Maryville University to receive 2018 Corporate Diversity Award
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CAC Audited NOVEMBER 15 – 21, 2018
COMPLIMENTARY
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Blacks take leadership positions in Democratic Caucus Pierson: ‘It’s an opportunity for us to look at our message and strategize’ By Chris King Of The St. Louis American To an unprecedented degree, African Americans have been voted into leadership positions in the Democratic Party in the Missouri Legislature. On November 8, members of the Missouri Legislative Black Caucus took five of the seven Democratic Caucus leadership positions. State Rep. Tommie Pierson Jr. (D-Bellefontaine Neighbors) was elected caucus chair, state Rep. Kevin Windham
State Rep. Tommie Pierson Jr.
(D-Normandy) vice chair, state Rep. Barbara Washington (D-Kansas City) secretary, state Rep. Brandon Ellington (D-Kansas City) whip, and state Rep. Daron McGhee (D-Kansas City) assistant minority leader. Pierson, the new caucus chair, has served only one term — but it was an eventful term that
Vol. 90 No. 34
gave him the confidence to seek a leadership role. “Being added to the Budget Committee midway through my second year was a steep learning curve, and then being added to the Special Investigative Committee investigating the governor sped up my knowledge,” Pierson told The American. “I built up relationships and trust within the caucus and felt comfortable asking them for the opportunity to serve them in this way.”
See CAUCUS, A6
County Police rejects MOU from ESOP Black police association claims members face ‘retaliation,’ police commissioner denies it By Rebecca Rivas Of The St. Louis American
Presiding Bishop and Chief Apostle Charles Edward Blake Sr. delivered a message to the faithful at America’s Center on Sunday, November 11 during the Church of God In Christ’s 111th annual Holy Convocation.
Though several black St. Louis County police officers have recently filed complaints and lawsuits regarding discrimination within the department, Police Chief Jon Belmar has refused to sign an agreement with a police organization n “It’s a reality of that would help retaliation. They represent minority are already being officers in such targeted.” cases. The Ethical – Sgt. Heather Taylor, Society of Police president of the Ethical has represented Society of Police minority (and some white) officers in the City of St. Louis since 1972, and this summer it established a chapter in the county. So far, about 60 members have joined. But Belmar stated that he will not sign a memorandum of agreement recognizing the organization because the department already has an exclusive collective bargaining agreement with the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), in a Nov. 1 letter to the Ethical
See ESOP, A7
Photo by Wiley Price
Serving ‘the least of these’
Partnership with Career Online High School addresses crisis in adults without degrees
111th annual Holy Convocation sheds light on COGIC outreach By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American Before 8 a.m. Friday morning, thousands were already seated in The Dome at America’s Center for the Annual Women’s Day Worship Service that was part of the Church of God In Christ’s 111th annual Holy Convocation programming. Dressed to the nines, they showed no signs of fatigue from the morning, noon and night praise and worship festivities that had been carrying on all week throughout America’s
n “Love is giving. In the Word it says, ‘God so loved the world, that he gave…’ so we give to our community.” – Bishop Lawrence M. Wooten
Center. Tens of thousands of saints convened in St. Louis from all over the world to sing, pray, preach, shout and dance while
County library graduates first high school class By Chris King Of The St. Louis American
conducting church business. At Convocation, they express the faith of the more than six million in 100 nations that make up the COGIC Church – and serve under the current leadership of Presiding Bishop and Chief Apostle Charles Edward Blake Sr. – just as they have done for more than 110 years. Even after nearly a decade in St. Louis, the Convocation was a sight to behold. Some of the biggest names in the faith community
It was a high school graduation ceremony — in a public library. That was hard to believe. Even the person who came up with the idea and supervised the group effort to make it happen found it hard to believe. “I kept saying to myself, ‘I can’t believe this is happening,” said Kristen Sorth, director of St. Louis County Library. She was reflecting on the event after the library’s inaugural Career Online High School Graduation Class had crossed the impromptu stage erected in library headquarters, wearing gowns and mortar boards, and been handed their diplomas on
See COGIC, A6
See LIBRARY, A7