Fraternity’s Jewels Heritage Project (JHP

Greetings Brothers of Alpha,

I’m writing to report on the status of the Fraternity’s Jewels Heritage Project (JHP).

In 2010, at the 95th General Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada, the General Body of the Fraternity voted overwhelmingly to establish the Jewels Heritage Project (JHP). In addition, the General Convention authorized the mission of the JHP to “Reclaim, Restore, and Revive” two historical sites in Ithaca, New York, that were instrumental in the founding of the Fraternity: 411 E. State St. (where Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., was founded) and 421 N. Albany St. (the first meeting place of the Social Study Club).

The JHP intends to accomplish the three-stage mission in two phases: first, we will build a monument at 411 E. State St. and second, we intend to acquire and restore the residence at 421 N. Albany St.

Since 2010, the JHP has reached many milestones. Some examples include:

• Obtaining historic landmark designation for 421 N. Albany

St. • Collaborating with the City of Ithaca to compel the owner of 421 N. Albany St. to restore the exterior of the residence • Creating a design for the monument at 411 E. State St. • Engaging an engineering firm to build the monument at 411 E. State St. • Securing a pledge from the owner of 411 E. State St. to give the property to JHP for free However, there is more to be done. In Phase I, we seek to complete the monument at 411 E. State St. in two years. We estimate that it will cost about $1.5 million to build the monument and another $2.5 million to maintain it (for a total cost of $3.6 million). Our first milestone is to raise $250,000 by the Fraternity’s 96th General Convention and 115th Anniversary Convention in Indianapolis, IN in July 2021. This money will go towards the $1.5 million required to build the monument. We will, of course, seek contributions to build the monument from other individuals and entities who support the preservation of African American history. But first, we must demonstrate our commitment. Below, we provide suggested donation amounts, but larger donations would greatly increase our ability to achieve our goal.

April 1, 2021 Campaign Kick-off

Alumni Brothers: $190.60 - College Brothers: $19.06 Alumni Chapters: $1,000 - College Chapters: $250

To make tax-deductible donation as a one-time payment or recurring payment online, visit: www.jewelsproject.org

Or by mail:

Make a check payable to the Jewels Heritage Project, Inc., and mail to:

The Jewels Heritage Project, Inc. 2313 St. Paul St. Baltimore, MD 21218

We invite you to watch our video launch as well as follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates to our campaign.

Video campaign launch: https://youtu.be/W2OpsbNWiVg Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JewelsHeritageProject Instagram: @JHP1906

If you have any questions, feel free to email us at: jewelsheritageproject@gmail.com.

Fraternally,

Brother Ernest Eric Elmore, Chairman The Jewels Heritage Project, Inc. (a 501 (c) (3) entity)

St. Louis Just Elected Its First Black Female Mayor, She’s A Delta From Hampton

Tishaura Jones, a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and a graduate of the HBCU Hampton University made history Tuesday when she was elected the first Black female mayor of St. Louis.

Jones, who currently holds the position of Treasurer for city, beat Alderwoman Cara Spencer in the general election with 51.7% to Spencer’s 47.8% and will be sworn in on April 20th.

“St. Louis: This is an opportunity for us to rise,” Jones said in her victory speech. “I told you when I was running that we aren’t done avoiding tough conversations. We are done ignoring the racism that has held our city and our region back.”

Jones has served as a former state representative and has held the position of treasurer since 2013. As mayor she will replace incumbent Mayor Lyda Krewson.

“I will not stay silent when I spot racism,” Jones said. “I will not stay silent when I spot homophobia or transphobia. I will not stay silent when I spot xenophobia. I will not stay silent when I spot religious intolerance. I will not stay silent when I spot any injustice.”

According to her campaign website, Jones has a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from Hampton University and a Master’s degree in Health Administration from the Saint Louis University School of Public Health. A graduate of the Executives in State and Local Government program at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, she has served as Vice President of Public Finance for Blaylock Robert Van, LLC, an investment banking firm, as well as adjunct faculty at the Anheuser-Busch School of Business at Harris-Stowe State University.

We at Watch The Yard would like to commend Mayor Jones on her monumental achievement.

Link: https://www.watchtheyard.com/deltas/ tishaura-jones-mayor-delta-sigma-theta/