LOST GRAVESITE OF FRATERNITY JEWEL
EUGENE KINCKLE JONES LOCATED IN QUEENS, NEW YORK By Joseph L. Sessum
I
n Spring 2008, the aspirants of Zeta Zeta Lambda Chapter in St. Albans, New York were given a particularly daunting task by Chapter Intake Coordinator Brother Darren Morten, former Eastern Regional Vice President. The five young men who aspired to enter the Fraternity through the 239th House of Alpha were charged with locating the lost gravesite of one of the Fraternity’s Seven Jewels—Brother Eugene Kinckle Jones—and thereby, reclaiming a bit of the organization’s history and bringing honor to the ZZL Chapter. The whereabouts of Brother Jones’ remains were sketchy at best. However, the aspirants—Darrel Robinson, Jason Clayton, Eric Henry, Charles Joyner and Ron Carlos—who have since been initiated into the Fraternity, accepted the task as a means of
Zeta Zeta Lambda Brothers and aspirants are pictured at newly relocated gravesite of Jewel Eugene Kinckle Jones.
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Spring • Summer 2008
showing their tenacity and commitment. They realized that positive results of their test would not only prove important to the local chapter but would also hold great significance for the entire brotherhood. They began their search knowing only one thing for certain— that Jewel Brother Eugene Kinckle Jones had been laid to rest in the state of New York in 1954. Because the state’s local boundaries have been redrawn since that time, it was uncertain if Brother Jones had been buried in Queens or Brooklyn. Countless phone calls, library research visits and physical site investigations were made by the aspirants. Their search uncovered several interesting items. However, it may have been the aspirants’ newly gained insight into Brother Eugene Kinckle Jones’ travels, mission and commitment that best helped bring about their understanding of the founder, which eventually led to their discovery of his gravesite. The aspirants recognized that Jewel Jones was an energetic pioneer who was instrumental in forging the “first steps of expansion”, which was the impetus that moved the membership of his circle in 1907 to accept applications and increase the Fraternity membership. It was the founder’s travels to Washington, D.C., Virginia and other locations during that period that caused the Fraternity to charter new chapters. It also was through his high spirit, determination and vision that the groundwork was set to make Alpha Phi Alpha the leader it has become today—with chapters and members located throughout the world and the organization establishing itself as a major influence on local, national and international issues. In addition, their acknowledgment of Jewel Jones’ life work and mission gave the aspirants a better understanding of the founder while also helping to strengthen their bonds and spirits in the performance of the assignment. Their knowledge of Brother Jones’ experience kept them mindful of their task; and to perform it with Alpha’s high standards. Their team became closer as they came to a realization through Brother Jones’ work of what it takes to move and motivate men. Brother Eric B. Henry, a first year law student among the aspirants, states: “It was an effort filled with
The Sphinx: www.APA1906.net