Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote "Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year. He only is rich who owns the day, and no one owns the day who allows it to be invaded with worry, fret and anxiety. Finish every day and be done with it. This day is all that is good and fair. It is too dear to waste a moment on the yesterdays" and this seems to have been the philosophy of Brother (Dr.) L. L. MELTON of Beaumont, Texas. Brother Melton is a native of Louisiana and spent his childhood in Abbeville before his late father, Nicholas Melton, moved across the Sabine River into the Lone Star State -Texas. Dr. Melton's life history reads like a book of fiction; He has a long list of achievements, many of them only recently made known, that stand as living testimonials to "his life of dedicated service to his fellowmen." Through service to his fellowmen, Dr. Melton, without "fanfare," has made his world about him a better place for all mankind and he believes that "this is the true meaning of brotherhood." As a practicing dentist, Brother Melton has made his contributions to the health and welfare of all seeking his professional service or advice. But, we are not to "praise him for his achievements as a dentist, because that is his chosen life's work," and even here we could point out his work in his local, state and national dentalaffiliated organizations, which certainly would be testimonials to both his personality and training received at the Howard University Dental School, but looking further into his life we find that through the years "he has been concerned about the progress of his people and better race relations." In a recent interview released by one of Beaumont's Daily papers, which praised him as "a born leader seeking no acclaim, no fanfares. Because of what he is and has done this Beaumont dentist has won a community's great respect," it was reported that where Brother Melton admits that integration has brought about changes which he never dreamed he'd see, as the right for all men to vote, the opening of doors to eating places which had always been closed in the faces of blacks. But Dr. Melton doesn't see the integration matter worked out in his life time. He had this to say about the overall picture - "Man's heart is not integrated. If his heart is integrated everything else will follow. I doubt that I'll live to see it. The consciousness of race and color still lives within us." Brother Melton is an advocate of 16
organizational support and participation. In the truest sense he is "an activist" and not a "loner." He is people oriented and his greatest joy is "fellowshipping with his fellowmen" be they in his masonic order, veterans' organizations, his college fraternity, dental and scientific groups, the YMCA or Prince Hall Shriners. Dr. Melton is a thirty-third degree Prince Hall Mason and is Deputy Imperial Potentate of the Shriners (A.E.A.O.N.M.S.) and next year will see him as the highest officer, that of Imperial Potentate. Alpha Phi Alpha has meant much to Brother Melton through the years. His fraternity has been as dear to him as has been his very charming wife, Bessie Young, whom he married in 1 9 3 1 . Although they have no children, Laddie, as most of his friends call him, is "Uncle Cabbage" to boys and girls across this country. Now, what are some of those monuments that stand as testimonials to him - "A year ago when the Neches Street YMCA dedicated a new facility it was endowed with the name "L. L Melton Family, YMCA;" at his alma mater, the grid record of four undefeated seasons still stands; in New Orleans are found a number of football and baseball stars he coached while at Straight College (now Dillard University); he introduced indoor basketball to New Orleans; he formed the Dorie Miller American Legion Post and served as commander in Beaumont; he was the second black king in Neches River Festival and was one of the originators of the Beaumont Goodwill Council. L. L. Melton has been a living testimonial of what "manly deeds can do and accomplish when they are dedicated to upliftment." L. L. Melton is an ALPHA man!
Brother JAMES R. TANNER is Assistant Superintendent for Corriculum and Instruction for the Cleveland (Ohio) S c h o o l S y s t e m . Brother Tanner became the first Black to be appointed to such a position in the State of Ohio when he assumed the position nine years ago. His exemplary record and dedication have since paved the way for others across the state to hold important administrative positions. Brother Tanner has experienced almost every phase of the educational arena, having served as a classroom teacher, counselor, educational planner, administrator, and a college instructor. He was educated at Wilberforce University, The University of Chicago and Teachers College, Columbia University. Dr. Tanner is engaged in a number of special projects, including serving as a Consultant for the United States Office of Education. Appointed by the Governor of Ohio to the Ohio Educational Television Network Commission, Brother Tanner is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Cleveland Guidance Center and the Board of Overseers of Case Western Reserve University. He is a member of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, American Association of School Administrators, Phi Delta Kappa, and the Wilberforce University Alumni Association. An outstanding civic leader, Brother Tanner serves on the Advisory Councils of the Natural Science Museum of Cleveland and Booth Memorial Hospital and is a member of the Rotary Club, Citizens League, Board of The Hiram House, and St. James AME Church. Brother Tanner is a member of Delta Alpha Lambda Chapter, where he served as Chapter President (1963-65). He and his wife, Alma, are the parents of four children and are residents of Cleveland. Brother JAMES R. WILLIS, JR. has begun a promising career in pharmaceutical sales with the Upjohn Company's St. Louis office. Brother Willis earned his B.A. degree in Pre-medicine and Social Work at the University of Miami-Coral Gables (Florida) and in 1974 completed classroom requirements toward his Masters Degree in Rehabilitation and Counseling. He has also served three years in the United States Air Force in Vietnam as a Medical Corpsman. Brother Willis was initiated into Eta Delta at the university of Miami, Coral Gables. The Sphinx / May 1975