PHI BETA SIGMA @ CBC ALC-53
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated, through its leaders, international headquarters and members, were upfront, highly visible and seriously engaged during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s 53rd Annual Legislative Conference in Washington, DC.
From VISION to VICTORY:
Amplifying Black Voices was the theme for the Annual Legislative Conference, which is considered the leading public convening focused on issues impacting African Americans and the global Black community. Held September 11-15, 2024, the ALC is a unique platform where thought leaders, legislators, influencers, and concerned citizens convene to discuss and address critical issues, forge partnerships, and promote the political, economic, and social advancements of Black communities.
Honorable Bro. Chris V. Rey, J.D., International President, proudly represented Phi Beta Sigma as a highly sought-after panelist and guest speaker for several town halls, forums and special events. Other General Board members who facilitated and attended programs included Bro. David Turner, First Vice President, Bro. Ethan McLean, Second Vice President, Bro. William Frasier, Treasurer, Bro. Malwan Johnson, Director of Social Action, Bro. Dr. Emmanuel Rowe, Director of Education, Bro. Stephen Miller-Pitts, Chief of Staff and Bro. Kristopher Jackson, Deputy Chief of Staff. Handling most of the logistics and communication were international headquarters
staff persons Bro. Dr. Phillip “Flapp” Cockrell, International Executive Director, Bro. Steve E. Ballard, Director of Communications and Bro. Ronald Hart Brown, Lead Designer/ Photographer.
Where there was Sigma, so was Zeta! Soror Dr. Stacie NC Grant, International Grand Basileus & CEO and sisters of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. truly tag-teamed President Rey and Phi Beta Sigma at most of the conference forums, meetings and town halls. During the CBC-ALC, the sisterhood held Zeta Day on the Hill to call attention to and support legislation relative to issues being addressed by the sorority.
A special delegation representing Phi Beta Sigma’s second vice regional directors and collegiate leaders were invited to spend the week in Washington, DC to capture the ALC experience. All seven regions were represented, which included Bro. Laran Taylor, Eastern Region Associate Regional Director, Bro. Taran Sherman, Great Lakes Region Second Vice Director, Bro. Elvis M. Mosquera, Jr., Gulf Coast Region Second Vice Regional Director, Bro. Matthew Johnson, Southeastern Region Second Vice Regional Director, Bro. Kameron Wells, Southern Region, President of Pi Alpha Chapter, Bro. Alex T. Nelson, Southwestern Region, Second Vice Regional Director and Bro. Elijah Williams, Western Region, Second Vice Regional Director. The collegians not only experienced one of the nation’s largest legislative conferences, they experienced key sites in the Nation’s Capital, the policy making process, visits with congressional representatives, a leadership development seminar and the CBC social scene.
In this issue of THE RECAP, we offer Sigma members and friends a glimpse into Phi Beta Sigma’s engagement at the four-day conference of seminars, forums, town halls, meetings, receptions and parties.
MON. September 9th
The Howard University Business School, in partnership with Visit Indy, sponsored Executive Success, a convening of key organization and business leaders to impart inspiring information to Howard University Business School students at The Darcy Hotel.
Tues. September 10th
CBCF LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc.’s Leadership Institute held a luncheon to honor the intern/fellowship program’s inaugural Top 10 Most Influential Alumni. Sigma’s delegation was invited to celebrate the recognition of two Phi Beta Sigma Brothers amongst the inaugural class of honorees: Bro. N. Scott Phillips and Bro. Tylik McMillian
WELCOME PARTY TO CBC WEEK
The Sigmas of the National Capitol Region, inclusive of Sigma Sigma Sigma Chapter, Alpha Sigma Chapter and Zeta Omicron Sigma Chapter hosted BLU TUESDAY, a Welcome Party to CBC Week on Tuesday, September 10th at V14 Street Lounge. The evening also featured a Presidential Debate Watch Party.
The March of Dimes sponsored the D9 Leadership Breakfast, topping a full day of activities for the Divine Nine leadership.
Wed. September 11th
D9 LEADERSHIP BREAKFAST & MEETINGS
Immediately following the breakfast, the D9 leadership, inclusive of the Council of Presidents, Collegiate Leaders and Council of Executive Directors/Chiefs of Staff convened for their annual meetings during the CBC Annual Legislative Conference. The culminating highlight of the meeting was the election of Hon. Bro. Chris V. Rey, J.D. as the new Chairman of the Council of Presidents for the National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc. Soror Dr. Stacie NC Grant was elected Co-Chairman. Frater Dr. Willis Lonzer, General President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. was the outgoing Chairman.
DIVINE NINE COUNCIL
OF PRESIDENTS TOWN HALL
All NPHC delegations extended congratulations to the newly elected chairs of the Council of Presidents, then quickly jotted to attend “Rising from the Burning Sands: “Give Magnitude to the Moment”, an ALC Member Session, hosted by Joyce Beatty, U.S. Representative, Ohio and sponsored by Amazon. Ed Gordon, Journalist served as the program’s moderator.
NPHC COUNCIL OF PRESIDENTS CHAIRMAN’S RECEPTION
Wednesday’s activities were capped off with the Council of Presidents’ celebratory transition of the chairmanship reception at The Westin Washington DC Downtown. The evening recognized the outgoing and incoming chairmen during an evening of fine food, music by DJ PhD (Jeff Chavis, member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity) and Greek fellowship. Speakers also included Donna Anderson, National President, National Pan Hellenic Council, Inc. and Isabel Casillas Guzman, Administrator, Small Business Administration. The breakfast, meetings and chairman’s reception were planned and coordinated by Bro. Steve E. Ballard, Director of Communications, Phi Beta Sigma.
The annual event features all nine leaders of the affiliate organizations of the National PanHellenic Council, Inc.
Thur. September 12th
UNDERSTANDING POLICY MAKING: MEETING WITH REP. RASHEEDA TALIB
Sigma’s international and collegiate leaders were treated to an exclusive constituency meeting with Congresswoman Soror Rashida Talib in her chambers at the Rayburn House Office Building. Thanks to the invitation and coordination of Brothers Michael Cobb, Operations Manager for Talib’s office and Malwan Johnson, the Sigma Brothers were able to engage with Soror Talib on issues affecting the communities she serves and understanding how to enact policies that address them.
SIGMA & ZETA FORUM
PROJECT 2025: THE IMPACT ON BLACK AMERICA
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. sponsored a Third-Party Session titled
Project 2025: The Impact on Black America at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The standingroom-only forum was also presented by Amazon and featured a powerful panel of speakers, including both organizations’ international presidents Rey and Grant, Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, D-TX, Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove, D-CA, Congressman Maxwell Frost, D-FL and Dr. Wes Bellamy, Chairman of Political Science and Public Administration, Virginia State University. Soror Jericka Duncan, CBS TV News Correspondent served as Moderator. The forum was coordinated by the social action directors of Sigma and Zeta.
St. Jude Research Hospital held a special Evening of Celebration to recognize D9 organizations’ and others’ commitment to its mission through major donations. Special highlights were presented to Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. The sprawling reception was held in three spaces expanded the entire Vue Rooftop level of Hotel Washington.
ST. JUDE EVENING OF CELEBRATION
Fri. September 13th
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT TRAINING AT SODEXO MAGIC
Sigma and Zeta collegiate leaders participated in a morning leadership development workshop, sponsored by Sodexo Magic. Hon. Bro. John E. White, Senior Vice President, along with other Sodexo executives and contractors led a thought-provoking and engaging session entitled “Creating Your Leadership Journey: Navigating Crucial Conversations.”
BLACK EXCELLENCE AT THE WHITE HOUSE
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, along with The White House Office of Public Engagement hosted the Black Excellence Luncheon on the White House Grounds honoring Black Excellence at its best. The nation’s congressional leaders were joined by some of the culture’s most notable business leaders, political pundits and commentators, national organization leaders, media personalities, celebrities and entertainers
KEAN UNIVERSITY RECEPTION
MENTAL HEALTH ON AND OFF CAMPUS SESSION
After attending the Leadership Development Training at Sodexo, the Sigma and Zeta collegians quickly returned to the convention center to attend a Member Session sponsored Congressman Troy Carter, D-LA, entitled “We Are One! Strength in Unity: Empowering Minds While Navigating Mental Health On and Off Campuses.”
To support Phi Beta Sigma’s partnership with Kean University, the Sigma Delegation proudly attended an invitation-only reception sponsored by the university, which is led by Brother Dr. Lamont O. Repollet, 18th President.
Sat. July 14th
PHOENIX AWARDS GALA
President Rey and members of the Sigma delegation attending the Phoenix Awards Gala, the annual closing flagship event of the legislative conference. The work of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) and the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) was honored Saturday night by President Joe Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris – noting that these bodies have helped advance freedoms for all Americans that are now under threat ahead of the Presidential elections.
As he was honored with the CBC Lifetime Achievement award, President Biden noted that his administration’s achievements were bolstered by the actions of the CBC.
Vice President Harris called on the CBC to leverage its history as “the conscience of the Congress” to provide a vision for the future of the country.
The winners of the 2024 Phoenix Awards are:
• President Joseph R. Biden, Congressional Black Caucus Lifetime Achievement Award.
• Governor of Maryland Wes Moore, Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Annual Legislative Conference Honorary Co-Chairs’ Award
• The late Sheila Jackson-Lee, former U.S. representative for Texas’s 18th congressional district, Congressional Black Caucus’s Body Award
• The 14th Librarian of Congress Dr. Carla Hayden, Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Chair’s Award
SUN. July 14th
Alred Street Church Worship
The Council of Presidents, along with their respective delegations, closed out CBC Week at the Sunday Morning Worship Service at the famed Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia. Rev. Dr. Howard-John Wesley, Senior Pastor and member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., welcomed and recognized the special guests to the historic 122-year old church. As the newly elected Chairman of the Council of President, Hon. Brother Chris V. Rey, J.D., addressed the congregation and visitors in true Sigma Rey fashion.
