When Thurgood Marshall walked the grounds of Lincoln University, he was already a man on a mission. He had led several protests for better conditions for students before he was initiated into Nu chapter in 1930. The brothers on campus undoubtedly saw the potential in this tall skinny kid from Baltimore. They had extremely high standards for the any Sphinxman, and the brothers saw particular promise in this young man. After he crossed the burning sands, the lore abounds about how the big Alpha on campus would take his job of interviewing and initiating aspirants with care and gusto. It is said, you could sometimes find Thurgood chasing a Sphinxman in order to share some important point regarding the 14 Immortals (founders of Nu chapter).
But more importantly, the big brothers who pledged Thurgood and would mentor him in future years; took their responsibilities with care and gusto. Brothers were serious about their charge to mentor new initiates. There is a long-term commitment you make when you sponsor an aspirant.
The dues in 1930 were probably no more than $10.00. There was no Alpha House on campus. The financial requirements would seem small by today’s standards.
When Marcus Ware entered the law school at Howard University-the same institution young Thurgood attended- he was already a proud initiate of Beta. The dues at Mu Lambda chapter are $150 for life members. There is a newly renovated house that requires an additional assessment of $500, or $50 per chapter meeting. The financial commitment is significant. It costs money to acquire, renovate and maintain a 7,000 square foot facility. The responsibility for any Brother who wishes to sponsor an aspirant is also significant. It requires intense care in selection and ongoing mentorship.
In 2010, Mu Lambda set a strategic priority to improve the way we intake, reclaim and retain members. This includes an Alpha Awareness seminar, more intense follow up with visiting Brothers, and pairing newer Mu Lambda members with more seasoned brothers in leadership roles.
In this message I ask that you consider one thing: “Am I meeting my responsibilities as a member of Mu Lambda?”
To learn more about sponsoring an aspirant, contact Brother James Heck. To get involved with activities regarding reclamation and retention, Brothers Henry Riley and Kelvin McClinton are Chair and Vice-chair respectively. To meet your financial responsibility for the House, please see details in the back of the Torch. Make your check out to the Mu Lambda Foundation today!
Fraternally, Brother Kwame Ulmer President
ALPHA WIVES
First Meeting of Season For Alpha Wives
The first meeting of the season for the Alpha Wives will be held on the second Saturday in instead of in September. This will be an extremely important meeting as we have much to plan for and accomplish this year. The organization has made of meetings per year so that we can do more exciting things. We are encouraging all Alpha Wives, and especially wives of Alphas that have not attended our meetings, to attend. for information in your next newslett
Perspective members please contact: Modestine Lowery: 202 291-3129, Charlotte Douglass: 703 Murray: 301-588-4663 so that we can answer any questions that you may have. Please call, come, and share your great ideas. We would love to have them.
Alpha Awareness Seminar
Brothers it’s that time again.
On Thursday October 14th, Mu Lambda Chapter and Area VI will be hosting an Awareness Seminar for the of men who are interested in becoming members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated.
Please note the time and place, this held in conjunction with the October Chapter Meeting and will be at Howard University not the Mu Lambda Fraternity House.
Know any potential aspirants? Please contact Brother Heck and pass along contact information to him.
Contact information:
james.heck@nrc.gov and jkcjh@aol.com
240-535-2605 or 240-417-9544
TIME: 7:00 PM to 8:00 pm
PLACE: Howard University School of Dentistry
600 W Street, NW
Washington, DC 5th Floor Lecture Hall 2
Please identify and notify high school senior males and their Caregivers about this year’s program, as we are
All individuals (Committee Members, Brothers, Volunteers, etc.) who are interested in participating are encouraged to complete a police clearance for the 20102011 Beautillion Season. Please visit the following police station for background/clearance services: Metropolitan Police Headquarter
300 Indiana Ave., NW Washington, DC 20001
Department - Criminal Records/Police Clearance - 3rd floor.
Phone - (202) 727-4245
You will need the following item to complete your police clearance:
- Valid Photo ID (Drivers license, Passport, state issues ID card, etc.).
The cost for this service is $7.00; payment is expected at the time of service. You will receive your record in approximately 20-30 minutes upon registering. All records are to be forwarded to Brothers Mark Ross, Darrell Chase and Kent Benjamin. All records will be held in the Mu Lambda Foundation achieves and records. As always, we appreciate your service and continued support.
For questions, please contact:
Brother Mark Ross - (202) 422-8493
Brother Darrell Chase - (202) 294-3383
Brother Kent Benjamin - (703) 401-0888
Please join the Mid-Atlantic Association of Alpha Phi Alpha Chapters (MAAC) at The Capital Area Food Bank 645 Taylor St. NE Washington, DC 20017 (202) 526-5344 Saturday, October 30, 2010 9am-12noon
Last year the MAAC was part of the 14,000 people that made a difference in the lives of others volunteering their time and talent with the Capital Area Food Bank. So please join us again this year. Volunteers: Please come dressed comfortably in jeans and sneakers/boots and your favorite Alpha shirt. This project typically involves packing and sorting donated food. Also you will be assisting with various others tasks at the Capital Area Food Bank.
If you have questions please contact: Bro. Dontae Ryan, District VI Director, (443) 255-0223 dontae.ryan@gmail.com Bro. Tim Fitzgerald, Community Service Coordinator, (301) 332-7507 timfitz06@comcast.net
2nd Annual Witney’s Lights 5K Walk
Domestic Violence Awareness
General President, Bro. Herman “Skip” Mason will be attending and presiding over the 2nd Annual Witney’s Lights 5k Walk/Run for awareness/ending Domestic Violence, Saturday, October 9, 2010 at Silver Lake in Dover, Delaware. **If any brothers are interested in participating in any capacity, please contact Brother Rocha of Zeta Rho Lambda Chapter, at HP: (302) 335-0417 or Cell: (302) 423-1957. Email: glrocha1906@gmail.com
NATIONAL PROGRAM BLACK BARBASHOP
Background:
The Diabetic Amputation Prevention Foundation launched The Black Barbershop Outreach Program in December 2007 to address the at-risk African American male population throughout the country for cardiovascular disease. Black owned barbershops represent a cultural institution that regularly attracts large numbers of black men and provides an environment of trust and an avenue to disseminate health education information .During The Black Barbershop Program volunteers have measure blood pressures and screen for diabetes in over 23 cities across the country. Customers with abnormal findings are referred to participating physicians or health care facilities. In some instances, men have been sent directly to the emergency room because of abnormal findings. More commonly, participates are given information about health care resources in their immediate community. In Los Angeles, we have developed "THE REAL BLACK BOOK / Medical Resource Guide" which is a compilation of free or low cost health care resources.
The Black Barbershop Health Outreach Program has developed key strategic partners around the country to address health care disparities in African American men. In order to reach our goal to screen over 500, 000 men by the year 2012 we are reaching out to every fraternity, sorority, medical school, nurse, corporate entity and philanthropists help us prevent premature death in African American men from cardiovascular disease and prostate cancer.
Mu Lambda Brothers Lead Local Initiative:
Black Barbershop initiative was held on September 18, 2010. There were 10 locations in Washington DC. The D.C. event was one of the largest in the programs held to date. Brothers Paul Jones and Sean Bellamy worked as local event coordinators serving the participating shops in the Northeast and Northwest quadrants of the city. Brother David Banks and his wife served as a medical team for one of the shop locations.
Brother Sean Bellamy
Brother Paul Jones
40th Congressional Black Caucus Report
Chief of Staff to Congressman John Lewis
During the 40th Congressional Black Caucus's Annual Legislative Conference, over 5,000 registrants attended Brain Trust and Issue Forums like Representative John Lewis' ALC Issue Forum “Navigating through the Federal Government Recruitment Process”. The forum was held on Friday September 17, 2010 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Due to the state of our current economy we felt that a forum on Jobs would be beneficial to those who participated in the conference.
The forum was successful in assisting more than 120 individuals who were interested in a career with the federal government. With the guidance of Federal agency experts from the Social Security Administration and Office of Personnel Management we were able to facilitate the forum through dialogue and networking for job seekers to help them understand the federal government’s recruitment process.
The forum also outlined essential hiring strategies for job seekers, so that they will know how to market themselves and be competitive for federal career opportunities. Panelists also discussed various disabled and veterans recruitment initiatives to aid the transition from military to civilian life. Participants received information on the recruitment process, including tips on “how to apply” through usajob.gov from human resource experts in the federal sector.
At the conclusion of the conference participants where empowered and motivated as our country embarks on the next National Elections: Midterms.
Brother Michael Collins
John D. Hicks, Sr.
Joseph E. Seaberry
Robert M. Brown, II
William R. Ridley
Vernon Oakes
Daryll D. Butler
Albert L. Carr
Joseph K. Jones
October 1
October 1
October 5
October 5
October 7
October 10
October 16
October 16
Lloyd T. McGriff
October 16
Lamar Arnold October 17
Eric D. Herndon
Joseph Housey, III
Pernell V. Williams
October 18
October 18
October 22
James F. Walker October 25
Shawn M. Callaway October 26
Arthur M. Freeman, Sr. October 26
The 2010-2011 Executive Board & Committee Chairs
President Kwame Ulmer
202-492-3487 Kwame.ulmer@gmail.com
Vice President Reginald Salter 301-379-6102 rsalterdds@aol.com
Recording Secretary T. Paul Jones 202-525-2631 TPjonesii@juno.com
Treasurer Mark Ross 202-422-8493 rossmarka@aol.com
Financial Secretary Arthur King 202-744-6624 aking536@aol.com
Corresponding Secretary Joseph Housey, III 561-932-3599 joe3rd@hotmail.com
Chaplain William Hawkins 202-583-3211 whawk39564@aol.com
Historian Craig Allen 314-607-9975 c.d.allen@hotmail.com
Archivist Kevin Giles 240-493-6009 Kevin_R_Giles@mcpsmd.org
Associate Editor to the Sphinx Arthur DeLay 504-635-5993 arthur.delay@yahoo.com
Editor of the Torch Mario Simpson 508-846-3957 simpson_mario@hotmail.com
Webmaster Samuel Armstrong 301-717-8508 apo71llo@yahoo.com
Director of Intake James Heck 240-535-2605 jkcjh@aol.com
Director of Education Sean Bellamy 336-575-7677 sean.bellamy@dc.gov
Parliamentarian Eddie Neal 301-440-4055 ewneal@hotmail.com
Member-at-Large Joel Grey 610-639-2964 jgrey7@yahoo.com
Immediate Past President Timothy Fitzgerald 202-678-0821 timfitz06@comcast.net
Member Committee Chair Henry Riley 630-532-0665 rileylawnet@yahoo.com
www.mulambda.org
BLACK FACTS
Nat Turner, revolutionary freedom-fighter and leader of a slave revolt in Southampton, VA, during which about 60 whites were killed, was born on October 2, 1800.
Major Robert H. Lawrence, Jr., was the first Black astronaut.
Thurgood Marshall was sworn in as the first Black Supreme Court Justice on October 2, 1967.
In this month in 2002, Barack Obama gives his historic speech against the Iraq war in downtown Chicago.
Beta Chapter
We are eagerly anticipating the reactivation of Beta chapter on Howard University's campus.
Brothers are asked to refrain from giving information in this regard until the appropriate documents are in place. Students and Brothers interested in future activities of the chapter should direct all questions/concerns to Area VI Director Brother Reginald Salter (301)379-6102 or Associate Area Director Marcus A. Ware (202)641-3330.
Brothers in Mu Lambda Chapter, who are risk management certified, have attended either the last General Convention and/or last Regional Convention, and 3 years plus of active membership may become a part of the Advisory Board that will lead in the membership process for Beta chapter. Please contact Brother Salter.
Black History Museum Event
Black History Museum Calendar of Events -- Event Details
October 9, 2010
Host of Event: Black History Museum
Name of Event: “From Barbados to Carolina: The Colony of a Colony”
Type of Event: Film Screening
Time: 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Location of Event: 902 Wythe Street
Admission: Free!
Description of Event: “From Barbados to Carolina” explores the connections between colonial South Carolina and the island of Barbados in the British West Indies. It presents a detailed look at the heritage and culture of both early Charleston plantation owners and African slaves of Barbadian ancestry. (60 min.)
Phone: 703.746.4356
Housing Assessment
Submit this form with your assessment to Brother Leroy Lowery
Account or Life Member Number______________________________________
Address__________________________
City _______________________________ State ___ Zip Code____________
Home Number ________________ Work Number _______________________
