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MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY KWANZAA!

LOOK FOR MORE TUXEDO EVENT PHOTOS IN THE WEEKEND EDITION

“In those days, Caesar Augustus issued a decreethat a census should be taken of the entire Romanworld. This was the first census that took placewhile Quirinus was governor of Syria.

And everyone went to his own town to register.So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazarethin Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem, the town ofDavid, because he belonged to the house and lineof David.

He went there to register with Mary, who waspledged to be married to him and was expecting achild. While they were there, the time came forthe baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths andplaced him in a manger, because there was noroom for them in the inn.

And there were shepherds living out in the fieldsnearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.

An angel of the Lord appeard to them, and theglory of the Lord shone around them, and theywere terrified. But the angel said to them,

‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of greatjoy that will be for all the people. Today in the townof David a savior has been born to you; he is Christthe Lord. This will be a sign to you. You will find ababy wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly hostappeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peaceto men on whom his favor rests.’

When the angels had gone into heaven, theshepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Beth-lehem and see this thing that has happenedwhich the Lord has told us about.’ So they hur-ried off and found Mary and Joseph and thebaby, who was lying in the manger.

When they had seen him, they spread the wordconcerning what had been told them about thischild, and all who heard it were amazed at whatthe shepherds said to them. But Mary treasuredup all these things and pondered them in herheart.

The shepherds returned, glorifying and prais-ing God for all the things they had heard andseen, which were just as they had been told.”

--Excerpted from the Book of Luke, second chapter, verses 1-20

The management andstaff of your MilwaukeeCommunity Journal wishyou a Merry Christmas,

Happy Kwanzaa andHappy New Year!

THE STORY OF CHRISTMAS

THE STAFF OF YOUR MILWAUKEE COMMUNITY JOURNAL

Yup, the brothers STILL GOT THIS!Yup, the brothers STILL GOT THIS!

Close to 11 inches of snow could not, would not, stop Andre Lee Ellis and “We Got This!” fromshowing the community...and the city that they as Black males STILL GOT THIS for the third year ina row as Black male adults, youth and boys participated in the 500 Black Tuxedos event last Satur-day.

Though the weather prevented the men and boys from doing their traditional pose together at aniconic city landmark and then march to their dining destination, which this year was at the MarcusHilton Hotel, downtown, our community’s males still “showed out” in a positive way with their pres-ence, poise and intelligence on full display! Congratulations to Ellis and his organization for holdinganother spectacular event! You definitely “Got This!”

Top photo by Kim Robinson. The four photosbelow that one are by Yvonne Kemp

The Milwaukee Community Journal December 21, 2016 Page 2

URBAN My URBAN My DIALOGUE...DIALOGUE...By Torre “ToeJoe” Johnson

The Milwaukee Community Journal December 21, 2016 Page 3

Today I need to echo my "Thank You's" by saying this, "Thanks tomany of you, I am who I am today. Thanks to yesterday, today yourconstant presence, encouragements, and differences have helped withmy growth.

Your strength and guidance has given me the ability to continue thisclimb. This climb is much higher than I ever dreamt."

I remember spending many days alone. I would knowingly, andwillingly be stuck in pity and stupidity often questioning myself overand over, "Why me?"

Although I was in that situation I was determined to break free, freefrom what was then not suppose to be my actual reality. Today, I havelearned that self esteem and self respect is important, as well as truelove.

Today when I say, "Why me?" it's not because of negativity or un-wanted activities, it's simply based on something beautiful that is hap-pening. I credit many of you, in malls, corner stores, by text, phonecalls, gas stations and now even in airports, I am now approaching indi-viduals with hope for keeping it real.

It is truly a blessing to know that my article and my present lifestyledelivers comfort. As I have said before, "I am self building while help-ing others." I use that as a reminder and as an example that every dayshould be lived as if it were a new beginning.

I am aware that this here journal reaches hundreds of thousands. Ismile because this opportunity has allowed so many people to see thatall along,

I just needed to surrender to self. Today, I salute the papers, and pub-lishers for allowing me and others to have the opportunity to share ourlife stories and experiences. I also salute my editor who keeps me onpoint, and you all, the readers.

You all have become a part of my life, and you have been family foryears. We've come a very long way, and just think, this is only the be-ginning of our journey. I am honored to give back one form of repen-tance, as well as contribute to filling the void of lack of blackcommunity family based commitment. Peace! --Torre M Johnson_President and Founder of XMENUNITED

PULSE OF THE PULSE OF THE COMMUNITYCOMMUNITY

Photos and question by Yvonne Kemp

QUESTION OF THE WEEK:QUESTION OF THE WEEK:“What are your plans for“What are your plans forthe Christmas holiday?”the Christmas holiday?”

“I am going toenjoy Christ-mas with myfamily. Theyare going to dothe cookingand I’m goingto do the eat-ing!”

Bobbie Lathan

“Enjoy Christ-mas for thereal reasonand have funwith my fam-ily!”

GeorgeNeal

“I am going toenjoy my daugh-ter’s third Christ-mas; this is aspecial Christmasfor her. I will bepreparing theChristmas feastand thank theLord for all thatwe have!”

AntonioAlexander

“‘Move!’ I will fin-ish moving inwith my mom. Iwill attend Sun-day services atmy home churchand fellowshipwith family andfriends. ThankingGod for the jour-ney thus far!”

Sherry Hill

PERSPECTIVESPERSPECTIVESGiving Thanks!

Sideena Holt: A true Africanqueen who epitomized astrong, proud Black woman

Contrary to misguided suppositions, not every Christian is going to heaven.In fact, if you actually “read” the Bible, you’ll discover that most won’t.

But I can guarantee my mother, Sideena Holt, will be there. God made areservation for her long ago. She accepted His invitation this past weekend.

That isn’t just because she was a C.M.E. minister.Or because she was a good wife of 65 years, incomparable mother/grand-

parent/aunt and loving friend to the thousands she touched with her sensitivity,humility and Godliness.

Nor even because she epitomized the strong, proud Black woman memethat was responsible for our survival amid slavery, and prosperity in spite ofJim Crow and apartheid.

All of those points are contributory factors.But, God reserved a place at His side because of the totality of what she

represented as an African queen, and her lifelong journey as a true Christian,a disciple who took seriously the mandate to spread the word, and to strive tobe Christ-like.

Most Black folks profess a love for God, but few follow the righteous path.And fewer still live a Christian (Christ-like) life. Most ignore commandmentsthat interfere with their lifestyles, and discount scripture they consider polit-ically incorrect.

But my mother not only talked the talk—which she did as a learned disci-ple—but she walked the walk. She epitomized her faith, and used every op-portunity to spread the Good Word without being overbearing, or officious.

Yes, yes.Reverend Sideena Holt—Mom—who made her transition after a month-

long stay at the Lawlis Hospice last weekend, was special. Very special. Andunique (by today’s status quo).

Even on her deathbed she was more concerned about others than herself.She sought daily reports about the care of my father, who is blind and strug-gling with bad health. “What did he have for dinner? Make sure you don’tfeed him any of that pork (that he grew up eating)!” She would ask, “Howour the grandchildren, nieces and nephews doing?” “Did Little L find a job?”

And there were her instructions for her great, great grand niece, who shehas raised from infancy.

Yeah, you read that correct.Can you imagine taking on the responsibility of raising a baby, at 66? That

was my mother. Even as she refused to give up her full-time job, caring formy father and maintaining a household, my mother eagerly took on the re-sponsibility of nurturing a baby and all that entails.

For 17 years—through arts and craft lessons, summer camps, karate classes,and every other conceivable extracurricular activity she could think of, aswell as checking homework and planting the seeds of spirituality and socialmores, my dear mother did it all with energy and perseverance few couldmuster.

But that was my Mom.She was the one who helped me with my paper route in the dead of winter

on Sunday mornings at 6 a.m. when I was 12. She attended everyparent/teacher conference for all of my siblings, as well as bible studies,school programs and sports events.

She and my father were part of the demonstration when Black civil rightsactivists chained themselves to construction equipment to protest the unwill-ingness of the Milwaukee School Board to allow Black students to attend anew Westside high school.

She was there for the open housing marches, and worked on Vel Phillipsbid to become the first Black alderperson.

My parents were active in Black social clubs and proudly volunteered forthe communal events that made our community, a community.

My mother was born in Galesburg, Illinois, although my brother, Dwayne,has traced our heritage back to the 18th century and a Black free (or maybefreed or escaped slave) woman named Sukie Bedster who migrated from theVirginia area.

From Galesburg, my mother and her siblings moved to Milwaukee wherethey established themselves in the health care field—one of my aunts, Winonastarted the first (and now largest) Black home health care agency in the state.

My father, George Holt, “courted” and married my mother in 1951, thusmerging two entrepreneurial mindsets. My father’s people came to Milwau-kee during the second great migration from the south in the 1930s.

My grandfather, Big John Holt, was a successful businessman, even thoughhe was, I was to learn only recently, functionally illiterate. While Big Johnfound success through a trucking company that I worked for at age 11, hisoldest daughter started the first Black nursing home in Milwaukee.

My parents tried their hands at personal business ventures, although theyalso worked for the extended family ventures. My mother found some successas a caterer, primarily servicing Black professionals—doctors and lawyers.

Growing up each of my siblings learned to cook while assisting with the cater-ing businesses. We also frequently ate left overs from her catered parties untilit was gone (which is one of the reason I hate caviar to this day).

As best as I can guess, we were comfortably low-middle income but neverwanted for anything. Sunday rides and Saturday movies were the norm.

And every year we spent summers at the Salvation Army camp.My mother maintained the tradition of family vacations, which as we got

older moved to the Green Lake Baptist Center and later cruises and an all in-clusive in Jamaica.

Family was important to my mother, and she planted the seed of an Afri-centric culture as its foundation and the Black nuclear family as its most im-portant byproduct.

It is no accident that all of my siblings are white collar, married and leadGod-centered lives. Nor is it a coincidence that each of us volunteer for var-

Your Milwaukee CommunityJournal has tabbed journalismstudent Paishance Welch to be aweekly contributor to the newspa-per focusing on millennials.

“The focus on this generation isthe pre-cursor for the CommunityJournal’s 2017 anniversarytheme: Millennial Magic Model-ing and Molding a New Milwau-kee.”

The column will be titled, “Mil-lennial Magic.” The column willprepare in the firs edition of thenew year.

Welch is a junior currently en-rolled at Georgia State Universityin Atlanta. Welch is known for hercreative writing and public speaking endeavors.

She is very passionate about three things: “Pen, Paper, and Inspira-tion.” Through her writings, critical thinking and rare mindset, she hasbeen able to embark on many different journeys throughout her younglife.

As the new year approaches she is most exhilarated and anxiousabout not only changing the lives of our millennials, but to also inspirethe youth, the generation behind the millennials.

As she completes her studies in Mass Communications, she aspiresto be the best journalist to have ever lived, providing her audience withweekly knowledge, power, and motivation.

Her ultimate goal is to make Millennial Magic and she extends theinvitation to join such immaculate movement to all who appreciate itsvalue.

THETHEMILWAUKEEMILWAUKEECOMMUNITYCOMMUNITYJOURNALJOURNALPublished twice weekly,Wednesday & Friday3612 North Martin LutherKing Drive, Milwaukee, WI 53212Phone: 414-265-5300 (Advertising and Administration) • 414-265-6647 (Editorial) • Website: communityjournal.net • Email: Editorial@communi-tyjournal.net/Advertising@communityjournal.net

Opinion and comments expressed on the Perspectives page do not nec-essarily reflect the views of the publisher or management of the MCJ. Let-ters and “other perspectives” are accepted but may be edited for contentand length.

MCJ STAFF:Patricia O’Flynn -PattilloPublisher, CEORobert J. ThomasAssoc. PublisherTodd Thomas, Vice Pres.Mikel Holt, Assoc. PublisherThomas E. Mitchell, Jr., EditorTeretha Martin, Technical Consultant/Webmaster

Billing Dept./Publisher’sAdmin. Assist.Colleen Newsom,Classified AdvertisingJimmy V. Johnson, Sales Rep.CONTRIBUTING WRITERS:Richard G. Carter, Fr. CarlDiederichs, Rev. Joe McLinPHOTOGRAPHER: Yvonne Kemp

Journalism student towrite weekly columnon Millennials for MCJ

Paishance Welch

SIGNIFYIN’SIGNIFYIN’By Mikel Kwaku Oshi Holt

(continued on page 7)

“Most Black folks profess a love for God,but few follow the righteous path. And

fewer still live a Christian (Christ-like) life.Most ignore commandments that interfere

with their lifestyles, and discount scrip-ture they consider politically incorrect.

But my mother not only talked the talk—which she did as a learned disciple—butshe walked the walk. She epitomized her

faith, and used every opportunity tospread the Good Word without being over-

bearing, or officious.”

Rev. Sideena Holt

RELIGIONRELIGIONThe Milwaukee Community Journal December 21, 2016 Page 4

Minister and youth center founderAnnie Naomi Scott passes dayafter her 90th birthday

Community activist Annie NaomiScott, who was known as “MotherScott,” who founded the Scott ChristianYouth Fellowship and Recreation Cen-ter—which is located inthe Lindsey HeightsNeighborhood—diedWednesday.

She had just turned 90 yearsof age on Tuesday, Dec. 20.

The center, located at 2741N. Teutonia Ave. (near NorthDivision High School), is anauxillary of OutReachCOGIC where Scott was thepastor.

The church was founded in1987.

Scott claimed she had re-ceived a vision from God tofound the recreation centerfor young people in 1964.

Ten years later that visionbecame reality when the cen-ter officially opened provid-ing Milwaukee inner cityyouth a place to have fun andbuild good Christian moralvalues.

In 1983, the center ex-panded its offerings, provid-ing a hot meal program, anemergency food pantry andclothing bank, a nutrition pro-gram for babies, a crisis hot-line, and a hospitality houseproviding temporary shelterfor the homeless.

Scott was proceeded indeath by her husband, JosephScott and a daughter, EuniceSellers. Scott is survived bydaughters Gloria Burrell andAnnie Wilson.

Funeral services are stillpending.--Compiled by MCJstaff

Vision from God led Scott tofound youth fellowship andrecreation center

Annie Naomi Scott

The Baptist Ministers Conference of Greater Milwaukee, Inc., recently held its annualChristmas Dinner at the Holiday Inn-Milwaukee Riverfront, 4700 N. Port WashingtonRd. The keynote speaker was Rev. Kurt L. Boyd, pastor of Way of the Cross Mission-ary Baptist Church. Pictured above are the ministers who attended the event (seated,left to right): Rev. Carl Smith, Rev. Andrew Morgan, Rev. Robert Faulkner, Rev. AaronMorgan, Rev. Richard Watkins; (standing left to right): Rev. Danny Washington, Rev.William Yancey, Jr.; Rev. Eric Smith, Rev. Carey Myles, Rev. Eddie Nash, and Rev. Vic-tor Manns.--Photo by Yvonne Kemp

The Scott Chrisian Youth Fellowshipand Recreation Center.

Minister break bread for the holidays

Atlanta--Soul Train Award nominatedand Stellar Gospel Music Award win-ning recording artist Charles Jenkins’“Holiday Praise” yuletide musical pro-gram will air Sunday, December 25 at8 a.m. (ET) with a repeat broadcast at 9a.m. (ET) on Bounce TV, the fastest-growing African-American network ontelevision.

The hour-long holiday celebration was filmed at thehistoric Fellowship Chicago church in the Windy Citywith an all-star musical lineup.

The exhilarating concert boasts magical performancesby platinum-duo Mary Mary’s Erica Campbell singing“Come Let Us Adore Him” and Grammy Award nomi-nated singer Brian Courtney Wilson reinventing Donny

Hathaway’s classic “This Christmas.” Deitrick Haddondelivers a passionate take on Nat King Cole’s “TheChristmas Song.”

Jonathan McReynolds does a resplendent acousticcover of “Mary Don’t You Weep” while gospel legendDorinda Clark Cole sings “Away in a Manger” to a circleof children. The show also features appearances by TashaPage Lockhart, Isaac Carree, Donishia Ballard, and Dex-ter Walker & Zion Movement.

The shepherd for the 8,000-member FellowshipChicago, Jenkins burst onto the national stage when hisglobal worship anthem “Awesome” topped BillboardMagazine’s Hot Gospel Songs chart for 22 weeks in2012.

His foot-stomper “War” spent five weeks at No. 1 onBillboard’s Gospel Airplay chart and was cited by themagazine as the most played gospel song of 2015. Jenk-ins currently has a Top Ten hit with “Winning” and histune “Christmas Music” just made its Hot Gospel Songschart debut at No. 21.

BOUNCE TV PREMIERES“HOLIDAY PRAISE”STARRING BILLBOARD NO. 1RECORDING ARTISTCHARLES JENKINSSUNDAY, DECEMBER 25 AT 8 A.M. (ET) WITH REPEAT BROADCAST AT 9:00 A.M. (ET)Yuletide Program Features Perform-ances By A Gospel Who’s Who Includ-ing Erica Campbell, Brian CourtneyWilson, Jonathan McReynolds, DeitrickHaddon and More!

Charles Jenkins

Jonathan McReynolds Tasha Page

The Milwaukee Community Journal December 21, 2016 Page 5

MCJ SPORTSMCJ SPORTS PACKERS, BUCKSAND GOLDEN EAGLES GAMESHAVE MIXED RESULTSThe Green BayPackers won a nailbitter at frozen Sol-dier Field againstthe arch rivalChicago Bears. Theoldest rivalry infootball is now tied!The Bucks lost theirrematch withLaBron James andThe Cleveland Cav-aliers at BMO HarrisBradley CenterTuesday night.However, the Mar-quette Golden Ea-gles came out ontop against St. Fran-cis University.--Pho-tos by BillTennessen (Bucksand MU) and KimRobinson (Packers).

The Milwaukee Community Journal December 21, 2016 Page 6

On Friday, December16th, the matriarch of myfamily (commonlyknown as "mom"), DorisNewby Armstrong, grad-uated from college. Al-though I am not surprised tosee her complete this life-longjourney, many have been en-couraged to witness her aca-demic accomplishments,which began more than 40years ago.

You see, my mother is 75 year'syoung and she has always wanted tograduate from college. However, asa devoted wife, mother, daughter,working woman, sister, aunt, men-tor, volunteer and caregiver, shenever carved out enough time forherself...until now. Her love fortravel and people were things thatshe mastered before going back toschool and although many may con-sider it unconventional, it was theperfect strategy for her successfuloutcome.

The defining moment would takeplace when mom’s church launcheda partnership with Marian Univer-sity in Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin.

Her church announced that theywould be registering students in2014, so my mother took a deepbreath and made the choice to be-come one of the first church mem-bers to sign up school. Two yearslater, she would be deemed as oneof the first students to graduate fromthe program. Not only did she grad-uate in the first class, but she grad-uated with a double major andMagna Cum Laude.

I can remember times when sheshared dreams of walking across thestage to hand her diploma to hermother; never realizing that one dayshe would be handing her diplomato her grandsons.

Her years of experience wereclearly a benefit to the classroomand she used them to complete herassignments. For example, when herclass assignments were based on na-tional/international topics, sheshared stories about pushing a jeepout of a ditch on an African safari,taking pictures in front of the EiffelTower with her sisters, driving toMt. Rushmore for the weekendfriends and more.

My mother has always beenknown as an "Energizer Bunny", socollege was just another to-do onher list. She was given her heart's

desire, so it was up to her to take aleap of faith and complete her jour-ney even when naysayers tried toderail it. (I had to remind her thatwhen someone tries to discourageyou, it is not your job to changetheir mind. Simply move forwardand let your successful outcomespeak for itself.) She clearly tookheed to the advice. Ignoring bad ad-vice not only helped her completeher degree, but also opened the doorto unexpected opportunities.

For example, she was able to con-vert her family photography hobbyinto an actual business and alsolaunch a new blanket drive for thehomeless each year.

Many times, we may be temptedto give in to popular opinions, butwe must look at those distractionsfor what they really are, "distrac-tions", and move forward. Whenwe put one foot in front of the other,we will eventually finish the race!

The following are excerpts frommy mother’s commencementspeech, during Marian’s graduationceremony:

“In 2014, I was given the oppor-tunity of a lifetime to upgrade mylevel of education from a highschool graduate to a college gradu-ate, so I took it!

“When Marian University cameto Holy Redeemer InstitutionalChurch of God in Christ, my in-sightful Pastor and Bishop, Sedg-wick Daniels, became the vesselGod used to make my dreams a re-ality.

“I decided, at the age of 73, therewere no limits. As long as there wasbreath in my body, life in my limbs,and a brain that still functioned, Iwas determined to finish this jour-ney. It was my time, so I used it for

a Bachelor of Arts and Science De-gree with a major in, Interdiscipli-nary Studies and a minor inCommunications.

“You may ask why I decided to goback to school later in life. I cer-tainly did. I initially wondered if Icould really achieve this mammothgoal at my age. My answer was anenthusiastic “yes.” Yes, because Iwas ready for the challenge and Iknew I would not give up.

“During my first class, I realizedthat I needed to strengthen my writ-ing skills. I thought, ‘What on earthhave I signed up for?’ It seemed likeliving torture. However, I knew therewere no other options; I had to fin-ish. Why? Because I was not a quit-ter!

“I asked God to walk with methrough each course and He pro-vided insight on each assignment. Itook it to Jesus and asked Him to“show me how to proceed.”

“That is why I am so thankful toGod for this experience because itwas Him letting me know that Henever forgets about our heart’s de-sire and He uses our gifts and tal-ents at any age.

“Of course, there were timeswhen I wondered who to ask forhelp and I felt unsure how to pro-ceed; but that was when God dis-played His favor and Hisfaithfulness.

“He allowed me to meet individ-uals with degrees in specific areasof study whenever I needed a men-tor. As a seasoned graduate, I re-alized that anything good andperfect comes from perseveranceand a stick-to-it attitude.

“As with anything worthwhile,there were those who tried to dis-courage me. They would ask ques-tions like, ‘why are you trying to goback to school at your age?’ And myanswer was always, ‘I have toachieve all that God has for me.’

“It was for my fulfillment becauseI had to be satisfied in knowing thatI could achieve anything that I setout to do. Having no regrets, I mademyself available to walk throughany door that God had for me.

“Finally, the courses I took atMarian University were insightful,educational, and timely. They al-lowed me to expand my thinking andunderstand a better consciousnessof the world.

“Some of my fondest memoriesinvolved personal growth, becauseI learned how to follow instructions,become an attentive listener, un-cover motives, critique myself anddiscover inner truths. Skills that Iwill use during my next chapter oflife! Thank You.”

--Nina Johnson is the Author of“Recession, I’m Not Participat-ing!”

YY&&EEY O U T H & E D U C A T I O NDaughter shares her mother’s expriences asa 75-year-old college student...and graduate

Go to the MCJ website (communityjournal.net) to view Brewery Credit Union ad and click to apply!

FIRST PERSONFIRST PERSONaccount byNina Johnson

“As with any-thing worth-while, there werethose who triedto discourageme. They wouldask questionslike, ‘why areyou trying to goback to schoolat your age?’And my answerwas always, ‘Ihave to achieveall that God hasfor me.’” --DorisNewby Armstrong

Doris NewbyArmstrong

The Milwaukee Community Journal December 21, 2016 Page 7

KALEIDOSCOPEKALEIDOSCOPEthe MCJ lifestyle & entertainment section

KwanzaaEventsSchedule Monday - December 26 (Umoja - Unity)(6:00pm) Traditional Kwanzaa OpeningCeremony2620 W. Center Street, Milwau-kee, WI 53206Wisconsin Historical Society Mu-seum

Tuesday - December 27 (Kujichagulia - Self Determina-tion)(6:00pm) Ina Onilu, Community Dance & DrumWisconsin African AmericanWomen's Center, 3020 W. Vliet Street, Milwaukee,WITuesday - December 27 (12:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.)Cultural CinemaBody and Soul Healing Center

Wednesday - December 28 (Ujima - Collective Work andResponsibility)(4:00pm - 8:00pm)Family Game Night & PotluckBody and Soul Healing Centerand

Thursday - December 29 (Ujamaa - Cooperative Eco-nomics) (4:00pm - 8:00pm) Kwanzaa Family FestivalVendors- please call: 347-674-7246 Wisconsin African AmericanWomen's Center, 3020 W. Vliet Street, Thursday - December 29 (6:00pm - 8:00pm)Black-eye Pea Cook-off!Body and Soul Healing Center

Friday - December 30 (Nia- Purpose) (6:00pm) Traditional Kwanzaa Ceremony2620 W. Center Street, Milwau-

kee, WI 53206Wisconsin Historical Society Mu-seum

Saturday - December 31 (Ku-umba - Creativity)KWANZAA FEST-KUUMBASaturday, December 31, 2016Celebrate Kwanzaa With TheCourtney Crew

Children & Youth Kuumba Work-shops 12:00 - 5:00

African Drum and Dance -O.N.F.Y.A.H.Hip Hop Dance - Chris GilbertSpoken Word - Kwabena An-toine NixonMake Your Own Herbal Teas-Adjua NsoromaCandlemaking - Rachel Camp-

bellKwanzaa Arts & Crafts - GailWinstonKWANZAA CANDLELIGHTINGCEREMONY 5:00 P.M.Keynote Speaker-Malkia Stamp-ley-Johnson, Director ofBronzeville ArtsLocation: African AmericanWomen's CenterContact Zakiya Courtney at 414526-9329

Sunday - January 1 (Imani -Faith) (12noon - 5pm)Traditional Closing KwanzaaCeremonies, Wisconsin African AmericanWomen's Center,3020 W. Vliet Street, Milwaukee,WI

The newspaperthat, for 40

YEARS, haskept its fingeron the PULSE

of OURcommunity!

YOURMilwaukeeCommunity

Journal!

ious community-based organizations, vote regularly andgive to charitable causes. All of us adhere to the philoso-phy of helping those less fortunate; to never walk pastsomeone in true need.

Those are pips my mother planted that have borne fruit,not just in her offspring, but grandchildren, nieces andnephews and the children and adults she has touched overthe decades.

She taught girls how to be ladies (versus grown upgirls); and boys to accept their God ordained roles as headof households. She believed in time tested values andmores, and that included giving meand my brothers over to my fatherfor manhood training, while the girlswere taught to be help mates, albeitindependent and self assured.

In that case she was old fashioned,you might say—albeit biblicallygrounded.

You probably wouldn’t call mymother a feminist, although she was“Black strong” as was proven whenmy father started to lose his sight andshe had to take on a greater financialrole.

My Pops never stopped hustling—legally—but as his sight faded, so did his household con-tributions. It was a strong Black woman who filled thevoid. And she never complained, or waivered. Indeed,she took on more and more, but like the Palm tree in astrong wind, she would bend, but never brake.

My mother never missed a vote or a block club meet-ing. She was political savvy and made informed decision.She subscribed to several magazines and the Journal Sen-tinel.

If her church ran out of Community Journals, shewould either call me to drop off some and would read itto my father (generally after they watched Sunday In-sight)—starting with my column. In fact, many of mycolumns grew out of conversations we would have. Yeah,she was special in many respects, articulate, informed andshe valued education.

The importance of education as a passport was ham-mered into each of my siblings. And even though Idropped out of college when I was given the opportunityto edit this newspaper, I never turned my back on its im-portance.

In fact, even though she reached middle age, as soonas the last of my siblings moved out of the house, shetook advantage of a few free hours and entered college.Three years later she proudly announced that she was to

graduate the next year.That was the motivation I needed. I changed my major

(from journalism to education, based on the number ofcredits I had) and returned to school. Exactly one yearlater, in the summer of 1984, we walked across the arenastage together to accept our bachelor’s degrees.

I will never forget that moment.My name was called first, and after accepting my

diploma; I waited at the other side of the stage for mymother. She smiled with pride at me, and I reciprocated.

My smile, however, was not only in recognition of heracademic accomplishment, but the sacrifices she enduredto achieve that goal, and the example she set.

Moreover, behind the smile was the recognition thatshe had made me a better man, my brothers and sisters

good citizens and role models.It was but one of a thousand proud

moments I shared with my mother,the most beautiful mother on God’sgreen earth.

Many men envied my father andwomen stood in her shadow, not onlybecause of her physical attitudes but,equally important, because she car-ried herself as a true lady, an oldschool representation of our Africanheritage.

She was of that rare breed wholived for her family, her community,but first and before all else, for the

God that we all share. Sacrifice was her middle name,and she always, always put the needs of family beforeher own. She inspired us, motivated us, disciplined us andmothered us.

It was a testament to my mother that her sons anddaughters, grand children, nieces and nephews posted a24-7 vigil at her bedside during her six-week stay at thehospice.

We comforted her as she spoke to each of us individu-ally. Days before her transition, we each received instruc-tions and words of wisdom from her.

She told me to remain strong and to continue fightingthe good fight for our people.

Two years earlier she stayed at my bedside when I con-fronted death. She and my family’s prayer vigils broughtme back and she told me God wasn’t finished with meyet; there was more to do.

Moments before her death, my brother and sister, Rev-erends John and Debbie, prayed over her and told her allwas well, and she “could finally let go.” Though she wascomatose, a tear ran down her cheek. And then shepassed.

I’ve always felt that based on the nature of people,heaven will not be a crowded place. But that’s where youwill find my Mom. Hotep.

(continued from page 3)

Members of Zembo Temple #70 Prince Hall Shriners recently held a Christmas party for children attendingSEDA School, 2020 W. Wells St. The holiday event was held at the MCFI Main Fonference Center. The Shrinersposing with some of the children and the donated gifts (compliments of the organization) are (left to right):Noble Ricky Townsell, Noble DeWitt White (captain of the guard), Noble Chief Rabban Gerald Woodard, Illus-trious Potentate John Odom, Illustrious Commandress Tygene Taylor, Noble Chief Rabban Terry Jackson,Past Potentate Steven Quezaire, High Priest n Prophet Marcel Clarke.--Photo by Yvonne Kemp

Signifyin’

SIDEENA M. HOLT FUNERAL SERVICESFaith Church4240 N. 78th StreetMilwaukee,WI 53222Visitation Friday December23rd4-7pm at Krause Fu-neral Home 9000 W.Capitol Dr. Funeral services Saturday December

24th 10-11am visita-tion11am service At Faith ChurchAny Flowers beingsent in advance go toKrause FuneralHome 9000 W. Capi-tol Dr. Milwaukee,WI 53222Must be deliveredFriday by 12pm

The Milwaukee Community Journal December 21, 2016 Page 8

The Milwaukee Community Journal December 21, 2016 Page 9

For For 40 YEARS40 YEARS , the , the MILWAUKEE MILWAUKEE COMMUNITY JOURNALCOMMUNITY JOURNAL has has consistentlyconsistentlyinformed,informed,analysedanalysedand and entertainedentertainedreaders. Forreaders. For40 YEARS40 YEARS ,,the the COMMUCOMMU --NITY JOURNITY JOUR --NAL NAL has has provided aprovided avoice to the voice to the community,community,providingprovidingeducationaleducationalopportuniopportuni --ties to stuties to stu --dents. We have kept the community’sdents. We have kept the community’sfaith, stayed the course, and kept our faith, stayed the course, and kept our finger on the pulse of our finger on the pulse of our community for community for 40 YEARS.40 YEARS. ..Your ..Your Milwaukee Community Journal!Milwaukee Community Journal!

The Milwaukee Community Journal December 21, 2016 Page 10