Dr. Terrance N. Thomas Memorial Scholarship Fund where scholarships are not simply issued to students going to college, but the scholarships follow and support them until they graduate.
That support continues through various means, economic, mentoring whatever the needs are for the students. MCJ also sponsored the "What is a Man" a program that mentored a group of young male students from Dr. Martin Luther King Elementary School. The program was under the direction of Dr. Williams Rogers, director of Nirvana Ministries. As well, as serves as an educator and voice for our community. MCJ can proudly say we support our community.
The evening opened with a reception and silent auction in the rotunda of the center. It was there that the honorees were gathered, bonding with each other as folks congratulated them. There were over 36 honorees in attendance of all ages and walks of life.
DeMarco Morgan former WISN-Channel 12 News anchor and reporter, and Larry Waters, senior director of Multicultural Affairs at Miller Brewing Company, were the MCJ Anniversary co-chairs. The committee consisted of Mitchell Avant, director of Community Affairs for the Coca Cola Bottling Company, who worked directly with the Dr. Terrance N. Thomas Memorial Scholarship Fund; Beverly B. Benson-Kern and Karen Dotson, who were the gala’s coordinators; Mildred Leigh Gold, center piece coordinator; Tony Martin Neal, the music coordinator (and the main entertainment for that evening); Andre’ Lee Ellis and Sharon Pitter-Jones who is "our girl Friday" at MCJ. She always has a kind word for all and a killer smile.
The banquet room was laid out beautifully. Each table had a vase with lighted beads, a red rose, a white cane and a black top hat that hung from the cane. The napkins were folded to resemble tuxedo shirts with a black bow tie. I loved it! I was seated at the Northwestern Mutual Table with Marlon A. Rockett, Heldi Moore, Marcia E. Facey, Charlotte Morgan-Weddle, Martha S. Johnson and Jean Love.
MCJ guests were full of chatter, Ed Bolton, Michelle Crockett, Milwaukee Brewers’ representative Lynn Sprangers and her husband (and I-Witness’ favorite), Marquette Law Professor Mike Gousha; Martha Love of Martha Love Association B. LLC; Ray Bufford, Frank Armstrong and Jimmy Smith of Ray’s Clippers; Florence Dukes; Lisa Von; Dr. Renee Settle-Robinson; Gloria Gilmer; Enid Okokon; Angie Murphy; Victor Smith; Nate and Michelle Pitts-Luckett of the New Pitts Mortuary and WE Energies’ Thelma Sias, who will be the MCJ’s 2008 Anniversary Chair.
Tony Neal began singing Tina Turner’s hit song "Simply the Best" as the Grand Procession of the 2007 Best of the Best male honorees entered the room one by one as their picture showed on the big screen. After all the honorees had entered, there was thunderous applause.
The program opened with a welcome by the two co-chairs. Waters opened with a poem written by former South African President Nelson Mandela. DeMarco brought humor when he stated, "it is good to be back in Milwaukee," which also drew great applause. The two co-chairs were hilarious as they joked with each other about being big time.
Violist Clifton Harrison entertained us. He was good and he received a standing ovation.
The publisher, Mrs. Pattillo, then made her entrance. She then gave the audience a brief history of the "Milwaukee Community Journal," recalling civil rights struggles of open housing marches, the integration of Milwaukee’s public schools and other historical watermarks the newspaper covered. "We are doctors of our community," Pattillo said. "We take the pulse of our community. MCJ was on the forefront of (parental school) choice and we have strongly supported MPS as well. We have fought against police brutality as well as educated our community on many (other) issues.
"These men are the best of the best," Pattillo continued, "They do a magnificent job throughout our community. That is why we honor them today. We hope that over these 31 years we have been all about you. No one can tell our story like our own media. We thank you for letting us represent you. My hope is that there will always be a "Milwaukee Community Journal" for you and for that, you deserve the applause."
Then came the salutes from the various governmental entities. Julietta Henry, who was representing Governor Jim Doyle, congratulated the "Community Journal" on its 31 years. She said the "Community Journal" was a great partner in creating opportunity for young people. She also congratulated the 2007 honorees as well, as she recited a passage from famed abolitionist Frederick Douglas.
Richard Badger, representing Mayor Tom Barrett, deviated from the official script to personally tell the honorees how proud he was of them and wanted to personally thank those that had made a difference in his life as mentors.
The mayor had declared August 12 as "Community Journal Day" all over the city of Milwaukee, the "Milwaukee Community Journal" the most read and respected newspaper in Milwaukee.
DeMarco then began to talk about the special qualities of Black men and he looked at all the women and said, "my mom told me ‘if you don’t know how to appreciate things, God will take them away from you.’" DeMarco then asked all the women to stand, saying, "let us applaud Black men, something we have to do more of in this city." The women stood and gave Black men in the room a resounding standing ovation for about three minutes. I loved it.
The Travis Academy Boy’s Choir rocked us with songs.
After another Tony Neal song, a video presentation created by Lonnie Smith got everyone’s attention. It was a video of Black men, young and old from all works of life in all kinds of struggles. There was footage of Dr. King, the Black Panthers, to rappers. It showed young Black men in crisis, being shot, in jails like the House of Correction. But there was also positive footage showing that despite the struggles, Black men do rise. There were positive images of Black men like Will Smith and Tiger Woods. The video ended with photos of all the men who were being honored. All the Black men in the house gave Lonnie a standing ovation.
Andre’ Lee Ellis then read a poem written by MCJ Associate Publisher Mikel Holt for his son on what it was like to be a father and fatherhood. It was touching.
The students from the For the Sake of Aaron mentoring program, "What is a Man," recited a poem titled, "I am a Man," which talked of the responsibility of being a man to themselves, being a man to his family and being a man to his community. The young men were fantastic.
Tony began to sing, "You are the Wind Beneath My Wings" as they announced the MCJ 2007 Man of the Year, Mr. James Beckum, who for 44 years of service to this community gave young people the opportunity to play baseball and learn life lessons at the same time. A surprised Beckum stood as he received a standing ovation.
"I have seen many children in my life...well, some are not kids anymore. Some are 54-years-old," said an overwhelmed Beckum. Everyone broke out in laughter.
Beckum received a framed version of Charles Bibb’s artwork titled "Men for All Seasons," which served as the official logo for the yearlong project.
MCJ’s own Sharon Pitter-Jones and Mrs. Pattillo presented 12 scholarships of $2,000 to 12 scholarship honorees.
Mrs. Pattillo then talked of the $15,000 commitment that the "Community Journal" has made again to the "For the Sake of Aaron" mentoring program at the Dr. Martin Luther King School for next year. "We stepped out on faith as Christians and we have made the first installment of $5,000," Mrs. Pattillo said. "And through all this, Reuben Harpole of the Helen Bader Foundation, has given $10,000. Dr. Rogers, who headed the mentoring effort, accepted the check and thanked Mrs. Pattillo and the "Community Journal."
Pattillo thanked all the sponsors, her staff, the anniversary co-chairs and the committee.
She presented Waters with his copy of the Bibb artwork titled "Men for All Seasons. Waters said he has wanted that particular work ever since he first saw it as the official logo for the project. "I have worked on many events," said Waters. "But I will never forget this one, which gives back to the community. It shows that people have compassion. Thank you."
There was then a moment of silence in memory of Mrs. Ernestine O’Bee of Northwest Funeral Home who passed earlier this year. She always made a special scholarship available for a student during previous MCJ anniversary observances. This year, two students received a scholarship.
Bernice Thomas (the mother of MCJ Associate Publisher Robert Thomas, Beverly Njuguna, Esq., and Anthony Thomas); Adrienne Davis; and Lorraine Carter were remembered as well.
Mrs. Pattillo then brought DeMarco forward. She told him how the community was going to miss him and thanked him for doing such a fantastic job. DeMarco was also presented a Charles Bibbs artwork.
Again, everyone was thanked and a final applauds for the 2007 For the Sake of Aaron honorees and the "Milwaukee Community Journal," which continues to make a difference in the lives of many in our community.
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