St. Louis paper hires new biz reporter

The St. Louis American, a newspaper that focuses on the African-American community, has hired Dionne Peeples to cover diversity issues in area businesses, according to a story on the paper’s Web site.

The story states, “In 1995, she left the journalism profession to pursue youth services work. Earlier this month, she mailed clips to The American and immediately impressed editors and the publisher with her experience and enthusiasm.

“‘I think she can contribute greatly to our mission in community journalism here, which strongly includes holding businesses in this region accountable for the inclusion of minorities in workforce and contracting, as well as reporting on positive change in inclusion,’ Suggs said of Peeples.

“‘Greater minority inclusion in the economic mainstream is essential to the building of a stronger, more innovative economy in this region in an era of global competition.'”

Read more here.