February 1990 Washington, D.C. MU LAMBDA Chapter, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated
Message from the President
Let me share with you some re¬ flections on amost electrifying ex¬ perience Ihad at the recent Beta Chapter birthday- observance for our late Brother Martin Luther King, Jr. (See College Corner for particulars.) The beauty of seeing so many young AfricanAmericans doing positive things greatly impressed me. They ac¬ knowledged their faith and gave thanks for the deeds of others that allowed them to be where they are today. There is so much negativ¬ ism about our youth in the media that Iwished there were more adults present to see this beautiful program, it was as if the chapei was an island and the stormy sea of drugs, crimes, and man’s inhu¬ manity to man was lashing all around. What arefreshing sight to see these young people doing posi¬ tive things and unashamedly pro¬ claiming their faith in ahigher be-
Amandla-8
Sphinxmen Cross the Burning Sands
The Brotherhood proudly ini¬ tiated 8Sphinxmen into the Fraternity or Janu'iry 4lh at the Peoples Congregational United Church of Christ. This impressive line chose as its name ‘Amandla,” South African for power—Black South Africans use the term “Amandla” widely in response to aBlack power chant. The newlyinitiated Brothers also embarked on amost successf»d service pro¬ ject of feeding the homeless. Amandla-8 chose to engage in a front-line ministry to stress their commitment for attacking hunger at it roots. They chose to help peo¬ ple who were too proud to go to shelters and those who were some-
how not being covered by conven¬ tional safety nets.
Brother James Coleman, anative of Chicago, received his bachelors degree in psychology from Illinois State University and his masters from Indiana State University. He is currently adivinity student at Howard University. He is also Assistant Dean for Special Programs at Howard. He is mar¬ ried to the former Brenda Loree Miller.
Brother Thomas Averill Duckensfield, anative Washing¬ tonian, received his undergraduate education at Princeton University and his law degree from the Harvard Law School. Abachelor, he is currently an attorney with the Of fi ce of the General Counsel, Department of the Army.
In addition these Brothers have chosen the Oak Hill Maximum Security Detention Center, located in Lanham, Maryland (for males ages 14 through 19) as its long¬ term service project. Athreepronged program is envisioned en¬ compassing (1) abook drive to stock the nonexisting library at Oak Hill; there is library space, but no books; (2) workshops and general rap sessions on edu¬ cation, African-American ^tant Dean, 9ii^Phi^iLfiha.QfixL history, religion, work c, “Jewel of t ethics, etc.; and (3) role iaents adopted ^ ^ models for the men of ve been ratif
Our eight new Brothers bring a wealth of talent, experience, and dedication to the Fraternity: ! mg!
As the evening progressed, it occurred to me, that contrary to depictions in the media, all hope for the youth of our race is defi¬ nitely not lost; that though the (continued on page 3)
Founders (Omega Chapter)
Brother Rylan Rudolph Harris was also born in Washington. He is agraduate of Hampton University and is cur¬ rently working on an MBA at the University of the District of Columbia. Brother Harris is single and he is employed by the Rouse (continued on next page)
Oak Hill to recognize that dpermanent there are alternative life styles to consider. More de¬ tails on this project will be forthcoming.
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COLLEGE
Beta Chapter
Brothers of Beta Chapter at Howard University commemo¬ rated the birthday of our late Brother Martin Luther King, Jr. with an outstanding program in Rankin Chapel on January 16. Over 300 persons assembled for the occasion, whose theme was ‘A New Decade of Destined Dreams.” Organized by Brother Darrell Arnold and members of his committee, the program fea¬ tured Brother James E. Cheek, president emeritus of Howard University, as keynoter. Brother Cheek went back to his theology roots and “preached” amessage on the necessity for remembering Brother King. Li arelaxed manner that obviously reflected his new status. Brother Cheek delivered a powerful message that electrified the crowd, bringing them to a standing ovation. Aplaque, ac¬ knowledging Brother Cheek’s par¬ ticipation in this MLK observance as well as his 20 years as president of the university, was presented by Brother John Berry, president of Beta.
Except for the invocation by Brother Lloyd McGriff of Mu Lambda and closing remarks the chapter advisor, the o*. lions of the program ducted by the students tl they read original poetry, historical reflections, led -a of commemoration, held aca. light memorial, and “testi fi e, about the effects of Brother King’;> deeds on their lives. The program took on a“revival-meeting” tone when the Howard University Residence Hall Choir, Inspiration (a beautiful female trio), and the
2
Beta Quartet performed soul¬ stirring renditions; these students melodiously professed their faith and gave thanks for being blessed with the talent to sing the Lord’s praises.
From notes supplied by Brother LeRoy Lowery, 111, Chapter Advisor
Schedule of Activities rBeta)
January 31 Video Night: Minister Farrakhan’s “Countdown to 2000”
February
8“Ethnicity Awareness: Becoming Active Practitioners of our African Culture,” with S.O.Y.S. Keita, M.A., M.D., Howard University Hospital
15 Preparing African-America for the 21sl Century, part I: “The Future of African-Americans in Business and Politics”
22 Prepanng African-America for the 21st Centur)', part II: "Apartheid in the 21st Century” March
Preparing African-America for the 21st Century, part III: “NAACP and the New Black Agenda'
Amandla-8 continued from page 1) Company in marketing and advertising. V
Brother William Anthony 1 Hawkins, Jr. holds two degrees from Howard University and both amasters and Ph.D. in mathemat¬ ics from the University of Michigan. He teaches at the University of the District of Columbia. Born here in Washington, he is married to the former Audrey Mae Wheeler; they have 3children, Ayanna (15), Keita (12), and Okera (9).
Brother Paul Stanton Hoggard received his undergradu¬ ate training in religion at De Pauw University and his graduate educa¬ tion at Hood Theological Seminary. Also born in the District, he is presently ateacher in the Montgomery County Public School System and aminister. He is married to the former Debra Lois Jeffries.
Brother Dan V. Nowell hails from Edenton, North Carolina. A graduate of East Carolina (continued on page 4)
Newsletter Committee
Editor: William D. Thomas (363-7976)
Associate Editors: C.C. Jones (483-3102), Rylan R. Harris (882-4407)
Circulation Manager: Louis A. Ford (723-8592)
The deadline for submission of materials for the March issue is February 16.
Mu Lambda Chapter
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated P.O. Box 1993 Washington, D.C. 20013
'dent President
fding Secretary .surer
^sociate Editor to The Sphinx Chaplain
Education Director
Historian Dean of Pledges
Corresponding Secretary
Financial Secretary Sergeant at Arms
LeRoy Lowery, in (291-3129) Morris Hawkins, Jr. (232-7265)
Robert M. Brown, in (354-8018)
Curtis A. Hunigan (484-4944)
William D. Thomas (363-7976) Father Jerry Hargrove, Jr. (397-2525)
Melvin Clark (526-4662)
William M. Joyner (256-4714)
Lee A. Tyler (723-9220)
Louis A. Ford (723-8592)
Ernest L. Smith (723-7844)
Maryland D. Kemp (583-1261)
^^President'sMessage
(continued from page 1)
Wnumber of young AfricanfAmerican men of college age in prison is greater than the number in college, it will not be so for long; that the killings and arrests will subside when our youth are shown that there are better ways to reach economic goals than stealin’ and dealin’; that it will take more emissaries like Brother King and his fellow civil rights activists to go out and spread the word that all hope is not lost; that it is true that we have come along way, but there is still along way to go; that the Brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha must continue in their quest, in their service to mankind to do their part to spread the message throughout the land, i.e. live up to our motto—“First of all, servants of all, we shall transcend all.”
throughout lime were to have been in vain because we became com¬ placent. What ashame it would be if we lost ground thinking we had won the battle. After Idonated blood to be sampled for possible matching with Miss Jo Anne Johnson, who is aleukemia victim in need of abone marrow trans¬ plant and also the daughter of an Alpha man, Ilearned from abro¬ chure describing the procedure that the transplant involves 5inci¬ sions made in the donor so marrow can be withdrawn in syringes for injection into ihe patient. Those in¬ jections are enough to combat the cancerous cells throughout the pa¬ tient’s entire body. The correlation to the commemoration for Brother King was striking. Do you suppose we could inject the spirit and pride of these young people at Rankin Chapel along with the same from the Brothers of Mu Lambda into body of the
the cancerous Washington metropolitan area? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if those few people could cure all the ills of the community like the bone marrow transplant? Would you give more of your time in service to your Fraternity and your peo¬ ple? If the answer is yes, you can sign up at the next chapter meet¬ ing. Until then, recite the motto daily.
□
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The celebration of Brother King’s birth is an excellent lead into Black History Month. As Shakespeare wrote in the “Tempest”—“What’s past is pro¬ logue.” George Santayana further said, “Those who cannot remem¬ ber the past are condemned to re¬ peat it.” To repeat the past would be to go backwards and Alpha does not allow backward steps. What atragedy it would be if the efforts of Brother King and others National Headquarters Fund Drive
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Brothers E. Avery Adams, Jr. (7); Clarence R. Gordon (18); Morris Hawkins, Jr. (13): Alfred E. Simons, Jr. (14); Frank E. Finder (24); George R. Johnson, Jr. (25);
Tlcher Tape
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Kuciu.^ ^or an outs't'.aiiding pledge and initiation program to Brothers Lee A. Tyler, Dean of Pledges, Herman Queen, Assistant Dean, Steve Tappan, Membership Committee Chairman, and John Roper, "Jewel of the East and chef extraordinaire.... All 3constitutional amendments adopted at the General Convention in San Antonio, Texas last year have been ratified; they dealt with the regional organization, membership, and permanent addresses for chapters Brother Frederick Harris, formerly of Mu Lambda and currently aPh.D. candidate in political science at Northwestern University, published afeature article entitled "Two Black Americas" in the Perspective section of the January 14 Atlanta Journal/Const;,tutlQn *
SEND US YOUR NEWS FOR THE TICKER TAPE 1!CONTACT THE EDITOR OR ftSSpCIATF! FDTTQRS TO SUBMIT NEWS BTTS SUCH AS BIRTHS. MARRIAGES,GRADUATIONS< EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES, ETCL
Calendar
February
Monthly meeting of Mu Lambda Chapter, 7:00 P.M., Blackburn Student Center, Howard University.
Black History Month Presentation, Oak Hill Detention Center, for details contact Brother Thomas A. Duckensfield (829-9305).
V^entine’sDay;leraemberyoursweetheart;serenadeherwiththeAlphaPhi Alpha Girl song (See page L).
District VI Conference, 10 A.M. to 5P.M., University of Maryland, Eastern Shore,PrincessAnne,Maryland.IncludedwillbecompetitionsforCollegeand AlumniMenoftheYear,CollegeandAlumniChaptersoftheYear,andthe Alpha Award of Merit. There will also be an oratorical contest for college Brothers on the theme, “African-Americans, Preparing for the 21st Century: Insuring the Legacy.”
Executive Committee Meeting, 7:00 P.M., 1724 Portal Drive N.W
^r'Axnotd*and'^meiT^^^Chapter,7:00P.M.,BlackburnStudent ^rnmittee, the
1 April 19-22 Eastern Regional Convention, Stamford, Connecticut, Marriott Hotel; more details should be available at the February chapter meeting.
February Meeting
The February 1st chapter meet¬ ing will feature aspecial perfor¬ mance by Brother Recoe Walker, professional actor. This promises to be avery entertaining evening; doni miss It! Also, Brothers who were unable to attend the January meeting will have the opportunity to meet our newly initiated Brothers.
Mu Lambda Chapter
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. P.O. Box 1993
Washington, D.C. 20013
Amandla-8
(continued from page 2)
University, he is currently aper¬ sonnel management specialist with the Department of the Treasury. A bachelor, he is also amember of Alpha Kappa Delta honor society.
Brother Lloyd Mack Royal, Jr. comes from Youngstown Ohio. He holds 2degrees from Howard University including the master of divinity. He is married to the former Harriet D. Cox; they have 3children, Sommer (11), Lloyd, ni (9), and Nicholas (6). He is student tele-marketer for the Smoky Mountain Service for the Virginia State Troopers Association.
Brother Peter Abigle Ugbong was born in Obudu, Cross River State, Nigeria. He holds 3degrees (B.A., M.A., and J.D.) from Howard University. He is aman¬ ager for the Blackburn Student Center at Howard University. His wife is the former Utebeye Victoria Utsu; they have 3chil¬ dren, Ugbong (7), Unimke (6), and Utsu (5 months).
1989-90 Dues
Dues for the 1989-90 fraternal year are $85 for life members and $170 for non-Ilfe members. (The $170 includes a$10 late fee and $75 for the National Grand Tax, which is pro-rated as follows for recently graduated Brothers: 1st year—$37.50; 2nd year—$56.00.) Brother Ernest Smith/ Brother Curtis Hunnigan will accept your check at the February meeting. Dues may also be mailed to Brother Smith at 5730 Blair Road N.W., Washington, D.C. 20011. Please take care of your fraternal obligations now.
rti. USA
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