by B. White
Holla!
Two hundred twenty-five thousand, five hundred (255,500) down 2,400 to go, I-Witness showing the beauty of Black people, our passions, compassion, intellect and Black life in love one event at a time. Hey, 2,400 Black people to go and I-Witness and the "Milwaukee Community Journal" will have touched more than 253,000 Black families in Milwaukee. In the next couple of weeks I-Witness will have covered the entire city more than 253,000 Black people telling the good things that go on in our community, I will also highlight many folks of the folks who I think were outstanding in my travels so stay tuned ...

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

***Attention***

The Million Father’s March is asking all fathers to take their sons to school on the first day of school. I-Witness thinks it is a wonderful idea. Many fathers across the nation will take off work for a few hours to put their sons in new directions. Moms it is a good idea for the men to go to school with their daughters on the first day also. It brings them to a completely new level of looking at education. Keep building strong families and advancing that next generation, I love it! Salute to you Million Father’s March organizers.

Holla-Outs

"A sailor went to sea, sea, sea to see what he could see, see, see, and all the he could see, see, see, was the bottom of the deep blue sea, sea, sea..." Hey guys just Hollering at you. U.S. Navy Gunner Mate First Class Lavelle Ware, U.S. Navy Storekeeper First Class Keith Wilkinson and U.S. Navy SA #2 Ship Servicemen Nate Walker.

To: Jarvis Redd who is a student at Brookfield High School and a pianist who plays beautifully. Hey, Jarvis I know will be hearing from you in the near future keep making beautiful music and advancing that next generation, I love it!

To: Chauncey King, a student at Roosevelt Middle School. He is an impressive young man carrying a GPA of 3.0 and better as he says. However, he also has a job with his grandfather Larry King who is a contractor in the construction trades. He and his grandfather spend a lot of time together and cannot wait until he is old enough to start driving the truck. Chauncey and his grandfather hang out at Brown’s Ham House. Hey, Chauncey keep being the hard worker you are bound for success, I see it in you, keep advancing that next generation, I love it!

To: Norma Madison, program director over at the Milwaukee Urban League.

To: Tia Johnson over at Holy Redeemer, just Hollering at you gurlll!

Birthday Holla-Outs

Happy Birthday to you tink a tink a tink, Happy birthday to you, tink a tink a tink, Happy Birthday to Assistant Fire Chief Mark Sain, Happy Birthday to you ... I know I just set you on fire, Holla!

Hey, Mary Hortman just wanted to Holla at you. Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday Debbie Dunlap.

Business Holla-Outs

To: Kathy Belisa and Kim Barnes over at the Fashion Bug, I think I have traded Wal-Mart for the Fashion Bug, Holla!

Holla-Outs

Congratulations

James and Marge Reed who have been married for 50 years and recently celebrated their anniversary in Florida with their children. Just imagine being with one person for 50 years, I bet the two of you can finish each other’s sentences and read each other’s mind, I love it! Hey, wishing you two 50 more years of pure bliss, Congratulations!

Condolences

Our prayers go out to Kim Giles, Michelle Below and family on the passing of La Shon Goodman.

To: the family of Frances Estrada our prayers are with you.

Pssssst--FYI

Did you know that Randy Moore is the Regional Forester of the U.S.D.A, Forest Service that covers 20 states, 15 national forests and 1 Tall Grass Prairie leading more than 2,300-government employees right here in Milwaukee, and he is Black

 

Firefighters host Back-to-School Block Party

A Milwaukee Fireman gives two children who attended the block party pointers in CPR. (photo by B. White)

Education, preparedness, fire safety and prevention was the theme of Engine 34 and Med. 13 as they hosted their Third Annual Back to School/Survive Alive Block Party filled with fun and activities at their firehouse on 62nd and Burleigh.

Firefighter Orlando Rice opens with the "Bible" verse "To whom much is given, much is required." As the packed firehouse listen attentively, he continued "One of the reasons we (are) here today is to express the importance of education and its opportunities to make Milwaukee a better place." Many joined Rice in his quest to do just that. State Representative Barbara Toles who stated to the children that she wanted to thank Rice and others on behalf of the Wisconsin Assembly. She continued: "there is a reason why they do back to school rallies, it is because they want all of you to be successful, safe and productive. In addition, I want you to have a happy school year."

There were many others in attendance: the Milwaukee Brotherhood of Black Fire Fighters; Wisconsin Alliance for Fire Safety; Assistant Fire Chief Mark and his wife Charlotte Sain; Brew City Corvette Club and Terry West, director of Civil Rights for the U.S. Forestry Service; Florence R. Pridigen, a recruiter for the Forest Service, the U.S. Navy and Marines.

Barbara Sprewer of "No Child Left Behind" asked all parents to pick up their presence in their child’s school, parents are the only one’s missing, she said. The Milwaukee Police Explorers were in the house assisting in serving food and the list could go on.

Participants were given all kinds of information to assist them on all levels of their life. However, if you were the kid like I-Witness, Smokey the Bear was on hand to ask every one to help prevent forest and all other fires. The firefighters grilled hot dogs and burgers, as the U.S. Marines showed children how to do pull-ups on the bars.

There were many word games and information on fire safety and of course, there was the Survive Alive House for the children to go through.

Okay, so I-Witness has a fire hat, a Smoky the Bear button and Hanky with instructions about fires, matches and putting out your fires at camping sites.

Vanessa Keys, director of New Concepts, donated backpacks for the children filled with school supplies. The children received little goodie bags. Many who have strongly supported this event gave inspiring words to the children about education and doing the good things out here.

Terry Sims Jazz Band featuring James Dallas provided entertainment.

A donation of $150 was taken and targeted for children who have been subject to fights and attacks.

Rice, thanked everyone for all that they have done to make this event a good one for the children, including his lovely wife, Tammie as he referred, I loved it!

Rice invited everyone over 40 to the kitchen for some of that Perkins Family Restaurant’s peach cobbler. Some how I ended up in the room and I was asked why I was in there when everybody knows that I’m 35. I said, "I thought this was the way to the bathroom, but now that I am here I will take some of the peach cobbler!" It was soooo good. In addition, I am still 35, Holla!

Hey, Orlando I had a good time and I Asante’ Sana (thank you) and all those who assisted you in your efforts to love a child. It takes special people to love and try to make all children successful. I love the way you do the things you do, keep doing the good things. Holla!

I-Witness on the menu...

 

I-Witness appeared on the lunch menu of "That’s What I’m Talking About Cafe" with WMCS 1290 host Cassandra McShepard, where she bakes and serves bread daily.

McShepard began by setting her menu with several various versions of the song "Can I get a Witness" by the likes of Marvin Gaye and others, I loved it!

Okay y’all know I-Witness is not used to all this attention two weeks in a row. I am usually the one sharing the good stories about Black people.

We had a good time. I talked about how I became a columnist and why I felt it was important for us to tell our own stories. I told her about some of the places throughout the city and country that I’ve written stories about, but more importantly, I got a chance to share all the good things folks are doing in our community.

We talked about the emphasis and redirected image that I try to reflect of young Black men and why. In addition, I got a chance to introduce "MCJ’s" yearlong series "For the Sake of Aaron," which is a celebration of Black men.

McShepard is a good story herself not only is she a talk show host, but she is a motivational speaker and a personal trainer. Additionally, as a hair and make-up artist she has appeared in "Bead Style Magazine;" she is also an interior decorator, a fashion designer for entertainers such as Nancy Wilson, the Whispers, Frankie Beverly and Maze, Cameo and a host of others. Equally, she is a jazz vocalist who I have had the pleasure of watching entertain many times--and she is good. She is a true artist in every sense of the word.

She is a very caring and compassionate person. She shared with us little vignettes of some of the Good Samaritan things she has done on impulse because they were the right things to do. She states: "you just do what you can and keep going."

She further shared with me that her mom, Bonnie McShepard, has Alzheimer’s and has had to be placed in a nursing home. Seeing her mother’s struggle has taught her a new way to say "ouch;" it’s a very painful experience for her and her father Willie McShepard.

We looked at some of my works, then she saw the pictures of my favorite guys, DeMarco Morgan, Keith Franklin and Gaulien (Gee) Smith, and then we started the girl chat about my favorite sport: guys, Holla! I told her my favorite guys were taken but that I had a waiting list that I might let her preview, Holla! My sista was really having one over Gee, who I call Mr. Wonderful, Holla!

We took time out for dessert where she gave away tickets to the Universal Circus, which will begin Thursday at the Meir Festival Grounds this weekend. While I was there for two hours, it did not seem like it. I guess it is true that time flies when you are having fun.

Hey, Cassandra it was nice being an item on your lunch menu at the "That’s What I’m Talking About Cafe." I had a really good time, thank you for inviting me. After the show, I ran into many people who heard us on the radio and shared with me that we were good and very informative. I asked them why didn’t they call in, they shared they were enjoying our good chemistry and just wanted to listen, I loved it! Keep setting the menus at the cafe you do not know how many folks are slurping up your good lunches, gurlll. Keep doing the good stuff, I love it!

The Rip Tide

Keith (KG) Franklin of KG Financial, Gaulien (Gee) Smith of Gee’s Clippers and I had lunch at the Rip Tide Seafood Bar and Grill on the river. Y’all know I love being with my favorite guys and I love seafood...

We spend a good part of the day together, first stopping at what is going to soon be the new Gee’s Clippers on King Drive. KG and I got a chance to see success in the making as Gee dealt with contractors and so forth.

We then rode in Gee’s Mercedes Benz, y’all know I don’t know a thing about cars and I said before that Gee had a BMW well I stand corrected, Holla!

Once at the Rip Tide, we all went on the boardwalk to look at the boats; of course, y’all know I do not know a thing about boats either, Holla! However, as I listened to them talk I learned that boats cost a lot of money and it’s a boy’s sport.

As we walked further on the board walk KG showed us how the planks were marked by the year starting at the 1950s I think and it showed every month with events that happened in that year. They have not quite finished it yet--they are up to the 1960s. Y’all know me being 35 they had not gotten to the events of my birth year, but we did see the events of KG’s, Holla!

Being famished, we decided to eat. We all started with a cup of the Clam Chowder. It was a bit thick, but tasty.

I had the crab cake sandwich, Gee had salmon and KG had some kind of chicken sandwich. The crab cake was very good and big like a burger, both Gee and KG thought so too. KG and I tasted the salmon and it was really good seasoned to perfection and juicy, Gee had rice and steamed veggies to go with it. KG’s chicken sandwich well. I think we were the food critics today, Holla! The service was good as well; we gave the Rip Tide Seafood Bar and Grill three snaps and a pop, which is very good.

I enjoy being with these guys because they are making a difference in folks’ lives. Both are businessmen, employing and/or contracting with workers, offering quality of life wages and they understand the workings of business and its importance in stabilizing a community. Moreover, they not only educate themselves on how to do it better, but they educate their employees as well.

We chatted about many things from business to the two of them having diverse opinions as to whether bars should stay open later then they do now. Gee was for extending bar hours and KG was against it at first but then listened to Gee’s reasoning and agreed. But he added liquor should not be served after 4 am. It was a good discussion.

We finished our lunch and called it a day.

Hey, you two this was my lucky week. I was with all my favorite guys. Look forward to our next outing--my treat. Keep doing the good things, I love the way you do the things you do.

Hangin’ Out

Jeanette Herrera and I hung out. Both of us were hungry so we decided to stop over at Garfield 502 for catfish. It was the first time I have sat out on the deck and just cooled out, owner Jewel Currie and I got a chance to chat about business and 502 coming events. Chef Gus Kelly joined us and our server, Bridgette Epps was very attentive to our needs. I had steak catfish and onion rings; Jeanette had perch and fries. Y’all know I love catfish and I will tell you this was some of the best. The onion rings were baby sweet and crunchy the way I love them. We finished eating and chatted some more and I loved sitting out on the deck.

Hey, Jewel and Gus just want to share with you the service was really good our server Bridgette as well as the manager Kim White who is my new sister, was very attentive and the catfish was superb. I-Witness gives it five snaps and a pop that means excellent, Holla!

A farewell salute to an activist

Mileka Aljuwani who passed last week had a who’s who service at the New Pitts Mortuary where Funeral Directress Michelle Redd-Pitts had her laid out.

The wake and the funeral were entrusted to Pitts Mortuary where Mileka laid in state in a full view casket called the burial home. It was designed by Habco, Inc. President Verna L. Richardson of Madison, Wisconsin who states the new design in casket was to help children understand death of loved ones and to show them that those who have passed are just simply going home.

Michelle added her own touches to the casket by draping flowers all around it, and she did an excellent job.

Mileka was the director of Project 2019, an educational center, which helped many children, prepare for school as well as life by the year 2019. Its founder Charles E. Sanford of Chicago, Illinois whose motto is "Only Black America can save Black America" shared at both the wake and funeral how Mileka had contacted him about his program 2019 after reading about it on the Internet. It took them a year to get it going here in Milwaukee. He continued, "we would often laugh at how she would push him along in his wheelchair come 2019 as the national organization reached its goals."

Mileka came to Milwaukee 11-years-ago from Buffalo, New York, and once here joined many organizations in our community thus creating many relationships where she was befriended by many and those friendships ultimately developed into many becoming her extended family members.

The Rev. Nate Stampley did the eulogy.

As many, such as Congresswoman Gwen Moore, Former Mayor Marvin Pratt spoke of Mileka and her activist spirit. Moore presented her family with the congressional flag and stated, "in 11 years look (at) what she has done; Mileka exemplified what it meant to be a workhorse." As Former Mayor Marvin Pratt took to the podium, every one started chanting "Mayor, Mayor, Mayor." Many other branches of government paid tribute to her as a fallen activist.

Karen Murphy-Smith-Kimber sang beautifully "That’s what’s friends are for." The Staple Brothers also did song. Jeanette Herrera of The New Black Panther Party as well as the Nation of Islam Brother Dwayne X of Mosque #4 paid a special tribute. Several of the students of Milwaukee Project 2019 did a special tribute.

Ellen Bravo from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Attorney Art Heitzer, Oshi did the libation and tribute her a warrior. Others also attended: the Rev. Roy Nabors, Judge Russell Stamper, Queen Jestene McCord, Earl Butler of Pursenality, Wallace White, Julie Enslow, George Martin, Martha Love, Margaret Henningson, ReDonna Rodgers, Claudia Coleman-Brown who was her guardian during her illness, MCJ Assistant Publisher Mikel Holt, Teju, Betty Glossom, Kwabena Nixon, Muhibb Dyer, Mary Felder, Yolanda Lassiter, Norma Balentine, Tony Courtney, Tyrone Dumas, Urban League Director Ralph Hollomon, the list could go on and on.

Alderman Mike McGee Jr., best rapped it up, as he stated that "of all the people in this room many of us would not get together, if we tried to, but the one thing Mileka has done is brought all us together here and the message is strong that we must all get together more often."

It is believed, Mileka died of breast and brain cancer. If you have not had a breast examine nor prostate or colon checks please do so early detection saves lives and they are the most preventable cancers with regular check ups.

Her brothers Shakoor and Hashiem Aljuwani and Rodney Heath and sister Tanya Heath survive Mileka.

The Hoochie Coochie Man doin’ his thang!

Bobby Rush, "The Hoochie Coochie Man" wows the crowd at Gene’s Supper Club. (photo by Barbara White)

"I’m the Hoochie Coochie Man and every one in the world knows who I am. Here I am and every one knows what I do. Hoochie Coochie man and everyone in the world know who I am."

That is how International Blues Maestro Bobby Rush sang to his fans at Gene’s Supper Club Customer Appreciation Day Bash.

Hundreds turned out to accept the tokens of appreciation. The supper club laid out a spread: roasted chicken, rib tips, corn on the cob, the "Sock It To Me Broccoli Salad" made by Sheila Johnson, smoked neckbones, and so much more, as well as beer and wine--all compliments of the club.

Gene Smith of Gene’s Supper Club states, "this is my way of showing my customers how much I appreciate and I thank them for choosing my place to socialize and have a good time."

While the rain dropped during the early part of the day, nothing stopped folks from having a good time. Folks came in droves, all day long, to claim their spot for the main event.

Bobby Rush who is 73-years-young and does not look a day over 49.99, has moves like some of the young guys, I know Holla! Born in Mississippi he has been in the business for 52 years, has recorded more than 249 records and has entertained all over the world.

He plays guitar, harmonica, dances and boy, does he sing, making him a living legend.

In chatting with Rush, he says I am so thankful, God has blessed me with Black and White audiences who love me. It is not anything I have done it is all because of God. Wherever I go, my show is the same. I do not show favoritism what I play for Black people I play the same things for White folks. Recently in Canada, he performed to a sold-out house and did the same in Cleveland, as well with a Black audience.

He continues: "many times you see the Black blues singer doing crossover and they end up losing their Black audiences because they no longer play the little places. But me, I play them all. I’ve crossed over but I have not been crossed out! I love my fans and love entertaining them wherever they are.

"My thing is to keep the music alive. I do not have to sell myself or my music out, you see I own all my music, Sony distributes (it) but I own it. So I can give all folks a good time just being me and how I’m feelin’ it."

Boy does he feel it. He rocked the house became the lighting and thunder on 60th Street that night. His band the Bobby Rush Blues Revue is pretty good, as are his dancers Loretta Wilson and Loretta (jazz) Anderson. They were giving the men something they could feel because they were being sassy; I loved it! Bobby refers to them as his young hen and his old hen, Holla!

"Have you ever been mistreated by someone you loved and she runs off and with all of the men she could choose she runs off with the garbage man. So I tell you if I ever get my woman back I’m going to buy me a garbage truck and when it fills up I’ll dump that stuff in the back woods." He rocked them and they loved it!

Hey, Gene it was a good time and we thank you for running a good business and providing folks with a nice place to come. And I loved the Hoochie Coochie Man, Holla! Keep doing the good things.

Surprise, Surprise, Surprise

I-Witness was invited to a fish fry at Milwaukee County Transit Driver Clara Smith’s House at least that’s what she thought she was giving. What she didn’t know was that her children Sandra, Angela, Eddie, Paige, Durell Smith and Patricia Dillon had invited her sister Lelia (Nana) Anderson from Mississippi to come up and surprise their mom--the two sisters are very close. Everybody knew it, but Clara, of course.

Transit drivers Lee Fulford, Albert Dunlap, WISN 12 Weekend Anchor/Reporter DeMarco Morgan, Gaulien (Gee) Smith of Gee’s Clippers, my favorite twins Michaela and Melisa Copeland and Kenitea Dillon and many other guests were in the house--well outside.

Unbeknown to Clara, Nana was brought in town as a surprise to her sister and boy did her children get her good. Everyone was included in the secret, including I-Witness, Holla! Clara was amazed that everyone kept her in the dark. Clara went around the yard asking everybody if they knew about her sister coming before today and of course everyone knew, Holla! She could not believe they could keep a secret.

Y’all know all the transit drivers love DeMarco. They told how they get up every weekend to watch him and Portia. His biggest fans were Lee Fulford and Betty Chapman who made gumbo just for DeMarco. Of course, we had to wait until DeMarco got his, then we could partake in a taste. And it was the best gumbo I have had.

As we continued to enjoy our evening, there was one more surprise. I was given this beautiful gold bag; I thought they wanted me to hand to someone so I said, "who am I to give it to?" She said, "well it’s yours." And I said, "no that is not mine." Nana said, "it’s for you." I was speechless, y’all know I acted as if I was on the "Price is Right" again and I just won the big thing.

They had to help me open it as I read the card it said, "You are official, you have your halo now" and they gave me this beautiful porcelain angel with a halo, saying it was their way of thanking me. I was ready to cry and I could not say a word. I kept acting as if I was on the "Price is Right," Holla! I finally found some words like thank you. Then I told everybody they could officially go out and tell everybody now that I am an angel! We had such a good and relaxing time. It was a nice way to cool-out just being around good people.

Part Two

We were at Clara’s house playing Pekoe, it’s a game similar to bingo except you call cards and you can win four corners, center, three of a kind, four of a kind, and the game itself.

Hip-Hop Queen Michelle Allison joined us and she was surprised with a gift also and her card said: "to the woman whom gets things done." She too received a porcelain angel with twisted braids it was beautiful. She almost acted as if she was on the "Price is Right." Of course, y’all know Michelle is the angel from the hood and I am the one with the halo, Holla!

Clara, Angela and Sandra Smith, Lee Fulford, Emmitt Nash, Nancy Copeland, Patricia Dillon and I-Witness were the Pekoe players. Everybody gets a board, antes up as the others watch. At first, I was not doing very well and then Nana helped me out. Then this little guy coached me, kept me from sleeping Pekoe. I-Witness was the Pekoe Champ of the day. I will tell y’all I have been threaten by Lee not to spend any of my money because they are going to win it back, because I only had beginners luck.

Hey, y’all I really had a great time. It’s not often I get to just cool out thanks for inviting me. I learned a lot about surprises and the joy it brings. Y’all gave me much joy, again thank you.