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ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY HERE'S A SPECIAL OFFER FOR YOU FROM
THE MEMBERS OF ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY, INC represent the best of who we are and the strength of African-American men. Now EBONY, the magazine that celebrates African-American achievement, has a special offer for the distinguished ALPHAS!
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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S LCT'
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EDITOR'S LETTER
&OOK REVIEW. Thurgood Aarsha American Revolutionary Reviewed by brother tlarry Dunbar
59
FEATURE, / V i
Annie Singleton: the Aother of Alpha
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Eugene l\inckle Jones and Social Worlc by brother helix Armfield Western AVP Discovers Oravesite of Jewel Aurray 27
rillWS TCATUBCS brother John Stanford Pemembered brother George Haley Hamed Ambassador bethune-Cookman Dedicates building to brother Holmes Toledo Hospital Health Clinic Hamed for brother Qandy
59 SPCCIAL rCATURC. Social Scientists: 5K brother Waldo Johnson
HISTORICAL FEATURE
SPRING 1999 • VOLUME 84 • NUMBER 1
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17 fcATUBC STORY ^ Alpha Phi Alpha and Organizations: by brother Wallace Walker
21
sphinx
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0 2 ALPHA ATHLETES
MiSTOPICAL AOAEHT, by brother Thomas D Pawley, III
J£>3 CHAPTER HEWS 09 3 0 f EATURE ARTICLE Simeon S. booker: Standing Tour Square. by brother Joseph Durham 33
CORPORATE DIRECTORY
75
F ROA THE ALPHA ARCHIVES
41
community in the 20th century is inextricably intertwined with that of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. This special African-American history edition of The Sphinx
ALPHA EORUA :
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Hational Dental Associate President is Advoce: for the Under-served
American historical figures who are all members of Alpha Phi Alpha.
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the Fraternity and its members' impact on American soci-
building O n The Past To Prepare for by brother Ronald Peters, Jr. 43
Ars. Annie Singleton (75) The House of Alpha ( 7 0 )
ON THE COVER: The history of the African-American
Whitney Toung Statue Placed at Kentucky State University Congressional black Caucus
52
73
fcATUBC ARTiCLC ffa Zrfa Lambda Pays Tribute To Jewel Tandy & P\me. (J. W( by brother T. Somali Smalls
35 Vision 2OO0
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Pictured on the cover of Hew Tork
are:
Brothers W.E.B.
DuBois, Martin Luther King, Jr., Paul Robeson, Charles
54fenownnA O A Zeta Lambda finds Truth In Old Adage Chapter of the Tear Honors Civil fights Legend
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Thurgood Whitney Duke
Wesley, Marshall,
Young, Ellington
Jesse Owens
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Raymond W. Cannon Organizing
Editor
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Henry Lake Dickason
85TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION OF THE SPHINX™
Orqanizinq General President
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THE SUMMER 1 9 9 9 EDITION OF THE SPHINX™ WILL VIEW ALPHA PHI ALPHA'S LEADERSHIP ROLE IN EDUCATION. AMONG THE ARTICLES PRESENTED LN THE 85TH ANMVERSARY EDITION SPHINX"" WILL BE A FEATURE ON FRATERNITY BROTHERS WHO SERVE AS PRESIDENTS OF COLLEGES AND UNTVERSnTES AROUND THE COUNTRY.
Official Organ of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
(Seaton J. White, III
THE MAGAZINE ALSO WILL EXPLORE THE FRATERNTTYS ROLE IN THE BATTLE FOR EQUAL ACCESS IN EDUCATION.
Editor-in-Chief
Thomas D. Pawley, III Contributing
THIS IS AN ISSUE YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS.
Columnist
POSTAL INFORMATION
Latifa Howard Cditorial Assistant
Marc Battle Editorial Assistant
Brian A. Colella Design and Layout
Editorial Office: The SPHINX™ Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. 2313 St. Paul Street Baltimore, MD 21218-5234 Phone: (410) 554-O040 Fax: (410) 5540054 Deadlines for editorial submissions are as follows: Spring Issue - December Summer Issue - March Fall Issue - June Winter Issue - September
The SPHINX™ (USPS 510-440) is published quarterly for $30 a year by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.8, 2313 St. Paul Street, Baltimore, MD 21218-5234. Periodical postage paid at Baltimore, MD and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: send address changes to The SPHINX™, 2313 St. Paul Street, Baltimore, MD 21218-5234. The SPHINX™ is the official magazine of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.® Send all editorial mail and changes of address to Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.® The Fraternity assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited manuscripts or art. Opinions expressed in columns and articles do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.® Use of any person's name in fiction, semi-fiction, articles or humorous features is to be regarded as a coincidence and not as the responsibility of The SPHINX™, and is never done knowingly. Copyright 1999 Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Reproduction, or use without permission, of the editorial or pictorial content of the magazine in any manner is prohibited. The SPHINX™\\?& been published continuously since 1914. Organizing Editor: Brother Raymond W. Cannon. Organizing General President: Brother Henry Lake Dickason. f,
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For advertisement display rates and other ad information contact: '5.500
Editor of The SPHINX™ Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. 2313 St. Paul Street Baltimore, MD 21218-5234 Phone: (410) 554O040 Fax.- (410) 5540054 Alpha Phi Alpha Web Page Address http://www.apal906.org
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VISION 2 0 0 0 : THE LIGHT O F A NEW DAY
A DEFINING MOMENT y fraternal greetings and best wishes for a healthy and prosperous New Year are extended to each of you as we continue our journey toward the next millennium. During the last decade, in 1984, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. began its official campaign to erect a memorial in Washington, D.C. to the great moral leader of our nation, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., with the adoption of the MLK, Jr. Memorial Project at the Fraternity's 78th Anniversary Convention in Cleveland, Ohio. The Fraternity's commitment to the project—a worthy endeavor for the men of Alpha Phi Alpha—was reaffirmed the following year at the organization's 79th Anniversary Convention in Atlanta, Georgia. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Project stands as perhaps the greatest single undertaking with which Alpha Phi Alpha has been involved to date.
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Divine Providence Divine providence issues to us at certain times singular opportunities for greatness. Helen Keller, champion for the rights of the disabled, ably stated, "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." Martin, our Brother, was abruptly taken from us in 1968. An entire generation has been born since his death. Many individuals who are now less than age 40 were not around during his life span to witness his march toward his dream. Erecting a memorial in our nation's capital is a carefully circumscribed process. Unlike building other structures-i.e. houses and other complexes-here we must first secure site approval through a series of meetings with a number of governmental commissions prior to design selection and cost estimation. Alpha Phi Alpha since its existence has risen to answer Herculean challenges, as attested to in our motto: "...We Shall Transcend All." Our embodiment may well have been characterized by English philosopher John Locke who stated, "I have always thought the actions of men to be the best interpreters of their thoughts."
Fraternity Milestones The historical milestones of the Fraternity have been capsulized by Alpha Phi Alpha's late historian Dr. Charles H. Wesley in his seminal work, Henry Arthur Callis: Life and Legacy. In the history, Brother Wesley summarized The First Period [19061919] of the organization as: "...the launching of the first program of 'Education', the adoption of the Shield, the incorporaAFRICAN-AMERIGAN HISTORY EDITION
tion of the Fraternity, the first issue of the quarterly magazine, The Sphinx™." The Second Period [19191930] "was concerned with | interest and activity in the significant program Go-to-High I School, Go-to-College in 1921 and approval of the designation I of Jewels for the founders in an amendment to the Constitution." The Third Period [1930-1941], Brother Wesley writes, "witnessed the launching of the program, Education for Citizenship in 1933 as an addition to the Go-to-High School, Goto-College program. Several significant historical accomplishments included the program to secure the admission of the first black applicant to the University of Maryland through the efforts of Belford V. Lawson, Jr. and Thurgood Marshall, participation in the classic Lloyd Gaines Case [an Alpha Phi Alpha Brother] in Missouri." The Fourth Period [1941-1974] "began with a program for continued emphasis on citizenship activity. Some historical milestones in this period were: the use of the slogan, A Voteless People is a Hopeless People, the incorporation of the Foundation Publishers for the publication of African-American history materials, the inauguration of life membership...corporation and activity with the NAACP in the Sweatt's case in Texas [Sweatt was an Alpha Phi Alpha Brother], the Scottosboro Cases and Civil Rights actions." After this point, the pen of Dr. Charles H. Wesley is silent. However, the subsequent years [1975-1991] witnessed several pivotal events. The Fraternity adopted several partnerships or alliances, including Project Alpha with the March of Dimes, Boy Scouts of America, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America and the Kellogg Foundation. Also, the Fraternity grappled with standardizing its fraternal field structure and adopted a Model Pledge Program, which gave way to the banning of pledging. Our Million Dollar Fund Drive resulted in the Fraternity making one of the largest monetary contributions ever by an African-American organization to the NAACP, National Urban League and the United Negro College Fund [organizations all established in part or led by Alpha Phi Alpha Brothers at one time]. The Alpha Phi Alpha Corporate Headquarters was relocated from Chicago, Illinois to Baltimore, Maryland during the period.
The
sphinx
SPRING 1999 • VOLUME 84 • NUMBED 1 GENERAL O F F I C E R S Adrian L. Wallace rral President
Milton C. Davis Immediate Past General President
R o n a l d L. A n d e r s o n Interim Executive Director
George N. Reaves rral Jreasurer
Frank A. Jenkins III Comptroller
Harry E. J o h n s o n , ST. General Counsel
Al F. Rutherford Director-General Conventions
Kenneth Jordan Parliamentarian
FOUNDERS Henry Arthur Callis Charles Henry Chapman Eugene Kinckle Jones George Biddle Kelley Nathaniel Allison Murray Robert Harold Ogle Vertner Woodson Tandy
CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. 2313 S t Paul Street Baltimore, MD 21218-9234 Phone: (410) 5540040 Fax: (410) 554-0054 To change a mailing address: Send both the new and old address to: Membership Department Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. 2313 S t Paul Street Baltimore, MD 21218-5234 Alpha Phi Alpha Web Page Address: http://wrw.apal906.org
A Defining Moment Alpha Phi Alpha again faces a defining moment-a moment of such far reaching importance that the ramifications will reverberate well into the 21st century. The successful execution of this project will reposition Alpha Phi Alpha, projecting the organization to the forefront as the worclass organization we know it to be. The Fraternity has a unique opportunity and an awesome responsibility to lead in building a memorial to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The memorial shall represent more than mere mortar and stone. We are given an opportunity to build a testament to the life and dream of Dr. King. The memorial must befit a man of Dr. King's stature. It must rival the splendor of the grandest memorials, yet find its elegance in simplicity. The memorial must capture his deep and abiding compassion but reveal his inner strength. Our memorial must reflect Dr. King's color-blind love for humanity. Our work shall be representative and inclusive of the world community. We will involve persons from all walks of life irrespective of their race, color, gender or national origin. The final product must give the viewer a sense of the man, his life, his love for all mankind and his belief that one day his dream will become a reality. Men of Alpha Phi Alpha and people of justice and goodwill are called upon to commit themselves to the realization of this noble endeavor. I invite you to become an active participant in history. This is history and this is the future. Some of our members are already answering the call to build this memorial. Leading in the effort are faithful and committed Brothers such as former U.S. Senator Edward W. Brooke of Massachusetts who responded recently with a contribution of $25,000 and retired Anheuser-Busch executive Henry H. Brown who has made a $2,500 installment on a pledge of $ 10,000. Our chapter contributions are being led by the Brothers of Eta Tau Lambda Chapter in Akron, Ohio who have given a total $30,000 over the past two years and say they are not finished contributing to the MLK, Jr. Memorial. To erect this Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, we need many more chapters, Brothers and individuals like these to give again. People everywhere who believe in Dr. King's dream for this country and the world are challenged to work toward making this memorial a reality. Vision is not just seeing things as they are, but as they will be. Envision a memorial situated in close proximity to that honoring "The Great Emancipator"-the Lincoln Memorial-and that honoring "The Father of our Nation"-the Washington Monument. Envision in the midst of these grand memorials and within walking distance of the White House, a memorial to "The Drum Major for Peace and Justice"-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In this endeavor, failure is not an option.
ADRIAN L. WALLACE General President THE SPHINX™ SPRING 1999
STANDING PREPARED FOR THE CHALLENGES OF THE TIMES reetings and best wishes for the New Year from the Corporate Headquarters of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.! It is difficult to believe that we are less than 12 months away from the year 2000 and quickly approaching the first year of the 21sl century, which will arrive in 23 short months. Approaching even more quickly is the Fraternity's 93rd Anniversary Convention that will be held this summer in Dallas, Texas-which will be yet another milestone in the Fraternity's history. Alpha Phi Alpha recently celebrated—on December 4,1998— the 92nd anniversary of the Fraternity's founding. The year 1999 marks the 85th anniversary of The Sphinx™ magazine's beginning and in less than eight years, we will celebrate the 100th anniversary of our dear Fraternity. Time moves swiftly and we must be prepared for the challenges of the times in which we live. African-American history is the focus of this special edition of The Sphinx™. The magazine presents features on many of our prominent members such as Brothers Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; Dr. W.E.B. DuBois; Justice Thurgood Marshall; Whitney M. Young, Jr.; Senator Edward W. Brooke; Congressman Adam Clayton Powell; Ambassador Andrew Young and many others. The contributions of Alpha Phi Alpha's Brothers to our nation and the world are phenomenal. The life and legacy of Dr. King is certainly very much on our minds as we move from celebrating the 70th anniversary of his birth on January 15, 1999 to continuing the steps that will result in a memorial to Brother Martin Luther King, Jr. in the nation's capital. As I travel around the country, Brothers and members of the community without fail ask me about the MLK, Jr. Memorial Project. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. is moving forward through all of the steps necessary in securing multi-agency approval for the memorial. As many of you know from reading the Fraternity's correspondence mailed in December 1998, the United States Congress has approved an Area I location for the memorial. After narrowing preliminary Area I sites from the five original choices, we have proposed a suitable location near the Lincoln Memorial. The Fraternity next must win approval from three federal commissions with oversight for memorial planning and construction in Washington, D.C. At the time of this writing, we have secured approval from one commission and initiated the process with the others. Once the identified site has been approved by the three commissions, Congress again must weigh in. After winning congressional approval, the memorial design competition can be launched, a design selected and the external fundraising can begin.
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AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY EDITION
I remind Brothers that support of the MLK, Jr. Memorial must begin at home through your generous financial and moral support. Congress is not paying for the memorial. Financial support must come from our Brothers, our friends and the corporate sector. Use the information mailed to you in December to spread the word regarding the status of the memorial project, to contribute to building the memorial, and to share plans for bringing the memorial to fruition with others. In another matter, I remind Brothers of the 1999 WalkAmerica campaign. We need Brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha to work with their local March of Dimes chapters to raise funds and provide manpower support for the 1999 WalkAmerica campaign, which for most sites will take place during the last Sunday in April. The WalkAmerica campaign will be held earlier in some states, so contact your local March of Dimes chapter for details about the walk in your community. In 1998, we increased our contributions ten-fold. Let's increase our donations another ten-fold in 1999- Brother Oatice Thomas serves as the National Team Captain for WalkAmerica. The Fraternity's Web Page also contains information regarding the Walk. In addition, March of Dimes staff members are available to support you in implementing Project Alpha. Together we are saving healthy babies. I am running with the gauntlet that has been handed to me. I ask for your continued support as the Corporate Headquarters continues to work on improving service delivery to our members, even as you continue to provide service to your communities. As we navigate the upcoming Regional Conventions and prepare for the 1999 General Convention in Dallas, we look forward to seeing you and hearing about your successes and concerns. Many Brothers have already registered for this summer's General Convention and taken advantage of the Early Bird registration fees. If you have not registered yet, we urge you to do so while Pre-registration savings are still in effect. In the Spirit of Alpha!
RONALD L. ANDERSON Interim Executive Director
DISTINGUISHED COLLEGIANS
of ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY, INC. The Summer 1999 edition of The Sphinx™ will look at university and college students who serve as campus leaders during the 1998-99 school year College Brothers elected to serve as heads of campus student organizations during the 1998-99 term afe invited to send their photograph and a biographical sketch containing information about their campus activities to The Sphinx™ magazine at: Distinguished Collegians 1998-99; Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.; 2313 St. Paul Street; Baltimore, MD 21218-5234. To be featured as a Distinguished Collegian, those submitting materials must be active members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. who were enrolled in school during the 1998-99 year and working toward a baccalaureate degree.
Materials and information submitted for the feature should be received in the Fraternity's Corporate Headquarters no later than March 15,^999 to be considered for publication in the Summer 1999 Sphinx™ magaziae.Those submitting materials ate encouraged to send their information now to avoid missing the March 15, 1999 deadline.' Actual photo prints should be sent for the feature. Xerox copies of photographs, laser printoms, pictures clipped from maga^ ^ e s or newspapers, and poor quality pictures cannot be used. Photographs sent to The Sphinx™ cannot be returned. Those sending photos are encouraged to make duplicate copies of the pictures before sending them.
• EDITORS of THE Raymond W. Cannon 1914 L.L. McGee 1915 W.A. Pollard 1916 V.D. Joknson 1917 (Interim) Carl J. Murpky 1918-1922 Oscar C. Brown 1923-1929 P. Bernard Young, Jr. 1930-1933 Arnett G. Lindsay 1934-1935
Lewis O. Swingler 1936-1943 Mereditk G. Ferguson 1943-1944 (Interim) Reid E. Jackson 1945 Lewis O. Swingler 1946-1947 Arnett G. Lindsay 1948 Lewis O. Swingler 1949-1950 W. Barton Beatty, Jr. 1951-1961 C. Anderson Davis 1962-1965
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George M. Daniels 1966-1968 J. Herbert King 1969-1972 Laurence T. Young, Sr. 1973 (Interim) J. Herbert King 1973-1974 Mickael J. Price 1974-1990 Ckarles F. Rokinson, III 1991-1992 Jokn J. Joknson 1993-1996 (Interim) Seaton J. Wkite, III 1997THE SPHINX™ SPRING 1999
EDITOR'S LETTER
SPECIAL AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY EDITION MAGAZINE MARKS START OF SPHINX™ 85™ ANNIVERSARY OBSERVANCE ach new edition of The Sphinx™ brings with it unique and memorable moments that occur in the preparation of the magazine. The production of this Special African-American History Edition of The Sphinx™ that begins our celebration of the magazine's 85th Anniversary was no exception. One of the stories planned for the issue—that looks at outstanding men of Alpha Phi Alpha who have impacted American society and the world—was a tribute to civil rights legend Whitney Moore Young, Jr. A life-size statue, created by nationally recognized sculptor Brother Edward Hamilton, was being unveiled on the Kentucky State University campus in Frankfort, Kentucky and the story was to be presented in The Sphinx™. KSU was Brother Young's alma mater. The importance of the occasion was evident. Not as apparent in the beginning was the important role the campus Brothers at Beta Mu Chapter would play in the week's commemorative observances. The polished Beta Mu Brothers teamed with the Kentucky State University administration in presenting Whitney Young's life to the campus and community. Their display of unity in working with the project left little doubt that they have become beneficiaries of Whitney Young's leadership legacy. Sixty years after Brother Young demonstrated leadership on the campus as a Beta Mu Brother, they are continuing the legacy. The feature article begins on Page 38. Along with stories on Brother Whitney Young in this special edition magazine, you will find features highlighting the contributions of readily recognized individuals such as: Brothers Martin Luther King, Jr., Thurgood Marshall, W.E.B. Dubois, Edward Brooke, Andrew Young, Jesse Owens, Duke Ellington, Paul Robeson and others. You also will read about other individuals who have had a great impact on history. You may not have known that some of the others were members of Alpha Phi Alpha. This African-American History Edition magazine is planned as an information source that can be used in institutions of learning across the country.
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AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY EDITION
Some very talented writers and scholars have lent their time and effort to helping assure that quality and accurate information about historical Fraternity figures was presented. We could not begin to count up the research and editing hours that have gone into this publication. Some of the individuals who have assisted as contributing editors for this project include: former National Historian Brother Dr. Thomas D. Pawley, III; Brother Dr. Clifton R. Jones, Senior Consultant at the Institute for Urban Research at Morgan State University and former Morgan and Howard University Professor; Dr. Joseph T. Durham, university professor and former President of the Baltimore City Community College; Dr. Jesse J. Harris, Dean of the University of Maryland School of Social Work; and former Fraternity Executive Director Darryl R. Matthews, Sr. Many of the historic photographs presented in the magazine have come to us through the assistance of Ms. Joellen P. El-Bashir, Senior Manuscript Librarian with the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center and the Fraternity's National Archivist Brother Herman "Skip" Mason. For a list of the writers who have researched various aspects of the Fraternity's history and presented their findings in feature form, see our "Contributors" column on the next page. Also, the dedication and hard work of my staff assistants, Ms. Latifa Howard and Brother Marc Battle, cannot to be overlooked in the preparation of this publication. It was 85 years ago, in 1914, that Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity's first Sphinx™ magazine was published. Today the magazine stands as the second-oldest continuously-published AfricanAmerican publication in the nation. The next issue of The Sphinx will be our 85th Anniversary Edition.
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SEATONJ. WHITE, III Editor-in-Chief
CONTRIBUTORS AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY EDITION SPHINX™ CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Brother Waldo E. Johnson, Jr., Ph.D., is author of our Special Feature that looks at Alpha Phi Alpha Brothers who have served as social research scientists in the AfricanAmerican community. Brother Johnson is Assistant Professor and Faculty Associate at Northwestern University/University of Chicago Joint Center on Poverty Research. Brother Johnson also is Investigator for the Fragile Families and Child Well-being Study, a national longitudinal study of the circumstances of unmarried parenthood and its effects on child well-being among African-Americans, whites and Latinos in 20 U.S. cities. An in-depth feature looking at five civil rights organizations that Alpha Phi Alpha's members helped found has been contributed by Attorney Brother Wallace L. Walker who operates a private general law practice in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Before moving to Philadelphia in 1981 with his wife, nationally known artist Sylvia Walker, and their son, Brother Walker operated a non-profit educational consulting corporation that provided in-service training sessions to school district personnel engaged in court mandated school desegregation. Our Historical Feature for the issue is contributed by Brother Felix L. Armfield, Ph.D., who looks at the social work career of Fraternity founder Eugene Kinckle Jones. Brother Armfield is Assistant Professor of History & African-American Studies at Western Illinois University. His research focuses on AfricanAmerican social reform movements at the turn of the 20th century. He is particularly interested in the role of African-American social reform and reformers as catalysts to the modern civil rights movement. Brother Armfield is in the process of publishing a book-length biography about Jewel Eugene Kinckle Jones. Brotiier Joseph T. Durham, Ed.D., has contributed a feature on the civic and community work of Past General President and former Executive Secretary S.S. Booker. Brother Durham is President Emeritus of Baltimore City Community College and former Director of the Division of Institutional Approval for the Maryland State Board for Higher Education. He has served as professor and assistant professor on the facultys of Morgan State University and Coppin State College in Baltimore; Howard University in Washington, D.C.; Albany State College in Albany, Georgia; and Southern University in Baton B^^l
Rouge, Louisiana. He also served as an instructor at New Lincoln School in New York City and Virginia Seminary & College in Lynchburg, Virginia. Our Book Review for this AfricanAmerican History Edition SPHINX™ critics the recently released biography: Thurgood Marshall: American Revolutionary by Juan Williams. Brother Harry B. Dunbar, Ph.D., writer of the Book Review, is Professor Emeritus of Humanities at New York City Technical College of the City University of New York and author of the Internet CompuServe column "Dunbar on Black Books." Brother Marc K. Battle has written an historical overview that looks at the contributions to American society of several of the Fraternity's most noted Brothers in a special feature entitled "Legendary Brothers." Brother Battle who serves as a Specialist in the Communications Department is a senior at the University of the District of Columbia in Washington, D.C. who plans to enter law school in the Fall. Another talented young writer, Brother F. Romall Smalls, has written an article for the special edition that looks at Brother Vertner Woodson Tandy, the state of New York's first registered African-American architect, and his work in designing a home for Madam C.J. Walker. Brother Thomas D. Pawley, III, Ph.D., in his popular "Historical Moment" column, takes a look at the Fraternity's effort to raise the levels of education in the African-American community through the Go-to-High School, Go-to-College program. Brother Pawley, the Fraternity's former National Historian, served as professor and administrator at Lincoln University in Missouri for nearly 50 years. He was named Curator's Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Speech and Theatre upon his retirement from Lincoln in 1988. He also has held teaching appointments at Atlanta University, Prairie View State College, Northern Illinois University, the University of Iowa, the University of California at Santa Barbara and the University of Missouri. A rare feature on Mrs. Annie Singleton, the Mother of Alpha, has been contributed by the Fraternity's National Archivist Brother Herman "Skip" Mason. Brother Mason is a history instructor at Morehouse College in Atlanta and Founder/CEO of the Digging It Up African-American Research and Consulting Firm. THE SPHINX™ SPRING 1999
SPECIAL FEATURE
AL PHA PHI ALPHA
TURNS ON THE LIGHT FOR A NEW GENERATION OF SOCIAL SCIENTISTS By Brother Waldo E. Johnson, Jr.
lpha Phi Alpha Brothers have long stood in the forefront of social science research. When called upon to make a formal presentation on some current issue, we often feel compelled to provide research findings to either frame our discussion or to support our contention. No where is this point more evident than contemporary presentations on the status of the African-American male. In order to support our perception of the African-American male as "an endangered species," virtually every presenter on the subject cites statistics that paint a "woe is the African-American male" scenario, suggestive that the problems of the AfricanAmerican male are far beyond the scope of individual and societal solutions. As citizens of this country and members of Alpha Phi Alpha, social science research is intimately connected to much of our existence. It guides our lives and our daily endeavors. It is an enterprise that is controlled by a select few but has immeasurable value and influence on American life. Alpha Phi Alpha members have made tremendous contributions to social science research since its inception in America. Far from being merely subjects in social science research studies, Alpha Phi Alpha Brothers have figured prominently among that "select few" and have helped to shape social science research into flourishing academic and professional industries.
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Historical and Descriptive Accounts of African-American Life as a Basis for Social Scientific Investigation Social science research traces its origin to German and other European universities that preceded the founding of America. Its evolution was subsequent to scientific inquiry that sought to reconcile experiential and agreement realities.1 As such, the social science research's structure parallels that of the biological and physical sciences. Preparation for becoming a social research scientist has been restricted primarily to those who receive graduate training and doctoral degrees from the elite research universities. AfricanAmerican students, in particular, have been limited in their ability to gain access to such training and experience due to historic educational segregation and racial discrimination, thus restricting their admittance into the elite research universities and access to research training opportunities. Social science research has long focused on comparative analysis of groups in order to access well-being and functioning.2 Sociological and demographic research reflects this tradition. AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY EDITION
African-Americans traditionally have been posited as the comparison group for assessing well-being and functioning of whites and other groups who have experienced a privileged historical and social presence in America. However, when taken out of historical, economic and social contexts, comparative differences in wellbeing and functioning may be misconstrued as deviance. AfricanAmericans, as well as other racial and ethnic groups, have become emblematic of these poorly-framed comparisons that are characterized as dysfunction and marginalized well-being. Brother W.E.B. DuBois was among the first American social researchers. His scholarship was recognized early in his graduate study by his Harvard professors. Brother DuBois' dissertation study "The Suppression of the African Slave Trade: 1632-1870" was published as the inaugural monograph for the Harvard Historical Studies in 1896.3 Trained as a historian, he studied under German trained Professor Albert Hart whose forte was research methodology. Professor Hart began the research tradition in history during his tenure on the Harvard faculty.4 Brother DuBois became the first African-American to conduct systematic social science research on African-Americans. Originally, he distributed his findings via annual conferences that he organized as a member of the Atlanta University faculty, beginning with The Negro in Business National Conference in 1899, followed by The College-Bred Negro conference (1900), the Negro Common School conference (1901), and The Negro Church conference (1903). A prolific writer, Brother DuBois authored 21 books including The Philadelphia Negro and Dusk of \ Dawn, innumerable articles and was Editor of The Crisis: A Record of the Darker Races from 19101919 Brother DuBois also distinguished himself as one of the first social scientists to conduct systematic study on the African-American family. The Negro American Family
SPECIAL FEATURE (1909) was one of the first attempts to empirically describe the characteristics of the black family and to trace its origins.11 The emerging African-American family research tradition was continued by Brother E. Franklin Frazier. Brother Frazier earned his doctorate in sociology from the University of Chicago, the nation's first university to establish a department of sociology. While attending the university, Brother Frazier studied with Professors Robert Park and Ernest W. Burgess, founders of the Chicago school of sociology that emphasized social theory as the underpinning of extensive field work. He published The Negro Family in the United States (1939) which provided a historical perspective for examining the African-American family from slavery to the mid-twentieth century. It remains one of the most important studies on the African-American family and is Brother Frazier's best known work.6 Negro Youth at the Crossways: Their Personality Development in the Middle States (1940) evolved out of a commissioned report prepared for the American Youth Commission that explored personality development of AfricanAmerican youth in the middle states, specifically Washington, D.C. and Louisville, Kentucky. It became a model for subsequent social psychological research studies examining American youth.7 Black Bourgeoisie (1957), a sociological examination of the African-American middle class, is another important work by Brother Frazier. In 1948, Brother Frazier became the first African-American elected to the presidency of the American Sociological Society (now Association). In later years, his African-American family research perspective was criticized because it formed the basis of the Moynihan Report, initially an internal report by then Assistant Secretary Daniel P. Moynihan that characterized the rise of single-parent African-American families as dysfunctional and requiring federal intervention. Although Brothers DuBois' and Frazier's research perspectives and findings on the African-American family departs from the research perspectives promoted by contemporary African-American family researchers, their research provided the frameworks upon which contemporary family research is drawn. Brothers DuBois' and Frazier's research studies remain important historical elements in Brother E. Franklin Fr, archers.
the development of family research. Brother Frazier subsequently served a short stint as director of the Atlanta University School of Social Work prior to completing his academic career on the Howard University faculty. The historical research tradition started by Brother DuBois in Black Folk, Then and Now: An Essay in the History and Sociology of the Negro Race (1939) was continued by Brothers Rayford W. Logan, Charles S. Johnson, Benjamin A. Quarles, Charles H. Wesley and John Hope Franklin. These giants in African-American historical research offered descriptive accounts of the social conditions of African-Americans beginning with their arrival on America's shores, through the period of servitude, the Jim Crow South and post-Civil War America, the Great Migration to the Midwest and northeast U.S., the war years and finally through the Civil Rights era. Brother DuBois' The Souls of Black Folk (1903) is considered one of the great books of this century. It is "a moving and magnificently textured portrait of dispossessed people in search of themselves in an alien world"8 and yet a scientific exploration of the race problem in America. Since its publication, the book has been cited as the basis for a number of social scientific examinations of these issues. In parallel eloquence, Brother Rayford W. Logan, professor of history at Howard University, penned his seminal work, What the Negro Wants (1944), an edited volume including chapters contributed by then Tuskegee Institute president and UNCF founder Brother Frederick D. Patterson and Howard University professor Brother Charles H. Wesley. The Betrayal of the Negro: From Rutherford B. Hayes to Woodrow Wilson (1965) is a revision of The Negro in American Life and Thought: The Nadir, 18771901 Woodrow Wilson (1954) which revealed how stereotypes and myths about African-Americans became ingrained into the fabric of American society. Brother Logan served Alpha Phi Alpha as Director of Education (1933-40) (now Chairman of Alpha Phi Alpha Education Foundation) and 15lh General President of Alpha Phi Alpha (1941-45).' Former Fisk University President Brother Charles S. Johnson's sobering account Growing Up in the Black Belt: Negro Youth in the Rural South (1941) provided a glimpse of the challenging life experiences of African-American youth residing in the rural South. Following Brother Frazier's descriptive account of personality development, race relations and American youth, Brother Johnson sought to determine the effect that [AfricanTHE SPHINXâ&#x201E;˘ SPRING 1999
SPECIAL FEATURE American] youth membership in a minority racial group had on personality development. Brother Johnson pursued graduate studies in sociology and employed life history, family case studies, individual interviews, aptitude and psychological tests as research methods.10 Brother Charles H. Wesley was also trained as a historian at Fisk, Yale and Harvard universities. Negro Labor in the United States, 1850-1925 (1927) depicts the evolution and struggles of African-Americans as contributors to American industry and chronicles their economic progress. These research findings were important in establishing I recognition of African-Americans as followed in the research tradition
North Carolina, 1790-1860 that was published in 1943. Accolades bestowed upon Brother Franklin for his stellar historical research provide the basis for his contemporary investigations on race issues in America. In 1976, he was invited by the National Endowment for the Humanities to deliver the Thomas Jefferson Lecture in the Humanities. Titled "Racial Equality in America," Brother Franklin addressed inequality and inhumanities experienced by African-Americans. The Jefferson Lectures are the most distinguished lecture series sponsored by a governmental agency and Brother Franklin presented the first lecture given by a historian. Currently, he chairs the Advisory Board to the President's Initiative on Race. Finally, in 1943, Brother William Nowlin became the first African-American to earn a Ph.D. in political science from The Ohio State University. He published his dissertation study, which examined the wide-scale move of African-Americans from the Republican Party to the Democratic Party.
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narwu u, otuirx, ».v.o. " « ^ ^ _ citizens." It remains one of the best historical economic accounts of the African-American experience. A nationally renowned historian, Brother Wesley served as General Historian of Alpha Phi Alpha from 1925 until his death in 1987 and as General President for eight years (1932-1940). He also wrote the official histories of several prominent African-American organizations, included among them are the A.M.E. Church, the Prince Hall Masons and Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity (Boule). Brother John Hope Franklin's seminal work From Slavery to Freedom: A History of Negro Americans (1947) remains as one of the best accounts of the slavery and Reconstruction period in America and the most comprehensive history of AfricanAmericans. It covers the period from early African civilizations to the black revolution of the 1960s. Like his fellow Fisk and Harvard alumni, Brothers DuBois and Wesley, Brother Franklin is a prolific researcher and writer and has stature in the American academy. He was named J.M. Manley Distinguished Service Professor of History at the University of Chicago and elevated to the presidencies of the United Chapters of Phi Beta Kappa, the Southern and the American Historical Associations. Presently, he is the James B. Duke Distinguished Professor Emeritus of History at Duke University. Brother Franklin received a Brother John Hope Franklin was among the African-Ann research grant from Alpha Phi researchers that continued the • Alpha in 1942-43 to complete his tradition started by I research for The Free Negro in
i
H
AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY EDITION
Race as a Prevailing Issue in African-American Society: Continuing the Social Science Research Tradition As stated by Brother DuBois in The Souls ofBlack Folk, "the problem of the 20th century is the problem of the color line—the relation of the darker to the lighter races of men in Asia and Africa, in America and the islands of the sea."12 The struggle for racial and civil rights framed much of the intellectual discussion following World War II. Brother Benjamin A. Quarles authored The Negro in the Making of America. Although Brother Quarles contended that there is no such thing as [African-American] history, he sought a proper perspective for the African-American in historical writing because the African-American was often ignored or treated only as a problem in popular texts. He promoted awareness of the AfricanAmerican as a pioneer builder in colonial America, as a soldier in the American Revolution and subsequent wars, a sometime free man in the antebellum period, as a frustrated freedman following emancipation, and as an aspirant for civil rights via this important research study. His research has provided a historical framework for examining the multiple roles played by AfricanAmericans in the development of American society. The Civil Rights Movement of the late 1950s and 1960s was stimulated by a number of factors, not the least of which were documenting the accounts of the deplorable social and political conditions to which African-American citizens were relegated. Among the important written accounts of these conditions was Brother Rev. Dr. Martin L. King, Jr.'s (1929-1968) Why We Can't Wait (1964) which included the stirring "Letter from Birmingham Jail." This inside account of the nonviolent movement for civil rights issued a spiritual harkening to America to fully embrace its Judeo-Christian heritage by fully liberating those oppressed and denied full citizenship, namely African-Americans." Why We
SPECIAL FEATURE Can't Wait is a primary source on one of the great social upheavals of this century and, although written in a popular style, is recognized by academic and research scholars. Brother King headed the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and subsequently received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. Brother Charles V. Hamilton, Wallace S. Sayre Professor Emeritus of Government at Columbia University, coauthored Black Power: The Politics of Liberation in America (1967) with Stokely Carmichael. The book presents "a political framework and ideology which represents the last reasonable opportunity for this society to work out its racial problems short of prolonged destructive guerrilla warfare."14 It became the definitive source for understanding the meaning of Black Power. It also offers an examination of a concept that contrasts with the nonviolent movement embraced by Brother King. Brother Hamilton's most recent research includes Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.: The Political Biography of an American Dilemma (1990 and The Dual Agenda: Race and Social Welfare Policies of Civil Rights Organizations (1997) coauthored with Dona Hamilton. Similarly, Brother Nathan Wright, Jr. explored the Black Power Movement as a force led by African-Americans but with white assistance in Black Power and Urban Unrest: Creative Possibilities (1967). Brother Wright concerns himself with urban renewal and educational advancement in order to bolster [African-American] self-respect and self-esteem. Brother Wright contended that Black Power is dependent upon white cooperation to work effectively. He also believed that whites would realize the need to help African-Americans.15 Contemporary Issues in African American Society: Forging a New Research Tradition In the continuing research examination of AfricanAmericans and their institutions, the family remains a major source for understanding the African-American existence in America. As the sustaining African-American institution, the family has undergone numerous attacks but remains relatively intact. Its evolution has produced a range of variations necessary to adapt to an evolving social structure. Brother Charles V. Willie, Professor of Education and Urban Education at Harvard University conducted interviews with over 200 African-American families to determine the existence of prevailing stereotypes. A New Look at Black Families (1976) concludes that variations in life styles characterizing African-American families in different social strata are reflective of the economic positions they hold in society, which should be of concern to policymakers who are concerned with the family.16 Brother Willie's research study devoted special attention to impoverished families via empirical examination. It was a forerunner of poverty research that became popular during the 1980s with the resurgence of the "Chicago School of Social Investigation" led by then University of Chicago sociologist William Julius Wilson (presently Professor of Social Policy at
Harvard University). Brother Willie has been Research Director for the Presidential Commission on Juvenile Delinquency and served on the Board of Directors of the Social Science Research Council. Brother Edgar G. Epps is the Marshall Field IV Professor of Urban Education at the University of Chicago. A distinguished sociologist, Brother Epps has conducted extensive research on racial identity, racial socialization and race relations. In 1976, he coauthored with Patricia Gurin Black Consciousness, Identity and Achievement: A Study of Students in Historically Black Colleges (1975). This research study is a seminal work in its field as it was the first to examine black consciousness among AfricanAmerican college students at both historically black and predominately white colleges and universities. The research findings suggested that black consciousness varied minimally between the two student populations. Brother Epps' program of research has greatly influenced his contemporaries and he has been an outstanding mentor to African-American students. Those he has mentored include an impressive list of African-American social scientists, many of whom are leaders in their respective fields of research. Another innovator in empirical social science research on African-Americans is Brother James S. Jackson, the Daniel Katz Distinguished University Professor of Psychology, Director of Research Center for Group Dynamics, Research Scientist at the Institute for Social Research and Professor of Public Health at the University of Michigan. In 1979-80, Brother Jackson mounted the National Study of Black Americans (NSBA), the first survey derived from a multistage area probability sample of the adult population in the United States. It consists of 2,107 personal interviews and remains the most representative and comprehensive survey of African-American life. A particular strength of the NSBA survey is its ability to investigate within group differences in family phenomena. This represents a major departure from previous research efforts in which race differences were a primary focus and were routinely investigated.17 Research data evolving out of the NSBA survey have formed the basis for more than 200 books, articles, and monographs by more than 50 social science researchers worldwide. Brother Jackson is planning for a year 2000 data collection wave of the NSBA. He is considered one of the most important social researchers in America. Brother Samuel L Myers, Jr. is Roy Wilkins Professor of Human Relations and Social Justice at the Hubert Humphrey Institute of the University of Minnesota. A Fulbright Scholar at the University of South Australia in 1997, Brother Myers earned a Ph.D. in economics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and his research focuses on racial disparities and economic inequality. He is the author of several books including Civil Rights and Race Relations in the Post Reagan-Bush Era, Persistent Disparity: Race and Economic Inequality in the U.S. and Bittersweet Success: Faculty of Color in the Academe (forthcoming with Caroline Turner). He has also distinguished himself as a Senior Economist with the Federal Trade Commission and held faculty posts at the Universities of Maryland, Pittsburgh and THE SPHINXâ&#x201E;˘ SPRING 1999
SPECIAL FEATURE Texas. His research has been referenced in a number of the major poverty research studies. Brother Lawrence E. Gary has conducted mental health research on African-Americans, which resulted in the edited volume, Mental Health: A Challenge to the Black Community (1978). He is credited with initiating the social science inquiry on African-American males. Black Men (1981) remains one the few empirical research studies that focuses on the plight of African-American males. In view of the current focus on African-American males, Brother Gary's text and his numerous articles on African-American males provide a solid framework for the evolving research focus in this area currently underway by a number of new research scholars. Brother Gary was instrumental in the development of minority research fellowship programs at the Council on Social Work Education, American Sociological Association and the American Psychological Association. A distinguished social work educator, Brother Gary received the Distinguished Recent Contributions to Social Work Award from the Council on Social Work Education and the Excellence Award in Teaching from Howard University, both in 1997. A strong proponent of minority content in social work curricula, Brother Gary is currently engaged in research documenting the historical contributions of African-American social workers to the social work profession. He is Professor at the School of Social Work at Howard University in Washington, D.C. He has been the Samuel Wurtz Professor of Social Work at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, the Henry and Lucy Moses Distinguished Visiting Professor at the Hunter College School of Social Work as well as Director of the Institute for Urban Affairs at Howard University. Poverty research-the development of which was spurred by the historians cited here and dominated by economists and sociologists to date-and social science research in general have not been without their critics. Within the Alpha Phi Alpha bond, Brother William E. Lawson, Professor of Philosophy at Michigan State University, edited The Underclass Question (1992) which addresses a complex set of issues on race, class, values, culture and social policy. The edited volume includes a foreword by poverty scholar William Julius Wilson and a chapter contributed by Professor Brother Cornell West. Brother Lawson teaches AfricanAmerican philosophy, social and political philosophy and coauthored Between Slavery and Freedom: Philosophy and American Slavery (1992) with Howard McGary. Brother Robin D.G. Kelley is Associate Professor of African History and Africana Studies at New York University. In his recent book, Yo' Mama's Dysfunktional: Fighting the Cultural Wars in Urban America, Brother Kelley's essay "Looking for the "Real" Nigga: Social Scientists Construct the Ghetto" contends that most urban social science has played a key role in marking "blackness" and defining [African-American] culture to the "outside" world.18 He accurately concludes that too much research on the underclass provides less understanding of the complexity of people's lives and AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY EDITION
cultures because it does not permit the narratives to speak. Brother Kelley is the author of Race Rebels: Alabama Communists during the Great Depression (1990) and Hammer and Hoe: Culture, Politics and the Black Working Class (1994). He has been cited as a major contemporary historian. Other distinguished social research scientists include Brother Roderick W. Pugh, Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Loyola University Chicago. A pioneer African-American clinical psychologist and researcher, Brother Pugh studied with psychologist Carl Rogers, wrote Psychology and the Black Experience (1972) and is cited in the history of black psychology Even the Rat was White: A Historical View of Psychology (1976). Still others include political scientists Brothers William E. Nelson, Jr. (Ohio State University); Twiley Barker (University of Illinois at Chicago); Lucius Barker (Stanford University) and former president of the American Political Science Association; Huey Perry (Southern University at Baton Rouge); economist Brother Marcus Alexis (Northwestern University); social work professors Brothers Moses Newsome, Jr., Dean of the Norfolk University School of Social Work and Immediate Past President of the Council on Social Work Education; and Richard A. English, Dean of the Howard University School of Social Work: James Hugo Johnston, author of Race Relations and Miscengenation in the South: and sociologist Kelly Miller (Howard University). The Next Generation Takes its Place: Emerging Social Science Scholars The social science research industry has remained a relatively closed enclave in which participation is limited to a small group of scholars and their former students. Presently, these social science research scholars control more than 75 percent of the millions of dollars annually provided by public and private sources to conduct various programs of research. Efforts to prepare AfricanAmerican and other students of color to join these exclusive circles have been few and without strong commitment by universities, researchers and funding sources. Without intervention, the social science research arena will remain the exclusive club it is today. Public (federal and state) and private (foundation) initiatives to support pre-doctoral and post-doctoral have met with increasing success. Among the young social scientists that are emerging as promising scholars are: Brother Fredrick C. Harris, Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Rochester. Brother Harris earned his doctorate at Northwestern University and has completed postdoctoral studies at the Survey Research Center at the University of California at Berkeley. He has been a Research Analyst at the Chicago Urban League and a Research Assistant at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies in Washington, D.C. His research focuses on African-American political participation. Currently, he is completing his first book Something Within: Religion in African-American Political Life
SPECIAL FEATURE (Oxford University Press). Brother Harris is a 1998-99 Russell Sage Foundation Visiting Fellow, one of the social science's most prestigious research fellowships. He has published several research articles and book chapters. Brother James E. Davis is Associate Professor of Education at the University of Delaware. He is presently on sabbatical leave from the University of Delaware as Visiting Scholar at the Institute for Research on Women and Gender of the University of Michigan. He earned a Ph.D. in Social Policy and Research Methodology from Cornell University. He has been affiliated with the Educational Testing Services. His research focuses on applied methodology for policy and program evaluation of family support initiatives. He also conducts research on men and masculinity issues in schools and education. He currently serves as President of the Black Caucus of the American Education Research Association. Brother Michael S. Bailey is Associate Professor of Political Science at Clark Atlanta University. Brother Bailey has taught at the University of Illinois at Chicago, West Virginia University and the University of Missouri at St. Louis. His research has examined urban politics. He completed his doctoral studies at the Ohio State
University where he focused on urban politics and public opinion. He is Principal Investigator for the Atlanta Election Study, the Black Political Attitudes Survey and a study of political ideology, attachment and efficacy among participants in the One Million Man March. Brother Mario Sims is a Ford Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow at the Poverty Research and Training and the Population Studies Centers at the University of Michigan. A sociologist who examines the economic implications of American racial segregation patterns, Brother Sims received the National Research Council's Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship and was a Pre-doctoral Fellow at the Center for Demography and Ecology at the University of Wisconsin at Madison.
Conclusion The social science research tradition will continue to play a major role in formulating "ways of knowing" in American society into the next millennium. Alpha Phi Alpha has secured a highly respectable position in this time-honored international tradition. The noble achievements of Alpha Phi Alpha social scientists who have forged
FOOTNOTES 1
Rubin, A. & Babbie, E. (1997). Research Methods for Social Work. Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole Publishing.
2
Ibid.
5
Lewis, D. (1993). W.E.B. DuBois: Biography of a Race, 1868-1919- New York: Holt. Ibid. s Ransford, E. (1973). Book Review. Sociology and Social Research, p. 548. 6 Frazier, E. (1939). The Negro Family in the United States. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press. 7 Frazier, E. (1940). Negro Youth at the Crossways: Their Personality Development in the Middle States. New York, NY: Schocken Books. 8 DuBois, W.E.B. (1903). The Souls of Black Folk: Essays and Sketches. Book Review. New York Times Book Review, 85, June 8,1980, p. 99 Wesley, C. (1929). The History of Alpha Phi Alpha: A Development in Negro College Life. Washington, D.C.: Foundation Publishers. '"Johnson, C. (1941). Growing Up in the Black Belt: Negro Youth in the Rural South. New York, NY: Schocken Books. 11 Wesley, C. (1927). Negro Labor in the United States, 1850-1925. New York, NY: Vanguard Press. a DuBois, W.E.B. (1903). The Souls of Black Folk: Essays and Sketches. " King, M. (1964). Why We Can't Wait. New York, NY: Harper. 11 Hamilton, C. & Carmichael, S. (1967). Black Power: The Politics of Liberation in America. New York, NY: Vintage Books. 15 Wright, N. (1967). Black Power and Urban Unrest: Creative Possibilities. New York, NY: Hawthorn Books. "' Willie, C. (1976). A New Look at Black Families. Bayside, NY: General Hall. " Taylor, R., Jackson, J., and Charles, L. (1997). Family Life in Black America. Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications. 18 Kelley, R. (1997). Yo'Mama's Dysfunktional: Fighting the Cultural Wars in Urban America. Boston, MA: Beacon.
4
Brother Waldo E.Johnson, Jr., Ph.D. is Assistant Professor at the School of Social Service Administration of the University of Chicago and Faculty Associate at the Northwestern University/University of ChicagoJoint Center on Poverty Research. Brother Johnson is Investigator for the Fragile Families and Child Well-being Study, a national longitudinal study of the circumstances of unmarried parenthood and its effects on child well-being among African-Americans, whites and Latinos in 20 U.S. cities. A charter member of Iota Eta Chapter, Brother Johnson formerly served Alpha Phi Alpha as Assistant Executive Secretary for Programs (1982-85) and is a member of Iota Delta Lambda Chapter in Chicago. THE SPHINXâ&#x201E;˘ SPRING 1999
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FEATURE STORY
ALPHA PHI ALPHA AND THE
FOUNDING OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN CIVIL RIGHTS GROUPS By Brother Wallace L. Walker
n less than eight years, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. will enter its second millennium. More than 92 years ago, a group of college-age men founded the Fraternity at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. Despite their tender years, the seven young men were clear in their motive, philosophy and purpose in forming the nation's first African-American intercollegiate Fraternity. The influence and impact of Alpha Phi Alpha's individual members on American society and the country's history since the organization's founding in 1906 is without question. For example, in the world of sports, science and journalism Alpha Phi Alpha Brothers have left their indelible imprint. In professional sports, the heroic exploits of Brother Jesse Owens in the 1932 Olympic Games in Germany remain as a symbol of pride and courage for freedom lovers everywhere. In science, Brother Garrett Morgan's invention of the gas mask and traffic signal have helped revolutionize society. In journalism, Brother Mai Goode, the first African-American network reporter, has helped blaze the trail for generations of minorities seeking to become part of the news media. There are many ways to illustrate the extraordinary vision of Alpha Phi Alpha's founders. As noted above, the success of individual Fraternity members is one way. Another way to look at the progeny of the founders and review the number of them who like the founders sought to live the motive, philosophy and purpose of the Fraternity by either founding and/or combating problems of race through organizations. This article will briefly profile five such organizations, showing the involvement of Fraternity members in each group's formation and/or early development. All five of the organizations, the NAACP, the United Negro College Fund, the Council of African Affairs, the Negro Alliance and the National Urban League, have had a profound impact on the elevation of the race. But, before a profile of the enumerated organizations is done, it is necessary that we review the motive, philosophy and purpose behind the founding and operation of Alpha Phi Alpha. The foundation laid by our founders was foolproof in guaranteeing the organization's success.
I
AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY EDITION
Founder Henry Arthur Callis identified the Fraternity's motive at its founding, saying: Two motives inspired our founders in 1906; to stimulate our young people to stay in school and to unite our college men in the fight for full American citizenship.1
Brother Callis further noted that the purpose of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. at its founding was: Alpha Phi Alpha was born in the shadows of slavery, on the lap of disfranchisement. We proposed to foster scholarship and excellence among students; to bring leadership and vision to the social problems of our communities and the nation; to fight with courage and self-sacrifice, every bar to the democratic way of life. So long as we swerve not from these purposes, Alpha Phi Alpha lives.2
Brother Callis, often called the conscience of the Fraternity, stated in a 1954 address to the General Convention that: [Alpha's] philosophy of present and future leadership must be based solely upon our motto: "Servants of All, We Shall Transcend All."3
To understand how the Fraternity's motive, purpose and philosophy were developed, it is necessary to return to 1905 and the Social Study Club that preceded the organization's founding. It was in the Social Study Club that the seeds for the motive, philosophy and purpose of Alpha Phi Alpha were planted and germinated. All of the Fraternity founders except Jewel Eugene Kinckle Jones were members of the Social Study Club. The club was formed in Fall 1905 as a mutual-support organization for African-American students on the predominantly white campus. It was a way for them to meet each other, to gain benefit from the experiences of older African-American students on the campus and to discuss issues facing the race. Social Study Club members were especially interested in the ongoing discourse between W.E.B. DuBois and Booker T. Washington. As college students at any Ivy League university, the club members were particularly drawn to Brother DuBois. He called for the "Talented Tenth" of the race to pursue academic training and then return to the race as a cadre of leadership for the masses of African-Americans.
FEATURE STORY During the 1905-1906 school year, the club discussed the epic work of Dr. DuBois, The Souls of Black Folk. They also were aware of his work in the Niagara Movement, which was in its formative but fruitful stages. Brother Callis later stated in the 1954 address mentioned ear lier that: Out of the Niagara Movement grew the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Out of the Niagara Manifesto grew Alpha Phi Alpha.4
The Manifesto to which Brother Callis refers was in fact called the Niagara "Declaration of Principles." The Manifesto resulted from meetings first called by an interracial group including Brother DuBois in 1905. The movement was intended to counter Washington's "Tuskegee Machine." In 1905, it was widely perceived by many African-Americans and whites that Washington spoke for the masses of African-Americans [and that his message was that of an accommodationist]. His message gave short shrift to the part of the community capable of academic training. Washington was an advocate of vocational/trade training and DuBois and others believed that there was no voice extolling the value of academic training for the race. Brother DuBois' group was called the Niagara Movement because it was forced to meet on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls. America's racial laws prohibited the physical interaction between persons of different races, and therefore the interracial group was denied hotel accommodations in the U.S. where they first attempted to hold the meeting. By the fall of 1906, the founders of Alpha Phi Alpha were ready to pick up the mantle extended to them by Brother DuBois. They believed, as did W.E.B. DuBois, that college trained AfricanAmerican men had an obligation to use Brother W.E.B. DuBois their college training to lead and assist Helpedfound NAACP the masses of their race. Some of the Social Study Club members, with Fraternity founder George Biddle Kelly being among the most vocal, believed that the fraternal structure better served their efforts to address the social problems confronting them and the race. Jewel Brother Kelly argued that a personal commitment beyond club membership was needed to fight the racism and personal danger that Alpha Phi Alpha members would face in confronting the issues of human rights. Some Social Study Club members were familiar with the fraternal structure after having worked in white fraternity houses on Cornell's campus. On December 4, 1906, members of the Social Study Club formed the Fraternity. The Fraternity, as noted above, began on that December night with a clear motive, philosophy and purpose based on the social and human issues of the day. Members of Alpha Phi Alpha later participated in the found-
ing and development of five major organizations that have had, and some continue to have, a profound impact on the lives of African-Americans. NAACP Out of the Niagara Movement grew the National Association of Colored People. The NAACP was formally organized in 1909 by an interracial group of founders. Among the founders was Brother DuBois, hero of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity's founders. Brother DuBois became a member of Alpha in 1909 at Epsilon Chapter (University of Michigan) as an Exalted Honorary Member. He was in his 42nd year of life. Our history shows that Brother DuBois was an active member of the Fraternity during his life and that he took a participatory part in the activities of the organization. A major contribution of the NAACP was through its Legal Defense Fund. The IDF waged a 20-plus year fight to erase legal segregation from the nation's laws. The fight ended with the removal of "Separate but Equal" as a viable legal principal. Brother Charles Hamilton Houston devised the legal strategy that rendered the removal of legal segregation from the country's law. Through Brother Houston's efforts and those of fellow Alpha Phi Alpha Brothers Thurgood Marshall, Robert Carter, Franklin Williams and others, legal segregation in all aspects of American life has been removed. NATIONAL U R B A N LEAGUE In 1911, three organizations composed of middle class African-Americans and wealthy whites merged to create the National Urban League. The League began in New York City. Unlike the NAACP, the Urban League generally stayed away from agitation for African-American political and constitutional rights. Instead, the League focused on the poor economic plight of the race. It stressed to white employers the need to integrate AfricanAmericans into the labor force. Fraternity founder Brother Eugene Kinckle Jones was appointed the organization's Field Secretary in 1911 and Executive Secretary in 1917. He is credited with shaping the League into the significant organization it is today. Jewel Brother Jones served the League until 1941 when he was succeeded by Brother Lester Granger who served as Executive Director until 1961. Brother Granger was replaced by Brother Whitney Young. The next two directors were not Alpha Phi Alpha Brothers. Currently, the League is directed by Fraternity Brother Hugh Price. The I print of Alpha Phi Alpha on the Urban Brother Eugene Kinckle Jones League is undeniable.
Credited with shaping National Urban League
N E W NEGRO ALLIANCE In 1933, a group of young African-Americans was motivated THE SPHINXâ&#x201E;˘ SPRING 1999
FEATURE STORY to organize the New Negro Alliance. They came together to fight racial discrimination in employment. Among the founders of the Alliance was Alpha Phi Alpha Brother and attorney Belford V. Lawson, Jr. Brother Lawson, who later became General President of Alpha Phi Alpha, and his fellow Alliance members were markedly more militant than either the NAACP or Urban League. The Alliance pioneered picketing as a form of symbolic speech. The Alliance tried to unite workers of all races to demand greater employment opportunities from management. It also involved organizations of like mind, including Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, in its efforts. The achievements of the Brother Belford V. Lawson, Jr. Alliance remain with us today. The Among founders ofNew Negro Alliance Alliance brought the first COUrt
cases arguing that picketing was a form of symbolic speech. Their cases also greatly expanded the interpretation of the Norris-LaGuardia Act. This Act was passed in 1932 to give workers greater ways to demonstrate their dissatisfaction with employers while seeking improved working conditions and pay.
COUNCIL ON AFRICAN AFFAIRS In 1937, an organization called the Council on African Affairs was formed to provide a sound basis of accurate information so that the American people might play their proper part in the struggle for African freedom. The Council was Pan-African in its focus-that is, it held the view that a common enemy commonly oppresses all persons of African descent. This view was held by African-Americans as early as the 19th century and by such thinkers as Martin R. Delaney and Alexander Crumwell. In the 20th Century, thinkers such as Brother DuBois and Stokely Carmichael were clear PanAfricanists. By 1941, Brother Paul Robeson was the Chairman of the Council and Brother Max Yergans was its executive director. The Council was the primary outlet for Brother Robeson's political activities for the next decade. During the 1940s, the Council focused much of its attention toward colonized Africa. As momentum for the formation of the United Nations grew, the Council urged the United States to push its European allies to withdraw their occupation _ of African nations. Brother Paul Robeson Council on African Affairs Chairman
AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY EDITION
At the 1946 winter National Convention of Alpha Phi Alpha, Brother Robeson spoke to the assembled Brotherhood. He expressed disagreement with America's continued financial and arms support of countries that occupied the nations of Africa. He also criticized America's domestic policies that allowed for the continued lynching of African-Americans, the poll tax that denied many of the race the right to vote and the country's failure to establish a national commission to fight unfair employment practices.
UNITED NEGRO COLLEGE FUND In 1943, Brother Frederick Douglas Patterson was at a crossroad. As the president of Tuskegee Institute, now Tuskegee University, he could no longer alone insure the financial viability of the college. Tuskegee, like many other historically African-American colleges, was awash in red ink. He decided to issue a call through an open letter in the Pittsburgh Courier for colleges like his to pool their limited resources and make a joint appeal for funds to insure the financial survival of their respective institutions.
His idea took hold and on April Brother Frederick Douglas Patterso 25, 1944 the United Negro College UNCFfounder Fund was incorporated. Today, the UNCF is the oldest and most successful African-American higher education assistance organization in America. It now supports 39 private, accredited four-year colleges. Under the current leadership of Brother William Gray, member institutions are financially viable and a critical African-American community resource thrives. Brother Patterson was the holder of the Doctor of Veterinary Science degree from Iowa State University and the Doctor of Philosophy degree from Cornell University. His forward thinking
FEATURE STORY saved the institutions that allow the race's "talented tenth" to prosper. CONCLUSION It is not possible to successfully argue that Alpha Phi Alpha is the reason its members have achieved to the extent that they have-simply because they are members of the Fraternity. This article certainly does not propose such an argument. It is possible to declare, however, as our current General President Adrian L. Wallace has stated, that this Fraternity and its members can be found to have participated in every major event positively effecting our race this century. As members of Alpha Phi Alpha, we are in the old chicken and egg dilemma. What comes first, the organization shaping its members or Alpha Phi Alpha members shaping the organization? I do not know the answer. I do believe, however, what Brother Charles H. Wesley was given to say: "Birds of a feather tend to flock together." As Alpha Phi Alpha enters the 21st century, her contributions and those of her members during the 20th century come close to meeting the motives, philosophy and purpose of our founders. Many of the issues confronting the race in 1906 that confounded our founders no longer exist. Over the last century, Alpha Phi Alpha has lent its good name, money and work to eradicating racial discrimination in education. The Fraternity has sponsored programs to encourage members of the race to vote and stay in school. The organization has raised millions of dollars to support education, housing, transportation and employment efforts. The work of individual Fraternity members to assure equal opportunity in all aspects of American life is evident. If not for the vision of Alpha Phi Alpha's founders, many of this century's champions of African-American, civil rights and human rights causes may not have soared as high as they did. The courage of seven young men changed the face of this country. Alpha Phi Alpha's challenge for the 21st century is to do as well, or better, than those seven young men who simply wanted higher education and to help their people enjoy the American dream.
REFERENCES 1. Charles C. Dickerson, Militant Mediator: Whitney M. Young, Jr., University of Kentucky Press, Lexington, KY, 1998. 2. Martin Bauml Duberman, Paul Robeson, Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1988. 3. David Levering Lewis, W.E.B. DuBois: Biography of Race, Henry Holt and Company, New York, 1993. 4. Manning Marable, W.E.B. DuBois: Black Radical Democrat, Twayne Publishers, Boston, MA, 1986. 5. Gilbert Ware, William Hastie: Grace Under Pressure, Oxford University Press, New York, 1984. 6. Charles H. Wesley, Henry Arthur Callis: Life and Legacy, The Foundation Publishers, Chicago, IL, 1977.
FOOTNOTES 'Charles H. Wesley, Henry Arthur Callis: Life and Legacy, The Foundation Publishers, Chicago, IL, 1977, p 148 Ibid, p. 282 3 Ibid, p. 106 4 Ibid., p. 105 2
Brother Wallace L. Walker has been a practicing attorney since 1970 when he received hisJuris Doctor degree from UCLA. During his career, he has served as a Regional Heber Smith Fellow, an attorneyfor the Compton (CA) Neighborhood Legal Aid Office, a senior consultant for the California State Assembly and operated a non-profit educational consulting corporation in Southern California that provided service to school districts engaged in court mandated desegration. He currently heads a private general law practice in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Brother Walker was initiated into the Fraternity on April 21, 1962 through Alpha Delta Chapter at the University of Southern California. He is a life member of the Fraternity and an active member ofOmicron Delta Lambda Chapter in Philadelphia. As an undergraduate student, he served as Western Regional Assistant Vice-President.
THE SPHINXâ&#x201E;˘ SPRING 1999
HISTORICAL FEATURE
EUGENE KINCKLE JONES & JEWEL THE DEVELOPMENT OF EARLY AFRICAN-AMERICAN SOCIAL WORK By Brother Felix
L.Armfield
The National Urban League has been particularly useful in its contribution towards the solution of the problem of races in the United States, because it has sought to secure the cooperation of leading people of both races in attacking these problems.' President Warren G. Harding, 1921 uring the 1920s, all of social work was undergoing professional transformation. Recognition of a need for transformation in the field may well be attributed to Carnegie Foundation representative Abraham Flexner who in 1915 told social workers they were not a professional group because they lacked scientific methodology in conducting their work. Following Fexner's Carnegie Foundation report, social workers began laboring to create a reputable body of knowledge. By 1921, many social workers felt scientific methods of research and study were being widely practiced in their field and they began to consider themselves as professionals. In their urgency to gain acceptance as a professional group, members of the field that year founded the American Association of Social Workers. The American Association of Social Workers was an organization founded by and for white social workers to address issues they considered urgent. When white social workers assisted the poor and less fortunate, who by in large were African-Americans, their services often were viewed by African-American social workers as charitable efforts and handouts that brought about little meaningful change. The attitude of African-American social workers is made evident in an article written by Jewel Brother Eugene Kinckle Jones, Executive Secretary of the National Urban League [1916-1940]. The 1921 edition of the Messenger carried Brother Jones' article entitled "Social Work Among Negroes" that stated: "In cases of white organizations, interested more or less in Negro welfare, it has taken on the character of material aid given with no special desire to render the recipient independent but to relieve immediate suffering. This is especially true of many southern communities where the Charity Organization Society or the
D
AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY EDITION
Associated Charities has maintained a list of indigent colored people who have received the weekly basket."2 Brother Jones worked tirelessly throughout his life to change this dynamic. My purpose in writing this article for The Sphinxâ&#x201E;˘ is to illustrate how Brother Jones worked with numerous other AfricanAmerican social workers to overturn this social handicap in many urban AfricanAmerican communities. The article also will focus on Brother Jones' contribution to the overall social work profession. During the 1920s, Eugene Kinckle Jones toiled to establish an acceptable working relationship among social workers, both African-American and white. It is this incessancy and poignancy that this study will demonstrate. Brother Jones, who lived from 1885 to 1954, grew up in an integrated environment in Richmond, Virginia. Less than a decade before his birth, Richmond was undergoing Reconstruction following the Civil War. Eugene Kinckle Jones' parents, Joseph Endom Jones and Rosa Kinckle Jones, were both educated in the North during Reconstruction. Brother Jones' father was a former slave who became one of the early African-Americans in Virginia to graduate from college. His mother was born free. Brother Jones' father
HISTORICAL FEATURE taught theology at what was then Virginia Union College for Negroes and his mother was a music teacher at nearby Hartshorn College for African-American women. Brother Jones often saw his parents interacting with white intellectuals in and around the Richmond campus—which was established immediately following the Civil War through the efforts of the American Missionary Association and the American Baptist Association, in conjunction with the Freedman's Bureau. His early life left a lasting impression on Brother Jones—his was a life that only a few other African-American youth experienced during the late 19th century. The childhood experience left Brother Jones with a yearning for higher education. In 1905, Eugene Kinckle Jones received his A.B. degree from Virginia Union College for Negroes, now Virginia Union University.1 Upon completion of his studies at Union, he enrolled at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York where he began pursuing a Master's degree. He began there studying mathematics and engineering—his first academic loves. His desire to aid the African-American community caused him to change his initial graduate pursuit after one year. Brother Jones was persuaded that a career in economics and sociology would better enable him to serve the community. He also recognized that jobs in engineering were not readily available to African-Americans. In the spring of 1908, he completed his studies at Cornell, attaining a Master's degree in economics and social science. Perhaps it is appropriate to mention at this point that on Eugene Kinckle Jones' arrival at Cornell University in the fall of 1905, he became associated with several fellow African-American students. They began the establishment of what would become in 1906, the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity in the country founded for men of African descent—Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. That history has been detailed by the Fraternity's late historian, Brother Dr. Charles H. Wesley. This article, therefore, will focus its attention on the professional career of Jewel Brother Eugene Kinckle Jones during the decade of the 1920s. After leaving Ithaca, New York, Brother Jones found the field of social work closed to him and he secured employment as a schoolteacher in private and public schools for African-Americans in Louisville, Kentucky. On March 11,1909, Brother Jones married Blanche Ruby Watson, also of Richmond, Virginia. They later had two children, Eugene Kinckle, Jr. and Adele Rosa Jones. In 1911, while their children were still toddlers, Brother Jones met Dr. George Edmund Haynes, an eminent African-American sociologist. Dr. Haynes proposed that he come to New York and work for the newly formed League on Urban Conditions among Negroes.4 When Brother Jones arrived in New York City in 1911 to accept the position of field secretary of the League on Urban
Conditions among Negroes, that later evolved into the National Urban League [NUL], he did not suspect that his energies would be utilized on so many different fronts. He first became an advocate for African-American migrants while also seeking to legitimize the black social workers' role as professionals. His first major undertaking was to assess the conditions of African-American life in New York's inner city, then submit a written report describing his findings to the Executive Board of the League. The task of assisting new migrants with their acclamation to the urban environment involved several duties. Brother Jones often met new arrivals at the train depot and assisted them in finding housing and employment. He also met with persons in industry and firms to discuss expanded employment opportunities. Many firms were only willing to hire African-Americans in quotas. African-American migrants often were hired as strikebreakers. With the outbreak of World War I in Europe in 1914, Brother Jones' duties with the burgeoning African-American population, which came largely from the rural South, became very consuming. African-Americans in large numbers began migrating northward to fill the void in industry that European immigrants were no longer filling. A primary concern of African-American social workers and the NUL became evaluating and reviewing settlement houses for migrating blacks. African-American social workers also dealt with adult and juvenile employment bureaus. In addition, they helped negotiate contracts for African-American contractors, placed personnel workers in industrial plants and generally tried to raise the efficiency of African-American workers. African-American social workers also were concerned with health care issues and provided guidance in home economics to families that needed assistance in managing budgets and preparing nutritious food. The duties were time consuming and exhausting. Recognizing the need for additional social workers to help the black migrants, Brother Jones and other African-American social workers sought to convince white social workers of the need to address some of the issues that separated the races. Brother Jones ultimately was able to affect a unification of the mission of AfricanAmerican and white social workers. In the previously cited article that appeared in 1921 in [he Messenger, Brother Jones argued: "As soon as possible efforts should be made to prevent the organization of movements to care only for [African-American] people. Where possible, white organizations should be induced to include [African-Americans] in their programs and to employ [AfricanAmerican] workers to handle their cases." The statement illustrates in part Brother Jones' mission as a social worker. The plan of action Brother Jones developed for African-American social workers to some degree defied the meanTHE SPHINX™ SPRING 1999
HISTORICAL FEATURE ing of professions. According to Magali Larson's model in The Rise of Professionalsim: A Sociologist Analysis [1977], professionals were to prosper with their clients. In this instance, AfricanAmerican social workers were fighting an enormous uphill battle. Early in his short tenure, George Edmund Haynes, the NUL's first Executive Secretary, made some initial attempts to create professional training schools for African-American social workers in the South. Brother Jones, however, is credited with developing the first successful approach in the professional training of African-American social workers in already-established schools of social work. The training institutes were all at white educational institutions.5 Brother Jones' first step in assisting with the plight of AfricanAmerican social workers was through educational opportunity. He sought to educate a pool of trained African-American social workers by providing fellowships for young black college graduates or persons who expressed an interest in educational training. Opportunity, NUL's magazine established in 1923 to promote literary and other concerns of the organization and the AfricanAmerican community, displayed advertisements that encouraged interested people to take advantage of the fellowship offerings. In his 1922 annual report of NUL's accomplishments, Brother Jones wrote about the training of African-American social workers. At the close of the 1921-22 school year, he stated that two of NUL's fellows had completed their training at the New York School of Social Work and the Carnegie School of Technology at Pittsburgh. The two individuals found employment—one in family casework in Minneapolis and the other with a branch of the YWCA. When Eugene Kinckle Jones began working with NUL in 1911, social work fellowships were adopted as an integral part of its overall mission—this at a time when social service programs were practically unknown to African-Americans and there were no social workers to carry out the duties. Soon after Brother Jones joined NUL's staff, the organization incorporated a plan to yearly allow for two fellowships to be offered to the New York School of Social Work. By 1923, the system developed to include such institutions as the Graduate School of Social Administration of the University of Chicago, Carnegie School of Technology of the University of Pittsburgh, Simmons College of Boston, and the Pennsylvania School of Social Work at Philadelphia.6 Whether all the schools made the same level of commitment as the New York School of Social Work is uncertain. The New York School of Social Work began in the summer of 1898 and by the 1920s was by far the most established program of graduate studies offering a one-year advanced degree in social work. In addition to the fellowships, NUL took the responsibility of training some individuals for health care concerns, housing, industry and field training.7 Also, there were two southern African-American schools that played an active role in training black social workers in the 1920s. AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY EDITION
Nancy J. Weiss in her pioneering work, The National Urban League, 1910-1940, discusses The Fisk Univeristy in Nashville, Tennessee and Atlanta University curricula as having addressed the training of African-American social workers. However, it is evident that Fisk University had the only well-established school of social work training that offered the baccalaureate degree to African-American students. According to Dr. Francis Kornegay, retired Executive Director of the Detroit Urban League, Atlanta University during this time taught only a few courses in sociology. Fisk University had developed a department of social science with George Edmund Haynes as its director. Haynes had assumed the position at Fisk by 1916. Eugene Kinckle Jones was that same year appointed Executive Secretary of NUL. Brother Jones and Haynes worked tirelessly to keep a pool of students enrolled in the department at Fisk—students who would eventually perform social work both in the North and South.8 In spite of numerous obstacles, Brother Jones forged ahead with his plan. The desire for recognition of the professional status of African-American social workers was reached intensity in the 1920s. The efforts of Brother Jones and the NUL to attain the status for African-American social workers were systematically planned during this process of evolutionary change. While Brother Jones carefully orchestrated procedures through the NUL, his connections to a pool of well-trained African-American men during the decade helped to further his efforts. By the 1920s, Brothers E. Franklin Frazier and Charles S. Johnson along with Lawrence A. Oxley, Forrester B. Washington, T Arnold Hill, and George Edmund Haynes had all studied at some of the finest schools in the country. Most of them were well-versed in sociology and social services. Brother Frazier and Washington were among the individuals who gained prominence in the field of social welfare for AfricanAmericans and owed their allegiance for their education to the fellowship programs organized by NUL and the relentless efforts of Brother Jones. Under the auspice of Brother Jones and NUL, several fellows went on to prominence following their initial work with the League. Brother Frazier, Ira D. Reid and Walter B. Chivers devoted the major portion of their careers to the teaching of sociology, and to developing source materials through research, as well as consulting at African-American colleges. All three individuals went on to chair departments of sociology at Howard University, Atlanta University and Morehouse College, respectively. Their labor ultimately enhanced the pool of young African-American social workers prepared to address the concerns of social work on the national level. Much of the work pertaining to African-American social work education has gone virtually unnoticed and careful consideration should be given to the monumental work done by individuals such as Brothers E. Franklin Frazier and Charles S. Johnson. Once this greatly needed undertaking has been done the rightful place in the
HISTORICAL FEATURE development of social work will no doubt be attributed to many obscure individuals.9 Beside the pool of men available to Brother Jones for the furtherance of African-Americans in the field of social work, there were numerous African-American women who labored hard at relieving the social woes of the black community. Administrative social work positions were nearly always assigned to men. This practice obscured the leadership roles that often were carried by women. Despite this adversity, Brother Jones persisted in the production of a pool of well-trained African-American social workers, both male and female.10 Brother Jones' crusading qualities for African-American social workers marks him as a prominent social worker in American history. Brother Jones was the first African-American elected to the Executive Committee of the National Conference of Social Work [NCSW]. He was elected to the position of Treasurer of the Executive Committee at the 1925 meeting. The annual meeting of the NCSW which met in Cleveland in 1925 was the meeting at which AfricanAmerican social workers disclosed their disapproval of a southern city for the 1926 meeting. Therefore, Chattanooga was forced out of the bid, giving way to Des Moines, Iowa for the upcoming meeting. Chattanooga lost out because not all delegates would be guaranteed the same privileges and accommodations in this southern city. It can be assumed that the highly visible African-Americans that were serving in positions of participation in 1925 made this boycott possible. In 1925, Brother Jones was elected to the Executive Committee of the Conference and Jesse 0. Thomas, Forrester B. Washington, George E. Haynes and Charles S.Johnson were elected as members of their division committees." By 1926, Brother Jones gained considerable recognition outside the social work profession. Mayor James E. Walker of New York appointed 500 representatives to serve as his non-partisan committee to survey the city and plan for its future needs. Of the 500 representatives involved, 11 were African-American men. According to the Opportunity, July 1926, in addition to Brother Jones, W.E.B. DuBois, James Weldon Johnson, Ferdinand Q. Moton and John E. Nail were the prominent African-Americans invovled. He proclaimed, "In 1928, I attended the International Conference of Social Work in Paris as an American delegate; also the International Conference of Human Relations in Industry at Girton College, Cambridge, England... I believe very strongly that most of the acts of man are influenced by his economic outlook on life."12 Throughout the decade of the 1920s, African-Americans had begun to feel the sting of economic devastation long before the Great Crash of 1929. Brother Jones had already begun to assist in their economic outlook. Through an all-out assault on unjust woes, brought on by the larger society, Brother Jones worked diligently to have them overturned. His ultimate achievements came
while he served as a member of the Executive Board of the National Conference of Social Workers for six consecutive years, VicePresident and Chairman of the Harlem Adult Education Committee, Chairman of Associates in Negro Folk Education, Trustee of Virginia Union University and President of Virginia Union Alumni Association. Brother Jones was constantly seeking to be a full participant in the African-American community, far beyond the bounds of NUL." In 1954, NUL memorialized Brother Jones with the following words: "His character was as nearly perfect as a man [sic] can be. He was gentle, patient and wise. His integrity was unshakable and was equalled only by his courage. He understood the true nature of American democracy, its weakness and its strength, its internal group conflicts, and what needed to be done to ful fill its promises."14 By 1929, the Great Depression had taken the entire nation by storm. African-Americans, North and South, were suffering from the sting of economic devastation that existed from 1929 until about 1941 on the national level. The efforts of Eugene Kinckle Jones and other trained African-American social workers had helped to develop a cadre of individuals to deal with the dispossessed population of urban African-Americans. Brother Jones had not only secured avenues to train African-American social workers, but had fought to have them accepted as professionals of equal status to white social workers. Much of the duality in American social work during the decade of the 1920s was based on the separate doctrine of race in American society. Unlike white social workers who were agents of the middle class, African-American social workers were always aware of the race question in all their efforts. White social workers no doubt dealt with class and gender but they were reluctant to add the question of race to their agendas. African-American social workers were at times consumed by the constant reminder of racial injustices. This point was recently put forth by the able historian Elisabeth Lasch-Quinn in her publication, Black Neighbors: Race and the Limits of Reform in the American Settlement House Movement, 1890-1945-K Brother Jones is exemplary of the courage that African-American social workers brought to their jobs of confronting the social woes of the African-American community. His support base came from a cadre of well-trained individuals both, black and white, representing numerous fields of training. Brother Jones stated late in life: "I have always cultivated the friendship of [AfricanAmerican] and white persons in key positions wherever it was my good fortune to meet them; and many educators, statesmen, religious leaders, businessmen, and social workers have aided the cause I have espoused."
THE SPHINXâ&#x201E;˘ SPRING 1999
HISTORICAL FEATURE 'Who's Who in Colored America, "Eugene Kinckle Jones," p. 110,1927. 2
Eugene Kinckle Jones, "Social Work Among Negroes," The Messenger, 1921, p. 27.
5
Mary White Ovington, Portrait in Color, New York: The Viking Press, 1927, p. 135-37.
4
Ibid.
s
Nancy J. Weiss, The National Urban League, 1910-1940, New York: Oxford University Press, 1974, p. 33-34.
6
Opportunity, May 1923, p. 4.
7
Elizabeth G. Meier, A History of the New School of Social Work, New York: Columbia University Press, 1954, p. 3-9-
8
Francis Kornegay, Ph.D., recorded interview in the possession of his researcher and Nancy J. Weiss, The National Urban League, 1910-1940, Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1970.
9
Edyth L. Ross, ed., Black Heritage in Social Welfare, 1860-1930, Metuchen, NJ & London: The Scarecrow Press, Inc., 1978, p. 423-425.
10
Alvin B. Kogut, "The Negro and the Charity Organization Society in the Progressive Era," Proceedings of the National Conference of Social Work, Pittsburgh, 1917,44th Annual Meeting.
11
Opportunity, July 1926, p. 230.
12
Abridged, "Autobiography of Eugene Kinckle Jones," Dictated for Gunnar Myrdal in 1940, Series I, Box 26, National Urban League Papers, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress.
13
"Eugene Kinckle Jones in Memorial, 1885-1954," Series I, Box 26,1954, Jones Memorial Committee, National Urban League Papers, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress.
14
Elisabeth Lasch-Quinn, Black Neighbors: Race and the Limits of Reform in the American Settlement House Movement, 1890-1945, Chapel Hill and London: The University of North Carolina Press, 1993-
Brother Felix L. Armfield, Ph.D., is assistant professor in the departments of History and African-American Studies at Western Illinois University. Brother Armfield received his Bachelor's and Master's degrees from North Carolina Central University. He received his doctorate from Michigan State University where his dissertation was entitled, "Eugene Kinckle fones and the Rise of Professional Black Social Workers, 19101940." Brother Armfield is in the process of publishing the first book-length biography of Jewel Brother Eugene Kinckle Jones.
GENERAL PRESIDENTS MA. Morrison*
Daniel D. Fowler*
A. Maceo Smith*
James P. Williams
First General President, 1908-1909
Ninth General President, 1919-1920
Seventeenth General President 1951-1954
Twenty-fifth General President 1977-1980
Poscoe C. Giles*
Lucius L. McGee*
Frank L. Stanley, Jr.*
Ozell Sutton
Second General President 1909-1911
Tenth General President 1920-1921
Eighteenth General President, 1955-1957
Twenty-sixth General President 1981-1984
Frederick H. Miller*
<SA Booker*
Myles A. Paige*
Charles C Teamer, Sr.
Third General President 1911-1912
Eleventh General President, 1921-1923
Nineteenth General President 1957-1960
Twenty^seventh General President 19851988
Charles H. Garvin*
Raymond W. Cannon*
William H. Hale*
Henry Ponder
Fourth General President 1912-1914
Twelfth General President 1924-1928
Twentieth General President, 1960-1962
Twentyoghth General President 1989-1992
Henry L. Dickason*
5. Andrew Dose*
T. Winston Cole, Sr.
Milton C Davis
Fifth General President 1914-1915
Thirteenth General President 1928-1931
Twenty-first General President, 1963-1964
Twenty-ninth General President 1993-19%
Henry A. Callis*
Charles H. Wesley*
Lionel H. Newsom*
Adrian L. Wallace
Sixth General President, 1915-1916
Fourteenth General President 1931-1940
Twenty*scond General President 1965-1968
Thirtieth General President 1997-
Howard H. Long*
Payford W. Logan*
Emest N. Morial*
Seventh General President, 1916-1917
Fifteenth General President 1941-1945
Twenty-third General President 1969-1972
Belford V. Lawson, Jr.*
Walter Washington
William A. Pollard* Eighth General President. 1918-1919
Sixteenth General President, 1946-1951 Twenty-fourth General President 1973-1976
AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY EDITION
*Omega Chapter
HISTORICAL FEATURE
AVP DISCOVERS ViESTERN GRAVESITE OF JEWEL MU HISTORICAL INFORMATION HAD ELUDED FRATERNITY HISTORIANS FOR NEARLY 40 YEARS
Brother Daniel Craddock, Western Regional Assistant Vice President, was tasked with uncovering apiece of Alpha Phi Alpha history that had eluded Fraternity historians for nearly 40 years. The 21-year-old UCLA student and member of Gamma Xi Chapter accepted the challenge, and set out to find the burial place of Jewel Nathaniel Allison Murray. After weeks of diligent research, which included combing through public records in the Los Angeles area, Brother Craddock's hard work paid off. He discovered that Jewel Murray was interned at the Valhalla Cemetery Mausoleum at 10621 Victory Boulevard, North Hollywood, California. The final resting place of Jewel Murray has always been shrouded in mystery, as Fraternal history and records were unable to determine many of his vital details later in life. Because of Brother Craddock's research, however, the dates of his birth-April 10, 1884—and death—December 12,1959—can now be added to our permanent history. Records show that Jewel Murray took ill around the time of the 37th General Convention in Berkeley, California in 1951. Unable to pay for the medical care that he needed, the Convention passed a resolution authorizing a $600 grant to cover his medical bills. The Brothers also voted to provide him with a monthly pension of $50 to help defray his mounting expenses. The display of love and camaraderie was in stark contrast to an unfortunate incident three years earlier when Murray, accompanied by Jewel Callis, was refused admission into a Convention banquet because he did not have a ticket.
Western Regional Brothers visit the final resting place for Jewel Brother Nathaniel Allison Murray fqUming a Southern California District Meeting 1'iclured (left to right) are Brothers John M. Williams, Western I ice Prfrklenl Kenneth I.. I enable. Western A17' Daniel Craddock.'/orn/tff'Western .11/' Ryan Ballard. Dan/on Hunter and William Jerriganm. THE SPHINX™ SPRING 1999
HISTORICAL MOMENT
GO-TO-HIGH SCHOOL, GO-TOTHECOLLEGE MOVEMENT: OUR FIRST EDUCATIONAL MISSION By Brother Thomas D. Pawley, III The Beginning For more than a decade the Go-to-High School, Go-to-College campaign was synonymous with Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and symbolized its mission, viz. to provide educated leaders in the struggle to eliminate second-class citizenship. The genesis of this movement perhaps was the ongoing controversy over industrial versus collegiate education. Many persons, black and white, felt that a college education was not necessary for the survival of the race. As early as the Ninth General Convention in 1916, General President H.H. Long "emphasized the need of an aim for the Fraternity and urged that education should be the leading one....," {History, 103). Three years later when the creation of the Commission on Graduate Work and Public Affairs was being considered at the 12th General Convention remarks were made by Brothers S.S. Booker, A.E. Robinson and others regarding the "advisability of an educational movement sponsored by [the Fraternity]," {History, 124). A motion made by Brother H.E. Moore was passed, authorizing the Commission "to launch a movement toward influencing colored students of the country to go to high school and to college," {History, 124). This was the beginning of the educational campaign, "one of the significant contributions of the Fraternity to the first education of blacks in America," {History, 124).
The Early Campaigns The first week of June 1920 was selected for the initial campaign. Pi Chapter, having embraced the project enthusiastically, Brother Clement A. Morgan, a member of that chapter, paid for the printing of the campaign's literature. Responsibility for directing the first effort was given to the Commission on Graduate Work and Public Affairs. Each commissioner was assigned responsibility for supervising individual chapters. The commission set as its goals "to touch every high schooL.and as many communities as possible...by personal contact or through the distribution of educational pamphlets," (History, 126). A detailed schedule was formulated, calling for the distribution of one thousand pamphlets by all 26 chapters on May 15 and concluding with a report to the Commission and General President on June 20. AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY EDITION
Dr. Wesley records: "The campaign was conducted according to plan with unusually s a t i s f y i n g results...Practically all chapters responded promptly...The Fraternity now had a definite program useful for its own interests and the interests of those it would serve,"(History, 127). So successful had been the first effort that I the succeeding General I Convention voted to I continue the project for I a period of five years with each chapte conducting its campaign "in a manner best suited to its local conditions," {History, 129). Commission Chairman Roscoe Giles announced the second campaign in April 1921 for the week of May 15. In his letter to chapters, he wrote: "The Fraternity must go over the top on May 15...We must blaze the way and let others follow..Our opportunity is here, we must not and will not fail now! The slogan for this year is: We must reach one million pupils," {History, 133). A brochure was prepared illustrating the steps to success, presenting data contrasting the incomes of dropouts with those who remained in school. General President S.S. Booker issued an appeal saying, "One thousand homes must be reached and one million youth must be inspired to stay in school," {History, 132). Newspapers publicized the campaign. An editorial in the Chicago Defender urged its readers to support it. President Harding gave it his support, saying in a letter to Brother Norman L. McGhee: "The need...to reduce illiteracy among [African-Americans] is very great...You may be sure of my earnest sympathy and good will,"1 {History 134). Chapters supported the second project enthusiastically. It was
HISTORICAL MOMENT widely publicized in schools, on streetcars, and through personal contacts with parents and students. The campaign must have been quite effective. Noting that there was an increase in enrollment in high schools and colleges, Dr. Wesley asserts, "...the Fraternity has been a part of the movement...and directed the attention of thousands of youth to the need for educational preparation," (History, 134). The commission itself, in reporting on the campaign, stated: "The effectiveness of such propaganda does not lend itself to measurement by any of the standards at our disposal. We have sown the seeds, the harvest of which may not be realized for many years to come," {History, 136). A third campaign was conducted in 1922 with "results [which] were most gratifying to the members of the Fraternity...," (History, 194). In the General Convention in St. Louis that year, the General President or his designee was authorized to serve as director, thus relieving the commission of responsibility. The Fraternity Vice Presidents "were associated with the [General] President in carrying out... the campaign," (History, 142). Enter Raymond W. Cannon Brother Raymond W Cannon, elected Second Vice President in 1922, was directly involved in the fourth drive in 1923. He challenged the Fraternity "to put over the greatest campaign in the history of the institution," (History, 147). The motto for that year was: "The Future of Our Race is Dependent Upon the Education of Our Boys and Girls," a motto that continued as the slogan for subsequent years. Chapters continued to support the movement and were heavily involved in it. Commenting on the development of the program at this point after four years, Wesley states: "The Go-toHigh School, Go-to-College campaign continued to be the highest public endeavor of Alpha Phi Alpha as an organized group...The Fraternity focused its interest each year upon an intensive educational campaign," (History, 148). Campaigns were launched during each of the next five years, 1924-1928. Between 1927 and 1928, the Office of Director of Educational Activities was created.2 Raymond W Cannon who had just completed four terms as General President was elected the first director. In his report to the 21st Annual Convention in Philadelphia in 1928, he cited, "The pioneering educational movement" which had "instituted a racial impulse to greater group advancement." In his evaluation of the Fraternity's status after 20 years, the historian wrote: "The Go-to-High School, Go-toCollege campaign has been influential in...the advancement of the black population along educational lines," (History, 176). An Expanded Program In 1929, a change occurred. As a result of a survey he had conducted, Raymond W. Cannon proposed to the General Convention that the program become a year around one focusing on education. The Convention voted to expand the campaign into "The Educational Adjustment Movement." This change stemmed from "the realization...that the earlier movement was not meeting the educational needs of African-American youth and that a broader
program was necessary," (History, 184). The Director's report as summarized in the History does not specify the needs or the nature of the survey so that the writer is unable to explain what caused this change. It is clear, however, that after a decade the annual campaign had become the subject of criticism. Under this expanded format, the 11th campaign was held from May 4-11,1930. This was preceded by the educational issue of The Sphinxâ&#x201E;˘ in April which contained several articles on the subject providing "one of the best educational sources...that had been presented for many issues," (History, 186). The frontispiece featured a drawing by Brother James Dallas Parks, Head of the Department of Art at Lincoln University (MO) showing an AfricanAmerican youth looking at the statute of Abraham Lincoln, [See page 188, (History), 16th printing]. "Several chapters," writes Dr. Wesley, "notably Alpha Theta [University of Iowa] conducted essay contests along with the usual public activities," (History, 186). With Brother Cannon at the helm and using the slogan "Help Us to Help Ourselves," the 12th campaign covered 35 states and the District of Columbia in May 1931- However, the Director found it necessary to reply to criticism that colleges were already crowded with students-criticism that probably came from both within and from outside the Fraternity. "Alpha Phi Alpha," he said, "is not trying to make college graduates of every boy and girl but...insists that [they] be equipped with as much training as possible...," (History, 191). Vocational and industrial education were emphasized undoubtedly at the insistence of the followers of Booker T. Washington's philosophy. In Virginia, chapters adopted the slogan "Virginia Negroes, a race of fourth graders' in response to the alarming statistic that three-fourths of all black children within the commonwealth became dropouts after the fourth grade, (History, 191). Meetings, large and small, were held all over the state, many chapters opting for gatherings in churches and schools. Prominent educators also made radio addresses stressing the need for young people to obtain an education. The office of the Director of Educational Activities was expanded to include an employment department designed to bring occupational and professional opportunities to the attention of Brothers, thus anticipating the Job Fair which has been a feature of General Conventions since the 1970s. The Campaign Encounters Opposition At the following General Convention, the Silver Jubilee of Alpha Chapter, Brother Cannon declined to be a candidate again for the office of Director of Educational Activities. In his valedictory remarks, he said, "It has been a pleasure to have served, to have worked with Alpha from the very early days of struggling in the face of many adversities. I have helped to build, helped to defend the Fraternity before the public...," (History, 194). Matthew E. Carroll of Beta Lambda Chapter was elected to succeed Brother Cannon as the second Director of Educational Activities. "Brother Carroll...announced that the educational program would be carried forward in the spirit which had characterized the unselfish direction of Brother Cannon and that the program of educational THE SPHINXâ&#x201E;˘ SPRING 1999
HISTORICAL MOMENT adjustment as well as educational preparation would be among his objectives," {History, 195). Apparently Brother Carroll was able to carry out his promise in the 13th annual campaign in 1932. "He rekindled enthusiasm and secured full cooperation in the conduct of the national and local campaigns on a large scale," writes the historian, {History, 196). However, opposition to continuing the movement as it existed had developed. One critic in an article in The Sphinxâ&#x201E;˘ for May 1932 questioned the contemporary value of the campaign with these words: "It is my belief that a movement which says indiscriminately each year to thousands of boys and girls '...Go-to-High School' or '...Go-to-College' is giving advice that is unscientific, unsound and at best insufficient," {History, 196). Commenting on this, our historian added: "It was evident [from this] to many Brothers that there was dissatisfaction, but the nature of the remedy...was not yet apparent," (History, 196). Criticism continued to be heard at the regional conventions and at the General Convention in St. Louis in 1933 where "the impression seemed to be fixed in the minds of the delegates that there was a need for the reconstruction of [the educational] program," {History, 204). Education For Citizenship One of the major changes made at this convention was the creation of the Alpha Phi Alpha Foundation which was designed "to make permanent the incidental features" of Go-to-High School, Go-to-College, (See Footnote 2). The point was made that...schools and colleges were crowded to their capacities in all parts of the country and that the educational campaign [had to] be adjusted to this new condition, {History, 204). The Director of Educational Activities became the Chairman of the Foundation. It was this same Foundation which three decades later was incorporated as a notfor-profit organization as the Alpha Phi Alpha Education Foundation, Inc.' A special committee recommended that the slogan "Go-toHigh School, Go-to-College" be discontinued and replaced by a new one, "Education for Citizenship" in order that blacks could be educated regarding their rights [and obligations] as citizens and make use of their rights," (History, 205). The old campaign was not abandoned entirely. It was to be continued "in those localities where it was regarded as necessary and desirable," {History, 206). The newly created Foundation was given the responsibility of administering the new thrust. This action ended for all practical purposes the movement which had sought to increase the number of educated AfricanAmericans though it continued to be mentioned occasionally, as for example, "Through the year 1936...the Education for Citizenship program and the Go-to-High School, Go-to-College campaign reached commendable heights," (History, 224). It is apparent that the former had become the dominant theme of the 1930s as the Fraternity began its legal attack on discrimination and urged African-Americans to take an active part in the political process as voters. Dr. Charles Wesley indirectly confirmed this assessment in AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY EDITION
1945, in introducing Brother Norman Manley (later Prime Minister of Jamaica), in describing the significant programs undertaken by the Fraternity in its brief history, viz. "...the second was the "Go-toHigh School, Go-to-College" program in the second decade of the 20th century (sic); the third Education for Citizenship associated with the third decade (sic)...'4 Thus ended this pioneering effort by Alpha Phi Alpha to arouse the masses of African-American citizens to the need for and desirability of becoming educated. Ironically, in recent years-60 years after its demise-there have been calls for a revival of the program in order to meet contemporary needs. Perhaps like the Phoenix it will rise from its own ashes. REFERENCE Charles H. Wesley, The History of Alpha Phi Alpha: A Development in College Life, Baltimore, The Foundation Publishers, 16th Printing, 1996. All references to History are from this source. FOOTNOTES 1
One Harding biographer has suggested that the President's sister was a teacher in the Washington, D.C. school system. 2 The office was an elected one and later associated with the chairmanship of the Education Foundation as it still is. However, the Director/Chairman is now appointed by the General President. ! In recent years, the term Chairman of the Education Foundation appears to have replaced the title Director of Educational Activities. Although they remain separate offices, the distinction between the two has become blurred. 4 Actually the third and fourth decades of the 20th century, i.e. the 1920s and 1930s.
Brother Thomas D. Pawley, III, Ph.D., is former National Historian for the Fraternity.
STANDING FOUR SQUARE FOR CHURCH, FRATERNITY AND COMMUNITY SERVICE By Brother Joseph T.Durham ormer Fraternity General President the Rev. Dr. Simeon S. Booker, Sr. was an Alpha Phi Alpha man of rare hue. He was a life member of the Fraternity and personified the organization's highest ideals. "I stand four square for my church, for my Fraternity and for my countryâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and in that order," Brother Booker is remembered to have once said. He also stood for the uplifting of the community, as demonstrated through his pioneering work and leadership with the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA). Brother Booker was born in Farmville, Virginia in 1882, and was a graduate of Virginia Union University, where he was initiated as an undergraduate student at Gamma Chapter. He represented Virginia Union at the first General Convention of Brother S.S. Booker the Fraternity in 1908. Later, Virginia Union confirmed an honorary degree on him for meritorious service to society. He had the distinction of being a charter member of two of the Fraternity's chapters. He was a charter member of Delta Lambda Chapter in Baltimore, Maryland, founded in 1919, and of Beta Rho Lambda Chapter in Youngstown, Ohio, which was chartered in 1938. Brother S.S. Booker achieved a singular mark of distinction in the Fraternity by virtue of the offices he held. He was elected General Secretary for the years 1909, 1910, and 1918; General Treasurer for the years 1917, 1918, and 1919, and was a member of the Commission on Graduate Work and Public Affairs, 1920. He also was a member of the Commission on Equalization, which dealt with railroad fares for Fraternity travel. In 1921, he became Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.'s 11th General President. At the 14th Annual Convention, held in Baltimore, Maryland
F
S!tl
in 1921 and hosted by Delta Lambda Chapter, Brother Booker spoke on the subject, "Our Pilgrimage." It was a fitting subject because a highlight of the convention was a pilgrimage to the home of Frederick Douglass in Anacostia, District of Columbia. Douglass was made an honorary member of Omega Chapter. In 1933, Brother Booker was Executive Secretary of the YMCA in Youngstown, Ohio. He addressed the General Convention in that year and again in 1940. His last recorded speech before the Fraternity came in 1955. By 1923, it was noted that he had attended 14 of the 15 General Conventions that had been held to that time. Another Alpha activity in which he played an important part was the Go-to-High School, Go-to-College program. One of his Delta Lambda Brothers noted, "Our chapter is saying from the housetops with Brother Booker at the megaphone, 'Go-to-High School, Go-to-College'."' In addition to his service to the Fraternity, Brother Booker also contributed to civic and community betterment. He left an enviable record of community service in two cities: Baltimore, Maryland and Youngstown, Ohio.
The Baltimore Years (1915-1926) After serving in YMCA work in Chattanooga, Tennessee in the early 1900s, Simeon S. Booker was persuaded by Brother Dr. Jesse E. Moorland, general secretary of the YMCA, to come to Baltimore as the secretary of the Druid Hill Avenue YMCA.2 Booker, at age 33, assumed the Baltimore position in 1915. In one year, he increased membership there from 92 to 596, an increase of more than 600 percent. At that time, the Druid Hill Avenue "Y," the Negro (sic) branch, did not have a permanent building. However, Julius Rosenwald, the philanthropist, had promised any city $25,000 toward the erection of a YMCA "for colored men and boys." The white citizens throughout the central "Y" pledged $60,000, and the African-American citizens of Baltimore were asked to raise $25,000 for a new building.3 With Brother Booker at the helm, a seven-year campaign was launched. This was the largest fund-raising effort ever undertaken by the black community up to that time. The challenge was met, and in 1918, a $122,400 new edifice was dedicated and the cornerTHE SPHINXâ&#x201E;˘ SPRING 1999
FEATURE ARTICLE stone laid. This was a crowning achievement for S.S. Booker. With seemingly unbounded energy, Brother Booker did not confine himself to his work at the YMCA. He immersed himself in the civic and community/life of Baltimore with alacrity. He established a Life Problems Club; he sponsored a city-wide tennis tournament; and he chaired a Laymen's Evangelistic Campaign which lasted ten days and was attended by more than 5,000 persons. Additionally, he held memberships in the Masons, the Knights of Pythias, the NAACP, and various social service organizations of the city. In The Sphinxâ&#x201E;˘ magazine, Dr. Ralph Reckling, secretary of Delta Lambda Chapter, wrote in 1922, "Although President Booker is always busy with his "Y" duties and his correspondence as General President, he never misses a chapter meeting and works unceasingly for the A<t>A idea."4 Brother Booker was active in the religious life of Baltimore as well. As he worked in the community, he seemed to combine his "Y" activities and his religious activities in a satisfying symbiotic relationship. He was superintendent of the Sunday School at Baltimore's Union Baptist Church. On one occasion, he chided the African-American religious community by declaring that "the church today is too limited, too selective, and tame in its activities." Furthermore, he charged that ministers were fooling themselves, fussing among themselves, and were neglecting programs for the youth and the general populance.5 The speech so impressed some members of the Baptist ministry that they urged Brother Booker to resign from the YMCA altogether and devote his full time to the Christian ministry.6 The Rev. Dr. Simeon S. Booker believed standards for the pulpit ministry should be high. He worked for the success of the Clayton-Williams University, a local training facility for ministers in Baltimore, and spoke at a mass meeting on behalf of the organization on June 24, 1924. The meeting, attended by prominent clergymen of the city, was held at Union Baptist Church on Druid Hill Avenue.7 Brother Booker was a member of the Secretarial Alliance and as a senior YMCA executive, he was pressed into service to train new secretaries. For several years, he directed the Chesapeake Summer School for YMCA secretaries. In 1924, the training was conducted at Harper's Ferry, West Virginia, and in 1926, in Bordentown, New Jersey.8 S.S. Booker spent slightly more than a decade in Baltimore. Judging from the amount of press coverage he received, especially in the Afro-American newspaper, his name was somewhat of a household word. In association work, in religious life, or in civic participation, Simeon S. Booker was truly "A Servant of All." He did not heed the advice of the Baltimore ministers to resign from YMCA work. Believing that he had more to contribute, he moved on to Youngstown, Ohio to head the West Federal Street YMCA. The Youngstown Years (1926-1960) AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY EDITION
In 1926, Brother Booker relocated to Youngstown, Ohio and became the executive secretary of the Negro (sic) "Y" in that city. He was to remain there until his death in i960. In Youngstown, as in Baltimore, Brother Booker was a dynamo of civic activity. He served on a number of civic boards and was active in promoting better race relations. The Youngstown paper, The Vindicator, once said of him: "Dr. Booker had many interests in this community, not the least of which was the advancement of peace and understanding and the elimination of racial tension among all people."9 Among his other interests were education and churchmanship. Seeking to improve education in the public schools of Youngstown, he ran for a position on the school board. He was not elected, but "he made a creditable showing," the Vindicator wrote and garnered more than 10,000 votes.10 When Brother Booker arrived in Youngstown, he found the "Y" in two small rooms in less than desirable quarters. Under his leadership, a new structure was built in 1931 and he remained as the executive secretary for 19 years, resigning in July 1945. Upon his retirement, Dr. Booker was honored at a testimonial dinner at which Dr. Charles H. Wesley, president of Wilberforce University and Fraternity historian, was the speaker. Dr. Wesley spoke on "The Summit," and he lauded the accomplishments of Brother Booker. Extolling the illustrious career of S.S. Booker, Wesley said, "Now he stands at the summit and looks down through the years where the long trail started, with its disappointments, discouragements, and sacrifices. He has completed a job, not the act of erecting a building but making men and boys - the biggest, broadest and greatest job in life."11 But this was not the end of Booker's achievements. Resigning from the YMCA as the oldest African-American executive secretary in continuous service, the man who had built two YMCA edifices and who had been ordained as a Baptist minister, now turned his full attention to the work of the Christian ministry and assumed the pastorate of Youngstown's Third Baptist Church. He served in the pastorate for 15 years. During his tenure, the church's membership grew from 350 to 900 souls. Rev. Dr. Booker liquidated the church's mortgage and then raised $40,000 for an education wing; however, the main sanctuary was imperiled by the erection of an expressway and the money was diverted to planning and relocation. In 1949, Brother Booker was cited for outstanding service in the field of human relations and received the John H. Chase award. The annual award was sponsored by the Buckeye Review, an African-American newspaper, and was given for outstanding achievement in the area of race relations.12 Tireless in his concern for his fellowmen, Dr. Booker served also as president of the NAACP's Credit Union and was a member of the executive board of the State Baptist General Association. He was president of the Interdenominational Ministerial Fellowship as well
FEATURE ARTICLE as a member of the National Urban League and the National Baptist Convention. Again, the Youngstown Vindicator said: His influence and good work extended beyond the confines of his own community, with service to state, and national civic and religious groups."13 Brother Simeon S. Booker entered into Omega Chapter in May i960, at age 78. He went to his eternal reward full of years and honors. When Brother Booker retired from YMCA work, Dr. Wesley said, "These achievements come only with indomitable courage, ability, and leadership."14 Dr. Wesley might have added a reference to tragedy as well. Unfortunately this giant of a man also knew supreme tragedy. His first wife, Rosa Warring Booker, died in 1956
following a car-truck collision, and Brother Booker himself was seriously injured. He recovered and later married the former Mrs. Anna Mae Scarborough of Canton, Ohio, in 1956. In an editorial memorializing his life, the Youngstown daily paper said of him: "Dr. Simeon S. Booker was one of Youngstown's outstanding Negro (sic) leaders."15 Brother Simeon S. Booker was indeed an Alpha man who embodied the Fraternity's highest and noblest ideals. He stood for "manly deeds, scholarship, and love for all mankind." He was a "burning and shining light."
REFERENCES l
2
The Sphinxâ&#x201E;˘, April 1924, p. 25.
Baltimore Afro-American, January 23,1915, p. 10. 'Baltimore Afro-American, July 3,1926, p. 16. Tbid, July 27,1924, p. 6. ^The Vindicator (Youngstown, OH), May 25, I960, p. 14. n
Ibid, May 26,1945, p. 6.
Br ibid, May 25, I960, p. 19.
Ibid, April 1917, p.ll. '"TheSphinxâ&#x201E;˘, April 22, p. 20. 6 Ibid, July 10,1926, p. 178 Ibid, July 24,1926, p. 14. 10 Ibid, November 18,1951, A3. 12 Ibid, February 26,1950, p.4. 14 Ibid, May 26,1945, p. 6.
15
Ibid, May 25, i960, p. 14.
Brother Joseph T. Durham, Ed.D, is a member of Delta Lambda Chapter in Baltimore, Maryland and President Emeritus of the Community College of Baltimore. &
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FEATURE ARTICLE
X ^ t a Zeta L a m b d a Pays Tribute to Jewel Tandy and Mme. C J . Walker By Brother ERomall earning about the rich past of our ancestors is a life-long process that moves through despair and triumph with fluid grace. During a recent visit to one of our nation's historic landmark residences, which overlooks the famed New York Hudson River, members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.'s Westchester County, New York Alumni Chapter and their guests bore witness and paid tribute to two outstanding African-American figures and their enduring legacies. On a bright autumn morning last November in Irvington, New York, on the estate grounds of Madame C.J. Walker, the country's first self-made millionairess, a United Negro College Fund (UNCF) Designer Showhouse Benefit was held. The month-long UNCF fundraiser ran from late October through November, and featured the works of interior designers from Madame C.J. Walker throughout Westchester
L
County. The designers, several of whom were African-American, transformed the 34 rooms in the ivory colored, palatial mansion, also known as Villa Lewaro, into individual works of art. Mme. Walker commissioned the graceful Italian Renaissance estate in 1917 which features marble staircases, ornate crystal chandeliers, painted vaulted ceilings and formal sunken gardens. The home, which was meant to fulfill Mme. Walker's "dream of dreams", was completed in 1918 and was designed by a young African-American architect named Vertner Woodson Tandy who was educated at Cornell University. The UNCF/Designer Showhouse benefit helped restore some of the original elegance of the estate and raised well over $75,000 dollars for the College Fund. On the second Saturday in November, those touring the home of the wealthy African-American woman who made her fortune by manufacturing and selling hair-care products for other women of color, were afforded a unique opportunity to experience the striking beauty of the national historic landmark and also receive a firsthand lesson in history. AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY EDITION
Smalls
Amid the bright lights of a camera from local news cable-television station, News 12/Westchester, members of Eta Zeta Lambda Chapter presented a handsomely framed proclamation from the Fraternity's Corporate Headquarters to Harold E. Doley, Jr., current owner of the Mme. Walker mansion who graciously opened the historic home to the public in aid of the UNCF. Mr. Doley, an investment banker, is a graduate of Xavier University of Louisiana, one of 39 private historically African-American colleges and universities that are part of the UNCF. He was the first African-American to buy a "Big Board" set on the New York Stock Exchange some 25 years ago. He also is the former Ambassador to the African Development Bank of Cote d'lvoire (the Republic of the Ivory Coast, West Africa). The proclamation presented to Mr. Doley was in recognition of the outstanding community service he and his wife, Helena, have provided to the community. It also honored the outstanding entrepreneurial and civil rights accomplishments of Mme. CJ. Walker along with the notable contributions of "Jewel" Vertner Woodson Tandy, who was as the proclamation stated, "One of the seven visionary founders of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and New York State's first licensed African-American architect, who designed Mme. CJ. Walker's Westchester estate, Villa Lewaro." The chapter also contributed a check in the amount of $200 to the College Fund. The resolutely worded proclamation given to the Doley family also paid tribute to the eight charter members and founders of Eta Zeta Lambda, who are celebrating their 40th Anniversary this year. The tour of Mme. Walker's Villa Lewaro and the proclamation presentation were organized to be more than just a philanthropic event for the members of Eta Zeta Lambda. It was also expected that by bringing the presence of Alpha Phi Alpha members to the
FEATURE ARTICLE
Pictured (left to right) Brothers F. Romall Smalls, Alpheus C. Perry, James Hubert. Mr. Harold E. Dole)', Jr. and Eta Zeta Lambda Chapter President Brother Gerald L. Barbour, present $200 donation and proclamation
historic site, the true spirit of "Sankofa" would be recognized and emblazoned in the minds of all who participated. The Ashanti term "Sankofa" loosely means, "Look back to the past to direct the present and future." By literally looking at the past while touring the former home of Mme. Walker, who was born Sarah Breedlove in Delta, Louisiana to former slaves, one can see through her life experiences the amazing will, spirit and struggles of AfricanAmericans. The fact that this daring African-American woman—at the turn of the century, on the cusp of the women's suffrage movement and in the midst of Jim Crow days long before the Civil Rights Movement—chose Jewel Vertner Woodson Tandy, one of the organizers of the oldest and largest historically African-American Greek-letter organization in America, to design her home, gives the very essence of our common pasts greater definition and clarity. Jewel Tandy also is credited with designing Alpha Phi Alpha's fraternity pin and for serving as the architect for St. Phillips Episcopal Church of New York City. Villa Lewaro, in times past, was the sight of posh social events that attracted some of the most influential figures in AfricanAmerican history. They included the likes of Langston Hughes, Dr. W.E.B. DuBois and James VanDer-Zee. Mme. Walker built her estate in Westchester County, which was and remains the home of some of the wealthiest citizens in the country. In a leaflet called "The Madam C.J. Walker Designer Showhouse and Celebration: Important Dates in Madam Walker's Life," which was written by A'Lelia Bundeles, Mme. Walker's great, great-granddaughter, the industrious Walker is quoted as saying that she built Villa Lewaro to "Convince members of my own race of the wealth of business possibilities within the race, to point to young Negroes what one lone woman accomplished and to inspire them to do big things." Madame Walker died on May 25,1919 at the age of 51, and just one year after she commissioned the building of her "dream of dreams" home. In respect and honor of the woman who believed in his talents and abilities, Vertner Woodson Tandy served as one of the pallbearers in Mme. Walker's sojourn home. In her will she stipulated that her estate be bequeathed to her only child A'Lelia Walker, where upon her death Villa Lewaro would be donated to the
NAACP. A'Lelia Walker died in 1931 and in 1932 Mme. Walker's mansion was sold by the NAACP to the Companions of the Forest of America, a group described as, "a women's benevolent organization with no black members." By the mid 1980s, the Companions of the Forest of America moved out of Villa Lewaro and the historic estate was then purchased by Ingo and Darlene Appel. Harold and Helena Doley later purchased Villa Lewaro in 1993 for a far below market value cost of $200,000. It is estimated that Mme. C.J. Walker spent $350,000 in 1917 on construction and furnishings. Over the past four years, the Doley family has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars restoring the mansion. The presence of African-Americans in this sprawling county, which lies due north of New York City, reaches back to Colonial days when large plantations dotted the rolling hills throughout the county. Over the years, Westchester also has been the home and birthplace of African-American luminaries such as, Vanessa L. Williams, Denzel Washington, Ella Fitzgerald and Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee. Eta Zeta Lambda Brothers have in recent years received significant media coverage for their work in serving as the host chapter for the First Joint District Conference between the New York Association of Chapters of Alpha (NYACOA) and the Organization of New England Chapters of Alpha (ONECA) and as host chapter for the New York Metropolitan area chapters of Alpha Phi Alpha's annual Founders Day Program last winter. The events were prominently featured in The New York Times, Gannett Suburban Newspapers and News 12/Westchester Cable News Network. A gala scholarship awards dinner is being planned by the chapter for Spring 1999, where the service of an ecumenical gathering of Alphas who are ministers in Westchester will be honored.
The Brothers of Eta Zeta Lambda are pictured with family members and guests on the steps ofMadame C.J. Walker s Villa Lewaro during the UNCF Designer Showhouse Benefit.
Brother F Romall Smalls is Associate Editor of The Sphinx™ for Eta Zeta Lambda Chapter and organizer the Mme. Walker/UNCF event. He was recently awarded the New York Association of Black Journalists Award of Excellence for Feature News Writing. THE SPHINX™ SPRING 1999
VISION 2000
ALPHA PHI ALPHA HONORS
ITS MEMBERS ON CAPITOL HILL AT THE FRATERNITY'S ANNUAL CBC RECEPTION
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lpha Phi Alpha paid tribute to its members elected to serve in Congress during the Fraternity s annual reception at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc.'s 28th Annual Legislative Conference. The Fraternity's Sixth Annual CBC Reception, which was held in September 1998 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in downtown Washington, recognized the Congressmen for their roles in helping to get congressional legislation passed that authorizes Alpha Phi Alpha to raise funds for a memorial in Washington, D.C. honoring Brother Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Some of the nation's most influential leaders from government, community-service, business, labor, industry and the corporate world attended the reception. The heads of several of the member organizations of the National Pan-Hellenic Council also were in attendance, along with Fraternity officers and a large constituency of Brothers. General President Adrian L. Wallace, in his remarks to the reception, told listeners that Alpha Phi Alpha is moving confidently forward in its goal to erect a memorial to Brother King in the nation-s capital. The Fraternity has crossed some major hurdles in its 14-year effort to erect the memorial that will stand as a symbol of freedom and justice for people everywhere, Congressman Brother Earl Hilliard addresses reception. g r o m e r Wallace There are still other hurdles to cross. Brother Wallace recognized the efforts of the Congressmen in getting the legislation passed and signed into law by President Bill Clinton. Those cited were: Brothers Congressmen Charles B. Rangel of New York s 15th District, Julian C. Dixon of California's 32nd District, Earl F. Hilliard of Alabama's 7th District, Robert C. AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY EDITION
Bobby Scott of Virginia's 3rd District, Chaka Fattah of Pennsylvania s 2nd District, Danny K. Davis of Illinois 7th District, Gregory W Meeks of New York's 6th District, and retired Congressman Ronald V. Dellums of California's 9th District. Congressman Brother Hilliard, responding to the recognition, said he was proud to be a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and that the organization has greatly influence his life, helping to prepare him for his leadership role in Congress. Speaking on behalf of those Congressmen who were called away for a vote, Brother Hilliard expressed the deep gratitude of each of them to the men of Alpha Phi Alpha who stand up for the ideals of the Fraternity. He also expressed their great satisfaction that Alpha Phi Alpha has taken the lead in the erection of a memorial to Brother King. Mrs. Simone-Marie Meeks, the wife of Congressman Gregory Meeks, represented Brother Meeks [who arrived later] at the reception. "He wanted you to know how very much he wanted to be here and how very much he loves his Fraternity," Mrs. Meeks said.
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Congressman Brother Gregory Meeks and his wife, SimoneMarie, are photographed with Brother Wallace.
VISION 2000 She went on to say how involved Brother Meeks is in Fraternity activities and how supportive the members of Alpha Phi Alpha have been to him in his campaign for elected office. Congressional rules prohibit members of Congress from accepting gifts above a certain value. The Brothers in Congress therefore were presented with token gifts as a symbol of the organization's appreciation of their work for humanity. Alpha Phi Alpha's annual CBC Reception was again sponsored by the Alabama Power Company, which has underwritten the event every year since it began in 1993- Brother Iva Williams was there to represent Alabama Power. Some of the other officials and dignitaries at the reception included Florida Congresswoman Corrine Brown, Washington,
D.C. Mayor Marion Barry, Toyota Motor Sales-U.S.A. Corporate Manager Brother Guillermo L. Hysaw, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority
Washington, D.C. Mayor Marion Barry greets Brother Wallace.
Florida Congresswoman Corrine Brown was among the dignitaries at the reception.
The heads of several National Pan-Hellenic Council member organizations were photographed at the reception. Pictured (left to right) are: Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity President Peter Adams, ZetaPhi Beta Sorority Grand Basileus Dr. Barbara West Carpenter, Brother Wallace, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority National President Dr. Marcia Fudge, lota Phi Theta Grand Polaris Jerry Pittman and National Pan-Hellenic Council President Greg Austin.
National President Dr. Marcia Fudge, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Grand Basileus Dr. Barbara West Carpenter, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity President Peter Adams and Iota Phi Theta Grand Polaris Jerry Pittman. Fraternity General Counsel Harry Johnson, Midwestern Vice President James B. Blanton and Eastern Vice President Samuel Wilson were among the Fraternity leaders represented at the reception. For the past 28 years, the Annual Legislative Conference has helped bring together some of the country's most influential leaders for the examination of strategies and viable solutions to public policy issues facing African-Americans. The conference is a five-day event that includes a series of issue forums, workshops and congressional brain trusts. In preparing for the year 2000, the theme for the 1998 Annual Legislative Conference was "Tools for 2000: Honoring Our Past; Preparing For Our Future."
THE SPHINXâ&#x201E;˘ SPRING 1999
VISION 2000
SCENES FROM ALPHA PHI ALPHAS SIXTH ANNUAL CONGRESSIONAL BUCK CAUCUS RECEPTION
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RIBUTE TO BROTHER WHITNEY YOUNG DRAWS FRATERNITY MEMBERS FROM ACROSS COUNTRY TO KSU CAMPUS
between meaningful work and advancement opportunities as necSixty years after Brother Whitney Moore Young, Jr. and his classessary corollaries for creating social stability were unassailable and mates walked on the Kentucky State University campus, the school supported by the Urban League's research department," she said. and community—led by the Brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha During the homecoming celebration, General President Fraternity—returned to pay tribute to the life and legacy of the late Wallace became the first non-member of the Kentucky State civil rights leader and erect a statue in his honor. University alumni to deliver the school's Founders' Day Kentucky State University commemorated the life of Brother Convocation address. Young during the Echoing the homecoming theme: "Embracing Unity—Our school's Fall 1998 Greatest Source of Strength," Brother Wallace told the homecoming celebraConvocation, "there is strength in unity of mind, of knowing who tion where General we are and being firmly rooted in sound values and principles." President Adrian L. Speaking to the school's motto: "Onward and Upward", the Wallace delivered the General President said, Kentucky State University's motto "resFounders' Day onates strongly with the men of Alpha Phi Alpha. Our fraternal hisConvocation address tory book is dedicated to "The Youth Who March Onward and and a life-size statue of Upwards Toward the Light." the civil rights leader, Memorializing the life of Brother Young, General President sculptured by Brother Wallace said, "It is fitting and proper that we commemorate the life Edward Hamilton, was of Brother Whitney M. Young, Jr. However, the greatest tribute we can dedicated to Whitney pay the man is to live our lives in uplifting the downtrodden, preparYoung. ing our youth to become the leaders of tomorrow, and providing Alpha Phi Alpha intellectual and economic opportunities for the disadvantaged." General President Adrian L Wallace delivers members from across KSU Founders' Day Convocation Address m e country including KSU alumnus and Western Regional Vice President Kenneth Venable and Midwestern Regional Vice President James B. Blanton—gathered in Frankfort, Kentucky to join in the tribute. The civil rights leader's daughter, Dr. Marcia Young Cantarella, and his sisters, Dr. Arnita Young Boswell and Dr. Eleanor Young Love, also were present for the recognition. Dr. Cantarella, in her opening address and tribute to the former National Urban League Executive Director and Dean of the Atlanta University School of Social Work, told a university audience that as a leader in the civil rights movement, her father's place was unique in its economic advocacy. Brother Young's mission was the creation of equality of opportunity particularly in the economic arena where he mediated between the militants of the civil rights movement and the corporate world that controlled jobs and money needed for the communities, Dr. Cantarella said. Whitney Young's sisters, Dr. Arnita Young Boswell (right) and Dr. Eleanor "The argument that he put forth about the relationship Young Love, returned to KSUfor homecoming tribute to Brother Young. THE SPHINX™ SPRING 1999
VISION 2000
Brother Whitney Young was born in 1921 in Lincoln Ridge, Kentucky during the beginnings of the civil rights movement. He chose to pursue a career in race relations over his interests in medicine after serving in the military during World War II and witnessing the diversity between white officers and the enlisted AfricanAmerican soldiers. Following the war Brother Young attained a graduate degree from the School of Social Work at the University of Minnesota in linneapolis. In 1947, he took a position with the St. Paul Urban League and later received a leadership position with the Omaha Urban League. He was appointed Dean of the School of Social Work at Atlanta University in Georgia in 1954. In 196l, Brother Young became the Executive Director of the National Urban League. From the position, he intensified his call for the end of segregation and discrimination, along with the empowerment of African-American communities and the advancement of social and economic equality among all racial and ethnic groups. Brother Young reorganized and revitalized the National Urban League and established programs for the African-American community that advanced the cause of improving race relations.
WHITNEY M. YOUNG, MEMORIAL Brothers Wallace, Hamilton and Ken Venable are photographed at memorial wall behind the statue.
(Left to right) Brother Ken Venable, Brother Hamilton, Mrs. Hamilton (wife of the sculptor), Dr. Eleanor Young Love and Brother Wallace are photographed in front of Whitney Young statue following dedication ceremony.
AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY EDITION
VISION 2000
Beta Mu Chapter members join Brother Hamilton for a group photo
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Whitney Young was initiated into Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity through Beta Mu Chapter in April 1940 while an undergraduate student at Kentucky State University. Carrying on the Chapter legacy, Beta Mu Brothers on the campus served as hosts for the Founders' Day Convocation. In a strong showing of unity and strength, the Chapter members came onto stage and presented Brother Wallace with a special award following his address. Beta Mu members also hosted the General President and returning Brothers during a homecoming reception. They later won the school's homecoming Pan-Hellenic Step Contest—being named the best fraternity step team for the tenth consecutive year. Following Brother Wallace's Convocation address, the ceremonies moved outside to a location in the center of the campus where a life-size statue of Brother Whitney Young was dedicated. With the autumn sun shining brightly on the dedication ceremony, Brother Whitney Young's campus legacy was remembered by University President Dr. George W Reid, former University President Dr. Mary L. Smith, Professors Arnita Young Boswell, Eleanor Young Love and Marcia Young Cantarella, among others. Prior to the statue's unveiling, Brother Edward Hamilton—also a Kentucky State University alumnus—related his experience in sculpturing the design. The nationally acclaimed sculptor said the image of Brother Young smiling and extending his hand in preparation for a handshake was chosen because of Whitney Young's powerful, friendly and welcoming presence. As Brother Hamilton unveiled the statue, those who knew Brother Young best agreed that the sculptor had perfectly captured the civil rights leader's image and demeanor. Now all who come onto the campus of the school that was founded in 1886 as a normal school for the training of African-American teachers will feel the welcoming presence of one of KSU's most prominent alumni—Brother Whitney Moore Young, Jr. Sculptor Brother Edward Hamilton is photographed in front of Whitney Young statue following unveiling.
THE SPHINX™ SPRING 1999
ALPHA FORUM
UILDING ON THE PAST TO PREPARE FOR THE FUTURE MATRICULATING OUR YOUTH THROUGH COLLEGE AND GRADUATE SCHOOL By Brother Ronald Peters, Jr. n 1906, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity's founders had two motives in starting the organization. The Fraternity's Jewels were devoted to the empowerment of African-Americans through their continuance of their education. Also, they were committed to promoting fellowship and unity among college men in their continuous fight for African-American civil rights. We as a Fraternity have made great strides in the 20th century toward the Jewels' goals with our Go-to-High School, Go-toCollege national program. Because of current attacks on affirmative action, however, it is even more critical now for the Fraternity to accelerate its efforts in reaching out to the community's high school- and college-age youth. This society has an unbroken record of psychological violence against African-American males, which has led to "internalized oppression." Carter G. Woodson, founder of the Association of the Study of African American Life and History, stated, "When one determines what a man shall think, you don't have to concern yourself about what the man will do." The devastating consequences of these societal constraints have resulted in many AfricanAmerican males having low self-worth and self-esteem. Society today does not have to place all its energy in keeping our youth out of college because many have removed themselves from the equation, feeling they cannot handle the challenges that higher education presents. In addition, society does not have to work overtime to keep our youth out of jobs because many do not have the desire to advance through the workplace or to become business entrepreneurs. It is an alarming fact that in the last 20 years there has been a decrease in college enrollment among African-American men (U.S. Census, 1997). During this period, African-American males have consistently attained only 2.7 percent of the Bachelor"s degrees awarded to students (F. Patterson Research Institute of the UNCF, 1997). Consequently, as the national demand for unskilled workers continues to decline, many suffer from the related difficulties in obtaining jobs. It is an unfortunate fact that even for African-Americans who complete high school, unemployment rates are approximately 25 percent higher than for their white American counterparts who did not complete high school (Children's Defense Fund, 1991).
I
AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY EDITION
Brother Ron Peters (center) with members of Eta Mu Chapter, University of Houston. Regardless of our socio-demographic backgrounds, in some capacity, we are all affected by the hardships that institutionalized racism has placed on African-American men. Consequently, it is extremely essential for us to not become complacent with our personal accomplishments and forget about mentorship, critically needed by our high school mentees and College Brothers. What Jewel Brother Henry Arthur Callis stated in i960 still epitomizes the educational and fraternal issues we are facing as a culture today. Jewel Brother Callis stated, "In this decade, the level and quality of our education lags still. Some of our schools will close. Those that survive must raise their standards to approach the merit of similar institutions. Our students in this decade must face their futures well prepared, confident, unabashed and expecting no quarter. In the Space Age, they must be exceptional. Their predecessors, our graduate Brothers, in far too great a number have become successful, self-centered and flamboyant. It is time that Alpha Phi Alpha renounce its froth and bring alive the principles on which it was founded or relinquish its claim to leadership" (Wesley, 1977). One of the most influential factors in our College Brothers' fraternal behavior is peer approval. Consequently, if we as accomplished Alumni Brothers initiate working more closely with College
ALPHA FORUM Nu Gamma Lambda achieves their objective by providing monthly workshops and mentorship sessions to Nu Iota Brothers in a variety of disciplines: graduate school preparation; interviewing techniques; health awareness; financial investing; and graduate school entry exam preparation. Nu Gamma Lambda also provides financial assistance to their College Brothers for their graduate school applications and entry examinations. In addition to their interchapter mentorship initiative, the two chapters conduct an intergener„ . „ „. .. TT . .. Brother Harry Johnson (seated, far right), the Fraternity's General ational Go-to-High School, Go-toHouston, lexas; hta Mu, University Counse\t is pictured with members ofAlpha Eta Lambda and Delta College of Houston; Alpha Eta Lambda in Theta Chapters in Houston, Texas as they conduct their Go-to-High program. This initiative targets African-American and LatinoHouston; and Xi Kappa Lambda in School, Go-to-Collegeprogram. American middle school students and provides them with longituMissouri City organized an Inter-Chapter Community Service dinal mentorship through high school. Since the program's incepCommittee. The purpose of the Committee is to convene a meeting tion, 75 percent of their mentees have graduated from high school of representatives from all Houston-area Fraternity chapters to disand 65 percent continued on to college. cuss and discover solutions to our community needs. A unique Time has dictated that America's oldest African-American aspect of the committee is that all attendees are encouraged to parFraternity of college trained men return to the concept of "buildticipate as much as they desire. In addition, it is an excellent ing on the past to face the challenges of the future." If Alpha Phi method for College and Alumni chapters to plan joint community Alpha Fraternity, Inc. is to continue to help young men, all chapoutreach programs. The chairman of the Committee is a college ters must put forth a comprehensive agenda that is skillfully member, Brother Will Henry, who also serves as president of Delta designed to matriculate our youth through college and graduate Theta Chapter. Under his leadership the Brothers have initiated an school. To that end, the intergenerational approach of College and intergenerational Fraternity mentorship program that serves the Alumni chapter's collaborative community service initiatives prothird and fifth Ward Houston communities. vides an inclusive channel to fellowship and the preparation of In the Los Angeles, California area, Pi Rho Lambda in young Fraternity members and community youth for the 21st cenHollywood-Beverly Hills conducts their community service in coltury workplace. laboration with Alpha Delta at the University of Southern
Brothers in our community service efforts, we could better prepare our Brothers for leadership roles in our Alumni Chapters. We also would improve fellowship between College and Alumni Brothers; and most importantly, this would work as an intergenerational force in our national efforts to mentor adolescent African-American men. There are several chapters that are conducting excellent intergenerational efforts across the country. Some examples are: Delta Theta at
California, Mu Chi at California State Long Beach, Gamma Xi at the University of California-Los Angeles, and Pi Kappa at California State North Ridge. Pi Rho Lambda's initiatives have been so successful that they are awarded professional service contracts annually from the Los Angeles Housing Authority to provide after school programs, parenting classes and recreation-mentoring services to housing development residents. Through the contracts, College Brothers are inservice on our national programs and provided with paid internships to conduct our community interventions in indigent communities. Brother Greg French, Pi Rho Lambda Chapter president, stated, "We show our young Brothers how to conduct our national programs from a grassroots level and empower them to not just become community service volunteers, but national program facilitators." In New Jersey, the Brothers of Nu Gamma Lambda in Glassboro work very closely with the College Brothers of Nu Iota at Rowan University. As Brother William "Bill" Myers stated, "Nu Gamma Lambda's primary responsibility is to prepare our College Brothers to be successful."
REFERENCES Children's Defense Fund (1996). Fact Sheet. Washington, D.C. F. Patterson Research Institute of the College Fund/UNCF (1997). The African-American Education Data Book, Volume I, UNCF Publishing. U.S. Bureau of the Census (1997). United States Census Report. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. Wesley (1977). Henry Arthur Callis: Life and Legacy. The Foundation Publishers, Chicago, 111. Brother Ronald "Pepper" Peters, Jr., Dr.PH, M.S., is chairman of the National Programs Committee; assistant professor at Texas Southern University, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences; lecturer, University of Houston, College of Education, Department of Health and Human Performance. Brother Peters can be reached at e-mail address: SPH1263@UTSPH.SPH.UTH.TMC.EDU THE SPHINX™ SPRING 1999
COVER STORY
LpGENDARY BROTHERS ESTABLISH PLACE IN HISTORY THROUGH CONTRBUTIONS TO HUMANITY By Brother Marc Kevin Battle
In 1913, Brother General President Charles H. Garvin penned what we know as the "Esprit De Fraternite." The key principle of the directive asks that members of Alpha Phi Alpha concentrate on doing what they can for the Fraternity and others, as opposed to primarily seeking personal gains. A cursory look at our esteemed membership shows that this principle has been steadfast in the hearts and minds of these great men who have made substantial contributions to the Fraternity and humanity. This look at some of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity's most prominent members and some of the greatest achievers in America during the 20th century stands also as a salute to the aim and mission of the nation's oldest African-American, intercollegiate fraternal organizationâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;to prepare its members for the greatest usefulness in the causes of humanity, freedom and dignity of the individual.
W.E.B. DuBois (1868 - 1963) Civil Rights Leader Brother William Edward Burghart DuBois formally affiliated himself with Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity in 1909 when he was initiated as an Exalted Honorary Brother through Epsilon Chapter at the University of Michigan. Born in Barrington, Massachusetts, Brother W.E.B. DuBois was both an inspiration and a valuable resource to the founders and earliest members of Alpha Phi Alpha. As the Fraternity progressed through its stages of development and expansion during the years 1905 through 1909, Brother DuBois was laying the groundwork for the Niagara Movement, which led to the establishment of the NAACP in 1909. W.E.B. DuBois was one of the original signers of the AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY EDITION
NAACP's charter. A noted intellect, author and educator, Brother DuBois was one of the most highly respected men of his day. In 1894, he became the first African-American to be awarded a Ph.D. by Harvard University. Later, he served as the first editor of the NAACP's The Crisis magazine, the longest continually-published African-American publication in the country. In 1943, Brother DuBois became the first African-American admitted to the National Institute of Arts and Letters. At that time, he served as the head of the Sociology Department at Atlanta University.
Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929 - 1968) Civil Rights Leader Brother Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is recognized as the greatest civil rights leader that America has ever known. Brother King was initiated June 22, 1952 at Boston University's Sigma Chapter. He earned his undergraduate degree in 1948 at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia before attending Boston University where he was awarded his Ph.D. degree in 1955. Born January 15, 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia, Brother King returned to the South after leaving Boston University and became pastor at the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama. It was there that Brother King made his first major impact on the civil rights movement by organizing the legendary 382-day Montgomery bus boycott, which was sparked by the courageous action of Rosa Parks. The bus boycott along with a series of other protest actions led the U.S. Supreme Court to declare Alabama's bus segregation laws unconstitutional. In 1957, Brother King summoned the nation's preeminent African-American leaders to a summit where the
COVER STORY foundation was laid for what would become the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). Six years later, Brother King delivered his historic "I Have a Dream" address at the 1963 March on Washington, D.C. He was selected Time magazine's "Man of the Year" in 1963 and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. Brother King recognized that the issues of the downtrodden in America were essentially the same issues of the oppressed everywhere. He was criticized on several fronts when he called the United States "the greatest purveyor of violence in the world." His bold criticism of the Vietnam War was met with equal disapproval as he characterized it as a "tragic adventure" which was playing "havoc with the destiny of the world." In 1968, an assassin's bullet muted the powerful voice of Brother King, but not his powerful message. On April 4, 1968 at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee while in the company of Jesse Jackson and Ralph Abernathy, Brother King passed into Omega Chapter. His legacy continues to shine today as he is rightfully honored as a revered leader armed with the moral authority to move the mountains of injustice in America and around the world. Brother King had tremendous support from the Fraternity during every step of his march toward freedom for all people. One such resource was Brother Rev. Wyatt T. Walker. Serving as Brother King's chief of staff, Brother Walker was a major player among the recognized leadership of the movement. Brother Walker currently serves as minister of the Canaan Baptist Church in Christ in New York City. He also is president of the American Committee on Africa. Brother Walker, who was initiated in 1948 at Eta Lambda Chapter in Atlanta, Georgia, is a former president of the SCLC.
Paul Robeson (1898 - 1976) Actor, Singer, Civil Rights Leader Brother Paul Robeson was born in Princeton, New Jersey and was as diverse an individual as one could ever hope to encounter. As a student at Rutgers University, Brother Robeson excelled in track, football, basketball and baseball. In addition to his athletic prowess, his academic brilliance gained him the coveted Phi Beta Kappa honors in his junior year. Brother Robeson was initiated into Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity at Nu Chapter, Lincoln University where he served as an
assistant track and field coach under Brother Fritz Pollard. In 1923, Brother Robeson received his law degree from Columbia University. He financed his schooling by playing professional football. He also won recognition as a talented singer and actor after making his theater debut. Brother Robeson traveled the world extensively and was fluent in at least six languages. He spoke out on issues of race, politics and justice around the world and attracted the opposition of those bent on stifling public debate on the topics. Brother Robeson, however, continued to play an active role in human and civil rights issues until his death in 1976.
Charles Harris Wesley (1891 - 1987) Educator, Historian Born in Louisville, Kentucky, Brother Dr. Charles H. Wesley was initiated into Alpha Phi Alpha on March 29,1913 through Zeta Chapter at Yale University. The Fraternity's history from its origins through the next seven decades was written by Brother Wesley, even as his own numerous contributions to the organization were being made. Brother Wesley penned the first edition of The History of Alpha Phi Alpha: A Development in Negro College Life in 1929- The text would undergo several revisions over the years in an effort to preserve its factual integrity and to document new occurrences as they were warranted. Brother Wesley vaulted from Fraternity Historian to General President in 1931. Clearly a popular choice for General President, Brother Wesley served five-consecutive terms, spanning from 1932 to 1940. In 1923, Brother Wesley had become one of the 22 chartering members of Washington, D.C.'s Mu Lambda Chapter and served as chapter president from 1925 to 1928. Joining Brother Wesley in chartering the chapter were Jewels Nathaniel Allison Murray and Robert Harold Ogle, as well as noted NAACP counsel, Brother Charles H. Houston. Brother Wesley also is noted for his accomplishments outside of Alpha Phi Alpha. An ordained minister, Brother Wesley's distinguished career included 40 years of leadership with the African Methodist Episcopal Church. He served the A.M.E. Church as assistant to the bishop and was president of Central Ohio State College. He also is credited with writing the histories of the Prince Hall Masons, Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, the Elks and the A.M.E. Church.
THE SPHINXâ&#x201E;˘ SPRING 1999
COVER STORY Edward W. Brooke (1919 Political Leader
)
Former United States Senator Brother Edward W. Brooke was elected Attorney General of Massachusetts in 1962, the only Republican in the state to win a state-wide election that year. He was elected by Massachusetts voters to the U.S. Senate in 1966, making him the first AfricanAmerican in the Senate since Reconstruction. The first African-American elected by popular vote to the Senate, Brother Brooke won in districts where African-Americans composed only two percent of the population. Born in Washington, D.C., Brother Brooke is a graduate of Howard University and the Boston School of Law. He served as a trustee of Boston and Northwestern universities, a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, board member of the Washington Performing Arts Society, the Eisenhower Foundation for the Prevention of Violence, the Opera Company of Boston and the National Low Income Housing Coalition. Brother Brooke is a former Eastern Regional Vice President for the Fraternity. He also served as the first chairman of the Alpha Phi Alpha World Policy Councilâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;an African-American think-tank formed to address issues of concern to the Fraternity, the community, the nation and the world. Brother Brooke was initiated into the Alpha Phi Alpha in 1937 through Beta Chapter at Howard University.
Thurgood Marshall (1908 - 1993) U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Everyday, the legacy of Supreme Court Justice Brother Thurgood Marshall impacts the lives of Americans in ways too numerous to cite. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Brother Marshall stood as a stalwart force for justice on a Supreme Court tilted by those who would sanction injustice. Prior to his appointment to the high court in 1967, he was a heralded leader of the civil rights AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY EDITION
movement, winning landmark court decisions that would forever re-shape the socio-economic landscape of America. Brother Marshall received his undergraduate education at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania. He went on to law school at Howard University. Brother Marshall was initiated into the Fraternity in 1926 through Nu Chapter at Lincoln University. While serving as Special Counsel to the NAACP, Brother Marshall argued the infamous Brown vs. the Board of Education case before the Supreme Court. Although this desegregation case may be the best-known victory credited to Thurgood Marshall, several other decisions preceded the 1954 landmark case. In 1938, Brother Marshall fought for the rights of African-Americans to be admitted to the University of Missouri Law School. In 1944, his Smith vs. Alwright victory won the right for African-Americans to participate in primary elections in Texas. Morgan vs. Virginia, in 1946, signaled the end of interstate passenger carriers in Virginia. The 1950 triumph of Sweatt vs. Painter allowed the first AfricanAmericans to be admitted to the University of Texas Law School. An exceptional litigator, Justice Marshall will remain as one of Alpha Phi Alpha's shining examples of leadership, ethics and excellence.
Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. (1908 - 1972) Political Leader Born in New York City, Brother Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. was another prolific soldier of the civil rights movement. His impact was felt initially as the pastor of Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem, New York and later as an 11-term Representative in the U.S. Congress. Prior to his election to Congress, Brother Powell published a weekly newspaper, The People's Voice. Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. attended Colgate University in Hamilton, New York where he received his undergraduate degree in 1930. He later earned a Master's degree from Columbia University and a Doctor of Divinity degree from Shaw College in North Carolina. Brother Powell was initiated into Alpha Phi Alpha in 1933 at Columbia University's Eta Chapter [now the Metropolitan New York City Chapter].
COVER STORY Eugene Kinckle Jones (1884 - 1954) Civil Rights Forerunner Alpha Phi Alpha's beloved founder Eugene Kinckle Jones is noted for his leadership of the National Urban League through the organization's fledgling years and into its full development. Born in Richmond, Virginia, Brother Jones was the first Executive Secretary of the National Urban League. His 20-year tenure with the organization thus far has exceeded those of all his successors in office. The Urban League emerged from groups formed to aid African-Americans who had recently emigrated to northern cities. The organization involved itself in the training of African-American social workers, and in housing, health, sanitation, recreation, self-improvement and job assistance. A major goal of the Urban League was to broaden economic opportunities for African-Americans. Brother Jones was followed by several other Alpha Phi Alpha Brothers who served as Executive Director of the organization, including Brothers Lester Granger, Whitney M. Young, Jr. and Hugh Price. A versatile leader, Brother Jones also organized the first three Fraternity chapters that branched out from Cornellâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Beta at Howard, Gamma at Virginia Union and the original Gamma at the University of Toronto in Canada. In addition to becoming Alpha Chapter's second President and joining with Jewel Henry Arthur Callis in creating the Fraternity's name, Jewel Brother Jones was a member of the first Committees on Constitution and Organization and helped write the Fraternity ritual. Brother Jones also has the distinction of being one of the first initiates, as well as an original founder.
Whitney Moore Young, Jr. (1922 - 1971) Civil Rights Leader Born and reared in Lincoln Ridge, Kentucky, Brother Whitney M. Young, Jr. is credited with making the National Urban League the powerful organization it is today. Brother Young attended Kentucky State College [University] and was awarded his undergraduate degree in 1941. He earned his masters in 1947 from the University of
Minnesota. Brother Young was initiated at Beta Mu Chapter at Kentucky State in 1940. After serving on the faculties of the University of Nebraska, Creighton University and Atlanta University, Brother Young assumed the position of Executive Director of the National Urban League. Widely considered a "moderate" civil rights leader, Brother Young was especially skilled in building cross-racial coalitions in the interest of economic empowerment. His team-building abilities were showcased in the 1963 March On Washington where he was one of the primary organizers. Brother Young had achieved status as a major spokesman for African-Americans when his career was cut short in a drowning accident off the coast of Africa in 1971.
Andrew Young (1932 Political Leader
)
Brother Andrew Young is a graduate of Howard University in Washington, D.C. and was initiated in 1950 at Beta Chapter there. Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, Brother Young attended undergraduate school at Dillard University in his hometown before transferring to Howard. Before being elected to political office, Brother Young was an effective leader from the pulpit of his church in Atlanta, Georgia as well as an officer with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). In 1972, Brother Young became the first African-American to represent the state of Georgia in the U.S. Congress in more than 100 years. He served as United States Ambassador to the United Nations from 1977 to 1979. He later was elected Mayor of Atlanta.
Garrett A. Morgan (1877 - 1963) Inventor Brother Garrett A. Morgan was born in Paris, Kentucky and moved to Cleveland, Ohio at an early age. An investor by profession, Brother Morgan's first invention was an improvement on the sewing machine. At age 26, he developed a fastening belt for sewing machines that he sold for $150. He later went on to invent the breathing apparatus we know as the gas mask, as well as the first automatic traffic signal. General Electric bought the rights to the traffic light invenSPRING1999
COVER STORY tion for $40,000. Brother Morgan was welcomed into the Fraternity in 1955 through Delta Alpha Lambda Chapter in Cleveland, Ohio. He is credited with making the first financial donation to the Fraternity for the establishment of the organization's history book. He made a donation of $50. Brother Morgan died in Cleveland, the city that had awarded him a gold medal for his devotion to public safety.
John Hope Franklin (1915 Historian
)
Duke University in Durham, North Carolina is privileged to have had on its campus one of the greatest minds anywhere, Brother Dr. John Hope Franklin. Brother Franklin was born in Rentiesville, Oklahoma and received his undergraduate degree from Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee in 1935. Relocating to New England, Brother Franklin earned his masters degree from Harvard University in 1936 and his Ph.D. from Harvard in 1941. Alpha Phi Alpha was forever enriched with his initiation into the organization in 1928 at Alpha Zeta Chapter. A world-renowned historian, Brother Franklin has taught at more than ten institutions of higher learningâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;from the City University of New York to Cambridge University in England. He is probably best known for his written works, which include: Color and Race (1943), The Militant South (1956) and From Slavery to Freedom (1948).
Mai Goode (1908 - 1995) Journalist Born in White Plains, Virginia, Brother Malvin Russell Goode, Sr. broke the color barrier in network television news when he became the first AfricanAmerican network-television reporter in 1962. The opportunity for Brother Goode came about after baseball great Jackie Robinson complained to an ABC television network vice president about the lack of African-Americans in the news department. The network pledged to strive for fair competition. Brother Goode, a writer then with the Pittsburgh
AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY EDITION
Courier, was selected as the first African-American network reporter after ABC interviewed several candidates over a six-month period. Brother Goode worked for ABC for 11 years, serving as its United Nations correspondent for several years. His most newsworthy assignments included covering the Cuban missile crisis, the aftermath of the assassination of Brother Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Poor People's March on Washington. Prior to joining ABC, Brother Goode had a successful radio career at WHOD in Pittsburgh. He was named news director of WHOD and became the first African-American to hold membership in the National Association of Radio and TV News Directors. Brother Goode was initiated into the Fraternity on November 1, 1929 through Omicron Chapter at the University of Pittsburgh.
Duke Ellington (1899 - 1974) Music Legend Brother Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was one of the most accomplished American jazz musicians ever. His contributions to music include the composition of many jazz standards. Born in Washington, D.C., Brother Ellington is best known as the leader of his jazz orchestra for 50 years. For five years [1927-1932], Brother Ellington's band remained at the famed Cotton Club on Lennox Avenue in Harlem. They later began to travel throughout the world. One of Brother Ellington's most creative accomplishments may have been the introduction of the voice as a jazz instrument into his music. The technique was performed with vocalists imitating instruments rather than singing words. Brother Ellington was initiated into the Fraternity in 1955 at Alpha Zeta Lambda Chapter in Bluefield, West Virginia. Today, the Duke Ellington School for Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. continues his numerous contributions to the arts by training young minds and bodies to carry on his legacy of creativity.
COVER STORY Lionel Hampton (1909 Music Legend
)
Another notable Alpha Phi Alpha Brother in the realm of jazz music is Brother Lionel Hampton. Born in Louisville, Kentucky, Brother Hampton was the first jazz musician to feature the vibes, an instrument that has come to play a vital role in the music. His first recorded effort with the instrument [1930] featured Louis Armstrong, among others. Brother Hampton was subsequently persuaded to join Benny Goodman and the Goodman Quartet with whom he toured and played until 1940. Brother Hampton enjoyed great success beginning in the 1940s and 1950s in such places as Israel, Europe, Australia and North Africa. He was active in the development of housing in Harlem, New York where a complex of homes, the Gladys Hampton Houses, was named for his late wife. Brother Hampton attended Ohio University where he was initiated into the Fraternity at Phi Chapter in 1949-
John H. Johnson (1918 Publisher
)
One of America's most successful businessmen is Brother John H. Johnson, founder and head of Johnson Publishing, the most prosperous and powerful African-American publishing company in the country. Born in Arkansas City, Arkansas, Brother Johnson attended the University of Chicago and the Northwestern School of Commerce. He was initiated at Theta Chapter at the University of Chicago in 1938. Before striking out on his own, Brother Johnson worked for the Supreme Liberty Life Insurance Company where he wrote for its trade magazine. Realizing that he could reach a special "niche" market previously ignored, Brother Johnson first published the Negro Digest in 1942 and then Ebony magazine in 1945. Interestingly, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt contributed an article "If I were a Negro" to the
Negro Digest, which boosted circulation considerably. Brother Johnson built a chain of journalistic successes that eventually led to the formation of Jet magazine, the Ebony/Jet Showcase, Ebony Male, Fashion Fair Cosmetics and many other products over the years. Brother Johnson gave the Fraternity its largest donation toward the establishment of a new Fraternity headquarters. The Communications and Publications office at the Alpha Phi Alpha Corporate Headquarters has been named in Brother Johnson's honor because of his concern for the headquarters. In addition, the Fraternity has established the John H. Johnson Entrepreneurial Excellence Award for members who exhibit exceptional success in the growth and development of their own business.
Countee Cullen (1903 - 1946) Poet Brother Countee Cullen was a prolific writer, especially in the genre of poetry. Born Countee Porter on May 30, 1903 in Baltimore, Maryland, Brother Cullen was orphaned at an early age and adopted by Reverend Frederick Cullen, pastor of New York's Salem Methodist Church. While still an undergraduate student at New York University, Brother Cullen produced his first volume of poetry [Color] in 1925 which received the Harmon Foundation's first gold medal for literature two years later. A Phi Beta Kappa scholar, Brother Cullen advanced to earn his Master's degree at Harvard University in 1926. Throughout his literary career, Brother Cullen completed too many poetry collections and novels to list here. In 1947, a year after his death, Brother Cullen's own selection of favorite works were compiled into a volume entitled, On These I Stand,
Jesse Owens (1913 - 1980) Sports Legend Even though his track and field records have long been eclipsed, the name Jesse Owens is still synonymous with track and field dominance. Brother James Cleveland "Jesse" Owens was born in Danville, Alabama. In 1932, he entered Ohio State THE SPHINXâ&#x201E;˘ SPRING 1999
COVER STORY University and quickly made his name known among fans and athletes everywhere. During one track meet, in the span of 70 minutes, he tied the world record for the 100-meter dash and surpassed the world records for five other events. While at Ohio State in 1935, Brother Owens was initiated into the Fraternity through Kappa Chapter there. At the Olympic Games in Berlin, Germany in 1936, Brother Owens won an unprecedented four gold medals. Ironically enough, Adolf Hitler's outright refusal to present Brother Jesse Owens with the medals gave Brother Owens more notoriety and popularity than ever.
Fritz Pollard, Sr., (1894 - 1986) Sports Legend The annals of history have not given much ink to Brother Frederick Douglass "Fritz" Pollard, which is a sad testament to the racial prejudice which has been so much a part of this country. As a Brown University gridiron standout, Brother Pollard was the first AfricanAmerican in collegiate football. He went on to play and become the first AfricanAmerican coach in the fledging National Football League. Brother Pollard was the first African-American to play in college football's prestigious Rose Bowl, which he did in 1915 and 1916 while a star halfback for Brown University. He also was among the first AfricanAmericans to play professional footballâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;until the sport was resegregated in 1933- He played for several NFL franchises, including Akron, Ohio; Hammond, Indiana; and Providence, Rhode Island. These small towns were the backbone of the NFL at the time. In 1924, he was named head coach of the Hammond team. When the sport re-segregated Brother Pollard organized the first all black professional team, the Brown Bombers of Harlem. Before attaining football fame, Brother Pollard attended Lane Technical High School in Chicago where he excelled in track, even more than in football. He is credited with performing a number of firsts. Brother Pollard was the first owner of an African-American investment company and the owner of the first African-American tabloid in New York. Later in his career, Brother Pollard worked in movie production and as a booking agent in the 1940s.
AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY EDITION
Levi Watkins, Jr. (1944 Medical Scientist Brother Dr. Levi Watkins, Jr. comes from an Alpha Phi Alpha track record of success. His father, Levi Watkins, Sr, was an outstanding educator who served as president of Alabama State College and LeMoyne-Owen College. It should not come as a surprise that the senior Levi Watkins was also a member of Alpha Phi Alpha. The Alabama State and LeMoyne-Owen College president was initiated at Tennessee State's Beta Omicron Chapter in 1933- At his father's urging, Levi Jr. also attended Tennessee State where he was initiated into Beta Omicron Chapter. Brother Watkins graduated from Tennessee State as a fiery young civil rights activist ready to take on the world. He entered Vanderbilt University's medical school on the strength of his outstanding academic credentials. Located in the more affluent area of Nashville, Vanderbilt admitted Brother Watkins as their first African-American medical student. He excelled in his studies and was accepted to Johns Hopkins Hospital for his internship. During his eight-year program, Brother Watkins also studied for two years at Harvard University. Brother Dr. Watkins' research lead to the first usage of angiotensin blockers which doctors use to perform surgery on patients with heart conditions. He currently serves as Chief of Cardiovascular Surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital.
Eddie Robinson (1919 Sports Legend Brother Eddie Robinson is best known for his work as the head football coach at Grambling State University. A gifted athlete, Brother Robinson won a football scholarship to Leland College in Louisiana. As a star quarterback, he attained informal coaching experience while directing his teammates at Leland College. Brother Robinson was initiated into the Fraternity in 1949 through
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COVER STORY Beta Iota Lambda Chapter in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. After graduation, he took his first coaching assignment at Grambling State University. Although only 22-years-old when he went to Grambling, Brother Robinson showed incredible ability to coach both the offense and defense. Forty-four years later, Brother Robinson surpassed coach "Bear" Bryant as the "winningest" coach in college football history. He went on to coach for more than 10 more yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;placing his career victory record far out of reach for a long time to come.
John Hurst Adams (1929 Religious Leader
)
Born in Columbia, South Carolina, Brother Bishop John Hurst Adams is founder of the Congress of National Black Churches and the Senior Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Prior to his election to the Episcopacy in 1972, Brother Adams served the church as Pastor of Bethel A.M.E. Church in Lynn, Massachusetts. Brother Adams distinguished himself by his rich history of academic excellence and by his creative and untiring leadership in the African-American community. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Johnson C. Smith University after being initiated into the Fraternity in 1945 at Alpha Omicron Chapter there. Brother Adams earned higher degrees from Boston University and performed further studies at Harvard University and Union Theological Seminary. In recognition of his outstanding work over many years, Brother Adams has been honored by the National Urban League, B'nai B'rith and the National Association For Equal Opportunity (NAFEO). Brother Bishop Adams has been an activist and pioneer in church growth and expansion, AfricanAmerican ecumenical development, theological and ministerial development, political and civil rights, economic development and African development and liberation endeavors.
Other Prominent Members Individuals expressing interest about Alpha Phi Alpha often are reminded that membership in the organization alone does not make one an excellent achievers. The Fraternity does not necessarily make an individual excellent, but instead shows members what excellence is. Throughout its illustrious history, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity has urged its members to strive for lofty goals.
3
The distinguished Alpha Phi Alpha members outlined above are only a few of the many Fraternity Brothers whose commitment and efforts ensure that the organization will not relinquish its patent on excellence in its endeavors. A complete listing of outstanding Brothers might well include individuals in our own families and communities who go about quietly working for justice and the uplifting of humanity. A select listing of some other great men of Alpha Phi Alpha and American history who are not included in the above listing includes:
Business Leaders Brothers Henry Brown, former Vice President for Marketing Affairs and Development with Anheuser-Busch; Thomas J. Burrell, Burrell Advertising CEO; W. Melvin Brown, American Development Corporation CEO; Eugene Jackson, World African Network CEO; Charles James, III, James Produce CEO; Nathaniel Goldston, CEO and founder of Gourmet Services, Inc.; Delano Lewis, former President of National Public Radio; the late Henry Parks, founder of Parks Sausage, Inc.; and Joshua Smith, Maxima Corporation CEO.
Civic Leaders Other civic leaders not mentioned include: Brothers Lester Granger, former Executive Director of the National Urban League; Dick Gregory, civic activist; the late Charles Hamilton Houston, former NAACP Legal Counsel; Hugh B. Price, National Urban League Executive Director.
Educators and Scholars Educators and scholars not mentioned earlier include: Brothers Calvin Burnett, President Coppin State College; James Costen, former President of the Interdenominational Theological Center; Julius L. Chambers, Chancellor at North Carolina Central University; Thomas W. Cole, Jr., President of Clark-Atlanta University; Thomas W. Cole Sr., former President of Wiley College; William B. DeLauder, President of Delaware State University; James Douglas, President of Texas Southern University; Norman Francis, President of Xavier University; Cornelius Henderson, President of Gammon Theological Seminary; Ernest Holloway, President of Langston University; Freeman A. Hrabowski, III, President of University of Maryland Baltimore County; Frederick Humphries, President of Florida A&M University; Thomas F. Law, President of St. Paul's College; Joseph T. McMillan, Jr., President of Huston-Tillotson College; Benjamin Payton, President of Tuskegee University; Henry Ponder, President of NAFEO and former President of Fisk University; Earl Richardson, President of Morgan State University; Walter Washington, former President of Alcorn State University; and Cornell West, educator, philosopher and author. THE SPHINXâ&#x201E;˘ SPRING 1999
COVER STORY Federal Government Leaders Some other federal government officials include: Brothers 0. Rudolph Aggrey, former U.S. Ambassador to Romania; U.W. Clemon, U.S. District Court Federal Judge; William Coleman, former U.S. Secretary of Transportation; Ronald V. Dellums, former U.S. Representative from California's 9th District; Julian C. Dixon, former U.S. Representative from California's 32nd District; Harold Ford, former U.S. Representative from Tennessee's 9th District; William H. Gray, III, United Negro College Fund President & CEO and former U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania; Earl Hilliard, U.S. Representative from Alabama's 7th District; James A. Joseph, U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of South Africa; the late Ralph Metcalfe, former U.S. Representative from Illinois; Samuel Pierce, former U.S. Secretary of HUD; Charles Rangel, U.S. Representative from New York's 15th District; Robert C. Scott, U.S. Representative from Virginia's 3rd District.
Office; Winston Scott, NASA Astronaut; Johnnie E. Wilson, FourStar Army General and the highest ranking active AfricanAmerican officer in the United States military.
Religious Leaders Brothers Harold Davis, president of the American Baptist Churches; T.J. Jemison, former President of the National Baptist Convention; E. Edward Jones, former president of the National Baptist Convention of America.
Medical and Science Leaders Brothers James Comer, psychologist; Lasalle Lefalle, first African-American president of the American Cancer Society; Louis Sullivan, president of Morehouse Medical School.
Sports Figures State and Local Government Leaders Brothers Dennis Archer, Mayor of Detroit Michigan; Richard Arrington, Mayor of Birmingham, Alabama; Thomas V. Barnes, former Mayor of Gary, Indiana; Marion Barry, Mayor of Washington, D.C.; Lee P. Brown, Mayor of Houston, Texas and former Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy; Willie Brown, Mayor of San Francisco, California; Emanuel Cleaver, Mayor of Kansas City, Missouri; the late Charles H. Davenport; first African-American Chief of Police in Vicksburg, Mississippi; David Dinkins, former Mayor of New York City; Maynard Jackson, former Mayor of Atlanta, Georgia; the late Sidney A. Jones, former Municipal Court Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois; the late Ernest N. Morial, first African-American Mayor of New Orleans, Louisiana; Marc H. Morial, Mayor of New Orleans, Louisiana; Charles Price, Circuit Court Judge of Montgomery County, Maryland; Norman Rice, former Mayor of Seattle, Washington; Eugene Sawyer, former Mayor of Chicago, Illinois.
Brothers Walt Bellamy, former NBA Player; Junior Bridgeman, former NBA Player; John 0. Brown, Dillard University basketball coach; Quinn Buckner, sportscaster and former NBA player and coach; Wes Chandler, former player with the NFL's San Diego Chargers; Greg Coleman, the NFL's First African-American Punter; Wayne Embry, General Manager of the NBAs Cleveland Cavaliers; Charles Haley, player with the NFL's Dallas Cowboys; Michael Jackson, player with the NFL's Baltimore Ravens; Carnell Lake, player with the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers; Mike Powell, World Record holder in the long jump, track and field; Art Shell, former NFL Coach with the Kansas City Chiefs and Oakland Raiders; the late Eddie Tolan, 1932 Olympic Gold Medalist in track and field; Eugene Upshaw, Executive Director with the NFL Players' Association; Lenny Wilkins, 1996 USA Olympic Basketball coach and NBA coach of the Atlanta Hawks and Cleveland Cavaliers; Reggie Williams former player with the NFL's Cincinnati Bengals; Eric Wright, former player with the NFL's San Francisco '49ers.
Media and Entertainment Figures Brothers Gerald Albright, jazz musician; Darryl Bell, network television and movie actor; Tony Brown; journalist and television producer; Jerry Butler, singer; Keith Garrett, network television Executive Producer; the late Donny Hathaway, singer and musician; Lionel Richie, singer and songwriter. Military Leaders Brothers Fred Gordon, the first African-American commander of the West Point Academy; Benjamin Hacker, former Rear Admiral of the U.S. Navy Commander at the San Diego Naval Base; James McCall, Major General Chief in the Pentagon Budget AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY EDITION
Brother Marc Kevin Battle is a journalism major at the University of the District of Columbia in Washington, D.C. where he is a member ofOmicron Omicron Chapter.
ALPHA ON THE MOVE
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ONGRESSMAN BROTHER GREGORY MEEKS JOINS RANK WITH OTHER BROTHERS IN CONGRESS
Brother Congressman Gregory W. Meeks (D) represents New York's 6th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives. The 6th District is located in Southeast Queens, New York and encompasses the neighborhoods of Laurelton, Bellerose, Hollis, Jamaica, Far Rockaway, Springfield | Gardens, St. Albans, South Ozone Park, Richmond Hill and Queens Village. Brother Meeks was elected to the House on February 3, Brother Congressman Gregory W. Meeks 1998 in a special election to fill the seat vacated by the Rev. Floyd H. Flake. He was sent to Washington with a resounding 36 points margin of victory over four other challengers. He was re-elected to a full term in the November 1998 General Elections. In Congress, Brother Meeks is a member of the House Banking and Financial Services Committee. He also serves as a member of the Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit, as well as the Subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy. In the assignments, he oversees issues vital to the banking industry, credit unions and consumer affairs while maintaining a significant role in the shaping of monetary and credit policy for the nation. Raised in East Harlem's public housing, Brother Meeks attended New York City public schools before enrolling at Adelphi University where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in history with a minor in political science. In 1978, he received his Juris Doctorate from the Howard University School of Law. Following law school, Brother Meeks joined the Queens County District Attorney's Office as an assistant district attorney. At the Queens County District Attorney's Office, he was promoted to
the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor for the City of New York. In 1984, he left the position to join the State Investigation Commission. His responsibilities included direct investigations of public officials, state employees and organized crime. He was appointed Judge of the New York State Worker's Compensation Board in 1986 and in 1987, he became State Supervising Judge for Worker's Compensation. Brother Meeks held the position until 1992 when he was elected to the New York State Assembly. Brother Gregory Meeks served five years in the New York State Assembly where he represented the 31st State Assembly District. His peers regarded him as a "Bridge Builder." With a focus on economic development and educational opportunities for youth, Brother Meeks had the 31st Assembly District designated as an Economic Development Zone and also created the David N. Dinkins Center for Physical Culture, which provides after school programs for young people in Far Rockaway. Brother Meeks fervently believes in forging relationships and working with others. To that end he is consistently bringing together members of the political, business, organized labor and religious communities. His colleagues confirmed his consensus-building skills when they elected him to Chair the Council of Black Elected Democrats (COBED). COBED is a statewide organization of African-American elected and Democratic Party officials. Brother Meeks founded the Jesse L. Jackson Independent Democratic Club [later renamed the Thurgood Marshall Regular Democratic Club] and remains active in grassroots community organizing. He also is a member of several civic and professional organizations including: the National Bar Association, the Coalition of 100 Black Men, the National Black Caucus of State Legislators, Inc. and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. Brother Meeks was initiated into the Fraternity in 1989 through Zeta Zeta Lambda Chapter, Queens, New York. The Congressman currently resides in Far Rockaway, Queens with his wife Simone-Marie and their two daughters. As the newest Brother to join the ranks of Alpha Phi Alpha members already in Congress, Brother Meeks represents us well as an Alpha on the Move. THE SPHINXâ&#x201E;˘ SPRING 1999
ALPHA ON THE MOVE
N
ATIONAL DENTAL ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT IS ADVOCATE FOR THE UNDER-SERVED
Brother Joseph S. Gay
"What a pity if you lived your whole life and nobody even noticed." Such is the philosophy of Brother Dr. Joseph Gay. Brother Gay has been noticed and honored by his peers in the prestigious National Dental Association (NDA) where they elected him to serve as their 73rd president, and by Alpha Phi Alpha where he has been noted as an "Alpha on the Move." Brother Gay has practiced family dentistry in the Carol City area of Miami for twenty-four years.
He has been an NDA member since 1973, the year he graduated from Howard University College of Dentistry. While he was in dental school, he was a member of the Student National Dental Association (SNDA). Brother Gay has served as General Local Convention Chair twice-in 1986 (Miami), and in 1993 (Boca Raton). He served as member of the House of Delegates, then he was elected Vice-Speaker of the House, a position he held for five years. Brother Gay was elected Speaker of the House of Delegates and served in that capacity for three years. Last year, at the annual NDA Convention, he was unanimously elected to the office of President. Brother Gay is the son of Reverend Samuel L. Gay, Sr. and the late Inell Howell Gay. He has been married for twenty-seven years to his college sweetheart, the former Sandra Darlene Meriwether. They are the proud parents of three children, Nona Elissa, a graduate of Howard University, Joseph Sirdastion, a 1998 graduate of Hampton University, and Veronica Denise, a junior at Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia. Brother Gay was born and raised in Miami, where he attendAFRICAN-AMEJUCAN HISTORY EDITION
ed local schools, He is a proud graduate of Miami Northwestern High School He graduated from Knoxville College, Knoxville, Tennessee with a B.S. in Biology. Brother Gay was initiated into Knoxville College's Gamma Omicron Chapter in 1967. He later enrolled at Howard University College of Dentistry, in Washington, D C. While at Howard, he was awarded for excellence in oral diagnosis. Since returning to Miami in 1973, Brother Gay has been very active with Beta Beta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He served as Dean of Pledges for four years, vicepresident, and two terms as president. Brother Gay was named Alpha Man of the Year in 1983. He received the Nathaniel Colston Award of Excellence in 1993- He has been a member of the Dade County Dental Society since 1973- He served two terms as president. He has been a member of the Florida State Medical, Dental, and Pharmaceutical Association since 1973- Brother Gay served this group for five years as speaker of the House. In 1984, he chaired the organization's state meeting in Miami. In 1982, he served as president of the Dade County Academy of Medicine, a group whose membership included physicians, dentists, and pharmacists. He is a member of Alpha Rho Boule of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Inc. He is also a member of St. Paul A.M.E. Church, where he serves on the Steward Board. Brother Gay is a member of the Majestic and Mass Choirs and the Male Chorus, where he serves as a class leader. As president, Brother Gay is continuing the 85-year history of the NDA, serving as the dental advocate for the under-served and promoting the concerns of the African-American dentist. Special emphasis is being placed on mentorship, increasing membership and financial stability. The NDA represents more than 7,000 dentists in the United States, the Caribbean and abroad. In May of 1998, Brother Gay received the Alumni Achievement Award from the Howard University College of Dentistry for outstanding service to the community and the profession of dentistry.
D rw
RENOWNED AOA
Z
ETA LAMBDA FINDS TRUTH IN THE OLD ADAGE THAT THREE TIMES IS A CHARM
he old adage about "the third time being a charm" was realized for Zeta Lambda Chapter last summer in Nassau, Bahamas where they competed for the 1998 National Alumni Chapter of the Year award. Zeta Lambda, seated in Newport News, Virginia, had represented the Eastern Region in the national competition the two previous years, 1996 and 1997. Selected again last year to represent the Eastern Region, Zeta Lambda took home the gold after being named the year's best Alumni Chapter in all Alphadom on August 1, 1998 during ceremonies at the Educational and Economic Development Forum. This honor stands as a true testimony to the spirit, dedication, and grit of the Zeta Lambda Brothers who serve with pride and dignity, emulating by word and deed, the Fraternity's credo: "First of All, Servants of All, We Shall Transcend All". Zeta Lambda-which had been chosen as Alumni Chapter of the Year for the four-previous consecutive years by the Virginia Association of Chapters of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. Inc.-has 78 continuous years of sustained performance in providing positive direction and problem resolution. Dedicated to the tenets and principles of the Seven Jewels and nine charter founders, the Chapter has nurne Mm tured existing partner°fZeta ^ " ^ ships and opened new joint ventures with organizations and individuals seeking prevention and solution to the myriad of problems plaguing our communities. Zeta Lambda has initiated, sponsored, conducted and contributed to numerous national and local programs, projects and events, superbly employing their window to the youthful citizenry, the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Hampton Roads (VA), to furnish hands-on support for Project Alpha, mentoring, scouting, scholarship, leadership, voter participation, charitable endeavors, the inducement and maintenance of "Go-to-High School, Go-to College", and sponsorship of the 15th Annual Zeta Lambda Chapter Basketball Tournament, December 29-30,1997. Also, Zeta Lambda's active participation in taking voters to the polls and serving as poll workers made a difference in the local and
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state elections and helped to achieve the objectives of the Fraternity's A Voteless People Is A Hopeless People program. In 1997-98, Zeta Lambda sustained and enhanced their rich legacy by fruitful intake, reclamation, and life membership. With nine brothers having over 50 years in Alpha, two of which, Brothers Clarence C. Johnson and William B. Howard, Jr., possessing 65 years plus, the Chapter's extraordinary range in age (25-87) and diversity in background further rendered a full gamut of insights and experiences. In genuine Alpha fellowship, Zeta Lambda conducted cooperative efforts with local Alpha chapters and other area Greek organizations such as the 5th Annual Founders Day Weekend, December 67,1997; the annual Zeta Lambda-Delta Beta Lambda joint chapter picnic; and the Peninsula Pan-Hellenic Council award dinner. Brothers further participated by "stepping" at the AKA's 45th MidAtlantic Regional Convention and the Delta Sigma Theta Annual Step Show, respectively, on April 17 and 18,1998. The Chapter contributed to the growth of personal service to its members by emphasizing "Brother Helping Brother", a formal chapter program created to provide recognized avenues for the benefit and betterment of individual Zeta Lambda Brothers. Direct and measurable benefits w, Newport News, Virginia were accrued by Brothers in the form of real estate client referrals, employment transition, and business sales support. All chapter members who provide professional services are further identified in the published Zeta Lambda Directory of Membership. Other relevant outcomes from the program were reduction of chapter dues for those Brothers just three years out of school or attending Graduate/Professional School on a full-time basis, immediately resulting in three Brothers being reclaimed into Zeta Lambda. The Brothers of Zeta Lambda Chapter have toiled long and hard in the vineyards. They have stayed the course, always moving onward and upward. Now, this sterling chronicle of achievement and attainment verily validates them as Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity's 1998 Alumni Chapter of the Year. THE SPHINXâ&#x201E;˘ SPRING 1999
RENOWNED AOA
CHAPTER OF THE YEAR HONORS CIVIL RIGHTS LEGEND
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eta Lambda Chapter in Newport News, Virginia honored Dr. James Farmer with the Chapter's Second Annual "Man of the lYear - Beyond the Call of Duty Award." The Chapter's highest Community Service Award was presented at its gala scholarship-awards banquet held at the Fort Monroe Virginia Officer's Club. Brother U.S. Congressman Robert C. Scott of Virginia served as master of ceremonies for the event. Dr. Farmer was an early participant in the Civil Rights Movement. He has dedicated his life to working for the betterment of the country and its African-American citizens. In 1942, at age 22, he founded the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), an interracial group comprised largely of students who used non-violent protest to fight segregation in America. This occurred 15 years before the Montgomery Bus Boycott. As the National Director of CORE in the 1960s, Dr. Farmer orchestrated and led the famous "Freedom Riders," an action that directly confronted segregation in bus terminals and on interstate buses. In 1969, he was appointed by President Nixon as
Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare (HEW), but left one year laterâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;resigning out of frustration with governmental bureaucracy. In 1972, he served as president of the Council on Minority Planning and Strategy, and four years later was named Associate Director of the Coalition of American Public Employees (CAPE). In 1972, he helped found Fund For An Open Society (OPEN), a non-profit mortgage company providing low-cost loans to persons making pro-integration housing moves. He served as Board Chairman there until 1995. Since his early beginning, Dr. Farmer has continued his active fight for civil rights. In January 1998, President Bill Clinton awarded Dr. Farmer the Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian award. The following month, he was recognized by the Virginia General Assembly for his civil rights efforts. Commenting on the Medal of Freedom award, Dr. Farmer stated that even though he had been honored with the nation's highest civilian award, Zeta Lambda's "Beyond the Call of Duty Award" meant more to him.
(Front row seated, left to right) Chapter President William M. Batts, III. Dr. James Farmer and Congressman Robert C. Scott ar pictured with Zeta Lambda Brother's at Chapter's Scholarship Awards Banquet
AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY EDITION
NEWS FEATURE
GEORGE HALEY JOINS RANKS BROTHER OF UNITED STATES AMBASSADORS
A jubilant Brother George Haley steps forward to be sworn in as U.S. Ambassador to Gambia. rother George W. Haley recently joined the ranks of a select group of individuals who have served as United States Ambassador to a foreign nation. Brother Haley's appointment by President Bill Clinton as Ambassador to Gambia was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in September. He was sworn in soon after his confirmation by Vice President Al Gore in a ceremony held at Howard University in Washington, D.C. The Gambia assignment, takes Brother Haley to the home base of his family's history, which his late brother, author Alex Haley, wrote about in his acclaimed novel, Roots. Before accepting the appointment, Brother Haley served as Chairman of the Postal Rate Commission. An attorney by profession, Haley has practiced law in the District of Columbia and the State of Kansas, where he also served as a Deputy City Attorney and a State Senator. In Washington D.C. he was President of George W Haley, PC, which specialized in transportation, corporate, and international law. In 1986 Mr. Haley ran in the Maryland Republican primary for the U.S. Senate. His federal government experience includes service as Chairman of the Postal Rate Commission (1990-1993), General Counsel and Congressional Liaison at the United States Information Agency (1976-1977), and Chief Counsel of the Federal Transit Administration (1969-1973). Also, Brother Haley has served as an appointed member on several international missions, including the U.S. delegation to the 22nd General Conference of UNESCO in Paris, the U.S. delegation to the Second International Conference on Assistance to Refugees in Africa (ICARA) in Geneva, Switzerland, and the U.S. Presidential Delegation to the Fourth African-American Summit in Harare, Zimbabwe. Brother Haley is a 1949 graduate from Morehouse College and a 1952 graduate from the University of Arkansas school of Law. He is also a veteran of World War II.
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Before recently moving to Gambia with his wife, Brother Haley lived in Silver Spring, Maryland and was a member of Iota Upsilon Lambda Chapter. He was initiated at Beta Lambda Chapter in Kansas City, Missouri in 1953Some of the other members of Alpha Phi Alpha who have served as U.S. Ambassadors have included, Brothers Edward Richard Dudley, head of the U.S. diplomatic mission in Liberia; Raphael O'Hara Lanier, Envoy Extraordinaire and Minister Plenipotentiary to Liberia; John Howard Morrow, U.S. Ambassador to Guinea; Franklin Hall Williams, U.S. Ambassador to Ghana; Samuel Adams, U.S. Ambassador to Niger; John E. Reinhardt, U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria; 0. Rudolph Aggrey, U.S. Ambassador to Senegal, the Gambia and Romania; Terence A. Todman, who served six times as U.S. Ambassador to Chad, to Guinea, to Costa Rica, to Spain, to Denmark and to Argentina; Clarence Clyde Ferguson, U.S. Ambassador to Uganda; Leonard Spearman, U.S. Ambassador to Rwanda and to Lesotho; Andrew Young, Ambassador to the United Nations; William Gray, III, U.S. Envoy (with rank of Ambassador) to Haiti; Howard K. Walker, U.S. Ambassador to Togo and to Madagascar; James Joseph, U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of South Africa; Walter C. Carrington, U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria; and Horace G. Dawson, Jr., U.S. Ambassador to Botswana.
Brother Haley is congratulated by Vice President Al Gore following his swearing in as U.S. Ambassador
THE SPHINXâ&#x201E;˘ SPRING 1999
NEWS FEATURE
13 ROTHER JOHN STANFORD REMEMBERED FROM VIETNAM, TO THE PENTAGON, TO THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF SEATTLE, AMERICA WAS BLESSED BY HIS LEADERSHIP
Brother John Stanford, a retired General and Superintendent of the Seattle Public Schools, landed in Seattle, Washington with a point to prove. "All Children Will Learn!" he declared, replacing the old school system motto: "All Children Can Learn." Not only students in Seattle learned from Brother Stanford. Everyone who came to know him learned what Brother John Stanford a powerful motivator he could be. They learned that he was a true agent of positive change within a society latent with cynics who repress hope. They learned to never quit. Brother Stanford never quit, even while being slowly overtaken by leukemia. He died November 29,1998 at age 60. Brother Stanford's point was well taken. Since assuming the leadership role in Seattle, student's test scores rose steadily in every subject, every grade, every year. Seattle's students embraced Brother Stanford as a leader and he became a hero for many. Leadership was nothing new to Brother Stanford. He served 30 years as an officer in the United States Army, retiring as a Major General. Later, he served as county manager of Fulton County, Georgiaâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;a large jurisdiction that encompasses Atlanta. There, he managed a work force of more than 5,000 and oversaw a budget of roughly $750 million. Brother Stanford was credited with improving the financial status, internal workings and customer service functions of the county. No Army general goes into battle without a well thought out plan of action. Brother Stanford's fight to improve education was nothing less than strategically organized. He outlined "13 Steps to Success" which he pledged to implement in Seattle. They are: (1) Align the curAFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY EDITION
riculum (2) Focus on professional development (3) Invest in technology which "moves faster" (4) Strengthen early childhood education (5) Assure funding (6) Improve the performance of minority children (7) Keep goals clear and stick to them (8) Assess, Assess, Assess! (9) Focus on reading and literacy (10) Develop more creative ways to involve parents and teachers (11) Get students involved (12) Focus on your customers [parents] (13) Love your product!â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Love 'em and lead 'em!! Brother Stanford was a 1961 graduate of Pennsylvania State University where he earned his Bachelors degree in political science. He was initiated there at Gamma Nu Chapter in i960. Brother Stanford went on to earn his Masters degree in personnel management and administration from Central Michigan University. Upon hearing of his death, the city of Seattle mourned the loss of their superintendent to a degree usually reserved for presidents and other heads of state. His life and legacy was recounted on a special session of ABC-TV's Nightline, and his story dominated the Sunday edition of the Seattle Times and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. From coast to coast, those who knew Brother Stanford, as well as those who just knew of him, spoke about him in glowing terms. President Bill Clinton commented, "From Vietnam to the Pentagon to the public school classrooms of Seattle, America is lucky to have been blessed by General Stanford's leadership, compassion and vision. After 30 years of military service, the General brought his own infectious brand of courage and optimism to a new battle. He streamlined and reinvigorated Seattle Schools, inspiring his students to strive for excellence, and the entire community to believe once again in their public schools." It is Brother Stanford's "Alpha Phi Alpha inspired" tradition of excellence, combined with his military standards of unabated effort, that made him a leader well worth following.
NEWS FEATURE
JB> ETHUNE-COOKMAN
COLLEGE DEDICATES BUILDING TO BROTHER WENDELL HOLMES ^ ^ ^ A ^ m m
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Brother Dr. Wendell P. Holmes, Jr., a nationally recognized leader in education was honored recently when BethuneCookman College dedicated its new Wendell P. Holmes, Jr. Business Building. Brother Holmes is the chairman of the Board of Trustees at Bethune-Cookman College, a historically African-American institution located in Daytona Beach, Florida. He was selected for the tribute in recognition of his extraordinary contribu-
Brother Wendell P. Holmes
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"Dr. Holmes has given many years of service to BethuneCookman College. Under his leadership, our board of Trustees has a visionary plan and strategy that has brought the college into the top tier of America's private higher education institutions," said Bethune-Cookman President Dr. Oswald P. Bronson. "I believe the path set for the college will ensure an even brighter future for Bethune-Cookman as we enter the 21st century. I am most appreciative of Dr. Holmes' dedication to Bethune-Cookman College." Brother Holmes was born in Brunswick, Georgia. After completing high school, he enrolled at Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree. He later moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where he completed studies in mortuary science at Eckels College. He then moved to Jacksonville, Florida where he was initiated into Alpha Phi Alpha at Upsilon Lambda Chapter in 1953- Brother Holmes is a Life Member of the Fraternity. In Jacksonville, he established the Wendell P. Holmes Funeral Home in 1956. His educational and civic activities are numerous. In Jacksonville, he works with the Chamber of Commerce, the Community Relations Commission and the Opportunities Industrialization Center. He also serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Hampton University. Throughout his life, Brother Holmes has been dedicated to making a difference in the world. "I have always wanted to be a part of projects that are productive, that help people provide a better life for themselves," he said. "If we are not serving others in some way, then we are not bearing fruit that we should bear. We are not fulfilling our mission in life." The new Wendell P. Holmes, Jr. Business Building is a state of the art facility equipped with the latest in innovative business training resources. "The many unique features of the building will guarantee a business environment. The students will be immersed in a business culture," said Dr. Aubrey Long, chairman of the busi-
The Wendell P. Holmes, Jr. Business Building ness division. "This environment will be conducive to learning and facilitate adjustments to the international business world."
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OLEDO HOSPITAL HEALTH CLINIC NAMED FOR BROTHER ROLAND GANDY Mercy Hospital of Toledo, Ohio recently named its health clinic in honor of Brother Dr. Roland Gandy, Jr. who served as the hospital's Chairman of the Department of Surgery and Director of Surgical Education for many years. Brother Gandy also served as the hospital is Chief of Staff from 1989 to 1993. On hand for the dedication of the new Gandy clinic were Brother Gandy's children, Robin and Roland III, and his wife Yvonne. Mercy Hospital president and CEO (Northern Region) Darryl R. Lippman and St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center president and CEO Steve Mikus both spoke in glowing terms of Brother Gandy's contributions to the hospital over the years. "As we mark another milestone in the Mercy Health Partners successful journey of serving the health needs of the community, Dr. Gandy was a significant contributor to our mission, and the Gandy Health Clinic will certainly help us to improve the health status of the community and assist us in meeting our mission of serving all, with a special emphasis of serving the needy and under served." Brother Gandy attended Lincoln University where he received his bachelors degree. He later completed his medical studies at Temple University in Lincoln, Pennsylvania. In the 1950's, Brother Gandy relocated to Toledo and began working with Mercy Hospital in 1956. Aside from his affiliation with Mercy, he was a volunteer team physician at a local high school and at the University of Toledo. After retiring from Mercy Hospital in 1993, Brother Gandy worked part-time at the University of Toledo student medical center as medical director of the Family Health Plan. THE SPHINX™ SPRING 1999
BOOK REVIEW
T HURGOOD MARSHALL:
AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY BY JUAN WILLIAMS (Times Books/Random House) ISBN 0-8129-2028-7
Reviewed by Harry B. Dunbar ruan Williams' Thurgood Marshall: American Revolutionary | is certainly the most authoritative iography in print of the first AfricanAmerican Justice of the United States Supreme Court. It is authoritative for several reasons. First, Williams has consulted the original sources that one would expect. He interviewed the persons who were and are in a position to give credible insights into the person and actions of Thurgood Marshall. He has distilled the information gathered from these sources into a meaningful biography of a masterful figure in the history of American jurisprudence. This book is unlikely to soon be eclipsed by another biography of Thurgood Marshall. [Even the forthcoming A Defiant Life: Thurgood Marshall and the Persistence of Racism in America by Howard Ball (Crown, ISBN 0-517-59931-7) will not, since it reportedly skims over Marshall's personal life, which Williams treats in considerable detail.] As an academic, this reviewer cannot but be impressed with the documentation which Juan Williams provides to support his work. By our count, he interviewed 167 persons, including Stephen Carter, Kenneth Clark, Ramsey Clark, Marshall himself, members of the Supreme Court, John Hope Franklin, Spottswood Robinson III, and Andrew Young, to name but a few. All of the matters treated in the 33 chapters of this book, from Chapter One "Right Time, Right Man?" to Chapter 33 "Resurrection" are impeccably documented. Further, Juan Williams' acknowledgments of the help he received from a veritable army of persons, beginning with his research assistant and going on to others, some of whom are distinguished personalities in their own right, tell us something about him as well as about the book.
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AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY EDITION
Readers of The Sphinxâ&#x201E;˘ will be interested in, not to say in agreement with, Juan Williams' portrayal of Thurgood Marshall as a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. The most charitable description that can be made of this portrayal is that it lacks balance. First, from Williams' book one gets the impression that once Marshall graduated from Lincoln University in 1930, he no longer identified with the Fraternity into which he had been initiated. This, after documenting in minute detail the activities in which Marshall engaged as a pledge and as an initiate. Through the testimony of Monroe Dowling, an Omega man, Williams informs those who do not know, and reminds us who learned it at second hand from Alpha initiates at Lincoln, that the Fraternity hazing at Lincoln was "rough." We learn that Marshall "delighted in the nasty tricks Fraternity Brothers would play on each other and on rival frats." Moreover, we are informed, "Thurgood took to researching the best pranks." As Williams tells it, Marshall boasted, "I can throw water around a curve" You put the water in a pitcher, and you hold the pitcher straight up...then about the third time swirling the waterwhrrroooo, throw the water and it will go around the corner."Other serious acts of hazing resulted in 26 students, Marshall included, being expelled. Langston Hughes, a classmate, suggested that the administration might have mercy on them if they confessed their crimes. They signed the papers drawn up by Hughes and were allowed to return. What Williams does not report is the fact that Marshall continued his allegiance to Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity long after leaving Lincoln. He was the banquet speaker at the Fraternity's December 1952 Convention in Cleveland, where he described the
BOOK REVIEW historical pattern of the battle for justice and equality. He pointed out the conspicuous role played by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and its leadership in this battle and challenged the members of the Fraternity to maintain their loyalty and increase the struggle for equal opportunity in all sections of the nation. In 1956 at the Fraternity's 50th Anniversary Convention, Brother Marshall was honored (in absentia) with the Founders Award for his contributions to constitutional law and citizenship. In 1958, at the Public Meeting of the 44th General Convention in Philadelphia, Brother Marshall gave an address outlining the work of the NAACP regarding integration and the segregated public school systems of the Southern states, and the action of the courts and the Association in its struggles to end these sectional situations in our democracy. In the Spring of i960, at the Public Meeting of the Southwest Regional Convention, the Fraternity historian reports, Brother Thurgood Marshall spoke to a capacity audience and declared to a cheering audience that Africa is on the march for freedom. This reviewer can personally attest to Brother Marshall's participation in Fraternity affairs as late as 1966. We participated in a march from the Sheraton-Jefferson Hotel in St. Louis, where the Fraternity was meeting in convention, to the old Court House, the site of the Dred Scott decision. We witnessed the presentation of the Alpha Award of the Century to Brother Marshall and heard his stirring response in the court rotunda. Brother Marshall contributed much to Alpha Phi Alpha, after throwing water around a corner on
Omegas and after pouring slop through four stories of trapdoors in the dormitories at Lincoln University in the 1926-1929 era. As Casey Stengel of Mets fame used to say, "You could look it up." In this book, Juan Williams presents a multitude of insightful analyses of Thurgood Marshall's contributions to civil rights, to American jurisprudence and to constitutional law. Importantly, we also get poignant sketches of his interactions with others: with the members of the Congressional committees conducting hearings on his nominations for Solicitor General and for membership on the Supreme Court. Williams' quote of William Coleman watching the Thomas hearings with Thurgood Marshall is touching: "If you want to suffer through the most miserable time, sit in Justice Marshall's chambers with the television on during the time of the Thomas hearing," Coleman said to Williams. All of these things move us to empathize with Thurgood Marshall. For us, Williams' elucidation, in "Marshall and the Militants," of Marshall's encounter with members of the Nation of Islam, as he emerged from the subway one evening, is compelling. Williams' clarification of Marshall's controversial interactions with J. Edgar Hoover and the FBI are no less so. There is no question but that, as Juan Williams says, Thurgood Marshall was "a revolutionary of grand vision who laid the foundation stone for race relations in his time and for generations beyond." He was a good Alpha Man too.
Brother Harry B. Dunbar is Chairman of the Publications Committee. He is Professor Emeritus of Humanities at New York City Technical College of the City University of New York and author of the Internet CompuServe column Dunbar on Black Books, located on the Internet at: HYPERLINK http://www.lookoutnow.com/blackbooks/about.htm
THE SPHINX™ DEADLINE Color or black & white photo prints are accepted for publication in The SPHINX™. Color pictures are preferred. Photographs sent to the magazine cannot be returned. Those sending photos should make duplicate prints of the pictures before sending them. Xerox copies of photographs, computer printouts, photos clipped from newspapers or magazines, and poor quality photographs will not be printed. The next issue of The SPHINX™ scheduled for publication will be the Summer 1999 magazine. Information and materials sent for the Summer 1999 magazine should be received in the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Corporate Headquarters no later than March 1, 1 9 9 9 . You are encouraged to send information well before that date to avoid missing the deadline. Send materials to: Editor of The The SPHINX™; Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.; 2313 St. Paul Street; Baltimore, MD 21218-5234. The SPHINX™ is the official organ of the Fraternity. Published quarterly, The SPHINX1™® open to articles about the accomplishments of Brothers and Chapters. Notices of deceased Brothers should be sent for inclusion in the "Omega Chapter" section of the magazine. Materials submitted by the March 1, 1 9 9 9 deadline will be included in the Summer 1999 edition. Articles not received by the deadline will appear in the following edition. All articles submitted for publication must be keyed or typed in narrative form. It is requested that articles be submitted on hard copy, along with computer disk when possible. Microsoft Word and WordPerfect formats are preferred. Disks should be IBM or MAC compatible. THE SPHINX™ SPRING 1999
FEATURE ARTICLE
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HE MOTHER OF ALPHA WAS ALSO RELATED TO ONE OF THE FRATERNITY'S EARLY GENERAL PRESIDENTS By Brother Herman "Skip"Mason
"I am extremely happy that I was able, in a small way, to stimulate the realization of this dream through the trials and tribulations of the early years." Annie Singleton, 1956.
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he home of Mr. Archie Singleton and his wife, the affable Annie C. Singleton, was located at the foot of the hill of the Cornell University campus in Ithaca, New York. It was in their home at 411 East State Street in an upper bedroom-which they rented out to a young student from Washington, D.C., Robert Harold Ogleâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;that "the arguments pro and con were made as to whether the organization which started as a literary club should become a fraternity." Robert Harold Ogle and seven other young men known as Mrs. Singleton's "boys" would later establish our beloved Fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha. "Jewel" Kelley recalled that when the Brothers who lived on the hill were too weary to go home, they would fall in the beds of those Brothers who lived with Archie and Annie Singleton. He remembered that the Singletons were very patient with them. Archie H. Singleton was born a slave in South Carolina in 1854. His father, whose identity is unknown, was born in England and his mother was a native of South Carolina. He and his first wife, Katie, were the parents of two children, James and Willie. In 1904, Archie Singleton married Annie C. Nixon. She was bom in 1874 in Alabama. Her father was from one of the parishes in Louisiana and her mother was a South Carolinian. By the turn of the century, the Singletons had relocated to the township of Ithaca where Mr. Singleton worked as a janitor. Their home on East State Street was a racially-mixed neighborhood where they were one of two African-American families living on the street. Most of the African-American men were employed by Cornell University fraternity houses as janitors and cooks. Mrs. Singleton worked in the home of a white family in Ithaca. By 1920, long after "her boys" had graduated, Annie and Archie Singleton spent their time raising their 14-year-old daughter, Mary, and nephew Albert Nixon. In 1939, at Alpha Phi Alphafs World Fair Convention in New York, the Fraternity invited as its special guest Mrs. Annie Singleton. General President Charles H. Wesley, who realized that many of the Brothers had not seen this grand lady, introduced Annie Singleton to the Brotherhood. It was at this Convention that the name
"Mother" Annie Singleton and two of "her boys" "Mother" stuck and Annie Singleton was officially designated as the "Mother of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc." Mother Annie Singleton moved to Toledo, Ohio during the 1940s where she lived for several years before returning to Buffalo and her residence at 107 Northland Avenue. Annie Singleton's ties to the Fraternity were not just with "her boys" at Cornell. She was the aunt of Brother Myles Paige, the first African-American judge in New York and the 19th General President of the Fraternity. Mother Singleton was a special guest at the 27th General Convention in New York City in 1939- She also was honored at the 50th Anniversary Convention in Buffalo, New York in 1956 where she was feted by the organization. She had moved to Buffalo by this time. Mrs. Annie C. Singleton died in her home in Buffalo on July 25, i960. Funeral services were held in Buffalo where she is buried. In i960 during the memorial service at the 54th Anniversary Convention in Washington, D.C., General President Myles Paige, on behalf of the Fraternity, deposited a yellow rose in memory of Mrs. Annie C. Singletonâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;the beloved "Mother" of the Fraternity and his aunt. Brother Herman ' 'Skip'' Mason, Jr. is the Fraternity's National Archivist.
The House of Archie and Annie Singleton at 411 East State Street in Ithaca, New York.
ALPHA ATHLETES
K s U FOOTBALL PLAYERS FIND STRENGTH IN BROTHERHOOD rotherhood transcends all other forms of camaraderie, says three Alpha Phi Alpha Brothers who are starting players on Kentucky State University's football team. The KSU Thorobred players say their fraternal relationship helps them make one another better, even on the football field. "We're all producing" said Brother Terry Elder, a junior student and defensive linebacker on the team. "In practice we go against each other and we pick and taunt each other. We're trying to make each other better and in practice we try to make each other work as hard as the other person is working." Terry, who is 5-feet, 11-inches tall and weighs 205 pounds, says another motivating factor for him is his size. "Everyone says I'm too small to play linebacker. By textbook standards, I really am too small but that just keeps me pushing harder to prove them wrong." A mechanical engineering major, Brother Elder says he would like to play in the NFL, CFL or European Football League. But if not, he says, I will graduate and try to land a good job that will allow me to use my talents to take myself further. Brother Anthony Arnett also is a KSU junior and is a wide receiver for the team. As a sophomore in 1996, Brother Arnett was chosen as a First Team All Conference player. Last year he finished third in receptions for the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference with 40 catches for 601 yards. About his football future, the 6-feet, 202 pounds Anthony Arnett says, "If God blesses me with the opportunity to play in the NFL-that s my ultimate goal. I m trying but I still have to get better at a few things while I'm here." Brother Arnett is studying to be a clinical psychologist. He says family is very important to him and he has a very religious-oriented life. Brother Anthony Long, a senior student and criminal justice major, plans to attend real estate school after graduating and before beginning law school in the Fall at the University of Kentucky-that's if he's not picked up by a professional team. "I focus more on my studies and pretty much if the NFL happens it happens," says Brother Long, a defensive safety for the team who is 6-feet, 1-inch tall and weights 185 pounds. "I've been interested in law all my life," says Brother Long, who plans to study criminal law. "My father is a correctional officer so I guess that pretty much started it for me." Brother Long says his philosophy of life is "Don't let anything stand in the way of your dreams. Keep God in your life and through him all things can be made possible."
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THE SPHINXâ&#x201E;˘ SPRING 1999
CHAPTER NEWS
HAPTER NEWS EASTERN
"Double 0" Brothers served meals to the homeless and less fortunate at the So Others Might Eat (S.O.M.E.) Thanksgiving Day program. In an effort to positively influence the lives of some of the community's underprivileged youth, Chapter Brothers tutor, counsel and mentor boys and girls housed in area group homes and shelters. "Double 0" Brother Michael Minor lends his skills as an emergency medical technician and a volunteer fire fighter. Brother Minor also is very active in the university's student recruitment effort and serves as a reporter and photographer for the student and university media. PSI Philadelphia, PA
Alpha Gamma Lambda Chapter members ALPHA GAMMA LAMBDA N e w York, NY Alpha Gamma Lambda Brothers are continuing their efforts to reach out to the community. Several Brothers participated in the 1998 WalkAmerica as part of Alpha Phi Alpha's National Team. The Chapter also put on a highly successful Project Alpha in conjunction with the March of Dimes Foundation. The events, held in New York City, are emblematic of the many great community service projects undertaken by Alpha Gamma Lambda. OMICRON OMICRON University of the District of Columbia Washington, DC The Brothers at "Double 0" Chapter are hard at work to ensure that the light of Alpha Phi Alpha shines brightly in the nation's capital. Omicron Omicron Brothers sponsored their Alpha Week, which featured a valuable Time Management Seminar, a life giving/saving Bone Marrow Drive and an elegant evening of poetry entitled "Words and Verses". FOX-TV News Anchor Brother David Burnett spoke to the university community about the Fraternity's role in his life and the organization's mission for humanity during the Alpha Awareness seminar. AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY EDITION
Psi Chapter Brothers celebrated a very successful Alpha Week that began with a candlelight vigil honoring Brother Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The event attracted Brothers from throughout the area, as well as, a large number of students and faculty who are not affiliated with the Fraternity. A Poetry Night also was featured as a part of Alpha Week. Students and the public had an opportunity to share their creative thoughts as part of the event. In conjunction with the ladies of Gamma Epsilon Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Psi Chapter Brothers sponsored a male/female relationship discussion. The chapter also conducted a Project Alpha event with area Alumni Chapters as part of the Alpha Week activities. The weeklong celebration ended with a well-attended Black & Gold Cabaret. ETA CHI LAMBDA Nanuet, NY Eta Chi Lambda Brothers sponsored a memorial service celebrating the life of the late Ambassador Brother Julian L. Bartley, Sr. and his son "Jay" who were victims of the American Embassy bombing in Nairobi, Kenya. The service was held at the St. Charles A.M.E. Zion Church in Sparkill, New York where Brother Rev. Louis E. Sanders, Eta Chi Lambda Chapter chaplain, is pastor. Brother Rev. Sylvester Shannon, a national chaplain for the Fraternity and pastor of Siloam Presbyterian Church in Brooklyn, officiated. Brother Bartley's widow, Sue, and daughter, Edith, were in attendance. Those giving tributes to Brother Bartley came from as far as Kenya. A moving moment in the experience came when the Serendipity
CHAPTER NEWS Chorale of Norway, Connecticut sang the African tune, "Siyahamba." Brother Bartley was a member of Eta Chi Lambda Chapter while he was employed as an educator at Nyack High School there.
al Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast with Bishop Woodie White, President of the Council of United Methodist Bishops, serving as guest speaker.
XI ZETA L o n g w o o d College Farmville.VA
IOTA UPSILON LAMBDA Silver Spring, MD
Xi Zeta Chapter Brothers have performed numerous community service projects on the Longwood College campus and in the surrounding Farmville area, including Buckingham County, Cumberland County and Prince Edward County. The programs they implemented included, A Voteless People Is A Voteless People, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Project Alpha, a candlelight March in honor of Brother Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and mentoring programs. Xi Zeta won numerous awards during Longwood College's Greek Awards Ceremony, including: highest GPA for Greeks, Community Service Award, Longwoodfs Annual Spring Step Show and Xi Zeta Chapter Brother Larry Walker III was named Longwood College Greek Man of the Year. DELTA NU LAMBDA Danville,VA Delta Nu Lambda was host of the 1998 Virginia Association of Chapters of Alpha Phi Alpha. Epsilon Omicron Lambda Chapter of Saint Paul's College in Lawrenceville, Virginia assisted in the hosting duties. The 55th Annual Convention was held at Stratford Inn in Danville and was attended by more than 100 Brothers. The highlight of the Convention was the public forum, where "The Effects of Politics on the African-American Community" was the theme.
IUL Chapter's Brother Samuel L. Woodard recently retired after 44 years in education. He spent the last 24 years of his career as professor of education at Howard University. Before his retirement, he received two singular honors. First, the All Pennsylvania College Alumni Association cited him as a "Distinguished Pennsylvania Educator" and role model for American youth. Second, his undergraduate alma mater, Mansfield University, selected Brother Woodard as the first African-American member of its alumni Society of Honors for "outstanding achievements and contributions to society through professional, civic and philanthropic work."
ETA THETA LAMBDA West Hempstead, NY IBM's Corporate Community Relations and Public Affairs Program recently awarded $1,000 to the Hempstead Public Schools on behalf of Eta Theta Lambda Chapter Brother Amos M. Gailliard, Jr. The funds will be used to help secure much needed equipment, books and supplies to implement the Helping One Student To Succeed program (HOSTS). The Hempstead Community has a low-tax base and residents are over-assessed for residential property. The majority African-American and Hispanic schools look to corporations such as IBM for assistance.
KAPPA PHI LAMBDA Columbia, MD Kappa Phi Lambda Brothers closed out the third quarter of last year with their most successful Sports Party ever. All of the previous attendance records were shattered by last year's annual Sports Party where racquetball, basketball and tennis were played. The fourth quarter saw the Chapter involved in Project Alpha where Brothers discussed societal, legal and health consequences of teen sexual activity with junior and senior students at Oakland Mills High School in Columbia, Maryland. In November, the Chapter carried out a success Project Cornucopia, a program to feed needy families at Thanksgiving. In December, a representative from the Howard County Board of Elections was brought in to provide voter-registration training for Brothers who had not received training or whose certification had expired. In January, the Chapter hosted its annu-
IBM awarded $1,000 to the Hempstead Public Schools on behalf of Brother Amos Gailliard, Jr. (secondfrom left).
THE SPHINXâ&#x201E;˘ SPRING 1999
CHAPTER NEWS
MIDWESTERN ETA TAU LAMBDA Akron, Ohio Eta Tau Lambda Chapter hosted several successful events over the past year. Among them was the Fourth Annual Canal Challenge 5K Run-1 mile Run, Walk or Crawl. More than 50 participants-including several brave Brothers-took part in the fund-raising effort. The Chapter awarded ten $500 scholarships, renewable for five years, at their 24th Annual Scholarship Awards and Recognition Program. Ten other outstanding collegiate scholars were awarded the Chapter's Martin 0. Chapman Recognition Plaques for their achievements. The Chapter recently was awarded the Ohio District Alumni Chapter of the Year at the District Convention in Columbus, Ohio.
Governor Zell Miller. At the Chapter's 1998 Ms. Black & Gold Pageant, the Carl E. Manson, Sr. Scholarship was unveiled in honor of the Chapter's founder.
TAU GAMMA Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach, Florida Tau Gamma Chapter was voted into existence at the Fraternity's 1998 Educational and Economic Development Forum in Nassau, Bahamas. The defining moment was achieved after three years of hard work by eight Embry Riddle Aeronautical University students who were initiated in 1996 at Xi Iota Chapter in Orlando, Florida. Tau Gamma Brothers are hard at work uplifting the name of Alpha. The new Chapter maintains an influential presence on campus and in the surrounding community while achieving the second-highest GPA of all Greek-letter organizations at ERAU.
SOUTHERN ZETAMU Georgia State University Atlanta, GA Brothers at the recently reactivated Zeta Mu Chapter began the year with productive projects and activities. The Chapter received Georgia State University's Presidential Award, given to a Greek-letter organization in recognition of outstanding involvement in community service. Zeta Mu Brothers participated in several volunteer programs such as the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethon, Georgia State's week-long community service program, as well as, a similar program sponsored by 100 Black Men of Atlanta. The 100 Black Men event called for college students to speak with middle school students about the importance of a high school and college education. Recently, Chapter President Marc Hood was honored as an "Outstanding Leader" at a banquet recognizing Georgia
Zeta Mu Chapter Brothers AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY EDITION
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CHAPTER NEWS OMICRONIOTA LAMBDA Columbia, South Carolina Omicron Iota Lambda Brothers recently celebrated their annual Go-to-High School, Go-to-College fair in Columbia, South Carolina. The fair featured colleges from across South Carolina, Georgia and North Carolina and was well attended by hundreds of students from metropolitan Columbia and surrounding communities. The chapter also involved itself with the local Boy Scouts Troop, through which they implemented their mentoring and Project Alpha initiatives. At the District Convention, Omicron Iota Lambda won Chapter of the Year, Brother of the Year and The Charles H. Wesley award for having superb relations and involvement with area undergraduate chapters. Chi Chapter has been recognized as one of the most active organizations on MeHartys campus. CHI Meharry Medical College Nashville, TN Chi Chapter was given new life when former presidents Brothers Dr. Willie Gilford and Dr. Napoleon Higgins facilitated its recent resuscitation. The Chapter has been recognized as one of the most active organizations on Meharry's campus because of its community participation. For the last two years, the Chapter has donated food to the needy, conducted voter registration, implemented Project Alpha, held Miss Black & Gold pageants, and community health and dental screenings. THETA NU University of South Carolina Columbia, SC Theta Nu Chapter has enjoyed a year filled with successes. Following the initiation of 14 new Brothers, the Chapter captured first-place honors at the 2nd Annual Greekfest Step Competition. A productive Alpha Week followed with a campus cookout, Greek forum, health exposition, football concessions and an on-going voter registration drive. The Chapter also sponsored a student who was struggling to meet his college financial obligations. Two Brothers from the Chapter competed in the school's homecoming king competition, and the Chapter won recognition for the best float in the homecoming parade. Theta Nu Brothers then made school history by winning the Carolina Community Service Award, becoming the first NPHC organization to win an overall Homecoming Award. At the District Convention, Theta Nu walked away with numerous awards including: Brother of the Year, Oratorical Winner, and 1998 Chapter of the Year.
DELTA IOTA LAMBDA Columbus, Georgia Delta Iota Lambda Chapter's Brother James H. Patrick, upon his retirement, was honored at a reception sponsored by the Muscogee County School District of Columbus, Georgia. He last served as the school district's assistant superintendent for business affairs. Immediately following his retirement, Brother Patrick relocated to Tuskegee, Alabama where the Macon County Board of Education hired him as their new superintendent of education. BETA OMICRON Mobile, Alabama
LAMBDA
Beta Omicron Lambda Brothers participated in the Honors Day Convocation at Bishop State Community College where scholarships were presented for tuition, books and fees. Additionally, the Chapter participated in the Honors Day Program at George Hall Elementary School where certificates for outstanding academic achievement were presented to 26 students who maintained a 4.0 GPA during the 1997-1998 academic year. Certificates were also presented to three fifth-graders in special education programs at Glendale Elementary School. Beta Omicron Lambda Brothers also sponsored a voter-registration drive and their first blood drive in support of the American Red Cross. A live remote was set up at the Fraternity House by two local radio stations inviting the Mobile community to participate. The Chapter exceeded its goal of 25 pints of blood by 16 pints. IOTA DELTA Florida State University Tallahassee, FL Iota Delta Chapter Brothers continue to hold the light of Alpha THE SPHINXâ&#x201E;˘ SPRING 1999
CHAPTER NEWS high. Christopher J. Harris and Eric Sherfield have been re-elected as president and vice president of the NAACP, and the Chapter has been selected as the Florida State University Organization of the Year. Another Brother, Ewans Michel, serves as vice president of the Black Student Union. Chapter President, Larry Russ, serves as Assistant North Area Director. ALPHA EPSILON LAMBDA Jackson, Mississippi Brother Audwin Fletcher, a practicing nurse and instructor in Jackson, Mississippi recently made history when he became the first African-American male to ever complete dual degrees from the University of Mississippi Medical Center, School of Nursing. He received Masters degrees in Science in Nursing and Family Nurse Practitioner. In addition, Brother Fletcher recently accepted a faculty position at the School of Nursing, making him the first African-American male ever to be employed by the school as a faculty member. Brother Fletcher credits God and his family with helping him to achieve his career goals. MUPSI LAMBDA Homewood.AL Mu Psi Lambda Chapter Brothers have implemented a monthly Brother's Luncheon, designed to reclaim inactive Brothers in the Birmingham, Alabama metropolitan area. The luncheons, which began in July 1998, are held on the second Wednesday of each month at the Alabama Power Company Headquarters Building-an eatery that boasts of a large, diversified lunchtime crowd. Inactive Brothers who attend the luncheon also are invited to the Chapter's meeting on the following Saturday morning.
America by chaperoning ten Boy Scouts to a college football game. Prior to the game, the Brothers and Boy Scouts conducted a campus clean-up and gave tours of the campus. They also discussed personal goals, college attendance and obtaining a college degree. ZETAXL University of Southwestern Louisiana Lafayette, Louisiana Zeta Xi Chapter made history at their institution by claiming all campus awards available to Greek-letter organizations. The chapter received recognition in the following areas: highest GPA; most service hours completed; largest charitable donation; scholarship; membership and new member education; financial management; chapter management; community service; Dean's Choice Award and Outstanding Greek Man: Brother Paul J. Rochon. The chapter is celebrating its 30-year anniversary. XI KAPPA LAMBDA Houston, Texas Xi Kappa Lambda Brothers recently participated in a Big Brothers/Big Sisters Summer Youth Lock-In. Several young children attended the event, which had as its theme: "Character Counts." There were activities and discussions on the pillars of good character, citizenship, responsibility, fairness, trustworthiness, respect and caring. Throughout the evening, the youth were awarded prizes for participation in the activities and for displaying any of the six pillars of good character. ETA PSI LAMBDA
SOUTHWESTERN Mm DELTA SIGMA Grambling State University Grambling, Louisiana Delta Sigma Brothers participated in Grambling's Freshman Orientation week in several capacities. They also held a week-long A Voteless People Is A Hopeless People voter-registration drive in which more than 200 students were added to the ranks of registered voters. In implementing the Go-to-High School, Go-to-College program, Delta Sigma invited high school seniors from nearby Lake Charles, Louisiana to visit and tour the campus of Grambling. The Brothers answered questions about college life and the different academic programs offered at the University. Delta Sigma Brothers participated in the national mentoring program with Boy Scouts of AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY EDITION
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CHAPTER NEWS T u c s o n , Arizona Eta Psi Lambda Chapter recently held its 26th Annual Scholarship Luncheon for 20 African-American male high school seniors with GPAs of 3.0 or higher. Counselors, parents and community leaders were invited to the meal that was served at the University of Arizona. The Chapter has also reached out to the community by joining the Black Chamber of Commerce and by participating in the Stand for Children event. Last Fall, Eta Psi Lambda hosted its 20th Annual Go-to-High School, Go-to-College symposium. More than 75 high school students participated in panel discussions and workshops on college preparation, financial aid, resume writing, test taking, studying and gearing for success in college.
WESTERN ALPHA EPSILON Berkeley, California Alpha Epsilon Chapter Brothers have had a successful fraternal year. The Chapter took the lead in organizing Cal Camp, an annual event held each summer for "at risk" youth from across the San Francisco, Bay Area. Under the leadership of Alpha Epsilon Brothers, Cal Camp took place during the third week of August in the beautiful Stanislaus National Forest. Alpha Epsilon Brothers implemented the program with a budget of $24,000. The Brothers solicited donations from foundations, private individuals and generous sponsorship through the Associated Students, University of California (ASUC). The Brothers also recruited and trained Camp counselors/mentors, and served in that capacity as well. The camp lasted seven days and six nights and was filled with educational workshops-including Go-to-High School, Go-to-College and plenty of fun and games. The camp provided the youth, ages 8-12, with a memorable bonding experience.
Community award, as well as their Brother of the Year recognition. The program was a great success, with all proceeds going to support local programs and scholarships. The Chapter also promoted African-American "Greek" unity in the Anchorage community by sponsoring Stomp Fest '98. Four teams were represented: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. GAMMA XI University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Los Angeles, CA Gamma Xi Brothers began the 1998-1999 academic year with historic programs and innovative events. The school year began with a week-long A Voteless People Is A Hopeless People campaign where Brothers aggressively worked to register and educate under-represented communities in the greater Los Angeles area. Bothers also contributed to the fund-raising efforts for UCLA's traditional African Graduation. Last Halloween, in conjunction with the City of Santa Monica Police Activities League, Brothers put away their trick-ortreat bags to volunteer at the city's Halloween Carnival. More than 4,000 people attended the event, which afforded local children a safe alternative to roaming the streets. Gamma Xi Chapter is currently planning their 1999 Miss Black & Gold Pageant and are involved in the planning stages of the Western Region's 1999 Convention in Santa Clara, California
NU ZETA LAMBDA
Anchorage, Alaska Nu Zeta Lambda Chapter has undergone a tremendously successful re-organization and reclamation effort since 1995. During the past year, the Chapter completed several national programs and many outstanding local community service projects. The activities included: the Go-to-High School, Go-to-College program; A Voteless People Is A Hopeless People; Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America; March of Dimes, Walk for America; Kids Day; Net Day; and a Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration. In an effort to increase AfricanAmerican role models, the Chapter held its first annual Juneteenth Black & Gold Ball and awarded several members with the Spirit of
Nu Zeta Brothers say the Chapter has undergone re-organization. THE SPHINXâ&#x201E;˘ SPRING 1999
BROTHER RAYMOND R. BROWN was a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha. He was initiated May 12, 1926 at Alpha Tau Chapter, University of Akron in Akron, Ohio. Brother Brown received his bachelor's degree from Akron University and was one of two African-Americans to graduate in 1929- He earned a Master's degree from New York University and an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Rio Grande College in 1969Brother Brown was a noted educator, community leader and civil rights pioneer. He spent 23 years with the Urban League serving as Director of the Akron Community Service Center. Brother Brown served as Mid-Eastern Regional Director of the Urban League until his retirement. He served as a lecturer at the University of Akron in the Department of Social Work for 34 years. Brother Brown was a lifetime member of the NAACP, United Methodist Church, National Library Board, State of Ohio, National Social Work Association, West Akron Neighborhood Development, Frontiers International and National Urban League. He served as a trustee of the Akron-Summit County Public Library for 24 years. Brother Brown served as President of the Board of Trustees and on the Board of Directors of the State Library of Ohio. He was the first African-American to serve on the State of Ohio Library Board. Brother Brown served on the Board of Alpha Phi Alpha. He was selected Social Worker of the Year in 1968. Brother Brown was presented with the Whitney M. Young, Jr. Medallion by the National Urban League in 1991- Summit County declared October 26, 1993, Raymond R. Brown Day to recognize his contributions to the community. He was honored by the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. by having a public housing project named after him, Raymond Brown Hallow, in Wooster, Ohio. Brother Brown was an active member of Eta Tau Lambda Chapter in Akron, Ohio. BROTHER HARRY LAWRENCE BURNEY, JR was a life mem ber of Alpha Phi Alpha. He was initiated November 1,1956 at Beta Delta Lambda Chapter in Daytona Beach, Florida. Brother Burney was born in Lakeland, Florida. He attended Bethune-Cookman College as a high-schooler graduating in 1946 with a Bachelor's degree. Brother Burney received his Master of Arts from the University of Pennsylvania in 1954. He served as a teacher and principal for the Middleton Grammar School in Crescent City and as principal of Tivoli High School in Defuniak Springs. Brother Burney was employed as Vice President for Development at Bethune-Cookman College in 1966 and became Florida area development director for the United Negro College Fund. He served as lay leader for the United Methodist Church. Brother Burney was a member of the Rotary Club, the Executive Board for the Florida Education Association, an executive for the Florida Professional Practice Committee, President of the National Alumni Association of Bethune-Cookman College. He was vice-chairman of the board of trustees for the Sarah Hunt Children's Home, charter member of the Richard V. Moore Community Center, served on the Board of Trustees for Bethune-Cookman College and Citizens First National AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY EDITION
Bank. The Putnam City School Board voted unanimously to rename the Crescent City Elementary School Middleton-Burney Elementary School in memory of Robert C. Middleton and in honor of Harry L. Burney, Jr. BROTHER JIMMUIR COTTON was initiated November 20, 1948 at Beta Omicron Chapter, Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee. He was bora in Bardstown, Kentucky. Brother Cotton was a retired professor of history and geography at Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee. He served in the Army in World War II and was a mapmaker, a referee of football and basketball games at Tennessee High Schools. Brother Cotton was a charter member of Beta Omicron Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha, Gamma Theta Epsilon Alpha Kappa Mu Honorary Scholastic Society. He was a Connecting Link of the Las Vegas Chapter Links. Brother Cotton was a member of St. John's A.M.E. Zion Church in and later joined The Church of the Holy Trinity, Episcopal in Nashville. BROTHER ROBERT TODD DUNCAN was born in Danville, Kentucky. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Butler University, a Master of Arts degree from Columbia University and numerous honorary Doctorates of Music. Brother Duncan taught at Howard University in 1931 in the School of Music and in 1935 received a call from George Gershwin, which led to his starring role in Porgy & Bess. He performed the role of Porgy over 1,800 times in the 1935 and 1944 productions of the opera. Brother Duncan was a renowned concert artist and gave over 2,000 recitals over a span of 25 years. He sang in Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand and performed in 850 cities in the United States. Brother Duncan was a soloist with leading symphony orchestras of the world's capitals. He sang at the White House for Presidents Roosevelt and Eisenhower and he performed at the Inaugural Concert at Constitution Hall for President Johnson. Brother Duncan also appeared with the New York City Opera and other companies in Pagiacci (Tonio), Aida (Amonasro), Carmen (Escamillo) and Rigoletto (Rigoletto). He also starred in Edgar Wallace's The Sun Never Sets (1938) at the Drury Lane Theater in London, Cabin in the Sky (1944) and Lost in the Stars (1950), for which he received the Donaldson and Critics' Awards. Brother Duncan's movie credits include Syncopation (RKO, 1942) and Unchained (Warner Brothers, 1955). He taught voice privately from 1934 until the time of his death. Brother Duncan devoted full time to teaching in 1964 and he taught at the Curtis Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for several years commencing in 1977. He taught Master Classes at numerous colleges and universities. Brother Duncan was a member of the Academy of Teaching, the National Association of Teachers of Singing, the first President of the Washington Performing Arts Society and devoted member of Plymouth Congregational Church and Director of its Choir.
OMEGA CHAPTER BROTHER WALTER WASHINGTON M. GREEN, SR. was born in Athens-Clarke County, Georgia. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Georgia. Brother Green obtained the rank of Master Trooper with the Georgia State Patrol. He was a veteran of Vietnam, a member of Wakefield C. Brunt Veterans of Foreign War Post #3910 and a member of the First A.M.E. Church. BROTHER BISHOP JAMES EDWARD HENRY was initiated May 18, 1991 at Eta Pi Lambda Chapter in Pasadena, California. He was born in Beaumont, Texas. Brother Henry received his Master of Arts in theology from Fuller Theological Seminary. He earned his Doctorate of Ministry degree from Oral Roberts University School of Theology and Missions in 1991- Brother Henry received a Bachelor of Arts degree in religion and music from California Baptist College in 1971. He was a gifted speaker and a great prayer warrior. Brother Henry pastured several churches, including First Baptist Church and Metropolitan Baptist Church. He founded Victory Bible Full Gospel Baptist Church in 1983. Brother Henry served eight states as Western Pacific Regional Bishop of the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship. He was the Director of Victorious Intercessory Partners (VIP) Ministries, President of Victory Bible Training Center and the Western Region Chaplain. Brother Henry served as Western Regional Chaplin under three Western Vice Presidents (Brown, Cochran and Venable). He initiated the "Father of the Year" Program that has been going on for five years. Brother Henry served as Chapter President of Eta Pi Lambda Chapter in Pasadena California. BROTHER DR. ROBERT LEE, JR. was initiated November 28, 1942 at Alpha Chi Chapter, Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee. Brother Lee was born in St. Louis, Missouri. He received his bachelor's degree in 1948. Brother Lee earned his medical degree from Howard University. He practiced Internal Medicine in Buffalo, New York until his retirement in 1990. Brother Lee was a member of the Sierra Club, Knight of Columbus, Howard University Alumni Club (co-founder) and the NAACP. He was a staff member of the Community Action Organizing Drug Abuse Program and a medical consultant to Geneva B. Scruggs Health Center. BROTHER LEO EARL LEWIS was initiated April 24, 1952 at Iota Beta Lambda Chapter in Coca, Florida. He was born in Chester, Florida. Brother Lewis received a Bachelor of Science degree from Bethune-Cookman College. He enlisted into the U.S. Army in 1941 and spent 38 months overseas on active duty. Brother Lewis was honorably discharged in 1945. He established the first black-owned dry cleaning business. Brother Lewis began his teaching career at Blanche Ely High School. He also taught at the Stone High School, Ruth Henegar Elementary School and the University Elementary School. Brother Lewis retired from the Brevard Public School System after completing 32 years of exemplary service.
BROTHER JAMES EDWARD MCCOY was a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha. He was initiated December 1, 1964 at Eta Iota Lambda Chapter in Athens, Georgia. Brother McCoy was born in Pelham, Georgia. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Math and Science and a certificate in Masonry from Savannah State College. Brother McCoy enlisted in the US Army in 1942 and spent three years serving during the Second World War at bases in the US, England, France, Germany and the Philippines. He began a career as a brick mason shortly after graduation that would span almost 50 years. Brother McCoy worked on projects throughout the southeastern US. His work can be appreciated on buildings located at many of the educational institutions in Georgia, including the University of Georgia in Athens and colleges in the Atlanta University Center. Brother McCoy was a member of the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Athens, Georgia. He was a teacher in the Sunday school for more than 35 years. Brother McCoy served as a superintendent of the Sunday School for 30 years, member of the Deacon Board, member of the Trustee Board, Church financial secretary and BTU adult teacher. He was a member of the Cavaliers Club, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. BROTHER GUY L. MILLER, IV was initiated November 1,1982 at Gamma Eta Chapter, Indiana University in Bloomington Indiana. He was president of his chapter in his senior year in 1984. He was born in Indianapolis, Indiana. Brother Miller received his Law Degree from Howard University in 1989. He was a participant in the "Moot Court" competition at Howard. Brother Miller was a Regional Counsel for the Department of Children and Family Services, Offices of Legal Services at Juvenile Court for the State of Illinois. Brother Miller served as an active committee member of his union and practiced Entertainment Law. He attended Sunday School and was a member of the Junior Usher Board. Brother Miller was an active member of Omicron Lambda Alpha Chapter in Washington, D. C. BROTHER DR. NATHAN ALVIN PITTS was initiated December 1, 1933 at Beta Nu, Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, Florida. He was given a football scholarship to Florida A&M University where he made a name for himself as star quarterback. Brother Pitts followed his mentor and football coach to a new position at Xavier University where he became a four letter man basketball, track, baseball and football. He received his Bachelor of Science degree at Xavier University. Brother Pitts earned his Master of Arts in 1944 and his Doctorate in 1950 from Catholic University. He continued his post-doctoral study at Harvard University, Boston University and Johns Hopkins University. Brother Pitts worked as an instructor/coach at Immaculata High School in Birmingham, Alabama for a year. He left Alabama for Maryland and became principal at Cardinal Gibbons Institute in Ridge, Maryland. Brother Pitts served as instructor of Sociology and Economics at North Carolina College at Durham, North Carolina, chairman of THE SPHINXâ&#x201E;˘ SPRING 1999
OMEGA CHAPTER the Social Science Department at Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina and professor and chairman of the Social Science Department at Coppin State College in Baltimore, Maryland. He embarked upon an international career in 1957 becoming a teacher trainer advisor for the Agency for International Development in Tabriz, Iran. Brother Pitts left Coppin to work in the U.S. Office of Education as Chief of International Recruitment in the Bureau of International Education. He worked as a Program Officer in the Bureau of Educational Personnel Development. Brother Pitts worked for the U.S. Delegation to UNESCO as the Attache, Education and Personnel in Paris, France in 1970. He worked as Special Assistant to the Director, Division of Training and Facilities, Bureau of Postsecondary Education and Chief, International Exchange Branch, Division of International Education. Brother Pitts retired in 1980. He was associated with the American Academy of Political and Social Science; the American Association for Colleges of teacher Education; the American Association of University Professors; the American Society of Engineering Educators; the Baltimore Council for International Affairs; the Baltimore Council for International Visitors; the American Sociological Society; the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People; the National council for Social Studies; the National Education Association, the Rural Sociological Society; the United Negro College Fund; the National Urban League; the Board of Savings and Loan Association Commissioners; the Maryland Committee for Children, Inc; the Ashburton Area Association; and the Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity. BROTHER ALBERT CARTER WATSON, JR. was initiated April 17,1964 at Delta Upsilon, Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. He received an Associate Degree from Scottsbuff College, Scottsbuff, Nebraska and a Bachelor's Degree from Miami University. Brother Watson taught at Princeton High School for 33 years. He was an active member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church. Brother Watson was a Sunday School teacher, Deacon and a handyman. BROTHER JUDGE ROBERT BERNARD WATTS, SR. was initiated in 1941 at Beta Alpha, Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland. He was born in Baltimore, Maryland. Brother Watts graduated with honors from Morgan State College in 1943- He served in the Army from which he was honorably discharged in 1945 as a Sergeant. Brother Watts earned a law degree from the University of Maryland in 1949 where he was editor of the Maryland Law Review. He along with the late W Emerson Brown, Jr. and Milton B. Allen formed the first major Black law firm in Baltimore. Brother Watts began his civil rights work as chairman of the NAACP Youth Chapter at Morgan State College. His chapter, 200 members, was the largest in the country at the time. Because of his outstanding work, the NAACP sent Brother Watts to his first national convention in Atlanta, Georgia in 1942 where he met the late Justice Thurgood Mashall with whom he worked for 15 years AFR1CAN-AMERICAN HISTORY EDITION
on various civilrightscases. He succeeded in desegregating numerous theaters, restaurants, department stores, hotels and the Gwynn Oak Amusement Park. Brother Watts was the first African-American appointed to the Municipal Court, defeated in 1962 and later reappointed by Governor J. Milliard Tawes in 1963. In 1966, he won a full ten year term. He was appointed by Governor Spiro T Agnew to the Supreme Bench of Baltimore City in 1968 where he served until he retired in 1985 at age 68. Brother Watts was the first judge in Maryland to open hundreds of adoption records, reuniting many grateful families. He taught Family Law as an adjunct professor at the University of Maryland School of Law. Brother Watts joined the law firm of Russell and Thompson, PA on October 1, 1986, and was appointed Chief of Counsel, a respected position usually reserved for a firm's elder statesman. He worked for the firm as a mediator and arbitrator and was appointed a Master in Chancery to the Circuit Court of Baltimore. Brother Watts placed a strong emphasis on pro bono work and two to three times per month he faithfully heard Legal Aid divorces. He also handled numerous other cases pro bono. Brother Watts was a volunteer Judge of the Court of Equity for the Archdiocese of the City of Baltimore. He was a member of the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen. Brother Watts served on 14 boards at the same time, including Bon Secours Hospital, Prisoners Aid Association of Maryland, North Charles General Hospital where he was President of the Board, Board of Trustees for State Colleges and the Family and Children's Society. Brother Watts served on the Boards of the Harriet Lane-Johns Hopkins Hospital; the Dismas House; CASA Program; St. Mary's College; Boys and Girls Clubs; Lillie Carroll Jackson Museum; the Food Bank and the War Memorial Commission. He chaired three gubernatorial task forces regarding family law, AIDS and prison overcrowding. Brother Watts was a member of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Congress of racial Equity, American Civil Liberties Union and the Black-Jewish Forum. He was a charter member of the Epicures and Templars, social organizations. Brother Watts has received numerous awards including the NAACP Man of the Year Award; the 1986 Sydney Hollander Award of Distinction form the American Jewish Congress; the first African American recipient of the Vernon Eney Award of 1989; the Annual Brotherhood Award given by the National Conference on Christian and Jews; and the ACLU of Maryland's Ninth Annual Gilman Award. He was presented the Benjamin L. Cardin Pro Bono Service Award in 1997 by the University of Maryland School of Law Alumni Association for his continued service to indigent clients. Brother Watts served on the Board of the Legal Aid Bureau for more than 20 years and they honored him by naming an award after him and making him the first recipient. He co-chaired the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Breakfast with Sydney King from WBAL for fifteen years. Brother Watts was awarded honorary doctorate degrees from Towson State University and Morgan State University and the University of Maryland School of Law awarded him the Order of the Coif. He was a sought after Master of Ceremonies and noted story-
OMEGA CHAPTER teller. Brother Watts was an active member of Delta Lambda Chapter in Baltimore, Maryland and Epsilon Lambda in St. Louis, Missouri. BROTHER RALPH MEDICUS WILLIAMS, JR. was initiated at Iota Beta Lambda Chapter in Coca, Florida. He was born in Merritt Island, Florida, Brother Williams obtained a Baccalaureate degree from Bethune Cookman College, a Master's Degree from Florida A&M University and a Special Certificate in Education from Stetson College. He was a prominent educator in the Brevard County
School system for 39 years. Brother Williams was a teacher at the Old Monroe High in Cocoa, a school principal, assistant school district administrator and member of the Brevard Community College Board of Trustees. He served as chair of the school improvement for the district. The Brevard Community College student was named after him. Brother Williams retired from the college's board of trustees in 1988. The Brevard County School Board created a legacy to Brother Williams by building a $9-2 million elementary school that will carry his name.
OMEGA LISTINGS BROTHER GEORGE S. BELL, SR. Alpha Upsilon Lambda
BROTHER ROBERT D. EDWARDS Rho Lambda
BROTHER LEROY BELL, JR. Alpha Upsilon Lambda
BROTHER MOSES W JONES Alpha Upsilon Lambda
BROTHER JAKE D. BREWER Zeta Delta Lambda
BROTHER ROBERT LEE, JR. Rho Lambda
BROTHER PERCY L. BULLARD Alpha Upsilon Lambda
BROTHER JOHN MCDONALD Delta Epsilon Lambda
BROTHER ALBERT COLLIER, III Theta Psi Lambda
BROTHER JAMES V. OLIVER Alpha Upsilon Lambda
BROTHER RAYMOND L. COX Rho
BROTHER RICHMOND P. SMILEY Alpha Upsilon Lambda
BROTHER CHARLES R. DADE Rho Lambda
BROTHER FELLX E. THOMAS, III Alpha Upsilon Lambda
BROTHER DR. GERALD DAVIS Theta Psi Lambda
BROTHERJAMES E. THORNTON
BROTHER RAWLS H. DOBBINS Alpha Upsilon Lambda
BROTHER THURMAN YOUNG, SR. Delta Epsilon Lambda
Alpha Upsilon Lambda
THE SPHINXâ&#x201E;˘ SPRING 1999
CORPORATE DIRECTORY THE SEVEN JEWELS
HeniyA.Callis
Charles H. Chapman
Eugene K. Jones
General P r e s i d e n t I m m e d i a t e Past General P r e s i d e n t I n t e r i m Executive D i r e c t o r G e n e r a l Treasurer Comptroller General Counsel Director-General C o n v e n t i o n s Parliamentarian VICE PRESIDENTS Eastern Midwestern Southern Southwestern /â&#x20AC;˘' Western ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENTS Eastern Midwestern Southern Southwestern western
George
VertnerW.Tandv
Adrian L. Wallace, 281 Debra Lane, Lake Charles, LA 70611-9216 Milton C. Davis, P.O. Box 509, Tuskegee, AL, 36083 Ronald L. Anderson, 2313 St. Paul Street, Baltimore, MD 21218 George N. Reaves, 2933 Balmoral Crescent, Flossmoor, IL 60422 Frank A. Jenkins m, 529 South Perry Street, Suite 16, Montgomery, AL 36104 Harry E. Johnson, Sr., 8606 Running Bird Lane, Missouri City, TX 77489 Al F. Rutherford, 8585 Stemmons Freeway, Suite 730N, Dallas, TX 75247 Kenneth Jordan, 15366 Kentfield, Detroit, MI 28223 Samuel G. Wilson, 3639 Highwood Drive, SE, Washington, DC 20020 James B. Blanton III, 10625 South Hamilton, Chicago, IL 60643 Lynwood Bell, 1902 East Pollock Road, Lakeland, FL 33813 Terry German, 827 Sansome Drive, Arlington, TX 76018 Kenneth Venable, 722 West 19th Street, Unit #4, San Pedro, CA 90731 Marc Titus, 8479 168th Place, Jamaica, NY 11432 Juan Harris, 610 Northest St. #207, Indianapolis, IN 46202 Jermaine Burrell, P.O. Box 1771, Normal, AL N. Ashe Mahlaba, P.O. Box 907, Langston, OK 73050 Daniel Craddock, 3647 Jasmine Avenue #10, Los Angeles, CA
LIVING PAST GENERAL PRESIDENTS 21st 24th 25th 26th 27th 28th 29th
General General General General General General General
President President President President President President President
T Winston Cole, Sr., 124 SW Twenty-third, Gainesville, FL 32607 Walter Washington, Alcorn State University, Lorman, MS 39096 James R. Williams, 1733 Brookwood Drive, Akron, OH 44313 Ozell Sutton, 1640 Loch Lomond Trail, SW, Atlanta, GA 30331 Charles C. Teamer, Sr., 4619 Owens Boulevard, New Orleans, LA 70122 Henry Ponder, N.A.F.E.O., 8701 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910 Milton C. Davis, P.O. Box 509, Tuskegee, AL 36083
ADMINISTRAnVE ASSISTANTS TO THE GENERAL PRESIDENT I n t e r n a t i o n a l Affairs Special Assistant Assistants ALPHA PHI ALPHA BUILDING FOUNDATION, INC. Chairman Treasurer Members
AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY EDITION
Horace G. Dawson, Jr., 1601 Kalmia Road, NW, Washington, DC 20012 Darryl R. Matthews, Sr, 5075 Red Robin Ridge, Alpharetta, GA 30202 Joseph E. Heyward, P.O. Box 384, Florence, SC 29503 Joshua Williams, Jr., 9696 Hayne Blvd. #15, New Orleans, LA 70127 Everett Ward, 5002 Avenida Del Sol Drive, Raleigh, NC 27604 George N. Reaves, 2933 Balmoral Crescent, Flossmoor, IL 60422 Calvin R. Austin, 139 Drexel Drive, Millersville, MD 21108 Samuel D. DeShazior, 911 Mercer Avenue, Akron, OH 44320 Bruce A. Austin, 6202 Crane Street, Houston, TX 77026 Adrian L. Wallace, Ex Officio
CORPORATE DIRECTORY ALPHA PHI ALPHA EDUCATION FOUNDATION, INC. Chairman James Ward, 9306 Twin Hills Drive, Houston, TX 77031 Treasurer George N. Reaves, 2933 Balmoral Crescent, Flossmoor, IL 60422 Members James B. Gillespie, 2300 Emerald Heights Court, Reston, VA 22091-1714 Keener A. Tippin, 3621 Evergreen Lane, Columbia, MO 65201 Joseph K. Byrd, Xavier University, Box 101-C, New Orleans, LA 70125 Lewis Murdock, 17417 Prondall Court, Carson, CA 90746 Adrian L. Wallace, Ex Officio NATIONAL COMMITTEE/COMMISSION CHAIRMEN Alpha Collegiate Scholars Willie Ruff, 314 Applegrove Court, Herndon, VA 22071 Archivist Herman "Skip" Mason, Jr., 564 Blake Avenue, SE, Atlanta, GA 30316 Awards & Achievements Steven M. Sims, 2508 Dysart Road, Cleveland, OH 44118 Budget & Finance Frank A. Jenkins HI, 529 South Perry Street, Suite 16, Montgomery, AL 36104 Business & Economic Development Harold Patrick, 5959 West Century Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90045 College Brothers Affairs Barton J. Taylor, 2117 Flat Shoals Road #4, Atlanta, GA 30316 Constitution Lloyd Givens, 6050 Canaan Woods Drive, SW, Atlanta, GA 30331 Elections Russell C. Campbell, 13514 Collingwood Terrace, Silver Spring, MD 20904 Endowment & Capital Formation Christopher C. Womack, 2109 Christina Cove, Birmingham, AL 35244 Grievances & Discipline Isiah Ward, 303 Waterford, Willowbrook, IL 60521 Headquarters Maintenance R. Leandras Jones U, 1045 Audubon Circle, SW, Atlanta, GA, 30311 Internal Auditing David M. Cheri, 5106 Porter Ridge, Houston, TX 77053 Jobs Fair Ralph Caro, 6826 Garfield Avenue, Kansas City, MO 66102 Life Membership George Wayne Watkins, 40983 Oaks Drive #4A, Troy, MI 48098 Management Information Systems Andre Watkins, 803 Falls Lake Drive, Mitchellville, MD 20716 Martin Luther King, Jr., Memorial Project John H. Carter, 3465 Somerset Trail, Adanta, GA 30330 Membership/Standards & Extension Ronald T. James, 1717 NE 16th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73111 National Programs Ronald Peters, 1130 M.D. Anderson Blvd., Houston, TX 77030 Personnel Sean Woodroffe, 705 Summer Avenue, Uniondale, NY 11553 Publications Harry Dunbar, 281 Rose Road, West Nyack, NY 10994 Racial Justice & Public Policy Norman Towels, 3243 Arlington Avenue, Riverside, CA 92506 Reclamation Subcommittee Harold Foster, 5642 Georgia, Avenue, Kansas City, KS 66104 Recommendations & Resolutions Tophas Anderson IH, 14811 Tumbling Falls Court, Houston, TX 77062 Rules & Credentials John E. Walls, Co-chairman, 107 Colonial Drive, Vicksburg, MS 39180 Johnny Thomas, Co-chairman, 1414 Mill Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601 Rituals & Ceremonies Darren Morton, Chairman, 549 S 7th Avenue, Mt. Vernon, NY 10550 Senior Alpha Affairs James Ivory, 1241 Oak Hill Road, Downers Grove, IL 60515 Strategic Planning Chester A. Wheeler HI, P.O. Box 6682, Macon, GA 31208 Time & Place Elliot Ferguson, Jr., 2790 DeVinci Blvd.,Decatur, GA 30034 Training & Development Philip Jackson, 1200 Little Gloucester Road #1904, Clementon, NJ 08021 PROGRAM/PROJECT COORDINATORS Big Brother/Big Sisters of America Leadership Development & Citizen Education Miss Black & Gold Pageant Oratorical Contest Project Alpha Special Project ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY, INC. CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS
Dale Long, 1614 Dorado Street, Garland, TX 75040 Willis E. Baird, P.O. Box 74, Durham, NC 27702 Alvin Cavalier, 413-C Longwood Court, Baton Rouge, LA 70806 John German, 1124 32nd Avenue, Seatde, WA 98144 John L. Colbert, 2140 Loren Circle, Fayetteville, AR 72701 Richard D. Smith, Jr., 3510 Medical Park Drive #7, Monroe, LA 71203 2313 St. Paul Street • Baltimore, MD 21218-5234 Phone: (410) 554-0040 • Fax: (410) 554-0054
THE SPHINX™ SPRING 1999
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(From the Alpha Archives)
WELL GIVE YOU 10 WEEKS. Ten weeks may not seem like much time to prove you're capable of being a leader. But if you're tough, smart and determined, ten weeks and a lot of hard work could make you an Officer of Marines. And Officer Candidates School (OCS) is where you'll get the chance to prove you've got what it takes to lead a life full of excitement, full of challenge, full of honor. Anyone can say they've got what it takes to be a leader, we'll give you ten weeks to prove it. For more information call 1-800-MARINES, or contact us on the Internet at: www.Marines.com
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