For many years, much of the black community in St. Louis has been suspicious, even fearful, of development, and for understandable reasons. Urban renewal often has meant gentrification, which just as often has meant spiked rents, eviction or forced exodus through eminent domain. Change also tends to stir fears, especially when economic and political power […]
Posted inLocal sports
Hot action on a frigid night
‘Battle on the Banks II’ delivers mighty knockouts and tight decisions By Glenn McBrady For the St. Louis American When the weather planted a one, two punch of ice and snow squarely on the chin of Rumble Time Promotions’ “Battle on the Banks II” boxing card last Thursday, the promoters simply dusted themselves off and […]
Posted inPolitical eye
Mike on the money
This week License Collector-Elect Mike McMillan announced more than $600,000 in grants for local organizations and businesses. McMillan is pictured here with representatives of the beneficiaries. Top Row: Greg Lukeman, Food Outreach; Michael Johnson, Monsanto YMCA; Harry Andre Michel, Red Door Restaurant; Malik Ahmed, Better Family Life; Earl Wilson, Gateway Classic Sports Foundation; Robert Powell, […]
Posted inLetters to the editor
Racism in religion
I am a Catholic priest from Nigeria studying in St. Louis. I have just published a new book on racism in American religions institutions. Is it possible for you to help me include the press release of my new book in one of your next publications? I feel that every Afrian American and indeed every […]
Posted inPolitical eye
Shrew polls on Reed
A resident of the city’s 6th Ward received a call from a pollster last week who wanted to know some interesting things about Alderman Lewis Reed, who is running for president of the Board of Alderman against incumbent Jim Shrewsbury. The pollster wanted to know how the public would react to a series of assertions […]
Posted inBusiness
How MBEs can land big business
A page from the corporate playbook By James B. Webb For the St. Louis American The trend in contracting is for corporations to issue fewer, larger contracts, making it easier and more cost-effective to manage and track them. These bundled contracts are often out of reach of small businesses. With most Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) […]
Posted inHot sheet
Kirk Franklin’s life story coming to theatres
Gospel superstar Kirk Franklin will play himself in an autobiographical feature he’s producing called “Church Boy.” The Lionsgate project follows the singer from his abandonment by a young mother to his direction of a Texas choir at age 11, a teenage dive into sex and drugs and his ultimate redemption and success. Franklin parlayed his […]
Posted inLiving It
Nicholas Gates keep his talents ‘in God’s hands’
When Nicholas Gates grandmother passed, he was devastated. After all, she was the one who said, “Everyone has talent. Go and look for your own. It might take more time than others, but stay in God’s hands.” Words like these inspired the East St. Louis born and raised artist to create something that would symbolize […]
Posted inPeople on the move
Andrea Flynn, assistant principal and fourth grade teacher Tonya Jackson
Andrea Flynn, assistant principal at Hazelwood Central High School and Tonya Jackson, a fourth grade teacher at Jamestown Elementary School, were honored at the 25th annual Iota Phi Lambda Sorority luncheon with the Apple for the Teacher Award.
Posted inLocal news
Percy Green still raising hell
Dec. 31 deadline to contribute to wax figure fund By Bill Beene Of the St. Louis American To honor the 40th anniversary of activist Percy Green’s 1964 protest climb 125 feet up the St. Louis Gateway Arch, a life-sized wax figure in his likeness is in the making. But, like Green himself during his historic […]