University City Lions off to roaring start
@stlouisamerican
@stlouisamerican
St. Louis American See page B5
The
CAC Audited SEPTEMBER 18 – 24, 2025
Serving, empowering and advocating for equity in St. Louis since 1928
stlamerican.com
Resolution honoring Charlie Kirk rejected
By Sylvester Brown, Jr. St. Louis American
See RESOLUTION, A14
COMPLIMENTARY
Leading ladies, legends and trailblazers
Residents decry late conservative activist as hateful Nearly two dozen residents packed Tuesday’s St. Louis County Council meeting, divided sharply over whether assassinated right-wing provocateur Charlie Kirk should be honored by a body that represents the county’s entire diverse population. In the end, the council rejected a resolution by Republican Councilman Mark Harder of District 7 that sought to recognize Kirk’s “commitment to truth, freedom and constitutional principles” and to denounce the political violence that ended his life. The debate stretched well beyond the usual procedure, becoming a referendum on Kirk’s polarizing legacy: Some cast him as a defender of free speech, while others painted him as a racist, misogynistic hatemonger.
Vol. 97 No. 24
Soulful tributes and star power fill Urban League’s Women in Leadership Gala
By Ashley Winters St. Louis American Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American
University City resident Rev. Edmund Lowe asks the St. Louis County Council to reject a resolution proposed by Republican Councilman Mark Harder to honor Charlie Kirk.
Salute to Excellence in Education Normandy Schools Collaborative Superintendent Dr. Michael Triplett will be honored as one of five Excellence in Education Awardees at the Salute to Excellence in Education Scholarship and Awards Gala on Saturday, Nov. 1.
Soulful music, heartfelt tributes and a sea of formal gowns filled the Marriott St. Louis Grand ballroom Saturday night as the local Urban League celebrated its 21st annual Salute to Women “This event in Leadership Gala, was created honoring women to highlight whose achievements the unwaver- reflect the organiing dedication zation’s mission of empowering commuof women nities and changing who consislives. “This event was tently stand created to highlight as pillars of the unwavering dediprogress.” cation of women who consistently stand — Michael as pillars of progP. McMillan, ress,” said Michael Urban League P. McMillan, presof Metropolitan ident and CEO of St. Louis the Urban League President and of Metropolitan St. CEO Louis. “We have these 13 amazing women that we want to pay tribute to, and we are incredibly grateful to each and every one of them.” The honorees represented a wide range of fields — civic leadership, education, business, philanthropy, corporate work, public service and the arts. Two
See GALA, A15
Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American
Change agent
When Dr. Michael Triplett took over as superintendent of the Normandy Schools Collaborative, colleagues quickly noticed a difference. “He’s one of the most conscientious people I’ve ever met,” said Dr. Deborah Powell, a former educator, politician and athlete. “He’s always mindful of what others are feeling, and that drives his leadership. He believes if he helps others
N
t ew Page Forma
HEALTH
B1 - Living It A2 - Editorial B2 - Sites and A3 - News Sounds s A4 - Local New B5 - Sports s A5 - Business B6 - Classified lth ea H n io ig A7 B8 - Rel ids A9 - Healthy K A10 - STEM t A11 - Hotshee fs rie B s ew N A15 -
Former COO inducted into Hall of Fame By Alvin A. Reid and Dawn Suggs St. Louis American
How Michael Triplett is shaping the future of Normandy education By Sylvester Brown Jr. St. Louis American
American wins 9 firstplace awards
become their best, they’ll give their best to those they serve. That’s one of the secrets to his success.” That kind of praise follows Triplett across a career that began in a sixth-grade classroom and has carried him through roles as social worker, vice principal, principal, program director and administrator. Along the way, he has earned a reputation as both a no-nonsense leader and a servant of people. This fall, the St. Louis American Foundation will recog-
The St. Louis American earned nine first-place honors, including awards for overall design, online journalism and community service, at the 2025 Missouri Press Association Better Newspaper Contest. The event also included the posthumous induction of the American’s late chief operating officer, Kevin Kevin Jones, into the Missouri Jones Newspaper Hall of Fame. The awards were presented Saturday at the Wildwood Hotel in Wildwood, Missouri. American Publisher Donald M. Suggs said the awards reflect
See TRIPLETT, A15
See AWARDS, A14
BUSINESS
Lion Forge Entertainment scores $30M investment
Less than two weeks after the first feature film adaptation of “Iyanu” premiered, HarbourView Equity Partners announced it will be leading a $30 million investment in the studio.
Page A5