Nothing but Finesse

(Photo at left) The People’s Champ Kwabena Nixon recently captivated the audience at Finesse, during the nightclub’s grand opening. Nixon performed a thought-provoking piece about a young girl who was raped. He mesmerized the audience with his stanzas, as he performed his poem to the sounds of the Terry Sims Band, with Dorothy joining in on vocals. (photo at right) Finesse’s owner, Tatia Jackson (right) and her managing partner, Jon Koop (left) take time during the festivities to pose for a picture. (photos by B. White)

A new neo-soul/jazz inspired nightclub opens on Dr. Martin Luther King Drive

Finesse held its "Grand Opening" in the Historic King Drive Entertainment District, billing itself as a Jazz/Neo Soul Restaurant, which will offer casual dining, live jazz, neo soul music, poetry, and much more! Finesse will host national acts quarterly as well as local entertainers and host a line of unique events.

The place was really nice. All the waitresses wore gardenias in their hair and had on the most colorful outfits, giving the effect of jazz clubs with the resemblance of songbird Billie Holiday. They even have a baby grand piano. Many friends and family turned out to give Tatia Jackson-owner and managing partner Jon Koop good blessings of success, including ReDonna Rodgers, Cynthia and Lamar Dismuke, Indigo Richard, Tony Fikes Sr. and Ellen Jennings.

The evening was hosted by Lena Cole of Above Average Inc., Jammin’ 98.3’s Earl Stokes and "The People’s Champ" Kwabena Nixon.

New Life Steppers were in the house as DJ L-Boogie had them stepping in the name of love; folks were having a good time as they joined in.

Maney Harmon states, "I think it’s fantastic and I wish them much success. I travel a lot and I find that Milwaukee is so slow, so I really think this is great."

Michelle Gilliam, another guest stated: "It’s really nice, a good place for poetry forums and besides we are getting a piece of the money."

Chandra Cooper and WISN 12 Producer Markasa Chambers joined me. We got a table and ordered what I-Witness loves most: chicken wings and fried mushrooms, which were really good as we listened to the sounds of the Terry Sims Band who was rocking the house.

Tasilah Imani of Mindwalk Consulting says, "Finesse’s ‘Grand Opening’ was an evening of elegance, intimacy and intellect."

Victoria Ramona also states: "This is a wonderful establishment."

Nicole Johnson states, "I’m happy to have Dr. King represented by the growing professional African American community."

Folks continued to roll in: Trinette Patterson, Hetitia Walters, Nicole Jackson, Damison Smith, 93.3 Radio Personality Terry Love, Quiney, Tony Hole, and my favorite girls Mimi and LeLah of Mi’Le’ Productions. Believe me the poets were in the house, Poetess Autumn Blaze, Spitefire, Simon BlackArt.

The highlight of the evening was when the People’s Champ, poet Kwabena Antonio Nixon took to the mic. He had the crowd going; the energy in Finesse was wild as the People’s Champ submerged the audience into an attitude of thankfulness. He made them feel thankful that they woke up this morning.

The People’s Champ took us on a ride, as he began to spit out the picture of a young girl who had been raped and her aftermath. Kwabena was doing his piece to, the sounds of the Terry Sims Band, with Dorothy joining in on vocals.

She began singing "Walk on By" in a soft but powerful streaming voice. She reached deep down for octaves nobody knew she had, as the People’s Champ spit the words of pain, broken spirit and death. Dorothy sang the song of tears and sorrow, together this duo brought people to their feet, with non-stop applause; they turned it out. It was the best performance, I have ever seen Kwabena do and he sang, also almost bringing folks to tears, I loved it!

Hey, Tatia and Jon, I had a good time and I loved the chicken wings and mushrooms, five snaps and a pop, wishing you much success in your new endeavor.

I-Witness is hangin’ out...

Vince Toney (left), a mentor with the Running Rebels, and his mentee Gary Copper-Wertz (right) recently visited Coffee Makes You Black to have a chat about effective conflict resolution. (photo by Barbara White)

I-Witness Hangin’ out with two special guys, Vince Toney of the Running Rebels as well as New Concepts and sixth grade student Gary Copper-Wertz who attends Fritsche Middle School.

Toney, a mentor at Running Rebels his mentee Gary and I met at Coffee Makes You Black.

On this day, Gary who is a very sweet, smart young man who has had a lot of adversity in his life was having a few problems at school, which required Toney’s attention as well as mine. Gary is a very warm, talkative kid with a spirit of joy.

But Today, Gary needed to learn self-empowerment and a few other life lessons and skills. Toney, talked with Gary as a father would and he told him he was a bit disappointed. Gary had a fight in school. Yes, the other boy messed with Gary first, but Toney wanted Gary to know that there are different ways to handle a situation. He told him: it’s how you react to things that make the difference in any situation. Toney had a problem with how Gary chose to react to the situation, because there were other ways to deal with the other boy. They chatted a while because Toney wanted Gary to use his mind to solve a problem not his hands.

I took him in another direction, informing him that in situations one must stop and think. Once you have time to think about it you can, in most cases, make the right choices. When a person can bring you to a level of violence than you are no longer in control, for you have conceded all your power to them. You have allowed a person to control the only thing we have that we totally control, that is our mind and no one can get into your head unless you let them in.

We chatted on many topics attempting to give Gary tools to work with in the future. We also had a bit of laughter. All in all, Toney and I felt comfortable that the information we shared with Gary will help him deal with challenges more effectively. I do not know how many of the readers feel about mentoring programs, but I think many of them serve a good purpose. Such mentoring programs give many children someone to share things with, to talk over things, to hold them accountable for their actions, to encourage the children but simply to let a child know someone cares. The young male child in the mentoring programs usually do not have men in their lives so men in the mentoring programs are the only men they have to interact with.

Toney and I think Gary has a better understanding now of how he can handle things in the future.

Thank you, Gary for allowing me to share some of the day with you, I know you really appreciate Toney being in your life. I want to thank Toney for both of us because it takes a special person to take time to care about children.

We are expecting great things out of you, Gary, but more importantly, we want you to expect great things out of yourself. We know you are going to do well in life. I will keep in touch. Remember, it is your head and no one gets to come in unless you let them in.

The Man of the Hour

Gene Smith (pictured), owner of Gene’s Supper Club, proudly displays two plaques he received in recognition of dedication to his employees. Recently Smith’s employees honored him with an appreciation celebration, where he was thanked and remembered for being a great boss. Look for this story in next week’s publication. (photo by Barbara White)

It’s Yo’ Birthday, No, It’s a Running Rebel Fundraiser

(Photo at right) Judy Carson-Lathon (center) poses with friends at Savoy’s NightClub during her birthday celebration that she shared with the Running Rebels parents-sponsored fundraiser. (photo by Barbara White)

Judy Carson-Lathon celebrated her birthday in a very special way; she shared her day with the Running Rebels at Savoy’s NightClub.

The Running Rebels Parents sponsored a teen fundraiser in conjunction with Carson’s birthday and I want you all to know it was a party up in there.

The Running Rebels is a youth program that works with young people to develop life skills through basketball where they learn discipline, hard-work, teamwork, competition, community service and skills that will help them throughout their lives. Most of the young people who finish, the Running Rebel’s program go on to college and graduate.

Judy is a big time supporter of the rebels; she has her children in the program and she is an active parent within the organization.

Many of Judy’ friends turned out to help her celebrate as well as support the Running Rebels, including County Executive Walker’s Community Liaison Dashal Young and International Voting Rights Activist and Attorney Henry Hamilton. In fact, Young, Hamilton and Judy all grew up together. Henry told me what ever I wanted to know; well he knew all their secrets, Holla!

D.J. Kellie Carson is really good she had them rocking. DeShell Parker as well as Lobbyist Calvin Lee was in the house. Lee says: "I always support Judy and the Running Rebels because they really take care of the young people."

There were raffles every half-hour, with nice gifts such as major gift certificates and a trip to Wisconsin’s Dell’s. Folks are partyin’ up in here, y’all.

Judy stated, "We are thankful and happy of all the people who came out to support us. This program is designed to help young men foster positive images of themselves through basketball and the Running Rebels do an excellent job at it. And we truly appreciate the continuous support of the community."

Hey, Judy I think I want to sing: "Happy Birthday--to you, Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday--to you, Happy Birthday!" I sound good don’t I? Holla! Wishing you many, many more.

A Lady Is To Always Be Pampered

I-Witness recently basked in the glory of the Gee Experience, as she spent the day being pampered at Gee’s II, the Milwaukee’s hottest place to be.

I-Witness treated herself to a pedicure and manicure by stylist, Keisha Roper (pictured at left) as well as a massage and haircut. Look for her story on her day of relaxation in next week’s publication. (photo by Barbara White)