A chat with Black media
As former TMJ reporter and Wisconsin Black Media Association member Vivian King listens, a young lady asks questions of other WBMA members during a town hall meeting between the organization and residents who asked questions about the media and what determines news, as well as suggests story ideas. The meeting was held at HeartLove Place. (photo by Harry Kemp) by B. White Dr. James Cameron turned 92 and boy did they throw him a party. On Dr. Cameron’s Birthday, the museum celebrated with tours and desserts. Dr. Cameron is the founder of America’s Black Holocaust Museum and is America’s only living survivor of a lynching. Cameron has since dedicated his life to promoting civil rights, racial peace, unity and equality. Later, Barbara Stein hosted a birthday party for Dr. Cameron at her home in the Cudahy Condominiums. I-Witness has shared with you before about the colorful and artsy house of Barbara Stein. Congresswoman Gwen Moore, the Honorable Vel Phillips and J.D. Watts (who is everywhere) were in the house. Dr. Cameron, a living legend. Happy Birthday. Attention Salute! The Knights and Ladies
The Knights of Peter Claver and the Ladies Auxiliary presented their Eighteenth Annual Mardi Gras Ball and Silent Auction recently at the Four Point Sheraton Hotel. The Knights of Peter Claver and the Ladies Auxiliary is a National Catholic Fraternal Organization founded in November 1909 in Mobile Alabama. Their mission is to actively participate in the ever changing structure of their religion, social and economic life with a primary focus on the educational, spiritual and social guidance of their youth. The Fraternal Order celebrated Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday as it’s called because Mardi Gras is the "last hurrah" short-to-speak on the Christian Calender before Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. Lent is the season of prayer and fasting observed by Roman Catholics and other Christian denominations during the 40 days and seven Sundays before Easter. Well y’all, the Knights and the Ladies were in full bloom. I thought I was in New Orleans for real celebrating Mardi Gras. There were beautiful festive Mardi Gras displays hanging from the walls of Stein’s house. Every guest was given beads and a beautiful feathered mask. Y’all know I-Witness loves this kind of stuff. Holla! Sister Graham, Addie Barnes, Steve Teasley, Joseph Bracey and Monique Thurman were in the house. The tables had gorgeous festive centerpieces and the guests were dressed in black tie. My sistas, I tell you, there is nothing like a brotha dressed in black tie. Y’all know I was doing my favorite sport! The Knights of Peter Claver and the Ladies Auxiliary saluted Brother Booker Ashe of the House of Peace (now deceased) for becoming the first Grand Knight and Northern District President. They further recognized him for his dedication and contributions to bring about positive change to our community. They also paid tribute to Lillian Dolores Thomas and Kristin Latimer-Cobbs and many other earth angels who have passed on. The Master and Mistress of Ceremonies were Knight Sam Sims, Council 234 and Lady Aruna Halala, Court 262. Lady Sadie Bea Frazier, Inter-Council President did the welcome, the Black National Anthem was lead by Lady Marga Halala and the invocation was done by Father Michael Bertran, Pastor St. Francis of Assisi Church. Y’all I-Witness is beginning to feel a bit British. After all, I am a Lady too. Holla! The dinner feast was fit for a king and a queen. There was beef tenderloin, breast of chicken in wine sauces and pasta primavera. Okay y’all I know why I’m feeling a bit English the 2006 Mardi Gras Royal Court is being presented. They have a king (Alious Nash), the queen (Mildred Webster), a prince (Omar Jones) and the princess (Doris Nash) all wearing their crowns. I loved it! They even had crown bearers Nathaniel Gillon-St. Michael Council #234 and Connie Brown-Minser Court #234 if you think that is something how about the Jinx, Elestine Holloway the sister of Emma Butts. I loved it. Okay y’all. I-Witness will tell you the Catholics really know how to party even if they are kings and queens. Holla! D.J. Fred Grant rocked the house and the first one I-Witness saw on the floor was Hip-Hop Queen Carol Allison. It was a party in there. The Knights of Peter Claver and the Ladies Auxiliary also provided 15 scholarships to students who are attending universities all over the nation. Lady Raven Thurman was the 2006 Mardi Gras coordinator. Omar Jones is the area deputy. Many other councils and courts partook in the celebration, St. Martin De Porres Court #304, Grand Lady Lillian Holloman, St. Michael’s court and council #234, Grand Knight Nathaniel Gillion and Grand Lady Shirley Chambers-Luster. Last year’s Queen was Annie Mae Gordon, All Saints court and council #281. Grand Knight Clifton Massingale, Grand Lady Bea Frazier, St. Frances of Assisi Parish Court and Council #262. Hey Raven and event committee members Diane Stanfield, Frances Lee, Aruna Halala, Khayyana Winfrey and Retha Simmons. I always thought I was a queen. Now I know how real kings and queens do it. Holla! I had a good time. I love the way the Knights of Peter Claver and the Ladies Auxiliary do the things they do. Keep doing the good things and thanks for making me a queen. My carriage awaits me. Holla! The Mayor’s House
Former Mayor Marvin and his wife Diane threw a bid whist party. Several friends and family dropped by and the game was on okay, so I-Witness will not brag. Holla! I had two partners, "Community Journal" Associate Publisher Mikel Holt and Marvin. There was a nice spread for everyone to munch own in between games. There was barbecue pig feet, chicken, beef, several nice fresh salads and my favorite, deviled eggs. In the kitchen, there was girl talk and political talk and all the problems of Milwaukee were solved by Avel Sanders, Cassandra Sherrill-Paterson, Stephanie Finley, Denise Anderson, Jackolyn Mathews, Margo Bonaparte', Ayanna Ellezy and Diane Brad. The guys, Bill Anderson, Lunell Hughes, Earnest Anderson, Roderick Smith and Zaire Ellezy were in the living room. I'm not quite sure what they were solving in there. Holla! Of course, the party was on! We all turned into the Temptations, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, and Mary Wells. I-Witness thinks we were actually having a quarter (barrel) party like back in the day. Marvin was singing like he really thought he was Luther Vandross or somebody. Holla! We had a great time and no, again I will not brag on the bid whist games. Holla! You can touch I-Witness @ www.IwitnessMCJ@aol.com; Milwaukee Community Journal, 3612 North Martin Luther King Drive; Milwaukee, WI 53212; phone: (414) 265-5300; fax: (414) 463-8590; website: www.communityjournal.net. |
