by B. White
Holla!
Seventy-one thousand (71,000) down 174,000 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 Wonder 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 Week
Today, don’t take … give. Empower yourself, empower others. Today don’t ask for a blessing, be a blessing …
--The People’s Champ-Kwabena Nixon

Holla-Outs

Hey, Diamond Suggs over at John Muir Middle School. I hear Muir and Edison will be combined this coming school year. I know they have good people like you, who make the difference in the lives of children.

Hey Mary over at Sweet Mary’s Style, just hollering at you,
I want y'all to know I have been spending a lot of time at the DMV (Departnent of Motor Vehicles) and the courts getting all my tickets in order and I am proud to say, I am ticket free, Holla!

On my adventure to becoming ticket free, I had a lot of help with people setting me straight. They helped me to understand that it’s my city, but I can’t park anywhere I chose. Many good people helped me through the process like Gwen Moore who works at the DMV she is very nice and knows her stuff.

Of course, I have to Holla-Out to Judges Derrick Mosley and Valerie Hill! Just want to thank all of you for doing your jobs well and caring about the circumstances of folk’s daily lives.

Birthday-Holla-Outs

To: one of my favorite girls, Raven Thurman who I have known all my life, y'all know she is the oldest, Holla! My sista you know I have much love for you and you have always been a black beauty in my life. Happy Birthday to you, Cheers!

To: David Holloway, I know Atlanta is the stuff and you are almost a senior citizen, Holla! It must be nice being 30, tall, dark and handsome ... I know you got it going on, Holla!

Happy Birthday!
To: Clara Smith, a Milwaukee County Transit Driver. They told me it was your birthday, so I thought I would sing to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Hap-py Birth-day to you, you know I can sang girl, Holla!

Wishing you many more.

Hey, Phillip Crawl, a Milwaukee County Transit Driver, I heard you got a surprise. A Happy Birthday Cookout featuring all my favorite foods cooked by Pat Whitaker. I know you had a good time with your family and friends, Happy Birthday, wishing you many more.

Hey, niece, Dyyja Scott where you at, where you at, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you...I know you love my singing.

To Marvell Brantley, "it’s yo' birthday, it’s yo' birthday!" Happy Birthday, you know I love the way you do the things you do, Holla!

Hey, Tom Karwoski I know you are somewhere inspecting a house that someone is about to purchase. I just wanted to remind you that it’s yo' birthday, Holla! Happy Birthday!

Congratulations

Congratulations to the new president of SEIU (Service Employees International Union) Local 150 Michael Thomas. Hey Michael, I know you are going to do some good things.
Hey, Mr. Wonderful, (Gaulien ‘Gee’ Clippers) I bet you thought I forgot your 12th year in business; well 12 years ago, it was only a dream to own your own shop. No, 12 years later, you own two shops and employ almost forty people, how is that for dreams that you make come true. Congratulations!

The Internet AOL News

Pssssst…I must say that both County Board Chairman Lee Holloway and Common Council President Willie Hines know how to rise their stick and kick some butt, regarding the drag your feet approach to possibility losing the $91.5 million transportation grant by the mayor and county executive.

Both Holloway and Hines are challenging, Mayor Tom Barrett and County Executive Scott Walker. The problem appears to be the ego of the mayor and the county executive ... White men do it better. Plans were created by Holloway presented and accepted by the committee. Last week I copied, y'all a letter sent to the mayor by President Hines regarding the $91.5 million transportation grant.

This week I am copying, y'all a letter sent to the County Executive by Holloway.

Earlier this year, you (Scott Walker) indicated your support for my Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) plan. You even showed your backing of my plan with a public appearance at the Transportation, Public Works and Transit (TPWT) Committee meeting, which I certainly appreciated.

But this morning, you trotted out a new transit plan by yourself. Although you've taken some of my ideas, which you originally agreed with me on, it now appears you want to "go it alone." Considering you initially indicated strong support for my plan, I am disappointed and concerned that you did not get in touch with me to extend an invitation to work together.

In some ways, I do not blame you for going on your own, based on the committee's decision to refer my item to staff for further study. However, please be advised that I expect the TPWT Committee to revisit this issue at its next meeting on June 6. Based on the information you presented this morning, my plan appears to be more comprehensive and provide a more effective use of the remaining, $91.5 million in federal funds.

As you know, one of my strongest passions is to provide a high level of affordable transit services for Milwaukee County residents. I feel our chances of succeeding would be much greater if we are able to work together, as we have been able to do on numerous other issues.
It is my hope that we will be able to get together on transit. Are you on board with my BRT plan, Scott? Or are you going to be the Lone Ranger?
--Lee Holloway

Radio

Listening to WMCS 1290 morning show featuring Leonard Wells, Mikel Holt and Joel McNally, they raised many good points regarding the charging of Alderman McGee. They talked of the conspiracy charge and the so-called hit McGee was supposed to have enlisted and the other sealed charges.

It is a strange thing; we need to know what McGee is charged with and why he continues to sit in jail. This is becoming very serious and we need to ask the question are they violating his rights.

Everyday that he sits, the status of someone being accused of crimes changes to someone being held without cause because other than what has been revealed we do not know what he is charged with and his status now has become political prisoner. He needs to be charged or let go.

I would like to correct the boys on the morning show on the question of conspiracy. If you have not noticed, many Black men are getting the conspiracy enhancement added to their charges.
The conspiracy charge is the fishnet that is thrown out and it is used very much as the Federal "Rico Act" is used against mobsters. To prove conspiracy one doesn’t have to be in a group of three or two, conspiracy is when someone says they "thought" you knew or it is assumed there is no way you could not have known. Whether, you knew it or not, you can be convicted of conspiracy on assumptions ask Carl Gee.

What it really means they can do what they want when they get ready.

Joel McNally was not as passionate as the two Black men, about the possibility of trumped charges or the lack of real charges, but I understand -- he is not a Black man who has experienced the judiciary system. Both Mikel and Leonard stated that if McGee is guilty, he is not the Mike McGee they know. They both say that he should be punished, but he must be given his day in court and this justice system must treat him in the same fashion as they are supposed to treat all citizens.

Okay for all of you who went crazy with the Michael McGee Sr. and Charlie Sykes saga...I know y'all have heard him on the radio and television calling the Alderman thugs etc. I said folks should stay out of it. It is a war between the two men. Calling McGee Jr. a thug was one of Sykes's nice words he uses about those in our community. Of course, he is using the airwaves to convict Mike McGee without giving him his day in court. While the D.A.’s office is saying, the Alderman should not be released because he has influence out here.
Well, I would like to know, how much information and influence will Charlie Sykes have in the case of Mike McGee after all he was a big time supporter of District Attorney Chisholm and so was our community.

Mark Belling

Okay, so I don’t believe it either, I agree with talk show host Mark Belling on the Milwaukee Public Museum asking Milwaukee County to bail them out again. I-Witness has written many stories on the missing money at the museum where County Board Supervisor Lynn DeBruin and the Chairman of the Board of the Milwaukee Journal/Sentinel as well as him being board chair of the museum when millions of dollars came up missing at the museum.

The millions were missing at the same time as they attacked OIC and sent both Senator Gary George and President of OIC Carl Gee to jail. Well both Carl Gee and Gary George have gone to jail and have done their time. And guess what, in the case of the museum, no one has told us yet where the money is. Allegedly they have charged the former director but he has not been brought to trial and I hear he is not going to fall on the sword alone.

It’s like I always say justice is not blind when you are Black. Y'all know she's peeking out from under the scarf that covers her eyes then she says it "If you're White you're all right and if you're Black get back." Mark, say it ain't so ... we agree!

Oh Obama

We are going to see if telling the truth pays off. Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama spoke at the Conference of Black Clergy and stated, "the Bush administration has done nothing to defuse a ‘quiet riot’ among Blacks that threatens to erupt just as riots in Los Angeles did 15 years ago." The Senator from Illinois continued, with Black people from New Orleans and the Gulf Coast still displaced 20 months after Hurricane Katrina, their frustration and resentments are building explosively as they did before the 1992 riots.

"This administration was colorblind in its incompetence," Obama said, "but the poverty and the hopelessness was there long before the hurricane, all the hurricane did was to pull the curtain back for all the world to see."

Everyone in the world is wondering when will Black people stand up and say enough is enough, when will we as a people be recognized and treated as human beings in this country.

I can’t speak for the rest of the country but I know in Milwaukee there has been many discussions stating, the only way this system is going to pay any attention to our human suffrage is if we riot, many have also stated not if but when. They further state, this time we just don’t need to do it in our community. We know as the Senator from the little surburb of Milwaukee knows, you cannot keep denying basic human rights and dignity to people without rebellion. So, if they want to use the truth against Obama during this campaign, let it be. Just like in the movie of a "Few Good Men" most people can’t handle the truth no matter who says it. Obama keep calling it the way you see it.

According to the lastest "USA Today"/Gallup poll, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are essentially tied, 30%-29%. It is stated Obama holds the lead by a percentage point only if Al Gore is included in the race. If Gore is not included Clinton would lead.

A Renaissance is headed to Milwaukee

New school to open in fall

(Left photo) Neighborhood kids get to play fireman for a few hours during Milwaukee Renaissance Academy’s introductory cookout. (photo by Barbara White)

Pssst...Something beautiful is happening in Milwaukee right here in our community with those who chose to come back home and put their mark back in the village.

Attorney Deanna Singh, Bamidele Ali and Reggie Moore of Urban Underground have joined forces to address the crisis in education in Milwaukee.

They along with other board members have started a school on 12th and Garfield, the old YMCA and it truly is going to be a new day, a real renaissance.

The school: Milwaukee Renaissance recently threw a block party to introduce themselves to the neighborhood and their new neighbors. There were many children and their parents on hand to partake in the games, food and fun. I know they all were having a good time because it was a partly cloudy day and rain drizzled here and there.

Singh is the executive director of the school, Ali is the board chair and Moore is one of several board members.

According to Singh what makes this school so unique is that it is a 6-12th grade school. Milwaukee Renaissance will only take children who are in the 6th grade where they will remain until they graduate.

The belief is that having the same children from 6th-12th grades will allow them to master the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in a competitive colleges and professional careers. The school guarantees that upon graduation every one of their students will have an acceptance letter to any college or university in the nation.

Singh who is not only an attorney and the executive director of the school, she is also an adjunct professor at the Law School at Marquette University where she founded a program called "Street Project" where she trains local lawyers to go into local high schools to teach law.

Singh is only 27-years-old and a home grown. She states after finishing college in Boston she came home and found that the educational system here had low expectations and the children were terrible in reading and math. She knew she had to do something.

I joined a number of parents on a tour of the school. Here I learned that each class will host about 23 students, with two computers per classroom plus a computer lab. Their focus will be what they call six plus one: Ideas, organization, science, math, data instruction, reading facts and exponents. Along with motivation inspirations of self and the collective.

The program will be culturally sensitive, they are instituting a Nelson Mandela Leadership merit award weekly and will give holler outs to students focusing on character building. All the students will have classroom jobs; students will be taught time and task and students will be in a more structure environment, where they will be able to track themselves as well as their teachers and parents. There will be a fine arts program with music, dance etc. Community service will be a big part of their program.

The school will have two principals Singh who will handle the business and administrative end and Ann Marie who is a specialist in bringing up test score and setting curriculums.

As I walked through I could see the strong presence of self-esteem builders and motivation enhancements through out as well as the structural re-enforcement. I loved it!

As of now, transportation will have to be provided by parents, as a charter school they would have to find a way for transportation. MPS schools receives transportation but charter schools don’t. But they are looking into the possibility of providing transportation in the future.

We went back out to join the rest of the celebration and activities, drumming, face painting, sitting on the fire truck and all those other fun things children like to do. As Bella Gill and other volunteers served us up hot dogs, cake, popcorn, y’all know the works, Holla!

What made this a truly special day for me was to see young people wanting to make a difference not only in the world but right here in Milwaukee where they were raised.

Deanna, Bamidele and Reggie, thank you for your guts and courage in believing you can make a difference. And coming back to the village to share what you have worked hard to obtain what has been given to you. I wish you the best in your new endeavor!

Nurses sure know how to party...
The Institute for Urban Health Community Nursing Centers host party

Dr. Joan Prince (center) and Mary Jo Baisch (fourth from right) stand with members of the Westlawn and Hillside Residential Council during the Community Nursing Center Party (photo by Barbara White)

Is there a doctor in the house? No. Well, that’s all right send me a nurse!

Mary Jo Baisch, a faculty member in the college of nursing threw a party to celebrate recently completing her Ph.D. at the College of Nursing at UWM. But she also wanted to celebrate what she says has enriched her life so much and that is the Institute for Urban Health, Community Nursing Centers.

It was a party y’all, the theme was "Motown in May." All the tables had 45 records as center pieces, record albums dressed the tables where the auction items were and where we found out we would soon be entertained by none other than Uptown Entertainment "Tempters."

The Community Nursing Programs are housed in the Silver Spring Neighborhood Center celebrating its 20th year, the House of Peace celebrating 15 years and Riverwest-Pierce Nursing Center celebrating 10 years of nursing and preventive health care.

This was a star-studded event from the streets to the suites, I loved it. There were the nurses, of course, academic and those from the housing developments who the nurses service.
Dr. Joan Prince, vice chancellor at UWM returned from Chicago to be mistress of ceremonies.

The Institute of Urban Health Partnership was founded by Sally Lundeen, dean of Nursing at UWM. She had a vision in delivering a different kind of healthcare, one that would show people that they didn’t have to get sick to seek medical attention and to also show people who may not have access to good healthcare how to take care of themselves better, it’s called preventive healthcare.

Since it’s inception Community Nursing has taught thousands of people how to live better and stay in good health. Lundeen had to show community nursing could work providing good healthcare and showing people how to live a better quality of life while at the same time provide those who didn’t have access to quality healthcare access.

They looked at the health disparities and wanted to find ways to reduce the disparity and at the same time increase access. Many things are taught to those who participate finding out that even those who had good health insurance did not know how to utilize it.

The plight started at the Westlawn Housing Development, my favorite place, more than 20 years ago with much success. Since then Community Nursing has expand to two other sights the House of Peace for 15 years, Dr. Sandra Underwood was the founder, and 10 years in Riverwest, Pierce Nursing Center.
The UWM School of Nursing is a very special school for me because it was here my daughter, Tanasha White received her dream to become a nurse, in a program out of the School of Nursing called the "Bridge Program" under the direction of Dr. Sandra Underwood.

The celebration has begun the bar is set-up, a nice spread, and folks from the streets to the suites and it was a par-tee y’all. Everyone was introduced to many of the nurses who work in the Community Nursing Center, Beth Peterman, Jean Bell-Calvin, Elizabeth Fayram and guess what ya’ll nurses read I-Witness also, y’all know I loved it!

Joan Prince did a wonderful job of hosting the program. She entertained as well as informed.

Many people spoke at the dinner, including Mary Jo Baisch and Sally Lundeen, who is Dean of Nursing at UWM. In between the speakers, the Tempters rocked the house! It was a party y’all, Holla!

Hey, Mary Jo thanks for the invite, I didn’t know you partied like that, girl friend, it was a celebration. You know nurses are very special people, not only because my daughter is one, Holla! but it takes special people to care for people when they are ill, to be compassionate and keep them in dignity. Glad you and your team are some of the best. Congratulations, I know the best is yet to come! P.S. I can’t wait till the next party, Holla!

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Milwaukee, WI 53212 o (414) 265-5300 o (414) 463-8590-fax o www.communityjournal.net