Mother Baltimore: Just hold on
I don’t have much to say this week, so I’ll leave you all with these lyrics from Adele’s “Hold On”, a single from her highly-anticipated album “30” that’s out today:
Just hold on/Let time be patient/You are still strong/Let pain be gracious/Just hold on/Hold on/Sometimes loneliness is the only rest we get
Now, here’s the latest news in southwestern Illinois:
East St. Louis community rallies to support mom who lost children in apartment fire
Last week, family members, friends and supporters of Sabrina Dunigan gathered to show solidarity with Dunigan in the wake of recent charges filed against her. The East St. Louis mom of five lost all of her children in an August apartment fire. Earlier this month, Dunigan was charged with five counts of endangering the life/health of a child. Pastor Larita Rice-Barnes, a spokesperson for Dunigan’s family, said the following last week:
This is going to be a long journey for the family, but we know that with God and with the continued support of those who have come to stand in the gap with this family, that we all as a community and them as a family will be able to move forward with strength
More on the East St. Louis apartment fire:
East St. Louis woman charged in connection with the deaths of her 5 children in a fire
Mother of children who died in East St. Louis fire need prayer and time, grandma says
At least one dead, three injured in East St. Louis
A shooting in East St. Louis left one person dead and others injured Wednesday afternoon. The shooting occurred at the intersection of 83rd Street and State Street. The Illinois State Police Public Safety Enforcement Group (PSEG) is investigating the shooting.
More on crime in the metro-east:
Suspect in custody after standoff with Illinois State Police in East St. Louis
Madison County judge convicts man accused of sexually assaulting a child
Illinois activists call on Duckworth to ‘hold the line’ on plan to help low-income people
The metro-east chapter of the Poor People’s Campaign demanded that Sen. Duckworth ensure initiatives aimed to help communities of color are restored in President Biden’s Build Back Better Act. Pastor Larita Rice-Barnes, president of the Metro East Organizing Coalition, organized last week’s demonstration at Duckworth’s Belleville office. A spokesperson for Duckworth said that the senator is working hard to keep the Build Back Better plan intact.
More on the Metro East Organizing Coalition
Southwest IL faith group launches chapter of Poor People’s Campaign in East St. Louis
Pastor Larita Rice-Barnes talks about new metro east chapter of Poor People’s Campaign
What to do
This is a new section of Mother Baltimore that’ll highlight upcoming events in the metro-east that’s relevant to Black communities. If you have tips for events, send them to dsutgrey@bnd.com
Coat, Hoodie and School Supply Drive Thru
_fitted.png "Coat, Hoodie, and School Supply Drive Flier 11.19.21 (1)_fitted.png")
3 p.m to 5 p.m. on November 19 at East St. Louis Community College Center (outside of Children’s Home & Aid)
The East St. Louis Community College Center will be hosting a coat, hoodie and school supply drive thru for students in Kindergarten and up. There will be no registration for the event. Sign-up sheets will be provided and no income information will be needed.
What to watch
King Richard
Starring Will Smith, “King Richard” depicts the life of Richard Williams, driven coach and father of legendary tennis players Serena and Venus Williams. The biopic was released in theaters TODAY and is available for streaming on HBO Max.
What to read
Young Dolph was Memphis rap’s defiant heart
Memphis rapper Young Dolph was fatally shot while inside a local bakery on Tuesday. The rapper, known for hits like “Preach” and “Get Paid”, was 36. For The Fader, Jayson Buford wrote about the late artist’s legacy:
To see Young Dolph was to see the fabric of Memphis, that Southern drawl oozing over generations of musical history. He was an entrepreneur who started and ran his own label, Paper Route Empire. In a vulturous industry where artists often struggle for their freedom, Dolph was a vocal proponent of independence. Even when he talk [sic] up the notion of signing with a major, he was thinking about the impact it might have on the next generation.
That’s all she wrote!
Talk to y’all in two weeks!
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