BROTHER DR. ROBERT A. JOHNSON
BUILDS
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FUTURE...WITH
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DREAM!
By Brother George W. Brown, Ph.D. n A Statement of Public Policy affirmed and adopted at its 80th Anniversary Convention held in Washington, DC (Building A Future, Dream By Dream -July 31-August 6, 1986), Alpha Phi Alpha, Inc. enthusiastically en-dorsed a new alliance with the Boy Scouts of America.
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The introductory statement referenced the eulogy to the late Brother Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by Brother Huel D. Perkins which states: He gave us so much-but he taught us that we must dream. He taught us that progress can only come from direct confrontation of what is and what ought to be. He taught us that pursuit of justice and equality requires of each of us sacrifice, suffering and struggle. He taught us to believe strongly in ourselves and in each other. He was a mirror of who ive are and what we might becomeifonly we would dream. Echoing the sentiments expressed by Brother Perkins, the alliance states: "In cooperation with an established national endeavor, Alpha Phi Alpha believes that scouting is a program that its Chapters can use to help children become a part of the mainstream of American life. Chapter sponsorship will provide an avenue for bringing scouting to the inner cities and other areas void of a scouting program. With Alpha men as leaders of scouting units, the Black male presence will exist for many of our young people from families where the father is absent. Alpha men can contribute to the scouting program as commissioners, merit badge counselors, finance chairmen and other adult positions." As a notable example of dedication to the dream of building Black men we profile Brother Dr. Robert A. Johnson. Brother Dr. Johnson is a member of Alpha Phi Lambda Chapter, Norfolk, Virginia. He is making a difference as an urban Scoutmaster of Troop 70 that was chartered under the auspices of Grace Episcopal Church in 1996. During just six years this courageous group of young men, with financial support from the Brothers of Alpha Phi Lambda, have honored four Scouts who have been promoted to Eagle Scouts. This is the highest rank in the Boy Scouts of America. This is a remarkable achievement for Troop 70 which carries an average of only twelve active Scouts; when, nationally, only two per-
"A yearfrom note yon may wish you had started today." -Karen Lamb
Siar Seoul Anthony Waifield, Eagle Seoul AlexanderJoh Life Seoul Keith Williamson and Eagle Scout Chase Cowell
cent of the boys who enter scouting reach the rank of Eagle. Furthermore, less than one percent of minority scouts achieve this honor. Brother Johnson attributes this success to good adult leadership and dedication, a quality outdoor program and boys who get it. Boys who have not only learned to take care of themselves in the wilderness, but who have also developed outstanding character through their participation in the scouting program. These exceptional achievements reached a pinnacle on May 28, 1998, while Troop 70 was participating in the Blue Ridge Mountain Hikathon. Eleven year-old Scout Jamal Felton severely injured his ankle. The Troop was two and one-half miles deep in the woods of the Blue Ridge Mountains, ninety minutes before sunset and Jamal was unable to walk in the rugged mountain terrain. Three scouts, Chase Cowell, Travis Holmes and Alexander Johnson took turns carrying Jamal piggy back style for over two miles. They carried him over rugged mountain terrain, marching non-stop, taking only an hour to accomplish this daunting task! Brother Johnson's communication to the Tidewater Council of the Boy Scouts of America Advancement Committee contained this summary:
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