PRESIDENT’S
GENERAL PRESIDENT’S LETTER
FRATERNITY’S FIRST 100 YEARS MARKED BY EXTRAORDINARY LEADERSHIP
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his year, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. reaches a milestone that we have eagerly awaited. This year, we reach the Centennial mark when we celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Fraternity and look back on the many accomplishments made by the organization and its members. Our history is marked by the extraordinary leadership that we have given to the community. Our commitment has been to social action. Back in the 1930s and 1940s, we developed Go-to-High School, Go-toCollege as a national program because large numbers of African American children were dropping out of high school. We have expanded that now to Go-to-High School, Go-to-College, Go-to-Work to address the needs of the time. In addition, as part of our A Voteless People Is A Hopeless People campaign, we now not only register voters but also make sure our citizens exercise the full franchise of their rights. In our national alliance with Big Brothers/Big Sisters, if we are going to stop the cycle of nihilism and give young children appropriate role models; we need men who are successful to show our youth that there is another way. We need 10,000 Alpha men to immediately sign up to be Big Brothers. In our Project Alpha Program, done in conjunction with March of Dimes’ Walk America, we have a responsibility to give information to teen males, telling them what the outcome will be if they engage in risky behavior. With the Boy Scouts of America, our focus must be on mentoring and ensuring there are more Eagle Scouts in our community. We must ensure that young men trying to become Eagle Scouts have the resources, the guidance and the mentoring they need. The message to our members at this Centennial mark is: If you are not involved with youth, then you really are not involved with Alpha Phi Alpha. We must also recognize that we are living in a time when many of the comfortable operational mechanisms of yesterday are no longer adequate for today’s challenges—much less those of the future. At this Centennial mark, we must recognize that doing well what we are doing now is not the prescription for success in the 21st century. It will take creative vision, tenacity and resolve to spark the development of new paradigms. Our great commission is to develop—through effective programs and mentoring—exceptional leaders to ensure that the well of leadership the community has drawn from does not run dry. We must prepare and motivate our Brothers to make a positive impact on society by providing them with the tools and resources needed to maximize their potential and rapidly ascend as leaders in their chosen fields of endeavor. Our Alpha assembly line that has created some of the world’s best and brightest men must be inspected, re-tooled, refurbished and upgraded so that the mechanism remains strong. Our efforts must double and triple, as we continue to answer the call for leadership and service so that we can meet the challenges of our day with the same unbridled ambition, vision and courage that our Founders demonstrated 100 years ago. We must develop a strategic plan that sets a successful foundation for Alpha men yet unborn. We must run our business—the business of brotherhood, leadership and service—with the guiding principles of good management and fiscal responsibility. We will be successful if: (1) we establish a process for consistent transparency, accountability and apportion responsibility for managing and measuring the organization’s performance; (2) we assure that all efforts expended by the Board of Directors, the General Office, Regional Vice Presidents, District Directors and Chapter Presidents are aligned with our strategic plan via our operating plans; (3) we recognize and maintain standards of excellence for operational/organizational effectiveness and the efficient management of Alpha’s resources. Then, after we have paused to celebrate at this Centennial mark; and have resumed our journey and run pass the milestone—we will have left behind a landmark to be followed by other great organizations that have yet to reach this occasion. At the landmark, they too shall see that the Centennial milestone is a point of preparation for the next leg of the journey. Fraternally,
DARRYL R. MATTHEWS, SR. General President
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EXECUTIVE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S LETTER
WE FALL, WE RISE, WE STAND AND WE SHALL NOT BE MOVED My Brothers Beloved,
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reetings from your Corporate Headquarters! As we are mere weeks away from the conclusion of our Centennial Convention, I pause to reflect on the year up to this point. From January to July 2006— in those seven months I traveled across the length and breath of Alphadom. From Louisiana and Mississippi to Texas—in each of these magnificent Districts, I visited with Brothers whose personal lives, their families and their communities had been devastated by the hurricanes of last year. In each of those communities, I went to offer a word of encouragement and support; yet, it was I who was uplifted when I spoke with Brother after Brother, who thought not of themselves in that time of need. They spoke about doing more for the communities in which they served. They were Alpha Men, the Noblest and the Most Honorable that I have ever met. I went also to the funeral of Brother Paul Shanor, killed in Oklahoma City on the birthday of Brother Martin Luther King, Jr. and taken from us in the prime of his life, at the young age of 21. I wept with his parents and thousands of members of that community as we remembered his life—a life the Jewels would have respected as he lived the ideals they taught us. I traveled from California, to Oklahoma, to New York, to Michigan and to Tennessee, visiting the Brothers at each Regional Convention. I traveled to Ramstein, Germany and visited with the Brothers of Theta Theta Lambda Chapter and with their families. At each event, I included in my remarks the statement: “We Fall, We Rise, We Stand and We Shall Not Be Moved!”, as I spoke about the need to meet challenges and face adversity. Those words have taken on a new personal meaning for me. At each stop along the way, I encouraged you to come to Washington, D.C. to participate in the Centennial Celebration. Then, I had the opportunity to stand in the hallway of the Marriott Hotel and I fellowship with many thousands of you that came— the largest assembly of Alpha Brothers in our History. What a truly AWESOME moment! I will never forget it! This has been another magnificent year in our history, as this edition of The SPHINX reflects. During the Spring, our collective efforts to assist the March of Dimes resulted in fundraising of approximately $166,000.00 an increase of $22,000.00 over the previous year (thanks to Brother Wilbert Brown – National Walk America Coordinator, our Regional Coordinators, and to Brother Wilbur Jackson–Director of March of Dimes Partnership Activities). We have raised over $235,000.00 as the 2006 contribution to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Foundation (Our Project). Thank you, Brother Frank Russell for leading this internal fundraising effort. We will have the official groundbreaking ceremony for the project in November of this year. The details will be provided soon. One of the most notable events of the year occurred on the weekend of May 5-7, when General President Matthews convened a Strategic Planning Retreat in Baltimore, Maryland where we gathered with the Board of Directors, the Organizational Effectiveness Committee and selected advisors and committee leaders to create the foundational statement for the first ever Fraternity Strategic Plan. Out of this retreat also came the first ever official Mission Statement: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. develops leaders, promotes Brotherhood and academic excellence, while providing service and advocacy for our communities. We will soon provide specific information to all Brothers and chapters that will detail how to begin to implement the plan. My Brothers, we are continuing to move forward into the Centennial Celebration—our birthday is still three months away—and then we will have a full year to be 100! The world is watching us, and our opportunities to add to the Legacy of Leadership and Service continue to present themselves. Stay tuned for the unveiling of a new National HQ website, and the Alpha Shop On-Line. Fall Intake Season will begin soon. Consider the candidates for membership carefully and wisely. We only need the best, those who truly exemplify who we are. Remember, many are curious, some are called and fewer still are Chosen! Enjoy this edition of The SPHINX! In closing, I remind you again: our General President has “Charged Us and Reminds Us” We Are One Alpha! There is only One Alpha Agenda! First of All, Servants of All, We Shall Transcend All. In the Truest Spirit of Fraternity,
WILLARD C. HALL, JR. Executive Director
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Spring • Summer 2006
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The Centennial Book of Essays and Letters LIMITED EDITION BOOK ON SALE NOW! A Blueprint for Success… Read the writings of the greatest thinkers over the past 100 years. The collection serves as a blueprint for the success of the African American community.
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PUBLISHER’S
PUBLISHER’S LETTER
THE INCREDIBLE STRENGTH OF CORETTA SCOTT KING
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he preparation of each Sphinx edition brings with it an opportunity for me to spend unique time with the topics covered in the publication. By the time this particular edition was “put to bed”, I had spend many hours enjoying the triumphs of the Fraternity and successes of its members. The Fraternity’s progress in its Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial fundraising and recordbreaking efforts in the March of Dimes Walk America campaign are stories we are happy to bring to you in the edition. We also delight in the accomplishments of our chapters—particularly the achievements of the Akron, Ohio Brothers—and the professional accomplishments of those highlighted in the Alphas On The Move section. This Sphinx issue, which highlights events that occurred in the first half of 2006, also gives us occasion to remember a great American—Coretta Scott King, the first lady of the Civil Rights Movement who continued the legacy of Brother Martin Luther King, Jr. in opening doors for the poor and underprivileged. The lives of millions throughout the world have been made better by Coretta and Martin King’s courageous stance against injustice. In preparing the feature, I found myself thinking back on the day when I met Mrs. King and the profound impact she had on my life. I was working as a reporter for the Baltimore Hearst Newspapers—my first job after college as I mentioned in the last Sphinx edition—when the opportunity came about. At that time, then President Jimmy Carter was coming to Baltimore as part of his White House Conference on the American Family. About a dozen national leaders came with him to endorse the campaign and among them was Coretta Scott King. News media from throughout the region converged on Baltimore’s Convention Center to cover the event. My newspaper assembled a team of reporters, with each assigned to interview one of the major leaders. I was thrilled to have been assigned to interview Mrs. King; however, we all knew the enormous challenge each reporter faced in getting the story. Secret Service clearance first had to be obtained for each reporter. That was followed by planning meetings, scheduling and a hundred other logistical steps. The morning of the conference, I arrived at the Convention Center a little later than the other reporters, after having remained in the newsroom to cover a breaking story. I remember passing Oprah Winfrey on the Convention Center escalators while on my way into the conference. She was a reporter for the local ABC-TV network affiliate. The competing media was sending its best. Inside, security was tight with scores of law enforcement officials forming a wall around the stage where Jimmy Carter, Coretta King and other dignitary sat. Several hundred more security officials were visible throughout the room. I recall reaching for my ink pen and attracting a hundred pair of security eyes, which reaffirmed the challenge I would face in getting my story. The moment the program ended, the room erupted into a fury with security teams moving the media and the audience back so the dignitary could exit. President Carter moved toward the crowd to shake hands and a team of Secret Service agents moved in beside him. Mrs. King came off the stage and into the audience and several dozen reporters, photographers and cameramen surrounded her. I carefully weaved through the crowd, attempting not to alarm Mrs. King’s security team who stood near her. The combination of dignitary, security, crowd and media had made a formula for chaos. Once at the center of the crowd where Mrs. King was standing, I waited patiently for the opportunity to approach her. At an appropriate moment, I stepped forward and in so doing, I stepped from chaos into a calming and gracious reception. I could not have anticipated the warmth and strength that exuberated from the civil rights leader. She graciously agreed to my request for an interview and asked if I could wait until after she spoke with others standing by. The space on this page is not sufficient to describe the incredible demonstration of character that resulted from the meeting. Beginning on page 48, however, we chronicle the life of Coretta Scott King and help tell the story of this gracious lady. I know you will enjoy the feature.
Fraternally,
SEATON J. WHITE, III Publisher and Executive Editor
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Spring • Summer 2006
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HEADS OF BLACK GREEK-LETTER ORGANIZATIONS JOIN WITH OTHER AFRICAN AMERICAN LEADERS IN SIGNING COVENANT WITH BLACK AMERICA
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eneral President Darryl R. Matthews, Sr. (pictured below, second from right) joined with dozens of the nation’s other most influential African American leaders in signing the Covenant With Black America, which lists and addresses many of the issues that are important to the African American community. Others pictured in the below photo are (left-to-right) Richard Snow, Executive Director of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.; Samuel Hamilton, Grand Polemarch of Kappa Alpha Psi; Tavis Smiley, author, activist, radio and television personality and Kappa Alpha Psi member; and Norman Jenkins, National President of NABA, Inc., Senior Vice President of North American Development for Marriott and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity member. The Covenant with Black America was prepared as a national plan of action to address the primary concerns of African Americans. Covenant author Tavis Smiley traveled to the nation’s capital to meet with African American leaders following his 2006 State of the Black Union conference earlier this year in Houston, Texas. Leaders representing political, business, civil rights, educational, business and fraternal organizations pledged to uphold the ten key tenants found in the document aimed at improving the lives of African Americans. Among those that signed the Covenant were Bruce Gordon, CEO and president of the NAACP; Rep. Mel Watts (D-NC) and chair of the Congressional Black Caucus; Dr. Sandra Gadson, Black Greek-Letter Organizations Sign Covenant. president of the National Medical Association; Wade Henderson, Executive Director of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights; and Reg Weaver, President of the National Education Association. Mr. Smiley stated that the Covenant With Black America is a 254-page non-partisan document that does not promote the ideologies of the American political parties, but instead is concerned about the people of America. The document attempts to provide a framework for what African American leaders can do to make America better for blacks. The Covenant highlights many of the issues that are important to black America and looks at health, education, the criminal justice system, the digital divide and economic empowerment.
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For one hundred years the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity has worked tirelessly to improve the lot of AfricanAmericans, striving for equality, education, and full participation in American life. W.E.B. Dubois, Jesse Owens, Duke Ellington, Edward Brooke, Thurgood Marshall, Andrew Young, and Martin Luther King, Jr. are among the countless Alpha men who have dedicated their lives to “scholarship, manly deeds, and love for all mankind.” The history of these men is the story of America, and their place in the vanguard of African American progress in unparalleled. This is the story of Alpha Phi Alpha’s century of leadership and service. Order Online today at www.apa1906.net www.apa1906.net Limited Supplies Available
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More than $171,000 Raised for March of Dimes’
WalkAmerica By Wilbur Jackson
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lpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. began its formal partnership with the March of Dimes in the early 1980s when Project Alpha was introduced as a unique approach to preventing teenage pregnancy by focusing on teen males and the role they play in this health and socio-economic problem. Thousands of teen males have learned the importance of males responsibility through Project Alpha. In 2000, the partnership introduced Project Alpha Week where nationwide attention was drawn to the program. Also, the S.T.A.T.S curriculum to educate teen males about pregnancy prevention was funded by the March of Dimes to the tune of $250,000 and continues to serve the National Program. The men of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity have raised funds and served in key volunteer leadership positions with the March of Dimes since formation of the partnership. Thus far in 2006, the Fraternity has reported more than $171,000 raised in support of WalkAmerica, the March of Dimes’ premiere annual fundraising event. The funds come back to our communities in many forms, including support for Project Alpha, research of new medical discoveries, support for health training, legislative advocacy, community service projects, and more. Alpha members across the country lend their leadership skills to the March of Dimes in key positions like chairman of the executive board, communications committee, public affairs and program services. The positions also have involved Alpha Phi Alpha member participation at the division, state chapter, and national levels.
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Brother Dr. Louis Sullivan served as the National Chair for the Prematurity Campaign. This campaign plans to raise $75 million to fund research to find the causes of premature births. This health issue is the number one cause of infant mortality in the United States. The impact of premature births is highest in the African American community and warrants special research attention in order to discover the reasons for the disparity. In response, Project Alpha added a module to focus on understanding pre-maturity and helping to prevent one of the key risk factors—teen pregnancy. Researchers have identified other risk factors. For instance, African American women; women younger than age 17 or older than age 35; and poor women are at greater risk than others. Experts do not fully understand why and how these factors increase the risk that a woman will have preterm labor or birth. Fraternity General President Darryl R. Matthews, Sr. has placed special emphasis on the March of Dimes, asking that all chapters support the partnership by participating in WalkAmerica; conducting longitudinal Project Alpha programs that mentor young men to be more responsible; supporting the Prematurity Campaign; and providing volunteer leadership. Supporting the partnership is a national priority for all Fraternity members. Alpha Phi Alpha cosponsored the Texas Prematurity Summit conducted at the Houston General Convention site. African American leaders from across the state participated in this day-long workshop to identify strategies to address the severe impact of premature births in the
The Sphinx: www.APA1906.net
The photo taken at the Project Alpha event at the General Convention in Houston, Texas shows the teen male participants, Project Alpha leaders and General President Darryl Matthews. Texas – Southwestern Region; Barry Cole of Riverview, Florida – African American community. The Houston convention also served Southern Region; and Rodney Jordan of Las Vegas – Nevada, the local community with a major Project Alpha outreach program Western Region. that trained approximately 100 youth from across the city. The March of Dimes was founded in 1938 by President Franklin The Fraternity’s March of Dimes Partnership is structured with D. Roosevelt to find a cure for Poliomyelitis, which had reached a director of the program, along with national and regional coorepidemic proportions in the United States. Through research funddinators of WalkAmerica and Project Alpha. Brother Wilbur ed by these early fundraising Jackson of San Jose, California efforts, the Salk vaccine was disserves as the Director of the Fraternity General President Darryl R. Matthews, Sr. covered. The vaccine was trialed Fraternity’s March of Dimes has placed special emphasis on the March of Dimes, in 1954 and declared safe and Partnership. asking that all chapters support the partnership by effective in 1955. Since that Brother Wilbert Brown of Huntsville, Alabama is the National participating in WalkAmerica; conducting longitudinal incredible beginning, the March of Dimes has successfully tackled Coordinator of WalkAmerica, Project Alpha programs that mentor young men to many new issues affecting the along with five regional coordinabe more responsible; supporting the Prematurity health of mothers and babies tors: Brothers Lucien Metellus of Campaign; and providing volunteer leadership. with continued success. Some of New York City – Eastern Region; the recent accomplishments are: Dale Greeson of Columbus, Ohio development of neonatal intensive care units (NICU); use of folic – Midwestern Region; Kevin Jones of Houston, Texas – Southwestern acid to prevent neural tube defects; surfactant therapy to save the Region; Edward Jones of Huntsville, Alabama – Southern Region; and lives of babies with respiratory distress syndrome; newborn Cash Sutton of Chino, California – Western Region. screening for metabolic disorders; and prenatal surgery to correct Brother Craig Reed of Jacksonville, North Carolina serves as certain life-threatening birth defects. the National Coordinator of Project Alpha. The five regional coordinators for Project Alpha are: Brothers Keith Price of Mount Vernon, New York – Eastern Region; Ryzell McKinney of Bellwood, Brother Wilbur Jackson is Director of the March of Dimes Illinois – Midwestern Region; Byron Gautier of Missouri City, Partnership for the Fraternity.
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MOD Ambassador Brother Kevin Jones and Son— born at 1 lb, 5 oz Throw Out Houston Astros First Pitch
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he Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity father and son team, known in Texas as the March of Dimes Ambassador Dad and Son—Brother Kevin Jones and Kevin Christopher Jones, 3, born prematurely at 1 pound, 5 ounces—threw out the First Pitch for the National League Champion Houston Astros baseball team at a home game played on July 25, 2006. The Ceremonial First Pitch, denoting the end of pre-game festivities and the start of the game, served as an opportunity for the March of Dimes to bring awareness to the increasing problem of premature birth. “The most important thing in the world is to be able to have a healthy baby. And education and awareness are essential,” said Brother Jones, the Fraternity’s Southwest Regional Walk America Coordinator and Graduate Walk America Brother of the Year (2004-2006). Premature births are increasing at an alarming rate in America; and for African
Brother Jones is pictured with his wife, Regina, and sons, Kevin Christopher, 3, and Dylan, 2.
American women, premature birth is the leading cause of death in the first month of life and a major factor for many lifelong disabilities. The incredible cost, both in terms of human suffering and financial expenditures, was highlighted by the Texas
Above: (left to right) Ernestine “Ernie” PiñaSandoval, Director of Communications and Marketing for March of Dimes-Houston Division; Brother Kevin Jones with son, Kevin Christopher Jones, 3, on his shoulders; wife, Regina B. Jones holding youngest son, Dylan M. Jones, 2, with back turned. Kevin Christopher was born at 25 weeks gestation/6 months, weighing 1 pound, 5 ounces. At right: Brother Kevin Jones and son, Kevin Christopher, stand on pitcher’s mound preparing to throw ceremonial first pitch.
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March of Dimes at its recent Texas Prematurity Summit. Every year about 7,500 premature babies are born to African American mothers in Texas. African American mothers are twice as likely to deliver prematurely as white mothers. Kevin Christopher’s Neonatal Intensive Care stay in the hospital was helped by Dr. Charleta Guillory, M.D., Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine, Director of Neonatology at Texas Children’s Hospital, and Texas Committee member for the March of Dimes Prematurity Campaign. “The problem of prematurity is an important target in the March of Dimes mission of saving babies because of its close relationship to birth defects, infant mortality and low-birth weight,” Dr. Guillory said. “Events such as this—the First Astros Pitch—help us to communicate the commonality of the problem to the community at large and it helps the March of Dimes to communicate the seriousness of the problem.”
Premature babies need hope, love and you.
One in every 8 babies in the U.S. is born too soon. Some die; others face lifelong disabilities. Prematurity is a common, serious and costly problem that affects us all. That’s why we need you to join March of Dimes WalkAmerica. Walk and raise money to help fund research into why premature birth happens and what can be done to prevent it. Walk for someone you love.sm Walk in the name of one special baby — so all babies will have the chance to be born healthy and full-term. For more information, visit walkamerica.org, or call 1-800-525-WALK or your local chapter.
Sign up today!
walkamerica.org
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1 . 8 0 0 . 5 2 5 . WA L K
Akron Brothers and Fraternity dignitary assemble for photo outside of Chapter’s new Alpha Center.
NEW HEADQUARTERS BUILDING DEDICATED FOR AKRON CHAPTER AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES By Dr. Willis L. Lonzer
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n June 23, 2006, the Brothers of Eta Tau Lambda Chapter in Akron, Ohio held an open house and dedication program for the new headquarters of the Chapter’s housing corporation and the Chapter’s new meeting center. The 15,500square foot facility, known as the Alpha Center, was purchased and renovated by Alpha Phi Alpha Homes, Inc. and Eta Tau Lambda Chapter. The Center will house Alpha Phi Alpha Homes, Eta Tau Lambda Chapter, and the Alpha Phi Alpha Foundation of Akron. It also will be used for community activities, Scout groups and Project Alpha initiatives and may be offered for wedding receptions and community meetings. The open house and reception were sponsored by The University of Akron, The Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing,
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and a few other business associates. The dedication program and reception were held in the facility’s Founder’s Hall, named in honor of Eta Tau Lambda’s charter members. Thirty-second General President Darryl R. Matthews, Sr. was in attendance along with Judge James R. Williams, 25th General President and Chairman of the Alpha Phi Alpha Foundation of Akron; Brother Darryl A. Peal, Midwestern Regional Vice President; and other Alpha dignitaries, civic, and community leaders. Eta Tau Lambda Chapter was chartered on August 23, 1960. Six of the charter members are still active in the Chapter. These Brothers, called Chapter Founders by Brothers in Akron, are Dr. Allen F. Killings, George Shadie, Robert Morrison, David Wilson, Paul Winters and James E. Peake. These men along with a num-
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A Fraternity proclamation is presented to the Akron Brothers during the building dedication. Pictured above (l-r) are: Brothers John Williams, National Parliamentarian; Judge James R. Williams, 25th General President and Chairman of the Alpha Phi Alpha Foundation of Akron; Darryl R. Matthews, Sr., 32nd General President; Darryl A. Peal, Midwestern Regional Vice President; Dr. Willis L. Lonzer, III, Chapter President-Eta Tau Lambda; Dr. Sylvester Small, Chairman of the Alpha Phi Alpha Homes, Inc. Eta Tau Lambda Chapter’s new Alpha Center. ber of civic minded Alpha men, including 25th General President Williams, have exemplified the aims of Alpha Phi Alpha through visionary leadership and service to the citizens of Greater Akron. Their innovation and connection to the community have allowed the Fraternity to meet a number of needs over the past 46 years. Today the Chapter continues in that same tradition through providing scholarships and recognizing area student leaders and maintaining community involvement through the Chapter’s programs. An example of the Chapter’s impact on the Akron community is evidenced through the formation of Alpha Phi Alpha Homes, Inc., a subsidiary of the Akron alumni chapter. Founded in 1966 by the members of Eta Tau Lambda, Alpha Phi Alpha Homes maintains well-run rental and for-sale residential
properties. With a focus on low-income families and elderly individuals, Alpha Phi Alpha Homes ensures that its tenants enjoy social and recreational programs organized by live-in resident managers amid service coordinators trained to meet the needs of its residents. Alpha Phi Alpha Homes has developed a variety of programs to enable each tenant to live the fullest and most productive life. Service coordinators facilitate the obtainment of services for tenants which can ease the burden of poverty, disability and infirmity. The membership of Alpha Phi Alpha Homes consists of the active members of Eta Tau Lambda Chapter. The membership elects a 26 person Board of Directors with three year staggered terms. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity continues the fulfillment of our motto “First of All, Servants of All, We Shall Transcend All” through
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Alpha Center’s Fraternity Level is pictured.
the Brothers of Eta Tau Lambda Chapter by continuing to leave an indelible mark on the Greater Akron community. The attainment of a facility of this magnitude, functioning as the center for all activities of the Eta Tau Lambda Chapter and its subsidiaries,
JFK CENTER CENTENNIAL CONCERT GALA SPONSORED BY AKRON, OHIO BROTHERS Brothers of Eta Tau Lambda Chapter in Akron, Ohio were the sponsors of the Fraternity’s Centennial Convention Concert Gala held at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. The Centennial Committee, chaired by 29th General President Milton C. Davis, chose the world renowned John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, America’s National Cultural Center, as the site for the gala concert during its convention planning. The concert featured Brother Lionel Richie (see story in next edition of The Sphinx). To reserve the JFK Center, the Centennial Committee asked the Eta Tau Lambda Chapter to sponsor the concert and provide financial backing to secure use of the
is a first for any fraternity or sorority in the City of Akron. Brother Willis L. Lonzer, Ph.D., is President of Eta Tau Lambda Chapter
facility. The Alpha Phi Alpha Foundation of Akron, a subsidiary of Eta Tau Lambda Chapter, donated $25,000 to secure the Kennedy Center for the concert. Pictured in the Chapter’s Fraternity Hall are (left to right): Brothers EuFrancia Lash, Chapter President-elect; Michael Williams, Alpha Foundation of Akron-Trustee; Attorney Timothy C. Ivey; David Wilson, Alpha Foundation of Akron-Trustee; Judge James R. Williams, 25th General President and Chairman of the Alpha Foundation of Akron; Darryl R. Matthews, Sr., 32nd General President; Dr. Willis Lonzer, Chapter President; Dr. Sylvester Small, ViceChairman of the Alpha Foundation of Akron; Dr, Allen Killings, Chapter Founder; George Shadie, Chapter Founder; Nathan Hagins, Anthony Barnes, and Innocent Okolo, Alpha Foundation of Akron-Trustees.
Akron Chapter Check Presentation.
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AFRICA:
THE LAND BEFORE TIME By Terrence Bradford Tarver
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ith its traditional drumming and dancing that leaves one with lasting memories—indeed, Africa is a land of black gold, which is now being minded by visitors from all over the world. Being a black American in Africa is an experience unlike any other. There is a weight that you involuntarily carry, regardless of how secure you might be with yourself. Particularly in West Africa, I felt this identity conflict. Who was I to be: “African American” or “American”? Could I even claim the title of African American? Who would I have been had I grown up in West Africa as opposed to Chicago, Illinois? How ironic is it that we long to reclaim the “Motherland”, while those distant relatives of ours long to be where we are? Imagine that I was the mustard seed in the recipe of many people who I met during my ten-week graduate fellowship experience in West Africa. I irritated the conscious of Europeans living in West Africa who could not type me, finger me, and relegate me to the stereotypes that they held of other blacks with whom they came into contact. I irritated the conscious of black West Africans who saw me as one of them, but having privileges beyond what they could ask or imagine. And they must have wondered why I had come back and why I was not doing more for them. I was the mustard seed in the recipe. But somewhere in the middle, I learned a great deal about Africa and myself. My name is Terrence Bradford Tarver and I am a graduate student at Howard University pursuing a Master of Arts degree in
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Public Administration. Recently, I was afforded the opportunity of a lifetime. I was given a chance to work as a graduate intern for the State Department, Bureau of African Affairs at the United States Embassy in Accra, Ghana. It has become commonplace to hear African Americans describe the spiritual experiences felt when they landed on African soil for the first time. Most students of history know that West African countries such as Ghana, Nigeria and Senegal were the primary sources of people used for the Atlantic slave trade. I have been blessed to visit Africa four times over the past five years and on my first visit, I had the feeling of coming home after having been away for centuries—a feeling that far outlasted the warm welcome I received at the airport in Accra, the capital of Ghana. It struck me again and again on subsequent visits that if we trace our roots back to Africa, we will find out who we are. We will find that we have a heritage—one that is rich, one that is strong. Take a good look at what we have done and the accomplishments that we have made and be proud to say that we are black. In pursuit of my Public Administration degree, I met with the opportunity to witness in person the things I have been studying for years in textbooks. In Ghana—home to over nine official languages and a place of many contradictions—I constantly found myself in wonder. For instance, the joyous beat of African drums called me and ran through my blood. It was the sacred sound that calls to all who have a heart beat. How could such God-touched beauty exist
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its historic past and hidden treasures. And it charms you with its side by side with such man made anguish? In a country, which connatural beauty—a destination of exotic and rare plant species in tains almost 80 percent of the world's resources in platinum metthe continent’s rainforests. als and some of the most plentiful resources of gold and diamonds, The tragic yet captivating history portrayed by the UNESCO-des90 percent of the citizens live in abject poverty—poverty beyond ignated World Heritage Sites represented by Slave Castles are couthe description of words. pled with overwhelmingly warm people with unrivaled hospitality. Africa suffers many wrongs. When I listen to the world claimThe people are present at Africa’s bustling day and weekly market ing that she has no rights, no liberty and justice, I struggle and ask trips that exhibit exquisite art and crafts. myself “has the dream still been deferred?” Each time I arose and Myths I once believed that reflected the media’s take on the departed the house for work, the sky was filled with beautiful continent were dispelled daily. Africa clouds, and the evening sky behind is not all “bush”; the epidemic of the mountains became pink and HIV and AIDS is not all over the conpurple. I discovered more examples tinent. of beauty in the people who are Africa is a delicate jewel awaiting always friendly and helpful. Still, the its off spring’s return to continue, best way to visit African countries is develop and restore what was to get to know its people—where stripped from it centuries ago. It is they work and play away from the difficult to imagine any place more tourist spots. beautiful or more welcoming than Africa is much different than peothe part of the continent to which I ple expect, and so much more than am drawn again and again. I believe you can ever hope it to be. I learned that life is a collection of contacts a great deal about the past. While ten and experiences, and that everything weeks is no time at all to get to know in my life has prepared me for the such a diverse country, I got to know moment at hand—just as this enough so that even now, I feel pangs moment will prepare me for who I of homesickness for the place at the will be tomorrow. My experiences, other end of the world. There, you both good and bad, come back to will find parts of yourself that you did me as I attempt to tell other people not know existed. You will at some of my living abroad experiences. point during your stay reflect on the I cannot explain how things as irony of having to travel such a far small as developing friendships distance to receive the clarity with with the neighborhood fruit peddler which to see and understand people and having to immerse yourself in a and situations with which you have Brother Terrence Bradford Tarver culture that is of your origin has spent your whole life. You will tearchanged my life in such an immeasurable way. For those who fully go to bed at night wondering whatever possessed you to make choose to go back to their roots, I offer this advice: reach out such a journey. And you will wake up others and wonder how you instead of drawing in. Share your feelings with others and you will will be able to tear yourself away and return home. The desire to be surprised to know how understanding they are. Keep your eyes live abroad requires a certain mind set. And if you have the mind and ears open because there is a lesson in everything. And the set, I promise you this: if you can find it in yourself to make such a journey will be worth it all if you are able to find the lesson, like journey, it is a decision that you will never come to regret. that mustard seed in the recipe. Africa was! Africa is! Africa shall I have experienced Africa for its rich tradition and culture—a always be…“The Land Before Time.” land whose inhabitants have developed high marks for their warmth, friendliness and hospitality. From the legendary ancient Ghana Empire founded in present day Mali, to the seat of the Brother Terrence Bradford Tarver is a member of Omicron famous Ashanti Kingdom of Gold, Kumasi, Africa dazzles you with Lambda Alpha Chapter.
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CHAPTER
CHAPTER NEWS
General President Darryl Matthews and Executive Director Willard Hall (both seated) join with Brothers from across the state at the Maryland State Capitol in Annapolis.
EASTERN REGION Delta Lambda Baltimore, MD Chapter Celebrates Alpha Phi Alpha Night in Annapolis, MD Delta Lambda Chapter sponsored its Sixth Annual Alpha Phi Alpha Night In Annapolis Reception earlier this year. Hosted by Delegate Keith E. Haynes, the event’s purpose was to bring together Alpha Phi Alpha members from across Maryland to the state’s Capitol to meet with state legislators and executives to discuss policy issues and to be updated on bills before the General Assembly. The Fraternity was welcomed to Annapolis by Speaker of the House Michael Busch. Some of the other delegates welcoming the Fraternity included Talmadge Branch, Ruth Kirk, Gareth E. Murray, Shirley Nathan-Pulliam, Jeffrey Paige, Sandy Rosenburg, Obie Patterson and Bobby Zirkin. State Senator Delores G. Kelley and the Maryland Secretary of Housing and Community Development
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Victor Hoskins also expressed greetings to the Fraternity. The following chapters were represented: Delta Lambda, Eta Eta Lambda, Iota Alpha Lambda, Iota Phi Lambda, Iota Upsilon Lambda, Kappa Phi Lambda, and Psi Psi Lambda. Alpha Night in Annapolis concluded with Delegate Keith E. Haynes acknowledging before the State’s House of Delegates the Fraternity’s Centennial Anniversary
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and commitment to community service. After being warmly received, a resolution was presented to two of the Fraternity’s national officers, General President Darryl R. Matthews, Sr. and Executive Director Willard C. Hall, Jr., and to Delta Lambda Chapter’s President Vincent Whitmore and Past Chapter President Russell Kelley. The resolution congratulated Alpha Phi Alpha for its outstanding commitment to social
and educational service. Alpha Phi Alpha also was warmly received in the Senate Chamber and recognized by Senators Delores G. Kelley and Nathaniel McFadden. The Maryland General Assembly was urged to make Maryland the first state to offer funding toward the creation of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial beside the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C.
Iota Upsilon Lambda Silver Spring, MD Chapter Refurbishes Historic School Brothers of Iota Upsilon Lambda in Montgomery County, Maryland celebrated the Chapter’s 35th anniversary on November 5, 2005. The gala was held at the Hilton Hotel in Silver Spring, Maryland. Invited guests included: Fraternity General President Darryl R. Matthews, Sr., Maryland State Governor Robert Ehrlich, Montgomery County Executive Douglass Duncan and Ambassador to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Constance A. Morella. The Chapter paid homage to its founding Brothers, all past Chapter Presidents and the nearly 50 Brothers who have been serving others through Alpha for more than 50 years. Since its founding in 1971, the mission of IUL Chapter has been to improve the educational, economic and political status of all people of African descent—locally, nationally and internationally. The gala event capped off a very successful year, which included the completion of phase one construction and grand re-opening of the historic Smithville Colored School. Closed since 1952, the Chapter refurbished the Smithville School, which serves as a museum, technology center, Chapter house and community meeting center. The Chapter extends a great deal of thanks to all the Brothers of Alpha who have provided support, encouragement and joint efforts in helping uphold the Light of Alpha for the past 35 years. We are looking forward to our next 35!
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CHAPTER NEWS
Zeta Lambda and Kappa Pi Chapter Brothers.
Zeta Lambda Newport News, Virginia
Kappa Pi
Epsilon Upsilon Lambda and Theta Tau Chapter Brothers are pictured with mentees.
The College of William & Mary Williamsburg, Virginia Chapters Recognized for Joint Service Projects The Zeta Lambda and Kappa Pi Chapters were recognized at the 74th Eastern Regional Convention held in Rochester, New York. The chapters received the Wesley Award for their joint service projects over the past year, which included Project Alpha, Go-to-High School, Go-to-College and A Voteless People Is A Hopeless People. Additionally, Zeta Lambda was recognized as the Outstanding Alumni Chapter of the Year in the Eastern Region for the second consecutive year. Also, Brother Michael A. Porter of Zeta Lambda was recognized as the Patriarch of the Year.
MIDWESTERN REGION Epsilon Upsilon Lambda Theta Tau Flint, MI Michigan Governor Honors Epsilon Upsilon Lambda and Theta Tau Chapter Brothers With General Motors closing auto plants throughout Flint, Michigan and high wage production jobs becoming a thing of the past,
Epsilon Upsilon Lambda and Theta Tau Chapter Brothers have implemented a program to secure the future of young African American men. The goal of the program is to promote the growth and development of positive Africa American youth through scholastic achievement, cultural and civic activities, and community service. The Chapters’ Esquire Mentoring and Leadership Program (Esquires) began with five ambitious young men as its first members. Since its’ inception, the Esquire program has grown to its current membership of 39 young men. In implementing the program, the Chapter utilizes some of the
“old-fashioned” methods used by our parents and grandparents. Their intent is to not only make the young men responsible, but also to make them aware of their actions and behaviors; and instill in them that their actions impact more than those immediately around them. A goal has been set for the young men to excel academically; to set and achieve goals; and to perform community services on a monthly basis. They also are expected to be productive citizens and leaders. To do this, post-secondary education has no longer become an option for the mentees, it is now mandatory. All participants in the program are expected to pursue and obtain a college degree. To support the Chapters’ expectation, Brothers began awarding scholarships in 2002 to each young man who completed the program and enrolled in an accredited college or university. Since then the Chapters have awarded more than $13,000 dollars in scholarships. Chapter Brothers serve as mentors/advisors to the participants. They are responsible for identifying speakers; setting up workshops on a
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variety of topics and issues; monitoring participants' academic progress; and serving as a support person, especially to those participants who have no strong male role model in the home. All activities are designed to build strong character and instill positive morals and values. The Esquire Program and the Fraternity were recently recognized by the Michigan Governor, who presented them with the Governor's Service Award for Innovative Mentoring. Selected from more than 200 entries, the award was presented at a dinner hosted by Governor Jennifer Granholm and Former First Lady Roslyn Carter on June 18, 2005 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Dearborn, Michigan. Brothers and Esquire Program members had the opportunity to meet the Governor during a private reception held prior to the dinner. During the dinner, members of the Esquire Program gave a brief presentation, which consisted of a classical violin selection, spoken word and a step routine. The 650 guests in attendance gave the young men a rousing standing ovation following their presentation.
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CHAPTER NEWS Kappa Delta Lambda Lansing, Michigan Michigan Inaugural Alpha Phi Alpha Day at the Capitol
Award Winning Theta Tau Brothers.
Theta Tau Kettering University Flint, MI Theta Tau Leads in Scholarship and Community Service Theta Tau Chapter, the Flint, Michigan city-wide undergraduate chapter seated at Kettering University (formerly General Motors Institute), is comprised of members from Kettering University, University of Michigan-Flint, Baker College and Mott Community College. For over 30 years, Theta Tau Brothers have placed a high level of importance on scholarship and community service. In upholding the Fraternity aims— “manly deeds, scholarship and love for all mankind”—Theta Tau hosted and sponsored several activities centered on the organization’s national programs, including “Project Alpha,” “A Voteless People is a Hopeless People” and “Go-toHigh School, Go-to-College.” Locally, Theta Tau has actively participated in “4-C’s Kaleidoscope,” “Frat Madness Charity Basketball Game,” “March of Dimes Walk America” and co-sponsored a youth group, the “Esquire Leadership and Mentoring” program. The program is for AfricanAmerican males in grades 9-12. Theta Tau Brothers, along with the Brothers of Epsilon Upsilon Lambda Chapter, the local alumni
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chapter, hosted the 2005 Michigan District Convention held in Flint. Theta Tau garnered several state and regional accolades over the past few years, including Michigan District’s, “College Chapter of the Year 2002-04,” “2004 College Brother of the Year,” “2004 Charles H. Wesley Brotherhood Award,” and the Midwestern Region’s, “2004 Outstanding College Chapter of the Year,” “2004 Charles H. Wesley Brotherhood Award” and the “2003 House of Alpha” National Award.
SOUTHERN REGION Alpha Rho Morehouse College Atlanta, Georgia Community Service Highlights Alpha Rho Chapter Year Alpha Rho Chapter conducted the Fraternity’s national programs and projects throughout the year in an effort to raise awareness and commitment to community service at Morehouse and in the community. Included among the projects was the March of Dimes program
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Michigan’s Inaugural Alpha Phi Alpha Day, which began at the Capitol Building in Lansing, was a first for the state. All eyes were upon the Fraternity members in Lansing that day as they crossed Capitol Street and marched into the Capitol Building. During the Senate session, State Senator Brother Hansen Clarke gave a rousing oration of Alpha Phi Alpha’s history. Then, Michigan's Lieutenant Governor John Cherry praised the organization’s service. The Brothers were then recognized by the legislators with a standing ovation. The response to the Fraternity members was equally dramatic in the House chambers. The Chairman of the Michigan Legislative Black Caucus, the Rev. Dr. Michael C. Murphy, spoke of the Fraternity’s invaluable impact on society, which yielded another thunderous ovation. During a tour of the capitol, the Brothers witnessed its beauty. Next, they went to the Capitol steps where the sun shined down as they took a historic photo. Following the photo, the Brothers marched from the Capitol steps to the prestigious Mackinac Room in the House Office Building. They chanted and sung to the glory of the Jewels en route to a Centennial Celebration luncheon. Also during the day, the Brothers presented seven legislative recommendations, reclaimed Brothers, honored a founder of the Kappa Delta Lambda Alumni Chapter in Lansing, showed the MLK presentation, announced the Fraternity’s 100th Year Anniversary and sang the Alpha Phi Alpha Hymn.
where Brothers held a “Party with a Purpose” and raised $350 for the organization. They presented the funds at the Walk For America event in April. Earlier, Alpha Rho Chapter implemented Project Alpha at Campbell High School. There were 25 Brothers in attendance along with 25 students. The mentoring of students at Campbell High School in Smyrna, Georgia is ongoing. They also conducted a Go-to-High School, Go-to-College program at Kipp South Fulton Academy to encourage youth to pursue higher education. The program is conducted on an on-going basis at Kennedy Middle School in Atlanta. The Chapter also registered students to vote while also
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educating them on the importance of voting during their A Voteless People Is A Hopeless People efforts. The voter registration event was held on more than eight different occasions. They also registered people to vote in the West End Community. In addition, they held a rally concerning House Bill 244 in the Georgia Senate. The National Projects conducted by the Chapter included the Big Brothers/Big Sisters Program where they spoke with parents and children at the Community Schools of Atlanta about opportunities to enroll their students in a special scholarship program. They also established a new Boy Scout troop at M. Agnes Jones Elementary School; and
CHAPTER NEWS donated over $1,000 worth of toys and gifts as part of “Gifts of Giza” to the Atlanta Home Mission, a shelter for battered women. They spent time with children at the shelter to help bring in the holiday spirit. More than 30 Brothers took part in the program, which was done in conjunction with the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority—marking their seventh consecutive year participating in the event. Alpha Rho raised over $2,000 for Hurricane Katrina relief efforts through a car wash effort in the AUC. The effort involved AUC Students and many Alpha Brothers throughout the Atlanta Metro area. A portion of the proceeds were donated to the UNCF/The College Fund via Morehouse College’s effort to assist students affected at Dillard and Xavier Universities. The balance
Alpha Rho Chapter
was distributed to families of Alpha Rho Chapter Alumni and College
Seven Morehouse Brothers Inducted Into Phi Beta Kappa History was made on the campus of Morehouse College as the nation's most prestigious collegiate honor society, Phi Beta Kappa, inducted seven young and intelligent members of the Fraternity’s Alpha Rho Chapter into its ranks. The new inductees represented the top 2 percent of all the 2,900 students enrolled at the male institution. Phi Beta Kappa, the nation's oldest and largest academic honor society, was founded on Dec. 5, 1776 by five students at the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. It was the first society to have a Greek-letter name. And in its early years, it introduced the essential characteristics of such societies—an oath of secrecy (discarded in 1831), a badge, mottoes in Latin and Greek, a code of laws, and an elaborate initiation ritual. The honor society’s Delta Chapter of Georgia at Morehouse College was founded in 1968 and is one of four Phi Beta Kappa Chapters to be seated at a Historically Black College or University. Other schools with chapters include Fisk University, Howard University (1958) and Spelman College (1997). Over the years, Alpha Rho Chapter has consistently provided men of high scholastic achievement for induction into the prestigious society. Last year, the Chapter’s Georgia District, Southern Region and National Brother of the Year, Jarrod Loadholt, was inducted along with Brothers Michael Adams and Joseph Andorful. This year, the Georgia District and Southern Region Brother of the Year and Assistant Regional Vice President, Leland M. Ivy, was among the
Brothers affected by the Hurricane. Finally, the Chapter performed a
community clean up with the Morehouse College SGA.
inductees along with Brothers Will Jurist, Ruben Alexander, Ross McMillan, David Ward, Garrison Copeland and Wesley White. The minimum allowed GPA for induction is 3.62 for seniors and 3.81 for juniors. The seven inductees set a new record for the number of Alpha Men to be inducted at one time at Morehouse and perhaps at any other institution in the nation. Only one other Greek-letter organization was so honored this year with Phi Beta Sigma having one person be inducted.
(Left to Right) Phi Beta Kappa inductees William Jurist, Ross McMillian, Ruben Alexander, Joseph Andorfol (2005), David Ward, Garrison Copeland, Leland Ivy, Wesley White.
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CHAPTER NEWS Beta Epsilon North Carolina A&T University Greensboro, NC Beta Epsilon Brothers Enjoy Top Honors Beta Epsilon Brothers received Chapter of the Year honors at their District Conference. The award was accompanied by their also receiving First Place in the District Step Show; recognition for the Highest Chapter GPA; recognition for donating $1,000 to the MLK Fund; Chapter Brother Ishmail Abdus Saboor winning the Highest
Alpha Bears raise $500 for King Memorial
Beta Phi Lambda
Individual GPA Award; and Brother Rashad Ladson winning the Leonard Scott Leadership Award. Beta Epsilon Brothers also participated in a day of community service at North Carolina A&T University commemorating Brother Martin Luther King, Jr. Chapter Brothers helped coordinate the day’s activities and participated in a parade for Brother King, carrying signs that proclaimed the need for education and social awareness. Following the march, they showed their school pride by supporting their basketball team at a game being broadcast on ESPN 2.
Savannah, GA Elementary School-age Alpha Bears Help To Build MLK Memorial When 25 young guys put their mind to a task, they can achieve it. That is just what elementary students in the Alpha Bears Program did this fall. Alpha Bears is a mentoring project sponsored by the Beta Phi Lambda Chapter in Savannah, Georgia and the Butler Elementary School. The program is sponsored as part of the Fraternity’s Go-toHigh School, Go-to-College program. This school year, the Bears wanted to do something different. So they reached into their piggy banks, fundraised, and asked mom and dad for a little bit of extra change. Their hard work paid off. In September, about 15 of the young men put on their Sunday's best and headed to the Beta Phi Lambda Chapter meeting as special guests. They didn't arrive empty-handed though. In one of the boy's hands was a product of their hard work—$500. (That's a lot of change for a 3rd grader!) They proudly handed over the check to the Chapter as a pledge of their support of the Dr. MLK Memorial to be built in Washington, D.C. "These kids are very responsible and they wanted to do this project for Dr. King, so I said “’OK’,” says Brother Billy Smith, Program Director. Members of Beta Phi Lambda proudly accepted the check and thanked parents for supporting their children in this cause. The young men left the meeting proudly—feeling they had accomplished a great task. Indeed, they really had. “They were really thrilled to see us Alphas impressed with their hard work. Now, when the MLK Memorial goes up, they can say they had a part in it,” Brother Smith said. Alpha Bears is geared towards young boys in 3rd through 5th grades. Earlier this year, the students traveled to Atlanta to tour Morehouse College and Dr. King’s former church and memorial center.
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TK
Eta Lambda
Alpha Rho
Mu Alpha
Metro Atlanta Chapters Family Takes Membership in Three Metro Atlanta Chapters Brother Johnny Morgan (left) of Eta Lambda Chapter and his son, Brother Jay Morgan (right) of Alpha Rho Chapter, welcomed a third family member into the Fraternity with the induction of Brandon Morgan (center), who is the son and younger brother of Brothers Johnny and Jay Morgan. Brother Brandon Morgan was initiated into the Fraternity through Mu Alpha Chapter at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia in November 2005. Brother Johnny Morgan was initiated into the Fraternity through Delta Beta Lambda Chapter in April 1975 while attending Hampton University and Brother Jay Morgan was initiated through Alpha Rho Chapter at Morehouse University in November 2002.
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CHAPTER NEWS
SOUTHWESTERN REGION Xi Tau Lambda North Dallas, TX New Recruitment Model for BBBS Unveiled On October 29, 2005, the men of the Xi Tau Lambda Chapter in North Dallas spearheaded “Alpha Phi Alpha In Action – Recruiting BIG for Big Brothers / Big Sisters (BBBS)”. Held at local barbershops in the cities of Dallas and Plano, Texas, this first of its kind recruitment drive was designed as a national program model. The objective was to recruit African American males as mentors for BBBS of North Texas where only 100 African American men are currently mentors (ten of them being Xi Tau Lambda Chapter members) and where there is a waiting list of 2,035 African American boys. “Our goal,” according to Chapter member and National Chairman for the partnership with BBBS, Brother Dale Long, “is to increase the number of African American children being exposed to positive African American male adult role models.” “In one day, 15 men began the process of becoming mentors and one Brother was reclaimed.” For more information, contact Chapter BBBS Coordinator, Brother Jonathan James, DDS, at (972) 669-1096 or by email at drjkj11@aol.com.
The chapter continued its efforts to reach out to the local youth through Project Alpha North 2005 – Male Focused Teen Pregnancy Conference. Held at the Frederick Douglass Community Center in Plano on October 15, 2005, the conference was attended by 42 local youth, presenters from UT Southwestern Medical Center and the YWCA of Metropolitan Dallas, and a representative from the North Texas Division of the March of Dimes. The program was supported by the Douglass Community Center and other local Fraternity Chapters. The Xi Tau Lambda Chapter has successfully expanded the number of Project Alpha participants through the taping and airing of the program on Comcast Cablevision. An audience of 10,000 – 20,000 households per day viewed the program over an 18 day period. For more information, contact Brother Anthony Everett at (214) 868-5131 or pastoraeverett@sbcglobal.net. Also, on October 2, 2005, Alpha men were on hand with Brother David Tyson, the first African American Trustee for the Richardson Independent School Board, for the dedication of Thurgood Marshall Elementary School, in memory of the first African American Supreme Court Justice and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Brother, and this year’s 50th celebration of the Brown vs. Board of Education decision. The school colors are black and gold and their mascot is a Trailblazer symbolizing freedom in education. Brother Tyson read a letter from former Atlanta Mayor and former United Nations Ambassador Brother Andrew
Young for the occasion. For more information, contact Brother Anthony Everett at (214) 8685131 or pastoraeverett@sbcglobal.net.
Epsilon Phi Lambda Chapter Brothers are pictured outside the Melton YMCA.
Epsilon Phi Lambda Pt. Arthur, Texas Epsilon Phi Lambda Chapter Helps Hurricane Katrina Evacuees Brothers of the Epsilon Phi Lambda Chapter in Pt. Arthur, Texas—in the wake of the most devastating disaster ever experienced by this nation—came to the rescue of Hurricane Katrina evacuees by rolling up their sleeves and performing numerous chores to ease the tension of the displaced evacuees housed at the Melton YMCA in Beaumont, Texas. The event was performed as part of the Chapter's community outreach program. Brothers gathered also at the Ford Park Arena and the Sterling Pruitt Center to render aid and sort through pounds of donated clothing items. EPL Chapter Brothers said they are determined to live out the Fraternity motto by being “Servants of All.” The Chapter Brothers were unaware that in less than two weeks they too would be evacuees, fleeing from Hurricane Rita which afflicted Southeast Texas.
Xi Tau Lambda Brothers
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CHAPTER NEWS
WESTERN REGION
Iota Omicron Lambda Colorado Springs, Colorado Katrina Evacuees Met with Alpha Spirit Brothers of the Iota Omicron Lambda Chapter, in conjunction with local NAACP and Red Cross branches, welcomed evacuees from
Zeta Pi Lambda Seattle, WA Pictured (l-r): Brother Hyacinth C. Ahuruonye and former San Francisco Mayor Brother Willie Brown.
Alpha Literary Society Established in Seattle
Gamma Chi Lambda
One hundred years after the formation of the Social Study Club and Literary Group at Cornell University, Fraternity Brothers in Seattle, Washington gathered to establish their own Alpha Phi Alpha Literary Society. University professors and administrators, lawyers, politicians, real estate developers and members of the corporate sec-
San Francisco Gamma Chi Lambda Chapter Honors Prominent Leaders Brothers of Gamma Chi Lambda Chapter, in the San Francisco Bay Area of California, hosted their annual Evening of Elegance gala at the San Francisco Sheraton Palace Hotel. The evening, which kicked-off with a Black & Gold Carpet & Champagne Reception, honored distinguished African American leaders, notably former San Francisco Mayor and long-term Speaker of the California Assembly, the Honorable Brother Willie L. Brown, Jr. who received the first-ever annual Living Legend award and also gave the keynote address. Receiving the Excellence in Academic Leadership award was the out-going San Francisco Unified School District Superintendent, Dr. Arlene Ackerman, who has led the charge for school reform and established several Dream Schools in San Francisco. Long-term San Francisco business executive Brother H. Welton Flynn received the Excellence in Community Service award while Brother Carlton A.A. Dias, a Pinole, California real estate investor and entrepreneur received the Outstanding Service & Extraordinary Loyalty award. Under the leadership of Chapter President Brother Hyacinth C. Ahuruonye and Vice President Brother Bobby Sisk, Gamma Chi Lambda has continued to keep the Fraternity in the spotlight. Members have contributed significantly to the efforts to erect a national monument for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Washington, DC. At the local level, the Chapter has provided leadership, advocacy and resources to the communities and awarded over $100,000 in scholarships; donated $10,000 to the Museum of African Diaspora (MoAD); served as mentors and role models; and is preparing to adopt the Willie L. Brown, Jr. College Preparatory Academy. More than 250 people attended the event including students from The Willie L. Brown, Jr. College Preparatory Academy.
New Orleans and Gulf Coast regions following the destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina. Brothers provided the newest residents to the city “buckets” of non-perishable goods to aid evacuees with their re-location. IOL Chapter Brothers have volunteer daily at the Red Cross Center following the hurricane, showing that the Spirit of Alpha is present in Colorado Springs.
tor listened as Brother Quintard Taylor, Ph.D. delivered the group’s inaugural address, entitled “Are There Blacks in Russia?” Brother Dr. Taylor, a University of Washington professor, had just returned to Seattle from a U.S. State Department-sponsored lecture tour to 11 universities in Russia when he presented the address. Brother Dr. Taylor defined the Literary Society as an informal gathering of Brothers who engage one another in discourse, debate and dissertation on subjects and disciplines of scholarly interest.
Brother Dr. Quintard Taylor receives award from Brother Cochise Moore.
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CHAPTER NEWS The Burning Sands Operation Iraqi Freedom 2005-2006 Ten members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, from various chapters and regions of the United States, paused for a photo in the Iraq desert. Pictured left to right are: Brothers SFC James “Jimmy” Dickerson (⌫ Fall ’89); CPT Victor Egbon (⌲⌺⌳ Fall ’02); CPT Charley Cheney (⌫⌼ Fall ’98); MAJ John Small (⌭⌱⌱ Fall ’84); Conrad Bellard (〉⌽ Spr ’96); CPT Antonio Chester (〉⌫ Spr ’92); Capt Jerome Stovall (⌸⌸⌳ Spr ’05); Capt Richard E. Graham III (〈⌶ Spr ’88); CPT Curtis S. Perkins (〉⌬ Spr ’99); CPT William “BJ” Jones (⌭⌸ Spr ’90).
ESPRIT DE FRATERNITE An Alpha Phi Alpha man’s attitude should not be: “How much can I derive from the Fraternity?” but “How much can I do for the Fraternity?” In proportion to what he does for his chapter and for Alpha Phi Alpha, will a member receive lasting benefit from the Fraternity to himself in the way of self development by duty well done and by the respect of Brothers well served. A member’s duties should be 1. Prompt payment of all financial obligations, the prime requisite of successful fraternal life; 2. The doing of good scholastic work in his chosen vocation, thereby accomplishing the real end of a college course; 3. The reasonable endeavor to participate in general college activities and social service and to excel therein; 4. The proper consideration of all things with appropriate attention to the high moral standard of Alpha Phi Alpha.
— Charles H. Garvin Fourth General President 1912-1914
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CORETTA SCOTT KING April 27, 1927 – January 30, 2006
CORETTA SCOTT KING CHRONOLOGY 1927 – Coretta Scott born to Obadiah Scott and Bernice McMurry Scott in Heiberger, Alabama on April 27. 1945 – Graduates from Lincoln High School as valedictorian in May. 1953 – Married to Martin Luther King, Jr. on June
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1951 – Receives A.B. in Elementary Education and
18 on the lawn of the Scott’s home. Martin Luther
Music from Antioch College, Yellow Springs, Ohio.
King, Sr. performed ceremony.
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WITH GRACE AND DIGNITY, CORETTA SCOTT KING KEPT LEGACY OF BROTHER MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. ALIVE
C
oretta Scott King, who was a strong supporter of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity’s efforts to build a national memorial to Brother Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Washington, D.C., passed away January 30, 2006 at the Hospital Santa Monica in Rosarito Beach, a few miles south of San Diego in Baja California, Mexico. Born on April 27, 1927, she was age 78 at the time of her passing. Mrs. King was instrumental in getting congressional legislation passed that authorized building of the planned memorial by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity on federal land in the nation’s capital. She also was involved in the approval of the site and design for the Washington, D.C. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial, which is planned as a permanent testament to the American civil rights leader. Also, Mrs. King was a frequent guest at the Fraternity’s General Conventions where she spoke in support of the national memorial and Brother King’s legacy.
With grace, dignity and determination, Mrs. King kept the legacy of Brother King alive and in so doing; she emerged as one of the nation’s most influential voices for social change and human rights. Mrs. King immediately filled the void of leadership left by the assassination of Brother King on April 4, 1968 and continued to preach his philosophy of nonviolence. She founded the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change in his hometown of Atlanta, Georgia to ensure that his dream of racial equality and justice remained etched in the consciousness of America and the world. She also overcame the opposition to establish a national federal holiday to honor Brother King, which has become the only such holiday honoring an African American. Coretta Scott was born in Heiberger, Alabama and raised on the farm of her parents, Obadiah Scott and Bernice McMurry Scott, in Perry County, Alabama. She was exposed at an early age to the
1954 – Receives Mus.B. degree in education with
was chosen as spokesperson for boycott and to
a major in voice and minor in violin from New
head the Montgomery Improvement Association.
England Conservatory of Music in Boston,
Dr. King’s home becomes headquarters until
Massachusetts. Mrs. King assumes role of pas-
official office is opened.
tor’s wife at Montgomery's Dexter Avenue Baptist Church.
1956 – King home bombed on January 30 while Mrs. King, a church member and baby Yolanda
1955 – The King’s first child, daughter Yolanda
were inside. No one was harmed. On December
Denise, is born on November 17. On December
20, the U.S. Supreme Court order for desegrega-
5, Montgomery Bus Boycott begins after Rosa
tion of Montgomery busses is enacted.
1957 – The King’s second child, son Martin Luther
Parks is arrested on December 1. Brother King
Montgomery busses are integrated.
King III, is born.
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Coretta King and her children at piano.
Martin Luther King, Jr. at 1963 March on Washington.
injustices of life in a segregated society. She walked five miles a day to attend the one-room Crossroad School in Marion, Alabama, while the white students rode buses to an all-white school that was closer by. As a young student, Mrs. King excelled in her studies, particularly music, and was valedictorian of her graduating class at Lincoln High School. She graduated in 1945 and received a scholarship to Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio. As an undergraduate, she took an active interest in the developing civil rights movement. She joined the Antioch Chapter of the NAACP and the college’s Race Relations and Civil Liberties Committees. She graduated from Antioch with a B.A. degree in music and education and won a scholarship to study concert singing at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. In Boston, she met Brother Martin Luther King, Jr. who was a young theology student at Boston University. Martin and Coretta were married on June 18, 1953 in a ceremony conducted by the
groom’s father, the Rev. Martin Luther King, Sr. Coretta Scott King completed her degree in voice and violin at the New England Conservatory before the young couple moved in September 1954 to Montgomery, Alabama where Brother King had accepted an appointment as Pastor of the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church. They soon were caught up in the events that triggered the modern civil rights movement, which began when Rosa Parks refused to yield her seat on a Montgomery city bus to a white passenger. Mrs. Parks was arrested for violating the city’s ordinances giving white passengers preferential treatment in public conveyances. The black citizens of Montgomery organized in defense of Rosa Parks and under the leadership of Brother King they organized a boycott of the city’s buses. The Montgomery bus boycott drew the world’s attention to the continued injustice of segregation in the United States and led to court decisions striking down the local ordinances separating the races in public transit.
1960 – The Kings move to Atlanta, Georgia. Brother King assumes co-pastorate of Ebenezer Baptist Church and Mrs. King becomes co-first lady of church. In October, Democratic Candidate John F. Kennedy calls Mrs. King to express concern for her husband’s safety after he is incarcerated and sentenced to six months hard labor at Georgia’s Reidsville State Penitentiary for violating probation on a minor traffic charge by sitting
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in at the Rich’s department store lunch counter in
the Presidential election. With the support of the Alpha
Atlanta. Many historians believe this call gave Kennedy
Phi Alpha Fraternity, Brother King is released shortly
the African American vote and his margin of victory in
thereafter.
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Mrs. King with her children following the death of her husband.
Coretta Scott King holds daughter Bernice, at Dr. King’s funeral.
Brother King’s eloquent advocacy of nonviolent civil disobedience soon made him the most recognizable face of the civil rights movement. He was called to lead marches in numerous other cities and with Coretta King at his side, he inspired both black and white citizens to defy the segregation laws. Dr. King’s leadership attracted fierce opposition from the supporters of institutional racism and in 1956, white supremacists bombed the King family home in Montgomery. Mrs. King and the couple’s first child, Yolanda Denise, narrowly escaped injury. In addition to Yolanda, Brother and Mrs. King had three other children: Martin Luther III; Dexter Scott; and Bernice Albertine. The demands of raising a family had caused Mrs. King to retire from singing; however, she found another way to use her musical background to serve the cause. She conceived and performed a series of critically acclaimed Freedom Concerts that combined poetry, narration and music to tell the story of the Civil Rights
Movement. The Freedom Concerts were staged in some of America’s most distinguished concert venues as fundraisers for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, which had been founded by Brother King. Brother King was increasingly seen as not only a leader of the American civil rights movement, but also as the symbol of an international struggle for human liberation from racism, colonialism and all forms of oppression and discrimination. In the late 1950s, Brother and Mrs. King journeyed to Africa and India to celebrate the independence of Ghana and to honor the memory of Mahatma Gandhi. Brother King was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace because of his leadership of the movement for civil rights and in 1964, he and Mrs. King traveled to Oslo, Norway to accept the Prize. In the 1960s, Brother King broadened his message and activism to embrace the causes of international peace and economic justice. At the same time, the demand for Mrs. King as a public speaker
1961 – The King’s third child, son Dexter Scott
1965 – Mrs. King helps Brother King lead the
1967 – Mrs. King convenes a group of supporters
King, is born in Atlanta on January 30.
Selma to Montgomery March for Voting Rights. The
of Dr. King to discuss retrieval of his papers from
Voting Rights Act is passed and signed on August 5
Boston University and the preservation and plan for
by President Lyndon B. Johnson.
a place to house them in Atlanta.
1963 – The King’s fourth child, daughter Bernice Albertine, is born on March 28. On August 28, Mrs. King joins Brother King at the March on Washington.
1968 – Brother King assassinated on April 4. On April 8, Mrs. King, accompanied by her three oldest
1964 – Landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964 is enact-
children, travels to Memphis, Tennessee where she
ed. In December, Mrs. King travels with Brother
leads the march, which Brother King was sched-
King to Oslo, Norway where he receives the Nobel
uled to lead.
Peace Prize on December 10.
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51
Coretta King displays her book about Dr. King.
Coretta King with Rosa Parks, mother of the Civil Rights Movement.
increased. Coretta Scott King became the first woman to deliver the Class Day address at Harvard University; the first woman to preach at a statutory service at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London; she served as a Women’s Strike for Peace delegate to the 17-nation Disarmament Conference in Geneva, Switzerland; and became a liaison to international peace and justice organizations. Mrs. King traveled, along with her three oldest children, from her home to Memphis, Tennessee after Brother King was assassinated there in April 1968. A day before his funeral, Mrs. King—with the three children by her side—led tens of thousands of people in a protest march for sanitation workers in Memphis that Brother King had planned. Under the glare of media attention, in the ensuring months, she marched in Dr. King’s place at protests and spoke at anti-Vietnam War rallies and the Poor People’s Campaign in Washington, D.C. Mrs. King also tried to calm the anger and violence that Brother King’s death ignited across the nation.
She pushed for 15 years to establish the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, with more than six million petitions having been presented to Congress before the first holiday was officially commemorated in 1986. President Ronald Reagan, who had initially opposed the holiday as being too costly, signed legislation in 1983 marking the third Monday in January as Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Still determined to create a lasting legacy, Mrs. King founded the King Center in the basement of her home in 1968. Some civil rights leaders and others complained that the King Center would divert money from the movement, including the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, which Dr. King founded. Mrs. King pressed on in spite of the obstacles. The Center, which holds Brother King’s speeches and other documents about the movement, sits on 23 acres of national parkland near his gravesite and family home. Mrs. King served as
Church on January 15. The celebration was followed by the King Center MLK Birthday Observance programs every year afterward. On January 17, Mrs. King announces plans for the programs and building of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Center in Atlanta. 1973 – As a result of Mrs. King’s initiative, the National Park Service declares the area containing Dr. King’s
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1969 – King Center sponsors first birthday celebra-
birth home, the King Center, his crypt and Ebenezer
tion in honor of Brother King at Ebenezer Baptist
Baptist Church as a National Historic District.
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Mrs. King receives Outstanding Alumni Award from New England Conservatory of Music.
president of the Center for 26 years until 1994 when she stepped down and turned the organization over to her youngest son, Dexter. Martin Luther King III assumed leadership of the Center in 2004. During the Fraternity’s General Convention in Atlanta in August 1985, Alpha Phi Alpha held a Free South Africa March & Rally to support the aspirations of South Africa’s people to be free from the crushing oppression of their immoral government. The entire convention marched from the Atlanta Hilton Headquarters Hotel, down “Sweet Auburn Avenue”, to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Non-Violent Social Change where Coretta Scott King hosted and also addressed the rally. During the years after Brother King’s death, Mrs. King traveled the world, speaking on college campuses and at churches; and meeting with heads of state and political leaders. She supported legislation for full employment and advocated for equal rights
and economic justice for women; she disparaged war and promoted world peace; she marched against discrimination in the South and was arrested in the United States for protesting apartheid in South Africa. Mrs. King also broadened the scope of her vision and her speeches beyond race. She called for women of all hues to fight against the evils of racism, poverty and war. She coordinated the Coalition of Conscience in 1983, which sponsored the 20th Anniversary of the March on Washington, and she attended a nuclear disarmament conference in Geneva. Coretta Scott King’s last public appearance was on January 14, 2006 at a “Salute to Greatness” dinner in Atlanta, which served as a fundraiser for the King Center. The dinner also celebrated the 20th anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Mrs. King received a standing ovation from the 1,500 guests who were surprised and pleased by her presence.
1974 – Mrs. King launches fundraising drive to
massive nonviolent civil and human rights coali-
build Freedom Hall Complex.
tion in U.S. history. The number one legislative priority was the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday
1982 – Mrs. King dedicates King Center’s Freedom
Bill, which Congress passed approximately three
Hall Complex.
weeks later. In October, Mrs. King attended the ceremony at the White House where President
1983 – To commemorate the 20th anniversary
Ronald Reagan signed legislation establishing
of Brother King’s March on Washington, Mrs.
the Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal Holiday.
King and the King Center convene the New Coalition of Conscience on August 27, which brings together 750 organizations in the most
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53
PROFILE: THE FIRST LADY OF CIVIL RIGHTS Coretta Scott King's gift for music and enthusiasm for education led her far beyond the segregated world of her childhood. When she met Brother Martin Luther King, Jr., the two resolved to return to the Deep South together and pursue the cause of justice in her own home state of Alabama. The Montgomery, Alabama bus boycott thrust the couple into the forefront of a revitalized civil rights movement—even as it exposed their growing family to the retaliation of those who opposed change in the old system. Braving death threats and surviving the bombing of their home by white supremacists, Coretta King stood by the cause—and beside her husband—from the Birmingham jail to the steps of the Lincoln Memorial; and from the March on Washington to the place in Oslo, Norway where Brother King accepted the Nobel Prize for Peace. Coretta and Martin King. Following Dr. King’s assassination, she inspired the world with her courage, dignity and tireless devotion to preserving Brother King's legacy and was an influential figure in helping the Fraternity to win the right to build a National Memorial to Brother King on federal land in Washington, D.C. As founding President, Chair, and Chief Executive Officer of The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, Coretta Scott King made a way for tens of thousands of activists from around the world to be trained in the philosophy and practice of nonviolence. She served as an advisor to freedom and democracy movements all over the world, and as a consultant to such world leaders as President Corazon Aquino of the Philippines, President Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia, and President Nelson Mandela of South Africa. She was one of the world's most admired women and she remained an outspoken champion of justice and human dignity throughout her life.
1986 – Mrs. King leads first Martin Luther King, Jr.
2004 – Mrs. King receives Antioch University’s
Holiday March.
Horace Mann Award.
1990 – Coretta Scott King serves as chairperson of
2006 – Mrs. King makes her final public appear-
the Atlanta Committee, which hosted the visit of
ance on January 13 at the Annual King Center
Nelson and Winnie Mandela. She introduced Nelson
“Salute to Greatness” Dinner.
Mandela to a mass rally in Atlanta. 2006 – Coretta Scott King passes away on 1985 - Mrs. King; her son, Martin III; and her daugh-
1997 – Mrs. King receives Chairman’s Award from
ter, Bernice, were arrested in July during a protest at
the Congressional Black Caucus.
the South African Embassy in Washington, D.C.
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January 30.
(l-r) Alexa Rice, Linda Johnson Rice and Darryl R. Matthews, Sr.
OLD FRIENDS PAY TRIBUTE
I
n the above photo, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. General President Darryl R. Matthews, Sr. greets Johnson Publishing Company CEO Linda Johnson Rice during services in Chicago, Illinois for publishing pioneer John H. Johnson. About 100 members of the Fraternity paid tribute to Brother Johnson during the Omega Service held for him. Brother Johnson’s wife of 64 years, Eunice Johnson; daughter, Linda Johnson Rice; and granddaughter, Alexis, were present during the tribute. “We came here to support our Brother, John Johnson, and to thank him for all the help he’s given us over the years,” Fraternity General
President Darryl R. Matthews said. “He was a stalwart member but also the embodiment of the quintessential American dream. To take nothing more than an idea and create a multi-million dollar empire is an example for all of us.” Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and the Johnson Publishing Company have enjoyed a warm partnership in the past with the Fraternity lending its influence and manpower to community efforts supported by the publishing company; and the publisher in turn supporting the Fraternity in its outreach efforts. In 1955, Brother Johnson was awarded the Fraternity’s Award of Merit, the highest honor bestowed upon a member of the organization.
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55
OMEGA CHAPTER
OMEGA
Lifelong Civil Rights Champion Opposed Fort Wayne Discrimination
B
rother Bernard K. Stuart, D.D.S., was a community activist and lifelong champion of civil rights. He grew up in Fort Wayne, Indiana during the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s when it was difficult for African Americans, he states in his family history essay for the African/African American Historical Society. Brother Stuart says he grew up in a time of racial hostility when whites and blacks could not sit together on streetcars or buses. He recalls citywide segregation of restaurants, public swimming pools, movie theaters, roller skating rinks, the YMCA, courts, golf courses, hospital rooms, cemeteries and even the military. He was the product of Fort Wayne’s old Westfield neighborhood, which was once the only neighborhood in the city that allowed African Americans and immigrants to purchase their own homes. Brother Stuart left Fort Wayne after graduating in 1947 from Central High School and attended Hampton University. He graduBernard K. Stuart ated from Hampton in 1951 and from Indiana University School of Dentistry in 1955. He also served two years in the U.S. Army Dental Corp. In 1959, Brother Stuart returned to Fort Wayne and opened his dental practice, which he operated for nearly 40 years. He was only one of two local dentists who accepted Medicaid patients in the 1990s. Dentistry was how Brother Stuart earned his living but working towards civil rights for all oppressed people was his life’s work. Brother Stuart was serving as president of the local NAACP branch in 1963 when he joined a quarter million others in the March on Washington where Brother Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his famous, “I Have A Dream” speech. Also in 1963, Brother Stuart helped integrate the local public golf courses. He and other African Americans worked in a team with whites to uncover discrimination and win legal judgments against Fort Wayne golf courses that practiced such policies. Similarly, he worked with black and white teams to stop housing discrimination in Fort Wayne. Despite his personal successes, Brother Stuart, a member of the local Alpha Phi Alpha chapter since 1971, also gave tirelessly of his time and services throughout most of his life. In 2003, he was presented a Lion Award for his contributions to Fort Wayne and he served as a civil rights discussion panelist at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art in 2004. Brother Stuart served eight years as the local NAACP branch president, four years as a Fort Wayne Urban League board member, and served as a Fort Wayne Community Schools board member from 1971 to 1975, and 1986 to 1988. He also was employed part-time as an instructor at Indiana University-Purdue University in Fort Wayne’s Dental Hygiene Department for 10 years; and worked with the Fort Wayne Redevelopment Commission in addition to volunteering more than 30 years at Matthew 25. Brother Stuart also lent his dentistry services to the Allen County Jail. In addition to being a jazz enthusiast, Brother Stuart was an avid art collector.
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B
rother William Bernard Barnes, Sr. was a Life Member of the Fraternity who was initiated through Beta Theta Chapter. He was last a member of Xi Xi Lambda Chapter. Brother Barnes was born January 11, 1925 on St. Simons Island, Georgia. He was educated in the Glynn County Public Schools in Georgia and served in the United States Marine Corp in World War II. He mastered the bricklaying trade, which he taught to war veterans in Waycross, Georgia. A graduate of Bluefield State College in Bluefield, West Virginia, he received a B.S. degree in mathematics and later taught school in Maryland, Georgia and West Virginia. He served ten years on the Frederick County Board of Education, serving his last term as Vice President. He studied at Johns Hopkins University; Morgan State College; Northwestern University; and the University of Maryland. After retiring as an educator, Brother Barnes became a successful entrepreneur buying and selling several businesses. He was a member of the NAACP, the Independent Grocers Association of Maryland and the Rotary Club of Frederick, Maryland.
B
rother Kevin R. Bishop was initiated into the Fraternity through Epsilon Alpha Chapter in 1993 and was last a member of Alpha Xi Lambda Chapter. He was born May 30, 1971 in Toledo, Ohio. He graduated from Robert S. Rogers High School in 1989 and received his Master’s degree from the University of Toledo. He previously taught for the Toledo Public Schools, Calvary Christian, Toledo Christian and was teaching at the Horizon Science Academy at the time of his passing. Brother Bishop was a member of the Galilee Missionary Baptist Church. He preached his first sermon on September 11, 2005 and was licensed a licensed preacher. He was married to the former Rhonda Bridges and had one son, Kai.
B
rother Howard H. Carey, Ph.D., was a Life Member of the Fraternity. He was initiated into the Fraternity through Alpha Rho Chapter at Morehouse College on December 14, 1954 and was last affiliated with the Zeta Sigma Lambda Chapter in San Diego, California. Brother Carey served as President/CEO of the Neighborhood House and had significant involvement in the San Diego community.
B
rother Albert L. Daniels was a Life Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He also was a charter member of Nu Eta Lambda Chapter where he served as business manager and treasurer. He was last affiliated with Nu Eta Lambda Chapter. Brother Daniels was born September 6, 1928 in Gainesville, Florida. He graduated from Lincoln High School in Gainesville and received B.S. and M.S. degrees from Florida A&M University. He did post graduate studies at Middle Tennessee State and the University of Florida. He served in the United States Air Force during the Korean conflict. He was a retired faculty member at Santa Fe Community College in Gainesville, Florida and was also a local activist. He was a Life Member of the NAACP and a member of the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church.
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OMEGA CHAPTER
B
rother Dr. James “Jimmy” W. Dixon was a Life Member of the Fraternity. He was initiated October 31, 1971 through Kappa Lambda Chapter in Greensboro, North Carolina. He was born April 6, 1922 in Sparta, Georgia where he spent his formative years in the Springfield Community in the Hancock County suburbs and was reared and educated in the public schools where he graduated class valedictorian. His Georgia State College education was interrupted by a tour of duty with the 92nd Infantry Division, United States Army in Italy during World War II. He was awarded the Purple Heart Medal after being seriously wounded and was subsequently honorably discharged. He returned to Georgia State College to complete the requirements for a Bachelor of Science degree. He completed premedical requirements at Howard University and went on to receive his Doctor of Medicine degree from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee. Brother Dixon established a General Surgery practice in Greensboro, North Carolina in 1965, which he actively maintained for the next 30 years. He served as the resident physician at the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University Medical Center for several years and was a life member of the NAACP.
B
rother Bruce Albert Farmer was initiated into the Fraternity through the Omicron Chapter at the University of Pittsburgh where he served as chapter president. He was born on March 25, 1957 in Rochester, Pennsylvania and graduated from the Rochester Area High School in 1975. He served as class president in his freshman through senior years in high school. Following high school, Brother Farmer attended the University of Pittsburgh and later transferred to Saint Vincent’s College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania where he received his Bachelor’s degree. Brother Farmer earned a Certified Financial Planner diploma from The American College in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania and later attended the Institute of Business and Finance in LaJola, California. He was employed with the Roher Pharmaceutical Company before becoming a proprietor of a landscaping business and later a limousine service. In 1988, he invested in Stadium Enterprises, Inc. Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia where he was vice president. He also was a partner in the Fartran Trucking Company of Philadelphia. He worked as a finan-
cial advisor with American Express in Voorhess, New Jersey. He also worked with Lincoln Investments; Fidelity Trust; and First Genesis Group of MetLife in Charlotte, North Carolina.
B
rother Melvin Douglas Gillespie, Sr. was initiated into the Fraternity through Pi Xi Lambda Chapter. He was born December 26, 1945. He graduated from Garfield Senior High School in 1963. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Education from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio; his Master’s degree in Human Relations from the University of Oklahoma; and his Doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from Florida Atlantic University. Upon completion of his Bachelor’s degree, Brother Gillespie was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force and served honorably for 22 years. He chose a second career in academia at Weber State University, East Stroudsburg University, Metropolitan State University, University of Maryland, Virginia Tech University and Southeast Missouri State University. He was a member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society.
B
rother Jehu Callis Hunter was initiated into the Fraternity in 1942 through Beta Chapter at Howard University. He was a former Buffalo Soldier and scientist administrator with the National Institutes of Health. He was a historian of the Buffalo Soldiers unit in which he served in World War II. He was a native of Washington, D.C. and in 1939 graduated from Armstrong High School there. In 1943, he graduated from Howard University’s ROTC and entered the Army the same year. He was assigned to the 92nd Infantry Division of the 5th Army. The unit, organized in 1917 and reactivated in 1942, was made up of African American troops. The soldiers wore Buffalo Soldier patches that symbolically tied them to the 9th and 10th Calvary regiments of the post-Civil War era in the American West. The 9th and 10th Calvary regiments were dubbed the “Buffalo Soldiers” reportedly because their dark skin and hair reminded the Indians of the American bison. Brother Hunter remained in the Reserves after the war and pursued post-graduate studies at Howard University. He was recalled to active duty for service in Korea. He joined the National Cancer Institute as a biologist in 1947 and presented his career research at several internation-
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al symposiums. He rose to the positions of Assistant Director for Planning in the National Institutes of Health’s Biological Sciences Division, Chief in the Office of Planning and Analysis, and Assistant Director for Program Development at the Center for Research for Mothers and Children.
B
rother Paul Michael Matthews was a Life Member of the Fraternity who joined the organization on March 19, 1960 while at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri. He was initiated into the Alpha Psi Chapter and was last a member of the Eta Sigma Lambda Chapter. Brother Matthews was born April 11, 1939 and graduated from Lincoln in 1965. He began his career with the U.S. Civil Service Commission and then moved to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. After retiring from the EEOC, he continued to address diversity issues in various San Francisco Bay Area firms. Brother Matthews was involved in numerous community organizations, including the Society for Human Resource Managers, the California Association of Equal Rights Professionals, and the Northern California Industrial Liaison Group.
B
rother Dr. George Maxwell McClung was an obstetrician/gynecologist who was born August 13, 1931 in Canton, Ohio. He was initiated into the Fraternity through Kappa Chapter. Brother McClung graduated from Central High School in Columbus, Ohio in 1949. He received his undergraduate degree from The Ohio State University in 1953 and received his medical degree from the university in 1957. He did his internship, residency and his fellowship in obstetrics/gynecology at Homer G. Phillips in St. Louis, Missouri from 1957-1963. He served in the Army Medical Corps from 1963-65 and held the rank of Captain. He married Sandra Logan of St. Louis, Missouri n 1964. He started his private medical practice in Cincinnati in 1965 where he practiced for nearly 35 years. In 1973, he was named chairman of the service committee of the Cincinnati and Hamilton County Unit of the American Cancer Society. He was the first African American Ob/Gyn in Cincinnati and delivered nearly 1,000 children in the Greater Cincinnati area during his practice. Brother McClung remarried in 1994 to the former Darlene Harmon.
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57
OMEGA CHAPTER
B
rother Roy Nelson Moore was a Life Member of the Fraternity and member of Omicron Alpha Lambda Chapter. He attended North Carolina public schools and graduated from Wallace-Rose Hill High School in 1976. He graduated with a B.S. degree in Engineering from North Carolina A&T State University in 1981. He was employed as an electronic engineer at NSWC in Dahlgren, Virginia and later worked at Joint Warfare Analysis Center in Dahlgren. Brother Moore was a former member of the Authentic Gospel Singers and assistant coach to the King George High School Girls Basketball Team and former football coach for the King George Parks and Recreation Department. He sponsored the men’s, women’s and co-ed softball teams and a number of basketball teams.
B
rother T.J. Owens, a member of Eta Sigma Lambda Chapter who was initiated into the Fraternity through Epsilon Beta Chapter, served on the Gilroy Unified School District Board of Education for six years and was serving as the board president at the time of his passing. Brother Owens attended California State University in Fresno on a football scholarship. After receiving his Bachelor’s degree in physical education, he earned a Master’s degree in counseling from Santa Clara University and a Doctorate in community college administration from the University of San Francisco. In 1991, he was hired as the Vice President of Student Services at Gavilan College. He retired from Gavilan and was hired as Interim Athletic Director at Hartnell Community College in Salinas. Brother Owens was a member of the 100 Black Men, the Rotary Club, Bethany Church in Gilroy, and president of the San Jose Chapter of the NAACP.
B
rother Wesley A. Parrott was a Life Member of the Fraternity and was a member of the Zeta Zeta Lambda Chapter in St. Albans, New York where he formerly served as president and chaplain. He was a native of Darlington, South Carolina where he graduated from Mayo High School. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Social Science from South Carolina State University in Orangeburg in 1942 and his Master of Arts degree in Social Sciences from New York University in 1949. He was a
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certified social worker of the state of New York. Brother Parrott retired from the Department of Social Services in 1989 after 38 years as a Direct Services Supervisor within the Crisis Intervention Unit. He was also a graduate of York College, City University of New York where he majored in Gerontology. He was a widower for over 20 years.
B
rother Joseph W. “Jai” Pelham, Sr., of Alpha Phi Lambda Chapter, was a revered pharmacist. He was born March 10, 1934 in Daytona Beach, Florida. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education from Albany State University in Albany Georgia. While at Albany State, he was initiated into Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. After earning his degree, he served in the U.S. Air Force from 1954 to 1958. He later pursued studies in pharmacy at the Florida A&M University School of Pharmacy in Tallahassee, Florida and graduated from the school in 1962. He served as Chief of Pharmacy at Florida A&M University Hospital. Later, he and his family moved to Virginia Beach and he became Chief of Pharmacy at Norfolk Community Hospital, one of the nation’s historically black hospitals. He later became a Fellow of the American College of Apothecaries. In 1973, he opened his own pharmacy, Jai’s Apothecary Shop, Inc. in Norfolk, and served the community for 31 years.
B
rother Brian Reginald Reese was born August 27, 1975 and was initiated into the Fraternity through the Epsilon Zeta Chapter. He graduated from the Myers Park High School in 1993 and attended Fayetteville State University where he was inducted into the Fraternity in 1994. At the University, Brother Reese was a drum major for the Marching Bronco Express. After graduation, he was employed with Clarke American in Charlotte, North Carolina. Brother Reese was a member of First Mayfield Memorial Baptist Church where he was a member of the youth choir, junior usher board, youth missionaries, Total Praise Choir of Kannapolis; and he was director of the musical choir and vice chairman of the financial committee.
B
rother Orlando Roberts was a member of the Epsilon Upsilon Lambda Chapter in Flint, Michigan. He was born September 13,
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1941 in Flint and attended Flint Public Schools, graduating with honors from Northern High School in 1959. He earned B.S. and D.D.S. degrees from the University of Michigan. After graduation, he entered the U.S. Air Force where he attained the rank of captain. In 1970 he returned to Flint and established a private dental practice. Brother Roberts was a member of Foss Avenue Baptist Church where he sang baritone and was Chairman of the Economic Development Committee. He was on the Flint Public Library Board and was past-Vice President of the Mass Transportation Authority Board.
B
rother Christopher Scott was initiated into the Fraternity through Pi Alpha Lambda Chapter. He was born on February 28, 1971 in Crossett, Arkansas. He received his Bachelor’s degree from St. Augustine’s College in Raleigh, North Carolina and his Master’s degree in Counseling from Prairie View A&M University. He was Director of Business Development for Collegiate Funding Services. Before that, he was employed by the Sun Trust Education Loans and the Texas A&M University Office of Admissions Counseling and later the Department of Financial Aid. Brother Scott served as president of the Fraternity’s Pi Alpha Lambda Chapter; he was a member of the Prince Hall Masons and was a devoted member of First Metropolitan Church in Houston, Texas.
B
rother Dr. Halloway Charles “Chuck” Sells, Jr. built a reputation as a strong advocate for youth while working with the Seven Hills Neighborhood Houses, a youth-oriented social service agency in Cincinnati, Ohio. At age 31, he became the agency’s youngest Executive Director to ever to hold the position. Brother Sells was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was a 1957 graduate of the University of Toledo with a Bachelor’s degree in sociology. He earned a Master’s degree from the University of Michigan and a second Master’s degree and Doctorate from the University of Cincinnati. He began his work in Cincinnati as Director of Group Therapies and Volunteer Services at the old Rollman Psychiatric Hospital in Bond Hill. He joined the faculty of the Graduate College of Union Institute & University in 1974 and also served as national coordinator of Union’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities Initiative. In 1990, he became the recipient of
OMEGA CHAPTER Union’s President’s Medal for Exemplary Service. He also received a Legends Award for his role in developing the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati’s Black Achievers Program. Brother Sells passed away March 24, 2005 in New Orleans, Louisiana. He is survived by his wife of 13 years, Dr. Rose Duhon-Sells. He was preceded in death by his first two wives, Mamie Earl Sells and Doris Rankin Sells.
B
rother Aaron L. Smith was a Life Member of the Fraternity and member of the Delta Theta Lambda Chapter. He was a chemist, teacher and Army veteran. Brother Smith was a native of Huntsville, Alabama and graduated from William Hooper Council High School in 1942. He joined the Army but received a medical discharge after developing a respiratory ailment. After leaving the Army he worked his way through Knoxville College and received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1950. He began two careers after graduating from college. During the day, he taught science at Burrell Slater High School and at night, he was a chemist at the Phosphate Development Works Laboratory. In 1952, he married his hometown sweetheart, Eltia-Brown. Brother Smith received a Master of Science degree from Alabama A&M University in 1970. During his 34-year career as an educator, he also taught at the Sparkman and Bob Jones High Schools. He retired in 1987.
B
rother Dr. Maurice Waddell, Sr. began a 40-year career in education as athletic Director and coach at Marlboro County Training School and Eastside High School in 1952. In 1957, he served as principal of Lincoln Elementary/High School from 1957 until 1971. For the next 15 years, Brother Waddell served as principal of Clio High School in Clio, South Carolina; Robert Smalls Junior High in Beaufort, SC; Hartsville High School in Hartsville, SC; and A.C. Flora High School in Columbia, SC. He retired from the public school system in 1991 after serving as Hearing Officer for Richland School District One. He later returned to his Alma Mater, Claflin College, to serve as Dean of Men. Brother Waddell was a charter member of the Fraternity’s Theta Phi Lambda Chapter in Bennettsville, SC. He was last a member of Alpha Psi Lambda Chapter in Columbia.
Brother Eugene Abrams Omicron Xi / Gamma Sigma Lambda
Brother Edward Elliott, Jr. Gamma Eta Lambda
Brother Clarence Lee Benjamin Addison, Sr. Rho Delta Lambda Brother Maurice H. Barnett Upsilon Lambda
Brother Andrew A. Best Chi / Zeta Eta Lambda Brother James E. Bryant Iota / Upsilon Lambda
Brother James Buchanan Theta Delta Lambda
Brother James H. Epps, M.D. Theta Upsilon Lambda
Brother Roy Faust Zeta Zeta Lambda
Brother Robert Flynn Zeta Zeta Lambda Brother Colonel Clarence R. Gordon Beta / Mu Lambda Brother Ralph Goss Beta Pi / Alpha Mu Lambda
Brother Leon J. Carter Alpha Mu Lambda
Brother Ethan Allen Charlton Theta Upsilon Lambda / Theta Upsilon Lambda Brother William R. Chavis, Ed.D. Theta Upsilon Lambda / Omicron Mu Lambda Brother Rudolph Chisholm Nu Eta Lambda
Brother David Clancy Theta Upsilon Lambda Brother Edward Clark Beta Epsilon / Phi Lambda
Brother Gregory Coleman Zeta Zeta Lambda
Brother James C. Graham, Sr., M.D. Theta Upsilon Lambda
Brother Derek Ramoné Groomes Gamma Mu Lambda / Beta Lambda
Brother Rev. A.L. “Sonny” Harris, III Gamma Eta Brother Clarence Haynes, Ph.D. Theta Upsilon Lambda
Brother Maurice Henderson Beta Nu Lambda / Alpha Phi Lambda Brother Horace E. Hill, Sr. Beta Delta Lambda Eluen Homer Hoston, Jr. Beta Sigma / Mu Lambda
Brother Robert Duncan Nu / Zeta Zeta Lambda
Brother Monday Itiat Beta Epsilon Lambda / Upsilon Lambda
Brother William Edmondson Beta Rho / Phi Lambda
Brother Willie Jackson Iota Eta Lambda
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OMEGA CHAPTER Brother Bruce A. Johnson Zeta Zeta / Nu Pi Lambda
Brother Herman Johnson Alpha Rho / Beta Lambda
Brother Frank W. Morris, Jr. Psi ‘ 38 / Epsilon Gamma Lambda Brother Edward Morrow Zeta / Zeta Zeta Lambda Brother Jimmie Rufus Mosley, Jr. Gamma Rho / Eta Sigma Lambda
Brother Milton Johnson Beta Lambda
Brother Ernest P. Lavender, Jr., Ed.D. Theta Upsilon Lambda
Brother Hiram Stith Beta Gamma / Zeta Omicron Lambda
Brother David C. Stephens Beta Nu Lambda Brother Tillman Terry, Jr. Theta / Theta Mu Lambda
Brother Percy Penn Gamma Phi / Beta Lambda
Brother Hale Thompson Zeta Zeta Lambda
Brother Raymond Perry Gamma Beta / Phi Lambda
Brother Hillary Thorne Zeta Zeta Lambda
Brother Wendell S. Looney Beta Chi / Eta Beta Lambda Brother Elmer Lowe, III Beta / Zeta Zeta Lambda Brother Frederick L. Manson Beta Kappa Lambda / Xi Nu Lambda
Brother Willie Ed Pettaway Pi Alpha / Rho Delta Lambda Brother Charles Pratt, Jr. Theta Delta Lambda Brother Richard Ford Pride, Jr. Delta Beta
Brother James McCain Zeta Zeta Lambda
Brother R.W. McDowell Iota / Phi Lambda
Brother Henry McNair Zeta Zeta Lambda Brother Elvis Miles Iota Omicron Lambda Brother Ronald S. Millender Xi Nu Lambda
Harry Turner Zeta Zeta Lambda
Brother Charles Pryor Theta Rho Lambda / Gamma Zeta Lambda
Brother Frank Watson Delta Delta / Gamma Zeta Lambda Brother Lovie Wells, Sr. Beta Phi / Xi Omicron Lambda Brother Ernest T. Williams Upsilon Lambda
Brother Norbert C. Rayford Delta Chi Lambda / Xi Nu Lambda
Brother Charles Riley Mu / Zeta Zeta Lambda
Brother George Franklin Williams Eta Beta Lambda
Brother James Yerger Theta Upsilon Lambda
Brother Leeverest E. Rudolph Theta Upsilon Lambda / Theta Upsilon Lambda _______________ Brother Rev. Jasper P. Saunders Beta Nu / Gamma Zeta Lambda Key:
Brother Thomas Mitchell Rho Alpha Lambda Brother William C. Mizzell Theta Upsilon Lambda
Brother Isaac T. Moorehead Alpha Phi Lambda
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Brother Cleo D. Smith Theta Upsilon Lambda / Theta Upsilon Lambda Brother Jerel A. Spruill Zeta Psi / Omicron Delta Lambda Brother Robert L. Stanton, D.D.S. Theta Upsilon Lambda
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= Life Member
A MEMORIAL IS BEING BUILT IN WASHINGTON, D.C. HONORING DR. KING’S LEGACY OF DEMOCRACY, JUSTICE, HOPE AND LOVE.
MAKE A DONATION TODAY 1-888-4-THE-DREAM WWW.BUILDTHEDREAM.ORG G ro u n d b r e a k i n g is November 2006
CORPORATE C O R P O R AT E D I R E C T O RY
The Seven Jewels Henry A. Callis
Charles H. Chapman
Eugene K. Jones
GENERAL OFFICERS General President Immediate Past General President Executive Director General Treasurer Comptroller General Counsel Director of General Conventions Historian Chief Parliamentarian
Darryl R. Matthews, Sr., 7249 Hanover Parkway, Suite A, Greenbelt, MD 20770 Harry E. Johnson, Sr., 7457 Harwin Drive, Houston, TX 77036 Willard C. Hall, Jr., 2313 St. Paul Street, Baltimore, MD 21218 George N. Reaves, 1417 Kinross Street, Flossmoor, IL 32312 Frank A. Jenkins, III, 529 South Perry Street, Ste.16, Montgomery, AL 60422 Michael D. Pegues, 3800 Lincoln Plaza, 500 N. Akard St., Dallas, TX 75202 A. Brian Parker, 9115 Lake Fischer Blvd., Gotha, FL 34734 Robert L. Harris, Jr., 102 Burleigh Drive, Ithaca, NY 14850 John M. Williams, 7075 Colesbrooke Drive, Hudson, OH 44236
VICE PRESIDENTS Eastern Midwestern Southern Southwestern Western
Dennis G. Kemp, Sr., PO Box 3056, Laurel, MD 20709 Darryl A. Peal, 660 Culpepper Drive, Reynoldsburg, OH 43068 Everette Ward, 3112 Falconhurst Drive, Wake Forest, NC 27587 Arthur McDade, III, 1124 Peyton Street, Little Rock, AK 72204 Ryan Williams, 1465 65th Street, Apt. 434, Emeryville, CA 80015
ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENTS Eastern Midwestern Southern Southwestern Western
Jamaal Richardson, 2601 Corprew Ave., 4040A, Norfolk, VA 23504 Emmanuel T. Brown, 3110 E. Livingston Ave., Apt. 2, Columbus, OH 43227 John White, 830 Westview Drive, SW, Box Unit 42296, Atlanta, GA 30314 Maurice D. Gipson, Louisiana State University, PO Box 12131, Baton Rouge, LA 70894 Ronnie Versher, 340 Grenadine Way, Hercules, CA 94547
LIVING PAST GENERAL PRESIDENTS 25th General President 26th General President 27th General President 28th General President 29th General President 30th General President 31th General President
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James R. Williams, 1733 Brookwood Drive, Akron, OH 44313 Ozell Sutton, 1640 Loch Lomond Trail, SW, Atlanta, GA 30331 Charles C. Teamer, Sr.,4619 Owens Boulevard, New Orleans, LA 70122 Henry Ponder, 3 Covington Court, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 Milton C. Davis, 304 N. Main Street, Tuskegee, AL 36083 Adrian L. Wallace, 281 Debra Lane, Lake Charles, LA 70611 Harry E. Johnson, Sr., 7457 Harwin Drive, Houston, TX 77036
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DIRECTORY
C O R P O R AT E D I R E C T O RY
George B. Kelley
Nathaniel A. Murray
Robert H. Ogle
Vertner W. Tandy
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS TO THE GENERAL PRESIDENT Political Affairs Leon C. Buck, Jr., 2704 Accent Court Bowie, MD 20716 Development John M. Williams, 7075 Colesbrooke Drive, Hudson, OH 44236 Technology and Info Management Lover High, Jr., 881 Creekdale Drive, Atlanta, GA 30021
DEPUTY ASSISTANTS TO THE GENERAL PRESIDENT Marketing/Branding Organizational Effectiveness College Brother Development Health/Healthcare Awareness Commerce and Economic Policy Liason to the Broadcast Media
John C. Hannah, 600 Wynbrook Parkway, Stone Mountain, GA 30087 Kermit H. Boston, 138 Everson Street, San Francisco, CA 94131 Roderick L. Smothers, PO Box 17701, Baton Rouge, LA 70893 Pierre N. Vigilance, M.D., 10795 Symphony Wave, Columbia, MD 21045 Bobby McDonald, 6255 Camino Manzano, Anaheim Hills, CA 92807 Victor L. Carter, 8316 Governor Thomas Lane, Ellicott City, MD 21043
SPECIAL ASSISTANTS TO THE GENERAL PRESIDENT Logistics Protocol Senior Advisor Chief of Staff Administrative Assistant
Donald Woods, 9045 S. Bennett, Chicago, IL 60617 Larry J. Henderson, 2641 Foundry Way, Apt. #302, Alexandria, VA 22314 Bob A. Willis, 130 Old Fairburn Close, Atlanta, GA 30331 Al F. Rutherford, 2732 Gull Lake Drive, Plano, TX 75025 Joseph E. Heyward, Sr., PO Box 384, Florence, SC 29503
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L E A D E R S H I P D I R E C T O RY ALPHA PHI ALPHA WORLD POLICY COUNCIL
Chairman Horace G. Dawson, Jr., 1601 Kalmia Road, NW, Washington, DC 20037 Chairman Emeritus Edward W. Brooke, 6437 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA 20187 Members Charles Rangle, 2354 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 Huel D. Perkins, 1923–79th Avenue, Baton Rouge, LA 70807 Henry Ponder, 3 Covington Court, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 Vinton R. Anderson, AME Church Finance Office, 1134–11th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001 Chuck S. Stone, UNC-Chapel Hill, 107 Oxford Hills Place, Chapel Hill, NC 27514 Bobby Austin, The Village Foundation, 211 N. Union Street #100, Alexandria, VA 22314 Cornel West, 220 Boylston Street, 1010, Boston, MA 02116 Ron Dellums, 1201 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20004
NATIONAL COMMITTEE/COMMISSION CHAIRMEN
Alpha Collegiate Scholars Awards & Achievement Belford V. Lawson Oratorical Big Brothers & Big Sisters Black & Gold Pageant Boy Scouts Building Foundation Budget and Finance Business & Economic Development Foundation College Brothers Affairs Commission Constitution Director of General Conventions Director of Housing Activities Education Foundation Elections General Headquarters – Facility Management Grievance & Discipline Higher Education Historical Commission Human Resources Internal Auditing International Brothers: Caribbean Leadership Development Life Membership Management Information Systems March of Dimes Liaison MLK Memorial Project Mediation and Arbitration Medical Advisory Board Military Brothers Liaison National Sergeant at Arms Organization Effectiveness Political Action Publications Project Alpha Protocol Racial Justice & Public Policy Reclamation Rituals & Ceremonies Senior Alpha Affairs Training and Development (Alpha University) Walk America–March of Dimes
Steven M. Clark, 2898 Bentbrook Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45251 Clifton Johnson, 3559 Fuller Street, Columbus, GA 31907 Lynwood Randolph, 3000 Fairhill Ct.; Suitland, MD 20746 Dale Long, 1614 Dorado Street, Garland, TX 75040 Alvin J. Cavalier, 413-C Longwood Court, Baton Rouge, LA 70806 George Randall, 8705 Saranac Trail, Fortworth, TX 76118 R. (Bob) Leandras Jones, II, 1045 Audubon Circle, SW, Atlanta, GA 30311 Duane Hill, 7510 S. Lake Ridge Drive, Seattle, WA 98178 Steve Sims, 2508 Dysart Road, Cleveland, OH 44118 Mike A. Blake, 405 S. Butler Blvd, Apt. 3, Lansing, MI 48915 Lloyd A. Givens, 6050 Canaan Woods Drive, Atlanta, GA 30331 Brian Parker, 9115 Lake Fischer Blvd., Gotha, FL 34734 Thomas A. Tatum, 2266 Canterbury Circle, Akron, OH 44319 Ralph E. Johnson, 9241 Sealed Message Road, Columbia, MD 21045 Russell C. Campbell, Sr., 4212 Sugar Pine Court, Burtonsville, MD 20866 Ola O. Aluko, 14951 S.W. 157th CT, Miami, FL 33196 William A. Crutchfield, 631 Spring Street, Herndon, VA 20170 Thomas Cole, 4825 Regency Trace, Atlanta, GA 30331 Herman “Skip” Mason, 4233 Ivy Run, Ellenwood, GA 30294 Chad D. Simmons, 520 East 41st Street, Chicago, IL 60653 Hyacinth Ahuruonye, 595 Market Street #2160, San Francisco, CA 94105 Ricardo P. Deveaux, P.O. Box N-4511, Nassau, Bahamas Alex Dejarnett, 1126 South Horseshoe Road, Durham, NC 27703 Roger R. Gregory, 2516 Carver Street, Durham, NC 27705 Josh O. Williams, 1006 Elmira Ave, New Orleans, LA 70114 Wilbur E. Jackson, Jr., 6716 Indian Springs Court, San Jose, CA 95120 Frank Russell, Jr., 3314 Paces Ferry Road, Atlanta, GA 30339 Keith A. Bishop, 1802 MLK Jr. Parkway, Suite 105, Durham, NC 27707 Anton C. Bizzell, 821 Braeburn Drive, Fort Washington, MD 20744 Ralph Harris, 7371 Hunters Oak Court, Springfield, VA 22150 Ron Russell, 700 Cedar Ridge Lane, Richton Park, IL 60471 Zollie J. Stevenson, Jr., 806 Falls Lake Drive, Mitchellville, MD 20721 Kobi Little, Post Office Box 1082, Selma, AL 36701 R. Vann Graves, 206 W. 132nd Street #3F, New York, NY 10027 Craig F. Reed, 315 Forest Grove Avenue, Jacksonville, NC 28540 Larry Henderson, 2641 Foundry Way, 302, Alexandria, VA 22314 Cleveland E. Beckett, Jr., 1849 Sedgwick Avenue, # 10E, Bronx, NY 10453 Harry Evans, III, 7575 Weatherworn Way, Columbia, MD 21046 Russell E. Flye, 6211 Devon Court, Pasco, WA 99337 Elliott McKinney, PO Box 942, E. St. Louis, IL 62203 A. L. Mackey, 6801 Willamette Drive, Austin, TX 78723 Wilbert L. Brown, 6216 Rime Village Drive # 102, Huntsville, AL 35806
ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY, INC. 2313 St. Paul Street, Baltimore, MD 21218-5211 CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS Phone: (410) 554-0040; Fax: (410) 554-0054
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