The Sphinx | The Inauguration Issue: Dr. Willis L. Lonzer, III by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity

CONTENTS

features 28 Elevating the Alpha Spirit

38 General President Lonzer Inaugural Address

in this issue 3

Letters

General News

What Every Alpha Should Know

Alpha Chairmanship

Wellness

Education | Professional Development

Literary | Entertainment

History

Service | Advocacy

Military Affairs

Chapter News

Alphas on the Move

Licensed Manufacturer & Vendor Directory

Omega Chapter

Leadership Directory

CONTENTS

Official Organ of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. THE INAUGURATION ISSUE | Volume 107, No. 1 apa1906.net EDITOR OF THE SPHINX Eric Christopher Webb, DDiv., CPLC EWebb@apa1906.net CREATIVE DIRECTOR Malik Whatley CONTRIBUTORS Dr. Willis L. Lonzer, III, Sean L. McCaskill, Eric Christopher Webb, DDiv., CPLC, Nehemiah Bester, Dr. Douglas S. Shipley, Adrian B. Stratton, MBA, PRP, James Douglas, Waymon Clyde Lemon, Thomas J. Pope, Jr. Dr. Robert L. Harris, Jr. PHOTOGRAPHERS Gary Gibson, Dennis Thompson PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE Ramon E. Peralta, Jr., L.H.D., Chair Gabriel Selassie I, PhD, Donald L. Ross, LaMarcus J. Hall, Philip Wilkerson, III EDITORIAL OFFICES Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. 2313 St. Paul Street Baltimore, MD 212I8-5211 www.apa1906.net

ADVERTISING AND SALES ads@apa1906.net COVER DESIGN BY: Peralta Design DESIGN AND PRINTING Mercury Publishing Services, Inc. (800) 634-9409

ON THE COVER The newly-inaugurated General President Dr. Willis L. Lonzer, III shares and discusses his “Elevating The Alpha Spirit” platform and vision for the Fraternity.

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FROM THE GENERAL PRESIDENT

Letter from the General President Dear Brothers, As a young man and as a part of my formal education, I began to familiarize myself with the significance of beginning processes, whether in academics as ceremonies or as a part of various organizations. Ceremonially or otherwise, those beginning processes represent the “start” of something ranging from a project or initiative to a new chapter in a person’s life. Regardless of what it is, the act or recognition represents for most people, commitment. Recognition of those moments allows us, whether it is one person or a group of people, to have a point of reference and/ or reflection as the process unfolds or even ends. It even helps to endear the event for us so that we can reflect even deeper on the significance. When I think of these moments, I am called back to childhood and teenage years. The people, family, or Willis L. Lonzer, III, PhD friends, who were there and their role and/or significance in my life resonated and still General President GeneralPresident@apa1906.net resonates with me. For me, the people who were there draw out the significance of the event. From family to casual acquaintances, each person adds to the significance of the milestone or event. In Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, at our founding and even today, we have ceremonial activities that frame significant milestones for our dear fraternity. Inaugurations, General and Regional Conventions, as well as District conferences and even chapter meetings all speak to some aspects of the ceremonial pageantry that is a part of our inner workings. Since 1908 with the formation of the general organization, which was cemented by the establishment of the general convention at Howard University and further characterized even by chapters outside of Cornell University including the presence of Delta Chapter, seated at the University of Toronto, during that time, and affirming a broad reach and presence, our Brotherhood recognized the need for procedures and processes, both formal and informal. Those seminal activities laid the groundwork for what we witness today. It is reflected in how we operate as a fraternity, govern the organization, and even how we elect our leadership. The act of fraternal governance reflects a democratic process that is a cooperative transfer of leadership and authority to ensure that the fraternity, in our case, moves forward and continues to carry out the mission of the General Organization which reflects the aims and fraternal motto set forth by the Jewel Founders. Today, we acknowledge the confirmed and prized affirmation that our Brotherhood, our dear fraternity, is still working and improving the lives of its members through the smooth transition of authority and governance reflected by the change of administrations after election of a new General President. I warmly thank Brother Dr. Everett B. Ward, 35th General President and my predecessor, for guiding this great Brotherhood during his administration. This “Inauguration Edition" of The Sphinx Magazine will reflect the beginning work of the Lonzer Administration and our efforts to continue the successful experiment in brotherhood reflected by “Esprit de Fraternite”, commitment to our mission as a fraternity, and the boldness to expand our scope and work to ensure the advocacy and lifting of the communities we serve. S

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FROM THE EDITOR OF THE SPHINX

Letter from the Editor of The Sphinx Greetings Brothers, I am honored and grateful to greet you as the new Editor-of-The Sphinx for this special Inauguration edition of the magazine, which highlights the inauguration of General President Dr. Willis L. Lonzer, III, and his “Elevating The Alpha Spirit” platform. While some may recall that I served as the Interim Editor for two prior issues in 2020, this holds special significance as I assume the role permanently. Ironically, more than 32 years ago, while pledging at Lincoln University’s Nu Chapter in Spring 1989, one of my Big Brothers had predicted I would someday serve in this historic post as well as be the next late-Brother John H. Johnson of Johnson Publishing Co. Eric Christopher Webb, DDiv., CPLC Editor ewebb@apa1906.net

As a 19-year-old Sphinxman, I had no real grasp of what he had claimed for me. Now, even after serving in various high-level media roles and having been recognized nationally for my writing and literary works, I am still truly humbled and excited to serve and finally share my expertise with my dear, Fraternity, and its official organ, The Sphinx. Leveraging General President Lonzer’s vision for the Fraternity and under my stewardship, the Brotherhood can expect a magazine that fully embraces and celebrates the elements that our Jewel Founders believed collectively invoke the “true spirit of fraternity”: Leadership, Brotherhood, Academic Excellence, and Service. With each issue, you may notice some changes in our presentation, our overall content, along with the addition of some new departments. Some changes will reclaim and reinforce our Fraternity’s Great Sphinx of Giza imagery, nomenclature, traditions, and operations while others will work to be more inclusive of the Brotherhood, in general, and Chapters, overall. Specifically, this issue marks the return of our classic cover typography, the actual Sphinx symbol, as well as the poem, “There Goes An Alpha Man,” which many Brothers have not seen within these pages in decades. We’ve also added a new column, “Alpha Chairmanship” from our General Parliamentarian Brother Adrian B. Stratton, focusing on parliamentary procedure and meeting oversight, as well as a recurring infographic called, “What Every Alpha Should Know,” which focuses on excerpts of our Alpha Protocol & Etiquette Manual. I look forward to your readership and feedback.S

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FROM THE INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Letter from the Interim Executive Director Dear Brothers, It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as your Interim Executive Director. Since answering the call earlier this year to work for the betterment of our dear Brotherhood, my love and belief in the legacy of The Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. have only increased.

Sean L McCaskill Interim Executive Director seanmccaskill@apa1906.net

In the days following our first-ever hybrid 96th General Convention and 115th Anniversary Convention, I had the opportunity to reflect on the state of our organization. I was reminded of the challenges Alpha men have faced and of the acute resolve Men of Distinction have on our world. We are those men. We represent that future. Using our prolific work ethic and utilizing the strength of our ever-faithful membership, we honored our Jewel Founders and the legacy of our General Conventions by maintaining a tradition for more than a century despite a global pandemic. When troubling times attempted to dim the progress of our awesome Fraternity, we managed to create a space where strategy, engagement, and opportunity collided in a noble fashion. It could not be clearer that this is what General President Lonzer means in Elevating the Alpha Spirit. As we traverse the remainder of 2021, the vision of our General President will be used as the foundation to further assist our communities, focus on fraternal growth, and advance Alpha into this new decade. Retention, reclamation, operational excellence, professional development, and fraternal success are among many of the new multigenerational ideas the General President and the General Office of The Alpha Phi Alpha, Fraternity Inc. will be implementing to make real this vision. When we fully understand what our goals are, not only are we planning for success, but we are also providing ourselves with a mental compass to lead us to that purpose. Our team has and will continue to push these goals and novel ideas as we make an intentional investment in our beloved Brotherhood for this generation’s thought-leaders and those that come after. As you immerse yourself in this The Sphinx edition, you will notice those investments are already taking place. But to be fully endowed with the excellence that our Jewels crafted more than a century ago, we need all our Brothers who acknowledge and accept the phrase “First of All” to recall their commitment to service and contribution to the same House that has given us, our fathers, and our sons lifetimes of upliftment and opportunity. That is how we Elevate the Alpha Spirit. That is how we remain transcendent. S

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GENERAL NEWS

New Orleans Jefferson Davis Parkway Renamed After Brother Norman C. Francis

he city of New Orleans, La. is known for many great attractions, but in the powerful essence of brotherhood, there is now an additional attraction to be proud of. On Friday, January 28, 2021, the city of New Orleans paid tribute to an educational giant and civil rights leader, Brother Dr. Norman C. Francis, 89, by renaming Jefferson Davis Parkway to what will now be known as the Norman C. Francis Parkway. Brother Dr. Francis, a 1967 initiate of Sigma Lambda Chapter, where he is currently a member, has been a pillar of success and inspiration to many for a long time. The Army veteran was the first black law student to receive his degree from Loyola University in New Orleans, La. He also served as the president of Xavier University of Louisiana – the nation’s only historically Black Catholic University – for nearly 50 years (the longest tenure of any university president in the nation)

and dedicated his life and career to the betterment of education. His achievements can be traced back to his parents, St. Katharine Drexel, and the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament who founded Xavier University. “Having a street named in my honor speaks to the improving environment in New Orleans among all citizens,” says Brother Francis. Additionally, he noted the honor of the street naming was not just for him, but for the faculty and staff, and especially the students at Xavier University. During his tenure at Xavier University, Brother Francis doubled its enrollment, broadened its curriculum, expanded the university, and strengthened its financial base. Now, the street just outside of the university bears his name. The naming initiative also holds special significance since Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. intersects with Norman C. Francis Pkwy – recognizing two Alpha Men sharing an intersection. One who led the civil rights movement and the other paying homage to his educational leadership in the city of New Orleans, La. “Ever since I was initiated into Alpha Phi Alpha, I have always received great support from the fraternity at every level,” says Brother Francis. “The fact that I received the Alpha Award of Merit from the 31st General President, Brother Harry E. Johnson Sr., a Xavier graduate, is a testimony to what Alpha has given to me.” S

Above: Dr. Norman C. Francis, former president of Xavier University, on the roadway named in his honor on Thursday, January 28, 2021. Right: Dr. Norman C. Francis, former president of Xavier University of Louisiana, stands near the campus as he speaks at the ribbon cutting for the street named in his honor on Thursday, January 28, 2021.

THE SPHINX

GENERAL NEWS

BY BROTHER ERIC CHRISTOPHER WEBB, DDIV., CPLC [NU ’89]

General President Appoints Fraternity’s Firstever Surgeon General

rother Jeffrey E. Sterling, MD, MPH, FACEP, has been named the Fraternity’s first-ever Surgeon General as part of General President Willis L. Lonzer, III’s commitment to improve the health of our Brotherhood and how that awareness influences our programs and partnerships. “When I campaigned for General President, I committed to bring forth a new paradigm focusing on the improvement of the health of our Brotherhood as well as an extension of the awareness to impact our fraternity programming and even our community partners,” says General President Lonzer. He made the historic announcement on Feb. 4. “I am incredibly honored that Brother General President Lonzer has tapped me to serve as Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.’s Surgeon General,” says Brother Dr. Sterling. “As Surgeon General, I will work alongside our existing Health Committee to identify and implement solutions (to improve the comprehensive health of our Brothers, and their families) – both proactively and responsively. He is a 1982 initiate of the Alpha Mu Chapter seated at Northwestern University, is currently affiliated with the Beta Tau Lambda Chapter in Fort Worth, TX. Brother Dr. Sterling received his medical training from the University of Illinois College of Medicine and holds a Master of Public Health degree from the Harvard School of Public Health. He has also received executive education from Dartmouth College’s Tuck School of Business and is a fellow of the American College of Emergency Medicine. In addition to his strong medical and public health background, Bro. Sterling also brings

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strong business and strategic acumen to this role as reflected through his leadership in several initiatives and businesses, including Sterling Initiatives, an international healthcare consulting and implementation firm that provides entities with clinical, operational, and financial best practices. His unique mixture of medical practice, public health, and international healthcare business/ consulting knowledge makes him an ideal fit for the strategic demands of this role. In addition, Brother Dr. Sterling adds that he is soliciting the help and expertise of Brothers, who work anywhere in the health space, i.e. as a physician or other healthcare provider: a nurse, dentist, scientist, public health professional, chiropractor, pharmacist, or pharmacologist, nutritionist, personal trainer, administrator or otherwise. “It is our aspiration to provide the Brotherhood with access to information and advice across the world of medicine,” he says. Those trained in Medicine, Biomedicine, Pharmacology, Pharmacy, Public Health, Dentistry, Mental Health, international/Tropical Medicine, Health Sciences, and related areas should email transition@apa1906.net with a short message describing your field/professional activities and your CV. Published reports contributed to this story. S

GENERAL NEWS

BY BROTHER NEHEMIAH BESTER [ALPHA KAPPA LAMBDA ’16]

Atlanta Hawks Debut MLK Inspired Uniforms

he Atlanta Hawks became the first NBA team in history to wear Martin Luther King’s initials on an official NBA league jersey on January 18, 2021. The relationship between the Hawks and Dr. King is no coincidence. Ebenezer Baptist Church, where Dr. King served as pastor for years is less than two miles away from the Hawks’ State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. While the City Edition Jerseys themselves have been in the works for more than two years, the Hawks made the decision last year to wear the new uniforms on MLK day of the 2021 NBA Season. The colors of the uniform feature a charismatic black and bold gold styling, which is far from the usual torch red and granite gray of the team’s outfits. This color choice was intentionally implemented to better distinguish elements of Dr. King’s history, including his membership in Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. The design also features a total of 22 stars along the shorts

as is a gentle nod to the number of times Dr. King was arrested for his peaceful protest, as well as serve as a reference to civil rights activist known as the Freedom Riders who rode interstate buses into the then American segregated states in the south to challenge local and federal laws on racial segregation. “The creation and design of the City Edition Atlanta Hawks uniform in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gives credible recognition and global visibility to his esteemed legacy and impact as a champion of human rights which elevated the entire nation and the world,” said Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. 29th General President Milton Carver Davis, who met Dr. King as a young man. The Hawks team will be donating profits made from the MLK Jersey sales and putting them back into the Atlanta community. S

THE SPHINX

GENERAL NEWS

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Partners with Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT) to Help Underrepresented College Students Launch Game-Changing Careers

lpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the nation’s first and leading intercollegiate fraternity founded by African American men, is collaborating with Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT) to ensure its members and those in their communities secure topnotch internships and high-trajectory jobs. MLT is a national nonprofit that provides Black, Latinx, and Native American talent with coaching, instructions, and networking contacts to excel in high-trajectory careers, secure economic mobility for their families, and become high-impact senior leaders equipped to advocate for vulnerable communities. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.’s partnership with MLT affirms the 115-year-old fraternity’s goals. “Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. develops leaders. Our organization has long understood the magnitude of establishing a strong career path, which often includes first-class internships and a solid connection to a job post-graduation,” says Dr. Willis L. Lonzer, III, General President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. “Our internal drive is to stimulate the ambitions of our members and to function as a catalyst for positive social and economic change in our communities. This alliance with MLT will align synergies between both organizations, and ultimately lift our respective communities overall.” Alpha Brothers accepted into the MLT Career Prep Program will participate in a rigorous 18-month career development program for emerging leaders, which includes individualized and group coaching, skill development seminars around the country, possible travel assistance, and access to 120 prestigious employers with an alumni network of more than 8,000 professionals.

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“MLT and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. are aligned in our mission to ensure we can get talented people of color into game-changing careers and into leadership positions,” says Rishal Stanciel, Director of Career Prep Fellow Recruitment for MLT. “I personally know many outstanding members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., who have been Career Prep Fellows in past years, and I am really looking forward to having many more in the next year and in the future.” Mohamad Merilan, Solutions Architect at Credit Suisse, is a member of the fraternity and is an alumnus of the MLT Career Prep Program. “I am honored to say that I have been a product of both institutions: MLT and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. MLT provided an industry-trained professional career coach that helped me realize personal clarity on my career function, provided a playbook of skills training, and exposed me to hundreds of top Fortune Partners. I found my target company with Credit Suisse in New York City, an accomplishment that I never could have achieved on my own. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., gave me powerful values to develop in leadership and service to all. I am forever grateful.” College sophomores are eligible to apply to the MLT Career Prep program. Please visit https://mlt.org/ career-prep/to learn more and to find the application, which opens in June 2021. If you have any questions about the application process or MLT, please contact Rishal Stanciel, Director of Fellow Recruitment and Senior Career Prep Coach, at rstanciel@mlt.org.

WHAT EVERY ALPHA SHOULD KNOW

GENERAL NEWS

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Forms Partnership with Western Governors University ONLINE UNIVERSITY TO PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS TO ALPHA PHI ALPHA

lpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and the nonprofit online, Western Governors University (WGU), have announced a new partnership agreement that offers $5,000 scholarships for financially-active Alpha Brothers who enroll in WGU. Tuition is around $3,750 per six-month term for most degree programs. Designed for working adults, WGU offers an asynchronous, competency-based model that allows students to log in and access coursework at a time convenient for them, and to accelerate at their own pace. WGU offers more than 60 bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business, K-12 teacher education, information technology, and health professions, including nursing. “Since our inception, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. has developed leaders and been a model for academic excellence,” says Dr. Willis L. Lonzer, III, General President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. “This partnership with Western Governors University ensures that our Brothers can pursue an advance degree to expand their current career opportunities and strengthen their professional acumen while still working to support themselves and their families.” WGU’s NPHC Divine 9 Scholarship for Financial Alpha Phi Alpha Members will provide $3,000 in tuition credit for a student’s first six-month term, and $1,000 in tuition credit for up to two subsequent terms. All applicants must meet WGU’s admission standards and maintain satisfactory academic progress. The Fraternity will also provide a unique URL to its members to apply for the scholarships, and WGU will provide an application-feewaiver code specifically for those members as well. “We are extremely honored to be partnering with such a distinguished organization as Alpha Phi Alpha,” says Spencer Stewart, WGU’s Vice President of Partnerships. “In addition to providing scholarships to Alpha Phi Alpha members who are interested in WGU’s bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, we will be collaborating with them on professional development tools and amplifying our partnership on social media.”

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ALPHA CHAIRMANSHIP

BY BROTHER ADRIAN B. STRATTON, MBA, PRP [OMICRON ZETA LAMBDA ’08]

Follow Your Rules

t can be frustrating to operate in environments where rules are not followed consistently. Member satisfaction is closely related to fairness and alignment to the aims of an organization. After all, why would anyone want to maintain membership where payment is made (with time and treasure) but value is not returned in exchange? Members join organizations to carry out specific objectives and to be treated fairly in doing so. To ensure fairness for all, it is important that members adhere to rules of order and understand rulemaking responsibilities. Membership is an ongoing agreement between members and an organization. In a parliamentary context, members have the opportunity to enjoy certain rights and privileges by association. The right to attend meetings, make motions, offer amendments and resolutions, speak in debate, vote, be elected to office, and other privileges are all protected and governed by the rules an organization adopts. Typically, members are required to remain in good standing to enjoy such rights. Requirements such as timely payment of financial obligations and training completion may impact certain member rights, privileges, and freedoms in whole or in part. An interesting paradox of freedom is that in order to share it with others, it must be regulated. Collective limits are established through regulation so that individual rights may be protected. Imagine the chaos that would unfold in a meeting where all members did as they wished, without any consequence. In each meeting, an organization decides what it will do but rules provide the boundaries for how that business is conducted. Some common issues that prevent rules from being followed include: Suspending the rules: this concept is often misunderstood as not all rules can be suspended. Bylaws, for example, must be followed until they are changed via amendment or general revision. Conflicting provisions: poorly written bylaws can create serious problems among members. Particularly in defining officer and board powers, elections, and fiscal matters ensure that language is clear and does not conflict with itself or rules of higher authority.

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Customs: simply put, customs are “the way it always has been done.” If a customary practice is in conflict with a rule, the rule must be followed if any member raises a point of order on the issue, no matter how longstanding the custom. If members consistently request for a rule to be suspended, that rule should be properly amended. Bylaws should be reviewed on a periodic basis so that unclear and conflicting language can be corrected. Longstanding customs should be codified as written rules to eliminate ambiguity and contrasting understandings between members. Addressing these common issue areas will help in the ongoing maintenance of useful rules for an organization. Amending and revising rules should not be done for trivial matters but must be done as often as necessary to protect a membership in proceedings. All members would be wise to periodically review rules binding upon them to ensure they reflect not only the organization they have but one they wish to have. Rules are created to serve the members; members are not created to serve the rules. Follow your rules, and when necessary change them to match how your organization truly operates. As time and membership evolve, so to should the rules that govern. Members should make a conscious effort to address issues in contentious areas like elections and fiscal matters well in advance of activities where conflicts could arise or have previously arisen. The entire membership is responsible for development of rules that assist with the fair and orderly conduct of business. Members who understand and agree with the rules are far more likely to abide by them in support of organizational objectives. S For Article Footnotes, email: parliamentarian@apa1906. net.

Brother Adrian B. Stratton, MBA, PRP, a 2008 Omicron Zeta Lambda chapter initiate, serves as General Parliamentarian for Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

WELLNESS

Alpha Brother Developing A New Generation of Healthcare Professionals

t is no secret that the healthcare workforce is not representative of the diversity of this nation. As a result, Black/African American people have higher rates of chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension/ heart disease and certain cancers. Black mothers are roughly two to six times more likely to die giving birth or from birth related complications than their white counterparts. In some areas, these gaps have slightly narrowed. In others, they are widening by the day. One of the major factors in narrowing these gaps is exposure to careers in medicine and mentorship. For that reason, Brother Jonathan Tyes, a Fall 2015 Delta Alpha Lambda Chapter initiate, developed the Middle School Med School program to expose middle school students in the greater Cleveland Metropolitan area to careers in healthcare. The program was initially held over six-weeks with hands-on workshops led by local African American physicians and healthcare professionals. Brother Tyes, himself, is currently a medical student at the University of Louisville School of Medicine pursuing a career in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck surgery or Orthopedics. A graduate of Morehouse College, he earned a B.S. in Biology and is an alumnus of the MEDPREP program at the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. This summer, he will be conducting research in endocrinology at the Stanford University Diabetes Research Center. His middle school program grew so quickly that it evolved from a program of 30 students into a program hosting several hundred students each

Brother Tyes demonstrating suture placement on a banana for local middle school students.

academic year. Eventually, the program began operating within a dozen schools on a weekly basis. Students are eligible to become CPR certified, learned how to suture on pig’s feet, and even dissected sheep hearts. Several freshman and sophomore college students were also able to participate in an anatomy academy in which they were paired with medical students, conducted cadaver dissections, and participated in a series of anatomy lectures. Many of those students are currently mentored by physicians they met while participating in the program. This access to mentorship is another key component in his quest to change the face of medicine. Establishing early pipeline programs like this are critical for acquiring and keeping minority students interested in STEM education. His goal is simple, increase the numbers of disadvantaged students entering careers in medicine. With the assistance of Alpha brothers near and far, he is helping to do just that.

High school students dissecting sheep hearts and learning suture techniques.

Currently, Brother Tyes is working to implement this program into the Louisville Metropolitan area and plans to expand his reach after completing medical school. S THE SPHINX

EDUCATION | PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

BY BROTHER DR. DOUGLAS S. SHIPLEY [DELTA RHO ’82]

Alpha Brothers Work to Inspire, Empower, and Preserve

n 2020, the Shipley Brothers David [Theta ’78], Donald [Alpha Chi ’80], and Douglas [Delta Rho ’82] as well as some of their cousins formed a nonprofit organization, Opportunity 1888 Foundation, Inc., which seeks to inspire, empower, and preserve the telling of Black history through education as well as ensure the legacy of an historic Black school, the Harrison School. In 1888, white citizens of Tipton, Missouri, wanted to build a new school. By also promising to also build a school for Blacks, they received Black voters’ support to pass a new school bond levy, which raised $12,000. Of that, only $2,000 was allocated for the Black school. That school was constructed between 1888 and 1890, with formerly enslaved Tipton residents who quarried, transported, and laid the stones for its foundation. From 1890 to 1957, Harrison School served Blacks in Tipton and the surrounding area. Before the 1930s, Harrison School only went to the eighth grade, and students that wanted to continue their education had to enroll in schools elsewhere in Missouri. Between 1936 and 1948, Tipton’s School Board allowed Harrison School to have a two-year high school program. However, no additional allotment of money was allocated for Harrison’s new high school program. Opportunity 1888, whose name pays homage to the year the bond levy facilitated the creation of Harrison School, initial projects include: Harrison School building renovation and reuse, and preservation of the school’s history and the area’s Black community. In addition, they hope to house the James L. Shipley Museum of African American History, named for their uncle, who was an alumnus of the school, a decorated Army Air Corps veteran with the 332 Fighter Squadron (Tuskegee Airmen), which served during World War II. On February 1, 2021, Opportunity 1888 was successful in its campaign to have Harrison School, which is the last standing 19th century Black school building in the county, officially listed on the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places. The Shipley Brothers’ grandfather, Galveston Shipley, who attended the school and later served as its last principal for 34 years, once wrote: “I was always eager for my people to get all that the other races got. For so long, our state laws held back teachers and pupils alike in Negro schools. Separate but equal was only a slogan, THE INAUGURATION ISSUE

not a reality; but I took the scraps, the hand-me-down books, and other segregation practices and tried to build up respect for law and order, self-reliance, the use of what was at hand while we hoped and worked for a brighter day.” S

Brother Dr. Douglas S. Shipley, a 1982 Delta Rho Chapter initiate and current member of Omicron Mu Lambda Chapter, is the CEO/Founder of The TEMPO Group, LLC, a leadership consultancy service and is board member of Opportunity 1888 Foundation, Inc. Brother Shipley is also a retired FBI supervisor. Opportunity 1888 can be contacted at www. Opportunity1888.com; Opportunity1888@yahoo.com; or P.O. Box 105245, Jefferson City, MO, 65110

BLANSON NAMED PRESIDENT OF LONE STAR COLLEGE – NORTH HARRIS Brother Dr. Archie L. Blanson [Beta Sigma ’77], a charter member of Xi Lambda Chapter, has been named president of Lone Star College – North Harris. Previously, he served as LSC Vice Chancellor of Student Services before being named interim president of LSC North Harris in January 2020. “I am extremely honored to be able to continue to serve the community that I have been a part of for more than 30 years,” says Brother Blanson quoted in The Houston Chronicle. “Lone Star College – North Harris has an obligation to help the community prosper, and that will be the foundation for initiatives that I implement as president.” Over the years, Brother Dr. Blanson has served in multiple roles and earned several accomplishments, including Aldine ISD superintendent, named the district’s 2003 Boss of the Year. Aldine ISD’s newest facility, the Dr. Archie L. Blanson Career and Technical Education High School was named in his honor in 2018. S

EDUCATION | PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

BY BROTHER ERIC CHRISTOPHER WEBB, DDIV., CPLC. [NU ’89]

Please, Fail Already!

’ve got a confession. It took me 15 years to write my first novel - The Garvey Protocol: Inspired By True Events. In the past, my writing and writing success came easy. During that time, I even wrote other nonfiction and poetry books, but I struggled with my fiction project. So much so, I’d write for a few months, and then not look at the manuscript again until a few years later. This practice went on and on because I had not fully mapped out the plot, but when I finally did, I got excited and started sharing my story with anyone who would listen. After a time, though, I got sidetracked by life, got laid off from my job as a reporter covering the White House and Congress, went through a divorce, which I had written about in an essay in another bestselling book, and also had other failed relationships. Eventually, I got depressed and stopped writing totally. I felt like a failure. Suddenly, all that I had previously accomplished, to me at least, meant nothing. I started to self-sabotage and made excuses to myself not to write again. When I’d run into those who knew me they’d always ask 14

about the book, saying, “Is it done yet? Is it done yet?” And I’d respond, “I’m still working on it.” Even when I wasn’t, and they knew it. Years would pass and the same people would keep asking even if they had just seen me a few weeks or a few months earlier. Eventually, though, I chose to write my way out of my depression, and finally finished it. The book hit the stands and it was a major success. Once that happened, perfect strangers would come up to me on the street or contact me online about how much they loved the book or about questions they had. It soon dawned on me that I never heard any feedback from those same people who kept asking me earlier, “Is it done yet?” When I finally did run into some of them, I’d ask what they thought of the book. And almost every time, I’d get the same excuses. They hadn’t bought it yet, or they bought it but hadn’t had a chance to read it yet - even when the book had been out for almost a year or two and everybody else was talking about it. That’s when I realized they were never interested in my book, encouraging me to finish it, let alone my success. The entire time they were hoping to embarrass THE SPHINX

EDUCATION | PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

and discourage me. And when they asked, “Is it done yet?” - what they were saying was, “You’re not gonna be successful. Why do you keep pretending, “Please, Fail Already!” I learned quickly that a lot of people cheer for others to fail. Maybe not always directly, maybe not even consciously, but they do. That’s because sometimes others’ success makes people uncomfortable, it challenges them to do more, be more, step outside of their comfort zones, and take risks. But most of all, it makes them look at themselves. And they don’t like what they see. That’s when I decided I had to learn to thrive from negativity. And you should too. Take those cheers for your defeat and make them into cheers for your victory. But most of all, you need to break down what failure means and rethink how you experience failure. “Please, Fail Already!” became my mantra, and reminder. It should be yours too. You know, life would be so much easier if we all aspired to fail. I mean it. Think about the stress people put themselves through trying NOT to fail. Worrying about not living up to others’ expectations, being afraid to disappoint others or even ourselves. Worrying about what other people think, say, or feel about what we haven’t accomplished, at that moment. Even torturing ourselves with that stigma or little voice in our head that tells us: screw-up, washout, loser, disappointment.

permanently bad thing, parents give kids or students an unrealistic expectation. Now, what if what they meant or what they were saying when they answered, “A Failure!,” was that . . . They want to be Oprah Winfrey …. She was a failure. She was fired from her first job as a television news anchor in Baltimore for getting “too emotionally invested in her stories.” Or they want to be Steven Spielberg . . . He was a failure. He was rejected by USC’s School of Cinematic Arts multiple times. In 1975, he created Jaws, his first summer blockbuster. Since then he has won 3 Academy Awards, 4 Emmys, 7 Daytime Emmys, and his 27 movies have grossed more than $9 billion. Or they want to be Vera Wang . . . She was a failure. She failed to make the 1968 Olympic Figure Skating team. Then she became an editor at Vogue magazine but was passed over for editor-in-chief. At 40, she began designing wedding gowns and today is one of the top fashion designers, with a business worth more than $1 billion. Most people, especially while we are young, tend to look up to very successful people. They are like Gods! We think success came so naturally, and so easy for them, that they never made any mistakes, and most of all they never failed. So when we try to be like them and initially fail, we think we’re less than them and we give up.

It can be traumatizing. That’s why we’ve got to shift how we think about failure. Failure is NOT permanent, it’s not destiny. Because if you don’t stop, failure is simply, just, practice. So, think about it, if we now make failure something we aspire to do, something we embrace, because everyone is bound to fail, we experience it differently. It affects us differently. That’s why we shouldn’t run from failure, we need to run to it! Please, Fail Already! Now, what if when you asked your children, “what do you want to be when you grow up?” And they told them, “A Failure!” You’d probably lose their minds, right?! That’s because most people envision failure as the opposite of success instead of what comes before it. And by making failure, such a THE INAUGURATION ISSUE

EDUCATION | PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

But what we all need to understand is that if we aspire to be as great and successful as these legendary people, we are undoubtedly bound to fail, because they failed as well. And the sooner we’re okay with it, the sooner we’ll figure out what we need to do to be successful and be great!

been entrusted to take the game-winning shot, and I missed. I have failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”

That’s why we have to rethink what failure means. The dictionary defines failure as: “The lack of success or the omission of expected or required action.” But rather, failure REALLY IS, PRACTICE, or an inevitable part of the success process.

So Please, Fail Already!

Let’s face it. Everyone fails. But when we fail, it traditionally becomes a problem because we allow it to affect our future thoughts, feelings, and our actions.

A bland food of cooked wheat at a hospital for mentally ill patients on a strict, vegetarian diet, was left out and went stale. To salvage it, it was pressed through rollers and toasted. It became incredibly popular with the patients and was later marketed publicly in 1906 as, guess what, Kellogg’s Corn Flakes.

• • • • •

Our goals seem less attainable. We suddenly believe we lack the necessary abilities. We believe we have no control of our destiny. That we’re helpless. And ultimately, it leads to self-sabotage and even the sabotage of others. However, if we don’t fall for the negativity, failure is amazing for three reasons:

NUMBER 1 - Failure develops determination. • Milton Hershey started three failing candy companies before he started Hershey’s. • J.K. Rowling, the first billionaire author of the Harry Potter series, was a single, welfare mother when she began writing her first novel. Please, Fail Already! NUMBER 2 - Failure allows us to perfect what we want to do. • Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team. Six NBA Championships and five MVPs later, Jordan became arguably the greatest basketball player of all time. Michael Jordan famously said: “I have missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I have lost almost 300 games. On 26 occasions I have

Even Kobe Bryant said that “If you’re afraid to fail, you probably will!”

NUMBER 3 - Failure helps us change perspective, allowing us to narrow or broaden our scope toward discovery.

So Please, Fail Already! You see - Failure does not have to be crippling. It does not have to be a judgment or death sentence on one’s abilities or define one’s self-worth. Failure is just a signpost on your destination of success as you step into your future. So Please, Fail Already! S

Eric Christopher Webb, DDiv., CPLC, a 1989 Nu Chapter initiate, member of Rho Tau Lambda Chapter, is the Fraternity’s director of communications and editor of The Sphinx as well as a National Black Authors Tour bestselling author and empowerment strategist. He is the author of five books, including the 2013 Phillis Wheatley Book Award Finalist for Best First Fiction, The Garvey Protocol: Inspired By True Events. Brother Webb speaks and conducts personal and professional workshops at universities, colleges, institutions, and corporations nationwide, has been featured in or on The Washington Post, Thomson Newspapers, National Newspapers Publishers Association News Wire, ESSENCE, HBO, BET, The Learning Channel, SiriusXM and Voice of America.

THE SPHINX

BOOK SHELF

LITERARY | ENTERTAINMENT

New Books By Alphas THE BOTTOM: A THEOPOETIC OF THE STREETS

Brother Charles Lattimore Howard [Psi ’77] fuses theology, novel-in-verse poetry, and intimate storytelling into a challenging, raw, and beautiful tale. As he journeys’ ‘downward’ to build real relationships with sisters and brothers navigating homelessness, the author invites the reader on that mysterious journey to meet those pushed to the margins, where we discover harsh truths about social injustice and dehumanization. Brother Rev. Charles Lattimore Howard, Ph.D. , is an Episcopal Priest and serves as The University Chaplain and The Vice President for Social Equity and Community at the University of Pennsylvania. www.amazon.com

CROOKED!

Brother Don Taylor [Delta Pi ’72] examines the fictional life of Willy Harris, a character from Lorraine Hansberry’s classic play, A Raisin In The Sun, who steals Walter Lee’s money for a down payment for a house in the original play. Willy has lived on the ‘dark side’ for much of his life. While he struggled with many of the choices he made, Willy has convinced himself that he only does what he does to avoid being one of the ‘tooken.’ Toward that end, the Younger family, joins the list of those he considered ‘collateral damage’ as a result of Willy’s ‘Machiavellian’ machinations. Brother Taylor, a 1972 Delta Pi initiate at Cheyney State College (now Cheyney University) serves as Assistant Professor of Sociology at Johnson & Wales University. www.amazon.com

MYTH BUSTERS: LESSONS FROM ACTIVE FATHERS

Brother Marvin Banks, Jr. [Zeta Alpha ’97] dispels the notion that Black fathers are not involved in their children’s lives. This book looks to inspire and motivate a new generation of fathers to own their roles as children’s first source of motivation and encouragement. This book will help them to shape the next generation of accomplished young Black men and women by emphasizing the traits and characteristics that are essential to rearing well-rounded people. Brother Banks is an entrepreneur and creator/host of “The Man Listen Show” podcast. www.activeblackdad.com

THE INAUGURATION ISSUE

BUGGIN’: A BROTHER’S TALE

Brother Don Taylor’s Book I of his new trilogy, is about Jerome Mitchell, a college professor in Charlotte, NC. In Book I, Jerome finds himself one-third of a triangle, including the beautiful, Yolanda Walker, and a dangerous Deputy Sheriff, Bernard Fox – a triangle of narcissism, obsession, and passion. Beginning with Jerome’s divorce from his wife of 12 years, the story catapults him, Yolanda, and Bernard toward a confrontation on the battlefield of love, longing, and desire, where manhood is defined and defended. www.amazon.com

LITERARY | ENTERTAINMENT

BOOK SHELF

THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH HISTORY

THE POWER OF TOUCH

This book highlights several lifechanging events that shaped the direction of Brother Robert James Richardson’s [Delta Gamma ’58] life, a kid who grew up in the poorest district in Auburn, Alabama in a shack in an alley. From childhood to old age, the book describes how various individuals and events touched his life for the better. The first touch came from his mother who at an early at age instilled in him the values of love for family, respect for others and good work habits. Mr. Denbrow, his science teacher, and basketball coach, influenced his life greatly when he touched him on the shoulder one day after class and told him that he could “be somebody if he continued to work hard in school.” Dr. Morrison, the President of Alabama A&M University, who once served as Brother Richardson’s immediate supervisor, solidified his belief that if one is in charge of something, he has the responsibility to bring that something to fruition – words that have been greatly imparted to others by Brother Richardson. After a near-fatal heart attack, God touched Brother Richardson through his late son, Dr. Chris Richardson, who gave him the assurance that he would recover. www.robertjamesrichardson.com

Brother Dennis C. Dickerson [Nu ’68] examines the long history of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and its intersection with major social movements over more than two centuries in “The African Methodist Episcopal Church History.” Beginning as a religious movement in the late 18th century, the AME Church developed as a freedom advocate for Blacks in the Atlantic World. Governance of a proud Black ecclesia often clashed with its commitment to and resources for fighting slavery, segregation, and colonialism, thus limiting the full realization of the church’s emancipationist ethos. Brother Dickerson, a Nu Chapter initiate at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania and a member of Tau Lambda Chapter in Nashville, Tennessee, is the Reverend James Lawson Chair in History at Vanderbilt University and previously taught at Williams College as Stansfield Professor of History. www.amechurchhistory.com

nothing Minor

focuses on the author, Brother Andrew Snorton’s [Xi Eta ’91] extensive 2019 coverage of Minor League Baseball in the Carolinas, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, and Mississippi. Complete with interviews with prospects (some of the players are on the Major League Baseball rosters as well as top prospects for their respective teams), veterans, and a growing segment of African-American players, photography, and game recaps, it’s accessible for the casual and die-hard fans of baseball. www.amazon.com

Blended and Loving It

Brother Dr. Slavoski Wright [Nu Pi Lambda ’17] and his wife, Umeka Dixon Wright, wrote a daily devotional designed to appreciate the spiritual needs of strengthening the nontraditional family by offering spiritual guidance, encouragement, and motivation to individuals in blended families, newly blended families, and soon-to-be blended families. This book emphasizes the importance of knowing that God is truly able to strengthen and grow your family and its bond. Each daily devotional includes an inspirational story, scripture, and a place for you to insert your prayer or reflection with God. www.amazon.com THE SPHINX

HISTORY

BY BROTHER DR. ROBERT L. HARRIS, JR. [THETA ’63]

Espirit de Fraternite You’re Proud to be an Alpha, and share Her praises won, But before you inflate yourself with pride, Ask yourself, honestly, “How much have I done?” To Be An Alphaman By Brother Fred H. Woodruff

ewel Henry Arthur Callis, at Philadelphia in 1958, remarked that “We were serious young men distraught by the problems of our period. We were dedicated to the extension of the privilege of education for all; to the struggle for the inalienable rights of men in all societies; to the building of leadership of the oppressed that should place service before self.” “Service before self” has been the hallmark of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity for the past 115 years. 36th General President, Dr. Willis L. Lonzer III, in his inaugural address underscored this theme and tradition with his call to “Elevate the Alpha Spirit” by recommitting to “Servant Leadership.” The principle and practice of “Servant Leadership” is a solid foundation on which Alpha Phi Alpha stands and for which each Alpha Man must ask himself “How much have I done?” We often sing “Give me that good old Alpha Spirit,” but do we fully understand its meaning. “It was good enough for Jewel Callis and it’s good enough for me.” “It’s good enough for me,” but do we have the same commitment as Jewel Callis, the Founders, and “Servant Leaders” of the Fraternity. Brothers often boast about Alpha being the first Black intercollegiate fraternity and the number of firsts achieved by men of Alpha. The list is long beginning with the Founders. Jewel Vertner Woodson Tandy was the first Black registered architect in New York State and the first African American to pass the military commissioning examination in New York State, where upon he became a First Lieutenant in the 15th Infantry of the New York State National Guard. Jewel George 20

Biddle Kelley was the first Black registered engineer in New York State. Jewel Henry Arthur Callis was the first Black physician in the United States certified as an Internist. Whether in the fields of education, business, politics, science, sports, Alpha men in the tradition of the Founders have scored firsts. Brother H. Council Trenholm, President of Alabama State College, and Alpha Director of Educational Activities in 1940, wrote that: “Alpha Phi Alpha does not idly boast of its record but does take inspiration out of its significant and evolving past, which gives challenges to the present and the future.” While we are mindful of our firsts in almost every area of human endeavor, those firsts come from being “servants of all.” As Brother Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. reminded us in his sermon, “The Drum Major Instinct,” delivered at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, two months before his assassination, quoting from the Bible that: “whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all (emphasis added).” Dr. King talked about the basic human desire for attention, recognition, and importance, the desire to be first. He explained it as a kind of drum major instinct, to be out front. He acknowledged that we all have the drum major instinct, the desire to be important, to achieve distinction, to lead the parade. Dr. King claimed that the drum major instinct is the reason why we are joiners, why we belong to different organizations, and seek praise within them. Moreover, we fall prey to advertisers and salesmen who stroke our egos with self-satisfaction in purchasing certain types of cars, styles of clothing, THE SPHINX

HISTORY

brands of liquor which set us apart from others. Although we all have this basic human instinct, we also have an obligation to curb it. Almost fifty years before the 31st President of the U.S., John F. Kennedy, in his inaugural address, offered the memorable words: “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country,” Alpha 4th General President, Charles H. Garvin stated that: “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.” This is the Esprit de Fraternite, the Alpha Spirit, which has internal and external dimensions, an obligation to members and to humankind. Internally, for 115 years, we have developed leaders, promoted brotherhood and academic excellence, and externally, we have provided service and advocacy for our communities. Past General President and Fraternity Historian, Dr. Charles H. Wesley, in his chronicle of the first fifty years of the Fraternity identified five major periods in history of the Fraternity. The first period was an emphasis on Higher Education. The early twentieth century was a time when few African Americans attended higher education. To be true servant leaders, the Jewels and early members of the Fraternity emphasized access to quality higher education. Many collegiate institutions consisted of a large preparatory division and a smaller college division. Dr. Wesley indicates that the Founders looked to establish chapters only at accredited schools with a reputable college curriculum. Not for snobbishness or exclusivity, but for the best preparation as servant leaders, the early members of Alpha Phi Alpha sought the highest quality higher education to provide advocacy for their communities. Early advocacy came in promoting the first U.S. Army Training Camp for African American Officers at Fort Des Moines, Iowa during World War I. THE INAUGURATION ISSUE

The second period involved the inauguration of the Go-to-High School, Go-to-College campaign in 1920, approved at the 1919 General Convention in Chicago. Each chapter was charged with the responsibility of reaching every high school in their area either through personal contact or literature. Brothers visited schools and churches with messages to inspire Black youth to remain in school and to go to college. There were advertisements in local newspapers and broadcasts on radio. The Fraternity developed plans for scholarships and fellowships to advance this objective that were not limited to Alpha members. The third period included the establishment of the Education for Citizenship program. Future General President (1941-1945), Dr. Rayford W. Logan in 1933, as Director of Education, developed the Education for Citizenship program. The theme “A Voteless People is a Hopeless People” grew out of this program. The Education for Citizenship campaign was designed to inform and to familiarize African Americans with their rights as citizens of the United States and to educate them about practicing those rights. The program educated African Americans about the right to vote and held mock voter registration exercises. Long before the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) started its Citizenship Education Program in 1961 under the direction of Dorothy Cotton and Brother Andrew Young, Alpha Phi Alpha had developed a model that also influenced the NAACP. The NAACP at its 1934 National Convention endorsed the Citizenship Schools that had impressed its executive secretary, Walter White. The Fraternity used auto bumper stickers, door placards, and yard signs to encourage African Americans to vote. Chapters organized essay contests and forums to discuss the importance of the vote and provided speakers to schools and churches to discuss the ballot. They discussed the significance of civic engagement beyond casting a ballot, the U.S. political system, how it functions, and the role of citizens in preserving freedom, justice, and equality in principle and practice. 21

HISTORY

“The Negro in the New World Order” defined the fourth period. World War II was a major turning point for African Americans, and Alpha played a significant role in that change. Brother Charles Hamilton Houston, a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Amherst College and the first African American to serve as an editor of the Harvard Law Review, chaired the Marian Anderson Citizens Committee in Washington, D.C. In the 1930s, Howard University sponsored an annual concert by the world-renowned contralto, Marian Anderson. The famous conductor, Arturo Toscanini, had hailed Anderson’s voice as one heard only once in a hundred years. Howard sought a larger venue for the concert and was initially denied use of the White Central High School by the Washington, D.C. Board of Education on the grounds that it could not allow a commercial performance on school property. They then tried to book Constitution Hall, with excellent acoustics and four thousand seats, the largest concert facility in Washington, D.C. In 1931, the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) which owned Constitution Hall had permitted a concert by the famous Black tenor, Roland Hayes. But a year later, to prevent Blacks and Whites from sitting together in the audience, the DAR adopted a policy of renting the facility for performances by Whites only. The DAR refusal to rent Constitution Hall for a concert by Marian Anderson became major news nationally and internationally. Many newspapers compared the DAR’s decision to racial bigotry in Nazi Germany. The First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt, an outspoken champion of racial equality, in her nationally syndicated newspaper column, on February 27, 1939 announced her resignation from the DAR. The Marian Anderson Citizens Committee, an interracial group that had been formed in the law office of Brother Houston, supported the recommendation of Walter White, NAACP executive secretary, to hold the concert outdoors in front of the Lincoln Memorial as a strong statement against racial bigotry and discrimination. Eleanor Roosevelt endorsed the idea, and Secretary of the Interior Harold L. Ickes provided his department’s support in making preparations for the concert. Members of the Roosevelt administration, Supreme Court Justices, and Members of Congress were among the dignitaries who assembled on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial for the concert on Easter Sunday, 1939. A crowd of some 75,000 stretched from in front of the Lincoln Memorial along the reflecting pool to the Washington Monument. Millions more heard the concert on radio. The Lincoln Memorial would become a popular venue for Black protest, especially during the latter half of the twentieth century. The Marian Anderson concert provided a stark contrast to 22

America’s professed principles of freedom, justice, and equality, and the practice of racial discrimination. Many Americans found it difficult to resolve the contradiction between fighting against racial bigotry in Nazi Germany while condoning its practice at home. The Pittsburgh Courier, the nation’s largest Black owned newspaper, founded in 1910 by Brother Robert Vann, promoted a Double V campaign during World War II for Victory Abroad, and at Home. More than a million Black men and women served in the U.S. military during World War II although still in all-Black units, primarily in labor details, transporting troops and supplies, building and repairing roads, and clearing fields. The Army integrated its officer candidate schools, but Black commissioned officers could only command fellow Black troops. The Army did create a training program for Black pilots at Tuskegee Institute. Brother Brigadier General Charles McGee was one of the last surviving Tuskegee Airmen when at 100 years old, he was honored at the White House in 2020. An initiate of Tau Chapter and Life Member #213, Brother McGee was a highly decorated veteran and one of the Tuskegee Airmen who proved that Black men had the intelligence, fortitude, and skills to become successful combat pilots. In the New World Order, formation of the United Nations after World War II strengthened the drive for racial equality in the United States. In the United Nations Charter approved in 1945 and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights drafted in 1948, the nations of the world affirmed the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family. Brothers W.E.B. DuBois and Rayford W. Logan together with members of Kappa Alpha Psi Earl B. Dickerson and William R. Ming prepared a petition to the United Nations “An Appeal to the World” for the United Nations to investigate and to change racial conditions in the United States where lynching, segregation, and inequalities in education, housing, health care, and voting rights prevailed. The New World Order became the foundation for the fifth period – Militant Liberalism and Progressive Action. In December of 1952, six of the eight major Black fraternities and sororities held an unprecedented joint meeting in Cleveland, Ohio with 4,000 delegates in attendance. The purpose for bringing together the organizations was to gain support for the American Council on Human Rights (ACHR) formed by several of the groups in 1948. Its goal was to mobilize the influence and resources of their members to press for racial equality. Their focus would be on lobbying the federal government for legislation and administrative policies to advance the cause of civil rights. Jewel Henry THE SPHINX

HISTORY

Arthur Callis was the keynote speaker at the meeting in Cleveland. He reminded the organizations they were representatives of a quarter million professional men and women who had responsibility for the welfare of 15 million African Americans whether they liked it or not. He concluded that they had grown out of “faith in a people who had survived centuries of inhumanity,” that “they were conceived in the pain of the distressful plight of a people (who) were struggling for dignity, self-respect, and just rewards, both spiritual and material for (their) labor and service.” The ACHR worked with college students to encourage their defense of human rights. Local councils, North and South, waged letter writing campaigns and met with legislators to support their objectives. The ACHR published a bulletin on important legislation before Congress and information on how to secure passage of important civil rights bills. The ACHR sought legislation to bar discrimination in employment, protect the right to vote, ban segregation in interstate travel, make lynching a federal crime, abolish the poll tax, and to eliminate racial discrimination and segregation in the nation’s capital. The ACHR held a series of workshops from 1956 to 1960 for college students to discuss equal opportunities in voting, employment, housing, and education. These workshops influenced a generation of Black college students coming out of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities who would provide leadership for the civil rights movement. The first president of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee, Marion Barry, was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha. The ACHR established a Student Emergency Fund in 1960 to assist college students who suffered financial difficulty because of their involvement in peaceful protest against segregation. The Fund provided grants to the four students at North Carolina A&T University in Greensboro who sparked the student sit-in movement in February, 1960. One of the students, Ezell A. Blair, Jr. (Dr. Jibreel Khazan) an Alpha, wrote to the ACHR that the financial assistance would help him considerably in his quest for knowledge. John Lewis, a Sigma, who as a student participated in the 1961 Freedom Rides, also received a grant from the ACHR. This consortium of Black fraternities and sororities continued its lobbying efforts until the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, organized in 1950, established a formal lobbying office in Washington, D.C. in 1963. During the period of Militant Liberalism and Progressive Action, Alpha Phi Alpha led the way in breaking down the barriers to Black enrollment in colleges and universities, especially in the South, culminating in the 1954 Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education. Brothers Belford V. Lawson, Theodore THE INAUGURATION ISSUE

M. Berry, Charles H. Houston, and Thurgood Marshall worked on the case in 1935 to gain admission of Donald G. Murray, who was not a member of the Fraternity, to the University of Maryland School of Law. Alpha Phi Alpha underwrote the cost of the case and later paid for Murray’s tuition and his law books. Lloyd L. Gaines, an Alpha member and a graduate of Lincoln University in Missouri, was represented by Brothers Charles H. Houston and Sidney R. Redmond in a case decided favorably by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1938 for his admission to the University of Missouri Law School. Brother Thurgood Marshall represented Brother Heman Sweat in his case for admission to the University of Texas Law School, favorably decided by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1950. Brother Arthur Shores successfully argued the case which went all the way to the Supreme Court for the admission of Autherine Lucy to the University of Alabama in 1956. Brother Shores later became the first African American appointed to the Birmingham City Council on which he served for a decade. Dr. Wesley’s periods ended in 1956, Alpha’s Golden Anniversary Year, but Alpha’s leadership in the struggle for racial equality has continued to the present. During the 1960’s, Alpha men headed the major civil rights organizations, e.g., Martin Luther King, Jr. at the Southern Christian Leadership Conference; Whitney M. Young, Jr. at the National Urban League; Marion Barry at the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee; Floyd McKissick at the Congress of Racial Equality. In politics, Alpha men became the first mayors of major U.S. cities, such as Atlanta, Birmingham, Cincinnati, Dayton, Ohio, Houston, Jackson, Mississippi, Kansas City, Missouri, New Orleans, New York City, Buffalo, New York, Richmond, Virginia, San Francisco, among others. Brother Edward W. Brooke was the first African American popularly elected to the U.S. Senate. Recently, Brother Raphael Warnock became the first African American elected to the U.S. Senate from Georgia. Pulitzer prize winning scholar and doyen of leadership studies, James MacGregor Burns’ distinction between transactional and transformative leadership parallels Alpha’s Esprit de Fraternite. Transactional leadership, similar to the drum major instinct, looks to acquire some benefit from an interaction, e.g., personal gain, self-aggrandizement, and praise. Transformative leadership helps individuals in interactions to better themselves without regard to receiving anything in return. It is servant leadership in which leaders and followers rise to higher levels. It is the true spirit of Fraternity ruling our hearts, guiding our thoughts, and controlling our lives for us to become servants of all. S For Article references, email historian@apa1906.net. 23

SERVICE | ADVOCACY

BROTHER JAMES DOUGLAS [DELTA THETA ’63] AND BROTHER WAYMON CLYDE LEMON [ETA GAMMA ’76]

Camp Logan Clemency Petition Filed with Secretary of the Army

he Alpha Eta Lambda Chapter of Houston has initiated a resolution supporting a pardon for a group of Camp Logan African American soldiers accused of crimes in the early 1900s. The pardon was announced at the Texas District Conference in 2019. A joint petition coming from the Houston Chapter NAACP and South Texas College of Law was submitted seeking the pardon for the group of soldiers. The Southwest Region has also adopted the resolution supporting the pardon. During the 95th General Convention in Las Vegas, NV, a resolution was adopted also in the support of a pardon for the African American soldiers. The basis of the pardon is that during 1917, members of the famed 24th Infantry Regiment were stationed in Houston, Texas at Camp Logan. The 24th Infantry Regiment was created by Congress in 1869. It had fought valiantly at San Juan Hill under the leadership of Colonel Theodore Roosevelt. Also, they were part of the military response to fighting in the Philippine insurrection of 1898 and other notable battles. Furthermore, their service included being assigned to 24

the western United States from 1908 to 1916 under the leadership of General John J. Pershing. However, upon arriving in Houston in 1917, the battlehardened soldiers were regularly abused by the police. In many cases they were beaten simply for asserting their rights as members of the United States Army. Due to the beating of one of their well respected and liked noncommissioned officers, on August 23, 1917, the soldiers took up arms against the abusive white citizens and police. Their actions resulted in three trials. The first trial was regarded as U.S. v. Nesbitt. This trial had sixty three (63) soldiers being represented by one attorney. The attorney was given only two weeks to prepare for trial. The trial resulted in 13 being sentenced to death. They were sentenced on November 29, 1917 and hanged on December 11, 1917. There was no review or appeal. The other soldier’s sentences ranged from two years to life in prison. The second trial commenced on December 17, 1917. The trial was styled U.S. v. Washington. It had fifteen THE SPHINX

SERVICE | ADVOCACY

(15) soldiers tried. Here again, with only one attorney being assigned to represent all fifteen soldiers. This trial resulted in sentences ranging from seven (7) years in prison to death. However, the death sentences were not carried out until they were reviewed by president Woodrow Wilson. The third trial commenced on February 18, 1918. It was named U.S. v. Tillman. Forty (40) soldiers were tried in this case. Similar to the first two trials, only one attorney was assigned to represent all the soldiers. The trial ended on March 27, 1918. It resulted in eleven (11) soldiers being sentenced to death. No white officers were disciplined nor any white civilians for their role leading up to the events of August 23, 1917. S THE INAUGURATION ISSUE

Brother James Douglas is a 1963 initiate of Delta Theta and was the president of the NAACP Houston Branch. Brother Waymon Clyde Lemon is a 1976 initiate of Eta Gamma (Chairman Armed Service and Veteran Affairs Committee NAACP Houston Branch), both Brothers currently of Alpha Eta Lambda chapter played a role in having the clemency petition submitted. Brothers are encouraged to sign the petition on Change.org. Financial contributions in support of the ongoing clemency effort may be made to the NAACP Houston Branch via their website.

MILITARY AFFAIRS

BY BROTHER THOMAS J. POPE, JR. [IOTA MU LAMBDA ’82]

A Leader Leading Leaders

nborn leadership talents often lie dormant or unexplored by most, however, this is not the case with the gifted Dondrell Swanson, Western Region Vice President, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Brother VP Swanson, an articulate and brilliant Alpha Man, upon assuming the role of Vice President, promptly introduced his new Vision for the Western Region – Equip, Educate & Empower. Pausing briefly during his first Regional presentation, he said, “Brother Thomas Pope, that also includes our Western Region Military Affairs Program, my father honorably served in the United States military to defend this great nation. As my Military Affairs Chair, I look forward to reviewing and discussing the definitive plans you envision for our Western Region Military Program”. Cognizant that the Western Region is a military epicenter of Alpha Brothers with military ranks from Private to General Officers, and the potential lack of enthusiasm about this new inkling by nonmilitary affiliated brothers, Brother VP Dondrell Swanson, employing his CEO skills, meticulously created an environment conducive for the overall acceptance of the Western Region Military Affairs Program, indicating that written policies that defined the military programs were essential to allow a smooth transition. He worked cooperatively with the Military Affairs Chair to keep the Western Region Leadership Team, and the brotherhood abreast of newly developed military

recognition programs. He immediately endorsed the vision of the Western Region Military Affairs Committee to create an environment of recognition and to elevate the plight of our Black boys by presenting scholarships to deserving college candidates at every Western Region Convention – as noted in the above photographs. Brother VP Swanson enhanced an already thriving Western Region Convention Military Breakfast Program that had garnished the attention and respect of the 34th, 35th, and 36th General Presidents, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Mark S. Tillman, Dr. Everett B. Ward, Ph.D., and Dr. Willis L. Lonzer, III, respectively. Dr. Everett B. Ward, during a recent WR Convention speech, lauded the WR Military Affairs Breakfast Program, stating, “I want this Program throughout the rest of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.” All National Presidents have attended and participated in the WR Convention Military Breakfast and Scholarship Programs, and also have echoed the sentiments of Dr. Everett B. Ward. Brother VP Dondrell Swanson, astonished by the character and remarkable accomplishments of the Military Affairs Committee, emphasized exuberance for the “Committee to Aim Even Higher by accentuating our motto “First of All, Servants of All, We Shall Transcend All”, which triggered Military “Star Power” with the addition of Brother (General) Ondra Berry, an active duty Military Flag Officer, who promptly

Left: Brother (General) Ondra Berry, Brigadier General, receives plaque as Keynote Speaker at WR Convention Military Affairs Breakfast. Dr. Everett B. Ward, 35th General President; Brother Dondrell Swanson; and Thomas J. Pope, Jr, Military Affairs Chair, acknowledge. Right: Jaylen Thomas is awarded the 1st Military Scholarship – presented at the WR Convention Military Affairs Breakfast. Pictured are Dr. Everett B. Ward; VP Dondrell Swanson; Ondra Berry; and Thomas J. Pope, Jr.

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and the Western Region Military Affairs Committee with its Alpha’s sights cresting, developed a Military Veterans Recognition Video that highlighted Military Brothers of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. who have served since World War II. This Recognition Video has been hailed as a WR military masterpiece that highlights the extraordinary leadership and support of the Military Affairs Program during troubled times by Brother VP Dondrell Swanson. WR Convention Military Affairs Breakfast Group Picture, consisting of Dr. Everett B. Ward, 35th General President; Dr. Willis Lonzer, 36th General President Candidate; Dondrell Swanson, Western Region, VP; Aaron Crutison, Sr, Past Acting General President; James Moore, Brigadier General, Keynote Speaker; Ondra Berry, Brigadier General; Five former Vice Presidents of the Western Region, and other breakfast participants.

elevated and enhanced the Western Region Military Affairs Programs with the development of Alpha Military Challenge Coins, that was awarded to Brother VP Dondrell Swanson and Brother Thomas J. Pope, Jr during WR Convention Military Breakfast and Scholarship ceremonies.

Although the clock is ticking toward the end of eight years of dynamic leadership under the Western Region Vice President, Brother Dondrell Swanson, the Western Region Military Affairs Committee, under the leadership of Brother (General) Ondra Berry, and Brother Thomas J. Pope, Jr., have assured Brother VP Dondrell Swanson that the “Best is yet to come”! His legacy cannot die. As such, under the banner of Brother VP Dondrell Swanson, the Western Region Military Team has already rolled out its newest military affairs program: “All Gave Some, Some Gave All” and, in concert with the solicitation and continuous involvement of National Leaders and that of “Star Power” military officers, such as Brother (General) Charles Q. Brown, Jr., Chief of Staff of the Air Force.

When this nation was hit the hardest of all nations by the COVID-19 pandemic and failed national leadership, Brother VP Dondrell Swanson employed Invictus: “In the fell clutch of circumstance, I have not winced nor cried aloud, Under the bludgeonings of chance My Farewell, my gentle Brother, your legend will never head is bloody but unbowed.” He then challenged die. S his Western Region Military Affairs Team to do even more. This time, Brother VP Swanson’s flawless leadership led to the expansion of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Western Region Veterans Day, and Memorial Day Ceremonies to honor all who served this great nation with Zoom Programs, which highlighted guest speakers, Brother Theodore Lumpkin, a 100-year old, Tuskegee Airman, and a retired Lt. Colonel, who recently entered the Omega Chapter by the devastation of COVID-19, one month short of his 101st birthday. Brother (General) Ondra Berry facilitated this Memorial Day Zoom Program with Brother (Colonel) Ray Eric Jackson, Jr is awarded the Military Scholarship – presented Burden, ret., and Brother (Major) Thomas J. at the WR Convention Military Affairs Breakfast. Pictured are Pope, Jr., serving as associate speakers. With COVID-19 devastations and the endless loss of lives, Brother (General) Ondra Berry

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VP Dondrell Swanson; Eric Jackson, Sr, Lt Colonel, father of the recipient; Evette Jackson, AKA, mother of the recipient; Ondra Berry, Brigadier General; Thomas J. Pope, Jr.; Asante’ Day, Western Region Assistant Vice President.

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ELEVATING THE ALPHA SPIRIT

uring his General Presidential Campaign, Brother Dr. Willis L. Lonzer, III [Gamma Sigma ’86] and his team outlined his strategic platform and vision for his Fraternal administration. In it, he identified untapped and underutilized potential by focusing the organization on strengthening our Brotherhood; improving operational excellence; and answering the call of servant leadership in our communities. In May, now five-months into his presidency, the General President sat down with newly named Director of Communications and Editor-of-The Sphinx Brother Eric Christopher Webb to candidly elaborate on these areas. The following is an edited, excerpt of that conversation.

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STRENGTHENING OUR BROTHERHOOD Brotherhood is unmistakably the first and most important element of Elevating the Alpha Spirit. Under the Lonzer administration, this priority will be executed through intentional actions and initiatives that foster: Fraternal Growth; Academic Excellence; Brotherhood Development; and Strong Brotherhood Experiences.

Q: Brother Lonzer, let’s talk about strengthening our Brotherhood. How do you hope to ensure fraternal growth during your administration and beyond? Fraternal growth in my estimation really focuses on two areas. A huge and push is around the concept, and all works with reclamation and retention. We have to be purposeful and intentional in our fraternalism when it comes to reclaiming Brothers and orientations (by) literally (providing) a plan or guide for the reintroduction of brothers into the active portion of Alpha Phi Alpha. Some brothers have been gone for many years and Alpha has changed significantly since they were last active in the fraternity. The other part outside of reclamation and retention has to do with new members and ensuring that they are indoctrinated appropriately and one piece that’s going to be big and what we just have been dealing with is ensuring that we know the proper protocol and etiquette (which is a) core aspect of being an Alpha and that we hold brothers to that. I think that will help us with fraternal growth (for) some who think we’ve departed in ways, and it will clarify our stances and statements and move (us) forward. Q: Over the years, the Fraternity hasn’t given out many scholarships to our own members, but rather from chapters to those in the community, and that’s been a criticism. What can the Fraternity do to promote academic excellence among its members? I agree. We do need to enhance our scholarship 30

efforts and I have envisioned us having a better focus even within the disciplines academically. Engineering majors can get scholarships that are focused toward engineers. (In addition,) allowing us to grow how the Alpha Education Foundation and our partnership with them distributes their dollars, not that they are doing a poor job in the sense of trying to make an effort, but let’s be broader in our thinking, find ways for us to bring brothers together who are let’s say all engineers or all scientists or all lawyers and create (something) potentially through our plan giving component, which is a part of our platform, an ability to create scholarships that are dedicated to people in certain fields. Even graduate students need help when they’re joining a professional school or graduate school, and if we can give and be supportive in that effort, I think we will be doing ourselves a service. But the planned giving piece allows us to set up and balance where we it be through the 501 C3 status of the foundation or through a planned donation after a brother transitions to omega chapter. That’s an important part of making sure that we extend the legacy in why not find new paths or new avenues to help extend the legacy of the fraternity through scholarship, that’s what we are about. Q: Do you think the current culture among college students has moved away from the stressing of academic excellence, and we’ve been a part of that as well? I think there is a departure. I think it’s not uniform. There (are) several chapters in the Fraternity who have a strong academic reputation and brothers who matriculate in and become a part of that chapter join a healthy regiment of brothers who are about serious academic work. But the standards, it’s not as focused as it used to be, and we really do need to keep that a part of our claim that you know yes, ‘we party hard, we stay up late but most of all we graduate.’ That’s the piece. You come to college to obtain a degree and we want to make sure that we can assist, and aid, as the Constitution says promoting “a perfect union” among college men and that union is about getting your education, finding a job, or creating your own business and being engaged, but we have to mature now at a 115 years in the a game we have to mature how we do it. But that we’re multi-generational THE SPHINX

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and these more recent generations may require different things than prior generations. Q: With the revitalization of Alpha University and the launch of the Alpha Elite platform, how do you see these resources contributing to the professional and personal success of the Brotherhood? Oh, and I would even add fraternal success. I see Alpha University…I don’t see it as some brothers may as an academic college or university structure, I see it as a corporate training structure and the term university is loosely used. It should be the hub of all training and the development of training for the fraternity from a personal perspective how to better yourself as an individual to your professional development and that’s not just for those young brothers who are coming up and graduated with a degree but those of us mid-career or maybe even towards a more latter aspects of our careers and looking to transition to a new career, to even fraternal development. I personally do not believe that brothers should just be able to serve on the board of directors as a regional vice president or general officer without having some certification and training around how we operate and work as an organization. So Alpha University can help us to understand chapter level, district level, regional level and the general organizational structure and level of workings and allow us to build a curriculum that educates all brothers but ensures that we get better training even officer training even some components of understanding how a non-profit organization works before you step out and run for general president, before you run for regional vice president . . . Alpha Elite provides another safe platform for dialogue that takes us out of the social media space. I think Alpha University and the utilization of the learning management system that’s there offers a great way for us to, even on the foundational level, think about training as an inverted pyramid. The capstone of the pyramid at the top is really when you invert it is the essential things that a general brother should know and then you build-up as you go in serve in different roles of the chapter or the district, the regional, or the general organization level. So, I think there’s great opportunity. 32

Q: Are we looking into providing a continuing education or professional level credit that transfers into the real world as well? Yes, we’ve entertained an idea of professional or continuing education training. Certification, even for example, if somebody wants to get a PMP a project management training you can get it through Alpha Phi Alpha, and we can offer it at a general convention so that it can help your job to help you pay to come to the convention and then that certification would even say an Alpha Phi Alpha led course in this. And I think that those types of continuing education and professional certification pieces can be a part of what we want to do . . . I think the pandemic has also offered the realization that we can have a virtual component (which) we should have been doing it all along (to) provide a real return on investment for brothers for the dues that they pay. Q: I know this is something that you’re big on encouraging strong Brotherhood experiences. In which ways can the fraternity assist in enhancing the Brotherhood experience and our fraternal culture? Is it simply just Brotherhood Smokes? Well, I think definitely encouraging social fellowships other than just brotherhood smokes because some brothers don’t smoke cigars, but encouraging fraternal fellowship opportunities both live and now virtual, they work too, (such as) virtual happy hours (as well as) come together on life topics. If all of us have a vested interest in boating, you know, I’m a boater, and brothers who own boats want to talk about boating or if you’re cyclist, or if you’re a biker, you know our past general president Mark Tillman rides a motorcycle and its impressive what he does but we also have other past general presidents and other leaders, statesmen in the fraternity who do different things. I mean, I’m into photography, and so we want to facilitate groups that help to kindle fellowship and friendship within the organization but strong brotherhood experiences as I envision it too, also includes (columns) like Alphas on the Move in The Sphinx, or through (content on) SphinxTV or Sphinx Radio or through other social media. (These are) other THE SPHINX

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ways for us to highlight (what) the average brother (is doing) that you just would not meet . . . That’s that strong brotherhood experience us getting to know who we are, and we also have to face our culture, too. Hazing is one part of that where we cannot afford for us to be thick-minded and thick-skulled about that. There is no real win with hazing. If we want to make better men, we have to choose better men, and find ways through our approved program to help make them better. You know physical beating has never proven anyone to be a better man. I think when we pour into their development and this is one of the things and the reasons why I say Alphas are not born, you’re not born into being an Alpha, you’re developed. Like we say as Sphinxman, ‘we commit to make full development,’ but that development doesn’t stop once you’re initiated. Full development means that you’ve lived your life and you’ve been engaged with the Fraternity and when you transition to Omega Chapter (and) if you’ve given back like you should and carried out the tenants of the fraternity then you’ve made full development. The other part (about strong brotherhood experiences) is that no Alpha Phi Alpha man can speak on behalf of the fraternity even if it’s your political beliefs or whatever. The only approved speaker of the Fraternity is the General President or an elected official at the designation of the Board or the General President to speak on behalf of him, maybe the Executive Director of the Fraternity specifically. Those things mean something to us as a Brotherhood and we must ensure that we are doing everything that we can to fulfil our obligations regarding that. Q: You mentioned development and the selection process and how it doesn’t end once Brothers are initiated, do you think that we need to take another look at our IMDP process and to strengthen it in some ways, its capacity, in terms of what Brothers are learning? Have we lost something? Do you think we’ve thrown the baby out with the bath water when we shifted? That’s a great question. I think that the first thing is we started off with the wrong premise. You always have to evaluate training and development. Once you develop the curriculum, it’s already outdated. We have to find a way THE INAUGURATION ISSUE

to be (nimbler), initiative-driven, but when it comes to membership development, yes, we should look at it on a regular basis from the immediate sense of, did we achieve the goals that were intended of the training for the induction of the new member? And to get him on his way in his experience, I would say that it’s failing because we’ve not been able to retain Brothers. So, we should be looking at why are we not having Brothers extend their membership beyond college, or if they’re in an Alumni chapter –they’ve only been a member for four years, and then (suddenly), they feel they have the license to just unplug, and now (they’re an) Alpha for life. Now let me be clear, I am not in any way suggesting that once you become a Brother, and this is the culture in other organizations, that once you don’t pay your dues, we just write you off the rolls. Some are like that, but we’re Brothers for life. But we should be always called to be actively engaged when we pay our dues, and we need to remind Brothers that we are ensur(ing) that the Fraternity is going to be around . . . Even if you... ‘I just can’t philosophically get with this alumni chapter’ or whatever, at least pay your grand tax so that you can ensure that you’re always connected to the Fraternity and know what’s happening with us. Q: So, I know of you, as a former step master in 1990, how do you feel about, and it’s the million-dollar question, how do you feel about the current shift from stepping to strolling? Okay, I’m a biased person, and I think that it’s important for us to appreciate the evolution in the concept of what’s good for the collegian, in particular, because trends change on campus. I still am a proponent of the traditional step experience, and step shows, and themes, and it just seems like the focus has shifted to where they just wanted to do party strolls, which we did those anyway, but they weren’t competition. But chapters have strolls but there should be an Alpha stroll that every Brother should be able to do, so that when all Brothers are together, we can do that stroll. You know that’s what I loved about it back in the day, and even if we could come up with an unofficial ‘official song.’ You know, I spent a lot of my fraternal years in Ohio, 22 of my 35 (years) was spent in Ohio – and 33

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more than I spent in my own region, where I was initiated, but I developed in the Midwestern Region, and “More Bounce to the Ounce” by Roger Trotman was the song and that was our song, and nobody else could claim that, and when we’d get out there, and step, I mean, it certainly benefited me socially. When they saw us get out there, and the ladies loved to watch us stroll, so, hey, that’s why I say, it is definitely designating that a paradigm shift (has) occur(ed), but I still am a proponent of the traditional. Q: And I think we were in better shape too, physically, because we chanted and stomped, these young Brothers aren’t chanting. They’re just strolling to a song and keeping cadence with a whistle. Exactly, there is a difference.

IMPROVING OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE Strong organizations that deliver on its mission and vision are laser-focused on continuous improvement and operational excellence. As a Brother with leadership experience in global organizations and every level of this fraternity, under a Lonzer administration, Alpha Phi Alpha will improve the customer experience for Brothers and external stakeholders by ensuring: Organizational Alignment; Measuring and Evaluating Programs; and Growing Revenues.

Q: Okay, let’s look at another major area and key proponent, improving operational excellence. Let’s look at your operational alignment. What are some specific areas that you’re targeting? Operational excellence includes first and foremost our product out of the General Office: communications, consistency around our branding. Helping our general headquarters staff, our General Operations, and General Office understand what branding really is; and helping to train and develop our General Officers 34

(so) that the members who serve on Board of Directors and (in) our regional and district offices, even at the chapter level understand what’s important around our brand so they can understand how that’s conveyed. How we provide services to the Brothers, if it means getting your membership card on time, producing the General Organization’s organ, The Sphinx, on a quarterly basis, and getting it out there and ensuring that the Brothers have the means of being able to get their news out through The Sphinx that’s what it’s supposed to be. And also ensuring that from an operational perspective, what we provide to the Brothers, in terms of services, (have a) return investment. For example, how we can have a planned giving program or how we can provide personal, professional, and fraternal development opportunities for Brothers. All those (areas) move around operational excellence because it’s the same thing that we offer to Brothers in terms of the flow of what we do, but the crux of it falls along the lines of how we manage everything coming from the General Office. Q: How about program measurement and evaluation? What new tools has the Fraternity implemented or hopes to implement? Well, I would say we’re at the hope to implement right now and that’s having, for example, a balanced scorecard understanding what those goals are and what they may mean is something that’s important for us to do. I think that at the outset the real challenge we have, in my opinion, is that we are all over the place and we need to align those things and make sure we understand what we’re measuring. One of the things that I did do for the General Office is put to task, and they’ve come to fruition, is the development of a corporate mission statement that aligns with our General Organization’s mission statement (as well as) the development of seven core values that helps the members of the (General Office) staff work toward achieving the goals in their department. If it means you know, excellence, then you know that one of those seven core values is a part of that, then how are you moving every day to work towards those goals that make sure (and) how does core values help you drive to that? How are you demonstrating excellence? THE SPHINX

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Q: Revenue and growth. Our Fraternity, like so many other Black organizations, including other fraternities and even HBCUs are membership or tuition dependent. What are some new strategies that the Fraternity might explore to increase revenue? Well one of them is through the planned giving piece that we’re doing. That planned giving component will help us because Brothers are making an intentional investment in the Fraternity through maybe life insurance. We have the models that demonstrate that even if only 7% of the Brothers participated, and I’m thinking this off the top of my head, we still could reap a strong long-term investment. so (And) maybe 93% of it you leave for your family, but that’s 7% that you give to the Brothers (which) is something that we can count on and even in about 15 years with modest approvement in an estimate we’d be in the millions of dollars in terms of an endowment and monies that we can utilize to extend through our foundation, through scholarships to Brothers, and grants to chapters to help them in terms of the operation. Q: Have we had many major planned giving gifts in the past? Life membership is the classic example. When Brother Dr. O. Wilson Winters decided to give $100 back in that day and that was a lot of money because you know the equivalency of what he was able to do was to give us a committed dollar that was outside of the membership funds that typically were generate(d), and that life membership fund is a coveted love component of who we are and I personally think that we need to probably raise the bar a little bit. we’ve got to first get Brothers in line to pay their Grand Tax. It’s not that you just joined for fashion or fun for a little bit and then are inactive then you come back years later. We want you to stay continuously here, but we want us to be relevant too. We want the Fraternity to mean something to you. Q: So, do you think we need to place more restrictions or qualifications for Life Membership. Well, first and foremost, we need to do what is right for the Brotherhood. And we need to lean THE INAUGURATION ISSUE

on Brotherhood and do more research, clarify what the purpose is because initially it was a slush fund, and it’s evolved from that. It is not the same anymore. .I know some organizations have membership specifications in terms of time before your eligible for it, and I’m not necessarily saying that we have to do that but we have to find what the right mix is for us and help the Brotherhood, educate the Brotherhood on the significance of someone being a brand new Brother and becoming a Life Member in that, the removal of (Grand Tax) is not conducive with the model of sustainability. Also, even the way we determined the amount you pay for Life Membership was really not developed under the right pretenses in my opinion.

ANSWERING THE CALL OF SERVANT LEADERSHIP When Alpha Phi Alpha strengthens the brotherhood and improves operational excellence, we will be better positioned to provide relevant advocacy and leadership in our communities. Brother Lonzer believes in center-out leadership as opposed to top-down leadership. As a proven business executive with demonstrated resultsdriven leadership in Alpha, under a Lonzer administration, we will Elevate the Alpha Spirit through service and advocacy that builds on the expertise of our Brothers to meet the demands of our time.

Q: One of the other major components of your platform was answering the call of servant leadership, and under that enhancing volunteerism. How will the Fraternity enhance volunteerism within our ranks in an organization that has at its foundation being ‘Servants of All? We are going to expand to international days of service, and in doing that, also encompasses us taking on being a better partner in the community and realizing that we are a 35

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community stakeholder. Making sure that these programs align with our mission statement in our fraternity-wide programming, (as well as) the collaborations that we do with Big Brothers Big Sisters and other organizations. Making sure also from the chapter (or) local level that (if ) there is not a Big Brothers Big Sisters program, but there’s a Boys Scouts or Boys and Girls Club, but we mentor people, and we collaborate with the other Greeks as well to make sure that boys and girls are being mentored, and those who are college worthy, or college eligible, can actually pursue that if that makes sense. Q: Will the General Committees play a larger role than in previous years? I can’t say that they’ll play a larger role because that’s a very relative statement, but I do say that the General Committees will be very much involved in helping to promote our ability to execute on the Fraternity’s strategic and tactical plan and those are not just the Standing Committees, but the Ad Hoc or what I like to call all committees working groups, whether they’re Standing or Ad Hoc. That’s why I think initiatives are better suited because we’re able to move things with a more nimble component and then perhaps it’s three initiatives you roll into a Fraternity-wide program because you’re covering off on more things and you realize that you need to reach, and also you put in place a means of adjusting or updating things if that makes sense. Q: Impactful advocacy. What are some ways expert Brothers will be used on advocacy issues? Before we even get into expert Brothers, we need to make sure that we have a political agenda even though some Brothers don’t believe that we should. There are some things that definitely are not Party-associated and can be an agenda for us, and that we are executing. For example, opportunities to go and have days on the Hill at the US Capital or any other (state capital) if we have the wherewithal to be able to be engaged like that. And now bringing in Brothers to help drive around (issues) like police reform that we’re seeking to do now, also around again voter advocacy. How would I 36

ever have believed that ‘A Voteless People Is A Hopeless People’ and our voter education, and registration and empowerment components, (should be a focus today, but) it needs to be all of that. Because quite frankly, in the 21st Century they’re taking away our right to vote. So, all of the programs that we thought might have been passe are becoming relevant again. I would also say even our Go-To-High School, Go-To- College program, you know education is the crux of what we try to do, and we have to encourage that. And we need more Brothers, whether there’s celebrity level Brothers who are permanently placed in the community to dialin and lean into the Fraternity, get on board, and help us promote our initiatives, and that may mean that they become a physical visible force, I think Roland Martin has been good in utilizing his platform to help advocate and to push the Fraternity as well to (help us) stay relevant and engaged. Q: What was behind your historic decision to establish and appoint the Fraternity’s 1st Surgeon General? Quite honestly, I have always thought that we as a community are threatened in the sense of not always (been) given good medical advice and that we weren’t living as long I know as others, and our motto of First of All, Servants of All, We Shall Transcend All, how can we transcend if we are not alive? And helping to ensure our historic placement to service, so we’re not allowed, we can’t serve and then eventually transcend and the community, but even at the very core with our families need us to be involved and engaged in their lives and we also need to develop an opportunity to bring that to the table so that’s where we stand, and I think we need to ensure that can happen. And so, we’ll have a health report card as a result, and we also tip that from wellness works. Health and Wellness (Committee) is the external facing aspect of how the fraternity will build initiatives with the National Kidney Foundation or the National Medical Association or the American Cancer Society. So that we can say if it’s Prostate Awareness Month that initiative comes and builds through health and wellness, but the pull through, the deep education when that initiative goes away for THE SPHINX

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the next month is the continuing conversation around prostate health that comes through the Surgeon General that talks about how all of those things link together – so take care of your heart, take the care of your kidneys, making sure that you manage and control your diabetes. Let’s be honest, you want to keep your feet, how can you keep your feet, and not have to be an

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amputee, what can you do? So, let’s be more proactive, have some real conversations about doing things in moderation so we can live longer. Q: Great! Thank you so much General President Lonzer. Yes sir.

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W I L L I S

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To the Distinguished Board of Directors, Past General Presidents, The Men of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, Ladies and Gentlemen: This is indeed a day of great celebration for me personally as well as for my family assembled and who are virtually engaged. Before I begin my formal remarks, I must take a few moments to reflect on whence I have come. To God; to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I am grateful to the Lord for His divine providence in my life. For it is the Lord who chooses leaders, and all things work together for His divine plan. Surely, as I was on this path, I invoked the Spirit of the Lord, calling on many scriptures. Jeremiah 29:11 and 2 Corinthians 5:7 - that we walk by faith and not by sight. Surely, those scriptures, along with many others, will stay with me as I serve in this lofty position. THE INAUGURATION ISSUE

To my Family – I am very thankful for the support of my family; for their warm and generous spirits, for The humor that I am able to enjoy when I am not in the lens of our good Brotherhood that keeps me humble, keeps me grounded and certainly does keep me on my toes. To my wife Pamela: You are so very supportive and resourceful. And I must acknowledge today that my esteemed Silver Star Member and Life Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha is celebrating their Founders’ Day today and I said that I would acknowledge you, as you are rightfully due. And I say this to the Men of Alpha Phi Alpha that she is no shrinking spirit. She is an excellent 39

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corporate executive in her own right and a scholar both legally as well as in global compliance. And I can say without a shadow of a doubt that she will be an outstanding first lady and represent Alpha Phi Alpha well in that capacity. Thank you to my sons, Josiah David and Ryan Ellis, who are unable to be here today physically due to the pandemic conditions. I want to continue to thank you for your support and love. Although COVID-19 has prevented your participation today, I definitely feel your presence with me right now. To my daughter, Camille Alexandria – my Spelmanite; my budding Spelman woman; my fashion critic; my intellectual jouster, I say thank you for all of your sacrifices. Certainly, you have made some as you were transitioning from high school to college while I pursued this office. But I want to let you know that I am indebted for your love. As I say to my family who are here with me this evening, my mother-in-love, my brother-in-love, my sister-in-love and my nephew who is also my godson, I thank you for being here with me tonight as I embark on this very unique journey that only 35 men prior to me have experienced. And to my family who is virtually engaged tonight, throughout the country, I want to let you know that I love you. You’ve always been there for me and I will not let you down. To my Delaware State University family, just like our esteemed Madam Vice President-Elect is connected to Howard University, I am connected to the wonderful, outstanding Delaware State University seated in Dover, Delaware. And the Hornet family, the Hornet nation, as we say in Delaware State “lingo”, is swarming in loving pride and I have felt every impulse and every spiritual connection as you connected with me not only today, but even throughout this journey and I’m grateful to you for that. As I begin to close my personal comments, I must acknowledge my parents who’ve transitioned on to glory and my maternal and paternal grandparents. Family is very important to me, but I can tell you of Willis and Gloria, that I am the only child that was a product of their union. And I recall a message from my father saying to me, when I 40

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FEATURE

was (featured), the very first time, in The Sphinx magazine, that “I’m very proud of my man child.” Now, my first question that I had for my father, who was not an Alpha man, was how did you know that I was in The Sphinx magazine? Well, my father and mother, were Virginia Union University alumni, and I have a connection. And that was my first baptism and exposure to Alpha Phi Alpha as a young lad, and then to family members and friends as I grew. So, I’m indebted to them as they look on from glory and move forward. As I turn my eye toward the fraternity, I acknowledge my now late mentor, the Past General President, the 25th General President, Judge James R Williams. This man indelibly marked my journey as an Alpha man as I paralleled some paths that he took within the fraternity. It allowed me to see the balance between Brotherhood and authority. It allows me to understand that fraternity is personal. And his transfer of that energy to me certainly left a mark on my life.

For the structure that we raise, Time is with materials filled; Our to-days and yesterdays Are the blocks with which we build. Truly shape and fashion these; Leave no yawning gaps between; Think not, because no man sees, Such things will remain unseen. In the elder days of Art, Builders wrought with greatest care Each minute and unseen part; For the Gods see everywhere. Let us do our work as well, Both the unseen and the seen; Make the house, where Gods may dwell, Beautiful, entire, and clean. Else our lives are incomplete, Standing in these walls of Time, Broken stairways, where the feet Stumble as they seek to climb.

I embrace, tonight, the 35 Past General Presidents who have preceded me and acknowledge the weightiness of this office, already. I thank you for holding high the standard for all men and for Alpha Phi Alpha men, in particular. To my immediate past predecessor, the honorable Dr. Everett B Ward, I thank you for keeping the helm of this mighty vessel. Assuredly, it is not an easy one to navigate.

Build to-day, then, strong and sure, With a firm and ample base; And ascending and secure Shall to-morrow find its place.

And now to the Brothers…

In the spirit of Longfellow’s poem, we Brothers now must embrace that it is time to “Elevate” the Alpha Spirit. I remind you of the vision that I cast for the fraternity: Leadership; Brotherhood; Academic Excellence; and Community Impact.

I call you with me to the words of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, “The Builders”

Thus, alone can we attain To those turrets, where the eye Sees the world as one vast plain, And one boundless reach of sky.

The Builders All are architects of Fate, Working in these walls of Time; Some with massive deeds and great, Some with ornaments of rhyme. Nothing useless is, or low; Each thing in its place is best; And what seems but idle show Strengthens and supports the rest. 42

Our Jewel Founders believed that each of these elements collectively invoke the “true spirit of fraternity.” And inspired by 35 years of service at the chapter, district, regional, and general organizational levels, and even through my professional training and leadership in global corporations, my vision, for our august fraternity, and as Brother Anthony J Rucker aptly said, “the greatest fraternity in the world” and I know our Greek brothers and sisters often THE SPHINX

FEATURE

smile when we say it, but we say it in the spirit of excellence for all of the fraternities because we aspire to excellence! So, we must encourage each other through our work and our efforts through our camaraderie. And my vision is that we, Alpha Phi Alpha, excel and that we excel on the principles on which Alpha Phi Alpha was founded. That we, as a fraternity, advance to be the Brotherhood (fraternity) of choice when men seek a bond like ours; AND then we would be the nurturing, intellectual hub, a “think tank” providing solutions to 21st century issues by answering the call to work as Servant-Leaders in our communities… thereby continuing our role, along with the Greek brothers and sisters quite honestly, to be a beacon of hope to humanity. We, the men of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, must invoke the Spirit of Alpha in order to elevate the Alpha Spirit and carry out our mission. I am calling on all brothers! I am calling on the men of Alpha Phi Alpha! I am calling on all the Noble, the True and the Courageous! I am calling all brothers back to the House of Alpha in the spirit of Brotherhood! We will reclaim and retain our Brothers! I’m calling on all brothers to answer the call of servant leadership, a new call! We are in the midst of a global pandemic, not the like seen since nearly 100 years ago and even then, the spirit and the work of Alpha Phi Alpha continued as it is doing today. We are in the midst of racial unrest in the United States and in the world. The mission of Alpha Phi Alpha to be that leader beckoning other community leaders to come together is our role, as a Brotherhood. Mayhem and unrest occurring in the very cradle of democracy in the world. It will take Alpha Phi Alpha standing shoulder to shoulder with the leaders from Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity; from Omega Psi Phi fraternity; from Phi Beta Sigma fraternity, from Iota Phi Theta fraternity and from all of the Divine 9 sororities, as we lock arms together as community leaders to battle Fascism, to battle un-American principles and doctrines; to thwart the efforts of an autocrat, of a dictator, to become seated and overturn the will of the people in a duly and properly executed election. And yes, this is America where we are supposed to be able to have dialogue. Maybe we don’t agree THE INAUGURATION ISSUE

on how things were executed but we can say that it is the very spirit of the American constitution and the Declaration of Independence, which we know was written without us in mind. But we have stayed the course to ensure that we will inherit what all American citizens have a right to and that is a right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I am calling on all brothers to elevate in your communities. As our Jewel Founder Henry Arthur Callis, physician, implored us and reminded us that “as alumni Brothers, our task is to support college men and college chapters and to promote the advancement of our communities.” That was done well before a mission statement was issued. That was executed well before we experienced the likes of the amalgamation of principles and doctrines and lots of community organizations where they talk about now, community advancement. But I would tell you as Alpha Phi Alpha men we are now called to elevate international service, to make a global impact in what we do. We must answer the call. We must continue to answer the call as we “Elevate the Alpha Spirit”, holding high our aims: “Manly Deeds, Scholarship and Love for All Mankind; Embracing the spirit of our motto: “First of all, Servants of all, We shall transcend all”; and radiating the true purpose of our call; of our Brotherhood; of our fraternity is our mission to develop leaders, to promote Brotherhood and academic excellence while providing service and advocacy for our communities. In the spirit of our mission statement, on the principles of our motto… And at the core of our aims, I charge all Brothers, in every field of endeavor, to continue to bring our best to Alpha Phi Alpha. So that we can foster the “true spirit of fraternity”. Much like 107 years ago, When General President Henry Lake Dickason charged the fraternity to: “think Alpha Phi Alpha; talk Alpha Phi Alpha; promote Alpha Phi Alpha and labor for the broad principles of idealism, for which Alpha Phi Alpha was created, so that humanity shall look on us as a body worthwhile.” That same charge still exists today. And we must embrace that charge as I now charge you to Elevate the Spirit of Alpha as we lift our communities, as we lift our nation, and we lift this world. Thank you. 43

CHAPTER NEWS

FLORIDA

| BETA BETA LAMBDA CHAPTER

Answering the “Call to Action” by then-General President Everett B. Ward, Beta Beta Lambda Chapter initiated various initiatives and campaigns serving the South Florida community such as My Brother’s Keeper, Census 2020 and partnering with community organizations to provide food and supplies during the pandemic. Some activities included participating in a two-day event at Logos Baptist Church and Rayfield Literacy Center to offer food collection and distribution services; “The Alpha Train – Road to the Polls,” in keeping with the Voteless People Is A Hopeless People” national program to encourage all eligible citizens to vote; continuing it’s “Knights of Gold” mentoring program mentoring more than 40 male students last year from four Miami-Dade and Broward County high schools. In addition, the Florida Federation of Alpha Chapters Virtual District Conference recognized two of the chapter’s Past Presidents Brothers Samuel L. Gray (posthumously) and Joseph S. Gay were inducted into the FFAC’s Hall of Fame and the chapter honored as the FFAC Outstanding Alumni Chapter of the Year (2021).

GEORGIA

| GAMMA OMICRON LAMBDA CHAPTER The Gamma Omicron Lambda Chapter implemented the “Be Kind to Your Body” health initiative in October 2020 in response to the health crisis that was gripping Southwest Georgia and the African American community. More than 30 Brothers and their family members along with centers of influence in Albany and Southwest Georgia participated in the two-month initiative. Participants were required to (Knowledge is Power) read an article that explained how to read nutrition labels, one that explained how to engage in mindful eating as well as at least two health-related articles each week; (Eat To Live) eat nutritious meals and track the number of calories through free tracking app with a recommended consumption of no more than 2,200 calories for men and 1,800 for women daily; (Move To Improve) set goals to bike, run or walk at least five times each week, hopefully completing 8K steps at least five days per week; and lastly, (Sleep To Improve) 44

From the left to right: Brothers Maurice Elliard, Benny Hand. Corey Morgan, Ta’Varis Wilson

asked to get six to eight hours of quality sleep each night and to develop regular sleep patterns. NBC News profiled Omicron Phi Lambda Chapter’s “Chat With The Frat,” a weekly eight-part virtual series that educated its community on the issues surrounding Covid-19 and how it impacts Black lives. Some of the sessions included: An Interdisciplinary Discussion Regarding Covid-19 Crisis with the Community, The Medical Docs Take The Block: What We Know: Facts, Stats, Dispelling Myths; the Role of Faith and the Church During Covid-19 and How to Worship Safely at Home; Public Health Crisis and Risk Communication; Financial Planning: Impact on African American Businesses; and lastly, A Season of Graduations and Celebrations in Times of Covid-19. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, numerous chapters were forced to overcome significant operational challenges. Rho Pi Lambda Chapter was no different as they pivoted its Brotherhood to a virtual world. As a result, the chapter launched regular remote gathering experience, including virtual meetings with partner organizations, Super Bowl Watch party, Debate Watch Parties, as well as other social functions to ensure the true spirit of the Fraternity remained the underpinning of its endeavors. The chapter’s Jack Jenkins Scholarship Drive, they converted the 4th Annual 5K Scholarship race into an interactive virtual event for both 2020 and 2021; delivered and served 100 complimentary lunches to police, fire, and emergency first responders; engaged in social media to mobilize community members to utilize absentee ballots to exercise their right to vote THE SPHINX

CHAPTER NEWS

and also to complete the US Census, as well as raised mor than $8,000 for the March of Dimes’ March for Babies campaign.

ILLINOIS

| THETA MU LAMBDA CHAPTER The Leaders’ for Tomorrow Mentoring program has been hosted by the Brothers of the Theta Mu Lambda Chapter for the last nine year. The primary objective of the program is the mentoring and development of middle school through high school young men. Within the last three years, the program has mentored four Eagle Scouts, and one young man attending the University of Chicago on a scholarship. Recently, eight young men committed to intense training and study as they prepared for a south suburban Chicago MOCK trial competition. They were instructed in the intricacies of cross examination, witness testimony, direct examination, as well as opening and closing statements.

MAAC

| MARYLAND ASSOCIATION OF ALPHA CHAPTERS General President Dr. Willis L. Lonzer, III encouraged more than 800 Brothers throughout the Fraternity to remember their obligation of connection with each other during the inaugural ‘One Nine’ International Day of Reclamation event presented by the Mid-Atlantic Association of Alpha Chapters (MAAC) to engage Brothers who are unaffiliated with a chapter or the General Organization. According to organizers, more than 160 Brothers (and counting) have reactivated in good standing with the Fraternity since the event.

MICHIGAN

| KAPPA DELTA LAMBDA CHAPTER The Brothers of Kappa Delta Lambda Chapter partnered with various organizations, including the THE INAUGURATION ISSUE

Greater Lansing Food Bank, the Sparrow Hospital, Michigan State University’s Chinese Faculty Club, Kroger, Tabernacle of David Church and Union Missionary Baptist Church last year to deliver food to more than 600 shut-ins, distribute 2,000 free masks, and conduct Covid-19 tests during the pandemic to help relieve Lansing families in need. Thanks to a generous donation form Brother Willie E. Blake, founder of All About Technology, a certified minority supplier of computers and consumer electronics, the Brothers of Sigma Delta Lambda Chapter rolled out their #MaskUpMichigan campaign to distribute personal protection equipment to local area schools, churches, long-term care facilities, and first responders on March 14. The initial donation of 250,00 masks was equivalent to 3,750,000 single-use masks for our community. Currently, the chapter has more than 60 institutions slated for mask delivery for March and April.

OHIO

| ALPHA RHO LAMBDA CHAPTER On Founder’s Day 2020, the Brothers of Alpha Rho Lambda Chapter recognized the first recipient of

From left to right: Brother John Gore, Brother Luke Fedlam, Brother Carl Robinson, Brother Mike Smith, and Brother Quanta Taylor. Brothers from Alpha Rho Lambda Chapter leadership present Brother. Robinson with a proclamation and plaque honoring his place as the first Life Member of Alpha Rho Lambda Chapter.

CHAPTER NEWS

their newly established honor of Life Member #1 of the chapter, Brother Carl Robinson (AZ, Spr. ’50) who is 94 years old and celebrated his 71st Alphaversary in April. He was also presented line jacket displaying the distinction. In Fall of 2020, the chapter voted to amend its Chapter constitution to honor some of its most senior Brothers. The new “Life Member of Alpha Rho Lambda Chapter” dues status is reserved for any Brother who has been active with the chapter for seven consecutive years, and has reached the status of 65 years of membership in the Fraternity, or has reached the chronological age of 85 years.

NEW JERSEY

| KAPPA IOTA LAMBDA CHAPTER Over the past few years, the Brothers of the Kappa Iota Lambda Chapter recognized the need to bridge the generational gap to raise the scope of the Brotherhood. This past year, the chapter created a new website, a new chapter app, and deployed new fundraising methods, seeking to leverage many of the advantages of technology in doing the work of the chapter.

monthly for a session that lasts 60 minutes. Under the umbrella of “Go-To-High School, Go-To College” and its curriculum, ZIL Brothers have risen to the occasion and done presentations to the mentees on a myriad of topics, including leadership, public speaking, conflict resolution, self-esteem, and basics of “living as a Black man.” The 2021-2022 school year will expand to include 7th graders.

NORTH CAROLINA

| BETA MU LAMBDA CHAPTER The Beta Mu Lambda Chapter were actively involved in many volunteer activities throughout last year’s holiday season. During the Thanksgiving holiday, Brothers prepared and served a Thanksgiving meal at the Rowan Helping Ministries, including baked chicken, macaroni and cheese, seasoned cabbage, rice, and a dessert. Additionally, for Christmas, the chapter partnered with Salvation Army of Rowan County to Adopt a Family. This year, brothers raised more than $500 to provide three children with clothing, toys, and electronics.

TEXAS

| ALPHA ETA LAMBDA CHAPTER On a cold Saturday, February 13, right before “Winter Storm Uri” on Valentine’s Day weekend, was forecasted to hit Houston, Texas, Alpha Eta Lambda Chapter distributed yellow roses to 18 widows of our dearly departed Brothers. S

The Zeta Iota Lambda Chapter (ZIL) led a successful “virtual mentoring” since October 2020. Partnering with Christina Seix Academy (CSA) for the 2020-2021 school year, the Pharaohs Club was developed for young men of color – specifically 8th graders – at the school and has an enrollment of 15 young men. Each of the students were paired with a ZIL Brother who they were matched with in terms of interests, career goals, and past experiences. Participants meet

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ALPHAS ON THE MOVE

BROTHER RASHAD WILSON [OMICRON SIGMA LAMBDA ’14]

A FIRST OF FIRST

rother Rashad Wilson, a member of Omicron Sigma Lambda Chapter, has made history as the first African American United States Air Force (USAF) support airman to complete the Cold Weather Operation Course, which included land navigation, skiing, snowshoeing, shelter building, and cold weather emergency recognition and frigid water training. “When it comes to the military, I have to pay homage to the Tuskegee Airmen for opening doors and being pioneers leaving a legacy for us to live up to,” says Brother Wilson. S

THERE GOES AN ALPHA MAN BY BROTHER PETER CLARKE

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 hold 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 the best man in and out For he is an Alpha Man. 48

BROTHER DR. JASON CALHOUN [XI ALPHA LAMBDA ’14]

NAMED TO BOD OF NATIONAL CONSORTIUM OF SECONDARY STEM SCHOOLS.

he National Consortium of Secondary STEM Schools (NCSSS) recently welcomed Brother Dr. Jason Calhoun, a member of Xi Alpha Lambda, to its board of directors. The consortium, established in 1988, provides a forum for 100 specialized secondary schools focused on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines, along with 55 affiliate members located in 32 states to exchange information and program ideas. S

BROTHERS DOUGLAS SHAW [ETA ETA ’92] & GREGORY WILSON [KAPPA PI LAMBDA ’16] LEADING THE WAY IN ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

he Board of Education for the Peoria Public Schools has two men of distinction at its helm. Brothers Douglas Shaw and Gregory Wilson were elected as the president and vice president, respectively on July 1. Brother Shaw was first appointed to an open seat on the board in 2016 and elected to a full term in 2017 while Brother Wilson was first elected to the board in 2017. In addition to those leadership roles, Brother Shaw serves as vice-chair of the board of trustees for Western Illinois University and Brother Wilson serves as chair of the policy committee for Peoria’s board of education. S

Vice President Greg Wilson (left) and President Douglas Shaw in the Peoria Public Schools Board Room)

THE SPHINX

ALPHAS ON THE MOVE

BROTHER EDWARD LEWIS WILSON [ALPHA ZETA ’41] 80 YEARS AN ALPHA MAN

ew Alpha men have not only celebrated their 100th birthdays, but also 80 years of fraternity membership. Brother Edward Lewis Wilson, now 105, is a 1941 Alpha Zeta Chapter initiate at the West Virginia State University, where he studied electrical engineering, and is current member of Theta Mu Lambda Chapter in Joliet, Illinois. Growing up in Chicago, Brother Wilson was the first African American Eagle Scout in the area. He later founded Practical Trades Institute in 1950 to train students for radio and television repair. Later, he worked as a quality control engineer for Cook Electric and for NASA on the biorecorder for astronauts in the Apollo Space Program as well as on re-entry for the Genesis Space Program. In 1970, he served on the U.S. Presidential Task Force on Youth Motivation. He retired from the Eaton Corporation as a quality control manager in 1985. Five years ago, then-General President Mark Tillman proclaimed Brother Wilson’s 100th birthday an “Alpha Day of Celebration.” S

BROTHER REV. DARRON LAMONTE EDWARDS [PI OMICRON LAMBDA ’91]

A LEADING VOICE AGAINST VIOLENCE IN KANSAS CITY

iolent crime in Kansas City, Missouri, especially gun violence has been out of control for years, and the Rev. Darron LaMonte Edwards, lead pastor of the United Community Believers Church, felt he had to do something about it. The 1991 Pi Omicron Chapter initiate at Texas A&M University and member of Beta Lambda Chapter in Kansas City along with other clergy members established the “Getting to the Heart of the Matter” partnership with the Kansas City Police Department last summer during the turbulent Black Lives Matter protests over police misconduct locally and across the country. This year, they hope to create “violence-free zones.” “The main idea is to be a bridge-builder,” he says. “My goal is ot see a better day between the people of Kansas City and the Kansas City Police Department and to see them in wonderful conversation, sharing true and factual information form the people to the police and the police to the people.” S

THE INAUGURATION ISSUE

BROTHER SAM FULWOOD III [MU ZETA ’76]

JOINS AMERICAN UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION AS DEAN

fter an extensive international search, American University selected prominent journalist, public policy analyst and author, Brother Sam Fulwood III as the Dean of the School of Communication. Previously, he served as a Senior Fellow and Vice President of Race and Equity at the Center for American Progress, a Washington, D.C. public policy think tank. Brother Fulwood, a charter member of the Mu Zeta chapter in 1976, a Life Member of the Fraternity and member of Iota Upsilon Lambda Chapter in Montgomery County, Maryland, is internationally recognized for his work on media influences on American life; race relations; data-driven journalism and the intersection of media, technology, and democracy. “I am humbled by the opportunity to lead American University’s School of Communication, especially at his critical moment when truthtelling journalism and fact-driven communication are under assault, yet greatly needed in our society,” Brother Fulwood says. S

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OMEGA CHAPTER

BY BROTHER ADRIAN ESCALANTE, JR. [TAU ALPHA ’95]

Tenth Southwestern Regional Vice-President Transitions to Omega Chapter

rother Robert Moore “Bob” King, Sr., 85, transitioned to Omega Chapter on Thursday, November 19, 2020, in Plano, Texas. In 1956, Brother King was initiated at the Alpha Sigma Chapter at Wiley College, Marshall, Texas, and served as the tenth Southwestern Regional VicePresident in the 1970s. He was an active member of the Epsilon Epsilon Lambda Chapter, Waco, Texas. Brother King was born on July 20, 1935, in the small town of Waukegan, Illinois, to Rev. Thomas Moore King and Lillian Ann Warren King, and lived his adult life in Waco, Texas. Because his father was the national secretary for the National Baptist Convention, as a child, Brother King was bounced on the knee of the then president of the Convention, Martin Luther King, Sr. Because of his race, he was originally forbidden from joining certain parts of his high school vocal performance program; however, after protesting, he appeared in his first opera in the high school—the first African American at his school to do so. Bob graduated from Joliet Junior College in 1955. Upon graduation, his father asked Bob if he wanted to get his bachelor’s degree from Morehouse in Atlanta, Georgia, or Bishop College in Marshall, Texas. Bob, recognizing his passion for justice and equality, chose Bishop, reasoning that he might be killed in racial confrontations in Atlanta. He enrolled at Bishop College in 1955. As a youngster, Thurgood Marshall, examined Bob, “You’re going to be an Alpha, right?” Brother King affirmed and made good on that promise in 1956. It was at Bishop College where he met and fell in love with Doris Jean Friday. They were married on August 15, 1958, after both graduated from Bishop. Soon after the wedding, Bob departed for Germany, by way of Fort Hood, Texas, having been drafted into the Army earlier in the year. He proudly and honorably

served our country until 1961. Soon after his discharge and return to the U.S., Bob began work with the Veterans Administration Office, retiring from there in 1994, having attained GS 13 during his tenure. Bob also joined New Hope Baptist Church, Waco, Texas. He became a deacon and continued in that role until his passing. He also began one of his greatest passions: directing the New Hope Baptist Church Choir. Bob fashioned New Hope’s into a show choir, filling New Hope with sounds of excellence weekly. The choir concerts filled the balcony of New Hope with people savoring the sounds of “his” choir. Under his leadership, the choir recorded its first and only album. However, his musical exploits did not stop at New Hope. Bob was cast in several musicals and operas in Waco, demonstrating his huge vocal range from singing rich bass as Joe in Show Boat, to belting as a sonorous tenor as Porgy in Porgy and Bess. One of the lasting contributions Bob King made was his work in the Civil Rights Movement, helping to bring equality to African Americans in the Waco area. Bob, along with others, received assistance from the NAACP Legal Defense Fund when the LaVega School District fired all but one of its Black teachers en masse. Bob encouraged and led Black families to boycott, keeping their children out of school. After several days, the School District capitulated, because of the financial losses which accompanied the loss of the students. Bob continued to lead these and similar efforts without pay, despite receiving credible threats upon his life, which at one point led to FBI surveillance and protection. Much later, Bob became a member of the Waco Equal Employment Advisory Committee and the Waco Regional Airport Board. He and the members of the latter board oversaw the renovation and expansion of the airport buildings, ensuring their current, modernized conditions. Bob was also the foreman for many Waco Grand Juries, preventing those who THE SPHINX

OMEGA CHAPTER

seemed innocent from being prosecuted and those who seemed guilty from being released. True to his commitment to Thurgood Marshall, Bob became a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and supported the fraternity for the rest of his life. He was elected chapter president of the Epsilon Epsilon Lambda Chapter, Waco, Texas, many times and represented that chapter at state, regional, and national levels for many years. In the early 1970s, Brother King was elected the Southwestern Regional Vice President. In that role,

he worked very closely with Twenty-third General President Ernest “Dutch” Morial. In 1993, Brother King was instrumental in chartering the Tau Alpha Chapter at Baylor University, Waco, Texas, and served for many years as chapter advisor. On March 5, 2020, Brother King was inducted into the Alpha Phi Alpha Southwestern Regional Hall of Fame. Brother King is survived by his wife of 62 years, Doris King, daughters Rolanda René Burns and Rhonda Harmon, son Brother Rob King, Jr., seven grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. S

Esteemed Reverend Transitions to Omega Chapter

rother Rev. Dr. Archibald Mosley transitioned to Omega Chapter on August 2, 2020.

Brother Rev Dr. Archibald Mosely was a 1946 initiate of Beta Eta Chapter at Southern Illinois University, under the sponsorship of Brother Rev., JC Penn, a prominent educator in Carbondale, Illinois. Brother Rev. Dr. Mosley was born in Carbondale, IL, and attended Attucks Elementary and High Schools. During his lifetime, he earned two bachelor›s degrees, one in education and one in theology; two masters, one in communication, and the other in religious education, and his fifth degree was a doctorate in organizational communication from Wayne State University. Additionally, Brother Dr. Mosley amassed nineteen years of combined teaching and administrative experience in both K-12 and higher education, 28 years as a minister in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, and fifteen years as Communications Coordinator for the City of Pontiac, Michigan. Brother Rev. Dr. Mosley had the distinction of being among the first recruits to integrate and serve in the United States Marine Corps during World War II. Brother Mosley and 20,000 African American Marines were trained in segregated facilities at Montford Point, North Carolina between 1942 and 1949 after President Franklin D. Roosevelt ended the Marine Corps’ status of being a whitesonly branch of the armed services. The conditions under which these Black Marines trained and served were inhumane, and the experiences of these brave African American Marines had almost faded from the THE INAUGURATION ISSUE

memories of America until almost 70 years later when recognition came. Brother Mosely once said “one place racism was not present was in battle. Bullets don’t have names, races, or religions written on them.” On August 25, 2011, President Barack Obama sent a letter of thanks to all Montford Marines for serving at home and around the world with distinction during several World War II and Korea›s bloodiest struggles. Then a resolution passed unanimously through the House of Representative and the Senate in 2011 to award the Montford Point Marines the Congressional Gold Medal. On June 27, 2012, Brother Mosley was among the surviving 300 original black Marines called to Washington, D.C., for the President and Congress to confer our nation’s highest civilian award, the Congressional Gold Medal, on him and other surviving Montford Point Marines. The unbelievable experience of these men was featured in a movie documentary narrated by actor Lou Gossett, Jr. It periodically airs on PBS stations across the country. The City of Carbondale showed its gratitude when the Mayor and Carbondale City Council recognized Brother Mosley for his service by declaring November 11, 2012, as “Rev. Dr. Archibald Mosley Day”. Brother Mosley served his country and fraternity well. After his military service, Brother Mosley became an active participant in the Civil Rights Movement both in Illinois and Michigan. Brother Mosley is survived by his wife, Jerolene, and four daughters. After retiring, he returned to Carbondale and became active with Mu Kappa Lambda Chapter. S 53

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BY BROTHER NEHEMIAH BESTER [ALPHA KAPPA LAMBDA ’16]

Henry Allen Stewart, An Architect of Excellence

rother Henry Allen Stewart was born on December 23, 1977, in Washington D.C. to Edith Stewart and Reverend Dr. E. Allen Stewart. After graduating from high school, Brother Stewart took his thoughtful talents and dynamic personality to Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia where he graduated with a B.A. degree in Economics and Political Science in 1999. While a student at Morehouse, he was initiated into the Alpha Rho Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., as number 13 on its Intrepid 25, on March 27, 1999. He was only one of four living Alpha Rho Chapter Brothers entrusted with the “Riddle Of The Obelisk” a catalog of the contents and location of the time capsule placed inside the 90th Anniversary Memorial Obelisk on the campus of Morehouse College. In addition, Brother Stewart’s profound leadership was on full display with his service as a member of the Student Senate, Pre-Alumni Council, Morehouse Business Association, and the Martin Luther King, Jr. International Chapel Choir. A Life Member of the fraternity, Brother Stewart previously served the General Office of Alpha Phi Alpha as the Assistant Executive Director for Marketing and Public Relations and Editor of The Sphinx Magazine. He also held membership in the Omicron Lambda Alpha Chapter, where he had served as president and vice president. Brother Stewart was a renowned Alpha man who throughout his professional career worked as a creator, innovator, and an award-winning senior communications executive with extensive management experience executing integrated campaigns, leading multidisciplinary teams, and creating results-driven products. His exemplary background led him to serve as the Integrated Communications Strategy Director for the American Association for Retired People, Principal Executive with Emerson Street Strategy Group, former minister at Emory United Methodist Church, Senior Vice President with Weber Shadwick, Deputy Executive Director for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s Campaign for High School Equity, and Senior Liaison for the National Education Association. He also held leadership positions with Handprint Group/H. Stewart & Associates, the National

Council of Negro Women, Government of the District of Columbia/Executive Office of The Mayor, John Kerry for President Campaign, Washington Linkage Group, and the United States House of Representatives. “Brother Henry Stewart was an outstanding Brother and an exemplary member of our dear fraternity,” said Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. General President Dr. Willis L. Lonzer, III. “His drive for excellence was clear through his personal and professional accomplishments and his fraternal spirit was palpable as reflected by the lives that he positively touched. We will miss our dear Brother.” Words cannot fully describe the impact of Brother Henry A. Stewart on his community and within the House of Alpha. He was a Brother, mentor, son, uncle, sponsor, connector, leader, and friend. He transitioned to Omega Chapter on Sunday, March 14, 2021, in Washington, D.C. Farewell dear Brother, Transcendent Art Thou. S

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Alpha Mourns the Loss of A Morehouse Legend

rother Charles McKinley Reynolds, Jr. [Gamma Omicron Lambda ’63], was born on January 11, 1937, in Thomasville, Georgia, the firstborn child of Johnnie Mae and Charles McKinley Reynolds, Sr. Brother Reynolds served in the US Air Force and graduated with a degree in business from Morehouse College. He subsequently completed programs in business administration at Atlanta University and in mortuary science at Wayne State University in Detroit. One day, his former Morehouse professor, recalling Charles’ acumen for high finance, noted that the U.S. Treasury Department was seeking applicants for federal bank examiner positions. He, therefore, recommended Charles and in 1965 he became the first African American assistant national bank examiner, in the South. Charles was named president of Citizens Bank and Trust in Atlanta, at the young age of thirty-five. He was treasurer of Maynard Jackson’s successful and history-making bid for mayor of Atlanta. He served on the board of MARTA, the Atlanta area’s mass transportation system, and was appointed to the Morehouse Board of Trustees. In 1974, Charles moved to Norfolk, Virginia to become President of the Atlantic National Bank. While President of the National Bankers Association, he also held leadership positions with the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce, the Urban League, and the Norfolk Convention and Visitors Bureau. Imbued with an entrepreneurial spirit, Charles ran several successful businesses, including AM/FM radio stations in Virginia and North Carolina, an equity firm, and he purchased a Residential Re-Entry Center (RRC/halfway house), in Washington, DC, and another for formerly incarcerated men, in Newport News, Virginia.

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In October 2020, Charles was honored at Morehouse’s annual Alumni Rite of Passage, the Passing of the Torch. In his speech to the young Morehouse matriculants, he noted that he had undertaken a book project, not to trumpet his accomplishments, but as instruction for success. Charles was an esteemed and faithful member of The Guardsmen, the Sigma Pi Phi Boule, and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Alpha Phi Lambda Chapter, Norfolk, VA. On January 11, 2022, the date of his 85th birthday, his family and friends will remember this humble giant of a man, Charles McKinley Reynolds, Jr., with a great memorial and celebration. S

OMEGA CHAPTER

Dallas Legend Transitions To Omega Chapter

rother Clarence C. Russeau was born in Terrell, Texas, and later moved to Dallas, Texas, where he attended primary, intermediate, and the historic Booker T. Washington High School. Before his education career genesis, he served in the U.S. Army and devoted years of service to the U.S. Post Office. He received his Bachelor’s Degree from Wiley College and his Master’s Degree from the University of North Texas. Brother Russeau worked for Dallas ISD for 32 years. During his tenure in the district, he worked at various schools as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal. Brother Russeau was Assistant Director of Personnel for the district at the time of his retirement. In his words, one of his greatest accomplishments was his initiation in 1947, into Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., at Alpha Sigma Chapter, Wiley College. Since 1949, Brother Russeau has served on various committees and in many leadership roles including chapter president and treasurer. He was a Co-Founder and Chairman of the Alpha Merit Group, Chairman of Alpha VII and has received the chapter’s Meritorious Outstanding Brother of the Year Award. His fraternal involvement on the District level includes being a founder of the Texas Council of Alpha Chapters and being inducted into the Texas Council of Alpha Chapters’ Hall of Fame. Brother Russeau had served the fraternity for over 70 years of continuous service with Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Brother Russeau was married to his lovely wife Odetta of 68 years. They are the proud parents of son Clarence Keith and proud grandparents of Kingston.

His professional and civic involvement over the years has led to recognition from many organizations. Several of these awards include Outstanding Principal by the Texas Congress of Parents and Teachers Association, The Dream Maker Award from the Negro Business and Professional Women’s Club, Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding Contributions and Service to the Community, presented by State Senator Eddie Bernice Johnson of District 23, and a myriad of other awards and honors too numerous to mention. He was an avid fisherman who looked for every opportunity to put a hook in the water. Mr. Russeau

embodied kindness and humility as a son, husband, father, grandfather, and child of God. His family will forever cherish his laughter, his ability to listen, his sincere counsel, and his willingness to serve. A couple of his professional strength builders are: “I believe that problem solving, getting the job done, and finding the silver lining are the ingredients of success.”; “I accept things as they come. I am realistic, and everything is a challenge to me.” His love of fraternal brotherhood has inspired friendships that will transcend all time. S

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BY BROTHER FREDERICK FREEMAN [THETA PHI LAMBDA ’01]

A Brother In Service to Others

rother Wilbert Sidney Motley [Theta Phi Lambda ’No date listed], 90, gained his wings on December 30, 2020, at his home with family by his side. Wilbert was born in Cheraw, SC, on May 25, 1930 to parents, Frank and Sarah Motley who preceded him in death. He was the youngest of their four children, John, Frank, Jr., and Marilyn who all preceded him in death. After graduating from Coulter Academy, Wilbert graduated from South Carolina State College in 1950 and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering. He returned to South Carolina State and received a Master’s Degree in Music Education in 1977. Wilbert served in the United States Air Force from 1950 to 1954 where he was stationed in Alaska, which was not a state during the Korean War. At that time, he was a decoder and Senior Crypto Operator. Airman 1st Class Motley earned the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal during his enlistment. After serving his country, he returned to Cheraw where he was hired at Long High School as Band Director. At the start of his teaching career, Wilbert met the love of his life, Gloria Frances Garrick. They were joined in holy matrimony on July 20, 1956. From this union, they were blessed with one daughter, Leslie Ann MotleyHall. Wilbert was a member of Pee Dee Union Baptist Church for over 70 years where he served as Sunday school teacher, Deacon, and on other church committees. Wilbert was a Chartered Member of the Theta Phi Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., additionally; he served on several community-wide committees including The Cheraw Jazz Festival, The Coulter-Long National Alumni Association, and The State Board of the Children’s Bureau. Wilbert was humble, kind, and a man of few

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words who was devoted to service to others. He has been the recipient of multiple awards and recognitions, such as the Cheraw Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012, and the South Carolina Adult Education Director of the Year Award. After 35 years as the band director, Wilbert became the Director of Adult Education for seven years and then later became the Director of Personnel for Chesterfield County School District. He was also the Director of Head Start for the Chesterfield and Marlboro Counties and Coordinator for the Neighborhood Youth Corp for the same two counties. When he retired from education in 1992, he served as a Magistrate for the County of Chesterfield for ten years. Wilbert’s love of music was an important part of who he was as a person. He played almost every instrument, but was a master of the trumpet. He was a part of several bands, The Emeralds, The Salt and Pepper Band, and most notably, The Red Toppers Dance Band for most of his adult life. Music held a piece of his soul and if he was not playing it, he was listening to it. Playing and sharing music was a family legacy that he continued until his last days. He leaves a legacy of family and friends to cherish his memory, as he is served by his adoring wife, Gloria, devoted daughter, Leslie, grandson, Landon, a special cousin, Lovye Davis Oesterin (Rudolf ); Nieces: Victoria Motley Washington, Francine Motley Clark (Morris), Valerie Gregory (Carlton), and Lisa Willis. Nephews: Leutrell Osbourne (Rose), Frank Motley Jr., (Valerie), Thomas Motley, Ralph Hazelton, Toby Garrick (Jackie), and Bryan Motley; and a host of grandnieces, grandnephews, and cousins. Those who had the blessing of knowing him will dearly miss him. S

OMEGA CHAPTER

BY BROTHER MARVIN A. NEPHEW [KAPPA ALPHA LAMBDA ’79] AND BROTHER JEFFREY ELMORE [DELTA XI ’81]

A Brother of Many Firsts and Quiet Leadership Transitions to Omega Chapter

rother John Edward Moore, Sr., transitioned to Omega Chapter, January 8, 2021, just three days shy of his 98th birthday. Born in Birmingham, Alabama on January 11, 1923, Brother Moore was initiated into the Fraternity through Gamma Theta Chapter on May 6, 1950, at the University of Dayton (UD). Brother Moore was a devoted member of Theta Lambda Chapter, Dayton, Ohio, for more than 65 years. Drafted into the U.S. Army in 1943, Brother Moore served during World War II where he earned the rank of Corporal. During a 2009 speech, Brother Moore said the segregation he experienced during and after the war, fired him up to find solutions for the social and economic inequities he witnessed. According to Brother Moore, “I had a choice to be angry or be part of the solution. I chose the latter.” Brother Moore was hired as a clerk at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB) in 1946. He focused on family, community, church, and education. He later graduated from UD with a B.S. in Business Administration and went on to pursue graduate studies at the Ohio State University. As a servant leader and community contributor, Brother Moore would later receive an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from UD. In 1960, through hard work, dedication and perseverance, Brother Moore became WPAFB’s first Equal Employment Opportunity Officer. In 1972, as a proven leader who believed in fairness and equity, Brother Moore became WPAFB’s first AfricanAmerican Chief of Civilian Personnel. Upon his retirement in 1979, Brother Moore received the Air Force Exceptional Civilian Service Award, the highest award bestowed upon civilians for distinguished service and performance excellence by the United States Air Force. But Brother Moore’s service to the community did not stop with his retirement from WPAFB in 1979.

Committed to community service and improving the lives of people in need, Brother Moore continued to be a voice for the voiceless. As the first African-American to join the board of the Dayton Foundation, Brother Moore chaired the Diversity Task Force and became the Board Chair. As a co-founder of the AfricanAmerican Community Fund, Brother Moore was instrumental in developing a nationally recognized model for African-American community giving. Through his distinguished work on various initiatives, Brother Moore led the transformative effort for the implementation and/ or development of a scholarship program, mentoring a collaborative, job center and nursing home within the Dayton and Montgomery County region of Ohio. As president, chair, leader, or member, Brother Moore provided insightful leadership and service on numerous educational, civic, religious, political, and cultural boards and committees. Brother Moore received several awards and tributes including The Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame Induction, Big Brothers and Big Sisters 304 Award, The Leadership Dayton Emeritus Award, Montgomery County Citizen of Year, Chamber of Commerce President’s Club Award, Ohio Association of Community Colleges, Maureen C. Grady Award, Dunbar State Memorial Award, Fred Shuttlesworth Humanitarian Award and the Dayton Walk of Fame. Brother Moore was also honored as Sinclair Community College changed the name of their $13 million technology center to the John E. Moore, Sr. Technology Center. Brother Moore was married to Hester Sinclair Burton for more than 60 years until she preceded him in death. Brother Moore is survived by his children Colonel John E. Moore, Jr., USAF (ret) (Debra Plousha-Moore) and Joyce M. Ard, along with four grandchildren, four greatgrandchildren, his sister, Carolyn Borum, and a host of loving nieces and nephews. S

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Lifelong Educator, Charter School Founder, and Entrepreneur Transitions

rother John David Stokes [Theta Omicron Lambda’ 70], 81, of Goldsboro, transitioned to Omega Chapter on Christmas Day, December 25, 2020 at UNC Rex Healthcare in Raleigh. He was born August 2, 1939 in Bethel, North Carolina to John Henry and Lillie Highsmith Stokes. Brother Stokes was the third child of 10 children. After graduating from Bethel Union High School, he attended North Carolina College of Durham (now North Carolina Central University), where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education. He continued his education at Western Carolina University and obtained a Master of Arts degree in Education along with his administrator’s certification from East Carolina University. Brother Stokes was a lifelong learner and a staunch believer that “knowledge is power.” He accepted his first teaching job in Shallotte, NC, but eventually moved to Goldsboro, NC, where he served as one of the first African American teachers at Edgewood School. He taught language arts and physical education for several years before becoming an Assistant Principal. As an entrepreneur, Brother Stokes opened several businesses and worked many years at Wayne Community College, preparing adults to earn their GED. In the latter years of his career, he was an Educational Consultant for the NC Department of Public Instruction after which he retired with 32 years of service. After retirement, he continued to advocate for and support children, whose needs could not be met in the traditional schools. This led to his collaboration with his friend, Hilda Hicks Ruffin in forming the Dillard Academy Charter School. He supported Dillard Academy by writing grants, consulting with and training staff and cheering on the children. He even served as its Principal as needed. Up until his death, he served as the Chairman of its Board of Directors. For more than 50 years, he was a proud Life Member of the Fraternity and served in several

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capacities, including President of the Theta Omicron Lambda Chapter. He led the chapter in its formal 50th Anniversary Celebration held at Walnut Creek Country Club in 2014. Over the years, Brother Stokes helped the chapter to establish the Wayne County Miss Black Teenage World pageant, the Alpha Arms Apartments and its Board of Directors and the Annual Scholarship Program for Young Men. He loved his fraternity dearly and was instrumental in creating its foundation to support local scholarships and other services. Most recently, he was actively involved with the GoldWayne Pan-Hellenic Council’s effort to promote the importance of wearing masks to prevent the spread of Covid-19. In addition, he was appointed to numerous commissions and advisory boards and served as a Boy Scout leader for more than 15 years. Shortly after arriving Goldsboro, N.C., Brother Stokes made his spiritual home with First African Baptist Church shortly after arriving in Goldsboro. His leadership service to his church included Chairperson of several boards and committees, such as: the Trustee Board, the Finance Committee, the Board of Christian Education, the Laymen’s League and Men’s Chorus, the Homecoming Planning Committee, and the Deacon Board. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, G. Patricia, his daughter, Annetta Stokes Streater of Chapel Hill; his son, Brother John Trevor Stokes (MZ ’85) and daughter-in-law, Angela of Huntersville, NC; four grandchildren; six sisters; three brothers; and a host of friends and relatives. His fraternal final rites were held on Saturday, January 2, 2021 led by the Brothers of Theta Omicron Lambda. His son gave words of tribute. A private celebration of his life was held on Sunday, January 3, 2021. S

OMEGA CHAPTER The following is a list of members who have also entered Omega Chapter. For each member, included is: his name; life member number if available; chapter of initiation; date of initiation; last active chapter; and date of death. All of the information is based on what is submitted by chapters and family members and reconciled with the fraternity’s records.

Darryl R. Adams Alpha Delta 12/5/82 Alpha Delta 12/22/20

Sharron Robert Anderson Omicron Xi 4/25/09 Xi Lambda 10/9/20

Andre Erwin Bell Iota Omicron 3/29/91 Eta Iota Lambda 11/1/20

Marvin A. Brotherton, Sr. Theta Delta Lambda 4/5/86 Theta Delta Lambda 2/1/21

Heath Adams Pi Kappa 11/29/86 General Organization 2/16/21

Ahmad Ansar Rho Lambda 11/20/99 Rho Lambda 11/5/20

Frederick Charles Bennett Nu 10/6/82 General Organization 12/6/20

Ralph Brown Alpha Rho Lambda 5/1/66 Alpha Rho Lambda 1/1/21

Olutosin Shon Akintod Epsilon Rho 11/15/14 Epsilon Rho 12/1/20

Gregory C. Ashley Delta Psi 4/21/84 Epsilon Mu Lambda 1/1/21

Walter L. Berry, Jr. Xi Alpha Lambda 4/24/87 Xi Alpha Lambda 1/1/21

Willie H. Brown Alpha Beta 10/15/62 General Organization 12/22/20

Romeo Alford, Sr. Alpha Tau Lambda 4/12/48 Alpha Tau Lambda 1/1/21

Jimmie O. Atmore, Jr. Mu Zeta Lambda 1/13/84 Delta Xi Lambda 12/5/20

Karl V. Binns, Sr. Delta Omicron Lambda 12/8/91 General Organization 4/2/21

Herbert L. Bryan, Jr. Beta 3/31/60 Zeta Upsilon Lambda 10/27/20

William A. Allen Delta Xi 12/5/61 Xi Alpha Lambda 1/1/21

Joseph Mckinley Austin, Sr. Xi Alpha Lambda 5/3/92 Xi Alpha Lambda 1/1/21

Johnny L. Blackwell Gamma Beta 12/9/60 Epsilon Rho Lambda 1/1/21

Malcolm Buford Beta Kappa 12/9/67 Alpha Tau Lambda 1/1/21

Stephen Allen Omicron Xi 3/27/82 General Organization 1/21/21

Cuttie William Bacon, IV Beta Mu 11/21/82 Omicron Lambda Alpha 5/14/21

Marion R. Blair, Jr. Beta Epsilon 11/20/51 Kappa Lambda 1/1/21

Edward Burks Epsilon Upsilon 12/2/74 Sigma Lambda 4/30/21

Ervin C. Allgood Delta Zeta 11/20/77 Iota Kappa Lambda 1/1/21

Lawrence D. Bannister Psi 4/18/68 Gamma Iota Lambda 12/12/20

Rickey T. Boyland Nu Chi 5/6/78 Zeta Beta Lambda 12/15/20

Donald W. Burnham Gamma Delta 12/11/70 Mu Lambda 1/1/21

Thaddas Lee Alston Sigma 4/29/65 Zeta Pi Lambda 1/1/21

Corey J. Bartley Delta Beta 4/3/99 Delta Xi Lambda 4/7/21

Larry Bradley Epsilon Epsilon 10/16/69 Eta Xi Lambda 1/1/21

Tellis C. Burns, Jr. Nu Epsilon 4/21/84 General Organization 3/2/21

Arthur J. Anderson Theta Sigma Lambda 6/1/68 Mu Pi Lambda 12/22/20

Leonard C. Battle Gamma Upsilon 10/1/54 Epsilon Beta Lambda 1/1/21

Talmage Brewer Kappa Lambda 4/1/51 Kappa Lambda 1/1/21

Jason E. Burson Delta Gamma 3/15/97 Rho Eta Lambda 1/1/21

Joel W. Anderson Alpha Rho 9/30/46 Alpha Tau Lambda 1/1/21

Edward Beck Epsilon Epsilon 3/1/67 Alpha Tau Lambda 1/1/21

Herman Brinson Beta Upsilon 4/6/68 Iota Rho Lambda 12/27/20

Jack Bush Alpha Psi 5/17/47 Beta Lambda 11/20/20

Willie J. Anderson Kappa 1/12/52 Alpha Rho Lambda 1/1/21

Kevin L. Beckett Delta Lambda 4/23/83 Delta Lambda 3/30/21

Theophilus C. Brock Alpha Pi 4/10/82 General Organization 1/1/26

Robert J. Caldwell Omicron Lambda Alpha 5/28/83 General Organization 12/15/20

TO ALL OUR BROTHERS IN OMEGA CHAPTER, MAY YOU REST IN PEACE.

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Claroy Campbell Delta Xi Lambda 6/1/79 Delta Xi Lambda 1/27/21

Tony B. Curtis Alpha Chi Lambda 4/2/05 Alpha Chi Lambda 2/19/21

Malcolm A. Evans General Organization 5/1/62 Iota Sigma Lambda 1/29/21

Gerry B. Glasco Theta Kappa 11/6/75 Pi Nu Lambda 1/1/21

David Carey Omicron Xi Epsilon Beta Lambda 1/18/21

Stanley Lamarr Daniels Zeta Sigma 3/17/73 Beta Eta Lambda 1/1/21

Robert L. Fairchild Beta Beta 5/7/27 Alpha Tau Lambda 1/1/21

Donald Goodwine Iota Kappa Lambda 2/16/79 Iota Kappa Lambda 1/1/21

Joseph J. Davis-Fleming Alpha Mu 5/23/79 General Organization 11/9/20

John Henry Finney Beta Phi Lambda 11/12/05 Beta Phi Lambda 9/22/20

Alphonso Walter Grant Zeta Theta Lambda 3/7/15 zeta theta lambda 12/4/20

George Michael Dawkins, Jr. Pi Zeta 11/6/99 Kappa Lambda 12/15/20

Paul J. Ford Gamma Iota 4/20/63 Delta Lambda 3/21/21

Darius Grayson Iota Delta 12/7/74 Zeta Upsilon Lambda 12/23/20

Daniel W. Dawson Alpha Xi Lambda 6/11/76 Alpha Xi Lambda 2/2/21

Kary Gerone Free Beta Gamma Lambda 2/1/83 Beta Eta Lambda 10/31/20

Willie T. Green Delta Eta 5/8/75 Beta Phi Lambda 12/27/20

Franklin P. DeLanie, Sr. Gamma Psi 2/10/49 Mu Lambda 11/11/20

Gregory Antonio Freeman Beta Delta 11/1/82 Eta Lambda 4/16/21

Reginald Green Iota Eta Lambda 3/3/18 Iota Eta Lambda 1/1/21

Eric Jerome Dickey Kappa Eta 3/28/80 General Organization 1/5/21

Cedric A. Fuller Delta Theta Lambda 5/24/88 Delta Theta Lambda 1/1/21

John S. Greene, Jr. Epsilon Pi 12/6/74 Xi Delta Lambda 1/1/21

David N. Dinkins Beta 12/5/47 Alpha Gamma Lambda 11/23/20

Reuben Gamble Delta Eta 4/11/52 Pi Eta Lambda 1/1/21

Fred Guy Alpha Xi Lambda 12/7/48 Alpha Xi Lambda 12/28/20

Junius B. Dotson Zeta Chi 1/26/86 General Organization 2/25/21

Sheldon G. Gardner Nu Omicron Lambda 3/7/20 Nu Omicron Lambda 2/5/21

Thomas P. Harrell Delta Rho Lambda Delta Rho Lambda 1/1/21

Jerome Dupree Xi Psi Lambda 6/10/90 Xi Psi Lambda 11/27/20

Winston Gaskin Beta Gamma 12/12/47 Iota Kappa Lambda 1/1/21

Willie T. Ellis Beta Epsilon 5/1/49 Kappa Lambda 1/1/21

Sterling E. Gill, Sr. Alpha Rho 12/18/38 Alpha Rho Lambda 1/1/21

Thomas S. Embry Alpha Theta Lambda 3/1/42 Alpha Rho Lambda 1/1/21

Charles E. Givens Xi Nu Lambda 4/7/84 Xi Nu Lambda 1/1/21

Malcolm D. Carson Eta Phi 12/1/79 General Organization 9/22/20 A. Addison Cash Zeta Theta Lambda 5/1/63 Zeta Theta Lambda 1/27/21 Cecil A. Catron Alpha Rho Lambda 5/1/77 Alpha Rho Lambda 1/1/21 Thomas O. Chappelle, Jr. Beta Kappa 10/1/63 Alpha Tau Lambda 1/1/21 Kenneth D. Chase Alpha Psi 11/1/82 Alpha Psi 11/14/20 Anthony LeAnder Cheatham Iota Upsilon Lambda 12/5/93 Iota Upsilon Lambda 12/31/20 Jefferson Cheeks Alpha Beta 12/2/27 Alpha Rho Lambda 1/1/21 Milton C. Collier, Jr. Pi Lambda 3/1/73 Pi Lambda 1/1/21 James Conyers. Jr. Zeta Nu Lambda 10/2/83 Alpha Eta Lambda 1/25/21 Ronald H. Crump Delta Nu 1/12/59 Kappa Epsilon Lambda 2/7/21 Albert R. Cummings, Sr. Gamma Chi 3/25/61 Epsilon Lambda 2/22/21

Carlyle B. Harris Alpha Zeta 3/9/36 Alpha Rho Lambda 1/1/21 Walter Harris Gamma Omicron 11/1/65 Gamma Omicron 12/21/20 Elbert L. Hatchett Epsilon 4/5/57 Iota Rho Lambda 4/8/21 Ashton Denard Heaston Omicron Phi 11/15/08 General Organization 12/2/21

TO ALL OUR BROTHERS IN OMEGA CHAPTER, MAY YOU REST IN PEACE.

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Herman W. Hemingway Sigma 6/20/52 Epsilon Gamma Lambda 12/14/20

Ulysses Hughes Epsilon Mu Lambda 6/1/79 Epsilon Mu Lambda 1/1/21

Brady Bryce Johnson Beta Zeta 4/16/62 Iota Alpha Lambda 11/28/20

Artez Lamar Theta Delta Lambda 12/9/06 General Organization 11/17/20

Herbert W. Henderson, III Alpha Beta 10/28/55 Alpha Rho Lambda 1/1/21

Harley W. Hughey Gamma Lambda 11/2/02 Gamma Lambda 1/1/21

Charles V. Johnson Gamma Delta 5/1/54 Zeta Pi Lambda 1/1/21

Colin Macrae Lambert Iota Alpha Lambda 3/1/02 Iota Alpha Lambda 1/1/21

Lamar Higgins Xi Beta 5/21/78 Alpha Upsilon Lambda 4/15/21

Curtis A. Hunigan Beta Beta 7/28/56 Mu Lambda 10/23/20

Lawrence Johnson Epsilon Iota 12/1/68 Epsilon Epsilon Lambda 12/29/20

Isidore J. Lamothe, III Alpha Rho 11/1/70 Mu Rho Lambda 12/26/20

James Hill Epsilon Pi 5/1/65 Omicron Alpha Lambda 12/26/20

Charles Hunter, Jr. Alpha Beta 10/20/66 Alpha Eta Lambda 11/30/20

George Robert Johnson, Jr. Mu Lambda 5/18/88 Kappa Lambda 11/20/20

Laurentz E. Lewis Epsilon Alpha Alpha Xi Lambda 4/2/21

Albert L. Holimon Zeta Epsilon Lambda 5/22/87 Zeta Epsilon Lambda 1/1/21

Earl J. Jackson, Jr. Gamma Gamma 12/1/60 Beta Delta Lambda 1/1/21

Charles E. Johnson Beta Omicron Lambda 11/11/06 Beta Omicron Lambda 2/23/21

Terrell Lee Holland Epsilon Upsilon Lambda 3/11/06 Epsilon Upsilon Lambda 2/17/21

Ernest Jackson Kappa 9/30/65 Alpha Rho Lambda 1/1/21

Otis Jones Alpha Zeta 5/10/68 Alpha Rho Lambda 1/1/21

Kenneth R. Holmes Nu Lambda 5/1/74 Nu Lambda 3/23/21

Terrence R. Jackson Phi 2/2/74 Alpha Xi Lambda 10/3/20

Henry Jordan Alpha Chi Lambda 4/1/78 Alpha Chi Lambda 2/9/21

Col. Raymond Taylor Holmes Zeta Delta Lambda 1/31/73 Pi Theta Lambda 1/1/21

Eric Von Jackson Omicron Xi 11/17/89 Iota Delta Lambda 1/1/21

Cameron Kelsey Nu Mu Lambda 7/7/83 Theta Nu Lambda 12/4/20

Shaun O. Holmes Zeta Gamma 12/3/88 General Organization 1/16/21

Quenton Victor Jackson Epsilon Rho 5/9/68 Eta Lambda 1/6/21

Robert M. King Alpha Sigma 5/11/56 Epsilon Epsilon Lambda 11/19/20

Donald M. Horner, Sr. Alpha Iota 6/8/58 Alpha Tau Lambda 1/1/21

Michael C. James Eta Alpha Lambda 8/31/89 Eta Alpha Lambda 5/1/21

Donnie Kirksey Omicron Xi 11/18/83 General Organization 12/28/20

Simon Hubbard Iota 5/13/63 Omicron Phi Lambda 12/26/20

Norris Thomas Jennings Kappa Phi Lambda 3/24/07 Kappa Phi Lambda 1/1/21

Allen W. Knox Theta 9/6/68 Xi Lambda 1/19/21

Glen D. Hudson Alpha Rho Lambda 4/1/83 Alpha Rho Lambda 1/1/21

Thomas LaVon Jennings Theta Lambda 11/5/16 Theta Lambda 9/24/20

Lawrence Lakey Epsilon Beta 5/1/58 Alpha Tau Lambda 1/1/21

Robert H. Little Delta Beta Lambda 5/1/74 Delta Beta Lambda 1/13/21 Theodore Lumpkin Alpha Delta 3/27/46 Beta Psi Lambda 12/26/20 General Marshall Alpha Rho 12/1/55 Gamma Eta Lambda 1/1/21 Robert Maxie, Jr. Beta Chi Lambda 4/15/65 Alpha Tau Lambda 1/1/21 Harold E. Mazyck, Jr. Beta Delta 4/21/42 Kappa Lambda 1/1/21 William B. Mcclain Alpha Phi 12/4/58 General Organization 11/18/20 Walter L. Mccreary Delta Rho Lambda 5/26/56 Alpha Rho Lambda 1/1/21 Lester McDowell Iota Kappa 4/5/74 Epsilon Epsilon Lambda 1/1/21

TO ALL OUR BROTHERS IN OMEGA CHAPTER, MAY YOU REST IN PEACE.

THE SPHINX

OMEGA CHAPTER

Arnelious Mcfrazier Beta Kappa 12/5/65 Alpha Tau Lambda 1/1/21

Harry A. Moore Beta Omicron Lambda 12/1/81 Beta Omicron Lambda 1/23/21

James W. Palmer, Sr. Xi Lambda 9/30/68 Xi Lambda 12/4/20

Levon Richmond Nu Psi Lambda 6/4/82 Mu Delta Lambda 12/10/20

Rudolph M. D. McGann, Jr. Beta 3/5/95 Mu Lambda 3/29/21

Jon A. Moorehead Phi 9/1/65 Alpha Rho Lambda 2/18/21

William M. Palmore, II Nu Rho 10/23/81 Xi Lambda 1/1/21

Quincy L. Robertson Alpha Chi Lambda 1/19/61 Alpha Chi Lambda 1/19/21

Joseph W. McIntyre Epsilon Nu Lambda 5/1/51 Epsilon Nu Lambda 3/5/21

Edward Morgan Beta Omicron 11/30/69 Sigma Omicron Lambda 11/30/20

Fred Parker Upsilon 4/1/30 Alpha Tau Lambda 1/1/21

Wilbur R. Robinson Alpha Nu Lambda Alpha Nu Lambda 1/1/21

Rodney Mcknight Iota Delta Lambda 12/30/95 Iota Delta Lambda 1/1/21

Calvin F. Morrow Delta Zeta 1/12/49 Kappa Lambda 4/11/21

Purcell Alex Pearson Zeta Iota 2/25/17 Zeta Iota 2/6/21

Andrew J. McLemore Alpha Rho 3/31/53 Beta Phi Lambda 3/5/21

Samuel L. Myers, Sr. Beta Alpha 11/30/38 Alpha Omicron Lambda 1/8/21

Percy E. Pollard, Sr. Beta Gamma 12/4/63 Beta Gamma Lambda 4/22/21

Irvan McMurtry, Jr. Beta Epsilon 11/1/52 Delta Gamma Lambda 11/13/20

Scott L. Nelson Iota Lambda 3/16/84 Zeta Nu Lambda 2/5/21

David Porche Nu Rho 10/1/81 Xi Lambda 1/1/21

Irving Pressley McPhail Zeta Rho Lambda 7/25/86 Delta Lambda 10/15/20

Rudolph E. Nimocks Xi Lambda 6/27/87 Xi Lambda 3/16/21

William D. Porter, Sr. Alpha Sigma 11/22/71 Kappa Lambda 5/5/21

Alfred P. McQueen, Sr. Delta Beta Lambda 6/1/72 Delta Gamma Lambda 10/25/20

M. C. Norman Iota 12/14/57 Eta Lambda 1/1/21

Judge Albert Porter Tau 10/30/54 Xi Lambda 1/5/21

Stephan P. Mickle Epsilon Pi Lambda 12/1/63 Nu Eta Lambda 1/26/21

Alphonso Norris, Jr. Gamma Phi 5/7/55 Rho Delta Lambda 3/21/21

John W. Pretlow, II Beta Gamma Lambda 4/7/91 Beta Gamma Lambda 1/29/21

Henry L. Miller Delta Delta Lambda 9/28/85 Delta Delta Lambda 1/1/21

Mark O'neal Kappa 4/12/74 Alpha Rho Lambda 1/1/21

Edmond L. Pundcil Epsilon Epsilon 12/1/66 Alpha Tau Lambda 1/1/21

Willie Joe Minnifield Alpha Phi 12/8/67 Omicron Phi Lambda 11/9/20

John Yancy Odom Beta Pi 12/2/67 Mu Eta Lambda 10/30/20

Lawrence Reed Alpha Rho 12/1/51 Alpha Tau Lambda 1/1/21

Clitus E. Moore Gamma Iota 4/14/62 Rho 12/31/20

Arthur W. Outen, Jr. Gamma Pi 4/9/49 Alpha Omicron Lambda 1/27/21

Robert A. Reese Alpha Psi 12/1/48 Beta Eta Lambda 10/13/20

Jamar Kentaro Robinson Nu Mu Lambda 3/17/12 Nu Mu Lambda 11/8/20 Walter Kenneth Robinson, Sr. Beta 11/9/40 Mu Lambda 11/23/20 Johnny Ronaul Rosson Alpha Xi 3/13/88 Zeta Pi Lambda 1/1/21 Clarence C. Russeau Alpha Sigma 11/1/47 Alpha Sigma Lambda 1/1/21 Charles R. Russell, Sr. Beta Nu 11/1/49 General Organization 11/26/20 Stephen D. Sanders Mu Xi 4/7/89 Sigma Sigma Lambda 11/13/20 William C. Shanks, Jr. Beta Rho 10/31/36 Kappa Lambda 1/1/21 Ronald A. Shelton Beta Gamma 11/23/74 Xi Delta Lambda 1/1/21 C.B. Shepherd Gamma Alpha 1/15/47 Alpha Sigma Lambda 1/1/21 Larry C. Sims Beta Theta 12/1/61 Zeta Delta Lambda 1/1/21

TO ALL OUR BROTHERS IN OMEGA CHAPTER, MAY YOU REST IN PEACE.

THE INAUGURATION ISSUE

OMEGA CHAPTER

William T. Small Gamma Beta 12/4/57 Beta Theta Lambda 1/1/21

John D. Stokes Theta Omicron Lambda 4/1/70 Theta Omicron Lambda 12/25/20

Harry L. Vernon Delta Gamma 12/17/48 Delta Iota Lambda 1/1/21

Leonard N. Williams Beta Upsilon 11/23/63 Iota Chi Lambda 12/7/20

Rapier P. Smiley, Sr. Delta Theta Lambda 4/3/76 Alpha Eta Lambda 12/4/20

Michael Stuart Nu Rho 10/1/81 Xi Lambda 1/1/21

Jimmie Voss Mu Delta Lambda 6/1/78 Mu Delta Lambda 10/30/20

James R. Williams Alpha Tau 12/1/58 Eta Tau Lambda 11/6/20

James B. Smith Delta Nu 12/1/35 Alpha Rho Lambda 1/1/21

Hiram Tanner Beta Chi 5/21/38 Alpha Rho Lambda 1/1/21

Darryl Walker Epsilon Epsilon 4/1/81 Alpha Tau Lambda 1/1/21

Reginald D. Williams Delta Sigma 5/5/86 Alpha Sigma Lambda 4/4/21

Robert E. Smith Epsilon Alpha 5/27/68 Theta Xi Lambda 5/1/21

Hilary S. Taylor Delta Xi 11/10/66 Delta Alpha Lambda 11/6/20

Vernon Wallace Delta Alpha 4/1/72 Delta Zeta Lambda 11/30/20

John P. Williams Alpha Pi Lambda 6/3/88 Alpha Pi Lambda 3/17/21

Robert L. Smith Nu Rho 10/19/84 Xi Lambda 1/1/21 Charles E. Smith Kappa 4/7/73 9/30/20

Ronald J. Temple Delta Gamma Lambda 4/16/81 Xi Lambda 11/23/20

Henry A. Washington Beta 11/30/28 Iota Kappa Lambda 1/1/21

Ronnie N. Williams, Jr. Pi Psi Lambda 11/18/06 Pi Psi Lambda 12/6/20

William Thomas Beta 3/21/87 Mu Lambda 12/6/20

Willie F. Waugh Alpha Tau Lambda 4/12/74 Alpha Tau Lambda 1/1/21

Sirrom Tyrrell Williams Epsilon Rho Lambda 10/2/10 General Organization 11/29/20

Cecil J. Thomas Delta 11/6/48 Delta Rho Lambda 11/13/20

John Webb Delta Pi 4/22/59 General Organization 3/9/21

Edward D. Willis Delta Pi Lambda 3/21/81 Alpha Upsilon Lambda 3/6/21

Melvin Todd Beta Kappa 12/1/50 Beta Eta Lambda 12/2/20

William L. Wedgeworth Beta Kappa 12/4/50 Beta Eta Lambda 1/1/21

James E. Wilson Beta Chi 12/7/55 Pi Lambda 1/1/21

Michael Leon Todd Xi Mu 11/12/89 Delta Lambda 4/19/21

Theo Weir Epsilon Xi Lambda 6/10/67 Delta Theta Lambda 1/1/21

Louis B. Wingate Kappa Sigma Lambda 5/23/87 Omicron Nu Lambda 3/28/21

Clarence Tunley Beta Kappa 3/12/61 Alpha Tau Lambda 1/1/21

Charlie H. Welch Gamma Omicron 11/1/63 Beta Delta Lambda 1/21/21

Lee T. Womack Beta Chi 10/22/66 Beta Eta Lambda 3/9/21

Lee A. Tyler Mu Lambda 10/1/68 Mu Lambda 11/19/20

Ronnie Whitehead Xi Xi 4/21/82 Pi Eta Lambda 1/1/21

Frank Wood, Jr. Beta Epsilon 6/1/30 Iota Kappa Lambda 1/1/21

Lewis Vaughn Delta Eta 4/1/49 Beta Phi Lambda 12/30/20

Charles Whitlow Beta Kappa 12/1/48 Eta Xi Lambda 1/2/21

Gregory Spinks Epsilon Phi 4/12/76 Theta Mu Lambda 1/1/21 Shelley B. Stanley Eta Lambda 12/11/75 Omicron Phi Lambda 1/1/21 Charles Richard Stephens Xi 3/22/68 Gamma Kappa Lambda 12/1/20 Stephen V. Stephenson Omicron 4/1/72 Omicron Delta Lambda 2/25/21 Henry A. Stewart Alpha Rho 3/27/99 Omicron Lambda Alpha 3/16/21 Stephen William Stewart Theta Nu 3/31/01 Omicron Zeta Lambda 2/14/21 Charles S. Stinson, Jr. Alpha Phi 12/1/52 Eta Lambda 1/21/21

TO ALL OUR BROTHERS IN OMEGA CHAPTER, MAY YOU REST IN PEACE.

THE SPHINX

ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY LEADERSHIP DIRECTORY BOARD OF DIRECTORS GENERAL PRESIDENT Willis L. Lonzer GeneralPresident@1906.net IMMEDIATE PAST GENERAL PRESIDENT Everett B. Ward, Ph.D. 35@apa1906.net Mark S. Tillman 34@apa1906.net INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & COO Sean McCaskill SeanMcCaskill@apa1906.net

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YOUNG ALPHAS ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO GP Kendric Jones

BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (COMMISSION) James Floyd BED@apa1906.net

MILITARY BROTHERS Andre Berry military@apa1906.net

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MISS BLACK AND GOLD PAGEANT Sean A. Bellamy pageant@apa1906.net

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Come BaCk to the house. go to alphanet.apa1906.net

Brother,

Are You the missing piece?

THE SPHINX

T H E SPH INX | SUMMER SPRING 2017 2021| |INAUGURATION TH E INAUGURATION ISSUE ISSUE

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