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Harris-Stowe needs the support of black leadership – now
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St. LouiS AmericAn The
CAC Audited MAY 31 – JUNE 6, 2018
COMPLIMENTARY
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‘We need all hands on deck’ Bishop Hankerson rallies broad base of help for ‘drowning’ black community By Ashley Jones For the St. Louis American The St. Louis Metropolitan Clergy Coalition gathered with past, present, and prospective members at the United Way building on Thursday, May 24 to go over its mission, vision, and goals for the upcoming year. The Clergy Coalition is a non-denominational assemblage of over 150 churches throughout the
St. Louis area that is open to churches of different religious affiliations. This gathering also included organizations with no church affiliation whatsoever. “Yes, I am a sanctified minister, but I do realize that being in the community you must work with people that have different viewpoints other than your own,” said Bishop Elijah Hankerson III, the recently elected president of the Clergy Coalition. At 45, he
Vol. 90 No. 10
n “We’ve been very intentional in trying to realign neighborhoods and make the church a focal point once again.” – James Clark, BFL
Michael Peoples to lead U. City High Leaves post as associate principal at Hazelwood East High School
See BISHOP, A6 By Niara Savage For The St. Louis American Michael Peoples has accepted the position of principal at University City High School. Peoples, who will officially assume the position on July 1, will follow Susan Hill, who will move on to work towards improving college and career-readiness and access for students PreK12. Peoples has partnered with Hill throughout the transition process, which has consisted largely of familiarizing him with staff personnel, programming for the Michael upcoming school year, Peoples building relationships with the students and the layout of the building. Peoples said that this is “just the beginning of a very strong, collaborative relationship.” Although leading University City High School will be new for Peoples, he has numerous experiences working in administration and with youth. The St. Louis native, who grew up in North County, was previously the associate principal at Hazelwood East High School and remembers See PEOPLES, A7
Photo by Wiley Price
Boogie with the Saints A processional led by the Saint Boogie Brass Band kicked off the stage performances Monday, May 28 during the 27th annual African Arts Festival in Forest Park over the Memorial Day weekend. The event took place in the World’s Fair Pavilion.
Students facing adversity celebrate accomplishments, learn about networking
Cops meet kids – to design video games
By Ashley Jones For the St. Louis American
Program teaches youth tech skills and the human side of police By Ashley Jones For the St Louis American “When you look at the statistics on African-American males and Hispanics combined in the tech industry since the last seven years it has been 2 percent,” Jared Arms, founder and CEO of Kylar.io, said.
“We haven’t really had an economical revolution for African Americans, especially on the global standpoint. So to get children prepared and suited for the future, we are getting them prepared today with the skills.” See COPS, A6
Fathers’ Support Center honors youth leaders
Photo by Shuntae Shields Ryan
Talanna Sims works with Police Officer Austin Patton on designing a video game at the Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Louis on May 17.
On May 19 at Windows on Washington, the Fathers’ Support Center held its 8th annual Youth Leadership Conference under its Youth Leadership and Development Program to teach St. Louis’ youth, ages 13-21, about networking and how to be successful in their prospective careers. “We try to use this event to kind of reward the kids who have done a lot of participation throughout the year,” said Whitney Blockton, coordinator of Youth Services. “If they got a job, whether they increased their grade point average in school, whether they got involved in extracurricular activities, this is the event that we try to See FATHERS, A7