The Onyx and The Jive Turkeys

A young girl and her father received a Thanksgiving luncheon sponsored by The Onyx Grille 2. (photo by Barbara White)

"Until the Lion writes his own story, the tale of the hunt will always glorify the hunter."--African proverb

by B. White
Holla!

Nineteen thousand, five hundred (19,500 down) 226,500 to go, I-Witness touching Black people all over the city of Milwaukee, and the world one event at a time.

Black people are the First Wonders of the World--we have survived and continued to survive in spite of those who wish for and work toward our demise.

Holla-Outs

To: The Divine Inspiration Ministries under the direction of Kevin Thomas. The group did "A Day of Caring" This thanksgiving they provided more than turkeys to families at the Parklawn YMCA with the assistance of Keith Franklin (I-Witness’ Mr. Debonair) over at KG Financial and Playmakers Clothing.

Divine Inspiration Ministries are doing good things with our children in the community and their next event will be on December 6, the Marquette University Girls Basketball team will host a "Family Dollar Night" game at the Al McGuire Center. Everything is a dollar on that night. It is a great outing for the family, so get the family together and go check them out. Hey, Kevin keep doing the good things, I love it!

To: Dee Dee Lightfoot, hey just hollering at you.

To: Donna Quezaire. Hey Donna, I understand you are a big time I-Witness reader. I just wanted to Holla at you and say "thank you!"

Hey, U.S. Airmen Derarlo Lightford-Airforce I heard you are to be married soon, well guess what I-Witness just might be there to help you celebrate, congratulations!

Hey, Robert Henning Sr., Robert Henning Jr. I bet you two think I forgot about you sharing that good catfish with me it was exceptional that day. It is wonderful to see father and son hang out together I like that. Thank you for sharing your fish with me, you two know you are in my heart now; you have fed me, Holla!

Hey, U. S. Army Reservist Shawn Henning I hear you are in Iraq, just wanted to send you plenty of prayers and show you some love. I would like you to share that love with all our troops over there and tell them thank you. We pray that y’all will be home soon, stay safe.

Birthday Holla-Outs

To: Jackie Jefferson over at Tiny’s Lounge, Happy Birthday to you,

Thank You

Thank you to the Smith family, for inviting me for a wonderful Thanksgiving Dinner. I know I ate simply too much, but it was so goooood, Holla!

The Onyx and The Jive Turkeys

Participants stand outside of the Onyx Grille 2, where an early Thanksgiving luncheon was recently held. (photo by Barbara White)

Many of the women were out on the night before Thanksgiving ... well at least we were. Myself, along with Michelle Allison, LaMonica Smith, Shaunda Cass, Lequita Wynn, Chandra Cooper, and U.S. Airmen Tamneeka Rice who was here from Las Vegas. We were the "Jive Turkeys" hanging out the Onyx Night Club. We had our own personal party.

Okay, Amari Brown and Mr. Wonderful (Gaulien "Gee" Smith) were hosts to a pre-Thanksgiving set. I will not tell y’all Flavor Fav was in the house with all his girls--there was New York, Deelishis, Bootz, Buckeey, and even Pumpkin. I will not tell y’all which one I-Witness was Holla!

Nevertheless, we had the party, Patron shots everywhere. We were "Girls Gone Wild!" We wanted to have a good time being Jive Turkeys for the night, Holla!

Part Two

Black men in Milwaukee are unique in the good things they try doing Gee’s Clippers and the Onyx Night Club hosted a luncheon for folks on Thanksgiving Day at the New Onyx Grille 2 on Teutonia. Folks came from every where to share the Thanksgiving Luncheon of turkey sandwiches, juice and other snacks. Many families as well as neighbor children came to enjoy the early turkey lunch. People just driving by the Onyx Grille stopped in; some of these passersby included WNOV radio jock Hommmer Blow and many others. The children who were delighted to receive their lunch left, wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and saying, "thank you." I loved it!

I chatted with Amari asking why he was serving the lunches. He stated: "As a Mason at Prince Hall we always do something for folks less fortunate on Thanksgiving and it is something I always wanted to do." Besides, Amari said he wanted to do something with Gaulien (Gee) Smith (aka Mr. Wonderful).

"Gee’s Clippers has established a legacy in the community of doing the good things. Gee represents and has set a certain standard to the good things that are done in this community. And we at the Onyx both our night club and grille want to become a part of those standards and continue to collaborate with Gee’s Clippers in doing the good things in giving to our community." Amari continues, "we just want to give and show some love."

Mr. Wonderful (Gee) states, "I would love to spread joy and peace throughout the world if I could, and I appreciate Amari and his partners’ efforts. Amari has a big heart; he is a good guy, a giver and I like that."

The two men, both plan to do many other ventures together to promote and highlight the positive things in our community. Mr. Wonderful further challenges other businesses to become more involved in doing the good things so that the children can begin to feel the goodness surrounding them.

Amari’s partners include his brother Mark Brown, Jimmy Butler and Oraob Obi. Together, the four have opened Onyx Grille 2, a stop and go for quick foods. James Washington, the cook, and I already have plans for I-Witness to try the Philly cheese steak and corn beef sandwiches; I am looking forward to it.

They also plan to have free lunch boxes every fourth Saturday of the month for the neighborhood to feast with them.

Hey, Mr. Wonderful (Gee), Amari and partners y’all know I-Witness loves it when you do the good things in our community and I love it even more when Black men step up and try to make a difference that is how you become one of I-Witness’ favorites. So Amari, keep doing the good stuff and I will have to give you a name too, Holla!

Is there a doctor in the house?

At his recent going away party, Dr. Denis Laurencin took time to fellowship with his patients. After years of service in Milwaukee, Laurencin and his wife will return to St. Lucia in the Caribbean. (photos by Barbara White)

There were all kinds of doctors in the house at the Midtown Health Center. Dr. Denis Laurencin is retiring and moving to St. Lucia in the Caribbean in December so the staff and his friends threw him a going away reception.

Dr. Laurencin is I-Witness’ doctor and it is a sad moment for me. I had many health crises during past years. I want all of you to know that Black doctors saved my life, literally and Dr. Laurencin was one of them.

I was not the only one who felt sadness at the thought that our doc was leaving. Many of Dr. Laurencin’s patients turned out to wish the doc well in his new endeavor. Tucker Jones and his wife Eleanor were in the house. Tucker has known Dr. Laurencin since he was in medical school. Pastor Kenneth Whaler of Cross Lutheran Church, Carolyn Pridgeon, John Givens were all on hand to bid good-bye. The band Organica, a jazz group sprayed the air with their sound; they are good, five snaps and a pop.

Laurencin has tried very hard to give us a comfort with our new doctor, Fissehe Ibsa whom Laurencin says he hand picked to love and care for his patients. Well y’all know I have been checking out the new doc and I think he is trainable he has big shoes to fill. Laurencin was not only our doc; he loved us and let us know it. He has spoiled each and every one of us personally. I spoke with Dr. Ibsa (he is African) and he states, "I know I have big shoes to fill but hopefully I will do fine. I am sad to see Laurencin go, but he deserves to go and enjoy life and it starts with him now."

I also chatted with the CEO of the Health Center Dr. Masood Wasiullah who was trained personally by the late Dr. Walker. Dr. Wasiullah shared with me that with Dr. Laurencin, "this community has fulfilled the dream and vision of the late Dr. Walker of having an A-1 health center right here in the community and we will only get better. We are planning to bring in specialist so our patients will not have to go running around to other places when they are sick. We want to provide the best medical services and become an even better quality holistic health center for our customers."

There were so many doctors in the house on both staff as well as guest Dr. Evette Kincaid-MD/OB, Dr. Wyman Parker-OB/GYN, Dr. Goodman-Podiatrist all are on staff. Dr. Finlayson was on hand also.

Folks had Dr. Laurencin in hugs; many displayed sadness and shared laughter as we all took pictures. Everyone gave farewell gifts and enjoyed the feast that was laid out while we listened to Organica who raised our mood levels to joy.

Many of you are probably wondering why we are having a problem with the doc leaving, seeing as how doctors leave every day and that is true.

The sadness behind Dr. Laurencin’s departure is due to the crisis in health care now. First, you are lucky if you are Black to even get any medical attention at all. Second, to get a doctor who understands the plight of Black people from racism to the health inequalities, and to have a doctor who will not only advocate for you and good patient care for his patients but will also fight for them, is a rare commodity in today’s society.

Dr. Laurencin is also good with Black men giving them the comfort and making them understand the importance of practicing preventive healthcare by getting regular check ups and treatments and they could talk to him about anything. Ray Buford of Ray’s Clippers was like I-Witness. Most of the evening, he, like myself, was near tears. We tried to comfort each other.

The elderly is truly endeared to him; and he always made them feel special. In short, Dr. Laurencin gave the Marcus Welby touch in treatment to all his patients and he will truly be missed.

Dr. Laurencin and his wife Kay will be leaving Milwaukee in December headed for the warmth of St Lucia where he will help build a hospital and medical facility. It is said when you return home you must come back to show what you have learned in the world and it becomes your turn to help build the family village. Therefore, it is his turn now.

Hey, Doc every time I think about the fact that you will not be here any more, it makes me sad. Nonetheless, I know that we all have to let you go so that you can go do you now and continue to spread that goodness that you have shared with us all these years. You can now start doing the good things for all the people in St Lucia that loaned you to us.

I am going to miss you but I understand that people come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. Doc, you know we are a lifetime. Asante’ Sana for loving us and giving us the best you knew how to give. I wish you and Kay good blessings in your new life and all your endeavors. St Lucia sent a jewel out, now the jewel is returning, brighter, and better than ever... Love Ya Doc!

Snap, Snap Redd Snapper

I recently stop over at Redd Snapper Seafood II on Lisbon. One of my favorites is the manager there Henry Redd Jr. Y’all know I love catfish so I decided to check out even more things on the menu. Elexis Redd was my host. I loved the little sign over the wall, which read P.U.S.H "Pray Until Something Happens."

You can always tell when something is good because the place was packed and I was about to find out why.

I ordered catfish, gumbo, greens, seafood macaroni salad, cole slaw, a shrimp and chocolate cake.

Y’all have to try the greens they are really good, five snaps and a pop. I loved the batter on the catfish and it was fried to perfection for me ... I love churchy fish. The seafood salad was also really good. The chocolate cake was made to die for, Holla! I did not get a chance to eat all my samples because I was fulllll, Holla!

Redd Snapper’s specialty is seafood and they offer a variety that I have yet to taste but I will get around to it. There are frog legs, all kinds of fish, snapper, crappies, walleye even cattails, and there are chicken wings and an assortment of sides including cakes. I like the Moby Dick Special a 42-piece bucket of shrimp for $19.98 now I think that is a good deal.

It’s holiday time when we all become busy and we do not have that time to do a lot of cooking Red Snapper is one of the places to go for your taste in seafood but try the greens I loved them. Hey, Henry Jr. and Elexis you know I will be back I have to try the frog legs and the cod.

It’s yo’ Birthday, Boo

DeMarco Morgan (center), poses with his WISN Channel 12 colleagues, Portia Young and Kai Reed during DeMarco’s recent birthday celebration. (photo by Barbara White)

Vivian King (far left) and Chrystina Head (right) help DeMarco Morgan as he cuts slices of birthday cake for his guests during his recent celebration. King hosted the birthday celebration for The Distinguished Gentleman. (Photo by Barbara White)

Lights, Camera, Action, Roll ’em y’all, and this is "DeMarco Morgan, Channel 12 News, Enjoy the balance of your day." Boy did we enjoy the balance of DeMarco’s Birthday, it was a party y’all.

Vivian King, public relations director of Roundy’s Foods and president of Milwaukee’s Black Media Association hosted the birthday celebration for DeMarco. It was a very intimate gathering of DeMarco’s friends who wanted to celebrate our very special and talented friend. Since coming to Milwaukee DeMarco has embraced our city in many special ways, he has put out the good stuff and shown nothing but love to all of us. In return, we have learned to love him and show that goodness back.

It was a star-studded part-ee: WISN 12 Anchors Kai Reed, Portia Young and Producer Tonya Simpson, Fox News Reporter Chrystina Head, WTMJ Photo/Journalist Andrew Triplett, MATA Talk show host Martha Love and yours truly I-Witness of the "Milwaukee Community Journal." To say we partied is an understatement; it was a day the Distinguish Gentlemen will not forget any time soon, Holla!

Vivian laid it out; Stella Love Ponderosa chicken wings, shrimp, and cheeses including Brie’. There were wines, like Dancing Bull Cabernet Sauvignon, year 2003 or Curtis Syrah, year 2001 that was my favorite. Okay, so I will tell y’all there were spiked eggnogs, and the birthday toast how about Coffee shots, y’all know I-Witness loves Patron shots, Holla!

While it was DeMarco’s Birthday, he had the woman of the hour: Thelma Sias. Thelma had us all partyin’, she knew every song played and she let us know she knew them. She is too funny.

Again I must share with y’all that it was DeMarco’s Birthday but the other man of the hour was none other than his best friend "Chocolate Thunder" better known as Gaulien (Gee) Smith aka Mr. Wonderful. I want all of you to know Elvis, Michael Jackson or Usher cannot touch "Mr. Wonderful." He enters a room and you know it "Girls go wild!" Holla! Many of the guys wanted to know what they had to do to be called Mr. Wonderful I loved it!

Okay y’all DeMarco has turned into a dance machine, I will not say he could have been on BET with the BET girls, He was having a goooood time, "It’s yo’ birthday Boo," Holla!

The party was a good mix of generations and professions. Some of the guests included, L. Maxwell McKissick of LMM Consultants, June Perry, Linda Sowell, Attorney Andre’ Wright, Michelle Allison and Damian Harrell, who is the Boys Scout district executive for the "Heart Milwaukee." Cecelia Gore and DeMarco’s Godparents Carlton and Vickie Moore also joined the party.

If y’all remember Tracy Golden and Vivian King debuted as the Ikettes with Jeannie Holliday at Andre’s on Garfield. Well they tried to perform, but there was no Ike and we couldn’t find Tina--they were just missing a few things, Holla!

Here comes Thelma again this time she has all the guys and she’s playing the part of Ginger Rogers. Well, I won’t tell y’all that she is in "young guy heaven!" She just moved poor little Vivian out the way, Holla!

Okay Mr. Wonderful, oh I mean Chocolate Thunder tonight, now thinks he is Michael Jackson and he is doing the "Moon Walk" y’all know I’m rollin’ on the floor, I loved it!

Portia just has DeMarco slapping "Butter on the Pig," the two of them are hilarious. I think Kia thinks she is one of the Ikettes now she and Tracy are having their moment. I guess we believed in real diversity in party because Derek Knox has Vivian and Chrystina on the floor doing the salsa. Talk about letting your hair down, it’s wild up in here y’all, Holla!

Polenski Sims of Merrill Lynch is still trying to figure out how he can be called Mr. Wonderful, he has me rollin’ on the floor, and he is too funny.

Okay what’s a party without gifts, cards, ice cream, cake and the birthday song, everybody thought they were Stevie Wonder. "Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday." It was a party in there y’all.

Just want y’all to know DeMarco’s birthday didn’t end on that night, the next day Part two occurred y’all know where, yes, Mr. B’s... Brown’s Ham House where DeMarco had smothered pork chops and ice tea. Hey, Portia what you tell DeMarco just "slap butter on the pig," Holla!

Hey DeMarco, it’s yo’ birthday Boo and did we party! I was going to sing to you but you know you had your hands full being Snoop Dogg all night, Holla! You know I wish you the best in all that you do and I want you to have many more birthdays BET style uncut, Holla! I had a good time Boo, Happy Birthday.

Staff members of Clevelands Black newspaper, the "Call and Post," greeted I-Witness with love during her recent visit to the city. (photo by Barbara White)

Levert Home Going--Part Two

Last week I told y’all about the party the occurred at Gerald Levert’s Homegoing Celebration. Well this week the party continues, as I bring you the after party, Holla!

After the party at the convention folks stayed around and fellowshipped still sad at the loss of the Baby Making Maestro Gerald Levert, who passed at the age of 40 due to heart complications.

Lingering in fellowship after the celebration many like Mike Tyson, Tyler Perry, Stevie Wonder and others let their fans touch them, which brought great joy to many. Y’all know I-Witness loves the pimps and the playas, Holla! My favorite pimp was Good Game who was too sharp in a windowpane purple suit, bling on all fingers and a gold bling covered champagne flute.

Ladett Austin, community liaison to County Board Chairman Lee Holloway and one of the Gerald Levert Angels, was having a truly good time taking pictures with Good Game and he loved posing for I-Witness, Holla!

As I do in any city I go to, I always have to check out the natives (Black people) and see how they are living; I also stop in at Black newspapers.

The newspaper in Cleveland is called the "Call and Post." The "Call and Post" has a very interesting history. It is one of the oldest Black newspapers in the country, dating back to 1896 and was founded by Morgan Garrett yes, the brotha who invented the traffic light and gas mask.

The "Call and Post" became official in 1916 when W.O. Walker took over who was deemed a very good businessperson.

Its publisher now is none other than International Boxing Promoter Don King. The paper covers Black life in three cities in Ohio: Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati. They have employees like Ron Johnson who has worked for the paper for 41 years. I was truly impressed with their operation and staff.

Connie Harper, executive vice president and editor of the "Call and Post," along with all the staff welcomed us warmly. They were as excited about us coming there as we were about being there. There building is huge and I met all our counterparts of the "Milwaukee Community Journal."

They gave us a tour and introduced us to everyone, we chatted about the Home Going of Levert as it was recounted, "we cried, laughed and clapped." Y’all know I-Witness had to get into the more technical questions of the newspaper circulation, the types of stories covered etc. while photographer Kia Smith and Ladett Austin joined in conversation with the other reporters.

I-Witness was hungry now and we were directed to a place called Angie’s Soul Food Take Out.

Upon departing, I thanked Connie and all the staff for taking time out to host us. In addition, I shared with them why I stop at Black newspapers in any city. In my farewell speech, I said to the staff: "Black newspapers are important to our communities and Black people. We (Black newspapers) are the true history recorders to Black life. You are the ones who show the world that we are not animals and that we are loving and caring human beings like everyone else.

"We as Black people are to define who we are and we should never allow others to cast us in negativity even with our human imperfection.

"Your talents are valuable to our communities when major media attacks us and displays us to the world in negative images to reflect that we are less than human; it is Black newspapers, reporters, columnist, photographers, filmmakers etc. who strike back with truth to show Black people’s true beauty as human beings as the Creator’s favorites. Therefore, I stop to salute you and tell you, you are doing a great job and to keep being the true history recorders of Black people and Black life that you are. I love it!"

We hugged and said our good-byes and headed over to Angie’s where they had some of the best chicken and dumplings, meat loaf, the corn bread was the bomb, there was catfish, wings you name it, they had it and it was five snaps and a pop.

We who traveled from near and far know that Gerald loved Cleveland and Cleveland loved him so in tribute to the community that Gerald loved so much, we all made sure we spent our money in his city with his folks that he loved so much.

Gerald you left us many things to cherish in your songs but you also brought new generations together to now become friends and family. Rest in Peace little brother, rest.

Dre’ and Purvis

The families of Quadervion Henning and Purvis Parker celebrated the lives of the two young men. The young men, who we fondly referred to as Dre and Purvis, were deemed missing for several weeks, which sparked and brought together a massive community-wide search for them. Their bodies were later discovered in the lagoon at McGovern Park; cause of death drowning.

Periodically, since their deaths I have remained in contact with the Henning family that has kept me abreast of the Parker family. I-Witness has visited with Gary and Betty Henning, the grandparents of Dre, on a few occasions.

In keeping the memory of the two beloved boys alive, the two families have established a foundation in their names to give back the love that was bestowed upon the two families during their time of bereavement.

The unveiling of the Henning/Parker Foundation was held at the LaBrew Troopers Academy where Dre attended school.

An intimate group came out to celebrate the formation.

An ancestors table held the photos of Dre and Purvis surrounded by flicking candles bringing to life a symbol of the love that surrounded the boys, their families and this community.

Both families attended Angela Parker the mother of Purvis with other family members, Gary, and Betty Henning the grand parents of Dre as well as other family members.

Elder Tony Whitley of Spoken Word Christian Center titled his message "Unity Commands the Blessing," which was very inspiring.

Susan Whitehorse and Jim Warren of Wisconsin Department of Justice, Wisconsin Exploited and Missing Kids shared a few words with us.

Dennis Frazier, Dre’s uncle, spoke on behalf of both families on the Henning/Parker Foundation. There was a draft drawing of a monument called the "Refection of Life" that will be erected to a future building that will house the foundation. However, in the meantime the Henning/Parker Foundation home will be housed at the LaBrew Trooper Academy.

The vision of the foundation is to provide a safe place for children to come. Where children can seek refuge from crime and violence. It will be a safe house for children to come and get their homework done, talk about what ever is on their minds and just have fun, as children should.

The two families, still struggling with their loses, shared tearful smiles with their guests, but displayed a strength that their actions of love will help other children be safe.

Elder Tony Whitley had us all rise in prayer inviting all of us to get to know our neighbor standing next to us by greeting them and giving them hugs.

The first initiative of the Henning/Parker Foundation was to celebrate thanksgiving with many families. They gave away full dinners to families in need. A whole turkey and all its fixings were neatly packed in boxes.

There were other refreshments for the guest also as they fellowshipped with the families. While the others chatted, Gary Henning took me to the hallway entry of the school to show me the display in the school of Dre’s retired football jersey next to Milwaukee Bucks’ Michael Redd’s jersey that he gave to the family.

He also took me to the office of the school where there was this huge picture of Dre’ for all to see. The school cherishes his memory and they tell everyone about the kind of young guy Dre’ was. Young Dre’ was not simply an athlete, but he was a student athlete.

Many tributes have been paid to the boys’ memory throughout the city. One day last summer Dre’ and Purvis became the brother, son and nephews of every family in the city. With the establishment of the Henning/Parker Foundation the boys in memory will live with us forever doing all the good things they would have done in life.

Dre’s father U.S. Reservist Quentin Henning is stationed in Huntsville, Texas and was not in attendance.

Hey, Gary, Betty and Angela I know its hard, but I love that you have taken the memory of the boys and all the love you have to give to other children offering them peace, love and a good sense of direction in the name of two young men we came to know as Dre’ and Purvis. Wishing you the best in your new endeavor.