EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S
LETTER
ALPHA CARES
B
rothers from across the country and around the world have traveled to the nation's capital to deliberate and to celebrate the concepts of manly deeds, scholarship and love for all mankind as Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity convenes its 91st Anniversary Convention. The challenges faced by the Fraternity's Seven Jewels at the organization's founding in 1906—and later by other early Alpha pioneers—are not much different than the challenges we face today in our inner cities and suburban centers, and in the entrepreneurial and corporate world. The statement "Alpha Cares" is one that some might proclaim loudly and with an exclamation point. Others may seek to put a question mark behind the statement. Our Fraternity Preamble developed by those courageous, early pioneers instructs us on community service—and what we should be doing and how we should be going about the business of Alpha. Ultimately, we will be the greatest benefactors of our service. The challenges of the next millennium will put Alpha's 90-plus years of leadership to the test. Issues involving economic development, empowerment, disenfranchised communities, racism—all these are challenges we must boldly face. We must continue our move forward, all the while knowing that in the end our "head (may be) bloody but yet unbowed". We must take an honest look at our human resources and relationships and realize that cultivation of these things can also serve as our tools in battle and our armor as we set forth to conquer the new day. We also must evaluate our human resources in our Corporate Headquarters, our Regional and District structures, and most importandy in our community based business units, i.e. our Chapters. For too long the Fraternity existed with a handful of Brothers carrying the load for a multitude of men initiated into the ranks of our beloved Alpha Phi Alpha. Too many who have been initiated have been allowed to conveniently stake their claim. Now is the time to reclaim those Brothers. Now is the time to explain to new aspirants the real mission of this august body. The SPHINX™ ~ Summer 1997
We fight daily for human and fiscal resources that will enable us to stay in the battle and win the good fight. African-Americans have moved into many new arenas of American life. Many of our own members now head organizations where membership was once denied them. I applaud and encourage the many men who wear Alpha Phi Alpha to be involved in organizational leadership—just as our founders were at the turn ofthe century. I also suggest that the light of Alpha Phi Alpha continue to guide your life, your family relations and your community service. The Alpha Phi Alpha network is strong. Our mission is great. When we leave Washington—renewed by our deliberations and the Brotherhood encountered there—we will have a greater understanding of the magnanimous mission before us in the establishment of a memorial to our Brother Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We must leave the 91 st Anniversary Convention in Washington, D.C. re-energized and better prepared to share the vision ofThe Light Of A New Day. I look forward with great anticipation to our future. I celebrate our renowned past and invite you to join me in this enthusiasm.
Hebrew L. Dixon III Executive Director