gil scholarship journal

The Brothers of

present

the 2011 Scholarship Banquet Spring Formal

Saturday, May 28, 2011 Leonard’s of Great Neck

“

Now is the accepted time, not tomorrow, not some more

convenient season. It is today that our best work can be done and not some future day or future year. It is today that we fit ourselves for the greater usefulness of tomorrow.

Today is the seed time, now are the hours of work, and tomorrow comes the harvest and the playtime.”

— W. E. B. DuBois Notable Alpha, 1909

THE G.I.L. SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

R

ooted in the aims of our Fraternity, “Scholarship” has always been a strongly embraced foundational mantra within the Gamma Iota Lambda Chapter. For several years our chapter’s Endowment Fund has offered scholarships to deserving high school seniors in the Brooklyn/Long Island Community. These scholarships provide much needed financial assistance to students wishing to further their education at the collegiate level. As a chapter we embrace and hold true to the notion that knowledge is power. We, through this scholarship and many other endeavors, aim with great ardor and pride to empower the youth within our community.

EVENT PROGRAM Cocktails and Hors d’Oeuvres Welcome Address Brother President Christopher Burks

Dinner Introduction of Master of Ceremony Brother President Christopher Burks Brother Robert Massey

Master of Ceremony Brother President Christopher Burks

Honorees Presentation Brother President Christopher Burks Brother Robert Massey Members of the Scholarship Banquet Committee

Raffle Drawing Brother Allen Wright Brother Charles L. Winslow

Acknowledgements Brother President Christopher Burks

Closing Remarks Brother Clarence Little

G E T TO K N OW T H E FAC E S O F G . I . L .

PROUDLY CELEBRATES

66 YEARS OF SERVICE TO BROOKLYN AND LONG ISLAND! www.gil1906.com

G.I.L. CHAPTER LEADERSHIP 2011 President Christopher Burks

Immediate Past President Floyd Mitchell

Secretary Linwood Winslow

Treasurer Robert Brissett

Financial Secretary Clarence Little

Sergeant-at-Arms James C. Brown

Historian Ernie Jolly

Chaplain Joseph Grant

Chapter Dean James Salnave

Dir. of Education Ray Gittens

Assoc. Editor of The Sphinx Robert Massey

Parliamentarian Frank Espinal

s s e l e t o V A s i e l Peop s s e l e p o H a e l p o Pe The Brothers of Gamma Iota Lambda Chapter understand the importance of voter education. We are committed to the continued empowerment of African-Americans through political voice. Our initiatives will continue to reflect the belief that education raises awareness and gives us all hope.

A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT Dear Brothers, Family and Friends;

W Iota Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, elcome to the 2011 Scholarship Banquet of the Gamma

Incorporated. We thank you for joining us. This is an exciting time, as we celebrate our 66th anniversary of service to the Brooklyn and Long Island communities, which is why we are also known as, the “Brooklyn-Long Island Alphas.” The Scholarship Banquet — formerly known as the Spring Formal — is our unofficial start of summer. We couldn’t think of a better way to usher in the relaxed days of the season than a celebratory gala that affords us the opportunity to empower some of our young citizens.

After all, service and goodwill are the the goal of every Alpha. Throughout the year, G.I.L. chapter programs are proof of this goal. In 2010, we kicked off the chapter year with a Fun Walk around Prospect Park in Brooklyn, where we distributed bottled water, energy bars and recipe cards to promote healthy living. This year we initiated the Voteless People is a Hopeless People national program in the form of our Greeks Talk Politics public policy forum. This event was created in conjunction with our Brothers in the Delta Chi college chapter. In implementing this program we distributed voter education materials, and brought together elected officials (who also happened to be members of the various Greekletter organizations) and their constituents to engage in a healthy exchange of ideas.

Our 2011 B.O.O.T. Camp mentor program, which is a combination of the fraternity’s Project Alpha and Go-To-High School-Go-To-College national programs, continually reached young men and offered them perspectives of the world that are broader than their classroom studies permit. Also this year, we implemented the Brother’s Keeper program, which provides support and assistance to sick and home-bound Brothers and their families. This year we will also incorporate a Family Health Day program in partnership with the Delta Rho Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, which will bring together community members and their families to learn about preventing illnesses (e.g., diabetes, prostate cancer, hypertension) which disproportionately impact communities of color.

In summary, we have collaborated with numerous organizations in the Brooklyn and Long Island communities. Our social events are fundraisers where proceeds underwrite our community service programs. As the year continues, we will continue to host successful mixers and fundraisers in community venues. It is our distinct honor to award scholarships to deserving college-bound high school seniors, and to recognize community leaders for their tireless efforts.

Yours in Service, Christopher Burks, President Gamma Iota Lambda Chapter Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated (“Brooklyn-Long Island Alphas”)

COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP STANDING & AD HOC Executive Board Christopher Burks

Budget and Finance Robert Brissett

Social

Frank Espinal

Financial Secretary Clarence Little

Juneteenth Celebration Robert Massey

Nominating

Dr. William Rivers

Membership

Quentin Brathwaite

Constitutional and By-law Committee Olliver Davis

Reclamation Robert Massey

Awards & Recognition Charles Richardson

ANCILLARY LEADERSHIP

Gamma Iota Lambda Endowment Fund President Dr. William Rivers

Delta Chi Presiden Handel Edwards

Kappa Rho President Nick Allen

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SCHOLARSHIP AWARD RECIPIENT JARED ATCHISON

J

ared is a purposeful and mature young man who has a proven track record of success.

From his academic achievements to his athletic accomplishments and from his leadership roles to his community service work, he exemplifies all of the attributes of a well-grounded individual.

As one of the entrants in a county-wide Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Essay Contest, he submitted a most compelling essay of how the life of Dr. King had an impact on him. Not only was it well-written, but the personal example he gave showed a picture of a young male who knows the history of a struggle and has used it to plan a better life for himself and others.

Thusly, the committee unanimously chose him as the first place contest winner.

As an active member of a high school Red Cross Club, Jared has demonstrated his leadership abilities in many of the fundraising efforts. Those who spend time in his presence can attest to his intelligence, dedication and stellar organizational skills.

He is task-oriented and focused on his career preparation, but also committed to helping the underserved community.

"As a retired high school principal, I can honestly say that [Jared Atchison] has one of the most extensive vitaes I have ever seen of any student encountered in my career." —Wilma Holmes Tootle, Chairman Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration Youth and Education Committee

HONOREE: JOHN L. SAMPSON

S

enator John Llewllyn Sampson, Leader of the Democratic Conference was elected to the New York State Senate in 1996. He represents the 19th Senatorial District which encompasses Canarsie, East Flatbush, Parts of Brownsville, Crown Heights, East New York, portions of Old Mill Basin, Spring Creek Towers, and parts of Midwood and Kensington in Brooklyn.

Senator Sampson was born in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, to American and Guyanese parents.

At the age of two, he moved to the Brownsville/East Flatbush section of Brooklyn with his family, where he grew up. Senator Sampson was educated in New York City’s Public School 233, and in 1983 he graduated from Tilden High School in Brooklyn. John received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 1987 from Brooklyn College of the City University of New York. While in college, he was employed as a paralegal for the Corporation Counsel of the City of New York.

Following his graduation from Brooklyn College, Senator Sampson worked for Proskauer, Rose, Goetz & Mendelsohn as a litigation assistant. In 1988, he enrolled at Albany Law School. During his studies there, he worked with the Department of Environmental Conservation until his graduation in 1991.

In April 1992, Senator Sampson was admitted to the New York Bar, at which time he became a staff attorney for the Legal Aid Society of New York, representing clients in administrative and housing court proceedings. In 1993, he joined the firm of Alter and Barbaro, Esqs., where he represented clients in Real Estate, Criminal and Election matters. Presently, Senator is a partner in a law firm of Gail A Adams & Associates, with an office in Brooklyn, New York.

As an active participant in community affairs, the Senator has conducted free legal clinics and represented candidates in election matters before the New York Supreme Court. He is a member of several political organizations, including the New Era Community Democratic Club, New Era PAC, and the Rosetta Gatson Democratic Club.

In acknowledgment of his many achievements, John has been recognized by the Office of President, Borough of Brooklyn, City of New York, and is the recipient of numerous awards from many organizations, including: The Legal Aid Society; The Kings County Housing Court Bar Association; 100 Women for Justice; Metropolitan Jewish Health System; the Mid-Bedford Lions; the Greater New York Business League; the Outstanding Young American Award; and the Congressional Legal Service Award. The Senator is also a member of the Board of Trustees of Albany Law School. He is a former member of the Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center Board of Trustees, and is currently a member of the Brooklyn Bar Association and other distinguished legal organizations.

Senator Sampson has the distinction of being the first African American to serve as the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. He is also Chair of the Senate Ethics Committee and the Senate Administrative Regulations Review Commission. Senator Sampson is also the Deputy Majority Leader for State/Federal Relations.

As Chair of the Judiciary Committee, Senator Sampson conducted the confirmation hearings for Chief Justice of the New York Court of Appeals, Judge Jonathan Lippman. Senator Sampson is committed to improving diversity within the New York State Court System calling for more hirings of minorities and women for judgeships.

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HONOREE: BERNARDA A. VILLALONA Assistant District Attorney | Senior Trial Attorney Office of the District Attorney, Kings County

M

s. Villalona currently serves as Prosecutor for the Homicide Bureau at the Office of the District Attorney, Kings County, New York. The youngest of 17 Prosecutors assigned to the Homicide Bureau, Villalona has also worked in the Rackets Division where she conducted investigations into various types of crimes and also in a Trial Zone. Since working in the office, she has completed 15 jury trials.

As Prosecutor, Villalona represents “the People” — those of whom have been directly affected by crime — and the People of the State of New York in general, who should not have to live with such crime.

In every case she seeks justice. For her, public service is not an intriguing adventure or a noble gesture; it is a life’s work carved out of the inexorable and inextricable problems forged by crime, race and poverty. She is determined to tackle both large social problems and small injustices because she has lived with each. Villalona’s drive to compose a career in public service fulfills the commitment she made to herself as a young girl to stop complaining about the world and instead start fixing it.

Having grown up in Brooklyn’s public housing, been raised by a single mom and attended public school, Villalona has experienced poverty, violence and racism firsthand. Surmounting those challenges, she went on to become the first person in her family to graduate high school and, subsequently, college. Fueled by her life experiences and determined to give a voice to the voiceless, Ms. Villalona achieved her childhood dream of becoming a lawyer.

Upon graduating from law school, Villalona moved to Philadelphia to join the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office in its fight for justice. While at the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, she covered a multitude of trials for various crimes including drug sales, gun possession, rapes, shootings, robberies, burglaries, and theft cases. As a result of her relentlessness in her fight for justice, she received the Pennsylvania Coalition of Victim Advocates Prosecutor of the Year Award awarded in April, 2006. She remains the youngest recipient of this award to date, especially notable since she had at the time served less than two years in office.

Aside from her career in public service, Ms. Villalona is very active in her community. She teaches Legal Lives to 5th graders at her former elementary school, P.S. 397. She was the Vice President of Programs for the Metropolitan Black Bar Association. She organizes Mock Trial competitions for high school students throughout NYC. Additionally, she is a proud and active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Delta Rho Omega Chapter in Brooklyn.

She actively serves on the Emerging Young Leaders program, which serves 30 young ladies in grades six through eight.

In her continued pursuit of justice for the People, Ms. Villalona aspires to work for the United States Attorney General’s Office and later become a New York State Supreme Court Judge.

Delta Love

Karen A. Abdul Coleen Cohen Lena Green Sonya Tennell

Congratulate the Brothers of GAMMA IOTA LAMBDA CHAPTER ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY, INC. On their

2011 Annual Scholarship Banquet (Spring Formal)

HONOREE: KEVIN P. WARDALLY SVP for Political & Government Affairs | Bill Lynch Associates

K

evin P. Wardally is the Senior Vice President for Political and Government Affairs at Bill Lynch Associates, LLC (BLA) – a national political consulting and lobbying firm. In his role, Mr. Wardally has the responsibility of providing strategic development, leadership and counsel to BLA’s clients which range from corporations, not-for-profit organizations, political candidates, labor organizations and community based groups.

Since joining the BLA team, Mr. Wardally’s work has included: helping steward Columbia University through New York City’s ULURP process by developing and garnering both community and government support for the successful re-zoning of 35 acres in West Harlem – this was one of the largest development projects in the City’s history; the successful election of Congressman Keith Ellison – the first African-American from Minnesota and the first Muslim ever elected in the U.S. Congress; he continues to serve as the lead strategist/campaign manager for New York State Senator Malcolm Smith, the Democratic Leader of State Senate; and provided strategy and analysis for the creation of radio and print ads for the successful re-election of US Senator Hillary Clinton. Most recently in 2009 he lead the efforts as chief strategist to successfully elect John Liu New York City Comptroller (the first Asian elected citywide official in NYC) and Cy Vance Manhattan DA (the first new Manhattan DA in over 35 years). In 2010 he led BLA’s efforts to help re-elect Congressman Charles Rangel and elect Eric Schneiderman NY State Attorney General, Kirsten Gillibrand U.S. Senator and Andrew Cuomo NY State Governor.

Before joining BLA, Mr. Wardally began his political career in the office of Congressman Charles B. Rangel, where he honed his skills. He then worked for the New York City Council for nearly a decade. There he diligently worked his way up the ranks as Senior Political Advisor, Director of the Member Services Division and eventually Deputy Chief of Staff before his departure.

Mr. Wardally earned a Masters Degree in Organizational Management and is a proud graduate of Syracuse University where he earned a degree in Political Science and Economics. He resides in Harlem with his wife and two children, Emerson and Qiana.

In Masonry Kevin follows his Grandfather Henry Blakeley who was raised in Adelphic Union Lodge #14 in 1941 Currently Kevin’s Masonic resume includes the following: Senior Warden Adelphic Union Lodge #14 Grand Librarian – MWPHGL of NY (Prince Hall Grand Lodge of New York State) Secretary of State – King David Consistory #3 – A.A.S.R. Member – Rising Sun #4 – Holy Royal Arch Masons PHA President 2009 Class – Medina Temple #19 – A.E.A.O.N.M.S. Member – Rebecca #23 Order of Eastern Star PHA Honorary Member – Boyer Lodge #1 MWPHGL of NY Member – Grand Lodge Committee on Works and Lectures MWPHGL of NY Member – Grand Lodge Committee on Masonic Education (COMED) MWPHGL of NY Member - Grand Lodge Committee on Strategic Planning MWPHGL of NY Member – Grand Lodge Committee on Survey Research MWPHGL of NY Member – Phlaxis Society Member - Scottish Rite Research Society Founding Member – The Masonic Society Member – The Philalethes Society Member – African Lodge #459

Remembering Moments from GAMMA IOTA LAMBDA and DELTA CHI CHAPTERS

of

ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY, INC.

THE GREEKS TALK POLITICS

CLOSING REMARKS

O Alpha Fraternity, Inc. we would like to say thank you to all of you, our

n behalf of the Brothers of Gamma Iota Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi

2011 Scholarship Winner, Mr. Jared Atchison, our 2011 Honorees: Senator John Sampson (D) 19th District (Brooklyn, NY) Democratic Minority Leader, Ms. Bernarda Villalona, esq., Senior Trial Attorney (District Attorney’s Office, Brooklyn, New York), and Mr. Kevin Wardally, NY1 Inside City Hall Democratic Consultant and NYC Urban Community Pulse.

We are deeply appreciative of all that you do to make New York City and our respective boroughs a better place to live!

Additionally, we extend heartfelt thanks to the Leonard’s of Great Neck Catering Hall, Mr. Antonia Silva and his staff for working with us to ensure that your dining experience would be a pleasant and memorable experience. A special thanks goes our to DJ Ezra Nanton, the Alpha A-Team Steppers (Brother Lamar Cheston), and Janine Pipolo, Florist from the Rose Connection. Thank you, for all of your support with our 2011 Scholarship Banquet.

Lastly, but certainly not least, we’d like to acknowledge all of the efforts of our Scholarship Banquet Chairman, Brother Robert Massey and the entire Scholarship Banquet Committee: Brother President Christopher Burks, Brother Charles Winslow, Brother Cadman Williams, Brother Allen S. Wright, Brother Robert Brissett, Brother Damien Jackson, Brother Bernard Rencher, Brother Clarence Little, Brother John Williams, Sr., and Brother William Rivers.

All of you played a significant role in making this event a success. Thank you!!

T hank You!

T hank You!

T hank You!

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