In April of 1906, climatic changes in the earth’s atmosphere led to the deadliest eruption of Mt Vesuvius and an 8.5 measured earthquake in San Francisco. Both sent a shock around the world. In May of 1906, the Wright Brothers’ dreams and conception of progress led to the patent of an airplane. June of 1906 gave birth to Josephine Baker, whose ideals would help to shape the entertainment and political sectors of the world. In that same month of 1906, Brother John Hope became the first African American President of Morehouse College. Mahatma Gandhi brought to the world’s attention in 1906 the idea of nonviolence to combat social injnustices of South Africa. Who could have imagined then that Brother Martin Luther King, Jr would follow Gandhi’s prescription to the problematic woes of the American justice system some 60 years later?
December 4, 1906 gave birth to the culmination of all of these historical events as Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. was founded on the campus of Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. This dream of Jewel George Biddle Kelley and six of his peers at Cornell ( Henry A. Callis, Charles H. Chapman, Eugene K. Jones, Nathaniel A. Murray, Robert H. Ogle, and Vertner W. Tandy) has created atmospheric and progressive changes throughout the world in all arenas- entertainment, academia, social and political movements, and among all- the call for a greater bond of Brotherhood. Who ever knew the ideal our Founding Jewels espoused- “Yes We Can”- at the turn of the century would live for 102 years strong? Who ever knew that this same ideal would be the winds that propel Barack Obama to the Presidency of the United States of America?
So today, December 4, 2008, Brothers Yes We Can! Yes we can give birth to new ideals. Yes we can use our influence and knowledge base to promote Manly Deeds, Scholarship, and Love for All Mankind. Yes we, inspite of our differences, continue to build this Bond of Brotherhood not only to enhance our Fraternity, but to affect the world. This is what the call “One Nine- O Six” represents. It is the wind that will propel us all into the future. December 4th is the day to remind us to reach back to that cold day when the decision was made as inspiration to dream bigger dreams, think deeper thoughts, work just a little while longer, and love each other as Christ has loved us all.
Take a moment this week to celebrate the greatness of this Brotherhood by taking part in some of the events taking place. Most importantly, bring another Brother, perhaps a Line Brother! Thursday is our regularly scheduled chapter meeting; Friday- Project Alpha; Saturday the MAAC Founders’ Day Breakfast; and Sunday- students meet for the Henry Arthur Callis Beautillion program. Happy Fouders’ Day! 06 my Brothers.
• The Executive Message
• Inauguration Ball
• Alpha Wives Section
• Beta’s Campus Corner
• 50 Year Brothers
• Silver Milestones
• Heavenly Inauguration Ball 2009
• Black Facts
• Historical Moment
• Birthdays
• Membership News
• The Alpha House
• Announcements
Walter Whitley
Ed
ALPHA WIVES
An Invitation To All Alpha Wives
The Alpha Wives of Washington D.C. Inc. cordially invites fellow wives of Mu Lambda and other chapter’s wives to join us in our 59th year of service. Among Alpha Wives’ purposes are to support projects initiated by the Fraternity and to sponsor programs that include cultural, educational and social activities which meet the needs and interests of our members. For more information contact: Modestine Lowery (291-3129), Mary Murray (301) 588-4663, or Charlotte Douglass (6673390).
The Alpha Wives Christmas event this year will be a Sunday Brunch on December 14th at 2:00 pm at Mrs. K's Toll House Restaurant in Silver Spring MD. The cost is $35.00. Please send number of persons attending and checks, payable to Alpha Wives of Washington, DC, to Alice Scipio, 1408 Valleyfield Drive., Apt. 11, Silver Spring, MD, 20906-5781 or call her on 301/598-9261. Alpha Wives will bring Christmas gifts to be delivered to residents of the Stoddard Baptist Home. You may also call Modestine Lowery for information on 202/291-3129. Brothers and their guest are welcome to join the festivities.
BROTHERS MAGWOOD & FITZGERALD Congratulations to Brothers James Donaldson and Clarence E. Magwood who have dedicated half a century to Alpha Phi Alpha and the motto of:
“First of All, Servants of All, We Shall Transcend All.
Alpha Phi Alpha General President Inauguration
There are only a few days left to register for the 2009 Inauguration & Symposium.
Please visit APA1906.net to download the Inauguration Brochure.
The inauguration activities for 33rd General President, Brother Herman "Skip" Mason will take place January 23 – 25, 2009 at the Marriott Marquis in Atlanta, Georgia. All chapters are requested to send one delegate to the inauguration. Online registration and additional information is now available via AlphaNET so please log in and register today.
Beta’s Campus Corner
No activity to report this month
Mu Lamba Salutes 50 Year Brothers
BROTHERS DONALDSON & FITZGERALD
Silver Milestones: 25 Years in Alpha
Brother Tim Fitzgerald, chapter president, will present 25 Year Membership Certificates to Mu Lambda Chapter Brothers at our December meeting. Several Brothers have exceeded 25 years of service but have not been recognized to date. Special thanks is due to Brother Kirk D. Carrington II, Reclamation & Retention Chair of the MAAC, for his efforts to ensure that Brothers receive appropriate recognition from our dear Fraternity. The following Brothers will be honored:
Herbert Suber
Fall 1976 Gamma Beta North Carolina Central Univ. Durham, NC
Ryle A. Bell
Spring 1977 Omicron Lambda Alpha Washington, DC
Leroy Johnson
Spring 1977 Mu Lambda Washington, DC
Robert Shepherd
Spring 1977 Alpha Delta Lambda Memphis, TN
Julius R. Hall
Spring 1978 Alpha Mu Northwestern Univ. Evanston, IL
Cyrus M. Honesty
Spring 1978 Mu Lambda Washington, DC
Vincent B. Orange, Sr.
Spring 1978 Nu Chi Univ. of the Pacific, Stockton, CA
Frederick J. Laney
Fall 1978 Mu Lambda Washington, DC
Charles P. Mouton
Spring 1979 Beta Howard Univ. Washington, DC
Kwame O. Reed
Spring 1979 Eta Alpha Lambda New Haven, CT
Derrick P.J. Thomas
Spring 1979 Kappa Rho
C. W. Post College of Long Island, NY
Melvin L. Clark
Fall 1979 Mu Lambda Washington, DC
Larry D. Davis
Fall 1979 Kappa Gamma Univ. of North Alabama, Florence, AL
A. G. Douglas
Spring 1980 Zeta Omicron Lambda Philadelphia, PA
Julius C. Wilson
Spring 1980 Kappa Phi Lambda Columbia, MD
Juan H. Powell
Spring 1980 Beta
Howard Univ. Washington, DC
Moses Boyd
Spring 1980 Theta Nu Univ. of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
Arlester Brown
Spring 1980 Mu Lambda Washington, DC
James H. Burleson, Jr.
Spring 1981 Iota Upsilon Silver Spring, MD
John D. Hicks, Jr.
Spring 1981 Mu Lambda Washington, DC
Samuel E. Thornton, III
Fall 1981 Mu Xi
Univ of South Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS
Clinton C. Jones, III
Spring 1982 Mu Zeta Univ. of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
Carlos H. Powell
Spring 1982 Mu Sigma Univ. of Rochester, Rochester, NY
Lloyd T. McGriff
Spring 1983 Beta
Howard Univ. Washington, DC
CRYSTAL BAILEY CROWNED
MISS BLACK VIRGINIA USA
Dinwiddie Native Dazzles and Delights in Danville
On Saturday, November 29, 2008, twenty-four year old Crystal L. Bailey was crowned Miss Black Virginia USA in Danville, Virginia at the North Theatre. An honors graduate of Howard University, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and a third year law student at William & Mary School of Law, Ms. Bailey swept the evening gown, talent and interview competitions to capture the coveted crown. During her reign, under the platform Class ACT (Arts Can Transform) Ms. Bailey will seek to promote the performing arts by informing Virginia’s youth of the rewards and benefits of participating in the arts. According to Ms. Bailey “the arts give our youth the impetus to think “outside of the box”, which is essential to our nation’s progress.”
The Miss Black Virginia Pageant is an official preliminary competition of the Miss Black USA Organization, a national scholastic pageant competition sponsored by acclaimed actor, producer and director Tyler Perry. Founded in 1986, the Miss Black USA Organization seeks to provide educational opportunities for outstanding young women of color and to develop the "whole woman”: mind, body and spirit. Locally, under the theme “Crown for One … Experience for All”, the Miss Black Virginia Pageant will award annual scholarships to not only the title holder, but to the top three contestants as well. This year’s Miss Black Virginia Pageant holds historical significance, for it marked the first time a pageant was held to select Virginia’s representative to the National Miss Black USA pageant to be held in Washington, D.C. in June of 2009. The Miss Black Virginia Pageant was the capstone of an entire week full of activities ranging from a community service project to participating in a local television program in Danville, Virginia. The week culminated with a spiritual coronation for Ms. Bailey at the Camp Grove Baptist Church.
Membership News
New History Books
Brothers who were initiated from 2005 – Present, who have not received their history book should send an email to:Ms. Natalie Highsmith at nhighsmith@apa1906.net with your Name, Account ID, Current Mailing Address, and Contact Phone. If you received a post card, it should be returned to: BrightKey, Inc, History Book Fulfillment Center, 1780-A Crossroads Dr, Odenton, MD 21113.
Contact Ms. Highsmith or return the card—not both. Availability dates and ordering instructions for all others seeking new history books will be announced.
Important Dates
77 Annual Eastern Region Convention
Registration for the 77th Annual Eastern Region Convention is open. Pre-registration fees have not increased from last year.
Early Bird Registration @ $280 ends Dec 31st
Pre-Registration @ $325 ends Feb 28, 2009 Late Registration @$450 ends Mar15, 2009 NO ON SITE REGISTRATION
See Alpha East website for more details
Please mark your calendars for the Winter Staff Meeting which will take place on February 7, 2009 at the Philadelphia Marriott. .
PROJECT ALPHA
World AIDS Day
December 01, 2008
Founders Day
December 04, 2008
Project ALPHA
December 05, 2008
Kelly Miller Middle School 301 49th Street, NE 9:30 am – 11:30 am
Christmas Day
December 25, 2008
New Year’s Eve
December 31, 2008
When: Friday, December 5th, 2008 9:30am - 11:30am
Where: Kelly Miller Middle School 301 49th Street NE Washington, DC 20019.
Who:
45 young men are expected for the presentation.
For more information: Brother Geoffrey Johnson 202-487-0785 noplga@gmail.com
cordially invites you to attend the
Please reply by Friday, December 5, 2008
Heavenly Inauguration Ball, 2009
Guests began arriving early. There are no place cards and no name tags. Everyone knows everyone else here. Now, there's a grand foursome - Malcolm X and Betty Shabazz sharing laughs with Martin and Coretta Scott King. Looks like Hosea Williams refused the limo again, keeping it real. And my goodness; is that Rosa Parks out there on the dance floor with A. Phillip Randolph? Seated at a nearby table, Frederick Douglass has a captive audience in W.E.B. DuBois and Fannie Lou Hamer, and Medgar Evers has just joined them.
Marian Anderson was asked to sing tonight, but she only agreed to do it if accompanied by Marvin Gaye, John Lennon and Jimi Hendrix. Look, there's Harriet Tubman. No one knows how she arrived, but there she is and my guess is that, when the time comes, no one will see her leave. There's Jackie Robinson swiftly making his way through the hall as the crowd parts like the Red Sea to the unmistakable sound of applause. "Run, Jackie, run!” Along the way he is embraced by Jessie Owens.
Three beautiful young women arrive with their escorts - Schwerner, Goodman and Chaney. Ms. Viola Liuzzo flew in from Michigan, exclaiming, "I could not miss this." Richard Pryor promised to be on his best behavior. "But I can't make any guarantees for Redd Foxx and Moms Mabley," he chuckled. Joe Louis just faked a quick jab to the chin of Jack Johnson, who smiled broadly while slipping it. We saw Billy Eckstine and Nat King Cole greet Luther Van Dross. James Brown and Josh Gibson stopped at Walter Payton's table to say hello.
I spotted Congressman Adam Clayton Powell of Harlem having a lively political discussion with Eldredge Cleaver. Pearl Harbor WWII hero Dorey Miller shared a few thoughts with Crispus Attucks, a hero of the Revolutionary War. And there is Madam C.J. Walker talking with Marcus Garvey about exporting goods to Africa. General Benjamin O. Davis flew into Washington safely with an escort from the 99th Fighter Squadron - better known as The Tuskegee Airman. At the table on the left are three formidable women – Shirley Chisholm, Sojourner Truth, and Barbara Jordan - gathered for a little girl-talk... about world politics.
As usual, all the science nerds seem to have gathered off in a corner, talking shop. There's Granville T. Woods and Lewis Latimer needling each other about whose inventions are better. Someone jokingly asked Benjamin Banneker if he had needed directions to Washington. And George Washington Carver was overheard asking, "What, no peanuts?"
Dueling bands? Anytime Duke Ellington and Count Basie get together, you know the place will be jumping. Tonight is special, of course, so we have Miles, Dizzy, and Satchmo sitting in on trumpet, with Coltrane, Cannonball, and Bird on sax. Everyone's attention is directed to the dance floor where Bill "Bojangles" Robinson is tap dancing. Right beside him is Sammy Davis Jr., doing his Bojangles routine. And behind his back, Gregory Hines is imitating them both. Applause and laughter abound!
The Hollywood contingent has just arrived from the Coast. Led by filmmaker Oscar Micheau, Paul Robeson, Canaa Lee, and Hattie McDaniel they find their way to their tables. Dorothy Dandridge looking exquisite in gold lamé, is seen signaling to her husband, Harold Nicholas, who is standing on the floor with brother Fayard watching Gregory Hines dance. "Hold me back," quips Harold, "before I show that youngster how it's done." Much laughter!
Then a sudden hush comes over the room. The guests of honor have arrived. The President and Mrs. Obama looked out across the enormous ballroom at all the historic faces. Very many smiles, precious few dry eyes. Someone shouted out, "You did it! You did it!" And President Obama replied, "No sir, you did it; you all - each and every one of you - did it. Your guidance and encouragement; your hard work and perseverance. .." Obama paused, perhaps holding back a tear.
"I look at your faces - your beautiful faces - and I am reminded that The White House was built by faces that looked just like yours. On October 3, 1792, the cornerstone of the White House was laid, and the foundations and main residence of The White House were built mostly by both enslaved and free African Americans and paid Europeans. In fact, most of the other construction work was performed by immigrants, many of whom had not yet become citizens. Much of the brick and plaster work was performed by Irish and Italian immigrants. The sandstone walls were built by Scottish immigrants.
So, I guess what I'm trying to say is that The White House is, ultimately, The People's House, with each President serving as its steward. Since 1792 The People have trimmed its hedges, mowed its lawn, stood guard at the gate, cooked meals in the kitchen, and scrubbed its toilet bowls. But 216 years later, The People are taking it back!
"Today, Michelle and I usher in a new era. But while we and our family look toward the future with so much hope, we know that we must also acknowledge fully this milestone in our journey. We want to thank each and every one of you for all you have done to make this day possible. I stand here before you, humbled and in awe of your accomplishments and sacrifice, and I will dedicate my Presidency, in your honor, to the principles of peace, liberty and freedom
Author unknown
BLACK FACTS
Richard Pryor Born December 01, 1940
LITTLE KNOWN BLACK HISTORY MOMENT
Eugene Allen
Rosa Parks refused to give up seat December 01, 1955 (Retired White House Butler)
Fredrick Douglass published “North Star” December 03, 1847
Poetess Phyllis Wheatley Died December 05, 1784
For more than three decades, Eugene Allen
Sammy Davis Jr. Born December 08, 1925 worked in the White House, a black man un-
Andrew Young Appointed Ambassador December 16, 1976 known to the headlines during some of the 13th Amendment Adopted December 18, 1865 roughest years in which harsh segregation laws
Jack Johnson Named Heavyweight Champ December 26, 1908 were still on the books and strictly enforced.
Noted Historian: Carter G. Woodson Born December 19, 1875
ΑΦΑ Tags for DC, MD & VA
Alpha Phi Alpha license plates for Washington, DC will soon be available. Mu Lambda Chapter Brothers interested in acquiring DC tags should contact Bro. Arthur King at aking536@aol.com or 202.744-6624. Other DC chapter Brothers should contact Bro. Howard Franklin at Hlfrankjr@aol.com or 202.2568539. DC Tags will cost about $80 for the first year and about $ 26 less in subsequent years.
Maryland tags contact: Brother Vernon Dorkins at (410) 664-0911
Virginia tags contact: Brother Chuck Johnson at Chrlzej06@gmail.com
14
Dec. 21
Dec. 28 Christmas Weekend No
President Truman called him Gene. President Ford liked to talk golf with him. He saw eight Presidential Administrations come and go, often working six days a week. “I never missed a day of work,” Allen said.
He was in service to the White House while racial history was made: Brown vs. The Board of Education, the Little Rock School Crisis, the 1963 March on Washington, the race riots, the civil rights bills, the assassinations and much more.
He started at the White House in 1952 during a time when he couldn’t even use the public restrooms as he ventured back to his native Virginia, but he has seen change. In the 1980’s then first lady Nancy Reagan came looking for him in the kitchen, she wanted to remind him about the upcoming State Dinner for German Chancellor Helmut Kohl. She told him he would not be working that night, She said, “You and your wife are coming to the State Dinner as guests of President Reagan and myself,’ Mr. Allen says he believes he’s the only butler to ever be invited to a State Dinner.
Eugene Allen was promoted to White House Maitre D’ in 1980 and he retired from the White House in 1986, after 34 years. President Reagan wrote him a sweet note and Nancy Reagan hugged and thanked him for his service.
On November 4, 2009, the retired butler turned Maitre D’ cast his vote with a smile and marvels at the election of President-Elect Barrack Obama.
Eugene Allen, 89 tries on his old tuxedo
December Birthdays
Thomas C. Brackeen
Dec. 03
Mark A. Ross Dec. 04
Ryle A. Bell Dec. 05
Rylan R. Harris
Dorsey Evans
Dec. 06
Dec. 07
Major P.Gladden Dec .08
Jerry E. Hargrove, Jr.
Dec. 11
William D. Thomas Dec. 11
Carl M. Bradley
Kenneth F. Holbert
Brian J. Moore
Jimmy L. Floyd
Louis A. Ford
Eric Mitchell
Julian C. Wilson, Jr.
James R. Haynes
Darrell M. Chase
Paul Hoggard
Michael L. Zimerman
Dec. 13
Dec. 13
Dec. 13
Dec. 18
Dec. 19
Dec. 19
Dec. 19
Dec. 21
Dec. 22
Dec. 23
Dec. 26
2009 Beautillion Academy is just around the corner October 05, 2008, Howard University at 3pm
Theodore R. George, Jr. Dec. 27
Bobby W. Austin
Please mark your calendars
Clint C. Wilson, II
Dec. 29
Dec. 30
2008 – 2009 Mu Lambda Housing Assessment
Please remember to pay your 2008-2009 Housing Assessment: $50 per chapter meeting (10 meetings) or $500 for the year. Remit to Bro. Curtis Hunigan, 5621 N. Marwood Blvd., Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
The 2008-09 Executive Committee
President Timothy Fitzgerald 301-332-7507
Vice President Reginald Salter 301-379-6102
Recording Secretary Sean Bellamy 336-575-7677
Treasurer Curtis Hunigan 301-599-1191
Financial Secretary Arthur King 202-744-6624
Corresponding Secretary Jeffery Brown 301-204-9544
Chaplain William Hawkins 202-583-3211
Historian/Archivist Justin Davis 678-787-8344
Sergeant-at-Arms Darrell Chase 202-294-3383
Associate Editor to the Sphinx Kenneth Furlough 202-468-1892
Editor of the Torch Walter Whitley 202-255-9258
Webmaster Marvin Brooks 202-744-0891
Director of Intake Andre Lucas 202-271-1617
Director of Education Geoffrey Johnson 202-487-0785
Parliamentarian Eddie Neal 301-440-4055
Member-at-Large Arlester Brown 202-244-2778
Immediate Past President James McDonald 202-544-5026
www.mulambda.org
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Mu Lambda Chapter PO Box 1993 Washington, DC 20013-1993 ….Share the Light of the Torch with our inactive Brothers and Brothers new to the DC area…. December Meeting Thursday, December 04, 2008 7:06pm School of Dentistry Howard University Campus
