The Light of Southern Maryland©
Vol. 1 Issue 2, Dec. 2020
Inside This Issue Presidential Address.…………………………………………………………………….3 Message from the Editor………………………………………………………………...4 Charter Members..…………………………...…………………………………………...5 Past Presidents………………....………………………………………………………...6 Happy Alphaversary Brothers..…………………….…………………………………..7 Membership and Reclamation.…………………………………………………………8 National Programs..……………….……………………………………………………...9 A Voteless People Is A Hopeless People…………………………................9 National Election Day Poll Watching………………………………...11 A Virtual Panel Discussion on Voter Suppression………………..12 Go-to-High School, Go-to-College Alpha Scholars Program..………….13 Project Alpha…………………………………………………………………….15 A. Charles Haston Brother's Keeper Program…………………………….15 NAN’s “Get Your Knee Off Our Necks” Commitment March…………………...16 First Chapter Meeting of 2020-2021 Fraternal Year……………. ..……………....17 Adopt-A-Highway Project Clean Up..….…………………………………………….18 Alphas Against Domestic Violence Virtual 5K Fun Run………………………....19 Thanksgiving Food Drive..…………………………………………………………….20 Divine Spotlight………………………………………………………………………….21 Brotherhood Spotlight…………………………………………………..……………..22 SAL 2020 – 2021 Executive Board……...……………………………………………24 For the Good of the Order……………………………………………………………..27 Alpha Phi Alpha Alumni Brothers Facebook Group.……………………………..28 Transition of Our Beloved Brothers...……………………………………...………..29 Alpha Week 2020……………………….………………………………………………..31
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Presidential Address Brothers, As we begin the second quarter of the fraternal year, the Sigma Alpha Lambda Chapter has been off to an impressive start. As the updates and articles in this newsletter will confirm, Alpha men are making an impact on the political, service, cultural, and academic experiences of southern Marylanders, from the youth to the elders. I thank the Brothers who have led this important work and all Brothers, family, and friends of the Chapter who have contributed and participated in several of our events. I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a joyous holiday season. While the COVID-19 global pandemic has complicated how we celebrate a spirit of joy, our connections to family and fraternity are ever more important to remember, honor, and enjoy. Let us stay safe. But let us not forego the opportunity to feel the close connections that will carry us through the challenge of these times. As always, I wish to invite Brothers living in Charles, Calvert, and St. Mary’s Counties to join the Sigma Alpha Lambda Chapter as we continue to hold high the light of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. As you read these pages and become inspired to reconnect with Alpha, you are welcome to visit our website at www.SAL1906.org. or email us at info@SAL1906.org for more information.
Brother Rodney L. White, President Sigma Alpha Lambda Chapter
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Message from the Editor Greetings Brothers, Welcome to The Light of Southern Maryland, the official quarterly newsletter of the Sigma Alpha Lambda Chapter (SAL), Key No. 677, of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. This newsletter is distributed to Alpha Brothers of the Mid-Atlantic Association of Alpha Chapters (MAAC) and residents of Southern Maryland to increase the awareness of SAL’s implementation of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.’s national programs, local community service initiatives, and philanthropic efforts facilitated by the Alpha Foundation of Southern Maryland. The Brothers of SAL have been extremely busy doing the work of Alpha this past quarter. Most notably, the several voter registration drives spearheaded by the Community Outreach Committee, various voter awareness forums facilitated by Brother Edsel. M. Brown, Jr., Esq., Chairman of the Political and Civic Engagement Committee, and the commencement of our 2020-2021 virtual Go-to-High School, Go-to-College Program. Brothers, as we head into the final chapter of this year, which I am sure has been trying for all of us, I urge you all to continue to follow the guidelines from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in addition to your local public health officials to ensure your safety and the safety of others around you. Mask up and stay safe! Cheers to 114 years of upholding the aims of our beloved Fraternity – Manly Deeds, Scholarship, and Love For All Mankind. Happy Founders’ Day, Brothers! 06!
Fraternally, Brother Devon A. Taliaferro, Sr., Associate Editor-to-the-Sphinx Sigma Alpha Lambda Chapter
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Charter Members -
Brother Walter Stafon Bowman, Sr. Brother Kenneth L. Briscoe Brother Edsel M. Brown, Jr. Brother Frederick Alan Edwards Brother Kenneth Oscar Ford Brother Kenyatta Dorey Graves Brother Alan Lamarc Hudson Brother Elijah Johnson, Jr. Brother Reginald Kearney Brother Sean Damien Meredith Brother Derrick DeWayne Nunn Brother Tyrone W. Ross Brother Theodore J. Short Brother Ramon Taylor Brother Marc Williams
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Past Presidents -
Brother Dr. Lamont T. Bunyon: 2018 – 2020
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Brother James Reynolds: 2017 – 2018
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Brother Billy J. Hill: 2015 – 2017
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Brother Derrick Terry: 2013 – 2015
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Brother Derrick DeWayne Nunn: 2011 – 2013
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Brother Kenyatta Dorey Graves: 2010 – 2011
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October – December -
Brother Paul L. Booze: Mu Beta Lambda – 12/01/1969
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Brother Persivia Collins: Xi Alpha Lambda – 11/10/2007
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Brother Arthur Simpson, Alpha Pi – 12/06/1978
Sr.:
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Brother Rev. Steven Riddick: Xi Alpha Lambda – 11/10/2007
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Brother Jeffrey D. Epsilon Pi – 11/01/1981
Freeland:
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Brother Jammal Dorsey: Sigma Alpha Lambda – 11/10/2012
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Brother Kenneth M. Johnson: Beta Omicron – 11/22/1985
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Brother Jonathan Lee: Sigma Alpha Lambda – 11/10/2012
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Brother Theodore J. Shore: Xi Alpha Lambda – 12/13/1997
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Brother Shedrick S. Roberts: Sigma Alpha Lambda – 11/10/2012
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Brother Arthur Lee Cutler, II: Kappa Delta Lambda – 12/12/1998
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Brother Lord T. Walthour: Sigma Alpha Lambda – 11/10/2012
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Brother Billy J. Hill: Kappa Chi Lambda – 11/22/2003
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Brother Rodney L. White: Sigma Alpha Lambda – 11/10/2012
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Brother Terence R.M. Williams: Sigma Alpha Lambda – 11/10/2012
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Membership and Reclamation Do you want to become active again? We understand that there might be many reasons why you went inactive; however, your participation is still desired and needed. If you are an Alpha brother residing in Southern Maryland and are looking for a chapter home, look no further! SAL is here and ready to welcome you back into the fold with open arms. We need brothers like you to join us in providing service and advocacy to Charles, St. Mary’s, and Calvert Counties.
Center for Higher Education at 3261 Old Washington Road, Suite 1020, Waldorf, MD 20602. However, due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, we are conducting our Chapter meetings virtually via Zoom. If you are interested in visiting with the Brothers of SAL, please contact us at info@sal1906.org. Although SAL seeks to reclaim our local brothers who are not financially active within the Fraternity, we also open our doors to those seeking the Light of Alpha through the Fraternity’s Initial Membership Development Process (IMDP). Please visit www.apa1906.net for more information.
SAL traditionally meets on the second Thursday of every month at the Waldorf
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National Programs A Voteless People is a Hopeless People “A Voteless People is a Hopeless People” (VPHP) was initiated as a National Program of Alpha during the 1930s when many African-Americans had the right to vote but were prevented from voting because of poll taxes, threats of reprisal, and lack of education about the voting process. Voter education and registration have remained a dominant focus of this outreach activity for over 65 years. In the 1990s, the focus shifted to include political awareness and empowerment, delivered most frequently through town hall meetings and candidate forums. months of September and October at the Giant Food Store located in Waldorf, MD. During each registration drive, residents of southern Maryland completed the voter registration process through SAL’s initiative.
In an effort to carry out the Million Black Men Vote initiative spearheaded by the General Organization of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc, the Community Outreach Committee successfully executed several Voter Registration drives during the
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National Election Day Poll Watching
The Brothers of SAL provided legal poll watching support on National Election Day at Northern High School in Owings, Maryland. This location was one of five voting stations in Calvert County that had a high likelihood of voter suppression and intimidation, especially on National Election Day. To help the people of our community fulfill their civic duty, the Brothers of SAL,
Eta Eta Lambda, and Iota Zeta Chapters of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., worked in shifts to provide water, chairs, masks, and other essential items for individuals who were standing in line to vote. SAL’s participation in this event was facilitated by Brother Edsel M. Brown, Jr., Esq., Chairman of the Political and Civic Engagement Committee.
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A Virtual Panel Discussion on Voter Suppression in the 21st Century
The Brothers of SAL co-facilitated a virtual discussion of the movie Rigged: The Voter Suppression Playbook, with the ladies of the Eta Omicron Sigma Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. As the nation prepared to vote on National Election Day, the virtual discussion educated participants about deeply entrenched, systemic voter suppression in our society. Members of the panel emphasized the importance of voting and encouraged all viewers to vote, regardless of their political affiliation.
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Go-to-High School, Go-to-College October 17, 2020 marked the official commencement of SAL’s 2020 - 2021 Virtual Go-to High School, Go-to College Program. There were 10 students representing Charles, St. Mary’s, and Calvert Counties. Brothers Edward McNeil and David Jackson facilitated a two-hour virtual workshop discussing the importance of time management. On November 19, 2020, the second workshop of the 2020 2021 Virtual Go-to High School, Go-to College Program consisted of a Vision Board Project with the various students in attendance.
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. established the “Go-to-High School, Go-to-College” program in 1922. This program focuses on preparing 9th-12th grade young men to excel in college, develop leadership skills to use in the future, and establish prospective leaders for southern Maryland. The program targets male students, currently enrolled in high school with a desire to GO TO COLLEGE! Students enrolled in this program are provided with potential scholarship opportunities, attend field trips, and more. For more information, please contact Brother Edward McNeil, Director of Educational Activities via email at info@SAL1906.org.
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Project Alpha In 1980, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and the March of Dimes began collaboratively implementing Project Alpha. This collaborative project is designed to provide education, motivation and skill-building on issues of responsibility, relationships, teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases for young males ages 12-15 years. Designed to provide young men with current and accurate information about teen pregnancy prevention, Project Alpha consists of a series of workshops and informational sessions conducted by the Brothers of SAL. For more information, please contact Brother Edward McNeil, Director of Educational Activities via email at info@SAL1906.org.
A. Charles Haston Brother’s Keeper Program The A. Charles Haston Brother’s Keeper Program, established in 2010, is a service program developed with the mission of advocating and improving the quality of life for Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. brothers, their spouses, and widows who are retired, are elders, have disabilities and are ailing, and vulnerable community members. The goal of the Brother’s Keeper Program is to promote dignity and independence among Alpha family and community members who need help in keeping their lives and homes functional. For more information, please contact Brother Thomas Nobles, Director of Community Outreach via email at info@SAL1906.org.
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NAN’s “Get Your Knee Off Our Necks” Commitment March Network (NAN) hosted the “Get Off Our Necks” Commitment March on Washington. This march demonstrated the commitment that we as Black citizens in today’s society have to advocate for substantive criminal justice and police reform and legislation. Brother Rev. Dr. Marquez D. Ball, SAL Chapter Vice President, played an instrumental role in facilitating the execution of this monumental event and deserves to be acknowledged for his hard work and dedication.
The tragic murder of George Floyd at the hands of Derek Chauvin, former white Minnesota Police Officer, sparked a series of protests throughout the country as several civil rights organizations united to protest the injustices and systemic racism deeply rooted in today’s law enforcement system. On August 28, 2020 — the 57th anniversary of the historical March on Washington, where dear Brother Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech, the National Action
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First Chapter Meeting of 2020-2021 Fraternal Year
On Thursday, September 10, 2020, SAL hosted the first Chapter meeting of the 2020 – 2021 fraternal year where our Chapter Officers were officially installed for their respective positions. Traditionally, SAL meets on the second Thursday of every month at the Waldorf Center for Higher
Education at 3261 Old Washington Road, Suite 1020, Waldorf, MD 20602. However, due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, we are conducting our Chapter meetings virtually via Zoom. If you are interested in visiting with the Brothers of SAL, please contact us at info@sal1906.org.
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Adopt-A-Highway Project Clean Up
As proud and active members of the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration Adopt-AHighway Program, the Brothers of SAL cleaned up the Chapter’s one mile stretch along route 228 on Saturday, September 19, 2020. SAL has a keen interest in exhibiting pride in the great state of Maryland and being among the more than 120,000
organizations that have collectively minimized the amount of trash on the state’s highways. Keeping our roadways free from litter and debris improves the health of our environment, while also enhancing the experience of those while driving in Maryland for not only its residents, but visitors as well.
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Alphas Against Domestic Violence Virtual 5K Fun Run
On October 17-18, 2020, SAL hosted the Alphas Against Domestic Violence Virtual 5K Fun Run to raise domestic violence awareness, provide support to previous victims of domestic violence, and generate funding to support scholarship opportunities for Southern Maryland Students in conjunction with the Alpha Foundation of Southern Maryland. Due to the COVID-19 global
pandemic, this event was facilitated virtually. More than 50 participants ran outdoors on various race tracks, hiking trails, and outdoor parks to complete this competition. The Social and Fraternal Events Committee would like to thank every participant who supported this endeavor. We look forward to seeing you next year!
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Thanksgiving Food Drive The Brothers of SAL hosted a Thanksgiving themed food drive on Saturday, November 20, 2020 where we collected 1000 canned goods, turkeys, and other non-perishable items that were provided to the LifeStyles of Maryland Foundation, Inc. located in La Plata, MD.
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Divine 9 Spotlight
(35th General President Brother Dr. Everett B. Ward of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and California Senator Kamala Harris, 2019)
The Brothers of SAL would like to send our sincerest congratulations to California Senator and former Attorney General, Kamala Harris on making history by becoming the first Black woman, the first South Asian, and the first member of the
illustrious Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., elected as Vice President of the United States of America. Vice President-Elect Harris is a proud graduate of Howard University, the prestigious HBCU located in the heart of Washington, D.C.
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Brotherhood Spotlight Brother James Harrington, Jr. Congratulations to Brother James Harrington, Jr. for being promoted to the position of Strategic Client Engagement Director within the United States General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) National Capital Region. In his new role, Brother Harrington will be responsible for planning and executing major agency professional, technical, fiscal and other specialized programs for GSA’s respective client agency partners. Brother Harrington’s goal is to enrich, inspire, and mentor rising leaders in the federal government and his new position allows him to do so. Brother James Harrington, Jr. was initiated into the Gamma Beta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. seated at North Carolina Central University, located in Durham, North Carolina during the Spring 2002 semester. Well done Brother Harrington!
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Brother Jordan Webb Congratulations to SAL’s very own Spring 20 Neophyte – Brother Jordan Webb – who began his new position as the Executive Assistant to the Executive Director of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. on October 12, 2020. As the Executive Assistant to the Executive Director, Brother Webb serves as the primary point of contact for the Office of the Executive Director, and also serves as a liaison with the Board of Directors. Brother Webb’s ability to exercise excellent judgment in a variety of situations, possession of strong written and verbal communication, administrative, leadership, and organizational skills, will serve him well as he embarks upon this new journey of doing the work of Alpha for a living. Job well done Brother Webb!
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SAL 2020-2021 Fraternal Year Executive Board President Brother Rodney L. White
Vice President Brother Rev. Dr. Marquez Ball
Recording/Corresponding Secretary Brother James Izzard, Jr.
Treasurer Brother Charles Casey
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Director of Educational Activities Brother Edward McNeil
Associate Editor to the Sphinx Brother Devon A. Taliaferro, Sr.
Chaplain Brother Lord T. Walthour
Historian Brother John Jones, Jr.
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Director of Membership Intake Brother Henry Nicholes, Jr.
Sergeant-at-Arms Brother Jeremy Stephens
Chapter Parliamentarian Brother Michael Dryver
Director of Community Outreach Brother Thomas Nobles
Director of Social & Fraternal Events Brother Lamar Goodwine 26
For the Good of the Order
Brother Rodney L. White, Chapter President, presents Brother Dr. Lamont T. Bunyon, Immediate Past President, with a token of appreciation for his leadership and
service to the brotherhood and community during his tenure as Chapter President. Thank you for your persistent love and dedication to doing the work of Alpha. 06!
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Alpha Phi Alpha Alumni Brothers Facebook Group
On November 14, 2020, the Social Media Team for the General Organization of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. launched the official Facebook Group exclusively for Alpha Alumni Brothers to network. Please follow the instructions on the flyer to join the Alumni Brothers Facebook Group.
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Transition of Our Beloved Brothers
It is with profound sadness that we mourn the death of Brother David Dinkins entered the Omega Chapter on November 23, 2020. Brother Dinkins was born on July 10, 1927, in Trenton, NJ. He is widely renowned for being the former mayor of America’s largest city of New York. Brother Dinkins was a proud Howard University graduate and an initiate of Beta Chapter in 1947. He graduated cum laude with a degree in mathematics in 1950. Brother Dinkins would later go on to graduate from Brooklyn Law School.
In 1989, Brother Dinkins was elected as the first African American mayor of New York City. Brother Dinkins’s unparalleled courage made him the leader of one of the greatest cities in the world. The Brothers of SAL would like to extend our sincere condolences to the Dinkins family and pray that God guides them through this season.
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It is with a great sense of sadness and heavy heart that I report that the 25th General President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Judge Brother James R. Williams, Sr. entered the Omega Chapter on November 6,
2020. Please keep Mrs. Jewel Williams, Brother Michael D. Williams, Mrs. Jacqueline Williams Walton, Brother James R. Williams, II, and the entire Williams family in your thoughts and prayers.
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Alpha Week 2020
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