The SPHINX | Summer 2007 | Volume 92 | Number 1&2 by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity

Remembering Brother EDDIE ROBINSON (1919-2007)

ALPHAS

Spring/Summer 2007 · Volume 92· Numbers 1–2

IN THE 110TH CONGRESS Heirs of a Leadership Legacy

ED FOUNDATION Supports Ghana’s Du Bois Center

FLORIDA HOTELIER Fulfills Dreams of At-Risk Children

PROJECT ALPHA Sponsored Internationally

MISSION STATEMENT Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. develops leaders, promotes brotherhood and academic excellence, while providing service and advocacy for our communities.

CONTENTS

DEPARTMENTS President’s 7 General Letter Director’s 9 Executive Letter 13 Publisher’s Letter 60 Alphas on the Move 66 Financial Pages 70 Chapter News 84 Book Reviews 90 Omega Chapter 94 Corporate Directory 96 Leadership Directory

ON THE COVER: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity’s eight Brothers in the 110th Congress are: (l-r, bottom row) Congressmen Danny Davis, Bobby Scott, Chaka Fattah and David Scott; (l-r, top row) Gregory Meeks, Emanuel Cleaver, Al Green and Charlie Rangel. Cover Story begins on page 42.

On This Page: The portrait of 23rd General President Ernest N. “Dutch” Morial was

recently hung in the New Orleans appellant court. Story begins on page 36.

O F F I C I A L O R G A N O F A L P H A P H I A L P H A F R A T E R N I T Y, I N C .

FEATURES

14 Ed Foundation in Ghana 17 Ghanaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Influence on MLK 22 Project Alpha 28 Florida Hotelier Fulfills Dreams 36 Ernest Morial Portrait Hung 42 Alphas in the 110th Congress 52 Brothers on Capitol Hill 58 Darryl Matthews Named Man of Influence 80 Eddie Robinson Remembered 89 14th Sphinx Editor Enters Omega Chapter

On This Page: The winningest coach in college football during his tenure,

Grambling Coach Eddie Robinson is remembered. Feature begins on page 80.

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www.walkamerica.org

Metro Atlanta Division 1776 Peachtree St., N.W., Suite 100 Atlanta, GA 30309 Telephone (404) 350-9800 Fax (404) 355-7723 May 3, 2007 Mr. Darryl Matthews Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. 2313 St. Paul Street Baltimore, MD 21218-5234 Dear Mr. Matthews, Since 1980, the March of Dimes has enjoyed its close relationship with Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. Through Project Alpha and WalkAmerica, we have made a huge difference in the lives of many people. My name is Jennifer Schrober and I wanted to take the opportunity to share with you how fantastic your Brothers in the Omicron Phi Lambda Chapter are, and how they helped my South Metro WalkAmerica event. Derrick Bell, a proud Alpha, served as my Ambassador Dad for South Metro WalkAmerica 2007. Derrick and his wife Kim have a daughter named Kennedy who was born premature. Kim works at the Morehouse School of Medicine, so her and Derrick’s story was particularly compelling to our teams. By reaching out to their extensive network of Brothers and Sisters for donations, they have currently raised more than $3,500 in their daughter’s name for WalkAmerica. But Derrick’s commitment did not stop there. In early April, one of my largest volunteer groups declined to help set up for WalkAmerica Day. Faced with the daunting task of unloading my 16-foot panel truck on WalkAmerica Day morning by myself, I called Derrick to see if he could gather some of his Alpha Brothers to come help. Derrick immediately put out the call for help, and it did indeed arrive. Six of your Alpha Brothers came to my rescue, and I could not have been more thankful. They were: Darrion Jacobs, KZ Curry, Robert Walker, Donovan Kirkland, Edward Parker, and Derrick Bell. With their help, we had the truck unloaded and the walksite up and running 30 minutes ahead of schedule. They assisted our Picnic Sponsor in getting their tent set up, as well as helped my DJ unload his truck. My truck was packed with cases of bananas, apples, an entire pallet of Coca-Cola products, boxes of t-shirts—you name it, it was in there! And they had everything off the truck within minutes. There is no way I could have done this on my own or with the limited number of volunteers I had, and I am deeply grateful to the Omicron Phi Lambda Chapter for their help. As a March of Dimes employee, it was wonderful to see one of our long standing partners really get involved with this event. The commitment, dedication, and overall energy of these men was infectious, and it boosted the spirits of my other volunteers. It truly was a sight to see. I hope you will pass this along to other Chapters so they can see how their help can be so much more than simply carrying a box; this event would not have been a success without your Brothers here in Atlanta. Sincerely,

Jennifer Schrober South Metro WalkAmerica Coordinator

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PRESIDENT’S

GENERAL PRESIDENT’S LETTER

VILE MUSIC PLAYS ON ROAD TO WRONGDOING

ew of us would trade places with today’s teenagers, save the fact that they have cooler toys, gadgets and conveniences. However, all these conveniences come with a culture of violence and sexual assault expressed through “gangsta rap” lyrics. I remember a time when Marvin Gaye’s “Sexual Healing” was considered over the edge. But it in no way compares to the audio assault blaring from cars and being pumped into the brains of some of our children. Hip-hop and rap are creative, lyrical approaches to describe the lives of our inner cities. Gangsta rap is a bomb that is blowing up our children and neighborhoods. In 2003, researcher Ralph J. DiClemente of Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health studied 522 black girls between 14 and 18 from non-urban, lower socioeconomic neighborhoods. Compared with those who never or rarely watched gangsta rap videos, the girls who viewed them for at least 14 hours per week were three times more likely to hit a teacher; more than 2.5 times more likely to get arrested; twice as likely to have multiple sexual partners; 1.5 times more likely to get a sexually transmitted disease, use drugs or drink alcohol. We can’t wait for, or hope, that someone else will fight for the souls of our children. We must do something. We must show them the way and then hold them responsible. We must let them know those things that harm them and those things that will help. That is why Alpha Phi Alpha is doing its part. We have the biggest partnership to date with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, and we are asking more than 10,000 of our Brothers to become mentors. We work in the school systems of America as volunteers, tutors and counselors. We partner with the March of Dimes, and through Project Alpha we are working to stop teenage pregnancy by conducting workshops with young men. We sponsor Boy Scout troops and have several Eagle Scouts who are now Alpha Men. We have a premier program called “Go-to-High School, Go-to-College,” which dates back to our founding 100 years ago. As the president of a predominately black Greek-letter organization, I worry whether we will let our children destroy themselves before we have a chance to help. Let’s all do our part by reaching out and reaching back to show our future that if they don’t find an alternative to the poison they are ingesting, they won’t have a future. Bottom line: We must get gangsta rap under control before we lose more of our children to the dangers of those lyrics put into action. Fraternally,

DARRYL R. MATTHEWS, SR. General President

Reprinted with permission from the Rochester (NY) Democrat and Chronicle. http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=GANGSTA

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How to receive The Sphinx® Subscriptions: Price U.S. is $40.00 per year. To subscribe, please send a check or money order to: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and mail to Sphinx Subscriptions, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., 2313 St. Paul Street, Baltimore, MD 21218-5211. To purchase selected back issues or to obtain reprint permission, contact Alpha Phi Alpha’s Office of Communications at 410-554-0040. Selected back issues of The Sphinx® are also available on-line at www.APA1906.net. Note: Active members currently receive The Sphinx as part of their membership. Additional copies of The Sphinx® Individuals interested in receiving additional copies (of current editions) of The Sphinx® may submit a written request accompanied with a check in the amount of $10.00 per copy payable to: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., 2313 St. Paul Street, Baltimore, MD 21218 -5211. How to change an address Alumni & College Members: E-mail your new address to your regional coordinator/specialist. You may also call 410.554.0040 or send mail to Address Changes, 2313 St. Paul Street, Baltimore, MD 21218-5211. Corporate, Non-Profit & Educational Institutions: E-mail your updated address to sphinx@APA1906.net or you can call 410.554.0040, Ext.114. How to contact Post: The Sphinx Magazine, 2313 St. Paul Street, Baltimore, MD 21218-5211 E-mail: sphinx@apa1906.net (Not for submissions) Phone: 410.554.0040; for Magazine questions, select Ext. 114 Fax: 410.554.0054 Attn: The Sphinx How to get published Each Chapter’s Editor is a correspondent for The Sphinx® Magazine. Chapters are encouraged to submit news and stories to The Sphinx®. Tell us about your events and please include photographs. Article submission does not guarantee publication. We reserve the right to refuse or reject articles submitted (without notification). Inactive members and/or Chapters will automatically be denied publication. All articles received via email will be rejected. How to send a letter to the Editor We always welcome your comments – both positive and negative. Email to sphinx@apa1906.net or mail to Editor, 2313 St. Paul Street, Baltimore, MD 21218-5211. General deadlines for submissions* Spring issue-November 1 Summer issue-February 1 Fall issue-May 1 Winter issue-August 1 *These deadlines are estimates; visit www.APA1906.net for up-to-date info. Note: Due to pre-press and production schedules, 1-3 issues may appear before a submission is published. The SPHINX® (USPS 510-440) is published quarterly by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.®, 2313 St. Paul Street, Baltimore, MD 21218-5211 and SJW Publishers, Inc., P.O. Box 1203, Randallstown, MD 21133. Periodical postage paid at Baltimore, MD with additional entries. Postmaster: send address changes to The SPHINX ®, 2313 St. Paul Street, Baltimore, MD 21218-5211. The magazine subscription price is $40 a year. The SPHINX® is the official magazine of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.® Send all editorial mail and changes of address to Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.® Manuscripts of art, opinions expressed in columns and articles do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.® Use of any person’s name in fiction, semi-fiction, articles or humorous features is to be regarded as a coincidence and not as the responsibility of The SPHINX® and is never done knowingly. The publisher does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers. Copyright 2006 Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.® ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Reproduction, or use without permission, of the editorial, art or pictorial content of the magazine in any manner is prohibited. The SPHINX® has been published continuously since 1914. Organizing Editor: Brother Raymond W. Cannon. Organizing General President: Brother Henry Lake Dickason. The Sphinx® is printed in the United States of America

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EXECUTIVE

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S LETTER

COUNTING THE DAYS TO THE START OF THE 101ST ANNIVERSARY CONVENTION My Dear Brothers Beloved, Greetings from your Corporate Headquarters!

n counting down the days to the start of our 2007 Convention in Orlando, Florida, I pause to think about the importance of this Convention. Last year, 5,000 registered Brothers, along with countless other Fraternity members and friends, journeyed to Washington, D.C. for the Centennial Celebration—and it was a fantastic celebratory event. However, for this year’s 101st Anniversary—our 87th General Convention, the atmosphere is different on many levels. The number of registered Brothers is not as high and the excitement is different. And yet, as we prepare to convene for this legislative convention and I reflect on the tremendous moments of opportunity that lie before us, I know that as Alpha Men we are called to do great things. That means, we must “work”. I consider a major aspect of that work to be the service we do in our communities; it is a primary aspect of our mission and it has its foundation at the General Convention, in the business sessions, plenary sessions, committee meetings, workshops, election politicking and much, much more. In this fraternal year, the National Leadership Team has aggressively moved forward an agenda which keeps us on the structured path of the Strategic Plan. Those who attend the Orlando Convention will see this in both basic and theoretical aspects. The delegates and Brothers assembled will discuss and deliberate on the next steps towards implementation and goal achievement. All of the workshops and seminars are structured to provide guidance to Brothers, Chapters, Districts and Regions to empower them at whatever their level of leadership and service. You will return to your communities better equipped to “work”. This is a time of opportunity that we cannot allow to slip away. The legislative sessions will provide us the opportunity to consider and adopt Constitutional Amendments, which will solidify our operational foundation. A very important aspect of this 87th General Convention will be the electoral process for the candidates for the positions of 33rd General President and Comptroller. These are two of our most senior and critical elected positions. The candidates will politic; and you have a tougher task, you must decide! We are an organization whose mission statement says it clearly: ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY, INC. DEVELOPS LEADERS, PROMOTES BROTHERHOOD AND ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE, WHILE PROVIDING SERVICE AND ADVOCACY FOR OUR COMMUNITIES. Brothers, I encourage you to realize that we stand at a moment of opportunity, not a moment of crisis. In May, we launched a new version of the Fraternity’s national website. I encourage you to visit the site at: www.apa1906.net and take advantage of this information portal. Brother William Lyle, Director of Communications, lead the design team; and they continue to make weekly updates and improvements based on your recommendations and constructive feedback. As always you are encouraged to utilize AlphaNet for the data management and membership utilities that it offers. Brother Jamaal Bailey, Director of Membership Services, is the operations manager for this tool. If you have suggestions, send them to him. My Brothers, as always, I thank you for this opportunity and privilege to Serve! I look forward to seeing each of you at some point soon; hopefully, at the 101st Anniversary Convention, August 9 – 13, 2007 at the Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel and Resort in Orlando Florida. Bring your family and friends to Orlando! In the Truest Spirit of Fraternity—Always,

WILLARD C. HALL, JR. Executive Director

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Submission Guidelines Official Organ of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc® ORGANIZING EDITOR Raymond W. Cannon ORGANIZING GENERAL PRESIDENT Henry Lake Dickason

PUBLISHER AND EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Seaton J. White, III DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS William Douglass Lyle EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Bryan J.A. Kelly

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Joseph T. Durham Robert L. Harris, Jr. Lover High, Jr. Wilbur Jackson Ralph E. Johnson Ryan Mack Kouri C. Marshall Raymond P. Moore F. Romall Smalls PHOTOGRAPHY Donald Baker Rickey Brown Larry Crider Jeff Lewis Anthony Roberson

GENERAL OFFICERS GENERAL PRESIDENT Darryl R. Matthews, Sr. IMMEDIATE PAST GENERAL PRESIDENT Harry E. Johnson, Sr. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Willard C. Hall, Jr. GENERAL TREASURER George N. Reaves GENERAL COMPTROLLER Frank A. Jenkins, III GENERAL COUNSEL Michael D. Pegues DIRECTOR OF CONVENTIONS A. Brian Parker HISTORIAN Robert L. Harris, Jr.

FOUNDERS Henry Arthur Callis Charles Henry Chapman Nathaniel Allison Murray

Eugene Kinckle Jones Vertner Woodson Tandy George Biddle Kelley Robert Harold Ogle

Since the founding of The Sphinx Magazine in 1914, the African American community has looked to the publication for its profound insight on issues of the day. The Sphinx is the second-oldest continuously-published African American magazine in existence and is preserved in libraries and archives across the country as an historical record of community occurrences. The publication covers a wide range of topics that are relevant to different sectors and geographic locations. The major focuses are leadership, strategy, entrepreneurship, career management, economic development and community service. Many articles are written by experts and authorities whose insight comes from research and experience. It is little wonder that for more than 90 years, The Sphinx® has maintained its place as an indispensable medium for reaching the leadership and progressive segment of the African American community. Those interested in writing feature articles for The Sphinx should: (1) submit a short abstract of their work. Completed articles are also accepted. (2) Suggested feature article length is 800 to 1,500 words; however, we accept stories that are shorter or longer in length. Print quality photographs or graphics may accompany the feature. (3) All articles submitted are required to be editable and proofread-able. (4) All articles must be accompanied by a brief biography of the author. (5) Submission of an abstract, synopsis or full article contribution is no guarantee of publication. (6) The Sphinx reserves the right to edit all submissions for length and suitability to a given issue, without final and formal review of the contributor. (7) Statements of opinion expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of The Sphinx. (8) Submission proposals can be emailed to: Sphinx@apa1906.net. (9) Final materials should be mailed to: The Sphinx; Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.; 2313 St. Paul Street; Baltimore, MD 21218-5211.

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A MEMORIAL IS BEING BUILT IN WASHINGTON, D.C. HONORING DR. KING’S LEGACY OF DEMOCRACY, JUSTICE, HOPE AND LOVE.

MAKE A DONATION TODAY 1-888-4-THE-DREAM WWW.BUILDTHEDREAM.ORG G ro u n d b r e a k i n g is November 2006 12

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PUBLISHER’S

PUBLISHER AND EDITOR’S LETTER

THE LAST TIME I SAW THE 14TH EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

e pause in this edition of The Sphinx to pay tribute to one of those giants in the “Alpha—Endless Procession of Splendor” who stood as a major influence on the Fraternity and its official organ. This edition, published in the 101st Anniversary Year of the Fraternity, is respectfully dedicated to the memory of Brother C. Anderson Davis who served as the 14th Editor-in-Chief of The Sphinx. The last time I saw Brother Davis was at the Fraternity’s 93rd Anniversary Convention in Dallas, Texas. The Sphinx magazine was celebrating its 85th Anniversary that year and the living former Editors-in-Chief—who then were Brothers C. Anderson Davis, George M. Daniels, J. Herbert King, Charles F. Robinson, III, and John J. Johnson, III—were being gathered for a special Convention recognition. In addition, each of the Editors had been asked to contribute an article for the 85th Anniversary Edition Sphinx, which was first issued at the Convention. I was serving my first term as Editor-in-Chief of The Sphinx at the time and contacted each of the former Editors, inviting them to the Convention and asking that they prepare an article for the issue. My call to Brother Davis, the senior ranking Editor, found him recovering at his home in Houston, Texas following an illness and unable to prepare the requested article. He graciously asked if his column that appeared in the Golden Jubilee Edition Sphinx—published in 1964 and celebrating the magazine’s 50th Anniversary—could be printed in place of a new submission. Because the Convention that year was being held in Dallas, and not too far from his home in Houston, he promised to try to attend. Brother Davis’ column and memorable words that follow from the Golden Jubilee Edition appeared in the issue: “What shall we say of The Sphinx? It has been the voice sounding the call to Alpha’s thousands—MARCH FORWARD—with the endless procession of splendor, which is ours today and forever more, and never a backward look or step.” The reprinting of his article was followed by a tremendous moment when Brother C. Anderson Davis came to the podium and addressed the full 93rd Anniversary Convention body during the special recognition of the Editors. Surrounded by all of the living Editors-in-Chief, he presented himself as a shinning example of the splendor that he often recognized in others. In a recent conversation with Brother Davis’ stepdaughter, I learned of the passing of his wife, Mrs. Bertha Davis, soon after the former Editor-in-Chief passed away. Our prayers are again extended to his entire family. A tribute and recognition of the 14th Editor’s life and accomplishments can be found on page 89 in this issue. We also recognize the remarkable life and career of Grambling State University football coach Brother Eddie G. Robinson in this Sphinx. Our feature on the legendary coach begins on page 80. In preparing the Spring/Summer 2007 magazine, I had the opportunity to travel to Orlando, Florida where I visited the site of the Fraternity’s 101st Anniversary Convention—the Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel and Resort—and met with and interviewed the hotel owner, Harris Rosen. His philosophy of caring has led to great success for the Florida hotelier, which in turn has led to unprecedented philanthropic giving involving more than simply writing a check. The private hotel-chain owner has demonstrated a humanitarian philosophy and commitment that has resulted in a major impact on communities in Orlando and throughout Florida. Our interview with Mr. Rosen takes us to the once-impoverished, largely African American community of Tangelo Park in Orlando. Former drug dealing and a high crime rate there has been replaced today by rising property values, soaring high school and college graduation rates, and some of the highest elementary and middle school test scores in the country. This story of faith and success begins on page 28. Fraternally,

SEATON J. WHITE, III Publisher and Editor-in-Chief

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Alpha Phi Alpha Education Foundation Lends Support to W.E.B. Du Bois Centre in Ghana By Ralph Johnson, Ph.D.

he inspiration to dedicate a plaque to the W.E.B. Du Bois Centre all began with a visit to the Kwame Nkruma Memorial Center in Accra, Ghana. Dr. Nkrumah was the liberator and first President of the Republic of Ghana, who declared on March 6, 1957 that from that day forward, Ghana was forever free from the shackles of British colonial rule. His passionate desire for Ghana’s immediate freedom resonated with the Ghanaian people and marshaled in a new spirit of independence throughout sub-Saharan Africa. In 2006, while touring the Nkrumah Museum, I noticed a plaque that had not been there when I visited the museum the year before. As I walked up to the plaque, I noticed that it was presented to the Nkrumah Museum by Phi Beta Sigma, the fraternity into which Dr. Nkrumah was initiated while he was a student at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania. I was immediately inspired to lead the effort to do something similar for the W.E.B. Du Bois Center. For those who may not be aware, Brother Du Bois was invited to Ghana by Dr. Nkrumah to assist with the development of the Africana Encyclopedia. He accepted the invitation, moved to Ghana, and was given a house in which to live. Brother Du Bois did not get the opportunity to complete his works. He died on August 27, 1963, on the eve of the historic March on Washington, D.C. His gravesite is now on the grounds of the house he occupied while living in Ghana. When I returned from my 2006 study tour of Ghana, I shared the idea of dedicating a plaque to the centre with the Board of

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Directors of the Alpha Phi Alpha Education Foundation. The idea was well received and unanimously supported. We then approached Brother Darryl R. Matthews, Sr., General President, to see if the Fraternity wanted to collaborate with the foundation on this historic project. Needless to say, the General President gladly endorsed the initiative. During the Fraternity’s Centennial Celebration in Washington, I shared my vision for this project with Dr. Robert Harris, Jr., the Fraternity’s Historian. Coincidently, he knew Dr. Ann Adams, the newly appointed Director of the Du Bois Centre. She had just retired from Cornell University where she was on the faculty with Dr. Harris in the African American History program. Brother Harris felt that Dr. Adams would welcome the opportunity to have such a plaque placed at the center but also felt that she would love to receive a monetary donation to help with the many needs of the Centre. Dr. Harris was asked to consult with Dr. Adams and get some sense of what the pressing needs are so that we could determine what a representative contribution might be. After several conversations and a formal proposal from Dr. Adams, it was determined that a $5,000 contribution would be quite representative. The Education Foundation’s Board of Directors approved a $2,500 contribution and the Fraternity matched the gift, bringing us to the desired total contribution. Dr. Harris agreed to join me in January 2007 during my annual Johns Hopkins University Ghana Study Tour, so we could make the presentation in recognition of Ghana’s 50th anniversary of its independence.

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(l-r) Brother Dr. Ralph Johnson, U.S. Ambassador to Ghana Pamela Bridgewater, Zimbabwe Ambassador to Ghana Tendai Musaka, W.E.B. Du Bois Centre Director Dr. Anne Adams, and Brother Dr. Robert L. Harris, Jr. We proposed to do the dedication and check presentation on Monday, January 15, 2007 so that it coincided with the birthday celebration of Brother Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (who also was a friend and mentor to Kwame Nkrumah and visited the country in its early days of independence). The date was accepted and eventually became the Du Bois Centre’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Commemoration Program, which was co-sponsored by the U.S. Embassy. Brother Dr. Harris was afforded the opportunity to give the keynote address. Although the actual plaque was not ready by that date, the company prepared a replica for use during the ceremony. The replica will be framed and placed in the Fraternity’s Corporate Headquarters. The program was truly outstanding. Not only was the audience favored with Brother Dr. Harris’ erudite remarks (which are included in this issue of The Sphinx) but also with the poetry, prose and art of several elementary and junior high school students who competed in poetry, essay and art contests. The highlight of the afternoon; however, was the presentation we made on behalf of the Brothers of this great Fraternity. It was tremendous international exposure for us as her Excellency Pamela Bridgewater, the U.S. Ambassador to Ghana; her Excellency P.T. Musaka, the Ambassador of Zimbabwe; and several other Ghanaian dignitaries looked on. Brother Gordon Stills, a member of the Delta Lambda Chapter in Baltimore and the owner of The Thank You Shop, a local trophy store, designed the plaque. It reads:

(l-r) Brothers Ralph Johnson and Robert Harris are pictured in front of the dedicatory plaque presented to the W.E.B. Du Bois Centre in Accra, Ghana by the Alpha Phi Alpha Education Foundation, Inc. and the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

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In Recognition of Our Centennial Anniversary and in Celebration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Independence of Ghana, We Honor the Legacy of W.E.B. Du Bois, Ph.D. Founder of Pan-Africanism and Distinguished Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Relief of Du Bois Presented by Alpha Phi Alpha Education Foundation, Inc. Ralph E. Johnson, Ph.D., Chairman and by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Darryl R. Matthews, Sr., General President Willard C. Hall, Jr., Executive Director Robert L. Harris, Jr., Ph.D., National Historian

National Historian Dr. Robert Harris (far left) and Education Foundation Chairman Dr. Ralph Johnson (far right) present a check for $5,000 to Dr. Anne Adams and Professor Everett E. Hagen, Chair of the Ghana Commission on Culture.

The Du Bois Centre Accra, Ghana January 15, 2007

The placement of this plaque at the Du Bois Centre has myriad historic and symbolic significance. Alpha Phi Alpha, the first collegiate Greek-letter Fraternity for men of African descent, presents this plaque to Ghana, the first sub-Saharan African country to gain its independence from European colonialism. Moreover it recognizes certainly one of the many giants among Alphas, our Brother, Dr. William Edward Burghardt Du Bois. He now rests in Omega Chapter and seven Ashanti stools surround his tomb. Brother Ralph E. Johnson, Ph.D., is Chairman of the Alpha Phi Alpha Education Foundation, Inc. and Associate Dean of Student Life at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD.

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Brothers in Ghana join Brother Ralph Johnson (2nd left) for a picture with the dedicatory plaque and check presented by the Fraternity and Education Foundation.

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Ghana’s Influence on Martin Luther King, Jr. and the African American Freedom Struggle

Brother Robert L. Harris, Jr.

By Robert L. Harris, Jr., Ph.D.

t is a distinct honor to be with you during the 50th Anniversary of Ghana’s Independence as you celebrate Ghana@50 and as you observe the 78th Anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King’s birth on January 15, 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia. The theme for your essay/poetry/art contest comes from the sermon that Dr. King delivered on April 7, 1957 at the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church where he was pastor. He called his sermon “The Birth of a New Nation.” Dr. King was excited about his travel to Ghana and his presence at midnight on March 6, 1957 when the British flag was lowered and replaced by the flag of Ghana. Kwame Nkrumah was the first head of state that Dr. King met. Dr. King’s congregation had provided the expenses for him and his wife, Coretta Scott King, to travel to Ghana and he wanted to share with them reflections on the historic occasion of Ghanaian Independence. Although Dr. King was only 28-years-old, he had emerged as a major leader in the United States as head of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, just two years earlier. Segregation on the buses was symbolic of the racial oppression that African Americans confronted in the U.S. It was a daily reminder of the indignities that they suffered as second-class citizens who were separated from fellow white citi-

zens from the cradle to the grave. White supremacy reigned in the American South where African Americans were forced to occupy an inferior place in education, employment, housing, recreation and transportation. As a young man, Dr. King chafed at racial discrimination. While in elementary school, he had to be restrained by his teacher as they traveled on a school trip and were forced to sit in the back of the bus, although they paid the same fare as the white passengers. Dr. King rebelled at the injustice of racial separation. He wanted to sit in an open seat on the bus rather than being confined to the section set aside for African Americans only. At age 26, with a newborn daughter and as pastor of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama for less than a year, Dr. King rose to the challenge when called upon to lead the Bus Boycott. He was well-prepared as a graduate of Morehouse College, one of the top historically black colleges in the U.S.; as a graduate of theological seminary; and as the recent recipient of a doctoral degree in theology from Boston University. In fact, Dr. King had just reached the point where he might enjoy his marriage of two years, his young family, and new ministry. Instead, he accepted the mantle of leadership that was shunned by many others

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who knew that they would become the object of white opposition to the bus boycott and its challenge to white supremacy. It was not long before Dr. King’s home was bombed and his young family was threatened with death. This fierce opposition to African Americans achieving their rights as citizens of the U.S. only strengthened Dr. King’s resolve. As he quoted in his sermon on “The Birth of a New Nation,” from the prophet Isaiah (40:4-5), “every valley shall be exalted, and every hill shall be made low; the crooked places shall be made straight, and the rough places plain, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.” Dr. King had great faith in the destiny of humankind, of all flesh seeing the glory of the Lord not only in the hereafter but in the here and now. There would be no distinction between black and white, yellow or brown, but respect for the dignity and worth of all people. Dr. King was fortunate in witnessing the independence of Ghana, an experience that was denied to W.E.B. Du Bois, the Father of Pan-Africanism. Dr. Du Bois could not get a passport to leave the U.S. in 1957 because of an earlier indictment for failure to register as an agent of a foreign government due to his efforts on behalf of world peace. The noted actress and singer, Etta Moten Barnett, interviewed Dr. King for her radio program in the U.S. Dr. King observed that “…a new order is coming into being and an old order is passing away.” He believed that the independence of Ghana gave courage to oppressed people throughout the world, not only in Africa and Asia but also in the U.S. For him, Ghana was a symbol of hope for the downtrodden worldwide. Dr. King remarked that Ghanaian Independence was “…fit testimony to the fact that eventually the forces of justice triumph in the universe and somehow the universe itself is on the side of freedom and justice. So that this gives new hope to me in the struggle for freedom as I confront it.” During his stay in Ghana, Dr. King reached the conclusion that there was little difference between colonialism and racial segregation. For him, both segregation in the U.S. and colonialism in Africa stemmed from white supremacy and contempt for people of color. In his sermon, “The Birth of a New Nation,” Dr. King noted the parallels between the struggles for freedom and justice in Ghana and in the U.S. He described the “internal desire for freedom within the soul of every man.” Dr. King explained the lessons that he derived from Ghanaian Independence. First, he observed that “the oppressor never voluntarily gives freedom to the oppressed… freedom only comes through persistent revolt, through persistent agitation, through persistently rising up against the system of evil.” He reminded his congregation that the bus boycott in Montgomery was only a beginning, that there was still work to be done to secure

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freedom and justice for African Americans. The second lesson was the importance of non-violence. Dr. King related how Kwame Nkrumah studied the life of Gandhi and his principles of non-violent positive action. Dr. King remarked that non-violent struggle led to redemption, reconciliation, and the beloved community rather than bitterness, malice, and hate. Dr. King’s visit to Ghana and understanding of the nations’ struggle for independence had a profound influence on him and on the struggle for freedom and justice in the U.S. Although he started with principles of Christian charity and appeal to conscience, Dr. King became more intrigued by Gandhian principles of non-violence. Two years before he visited India to explore the Gandhian philosophy and practice of non-violence, Dr. King was already sharpening his thought through the prism of Ghana’s drive for independence. The third lesson that Dr. King noted was the price that one must be willing to pay for liberation. People have to be prepared for retaliation, for the bombing of their homes and churches, for harsh things to be said about them, and even imprisonment. Dr. King explained that “the road to freedom is a difficult, hard road.” It creates tension and causes unease for both the oppressor and the oppressed but the only tensionless time was when the oppressed complacently acquiesced to “segregation, discrimination, insult, and exploitation.” The lessons that Dr. King took from Ghana strengthened his resolve and provided sustenance for his commitment to freedom and justice in the U.S. until his assassination on April 4, 1968. In one of Dr. King’s most important statements, “Letter from Birmingham Jail, April 16, 1963,” in many respects as important as his much acclaimed “I Have a Dream” speech of August 28, 1963, the day after W.E.B. Du Bois died in Ghana, you can see the influence of Dr. King’s presence at the independence of Ghana and the lessons that he took from the Ghanaian struggle for freedom and justice. In April 1963, Dr. King came under intense criticism for the demonstrations that he and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference organized in Birmingham, Alabama to desegregate lunch counters, drinking fountains, elevators, and department store fitting rooms. Eight prominent white clergymen in Birmingham took out a full-page newspaper advertisement criticizing the movement and Dr. King as outsiders who were carrying out “unwise and untimely” demonstrations. From his jail cell after being arrested for leading a demonstration, Dr. King answered his critics. He did not consider himself an outsider and reminded his critics that “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Dr. King wrote that “we know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given

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Fraternity National Historian and Cornell University Professor Dr. Robert L. Harris, Jr. presents the keynote address for the W.E.B. Du Bois Centre in Accra, Ghana’s MLK, Jr. Birthday Commemoration.

by the oppressor, it must be demanded by the oppressed.” This was one of the first lessons that he took from Ghana. Moreover, he explained that counseling African Americans to wait meant that they would never achieve their freedom. He stated that “we have waited for more than 340 years for our constitutional and God-given rights. The nations of Africa are moving with jet-like speed toward gaining political independence but we still creep at a horse-and-buggy pace toward gaining a cup of coffee at a lunch counter.” Just as Dr. King observed after returning from Ghana that “eventually the forces of justice triumph in the universe, and somehow the universe itself is on the side of freedom and justice,” so he noted that African Americans were part of the “new order,” the movement of his black brothers of Africa and his brown and yellow brothers of Asia, South America and the Caribbean “…moving with a sense of great urgency toward the promised land of racial justice.” Although Brother Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. has not been considered a Pan-Africanist in a vein similar to his fellow member

of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Dr. W.E.B. Du Bois, there were elements of Dr. King’s thought influenced by his presence during the independence ceremonies for Ghana and in his interaction with Kwame Nkrumah that mark Dr. King as a proponent of liberation for people of African ancestry as well as people of color worldwide. It was Dr. Du Bois who declared in his seminal work, The Souls of Black Folk, that “the problem of the 20th century is the problem of the color line, the relation of the darker to the lighter races in Asia and Africa, in America and the islands of the sea.” Brother Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. understood that problem very well, especially as a witness to the independence of the first African nation in the 20th century and as a leader of the struggle for freedom and justice in the United States. Brother Robert L. Harris, Jr., Ph.D., is National Historian for the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and serves as Vice Provost and Professor of African American History at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.

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MLK Memorial Project Foundation Names Builder for Washington, D.C. Monument Outgrowth of Nation’s Oldest Minority Architectural Firm to Oversee Project Construction

Photos by Gediyon Kifle

he Washington, D.C. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation announced the firms of McKissack & McKissack, Turner Construction Company, Gilford Corporation and Tompkins Builders, Inc. will serve as the Design-Build team for the memorial. McKissack & McKissack of Washington, D.C. is an African-American, woman-owned architecture and program/construction management firm and will have executive oversight of the project. The firm is an outgrowth of the oldest, continually minority-owned architecture/ engineer firm in the U.S., dating back before the Civil War.

Above: MLK Memorial Project officials and Build-Design team members pictured during the announcement are: (l-r) Hilton O. Smith, Senior Vice President, Turner Construction Company; Darryl R. Matthews, Sr., Fraternity General President and Vice Chairman of the MLK National Memorial Project Foundation Board; Deryl McKissack, President and CEO, McKissack & McKissack; Harry E. Johnson, Sr., President and CEO, MLK National Memorial Project Foundation; and Henry Gilford, President and CEO, Gilford Corporation.

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By Raymond P. Moore

he Washington, D.C. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation announced that the African American-owned architectural and construction management firm McKissack & McKissack of Washington, D.C. will have executive oversight of construction for the memorial on the National Mall honoring Dr. King. Selection of McKissack & McKissack to lead the design-build team, which comprises the Turner Construction Company, Gilford Corporation and Tompkins Builders, Inc., marks the final leg of the important project to honor one of the world’s greatest humanitarians. To date, the MLK Memorial Project Foundation has raised more than $79 million, which is due to the support of a wide range of corporations, foundations, organizations and individuals. Brothers of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. have steadfastly taken the lead in supporting the fundraising efforts through a varied approach. To accurately reflect the Fraternity’s active fundraising efforts, it is necessary when donations are submitted to the Memorial Foundation that members indicate the name of the Chapter that solicited the donation, as well as the name of the Brother sending the funds, clearly on the correspondence. On occasion, donations have come into the office without a trace as to what Chapter and/or Brother solicited the donation. For example, an Alpha Chapter in Clearwater, Florida may have solicited a local dental office and sent in a donation of $2,000. The Memorial Foundation would have no idea that the gift was solicited through an Alpha chapter until possibly hearing it from a Brother at a Regional Conference and then checking its donation report and reconciling the donation as solicited from a chapter. Please pass along the message to: make sure when checks are sent into the MLK Project Foundation office that the name of the Chapter and or Brother is referenced. Please send the message in an e-mail blast to your District Chairs and

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CONGRESS OF RACIAL EQUALITY Honors Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity for MLK National Memorial Leadership

(l-r) CORE Chairman Roy Innis, General President Darryl R. Matthews, Sr., and CORE Executive Director George Holmes.

Brother Darryl Matthews addresses CORE’s Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration.

Chapter Presidents to communicate to chapter members who are involved in fundraising initiatives for the MLK Memorial. If proper notification is not made, the MLK Memorial Foundation cannot give proper credit to the Chapter and or Brother. In order to ensure the accuracy of Fraternity donations please reference your name and Chapter with the donation. Thanks to the support and hard work of the Fraternity’s

lpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. was honored for its “outstanding leadership in bringing the concept of a King National Memorial in Washington, D.C. to reality” at the Congress of Racial Equality’s (CORE) 2007 Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Celebration. General President Darryl R. Matthews, Sr. received the award on behalf of the Fraternity. CORE’s 23rd Annual Ambassadorial Reception and Awards Dinner in observance of the King Federal Holiday was held January 15, 2007 at the New York Hilton Hotel in New York City. More than 2,000 people attended, including Ambassadors from 88 countries around the world. In addition to the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, other honorees at the MLK Celebration and Awards Dinner included Ms. Ayaan Hirsi Ali, a native of Somalia who fled the Muslim country and sought asylum in the Netherlands where she educated herself and became a member of the Dutch Parliament and an outspoken advocate for women’s rights; Dr. Frederick K.C. Price, founder and Senior Pastor for the Crenshaw Christian Center and also founder of the first and longest running television ministry, “Ever Increasing Faith Ministry”; and calypso legend Dr. Slinger Fransisco, also know as “The Mighty Sparrow”, who received CORE’s 2007 Lifetime Achievement Award.

Brothers the global project to build a memorial in honor of Brother King’s principles of Democracy, Justice, Love and Hope will be available for current and future generations to come. Brother Raymond P. Moore is Assistant Fundraising Developer with the Washington, D.C. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Project.

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PROJECT ALPHA SPONSORED INTERNATIONALLY AS BROTHERS IN THE CARIBBEAN ADDRESS AT-RISK YOUTH BEHAVIOR By Wilbur Jackson

roject Alpha continues to serve the community and is being sponsored internationally with the help of Alpha Brothers in the Caribbean. The effectiveness of Project Alpha is shown through the success of chapters in the Caribbean. Brothers from The Virgin Islands, The Bahamas and Bermuda have years of experience delivering exemplary programs. Hundreds of young men have benefited from the hard work and dedication of the Caribbean Brothers, resulting in a reduction of teen pregnancy and more responsible decision-making by the young men impacted by Project Alpha. Epsilon Theta Lambda in Bermuda has continually offered Project Alpha since March 2000. The Chapter offered the program to middle schools, high schools, mentoring programs, as well as church youth groups. They are frequently called upon to conduct the program as the “male” version of sexual education when Teen Services, an organization designed to assist youth (female specific) with all aspects of adolescent life, is requested. It has been their goal to conduct the program, at minimum, twice a year. They have been successful and by June 2007, they had conducted the program four times in the year and a total of 18 times since they started the program in 2000. Iota Sigma Lambda chapter of the U.S. Virgin Islands has been delivering Project Alpha since 2000 with their most recent program having been conducted on March 17, 2007 when they reached 35 youth. The March program was co-sponsored with the Rotary Club of St. Croix, demonstrating the global appeal of Project Alpha. It continues to be difficult to accurately assess the impact of Project Alpha through hard data. Tens of thousands in the continental U.S. have benefited from the program since its inception in the late 1970s. The Caribbean programs have been equally as beneficial by reaching thousands across the various communities. Epsilon Theta Lambda’s program has reached over 800 since its start in 2000.

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Iota Sigma Lambda Brothers in the U.S. Virgin Islands have partnered with schools and other agencies in sponsoring Project Alpha. Brothers are pictured (back row) with Project Alpha co-sponsors and youth.

The key to successful programming for Project Alpha starts with the Implementation Guide and S.T.A.T.S. and Curriculum. These tools developed in partnership with the March of Dimes, provide a comprehensive platform to launch the program. Epsilon Theta Lambda followed the guidelines and trained facilitators from their many partners throughout their community. They found willing partners in Teen Services; YouthNet, a local mentoring program; local church groups; and local schools, including the Berkeley Institute, CedarBridge Academy, Spice Valley Middle School and Dellwood Middle School. Iota Sigma Lambda has partnered with schools and other agencies, including the Positive Connection Alternative School, Juvenile Intensive Support Services, and the Boy Scouts of America. These partnerships proved helpful in serving more youth by going to where they spend their day. Partnering also brings the entire community together to support its most treasured resource—the youth.

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Chapters that integrate Project Alpha into more longitudinal comprehensive mentoring programs realize more success in improving the behavior and performance of its students. The Caribbean chapters have implemented such longitudinal programs. The integration occurs with Alpha Beautillions; Go-to-High School, Go-to-College; Boy Scouts of America; and many other locally defined mentoring programs. Brother Samuel Sanes of Iota Sigma Lambda found a creative way to use the Project Alpha curriculum in his profession. Brother Sanes reports: “As a former manager of the Crisis and Stabilization Center, I was responsible for the day to day treatment of youth between the ages of 9 and 17 with psychological, behavioral and emotional problems. I often incorporated segments of the Alphas Project in their group therapy sessions. I’m currently doing volunteer work as a Youth Intervention Consultant, therefore enabling me to utilize parts of the Alpha Project into my therapeutic sessions.” Although it remains difficult to scientifically prove the impact of Project Alpha, many examples of success continue to encourage the Brothers’ efforts. Direct feedback from the youth served consistently shows the program’s success in positively affecting behavior. By teaching responsible decision-making regarding sex, relationships and sexual activity and promoting abstinence, the Caribbean Brothers have observed a marked improvement in behavior.

Brothers state that comments from the evaluation forms indicate an increased knowledge base, positive interaction with the opposite sex, and numerous “friend” referrals. Each program is followed by youth requests for additional seminars and interactions. Anecdotally, there are many success stories that continue to prove the value and continued need for Project Alpha. Brother David Sinclair Minors, Project Alpha Coordinator for Epsilon Theta Lambda, tells the following story: “We had a young man, ‘DJ’ (not his real name) attend the program. DJ was a high-risk student, age 15, with low grades, discipline issues and he was sexually experienced. He was referred to the program—it was not his choice to attend. For that specific session, we had chosen to conduct Session 1: Role and Responsibility and Session 5: Intimate Violence in Relationships. Through the small group session, it was revealed that he had experience with violence in his relationships—namely, he had hit ex-girlfriends and the like. I took an opportunity during a break to pull him aside and speak to him about his history. We were able to locate the source of his anger and frustration. His father had physically abused his mother for years before they divorced. He was a product of his environment. After a heart to heart, we agreed that he did not have to ‘mirror’ his father’s mistakes in his relationships—he could be his ‘own’ man. This concept was a revelation to him—he was not used to someone giving him the respect to make

Project Alpha is presented to students at the Dellwood School in Bermuda by a member of the Epsilon Theta Lambda Chapter there.

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Students at the Berkeley Institute in Bermuda learn about Project Alpha.

that decision. In short, DJ left the session that day with a renewed sense of self-awareness and confidence. DJ is now overseas in a university studying hospitality and is in a long-term relationship, which he believes is ‘the one’. (I spoke with him the last time he returned home—in passing on the street.)” Bro. Samuel Sanes of Iota Sigma Lambda comments that: “Due to my association with the Alternative School, I was able to keep in touch with four of the young males that we served. On various occasions, we spoke about some of the issues that were presented at the seminar and on two occasions one of the young men called me at my job place for advice. I truly believe that we offered these youth an opportunity to relate to a positive male role model and also the opportunity to discuss issues that otherwise would have been left unanswered.” Project Alpha excellence is required to compete for the Fraternity’s Chapter of the Year Award. It also can lead to winning the March of Dimes’ Award of Excellence for Brothers and Chapters. Brothers who win the national competition get invited to the annual March of Dimes Volunteer Leadership Conference and are recognized at the Fraternity’s General Convention. The Bermuda Alumni Chapter (Epsilon Theta Lambda) won the 2007 Eastern Regional Alumni Chapter of the Year. Their excellence in Project Alpha coupled with all their other worked distinguished

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them in this year’s competition. Brothers of the U.S. Virgin Islands (Iota Sigma Lambda) have an outstanding Project Alpha program, which is featured in a separate article in this issue of The Sphinx. Project Alpha is a male responsibility program developed by members of Iota Delta Lambda Chapter in Chicago, Illinois. Its development was a response to the growing occurrence of teen pregnancies and the lack of programs to address the male component. Over 25 years ago, the March of Dimes formed a partnership with Alpha Phi Alpha, which continues to flourish as we jointly sponsor Project Alpha across the country and now internationally. For more information or technical assistance in delivering Project Alpha contact National Coordinator Brother Craig Reed (ddnc20@ earthlink.net) and members of his team covering each region: • East – Keith Price (kmp96@aol.com) • South – Barry Cole (bcole@health.usf.edu) • Midwest – Ryzell McKinney (ryzellm@yahoo.com) • Southwest – Byron Gautier (gaut03@hotmail.com) • West – Rodney Jordan (rcjetj@cox.net) Information regarding the partnership with the March of Dimes can be found at www.marchofdimes.com. Brother Wilbur Jackson is Director of the March of Dimes Partnership for the Fraternity.

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RESPECT

YOURSELF Know

truth sex,

the about

AIDS and

teen

parenthood.

JOSEPH C. PHILLIPS ACTOR, WRITER, TEACHER AND DAD

Project

Alpha

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Photograhed by Keith Major

Saving our babies... thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nothing more worth it. Heather Headley RCA Records recording artist and Tony Award winner

One in six black babies is born prematurely. Every year, thousands of premature babies die as a result of not getting their full nine months. Join me and the March of Dimes in the fight to reduce premature births in our communities. Together, we can make the research and education possible to help save babies. Visit marchofdimes.com to learn more.

ÂŠ March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundtion, 2006

2007 Regional Conventions Offer National Programs and Projects Training

he Fraternity’s Regional Conventions were held this year in March and April with the Southwestern Region Convention being held March 22-25 in Houston, TX; the Eastern Region Convention was held March 29-April 1 in Baltimore, MD; and Southern Region Convention was held in Huntsville, AL also on March 29-April 1; the Western Region Convention held April 5-8 in Las Vegas, NV; and the Midwestern

Region Convention was held April 12-15 in Columbus, OH. The Conventions offered guidance on implementation of the Fraternity’s National Programs and Special Projects; opportunities for personal and fraternal development; informational and interactive health fairs; and financial/estate planning workshops. Regional Convention scenes highlighting some of the Fraternity’s national partnerships are pictured.

Above: General President Darryl Matthews (center) addresses Brothers gathered at the MOD booth during the Western Region Convention. Above, right: Big Brothers Big Sisters team members pause for photo with BBBS of North Texas board member Dale Long (far left); General President Darryl Matthews (3rd from left); and Executive Director Willard Hall (far right) at group’s display in Las Vegas. At right: (l-r) Western Region WalkAmerica Coordinator Brother Cash Sutton; MOD National Director of Volunteer Initiatives Gwen Carmon; General President Darryl R. Matthews, Sr.; and Las Vegas City Council candidate Brother Ricky Barlow are captured in front of the March of Dimes display at the Western Region Convention.

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Harris Rosen reads to children in the Tangelo Park Program Pre-K class.

Parents Regina Bridges (2nd, right) and Tiffany Rivera (far right) attend Pre-K class with their children.

Florida Hotelier and Philanthropist Harris Rosen Offers Blueprint for Saving Communities in Crisis By Seaton White Photography by SJW Publishers, Inc.

arris Rosen who owns seven major hotel properties in Orlando, Florida and the surrounding area sounded much like an exultant school principal—proud of the accomplishments of his students—when we met recently at Tangelo Park Elementary School in Orlando. Students at the elementary school come largely from Tangelo Park, which formerly was a community in crisis characterized by illegal drugs and crime; and many of the residents in the African American community were on welfare. In recent years, students there have scored “A” ratings on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT). On the most recent FCAT, which introduced science topics, the school scored a “B” rating. “We’re one of the few schools in a disadvantaged neighborhood that is rated as highly as we are,” said Harris Rosen who adopted the Tangelo Park Community in 1994, providing Pre-K schooling for 2-to-4 year olds and scholarships to high school graduates. “We had been an “A” school three of the last four years. Now

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we’ve been an “A-B” school for four of the last five years,” he said. Since Harris Rosen adopted the community 13 years ago, he has invested about $7 million in the community and its Pre-K and high school scholarship programs. In that period the Tangelo Park program has provided more than 200 college scholarships, and high school dropout rates have gone from 25 percent in 1993 to less than 6 percent today. Also during that period, Tangelo Park has experienced an eradication of illegal drug dealing; a 70 percent drop in crime; most welfare families are now working for incomes—many for his hotel properties; and home values have increased from an average $45,000 to $150,000.

Florida Hotelier The founder and president of Rosen Hotel and Resorts, Harris Rosen also is a trustee at the University of Central Florida and philanthropist who gives his money and time to the less fortunate and other special concerns.

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Harris Rosen is pictured in front of Tangelo Park Elementary School.

Born and raised on New York City’s lower eastside, he recounts how he lived his childhood and adolescence with his family in a small high-rise apartment in an impoverished neighborhood. After graduating from high school, he attended Cornell University where he received a B.S. degree from the School of Hotel Administration. Following college, he served three years in the U.S. Army as an officer in Germany and South Korea; and then completed the Advanced Management course at the University of Virginia’s Graduate School of Business on a Hilton Corp. scholarship. He began his hotel career at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City as a convention salesman. He continued with the Hilton Hotel Corporation and occupied various management positions in some of the larger Hilton Hotels. His career eventually led him to the Disney Company in California as Director of Hotel Planning. In 1974, he left Disney to purchase a 256-room Quality Inn in Orlando. Today, with 728 rooms, it is the second largest Quality Inn in the chain. Along the way, he acquired several other hotel prop-

erties and over the course of the last 30 years, his company has grown from 256 rooms to 6,300. About four years ago, he acquired 250 acres of land near the Orlando/Orange County Convention Center. On the site, he developed his newest property, the 1,500room Rosen Shingle Creek resort that opened on his birthday, September 9, 2006, and is the location of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity’s 101st Anniversary Convention. Harris Rosen has been chosen by the Fraternity to receive its highest award given to a nonmember—the Alpha Award of Honor—during the 2007 Convention for his extraordinary service to the general welfare of the community and his contributions to humanity.

Duplicating Tangelo Park’s Success Harris Rosen sees Tangelo Park’s turnaround as a combined effort between those who care about the community. “The neighborhood has to care and this neighborhood association has been fantastic,” he said.

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Above: Parent Regina Bridges, a former Tangelo Park Program scholarship recipient, thanks Harris Rosen for the opportunity during a surprise meeting. At Right: Pre-K caregiver Georgia Gordon talks with children.

“When I came here the neighborhood was already transforming itself. People had said ‘We’ve had enough. We’re fed up.’ And the community was really becoming active. And then I kind of transitioned in at the perfect time.” The local sheriff’s department recognized the community association’s intimate involvement and realized they had a partner in dealing with crime there. Now everyone involved is proud of what has happened at Tangelo Park and shares the credit. “And this can go on in other places,” Mr. Rosen said. “It need not be isolated to Tangelo Park. That’s what’s so frustrating.” In an effort to duplicate Tangelo Park’s success in other troubled Orlando neighborhoods, Harris Rosen has presented his program and its results to other individuals, foundations and corporations in the Orlando area in hopes that they would adopt similar disadvantaged communities. “I’ve been reaching out to some of the Chamber of Commerce’s more affluent members and associates and I haven’t gotten a response,” he said. “There are some neighborhoods in

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Orlando that desperately need this program and the same changes that occurred here would give those kids hope.” Crime in those communities would decrease dramatically, students would go on to graduate from high school and many would continue their education and graduate from college, he said. The private hotel chain owner also said he has come to the sad conclusion that many others who are in a position to help the less fortunate simply do not care, even though they have the financial wherewithal to do something about the conditions. Pointing to a recent report by the Secretary of Education that stated if the country could get those students who are not graduating from high school to attain their diplomas, the U.S. economy would save $250 billion a year—Harris Rosen says the value in his program is its substantial increase in high school graduation rates, which comes with an economic return to society. “If (the affluent) are not concerned about doing the right thing, then let them set that aside and just think about the country,” he said. “If it is documented that just getting all of these

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YMCA playground equipment was recently donated by Harris Rosen.

youngsters to graduate from high school would benefit us by $250 billion, then forget about the emotional component and do it from a practical perspective. Do it because it’s for the benefit of the United States of America. And these youngsters will lead productive lives, they will pay taxes, they will have homes, they will have families and they will have jobs.”

Economic Development Report A recent economic development report conducted by a professor at the University of Chicago showed there would be a return to society of $7 to $9 for every dollar invested in such programs. The report—which was prepared at the request of the Tangelo Park program for the benefit of individuals, foundations and corporations considering instituting a similar community adoption initiative—stated that society spends between $100,000 and $150,000 a year for each individual who is incarcerated. If five, six or seven people less are incarcerated each year because of the program, more than a half-million dollars

will be saved. If students continue their education and graduate from college, they make $1 million dollars more over their lifetime than a high school graduate; and if they get a post-graduate degree, they make $1 million more than a college graduate over their lifetime. Mr. Rosen is hoping that major league sports franchises, such as the NBA, NFL and NHL whose stadiums are traditionally in downtown urban areas will hear about the program and use the Tangelo Park template to adopt the neighborhoods surrounding their arenas. “Wouldn’t that be fantastic? Our society in 15 years would be so different that we wouldn’t recognize it.” Another great obstacle to affluent individuals and groups adopting communities is that it is not a one-time deal, Mr. Rosen said. “It’s not just writing a check and shaking somebody’s hand and then moving on and doing something else.” Adopting a community means being there day-in and day-out, for years and years and that may be a disadvantage for some foundations, he said.

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At Left: Pre-K caregiver Georgia Gordon and Program Supervisor Patti Jo Church-Houle listen in as Harris Rosen reads to children Below Left: YMCA weight-room equipment was recently donated. Below: The Family Life Center was recently added to the Tangelo Park YMCA.

A Head Start “I’ve observed here in Tangelo Park over 13 years or so, that there is as much intellectual talent in the most disadvantaged neighborhoods as there is in the most affluent neighborhood,” said Mr. Rosen. “I’ve seen these kids and when you talk to these 2-, 3and 4-year-olds, they are way ahead. I don’t care where the other kids come from, if they haven’t had the 2-, 3-, 4-year-old experience, we’re ahead of them.” About 324 Pre-K children—who have since entered regular school—have participated in the Tangelo Park program since it began in 1994, states Patti Jo Church-Houle, Family Service Center Coordinator and Supervisor of the community’s 2-to-4-Year-Old Program. That total does not include about 54 children currently enrolled in the program who have yet to enter regular school. Children in the Pre-K program must be residents of Tangelo Park and their parents or guardians must supply information veri-

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fying residency. Once a student leaves the community, they are no longer eligible to continue in the program. The academic progress of former Pre-K students is tracked by Ms. Church-Houle as they go through regular school. The first students enrolled in the Pre-K program when it began will start the 8th grade this coming school year. “We’ve had the kindergarten teachers tell us that our children come much more prepared,” said Ms. Church-Houle, who began as a second-grade teacher at the elementary school 18 years ago. “And I expect that those kids—every one of them—will graduate from high school and traditionally in the United States, African American communities are graduating somewhere between 40 and 45 percent from high school,” Mr. Rosen added. The community’s Pre-K and high school scholarship programs have caused a lot of area residents to try to find housing in Tangelo Park. Parents want their children to receive the educational benefits being offered.

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University of Central Florida Hospitality School.

The scholarship program offers full tuition, money for books, and room and board for any graduating high school student at Tangelo Park who pursues additional education at a Florida fouryear college or university, community college or trade school. Juanita D. Reed, Guidance Counselor at Dr. Phillips High School and Secretary of the Tangelo Park Committee, serves as coordinator of the Tangelo Park Scholarships Program, which to date has given scholarships to 183 of the community’s high school graduates (that figure does not include class of 2007 scholarships). Thus far, 45 scholarship recipients have received Bachelor degrees; eight have receive AA or AS degrees; and nine have received vocational certificates. In addition, several students continued their education and earned advanced degrees including, six Master’s degrees, one Juris Doctorate and one Doctor of Microbiology degree. The Pre-K and scholarship programs have been endowed and a Foundation was established to ensure that the program continues. Also the Tangelo Park Committee has received a pledge from

the local government that the elementary school will be replaced in three-to-four years with a brand new one. Returning Students A couple of the scholarship program graduates have returned to Tangelo Park Elementary School to teach; while another outstanding scholarship recipient has gone on to become an attorney and Orange County commissioner. “About six months ago, I was picking up a prescription,” Mr. Rosen said. “I went to the prescription window and a very nice young fellow was there and said ‘you’re Mr. Rosen aren’t you’? And I said ‘yeah’. He said ‘my name is so and so and I live in Tangelo Park and I’m studying to be a pharmacist’. And that happens all the time,” he said. Less than an hour after Harris Rosen made the statement, it happened again. We visited the home of Georgia Gordon, one of the PreK program caregivers, and in the home with her and the children

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were two of the students’ parents. hotel properties also reflect One of the parents, Regina Bridges, diverse segments of the community had attended Florida State A&M —with welfare rights groups, the University on a Tangelo Park scholJewish Community Center, African arship. She received a Bachelor’s American fraternities, sororities and degree in criminal justice with a churches, Pakistani physicians and minor in social work. During our many others choosing to bring their visit to the Pre-K home, she conventions to Rosen properties reached out to thank Mr. Rosen for because they have heard what Rosen the opportunity. is doing at Tangelo Park and in the In a touching moment, Ms. broader community. Bridges told Mr. Rosen she felt Children in Tangelo Park’s Pre-K Program. Among his many other philgrateful for his heart and his anthropic interests, Harris Rosen desire to come into the Tangelo donated property to the University Park community and make a change and afford others an opporof Central Florida and built the UCF Hospitality School there. The protunity to receive an education that would be very difficult for many gram has grown from 75 to 2,500 students and is the fastest growing of the families to provide for their children. college in the U.S. It is listed as one of the top three in the county. Following graduation from Florida A&M, Ms. Bridges found Prior to the hospitality building’s construction, the hotel employment with the Orange County Jails in a non-certified position as school was under the UCF business school. Mr. Rosen—disapan officer who monitored the activities of the inmates. Following nearpointed that Central Florida, one of the great tourist destinations ly eight years there, she moved to her current position where she in the world did not offer more in the way of hospitality trainworks in a youth program for children in residential care. ing—went to the UCF dean and offered to donate 20 acres of Tangelo Park, which was once ignored by the local governland for the school and to build the college and apartments for ment, has now begun to receive their attention. With the help of the the students. Orange County government, a recreational park will be built there UCF Hotel School students are now being gobbled up by that will allow them to hold golf and basketball training sessions. Disney, Universal, the Convention Center and other segments of the To help keep the Tangelo Park community physically fit, Rosen tourist industry in Central Florida. Students graduate with three or Harris has added a new facility to the YMCA, which includes a gym, four job offers. Ritz Marriott currently has about 100 of the stuweight lifting room and a basketball court. The effort has already dents and Rosen Hotels has about 20 students working there. paid off. Last year, the five starting players on the Dr. Phillips High The Rosen Hotels also have their own family care clinic with School basketball team were from Tangelo Park and three of the their own doctors. With such a diverse staff and employees workfive starting players on the girl’s basketball team were also from ing there from around the world, the clinic doctors are seeing disTangelo Park. Meanwhile, the football coach at Dr. Phillips High eases they thought were eradicated, such as tuberculosis and HIV School now comes to Tangelo Park to participate in their meetings from Haiti employees and strange points of sores and infections and recruit from the location. from South and Central America. The medical center, which has been operating for about 15 Diversity Cornerstone years, is located at the Quality Inn, the company’s first property, Harris Rosen’s business and philanthropic interests extend to where Mr. Rosen’s office has remained for the past 33 years. The many different communities. “We’re perceived as a company that is medical center has about 500 employees and hotel employees and about as diverse as you can find. That’s one of our cornerstones,” their families can be treated there for major operations, such as he says. When someone walks into a Rosen hotel, he wants them to heart by-pass surgery, at minimal cost to employees. The medical get the impression they are seeing a rainbow. center enables the hotel to keep health per covered life costs far His hotels have people from all over the world working in them. below some of the nation’s other institutions. The Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel and Resort was built with 41 nationaliThe center also offers special programs for such things as ties represented during the construction. There are people from over obesity, hypertension, diabetics; and offers reduced health club 100 countries represented on the hotel staff. Conventions at his membership fees.

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Portrait of Louisiana Court of Appeal Judge Ernest N. Morial.

Spring â&#x20AC;˘ Summer 2007

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Portrait of 23 General President Hung in Louisiana Court of Appeal

he commissioned portrait of 23rd General President and former Louisiana Court of Appeal, Fourth Circuit Judge Ernest N. “Dutch” Morial was hung in the New Orleans appellant court following a recent portrait unveiling ceremony. Judges of the Court of Appeal, Fourth Circuit sat en banc to honor the judicial career of Brother Ernest Morial, who was elected to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal in 1974 and served until 1978. He was the first African American to sit on the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal bench and later was elected as Mayor of New Orleans. Members of the Morial family attended the ceremony, which was highlighted by the portrait unveiling. The portrait will hang in the third-floor Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal courtroom at 400 Royal Street in New Orleans. At the time of the unveiling, Chief Judge Joan Bernard Armstrong stated: “This court gratefully accepts this portrait of our colleague. It is a most generous gift from his devoted family.” Other Court of Appeal judges present with Chief Judge Armstrong included Judges Charles R. Jones, Patricia R. Murray, James F. McKay, Dennis R. Bagneris, Sr., Michael E. Kirby, Terri F. Love, Max N. Tobias, David S. Gorbaty, Edwin A. Lombard, Leon A. Cannizzaro and Roland L. Belsome, Jr. Danielle Scott, Clerk of Court, also was in attendance.

National Urban League President and CEO Brother Marc H. Morial, son of the 23rd General President and former New Orleans Mayor, provided remarks on behalf of the Morial family during the unveiling ceremony. He noted that prior to joining the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal bench, his father had a distinguished

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Brother Marc Morial presents remarks on behalf of the Morial family during portrait unveiling ceremony while his son looks on.

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career as an attorney in private practice; and that his father was the first African American in a number of positions throughout his inspirational life. “In addition to breaking new ground at the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal, “Dutch” was the first African American to graduate from Louisiana State University (LSU) Law School, to serve as an Assistant United States Attorney, to serve as a Juvenile Court Judge in Louisiana, and to serve as the Mayor of New Orleans,” Brother Marc Morial said. Brother Ernest N. Morial received a B.S. degree in Business Administration from Xavier University in 1951 and he received his J.D. degree from Louisiana State University Law School in 1954. During his early years of practicing law in New Orleans, Brother Morial was a cooperating attorney with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Inc. and president of the New Orleans Chapter of the NAACP. Locally, he fought for equal rights by handling many suits, which resulted in the elimination of segregation policies at various institutions including: Delgado Trade School, the New Orleans Municipal Auditorium, Louisiana State University in New Orleans, Southwestern (now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette), and Southeastern Louisiana University at Hammond. Brother Dutch Morial was extensively involved in civic and community service programs locally and nationally. He was appointed by President John F. Kennedy as a charter member of the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and was a member of the Steering Committee of the Section on Individual Rights and Responsibilities of the American Bar Association. He was a founder and former president of the New Orleans Legal Assistance Corporation. In addition, Brother Morial taught at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, Tulane University Law School, Xavier University, the Loyola University Institute of Politics and Southern University in New Orleans. As Mayor of New Orleans, Brother Dutch Morial was one of New Orleans most honored chief executives and distinguished himself as one of the nation’s foremost urban leaders. He frequently testified before congressional committees and the national media recognized him as an important spokesperson for America’s cities and issues facing urban America. For his leadership positions, including development, revenue generation and civil rights, he received numerous honors and awards. Born in New Orleans in 1929, Brother Morial died in 1989 at the age of 60. He was married to Sybil H. Morial and they had five children.

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Mrs. Sybil H. Morial, standing next to portrait, is greeted with applause following the unveiling.

Brothers of Sigma Lambda Chapter in New Orleans hang portrait in the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal courtroom.

Members of the Morial Family and Sigma Lambda Chapter Brothers are pictured following the portrait unveiling.

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For one hundred years the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity has worked tirelessly to improve the lot of AfricanAmericans, striving for equality, education, and full participation in American life. W.E.B. Dubois, Jesse Owens, Duke Ellington, Edward Brooke, Thurgood Marshall, Andrew Young, and Martin Luther King, Jr. are among the countless Alpha men who have dedicated their lives to “scholarship, manly deeds, and love for all mankind.” The history of these men is the story of America, and their place in the vanguard of African American progress in unparalleled. This is the story of Alpha Phi Alpha’s century of leadership and service. Order Online today at www.apa1906.net www.apa1906.net Limited Supplies Available

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HEIRS OF A LEADERSHIP LEGACY A testament to the vision and efforts of Alpha Phi Alpha’s early leaders and Brothers elected to Congress before them, the Fraternity’s Eight members in the 110th Congress are heirs of a Legacy of Leadership and Service to all mankind.

ALPHA PHI ALPHA CONGRESSMEN (PAST

AND

Edward W. Brooke Emanuel Cleaver Danny Davis William Dawson Ronald V. Dellums Julian C. Dixon Chaka Fattah Floyd Flake Harold Ford, Sr. William H. Gray, III

CURRENT)

Al Green Earl F. Hilliard Gregory Meeks Ralph Metcalfe Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Charles B. Rangel David Scott Robert C. Scott Bennett Stewart Andrew Young

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HEIRS OF A LEADERSHIP LEGACY: Alpha Phi Alpha’s Eight Members of the 110th Congress

By Kouri C. Marshall

n the early 1900s, at the turn of the 20th century, African Americans were left to respond to offensive philosophies that sought to separate them from their inherent rights. Faced with poll taxes, literacy tests, and grandfather clauses designed to dissuade them from voting, the road to equality looked long for African Americans and political power appeared far off in the distance. It was in this atmosphere of fading hope that the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity was born with a vision to forever change the U.S. sociopolitical landscape. Early in the Fraternity’s history, the Men of Alpha had an impact on the nation’s governing body—determining that African Americans would someday have a seat at the congressional table of commerce, exert political influence and walk in the halls of justice. One of the Fraternity’s founders, Jewel Brother Robert Harold Ogle, became a political pioneer and trailblazer by serving on Capitol Hill as a professional staff member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations. Though some of those early Alphas may not have lived long enough to witness the day when African Americans took a seat at the helm of power that controls the direction of U.S. American public policy, our Fraternity Brothers who serve today in the 110th U.S. Congress stand as a testament to their vision and efforts to change the nation’s sociopolitical structure. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity’s eight Brothers currently serving the public good in the 110th Congress have become heirs of the legacy set forth by those early Alphas. In their dedication to service and demonstration of love for all mankind, they join with other highly esteemed members of our Fraternity who over the last century have answered the high call of service and responded

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to the needs of our community. We are proud that our Brothers Congressmen Emmanuel Cleaver, Danny Davis, Chaka Fattah, Al Green, Gregory Meeks, Charlie Rangel, Bobby Scott and David Scott hold elected office in the U.S. House of Representatives. Allow me to present to you the professional and biographical sketches of Alpha Phi Alpha’s very own Eight Members of the 110th Congress! LEADERS AMONG LEADERS THE HONORABLE EMMANUEL CLEAVER II Congressman The Reverend Brother Emmanuel Cleaver II hails from the “Show Me State” of Missouri. He is the Democratic Representative from the state’s 5th Congressional District. This Alpha Brother has had a long history of breaking barriers and demonstrating what it means to be “first of all.” Congressman Cleaver was the first African American to be elected mayor of Kansas City, Missouri where he was a staunch advocate for job creation, economic development, city planning and youth outreach. Not only did he make history by his election, he also went on to serve a second term as mayor. Because of his outstanding leadership in Kansas City, Brother Congressman Cleaver earned a two-term position as President of the National Conference of Black Mayors. Before serving as mayor of Kansas City, Brother Cleaver served 12 years as a City Councilman in Kansas City. Born in Waxahachie, Texas, Brother Cleaver graduated from Prairie View A&M University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology. He furthered his education in Kansas City, Missouri at St. Paul’s School of Theology where he earned a Master of Divinity degree. Brother Cleaver once jokingly referred to himself as an

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In 2000, Brother Meeks (center) led a congressional delegation on a visit to the New York Stock Exchange and United Nations.

“ordained debt doctor”. He is an ordained Methodist Minister and serves as Senior Pastor at St. James United Methodist Church in Kansas City. One of Brother Cleaver’s rallying calls is for underserved communities to relinquish themselves from financial debt and to remember their debt to Jesus Christ. Serving his first term in Congress, Brother Cleaver is already making great strides to make housing practices equitable. He is a member of the Financial Services Committee and is the sponsor of House Resolution 118 (H. Res. 118) that condemns the existence of racially exclusive covenants in housing documents that have been historically used to keep African Americans from moving into certain subdivisions and rental units. This legislation urges other states to take measures eliminating this type of language in housing documents so that all citizens living in residential communities can experience the true benefits of our racially diverse nation. Congressman Cleaver is married to Dianne Cleaver, his wife of 30 years, and has four grown children and three grandchildren who will benefit from a man who has answered the high call of service. Congressman Cleaver’s community honored him by naming one its major thoroughfares “Emmanuel Cleaver II Boulevard.” THE HONORABLE DANNY K. DAVIS The next of Alpha’s Eight Members in Congress is Brother Danny K. Davis. Congressman Davis is the Democratic Representative from the 7th Congressional District in the Great State of Illinois. This state has produced three African American high-level political candidates for the office of President of the United States, including The Reverend Jesse Jackson, U.S. Senator Carole Moseley Braun, and most recently, U.S. Senator Barack Obama. Brother

Congressman Davis is a veteran public servant having served as a member of Congress for over 11 years. He is respected all across the land for his dedication to the ex-offenders who desire to become positive contributors to their communities. Congressman Davis introduced House Resolution 1593 (H.R. 1593), the 2nd Chance Act, to the 110th Congress. H.R. 1593 is designed to rehabilitate and prepare ex-offenders to integrate into society as common citizens who have access to equal employment, housing and other opportunities once they are released from correctional facilities. Brother Davis has spent a lifetime advocating for underrepresented communities as an educator, community organizer, health administrator and civil rights advocate. He represents a district in the third-largest city in the U.S. and this requires him to make many tough decisions regarding health care, education, job opportunities, and fair housing. Proven to be a fearless leader, Brother Davis has represented his District well. Before joining Congress, he served 11 years as a Chicago City Council member where he was an Alderman of the 29th Ward; subsequently, he served six years as a member of the Cook County Board of Commissioners. As a seasoned legislator and humanitarian, Congressman Davis has traveled throughout Africa, Europe, Asia, South and Central America, and the Middle East promoting positive human relations and diplomacy. He serves as Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Federal Workforce, Postal Service and District of Columbia. Congressman Davis has served in many positions in the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), currently serving as the CBC Secretary. Brother Davis was born in Parkdale, Arkansas and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Arkansas AM&N College (now known

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as the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff). He later earned both a Master’s degree from Chicago State University and a Doctoral degree from the Union Institute in Cincinnati, Ohio. Congressman Davis is married to Vera G. Davis, has two sons, and is a Deacon at the New Galilee Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago. THE HONORABLE CHAKA FATTAH Congressman Chaka Fattah is the Democratic Representative from the 2nd District of the Pennsylvania Commonwealth. Congressman Fattah is a native of the Quaker State, a place where the historical record demonstrates the promotion of educational equality for African American children through the opening of nonsegregated schools in the late 1700s. Brother Congressman Fattah has a very long and distinguished history in public service and is currently serving his seventh term in Congress. Brother Fattah has a distinguished track record of promoting education for underserved communities. He is the sponsor of GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) signed into law in 1998, which is the largest pre-college awareness program in the history of our nation. GEAR UP has provided assistance to millions of children by contributing nearly $2 billion toward educational advancement for low-income students. On the local level, Congressman Fattah has been instrumental in providing over $7 million toward advancing the education of Philadelphia’s youth through the CORE (College Opportunity Resources for Education) Philly Scholarship, the first city-wide scholarship designed to provide monetary assistance to every Philadelphia high school graduate. During his tenure in Congress, Brother Fattah has reached phenomenal legislative success through the College Retention

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Program that has provided more than a million students with grants, low interest loans and college work study assistance. While education has been at the forefront of Congressman Fattah’s legislative agenda, he also has been progressive in preserving our right to vote. After the controversial 2000 election, involving the hanging CHAD’s (Card Hole Aggregate Debris), Brother Fattah served as an original co-sponsor to the Help America Vote Act of 2002, which gave monetary incentives to states that replaced contentious punch card voting machines. Before joining Congress, Brother Fattah served six years as a State Representative and another six years as a State Senator. He currently serves on the House Appropriations Committee, a committee charged with overseeing $800 billion in discretionary spending; and the Subcommittee on Homeland Security, to name a few. Time Magazine named Congressman Fattah one of the country’s most 50 promising leaders. Brother Fattah is a lifelong resident of Philadelphia and attended the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, the University of Pennsylvania’s Fels School of State and Local Government where he earned a Master’s degree in Government Administration. He also completed the Senior Executive Program for State Officials at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. Congressman Fattah is married to Attorney Renee ChenaultFattah, has four children, and is currently running for Mayor of the City of Philadelphia. THE HONORABLE AL GREEN Congressman Al Green, the Democratic Representative of the 9th Congressional District of Texas, was once honored in the City

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Left: Brother Al Green formerly served as President of the Houston Branch NAACP. Middle: Brother Bobby Scott is the first African American to be elected from Virginia to the U.S. House of Representatives since the Reconstruction Period. Right: Brother Emanuel Cleaver was the first African American to be elected mayor of Kansas City, Missouri.

of Houston by the Mayor’s Office, citing June 22, 1995 as “Al Green Day.” Congressman Green has been praised for his ability to cross racial lines and unite citizens of all cultures, ethnicities and creeds. During his ten year service as the president of the Houston Branch of the NAACP, Brother Congressman Green increased the organizations membership from 500 to 3,500 and purchased a new building. Brother Green’s career as a veteran civil rights advocate and human rights champion is marked by dedication to superior leadership and values. He serves on the Financial Services committee where he is actively working to eliminate unconscionable insurance, housing and lending practices. Brother Green has no shame in his game when it comes to representing the voiceless and unheard citizens of District 9. As the co-founder of Black and Brown Coalition, Brother Green in conjunction with Judge Armando Rodriguez is working tirelessly to unite Houston’s African American and Latino communities in order to move forward together. A recognized legal pioneer, Congressman Green was elected and served 26 years as Justice of the Peace in Houston. Years ago, as a freshman in Congress, Brother Green was successful in passing legislation to curb housing discrimination by providing $7.7 million more to fighting for housing equality. Congressman Green was born in New Orleans, Louisiana and attended Florida A&M University, Tuskegee Institute and earned a law degree from the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University (named in honor of our Alpha Brother), where he later served as an instructor. Brother Green is the co-founder of the law firm of Green, Wilson, Dewberry and Fitch.

THE HONORABLE GREGORY MEEKS Congressman Gregory Meeks is a champion for all of his constituents in New York’s 6th Congressional District and the nation alike. The Democratic Representative of the wealthiest African American congressional district in the country, Congressman Meeks has made it his duty to advocate on behalf of economic opportunity and social justice for all citizens of District 6. Representing a district that includes John F. Kennedy International Airport, Brother Congressman Meeks has used his membership on the powerful House Committee on Financial Services to enhance the living experience in his district by strengthening its economic structure and facilities. Brother Meeks is noted for giving the aviation community an economic boost in New York City and around the nation. In 2005, the Information Technology Industry Council selected Congressman Meeks as “Legislator of the Year,” for his continued service to promote growth in the business industries. In 2000, Brother Meeks led a congressional delegation on a visit to the New York Stock Exchange and United Nations—to date, this is the largest gathering of Congressional Representatives in the history of our nation at these regarded institutions. In 2006, Brother Marc Morial, representing the National Urban League, presented Congressman Meeks with the organization’s “The Congressional Leadership Award” for his courage to represent tens-of-thousands of displaced hurricane Katrina victims. Brother Marc Morial, in the footsteps of Jewel Brother Eugene Kinckle Jones, is the President and CEO of the National Urban League. Congressman Meeks was raised in East Harlem, attended New York City public schools and earned a Bachelor of Arts

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degree in History and Political Science from Adelphi University. He received his law degree from the Howard University School of Law and worked as a District Attorney, Judge and New York State Assemblyman before entering Congress. Brother Meeks is married to Simone-Marie Meeks, has two daughters and resides in Far Rockaway, Queens. THE HONORABLE CHARLES B. RANGEL This member of Alpha’s Eight Brothers in the 110th Congress is without question one of the most powerful men in our nation and the world. Congressman Charlie Rangel, the Democratic Representative from New York’s 15th District, has served an astounding 19 terms, translated into 37 years, in the U.S. Congress. He is a founding member and former chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus and was a member of the House Judiciary Committee during the President Richard Nixon impeachment hearings. “Mr. Chairman,” as he is known around Capitol Hill, made a historic rise to the position of Chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee. Since 1789 and through the present day, the House Ways and Means Committee has been regarded as the most powerful committee in Congress. Because of his dedication to service—and even though the road was filled with struggles—Brother Congressman Rangel is now the “point man” in the Congress. Serving in a position that can chastise even the President of the United States, Congressman Rangel is sailing atop the winds of change and progressive leadership. Since the committee’s inception nearly 200 years ago and now some 59 chairmen later, an African American is responsible for the governance of trillions of U.S. tax dollars.

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The author of And I Haven’t Had A Bad Day Since, Brother Congressman Rangel is a decorated war veteran who served in the Korean War and earned a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. A greatly respected resident of Harlem, Brother Rangel is doing his part to serve the residents of the 15th Congressional District of New York. He has worked tirelessly to enhance educational opportunities for lowincome students and continues to fight to deliver access to millions of underprivileged youth, veterans and ex-offenders. In 1987, Brother Rangel led an effort to include in the Internal Revenue Code the denial of tax credits for taxes paid to South Africa. This movement encouraged several Fortune 500 companies to leave South Africa. Referring to his rise to power, Brother Congressman Rangel is quoted in the July 2007 edition of Ebony Magazine as saying, “It’s no Cinderella story but it shows that if I could make it, anybody can make it!” Congressman Rangel is married to Alma Rangel, who is a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus Spouses, and he has two children. THE HONORABLE BOBBY SCOTT Congressman Bobby Scott is a true history maker! He is only the second African American from Virginia to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and the first to be elected since the Reconstruction Period. Serving his eighth term in Congress, Brother Scott is making great strides towards progress in his 3rd Congressional District of Virginia where he is the Democratic Representative. As a member on the House Committee on the Judiciary where he serves as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security, Congressman Scott is fearlessly working to protect the freedoms and liberties of U.S. citizens.

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Left: Brother Danny Davis has spent his lifetime advocating for underrepresented communities. Middle: Brother Charlie Rangel is a founding member and former chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus. Right: Education has been at the forefront of Congressman Chaka Fattah’s legislative agenda. He has been instrumental in providing millions of dollars for the education of Philadelphia’s youth.

Brother Congressman Scott also serves on the House Committee on Education and Labor, as well as the House Committee on the Budget. He is a friend to educators and respects the rights of employees to organize. As a passionate leader for Virginians, Brother Scott has placed healthcare, education, employment, economic development, crime prevention, social services and consumer protection among his legislative priorities. Continuing to demonstrate his love and admiration for our youth, Brother Scott led bipartisan legislation to deter juvenile delinquent behavior. He places emphasis on the rehabilitative aspects of the juvenile system and is looking towards the root of juvenile delinquent behavior by observing school dropout rates. Brother Scott is known throughout Congress for his advocacy on preventing race-based employment discrimination. Congressman Scott was born in Washington, D.C. and graduated from Harvard College and the Boston College of Law. THE HONORABLE DAVID SCOTT The final Brother in this listing of Alpha’s Eight Members in the 110th Congress is Congressman David Scott. Brother Scott was featured in the Summer 2002 edition of The Sphinx Magazine when he first campaigned to represent Georgia’s 13th Congressional District. Since his first campaign, he has served as the Democratic Representative of the 13th District. Congressman Scott founded Dayn-Mark Advertising, a full service advertising agency in Atlanta, Georgia and has produced many award-winning advertising campaigns for companies like Coca-Cola, Adolph Coors Company, BellSouth Corporation, DuPont Company, Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Hawks and Major League

Baseball. Brother Scott’s work as a businessman is respected and valued by many in the state of Georgia. He is the creator of the widely recognized Coors’ “Inside Black America!” radio program that was aired in Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, Baltimore, New Orleans, and Memphis for nine years. In Congress, Brother Scott is the lead sponsor on many bills that support the uplifting of underserved communities. For example, he is the chief sponsor on the Financial Literacy Act, Access to Healthcare Insurance Act, Zero Down Payment for middle- and lowincome families buying FHA insured homes, to name a few. Not only is Congressman Scott working hard in Washington, he also is very active in his District. Each year, he hosts a job fair with more than 200 of the nation’s top employers and this event has resulted in over 1,500 job seekers being hired as a result of attending the annual event. Brother Scott also hosts an annual health fair that has provided free examinations, health screenings and medicine to persons who otherwise would not have access to these invaluable services. Before being elected to Congress, Brother Scott served as a Georgia State Representative for seven years and as a Georgia State Senator for 19 years. He has paid his civic duty to his community. Brother Congressman Scott was born in Aynor, South Carolina; attended elementary school in Scranton, Pennsylvania; junior high school in Scarsdale, New York; and high school in Daytona Beach, Florida. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree with honors from Florida A&M University and an MBA degree from the prestigious Wharton School of Finance at the University of Pennsylvania. Congressman Scott is the son of a minister and is the brother-in-law of “Home Run King” Hank Aaron. He is married to Alfredia AaronKing, has two daughters, one son-in-law, and two grandchildren.

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Brother Scott is the lead sponsor on many bills that support the uplifting of underserved communities.

BROKEN GLASS CEILING COMMENTARY Withstanding a review of Alpha’s Eight Members in the 110th Congress, we find evidence that there is no such thing as a glass ceiling for an Alpha Man. One of the reasons these Eight Men of Alpha have prevailed and continue to respond to the calls of their community is because of they believe their individual contribution can affect the moral compass of our nation and the world. These Alpha Brothers are able to serve with honor and distinction because of the support of their families, friends, constituents and the Alpha Phi Alpha Brotherhood. They exemplify our position as visionary thinkers and leaders of the community. Triumphantly, Men of Alpha continue to march towards the light with the hope that we may pass on what we have learned to the next generation of young leaders. As a young Brother, I believe—when at the many Fraternity Conventions, plenary sessions, fraternal banquets, step shows and social events that I attend—that I am in a room with future City Councilmen, Mayors, State Senators and State Representatives. My generation is the next generation of Governors, U.S. Senators and candidates for the Office of President of the United States. Wouldn’t it be nice to support an Alpha for President! We are preparing to be the next wave of Alpha’s District Directors, Regional Vice Presidents and General Presidents. You see, it all goes back to the early days of the 1900s when seven men came together with a vision to “transcend all.” Charles H. Wesley coined the phrase “To the youth who march onward and upward.” Indeed this brotherhood has provided the roadmap

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to excellence through service. The work of past Men of Alpha is allowing us to transcend obstacles imbedded in former policies of segregation, discrimination and Jim Crow laws. Together we will continue to tread the path, multiplying the numbers of those who strive for truth and justice in government and society. This is to every Brother who believes in the “Light of Alpha” and demonstrates that belief through his work in the community; and is dedication to his family. It also is a salute to our Eight Alpha Brothers serving in the 110th Congress—may you soar as all Eagles must. In preparing this article, I would like to thank the Washington, D.C. and District Offices of the Eight Congressmen Brothers. I observed through my written and phone communication with the Chiefs of Staff and Communication Directors of these honorable men, that they are very proud of their affiliation with the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Brother Kouri C. Marshall is Co-founder and National President of Generation Change, Inc., a nonprofit organization with a mission to unite young leaders while encouraging them to serve poor communities. In 2005, he graduated from Eureka College (President Ronald Reagan’s alma mater) where he was the first African American elected as Homecoming King in the 150-year history of the college. He served there as president of the Black Student Union for three consecutive years, as a senior member on the Student Senate and as a member of the Board of Trustee Committees. Brother Marshall is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Public Administration at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.

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SERVANT LEADERSHIP: The Philosophy of Being a Servant Leader

By Kouri C. Marshall

n February 4, 1968, exactly two months before he was assassinated, our dear Fraternity Brother Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered a message to the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia about what it means to be a “Servant of All.” Now, I could argue that Dr. King’s message was a direct reflection of Alpha Phi Alpha’s motto, “First of All, Servants of All, We Shall Transcend All”. My question is, my good Brother: how many times do you think about why our Seven Jewels found high importance in deeming our organization as a body of “servants”? If I may, let me offer an answer as to why we are truly “Servants of All.” I do believe the Seven Jewels—relying on the splendor of their intellect—looked to biblical teachings and sought to model the leadership style of Alpha Phi Alpha after one of the greatest figures known to man, that is Jesus Christ. It was Jesus who instructed his disciples that they were placed on earth to serve instead of being served. Mark 10:42b-45 (NIV) reads: “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” With a thorough dissection of Mark 10:42b-45, we can observe the basic philosophy of servant leadership. I know the brotherhood can agree that we live in a nation that has long forgotten what it means to be a servant leader—a nation that has amnesia when it comes to putting service above self. We live in a nation that even in the midst of crisis will not look to the words of President John F. Kennedy who gave us the edict: “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.”

Brother Martin Luther King, Jr. was an example of a Servant Leader who put others before himself.

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You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve. You don’t have to know about Plato and Aristotle to serve…You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love. And you can be that servant leader. —Martin Luther King, Jr.

We must return to the sharing of the natural benevolence instilled in us by our Creator. The time is now for us to demonstrate what we can do for our country. We can continue to mentor our future through programs like Big Brothers Big Sisters. We can continue to foster the future leadership of the nation through programs like Boy Scouts of America. We can continue to host effective Go-toHigh School, Go-to-College programs. However, my good Brothers, we cannot continue to travel the path alone. We must share the idea of servant leadership with all of our neighbors, until it spills outside the borders of Alphadom. We need more of our brothers and sisters to jump on the ship of service with us. With a political climate that is as commercialized as the information we gain from the media, we do not have many options, except to reclaim the vision set forth by Jesus, our Seven Jewels and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. They were servant leaders who put others before themselves. Would many of us be here if it were not for Jesus? Would we be members of Alpha Phi Alpha if it were not for our Jewels? Would we enjoy our inherent rights as citizens of this country if it were not for Dr. King? The answer is “no”. We would not be in the positions we are in today if it were not for the fight and struggle of the servant leaders who came before us. We all know, as stated by our dear Brother Frederick Douglass, that “if there is no struggle, there is no progress.” Indeed, we must struggle for all that we expect to acquire. With an army of united servant leaders, we can have an immediate impact on our under-funded public education school systems. Good servant leaders find it very uncomfortable that African Americans comprise only 13 percent of the U.S. population but more than half of the American prison population—a travesty. A good servant leader finds it hard to understand why public schools in urban areas—funded by government tax dollars—continue to fail state and federal educational standards. Perhaps the lack of

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computer technology, dedicated teachers and the existence of outdated books could be reasons for this. A good servant leader may even be alarmed by the fact that 1.4 million out of 3.9 million disenfranchised ex-felon voters in the U.S. are African American men, an astounding 36 percent of the entire disenfranchised population. In fact, during the 2000 U.S. Presidential election, 30 percent of the eligible African American male population was barred from voting because of ex-felon voting laws. We must unite as servant leaders never have before and traverse the landscape of this great nation with the goal of making the latter greater than the former. As servant leaders who are in the process of recruiting others to join us in service, the promise of tomorrow is sealed in our hands. Knowing that, I will leave you with the words of our dear Fraternal Brother Dr. King as he expounded on what it means to serve in his “Drum Major Instinct” address: “You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve. You don’t have to know about Plato and Aristotle to serve. You don’t have to know Einstein’s theory of relativity to serve. You don’t have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve. You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love. And you can be that servant leader.” Brother Kouri C. Marshall serves as the National Vice Chair of the Fraternity’s Political Action Committee. He also serves as a member of the Mobilize.org Advisory Board; Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Illinois Advisory Board; Servepac.org Board of Directors; and as an Ambassador at the Senator Paul Simon Public Policy Institute. He is passionate about politics, servant leadership, and community organizing; and plans to work in the fields of government, public policy and international diplomacy.

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The Centennial Book of Essays and Letters LIMITED EDITION BOOK ON SALE NOW! A Blueprint for Success… Read the writings of the greatest thinkers over the past 100 years. The collection serves as a blueprint for the success of the African American community.

$69.95 plus shipping and handling Order today online or by mail at: www.APA1906.net

or MAIL (Photocopy order form before sending):

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Completed Forms Should be Mailed or faxed to: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., P.O. Box 630792, Baltimore, MD 21263-0792 or fax 410-554-0054

Alpha Brothers in Non-Elected Positions on Capitol Hill Make Things Happen By Willard C. Hall, Jr.

hroughout our history, we have noted and celebrated our Alpha Brothers who serve in elected positions at local, state and federal levels. In that tradition, we have featured our eight Brothers who serve in the U.S. Congress in this edition of The Sphinx Magazine. There also are Alpha Brothers who contribute to policy making and government efforts in various capacities outside of holding elected office. I would like to introduce you to another group serving on Capitol Hill—a group of unsung heroes. They are a group of Alpha Brothers who serve in a variety of staff positions for some of the most powerful legislators in our nation. In Spring 2006, I began communicating with Brothers Julian Norment and Ron Hamm— two Alpha men who work for a very prestigious lobbying firm. They contacted me to see how they might become more involved with the Fraternity and possibly with the Centennial Celebration. Out of those conversations began my initial conversation with Brother Sydney Jones, who works on Capitol Hill; and subsequent meetings with other Brothers you will be introduced to in the following article. During the Centennial Convention planning stages—as I worked with General President Darryl R. Matthews, Sr. and 29th General President Milton C. Davis, who served as the Chairman of the Centennial Celebration Committee—it was obvious to me that in order for us to accomplish all of the events that we planned to host in Washington, D.C., we would need assistance from a wide variety of sources. To that end, we pulled together a vast array of Brothers who were able to contribute in countless ways. They contributed in ways that—as is frequent with behind the scenes support—is often under recognized. There were a number of the Brothers on Capitol Hill who participated in the behind the scenes support. Three extremely historic events occurred during the Centennial Celebration as a result of the Capitol Hill involvement: (1) General President Matthews hosted a reception in the U.S. Capitol Building for the National Leadership. He was joined there by our eight Brothers who serve in the House of Representatives; the Fraternity’s seven living Past General Presidents; a host of other congressional leaders; and countess Alpha Brothers and guests; (2) a meeting of the Board

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of Directors was hosted in the Rayburn Office Building. This meeting was significant, as such, so that the records will permanently reflect that the governing body of our beloved Fraternity met and deliberated on Alpha business within the halls of the most powerful governing body in the world—the halls of the U.S. House of Representatives; (3) A Joint Congressional Resolution was issued, which recognized the founding and 100th Anniversary of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. These three events might not have happened without the support of Brothers Sydney Jones and James Savage. Brother James, in his position working on the staff for U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who at that time was the Minority Leader, assisted me in the efforts to obtain the two rooms that we utilized for the first two events mentioned. He made it happen! The Joint House-Senate Resolution that was mentioned and of which all Alpha Brothers should be proud, was written by Brother James Savage, in his position as a Senior Aide to Congressman Vic Snyder. I cannot thank Brother Savage enough for his efforts in bringing that historic occurrence into reality. From our earliest conversations also came the decision for me as the Executive Director to meet a couple of times a year in an informal setting with the group of Brothers serving on “The Hill”. We had our most recent meeting this past spring, almost a year from the first meeting. I updated them on matters and issues within the Fraternity, discussing things we are concerned about; and they updated me on various policy initiatives. I was pleased to see that their numbers have grown and that several of the Brothers had been promoted to positions of elevated influence and increased levels of responsibility. I encourage you to read their biographical sketches outlined in the following article. Some of these Brothers may one day become elected officials themselves. I am sure that no matter what path they take, they will continue to be in positions of influence. I am pleased to tell you that they know, understand and support the mission of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Brother Willard C. Hall, Jr., Ed.S., is Executive Director of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

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Alpha Phi Alpha Brothers Serving on Capitol Hill JOSEPH BASTIAN

TJ BEST

Staff Assistant, Office of Congresswoman Corrine Brown

Staff Assistant & Intern Coordinator, Office of Congressman Bill Pascrell

Brother Joseph Bastian from Jacksonville, Florida is the son of Linda and Godfrey Bastian. A proud 2005 graduate of Florida A&M University, Brother Bastian participated in numerous activities, including serving two years as membership chair for the FAMU chapter of the NAACP. In addition, Brother Bastian interned for the Florida Conference of Black State Legislators for State Representative Joyce Cusack and the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation in 2005. Currently, Brother Bastian works in the office of U.S. Congresswoman Corrine Brown (FL-3rd) and handles legislative matters regarding the Committee on Small Business and Postal Reform Issues. He tutors at the Maya Angelou Public Charter School in Washington, D.C. and is the current Director of Community Service and Outreach for the Congressional Black Associates. Brother Bastian was a Spring 2006 initiate through the Fraternity’s Omicron Lambda Alpha Chapter where he serves as the Chair of Mentees on the Hill. Mentees on the Hill (M.O.T.H.) was created to provide students in the Washington, D.C. area an opportunity to shadow congressional staffers, attend committee hearings and briefings, tour the Capitol facilities, meet their U.S. Representative, gain access to a mentor, and build professional experience. Similar to the youth he strives to help, Brother Joseph Bastian proclaims that he is a work in progress because all great works started as such.

Brother T.J. Best currently serves as Staff Assistant and Intern Coordinator for Representative Bill Pascrell, Jr. of New Jersey’s 8th Congressional District. Born and raised in Paterson, New Jersey, Brother Best took the position on The Hill to do his part in helping to revitalize his home town, which the congressman represents. Majoring in Political Science and Africana Studies at Rutgers University, Brother Best was initiated into the Fraternity through Delta Iota Chapter as a freshman in Spring 2001. While at Rutgers, Brother Best held every position in the Chapter over the course of four years and served as New Jersey’s Assistant District Director and NJAAPAC Vice President. In addition to his work in Alpha, Brother Best also held Executive Board positions in the United Black Council, President’s Student Advisory Board, and various other student organizations. After graduating in 2005, Brother Best remained at Rutgers as Special Assistant to the Vice President for Student Affairs where he advised student organizations and worked on projects such as designing programs to increase the enrollment of African American and Latino male students. After six years at the University as both a student and staff member, Brother Best focused his attention at home, becoming a summer school teacher at his alma mater East Side High. After witnessing the struggles that still remained in the city, Brother Best took his fight for upward mobility to Washington, D.C. In the future, Brother Best looks to use the skills and knowledge learned on Capitol Hill to aid in the direct uplifting of the downtrodden in his community by running for local office.

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ELLIOT DOOMES

CHAZMON Q. GATES

Counsel, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

Legislative Assistant, Office of Congressman Mike Ross

Brother Elliot Doomes currently serves as the Counsel for the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management on the House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. His role is to advise the Chairman of the Full Committee and the Chairwoman of the subcommittee and conduct legal research; interpret laws, rulings, and regulations for the subcommittee; prepare legal briefs; and develop strategy, arguments, and testimony in preparation for oversight of federal agencies within the subcommittee’s jurisdiction. As counsel to the subcommittee with primary jurisdiction over the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) and as a native of Louisiana, Brother Doomes enjoys working hard on examining issues that can make FEMA a better partner in the recovery of the Gulf State region and ensuring that FEMA’s response to future disasters is exemplary. Prior to working for the House Transportation Committee, he worked as a Legislative Assistant in the office of civil rights icon Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) where his primary focus was on economic development issues in the District of Columbia. Elliot Doomes holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Morehouse College, as well as a Juris Doctor from the Georgetown University Law Center, where he was President of the Black Law Students Association, a member of the Georgetown Law Journal of Gender and the Law, and a member of the Georgetown University Juvenile Justice Clinic. Brother Doomes is a Spring 2002 initiate through the Fraternity’s Omicron Lambda Alpha Chapter. He is married to Dr. Aeva Gaymon Doomes and they live in Washington, D.C. In his spare time, he enjoys playing basketball, working on community service projects, and playing with his twoyear-old daughter, Eva Doomes.

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Brother Chazmon Q. Gates is from Dallas, Texas and was a Spring 2003 initiate into the Fraternity through Gamma Delta Chapter in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. He is a 2005 graduate of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff where he was elected Student Government Association President as well as Alpha Phi Alpha Brother of the Year for the Southwestern Region. Brother Gates also is currently seeking a Master’s Degree in Government with a focus in Homeland Security at Johns Hopkins University. He came to Capitol Hill in Fall 2005 to work for Congressman Marion Berry from Arkansas where he served as a Staff Assistant until being promoted to a Legislative Correspondent. Today, Brother Chazmon Gates serves as the Legislative Assistant to Congressman Mike Ross from Arkansas (4th District) where his legislative issues include: Defense, Homeland Security, Veterans Affairs, FEMA, Transportation, and Agriculture. Brother Gates currently serves as President of the Congressional Black Associates, the leading organization on Capitol Hill for African American congressional staffers.

WILLIAM JAWANDO Legislative Assistant, Office of U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown Brother William Jawando currently serves as the Education Legislative Assistant for Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio who sits on the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. His portfolio also includes the Senator’s judiciary, telecommunications, civil rights, and election reform issues. Prior to working for Senator Brown, he worked as a legal intern in the office of then Minority Leader, Speaker Nancy Pelosi

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where his primary focus was African American outreach and contracting issues relating to Hurricane Katrina. Most recently, he worked in the office of Senator Barack Obama of Illinois, as a Legislative Aide, where his portfolio included work on education, election reform, civil liberties and poverty issues. He also worked with the Deputy Chief of Staff on African American outreach. Brother William Jawando holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Catholic University where he graduated Cum Laude as well as a J.D. from the Columbus School of Law, Catholic University, where he was a merit scholar. Brother Jawando serves on the Board of the Clarence H. “Du” Burns Memorial Fund Inc.; is the advisor of the Catholic University NAACP chapter, which he founded; and is the Parliamentarian of the Pi Upsilon Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He is married to Michele Lawrence Jawando, a soror and former Miss Alpha East. They currently reside in his hometown of Washington, D.C. Brother Jawando enjoys coaching and playing basketball, golfing, and working on community service projects. His motto for life is that of Brother Charles Hamilton Houston who said “a lawyer is either a social engineer or a parasite on society.” Brother Jawando strives to be a social engineer.

SYDNEY L. JONES Advisor for Member Services, Office of the Speaker Nancy Pelosi A Texan working for a Californian, Brother Sydney L. Jones is an advisor for Member Services for Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. In his own words, Brother Jones provides quite a variety of “constituent services” on behalf of the Speaker and works closely with new Democratic members of Congress and their staffs on a number of legislative, logistical, administrative and procedural issues. Before serving in this role, Brother Sydney Jones was the scheduling assistant to then, Democratic Leader Pelosi and staff assistant in the House Democratic Caucus under former Congressman Robert Menendez from New Jersey. Born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas, Brother Jones credits Texans for his first and

all subsequent positions on Capitol Hill. He was initiated on April 14, 2001 through the Fraternity’s Zeta Pi Chapter at the University of Georgia. There, he received dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Sociology and Political Science. Brother Jones also holds a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Texas at Arlington and plans to pursue a Ph.D. in public administration and policy in the near future. He currently serves as Vice President of the Congressional Black Associates, Co-Chair of the Washington, D.C. NAACP ACT-SO Committee and is an avid supporter of the Crohns & Colitis Foundation of America.

A. JAMAAL LAMPKIN Legislative Assistant, Office of Congressman Vic Snyder Brother A. Jamaal Lampkin is a native of Malvern, Arkansas. Brother Lampkin was initiated in 1999 through the Theta Psi Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha at the University of Central Arkansas. Brother Lampkin is an Operation Iraqi Freedom Veteran (Purple Heart Recipient) currently serving as a Legislative Assistant to Congressman Vic Snyder from the 2nd District of Arkansas. He handles Native American, Postal, and Foreign Affairs issues for Rep. Snyder.

DANTE POPE Staff Assistant, Office of Brother Congressman Danny K. Davis Brother Dante Pope is a native of Chicago, Illinois. He currently works for Congressman Danny K. Davis from the 7th District of Illinois as a staff assistant and systems administrator. He is pursing his Bachelors of Arts degree in Political Science from Howard University. He was initiated in Spring 2006 through the Fraternity’s Alpha Chi Chapter at Fisk University. He aspires to pursue a Master of Public Policy degree in the future and attend theology school.

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JOSEPH REED Assistant Press Secretary, Congressman Chris Van Hollen Brother Joseph Reed is a native of Fort Washington, Maryland and is a 2002 graduate of Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia. He currently serves as Assistant Press Secretary in the office of Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD). Prior to working on Capitol Hill, Brother Reed worked for the NAACP’s Washington Bureau as a Legislative Assistant. He also is currently seeking a Master’s Degree in Government with a focus in Political Communications at Johns Hopkins University and plans to pursue a Ph.D. in International Relations in the near future. He is a Fall 2006 initiate through the Fraternity’s Iota Upsilon Lambda Chapter where he serves on the Intake Committee. His father, Dr. Joseph Reed, Jr., is a 1963 Fraternity initiate through Nu Chapter at Lincoln University and his mother, Beverly Reed, is a soror of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Recently, Brother Reed got engaged to Gabbrielle Eskridge, his former classmate at Hampton University. Brother Reed enjoys reading, writing and spending time with his friend, family and his Fraternity Brothers.

GREGORY E. SANDERS Defense Legislative Fellow, Office of Congressman Norm Dicks Brother Gregory E. Sanders is a native of Birmingham, Alabama and is the son of Henry and Pecolia Sanders. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Alabama A&M University where he graduated Cum Laude in 1992; and a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management from Central Michigan University where he also graduated Cum Laude in 2001. Brother Sanders is a Spring 1990 initiate of the Fraternity through the

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Delta Gamma Chapter. In addition, he is an active member of the military as an officer in the U.S. Army, thus far achieving the rank of Major. He also had the opportunity in 2001 to complete a Joint Internship with the Secretary of the Defense at the Pentagon. Currently, Brother Gregory Sanders is working as the Defense Legislative Fellow in the office of U.S. Congressman Norm Dicks (WA-6). He is responsible for all legislative issues in regards to the appropriation of money for the Department of Defense, Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security. Brother Sanders is a member of the Omicron Lambda Alpha Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity in Washington, D.C. where he served as the Social Committee Chair from 2002-2003. He also is an assistant Boys varsity basketball coach at Potomac High School in Northern Virginia. Brother Sanders has a son, Brenton, who resides in Alabama and a daughter, Danielle, who lives with him.

JAMES SAVAGE III Legislative Director, Office of Congressman Vic Snyder In his capacity as a Senior Aide to Congressman Vic Snyder, Brother James Savage III formulates the Congressman’s overall legislative agenda and strategy in the U.S. Congress and supervises policy staff. A native of Little Rock, Arkansas, Brother Savage created and facilitated the House and Senate passage of H.Con.Res.384, the Congressional Resolution recognizing and honoring the 100th Anniversary of the founding of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. In addition, he conceived and developed the law (Public Law No: 109-146) which created the 2007 Little Rock Central High School Desegregation Silver Dollar. This is the first commemorative coin from the U.S. Mint to honor an American Civil Rights event, and it is available now for a limited time from the U.S. Mint at www.usmint. gov or by calling 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). Brother Savage was initiated into the Gamma Delta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity in 1995 at the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

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DARREL THOMPSON Office of the Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid Brother Darrel Thompson is a 15-year veteran of Democratic politics and is currently the Senior Advisor to U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. In this role, Brother Thompson is responsible for issues and outreach with organized labor; the African American community; and faith communities. He also is Leader Reid’s primary liaison to the Senate Steering and Outreach Committee and the U.S. House of Representatives. In 2004, Brother Thompson served as Chief of Staff for the Barack Obama for Senate campaign. In the role, he was responsible for all statewide political operations, the candidate’s schedule and managed the campaign staff. Prior to joining the Obama for Senate campaign, Brother Thompson served in several senior positions over a five-year period for former House Democratic Leader Richard A. Gephardt. During Richard Gephardt’s 2004 presidential campaign, Brother Thompson held two senior posts. First, he served as the National Political Advisor where he established political operations in South Carolina and traveled extensively with Mr. Gephardt. Later, he served as the Finance Chief of Staff where he was responsible for all campaign fundraising operations and staff. During Mr. Gephardt’s tenure as House Democratic Leader, Brother Thompson served as the Senior Policy Advisor and Director of Member Services from 1999 through 2003. In that position, he directed a staff responsible for coordinating legislative, district, and political strategies for members of Congress and also was responsible for industry and political outreach to national constituencies. During the 2000 election cycle, Brother Thompson took leave from his official duties in the Democratic Leader’s office to codirect the Base Vote Operation of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC). In that role, he was responsible for allocating resources and coordinating voter turn-out operations in 12 congressional elections. Prior to joining Mr. Gephardt’s Leadership office, Brother Thompson was the Deputy Executive Director of the House Democratic Caucus where he was the staff director for five House Democratic Task Forces. In the 1998 election cycle, Brother Thompson served as the

Financial Services Director at the DCCC. In the position, he directed a national field staff and was responsible for the fundraising operations of over 30 highly contested congressional campaigns, each with budgets that exceeded $1 million. Throughout his career, Brother Thompson has consulted over 100 congressional campaigns on fundraising, campaign operations, and voter turnout. He also has managed and served as senior staff on legislative, congressional, and gubernatorial campaigns. A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Brother Thompson and his wife, Britt, reside in Washington, D.C. He holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and a Bachelor of Arts degree, cum laude, in Political Science from Morgan State University. Brother Thompson was initiated into the Fraternity through Beta Alpha Chapter at Morgan State University on November 18, 1990; and on June 27, 1999, Brother Thompson, along with 12 other Alumni Brothers, re-charted the Beta Alpha Lambda Alumni Chapter.

Other members of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity currently serving in non-elected positions on Capitol Hill include: :

Brother Mustafa Ali House Judiciary Committee Brother Jason Hill Office of Senator Carl Levin Brother Roger Hollingsworth Senate Committee on Banking Brother Dana Gresham Office of Congressman Artur Davis Brother Reginald McGill Office of Congresswoman Corrine Brown

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General President

DARRYL MATTHEWS Selected as Man of Influence

Brother Darryl Matthews

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eneral President Darryl R. Matthews, Sr. is among the dozen African American men selected for Urban Influence Magazine’s annual “Men of Influence” issue, which is available on newsstands this summer. The nationally distributed publication targets young professionals. Brother Matthews is the first leader of an African American Greek-letter fraternity to be so featured. In the two-page spread, he describes his accomplishments while leading the Fraternity during its Centennial Year. General President Matthews presided over the 100th Anniversary Convention in Washington, D.C., which attracted more than 10,000 members—the largest gathering of Brothers in the Fraternity’s history. Also as General President and Chairman of the Fraternity’s Board of Directors, he led the efforts of a national leadership team to redefine the organization’s

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Urban Influence Magazine features Alpha Phi Alpha General President.

mission statement as a part of his initiative to create a five-year strategic plan. The former Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of the National Association of Black Accountants, Inc. (NABA) also serves as vice-chairman of the board for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Foundation Project, Inc. Brother Matthews has been instrumental in facilitating construction of the memorial to one of the Fraternity’s most prominent members. To date, the foundation has raised more than $79 million out of the $100 million needed for the memorial project. In the current issue of Urban Influence Magazine, Brother Matthews discusses the achievements of the Fraternity through its extensive service initiatives; and reveals his own commitment to volunteerism, which includes work for the March of Dimes, the YMCA Fundraising Board, and as a board member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Maryland. “There is a vital need for the service and leadership we provide to our communities,” Brother

Matthews says in the magazine. “Participation in our national programs is not an option for our Brothers and we expect… no, we demand strict adherence to Alpha’s mandates. Recently, Brother Matthews wrote a guest commentary on “gangsta rap” for the Democrat and Chronicle newspaper in Rochester, New York. In the article, he urges the African American community to “get gangsta rap under control before we lose more of our children to the dangers of those lyrics put into action.” The General President also discusses the efforts of the Fraternity in taking back children—particularly through its major partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and commitment that 10,000 Brothers become mentors by 2008. Others highlighted in the current issue of Urban Influence include nationally-syndicated, morning show radio host Tom Joyner and his sons, Oscar and Thomas, Jr. Launched in July 2004, Urban Influence Magazine is an official publication of the National Urban League.

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ALPHA ALPHAS

ON THE MOVE:

Syndicated Columnist and Chicago Radio Host Brother Roland Martin Joins CNN News Brother Roland S. Martin, a nationally syndicated columnist and Chicago-based radio talk show host has joined CNN/U.S. as a contributor and analyst for several programs. CNN also announced plans to develop various other programming concepts around Brother Martin. “It’s a well-deserved and a fantastic opportunity for one of the country’s most unique journalists. Roland’s multi-media story-telling presence has now expanded to cable television—to an audience that should find his message most refreshing,” Marc Watts, of Signature Media Group who negotiated Brother Martin’s deal, said at the time of the announcement. “He has become a familiar face to CNN viewers the last three years, already having appeared on numerous CNN programs and this deal solidifies a larger role for Roland.” A nationally syndicated columnist with Creators Syndicate, Brother Martin most recently served as Executive Editor of the Chicago Defender, the nation’s largest African American daily newspaper. Some writers called Brother Martin a “savior” of what was described as a failing newspaper. He is a commentator for TV One Cable Network and hosts The Roland

Spring • Summer 2006

S. Martin Show on WVON/1690AM in Chicago each weekday. He is the author of Listening to the Spirit Within: 50 Perspectives on Faith and Speak, Brother! A Black Man’s View of America. As an analyst, Brother Martin provides news reports for American Urban Radio Networks and has appeared numerous times on CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, Court TV, BET Nightly News, BBC News, National Public Radio, The Word Network and America’s Black Forum. Marc Watts said Brother Martin has “shown a knack” for asking probing and insightful questions—from President George W. Bush to Oprah Winfrey to Charles Gibson. The CNN Executive and Brother Martin have been friends for 20 years. They first met when Roland Martin was a high school student in Houston. At the time, Marc Watts was a reporter for the local CBS station KHOU-TV. John Klein, President of CNN/U.S., stated “As a multifaceted journalist steeped in the traditions of storytelling and truth-seeking, Roland offers a powerful voice on subjects ranging from politics to religion to race to numerous other social issues. We’re very pleased to have him

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Roland S. Martin contribute to a wide range of CNN stories.” In response to the announcement of his hiring, Brother Martin said CNN has made a sincere commitment to giving its audience a breadth of important stories not typically found in mainstream media. “I’m pleased to be a part of that effort and to do my part to see they rise to that challenge,” he said. Brother Martin will continue to reside in Chicago while commuting to New York to fulfill his responsibilities for CNN. In addition to appearing on various news programs as an analyst, he will play a key role in the development of programming concepts that compliment his style, CNN executives said.

ALPHAS ON THE MOVE

Dr. Zollie Stevenson Named Acting Director with U.S. Department of Education Brother Zollie Stevenson, Jr., Ph.D., was recently appointed Acting Director of the Student Achievement and School Accountability Programs (SASA), formerly Compensatory Education Programs, in the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education at the U.S. Department of Education. The SASA programs office is responsible for the administration of over $14 billion annually in formula and discretionary grants to promote improved achievement in schools that serve lowincome children. In addition to the Title I, Part A program, as Acting Director of SASA Dr. Stevenson is responsible for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth Program, the Even Start Family Literacy Programs, the Early Reading First Program, the Early Childhood Educator Professional Development Program, Enhanced Assessment Grants, and Programs for Children and Youth Who are Neglected and Delinquent, or At-Risk. Before his appointment as Acting Director, Brother Stevenson served most recently as Deputy Director of SASA and also has served as SASA’s group leader for standards, assessment and accountability. Before joining SASA, he was the director of research, assessment and evaluation in the Baltimore

City (MD) Public Schools. Prior to working in Baltimore, he served as the research director for the District of Columbia (DCPS) and Charlotte/Mecklenburg public school systems as well as being an evaluation research officer for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He began his career as a regional coordinator for research, testing and accreditation for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. In addition to serving as research director in DCPS, Brother Stevenson served as chief of staff for the Center for Systemic Educational Change, which focused on student efficacy; curriculum and instruction; school reform initiatives; and professional development and training. For three years, he was the District of Columbia’s (DC’s) costate team leader for Title I with the U.S. Department of Education and held an additional role as deputy director for operations for the National Science Foundation Urban Systemic Initiative grant awarded to DC. His final role in DC was as Executive Director for educational support services, which included managing the school district’s research and planning, school attendance, homeless education, athletics, homebound education program, home schooling liaison, HIV/AIDS education, and comprehensive school health services.

Zollie Stevenson, Jr He also has served as an adjunct professor at the University of North Carolina at Asheville, East Carolina University, the George Washington University, the University of Maryland and Bowie State University where he taught applied research methods, tests and measurements, development of theoretical frameworks and supervised the writing of doctoral dissertations. He has published several articles in refereed journals, has authored over 50 evaluation studies and has been active in educational and research focused professional organizations. Brother Stevenson earned the B.A. degree from the University of North Carolina at Asheville, a M.S. Ed. degree from North Carolina A&T State University (Greensboro), and the Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

FIRST OF ALL, SERVANTS OF ALL, WE SHALL TRANSCEND ALL

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ALPHAS ON THE MOVE

John Bonapart

Brother John Bonapart Appointed to Senior Executives Services Brother John H. “J.B.” Bonapart, Jr. was recently appointed to the Senior Executive Service (SES) in the federal government. Brother Bonapart serves at the senior executive level in the Department of Defense with the U.S. Air Force as the Deputy Director of Installations and Mission Support, Headquarters Air Mobility Command (AMC), Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. He is responsible for AMC expeditionary combat support and provides oversight and guidance to garrison mission support groups to ensure worldclass global mobility support. Brother Bonapart oversees AMC Civil Engineer activities, including readiness, emergency services, base development, environmental and housing programs; AMC Contracting activities, annually executing $4 billion in mission support contracts, including over $2 billion in commercial airlift contracts; AMC Security Forces activities providing force protection and information, physical, and personnel security programs for 77,000 military and civilian employees and 110,000 family members. The directorate provides policy and support to AMC’s 12 air mobility wings and manages more than $24 billion in facilities and infrastructure at 25 continental U.S. and overseas en route locations. A native of Brooklyn, New York, Brother Bonapart was commissioned in 1975 as a graduate from the Air

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Marc A. Garcia

Ronald C. Green

Force ROTC program at Fordham University, Bronx, New York, earning a Bachelor’s degree in history and a secondary school teaching certificate. Brother Bonapart also holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Golden Gate University in California. Prior to assuming his current position, he was the Associate Director, Directorate of Strategic Plans, Programs, Analyses, Assessments and Lessons Learned, HQ Air Force Space Command, Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado. Brother Bonapart is one of 12 civil service employees to graduate from the first SES Federal Candidate Development Program sponsored by the Office of Personnel Management in Washington, D.C.

Garcia’s third joint award in as many years, having received two higher Secretary of Defense awards, Joint Service Commendation Medals and one Joint Meritorious Unit Award from U.S. Southern Command, U.S. Special Operations Command South and U.S. Joint Forces Command’s Standing Joint Force Headquarters. Currently, Brother Garcia is serving a short tour at Headquarters, Department of the Army, Operations. Brother Garcia is a combat veteran of Desert Storm and has been on missions to Haiti, Baghdad, Kabul and Beirut. Brother Garcia was recently named in a landmark decision in the famed Butterbaugh lawsuit and was victorious in another major case bearing his name in an Atlanta federal court. Brother Garcia is a life member of the Fraternity.

Secretary of Defense Award Given to Brother Marc Garcia Brother Marc A. Garcia was awarded the Secretary of Defense, Joint Service Achievement Medal for meritorious service in the U.S. armed forces as an end of tour award and farewell. LTC Garcia distinguished himself while serving as an Action Officer, Operational Plans and Joint Force Development Directorate, Joint Staff, Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Brother Garcia also served as the Deputy Team Chief for the Joint Staff, Crisis Response Cell deep in the underground National Military Command Center, supporting disaster relief operations in Pakistan and India. This was Brother

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Brother Ronald Green Serving Second Term On Houston City Council Brother Ronald C. Green is serving in his second term as a Houston City Council Member. A native Houstonian and active community partner, he was first elected to the City Council, At-Large Position Four, in December 2003 and re-elected in November 2005 with 100 percent of the vote. Brother Green serves as Chairman of the City’s Budget and Fiscal Affairs Committee, which oversees all fiscal matters and initiatives to improve management and efficiency of city service

ALPHAS ON THE MOVE

delivery. The Committee’s scope includes the annual budget (comprised of the city’s general fund, enterprise funds, capital improvement fund and equipment acquisition fund— which together total more than $3.9 billion annually); Monthly Financial and Operations Report; strategic purchasing; competitive bidding; and customer service issues. The Committee’s scope also includes oversight of the Municipal Courts reform. Additionally, Brother Green serves on the Pension Review Committee; the Transportation, Infrastructure and Aviation Committee; the Housing and Redevelopment Committee; and the Quality of Life Committee. He also serves on the city’s Ad-Hoc Committee on Legislative Affairs. As a 1988 graduate of the Houston Independent School District’s High School for Health Professions, Brother Green went on to receive a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Houston in 1993. In 1996, he received his Juris Doctor degree from Texas Southern University’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law and was admitted to the State Bar of Texas. Subsequently, he was admitted to the District of Columbia Bar and licensed to practice before the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court. Brother Green is a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, 100 Black Men of America, UH Alumni Organization, UH Black Alumni Association, Thurgood Marshall School of Law Alumni Association, Government Finance Officers Association, National Association of Bond Lawyers, Houston Lawyers Association and Leadership Houston Class XXIII. He is a founding partner of the Green Firm, LLP.

The Schott Foundation Names Brother John H. Jackson as New President and CEO Brother John H. Jackson, Ed.D., J.D. has been named President and CEO of The Schott Foundation for Public Education. In the role, Brother Dr. Jackson leads the Foundation’s efforts to ensure a high quality public education for all students regardless of race or gender. Brother Jackson joined The Schott Foundation after seven productive years in leadership positions at the National Association for the Advancement of Colored

John H. Jackson People (NAACP). He served as the NAACP Chief Policy Officer and prior to that as the NAACP’s National Director of Education. As the NAACP’s National Director of Education, Dr. Jackson authored the NAACP National Call for Action in Education. He worked with NAACP units throughout the U.S. to launch this initiative, which challenged governors across the nation to develop five-year plans to reduce the racial disparities in their respective states by 50 percent. Some of the early successes of this work included the passage of a state constitutional amendment in Florida in 2002 to reduce class sizes; this was done in collaboration with the NAACP Florida State Conference. In California, Brother Jackson and his Education Department worked with the NAACP California State Conference to defeat several education proposals by Governor Schwarzenegger, which would have had significant negative impact on education for black and brown children in the state. In New York, Dr. Jackson worked with the New York State Conference to pass class size reduction legislation. After a five-year evaluation of the state of Maryland’s response to the NAACP’s Call For Action, each of the districts experienced a 50 percent reduction in the achievement gap in all but two areas. In 2002, Brother Jackson received the NAACP Medgar Evers Award, the highest award presented to a NAACP staff member. Brother Jackson also served as an Adjunct Professor of Race, Gender, and Public Policy at the

Georgetown Public Policy Institute. In 1999, President William Jefferson Clinton appointed Brother Jackson to serve in his administration as Senior Policy Advisor in the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the U.S. Department of Education. In 2004, Brother Jackson founded (and currently serves as the Chairman of) the National Equity Center Inc., a national non-profit established to promote diversity and democratic values by providing youth with leadership, academic, research and advocacy skills to eliminate existing local and national civil rights and social justice disparities. Earlier in his career he conducted research at The Harvard Civil Rights Project on civil rights issues and legislation related to racial disparities in housing, elementary and secondary schools, colleges and universities, and employment; he also evaluated institutional policies and court orders to assess the level of compliance with civil rights laws and regulations. Brother Jackson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Xavier University of Louisiana; A Master of Education degree in Education Policy from the University of Illinois’ College of Education; and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Illinois’ College of Law. In addition, Brother Jackson received Master of Education and Doctorate of Education degrees in Administration, Planning, and Social Policy from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Brother Dale Long Wins Second BBBS National Award Brother Dale H. Long has been chosen to receive the Big Brothers Big Sisters national Clifford P. Norman Award. The award honors a local Board leader who exemplifies the qualities of commitment and generosity that were characteristic of Cliff Norman’s life. Cliff Norman was a board member of both Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Detroit and of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America for more than 25 years. He left a legacy of care and good will as an emissary for BBBS in countless local and national efforts. Brother Long was nominated by BBBS of North Texas, competed nationally and won the award because he has: contributed “time, talent and treasure” to BBBS both locally and national-

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ALPHAS ON THE MOVE

Dale H. Long

Percy A. Mack

Lowell Perry

ly; contributed in ways to build one nationwide BBBS team, strengthening linkages among agencies, and between agencies and BBBSA; and contributed to BBBS over a long period of time (33 years). Brother Long is now the only person in America to receive both the Big Brother of the Year and the Clifford P. Norman Award; and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity is the only organization to produce two Big Brothers of the Year plus a Norman Award winner. Brother Dale Long won the BBBS National Big Brother of the Year Award in 1998 and Brother Sylvester Fulton was named National Big Brother of the Year in 2006. After winning the BBBS award in 1998, Brother Long suggested a formal partnership between Alpha Phi Alpha and the Big Brothers Big Sisters. Brother Long is a BBBS of North Texas board member.

exceeded state and national ratings. Prior to his receiving the award, the District was recognized for moving two levels from Academic Emergency to Continuous improvement as designated by the Ohio Department of Education. During his four years of leadership, Brother Mack also has worked to move the District’s attendance rate from 86 percent to 92 percent; and move the graduation rate from 52 percent to 79 percent. A Reading Jamboree was developed, which yearly draws 5,000 people from the community to gain an understanding of the importance of reading. Some of the educational options developed under his leadership are an academic magnet academy, early college high school, single gender schools (boys and girls), design technology high school, an alternative school for suspended students, and a leadership academy for aspiring administrators. Some of Brother Mack’s other awards include Dayton’s Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) Educational Leader award, AFL-CIO Regional Labor Council Community Service Award, Heart of Gold Award from Eta Phi Beta Sorority, Top Ten African Male in Dayton Award and the KingTisdell Cottage Foundation Beach Institute Education Award. Brother Mack is a member of Theta Lambda Chapter and is a life member of the Fraternity. He earned a Ph.D. degree in Administration and Supervision from Georgia State University in Atlanta. He also earned a M.Ed. in Social Science

Education from the University of Georgia, as well as a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Science Education from Savannah State University in Georgia.

Black School Educators Name Brother Percy Mack Superintendent of Year Brother Percy A. Mack, Ph.D., superintendent of Dayton Public Schools in Dayton, Ohio, was named Superintendent of the Year by the National Alliance of Black School Educators at their annual conference in Orlando, Florida. He was recognized for his work in improving the District’s academic achievement. The District’s focus on reading and mathematics led to growth, which

Fall • Winter 2006

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Brother Lowell Perry Appointed to Tennessee Lottery Board Brother Lowell Perry has been appointed to serve on the board of the Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation. Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen appointed Brother Perry to the Lottery Board to fill the unexpired term of Deborah Storey who resigned upon her appointment as Commissioner of the Tennessee State Department of Personnel. Brother Perry’s term will expire on June 30, 2008. His nomination was confirmed by the state’s General Assembly during the 2007 legislative session. “Lowell Perry is a passionate advocate for Tennessee's young people and will be a tremendous asset to the lottery board,” Gov. Bredesen said in making the appointment. “I'm pleased Lowell has agreed to serve on this important board and know that he will bring great enthusiasm and ideas to this new position.” Brother Perry is the Chief Executive Officer of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Administrative Sciences from Yale University; a degree in Advanced Management Education from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University; and a

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degree in Financial Management Education from the Owen School of Management at Vanderbilt University. He has served on the board of several organizations including the Association of Non-Profit Executives, the Community Advisory Council and the Benchmark Diversity Council.

Brother Harvey White Named President of American Society for Public Administration Brother Harvey White, Professor of Public and Urban Affairs and International Development in the University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, was elected president of the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA), a national association based in Washington, D.C. ASPA, established in 1939, represents the public service arena, and the group’s 9,500 members serve as advocates for greater effectiveness in government. In addition to his service at the University of Pittsburgh, Brother White leads the University of South Alabama Center for Healthy Communities, which coordinates community education, research, public service, and health activities. Brother White earned his Bachelor’s degree in political science and philosophy at North Carolina Central University in 1972; his Master’s degree in political science at East Carolina University in 1978; and his Ph.D. degree in political science at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill in 1985. He has authored or co-authored four books and more than 30 other publications in public affairs. Brother White has taught Public Administration and International Development at the University of Pittsburgh for the past 18 years. He also directs the Center for Healthy Communities and holds professorships in Political Science and Preventive Medicine at the University of South Alabama. He worked as a community development specialist in the state of North Carolina; as city manager for the town of Princeville North Carolina; and as director of public administration programs at Southern University and the University of Pittsburgh. He served as Dean of the School of Public

Harvey White

Bobby Ray Williams

and Urban Affairs at Southern University. His professional activities include Founder and first Editor of the Journal of Public Management and Social Policy; President of the National Conference of Minority Public Administrators (COMPA); and Chair of the National COMPA Public Service Endowment. Brother White’s global concern for the advancement of public administration is illustrated through his work as General Chair of the International Consortium for Management, Policy and Development. Under his leadership, the consortium has brought together American public servants with professionals from Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Canada and Europe to address pertinent issues in public affairs. The Consortium has convened conferences in South Africa (1997), Ghana (1999), Ethiopia (2001) Mozambique (2003), and Senegal (2005). In recognition of his contribution to public service, he was elected as a Fellow in the National Academy of Public Administration for the class of 2002.

Jamboree hosted by the United Kingdom in Hylands Park, Chelmsford, England. The Jamboree celebrates the centennial year of the founding of the Scouting movement. Brother Williams is an Eagle Scout with two Silver Palms, a Vigil Honor member, and a James E. West Fellow of the Capitol Area Council. He has served on the staffs for the 1997, 2001 and 2005 National Scout Jamborees. As a member of the Fraternity, Brother Williams served as a committee member on the Resolutions, Recommendations and Evaluations Committee during the 43rd Texas Council of Alpha Chapters (TCAC) District Convention in Dallas, Texas, and is currently serving as the Recording Secretary of the Epsilon Tau Lambda Chapter in Prairie View, Texas. He also served as a delegate for the Chapter at the 60th Southwestern Regional Convention in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the 43rd TCAC District Convention in Dallas, Texas, and the 61st Southwestern Regional Convention in Houston, Texas. Brother Williams also is a planning committee member for the Area IX (Eta Gamma, Pi Omicron, Pi Alpha Lambda and Epsilon Tau Lambda Chapters) hosted district convention that will take place in Houston, Texas next year. He is currently a graduate student pursing a Master’s degree in Public Administration with a specialization in Public Policy from the Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs at Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas.

Brother Bobby Ray Williams to Represent Boy Scouts at 21st World Scout Jamboree Brother Bobby Ray Williams was selected to represent the Boy Scouts of America, serving as an International Service Team (IST) staff member for the 21st World Scout

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FINANCIAL PAGES

Controlling Investment Risks By Lover High, Jr.

he word “risk” is not something that conjures up a pleasant image in the minds of most investors. Many people don’t like risk. Unfortunately, risk is unavoidable. If you invest for profit, you face the possibility of suffering a loss; and if you invest too cautiously, you run the risk of earning a return that will not keep pace with inflation. One of the best ways to become comfortable with risk is to take the time to understand it. The more familiar you are with it, the better position you will be in to create the proper balance between risk and potential reward in your portfolio. Below is a description of five distinct types of risk that you can face as an investor and how you can deal with each.

Market Risk Market risk refers to the fact that your investment could go down in value and, therefore, be worth less than your purchase price. Any number of factors can affect an investment’s valuation. For example, disappointing earnings can cause a company’s stock price to decline. Rising interest rates can trigger a drop in the price of a bond. The best way to reduce the effect of market risk in your portfolio is to diversify your assets among securities that are likely to perform

differently in the same market environment. In this way, the positive performance of one security can help to offset the negative performance of another. A good first step in creating a diversified portfolio is to spread assets among stocks and bonds or the mutual funds that invest primarily in these securities. While past performance is no guarantee of future results, stocks and bonds often perform differently under the same market and economic conditions. For example, if the economy shows strength after a period of weakness, stocks tend to do well, but bonds prices tend to fall because interest rates usually move higher. Similarly, when interest rates decline on economic weakness, bonds typically do well, but stocks tend to fall as investors become concerned about the overall outlook for corporate earnings. Although diversification can help limit risk, it can also limit your potential for gains. For example, if the stock market soars, you could enjoy large gains if you had a substantial portion of your portfolio in equities. But if most of your assets were spread across a wide range of non-equity-related investments, your gains may be limited. This strategy does not guarantee a profit or protect against loss.

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Brother Lover High, Jr.

Industry Risk Industry risk refers to the risk that you face when you invest in a particular sector of the economy. For example, if you invest primarily in one sector, you could do well if that industry outperforms most other industries, but your portfolio could be severely affected if that group falls out of favor with investors. A good example of industry risk is what took place in the technology sector during and after the infamous “Bubble.” After experiencing strong growth throughout the last half of the 1990s, technology stocks fell sharply during the first three years of this decade, creating significant losses for investors who were heavily exposed to this sector. One of the best ways to deal with industry risk is to invest your assets across several industries. By doing so, you can enjoy the key benefit of diversification—the positive performance of one industry group can

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help to offset the negative results of an under-performing sector.

Company Risk Company risk refers to the concept that your assets may decline because a significant portion of your portfolio is invested in the stock of one company. This is a risk often faced by employees whose net worth is largely tied up in their employer’s company stock. Diversification can be the key to limiting the risk of investing mainly in one company. Focusing on highquality companies should be another part of this strategy. Generally, the stocks of high-quality, well-established companies (e.g. blue chips) tend to carry less risk than those of small, emerging growth companies.

Inflation Risk Inflation risk refers to the idea that the return from an investment may be less than the inflation rate, the increase in the cost of living.

FINANCIAL PAGES While earning a return that is lower than inflation may not appear to be significant, it could prove hazardous to your financial health if it occurs over a period of years. This is because when you earn a return that is lower than inflation, your dollars lose purchasing power. This means you will need to spend more money to buy the same amount of goods and services that you bought in the previous year. If this trend continues over time, it could affect your standard of living. To counter inflation risk, you need to buy securities with the potential to deliver returns that exceed the increases in the cost of living. Although past performance is no guarantee of future results, equi-

ties have had the best record of outpacing inflation since 1926, according to Ibbotson Associates, Inc., a Chicago-based research firm.

Interest Rate Risk The valuations of fixed-income investments, such as bonds and preferred stock, are affected by interest rates. When rates rise, overall valuations of fixed-income securities usually decline. Conversely, when interest rates decline, valuations of fixed-income securities typically rise. The degree by which fixedincome securities are affected by interest rates usually depends on their maturity (the number of years before principal is supposed to be

returned to the investor). Generally, short-term, fixed-income securities are less affected by interest-rate movements than long-term, fixedincome securities. A good strategy to limit interestrate risk is known as laddering. Laddering is the process of investing assets in fixed-income securities with varying maturity dates, such as every year or every other year— whatever time frame works well for you. You can spread your investments over five years, ten years—, again, any time frame that you like. With laddering, you continually have money coming due that can be re-invested at the different rates. As a result, laddering enables you to avoid investing all of your money

when rates are at their lowest. It is always a good idea to speak with a financial advisor about the types of risks inherent in investing. He or she can also help you make decisions to help create the proper balance between risk and potential reward in your portfolio.

Brother Lover High, Jr. is a Financial Advisor with Smith Barney located in Atlanta, Georgia. He may be reached at 404.266.6350 or lover.high@smithbarney.com. This article is based, in whole or in part, on information provided by the Smith Barney, a division of Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

Preparing to Invest in Stocks By Ryan Mack

nvesting in the stock market is a very serious game and should not be taken lightly. If we look at some of the television commercials, we would assume that investing in stocks and managing your own stock portfolio is very simple. For example, there is a commercial where the father purchases the stock of a clothing designer because many of his daughter’s friends were purchasing the designer’s jeans. There also is a commercial where a marathon

runner sees many other runners with the same brand shoe and decides to purchase the stock of the company that designed the shoe. While both of the commercials attempt to illustrate trends, there is much more involved in purchasing stock if you want to play the stock game intelligently. There are two common mistakes people make when making the decision to purchase stocks: The first is to mistakenly think that stocks are the only means of

Brother Ryan C. Mack

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Spring • Summer 2007

FINANCIAL PAGES investing. In the 1970s, many were investing in gold; in the 1980s many focused on oil; in the 1990s stocks were hot; and in the beginning years of the current millennium real estate was unstoppable. There is no one right investment— as all of them fluctuate and all go through cycles. Never put all of your eggs in one basket. A smart investor will always maintain a diversified portfolio. The second mistake is deciding to purchase stocks when your personal financial conditions are not stable. Stocks are not “liquid” investments. A liquid investment is one which can be “readily converted into cash without significant loss of principal.”1 If you are considering investing and if your personal financial condition is not stable, you should focus on building as much financial liquidity as possible before you purchase stocks. Briefly, here are some other things you should have in place before you purchase stocks: Adequate Insurance Coverage: Insurance is not a replacement for financial planning; it is only a means to fill the financial gap until you can afford not to have insurance. Do not go into an insurance agent’s office to purchase insurance uninformed. Learn how to do an “insurance needs analysis” to get an idea of how much insurance you really need. Just as there are predatory lending practices, there are predatory insuring practices where the agent sells you more insurance than you need for the purposes of increasing his or her sales commission. Keep in mind that your insurance coverage must meet your own

personal needs and circumstances. Go to www.reliaquote.com or www.fincalc.com where you will find some good insurance needs calculators that will assist you in completing an informal analysis for yourself before you see an agent. Updated Estate Planning Documents: Is your will a Limited Power of Attorney, Health Care Power of Attorney, Living Will, and (if needed) Trust Updated? These issues are far more important to complete before investing in the stock market. If you go to www.smartmoney.com/estate, you will receive tips, informational articles, and links to additional resources that will benefit you as you plan more wisely for your future. Clean Credit: Do you know your FICO score? Have you printed a copy of your credit report lately? What if you purchase stock, only to discover that you have loans in collections deteriorating your FICO score? Go to www.annualcreditreport.com, print all three credit reports before making any investment, and clean up your credit. A Working Budget: With 60 percent of Americans spending more money than they earn each month (The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas Stanley and William Danko), it is obvious that most people are not moving forward but backward. Do you know how much money you can afford to invest regularly in the market utilizing a disciplined strategy? A budget will tell you. Eliminate High Risk Debt: If you have credit card debt, have participated in cash advances; or do

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you have debt outstanding to the IRS? You should eliminate this debt completely before investing in the market. Some Annual Percentage Rates (APRs) on credit cards can get as high as 30 percent. Stock market returns have a long-term average of 10.4 percent. It does not make sense to earn 10.4 percent in the market (this in an average and you can earn less or even loose money), only to pay as much as 30 percent for your loan. Establish an Emergency Fund: It is important to have threeto-six months of living expenses saved before you invest in the market. Recently, when the Detroit teachers were on strike for eight days, there were many teachers at the Credit Union applying for loans because they did not have enough savings to last for much more than a week. Additionally, these savings should be placed in a high-yield savings account. In a regular checking account known to have as low as a .35 percent interest rate, you are losing money when you factor in inflation. A good example of a high yield savings account can be found at www.emigrantdirect.com. Company Retirement Plan: Investing in a company retirement plan is suggested before you begin purchasing stocks outside your retirement plan. Often companies provide a match to your savings and this is essentially “free” money. If your employer provides a match, make sure you invest at least as much as your company will match. In addition, a company retirement program provides you with a “tax deferred” account. “Tax deferred” refers to investment earnings such as

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interest, dividends or capital gains that accumulate free from taxation until the investor withdraws and takes possession of them.”2 Many company retirement plans are also “tax deductible”. Tax deductible “notes an item the value or cost of which is deductible from the gross amount on which a tax is calculated.”3 Therefore, having the company match your funds combined with the tax deductible/deferred feature of a company retirement plan makes it much more prolific to invest there rather than putting money in the stock market. Ask your benefits department or a qualified advisor to assist you in selecting an efficient portfolio within your company retirement plan.

Liquid. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged

(v 1.0.1). Retrieved November 15, 2006, from Dictionary.com website: http:// dictionary.reference.com/browse/liquid 2

Tax deferred. (n.d.). Investopedia.com. Retrieved November 15, 2006, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary. reference.com/browse/tax deferred 3

Tax deductible. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.0.1). Retrieved November 15, 2006, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/ tax deductible

Brother Ryan C. Mack is President of Optimum Capital Management, LLC, a financial planning firm; and is licensed as an investment advisor in the states of New York, Michigan, Ohio and California. He can be reached at ryancmack@optimumcapital.com

Arkansas Brothers at the State Capitol.

Alpha Phi Alpha Day at the Arkansas State Capitol

rothers in the state of Arkansas celebrated “Alpha Phi Alpha Day at the Arkansas State Capitol” on March 27, 2007 in Little Rock, Arkansas. The above photo was taken following the reading on the Senate floor of Senate Concurrent Resolution 18 (SCR 18) sponsored by Brother Senator Tracy Steele (D-Dist. 34) of North Little Rock, Arkansas, acknowledging 100 years of leadership, scholarship and service to the community by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Fraternity members pictured (l-r) are: Brothers J.J.

Lacey, former Pi Lambda Chapter President; Senator Jack Crumbly (D-Dist. 16) of Widener, Arkansas; Maurice Rigsby; Marq Golden, Arkansas District Director; Lloyd Huskey; Rodney Williams, Pi Lambda Chapter President; Herb Scott, former Pi Lambda Chapter President; Senator Tracy Steele (D-Dist. 34); Arthur McDade, III, 20th Southwestern Regional Vice President; Jerry Maynard; Reginald L. Jackson, former Pi Lambda Chapter President; and George Bryant, former Pi Lambda Chapter President.

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Spring • Summer 2007

CHAPTER

CHAPTER NEWS

EASTERN REGION

Zeta Omicron Lambda Philadelphia, PA

Historic Occasion Marked in Philly Thirty-second General President Darryl R. Matthews, Sr.’s visit to the Alpha House, Inc. in Philadelphia on January 14, 2007 marked an historic occasion for the Philadelphia Metropolitan area Brothers. The visit represented the first time in 40 years that a sitting General President has visited the Alpha House in Philadelphia. The Fraternity House, located at 1611 W. Girard Avenue, is the first and only Alpha House in Pennsylvania. It was established in 1967 for the purpose of housing a meeting place for ZOL Chapter Brothers. In conjunction with its opening, the Chapter developed educational and cultural programs concerned with the community and the Fraternity’s national programs.

Zeta Omicron Lambda Brothers proudly hosted General President Matthews at the Alpha House and shared the experience with Brothers from Omicron Delta Lambda, Rho, Delta Pi, Nu, Pi Rho and Zeta Psi Chapters. Brothers Dr. Christopher Hannum, Chapter President; and Carl W. Bailey, Alpha House President and Eastern Region Life Membership Chairman, presented Brother Matthews with a generous financial gift from Zeta Omicron Lambda to the Alpha Phi Alpha Education Foundation fund. The day ended with members of the Brotherhood singing the Alpha Phi Alpha Hymn in front of the Alpha House. Approximately 75 members of the Fraternity were in attendance, including Brothers Sean McCaskill, President of the Pennsylvania Association of Alpha Chapters (PAAC); Leon Richardson, PAAC Assistant District Director; Mark Barnes, PAAC Area 2 Director; Quentin Hairston, PAAC Assistant Area 2 Director; Ernest Merriweather, Rho Chapter President; Eric Rugel, Delta Pi Chapter President (Cheyney State University); and Fadil Doctry, Pi Rho Chapter President (Temple University).

(l-r) Zeta Omicron Lambda Brothers Dr. Christopher Hannum, Chapter President; and Carl W. Bailey, Philadelphia Alpha House President and Eastern Region Life Membership Chairman, present General President Darryl Matthews with a generous financial gift to the Alpha Phi Alpha Education Foundation, Inc

Spring • Summer 2007

Delta Lambda Baltimore, MD Delta Lambda Marks Successes The 2006-07 fraternity year was productive for Delta Lambda Chapter. Under the leadership of Chapter President R. Anthony Mills and Vice President Rev. Tim McFadden, reclamation and intake increased the Chapter’s financial membership by over 150 percent (with almost 20 Brothers becoming financially active via membership intake alone). Most rewarding is the fact that Comcast, one of the nation’s top cable providers, agreed to sign on to the annual Beautillion Scholarship program as a corporate sponsor, with a six-figure package. In May 2007, the Beautillion Program presented ten young men at Martin’s West Catering Hall in Baltimore. Through the program, which supports the Go-to-High School, Go-to-College national program initiated by former Chapter President and Past General President S.S. Booker, approximately $13,000 in scholarships were awarded to the beaus. Additionally, the Brother Joe Yates Memorial Scholar-Athlete Scholarship of $1,000, provided by his widow, Dr. Edmonia Yates, was awarded. The event is chaired by Brother Dr. Ralph E. Johnson, Chairman of the Alpha Phi Alpha Education Foundation. Also, a luncheon was held at Linwoods Restaurant in Owings Mills, Maryland in May 2007 to honor three Delta Lambda Brothers for outstanding scholastic achievement. The Brothers included Dr. Tyson King-Meadows who received a Ford Foundation Post Doctoral Fellowship, which he will begin this summer at Princeton University; Brothers Dr. Robert Palmer, who successfully defended his dissertation in Higher Education at Morgan State University, and Dr. Ezana Azene who successfully completed his medical degree at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. In line with the fraternal aims of manly deeds and love for all mankind, Rosemont Elementary/Middle School in Baltimore presented a certificate of appreciation to Brother Gilbert Waters on behalf of Delta Lambda for the Chapter’s contribution to the education of Rosemont students through the Rosemont-Delta Lambda partnership. The certificate was awarded during the school’s annual Volunteer Appreciation Day in May 2007. Finally, the chapter has sponsored a host of efforts dedicated to uplifting the organization. Some of the year’s other activities include co-hosting Maryland legislative and U.S. Senatorial candidates’ forums, respectively; participation in Comcast Cares Day; giving several Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday baskets, respectively; a joint Centennial Founders’ Day Ball with Beta Alpha Chapter at Morgan State University and Sigma Sigma Chapter at Johns Hopkins University; hosting an annual Alpha Legislative night in Annapolis, Maryland; participation in the annual Baltimore City Martin Luther King, Jr. Day parade; serving as a host chapter of the Diamond Jubilee 75th Eastern Region Convention; sponsoring a Delta Lambda Alpha Education Week in Baltimore City; participation in the March of Dimes WalkAmerica Walk-A-Thon; and the Chapter’s Annual Tennis Tournament.

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CHAPTER NEWS Theta Theta Lambda Frankfurt, Germany Military Brothers in Europe Help Deserving Students Theta Theta Lambda Chapter in Frankfurt, Germany continues to give scholarships to deserving students enrolled in Department of Defense Schools in Europe. The Chapter holds a scholarship ball annually to raise monies to assist the students. During the last scholarship ball, themed Celebrating 100 Years of Scholarships

and Service to Our Communities, the guest speaker was Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity’s Executive Director (and former USAFE-United States Air Force in Europe Soldier) Brother Willard C. Hall, Jr. During the event, the Chapter presented 12 scholarships to high school seniors attending schools in Germany, Italy, Spain and England. All 12 seniors were present to receive their scholarships on April 22, 2006. The scholarships totaled $11,000. Theta Theta Lambda’s goal was to issue $15,000 in scholarships monies for students participating in this year’s event scheduled to take place in

KEL Brother Steve Taylor leads one of the college fair workshops.

Kappa Epsilon Lambda Fort Washington, MD Nation’s Top Schools Represented at KEL College Fair Kappa Epsilon Lambda Chapter Brothers in Prince George’s County, Maryland were pleased with the participation and feedback received from parents and students attending their 2006 College Fair. Over 40 colleges and universities, such as Duke, Cornell, Florida A&M and Tuskegee, were represented and kept busy by a steady stream of students and parents during the fair, held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The fair organizers’ stated goal was to provide a comprehensive experience for students attending the fair by including workshops addressing subjects such as Strategies for Success, College Life, and Possible Funding Sources. The fair was held in conjunction with Bethel House Incorporated Youth for a Positive Change program and the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Department of Parks and Recreation of Prince George’s County. Additionally, Brothers from Eta Zeta Chapter at Bowie State University and the ladies from Theta Nu Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha at the University of Maryland enthusiastically supported the college fair by assisting in the panel discussion and providing a lively step show during the event.

Kaiserslautern, Germany. This year’s guest speaker is Mrs. Shelia Smith, the Mannheim American Middle School Principal.

Iota Alpha Lambda Aberdeen, Maryland IAL Brothers Hold Annual Scholarship Banquet Chapter President Kenneth Avery and Iota Alpha Lambda Brothers recently held their Annual Donald J. Waldon Memorial Scholarship Banquet. The sold-out event, held at the Richland Ballroom in Edgewood, Maryland, raises money to pay full tuition along with books and fees to deserving young men working toward to an Associates degree at Harford Community College or Cecil Community College. This year’s recipient was Mr. Tornell D. Goodwin who is perusing a degree in Communications. The banquet guest speaker was Dr. Irving C. Williams, a graduate of Morgan State University and Howard University Medical School. He has made great strides in saving lives and improving the health of the people of Tanzania. Dr. Williams is founder of Adventures in Health, Education and Agricultural Development, Inc. (AHEAD). The stated goals of AHEAD are: (1) to reduce and eliminate disease and premature death; (2) to cultivate and advance healthy living; and (3) to foster sustainable environmental activities. Iota Alpha Lambda Chapter also honored youth from the Peer Abstinence Choice Education Program (PACE). Brother Freddie Player who runs the Chapter’s Project Alpha Program partnered with the group in educating area youth on issues effecting teens such as sexually transmitted diseases, teen pregnancy and violence in relationships.

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Iota Upsilon Lambda Silver Spring, MD IUL Lobbying Leads to $500,000 Maryland Donation to MLK Memorial Iota Upsilon Lambda Chapter Brother Charles McGee recently received the Congressional Gold Medal for his outstanding accomplishments in a ceremony attended by President George W. Bush, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Brother Congressman Charlie Rangel and numerous other Congressional leaders and representatives. Also, Iota Upsilon Lambda Brothers, along with Delegate Herman Taylor, created initiated and executed a plan that led to Maryland becoming the first state to donate to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Washington, D.C. National Memorial Project. IUL Brother Dr. Ed Jackson, Jr., Executive Architect for the MLK Memorial and Chapter Brothers Nichols, Campbell, Bailey and Smith testified before the Senate and House Appropriations committees about the memorial. IUL Brothers also wrote letters, made phone calls, supported Delegate Taylor at press conferences and taped a public service announcement for Montgomery Cable TV urging Marylanders to ask their representatives to support the MLK Memorial. The Chapter was successful in acquiring a total $500,000 for the Memorial—receiving $250,000 from the House and $250,000 from the Senate. IUL’s hope is that Brothers from other states around the country will acquire bond funding for the Memorial in a similar manner.

Brother Charles McGee (at podium) received Congressional Gold Medal.

Spring • Summer 2007

CHAPTER NEWS began in September 2006 and ended this past June for a summer break. The program will pick up

Iota Sigma Lambda St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands Iota Sigma Lambda Brothers Present Project Alpha Seminar to Young Males Iota Sigma Lambda Chapter Brothers conducted their latest Project Alpha seminar in March to approximately 35 young men ranging from ages 12-to-18. The seminar was conducted at the David C. Canegata Community Center in Christiansted, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. During the program, Brothers discussed topics that included Abstinence and the Consequences of Early Sexual Activity; Peer Pressure; HIV/AIDS and other Sexually Transmitted Diseases; Teen Pregnancy; Relationships; Disadvantages of Early Fatherhood; Respect for Self and Others; Conflict and Tolerance; and What It Means to Be a Man. The Brothers who participated in the seminar were: Frank Abednego, Joseph Bramble, O’Neil Canton, Rameek Croskey, Dr. Kendall Griffith, Robert Molloy, Samuel Sanes and Belgrave Stedman. The program was part of a youth forum co-sponsored with the Rotary Club of St. Croix. The event was well received by the attendees and the Chapter has received many requests to hold Project Alpha seminars in the future.

PUL Brother Ashley Hoover tutors a Suitland High School student during a session of the Chapter’s Go-to-High School, Go-to-College program.

Pi Upsilon Lambda Prince George’s County, MD PUL Mentors Help Boys Become Men Pi Upsilon Lambda Chapter Brothers provide no-cost academic support to county high school students as part of their effort to increase the number of youth from Prince George’s County who graduate from high school and go to college. As part of the Chapter’s Go-toHigh School, Go-to-College program, PUL Brothers began tutoring in Prince George’s County high schools in 1993—the same year the chapter was founded. PUL has grown to about 70 members, many of whom volunteer as tutors from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. The program works with one county high school at a time and has worked with Largo and Parkdale high schools in past years. The first session at Suitland High School

Brother David Robertson demonstrates face-painting skills.

Eta Zeta Lambda Westchester County, NY Eta Zeta Lambda Brothers Collaborate with Deltas for Halloween Activity Eta Zeta Lambda Chapter collaborated with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority members in Westchester County for a Halloween activity. During an Ice Cream Social held at the WestHelp Transitional Housing facility in Mount Vernon, New York, Brothers and Deltas entertained displaced children by reading scary stories in a decorated set of rooms. Brother David Robertson’s face-painting skill was a big hit with the youth. After a few games, everyone had snacks and ice cream. Following the initial outing, Brothers began a mentorship program with the New Rochelle High School. Big Brothers Big Sisters of America offers technical support for screening, training and evaluation. Some form of contact weekly is encouraged and documented. In November, everyone attended a home game of the New Jersey Nets NBA team. A Project Alpha presentation also is planned for the students—a few of whom are eligible to apply for scholarships.

Iota Sigma Lambda Brothers pause for photo during Project Alpha Seminar.

again in early September. All county students, including those from other schools, can participate.

Spring • Summer 2007

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CHAPTER NEWS

MIDWESTERN REGION

Mu Mu Lambda Glen Ellyn, Illinois Mu Mu Lambda Sponsors Pilgrimage to Cape Coast in Africa Mu Mu Lambda Chapter’s Education Committee sponsored eight young men on an annual pilgrimage to Cape Coast, Ghana in West Africa in January 2007. Six Brothers and one of their wives traveled as chaperones with the youth. A primary objective of the pilgrimage was to give African American youth a positive African experience and show them the similarities between African Americans and Africans. The trip also served as a “rites of passage” for the young men who participate in Mu Mu Lambda Chapter’s Annual Beautillion, which has been held for the past 25 years. The travel experience provided opportunities for the

students to explore selected cultural roles, evaluate issues of the African culture, and participate in an advanced education project. Various readings and seminar topics were discussed based on travel throughout selected areas of Ghana. African Americans sometimes hold a belief that Africa is a definition of failure and ugliness. The Mu Mu Lambda Chapter Education Committee is attempting to overturn the negative influences by acquainting African American youth with positive experiences. Students prepared a reflection journal of their travel to Ghana where they documented their thoughts and experiences from the journey. Following are themes that were discussed and written in the journals: (1) the nature and variations of African Culture in a contemporary society; (2) leadership roles within an African family; (3) the historical implications of slavery; (4) issues and status of a particular African community; (5) paying special attention to the issues affecting African youth within the community; (6) the role of African students within the education system of Ghana.

Xi Wilberforce University Wilberforce, OH Brothers at Wilberforce Address Issue of Male Leadership Xi Chapter Brothers reintroduced their Alpha-Bet program schedule for the 2007 academic semester. The intense schedule included a minimum two programs per week of on and off campus activities—each coinciding in alphabetical sequence. The task was accomplished with three Brothers in the Chapter (two graduated in Spring 2007). Currently, the male enrollment on the campus is only 20 percent, with 60 percent of that number maintaining a GPA above 2.7. The statistics have moved Xi Chapter Brothers to a dialogue that addresses male leadership, male academic excellence, retention, and student recruitment. The Chapter’s has continued to keep its members actively evolved in other campus organizations with Chapter President Brandon D. Lee, serving as the Vice President for the NPHC; Vice-President Lester D. McKinley, Jr., serving as Chairman of the University Activities Committee; and Financial Secretary Deraldo A. Hooper, maintaining active membership with the NAACP and the Black Male Coalition. Meanwhile, Brothers have continued their academic responsibility while also holding off campus jobs. The Chapter continued its fraternal networking by participating in the Delta Xi Chapter (Central State University) sponsored MLK March. Also, continuing to address the issue of AIDS and using the Alpha Phi Alpha World Policy Council Report as a discussion point, Xi Chapter hosted a panel discussion on AIDS awareness. Other Chapter activities included volunteering in the University Café, holding a Valentine’s Day raffle and a student talent show. Xi Chapter Brothers continue to host and participate in all nationally mandated programs and have included the General President’s 10,000 Big Brothers mandate in its 2007-08 agenda.

Xi Lambda Chicago, IL Xi Lambda Education Foundation Awards 17 Scholarships

Youth participating in Mu Mu Lambda Chapter’s pilgrimage to Africa are pictured with a Ghana resident.

The Xi Lambda Educational Foundation entertained over 500 guests, including representatives of most African American Greek-lettered organizations, during the Chapter’s 2007 Annual Spring Luncheon/Fashion Showcase. Presentations are made to scholarship recipients at the event. The Xi Lambda Educational Foundation awarded 17 scholarships this year

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to young African American men who will attend colleges and universities this fall. Every year, Xi Lambda Education Foundation members work tirelessly to raise money for these scholarships and to identify high school students who may qualify. The Chapter now is working to make this year’s Labor Day Breakfast a resounding success. Chapter Brothers Bennett Stewart and Bennie Brown—who helped organize the Fraternity’s General Convention that was held in Chicago—started the annual event in 1955. Many Brothers, their wives and guests recalled dancing to the live music played by Brother Duke Ellington and his orchestra.

Spring • Summer 2007

CHAPTER NEWS

SOUTHERN REGION

Zeta Mu Georgia State University Atlanta, GA

George State Dean’s Cup Awarded to Zeta Mu Chapter (Back l-r) Brothers Jermaine Wilson, Rondale Dunn, Reginal McKeithn; (middle l-r) Jason Ross, Marlon Edwards, Brandon McDowel, Tyrone Bates, Jr.; (front l-r) Jamaal Washington, Treasurer; Christopher Rembert, V.P.; James Cook, President; LaiMonte Hunter, Secretary; and Kenneth Beene.

Omicron Xi Lambda Knob Noster, MO

Omicron Xi Lambda Kicks Off Alpha Esquires Mentoring Program Omicron Xi Lambda Chapter Brothers kicked off their Alpha Esquires Mentoring Program in February at Central High School in Kansas City, Missouri. The Alpha Esquire’s program is designed to mentor African American high school males in the areas of education, health, manhood, character and decision making skills. The Alpha Esquires meet monthly on the last Saturday of each month at Central High School. Between the monthly meetings, members of the organization individually mentor Esquires. Mentoring includes phone calls, visits, community service, tutoring, job shadowing and other activities. The program is available to all African American high school males in the Kansas City Metro area who have a desire to excel and prepare for a great future.

Zeta Mu Chapter Brothers have continued to be “First of All” through a commitment to excellence as displayed by their winning Georgia State University’s prestigious Dean’s Cup Award. The Dean’s Cup is an award given to the most outstanding, all-around and diverse Chapter of the 24 Greeklettered organizations on the Georgia State University campus. Zeta Mu Brothers received the award because of their undying commitment to serve the Georgia State University and surrounding communities. In winning the Dean’s Cup Award, Zeta Mu Chapter scored a Chapter first and also became the first National PanHellenic Council organization in the school’s history to win the Dean’s Cup. The award is held in

high esteem by the school faculty, students and other Greek-lettered organizations on the campus. In addition to setting standards for the University’s NPHC organizations, Zeta Mu also exemplifies the true spirit of Alpha’s servitude by promoting and facilitating various programs that capture the true essence of positive intercultural relations. Zeta Mu was awarded the 2007 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Torch of Peace Award for the Chapter’s commitment to unifying all Greek- and non-Greek-lettered organizations at the University. Further, the award recognizes Zeta Mu’s commitment to empowering the Atlanta community to move upward and onward toward their goals. The Torch of Peace Award has been awarded annually for the past 24 years in honor of Dr. King. It highlights his legacy and recognizes outstanding faculty, students and organizations in the school community whose principles and actions represent the heritage of Dr. King. Also, in representing the Fraternity as “Servants of All”, Zeta Mu Brothers have diligently worked to transcend the playing field of Georgia State in the same manner the “Jewels” and Chapter founders envisioned. During the

101 YEARS STRONG Zeta Mu Chapter Brothers are recognized for high achievements.

Spring • Summer 2007

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CHAPTER NEWS Fraternity year, Zeta Mu received 13 awards at the annual Greek Awards presentation, including the Five Star Excellence; Outstanding Advisor of the Year (Brother Quincy Barnett); Best New Member (Brother John Lloyd); Excellence in Campus Involvement; Excellence in Citizenship; Outstanding Contribution in the Martin Luther King Convocation Program; Best Collaborating Award (with Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority); Kenneth M. England Scholarship Recipient (Brother Cameron Herman); A.C.E. Award Recipient (Brother Christopher Bruce); Greek Week 3rd Place Fraternity; Fraternity Most Spirited Award for Greek Week; NAACP Fraternity of the Year Award; and NPHC Fraternity of the Year Award. In the award presentations, it was stated that the accomplishments of the Chapter are helping pave the way for all Greek-letter organizations

on the campus and at the surrounding universities.

Nu Phi Coastal Carolina University Conway, SC Nu Phi Takes Home Campus Awards Striving to uphold the noble mandates set forth by the Fraternity’s new mission statement, Nu Phi Chapter Brothers took home four awards following the Coastal Carolina Greek Life Awards Ceremony. The Chapter won the most awards of any other Greekletter organization on campus during the program. Their awards included: Greek Leader of the Year (Brother Derrick W. Wise); Greek President of the Year (Brother Derrick W. Wise); Living the Ritual

Beta Beta Lambda Miami, FL Beta Beta Lambda Chapter Receives $10,000 Award for MLK Memorial

Beta Beta Lambda Chapter Brothers accepted a $10,000 financial award from Congressman Kendrick B. Meek (D-FL) to support the building of the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial in Washington, D.C. Also pictured in above photo is Congresswoman Carrie P. Meek (D-FL), mother of Kendrick Meek; and the multi-award winning men of the Beta Beta Lambda Chapter.

Award-Winning Nu Phi Brothers Award (Brother Derrick W. Wise); and the 2007 Greek Cup Trophy for Outstanding Greek Organization, which is the highest and most prestigious award that a fraternal organization can win on campus. Chapter Brother Derrick W. Wise also won the Outstanding Organization President of the Year award at the school’s Office of Student Activities Award Ceremony. In addition, Chapter Brother Wendall Capeheart competed and won the title of Mr. Greek Week 2007. Nu Phi Brothers are leaders among the campus community and hold the following offices: NAACP President (Brother Dermarcus Smalls); NPHC President (Brother Todd Jenkins); President of Roteract (Brother Jerome Butler); and Directors of CCU’s award-winning Gospel Choir (Brothers Derrick Wise and Todd Jenkins). Along with these awards and recognitions, the Chapter hosted the 2007 South Carolina District Annual College Brother Summit and Presidential Candidate Forum, which was held in April 2007. Four of the candidates for General President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity attended the forum. The

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Chapter is currently making plans with Mu Epsilon Lambda Chapter to host the 2007 South Carolina District Convention, which will be held in October 2008.

Pi Zeta Chapter University of North Carolina-Greensboro Greensboro, NC Pi Zeta Chapter received the Outstanding Student Organization Award during the University of North Carolina-Greensboro’s Student Excellence Awards Ceremony. The Chapter was selected for the award over nearly 200 other campus organizations because of its outstanding programming, campus involvement, student leadership and our community service. In addition, one of the Pi Zeta Chapter Brothers received the Outstanding Student Leader Award, which is given to “a deserving student who possesses the qualities of being a well-rounded individual.” Brother Charles Bowen, Jr. received the award. He is a Spring 2004 initiate of the Pi Zeta Chapter, Attorney General for the Student Government

Spring • Summer 2007

CHAPTER NEWS longevity. On December 4, Psi Lambda organized a silent march around the UTC campus to remember the Fraternity’s Seven Jewels. In early 2007, in conjunction with the city of Chattanooga, Psi Lambda helped raise $5,000 in the Power of One Luncheon that honored Brother Martin Luther King, Jr. The

speaker for the program was Mayor Shirley Franklin of Atlanta. The Chapter provided $3,500 in scholarships to young men in Chattanooga high schools as part of the Psi Lambda Education Foundation. Also, Psi Lambda recently placed third in the Annual BBBS Bowl for Kids Sake.

Pi Zeta Brothers and award recipient. Association and Community Advisor for the residence halls. His final act before graduating this past semester was giving out the Davis/Himes Scholarship. The scholarship is in remembrance of the Chapter’s Brother Damien Davis, who transitioned to Omega Chapter. The scholarship is awarded to a student who answers an essay question and presents two letters of recommendation to the Chapter. This year, with money raised from the Miss Black & Gold Scholarship Pageant and the Date Auction, Brother Bowen presented deserving student Phillip Brady with a $1,000 scholarship.

Psi Lambda Chattanooga, TN Psi Lambda Chapter Brothers have continued to strive to advance the community in the city of

Chattanooga. In 2006, Psi Lambda hosted its first ever scholarship ball, which raised over $12,000. The ball theme was Celebrating a Century of Leadership and Service. In Fall 2006, the Chapter participated in its 30th Annual Adopt A Grandparents Christmas Luncheon where they provided food and gifts to the elderly. The Chapter’s Cecil Flournoy was selected as the District Director of Tennessee and was the speaker for the Christmas Luncheon. The Alumni Brothers hosted a re-creation of the first Initiation Banquet, which other NPHC organizations supported. As part of Founders’ Day weekend, the Chapter participated in several events, including the BBBS Christmas Party and they hosted a step show on the same night. On Sunday, they held a Founders’ Day Program where Psi Lambda recognized a member from each of the active local Divine Nine fraternities and sororities for their

Beta Theta Lambda Brothers.

Beta Theta Lambda Durham, NC Beta Theta Lambda Chapter Brothers celebrated their 69th Chapter Anniversary by attending a morning worship service and taking Holy Communion at Union Baptist Church in Durham. Rev. Brother Kenneth Hammond, pastor of Union Baptist, extended greetings to Brothers and the Chapter’s Rev. Landon Adams presented the church with a donation on behalf of the Beta Theta Lambda. Following the service, a program was held in the church fellowship hall celebrating the Chapter’s Anniversary. Brother Eric Heath presided over the program; and Brother Andre Vann presented a history and trivia quiz about the Fraternity and the impact of its members on Durham. Former Chapter President Roger Gregory reflected on his two terms in office and how the Fraternity’s goal to be of service to all mankind has continued to evolve over the years. Brother Willis Baird, former Chapter President and District Director, reflected on the Chapter’s strong bond of brotherhood. Current Chapter President Sean C. Hall and the Area Director for Central North Carolina Richard LaBennett, Jr. also offered remarks before the program concluded with the singing of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Hymn. Refreshments were provided by Brothers Baldwin Gammage, Mack Jarmon and Oliver Hodge. Other Brothers present included James Schooler Sr., James Schooler Jr., William McDonald, Donald Lowrance, Bernard Holiday, Airall Guillermo, Edward Clemons, Reginald Johnson, Keith Bishop, Michael Barbee, Charles Dino, Marcus Frederick and Corey Waters.

Psi Lambda Scholarship Luncheon photo.

Spring • Summer 2007

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CHAPTER NEWS

SOUTHWESTERN REGION Xi Nu Lambda Baton Rouge, LA Xi Nu Lambda Brothers Provide Mentoring and Present Young Black Males to Society

With the band playing and an elegant mood set for the evening, Xi Nu Lambda Chapter held its Eighth Beautillion at the Smith-Brown Memorial Union Cotillion Ballroom at Southern University. The Beautillion was a culminating event for participants of the program. It served as a fraternal opportunity to mentor young African American males and present the young men to society at the end of the season. During the presentations, the young men went through a rite of passage where they were honored by their male and female caregivers. The evening involved formal dances by the Beaus, first with their mothers and second with their Belles; award presentations to Fraternity members and Beaus; and the crowning of Mr. Beautillion 2007. In addition to awards, the runners-up and Mr. Beautillion received scholarships that will be applied to their first semester at a college of their choice. Mr. Beautillion was awarded based on his grade point average, advertisement sales and level of participation in beau activities. Mr. Raphael Malbrue, son of Mr. and Mrs. Tyrone and Eleanor Malbrue, was named Mr. Beautillion 2007. The Catholic High School senior also received the highest scholastic average and highest amount of souvenir booklet ad donations. Lastly, his presentation of original heart disease research on lab animals was indicative of his winning the Beau Light Award as elected by his fellow Beaus. Prior to the Beautillion culminating event, the young males

Some of the Beautillion Committee and Xi Nu Lambda Brothers are pictured with the Beautillion Emcees. (Front row l-r): Marco Barker; Tyana Williams, Emcee; David Grisby, Beautillion Chair; Kenneth West; and Tellis Abrams. (Back row l-r): Jonathan “Jay” Augustine, Emcee; Donny Alexander; Styles Cosey; Alvin Cavalier; David Butler; and Malcolm Carpenter.. engage in a myriad of workshops and activities. The Chapter provided workshops on African American History and Blacks in the Bible; Social Etiquette; Understanding Laws and Legal Procedures; Tie Techniques; and Shaving Issues for African American Men. The workshops were intended to provide participants with practical skills and cultural knowledge. In addition to the workshops, Beaus were able to participate in both recreational and educational activities. The young men attended the Chinese and African American Art Exhibit; the Broadway production of STOMP; the Alpha Kappa Alpha Gamma Eta Omega Chapter’s Ebony-Jet Fashion Fair; an exhibition of the Harlem Globetrotters; a performance by the Soweto, South African Gospel Choir; a book review and health discussion by Dr. Rani Whitfield; and Artplosion at the Shaw Center. To help foster civic engagement and community outreach, Xi Nu Lambda Brothers invited the Beaus to participate in the March of Dimes Walk America. The Beaus also engaged in a game of bowling to facilitate camaraderie and good sportsmanship among participants. Since the inception of the Beautillion, Xi Nu Lambda Chapter has presented over 50 beaus.

WESTERN REGION Iota Omicron Lambda Colorado Springs, CO Iota Omicron Lambda Chapter Brothers are a customary site at U.S. Air Force Academy home football

games. Since 1984, the Brothers have operated a concession stand as their annual fundraiser for the Chapter’s Scholarship Foundation. The Chapter receives 15 percent of the gross sales and averages a net income of over $6,500 per season. As a result, the chapter is able to award seven scholarships of $750 each to graduating high school seniors. The scholarships are presented to the recipients at the annual Black & Gold Ball.

Iota Omicron Lambda Brothers operate concession stand.

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Spring • Summer 2007

General President Addresses NFDMA Meeting in Puerto Rico

General President Darryl R. Matthews, Sr. (center) is pictured with Brothers of the National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association (NFDMA) in this photo taken at the organization’s Annual House of Representative Meeting in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Brother Matthews was special guest for the meeting. Pictured are: (front row, l-r) Brothers Keith Biglow, District 7 Director; Howard Burton, NFDMA President; Matthews; Greg Burrell, Corporate Secretary; Danny Percell, Past President; (2nd row, l-r) Gerard Burnett and Michael Thornwell. NFDMA is the largest and oldest national association of African American funeral directors.

ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY, INC. DEVELOPS LEADERS, PROMOTES BROTHERHOOD AND ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE, WHILE PROVIDING SERVICE AND ADVOCACY FOR OUR COMMUNITIES.

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Westchester County, New York, Unveils Martin Luther King, Jr. Statue

he Westchester County (New York) Board of Legislators unveiled the County’s memorial to Brother Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in April during a ceremony held at the County Courthouse in White Plains. The unveiling was the culmination of a seven-year, $500,000 project lead by County Legislator and Board Vice Chair Brother Clinton I. Young, Jr. whose work involved obtaining the necessary funding through committees and the Board of Legislators, establishing the site for the memorial and finding the right artist to recreate Dr. King in a 12-foot bronze statue. Artist Milton L. Sherrill of the ACBAW Gallery in Mount Vernon, New York created the statue. The Memorial Unveiling Ceremony for the King statue kicked off the historical day’s activities. A musical tribute was performed at the unveiling ceremony by acclaimed jazz and gospel vocalist Clarissa Cinceno and the New Rochelle Renaissance Ensemble. An opening address for the program was presented by Rabbi Emeritus Amiel Wohl of Temple Israel New Rochelle followed by remarks from County Executive Andrew J. Spano and Board of Legislators Chairman Bill Ryan and Brother Clinton I. Young, Jr. The ceremony concluded with the statue unveiling. The New York 13th Legislative District’s “Westchester King Awards Ceremony” followed the unveiling at the C.V. Rich Mansion in White Plains with CBS News Correspondent Michelle Miller

(l-r) Michelle Miller, Traci E. Alexander, Brother Dick Gregory, actress Ruby Dee and Brother Clinton Young are pictured. Ms. Dee displays her Westchester King Lifetime Achievement Award.

serving as mistress of ceremonies and civil and human rights activist Brother Dick Gregory sharing in the special tribute. Actress, activist and humanitarian Ruby Dee received the Westchester King Lifetime Achievement Award during the program. The purpose of the day’s events was to pay tribute to Brother King and to recognize the achievements of some of the area’s dedicated community leaders with the 13th Legislative District’s Westchester King “Making a Difference” Award. Proceeds from the event benefited the Association for Community-Based Artists of Westchester (AC-BAW). For more than 31 years, AC-BAW has served hundreds of thousands of students throughout Westchester and the state of New York through a myriad of programs in schools there and at their art gallery on Fourth Street in Mount Vernon

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Spring • Summer 2007

Brother Eddie G. Robinson Was Winningest Coach in College Football During Grambling State University Tenure

egendary Grambling State University coach Brother Eddie Gay Robinson, who during his tenure established himself as the winningest coach in college football history, passed away on April 3, 2007 at Lincoln General Hospital in Ruston, Louisiana. He was age 88 at the time of his passing. Born February 13, 1919 in Jackson, Louisiana, Brother Robinson was initiated into Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity on May 7, 1949 through the Epsilon Kappa Lambda Chapter in Louisiana. The renowned coach was awarded the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity’s Award of Merit twice because of his generous and unselfish mentoring of young men. He was presented with the Fraternity award in 1972 at the General Convention in Denver, Colorado and again, in 1993, at the Convention in New Orleans, Louisiana. Brother Robinson sent more than 200 players to the National Football League and won 408 games during his 57-year coaching career. During his tenure at Grambling, he established himself as the winningest coach in college football history and became the first to record 400 wins, which involved the team’s winning 17

Southwestern Athletic Conference titles and nine national black college championships and led to Coach Robinson’s induction into every hall of fame for which he was eligible. Brother Robinson’s career spanned 11 United States Presidents, several wars and the Civil Rights Movement. He set the standard for victories, amassing a career record of 408-165-15. “The real record I have set for over 50 years is the fact that I have had one job and one wife,” Brother Robinson often said when commenting on his victories. Coach Robinson had been suffering with Alzheimer’s, which was diagnosed shortly after he was forced to retire following the 1997 season, in which he won only three games. His health had been declining for years and he had been in and out of a nursing home during the last year. The football legend said he tried to coach each player as if he wanted him to marry his daughter. He began coaching at Grambling State University in 1941 when the school was still named the

Brother Eddie G. Robinson ( 1919 – 2007 )

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Continued on page 82

Eddie G. Robinson Career Highlights Coach Eddie Robinson amassed many outstanding achievements and accomplishments during his 56-year coaching career. Some of his career highlights include: 䊳 An unprecedented 408 victories in 56 years as Grambling State University’s head football coach 䊳 Coached over 4,000 players, over 80 percent of whom received college degrees 䊳 Recipient of five honorary degrees: Yale University, Grambling State University, Louisiana Tech University, Southern University, and Springfield College 䊳 The Football Writers Association of America renamed its Coach of the Year Award the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award in 1997 䊳 Induction into the College Football Hall of Fame, 1997 䊳 First active coach to receive the Tuss McLaughry Award (American Football Coaches Association’s highest honor), 1996 䊳 Induction into the Blue-Gray Football Classic Hall of Fame, 1995 䊳 Recipient of the NAACP Image Award’s Jackie Robinson Sports Award, 1995 䊳 Recipient of the Casey Award, 1995 䊳 Recipient of the SWAC Coach of the Year Award, 1994 䊳 Casey Award Winner, 1994 䊳 Recipient of the Alpha Phi Alpha Award of Merit (Presented by General President Milton C. Davis at the General Convention in New Orleans, LA), 1993 1

䊳 Became the first African American recipient of the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award, 1993 䊳 Recipient of the National Football Foundation & College Football Hall of Fame Outstanding Contribution to Amateur Football Award, 1992 䊳 Recipient of the Buffalo Soldier Award, 1992 䊳 Induction into the Southwestern Athletic Conference Hall of Fame, 1992 䊳 Recipient of the Francis J. “Reds” Bagnell Award presented by the Maxwell Club, 1991 䊳 Induction into the National Association for Sports & Physical Education Hall of Fame, 1990 䊳 Recipient of the Disney Pigskin Classic’s Heritage Award, 1990 䊳 Recipient of the Circle City Classic’s Major Taylor Award, 1990 䊳 Recipient of the Henry Frank Award of Excellence, 1989 䊳 Induction into the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, 1988 Continued on page 81

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Louisiana Negro Normal and Industrial Institute. He single-handedly brought the school from obscurity to international recognition. Grambling State University first gained national attention in 1949 when player Paul “Tank” Younger signed with the Los Angeles Rams and became the first athlete from an allblack college to enter the NFL. From that point on, professional scouts targeted the small school, which is about 65 miles east of Shreveport near the Arkansas border. Seven first-round draft choices and Super Bowl MVP quarterback Doug Williams—one of Brother Robinson’s former players and his successor in 1998 as Grambling’s head coach—were among the more than 200 players that Coach Robinson sent to the NFL. A number of other players he coached went to the Canadian Football League and the now-defunct USFL. Some of the Grambling coach’s pro stars included Willie Davis, James Harris, Ernie Ladd, Buck Buchanan, Sammy White, Cliff McNeil, Willie Brown, Roosevelt Taylor, Charlie Joiner and Willie Williams. Brother Robinson said he was inspired to become a football coach when a high school team visited the elementary school he attended. Other kids wanted to be players but he wanted to be like the coach, Brother Robinson said. He stated that he liked the way the coach talked to the team and how the team respected him. Coach Robinson was forced to retire after the 1997 season after the once-perennial powerhouse fell on difficult times. His final three years as coach brought consecutive losing seasons for the first time. Also the school faced an NCAA investigation of recruiting violations and four players were charged with rape. The 1997 season produced only three wins for the second straight year. Under Brother Robinson, Grambling’s football teams had only eight losing seasons and won 17 Southwestern Athletic Conference titles and nine national black college championships. He won trophies, representing virtually every award a coach can win and was inducted into every hall of fame for which he was eligible. Brother Robinson was awarded honorary doctorate degrees from Louisiana Tech University, Springfield College, Yale University and Southern University. In 1968, Brother Robinson put Grambling’s football show on the road and began playing in the nation’s largest stadiums, overcoming problems presented by a tiny home stadium on a hard-toreach campus. The same year, famed sports broadcaster Howard Cosell and noted columnist Jerry Izenberg produced the documentary,

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Grambling College: 100 Yards to Glory; Brother Robinson became vice president of the NAIA; and all three major television networks carried special programming on Grambling football. A year later, Grambling played before 277,209 paying customers in 11 games, despite the Grambling State University home field that seated only 13,000 people. When Brother Eddie Robinson began his career, he had no paid assistants, no groundskeepers, no trainers and little in the way of equipment. He had to line the field himself and fix lunchmeat sandwiches for road trips because the players could not eat in the “whites only” restaurants of the South. Brother Robinson did not become bitter by the segregation experiences in the South but instead tried to teach his players about opportunity, saying that people do not have to be white to enjoy America. The son of a cotton sharecropper and a domestic worker, neither of Brother Robinson’s parents graduated from high school; however, they encouraged him to stay in school and get a college degree. He was a star quarterback at Leland College under Reuben S. Turner, a Baptist preacher who introduced him to the playbook and took him to his first coaching clinic. Following college, Brother Robinson took a job at a feed mill in Baton Rouge where he earned 25 cents an hour. He learned through a relative that there was a coaching opening at Grambling State. In his first season, Brother Robinson’s team went 3-5. In his second year, Grambling was 9-0; and the team was not only unbeaten that year, they also were not scored on. In 1943 and 1944, there was no football played at Grambling because of World War II. Brother Robinson coached at Grambling High School during those years and won a high school championship. He often told the story of how a father pulled his best running backs off the team, saying that the boys could not play anymore because they had to pick cotton. So, Brother Robinson gathered all the other boys on the team, packed them up and went with the star running backs to help pick the cotton. Then, they went on to win the championship. In his first year as coach at Grambling, Brother Robinson married the former Doris Mott, whom he met when she was in the 8th grade and whom he had courted for the next eight years. Brother Robinson is survived by his wife of 64-years; son, Eddie Robinson, Jr.; daughter Lillian Rose Robinson; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

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Eddie G. Robinson Career Highlights Continued from page 79

䊳 Recipient of the B’nai B’rith International Molder of Champions Award, 1988 䊳 Recipient of the Independence Bowl’s Omar Bradley Spirit of Excellence Award, 1988 䊳 Recipient of the Indiana Youthlink’s Pathfinder Award, 1988 䊳 Recipient of the National Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall of Fame Award, 1987 䊳 Presented a Special Commendation by the NCAA for the most wins in college football history, 1986 䊳 Recipient of the Gold Helmet Paul Bear Bryant Award, 1985 䊳 Recipient of the Dallas All Sports Association’s Distinguished Award, 1985 䊳 Recipient of the United States Sports Academy’s Academy Award, 1985 䊳 Recipient of the Amos Alonzo Stagg Memorial Award, 1985 䊳 Recipient of the Pat Roberson Award from the Sheridan Broadcasting Network, 1985 䊳 Recipient of the National Boy Scouts of America Silver Buffalo Award, 1985 䊳 South 13th Street in Baton Rouge, LA was renamed Eddie Robinson Senior Drive to honor Coach Robinson, 1985 䊳 Served as head coach of the SWAC seniors in the inaugural Freedom Bowl All-Star Classic in Atlanta, GA, 1984 䊳 Recipient of the Whitney J. Young Memorial Award from the New York Urban League, 1983 䊳 Inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, 1983 䊳 Presented the Distinguished American Commendation Citation from the Walter Camp Foundation at Yale University, 1982 䊳 Recipient of the Morris Frank Touchdown Award, 1982 䊳 Recipient of the Liberty Bowl’s American Service Award, 1982 䊳 Inducted into the Pop Warner Hall of Fame, 1979 䊳 Inducted into the Sugar Bowl Hall of Fame, 1979 䊳 Served as head coach of the East-West Shrine All-Star Game, 1977 䊳 Served as president of the American Football Coaches Association, 1976 䊳 Inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame, 1976 䊳 Became the first U.S. college coach to take a team outside the continental United States to play in Japan, 1976 䊳 Elected Vice President of the American Football Coaches Association, 1975 䊳 Recipient of the Alpha Phi Alpha Award of Merit (Presented by General President Ernest N. Morial at the General Convention in Denver, CO), 1972 2

䊳 Named to the Executive Committee of the National Athletic Directors Association, 1972 䊳 Served as president of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, 1966-77 䊳 Named by the Football Writers Association of America as The Coach Who Made the Biggest Contribution to College Football in the Past 25 Years, 1966 Brother Eddie G. Robinson received the Alpha Phi Alpha Award of Merit twice: (1) General Convention in Denver, CO in 1972; and (2) General Convention in New Orleans, LA in 1993; The Sphinx Magazine; Spring 1996; p. 35. 2 Ibid. 1

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BOOK REVIEW

Jewels: The Story of the Founding of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity By Darrius Jerome Gourdine

Brother F. Romall Smalls

The Artisan House, 2006 (193 pages) Reviewed by F. Romall Smalls

he historical novel is a unique literary tool. The genre was designed to be the antidote to those vexing questions that often surround some of history’s most intriguing personalities and events. Toni Morrison’s Pulitzer Prize winning work of art, Beloved, is one of the most powerful examples of the historical novel. In it, Morrison takes a tragic moment of a real life, runaway slave women in antebellum Ohio and crafts a 512-page tome that explores the supernatural heartache of slavery. I know it is unfair, almost cruel, to compare virtually any 21st century novelist’s work with the devastatingly rich prose of Toni Morrison, but she sets the standard of how a writer can take a segment of history and weave into it fictional dimensions of illumination that only the spring well of genius and imagination can unlock. Brother Darrius Jerome Gourdine’s first novel, Jewels: The Story of the Founding of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, takes place primarily in

1905 and 1906 in Ithaca, New York. It unfortunately falls short of the tall order of bringing both the history and legend of the founding of Alpha Phi Alpha to life in a creative and compelling way. Jewels opens with a young Henry Arthur Callis, a graduating senior at an unknown high school in some unknown place, as he prepares to recite Booker T. Washington’s controversial “Atlanta Compromise” at a school assembly. “My papers are together, my notes are prepared and I have rehearsed the Atlanta Exposition Address a few times over. I’m prepared. I look across the students and see many colored faces, many white students too,” recounts Callis. One important bit of information that the reader is not given at this point is: just where in the U.S. is this fully integrated school located? Segregation was often the rule of the day at the turnof-the-century; and the few places where it was not the norm must have been interesting communities to say the least. Brother Gourdine

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reveals that Callis is from Binghampton, New York later on in the story but he never provides further informative detail about the communities where any of his characters come from or exist. The life stories of the men who created the nation’s oldest collegiate fraternity founded by African Americans are far removed from our present world and reality. By adding rich historical context to this work of fiction, Brother Gourdine could have crafted a clearer vision of the time and places these pioneering men existed. That would have made this historical novel and the era (preWorld War I) that it is suppose to capture come alive. Without such a detailed writing form, the window to the past on which the reader is perched remains shuttered. What was it really like in Ithaca, New York, or at Cornell University, over 100 years ago when electricity was still a new technological wonder and the car was yet to be? Brother Gourdine seems disinterested in such crafty nuances.

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The time period in which Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity was founded abounds with interesting historical information. Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman, both giants in the “fight for freedom,” each called upstate New York, where Ithaca is located, home at one point. The Women’s Suffrage Movement also found this region to be fertile ground. Why was upstate New York such a hot bed for social change, including being the birthplace of Alpha Phi Alpha? Jewels greatest shortcoming is that such a query is never fully explored. The whole focus of the novel centers around the “Jewel” founders of Alpha Phi Alpha and how they endeavored to transform their literary society, which was spearheaded by an older African American graduate student, into a full-fledge “fraternity for Negroes”. The sometimes awkward writing makes it hard to follow just who is narrating the story at any given time. Brother Gourdine, however, does manage to capture the tension

BOOK REVIEW

between the young men who had the desire to “travel the road of change and true unity through brotherhood.” Jewels can not fully explain why these young college students at Cornell thought a fraternity would be of more value than a literary society for the few African American students at the university in only 193 pages. Brother Gourdine gets the basic gist of the matter but he does not take the creative liberty to

flesh it out. Neither are the characters in the story fleshed out. The views of C.C. Poindexter, the graduate assistant who organized the original study group, however are presented in a compelling voice and style. “Now, if the few Negroes on campus could ban together for common good and do the same for each of us, or each of you, we could at least present a solution for those having problems with their studies,” states Mr. Poindexter. His exhorta-

tions are so compelling through out the story that it makes the undergraduate men’s near obsession to create a fraternity seem juvenile and short sighted—at lest in the way Brother Gourdine presents their views. The central characters in Jewels say they believe that they are interested in creating a fraternity that would be capable of being both fraternal and academically supportive at the same time. How and why they think such an idea is feasible is just never fully detailed. Interestingly enough, in the Fraternity history book, The History of Alpha Phi Alpha: A Development In College Life, the matter is explained in some detail. By supporting and monitoring each other’s academic progress, the real life Jewels of Alpha learned the true meaning of brotherhood. It also is noted in the Fraternity’s history that the literary society created at Cornell University in 1905 was attended by “a group of black students”—not just a group of men— but students who came together for mutual benefit. An inquisitive mind could spot a historical secret in this statement. Were there also women on the yard at Cornell who heard and answered the call to unite and work together for mutual uplift? Cornell was after all one of a few

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colleges in America that educated men and women together at the turn of the century. This little known fact is also not mentioned or investigated in Jewels. One of the better parts of the novel comes in the form of speeches made by various characters at the Alpha Phi Alpha Society’s first initiatory banquet. The other notable part of the novel comes at the end of the book, where Brother Gourdine displays some of his better writing skills. He writes seven letters in the voices of the Jewels that are addressed to the men of Alpha Phi Alpha today. It is a slightly creepy ploy but it works in an odd way. In these letters, Brother Gourdine is also finally able to take full advantage of the power of fiction and the sentimental weight of history. In the end, it is nearly impossible in just 193-pages to effectively bring together the rich complexities of historical characters, and to lay out a vivid reckoning of a moment in time that led to the founding 100 years ago of Alpha Phi Alpha. If the reader is interested in exploring the physical and emotional landscape that the founders of Alpha Phi Alpha lived and dreamed in long ago, they will have to stick to the history books where they will get a better understanding of the era because Jewels will not reveal any further details to the secrets of the past.

Brother F. Romall Smalls is Associate Editor with Scholastic News Magazine in New York City and is a frequent contributor to The Sphinx.

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BOOK REVIEW

Grace Abounding: The Core Knowledge Anthology of African-American Literature, Music and Art Charlottesville, VA, Core Knowledge Foundation, 2006 Reviewed by Dr. Joseph T. Durham

race Abounding: The Core Knowledge Anthology of African-American Literature, Music and Art spans many generations. It begins with the proverbial wisdom of Africa and concludes with the “free jazz” and art. Designed as a textbook, Grace Abounding can be used in any language or history from grades 3-to12. The book contains teachers’ guides, activities, tests of understanding, and thought questions, as well as pre-reading activities designed to deepen the student’s understanding of a particular story, piece of music or art work. The book contains copious footnotes which open doors of additional knowledge about selections. The final page of every selection has a section entitled “Delving Deeper”, which enables students to extend his knowledge. Vocabulary in places explains words and terms that may cause trouble and throughout the work are time lines that place events in chronological order. These teaching suggestions are valuable tools for understanding this volume. Grace Abounding is divided into four units: (I) “Origin: Out of

Brother Joseph T. Durham

Africa”; (II) “Let My People Go”; (III) “Up From Bondage, l866l939”; and (IV) “Civil Rights and Beyond: l939-Present”. Some of the finest African American literature of our community emerged during the period covered in Unit IV. During the period, there were significant events. Among the events were the Freedmen’s Bureau, the emergence of the Ku Klux Klan, the Harlem Renaissance, the Great Migration of African Americans from the South to the North and the Great Depression. This section contains a fine glossary of key terms and events during the era of Jim Crow. The writings include selections from Booker T. Washington, Fannie Jackson Coppin, Ida Wells-Barnett, W.E. B. DuBois, Marcus Garvey, Alain Locke and Arthur Schomburg. Among the poets whose works are represented are Langston Hughes, James Weldon Johnson and Countee Cullen. Students are asked, for example, to write a lyric poem in the style of Langston Hughes or to write a manifesto in the style of W. E. B. Dubois. The unit closes with a focus on

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music that is uniquely American such as the blues. Unit I describes the continent of Africa. It describes Africanisms in the English language and gives the origin of words such “banjo” and “gumbo”. This section contains a selection from Olaudah Equino or Gustavus Vasssa, and asks the student to interpret it; and also talks about the griot and his importance to African story telling. These stories have played an important role in the accounts told by Africans that have traditionally kept alive their religious beliefs, their histories and their customs. The section concludes with a discussion of music in traditional African culture. Unit II: “Let My People Go” relates the era of slavery and its awful legacy. This section contains fewer selections than the sections that follow because there were fewer published African writers prior to the Civil War. Among the writers that are cited are Frederick Douglass, Nat Turner, Phyllis Wheatley, Sojourner Truth, and Benjamin Banneker. Few people would buy a book written by a black person unless the book also con-

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tained a statement that the black person was indeed the author. In this unit, students are encouraged to do some creative writing using a piece of Douglass or Sojourner Truth as a model for their own composition. The unit closes with a focus on African American music and dance to the Reconstruction Era. The origin of the dances “The Cakewalk” and the “Bush and Wing”, which are now known as the American tap dance, are disclosed. Unit III: “Up From Bondage” cites the period l866 to l939. During the period, Boogie Woogie, Gospel Music, ragtime and jazz emerged. Musicians such as “Ma” Rainey, W.C. Handy, Bessie Smith, Count Basie, and Thomas A. Dorsey are discussed. Unit IV: “Civil Rights and Beyond” discusses the beginnings of World War II and the Japanese invasion of Pearl Harbor, the rise of the Nation of Islam, the Black Panther Party, and the emergence of Malcolm X. A section of his autobiography is printed. Other writers are Maya Angelou and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Surprisingly, a speech given by Wynton Marsalis at

BOOK REVIEW Tulane University on January l5, 2006 in the wake of Hurricane Katrina is included. For Marsalis, the occasion provided the opportunity to get young people to do as King did; and to take the teachable moment to do something for democracy and freedom. Other writers included in this section are Gwendolyn Brooks, Amiri Baraka, Sonia Sanchez, and Nikki Giovanni, who spoke movingly during the Virginia Tech tragedy. Poets and other writers included Derek Walcott, Richard Wright, Alice Walker and Lorraine Hansberry. This section closes with a focus on the triumph of African American music and highlights BeBop, Hip-Hop and musicians such

as Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Thelonius Monk and John Coltrane. Unit V is a portfolio of African American art. There are fine reproductions of art by Edmonia Lewis, Henry Ossawa Tanner, Aaron Douglas, James VanDerZee, Romare Beardon and others. Each of these reproductions is suitable for framing. Some of the artists are well-known. Others are not but their work is significant. If teachers use Grace Abounding as a textbook or as a guide to the curriculum, their students will obtain a well-rounded exposure to African American literature, art and music as well as history. As a part of the Core

Knowledge Curriculum of E.D. Hirsch, Grace Abounding is a part of Hirsch’s philosophy that literate persons should know significant terms and concepts of a discipline. This book uses significant writings of African Americans to introduce the study of literary techniques such as the haiku, foreshadowing, a simile, or a critical essay. The selections on music are designed to show how formative African American music has been to American culture. The section on art is designed to show how varied African American art can be. Grace Abounding is recommended for elementary and secondary schools as a comprehensive treatment of history, litera-

ture, art, music and dance of a people who persevered despite the shackles of slavery and discrimination to leave a legacy that endures. Students are encouraged to savor each piece of literature, music and art as masterpieces of outstanding persons but also to think about what they can create in the future—building on what generations before them have done.

Brother Dr. Joseph T. Durham is Book Review Editor of the Negro Educational Review, Inc., President Emeritus of the Baltimore Community College and is a member of Delta Lambda Chapter in Baltimore, Maryland.

THERE GOES AN ALPHA MAN There goes a man of high impulse, of princely mien and grace; There goes a man of humble faith, a credit to his race; There goes a man of conscience vast, with will to reach his goal; There goes a man of lordly rank, of heroes’ stock and soul— There goes a man of noble caste, whom hardship cannot break; There goes a man in merit clad, whom duty won’t forsake; There goes a man in cultured verse, who holds a sportsman’s creed; There goes a man too vigilant to bow to lust or greed; There goes a man whose life is spent in service not in scorn; There goes a man whose majesty shines, like a May time morn. There goes a man who is a friend, to love and duty truth; There goes a man to help uplift, the lives of wholesome youth; There goes a man with industry and faith at his command; There goes a man, the best man in and out, for he is an Alpha Man.

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Oldest Registered Brother at Centennial Convention Retains Award Following Case of Mistaken Identity

rother Robert F. Short, who was age 94 at the time of the Fraternity’s 100th Anniversary Convention, held July 2006 in Washington, D.C., received the Fraternity’s Spirit Award for being the Oldest Registered Brother in attendance. Having been initiated in 1929 through Beta Alpha Chapter at Morgan State College (now University) in Baltimore, Maryland, Brother Short had been a member of the Fraternity for 77-years at the time of the Convention. Now a member of Beta Lambda Chapter in Kansas City, Missouri, Brother Short was very proud to have received the award. However, he felt compelled to return it after witnessing anothBrother James Schooler, Sr., age 102. er Brother at the Convention—who at age Brother Robert F. Short, age 94. 102 was older than Brother Short—receive the Fraternity’s Life Membership Award. The same 102-year-old Brother Robert F. Short was in fact the Oldest Registered Brother at Brother later appeared with his award in the Centennial Edition the Centennial Convention. The 102-year-old Brother James M. Sphinx and was listed as also being named Robert Short. Brother Schooler, Sr. had traveled to Washington, D.C. for his special award Robert F. Short of Kansas City felt there had been a “mix-up” and he but was not registered for the Convention. Brother Schooler was had incorrectly been given the Oldest Registered Brother award. mistakenly identified in The Sphinx; and Brother Robert F. Short Following a check of the registered Brothers, it was determined that will retain his award.

ESPRIT DE FRATERNITE An Alpha Phi Alpha man’s attitude should not be: “How much can I derive from the Fraternity?” but “How much can I do for the Fraternity?” In proportion to what he does for his chapter and for Alpha Phi Alpha, will a member receive lasting benefit from the Fraternity to himself in the way of self development by duty well done and by the respect of Brothers well served. A member’s duties should be: 1. Prompt payment of all financial obligations, the prime requisite of successful fraternal life; 2. The doing of good scholastic work in his chosen vocation, thereby accomplishing the real end of a college course; 3. The reasonable endeavor to participate in general college activities and social service and to excel therein; 4. The proper consideration of all things with appropriate attention to the high moral standard of Alpha Phi Alpha.

— Charles H. Garvin Fourth General President 1912-1914

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OMEGA CHAPTER

14TH EDITOR OF THE SPHINX ENTERS OMEGA CHAPTER

ground. There is a procession of great personalities, who conhe Sphinx Magazine’s 14th Editor-in-Chief and former tributed to the human success story, of African birth and Midwestern Region Vice President the Reverend Brother descent, too long and numerous to name or number. Let no C. Anderson Davis has entered into Omega Chapter, the man deceive you, the (African American) has much to be Fraternity’s Chapter for deceased members. Brother Davis proud for and of. Let us become acquainted with ourselves and passed away this Spring in Houston, Texas where he last resided. proclaim to the world that we have a great Brother Charles Anderson Davis was heritage and a great history.” part of a pantheon of Alpha Phi Alpha In addition to being an outstanding Fraternity leaders who were also great Alpha leader, Brother Davis was a very Brothers. He was initiated into the prominent pastor and civic leader. Rev. Fraternity in 1941 through Alpha Phi Brother Charles Anderson Davis was born Chapter at Clark Atlanta University. In 1956, on July 7 in the coal town of Pocahontas, 1957 and 1958, Brother Davis served as the Virginia. The town was noted for having a Fraternity’s Vice President of the very good school system. He finished pubMidwestern Region. He also served as a lic schools a year early and went on to the member of the Fraternity’s 50th Anniversary County School. He later attended a Convention Committee for the celebration Methodist Church School in Morristown, held in Buffalo, New York in 1956. Brother Tennessee and from there went to Clark Davis was the last surviving member of that College in Atlanta where he had two august assemblage and with his passing; all majors—Social Sciences and Physical the official members of the 50th Science. After becoming a member of the Anniversary Convention Committee have Fraternity while at Clark College and gradnow entered Omega Chapter. uating from the school, he entered Rev. Brother Davis also served as Rev. C. Anderson Davis Gammon Theological Seminary in Atlanta chairman of the Fraternity’s Committee to where he graduated as one of the school’s outstanding theoloRaise Funds to establish a National Headquarters. gians. He received a scholarship to attend Boston University He was elected as Editor-in-Chief of The Sphinx at the after leaving Gammon and later pastored Methodist churches Fraternity’s 55th Anniversary Convention in December 1961. for more than 20 years. He introduced a new format for the magazine with colorful, Brother Davis was very involved with civil rights and the printed pages and an editorial presentation that kept The NAACP where he met and married his wife, Mrs. Bertha Davis. Sphinx in line with its tradition of past excellent fraternal jourThe couple moved to Houston in1969 for the purpose of reornalism and made the forward step, which related it to the modganizing the local NAACP. In 1973, Brother Davis also reorganern fraternal journals of the day. Brother Davis took office the ized the National Emancipation Association, giving Juneteenth following year and served as Sphinx Editor from 1962 to 1965. new life. Brother Davis’ other affiliations included Houston’s In his first edition of the magazine, published in February Ministers Against Crime; Houston Business and Professional 1962, Editor-in-Chief C. Anderson Davis wrote: “If the truth is Men’s Club; and he was a board member of the Anna Dupree told, we can readily recognize the fact that the “Human Race” Terrace Residential Facility. Sadly, Brother Anderson’s wife, has a great heritage and a great history. The (African Bertha Davis, passed away shortly after Rev. C. Anderson American) plays a very important role in this history. There is Davis’s passing. reason to be proud of our heritage and our African back-

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Spring • Summer 2007

OMEGA CHAPTER

OMEGA

Former College Dean Wrote Books and Reviews Following Retirement

rother Dr. Harry B. Dunbar was a founding member of Eta Chi Lambda Chapter in Rockland County, New York and for many years was the Chapter’s Associate Editor to The Sphinx. He was a Life Member of Alpha Phi Alpha. Brother Dunbar was born in Mineola, New York on Mother’s Day, May 10, 1925. He was the son of Rev. S. N. Dunbar and Elma Russell-Brown Dunbar. He attended the public schools in various small towns in upstate New York where his father served as a minister until graduating from Tappan Zee High School where he received his regents diploma of which he was quite proud and often said changed his life. After high school, he entered the U.S. Army and served in France during World War II where his high school French served him well. Upon his return to the U.S., he enrolled in New York University where he was initiated into Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. He earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Dr. Harry B. Dunbar NYU and then spent 1959 in France, writing his dissertation. He earned his Ph.D. from NYU in 1961. Brother Dunbar later moved to Rockland County, first living in Spring Valley and finally in West Nyack, New York. He taught French at Nanuet JuniorSenior High School in Nanuet, New York until 1965 when he went on to NYC Technical College in Brooklyn. He became Dean of Students there. In 1981, he became Dean of Evening Programs at Bergen Community College. He retired in 1992 after becoming Dean of Faculty. In retirement Brother Dunbar wrote several books, including his memoir, A Brother Like Me. He also edited a website for books by or about African Americans, Dunbar on Black Books. He was an active member of the United Methodist Church of New City in Rockland County. Brother Dunbar entered Omega Chapter on October 24, 2006. He is survived by his wife, the former Cora Charlene Whitlow; his sisters Louise Dunbar Robbins, Catherine Dunbar Estwick, and Ida Dunbar DeLoatch; his brother, Henry S. Dunbar; his daughter, Nona; and several nieces and a nephew.

Spring • Summer 2007

rother Anthony Brown was initiated into the Fraternity in 2002 through Upsilon Chapter at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas. Born August 14, 1982, Brown’s short life was full of love and life for our beloved Fraternity. He became a Life Member of the Fraternity in 2006. Brother Brown accepted an athletic scholarship to play football at the University of Kansas. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in general studies in 2005 and had just begun his career path at the Sprint/Nextel Corporation when he departed this life. Brother Brown was an active member of Beta Lambda Chapter. He served as the Chapter’s Recording Secretary and was a member of the Social Committee.

rother Barney Clayton Brown, Life Member No. 5928, was initiated into Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity in 1948 through Beta Epsilon Chapter and was last a member of Kappa Lambda Chapter. He was born on May 8, 1928 in Atlanta, Georgia and grew up in Asheville, North Carolina where he graduated from Stephens Lee High School. After graduating from North Carolina A&T State University, he served in the U.S. Army. Following discharge, he attended Law School at North Carolina Central University. After briefly teaching school in Shelby, North Carolina, he moved to Washington, D.C. in 1963 and was employed at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). He returned to Greensboro in 1971 where he worked as an appraiser in the HUD office until his retirement in 1991. Brother Brown later worked as agents for the Winston Mutual Insurance Company, Oakwood Homes, and the Greensboro Housing Authority. He was active in voter registration, served two terms on the Greensboro ABC Board, held several offices in the Aggie Club, membership in the Old North State Elks Lodge, the Aces Wild Card Club and a life membership in the NAACP. Those left to celebrate his life include his son Ricky Pedew; two sisters, Mabel Hoskins and Frances King; his companion and caregiver, Camille Miller; several devoted cousins and lifelong friends. Brother Brown entered Omega Chapter on January 15, 2007.

rother Earl C. McCrary II, a teacher, principal and elected member of the Volusia County School Board, was a life member of the Fraternity. He was initiated into the Fraternity in 1952 through Beta Nu Chapter at Florida A&M University and was last a member of Beta Delta Lambda Chapter in Daytona Beach, Florida. Brother McCrary received a B.S. degree in mathematics and a certificate in driver’s education from Florida A&M and a Master’s degree from Stetson University before earning an Educational Specialist degree from Rollins College. In 1957, he began working for the Volusia County Schools as a teacher at the former Euclid High School in DeLand. He became assistant principal of Southwestern Junior-Senior High School in 1964. While serving as an assistant principal, he started one of the first mentoring pro-

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OMEGA CHAPTER grams in the county. Brother McCrary remained at Southwestern until he took over in 1974 at the Campbell 8th and 9th Grade Center, now Campbell Middle School, where he served as principal for 18 years. In 1992, Brother McCrary retired from the school system and campaigned for a Volusia County School Board seat. He won election and served on the School Board from 1992, including two years as chairman, until he retired in 2004.

rother Walter Richard Peterson, Sr., M.D., a devoted surgeon was initiated into the Fraternity in 1936 through Upsilon Chapter at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas. Born in 1914, his medical career spanned more than four decades. Brother Peterson was a pioneer and helped initiate changes to improve the health of those living in Kansas City, Missouri, which were hardly imaginable back when he interned in the early 1940s at General Hospital No. 2 (the city’s facility for African Americans and Hispanics). After serving two years in the Army Medical Corps during World War II, he finished his residency and helped launch the Doctor’s Clinic in Kansas City, which was the first multi-specialty, African American group practice in the nation. Brother Peterson served as president and director of the clinic from 1949 to 1980. His partners included the late Samuel U. Rodgers, one of the country’s first African American physicians allowed to specialize in obstetrics and gynecolo-

gy. Brother Peterson removed barriers as white hospitals opened their doors to him, asking him to work on the medical staffs of St. Mary’s Hospital, St Joseph’s Hospital, Menorah Medical Center, Research Hospital and many other prestigious hospitals. Brother Peterson was a Life Member of the Fraternity and was last active with Beta Lambda Chapter. He also was a member of several organizations including the Kansas City Branch of the NAACP. Brother Peterson was a 33rd degree Mason and was a trustee of Paseo Baptist Church of Kansas City.

rother Cyrus A. Sinclair was initiated into Alpha Phi Alpha through Mu Tau Chapter in 2000. He last was a member of Kappa Lambda Chapter. While matriculating at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte (UNC-C), he was a faithful member of the Unlimited Praise Gospel Choir, the program director of Student Advising for Freshmen Excellence, a member of the Black Student Union and served as a student alumni ambassador. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in history at UNC-C and a Master’s degree from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. At his passing, he

was a law student at Drake Law School in Des Moines, Iowa where he was a member of the Association of Student Affairs, the Drake Moot Court Board, Drake Black Law School Association, Drake Bar Association 3L Representative, Drake Law Christian Society, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa. Brother Sinclair entered Omega Chapter on February 24, 2007. His loving parents; three brothers; two sisters; along with relatives and friends will remember his legacy of life.

rother Dr. Charles H. Townes was a member of Nu Lambda Chapter in Petersburg, Virginia and was a life member of the Fraternity. He was initiated through Beta Gamma Chapter at Virginia State University. Brother Townes attended the public schools of Petersburg and graduated in 1931 from Peabody High School. He earned his Bachelor’s degree from Virginia State University. He later earned M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from Penn State University; and an M.D. from the Howard University School of Medicine. Brother Townes was one of the first African American doctors awarded staff privileges at Petersburg General Hospital (now known as Southside Regional Medical Center) in 1952. In 1973, he was appointed the first African American Chief of Staff at Petersburg General Hospital. He was the past president of the Old Dominion Medical Society and held memberships in the Guardsman, Boule, and Beaux-Twenty Social Club.

We hold ever aloft, noble ideals and aims, Carrying out earth s and heaven s grand command.

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Spring • Summer 2007

OMEGA CHAPTER Brother James Adderley Rho ‘73

Brother Clarence Harmon Beta Theta ‘49 / Zeta Delta Lambda

Brother John Parkinson Rho ‘89

Brother Thomas H. Hunter, Sr. Delta Xi ’56 / Delta Gamma Lambda Brother Clemon D. Ashley Beta Kappa ‘37 / Beta Epsilon Lambda

Brother Noel A. Caliman Phi ‘68 / Delta Gamma Lambda

Brother Lawrence Curtis Delta Gamma ‘56 / Beta Omicron Lambda

Brother William L. Dunn Beta Delta Lambda ‘74

Brother King D. Reddick, Jr. Zeta Zeta Lambda ‘58

Brother Ronald Jacobs Mu Delta Lambda

Brother Clifton Jeter, Sr. Beta Gamma ‘32 / Beta Gamma Lambda

Brother Dr. George H. Johnson, Jr. Beta Gamma Lambda

Brother Fred Swann Beta Gamma Lambda

Brother Israel Tolbert Beta Upsilon ‘59 / Alpha Upsilon Lambda Brother Otis Osato Uduebor, Jr. Beta Tau Lambda ‘06

Brother Roy Webb, Jr. Beta Kappa ‘49 / Iota Psi Lambda

Brother Charles D. Langford Beta Omicron ‘48 / Alpha Upsilon Lambda

Brother Alonzo Edmiston Nu ‘60 / Zeta Sigma Lambda Brother Edward Forney Zeta Sigma Lambda Brother L.B. George Beta Tau Lambda

Brother Joseph D. Wesley Beta Epsilon Lambda ‘60 Brother Andrew Means Beta Iota ‘95 / Beta Gamma Lambda

Brother Jamal R. Newberry Delta Xi ‘94

Key:

= Life Member

CHAPTER REFERENCES: the first chapter that appears in the Omega Chapter listings represents the Brother’s Chapter of Initiation If a second chapter is listed, it represents the last chapter with which the Brother was affiliated.

Our true hearts ever strive, success goal to gain, That our Fraternity s praises may be sung.

Spring • Summer 2007

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CORPORATE CORPORATE DIRECTORY

The Seven Jewels Henry A. Callis

Charles H. Chapman

Eugene K. Jones

GENERAL OFFICERS General President Immediate Past General President Executive Director General Treasurer Comptroller General Counsel Director of General Conventions Historian Chief Parliamentarian

Darryl R. Matthews, Sr., 5075 Red Robin Ridge, Alpharetta, Georgia, 30022 Harry E. Johnson, Sr., 7457 Harwin Drive, Houston, TX 77036 Willard C. Hall, Jr., 2313 St. Paul Street, Baltimore, MD 21218 George N. Reaves, 1417 Kinross Street, Flossmoor, IL 32312 Frank A. Jenkins, III, 529 South Perry Street, Ste.16, Montgomery, AL 36104 Michael D. Pegues, 3800 Lincoln Plaza, 500 N. Akard St., Dallas, TX 75202 A. Brian Parker, 9115 Lake Fischer Blvd., Gotha, FL 34734 Robert L. Harris, Jr., 102 Burleigh Drive, Ithaca, NY 14850 John M. Williams, 7075 Colesbrooke Drive, Hudson, OH 44236

VICE PRESIDENTS Eastern Midwestern Southern Southwestern Western

Dennis G. Kemp, Sr., PO Box 3056, Laurel, MD 20709 Darryl A. Peal, 660 Culpepper Drive, Reynoldsburg, OH 43068 Everette Ward, 3112 Falconhurst Drive, Wake Forest, NC 27587 Arthur McDade, III, 1124 Peyton Street, Little Rock, AK 72204 Ryan Williams, 1465 65th Street, Apt. 434, Emeryville, CA 80015

ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENTS Eastern Midwestern Southern Southwestern Western

Jamaal Richardson, 2601 Corprew Ave., 4040A, Norfolk, VA 23504 Emmanuel T. Brown, 3110 E. Livingston Ave., Apt. 2, Columbus, OH 43227 John White, 830 Westview Drive, SW, Box Unit 42296, Atlanta, GA 30314 Maurice D. Gipson, Louisiana State University, PO Box 12131, Baton Rouge, LA 70894 Ronnie Versher, 340 Grenadine Way, Hercules, CA 94547

LIVING PAST GENERAL PRESIDENTS 25th General President 26th General President 27th General President 28th General President 29th General President 30th General President 31th General President

Spring â&#x20AC;˘ Summer 2007

James R. Williams, 1733 Brookwood Drive, Akron, OH 44313 Ozell Sutton, 1640 Loch Lomond Trail, SW, Atlanta, GA 30331 Charles C. Teamer, Sr., 282 English Turn Drive, New Orleans, LA 70131 Henry Ponder, 3 Covington Court, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 Milton C. Davis, 304 N. Main Street, Tuskegee, AL 36083 Adrian L. Wallace, 281 Debra Lane, Lake Charles, LA 70611 Harry E. Johnson, Sr., 7457 Harwin Drive, Houston, TX 77036

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