Race, Identity and Faith

In all, 43 clerics and religious brothers in the Diocese of Belleville sexually abused children or adults since 1950. That’s the latest finding from Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul.

The Missouri Asian American Youth Foundation's exhibit includes work from artists with Indian, Filipino, Vietnamese, Japanese and Chinese heritage.

Republican lawmakers have become laser focused on legislation affecting transgender Missourians. That reality is pushing some to flee with their families or send transgender teenagers to out-of-state universities. "There's no point in staying," one mother said. "I consider it dangerous here."

Advocates for transgender people in the St. Louis region say some transgender people in the area are being cast out of shelters and other housing because of their gender identities. Metropolitan St. Louis Equal Housing and Opportunity Council officials say they are receiving an uptick in calls from transgender people complaining about housing discrimination.

Lawmakers spent less than an hour discussing both bills, with Republicans voting to end debate twice.

Vitendo4Africa is an African social organization in the St. Louis region providing dance therapy to African immigrant children weekly. Most of the children are either immigrants or the children of immigrants who struggle with depression and anxiety. Program director Faiza Muhambi says African children need dance to help improve their physical and mental health, which will benefit them educationally and socially.

Three openly transgender educators in the school district say discrimination has forced them out of their jobs.

St. Louis Women’s Chorale will collaborate with the St. Louis Philharmonic Orchestra on a performance of “Brushstrokes: The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci,” a multimedia work including projected animations.

Urban Strategies Inc. has received a $20.8 million federal Promise Neighborhoods grant to provide academic and social services support to students and families in struggling schools in the 63106 ZIP code of north St. Louis. The federal grant will give families access to early childhood education, emotional support programs and college and career readiness assistance.

Mosques, worship centers and community centers across the St. Louis region are celebrating Ramadan with Iftar celebrations for all faith-based communities. Many Muslims say iftar dinners are communal times to reflect with family and friends and bring communities together.