Jeanetta Hawkins is one of two Entrepreneurs of the Year
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St. LouiS AmericAn The
CAC Audited OCTOBER 18 – 24, 2018
COMPLIMENTARY
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COGIC remembers Bishop Robert Ward Presiding Bishop Blake eulogized beloved Kennerly Temple pastor By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American On the night of Monday, October 8, Kennerly Temple Church of God in Christ was at capacity. It was the first service of a twoday homegoing celebration for Bishop Robert James Ward. Cars lined the streets for more
than two blocks in every direction as saints ushered Bishop Ward to glory. He passed away September 30 at the age of 88. Bishop Ward was a nationally renowned leader within the Church of God in Christ (COGIC) denomination. Kennerly Temple’s senior pastor for more than 50 years, he hosted the church’s popular radio program that
Bishop Robert James Ward
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featured his fiery sermons. “Thank God for the ministry of Bishop R.J. Ward,” COGIC Presiding Bishop and Chief Apostle Charles E. Blake Sr. said during the Tuesday afternoon service. “Bishop Ward was a dear friend of mine, and a supporter and an encourager of my ministry.” Bishop Blake took time See WARD, A7
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How I learned to be a leader By Jerrel Sibert For The St. Louis American Part of a year-long series, presented by The American and the Brown School at Washington University, about changing the narratives and outcomes of young black males in St. Louis. On September 23, 2005, a black male was born in St. Louis, Missouri, and my parents named me Jerrel Sibert. Growing up I was a pretty privileged black kid who always had a lot of toys and entertainment. So I never knew the issues that were going on around me in my own city, like today’s news headlines: “A sad day for the Brown family” or Jerrel Sibert “Young black male shot in his car for getting his ID.” I was concerned, so I asked my mom, “What does all of this mean?” She explained it to me, and all I could say was: “Why?” She is working hard for both of us. Being a single mother is hard, and it makes me respect mothers a lot more. Living in a small house in Florissant where you hear screaming or a gunshot outside had me staying under her at all times. At the same time, I was going to a not-so-great school and becoming a little troublemaker myself. See MALES, A6
Photo by Lawrence Bryant
Candles for Darrell Thomas Two small children comforted each other when hundreds of mourners gathered at Commons Lane Elementary in Florissant on Thursday, October 11 for a candlelight vigil and balloon release to remember 13-year-old Darrell Thomas. The teen passed away suddenly on the evening of Monday, October 8 after basketball practice.
Reno becomes STL County’s first black presiding judge Was first African-American woman circuit judge in county By Chris King Of The St. Louis American
Ferguson police chief to step down Delrish Moss says he was not pushed out, needs to be with family in Miami
At a press conference on October 12, with Ferguson City Manager De’Carlon Seewood by his side, Ferguson Police Chief Delrish Moss announced his resignation from the department effective next month.
By Rebecca Rivas Of The St. Louis American Ferguson Police Chief Delrish Moss vividly remembers arriving at the department on May 9, 2016 for his first day of work. “There were protests on one side of the street to let me know they mean business,” Moss said, “and there were people on the other side of the street welcoming me. It’s funny, because over the course of the two years, who welcomes me and who protests me have sort of shifted back and forth. For the most part, I’ve made inroads on both sides.” See MOSS, A8
Circuit Court Judge Gloria Clark Reno was unanimously elected by her peers to become the first African American to lead the 21st Judicial Circuit as presiding judge since it was established in 1815. Being a judicial pioneer is not new to Reno. When Gov. Jeremiah W. “Jay” Nixon appointed her circuit judge in the 21st Circuit, which covers St. Louis County, in 2009, she became the first Gloria Clark African-American woman to Reno serve as a circuit judge in the county. Gov. Bob Holden had appointed her associate circuit judge in 2002. “She is very committed and dedicated,” former Missouri Supreme Court Chief Justice Ronnie L. White told The American when Nixon appointed See RENO, A6
Photo by Wiley Price