The Mu Lambda Torch - September 2004

The Torch

The Of fi cial Newsletter of Mu Lambda Chapter

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

September 2004

The Executive Message:

Brother Edwin F. Norwood ill President, Mu Lambda Chapter

Welcome to anew fraternal year. Ihope you were able to spend some time with your family and friends during the summer. As September approaches, it is time to resume the business of the fraternity. PLEASE TAKE NOTE that we will be meeting at Howard University School of Dentistry in the 5*'' floor lecture hall. This will be the meeting location for the year.

As you know, Mu Lambda chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. has set the standard for excellence in fraternal uplift, community service, and public leadership tliroughout the Washington DC community for over 81 years. This year, we are going to continue to set the standard with some exciting programs. The planning for the Black and Gold Scholarship Gala is going well. This event will be the highlight of the Washington DC social season and is an excellent opportunity to invite your family and friends out to enjoy the fellowship of the chapter while we raise money to support our scholarship program. As you know, this event is scheduled for November 13”' at the Washington Times Building in the Arbor Ball Room. During this event, we will be honoring all the 50-year brothers of Mu Lambda Chapter as well as presenting some chapter awards. The chairman of the Gala, Brother James McDonald, will have tickets for sale at the September meeting. All seven JEWEL tables were purchased during one meeting last year. Don't miss out on your opportunity to purchase atable, especially the JEWEL table, (continued on page 2)

EXECUTIVE MESSAGE

(from Page 1)

We will be conducting the lO***Annual Henry Arthur Callis Beautillion Gala in April 2005. The planning has already begun and will be discussed with you at the September meeting

As we move through an election season, Mu Lambda Chapter recognizes the need to ensure the implementation of the Voteless People is aHopeless People National Program.

June Meeting Highlights

Brother Reginald Salter

Announcements:

50-Year Brothers Announced!

Mu Lambda’s most recent 50 year Brothers received their 50 certificates to rousing applause. /

Officers for the 2004-05 fraternal year were Installed by Brother Richardson

Mu Lambda Brothers Are Needed to Help Build the Dream

Brother Edwin F. Norwood, III

The Spirit of Brotherhood and Reclamation will also be our goal in the meeting on September 2^^. To portray the Alpha Spirit of Brotherhood, brothers are urged to wear Alpha paraphernalia to the first meeting. Every brother should also get on the phone and find two brothers to invite to the meeting. As Washington DC prepares to welcome the 100“’ Anniversary Convention and the completion of the Dr. Martin Luther King Memorial, we need to get every brother in Washington DC active.

The General Headquarters will be sponsoring its 12'’'Annual Congressional Black Caucus Reception on Thursday, September 9, 2004 from 5:00p.m. -7:00p.m. at the Renaissance Washington, DC Hotel. This is another opportunity to interact with brothers and tell them about the activities in Mu Lambda chapter as we prepare for 2006.

Finally, the Chapter of the Year committee is working to move the chapter towards its goal to become the Chapter of the Year in 2006. Our first step will begin with our competition for the Chapter of the Year award at the District Convention in February 2005. The committee will be asking each of you to share your different activities in the community, along with pictures and asummary of the activity. This is going to be an exciting year. LookforwardtoseeingyouonSeptember2"^atthe Howard University School of Dentistry.

Mu Lambda Foundation members remained unchanged

Reverend Sands Retirement!

Brother Sand’s Retirement celebration will be at Martin's West on July le*^, 2004. Contact is Brother Montgomery

Mu Lambda is still growing at 80. We are adiverse chapter, building on the strength of our historic past while forging into the future in our new home. Our vision is dear as we seek to become the best in A PHI A. Come grow with us.

“Without firing ashot or harming asoul, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. changed the course of history and called on anation to fulfill its promise to guarantee the ‘unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,’ for all of God’s children, based not on ‘the color of one’s skin, but the content of their character.’ In fact, his principles of non-violence helped to lift millions of people from the shadows of despair and overcome what seemed like insurmountable obstacles.

Today, when one asks the question: ‘Who should build alasting memorial to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.?’ -the answer, resoundingly, should be all those who have benefited from the works and teachings of one of the world’s foremost figures. People from across the country and around the world have joined together in support of the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Project, but we cannot reach our funding goal, nor begin construction of this longoverdue memorial without your much-needed support.” Brother Harry E. Johnson, Sr., Esq., 31®* General President

You can help honor Dr. King’s memory and keep his uplifting dream alive by joining the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial Project in building amemorial to him on the National Mall in Washington DC. Participate in the Mu Lambda Chapter Pledge campaign for the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial Project. All brothers are asked to look into their heart to make acontribution to this great effort ... to build amemorial to this great American.

I BELFORD V. LAWSON

ORATORICAL CONTEST TOPIC

The topic for the next Belford V. Lawson Oratorical Contest has been announced:

"What Has Been the Greatest Impact of Alpha’s Existence in Our Quest To Move Mankind Toward Freedom and Equality?"

September Birthdays

Paul A. Cotton

Timothy Fitzgerald

Ronald Flowers

Frederick Ford

Antoine Garibaldi

Byron Grayson

Brian Halliburton

William Hawkins

Willie Littlejohn

Eddie Neal

Hezekia Smith

Coleman T.Tuckson

Robert Warren

Sept 22

Sept

Get Out The Vote

Brother Kwame Ulmer

What: Voter Registration Drive

When: Spetember 18, 2004 10:00 AM -2:00 PM

Where: Minnesotta Ave Metro Stop

Brothers we will simply show up, gather registration materials, and sign people up. The site captain will be on hand to answer any questions you might have.

Remember to wear your paraphernalia, come with agood attitude, and good ole Alpha Spirit. This promises to be afulfilling event. Please don't hesitate to email your Interest to work the Minnesota Ave Site with the Alphas at qetyourvoteQn@vahoo.com. ) Tim Fitzgerald Brian Moore

Reginald Salter Bonnie Washington

Attention Ali Alpha Military Men

The corporate headquarters is compiling a directory of all Alpha Men who have or currently serve in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and National Guard. If you or someone you know is currently serving or has served the USA in one of the previously mentioned services please send the following information:

Division(eg. army, navy etc..)

Please send above information to: Alpha Phi Alpha Attn: Alpha Military 2313 ST. Paul Street Baltimore, MD 21218-5211 or email admin@aDa1906.net

The Arbor Ballroom at the Washington Times Building Saturday, November 13,2004

Committee Members:

Committee Assignments:

Ticket Design/Sales: Samuel Armstrong LaMar Arnold

Silent Auction: Tim Fitzgerald Arthur King

Publicity/Fundraising: Michael Zimmerman

Kwame Ulmer

Program Book: Brian Moore

Reginald Salters

Jewel Tables/ so"* Year Brothers: Andre Lucas

Christopher Brown )

Mistress/Master Of Ceremonies/Band: Arthur Fields, Jr.

Gala Coordinators/ Souvenirs/: Faan Janifer

Bonnie Washington

Skip’s Historical Moment

The Ties that Bind:

George Lyle and Ethel Hedgeman Lyle, Frat and Soror, Husband and Wife by

Skip Mason

What is the true relationship between Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority other than the fact that they were the first? Is it mere coincidence or divine Intervention. Journey back to the campus of Howard University In the fall of 1907, when Cornell University student and Alpha inibate EugeneKinckleJonesarrivedonthecampusofHowardUniversitytoestablishthesecondchapterof the very young fraternity known asAlpha PhiAlpha at the request of the mother chapterAlpha. Contacts had been made and preliminary work had already been done through the assistance of the school's dean, Kelly Miller, who assisted Jones in selecting the nineteen young men who subsequently became charter members of the chapter known as Beta. Included in that sixteen was George A. Lyle, anative of St. Louis, Missouri and ajunior. Lyle's girlfriend Ethel Hedgeman was also anative of St. Louis.TheybothhadgraduatedfromSumnerHighSchoolIn1904,wheretheyweresweetheartseven then. Upon arrival at Howard In the fall of 1905, both Lyle and Hedgeman were very active on the campus and was one of the more popular couples.

GeorgeandtheseeighteenothermenwereInitiatedIntothefraternityinDec.201907certainlymuch to the delight of Ethel. This solidified her move to forge ahead with the sorority idea. The obvious fact isthatHedgemanwaskeenlyawareofGeorge'sparticipationInthenewfraternity.AKAFounder Margaret Flagg said" Because of Lyle and his connection with Alpha Phi ALpha, Ethel conceived the Idea of the sorority." Not only was she aware of this new movement In brotherhood and sisterhood, she was Inspired. According to the Marjorie Parker in the book "In the Eye of the Beholder," Hedgeman had returned to Howard inspired to organize asorority.

WithherInsightandvisionHedgemanapproachedherfriendLucySlowewiththeideaofestablishing asimilar group for women. Hedgeman and her nine friends engaged in research of the sorority idea, ascertained interest from other female students In the Liberal Arts College and submitted aproposal and constitution the Howard University Board of Trustees for the privilege to establish asorority, the first In the school’s history. They met on January 15,1908, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority was bom. The establishment had also come with tremendous support from two teachers at Howard, namely Ethel Robinson and Elizabeth Cook. In the meantime, George and his new brothers experienced the growing pains of laying the foundation for the chapter and fostering the fraternity's idea. Ironically, the fall of the 1908 found both Ethel and George as presidents of the chapters during their Senior year.GeorgehostedAlpha'sfirstconventiononthecampusofHowardinDecemberof1908anda social was held with the ladles of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

BothLyleandHedgemangraduatedIntheClassof1909.GeorgewenttoNewYorkandthen Philadelphiaforadditionalstudiesafterhisgraduation.EtheltraveledtoEufala,Oklahomawhereshe taught music. She also taught in Centralia, Illinois in 1911. On June 21,1911, they were married and later gave birth to one son, George, Jr.The Lyle’s were very active in Philadelphia society and were members of the Mount PIsgah A. M. E. Church. Ethel chartered the Mu Chapter In 1911 and Omega OmegaChapterin1926inPhiladelphiaandGeorgeLylewasveryacbVeRhoChapter,alsoin Philadelphia.TheirsonGeorgeJr.,thefatheroftwodaughters.EthelHedgemanLylediedin1950and George's exact date death is not known but his wife preceded him.

Please

Brother Darryl R. Matthews, Sr., 32nd General President

CongratulationstoBrotherDarylR,Matthews(picturedonright).AlphaPhiAiphaFraternityInc.

2006 CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

AcenturyofManlyDeeds,Scholarship,&LoveforAllMankind.A centuryofService.Fromitsbeginningsasthesocialliteracyclub,to 1906 asAlpha PhiAlpha,Alpha has continued to pride itself on the quality and value of its members and on Its commitment to the communitieswhereitthrives.AlphaPhiAlphahaslongbeenan organizationthatisabletotakeadvantageofchangesintimes, changesIntechnologyandchangesinthepoliticalarena.Aswe celebrateouronehundredthanniversary.AlphaPhiAlphalooksto thefuturewiththesamesenseofexcitementandpurposethathas driven the fraternity since 1906.

It is expected that our Centennial in 2006 will be the most meaningfulinourlivesasAlphasandwillsetthestageforother organizationswhofollow.Brotherswhohavesuggestionsforthe CentennialPlanningCommitteecane-mailthecommitteeat 2006@hq.alpha-phi-alpha.org.Lookforadditionalannouncementsin theSphinxMagazineaswellastheWebsiteconcerningAlpha's 2006CentennialCelebrationandhowyoucangetinvolved.

Takenfromhttp:/A\avvv.alphaDhialphanet/

June Meeting

Thursday, June 3, 2004 -7:06pm

Simpson Hamline United Methodist Church Name

Home Number

Email Address

Chapter Dues:

($0 Grand Tax, $135 Chapter Dues)

($110 Grand Tax, $135 Chapter Dues)

($60 Grand Tax, $85 Chapter Dues)

($85 Grand Tax, $85 Chapter Dues)

($110 Grand Tax, $85 Chapter Dues)