Deaconess invests $100K in youth organizing Rev. Wilson: ‘We need a long-term strategy to elevate people to level of inluence’
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St. LouiS AmericAn The
CAC Audited SEPTEMBER 18 – 24, 2014
Vol. 85 No. 24 COMPLIMENTARY
stlamerican.com
‘Fannie Lou Hamer’ caucus being formed STL County Black Dems ‘sick and tired of being sick and tired’ By Rebecca Rivas Of The St. Louis American African Americans in St. Louis County are “sick and tired of being sick and tired,” said political leaders Wednesday at a press conference held at the City of Berkeley City Hall. More than 30 elected officials in St. Louis County have joined the Fannie Lou Hamer Democratic Coalition of St. Louis County, a new political organization that will address the “disparate treatment” and “disrespect” of African
Americans in the county. The coalition will address issues including economic development, health care, education, housing and the criminal justice system. “We are all serving notice that we are not going to support candidates just because they have an insignia of a donkey behind their name,” said Hazel Erby, St. Louis County councilwoman of the 1st District. African-American residents are tired of See CAUCUS, A7
Photo by Wiley Price
State Rep. Sharon Pace, Berkeley Mayor Theodore Hoskins, St. Louis Community College Trustee Doris Graham, St. Louis County Councilwoman Hazel Erby and state Rep. Courtney Curtis were among the elected officials who have formed the Fannie Lou Hamer Democratic Coalition of St. Louis County.
Educators shine at Salute 27th annual gala raises $250K in scholarships, introduces ‘Suggs Fellows’ By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American “The lesson I’m still learning when receiving an award is to say thank you without deflecting,” St. Louis Community College professor Dr. Terrence Freeman said upon accepting his Stellar Performer Award at the St. Louis American Foundation’s 27th Annual Salute to Excellence in Education Scholarship and Awards Gala Friday night at America’s Center. “It’s hard because being a stellar performer is a reminder, even in this moment of acknowledgment, that the evening sky is filled with shining stars – and I have been blessed to be irradiated by that brilliance.” Friday night illuminated the best and brightest from both sides of the classroom, giving special recognition to esteemed educators and student scholars. Almost 1,300 guests attended the black tie gala – whose longstanding lead sponsor is Anheuser Busch.
27th
Photo by Wiley Price
Almost 1,300 guests attended the St. Louis American Foundation’s black-tie Salute to Excellence in Education Scholarship and Awards Gala Friday night at America’s Center.
Speaking of Faith
Stewards give $1M to United Way Charmaine Chapman Society celebrates 20 years of leadership giving By Chris King Of The St. Louis American One of David Steward’s proudest personal accomplishments is his inspirational book, “Doing Business by the Good Book,” where he shows how faith in God can guide the pursuit of success in business. The founder and chairman of World Wide Technology, Inc. and his wife and partner in
David and Thelma celebrated the 20th Anniversary of the Charmaine Chapman Society with 600 guests at the Peabody Opera House on Saturday.
philanthropy, Thelma Steward, acted on the principles in his book by citing faith as their inspiration to make an annual gift of $1 million to the United Way of Greater St. Louis. They are the first AfricanAmerican philanthropists in St. Louis to donate $1 million to the United Way in one year. “The Holy Scriptures guide our life,” David and Thelma Steward See STEWARDS, A7
See SALUTE, A6
Protestors challenge County Council Umar Lee: ‘a vote for Stenger is a vote for McCulloch’ By Bridjes O’Neil Of The St. Louis American Ferguson protesters vocally called for the recusal of St. Louis County Prosecutor Bob McCulloch Tuesday at a St. Louis County Council meeting held in Clayton. Protesters, led by Brother Anthony Shahid, gave Councilman Steve Stenger until noon Wednesday to denounce McCulloch, one of Stenger’s key political supporters in his successful Democratic primary campaign against County Executive Charlie Dooley. See COUNCIL, A6
Cedric Scott Photography