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St. Louis American See page B1
CAC Audited OCTOBER 5 – 11, 2023
Serving, empowering and advocating for equity in St. Louis since 1928
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Final rest for a revered community treasure
Renowned Austin Layne, Jr. passes at 87
See LAYNE, A7
COMPLIMENTARY
A fitting monument for heroic Dred Scott Headstone for legendary figure unveiled at Calvary Cemetery
By Kenya Vaughn The St. Louis American Austin Layne. The name is an institution in St. Louis – Black St. Louis in particular – because the man who bore it devoted more than a half-century of service to the mortuary industry. Layne passed away on Sunday, October 1 after an illness. He was 87. “He was a living legend,” said Layne’s widow Lady Eneazer Layne. “He was larger than life, and a force to be reckoned with.” For context regarding his standing within the community, one didn’t need to see his name written in massive cursive letters across the funeral chapels he founded. They didn’t have to walk down Austin Layne, Jr. Way –
Vol. 95 No. 27
By Ashley Winters St. Louis American
Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American
Austin Layne was honored during an appreciation celebration on March 6, 2022, and his wife Eneazer presented him with a bronze bust. Layne passed away at 87 on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023.
Dred Scott, a fighter for freedom who who helped inspire the struggle for Black American legal and civil rights, now has a monument fit for his contribution to the nation’s history. Scott’s wife, Harriet Robinson Scott, will have a new headstone celebrated at her resting place in Greenwood Cemetery in Hillsdale on October 14 the ceremony begins at 11:00 am. Family, friends, and community members gathered on Saturday, September 30 at Calvary Cemetery, 5293 West Florissant Avenue for the unveiling of headstone. The charcoal-colored monument stands 9 feet tall, and is etched with Bible scriptures and a picture of Scott. Before the new monument was erected, Scott had a simple gravestone that stood two feet tall for the past 66 years.
See SCOTT, A6
Tejan keeps students’ futures at forefront
SEMO Counselor of Year By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American Photo by Bill Greenblatt / St. Louis American
St. Louis Circuit Attorney announced on Tuesday that former Chief Justice of the Missouri Supreme Court Judge George W. Draper III, (left) will join his staff as chief training officer.
Gabe Gore adds Judge Draper to CAO team
Attorney and jurist will serve as training officer By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American Retired Missouri Supreme Court Judge George W. Draper III will join the Office of the St. Louis Circuit Attorney as Chief Training Officer on October 23, 2023. “It is a rare honor to have a man of Judge Draper’s impeccable character and vast legal expertise return to his roots in this office to train our team,” said Gore during a Tuesday press conference at his office. “He will provide our attorneys with an incomparable education that not only will promote excellence while
n George W. Draper III, whose judicial career spanned more than 20 years, worked for the Circuit Attorney’s Office for a decade beginning in 1984.
they are in this office, but also serve them well for the rest of their careers. I can think of no better role model for those who are drawn to the call of public service in the criminal justice system.”
BUSINESS
Chiropractor Glenn Miller is a men’s health advocate
Miller, who serves as 100 Black Men Health and Wellness chair, provides young Black boys and men something he didn’t always have growing up – guidance, support, and structure.
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Draper, whose judicial career spanned more than 20 years, worked for the Circuit Attorney’s Office for a decade beginning in 1984. “I welcome the opportunity to work with prosecutors on Gabe Gore’s team and share the knowledge I have gained from my years in the court room – on both sides of the bench,” Draper said. “My initiation into the profession and service to our community was through this office, so this is a homecoming of sorts for me. I am excited to step into a new role as a mentor and help shape the next generation of trial
See DRAPER, A6
Khadija Tejan could be considered a skilled laborer because she helps pave paths to success for the 5,700 students in the Riverview Gardens School District. As the district’s College and Career Counselor, she cares deeply for the postsecondary outcomes of all students, making sure they are aware of various college, career, and military pathways. Khadija “My hope is to empowTejan er them to make informed decisions about their future,” she explains. She organizes college tours, career workshops and military recruitment events to provide students with opportunities to explore different options and gain insight into potential paths they may not have considered before. She strives to ensure that every student in the district has access to the resources and support they need “to pursue their dreams beyond high school.” For her dedication to students’ futures, Tejan is recipient of the 2023 Southeast Missouri State University Counselor of the Year award.
See TEJAN, A6
LIVING IT
Speaking of art and hip hop
The Culture: Hip Hop and Contemporary Arts in the 21st Century, is an exhibition that shows the imprint St. Louis has had on the popular culture.
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