T^eTorcf;
February2.004
The Executive Message: AChange'in Format
Brother Rudolph Harris, PhD President, Mu Lambda Chapter
We are changing the format of our monthly meeting this February by asking Brothers to come early and convene at 6:30 pm. We \A'ill start this new initiative by having our repast-first. Concomitantly, we will introduce Mu Lambda’s Beaux in the 2004 Class. We are very serious about our youth because we believe that every Beau in our program needs at least one Brother who will serve as amentor. As we revisit Brown versus Board of Education of Topeka and its impact on public education, the Black History Month theme, let us make our mark on history by lending ahelping hand. Suffice it to say, we all are mindful of the serious problems facing our youth. Steeped in the tradition of afraternity smoker, Brothers will Introduce themselves and hopeful set the tone for easy mixing and mingling with the Beaux and their families. Brother Kwame Ulmer Is the architect of this endeavor.
Brother Robert L. Moore, President and CEO of the Development Corporation of Columbia Heights (DCCH) will be our featured speaker for February, extensive experience in urban policy, economic development and community building program. He is aformer Director of the Department of Housing and Community Development for the District of Columbia and aSpecial Assistant to the Secretary in the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. Brother Moore will discuss housing in the District of Columbia and the need for Alphas to bec9me actively involved. Housing and Community Development projects that are sponsored by DCCH will be articulated. We also want to thank Brother Moore for allowing Mu Lambda Housing Task Force to meet at the corporate office of DCCH on 14*” Street Northwest. Amember of the Alpha’s Housing Task Group will give the Chapter an update on the house. (Continued on Page Two.)
Brother Moore has
EXECUTIVE MESSAGE
(from Page 1)
January Meeting Highlights
Brother Kwame Ulmer Sunday, February 22, 2004, will be Alpha Sunday at Simpson-Hamline United Methodist Church. Brothers of all faiths and traditions in Alphadom are asked to come worship together at the11:00 a.m. Service on the fourth Sunday in February. Following the morning service we will have aBone Marrow Drive in one of the Church Fellowship Rooms. We encourage ail Brothers to participate in the Bone Marrow Program since It is one of the national projects of the fraternity.
As you will note in this issue of The Torch, we have included the Financial Brothers on our chapter role. This announcement is areminder for some Brothers and to encourage others to become active. To cast aballot for one of the two final candidates for general president (Linwood Bell or Darryl Matthews) aBrother must be financial as of April 1, 2004 to receive aballot. The corporate headquarters of the fraternity will mail the ballot to the Brother’s mailing address on file.
As we all know, the Omega Service Is aritual for our fraternity that provide an opportunity for the brotherhood to re fl ect on the life of abrother and it culminates in the transcending of the brother from his earthly chapter to our Omega Chapter of sweet rest in peace. We were saddened by the passing of Brother Morris Hawkins, Jr., adevoted member of our chapter. In remembering his legacy, Morris cast alight on Alpha and Mu Lambda Chapter that will always shine in our hearts. Ithank the brotherhood for coming out In such large numbers on January 19, to Shiloh Baptist Church for the Omega Hawkins.
SWEETHEART OF A-PHI-A
Sweetheart, of A<PA, From you I'll never stray. I'll always be in love with you. And if perchance we part. You'll still be in my heart. I'll always be in love with you.
The tender love light beams. Within your eyes divine. And from their depths there beams. That good old Alpha sign.
Alpha Phi Alpha girl. To me you're all the world I'll always be in love with you.
=> Brother Brian Moore announces the Directory has been updated and crosschecked. Brother Sands volunteers to lead in adding more personal information in the Directory.
All income and disbursements for 2003 reported.
=> Overages in prior years (02 and 03) forwarded to the House (approximately $6,000.00) and MLK project (approximately $3,000.00)
=> Brother Norwood kicks off Mu Lambda MLK fundraising effort. Mu Lambda encouraged to bring pledges $$$ to May meeting.
=> Brother Lowery announces $30.5M raised towards $100M goal. Over $1M raised by brothers. Donors include Home Depot, Time Warner, and ADM
Brother Keith Johnson announces his candidacy for MAAC president.
=> Chapter votes to run for Chapter of the Year at the MAAC upcoming conference.
E. Avery Adams
Sylvester C. Booker
Legand Burge
Michael Clark
Clarence Gordon
Kenneth L. Higgins
Orlando Xavier Hixon
Archie Pritchett
Talmadge Roberts
Alfred E. Simons
Garnett Wood
February 7
February 16
February 5
February 22
February 18
February 17
February 11
February 12
February 16
February 14
February 12
By Peter Clarke
There goes aman of high impulse, of princely mien and grace.
There goes aman of humble faith, acredit to his race.
There goes aman of conscious vast, with will to reach his goal. There goes aman of lordly rank of heroes stock and soul.
There goes aman of noble cast whom hardship cannot break. There goes aman in merit clad, whom duty won't forsake.
There goes aman of culture verse, who holds asportsman's creed. There goes aman too vigilant to bow to lust or greed.
There goes aman whose life is spent in service, not in scorn.
There goes aman whose majesty shines like amaytime morn.
There goes aman who is afriend to love and duty truth. There goes aman to help uplift the lives of wholesome youth.
There goes aman with industry and faith at his command.
There goes the best man in or out for he's an Alpha Man.
www.mulambda.org
Brother Rashid Darden
Brother Ed Norwood, Taylor Thomas, and Brother Louis Ford (Black and Gold Ball 2003) Developments to the chapter website are ongoing! Please email any suggestions. Alpha graphics, and scanned photos of chapter events to Brother Darden at EricBenetQ6@verizon.net.
To subscribe to the chapter email list, please send an email to;
The deadline for aspirants to submit applications passed on February 1, 2004.
Brother Campbell Johnson, Chairman of the Public Policy Committee
Brothers, displacement of middle, low and fixed income families and individuals is reaching crisis levels in the District. In recent years, tens of thousands of us have been replaced by wealthy yuppies. Consider this, in the 14’^ and UStreets neighborhood over 1.000 housing units are under construction, only seven units are affordable. There are many, many examples of this increasing threat to indigenous Washingtonians.
While we’re in an uphill fight against BIG money, we have had successes. The Urban Housing Alliance is helping District residents deal with problems like increasing housing costs, costly home repairs and quality of life challenges. We need YOUR help in this exciting work that is helping low and middle-income neighbors, community serving businesses and others who are “at risk” —seniors, disabled persons, hearing impaired, and people seeking affordable housing.
Brother Robert Moore, President &CEO of the Development Corporation of Columbia Heights is in the middle of this struggle. He has been invited to address the chapter during our February meeting. Bro. Moore has been effective in preserving many units of affordable housing. Don't miss this meeting.
If you would like to learn more about how you can help, please come to the next Urban Housing Alliance meeting Saturday, February 14^ (10;30AM) at the Gregory Family Life Center (Shiloh Baptist Church, 9^ &P Streets, N. W.), in Heritage Hall. Join this exciting community effort and learn how we can win against rapid increases in housing costs. The Alliance has solid strategies to combat the displacement threat to our homes and the community businesses on which we rely. The full funding of the Housing Production Trust Fund is one of our successes, which we will celebrate toward the end of February.
Please decide to help your community and yourself by joining this inspiring group. Brothers, you are the kind of people who can make apositive difference. We are excited about our work In the above areas and our planning for amajor Community Housing Training Institute. We are making new friends, sharing skills, Identifying resources, and building strategies and our own capabilities.
The Alliance includes neighbors, community groups, several faith communities, professionals and housing advocates. We are working with expert advice and building an innovative team effort that serves renters, home and business owners, people wanting to buy affordable homes, seniors and disabled persons. For more information, please call Bro. Campbell Johnson at (202) 232-1127.
MuLambdaChaDter-subscribe@vahooqrouDS.com
Leadership Weekend will be held on February 27~ Associate Editor to the Sphinx
Membership Weekend will be held on March 5-6.
544-5026
Submit this form with your dues to the
February Meeting
Thursday, January 8, 2004 -6:30pm Simpson-Hamline
United Methodist Church
4501 16th St., NW
Name
Address
Birthday (Month/Day/Year)
Email Address
Chapter Dues:
1st Year Alumni
2nd Year Alumni
Graduate Student
$170
($0 Grand Tax, $135 Chapter Dues)
($110 Grand Tax, $85 Chapter Dues) $135 $245 $145
($110 Grand Tax, $135 Chapter Dues)
($60 Grand Tax, $85 Chapter Dues)
($85 Grand Tax, $85 Chapter Dues)
$195
Alate fee has been added to all dues.
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Mu Lambda Chapter PO Box 1993 Washington, DC 20013-1993
Brother Rudolph Harris 4407 16th St NW Washington, DC 20011