HAATz Off to Pioneer Teachers of MPS Column
Compiled By: Yvonne Kemp, JoAnne Kemp and Vicki Singh
Harry T. Kemp
The award designed for Harry T. Kemp is not a ordinary plaque or citation. It has history and it has made a significant contribution to the art of photography, as has the recipient, Harry Kemp. The award is a 13” statue with a vintage “Bellows “ camera, circa 1912 -1930’s flush on top ,with a vintage base and brass plate and deserving words affixed. For those who are familiar with the Bellows camera, it revolutionized photography and the flash attachment / luminary uses are still being studied to this day.
Harry, as with this illustrious camera, which will grace the Historic African American Teachers (HAAT) award table, are both vintage and highly recognizable to the well trained eye. As a young boy, born in Racine, WI Harry could never have conceived of a career that would span over 50 years in photography. The dramatic story of Blacks in Milwaukee and in Wisconsin needs to be told afresh in order for our generation and its posterity, to understand and appreciate the vitality of such a tradition.
Each of us, born within a certain tradition, which stamps its peculiar seal on our fundamental drive, to participate in the inventive season of our lives. The history of Black citizens in Milwaukee and in Wisconsin is a rich deposit of such traditions. Harry has chronicled, through the medium of photography, the contributions of Black Americans, to its rich cultural scene for more than five decades. The areas Harry has noted with his lens, are social events, political gatherings, arts & entertainment presentations and educational lectures and forums.
Prototype of Harry T. Kemp’s Lifetime Acheivement Award.
Name an institution in Wisconsin which had an impact on the African American community, and Harry Kemp was there. Our churches, social halls, governmental buildings and a variety of educational institutions, have been graced by Harry’s lens. ‘Art On Atkinson’ held at the Atkinson Library and ‘Then and Now’ showcased in the rotunda at City Hall, brought the visitor just a glimpse of the rich talents and civic pride Harry has taken with each event.
Harry’s next exhibit will occur on August 6, 2011 at the Italian Conference Center.
The queen of Milwaukee’s history, Mrs. Irene Goggins, prepared an ‘album to rival albums’, of just a few of the significant events covered by Sir Harry. It dated from 1965 to 1992, the final entry, the loss of his beloved brother, Roy Kemp. This album had his mother, Marie Gaines and her husband Lincoln Gaines featured in one story after another, at our newly constructed facility, in 1966, the YMCA ,on 12th and Garfield. We have all the elected officials of the time. A young photo of Ben Johnson and Gerald Wallace, as they along with other well wishers, celebrated a building on Third Street, which was given to People’s Theatre by the City of Milwaukee, in the late 60’s.
Harry, a veteran and honorably discharged from the United States Air Force in the late 50’s, had returned to Milwaukee, and secured a job with The Milwaukee Star newspaper. Harry watched Milwaukee grow in Black population, migration and births. He also saw the Black institutions multiply, in addition to its status and political influence.
Harry was there for the weddings of Emily L. Wynn and Tyrone Carter and attended the first Community Pride Expo of Mrs. Patricia Thomas (now Pattillo). We even have photos of Mikel Holt receiving an award plus huge political fundraisers, sponsored many years ago, by Alderman Marvin Pratt.
This writer was captured by Harry, as she taught tiny tot swimming at the YMCA in 1969, for a infants and toddlers program, sponsored by Lou Haynes, then program director. I found a photo, months ago in my mom’s album.
From the late Velma Coggs and the NAACP Youth Corp to the late Mr. Walter Jones, assistant to the publisher of Milwaukee Courier, Harry was there. We see him receiving an award from the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA)NNPA organization and hobnobbing with the late Gwendolyn Brooks- writer, the late Virginia Williams-poet and publisher “Echo Magazine” & Mrs. Peggy Kenner of MPS School Board fame.
North Division was a favorite spot because of its performance groups, like the Nefetari Dancers. He followed North Division to Vogel Hall, as they performed “Two Gentlemen of Verona“- Shakespeare comedy, as a benefit for the House of Peace, on West Walnut Street.
A history lesson, a lesson in contributions by many, as we did “our thing” to make Milwaukee better for Blacks and create an atmosphere for the building of our institutions, all had Harry’s stamp. That Black Women’s Network shot- the Inner City Arts Council photo and the Gamma Phi Delta Boule of 1992, all had Harry’s touch.
No exceptions, the bars and taverns “sponsors night“, long gone, was covered by Harry. The Jimmie Macks, The Martha Torans, The Levi Moutrys and the Annual Food Festivals, at the Whispering Hills Club House on 72nd Street (8700 block), were all given their “fair shake” as news worthy events, by the Black press and Harry Kemp.
As a staff photographer for Milwaukee Courier from 1970 to 1976, Harry moved to the Milwaukee Community Journal staff, but continued to free lance for The Milwaukee Courier and other publications. Today, Harry’s work is still making news and still being published in the press. Harry now spends most of his time with the sports media of greater Milwaukee. He shares his lens with the Brewers and Bucks organizations on a regular basis. Still getting that vintage shot which documents events for all to remember for years to come.
With over 250,000 images, including Dick Gregory, Muhammad Ali, Diana Ross, Eartha Kitt, Natalie Cole and Presidents Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, why not the Lifetime Achievement Award to Harry Kemp, presented by HAAT of MPS?
Harry has taught photography for Milwaukee Public Schools from 1972 to 1974 at North Division, Hamilton H. S. and South Division. As an independent contractor for all three Black press, no one has given more and celebrated the contributions of many, as our own Harry T. Kemp.
Harry will be celebrated by HAAT at its Luncheon #9 at Serb Hall on March 26, 2011 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm, along with the HAAAD group/Gerald Wallace Lifetime Achievement Awardees -Historic AA Artistic Directors –Ferne, Connie, Abney and Teju, respectively. Watch for their stories, each week, in the Milwaukee Courier during Back History Month-Feb. 2011.
HAAT will also honor our pioneer teachers: Aquilla Ramsey, Mark Toles, Classic Cox, Gloria Graham, Ethel Brunner, Jean Nash and Ethel Berkley, respectively. Everyone says it will be a “grand afternoon“ had by all.
The story of the tradition of the Black community in Milwaukee and in Wisconsin has been told by the “mainstream” media down through the years. However, we should not allow them to substitute as a voice for our Black media. This is because the mainstream media cannot communicate the story of the Black community in Milwaukee as well as the “Native Son”. Harry T. Kemp is that “native son”
This luncheon will include, live entertainment- ‘Just the Two of Us’ featuring John Taylor and Mike Heinrich, Dr. Abe, (2) surprise performers, exciting community award presenters and interns who will be documenting the event for PBS “Independent Lens” in California, so get ready and get on board our party train.
Tickets are limited- on sale at HAAT office 1840 North Farwell (405), February 9,2011- cost $26.00 each. Call (414) 551-2107 and order your table of (10) early, {reserved front seating} before March 9th,2011. Availability – 8 reserved tables -10 per table, 410 general seating tickets Church, Civic, Ed. Institutions & Corporate discount rates are available.