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 will 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.
Public Policy
January Highlights
Poems
Membership Intake
Brother Moore has
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 become 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 Street Northwest. Amember of the Alpha's Housing Task Group will give the Chapter an update on the house. {Continued on Page Two.)
Website
● Calendar, Birthdays, and more!
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 all 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 (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.
=> 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) of the two fi nal candidates for general president
=> 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. Service of Hawkins.
As we all know, the Omega Service is aritual for our fraternity that provide an opportunity for the brotherhood to reflect 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 Brother
=> Upcoming Events:
o SWEETHEART OF A-PHI-A
o Sweetheart, of AOA, 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.
St MAAC Conference Feb 20, 21 University of Delaware
Eastern Regional Convention April 1"’-4‘^ Arlington, VA
THERE GOES AN ALPHA MAN
February Birthdays
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
Brother Ed Norwood, Taylor Thomas, and Brother Louis Ford (Black and Gold Ball 2003)
Intake Corner
The deadline for aspirants to submit applications passed on February 1, 2004.
Leadership Weekend will be held on February 2728.
Membership Weekend will be held on March 5-6.
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
Developments to the chapter website are ongoing! Please email any suggestions, Alpha graphics, and scanned photos of chapter events to Brother Darden at EricBenet06@verizon.net.
To subscribe to the chapter email list, please send an email to:
Brother CampbellJohnson, Chairman of the Public Policy Committee
Brothers,displacementofmiddle,lowandfixedincomefamiliesandindividualsisreachingcrisislevelsinthe District.’Inrecentyears,tensofthousandsofushavebeenreplacedbywealthyyuppies.Considerthis,inthe 14“’ and UStreets neighborhood over 1,000 housing units are under construction, only seven umts_are affordable. There are many, many examples of this increasing threat to indigenous Washingtonians.
The Urban Housing Alliance is
While we’re in an uphill fight against BIG money, we have had successes, helpingDistrictresidentsdealwithproblemslikeincreasinghousingcosts,costlyhomerepairsandqualityoflife 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.
Ifyouwouldliketolearnmoreabouthowyoucanhelp,pleasecometothenextUrbanHousingAlliancem^^ting 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.
Pleasedecidetohelpyourcommunityandyourselfbyjoiningthisinspiringgroup.Brothers,youarethekindof peoplewhocanmakeapositivedifference.Weareexcitedaboutourworkintheaboveareasandourplanning for amajor Community Housing Training Institute. We are making new friends, sharing skills. Identifying resources, and building strategies and our own capabilities.
TheAllianceincludesneighbors,communitygroups,severalfaithcommunities,professionalsandhousing advocates.Weareworkingwithexpertadviceandbuildinganinnovativeteameffortthatservesrenters,home andbusinessowners,peoplewantingtobuyaffordablehomes,seniorsanddisabledpersons.Formore information, please call Bro. Campbell Johnson at (202) 232-1127.
