CHAPTER NEWS
FLORIDA
| BETA BETA LAMBDA CHAPTER
Answering the “Call to Action” by then-General President Everett B. Ward, Beta Beta Lambda Chapter initiated various initiatives and campaigns serving the South Florida community such as My Brother’s Keeper, Census 2020 and partnering with community organizations to provide food and supplies during the pandemic. Some activities included participating in a two-day event at Logos Baptist Church and Rayfield Literacy Center to offer food collection and distribution services; “The Alpha Train – Road to the Polls,” in keeping with the Voteless People Is A Hopeless People” national program to encourage all eligible citizens to vote; continuing it’s “Knights of Gold” mentoring program mentoring more than 40 male students last year from four Miami-Dade and Broward County high schools. In addition, the Florida Federation of Alpha Chapters Virtual District Conference recognized two of the chapter’s Past Presidents Brothers Samuel L. Gray (posthumously) and Joseph S. Gay were inducted into the FFAC’s Hall of Fame and the chapter honored as the FFAC Outstanding Alumni Chapter of the Year (2021).
GEORGIA
| GAMMA OMICRON LAMBDA CHAPTER The Gamma Omicron Lambda Chapter implemented the “Be Kind to Your Body” health initiative in October 2020 in response to the health crisis that was gripping Southwest Georgia and the African American community. More than 30 Brothers and their family members along with centers of influence in Albany and Southwest Georgia participated in the two-month initiative. Participants were required to (Knowledge is Power) read an article that explained how to read nutrition labels, one that explained how to engage in mindful eating as well as at least two health-related articles each week; (Eat To Live) eat nutritious meals and track the number of calories through free tracking app with a recommended consumption of no more than 2,200 calories for men and 1,800 for women daily; (Move To Improve) set goals to bike, run or walk at least five times each week, hopefully completing 8K steps at least five days per week; and lastly, (Sleep To Improve) 44
From the left to right: Brothers Maurice Elliard, Benny Hand. Corey Morgan, Ta’Varis Wilson
asked to get six to eight hours of quality sleep each night and to develop regular sleep patterns. NBC News profiled Omicron Phi Lambda Chapter’s “Chat With The Frat,” a weekly eight-part virtual series that educated its community on the issues surrounding Covid-19 and how it impacts Black lives. Some of the sessions included: An Interdisciplinary Discussion Regarding Covid-19 Crisis with the Community, The Medical Docs Take The Block: What We Know: Facts, Stats, Dispelling Myths; the Role of Faith and the Church During Covid-19 and How to Worship Safely at Home; Public Health Crisis and Risk Communication; Financial Planning: Impact on African American Businesses; and lastly, A Season of Graduations and Celebrations in Times of Covid-19. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, numerous chapters were forced to overcome significant operational challenges. Rho Pi Lambda Chapter was no different as they pivoted its Brotherhood to a virtual world. As a result, the chapter launched regular remote gathering experience, including virtual meetings with partner organizations, Super Bowl Watch party, Debate Watch Parties, as well as other social functions to ensure the true spirit of the Fraternity remained the underpinning of its endeavors. The chapter’s Jack Jenkins Scholarship Drive, they converted the 4th Annual 5K Scholarship race into an interactive virtual event for both 2020 and 2021; delivered and served 100 complimentary lunches to police, fire, and emergency first responders; engaged in social media to mobilize community members to utilize absentee ballots to exercise their right to vote THE SPHINX