As moratorium expires, advocates fear ‘flood’ of evictions
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Vol. 93 No. 23
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St. Louis American See page B1
The
CAC Audited SEPTEMBER 2 – 8, 2021
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CCS has raised more than $50 million for community Larry Thomas has gifted more than $1 million
By Alvin A. Reid The St. Louis American When it comes to the Charmaine Chapman Society and its impact on the community, Larry Thomas is a million-dollar man. Thomas, an Edward Jones partner, was an inaugural member of the Society, which is comprised of African Americans who donate $1,000 or more to the annual United Way Campaign. Thomas is the newsest member of CCS to donate $1 million, and he remains an active participant in the annual campaign. “United Way’s mission of helping people live better lives and the Charmaine Chapman Society’s impact in our community is very special and inspiring,” he said.
“In its first year in 1994, CCS raised $70,000. Today, the Society has collectively raised more than $50 million, which is an incredible accomplishment for our region. Dr. Donald Suggs, publisher of The St. Louis American, led the philanthropic group’s creation with the late Charmaine Chapman, the first woman and Black person to head United Way of Greater St. Louis. The first of its kind in the nation, it was titled the African American Giving initiative. It was graced with Chapman’s name after she passed in 2001. Thomas said the Society was established “so the Black community could demonstrate leadership in giving.” “In the space of leadership giving, CCS provided a platform for our voices to be heard and our actions to be signiSee CCS, A6
n “In its first year in 1994, CCS raised $70,000. Today, the Society has collectively raised more than $50 million.” – Larry Thomas
Photo by Jennifer Sarti / St. Louis American
Notes of appreciation
Murphy Lee (right) performs at the opening for St. Louis Sound on Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021 at the Missouri History Museum. St. Louis Sound is the new exhibit that highlights local music history.
COMPLIMENTARY
March On Washington was step in history for local group By Alvin A. Reid The St. Louis American St. Louis and the state of Missouri were well represented at the 2021 March On Washington, Aug. 28 – exactly 58 years to the day after the march and Dr. Martin Luther King’s famous speech in which he thundered “I have a dream!” “We cannot underestimate the seriousness of these attacks on voter rights and voter suppression laws being passed by many states,” said John Bowman, president of the St. Louis County NAACP. “We must protect the most fundamental of rights, and that is exercising the right to vote. Bowman was part of a group of about 40 people who traveled from St. Louis to Washington on a n U.S. Rep Cori bus to take part in the march, workBush, who met shops and rally the group in in conjunction Washington, told with the Missouri Voter Protection USA TODAY that voting rights Coalition. U.S. Rep are integral to Cori Bush, who progressive met the group in Washington, told political sucUSA TODAY that cess. voting rights are integral to progressive political success. “I believe that there has been a deliberate attack against Black and brown and indigenous communities for so long, because our votes prevail, because our votes speak, and because our votes shake the ground,” she said. “America is at a crossroad,” said Denise Lieberman, Missouri Voter Protection Coalition director. “Democracy is in peril. We have the potential in coming weeks to protect voting rights, particularly for people of color. States are passing laws that are purposely making it harder for people of color to vote, while they should be doing the opposite.” At least six bills in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky and Oklahoma shorten windows to apply for mail-in ballots, according to the Brennan Center for Justice, a public policy nonprofit that tracks voter suppression legislation. Bills in Iowa and Montana call for reducing polling place availability. Georgia and Iowa bills seek to limit voting days and hours. Other bills, many of which have already been signed into law, ban ballot drop boxes and mail-in voting, impose harsher voter ID requirements and prohibit giving water to voters in line.
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City’s new health director takes over at critical time Board of Aldermen extend city’s mask mandate
Dr. Matifadza Hlatshwayo Davis has been appointed the city’s news health director. She is the second Black woman in the city’s history to serve in that role.
By Dana Rieck The St. Louis American St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones on Wednesday announced the appointment of the city’s new health director, Dr. Matifadza Hlatshwayo Davis. Hlatshwayo Davis is an infectious disease expert with a focus in addressing health disparities among marginalized communities and battling the HIV epidemic. During a media conference, the doctor said her training in public health and her passion for community engagement will be valuable tools in this new position and noted that her commitment to medicine and to public health is rooted in the loss of her father, a veteran in her home country of Zimbabwe, who succumbed to complications of cancer and diabetes. “Preventing similar outcomes, providing care to people at their most vulnerable and advocating for our community has been my primary focus,” she said. Hlatshwayo Davis’ resume is miles long, but currently she sits on the St. Louis City Board of Health and is also co-chair of “Fast Track Cities, St. See DIRECTOR, A7
Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American