The St. Louis Minority Business Development Agency recently hosted its inaugural Tribute to Women Business Leaders Brunch on May 12 at the Downtown St. Louis Marriott Grand Hotel. The organization’s mission is to “strengthen the U.S. economy by helping ethnic minority businesses create or retain jobs, and build economically vibrant, socially responsible entrepreneurs, businesses, and communities. Sharilyn […]
Posted inHealth opinion
‘Earned trust’ is a vital sign in vaccinating more homeless people
Homeless shelters and service providers in the St. Louis region are leaning on the trust they’ve fostered for years in the homeless community to get COVID-19 vaccines in arms. So far, it’s working. Organizations including St. Patrick Center, Peter and Paul Community Services, St. Vincent de Paul and City Hope have helped vaccinate nearly 400 […]
Posted inBusiness news
Xavier Scruggs now at-bat for St. Louis Cardinals diversity, inclusion effort
Former St. Louis Cardinals player Xavier Scruggs is embracing his role as the franchise’s first diversity, equity and inclusion consultant for the team’s Baseball Operations department. His daily work will emphasize: Helping the Cardinals organization present favorable change concerning diversity and inclusion efforts. Educating and preparing players for cultural differences in baseball and their communities. […]
Posted inPeople on the move
Stifel hires Akande as director of human resources, diversity and inclusion
Stifel Financial Corp. announced that Dr. Benjamin Ola. Akande will join the firm as Director of Human Resources, Diversity and Inclusion. Dr. Akande most recently served as the President of Champlain College in Burlington, Vermont. He was assistant vice chancellor of International Programs-Africa, director of the Africa Initiative, and associate director of the Global Health […]
Posted inJamala rogers
Voter suppression and revisionist history
Tennessee state Rep. Justin Lafferty recently extolled the goodness of the so-called “Three-Fifths Compromise” on the House floor, saying it was an honest effort to end slavery. Like other pages from the Republican racist playbook, you hear pretty much the same talking points from GOP talking heads around the country. Sadly, because many Americans do […]
Posted inLocal religion
Survey finds racial division, stereotyping among Christians
Most practicing Christians believe the church can enhance race relations in this country by welcoming people of all races and ethnicities, new research finds. But 29 percent of Black practicing Christians say they have experienced racial prejudice in multiracial congregations, compared to about 10 percent who report such an experience in monoracial Black churches. And […]
Posted inHealth news
Missouri approves bill to increase access to HIV risk prevention drug
It joins states of California, Oregon Time sensitive HIV medication will reach more Missourians through a recently pass state legislature bill. State Sen. Greg Razer (D-Jackson County) and state Rep. Phil Christofanelli (R-St. Peters) backed the legislation with support from Empower Missouri and the Missouri HIV Justice Coalition. Pharmacists can now dispense post-exposure prophylaxis (often […]
Posted inPeople on the move
Yattassaye joins Cambia Health Solutions
Amadou Yattassaye has joined Cambia Health Solutions (Portland, OR) as executive vice president of market growth, leading branding, sales and marketing efforts. Yattassaye comes to Cambia from Anthem, where he was most recently president of the Missouri market and leader of the company’s multi-state third-party administrator, HealthLink. Before Anthem, he spent 10 years with Deloitte and […]
Posted inBusiness news
Urban League, STL Youth Jobs partner on summer employment program
Youths, young adults, employers can apply If you need a summer job, the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis and STL Youths Jobs want to hear from you. The organizations are supporting summer employment opportunities for people ages 15-24. “The Urban League is proud to partner once again with STL Youth Jobs to provide valuable […]
Posted inGuest columnists
Whitewashing history alive, well in America
I’m going to give Texas Republicans their props. They are masters at “The sky is falling” messaging. Their latest ‘These-minorities-are-trying-to-erase-us’ move is scaring white folks into believing that teaching students diversity is somehow a bad thing. The Texas legislature is really introducing bills to change the state’s civic education curriculum by advancing bills that would […]