Legendary East St. Louisans

Endorsed by East St Louis Mayor From John Robinson's fight for African American schools in the late 1800's to President Obama's recent historical appointment of Staci Yandle, over 100 years of East St. Louis African American History is covered in Legendary East St. Louisans: An African American Series. Legendary East St. Louisans covers well-known East St. Louisans such as; Miles Davis, Jackie Joyner-Kersee and Reginald Hudlin. Additionally, readers are introduced to lesser-known pillars of the early African American community such as Carrie K. (Johnson) Bowles, one of the first African American women to join The League of Women Voters of St. Louis, and to fight alongside famed suffragist Edna Gellhorn; and Dr. Henri Weathers who fought to allow African American doctors to practice at local hospitals. He was also one of the first African American doctors hired by St. Louis University Medical School. Eugene B. Redmond, Poet Laureate of East St. Louis, Illinois and Emeritus Professor English, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville said of the work: These individual and familistic achievements are worth being read, taught, and shared around dinner tables-and with congregations. -- Joseph A. Brown, SJ; Ph. D. Professor, Author and Priest said of the work: [Reginald Petty's] gifts of "taking care" and "care-taking" are magnificently on display in this collection of the great forces of nature who have helped the world realize just how powerful the people of East St. Louis have been and continue to be. --