Dedicated to Ron Pounds, the legacy of achievement and mastery in African Global Images exhibit returns to MATC for Black History Month
Accomplishment and Mastery on the Global Stage of Time and Achievement”, this year’s installation is dedicated to the memory of Ron W. Pounds who joined the ancestors on December 6, 2014. Upon the return of he and his wife Lillian from a 1987 life-changing voyage to Egypt (Kemet) with the Association for the Study of Classical African Civilizations (ASCAC), Ron co-founded and headed the local Milwaukee Chapter of ASCAC where he embraced the true history and meaning of Classical African culture and its connection to the bloodline and unique life experiences and accomplishments of Blacks in America. Called Ka-Tawi, this local organization held regular study group meetings and invited area, regional and national scholarly African Americans to educate the local membership about their true cultural and ancestral roots. “Ron toured Kemet and stood in the African sunlight as he viewed the Sphinx, stood in the doorway of the Great Pyramid of Giza and watched the rising of the African sun on African soil,” says longtime friend, associate and retired UWM Africology professor Dr. William Rogers. “As a master teacher, (continued on page 2)
COMMUNITY
By Taki S. Raton
For the third consecutive year, African Global Images, Inc. has been invited back to the downtown campus of MATC, 700 West State Street. Under the sponsorship of the President’s Diversity Council of Milwaukee Area Technical College, eight display cases on the second floor “M” building has been reserved to install an historical exhibit in honor of Black History Month 2015. Titled “Presence, Invention, Civilization In Black – Models of Excellence,
M
VOL. XXXIX Number 28 February 4, 2015
The Milwaukee
ount Mary University’s fashion program and the Ebony Fashion Fair share many of the same qualities and accomplishments. Both were created by women who entered and disrupted the fashion world and both are celebrating 50th anniversaries.
Since the Ebony Fashion Fair and Mount Mary’s fashion program each have 50 proud years of achievements, Mount Mary is pleased to be a presenting sponsor of Inspiring Beauty: 50 Years of Ebony Fashion Fair at the Milwaukee Eunice Johnson, Art Mufounder of Ebony seum,” says Fashion Fair Mount Mary Executive Vice President for Administrative Services Beth Wnuk. Eunice Walker Johnson, a wealthy African-American woman from Chicago and owner of the Johnson Publishing Company, publishers of Ebony magazine, was a rarity in the elite, white world of fashion and at times was snubbed by Sister Aloyse European de- Hessburg, who essigners. Sr. tablished a fashAloyse Hess- ion program at Mt. burg, SSND, Mary University was also a newcomer to the fashion scene – a nun from the Midwest, dressed in full habit, attending New York fashion shows and working to establish a fashion program at a small women’s college in Milwaukee. But, despite challenges, both women persevered and succeeded. Johnson created the traveling Ebony Fashion Fair to give African-American women across the United States access to high-end fashion, and empower them to embrace their beauty while also promoting philanthropic (continued on page 9)
JOURNAL www.communityjournal.net 25 Cents
Black state lawmakers critical of Gov. Walker’s 2015 budget
Ebony Fashion Fair & Mount Mary Share
VISION, HISTORY & GARMENTS
Fashion Fair Founder & Nun Who Launched University’s Fashion Program Cut from the Same Cloth
Gov. Scott Walker outlining his 2015 budget proposal.
Compiled by MCJ Staff Three Black Milwaukee state legislators were critical of Gov. Scott Walker’s 2015 budget proposals, charging the governor and possible presidential candidate with ignoring Milwaukee families and putting property tax relief on Sen. Taylor the backs of the state’s students.
State Senators Lena Taylor and Nikiya Harris Dodd, and State Rep. David Bowen made their remarks after Walker presented his biannual budget before the legislature at the capitol building Tuesday in Madison. According to the Wisconsin State Journal, Walker’s $68 billion two-year spending plan, called the “Freedom and Prosperity Budget Proposal,” calls for sweeping expansion of private school vouchers, consolidating control over en- Sen. Harris Dodd vironmental regulation and natural resources, sharp cuts for the University of Wisconsin system and defunding public television and radio. “Our plan is based on growth and opportunity—which leads to freedom and prosperity for all,” said Walker during his 25-minute speech. The 2015-17 budget proposal addresses a projected $2 billion shortfall. The proposed budget reportedly calls for borrowing $1.3 billion for road projects, rather than increasing the gas tax and other fee increases to Rep. Bowen address a long-term transportation shortfall. It cuts property taxes by $5 for the average value home in each of the next two years, but otherwise makes no major changes to the tax system. It holds school funding levels flat, and cuts 400 state positions; about half of them have been vacant for a year or more. The governor’s budget also calls for cuts in the UW System and expands vouchers for school choice. The governor’s budget also calls for cuts in the
Deadline for Health Insurance Marketplace Coverage Fast Approaching
(continued on page 5)
(Pictured at left): Camille Morgan explains one of the many fashion designs in the Ebony Fashion Fair exhibit at the Milwaukee Art Museum during a preview for the media Tuesday.(Pictured at right): Morgan listens as Kristin Settle, public relations manager for the art museum explains the significance of bringing the exhibit to Milwaukee, which was a host city for the traveling fashion show for many years during its existence. (All photos by Yvonne Kemp)
Photos and question by Yvonne Kemp
would be a waste (of money) because it will not serve a large number of Milwaukee citizens, though some guests of the city may find it useful to get around downtown. Also, there is the matter of having the money to keep-up the streetcar and rails, which would be a new budget item for the city. The money (earmarked for the streetcar) could be used for job creation, housing, business start-ups and grants.”
BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PAID MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN PERMIT NO. 4668
W I S C O N S I N ’ S L A R G E S T A F R I C A N A M E R I C A N N E W S PA P E R
PULSE OF THE QUESTION OF THE WEEK: “What do you think of the project being proposed by Mayor Tom COMMUNITY streetcar Barrett? Should it be built? Why or why not?”
DARIN HUBBARD: “I feel the new streetcar project
“Titled ‘Presence, Invention, Civilization In Black – Models of Excellence, Accomplishment and Mastery on the Global Stage of Time and Achievement,’ this year’s installation is dedicated to the memory of Ron W. Pounds who joined the ancestors on December 6, 2014.”
DALE KAZEE: “No, we need jobs and I don’t think we (Black people) will benefit from the streetcar. It will not take us to where the jobs are.”
ANGELA MOORE: “I disagree with the streetcar because it will not service the entire Milwaukee area. And, the route of the streecar is already on the Milwaukee Transit bus route.”
MICHELLE PITTS: “It’s just a temporary fix that will not work. Like anything else, it’s good for now but...The project may create jobs (to install the tracks and build the cars) but that is not an adequate trade-off for what comes after that. Also, our streets cannot support the tracks because Wisconsin Avenue is not wide enough and is already difficult to drive down.”
Dozens of area enrollment events to be held prior to February 15 deadline
With the final deadline to purchase health care coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace quickly approaching, Mayor Tom Barrett, the Milwaukee Enrollment Network (MKEN), and the City of Milwaukee Health Department (MHD) are reminding area residents that resources for enrollment assistance are available. “There are just two weeks left to purchase private health care coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace,” said Mayor Tom Barrett. “I urge all who have questions about renewing their health care coverage or exploring new options to take advantage of the numerous resources available for assistance before it’s too late.” Throughout Milwaukee, more than 17 special enrollment events will be held before the February 15 deadline. Regularly scheduled enrollment assistance will continue at more than 10 community agency locations, including the City of Milwaukee Health Department’s three health center locations. Find a full calendar of special events and regular enrollment support hours at www.mkehcp.org. “Nine out of 10 Wisconsinites who enrolled through the Health Insurance (continued on page 6)
African Global Images exhibit returns to MATC for Black History Month The Milwaukee Community Journal February 4, 2015 Page 2
(continued from page 1) he followed in the footsteps of such historians as Joel Scomburg, John G. Jackson, Chancellor Williams and the great Carter G. Woodson,” he adds. As in previous years, the overriding theme and objective of this current 110 item installation is to document the unbroken legacy of African World accomplishment, invention and civilizing masterful engagements from humankind beginnings, into Nubia, Classical Kemetic (Egyptian) civilizations, Great African Kingdoms, the Golden Age of the Moors, exemplar mastery during the eras of plantation enslavement, Reconstruction, Jim Crow and onward into select present day accomplished titles. African Global Images (AGI) has as its mission to elevate, enhance, cultivate and advance African American history to the next level of world status research, scholarship and instructional methodology. Inspired by Hidden Colors 1 and 2, the concept of African World Historiography in this presentation effort is to literally extract African American History from its limited definitions, imposed imagery, and culturalized inferiorization inherent within the confined 396 years of Westernized reference thought from 1619 to the 2015 present and reconnect this unique North American experience to the African global presence of prideful accomplishment on the world stage of time and achievement. New this year are segments on Nubia, seven colored portraits of our Kemetic ancestry to denote in no uncertain terms that the so-called ancient “Egyptians” were Black, a color cover of “The Book of Ptahhotep” by the esteemed warrior scholar ancestor, Dr. Asa Hilliard and Damali Williams (1987), a portrait of the Blacks in early China from Runoko Rashidi’s June 20, 2014 article, “The Black Presence in Early China” in Atlanta Black Star as included with the Olmec Head discovered in Tres Zapotes, South America in 1939. Both the portraits of Blacks in early China and the Olmec Head are included in this AGI installation to pictorially demonstrate that Africans over millions of years not only migrated and populated the planet, but that everywhere that there was an African presence, civilizing activity, moral growth and progress was at the founding anchor of all world cultures. And in particular, AGI would like to thank world traveler, scholar and esteemed global historian Rashidi for providing this year’s installation with images reflective of Blacks in Kemet. The Nubian Incense Burner is mated in the Case 2 segment with the Zodiac symbol reflective of the world’s first time-measured calendar of 4236 B.C.E. to record that the ancient African had civilizations thousands of years prior to the beginning of the Egyptian/Kemetic dynastic period beginning in 3150 B.C.E. The Book of Ptahhotep is the oldest complete text ever of instructional literature in the world dating back to 2,350 B.C.E. The text can be read for embedded wisdom on upwards of 50 themes to include Advice to Leaders, Be Moderate in All Things, Honor the Advancement of
Others and Serve a Wise Man, Proper Etiquette as a Guest, Obey the Law, Follow the Path of Truth, Set a Good Example, Cherish Your Wife, Take No False Pride In Education, The Blessing of Children, Forgive and Do Not Seek Gratitude for it, Success is the Gift of Gods, Cherish Friends and Tenants, On Being and Obedient Son, Let A Son Head His Father and Instruct His Son, Treat Women With Compassion, and Pass Down the Wisdom to the Generations just to mention a few. And since Kemet is viewed as being the Classical Higher Order recipient (if not the “daughter”) of eras previous, it is positioned by many African World historians that such instructional literature was present and practiced in pre-dynastic periods, handed down and further cultivated in Kemet under Ptahhotep. Also new this year is “Little Known Facts in African American History.” Before Rosa Parks refusal to give up her seat in 1955 in Montgomery, Alabama there was Claudette Calvin who 10 months earlier refused her seat to a White man on March 2, 1955. And even 101 years before Calvin, there was Elizabeth Jennings Graham who also refused to give up her seat on a privately owned New York City street car in 1854. Her case of discrimination was decided in her favor in 1855. Founded in June of 1930, The Housewives League of Detroit is imaged in an 8 X 10 photograph depicting African American women pledging to support Black businesses, Black professionals, buying Black-produced products and help train Detroit’s young people for careers in business. Organized by Fannie B. Beck, five years later by 1935, the league grew to over 12,000 members and was divided into sixteen neighborhood units. A photograph of the original “Memorial Day” is also included in this “Little Known Facts” segment. This historical notation is critical as “Memorial Day” was actually started by formerly enslaved Blacks on May 1, 1865 in Charleston, South Carolina to honor 257 dead Union Soldiers who had been buried in a mass grave in a Confederate prison camp. Accounts reveal that these former enslaved Africans dug up the bodies and worked for a reported 2 weeks to give them a proper burial as gratitude for fighting for their freedom. They then held a parade led by a multitude of Black children where they marched, sang and celebrated the occasion. This segment also features James C. Napier who although born enslaved became under his freedom a successful businessman. Napier was founder of America’s first all-Black owned and operated bank, “The One Cent Savings Bank.” Again, it is the objective of this AGI installation to demonstrate to the community and particularly to our children the unbroken legacy of African World presence, invention, mastery and civilization, even under the most horrific and oppressed of circumstances known to man. The African was at the foundational humankind civilizing growth and contributorial presence in all phases of ordered cultural activity – congenial communal living,
agriculture, the raising and taming of animals, food gathering, healing of the sick, spiritual systems, the raising and training of the young and kinship patterns. And that was just around 250,000 B.C.E. as explained in Case 2 We find activity in the region called Nubia around 8,000 B.C. where also, as noted, the world’s first calendar would emerge out of an African creation at 4236 B.C.E. Around 3150 B.C.E. under King Narmer (Menes), would
be the first two Kemetic (Egyptian Dynasties). During this nearly 3000 years of Kemetic rule from 3150 to 332 B.C.E. we find the earliest Classical monumental world civilization witnessing the development of paper, script, refined spiritual systems, science, engineering, medicine, architecture, art, music, advances in agriculture, the taming of animals, maritime science,
(continued on page 8)
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PERSPECTIVES UNIVERSALLY SPEAKING
The Milwaukee Community Journal February 4, 2015 Page 3
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “When you control a man’s
thinking, you do not have to worry about his action...He will find his ‘proper place’ and will stay in it. You do not need to send him to the back door. He will go without being told. In fact, if there is no back door, he will cut one...”
LestWe Forget – Part 2 --Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the father of Black History Month
GUEST COMMENTARY By Dr. Michael Bonds is President of the Milwaukee Board of School Directors
MPS board president says “New Opportunities for Milwaukee” document a step backward for public education
by Rahim Islam
most prolonged barbaric treatment of human beings in modern history. Did this happen without In America,white people and especially Black casualties? It’s a preposterous and most ridiculous concept to even entertain. When a mass shooting takes place in one of our cities, America responds with a whole host of people — can not let the American institution of Milwaukee Public Schools was not sent a psychological support and treatment for the survivors, while acknowledging that the damage slavery and the crimes committed against Black caused by this single event could/would have a traumatizing impact on the family and community copy of this plan, which was provided to the disvictims for years to come. people ever be forgotten, for only in remembrance of the Using this reasoning, how do you handle the psychological damage that impacted tens of miltrict by the news media. lions of Black people over a period of 300 years. Black people have been severely damaged (lest can America fulfill its great promise to humanity. We've had a series of very positive discusLet’s be real and tell the truth; yes, Black Americans are a sick people! However, Black people we forget). Slavery wasn’t bad enough for millions of Black people, but today in 2015, Blacks continue are not inherently or genetically sick, Black Americans were made sick by an even sicker people, sions with key Republicans over the past few to be traumatized by white supremacy and black inferiority at every level (i.e. media, historical, the ancestors of today’s white people (i.e. white slave masters and a silent white populace). Not physical environment, religion, imprisonment, health, etc.) and unless diagnosed and treated, many only was Hitler and the Nazi regime guilty of the Jewish Holocaust, but so were many German weeks about what a good accountability proof the ills of Black people will continue or get worse. The diagnoses is the psychological effects people because of their silence. posal looks like. For what white people did to Black people during a period of nearly 350 years makes the Jewish of slavery (legacy of slavery) and the treatment is comprehensive deprogramming of Black people. Not knowing what’s happening to them (our compassionate nature sometimes does’t allow us to Holocaust look like child’s play, and all of white America bears some level of responsibility. In fact, yesterday's hearing on Senate Bill 1 Today white America enjoys an extreme level of advantage and privilege procured by the en- comprehend this type of threat), Black people who are being traumatized dailyoften resort to selfslavement and subhuman treatment of Black people WITHOUT ANY COMPENSATION. Re- medicating. focused on sensible, proven strategies to imHowever, whites still abuse drugs at a higher rate than Blacks, although the Black community member, our Black ancestors were not guilty of any crime; they were not casualties of war; nor is charged at a greater rate (10 times greater) for drug related offenses, according to the National was there an exit from slavery, yet unspeakable acts were committed by so-called Christians which prove outcomes for students. were condoned by the Christian church (I will discuss this religious hypocrisy in another article). Survey on Drug Use.. These circumstances illustrate the trauma that Blacks are experiencing daily. Even the most The legislative leaders we've met with also Millions of our Black ancestors were forced and/or born into slavery with no way out (millions of Black people died in slavery). The brutality, barbaric conditions, and “organized” torturing of liberated Black man and woman has deep-seated fears and insecurities and carries a heavy dose have a much better understanding of the signifi- our ancestors represents some of the sickest and darkest imaginations of the mind. of white supremacy and black inferiority. How else can you explain our “collective” paralysis? In spite of the individual accomplishments Stephen King, Clive Barker, Dean Koontz nor a thousand other horror writers could not have cant steps MPS is engaged in now to improve by Black people, collectively, we are at the bottom of the socio-economic ladder and without purwritten the horrific story of slavery that was imposed upon and endured by Black people during poseful and real conversations that define what the “core“ problems are, Blacks will become a student outcomes. this period and for nearly 75 years thereafter. What was done to Black people by white people on a daily basis was extremely damaging,the permanent underclass in America. This plan (New Opportunities for Milwaukee) impact and effects of which exist even today day. Slavery in America was by far the worst and (continued on page 4) is a step backward in those efforts and discussions. What we have read about the plan indiRemember when… cates it has significant problems and unintended consequences and frankly includes some of the worst attributes of Assembly Bill 1. • It's important to remember that charter schools are not the simple answer to the challenges facing urban education. Stanford University did the most comprehenBy Richard G. Carter sive studies (2009, 2013) of charter schools “Sunshine, blue skies, please go away. and found that nationally only 14 percent of My girl has found another, and gone charter schools outperformed traditional public away…” The Temptations, “I Wish It Would Rain” (Motown Records-1967) schools. • An effort to create a turnaround district would Over the years, a number of movies documented have a devastating fiscal impact on the educa- the formative years of original Black rhythm and blues -- which evolved into rock ‘n’ roll. Such tion of students remaining in MPS -- and the films chronicled the music and true, or fictionalcity of Milwaukee -- with the potential layoffs of ized, life and times of individuals, vocal groups and disc jockeys. hundreds of staff. Leading the way were “American Graffiti” and • To state - as the proposal does - that this will “Let the Good Times Roll” (1973); “Sparkle” (1976); “American Hot Wax” (1978); “The Five have no impact on taxpayers ignores the fact (1991), “Why Do Fools Fall in Love” these efforts have had huge costs in other com- Heartbeats” (1998); “Little Richard” (2000); “Ray” (2004); “Cadillac Records” (2008), and “Get On Up” munities where turnaround districts have been (2014). attempted. Among the artists depicted were Chuck Berry, Photo by Showtime Music Archieves • This proposal would also result in the loss of Frankie Lymon, Richard Penniman, Etta James, Beg” -- and my personal fave “I Wish It Would ans. local control by the elected Milwaukee Board of Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Howlin’ Wolf, Ray Rain” -- the Temps helped put Motown on the Needing a bass, Otis finds Melvin Franklin (D.B. Charles, James Brown and DJs Wolfman Jack and map. Along the way, their vocal dexterity, stylish Woodside), whose “Mama Rose” (Jenifer Lewis) School Directors, local taxpayers and the DeAlan Freed. Two films were based on the Dells and stage presence and precision dance moves set a urges him to “do right by him.” Johnnie Mae Supremes. partment of Public Instruction, which may crelasting standard. Matthews (Vanessa Bell Calloway), becomes their In keeping with Black History Month, now is a This movie has what most of us who lived, and manager and renames them Otis Williams and the ate a potential constitutional issue. good time to recall 1998’s sensational TV movie loved, the Temps’ magical brand of R&B, could Distants. “The Temptations” -- Motown’s most revered While there may have been good intent, it want. Those only familiar with their more recent After a falling out with Matthews over money, R&B vocal group. Always a big fan of the 1960siterations -- such as the great Ali-Ollie Woodson’s Bryant and two others quit and are replaced by harms the City of Milwaukee and takes away 80s hit-makers, I came to appreciate their body of lead on “Lady Soul” (1986) -- will be blown away. Eddie Kendricks (Terron Brooks) and Paul resources at the time the city and MPS stuwork even more researching and interviewing for Filmed on location, “The Temptations” evokes Williams (Christian Payton) who, as the Primes, my authorized biography “Goodnight Sweetheart, dents need them most. the hairstyles, clothes, cars, culture and racial ten- sang with the Primettes -- later to become the
The Temptations captured the musical hearts of Black America
THE MILWAUKEE COMMUNITY JOURNAL Published twice weekly, Wednesday & Friday
3612 North Martin Luther King Drive, Milwaukee, WI 53212
Phone: 414-265-5300 (Advertising and Administration) • 414-265-6647 (Editorial) • Website: communityjournal.net • Email: Editorial@communityjournal.net/Advertising@communityjournal.net MCJ STAFF: Patricia O’Flynn -Pattillo Publisher, CEO Robert J. Thomas Assoc. Publisher Todd Thomas, Vice Pres. Mikel Holt, Assoc. Publisher Thomas E. Mitchell, Jr., Editor Teretha Martin, Technical Consultant/Webmaster Billing Dept./Publisher’s Admin. Assist.
Colleen Newsom, Classified Advertising Jimmy V. Johnson, Sales Rep. CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Taki S. Raton, Richard G. Carter, Fr. Carl Diederichs, Rev. Joe McLin PHOTOGRAPHER: Yvonne Kemp
Opinion and comments expressed on the Perspectives page do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher or management of the MCJ. Letters and “other perspectives” are accepted but may be edited for content and length.
Goodnight: The Story of the Spaniels” (August Press-1995). The film captures the ups, downs and strife besetting this remarkable group which, at its 1960s’70s peak, featured David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks, Melvin Franklin, Paul Williams, Dennis Edwards and its surviving founder, Otis Williams. Renowned for number-one hits such as “My Girl,” “Just My Imagination,” “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone,” “I’m Losing You,” “Ain’t Too Proud to
sions of their memorable hey-day -- including the group performing in the segregated South, where Black and White audiences were kept apart by a rope line. The story begins in Detroit in 1958, as teenagers Otis Williams (Charles Malik Whitfield) and Al Bryant (Chaz Lamar Shepherd) race on foot to see a live show by the Cadillacs, doing their raucous “Speedo.” Transfixed, the pair get their hair straightened and, with two other high schoolers, sing on the street as Otis Williams and the Siberi-
EDITOR’S NOTE “NO GOOD DEED...”
Editorial staff reminded (the hard way) what happens when it doesn’t follow one of the primary rules of journalism On the Religion Page of the January 14 edition of your Milwaukee Community Journal, we published what we thought was a sincere plea from an area woman (through another person who actually wrote the article) soliciting the community’s help with her wedding. The next week however, we re-
ceived an email from the woman we were led to believe was asking for help (whose name we are not reprinting at the woman’s request). We learned, to our embarrassment, she was not soliciting any help as we reported. Below is her letter to us: “I would like The Milwaukee
Supremes. Bryant comes back and in 1960, as the Elgins, the group is signed by Berry Gordy (Obba Babatunde) for Motown. At his urging, they again change names -- choosing the Temptations -- make a series of records that flop, and are called “the hitless Temptations” at Motown. Things look up in 1963 as “The Way You Do the Things You Do” reaches the top of the R&B charts, with Kendricks’ falsetto lead creating a sensation. After adding the gutteral lead voice of David Ruf(continued on page 9)
Community Journal to please remove from any online article, archives, the article released on January 14, 2015, "The Struggling Bride.” My family and I have been humiliated and aren't seeking anything towards the wedding. Thank you for your time and assistance.” The Milwaukee Community Journal sincerely apologizes for the backlash the article has caused the young lady and her family. Apparently she has been receiving a lot of negative feed back from the article. As we told her, an individual called our offices asking us to put something in the paper (that the individual who called us submitted) asking for support for the wedding.
We were mistakenly under the assumption that the bride-to-be knew of the solicitation article. Obviously we were wrong. We should have done our due diligence and called the young lady in question to find out whether or not her plea to the community was real or not. The MCJ editorial staff violated one of the primary rules in journalism: “When in doubt, CHECK IT OUT!” We wish the young lady good luck and has a beautiful wedding day and a long and “happily-everafter” marriage. --Thomas E. Mitchell, Jr. Editor, Milwaukee Community Journal
RELIGION LestWe Forget
The Milwaukee Community Journal February 4, 2015 Page 4
WHAT’S HAPPENING...
Eleventh (11th) annual relationship conference Valentine’s Day weekend event
In Your F a i t h- B a s e d C o m m unity
In celebration of the past success of the “Without Distraction” relationship conference its 11th Annual event; a combination of both relationship education and entertainment has become one of Milwaukee’s best social and romantic Valentine weekend of the year. Milwaukee has found this event to be rewarding for both singles and Married Couples. Dr. LaFayette Russell and Dr. Ingrid Durr Russell will be among the International speakers for this year event February 13th, 14th & 15th 2015. Venue- Crown Plaza Milwaukee Airport: 6401 South 13th St. Milwaukee WI. 53221. Singles are the foundation of every marriage because a good marriage starts with your singleness. Marriage brings you into a true opportunity to express your love, feelings and what you are made of. Understanding the process and learning how to unmask your feelings is one of the basic keys to success. Sometimes people adopt ways in their childhood development and influences that becomes the norm; consequently the norm to them could be a negative pattern that could sabotage their relationships. Recognizing and Identify those patterns could be the very answer to probable cause. Being realistic about yourself and having a realist view of others will help give you a solid building foundation to build on. Together we can discoverer what areas in your life that can use some more fuel and Socializing with other singles or couples like yourself is good for everyone! The week end event includes: Friday 6:30pm Meet/Greet Social (refreshments provided) 7pm begins with both Singles and Marriage Topics in two sessions. Building and keeping a healthy relationship with understanding is power tools we are giving to our communities for FREE! Yes, we are making the “Relationship teaching sessions” absolutely free. That means no cost to get this wealth of information for life. Saturday at 11am combined Singles and Marriage session Question & Answer panel discussion. The workshops is to empower and remove all frustrations. We will cover all areas of relationship from personal, business to finance. Each year there are numerous testimonies of this life changing event. Don’t miss the Saturday evening 7:00pm-Valentine’s Special Eloquent Romantic Dinner Including; Live Music, clean Live Comedy, and bliss of Love in the air set just right for the occasion. The cost is only $45 per person and couples $10 off. (Advance only). Sunday at 1pm join us the close of the weekend event. The entire family is welcome to be apart of our special Worship service. The topic is “Kingdom Relationship.” Knowledge is powerful.” Plain and simple we could all use some guidance to maintain or build a long lasting good relationship based on Biblical truth. Free Registration and (no cost for the teaching sessions) . For additional information, tickets, sales, groups, vendors, hotel overnight reservation, and other compliments please contact us 708-745-4393 or 414-520-1567 Website:WWW.withoutdistractionrelationship.com Email: ingriddurr4u@yahoo.com facebook.com/Ingrid Durr P.O. Box 170024 Glendale Wisconsin 53217. Website: WWW.withoutdistractionrelationship.com. Email: ingriddurr4u@yahoo.com. facebook.com/Ingrid Durr. P.O. Box 170024 Glendale Wisconsin 53217
(continued from page 3)
In the early 1970s, the Temptations sang a song called “Ball of Confusion.” One of the lines was: ”People moving out, people moving in; why because of the color of their skin.” Over the past 60 years, since the formal removal of segregation, even though Blacks are more segregated now than ever before, we have watched Black people move into all white neighborhoods and within a few years, all of the white people move out. This phenomenon has been an economic boom for the real estate community, not only creating new suburbs around many urban cities, but now we have the resurgence and influx of white people coming back into the very cities and neighborhoods that they left nearly 60 years previous (gentrification). As a child, I remember moving on to a block where I would later learn that our family was the third Black family to live on this block (I remember having white friends that I played with). This once all-white neighborhood became all Black in only three years (this represents a ton of moving in and moving out). This happened all over the country where Black people would move into white neighborhoods and the only exception is where Blacks move in very high priced neighborhoods (at a certain economic level, race doesn’t matter). Many of these desired neighborhoods, over the next 20 – 30 years, would not only become all Black, but would experience severe levels of decline, blight and massive disinvestment. In spite of the removal of “legal” segregation, what really triggered this massive relocation? I believe it to be white supremacy and black inferiority. Generally speaking (there is a ton of evidence to support this) there are many white people who don’t want to live with Black people and the acceptance of physical integration was an illusion. The real integration was the integrating of the Black economy. For those white readers, I can tell you that many Black people that are 50 years and older romanticize about pre-integration when Black people owned their own stores and there was a general sense that Black people had more control of their own destiny, especially when it came to doing for self. During segregation, many Black neighborhoods reflected real diversity. Blacks owned a good portion of its business community (i.e. Black owned hotels, insurance companies, banks, grocery stores, clothing stores, furniture stores, etc.). During this same period, segregated Black schools with Black teachers and administrators produced a better product than today’s public schools. While I’m not advocating having laws, systems, and institutions that discriminate against Black people (these fights were justified); I, however, like many other Black people, feel the same way that many whites feel - I want to live with my own people. If most Blacks also feel this way, then we need to understand what happened and why we fled our own neighborhoods to live in places where we weren’t even wanted. The legacy of slavery involves a heavy dose of white supremacy and black inferiority which was embedded in Black people during the enslavement process (making a slave - this was the only way that slavery would’ve worked for so long). One of the characteristics of this disease is that you love others more than you love yourself and this accounts for why Black people would flee their own neighborhoods to go live in neighborhoods where it made clear that they were not wanted. Blacks were made to love white people and some, especially those who were more economically mobile, were severely bitten by white supremacy and black inferiority. Those that were most economically mobile were our so-called educated (elite) and therefore have fallen for the illusion of integration more than most Blacks and because they were our leaders they made integration the mantra for the Black community. They, in many cases, define white neighborhoods as good and Black neighborhoods as inferior. Sure our communities were/are not perfect, not by a long shot. I ask you how Black communities would ever improve if the most economically mobile move out leaving the community poorer and without economic and human resources. Today too many of our communities are extremely poor and Blacks who have achieved some level of wealth now live in white communities. As Malcolm X once said about Black people who believe that those that oppressed our ancestors would magically now come to love us “you’ve been bamboozled, you’ve been hoodwinked.” I know the educated Black person is saying “I’m educated and I have two doctorate degrees from Harvard, Princeton, and/or Yale. I’m doing my own thing. I know what I like and what I don’t like and no one controls my mind.” I ask you, what have these universities really taught you? Did they restore the knowledge that was taken from you? Did they teach you of the horrors perpetuated on your ancestors by them? Did they teach you about the tricks and lies of racism? Did they breakdown the structural racism, discrimination, and bias and how to abolish it? NO! Your great American universities taught you how to assimilate (be like them) and to get out of the “ghetto;” (Black inferiority); how to run from your people; how to get ahead (of other Blacks) but never whites; how to uphold and emulate the systems that wreak havoc on the Black man on a daily basis, and how to love white people and hate yourself. For the most part, these schools taught Blacks how not to use the power on loan to help your own people especially to advance Black self-determination. If given a chance, we know that
Black people can compete and win (our problem is that it hasn’t been a fair playing field). You can compete because you come from greatness (something you know nothing about because you were never taught). For the most part, you’re at these universities that help to perpetuate the illusion of the “American dream” for everyone and believe that we live in a post racial society and you, unlike millions of your Black people who are just lazy and looking for a handout, you choose to work hard and the benefit for working hard is that you get to be with White people (we will let you in). If you’re honest, Mr. Black elite and tell the world what your real experiences are and how you are really treated, both in school and out, you are reminded daily that you are Black and how vicious and stinging racism is or maybe you’re just too dumb to even notice it. The great Carter G. Woodson stated that the Black man in America hasn’t been truly educated and/or empowered; he has been mis-educated to love White people and to deplore his own Black people. Today, at 57, I must diligently and constantly be on guard against acting on my own “learned” black inferiorities. This is why I’ve personally abolished the “N” word. The “N” word was created during our enslavement (I try not to use the word slavery or slaves) by the slave owners (I try not to use the word slave master). The word was used to demean and dehumanize our Blacks and it is associated with the “created” perception that Blacks were inferior, lazy, ugly, and subhuman. When I hear how people use the word as a term of endearment, it’s very clear to me that they have bought in entirely to Black inferiority. To combat a lifetime of learned inferiority, I need a strong and positive “Black” filter that I’m able to funnel my thoughts through. It is hard for many white people to understand how pervasive white supremacy and black inferiority is and it is communicated throughout every known medium (you’ll just have to believe me). It’s extremely suffocating, it’s everywhere and most importantly, it is thoroughly engrained within Black culture. THE BLACK FILTER CAN ONLY GROW THROUGH KNOWLEDGE OF SELF – SO IF YOURE NOT STUDYING FROM OUR GREAT BLACK LEADERS, TEACHERS, AND RESISTORS, YOU WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO BUILD THE FILTER NEEDED TO INTERNALLY FIGHT THE MASSIVE PROPOGANDA OF BLACK INFERIORITY AND WHITE SUPREMACY. What is your belief Black Man? Can we challenge the conditions facing Black people in America? If you answered “no” you’ve been poisoned by black inferiority and white supremacy and trust me, it’s not your fault (you just have work to do – you must get on a path of deprogramming). If you answered “yes” but you can’t point to any tangible proof that you are doing anything about it (you’re not engaged in the struggle), you too have been poisoned by black inferiority and white supremacy. You have just as much work to do as those who believe that we can’t challenge the conditions facing Black people in America. In fact you might have more work to do because you acknowledge the poison but your response is still not to do anything about it. Many of you talk about Black power but don’t have a Black conscious and therefore, you do nothing about it. What are you waiting for? For the truly conscious Black man knows that no one will do for the Black man but the Black man. The question still remains who is oppressing the Black man today? From 1500 through nearly 1970, it was clearly the white slave owners; a white government; and a number of white controlled institutions. In addition to the structural and systems that discriminate against Black people, poverty and all of its derivatives is the oppressor of Black people. Access to capital and quality education are key factors to combating poverty, but securing this for poor people is extremely difficult and almost impossible given the structural nature of both (where you start matters). Capital resources (wealth) and access to quality education are key factors that predestined the Black community to becoming a permanent underclass trapped in poverty unless Blacks break this cycle. Black people are still discussing reform goals that Brown vs Board of Education has yet to resolve 60 years later – lest we forget. In part one of this article “Lest we Forget,” I tried to zero in on what Malcom X once said “the oppressor will never feel the pain of the oppressed.” Will the children of the oppressor ever feel the pain of the children of the oppressed? Also, today who are the oppressors? The Black man in America is most definitely being oppressed, and while there is no chattel enslavement and its barbaric treatment of Black people nor no Jim Crow laws and the terrorism of the Ku Klux Klan – we now have institutions that are oppressive to Black people. These institutions are color blind and exist to perpetuate themselves – they don’t have the capacity to distinguish those that are unable to meet the threshold of criteria mandated by them which will allow them to participate. This is why in the ’60s during the civil rights era, in an effort to address the overwhelming disparities that these institutions help to create; many affirmative actions were given to Black people (i.e. university enrollments, job applications, bank loans, housing purchases, etc.). It was generally understood that slavery put Black people behind the proverbial eight ball and made them unable to compete with white people. The guidelines were too high to achieve for many Black people and unless something like affirmative action was enacted, these systems would continue to “structurally” lock out Black people. Lest we forget. In my next article we will describe additional legacies of slavery, specifically the role that the media has and continues to play in defining Black people.
--Rahim Islam is a National Speaker and Writer, Convener of Philadelphia Community of Leaders, and President/CEO of Universal Companies, a community development and education management company headquartered in Philadelphia, PA. Follow Rahim Islam on FaceBook(Rahim Islam) & Twitter (@RahimIslamUC)
Black state lawmakers critical of Gov. Walker’s 2015 budget
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UW System and expands vouchers for school choice. There would be a funding reduction of approximately ”$300 million over two years. This would represent a 13% dcut to state public universities while giving more autontomy to the University of Wisconsin (UW) Board of Ret gents. . y There would be changes at the Department of Natural aresources, which includes the elimination of a number of scientists’ jobs and putting off land purchases for over 12 years. Wisconsin Public Television and Wisconsin Public Radio are targeted for defunding. . Walker hit on several national themes and noted policy ideas that could reappear should the governor make a bid for the Republican presidential nomination, including tightening the state’s financial belt, creating a government that is limited in scope but still effective and boasting about Wisconsin’s robust health coverage, something he said the state had done without Obamacare expansion. After listening to Walker’s budget address, Sen. Taylor had mixed feelings about his proposals. e “The speech felt more like a pep rally, and the only u areas that I could really get excited about were the nod to k tbroad band access, funding for victims of domestic vioklence, and assisting veterans finding employment and starting a business,” Taylor said in a statement following y the speech. d , “The Governor’s smoke and mirrors approach to balyancing the state budget will ultimately burn the very taxpayers he boasts of helping” said Taylor. l The senator called the Walker administration’s proposal for $300 million in higher education cuts “crippling,” . eadding the budget also fails to adequately restore funding to K-12 education, while lifting the caps on vouchers, Xwithout a clear means of insuring accountability. n “Democrats are looking for responsible budget measures that don’t just shift money from one source to aneother” Taylor offered. In fact, Democratic legislators -from around the state have spent much of the past few weeks discussing their Families First Agenda. The plan speaks to a pro-growth strategy, of job crea ation, an investment in Wisconsin workers, and an effort to protect the state’s students from cradle to college. Despite Walker’s talking points to the contrary, the sensator noted that last year tens of thousands of residents had la gap in healthcare coverage, unemployment for segments of Milwaukee’s central city remain some of the highest in the nation, and the graduation rates for many students of color remain stagnant. “The Governor is great eat spin, but it is time for real talk regarding the projected $2.2 billion dollar budget deficit” said Taylor. Sen. Harris Dodd said instead of cutting educational opportunities for our children, the governor’s budget proposal should be investing in solutions that will make the state’s communities more successful. “We know that our community succeeds when we offer quality education to our children and provide them with the resources they need in the classroom to succeed in life,” said Harris Dodd in a press statement. “I firmly believe that an investment in our public schools is an investment in the future of our state. “We also know that our young adults succeed when
“The Governor’s smoke and mirrors approach to balancing the state budget will ultimately burn the very taxpayers he boasts of helping”
--Sen. Lena Taylor
they have access to great institutions like UW-Milwaukee and the Milwaukee Area Technical College. These institutions provide much-needed training for Milwaukee's workers and match them with jobs that fit their unique skills. They foster growth through continuing adult education programs and community seminars. Harris Dodd added that Wisconsin families are healthier and stronger when they can visit the doctor even if they are not ill and when they can enjoy the natural wonders of the state free from pollution and harmful intrusion. “Wisconsin families need a budget that is committed to restoring economic opportunity for all. They need a budget that takes into account the growing costs of childcare and healthcare, and one that is not afraid to face the problems of everyday Wisconsin families and provide real solutions. “I stand ready, with my Democratic colleagues, to fight against Governor Walker's budget and instead fight for the success of our Wisconsin families." Rep. Bowen called Walker’s budget proposals “more of the same old short-sighted politics that has kept Wisconsin last in the Midwest in jobs. “Instead of working toward a long-term solution to the growing deficit in Wisconsin’s transportation fund, he’s proposing to delay necessary repairs and keep borrowing money until it’s someone else’s problem.’ Instead of making investments in the UW system that will make higher education affordable for middle class families, Bowen pointed to the governor’s intent to cut $300 million from higher education and pushing off responsibility to a new state agency. “Instead of giving public schools the funding they need to help our kids succeed, he’s (Walker) spending more public funding to unaccountable voucher schools. “The economic recovery that we’re seeing all over the country has been passing Wisconsin by,” Bowen added. “We need real leadership and real solutions that will help create good-paying jobs and rebuild our state, not more kicking the can down the road. Instead of talking about boldness in Iowa, Gov. Walker needs to start showing boldness in Wisconsin.” Sources for this story: Wisconsin State Journal, Aliyah Frumin of MSNBC, USA Today, the offices of Sen. Taylor, Harris Dodd, and Rep. Bowen.
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Deadline for Health Insurance Marketplace Coverage
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(continued from page 1) Marketplace found that they qualified for financial assistance,” said Heather Dummer Combs, MKEN enrollment project manager. “So, with more insurance plans offered in this enrollment period, consumers should shop for the plan that fits their health needs and budget.” Seven Milwaukee Public Library branches will also continue to offer special computer hours staffed by trained individuals from Covering Kids & Families, Milwaukee Health Services, Inc., and the MHD during the below times: Mondays-1-5 p.m., Feb. 2, Feb. 9, Washington Park Library, 2121 N. Sherman Blvd. Wednesdays-12-3:30 p.m., Feb. 4, Feb. 11, Capitol Library, 3969 N. 74th St. Wednesdays-12-3:30 p.m., Feb. 4, Feb. 11, Mill Road Library, 6431 N. 76th St. Wednesdays 3:30-5 p.m. Feb. 4, Feb. 11, Central Library, 814 W. Wisconsin Ave. Wednesdays 4:30-7:30 p.m. Feb. 4, Feb. 11, Forest Home Library, 1432 W. Forest Home Ave. Wednesdays 5-8 p.m., Feb. 4, Feb. 11, Martin Luther King Library, 310 W. Locust St. Saturdays 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Feb. 7, Feb. 14, Center Street Library, 2727 W. Fond du Lac Ave. Individuals with questions regarding the Health Insurance Marketplace are encouraged to visit www.healthcare.gov or call (800) 318-2596. For local assistance, area residents can dial 2-1-1 to be connected to an assister in their area.
“If the Negro in the ghetto must eternally be fed by the hand that pushes him into the ghetto, he will never become strong enough to get out of the ghetto.”
www.communityjournal.net --Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the father of Black History Month
KALEIDOSCOPE
t he M C J l i f e s t y l e & e n tertainment section
BLACK MANHOOD TRAINING - If you’re working with Black teenage boys or have Black teenage sons then you need to pick up the following four booklets “Superstar on a Losing Team”, “The Jig Saw Puzzle of Black Unity”, “Looking at the World Thru the Eyes of Our Ancestors” and Restoring Elder Black Men to a Position of Respect”. You can purchase all four for only $10.00. Contact Tony Courtney at Coffee Makes You Black 2803 N. Teutonia Ave. or call 374-2364. This will make a great gift for Black History Month. CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF THE SELMA HISTORIC MARCH Is anyone planning to take a bus to
NINETY YEARS YOUNG!
FROM THE BLACK
By Tony Courtney
Selma Alabama for the 50th Anniversary of the March? This would be a great experience for youth and adults. BROTHER TO BROTHER – Provides an opportunity for young men ages 13-18 to explore issues relevant to their physical, mental and spiritual growth as young men. The Urban Underground has partnered with Muhibb Dyer and Kwabena Nixon in 2015 to facilitate Brother to Brother sessions. Sessions feature food and engaging activities that build knowledge and skills in the areas of leadership, confidence, communication, culture and character. There is no grade point or school attendance requirements to join
Mildred McCarty (seated center) recently celebrated her 90th birthday with family and friends. She received four proclamations congratulating her for her longevity and contributions to the community. McCarty is seen at left with her immediate family (starting front, left to right): Grandson Cornell McCarty, Mildred, and her daughter Valerie Hatcher; (back row, left to right): granddaughters Trina Blanchard and Tonya McCarty. (Photo by Yvonne Kemp)
Brother to Brother. If you have any questions please contact : Darius Scott at 414-444-8726 or darius@urban underground.org. THE BODY AND SOUL HEALING ARTS CENTER - is excited to bring you a locally made indoor market, the first weekend of every month February (Feb.7th and Feb. 8th) thru May 2015, 10AM to 4PM on Saturdays and Noon-4PM on Sundays. You are invited to keep your money and support in the community by shopping at this market, located in the Sherman Park neighborhood, bringing together her talent and creativity of Milwaukee artists, food artisans, crafters and more. The Body and Soul Healing Arts Center is located at 3617 N. 48th St. Milwaukee, WI. TREE OF LIFE QI GONG CLASS – Learn how to cultivate your life force to help you bring about success in your life and improve your health. This science is over 4,000 years old. Sunday, February 8th from 2PM – 3:30PM at 4712 W. Fond du Lac Ave. Donation for class is $5.00.
The Milwaukee Community Journal February 4, 2015 Page 7
African Global Images exhibit at MATC
The Milwaukee Community Journal February 4, 2015 Page 8
(continued from page 2) astrology, astronomy, philosopy, cosmetics, board games, government, mathematics, temple building, education, and the creators of the world’s first university – All African as noted in Cases 3 and 4. Case 4 continues with the African presence in China and in the Americas followed by a mounted portrait of Mansa Musa ringing in an introduction to the Mali Empire and the era of the Great African Kingdoms of Ghana, Mali, and Songhay. Musa would be remembered in historical corridors as “The Richest Man in the World” with an adjusted fortune in 1324 of $400 billion dollars. The bloodline of African genius and mastery continues in the kingdom of Songhay in West Africa. Lasting over the 119 years from 1475 C.E. to 1594 C.E., this proud African legacy of achievement, mastery, invention and genius was spirited at the University of Songhay in Timbuktu. Attracting students and scholars from all of West Africa and from foreign countries, this university describes Williams consisted of a Faculty of Law and departments of Medicine and Surgery, Grammar, Geography, Philosophy and Art. Songhay attracted and trained the likes of scholars, mathematicians, poets, musicians, engineers, architects, writers, artist, astronomers, spiritualist and deep well thinkers. Continuing in Case 4 is the Moors occupation of Europe, in the region then known as Andalus/Spain, for the 781 years from 711 A.D. to January 2, 1492 A.D. The Moors, who were Black and of African descent, brought this population out of their Dark ages. The Moors shared with the European populace their architectural brilliance; created for them cosmopolitan cities with lighted streets; instructed in the studies of literature, the sciences, government. medicine, social etiquette, astrology, astronomy, geometry, calculous, poetry, art, philosophy, history, lan-
Milwaukee Business Divas Host Business Vendor Fair By Taki S. Raton
The Milwaukee Business Divas Face Book Club is sponsoring their Business Vendor Fair on Saturday, February 14, 2015 at the Wisconsin African American Women’s Center (WAAWC), 3020 West Vliet Street, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Targeted primarily for women entrepreneurs, the event will highlight vendors featuring a variety of consumer products by women entrepreneurs who are paving the way to becoming successful business owners. Vendors will include Tate’s Cakes, Mari Chih Fine Fashion Jewelry & Accessories, Embellished Accessories & Gifts, Passion Parties by Felecia D., Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultants Linda Cooper & Ebony Whitson, Midwest Talent Productions, Jamberry Consult-
guage, spiritual studies, geography and in their classical musical traditions. And yes, classical music is an African creation – not European. A “We Built It” board introduces the era of North American enslavement noting achievements during this time of Rebecca Lee Crumpler, the first African American woman to earn a medical degree earing her a Doctress of Medicine in 1864; Fannie Jackson Coppin who although was born in enslavement would become in freedom the first African American woman to head an institution of higher learning in 1865, The Institute for Colored Youth, now Cheyney University in Pennsylvania. Mathematician, linguist, and educator Charles Lewis Reason is profiled in Case 5 joined by poet Phyllis Wheatley, concert singer Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield and anti-slavery activist, journalist, publisher, teacher and lawyer Mary Ann Shadd Cary. Reconstruction is briefed in Case 6 featuring Richard Greener, the first African American to graduate from Harvard in 1870 and Henry Ossian Flipper who graduated West Point in 1877. Case 7 will highlight for viewers a salute to historical Black inventors citing Garret A. Morgan, Granville T. Woods, Lewis Latimer and George Washington Carver. A series of charts and drawings are included in this feature on Black inventor samplings. Despite the inferiorized and powerless image of Blacks as portrayed by Western historiography, the African World centered perspective as revealed in this installation correctly identifies African Americans as highly resistant, highly resilient, masterfully adaptive, masterfully creative, masterfully skilled and masterfully equalizing. By “equalizing,” we are not talking about being “equal” to anybody else. The term “equalization” herein is meant that in an African/Colored/Negro context during these 346 years from 1619 through 1964, the Black collective surfaced numerous examples that wherever we were in America during this pre-integrationist period, we were able to survive, adapt, duplicate, match, improve upon, compete, excel and master any and all progressive North American humankind societal and professional engagements. The newly freed enslaved as of 1865 and well into the Reconstruction and Jim Crow eras for example built houses, towns, communities, busi-
ant, Cheryl Landry, Catering by Roses Inc, Valu Pieces Women’s Accessories, Left Handed Lady- Hand Bags, Distinctive Designs by Tomira, as well as many other including health & wellness, fashion boutiques, food vendors, sales & marketing professionals. The Milwaukee Diva’s Face Book club is not only about the importance of owning your own business, but most importantly about networking, growing and maintaining your business. We will be presenting future workshops on various business topics and would like to invite any business to “like” our FB page for more information and updates at Milwaukee Business Diva's. Since it is Valentine’s Day expect to see lots of valentine specials and gift giving items. The Milwaukee Business Divas FB Club was started by Jackie Tate of Tate’s Cakes, a Baker who sells custom cakes, pies and more through her FB marketing. Other business women saw what she was doing and began to post to her a description of their business, and she referred to them as a “Business Diva,” thus, Milwaukee Business Divas FB Club was born. Live entertainment will be shared featuring the Voices of Love. Vendor set up will begin at 9 a.m. For more information or vendor opportunities contact, Jackie Tate at 414-466-1170 or Linda Cooper 414-4337708
nesses, families, schools, universities, institutions and futures. Dr. Claude Anderson would remind us (and as echoed by our good Bro. Dr. Booker Coleman in Hidden Colors 1), that even right after 1865’s Emancipation Proclamation and well into the 1900’s, Black people collectively were the fastest growing educated populace in America. As a group, we would have been the most skilled-competitive in a free open market up to the point of the 1970’s into present day 2015 when we as a people began to decline and regress during the integration era. Cases 7 and 8 concludes with a segment entitled “Outstanding Victories in 2014” sharing the wins of Willor Kipsand and Mary Keitan who won first place titles in the New York City Marathon; Serena Williams who was voted 2014 WTA Player of the Year; Alia Atkinson in her fame to become the first Black woman to win a world title in swimming, and Justin Lynch, a California 16-year-old whose “Black Splash” beat Michael Phelps’ 12 year Olympic record. Included throughout the eight installation cases are twenty-four select sample renderings of “Young, Gifted & Black” headlines and accompanying profile pictures from the Milwaukee Courier Newspaper bi-weekly series “Young, Gifted & Black.” “We are greatly appreciative of the rich investment of the time, attention, and scholarship as presented by Global African Images in the exhibit, “Presence, Invention. Civilization In Black,” says Walter J. Lanier, Chair of MATC’s President Diversity Council. He adds that, “we are especially pleased as Taki is working the cases in the second floor corridor to hear members of the MATC faculty, staff and students as they walk by welcome him back for his third year, supporting his efforts, and looking forward to the completed installation,” he adds. MATC power point classroom presentations are available on the AGI project. A workshop on “Teaching African American History in the Classroom and in the Home will be scheduled at MATC during the third week in February. Please contact Marvette Cox in the Department of Counseling and Advising, (414) 297-8027, for any further information on the display and related events associated with Black History Month at MATC.
Ebony Fashion Fair and Mount Mary Share Vision, History & Garments
(continued from page 1) giving to black charitable organizations. The Fashion Fair successfully toured the country for 50 years, employing an all-black staff and models. Hessburg established a highly regarded fashion program that’s brought international fashion icons to Mount Mary and has produced thousands of students with their own diverse fashion perspective, including industry leaders Donna Ricco, Karen Davidson and Eliza Audley. This March, Mount Mary will celebrate the 50th anniversary of its noted fashion program. “Eunice and Sr. Aloyse were pioneers who worked to ensure that fashion wasn’t exclusionary,” says School of Arts & Design Dean Barbara Armstrong. “They both took bold actions that helped push the boundaries of diversity, acceptance and female empowerment.” The connection between the two entities also includes four sold-out Ebony Fashion Fairs that Mount Mary held on its campus from 1996 to 1998 and again in 2001. In 2011 and 2013, Mount Mary Friends of Fashion purchased 34 Ebony Fashion Fair designer garments to add to the University’s approximately 10,000-piece Historic Costume Collection. Thirteen of those pieces are now on display at the Milwaukee Art Museum to complement the garments in the traveling Inspiring Beauty: 50 Years of Ebony Fashion Fair exhibition.
The Temptations
(continued from page 3) fin (Leon) in 1964 -- and song-writing by Smokey Robinson (Erik Michael Tristanis) and Norman Whitfield (Mel Jackson) -- the Temps achieve stardom with “My Girl,” which hits number one on Billboard’s pop and R&B charts. They are backed on the records by Motown’s Funk Brothers studio musicians. Using dance steps taught by Cholly Atkins (Russell Clark), the Temps perform their hits on tour, on TV and in the Copacabana in New York. They wow audiences with the likes of “Get Ready,” “Beauty is Only Skin Deep,” “I Could Never Love Another,” “Since I Lost My Baby,” “I Can’t Get Next to You” and “You’re My Everything.” Riveting work by each actor and actress channels the Temptations’ years of trials, tribulations and egos. Included is Paul Williams’ alcoholism and suicide; Ruffin’s bad work ethic, drug addiction, attempts to take over and being replaced by Dennis Edwards (Charles Ley) of the Contours; Otis Williams’ divorce and accidental death of his son; family health problems, and Franklin’s shooting by a car-jacker and battle with arthritis. Old grudges vanish in 1989 when the Temps are inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Sadness arrives when Ruffin overdoses in 1991, Kendricks dies of lung cancer in 1992 and Franklin of a heart attack in 1995. The latter is eulogized at his funeral by the real Smokey Robinson, with an emotional rendition of his “Really Gonna Miss You” -- bringing tears to a large group of music industry mourners and friends. In the film’s melancholy finale, the 1964-68 Temps -- led by Ruffin -reprise “My Girl” on stage in an empty theater. And then a voice intones “Temptations Forever.” Milwaukee native Richard G. Carter is a freelance columnist
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Mount Mary’s Ebony Fashion Fair Collection features distinct and uniquely different garments that showcase the talents and vision of noted American, Australian, British, Dutch, French, Italian and Polish designers. A daywear ensemble in electric blue by Chinese American designer Anna Sui, reflects Art Nouveau and late 1960s/early ‘70’s influence. A beaded and ostrich-feathered evening gown by Tomasz Starzewski, one of Britain’s leading fashion designers who created pieces for Princess Diana and Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, is also showcased. Katherine Stephens, a Mount Mary fashion department instructor, interned in London with Starzewski in 2006 and will share insights about Starzewski’s design philosophy and take guests on a “tour” of the inner construction of the gowns at one of the Inspiring Beauty events on April 18 (more information below). Mount Mary’s Ebony Fashion Fair Collection continues to inspire as current fashion design students have created contemporary garments that reflect the spirit, style and creativity of the Fair. The student garments will be spotlighted during a special Milwaukee Art Museum “Express Walks” events on February 12 and March 26, and during the University’s 50th anniversary celebration of the fashion program on March 21. They will hit the runway during CREO, the University’s annual student designer fashion and art show held in May. For more information on Mount Mary’s Ebony Fashion Fair garments, the Historic Costume Collection and Inspiring Beauty events, please contact Barbara Armstrong, at (414) 258-4810, ext. 223, armstrob@mtmary.edu, or visit mtmary.edu. More information on Inspiring Beauty: 50 Years of Ebony Fashion Fair can be found at mam.org/inspiringbeauty/.
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