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St. Louis American See page B1
The
CAC Audited DECEMBER 12 – 18, 2024
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Rams settlement funds touch down in Transform Act By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American
See RAMS, A7
COMPLIMENTARY
Arrey Obenson out as president and CEO
Faces BOA scrutiny
With thoughtful expectation of helping transform St. Louis’ infrastructure and its image, Mayor Tishaura O. Jones, President of the Board of Aldermen Megan Green, and Alderwoman Alisha Sonnier introduced the Transform STL Act on Wednesday at City Hall. The bill, if approved by the Board of Aldermen, would target the Rams Settlement Funds into several categories including infrastructure, development, and families and children. “From Delmar to Dutchtown to Downtown, every neighborhood deserves to benefit from these settlement funds,” said Mayor Tishaura O. Jones. “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity that will be used to transform the lives of many generations to come.” The Transform Act would direct money from the Rams Settlement into the following funds: Infrastructure ($100 million) - Citywide Water
Vol. 96 No. 36
Reason for departure at International Institute St. Louis unknown Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American
St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones introduced the Transform STL Act at City Hall on Wednesday. She was joined by Board of Aldermen President Megan Green (left) and 7th Ward Alderwoman Alisha Sonnier. Jones says the proposed bill would direct Rams settlement money to various projects throughout the city, including infrastructure improvements, and support to children and families.
By Ashley Winters The St. Louis American Arrey Obenson is out as president and CEO of International Institute St. Louis. Blake S. Hamilton, senior vice president of talent development and advocacy, is in as interim president and CEO. It is unknown why the shift in leadership occurred. In an email to International Institute staff, Hamilton said, “I will work closely with each of you in the coming days and weeks to continue with Arrey all of our work togethObenson er.” Hamilton said the Institute board will conduct a national search for a permanent replacement for the departed Obenson, even as reasons for his leaving his position remain unclear. “Our organizational commitment to refugees and immigrants forms the strong roots which has fed the growth of our
See OBENSON, A7
Pardon of KC killer cop seems assured
Photo coutersy of the AP
Virginia Tech English Professor, Nikki Giovanni, leads the crowd in a cheer after closing remarks at a convocation to honor the victims of a shooting rampage at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va., Tuesday, April 17, 2007.
‘She was a force of nature’
By Sylvester Brown, Jr. St. Louis American
African American poets, Giovanni was also an author, commentator, activist and educator who emerged as a leading voice within the Black Arts Movement of the late 1960s. Her work includes poetry anthologies, poetry recordings, and nonfiction essays, and covers topics ranging from race and social issues to children’s literature. She framed the Black struggle in America as the ultimate demonstration
On the morning of Dec. 3, 2019, former Kansas City police detective Eric DeValkenaere responded to a police radio call to check out a driver who was speeding through city streets. The officer said he saw Cameron Lamb, a 26-year-old Black man and father of three from Kansas City, backing his pickup truck into a garage. Reportedly, DeValkenaere, who was not in a police uniform, knocked down a makeshift fence and entered the property. Nine seconds later, DeValkenaere shot and killed Lamb, who was sitting in his pickup and had just placed a phone call. Jackson County Judge, J. Dale Youngs, convicted DeValkenaere of second-degree involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action. Declaring the shooting
See NIKKI, A6
See PARDON, A6
Iconic poet, writer Nikki Giovanni passes at 81 By Kenya Vaughn The St. Louis American When a poet functions at the highest level of their calling, they have the power to shift the universe of a reader. A perfectly curated assortment of words can compel one to examine faith, grief, joy, life, loss, love, purpose and sorrow – sometimes all at once. Nikki Giovanni used poetry for an even higher calling than that. At a time when hatred and systemic racism
permeated every aspect of American life, her work served as both a prompt for Black self-love and a declaration of Black power. Giovanni passed away on Monday, December 9. She was 81. Although a family statement didn’t disclose her cause of death, in the Emmy Awardwinning documentary about her life “Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project,” her ongoing battle with cancer was a point of discussion. One of the world’s most famous
HEALTH
‘Rosa Powered’ app supports student mental health
Rosa Powered, a new app that gives schools access to professional crisis intervention resources and provides students with daily mental health support, will soon be available to area school districts.
Page A10
Could happen before Christmas
SPORTS
Two St. Louis schools take home state football titles
The DeSmet Spartans won the Missouri Class 6 state championship while the Lutheran North Crusaders won the Class 4 state title, respectively, on Friday.
Page B3