OCTOBER 2020
THE
FIRST OF ALL, SERVANTS OF ALL, WE SHALL TRANSCEND ALL
TORCH
97
THE OFFICIAL NEWS SOURCE OF ------
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ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY, INC
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Happy
Alphaversary The Mu Lambda Torch January 2019
MU LAMBDA CHAPTER | 2405 FIRST STREET, NW, WASHINGTON, DC 20001| MULAMBDA.ORG
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Front Cover Picture by Names 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16.
Rudolph Harris Curtis Hunigan Fred Valentine Horace Dawson, Jr. Paul Cotton A. Gilbert Douglas Ryland Harris Mark Jones Andre Lucas Kenneth Hobart Derrick Butts John Mark-Williams Jeremy Triplett Mikael LaRoche Joseph Housey, III Jason Clark
17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32.
Mark Ross Louis Ford James Heck Eddie Neal Gerard Williams Garrett Miller Adrian James O. Jackson Cole, Jr. Albert Williams Lucius Brown Marcel Desroches Kellen Moore Jamison Taylor, Jr. Mathew Aaron, Jr. Sean Perkins James Harmon
33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48.
Larry Ware Frank King Antonio King Rudolph McGann, Jr. Alvin Reaves, III Ryle Bell Drew Love Colin Campbell Bryant Young Arthur King Charvis Campbell LeRoy Lowery, III Joseph Paul Timothy Fitzgerald Jason Jefferson Samuel Armstrong
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In this Issue
Charter Members Past Presidents
Cover 1 Front Cover Picture by Names 2 In this Issue, Charter Members, Past Presidents 3 Executive Board, The Presidents’ Message 4 Committee Chairs, The Vice-Presidents’ Message 5 Politics and Bruch Recap 6 Your Vote is Your Voicce 7 MAAC Conference, #Give 06! Campaign 8 VOTE, Alpha’s VPHP Black Men Vote Plan 9 Black people who didn’t vote let us down, too 10 Voting Rights Act of 1965 12 Alpha for Orange 13 Brother Vincent Orange featured in The SPHINX 14 Brother C.C. House featured in The SPHINX 15 Message from House of Ruth Committee 16 Message from Health and Wellness Committee 17 Message from the Technology Committee 18 Alpha Phi Alpha Way 20 Upcoming Events, Alphaversary and Birthday 21 The Jewel Lounge 22 Literary Society 23 Food, Dessert and Drink of the Month 24 Preparing for our baby’s arrival 25 Advertise with us 26 Domino’s 27 Everything Co-op Radio Show 28 AKSTAR Apparel 29 East State Street Band 30 Exit Realty: Brother Albert A. Williams 31 Financial Planning Needs Prostate Cancer a Family Affair 32 The New Mu Lambda Chapter App is Here 33 Chapter App by Publicall Telecommunications 34 Message from the Editor 35 Esprit de Fraternite
Arthur Curtis* Merrill H. Curtis* Victor R. Daly* Eugene L. C. Davidson* Arnold Donawa* Walter Garvin* William L. Hansberry* Charles H. Houston* Edward Howard* Joseph R. Jones* R. Frank Jones* J Edward Lowery* Clarence H. Mills* Jewel Nathaniel Allison Murray* Norman L. McGhee* FN4 Jewel Robert Harold Ogle* Louis H. Russell* James N. Saunders* Emory B. Smith* Harold C. Stratton* J.H.N. Waring* Charles H. Wesley* FN3 CHARTERED ON MONDAY OCTOBER 1, 1923 WASHINGTON, D.C. FN1 6th General President 1915-1916 FN2 General Secretary 1915-1916 7th General President 1916-1917 FN3 14th General President 1931-1940 FN4 General Secretary 1920-1926 FN5 8th Eastern Regional Vice-President 1950-1953 FN6 23rd Eastern Regional Vice-President 2000-2001 Executive Director MLK Memorial
1. Harold Stratton* 1923-1924 2. Howard H. Long* FN2 3. Charles H. Wesley* 1926-1928 4. Frank Adams* 5. R. Frank Jones* 6. James B. Browning* 7. Jewel Henry Arthur Callis* FN1 8. U. Simpson Tate* 9. Claude Ferebee* 10. George O. Butler* 11. C.C. House* 1938-1940 12. Verdie L. Robinson* 13. Walter M. Booker* FN5 14. Jack Bond* 15. Millard R. Dean* 16. Frank Davis* 17. Clifton Hardy* 18. Herman Johnson* 19. Howard Jenkins* 20. C.C. House* 1952-1954 21. William F. Nelson* 22. Aubrey E. Robinson* 23. Joseph Waddy* 24. Edward J. Austin* 25. Elgy Johnson* 1964-1965 26. George H. Windsor* 1965-1967 27. James T. Speight* 1967-1969 28. Harold Sims* 1969-1970 29. Eddie L. Madison* 1970-1972 30. Wilbur Sewell* 1972-1974 31. Charles Walker Thomas* 1974-1976 32. Theodore Taylor* 1976-1978 33. Elmer Moore* 1978-1981 34. William E. Calbert* 1981-1983 35. Osmond Brown* 1983-1986 36. Vernon Gill 1986-1988 37. LeRoy Lowery, III 1988-1990 38. Morris Hawkins* 1990-1992 39. C.C. Jones 1992-1995 40. Vincent Orange 1995-1997 41. Melvin White 1997-1999 42. LeRoy Lowery, III FN6 1999-2001 43. James Haynes 2001-2002 44. Rudolph Harris* 2002-2004 45. Edwin Norwood 2004-2006 46. James McDonald 2006-2008 47. Timothy Fitzgerald 2008-2010 48. Kwame Ulmer 2010-2011 49. LeRoy Lowery, III 2011-2013 50. Eddie Neal 2013-2015 51. LeRoy Lowery, III 2015-2017 52. Joel Grey 2017-2018 53. Eddie Neal 2018-2020 54. John “Tony” Wilson 2020* Omega Chapter Brothers Footnote (FN)
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Executive Board President John “Tony” Wilson Vice President Mikael LaRoche Recording Secretary Jason Jefferson Corresponding Secretary Samuel Armstrong Financial Secretary Vernon Oakes Treasurer Michael Young Chaplain William “Tony” Hawkins Historian Silas J Woods Archivist James Harmon Intake Coordinator Andre Lucas Assoc. Editor/Sphinx Kenneth A. Williams Dir. Ed. Activities Sean Perkins Sergeant-at-Arms Malcolm Carter
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The President’s Message t is my honor to acknowledge and celebrate this historical chapter’s 97th Charter Day. Mu Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc was charted on October 1, 1923 as the 111th house of our great fraternity. This is a time to celebrate 97 years of Service to the DC Region and nation. Unfortunately, we are not able to celebrate in person with the usual fanfare at the Mu Lambda Foundation House due to the pandemic. Raise a glass in tribute and thankfulness even if it is done virtually. After we have our moments of celebration, we need to focus on the fact that we are in the final stretch of the one of the most pivotal general elections of our lifetimes. Our time is needed to support a fair and open election. Be a part of efforts that produce a well-informed electorate. Although it is assumed, we live in an area of the country with a politically savvy and active populace that is not necessarily true. You would be surprised how many young and not so young people are apathic or ill-informed regarding the impact of their votes in shaping the nation and our communities right here in the DMV. Every chance you get talk to a young person and let them know that their vote matters and why it matters. Make it real to them today. In this home stretch make time to support our Fraternity’s Black Man Vote initiative as part of our Voteless People Is A Hopeless People national program. Young Black Men were the least represented group of voters in the 2016 and 2018 general elections. Share and make use of this number 1-833-BM-VOTE-1. That number is a dedicated voter protection and education hotline monitored by Alpha lawyers. If you are willing and able consider being a poll worker on election day. There is something each of us can do up to beyond Nov 3rd 2020. Again, Happy Charter Day Mu Lambda! Brother John “Tony” Wilson, President Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Mu Lambda Chapter
Parliamentarian Gilbert Douglass Web Master Albert Williams Editor of the Torch Kenneth A. Williams Member at Large LeRoy Lowery III Risk Management Officer Mikael E. LaRoche Immediate Past President Eddie Neal
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Committee Chairs
The Vice President’s Message
Auditing Vacant
Greetings Brothers of Mu Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.
Brother’s Keeper Carlos DeBose Budget and Finance Vernon Oakes Communication and Technology Albert Williams Constitution Gilbert Douglas DC National Pan Hellenic Council Vacant Fundraising Vacant Golf Tournament Vacant Health & Wellness Alvin L. Reaves, III Membership Kobina Yanka Men Who Cook Garrett Miller Mu Lambda Chapter History Book Silas Woods III Nominating Vacant Programs Joseph Gibbs Public Policy Rudolph McGann Social Joseph Gibbs Community Service Samuel Armstrong Marketing/Promotion Committee Vacant Social Media Committee Vacant
The days are counting down quickly to one of the most important elections of our lifetime. A long four year period marked with 2 articles of impeachment, many scandals, a pandemic, government shutdowns and many interesting occurrences can possibly move into an 8 year stint, or can be stopped short with a change in guard in America’s highest office in less than 40 days. The days are counting down for us brothers, our families and communities to stand up and have voices heard. Voting has its rightful place in the duties of American citizenry - But even within our brotherhood, we struggle to showcase the power of this exercise as our own presidential elections are marred with dwindling numbers of participants, yet proudly we praise the name of Alpha and her National Programs, “A VOTELESS PEOPLE IS A HOPELESS PEOPLE”. This is a call to do better than we did a few months ago. Proudly wear our vote “Alpha” tee shirts, Talk to your sons and daughters about the value of their vote, Participate in Alpha’s facebook chats and zoom calls, Listen to presidential debates, KNOW WHO YOU ARE VOTING FOR - policies beliefs - their legislation - and continue to rejoice as a Jamaican-Indian, California born, Howard Queen - is selected as the nominee for the Vice Presidential candidate for the democratic party. It is all a part of getting the full participation of the African American family. We are truly hopeless if our voices are not heard. This call is for each member of Mu Lambda, and their respective family members reading to reach far and wide over the next 37+ days to ensure that we are not left behind. Check on your elderly brothers to see how they are casting their votes, ensure that neighbors with needs are given a fair opportunity to cast their votes this November. It is easy for us to assume that every African American who can, will exercise their right to vote, but after attending our chapter’s Politics and Brunch event on September 26th, I have learned how many challenges are currently in place for the African American Population. a perfect example is, my new awareness that there are programs in place to ensure that “returning citizens” who have been incarcerated in Washington D.C. can gain access to their ability to vote. These are the simple steps that change the future of our country. This is part of the work of ALPHA MEN. Honestly, we can not let our feet off the gas once this election period passes. This October, I would like to motivate Mu Lambda brothers to choose to continue the fight. In the prolific poem, House of Alpha, we recite an important line - “Tired moments find us a delightful treat”. Now is not the time to be tired & even if you are fed up, now is the time to find joy within yourself. We have to continue the fight because no matter what direction the decision is on Wednesday November 4th, 2020 - We are still not FREE. The judicial system still prosecutes African American males at a disproportionately higher rate than any other race, our sons are being senselessly murdered, laws are still in place that keep us marginalized and disenfranchised, and those making the laws for the land we reside, still do not equally represent an accurate breakdown of the American population. So I plead, do not allow this weary time to steal the fighting spirit that lives within each of us. Allow every moment, every name, every hashtag, every fight to see us all as a Delightful Treat - as we march on as a chapter in Washington D.C. for representation, equality and fairness for ALL. We are the Delightful Treat, and this is a part of our “Tired moments”. Brother Mikael LaRoche, Vice-President Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Mu Lambda Chapter
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On Saturday, September 26th, at 11am, the Brothers of Mu Lambda were joined by the Lovely Ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Rho Mu Omega Chapter for our first "Politics and Brunch" Virtual Discussion that broke down some of the myths and vital information for us to consider as we walk into the 2020 elections. The livestream was broadcasted successfully across 5 platforms inclusive of Youtube and our chapter facebook. The discussion was broken into 3 parts, and 4 Trivia Questions were asked to create extra engagement and participation from the hundreds of persons who logged in to view our program. In all, the event reached 1242 persons with 576 active engagements, 212 comments in the chatrooms, had 22 shares, and eas viewed 100+ times on youtube. Special thanks have to be extended to the Mu Lambda Team for working with the sorors to put this event together. Brother Brent Rafcliffe, Brother Edward Hill (moderator), Brother Kelvin Brown, Brother James E. Harmon, and Vice president for participating in the planning and successful execution of this event. The stream is still available for viewing on Mu Lamba's facebook page. Please take the time to engage with our first annual "Politics and Brunch".
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ALPHA’S VOTE Election day is Nov. 3
Register to Vote
Registration deadlines Online: Oct. 13 By mail: Postmarked by Oct. 13 In person: Oct. 13
Maryland https://voterservices.elections.maryland.gov/ OnlineVoterRegistration/InstructionsStep1
Absentee ballot deadlines Request: Oct. 20 Return by mail: Postmarked by Nov. 3 Return in person: Nov. 3 by 8:00 p.m. Early voting Oct. 26 - Nov. 2, but dates and hours may vary based on where you live Additional information You can also register and vote during early voting and on Election Day
District of Columbia https://forms.dc.gov/f/DC_Voter_Registration_Form
Check Registration Staus Maryland https://voterservices.elections.maryland.gov/ votersearch District of Columbia https://www.dcboe.org/Voters/Register-To-Vote/Check-Voter-Registration-Status
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Black people who didn’t vote let us down, too
If we criticize the way white people voted, we must rip those who didn’t vote at all BY BRANDO SIMEO STARKEY @BRANDOSTARKEY | December 16, 2016 Reprint from previous article found in “The Undefeated” at https://theundefeated.com/features/black-people-who-didnt-vote-let-us-down-too/
President-elect Donald Trump, at a Grand Rapids, Michigan, postelection rally on Dec. 9, thanked black voters who did not vote. “The African-American community was great to us,” he said. “If they had any doubt, they didn’t vote … And,” he continued, “that was almost as good.” As compared with white voters whom many, including myself, harshly criticized for how they voted, black nonvoters have weathered little castigation. Yet, if we malign whites for ignoring the concerns of people of color when they entered the voting booths, mustn’t we also censure people — and I specifically want to talk about black folk here — who ignored those same concerns by choosing not to enter that booth at all? Trump’s recent remarks led me to recall a New York Times dispatch published a couple of weeks after the election. Reporter Sabrina Tavernise interviewed various black men and women in a black Milwaukee neighborhood, many of whom chose not to vote in a state that narrowly awarded its 10 electoral votes to Trump. The reporter describes a locale that mirrors a lot of such places across the country — one where both major party candidates left black voters unexcited and where political disillusionment festers, much like the vacant and boarded-up homes seemingly on every block. One man’s remarks remained with me. He, Cedric Fleming, a 47-year-old barber, lost his health insurance after his divorce. He struggled to find a replacement plan, finally settling on a $300-a-month Affordable Care Act offering. The plan costs too much for him though, leaving him disenchanted with government. Many can relate. “Ain’t none of this been working,” he remarked, referring to pocketbook politics in general. He did not vote. The black population is littered with Cedric Flemings. I spot multiple problems, however, in such an outlook. One is that if we view government as failing to operate well for people like us, ejecting ourselves from civic engagement offers no solution. Indeed, by eschewing the political process, Fleming distanced himself from a resolution to his apparent main economic grievance, the cost of health care. President Barack Obama talks about this frequently
— the importance of civic engagement. Locating a weakness in how our democracy functions should mark a starting point for positive action, not withdrawal. For our form of governance to operate effectively, we must willingly stare down a formidable obstacle and dedicate ourselves to toppling it. Despondency and self-pity achieve nothing. Although I consider disengagement an annoying act of self-sabotage, the sheer selfishness of such behavior perturbs me most. During this election, millions worried about Muslim-Americans. They heard their concerns. It informed their voting. During this election, millions worried about Hispanic-Americans. They heard their concerns. It informed their voting. During this election, millions worried about black Americans. They heard their concerns. It informed their voting. People like Fleming heard those same concerns and nevertheless stayed home. Did nonvoters worry about other people when they didn’t vote? We must consider this reprehensible, much like those white voters who heard those same concerns and replied, with their vote, “I don’t care.” Some plunged a knife in these communities’ backs. Others did not act to prevent this dastardly deed. Either way, the knife remains, lodged painfully in these communities’ vertebrae, as they look on, wondering why their fellow citizens allowed their agony. Some will counter that many voters of all races don’t vote, pointing to this country’s lackluster voter participation rates. It’s true. Too many — more than 40 percent of eligible voters in this year’s election — do not vote, a pathetically low participation rate for a developed country. But right now, I’m a black man writing to mostly black people. Pointing out that the white man who is also an alcoholic cures no drinking issue of mine. We black people need to vote at higher rates, a necessary but not sufficient condition for black life, other nonwhite people (and I would argue white people, too), improving drastically. When we don’t vote for president, or Congress, or state legislator, or mayor, or county prosecutor, we must deem that behavior as worthy of social punishment.
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VOTING RIGHTS ACT OF 1965 HISTORY.COM EDITORS UPDATED:AUG 25, 2020ORIGINAL:NOV 9, 2009 Link: https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/voting-rights-act
The Voting Rights Act of 1965, signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson, aimed to overcome legal barriers at the state and local levels that prevented African Americans from exercising their right to vote as guaranteed under the 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The Voting Rights Act is considered one of the most far-reaching pieces of civil rights legislation in U.S. history. Selma to Montgomery March Lyndon B. Johnson assumed the presidency in November 1963 upon the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. In the presidential race of 1964, Johnson was officially elected
in a landslide victory and used this mandate to push for legislation he believed would improve the American way of life, such as stronger voting-rights laws. After the Civil War, the 15th Amendment, ratified in 1870, prohibited states from denying a male citizen the right to vote based on “race, color or previous condition of servitude.� Nevertheless, in the ensuing decades, various discriminatory practices were used to prevent African Americans, particularly those in the South, from exercising their right to vote. Continue on the next page
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During the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s, voting rights activists in the South were subjected to various forms of mistreatment and violence. One event that outraged many Americans occurred on March 7, 1965, when peaceful participants in a Selma to Montgomery march for voting rights were met by Alabama state troopers who attacked them with nightsticks, tear gas and whips after they refused to turn back. Some protesters were severely beaten and bloodied, and others ran for their lives. The incident was captured on national television. In the wake of the shocking incident, Johnson called for comprehensive voting rights legislation. In a speech to a joint session of Congress on March 15, 1965, the president outlined the devious ways in which election officials denied African American citizens the vote. Literacy Tests Black people attempting to vote often were told by election officials that they had gotten the date, time or polling place wrong, that they possessed insufficient literacy skills or that they had filled out an application incorrectly. Black people, whose population suffered a high rate of illiteracy due to centuries of oppression and poverty, often would be forced to take literacy tests, which they sometimes failed. Johnson also told Congress that voting officials, primarily in Southern states, had been known to force Black voters to “recite the entire Constitution or explain the most complex provisions of state laws,� a task most white voters would have been hard-pressed to accomplish. In some cases, even Black people with college degrees were turned away from the polls. Voting Rights Act Signed into Law The voting rights bill was passed in the U.S. Senate by a 77-19 vote on May 26, 1965. After debating the bill for more than a month,
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the U.S. House of Representatives passed the bill by a vote of 333-85 on July 9. Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act into law on August 6, 1965, with Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights leaders present at the ceremony. The act banned the use of literacy tests, provided for federal oversight of voter registration in areas where less than 50 percent of the non-white population had not registered to vote, and authorized the U.S. attorney general to investigate the use of poll taxes in state and local elections. In 1964, the 24th Amendment made poll taxes illegal in federal elections; poll taxes in state elections were banned in 1966 by the U.S. Supreme Court. Did you know? In 1965, at the time of the passage of the Voting Rights Act, there were six African American members of the U.S. House of Representatives and no Black people in the U.S. Senate. By 1971, there were 13 members of the House and one Black member of the Senate. Voter Turnout Rises in the South Although the Voting Rights Act passed, state and local enforcement of the law was weak, and it often was ignored outright, mainly in the South and in areas where the proportion of Black people in the population was high and their vote threatened the political status quo. Still, the Voting Rights Act gave African American voters the legal means to challenge voting restrictions and vastly improved voter turnout. In Mississippi alone, voter turnout among Black people increased from 6 percent in 1964 to 59 percent in 1969. Since its passage, the Voting Rights Act has been amended to include such features as the protection of voting rights for non-English speaking American citizens.
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Number 4
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Brother Vincent Orange featured in The SPHINX | Summer 1980 | Volume 66 | Number 2 198006602
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Brother C.C. House featured in The SPHINX | Summer 1977 | Volume 63 | Number 2 197706302
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HOUSE OF RUTH houseofruth.org OCTOBER 2020 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15
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Message from the Health and Wellness Committee Recap Let’s Talk Health and Wellness Series - Prostate Cancer Event - Sept. 23rd. Thank you Brothers for your Support! We had 35 of 50 registered people attend our event in September. We had several attendees from LA, ATL, NYC, Richmond, NC, and the DMV! Below is a link of the event recording for those who missed the event: (this link will be available for 30-days) Link: https://zoom.us/rec/share/EaTNfpxZlIlE1sUHF9EQuwEmvVxtm8o_UsGK0kscw5PLu_ YE4j5CUu-EFdg7nkly.1UZM7uCArUDDGT8Y Passcode: 4$BCucX! Thanks Again Brothers! Bro. Derrick A. Butts Health and Wellness Committee Member
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Message from the Technology Committee Greetings Brothers, It is important, more now than ever, in the history of our beloved fraternity and chapter we stay connected!!! Please be sure to check, update, and/or add your contact information in the MLAPP! Simply download the Mu Lambda App from the Apple or Google Play Store to your mobile Apple or An-droid device(s) and enter your contact information. We would also like to call upon all Brothers to help increase Mu Lambda’s social media presence by providing recommendations, content, updates, and assistance in promoting the Mu Lambda Brand, community related news, and chapter activities via your respective networks (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.).
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and engaging, remote experience. If you have ideas, expertise, creative talent, or in-terest in helping with enhancing and/or further developing Mu Lambda’s overall technology platforms or segment(s) thereof, please email webmaster@mulambda.org. Brothers: • • • • • • • •
Albert A. Williams, Jr., Chair Rylan Harris, Co-Chair John Wilson, Contributor and President Mikael E LaRoche, Contributor and Vice President Mark Walker, Social Media Eddie Neal, Contributor and Past President Garrett Miller, Contributor and Past Vice President Mark Jones, Contributor and Past Chair
Fraternally, Albert A. Williams, Jr., Technology Chair Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Mu Lambda Chapter
Lastly, Brothers, it is not too late to join the Technology Committee team in its quest to provide an informative
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Coming October 1, 2020: Alpha Phi Alpha Way
Proposed: Alpha Phi Alpha Way OCTOBER 2020 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18
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Thursday, October 1st Chapter meeting Thursday, October 1st Mu Lambda Chapter turns 97 Thursday, October 8th Health and Wellness committee meeting (conference call) Friday, October 2nd Golf Tournament (Woodmore Country Club) Friday, October 2nd Crab Feast (Woodmore Country Club) Saturday, October 3rd Charter Day Brunch Sunday, October 4th Mu Lambda worship service Saturday, October 10th House of Ruth (Tim Fitzgerald’s team) Saturday, October 10th Alpha Wives meeting Thursday, October 15th Mu Lambda Foundation meeting Monday, October 19th Education Committee meeting
Lee A. Tyler Patrick J. Major Richard A. English DeAngelo M. Copeland Joshua J. DuBoise Jason Jefferson Kellen Moore Byron L. Williams John-Mark Williams Horace G. Dawson, Jr.
October 1 October 4 October 28 October 28 October 28 October 28 October 28 October 28 October 28 October 31
Happy Birthday Frank C. King, Jr. Lloyd T. McGriff Eric A. Washington Lamar Arnold Joseph Housey, III Eric D. Herndon Alvin L. Reaves, III William Thomas
October 7 October 16 October 16 October 17 October 18 October 18 October 23 October 24
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The Jewels’ Lounge Mu Lambda Chapter Jewels’ Lounge Welcome to the Jewels’ Lounge where brothers gather, sit amongst the Jewels and reflect upon life in Alpha.
Jewel Callis
Jewel Jones
Jewel Murray
It is a place that allow brothers the opportunity to relax, read The Torch, Sphinx, history book and/or engage in that good ole ALPHA SPIRIT. Brother Silas Woods, III, Historian Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Mu Lambda Chapter
Jewel Kelley
Jewel Tandy
Jewel Chapman
Jewel Ogle
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Greeting Brothers,
Volume I
Lesson
The 2019-2020 fraternal year has been dedicated to rediscovering our brotherhood. We serve the community, but we have been neglecting our bond of brotherhood.
Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter
The Origin of Alpha Phi Alpha The Period of Consolidation The First Steps in Expansion Local and National Strivings Permanent Foundations Expansion and Internal Development The Leaven of Self-Examination The War Interlude A Definite Program The Crowning Years Advancement in Spite of the Depression The Widening Social Program Education and War A Militant Liberalism The Concept of Progress The Golden Anniversary Shaping the Future on the Basis of the Past The Continuing Challenge New Goals for Old Social Purpose and Social Action
Since Tuesday, April 21st, Mu Lambda has hosted the Mu Lambda Literary Society, every week at 7:00 pm. The Mu Lambda Literary Society is a Mu Lambda initiative, where we come together as brothers and discuss the two volume Alpha history book over a period of months. It will be facilitated by a different brother each week. Brothers can participate via Zoom. We will start with volume 1, chapter 1 of the twenty second printing of the history book and conclude with volume 2, chapter 8. There are twenty chapters in volume 1 and eight chapters in volume 2.
I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XII XIII XIV XV XVI XVII XVIII XIX XX
This is totally voluntary. If you are interested, participate for the weeks that you can. You are not required to purchase the new history book. Brother Robert L. Harris, Volume II Jr. our National Historian and author of Volume II is Chapter I participating in the sessions. Chapter II Chapter III Chapter IV Chapter V Chapter VI Chapter VII Chapter VIII
Date Apr 21 Apr 28 Apr 28 May 5 May 5 May 12 May 19 May 26 Jun 2 Jun 9 Jun 16 Jun 23 Jun 30 Jul 7 Jul 14 Jul 21 Jul 28 Aug 4 Aug 11 Aug 11
Lesson
Date
Back to Basics Achieving Tomorrow: An Agenda for the 80’s Strengthening Internal Capacity for Greater Service Facing Our Future with a Future The Alpha Renaissance: Rekindling the Spirit of Leadership and Community Service Vision 2000: The Light of a New Day Alpha Attitude: A Forward Step… Into the Future A Solid Foundation for the New Era of Alpha
Aug 18 Aug 25 Sept 1 Sept 8 Sept 15 Sept 22 Sept 29 Oct 6
Fraternally, John Wilson, President Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Mu Lambda Chapter
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Stuffed Acorn Squash
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Add remaining 2 tablespoons cider after 4 minutes of cooking, then cook 4 minutes more, or until kale is tender. • Add cooked farro and sausage to skillet with vegetables and stir to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Divide mixture among the 6 squash halves. Switch oven to broil and broil until tops are golden and filling is warmed, 2 to 3 minutes. Brother Derrick A. Butts
MU LAMBDA CHAPTER
Pour remaining batter into pan and top with the rest of the topping. 6. Bake in the preheated oven until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean, about 40 minutes. Brother Garrett Miller
Pumpkin Beer & Apple Cider Cocktail
Apple Butter Spice Cake INGREDIENTS • 3 small acorn squash • 3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided • Kosher salt • Freshly ground black pepper • 1 c. farro • 2 c. plus 2 tablespoons apple cider, divided • 2 sprigs fresh thyme • 1/2 lb. sweet Italian sausage • 1/2 yellow onion, chopped • 2 stalks celery, chopped • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 1 tbsp. fresh thyme, chopped • 1 bunch lacinato kale, stems removed and chopped DIRECTIONS • Preheat oven to 400°. Cut each end off squash and halve. • Use a spoon to remove seeds and brush all over with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Season with salt and pepper and roast until tender, 30-35 minutes. • Meanwhile, make farro: in a medium sauce pan, combine farro with 2 cups cider, 1 cup water, and thyme sprigs. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until liquid is evaporated and farro is tender, 25 to 30 minutes. If your liquid is evaporated and farro is not yet tender, add more water a ¼ cup at a time. Remove thyme sprigs. • Meanwhile, make filling: in a large skillet over medium heat, heat remaining oil. Add sausage and cook, breaking up with a wooden spoon and stirring occasionally until golden and cooked through, 5 minutes. Remove sausage with a slotted spoon onto a paper-towel lined plate. • Drain most fat from the skillet, reserving about 1 tablespoon for cooking. Add onion and celery and cook until soft, 6 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add garlic and chopped thyme and cook until fragrant, 1 minute more. • Add kale and cook, stirring frequently.
INGREDIENTS • Topping: • 1 cup packed brown sugar • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg • ½ cup chopped pecans • Cake: • 2 cups all-purpose flour • 1 teaspoon baking powder • 1 teaspoon baking soda • ½ teaspoon salt • ½ cup butter, room temperature • 1 cup white sugar • ¾ cup apple butter • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract • ½ cup whole bran cereal or wheat germ • 1 cup sour cream • 2 large eggs, room temperature DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch pan. 2. Prepare the topping by mixing together the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and chopped pecans. 3. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. 4. Beat butter and sugar together in a large bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy; add eggs one at a time, thoroughly beating each egg into the butter mixture before adding the next. Add apple butter, vanilla, and wheat germ or bran cereal. Add sifted dry ingredients alternately with sour cream; mix well after each addition. 5. Pour half the batter into the prepared pan; sprinkle with half of the topping.
Prep time: 5 minutes Yield: 4 drinks INGREDIENTS • 8 ounces good-quality bourbon • 9 ounces apple cider • 2 ½ ounces lemon juice (preferably fresh) • 12 ounces good pumpkin ale *Some of our favorite pumpkin ales – Elysian Brewing’s Night Owl Pumpkin Ale, Uinta Brewing’s Punk’n, Nebraska Brewing Company’s Wick for Brains Pumpkin Ale, Southern Tier’s Pumking) • Ice • Cinnamon sticks and cranberries for garnish DIRECTIONS • Shake together the bourbon, apple cider, and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker. Pour into four cocktail glasses filled with ice. • Pour beer evenly into each glass and stir. • Garnish with cinnamon sticks and cranberries. Serve immediately and enjoy! Brother Kenneth Williams
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The Wife and I are expecting our third son in October 2020. We currently have 6 year old and 3 year old sons. No Name has been decided yet. Any brother who would like to help us out in preparing for our baby’s arrival here is our registry info: https://www.target.com/gift-registry/giftgiver?registryId=d8c73e1ff9ad4e5c8ddb82b80a5c1727&lnk=registry_custom_url Also if any brothers want to buy any Alpha gear for my sons I’ll gladly accept. Ages to buy for: 7, 4, newborn to 1yr old.
Brother Byron L. Williams
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Contact us at ads@mulambda.org
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BROTHER
MALCOLM CARTER 6-B-87
OWNER & FRANCHISEE Domino’s Domino’s Domino’s Domino’s Domino’s Domino’s Domino’s Domino’s
Pizza-2950 Donnell Drive, District Heights, 20747 - 301-568-8883. Pizza-6254 Central Avenue, Seat Pleasant, MD 20743 - 301-333-5900. Pizza-4269 Branch Avenue, Temple Hills, MD - 301-839-0330. Pizza-6426 Branch Avenue, Temple Hills, MD - 301-449-3030. Pizza-9509 Livingston Road, Ft. Washington, MD - 301-248-3030. Pizza-10367 Southern Maryland Blvd, Dunkirk, MD - 410-286-0700. Pizza-14604 Main Street, Upper Marlboro, MD - 301-952-1133. Pizza-9546 Crain Highway, Upper Marlboro, MD - 301-599-4100.
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Everything Co-op, is a radio show that airs on WOL, Radio One’s premiere talk show station out of Washington, DC. The show features people who have influenced or participated in the advancement of the cooperative business model to change lives.
Hosted by Brother Vernon Oakes Listen every Thursday on WOL 1450AM or our website at http://everything.coop from 10:30am - 11am
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THE BORN ORIGINAL BRAND WWW.AKSTARAPPAREL.COM
Join the family and get 10% off A Mu Lambda Face Scarf Cover (use the code: JOIN) Purchase Link: https://www.akstarapparel.com/Mu-Lambda-Face-Scarf-Cover-p203836125
Owner: Brother Kenneth Williams
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Albert A. Williams
Realtor - D.C. & Maryland
EXIT First Realty 2139 Espey Court, Suite 1, Crofton, MD 21114 Bus: 301-352-8100 | Fax: 301-352-0700 | Cell: 202-210-1539 Email: aaaaAAwilliams@exitfirst.com
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Please Contact Brother Matt Aaron for Your Financial Planning Needs Matt Aaron, CFP® Aaron Financial 908-548-2745 Matthew.aaron.jr@nm.com Website: Aaronfinancial.nm.com Matt is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and the founder of Aaron Financial. Matt and his team provide a comprehensive financial planning experience to a diverse set of clients across the country. • • • • • • •
Budgeting Insurance Planning Investment Planning and Wealth Management Retirement Planning Education Planning Estate Planning Business & Employee Benefits
Matt holds a BBA from Howard University and has earned both a certificate in financial planning from Georgetown University and the prestigious CFP ® designation. Matt is a national spokesperson for the Certified Financial Planning Board.
Prostate Cancer a Family Affair Many of you are aware that I am a prostate cancer survivor. I know some of you have also traveled the journey. I was diagnosed and treated in 2016 and remain cancerfree. Thankfully my doctors caught it early before it had the opportunity to spread. I was vigilant well before my diagnosis with regular checkups mainly because my dad and uncle had previously been diagnosed. As men, and as black men in particular, we tend to wait much longer than we should to see the doctor. We all know brothers who have health challenges but put off making a call to the doctor. But cancer doesn’t wait.
My dad and I share our journey in our new book, Survivors’ Stories, Prostate Cancer, A Family Affair. Get more information on our journey and purchase the book at www.derrickbutts.com and then let’s talk. Speaking Engagements – I would be more than happy to schedule time to talk with your church, Men’s/Health group, and/or organization about being proactive with your prostate health and to share my journey. Please have them email me at info@derrickbutts. com to begin the discussion. Thank you Brothers for your support! Brother Derrick Butts
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The New Mu Lambda Chapter App is Here This official Mu Lambda Chapter App is for members of the chapter to find out about our events, chat with Chapter members, View Chapter Documents, View Chapter Directory, View our monthly magazine (The Torch) Pay Chapter Dues and much more. The ability to effectively communicate with Chapter members will help us continue to develop leaders, promote brotherhood and academic excellence while providing service and advocacy for our community.
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Message from the Editor
BRO. KENNETH A. WILLIAMS EDITOR OF THE TORCH torch@mulambda.org ALPHA QUOTE TO SERVE BY... “THINK Alpha Phi Alpha, TALK Alpha Phi Alpha, PROMOTE Alpha Phi Alpha, and LABOR for the broad principles of idealism for which Alpha Phi Alpha was created, so that humanity shall look on us as a body worthwhile.” Brother Henry L. Dickason, 5th General President
GOOD WILL IS THE MONARCH OF THIS HOUSE COMMITTEES SHOULD SUBMIT ALL ARTICLES AND PICTURES TO THE TORCH EDITOR 5 DAYS AFTER THE CONCLUSION OF YOUR EVENT. BROTHERS SUBMITTING ARTICLES AND ADVERTISEMENTS SHOULD SUBMIT EVERYTHING BETWEEN THE 15TH AND 31ST OF THE MONTH. ARTICLES MUST BE SUBMITTED IN A WORD DOCUMENT FORMAT. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL ARTICLES SUBMITTED ARE SUBJECT TO EDITING BY THE EDITOR. PLEASE ADHERE TO THE REQUIREMENTS AND SUBMIT YOUR INFORMATION TO TORCH@MULAMBDA.ORG
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Esprit de Fraternite Brothers, It is that time of year again. The fraternity’s fraternal year runs January 1st to December 31st. Mu Lambda’s 2020-2021 fraternal year runs September 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021. The chapter does not meet during July and August. It is now time to pay your 202-2021 dues which will cover you from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021. Ways to make payment: 1. 2. 3. 4.
You can pay your dues on mulambda.org by clicking the dues tab at the bottom left of every web page. Bring a check to the chapter meeting. You can pay on the Mu Lambda App Mail it to: Financial Team Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Mu Lambda Chapter 2405 First Street, NW Washington, DC 20001
Alpha
is a life long commitment
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 benefits from the Fraternity to himself in the way of self-development by duty well done, and the respect of the Brothers well served. A member’s duties should be: 1. Prompt payment of all financial obligations, the prime requisite for 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.
Rest if you must, but don’t you quit.