THE WALL ST. ALPHA REPORT The official Wall Street Alphas newsletter, Kappa Xi Lambda Chapter, NYC
October / November 2007
Vol. 1, No. 2
Think Black! By Bro. Tony Johnson Earlier this year, in the early planning stages for the 3rd Annual Masquerade Ball, I began hearing comments of how brothers had “masquerade fatigue”. This is after two well attended masquerade events! Consequently, the committee took those comments into consideration and asked what we could do to have an updated contemporary social event but retain the element of sophistication and class that you would expect from a black tie function. After much thought, THINK BLACK! was born. No black tie, no formal wear, no masks. Just Black. All Black attire. This upscale event is now a modern urban affair designed for the purpose of elegance yet comfort. Lotus (409 W. 14th Street), in the meat packing district is the perfect location to host this year’s fall event. Asian urban inspired with Thai influenced cuisine make for an exciting evening of dancing, food, cocktails and most of all, giving. This year’s beneficiary is the American Cancer Society’s Prostate Cancer Initiative. Medical studies confirm that all African-African men are at a higher risk of contracting prostate cancer than all other races. We need to get checked early, most data suggests beginning at about age 40. Many of us have had friends or relatives live with it and it’s great to know it’s a totally treatable form of cancer when detected early. Continued on page 11
President’s Letter Greetings to my brothers of KXL and all brothers of Alpha! The fraternal year has begun in earnest and we find ourselves very busy with activities in and out of our chapter. On October 5th, the chapter will celebrate its Fifth Anniversary of re-chartering. It is a time for celebration because when I entered the chapter in the spring of 2004, there were approximately seven financial brothers at that time. Today, I am proud to say we have built upon what the re-chartering members started. I am beginning my second term as President and we have grown over those years to close to sixty brothers. The growth in our membership and programming has been tremendous. However, there is cause for reflection because of how far we still need to go and how much work we as a chapter and national organization still need to complete. As you all know, recently the fraternity was brought to its golden days of activism with a demand for justice and equal protection and application of the law. With the events of Jena, Louisiana, the fraternity and our esteemed Continued on Page 2
Inside this Edition 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9
President’s Letter Editor’s Report Think Black! African Burial Ground National Monument Financial Focus – Subprime Mortgage Loans Alpha Outrage – General President Matthews MLK Memorial Update and the Dream Concert 7 Questions – VP Jacques Etienne
Contact Us: WSANews@gmail.com
A moment of tribute at the Dream Concert held at Radio City Music Hall on September 18. Learn more about the Fraternity’s drive to fund and build the King Memorial on page 4.
1