The Wall Street Alpha Report The official Wall Street Alphas newsletter Kappa Xi Lambda Chapter, NYC
September 2020 | Volume 10 No. 1
Welcome Back to the New Fraternal Year!
Inside This Issue Presidential Address
3
Associate Editor’s Address
4
Black Lives Matter in NYC
5
Times Up Ad Industry: Diversity & Inclusion vs. Affirmative Action
6-7 8-10
Incoming Chapter Leadership
11
KXL Brothers on the Move Bro. McKay Loving Bro. Jorge L. Vasquez Bro. Aldrin Enis Bro. Zikomo Barr Bro. Dominique Lee Bro. Lael Chappell
12 13 14 15 16 17
Recommended Books
18-20
Congratulations! Kamala Harris Dr. Willis L. Lonzer, III
21 22
Chapter History
23
Chapter Events
24
Fraternity Events
25
Public Events
26
Community Partners
27
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PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS
Greetings Brothers! I pray that this note finds you and your families in good spirits and great health. Welcome all to the 2020/2021 Fraternal Year. We are all looking forward to an amazing year and are excited about this year's programming, service events and the history we'll make and record together. We are pleased to once again roll out The Wall Street Alphas Report. The Report has been a tradition within our Chapter, which has featured local, regional and national events, as well as global commentary on key political and social issues. After a brief hiatus, however, we are excited to once again publish the report under the leadership of our Associate Editor, Bro. Zikomo Barr. He and the committee have been working hard to deliver a series of articles that will provide thought and commentary on relevant business and political matters, and such other topics that are critical to our families, our Brotherhood and our communities at large. We are all well aware that 2020 is an election year. We have been working hard to encourage our citizens to complete their voter registration forms and file their census applications. We agree that elections have consequences and being counted may represent critical appropriations needed in our communities. Finally, we welcome the submission of articles and exchanges from Brothers within the Eastern Region and across the country who have written books, articles or white papers on select topics of interest. Please feel free to reach out to Bro. Barr, as we would be honored to publish selected articles and feature other publications in the recommended book section of this Report. With that said, we're looking forward to a great year of service while providing opportunities to fellowship and bond with the Brothers. Thank you again. Onward!
Fraternally, Bro. Lino A. Solis, Esq. President Kappa Xi Lambda Chapter Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
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ASSOCIATE EDITOR’S ADDRESS Greetings Brothers, First and foremost, I’d like to welcome all of you to the new fraternal year. In this issue of the Wall Street Alpha Report you will find a variety of content, including featured articles, current events, Brothers on the Move, and more. When I think about the chapter’s accomplishments, I am most proud of the efforts that Brothers have put into giving back to the community, and the amount of milestones being reached on a daily basis. Brothers have been hard at work completing books, being appointed to leadership positions within organizations, and shedding light on some of the most pressing issues facing our community in a variety of industries. 2020 has been a challenging year for many of us on multiple fronts. From police brutality and COVID19, to the untimely passing of our favorite people. It has been hard for many of us to grasp what this year has brought to us. While many of us found it hard for us to press on amidst these unlikely events, it’s important for us to find healthy ways to cope. They say “Give people the roses while they can still smell them”. Similarly, during these times, I urge you to take the time to make sure you are taking a holistic approach to maintaining your health. Check on your family, friends, and loved ones, especially if you haven’t heard from them in a while. As I think about what lies ahead in this quarter of the fraternal year, I am most hopeful for the opportunity to capture the great work that is happening not only in our chapter, but also in our community. In the spirit of our 7 Jewels, we must continue to do the important work that was started over 114 years ago— create the change we want to see, and follow through on our commitment to be “first of all, servants of all […]”. Before I end this Editor’s Address, I would like to leave you with one of my favorite quotes: “The pain we feel today, will be the strength we feel tomorrow”. That said, let us go out and use the strength we have to make the change we want to see in society. Enjoy the first issue of the Wall Street Alpha Report! Fraternally, Zikomo Barr, M.Ed. Associate Editor of the Sphinx Kappa Xi Lambda Chapter Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
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Black Lives Still Matter While 2020 has been quite unorthodox for many of us, protesting, movements, and demonstrations still unfortunately remain the norm for many Black people in society. Primarily sparked by the outrage surrounding many of the police brutality incidents around the nations, Black Lives Matter is a movement dedicated to demanding justice for the loved ones we have lost at the hands of police officers. Cities across the United States have taken the initiative to pain Black Lives Matter murals in the streets of popular areas to spread awareness, and show support to the movement. Albeit, a controversial topic, many individuals critique the painting of the murals, particularly due to the fact that the officers involved in many of these cases have still not been arrested or convicted. While the fight to end police brutality must continue, painting Black Lives Matter in different cities across the nation Credit: Lambda Literary
allowed those of us who have boots on the ground to be a part of history. Fortunately, we had multiple Brothers who participated in the mural painting process. Brother Lino Solis, President of the Wall Street Alphas, salutes the work of Bro. Jason Wallace (Beta Chapter) who is contributing his talents to design a segment of the Black Lives Matter pavement mural. Thank you to the brothers who participated. You represented Wall Street well, and helped foster an environment of unity and hope for future generations to come!
The chapter has a few upcoming events. See page 16 for additional info. Credit: Wall Street Alphas
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Opinion: Time’s Up, Ad Industry. Black Talent Matters
Hiring Blacks was not even a consideration.
Agencies are supporting Black Lives Matter. Here are six ways they can use that commitment to finally create an inclusive culture
Today, the industry is still dominated by white male culture, but white women have advanced through affirmative action and made significant progress. Furthermore, several high-profile discrimination lawsuits involving the sexual misconduct of agency leaders have pushed sexism in the advertising industry to the forefront. The industry responded and change came swiftly with the number of women in top executive roles increasing dramatically as advocacy groups, including Time’s Up Advertising, the 3% Movement and countless D&I initiatives and task forces at agencies, marketers and media companies were launched.
Credit: iStock By Bro. Reginald Osborne
The death of George Floyd and the ensuing unrest have forced Americans of all stripes into difficult conversations about racial discrimination, police brutality and economic inequality. Racial injustice has reached a tipping point in this country, the Black community is demanding change—and the advertising industry is not exempt. The downfall of several high-profile men for sexual misconduct against women was a critical moment for gender equality, sparking the Time’s Up and #MeToo movements. Now, time’s up for the advertising industry to confront its long history of bias toward the hiring of Black talent and its failure to make real systemic change for inclusion. During the infancy of advertising in the Mad Men era, white women were viewed as sexual objects and relegated to the secretarial pool.
But what will be the advertising industry’s response to the demands for racial and economic equality of the Black Lives Matter movement? The lack of Black talent in the advertising industry is not breaking news. The industry has been aware of the issue for decades, but has not made good on promises to recruit, hire and retain Black talent. In 2003, Ann Fudge made history when she became the first African American chairman and CEO of a major ad agency. That was 17 years ago—and we have not seen more success stories of Blacks heading major mass market agencies. The industry routinely appropriates Black culture to sell products and services for clients without having Black talent in the room. Too often, this results in tone-deaf and culturally insensitive marketing campaigns. The handful of black employees at mass market agencies are forced to cope and survive in an agency culture where they experience microaggres-
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sions, limited opportunity for advancement
Develop a pipeline
and feelings of isolation.
Time’s up for the excuses that you can’t find Black talent. Double down on efforts to develop a pipeline of talent and establish recruiting relationships and scholarship programs with Historically Black
Common microaggressions include designating a Black person to educate white colleagues on all things Black, regardless of context, in addition to doing their job. Another: When one of the few Black employees is invited to sit in at a newbusiness pitch as window dressing to demonstrate to a potential client that the agency has a diverse culture. It’s this type of culture and microaggression that drives the few Blacks in advertising to look for career opportunities in other industries. Agencies and brands alike are now allying and supporting Black Lives Matter. But honestly, does the advertising industry have a real desire to change? Will the industry make the same changes to increase the inclusion of Black talent they were forced to make for women with Time’s Up Advertising and #MeToo?
Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Mentor and nurture Black talent Focus on retaining Black talent by providing clear pathways for development and growth opportunities. Identify promising Black talent and provide seniorlevel mentors with power and influence who can nurture, guide and advocate for their careers. A holistic effort Clients holding the purse strings must insist that agencies share their strategies and tactics for diversity and inclusion of Black talent. Agency compensation should be tied to their explicit expectations for metrics of success in that regard.
If so, here are a few suggestions the industry can consider:
Accountability and transparency
Commitment from agency leadership
Agencies should state their goals regarding the hiring, retaining and promotion of Black talent, and develop scorecards, share their best practices and build a solid case for results.
Begin with agency leadership and ask critical questions. Are they committed to making an agencywide effort to hire, retain and promote Black talent and make this? It’s not just a responsibility that rests on the shoulders of chief diversity officers. Are we living our core values? Have we made an honest assessment of Black talent at our agency and noticed: where they are, where they are not, and are they are in a position of decision-making power and influence?
Be comfortable being uncomfortable Transform the agency culture by dismantling white privilege. Create a culture that recognizes commonality, but that explores and celebrates the differences. By doing so, agencies will create a culture where the best ideas are born that will be relevant to the diversity of America. Time’s up, advertising industry. It is time to prioritize and take action to demonstrate that Black Talent Matters.
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Diversity & Inclusion vs. Affirmative Action and It’s Relevance Today
means for an income, or because it was a job that they loved with no hope for advancement just based on their kind, gender, sexual orientation and religious
By Bro. Ronald Liburd
beliefs.
The kidnapping of blacks from Africa to be enslaved in the West Atlantic shores not only led to a permanent scar on the persona of these people of African descent, but also spawned a series of deliberately orchestrated legal measures of apartheid in the United States, that even after the abolition of slavery as an institution, the effects of that institution left the nation with two separate classes economically--- one rich and the other poor. In 2020, Sixty-six years after the US Supreme Court’s historic landmark ruling in the case of Brown vs the Board of Education in Topeka (Kansas), there are still many school districts throughout the US where separate schools exist for two classes of students based only on their racial type. We see the results of this: a culture and environment rigged with socioeconomic imbalances that offer no hope for African Americans to excel still today. For example, African American schools are equipped with sub-standard facilities and less trained and academically equipped teaches. In addition, it has been proven that most blacks have automatically inherited the trauma of slavery from their ancestors. Ergo even after they were freed it was still necessary to enact certain laws to prevent bias against blacks and minorities. Amidst a culture filled with systematic racism after being freed many could still not survive or gain the same privilege afforded to their white counterparts. Similarly, women, minorities, individuals who live an alternative lifestyle and certain religious observers were experiencing the traumatic effects of suppression by their counterparts in the workplace. They were forced to tolerate discriminatory treatment that they had to endure because there was no other
Alas! it was necessary to have certain concepts in the United States of America and specifically, the workplace to ascertain the equitable treatment of human beings. Diversity and inclusion was one such concept put in place to maintain a company’s mission strategies, and policies to support a diverse workplace and leverage the effects to achieve a competitive business advantage. Another concept that was also put in place was affirmative action. The concept of affirmative action is used to promote actions that achieved nondiscriminatory practices. The executive order (number 10925 to be specific), of affirmative action was enacted by President John F Kennedy on March 6th, 1961, to provide equitable treatment to all employees regardless of their race, creed or national origin. In 1965 President Lyndon B. Johnson issued executive order (number 11246) which required government employers to hire without regard to race, religion, sex and national origin. In 1968 the order was adjusted to include women. Both diversity/inclusion and affirmative action have similarities because both concepts widen the chances for equal employment opportunity in diverse ways. The concept of diversity and inclusion in the workplace is often confused with the concept of affirmative action in the workplace. Although there are similarities between both concepts, there is still a clear dissimilitude between both concepts. Whereas affirmative action was designed to promote societal equality through the preferential treatment of socioeconomically disadvantaged people, who were at a disadvantage for historical reasons, such as oppression or slavery; diversity and inclusion was designed to include everyone regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, age, religious affiliation, and sexual orientation. One could argue that affirmative action could lend itself to reverse discrimination whereas diversity and inclusion thwarts reverse discrimination. However, one should also note that historically and internationally, support for affirmative action has sought to achieve a range of goals: bridging inequalities in employment and pay; increasing access to education; enriching state,
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institutional, and professional leadership with the full spectrum of society; correcting pass discriminatory practices, harms or hindrances, that was caused by the apparent social and economic imbalance left in the wake of slavery, slave laws, and Jim Crow laws. It is very easy to measure and collect numbers and statistics for compliance with affirmative action and its mandates. However, the opposite is true about diversity/inclusion. Diversity and inclusion is not always something we can see or measure. For example, diversity/inclusion compliance in most organizations can also include people’s physical abilities, experiences, cultural references, diverse educational backgrounds, and personality types. Affirmative action targets the celebration and advancement of minorities providing them with opportunities that were only allowed to Caucasians. However, the concept of diversity and inclusion is to include every single person in the community and the organization by displaying their value, making sure they are heard, respected, empowered, and ascertain that they feel a true sense of belonging. It goes beyond tolerance to celebrating and elevating every person in the room. Currently in most organizations there is a more strategic approach to practicing business, which includes addressing the concept of diversity/inclusion in the workplace, and the need to ensure equitability for all employees. There is a strong Business value to diversity in the workplace. HR has become less transactional (an extinct concept) and has taken on the approach to educate Managers and employees on how to work effectively in a diverse environment. This strategy has enabled most companies to impede discrimination and promote inclusiveness. When effectively managed diversity/inclusion in the workplace reduces turnover and creates an uptick in productivity. It also shows that the organization is flexible and can cope with change. According to the center for American Progress, here are the top 10 ways diversity in the workplace influences a company,
1. A diverse workforce drives economic growth. 2. A diverse workforce can capture a greater share of the consumer market 3. Recruiting from a diverse pool of candidates means a more qualified workforce. 4. A diverse and inclusive workforce helps businesses avoid employee costs. 5. Diversity fosters a more creative and innovative workforce.
6. Businesses need to adapt to our changing nation to be competitive in the economic market. 7. Diversity is a key aspect of entrepreneurialism 8. Diversity in business ownership, particularly among women of color, is key to moving our economy forward. 9. Diversity is the workplace is necessary to create a competitive economy in a globalized world. 10. Diversity in the boardroom is needed to leverage a company’s full potential. While the current push and constant narrative of most organizations is to steer away from affirmative action and its mandates and focus more on enforcing the mandates that underscore diversity and inclusion, I believe we should not loose sight as to why affirmative action was enacted. The fading of affirmative action and it’s mandates has obstructed many opportunities for minorities and caused the workforce to become top heavy with less employees of color in executive leadership roles and hamper the possibilities that would encourage diversity and inclusion in the workplace. In conclusion, diversity/inclusion and affirmative action deal with issues relative to discrimination but in different ways. They are complementary in function, but different in their origin and goals. While affirmative action focuses on taking positive steps to get indi-
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viduals into the organization, diversity in the workplace works to change the culture within. The question may be asked, are both concepts needed to provide equitability to human beings today? My answer to such a question is a resounding yes!
NYACOA Conference Registration now open! Read more on page 16.
Boost Your Business Today! If you own a business and you would like to promote it, feel free to reach out and the communications committee will contact you to see if we can share it in our newsletter! Also, if you have any job opportunities, reach out to the committee as well with the appropriate contact information for the listing. You can contact us at: associateeditor@wallstreetalphas.com
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Incoming 2020-2021 Chapter Leadership President
Bro. Lino Solis
Vice-President Strategic Planning Committee Recording Secretary Corresponding Secretary Communication Committee Financial Secretary Budget / Finance Committee
Bro. Derrick Weatherspoon
Bro. Edward 'Eddie' Baynes
College of Brothers
Bro. Lincoln
Affairs Committee
DaCosta Bro. James Casey
Community Service Committee
Bro. Dewane Mutunga
Bro. Reginald Osborne
Committee On Impact
Bro. Brandon Ray
Entertainment Committee
Bro. Jesse Owens
Bro. Alex Dan'Iyan Bro. Jamel
Treasurer
Vanderburg
Chaplain
Elections Committee
Bro. Adrian Stratton
Elections Committee Vice -Chair
Bro. Aaron Burwell
Bro. Kenneth Alston
Chapter Dean of Membership Membership Committee
Bro. Geshawn Williams Bro. Dewane
Sergeant-At-Arms
Mutunga
Parliamentarian Constitution & By-Laws Committee Director of Education Scholarship/Education Committee Associate Editor of Sphinx Magazine Historian
Audit Committee
Bro. Reggie Hilton
Bro. Omezie Omeokwe
Fundraising Committee Investments
Bro. Dr. Tony Bell
(Sub-Committee) Investments Vice-Chair
Housing Committee
Reclamation Committee
Bro. Aaron Burwell
Bro. Craig Ford
Bro. Alex Dan'Iyan
Bro. Zikomo Barr Bro. McKay Loving
Foundation Chairman
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Bro. Sean Gayle
ΚΞΛ Brothers on the Move! Bro. McKay Loving Throughout the summer, Bro. Mckay Loving has always made time to provide service and advocacy for our communities. Whether it is distributing PPE to barbershops and salons across the city or joining others in protesting for racial equality, Bro. Loving is always on the move! Onward and upward, good brother!
Bro. McKay Loving joining other Brothers in protest for racial justice.
Bro. McKay Loving handing out PPE in local barbershops during the pandemic.
Calling All Brothers! Are you a Brother who has been creating social change within the community? Feel free to reach out and the communications committee will contact you to see if we can share it in our newsletter! You can contact us at: associateeditor@wallstreetalphas.com
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ΚΞΛ Brothers on the Move! Bro. Jorge L. Vasquez, Jr. Jorge L. Vasquez (Rho Sigma, Fall '02) , Jr. is the Program Director for our Power and Democracy program. In this role, Jorge leads Advancement Project National Office’s voter protection, redistricting, rights restoration, and democracy initiatives throughout the United States. He has been recognized for his work as a national civil rights lawyer, policy influencer, and democracy expert. Prior to joining Advancement Project National Office, Jorge was Associate Counsel with LatinoJustice PRLDEF, where he maintained a civil rights litigation portfolio focused on issues such as voting rights, the 2020 Census and criminal justice reform. Jorge has been featured as a legal expert on national and local news networks including CNN, ABC Live, NPR, NBC Telemundo, Univision, Spectrum News 1, and he has been an opinion contributor to USA Today, The Hill and other digital and print news outlets. Jorge has also testified before the United States House of Representatives about the impact of the 2020 Census on inner cities and communities of color. Jorge was a key member of LatinoJustice’s litigation team in Cabán Gonzalez v. Moore, et al., 1:19-cv-03035TWT (N.D. GA), which challenged Georgia Department of Driver Services’ unequal application of its reciprocity licensing policies. Cabán Gonzalez ultimately resulted in a class-wide resolution, including full reciprocity to any driver’s license or identification card applicant with a valid U.S. territory (Puerto Rico, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and Northern Mariana Islands) issued license or identification card for a Georgia driver’s license or identification card. In 2019, Jorge led an amicus brief, in United States Department of Commerce v. State of New York et al., Docket No. 18-966 (SCOTUS), on behalf of 15 Latino organizations illustrating the ramifications of including a citizenship question in the 2020 Census. Jorge has also led voting rights matters under Section 2 and 4(e) of the Voting Rights Act in Pennsylvania, Alabama, New Jersey, Rhode Island, New York, and facilitated voter protection programs in several states, including Florida and Georgia. Jorge currently serves as the Chair of the Voting Rights Section of the Hispanic National Bar association. He is also a member of the American Bar Association’s Coalition on Racial and Ethnic Justice. Jorge frequently presents at bar association conferences and forums. In 2019, Jorge received the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Eastern Region Everyday Hero Social Service Award. He was also named the Rising Star of the Bar for the New York County Lawyers Association in 2015. Jorge earned his Juris Doctorate from Seton Hall University School of Law, an LL.M. in Trial and Advocacy from Basely School of Law, Temple University and his Bachelor and Master’s degrees from the University at Albany. During this period of social unrest, Bro. Jorge Vasquez has championed the cause of civil rights as a litigator and as a staunch advocate for Census 2020 completion. His work with LatinoJustice as a civil rights attorney among other achievements have afforded him the distinction of serving as a Fall 2020 Fellow in the Institute of Politics at the Harvard Kennedy School. During his fellowship, Bro. Vasquez will be engaging faculty and students on topics ranging from COVID-19 to the 2020 presidential election. We applaud him for providing service and advocacy for our communities.
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ONE HUNDRED BLACK MEN OF NEW YORK PRESS RELEASE The Founding Chapter of One Hundred Black Men Welcomes Wall Street Brother Aldrin Enis as its 11th Chapter President! Media Contact: dlgardner@ohbm.org August 28, 2020 - (New York, NY) – The Founding Chapter of One Hundred Black Men (OHBM) is pleased to announce that Mr. Aldrin K. Enis has been installed as its 11th president. Mr. Enis, an 18-year member of this historic organization, is the Northeast Region Outreach Director for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee where he has been employed since September 2016. Founded in 1963 by civil rights and community leaders such as Judge Robert Mangum; baseball great Jackie Robinson; and the Honorable David N. Dinkins, 106th Mayor of the City of New York, OHBM has become the premier organization for successful Black men with a heart for service and the will to foster meaningful change. The significance of this particular leadership role is not lost on President Enis, who said, "The ability to serve this organization at this level is an honor that I will not take lightly. I stand on the shoulders of the Founders, prior Presidents, and elder members of this esteemed organization with the responsibility to uplift our community." when asked about taking on this new leadership role. Over the years, OHBM has changed the life trajectory for hundreds of deserving young people by awarding millions of dollars in college scholarships. William Dennis, a former scholarship recipient had this to say about the new president. "In 2005, I was awarded the OHBM scholarship, which was a valuable asset to assist with achieving my educational goals. The part that became most valuable was that Aldrin was assigned to me as a mentor. Now, as a current member of the One Hundred, my goal is to instill the same passion in scholars, as Aldrin did for me. I have no doubts he will take the organization to new heights." In addition to their highly successful scholarship program, OHBM has touched thousands of people through mentoring, hunger relief and civic engagement initiatives including the founding of the first Eagle Academy for Young Men and feeding over 70,000 hungry New Yorkers including 15,000 who were impacted by COVID-19. Not one to live off the legacy of others, President Enis plans to scale up OHBM's youth programs, bridge relations between Africa and its Diaspora, and heighten awareness around mental health. President Enis and the One Hundred Black Men greatly appreciate the ongoing support from sponsors, stakeholders, and friends who make their work possible and look forward to expanding existing relationships and building new ones. Please contact their office at 212-777-7070 or email the executive director at courtney.bennett@ohbm.org to schedule an appointment to meet with President Enis.
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Bro. Zikomo Barr Congratulations to Bro. Zikomo Barr on being chosen by Dancing Classrooms Board of Directors to be honored as the first Alumni Honoree! Dancing Classrooms is a nonprofit organization that cultivates essential life skills in children through the practice of social dance. Zikomo has competed in the art of ballroom dancing for 9 years, and is an alumnus of the program. Here is what Nancy Kleaver, the Executive Director of Dancing Classrooms NYC,had to say: “We are kicking off by honoring very special individuals and organizations. This year’s Alumni Award goes to Zikomo Barr, Coordinator for Leadership Initiatives at Pace University. A Bronx native, Zikomo Barr was a student at P.S. 121 when he participated in the Dancing Classrooms Weekend Academy and continued to take dance lessons. Mr. Barr received his B.S. in Business Administration from the New York Institute of Technology in 2015, and a Masters in Education in Student Development in Higher Education from the University of Maine in 2017. Currently, Mr. Barr works in the Office of Student Development & Campus Activities at Pace University as a Leadership Coordinator. In 2017 and 2019, Mr. Barr won the “Your Excellence Shows” Award by Pace for his work inspiring students to be leaders.
Bro. Zikomo Barr at the age of 15 competing on the competition
Hoorah to Zikomo Barr! Thank you for being our inaugural Alumni Honoree and a light for young people on their life journeys. We can't wait to celebrate you and celebrate with you on Sept 23rd!”
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Bro. Dominique Lee Unconventional yet Refreshing. Red Cup Philosophy is the random yet fulfilling backyard party that everyone needs from time to time. Perfectly blended together like a well-crafted mix drink, this inspirational daily read is a concoction of scriptures, jokes and off-thewall quotes that leave readers full of evolving notions of life, faith and self. In Red Cup Philosophy, author Dominique J. Lee recounts several of his own life experiences and the unexpected lessons that came with them. Through his wit and revelations, DOM encourages readers to think more deeply, see themselves more clearly and live more abundantly. As if writing a book wasn't enough, DOM launched Red Cup Philosophy - The Podcast; a series of personal testimonies told by actors, singers, dancers, authors and creatives who have lived, learned
and applied it all moving forward. Each episode takes a brief look into a few unconventional sayings or life occurrences that may not have made sense in the moment but later turned out to be one of the biggest "AhHa" moments. Following in the footprints of the book Red Cup Philosophy, this podcast leaves each listener full of hope, joy and confidence in knowing that life is full of lessons and shots of wisDOM that we all must drink one sip at a time. Hard copies as well as ebook versions of Red Cup Philosophy can be purchased via my site www.8thWonderUSA.com, on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Red Cup Philosophy - The Podcast can be streamed on Spotify and Apple Podcast.
Kamala Harris’ historical moment highlighted on page 11.
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Bro. Lael Chappell Congratulations to Bro. Lael Chappell who has finished two graduated programs in 2020 completing the EMBA Global Asia Program, where he earned an MBA jointly conferred by Columbia Business School, London Business School, and the University of Hong Kong while also earning alumni status at Harvard Business School through the completion of their Executive Education Program of Leadership Development. Bro. Chappell, who served as the youngest president of Kappa Xi Lambda and Chairman Emeritus for the Wall Street Alphas Charitable Foundation discussed some of his key learnings during his pursuit of global education graduate programs and his continued focused on equity in the community.
In addition to being recognized as a 2019 Breakout Award recipient by Business Insurance and a 2019 Young Gun by Insurance Business of America, Bro. Chappell was also recently recognized with the 2020 RISE (Rising Insurance Star Executive) Award and featured as a Leader for Change by Insurance Business of America for his efforts towards Diversity & Inclusion in the insurance industry. Bro. Chappell noted that he was truly humbled by all the recent acknowledgements and credits his continued passion for servant leadership to the many mentors and mentees that have and continue to encourage and inspire him in his journey since becoming a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. We congratulate Bro. Chappell on his recent accomplishments and wish him continued success in his upcoming pursuits.
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Recommended Books
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Recommended Books
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Recommended Books
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Congratulations to Soror Kamala Harris!
Credit: Democrats Abroad
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Congratulations to Our New General President-Elect Dr. Willis L. Lonzer, III!
Credit: Dr. Willis L. Lonzer, III Facebook Page.
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Chapter History
Alpha Phi Alpha – Kappa Xi Lambda Chapter was founded on August 22, 1974. Our Founders were some of the most connected, and hardest working, men in the greater New York City metropolitan area. The founding members of ΑΦΑ ΚΞΛ are: Brother William Decker Clarke, Brother Darwin Davis, Brother Albert Holland, Brother Kermit Boston, Brother William Byas, Brother George Daniels, Brother Robert Jones, Brother Weaver Blondin, and Brother Harry White. Our founders, all life members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., were prominent in fraternal, business, civic, and societal life. Never before had a chapter of the Fraternity been founded by a Regional Vice President (Brother Clarke, ERVP), General Counsel (Brother Holland), a state Director (Brother White, New Jersey), and The Editor of “The On October 5, 2002 the ΑΦΑ - ΚΞΛ was officially re-activated and re-dedicated. The recharter members of ΑΦΑ - ΚΞΛ are: Brother Andre Allen, Brother Frantz Jean-Baptiste, Brother Marcus Broadhead, Brother Shawn Curwen, Brother R. Anthony Williams, Brother Nicolas Rosello, Jr., Brother Leeroy Miller, Brother Michael T. Smith, and Brother Serge DeVilme, Jr.
Known as the “Wall Street Alphas”, our Chapter covers Midtown and Lower Manhattan in addition to Downtown Brooklyn. Meetings are held on the second Tuesday each month from September through June. Annual programs supported include “Go to High School, Go to College”, “A Voteless People Is a Hopeless People”, and the Alpha GENTS.
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Chapter Activity Recent Events
RSVP for Future Events: WallStreetAlphas.Eventbrite.com
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Upcoming Fraternity-At-Large Event Registration is now OPEN for the 31st NYACOA Convention. Brothers may register on the NYACOA website only by visiting https://www.nyacoa.org/ convention.html. We have a significantly reduced registration rate for this years’ convention as we will be meeting virtually for the day. Registration will be open until Tuesday, November 10th at midnight. The goal for this year is to have 250 registered participants. We will conduct our convention via Zoom and allow for maximum participation of all who want to attend. Shortly after registering, NYACOA will send you information to register for the Zoom meeting. Access to the Zoom will be restricted to only those who register. The global pandemic which we are living through has forced us all to work and live in a challenging environment. In Alpha fashion, we will make our 31st Anniversary NYACOA Convention a success with your support. NYACOA OFFICER ELECTIONS
Furthermore, the delegates of the 31st anniversary convention will have the task of electing NYACOA officers as all positions are up for election. A Delegate Certification Form will be issued to Chapter Presidents shortly and will be due no later than November 11th. Each chapter in New York is allocated three (3) delegates unless the active membership of the chapter is below three, in which case the number of delegates will be equal to the number active chapter members.
N E W YO R K A S S O C I AT I O N OF CHAPTERS OF ALPHA 31st ANNIVERSARY CONVENTION IN CONJUNCTION WITH
THE FIRST STATE FOUNDATION SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2020
Elections for all NYACOA offices will take place at the 31st Convention. •The positions of President, 1st Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, Historian and Associate Editor to the “Sphinx” shall be elected to twoyear terms.
Quality vs Quantity — Which Team Are You On?
• The position of 2nd Vice President shall be elected for a one-year term. • Requirements and procedures for elections can be found in Article V of the NYACOA Constitution and Bylaws. • If you wish to campaign for a position, you must contact the Chairman of Elections, Brother Les St. Louis, as elections@nyacoa.org, provide proof that you meet the requirement for the office you wish to be nominated for and receive confirmation from him of your eligibility to campaign.
Malik G. Goodson NYACOA President & District III Director
Larry Scott-Blackmon
Phillip Jebamany
NYACOA 1st Vice-President
NYACOA 2nd Vice-President
| Volume 10 | No. 1 | The Wall Street Alpha Report
Assistant District III Director
Upcoming Public Events
VP candidate Senator Kamala Harris will join the #NAACPConvention for an in-depth conversation addressing the national reckoning on racism, the global pandemic and her vision for the future. Hosted by Angela Rye! Register at https://www.naacpconvention.org/registration/
President Bro. Lino Solis
Treasurer Bro. Jamel Vanderburg
Parliamentarian Bro. Reginald Hilton III
Vice President Bro. Edward Baynes
Chaplain Bro. Kenneth Alston
Director of Educational Activities Bro. Omezie Omeokwe
Recording Secretary Bro. Lincoln DaCosta
Chapter Dean of Membership Intake Bro. Geshawn Williams
Associate Editor-to-the-Sphinx Bro. Zikomo Barr
Corresponding Secretary Bro. James Casey
Sergeant-at-Arms Bro. Dewane Mutunga
Historian Bro. McKay Loving
Financial Secretary Bro. Alexander Dan’Iyan
| Volume 10 | No. 1 | The Wall Street Alpha Report
President Emeritus Bro. Adrian Stratton
Community Partners
www.reypolanco.com
If you are interested in donating to the G.E.N.T.S. program, please do so using the link below—and don’t forget to initiate a Company match if your organization participates. www.wsacf.org/donate
| Volume 10 | No. 1 | The Wall Street Alpha Report