Alpha Omega Black History Month Series

To know your past is to understand your future.....

This was the impetus behind the chapter’s decision to have a conversation with three trailblazers that were history makers in the lives of people within the African American community. We began the inaugural event with prayer delivered by our esteemed host and facilitator Rev. Courtney L. Miller proceeded by opening remarks from Chapter Basileus, Dr. Lucius Dalton. He explained that the genesis of this series was sparked by William E. Baugh who was the 15th Grand Basileus of our beloved Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated in 1935, it was during his tenure he established the Omega Psi Phi lecture series. Thus, this spawned the Alpha Omega chapter's Black History Month lectures. Let's meet our speakers...

Dr. Alfred Taylor Jr.

· Married 67 years and 15 days to his beloved wife Delores until her passing. They were blessed to have two children, three grandsons and two-great granddaughters. He has been driven by his life-long mantra: "If I can help somebody as I travel along, then my living would not be in vain." · Administrator, Printer, Scholar, Teacher, Author, Speaker, and Lecturer · Dr. Taylor served as the Associate Dean of the College of Physical Science, Engineering and Technology; Coordinator of Admissions and Records, Assistant Provost for Students Services, Assistant Dean of the College of Professional Studies (and was later named Acting Dean). He retired from the University of the District of Columbia after thirty-one years of service. · Initiated in Alpha Omega Chapter in 1974 · Basileus of Alpha Omega Chapter from 1987-1988

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On 13 February 2021 at 4PM, the discussion centered around the contributions of individuals that lived and worked within the area of Arlington, Virginia known as Green Valley. This area was predominately black and produced many men and women who made significant contributions to Black and American history. Dr. Taylor highlighted many folks featured in his books, Bridge Builders of Nauck/Green Valley and "What an Amazing Journey", an autobiography. The following are some significant contributors that came out of the community known as Green Valley:

· Gerald Bullock Designed the Naval Ship Gallies on the Nimitz Class Aircraft Carriers. · Major General Robert C. Gaskill was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Infantry after completing Reserve Officer Training as a Distinguished Military Graduate at Howard University. First African American to become Quartermaster General to be deputy commander at the Army War College. · Roberta Flack, famous singer, song writer and scholar. · Milton Rowe, who served as the Whitehouse Butler during the Kennedy Administration.

Dr. Taylor shared stories about people in every walk of life from the Green Valley area that made significant contributions. It was an enlightening and amazing afternoon of history being shared. The lecture can be viewed and listen to in its entirety via the Zoom recording link: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/NYL_lvvSLMYBD50CeDX82Or9YU2XZIKKRcpw7N-Q79utsiz6JAdnALhNNzWnArB.Dh3dFWcUppwi2Mf

Bro. Peter Parham · Married 52 years, Jacqueline and one daughter · Educator, Administrator, Special Assistance to Sen. Kennedy, Chief Staff for DC

Public Schools, Contractor and retired after 39 years of public service · Delaware State University graduate, Initiated in Psi Epsilon chapter of Omega Psi

Phi Fraternity Inc., in 1965, Solo aka "Lone Dog" · Alpha Omega Chapter member since 2015

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On 20 February 2021 at 4PM, The discussion with Bro. Peter Parham centered on the creation and passing of the Martin Luther King, Holiday Bill. The interviewer and discussion leader for the day was Bro. Nijel Redrick. As always following protocol we had opening remarks from Alpha Omega Chapter Basileus, Dr. Lucius Dalton and he explained the genesis of the program. Bro. Redrick began by asking Bro. Parham to talk about his interesting lineage dating back to the founding of this country. On his maternal side he is a descendant of the indigenous people known as the Wampanoag Tribe. The translation of the name Wampanoag is "people of the first light". They were the first native people in the beginning of the 17th century, to contact the English colonists in the territory that included the islands of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket.

On 20 February 2021 at 4PM, The discussion with Bro. Peter Parham centered on the creation and passing of the Martin Luther King, Holiday Bill. The interviewer and discussion leader for the day was Bro. Nijel Redrick. As always following protocol we had opening remarks from Alpha Omega Chapter Basileus, Dr. Lucius Dalton and he explained the genesis of the program. Bro. Redrick began by asking Bro. Parham to talk about his interesting lineage dating back to the founding of this country. On his maternal side he is a descendant of the indigenous people known as the Wampanoag Tribe. The translation of the name Wampanoag is "people of the first light". They were the first native people in the beginning of the 17th century, to contact the English colonists in the territory that included the islands of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket.

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Bro Rodrick asked, when was your first remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King? Bro. Parham replied it was through a close friend of the family named Baron H. Martin. Thus, when Mr. Martin became a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated in 1952 through the Sigma chapter in Roxbury, his line brother was the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,. Brother Parham stated that his life encapsulated what he called a multitude of intersections which was important to his growth as a man. For example, his mentor Rev. Michael Haynes (Omega Man) was the youth minister at the historic 12th Baptist Church in Boston, it was anti-slavery meeting house for freed black slaves. Dr. Martin Luther King would preach as an assistant minister at 12th Baptist Church while attending Boston University. Rev Haynes and Dr. King became the best of friends and the church was also instrumental in Dr. King meeting his wife Coretta. In addition, Rev. Haynes was instrumental in brother Parham meeting Sen. Kennedy through a youth club called the Exquisites in 1963. The story continues...In 1974 during court order desegregation, Brother Parham was interviewed and made special assistant to the superintendent of schools in Boston when all the turbulence regarding school busing exploded. A couple of years later in 1976 he was asked to interview and became the Special Assistance to Sen. Kennedy. He arrived in Washington in January 1977 and hit the ground running. In 1979, Ms. King requested a meeting with Sen. Kennedy for a hearing to make MLK's birthday a National Holiday. He worked with Sen. Kennedy and the Congressional Black Caucus on bill S25 to partner with HR15. During the period approval Bro. Parham was responsible for managing the congressional meetings that were instrumental in getting the bill approved. On November 2, 1983 with Mrs. King and Rep. Katie Hall, looking on as the MLK Holiday legislation was signed into law. What a story and rich legacy that was shared on that afternoon. To listen and view the lecture in its entirety please use the following Zoom recording link: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/t0MWSdrFHbEYW3am3jUFqvMqme7k1JesfsOAWX-4Wdtb4eKAT1qVV-FUNKlWtGT.tAuRbJtApGWiLj2K

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Bro. Bruce Bradford

· Married 49 1/2 years, married to Patricia his college sweetheart, 4 children and 6 grandchildren · Educator, Coach (Swimming, Tennis and Baseball) and teacher at DC Public Schools retired after 45 years of public service · Created first class to help at risk youth with mitigating issues called, “Alternative to Violence" class at H.D. Woodson · Tennessee State University graduate, Initiated in Mighty Rho Psi chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., in 1967 · 4-year Scholarship athlete on the Tennessee State Tiger Shark Swim Team · Former President of DC Coaches Association for DC Public Schools · Inducted into the Hall of Fame for the National Association of Black Scuba Divers · Former President of American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD)

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On 27 February 2021 at 4PM, The discussion with Bro. Bruce Bradford a native Washingtonian whose life has centered around Teaching and Aquatics in the Washington DC area. The interviewer and discussion leader for the day was Dr. E. Newton Jackson Jr., who was a former head swimming and diving coach (1993-1998) at Howard University. The majority of Brother Bradford coaching tenure was with the H.D. Woodson swim team where for 33 years, he was able to send numerous students to HBCUs such as Tennessee State, South Carolina State, John C. Smith, Hampton, & Alabama State. Brother Bradford's passion for swimming led him to other aquatic endeavors such as scuba diving. This new love drove him to become a certified scuba diving instructor. As always, he sought to share his new skill with others. Thus, he has been able to train 27 students into becoming certified scuba divers in various certifications. Dr. Jackson offered for historical reference several coaches that didn’t get notoriety that sent students to school via swimming scholarships. Here are just a few coaches and swimmers out of Washington DC; Stanley Gainor, Roy Fagen, Fred Evans- first American to go under a minute in the Breast Stroke, Dr. Bobby Murray -swam at Wilson High School and the University of Michigan where he became the 3rd person to go under 30 seconds in the 50 meter freestyle and Alpha Omega's own, Courtney L. Miller who is the current assistant swimming and diving coach at Howard University. In addition, Jim Ellis was one black swim coach that receive some attention with the 2007 release of the movie (Pride) based on his life of coaching in the Philadelphia Department of Recreation in Pennsylvania. The day was spent discussing the great achievements of African Americans in swimming and the men of Omega. We will always remember, "Omega Men are everywhere, making history and making firsts!" To listen and view the lecture in its entirety please use the following Zoom recording link: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/DXN1mfGRSHVYQXmRcvtM_CC6FbDGWT73ajPCDH mW3EP63i7e1zyzAmzyyEVc1GDa.KZNtRGxIEZUCJG1d

Article prepared by C. Delray Brown Alpha Omega Chapter Reporter

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