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FROM THE DISTRICT DIRECTOR Brothers of the Florida District, Welcome to The TORCH, the official newsletter of the Florida Federation of Alpha Chapters! This is the phirst edition of our administration and we are excited to bring it to you! Improved communication within the District is invaluable to our overall success and this is one vehicle we will use to keep you informed. There is a great deal of positive work taking place within the District, of which many Brothers are unaware. The TORCH will highlight accomplishments of Brothers, Chapters, and Areas so that we can recognize the impact we are making in our respective communities. Our goal is to “Market the District to the District” and beyond! We hope you enjoy the Spring 2013 edition of The TORCH! Fraternally,
THE TORCH STAFF Matthew Bradford
Bro. Matthew S. Bradford District Director • Florida Federation of Alpha Chapters Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated
District Director
Robert Whittinham
FROM THE SOUTHERN REGION VICE PRESIDENT Brothers of the District of Florida, Fraternal Greetings!! As the Southern Region Vice President, it is both an honor and privilege for me to provide words of greetings in the inaugural edition of The Torch Newsletter.
Executive Director Zeta Alpha Lambda
Leslie Elus
Editor Iota Pi Lambda
Dante’ D. Fillyau
Art Direction Beta Beta Lambda
Let me begin by congratulating Brother Matthew Bradford as he begins his term as the Florida District Director. I look forward to his leadership and stewardship of this great District. During my term of office, I have continued to re-affirm that Alpha Phi Alpha’s doctrine “to develop leaders, promote brotherhood and academic excellence, while providing service and advocacy for our communities” is more important now than ever before. I have also acknowledged that each of us, in our own right, is to be commended for all of our hard work and dedication to providing educational and social advantages for people everywhere. Let me also commend Brother John D. Ellis, Jr., Esq. for his service as the 14th Florida District Director. I am appreciative of his leadership in the District and as member of the Southern Region Board of Directors. He was a valued member of the leadership team and it was a pleasure to work with him.
ISSUE CONTRIBUTORS Beta Delta Lambda Gamma Mu Lambda Gamma Zeta Lambda Iota Epsilon Lambda
I also would like to extend my congratulations to Brother Ismael Brown for being elected to serve as the Southern Region Assistant Vice President. He too was a strong voice on the Southern Region Board of Directors and I believe that he will be an equally strong voice as a member of the National Board of Directors.
Omicron Upsilon Lambda
Brothers of Florida, thank you for all that you have done and will continue to do to make Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. an even better brand.
Tau Delta
Continue to march Onward and Upward!! James L. Crumel Sr. Southern Region Vice President
Omicron Beta Lambda
Theta Epsilon Lambda Upsilon Lambda
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated 2
OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE FLORIDA FEDERATION OF ALPHA CHAPTERS
NEWS AROUND THE DISTRICT
Seeking Perfection while Meeting the Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Standard of Excellence Oratorical Breakfast Contest
Brothers of the Upsilon Lambda, Sigma Upsilon, and Kappa Upsilon chapters and pose with contestants from their recent MLK Oratorical Contest.
Jacksonville • For the past five years, the Brothers
FMOT participants at a program workshop session
Delray Beach • In recent years, the Future Men of Tomorrow
(F.M.O.T.) Program has become one of the hallmark programs of the Omicron Upsilon Lambda Chapter. The FMOT program, the chapter’s youth outreach initiative, operates as an early intervention alternative for at-risk boys in the area. The project serves as a substitute to juvenile deviance by providing its participants with enriching experiences that build self-esteem, instill cultural pride, and guides them into manhood. FMOT ‘s curriculum integrates the Fraternity’s national youth programs, Christian values, academic support resources, business and community service to provide young men with the tools pivotal to success in life. Through the example of positive role models, the program strives to develop boys between the ages of 9-14 into stewards of excellence at home, their community, school, and work place.
of the Upsilon Lambda Chapter have hosted an annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Oratorical Breakfast Contest. Held during Black History Month, Upsilon Lambda has given more than $15,000.00 in academic scholarships to African American high school males in the eleventh and twelfth grades. Upsilon Lambda was Fraternity’s first chartered chapter in the state of Florida. It was established upon the suggestion of historian and past General President Bro. Dr. Charles H. Wesley on December 30, 1925. “The chief significance of Alpha Phi Alpha lies in its purpose to stimulate, develop, and cement an intelligent, trained leadership in the unending fight for freedom, equality and fraternity. Our task is endless.” Jewel Henry Arthur Callis, May 1946
OBL Promotes Fraternity’s National Program Go to High School, Go to College Clearwater • The Brothers of Omicron Beta
OBL youth participants stop for a picture while on tour at Xavier University. www.FLFEDERATION.org
Lambda took youth on a road trip to explore collegiate opportunities after high school. In six days, the chapter traveled with twenty-three students to visit the University of West Florida, Dillard University and Xavier University in New Orleans, LA. Their youth program also held a Teen Summit/Law Forum which attracted over 125 students and parents from across county. The summit included leadership sessions led by the City of Clearwater’s first African American City manager and Police Chief. Last summer, OBL hosted a group of 40 youth and adults in a fellowship day at Walt Disney World. They also sent eleven students and four chaperones to the Alpha South Leadership Development Institute at Fort Valley State University 3
NEWS AROUND THE DISTRICT
EML Annual Scholarship Ball
Honoring an Alpha Legend
YLT participants pose with their dates at the scholarship dinner reception.
Pensacola • The Epsilon Mu Lambda Chapter
held its fourth annual Young Leaders of Tomorrow Gala on Saturday, February 2, 2013. Attendees honored eleven male high school seniors for their commitment to academic excellence and completion of the program. During the program, YLT participants refined their leadership skills through workshops covering topics that included life skills, education, career planning, and cultural development. Each youth honoree received a scholarship to assist them with their post secondary goals.
Marching to the Beat of The Drum Major of the Civil Rights Movement
Bro. Huger celebrating an Alpha milestone with Daytona graduate brothers.
Daytona Beach • The Beta Delta Lambda Chapter honored
Dr. James E. Huger during their annual program, The Legacy Celebration. The Legacy Celebration is a series of events highlighting individuals who dedicate their lives to service through their profession and civic involvement. Dr. Huger has been an Alpha for 77 years. He is a former national General Secretary of the Fraternity, retired Volusia County Council Chairman, and community activist. Among his accomplishments, Bro. Huger is noted for signing Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s shingle. For his leadership during the Civil Rights crusades, he was bestowed with the fraternity’s highest award, The Award of Merit. Recently, he was recognized by the United States congress with the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor for his service to this country as one of the Munford Point Marines during WWII.
DATES TO REMEMBER Brothers of Gamma Zeta Lambda and Theta Gamma at Tampa’s MLK Parade.
Tampa • The Brothers of the Gamma Zeta
Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. participated in the City of Tampa’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Parade on January 21, 2013. Sixteen Brothers from GZL marched in the parade route that began at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue at 15th Street, then headed north on 22nd Street past Middleton High School, ending at Osborn Avenue. The chapter was joined in its march by twelve of its Men of Tomorrow high school participants and ten Brothers from the Theta Gamma Chapter.
National Convention June 26-30, 2013 • Austin, Texas
District Convention
October 18-20, 2013* • Jacksonville, Florida
Southern Region Convention March 20-23, 2014 • Chattanooga, Tennessee *TENTATIVE
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OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE FLORIDA FEDERATION OF ALPHA CHAPTERS
NEWS AROUND THE DISTRICT
U. S. Virgin Island Brothers host Southern Region Board of Directors
College Brothers use a Golden Occasion to raise funds for Cancer Awareness
Tau Delta members pose with their reigning pageant queen. Brothers of the Theta Epsilon Lambda Chapter, school officials, and the Southern Region Board of Directors outside of Lockhart Elementary School.
Virgin Islands • The Theta Epsilon Lambda Chapter recently
hosted the Southern Region Board of Directors for their annual Board Retreat. As part of their visit, the Board participated in an educational service project at Lockhart Elementary school. This initiative was part of chapter’s adopt-a-school campaign that focuses on improving child literacy and building life skills. Board members, along with the Brothers of Theta Epsilon Lambda, read to kindergarten and first grade students while quizzing them afterwards on their comprehension. They conducted an open dialogue with second and third graders on exhibiting positive behavior and the negatives of teasing. The group also lead discussions with fourth, fifth, and six grade students on the topics of peer pressure, bullying, and goal setting. Each interactive discussion was well received by the students involved. In addition, Brothers talked to students about their professions and fielded questions on a wide range of topics.
Miami • This past fall, the Tau Delta Chapter held
its annual banquet to raise money for Relay for Life and the American Cancer Society. The program, entitled the Golden Occasion, celebrated its 7th year anniversary in outstanding manner. The fundraiser experienced a record turnout. Guests fashioned in their finest evening apparel enjoyed live performances, dinner, and the powerful words of a local guest speaker whom not only beat cancer but is an activist in helping to find a cure. Through ticket sales, sponsorship and donations this year’s event raised over $2,000. From the arduous labor of our chapter of four, this event was the most successful it has been in quite some time. The Golden Occasion’s success is a shining testament to the impact the collective efforts of a few Alpha men can have in improving our community.
Mentee Today, Brother Tomorrow : Peserving the Future of Alpha
Iota Epsilon Lambda’s newest additions, from left to right: Aldred Rolle – IT Officer, Dr. Wesley Francis – Oncologist Surgeon, Jamaal Swaby – IT Manager, Dominic Stubbs – Offshore Banking Officer, Keith Xavy Simms – Educator, and Keenan Johnson – Attorney at Law.
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Nassau, Bahamas • The Iota Epsilon Lambda Chapter is pleased to welcome six new Brothers this spring. Two of the new initiates serve as living proof to the importance of Alpha mentoring. In 1990, Bro. Wesley Francis graduated from Government High School and took part in the Alpha Honors Day Convocation, the local initiative of “Go-To-High School, Go-To-College.” Today, a successful medical doctor who specializes in Oncology and serves as President of the Bahamas Medical Association, Bro. Wesley noted that he was impressed by what the brotherhood stood for when he was in high school. He attended college in the Caribbean and therefore never got an opportunity to join in college. In 1997, Bro. Keenan Johnson was a six grade student at Emma Cooper Primary School and was a participant in a primary school outreach program chapter was affiliated to. Bro. Johnson also noted that he was impressed by the Brotherhood and when the opportunity to join presented itself, he availed himself.
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ALPHA BROTHER SPOTLIGHT ALUMNI BROTHER : Attorney Gordon Charles Murray, Sr. Appointed to General Magistrate – 11th Judicial Circuit
Miami • Attorney Gordon Charles Murray, Sr. has been appointed
as a General Magistrate for the 11th Judicial Circuit, Miami-Dade County, Florida. General Magistrate Murray, 52, is a Carol City High School graduate (1978). He was one of the very first Golden Drum Award recipients and attended the University of Miami. He graduated from the University of Miami with a Bachelor of Arts Degree (1982) before receiving his Juris Doctor Degree (1985) from the University of Miami School Of Law. Magistrate Murray has been a practicing attorney for over 25 years, beginning his career as an Assistant State Attorney for Monroe and Miami-Dade counties and then establishing a private practice in North Miami in 1993. Magistrate Murray recently received the Florida Bar President’s Pro Bono Service Award (2010) in recognition of the hundreds of hours he amassed for his pro bono legal work in the Miami-Dade County community. Magistrate Murray was appointed by the Honorable Joel Brown, Chief Judge of the 11th Judicial Circuit and he has been assigned to the family division and will preside over child support matters at the Overtown Transit Village South, 601 NW 1st Court, 2nd Floor. Bro. Gordon C. Murrary, Sr. after being sworn into office.
COLLEGE BROTHER : A College Brother Salute, Holding True to the Vision of the Jewels Miami • It begins with a man’s will; his motivation produces an
infinite amount of outcomes making statistically, but more importantly, faithfully possible to succeed. At first, Andrew Philatre may pass as a quiet and somewhat reserved individual but spend any minute conversing with him and one may come to find that not judging a book by its cover is a good idea to live by. Mr. Philatre currently attends Florida International University under the College of Education: Sports and Fitness track as he aspires to ultimately become a Physical Therapist. Maintaining a 3.5 GPA, Mr. Philatre serves as the President of the Tau Delta Chapter at Florida International University, the Vice President of the Black Student Union, E-Relations Chair, Uifi Graduate and Intern. Scholarship and professionalism are the aspects of his game that make Mr. Philatre so dynamic. The professional world is changing and not much is guaranteed but any individual that is able to develop and maintain the work ethic that Mr. Philatre displays posess a skill set that will translate to success in any facet of life. Bro. Andrew Philatre of Tau Delta Chapter 6
OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE FLORIDA FEDERATION OF ALPHA CHAPTERS
NOT AN END BUT A NEW BEGINNING... My good brothers of the Florida District, I wish to thank all of you for your endless support of our administration over these past four years and for allowing me the honor and privilege to serve you as your District Director. I especially wish to thank our own, Southern Region Vice President, Bro. James L. Crumel, Sr., for being an exemplary mentor – and for also having the faith in me to appoint me as the 14th District Director of this great District. I thank my leadership team and all the chapter presidents for all your help and cooperation. What a glorious journey it has been, to some it may seem to be the end but to those with a discerning vision it is the beginning of a new era in the District. On last weekend, I could not have scripted the ending of my administration any better. As I heard the election chair of the Southern Region announce our Assistant District Director, Bro. Ismael Brown (my wing man of these past twelve months) as the official winner of a heated and contested run-off race for the Assistant Region Vice President, my heart jumped for joy for this young brother as I witnessed the hard work and labor he had put forth to bring this dream to a reality. A race that had five other contestants and for our brother to emerge victorious – was not only a moment of joy for him – but also for our beloved district. He could not have done it without the support and encouragement of the brothers from the Florida District who believed in his ability as a leader. It was one of our administration’s goals to have a college brother elected to that esteem position. It has been over ten years since a college brother from Florida has been elected to the position of Assistant Southern Region Vice President. Congratulations Bro. Brown, our newly elected Assistant Southern Region Vice President, serve us well and always remember that you have over a 1,000 brothers that comprise the Florida District supporting you at all times. Then on the following day, a glorious Sunday morning, our joy was further extended as we witnessed the swearing in of our 15th District Director, Bro. Matthew S. Bradford, the former South Area Director, in our administration; a new era was being ushered in. During our administration we exhorted the principle of Michael Nolan, “good leaders surround themselves with good people, who in turn become good leaders.” Not only is Bro. Bradford a good godly person, he also has all the attributes to become not just a good Alpha leader but become one of the greatest District Directors that this district has ever developed. In order for him to develop and become that great district director, we as a brotherhood must rally steadfastly behind him and his administration to provide them with all our support and encouragement. As my mentor, the late Bro. Rev. Moses General Miles, would constantly remind me, “great Alpha leaders are developed and not born.” Over the past four years, we have worked tirelessly on teaching a key principle of our fraternity mission statement, developing leaders. On last weekend, we again witnessed the fruits of our efforts and we look forward to others assuming leadership roles within our district, region, and on our fraternity’s national boards. As a district, we must remain firmly committed in deed and action, and not by lip service, to the principle and goal of developing leaders and mentoring our brothers. If so, we will continue to be the district that Jewel Charles Henry Chapman envisioned and spoke so passionately of— “the school of the better making of men.” Thank you my brothers for allowing me to be your District Director for these past four years and may God continue to richly bless this great district and all the chapters and brothers that comprise it, so that we may continue to be united in one spirit, intent on one purpose of being First of All, Servants of All and We shall transcend All. In the Spirit of Brotherly Love and Oneness, John D. Ellis, Jr., Esq. Immediate Past District Director Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated www.FLFEDERATION.org
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CHAPLAIN’S MESSAGE As I talk to Brothers across our great District, I can’t help but to remember those of us suffering in silence. We have Florida Brothers whom are weary and battered from the struggles of daily life. If it’s not unemployment, it’s underemployment; if it’s not foreclosure, it’s the inability to make ends meet. If that’s not enough, we have health challenges some of us have been plagued with - cancer, diabetes, and high blood pressure to name a few. To those of you who may be afflicked by such issues, I note to you that these are challenging times; you may feel that you are surrounded by the enemy on all sides but know this, there is a light at the end of every tunnel. So if you ever find yourself feeling overwhelmed by the struggles of life the first thing you should do is pray, the second should be to give God some praise, and third thing to do is plant yourself firmly and remember that the battle is not yours it’s the Lord’s. If at anytime you need prayer or need some help weathering through a storm please do not hesitate to contact your District Chaplain. Brothers, I am here to listen and provide sound spiritual guidance to the Florida Federation.
FOOD FOR THE SOUL Free at last, they took your life, They could not take your pride. Psalm 129:1-8 Reference: v.2 “they have greatly oppressed me from my youth, but they have not gained the victory over me.” (TNIV Bible) Explore: Martin Luther King Jr. is one of our great men of history. He stood up for equal rights for the African-American people in the mid-1950s and 60s.
In His Service,
His speeches are still quoted today and many songs have been written about him – including a verse in U2’s Pride (In The Name of Love). Although he received a Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 he was assassinated in 1968 as he organized a nonviolent protest rally for African-Americans who were not being paid equally to their white counterparts.
Rev. Brother John T. Warren District Chaplain • Florida Federation Of Alpha Chapters Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated
Our world is a different place today because of Martin Luther King Jr. And he is just one of many great people who have stood up for those in the minority and suffered a great price because of it. Free at last, they took your life, They could not take your pride.
DISTRICT OFFICERS
Application: We may not be confronted with the same level of persecution as Martin Luther King Jr, but we all deal with negative opinions and people who try to pull us down. Oppression can come in all different kinds of forms – physical attack, passive-aggressive behavior, bullying, negative words and constant put downs.
Matthew Bradford District Director
Karl Harmon Sr. Treasurer
John D. Ellis, Jr. Esq. Immediate Past District Director
Andre McAden Financial Secretary
Ismael Brown Assistant District Director
Desmond Haygood Secretary
A. Shawn Collins Deputy District Director
David H. Jackson, Jr. Historian
Robert Whittinham Executive Director
Anthony Jackson Parliamentarian
Robert Houston Northwest Area Director
Charles Gillette District Counsel
Reynard Mayberry North Area Director
Rev. John T. Warren Chaplain
Rodney Rackley East Area Director
Terence Hood District Chief Dean
Barry Cole West Area Director
Gregory J. Harris Director of Alpha University
CONTENT SUBMISSIONS!
Ryan Dobson South Area Director
Dante’ Fillyau Director of Communications
Brothers!
Dayan Bourne Bahamas Area Director
Shonte White Director of Convention
Eric Baynes Virgin Islands Area Director
Vincent Jones Director of Technology
Please submit your article submissions for The Torch and the Florida Federation of Alpha Chapters web site to thetorch@flfederation.org. If you are submitting photos for the gallery, please use WETRANSFER. com and send to thetorch@flfederation.org. Thank you.
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When negativity comes our way we can choose how we deal with it. We can allow it to get us down and change our lives or we can stand firm and not allow it to ‘gain victory over us’. As Psalm 129 shows us, the people of Israel had experienced great oppression for an extended period of time, and yet, they trusted in the Lord and gained their meaning from Him.
OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE FLORIDA FEDERATION OF ALPHA CHAPTERS