Bringing some Haiti to St. Louis
@stlouisamerican
@stlouisamerican
St. Louis American See page B1
Serving, empowering and advocating for equity in St. Louis since 1928
CAC Audited NOVEMBER 2 – 8, 2023
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Pushing for Black studies School districts nationwide work to incorporate a Black history perspective
By Aziah Siid Word in Black More than 7 million K-12 students in the United States identify as Black, and professionals say representation of the experiences of Black people should be taught to all students. It can be shown through memoirs like Maya Angelou’s “I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings,” critical analyses of slavery like The 1619 Project, and films like the story of Ruby Bridges — all of which have been banned or challenged in recent years. As Florida, Tennessee, Texas, and other states continue to pass so-called “anti-critical race theory” bills – and some Missouri Republicans vow to pass one in 2024 community leaders, professional educators, and policymakers are working tirelessly to
See STUDIES, A6
Vol. 95 No. 31 COMPLIMENTARY
Forest Park basketball courts to open in 2024 Named for Nicholas J. Booker; groundbreaking to be held Nov. 7
By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American
Photo by RDNE / Word In Black
Illinois updated its law on Black history in 2021 to include the history of Black people before enslavement, reasons why Black people were enslaved, and the American civil rights movement.
Salute gala has grown to 13 universities Provides scholarships, honors educators
Nicholas J. Booker loved basketball, St. Louis, and Forest Park. While a teen, he spent summer hours playing the game and helping keep Forest Park a regional and national gem as a member of the city Department of Parks, Recreation, and Forestry. In 2018, Booker suffered a severe asthma attack while playing pickup basketball during his first year at Fordham University in New York and passed away. Nicholas J. His memory will live Booker on, though. His passion for the park and the game that many St. Louisans call their favorite will be remembered on new basketball courts in Forest Park that will be open for play in 2024. A groundbreaking ceremony will be held at 3 p.m. on Nov. 7, 2023, on the project site north of the Dennis & Judith Jones Visitor and Education Center. Britt and Tonya Booker, Nicholas’ parents, say it is an honor for their son’s name to grace the courts and to be part of
See BOOKER, A7
Wesley Bell challenging Cori Bush for congressional seat By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American
group, and the scholarship dollars and impact began to grow. In 2022, the St. Louis American Foundation, in collaboration with its higher education partners, fostered more than $2.8 million in minority scholarships for high-potential college students and community grants for educators. One university in particular, Webster, has continued to increase its scholarship support and now totals nearly $5 million in its 10+ year
Wesley Bell is now in a new political race, but his goal remains a seat in Congress. On Monday, Bell ended his pursuit of the Democratic nomination for one of Missouri’s U.S. Senate seats and announced he is challenging incumbent Congresswoman Cori Bush. “This is something that I thought about prior to the Senate Wesley Bell race, Bell said in an interview with the St. Louis American following a morning press conference at the SoulFisher Ministries in Normandy. “From the time I announced I was
See SALUTE, A6
See BELL, A7
Photo courtesy of University Marketing and Communications
SIU-E Chancellor James T. Minor makes it a point to frequently meet with students, many times as they travel to class, and listen to their concerns. Minor, who began his tenure as chancellor on March 1, 2022, and has had an immediate positive impact, will be honored during the 36th St. Louis American Foundation Salute to Excellence in Education Scholarship and Awards Gala on Nov. 4, 2023. By K. Michael Jones St. Louis American The St. Louis American Foundation was founded in 1994, and, at the time, would provide about $80,000 total per year in scholarships. The first Donald M. Suggs Scholarship (named after The American’s publisher and executive editor) was created more than 20 years ago with the University of Missouri-Columbia. In subsequent years, Southeast Missouri State University and Missouri State University joined the
HEALTH
Doula organizations advocate for Medicaid reimbursement Two Missouri doula organizations, the Missouri Community Doula Council (MCDC) and Uzazi Village, have teamed to lobby for policy changes that would expand access to care.
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SPORTS
Belleville Althoff is off and running
The prep football postseason began last weekend, and Althoff’s Antwan Strong and Jayden Ellington were elite among a bevy of outstanding performances.
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