Masonic Mirror Summer 2024

MASONI C MI RROR

MOST WORSHI PFUL GRAND MASTER

AUDRI AN STACEY BROWN “ Le tEv e r yMo r alandSo c i alVi r t ueCe me ntUs ! . ”

SUMMER 2024

VOLUME 1

THE MOST WORSHIPFUL GRAND MASTER OF THE MOST WORSHIPFUL PRINCE HALL GRAND LODGE F & A.M. OF WISCONSIN INCORPORATED

AUDRIAN S. BROWN, 33º Let Every Moral and Social Virtue Cement Us!

Right Worshipful Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Deputy Master Grand Master Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master Right Worshipful Right Worshipful Junior Grand Junior Warden Grand Warden Right Worshipful Junior Grand Warden Right Worshipful Right Worshipful Senior Grand Senior Warden Grand Warden Right Worshipful Senior Grand Warden Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master Right Worshipful Junior Grand Warden Right Worshipful Senior Grand Warden Shawn A. James, Shawn Sr. A. Sr. #8 James, Shawn A. James, #8 Sr. #8 Marcel A. Clarke Marcel #11 A. #11 Clarke #11 Marcel A. Clarke Dr.Dr. Glenn A. Dr.Mathews Glenn A.#4 Mathews #4 Glenn A. Mathews #4 Shawn A. James, Sr. #8 Marcel A. Clarke #11 Dr. Glenn A. Mathews #4

Right Worshipful Right Worshipful Grand Secretary Grand Secretary Right Right Worshipful Grand Secretary Worshipful Right Worshipful Grand Lecturer Grand Lecturer Right Worshipful Right Worshipful Grand Treasurer Grand Treasurer Right Worshipful Grand Lecturer Right Worshipful Grand Treasurer Right Worshipful Grand Secretary Right Worshipful Grand Lecturer Right Worshipful Grand Treasurer Bryant K. Smith Bryant #10 K. Smith #10 Bryant K. Smith #10 Kalan R. Haywood, Kalan R. Sr. Haywood, #4 #4 Sr. #4 Arras V. Martin Arras #11 V. Martin #11 Kalan R. Haywood, Sr. Arras V. Martin #11 Bryant K. Smith #10 Kalan R. Haywood, Sr. #4 Arras V. Martin #11

Right Worshipful Right Worshipful Grand Trustee Grand Trustee Right Right Worshipful Grand Trustee Worshipful Right Worshipful Grand Trustee Grand Trustee Right Worshipful Grand Trustee RightJammie Worshipful Grand Trustee Ward Jammie #5 #5 Ward #5 Jammie Ward Right Worshipful Grand Trustee Jeffrey E. Lang Jeffrey #8E. Jeffrey E. Lang #8Lang #8 Jammie Ward #5 Jeffrey E. Lang #8

Right Worshipful Right Worshipful Grand Trustee Grand Trustee Right Worshipful Grand Trustee Right Worshipful Grand Trustee Antonio J. Antonio Mayo #11 J.#11 Mayo #11 Antonio J. Mayo Antonio J. Mayo #11

Most Worshipful Past Grand Masters

33rd MWPGM 2021-2023 Samuel L. Stotts

32nd MWPGM 2018-2021 Anthony J. McGaughy, Sr

31st MWPGM 2016-2018 Micah E. Tharpe

30th MWPGM 2014-2016 Minor King, II

29th MWPGM 2012-2014 Charles E. Currie

28th MWPGM 2010-2012 Earl M. Thomas, III

27th MWPGM 2008-2010 Frank A Humphrey, V

26th MWPGM 2004-2008 James E. "Cap" Davis

25th MWPGM 2000-2004 Charles E. Fitzgerald

24th MWPGM 1998-2000 Jimmy D. Foster

23rd MWPGM 1994-1998 Marshall E. Tharpe

22nd MWPGM 1992-1994 Junior L. Young

21st MWPGM 1988-1992 Felix J. Jackson

20th MWPGM 1984-1988 William R. Stark

19th MWPGM 1982-1984 William C. Ponder

18th MWPGM 1978-1982 Arthur L. Meyers, Jr

17th MWPGM 197 5-1978 Johnnie K. Cato

16th MWPGM 1974 H.K. Moore

15th MWPGM 1971-1974 Herman Smith, Jr

14th MWPGM 1967-1971 TL Alexander

13th MWPGM 1964-1967 Sanford Carter

12th MWPGM 1961-1964 P. Johnson

llth MWPGM 1954-1961 AW McCanahan

10th MWPGM 1953 C. Gulley

9th MWPGM 1950-1953 Fred W. Hickman

8th MWPGM 1947-1950 Hilton E. Hanna

7th MWPGM 1945-1947 Govenor L. Glover

6th MWPGM 1940-1945 Joseph Gentry

5th MWPGM 1938-1940 John A Hall

4th MWPGM 1936-1938 J Earl Jones

3rd MWPGM 1930-1936 L.Peterson

2nd MWPGM 1928-1930 William Johnson

1st MWPGM 1925-1928 L.B. Shepard

2023-2024 APPOINTED GRAND LODGE OFFICERS Right Worshipful D.D. Grand Master – East Right Worshipful D.D. Grand Master – East Right Worshipful D.D. Grand Master – West Right Worshipful D.D. Grand Master – South Right Worshipful S.D.D. Grand Master Right Worshipful S.D.D. Grand Master Right Worshipful S.D.D. Grand Master Right Worshipful Grand Chaplain Right Worshipful Grand Chaplain at Large Right Worshipful Asst. Grand Chaplain Worshipful Grand Senior Deacon Worshipful Grand Junior Deacon Worshipful Grand Senior Steward Worshipful Grand Junior Steward Worshipful Grand C.C.F.C Worshipful Grand Custodian Relief Fund Worshipful Grand Marshall Worshipful Grand Standard Bearer Worshipful Grand Tyler Worshipful Grand Auditor (Chair) Worshipful Grand Auditor Worshipful Grand Auditor Worshipful Grand Dean of M.E.T. Worshipful Grand Dist. Deputy G. Lec. West Worshipful Grand Dist. Deputy G. Lec. South Worshipful Grand Asst. Treasurer Worshipful Grand Asst. Secretary Worshipful Grand Asst. Secretary Worshipful Grand Asst. Secretary Grand Master’s Admin. & Personal Assistant Worshipful Grand Director of Youth Worshipful Grand Photographer Worshipful Grand Asst. Photographer Worshipful Grand Asst. Photographer Worshipful Grand Director of Security Worshipful Grand Director of Fundraising Worshipful Grand Director of Transportation Worshipful Grand Personal Assistant Worshipful Grand Director of Community Events Worshipful Grand Director of Community Events Worshipful Grand Director of Community Events Worshipful Grand Historian Worshipful Grand Attorney

Vacant Fred Nelson, #5 [1,7,10] Cornelius A. May, #2 [2,3] MWPGM Micah E. Tharpe, #6 [6,9] Joseph Dills, Sr., #5 Kevin B. McHenry, Sr. #5 Demetrius L. Williams, #11 E.B. Coleman Jr., #10 Alfred Floyd, P.M. #3 Jesse McNeil, #3 Tavaris L. White, Sr. #4 Anthony Terrell, #2 Doug Jones, #10 Lionel J. McAllister Sr., #8 MWPGM Minor King II, #4 Jamil Owens, #1 Alan Moore #4 Rodrick Boyce #10 T.V. Brown, #2 Todd Coleman, #11 Derrick Johnson, #2 Fredrick McCauley, #9 James E. Martin, PGM #8 Lance Baskin, #3 [2,3] David Brown, #9 [6,9] Isaac R. Woods #6 Isaias Ortiz #1 [Lodges 1,2,3,4] Jeffrey Smith # 5 [Lodges 5,6,7,11] Desha Agee, #10 [Lodges 8,9,10] Sis. Marsha McHenry C Johnny Green #6 Dr. Faisal Abdu’allah, #2 David Brown, #9 Vel Summers, #11 John Odom, #4 Antonio J. Mayo, Sr., #11 Vacant Corey Byrd, #9 Sylvester Hamilton, #10 Scott Terry, #6 Tracey Dent #4 Jeffery Zollicoffer Jr., #5 David Hart, #2

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Milwaukee Influencer Dr. Kenneth Harris: ‘Born To Disrupt, Dispute, and Inspire’

BY TOM JENZ

Not long ago, I was listening to the

“Truth In The Afternoon with Dr. Ken Harris,” his talk show on 101.7 TheTruth Black Talk Radio. He asked this question of his listeners: “Is it all right for white people to use the N-word?” I knew I had to meet him.

At 62, Dr. Harris is an influencer in Milwaukee, a man who brooks no contradictions. His values are firm, and he freely discusses his philosophy. Tall and upright through a cloud of confidence, he is blessed with the voice of a stage actor. With a street and academic background, his opinions have been molded out of vast experience. If your opinion varies, you’d better be ready to defend your position. He calls himself a contrarian because it’s his way of challenging entrenched beliefs. In a way, Harris is a Renaissance man: a retired police lieutenant, a college professor, a business strategist and a drive-time personality on Black Talk Radio.

Although Harris lives in central city Milwaukee, we met at a coffee shop in Whitefish Bay because, as he explained, “I am not recognized here.

A bit of anonymity allows me to get work done.”

Where did you come from? Tell me about your parents, neighborhoods, schools, and how you ended up with such a diverse career.

I was born and raised in Chicago on the south side in a two-parent family with two older sisters. We lived in a middle-class neighborhood of Black

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NOV. 04, 2022 8:41 A.M.

residents. When I was eight years old, my parents divorced, and dad became an alcoholic, and he died when I was 11. I was raised by a single mom on welfare, but she went back to work, had a 20-year career, and passed away from cancer at 59 in 1995. She imparted strong values, and all three of us children graduated from college.

What values did your mom pass on to you?

he put me in Boy Scouts sponsored by the Chicago Police Department, and later I became an Eagle Scout. I learned discipline and respect for people, how to dress, and understand citizenship in the community, nation and the world. I was exposed to adults with careers, which helped me figure out what I was good at. I went to the allBlack Chicago Vocational High School, 5,000 students, 1400 in our graduating class.

After high school, I enrolled in the University of Illinois/ Chicago. Majored in architecture but later changed my major to communications, radio and TV. In 1981, I transferred to Illinois State in Normal, and majored in mass communications-radio. I loved that field. When I was 22, I ended up with my own radio show in Normal. After college, I got a job as a producer at WGN Radio in Chicago and later some other stations. I was also doing freelance TV as a sound man for places like the BET network.

Dr. Kenneth Harris

How did you ever go from those media jobs into becoming a Milwaukee police officer?

As a kid, I always wanted to be a police officer. I believe that if God puts something in your heart to do, you should give it a try.

If I fail, it becomes a learning experience. I went up to Milwaukee and took the police test in 1992.

Less than a year later, I was living in Milwaukee as a police officer, and raising a family. Meanwhile, I was still doing part time work in radio as a producer for WISN. Throughout my career, I worked in different police districts from the white South Side to the Black North Side where people looked like me. It was a relief. People like to be around people who look like them, where we live, where we hang out, where we go to church.

Eventually, I became the Public Information officer, then a police academy instructor, a Lieutenant, and I retired out of District 6. On

Milwaukee Influencer Dr. Kenneth Harris: ‘Born To Disrupt, Dispute, and Inspire’

the side, I was earning additional advanced degrees including a PHD in Leadership Studies.

You were a Milwaukee police officer for almost 25 years, 1993 to 2017, much of that experience in the Black central city. What did you learn?

I was taken aback by some of the criminal behavior and violence, but those things happen in white communities, too. It troubles me that historically, the federal government created suburbs for namely white residents, keeping Blacks isolated in their poorer neighborhoods. If you have poor neighborhoods, that breeds crime, no matter the race.

You went into the academic world after your police service, right?

I had been teaching part time at Concordia University. After I retired from law enforcement in 2017, I became a full-time professor at Concordia University.

A few years later, Good Karma Brands was starting a new Black talk radio station,101.7 The Truth.

In fall of 2020, they hired me as the drive-time host. It’s been a phenomenal experience.

The Black Talk Radio station. I understand it’s mostly for Black listeners and Black issues. Can you describe your on-air style?

I tend to be a contrarian. I want callers to explore an argument from both sides. That’s the best thing I can bring people. Not balanced but focused. Some people even accuse me of being conservative

at times. I answer, “Why is it that if I believe in functional families, being a strong father, being a Christian, going to church and to good schools, why does that make me conservative?” My Black community has many of these values. Too many times in politics these days, we label Americans based on race, or racism. So many of our cultural problems are really about economics, the separation of classes by income.

Yes, just look around this metro area—from Whitefish Bay and Shorewood and the Downtown— to the Latino South Side, and then the poorer central city on the North Side. There is a certain kind of culture that goes with each economic class.

We struggle more than whites with the economic part because of past governmental policies both federal and local. Because of prior and current racist policies, I think we are the only community where upper middle class Black people still live in the poorer Black neighborhoods.

Current policies make it still difficult to afford what a person or family wants to have – a safe place to live, a good education and a good job.

Let’s talk about Racism. Racism is the system that allows the racial group that’s already in power to retain power. Take Milwaukee. For the past several generations, the powerful whites have kept most Black citizens roped off into an area now called the central city. Why? Fear of the unknown. Fear of people whose skin is a different color, whose culture leans toward the

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emotional. To overcome their guilt, whites provide these isolated Blacks welfare, healthcare, childcare, and charity. That way, they remain taken care of, and whites don’t have to feel guilty.

I think there is a lot of truth in that.

Some of us may have a kind of mindset that we are dependent on whites to give us things. But I think we need to stop looking at whites as a savior. They are not going to save us. We need to take care of ourselves first. So let’s give people the tools needed to step up and not bother with racists. If you want to be a racist, go ahead, but it takes too much energy to change another man’s heart. People talk about white organizations being allies who help us, or rather tell us how we should change. I ask, “Did we ever ask you for your help? Ask us what we need before you decide for us. Don’t just give us a voice at the table. Plan the meeting with us before you get to the table.”

If one group of people based on racism or on economic class tells another group what is good for them, isn’t that racism in an ironic way? It’s like the king and the serfs.

In other words, “I want what’s good for you, but only I know what’s good for you.”

Can I change this approach?

No. It takes too much energy. If development money goes primarily to building up the Downtown, that defeats the surrounding neighborhoods. Blacks and Latinos need to develop the neighborhoods into vital communities, and there are some thoughtful Black MASONIC MIRROR

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Milwaukee Influencer Dr. Kenneth Harris: ‘Born To Disrupt, Dispute, and Inspire’

developers working on projects now in Milwaukee. Good cities are built from the neighborhood to Downtown. We seem to be building the Downtown and disregarding the neighborhoods.

to get into fights. The N-word is disgraceful. If you use it against me, the only person who can make a reaction is me. I will not let a person get power over me by simply using a word. Think about this.

The word, Trump, is incendiary to Continuing on with racial many people. Trump is not even controversy. A recent topic you President, but that word, his name brought up on your show was The Trump, carries hatred and emotion.

N-word—is it right for whites say Everything is a cycle. Presidents the N-word? I spend time with come and go. Leaders die. Supreme inner city Black people, residents Courts come and go. We have and street leaders. In times of fought to overcome slavery, Jim emotion, they liberally throw around Crow, and police brutality. We can the N-word, even call each other fight and overcome the N-word. You the N-word and generally with can forgive who uses it against you, endearment. I’m white. I cannot use but do not forget. that word in conversation.

Just like the N-Word, Trump is a Some people have an external foul word to millions of people, locus of control and others an and those two words incite hatred. internal locus of control. External What I do not understand is why means everything is everybody anyone would want to be filled with else’s fault, not looking internally hatred, get up each morning with to make changes, rather blaming hate in your heart. We each have a others. Internal locus of control choice NOT to hate. Hate takes up a means you take it upon yourself to significant amount of energy, and it’s make change, not make excuses. all negative, and it can control your Each time I complain, I give life in a negative way. someone else the power. NonBlacks use the N-word to call us a You’ve talked about context, in derogatory term or to set us back. other words, if a word or statement You can be a fool or open your is incendiary, in what context mouth and remove all doubt. I am was it uttered? We are living not going to become emotional in a “woke” world of political about a racist being an idiot and correctness where words seem to calling me a name. I will remember offend some persons, and those who said it and act accordingly. persons are allowed to complain.

In a way, you are turning your personal power over to the name caller or in this case, the racist.

Right. We give racism or the N-word so much power that it moves us emotionally. It causes us 8

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Somehow, we raised a generation of people who cannot handle being offended. I’ve been teaching in higher education since 1985. I’ve watched it change from where students went to college to hear views the opposite of his or her

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own. You argued and differed, but then you ate dinner together. Now colleges have become a haven of safety. Safe zones. It’s a safe place for people who want to speak their opinions, but not for people who do not want to hear them. If you block speakers or professors that you don’t agree with, whether far left or far right, how will you learn the breadth and vastness of knowledge?

It’s like the minority view has become the new majority view.

And you are only offended if you allow yourself to be offended by a toxic word.

It’s complicated. If I take the high road and overlook a toxic word, no one corrects the person using toxic words. If I correct a person, I may be turning over my power to the person. In thinking it through, I need to correct the person because they may say it to a someone who doesn’t have the ability to defend themselves.

Who is your audience at 101.7 Black Talk radio?

For my show, I have mostly Black listeners and callers of different ages, but I do get white callers. You know that Black people listen to radio more than any other group in America? Ninety-two percent of Blacks listen to radio. The power of The Truth proves this fact.

At 101.7 The Truth, we find that people listen 24 hours a day, listen to the rebroadcasts and the podcasts.

For my show, I do get callers who argue and interrupt like me, but we give them a voice.

Milwaukee Influencer Dr. Kenneth Harris: ‘Born To Disrupt, Dispute, and Inspire’

You teach at Concordia University Wisconsin. What courses do you teach?

Yes. My current study is called “Too Black, Too Blue.” As a Black law enforcement officer, how do you go through life as a Black citizen?

I am the Department Chair for The cops might think you are too Justice & Public Policy. That is my Black, and Black residents think regular job. you are too blue. When I was a cop, I remember working in plain clothes You earned your PHD in Leadership and was stopped by a uniformed Studies. How do you study officer demanding to know why I leadership and what has that done was on the south side. And I was for you? in a department-issued unmarked car. Throughout police brutality, I found that leaders are different COVID-19 and the death of George in different cultures. A white Floyd, we’ve not heard the voice of political or business leader may the Black police officer. have a different agenda for Black constituents versus a Black leader.

On your Linkedin page, you If a leader applies his or her describe yourself as “Born To culture to someone else’s culture, Disrupt, Dispute, and Inspire” Care the effect often doesn’t work. For to elaborate? instance, 101.7 The Truth is owned by a white-owned company, Good I ask questions that I hope make Karma Brands, WTMJ and ESPN people react. On my radio show, radio, but Good Karma Brands gave I try to disrupt many callers’ our general manager and director of constant way of thinking, whether content the latitude on how to build you are liberal or conservative. I the station and determine how we think what’s gotten us into trouble interact with a Black audience. is not listening. I want you to take a broader look. Everybody For my PHD, I studied various has implicit bias, and once you leaders, their styles and trends. recognize it, you can mitigate it. If A noted leader might have great all you do is complain because you leadership skills but uses those grew up in difficult circumstances, skills for evil purposes. Hitler, broken home, lack of money, poor Pol Pot, Idi Amin, for examples. education, bad neighborhood, I will I don’t look for what leaders point out the people that came from did, but why they did it. My the same upbringing and did have PHD dissertation was on W.E.B. a successful life, and I can show Dubois, the Black intellectual, others how to do it. talented tenth writer, and Socialist leader. Studying leadership has I have done many stories on allowed me to understand the successful Black businessmen, Black community better. politicians, educators, and entertainers that came from inner And you are still studying city broken homes and even leadership and its variants, right? poverty, but who have made it out

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to lead meaningful lives. They are testaments to determination.

But it’s more than that. It is recognizing that it doesn’t matter if you went to an Ivy League college.

It comes down to how much are you willing to fight to be successful. Not give up, but instead crawl over, crawl around, crawl through obstacles.

Until you do that, you will never know. Albert Einstein said, “Success melts like snow, but creativity never dies.” Don’t let the creativity and the vitality, the beauty of the African diaspora in Milwaukee die.

As for me, my plan is to create until I collapse. And creativity comes down through the ability to “Disrupt, Dispute, and Inspire.”

You can listen to the Dr. Harris talk show from 4-6 p.m. daily on 101.7FM The Truth: goodkarmabrands.com/101-7-the-truth.

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Winner

Nonprofit Executive of the Year

Kenneth Ginlack, Serenity Inns As executive director of

Milwaukee-based men’s addiction center, Serenity Inns, Kenneth Ginlack plays an integral role in the nonprofit’s mission to foster a safe healing environment for clients.

“He has demonstrated his strong leadership by enhancing the skills of the staff members and revising organizational policies to reflect a strong commitment to trauma-informed practices,” said Crystal McClain, a Serenity Inns board member.

Under Ginlack’s leadership, Serenity Inns is expanding with

construction of a $2.4 million, 14bed facility. Ginlack himself has triumphed over substance abuse disorder, becoming a licensed psychotherapist and has unwavering dedication to the cause of helping others recover from substance abuse disorder.

Ginlack is also a member of the Milwaukee Overdose Public Health and Safety Team’s planning team, working to prevent future overdose incidents, gaining deeper insights into fatal overdose risk factors, and providing support services to families affected by overdose.

“Our mission is to support as many men as we can as they struggle with substance abuse disorder, and as we continue to move forward and expand our reach to help more men in the community. I am just grateful.”

-Kenneth Ginlack, executive director, Serenity Inns

Construction moves forward for Serenity Inns’ new 14-bed treatment facility

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CPR Training in the United States: The Need for a New Gold Standard (and the Gold to Create It) CPR Training in the US

BY LORREL E. BROWN AND HENRY HALPERIN | 27 SEP 2018

Every year over 350 000 Americans

experience an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest; most will not survive. Provision of bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation improves mortality after cardiac arrest. Yet, our current methods for public cardiopulmonary resuscitation training are burdensome and ineffective. Now is the time for funding agencies to prioritize the rigorous scientific study of established and novel cardiopulmonary resuscitation training methods to create a more efficient and effective program. In so doing, we can arm the public with this vital skill and empower them to save lives.

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest affects over 350 000 people each year in the United States.1 It is well established that bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) improves survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.2 However, there is striking geographic variation in the rates of bystander CPR (10%–65%) and resultant survival (3%–22%) in the United States, with low-income and minority communities being disproportionately affected.3 This disparate survival based on where a person lives was deemed unacceptable by the Institute of Medicine, prompting a call for efforts to “overcome barriers… and educate the public in CPR.”4

In a 2015 report entitled A Time to Act, the Institute of Medicine outlined priorities and recommendations to improve survival after cardiac arrest.

The importance of CPR training was emphasized stating “these efforts require public CPR and… defibrillator training across the lifespan, creating a culture of action that prepares and motivates bystanders to respond immediately upon witnessing a cardiac arrest.” In response, the American Heart Association (AHA) set the goal of training 20 million persons in CPR and increasing the rate of bystander CPR from 31% nationwide to 62% nationwide by the year 2020.5

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CPR Training in the United States: The Need for a New Gold Standard (and the Gold to Create It)

Despite this recognition of the vital importance of bystander CPR, no gold standard training method exists that teaches people to perform highquality CPR and to retain that skill longitudinally. In a recent 2018 scientific statement on educational strategies to improve outcomes after cardiac arrest, a writing group for the AHA acknowledged that “current educational offerings... are falling short,” stating that training programs should be “optimized by leveraging proven educational methods that promote learning and retention.”6 Previous training increases bystanders’ confidence and willingness to perform CPR.4 Yet, only a small proportion of the US population (2.4%) is trained in

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CPR annually.7 Certification via the American Red Cross (ARC) or the AHA HeartSaver course is often expensive and burdensome, requiring 3 to 4 hours of learning time. To increase accessibility of CPR training, alternative methods have been developed including blended online/ in-person courses, hands-only CPR for lay-person rescuers, self-taught video instruction, and mobile phone video game style apps.4,6Although these methods (including a method developed by our group) offer an appealing alternative to lengthy courses, rigorous evaluation of their efficacy is lacking.

As a result of this need, the Prince Hall Family collaborated with

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the Milwaukee Fire Department to host FREE CPR Certification Training. These trainings took place on December 2nd, December 9th and December 16th, 2023 at Fire Station 5 located 1313 W. Resevoir Avenue, Milwaukee, WI. The event was coordinated by Brothers Tracey Dent and Brother Lionel McAllsiter.

During the event we had over 50 members in the community become CPR Certified. Collectively, we are giving the gift of life.

Brothers Tracey Dent and Brother Lionel McAllsiter. During the event we had over 50 members in the community become CPR Certified.

Collectively, we are giving the gift of life.

Southgate Lodge #6 Proudly Sponsors RACINE, WI - JUNE 23, 2023 – ON JULY 27, 2023

The city of Racine held the

outdoor live music concert at the Wustrum Art Museum.

Participants were graced with an unforgettable evening of soulful melodies, infectious beats, and a vibrant atmosphere as Groov’n in the Garden took over the beautiful grounds of RAM’S Charles A.

Wustum Museum of Fine Arts located at 2519 Northwestern Avenue in Racine. Mahogany Gallery and Racine Art Museum present the brainchild of local artist Scott Terry (Southgate Lodge #6), Groov’n in the Garden. This event was a feast for the senses featuring a curated

collection of pre-order meal kit options and live music.

The evening began with the opening of the grounds at 5pm to the mix of beats from DJs Fly vs.

Fly performing in the background while concertgoers entered the grounds to set up their own chairs, blankets, and libations.

Corinthian Lodge #5 celebrates 95 Years

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Southgate SD Keith Evans Recieves the NAACP 2023 Theodore Harris Humanitarian Award MOUNT PLEASANT — Pastor

Reverend Evans, a natural-born Keith Harris received the Theodore leader, the proud member of Harris Humanitarian Award on the Illustrious Phi Beta Sigma Friday, Nov 11th, at the Racine Fraternity, Incorporated, not only Branch NAACP Freedom Fund excelled in the classroom but Awards Dinner. throughout the campus as well.

For two consecutive years, he The award is presented yearly to served as President of the Student a person in the community that Government Association and was demonstrates a desire to help others by one of the nation’s “Who’s who giving of themselves. Shakoor was a Among Students in American Racine County supervisor since 1996 Colleges and Universities.” Lastly, and a Racine alderman since 2004, for two consecutive years, he was having recently retired from both. He the recipient of one of the school’s was the founder/organizer of Scout top honors, The President’s Troop and Pack 181 for 13 years.

Award of Merit. Reverend Evans graduated from American Baptist Reverend Keith T. Evans is the College in May of 1994. It was also Pastor of the Greater Mt. Eagle in March of that same year that he Baptist Church located in the was ordained. After completing beautiful city of Racine, Wisconsin. the coursework at American The Flint, Michigan native attended Baptist College, he enrolled in Northwestern High School where the Master of Divinity program he was a two-sport letterman for at Grand Rapids Theological football and baseball, graduating Seminary. He also pursued the GM/ in 1986. Keith was the recipient UAW Electrical Apprenticeship of the Optimist Club ScholarProgram and became a Journeyman Athlete Award the same year. Upon Electrician. graduation, he attended Southern University Baton Rouge, where he Reverend Evans became the pastor majored in Electrical Engineering. of Greater Mt. Eagle Baptist Church After one year of studies at in January 2002. Since coming Southern University, he accepted the to Wisconsin, Reverend Evans call to ministry. His love for God, has been very involved within coupled with his passion for the the city and the state in both the people of God led him to Nashville, religious and civic sectors. In the Tennessee to receive formal training religious community, Rev. Evans is at American Baptist College. He a Certified Instructor and Lecturer, preached his initial sermon on for the Wisconsin General Baptist December 25, 1991.

State Congress. He has also served While at American Baptist College, in the capacity of General Secretary,

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for the Wisconsin General Baptist State Convention, Treasurer and Past Moderator, Southeastern Wisconsin Pastor’s Fellowship, and Former Chair, Religious Leaders Caucus of the Racine Interfaith Coalition. In August 2018, Reverend Evans became the President of the Wisconsin General Baptist State Convention. His civic responsibilities include Member, Racine Housing and Neighborhood Partnership Board of Directors, Member, Racine YMCA Strong Communities Advisory Board, Member, Racine Pin-Hi Golf Club, Vice President, State Street Civic Association and former member of the City of Racine Board of Ethics.

He is also a member, Southgate Lodge #6 Prince Hall Affiliated.

Reverend Evans has lectured for the Young People’s Department and preached Late Night for the National Baptist Congress, USA, both auxiliaries to the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc. He presently serves on the Board of Directors of the NBC USA and as Parliamentarian of the American Baptist College Alumni Association.

Married to the former Tonya C. Scott, also a Flint native, the couple is blessed with two beautiful daughters Jasmine and Michaiah.

Widows Son Lodge #1 Mobilizes Community for Annual Winter Clean up Initiative On April 22, 2023, at 10 AM, the members of Widows Son Lodge #1 led the charge for residents, local businesses, and volunteers to participate in this collective effort to beautify our neighborhood. The clean up activities included litter removal, graffiti removal, and general maintenance to ensure our streets and public spaces remain inviting for everyone.

“We believe that a clean

neighborhood is a shared responsibility, and by coming together, we can make a significant impact on the overall well-being of our community” said Worshipful Master, Jamil Owens, the event organizaer.

Participants were encouraged to bring gloves, trash bags, and any tools that may be useful. The local municipality was also asked to provide disposal bins strategically

placed throughout the neighborhood for the collected waste.

The event offered an excellent opportunity for residents to connect with neighbors, strengthen community bonds, and make a positive difference in the environment we all share. In the spirit of camaraderie, after the clean up, the volunteers were served light refreshments at 1218 W. North Avenue.

CLEAN !

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Brother Abkar, A True Hero James Akbar who served with the

sacrifices and service,” Luebke said.

“Hopefully, these vets will feel Beloit’s heartfelt thanks as they are specifically “My family has served in the military recognized and honored at our Fourth of July Holiday Pops concert.” since before the Spanish-American War,” Akbar said. “I was the one who The Beloit Janesville Symphony came home in disgrace. That’s the Orchestra will perform stirring music way they (anti-war protesters) made to celebrate servicemen and women and the nation’s independence. it look.”

The BJSO also will play “It’s Been More than 50 years later, Luebke a Long, Long Time” as veterans decided it is time to honor the service receive medallions. In addition, the James Akbar came home from of Vietnam veterans. He is the spark Badger Chordhawks will lead the Vietnam in 1967 to a crowd he never plug behind a special “Welcome audience in the national anthem and forgot. “Our officer warned us to Home” event for Vietnam-era vets perform with the BJSO. Fireworks get into civilian clothes because and Gold Star families who lost will follow the music and recognition there were hostile people outside the loved ones in the war. The tribute of veterans. plane,” Akbar remembers. will be part of the traditional patriotic celebration at Beloit’s The event might be more than 50 He changed from his uniform into years late.

Riverside Park on Thursday, July 4. a suit he bought in Vietnam, but it Vietnam vets and Gold Star families didn’t matter.When he got off the from throughout the area are invited “But it needs to be done,” Luebke plane, the shouting started.“They to attend. said. “I personally have been called us women killers and baby Akbar was among the Vietnam concerned about the lack of the killers,” Akbar said. “They spit on us. veterans handing out medallions, Vietnam vets getting proper They threw rotten tomatoes and eggs each with a “welcome home” recognition for many years.” at us. The type of greeting we got I message, to vets and veteran wouldn’t wish on a dog.” families.“I have felt for a long He is chairman of a committee with time that the men and women who more than a dozen members working The town of Beloit man served served during the Vietnam War to make the event happen. with the 173rd Airborne Brigade, have never been welcomed home Beloit City Manager Lori Luther also known as the Sky Soldiers. In and thanked for their service,” will introduce the tribute and the combat, Akbar took two machine Luebke said. “Unlike World War II, servicemen who will greet vets as gun bullets to his lower left arm, where the whole country sacrificed they come forward to receive their which left him permanently disabled. and felt the threat of the war, medallions.

Vietnam did not really affect the “I lost a part of my body fighting in daily lives of most Americans.”

Veterans who do not want to come the war,” Akbar said. “Then to have forward can have their medallions my country turn against me, that’s a He has known many soldiers who delivered to them in the audience, bad move on the part of those who sacrificed during the Vietnam War, Luebke said. did it. You never get over it.” and he has followed their lives.

Gold Star family members can He told former Beloit City Council “Simply put, I want these men and receive medallions for those who member David Luebke about the women to know that our community lost their lives in the war or who are incident, which Akbar called “one of appreciates and thanks them for their unable to attend.

173rd Airborne Brigade in Vietnam, stands dressed in his Montford Point Marine uniform inside the YMCA in downtown Beloit on Friday. Akbar will attend a special ‘Welcome Home’ ceremony for Vietnam-era vets and Gold Star families during the traditional patriotic celebration at Beloit’s Riverside Park on Thursday, July 4. Anthony Wahl

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the saddest things that happened to me in my life.”

Brother Abkar, A True Hero

“We do not know how many will be present,” Luebke said. “But we will be prepared.”

some awful stuff over the years. It doesn’t hurt to have someone say ‘thank you’ for a change.”

Akbar called the welcome home “way past due.”

Fifty-one years ago, Nightingale came home from Vietnam to an unusual silence. “No one said anything about Vietnam,” he remembers. “It was kind of like I took a vacation and came back.” In June 1968, the young Marine left a base in Okinawa and flew home on Friday the 13th. He brought with him searing memories of the TET offensive earlier that year, when North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces launched a coordinated attack against a number of targets in South Vietnam.

“There is a whole group of us who made it home but who are now gone,” he said. “We had an epidemic of suicides take place because of the way we were treated. I think the welcome home event can do a great deal of healing.”

Tom Nightingale also will hand out medallions.

Continued

He is coming to honor a high school friend and college roommate— Edwin F. Brown—who was killed in Vietnam. He also is attending because Vietnam vets never got a proper welcome home, he said.

If veterans choose to stay away, it might be because “they are used to being quiet about it,” Koopman explained. “Some were hurt badly and have not healed from the disappointment when they returned.”

He believes vets can give each other support.

“I am going to encourage other veterans and to be encouraged by “All hell broke loose,” Nightingale “The ‘thank you’ has been a long time said of one of the major battles of the them,” Koopman said. “I am proud to be a Vietnam veteran, and I want coming. But there’s something about war. “Hue got hit especially hard.”

He was stationed 12 miles from Hue them to be proud. I honor all service it that feels good,” he said. “I have of Vietnam veterans.” close friends who have gone through at the time.

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ZEDDY Q HYLER ( A true trailblazer) ARTICLE RETRIEVED FROM THE MILWAUKEE MAGAZINE WRITER AND AUTHOR LORA HYLER. COURTESY OF LORA HYLER

It’s doubtful Zeddie Quitman

Still, Zeddie had faith in himself.

He continued to pursue his lifelong dream of building the expansive ranch home he called “The Ponderosa.” All white male Wauwatosa city council be damned!

Hyler personally knew any of the 39 prominent white women of Wauwatosa who joined him in taking a stand. It was 1955, after all.

Zeddie Q. Hyler was an imposing, bespectacled negro fellow of 6’3” who had defied his father and paid his own way through college. Under the relenting sun of Mississippi, he had stared down Jim Crow laws. In 1944, he eagerly joined the Great Migration to head north for what he hoped were better opportunities for throughout the greater Milwaukee someone willing to work hard using area restricted who could live his intellect rather than his back. where. Shades of Jim Crow laws.

Armed with a bachelor’s degree in vocational education from Alcorn Agricultural and Mechanical College in Alcorn, Mississippi, Zeddie was determined to prove his father wrong. His place was not in the fields. He would not view the color of his skin as a sentence, relegating him and his people to thankless labor. Yet, the north offered only factory work or government jobs. Counting on his steady employment as a postal clerk, and several side jobs, he managed to amass a small fortune.

He acquired land and houses within the borders of Bronzeville, the moniker of the blocks set aside for negro families, regardless of their financial wealth. Racial covenants and “gentlemen’s agreements”

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Yet, Zeddie would not be deterred.

He set his sights on a plot of land in Wauwatosa, a Milwaukee suburb.

His savings were plentiful. He knew he would be the first Negro to challenge Wauwatosa’s racial covenants to build the home of his dreams. With the help of a white friend playing the role of the buyer, he outsmarted racists who set up roadblocks at every turn.

He would sit before the council listening to the myriad of excuses leading to permit denial. A possible freeway was under consideration.

The land may be needed for the project.

Undoubtedly, Zeddie would quietly listen with a smirk, and at the meeting’s end, rise and head home to devise his next move in the seemingly never-ending chess game.

The city fathers were likely relishing their short-lived defeats.

Chances are they hadn’t personally encountered someone like Zeddie Q. Hyler.

Like the young people of the South who joined the Great Migration, Zeddie had risked it all and left behind everyone and everything he The Great Migration spanned from held dear in search of opportunity.

1915 to 1970, with 6 million Blacks The departing youth would have fleeing the iron yoke of the south. In had long heartfelt and likely the eyes of the migrants, the north exasperating conversations with and west represented the promised their parents. Even with promises land. In the eyes of racists, fear to gain good jobs, save and send ruled the day. Surely, these folks of money home, their more jaded and a darker hue existed only to steal wiser parents surely worried. their way of life, their jobs, their We’ll never know what took place daughters and their possessions. inside the walls of the Hyler family

ZEDDY Q HYLER ( A true trailblazer)

Continued

home in New Albany, Mississippi, as Zeddie prepared to leave everything he knew and loved to set out for the Great Unknown: Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

ones joining the Great Migration, so Wauwatosa deliveries, led to much must have many white Wauwatosa reflection and dismay. He had no choice. Giving up was not in his DNA. households been rocked upon publication of the May 30, 1955, issue of the Milwaukee Journal.

The Tide Changes

Zeddie was the oldest child of 10.

Surely, his mother worried she would not only lose her first-born, but his siblings too, who looked up to him. Likely, his father’s jaw was set and his anger palpable. A baseball-sized team of strong-back children meant food on the table.

I imagine Zeddie let out a loud chuckle when he received word.

How doesn’t matter. His persistence in attempting to build his Ponderosa in Wauwatosa was gaining notice.

Though he was treated as a stranger in the land of his birth, Zeddie was fashioning an enviable life. The founding fathers wrote the U.S. Constitution containing the threefifths clause, setting the tone as the nation grappled with its enslaved, and later free people, who had done the heavy lifting in building its economy.

Thirty-nine white women, many of them prominent Wauwatosa residents, decided to take a stand.

The May 30, 1955, Milwaukee Journal headline blared: “Hit (By) Vandalism in Wauwatosa; Damage to Negro’s Home is Protested By 39 Women.”

The fleeting looks of disapproval and outright hatred at the stance they took must have shook the 39 women. Yet, they had to have known the risk they were taking in using the Bill of Rights to make their argument in favor of Zeddie Q. Hyler building his home in their suburb.

Perhaps some of the women had attended a council meeting, learned of their sedate suburb’s history of racial covenants and gentlemen’s agreements, and had choked on their disgust. Perhaps they had observed the smug looks on the faces of the city fathers, some their own husbands.

Perhaps they had learned of the acts of vandalism against the home’s foundation once the building permit was finally approved. Maybe, they marveled at the composure and demeanor of the bespectacled, collegeeducated Negro man, merely fighting for rights he was wholly entitled to as a citizen of the United States.

Their protest document read, “We, the undersigned, citizens of Wauwatosa, do hereby protest the recent acts of vandalism against the property of an American citizen Isabel Wilkerson, author of The owning property and building a Warmth of Other Suns, sometimes home in Wauwatosa.” called “a watershed in American The document went on, “Our Bill history,” illuminated the Great of Rights guarantees the protection Migration. Her depiction was of ALL citizens and allows each unlike any author’s in history as she individual ‘due process of law’ gave voice to the personal stories by which to settle grievances. of people who lived it. The Great We affirm that the owner of this What we know for certain is that Migration changed the country and property is entitled to the full brought us cultural touchstones, as protection of the law and respect for after repeated visits from vandals, Zeddie Q. Hyler had resorted to well as revered intellects and artists. human rights.” guarding his beloved Ponderosa.

Among them are: Michele Obama, John Coltrane, Toni Morrison, Astonishingly, the article goes on to The brothers who he had convinced August Wilson and Berry Gordy, list the names of the 39 Wauwatosa to migrate north with the assurance founder of Motown. women, followed by their husband’s of a hand up, returned the favor by standing guard over the Ponderosa names. And their exact street armed with rifles. Accompanying Zeddie must have had some dark addresses! them was the family minister. After nights, yet he persevered. His treks to the city council were unrelenting.

Just as the inner walls of many homes all, the Bill of Rights’ Second Amendment granted them that right.

I imagine his days handling postal of Southern negroes were filled with mail, including some postmarked for joy and anger at the prospect of loved The home was safely built despite MASONIC MIRROR

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ZEDDY Q HYLER ( A true trailblazer)

Continued

$600 worth of damage. Over the past decades, the family home hosted generations, celebrating family milestones and reunions.

Zeddie took his leadership skills to the Mason fraternal organization, the all-Black Near North Side Businessman’s Advancement Association, his church and many more nonprofits.

His white friend who initially purchased the Wauwatosa lot for him in 1955 lived next door. Zeddie became a beloved family friend, entrusted with watching the family’s kids and taking them along with him to the neighborhood shopping center. His love of chemistry and botany was passed on to one of those youngsters, William, who recently, at the age of 62, laughed while recounting his favorite childhood memory of Zeddie.

On one public outing, the tongue clucking and outright stares greeted the sight of the large brown man with his small white charges. Zeddie took both children by the hand and declared, “Let’s get you back to mama!” As William recalled, one white woman fainted.

The world seemingly turned upside down with the coronavirus

Lo

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pandemic and a racial reckoning sparked by peaceful protests. In 2020, the community of Wauwatosa, led by the Historic Preservation Commission and Common Council had a reckoning of its own.

Approval was granted to a request from the owner of the Ponderosa to designate his 1955 home as a historic landmark. Zeddie Hyler had passed on in 2004 and deeded the property to the current owner, Gerald Williamson. Williamson is Zeddie Quitman Hyler’s grandnephew.

I am Zeddie’s niece and a beneficiary of the Great Migration.

I’m a former journalist, a marketing firm owner and author of children’s

books. He was very proud of family members following his path to college, and pursuing other passions. Zeddie’s intellect and sly humor is still fresh in my mind. My dad, Haward Franklin Hyler, and mom, Leona, joined Zeddie in his quest north. I have no doubt that my life has been enriched in ways I could never fully digest, with the emphasis of my migrant family on education, belief in God, and following The Golden Rule.

Often, taking the first step influences others beyond imagination. Migrant families are truly our ancestors’ wildest dreams.

Shon F. Barnes was hired as Madison Police Department’s Chief of Police Shon F. Barnes was hired as Madison

Police Department’s Chief of Police by the Police and Fire Commission (PFC) in February of 2021. Chief Barnes is a nationally recognized leader in crime reduction and community-police relations. He was previously the Director of Training and Professional Development for the Civilian Office of Police Accountability in Chicago, Illinois.

Chief Barnes was the Deputy Chief of Police in Salisbury, North Carolina (2017-2020) and a Captain with the Greensboro Police Department (NC) where he began his career as a patrol officer in the fall of 2000. Chief Barnes was honored as a National Institute of Justice, LEADS Scholar, for using innovative technology to reduce crime and is a council member on the National Police Foundation’s Council

on Policing Reforms and Race. The council is a nonpartisan initiative which uses research and evidence to consider and offer recommendations to resolve some of the most pressing issues regarding police reform.

Throughout his career Chief Barnes has implemented Neighborhood Oriented Policing which focuses on smaller police beat response, police neighborhood ownership, and community engagement at levels within the organization.

Chief Barnes attended Elizabeth City State University (Elizabeth City, North Carolina) where he received a B.A. Degree in History/ Pre-Law, and the University of Cincinnati (Cincinnati, Ohio) where he received a master’s degree in Criminal Justice. He has earned

a Ph.D. in Leadership Studies from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (Greensboro, North Carolina).

Chief Barnes is married to Dr. Stephanie Dance-Barnes and the two have three children Ashlee, Aeiden, and Addison. My philosophy as it relates to policing simply states,

“Community Policing should be neighborhood oriented, community focused (business and residential), problem oriented, and based on the most current empirical research available to quickly reduce crime and improve citizens’ satisfaction with police services.”

-Kenneth Ginlack, executive director, Serenity Inns

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Prince Hall Brothers Support the “We Matter Panel Discussion” The importance of Black men’s

and opened a men’s health and education center at Madison’s health, along with this year’s election, largest barbershop, JP Hair Design, was on the table as the community to address health and social came together Sunday afternoon for disparities for Black men in Dane “We Matter,” a powerful discussion County. He appeared on the Megyn on Black men’s physical, mental and Kelly Show in 2017, was named in emotional health.

Time Magazine’s 2018 “50 Most Influential People in Health Care” Aaron Perry, founder of Rebalancedand was featured asone of five Life Wellness, along with comedians global leaders changing the world D.L. Hughley and Dannon Green of health. and former Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin Mandela Barnes, But his work continues and the “We came out to Milwaukee Improv Matter” community conversations in Brookfield to speak on the aim to move forward his health importance of actively monitoring advocacy work. The most recent with your health and voting and take Barnes, Green and Hughley was the questions from the audience on the first of the community conversations topics. The two topics go hand in to have a central location — hand because how you vote can something Perry wants to continue affect your health at some point in with future “We Matter” events. your life, the group says.

“You know I’m one that’s always gonna keep it real … as I look around this room, statistically, somebody will not be with us,” Perry said.

“Statistically, you have the power to say that, ‘It ain’t gonna be me.’”

Perry opened on a morbid note to stress the importance and reality of Black men’s health, but it’s a point he’s trying to get across — your health starts with you. Perry used an example of the statistic to bolden the point.

“Every single month, a plane takes off with 700-800 Black men, and that plane crashes,” Perry said. “That is the state of Black men’s health.”

Perry has worked to increase awareness of Black men’s health

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Milwaukee community leader Darrly Davison was the host of “We Matter.

Guest speakers pivoted between the two topics of the community conversation and shared their own stories about health.

Green, who had a battle with prostate cancer, shared his journey of overcoming masculinity norms and being a foster kid without knowledge of his family’s health history.

“A lot of Black men don’t like to get their prostate checked,” Green said.

“Because we’re too macho.”

how his health would progress as he aged. His talk was supplemented with humor, as a standup routine initially, but offered vulnerability to humanize a topic Black men have historically been concerned with.

While he has always tried to stay on top of his health, the option for treating his prostate cancer admittedly left him wondering what was best for him. He didn’t see pills and radiation therapy as a real solution for him due to the lifelong side effects. Green opted to have it cut out and monitored for remission. He has been cancer-free for over a decade now.

“You got to remember there’s one thing about prostate cancer — there are no signs,” Green said.

Green pushed the audience to make sure to have regular prostate exams because you can either catch it early, before the signs kick in, or try to tackle it once the cancer has progressed. One in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, according to the American Cancer Society.

The floor later opened for questions from the community. Speakers stressed the importance of the correlation between voting and health.

Green always tried to stay on top of his “Somebody once told me, ‘Every health due to not having his biological election is the most important because family members to draw on to see it might be your last,’” Barnes said.

Prince Hall Brothers Support the “We Matter Panel Discussion”

“Every time we say it’s the most important election, I have yet to find a time where that’s not the truth.”

doctor,” Barnes said. “That’s why you need a better health care system in this country.”

Hugley and Barnes expressed the importance of why voting matters and its health outcomes. Both men are proponents of universal healthcare. The two point to rising healthcare costs and bills, and how the current system ultimately penalizes controlling your health.

Hughley pushed Barnes to let the people know how that could be done by asking him ”How can we do that?”

“We all know people who have medical bankruptcies, have all sorts of bills that are going into collections because of a high hospital bill. You can’t buy a house, can’t get a loan for a car, all because you went to the

Barnes told attendees to elect politicians who are advocating for their health and change the system.

Perry estimated that over 300 people attended We Matter. Some brought their kids, and Perry wants to see more of that for future community conversations.

Continued

behaviors and really just being good stewards of their health, it’s likely that the young boys will follow suit,” Perry said. “We want to see these young men come up for these events because we value our health, and if we can model that, we begin to see these groups of young people coming in.”

For Perry, the journey starts at home and properly valuing Black men’s health. When he started his advocacy work, the average age of death for Black men in Dane County was 51, according to Perry. Phots and article by Omar Waheed.

“If Black boys do not see their fathers engage in healthy lifestyles and healthy

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Prince Hall Steps Up For The Homeless Sleepover For The Homeless

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Winter weather has arrived, and Wisconsin organizations are preparing to help

the homeless stay warm. The Prince Hall Grand Lodge collectively took to the streets to make a statement for the homeless.

“We are going to be making sure we’re out tonight bringing all the warm supplies we can possibly fit on our bus,” said Eva Welch, executive co-director of Street Angels.

With the first snow of the season, Street Angels in Milwaukee is focusing their efforts on protecting homeless people from the cold.

“In the last two weeks we have seen and verified over 300 people that are outdoors,” Welch said.

Street Angels has seen an increase in homelessness, and winter weather means higher demand for resources.

“We’re always in need of blankets year-round, hand warmers are fabulous, thick warm socks are great, anything warm,” Welch said.

Warm clothes and blankets provide temporary comfort, until overnight warming centers open up later in the season.

“These warming rooms literally can mean the difference between life and death for some people,” Welch said.

Next to King Park, Repairers of the Breach plans to open their overnight warming center sometime in November.

“It seems like it’s coming earlier and earlier each year,” said Rev. James West, the executive director of Repairers of the Breach.

The refuge center is open during the day year-round, only opening overnight in the winter.

Last year, they began overnight operations before December, and stayed open through April, their longest season ever.

“Kind of took a toll on the budget. We’re recouping our resources,” West said.

Repairers of the Breach also needs warm clothing and monetary donations to keep things running.

“Last year we were averaging 50 people a night, 120 people during the day, so it takes a lot of staff,” West said.

The center cam host 65 people at a time.

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Prince Hall Masons Participate in the 22 Push up Challenge.

Milwaukeeans vow to do 22 pushups a day to bring (RETRIEVED FROM WISN 12 NEWS).

The 22 Pushup Challenge was

created around 2013 when the VA said 22 veterans a day were committing suicide.

Statistics from the VA’s 2022 report show that number is now closer to 16 per day, but for these Milwaukeeans — that’s still too many.

“When I was in, it was a lot different,” said Charles Watkins, who served in the Air Force from 1974 to 1980, and then the National Guard from 1980 to 1995. “You know, at that time, you were told to man up, do your job, do the best that you can, and protect the guy to your right and to your left. But now it’s different, and we should step up more because we know more now.”

While completing 22 pushups a day may not seem like much, those behind this effort say it’s really about starting the conversation and bringing awareness to the mental health crisis many veterans face.

“Suicide’s a public health challenge, and to address a public

health crisis, you have to build community,” said Oliver Karp, the commander of the Milwaukee Recruiting Battalion. “So the more that we are comfortable talking about this problem, and the more we’re able to reduce the stigma around suicide, the better we can treat and take care of people who are at risk for suicide.”

Fostering a community, and a lifeline, for those in need.

“This is a matter that’s extremely personal and close to home, because we lost a member to suicide just several months ago,” said Milwaukee Fire Chief Aaron Lipski. “When it grips somebody, it becomes a problem that people can be afraid to actually inquire about. If you think somebody is hurting, if you think somebody is in pain, ask them. Ask them if they are okay. Extend a hand. Don’t avoid it. Don’t let the discomfort of that moment dissuade you from possibly saving that life.”

Some vowing to complete the 22 Pushup Challenge will be posting their daily pushups online for many to see using various hashtags.

Help is available for those struggling mentally 24/7 via the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Just dial 988.

For veterans, there’s an additional lifeline. Just dial 988 and then press 1 when the call is connected.

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MW Grand Master tosses first pitch During a Brewers home stand in September, The Most Worshipful Grand Master Audrian Stacey Brown threw out the first pitch in a game on September 16, 2023, in the Brewers vs. Nationals game. Prior to the game, the members of the prince Hall family enjoyed fellowship while tailgating. In addition, the guest were able to socialize , laugh and simply enjoy the weather.

The most Worshipful Grand Master was torn on if he would try and throw the heater or get fancy and throw a curve ball said RWSGW Glenn A. Mathews.

“We will see how it goes. If he makes an awesome pitch that’ll be great. If not, the experience is a lifetime experience not many people get to do,” said RWDGM Shawn A. James, Sr. According to his family, the Grand Master can throw pretty well and he use to run pretty quickly.

TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME

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Is Brotherly Love Achievable in the Jurisdiction of Wisconsin?

Is brotherly love achievable in the jurisdiction of Wisconsin? Before this question is addressed for the entire

jurisdiction, we must first individually ask ourselves: Am I capable and willing to show brotherly love to others?

Let’s take a stroll through some of the important aspects of brotherly love.

1. Respect: A feeling of admiration for something or someone because of their qualities or abilities or achievements (Merriam-Webster). This must first start with self before it can be shared or given.

2. Communication: Purposefully creating a safe space to listen, understand, be heard, and speak up when necessary.

3. Accountability: Creating an environment of respect and communication allows for accountability. It is our responsibility to correct others and to accept correction in brotherly love. Such an environment enables learning through correction, which is the premise of accountability in the first place.

4. Forgiveness: In working towards brotherly love, you should become comfortable with communicating your anger and/or resentment towards your brother while maintaining the previously built respect. From there, a resolution can be decided upon which brings you two back to brotherly love in its fullness. Forgiveness allows for freedom within self and possible relationship mending.

The four aforementioned aspects are what I believe should be considered part of the playbook to achieve brotherly love in Wisconsin. The playbook is no good without putting the play into action. It requires hard work and intentionality. Just like it takes hard work to make romantic relationships work, so, too, do you

have to be intentional about preserving achieved in Wisconsin. If you cannot, these relationships. it cannot be achieved in this great jurisdiction. The consequence of the Now, let us think back to our original latter would be the organization being query: Is brotherly love achievable derailed, it becoming out of touch in the state of Wisconsin? This with the community, and eventually, question can only be answered after becoming irrelevant. People will not introspective work. Can you achieve want to join such an organization. brotherly love? If you can, it can be

If you are not working in brotherly love currently, are you willing to begin? I hope you are, because there is no ‘us’ without it.

Yours in Brotherly Love, Most Worshipful Grand Master Audrian Stacey Brown

Is Brotherly Love Achievable in the Jurisdiction of Wisconsin?

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