Message from the President Brother LeRoy Lowery, III
“I wish to urge upon all of the Brothers the necessity for a broader bond of brotherhood in the communities where you reside. After allegiance to your God, family and country, let nothing shake your love for the Fraternity and its ideas. Let every Brother be truly a Brother, promote his interest as if it were yours and show to the world that Alpha Phi Alpha stands for more than mere words.”
Jewel Robert Harold Ogle, 1936
What do you want to achieve within Alpha Phi Alpha? What do you want to accomplish as a member of Mu Lambda? Is what you want in concert with the goals and mission of our beloved Fraternity? What are you willing to put into the effort to achieve those desires?
Like you, I have little need for membership in organizations that are “window dressing.” If there is nothing substantive being accomplished why waste your time? Membership in Mu Lambda will always have benefits in the area of self-actualization, if you are familiar with Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.
Brothers, last June I asked you for six hours per month to devote to the programs and projects of Mu Lambda. I am pleased that so many of you have heeded that request and are truly dedicated to the investment of time and resources. If you haven’t been called upon to lend your expertise to one or more of the many causes we work on, feel free to “drop a dime” to me. If you haven’t fulfilled your obligations to pay your dues and housing assessment please do so at the next chapter meeting.
I also discussed the Mu Lambda “brand” last spring. That brand will be on display at the MAAC district conference on February 17th and in Portsmouth at the Eastern Regional Convention in March. Several of us recently purchased blazers that have the Fraternity crest and “MΛ ” over the heart. We wear those jackets with pride for all to see our affiliation with one of the premier chapters on the globe. This is not idle boasting either because we put our money where are mouths are. It ain’t bragging if you can back it up!
I urge you to look again at the list of committees here in the Torch. Examine the Calendar of Events, read your emails to learn about committee meetings, activities, etc. and get more involved. We are proud of our contributions to the greater good thus far, but are looking to do more. (“Calling all Alphas to the floor, we got a few here, but we need some more.”) Come to the meeting on Thursday, shake hands with new Brothers, exchange greetings and depart friends. In case you haven’t noticed, our rolls are growing and folks are noticing Mu Lambda. They are saying positive things, Brothers, which is a wonderful reflection on you. Momentum is building and I ask the continued synergy of each Brother of Mu Lambda to keep it going. We need you to remain active and financial. Look at the list of Brothers paying their housing assessments for 2011 and insure you are listed in 2012. We of Mu Lambda don’t just “meet to eat”. As we celebrate Black History Month remember your Alpha history. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. was founded to encourage men of like interests to bond together to accomplish greater things than we could do individually. The synergistic effect of that bonding knows no limits. The bonding is so dynamic it gives off sparks as we ascend, onward and upward towards the light! ‘06
Beautillion Update
Meet the 2012 Beautillion Class. Nine are from schools in the District of Columbia, five from schools in Maryland, and one from Virginia.
Jammal Argyle
Clifton Drummond
Marques Faison
Shamir Fauntleroy
Nyjill Gulley
Vernon Jones
Eric Myers
Maurice Ogletree
Thomas Pearson-Green
Dunbar Senior High School Washington, DC
SEED Public Charter High School Washington, DC
Gwynn Park High School Accokeek, MD
Thurgood Marshall Academy PCHS Washington, DC
Annapolis Senior High School Annapolis, MD
DeMatha Catholic High School Hyattsville, MD
T.C. Williams Senior High School Alexandria, VA
Thurgood Marshall Academy PCHS Washington, DC
Dunbar Senior High School Washington, DC
Tunde Smith School Without Walls Washington, DC
Chandler (Drew) Thomas Belair Baptist Christian Academy Clinton, MD
Jeremiah Tillman
Tiawan Williams
De'Jon Williams
De'Andre Williams
Bowie Senior High School Bowie, MD
Dunbar Senior High School Washington, DC
Dunbar Senior High School Washington, DC
Dunbar Senior High School Washington, DC
Alpha Wives Seek Items for Silent Auction
The Alpha Wives are hosting a silent auction for the Beautillion, with all proceeds going to Mu Lambda. The Co-Chairs, Modestine Lowery and Claudia Postell, are working with Brothers Marcus Ware and Jonathan Butler in organizing and implementing the auction. The funds raised from the auction will further enhance scholarship opportunities for students.
Current members of the Alpha Wives have been asked to donate at least five items for the auction; thus far, several items, including a flat screen television, have been pledged. The list of donated items will be posted on the Foundation's website and updated as items are received.
The Alpha Wives are also asking that the Brothers of Mu Lambda contribute to this worthy cause by donating items that will bring added value to this effort. In donating either an item or service, please include a description as well as the value. Also, a letter that can be used to solicit items or services from businesses is located on the Mu Lambda Foundation’s website (www.mulambdafoundation.org) under donations.
Feel free to contact the Co-Chairs at mjl1908@comcast.net or claudiapostell@training-center.com
Scholarships
The Alpha Wives recently distributed its annual scholarship application to the Beaux. The Alpha Wives will also present its scholarships at the gala.
Reminder
The Beautillion is Saturday, April 21, 2012, and tickets are $100 each for a regular table and $125 each for a Jewel table.
It was voted upon and approved that each financial member of the chapter would purchase or sell two tickets each to support the chapter’s flagship program, the Beautillion. Members of the executive board and Mu Lambda Foundation are suppose to sell or purchase 10 tickets each.
The Communications Committee is in the process of inviting to the event members of congress, Mayor Gray, District of Columbia Council Members, Chancellor Henderson, local school superintendants, all local chapters of Alpha, and member organizations of the Pan Hellenic Council. An invitation has also been extended to General President Mason.
In an effort to make the public aware of the work Mu Lambda is doing in the community – the souvenir journal will highlight the past presidents of Mu Lambda and work accomplished under each administration.
Beautillion Committee Chairs
Chair
Communication
Education
Journal
Mentoring
Silent Auction
Site Selection
Sponsorship
Technology
Brother Eddie Neal
Brother Alexander Pullen
Brother Sanjay Mitchell
Brother Garrett Miller
Brother Julius Brice
Sorors Modestine Lowery and Claudia Postell
Brother Adrian James
Brother Henry Stewart
Brother Frank King
Brother’s Keeper
The Chapter actively completed several activities in line with the tenets of the Brother’s Keeper National Program.
The Brotherhood was moved by the tragedy that has befallen Brother Robert Jones (Beta). Two of his line brothers, Brother Sulaiman Almaroof and Brother Adam Salters – both now members of Mu Lambda Chapter – traveled to New Jersey to spend time with Bro. Jones in the hospital. He faces extended recuperation/rehabilitation; contact from Brothers is welcome.
Brother Rhett Lucas spent time with Brother Albert Carr and his widow, Mrs. Jeanette Carr. After the passing of Bro Carr into Omega Chapter, Bro. Lucas also lent his voice to provide a moving solo at Bro. Carr’s funeral service. Brother Pernell Williams spent time with Mrs. Carr as well, and took groceries to her home.
Brothers Garrett Miller & Frank King have planned an IT Workshop. Initially planned for Jan 21, it was rescheduled, due to inclement weather. The IT Workshop is now scheduled for Saturday, February 4, from 1-2PM at the Chapter House. Senior Brothers who wish to gain practical assistance with computer needs are encouraged to come out. Brothers with laptops are asked to show up and help. If you have any questions, call Bro. Frank King at 202-494-4714, or Bro. Garrett Miller at 202-450-7311
Lastly, the Chapter is requesting items to help us respond to the needs of our brothers. Please consider donating the following items:
• Assorted hand tools
• Tool Box
• Snow shovel
• Rake
• Work gloves
• Duct tape
• Flashlights
• First Aid/ Disaster Kits
Please contact Bro Williams at pernell.williams@yahoo.com or 202-903-6704 if you can provide any new or “gently used” items. We are our Brother’s Keeper!
Beta Chapter in Action
On Monday, January 16, 2010 the Brothers of Beta Chapter, with the support of Bros from ML and OLA, actively participated in the events of the DC MLK Holiday Parade. In honor of Brother Martin Luther King, Jr., the Brothers walked, drove, and strolled through the parade handing out candies and interacting with the neighborhood in efforts to reaffirm Alpha's presence and desire to serve. The parade was highlighted by a 5minute step show the Brothers put on to conclude the parade. Displays of our precision, style, and energy were highlighted; centered around a skit exclaiming who Dr. King was to us and his legacy.
The following weekend, the chapter also acted as escorts in Nu Beta's 4th Annual Ms. Black and Gold pageant. Suited and bowtied Brothers were full of class as they led their partners in the traditional waltz to open the pageant. Images for both events can be found below.
Partnering with DC’s Child and Family Services Agency to Bring Holiday Cheer
Mu Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. continued it’s history of giving back to the community by assisting in the collection and categorizing of toys to be donated to needy youth within the District of Columbia. As the season of giving approaches, it is fitting that Mu Lambda help bring joy to children in families that are struggling to make ends meet and my not have the ability to afford toys. Mu Lambda donated the toys to the DC Child and Family Services Agency which directs the Partners for Kids in Care program. The program creates connections and opportunities for DC foster children and youth. Shown in the photos are Brothers Tim Fitzgerald, Keone Thomas, Garrett Miller, Adrian King (and son), Frank King and LeRoy Lowery, together with CFSA Program Manager Beatrice Williar, other staff members and volunteers. Once again Mu Lambda is “Making a Difference in DC since 1923.”
Photos by Bro. LeRoy Lowery
Community Service with Damien Ministries
On December 17th, Mu Lambda continued its community service activities by collecting and donating clothing to Damien Ministries in NE Washington. The facility was started by Lou Tesconi in honor of Father Damien, a Catholic priest who worked with lepers in Hawaii until his death. Damien Ministries, founded in 1987, is the first “community house” for volunteers and persons with HIV and AIDS. Mu Lambda donated almost 50 pounds of suits, clothing and shoes in keeping with its philosophy of “Making a difference in DC since 1923.”
Congratulations
Brother Larry D. Keen, II, a 2006 Mu Lambda initiate, completed his PhD in Neuropsychology last July at Howard University and recently accepted an Assistant Professorship at South Carolina State University. Contact Bro. Keen at (919) 824-8935 or LarryDKeenII@gmail to extend your congratulations.
Brothers Garrett Miller, Keone Thomas, Eddie Neal, Frank King and LeRoy Lowery doing the work of Alpha.
ALPHA ACADEMY
The Alpha Academy is a program designed to enhance and enrich the lives of minority males in the Washington, DC area. The mission of the program is to assist young men in achieving academic excellence, social refinement and cultural awareness while preparing them for college. We also work to help them become productive members of society.
On January 18th, the Alpha Academy had its Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Power Lunch. Brother Eugene Schneeberg, Director, Center for Faith-Based & Neighborhood Partnerships at the US Department of Justice was the guest speaker.
During the lunch the Scholars participated in a gallery walk exercise in which they walked around the room reading quotes by Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. After reading the quotes, they made comments and posted them for discussion following lunch.
Please join the Academy Scholars for Power Lunch on February 8th and for our Saturday session on February 18th.
Bro. Schneeberg dines with Academy Scholars
Calendar of Events
February
2 - 7:00pm, Mu Lambda Chapter Meeting, Mu Lambda House
4 - 1:00pm, Computer Workshop, Mu Lambda House
5 – 6:00pm, Super Bowl Party, Mu Lambda House
16 - 7:00pm, meeting, Mu Lambda Executive Board, Mu Lambda House 17-18- MAAC Conference, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD
21 - 7:00pm, meeting, Mu Lambda Foundation Board of Directors, Mu Lambda House 28- Application deadline for The Henry Arthur Callis Scholarships
March
1 - 7:00pm, Mu Lambda Chapter Meeting, Mu Lambda House
15 - 7:00pm, meeting, Mu Lambda Executive Board, Mu Lambda House
20 - 7:00pm, meeting, Mu Lambda Foundation Board of Directors, Mu Lambda House 29 -Apr 1 Eastern Region Convention, Portsmouth, VA , Renaissance Hotel
April
5 - 7:00pm, Mu Lambda Chapter Meeting, Mu Lambda House
17 - 7:00pm, meeting, Mu Lambda Foundation Board of Directors, Mu Lambda House
19 - 7:00pm, meeting, Mu Lambda Executive Board, Mu Lambda House 21 6:30pm Beautillion Scholarship Gala, Howard University’ Blackburn Center
Technology and Communications Report
This year our team has successfully kept the website current with relevant information about the chapter and the endeavors we do. As always there is further work to be done as Alphas as we strive towards perfection. In this brief article I want to make you Brothers aware of certain things that we feel are important to know.
One of the most important things is ensuring that everyone has access to our Yahoo groups list serve. Our list serve is the primary mode of communication that we use to send information to Brothers in the chapter. If you haven’t been receiving emails then you are probably not a part of the list serve. Please email Joel Grey at jgrey7@yahoo.com to put you in the list serve.
Another matter of importance is the change in ownership of our website host, Celect. Celect was in receivership, however now it has been sold to All Web Network Inc. Initially we considered leaving Celect, however, since our team felt comfortable with Celect website tools and the fact that the receivership process would not inhibit any of our website functions we decided to stay. We feel comfortable with this decision and Mu Lambda shouldn’t receive any discontinuation in service.
Lastly, a few people have tried to request membership on the website and have not received a response. Early in the year the team and the exec board decided that there was no purpose in having people maintaining membership profiles on the site. I am weary of giving out permission to lots of people on the site and maintaining it. There is nothing on our site that requires special access that membership would give. As a result no one (unless there is a specific reason) will have membership given to them on the website. Please contact me if there are any questions.
Fraternally,
Joel Grey
Technology and Communications Chair
Chair Drive Update
The chapter chair drive project needs your support. The Mu Lambda Foundation is accepting tax deductible donations in the amount of $100 per chair. You don’t have to be a Brother to make a chair donation: Alpha wives, friends and families are also encouraged to participate.
Upon receipt of your donation, your contribution will be permanently noted for all to see. Your name will be inscribed in gold lettering on a black chair as pictured above.
Donated by Brother (your name inserted) or In Memory of Brother ___________.
Supporters to date include:
Brother Julius Brice
Brother Eddie Neal
Brother LeRoy Lowery
Brother Charles Donegan
Brother Curtis Hunigan
Brother Timothy Fitzgerald
Brother Arthur King
Brother Michael Brown
Brother Michael Brown in Memory of Brother Kenneth Higgins
Brother Michael Carter
Brother Adrian Vincent James
Brother Adrian Vincent James in Memory of Brother Robert “Bob” Warren
Brother Syl Lorenzo Shannon
Brother John Eason
Brother Louis Ford in Memory of:
Brother Morris Hawkins
Brother Frederick Ford
Brother Earl Root
Brother Rudolph Scipio
Brother William Calbert in Memory of Brother Syl Lorenzo Shannon
Brother Lloyd T. McGriff
Brother Louis Buck
Brother Arlester Brown
Brother James McDonald
Brother M. Christopher Brown II in Memory of Brother Vernon Polite
Brother M. Christopher Brown
Brother Clyde Blassengale, Sr.
Brother William Page
Brother Eric Herndon
Brother Rudolph Harris
Brother Rylan R. Harris
Soror Janette Hoston Harris in Memory of Brother Eluen H. Hoston, Jr.
Brother David Banks
The 2011-2012 Executive Board & Committee Chairs
Executive Board
President LeRoy Lowery III 202-487-3129 portal@starpower.net
Vice President Timothy Fitzgerald 301-332-7507 timfitz06@comcast.net
Recording Secretary Kevin Giles 804-389-1906 Kevin_R_Giles@mcpsmd.org
Treasurer Mark Ross 202-422-8493 rossmarka@aol.com
Financial Secretary Arthur King 202-744-6624 aking536@aol.com
Corresponding Secretary John Mabry 202-441-9910 johnmabry@gmail.com
Chaplain William Hawkins 202-583-3211 whawk39564@aol.com
Historian Craig Allen 314-607-9975 c.d.allen@hotmail.com
Archivist W. Jerome McGee 202-829-2634 wjmcgee@aol.com
Sergeant-at-Arms
Darryl Chase 202-294-3383 dchase1906@yahoo.com
Associate Editor to the Sphinx James Harman 301-659-0442 Lavalastwo005@yahoo.com
Editor of the Torch Kelvin McClinton 202-285-5628 kpm06@yahoo.com
Webmaster Joel Grey 301-717-8508 jgrey7@yahoo.com
Director of Intake Ryle Bell 703-620-2327 cool1b@aol.com
Director of Education Sean Bellamy 336-575-7677 sean.bellamy@dc.gov
