by B. White

Holla!

Thirty-eight thousand (38,000) down 207,000 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...

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

--African proverb

Thought for the Day

Life is drawing without an eraser...

Pssssst

I hear Matthew Johnson, executive director of Strive Media, will soon be opening a private communication high school. Matthew is my hero and I have added Matthew to I-Witness’s Favorite Guy list as Mr. Shining Armor. Matthew’s love of children and young people is not in just the words he says but it’s in the walk he talks. Welcome aboard, Matthew! Keep advancing that next generation; I love it!

Holla-Outs

Hey, Lauren Bedford and Clemetrus over at Time Warner Cable. I wanted to introduce you to all our readers as two of I-Witness’ new Favorite Guys, Clemetrus as Mr. Intelligentsia and Lauren as Mr. Laid-Back. You know I think you two are the greatest. Psssst... My sistas they are fineee, young men too, Holla!

Hey, Karla Buggs just wanted to holler at you.

Hey Robert Knoxs it’s nice to know you are a big time I-Witness reader. Thank you; you know I love it, Holla!

Hey Mary Beard-Brown just hollering at you.

Hey, Jerry Roberts and Leo Baber over at PIC. I know you are hard at work trying to make the big changes in the lives of those who want to work!

Hey, Tommy McGee I cannot remember the name of your church. Hopefully, you will let me know. I do know that you have been a member for more than 45 years, praising our Creator. Thank you; you are truly a blessing!

Hey, Josiah Conttrel, who’s in K3 at Maryland Elementary School. I want your school to know you are too smart. You said all your colors for me. I know you are going to do great things in the world, keep advancing that next generation, I love it!

Hey, Mary Henry, it was a pleasure meeting you. I loved chatting with you and you know I love that you are a big-time I-Witness reader. I also loved that you shared with me that when you read I-Witness, it’s like watching television. You told me that you felt like you were right there with me. Thank you very so much; you know I love it! P.S. tell your husband, Retired MPS Principal Jim Henry, I said Holla!

Birthday Holla-Outs

Hey, Daniel Harris just wants to wish you a Happy Birthday.

To: Parks Director Sue Black, Happy Birthday to you!

To: Chandra Cooper, Happy Birthday to you!

It’s yo’ Birthday, Happy Birthday Robert Jones!

Congratulations

Hey, Charolette Hutchins and Jim Mangum. I just heard Charolette has just signed the dotted line and has added Pabst Brewery to the list of ABD Security other clients North Milwaukee State Bank, Playmakers. Hey I know the list will continue to grow.

Congratulations.

"Sometimes you have to lose a piece of yourself in order to find yourself..."

Spoken Word has become so phenomenal that it has swept the nation among young people. Poets all over the world now compete in poetry slams where they spit the butt naked truth about life in all cultures. And well, Milwaukee is no different...

The Mecca hosted a premiere party to congratulate nationally renowned poets Dasha Kelly and Dan Vaughn on their appearance on the HBO series "Def Poetry Jam."

Despite us being led to believe that all Black young people do is crime, are bare footed and pregnant, indecent, non-productive and wasted human beings--programs like "Def Poetry Jam" show our young Black people are creative and believe in stimulating their minds.

At poetry houses you find the young Black working class and professional laid back enjoying words of life being spit at them to cause thinking and about the what-ifs in the world. Young people like Vince and Taffie Toney, who are husband and wife, Trina Eckford of Seasoned with Grace Catering, Rhonda Black of H&R Block, Spitfire and Sistah Monica who is presently working on her new CD gather weekly.

The duel performance on HBO has taken Dan and Dasha all over the world as they spit out to the world about shortcoming in relationships, but yet are accepting through love. They are awesome together.

It was a packed house of spoken word artists and those who love poetry that came to view the performance of the talented spoken word artists on the big screen. In the conclusion of the two poets’ performance, they were given a standing ovation.

We all partook in a feast of pot roast and fixings and headed to the back where we were taken on a ride of words traveling us around the world enchanting us with peek a boos into all lifestyles.

It was Open Mic Night and many newcomers like Kyle Parker got up to spit at us about love, courage, family, hope and sex; he was good.

We were than treated to Two-Time Individual World and International Poetry Slam Champion Buddy Wakefield. Wakefield who has appeared on HBO’s "Def Poetry Jam" recently signed with Strange Famous Records. Wakefield competed against seven national Europeans Poetry Slam Champs including the Neverlands to become the undisputed International Slam Champ.

He has performed in places like Comedy Central Hudson Theatre in New York, to Scotland’s Oran Moore to San Quentin Penitentiary. Wakefield is deep; he takes you to the end of the earth and have you standing upside on your head with fear that he will drop you into the blackness of the universe then he swoops you up bringing you back to earth all in a single bound, I love it!

He shouts God Bless America, Maybe God need to start blessing the rest of the world too as he began to take a swipe at Fox News, Wal-Mart for child labor laws, the War, this country and all its injustices along with the contradictions in the world.

Dasha became Oprah, as she interviewed Wakefield in a livingroom setting, where he talked of his career as a poet and his travels around the world. He then graced us with what makes him the undisputed world poet. He spit at us about his love of his mother, then the political side of the world from issues of world war, health and our country with all its contradicts. He reflected his true love for human kind. He was fantastic, snap, snap; I was quiet impressed.

Dan Vaughn and Dasha Kelly have just resigned to appear on "Def Poetry Jam’s" new season. Both Dasha and Dan have done so much to assist aspiring poets and put them in the world of spoken word and all its spiritual energy. The poets are lecturers, they are in prisons, college campuses and in schools teaching children poetry, which allows them to express themselves, helping to build self-esteem and improves writing and reading skills.

Vaughn now takes us on a high of love where every woman in the house feels his voice making love to all of her, causing tingling as the sweetness of his words strokes us in all the right places and the places we all want to be loved, in our minds. Vaughn is a treat, treat, treat, snap, snap.

Dasha is the woman of freedom, funny, daring with world intellect and a woman who travels where most us dare not go but she takes us there and makes us like it, snap snap; she is goooood.

There are many venues through out the city where one can go and hear spoken word artist like the Onyx, Zarkos and the Mecca and I-Witness plans to attend all at some point but I encourage you if you want to lay back and experience the world without ever leaving your seat go check the poets.

Hey, Dasha, Dan I had a good time and I look forward to seeing the two of you on the new season of HBO’s "Def Poetry Jam." You know I feel like I am in church sometimes every time I hear a poet spit...

It’s time to rest and relax

(Left to right) Jamie Lee of Jamie Lee’s Lounge and Mary Prather embrace during their recent joint retirement party. Both ladies have retired from their careers as Milwaukee County Transit drivers. (photo by Barbara White)

These are the Moments in Our State’s Black History

Bob Thomas, senior publisher of the "Milwaukee Community Journal" still holds the title record at North Division in the lower hurdles, as well as taking a State Championship in lower hurdles.

He held the title and record for both the city and the state.

Thomas attended North Division High and was quite the athlete. He was a broad jumper, a high and low hurdler, which earned him several scholarships giving him opportunity to select the college of his choice.

He chose to attend Marquette University, where he received a degree in Liberal Arts-Political Science, and Education. He completed his graduate work at UWM-Milwaukee with a Masters in Sociology. As a student teacher, he went back to North Division High School where he began his teaching career, teaching some of Milwaukee’s high profilers such as Jerrel Jones, Curtis Harris and Fred Bronson. Thomas who has always been very enterprising has created many businesses throughout his lifetime, including Ebony Cue Pool Hall, Robby’s Burgers, Robby’s Corn Roast, which is currently featured at all the festivals at Summerfest.

Lee Holloway is the first Black person in the history of the State of Wisconsin to serve as chairman of the Milwaukee County Board...

Louis Butler is the first Black person to serve on the State Supreme Court...

Bobby Webber is the first Black person elected president of a firefighters’ union, Local 215 in the state of Wisconsin.

Say it loud...

Tony Courtney hosted a Black History Dance with a special tribute to James Brown at the Wisconsin African American Women’s Center.

It was really neat. Black men were given a dance card. With this card, they were to dance 20 times with 20 different women. Each woman was to sign her name on the card. The man with the most signatures would win a prize. I want y’all to know it was a party in there Ol’ school filled the hall.

A video of James Brown continuously ran as many got up and talked about what James Brown meant to them, this country and to the world of music. Black men stated it was James Brown who made them feel like men, not only through his songs but also in the way, he carried himself.

James Brown refused to perform many places where there was segregation, he also marched with those of the ’60s saying he just wanted to be treated as a man, a human being. James Brown rocked the World when he said it out loud, in a song called "Say it Loud, I’m Black and I’m Proud" and "Open up the Door I’ll Get It Myself."

He was powerful in statement when he told this country I don’t want you to give me nothing open up the door I’ll get it my self and he did. James Brown started not only instilling pride in Black men as men, but he also began providing economic opportunities as well, which began to empower Black people as he continued to speak out against human injustices.

Of course, the government decided James was going to far when he began to teach Black people to become self-reliant, they began to move on him with taxes, took his radio station and many other businesses he had created.

As many told the stories of the man who showed Black people how to be proud, the party began of course with James Brown himself and everybody got a piece of it. Oshi Adelabu, Hubbert Canfield, Reuben Hopkins, MCJ’s own Teretha Martin and her husband Eddie along with her Dad Willie Wright Sr., Silverene Ward, Marvel Brantley, Johnson Smith and Jo Hill.

DJ Gary Hendrix had folks on the floor doing the boogaloo, the jerk, the pony and yes, the camel walk, it was wild.

Oshi let us all know he was truly retired because he was having a funky good time, Holla! Don Balentine who was to sharp in his suit and turban was in the Soul Train line with two women, I loved it.

DJ Gary then took us on a ride, he reached back and slapped us with the Isley Brothers, Booker T. and the MG’s, The Staple Singers, Tina Turner, Jackie Wilson and Good God himself James Brown. I could not tell that these were baby boomers they were nonstop on the dance floor, I guess they knew a place where, "ain’t nobody crying, no smiling faces lying to the races and no Ben-gay or aches and pains, Holla!

Eddie and Willie had me rollin’ on the floor. They were calling slow dancing belly dancing; they had tears rollin’ out my eyes.

Hey, Tony I had a good time, I can say it loud I’m Black, and I’m Proud, Holla!

A gathering of the Boy Scouts of America

(Left to right) Joe Tucker, County Supervisor Willie Johnson, Bill Carollo, Captain Denny Finch, Common Council President Willie Hines and Heardes Butler recently attended the Boy Scouts of America’s 2007 Leadership Breakfast fundraiser at the Pfister Hotel. (photo by Barbara White)

On my honor, I will do my best, to do my duty to God and my country, and to obey the Scout Law: To help other people at all times to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight. That is the Boy Scout’s Oath.

The Milwaukee County Council, Boy Scouts of America held its 2007 Leadership Breakfast fundraiser at the Pfister Hotel where more than $605,233 was raised. The fundraising chairman was Jeffery Joerres, president and CEO of Manpower Inc. and the Master of Ceremonies Bill Carollo, VP of Global Sales; Manpower Inc. and NFL Referee.

The breakfast began at 7:30 a.m. with close to 500 people in attendance. I was invited by the Boys Scout’s "Heart of the City" Coordinator Heardes Butler.

It was pretty early for I-Witness, y’all. There were the greetings by the Chairman Joerres, who introduced the Master of Ceremonies Carollo, next the invocation. I was seated at the table with Common Council President Willie Hines, Una Van Duall, Jeffery Juerres, Jim Claude and Eric Ashley. We shared a wonderful and healthy breakfast.

A video presentation ran showing the great affect that scouting is having on young people and our community. Boy Scouts do so much community service, scouts are taught to honor country, to be citizens who have a sense of self, have personal values based on religion, have the desire and will to help others, be physically, mentally and emotionally fit, have such qualities as courage and resourcefulness, have a keen respect for the basic rights of all people and are prepared to participate in and give future leadership to Milwaukee.

Each year someone from a major corporation is selected chair of the leadership breakfast and goals are set on the amount of money that needs to be raised for programming and other services provided by the Boy Scouts.

More than 21,000 boys are actively participating in Boy Scouts throughout Milwaukee County. Marie Olearczyk is the executive director of the Boy Scouts.

I saw many familiar faces, photographer Rayfield Johnson; poetess Sistah Monica; Roderick Rush, Student Service coordinator of Springfield College; James Jordon of Dynasty Real Estate and Investments; Linda Sowell; Cassandra Lanier; Martell Echeres; Brenda Windom; Cynthia Johnson; County Supervisor Willie Johnson who is a boy scout. We all got a real sense of the good things that the scouts are doing, both financially and program and the good impact that scouting has not only on the young men’s life but our community as well.

Bill Carollo states that as a Boy Scout, scouting gave him the things he needed. "Scouting gives you preparedness, character, the ACB’s of life, accept differences, be kind, count your blessings, forgive, give freely, express thanks, value truth, harm no one, jettison anger, stay confident, nurture, have hope, love truly, master something and imagine more," he said.

The keynote speaker was a real live honor Captain Denny Fitch who was a survivor of United Airlines Flight 232.

On July 19, 1989, Captain Finch was on United Airline Flight 232 as a passenger. He was a pilot trainer returning home when one of the engines failed cutting all hydraulic controls in the plane. There was no procedure for dealing with it. Even Captain Finch had never experienced anything as this but he volunteered to assist the cockpit.

The plane was guided to Sioux City, Iowa on a hope and a prayer for clearance on landing. With no flight controls, Captain Finch and his team did everything within their power to land the plane. The were 112 people who died in the landing but 184 survived due to the teamwork of the Captain and his team. The Captain was seriously injured but he is alive.

Captain Finch said when he took over the plane he heard his army sergeant voice saying: "you can land this plane, you must believe in order to achieve."

"I did not know how I was going to do it but I had to believe I could. Yes, you have to believe to achieve, yes, you can. Let no one steal your dreams, you are the captain of your team and you must take life by the helms, God does have a sense of humor. I love you and God Bless you," he said.

The Chairman thanked Bill Carollo, the scouts thanked Chairman Joerres for hosting this year’s breakfast, and a scholarship was posted in his name for three young people to partake in this summer’s activities.

The traditions and values of Scouting teaches, young people to be dependent able and trustworthy.

The fundraising goal this year was $535,000 but Chairman Joerres far exceeded the goal and successfully raised $605,233.

Hey, Heardes, Supervisor Willie Johnson and the Boy Scouts of Milwaukee County, I think y’all are doing an excellent job working with our youth, we need more good people as y’all, and it takes special people to love children. I know I am a Girl Scout and Girl Scouts rock, Holla!

Ain’t Black Love Beautiful!

Jean and Johnny Glass exchanged vows on Valentine’s Day and recently celebrated their love. The couple had a small reception at Jamie Lee’s Lounge. The bride and groom will soon be whisked away on a three-day cruise to the Bahamas. After their lovely cruise, the couple will make their way to Disneyland in Florida. (photo by Barbara White)

It’s a Pure Pleasure Girls Night Out

Tonya Whitaker (seated) hosted a Pure Pleasure party, where she and her guests had a chance to let their hair down and be girls. The women were entertained with an evening of games, trivia and all things girl. They were girls being girls, while shopping for exotic treasures. (photo by Barbara White)