Teju Ologboni (far left) asks "Who gon’ jump the broom?" as newlyweds Latoya and Russell Stamper II, as well as their wedding party look on with smiles during their recent nuptials held at Northside Church of God. (photo by Barbara White)

Mr. Russell Stamper II and Ms. Latoya Channele Kendall were married this past week at Northside Church of God. The ceremony was officiated by Reverend Dr. Sandy L. Johnson and Reverend Albert Grant, Jr. Russell is the son of Judge Russell Stamper Sr. and the late Virginia Grant Stamper. Latoya is the daughter of Robert and the late Mary Frances Kendall.

It was a beautiful wedding. What made this wedding so special was that Russell’s mom Virginia (Gina) Stamper, whom many of you are familiar with, is deceased. Many of her friends, who she grew up with, went to college with and just plain hung out with were all in the house to celebrate her No. 1 son and his new bride. So, join me as I share with Gina, as I called her, the celebration of love.

It was so beautiful. Mavis McCallum, your best friend since grade school and Rusty’s Godmother, laid it out. All your friends were there. Your new daughter-in-law Latoya is such a nice person you can see in her eyes every time she looked at Russell that she loves him so much. Russell, well you know him, he was so happy he couldn’t quit grinning and glowing. Every time he looked at her his eyes would light up and he couldn’t quit smiling. Everyone kept saying to him: "Hey, Russell who is happy!" Gina, love was in the air, on his face and in your baby’s heart.

The wedding was held at Northside Church of God and yes, your brother, Reverend Albert Grant was one of the officiants. Mavis had the church decked out. The programs, designed by ShaRon Williams, were too classy, they had a cognac border on ivory with an ivory ribbon with a cowrie shell (you know we are African.)

You would have loved it. Teju Ologboni and his drums were the Prelude Music waking up all the ancestors. The ushers lit the candles as the seating of the family and the lighting of the families’ candles. Anita Thomas began to sing, "Order My Steps" as the sisters of the bride, Karla Smith and Brenda Kendall, were seated. Your mom, Ida Grant, was then seated, as was the eldest sister of the bride, Debra Fleming.

The lighting of the candles represented Russell and Latoya, as they are now members of a combined family.

Gina they did not forget you, or Latoya’s mom Mary Frances. The beautiful memorial brought both your spirits close. The Eaton Family sang "Bless Me," Oshi Adelabu performed the Libation, an African custom, which honors our eldest ancestor, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, and lightens all our other ancestors.

Teju and his drum did the call as the entrance of the ministers, the best man and groom. Russell in all his joy could not contain it. Yes, Gina, the spirits of the drum danced him down the aisle. It was a sight to see, Russell Jr.’s dad the Honorable Russell Stamper Sr., your baby’s daddy, did the blessing, followed by Anita Thomas singing "For Always" as the wedding procession marched in.

Teju and trumpeter Daniel Davis rocked the house in a special duet. Violinist Erica Smith serenaded Latoya as her father escorted her down the aisle, all their guests "oooh and ahhhed." Gina, she was so gorgeous.

Russell watched as his bride floated to be placed at his side. He was breathless because she was breathe taking.

The two exchanged their vows; there was the blessing and exchange of rings, the lighting of the Unity Candle, the deliverance of the Declaration of Marriage and the Final Blessing.

Albert H. Malotte and Diana Bradford Cannon sang the "Lord’s Prayer," and then there was the Pronouncement, the Presentation of the Newlyweds, Mr. and Mrs. Russell Wright Stamper II, folks cheered and cried all at the same time.

Teju came forward and asked, "Who Jumping Da Broom? (Jumping da Broom is an African tradition. The broom is swept above the heads of the newlyweds to symbolize the removing of evil spirits out of their paths, and it represents a cleansing of the old for the new.)

Teju had us all asking: "who gon’ Jump the broom?" The couple responded: "we gon’ jump the broom!" And jump they did as they proceed up the aisle as Mr. and Mrs. Russell Stamper to the sounds of the L.A. Mass Choir singing "Hallelujah Oh Lord." Their guests joined them giving them contributories, big hugs, kisses and showing them lots of love.

Gina, I did drop a tear or two for you. I could not let them flow ’cause who was happy, Russell was happy, even told the new Mrs. how gorgeous she looked in her dress, and I loved it!

Diamond Suggs was the best man. The groomsmen were Ronald Johnson, Jr.; Bryon Brazil; Jerrold Daniels; Dameon Ellzey; and Malcolm Williams. The maid of honor was Shawndrika Adams and the bridesmaids were Tanisha Washington, Candace Yates, Melissa Hughes, Juliette Lyday and your beautiful baby girl who I had to double take for because she look so much like you. She was gorgeous, Gina and very much a lady, you would be so proud.

The couple and their party are off to take photos as every one else is headed to the Four Point Sheraton North.

Okay Gina and Mary Frances, it was a who’s who at the reception where guests dined on steak during the sit-down dinner. Through out dinner there was the clinging of the glasses and kisses were planted. I think Russell loved kissing, Holla! The best man, Diamond toasted the couple as well as the maid of honor. However, it was the brother of the bride Robert Kendall Jr., your son Mary Frances who toasted the couple with tears in his eyes, emotionally struggle wishing his sister the best and telling Russell to take care of his best friend, it was a tearjerker, and I-Witness only became misty. A number of your relatives followed with words of celebration.

Gina, your baby girl Candace, looking like the split image of you, congratulated the couple and then brought us all almost to tears, when she welcomed Latoya to the family and thanked her for becoming Russell’s wife, "I don’t have to worry any more because you’re here to help care about him and love him, I thank you," she said.

Russell Sr. also so wished the couple well and celebrated their union.

After the bride and groom declared their love for one another and thanked their guests for sharing their day, a toast ensued y’all telling the couple to keep God in front of them. The guest gift was a mini straw broom with ribbon.

WMCS 1290 radio personality Ernie Gee rocks the house as the couple did the first dance. It was a wild plenty of hugs and kisses they begin to party like rock stars. Gina Mary, your children are united, under the Creator’s Eyes, their union was celebrated in grand style, you would have loved it!

Hey, Russell and Latoya, if ever I have seen love in the air I saw it that day. Let each other be your source of joy and God the center of your love. Congratulations, Hey, Russell who is happy, Holla!

The return of Poetry Unplugged

Kwabena Nixon (on stage) gets the crowd pumped as he hosts Poetry Unplugged held at Soche’ Milwaukee. (B. White photo)

It was a poet’s explosion as nationally renowned poets 3 Brotha’s and A Mic, and Tina Battle from Chicago, Illinois, HBO Def Comedy Jam’s Triple Blak, Shelly, Deana Dean, Muhibb Dyer, Autumn Blaze, Mumba, and your host Kwabena Antoine Nixon and D.J. Vel presented Poetry in Bronzeville at Soche’ Milwaukee. The band, Cigarette Break is awesome and rocked the house.

Poetry Unplugged has a new home formerly hosted at the Onyx Night Club, its new home is Soche’ Milwaukee on King Drive. The set up was a poet’s heaven and folks filled the place to enjoy some of the best poets in the nation.

The sounds of WNOV 860 Hommmer Blow filled the air, with Earth, Wind and Fire. Homer is rocking the house, as D.J. Vel takes to the stage, the band, Cigarette Break lit it up. D.J. Vel states, "it was 40 years ago today that Dr. King delivered his ‘I Have a Dream’ speech and here we are on King Drive this is historical, y’all. Let’s make some noise." The audience began to chant "Oh, oh, oh."

Soche’ is the place where young professionals and young business owners as well as the young working class go to relax and cool out while getting their groove on. Soche’ has become a premiere place for the young and adventurous and now they have added Poetry Unplugged every Tuesday Night.

D.J. Vel shouts it out are you ready for some poetry, the response is yea, let’s show the band some love and crowd chants, oh, oh, oh. D.J. Vel chants when I Kwabena, you say Nixon, Kwabena, Nixon, Kwabena Nixon and the newly married Kwabena takes to the stage like a rock star and Cigarette break gives him his intro he begins to rock the house and they love it!

Kwabena got the crowd started by opening with: "if you are glad, you woke up this morning, make some noise!" I loved it! It’s a party y’all.

The sweet and sassy Autumn Blaze takes to the stage in her barefooted style with toe rings. She is spitting so tough she has all the guys, clapping, shouting and some jumping out their seats as she let the honey of the words drip off her lips thrilling them too no end and making them want to Holla! She was awesome.

Shelly spit the brothas some love as well she was good. Muhibb Dyer yields his opening to an Ol’ School Poet Mumba. Citing Mumba was doing poetry when poetry was not cool, he did it in front of the police as he crossed the sixth Street Viaduct marching for open housing.

Mumba took us through a passage of history as he profiled and spoke with diction of James Earl Jones. I enjoyed it.

Muhibb says he is different now. He had a neat haircut and was wearing glasses but that is not where he was different, he states, I am different now from the head up. He shared the plight of Black people with us, giving us the stats on young Black males as he delivered a soul-stirring and inspiring piece. He was really good.

Kwabena and Homer Blow along with Cigarette Break took us there it was show time at Soche’!

Folks came from every where Comedian Jazz, Simon-Black Art, film producer and director Life, Carl Wesley–pre-college director all the way from UW-Platteville.

Throughout the night, poets like I-Witness’ favorite three poets (other than Autumn Blaze. Kwabena Nixon and Muhibb Dyer) 3 Brothers and a Mic took to the stage, as did Tina Battle, Triple Blak of HBO Def Poetry Jam and the sultry Deana Dean. Everyone delivered beautifully entertaining pieces.

The night closed with a surprise birthday cake and the happy Birthday song for D. J. Vel who was celebrating his day.

Hey, Poetry Unplugged and Mi’Le’ Production as usual I had a good time with you, it was a party. Well I will not see you every Tuesday but you know I will be back when I want to see some of the best poets in the nation spit, snap, snap!

Gee’s Clipper’s 12th Anniversary

Gaulien "Gee" Smith of Gee’s Clippers and his supporters were all smiles as they did the "Cupid Shuffle" during Gee’s Clippers’ recent 12th anniversary cookout. (B. White photo)

"Meet me in the park it’s going down, Meet me in the park it’s going down. ..." Gee’s Clipper’s had it going down at McGovern Park as Gaulien ‘Gee’ Smith of Gee’s Clippers held its 12th Anniversary Cook-Out. It was a party and all the Gee experience from both the one on King Drive and Fond du Lac Avenue shops were in the park.

Dr. B of B Boy Production was rockin’ the party he had every little child even 6-month-olds dancing to the beat of his song, boy did they dance. I love when the African comes out in our children every time they hear the drum. Even Mr. Wonderful got in on the fun as he was doing the "Cupid Shuffle," Holla!

Folks danced on skates, skateboards, bare footed, they partied. There were all kinds of foods and snacks as Chef Michael Hill set the grills on fire.

County Supervisor Toni Clark, Alderman Willie Wade, William Kellibrew IV, who sang the national anthem at the Milwaukee Brewers game this past Tuesday, Chef Dion Wilkins of Soche’, Branden Wallace of Washington, D.C., Clara Smith, Sista Raquel, the newlyweds Kwabena and Jazzi Nixon, joined Gee in celebration.

Mr. Wonderful (Gee) thanked every one for joining him in celebration but he wanted to especially thank J.J. (Jasmine Spencer for his many years of service at Gee’s Clippers. J.J., who started with Gee is opening his own shop, Perfect Touch. Gee presented him with a plaque and a vintage-framed DeWayne Wade jersey, thanking him for his years of service.

Okay y’all I been to cookouts before and they have partied but since I arrived they danced nonstop, it’s a party in this park, even the geese are partyin’ Holla!

Hey, Mr. Wonderful, Congratulation on another year of success, wishing you the best in all your endeavors.