Torch Magazine June 1990

June 1990 Washington, D.C. MU LAMBDA Chapter, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated A® A

Message from the President Morris Hawkins, Jr. Elected To Lead Mu Lambda Into

the

Next Decade

The following officers for the 1990-91 fraternal year were elected at the May chapter meeting: President (363-7976)

Morris Hawkins. Jr. (232-7265)

Vice President Louis A. Ford (723-8592)

state of the Chapter

Time really flies when you are having fun. The past two years have flown by with amazing swift¬ ness. The outgoing administration thanks each of you for the support and participation in Mu Lambda’s activities.

Congratulations to the new administration! The Chapter has chosen its leadership wisely, in our humble opinion. We stand pre¬ pared to offer whatever assistance we can to the new of fi cers.

In the June 1989 issue of this newsletter (then the Alpha Newsletter) Igave an assessment of of the “State of the Chapter”. Since then, agreat deal of water has flowed over the “dam,” so an update is in order. Building on the momentum that was generated in the past, Mu Lambda Brothers de¬ scended on San Antonio, Texas in July of 1989 for the 83rd Anniversary Convention. Putting its collective energies together, led by Brothers Julius Brice and Thomas Brackeen, our then-vice President, Louis W. Buck, was (continued on page 3)

Founders (Omega Chapter)

Henry A. Callis

Charles H. Chapman

Recording Secretary Robert M. Brown III

Associate Editor to the Sphinx and Mu Lambda Torch Editor William D. Thomas

Chaplain

Father Jerry E. Hargrove (397-2525)

Education Director Clinton C. Jones III (483-3102)

Historian (354-8018)

Corresponding Secretary Harold W. Hill Jr. (332-4423)

Financial Secretary Benjamin J. Carson III (546-8704)

Elmer D. Geathers (547-2625)

Dean of Pledges Herman L. Queen (397-8821)

Sergeant at Arms Maryland D. Kemp (583-1261)

Treasurer Curtis A. Hunigan (484-4944) □

June Meeting

Delegates to the 84th Anniversary Convention will be elected at the June 7th Chapter meeting: don’t miss this opportunity to regis¬ ter your choice. Remember to bring an inactive Brother along to share this evening of fellowship. Senior Brothers who do not drive at night would greatly appreciate aride to the meeting.

May Attendance

Six visiting Brothers were introduced at the May meeting: Brothers Cuttie Baker (Beta Mu ‘82); Luther Falls (Omicron Lambda Alpha); Julius Hall (Alpha Mu 78); Albert Morris (Gamma Eta ‘57): Raymond A. Pla (Alpha Chi ‘58); and Charles Robinson (Alpha Omicron ‘68). □

Brother Henry C. Gregory, III , afourth-generation Baptist clergy¬ man entered Omega Chapter 'on Sunday April 29. Born in New York, he grew up in West Virginia, where his father pastored churches in Kimball and Clarksburg. Agraduate of Howard University, where he was initiated into Beta Chapter, Brother Gregory received aMaster of Divinity degree from Drew University and another one from Harvard University. He completed further studies at Oxford University in England.

Brother Gregory began his pas¬ toral responsibilities'’ at Shiloh Baptist Church (New Site) in Fredericksburg, Virginia. He served five years ^s Senior Minister at the Fifth Street Baptist Church in Richmond Virginia. Under his leadership, the church built aleper colony in Karnal, India. In 1973, he became the fifth pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., which was founded in 1863 by freed slaves. As aresult of his leadership, Shiloh provides awide range of services to the church and the community. Ahighlight of Brother Gregory’s tenure at at Shiloh is the Family Life Center, which opened in 1982, and pro¬ vides activities to strengthen the physical, spiritual, and social v'cllbeing of the families in the com¬ munity. Other noteworthy pro¬ grams include outreach ministries pertaining to literacy, investment, housing and health care, as well as specialized programs such as the Black Male Youth Enhancement Program,the Child Development Center, and aSenior Center for the Hearing Impaired.

His ministry extended world¬ wide. He preached in India, Korea, Scotland, the U.S.S.R., New Zealand, Israel, and Sierra Leone. In 1988 he led several hundred Shiloh members and friends on a page 2

Brother Henry C. Gregory. Ill

10-day pilgrimage to Israel.

Brother Gregory also taught classes and lectured at Howard University, Virginia Union Univ¬ ersity, and McCormick Theo¬ logical Seminary in Chicago. He served as chairman of the theological commission of the National Baptist Convention USA for over adecade. He had served on the governing board of the National Council of Churches and

the budget committee of the Baptist World Alliance. He chaired

Metropolitan Operation Push board. He was also amember of the board of the Washington Urban League. Brother Gregory was the recipient of numerous awards, including a“Washing¬ tonian of the Year” award fro*!!! Washingtonian magazine, “Pastor of the Year” award from WYCBAM radio station, as well as awards from the AFL-CIO and Harvard University.

Brother Gregory was agentle man of wisdom, vision, and quiet eloquence in the finest Alpha tra¬ dition. He is lovingly remembered by his wife, Muriel; his daughter, Lisa Michelle; his son. Henry Clayton, IV; his parents, Rev. and Mrs. Henry C. Gregory, Jr.; and a sister, Lois Thompson.

Newsletter Committee

the Washington □

Editor: William D. Thomas (363-7976)

Associate Editors: C.C. Jones (483-3102), Ryland R. Harris (882-4467)

Circulation Manager: Louis A. Ford (723-8592)

The deadline for submission of materials for the September issue is August 23.

Mu Lambda Chapter

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated P.O.Box 1993 Washington, D.C. 20013

President

Vice President

Recording Secretary Treasurer

Associate Editor to The Sphinx

Chaplain

Education Director

Historian

Dean of Pledges ;

Corresponding Secretary

Financial Secretary

Sergeant at Arms

LeRoy Lowery. Ill

Morris Hawkins, Jr. (232-7265)

Robert M. Brown, III (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)

1989-90 Dues

Dues tor the 1989-90 fraternal year are $85 for life members and $170 for non-life 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 June 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.

President’s Message

(continued from page 1)

nominated and elected General Comptroller of the Fraternity. This was quite afeat, because Brother Buck started late and faced awell-organized effort by the other candidates. Not only did he win convincingly, but he has implemented sorely needed re¬ forms into the headquarters admin¬ istration. Mu Lambda’s loss was the Fraternity’s gain!

Correcting along-standing oversight. Brother John Johnson got th^ Boy Scouts of America Committee up and running. Together with Beta Chapter, they have worked with aTroop and served on the Banneker District Scouting Committee. Brother George Johnson and Harold Hill conducted aProject Alpha pro¬ gram in May to continue that spe¬ cial project.

Tidier Tape

Pie LamtDda

The Leadership Develop¬ ment Institute Committee (LDI) conducted its annual program in June with over 80 participants from throughout the Eastern Region. A letter from aparticipant was re¬ ceived in July, which read “....I am writing to let you know how much Ienjoyed the Leadership Seminar at Howard University. It was a worthwhile experience, not just be¬ cause Igot ataste of how college life is, but because the seminars taught me how to prepare myself for the future. Thank you for not making us feel like we were being lectured to. Personally. Icould re¬ late to what the people were talking about because they didn't stand in front of us and lecture. Instead, they seemed to really care about our futures as possible Black lead¬ ers. The extra activities such as the pool party ,the dance, and the tour made the experience even more en¬ joyable. Again, Iwant to say thank you and Iwish you good luck for

your future seminars. Sincerely yours, Tia Harris.” Small wonder, that after reading words like that, that the LDI feels the need to con¬ tinue its work creating amore meaningful program each year. Kudos to Brothers Vernon X. Smith ,Maurice White, Robert Brown, III, Ben Carson, Harold Hill, Robert Warren, William Joyner, and Herbert Hunter (OHL); they made the chairman's work easier.

The Headquarters Fund Drive, with Chapter oversight pro¬ vided by Brother Julius Brice, is alive but in need of more help. Ten of our members were cited at the Eastern Regional Convention for having donated $300 or more. We still should work towards 100% participation by all of Mu Lambda.

The Mu Lambda Torch, created and edited by Brother William D. Thomas continues to provide area-wide Fraternal news ' in atimely and professional man.Copies of this scribe have been seen in homes in Philadelphia. It can only become belter as Brothers submit more ar¬ ticles, news bits, etc.

The Social Committee, chaired by Brother Rodman Turner, conducted not one, but two dances this past fraternal year. While the fi nancial data from the (continued on page 4)

The Eastern Region Leadership Development Institute will be conducted at Howard University from June 28 through July 1. High school students, male or female, may be nominated for the program. Forward your nominations to Brother Vernon X. Smith at 291-4376 Kudos to Brother Earl Jones for his photos taken at the Henry Arthur Callis Scholarship Ball in April; these prints accompanied Evelyn Horad' scolumn on the affair in the Washington Afro-American.

SEND US YOUR NEWS FOR THE TICKER TAPE 11CONTACT THE NEWSLETTER COMMITTEE TO SUBMIT NEWS BITS SUCH AS BIRTHS. MARRIAGES. GRADUATIONS, EMPLOYMENT □ OPPORTUNITIES. ETC.

President’s Message

(continued from page 3)

spring affair is not yet complete, judging from the attendance, both affairs were financial and social suc¬ cesses. The Fundraising Committee chaired by Brother Ryland Harris will endeavor to supplement the scholarship contri¬ butions of the Social Committee next year. Along the way it will also provide an opportunity to extend camaraderie and increase fellowship as the Brothers attend the activities.

The benefactor of the afore¬ mentioned committees is the Callis Scholarship Fund. This fund, chaired by Brother Frederick Laney, continues doing ayeoman’s job assisting young high school graduates to make their dreams of a college education areality. The pro¬ ceeds from the dances make up a portion of the scholarship funds. The remainder comes from direct donations from Brothers. The fund has donated $54,000 in scholarships over the last four years. It is never too late for your contribution.

June

LeRoy Lowery, III (5), William R, Spaulding (15), Harold W, Hill, Jr, (17), Earle Jones (21), Edward G. Taylor (24), Walter Daniel (26). Elmer F. Mitchell (26)

July

Irven Washington (8). Je- ry L Williamson (10). J. Leon Langhorne (28)

August

Edgar S. Burke (8), Thurlow E. Tibbs (8), Damon Larry (9), Theodore E. Taylor (11), Charles E. Morgan (13), J. Rupert Picott (25), Wendell P. Gardner, Jr (28), Arnold TJones (29)

Please make sure that the ^ Corresponding Secretary has your birth month and day for inclusion in our data base,

page 4

The Program Committee, under the stewardship of Brother Morris Hawkins, President-elect, sustained the tradition of bringing speakers with amessage to^our meetinES. In addition, the Fellowsliip and Paraphernalia Night was repeated with even more success than ast year. Also, the 25and 50-ycar Brothers were honored in avery touching ceremony that be fi tted their stature.

Our 1989 Pledge Line, Amandia 8, the first initiates in al¬ most two years, made afine addi¬ tion to the Brotherhood. For one of their line projects in December, they took hot coffee and food to homeless persons sleeping out¬ doors. They also assisted Brother Steve Tappan in kicking off the Oak Hill Boys Detention Center Visitation Project In other words, they hit the ground running in true Alpha fashion. Brothers Lee Tyler and Herman Queen were ereat in accomodating the new 2-week )ledge program, the first in the Eastern Region.

In the true spirit of fraternalism, we worked with the area chap¬ ters in the annual Founders Day observance at the Howard University Divinity School. Brother Morris Hawlans co-chairs

the Washington Area Chapters of Alpha that expects to do more joint programs.

UolunteersHelp!!!

are needed to maintain and seruice the refreshment bar at our monthly meetings. If you would like to help by purchasing supplies, bartending, etc., please contact Brother LeRoy Lowery.

many pertinent programs at UI^| TheseyoungBrothersandthoseol Beta Chapter represent the future oi our fraternity. With more like them, the traditions of Alpha Phi Alpha will live on!

One of the highest points of the year came at the District VI Conference at the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore. There the indomitable Beta-Mu Lambda team took all the awards that were available —College Chapter of the Year (Beta), College Brother of the Year (John Berry), Alumni Chapter of the Year, Alumni Brotner of the Year, and Alpha Man of Merit (Thadeus Taylor, whom we “share” with lUL). The plaques were not the important fea¬ ture of winning the competition; it was the feeling of accomplishment of having been recognized by one's jeers for excelling. We trust the janner will be held even higher next year, and many years to come. Beta Chapter won the Regional compe¬ tition and will be standing tall in Miami Beach. Brother Njisane Omawale of Beta was handily elected Assistant Vice President: he will undoubtedly perform in the highest tradition of Alphadom.

The final “high” for the team came when the new administration was elected in May. It was truly in¬ spiring to see the mix of the age of our incoming officers. The homogeBrother Louis Harding con- neity of our new leaders should tinues to advise Omicron Omicron serve us well for many decades to Chapter, which has conducted come. Desire and willingness can overcome or, at least, minimize the shortfalls of inexperience. Wisdom does not automatically com.e with maturity, just as inerudition and dil¬ ettantism are not necessarily synon¬ ymous with youth. To each of you we pledge to stand with you every step of the way, contributing as much as possible. We think Mu Lambda is in good hands.

Thank you, Brothers, for the faith you demonstrated in 1988, the :jpport you have continuously p ided since then, and the well jwishes you bestow now. It was truly an exhilarating time. □

REGISTRATION &AGIVITY FEES

■ Tune

7 Monthly meeting of Mu Lambda Chapter, 7:00 P.M., Blackburn Student Center. Howard University.

16

Sixth Annual Banquet, Concerned Black Men with Dr. Franklyn Jenifer, President of Howard University as keynoter; for tickets ($45) contact Brother Hiram Brett at 829-3761.

28-7/1 Eastern Regional Leadership Development Institute, Howard University; to nominate high school students (male or female) call Brother Vernon X. Smith at 291-4376.

National Headquarters Fund Drive August

2-8 84th Anniversary General Convention, Miami Beach; see flier in this newsletter. 'iou/r S/OO toov'e/rcUte.‘, ch/z^ok. Co

September

6 Monthly meeting of Mu Lambda Chapter, 7:00 P.M., Blackburn Student Center. Howard University.

P.O. /Sot- S3V/7 /CU/noi^ 606S3'9?98.

^0: Support the rliifjry AvlhU't Qti])ll; hoJtif-ljhjp Fund by sending your taxdeductible contributions to Brother Frederick Laney, 1834 Shepherd St., N.W., Wash-ington, D.C. 20015. Your generosity is most appreciated, for example, see the grateful response from apast recipient in fast month's Torch.

Mu Lambda Chapter

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. P.O. Box 1993

Washington, D.C, 20013