St. Louis American

12/25/2025

Merry Christmas! 🎄 Today, as we celebrate hope and joy, the true spirit of the season calls us to care for those still recovering from hardship in our community ✨ From neighbors helping neighbors to churches providing support, St. Louis’ response to the May tornado reminds us that Christmas is not just about gifts, but about compassion, justice, and standing with those who need us most 🤝🏾

'At Christmas, faith calls for compassion — even when systems fall short'

🖋 Ashley Winters | The St. Louis American
📸 Photo courtesy of Frizzy By Nature

'As churches across St. Louis hang wreaths, rehearse nativity plays and collect donations for families in need, the central message of Christianity is emphasized once again: care for the vulnerable, welcome the stranger and love without condition. These values — generosity, mercy and humility — lie at the heart of the Christmas story itself. Yet for many St. Louis residents still recovering from the devastating May 16 tornado, the gap between those ideals and lived reality remains painfully wide...'

As churches across St. Louis hang wreaths, rehearse nativity plays and collect donations for families in need, the central message of Christianity is emphasized once again: care for the vulnerable, welcome the stranger and love without condition. These values — generosity, mercy and humility — l...

12/25/2025

Rap superstar Nelly was on hand spreading Christmas cheer Monday night with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis as Raising Cane's gifted 100 bikes to children at Mathews-Dickey Boys and Girls Club.

📸 Kenya Vaughn | St. Louis American

12/24/2025

Deaconess Foundation has announced $450,000 in new grants supporting seniors and young people across the region, investing $350,000 in the Seniors Community Revitalization & Development Fund and $100,000 through the NextGen Grantmakers initiative 💰 The funding supports community-led efforts ranging from senior transportation, home repairs and health access to youth mental health, leadership and creative programming 🧓🏾 Youth and older adults helped guide the grantmaking process, reflecting an intentional intergenerational strategy rooted in lived experience and community voice 🎒

'Deaconess Foundation announces $450,000 in grants supporting seniors, youth'

🖋 St. Louis American staff
📸 Photo courtesy of Vitendo4Africa

'...Of the total, $350,000 was awarded through the Seniors Community Revitalization & Development Fund, also known as the Seniors Community Fund, while $100,000 was invested in five youth-serving projects through the NextGen Grantmakers initiative...'

The Deaconess Foundation has announced $450,000 in grants to community-led organizations serving seniors and young people across the region. Of the total, $350,000 was awarded through the Seniors Community Revitalization & Development Fund, also known as the Seniors Community Fund, while $100,000 wa...

12/24/2025

Viral sensation Charleston White brings his provocative comedy to Helium Comedy Club - Saint Louis for one night only. See COMEDY for details.

'Sites and Sounds: St. Louis American Calendar'

🖋 St. Louis American staff
📸 Photo from Facebook

Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS Fri., Dec. 26, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saint Louis Art Museum Kwanzaa Celebration is presented in partnership with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Saint Louis Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter, Saint Louis Art Museum. For more information and full schedule of programming, visit www.slam....

12/24/2025

A faith-filled homecoming took place at Powell Hall as IN UNISON and the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra welcomed The Clark Sisters (thelegendaryclarksisters) for a nearly sold-out, two-night “An IN UNISON Christmas” celebration 🎶 The gospel legends brought five decades of harmony, praise and musical legacy to the newly renovated Jack C. Taylor Music Center, blending spirituals, holiday favorites and signature hits with the orchestra’s versatility 🎄 From powerful worship moments to joyful singalongs, the concert honored community, tradition and the enduring power of gospel music 🙌🏾

'A faith-filled holiday homecoming'

🖋 Kenya Vaughn | The St. Louis American
📸 Taylor Marrie | St. Louis American

'Director Kevin McBeth greeted guests of An IN UNISON Christmas with a familiar sentiment. It is one that has been echoed since September, when The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra returned to Powell Hall after two years of renovations and upgrades.

“There truly is no place like home,” McBeth said...'

Living It content is produced with funding by the ARPA for the Arts grants program in partnership with the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis and the Community Development Administration



https://www.stlamerican.com/arts-and-entertainment/living-it-arts-and-entertainment/a-faith-filled-holiday-homecoming/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_St._Louis_American

12/23/2025

Defending champions and elite talent are setting the tone for another strong boys’ high school basketball season, with teams like Vashon, Principia and Webster Groves leading the way and standout players across the metro and Metro East already putting up big numbers as league play heats up 🏀🔥🏆

'Defending champions, standout players highlight boys’ basketball season'

🖋 Earl Austin Jr. | The St. Louis American
📸 Earl Austin Jr. | St. Louis American

'The high school basketball season has been going strong for the last couple of weeks. There will be plenty of excellent teams to look at, including defending state champions Vashon, Principia and Webster Groves. Some of the other teams to look at this season are East St. Louis, DeSmet, Chaminade, McCluer North and many others. Here is a look at some of the top boys’ players to watch this season...'

The high school basketball season has been going strong for the last couple of weeks. There will be plenty of excellent teams to look at, including defending state champions Vashon, Principia and Webster Groves. Some of the other teams to look at this season are East St. Louis, DeSmet, Chaminade, Mc...

12/23/2025

Former Missouri Supreme Court Chief Justice Mike Wolff weighs in on Gov. Mike Kehoe’s push to eliminate the state income tax, arguing that while cutting the tax may be politically easy, replacing it fairly is far more complicated. Wolff outlines how income, sales and property taxes currently fund public education, infrastructure and essential services, warning that alternative revenue sources could shift the burden onto working families and deepen inequities if not carefully designed 📊🏛️

'Eliminating the income tax is easy. Replacing it is not'

🖋 Mike Wolff
📸 Stock image

'Gov. Mike Kehoe’s recent announcement that he wants to eliminate Missouri’s income tax causes me to paraphrase this old poem, used often by the late Sen. Russell Long, longtime chair (1966-1981) of the Senate Finance Committee, when considering proposals for whatever was presented as “tax reform...”'

Gov. Mike Kehoe’s recent announcement that he wants to eliminate Missouri’s income tax causes me to paraphrase this old poem, used often by the late Sen. Russell Long, longtime chair (1966-1981) of the Senate Finance Committee, when considering proposals for whatever was presented as “tax refo...

12/23/2025

North St. Louis residents are weighing in on draft plans for neighborhoods around the NGA site, sharing both hope and skepticism 🏘️. At a recent open house, neighbors emphasized the need for real investment in housing, amenities and long-neglected vacant lots, not just another plan on paper 🗣️. City officials say community input will shape next steps as the proposal moves toward possible adoption.

'North St. Louis residents weigh in on draft NGA-area plans'

🖋 Ashley Winters | The St. Louis American
📸 Wiley Price | St. Louis American

'Regina Dennis-Nana has lived in the Hyde Park neighborhood for years, watching as the area around the new National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency facility has struggled with vacant lots and aging homes. She hopes the city’s latest development plan will bring homeowners back to the area, restore historic houses and fill long-empty lots.

“Well, so far that hasn’t happened yet,” Dennis-Nana said somberly...'

Regina Dennis-Nana has lived in the Hyde Park neighborhood for years, watching as the area around the new National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency facility has struggled with vacant lots and aging homes. She hopes the city’s latest development plan will bring homeowners back to the area, restore hi...

12/22/2025

Principia School is making national noise after advancing to the Final Four of the prestigious City of Palms Classic in Fort Myers, Florida, highlighted by a major upset of No. 1-ranked Wheeler High. Senior guard Quentin Coleman led the charge with 34 points in the win, following a 30-point performance in the opening round as the Panthers knocked off two of the nation’s top programs. Principia will face Paul VI Catholic in Monday’s semifinals, with a chance to reach Tuesday night’s ESPN2-televised championship game.

'Principia advances to Final Four of the City of Palms'

🖋 Earl Austin, Jr. | The St. Louis American
📸 Earl Austin Jr. | St. Louis American

'It has taken the Principia Panthers just two games to put themselves in the national spotlight in boys high school basketball.

The Panthers have advanced to the Final Four of the prestigious City of Palms Classic in Fort Meyers, Florida. It is regarded as the top holiday basketball tournament in the country.

Principia was not content to get an invitation to the party. The Panthers have crashed the proceedings by defeating two of the nation’s top programs in earning their spot in the Final Four...'

It has taken the Principia Panthers just two games to put themselves in the national spotlight in boys high school basketball. The Panthers have advanced to the Final Four of the prestigious City of Palms Classic in Fort Meyers, Florida. It is regarded as the top holiday basketball tournament in the...

12/22/2025

At Better Family Life’s recent Kwanzaa Expo, a group of young Black boys stepped into the spirit of Ujamaa through a hands-on entrepreneurship workshop led by Saturday Boys Academy and local business leaders, learning about pricing, branding, target audiences and ownership while building confidence and community-minded vision for their futures. The session showed that business can be about solving problems, creating joy and circulating dollars right back into the community — planting early seeds of leadership and shared wealth 🌱📊🤝🏾

'Seeds of business, roots of Ujamaa'

🖋 Kenya Vaughn | The St. Louis American
📸 Photo courtesy of Saturday Boys Academy

'While Better Family Life’s annual Kwanzaa Expo was underway with vendors and cultural celebrations recently, a group of young Black boys gathered in a separate room at the organization’s headquarters for a different kind of exchange. They leaned into conversations about pricing strategies, branding, target audiences and what it truly means to build something of value through entrepreneurship...'

https://www.stlamerican.com/business/seeds-of-business-roots-of-ujamaa/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_St._Louis_American

12/22/2025

How the McCalls stole Christmas
.. Curtis McCall, Jr. possesses the same arrogance, defiance and reliance upon nepotism and cronyism as his father.

'Cahokia heist!'

🖋 James T. Ingram for The St. Louis American
📸 Cahokia District 187 Superintendent Curtis McCall, Jr. Photo courtesy of AOL.

It could be, perhaps, that their heads aren’t screwed on quite right. It could be that their egos are way out of sight.

But I think the most likely reason of all may be that their hearts are two sizes too small.

Unfortunately, a Grinch-like mentality is the only means of describing the dearth of responsible leadership and lack of transparency and accountability on the part of Curtis McCall, Jr., the superintendent of Cahokia School District 187.

On his watch, the teachers and staff of District 187 have entered into the 2025 school year, and continue to work, without a contract for teachers and staff.

Instead, according to Wendy Lochmann, president of the Cahokia Federation of Teachers (CFT), Local #1272, “District leadership has prioritized politically connected administrative jobs over classrooms."

Everyone in Cahokia Heights liked Christmas a lot. But the McCalls, who run the town, do NOT! It could be, perhaps, that their heads aren’t screwed on quite right. It could be that their egos are way out of sight. But I think the most likely reason of all may be that their hearts are […]

12/22/2025

HBCU football delivered a powerful reminder of what bowl season is meant to celebrate during this year’s Celebration Bowl in Atlanta, where South Carolina State stormed back from a 21-point halftime deficit to defeat Prairie View A&M in a dramatic four-overtime classic 🏈. Backup quarterback Ryan Stubblefield emerged as the unlikely hero, earning MVP honors while showcasing resilience, preparation and belief under the brightest lights, as both teams displayed elite talent, pride and passion before a national audience ⭐. From clutch performances to electric bands and fans, the game stood as a testament to the excellence and spirit of HBCU athletics.

'HBCUs deliver sensational Celebration Bowl'

🖋 Alvin Reid
📸 HBCU Gameday / Sports Illustrated

'There was a controversial officiating decision that had a major impact on the sensational contest. During the fourth OT, when teams must attempt a two-point conversion, the Bulldogs’ Tyler Smith converted on a pass from Stubblefield...'

College football bowl games have changed in my lifetime. While some still hold their luster, many bowls are left on the backburner as the College Football Playoff tournament begins. Postseason games, which are designed to celebrate achievement of teams that reach the six-win plateau and showcase a h...