Stroke survivor Keetra Thompson recounts her health struggle
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St. Louis American See page A8
The
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CAC Audited MAY 30 – JUNE 5, 2024
Vol. 96 No. 8 COMPLIMENTARY
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OVP 2023 review shows progress in crime prevention ‘A community centered approach’ By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American Violence and crime are down in the city of St. Louis, it’s a fact. St. Louis experienced a 21% crime reduction rate in 2023, including homicides, compared to the previous year. It marked the lowest crime rate in a decade and a historic decline in homicides over the last 90 years. Several factors have been cited by Mayor Tishaura O. Jones and civic leaders. They include the work of Chief Robert Tracy and St. Louis Metropolitan Police Force, the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis public safety division and neighborhood initiatives under the direction of James Clark. The establishment of the Office of Violence
See CRIME, A7
Diversity is in driver’s seat at Enjoy Illinois 300 By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American
Photo courtesy of Restore St. Louis
For several weeks each summer, teens from St. Louis neighborhoods come together to learn tuckpointing, teamwork, and work ethic in the Harambee Youth Program. The program is among the Youth Initiatives supported by the Office of Violence Prevention, which helped reduce youth crime and violence in 2023.
King for a day King Bokulaka performed for the audience on conga drums with dance and song during the African Festival in Forest Park Monday, May 27, 2024.
World Wide Technology has announced its naming rights deal for WWT Raceway has been extended for five years as the region gears up for the third NASCAR Series Enjoy Illinois 300 racing weekend which begins on Friday. “Our partnership is deeply rooted in World Wide Technology’s and the Steward Family’s commitment to community. It reflects the company’s innovative approach to technology, which aligns so well with the science of motorsports and racing,” said Curtis Bubba Francois, WWTR Wallace owner and CEO. “The last five years are a blur of big wins, thousands of new fans, new technology, more diversity in the stands and on the track, and significant economic impact in the communities around us who so need it.” Enjoy Illinois 300 drew more than 57,000 for the main event last year and thousands for weekend festivities ahead of the race. In April, NASCAR President Steve Phelps said at WWT Headquarters that David Steward Sr., founder and chair of World Wide Technology, has a commitment to diversity and inclusion which is shared by the family-owned racing organization. “We are fundamentally a different
See DIVERSITY, A6
‘Who has the POWER?’ Netflix cop doc features STL’s Reddick Hudson
Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American
By Sylvester Brown Jr. St. Louis American
wide effort on Wednesday in Philadelphia to mobilize Black voters during a campaign rally in Philadelphia. Biden was joined by Vice President Kamala Harris and other Black elected officials at a rally at a majority-Black prep school in Philadelphia. The summer-long goal is to revive the coalition that helped propel Biden to the White House in 2020. According to the Biden campaign, Black leaders across the country will hold events in the battlegrounds and kick off a weekend of action – including a Black church engagement in
“POWER,” the Netflix documentary that premiered earlier this month presents an interesting exploration of policing in America. The film begins with director and narrator Yance Ford asking viewers to explore the subject with a specific mindset. “This film offers an analysis of police history that I’d like you to consider. This film requires curiosity or at least suspicion. I’ll let you decide.” With that said, Ford lets the viewer decide if his film is antagonistic, sympathetic, pro, or anti-police. The film is, in fact, a historical, intellectual depiction and discussion about the genesis and metamorphosis of policing in the United States. The film is flush with images of riots
See BIDEN, A6
See HUDSON, A7
Biden, Harris bolster appeal to Black voters Both invited to NNPA convention St. Louis American President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have been invited to attend the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) annual national convention June 19- 22 at the Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore. The invitation comes as the president launched a nation-
BUSINESS
SPORTS
Bill could help protect dwindling Black farmers
St. Louis stars rip and run to state titles
The bill would help families by providing legal services that help them resolve heirs’ property issues so that they can start using their land for agriculture production.
The girls from Cardinal Ritter and Ladue won state titles on the Missouri side while the Edwardsville and East St. Louis boys brought home state titles from the Illinois side.
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