Urban League now home to Simmons Bank branch
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St. Louis American See page B1
Serving, empowering and advocating for equity in St. Louis since 1928
CAC Audited OCTOBER 12 – 18, 2023
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Kamala Harris: ‘Democracy is on the ballot’ She was in STL with DNC chair
By Sylvester Brown Jr. and Dawn Suggs St. Louis American The Democratic National Committee stumped for Black votes and sought to energize party members during a three-day regional conference in St. Louis Oct. 4-6, 2023. Headlining the event were Vice President Kamala Harris and Jaime R. Harrison DNC chair. During a well-received appearance with former DNC Chair Donna Brazille who interviewed her during a “Women’s Caucus Program,” Harris tailored her message to all Democrats regardless of race, age, or gender. Harrison appealed to Black voters in an interview with the St. Louis American. Insisting that “Democracy will be on the ballot,” Harris added, “Talk with folk and remind them that they are not in this alone.
See HARRIS, A6
Vol. 95 No. 28 COMPLIMENTARY
Reckoning with racism, even at a haven like Spelman
Cynthia Spence says dialogue needed to help HBCU students heal from beliefs rooted in white supremacy Photo by Brian Munoz / St. Louis Public Radio
Vice President Kamala Harris reacts as she is introduced on Friday, Oct. 6, 2023, during the DNC Fall Meeting at the Marriott St. Louis Grand in downtown St. Louis.
By Joseph Williams Word In Black The Black liberation struggle is literally in the DNA of Spelman College. Founded specifically to educate Black women. The school is named for an Ohio couple who helped the enslaved reach freedom and whose daughter, Laura Spelman Rockefeller — wife of wealthy industrialist John D. Rockefeller — was an Cynthia early benefactor. Spence Indeed, most undergraduates and alumnae see the Atlanta campus as a haven from white supremacy, and patriarchy, in higher education. Therefore, it’s easy to assume that racial truth-telling and reconciliation are non-issues.
See SPENCE, A7
Eight educators to be honored for excellence They span the area with expertise
Photo by Maurice Meredith
St. Louis native Brenda Battle said Homer G. Phillips Hospital closed because it was never properly invested in. Even as the safety net in the Black community, the lack of financial support made it impossible to sustain. The impact of the closure in 1979 is still being felt.
A Battle to improve health care
Healthcare advocate Brenda Battle keynotes HG Phillips Lecture By Ashley Winters St. Louis American Brenda Battle returned to St. Louis to deliver the Homer G. Phillips Public Health Lecture Series keynote address and she offered a stirring message urging the region to reduce its healthcare disparities. The annual event carried the 2023 theme of “Anchoring Communities: A
Roadmap to Equity and Transformation in Marginalized Communities. Battle, who serves as Community Health Transformation senior vice president and chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer at the University of Chicago Medicine, discussed best practices to transform underserved communities into health-thriving neighborhoods. She began by acknowledging the
HEALTH
Strutting, striding in battle against breast cancer
More than 6,000 people participated in the 14th Annual SistaStrut Breast Cancer Walk and Parade on Saturday, Oct. 7, in support of breast cancer patients, survivors, families, and advocates.
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importance of Homer G. Phillips Hospital, and its closure. “Homer G. Phillips closed because it was never properly invested in,” said Battle, adding that it was “the safety net in the community. Once the revenue is depleted it is difficult to sustain it.” “Hospitals are the anchors in the community,” she said.
See BATTLE, A6
St. Louis American Outstanding educators can be found at schools throughout the St. Louis region and eight of them will be honored during the 36th Annual St. Louis American Foundation Salute to Excellence in Education Scholarship and Awards Gala. The Gala is Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, at America’s Center in downtown St. Louis. James T. Minor, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville chancellor and Joycelyn Pugh-Walker, executive director of federal programs for the FergusonFlorissant School District, will be honored as Stellar Performers in Education. Kathy Osborn, Regional Business Council CEO, will receive the first-ever Champion for Education Special Leadership Award. Khadija Thompson will be honored as SEMO Counselor of
See SALUTE, A6
SPORTS
Jeremy Maclin named to Mizzou’s Ring of Honor
Jeremy Maclin was honored last Saturday when Mizzou and The National Football Foundation (NFF) and College Hall of Fame welcomed Maclin to the Ring of Honor.
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