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| AlphaEast Journal
alphaeast.com
Summer 2014: Vol. 1, No. 2
Preserving the History of AlphaEast At our 82nd Eastern Region Convention in Baltimore, Bro. Mills announced The Legacy Project, an initiative to preserve the rich history that lies within the chapters of the first region of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. To participate, each chapter is requested to submit photographs that highlight key moments in your history (national/local programs, special recognitions, etc.). Through the collection of photos and biographical histories of ALL chapters in the Eastern Region, The Legacy Project will develop the official digital archive of photos and data for AlphaEast. We will also lay the foundation to create and publish an Eastern Region History and Photo Collage Book.
Several chapters have already registered to participate in The Legacy Project. Chapter Presidents or Historians are encouraged to register their chapter online, now at www.alphaeast.com/legacy. If you have any questions, please contact Eastern Region Historian Paul Brown at historian@alphaeast.com.
Congratulations to the 2014 AlphaEast Graduates! Top Row: L to R: 1. Alpha Kappa 2. Upsilon Kappa 3. Sigma Mu Bottom Row: L to R: 1. Bro. Jovan Winchester, Xi Alpha Lambda graduated with his Master’s degree 2. Epsilon Pi 3. Kappa Delta
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Summer 2014: Vol. 1, No. 2
Clockwise: 1. Bro. Keith Haynes, MD House of Delegate presents a proclamation to Bro. Brandon R. Johnson and Bro. R. A. Mills as General President Bro. Mark S. Tillman looks on, 2. Mrs. Ernestine Jones, a host from Morgan State’s radio station WEAA 88.9FM, 3. Bro. R. A. Mills listens to the performance of Mrs. Maurette Brown Clark., 4. Eastern Region’s 2014 Alumni Brother of the Year, Bro. Darryl A. Sharp (Xi Alpha Lambda)5. Bro. Marco Merrick, Alpha wives and sweethearts enjoy high tea.
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District news iaac
Summer 2014: Vol. 1, No. 2
International Association of Alpha Chapters
Germany Brothers Participates in Virtual March of Dimes Walk The brothers of Theta Theta Lambda chapter participated via virtual walk in the 2014 Ithaca March for Babies event! In Ithaca, NY, one out of every eight babies is born prematurely. The chapter created a team to raise funds and awareness about the March of Dimes’ mission of working for stronger, healthier babies. In three days, the team raised $600 in support of programs and services to prevent birth defects, prematurity and infant mortality.
Rho Phi Lambda of South Africa New agreement with Tracker In May, Rho Phi Lambda of South Africa solidified an agreement with Tracker, one of the country’s largest vehicle tracking device companies. The chapter will work in tandem with the company’s Men in the Making initiative to provide the facilitation of a youth entrepreneurship and mentorship program. Men in the Making was launched by Tracker in March 2009 and has earned the endorsement of the Department of Basic Education, a national agency that provides career guidance for high potential adolescent boys from disadvantaged backgrounds. Today, Tracker has close to 6,000 Men in the Making beneficiaries throughout the country.
As part of the chapter’s commitment, the brothers will deliver their Project Alpha and Go-to-High School, Go-to-College programs. The mentorship program is slated to begin in late July and will run through November.
nyacoa
New York Association of Chapters of Alpha
New York Chapters Commemorates Brown v. Board of Education Members from three chapters within the New York Association of Chapters of Alpha (NYACOA) gathered in the State Capitol chambers on May 14, 2014 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the landmark U.S. Supreme Court Brown vs. Board of Education case, which ended racial segregation of public schools in America. Alpha men played a significant role in organizing the historic 1954 lawsuit, including significant legal involvement by Bros. Thurgood Marshall and Belford W. Lawson.
Since 1963, members of Eta Chi Lambda have worked diligently to honor the work and efforts of Alpha in the case, including the hosting annual education programs and the erection of a statue dedicated to Bro. Thurgood Marshall, in a local town park in Rockland County. NYACOA chapters joined with other Alpha chapters and activists of the National Education Association (NEA); American Federation of Teachers (AFT); and others across the country in holding activities and events to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the case.
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| AlphaEast Journal
alphaeast.com
Summer 2014: Vol. 1, No. 2
Delta Zeta Scholar Extended Membership to Phi Beta Kappa At Syracuse, Bro. Ronald Taylor has done a tremendous amount of work in less than four years. This spring, Taylor was the only black inductee into Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society. He uses his experiences at Syracuse University to encourage other students to find their passion. “Your degree is maybe 60 percent of your time here. The other 40 you have to make up on your own,” he said.
As a third year undergraduate student in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, he is double majoring in political science and policy studies. He focuses primarily on high school education and curriculum and black male achievement. Through his experiences working for Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy, The Institute for Responsible Citizenship, and visiting South Africa, he has developed an impressive ability to not only advocate for a cause but also present the data and figures to prove his point. When he arrived to his university, Taylor brought with him the Cultural Project Rejuvenation (CPR) mentorship program, co-founded with his hometown friends to assist disadvantaged youngsters. The program housed at Wilson Park Community Center in Syracuse brings children, (ages 9-11) together for activities that support the C.A.R.E.S. philosophy—cooperation, assertion, responsibility, empathy and self-control—which he learned from a summer camp.
Taylor has a deep passion for community activism and civic engagement, while also remaining a dedicated well-rounded student. Using his mentorship community service initiative, he hopes to instill the same passions for community in groups of young black men and women on the South side of Syracuse.
In recognition of his work on campus, Bro. Taylor was named a Newman Civic Fellow for 2013 after being nominated by the chancellor. Offered by the Campus Compact, a national coalition of college and university presidents, the award honors inspiring college student leaders who have pursued solutions for challenges facing communities.
Bro. Taylor also enjoys public speaking and performing monologues. With support from campus administrators, he organized the “Healing the Scars” event in February to address campus self-segregation and misperceptions, while creating a dialogue. After the event that drew hundreds, the response has been overwhelmingly positive. At the event, he referenced King’s words from his last speech in 1968 in which the civil rights activist evoked images of reaching the highest peak and seeing the Promised Land.
“It’s really about student activism. If you want to see changes on your campus, you have to make the first step yourself,” he said. Recently, he was also named to the Institute for Responsible Citizenship’s Class of 2014. The institute, which helps prepare high-achieving African-American men for successful professional careers, selects candidates to participate in its intensive summer program in the District of Columbia.
Bro. Taylor has also held leadership roles in the Multicultural Empowerment Network and the Black Celestial Choral Ensemble, and served as a new student orientation leader.
Announcements from NYACOA’s Director, Bro. Lucien Metellus
• XI Psi won the 2014 Outstanding Program of Year for the Belford V. Lawson Oratorical Contest at Hofstra University. • Kappa Zeta Chapter won Chapter of the Year at Pace University/ Pleasantville for the thirdyear in a row and Bro. Jamal McMillan won President of the Year for Black Student Union (BSU). • Sigma Mu Chapter, recently re-chartered to Adelphi University, received the campus award for Excellence in Programming during their Alpha Week. • Eta Chapter received a leadership award for 100% of their members being on executive boards of other organizations at Columbia University. • Pi Beta Chapter at SUNY Binghamton won NAACP’s Outstanding Fraternity of The Year, NAACP’s Male Leader of the Year, Greek Life’s NPHC Chapter of the Year, Greek Life’s Outstanding Chapter President & Greek Life’s Outstanding Undergraduate Career • Rho Sigma at SUNY Albany won highest GPA among NPHC organizations and Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Community Involvement Award
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District news
Summer 2014: Vol. 1, No. 2
Kappa Xi Lambda Awarded $10,000 from Viacom Over the last ten years, Malik Simmonds has championed for the Alpha G.E.N.T.S, a program that mentors New York’s most at-risk African-American and Latino teen boys. G.E.N.T.S, which is an acronym for “Gaining Essential Networking Tools for Success” is equipping the young men with critical life skills for a promising future. At Viacom’s Town Hall meeting, Malik accepted a check for a $10,000 award on behalf of the Kappa Xi Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. for his work with the Alpha G.E.N.T.S. Viacom, where he is employed as the director of human resources for Nickelodeon reward its employees for their civic involvement in the community. Malik was one of two staff members who took top honors with the ‘Viacommunity Award’ in December. It came as quite a surprise to Malik when he learned that seven of his colleagues at Viacom nominated him for the $10,000 prize. Year after year, his colleagues have noticed him mentor the young men that come to Malik’s office at Nickelodeon.
“I was nominated by several co-workers for the Viacom Community Awards who knew the work I did with the Alpha G.E.N.T.S,” said Malik Simmonds.
His chapter of the fraternity, fondly known in New York City as the “Wall Street Alphas” over the years have raised thousands of dollars for scholarships, funded annual college tours, and spent countless hours mentoring the teens. The Alpha G.E.N.T.S. mentors are comprised of the chapters’ membership which boasts exceptional careers in diverse professions in medicine, education, finance, and the arts. The program hosts sessions on a vast array of topics that include: financial management, college prep, sex education, and more.
In addition to volunteering his time with the teens, every year for five years he has donated $1,000, which were also matched by Viacom. Although Malik has transitioned into a less visible role in the last three years, he still remains highly active with the G.E.N.T.S. He’s been working with Amir Figueroa, the current Director of Educational Activities (a role he formerly held) for Kappa Xi Lambda to empower him to take the program to higher heights.
njaapac
New Jersey Association of Alpha Phi Alpha Chapters
Sigma Zeta Lambda hosts Black & Gold Gala Sigma Zeta Lambda held its first Inaugural Black & Gold Gala on March 22, 2014 at the prestigious Short Hills Hilton located in Short Hills, NJ. The event was well attended with approximately 300 attendees including chapter members, Alpha brothers from surrounding chapters, dignitaries, and several peer organizations. The evening was filled with great food, music, dancing, and engaging conversation. The event introduced the newly formed chapter to the community and most importantly attracted brothers who SZL has since been able to reclaim. Brother Ainsley Reynolds, Eastern Region – District IV Director congratulated SZL for their significant accomplishments to date. The Gala is expected to be a reoccurring event for SZL and is promising to be at the top of the list for many in the Morris County NJ area. Proceeds from the Gala will help to support continued success with National Programs.
Since the activation of its two year provisional charter at last year’s General Convention, the chapter has increased membership from 12 charter members to 23 distinguished brothers. The brothers have been implementing key national programs in Morris County NJ. In particular, the “Go to High School, Go to College” (GTHSGTC) Committee is working with Morristown High School to mentor a select group of young men. The brothers meet on a regular basis with mentees and have and quickly established a strong relationship with the school faculty and those mentored. The sessions have focused on our GTHSGTC curriculum as well as providing guidance and support on an individual basis. This committee also partnered with the Morris County Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. to host a workshop in March with young men in the EMBODI program discussing “What it means to be an African-American Male (Man)”. SZL also received an award from the Morris County, NJ Chapter of Links for co-sponsoring the 2013 food drive and collecting over 5000 pounds of food. SZL is making an impact within their community!
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| AlphaEast Journal
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Summer 2014: Vol. 1, No. 2
maac
Mid-Atlantic Association of Alpha Chapters
Kappa Phi Lambda Hosts MLK Jr. Scholarship Breakfast In the age of social media, the (Bro.) Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. would want people to focus on serving others instead of themselves as evidenced by society’s obsession with so-called “selfies” – photos people take of themselves and post on social media websites.
That was the crux of the message by Bro. Walter Kimbrough, president of Dillard University in New Orleans, who served as the keynote speaker of the 39th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast held at Martin’s West in Windsor Mill, MD on Jan. 12.
More than 1,000 people attended the event sponsored by the Alpha Foundation of Howard County, Inc., and Kappa Phi Lambda Chapter (KPL). Numerous dignitaries, including Maryland Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown, Howard County Executive Ken Ulman and Howard
County Public Schools Superintendent Renee Foose attended the breakfast. Members of the Alpha Achievers, high school boys mentored by KPL, were also commended for achieving high grades and demonstrating exceptional leadership and community service.
Bro. Kimbrough urged attendees to get involved in their communities by making a difference in the lives of others.“You’re not a revolutionary because you say I support x, y or z on Twitter,” he explained.Bro. Kimbrough added that social media sites such as Instagram, Facebook and Vine have created a culture where “everybody wants to be seen,” leading to a more “self-absorbed” society.
He suggested people post pictures of themselves helping others learn to read. “We’ve got to move from self to service,” he said.
Pi Upsilon Lambda Leads Caregiver Symposium At Pi Upsilon Lambda, (PUL) some of the chapter’s brothers have found themselves in the common situation of caring for aging and dependent loved ones. As an issue that affects some of its membership, the chapter decided to face this matter head on by becoming a resource for families faced with this same issue.
In fact, it’s so common that family caregivers provide an estimated $450 billion worth of uncompensated care to loved ones annually. Caregiving is truly an undervalued practice.
As a result, on Saturday, February 8, 2014, the chapter hosted the Caregiver’s Symposium at Largo High School in partnership with AARP Maryland. The chapter organized the seminar under guidelines for the fraternity’s Brother’s Keeper program to help the community become more proactive in finding information and resources about quality caregiving. The chapter’s overarching community outreach and social action program, PACE also supported this strategy.
A panel of experts, which span from local government to the federal level, embodied the necessary experience needed to address the wide range of questions and information the audience was seeking. Represented at the program were: Tammy Bresnahan (AARP), Deborah McBroom (Prince George’s County Family Services Division), Bro. Christopher C. Moore (Anne Arundel County Department of Aging), Daniel Evans (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services of U.S. Department Health & Human Services) and was moderated by Bro. Paul E. Brown.
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The event offered information on various topics, such as dealing with family dynamics, assets and estate planning, and evaluating quality care facilities. Over 80 participants in attendance also had the opportunity to interact with the panel during the question and answer period. Vendors present included assisted living facilities and the State of Maryland Registrar of Wills. At the conclusion of the event, participants had the opportunity to walk around and talk with all of the organizations represented at the symposium, as well as enjoy a Chickfil-A lunch, which was sponsored by AARP. Overall, participants found the event to be excellent and very informative. One participant was so moved by the information that they vowed to make it a priority to get their affairs in order right away.
Taking care of a loved one or a family member is something that can weigh heavily on individuals and families. There are many people who become caregivers and are often unprepared when events such as these occur. According to the U.S. Administration on Aging, currently in the U.S. there are about 65 million caregivers. Knowing where to begin the process of learning how to become a quality caregiver is a challenge all on its own. Due to ill-timing and lack of preparation, caregivers often do not have the time to do the necessary research.
With that information in mind, there are plans for the chapter and AARP to work collaboratively in the future. Furthermore, PUL has been asked to conduct additional workshops on caregiving for some local organizations.
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District news vacapaf
Summer 2014: Vol. 1, No. 2
Virginia Association of Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity
Theta Rho Lambda Invites AlphaEast to their Jubilee Ball Theta Rho Lambda would like to invite the brothers of AlphaEast to join them when they celebrate 50 years of service to the Arlington, Virginia community. In commemoration of this great achievement, the chapter will host its 50th Anniversary Black and Gold Ball on November 15, 2014 at the Sheraton Pentagon City.
We encourage brothers throughout the Eastern Region to join us in marking this historic milestone. Our jubilee program includes scholarship awards, recognition of community service leaders and reflections of the chapter’s history. On December 30, 1964 Theta Rho Lambda was chartered by: Bro. Robert Alexander, Bro. Wilbur Bellamy, Bro. James Gaskins, Bro. Ronda A. Gilliam, Bro. James A. Murray, Bro. William T. Syphax, Bro. Alvin L. Thomas, Bro. Daniel L. Brown, Bro. Kermit O. Cockrell, Bro. Henry G. Gillem, Bro. John Moore, Bro. Millege Polite, Bro. James M. Trent, Bro. Taylor M. Williams.
Theta Rho Lambda was the first satellite chapter chartered outside of the District of Columbia. It was organized to affect greater Alpha leadership and participation in the affairs of Northern Virginia and the Metropolitan area communities. Theta Rho Lambda embarked upon creative and effective program planning, management, and implementation. The noted S.E.P.I.A. (Social, Economic, Political, Involvement, and Action) Program was the brainchild of one of the charter brothers and became a model for other chapters in the State, Region, and General Convention of 1970 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. For more information regarding the 50th Anniversary Black and Gold Ball, please visit the ball’s website: www.trl50th.com. There, you will find ticket information as well a brief history of the chapter. The chapter hopes to see you at the ball as they look forward to their next 50 years of service.
Upsilon Gamma Encourage Cultural Diversity at Richmond
“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, what are you doing for others?” Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
For the first time at the University of Richmond on Monday, January 20, 2014, Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday was recognized as a day of service. The men of Upsilon Gamma were instrumental in the establishment of this change after voicing their concerns to administration. The university now considers the holiday a Hands-on day. The holiday serves as an opportunity to re-commit ourselves to serving each other and our communities. On MLK Day, the brothers honored Bro. King by helping the local Boys and Girls Club of Richmond. With paintbrushes in hand, each member helped to revitalize the building that has been influential in providing a safe environment for children in the community. This day of service was also used as an opportunity to reclaim brothers and get alumni members involved in community service. The members also had an opportunity to volunteer alongside the current governor of Virginia, Gov. Terry McAuliffe who encouraged members to live the dream.
Following up on their MLK Day effort, on Tuesday February 4, 2014, the University of Richmond hosted its annual Black History Month Kick-Off Dinner which introduced cultural and educational displays throughout the dining hall. The chapter has participated in this event since its inception. In the presence of the campus community, the brothers of Upsilon Gamma participated by presenting a step exhibition performance. While doing so, the brothers educated the community on the workings of the chapter and their role in Black History Month.
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| AlphaEast Journal
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Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity - Eastern Region P.O. Box 41362 Baltimore, MD 21203
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