WEEKEND I-Witness

Milwaukee Urban League takes partygoers cruisin’ (photos by Harry Kemp and Barbara White)

I-Witness Exclusive

by Barbara White
Well over a thousand supporters attended the premier ball of the year, the Milwaukee Urban League’s Black and White Ball and Silent auction, which raised over $250,000.
(Come on y’all and ride with me on this "Fantastic Voyage to the land of funk ...")Holla!

All Hands on Deck, All Aboard!

Urban League President and Captain Ralph Hollman calls and we, the Captain’s first mate, Margaret Hollmon, Dashal Young, County Executive Scott Walker’s community liaison, AKA President Katherine Miles, Congresswoman Gwen Moore, Dr. Amahled Mataareno, MCJ’s Associate Publisher Mikel and Warwees Holt, Leonard Martin, Tony Zuartano, Greg and Bezzalee Martin of Lena’s Foods, WITI Fox 6 anchors and reporters, Joann Williams, Chrystina Head, Beverly Taylor, Milwaukee Bucks Director of Community Affairs Skip and Miki Robinson, Bathena Webber, Johnny and Shirley Moutry, Attorney Alfonzo Glover and City of Milwaukee Health Commissioner Bevan and Sandra Baker are whisked to the banquet hall where we dine on I-Witness’ favorite salad, a Mesclun Mix, goat cheese, candied nuts, red beets and Mandarin oranges. Accompanying the salad are fresh rolls, Filet of Beef and Sauteed Tilapia Fillet and cheesecake for dessert.

I-Witness shared a cabin with Irv and Yvette Palmer, George R. Stinson, Dezarrea and Devaree Johnson, George and LaBelle Callaway. Hey y’all, I had Patti LaBelle at my table! Holla! Our server for our table was none other than Ashanti Hamilton (no not the alderman). Holla!

Here is where the Petty Officer appeared, one of I-Witness’ favorite person’s Urban League Board Chair Lynn Sprangers and her husband (soon to be former) WTMJ Channel Four anchor and host of "Sunday Night," "Big Daddy" himself, Mike Gousha, Holla! Mike has not figured out what he wants to do once he anchors for the last time in the next few weeks.

WTMJ should have kept him, at least to continue doing "Sunday Night" because he is good. Therefore, since Lynn has the big job with the Milwaukee Brewers (who have been winning), Mike can lay back and be "Big Daddy." Holla!

Captain Hollmon and Governor Jim Doyle addressed the gathering and National President of the Urban League Guild Michelle Crockett encouraged folks to support the league and do something good. Holla!

I-Witness now traveled to the rest of cabins where she encountered Steve and Kathy Johnson, Madison Associated Bank Manager Ralph Sirmonst, Eva Hall, Waukesha County NAACP President Lillie Wilson and her husband Michael, Jerry and Dru Paisley-Grimes, President of the Urban League Young Professionals--Reggie and Kwanza Newson, Auriea Mosley, Authors Joseph and Sheila Parrish-Spence, Carla Cross and Cecelia and Celeste Gore, I just wanted to come and see, see, see Holla!

Okay, Captain Hollmon is calling. "All hands on deck!" It’s time for Morris Day and the Time to ask us what time is it?! The crew went crazy! Morris had the men stand up and shout "Urban League" and y’all know when you want the job done, you call on Jerome to call on the women. It was a party in there, y’all.

Morris invited several women on stage and y’all know they went crazy. The women were so gorgeous I thought I was at the "Miss American Pageant," Holla!

The highlight was when Yvette Palmer did a solo dance with the guitarist, I want y’all to know she turned him out, he could not get enough of her, her husband, Irv Palmer, loved it!

Morris blares out, "1-2-3-4, what the hell are we fighting for?"

Then he assembled the women in line to do the booty dance, "America, have you heard? There’s a brand new dance called ‘The Bird!’ Oh-ee-oh!" Morris and Jerome were clowning up in there and folks were literally rocking the boat, I loved it.

Morris, Jerome and the Time were hot! It was a good time.

The Midnight Sail

Captain Hollmon summoned "All hands on deck!" to what he thought would be a quite sail on the sea, sea, sea, with WMCS 1290 Personality Chris Levy, little did the Captain know that Chris was going to have even him going, rocking the boat that night, Holla!

Chris Levy started rocking the boat and even I-Witness had to get some of that as Levy called me out. Holla! Reuben Hopkins, Thelma Sias, ReDonna Rogers, and Judge Maxine White are rocking the boat! Everybody is on deck Holla!

Chris played the Atomic Dog and folks took to the floor, Rita McClain, Penelope Stewart, C. Levonne Laughinghouse, Urban League Guilders Jeff and Carla Berry, Shaleta Dunn and WE Energies’ Eatica Sprewer.

Okay y’all, y’all now know we partied but more importantly over $250,000 dollars was raise for the programs at the Urban League to keep providing opportunities for those in our community who need a hand up.

Hey, Captain Hollmon and Petty Officer Lynn, I-Witness was sorry to hear the words, "ship a shore." I had a great time.

Y’all had me rocking the boat, and it was a "Fantastic Voyage" and I loved being in the land of funk where the freaks come out at night! Holla!

I just want to thank you and all those who support the crew at the Milwaukee Urban League and our community. I love the way you do the things you do. Keep doing the good stuff! Just sail on, sail on ...