari

Dr. Lannis E. Hall

Dr. Mia Weiss

Best Pediatrician

Dr Liegh Gartland

Dr. Alison C. Nash

Dr. Amal Antoun

Dr. Earline Brownridge

Dr. Edith Patrice Colbert

Dr. Felicia L. Harvey

Dr. Jina L. Mcatee, MD

Dr. Seth Brownridge

Dr. Shirley M. Knight

Jahmille Simon, PCPNP

Best Pharmacy

Affinia Healthcare Boca Pharmacy

CVS Family Care Health Centers

GreaterHealth Pharmacy & Wellness at

Delmar DivINe

Mercy Pharmacy - Dierbergs West Oak

Walgreens

Angela L. Brown, MD

Best Physician

Anna E. Bailey, MD

Bernard C. Randolph Jr., MD

Dr. Danita Cole-Brown

Dr. Darren R. Haskell

Dr. Fnu Sumaiya Sharif

Dr. Janiece N Stewart

Dr. Joel Riley

Dr. Radhika Jain

Dr. Snehal R. Gandhi, MD

Jacqueline Hayes, MD

Sadaf Sheikh, MD

Sibghat Tul llah

Tracy Norfleet, MD

Best Therapist

Brianne Overton

Dr. Jameca Woody Cooper

Dr. John Brooks

Dr. LaRhonda Jones

Dr. Lekesha Davis

Emme Harms, LCSW

Erica LaShawn Hagan

Erika Ware

Nicole Jackson

Tammy Kuykendoll Torri Taylor-Spencer, APRN

Virginia Eldridge

HOME & GARDEN

Best Air Conditioning/HVAC

LIFESTYLE & BEAUTY

Hughes expands after-school opportunities

Hughes

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school, offering students structured time after school for athletics, academics and mentorship.

The effort reflects a broader push to reach students during after-school hours with a mix of basketball training, STEAM learning and life-skills development. The program is designed to support students both in and out of the classroom, particularly in communities where access to structured, affordable programming can be limited.

“For us, it’s about building relationships and giving kids tools they can use every day,” Hughes said. “When kids are excited to come to school because they know they get to be part of something like this afterward — that’s what makes it worthwhile.”

At Lift For Life Academy, the partnership behind Developing Peak Performers began with an unexpected connection. Elementary principal Danielle Price said she first crossed paths with Hughes through her involvement in women’s tackle football with the St. Louis Slam. Members of his team saw her play, which eventually led to bringing the program into the school.

For Price, the fit was immediate.

Rollins

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playing — that was it. I was in seventh heaven.” He eventually picked up the tenor saxophone in honor of his neighborhood idol, Coleman Hawkins. At Benjamin Franklin High School in East Harlem, he learned the craft alongside future giants like Jackie McLean, Kenny Drew and Art Taylor. Through a classmate, he met Thelonious Monk. The mentorship provided by Monk would shape him as deeply as any recording. Monk’s angular compositions and uncompromising approach to harmony pushed Rollins to think differently about improvisation. Monk taught him to leave space, to trust silence, and to let a phrase land where it needed to. Those lessons became part of Rollins’ musical DNA.

He made his recording

Anti-abortion

Continued from A1 legislation sponsored by Sen. Curtis Trent, a Republican from Springfield, that would increase certain tax credits from 70% to 100% for donations to qualifying facilities located in or serving rural areas. The bill also would increase the maximum annual credit available to individual taxpayers from $50,000 to $100,000, with future adjustments tied to inflation. According to Generate Health St. Louis and other maternal-health advocates, Black families in St. Louis continue to experience disproportionately high rates of poverty, maternal mortality and infant health complications, while access to prenatal care, housing stability and economic support remains uneven across the region. Budget analysts and reproductive-rights advocates say the expanding tax credits and Temporary

“Some of the kids at school gravitate toward the basketball court, while others don’t have access to basketball,” she said, noting the program’s no-cost model helps remove barriers that often prevent students from participating in extracurricular activities.

Since launching, the program has become part of the school’s after-school routine. Students stay once a week for structured sessions led by Hughes and his team — something Price said made an immediate impression, with students energized by his presence from the start.

“That enthusiasm has only grown,” Price said. The demand quickly increased, forcing the school to cap enrollment.

Beyond excitement, Price said she has seen noticeable changes in students’ confidence and behavior. The program is helping students build teamwork, problem-solving skills and resilience that carry over into the classroom, she said.

For Price, the program aligns closely with the school’s broader mission of expanding opportunities for students. A key goal, she said, is ensuring every

child has access to meaningful experiences, especially those they might not otherwise encounter.

Hughes said removing financial barriers was central to the program’s design, giving more students access to consistent instruction and mentorship. Unlike traditional sports programs, he said Developing Peak Performers emphasizes both athletic fundamentals and personal growth, reinforcing communication, teamwork and confidence.

Mentorship is also a central part of the program. Hughes said expos-

debut at 18 for Prestige Records, and within a few years he was working with Bud Powell, the Modern Jazz Quartet, Monk and East St. Louis’ own Miles Davis — who recorded three of Rollins’ compositions in 1954. Davis once called him

Assistance for Needy Families funding could divert money from broader anti-poverty programs, health care and public education.

Pregnancy resource centers are tax-exempt organizations that provide services including pregnancy tests, counseling, parenting support and material assistance. Missouri’s Department of Social Services oversees qualification requirements for participating centers. State rules require that participating facilities not perform or refer patients for abortions.

A 2022 National Library of Medicine report described crisis pregnancy centers as nonprofit organizations that “present themselves as healthcare clinics while providing counseling explicitly intended to discourage and limit access to abortion.”

The centers have seen increased funding and political support since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. Missouri has nearly 100 qualified pregnancy

“a legend, almost a god to a lot of the younger musicians.”

But like many young musicians who idolized Parker, Rollins struggled with heroin. He was arrested in 1950 and again in 1953. At a Miles Davis session that paired him

resource centers, according to state records, including organizations in St. Louis, Bridgeton, Fenton, St. Charles and other communities across the state.

Critics, including abortion-rights organizations and some researchers, argue some centers lack physicians or licensed medical staff. A 2024 report by The Independent said many centers advertise ultrasounds and pregnancy testing while critics accuse some facilities of providing medically unproven claims about reproductive health care.

Supporters of the tax-credit expansion say the centers provide free assistance that many families rely on.

“I will never stop fighting for the life of ALL unborn children in Missouri, and I will continue working to support women in choosing life,” Rep. Brian Seitz, a Republican from Branson, said last year while supporting related anti-abortion legislation.

Under current Missouri law, taxpayers who

Dr. Paris Bateman works with Lift For Life Academy elementary students during Developing Peak Performers, an after-school program that combines academics, mentorship and enrichment opportunities for St. Louis youth.

following the school day are some of the most critical in a young person’s life,” Williams said. “Organizations that invest in youth during those hours help close academic, social and economic gaps that too many young people face.”

Williams said students with access to safe, supportive environments after school are more likely to stay academically engaged, avoid risky behaviors and build confidence.

with Parker, Bird himself urged the young saxophonist to get clean. Rollins did so the next year and emerged from his addiction determined to reclaim his life and his music. What followed was one of the most influential careers in American

donate to qualified pregnancy resource centers can receive a 70% state tax credit. The proposal would raise that to 100% for qualifying rural-related donations. The credits would allow eligible donors to offset state taxes dollar-for-dollar for qualifying contributions up to the annual cap. Some abortion-rights advocates contend the structure functions more like a state subsidy than a traditional charitable deduction.

The proposal also has intensified scrutiny of how Missouri funds pregnancy resource centers. KCUR reported in March that Missouri’s allocation of TANF funding for pregnancy centers increased from $4.3 million in 2022 to $10.3 million in fiscal year 2026, making Missouri among the states most aggressively directing TANF funding toward pregnancy resource centers.

The increase followed a broader national debate over whether TANF funds should support pregnancy resource

ing students to opportunities beyond athletics — particularly in science, technology, engineering, arts and math — can help them see how different interests connect and open doors for their future.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis President and CEO Brandon Williams said after-school hours remain one of the most important periods in a young person’s day, particularly for students who may lack access to structured activities or mentorship.

“The data shows that the hours immediately

music. Rollins released more than 60 albums, won two Grammy Awards, and created standards like “St. Thomas,” “Oleo,” “Doxy,” and “Airegin.” His 1956 masterpiece “Saxophone Colossus” was added to the National Recording Registry in 2016. He was often called “the greatest living improviser.” Until his retirement in 2014 due to respiratory illness, he remained a towering figure on the bandstand.

President Barack Obama awarded him the National Medal of Arts in 2011, saying Rollins inspired him “to take risks that I might not otherwise have taken.” Those risks defined Rollins’ career. He famously stepped away from performing at the height of his fame. He practiced alone on the Williamsburg Bridge for hours a day because he felt he hadn’t yet reached what he was searching for. He returned with a deeper sound, a sharper sense of purpose, and a renewed

centers. Congressional Republicans, including Missouri U.S. Rep. Jason Smith, opposed a Biden administration proposal that would have required states to more closely justify using TANF funds for pregnancy resource centers. The administration later withdrew the proposal.

“It does make me nervous,” Amy Blouin, president and CEO of the Missouri Budget Project, told ProPublica in 2022 while discussing the growth of the tax-credit program.

The Alliance, a women’s rights advocacy organization, argued that directing TANF funding toward pregnancy centers can reduce resources available for broader anti-poverty programs serving low-income families.

Some reproductive-rights advocates also have criticized anti-abortion organizations for using racially targeted messaging in Black communities, arguing that the strategy overlaps with outreach efforts used by

“Young people simply need a safe place, consistent encouragement, positive adult relationships and an environment where they can discover their strengths,” he said. In its first year, Developing Peak Performers’ success will be measured by more than performance on the court. The program is tracking school attendance and working with teachers and administrators to encourage academic progress.

Hughes said the goal is to see students become more engaged in school and develop leadership skills they can carry into their communities.

The program is expected to expand to additional schools and community sites across the St. Louis area, with a fundraising luncheon scheduled for June 4 to support its growth.

commitment to improvisation as a form of truth telling. It was the kind of artistic gamble few musicians of his stature would take, but Rollins treated reinvention as part of the work.

Rollins was the last surviving musician from the iconic 1958 photograph, “A Great Day in Harlem” — a living link to an era that reshaped the sound of the world. He is survived by his nephew, Clifton Anderson, and his nieces, Vallyn Anderson and Gabrielle DeGroat. His second wife, Lucille, to whom he was married for nearly 40 years, died in 2004. No public memorial is planned.

“I think when the creative person ends, he continues in the next existence,” Rollins said in a 2009 reflection that was included in the announcement of his death. “A spiritual person doesn’t feel like this life is the be-all and end-all of everything.”

some pregnancy resource centers. A 2021 report from The Alliance cited a 2011 anti-abortion billboard campaign in cities including New York and Dallas that featured a young Black girl alongside the message: “The most dangerous place for an African American is in the womb.”

“These visuals are designed to provoke a strong emotional response by connecting contemporary reproductive choices to the historical trauma of Black disenfranchisement and population loss,” The Alliance wrote in its report. Supporters of pregnancy resource centers reject criticism that the organizations are deceptive.

Abortion Action Missouri criticized the legislation in a statement, calling it “a sneaky mechanism to fund inherently political, anti-abortion organizations with zero transparency.”

Sylvester Brown Jr. is the Deaconess Foundation Community Advocacy Fellow.

“Be

— Queen Latifah

Living It

Drums, dance and community

By Zaria Mac St. Louis

Skating towards a more connected STL

By Lawrence Bryant and Kenya Vaughn St. Louis American

For the Gateway Arch Park Foundation, Rollin’ on the River marked a new way of bringing St. Louis back to the riverfront.

Launched this Memorial Day weekend, the inaugural event drew families, skaters, tourists and longtime St. Louisans to the base of the Arch in way that provided joy, accessibility and a sense of place.

“The goal is really about collaboration and community. Bringing people down to their front yard — the Gateway Arch — and letting them know they can enjoy downtown St. Louis and their riverfront.”

– Jason Douglas

“This is our first year doing it, and we’re excited,” said Jason Douglas, senior event manager for the Gateway Arch Park Foundation.

“The response from the community has been overwhelming.

We’re grateful that people wanted this, and we’re glad we were able to bring it to them.”

Rollin’ on the River transformed the Arch grounds into a summertime gathering space with an outdoor rink, music, food trucks and a 200foot communal table designed to bring people together.

“The goal is really about collaboration and community,” Douglas said. “Bringing people down to their front yard — the Gateway Arch — and letting them know they can enjoy downtown St. Louis and their riverfront.”

For many attendees, that intention landed exactly as the foundation hoped.

CB Trippin’, a local content creator who came out with his children, said

Laughs to keep from crying

Black Rep closes season 49 with soulful extreme makeover of ‘Hamlet’

By Kenya Vaughn St. Louis American

While the main character quotes lines from the play, the most famous line from Hamlet never appears in Fat Ham. James Ijames’ Pulitzer Prizewinning adaptation poses a different question altogether. Not “to be or not to be,” but “to laugh or to cry. He leans into the answer that Black America has relied on for centuries. Laugh to keep from crying. Leave it to Black creative genius to excavate humor between the lines of one of Shakespeare’s most haunting tragedies.

And that is exactly what happens in Fat Ham

The production, which opened on Friday, May 22, closes out The Black Rep’s 49th season. Fat Ham continues through June 7 at Washington University’s Edison Theatre. In it, Ijames turns everything about Hamlet on its head. Shakespeare’s original — set in Denmark and famously his longest play — becomes a single act with no fixed location.

“PLACE: A house in North Carolina.

JUNETEENTH EVENTS

Sat., June 13, 8 a.m.

–5 p.m., Delmar Blvd

Juneteenth Festival featuring the Race for Reconciliation 5K (8 a.m.) , 5900 Delmar Blvd. For more information, visit www.VisitTheLoop.com.

Fri., June 19, 12 noon, House of Soul’s 7th Annual Juneteenth Festival Block Party, House of Soul, 1204 Washington Ave. For more information, visit www. houseofsoulstl.com.

Fri., June 19, 12 noon, JuneteenthSTL Festival

Parade & Cultural Celebration presented by the City of Dellwood, featuring a blend of national and regional talent, including Southern soul sensation Pokey Bear and hip-hop artist Lil Scrappy, Dellwood Recreation Center, 10266 W.Florissant Ave.

Fri., June 19, 7:30 p.m., Soul of a People A Juneteenth Celebration of Black Music featuring LaKisha Jones (American Idol) and Ryan Shaw (America’s Got Talent) alongside the SLSO and IN UNISON Chorus. Powell Symphony Hall. For more information, visit www.slso.org.

CONCERTS

May 26- May 29, Happy Birthday Miles: Terell Stafford & Tim Warfield, as part of Jazz St. Louis’ Miles in May Centennial Celebration, Harold and Dorothy Steward Center for Jazz,

3536 Washington Ave, St. Louis, MO 63106. For more information visit jazzstl.org.

Sat., May 30 – Sun., May 31, Robert Glasper: OG Acoustic Piano Trio, City Winery, 3730 Foundry Way, St. Louis, MO. For more information, visit www.citywinery.com

Fri., June 5, 8 p.m. (7 p.m. doors) The Sherm Summer starring Mike Sherm, Delmar Hall, 6133 Delmar. For more information, visit www.thepageant.com.

Sat., June 6, 7:30 p.m., SLSO welcomes Terence Blanchard and Ravi Coltrane for a special centennial celebration for John Coltrane and Miles Davis, Powell Hall. For more information, visit www.slso.org.

Sat. June 13, 7 p.m., The Eta Boule Foundation presents An Evening with Jeffrey Osborne, Sheldon Concert Hall and Galleries, 3648 Washington Blvd. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

Fri., June 19, 8 p.m. (7 p.m. doors) The Gogel Law Firm welcomes The R&B Meets Throwback Hip Hop Tour with Stokely and Kool Moe Dee, The Pageant, 6161 Delmar. For more information, visit www.thepageant.com.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Fri., May 29, Salon de Griot: Conversations in Art, Ancestry, and Community, The Griot

Museum, 2505 Saint Louis Avenue, St. Louis, MO, 63106. For more information, visit www.thegriotmuseum.com.

Fri., May 29 - 31, 2 p.m & 7:30 p.m. St. Louis Dance Theatre Spring Series, Catherine B.Berges Theatre at COCA. Visit https:// www.saintlouisdancetheatre.org/springseries.

Sun., May 31, 1 p.m. Missouri Bridal and Wedding Expo, The Dome at America’s Center, find more information at https://explorestlouis.com.

Sat., Jun 20, 1p.m. and 7:30 p.m. St. Louis SERA Rodeo, Chaifetz Arena,

find more information at www.chaifetzarena.com.

COMEDYS

Thur., May 28, 7:30 p.m. Special Event: My Cousin Tiera, Helium Comedy Club, 1151 St Louis Galleria St, St Louis MO 63117. For more information, visit https:// st-louis.heliumcomedy. com.

Fri., Jun. 5, 7 p.m. & 9:15 p.m. Helium Presents: Chris Redd, Helium Comedy Club, 1151 St Louis Galleria St, St Louis MO 63117. For more information, visit https://st-louis.heliumcomedy.com.

Terence Blanchard and Ravi Coltrane join the SLSO for a special centennial tribute to John Coltrane and Miles Davis. See CONCERTS for details.

THEATRE

Fri., June 5, 7:30 p.m., I Do. I Did. I’m Done: A One Woman Show with Kandi Burruss, City Winery, 3730 Foundry Way, St. Louis, MO. For more information, visit www.citywinery.com

Through June 7, The Black Rep presents Fat Ham, Washington University’s Edison Theatre. For more information, visit www.theblackrep.org.

Through June 21, 8 p.m., St. Louis Shakespeare Festival presents The Tempest, Shakespeare Glen in Forest Park. For more information, visit stlshakes.org

ART

Fri., Jun. 12 - 14, Special Event: Bruce Bruce, Helium Comedy Club, 1151 St Louis Galleria St, St Louis MO 63117. For more information, visit https://st-louis.heliumcomedy.com.

ST. LOUIS MUSIC SPOTLIGHT

Thurs., May 28, 6 p.m. Twilight Thursdays, Missouri History Museum. For more information, visit www.mohistory.org.

Thurs., June 25, 7:30 p.m., Wellston’s own A.J. McQueen, City Winery, 3730 Foundry Way, St. Louis, MO. For more information, visit www. citywinery.com

Through Jun. 28, Martine Syms: Soliloquy, St. Louis Art Museum, 1 Fine Arts Drive, Forest Park, St. Louis, MO 63110. For more information, visit www.slam.org.

Through June 2026, The Future Is Female, 21c Hotel and Museum Hotel St. Louis, 1528 Locust St, St. Louis, MO 63103. For more information, visit https://21cmuseumhotels.com

Through Aug. 9, Teaser by Ayana Evans, Contemporary Art Museum, 3750 Washington Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63108. For more information, visit https://camstl.org.

the event reminded him of the St. Louis he grew up with.

“It’s bringing nothing but positive vibes out here — and that’s something we need,” CB said. “I grew up in the old St. Louis, where it was nothing but positive. May Day parades, everybody out, no violence. This right here feels almost the same.”

Rob Wilson, who skates regularly at rinks across the region, said he showed up after seeing friends post about the event online. For him, the setting and the soundtrack stirred up memories.

“It reminded me of the good old days,” Wilson said. “My mom and dad skated all the time and brought me along with them. Coming out here brings some of those memories back.”

Organizers described Rollin’ on the River as a way to “bring back those warm, summer memories of hanging out on the riverfront with your family and friends.” Douglas said that feeling is intentional — and that skating,

especially in St. Louis, has always been one of the easiest ways to bridge generations.

“Skating brings back those memories of when I was younger — going to Skate King or The Palace on the weekends,” Douglas said. “We wanted to bring that to the riverfront so people can enjoy skating, be active and enjoy this great city. And what better backdrop than the Gateway Arch?”

CB Trippin’ said skating has become a way to keep his own children engaged and active.

“I’ve been skating since I was a kid, but I got back into it about two years ago,” he said. “The world changed — everything is tablets and phones now. I’m trying to get them outside as much as possible. A lot of times they volunteer to be outside now, and I know that came from me already having them out there.”

Rollin’ on the River is part of a broader effort to keep the Arch grounds active, inviting and connected to the community — especially as conversations about downtown’s future continue.

“I believe we all need to have a great relation-

ship with our downtown,” Douglas said. “Just like other cities, we can have a thriving downtown and really enjoy the spaces we’re accustomed to.”

By drawing crowds to the riverfront, supporting local vendors and creating a safe, multigenerational space, the event begins its run as a meaningful addition to the region’s cultural and economic landscape.

“This is a celebration of you, St. Louis,” a statement from Gateway Arch Park Foundation said about the event. “It is a celebration on the river that made us, under the glowing Arch that represents us to the world –and everyone is welcome. Come roll with us!”

And for many who laced up their skates, it was a chance to create new memories under the monument that sets the St. Louis skyline apart from other cities.

“It’s definitely good for the city,” Wilson said. “Just letting people know we’ve got a lot of good things going on here. Regardless of what you hear [about St. Louis], it’s a cool city — great place, fun people.”

Festival

Continued from B1

The drums and music that ushered guests into the festival came from Kumba, among the many artists to perform at the St. Louis African Arts Festival. The youth performance ensemble from Better Family Life presented “POWER

SOURCE: A Tribute to the Greats.” The demonstration — a staple of the festival — is led by Samantha Madison, director of arts and education at Better Family Life.

“We are here to dedicate this presentation to all of those who came before us,” Madison said. “Today’s performance is also dedicated to all of you who are engaged. So when I say come on down, don’t be scared.”

Before inviting audience members to join her on stage, Madison explained the “break,” a musical cue that signals when to start, stop or change a movement.

Children rushed forward to learn the combination as parents cheered from the crowd.

Behind the audience, the African marketplace buzzed with activity.

Patrons carried bags filled with shea butter and incense. Some paused to examine gold and brass jewelry lining vendor tables, while others browsed tinctures and syrups advertised for various ailments.

The market featured skirts, dresses and pant sets adorned with vibrant African prints suitable for casual or formal wear. Inside the pavilion, rows of soaps, lotions and sea moss products extended outdoors, where baskets, masks, sculptures and artwork filled additional booths.

A stilt walker dressed in a burlap robe accented with red and yellow moved through the marketplace in the style of a traditional masquerade. The performer weaved through the crowd, evoking ancestral spirits and offering blessings. Masquerades often appear during major life events, including births and funerals. They are also present at festivals and community celebrations — like the St. Louis African Arts Festival — where culture and community intersect.

The festival’s cultural showcase continued in the food court, where vendors served traditional dishes such as peppered lamb and egusi from Fufu N’ Sauce — a restaurant specializing in West African cuisine — and beef sambusas from Simba Sambusa Factory, known for its Ugandan fare.

Throughout the afternoon, additional performers took the stage. Fumaca delivered an acoustic set with smooth vocals that created an intimate, conversational tone.

Tribe Azuka followed with “Dances of Egypt,” a series of solo routines rooted in Egyptian dance

ARTFUL MESSAGES

Art Museum welcomes film and performance artist

By Maggie Brown Peoples

Join us for a special artist talk with Martine Syms at the Saint Louis Art Museum. On Saturday, June 6 at 11 am in The Farrell Auditorium, audiences are invited to hear directly from this influential contemporary artist, whose work spans film, photography, and performance.

traditions.

Next came vocalist

Kwame KinDread, a reggae artist whose bright energy energized the crowd. His performance led into one of the festival’s most anticipated acts, the East St. Louis Performing Arts Ensemble, whose presence filled the atmosphere with communal energy.

The ensemble opened with a rolling drum introduction that carried the audience on a musical journey across the African continent — from Ghana to Gambia and Senegal. The percussion inspired movement throughout the crowd as audience members swayed and danced to the rhythm. Dancers joined the drummers on stage, their leaps and rhythmic stomps radiating joy.

Eventually, the performers brought the celebration down to the grass, where dancers showcased their favorite moves before inviting the audience to join them. Energized by the drums and the collective spirit of the performance, audience members stepped into the circle to dance alongside them.

Each year, the St. Louis African Arts Festival highlights the depth and diversity of African culture and the traditions that continue to flourish across generations and continents. Through music, dance, food, fashion and spiritual practices, the festival is a celebration of the beauty, richness and global influence of Africa.

In her talk at the Museum, Syms will be in conversation with Maggie BrownPeoples, co-curator of Soliloquy and the Museum’s 2024–2026 Romare Bearden Graduate Museum Fellow. Together, they will explore Syms’s creative practice and the ideas behind her work in an engaging, accessible discussion.

Martine Syms, born in 1988 and based in Los Angeles, is a defining voice of her generation. Her multimedia practice combines critique, humor, and social commentary working across various media, including publishing, moving images, photography, installation, performance, and software programming. She challenges traditional art forms to explore the world around us through both a digital and a keen observational lens. In 2020, Martine Syms’s 2017 feature-length film, Incense, Sweaters, and Ice was showcased at SLAM.

Syms work has been exhibited at major institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Her artworks are part of collections at notable places like the Studio Museum of Harlem, the Whitney Museum of American Art, and the Guggenheim, among others. In addition to her artworks being collected both nationally and internationally, she has completed commissioned projects for high-profile brands and personalities, including Louis Vuitton, LeBron James, Rihanna, and Nike.

Martine Syms: Soliloquy, a seven-minute video on view through June 28, 2026, is making its SLAM debut after its acquisition in 2022. Soliloquy is a visual experience paired with brutally honest words from the digital avatar, Kita. Kita’s World is a modern adaptation of the 1990s television show Cita’s World, which originally aired on the Black Entertainment Television Network (BET). Following a similar format, Kita delivers hard-hitting messages that encourage viewers to reflect, acknowledge, and engage.

Kita’s high-energy commentary, alongside videos curated by Martine Syms, takes viewers through scenes that highlight real-life issues, such as environmental destruction, political division, and community protest. She challenges the relationship between digital spaces and contemporary experiences. Syms examines perceptions of Black life in the digital landscape and investigates the connection between technology and human relationships. Her work critiques and offers an escape from a world shaped by imperialism, capitalism, and white patriarchy. This program is free of charge. However, seating is limited, and advance reservations are highly recommended. Tickets can be reserved in person at the Museum’s welcome desks or through MetroTix at [metrotix.com](https://www. metrotix.com) or by calling 314.534.1111. All MetroTix reservations incur a service charge, which is waived for tickets reserved at the Museum. Same-day tickets, if available, will be distributed on-site only.

Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with Martine Syms, whose work explores both the creative and destructive impacts of humanity on physical and digital landscapes in

century.

Fifteen years strong — and the Young Leaders stay ready. The 15th Annual Salute to Young Leaders went down last Thursday – it was absolutely on brand as far as how The St. Louis American Foundation celebrates the emerging and current changemakers. I could list them all, but I’m short on space. Be sure to hit up stlamerican.com if you haven’t already to read their stories in the special tabloid dedicated to them that dropped last week. Now let’s get to the lewks (yes, I said lewks). Mistress of ceremonies and KSDK baddie Melanie Johnson must have said to herself, “Y’all can be corporate if you want to, but I’ll be up in the Four Seasons as the Black Jayne Mansfield –and y’all are gonna love it.” And we absolutely did. For some reason, most of my favorite ensembles from this year’s cohort were outside the box as far as business attire. Carrie Henderson, girl did that orange ensemble come in an XXL? Frizzy By Nature co-founder Leslie Hughes had a chokehold on me with that cute little dress. The fellas were looking nice too. If I’m picking a best dressed, Virgil Pearson is the one. That plaid was quite pleasing to see. Congrats to this year’s group. You rightfully rest among some amazing company with respect to the more than 300 folks with the same distinction that have had a solid hand in helping make St. Louis the best it can be. Oh, and did I mention the after party produced by Morgan Casey and ‘nem was on hit?! Rappers-turned-saingas at City Winery. I had a few things on my bingo card when I perched up in City Winery to check out Murphy Lee and Kyjuan Friday night. Seeing some veterans in the STL hip hop game get their croon on was absolutely not on it! I know y’all have heard me talk about Ruka Puff plenty of times in all my years of beating these streets. I even let y’all know when he transformed into Zeus Rebel Waters. Welp, I’m here to let y’all know today that he has flipped the script all the way left and is now singing country music. The gag is that I didn’t hate it. I was perplexed at first, but then I thought, “Why not?” I’m mean, it was Nelly who revolutionized the country-hip hop connection. Zeus is clearly claiming next for STL – and dressing for the OK Corral. After him, Rhoda G gave us some sax magic. if I didn’t know the identity of both her parents, I would swear she is half Bajau. Those are the tribe of Southeast Asians who can hold their breath underwater for as long as they feel like it. And Rhoda played that note for as long as it would take them to get to the bottom of the Pacific Ocean and back up when she played with Da Skwaad. And speaking of Da Skwaad, of the band’s lead singers is raptress formerly known as Chocolate Tai! Girl, I did not know you could blow like that! You and Marvin sounded goodt (yes, with a “t”)! And your playlist was giving the 70s and 80s babies all we needed to make it through. I wish I hadn’t had to wait so long for Murph and Kyweezy to hit the stage, but the features were featuring! That includes Seviin Li and Jovan Bibbs too. And when Murph hit the stage, can you guess what he did? Yep. He was singing his heart out. He didn’t commit to a whole set of songs – or even a whole song. By the time I settled into being confused why one of the top STL MCs to ever do it was giving his best audition for “The Voice,” he jumped into his hip hop bag. I recalibrated just as quickly and was rhyming along to every single word.

Serving moves at the 35th St. Louis African Arts Festival. It goes without saying that I had to show support for Ms. Cynthia Crosby and her crew of faithful organizers’ return of the St. Louis Arts Festival after that tornado tore Forest Park up last year . They did that! Listen, it looked like it was St. Louis Senegal, instead of St. Louis, Missouri. I had an absolute time, but I left with a burning question. Did all the people who usually go as spectators secret-

ly decide to practice all year for its 2026 return? I felt like the only one in the whole festival who couldn’t just kick my flip flops of and gag everybody with a fully choreographed African dance combo to whatever beat the drummers were serving up. I ain’t playin’. I saw one woman randomly eating her oxtail plate from FuFu ‘n Sauce. She heard a beat she liked, sat her plate down and had me ready to link her up with Eddie Murphy to choreograph a wedding dance sequence if he decides to do a Coming to American 3?” For real, she even flung her flats off to the beat! Help! And that Haitian processional was everything. That’s alright, I’m gonna have y’all ready to tuck y’all little African kick-ballchange set in for 2027. Heather Beal and Diadie Bathily, come to the front. I’m going to make y’all an offer you can’t refuse. Heather, you have 11 months and 22 days to teach me everything about the Dunham Technique. That means moves and vocal sound effects. Diadie, give me everything you got from West Africa –and that means the drums too. Class will not be over until I am transformed into a one-woman African drumming and dancing machine.

A whole skate party under the Arch. Another surprise for me this weekend was stopping by the Arch to partake in the Gateway Arch Park Foundation’s inaugural Rollin’ on the River skate party that took place Memorial Day Weekend. Y’all the last time I was perched to get my “Bounce, Rock, Skate, Roll” on like that, I was sneaking into Aloha and The Palace. And while I’m committing to practicing my African dance technique, I’m going to have to go on ahead and book some sessions at Skate City to be ready if Rollin’ on the River comes back next year. Either that or smuggle one of those rolling training walkers Skate City has for the kids and toddlers to use so they aren’t flopping all over the rink. I almost ate that concrete too many times to count. And even with my near death skating experiences, I still had a ball!

Could also be Virginia or Maryland or Tennessee,” the lone timeandplace description reads in the digital program. “It is not Mississippi or Alabama or Florida. That’s a different thing altogether.”

It’s the first contrast between the two plays, but far from the last. Hamlet is heavy. Humor drives Fat Ham

Director Geovonday Jones makes full use of the natural comedic timing that lives within each actor’s portrayal of their character. The emotional weight of Hamlet falls hard on anyone who engages with it. For Fat Ham it is isn’t that deep. Like Hamlet, lead character Juicy is confronted by the ghost of his father. The ghost demands revenge, insisting Juicy kill his uncle, who has married Juicy’s mother before his brother’s body had time to cool. The setup mirrors Shakespeare almost beat for beat.

But Ijames seasons it with the burden of inherited trauma and the pressure to repeat cycles that fuel generational curses. Murder and betrayal become just two more things Juicy must navigate as a Black queer man trying to find his way — and defend his right to exist as his authentic self.

Audiences meet Juicy preparing for the cookout that will reintroduce his uncle as his stepfather. He’s helping prepare the backyard for the party alongside his friend Tio. The rest of Juicy’s circle arrives with the newlyweds: his friend Opal, her brother Larry, and their mother Rabby.

As his mother’s new life takes shape, Juicy stands at the crossroads. The path he chooses determines whether he follows

the familiar footsteps of struggle or creates something new — shedding the skin of misery he’s expected to wear.

Coming off roles in The Dance on Widows Row and Flyin’ West, Margery Handy has been booked and busy throughout The Black Rep’s 49th season. She proves once again to be a reliable presence as Rabby. Her small but memorable role offers comic relief as she confronts the secrets in her own family while scrutinizing Juicy.

Angela Wildflower felt right at home in her company debut as Juicy’s mother, Tedra. Young actress Raevyn Ferguson also made an impression with her genuine take on Opal — elevated by pristine comedic timing. As a whole, the cast appeared to be on one accord in giving audiences a theater experience they’ll be laughing about long after the curtain falls.

The show leans into the silly, but the talent is serious. Marshall W. Mabry IV anchors the ensemble

as Juicy, with standout support from Enoch King (Rev/Pap), Brian McKinley (Larry), and Olajuwon Davis (Tio). The production value matches the performances. Patrick Huber’s scenic and lighting design sets the tone, and Tre’von Griffith’s sound design is stellar. Anyone familiar with cookout culture knows the playlist is as important as what’s on the grill.

The Black Rep fulfills the mission of Fat Ham by personifying the indestructible superpower that is Black joy. It stands stronger than family dysfunction, personal drama, secrets, lies, clashing views, and struggles with identity and orientation. And in Fat Ham, even death meets its match when it tries to square up against Black joy.

The Black Rep’s production of Fat Ham continues through June 7 at Washington University’s Edison Theatre, 6465 Forsyth Blvd. For more information, visit www. theblackrep.org.

“They’re lamp posts to a drunk person. You can lean on them, but it won’t get you

— New York Knicks guard Josh Hart, speaking on the use of analytics in the NBA

InSIdE SportS

With Earl Austin Jr.

Collegiate captures first state title

Distance crew, jumpers lead Owls to Class 3 championship

It was a historic weekend for the boys’ track and field program at Collegiate School of Medicine and Bio Science.

The Owls won the Class 3 state championship at the Missouri State High School Activities Association state meet in Jefferson City. It was the program’s first state championship. The Owls won the state title by scoring 49 points, followed by second-place Richmond and third-place Lutheran North.

The Owls rode the combination of their talented distance runners and field event jumpers to success throughout the season, a trend that continued at the state championships as those athletes accounted for all of the points.

Senior Owen Garrett won two gold medals, including the 800-meter run in 1 minute 55.63 seconds. Garrett also joined Clyde Jackson-Cameron, Evan Moll and Malik Pratt in winning the 4x800-meter relay in 7:52.92. Garrett also finished seventh in the 1,600-meter run, Moll was eighth in the 3,200 and Jackson-Cameron was fifth in the 800.

In the field events, sophomore Maxwell McFarlane earned medals in all three jumping events. He finished second in the long jump and triple jump. He also finished eighth in the high jump, accounting for 17 points. Senior Moses Mugenyi also earned an All-State medal by placing third in the triple jump.

Lutheran North took

home a third-place trophy on the strength of senior sprinter Michael Clark, who won two individual events. Clark won the 200-meter dash in 21.3 seconds, then came back to win the 400-meter dash in 47.39 seconds. He also anchored the Crusaders’ 4x400-meter relay team to a second-place finish in 3:18.49. Clark was joined by Cameron Oliver, Jaquvieon Whitfield and Kai Robinson on the team. The Crusaders also finished fourth in the 4x200. It was also a banner weekend for the sprinters at Cardinal Ritter College Prep. Senior Manny Ellis finished third in the 100 and anchored the Lions to a pair of state championships in the 4x100- and 4x200-meter relays. The team of Da’Yon Ross, Jaquez Beck, Terrance Jones and Ellis won the 4x100 in 41.82 seconds. Ellis also joined Ryan Richardson-McDavis, Beck and Bryce Clayborn in winning the 4x200 in 1:26.45. The Lions also finished third in the 4x400. There were two other athletes from St. Louis who won Class 3 individual state titles. Senior Chrishod Sims of Normandy won the long jump with a leap of 22 feet, 4 inches. Senior Luka Wangia of Lutheran South won the high jump with a clearance of 6 feet, 8 inches. Senior Gary Johnson of St. Mary’s placed second to Wangia with a clearance of 6-7. The top individual

boys’ performer at the state meet was senior Demeterius Thompson of Brentwood, who led the Eagles to a second-place finish in the Class 2 team standings. Thompson scored 38 points by winning three individual events. He won the 110-meter high hurdles in 14.69 seconds, the 300-meter intermediate hurdles in 37.97 seconds and the long jump with an effort of 22 feet, 6 inches. Thompson also finished second in the triple jump.

More Boys Class 3 state medalists

•Kameron Hurst of Lift for Life finished third in the 110-meter high hurdles.

•Jaxyn Buckley of STEAM Academy finished third in the 300-meter intermediate hurdles, fifth in the long jump and fifth in the triple jump.

•Xavier Clark of St. Mary’s finished fifth in

SportS EyE

With Alvin A. Reid

the 300-meter intermediate hurdles.

•St. Mary’s finished seventh in the 4x100-meter relay.

•John Burroughs finished fourth in the 4x400-meter relay.

•Lift for Life finished seventh in the 4x400-meter relay.

•John Burroughs finished second in the 4x800-meter relay.

Area girls shine at state championships

Sophomore Gabrielle Campbell of Bayless took home three Class 3 AllState medals. She won the state title in the 400 in 55.38 seconds. Campbell also finished second in the 200 and 800.

Lutheran North sprinter Genesis Garner won four All-State medals in Class 2.She finished second in the 100, fourth in the 200 and fourth in the 400. She also anchored the Crusaders’ 4x100 relay team to a sixth-place finish.

Junior Brianna Krueger of St. Charles West swept the distance events by winning the 1,600 and 3,200meter runs.

Sydney Lanton of John Burroughs finished second in three events: the 300meter low hurdles, the long jump and the triple jump.

Ellen Hunigen of Whitfield won the Class 2 state title in the 400. She also ran legs on the Warriors’ second-place 4x200 and seventh-place 4x400.

Large schools take center stage at state meet

The Missouri Class 4 and 5 state track and field championships will be held this weekend at Jefferson City High. The action will begin on Friday with field events at 9:30 a.m. and the running events at 11 a.m. On Saturday, the field events will begin at 9:30 a.m. with the championship running events set to begin at 11 a.m.

NAACP call for SEC boycott could be gamechanger

Sports, from youth leagues, to recreational, to college, to pro are ways to escape the political and social turmoil that grips our nation.

Team A against Team B should have a path clear of Black against white, red against blue, them against us. But the rules governing this game have changed.

The national NAACP, with support of the Congressional Black Caucus, is calling on Black athletes and fans to boycott public universities in states where Republican legislatures are quickly trying to redistrict and render Black votes as meaningless as possible.

and powerful shift in momentum.

It’s more than just politics. It’s more than “elections have consequences.”

There is a sinister plot at work in the South, and soon other states, to reduce Black voters’ status. Welcome back, Jim Crow.

It’s now “all hands on deck” for Black Americans. Our athletes could help make a swift

Aptly named “Out of Bounds,” the NAACP is urging Black athletic recruits to withhold commitments from SEC schools in Tennessee, Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas and Georgia. The initiative was launched in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s 6-3 ruling in Louisiana v. Callais, a decision critics say gutted the Voting Rights Act, according to U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell and other Black members of Congress.

“What these states have done is not a policy disagreement. It is a sprint to erase Black political power,” Derrick Johnson, NAACP president, said in a release.

“These actions happened in days, in some cases in hours, of a Supreme Court ruling that gives extremist lawmakers a playbook to erode Black representation. The NAACP will not watch

valued Black athletic stars, if schools fall behind and on-field performances suffer, there would be change. Missouri is a member of the SEC. Republicans have enacted redistricting that will eliminate U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver from Congress by diluting his district through gerrymandering.

Some Republicans are saying Cleaver’s congressional district will soon be changed, almost guaranteeing that Missouri will not have another Democratic congressman, let alone another Black one.

Missouri. The University of Missouri is not “the bad guy” in this case, nor is its athletic department. However, it finds itself in a precarious situation thanks to a legislature hellbent on eliminating Black voices.

the same institutions that depend on Black athletic prowess to fill their stadiums and their bank accounts remain silent while their states strip Black communities of their voice.”

The NAACP said several of the universities that face a possible boycott reap more than $100 million annually through their athletic programs.

It is not just players who are being asked to

have an influence. Fans and alumni of the schools that are targeted are requested to share financial support with HBCUs and not attend games. Hit ‘em where it hurts, Black America — and that’s on SEC football fields and basketball courts. It’s on baseball and softball diamonds and gymnastics competition venues.

In the arms race for

On Thursday, May 21, 2026, I sent emails to the state, St. Louis and St. Louis County NAACP branches asking if a similar call for a boycott would be issued against the University of MissouriColumbia. Because of the Memorial Day holiday, this column was written on Friday, and the chapters have not had adequate time to respond. I eagerly await what our local NAACP chapters are planning. Hopefully, they will support the national NAACP by acting in

Black young men and women from the St. Louis area who are being recruited by Missouri should reflect on the impact of their decisions. This is not a demand. It is a request. Currently, no states with Big Ten or Big 12 schools have created new gerrymandered districts, nor has there been an announced plan to do so. There are many Power Four schools to choose from should a decision be made to boycott certain SEC universities.

I’m not telling anyone what to do; I am saying it is a time for action.

Black athletes can make a resounding statement in Missouri, the South and across America by holding state schools and state legislatures accountable for their actions on voting rights and Black representation.

Honoring excellence

15th Annual Salute to Young Leaders celebrated the success of St. Louis’ emerging talent

Hundreds of people gathered at the Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis last week to celebrate the 2026 cohort of the St. Louis American Foundation’s Salute to Young Leaders.

Keynote speaker Orvin Kimbrough delivered an uplifting message encouraging the next generation of leaders to continue mak-

ing an impact across the region.

Spirits and excitement remained throughout the evening, culminating with the Morgan Casey Experience After Party featuring music, vendors, dancing and networking among many of St. Louis’ emerging young professionals.

Several sponsors contributed to the

success of this year’s event, including Midwest BankCentre, the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, the Regional Business Council, World Wide Technology and the Steward Family Foundation, Ameren Missouri, The

and Edward Jones.

Energy and nostalgia fuel ‘MJ the Musical’

National tour continues St. Louis run at The Fabulous Fox through May 24

By Kenya Vaughn St. Louis American

The fact that Michael Jackson was unmatched as an entertainer becomes even more apparent when watching performers attempt to capture his talent, skill and energy. Only one person to date — Jaafar Jackson in Antoine Fuqua’s biopic Michael has truly come close. And he shares 25% of the late superstar’s DNA. Jaafar’s portrayal of his uncle during the eras between Off the Wall and the beginning of Bad set a bar so high that no one else can realistically reach it. Because Jackson was such a master, audiences extend a certain grace to anyone who steps into the role. They understand the extreme difficulty — and the nerve — required to attempt it live onstage.

That reality hangs over MJ the Musical, which returned to the Fabulous Fox Theatre on Tuesday evening amid a fresh

wave of “Michael-mania” sparked by the release of Fuqua’s blockbuster film. The production runs through May 24, and even casual fans — if such a thing exists — will appreciate the show’s production value, storyline and music.

MJ the Musical premiered on Broadway in 2022, built around Jackson’s 1992 Dangerous World Tour rehearsals. With a book by two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage and direction/choreography by Tony Award winner Christopher Wheeldon, the show was designed not as a cradle-to-grave biopic but as a jukebox-style exploration of Jackson’s artistry, work ethic and creative process. It went on to win four Tony Awards, including Best

Actor for Myles Frost.

The touring production brings that same framework to St. Louis — a non-linear narrative that uses Jackson’s catalog as a guide through his childhood, rise to superstardom and the pressures that shaped him.

Jordan Markus had some tough loafers to fill in his debut touring performance as Michael Jackson. This is true in both as the musical’s namesake and as the successor to Roman Banks, whose 2024 Fox Theatre performance was wide-

ly praised. Markus delivers a solid showing, particularly in his dancing. And between the three performers who portray Jackson at different stages of his life, audiences get the full spectrum of what the late entertainer brought to the world.

The show opens as Jackson prepares to embark on the European leg of the Dangerous tour. Through flashbacks, the audience is carried from his origins as a pintsized prodigy leading the Jackson 5 to the height of his solo career. The jukebox format allows fans to

sing, sway and relive the soundtrack of a generation. Much like the child he portrays, Eric Wiltz has an intuitiveness with his instrument that is awe-inspiring. His use of harmony — especially during his duet with Rajane Katurah as Katherine Jackson — is one of the production’s most striking moments.

Brandon Lee Harris, who plays Jackson in his Off the Wall era, has the vocals down pat. Onstage, he serves as a reminder of the global star’s pure singing ability — something often overshadowed by the spectacle of Jackson’s per-

MJ the Musical, returned to the Fabulous Fox Theatre on Tuesday evening amid a fresh wave of “Michael-mania” sparked by the release of Fuqua’s blockbuster film.

formances.

Meanwhile, Markus has the moves. His physicality anchors the show’s later eras, capturing the precision and musicality that defined Jackson’s choreography. The two-and-ahalf-hour playlist of Jackson’s timeless hits is framed by Nottage’s non-linear script. MJ the Musical manages to squeeze in more than 40 songs without making the show feel cumbersome — or forcing fans to endure a fragmented story just to accommodate the music. The curation and Nottage’s storytelling create an even-keeled production that doesn’t feel thrown together simply to make room for the singing and dancing. Much like the film, MJ the Musical is a fan pleaser. The audience responded with such enthusiasm that applause routinely forced the cast to pause between numbers. And the standing ovation lasted nearly as long as the show’s finale medley.

MJ the Musical continues through May 24 at the Fabulous Fox. For tickets and additional information, visit fabulousfox.com.

Anita Lyons Bond honored posthumously with Pioneer Award

Family and close friends celebrated late Civil Rights proponent and former St. Louis School Board President at SLU’s Commencement Recognition Dinner on Friday, May 15.

“The late Anita Lyons

First Row

Bond (A&S ‘50), who passed away in August 2025, embodied traditions of scholarship, civic courage and transformative public service. She made history as the first Black student at Saint Louis University to graduate

with honors (magna cum laude) and as the first Black female student to be inducted into three national honor societies. She made significant contributions to the nation’s Civil Rights Movement and to higher education and public

education in Missouri and St. Louis. Additionally, she developed innovative speech-correction techniques that continue to serve underserved communities today.” - Saint Louis University.

FIRE SPRINKLER BACKFLOWS,

REPAIRS, AND SYSTEM INSPECTIONS II RFP 2026

The Saint Louis Zoo seeks bids from qualified vendors. Bid documents are available as of 5/27/26 on the Saint Louis Zoo website: stlzoo.org/vendor

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Replace Exterior Windows & Doors, Core Building, Project No. H250201 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, July 2, 2026. Project information available at: http://oa.mo. gov/facilities

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Parking Lot Repairs, Project No. H250101 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, June 25, 2026. Project information available at: http://oa.mo. gov/facilities

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District Requests for Quotes, Bids and Proposals are posted online for public download. Please navigate to www.msdprojectclear.org

>Doing Business With Us

>View Bid Opportunities

Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

The Hazelwood School District is seeking bid proposals to remove asbestos tile from West Early Childhood Center.

Interested parties should submit their bid proposal through Bidnet via the district’s website at https://www. hazelwoodschools.org/ Page/2238 on or before Tuesday, June 2, 2026 not later than 11:00 a.m

FOR BIDS

COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY OF ST. LOUIS COUNTY, INC. (CAASTLC) LOW INCOME WEATHERIZATION PROGRAM (LIWAP)

CAASTLC is accepting sealed bids to provide labor and materials for its residential weatherization program. LIWAP (made available through CAASTLC) is federally funded and administered by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) through the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

This weatherization grant is funded through the DOE and is subject to all its provisions. Bid packages will be available to be picked up at CAASTLC starting Monday, 6/01/2026, at 9:00 a.m. and will be available for downloading on CAASTLC’s homepage at https://www.caastlc.org

CAASTLC will have a Pre-bid Conference, via online Zoom Conference, on Tuesday, 6/09/2026, at 9:00 a.m. for questions, etc. The meeting link for this Conference will be available on CAASTLC’s homepage (https://www.caastlc.org/) the day of the Conference and the login attendee ID and password for this Conference will be in the bid packages.

Bids must be sealed, marked “LIWAP – DNR Sealed Bid” and delivered to CAASTLC, Inc., 2709 Woodson Road, St. Louis, MO 63114, no later than 5:00 p.m., Monday, 6/15/2026.

Bids will be opened and read publicly, via online Zoom Conference, at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, 6/16/2026, at CAASTLC’s main office. The meeting link for this Conference will be available on CAASTLC’s homepage (https://www.caastlc.org/) the day of the bid opening and the login attendee ID and password for this Conference will be in the bid packages.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Peoples Health Centers is requesting proposals from qualified contractors to construct and renovate their 11642 West Florissant Ave health center. The project will include exterior and interior construction, painting and signage, cemented sidewalks, modification of the interior “WIC” area, entry awning, 3 offices/exam rooms, interior demolition of cabinets, with office/ waiting room/lobby/ multipurpose room furniture and new flooring. The center is a one-story steel framed structure. The center must continue to operate during construction.

A pre-bid meeting will be held at Betty Jean Kerr People’s Health Centers located at 11642 West Florissant Ave, St. Louis, MO, 63033 on Friday, May 29, 2026, at 12:30 pm

For a copy of construction documents please email Michael Prost, mprost@fsastl.com

Please present questions at least five (5) days prior to the scheduled bid opening to allow for any responses or addenda, if required, to be issued to all the bidders. Additionally, bidders must comply with labor standards and prevailing wage requirements using the latest Contractor’s Wage Surveys of the State of Missouri. Each bid must be accompanied by a Cashier’s or Treasurer’s Check of a bank or trust company in St. Louis, payable to the order of People’s Health Centers, or a Surety Bond for 5% of the bid price. Bidders shall comply with all applicable city, state and federal laws.

Sealed Bids must be received no later than 2:00 PM June 26, 2026, and will be opened on the same day. Bids may be delivered or mailed to BJK People’s Health Centers, 11642 West Florissant, St. Louis, MO, 63033. Attn: Mark Sanford, Executive Vice President

The right of the owner to reject any or all bids is hereby expressly reserved

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

The St. Louis County Port Authority requests proposals from a firm or multiple firms to provide programmatic and administrative professional services, in support of its operations to promote economic development in St. Louis County. A copy of the RFP is available at https:// stlpartnership.com/rfp- rfq/. Proposals must be received no later than 3:00 PM on Tuesday, June 30, 2026. Equal Opportunity Employer

Religion

‘Faith in the Wild’

The Advancing Church takes worship to the St. Louis Zoo

By Kenya Vaughn St. Louis American

Pastor Rashon Jordan remembers exactly how the idea came to him — and how unlikely it felt at first.

The senior pastor of The Advancing Church said he was simply following the same pattern of obedience that has guided his ministry for years when God placed a new assignment on his heart. He was led to take worship to the St. Louis Zoo.

“Faith in the Wild,” a worship service happening from 9 a.m. to noon on June 7 at the St. Louis Zoo, is the result.

Jordan said the service is meant to help people see the zoo as a space where the diversity of life reflects divine artistry and where the legacy of Noah’s obedience still echoes. But when the idea first came, he admits he had to work through his own hesitation.

Pastor Rashon Jordan said the inspiration came from two places he has always loved — God and animals — and from the way his artwork often reflects the beauty of creation.

Jordan said the inspiration came from two places he has always loved — God and animals — and from the way his artwork often reflects the beauty of creation. But the deeper connection came through the story of Noah.

“The zoo is like a living museum of the animals that graced the ark,” he said. “It’s a place where we’re reminded of God’s grace — that He saved creation, and He saved humanity. Without the ark, there would be no zoo.”

“It didn’t make sense at first,” he said. “You’re asking people not to go to their church building on a Sunday morning and meet you at the zoo. I had to get past my own reasoning and what felt comfortable for people.”

Once he moved beyond that, he said, he committed fully.

The message he plans to preach centers on faith that goes beyond experience — the kind Noah had when God told him rain was coming, even though rain had never fallen from the sky before.

“You have to believe God even if it’s something you’ve never seen,” Jordan said. “Noah believed God, and because of that, the first zoo happened inside the ark.”

Jordan said the impact of obedience is something he has witnessed firsthand. A few years ago,

he said God instructed his church to build a church in Johannesburg, South Africa. He didn’t know how it would happen, but he delivered the message — and the support came.

The Advancing Church eventually built the church and helped bring water and electricity to a village that had neither.

“When you move because God gave you a word, lives are changed,” he said. “We don’t always understand the long-lasting

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impact of faith.”

Jordan said “Faith in the Wild” is meant to be a celebration of that same grace — the kind that sustained Noah, his family, and the animals on the ark, and the kind he believes still sustains people today.

“If God has ever saved you from something, healed you from something, delivered you from something — this is a day to remember His grace,” he said. “Even when people talk about judgment,

there is always grace.”

He hopes the service will help people see God’s creativity in the world around them, especially at a time when global conflict, rising costs and uncertainty weigh heavily on many.

“Let’s celebrate the fact that God is still good and His grace is still present with us,” Jordan said. And for those who attend, he believes the experience will offer something they haven’t

encountered before.

“It feels amazing to know that obedience can impact families and give people hope,” he said. “I live by faith. I walk by faith, not by sight.”

The Advancing Church’s “Faith in the Wild” at the St. Louis Zoo will take place from 9 a.m. to noon on Sunday, June 7.For more information, visit www.theadvancingchurch.org