East St. Louis Center

Gina Jeffries, EdD, SIUE East St. Louis Charter High School (CHS) director, explained the CHS mission and highlighted the successes of students and staff during a YouTube news interview on “#Roland Martin Unfiltered, Daily Digital Show.”

“This school has been in existence since 1999. We are somewhat of a hidden gem in East St. Louis, and it is a blessing to walk through these hallways each and every day,” said Jeffries. “We are sponsored by SIUE and have a partners...

Her legendary name, revolutionary dance moves and fearless social activism is known worldwide. What may not be as well-known is that the renowned Katherine Dunham made 534 Katherine Dunham Place in East St. Louis her second home.

However, approximately 15 years after her death, Dunham’s home stood in disrepair – until now. Hundreds of volunteers, which included faculty, staff and students of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, along with community members, organizations and bus...

Being a longtime advocate of quality healthcare for underserved communities and a recruiter and mentor for underrepresented nursing students are a few attributes that earned Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Jerrica Ampadu, PhD, the Outstanding Leadership Award in Health, presented by the NAACP East St. Louis Branch. 

“I am honored to receive this award, and I will never tire of working to improve healthcare for those who need it most,” said Ampadu, RN, CCP, and...

Hundreds of people gathered at the corners of 25^th and State Streets in East St. Louis at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 9. Some were in brightly colored uniforms, some were holding banners and signs, and all were in anticipation of the day as they paraded to Jones Park, where they spilled onto the grounds and enjoyed festivities that included rides, games, live entertainment, community interaction and fun. 

The Emma L. Wilson King Foundation hosted its first East St. Louis Family Fun Festival ...

Little Pennies and Little Hands seemingly jump off the pages whenever Loretta Haynes and Mariah Tolson, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Head Start/Early Head Start (HS/EHS) authors, read their books to young, eager audiences. 

To expand their audience and assist at-home parents, videos of Haynes and Tolson reading their work were recently uploaded online. Both are teachers at Discovery Center for Little Scholars HS/EHS. 

“I’ve been storytelling for years,”...

The journey of Miss Jay’s Cafeteria, a client of the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, began with a first-place win in the East St. Louis Cafe of Champions Challenge held in June 2021.

Owner Jere Richardson and her team’s winnings included a $2,000 cash prize and a one-year rent- and utility-free commercial kitchen/café space on SIUE’s East St. Louis Higher Education Campus. Richardson’...

Providing support in the form of food, clothing and more to those in need, is nothing short of angelic, according to Anne DeToye, treasurer of the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Charter High School (CHS). 

“The annual CHS Angel Tree campaign helps to meet some of the basic needs of our students, so they can come to school ready and willing to learn,” said DeToye. “Our students are bright, talented and hardworking, but they have greater needs than...

Students sporting red, black, blue and green t-shirts enjoyed multiple outdoor games and activities on a circuit course of fun Friday, Sept. 24 during the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Charter High School’s (CHS) Homecoming Fest, that culminated the school’s Spirit Week. 

Although the students, who were divided into teams of freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors, were pleased at being able to play, engage and interact – their overriding miss...

Spirit Week at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Charter High School (CHS) only added to students’ excitement of being back in classes – in-person. 

“We are elated to have our scholars back in person,” said CHS Director Gina Jeffries, EdD. “We started classes Aug. 16, and because we wanted to keep the momentum going, we offered our Spirit Week a little early this year.” 

“CHS Spirit Week is an opportunity for students t...

The problems are longstanding, but the mission is clear. The current situation is bleak, but the commitment to the future is hopeful. The resources are threadbare, but the partnerships are secure. After decades of historical disinvestment and systematic disparities, the Illinois communities of Venice, Brooklyn and Madison (VBM) are targeted to be the recipients of community and economic development, thanks in part to the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Successful Communities Collaborat...

Since he was a child, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Charter High School (CHS) alumnus Justin Miller has aspired to be a professional athlete, and eventually an Olympian. 

Today, the CHS 2020 graduate, believes he’s closer to realizing his goal. The 19-year-old East St. Louis native, who ran track at CHS, is diligently working out, competing and looking ahead to 2024.  

“Now, my professional goals are to make it to the 2024 Olympics in the j...

Zamirrea Moore’s parents provided her with factual information about COVID-19 vaccinations, along with their opinion that it would be a good medical decision, and on Friday, Sept.10, the 18-year-old from East St. Louis rolled up her sleeve and got the shot. 

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Charter High School (CHS) senior, accompanied by her mother, Jazmin Moore, got her first dose of the Pfizer vaccine at the COVID Vaccine Clinic, sponsored by CHS, SIHF ...

With the start of the school year, students’ hands are full with books, various technology and now – some fresh produce, courtesy of the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Center (ESLC) gardens. 

“We have already given fresh tomatoes, cucumbers and okra to our students and parents,” said SIUE East St. Louis Charter High School (CHS) Director Gina Jeffries, EdD. “We love giving away the fresh produce, just as much as they enjoy receiving i...

Students were treated to good food, enthusiastic energy, V.I.P guests and more during this week’s Student Welcome Receptions at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. 

A time of celebration and fanfare, hosted by the Inclusive Excellence, Education and Development (The Hub), greeted the following students: Hispanic/Latinx on Monday, Aug. 30; LGBTQIA+ on Tuesday, Aug. 31; Black on Wednesday, Sept. 1 and AAPI on Thursday, Sept. 2. 

“The Student Welcome Receptions are de...

A couple thousand books have been patiently waiting in a back room of the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Learning Resource Center (LRC) for their new homes. The time is approaching when many of them will be transferred to Little Libraries located throughout East St. Louis, according to outgoing LRC Director Rebecca Harper, an SIUE alumnae. 

“Little Libraries are a wonderful thing,” said Harper, of Edwardsville. “They are everywhere in Edwardsvill...

Although masks covered their faces, smiles shone through and excitement was evident as Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Charter High School (CHS) students walked down a red carpet on their first day of school, Monday, Aug. 16. Also showing exuberance were CHS staff who held welcome signs and cheered for their students. 

“This is one of the best days ever at Charter High School,” said CHS Director Gina Jeffries, EdD, “because we are able to welcome ...

Against the backdrop of a misunderstood and miscalculated public image and steady, salacious media coverage, is a city that boasts talented and hard-working residents, strong community ties, and a way of life that is full of grit, creativity and enjoyment. 

This positive, encouraging and largely unrecognized truth is becoming known thanks to the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation (TRHT) Campus Center. TRHT has completed the first instal...

In tribute to such legends as Katherine Dunham and Miles Davis, and in honor of such celebrities as Darius Miles and Eugene B. Redmond, the East St. Louis Senior High School auditorium stage became the platform on which “The City of Champions” was celebrated and revered through song, dance and musical instrumentation. 

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Center (ESLC) for the Performing Arts brought its summer session to a close Friday, July 30 with a p...

Ora Lockett, counselor for the SIUE East St. Louis Center’s Building Futures program, is grateful for the media attention she’s been getting lately. The CEO and founder of The Gr8full Company has been spotlighted for her plant-based hair, skin and body products.

Lockett began developing her products in 2018 after much research and frustration over her hair loss. Armed with an abundance of drive and determination, Lockett launched her company in 2019. In her quest to help others...

With an engaging smile, dancing eyes and quick, witty responses, Germaine Yancy, of East St. Louis, tells of his plans for his brand-new blue pinstripe suit. Yancy was one of almost 50 veterans who received a free suit and one of more than 120 people who attended the Veterans and Active Duty Resource Fair, hosted by the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Center’s Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) program. 

H.E.R.O.E.S. Care provided 250 suits and more than 30 org...

Under the watchful eyes, encouraging nods and trained patience of instructors at the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Center for the Performing Arts, students are diligently practicing for a curtain call at 6 p.m. Friday, July 30 at the East St. Louis Senior High School, 4901 State St. 

The performance, which is free and open to the public, will mark the end of the program’s summer session. 

“Our students are ready and looking forward to showcasing...

There comes a time when even the powerful could use some help. The Empowerment Sculpture, in front of the central offices of the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Head Start/Early Head Start on the campus of the SIUE East St. Louis Center, received a needed refresh. 

Students from the SIUE East St. Louis Center for the Performing Arts’ summer session revitalized the 15-year-old statue, under the direction of SIUE alumnus Andra Lang Jr., art teacher. The figure consists of thr...

H.E.R.O.E.S. Care will be providing 250 suits during a Veterans and Active Duty Resource Fair on Monday, July 26 at the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Higher Education campus. The event will run from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. in the Building D Multipurpose Center.  

Veterans Upward Program Director Bound James Robbins noted that it has been more than 18 months since an event of this type has been held, and there is great need among area veterans. “With the economy ...

From covering traffic mishaps and personality features in Savannah, Ga., to weather events and crime drama in Tulsa, Okla., to courtroom cases and political news in St. Louis, KMOV Channel 4 Reporter Ashli Lincoln revealed her journey in broadcast journalism to students in the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Center’s Upward Bound (UB) EC/BEM program. 

Lincoln was one of several professionals from the St. Louis and Metro East area who participated in the UB We...

Be persistent despite challenges, dream big and form your own board of directors. These are just a few instructions that Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Center (ESLC) Executive Director Timothy Staples, EdD, gave Collinsville High School students on Friday, June 18 on the Edwardsville campus. 

The students are participating in the SIUE East St. Louis Center Collinsville’s Upward Bound Scholars Summer Academy (UBSA) that runs from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday-Frida...