I-Witness

Milwaukee’s Number One Community Column

"Droppin' It Like It's

by B. White
Holla!
Thirteen thousand, five hundred (13,500) down 242,500 to go, I-Witness touching Black people all over the city of Milwaukee, one event at a time.

To Our Readers:

Y’all know how to humble a person. Everywhere I go y’all Holla at me sharing with me the different stories you have read and giving me your opinions. However, what I love more than anything is the way y’all welcome me to your events, share your stories and trust I-Witness to keep it real. I have received so many calls and comments regarding the Fatherhood Initiative and Drug addiction stories, as well as the editorial to the "Concerned Mother."

I know y’all are reading the "Community Journal" hot off the press. On Friday, I was not on the streets an hour before many of you hollered at me about the "Men’s Night Out" story and wanted to know when the next one would be. Tony Courtney, you need to send the info of the next "Men’s Night Out." Okay, so I will hang out with the girls sometimes, but y’all know I love "Hangin’ Out with the Boys," Holla!

Moreover, I am not going to do the pole at the gallery; I will leave that to Mr. Wonderful and the boys, Holla! Okay, all you Catholics do not have to beat me, y’all need to go party with the Baptist, then you will know what I mean, Holla! I am furthered humbled by those who are shut in and can’t get out often who are big time I-Witness readers, I love when you say it’s just like y’all are right there with me. Mikel Holt they hollered at me about a couple of your stories too.

Again, I am truly humbled by all of your support and on behalf of myself and the largest African American Newspaper in the state, the "Community Journal" we thank you for making us your No. 1 newspaper!

Holla-Outs

Hey, Diarre Tolliver Sr. and Diarre Tolliver Jr., you two have the chance right now to be good examples to other fathers and sons. I think it’s great that you and your dad will word challenge each other daily by learning a new word every day. You are going to learn how to say it, spell it, define it, use it in a sentence, and then share your new word with each other everyday. I like that I think it is pretty special.

Diarre Jr. remember your deal with me to read Wisconsin’s largest African American newspaper, the "Community Journal" weekly watch how your reading skills will improve. Maybe you can ask your father to join you in that also, it’s up to you.

I know you are an extremely smart young man and you have a handsome smile. Turn them out at Hawley Elementary by doing the best you can do, and keep advancing that next generation, I love it!

Hey, Shirley Tribble just hollering at you,

To: Cierra Smith over at KFC,

Hey, Hey, Sibrina Johnson, Holla!

To: Virginia Williams over at St. Matthews CME Church and Kaila Brown of Carlton Elementary School, they are doing some great things over at St. Matthews with the children on Saturdays they are teaching them to read music, ear training, and sitting postures. The children are being taught to play spirituals and Black classical musical and the mission of the class is to keep Black classical music alive. I understand that Kaila is good. Keep advancing that next generation I love it.

To: J.C. and Bonnie Conners. Hey J.C. you are going to have to start hanging out with Tyrone Foster. You only take Bonnie out once a month to eat well Tyrone takes his girl, Lillie Mays, out to eat once a week. J.C. you are going to have to catch up, it’s all right if you take her to Mr. B’s Brown’s Ham House a couple times a week, she loves the food, besides you might really be behind, you might have to throw in a shopping trip or two to catch up, Holla! Hey, Ms. Lillie, and we know who your man is. I enjoyed talking to all of you, Holla!

To: Xavier Corothers, he is my new boyfriend and he is around 15, and he loves his girlfriend, Holla! Xavier is a very nice young man, goes to school every day, studies hard and he has a job. He works for his uncle at Gee’s Clipper. He has the prettiest smile and he is a real gentleman already. Hey, boyfriend, you are learning the basic principles of life as a young man growing into manhood and I know you are going to do well in life. Keep advancing that next generation I love it!

Birthday Holla-Outs

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday to you, Holla! Some of my favorite folks are celebrating birthdays this month, LaMonica Smith co-owner of the soon to open Soche’ Milwaukee Restaurant on King Drive, you go gurl I know you are only 25...

To: Henry Redd of Redd Snapper Fish Market, Hey, Henry, you didn’t do your John Travolta dance for me on your birthday, Staying Alive, Staying Alive, Holla! Happy Birthday!

To: Eric Von and Fred Gordon over at WMCS 1290, boy y’all are quietly celebrating birthdays now, could it be that the two of you are border lining that new age and you do not want any one to know. Well, I understand not everybody can be 35 like I-Witness, Holla! Happy Birthday to you!

Welcome

Yvonne Brown, president of Illinois/Wisconsin State Association of the Elks, the Reverend Lester Munta of Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church and Associate Reverend Melvin Killen all of Chicago, Illinois. It was nice to meet you and talking with you, hope you had a good time in Milwaukee.

Congratulations

To: Richard Townsend and Monique Hanley on the birth of their new son Amir Townsend.

To: the two new "Doctors in the House." Dr./Rev. Archie Ivy of New Hope Baptist Church and Dr./Rev. Fred Crouthers of New Covenant Baptist have both just received their Doctorial Degrees. Y’all should have seen them they were beaming like Christmas trees they were so proud of themselves and their accomplishments. Hey, Docs I am proud of you too, Congratulations!

Happy 30th Anniversary of being one of the chosen ones and Happy One Year Anniversary, Rev. Thomas R. Pearson, Jr., pastor of Omega Missionary Baptist Church, Rev. I cannot believe it has been a year already that you have pastured at the church, you have done so many good things in one year and I know it’s plenty more to come. Hey, Rev. Pearson, I loved that new suit you had on; you were looking pretty good on your day, Holla! Congratulations!

Hey, George Salter you are now an author, I love it! Your first book, "Abandon" was pretty good and I understand it is in its second printing. I also understand that you are currently finishing your next novel, "The Mournin’ Bench" to be released spring of 2007. Wow, you are working it and I wish you much success in all your endeavors.

Brenda Bell-White is now the director of Milwaukee Family Services she will oversee the integration of all services under the Department of Health, Department of Corrections and Work Force Department as it relates to families. She reports to all three state secretaries. Brenda you know I congratulate completely but I think they placed you in the wrong position, you should have been promoted to one of the three state secretaries positions that is what I am talking about. Wishing you well.

Our Condolences

To: Carl Hampton and his family on the passing of his mother, our prays are with you. More