The SPHINX | Fall 2011 | Volume 96 | Number 4 201109604 by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity

The

FALL 2011 VOLUME 96 H NO. 4

ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY, INC.

COMMEMORATIVE EDITION

Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial

JEWEL GEORGE BIDDLE KELLEY

JEWEL GEORGE BIDDLE KELLEY and his wife Harriette and the family dog, in later years

COMMEMORATIVE EDITION

CONTENTS THE SPHINX® H FALL 2011 H VOLUME 96 H NO. 4

17 The Cover Story After more than three decades of dreaming, hoping, praying, fundraising, working and persuading, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity members joined the world community to honor an American King, who now sits among presidents. And together they were able to pronounce: It is done. The Sphinx SPECIAL REPORT and complete coverage begins on page 17.

64 Retracing King’s Steps Leading up to the historic dedication of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, the members of Alpha Phi Alpha retraced his steps by visiting key places during King’s lifetime. From his birth and final resting place in Atlanta, Ga., to historic sites in Alabama and Tennessee, Alpha brothers and thousands of others marked critical moments in time that will forever be remembered because Martin Luther King Jr. had been there.

82 7 QUESTIONS about Martin Luther King Jr. Brother Herman Hemingway pledged Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity with Martin Luther King Jr. and is King’s only living line brother. James Huger, former general secretary, made King’s membership official with a stroke of a pen. Both men tell about the Martin we didn’t know in an interview conducted by Brother Hill Harper in The Sphinx Interview.

84 Saying Farewell to an Alpha Giant Sylvester Shannon walked with kings, but never lost the common touch. A military vet, preacher, teacher, friend and brother, he will long be remembered for his lifelong contributions. Along with several other Alphas who died in 2011, Brother Shannon is honored in this issue’s Omega section. ABOUT THE COVER

Jeff Lewis checks his camera. Photo by Jamal Wiggins.

The cover photo is the historic shot from the Alpha’s Private Dedication Ceremony at the King Memorial in August. The image is the award-winning work of photographer Jeff Lewis. A member of Alpha since 1997, Brother Lewis was initiated at Omicron Eta Chapter at the University of California, Irvine and is an alumni member of Beta Psi Lambda Chapter in Los Angeles. He has covered the Super Bowl, the NBA Finals and the World Series. His work has been featured in Sports Illustrated, GQ, the Los Angeles Times and The New York Times, and he is one of the chief photographers for The Sphinx.

64 82 Fall 2011 H THE SPHINX

FROM THE

General President

Moving Alpha Forward

It’s hard to believe we are now headed into the final year of the

administration of the 33rd general president. So much has happened since the inauguration in Atlanta in January 2009. Our most recent accomplishment was the result of a three-decade sojourn. Despite the threat of a hurricane, brothers from around the world came together on August 26, 2011, for the fraternity’s dedication of the King Memorial. It was a day that will go down in history as one of Alpha Phi Alpha’s finest and most historic moments. We returned in October for the official government dedication, topped off with a visit to the White House to meet the president and first lady. Internally, we continue to fine-tune the fraternity’s membership-intake process. We have chartered new waters by crossing the waters, and establishing chapters in London and South Africa. In 2012, we will recharter a chapter in Monrovia, Liberia, and one in Freeport, Bahamas. Alpha Phi Alpha has made unprecedented gains in corporate support. Some of those who have become Alpha partners include: General Electric, ExxonMobil, Wells Fargo, Nationwide, The Stafford Foundation, and Abercrombie & Fitch. Over $1 million has been raised so far. We also have breathed new life into our signature college brothers’ career program: the College 2 Corporate Life (C2C) initiative. Our new partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation, supported by Toyota, will help us fight environmental injustice and expand our Alpha Goes Green initiative.

Herman “Skip” Mason, Jr.

is the 33rd general president of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. president@apa1906.net Twitter: @generalprez Facebook: Skip Mason

Fiscally, we have closed out the last two years in the black, and have placed back in the Life Members fund a record $1.5 million, the first time in the fraternity’s history an amount that large has been returned to the fund. We do still face several challenges as a result of conventions and events where we’ve met in cities with union labor costs. With a convention in Chicago and the King Memorial Dedication in Washington, we realize that 2011 was a very taxing year on brothers. However, let me thank each of you for your continued support of YOUR fraternity. As we have in our past 105 years, we will weather any storm or challenge that comes our way. The Jewels would not expect anything less. Our greatest days are in front of us. With renewed faith and vigor, I remain a believer in the 7! H

The Mason family meets President and Mrs. Obama at the White House in October.

2 THE SPHINX H Fall 2011

In 2012, Upward Mobility and Organizational Relevance

As we collectively applaud our historic achievement

of spearheading the conception of an idea—bold and thought by many as unrealistic—and actually birthing the magnificent monument in honor of our beloved Brother Martin Luther King Jr., I humbly submit that now is the time to answer: “Where Do We Go From Here?” That’s the $64,000 question!

FROM THE

General Treasurer

Even as we ponder this question, let us also seize this moment to celebrate this monumental achievement. Let us commend all Alpha men that were instrumental in small and big ways in helping to make this dream a reality. In 2012, we face economic uncertainty; disparity access to quality healthcare and entrepreneurial capital; a growing wealth-gap and increasing poverty, crime and incarceration rates. So, what should be our next focus? I believe its infrastructure development. But, first of all, we must conduct a self-evaluation of Alpha utilizing the SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis or other similar evaluation/benchmarking process. We must also quantify, clarify and publicize who we are. We must understand the demographics of our membership before we can truly offer more meaningful and useful membership value-added services. Have you ever wondered what our members do for a living? If you conducted an analysis you would find all sorts of professions represented—and several millionaires! We should also leverage our spending habits with corporate partners to better develop more meaningful strategic alliances. We must create an “opportunity society” in which we empower each other with access to our ideas, contact information and resources. Let’s not be afraid of radical thoughts. We have to find—and embrace—ways to move the economic needle in a positive direction. Further, we as brothers must hold each other accountable and truly become our brother’s keeper.

Hyacinth C. Ahuruonye is general treasurer of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. generaltreasurer@apa1906.net

We must embark on real economic development of our communities. We must collectively and individually be attuned and sensitive to the needs of our members. We must acknowledge and respond to the calls for help from them. In the words of Brother King: “All mankind is tied together; all life is interrelated, and we are all caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” As we expand globally, let us devise steps and strategies to avail our members the chance to explore economic development and wealth-building opportunities worldwide. Alpha still matters. Our service, leadership and advocacy are still needed by our local and global communities. I urge the support of active members; and I urge inactive members to rejoin the House. Where do we go from here? Which roads lead to upward mobility? The answers lie within. H

Fall 2011 H THE SPHINX

FROM THE

Executive Director

Our Brother’s Keeper

“Sooner or later, all the people of the world will have to discover a way to live together in peace, and thereby transform this pending cosmic elegy into a creative psalm of brotherhood. If this is to be achieved, man must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love.” —Martin Luther King Jr. Oslo, Norway December 10, 1964

As we pause to recognize the erection of a memorial not

only to our dear Alpha brother but also to one who preached brotherhood amongst all mankind, I challenge you today to treat everyone with whom you come into contact as your brother. If there is a need that you can fulfill, by way of your God-given influence and/or resources, fill it. Look to serve one another in love without contention or expectation of anything in return.

William Douglass Lyle is executive director and chief operating officer of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. wdlyle@apa1906.net

This memorial should serve as an alarm to awaken the nations from their sleeping posture and propel us to address the issues that are impacting us all. As a member of a global community, we can no longer afford to be silent on matters that are draining us economically, mentally, physically or spiritually. Brother King’s life is a testament that even in the midst of difficult times change is possible when we educate our minds, empower our people and embrace each other in brotherly love. Although we have built a monument, let us not forget the dream, but continue in every stride to make it a reality and LIVE OUR MISSION. H

4 THE SPHINX H Fall 2011

Fall 2011 H THE SPHINX

IN EVERY ISSUE

The

2 GENERAL OFFICERS’ LETTERS 7 EDITOR’S DESK 8 NEWS 76 ARTS AND CULTURE 77 CHAPTER NEWS 80 BROTHERS ON THE MOVE 82 7 QUESTIONS: The Sphinx Interview 83 WORLD AFFAIRS 84 OMEGA CHAPTER 94 LEADERSHIP DIRECTORY 96 PERSPECTIVE

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Since the founding of The Sphinx in 1914, the African-American community has looked to the publication for its profound insight on issues of the day. The Sphinx is the world’s second-oldest continuously published African-American magazine in existence and is preserved in libraries and archives across the country as an historical record of community occurrences and the great issues of the day. Those interested in writing articles for The Sphinx are encouraged to read the writer’s guidelines at www.apa1906.net or write the editorial office for a printed copy of the guidelines at The Sphinx Editorial Offices, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., 2313 St. Paul St., Baltimore, MD 21218-5211. You may also request guidelines and instructions via direct e-mail at sphinx@apa1906.net. The deadline for submissions for upcoming issues is 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on the following dates: Winter/Spring 2012, Feb. 1; Summer 2012, May 1; Fall 2012, August 1; and Winter 2013, October 1, 2012. The Sphinx® is printed in the United States of America

Organizing Editor RAYMOND W. CANNON (1892-1992) Organizing General President HENRY LAKE DICKASON (1886-1957) 33rd General President/Executive Editor HERMAN “SKIP” MASON, JR. Official Organ of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.® Fall 2011 – Volume 96, No. 4

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF RICK BLALOCK sphinx@apa1906.net SENIOR ASSOCIATE EDITORS Jaquon C. Heath Ezzard C. Rolle, Jr WORLD AFFAIRS EDITOR Eric Ham ASSOCIATE EDITORS Torrance Alexander, Khoy Blasi-Diggs, David C. Brown Jr., Samuel Brown Brandon Cole, Troy A. Corbin Sr., Leonard Le’Doux Jr., Russell E. Flye Byron J. Grayson, Andre A. Greene, James E. Hale II, Larnzell “Jay” Harper Terry L. Hazzard, Tremaine Jasper, Jonathan C.W. Jones, Kevin Jones, Moses Lee Samuel H. Lloyd, Joseph D. Lockett, Marque D. Macon, Jonathan D. Madison Robert A. Massey, Roscoe W. McClain Jr., Calvin McNeill, M.D., Renard Mobley Anthony Moore III, Steston J. Olaye, Derek O’Neal, Garrison Owens Damion Sean Samuels, Michael Sudarkasa, Zikomo Turner, Andre R. Watkins George Wimberly

COPY EDITOR K. Thomas Oglesby CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Bryan J.A. Kelly, William Douglass Lyle, Don Weston SENIOR WRITERS Ellis Albright, Waldo E. Johnson Jr., Darryl A. Peal, Derrick Alexander Pope Ron Peters, Andrew Timothy Siwo, F. Carl Walton CONTRIBUTING WRITERS U. Grant Baldwin Jr., James E. Ball, Mark Barnes, Ferrel Bonner, Jean G. Celestin Jean McGianni, Celestin, James Crumel, Aaron Crutison, Rashid Darden Horace Dawson, Nicholas Fletcher, Ira L. Foster, Esq., Joseph Gambrell, M.D. Antoine M. Garibaldi, Justin Harlow, Robert L. Harris Jr., Ronald C. Jackson Ricardo R. Jefferson, M. Cole Jones, Khouri Marshall, Michael John Myers II Quincy O’Neal, Lowell W. Perry, Jr., James V. Pierce, Ronald Clay Small Michael A. Smith, M.D., Roderick L. Smothers Sr., Zollie Stevenson Bradley D. Thomas, Mark Tillman, Norman E.W. Towels Ronnie Versher Jr., J.W. Wiley, Marques Wilkes, Douglas Wilson Sacoby Wilson, Milton C. Woodard CONTRIBUTORS Hyacinth C. Ahuruonye, Cory J. Anderson, Ruben Barkley Jr., Brandon Batts Dominique Beaumonte, Keith Bishop, Bobby Clark, William Coyle Tony Craddock Jr., Rufus Credle, Milton C. Davis, Delores Diggs, Adrian Escalante Michael Feeney, Audwin B. Fletcher, James Ford II, Carla Gaskins, Jared R. Gilmore Ray Gittens, Henry Goodgame Jr., Reynaldo P. Green, Hill Harper, Billy J. Hill Damon “Dee” Horn, James “Jimmy” Huger, Richard T. James Jr., Michael Jenkins David M. Johnson, Harry E. Johnson, Sr., Jabari Jones, Charles King, Antwan Lofton Dale Long, Darryl R. Matthews Sr., Terence McPherson, Bernice Meadows Ryan E. Middleton, Henry Ponder, Oz Roberts, Said Sewell, John C. Shelby Derrick L. Sibert, Robbie Stokes, Ozell Sutton, Charles C. Teamer Sr. Orlando Thomas, Sherelle S. Torrence, Adrian L. Wallace, Charles M. Washington James R. Williams, Gerald Yerby

ART DIRECTION THE O’NEAL GROUP Toni O’Neal Mosley Michelle Y. Glennon PHOTOGRAPHERS Alonzo S. Blalock, Rickey Brown, Jarvis Harris Bryan J.A. Kelly, Jeff Lewis, Jason Lewis Philip McCollum, Oz Roberts, Cory Thompson, Jamal Wiggins Christopher Williams, Evelyn Wright, James A. Wright

ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY, INC. Herman “Skip” Mason, Jr., General President William Douglass Lyle, Executive Director James W. Ward, Chairman, Committee on Publications FOUNDERS Henry Arthur Callis, Charles Henry Chapman Eugene Kinckle Jones, George Biddle Kelley Nathaniel Allison Murray, Robert Harold Ogle, Vertner Woodson Tandy The Sphinx Editorial Offices Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. 2313 St. Paul St. • Baltimore, MD 21218-5211 (410) 554-0040 . • (410) 554-0054 FAX . • www.alpha1906.net Advertising and Sales Contact: sphinx@apa1906.net

6 THE SPHINX H Fall 2011

Covering the Big Story and Documenting World History

It’s not everyday

we get to experience and even make history. But that happened in August this year and again in October. The Alpha Phi Alpha dedication of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, in the summer and then the fall, U.S. government dedication were sites to see. For a journalist now heading into his fourth decade of service, this was one of those big stories that only comes once in a lifetime.

Editor’s Desk

In my career, since delivering the Detroit Free Press with my brother John (I was seven, and he was eight at the time) in the early 1970s, I have had my share of “big gets.” I have interviewed and talked with several U.S. presidents, interviewed billionaire business leaders, including Bill Gates and Donald Trump (before he was presidential candidate Trump). I was the last reporter to interview the late civil rights legends Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson and the Rev. Hosea Williams and. On the morning of 9/11, I sat across the desk of former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Andrew Young, talking about how that day would change the world forever. All the big stories are not good stories. There was the ValuJet Flight 592 crash in the Florida Everglades on Mother’s Day weekend of 1996; and then a few months later the bombing during the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Ga. Nevertheless, we do relish in the positive, uplifting news accounts of our lives. I covered Barack Obama’s U.S presidential nomination in Denver, Colo., in 2008, and was in Washington, D.C., on that ice-cold day when he took the oath of office as the first-ever African-American president of the United States, in 2009. I was part of the writing team that brought the world CNN’s coverage of Arab Spring this year, and the rise of democracy in Africa and the Middle East. I now can add covering the dream of building and dedicating a monument to a fraternity brother, who was a peacemaker and leader. We aim to do him, the movement and the idea of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial justice in this commemorative edition of The Sphinx. H

Rick Blalock is a two-time Emmy® winner and editor of The Sphinx. sphinx@apa1906.net

Alpha journalists covering the big story in Washington: Rick Blalock, CNN contributing writer and editor of The Sphinx, and Lionel Moise, news reporter at 11Alive News, NBC’s Atlanta affiliate WXIA-TV.

Fall 2011 H THE SPHINX

NEWS

King Memorial Dedicated in Washington, D.C. Civil Rights Legend Now Among Presidents in Capital

U.S. President Barack Obama speaks at the King Memorial. Photo by Bryan J.A. Kelly.

The first family looks up at the King sculpture.

8 THE SPHINX H Fall 2011

AFTER THE FIRST GO-AROUND in August was hindered by bad weather and a hurricane, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial was finally dedicated by the U.S. government on a bright Sunday morning, Oct. 16, 2011, in Washington, D.C., on the 16th anniversary of the Million Man March. Thousands came from around the world to witness the formal dedication, including a morning of singing and speeches, carried live on C-SPAN and the Internet. King family members, friends and aides provided commentary and reflections on Brother Martin Luther King Jr. and the movement he led in the 1950s and ’60s. The memorial is a reality after more than 30 years of work; and more than $120 million in pledges and funds raised by Alpha Phi Alpha, King’s fraternity. It is the first such memorial in the area of the National Mall to honor an African American. After he and his family looked up at the 30-foot sculpture of Dr. King and toured the memorial plaza grounds, U.S. President Barack Obama joined other dignitaries onstage, adjacent to the memorial, for the conclusion of the dedication ceremonies. Alpha Phi Alpha General President Herman “Skip” Mason, Jr. delivered remarks and asked all members of Alpha Phi Alpha present to stand and be recognized. Remarks were also given by U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar; memorial foundation president and 31st general president of Alpha Harry E. Johnson, Sr.; and Grammy Award winner Aretha Franklin sang a song of tribute. Also onstage were U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden, his wife Dr. Jill Biden; and U.S. first lady Michelle Obama. In the formal address, Mr. Obama noted that King was not always admired as he has become in death. “For every victory, there were setbacks,” said Mr. Obama. “Even after winning the Nobel Peace Prize, Dr. King was vilified by many.” The president also echoed a theme from his own journey to the White House in tying the current generation to that of the Civil Rights era. “Our work is not done. And so on this day, in which we celebrate a man and a movement that did so much for this country, let us draw strength from those earlier struggles,” Obama said. “First and foremost, let us remember that change has never been quick. Change has never been simple, or without controversy.” The ceremony ended as the president and others onstage linked up, as members of the massive audience also locked arms and sang the perennial civil rights anthem “We Shall Overcome.” Earlier in August, Alpha Phi Alpha conducted a private dedication ceremony as part of its official observance of the memorial. (See page 17 for The Sphinx’s special coverage of that weekend and also more photos from the Oct. 16, government dedication). H

NEWS

Alpha Phi Alpha and EPA Create Historic Partnership Will Build Greener, Sustainable Communities ALPHA PHI ALPHA and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are launching an innovative partnership to increase the number of diverse environmental leaders on university and college campuses. The partnership, agreed to in a signing ceremony in Washington in late September, also aims to promote and increase the number of environmental advocates in communities of color impacted by social, economic, and environmental disparities. The Alpha and EPA partnership will educate the fraternity’s college and alumni chapters about environmental justice, climate change, air quality, energy efficiency, clean energy, urban waterways and green jobs. The EPA will provide training materials on environmental issues to the members of Alpha Phi Alpha and use workshops and presentations at local and regional events to raise awareness, train members of the fraternity, and help college and alumni members become leaders who have the skills to address environmental issues that impact underserved and overburdened communities. Alpha will administer the program under the auspices of its Alpha Goes Green Initiative that is working to build healthier, greener, and more sustainable communities through service by its members and local chapters around the world. “Alpha Phi Alpha is known for its strong student and alumni commitment to community service. The Alpha Goes Green Initiative, working with the EPA, provides the structure to educate the next generation of diverse environmental leaders in not only the fraternity, but in the communities we are privileged to serve,” said Sacoby Wilson, chairman of the Alpha Goes Green Committee. Since its creation in 1970, the EPA’s mission has been to protect human health and the environment. The EPA recognizes that to continue to accomplish that mission, it is necessary to have full participation by all citizens in environmental policymaking, problem-solving and sustainable practices. Forty-one years later, the EPA continues that effort to initiate and engage in environmental conversations with organizations willing to work with, and provide service to, disadvantaged communities that may be disproportionately affected by environmental hazards. Alpha has made a commitment to continue to develop tomorrow’s leaders, promote brotherhood and academic excellence, while providing service and advocacy to its communities. In addition, the Alpha Goes Green Initiative has four goals that are very relevant to the work EPA is committed to: 1) create a green presence within the fraternity; 2) capacity-building on green

issues within the organization; 3) build national, regional and local green partnerships; and 4) capacity-building in underserved and disadvantaged communities that the fraternity serves. H

EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Executive Director William Douglass Lyle sign a memorandum of understanding, establishing an historic partnership.

Above: General President Herman “Skip” Mason, Jr. and past general presidents join Toyota and Howard Univerity officials in a treeplanting ceremony, in memory of Brother Martin Luther King Jr., on the campus of Howard University on August 25 in Washington, D.C. Right: Howard University President Sidney A. Ribeau greets the fraternity and welcomes Alpha back to the campus for the signing and treeFall 2011 H THE SPHINX

NEWS

Storied SCLC Founder, Civil Rights Leader Shuttlesworth Dies

In the 1960s, fighting for civil rights, from left: the Reverends Martin Luther King Jr., Fred Shuttlesworth and Ralph D. Abernathy addressing the news media.

IN OCTOBER, the world lost another civil rights giant when the Rev. Fred L. Shuttlesworth died. Shuttlesworth was one of the key leaders of the U.S. Civil Rights Movement, who along with Bro. Martin Luther King Jr., Ralph David Abernathy and Bro. Joseph E. Lowery founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1957. Shuttlesworth was a target of

violent acts and survived beatings and bombings in Alabama a half-century ago as he fought against racial injustice. He died in a Birmingham, Ala., hospital on October 5. He was 89. In 1963, Shuttlesworth organized two weeks of daily demonstrations by black children, students, ministers and others against a rigidly segregated society. It was

that spring that local law enforcement officers, under orders of police commissioner T. Eugene “Bull” Conner, unleashed police dogs and used fire hoses on peaceful demonstrators. The scenes provoked a national outcry and helped spur action that led to passage of the U.S. Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Legendary Law Professor Derrick Bell Dies at 80

Former Harvard Law professor Derrick Bell

10 THE SPHINX H Fall 2011

AMERICA LOST ANOTHER GIANT of the Civil Rights Movement and one of its top legal scholars when Derrick Bell died of cancer in October. Bell was the first tenured black law professor on the Harvard University faculty. He was also one of the first African Americans to be a law school dean at a predominantly white university, at the University of Oregon. But he broke even more ground by his willing to protest and write about inequality and racism—even at his own places of employment. “Despite the presence of several black male professors at Harvard, Bell was not satisfied by

Shuttlesworth was also part of the team that organized the historic marches from Selma to Montgomery, Ala. “Our Alpha brother Martin Luther King Jr. was a great leader because he had great men and women around him. One of those was the Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth,” said Herman “Skip” Mason, Jr., general president of Alpha. “Without his activism in Alabama, there’s no telling what our true American Civil Rights Movement would have looked like.” After the tumultuous years of the Civil Rights Movement, Shuttlesworth moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he pastored a church. He traveled frequently between Ohio and Alabama before returning permanently to Birmingham in 2008 for medical treatment after suffering a stroke. Shuttlesworth is survived by his wife; five sisters; four daughters; a son; a stepdaughter; a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. H

the inclusion of his own kind and he publicly chastised the institution for failing to hire women of color on the faculty,” said Keith Boykin, one of Bell’s former black students who went on to work in the Bill Clinton White House. It was that protest that eventually led to Bell leaving Harvard. In 1990, he took a voluntary leave without pay hoping to force the university’s hand. It did not and he left for good. It would be almost ten years later before the university would hire its first black female, tenured law professor. Bell spent his final teaching years at New York University. His wife, Janet Dewart Bell, said he died of carcinoid cancer. He was 80. H

NEWS

Alpha Brother Prosecutes First Catholic Church Criminal Child Abuse Case FOR YEARS, the Roman Catholic Church has confronted scores of accusations and legal civil claims regarding abuse of children by church clergy. But never before has a church official faced criminal charges. Until now. Philadelphia, Pa., District Attorney Seth Williams, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, is the first prosecutor to formally charge church officials connected to the child-abuse sex scandal. The sordid details and stories from alleged victims have rocked the Catholic Church in both the U.S. and Europe, and have tarnished the papacy of Pope Benedict XVI. Brother Williams’ office formally charged three priests—Edward Avery, 68, Charles Engelhardt, 64, and James Brennan, 47—and Bernard Shero, 48, a Philadelphia parochial school teacher. They are accused of raping and sexually assaulting two young boys over several years, and other crimes. Avery and Engelhardt are charged with assaulting a 10-year-old boy from 1998 to 1999. Shero is charged with assaulting the same boy in 2000. Brennan is accused of ,

assaulting a 14-year-old boy in 1996. A monsignor, William Lynn, 60, the secretary for clergy for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia under retired Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua, has been charged with two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, in connection with the assaults. Prosecutors contend Lynn knew about the abuse and failed to intervene. The charges are the result of a grand jury investigation, which returned indictments in February. In October, the judge hearing the case allowed prosecutors to have their own medical expert evaluate Bevilacqua, to determine if he is fit to testify. Prosecutors want to call him to the stand, but church lawyers say the former archbishop suffers from cancer and dementia. For Williams, a rising star in Philadelphia political circles, the case is bittersweet. He is Catholic and must prosecute the leaders of his own faith. “I love my church, but I detest the criminal behavior of priests who abuse or allow the abuse of children,” Williams told reporters. “I know ultimately they will be judged by a higher

Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams speaks to the news media.

authority. For now, it is my responsibility as the elected district attorney of all the citizens of Philadelphia to hold them accountable.” “The grand jury believed that many priests—dozens of them—have remained in ministry despite solid, credible allegations of abuse. It is time for the church to remove all credibly accused priests from ministry, and to put protection of children ahead of protection from scandal,” Williams said. Attorneys for the defendants in the case deny the allegations. If convicted on all charges, the district attorney’s office says the priests and teacher each face a maximum of 67 years in prison,

Delta Names Airplane for Civil Rights Legend Joseph E. Lowery

The Rev. Brother Joseph E. Lowery with his wife Evelyn (front left), family members and Delta Air Lines officials, pose in front of the new “Lowery 757” jet in Atlanta, Ga.

KNOWN AS the “dean” of the American Civil Rights Movement, Alpha brother the Rev. Joseph E. Lowery was recently honored when Delta Air Lines named one of its jets for him. More than 300 people cheered as a cover was raised from a Boeing 757-200, revealing a facsimile of Lowery’s signature under the pilot’s window. “We at Delta Air Lines, for 80 years, have been of the belief that to be the world’s best airline, it is about people and not just planes,” said Tim Mapes, a Delta senior vice president. “We have a rare opportunity to celebrate both people and planes, and one who is truly a living legend among us.” Lowery covered his face in surprise as he realized the reason for the celebration. His family had told him he was visiting Delta’s corporate offices near HartsfieldJackson Atlanta International Airport to attend another event. “Where am I going to keep this thing?” Lowery joked. “It won’t fit in my garage, I know that. I’m speechless. I had no idea. Thank you so very much.” The crowd concluded the program with the singing of ‘Happy Birthday’ to Lowery, who turned 90 on Oct. 6, 2011. H Fall 2011 H THE SPHINX

NEWS

“Mother” of Alpha Phi Alpha Gets New

Grave Marker

ANNIE C. SINGLETON, the mother of Alpha Phi Alpha, was honored in a solemn ceremony at her gravesite Nov. 16, at the Forest Lawn Cemetery and Garden Mausoleums in Buffalo, N.Y. Brothers from around the country came to dedicate a new headstone for her grave, which now includes her historic title as the “mother” of the fraternity. Attending, to help rededicate her memory, were Brothers Christopher Alexander, Eastern Region assistant vice president, who presided over the ceremony; Dane Burke, president of Rho Lambda Chapter in Buffalo, N.Y.; Raymond Dalton, historian for the New York Association of Chapters of Alpha; Lucien Metellus, New York district director; Sean McCaskill, Eastern Region vice resident; Herman “Skip” Mason, Jr., general president of the fraternity; and attorney Anthony “Tony” Haywood, the great-nephew of Singleton and the grandson of 19th General President Myles A. Paige. H

Remarks of Julian Anthony “Tony” Haywood on the Dedication of the New Grave Marker of Annie C. Singleton November 16, 2011 • Buffalo, New York “PRESIDENT MASON, Mayor Brown, and distinguished brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.: It is my honor to convey the sincere greetings, blessings and appreciation of the descendants of the late honorable Myles A. Paige—my maternal grandfather, the nephew of Annie C. Singleton, and your 19th general president. They are my mother, Virginia Elizabeth Paige Haywood, my aunt, Barbara Paige Randall, my first cousin Karen Randall, and her children, my grandfather’s great-grandchildren Randall Scott Hines and Paige Hines. I also convey greetings from my cousin The 19th general president Honorable James Shaw, the nephew of Myles Paige, and Myles A.Paige with greatgrandson Julian Anthony great nephew of Annie Singleton. Haywood, c. 1967. I never had the opportunity to meet the woman my grandfather called “Aunt Anna,” and [who] the brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha know affectionately as “Mother of Alpha” for the role she played in supporting the efforts of the Seven Jewels in bringing the fraternity to life. She was the younger sister of my great-grandmother Laura Coleman Paige. Their mother Sidney was a so-called “free person of color,” an indentured servant of Native-American ancestry before the Emancipation, who had six children. Like my grandfather and his parents, Myles and Laura, Anna Coleman was born in Alabama. She attended school in North Carolina and became a nurse. She lived and worked in Ithaca, of course, and later Ohio and Buffalo. By all accounts, she was a woman of strong will, generous and caring, but no wilting flower. As my cousin James Shaw recalls, “she would not hesitate to tell people off.” In her later years, she was looked after by her niece, my grandfather’s sister, Ruth Paige Hall. Knowing how much my grandfather loved his Aunt Anna, and how deeply devoted he was to his beloved Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, I am supremely confident that Myles A. Paige would be very gratified by the abiding affection Alpha shows for Annie Singleton, including through today’s dedication of a new grave marker bearing her designation as the “Mother” of Alpha Phi Alpha. If indeed he is looking down on us today, I am certain that my grandfather is smiling broadly and that brings his descendants great satisfaction and joy. Thank you for the opportunity to deliver these remarks and to be with you today.

Brothers and guests at the dedication of the new headstone for Annie C. Singleton in Buffalo, N.Y.

12 THE SPHINX H Fall 2011

The “Mother” of the Fraternity Mrs. Annie Singleton

“Alpha Phi Alpha today represents

By Herman “Skip” Mason, Jr.

magnificent dream that moved the

the triumphant fruition of the Seven Jewels to assemble in my

THE HOME OF Mr. Archie Singleton and his wife, the affable Annie C. Singleton, was located at the foot of the hill of the Cornell University campus in Ithaca, N.Y. It was in their home at 411 East State Street, in an upper bedroom, which they rented out to a young student from Washington, D.C., named Robert Harold Ogle. She was born Annie Nixon in 1874, in Alabama. Her father was from one of the parishes in Louisiana and her mother was a South Carolinian. By the turn of the century, Archie and Annie, who married in 1904, relocated to the township of Ithaca from South Carolina. Their home on East State Street was in a racially mixed neighborhood, where they were one of two African-American families residing on the street. Mrs. Singleton worked as a domestic nurse in the home of one of the white families in Ithaca. She and Archie had a daughter named Annie and a nephew, Albert Nixon, who also lived with them. Archie Singleton had two sons by his first wife. In 1939, at the Alpha Phi Alpha General Convention in New York, during the New York World’s Fair, the fraternity invited Mrs. Annie Singleton as its special guest. General President Charles H. Wesley, who realized that many of the brothers had not seen this grand lady, introduced her to the brotherhood. It was at this convention that the title “mother” was endeared to the brotherhood and she was officially designated the “Mother of Alpha Phi Alpha.” “Mother” Singleton later moved from Ithaca to Toledo, Ohio, during the 1940s and then returned to Buffalo, N.Y., where she lived with relatives until her death on July 25, 1960. At the 50th Anniversary Convention in Buffalo, she was honored again by the brotherhood. Four years later, at the 54th Anniversary Convention in Washington, D.C., General President Myles Paige, on behalf of the fraternity, deposited a yellow rose in memory of Mrs. Annie C. Singleton— the beloved “Mother” of the fraternity and his aunt. This story originally appeared in the spring 1999 issue of the The Sphinx.

humble home many, many years ago, and I [am] extremely happy that I was able, in a very small way, to stimulate the realization of this dream through the trials and The Ithaca, N.Y., home of Annie C. Singleton on East State Street.

tribulations of the early years.” –Annie Singleton, 1931

Singleton (left) with 19th General President Myles A. Paige and Jewel Nathaniel Allison Murray, at right, in 1956.

Singleton (center) with 16th General President Belford V. Lawson (left), and future U.S. Senator, Brother Edward Brooke.

“Mother” Annie C. Singleton in her early-adult years, then known as Anna Coleman.

Archie and Annie Singleton with daughter Mary. Fall 2011 H THE SPHINX

NEWS

Across the A PHI A Nation Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Weekend of Events

Sept. 19-21, 2011, Washington, D.C. Alpha brothers join Alpha Congressional members along with former Sen. Paul Sarbanes (fourth from left) and former Ambassador Connie Morella (center) at the Alpha Congressional Black Caucus dinner, hosted by ExxonMobil.

Presidents and representatives of the Divine Nine, following the 2nd Annual National Pan-Hellenic Council Forum in the Cannon House Office Building. The forum was hosted by Congresswoman Marcia Fudge of Ohio and moderated by CNN political analyst Brother Roland Martin (center).

Honorees at the Alpha Phi Alpha 2nd Annual CBC Dinner included, from left: former Sen. Paul Sarbanes, of Maryland; U.S. Rep. John Conyers, founding member of the CBC of Detroit; CBC founding member and U.S. Rep. Brother Charles Rangel of New York; and Vivian Pickard, president of the General Motors Foundation, shown with, from left, General President Herman â&#x20AC;&#x153;Skipâ&#x20AC;?Mason, Jr., MLK Memorial Foundation CEO Harry E. Johnson, Sr., and U.S. Rep. Brother Hansen Clarke of Michigan.

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NEWS

National Pan-Hellenic Council Supports UNCF’s An Evening of Stars

The Divine Nine Council of Presidents appears during the taping of UNCF’s An Evening of Stars in Pasadena, Calif., in August.

The National Pan-Hellenic Council of Presidents join UNCF president Brother Michael Lomax at the ceremonial signing of a memorandum of understanding between the two groups. The partnership between the COP and UNCF will work to solicit and raise funds for scholarships and to support the educational pursuit of its collegiate members.

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Celebrates 100 Years of Service at August Convention

Left: General President Herman “Skip” Mason, Jr. greets Omega Psi Phi Fraternity’s Grand Basileus Andrew Ray and addresses the convention.

Above: Thousands came to Washington, D.C., for the centennial celebration of Omega Psi Phi.

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NEWS

Across the A PHI A Nation Brothers Honor Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity at Centennial Conclave

From left, General President Herman “Skip” Mason, Jr. and wife Harmel greet outgoing Kappa Grand Polemarch Dwayne Murray and wife Lisa at the Kappas’ Centennial Conclave.

Brothers from Iota Lambda Chapter in Indianapolis, Ind., host the delegation of brothers attending the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Centennial Conclave, in July.

General President Herman “Skip” Mason, Jr. (left) and Alpha Executive Director William Douglass Lyle (right) present check to Kappa brothers for the St. Jude Children’s Hospital and the Piney Grove School. Kappa Grand Polemarch DeWayne Murray (center) accepts.

Alpha University visits the Fraternity Headquarters: In June, members of the Xi Class of Alpha University visit the Alphi Phi Alpha corporate headquarters in Baltimore, Md., as a part of its annual rites of passage during the intense week of classes, lectures and tours.

Alpha Phi Alpha honors King Memorial staff. Sept. 18, 2011, General President Herman “Skip” Mason, Jr., presents Presidential Citations to staff members for their hard work.

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Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial SPECIAL REPORT PHOTOGRAPHY BY RICKEY BROWN, BRYAN J.A. KELLY, JASON LEWIS, JEFF LEWIS AND JAMAL WIGGINS

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SPECIAL REPORT

After more than three decades of dreaming, hoping, praying, fundraising, working and persuading, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity members joined the world community to honor an American King, who now sits among presidents. And together they were able to pronounce

It is done

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MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL

he Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial on the National Mall, at the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C., sits as a living testament of the work of a preacher from Atlanta, Ga. A man who was small in frame, yet tall in stature; a Morehouse College and Boston University graduate who became one of world’s most influential and significant figures of all time. In this SPECIAL REPORT on the following pages, we relive part of the celebration of the dedication of the King Memorial. Though a storm named Irene came and interrupted the plans of the U.S. government’s formal dedication, Alpha Phi Alpha held its

ceremony on August 26, 2011, to much international acclaim. As seen in this historic photograph by renowned photographer Jeff Lewis, thousands of people made the trek to the U.S. capital. Coming to the King Memorial was not a destination, not an end of the road—it was a beginning of a journey. It is a worldwide journey to rekindle individual and collective enthusiasm for justice, equality, peace and freedom— for all people, despite their race, color, creed, religion, sex and sexual orientation. Read on! —Rick Blalock

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The Birth of Construction-crew members work on the King Memorial in December 2010. Photo by William Coyle.

By Robert L. Harris Jr.

n idea initially proposed by five members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (George Sealy, Alfred Bailey, John Harvey, Oscar Little and Eddie Madison) in 1983 has blossomed into an unprecedented achievement, a monument on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., an area preserved for honoring U.S. presidents and for remembering war veterans. Now a man of peace, a symbol of hope and first African American stands tall in the pantheon of U.S. heroes.

IN THE BEGINNING Soon after the assassination of Brother Martin Luther King Jr., members of the U.S. Congress, including Representatives John Conyers, D-Mich., and Shirley Chisholm, D-N.Y., in the House, and Sen. Brother Edward W. Brooke, R-Mass., in the upper chamber, introduced legislation to establish a national holiday in honor of Dr. King. After 15 years of struggle, President Ronald Reagan, on Nov. 2, 1983, signed legislation creating the King federal holiday.

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Alpha Brother George Sealy and his wife Pauline were in their kitchen, watching the ceremony from the White House and began talking about the need for a memorial to King. They believed that a memorial in the nation’s capital was needed so that the millions of visitors, especially school children, would remember him and his accomplishments to change America— and to inspire the nation to live up to its creed of freedom, justice and equality, and to stand as an example to the world. Sealy discussed the idea with fellow Alpha Brothers Alfred Bailey, John Harvey, Oscar Little and Eddie Madison. They determined that Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, in which King was initiated on Jan. 22, 1952, while a graduate student at Boston University in Massachusetts, was the organization with the capacity, commitment and contacts to carry out such a huge undertaking. In 1984, they presented the idea to the fraternity’s board of directors, then under the leadership of 26th General President Ozell Sutton. By 1985, the idea gained the approval of the fraternity’s supreme governing body, the General Convention.

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL

From left: Brothers Oscar Little, George Sealy, Alfred Bailey and Eddie Madison

TAKING THE CASE TO THE HILL To build such a memorial in Washington required federal legislation passed by Congress and signed into law by the president. For 11 years, under the administrations of General Presidents Charles C. Teamer Sr., Henry Ponder and Milton C. Davis, the fraternity lobbied Congress for authorization to raise the necessary funds and to build a memorial to Dr. King in the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s capital. At regional and national conventions, brothers generously contributed seed money to move the project forward. Brothers Bailey and Sealy used political connections to garner bipartisan support in Congress. Brother Julian C. Dixon, a Democratic congressman from California, led the fight in on Capitol Hill. Joining the fight was Republican House Member Constance A. Morella from Maryland. In the U.S. Senate, Maryland

Architects. Together they pushed for congressional designation of Area I as the location for the memorial. On July 16, 1998, Congress approved Public Law 105-201, granting permission to build the memorial in Area I, the most prestigious area on the National Mall. This by no means was an easy feat. Brothers Carter and Jackson, on several occasions were told the fraternity should settle for less prestigious sites, but their persistence paid off as they successfully persuaded the authorizing agencies to approve the Tidal Basin site in West Potomac Park, on which the memorial now stands.

30th General President Adrian Wallace and then U.S. Sen. John Warner, R-Va., (center) and others at the site-dedication.

a Memorial

Democratic Sen. Paul S. Sarbanes and Republican Sen. John Warner of Virginia pushed the legislation to build a memorial, but without specifying its location. On Nov. 12, 1996, President Bill Clinton signed the legislation into law and informed 29th General President Milton C. Davis of the authorization for Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, to raise funds and to manage the process for building a memorial.

THE BUREAURACY OF WASHINGTON Now that the legislation was in place, the work of site selection, design and obtaining approval by the National Park Service, the Capital Memorial Commission, the National Capital Planning Commission and the Commission on Fine Arts, as well as fundraising, began. By now, Alpha Phi Alphaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 30th General President Adrian L. Wallace had taken office and was at the helm. He put in place a project team led by two Alpha men: John Carter, a retired executive at BellSouth in Atlanta, Ga., and Ed Jackson Jr., an architect and director of research for the American Institute of

Above: The original rendering of the King memorial. Left: Officials unveil the marker noting the site selection of the King Memorial in 1999. Fall 2011 H THE SPHINX

SPECIAL REPORT

RAISING THE MONEY TO RAISE A KING General President Wallace rallied the brotherhood to support this immense undertaking. He cautioned the members that “failure is not an option.” The Internal Fundraising Committee headed by Brother Melvin White, an attorney, set goals for brothers, chapters and the fraternity’s five regions. 25th General President James R. Williams led the way with an initial $15,000 contribution from Eta Tau Lambda Chapter in Akron, Ohio, which by 2000 had contributed $100,000 to the project. Brother Jackson coordinated the design competition with an international panel of experts that reviewed some 900 entries from around the world before selecting the Roma Design Group of San Francisco, Calif. The winning design was unveiled on Sept.13, 2000, at a gala in Washington, D.C. Coretta Scott King, Brother King’s widow, was keynote speaker at the event and expressed her pleasure with the project and the design. “I thank my husband’s fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha, which led the 15-year effort to bring this memorial to this point,” said King, who died in January 2006. The Tommy Hilfiger Foundation, headed by Brother Guy Vickers, with the support of fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger and CEO Joel Horowitz, sponsored the design’s unveiling. The General Motors Foundation, headed by Brother Roderick Gillum, became a major sponsor of the memorial. Brother Richard W. Marshall, also of GM, became the chief financial officer of the Washington, D.C. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation. On Dec. 4, 2000, the 94th anniversary of the founding of Alpha Phi Alpha, General President Wallace placed a plaque on the site where the memorial would be built.

Brother Harold Navy, (center), one of the original founders of the King Memorial, is awarded the Alpha Award of Merit by 31st President Harry E. Johnson, Jr. (left) and General President Herman “Skip” Mason, Jr.

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U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, at podium, signs off on permit to build memorial, on Oct. 29, 2009, as Alpha 31st General President and King Foundation CEO Harry E. Johnson, Sr. looks on.

TAKING MLK TO THE PUBLIC 31st General President Harry E. Johnson, Sr., who would later become the president and CEO of the memorial project foundation, moved the project from the internal fundraising phase to the public phase. There was still work to be done within Alpha, however. So Brother Johnson appointed Brother Frank Russell Jr. chairman of the Internal Fundraising Committee. His charge was to show the nation that Alpha Phi Alpha leads by example, and would lead the effort to raise private individual dollars. In the meantime, Johnson organized the office in Washington, D.C., and brought together celebrity, corporate, foundation and political support to raise $100 million to build the memorial, a figure later revised to $120 million because of National Park Service requirements. By the time 32nd General President Darryl R. Mathews, Sr. took office, the memorial was all but certain. Matthews made completion of the memorial a centerpiece of the centennial celebration of the fraternity in 2006, by highlighting it at the centennial convention in Washington, D.C.—even holding a program during the convention at the site of the memorial to remind the brothers of the urgency to complete the project. On Nov. 13, 2006, Matthews presided over a star-studded groundbreaking ceremony attended by, among others, then U.S. President George W. Bush, former President Bill Clinton and a host of civil rights luminaries, including former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Andrew Young, an Alpha brother and U.S. Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., both lieutenants of Dr. King during the Civil Rights Movement. After $110 million raised, the long ago dream, that started at a kitchen table in Silver Spring, Md., became reality in August 2011. That is when Alpha Phi Alpha 33rd General President

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL

Herman “Skip” Mason, Jr., led thousands of Alpha men to the site of the memorial for the official fraternity dedication. A hurricane caused a delay in the official government dedication, which was moved to Oct. 16. On that day the men of Alpha Phi Alpha and thousands of citizens and world visitors came back to the National Mall as President Barack Obama, his wife Michelle, Vice President Joseph Biden and his wife Jill, the Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and Brother Harry E. Johnson, Sr. and Brother Mason led the U.S. dedication ceremony. As noted in her remarks at the beginning of the October dedication, Christine King Farris, Dr. King’s older sister, said Alpha was the reason the memorial got built. Truly, King’s brothers were the initiators, the catalyst, the driving force to preserve the legacy and memory of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a citizen of the world, who belongs to the ages and whose example and accomplishments will inspire generations to come. H Robert L. Harris, Ph.D., is a professor of history at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., and the historian of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.

Crews survey the 30-foot masterpiece.

Sculptor Lei Yixin finishes work on the memorial in June 2011. Fall 2011 H THE SPHINX

SPECIAL REPORT

INTERNATIONAL SALUTE GALA This formal dinner gala kicked off the five days of dedication events that were planned for August and commemorated the men and women who continue to pursue the dream of global peace and social equality—a goal championed by Brother King, in his universal message of justice, hope, democracy and love.

Bro. Frank Russell, chairman of the fraternity’s fundraising effort, shares a laugh with General President Herman “Skip” Mason, Jr.

Former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright addresses the crowd.

NBC News’ Andrea Mitchell serves as program emcee.

Brother Guy Vickers, vice chairman of the memorial foudation board and president of The Tommy Hilfiger Corporate Foundation.

The Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. (center), makes a point with Alpha General President Herman “Skip” Mason, Jr. (left), and memorial foundation CEO Harry E. Johnson, Sr. (right)

Saluted on stage, from left: Harry E. Johnson, Sr., president and CEO of the memorial foundation; Ed Jackson, memorial architect; Herman “Skip” Mason, Jr., Alpha general president; Christine King Farris, Brother King’s sister; Lei Yixin, memorial sculptor; Madeleine Albright, former U.S. secretary of state; and King’s children Bernice King and Martin Luther King III.

24 THE SPHINX H Fall 2011

Grammy Award-winning artist Stevie Wonder performs.

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL

REFLECTIONS OF

James R. Williams, 25th General President

Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial: Nonviolence is the Answer

hen considering the question of the significance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial on the National Mall, one has to only analyze Martin Luther King Jr.’s and President Barack Obama’s remarks when they received the Nobel Peace Prize. They both agonized over whether they deserved the award. King’s remarks were an overview of his efforts in leading the nonviolent struggle. He stated: “After contemplation, I conclude that this award, which I receive on behalf of that movement, is a profound recognition that nonviolence is the answer to the crucial political and moral question of our time—the need for man to overcome oppression and violence without resorting to violence and oppression.” Mr. Obama, in accepting the award, demonstrated how future leaders could be affected by the presence of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial. In reference to King, the president stated: “I make this statement, mindful of what Martin Luther King Jr. said in this same ceremony years ago: ‘Violence never brings permanent peace. It solves no social problem: it merely creates new and more complicated ones.’ As someone who stands here as a direct consequence of Dr. King’s life work, I am living testimony to the moral force of nonviolence. I know there’s nothing weak—nothing passive, nothing naïve—in the creed and lives of Gandhi and King.” The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial belongs on the National Mall. It provides balance to the war memorials, alongside the memorials to George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

25th General President James R. Williams Inset: with Coretta Scott King at the 1977 General Convention in Atlanta, Ga.

I can still hear Brother King’s words of hope: “I have the audacity to believe that peoples everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds, and dignity, equality and freedom for their spirits. I believe that what self-centered men have torn down, men other-centered can build up. I still believe that one day mankind will bow before the altars of god and be crowned triumphant over war and bloodshed, and nonviolent redemptive good will proclaim the rule of the land. ‘And the lion and the lamb shall lie down together and every man shall sit under his own vine and fig tree, and none shall be afraid.’ I still believe that we shall overcome!” H

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SPECIAL REPORT

CIVIL RIGHTS PIONEERS’ LUNCHEON

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder addresses the crowd.

Brother Andrew Young, former U.S. ambassador to the U.N., and Brother Roland Martin, CNN political analyst, visit during luncheon.

While Brother King was arguably one of the most influential figures to emerge from the Civil Rights Movement, he was not alone. This luncheon, held Thursday, Aug. 25, honored those who dared to stand with King, those who dare to stand for the dream today, and those who dare future generations to continue to stand for social justice and equality.

Brothers attend the luncheon, from left: General Treasurer Hyacinth C. Ahuruonye; Western Regional Assistant Vice President Cameron Henry and Vice President Aaron Crutison; and Midwestern Regional Vice President Elgie Sims.

DEDICATION WEEKEND REGISTRATION

Brothers line up to receive their tickets and souvenirs at the historic Mayflower Hotel.

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General President Herman “Skip” Mason, Jr. greets Brother Andre Moss of Nassau, Bahamas.

Brother Marques Wilkes (standing) assists a brother at the registration table.

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL

ALPHA PAYS RESPECT AT ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

In Arlington, Va., brothers place a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns, as part of the King memorial dedication activities.

Alpha brothers pause at the eternal flame at the gravesite of U.S. President John F. Kennedy.

Members of the board of directors visit Arlington National Cemetery, under the guidance of the Kelley/Tandy Military Committee.

Assistant vice presidents visit the gravesite of Supreme Court Associate Justice Brother Thurgood Marshall.

White headstones mark graves at Arlington National Cemetery.

A wreath at the final resting place of Alpha Phi Alpha Sixth General President Howard Hale Long.â&#x20AC;? Fall 2011 H THE SPHINX

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WOMEN WHO DARE TO DREAM LUNCHEON

Equally as important as their male counterparts, the women of the Civil Rights Movement have earned the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s respect and esteem. At this Martin Luther King Jr.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sister Christine King Farris gets a hug from luncheon, held at the her niece, the Rev. Bernice King. Washington Convention Center, guests and the memorial foundation honored the women whose legacy of strength and dignity continues to inspire hope.

Grammy Award-winning singer India.Arie and singer Ledisi perform.

Poet Maya Angelou addresses the crowd.

Myrlie Evers-Williams, widow of Medgar Evers, and past chairperson of the NAACP, speaks to the crowd.

SCLC member and longtime aide to Martin Luther King Jr., Xernona Clayton speaks.

Layla Hathaway, a daughter of an Alpha, sings

Addressing the Dare to Dream Luncheon, from top to bottom, left to right: Christine King Farris, sister of Martin Luther King Jr.; Alexis Herman, former U.S. labor secretary; Deborah Lee, CEO of BET Networks; Dolores C. Huerta, co-founder of the United Farm Workers of America; U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings of Maryland; Victoria Rowell, actress; Lisa Jackson, administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; and Daphne Maxwell Reid, actress.

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MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL

REFLECTIONS OF

Ozell Sutton, 26th General President

he campaign to build a monument on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., was the latest effort of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, the oldest African-American fraternity, to establish a history of the struggle to free a people. Not just any ordinary people, but a people who descended from slavery. And, in that history of the struggle included the fight to give a people a culture and education, a sense of justice and a financial standard that made African Americans equal to others in America and around the world. The memorial effort was not too different in meaning from some of our earlier initiatives to impact the country. It started with the campaign called “A Voteless People is a Hopeless People.” Another early national thrust of Alpha was our “Go to High School, Go to College” mantra, designed to influence African-American children to make education important in their lives. Chapters all over the nation organized such programs. The push for desegregation became a national effort for chapters across the land. “A Voteless People is a Hopeless People” continued as a national program through voter-registration campaigns and ultimately the passage of the Voting Rights Act in 1965. Alpha was a strong component of the Civil Rights Movement. The fraternity’s presence grew as the battle for civil rights gained greater momentum. The fraternity also proved to be a leader in other pursuits well into the 1970s, including being an outstanding leader in the establishment of the Center for Missing and Exploited Children. In support of the Civil Rights Act, the fraternity launched a million-dollar campaign in financial support of the National Urban League and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. And, in1984, during my administration, as 26th general president of Alpha Phi Alpha, the effort to build a monument on the National Mall in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. began. H

26th General President Ozell Sutton

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SPECIAL REPORT

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MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL

PRIVATE DEDICATION CEREMONY The Private Dedication Ceremony brought together thousands of Alpha brothers, their friends, family members and guests. The official U.S. government dedication was postponed due to weather, and held in October. The Alpha program, however, went off without a hitch on Friday, Aug. 26, 2011, with key speakers including every living general president, King family members and dignitaries. The pinnacle was the march to the monument and the taking of the historic photo that graces the cover of this issue of The Sphinx.

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SPECIAL REPORT

PRIVATE DEDICATION CEREMONY

Members of the King family, civil rights leaders and Alphas enter the King Memorial plaza.

National presidents from some of the Divine Nine black Greek organizations at the dedication, from left: William “Randy” Bates, of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity; Cynthia Butler-McIntyre, of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority; Joann Loveless, of Sigma Gamma Brothers carry the fraternity flags into the memorial plaza. Rho Sorority; Carolyn House Stewart, of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority; Jimmy Hammock, of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity; and Andrew Ray, of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.

32 THE SPHINX H Fall 2011

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL

PRIVATE DEDICATION CEREMONY

Brother Don Weston, co-chair of the MLK Memorial Dedication program, opens the ceremony.

Speakers at the MLK Memorial Dedication program included from left: The Rev. Brother Joseph E. Lowery; Brother Martin Luther King III and Bernice King.

Alpha brothers come from all over the world for the momentus event.

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SPECIAL REPORT

PRIVATE DEDICATION CEREMONY

Brother Ola Aluko from Miami, Fla., enjoys the celebration.

Brother Julian Wilson, grandson of Jewel Robert Harold Ogle takes in the dedication.

The Rev. John G. Moore energizes crowd with his reenactment of the “I have a Dream” speech.

Alpha General President Herman “Skip” Mason, Jr. (right), and memorial foundation president and CEO and Alpha 31st General President Harry E. Johnson, Sr.

Connie Morella, former U.S. ambassador to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development and King Memorial architect Brother Ed Jackson enjoy the ceremony.

Alpha Phi Alpha’s assistant vice presidents (holding hats) join the crowd in a solemn moment. At far left is Brother Maurice Jenkins, general chairman of the MLK Dedication Weekend.

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Members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority enjoy the moment.

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL

PRIVATE DEDICATION CEREMONY

Women pause for a historic photo at the memorial. Fall 2011 H THE SPHINX

SPECIAL REPORT

PRIVATE DEDICATION CEREMONY

Civil rights icon the Rev. Brother C.T. Vivian (right) and his son Brother Al Vivian (left) share a laugh with Brother Jack Thomas (center), president of Western Illinois University, at the ceremony.

Brother James Ford II, of Omicron Mu Lambda Chapter in Marietta, Ga., and future Alpha man James Ford III take in the dedication ceremony.

REMEMBERING KINGâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S LOOK DURING THE MOVEMENT

Martin Luther King Jr. was known not only for his oratory and the marches he led, but by the attire he and his followers wore during the movement. From his favorite tie, pocket square, the straw hats he wore, and even the Hawaiian leis worn during the march in Selma, Ala., Alpha brothers proudly replicated his look during the private dedication of the King Memorial.

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MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL

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MESSAGE IN THE MUSIC CIVIL RIGHTS CONCERT

Various artists joined the celebration in the Washington Convention Center and performed the legendary songs of the Civil Rights Movementâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;music that inspired hope, strength and change.

The crowd shows its approval.

Grammy Award-winning singer Patti LaBelle headlines the concert.

Eddie Levert thrills the audience.

The group Naturally 7 rock the house.

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Nolan Williams Jr. and the Voices of Inspiration perform.

The Impressions perform.

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL

REFLECTIONS OF

Charles C. Teamer, Sr., 27th General President

n Aug. 28, 1963, I was privileged to have the opportunity to participate in the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. I stood with more than 250,000 people on the National Mall spellbound by the words of our fraternity brother, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Brother King spoke of his dream that his children would one day live in a nation where they would “not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” He galvanized a nation that day and lit the spark that led to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. On Aug. 27, 1988, I joined hundreds of brothers for the second march on Washington commemorating the twentyfifth anniversary of the 1963 event. The men of Alpha Phi Alpha rose to the occasion and played an integral part in the planning process for the march. During our planning effort we discussed several ideas for honoring Brother King, including a national memorial in Washington, D.C. The first action by Alpha Phi Alpha to support a monument took place at the 1984 General Convention in Cleveland, Ohio. Then, the following year, during my first year as 27th general president, the fraternity reaffirmed its support for a monument at the 1985 General Convention in Atlanta, Ga. The Atlanta convention was historic because the members of the fraternity, inspired by the teachings of Brother King, also voted to support the struggle for equality taking place in South Africa. In 1986, the men of Alpha launched a blitz on Capitol Hill to urge members of Congress to support efforts to end the practice of apartheid in South Africa; and at our General Convention that year

27th General President Charles C. Teamer, Sr.

there, I issued a formal statement, in support of a national monument in honor of Brother King, stating: “As we come together in this anniversary year, we lend our support to the effort to erect a statue here in the nation’s capital in honor of our beloved Brother Martin Luther King Jr. This is an Alpha-inspired project, designed to gain support from all segments of American society…” The 1986 convention records reflect that $6,000 was collected in support of the monument, and formal committees were established to support future fundraising efforts. At the 1988 General Convention in Kansas City, Mo., Brother George Sealy reported that Congress was debating legislation to authorize Alpha Phi Alpha to establish a monument on federal land in the District of Columbia. The sponsors of the legislation were Sen. Paul Sarbanes and D.C. Congressional Delegate Walter Fauntroy. During the convention the General Treasurer James Trent reported that there was a balance of $12,000 in the memorial fund. The brothers initially anticipated that the monument would cost approximately

$300,000. Twenty-five years later, an unprecedented figure of more than $114 million has been raised for the monument. The annals of history are full of the significant accomplishments and contributions of the sons of Alpha Phi Alpha. Even so, brother King’s achievements have garnered him the title of one of the greatest men of our age. His tremendous legacy has made him a torchbearer for our organization because he embodies the principles and ideals that form the foundation of the house of Alpha. Brother King inspired a nation to dream of a better world. His vision for a free and equal society is now a global standard. In the most tumultuous of times he showed us that progress could only come from the direct confrontation of injustice and inequality. Brother King motivated thousands of men and women to leave the comfort and security of their homes and communities to engage in peaceful protest. In doing so he taught us that the pursuit of justice and equality would require each of us to believe, sacrifice and actively participate in the struggle. In the end, Brother King led us to a better place, where people of every race, color and creed have the opportunity to thrive and prosper. One of the objectives of Alpha Phi Alpha is to “prepare our members for the greatest usefulness in the cause of humanity, freedom and dignity of the human being.” Today, as in years past, the men of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., embrace this charge and move boldly forward, following the example set by our beloved brother Martin Luther King Jr. The dream is alive and the men of Alpha continue to carry the banner of freedom, justice and equality for all. H

Fall 2011 H THE SPHINX

SPECIAL REPORT

40 THE SPHINX H Fall 2011

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL

KING MEMORIAL LUNCHEON The Alpha Phi Alpha King Memorial Luncheon was held on Friday, Aug. 26, 2011, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. With music, song and speeches, the event provided an opportunity for the fraternity to honor those who helped raise the $120 million to build the King Memorial.

Fall 2011 H THE SPHINX

SPECIAL REPORT

ALPHA PHI ALPHA KING MEMORIAL LUNCHEON

Steven Cook (left), Men’s Wearhouse vice president, presents a check to King Memorial Foundation Chairman Rod Gillum (right) and Alpha General President Herman “Skip” Mason, Jr.

MLK Memorial Luncheon emcee Brother Vic Carter (left) applauds Brother Andrew Young, keynote speaker, as General President Herman “Skip” Mason, Jr. looks on.

Members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority offer support to the cause by presenting a check for the King Memorial Foundation..

The Rev. Bro. William Flippin, Alpha chaplain, leads the invocation.

The fraternity’s board of directors salutes brothers (with special medallions) who raised the most dollars within Alpha Phi Alpha, ensuring the King Memorial’s completion.

42 THE SPHINX H Fall 2011

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL

ALPHA PHI ALPHA KING MEMORIAL LUNCHEON

The Alpha Phi Alpha King Memorial Medal. The Alpha Award of Merit recipients are recognized.

King Memorial Foundation Chairman Rod Gillum is honored.

Brother Robert Frankiln delivers the benediction.

The Rev. Brother Wyatt T. Walker, a close confidante of Martin Luther King Jr., acknowledges the applause after being saluted for his lifelong service to civil rights.

King Memorial Foundation Regional Chairs

The Alpha Phi Alpha King Memorial Luncheon Choir and Orchestra perform. Fall 2011 H THE SPHINX

SPECIAL REPORT

REFLECTIONS OF

Henry Ponder, 28th General President

28th General President Henry Ponder

44 THE SPHINX H Fall 2011

uring my presidency of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., we kept the Martin Luther King Jr. memorial idea before the brothers. Time was given for Brothers George Sealey, Alfred Bailey, Oscar Little, Eddie Madison and John Harvey to speak to the brotherhood at each General Convention. These were the brothers who originated the idea of a King memorial in the nation’s capital. These brothers were very passionate and forceful. Without them, the idea of a memorial for Brother King may have met a slow death. To help keep the dream alive, to encourage these brothers, and to keep the importance of a memorial to this deceased and international brother before the Alpha Phi Alpha membership, we dedicated the General Convention Ecumenical Service collections to the effort to build the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial. These were not attention-gathering actions; however, they accomplished their purpose. We desired to keep the idea alive until we could create the momentum to gain congressional approval for the memorial. And, we had to raise a whole lot of money. During the early years, it was important to realize that every little bit helps. During the formative years, we kept our resolve by reminding ourselves of what Victor Hugo wrote: “nothing is more powerful than an idea whose time has come.” We saw our role as keeping the idea of a Martin Luther King Jr. memorial on the National Mall alive until its time came. H

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL

JAZZ MIXER SNAPSHOTS

Top: Brother Dasmyn Grigsby (left) offers a hand of support to retired Executive Secretary James “Jimmy” Huger. Below: Musicians provide a kaleidoscope of sound thoughout the hall.

Kathleen Bertrand sings her soulful melodies.

Fall 2011 H THE SPHINX

SPECIAL REPORT

‘MLK: A MONUMENTAL LIFE’ MUSICAL

Outside the venue, Constitution Hall.

Kenneth Green, producer/director of the musical, acknowledges the audience’s applause.

46 THE SPHINX H Fall 2011

Brother Kobie Smith shares the story of King’s journey to Boston.

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL

‘MLK: A MONUMENTAL LIFE’ MUSICAL

Tony Award- and Grammy Award-winning actress-singer Jennifer Holliday graces the stage.

Legendary actress-singer Della Reese narrates part of the musical.

Members of the Morehouse Glee Club uplift the audience with their vocal performance.

Singer Kenny Lattimore performs. Fall 2011 H THE SPHINX

SPECIAL REPORT

‘MLK: A MONUMENTAL LIFE’ MUSICAL

Mezzo-soprano opera singer Denyce Graves performs.

Actor Brother Clifton Davis portrays the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., with the ensemble.

Actor Terrance Howard and co-stars of the new movie ‘Red Tails’ address the audience. From left: actors David Oyelowo, Nate Parker, Howard and, at right, Cuba Gooding, Jr.

Tony Award-winning actress Actor Chris Rich performs with the ensemble. Phylicia Rashad portrays Coretta Scott King.

Actor Avery Brooks reads King’s Letter from a Birmingham Jail.

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Emmy Award-winning actress Victoria Rowell and actor-author Brother Hill Harper portray young Coretta and Martin Luther King Jr.

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL

‘MLK: A MONUMENTAL LIFE’ MUSICAL

Yanna Crawley leads a rousing gospel number with the musical’s ensemble cast and the Dream Choir (at top, on bridge), directed by Brother Patrick McCoy (rear center).

Onstage, two music legends—Grammy Award-winning singer Nancy Wilson (left) and “Supreme” singer Mary Wilson (right)—share a moment with the audience.

The ensemble does the Lindy Hop and the Swing, two of Brother King’s favorite dances. Fall 2011 H THE SPHINX

SPECIAL REPORT

‘MLK: A MONUMENTAL LIFE’ MUSICAL

Derrick “Fonzworth” Bentley and actor Brother Stu James recount King’s Morehouse College years.

Actor Brother Omari Hardwick onstage.

CNN political commentator Roland Martin sets the stage for the March on Washington segment.

Onstage at the musical, from left: Brother Michael Lomax; actresses Daphne Maxwell Reid, Bern Nadette Stanis and Keshia Knight Pulliam; and actor Brother Tim Reid.

Grammy Award-winning a capella ensemble Sweet Honey In The Rock performs ‘We Are.’

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MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL

‘MLK: A MONUMENTAL LIFE’ MUSICAL

Actress Dawnn Lewis performs.

Songtress Ann Nesby sings ‘Oh How I Love Jesus.’

Actress Sheryl Lee Ralph shares in the litany for the “Four Little Girls.”

Grammy Award winner Lalah Hathaway, daughter of Alpha Brother Donny Hathaway, sings ‘Some Day We’ll All Be Free.’

Four ballet dancers channel the spirit of the “Four Little Girls.” Fall 2011 H THE SPHINX

SPECIAL REPORT

‘MLK: A MONUMENTAL LIFE’ MUSICAL

Right: Actress Jasmine Guy portrays a waitress in the Greensboro Four scene. Far right: Pastor Marvin Winans sings ‘A Sinners Prayer.’

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MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL

‘MLK: A MONUMENTAL LIFE’ MUSICAL Far left: TV’s “House of Payne” actress Cassie Davis performs ‘Oh, Freedom.’ Left: Grammy Award winner Tramaine Hawkins brings down the house with her song ‘Changed.’ Bottom: The ensemble closes out the first act with ‘Guide My Feet While I Run This Race’ and ‘Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around.’

Fall 2011 H THE SPHINX

SPECIAL REPORT

‘MLK: A MONUMENTAL LIFE’ RECEPTION AND AFTERGLOW

Left: the musical’s souvenir program booklet, and an oversized poster of King on cover of Ebony magazine on display. Above: the disc jockey keeps the music playing.

General President Herman “Skip” Mason, Jr., and his wife celebrate with guests at the Afterglow Reception.

U.S. Rep. John Lewis of Georgia, joins with the past and present leaders of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, at the reception.

Members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority enjoy the Afterglow.

Guests dance the night away at the Afterglow.

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MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL

‘MLK: A MONUMENTAL LIFE’ RECEPTION AND AFTERGLOW

Theta Alpha Chapter brothers from Jarvis Christian College, Brodrick Rhodes (left) and Jeffrey Okonye (right) escort Debra Lee (center), CEO of BET Networks, at the Gold Carpet Reception.

Bro. Paul MacFarlane (right) of Kappa Xi Lambda Chapter in New York and Ryan Lowery.

Brother Henry Goodgame (right) of Eta Lambda Chapter in Atlanta with Toni O’Neal Mosley (left), director of art and production of The Sphinx.

Brother Oz Roberts of Columbus, Ga., and wife VJ enjoy the Gold Carpet Reception.

Congressman Brother Bobby Scott of Virginia and guest at the Afterglow.

The planning committee of the ‘MLK: Monumental Life Musical’ poses for the camera. Fall 2011 H THE SPHINX

thanks its sponsors of the ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY, INC.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Dedication Weekend

Todd Corley

Abercrombie & Fitch

Robert R. Hagans, Jr. AARP

Leonard James, III ExxonMobil Corp.

Lamell McMorris

Perennial Strategy Group

JEWEL

ExxonMobil The Stafford Foundation

DOUBLE GOLD

AFLAC Perennial Sports and Entertainment

GOLD

Abercrombie & Fitch AARP Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC

UNITY

Georgia-Pacific, LLC

SILVER

Aetna Broadcast Urban CNN FBI General Motors Liquid Soul Media Lucasfilm Nationwide National Education Association Nielsen United States Marine Corps

C2C PARTNER

Atlanta Braves Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau Anheuser-Busch The Burks Companies of Atlanta Destination DC FNB iCore Networks March of Dimes Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Wearhouse National Library of Medicine PepsiCo The Schott Foundation

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Earl W. Stafford

The Stafford Foundation

Robert Wright AFLAC

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL

REFLECTIONS OF

Milton C. Davis, 29th General President

n Aug. 28, 1963, I was privileged to have the opportunity to participate in the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. We are now all privileged to be in the nation’s capital to taste and feel with all of our senses the great wonder of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial. It was wrought by the vision and hands of human beings who sought, through this stunning memorial, to embed once again within the fabric of America, ethics and morals which make us all transcend basic instincts and seek noble ideals and aims. We are privileged to stand on this most hallowed ground, the pantheon of the nation—the National Mall, where America’s greatest icons, leaders and champions are enshrined and honored. Martin Luther King Jr., the great thinker, preacher, orator and writer knew the power of words to challenge and inspire individuals and society. Words lead to actions, and in King’s case, words provided a pathway to racial reconciliation and the cornerstones for building a more just American society. The journey to a great America with a just society continues today. We look out from the edge of the Tidal Basin and see in close proximity the George Washington Monument, the Thomas Jefferson Memorial and the Abraham Lincoln Memorial. Three symbols of the progression of thought and philosophies which had the greatest impact on the nation’s spirit and

personality. Each of these three memorials stand as a giant pillar upon which the nation was built and now in 2011, we complete the fourth and final pillar of American thought—one which crosses racial lines to speak of the kinship and humanity of all Americans. Here on the last parcel of land on the National Mall upon which a memorial may be built; on this last space on the Tidal Basin within sight of the other giant pillars who fashioned the nation’s conscience and values, we present and dedicate the tribute to the champion and drum major of America’s nonviolent movement for equality and justice. Dr. King led a peaceful movement, the results of which—like the American Revolution and the Civil War—reverberated across the world and changed all of humanity forever. President Lincoln’s likeness, which represents the third pillar, served as the commander in chief during the Civil War. Regardless of the reasons, he had the courage to sign the Emancipation Proclamation freeing the slaves in an effort to maintain the union. Lincoln’s philosophy and courageous acts surely cost him his life in April 1865. Someone thought a bullet could stop the movement set in motion by these presidential acts. Approximately 100 years later, Martin Luther King Jr. served as the moral equivalent of the commander in chief of the Civil Rights Movement. He had the courage to stand forward with nonviolent methods and challenge

29th General President Milton C. Davis

racism, bigotry, hatred and fear. His example inspired and motivated millions of others to do likewise. His courageous acts surely cost him his life in April 1968. Someone thought a bullet could stop the movement set in motion by King’s philosophy and bold actions. It was said of Lincoln when he died: “Now he belongs to the ages.” True words, for generations upon generations have come to this pantheon in remembrance of, and tribute to, him and his philosophy and been inspired to bold actions. Today, we dedicate and add the fourth pillar and say with equal certainty that now, Martin Luther King Jr. “belongs to the ages.” Generations upon generations shall come to this pantheon in remembrance of, and tribute to, him and his philosophy and be inspired to bold actions, too. H

Fall 2011 H THE SPHINX

SPECIAL REPORT

REFLECTIONS OF

Adrian L. Wallace, 30th General President “That this may be a sign among you….and these stones shall be for a memorial” — Joshua 4:6-7

rayerfully and purposely, the name Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial was chosen to distinguish it from the many other programs, activities and efforts underway by others to honor Dr. King. Our chosen name spoke specifically of the location, scope and concept. Hence, the term memorial was prayerfully and purposely chosen. Not the word monument. By our definition and vision, monuments mark points in time; an event, a person and is forever fixed and static in that time. A memorial however is to be experienced. A memorial lives. A memorial transcends time and place. A memorial inspires and affirms. Out of that “mountain of despair,” came this “stone of hope.” A stone made from a multitude of stones that resonate with all of the human spirit yearning to be free. These stones reverberate with the pain, trails and tears of downtrodden humanity. These stones bespeak of the Man, the Movement and the Message. When our children ask (as Joshua said of the children of Israel) “what mean

58 THE SPHINX H Fall 2011

ye by these stones,” tell our young people these stones shall be for a memorial of a more excellent way. Between the years of 1997 and 2000, during my administration, we were blessed to set in place the infrastructure for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Project, which continues to serve its purpose well. In addition, the following are some of the accomplishments: • Created and organized the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Project Team • Obtained passage of Public Law 105-201 (July 16, 1998) to locate the memorial in Area 1 on the National Mall • Established the Washington, D.C. Martin Luther King, Jr. Project Office • Obtained nonprofit status from the Internal Revenue Service for the Washington D.C. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation • Empanelled internationally-renown judges from China, Mexico, India and the United States • Conducted an International Design Competition, with over a 1,000 entrees from over 40 countries • Selected an award-winning design; first place received $20,000

30th General President Adrian L. Wallace

• •

Memorial site formally dedicated on Dec. 4, 2000 More than $15 million raised in cash and pledges

Brother King belongs to the world and now the ages. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, a people’s memorial, a memorial for the ages, which celebrates all that is good and right about humanity, and challenges us individually and collectively to fulfill that potential and make freedom a reality for all. Failure is not an option! H

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL

SATURDAY PRAYER SERVICE

The worshipers inside the basilica.

The MLK Memorial Dedication Choir sings.

Three Alpha ministers at the prayer service, from left: the Rev. Andrew Young, a King aide and former ambassador to the U.N.; the Rev. Herman â&#x20AC;&#x153;Skipâ&#x20AC;? Mason, Jr., general president of Alpha; and the Rev. Otis Moss, Jr., an aide to King and pastor emeritus of Olivet Institutional Baptist Church in Cleveland, Ohio.

The processional of the service.

Martin Luther King Jr. was a leader of a movement, but at his core he was a man of faith and a minister of the gospel. Remembering this, members of Alpha and guests came together in prayer on the Saturday of the dedication weekend. Hundreds listened to the melodious voices of the choir and heard the words of ministers and civic leaders. The event was held in the historic Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

The Rev. Charles G. Adams, senior pastor of Hartford Memorial Baptist Church in Detroit, Mich., speaks.

SPEAKERS AT SERVICE Outside the majestic Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

The Rev. Bernice King

The Rev. Frederick Haynes III

Bro. Harry E. Johnson, Sr.

The Rev. Bro. Joe S. Ratliff

The Rev. Brother Joseph E. Lowery

NAACP Board Chair Roslyn Brock

Fall 2011 H THE SPHINX

SPECIAL REPORT

REFLECTIONS OF

Harry E. Johnson, Sr., 31st General President

31st General President Harry E. Johnson

60 THE SPHINX H Fall 2011

his is the year we finish construction of the first memorial in Washington, D.C., dedicated to a person of color, as well as the only national memorial dedicated to Dr. King’s enduring principles of justice, democracy, hope and love. We were scheduled to open Dr. King’s memorial to the public on Aug. 28, 2011, but a hurricane got in the way. But that didn’t stop us from moving forward. On Oct. 16, all the world took note as the U.S. government formally dedicated the memorial. All of us here at the Washington, D.C. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation, Inc., worked tirelessly to ensure the dedication events were timeless and memorable. Together, with President Obama as our keynote speaker, we stood together on the new memorial’s beautiful grounds, with thousands in the audience on the National Mall, and celebrated this momentous achievement. The King Memorial is envisioned as a quiet and peaceful space. Yet drawing from Dr. King’s speeches and using his own rich language, the King Memorial will almost certainly change the heart of every person who visits. Against the backdrop of the Lincoln Memorial, with stunning views of the Tidal Basin and the Jefferson Memorial, the memorial will be a public sanctuary where future generations of Americans, regardless of race, religion, gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation, can come to honor Dr. King. H

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL

REFLECTIONS OF

Darryl R. Matthews, Sr., 32nd General President

f Brother Martin Luther King Jr. were here—alive, not just in spirit—I wonder what Martin would think. What would he think about what we have become since the days of the Civil Rights Movement that he led? What would Martin think about what we have done with the baton (the legacy) he passed on to us? Can we truly say that we have answered the call to uplift the downtrodden with our time, talent and treasure when there still is clearly an urgent need? What would he think of the high profile, publicity-seeking pretenders who have no plan and no clear objectives other than to extort money from corporate America, delivering no results of real consequence? What would Martin think about the reluctance, or refusal, of our youth to take full advantage of the educational opportunities from which their forbearers were legally excluded? We have young people who are looking for and in desperate need of role models, but instead, they are given the pressures of striving to have more and doing less. In the days before his death, Brother King was wrestling with so many issues. He was concerned that the movement was losing ground. He was concerned because

32nd General President Darryl R. Matthews, Sr.

myriad voices were raising the questions about the method of nonviolence that he practiced. People were upset because it appeared that little progress was being made. And, at the same time, lives were being lost for the sake of an unrealized dream of freedom and equality. It has often been said that God speaks through his people, and one has to believe that on many occasion God sent messages to and through Martin Luther King Jr. In our lifetime, we will likely never

fully know the legacy and the true value of Dr. Marin Luther King Jr. However, as the nation pauses to recognize him, we must believe as Martin King believed— that we people of faith, have been called by a mighty god to continue to do his work. Brother King would want us to expand our focus from civil rights to “silver” rights: to become more financially literate and economically empowered. He would not want us to trade old masters for pagans. Possessions can be taken in the blink of an eye. Many great men and women have gone on before us and not one them sought greatness. But through their tireless works, greatness was earned because they put self last and others first. Henry Ward Beeche said: “Greatness lies not in being strong, but in the right use of strength.” Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity is calling on the nation to show its strength—to use its strength—to show its greatness. Help your fellow man to rise up and to raise up those who shall follow. We cannot hope for another Martin. We must all become like Martin. We hold the keys to the forward progress of the race and harmony we seek. And in doing this, we truly will honor the ultimate sacrifice that this great man made. H

Fall 2011 H THE SPHINX

SPECIAL REPORT

OCTOBER 16 DEDICATION WEEKEND

Aretha Franklin acknowledges applause at dedication ceremony as Brother Harry E. Johnson, Sr., first lady Michelle Obama and President Obama look on.

General President Herman “Skip” Mason, Jr. addresses the crowd.

Alpha members of Congress join with General President Herman “Skip” Mason, Jr. at King Memorial.

Alpha Phi Alpha presidents pose at the base of the King Memorial.

Above: U.S. President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, with their wives and other officials on stage, lead the crowd in singing ‘We Shall Overcome.’

Brother Joseph Heyward of South Carolina with family and friends enjoy the ceremony.

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Right: Former U.S. Secretary of State Gen. Colin Powell and King Memorial sculptor Lei Yixin share a moment at the dedication.

Go to www.apa1906.net

SPECIAL REPORT

RETRACING KING’S STEPS Leading up to the historic dedication of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, the members of Alpha Phi Alpha retraced his steps by visiting key places during King’s lifetime. From his birth and final resting place in Atlanta, Ga., to historic sites in Alabama and Tennessee, Alpha brothers and thousands of others marked critical moments in time that will forever be remembered because Martin Luther King Jr. had been there. Brothers pay a visit to the birth home of Martin Luther King Jr. on Auburn Avenue in Atlanta, Ga.

Alphas visit Morehouse College, King’s undergraduate alma mater.

Visiting the church where King preached: Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church in Birmingham, Ala.

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Check presentations on the Montgomery, Ala., courthouse steps, 1956 and 2011.

Montgomery County, Ala., Circuit Court Presiding Judge, Brother Charles Price talks with college brother Chris Harvey as fraternity Executive Director William Lyle looks on.

RETRACING KING’S STEPS

Alphas at the Alabama State Capitol.

King Home in Montgomery that was bombed.

Commemorating the “Bloody Sunday” march in Selma, Ala., at the Edmund Pettus Bridge.

Alpha General President Herman “Skip” Mason, Jr. interviewed by the media during the Selma remembrance march, as Brother John Funny of Eta Lambda Chapter in Atlanta, Ga., looks on.

Fall 2011 H THE SPHINX

SPECIAL REPORT

Alpha General President Herman “Skip” Mason, Jr. pauses to recognize one of Kings’ main lieutenants, the Rev. Hosea Williams, who lead the Bloody Sunday march. With Mason at marker is Williams’ daughter Elizabeth and her husband Afemi Omilami.

Activist and political satirist, Brother Dick Gregory speaks to the crowd in Selma, Ala.

The Alpha Upsilon Lambda Chapter House

Brothers at Brown Chapel AME Church in Selma, Ala.

Brother Darren Armstrong, an initiate from Alpha Rho Chapter at Morehouse College, with the very same flag his grandfather carried during the original Bloody Sunday march on March 7, 1965.

66 THE SPHINX H Fall 2011

RETRACING KING’S STEPS

Brothers lay a wreath at the Lorraine Motel.

The Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tenn., where King was killed.

Alpha brothers sing and pray at site where King was shot.

Brothers retrace King’s steps to his last journey home as Brother Martin L. King III speaks to Alphas at his father’s crypt site in downtown Atlanta, Ga.

King’s final resting place on Auburn Ave. in Atlanta, Ga., in a crypt with his wife Coretta Scott King. Fall 2011 H THE SPHINX

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.: THE ALPHA

Brother Otis Moss, Jr. (left), stands with a sign in support of Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s release from a Georgia prison in 1960. 68 THE SPHINX H Fall 2011

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.: THE ALPHA

Top: King with fellow members of Eta Lambda Chapter in Atlanta, Ga., circa 1967. Bottom: Brother King and Mrs. Coretta Scott King listen to Eta Lambda President Milton White as he commends King on his address to the Butler Street YMCA’s “Hungry Club” Forum in Atlanta, Ga., circa 1967. Fall 2011 H THE SPHINX

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.: THE ALPHA

Top: Alpha Phi Alpha 16th General President Brother Belford V. Lawson confers with Brother King as then General President Lionel Newsom and 14th General President Charles H. Wesley look on at head table, circa 1967. Middle: Brother King is seated between Brothers Andrew Young and Brother Richard Griffin at a forum on the campus of Talledega College hosted by the Alpha Beta Chapter, c. 1958. It was the first meeting of Brothers King and Young. Bottom: Brother King at Alpha banquet with, from left: James “Jimmy” Huger, then executive secretary; 18th General President Frank Stanley and standing Brother Raymond Pace Alexander. 70 THE SPHINX H Fall 2011

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.: THE ALPHA

Top left: Brother John Johnson, founder of Ebony and Jet, and Brother King with the Rev. Ralph D. Abernathy, one of Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best friends and top confidantes, circa 1960s. Top right: Brother King with his friend and lieutenant, the Rev. Brother Wyatt T. Walker, who was honored at the MLK Memorial Dedication weekend (see page 32). Bottom: King greeting then U.S. Vice President Brother Hubert H. Humphrey.

Fall 2011 H THE SPHINX

56 THE SPHINX H Fall 2011

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL

MLK VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENTS The idea of a special program to help college brothers attend the historic dedication of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial was conceived by General President Herman “Skip” Mason, Jr. The idea resulted in the MLK Volunteer Service Awards (VSA). Award recipients received a direct stipend to cover the cost of registration for the dedication weekend. The MLK VSAs were awarded to committed, serviceoriented college brothers who were willing to volunteer and help the fraternity execute the planned activities for the memorable weekend in Washington, D.C. A minimum 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) was required. More than 70 young men were accepted into the program and most participated. Steve Alexander Theta Epsilon St. John’s Univ. New York, N.Y.

J. Jackson Clay Zeta Chi Univ. of Texas-Arlington Artlington, Texas

Mario Johnson Theta Tau Univ. of Michigan-Flint Flint, Mich.

Jamarious Andrews Delta Sigma Grambling State Univ. Grambling, La.

Robert Guyton Delta Kappa Alcorn State Univ. Alcorn, Miss.

Tyrice Johnson Sigma Delta Elon Univ. Elon, N.C.

Jonathan Austin Nu Nu Marshall Univ. Huntington, W. Va.

Jaquon C. Heath Theta Epsilon St. John’s Univ. New York, N.Y.

Shakor Jukes Omicron Zeta Fairleigh Dickinson Univ. Madison and Teaneck, N.J.

Antoine Barr Gamma Gamma Allen Univ. Columbia, S.C.

Kaylord Hill Mu Univ. of Minnesota Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minn.

Joseph P. Smith Mu Alpha Emory University Atlanta, Ga.

Horacotrel Brooks Sigma Tau Univ. of South Carolina-Aiken Aiken, S.C.

Chiedozie Ibekwe Nu Upsilon Univ. of Mississippi Oxford, Miss.

Trenton Thomas Theta Phi Univ. of New Orleans New Orleans, La.

Tamuka M. Chidyausiku Delta Alpha Claflin Univ. Orangeburg, S.C.

Joseph Iluore Delta Zeta Syracuse Univ. Syracuse, N.Y.

Mervin Whea Beta Gamma Virginia State Univ. Petersburg, Va.

The fraternity is grateful for the generous support of General Electric, Brothers Van Sapp of PepsiCo, Will Packer of Rainforest Films, Cal McNeil, David Smith and James Payne for their generous financial support of this effort, and the College 2 Corporate Life Committee for its support.

Fall 2011 H THE SPHINX

SPECIAL REPORT

MLK VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENTS

Brothers of Chi Chapter at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tenn., celebrate the MLK Memorial dedication with Meharry Medical College President, Brother Wayne J. Riley. From left: Brothers DeMarquis Loyd, Riley, Justin Wright and Brandon Morgan.

College brothers serving as MLK Memorial-dedication volunteers, carry the banners of the 7 Jewels. From left: Thomas Vance, Tau Chi at University of West Georgia in Carrollton, Ga.; Charles Wilson of Alpha Phi at Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, Ga.; Eric Corbett of Delta Eta Chapter at Savannah State University; and Gerron Scott, also of Tau Chi Chapter.

Brother Maurice Nick of Iota Zeta Chapterat the University of Maryland escorts the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr.

MLK Memorial volunteers from Beta Pi Chapter at Lane College in Jackson, Tenn., pose at the monument. From left: Brothers Triggs Washington, Jonathan Freeman and Rodney Stanback Jr.

Brother Eric Lomotey of Beta Psi Chapter at Richmond The American International University in London poses at the wall of the memorial.

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MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL

MLK VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENTS

Delta Eta Chapter brothers from Savannah State University with actorauthor Brother Hill Harper, celebrating the dedication. From left: Matthew Simmons; Harper; Eric Corbett and Shamir Yates.

Jimere Parker and Martin Smith of Epsilon Epsilon Chapter at Oklahoma State University-Stillwater pose at the King Memorial.

Jeffrey Okonye of Tau Xi at the University of Texas at Dallas and Brodrick Rhodes of Theta Alpha Chapter at Jarvis Christian College in Hawkins, Texas in their tails and white ties, volunteering at Constitution Hall, for the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;MLK: A Monumental Lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; musical performance.

At far right: MLK Dedication volunteer Brother Richard Winfrey, chapter president of Alpha Upsilon at Wayne State University in Detroit, poses with Detroit alumni brothers, (from left) Richard James, president of Gamma Lambda Chapter; retired federal Judge Damon Keith, and businessman William Pickard. Fall 2011 H THE SPHINX

A R T S A N D C U LT U R E

MUSIC

Tony Craddock, Jr. Warms Up Holiday with New CD WARM, SMOOTH AND MOVING are just a few of the words that come to mind when you hear the unique and soothing alto- and soprano-saxophone sounds of Brother Tony Craddock, Jr. A perpetual student of the instrument, Craddock’s goal isn’t just to relax the listener with his soft sounds, but to uplift and encourage as well. He hits the mark with his holiday debut CD “Christmas In The Air.” A Virginian, reared near Washington, D.C., Craddock began his musical career at age 12. A student of meteorology, he credits The Weather Channel’s “Local on the 8s” segment, which features smooth jazz music, as the initial source of his musical zeal. Two selections from his new CD were selected for The Weather Channel’s 2011 holiday-music rotation Craddock took his talents in music and

meteorology to Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., and earned a bachelor’s degree in atmospheric science in 2010. While at Cornell, Craddock joined Alpha Phi Alpha at Alpha Chapter.

He recently opened for and performed alongside Stellar Award-winning and Grammy-nominated gospel jazz artist Ben Tankard. Craddock also teaches saxophone youth in Virginia, while pursing a master’s degree. Released in November, “Christmas In The Air” includes familiar tunes such as the Peanuts-inspired ‘Christmas Time Is Here,’ ‘The Christmas Song’ and ‘Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!’ Craddock also adds other great songs such as ‘The First Noel,’ ‘O Come All Ye Faithful’ and the album’s lead single ‘Deck The Halls.’ The CD puts the listener in the Christmas spirit, and it marks the beginning of a career of a promising talent. The album is available on disc, or downloadable from iTunes, Amazon. com and CDBaby.com.

BOOKS Eugene Kinckle Jones: The National Urban League And Black Social Work, 1910-1940 BY FELIX L. ARMFIELD University of Illinois Press; 166 pages

THIS BOOK IS A BIOGRAPHY of an important agent for black social change in the early twentieth century. A leading African-American intellectual, Alpha Phi Alpha founder, Jewel Eugene Kinckle Jones (1885–1954) was instrumental in professionalizing black social work in America. In his role as executive secretary of the National Urban League, Jones worked closely with social reformers who advocated on behalf of African Americans and against racial discrimination in the United States. Coinciding with the Great Migration of African Americans to northern urban centers, Jones’s activities on behalf of the Urban League included campaigning for equal hiring practices, advocating for the inclusion of black workers in labor unions, and promoting the importance of vocational training and social work for members of the black community. Drawing on rich interviews with Jones’s colleagues and associates, as well as recently opened family and Urban League papers, Felix L. Armfield, a history professor at Buffalo State College in Buffalo, N.Y., freshly examines the growth of AfricanAmerican communities and the new roles played by social workers. In calling attention to the need for black social workers in the midst of the Great Migration, Jones and his colleagues sought to address problems stemming from race and class conflicts from within the community.

76 THE SPHINX H Fall 2011

The Wealth Cure: Putting Money In Its Place BY HILL HARPER Penguin Group USA; 264 pages

IN HIS NEWEST BOOK, Brother Hill Harper, a perennial New York Times best-selling author, and actor, helps readers discover how to put money in its place and use wealth-building as a tool for joy and fulfillment. Harper is uniquely poised to guide readers through tough times and offers advice for reaping the rewards of a truly happy life. With The Wealth Cure, he does more than that: he presents a revolutionary new definition of wealth, motivating readers to not only build financial security but to also achieve wealth in every aspect of their lives. Using his own journey as a parable, Harper inspires the reader to evaluate their values while explaining the importance of laying a sound financial foundation and how to recognize the worth of your relationships and increase the value of your interactions with the people in your life. Drawing on his personal recollections and true stories from family and friends, Harper helps readers begin to see money not as a goal but as a tool that provides freedom for following their passions. The keys include: investing in yourself, tapping the resources you need, and taking responsibility for how those resources are used. Far from a get-rich-quick primer, The Wealth Cure brims with inspired wisdom for building a lasting bounty from the experiences, loved ones and achievements that really matter.

CHAPTER NEWS

Alphas lead historic dedication honoring NPHC at Baylor University

Celebrating the NPHC groups at Baylor University, from left: Brothers Joshua Farris; Aubrey Glenn-Michael Starks; Baylor University President Kenneth Starr; Brothers Robert M. King; Dexter Dafney; Adrian Escalante and Stetson Olaye.

IN SEPTEMBER, the brothers of Tau Alpha Chapter at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, took part in the historic dedication of the National Pan-Hellenic Council Garden (NPHC) on the Baylor campus. The garden, initially proposed in 2007, is the culmination of the partnership between the NPHC member organizations, the university’s Division of Student Life and the Baylor administration. As members of the NPHC executive board, Tau Alpha brothers had a role in the initial proposal of the idea for a garden. The garden will help to celebrate the heritage of the NPHC organizations on campus as well as recognize their contributions to the community and the university. H

BETA NU LAMBDA Charlotte, N.C. IN CHARLOTTE, brothers of Beta Nu Lambda Chapter have taken Project Alpha to a whole new level. They recently sponsored a special daylong workshop, more than 50 teens talked openly with trained professionals about teen pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and social media. The Project Alpha Leadership Training 2011 was held in April on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. The training was free and included breakfast, lunch and all training materials. With the rise in popularity of social media, students learned about the benefits and dangers of using sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Facilitators told the students some content they post could jeopardize their admittance to college or even future job prospects. The high school students also learned about how to prevent drug and alcohol abuse. Participants attended with parents, grandparents and other adult family members. H

Brothers instruct students during a Project Alpha session in Charlotte, N.C.

Delta Tau Lambda members and senior brothers at the Delta Tau Lambda’s Brother’s Keeper Program event.

Delta Tau Lambda shares light of Alpha between generations IN PHOENIX and surrounding cities, members of Alpha Phi Alpha are proving they are their “brother’s keeper.” Last spring, members of Delta Tau Lambda Chapter (DTL) launched their first local Brother’s Keeper program event. Formally titled the A. Charles Haston Brother’s Keeper Program, it is the fraternity’s newest national program, and provides the fraternity’s senior members age 65+ with continued brotherhood assistance and service with everyday living needs. As part of its first effort, DTL hosted nine senior brothers at a Golden Corral restaurant in nearby Glendale, Ariz. Brothers from Eta Psi Lambda Chapter in Tucson, Ariz., also attended the event. Collectively, the senior brothers represented a total of 455 years of fraternal service. The program concluded with several of the senior brothers sharing experiences from over the years. H Fall 2011 H THE SPHINX

CHAPTER NEWS

Gamma Kappa Chapter living up to “first of all, servants of all” creed THE CITIZENS who live near Miles College in Fairfield, Ala., are becoming more and more familiar with a group of young men who wear black-and-oldgold shirts. That’s because Gamma Kappa Chapter at Miles has quickly risen as one of the premier chapters—not only in Alabama but in the country. This fall, the chapter’s brothers have done it all—from community service and national projects to social activities for the brotherhood, the campus and the community. They kicked off the school year with a voter-registration drive, at which more than 200 students became registered voters. Working with Omicron Lambda Chapter in Birmingham, the brothers participated in the local Big Brothers Big Sisters Bowl for Kid Sake fundraiser and a Back-to-School-Supplies giveaway event. Most recently they participated in the Birmingham Diabetes Walk and the Great Prostate Cancer Challenge Walk. To ensure local elementary students are actively participating in reading projects, the chapter partnered with the Alabama Literacy Council and participated in the first Romp and Read, at which brothers donated 1,200 books to elementary school students. Gamma Kappa also co-hosted the 2011 Alabama District Conference in Birmingham. One of its members, Brother Hollis Jeremy Thomas, took home first place in the statewide oratorical contest and is to represent the Alabama District at the Southern Region Convention in the spring. H

DELTA KAPPA Alcorn State University Alcorn, Miss. THETA SIGMA LAMBDA Natchez, Miss.

Brothers gather in Alcorn, Miss., to celebrate the 60th reunion of Delta Kappa Chapter and the 45th reunion of Theta Sigma Lambda in Natchez, Miss. The event took place last fall at Alcorn State University, the seat of Delta Kappa, during annual homecoming festivities. More than 400 brothers participated.

78 THE SPHINX H Fall 2011

Top: Gamma Kappa brothers collect school supplies for students in Fairfield and Birmingham, Ala.; Bottom: Gamma Kappa Chapter President Tyran Allen participates in the Birmingham Romp and Read face-painting booth.

EPSILON MU LAMBDA Pensacola, Fla. BROTHERS OF Epsilon Mu Lambda Chapter in Pensacola, Fla., are looking onward and upward as they prepare for their Third Annual Dinner Dance to present young leaders of tomorrow. Brothers of Epsilon Mu Lambda Chapter The event is slated for January 2012. It comes one year after the brothers held their second annual event. That gala event was held in December 2010 at the University of West Florida Conference Center in Pensacola The Young Leaders of Tomorrow Program was established to promote and instill a sense of academic development, personal development, social responsibility and leadership development. The program includes training modules in career-and college-planning; Project Alpha, the fraternity’s teen-pregnancy-prevention program; Survival in Social Circles and Table Etiquette; and computer skills. Each participant is a young male leader of good character and serves as a role model for his peers by demonstrating academic excellence and good behavior. The chapter presented each young leader with a Certificate of Achievement and a $500 scholarship award for their completion of the program. H

CHAPTER NEWS

THETA NU LAMBDA Lagrange, Ga.

Members of Zeta Beta Chapter celebrate 45 years.

ZETA BETA Ferris State University Big Rapids, Mich. ON APRIL 30, brothers from across Michigan came to the northwestern part of the state to celebrate Zeta Beta Chapter on its 45th anniversary. Zeta Beta was charted May 2, 1966, at Ferris State College (now

University) in Big Rapids, Mich., becoming the 333rd house of Alpha. It was also the first black registered student group and the first predominately black Greeklettered organization at the university. Dozens of brothers attended the event, as did Ferris State President Davis Eisler, who gave remarks. H

Brothers at the Mu Mu Lambda Chapter annual installation ceremony; seated, from left: Southwest Regional Vice President Roderick L. Smothers, Sr.; Damon Shareef; Robert L. Bedford; Chapter President Seth Wilson; Rahmad Bauldrick Sr.; Leonard McKinnis and Midwestern Regional Vice President Elgie Sims. Standing, from left: Clayton Muhammad; Darius Johnson; Torrance Henry; Fred Miller; Lewis Nixon; Oscar Douglas; Undray Wilks; and David Lewis.

MU MU LAMBDA Glyn Ellyn, Ill. BROTHERS OF Mu Mu Lambda Chapter in Glyn Ellyn, Ill., kicked off the 2011-2012 fraternal year in true Alpha fashion, with their 35th annual installation banquet in September. After taking his oath of office, Brother Seth Wilson became the youngest president

in the history of the chapter. New Regional Vice President Elgie Sims attended the event and brought greetings on behalf of the Midwestern Region. Guest speaker was Roderick L. Smothers, Sr., regional vice president of the Southwestern Region and nominee for 34th General President. Smothers conducted the installation of chapter officers. H

KEEPING TRUE to the mandates of the General Organization, members of Theta Nu Lambda Chapter in Lagrange, Ga., recently held a Project Alpha teen-pregnancy-prevention workshop for Lagrange and surrounding communities at the Alpha Multipurpose Center. The center is a facility owned by the chapter and used for community events in addition to serving as the chapterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s headquarters. Lagrange is about 70 miles southwest of Atlanta. Guest speakers included a local newspaper columnist, a state health officer, and Alphaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Georgia district director. Workshop participants included about 50 male and female youths, between the ages of 12 and 18, as well as parents. H

RHO TAU LAMBDA Baltimore, Md. BETA ALPHA Morgan State University Baltimore, Md. OCTOBER IS National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. But preventing domestic violence is a year-around battle. This is why members of Rho Tau Lambda Chapter in Baltimore, Md., and Beta Alpha Chapter brothers at Morgan State University, did not wait until the fall to act. Brothers held heir first Symposium on Dating and Domestic Violence and Interpersonal Relationships on the Morgan campus in March. The chapter put a special focus on African-American men, conducting outreach programs on domestic violence. The college and alumni brothers sponsored roundtable sessions, brought in speakers and conducted panel discussions, workshops, and an awards ceremony. For their efforts, Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake presented the chapter with a proclamation. The brothers are planning a follow-up event. H Fall 2011 H THE SPHINX

BROTHERS ON THE MOVE JULIAN BOLDEN Alabama State University (ASU) student Julian Bolden is one of only five students in the United States to receive a prestigious one-year studyabroad scholarship from the Chinese government. Brother Bolden, an April 2011 neophyte, was initiated at Beta Upsilon Chapter at ASU in Montgomery, Ala. He is a senior computer science major in the ASU College of Science, Mathematics and Technology. He was awarded the Chinese Embassy Scholarship as a general-scholar student in its Computer Science and Technology program. The scholarship is administered by the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) as a part of the U.S. State Department’s 100,000 Strong Initiative. The Intiative provides study-abroad experiences for 100,000

Americans over the next four years, pending public and private funding. FREEMAN HRABOWSKI III He is known for his innovative leadership on the college campus, and now Brother Freeman Hrabowski III has $500,000 to help put his good ideas into action. Hrabowski, president of the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC), recently received an academic leadership award from the Carnegie Corp. of New York which carries with it a $500,000 grant. It is one of the largest awards given by Carnegie for educational leadership. A member of Delta Lambda Chapter in Baltimore, Hrabowski was initiated at Gamma Iota Chapter at Hampton University in 1968. He earned a bachelor’s degree at Hampton University in Hampton, Va., and was awarded a doctorate at the University of Illinois in Urbana-

GRIGSBY AND HOPPER HONORED BY ARIZONA NEWSPAPER On a night when individual and business luminaries were lauded for their contributions to Arizona’s AfricanAmerican community, the light of Alpha once again shined brightest, thanks to two brothers on the move. Brothers Jefferson Grigsby and Bradie Hopper received awards from the Arizona Informant during the AfricanAmerican newspaper’s 40th Anniversary Gala in Phoenix, Ariz., in October. Brother Grigsby, 93, is the only living charter member of Delta Tau Lambda Chapter, which serves Phoenix and Tucson, and he is one of the oldest living members of Alpha Phi Alpha. Grigsby was initiated at Alpha Rho

80 THE SPHINX H Fall 2011

Champagne, Ill. The Carnegie honor is the latest in a long line of accolades Hrabowski has earned in recognition of UMBC’s progress under his leadership, especially in the number of minority graduates in the hard sciences. Hrabowski plans to use the grant money to start the Freeman A. Hrabowski Fund for Academic Innovation, which will support creative endeavors in teaching and entrepreneurship on campus. PATRICK O. LINDSEY Wayne State University (WSU) in Detroit, Mich., has appointed Highland Park, Mich., native Patrick O. Lindsey as vice president for government and community affairs. Brother Lindsey, affectionately called “PO” by his close friends and fraternity brothers, was initiated at Epsilon Chapter at the

Chapter at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Ga., where he earned his bachelor’s degree. He also holds a Master of Arts Degree in art from the Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, and a Doctor of Philosophy Degree from New York University in New York, N.Y. The newspaper honored Grigsby for his artistic achievements. He initiated a number of art programs in community centers, housing projects and daycare centers in the Phoenix area and taught at the School of Art at Arizona State University for more than two decades. Brother Hopper, one of the Arizona Informant’s first advertisers, was recognized for his accomplishments in the field of health. Hopper has been a licensed optometrist since 1950 and still

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor (UM), as a member of the chapter’s “Ego One” pledge class in 1978. After earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree in political science at UM, he later attended the Senior Executives Program at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government in Cambridge, Mass., the Institute on Corporate Community Relations at Boston College and the Public Disputes Program at Harvard’s Law School. Lindsey joins Wayne State from the Detroit-based Focus: HOPE, a major nonprofit social-service organization dedicated to finding solutions to problems of hunger, economic disparity, inadequate education and racial divisiveness. Prior to that he spent 20 years at Chrysler Corp., working his way up to senior manager of state relations. Lindsey is also pastor of Greater Bibleway Baptist Church in Detroit.

maintains his practice. He attended Prairie View State University in Prairie View, Texas. After graduating in 1944, he received a Doctor of Optometry Degree from Illinois College of Optometry. He joined Alpha at Delta Tau Lambda Chapter in Phoenix, Ariz., in 1995. H

Brothers Jefferson Grigsby (seated) and Bradie Hopper (right) celebrate at their Arizona Informant Community Awards with Brothers Teddy McDaniel (left) and Brendon Riley (center).

BROTHERS ON THE MOVE IN UNIFORM, LANDROM REMAINS FIRST OF ALL, SERVANT OF ALL Every day thousands of Afghans awake knowing that U.S. forces and their allies are working around the clock trying to secure their freedom and root out terrorism. Part of that team is a number of Alpha Phi Alpha men, like Lt. Commander Brother Jim Landrom Sr. A former marine, Landrom is now a Navy information dominance officer. Just days before the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks he was front and center, briefing the new commander of the International Security Assistance Forces in Afghanistan (ISAF). The briefing was

held at a U.S operational facility near the Torkham (the busiest port between Pakistan and Afghanistan). Torkham Gate is located within Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan, and it lies within the historic Khyber Pass (Afghanistan-Pakistan Border) region. Torkham is the largest port of entry into Afghanistan from Pakistan. Landrom was initiated in 1988 at Epsilon Eta Chapter at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Mich., where he earned a bachelor’s degree; and received a master’s degree at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Mich. He is currently a member of Zeta Lambda Chapter in WESTON NAMED ONE OF FORD MOTOR CO.’S TOP GLOBAL EMPLOYEES

Brother Don Weston, of Greer, S.C., recently won a 2011 Global Diversity and Inclusion Summit Award from Ford Motor Company. Weston is a 1982 initiate from Zeta Pi Chapter at the University Brother Don Weston is congratulated by Nick Smither, Ford Motor Co. group vice of Georgia (UGA), in president and chief information officer, at Ford Athens, Ga. He earned world headquarters in Dearborn, Mich. a bachelor’s degree at UGA and received a master’s degree at Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, Mich. He is currently manager at Ford’s Greenville Business Center in Greenville, S.C., and was honored in the “Strengthening External Partnerships” category at a ceremony at the company’s Dearborn, Mich., headquarters in November. Weston was cited for his efforts to help Ford strengthen its external partnerships through his volunteer work with Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. The company noted Weston’s multiple interactions with corporate sponsors and individual contributors, and his work as cochairman of the fraternity’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Dedication weekend of activities. Only 34 employees received the honor from Ford’s worldwide pool of employees.

Newport News, Va. Word is Landrom was well received by Marine Gen. John R. Allen, who assumed command of ISAF in July, relieving Gen. David Patraeus, who is

U.S. Navy Lt. Commander Brother Jim Landrom Sr., briefs Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen in Afghanistan.

WHITNEY CELEBRATES ONE YEAR IN COLLEGE BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME November marked the one-year anniversary for legendary former Alcorn (Miss.) State University coach Brother Davey L. Whitney’s induction into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame. A year ago, he was feted by Beta Lambda Chapter in Kansas City, Mo., just before his official induction. Chapter members held a reception for Whitney and his family at the Kansas City Hyatt Regency Hotel. Beta Lambda President Jimmie Perkins presented a framed award to Whitney, who won 711 games in a career that spanned 35 years. Whitney, who picked up the nickname “The Wiz” during his multisport playing days at Kentucky State University in Frankfort, Ky., also was an all-star infielder for the legendary Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro Leagues. He joined Alpha Phi Alpha in 1973, initiated at Theta Sigma Lambda Chapter in Natchez, Miss. Whitney, born in 1930 in Midway, Ky., retired to the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Beta Lambda Chapter President Jimmie L. Perkins presents an award to National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame coach Brother Davey L. Whitney last year. Looking on, from left: Brothers Ivory Jones, Wilbur Goodseal and, at far right, Curtis Rogers. Fall 2011 H THE SPHINX

QUESTIONS

The Sphinx Interview

Herman Hemingway pledged Alpha with Martin King and James Huger made his membership official with a stroke of his pen

ond ingway (sec Brother Hemck row) ba ft, from le

Herman Hemingway

James Huger

Brothe and Mar Huger (left) rtin Kin g

You are the last living line brother of Martin Luther King.

You, as general secretary of the fraternity, signed Brother King’s

How did you come to know him?

initiation/membership certificate. When you signed it, had you

Hemingway: I was a sophomore at Brandeis University [in Boston,

heard of this Martin King?

Mass.], struggling through. I was the first and only black male student there

Huger: He was just another inductee when I signed his shingle.

at the time. While we were in the process of organizing our pledge group,

But that changed as the movement progressed; especially with the

we were informed that there was going to be a [graduate student] theology

Montgomery, (Alabama) Bus Boycott underway. It was during that

major with us. So, we were intimidated, thinking we were not going to be

time that one of our initiatives was the 50th anniversary of the

able to have as much fun.

fraternity. He wasn’t well known at that moment, but when he finished talking to that packed audience [in Buffalo, N.Y.], everybody knew

Do you remember the first time you met Dr. King?

who Dr. King was.

Hemingway: Yes I do. I first met him in 1952. The fraternity pledge group met at my grandfather’s house. One of the last people to show up was Dr.

During the movement, there were tough times, but I understand

King. We were very interested to see how the big brothers would actually

that Brother King offered comic relief?

treat him and how they would treat us differently, since he was the same age

Huger: Dr. King was one of the most fun-loving people you ever wanted to

as the big brothers.

meet. But you didn’t see that as he moved around from day to day. But when he was in a small group of guys, he could tell jokes for all hours. He could sit

We think of him as such a big man, in stature, but he appeared

and listen to jokes for hours and laugh like crazy.

in many pictures to be actually a small-frame brother. And he appeared to always be smiling. Was that his demeanor?

Do you remember the last time you saw him alive?

Hemingway: We were impressed with him as a serious person, but for our

Huger: Yes, it was the last time I heard him speak. He was a powerful

[pledge line] photograph we of course were all smiling because we were glad

speaker. When he got through, he turned and started back to his

to get the pledge process over with. That picture of us in the top hats (above)

seat (from the pulpit) but he stopped. He called out to a lady and

was one of the so-called tortures we had to go through; wearing the full dress

said: “Have the choir join with you and sing my favorite song.” She

morning suits and top hats, in order to have us realize our own humility.

started singing: “If I can help somebody that I pass along / If I could cheer somebody with a word or a song/ If I can show somebody he’s

Did you get he sense he was destined for any extraordinary

traveling wrong / Then my living shall not have been in vain.” I had

greatness, or was he similar to the other brothers?

never heard that song Martin requested, but those words have stuck

Hemingway: There was a spiritual aura about him—even from the first time

with me ever since that day.

I met him—that did set him aside. Whether it was because of his age [being a bit older than most of the pledges] or just the aura, there was something.

82 THE SPHINX H Fall 2011

By Eric Ham

A F FA IR S

WO R L D

2012: Finding America’s Transformational Figure for a Transitional Moment Years from now, the 2012 presidential election will be seen as a key moment in history. The United States, after being knocked off course and traveling a road to second-tier status in the world, has the opportunity in the 2012 election cycle to raise the level of debate and meet the current challenges it faces.

nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China and

will support that Mr. Obama proposes—

South Africa), an altered global economic

even during the jobs debate of the fall 2011

landscape and the U.S. engagement in

congressional session. If the economy tanks,

Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya all represent

the president goes down too.

(a few of) the geopolitical challenges

As America’s knees continue to

shaping America’s standing in a rapidly

buckle under the weight of its ongoing

changing world.

challenges, if the next president, whether

What will perplex those future

it be a Republican newbie or a re-elected

savants? The enormity and severity of

Obama, aims to be defined as a successful

a major global transformation bearing

president, simply winning the election

down on the most powerful nation the

can no longer be the standard by which

world has ever seen—and the smallness

success is judged. Getting it right must be

of the debates that constrained options

the new barometer. That means tackling

available to leaders tasked with navigating

longstanding problems head-on, rather

the current challenges. This is how history

than delaying the inevitable, as in the

will be written if the upcoming political

case of U.S. economy and our nation’s

season mirrors recent political battles.

crumbling infrastructure, or re-defining

Should the headline-grabbing but empty spectacles, like the 2009-2010 healthcare debate, permeate the political

and leading in energy policy and science and technology. In the end, should the candidates

Democrats, and the country, are past the

lexicon throughout the upcoming 2012

follow this blueprint for success,

midpoint of Barack Obama’s first term

campaign, the winner will undoubtedly

tomorrow’s historians will characterize the

as U.S. president. Pundits and political

be a transitional figure ushering a fading

2012 presidential election as the moment

commentators are in overdrive, examining

but still powerful America into a new

in time when a transformational

the political landscape to determine Mr.

global landscape. A new reality that will

leader emerged, orchestrating a

Obama’s chances for re-election and who

no longer feature the United States at the

vision that would portend America’s

might eventually challenge him.

forefront of international dynamism but a

successful transition into a new

second-tier power wracked by mediocrity

global paradigm. H

When historians look back at this moment, what will they make of it? I suspect they won’t even consider

and short-sightedness. To prove this point, you only need to

the bitter partisan battles waged between

look at how the Republican congressional

Democrats and Republicans, and, to a

caucus made the defeat of the current

great extent, the Tea Party faction of

president the cornerstone of their

Abraham Lincoln’s party. No, what will be

legislative agenda in 2011. Why do you

most striking is the speed at which events

suppose there was such an impasse over

dramatically impacted the United States’

the debt ceiling increase? Why is it that

global hegemony. The rise of the BRICS

Republicans can find practically nothing they

The opinions in this article are solely those of Eric Ham, the founder and managing director of The XII Project and editor of Capitol Connections. For more information, visit www.xiiproject.com.

Fall 2011 H THE SPHINX

O M E G A : Chapter of Sweet Rest

Sylvester Shannon lived and breathed “06” EDITOR’S REFLECTION By Rick Blalock

rom time to time, members of Alpha talk about those who were “giants” of Alpha. The Rev. Dr. Sylvester Lorenzo Shannon was one of them. On June 7, he joined Omega Chapter. Those of faith will tell you he went on to his reward, but for those who knew him well and still inhabit the earth, it is a loss. A hole created in our hearts that will go unfilled. His demeanor, charm and loyalty to his fraternity—and to his fellow countrymen and women outside of Alpha—will be hard to come by again.

84 THE SPHINX H Fall 2011

I well remember an example of his kindness at the 2007 General Convention in Orlando, Florida. I had to travel back to Atlanta a day before the end of the proceedings because of an emergency. It was out of the blue that Brother Shannon took a moment during the public program to publicly mention that God be with me and that I be safe as I traveled home. He was Life Member #545, initiated at Beta Nu Chapter in 1952 at Florida A&M University, and was a brother’s brother. He served in uniform, retiring at the rank of colonel from the U.S. Army and earned his doctorate at the University of Kansas. As the General President Herman “Skip” Mason, Jr. said upon his death: “It is an understatement to say he will be sorely missed.“ Brother Shannon, who we so affectionately called Syl, served the fraternity he loved for so many years in so many ways. He was our chaplain, chairman of the Special Committee on Senior Alpha Affairs and advisor to several general presidents. In 2000, he won a nomination to be 31st general

Brother Sylvester Shannon receives the Alpha Award of Merit, in 2008, from 32nd General President Darryl R. Matthews Sr. (left) and former Executive Director Willard Hall (right). president. In 2008, he was honored with the highest honor of the fraternity, the Alpha Award of Merit. He was always at the ready to pen an article for me for The Sphinx. This is one of those losses that simply take you aback. My last conversation with Brother Shannon was on the phone, just days before he died. I was at my desk at CNN talking about the impending gathering of the brotherhood in the Windy City. He was excited about attending the Chicago General Convention and, even more so, the dedication of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington D.C., not too far from his home in Alexandria, Va. He ended up watching it from the highest realm of Alpha, at the table with Martin, overlooking all of it. “While we are sad—very sad—we must take comfort in knowing that Syl is in the better and best Alpha Phi Alpha chapter now,” Mason said. “He would insist, as we will oblige him, that Alpha move onward and upward toward the light.” Shannon’s legacy continues through all who knew him and loved him—especially his beloved wife Dortis Brooks Shannon; son, Brother Keith L. Shannon; all his children; and other family members. He was a young 78. We bid farewell and end this tribute the way he always said goodbye: “06.” H

O M E G A : Chapter of Sweet Rest

Lacour’s legacy: teacher and fighter for justice By Ronald Clay Small

ne of the true great American legal scholars and trailblazers, Vanue B. Lacour (“Snook,” as he was known by his family) entered Omega Chapter on Jan. 7, 2011. He was 95. Brother Lacour was initiated at Beta Tau Chapter at Xavier University of Louisiana, in New Orleans, La., in 1937—just one year after the chapter was established. He had a stellar and distinguished career as a lawyer, law professor, dean and mentor to many. He was widely known for his legal acumen and was educated by some of the finest legal minds in American history, including Brothers Thurgood Marshall, and Charles Hamilton Houston and Federal Appeals Judge Spotswood Robinson III. Born in Cane River, La., in 1915, near Natchitoches, Lacour began his fight for equality and justice at Central High School in Shreveport, La., having experienced the scourge of segregation firsthand. His black teachers and mentors shaped his knowledge of the effects of racism and discrimination and how it functioned in American society. As a member of the debate team he honed and refined his oratorical skills with a design to use them for the greater good.

After graduating summa cum laude from Xavier, Lacour finished second in his class at Howard University School of Law in 1941. He began his legal career in Kansas City, Mo., where he gained respect and notoriety for handling several cases beneficial to the African-American community. Upon the founding of Southern University Law School in Baton Rouge, La., Lacour joined the faculty, embarking upon a 26-year teaching career, including becoming dean of the law school. Lacour complimented his teaching with fighting injustice wherever he found it. He argued several cases promoting voter registration. He even personally escorted bus loads of black people to register to vote in Louisiana. Perhaps his most famous case was Weber vs. Aetna Casualty & Surety Company, argued before the U.S. Supreme Court. In 1972, the high court sided with Lacour, and he successfully won the rights of illegitimate children to share equally with legitimate children in the awarding of worker’s compensation. Lacour was a highly respected activist in the community—most notably as a Boy Scout leader—for which he received the distinguished Silver Beaver Award. In 1988, he

Vanue B. Lacour was inducted into the National Bar Association Hall of Fame. In 2004, he was inducted into the Southern University School of Law’s Hall of Fame. In 2010, the university established the Dean Vanue Lacour $100,000 Endowed Professorship. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Arthemise Wilson Lacour, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority; seven children; grandchildren; and great-grandchildren. H It is with deep appreciation and gratitude that The Sphinx acknowledges the Very Rev. Thomas F. Clark, S.J., V.F., of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Baton Rouge, La., and Chancellor Freddie Pitcher Jr. of Southern University Law Center, for their immense contributions to this tribute.

Shelton was longtime pharmacist, philanthropist

Wesley N. Shelton

esley N. Shelton, 75, of Baltimore, Md., was a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha, initiated at Delta Lambda Chapter in 1967. He served three terms as chapter president in the 1970s and focused on renovation, reclamation, and rededication. As a young chapter president, he was able to infuse enthusiasm for Alpha projects and inspired those who aspired to become members of the fraternity. At 19, Brother Shelton graduated from Howard University’s pharmacy school in 1955. He served as a pharmacist in the U.S. Army at Fort Belvoir Army Hospital and at the Pentagon in Virginia; went on to practice in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. He was diligent about service to his family

and community by mentoring and through his philanthropy. He was a board member of Super Pride Community Foods in Baltimore; a member of Chi Delta Mu Fraternity, the black allied health professional organization; a 32nd degree Prince Hall Mason; and served more than 40 years at his church. After years of declining health, Shelton entered Omega Chapter on July 26, 2010, after suffering from heart disease and sarcoidosis. His wife and family ask that donors make a contribution to the scholarship fund he created in 2007: The Alice and Wesley N. Shelton Scholarship Fund, 1916 Cedric Road, Baltimore, MD 21216. H

Fall 2011 H THE SPHINX

O M E G A : Chapter of Sweet Rest

Hampton loses its musical maestro

oyzell L. Dillard, 50, of Hampton, Va., was a member of Zeta Lambda Chapter in Newport News, Va., the chapter at which he was initiated in 1987. An avid fan of music, Brother Dillard was an assistant professor of music at his alma mater, Hampton University (HU). He also was director of university choirs and minister of music at the university’s Memorial Church. He joined the HU faculty in 1986, and served the school for 25 years. Dillard touched many lives, and many “Hamptonians” served under him as members of the various musical groups at HU. He was also the national choir director for the 105 Voices of History, the historically-black-colleges-and-universities’ (HBCU) national

JESSE LEE ARTIS, 79, of Kinston, N.C., was an active member of Alpha for many years; initiated at Theta Omicron Lambda Chapter in Goldsboro, N.C. Most recently Brother Artis was a member of Nu Iota Lambda Chapter in Kinston where he was a charter member and served as treasurer for more than 25 years. Born Oct. 29, 1930, in Wayne County, N.C., Artis graduated from Pikeville Training High School where he served as class president. He earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural education from North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, N.C. Artis was a public school teacher for over 30 years and was an usher and trustee at Greater Mount Zion Baptist Church in Kinston. He entered Omega Chapter on Feb. 14, 2010. CHARLIE JACKSON JR, 62, of Knoxville, Tenn., was born on Feb. 15, 1949, in White Plains, N.Y. but would make the South his home. In 1977, Brother Jackson graduated from Knoxville College and two years later, in 1979, was initiated into the fraternity at Alpha Mu Lambda Chapter.

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initiative to promote diversity in America’s national venues. In this role, Dillard trained more than 450 students from HBCUs for their participation in the national choir. Dillard earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Hampton Institute in 1983, and a Master of Arts in Music Education Degree there in 1988. In addition to being a member of Alpha, he was a member of the American Choral Director’s Association and the Inter-Collegiate Music Association. A musical genius, Dillard published articles and music as well as presented at numerous conferences and workshops. Named to the Who’s Who in Colleges and Universities, Dillard’s noteworthy performing credits included “Porgy and Bess,” “Messiah,” “A’int Misbehavin’ ” and “Five Guys Name Moe.” He entered Omega Chapter on Nov. 17, 2011. H

Known by many simply as “Chuckie,” Jackson recently retired from the State of Tennessee as a probation and parole officer, after more than 24 years of service. He was a dedicated member of Lomax Temple A.M.E. Zion Church in Knoxville. Jackson entered Omega Chapter on June 23, 2011. WILLIAM MCDONALD, 87, of Durham, N.C., may have lived under Carolina-blue skies most of his life, but it was Michigan’s maizeand-blue where he got his formal education. Born March 9, 1924 in Detroit, Mich., he graduated from Cass Technical High School and then enrolled at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. Brother McDonald was initiated in 1943 at Epsilon Chapter on the UM campus. When the country called, he interrupted his college education to join the U.S. Army Air Corps. He loved flying and in February 1945, he was inducted as a Tuskegee airman and served with the legendary unit until the end of World War II. In 1950, he graduated from UM’s College of Engineering, before furthering his engineering studies at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. He worked in a number of government positions and in the private sector, including stints with the city of Detroit

and Rockwell Corporation, before moving to Durham, N.C. to work at North Carolina Central University. He was director of the university’s physical plant for nearly 20 years before his retirement from NCCU in 1991. In his steadfast service to Alpha, McDonald was a member of Beta Theta Lambda Chapter in Durham, for more than 30 years. He held every elected office in the chapter, including president on two occasions and treasurer for more than seven years. He was named Brother of the Year among many other honors. Along with other veteran Tuskegee airmen, he received the Congressional Gold Medal in a White House ceremony in 2007. McDonald entered Omega Chapter on the March 20, 2011. BENJAMIN H. WRIGHT SR., 85, of Opa Locka, Fla., touched many lives in his lifetime. A member of Alpha since his initiation at Alpha Alpha Chapter at the University of Cincinnati in 1947, he earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees there. Brother Wright was a veteran of World War II, an economist and a career diplomat. In the business world he held executive posts at Clairol and Ebony magazine. He also founded Black Resources, Inc., and was heavily involved in the media business and philanthropy. Wright died in Miami and entered Omega Chapter on April 12, 2011.

VOTE

Roderick L. Smothers, Sr., Ph.D. 34TH GENERAL PRESIDENT

Brothers have spoken resoundingly on what they want in their 34th General President. “You’ve said you want someone you can trust, with professional executive experience; an experienced fundraiser who is a good steward of those funds. I am the only executive in the race. As a university vice president, I have raised more than $30 million over the last 10 years, and managed multi-million-dollar budgets. I am the only candidate with a capital campaign plan (CAMPAIGN FOR ALPHA) to raise $25 million for the fraternity over five years. What sets me apart is that I am a fiscal conservative, and my firm stance on our finances is: If we don’t have it, we won’t spend it; if we don’t need it, we won’t buy it. It’s that simple!”

Experience Where It Counts H Vice President, Institutional Advancement, Huston-Tillotson University, Austin, TX H Vice President, Institutional Advancement, Langston University, Langston, OK (2004-2010) H Ph.D., M.P.A., and B.A. degrees, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA H U.S. Air Force (1991-1993), U.S. Air Force Reserve (1993-1997) H Father, with oldest son (Roderick Jr.) initiated into Alpha in 2006

H Vice President, Southwestern Region Member, National Board of Directors (2009-Present) H Assistant Vice President, Southwestern Region Member, National Board of Directors (1996-1997) H Chairman, Commission on College Brothers Affairs (2000–2004) H Membership Intake Planning Committee (1996-1998)

H Director of Conventions, Southwestern Region (2003-2009) H Leadership Development Committee (2005–2008) H President, Nu Psi and Xi Nu Lambda Chapters H Advisor, Nu Psi Chapter H Fall 1993 Initiate, Nu Psi Chapter, Louisiana State University H Life Member #8515 H Member, Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church H Master Mason, Prince Hall affiliation

Campaign for Alpha (CFA) at a glance: H Launch five-year $25 million capital campaign to provide

H H H H H

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity with long-term economic stability, financial and fiscal accountability and funds for the operational and capital needs of the organization. Establish diverse revenue streams to fund campaign. Create endowment commission and board of financial, economic and business advisors. Establish Office of Development, led by director of development. Create new, expanded network of friends and partners. Time line: In 2011, solicit feedback from brotherhood to identify CFA priorities and additional ideas; 2012, review, discuss plan at district, regional, national meetings; and January 1, 2013, implement CFA 5-Year Action Plan.

ALPHA ACTION and the Campaign for Alpha is really for them.

To learn more about Roderick L. Smothers, Sr., his ALPHA ACTION PLAN, and how you can join the team, visit his website, Facebook page, and on Twitter @rlsmothers

FOLLOW BRO. SMOTHERS ON:

www.rodericklsmothers.com E-mail: alphaaction@rodericklsmothers.com P.O. BOX 15651 • AUSTIN, TEXAS 78761 • (225) 907-7606

PRICES ON THIS ADVERTISEMENT ARE INCORRECT. PLEASE CHECK BACK AT A LATER TIME FOR AN UPDATED PRICING LIST. WE APOLOGIZE FOR THE INCONVENIENCE.

Henry Arthur Callis

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity

LEADERSHIP DIRECTORY

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

94 THE SPHINX H Fall 2011

General President Herman “Skip” Mason, Jr. president@apa1906.net Immediate Past General President Darryl R. Matthews, Sr. drmatthews@apa1906.net General Treasurer Hyacinth Ahuruonye generaltreasurer@apa1906.net Comptroller Frank A. Jenkins, III frankaj@bellsouth.net Regional Vice President - East Sean McCaskill vicepresident@alphaeast.com Regional Vice President - Midwest Elgie Sims midwestvp@apa1906.net Regional Vice President - South James L. Crumel southvp@apa1906.net Regional Vice President - Southwest Roderick Smothers southwestvp@apa1906.net Regional Vice President - West Aaron Crutison westvp@apa1906.net Regional Assistant Vice President East Chris Alexander eastavp@apa1906.net Regional Assistant Vice President Midwest Fredrick Cox midwestavp@apa1906.net Regional Assistant Vice President South Xavier Jones southavp@apa1906.net Regional Assistant Vice President Southwest Roger Sancho southwestavp@apa1906.net Regional Assistant Vice President West Cameron Henry westavp@apa1906.net General Counsel Keith A. Bishop keithbishop@keithbishoplaw.com

Charles Henry Chapman

Eugene Kinckle Jones

Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer William Douglass Lyle wdlylel@apa1906.net

MEMBERSHIP, STANDARDS & EXTENSION Melvin M. Stroble, Sr. mstroble@msn.com

APPOINTED OFFICERS

PUBLICATIONS James W. Ward ward_jw@tsu.edu

Historian Robert L. Harris, Jr. rlh10@cornell.edu Editor-in-Chief The Sphinx Ricky L. Blalock sphinx@apa1906.net Interim Director of General Conventions Van Strickland director.conventions@apa1906.net GENERAL CONVENTION OFFICIALS Parliamentarian Anderson C. Elridge, III aelridge1906@aol.com Chaplain William E. Flippin, Sr. srpastor@pineygrovebapt.org Sergeant of Arms Ron Russell ronstony@hotmail.com GENERAL CONVENTION COMMITTEES CHAIRMEN RULES & CREDENTIALS Desmond M. Ables desmondables@hotmail.com AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENT Herman Clifton Johnson jklift@bellsouth.net GRIEVANCES AND DISCIPLINE Hervery B. O. Young, Esq. pathfinder1906@juno.com STANDING COMMITTEES CHAIRMEN CONSTITUTION Ricky L. Blalock rlblalock@aol.com ENDOWMENT & CAPITAL FORMATION Robert L Wright rlwright@sentel.com

HISTORICAL COMMISSION Norman E.W. Towels betasigma7@msn.com PUBLIC POLICY Tyson King-Meadows kmcgrp@aol.com HUMAN RESOURCES Antonio I. M. Johnson, Esq. ajohnsonesq@gmail.com RACIAL JUSTICE (COMMISSION) Derrick Pope, Esq. dapope@bellsouth.net COLLEGE BROTHERS AFFAIRS (COMMISSION) Maurice D. Gipson mdgipson@gmail.com BUSINESS & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (COMMISSION) Cecil Howard, Esq. cehoward2@comcast.net LIFE MEMBERSHIP Charles P. Loeb, III cploeb@sbcglobal.net SPECIAL COMMITTEES CHAIRMEN ALPHA PHI ALPHA GOES GREEN INITIATIVE Sacoby Wilson wilsons2@mailbox.sc.edu ALPHA LITERACY INITIATIVE Vacant AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY Anton C. Bizzell antonbizzell@aol.com ALPHAS IN THE ACADEMY M. Christopher Brown mcb2@unlv.edu BELFORD V. LAWSON ORATORICAL Gregory L. Bailey gbailey@literacyaction.org

BUDGET & FINANCE Frank Humphrey fhumphre@voyager.net

BIG BROTHERS & BIG SISTERS Dale H. Long dale1906@verizon.net

ELECTIONS Thomas A. Phillips thomphilli10@aol.com

BOY SCOUTS Verdree Lockhart verdreel@aol.com

George Biddle Kelley

Nathaniel Allison Murray

BLACK AND GOLD PAGEANT Andre Prospere prosperea@bellsouth.net

POLITICAL ACTION Arthur Vaughn avaughn@spsu.edu

COLLEGE LIFE TO CORPORATE LIFE Nicholas B. Fletcher Nick.Fletcher@kellogg.com

RECLAMATION Bradley D. Thomas phdsocialwork@hotmail.com

COLLEGIATE SCHOLARS BOWL James “JI” Irvin JIrvin06@nemesispromotions.com

PROJECT ALPHA Byron D. Gautier projectalphacoordinator@apa.1906.net

HOUSING Jerryl E. Bennett jbennett91@mindspring.com

RITUAL & CEREMONIES Russell E. Flye phantom1906@charter.net

HEALTH & WELLNESS Michael A. Smith mas1906@aol.com

SENIOR ALPHA AFFAIRS Sylvester L. Shannon slshannon06@aol.com

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES Jamil Omar Buie jamil.buie@gmail.com

TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT Audrey L. Mackey amackey@austincc.edu

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. MEMORIAL INTERNAL FUNDRAISING Frank Russell, Jr. frj41@bellsouth.net

TIME AND PLACE Maurice Jenkins jenkinsmaurice@bellsouth.net

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS Andre A. Moss aamoss@batelnet.bs

WALK AMERICA-MARCH OF DIMES Wilbert L. Brown wlb72@aol.com WORLD POLICY COUNCIL Horace G. Dawson, Jr. hdawson@howard.edu

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT Brandon Tucker btucker921@aol.com

FOUNDATIONS CHAIRMEN

MEDIATION & ARBITRATION Edwin D. Givens, Esq. egivens@scsu.edu

EDUCATION FOUNDATION Waldo Johnson wejohnso@uchicago.edu

MILITARY BROTHERS Langston D. Smith ldsrcdoc@verizon.net

BUILDING FOUNDATION Robert “Bob” Leandras Jones, II leandras2@aol.com

MEMBERSHIP INTAKE TASK FORCE Walter Kimbrough wkimbrough@philander.edu

GENERAL PRESIDENT’S CABINET OFFICIALS

MIS / TECHNOLOGY Wendell D. Ferguson alpha3bebc@aol.com

Assistant to the General President and Chief of Staff Don Weston chief-of-staff@apa1906.net

NATIONAL ARTS AND HUMANITIES ADVISORY COUNCIL Darryl Bell darrylmbell@gmail.com

Assistant to the General President and Deputy Chief of Staff Keith Harris harriskr1906@gmail.com

NEW FRATERNAL PROGRAM INITIATIVES Ronald J. Peters rpeters20@comcast.net

Assistant to the General President and Senior Advisor James A. Wright jewright@bellsouth.net

Robert Harold Ogle

SPECIAL ADVISORS TO THE GENERAL PRESIDENT Charles King charlesking1906@yahoo.com Calvin McNeill cmcnmd@aol.com Elvin Dowling ejdowling1906@gmail.com L. Sidney Gleaton gleato_s@bellsouth.net

Vertner Woodson Tandy

VIP, Protocol and Logistics Chairman

Deonte Simmons deonte.simmons@gmail.com Protocol and Logistics Anthony C. Hytche achytche@aol.com Transportation Chairman Ken Baskett kgbaskett@bellsouth.net PAST GENERAL PRESIDENTS

Joseph E. Heyward heywardj8@aol.com

32nd General President Darryl R. Matthews, Sr. darrylmatthews@apa1906.net

NATIONAL ARCHIVIST Jerome Offord, Jr. jeromeofford@aol.com

31st General President Harry E. Johnson, Sr. hej@flash.net

DEPUTY ASSISTANTS TO THE GENERAL PRESIDENT

30th General President Adrian L. Wallace alwallacea@aol.com

Governmental and International Affairs Marc Garcia getsmart06@aol.com SPECIAL ASSISTANTS TO THE GENERAL PRESIDENT M. Cole Jones mcolejones@gmail.com Dasmyn Grigsby Administrative Assistant grigsby@gmail.com Marques J. Wilkes mjwilkes1906@yahoo.com GENERAL PRESIDENT’S ADVANCE TEAM Chairman Warren Isenhour dub1906@yahoo.com Ian Coleman iancoleman3@gmail.com James McFadden mcfadden06@aol.com Solomon Graves solomon.graves@gmail.com

29th General President Milton C. Davis tuskmcd@aol.com 28th General President Henry Ponder ewilsonp@aol.com 27th General President Charles C. Teamer, Sr. cteamer@cox.net 26th General President Ozell Sutton 1640 Loch Lomond Trail, SW Atlanta GA 30331 (404) 344-0370 25th General President James Williams 1733 Brookwood Drive Akron, OH 44313 (330) 867-7536

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Corporate Office 2313 St. Paul St. Baltimore, MD 21218 (410) 554-0040 (410) 554-0054 Fax www.apa1906.net

ORGANIZATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS Zollie J. Stevenson, Jr. zstevenson06@gmail.com

Fall 2011 H THE SPHINX

THE LAST PAGE: PERSPECTIVE

King Memorial Must Be More Than Just a Stone of Hope By Rick Blalock

The newest monument in Washington, D.C., dedicated to the memory and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. is attracting thousands of Americans and foreign tourists. It finally got its official day in the sun on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011. That is when the federal government formally dedicated the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in the area of the National Mall. That weekend in Washington should not have been considered a destination, however. It should have been viewed as a new leg on a long journey to find the America that King spoke of 48 years ago when he gave his “I Have a Dream” speech. When a quarter-million people turned out for the 1963 historic March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, the nation’s capital was also not so much a destination but a journey. It is that journey that several of King’s Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity brothers took to heart to spark the campaign to build a memorial in his honor. Little did they know their idea for a small tribute would become the monument that it is today. Little did fraternity members know that the young Atlantan who joined the fraternity in 1952 at Boston University would become a world leader and historic figure who inspires millions. Fraternity historian Robert Harris, a professor of history at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, says the idea for the monument started 28 years ago when brother George Sealey and his wife, sitting at their kitchen table, said there should be a tribute to King in Washington. Harris says they got the idea after watching President Reagan sign into law the King holiday bill in the fall of 1983. Sealey, then living in Silver Spring, Md., brought together four other Alpha men in his local chapter, and from there the idea became a national mission of the fraternity. After years of producing fiscal and fundraising plans, drawings and blueprints and galvanizing public support, Alpha Phi Alpha persuaded Congress and key elements of the executive branch, including the Department of the Interior and the White House, to green light the project.

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King’s brothers’ dream is now a reality. “Many people did not think this could be built, but we did it, through hard work across the country,” said Herman “Skip” Mason Jr., general president of the fraternity. “In our local chapters, we worked with community groups to build support from local leaders to members of Congress, pressing why it was important and why we were willing to do whatever was needed to make this memorial happen.” It also would take raising $120 million. Alpha Phi Alpha boasts the largest contingent of individuals to donate, at approximately $3 million. There are thousands of other private citizens who gave, including children who raised dollars at elementary school events. The U.S. government allocated $10 million in matching funds, and the remainder came from about 100 corporate sponsors. Thousands of people were set to descend on Washington on August 28 for the unveiling and dedication. It was planned to coincide with the anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington. But Hurricane Irene came along and disrupted everyone’s plans. It was going to be one big party, an international celebration not seen in Washington since the inauguration of President Obama in 2009. The fraternity did hold a private dedication that drew more than 5,000 on August 26, before the rest of the weekend events were canceled. The Oct. 16 weekend government event may have been a bit smaller than the originally planned celebration, but it still had star power and a festive flair. The president spoke, civil rights legends told stories of the struggle, Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder sang, and we heard about the long journey to build this worthwhile memorial. Also, the dedication has a link to another historic day in America: October 16 is the anniversary of the 1995 Million Man March. But the question remains, what really will happen after all the pomp and circumstance? What lessons will be learned and applied? This year, King would have turned 82 years old. He would be in the club of all those

veteran civil rights warriors who have made it to the 21st century. The iconic Rev. Joseph Lowery, a co-founder the Southern Christian Leadership Conference with King, turned 90 just before the dedication. Many now are in their twilight years. They march to a slower cadence, many with a third leg. Some are pushed along in wheelchairs. Many say the memorial is a marvelous and well-deserved tribute to a man who helped America find its soul. A man who showed the country how its citizens could - and should - be treated despite their race, color, creed or station in life. None of us know what King would think of all the euphoria surrounding this memorial, but my guess is that he would say we still have a lot of work to do. You do not have to look far for evidence that he would be right. A recent poll by the Pew Research Center shows that the wealth gap between whites and African- and Latino-Americans has grown by leaps and bounds. According to Pew, “median wealth of white households is 20 times that of black households and 18 times that of Hispanic households.” So it is clear the King memorial has to be more than just a “stone of hope.” It must be more than just another tourist site we put on our maps. It has to rekindle the enthusiasm in people for those issues King cared about. It has to be a living monument. It has to transform lives of those who will make the journey to see it up close. “The Alpha men who originally pushed this idea of a memorial saw this not just to honor King, but as an inspiration to schoolchildren who visit the capital each year,” Harris said. “Having this memorial to King could be inspirational as they go back home.” Sealey never got to see his dream become reality. He died several years ago. But now the world has the chance to benefit from that dream and to see Martin Luther King Jr. in a new way. However, it will mean nothing if we do not put action and meaning into what we glean from this monument. This opinion column was previously published by CNN.com and is courtesy of CNN.

JEWEL nathaniel allison murray

JEWEL nathaniel allison murray, at 50th Anniversary Convention

The FA L L 2 0 1 1 I S S U E ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY, INC. 2313 ST. PAUL STREET BALTIMORE, MD 21218-5234