Message from the President Brother LeRoy Lowery, III
“Go after that Brother in your own auto or even hire a taxicab if necessary to impress him with the real need the local chapter has for his presence and influence. Expense should be nil, when the reward justifies the expense. For after all, what good is Alpha Phi Alpha to any of us if it does not teach us that as servants of all we must transcend all through service.” Jewel Nathaniel Allison Murray, February 1947
It is the beginning of another year and I wonder where the time has gone so swiftly. It seems only moments ago we were concerned about the effects of Y2K - remember? The newspaper is filled with pundits capturing the “rights” and “wrongs” with the past year and what we can look forward to in the new one. If asked, my letter for 2012, and years to come, is “F”, which stands for the following -
Family, first and foremost, is a primary concern for anyone. When no one else will come to your aid you can rely on family above all. The adage that blood is thicker than water is true and never discounted. Take time to nurture, cultivate and preserve your family. Author Havelock Ellis wrote – “The family only represents one aspect, however important an aspect, of a human being’s functions and activities. A life is beautiful and ideal or the reverse, only when we have taken into our consideration the social as well as the family relationship.”
Friendship is necessary for the human species to proper. We are gregarious creatures after all and we need the social interaction of affable persons to ensure sanity and correctness of purpose. When no one else will tell you the error of your ways, a friend will! Develop and maintain the friends that contribute positively to your existence. Nighthawk, a popular DJ in years past, said ”I don’t need nobody to help me do bad!”
Fun is a prerequisite these days more than ever with the pressures of the declining economy. Herodotus, an ancient Greek philosopher, said “If a man insisted always on being serious, and never allowed himself a bit of fun and relaxation, he would go mad or become unstable without knowing it.” Lighten up!
Fraternal is truly an important word for us. We have pledged to show friendship and mutual support for those within our beloved Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Jewel Robert Harold Ogle said in 1936 “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.”
Faith is the final and ultimate dimension. Sir William Osler said - “Nothing in life is more wonderful than faith – the one great moving force which we can neither weigh in the balance nor test in the crucible.” It does not matter what nomenclature you describe the ultimate Source – God, Allah, Jehovah – there exists something responsible for the creation of mankind as we know it. Respect and acknowledgement of that something is paramount for the complete being – you. Another DJ, Lord Fauntleroy Bandy, used to sign off his broadcasts by proclaiming - “If you don’t feel as close to God as you used to, make no mistake about which of you has gone astray.” Stay the course, Brothers, and together we will move mountains. Happy New Year!
• The Executive Message • Beta Chapter Rededication • Congratulations Speaker Series • Chair Drive Update • Alpha Wives • Housing Assessments • Financial Brothers • January Birthdays • Executive Board and Committee Chairs
Kelvin McClinton, Esq. Editor
Founders Day Re-dedication
Lead by Beta Chapter, Brothers gathered – at the stroke of mid-night – at the memorial to Martin Luther King, Jr. to rededicate themselves to fulfilling the promises made to hold high the light of Alpha and to honoring and perpetuating the legacy of our beloved Jewels. Brother Trevor Thomas, president of Beta Chapter, conducted the rededication ceremony.
Congratulations
Brother Chesley Roderick Richardson celebrated 50 years in Alpha on November 30, 2011. He was presented Alpha’s 50 Year Certificate and the 50 Year Lapel Pin. He was made in Alpha Upsilon at Wayne State in 1961 and his “Thirsty Thirteen” line is reported to have been appropriately named. He recently accepted the position of executive director of the Mu Lambda Foundation and he continues to hold high the Light.
Brother Julius H. Brice was unanimously selected the recipient of the First Annual Jewel Award in honor of Jewel Robert Harold Ogle. This award sponsored by the MAAC was presented by Brothers James McDonald and Julian Wilson, grand-son of Jewel Orgle, at the MAAC Founder’s Day celebration on December 3, 2011.
Mu Lambda Speaker Series
The Mu Lambda chapter meeting for December 1st featured the chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, the Honorable Emanuel Cleaver, II, as the keynote speaker. Brother Cleaver, a Texas native, has represented the Fifth District of Missouri (Kansas City) for four terms. Before he ran for the US Congress, Rep. Cleaver was the first African American mayor of Kansas City from 1991 – 1998. Bro. Cleaver is a graduate of Prairie View A&M University and St. Paul Theology College. He is also an ordained minister. Brother Cleaver displayed a wry sense of humor as he enlightened Brothers on the state of politics in the country today. He likened the proposed changes to voting requirements, such as state-issued photo ID, as a return to restrictions placed on African Americans in the past (counting how many bubbles are in a bar of soap, poll taxes, etc.). He also discussed the greater financial impact on minorities by the housing recession since the home represented the major investment for many. The chapter was enthralled by Rep. Cleaver and feels honored to have him take time from his busy schedule to bring words of information and inspiration to our members.
Brother Edward Hill, a member of the Public Policy committee, introduced Rep. Cleaver. Brother Michael Collins chairs the committee.
Brother Clever makes a point
More than 100 Brothers give undivided attention
Neo and “seasoned” Brothers hung on every word
Mu Lambda Chapter Certificate of Appreciation is presented By Brother Lowery
Photos by Bro.
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 Ryland Harris
Soror Jannette Hoston Harris in Memory of Brother Eluen L. Hoston
Alpha Wives of Washington, D.C., Inc.
The Alpha Wives held their annual holiday party at the Mu Lambda House on December 10, 2010 — a grand affair by any measure! Congratulations to Mrs.Valencia Barber and her committee for planning and implementing an outstanding event.
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 02-441-9910 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
