D1 • JANUARY 16 - 22, 2025
Homage to a King: Harris Stowe’s MLK Kick-Off Celebration
By Sylvester Brown, Jr. St. Louis American On Saturday, Harris Stowe State University kicked off its 39th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Statewide Celebration. With plaques in the entryway featuring King’s photos and quotes and civil rights era images, the ceremony was indeed an homage to a King. The program was held in the university’s Dr. Henry Givens Jr. Administration Building. Ms. Montgomery Price opened the program with a gospel tune followed by Dr. King’s booming voice delivering his iconic “I have a Dream” speech. On a background screen brutal, bloody but heroic images of the civil rights era (1954-1968) and vicious segregationist, burning crosses, cops attacking protestors, the Montgomery Bus Boycott with King defending nonviolent protesting. The video was followed by national gospel recording Artist Jesse D. Williams and Total Praise gospel group. The ever
Photo by Wiley Price I St. Louis American
2025 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. State Celebration Commission Award recipients were honored during the 39th Annual Statewide Celebration Kick-off Program for Missouri on Saturday, January 11th at Harris-Stowe State University.
popular Carol Daniel, director of the Urban League’s Save Our Sisters program and host of Nine PBS, served as moderator. “Every time I see any video and hear the words of Dr. King, I am reminded of whose shoulders I stand upon,” Daniels told the audience. This year’s theme, “Harmony in Action: A Journey Towards Unity and Hope,” seemed appropriately selected to address the social and political chaos in the nation. Dr. Latonia Collins Smith, Harris Stowe’s president and chairwoman of the Dr. MLK event, welcomed the crowd while emphasizing the meaning of
this year’s theme. “It serves as a powerful reminder of our collective responsibility to build a more just and equitable society. It is a call to action for all of us, urging individuals and communities alike to work intentionally toward a world rooted in mutual respect, shared purpose and optimism for the possibilities we can achieve together.” Tributary videos featuring newly elected Congressman (1st Cong. District), Wesley Bell, Gov. Mike Parson, St. Louis County Executive, Sam Page and Mayor See King, D7
Finding liberation through family lineage
ESL Monitor’s Reginald RiddleYoung to keynote
“Starting in my hometown of St. Paul, Minnesota, this genealogical memoir and research project traces 400 years of family history, beginning with my boyhood and working back through slavery,
The Alton Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) will celebrate its 46th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration at 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, at Alton Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, 2621 Amelia St. Leon Smallwood-Bey, 2025 Dr. King Committee and n As a past NAACP chapter Executive president National Committee Pan Hellenic president, said Council of East the 2025 theme St. Louis and Alpha is “Don’t Give Phi Alpha Fraternity Up on the Dream!” East St. Louis, “People will Riddle-Young gather to honor encourages social Dr. King’s faith, love, change through and courage community service through song and social action. and community recognition.” The Riverbend Choir will offer musical selections and the Alton NAACP Youth Council will make a presentation. The NAACP will present the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Service Award to an area pastor, and Leah Becoat and members of Three Purple Coats Theater Company will deliver an “I Have Dream” presentation. East St. Louis Monitor journalist Reginald Riddle-Young will be the keynote speaker for the event. A native East St. Louis, Riddle-Young is a graduate of Lincoln Senior High School. Knowing that academic and professional achievement were keys to achieving higher social, economic and intellectual status. He furthered his education at Western Illinois University earning a Bachelor of Arts in Communications/ Journalism, and then a Master of Arts in Public Relations from Webster
See Author, D7
See Alton, D7
By American Staff
Photos courtesy of St. Louis County Library
The St. Louis County Library’s Black History Celebration presents award-winning journalist Lee Hawkins, author of “I Am Nobody’s Slave: How Uncovering My Family’s History Set Me Free.” gered childhood trauma and chronic stress in shortening his ancestors’ lives, using genetic testing, reporting, and historical data to craft a moving family portrait. This book shows how genealogical research can educate and heal Americans of all races, revealing through their story the story of America.
East St. Louis Monitor journalist Reginald Riddle-Young will be the keynote speaker for the event. A native East St. Louis, RiddleYoung is a graduate of Lincoln Senior High School.
St. Louis American
County Library presents author Lee Hawkins for Black History Month Celebration On the heels of their attendance record-breaking Black History Month Celebration with bestselling author and MSNBC anchor Joy-Ann Reid last year, The St. Louis County Library will welcome Lee Hawkins on Thursday, Jan. 23 for its 2025 program. Hawkins – a 2022 Pulitzer Prize finalist as a lead reporter on a series about the Tulsa Massacre of 1921 at the Wall Street Journal – will discuss his newly released book “I Am Nobody’s Slave: How Uncovering My Family’s History Set Me Free.” Missouri History Museum historian Gwen Moore will engage in a conversation with Hawkins about the book. The program is presented in partnership with The Missouri History Museum and the Emerson History and Genealogy Center. “I Am Nobody’s Slave” tells the story of one Black family’s pursuit of the American Dream through the impacts of systemic racism and racial violence. Hawkins explores the role of racism-trig-
Alton NAACP chapter to celebrate MLK