The SPHINX | Fall 2000 | Volume 85 | Number 3 200008503

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y^^pNTENTS FALL 2000 • VOLUME 85 • NUMBER 3 3

GENERAL PRESIDENT'S LETTER

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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S LETTER

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EDITOR'S LETTER

9

STATE OF THE FRATERNITY ADDRESS General President Adrian L Wallace Addresses the Millennium Convention

14 ELECTION 2000: A WAKE-UP CALL I

By Brother William Douglass Lyle

16 ALPHAS ON THE MOVE 17 Alumni Brother of the Year ege Brother of the | 19 Alumni Chapter of the Year 20 College Chapter of the Year 21 23

AN EXPERIMENT IN BROTHERHOOD BIG BROTHERS/BIG SISTERS

By Brother Dr. Zollie Stevenson, Jr.

26

ALPHA ATHLETES NEW COURTHOUSE DEDICATED TO SENATOR EDWARD BROOKE

29 College Brothers Address • Dr. Cain HopeFeider 33 MLK Ceremony, Luncheon 34 ALPHA Serves Public Notice 37 ALPHA UNIVERSITY 2000 Br Brother Dr. Zollie Stevenson. Jr.

40 42

CONVENTION WRAP-UP PROJECT ALPHA

By Brothers Ronald Peters, Jr. and Wilbur E. Jackson

48

53

NATIONAL PAN-HELLENIC COUNCIL HAZING AGREEMENT WHEN SOUTH MEETS WEST

By Brother Wilbur L. Jackson

55 CHAPTER NEWS 61 WORLD POLICY COUNCIL

By Brother Horace G. Dawson. Jr.

73

OMEGA CHAPTER

On The Cover: Alpha Award of Merit Winners CONVENTION EDITION

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POSTAL I N F O R M A T I O N The SPHINX® (USPS 510-440) is published quarterly for $40 a year by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. 8 2313 St. Paul Street, Baltimore, MD 21218-5234. Periodical postage paid at Baltimore, MD. 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. 8 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 2000 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® has been published continuously since 1914. Organizing Editor: Brother Raymond W. Cannon. Organizing General President: Brother Henry Lake Dickason.

GENE THE MEASURE OF BROTHERHOOD: THE GREATER GOOD "Brotherhood implies kinship, a common inheritance which inspires in man the desire that his fellows enjoys those things in life which he desires for himself." -Jewel Henry A. Callis

As I come to the close of my tenure as General President, I cannot help but reflect upon the past four years. These years seem to have come and gone by so quickly. Purportedly, the Chinese have a saying: 'may you live in interesting times.' We can all agree the times have not been dull. We have witnessed historic and momentous events large and small, heart wrenching tribulation and glorious triumph. We have experienced 'the fell clutch of circumstance' that has tested us repeatedly as never before in a short span of time.

The crossing from the old century to the celebratory year of the new millennium was not without incident. Nevertheless, through it all, we remained steadfast to our 'higher calling' and firmly on course. As the Sphinx of antiquity, we weathered the 'storms' marching boldly forward with Alpha stronger than ever and ready for the new millennium. "Sometimes we sail with the wind, sometimes we sail against the wind, but sail we shall." Interestingly, the closer one approaches the end, the more clearly one sees.

The House of Alpha reads in part, "Goodwill is the Monarch of this House. Men unacquainted, enter, exchange greetings and depart friends.. .1 destroy all ignoble impulses." The single greatest challenge confronting us lies within. Walt Kelly, creator of Pogo said, "We have met the enemy and he is us." When we strip away the veneer of everything else, we are not alumni nor college, neither senior Alpha or new initiate, we are fundamentally Brothers. Man's inhumanity to man is well documented. The saga of Cain and Abel, brother versus brother, is of biblical proportions. The membership is not immune to visiting acts of unkindness, rumor mongering and thoughtlessness upon each other, which creates pain and disharmony within the Brotherhood. Human nature suggests that these things are to be expected. By virtue of our fraternal affiliation, doors and opportunities have opened for us that might otherwise remain closed. Some of us seemingly no longer remember or conveniently fail to acknowledge this fact.

Any member who by his actions imperils the general body, regards of his position or station must and will be dealt with accordingly. Interestingly, these offenders are often the first to seek to wrap themselves in the clock of Brotherhood. One who purposely places his interest or his Chapter's above the greater good of the membership does not truly understand the universality of Brotherhood.

Brother Raymond Cannon on speaking of our Jewels stated... "they came from various parts of the country. Each was different than all the others but they had the ability to cooperate and work together toward a common goal." Jewel George B. Kelley further stated, "If a fraternity could unite fellows in such bonds of friendship and usefulness because of the oath they had taken, we must have a fraternity."

The ritual makes us all Brothers, but are we all friends? The concept of fraternity and brotherhood permeates our very being but is our allegiance more closely tied to our chapters or regions or rather to the organization proper? How well do we really know each other? Do we know the names of our Brothers children? Do we visit each other in our homes? What about the infinned or aged Brothers? Do we soon forget to visit them or bring them to Chapter meetings/activities? What of Alpha Brothers who gave so much for so long and who are now in Omega Chapter? What of the widows they left behind? Do we remember their widows at Fraternity functions? On holidays? I am certain that many of us could answer affirmatively to the previous questions.

A fraternity full of members is not what is required. What is required is a fraternity full of brothers. Brotherhood is a continuous process not a level to be achieved. Brotherhood requires compassion, patience, forgiveness, unselfishness and service. Brotherhood makes it possible to disagree and not become disagreeable. Brotherhood insists that we be quick to correct but quicker to assist.

Brotherhood elevates our corporation to something unique.

Indeed, I have witnessed many sterling examples of brotherhood at its best, unselfish, compassionate and unconditional giving.

There was the Alumni Brother who was unable to attend the Atlanta General Convention. Rather than request a refund he asked that his registration be applied to some College Brother who otherwise could not afford to attend.

CONVENTION EDITION

Raymond W. Cannon Organizing Editor

Henry Lake Dickason Organizing General President

Official Organ of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

John I. Harris, III Interim Editor-in-Chief

William D. Lyle Communications Coordinator Brian A. Colella Design and Layout Berve Power Convention Photographer Deadlines for editorial submissions are as follows: Spring Issue - December Summer Issue - March Fall Issue"- June Winter Issue - September

1 1 1 1

For advertisement display rates and other ad information contact: Editor of The SPHINX6 Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. 2 3 1 3 St. Paul Street Baltimore, M D 2 1 2 1 8 - 5 2 3 4 Phone: (410) 554-0040 Fax: (410) 554-0054 Alpha Phi Alpha Web Page Address http://www.apal906.org

Many Brothers in North Carolina assisted the victims of Hurricane Floyd in their recovery. Many family and friends have held high expectations of Alpha. Prior to the 1999 Dallas General Convention, I received a letter from a mother of a newly initiated Brother. The mother wrote to inform me that her husband (an Alpha) had died earlier that year and her son (a new initiate) would be attending his first Convention. She understood what Alpha meant to her husband and wanted her son to have that experience.

The National Project Alpha Week and the Vote 2000: A Voteless People is a Hopeless People recently executed around the country provide undeniable testimony to our inherent strength. I extend my special commendations to Brothers Wilbur Jackson and Joseph Byrd respectively for their untiring efforts for these highly successfully undertakings which placed Alpha Phi Alpha prominently on the national stage.

"Alpha Phi Alpha is an African-American institution in America. It is within our power and province to be the greatest force for the good of the (AfricanAmerican) race in America."-Jewel Henry A. Callis.

T& Alpha Phi Alpha approaches its centennial, I am more convinced than ever that as magnificent and groundbreaking was her past, her future will be even more extraordinary.

We hold ever aloft, noble ideals and aims, Carrying out earth's and heaven's grand command, Our true hearts ever strive, success' goal to gain, That our fraternity's praises may be sung.

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THE SPHINX* FALL 2000

EXECU

DIRECTOR'S

LETTER

AN EXCITING MILLENNIUM CONVENTION IN ATLANTA PREPARES US FOR NEW CHALLENGES IN A NEW CENTURY Dear Alpha Brothers and Friends, On behalf of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Corporate Headquarters, I bring you greetings!

Brothers and friends, if you were not in Atlanta, then you missed a truly exciting convention! From the Atlanta style Welcome Reception to the last strains of music from Brother Jerry Butler and his band, the Millennium Convention was "off the hook". National leaders such as Brother Mayors Lee Brown of Houston and Marc Morial of New Orleans, Brother Congressman Bobby Scott (D-VA), Brother Hugh Price, President of the National Urban League, Brother William Gray, Jr., President of the College Fund, Former Mayor Maynard Jackson and Mrs. Coretta Scott King, widow of our dear Brother Dr. Martin Luther King, all played key roles at our Martin Luther King, Jr. Luncheon and our Public Program. Being practical men, Alpha Brothers also took advantage of the opportunity to see, hear and share words with our Brothers in the business world such as Brothers Ed Dolby, Walter Davis, and Dr. Dennis Kimbro. We had the opportunity to see Alpha's finest at our finest during our last meeting of the 20th century.

There were several other highlights of the Millennium Convention. Alpha University, our training and development entity, offered 48 workshops and seminars on 22 topics over three days for Alphamen. The offerings ranged from workshops on Chapter and officer development to sessions on accessing free Internet services and on to workshops on wealth building and financial planning. Brothers packed most of the workshops and deemed Alpha University a success. We also unveiled the final edition of the Fraternity's History Book during the Wesley era in leather bound volumes, many of which were autographed by our current and five former General Presidents. Finally, we observed and participated in several tributes to outgoing General President Wallace.

In this Millennium Convention issue of The Sphinx9, you will find more detailed coverage including the winners of our National Awards Competitions, more specifics on the events that took place during the convention, articles on Alpha University and Project Alpha, and updates on chapter activities and news of Brothers. Read and enjoy.

We are in a period of transitions. On January 1, 2001, we begin the first full day of the new millennium. On that date begins the tenure of our 31st General President, Harry E. Johnson, Sr., Esq., and marks the end of the tenure of our 30th General President, Adrian L. Wallace. In October 2000, Seaton J. White, III, who edited The Sphinx9 magazine for the last four years, moved on to a new position and Brother John I. Harris, III, assumed the interim editorship of The Sphinx9. On behalf of our Brothers, I extend a hearty thank you to Brother White for his contributions to The Sphinx9, making it the best magazine of its type without comparison. We can look forward during 2001 to new leadership at the Corporate Headquarters as the Search Committee identifies a Brother to manage the day-to-day administration of our Fraternity. Change, as we continue to move forward... not backward... wading from the "Light of a New Day" to the future with "Alpha Attitude," is a good thing which we should all embrace.

Finally, Alpha Phi Alpha has accomplished much during the past century. There is still much to accomplish in the new millennium. Let all of our steps be forward ones.

Fraternally,

Zollie Stevenson, Jr., Ph.D Administrative Director CONVENTION EDITION

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THE SPHINX" FALL 2000

EDITO In these rapidly changing times, change is the one constant to be counted upon. This year's Millennium Convention in Atlanta both ushered in a new era of promise and high aspirations under the future leadership of General President-Elect Brother Harry Johnson, yet bode farewell to a period of prosperity and accomplishment under current General President Brother Adrian Wallace.

Having visited two prior general conventions as a non-registered Brother (Baltimore, 1991 and Orlando, 1995) and a third as volunteer event staff member (Washington, 1997), the Millennium Convention gave me a real insider's view of the workings of a National Convention, and its long arduous steps in preparation.

As with any highly anticipated event, the Millennium Convention arrived and left with breathtaking speed. From the vantage point of a convention worker behind the scenes, the days were long and some times trying. However, as the saying goes, the ends justified the means. A first-class week once again came to fruition in a style that only Alphamen could produce.

In this edition of the The Sphinx®, the events, sites and scenes of this historic convention are captured in a way that will hopefully bring the week's activities to life. Other items in this issue include scenes from the Congressional Black Caucus, including the announcement of the winners in the design competition of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Monument and coverage of Brother Edward Brooke, a giant in the world of law and politics who recently received his due with the dedication of a Boston courthouse in his name.

I would be remiss if I weren't able to express the honor and pleasure it is to serve the Brotherhood as Editor-in-Chief of The Sphinx® Magazine, albeit in an interim capacity. As a newly initiated member of Eta Zeta Chapter nearly a dozen years ago, I remember viewing The Sphinx® with a neophyte-charged excitement that sparked a certain amount curiosity. As a print media major, I often wondered how much I could contribute to such an historic and prestigious publication that in some small way as a member, belonged to me. Serving as Associate Editor-of-7k Sphinx® in two graduate Chapters, I have played a small role in the editorial content of several editions. Now, after a long and winding path through a major daily newspaper, smaller suburban newspapers and a United States Government publication, I find myself in the position of continuing an awesome legacy set forth by such legendary Brothers the caliber of Raymond Cannon, Lewis 0. Swingler, Michael J. Price and Seaton J. White III. One only has to read the 85th Anniversary Summer 1999 Edition to reflect on all of the journalistic talent of the Brothers who have guided this one-of-its-kind organ—the second oldest continuously published African-American magazine in the United States—into its present status. It is my goal to further this tradition of excellence.

John I. Harris, III

Interim Editor-in-Chief

CONVENTION EDITION

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STATE O F THE FBATEBNITY ADDRESS, Editor's Note: The following address was delivered by General President Adrian L Wallace at the 94th Anniversary Convention of the Alpha Phi Alpha Pralernily, Inc.. Atlanta. Georgia. (Edited for publication).

hank you, my Brothers, and good morning to you again. It is truly always a pleasure and a singular honor to come before you and fraternalize and take care of the business of Alpha. Before I get into the State of the Fraternity Address, I want to do a few things. I want to begin by thanking all of the Past General Presidents who are here for their support, their vision, their wisdom, not only to me but to this organization as they continue to serve. We have designated the first two rows in the center section for Alpha Brothers of 50 years or more. So would you please keep that in mind as we go through our sessions that we want our 50-year Brothers right down in front close to us. Would all Brothers in Alpha who have been Alpha members for 50 or more years, please stand and be recognized?

Thank you. Thank you.

Also, I want to recognize all newly initiated Brothers since the last General Convention. Any Brother who was initiated since the Dallas General Convention, would you please stand and be recognized. Now, please, remain standing. We have something that we want to share with you, a small gift. The Sergeant-at-Arms are going to be passing something out to you. What I want to ask this Convention is that as you see these Brothers, please take note of who they are. Make a special effort to welcome them into the House of Alpha because there is something special about coming together in an assembly such as this with Brothers from around the world, because this is an international Fraternity. So please, take a special effort to welcome them and greet them and make them feel and understand that they are a part of something that is larger than themselves, larger than the Chapters from which they have come.

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Any first-time Brothers who may not be newly initiated but you're at a General Convention for the very first time. Would you just please stand. We have a special gift for you. We welcome you to this General Convention. Brother T. Winston Cole, our Past General President whom I spoke with last week, he has been ill, but he sent his greetings and expressed his regrets that he would not be able to be in attendance with us, but he is doing well. So I would just ask that you keep him in your prayers also. We are very pleased and fortunate to have with us all of the other Past General Presidents here in assembly. So we've very pleased and glad to have them here with us.

CONVENTION EDITION

STATE OF THE FRATERNITY ADDRESS State of the Fraternity My Brothers, I want to share a few thoughts with you today.

As I prepared for this my final State of the Fraternity Address, my thoughts returned to my campaign platform. In the Spring of 1996 issue of The Sphinx16 magazine, I presented to you my Vision 2000 platform and its five areas of emphasis: Fraternal growth, membership enrichment, programs, economic empowerment, entrepreneurship and social advocacy. The platform was underscored with the verse from Proverbs that "where there is no vision, the people perish." The goals were ambitious and far-reaching.

But what value are goals if they do not challenge us and move us outside of our comfort zone? Vision 2000 was conceived as a guide or a blueprint to lead us into the new millennium stronger, better prepared and clearly focused on our Fraternal visionâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;to whom much is given, much is required. Leadership brings with it a stewardship responsibility and stewardship demands accountability. I respectfully submit for your review, that all five areas have been addressed and Alpha Phi Alpha is ready for the new millennium.

Let's examine these areas.

Fraternal Growth On the matter of Fraternal growth, the bullet point said, "adopt a comprehensive strategic plan, increase active membership, seek opportunities to reengineer or redefine our services."

The lifeblood of any organization is its membership. Our most valuable resource are our members. As chairman of Strategic Planning, I submitted a plan which the Board of Directors adopted. The plan outlined four focus areas: (1) operations, (2) finances, (3) membership and (4) programs. It formed the basis for much of the direction of this administration. However, as you know, strategic planning is a dynamic process and is never finished. Therefore, adjustments and corrections were made as information and resources dictated. Nearly -four years ago in 1996, we performed linear regressions which projected what our alumni grand tax-paying membership would be in the year 2000 of approximately 3,500 members. However, as of June 30, of this year, we stand at 3,800 grand tax Alumni paying members. Our Life Membership was projected to be at approximately 10,000. We are now at 9,600-plus. Total financial membership was projected by the year 2000 yearly 17,000. As of June 30 of this year, we stand at just over f7,000, including the initiates. Our percentage of inactive chapters over a ten-year period averaged 12% and now we are down to an average of about 4%. Our college membership, which had been on a steady decline for over 10 years, has shown two consecutive years of increase in each and even' region. And although we are not at the collegiate highs of the late 70s and early '80s, we are beginning to turn things around.

On Chapter'chartering^ we have closely scrutinized the chartering of new Chapters with a strong regard for long-term viability. On Chapter reactivations, I'm pleased to say that for the first time in many yj>ars- all of our Caribbean and West Indies Chapters

are active and in good standing. Our Chapters in the Bahamas, Bermuda, our two Chapters in St. Croix and St. Thomas of the Virgin Islands. On reclamations, we've done annual mailings to all of our inactive members of record inviting them back into our fold. And nearly 1,000 members have been reclaimed as a result of that effort.

In the area of finances, we have aggressively sought programmatic funding and monies received since 1997 including monies from the Kellogg Foundation, [a continuing relationship that was established under Brother Davis' administration] of nearly a quarter million dollars since 1997. The Village Foundation has contributed over $100,000. The March of Dimes has provided us with an in-kind contribution of over $260,000. The Big Brothers and Big Sisters program, with a new grant that has just been released of quarter of a million dollars bringing us up just over $300,000. The Boy Scouts of America, a new project here for you with in-kind service and cash totaling $30,000-plus.

Every General Convention has operated in the black. With all bills paid and our credit rating intact, we have an unblemished record with those with whom we do business. The convention surpluses have gone into our general fund which has helped enormously to offset day-to-day operations. Our financial reserves are solid. And yes, we have benefited from a strong economy and a bull market. Nevertheless, let me hasten to add that even in these favorable economic times, there are many organizations and corporations who have not prospered, or in actuality have lost money.

And I want to thank, and you need to know, that I have given my personal thanks to Brothers George Reaves and Frank Jenkins for the stellar and often yeoman work that they have done. Of all the problems that I might have, I have not had to worry about the management and care of our fiscal affairs, thanks to those Brothers. And I want to say that yet again.

Our Education Foundation, the assets of our Education Foundation have more than doubled since 1997. Prior to that time, we were just under $200,000. Now we are in the neighborhood of $600,000 for the education foundation enabling us to do the kinds of programs and activities that Alpha Phi Alpha expects of its membership. Our general fund has increased. We could use more money there, but it has increased.

The Life Membership Reserve is intact and in good standing.

On the area of insurance, in order to protect the financial well

being and assets of this organization, effective January 2000, of this year, we obtained insurance through the St. Paul Company which provides liability coverage for corporate organizations. So our corporate organization is covered, including the Board of Directors, our field staff, District Directors, Alpha advisors and our Chapters. So your Chapter functions, your Chapter balls, your Chapter picnics, those youth activities that you conduct in the name of Alpha Phi Alpha are now covered and we have provided this coverage for this year to you free, at no charge to you or your chapters. However, the first year is free. We are now accepting payment for 2001 to provide coverage. Let me just emphasize, though, we do have this policy now which will cover us from January of this year, but we understand how insurance works.

That is not, and it should not be construed as a license to go out and do foolish things. Let me say that again. Yes, we do have coverage for you, but it does not provide a license to go out and do foolish, or stupid or ill-conceived things because with insurance policies, two things can happen to themâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;the premiums can be increased based on your claims. Or, it can be cancelled completely. So that which has taken us so long to obtain, can be very easily and very quickly lost. a '

Membership Enhancement On the matter of membership enhancement, the bullet points are: Installation of a management information system with on-line access for the regional and district and Chapters, institute uniform training on conducting Fraternal programs, administering the duties and responsibilities of Chapters and officers and rendering value-added service to the membership, via programs, seminars, workshops geared to our professional and intellectual development.

This administration established the first MIS committee. A comprehensive review of our computer operation and in-house system was completed with appropriate recommendations. We've also instituted a disaster recovery plan to ensure ongoing corporate office operations in the event of total system failure or a catastrophic occurrence. Our website is upgraded with more enhancements on the way.

We began with a complete replacement of the computer wiring and hardware and this has been a long and winding road with many false starts along the way. The challenges were numerous, not to mention the least of which was adapting technologies to the level of resources and skill sets available. Nevertheless, as of this Convention, I am pleased to announce that we have full email capabilities for the Board of Directors, the District Directors, and each Chapter to communicate with each other. Chapters shall be mailed at the conclusion of this convention their chapter ID and passwords. Moreover, the Regional Vice Presidents and Assistant Vice Presidents can now remotely access read-only selected data for their regions. At long last, Alpha Phi Alpha is fully networked and connected.

The infrastructure is in place with its own virtual private network. However, as many of you know, technology must be regularly reviewed and updated. This must become a continuing budget item and soon we'll have the capabilities for true e-commerce and electronic transactions. It is one thing to network a district or a region. But to network this organization takes a lot, a lot more.

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STATE OF THE FRATERNITY ADDRESS

In training and development, in 1997 the first training and development committee was established with Brother Phillip Jackson as Chairman. And I just have to say that Brother Jackson and Brother Zollie Stevenson have really done a superlative job in spearheading that along with all of the deans of Alpha University.

Will all the deans of Alpha University, wherever you are, would ypu just stand for just a moment so the Brothers can see who you are and where you are. The deans of the colleges of Alpha Uni^rslty, have made the vision a reality. We have our new official logo for Alpha University, Personal and Professional Development, Leadership and Excellence. The Training and Development Committee no longer exists because they have fulfilled their mis'sion. Training and development has evolved into Alpha University. And Alpha University is now an offkial member of the American Society of Training and Development as well as the Corporate Xchange.

On The Sphinx9 magazine, the editorial staff is continually challenged to raise the bar of excellence.

Graphics and color figure prominantly with an emphasis on quality of content. Various issues have focused on themes such as economic empowerment, African-American history, 'Alpha Mayors, Alphas in Congress, and the 85th Anniversary Issue and so on. The issue that you have received at this convention is just a special convention issue, created only for this convention. It's not going to be widely mailed, but only for this convention. The millennium issue of The SphinxÂŽ magazine will be coming to you later.

Programs On the matter of programs, Alpha Phi Alpha is positioned as a preeminent organization in the advancement of the AfricanAmerican community in general and African-American male in particular. The saying "our greatest interests lies outside of ourselves" inspires our programs and based upoq numerous'surveys that we have conducted and administered to the membership and data gathered from the Chapter directory, we have thoroughly revised our programmatic thrust. Our three national prograrns are: Project Alpha, Go-To-High-School, Go-To-College, The Voteless People Are a Hopeless People. These programs are now fully documented with course,m'aterial, training curriculum, leaders' guides and videos. Training ha&been conducted at regional staff meetings, district meetings, regional conventions and general conventions. Every Chapter has available to them a Project Alpha kit and program packages on Go-to-High Sqjiool, Go-to-

STATE OF THE FRATERNITY ADDRESS College and Voteless People Is a Hopeless People.

We have renewed and relaunched our partnership with the March of Dimes and Big Brothers and Big Sisters, and Boy Scouts, signing memorandums of understanding. Brother Ron Peters has completed research and longitudinal studies with published results in academic journals on Project Alpha which further buttress the program's validity. This type of work is vital as we continue to seek corporate and foundation support. This forms a m arketing plan of sorts for corporations to understand who we are ., and the results can be seen in the payoff with a growing lisf .of corporations actively discussing and seeking us for partnerships and opportunities with Alpha Phi Alpha.

Economic Empowerment & Entrepreneurship^^ On the matter of economic empowerment and entrepreneurship, we have developed Fraternal rkigTarhs on business development and capital promotion whicjl encourage and support the membership in its quest towards economic independence, wealth creation and wealth building. Each general convention features an economic development luncheon focusing on economic aad entrepreneurial issues. Also, at this luncheon, the John H. Johnson Entrepreneurial Award', which is given with his permission, is presented recognizing individuals who have achieved significant success in the fields of economic development or entrepreneurship. Past award recipients have included Warren Thompson of Thompson Hospitality, William Piccard of Detroit, Brothers Charles WatkMs and Robert Caldwell of the Wittenauer Watch Company, the only black-owned watch company. And this year's recipients, Brothers Robert Davidson and Dennis Kimbro.

In 1998, an Economic Development Forum was held bringing together noted entrepreneurs and investors and business people. Bank of America signed on as the major sponsor of the forum. That began a relationship with the Bank of America which continues to this day. This Forum also celebrated the 25th anniversary of the independence of the Bahamas, an independent black nation, economically sound, politically stable, and governed by people who look like us. One of the seven colleges of Alpha University is the College of Business and Technology. There are modules on wealth creation, wealth building, retirement and estate planning and understanding the fundamentals of investing with mor6 under development and there are seminars that will be conducted at this convention on those topics.

Social Advocacy On the matter of social advocacy, enhanced coalition building with agencies and organizations to provide a forum for addressing the issues Of the day. In conjunction with the March of Dimes and WalkAmerica, Alpha Phi Alpha ranked fourth among similar organizations last year in funds raised. October 7th, through the 14th of this year will mark a nationally coordinated push in conjunction with the March of Dimes and Project Alpha

program. All Chapters of Alpha are called upon to conduct Project Alpha activities during this week. National media coverage is planned and press kits are available at this convention for your Chapters to properly publicize Project Alpha during that week.

The Urban Leagueâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;we have partnered with the Urban League and their Campaign for African-American Achievement for Youth.

I had the privilege of representing you in New York on Monday on a panel discussing closing the gap of achievement with AfricanAmericans. The Council of Presidents, the nine National Presidents of the Pan-Hellenic Council formed what is called the Council of Presidents, of which I am most honored to serve as Chairman. We deliberate on matters of common concern, and we are working on joint statements on hazing, Affirmative Action and voter registration.

On other matters of importance, Alpha Pjii Alpha is a major partner in the Census 2000- program and each General Convention continues the tradition of holding a community outreach project. In Washington, it was the Sankofa Project. In Dallas, it was Project Alpha. And here in Atlanta, it shall be Vote 2000. The World Policy Council is headed by former Ambassador Horace Dawson and Chair Emeritus Edward Brooke. This council deliberates on issues of global importance and significance, underscoring the fact, yet again, that Alpha Phi Alpha is an international organization with a global reach.

I am very pleased to tell you that we now have completed volume one of the history book. This volume goes to 1976 where Dr. Wesley's writings end. So this will conclude volume one and what I have in my hand and what is available at this convention, is a special limited edition volume. It is leather bound with a special color section. There are only 1,000 of these books. The regular volume one will not be leather bound. It will be as it was, cloth bound. It will not have the color section in it. There will also be on tomorrow, before the luncheon, a special book signing with all of the Past General Presidents and the Historian, for Brothers who are interested in purchasing this very limited edition of our history book. Volume II is under way with the Historian and the Historical Commission.

Closing And, Brothers, I submit to you again, that we may not have done all that needed to be done, but we have done all that we could do with what we had. And we believe and we hope, and history and you shall be the judge, as to what we have accomplished to move this organization further along, to prepare us better for this new millennium and to continue to position Alpha at the forefront of all activities.

And as I close, in times past I have discussed with you on how Nehemiah challenged the people to build a wall because the people had a mind to work. If we have a mind to work on one purpose together, there is absolutely nothing that this body cannot accomplish. But we must understand what our Frate: is. We must understand that indeed our greatest io|re outside of ourselves. We must understand that it is important personal and professional development, not for self-gratification. but how else can we be effective agents of change if we are not all that we can be? How else can Alpha Phi Alpha be-all that it can be if its membership is not all that it can be? So we must have, we must have a mind to work and we must be on one accord and we must be united in our purpose. And we understand that there will be many times that we disagree because I understand that if you have seven Alpha men in a room, you've got at least eight different opinions. But we cannot lose sight of what our purpose is.

Purpose determines why you are here. Purpose determines whether you are successful or not. Purpose sifts through all these ^ ^ other tasks. It keeps you focused and on track so you don't misuse your resources and you don't waste your time. Purpose is important whenever you question whether or not you should be doing something, Ijfe acid test is doesit more^and advance our purpose?

Last vear, I spoke to you about Gideon's search for a few good men, quality, not quantity. We have never erideavored to be the largest. We have always been satisfied with being the best. But I suggest to you that that is not good enough. Because what's best today may not be the best tomorrow. We must be the best ever bar none. Many are called but few are chosen. And I want to return to a familiar theme that says from Ezekiel, "I look for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap so that I would not destroy the land but I found none." Alpha men must always stand in the gap. It was Alpha who proved the lie to Hitler's supreme race propaganda as Jessie Owens set records on the field of competition and broke the back of Hitler's proposition of Aryan supremacy. It was Alphas who stood in the*gap with Brown vs. the Board of Education and it was an Alpha who touched the moral consciousness of a nation and the world as our Brother Dr. King led a nation into enlightenment.

It is Alpha Phi Alpha today, before the foundatii time, that was already chosen to build a memorial to Dr. King an let me tell you, that memorial will be built. There were maaf naysayers along the way, and I don't know if Brother Sealey is here at this convention, or Brother Al Bailey, and there were others. But those two, as many of you know, have always been in front of us, over the years, talking about this memorial. And along the way there were many times I'm certain where they perhaps got a little bit discouraged. But because they kept the flame alive, and CONVENTION EDmON

STATE OF THE FRATERNITY ADDRESS

because Alpha continued to nurture it, from the very beginning. and although there were obstacles along the way that we couldn't get this, we couldn't get the bill passed through both houses. We'd never get our preferred site. We'd never get moved from Area 2 to Area 1 on the Mall. We did that. We'd never get a premier site in Area 1. It'd be some obscure area, which they tried to do. But I want to tell you as I've told you before at the regional conventions, I have stood on our site. I have walked around our site. | f e £ r E _«."! four acres of land on our site. The Vietnam Memorial is only two -acres. l^e stood on our site and I've looked put across the tidal * basin and seen from our site the Jefferson Memorial. I've stood on X)ur site and walked around and tothe left is the Lincoln Memorial across Independence Avenue. I've stood on our site and walked ^j^jpund and to the right as you follow the cherry trees around there the FDR Memorial. I have had the occasion to fly into Washington, DC and look out the plane's window and look down there and in the midst of the Lincoln, the Jefferson, the FDR, the Capitol, the site is in clear view, it is a magnificent site to see. And to know and understand that our memorial will sit right there, my Brothers, what you are doing, what you are involved in, the work that has been assigned to our hands, is historic and it is almost redestiried. I believe without a shadow of adoubt that we will ather at our site in the very near future, break ground, dedii at memorial and unveil it to the world and it shall serve as a In ing testimony of the work of Alpha Phi \Jpha and generations arid generations to come will be able to sav that Alpha Phi Alpha was the steward of that project. That has been entrusted into our hands. We cannot fail. We will not fail We shall not ftuffeij^ failure is not an option! And at today's luncheon, you will hear much more about this memorial.

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But, my Brothers, as we move forward into this new day and new millennium, let us be mindful that as Alpha men we have a responsibility. We have a stewardship accountability because .. when we became Alpha men. we rose to another level. We could no longer offer an excuse about we didn't know. We could no longer say well that's somebody else's job or that's somebody el responsibility. Whereyeftfiere was injustice oris w j ^ ^ H ^ i ciencies in allocations of resources, or whatever the issues ' day may be, Alpha Phi Alpha must be there standing in tin And that is the charge for Alpha Phi Alpha, Look at our mission, how we focus on making life better for those around us. Jmat is the charge of Alpha Phi Alpha|Arj3£my r^o'^^TJsWgciback our communities, let us take with us a renewed vigor an derstanding and impart that to our members that we can diffarena^wherever we are with whatever1 we have able to do everything, but we can do something. ease working together as a united body of men trained for this impose, there is absolutely nothing, nothing that mcannot accomplish. May God bless and God keep v o u i £ j 2 ? * ^

A WAKE-UP CALL FOR AFRICAN-AMERICANS?

By Brother William Douglass Lyle

The Brothers of Nu Mu Lambda band together to conduct it's Voteless People Is A Hopeless People program.

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The events following the 2000 presidential election heightened political interest among African-Americans across the nation.

These occurrences have made many feel that the behaviors and mistakes question the integrity of the process itself, while others are of the opinion that the United States has displayed the type of behavior found in an underdeveloped country. / The importance of understanding ballot initiatives, voting mobilization and the voting tabulation process has now become essential information for Americans to know and understand. This is where Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.'s Voteless People is a Hopeless People program becomes even more important to the political education of the masses. In the wake of reported irregularities such as early precinct closings, incorrectly punched ballots and the alleged harassment of minorities on their way to and from the polls, some of the 2000 presidential election events resemble that of 1965 prior to the Voting Rights Act.1

Many people feel that the different looks of the ballot and the type of directions could be intimidating and cause confusion.

Because of this, Brothers throughout the Fraternity felt that this election would serve as a catalyst for many other political discussions, awareness and aid in the realization that every vote truly does count. "We need to get more politically active. We need get to a point that if we are not the policy makers, we are at least apart of the policy making. This election should be a wake up call for the Black community. A collective stand and understanding is far overdue," said Brother Larry Brown, President of Eta Sigma Chapter, San Diego State University, whose Chapter brings voter information to all of their functions. Eta Sigma is one of many Alpha Chapter?" that have been instrumental in the political involvement among African-Americans throughout the nation. / Since the emergence of "A Voteless People is A Hopeless People" national campaign, Alphamen across the county have used every avenue to reach the public to get higher representation from our communities. In order to register voters, Alpha Eta Lambda Chapter in Houston, Texas, strategically pinpointed key locations in disenfranchised communities which where frequented

by African-Americans. After locating their focus groups, the Chapter informed many people who had no idea that they could vote (e.g. convicted felons) of their rights. Xi Chapter in Wilberforce, Ohio registered over 600 voters through their Chapter web-site with a

Brother Tyson K. Meadows, Assistant Professor of Political Science at Middle Tennessee State University and a member of Omicron Sigma Lambda Chapter in Murfreesboro, Tennessee said, "We as a people need to learn the process, monitor what our elected officials do while in office, and start paying closer attention to the issues and how they pertain to our quality of life. Reading and understanding ballot initiatives grow more important as the federal government returns more power to the states."

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link to the website, election.com. As a part of the Fraternity's national push, Xi Tau Lambda Chapter in Dallas, Texas, distributed Alpha Vote 4,000 door hangers which reminded voters to study the issues for each candidate and "don't just register.. .Vote!" Said Brother Vincent Jackson, President of Xi Tau Lambda. "When you look at the issues around education, healthcare and both parties political platform, you begin to see the importance of voting."

It has become evident that we can no longer overlook the relevance of political consciousness and its relationship to the economic, social and political effects on the future of our communities. Brother Kenneth A. Williams, Political Action Chair at Kappa Epsilon Lambda Chapter, Landover, Maryland echoes this sentiment.

"I hope that these events stimulate our generation (age 18 to 45). It's our time to take the torch, our time to make a difference." Brother Williams added, "We need educate those who are 14-17 [years of age] because they are the next voting generation. . .we also need to realize that the NAACP is the lobbyist for African-American Issues and become more involved. If we are going to be advocates we need to take action." / / The history of the African-American has set the stage for our future. We will continue to overcome legal restrictions such as Black Codes:. As we continue through time and prepare for our future, we as African-Americans need to stop saying, "somebody should do something about that" and realize that we are that somebody. 'liam Douglass Lyle Brother^iUialfTDoJlglhss Fraternity's Corporate Headquarters.

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W m. t u l CONVENTIONEDITION

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 is a significant piece of legislation that guarantees the right to vote to African-American citizens. This legislative act prevented states (mainly southern) from enforcing discriminatory tactics aimed at preventing African-Americans fair opportunities to participate in the voting process. As a result of the Act, the national government intervened in areas where African-Americans were denied the right to vote. ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ~ 2 Black codes were state laws regulating the activities of Blacks in the Southern United States after the American Civil War. When slavery was abolished in 1865, Southerners used Black codes to retain control over blacks. The laws varied in strictness and detail from state to state. They restricted the civil rights of blacks, and generally treated them as social and civil inferiors. Some forbade Blacks to own land or carry arms. Some permitted states to jail Blacks for being jobless. During the Reconstruction period between 1865 and 1877, the military governors who conironea me iouin suspenueu me oiacs. uxies. in IOOO, congress passed me Livu trolled the South suspended the Black codes. In 1866, Congress passed the Civil Rights Rights Act. Act. The The 14th 14th Amendment Amendment to to the the United United States States Constitution, Constitution, which which protects protects the rights of Blacks, was ratified in 1868.

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the rights of Blacks, was ratified in 1868.

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1xi Ao ON THE MOVE: BROTHER KELLY CREATES WFl PROGRAM Brother Jonathan Kelly recently designed a weekend retreat entitled "Men of Distinction: Wake Forest University Academy for Future Leaders." The program is designed for high school sophomore and junior African-American male students across the state of North Carolina, and will be funded by a grant from the University's Fund for Ethics and Leadership.

Brother Kelly, a member of Xi Eta Chapter at Wake Forest, noted that the "Men of Distinction" will help its students reach their academic and personal potential through leadership activities and community service.

"I had a mentor in high school who pushed me to excel and challenge myself," Kelly said. "And once I got to Wake Forest, I felt very blessed and decided to give something back to the students who may not already have a mentor in their lives." Participants will be paired with Wake Forest student volunteers and will stay in the Wake Forest residence halls during the program, which will also include a banquet and a tailgate party. Workshop courses will include information on business etiquette, parliamentary procedure interpersonal communication and time management. Brother Kelly will recruit speakers specializing in a myriad of career fields from the university and throughout the area to address the students.

ATLA TAPS BROTHER MEANS FOR PRESIDENT Montgomery, Alabama attorney Brother Tyrone C. Means was sworn in as the Alabama Trail Lawyer's Association's first AfricanAmerican President during the ceremonies held Friday, June 16, 2000, at the association's annual conference. Brother Means said the start of his term would mark an important development stage for the association as well.

"I'm proud to be a trial lawyer and I'm proud to head an association that is so passionate about protecting consumers and those most vulnerable in our justice system," Brother Means said. "I hope my term will mark the first time for growth for the ATLA and a time where the public better understands the vital work of the members of my association."

Officials with the Alabama Trial Lawyers Association believe that Means' Inauguration will mark the first time in Alabama that an African-American has headed a statewide lawyer association that did not specifically target the needs of African-American Attorneys.

Brother Means is a managing partner in the firm of Thomas, Means, Gillis, Delvlin, Robinson and Seay - a Montgomery based firm. Born in Chicago, Brother Means received his undergraduate degree from Morehouse College and his law degree from the University of Kansas. He is the General Counsel for the Washington

D.C. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation, Inc., the Grand Attorney for the Grand Lodge of the State of Alabama, Prince Hall Masons and served as Past General Counsel for Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Brother Means has practiced in Alabama for 23 years and has served ATLA as treasurer, secretary and vice-president. He was initiated into the Fraternity in 1976 at Delta Eta Lambda Chapter in Topeka, Kansas and is now a member of Alpha Upsilon Lambda in Montgomery.

BROTHER PETTIGREW LEADS THE PACK In November of 1999, Brother Harold B. Pettigrew, Jr., a 1999 initiate of Eta Omicron Chapter, was honored as "Leader of the Pack" on the campus of North Carolina State University. The Leader of the Pack is given to one male and one female student on the campus of North Carolina State based on their on-campus accomplishments. Brother Pettigrew was the first African-American to receive the award. He has served as the President of the Society of AfricanAmerican Culture, a member of the North Carolina State University Student Senate, the North Carolina Fellows Program, Vice-Chair of the African-American Student Advisory Council and a student organization coordinator for the University Standing Committee for Human Rights Week.

BROTHER CRITCHLOW KNOCKS DOWN BARRIERS Brother David A. Crichlow, was recently elected Partner at the Wall Street law firm of Winthrop, Stimson, Putnam & Roberts. Brother Crichlow is the first African-American Partner in the firm's 138year history. Winthrop, Stimson, Putnam & Roberts recently announced its intent to merge with San Francisco's Pillsbury, Madison & Sutro. The combined firm would be the 18th largest in the United States based upon revenues and would have over 800 attorneys. Brother Crichlow was initiated into the Fraternity in 1983 atXi Psi Chapter, Hofstra University.

BROTHER BRIDGES RECED7ES DIRECT COMMISSION Brother Stephan Bridges was recently received a direct commission as an Intelligence Officer in the United States Naval Reserves less than two years after joining the military.

He was one of less than 100 applicants out of 1,000 to be accepted into the direct commissioning program. A Dothan, Alabama resident and an employee of the State Farm Insurance Agency Field office, Brother Bridges is a life member of the Fraternity, initiated at Kappa Alpha Chapter at the University of Alabama in 1991. He is now a member of Alpha Upsilon Lambda Chapter in Montgomery, Alabama.

THE SPHINX速 FALL 2000

UMNI BROTHER OF THE YEAR

Dr. Ervin Griffin, Sr.

was bestowed the initial Brotherhood Award by Alpha Zeta Chapter at West Virginia State bearing his name. It is now given annually

by Alpha Zeta to the most deserving Alumni Brother who exemplifies true Brotherhood in Alpha.

"That award was very special to me," said Brother Griffin. "I've always enjoyed being there [for the undergraduates] to give them advice."

It is this spirit that Brother Griffin felt was a member of Beta Theta's Sphinx Club more than 30 years ago. He recalls being in awe of some of the prominent members of Alpha Zeta Lambda Chapter in Bluefield.

"I think what inspired me more than anything was meeting the graduate Brothers of Alpha Zeta Lambda," said Brother Griffin.

"They had an impressive Alpha House, one of those big old Southern-Style houses. Impressive Brothers like [former Editor-inChief of The Sphinx速} C. Anderson Davis and Dr. [Payton] Higganbotham were there. It seemed like everywhere you turned, it was lawyer this, doctor that. I remember thinking to myself 'I don't know if I can measure up.' It was kind of intimidating.

"But they stressed to me that if you are going to be an Alpha, you can't be average. They were definitely a great inspiration for me because at the time, I didn't know if I was going for a doctorate or if I was going to go to law school."

It didn't take Brother Griffin long to discover his career path, as he earned his Masters of Science in Counseling and Student Personnel Services at Western Illinois and a Doctorate in Higher Education from Virginia Tech.

Despite his solidly entrenched career in education, Brother Griffin never fails to take time out to put in extra hours of community service aside from the Fraternity. He and members of the West Virginia State staff routinely help feed the needy during Thanksgiving and Christmas. He also volunteers with Ford Elementary School students and is a volunteer at the WVSC/Charleston YMCA Peer Mentoring Program.

In addition, Brother Griffin also donates $1,500 yearly to the WVSC Scholarship Fund and helps generate funding for the school's athletic program as well as the WVSC Minority Student Weekend.

"I can honestly say that I was somewhat surprised, but pleased with this [Brother of the Year] honor," said Brother Griffin.

"When you look at all of the other people competing for this award, you know it's quite an honor."

s Vice-President of Student Affairs at West Virginia State College, Brother Doctor Ervin Griffin, Sr. is charged with the role of working with and aiding youth in career and personal development. ^

However, Brother Griffin makes it a point to go far beyond the call of duty. Not just to fulfill the motto of his beloved Fraternity, "Manly Deeds, Scholarship and Love for All Mankind," but because in his words, "I have to."

Brother Griffin plainly states his motivation to help others.

"You just have to help others, you can talk all that you want, but someone needs to do it, and that is the attitude that I have always had." It is this attitude that led to Brother Griffin's selection as the Fraternity's Alumni Brother of the Year for 1999-2000.

Parliamentarian of Alpha Iota Lambda Chapter in Charleston, West Virginia, Brother Griffin's volunteer, philanthropic, fraternal and humanitarian efforts list long and lengthy, as are his list of awards and citations, especially within his home state.

"I look at all of the things I take part in as networking opportunities which cross all lines, it all works together," said Brother Griffin.

The 1969 initiate of Beta Theta Chapter at Bluefield State (WV) College has served as vice-president of the NAACP's Charleston branch, a member of the State Governor's Committee on Law Enforcement, as well as a member of the Board of Directors for the WVSC Golden Lions Club, the National Center for Human Relations, the Bluefield State College Alumni Association and the Mayor of Charleston's Blue Ribbon Commission on Cultural Diversity.

On January 17, 2000, Brother Griffin was awarded the Governor's "Living the Dream" Award during Martin Luther King Day Ceremonies at the state Capitol. He was honored for "exemplifying the characteristics of justice, scholarship, sharing of self, human and civil rights and advocacy of peace."

Fraternally, Brother Griffin has served as Area Director, District Treasurer, and two terms as State Director for the District of West Virginia. As Assistant District Director, he spearheaded the planning and execution of the 1995,1996 and 1997 District Conventions. He has also served as Undergraduate Advisor of Eta Eta Chapter at Western Illinois University and Alpha Zeta Chapter at West Virginia State College. As a tribute to his never-ending examples of dedication and love for his Fraternity and its members, Brother Griffin

CONVENTION EDITION

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COLLEGE BROTHER

k Brother Christopher Harris

OF THE YEAR

r n high school, Brother Christopher Harris served as a drum major for his high school marching band in his native Palatka, Florida. By the t i m e h e began matriculating at

Florida State University, Brother Harris immediately became a drum major for involvement and achievement. |k From FSU's Student Government Association, the campus National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Chapter or community activities within the city of Tallahassee, Florida Brother Harris took his love for people and organizations and ran with it like the proverbial wind. His abundance of extracurricular activities along with his three-plus years as an extremely active member of the Iota Delta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha earned the Information Systems major the title of College Brother of the Year at the Millennium 2000 Convention in Atlanta, Georgia.

Reviewing Brother Harris' list of activities and memberships in organizations and boards can be exhausting. President of the SGA and NAACP, Chaplain and drummer in the FSU Gospel Choir, Chairman of the Council [of Florida's State University System's SGA] Vice-Presidents, and a two-term Treasurer of Iota Delta Chapter are just some of the missions Brother Harris completed while maintaining a 3-1 cumulative grade point average.

"Time management doesn't come overnight," said Brother Harris. "It comes over time as you're able to put your priorities in order. I think the biggest thing is finding things that you like to do and going out and doing them. A lot of people join various organizations and wind up doing things they don't enjoy. A famous philosopher said when you find something you enjoy doing, you'll never work a day in your life."

Brother Harris has served as a Delegate to the National Convention in both 1999 and 2000 and placed second in the Belford V. Lawson Oratorical Contest in Atlanta and second in the District of Florida for three consecutive years (1997-1999)- He also served on the College Brothers Commission, was a Regional and District Board Member and served as Assistant District Director for the state of Florida. While ecstatic over his selection as Brother of the Year, the achievement also gave Brother Harris a sense of relief.

"I know it sounds kind of cliche, but now I can finally exhale after being National Brother of the Year," said Brother Harris. "I think it culminated four years of collegiate life. I've been working for this goal basically for three and a half years, since I [was initiated] as a [second semester] freshman."

The College Brother of the Year Award is bestowed upon the Undergraduate Brother who scores the highest in six different categories. Those categories include contributions to Alpha, contributions to the university/college community, contributions to the

community outside of the university/college, academic standing and awards of achievements, personal progress in implementing Fraternity programs and individual awards display and interview.

"I didn't put much effort on the display board, but I spent hours upon hours upon hours into documentation," said Brother Harris. "If you have documentation of what you've done, then there is nothing that can be taken away from you, the proof is right there for the [judges] to see. I made it a point to get as much documentation as I could. I collected 47 letters of documentation from Florida State University, two from the community, and nine from within the Fraternity," added Brother Harris.

Not only has Brother Harris demonstrated his dedication and love for fellow African-American Greeks, but the Greek Fraternity system as a whole. During an extremely busy senior year, he was asked to sit on a search committee along with the Director of Greek Life at Florida State to help facilitate an investigation of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, a predominately European-American organization banished from the Florida State campus in 1988. Pi Kappa Alpha eventually won its case and was reinstated into the University's Greek System.

"As a Greek, I just put myself in their position," said Brother Harris. "I thought, 'what would happen if my chapter of Alpha at Florida State had been off of the yard for 10 years, and you have a group of aspirants who want Alpha that much, should they be penalized for the actions of Brothers from more than 10 years ago?'

I think I was picked to help serve on that committee because I was seen as both partial and impartial. Partial because I'm a fellow Greek, but impartial because I didn't have any biases one way or the other to that fraternity."

While at Florida State, Brother Harris also served on the school's Diversity Committee, was a co-founder and board member for the campus radio talk show "Your Voice," worked on committees to help curb binge drinking on campus and participated in the City of Tallahassee's Martin Luther King Jr. activities. In addition to Iota Delta's "Voteless People are a Hopeless People" program, Brother Harris also worked on a campus-wide "Get The Vote" Program in addition to helping with Census 2000.

A Baptist minister who performed his first sermon at the age of 12, Brother Harris is preparing to put himself on the fast track to an eventual career in education. He plans to earn a Masters Degree in Education Administration at the University of South Carolina, then enter a Doctorate program with the goal of eventually becoming a university president.

"I think there is a definite need for more African-Americans and more minorities to be decision makers at these [majority] schools. These schools are becoming more and more diversified, and not with just the color of the students. If universities can't deal with these issues later on, they will be in trouble."

THE SPHINX" FALL 2000

s one of oldest graduate chapters in Alpha, Delta Lambda Chapter of Baltimore, Maryland used a mixture of veteran leadership and advice with young, energetic Brothers to capture the Fraternity's Graduate Chapter of the Year Award for the Fraternal Year 1999-2000.

With more than a hundred active Brothers, Delta Lambda is large enough to handle a multitude of initiatives and programs.

However, it is the Brotherhood and cohesiveness of the Chapter that enabled it to implement its activities, whether large, small or in between.

"Our philosophy is, we don't do things to be Chapter of the Year, we do them because that's what we're supposed to do," said Delta Lambda Brother Ralph Johnson.

While it is the fourth oldest graduate Chapter in Alpha, this was the first Chapter of the Year Award ever bestowed upon Delta Lambda. During the 1998-1999 Fraternal Year, the Chapter won both Mid-Atlantic Association of Alpha Chapters (MAAC) and Eastern Region Chapter of the Year, but was edged by Theta Delta Lambda of El Paso, Texas at the 1999 Convention in Dallas. Brother Randy Carroll says that the Delta Lambda's prior experiences were a necessary stepping-stone to winning National honors in 2000.

"We had already taken the first two steps to winning the Nationals, so all we had to do was continue to document and do follow up work," said Brother Cam Brotherhood didn't do it all, but all t ^ J you look back at the display and see chapter, you say 'I didn't realize we did everyone pitches in, and since you're so you don't realize how much others are doin Delta Lambda's community involve Chapter's versatility and wide interests. Delta port such educational programs such as Marylai Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA), an endi helping improve the math and science abilities of o high school students, the Johns Hopkins University outreach and the Leadership Development Institute.

It also enjoyed participating and hosting profitable

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CONVENTION EDITION

events, such as its 24th Annual Tennis Tournament and the University of Baltimore's Black Student Law Association Charity Basketball Game. Funds from the tennis tournament, which featured competition in several categories, were used to help the Chapter monetarily with its various projects while the basketball game proceeds were used to purchase library books for local elementary schools. In the way of social issues, Delta Lambda participated in the Maryland Conference on Teenage Pregnancy and Parenting, using Project Alpha as a teaching vehicle. Delta Lambda also actively involved itself with census 2000 under the lead of Brother Marvin Masterson.

The Chapter reached far and wide to help those in need. In addition to its Christmas Basket and March of Dimes Walk-A-Thon Activities, a handful of Brothers led by Timothy McFadden and Mark Wainright traveled to the town of Princeville, North Carolina, to help aid families suffering from the devastation of Hurricane Floyd in September of 1999- Brothers McFadden and Wainright collected household cleaning supplies, non-perishable goods and cash from the Chapter, then made the trek south from Baltimore to Eastern North Carolina.

W 'When the flood came, the first thing that came to my mind Wers down in that area who are affected by this,"' said Brother McFadden "I felt like something Prience was very meaningful, something that I will i m hosted its share of high-producing ^Celebration Worship Service boasted one Wean-American speakersâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;the Reverend Dr. J n r s t woman Bishop of the African Methodist se throughout the realm of Alpha, Delta Lambda's k have been achieved without a generous portion of â&#x20AC;˘Frnitie. ire a very harmonious Chapter, we get along really well, Iterations," said Johnson. "Everyone has a say in the WWe welcome the ideas that the younger Brothers initiate ! go with them."

T

o put it bluntly, the Epsilon Pi Chapter worked its way to winning the Undergraduate Chapter of the Year Award. With a crew of only seven active Brothers on the Norfolk State University campus, the Chapter made the sacrifices necessary to affect the Tidewater community in a most positive way. "Basically, we just take care of business," said 1999-2000 Chapter President Douglass Johnson. "It's not all about the parties, it's not about getting all of the girls, and it's not about what you've got. It's about what can you do to better someone else."

Barely into adulthood themselves, Epsilon Pi targeted the youth in its efforts to make a difference within its surrounding community. The Chapter implemented its Go-To-High School, Go-to-College efforts with a Hampton middle school, mentoring children in a high-risk group who are a part of an in-school suspension program. They also mentored four students from Atlantic Elementary School during the Spring 2000 semester, as well as fifth graders from James Monroe Elementary School. They also put on volunteer stepshows at two area schools. In addition Epsilon Pi visited several area community centers, where they mentored and conducted Project Alpha seminars.

"It takes a lot to get all of the work done," said Brother Johnson. "It takes unity. When someone isn't able to get the job done someone else has to step in and do it. Everyone has to know their role, their strengths and weaknesses. It takes planning and time management. You have to plan your activiti ^F On campus. Epsilon Pi pui its Tribute to Black Women, put on a seminar devoted to single mothers, helperfp! mel discussion entitled, "Black Women, Stepping Into the Millennium^ 'd in the March of Dimes and Sickle Cell Walk's in Virginia Beach, asHjJ ^F "We had a lot of things t < n | Johnson. "We assign different tasks to different Brothers, and we supervise each other. he does."

Brother Johnson noted that gei was half of the battle. Epsilon Pi conducted car washes; bake sales and other from Norfolk State.

"I have to thank our Chapter Adviso ;er Johnson. "He really worked with us. We've been trying to get to this level for the last three last year, and now we've finally won [National] Chapter of the Year."

THE SPHINX" FALL 2000

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Brother Derek Fordjour captures images of the Jewels

yearning to capture the mood and the thinking of the founders of Alpha Phi Alpha during the Fraternity's embryonic stage led Atlanta based artist Brother Derek Fordjour on a quest to conjure a scene set in the fall setting of Ithaca, New York, entitled "An Experiment in Brotherhood."

"I read Skip Mason's book "The Talented Tenth" in July of 1999, it only took a weekend. After I finished reading it, I couldn't sleep," said Brother Fordjour, a 1993 initiate of Delta Chi Chapter.

"I suddenly became curious. I started working on it that next month. I know Brothers get together on a consistent basis, but I wondered what was it like back then when Brothers got together.

What similarities exist now between the two time periods?"

A year of intense work brought forth a painting revealing

Brother Fordjour's passion for history. The work, along with a videotape explaining the in depth details of the making of the painting, is now available through Brother Fordjour's companyâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; Seven Jewels.Com. After searching for a photo of all seven Jewels together, Brother Fordjour chose a different route to develop the painting.

Prayer and meditation brought forth the needed insight and impetus to begin work.

"I was going to have all Seven Jewels with a celestial thing to it," said Brother Fordjour. "A Brother told me to slow down and not to go that route, don't go overboard. So I had to take some time to sit down, get right and pray on it. I did a couple of initial sketches, and then I started looking for Brothers. Not necessarily Fraternity

A

CONVENTION EDITION

21

Harold Ogle and Nathaniel Allison Murray stand in close proximity, as both were natives of Washington D.C. and graduates of the same prestigious high school, the M Street School.

James Morton, designated a Jewel until 1952, when replaced

by Jewel Eugene Kinckle Jones, sits far in the background with Poindexter's letter of resignation in hand. Jewel Jones and Jewel Vertner Woodson Tandy "sit side by side, as both were gregarious and sometime mischievous during their days at Cornell. The "Experiment in Brotherhood" video not only yields these facts, but many other significant details m the painting.

"I just wanted to make this painting as human as possible and tell a story with it,' said Brother Fordjour. "You can see that while they were together on one accord, there were sort of cliques between the group. I wanted to show the phenomenon that even then, there were cliques within cliques."

As a history buff, Brother Fordjour hopes that the entire Brotherhood will develop a desire to obtain his work, if not for anything else, to improve upon its historical knowledge.

"1 think we need to have this. I want all Alphas to have it, we need to hold onto our relics. Owning this painting says that you are embracing your history in its totality."

Brothel's, but all brothers. I found brothers who looked most like the Jewels. It wound up being all [Alpha Phi Alpha] Brothers except forone.ortwoof them."

Several photo sessions were arranged by Brother Fordjour in order to get the perfect model to first sketch, then paint. While the background objects were purposely set, Brother Fordjour looked for a more natural setting amongst his human subjects.

Said Brother Fordjour, "I told them to just sit down and start talking. And I just sat there and observed for a while. I moved them around like pieces on a monopoly game, and I tried to use a lot of symbolism with each and every one of them. I wanted to make it has human as possible and to tell a storyâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;to make them accessible."

The images and symbolisms are nearly impossible to ignore.

The eye may first catch C.C. Poindexter on his way out of the door to Jewel Robert Harold Ogle's home. His head bowed and coat draped over the shoulder, "forever leaving the Light ofiAlpha," his good friend Henry Arthur Callis sits directly in front of his image with a look of disappointment which seems to show remorse for his friend, whose wish it was to have Alpha Phi Alpha continue its nonfraternal status, yet a determination to continue with thegroupsi drive to become a fraternity.

Jewel Charles Henry Chapman, the oldest of the Jewels, sits in the middle of the group to show a sense of stability. Chapman's Masonic Brother George Biddle Kelley sits next to him. Jewel Robert

Contact Brother Derek Fordjour at 1-866-278-1906 or log onto Sevenjewels.com for more information.

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i

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22

BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS ' -i. X

RIN IERS/BIG SISTERS OF A

By Brother Zollie Stevenson, Jr.

lpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. d Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBS) have entered into a new mentoring partnership agreement for the next three years in support of mentoring African-American males between the ages of6andl7. As a part of this partnership, seven Alpha Chapters have been invited to serve as pilot sites for the men-

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of 2001. Project sites are jointly designated

by Alpha and BBBS based on the perceived strength of the lead Alpha Chapter and the Big BBBS affiliate in the selected community.

Using Alpha Phi Alpha's new Go-toHigh School, Go-toCollege Curriculum and Implementation Guides and resources provided by BBBS, toring model jointly Front, Left to Right, Brothers Jeffrey Johnson, Omicron Lambda Alpha; Brother Everett Patrick, each selected Chapte developed by the two Nu Mu Lambda; Zollie Stevenson, Jr., Project Director; John Gore, Alpha Rho Lambda; and has been asked to organizations Byron Cobbin, Xi Kappa Lambda. Back, L to R, Alvin Wicks, Beta Psi Lambda; Brocklin Quails, s e r v e ^ m e n t o r s to a Omicron Lambda Alpha; Douglas Jones, Beta Nu Lambda; andLes Sessoms, Zeta Pi Lambda.

Chapters and group of AfricanChapter coordinators selected to participate in the pilot of the American males either in a school-based BBBS site or through Alpha Mentoring Program with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America youth identified by BBBS. Each Chapter is expected to operate a are as follows: combination group and individual mentoring program, implementing activities associated with the Go-to-High School curricuEastern Region: Omicron Lambda Alpha, Washington D.C. lum and other Alpha National Programs and Special Projects as is (Brothers Jeffrey Johnson and Brocklin Quails). appropriate for the ages of the youth participants. Tutoring is Midwestern Region: Alpha Rho Lambda, Columbus, Ohio encouraged as an element of the mentoring activities as are field(Brother John Gore). trips, workshops, rap sessions, college tours, etc. One-on-one conSouthwestern Region: Xi Kappa Lambda, Missouri City, Texas tact with youth in the Alpha Mentoring Program can range from a (Brother Byron Cobbin).

15-minute once-a-week check-in talk to an overnight camping Southern Region: Nu Mu Lambda, Decatur, Georgia (Brother experience.

Everett Patrick) and Beta Nu Lambda, Charlotte, North Carolina (Brother Douglas Jones).

Western Region: Beta Psi Lambda, Los Angeles, California (Brother Berky Nelson) and Zeta Pi Lambda, Seattle, Washington (Brother Les Sessoms).

Four additional Chapters will be identified before the end of 2000 and six additional Chapters will be added during the spring

CONVENTION EDITION

Mentors are expected to be in contact with each of the youth at least every two weeks. This contact could range from one Brother contacting an assigned mentee or match, to the Chapter coordinator contacting each mentee. A field staff coordinator from the local BBBS affiliate will work with each Chapter and a Chapter coordinator to orchestrate the relationships and to ensure follow

BIG BROTHERS/BIG SISTERS continue

through and follow-up on mentoring plans and activities. i Each selected Alumni Chapter receives a grant, of $10,000 funded by the Edna McConnell Clark and United Parcel Services Foundations. Three thousand dollars ($3,000) of the grant is to be used as a stipend for the Chapter coordinator. The Chapter coordinator is tasked with maintaining the week-to-week operations of the Alpha Mentors program within the Chapter and coordinating mentoring program activities with BBBS. The remaining $7,000 is to be spent on program implementation, with $2,000 targeted to support the participation of College Chapters in the project.

M Each identified Alpha Chapter must vote during a regular business meeting on whether to participate in the Alpha Mentor project. A two-thirds majority vote is necessary to ensure that most members of a Chapter are aware of the mentoring effort and are willing to support their Chapter's involvement in the program. Each selected alumni Chapter is expected to work with a college Chapter in implementing this mentoring initiative, to be known as the Alpha Mentoring Program (or Alpha Mentors).

M Though the initial focus of this project is to mentor African-American youth using group approaches, it is the ultimate hope of BBBS and Alpha Phi Alpha that individual matches will be made between mentors and mentees to provide each child with their own Big Brother for the long term and that all Chapters of Alpha will embrace and implement the Alpha Mentoring Project. By the year 2010, BBBS hopes to have a mentor for one million youth using models similar to the Alpha Mentoring program.

i&

i Little Brother Robert enjoys beating his Big Brother, Duane, at the video arcade. Duane is a graduate student at North Carolina A&T University.

And you thought being a Big Brother was serious business.

We know. You thought that being a Big Brother meant being a serious, mature role model, giving lots of sage advice, and taking trips to cultural events.

Guess again. What a Little Brother wants and needs most is just your friendship, a few hours of your time, and some fun. That's all.

So go ahead, call your local agency to become a Big Brother — and let the serious fun begin.

*} BIG

BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF AMERICA* MAKING A BIG DIFFERENCE I

BROTHERS

CONVENTION EDITION

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UMBER FOR VELS he fourth consecutive year, Brother aid Silvels has returned from an Alpha vention with a piece of hardware. A of Pi Iota Lambda Chapter in Tifton, Brother Silvels once again plowed his ugh the tournament field at the m 2000 Convention Tennis Tournament o the title. is summer, Brother Silvels topped vin Payton of Valdosta, Georgia. 6-0,6-0 gar Creek Golf and Tennis Club in eorgia. here were some good players in [this urnament, but there weren't as many s in other conventions," said Brother e fact that it was changed from Friday ay may have had something to do with a lot of Brothers after the tournament pressed how much they missed playe tournament. A lot of them said that et me in New Orleans [site of the 2001 n], and I said O.K., I'll be there," said ilvels with a chuckle. er West Georgia College player is also a teaching professional at Calloway esort in Pine Mountain, Georgia.

THE SPHINX速 FALL 2000

NEW COURTHOUSE DEDICATED TO BROTHER EDWARD BROOKE

rother Senator Edward W. Brooke has long stood as a giant in political circles throughout the latter half of the 20th century. At the dawn of the 21st century, Senator Brooke's name will be raised high for all to see on a Boston, Massachusetts courthouseâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;a venue which gave the venerable servant of the public the chance to make an undeniable impact on the lives of citizens once considered the underdogs of American society.

On June 20,2000, more than 600 people gathered on the steps of the state's newest courthouse to witness the dedication of the first state courthouse bearing the name of an African-American. Governor Paul Cellucci signed legislation for this landmark event in November of 1999"I'm deeply honored by the recognition," said Senator Brooke.

"I didn't think it was a day to dwell on the criticisms of the past. I thought we should rejoice in the progress that has been made and commit ourselves to making even more progress in the future. It was just a great day all around, and I must say that Alpha was wellrepresented [at the ceremony]."

Among those in attendance for the event included General President Adrian L. Wallace, General President-Elect Harry E. Johnson, former General Presidents Henry Ponder and Milton Davis, former Executive Director Darryl Matthews, Ambassador Horace Dawson.

While not harping on the lack of minority name representation on public buildings, Brother Senator Brooke did not let the subject go untouched during his address.

"I hope that other states will recognize African-American's and other minorities in other state courthouses and municipal buildings," said Senator Brooke. "[During the ceremonies] I said that this is a sad commentary that if indeed it is true that this is the first state courthouse to be named after an African-American, 137 years after the Emancipation Proclamation. It's also a sad com: mentary that this was the first time in the state of Massachusetts that a municipal building was named after a living person. I know I'd vote for naming a building after a living person rather than a CONVENTION EDITION

dead person anytime. I'd rather still be here to smell the roses," added Senator Brooke with a chuckle.

W Brother Brooke is a 1939 initiate of Beta Chapter at Howard University and decorated military officer with the 366th Infantry Regiment in Italy during World War II. He is widely considered a trailblazer in both law and politics for the African-American community. In 1962, he became the first black man since Reconstruction to be elected State Attorney General.

His victory is considered even more astounding when AfricanAmericans made up just 1.5 percent of the population in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. His reputation as a crime fighter and enemy of public corruption are well documented. In 1966, he became the first African-American to be popularly elected to the United States Senate and the first to serve in the Senate since Reconstruction.

Senator Brooke's legacy of leadership was apparent early.

While at Howard, he served as Beta Chapter President. Later he became a Lay Member of the Fraternity's Executive Council. From 1948 through 1951 he served as Eastern Region Vice-President.

"I am really grateful to Alpha Phi Alpha for many things," said Senator Brooke. "[The organization] has really helped me in so many ways. As far as politics, I've always said this, and I say it jokingly, 'If you can make it in the politics of Alpha Phi Alpha, you can make it anywhere.'"

Brother Senator Brooke noted that through his positions of leadership in the Fraternity, he was able to lay the foundations of his brilliant career in law and politics.

Said Brother Brooke, "Through my presidency of Beta Chapter, becoming a Lay Member and Eastern Regional Vice President, I've been very, very active in the Fraternity. I've been in the trenches, and I've seen it all. But I have to say that I've been able to succeed because I've always had great mentors in Alpha. I always looked up to [Brothers] like Charles Wesley and Belford Lawson and then later Brothers like [former General President] Milton Davis."

NEW COURTHOUSE continued: While serving in the Senate from 1966 through 1979, Senator Brooke carved out a career that saw him become a strong voice for the rights of his people, as well as women, Hispanics, Asians, Native Americans, senior citizens and the poor and downtrodden. He was also a key figure in improved relations with the People's Republic of China, as well as a strong opponent of the Vietnam War. Because of his stature and storied professional career, Brother Senator Brooke was one of seven members of the Fraternity named in 1996 to the Alpha Phi Alpha World Policy Council. The Washington D.C. native recommended formation of the council in 1993 during his Public Program address at the Fraternity's National Convention in New Orleans.

With all of his many accomplishments, the Boston University School of Law graduate notes the fight for the Voting Rights act during the mid-1960s and its extension during the early 70's are his most proud moments.

Senator Brooke said, "When I was Attorney General, it was said that the Voting Rights Act was unconstitutional, so I asked Archibald Cox to write a brief for the Supreme Court. Eighteen other Attorney Generals joined with me, and it was a case that wound up improving legislation in civil rights. It opened things up for Black people to vote all over the country."

Brother Senator Brooke continued, "The Voting Rights Act and its extension to me are landmarks because it has given African-Americans much more political power. I fought on the [senate] floor when the extension of the voting rights act was being attacked. I fought very hard for it. I think it's also been responsible for the elevation of many African-Americans to become mayors and congressmen."

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THE SPHINX" FALL 2000

TO THE LIGHT

WE'RE MARCHING ONWARD, ALPHA! BROTHER CAIN HOPE FEWER PH.D. INSPIRES BROTHERS IN HIS COLLEGE BROTHERS LUNCHEON ADDRESS t is an unusual pleasure to serve as the Keynote Speaker at this esteemed "College Brothers Luncheon." I am indebted to our National President, Brother Adrian Wallace, formerly of Lake Charles, Louisiana, but residing now in Texas, for asking that I be contacted for this role in view of the last minute cancellation by my extra-mural colleague and friend, Brother Cornel West of Harvard University. As you can imagine it is always a profound delight to be a part of helping our people shift their adoring attention away from Harvard in Cambridge and remember some of us at Howard University in Washington, D.C.! I am also grateful to Seaton White, III for his persistence and encouragement to accept this invitation, since I had just returned from Egypt and Israel a couple of weeks ago and knew that I would be leaving on this Monday for a return Study Tour of Israel. Nevertheless, our egos need humbling reminders that sometimes we are the second choice! At such times, I am buoyed by the strong "pinch hitter" and the opportunity to rediscover the value of being the proverbial "ram in the bush," which can also be a singular honor. So, I suppose I must finally thank the editors of our Sphinx速 Magazine who were kind enough to include, in last summer's Special Edition, my article entitled "Blacks in Biblical Antiquity"- a subject with which I have been absorbed for much of the past two decades.

As one who now is a member of the faculty at the institution where I once not only pledged, but also became President of the Pledge Line and then president of Beta Chapter itself, I shall never forget the fateful words of the song that we had to sing during the bitter sweet final days of Hell Week, "To the Light We're Marching onward, Alpha Here We Come.. .the Pride that is within us, Proud to be the One!" That was over 35 years ago, and the lyrics still resound in my mind this afternoon as if it were yesterday; and over the years as I have worked on behalf of our downtrodden and often stereotyped and marginalized people, especially in the African Diaspora of the Americas, I have been consistently inspired and motivated by the ideals and witness of my Fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha. I am proud to be part of the One! In a variety of ways, like many of you, I have struggled to keep lifting up that banner and to march toward the light!

I

There is an ancient Greek saying which seems to capture the essence of what I would like to share with you this afternoon: "en chrono panta krepta krummata eleusonta pros photi!" This transCONVENTIONEDITION

Brother Cain Hope Felder, Ph.D. lates as "in time all that is hidden will come to the light!" Indeed, we are living in a most extraordinary time when many of the things intentionally hidden, for centuries, from us as a people are coming to the light! In my academic career, I have been fortunate enough to study many of the ancient texts of Rome, Greece, Israel and Kemet (or Egypt); often this has required gaining some knowledge of the original languages. Thus, it has been necessary for me to acquire a first hand knowledge of at least ten languages. I say "necessary," because for too long was as an African people in the Americas, have been plagued by blatant and subtle forms of racism, politico-economic disadvantage, and often brutalized by a criminal justice system which itself is frequently criminal! In fact for too long, we thought that others would shed the light of truth on how we, the people of the darker hue, might improve our situation and have truth delivered free of charge to us! This, of course, is sadly a gross misconception. More tragic yet is the fact that it is still widely held by many of our undergraduates in American institutions of "higher education." No one will hand you true freedom; other racial groups will not conduct all of the research in order to tell you what was really the truth!

Most often, the discoveries, if of possible benefit to Blacks, will be filtered and presented in oblique ways that are beneficial to the

TO THE LIGHT

Euro-American mainstream.

This is why in several of my own books, versions of the Bible and PBS videos, we have urged African-Americans to stop asking what can or will God do for me? Instead, we argue that the more appropriate question is to rediscover what God has already done for me in the distant past. Dare I remind one, God began with you!

From the beginning, the light was shining on you!

Remarkably, it is to this original light and its source that we must resume the march onward! If we want history told more sensitively and in a more universal and inclusive manner, then we as Black Americans must be willing to read carefully and more accurately tell the story ourselves! This does not mean resorting to "feel good" tactics Black nationalist ideologies or some new Black sectarian religious propaganda or even constructing fanciful mythologies of Black "chosen peoplehood" of the Isis Papers variety, as if God does not reserve the right to choose whomever God deems worthy, regardless of race, ethnicity or gender!

No, it means straining to create a bold new paradigm for study and social conscience that will take up again, in earnest, the freedom struggle on the eve of the new millennium and in the year 2000, symbolically, a Year of Jubilee! In fact, Jubilee means freedom and we are excited these days because of the recent publication of The African-American Jubilee Bible and the soon to be made available Jubilee Legacy Bible on which we have been working for the past few years. I am excited these days, because in our time the way we may be witnessing the resurgence of the biblical Jubilee mandates for social justice.

The word "Jubilee" comes from the Hebrew term Yobel which refers to the "ram's horn" or trumpet which was to be blown throughout the land on Yom Kippur ("the Day of Atonement"). The classic biblical texts are Leviticus 25:9-17 and Luke 4:16-20. This sounding of the ram's horn was to signal the God mandated season of restoration of freedom for slaves and indentured servants, the release of captives, the return of expropriated lands, and the canceling of exploitative debts. It signals a time for making things right and doing the right thing.. .what is just, fair and good! Oh, do we Black Americans—we Alpha Men need to hear the sound of this ram's horn today! (Brother Felder's nephew Kevin James stands and blows the ram's horn three times).

We are not offering, here on this occasion, empty rhetoric and meaningless histrionics, since just a few days ago, some seventy of us—your fellow African-Americans returned rejoicing from sailing on the Nile River and on the Sea of Galilee! Fifty-one of us were baptized in the Jordan River and as each one of us came up, I dare say, that we heard that ram's horn of a new beginning! Oh the

Brother Cain Hope Felder, Ph.D. and nephew Kevin James (left). joy of having recently stood before the 240-foot body of the mystic Sphinx on the Plains of Giza, its stately gaze fixed upon the East!

We gazed in awe at the Pyramid of Khafra—2520-2494 B.C. (Cephren), and we marveled at the even larger Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops) and then turned our gaze to the southwest in order to behold the Pyramid of Menkaura (Mycerinus).

These of course are among the wonders of the world of which, for many Western Egyptologists, take us back nearly 5,000 years (others more recently say much earlier!). Yet, for an Alpha man to stand in front of the mystic Sphinx of Giza today does so much more than bring back "fond memories" of one's undergraduate days! It hurtles us back to ancient times of great Black royalty, power and dignity, to a time when there were no color prejudice nor notion of race (much less "racial profiling"). The light of that time is recoverable and discernible in this year of Jubilee.

Moreover, it seems to me that there are three main institutions within the Black community that have the potential to provide unprecedented leadership in the requite new surge that we all must make toward the light and in the cause of bringing the glories of many "hidden things" to this light. These institutions are the Black Church, the Black colleges and universities and the AfricanAmerican fraternities and sororities, not least Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity as we boast "First of All, Servants of All We Shall Transcend All!" Each of these "Big Black Three" needs sustained self-critique and reform in light of the problems that plague the masses of our people here and abroad. Yet, in each of these seminal THE SPHINX® FALL 2000

institutions within our communities, we are experiencing a crisis in leadership, gross opportunism, and a capitulation to a syndrome of being almost singularly driven by consumerism and raw market forces of the food, beverage and the entertainment industry of sports and music. As a consequence, we have developed a deep "hole in our soul" which each of these institutions must find new ways to fill.

May I submit that for too long we have allowed ourselves and the masses of our people to be beguiled by those most deceptive "lights" which have contributed so much to popular mindlessness.

Worse such self-deception has caused most other groups not to take us seriously any more; we have become the quintessential entertainers of the wealthy and powerful! In 1926, amidst the Harlem Renaissance, the poet Countee Cullen captured in verse this terrible irony of our predicament in his poem "From the Dark Tower": We shall not always plant, while others reap The golden increment of bursting fruit, Not always countenance, abject and mute, The lesser men should hold their brothers cheap; Not everlastingly while others sleep We beguile their limbs with mellow flute Not always bend to some more subtle brute: We were not made eternally to weep.

The night whose sable breast relieves the stark, White stars is no less lovely being dark, And there are buds that cannot bloom at all in light, But crumple, piteous and fall.

So in the dark, we hide the heart that bleeds And wait and tend our agonizing seeds."

On this day, here in Atlanta nearly three quarters of a century later, the Men of Alpha must resolve to put an end to this business of "hiding in the dark a heart that bleeds;" the men of Alpha Phi Alpha must rise up, young and old, to the sound of the ram's horn of the Jubilee, and put an end to this tendency of passive waiting and tending "agonizing seeds!" The clarion call from our Millennium Convention must be "To the light, we're marching onward." And what a light we are now showing that it is, was and will yet be.

It is the light that shines out of distant Mother Africa, illuminating the beginning of Eden and extending to the Afro-Asiatics of Mesopotamia, the fertile crescent of the Tigris and the Euphrates. It is the light that shines on the ancient lands of Kemet, Kush and Punt which gave birth to the Nile and the greatness of the Nile Valley Civilizations. It is a light that illuminates many a Black Pharaoh and not a few Queens from Shebs to the Candakes of ancient Abyssinia! It is light of achievement, conquest and genius, subverted and willfully repressed over many a century! Yet, in our time, at this turning of the millennium, we behold that light which makes all the more meaningful Psalm 68:31 "Let princes come out CONVENTION EDITION

TO THE LIGHT of Egypt and let Ethiopia hasten to stretch forth her hand to God!" That same light shines on Genesis 15:13-14: j^k Then the Lord said to Abram, "Know for certain That your descendants will be strangers in a country Not their own, and will be enslaved, And mistreated for four hundred years.

But I will punish die nation mey served as slaves, And afterward they will come out wim great possessions!

This is a direct quote from an ancient biblical text; and it seems so appropriate now as part of the basis for a new millennial agenda for African-American men, not least Alpha men who want to truly hold high the name and march afresh to this light!

As I move toward closing, consider the name of Amado Dialo of New York or the ill-fated African-American male in Philadelphia whose brutal police beating and murder was captured, I understand, recently on local TV.â&#x20AC;&#x201D;a chilling broadcast to the one-half million African-American men who languish in American jails, detention centers and prisons as I speak! Since my mother explained my own name to me long ago, I have had forever etched into my brain that telling question posed by the biblical Cain of Genesis 4:9- "Am I my brother's keeper?" I have literally had five blood brothers of mine to die-largely of the crime of "living while Black."

With each of their deaths and at several of their funerals at which I preached, I thought of that question and dedicated myself to an answer in the affirmative. Yes! I must be my brother's keeper!

I then see more clearly that light... a light shining out of darkness!

On each of those occasions, I heard a sound-faintly that of the ram's horn! With each death, I renounced apathy and cynicism, and instead fixed my gaze upon that light, even the Alpha light we see and renewed in the youthful vow of my college years.. .that Alpha light we see, and true we'll ever be! Until that fateful day, you'll hear us say, Dear A Phi A, we're on the way! En chrono panta krepta krummata eleusonta pros photi!

Thank you.

Brother Cain Hope Felder, Ph.D. is a Professor ofBiblical Studies at the Howard University School of Divinity and Chairman of the Biblical Institute for Social Change, Inc.

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License granted by Intellectual Properties Management, Inc. as Manager of the Estate of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. A project of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. authorized by the United States Congress, Public Law 104-333; also known as the "Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Project."

Luncheon MLK Fraternal Luncheon The unveiling of a new Corporate Sponsor for the Martin Luther King Memorial Project highlighted the afternoon during the Millennium 2000 Convention's Official Martin Luther King Luncheon. By the end of the program, Tommy Hilfiger uncovered its plans to donate a minimum of $5 million to the Project until the year 2003. Guy Vickers, a representative of Tommy Hilfiger and a close friend of the clothing giant presented the information in front of a throng of guests, including the late Dr. King's widow Coretta Scott King and daughter Reverend Dr. Bernice King.

Also during the program, Eta Tau Lambda Chapter of Akron was given special recognition for its fund raising efforts toward the Memorial. As of August of 2000, the chapter has raised $100,000 in a four-year period.

"We are making unsurpassed strides," said General President Adrian Wallace. "Alpha Phi Alpha is speaking with one clear resonant voice. Now, Âť [Mrs. King] is presently living the dream [of Dr. King]. The monument will be a beacon of truth."

Brother Andrew Young summed up Dr. King's influence and undefeatable attitude upon followers of the civil rights era. "Dr. King showed us that we could resolve our difference without hatred and violence. With his influence, we have made a way out of no way."

Rev. Dr. Bernice King, Guy Vickers, Coretta Scott King, Brother Adrian Wallace, Brother Andrew Young, Brother Vic Carter and Brother John H. Carter.

CONVENTIONEDIT/ON

ive giants within in the fold of Alpha were honored for their contributions to society during the Millennium 2000 Convention's Public Program. Brothers Lee P. Brown, Marc H. Morial, Maynard Jackson, Henry Ponder and Milton C. Davis were bestowed with the Alpha Award of Merit during the August 6 Program.

Established at the General Convention in 1952, the Alpha Award of Merit is the Fraternity's highest award designated for members of the organization.

As the Mayor of Houston, the Honorable Brother Brown received national acclaim from the Library Journal, naming him Politician of the Year in 1999- In a brief address he emphasized goodness, humility and service to all people as the key attributes of an Alphaman.

The Honorable Brother Morial, Mayor of the City of New Orleans, has been a catalyst for change during his six years in office.

During his tenure, violent crime in New Orleans has witnessed a 60 per cent drop. He spoke of the influence that the Fraternity has held during his lifetime.

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"Brothers like Maynard Jackson, Charles Rangel, Ron Dellums and [Ralph] Metcalfe were my heroes growing up," said Brother Morial. "It was those men along with my family who inspired me to a life in public service."

Brother Jackson, the first African-American Mayor of Atlanta and a trailblazer in southern politics, spoke eloquently and with plenty of humor, pointing to leadership along with the importance of voting, financial empowerment and spiritual upliftment.

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1 As an accomplished educator and economist, the lily's 28th General President Ponder has been the recipient of many awards and honors. However, he deemed the .Alpha Award of Merit a crowning achievement.

Said Brother Ponder, "I've won a few awards, but this award â&#x20AC;˘om my Fraternity has to be the highest one I've received to fin date. Today, I stand on the shoulders of giants."

The 29th General President of the Fraternity, Brother Davis spearheaded the I'.S. Congress' passing of the legislative act authorizing the Fraternity the exclusive right to erect a national memorial in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr. iroughout my life I have been supported and susby the legacy of the Brotherhood of Alpha Phi Alpha," said Brother Da in a spectacular setting, this Fraternity raises me up ono

CONVENTION EDITION

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ALPHA UNIVERSITY TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT IS A HIGHLIGHT

OF THE MILLENNIUM

CONVENTION

By Brother Zollie Stm

lpha University workshops, seminars and training activities dominated the daily activities provided to Brothers at the Millennium General Convention in Atlanta, Georgia. Forty-eight Alpha University sessions on 22 topics were offered over three days of the convention.

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Each of the seven colleges of Alpha Universitycontributed workshops to the Millennium Convention. Workshops were offered by the College of Brotherhood on the meaning of the Alpha ritual and the creation of Fraternal spirit. Trainers from the College of Chapter and Officer Development provided Alpha University workshops during Atlanta's Millennium Convention served as workshops on how to become an effective Alpha adviinvaluable training tools for the Brotherhood. sor, Chapter officer and field staff officer as well as sessions on basic and advanced parliamentary procedures. The Several of the sessions, The Meaning of the Ritual, National College of National Programs and Special Projects focused on Programs Implementation Models and Strategies, Comprehensive training to effectively implement Project Alpha, Go-to-High School, Financial Planning and Parliamentary Procedures sessions drew Go-to-College and Voter Education/Registration. Workshops prostanding room only crowds of Brothers. Over 150 Brothers were in vided by the College of Leadership provided opportunities for disattendance at the ritual workshop offered on Saturday with a slightcussion on leadership skills for the new millennium and the role of ly smaller crowd attending the financial planning and wealth the servant-leader. Sessions conducted by staff from the College of building seminars. All of the ritual workshop sessions were filled to Personal and Professional Development encouraged Brothers to capacity. Other popular sessions included the Field Staff, Chapter develop the leaders around them, communicate more effectively, and Officer Development, and the technology workshops. build and strengthen relationships among Brothers and others, and For the second year, one of the most non-traditional workprovided guidelines on how to package one's own portfolio. The shops was the Project Alpha Community Outreach session conductCollege of Business and Technology provided workshops on wealth ed by Brother John L Colbert, National Project Alpha Coordinator, building, comprehensive financial planning, how to start a small and Project Alpha National Faculty members Brothers Wilbur business, establishing a Chapter knowledge base and a survey of Jackson, National Chairman of Project Alpha Week 2000; Ronald free Internet access and services. Business and Technology featured Peters, Chairman of National Programs; and Richard D. Smith, Jr., CD-ROMs with software that could be used to manage a Chapter's Chairman of Special Projects. Thirty boys from metro Atlanta parinformation base. The College of Effective Implementation focused ticipated in the Project Alpha workshop implemented by members on preparing Chapters and Brothers to compete in Fraternal comof the Project Alpha National Faculty. The Brothers in attendance petitions, managing and establishing contracts for conferences and had the opportunity to observe how the new Project Alpha matericonventions, and oriented Brothers interested in serving as trainers als should be used in implementing the program. Before the for Alpha University. arrival of the boys, Brothers received an overview of Project Alpha CONVENTION EDITION

37

Dean of the College of Personal and Professional Development made special remarks and assisted in the presentation of a plaque to outgoing General President Adrian L. Wallace on behalf of Alpha University. Brother Jackson introduced the Associate and Assistant CLO and the Deans and Associate Deans of Alpha University.

Also during the College Brothers Luncheon, Alpha University was officially welcomed into two of the premier international organizations that focus on training and development. Ms. Ivory Dorsey, Immediate Past Executive Board Member of the American Society for Training and Development and David Berks, Director of Marketing for Corporate Xchange Group, officially welcomed and congratulated Alpha University on the work that has been done in the area of training and organizational learning.

and had a chance to observe and discuss the new program videotape S.T.A.T.S. After the boys arrived, the Brothers observed Brothers Colbert, Jackson, Peters and Smith actually implementing Project Alpha before participants using the new material. Each of the Project Alpha modules was presented and the boys and Brothers rotated among the various sessions. The boys received Project Alpha t-shirts and box lunches for their participation.

Another innovative workshop, conducted by Brother Andre Watkins, Dean of the College of Business and Technology, focused on establishing a knowledge base for Chapters. Knowledge base workshop participants received a CD-ROM with information that could be used by Chapters to develop their own information base and also provided Brothers with access to free Internet services.

One of the outstanding presenters according to participants was Brother Andra R. Ward (Khafre) of Cincinnati, Ohio. Brother Ward, Executive Director of the Midwestern Region, provided a training forum that allowed all participants to simulate a business meeting as the arena for his workshops on parliamentary procedure. Brothers became active participants in the parliamentary procedures workshops, which they clearly enjoyed. Brother Derek Warren presented a well-received workshop on effective communications, while Keith Grandberry and Cheryl Thomas of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America shared strategies and materials for engaging our Brothers as effective mentors. Other presenters drawing favorable comment were Brother Anthony Sanders, who trained and certified Brothers on how to become more effective Alpha advisors to College Chapters and Brother Ryle Bell, Dean of the College of Brotherhood, was lauded for his presentation on the Fraternity's ritual. Brother Joseph Feast from Zeta Epsilon Lambda Chapter in Jackson, New Jersey attended the Alpha Advisors workshop and indicated that he was impressed by the presentation of Brother Anthony Sanders. He indicated that he is interested in serving as an advisor now that he has more insight regarding what service as an Alpha Advisor entails.

Participants in the seminars and workshops also received the Alpha University lapel pins designed by Brother Walter Cooper of Denver, Colorado. Participants also completed evaluation forms which will be used to plan Alpha University workshop and seminar offerings at the 2001 General Convention in New Orleans. A summary of ratings for each indicated that Brothers considered the sessions to be "Excellent" to "Very Good" overall in terms of content, presenter(s) knowledge, presentation effectiveness, handouts and materials, and relevance/usefulness of the sessions. Written comments included positive statements regarding the quality and coverage of the printed materials, the knowledge of the presenters and the quality of the discussions. Among the suggested changes was the need for additional time to allow presenters to cover the volume of information that was shared.

The training materials provided by Alpha University were in high demand, particularly the handbooks for the Alpha advisor certification, field staff training, and chapter and officer development developed by Brother Dr. Bruce Crawford, Dean of the College of Chapter and Officer Development. Brothers who learned about the field staff and chapter/officer development notebooks, but who were not in attendance at the workshops, requested all of the remaining copies of the handbooks available at the Millennium Convention.

Nearly 500 copies of the Chapter and Officer Development guide were disseminated either in the workshop sessions or after the sessions over the three workshop days. Another popular item was the CD-ROM shared by Brother Andre Watkins' during his workshop on Establishing Your Chapter's Knowledge Base.

Brothers interested in training, facilitating or sharing materials for Alpha University should contact Brother Phillip Jackson (PLJQuest@msn.com) or Brother Zollie Stevenson, Jr. (Zstevenson@hq.alpha-phi-alpha.org).

During the College Brother Luncheon, Brothers were welcomed to their seats by the new Alpha University lapel pins and copies of the new Alpha University Strategic Plan. Brother Phillip L. Jackson, CLO for Alpha University gave brief remarks on the origin, purpose and goals of Alpha University. Brother Robert Bedford, 38

THE SPHINX* PAU, 2000

2000-2001 Alpha University Leadership Team Phillip L.Jackson,Jr. Zollie Stevenson, Jr., Ph.D. Richard K. Adzei Ryle A. Bell, D.D.S. Abdul-Kaba Abdullah Bruce Crawford, Ph.D. Micah J. Smith Andre Watkins Mark Tillman Norman E.W. Towels, Ed.D. Trenton Williams Ronald J. Peters, Jr., D.RH. Edjah Ndoum Robert E.Bedford Mataryn Wright Percy Pollard Thomas Fitzpatrick Juan A. Harris Jermaine A. Burrell

Chief Learning Officer Associate Chief Learning Officer Assistant Chief Learning Officer Dean, College of Brotherhood Associate Dean, College of Brotherhood Dean, College of Chapter and Officer Development Associate Dean, College of Chapter and Officer Development Dean, College of Business and Technology Associate Dean, College of Business and Technology Dean, College of Effective Implementation Associate Dean, College of Effective Implementation Dean, College of National Programs and Special Projects Associate Dean, College of National Programs and Special Projects Dean, College of Personal and Professional Development Associate Dean, College of Personal and Professional Development Dean, College of Leadership Associate Dean, College of Leadership Special Assistant Special Assistant

MILLENNIUM 2000 CONVENTION MILLENNIUM 2000 CONVENTION MILLENNIUM 2000 CONVENTION MILLENNIUM 2000 CONVENTION MILLENNIUM 2000 CONVENTION MILLENNIUM 2000 CONVENTION

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A Convention Winners: Brother Harry E. Johnson, a member of Alpha Eta Lambda Chapter of Houston. Texas was elected as the Fraternity's 31st General President, defeating opponent Brother Sylvester Shannon of Xi Delta ffiii:<rajT Fraternity." Brother Christopher J. Harris, representing Iota Delta Chapter at Florida State University, was named College Brother of the Year and Brother Ervin V. Griffin Sr, was named the Outstanding Alumni Brother of the Year. Epsilon Pi Chapter 535 of Norfolk State University won tl Lambda of Baltimore, Maryland was crowned Alumni Chapter of the Year. Brother Tommy Grant-Malone, a member of Delta Chapter at Huston-Tiilotson College in Austin, Texas placed first in the Belford V. Lawson Oratorical Contest. Beta Upsilon Chapter of Alabama State University won the Collegiate Scholars Bowl, edging Sigma Phi Chapter of Indiana UniversityPurdue University at Indianapolis. The Charles II. Wesley Award was presented to Nu Mu Lambda Chapter of Decatur, Georgia and Mu Alpha Chapter of Atlanta's Emory University. Mu Chi Chapter, California State University-Long Beach won the Stepshow competition, while Beta Delta Chapter of South Carolina State University finished second. Miss Khalia Jelks. repn senting the Southern Region's Florida Memorial College in Miami won the Miss Black and Gold Pageant. The Eastern Region's Miss Michele A. Lawrence of Hampton University placed as first runner-up. Southwestern Region representative Miss Shannon Davis of Texas A&M I niversity was second runner-up, while the Midwestern Region's Miss Robyn Reed of Kansas State University was named Miss Congeniality. Miss Jumoke 0. Olayele of California State University-Long Beach, represented Alpha's Western Region.

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PRoJ ECT ALPHA WEEK 1000 HnOTHeR HfcPHH FIRST

By Brothers Ron Peters Jr. and Wilbur L. Jackson

Alpha Brothers pose with young men at the Chicago Project Alpha site.

5

roject Alpha, a national program of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Jnc.,took a gigantic step forward during the week of October 7-14, 2000, when Chapters across the country implemented the anti-teen-pregnancy program, bringing its visibility and impact to new heights. The follow manscript serves as a * guide to creation of the great event.

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History of Project Alpha The vision of Brothers from Iota Delta Lambda Chapter in Chicago, Illinois, Project Alpha was developed in the late 70's to serve the youth of Chicago's urban communities. Through the leadership of Brothers Dr. Erwin A. France, Michael J. Price, John W. Lee, III, and Mitchell Roberson, the program was defined as an educational, motivational and community involvement initiative.

These Brothers, working with Dr. Effie 0-Ellis, a Chicago pediatrician, were, the architects of this very unique"and successful -program. A partnership was formed "with the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation in 1982. This partnership led to the advances

which took the local project to national prominence. National Director of Community Services Beryl Battle forged the relationship from the March of Dimes' headquarters. Project Alpha Implementation Kits were provided by the March of Dimes and were distributed to all chapters in 1986 under her direction.

Renowned Chicago urologist Dr. Terry Mason has served a medical advisor to the program since its inception.

Alpha leadership at the national, regional and Chapter level took up the baton from the founders and drove Project Alpha to becoming a formal National Program. Through the years thousands of young men have benefited from the education and influence of the "Man-to-Man Talk" with positive male role models from College and Alumni Chapters of Alpha Phi Alpha. The attitudes and responsible decision-making skills of these young men were influenced for life. As the New Millennium approached, the vision of the founders of Project Alpha is to challenge for the current leadership to take Project Alpha to a new height.

THE SPHINX'1 FALL 2000

p ROJECT ALPHA CONTINUED History of Project Alpha Week 2000 The leadership team of General President Adrian L. Wallace, Director of Educational Activities Dr. Zollie Stevenson, Jr., National Programs Chair Dr. Ronald J. Peters, Jr. and Project Alpha National Chair John L Colbert, started to revise the Project Alpha curriculum. The March of Dimes gave $250,000 to fund the project, which used the services of MEE Production, Inc. to produce the curriculum which features the award-winning S.TAT.S. (Sex, Teens, AIDS, Take'em Serious) Video and accompanying curriculum guide. The next step was to establish the Project Alpha Faculty which was composed of Project Alpha leaders from around the country. This group was formed to provide training and technical support to all Chapters. In 1998, this team was trained and developed a delivery plan. The idea to establish Project Alpha Week 2000 was born at that time. Members of the faculty planned this initiative with Wilbur Jackson named as National Chair.

Brothers explain the pitfalls of early sexual involvement to Project Alpha youths.

Through two years of planning and training, Project Alpha Week 2000 became one of the main focuses in the Fraternity along with the other National Programs and initatives: Go-To-High School, Go-To-College, A Voteless People is a Hopeless People and the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Project. The planning of Project Alpha Week 2000 started in 1998 and culminated in Dallas at the 1999 General Convention where the National Faculty successfully demonstrated the effectiveness of the new curriculum with youth from Dallas. The training and planning continued through district conferences, test chapters, the 1999 regional conventions and finally the Atlanta Millennium General Convention where Project Alpha was incorporated into Alpha University. Now the entire Fraternity was ready to make history!

CONVENTION EDITION

Project Alpha mentees listen to words of wisdom in Chicago.

Purpose/Goals of Project Alpha Week 2000 The primary goal of Project Alpha is to prevent teen pregnancy by focusing on the role of the teen male. Through education and motivation, the program influences young men to act more responsibly. Project Alpha Week 2000's goals were to: /. Mobilize all Chapters, College and Alumni working together, to use the new curriculum.

2. Engage the. media to help deliver the programs message of male responsibility.

J. Gain the support and endorsement of chic leaders to affect behavior change.

4. Planning mdpreparation, A project of this magnitude requires strong leadership, detailed planning and lots of hard work by volunteers and staff. The March of Dimes staff both in" their Nafional Headquarters and in their local Chapters provided guidance and support throughout the planning process by attending all meetings and directing their Chapters to support local planning. The tasks were broken down into their vital components with Chapter mobilization led by Brother John L Colbert, media engagment led by Brother Ronald Peters, and Program Evaluation led by Brother Zollie Stevenson, Jr. During the 1999 March of Dimes Volunteer Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C., Brothers Peters and Jackson visited the Office of the Vice President and the offices of the seven Brothers in the U. S. Congress. Brothers Danny Davis, Julian Dixon, Chaka Fattah, Earl Hilliard, Gregory Meeks, Charles Range! and Bobby Scott pledged their support and offered ideasand the services of their respective staffs. Brother Davis, from Ilinois, took a bold step and offered to coordinate a "Special Topics" discussion on the legislative floor which would document.the project in the Congressional Record while being covered worldwide by C-SPAN .

Two years of hard work and dedicated national planning started to show that it would achieve its goals if all of the Chapters accepted the charge to do their "detailed planning. Several key Chapters reported early success with the new curriculum. Brother Ron Madden, Chair of the New York Jewel Site reported outstanding success with the Spring 20*00 delivery in New York City. During the Atlanta Millennium Convention it became clear that Chapters around the country were excited and ready to execute Project Alpha Week 2000.

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PROJECT ALPHA CONTINUED: In addition to the curriculum and STATS video for our youth, we created a Project Alpha Implementation Guide and trainthe-trainers video for the Brotherhood. The guide takes twenty years of experience and lessons learned and presents them in an easy-to-follow guideline for planning and executing Project Alpha.

The guide systematically takes the viewer through the step by step progression to a successful Project Alpha Program by:

General President Adrian Wallace and March Of Dimes chairperson Jane Massey participate in Project Alpha Week activities in Chicago.

Description of materials; To have a successful program, superior materials were essential. The collaboration of Alpha Phi Alpha, the March of Dimes and MEE Productions produced an outstanding implementation package. Two measures the programs success are the recognition received and the demand generated. The S.T.A.T.S. Video was a finalist in the Black Hollywood Film Festival community service category in February, 2000. The curriculum guide and accompanying video have generated such high demand, that a new version for general use was developed for delivery in late 2000. , .This curriculum achieves"the goal of affecting behavior change in order to reduce teenage pregnancy, minimize drug abuse, eliminate abusive behavior in relationships and generally create a community of responsible youth focused on achieving higher goals in life. It is well documented that a participation approach to education results in better retention of the taught material. The participation approach of building knowledge and challenging the teens to carry the message back to their communities will change behavior for the better. The curriculum guide and the video are perfectly synchronized so that the facilitator could focus on each learning point after the scenes that dramatize the learning point. A young teen girl telling one of the teen males that she is HIV positive gives a perfect opportunity to discuss sexually transmitted diseases and how to protect against contracting them.

The emotional impact of the dramatization helps to fuel discussion while imprinting the significance of the issue's in the participants mind. The components of the curriculum, which are synchronized with the video dramatization are: - Responsibility and the Role of Males in Relationships - Adolescent Pregnane) and Fatherhood - Protecting Yourself and Your Partner - Sexually' Transmitted Diseases - Intitnate Violence in Relationships - Socio-economic Impact of Teenage Pregnancy - Peer Pressure Resistance Skills

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-Explaining the background, the reason for the focus on male attitudes concerning sexuality and how the guide works.

-Showing the importance of being a leader and effectively communicating with and mentoring youth. ' -Giving an overview of the program event.

-Detailing the implementation tasks—planning, recruiting, publicizing and evaluating the program.

-Providing national contacts for further information and assistance.

-Defining important resources and references.

-Delivering important forms, lists and samples.

Armed with diligent planning, excellent materials and a workforce of highly motivated professionals, Project Alpha Week 2000 was ready to execute!

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Brothers Ron Madden and Eric Cliette (far right) display a Project Alpha proclamation from the Manhattan Borough President.

THESPHINX®FALL 2000

p ROJECT ALPHA CONTINUED: Execution of Project Alpha Week Project Alpha Week 2000 started early as many Chapters honed their skills while delivering important training to the young men of America. Mobilizing many others in our communities is critical to the success of Project Alpha. Outreach to churches, schools, government agencies, health organizations and other people concerned with the well-being of our youth had to start early.

San Francisco held a special program at one of the juvenile authority centers. Brother Mayor Willie Brown spoke passionately to over one hundred young men at this event on August 31, 2000. Early events like this one heightened the anticipation for the full impact of Project Alpha Week in October.

College and Alumni Chapters reported their plans to the national committee demonstrating an unprecedented mobilization of Chapters. Simultaneously, all March of Dimes Chapters were primed and ready also. This was made very clear at the September Volunteer Leadership Conference in Kansas City, Missouri, where Project Alpha Week 2000 was featured to over 800 March of Dimes volunteers. Everyone was ready to execute!

A Chicago youth listens attentively to his mentor.

to the young men. All of the Brothers gave a standing ovation for the very personal speech given by DJ Flexx, a teenage father at the age of 17. Flexx & Shack provided free CDs and autographs, much to the delight of the participating boys. WPGC also provided live coverage during the conference.

The Millennium Convention in Atlanta served host to a special Project Alpha, serving 30 teens. It also served as an Alpha University training workshop. Atlanta had I n outstanding metro-wide Project Alpha on October 14. It was held for 65 students at Booker T. Washington High School. Hot 97.5-FM covered the event and proclamations were presented to the Brothers. The Houston event actually turned into two separate programs, one on October 12, 2000 and a second two days later. The first event was held at the University of Texas School of Public Health, while the second was held at a local high school. The combined efforts of College and Alumni Brothers from four Chapters and the Houston Rockets

To help focus the national attention, eight Jewel Sites were selected. Each site's leadership team worked closely with the National Faculty to ensure success and high national visibility. The eight sites were: 1.

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New York Washington D.C. Atlanta Houston Los Angeles San Francisco New Jersey Chicago

Brother Ron Madden Brother J. Keith Wilson Brother Thomas Walters Brother Ron Curtis Brother Greg French Brother Lonnie Holmes Brother George Wyatt Brother Glenn Brooks

The success can be assessed with some of the highlights from these flagship sites. New York started the week with their second program of the year conducted at Columbia University. The Borough President presented the Brothers with a proclamation declaring it Project Alpha Week in New York City. The Washington D.C. event, held on October 12,2000, involved nine College and Alumni Chapters (28 Brothers) delivering Project Alpha to 96 youth at Johnson Junior High School. This event received major media coverage from radio, television newspapers. Radio personalities DJ Flexx and Shack in the Pack of Washington Area FM radio station WPGC 95.5 gave very good motivational speeches CONVENTION EDITION

Brother Ron Peters holds a rap session with Houston area youth.

4

PROJECT ALPHA CONTINUE

showed their commitment to addressing teenage pregnancy and controlling STD/AIDS while challenging our youth to act more responsibly. The seven Brothers in Congress made history by documenting their support of the Fraternity and Project Alpha by entering their speeches into the Congressional Record and broadcasting their message around the world with C-SPAN television coverage on

Basketball Team helped make the program successful Brother Jerry Burrell.-known as the Houston Rockets basketball team mascot "Turbo," gave an acrobatic dunking show while delivering a strong message of male responsibility. Thirty-five Brothers and 98 youth were involved in the Houston project. These examples show the excitement and diversity of programming that make Project Alpha special.

The Los Angeles event was previewed on October 5, 2000 by Congressman Brother Julian Dixon, as he gave detailed plans on the floor of the United States Congress. The collaborative effort involved many elements of the community starting on October 13, 2000 with the New Leaders organization's "Take a Youth to Work Day 2000." Select youth were then taken from Magic Johnson's theater to Camp Hollywoodland for a full day on October 14,2000. San Francisco followed its August event with another hugely successful event on October 14. They received a proclamation from the city, designating the day as Project Alpha Da|'in San Francisco. The August program was the first time any program of this type had been given to youth in a youth detention facility. The morning started with a radio interview of Brother Lonnie Holmes by KCBS radio. Like other locations, several other Project Alpha programs were delivered by other Chapters around the Bay Area.

Project Alpha staff facilitate a question and answer session.

New Jersey took the idea to another level by involving the . entire state in their planning and execution. It was rgreat day across the state! In short, New Jersey, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and the March of Dimes presented Projected Alpha 2000 at seven locations to approximately 500 young participants, ages from 1016. The State of New Jersey declared October 7-14, 2000 Project Alpha 2000 Week with a New Jersey Senate Resolution. Several Chapters also received local newspaper coverage and received township/city resolutions for Project Alpha 2000 week. Many churches, local organizations and school districts contributed to the success of this program.

I. M â&#x20AC;˘* As it started over 20 years ago, Project Alpha Week 2000 ended in Chicago with a very special program which not only delivered the program to the youth, but also recognized the founders of Project Alpha with a special citation presented by Brother General President Adrian L. Wallace..Ms. Jane Massey, Chief Operating Officer of the March of Dimes, gave remarks acknowledging their role of the supporting Project Alpha as partners with Alpha Phi Alpha. She was quoted as saying, "We are saving babies together."

Brother Danny Davis organized the C-SPAN coverage of Project Alpha in the U. S. Congress and continued his strong support of this important community service in his district. Over 100 youth participated in this week, marking the end of a truly historic execution ofa national program affecting the lives of thousands of youth.

The civic leader mobilization was highlighted at the nationallevel by a letter of endorsement from Vice President Al Gore and Surgeon General David Satcher. Each of these important national leaders

October; 5 2000. Numerous leaders at the local, state and federal level demonstrated their support with resolutions, proclamations, letters of endorsement and personal participation.

Evaluation Although all of the results are not in, Project Alpha Week 2000, was a clear success, achieving all of its goals to take Project Alpha to a new high of visibility and impact. Only through the dedicated hard of work of the Chapters across the country and the partnership with the March of Dimes could this have been achieved.

This is a historic moment in time for our illustrious Fraternity as it continues to deliver quality programs to serve the community. The next steps involve completing the formal evaluation so that the program can continue to grow and gain support. The demand generated by Project Alpha Week 2000 will push Chapters to grow their delivery. The new generally available version of the curriculum will be released for other organization to have the flexibility to deliver the program without Alpha Phi Alpha support. This truly takes the program to a new level of acceptance. Congratulations to all who planned, executed and received the benefits of Project Alpha's revolutionary program.

A

THE SPHINX* FALL 2000

PROJECT ALPHA CONTINUED:

"CONCESSIONAL BROTHERS RALLY AROUNP NATIONAL

HIV, STP *- TSNAK rTONANCY CAMPAIGN"

By Brother Ronald Peters, Jr. October 5, 2000 marked a monumental moment in the history of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. In honor of Project Alpha Week 2000, the men of Alpha on Capital Hill conducted a "Special Topics" discussion on the floor of the House of Representatives to review the significance of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity's Project Alpha and the other historic contributions of the Fraternity around the world. This discussion was televised on C-SPAN Cable Television to kick off Project Alpha Week.

Brothers Danny Davis, Illinois, 7th District; Julian C. Dixon, California, 32nd District; Chaka Fattah, Pennsylvania and Robert C. Scott, Virginia, 3rd District spoke on the impact of the Project Alpha in the fight against the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD'S), and Pregnancy in the teenage male population. This event marked the beginning of the long deserved recognition of the efforts of Alpha and the March of Dimes as trailblazers in the effort of change sexual risk taking behaviors among teenagers throughout the world.

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. members have a long history of political activism both as individuals and as a collective group. This broadcast had a tremendous impact by informing those in the political arena that Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. is effectively working to improve the quality of life for members of our society. From this event, we have increased our political support in Washington for our present as well as future projects and initiatives. With the help of our congressional Brothers, the Project Alpha kickoff was a great success.

General President Brother Adrian L. Wallace stated, "This historic event marked the first time in the history of our great Fraternity that the House of Representatives dedicated time to discuss Alpha's unique contributions to society. It is my hope that this media event will empower leaders and community servants throughout the world to become active change agents and join Alpha in the fight against HIV, STD and teenage pregnancy throughout the world."

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W

H C REAFFIRMS ^ - H A Z I N G COMMITMENT

On September

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48

THE SPHINX* FALL 2000

ANTI-HAZING continued: Council of Presidents

PREFACE The organizations of the Nations D , nurturing the ideals ifoi*^??*™**' Council, I n c (NPHn respect. We are akn ' S t e r h o o d ^ d fratemalism in an JtZ ( T H C ) *** committed to seeking m e S ™ e d * f o l d i n g me d i ^ ^ rf~P«ibaity and by the rules of each NPRr ^ , S ^ithetical fo t L m * 6 S p e C t o f aJ1 Persons NPHC jointly ^ ^ f f l T ? ? 1 - I n I99°> the ^ ^ ^^ " « * * mUlennium, welhemembt"f S ? 8 " 1 * ° * o f ^ i s ^ T ^ r ° f ^ RESOLUTION

Perpetuate it.

WHEREAS the National P a n H M • councils drawn from th7 , e l l e m c Council, Inc fNPHf^ of nine historical S f T* o f l 5 million co lege 3 n 2 ^aptiaed ^ 6 fraterniti 6 8 8 1 0 Eternity,foe^ h a T ^ " ^ es a n S ^ f ^ members of the Omega & Phi V ^ T c t e t ^ ' * ^ ^ ^ ^ S S ^ * A * g m a T h e t a Sor fraternity, Inc., Zeta Pfo B e t e c °rity foe Phi i ^ ^ -

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CONVENTION EDITION

49

ANTI-HAZING Join, Position Stamen, against Hazing

September 13,2000 Page 2 A inint statement announcing the

has taken steps to reintorce

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ANTI-HAZING Joint Position Statement against HFfa aZ,- n g Council of Presidents ' Nati0nal Pan-Hellenic Council, I„ c September 13, 2000 Page 3

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED RFQTATCTI That the intake nroce« hoc u

That each organization shall enforce ««,«. proven violations of its nollci^ , 1 Penalties, including exouWnn f L

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ANTI-HAZING continued:

Page 4

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National President Ph« Beta Sigma Fraternity foe

alomon White Supreme Basileus Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, i„ c .

?^F^P^Ph^ Grand Basileus Zeta Phi Beta Sorority

Grand Polemarch Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

id Basileus Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.

Uofuwjyrdan, Esq. Grand Basileus Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, inc.

RondallJames Grand Polaris Iota PWThetaFratermty, Inc.

'Gwendolyn National Pres/ae Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, inc.

Washington, DC September 13, 2000

5 2

THE SPHINX* FALL 2000

W H E N SOUTH MEETS W E S T

By Brother Wilbur L Jackson

T

he Fraternity's leadership teams conducted a joint board of directors meeting for the Southern and Western regions on ust 25-26,2000 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Southern Region Vice President Brother Lynwood L. Bell and Western Vice President Gregory G. French took the initiative to call this historic meeting.

Approximately 50 Brothers attended the meeting with 21 of the Southern Region's leadership team present. The hospitality of the host Chapters, Theta Pi Lambda and Sigma Psi, was directed

by Brother Russell Flye, Outgoing President of Theta Pi Lambda and the Nevada /Arizona/New Mexico District Director.

The regional board of directors, national leaders and Corporate Headquarters staff attended with an agenda of training, idea sharing, operational planning and most importantlyâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; Fraternal spirit and Brotherhood. Several special guests helped to make this event special. Congresswoman Shelley Berkley, CDNevada) welcomed the men of Alpha to her district and pledged her support for Project Alpha. Mr. Farrah Gray, the 15-year-old entrepreneur with an office on Wall Street, gave a motivational talk about leadership and business/economic development.

After introductions by everyone, Brothers Bell and French began the meeting when each made a presentation on the goals and objectives of their respective region. This set the tone for the remainder of the meeting. Copies were provided to the Brothers for future reference.

Members of the corporate office staff provided important training on the revised Intake Process by Brother Gregory T.Jackson and National Programs/Special Projects by Brother Zollie Stevenson, Jr., Ph.D. National committee leaders provided training on Team Building and Alpha University by Brother Phillip L. Jackson, Jr. and Project Alpha Week 2000 by Brother Wilbur Jackson.

CONVENTION EDITION

Southern Region Assistant Vice President Brother Trenton M. Williams and Western Region Assistant Vice President Edj ah Ndoum showed their leadership throughout the meeting by leading various sessions and directing the College Brothers Affairs discussions.

Southern Region Treasurer Brother Ernie B. Ivey set the standards for proper fiscal management with his report on the region's financial status. Brother E. Lance McCarthy, Ph.D., Alpha West Investment Advisor, presented plans for creative wealth and investment building for the Fraternity and the communities we serve.

Brother Orlando E. Hankins, North Carolina District Director and Brother Raymond Scott, Southern California District Director, further detailed intake training and planning. Brother Melvin Stroble, South Carolina District Director, provided the risk management-training module, which re-certified the leadership teams for both regions. Brother Keith A Bishop, Associate Legal Counsel for the South, reviewed important legal matters important to hazing and proper Chapter operations.

Breakout sessions for the district directors, assistant district directors and vice presidents resulted in many vital recommendations that will aid in running the regions more effectively.

The meeting ended with a strong rededication by all to Brotherhood and Fraternal spirit by sharing many diverse ideas about the success of the conference. We were truly building relationships for the future. This historic event created many new friendships and a strong partnership in leadership between the South and the West that will benefit the entire organization. With the singing of the H ymn, the first-ever meeting of two regional leadership teams ended with a great sense of pride and accomplishment.

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Kappa Phi Lambda received accolades throughout the Mid-Atlantic, as The Washington Post newspaper featured the Chapter's Alpha Achievers Program. The program worked with a group of predominately African-American males at Oakland Mills High School in Columbia who show potential for academic excellence. The Maryland State Board of Education in a mid-October awards ceremony honored the Chapter at the second Annual Nancy S. (irasmick Excellence for Minority Achievement Awards.

KAPPA EPSILON LAMBDA Land/over, MD Kappa Epsilon Lambda continues its commitment to improving the quallife for the citizens of Prince George's County with its many programs and activities. The Chapter takes its pledge to mentor the area's local undergraduate chapter, Eta Zeta, seated at Bowie State University.

The Brothers of KEL helped sponsor Eta Zeta's homecoming with its first Eta Zeta/KEL Day during the Bowie State University homecoming on October 14,2000. Held at the Eta Zeta plot, the Chapters held a barbecue in which Brothers and Bowie State students were entertained. A month earlier, Kappa Epsilon Lambda combined with Eta Zeta in hosting its Installation Breakfast on the university campus. The Chapter also prides itself with working with middle school youths, as they participate in monthly sessions with the Twelve Good Men Elite Clyb in LaPlata, Maryland. The Brothers also assist with SAT and PSAT tutoring sessions as well as preparation for the Maryland Functional Reading and Mathematics Tests.

55

Q

V- Vi

^ >

C H A P T E R N E W S continued: BETA SIGMA LAMBDA Hartford, CT Two Hartford area high school students were awarded with $1,000 scholarships at Beta Sigma Lambda's Annual Scholarship Award Presentation. Jon-Sesrie Goff, currently a freshman at Morehouse College and Johnathan Kirkland, a freshman at North Carolina A&T State University were honored. The month of October was designated as "Alpha Month" for the Chapter. The Chapter sponsored a youth special program on October 14, 2000 at Camp Hi Hoti in Hebron, Connecticut. The youth spent the day playing games and listening to guest speakers and lecturers on teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. The Chapter celebrated its 60th Anniversary on October 28 at the Connecticut Historical Society. Brother Sylvester Shannon served as guest speaker for the evening, which ended with the Chapter's Black and Gold Ball. The Chapter also continued its Voter Registration and Bone Marrow Drives as well as Project Alpha.

Beta Sigma Lambda B,

ZETA ZETA LAMBDA St. Albans, NY

r

Emmanuel Baptist Church hosted Alpha Day on June 4,2000 in Brooklyn, New York. Approximately 30 Brothers from the Zeta Zeta Lambda and other New York City Chapters attended. Brothers conducted a voter registration program after both services and emphasized the necessity for citizens to turn in their Census 2000 forms. Reverend Brother Anthony L. Trufant gave the sermon. In other Chapter news, Brother Milton C. Woodard received the Northeastern State Farm Insurance companies Action Network Award for community involvement

MD3WESTERN EPSILON LAMBDA St. Louis, MO YMCA Safe Night 2000, the Missouri Black Expo, the American Diabetes Foundation, the United Negro College Fund Walk-A-Thon and the Epsilon Lambda "To Be A Man Program" were among Epsilon Lambda Chapter's service programs during the 1999-2000 Fraternal year. The "To Be A Man" program focused on mentoring male inner-city youth. The Brothers also established the Feed the Homeless Thanksgiving Dinner Service Project in conjunction with the Women of the Amalgamated Transit Union. The Chapter also worked with the Boys Scouts of America, Troop 225. Epsilon Lambda recently inducted Brothers Louis Sanders, Ellis Gables, Kevin Maxwell, Dennis Smith andjermal Steward.

THE SPHINX速 FALL 2000

CHAPTER NEWS GAMMA LAMBDA Detroit, Ml

DELTA CHI LAMBDA Milwaukee, WI A year after celebrating its 50-year anniversary, Delta Chi Lambda Chapter continues to serve the city of Milwaukee. On June 17,2000, the Delta Chi Lambda Education Foundation held its Beautillion.

Robert Hays, a freshman at Florida A&M University, received the $5,000 Grand College Scholarship. Howard University student Corey Moore received $2,500 while Tennessee State University student Daniel Bennett received a $1,000 scholarship. All 20 male students competing for scholarships received a minimum of $500 for books. In all, the Foundation relinquished $16,000 worth of scholarships. Brothers Freddie Jacobs, Jr., John Thomas, Reginald Johnson, Reuben Harpole, Lanelle Ramey and Jamin Mahan were instrumental in the success of the event. Other events included the United Negro College Fund Walk-Run, the March of Dimes Annual Walk-Run and the Delta Chi Lambda Sweetheart Ball.

continued:

VOTELESS PEOPLE ISjAl HOPELESS I â&#x20AC;˘EOPLE Camma lambda Bra used during its voter registrant â&#x20AC;˘

KAPPA CHI LAMBDA North Chicago, EL

Gamma Lambda Brothers made it top priority to spread the Fraternity's "A Voteless People is a Hopeless People" national program.

The Chapter set up booths at area shopping centers, passed out voter registration door hangers in various neighborhoods and encouraged the public to vote via telephone along with the Detroit NAACP.

SOUTHERN DELTA KAPPA LAMBDA Florence, SC

On June 3, 2000 the Brothers of Kappa Chi Lambda marched and rode through the streets of North Chicago in the Citizens Against Drugs and Alcohol annual parade. The parade drew several local and state officials, in addition to the Navy Veterans of World War II and the local chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. The march was conducted in economically challenged areas where drug deals are known to occur. On May 13,2000, the Chapter participated in the National Association of Letter Carriers Eighth Annual Food Drive. Kappa Chi Lambda Brothers donated the food to the Christian Outreach Lutherans.

CONVENTION EDITION

Delta Kappa Lambda played a leading role in the April 2000 March of Dimes Heartwalk. Other Chapter activities included a workshop at a local shelter for abused children, sponsorship of a trip to a Charlotte Hornets basketball game for fathers of Headstart and sponsorship of two Department of Social Services wish list families.

CHAPTER NEWS RHO ETA LAMBDA Madison-Decatur, AL The Brothers of Rho Eta Lamda conducted its Chartering Ceremony at Kings United Methodist Church in Madison, Alabama. Southern Regional Vice-President Lynwood Bell conducted the ceremony, while Brother Bruce Crawford, State Director of Alabama, served as Master of Ceremonies. The ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. served as hostesses. Special guests included representatives from Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.

• !//>/»</ South gains another Chapter, Rho Eta Lambda.

•

DELTA BETA Bethune-Cookman College Daytona Beach, FL Alpha Week kept the Brothers of Delta Beta busy throughout the week of March 19th through 25th, 2000. The week began with a worship service held at Stuart Memorial United Methodist Church in Daytona Beach. On Monday, the Brothers hosted a health forum and movie night. On Tuesday, Beta Delta conducted the Miss Alpha Phi Alpha Pageant. Wednesday saw the opening of Cafe Alpha, which featured jazz and poetry readings. Greek Unity day was held on Thursday, followed by Friday's "Gorillas in the Mist Jam." On Saturday, the Brothers hosted a "Grill and Chill" on the BethuneCookman campus. The month before, the Chapter worked with the local Sickle Cell Foundation, working with children ages 3-13. In April, Delta Beta won first place in the B-CC Stepshow. Brother Terrance Cribbs-Lorrant was voted as Student Government Association Vice-President for the academic year of 2000-2001, and Brother Corey Bartley was elected as Student Government Association Treasurer. Brothers Charles Williams, Jr., Reginald Hester, Brian Gibson and Marcelle Butler all received their degrees at the end of the Spring 2000 semester.

KAPPA CHI Francis Marion University Florence, SC For the third consecutive year, Kappa Chi Chapter won the Francis Marion University President's Cup. The cup is given to the fraternity or sorority with the highest cumulative grade point average. In addition to cumulative average, the Brothers also took top grade honors in Political Science, History and Computer Information Systems Management. In the way of community service, Kappa Chi

Brothers mentored at an area alternative school, tutored at local elementary schools, promoted voter registration and education on campus as well as Breast and Prostate Cancer Awareness, sponsored a homeless canned food drive, co-sponsored seminars on selfempowerment and volunteered on various civic and environmental programs. Kappa Chi placed second in the school's Annual Greek festivities, and conducted the Chapter Talent Show, which raised over $2000. Kappa Chi crowned Ms. Terri Timmons as Miss Black and Gold.

THE SPHINX® FALL 2000

C H A P T E R N E W S continued: ZETA PI University of Georgia Athens, GA

Broth

of Zeta Pi are leaders on the campus the I niversity of Georgia.

The Brothers of Zeta Pi recently created a series of programs entitled "Black Man's Forum." Throughout the academic year, Zeta Pi tackled issues pertinent to African-American men, including retention, academic concerns and health issues. Miss LiYonna Johnson won the Chapter's the Miss Black and Gold Pageant. Zeta Pi presently sponsors Clarke Central High School in its Go-to-High School, Go-To-College Program. The Chapter was recently recognized as the Most Outstanding Pan-Hellenic Council organization for the fourth consecutive year. Zeta Pi Brothers are represented in the University Judiciary, Orientation Leadership, University of Georgia leadership, The Presidency of the National Pan-Hellenic Council, the Arch Society and the University Ambassadors. Immediate past Chapter President Trenton Williams was named the Assistant Southern Regional VicePresident and Brother Mark Thomas has been appointed Assistant Pharaoh Chair for the Georgia District. Brother Thomas has also published his book "As I Look," a collection of poems.

SOUTHWESTERN XI NU LAMBDA Baton Rouge, LA

ETA DELTA LAMBDA Monroe, LA

"Beautillion 2000: Lights of a New Day" was held on April 14,2000 in Baton Rouge. The program culminated a six-month process in which the Brothers of Xi Nu Lambda mentored 11 high-school age young men. Numerous activities were designed to help the students learn the finer points of manhood. Some of the activities included leadership/life skills development workshops, participation in the American Heart Disease Walk, trips to Southern University basketball games, the Baton Rouge Symphony Masterwork Series, attending a lecture by Brother Dick Gregory at the Louisiana State University Martin Luther King Commemorative Birthday Celebration and participation in a radio commercial spot for 94.1 FM's "Word Up" Radio Program. During the program, Xi Nu Lambda named Mr. Hilton White as the Community Person of the Year and Brother Alfred Sanders as Brother of the Year. Beau Marlon Franklin was the recipient of the "Mr. Beautillion" title, which also included a scholarship.

The Brothers of Eta Delta Lambda began the year continuing its commitment to community service by participating in the March of Dimes Walk America. Other projects included test taking strategies for high school students and a health fair.

CONVENTION EDITION

59

PTER NEWS

continued:

WESTERN M

Los Angeles, CA

Brother Dr. Charles Bosley was recently named Beta Psi Lambda's "Reclaimed Brother of the Year." Brother Bosley, a 40-year Alphaman has practiced Orthopedic Surgery in the Los Angeles Area since 1970.

W

â&#x20AC;˘zcremento, CA Brother Herman A. Sanders recently authored the book, "Daddy, We Need You Now." The book focuses on the Black family and the pattern of socialization within it. Brother Theodore "Teddy" Hayes was accepted as a Master Official for the United States Olympic Track and Field Trials in Sacramento. He was in charge of over 160 officials at the Trials.

IOTA OMICRON LAMBDA Colorado Springs, CO National Association for the Advancement of Colored People National Board Chair Julian Bond was the Keynote speaker at the Colorado Springs Branch of the NAACP's 82nd Annual Freedom Fund Dinner on September 29, 2000. An overflow crowd of over 700 included many Brothers of Iota Omicron Lambda and their wives. Chapter President Brother William Gamble presented Bond with a Tuskegee Airman painting from Brother James Wider's collection of African-American art On August 13, 2000, Iota Omicron Lambda Brother Anthony Young was installed as President of the International Association of Black Psychologists, an international organization with a membership of over 2,000. A day later, Brother Young was crowned "Chief Togboi Tegbi 1," the first non-indigenous royal chieftain of Tegbi, a village on the Gulf of Guinea. Brother Young, also the CEO/Founder of the Tutmose Academy charter school in Colorado Springs, also met with organizers of the Women's University of Ghana. During the meeting, he committed resources such as computers and textbooks to help assist the University.

THE SPHINX" FALL 2000

THE THIRD REPORT OF THE

ALPHA PHI ALPHA W O R L D POLICY C O U N C I L

1

r^i

The Honorable Edward W. Brooke, Chairman -Emeritus H i e Honorable Horace G. Dawson, Jr., ( l i a i r n i a n Dr. Henry Ponder, Vice ( l i a i r n i a n in I.. Wallace, 301I1 ( k i K - r a l Prcsidcnl Vlpha Phi Alpha I'ralcrnity, Inc. December 2000

The mission of 'The Alpha Thi Alpha World Policy Council is to address issues of concern to our (Brotherhood, our communities, our nation and the world. The Council has Been charged with applying sustained and profound intellectual energy to understanding and alternative means of Bringing aBout the resolution ofproBlems at the community, national and international levels; eTqpanding fraternal and puBlic knowledge of such proBlems; and engaging puBlic discussion aBout them. The Council, in fulfilling its mission, is nonpartisan, gives consideration to domestic and international issues, seefe the counsel of everts in relevant fields, provides perspectives on specific proBlems and, where practicaBle, recommends possiBle solutions which may impact favoraBly African-Americans, the community, the nation and the world.

EMBERS *,

Edward W. Brooke, Chairman Emeritus. Member, United States Senate, 1967-1979; Attornev-General, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, I 1963-1967

Rl

Horace G. Dawson Jr., Ph.D., Chairman. Director, Ralph J. Bunche International Affairs Center and Patricia Roberts Harris Public Affairs Program, Howard University; former U.S. Ambassador to Botswana Henry Ponder, Ph.D., Vice Chairman. President and Chief Executive Officer, National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education; former President, Fisk University and Benedict College; former General President, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Vinton R. Anderson, Presiding Bishop, 2nd Episcopal District, African Methodist Episcopal Church; former President, World Council of Churches

'M

Bobby W. Austin, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer, Village Foundation; former Program Director, Kellogg National Fellowship Program at W.K. Kellogg Foundation Huel D. Perkins, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, Humanities, Louisiana State University and former Deputy Director, National Endowment for Humanities Charles Rangel, Member, United States House of Representatives; Dean, New York State Congressional Delegation; founding member, Congressional Black Caucus Chuck Stone, Walter Spearman Professor of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill; former White House correspondent Clathan McClain Ross, Rapporteur. Staff, Howard University Office of Development; U.S. Foreign Service Information Officer (retired)

During 1998, the Council proposed recommendations on three issues of international and national concern. These issues are as follows:

Non-Payment by the U.S. of UN Dues The United States continues to ignore its obligations to pay its dues to the United Nations, in the process threatening its ability to effectively pursue multi-lateral policy issues and endangering the UN idea itself. Recent efforts to produce legislation that would make a partial payment are insufficient and contain too many conditions.

Prospects for Democracy in Nigeria The installation in May, 1999 of an elected civilian government headed by Olusegun Obasango has reversed the negative trends of events in Nigeria and given birth to new optimism for the country's future. The new head of state, Obasango, brings great credibility to Nigeria; he is widely seen as committed to civilian rule, to democracy and is one of the nation's most respected public figures. Nigeria, however, faces a series of substantial problems as a result of its lengthy flirtation with military rule. Nevertheless, its potential wealth, the presence within its population of one of the best educated elite on the continent and its documented ability to be a leader in Africa continue to give Nigeria a bright future. It will need the assistance of the West, and particularly the U.S., to realize this future and to assume its natural role as a leader in regional and international affairs.

The Continuing Issue of Race in America Racism still hounds American society. A return to the high moral principles on which the nation was founded and the courage to face up to the realities of the situation are necessary to achieve the heating and peace on this issue that the society needs.

THE SPHIWC FALL 2000

SSUES AND THE U.S. ARREARS IN UN DUES The United States should pay its dues in full to the United Nations, including all arrearages. This is the view strongly held by the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity World Policy Council. Speaking on behalf of President Adrian L. Wallace and the 150,000 members of the Fraternity, we strongly urge the Congress and the President to take the necessary steps to meet this legitimate obligation.

Our country owes $1.2 billion in dues to the UN. We have watched with interest recent stirrings within the Congress and the Administration to respond to the matter of unpaid U.S. dues to the United Nations. Efforts in the U.S. Senate to produce legislation calling for a partial payment on U.S. arrears give cause for some hope that attitudes may yet change sufficiently to bring our country up to date with its obligations. However, the legislation as now written fails to provide the full amounts that we owe and, in addition, the measure contains a long list of onerous conditions.

Our consistent refusal to pay over the past several years is a threat to the stable international order we have sacrificed so much to erect; erodes our credibility as a leader in international affairs; and jeopardizes our ability to pursue our own national interests.

The Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity recognizes that there are genuine and deeply held beliefs about abortion and UN reform, two issues that have been linked to our country's willingness to pay our dues.

But we strongly believe that these issues are separate and should not be linked to our solemn obligation to pay our dues.

In the wake of the vast destruction caused by World War II, the American nation was in the vanguard of efforts to create a new international order and structure. The searing experience of that conflict and the abundance of American blood and treasure sacrificed in its prosecution taught us—indelibly, so we believed— that never again could we allow nations that cherished peace and freedom to remain disunited in the face of international tyranny.

Thus, we insisted that a new world assembly be formed to replace the old League of Nations, and we led the effort to have it seated on our soil in San Francisco, first home of the new United Nations in April, 1945, months before the end of the war.

Representatives from more than 50 countries of the world gathered in that Pacific coast city to write a charter for the new United Nations. It is worth recalling the charter's preamble: "We, the peoples of the United Nations, determined to save future generations from the scourge of war which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind, and to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women, and of nations large and small...have resolved to combine our efforts to accomplish these aims...Our respective governments, through representatives assembled in the city of San Francisco...do hereby establish an international organization to be known as the United Nations." As a nation, we were so concerned that this new world body be well nurCONVENTION EDITION

tured and protected that we insisted that its permanent home be established in New York in the following year.

Our support for the creation and nurture of the new United Nations was matched by our political support. Today's opponents of the UN need to be reminded that the United Nations and the idea it represented were admired and staunchly defended by American leaders such as Presidents Truman and Eisenhower and Senators Arthur Vandenburg and William Fulbright. Some of the ablest of America's statesmen/practitioners of statecraft were appointed to serve in the UN, representatives such as the late Henry Cabot Lodge, Ralph Bunche, Adlai Stevenson, George Bush and Arthur Goldberg.

In short, we gave our best in support of the UN, materially and spiritually. All of us should be justly proud of the record our nation compiled in the decades following the end of World War II in providing responsible and mature leadership for a world weary of war and searching for a durable structure to maintain world peace. We were convinced that in the universality of the United Nations rested the best hope of restoring and preserving order and peace in a world far too prone to destructive tendencies and far too well equipped with weapons of mass destruction. The universal quality of the UN today is no less than it was then, the destructive tendencies of our world today still strong, and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction far greater.

Our refusal to honor our debt to the UN is setting a dangerous example. The persistent spectacle of the one nation which did the most to bring the United Nations into being, and now refusing to meet its obligations to that body is ultimately bound to create disaffection from the UN by other members when it suits their purpose. A few years ago, when a certain member of the UN refused to pay for UN operations that it did not like, we ridiculed that member and pointed out the hypocrisy and self-serving nature of that behavior. Today, we stand before the world guilty of the same behavior. If our example should lead to such an erosion of support of the UN that in the end it meets the same fate as that of the old League of Nations, will history not hold us to blame and label us among the most irresponsible of the great powers of history?

Yet, now, in the waning months of the most terrible century in recorded history in terms of carnage and destruction, we seem prepared —-eager, even— to reject the attitudes toward the world and our role in it that guided us in the years immediately following World War II. It is as if we have turned our backs on our former belief in the power and necessity of international cooperation.

Now that we no longer need be concerned about our once formidable superpower rival the Soviet Union, we appear ready to jettison the unwieldy and sometimes inconvenient baggage of international cooperation. The temptation to forget about the rest of the world and do it "our way" appears dangerously irresistible.

The evidence before us makes abundantly clear that unilateral action in the kind of world we inhabit is most often not only feckless but also possibly dangerous. In the 1950s when South Korea was invaded, we did not need an object lesson to teach us that the

SSUES AND RECOMMENDATIONS most effective response was a concerted, multi-national one carried forward under the umbrella of the UN. In a host of conflicts since World War II, such as on Cyprus, in the former Belgian Congo, in the Israeli-Arab arena, in Kashmir, in Somalia, in Bosnia, the role of the UN has prevented what were essentially regional conflicts from escalating into much larger conflagrations and involving larger powers. More recently, the development and maintenance of a most unlikely coalition of forces responsible for reversing the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait and limiting that conflict was in large measure due to the placement of the UN imprimateur upon it. By contrast, efforts of any single power in any of these conflicts could well have mushroomed into far wider wars.

Despite the shortcomings some would assign to the UN achievements in these conflicts, the U.S. alone, despite its overwhelming force, could not have achieved an equal measure of success, Clearly, our current concerns with Iraq and the destruction of its possible cache of weapons of mass destruction as well as our hopes for containing the nuclear arms race on the South Asian subcontinent should suggest to us that only an international body with the credibility of the UN has an even chance of success in these situations, charged as they are with such a high degree of passion and partisanship.

The Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity readily acknowledges that the United Nations is far from a perfect instrument. An argument can be made that it is at times wasteful; that the asymmetry among members in governing experience and international responsibility makes some of the UN's tendencies and decisions border on the egregious; and that many of its members are too often in thrall to defunct theory and unwilling to look at reality. Continued work must be done in the UN to eliminate waste and patient reason must be exercised on those whose experience is limited. But, despite its shortcomings, the UN remains the only world organization with universality and credibility. We must work on its weaknesses while at the same time using its strengths.

We also should be aware that a new generation has assumed leadership within the UN systemâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Secretary General Kofi Annan, Deputy Secretary General Louise Frechette, Mary Robinson, new Commissioner for Human Rights, Gro Brutland at the World Health Organization, among others. They are committed to an effective, more cost-conscious system.

Around the world, there are many potential regional conflicts that we can detect and many that we can't, all waiting for the right spark to ignite them. The ancient grievances harbored by many groups have yet to be brought to the point where they can be accommodated without outside help. Our experience thus far has shown that the most effective external assistance is multi-lateral.

This means, of course, the help of organizations like the U.N. The world that is emerging in the wake of the collapse of the old bipolar rivalry will need a viable structure for order and peace.

America, as the strongest single nation, must be a part of that structure if it is to be credible. Within the UN system already exist

the mechanism and the experience for activating this structure.

Just as we recognize the existence of economic interdependence and what this means for the global economic order, we must equally acknowledge the need for a global political order and the necessity for our participation in it if we are to achieve a peace that is durable. The most effective way for us to participate in the maintenance of a durable world peace is to remain a viable member of the UN system. This means paying our obligations in full.

At this juncture, we have a choice. We can pay our arrears, restore full U.S. influence and leadership, and enable the maintenance of critical multilateral diplomacy. Or, we can fail to act and further undermine our own potential for global leadership, weaken prospects for improved UN performance and witness the deleterious impact in areas as diverse as peacekeeping, human rights, democratization, sustainable development, the international struggle against drugs, corruption, crime and a host of other activities central to our short and long term interests. Among many other things, our failure to pay our dues constrains the effectiveness of the UN on such humanitarian issues as hunger, illness and shelter for the homeless who wander our world.

We are not a rogue nation. We have always met our international obligations. Our full participation in the international system is an obligation that we can not shun. We must remain true to our own ideals.

THE COUNCILS RECOMMENDATIONS /. The U.S. should pay its dues in full immediately.

2. Should this fail to occur, committees of the Congress should be petitioned to hold public hearings on this issue. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity believes it appropriate that the Congressional Black Caucus take a leadership role in organizing such hearings.

3. Once the U.S. has cleared its arrears, Congress should be urged to ensure that we remain current with our UN obligations.

THE SPHINT FALL 2000

SSUES AND RECOMMENDATIONS / (Editor's Note: The following statement was issued in August 1998.

Numerous developments have occurred since, including many consistent with our recommendations. We have therefore issued an update which appears immediately after this statement.)

NIGERIA In December 1996, The Council warned that "Nigeria moves closer to the brink of self destruction." The death in June 1998 of the country's dictatorial leader, General Sani Abachi, has halted, at least temporarily, further movement towards the precipice. Abachi's replacement, General Abdulsalam Abubakar, a professional soldier with a reputation for honesty and integrity, has earned the plaudits of the international community for his release of many political prisoners and his promise that a genuine return to civilian, democratic rule will take place in May 1999Unfortunately, Moshood Abiola, the annulment of whose presidential election in June 1993 sparked Nigeria's current crisis, will not participate in his country's democratic revival. Jailed

by Abach in May 1994, Abiola was not amongst those set free

by Abubakar. Instead he was held hostage to the ransom demand that he and his supporters renounce his mandate. As the captive symbol of Nigerian democracy was meeting with a visiting high level American State Department delegation, he suffered a fatal heart attack. Considering the fact that for four years of his incarceration his captors had forbidden his personal physician to visit and treat him, it is not surprising that many in Nigeria and abroad believe that his military jailers were grossly negligent in denying him proper medical treatment. Abiola's death removes the one man most able to bridge the great ethnic divide between his alienated Yoruba of the South and the Hausa speaking Northerners who have dominated the leadership, military and civilian, since independence.

Nigeria now has the opportunity to return to the path from which it has strayed for most of the 38 years of its independence. Venal leaders have so squandered its oil wealth that OPEC's fifth largest petroleum producer is now ranked by the United Nations as one of the world's poorest nations. Under the Abacha regime and that of his military predecessor, General Babangida, the country's reputation for corruption and heroin smuggling reached epic proportions, matching, if not outstripping, the military governments' renown for repression.

The United States policy has called for the release of all political prisoners and the return of democratic civilian rule. When General Abacha seized power in November 1994, actions were immediately imposed. All high level members of the regime and its major supporters were denied visas to the United States.

In addition, all forms of military cooperation were stopped. A major tenet of American policy has been the support of the concept of one Nigeria. However, that policy goal is in jeopardy unless the Abubakar government moves swiftly to accommodate some of the demands of its southern critics who feel smothered in a unitary state which operates more like a cenCONVENTION EDITION

trally controlled army than as a federation of diverse ethnic groups occupying distinct geographic areas. Increasingly among the Yorubas, as with the Ibos twenty years ago, there is a feeling of despair that they can never receive justice in Nigeria as it is now constituted.

The skepticism of Nigerians concerning the intentions of General Abubakar is understandable. They have been ruled by his brothers in arms for all but ten years of their independence. Each General has come to power promising a quick return to the barracks. All, save General Olusegun Obasanjo, have failed to keep their pledge. To erase these doubts, Abubakar needs to release immediately all remaining political prisoners including those convicted in the two Abacha-fabricated coup plots and the Ogoni compatriots of the lynched Ken Saro-Wiwa. General Abubakar needs also to repeal the draconian decrees which Abacha substituted for the rule of law and under which he jailed without trial or the possibility of judicial review all whom he deemed to be threats to the security of his regime.

A Nigeria whose government is chosen freely by its people can rally the latent talents of its gifted citizens to make it once again a force for good and progress on the continent. It can move from being a pariah and a source of shame and embarrassment to becoming a source of pride to all men and women of African descent wherever on the continent or in the diaspora they are to be found.

THE COUNCIL'S RECOMMENDATIONS /. The Council recommends that the United States government encourage General Abubakar to swiftly complete his program of releasing all political prisoners including the 21 Ogonis still awaiting trial and those military officers and civilians convicted of coup plotting in the secret trials held in 1995 and 1997.

2. The Council recommends that General Abubakar be encouraged to restore the rule of law by repealing those decrees of the Abacha era which suspended the fundamental rights provisions ofthe 1979 Constitution; allowed for indefinite detention without trial; and removed the authority of the courts to review such detentions.

3. The Council also recommends that the United States should not incrementally begin to lift its limited sanctions until an electoral process begins in which parties are allowed to compete free of government interference; an independent election commission is established; and international observers are invited to monitor not only elections but the process leading up to them.

4. The Council, noting the string of broken promises by previous military leaders, further recommends that the final ending of sanctions against the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria not occur until the results of the presidential elections are certified to have been free and that a hand-over of power to the new civilian government hastakenplace.

I

SSUES AND RECOMMENDATIONS COUNCIL UPDATE ON NIGERIA

The optimism which the Council expressed in July 1998 in the prospects for a return to democracy following the death of military dictator Sani Abacha has been rewarded. Abacha's successor General Abdulsalami Abubakar has been true to his word and undertook a transition to democracy which resulted in the installation of an elected civilian government on May 29,1999. The new President, Olusegun Obasanjo, was prior to Abubakar, the only military leader to voluntarily withdraw the military from political control. Obasanjo has been a consistent critic of military rule and was imprisoned by Sani Abacha on a false charge of coup plotting. One of the first acts of the General Abubakar was to release Obasanjo who, after two years of incarceration, was the only one of Abacha's three major opponents to leave prison alive.

The tasks facing the new Obasanjo government are formidable. Nigeria, one of the world's leading exporters of petroleum has been ranked by the United Nations Development Program as one of the world's poorest countries. So much of her wealth has been squandered by her unscrupulous rulers that she has been labeled in a poll of international businessmen as one of the two most corrupt nations on earth. Sixteen unbroken years of military governance have deeply rent Nigeria's social fabric. Ethnic tensions are higher than at any time since the Civil War of the mid 1960s. Due to the serious human rights offenses of the Abacha era, Nigeria became a pariah nation, subject to international sanctions.

Among the world's political leaders, President Obasanjo has long been the most respected public figure in Nigeria. The news of his victory led many nations, the United States included, to announce the end of their sanctions. But if Obasanjo is to succeed in restoring Nigeria, he will need the active help of those nations who ostracized his predecessor. As Nigeria moves to reconcile its 250 different ethnic groups, cleanse its body politic of corruption and nepotism, and use its substantial oil revenues to improve the lives of the poor, the United State, the European Union, and international lending agencies will have to provide financial assistance and lift Nigeria's heavy debt burden.

Nigeria's return to prosperity and democracy could propel her once again into the leadership role she enjoyed during most of the 1970s. An Africa led by a resurgent Nigeria in the West and a strong South Africa in the South would be difficult to ignore or marginalize in world affairs. As we noted last year, Nigeria holds a special meaning for African-Americans and thus for the Brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha. It is the largest, most populous country on the continent. It is so richly endowed with natural resources and Africa's educated elite that it is the black nation most capable in the coming century of being recognized as a major power. It is also the country to which at least one-third of black Americans would, if they could, trace their roots.

THE COUNCIL RECOMMENDATIONS /. The Council recommends that the United States raise the bilateral relationsihp with Nigeria to the level now accorded South Africa. A Binational Commission should be established to promote cooperation between the two countries in such areas as trade and investment, agriculture, human resources development and education, environment, energy and technology and defense.

2. The Council recommends that the United Staets make debt relief for Nigeria a high priority matter.

3. The Council recommends that the United States increase its assistance to Nigeria in its anti-narcotics efforts to the end that Nigeria can once again be certified as a nation cooperating with us to stop the flow of drugs in the United States.

4. The Council recommends that in order to ensure the establishment of an enduring democracy in Nigeria that the United States give high priority to providing resources and training toward the strengthening of'democratic institutions, civil society and the rule of law.

5. The Council recommends that the United States work closely with Nigeria toward making the Economic Coummunity of West African States (ECOWAS) and its military arm, ECOMAG more effective force for regional integration and peacekeeping.

Nigeria has a proud tradition of participating in United Nations peacekeeping missions and of leading West African regional efforts to bring peace and stability to war torn Liberia and Sierra Leone. Abroad, her armed forces have played a more honorable role than they have at home. Nigeria's future stability depends on the military being persuaded to accept a division of labor while whereby citizens govern and soldiers defend the country's borders.

THE SPHINX" FALL 2000

I S S U E S AND RECOMMENDATIONS THE CONTINUING ISSUE OF RACE IN AMERICA

ingâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;indeed, celebratingâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;our differences. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity believes that it has an obligation, as do all Americans, to add a constructive and candid voice to the dialogue on this subject.

As we stand on the threshold of the 21st century and at the dawn of a period with the promise of unlimited human progress, we find that the old problems of race continue to afflict us here in America. While this century has seen the conquest of disease, the mastery of space and the promise of artificial duplication of the life process itself, we are still beset by the ancient demons of race which pit one group against another in destructive exchanges. The Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity believes it is far past time that we exorcise this demon from the body of American society so that it can achieve the robust health it needs and become the kind of society truly supportive of all its citizens.

Our use of the term race in this context is not in the biological sense. Social scientists have long since concluded that all human beings living today belong to a single species and are derived from a common stock; pure races, in the sense of genetically homogeneous populations, do not exist in the human species, and there is no national, religious, geographic, linguistic or cultural group which constitutes a race. There are, however, ethnic groups that exist by virtue of kinship tied to lineage, language, religion or culture. They form a part of the human tapestry that can be found throughout the world. The popular notion of race in the modern era is associated with skin color and is derived from contemporary western ideas about race which flowed from 14th and 15th century European explorations of Africa, Asia and America. Thus, in the modern context, race is used synonymously with color. It is in this sense that the term is used in this statement.

The race or color problem came to these shores with the introduction of African slavery in the early 17th century. It created the ethos of white-black superiority-inferiority, a syndrome that has bedeviled American society since. Thomas Jefferson, one of early America's most important democrats, suspected that blacks were inferior to whites and doubted that they could ever be fully incorporated into American society. Even the observers of the new nation in America were pessimistic about the prospect that any eventual good would accrue to its society from the institution of African slavery. Alexis deTocqueville, the French writer and historian who toured the U.S. in the early 19th century, predicted future problems in relations between whites and blacks. In his observations on Democracy in America, he wrote: "...a natural prejudice leads a man to scorn anybody who has been his inferior, long after he has become his equal." More than one hundred years later, the dilemma for American democracy posed by the practice of slavery continued to be obvious to the Swedish sociologist Gunnar Myrdal.

The race problem has persisted throughout this country's experience, playing a major role in the politics leading up to the Civil War, and in the later economic, social and political history of the United States. As we come to the end of the 20th century, President Clinton, in his "Initiative on Race," has called on us to deal openly and honestly with this issue on a national basis in hopes of creating a diverse, democratic community that can enter the next century united by the values we share but at the same time respectCOMENTIONEDITION

A. Racism The Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, like many others, has been a witness to the phenomenon of racism in American society; we have seen the power of its destructive force and the damage it has wreaked upon our society. At the same time, it is gratifying to observe that much has been done in recent years to enhance the development of equity in American society for all groups, and, consequently, to lessen the negative effects of racism.

Significant progress has been made by AfricanAmericans in moving from a second class status as late as the post World War II era toward parity with the majority group.

The civil rights crusades of the fifties and sixties had much to do with arousing the conscience of America to its moral dilemma. It was a dilemma represented by the Kerner Commission Report as the existence of "two Americas," in which the one, dominant group freely enjoyed the bounty of the most advanced industrial nation on earth while the other existed as a near permanent underclass, denied on the basis of race even the presumption of entitlement to rights and privileges taken for granted by the majority. Despite the remarkable gains made in a relatively short period of time, there remains a formidable gap between the positions in our society of the majority and that of African-Americans. Practically every statistical measure of the social condition of AfricanAmericans, whether it be education, health, income or mortality rates, highlights the disparity. The disproportionality in the condition of the two groups stands as silent but telling evidence that ours is still a society too much afflicted by inequities rooted in arbitrary and artificial impulses. Much remains to be done to eliminate race as a major arbiter of the success or failure of individuals in our society.

B. Race in America and African Americans In America, race is synonymous with color. Skin color is a defining issue for African-Americans, a badge of identity.

Throughout our experience in America, African-Americans have been stigmatized by color. The issue of race in America has been framed by the black-white divide. For more than 300 years and until the recent arrival of substantial numbers of immigrants from Asia and Latin America, African-Americans, apart from native Americans, constituted the only sizable population of people of color in the nation, and the informal institutions, mores and practices governing human intercourse in America were based on the black-white dichotomy. For generations in America, membership in other groups was often based upon an idea; blackness was and still is a palpable fact. When an African-American walks into a room, everyone knows he is black. There is no escaping that fact.

Color is a basic issue and African-Americans understand its implications for them.

The present difficulty associated with color in America derives

69

SSUES AND RECOMMENDATION / and exasperated; and finally arrived at a kind of national exhaustion on this issue. Somehow, we feel that we have earned a respite from this travail and the right to make some claim to victory, if for no other reason than the fact that we have been put through such a trying ordeal. It is therefore understandable if we are unwilling to confront the reality of race and prefer to mask the problems with ambiguities or platitudes. Perhaps it is because that we, as Americans, possess a near unshakable belief in the possibility that we can solve any problem and are therefore unwilling to admit that the problem of race may be one for which we have yet to find a satisfactory solution even after much time and effort.

If we have grown tired of the problems and wish that they would vanish, that is certainly understandable, given their more than 300 years existence in this society and their at times intractable nature. Unfortunately, wishing problems away tends to make them worse. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity is convinced that the best way to deal with the problems of color (or race) in American society is to leave behind the subterfuges which lead to self delusion and eventual failure and to confront these problems with directness and honesty.

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity believes that a profound contribution to the solution of the problem of race in America could come from a simple acknowledgment of the difficulty of that problem and a willingness to recognize the obvious failure of some commonly accepted assumptions. One such assumption is that integration would solve all our problems, As the authors of a recent book point out, integration is not working for African-Americans and does not seem likely to do so as it has for the EuropeanAmericans who came earlier in the nation's history, or even for the new immigrants from Asia and Latin America. By the deliberate structuring of their lives and thought, the generation of AfricanAmericans who have come of age since the 80s has already broken with the conventional assumptions of progress on race issues and has validated this message of the book. If this is the case, if integration is no longer the panacea, we need to face up honestly to this reality and together try to figure out some rational plan short of integration for co-existence with equity and honor.

from the condition in which there exists a vast gulf between the perceptions of whites and blacks on this subject. A preponderance of the majority appears to believe that there are no longer penalties connected with being colored in America. Most white Americans want to believe that the results of the civil rights movement of the sixties and the legislation that followed have created a playing field on which all groups can compete with an equal chance of success; that the problems of discrimination for the most part have been effectively dealt with or have disappeared. The overwhelming majority of African-Americans, including members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, believe otherwise. Facts inconvenient to a belief that the problem has been solved continue to intrude here and there to shatter the serenity that most of us would like to achieve on matters of race in America. There was the Rodney King affair in Los Angeles; the brutal lynching in Jasper, Texas; the fatal, saturation shooting of the unarmed Amadou Diallo in the lobby of his New York apartment by police; the atrocity-like sodomizing, again by police, of a Haitian suspectâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;all events which refuse to grant us comfort on this issue. Withal, there is a vague unease that all is not as well on the race front as it should be, especially so given the effort already expended. There is an undefined sense that such incidents may after all be related to the statistics of inequity in housing, education and income that most would prefer to attribute to factors other than race. Such disturbing incidents make it difficult for African-Americans to maintain a belief in the disappearance of color as a controlling factor in the behavior of the majority toward black people in the country.

Some contemporary approaches to the issues of race in America tend to create ambiguities which, while they are helpful on the one hand, create problems on the other. There is a growing tendency to finesse the terms of difficulties caused by color by the use of euphemisms which tend to blur the hard realities. For example, the term diversity, which has become the new shibboleth for racial and ethnic differences, evokes a broad, very positive image of a tolerant, plural society and in the process creates helpful conditions for dealing with the issues of race and color. At the same time, it distracts attention from the term race and the destructive power associated with its use. It therefore tends to mask the reality and leaves us with an illusion. In another example, categories of victims are expanded in a way that has the effect of diluting the impact of social injustice on all of them. For example, while women deserve to be singled out as long-time victims in American society, lumping them together in one category with African-Americans, as is often the case, serves to distort trie real effect of injustices which are distinctively felt by both. We do not argue here for dismissing techniques that are helpful; we simply need to be certain that we do not delude ourselves as we employ these techniques.

Much of this suggests that within the American psyche there is apparently a weariness with dealing with the problems of color and a deep wish that they would somehow disappear. We feel that as a society we have "paid our dues" on the race issue and deserve some relief. We have undergone the searing experiences of the sixties; witnessed scenes of shame and grief; have been in turn frustrated

C. Continuing Discrimination While undoubtedly there have been gains in equal opportunity for African Americans as well as other minorities, there is continuing discrimination in education, health care and access to significant work opportunities for them. This is borne out by a mass of statistical evidence. In practically every measure, AfricanAmericans are on the negative side of statistics. Although some of this may be attributable to individual responses, the overwhelming evidence is that the system is so organized that skin color continues to be a barrier to success.

A number of measures have been employed in an effort to overcome this problem, starting with the "separate but equal" doctrine which endured into the mid fifties, desegregation and lately affirmative action, a policy designed to level the playing field. The latter policy has met with such opposition that a broad campaign is

70

THE SPHINX" FALL 2000

SSUES AND RECOI / now underway to reverse its effects and finally render it invalid as public policy.

The attacks on affirmative action programs have so far been characterized as attempts to rid the nation of unconstitutional measures which call for preferences based on race. As a standard proposition, it is difficult to argue on behalf of racial preferences.

But, omitted in such characterizations is the fact that affirmative action programs are not an end to themselves; they are simply one means of achieving the larger goal of combating the historic effects of discrimination.

There is abundant evidence to show that there is racial discrimination still directed at minorities, that the effects of past discrimination continue to linger and that African-Americans bear the brunt of these hardships. At the same time, studies have shown that a majority of Americans say they oppose racial discrimination and would support efforts to end it. It is when one comes to consider specific means to end discrimination that Americans lose heart on the issue. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity believes that those who oppose affirmative action must either declare that ending racial discrimination in America is not an important national objective or they are obliged to propose alternatives that work.

D. The Race Problem in the Future The consensus of futurists and demographers is that America is headed for a pluralistic society in which the largest minority will be Latino and there will be significant numbers of Asian-American citizens. It is predicted that by the year 2025, Latinos will make up 25 percent of the American population while African-Americans will constitute only 15 percent.

While Alpha Phi Alpha acknowledges the changing demographics, the presence of other minorities and the meaning this holds for our society, we are convinced that it is the blackwhite issue that remains the crux of the problem; it is this issue that must be confronted openly and with honesty if our society is to rid itself of the demon of race.

E. Some Measures to Address the Problem Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity believes in the essential goodness of the American people. We believe in the power of the ideas on which this country was founded. We especially believe that the religious impulses which were a part of the foundation of this nation are still important. If America would finally discover the courage and wisdom to deal effectively with the problems of race, it must be summoned to return to the ideals on which it was founded. We believe that it is here, on the high ground of the idealism and the spiritual beliefs that attended the birth of the Republic that America must find its way out of the fog of race and put an end to the corrosive influence it has had on our society. In that connection, we offer the following recommendations with the admonition that they are by no means exhaustive.

CONVENTIONEDITION

THE COUNCILS RECOMMENDATIONS 1. A national dialogue on race and ethnicity should be encouraged, with special emphasis on holding such discourses on majority college campuses as well as on those of historically black colleges and universities.

2. All college and graduate chapters of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity must take part in the discourse on race in America, and other Greek letter organizations should be also encouraged to participate in the discourse.

3. This discourse must seek to employ all of the most effective media in the nation so that the dialogue truly does become national.

4. The unique history of African-Americans in this country and the particular role that they play in the consciousness of America because of that history must be stressed. It is because the African-American presence in America has such a special history and role that no meaningful dialogue on race in this country can take place without treating these special circumstances and dealing with African-Americans on this question distinct from other minorities.

5. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity should take the initiative to help create a national foundation on the order of the National Council of Christians and Jews so as to more effectively combat racism.

6. An educational system must be constructed which promotes equality in every aspect of public life so as to reduce the stark disproportionahty which exists in the interaction in society of the majority and minority groups. Our systems should teach and place a high value on cultural pluralism.

7. We must ensure that our legal system dispenses justice impartially and that its full benefits are available to those of the most humble means.

EETINGS AND The World Policy Council held several meetings during the period September 1997, and June 1999 to consider the three issues before it. In the period between meetings, Council Chairman Brother Dawson carried on an active exchange on the issues with Council members.

On September 17, 1997, State Department Official John McGinnis addressed the Council on the Department's position on the U.S. arrears in dues to the United Nations.

A series of speakers then spoke with the Council on the issues involving the President's Initiative on Race and the general situation in the nation with regard to that issue. Michael Wenger, a White House official, opened the discussion on November 21 by presenting the White House perspectives on the Initiative, its purpose and its aspirations.

On December 17, Howard University Law School Professor Frank Wu presented a discourse on the issue of race in America with a focus on affirmative action.

Dr. Mae King, of the Howard University Department of Political Science, returned the Council to the subject of the U.S. obligation for its dues in arrears to the UN also at the Council's December 17 meeting.

On March 18, members of the Council met on Capitol Hill where they listened to a discussion on the issue of US dues owned to the UN by Indiana Congressman Lee Hamilton.

On October 21, the Council reviewed a paper on race presented by Brother Bobby Austin.

Dr. Florence Bonner, chairperson, and Dr. Roderick Harrison of the Howard University Department of Sociology and Anthropology, documented the condition of minorities particularly African-Americansâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;as the Council continued its study of race in America.

The Honorable Walter C. Carrington, Ambassador to Nigeria and later Senior Fellow of the DuBois Institute at Harvard, consulted with the Council on several occasions regarding the Nigerian situation.

The most remarkable leadership in the African-American community in the 20th century has without question come from the ranks of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Since its founding on December 4, 1906, the Fraternity has supplied voice and vision to the struggle of African-Americans and people of color around the world.

FRATERNITY HISTORY Alpha Phi Alpha, the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African-Americans, was founded at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York by seven college men who recognized the need for a strong bond of Brotherhood between African descendants in this country. The visionary founders,

known as the "Jewels" of the Fraternity, are: Henry Arthur Callis, Charles Henry Chapman, Eugene Kinckle Jones, George Biddle Kelley, Nathaniel Allison Murray, Robert Harold Ogle and Vertner Woodson Tandy.

The Fraternity initially served as a study and support group for minority students who faced racial prejudice educationally and socially- at Cornell. The Jewel founders and early leaders of the Fraternity succeeded in laying a firm foundation for Alpha Phi Alpha's principles of scholarship, fellowship, good character and the uplifting of humanity.

Alpha Phi Alpha chapters were developed at other colleges and universities-many of them traditionally African-American schools- soon after the founding at Cornell. While continuing to stress academic excellence among its members, the Fraternity also recognized the need to help correct the educational, economic, political and social injustices faced by African-Americans.

The Fraternity's national programs date back to 1919, when Alpha Phi Alpha introduced it's "Go-to-High School, Go-toCollege" campaign to increase the education level of the African-American community Alpha Phi Alpha later took the lead in voting rights struggle for African-Americans and coined the nationally famous phrase: "A Voteless People is a Hopeless People" as part of its effort to register minority voters. The slogan remains the battle cry today for Alpha voterregistration efforts.

Alpha Phi Alpha has long stood at the forefront of the AfricanAmerican community'sfightfor civil rights and human dignity. From the Fraternity's ranks have come outstanding leaders such as: W.E.B. DuBois, Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., Edward Brooke, Martin Luther King, Jr., Thurgood Marshall, Andrew Young, William Gray, Paul Robeson, Julius Chambers, Maynard Jackson and many others.

The Fraternity's leadership development and community service training to young men has made Alpha Phi Alpha the most prestigious organization of its kind today.

Alpha Phi Alpha today continues its commitment to the African-American community through the Fraternity's Education and Building foundations which provide scholarships to outstanding students and shelter to underprivileged families. Demonstrating the vision necessary for the next millennium, the Fraternity has dedicated itself to training a new generation of leaders with national mentoring programs and partnerships designed to ensure the success of our children and youth.

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ROTHER NEROY ANDERSON was a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha. He was initiated on November 15,1948 at Delta Beta Chapter in Daytona Beach, Florida. He earned a Bachelor of Science in mathematics with honors. He earned a Masters of education from Florida A&M University in 1957 and a Doctorate of Education from Florida State University. He served as a teacher, Assistant Principal and Principal at Washington High School in Escambia County, Florida. In 1974, Brother Anderson was selected as the first Director of Comprehensive Planning for the Escambia County School District. He retired from the Escambia School System in 1988. After his retirement, Brother Anderson maintained membership in a plethora of local and state education organizations. He was listed in Who's Who in the South and Southwest, a member of the Navy League and the Alpha Kappa Mu Honorary Society. Other affiliations included the Florida Junior Miss Committee, Florida Kidney Disease Council, the Salvation Army, Pensacola Health Facilities Authority, Advisory Board of American Red Cross and the Pensacola Chamber of Commerce. He received the Distinguished Alumni of the Year Award from the National Association of Equal Opportunity in Higher Education and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Educator of the Year. He was a charter member of Epsilon Mu Lambda Chapter, serving as President, Financial Secretary, Historian and Associate Edilor-lo-lhe-Sphinx速.

He served as Trustee and Senior Usher at Mount Zion Baptist Church.

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ROTHER ROBERTO BARRAGAN, JR. was initiated on December 8, 1961 at Delta Beta Chapter, Bethune-Cookman College in Daytona Beach, Florida. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in English at Bethune-Cookman in 1964, and a Master of Science in adult education at Florida International University in Miami as well as a Doctoral degree in adult education from Florida International University. Brother Barragan was Director of Minority Recruitment at Princeton University, Director of Student Affairs at "A Better Chance" Institute in Boston, Massachusetts and Dean of Student Affairs at Florida Memorial College. He had been employed at Bethune-Cookman since 1982, serving as director of admissions, recruitment and alumni affairs. He was appointed director of continuing education at Bethune-Cookman in 1994. He was last affiliated with Beta Delta Lambda Chapter in Daytona Beach.

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CONVENTION EDITION

ROTHER LEONARD S. BRIDGES was a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha. He was initiated on April 15,1949 at Beta Chapter, Howard University in Washington, D.C. In 1975, Brother Bridges became the first African-American Assistant Manager of Rochdale Village, then the largest cooperative housing community in the United States. Later he worked as an administrator for the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company until his retirement. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Newport News, where he served as chairman of the Trustee Ministry. Brother Bridges was also a member of the Fraternal Order of the Masons a volunteer and substitute teacher in the Newport News and Hampton school system, an American Association of Retired Persons driver's class teacher, as well as a member of the Citizens Police Academy.

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ROTHER CHARLES J. CAMPBELL was initiated on April 26, 1949 at Delta Epsilon Chapter, University of Buffalo in Buffalo, New York. He earned a Bachelor's degree in industrial relations in 1950. Brother Campbell worked as a Materials Control Analyst and an automobile salesman and store manager.

In January 2000, the Buffalo-Area Engineering Awareness for Minorities program awarded Brother Campbell the Outstanding Service Award in recognition of his work in the development of the program. A yearly award was also established in his name.

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ROTHER ERNEST CARTER, M.D. was a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He was initiated on December 1, 1937 at Chi Chapter, Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee. He received his medical degree from Meharry in 1939.

Brother Carter was a surgeon and maintained his own private practice for 45 years. He began in New Orleans, Louisiana then moved to San Francisco, California in 1950, where he continued his career as a surgeon at the French Hospital along with his private practice, which he continued until his retirement in 1985. He was a member of the John Hale Medical Society, the San Francisco Medical Society, the American Academy of Family Physicians and the National Medical Association. He was also a member of Gamma Chi Lambda Chapter in San Francisco. An avid golfer, Brother Carter was a prime organizer of the National Medical Association's first golf tournament in 1969, which became an annual event.

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OMEGA CHAPTER ROTHER RICHARD S. COOKE was a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha. He was initiated on December 5, 1955 at Beta Rho Chapter, Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina. Brother Cooke was an active member of Alpha Alpha Lambda Chapter in Montclair, New Jersey.

ROTHER JOHN J. COTTRELLJR. was initiated on May 1,1948 at Alpha Zeta Chapter, West Virginia State College in Institute, West Virginia. He earned a Bachelor's degree at West Virginia State College. He was a veteran of the United States Army and was a career employee of the United States Postal Service.

ROTHER FRED DOUGLAS DEAVER was a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha. He was initiated on December 1, 1947 at Beta Zeta Chapter, Huston-Tillotson College in Austin, Texas.

He graduated from Huston-Tillotson with a Bachelor of Science degree. He earned a Masters degree from Texas Southern University, and completed further studies at the University of Utah, the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Texas-El Paso and Odessa College. Brother Deaver taught at the Hualapai Indian Reservation in Peach Springs, Arizona before returning to his native Texas to run the Brownwood Community Youth Center. He also taught at Carver and Douglas Elementary Schools and served as a teacher and athletic coach at Blackshear Junior/Senior High School. Brother Deaver also served as a counselor at Blackshear, Ector, Hood and Crockett Junior High Schools. He was a founding deacon and bible instructor at Mount Olive Baptist Church in Odessa, Texas where he also was a member of the Senior Choir and was church treasurer. He was a founding member of the Eta Upsilon Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha as well as a founder of the Texas Council of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (TCAC).

Brother Deaver was a member of the Mount Rose Masonic Lodge, the Odessa Black Chamber of Commerce, the American Legion, the Odessa City Wide Brotherhood, the Ector County Retired School Personnel and the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP).

He was also Past Scout Master of Troop 101 and a volunteer for Meals on Wheels. Brother Deaver served as a board member for the Gertrude Bruce Center, Odessa Parks and Recreation and the R.F. Harding Museum. Among his many awards included the Friends of Education Award, the TCAC Hall of Fame Award andthe National Pyramid Award for Outstanding Service to Community and the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.

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ROTHER JAMES BRUCE EDEMY was initiated on May 12, 1931 at Beta Alpha Chapter, Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland. He graduated magna cum laude in sociology. A longtime member of Delta Lambda Chapter in Baltimore, Brother Edemy served as Branch Chief of the U.S. Health Care Financing Administration, Division of Provider Certification.

He also chaired the Baltimore City Commission on Aging and

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Retirement Education while also serving as a member on the Maryland Commission on Aging. In 1969, Brother Edemy was voted Morgan State Alumnus of the Year. He also served as president of the Morgan State Alumni Association. For 50 years, Brother Edemy was a member of St. James Episcopal Church in Baltimore, serving on the Vestry, the Brotherhood of St. Andrew's and the Retreat Committee.

ROTHER FRANK JAMES ELLIS was a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha. He was initiated December 8,1947 at Beta Alpha Chapter, Morgan State University in Baltimore. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in economics. Brother Ellis also earned other degrees at American University, Livingstone College and Benedict College. He served as president of Delta Lambda Chapter.

Brother Ellis was ordained as a minister in the Church of God in 1970. He was appointed Elder in 1976, and assigned to the Carter Memorial Church of God in Christ. He was the first Elder elected to the General Assembly of the Church of God in Christ. In 1994, Brother Ellis was elevated to Bishop and served as Prelate of the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of West Virginia.

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ROTHER ELMON M. ELMORE was a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha. He was initiated on March 1, 1952 at Delta Xi Chapter, Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio. After graduation from Central State and receiving his commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army, Brother Elmore completed officer basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia and during the Korean War was assigned overseas to Strasbourg, Germany. He was honorably discharged from active duly in 1953 and continued to serve in the U.S. Army Reserves until retirement in 1986 as a Colonel.

Brother Elmore worked as a nuclear health physicist at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio; at Hunters Point Naval Shipyard, San Francisco, California and at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California. Later in his career, he worked as an equal opportunity officer for the Western Division, U.S. Naval Engineers, San Bruno, California where he retired from the U.S. Civil Service. He was a member of Gamma Chi Lambda Chapter, where he was a past president and holder of various other positions in the Chapter. He also was a 32nd Degree Mason. His community involvement included service as president and member of the board of the Bay Area Opportunities Industrial Center, West; the United Negro College Fund, and was elected three terms to the Westborough Water District, South San Francisco, California.

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ROTHER JAMES GILLESPIE was a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha. He was initiated on March 1, 1951 at Gamma Nu Chapter, Pennsylvania State University in State College, Pennsylvania. He was member of Zeta Upsilon Lambda Chapter in Reston, Virginia, where he served as president, vice president and financial secretary. He also served on the National Board of

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THE SPHINX* FALL 2000

OMEGA CHAPTER Directors of the Alpha Education Foundation, Inc., as well as many committees of VACAPAF and Eastern Region Executive Director.

ROTHER DAVID B. GOBLE, SR. was initiated on December 11, 1948 at Beta Gamma Chapter, Virginia State University in Petersburg, Virginia. He was a graduate of Virginia State University and the Army Command and General Staff College.

Brother Goble was a Navy veteran of World War II and an Army Veteran from 1951 to 1975. His Army duty included the Korean and Vietnam Conflicts. Brother Goble's military decorations included the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Award, Air Medal and Navy Commendation Medal. He was awarded 10 Campaign Ribbons with Battle Stars. Brother Goble was a member of Carver Memorial Presbyterian Church, where he served as deacon, elder and the senior choir.

Missouri, St. Andrews Kirk, Georgetown, Guyana and several other churches. During his distinguished ministry, Brother Gray was assistant state clerk of the Presbytery in Kansas City, Missouri, moderator of the Presbytery and high school English teacher in Jersey City, New Jersey, member of the Anti-Racism Commission of the Christian Peace Conference, moderator of the Presbytery and member of the Racial and Ethnic Team of Synod in New York. He also authored a book entitled "Reaching Church Dropouts." Brother Gray was also a life member of the NAACP.

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ROTHER ALLEN LLOYD GUSTER, JR. was initiated on December 1, 1946 at Beta Zeta Chapter, Huston-Tillotson College in Austin, Texas. He received his Bachelor's degree at Huston-Tillotson College and Masters at Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas. He was a veteran of the 123rd United States Army Air Force, where he received an honorable discharge. He was a principal of Dunbar High School in McCabe, Texas, and was later employed by the Ector County Independent School District as a math teacher and athletic coach. He retired from teaching at Permian High in 1985.

ROTHER ZURETTI L. GOOSBY, D.D.S. was initiated on February 14, 1942 at Alpha Epsilon Chapter, University of California. He received his undergraduate degree at the University of California, Berkeley. Brother Goosby then received a degree in dentistry at the University of California, San Francisco, in 1946. Upon graduation from dental school, he established a dental practice in San Francisco, which he continued for 53 years. He served as an officer in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. In 1963, Brother Goosby was appointed to the San Francisco Human Rights Commission, where he was involved in the mediation of "Auto Row," downtown hotels and department store demonstrations and sit-ins that resulted in employment opportunities for African-American citizens. In 1966 he was appointed and later elected to the San Francisco Board of Education, where he served ten years, including two terms as president. During his tenure on the Board, he helped guide the San Francisco community through the politically tumultuous times of desegregation, improving the quality of public education, and expanding employment opportunities for minority teachers and administrators. In 1978, Brother Goosby was appointed to the San Francisco Airports Commission, where he served 12 years. Other civic involvement included service as a trustee of the War Memorial Board, member of the Board of the Exploratorium and the Urban Economic Development Commission. He was an active member of the San Francisco Branch of the NAACP and served over the years on its executive committee.

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ROTHER DONALD LEE HARRIS, M.D. was initiated on April 2,1949 at Beta Sigma Chapter, Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He received his Bachelor's degree from Southern University and his Doctor of medicine degree from Meharry Medical College. As First Lieutenant in United States Air Force, he served as instructor of airborne electronics equipment and participated in rescue operations in Japan and Korea. His professional affiliations included Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, the Baton Rouge General Medical Center, the Medical Center of Baton Rouge, and various other medical facilities throughout East Baton Rouge Parish. As Director of Juvenile Medical Services at Louisiana Training Institute, he served the disadvantage and troubled youth of the community. He was an avid supporter of the athletic programs Southern University and A&M College and McKinley High School, frequently serving as physician for their teams. He held offices in the Louisiana State and East Baton Rouge Parish Medical Associations and membership on the National Board of Directors of the Medical Committee on Human Rights; served on Boards of Directors for Blundon Home, The NAACP, the Baranco-Clark Young Men's Christian Association, the Advisory Boards of the Welfare Rights Association and Operation HOPE. He also held membership in the Bonanza Club, The Smart Set, Inc., Southern University Foundation, Inc. and La Capitale Chapter of The Links, Inc. Brother Harris was a lifetime member of Baton Rouge Community Chorus and Playhouse, having also served on its Board of Directors, as well as the Southern University Alumni Association. Brother Harris was a member Xi Nu Lambda in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

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ROTHER DOCTOR L. CHARLES GRAY was initiated at Nu Chapter, Lincoln University in Lincoln, Pennsylvania. He graduated cum laude from Lincoln, and from Wesley Seminary in Washington, D.C. He also completed graduate studies in Religious Education and Theology in Ghana, Togo and Nigeria.

Brother Gray served as pastor of Faith Presbyterian Church in Germantown, Pennsylvania, Gibson Chapel Church in Springfield,

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CONVENTION EDITION

75

ROTHER WESLEY Y. HARRIS was initiated on February 26, 1949 at Xi Chapter, Wilberforce University in Wilberforce, Ohio. He earned a Bachelor of Science from Wilberforce and a Master of Science in rehabilitation psychology from the University of Buffalo. A longtime instructor at both Wilberforce and the State University of New York system, Brother Harris became Director of the Educational Opportunity Center in Rochester, New York and later became an Administrator for Monroe County New York's Department of Social Services. He was ordained as a minister in 1985 and established the Christian Community Church of God. He was a member of the Rho Lambda Chapter in Buffalo, New York.

ROTHER ALBERT SYDNEY JOHNSON was a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha. He was initiated on December 1,1931 at Xi Chapter, Wilberforce University in Wilberforce, Ohio, where he received his Bachelors degree. After graduating from Wilberforce, Brother Johnson took an active role in Alpha Alpha Lambda Chapter in Newark, New Jersey where he served as treasurer.

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ROTHER ALBERT HENRY JONES, JR. was initiated on November 1, 1952 at Beta Sigma Chapter, Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana where he received his Bachelor's and Masters degrees. He did further study at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana and Southern University. Brother Jones served as a Sergeant in the United States Army during World War II, for which he received Battle Ribbons and other citations. He was trained in life saving and water safety at Tennessee A & I Aquatic school, Nashville, Tennessee, enabling him to become a certified American National Red Cross Instructor. Brother Jones served at Brooks Pool as an Instructor for East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana Chapter for 32 years. Brother Jones was a life-long and active member of Wesley United Methodist Church, where he served as Chair and Co-Chair of Christian Unity and Inter-Religious Concerns. He was a member of the Pastor-Parish Relations Committee, the Committee on Nominations on Personnel, the Administrative Board, the Sanctuary choir and The United Methodist Men of Wesley United Methodist Church. Brother Jones also held membership in the Bonnette Harrison American Legion Post #502, Educators of Yesteryear Unit of the Louisiana Retired Teachers Association where he served as Photographer, Phi Delta Kappa, Baton Rouge Council on Human Relations, The Belfair Sportsman's Club where he served as treasurer and an Establishing member of the Holy Grill of Jordan United Methodist church. He received the President's Award for service (photography) during the 1998 Wright-Wilson Awards Luncheon. Brother Jones was an active member of Xi Nu Lambda Chapter in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

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ROTHER JAYE 0. LAWSON was initiated into Alpha Phi Alpha on November 22, 1968 at Delta Xi Chapter, Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio. He was a graduate of Central State University. Brother Lawson retired from AT&T of New York City and Columbus, Ohio and was employed by the Columbus and Bexley, Ohio school systems. He was the former President of the Berwyn Civic Association and a former member of St. Paul AME Church as well as Second Baptist Church.

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ROTHER LEON B. METZ, JR., M.D. was initiated on April 24, 1958 at Beta Sigma Chapter, Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He graduated from Southern University in I960 and received his commission from the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps. He served two years of active duty in an armored division in Germany, and three years in the U.S. Army Chemical Corps. He received his medical degree from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee. He and his wife, Dr. Allison Nicholas Metz, were the first husband and wife couple to train as medical interns at the Letterman Army Center. Brother Metz was Chief of the Department of Ophthalmology at Letterman from 1978 to 1983, where he retired after 23 years of active duty. After his retirement, he entered private practice a Ralph K. Davies Center in San Francisco, serving 6,000 patients. Brother Metz also served as clinical faculty in ophthalmology at the University of California, San Francisco. He was a member of Gamma Chi Lambda Chapter in San Francisco.

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ROTHER JOHN H. MYLES was a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha. He was initiated on December 1, 1974 at Beta Phi Lambda Chapter, Savannah, Georgia. He received a Bachelor of Science in mathematics with a minor in biological sciences from Savannah State University, a Master of Arts degree in physical education with a minor in health and recreation from New York University. He also received a Specialist in education degree with DTS-6 Certification from New York University. As a student-athlete, Brother Myles was a football Ail-American at Savannah State, where he was nicknamed "The Iron Horse." He joined the U.S. Army and was a standout football player in the military. During a tour of the Mediterranean, Brother Myles was a champion sprinter.

As a track star, Brother Myles teamed with Olympic great Harrison Dillard. He performed in international track meets in several European cities including Rome, Turin and Milan, Italy; Frankfort and Berlin Germany; Paris, France and London, England. Brother Myles later became a prolific athletic coach. As head football coach at Florida Memorial College in Miami, he won the 1948 Southeastern Athletic Conference championship. Brother Myles went onto win regional championships as head football and baseball coach at Sol C. Johnson High School and Haven Home School in Savannah. He also won a Georgia State AAA championship as

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THE SPHINX* FALL 2000

OMEGA CH head basketball coach in 1968, and was named the 1968 Georgia High School Association Coach of the Year. While coaching in the high school ranks, Brother Myles served as Chairman of the Health and Physical Education Department as well as Director of Athletics.

He later moved onto coach football and baseball at Savannah State.

In 1971, he directed the Savannah State football team to the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship, and was named the SIAC Coach of the Year for that season. In baseball, Brother Myles led Savannah State to the 1977 and 1986 SIAC title, and was named SIAC baseball Coach of the Year in 1977. He was inducted into the Savannah State Athletics Hall of Fame in 1974, and the Greater Savannah Athletic Hall of Fame in 1986. From 1968 until 1974, Brother Myles served as the first African-American Commissioner of the Savannah Recreation Commission. In 1977 he received a Meritorious Service Award from the Georgia State High School Association for his service as a football official. As an official, he teamed with J. Don Ferguson to form the first interracial crew of collegiate basketball officials, as he and his crew officiated a game between Armstrong Atlantic State University and Savannah State. Brother Myles was a ruling Elder of Butler Presbyterian Church, where he was a member for over 50 years. He was also a Prince Hall Mason and a member of the Savannah SophistoKATS Inc. ROTHER FORREST PRITCHETT was a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha. He was initiated on May 4,1941 at Gamma Chapter, Virginia Union University in Richmond, Virginia. He received his undergraduate degree at Virginia Union. Brother Pritchett's gift of song was legendary at Alpha Phi Alpha General Conventions, where over the years he sang solos and with the Alpha Choirs. Brother Pritchett was a devoted member of Gamma Chi Lambda Chapter in San Francisco, California for many years.

ROTHER JAMES T ROBINSON II was initiated on December 9,1933 at Beta Gamma Chapter, Virginia State University in Petersburg, Virginia. He received a Bachelor's Degree from Virginia State and a Master's in aeronautical engineering from the University of Delaware. A federal employee for forty-five years, he worked in ballistic research and safety issues at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Aberdeen, Maryland. During the Vietnam War, he was transferred to the Army's Research and Development lab at Fort Eustis, Virginia, where he administered its safety and survivability division. He retired from government service in 1980. Brother Robinson was a communicant of St. James Episcopal Church and a member of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew. He was an active member of Delta Lambda Chapter, where he is a member of the Chapter Hall of Fame.

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ROTHER CHESTER R. THOMAS was a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha. He was initiated on December 1,1957 at Zeta Zeta Lambda Chapter, Cambria Heights, New York. He graduated from St. John's University (N.Y) in 1932, becoming the first African-American to graduate from its law school. At the age of 22, he received an appointment as an Assistant Attorney General of New York, becoming the youngest person and the first African-American to receive such an appointment. He also worked as a reporter and editor of the New York Age. His weekly column entitled "Brooklyn Youngster" was popular among Brooklynites. From 1943 through 1946, Brother Thomas served in the Marines, where he continued to practice law. After World War II, he continued his private practice, which lasted more than 50 years. In 1989, Brother Thomas received the Richmond, Virginia Bar's "Pro Bono Publico Award."

He was also recognized for his work as a volunteer with the Central Virginia Legal Aid Society.

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ROTHER ADOLPH LEO WIGGINS, SR. was initiated on May 16, 1950 at Beta Iota Lambda Chapter in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Brother Wiggins graduated from Southern University, where he was a member of the Aeolian Quartet. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II achieving the rank of Lieutenant. He was employed by the United States Postal Service for 37 years, retiring in 1985 as Director of Personnel. Brother Wiggins was a member of the Pope John XXIII Knights of Columbus, the Sierra Club, St. Jude's Catholic Church, The Service Corps of Retired Executive Association (SCORE), and was knighted into the Order of The Knights of St. Gregory. He also served on the boards of A.C. Lewis YMCA, Hospice Foundation of Baton Rouge, Blundon Home United Cerebral Palsy Association, Junior Achievement, Louisiana State Board of Cerebral Palsy, Mayor's Commission on the Needs of Women and the Finance Committee of the Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge. Brother Wiggins was an active member of Xi Nu Lambda Chapter in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

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CORPORATE DIRECTORY THE SEVEN JEWELS

HenryA.Callis

Charles H. Chapman

Eugene K. Jones

GENERAL OFFICERS General President Immediate Past General President Administrative Director General Treasurer Comptroller General Counsel Director-General Conventions ,/^i Parliamentarian VICE PRESIDENTS Eastern Midwestern *r*-jT Southern Southwestern Western ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENTS Eastern Midwestern Southern Southwestern Western

George B. Kelley

Nathaniel A. Murray

Robert H. Ogle

Vertner WTandy

Adrian L. Wallace, 281 Debra Lane, Lake Charles, LA 70611-9216 Milton C. Davis, P.O. Box 830509, Tuskegee, AL, 36083 Zollie Stevenson, Jr., 806 Falls Lake Drive, MitchelMle, MD 20721 George N. Reaves, 2933 Balmoral Crescent, Flossmoor, IL 60422 Frank A. Jenkins in, 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 Kentfleld, Detroit, MI 28223

/

LeRoy Lowery, III, 1724 Portal Drive, NW Washington, DC 20012-1116 Samuel DeShazior, 911 Mercer Avenue, Akron, OH 44320 Lynwood Bell, 1902 East Pollock Road, Lakeland, FL 33813 Terry Arlington, 5426 Upton Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70809 Gregory G. French, 5625 Windsor Way #103, Culver City, CA 9023 Thomas Fitzpatrick, 800 Lancaster Ave., Villanova, PA 19085 Abdul-Kaba Abdullah, 1121 North College Drive Apt.#l, Maryville, MO 64468 Trenton Williams, 585 Caldwell Circle, Athens, GA 30605 Micah J. Smith, 1104 East Houston Apt A, Marshall, TX 75670 Edjah Nduom, P.O. Box 5865 Stanford, CA 94309

UVTNG PAST GENERAL PRESIDENTS 21st 25th 26th 27th 28th 29th

General General General General General General

President President President President President President

T. Winston Cole, Sr., 812 S.W. 50th Way, Gainesville, FL 32607 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 830509, Tuskegee, AL 36083

ADMINISTRATTVE ASSISTANTS TO THE GENERAL PRESIDENT International Affairs Horace G. Dawson, Jr., 1601 Kalmia Road, NW, Washington, DC 20012 Special Assistant Darryl R. Matthews, Sr., 5075 Red Robin Ridge, Alpharetta, GA 30202 Robert A. Willis, 130 Old Fairburn Close, Adanta, GA 30331

Assistants Joseph E. Heyward, P.O. Box 384, Florence, SC 29503

Joshua Williams, Jr., 9696 Hayne Blvd. #15, New Orleans, LA 70127

CONVENTION EDITION

CORPORATE DIRECTORY WORLD POLICY COUNCIL Chairman Horace G. Dawson, Jr., 1601 Kalmia Road, NW, Washington, DC 20037 Chairman Emeritus Edward W. Brooke, Suite 301-S, 2500 Virginia Avenue, NW, Wash., DC 20037 Members Charles Rangle, 2354 Rayburn House Office Building, Wash., DC 20515 Huel D. Perkins, 1923—79th Avenue, Baton Rouge, LA 70807 Henry Ponder, N.A.F.E.O., 8701 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20910 Vinton R. Anderson, AME Church Finance Office, 1134-11th Street, NW, Wash., DC 20006 Chuck S. Stone, UNC-Chapel Hill, 107 Oxford Hills Place, Chapel Hill, NC 27514 Bobby Austin, The Village Foundation, 211 N. Union Street #100, Alexandria, VA 22314 ALPHA PHI ALPHA BUILDING FOUNDATION, INC. C h a i r m a n Everett Ward, 5002 Avenida Del Sol Drive, Raleigh, NC 27604 ALPHA PHI ALPHA EDUCATION FOUNDATION, INC. Chairman James Ward, 9306 Twin Hills Drive, Houston, TX 77031 NATIONAL COMMITTEE/COMMISSION CHAIRMEN Alpha Collegiate Scholars Awards & Achievements Budget & Finance Business & Economic Development College Brothers Affairs Constitution Elections Endowment & Capital Formation Grievances & Discipline Headquarters Maintenance Internal Auditing Jobs Fair Life Membership Management Information Systems Martin Luther King, Jr., Memorial Project Membership/Standards & Extension National Historian National Programs Personnel Publications Racial Justice & Public Policy Reclamation Subcommittee Recommendations & Resolutions Rules & Credentials Rituals & Ceremonies Senior Alpha Affairs Special Projects Strategic Planning Time & Place Training & Development PROGRAM/PROJECT COORDINATORS Big Brother/Big Sisters of America Leadership Development & Citizen Education Miss Black & Gold Pageant Oratorical Contest Project Alpha

Willie Ruff, 314 Applegrove Court, Herndon, VA 22071 Ronald Madden, 834 Penfield Street, #2A Bronx, NY 10470 Frank A. Jenkins III, 529 South Perry Street, Suite 16, Montgomery, AL 36104 Harold Patrick, 5959 West Century Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90045 Barton J. Taylor, 2117 Flat Shoals Road #4, Adanta, GA 30316 Llovd Givens, 6050 Canaan Woods Drive, SW, Adanta, GA 30331 Russell C. Campbell, Sr., 1504 Delmont Lane, Takoma Park, MD 20912 Christopher C. Womack, 2109 Christina Cove, Birmingham, AL 35244 Isiah Ward, 303 Waterford, Willowbrook, IL 60521 R. Leandras Jones II, 1045 Audubon Circle, SW, Adanta, GA, 30311 David M. Cheri, 5106 Porter Ridge, Houston, TX 77053 Ralph Caro, 6826 Garfield Avenue, Kansas City, MO 66102 George Wayne Watkins, 40983 Oaks Drive #4A, Troy, MI 48098 Eddie Henderson, 4563 Wellspring Way, Stone Mountain, GA 30083 John H. Carter, 3465 Somerset Trail, Atlanta, GA 30330 Ronald T. James, 1717 NE 16th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73111 Robert L. Harris, Jr., Cornell University, 310 Triphammer Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850 Ronald Peters, 1130 M.D. Anderson Blvd., Houston, TX 77030 Sean Woodroffe, 705 Summer Avenue, Uniondale, NY 11553 Harry Dunbar, 281 Rose Road, West Nyack, NY 10994 Norman Towels, 3243 Arlington Avenue, Riverside, CA 92506 Harold Foster, 5642 Georgia, Avenue, Kansas City, KS 66104 Tophas Anderson III, 14811 Tumbling Falls Court, Houston, TX 77062 John E. Walls, Co-chairman, 107 Colonial Drive, Vicksburg, MS 39180 Johnny Thomas, Co-chairman, 1414 Mill Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601 Darren Morton, Chairman, 549 S 7th Avenue, Mt. Vernon, NY 10550 James Ivory, 1241 Oak Hill Road, Downers Grove, IL 60515 Richard D. Smith, Jr., 3510 Medical Park Drive #7, Monroe, LA 71203 Chester A. Wheeler III, P.O. Box 6682, Macon, GA 31208 Elliot Ferguson, Jr., 2790 DeVinci Blvd..Decatur, GA 30034 Phillip Jackson, 1200 Little Gloucester Road #1904, Clementon, NJ 08021 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

ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY, INC. 2313 St. Paul Street • Baltimore, MD 21218-5234 CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS Phone: (410) 554-0040 • Fax: (410) 554-0054

THE SPHINX* FALL 2000

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