The SPHINX | Fall 1996 | Volume 81 | Number 2 199608102

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She has a dream.

A Big Sister has helped her set goals and look forward to her future. Now she has a dream. . .

. . . a dream of college, of a career, of having a good life.

And one day, she'll dream of someone she can share that future with, someone with a dream of his own.

There are many young men out there who need a positive African American role model and mentor — a Big Brother

Alpha Phi Alpha encourages you to call your local Big

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Brothers/Big Sisters agency to volunteer. Help us help our children — pass it on.

Big Brothers Big Sisters OF

AMERICA

Volume 81 Number 2 Summer 1996

THE

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OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY, INC.

PRESIDENT'S LETTER Invitation to New Orleans LPHA FORUM Davis

Young Black Males Need Our Help LPHA RENAISSANCE On The Cover Photo at the top shows brothers of Eta Tau Lambda Chapter, the National Building Foundation, H U D officials, the project contractor, and local elected and appointed officials at this October 1971 groundbreaking ceremony for the Channelwood Village.

The middle photo shows Eta Tau Lambda members in front of the James R. Williams tower dedicated in 1978.

General President Milton C. Davis, Building Foundation Chairman Donald Lee and former General President James R. Williams are among those in bottom photo at dedication of the Lionel H. Newsom Tower and Robert L. Bender Apartments in October 1993. Also shown are Eta Tau Lambda members, Thomas A. Tatum, Allen P. Killings, James L. Burnett and Samuel D. DeShazior.

Alpha Presence in Louisiana World Policy Council—Preview Accepting the Challenge

Harrison

Building Foundation Launches Project Tribute to a Public Servant ture Boule History LLEGE DAYS Tyrone M. Porter—USA Today Scholar Quinton G. Washington—A Truman Scholar

T h e Sphinx ( U S P S 510-440) is published quarterly for $10 a year by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., 2313 St. Paul Street, Baltimore, M D 21218-5234. Second-class postage paid at Baltimore, M D and additional mailing offices. P o s t m a s t e r : Send address changes to T h e Sphinx, 2313 St. Paul Street, Baltimore, M D 2 1 2 1 3 .

T h e Sphinx is the official magazine of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Send all editorial mail and change of address to Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. T h e Fraternity assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited manuscripts or art.

O p i n i o n s expressed in columns and articles do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Use of any person's name in fiction, semifiction, articles or h u m o r o u s features is to be regarded as a coincidence and not as the responsibility of T h e Sphinx, and is never d o n e knowingly. C o p y r i g h t 1976 by T h e Sphinx, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Reproduction, or use without written permission, of the editorial or pictorial content of the magazine in any m a n n e r is prohibited. T h e Sphinx has been published c o n t i n uously since 1914. Organizing Editor: Brother Raymond W. C a n n o n . Organizing General President: Brother H e n r y Lake Dickason.

Azikiwe K. Lombard—Likes to Help People If I Had to Do it Over Again ISTORICAL MOMENT The Fraternity Shield PHA ON THE MOVE

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General Johnnie Wilson ISURE Meet Me in St. Louis Photography—Stephen Marc

Washington

HAPTER NEWS MEGA CHAPTER ORPORATE DIRECTORY

Summer 1996 T The Sphinx

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Brother Casby Harrison 111

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frican-American males, particularly those from low-income and fatherless households, are vastly overrepresented among the undereducated, the jobless and the jailed.

Reversing this waste of human potential is among the most important challenges facing this nation today. Accordingly, there is a desperate need for responsible adults to voluntarily make a commitment to reach out and become mentors and surrogate parents to young black males.

The nurturing support so important to healthy human development is often missing from the homes of young black males in high risk environments. Families that engage in domestic violence, substance abuse, and child abuse and neglect create harmful environments for youth to develop.

In a speech at the University of Texas on October 16, 1995, President Clinton noted the so-called "rift between blacks and whites" in the wake of the O.J. Simpson trial. President Clinton talked about the need for all Americans to take per sonal responsibility for reaching out to people oi different races, for taking time to sitdown and talk through issues of race and to have the courage to speak honestly and frankly, and then to have the discipline to listen quietly with an open mind and an open heart.

Referring to the "crucial area of responsibility, the responsibility of fatherhood," the president said: "...the single biggest social problem in our society may be the growing absence of fathers from their children's homes, because it contributes to so many other social problems. One child in four grows up in a fatherless home. Without a father to help guide, without a father to care, without a father to teach boys to be men and to teach girls to expect respect from men, it's harder. There are a lot of mothers out there doing a magnificent job alone, but it is harder. This, of course, is not a black problem or a Latino problem or a white problem; it is an American problem. But it aggravates the condition of the racial divide."

President Clinton is correct to conclude that the absence of fathers in the household is the single biggest social problem in America today. However, he may be off the mark in suggesting that this problem is not particularly acute in the low-income African-American community. The President was referring to the nation at large in noting that one child in four grows up in a fatherless home. That statistic is 80 percent when referring to low-income African-American males living in households earning $15,000 or less per year.

Poverty and poor family structure present many difficult challenges to the development of African-American males. Parents of poor children are more likely to experience stressful events such as illness, housing problems, and death of friends or family members. And, more often than not, poverty diminishes their ability to respond positively to life's challenges.

Depression and mental illness occur more often among poor mothers.

And poor children from single-parent households are more likely than other children to experience behavior problems and to drop out of high school.

Low-income, minority youth, moreover, suffer from higher than average rates of non-marriage and dysfunction among their parents and neighbors.

At the root of much of this family and neighborhood dysfunction is a decline in the demand for low-skilled workers, and persistent housing segregation that concentrate this "single-mother poverty" in the most socially distressed black neighborhoods. As the economic status of adult working-class black men erodes, drug gangs and street hustlers are becoming role models for African-American males.

YOUNG BUCK , MALES NEED ?<=0UR HELP s

WAR O N DRUGS . entirely new cycle of fatherless house-

Ah,lolds is being created by the "war on

X\dr drugs," which is a war on fatherless children left in the wake of the Vietnam War. The war Summer 1996 • The Sphinx

Alpha Forum on drugs has resulted in incarceration rates among young African-American men that are scandalously high. In December 1995, USA Today reported that, for the first time, the nation's prisons and jails housed more African-Americans than whites on a net basis. The Justice Department reported that there were 735,200 African-American inmates in 1994, about 10,000 more than there were white prisoners.

Congress argues—and many of the nation's most influential newspaper editorial boards appear to share the same view—that the crack sentences are justified for two reasons:

Over 50 percent of African-Americans between 10 and 15 years old are two or more years behind their grade level. They're nice boys, but they find themselves in the sixth or seventh grade and not able to read well enough to keep up with the class.

This is where frustration starts building to anger.

Arbitrary disciplinary practices in public schools have been shown to discriminate against African-American students, especially males, resulting in suspensions and expulsions that remove and alienate them from the classroom.

Furthermore, the behavior of some African-American youth goes beyond the self-destruction to the victimization of other people through theft, violent crime, and drug trafficking. For African-American youth without family support, the public response to this sort of behavior is often more punitive than is its response to at-risk youth in general.

Crack Cocaine Sentencing Disparity

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rack cocaine sentencing laws are a prime example of how the criminal justice system is more punitive to African-American males than white males. A person convicted for possession or distribution of crack cocaine is punished 100 times more harshly than those convicted for possession or distribution of powder cocaine.

The Sphinx •

Summer 1996

Why are there so many African-Americans in jail? Do African-Americans have some genetic predisposition to commit more crimes than whites? Or is it selective prosecution and harsher sentences for those targeted for this selective prosecution? Under Federal Sentencing Guidelines, possession of five grams of crack cocaine is punishable with a mandatory five-year prison term without parole. To serve the same five years in prison for possession of powder cocaine, a person has to be in possession of 500 grams. Powder cocaine is wholesale; crack is retail.

What's the difference (in the cocaine)? Virtually none. Mixing powder with baking soda and cooking it for about a minute produces crack.

African-Americans possessing crack are punished with much longer sentences than whites possessing the same amount of powder cocaine.

While a drug user can get much "higher" for much longer on 500 grams of powder than on five grams of crack, the crack offender serves much more time. Five grams of crack weighs about as much as a George Washington quarter and costs about $200 on the street.

Ninety percent of those in jail under federal mandatory sentencing laws for crack possession or distribution are young black and brown males. In 17 states, no whites have been prosecuted under mandatory sentencing laws for possession of crack over the past five years, despite the fact that Jesse Jackson's Rainbow Coalition reports 55 percent of crack users are white and 80 percent of powder cocaine dealers are white.

The U. S. Sentencing Guidelines show that a white collar criminal who steals $80 million will, upon conviction, serve between three and five years in prison. Who are the white collar criminals?

How do their sentences compare with those for drug offenders who serve five years in jail for possession of $45,000 worth of marijuana, $8,000 worth of powder, or $200 worth of crack cocaine?

It's wrong, it's racist; it cannot be justified.

If mandatory sentencing laws were resulting in the lengthy incarceration (and during the most productive years of their lives) of nearly an entire generation of young males from any other segment of society, it would not be tolerated.

Congress argues—and many of the nation's most influential newspaper editorial boards appear to share the same view—that the crack sentences are justified for two reasons: Crack is a more potent drug than powder cocaine, and turf wars among

Alpha Forum crack dealers have more violent consequences.

Perhaps crack cocaine is more potent tfian powder cocaine, but clearly not 100 times more potent.

The problem with the violence argument is that black youth are serving mandatory sentences for mere possession of the drug, not possessing a gun or committing a violent act. Crack is the only drug for which mere possession of five grams results in a five-year mandatory term. A person merely in possession of small amounts of heroin, LSD, or powder cocaine will not serve mandatory minimum sentences.

Indeed, convicted crack offenders are serving, on average, more time than those imprisoned under state laws for kidnapping, robbery, and assault.

There is no question that controlling crime is an important goal in sentencing. However, punishment must be fair—it must fit the particulars of the offense and must acknowledge characteristics of individuals. The federal crack statute includes none of the attributes of fairness.

A little more than a year ago, tJhe U. S. Sentencing Commission recommended that Congress equalize federal penalties for crack cocaine cases by lowering the penalties to the levels of those for powder cocaine. By a large majority, and with virtually no debate, Congress rejected the Sentencing Commission's recommendation.

Inmates in federal prisons in four different states protested Congress' action by rioting. It is noteworthy that those predominantly undereducated African-American men in prison had the greater presence of mind to protest these sentencing disparities than did the so-called educated and intelligent people in the nation.

Alpha men need to communicate to Congress, the President, and editorial boards of newspapers tbiat mandatory crack sentences, by putting nothing but African-American inner-city fatJiers in jail, are creating a new, high-risk generation of fatherless households that will result in much more harm to African-American families and the nation than the so-called crack violence.

Role Models

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any low-income, predominantly African-American neighborhoods are without adult male role models. For too many African-American youth growing up in poverty, their models, their leaders, the people they

respect, are primarily women. And, as President Clinton observed: "There are a lot of mothers out there who are doing a magnificent job alone. But there are some issues that boys will not share with their mothers, no matter how caring and supportive their mothers are."

Low-income minority families represent a disproportionate share of all foster care placement, and far too many young African-American males are having to make it on their own because their parents cannot or will not help them. It is not tiiat low-income parents of African- American youth don't love their children, don't want to see them grow up to be firefighters, dentists and architects.

It's just that for many low-income families, the day-to-day struggle for survival prevents parents from assuming full responsibility for raising their children.

The street culture that develops among African-American males in racially and economically segregated neighborhoods can have adverse, long-term consequences. The street culture of the poor young African-American male is a culture like no other. African-American males learn habits of dress, language, demeanor, and interpersonal skills diat run counter to the expectation of teachers, school administrators and employers.

Young African-American males learn the pimp step, ghetto slang and other counter-culture body language in the "hood." There is nothing wrong with living and breathing, walking and talking and acting black.

Young African-American males learn the pimp step, ghetto slang and other counter-culture body language in the "hood." There is nothing wrong with living and breathing, walking and talking and acting black. However, if one aspires to get a job in mainstream America, one needs to have some mainstream America interpersonal skills.

Where are low-income African-American males going to acquire mainstream interpersonal skills?

For an alarming number of young AfricanAmerican males, the answer is certainly not in the home. Darnell is a good and typical example.

Summer 1996 • The Sphinx

Alpha Forum The fictional 15-year-old lives in subsidized housing with his mother. His father lives in another state and visits occasionally. From practically any window in the cinder block apartment, at practically any time of die day or night, Darnell can see young

In 1996, responsible adult men of all races must be prepared to engage in direct one-on-one mentoring and nurturing of low income African-American males.

African-American males selling drugs on street corners. He knows who tiiey are, he knows what they are doing, and they know he knows. As he walks to die school bus each morning, diese drug dealers tell him how he is wasting his time going to school trying to be like a white person. They tell him he won't graduate from school and even if he does, he won't be able to find a job.

Neither Darnell's father or grandfather have taken him fishing, bowling or to a ball game. Yet, Darnell is still young enough to have hope that he can one day achieve the American dream. And with proper nurturing from men like Alphas, he can. But without the proper nurturing, his socialization education will come primarily from other fatherless boys in the neighborhood, from television which provides no opportunity for dialogue, and from school teachers who frequently either don't understand him or are intimidated by him, or both.

For young men like Darnell, there is nobody in his home who knows the first thing about how to interact socially or professionally in mainstream America. Not his mother, not his father, not his grandfather, or aunt or uncle.

What D o We Do?

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ociety needs to shift its thinking away from problem reduction and start thinking about youth development.... it needs to move away from after-the-crisis intervention and start moving toward interaction that creates a positive environment in which young people can live, learn, and grow. Boys and girls who do not experience kindness as children have difficulty being kind as adults. These children need manhood mentoring, not jails. We need to help single mothers nurture

The Sphinx •

Summer 1996

their boys into manhood.

African-American males need help developing positive self-identities. They need nurturing, respect, and opportunities to develop skills and responsibility. They need to learn how to manage the anger and emotional pain they experience as a direct result of being poor and neglected. It is hard to help some kids as a group, but they can be reached one-on-one.

Responsible adult men need to talk to boys in fatherless households about developing work skills, about practicing birth control, about handling sexual relationships, and about coping with violence.

That kind of manhood training will lead to higher self-esteem and higher grade point averages and reductions in drop out rates among African-Americans. There once was another name for this kind of training—parenting.

In 1996, responsible adult men of all races must be prepared to engage in one-on-one mentoring and nurturing of low income African-American males. There is a great deal of debate these days about how to strengthen the African-American family and about how to reduce black-on-black crime and violence. The answer—at least one answer—is through mentoring.

Pick-up the telephone right now and call your local Big Brothers/Big Sisters organization, or Boy Scouts of America, or Boys Club, or Urban League, or YMCA and tell them you are available to mentor a young, fatherless African-American male.

Brother Harrison is a practicing attorney and former president of MuTheta Lambda Chapter in Rhode Island.

This article was originally a speech at the Ministerial Alliance of Rhode Island's Annual Martin Luther King Breakfast in January 1996.

Brother Huel D. Perkins

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity has always had a resplendent presence in the state of Louisiana. Beginning with the first chapter established in the state—Sigma Lambda in 1925—Louisiana now boasts of some 26 chapters—15 college and 11 alumni.

The Alpha Presence in Louisiana

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t was not until the mid-thirties that college chapters began to be located at the universities in Louisiana. The first of these was Beta Sigma at Southern University which was chartered on December 4, 1936. Alumni brothers who spearheaded this effort were Brother Dr. Felton G. Clark, then president of Southern University, and Brother Dr. William H. Gray, professor of education.

Chapters at Xavier University (Beta Tau) and Dillard University (Beta Phi) quickly followed in 1936 and 1938, respectively. There are now college chapters at every institution in die state: Delta Sigma at Grambling State University; Epsilon Upsilon at Southern University in New Orleans; Zeta XI at the University of Soudiwestern Louisiana; Eta Kappa at Louisiana Tech; Eta Chi at Northeast; Theta Chi at Nordiwest; Nu Psi at LSU in Baton Rouge; and Rho Iota at Tulane University in New Orleans.

Have these chapters been outstanding? I think so. Beta Sigma at Soudiern University has won die College Chapter of die Year Award three times. Nu Psi Chapter at LSU won the College Chapter of die Year honors in 1990 and 1991—believed to be the only college chapter to win the award in consecutive years.

Derrick Warren and Cedric Holloman , botb of Beta Sigma, have won College Brother of the Year Awards.

What of our Alumni Chapters? Sigma Lambda won the Chapter of the Year Award in 1992-93.

Brother George Thompson of Epsilon Psi Lambda

in Alexandria was die Alumni Brother of die Year in 1990 and Brother Henry Archie Young of Beta Iota Lambda was the Alumni Brother of the Year in 1987.

But even more important are die leaders Louisiana has given the Fraternity. Those leaders include Brother Ernest "Dutch" Morial who served as General President from 1969 to 1972 after having served as General Counsel. Brodier Charles C. Teamer, the 27di General President, previously served as comptroller of the Fraternity. (Brodier Morial was mayor of New Orleans and Brother Teamer is a vice president at Dillard University.) rodier Adrian Wallace, currently a candidate for General President, of die Fraternity, has served as Soudiwestern Region vice president. Brother Harold R. Sims of Beta Sigma was die first from Louisiana to serve as assistant vice president. Brother Sims was followed

by Brodier Darrell Papillion of Nu Psi and die present Assistant Vice President of the Soudiwestern Region is Brother Roderick Smothers, also of Nu Psi Chapter at LSU. The City of New Orleans, with all of its old world charm and reputation for good food and music, has served as General Convention host at least four times: the 26th General Convention in 1937, the 59th General Convention in 1973, the 77th Aniverary Convention in 1983, and die 87th General Convention in 1993.

Louisiana is proud to serve as host of die very first Alpha Phi Alpha Scholarship Forum, July 12-13, 1996, in New Orleans.

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Summer 1996 • The Sphinx

Alpha Renaissance Alpha Brothers have also figured prominently in the academic life of the State. Beginning with Brothers J. S. Clark and J. A. Bacoats who served as presidents of Southern University and Leland College, respectively, the succession has been steady and distinguished. Brother Felton Clark followed his father as president of Southern University and served tliat institution with distinction for 33 years.

At one time each of the three chancellors of the Southern University campuses were Alpha Brothers: Brother Leonard Barnes was Chancellor of the Shreveport campus (Brother Robert H. SmitJi followed Brother Barnes and the current Chancellor is Brother Jerome W. Green), Brodier James Prestage was Chancellor of the Baton Rouge campus, and Brother Emmett W. Bashful was Chancellor of Southern University in New Orleans. Brother Marvin Yates presently serves as Chancellor of the Baton Rouge campus. Xavier University's first African-American president is Brother Norman Francis who still serves as that institution's chief administrative officer.

Politics is a way of life in Louisiana. It is the only state in the union where aspirants for governor will spend a combined sum of $8 million to earn the right to a position that pays $65,000. Some have facetiously opined that one is considered abnormal in Louisiana if he prefers women to politics.

At any rate, the Fraternity has participated in this penchant for politics by having had many of its members serve in both Houses of the legislature.

The following Brothers have served in the House of Representatives or State Senate: Brother Johnnie Jones of Baton Rouge; Brother Charles D.Jones of Monroe; Brother Ernest "Dutch" Morial and Brother Marc Morial, both of New Orleans; Brother Donald Cravins of Lafayette; Brother C. O. Simpkins of Shreveport; Brother Melvin Holden of Baton Rouge; Brother Charles Hudson of Opelousas; and Brother Wilfred Pierre of Lafayette. Brother Wilson Fields, brodier of U. S. Representative Cleo Fields, now serves in the Louisiana Senate. ome of the first African-American mayors in die State have been Alpha men. Brodier Ernest Morial, the first of die AfricanAmerican mayors, was mayor of New Orleans. His son, Brodier Marc, is currently mayor of New Orleans and at 35 years old is one of the youngest

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8 A The Sphinx •

Summer 1996

mayors in the country. Brother General Trass of Lake Providence and Brother John Bobb, Jr., of Grand Cocteau serve as mayors of their cities. The Alpha man most recently elected mayor of a major city in Louisiana is Brother Abe Pierce of Monroe. n account of Alpha men in Louisiana has to include the present United States Ambassador to South Africa, Brother James Joseph, a native of Opelousas and an initiate of Beta Sigma Chapter at Southern University.

The Alpha presence in Louisiana is overwhelming. Brothers have made their mark in every area of academic and civic life.

Louisiana has given the Fraternity some outstanding chapters, some effective and efficient national officers, and has provided the setting for some of its memorial General Conventions. It is in the spirit of "First of All" that the Alphas of Louisiana welcome the Brothers who will be in attendance at the Alpha Scholarship Forum.

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Brother Perkins is former chairman of the Alpha Phi Alpha Education Foundation, and currently a member of the Alpha World Policy Council and Executive Assistant to the Chancellor of Louisana State University.

Brother Horace G. Dawson, Jr.

WORLD POLICY COUNCIL READY TO REPORT

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nder the able leadership of Brother Senator Edward W. Brooke, the World Policy Council over the past five months has been considering a number of domestic and foreign affairs issues in a series of meetings.

Howard University's newly inaugurated Ralph J. Bunche International Affairs Center, where the Council was launched by Brother Milton C. Davis last January, has been the venue for these meetings.

The Council's mandate from the General President: "allocate prime time to addressing the affairs of our brotherhood, the concerns of our community, and the policies of the nation and the world" is being faithfully adhered to, according to Brother Brooke. "We intend to examine issues and, properly informed, address them with a view toward bringing to bear the appropriate and thoughtful ^ ^ influence of this great Fraternity on matters of significance." ^ -Brother Brooke, the first African-American to serve in the U. S. Senate since Reconstruction, reports that the Council of Seven, as his group has been called, has been addressed by several individuals on substantive issues. Among them have been Brother Ambassador Walter C. Carrington, who heads the U. S. diplomatic mission in Nigeria; Ambassador Donald F. McHenry, formerly Chief United States Representative to the United Nations and recently President Clinton's Special Envoy to Nigeria; and Edmund E. Atkins, an official with the Department of State.

Also scheduled to address the Council are Senator Nancy Kassebaum of Kansas, Dr. George Mitchell of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University; and Mr. Noel Lateef, president of the Foreign Policy Association.

Members of the Council study, reflect on, and discuss issues, according to Chairman Brooke.

They are assisted by the thoughts of outside experts, he said, on matters being considered by the Council. These issues may range from domestic concerns such as affirmative action, the environment, and the inner city to issues of foreign policy, such as the U. S. role in the United Nations, peace keeping, and U. S. economic assistance to the developing world.

Brooke emphasized that the Council has "an exceedingly broad scope" and that "whatever are our conclusions and recommendations we hope will

reflect the concerns of the entire Alpha brotherhood."

In this connection, the Vice Chairman of the Council, Brother Ambassador Horace G. Dawson, Jr., encourages "anyone wishing to present ideas to do so." The Council's formal address is: Alpha Phi Alpha World Policy Council, H.U. Box #958, Howard University Post Office, Washington, DC 20059.

Environmental issues already have been placed on the World Policy Council's agenda at the urging of Brother John R. Cook, Jr., of Boston, MA. "We hope other Brothers will voice their concerns so that the Council will be appropriately attuned to ideas that are the preoccupation of our members," Brother Dawson noted.

The Council will make its first report to the Fraternity at the Alpha Phi Alpha Scholarship Forum in New Orleans in July. Brother Brooke is also scheduled to deliver the inaugural Charles H. Wesley Lecture at the meeting in New Orleans.

Brother Brooke emphasized, however, that World Policy Council pronouncements will not be reserved for special occasions such as the meeting in New Orleans.

"Our objective will be to deliberate on matters of public concern and to address them at any time we deem appropriate to achieve the desired impact," Brother Brooke explained. Such an impact includes, he said, both the purpose of encouraging reflection, discussion, and action by Fraternity chapters, and "influencing the course of public policy in this country."

In addition to Brothers Brooke and Dawson, the Alpha Phi Alpha World Policy Council members include: Brother Dr. Cornelius L. Henderson, President of Gammon Theological Seminary in Atlanta; Atty. Clinton C.Jones III, Counsel of the Committee on Banking and Finance, U. S. House of Representatives; Dr. Huel D. Perkins, Executive Assistant to the Chancellor of Louisiana State University; Dr. Henry Ponder, former General President of the Fraternity and President of the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO); and Chuck Stone, Walter Spearman Professor of Journalism at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

Brother Dawson is advisor to the General President on International Affairs.

Summer 1996 • The Sphinx

Alpha Renaissance

FOUNDATION LAUNCHES AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT J^

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he Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Building Foundation has broken ground to build three single family homes at the Fraternity's former headquarters site in Chicago.

The houses are part of the Foundation's affordable housing and economic development plan and a national effort to "revitalize economically deprived areas impacting African-Americans."

The three houses, which will be sold upon completion, represent the first of two phases in the Chicago area "to promote, protect and preserve the infrastructure of our community," according to Brother Hebrew Dixon III, Building Foundation Chairman.

The homes under construction on Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive in the historic Bronzeville section of tiie city are to be completed in phases by fall 1996. The Foundation will soon begin to conceptualize plans for the second phase of tiie affordable housing and economic development project, Brother Dixon added.

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Urban Equities, an African-American-owned, Chicago-based real estate development and consulting firm, was hired to execute plans for both phases of the affordable housing and economic development project—to build homes on the Fraternity's vacant property and to design and construct a large-scale, low-income housing community on Chicago's southside. Brother Lennox Jackson is president of Urban Equities, Inc. He said Phase I will consist of three 2,266 square foot homes that are two stories high and have three bedrooms and one and one-half baths.

The homes will also have a spacious one-bedroom rental unit that can generate income to reduce the homeowner's mortgage payments, according to Brother Jackson.

Brother Dixon said the Foundation will target African-American professionals with household incomes between $45,000 and $75,000. First-time and trade-up home buyers desiring to live in an urban area undergoing major revitalization will also

Alpha Renaissance be targeted, Brother Dixon added. The homes will be base priced at $180,000.

Dixon said Phase II calls for the construction of "Alpha Village," low-income rental and for sale housing. Construction of "Alpha Village" will follow Chicago's extensive planning development efforts for the Bronzeville community. Dixon said public funding opportunities have been identified to revitalize the Bronzeville area, creating more affordable housing and economic development opportunities.

Dixon said the Building Foundation's aim is to "impact our community through expanding its presence in Bronzeville, to obtain recognition for the Fraternity as an African-American professional organization responding to local needs, and to reap a substantial return on investment for capitalizing future residential and commercial development projects."

In addition to the homes being constructed on the former headquarters site, the Building Foundation expects to commission a design company to place appropriate markers on the Fraternity property.

Members of the Building Foundation, in addition to Chairman Dixon, are: Brother Darryl Matthews Sr., Fraternity Executive Director; Brother George N. Reaves, Fraternity Treasurer;

Basement

First Floor

Brother Casby Harrison III, Fraternity Associate General Counsel; Brother Bruce Austin, Southwestern Region; Brother Samuel DeShazior, Midwestern Region; Brother Harold Patrick, Western Region; Brother Everett B. Ward, Southern Region; and Brother Calvin Austin, Eastern Region.

In addition to the homes being constructed on the former headquarters site, the Building Foundation expects to commission a design company to place appropriate markers on the Fraternity property.

The Building Foundation Board of Directors began its work at the General Convention in Orlando, FL, when General President Milton C. Davis charged the Board to continue initiatives from previous years, to resolve outstanding concerns, and to create plans for the Fraternity's development projects. In January 1996, the Board approved a proposal from the selected development firm to build houses on the Fraternity-owned property and on private and city-owned land slated for economic development.

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Summer 1996 T The Sphinx A 11

Feature

Joining Brother Jarrett (seated) for book signing are (from left): Brothers James A. Bradford, Lover High, Dr. Clarence G. Robinson, Darryl R. Matthews, Sr, John W. Williams, Seaton White, and Dr. Harry B. Dunbar. All are members of the Boule except High, Matthews and White who are members of the Alpha General Office staff.

Alpha Brother Pens Boule History Brother Dr. Hobart S. Jarrett introduced the second volume of the history of Sigma Pi Phi during a book signing in New York City that attracted Boule members from across the country.

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he first volume of the graduate-professional Fraternity's history was written by Brother Dr. Charles H. Wesley, also author of The History ofAlpha Phi Alpha: A Development in College Life.

Brother Jarrett's book, The History of Sigma Pi Phi: First of the African-American Greek-Letter Fraternities, looks at the past 50 years of the organization that was founded in 1904, two years before the founding of Alpha Phi Alpha at Cornell University.

The author attempts to bridge a connection with Brother Wesley's History of the Boule by beginning his story in the 1960s and addressing major changes in die purpose of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity that occurred during tfiat period.

The book, while written for the 3,000 members of the Boule, also attempts to reach the larger public with revelations about the African-American elite's planning and debating strategies to assist the

The Sphinx T Summer 1996

underprivileged. The History of Sigma Pi Phi also gives the reader tJie inside story of die Boule's decision to discontinue its policy of secrecy and its attempt to increase membership.

A member of Alpha Phi Alpha for 62 years, BrotJier Jarrett has been a member of Sigma Pi Phi for 25 years and served as Book Review Editor of The Boule Journal. He is also a member of the Comus Club of Brooklyn and die 100 Black Men of New York City.

Brother Jarrett is Professor Emeritus of English, Brooklyn College of die City University of New York. He is a Shakespeare and humanities scholar and a social activist. He was chief negotiator for the opening of eating facilities that the sit-ins had won in Greensboro, NC. Brother Jarrett chaired the Equal Educational Opportunity Committee at Brooklyn College in 1960 which doubled the number of minority students at the school from 200 to 400 in one year.

College Days

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COLLEGE BROTHER NAMED TO USA TODAY ACADEMIC TEAM

hen he arrived at Prairie View A& M University from Detroit in the summer of 1991, Tyrone M. Porter was not unlike most college freshmen. He really didn't know what to expect of the college experience, but he had established specific goals for himself.

He wanted to earn a bachelor degree in electrical engineering, involve himself in several campus organizations, including Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and he wanted to "develop into a strong leader."

Five years after his arrival at Prairie View A&M, Porter has met and exceeded the goals he established. He received his degree in electrical engineering this spring (with honors), he will then enter a Ph. D. program at the University of Washington this fall, and he has been an exceptional student leader while earning an impressive list of academic and leadership honors.

His most recent honor is being named to the prestigious USA Today Academic All-American first team, an honor which places him in the company of student scholars at the major universities across the country.

The Texas Society of Engineers honored him twice as one of the Outstanding Engineers in Texas.

The Prairie View A&M Engineering Department named him Outstanding Electrical Engineer for 1996, and he is a member of Tau Beta Pi for engineers and Eta Kappa Nu for electrical engineers.

P o r t e r arrived at Prairie View A&M with what he calls a "materialistic" outlook on life. He wanted to "get out of school as fast as possible and make some money. Detroit (MI) gives you a materialistic mentality," he says.

But that "materialistic mentality" changed, and Porter credits membership in Alpha Phi Alpha with being a catalyst for that change.

Today, his focus is on service, particularly mentoring African-American youth. "It (Alpha and mentoring) has become a part of my life. It embodies me. Not a day goes by that I do not think about helping my own people," Brother Porter says.

Summer 1996 T The Sphinx

College Days

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rother Porter is founder of Peers Advising, Counseling, and Teaching ( P A C T . ) , an organization that is now active at Prairie View, Georgia Tech, the University of Vermont, Jackson State, and the University of Michigan. " P A C T works to teach youth how to teach themselves. Only then will ignorance be overcome and we as a people regain our true place in history," Brother Porter explains.

They put an emphasis on successful individuals—a positive attitude, responsibility, discipline, pride, s e l f self-confidence.

P A C T mentors talk to high school students about success—what it takes and means to be successful. They put an emphasis on the characteristics of successful individuals—a positive attitude, responsibility, discipline, pride, self-esteem, and self-confidence. Too many students today do not have positive images of themselves, they don't have the desire to achieve in school and the world, Porter explains.

Unfortunately, he muses, "respect is not based on going to school; it is based on making other individuals fear you."

It troubles Brother Porter that so many of today's youth fail to value life. "I get upset when I see youth just killing each other. It hurts me a lot to see youth doing the things they do."

Growing up in Detroit, Porter remembers that his peers settled their differences with fisticuffs, but today "it is killing. There is no in-between. It makes no sense," he says of the killing among today's youth. "When you have to worry about that (killing), it takes your mind off being successful." entoring African-American youth will always be a part of his life, Brother Porter promises. He is determined to help today's youth return to the concept of helping, rather than destroying, each other. He wants to

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The Sphinx T Summer 1996

return to the times when people looked out for each other, when neighborhoods supported residents in the neighborhood, when neighborhoods were like families in support of one another.

"Many of our youth today are misguided and individuals who are ambitious and have positive attitudes do not assert themselves," Brother Porter observes. "It is time to make a change and place more emphasis on the development of youth.

Youth are the leaders of tomorrow," Brother Porter maintains.

When he enrolls at the University of Washington this fall, Porter's focus will be on ultrasound technology where he sees considerable room for growth because many other imaging techniques are more expensive and less mobile. His career goals also include a degree in sonography which will qualify him to make diagnosis with the ultrasound background he will have acquired.

In addition to the 3.8 academic average (Magna Cum Laude) he will take to the University of Washington, Brother Porter will also have the benefit of a considerable amount of practical experience—with General Electric Medical Systems as an applied scientist in the ultrasound division; at Duke University as an electronics engineer involved in the development of a DC power supply for a cardiac mapping system; at Delco Electronics, Ford Motor Company, and Dow Chemical On campus at Prairie View A&M, Brother Porter was an officer for the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, the Michigan Club, the National Society of Black Engineers, a Student Ambassador, and a member of the Dean's Council in the College of Engineering and Architecture. e served Alpha through chairmanship of Big Brother/Big Sister and Go To High School, Go to College programs, assistant scoutmaster, chapter vice president, and membership on the National Champion College Bowl team. He also gave a keynote address at the 1995 Alpha State Convention.

In addition to their academic achievements, all members of the USA Today Academic Team were cited for their contributions to society. Porter characterizes his contribution as "my love for my brothers and sisters and my determination to change the mentality of our youth."

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College Days of the less fortunate, Washington will have the support of the prestigious Harry S. Truman Fellowship for Public Service. A junior public management major at Florida A&M University, Brother Washington is one of only 60 students selected from more than 800 applicants nationwide to receive the coveted award.

He will use the $30,000 Truman Scholarship to complete studies at Florida A&M and pursue graduate studies after graduation from Florida.

A native of Warner Robins, GA, Washington is a Presidential Scholar at Florida A&M, a National Achievement Scholar, President of Alpha Kappa Mu Honor Society, a Presidential Ambassador, a Woodrow Wilson Fellow, Executive Director of the Student Union Board of Advisors, and a research assistant in the Department of Political Science.

He is also assistant regional vice president-elect for the Southern Region of Alpha Phi Alpha.

Brother Washington is destined to be an attorney because he sees a career in law as "the greatest venue for bringing about change." The electoral system will get his special attention.

He is bothered by the lack of voter participation among African-Americans and otJier minorities.

"Our lack of voter participation can cause policies or a set of initiatives to be enacted that are adverse to our communities," he reasons. "You can do away with affirmative action or welfare reform or educational policies if that segment (tJiose affected by the actions) of the population is not voting."

Washington enrolled at Florida A&M in 1992.

It was the year in which Florida topped Harvard in attracting National Merit Scholars. He had been offered debate and other scholarships to such schools as Emory University and Dartmouth. But he was impressed by the "unique" educational environment at Florida A&M, the friendliness and family atmosphere.

"Not only have I learned in the classroom, but outside the classroom as well," he says about his

ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT EARNS TRUMAN SCHOLARSHIP uinton Washington has a number of I achievements to his credit for which he is justly proud. But he acknowledges iievements have not been without the that support of many others. Because life has been so good to him, Brother Washington says, "I know that it is my responsibility to make life better for all of those less fortunate."

And as he prepares himself for a career on behalf

Summer 1996 • The Sphinx

College Days four years at Florida A&M. "Being involved on University committees, in study groups, as a student leader, whatever the case has helped my personal and academic growth." is classmates elected him president of his freshman class, he was a junior senator, and served as chairperson of the Judicial and Rules Committee of the FAMU Student Senate. He was named an Outstanding Pan-Hellenic Delegate, he is an Optimist Oratorical State Champion, active with the Hatchett Pre-Law Society, the National Forensics League, and the National Urban League.

Brother Washington is committed to leadership—in his numerous activities at Florida A&M and in the public service career he plans to pursue.

He defines leadership as "the ability to turn pain into progress, despair into promise, ignorance into understanding, and mobilize the masses of mediocrity into greatness."

As a Legislative Aide to Congresswoman Corrine Brown, Brother Washington researched, analyzed, and prepared policy positions on legislative issues, answered constituent correspondence and, among other duties, assisted with the preparation of grant proposals.

Washington was also a member of the Florida A&M team that took fourth place in the National Intercollegiate Mock Trial Tournament this year.

Teams were selected to participate in the national Mock Trial competition after first finishing at the top of their field in each of the 11 regional qualifying tournaments held throughout the country.

Before he goes off to law school, Brother Washington will pursue a master's degree in public policy. And after law school, he is interested in an

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assignment with a congressional committee. What about becoming a U. S. Senator or U. S. Representative? Very possible. And if not a congressman, mayor of some city—Atlanta, for instance? Entirely possible. Both? Sure.

Established in 1975, the Harry S. Truman Foundation offers the scholarship each year to one junior level college student from each of die 50 states, Puerto Rico, Washington, DC, and several other American territories to support graduate studies.

Brother Washington was the only Truman Fellowship recipient at a historically black college or university this year.

He is proud of the distinction he has earned, but Washington would like to see more African-American students compete for awards like the Truman Scholarship. He is not certain why more African-Americans don't compete for national scholarship awards, but allows that it could be that they think "they (the scholarships) are out of our reach, we are not informed (about the scholarship opportunities) or we don't want to (take the time)

apply."

B

rother Washington admits that the application process was not easy. It required four letters of recommendation, an essay, 15 essay questions, and an interview by a panel of prominent public servants including two college presidents, a U. S. Court of Appeals judge, a law school professor, a Georgia Supreme Court Justice, and the executive secretary of the Truman Scholarship Foundation.

As part of the application process, Washington urged the adoption of HR 2545 which supports cumulative voting and multi-member Congressional districts.

Brother Azikiwe K. Lombard

Do It All Over Again All of us have been blessed with the ability to make decisions for ourselves. God in His infinite wisdom has bestowed upon us the ability to decide our future. Consequently, we make decisions on a daily basis, many times not consciously knowing we are actually making a decision.

A decision represents a choice. When a choice is

•

made, it symbolizes our placing priority on the one thing we choose over all other possible options.

That is a tremendous concept we take for granted.

Even something so simple as deciding which tie to wear with a suit can be considered a big decision.

By choosing a red tie, we are saying we will not wear a blue tie or any other tie. When we make a

College Days decision to do something, we are also making a decision not to do something else. It is important for us to understand that before we make our decisions, not only must we understand what we are choosing to do, we must also understand what we are choosing not to do.

This distinction in choice is important because some decisions do not come with a second chance.

Some decisions are "one in a lifetime choices."

These one in a lifetime decisions are usually life changing decisions.

These one in a lifetime decisions can be about anything, from where to get your education to what you name your child. Unfortunately, these decisions come with risks, and the risks are usually high.

You must be so sure in your choice that you are willing to take the risks involved.

I know many people who wish they could turn back the clock or rewind their lives somehow. They realize bad choices along the way and would like to correct some decisions. A bad decision can haunt us for a long time, sometimes causing us to abandon the choice, seeing it as a reminder of our mistake.

Of course, die benefits of correct choices are infinite. Correct choices bring us pride and we in turn dwell on those choices. We often tell ourselves that we would make that choice over again.

I Have Made My Choice When I was in the 9th grade, I had no idea of what a fraternity was (except what I saw in movies) and I had no idea of the tremendous choice I would later make. I was soon introduced to four African-American Greek-letter organizations and knew that I wanted to be a part of what they were about. I became impressed with the credentials of one organization and that impression soon made the others secondary.

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. stood out among the other organizations that I was introduced to. I was impressed by the Fraternity's style, its colors, and its positive image. I took these impressions with me to college.

I knew I wanted to be an Alpha man, but was I sure? What was Alpha really about? How was I to be sure I wanted to be an Alpha? Frankly, I didn't really know much about Alpha except its more famous brothers and the "Ice Cold" image that I saw on the collegiate level. I did understand, however, that I would get one shot at choosing a fraterni-

ty, and once I chose, I would live with my choice forever.

I was careful to research several organizations before making a decision. When were they founded? Where were they founded? Who were the founders? And in addition to historical data, what were their current programs?

I asked myself "What organization could best represent me?" Alpha! "What organization can I best represent?" Alpha! "What organization is setting the example for service?" Alpha! N o matter what question I asked during my research, if it dealt with a positive issue, Alpha was the answer. I made my decision.

This was a decision, however, that made me nervous. Even after I was initiated, I was still nervous about my decision. But eventually I began seeing Alpha in action and I knew that what I researched was accurate and true. I searched to find my place in Alpha to ensure my role in helping continue the legacy which had been established.

The nervousness soon wore off and I was proud to be in the same organization as Thurgood Marshall, Martin Luther King, Jr., Andrew Young, Charles H. Wesley, and the like. I began to feel the overwhelming obligation to follow in their footsteps and begin service in Alpha. I knew that I would serve Alpha with all my being and would love Alpha always.

I decided on membership in Alpha because I believed that it was and is the greatest African-American Greek-letter organization. I made that decision and I have been pleased ever since. But with the pleasure comes hard work.

I have worked and sacrificed so much for Alpha.

I have lost sleep worrying about chapter business and even skipped a few classes to get some things done. I have been in two places at one time and still kept a decent grade point average. My chapter Brothers and I have suffered to make Alpha what it is on our campus.

I have made 24 hour days last for 30 hours and made three hours of sleep seem like a day. I have done things that would make the normal man quit and never try again. I have done many back-breaking activities for Alpha Phi Alpha but you know what, I would do it all again.

Brother Lombard is a Biology Pre-med major at Xavier University in New Orleans.

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College Days

BROTHER LOMBARD WORKS TO GET THINGS DONE Azikiwe Lombard is only a junior at Xavier University, but he has already complied a solid employment history. During die past three years, the native New Orleanian has worked at a medical center, a photo gallery, a restaurant and a dry cleaners.

"I didn't plan to work these different jobs," Lombard recalls. But he is glad he did. "They (the different jobs) introduced me to a lot of different people and a lot of different ways of life," he says.

"It is something I would do again if I had to. I got a chance to step outside and see how a lot of different people operate in their daily lives."

His employment history wouldn't seem to leave much time for such things as community service.

But not so for Lombard, who has "rightfully earned a reputation as someone who is willing and able to tackle one new project after another."

Among his top priorities are the campus Xavier University chapter of the NAACP, of which he has been president for the past year, and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, of which he is vice president and community service chair. He is also a member of the Peer Dean Planning Committee.

Lombard was introduced to Alpha Phi Alpha as a 11th grader at McMain High School.

"I was introduced to men who were headed in the direction that I wanted my life to go," he remembers. "These were college men, they excelled in academics and they took a liking for service. We were in high school and they took the time to mentor us.

"They had set goals for themselves and were working toward those goals," he said about the Alpha men he met in high school.

Lombard has served as a project director and volunteer with MAX (Xavier's student service organization), worked as a teacher's aide and male mentor, and has helped organize "can shakes" for the Leukemia Society and food and clothing drives for the needy.

In his position as Assistant District Director for Louisiana, Brother Lombard wants to strengthen the bond between alumni and college Brothers.

College Brothers possess the "excitement and enthusiasm" that complements the "wisdom" of the alumni Brothers, Brother Lombards reasons. He sees considerable growth in their working together.

What keeps Brother Lombard going is a desire

The Sphinx T Summer 1996

to be involved and a sincere concern for everyone he meets.

"When I see something that needs to be done— especially if it affects other peoples lives—I feel a personal responsibility to see that it gets done," he says. A self-described "people person," he prides himself on such simple acts of kindness as his personal pledge to try and make at least one person smile every day.

He does more than just say "hello" to the people he passes each day. "I guess I perform for them.

Everybody needs joy and happiness. I feel as though God is using me as an instrument to distribute that happiness." Indeed, Brother Lombard adds, God is the inspiration for everything that he does.

Brother Joseph Byrd, vice president for student affairs at Xavier, has known Brother Lombard since his freshman year. He calls him a "good college Brother that is doing positive things. He is somebody Alpha Phi Alpha can be proud of," Brother Byrd maintains.

Even when he is not in school or doing community service at Xavier or in New Orleans, Lombard is on the move. He makes the most of semester breaks by motoring around the country in his Saturn automobile. ("It's true what they say about Saturn owners," he laughs.) To date he's visited Atlanta, Birmingham, Dallas, Memphis, Orlando and St. Louis.

"The world is so big, I am trying to see as much of it as possible," Brother Lombard says.

Lombard hasn't let all of his extracurricular activity hurt his academic standing. A junior biology/pre-med major, he currently sports a 3.1 grade point average. He is headed for medical school after graduation from Xavier likely at Louisiana State University. And then? A doctorate degree in child development will complement his medical specialization in pediatrics.

Meanwhile, Brother Lombord has a goal—really a desire. He wants to become a Life Member of Alpha Phi Alpha. "The only way to effectively serve the organization is to be eternally active," he reasons.

Brother Lombard was featured under Class Acts in an issue of This Week at Xavier. This is an edited version of that original story.

ETA TAU LAMBDA CHAPTER T

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uring his visit to Akron in October of 1993 to participate in the dedication of the Lionel H. Newsom Tower and Robert L. Bender Woods, two new housing developments, General President Milton C. Davis invited the Brothers of Eta Tau Lambda Chapter to tell their story to "All of Alpha" with an article in the Sphinx magazine. What follows is the remarkable story of what can be achieved through vision, hard work and leadership.

$180.00 each to be utilized as seed money for the first housing development.

After formulating their housing efforts through Alpha Phi Alpha Homes, Inc. the Brothers of Eta Tau Lambda filed a request with Federal Housing Administration for a preliminary determination of eligibility as a non-profit sponsor. The Chapter worked with officials of the city of Akron and secured a commitment for the purchase of 22 acres of land in the residential area of Opportunity Park in southwest Akron.

Nearly 35 years ago, die Brothers of Eta Tau Lambda Chapter responded to die challenge of the Federal Housing Act of 1963 by forming a housing component to provide suitable housing for persons of low and moderate income.

Under the leadership of Brother James R. Williams, who at the time was a member of Akron's Planning and Urban Renewal Department, Eta Tau Lambda Chapter formed Alpha Phi Alpha Homes, Inc., a not-for-profit housing corporation.

In December of 1966, a delegation of Chapter members met with Urban Renewal officials of Akron to discuss the specifics of a new housing development in the Opportunity Park Urban Renewal area. Demonstrating their commitment to this endeavor, the Brothers of Eta Tau Lambda agreed to contribute individual loans of

Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded a grant of $11.4 million to Alpha Phi Alpha Homes, Inc. to build the 551 unit Channelwood Village.

Groundbreaking was on October 29, 1971, with the first occupancy in late 1972. The formal dedication was held on October 28, 1973, a proud day for the Brothers of Eta Tau Lambda Chapter.

In addition to their efforts in providing housing, the Brothers of Eta Tau Lambda Chapter have been full participants in Alpha Phi Alpha at all levels. The Chapter has provided more than $180,000 in scholarships during the past 22 years. The Chapter has also been involved in a number of other programs such as Project Alpha.

The U.S.

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I eginnings

The following is a pictorial chronology of Alpha Phi Alpha I lomcs, Inc. housing developments to date:

Henry A. Callis Tower Channelwood Village, Akron, Ohio 1972 From the very- beginning, Alpha Phi Alpha Homes, Inc., insisted that it's first housing development, Channelwood Village, be a socially and economically integrated community, providing the best possible housing for low and moderate income families and elderly in as natural and picturesque setling .is possible.

On October 29, 1971, ground was broken for Channelwood Village, comprised of 110 three bedroom townhouses, 20 four bedroom townhouses, 144 two bedroom garden apartments and a 15 story high-rise building for a grand total of 551 units.

Two and one-half years later, the complex was occupied at a ninety-five percent occupancy rate.

James R.Williams Tower Akron, Ohio 1978 Following the completion of the Channelwood Village complex, the Brotherhood launched its next housing proposal—a second highrise development. This building was dedicated as James R. Williams Tower in honor of Brother James R. Williams, the 25th General President and a major figure in the Chapter's early struggles to form a Housing Corporation.

Williams Tower, completed in six months between Spring 1978 and November 1978, is a ten-story facility including 148 apartments with private balconies for elderly and disabled individuals. In 1981, a Congregate Housing Service Program was instituted for frail elderly. This service provides meals, housekeeping, transportation and medical evaluation for those in need to help them maintain their independence.

Charles H.Wesley Tower Akron, Ohio 1981 The third project planned and designed by the Housing Corporation was the Charles H. Wesley Tower completed in November 1981. This eight story high-rise consists of 100 one bedroom apartments, including 10 for disabled elderly.

This project broke new ground in community relations for the Housing Corporation because it is located close to the affluent west side of Akron, just a short distance from the prestigious Northwest residential and commercial areas.

The Landings at Canal Park Akron, Ohio 1981-1994 During 1981 construction began on the first 56 of 156 condominiums at "The Landings at Canal Park". In a little more than a year, all of them were sold and occupied by their new owners.

The Landings are two and three bedroom townhomes with full basements and patio decks nestled in a suburban-like setting of trees, walkways and recreational areas. The development is bordered by the restored and rock-terraced Ohio Canal.

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Neighborhood Development Corporation Akron, Ohio 1985 Another opportunity for housing came in 1985, when the City of Akron invited Alpha Phi Alpha Homes, Inc. to manage 16 individual housing units located directly across the street from Channelwood Village. Since assuming managerial control, Alpha Phi Alpha Homes, Inc. has refurbished all 16 units and landscaped the grounds with Bowers and shrubbery. The development is now controlled by the members of Eta Tau Lambda Chapter through a Neighborhood Development Corporation.

Having established its roots in Akron,

Alpha

Phi Alpha

Homes, Inc. expanded its vision and began to pursue opportunities outside of the city.

Those developments included:

James R. Rushin Meadows Ravenna, Ohio 1985 The James R. Rushin Meadows development located in Ravenna, Ohio, was completed in July 1985. It consists of seven, one-story buildings on 3 1/2 acres of land and contains 33 independent units with four designed for disabled persons.

This development is named for the late Brother James R. Rushin who was one of the charter members of the Housing Corporation and a very strong advocate for senior housing. One of the Chapter's most prestigious annual awards is named in honor of Brother Rushin who exemplified high ideals of service and dedication.

Alpha Phi Alpha Housing Estates Cleveland, Ohio 1987 The Alpha Housing Development in Cleveland, Ohio, involved the joint collaborative efforts of Alpha Phi Alpha Homes, Inc. and Delta Alpha Lambda Chapter of Cleveland. The Building used for this development was formerly an elementary school which was rehabilitated to 50 units of housing with 13 efficiencies and 37 one bedroom units on one floor. It was completed in December 1987. The development is managed by Alpha Phi Alpha Homes, Inc.

Vertner W. Tandy Apartments Campbell, Ohio 1988 The senior housing development located in Campbell, Ohio, is named for Jewel Vertner W. Tandy. It was completed in May 1988 and consists of 70, one-story, one bedroom apartments on four acres of land. This development was originally completed in August 1984, but was destroyed by arson fire and completely rebuilt.

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Cherry Creek Acres Stow, Ohio 1989 Alpha Phi Alpha I lomes. Inc. is involved in a very unique project called the Shared Living Development or Cherry Creek Acres in Stow, Ohio. This development is a large, single building providing assisted living housing for 16 frail elderly with housekeeping, laundry and 24 hour supervision. The project was developed in conjunction with the Senior Worker's Action Program and was completed July in 1989.

George H. Nichols Woods Ravenna, Ohio 1988 George H. Nichols Woods is another housing development for the elderly located in Ravenna, Ohio, adjacent to Rushin Meadows. This development consists of SO units in four one story attached buildings on 4.5 acres of land. There are 13 efficiencies and 37 one bedroom units with attached community space. The development was completed in October 1989. It is named for Brother George H. Nichols, a charter member of Alpha Phi Alpha Homes, Inc. and a strong support er of housing for seniors.

Always rising to meet a new challenge, the men of Eta Tau Lambda Chapter have created a unique legacy in affordable, quality housing through Alpha Phi Alpha Homes, Inc. Posed for a new century of opportunity, growth and renewal in both cities and small towns alike, the Brotherhood looks forward to leading the way in shaping the future landscape of our communities.

Named for Brother Lionel H. Newsom, former President of Central State University and the 22nd General President, this 50-unit development is a former bank building in Alliance, Ohio.

The development contains 13 efficiency and 37 one bedroom units on nine floors with public space on the first floor.

Initiated in 1990, Newsom Towers was completed in late 1991 and dedicated in 1993.

Robert L. Bender Woods Massillon, Ohio 1993 Similar to Rushin Meadows in Ravenna, this development consists of 50 units in five one-story building on 11 acres of land in Massillon, Ohio, south of Akron.

The site is also conveniently located north of a major commercial district in the city. Also initiated in 1990, this development was completed in mid-1992 and dedicated in 1993. It is named in honor of the late Brother Robert L. Bender.

22 A The Sphinx T Summer 1996

'A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A LEGEND—BROTHER OZELL SUTTON' as much as they thought they knew about him.

Proceeds from the eleemosynary activity benefited Alpha Phi Alpha's Metro Atlanta Education Foundation. The purpose for which the benefit was sponsored strikes at the heart of the critical problems of the "Black Struggle."

"Service is the rent one pays for die space one occupies," Brother Sutton says about the philosophy by which he lives. And in addition to the 600 Brothers and friends on hand to recognize him as a "quintessence participant and leader in community service," there were 60 personal tributes to Brother Sutton's many years of service and civil rights activities "in many ways and in many venues."

His activities and leadership were chronicled from high school to college as were his days in the U. S. Marines, as a journalist, a housing specialist, a college teacher of Black History, Director of the Arkansas Council on Human Relations, a conciliation and mediation specialist, a special assistant to the late Governor Winthrop Rockefeller of Arkansas and Regional Director of the Community Relations Service, U. S. Department of Justice for the Southeast Region where he currently leads a staff of experts in racial and ethnic conflict resolution. eading the evening of tributes to Brother Sutton, the 26th General President of Alpha, was the current General President, Brother Milton C. Davis; Brother Walter Washington, the 24th General President; the 25 th General President, Brother James R. Williams, who also served as Master of Ceremony; and Brother Charles Teamer, Sr., the 27th General President.

General President Davis credited Brother Sutton and venerable Civil Rights leaderDaisy Bates Brother Sutton as being "the General

I

t was the kind of evening it should have been—luminaries from across the nation converging at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Atlanta. Some 600 luminaries, nonetheless.

There would be serious moments, plenty of humor, and dinner, an appropriate culture for "A Day in the Life of a Civil Rights Legend - A Tribute to Ozell Sutton."

The star-studded, elegant evening was planned

by Eta Lambda and Nu Mu Lambda Chapters of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. to honor a Brother and public servant who many knew but didn't know

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Summer 1996 T The Sphinx

Alpha Renaissance President who re-established Alpha as a national leader in the "Black Struggle."

"He breathed life into the 'A Voteless People is a Hopeless People Campaign, initiated the Leadership Development/Citizenship Education Institutes conducted by chapters and all five regions, and inaugurated Project Alpha," a teen pregnancy prevention program, President Davis recalled about Brother Sutton's leadership. "He will be remembered for instituting the programmatic approach in the Black Struggle."

"He led so dynamically for so long in so many ways that he must be counted among our great leaders," said Dr. Ben Hooks, retired executive director of the NAACP. Sutton was a Youth Council President of the

A few of the Alpha programs sponsored by the Alpha Phi Alpha Education Foundation which the evening benefited include: • "Go to High School, Go to College" which pays tuition and scholarships to support the postsecondary education of African-Americans.

• Mentoring and tutorial programs for students in need.

• "Project Alpha" which teaches African-American males from 9 - 1 8 years old the responsibilities of manhood and their role in preventing teen pregnancy.

• Leadership Development/Citizenship Education Institute which provides participants with the tools of leadership-parliamentary usage, public presentation, organizing skills, and a sense of responsibility.

• A Headstart Partnership which introduces a greater male presence in the lives of young children.

• A range of community outreach programs including health screening, meals for the needy, a clothes closet, and supervised recreational activities for children and youth.

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Sutton and wife Joanna.

NAACP and collegiate chapter president, a leader at Central High in Little Rock during the crisis there and is now a board member of the Special Contribution Fund Board and Chairperson of the Thousandaire Club.

Former General President James R. Williams called the occasion "a tremendous tribute to the life and legacy of a truly great public servant."

"All of the participants felt they knew just about everything there was to know about Brother Sutton," Brother Williams noted. "But we were wrong. There were many things that he had done that we did not know about." ne of those unknowns was Brother Sutton's role as a founder of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. "He was the leading conceptualizing and moving force behind formation of trie Center and remains a dynamic and creative member of its board," said Dr. Ernest Allen, president of the NCMEC. Sutton convened and directed organization of the Center in trie wake of the missing children that devastated Atlanta. (See sidebar) The President and CEO of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Dr. Joseph Lowery, called Sutton "the most sensitive and positive governmental official I know in enabling the poor and protecting the rights of minorities."

"From the days of recruiting children who integrated the Little Rock Schools, to the marches in Selma and Birmingham, to working for the U. S. Justice Department, your continued leadership has

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profited numerous civil and human A SUTTON HIGHLIGHT rights causes," former U. N. Ambassador Brother Andrew Young The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children is a wrote in a congratulatory letter to multimillion project which serves as a "leading force in the counBrother Sutton. try in searching for missing children." n addition to the bachelor's Sutton calls missing children "the most vulnerable in the and Doctor of Humane street," subject to drugs, murder, and rape. The Center is highly Letters degrees from computerized, Brother Sutton explains, and uses technology which Philander Smith College in enables it to project the looks of missing children as they age.

Arkansas, Brother Sutton received Founding of the Center is among the highlights of his illustrispecialized training at the University ous career, Sutton admits, but he adds: "I have been so fortunate of Oklahoma, the University of that I have had so many highlights in my life."

Arkansas, the University of He is also especially proud, Brother Sutton says, of the California at Berkeley, and the emphasis his administration as President of Alpha placed on the University of Georgia.

Fraternity's role in the Civil Rights struggle. "I saw my adminisHe is certified in racial conflict tration moving Alpha where it belongs—in the forefront of leadership in the Black struggle," Brother Sutton recalls. resolution by the Institute for Mediation and Conflict Resolution in Sutton knows first hand the importance of voter registration and active participation in the Civil Rights struggle. He was the Washington, DC, and in dispute setfirst African-American in the South to be named a reporter for a dement and arbitration from the major daily newspaper when in 1950 he was hired by the Arkansas National Center for Dispute Democrat.

Settlement of the American Arbitration The newspaper job was one of four he was offered after graduAssociation in New York City. ation from Philander Smith. He had an offer to be a mathematics Mrs. Coretta Scott King lauded teacher (his college major), sixth grade teacher, a school principal, Brother Sutton's "commitment, and a newspaper reporter. "I took the one I knew nothing about," involvement and support of human Brother Sutton remembers. and civil rights." She called him "an He was recommended for the newspaper job, Brother Sutton exemplary man of great strength and says, because he "wrote good term papers." In his frequent talks compassion." with students, he tells them about the importance of being prePersonal tributes were also prepared for unexpected opportunities. In his case, he did not have a sented by civil rights activist and journalism background, but he could communicate—he could comedian Dick Gregory; Mrs. Daisy convey an idea.

Bates, the courageous leader of the Sutton called his stay with the Arkansas paper "seven turbulent integration efforts at Little Rock's years."

At one point he remembers a "stand off' between himself Central High School in 1957-58; and the newspaper. "They expected me to leave and I expected Philander Smith College President them to fire me."

Dr. Myer Titus; Dr. William V. Guy, pastor of Atlanta's Friendship Baptist Church; Curley Dossman, of that organization. "We could never have president of the 100 Black Men of Atlanta; the enrolled more than 75 organizations in the fight Anheuser-Busch Companies Vice President for against illiteracy had it not been for the commitCorporate Affairs, Wayman Smith; the honorable ment and national leadership of Ozell Sutton," Rodney Slater, administrator of the Federal Wright maintained.

Highway Administration; and Mrs. Helen Price, the "He stands like Martin's staff among the most Coca Cola Company Director of Corporate contributing persons to the cause of freedom, jusAffairs. tice, and equity," Dick Gregory said of Sutton's contributions to the cause of civil and human rights. en Wright, Executive Director of the "He has been so sturdy for so long that he fully National Assault on Illiteracy Program deserves the recognition and designation of a (AOIP), praised Brother Sutton for his 'Living Legend'." role as the first president and chairman of the board

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Summer 1996 • The Sphinx

Director of the Little Rock Urban League during the Crisis; Lois Frank, former co-chairperson of the Atlanta Black-Jewish Coalition; and Roy Hanson, executive director of the Metropolitan Atlanta Crime Commission. lso, William "Sonny" Walker, president of he Sonny Walker Group; Rev. O'Lee Sutton, pastor, Monumental Baptist Church of Milwaukee; and the Rev. Deborah Grant, minister, Morris Brown College.

Tributes from the Sutton family came from Rev. Sutton; the honoree's wife, Joanna Sutton made a musical tribute, General President Milton Davis, former General President James Williams, "Through the Years"; Sutton's Brother Sutton and Brothers from area chapters including Southern Region Vicedaughters Angela SuttonPresident Chester A. Wheeler III. Martin, Alta "Tena" Sutton Muhammad, DietreJoSutton; rs. Daisy Bates, a leader in the Central and Samuel Martin, Afrika Pratt-Ansa, Angel High (Arkansas) crisis and in the Civil Matrin and Khalil Muhammad, grandchildren.

Rights Movement of the 1950s and WSB-TV's Monica Kaufman joined former '60s, characterized Sutton as the "tongue, pen and General President Williams as Mistress of motivator for that phase of the Movement. I countCeremony for the evening. ed on him for motivating speeches to our workers and the students, for his ability to write clearly and concisely, and for his willingness to stand in the 'Gap' the day the children entered Central High School."

Also on hand to help recall the record of Brother Sutton were: Mrs. Jondelle Johnson, executive director of the NAACP Atlanta Branch; Worth Long, the Philander Smith College alumnus who led the Little Rock sit-ins; George I. Henry, a retired Labor Department Executive Comedian Brother Dick Gregory, Brother Sutton, Retired NAACP Executive Ben Hooks. who was Executive

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Historical Moment Brother Thomas D. Pawley

OUR HERALDIC EMBLEMS

Rousseve Shield

Dunn Shield

Our Ritual describes three emblems of the Fraternity, viz the Badge (pin), the Sphinx head, and the Shield. It does not describe the Fraternal Design, the constitution notwithstanding. The description of the Shield is that of the original, adapted by the Fraternity in 1911. This essay will trace the historical evolution of the Shield. The historical evolution of the Fraternal Design will be covered in an essay to be published in the next issue of The Sphinx.

Shield The Shield described in the Ritual was created

by Brother James Dunn of Kappa Chapter (History, 72). It is no longer in use except on the cover of the current edition of the History ofAlpha Phi Alpha.

The exact date when it was replaced is not clear. It was the emblem of the Fraternity for more than a quarter of a century and appears on the writer's shingle and that of thousands of older Brothers before being replaced by the current emblem.

Brother Dunn was attempting to provide Alpha Phi Alpha with an emblem comparable to those of the traditional fraternities. These of course were modeled after the coats-of-arms of European heraldry—symbols which identified warriors in battle and later knights in medieval tournaments. A shield was a necessary part of the knight's armour protect-

The Sphinx T Summer 1996

Current Shield

ing him from swords, battle axes and other lethal weapons in war and the onslaughts of his opponents in the lists during the tournaments of the Middle Ages. Families continued to use these symbols placed originally on shields long after they ceased to be used to identify warriors.

The Ritual Shield contains five elements and utilizes straight lines. Within a bend or pale (diagonal bar) is a fasces (battle axe) bound with three crossed straps and a single strap at the top and bottom. The bend divides the shield into two geometric figures.

In a triangle in the upper left portion is a torch with three crossed straps, a single strap beneath them, ribbons beneath the flame, held diagonally by a right hand. To the right of the flame within the triangle is a winged dove in profile looking downward.

Within a four-sided figure or double triangle in the lower right portion is a Nubian Sphinx head.

All of these components are placed within a seven-sided escutcheon. A scroll beneath it contains the Greek letters AOA. The meaning and significance of the various elements are explained in the Ritual. ' However, the Dunn Shield may have elements of ancient free masonry and hidden meanings which only become apparent after study.

The first Shield was simple and unadorned, lacking such traditional heraldic devices as mantling, helmet, bandeau, supporters, and motto. ' Some of these components were added to the second shield

Historical Moment designed by Brother Ferdinand Rousseve of Sigma Lambda Chapter (Cf. History, 172). It is not clear when or whether these changes were approved by the General Convention since no mention of them appears in the History. Unquestionably they formed the basis for the current Shield.

In this design elaborate mantling surrounds a flear de lis resting on the center of the upper margins extending downward on each side approximately to the middle. The fleur de lis is a symbol from French heraldry and is the mark of cadency of the sixth son, and in the Rousseve shield replaces the traditional helmet. ' The various elements are placed within a seven-sided escutcheon and decorative background both utilizing curved and straight lines. Seven mullets 4 beneath the upper margin are placed within the six-sided upper portion together with a torch without straps or ribbons and held upright in a left hand. o the right of the torch near the bend is a winged dove whose head is elevated.

Beneath it are the Arabic numerals 1906.

The fasces with the bend is bound with a single strap at the bottom, two at the top and three crossed straps between. (Are these Roman numerals?) within the lower portion with sand around them are a single pyramid and sphinx facing full front. This identifies it as the Sphinx at Gaza in Egypt. The scroll beneath the escutcheon extends upward toward the mantling on either side and contains the words knowledge and achievement on the left and rights sides respectively of the Greek letters AOA. These modifications and additions to the original shield raise intriguing questions lending themselves to an expansion of meanings which Ritual committees may wish to explore.

The official emblem of the Fraternity, the registered or corporate shield, is a modification of the Rousseve Shield. It retains the scroll with the Greek letters and motto, the winged dove in profile, the fasces within a pale, the vertical torch held in a left hand and the Sphinx head. It adds two additional pyramids, removes the sand, and the mullets are eight pointed. (Is that a reminder that we have had eight Jewels?)

Mantling around the upper portions is less elaborate surrounding a simplified fleur de lis. ! Our History does not record the date of adoption of the official Shield. It forms the basis of the Life

T

Member Badge in which the Greek letters AOA replace the mantling and fleur de lis at the top and in which the scroll at the base contains the words "Life Member." A single diamond replaces the crossed strap in the center of the fasces.

Works Cited Charles H. Wesley, The History ofAlpha Phi Alpha, A Development in College Life, 12th Edition, Chicago, Illinois, The Foundation Publishers.

Cited as History.

Laurence T Young, "Alpha Workshop" in The Sphinx, Winter 1972, Volume 58 Number 4. Cited as Sphinx.

End Notes 1 The illustration on page 72 of the History places the elements within a decorative background of a six-sided figure. The original embossed on the writer's shingle does not.

2 Mantling is ornamental accessories about the helmet at the top. Supporters are figures on each side resting on a scroll or motto. Bandeau are wreatJis with curved or straight twists. The helmet is the visor worn by the warrior.

3 Heraldry cadency is the position or rank of younger members of some family or branches of that family (house). Other marks include the file (the eldest son), the crescent (the second son), the mullet (the third son), the martlet (the fourth son), etc. The fleur de lis was the emblem of the kings of France. Charles V adopted three golden fleur de lis on a blue field as his coat-of-arms. In French it means "flower of trie lily," and is sometimes applied to the iris. Brother Rousseve used the emblem of nobility in his design.

4 Mullets are five pointed stars.

5 It also resembles an inverted crown with a peeled banana. I'm not sure this was intentional especially the latter.

Brother Pawley is the Fraternity Historian.

Summer 1996 T The Sphinx

Alpha On The Move

GENERAL JOHNNIE E. WILSON

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rother Johnnie E. Wilson, recendy named a four-star Army General, is the highest ranking active African-American officer in the United States military. In March, the Alpha On the Move assumed leadership of the U. S. Army Material Command where he is responsible for research, development, and acquisition of modern equipment and logistics used throughout the Army.

He assumed the command, General Wilson said, with a commitment to "provide equal opportunity for all."

"We've created an environment of trust, loyalty, and teamwork that's sensitive to all—free of racial and sexual harassment—and one that provides an equal opportunity for all to achieve their full potential," Brother Wilson says. "In our vision, we see (Army Material Command) as the leader in equipping and sustaining America's Army," said the Alpha On the Move.

The Army Material Command General Wilson now heads is made up of thousands of civilian and military personnel at 11 major subordinate commands in depots, laboratories, arsenals, manufacturing facilities, maintenance shops, proving grounds, test ranges, engineering centers and procurement offices throughout the world.

Brother Wilson's duties include overseeing the research, development and acquisition of modern equipment and logistics used throughout the Army as well as the delivery systems used to get equipment and supplies to the troops. He also manages the command in developing, testing and applying new technology to weapons systems used in the Army as well as other branches of the military.

Born in Baton Rouge, LA, on February 4, 1944, General Wilson was raised in Lorain, Ohio, and entered the Army in August 1961 as an enlisted soldier. He attained the rank of Staff Sergeant before attending Officer Candidate School after which he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Ordnance Corps.

Brother Wilson earned the Bachelor of Science

i

degree in Business Administration from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and the Master of Science degree in Logistics Management from the Florida Institute of Technology. His military training includes completion of the Ordnance Officer Basic and Advanced courses, the Army Command and General Staff College, and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.

Before being named Commander of the Army Material Command, Brother Wilson held a wide variety of command and staff positions, including the Army's Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics at the Pentagon. Before the Pentagon assignment, he was Chief of Staff at Army Material Command Headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia.

General Wilson also served as Commanding General of the U. S. Army Ordnance Center and School at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, Deputy Commanding General of the 21 st Theater Army Area Command, among other major commands in the United States and overseas. He is also a veteran of the Vietnam War. Brother Wilson's numerous decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star (with two Oak Leaf Clusters), the Meritorious Service Medal (with two Oak Leaf Clusters), the Army Commendation Medal, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Being the Army's leader is not a trivial task, says Brother Wilson. He said the Army is a value-based organization where the values of professionalism, sacrifice, trust, loyalty, selfless service, duty, honor, and country are reinforced.

"To some degree we have control over our own destiny," says Brother Wilson who was initiated into the Fraternity at Xi Alpha Lambda Chapter in Alexandria, VA, in May 1984. "But we need to find new and innovative ways to help ourselves," he added.

Brother Wilson is married to the former Helen McGhee of Elyria, Ohio. They have three children: Johnnie E. Jr., Charlene, and Scott and five grandchildren.

Leisure Brother Ronald M. Powell

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From its beginning in 1764 as a small French village situated on the banks of the mighty Mississippi River, St. Louis has steadily grown over the centuries.

Today, it's a vibrant city which draws approximately five million visitors each year. More than 100 major tourist attractions offer many exciting things for the entire family to see and do.

The ideal place to begin a tour of St. Louis is downtown at the Gateway Arch which towers 630 feet above the city. Tram cars carry visitors to the top of the nation's tallest manmade monument.

From this vantage point, one will find a breathtaking, 30-mile panoramic view of the majestic river, the city and surrounding area.

Once you are back on the ground, stop at the visitors center for a free city map and up-to-theminute information on what is happening in the area. The map will come in handy especially if you are driving. All of the major tourist attractions, of course, are not located downtown. Persons inter-

ested in guided city tours should inquire here at the center.

The best way to get a feel for "Ol Man River" is by taking a relaxing riverboat cruise. One-hour narrated cruises depart throughout the day from the St. Louis Levee just steps away from the Gateway Arch. Dinner cruises with live music operate every evening.

Nearby is Laclede's Landing known for its vibrant nightlife. Visitors will find a host of unpretentious restaurants and lively nightclubs along the cobblestone streets. The St. Louis Blues Heritage Festival is held here every September during the Labor Day Weekend.

The Ville is the "Hood" to Visit North of downtown is St. Louis' historic African-American neighborhood called The Ville.

It was here that Sumner High became the first school west of the Mississippi to provide secondary

Summer 1996 T The Sphinx

Leisure education for African-American students.

Graduates include tennis great Arthur Ashe and opera diva Grace Bumbry.

Not far away is the St. Louis Black Repertory Company. Check the local newspaper for performances which are produced by this theatrical group throughout the year. Shows usually run Thursday through Sunday.

Scott Joplin, known as the Father of Ragtime, lived in St. Louis in the early 1900s. Visit the restored house where the young pianist lived and composed some of his best compositions. Tours of the home are conducted daily. Children will enjoy pumping a foot-powered player piano and performing their own ragtime selections. The Scott Joplin House, a National Historic Landmark, is located at 2658 Delmar Blvd. For hours of operation, call 1-314-533-1003.

Continue along Delmar to the 6400 block.

Here is where the St. Louis Walk of Fame begins.

For the next three blocks, bronze stars have been placed in the sidewalk to commemorate famous St. Louisans. Music legends like Josephine Baker, Chuck Berry, Miles Davis, Tina Turner and Scott Joplin are honored here.

While in this neighborhood called "The Loop", grab a bite to eat at Blueberry Hill located at 6504 Delmar. It's a landmark filled with rock & roll memorabilia. One of Chuck Berry's guitars is displayed here. Elvis Presley and The Beades are honored also.

And, believe it or not, you can play up to 2,000 musical selections on the world greatest jukebox!

Not far away is Forest Park. One of its popular attractions is The History Museum. Displayed here is a music exhibit entitled, "Ragtime to Rock'n' Roll: St. Louis African American Music." The exhibition traces the roots of American music from the days of Scott Joplin. Instruments, costumes and photographs document the contributions to the field of music made by native St. Louisans.

Other attractions found in this lush park include the St. Louis Zoo, Art Museum and the Science Center. The entire family will enjoy riding the colorful "Shuttle Bug" bus from one attraction to another.

Downtown's the Place to Be Meanwhile, back downtown there's Union Station, a restored 100-year-old train station. It was once the nation's busiest railway depot. The massive structure now houses more than 100 bars, restaurants and shops. This is the place to buy those souvenirs for friends back home.

Among the sta-

The Sphinx T Summer 1996

Leisure tion's "in spots" is former Chicago Bear Walter Payton's America's Bar. In addition to good food, drinks and music, the staff performs choreographed dance routines hourly. This trendy bar is located at Market & 18th Streets.

If interested in riverboat gambling, try the conveniently-located President Casino docked near the Gateway Arch. It opens daily at 10 a.m. This dockside casino features over 1,500 slot machines plus blackjack, poker, craps, and roulette.

A trip to St. Louis would not be complete without a visit to the Soulard District. It's the city's oldest neighborhood, located just south of downtown.

Old-timers describe it as "just your typical bluesy, jazzy, folksy, funky, spunky, get down, 100-year-old neighborhood!"

ble from number of cities throughout the nation.

For railway schedules and fare information, contact AMTRAK reservations by calling toll free: 1-800-872-7245.

By Bus: Persons interested in traveling by bus should either call toll-free to the Greyhound Bus Lines: 1-800-231-2222 or to Peter Pan Trailways (a consolidated bus company which still carries the Trailways logo) at: 1-800-343-9999.

By Water: From some cities, it is even possible to travel to St. Louis by water. The Delta Queen Steamboat Company operates vacation cruises along the Mississippi River. Fully-equipped with modern cabin conveniences including airconditioning, boats snake along the scenic river as it makes its way to the Gulf of Mexico. St. Louis, Memphis and New Orleans are only a few of the possible points of embarkation. For more information, call toll free: 1-800-543-1949.

For More Information

Getting There By Land, Air or Water!

By Car—Travelers who chose to drive to St. Louis will find a convenient interstate highway network (including 1-44,1-55,1-64 and 1-70) which converges into the city. The best way to acquire up-to-date route maps is though travel membership groups like the American Automobile Association or Mobile Travel Service.

By Air—Lambert International Airport is just 15 minutes away from downtown St. Louis. It's the nation's 12th busiest airport. About a dozen airlines fly in and out of the area including Trans World Airlines which is based here. All of the major car rental agencies have service counters at the airport.

By Rail: Traveling by train to St. Louis is possi-

Every attempt has been made to ensure the accuracy of information contained in this article.

However, travelers are encouraged to call ahead of arrival in die city and verify essential information such as addresses, current admission prices and hours of operation. For example, summer hours are usually different from hours operated in the fall and winter.

The following offices are excellent resources for up-to-the-minute information on what is happening in the city year-round.

St. Louis Black Chamber of Commerce - 509 Olive Street, Suite 1203 - St. Louis, Missouri 63101. Telephone: 1-314-421-0505.

St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission 10 S. Broadway, Suite 1000 - St. Louis, M O 63102.

Telephone: 1-800-916-0038.

Photos are courtesy of the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission.

Brother Powell is retired from the U. S. Postal Service and currently operates Soul Journey Enterprises, Inc. Washington, DC.

Summer 1996 • The Sphinx

Leisure

The Black Trans-Atlantic Experience: Street Life and Culture in England, Ghana, Jamaica, and the United States

T

he Black Trans-Atlantic Experience, photographs by Stephen Marc, was published in 1992 by die Department of Photography, Columbia College, Chicago. Stephen Marc has been on the Columbia College faculty since 1978. He currently coordinates the Photography Department Graduate Program. He holds the M.EA. from the Tyler School of Art, Temple University, and the B.A. degree from Pomona College, Claremont, CA. His awards, honors, and exhibitions are numerous and his works are in the permanent collections of the Chicago Historical Society, the Museum of Contemporary Photography, Chicago, The Field Museum of Natural History, Africa Exhibit, Chicago, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Texas, the National Museum of American Art, Washington, DC, and the University of Iowa Museum of Art. The Black Trans-Atlantic Experience includes 88 photographs. Marc is also author of Urban Notions, a series of 32 photographs.

"The Photographer...has used his talented 'eye' and his considerable technical abilities to present us with a visual record of the odyssey that stands as an artistic triumph on its own, as well as being an ethnological data bank. The odyssey of the maker becomes our own as well."

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Justine M. Cordwell May Weber Museum of Cultural Arts Chicago

"(Cary Beth) Cryor, (Stephen) Marc, and (Deborah) Willis draw their source material from their own personal archives of images, writings, objects and ephemera to explore and illuminate their personal and cultural identity...Whether it be daily struggles, family relations, cultural experiences or historical events that motivate the creativity of these artists, the end result is a visual product to be shared and 'read' by many. Their provocative juxtapositions of history with the present has resulted in compelling forms, as individual as each artist..."

Tom Beck and Cynthia Wayne Visual Griots United States

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Leisure "In many ways, this book is a rare display of the positive aspects of the liberal ideal of 'multiculturalism,' the bringing in of new voices and modes of expression to the American scene. It is clear that being black was very important to this photographer and to this project."

Nancy Madlin Photo District News

"...Marc has journeyed across continents, retracing the currents of the African Diaspora. His project was self-assigned—a kind of research that links history reflected in the present to an atavistic form of autobiography. Marc's ostensible goal is to personally explore and connect with his cultural origins while finding the threads of a more communal experience."

John Bloom review A Newsletter of The Friends of Photography

Summer 1996 T The Sphinx

Leisure

"Marc's black-and-white photographs fairly pulse with the I of street life. The streets become a symbolic bridge between black people in distant places. A carnival in London, street dancing in Chicago, a children's game in Jamaica and styles of hair in all these places reflect African influence."

"That feeling of going home comes through his photographs with unfailing warmth and something close to a sense of family spirit shared between subject and photographer."

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36 •

Abigail Foerstner Chicago Tribune

The Sphinx T Summer 1996

Chapter News EASTERN Eta T h e t a Lambda Long Island, N Y The second Monday in January is a special time for America, especially for all Alpha men. This is the time when we celebrate the birthday of Brother Dr. Martin Luther King, jr. Eta Theta Lambda's 1996 celebration of Brother King's birthday attracted more than 100 Brothers and guests at a luncheon.

The luncheon was highlighted with an address by Executive Director Darryl Matthews, Sr., who focused on the plight of Black America and some issues and problems that plague African-American communities. Brother Matthews called for more mentors in our communities as "we empower one another."

Brother James Garner, Mayor of the Town of Hempstead, Long Island, received the 1995 Community Service Award and Brother Darren Morton, New York State District Director, received the Brother of the Year Award.

Honorees for the evening also included five scholarship recipients, college-bound high school students who participated in Eta Theta Lambda's Christmas Card Program.

Sharing the $5,000 in scholarships were: Jermelle McNeil, Leake-Watts High School; Damiso Jackson, Kellengberg High School; Tamika Williams, Julia Richmond High School; Tiffany Davis, East Meadow High School; and Marisa Matthews, Midwood High School (Brooklyn).

Sonderling High School's Warren E. Fletcher received $200 to support the community sports project he launched in connection with his candidacy for Eagle Scout.

The Eta Theta Lambda program year also includes the annual Black College Tour, now in its 15th season, and a very

active mentoring program. More than 1,500 high school students have participated in the college tour since its inception in 1982. The 1995 tour included visits to Morgan State University, Florida A&M University, Morehouse College, Tuskegee University, Spelman College, Clark Atlanta University, Johnson C. Smith University, North Carolina A&T State University, Bennett College, Virginia State University, Howard University, Virginia Union University, North Carolina Central University, and Hampton University.

Two students, Marisa Matthew, East Meadow High School, and Rochelle Pringle, John Brown High School, received scholarships for scoring highest on SAT an ACT examinations.

SAT and ACT workshops are held for college tour participants.

Eta Theta Lambda has developed an Alpha Academy which is designed to make program participants aware of critical academic and social issues and generally direct them toward career success. Eta Theta Lambda also partners with the New York City Chapter of the Black MBA Association in sponsoring a mentoring program called CASH—College Awareness Symbolizes Hope.

Omicron T .amhda Alpha Washington, D C The Brothers of Omicron Lambda Alpha report a "Renaissance" within their program activities.

The Go to High School Go to College and Project Alpha activities are being sponsored in partnership with Mu Lambda and the Washington, DC alumnae chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. The two Alpha chapters and the Deltas have labeled their programs "Together With Unity and Male Enhancement Project." They have targeted students of Van Ness Elementary School with an emphasis on the positive aspects of excelling in school and preparing for the challenges they will face in the future.

A Physical and Mental Health Day, KWANZAA Celebration, Career Day, Black History Month Celebration, college tour, and First Annual Trailblazers Conference keep

Omicron Lambda Alpha Brothers busy.

The Omicron Lambda Alpha Chapter program has a Boy Scout component, and the Brothers will sponsor an Alpha Leadership Development Institute and the Patricia Roberts Harris and Paul Robeson Oratorical Contest for high school students.

Oratorical contest winners, student scholarship winners, and the special achievements of Chapter members will be recognized during the year-end Awards Ceremony.

Omicron Lambda Alpha has reinstituted the Chapter's Bike-A-Thon activity which will be held in conjunction with the Washington Area Youth At Risk Program. The Chapters Founder's Day program will be a joint activity with Omicron Eta Lambda.

Summer 1996 • The Sphinx

EASTERN Alpha Gamma Lambda N e w York City Captain Brother William A. Woods, president of Alpha Gamma Lambda, is a part of the American forces serving in the City of Sarajevo. Brother Woods is responsible for die security of an American general officer and the reconstitution of Sarajevo's mass transportation system.

As a civilian, Brother Woods is Director of Merchant Sales and Services for the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

His role in the military is to work closely with the senior staff and presidents of die Greater Sarajevo Area Rapid Transit, die bus system of Bosnia, and die Railway of Bosnia and Herzegovina to restore local bus, tram, trolley bus, and national rail service to die former Yugoslavia.

Brother Woods was initiated into Alpha in 1976 at Northwestern University, Evanston, IL. Brothers who wish to correspond with Brother Woods may write: Cpt. William A. Woods, H Q , IFOR (CJ-CIMIC), The Sarajevo Residency, Operation Joint Endeavor, APO AE 09780.

Rho Lambda Buffalo, N Y Just two months before he passed at a Senior Citizens Home in Rochester, NY, Rho Lambda Brothers made a timely visit with Brother Dr. Van T. J. Levy.

Brother Levy was the oldest charter member of Rho Lambda Chapter. He was 96 years old when he passed in April 1996. A native of Brooklyn, NY, Brother Levy is credited with founding Rho Lambda in Buffalo in 1925, Eta Rho Lambda in Rochester in 1960, and was a charter member of Zeta Eta at Columbia University in 1968.

A retired dentist, Brother Levy knew all the Jewels and was reported to have been a close friend of Jewel Brother George B. Kelly.

The Sphinx • Summer 1996

Beta Gamma Virginia State

First place honors in four categories went to Beta Gamma Chapter during competition at the 64th Annual Eastern Regional Convention in Providence, RI. Beta Gamma's Shannon Pettiford won the Belford V. Lawson Oratorical Contest; Brother Jame '1 Hodges choreographed a team of eight Brothers to a first-place finish in the Step Show competition; and the Beta Gamma team of Brothers Pettiford, Roy Tatem, David Meyers, and Hodges was first in the Scholars Bowl. Eastern Region Chapter of the Year honors also went to Beta Gamma which is in its 70th year of service.

Delta Beta Lambda H a m p t o n , VA "To remember King is to remember the struggle." If King's dream is to be fulfilled, all must get involved. That was the message delivered by Rev. Wyatt Tee Walker, guest speaker for Delta Beta Lambda's 11th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. commemorative breakfast. More than 700 people attended.

The annual breakfast is Delta Beta Lambda's major fundraiser and it helps to underwirte the Chapter's Leadership Development Institute, Project Alpha, and scholarship programs. This year's breakfast attracted a record attendance and 11 corporate sponsors.

Rev. Walker was Dr. King's chief of staff and a key strategist in Civil Rights campaigns in the 1950s and '60s. He is currendy senior pastor at the Canaan Baptist Church in New York's Harlem community. He told the audience that America's blacks must turn to their churches, which he described as "the reservoir of leadership and the single institution of the race that has given cohesion to the fabric of our lives."

Commenting on the success of the annual King breakfast, Delta Beta Lambda president Brother William Floyd noted: "Little did we know when we started in 1986 that the breakfast would become such an important event. The mayor, business and community leaders, and our friends all look forward to attending the breakfast."

Chapter News Psi University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University The Bi-Cultural Greek Society (Big-C) has cited Psi Chapter as die organization drat best exemplifies die higher goals to which Greek organizations should strive to attain. Psi Chapter, founded in 1920, received the Big-C's Sadie T M. Alexander Award as part of this recognition.

Meanwhile, congratulations should be extended to Brodiers George B. G. Holt and Jerome Hairston, Jr. for their leadership roles in the Big-C. Brother Holt was elected president and Brother Hairston was named treasurer of the Big-C. The Big-C is die governing body of traditionally Black and Hispanic fraternities and sororities at the University of Pennsylvania.

Alpha Brothers have been regular participants in Big-C activities like the Greek Community Service Day, "Breaking Down the Walls" interracial mixer, and the annual Penn Relay's Step Show.

Psi Chapter is pleased with the results of its voter registration drive and community outreach activities. The voter registration drive was held in conjunction with Power 99 FM on the Penn and Drexel campuses.

The Alpha Cabaret has been characterized by many as "the classiest event on campus." The Cabaret is a part of Alpha Week which also includes an Inter-Greek basketball tournament and several guest speakers.

Psi Chapter Brothers are supporting Brodier Gordon L, Austin in his presentation of the Campus Organized Lectures on Racial Sensitivity Program (C.O.L.O.R.S.), a project designed to nourish racial interaction; and the Success program spearheaded by Brother Adrian Miles of the Philadelphia Educational System also has die support of Psi Chapter.

Psi Chapter members are among diose trying to obtain a permit to renovate the Paul Robeson House in Philadelphia.

SOUTHERN M u Zeta University of N o r t h Carolina at Chapel Hill Mu Zeta Chapter has been lauded by the Office of Greek Affairs at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for its role in an Orange County Habitat for Humanity project. The partnership between Mu Zeta and three other fraternities and two sororities resulted in a home for Ms. Darlene Laws and her family.

"It has given me an opportunity to have a dream come true. By being a single parent, I had put the idea of owning a house out of my mind," Ms. Laws said.

Work started on the house in October and the Laws were scheduled to move in April or May. The University Presbyterian Church also played a role in the Habitat for Humanity project.

O m i c r o n Lambda Birmingham, AL The Brothers of Omicron Lambda launched their Head Start Male Partnership Project with a breakfast and Financial Management Workshop. Some 175 Head Start fathers and children attended the breakfast and heard a motivational speech by Family Court Judge Brother Andra Sparks.

The Financial Management Workshop was part of the Chapter's "From Men, About Men Series." The workshop covered wills, insurance, preparing resumes, stress management, and "Starting and Repairing Credit."

The Male Partnership Project is under the leadership of Brother Gregory Clark and Victor Spencer.

Beta Beta Lambda Miami, F L

Joint venture signing The Brothers of Beta Beta Lambda Chapter have received a grant to provide athletic and cultural activities for nearly 75 boys and girls between 10 and 16 years old.

The program is a joint venture between the Dade County Family Resource Center and Beta Beta Lambda Chapter's Educational Foundation in Miami. Staff for the Saturday program is drawn from the Fraternity, the Metro-Dade Fire and Police Departments, Dade County Public Schools and social service agencies.

Program participants are selected based on their interest in sports and academic aptitude. Transportation is provided for the youth who come from points throughout Dade County.

The joint venture is being hailed for its success in heightening self-esteem "under the guidance of a strong mentoring relationship."

Beta Beta Lambda has been involved in community outreach in the Greater Miami community since its inception in 1937.

Summer 1996 • The Sphinx

Gamma M u Lambda Tallahassee, F L Brothers Michael James and Harold Uzzell are continuing the tradition Alpha men have established as administrative leaders in Tallahassee, the capital of Florida.

Brother James is Assistant University Registrar at Florida A&M University and was the 1994-1995 President of the Florida Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers. Currently chair of Michael James die Gamma Mu Lambda Courtesy Committee and former corresponding secretary and treasurer, Brother James was 1992 Chapter Man of die Year.

Brother Uzzell was recently promoted to Assistant Director of the Division of Marketing and Development, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. He serves on several Gamma Mu Lambda Chapter committees.

And the Brothers of Gamma Mu Lambda invite comments and recommendations on their News Quarterly.

Committee Meetings/Update, personal and professional highlights, suggested readings and healdi tips and, among Harold Uzzell other things, conferences, national endorsements and political actions are covered in the publication.

Delta T h e t a Lambda Huntsville, AL Brother Mingo Clark has received the Charles Greene Award of Merit, Alpha South's highest honor for Fraternity service. Brother Clark was initiated into Delta Gamma at Alabama A&M in 1954 and has since served as District Director, Regional Vice President, and Director of General Conventions.

In addition to the Clark award, Alpha South also named Delta Theta Lambda Alumni Chapter of the Year.

And before being honored by Alpha South, Delta Theta Lambda was named Outstanding Community Service organization by the Twenty Distinguished Young Men of Huntsville. Brother Earnest Dees, who chairs the secondary education department at Alabama A&M, received the organization's Education Award.

Brothers Christopher Evans, Marc Lacy, Alvin Odoms, Van Strickland, and Anthony Toney are members of Twenty Distinguished Young Men of Huntsville.

O m i c r o n Tau Lambda Aiken, SC

Upsilon Lambda Jacksonville, FL For his dedicated service as president of Omicron Tau Lambda Chapter, Brother Joe Newman has received the Outstanding Leadership Award. Omicron Tau Lambda is pleased with the success of its Rites of Passage program which is providing mentoring and positive role models for African-American adolescent males.

Participants in the Chapter's Go To High School, Go to College program were introduced to career opportunities in computer engineering/science, and explored a range of computer technology during the 1996 Technical Forum at Lucy C. Laney High School in Augusta, GA. Iota Eta Lambda Denmark, SC Brother Willie Jefferson has been named State Director for South Carolina.

SoutJiern Regional Director Chester Wheeler announced the appointment of Brother Jefferson during the Regional Convention in Greenville, SC. Brodier Jefferson is on die staff at Voorhees College in Denmark. He is meeting United Negro College Fund with chapters to implement "New Program for New Directions." Brother Jefferson sucPresident Brother William "Bill" Gray ceeds Brother James Lucas of Columbia, SC, who was District Director for eight years. was the invited speaker for the first two scholarship banquets sponsored by Gamma Sigma Lambda Upsilon Lambda. Each of the two banquets attracted some 500 people. In two Fort Valley, GA years, the Chapter has raised almost More than 225 Brothers and friends of Alpha attended the Scholarship Awards $30,000 which it donates to the UNCF as Luncheon sponsored by Gamma Sigma Lambda and Gamma Zeta Chapters. A a means of supporting the Fraternity's Go sophomore student, Lester C. Solomon received the Chapter scholarship. to High School, Go to College program.

High school scholars are also recognized Solomon is from the twin Island of Trinidad and Tobago.

The Chapter's Outstanding Citizen of the Year Award went to Mrs. Ada J. Lee, in the Jacksonville community and and Brother Maulvin Engram was recognized as the Brother of the Year. Brother encouraged to stay in school.

BrotherWendell Holmes (right) is chairEngram has been an Alpha for 49 years.

General President Milton Davis, the keynote speaker, Regional Vice President Chester man of the Upsilon Lambda UNCF/Scholarship Banquet.

Wheeler, III, and Georgia District Director Jerry Hardee were among the special guests.

EH

Chapter News SOUTHWESTERN

Beta Delta Lambda Daytona Beach, F L Brother Judge Hubert Grimes was the keynote speaker for Founder's Day observed this year at St. Paul AME Church in St. Augustine, FL. During a luncheon which followed the Church program, the Chapter's Alpha Man of the Year Award went to Brother John Heath, and the Brother John Heath receives Citizen of the Year Award Alpha Man of the Year Award. was presented to honorees from Deland and Daytona Beach.

Brother Shawn Collins was the Founders' Day luncheon speaker.

The Chapter's Black and Gold Scholarship Ball was planned for April.

Gamma Eta Lambda Austin, Texas Brother A. L. Mackey has been recognized by the Villager newspaper as one of the 29 African-American Male Role Models in Austin, Texas. Brother Mackey is on the staff at Austin Community College, and serves on the Board of Directors of Teenage Parent Council, Normal Elementary School Mentor Program, Austin HOBO Project, among many others.

A life member of the NAACP, Brother Mackey is also recipient of the Texas Council of Alpha Chapters Hall of Fame Award.

And special congratulations are in order for Gamma Eta Lambda for participation in Austin's Freedom Fair '96, a community activity which provides an opportunity to register voters, enhance recruitment and business opportunities, and network with representatives of national and global organizations. Good food and entertainment are both taken for granted.

Gamma Eta Lambda has also reported that Brother Dr. John Q. King, Sr., was the guest speaker in January for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Birthday Celebration at Kunsan Air Base in Korea. Brother King is a retired Army general.

MIDWESTERN Delta Alpha Lambda Cleveland, Ohio General President Milton C. Davis was die keynote speaker for Delta Alpha Lambda's Founders' Day program. The 25th General President and Common Pleas Judge Brother James R. Williams and Ohio District Director Brother Steve Sims were also among those attending the Delta Alpha Lambda Founders' Day Program. The Chapter's Alpha Spirit Award was presented to Brothers Robert James and Beverly Gardner for "their tireless commitment to reclaiming and retaining active membership" in the chapter and the Perry B. Jackson Service Award went to Rev. Brother Hilton O. Smith (left of President Davis) for his "exemplary contributions to Delta Alpha Lambda as well as his ongoing leadership and dedication to the Greater Cleveland community."

Theta XI Lambda South Bend, Indiana Like hundreds of other Alpha Men across the nation, Theta XI Lambda was represented in the "Million Man March" and returned to South Bend and took part in the "Hundred Men March." The Brothers share die philosophy that peace and harmony among men of different positions is indeed possible—and necessary.

A key component of the Chapter's annual program is the Black & Gold New Year's Eve Ball which raises funds to support student scholarships. But the Chapter does not forget the young men who do not elect to enroll in college.

The non college-bound students are also mentored and encouraged to pursue constructive goals in life.

Education was the theme of Theta XI Lambda's 4th Annual Heritage Breakfast. The Chapter selected one of their mentees to keynote the breakfast with reflections on several issues facing .African-Americans. The mentees, special honorees for the occasion, received U. S. Savings Bonds.

A summer picnic brought Brothers, their families and friends together. Swimming, games, and "plenty good food" made the event the festive occasion it was intended to be.

Brother Bob Lewis is credited with playing a significant role in the reactivation of Theta XI Lambda three years ago. The Chapter is under the current leadership of Brother Thomas Jenkins.

Alpha Zeta West Virginia State Dedication to service has earned Alpha Zeta three special honors. The Chapter has been named Outstanding College Chapter of the Year in the District of West Virginia, Brother Derrick Grant has been recognized as Outstanding College Brother of the Year, and Brother Sheldon Woodley won the West Virginia District's Oratorical Contest.

Alpha Zeta joined recendy with Alpha Iota Lambda in presenting their annual .Alpha Scholarship Concert. Proceeds from the concert will be shared with the West Virginia State College Million Dollar Scholarship Campaign and sponsorship of national programs of Alpha.

f*

Omega Chapter Brother Dr. Charles Frederick Smith was a native of Los Angeles, CA, and attended the University of Southern California where he was initiated into Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.

During his career as a doctor of chiropractic medicine, Brother Smith established offices in Pasadena, Altadena, and Monrovia, all in California. He was at one time Director of Education for Eta Pi Lambda Chapter and also served as Off-Campus Advisor to the Brothers at California State Polytechnic University at Pomona. In addition to his dedicated work with Alpha Phi Alpha, Brother Smith was also an active member of the Optimist Club and once served as president of the Pasadena/Altadena Optimist Club. He initiated the Martin Luther King, Jr. Oratorical Contest which helped Eta Pi Lambda Chapter raise several thousand dollars for scholarships.

Brother Rob M. Stubblefield was Northwest Ohio Area Director for 30 years during the 1950s through the 1970s. He provided the leadership, reportedly against some hostility, which resulted in organization of Fraternity chapters at the University of Toledo and Bowling Green State University—1954 and 1959 respectively. Life Member Number 298, Brother Stubblefield was Alpha XI Lambda's financial secretary for 40 years of the 47 years he was active in Alpha. He was also a member of the Alpha Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation which manages Alpha Towers.

Before he retired in 1988, Brother Stubblefield was employed by the Toledo Board of

"A

Education for 34 years—as an elementary school teacher, assistant principal and principal. He was a charter member of United Missionary Baptist Church, a graduate of Kentucky State University and the University of

Toledo.

Brother Hugh S. Griffith had retired from the U. S. Postal Service after a career which spanned 31 years. He was employed with the Toledo Head Start program at the time he passed. A native of Toledo, Ohio, Brother Griffith was a product of the Community Technical College of the University of Toledo and received the bachelor's degree from the University of Toledo.

He was an active member of United Missionary Baptist Church, Amazon Lodge #4, Mecca Temple 43, and a Mason.

Brother Griffith was also a U. S. Army veteran.

Brother Sylvester L. Carter was a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and the Knights of Columbus. A native of New Bern, NC, Brother Carter was a charter member of Eta Omicron at North Carolina Central. He was a graduate of North Carolina College for Negroes, now Central University of North Carolina at Durham, Jefferson City University at St. Louis, MO, where he received his law degree. He practiced law in Springfield, Illinois, before being named Assistant State Attorney for the County of St. Clair at Belleville, Illinois. Brother Carter was an active member of Queen of Angles Church.

Brother Harry L. Alston was a native of Huntington, W V but a resident of Gary, Indiana, for 33 years. He retired in 1980 as

Director of Civil Rights for the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union after over 20 years of service.

His professional career also included 10 years with the National Urban League.

Brother Alston was a dedicated member of the First United Presbyterian Church, past Board member of the Northwest Indiana Foodbank, Crisis Center, and Midwest Association of Sickle Cell Anemia. A member of the Coast Guard for four years, 1942-46, Brother Alston was also a former member of the national Association of Social Workers, and the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists.

Brother Willie C. Holmes was a native of Albany, GA, but spent his entire adult life in Los Angeles, CA. A graduate of California State University at Los Angeles, Brother Holmes spent some 25 years in data processing with the County of Los Angeles. He worked as a computer consultant after his health forced him to leave county service. He was an active member of Pi Rho Lambda Chapter.

Brother William F. Parker held degrees from Langston University and Colorado State College. He taught in the Anadarko (Oklahoma) Public Schools for two years, spent 19 years in the Wewoka Public Schools, and was employed by Langston University for 21 years.

A life member of Alpha, Brother Parker was a member of the Fraternity for 57 years. The National NAACP, Langston University, Lions International, Oklahoma City SET Club, and Citizens for a Sound Economy, Washington, DC, were among those who honored Brother Parker with certificates and

awards for his service. He was a member of the Holy Family Episcopal Church, Langston, at the time of his passing.

Brother Frederick Joseph Franklin was a member of Alpha for 61 years—initiated into Sigma Chapter, a member of Alpha Chapter and a charter member of Zeta Rho Lambda Chapter, Dover, Delaware. A graduate of Boston University, Brother Franklin was a native of New Bedford, MA. His professional career started as a Camp Director at St. Augustine's Camp, Foxboro, MA. Before moving to positions in higher education, Brother Franklin was Center Director at Community Centers/Settlement Houses in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Englewood, NJ, and Ithaca, NY. His service in higher education included positions at Talladega College, Howard University, and Delaware State, where for 25 years he was a faculty member in the Department of Health and Physical Education, Dean of Men, Registrar, Director of Enrollment Management, and track and field coach.

Brother George L. Coleman was a native of West Palm Beach, FL, and a graduate of Boston University. He was business manager for die family owned Coleman Funeral Home at the time of his passing. Prior to his joining the family business, Brother Coleman was first a district finance analyst for the Burroughs, Inc. and later an accountant and buyer for the Palm Beach County School Board. In addition to membership in Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Brother Coleman was Minister of Music at St. John Missionary Baptist Church.

Brother Earl S. Britt retired from the Baltimore School System in 1980 after 35 years of service—as a teacher, specialist and administrator. He was principal of Cherry Hill Elementary School when he retired. Brother Britt was a graduate of Coppin State College and Johns Hopkins and Columbia Universities. He served in the Marine Corps during World War II. For some 20 years between die 1940s and 1960s, Brother Britt was a realtor. He was an ardent boatsman, a licensed pilot and a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary of Maryland. Brother Britt attended both Madison Avenue and Trinity Presbyterian Churches—a choir member and president of die Men's Club at Madison and a Deacon at Trinity.

Brother James A. Handy, Sr. was a native of Deland, FL, attended Bethune Cookman College, and graduated from Morehouse College and the University of Michigan, where he earned a degree in actuary mathematics. Brother Handy taught at Southern University and was an aerospace engineer with Chrysler Corporation in Detroit, Singer-Kearoff in New Jersey, Martin- Marietta in Orlando, FL, and RCA in New Jersey. He returned first to Maitland and then Deland, FL, after retirement. He was a member of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church.

Brother Rev. Benjamin I. Thomas, Sr. was a retired IBM Corporation employee, a Vietnam War veteran, and pastor of Faith Evangelistic Church, Johnson City, NY. A graduate of Virginia State University, Brother Thomas was a former pastor of the M. L. Floyd AME Zion Church in Elmira, NY, and pastoral advisor for the Central New York Area Board of

Women's Aglow, International.

Brother Thomas was initiated into Beta Gamma at Virginia State and formerly affiliated with Iota Theta Lambda Chapter.

Brother Robert W. Matthews, EDI was a retired executive editor of the Baltimore Afro-American and former television and radio newsman. Brother Matthews started his career at the Afro-American in 1948 and continued to write his popular column, "All that Jazz," after his retirement in 1990. He switched from print to broadcast media in 1963 when he became a reporter and weekend anchorman at WEBB radio. A year later he moved to WBAL-TV as a reporter and weekend anchor. By 1966, Brother Matthews had become the first African- American television news director in Baltimore. He held positions with NBC and W R C - WKYS radio in Washington before being named editor of Dawn magazine, a supplement to the Afro-American.

Brother Matthews was a jazz enthusiast and founding member of the Jazz Listeners Club which met for more than 20 years in the Baltimore area. He was inducted in the Central Pennsylvania Jazz Hall of Fame and honored by the Jazz Heritage Foundation of Baltimore. At the time of his death, Brother Matthews was teaching jazz at SojournerDouglas College in East Baltimore where he served on the Board of Directors. A native of Albany, GA, Brother Matthews was a World War II veteran and a graduate of Wayne State University.

He was a member of Sigma Delta Chi, the Society of Professional Journalists, the Maryland Press Club, and the Baltimore County Alliance for Rehabilitation.

Brother Matthews also served on the Governor's Committee on Employment of the Handicapped

'*

Omega Chapter OMEGA LISTINGS Rho Wilbert A. Purdy Epsilon Gamma Lambda Kenneth L. Brown

Epsilon XI Lambda James B. Yeldell Charles H. Johnson LevonJ. Smith

POLICY FOR SUBMITTING ARTICLES FOR THE SPHINX Please consider the following policy guidelines in preparing materials for publication in the Sphinx.

Format —Stories should be typed and double-spaced. Use white paper and type on one side only.

—Do not use all-capital typing elements.

—Name, address and telephone number of the Associate Editor of the Sphinx should be included at die top of die article (s) submitted.

Content —Avoid personal opinions and attempts to characterize events reported in die story (ies).

Don't say the program was a "success" or Brothers had a "good lime."

—Do not embellish. Don't "pad" the story. Provide an accurate account of what took place or what is expected to take place.

—You need not provide a step-by-step, chronological account of an activity, but provide significant details. Don't start or stop with "we had our annual retreat for Boy Scouts this year." Tell us what took place at die retreat. Give details that might be of interest to another chapter. Report the unique activities in your Boy Scout program. Quote the participants.

Quotes give special life to the story. Quotes introduce readers to program participants.

—When you report on the Brother named Man of the Year or Brother of the Year, provide background on die Brother's accomplishments. The background is die meat of die story.

We also need background on award and scholarship recipients. Again, quotes will strengthen the story. And tell us how to reach the honoree (s) so that we might get good quotes.

Don't send stories about the election of chapter officers and die naming of chapter committees. On die contrary, we want to know about Brothers named to positions of responsibility in the local community.

—Make a special effort to show collaborations and the impact of chapter activities on the community and individuals involved in chapter programs.

Photographs —Send only 5 x 7 or 8 x 10 glossy, black and white photographs. Do not send color unless asked to do so.

—Horizontal or vertical formats are acceptable.

—Avoid large group photos. For instance, do not send a chapter picture taken following a Founders' Day program. Photograph the speaker, chapter honorees and the chapter president. Identify persons in the photo with name, title and chapter affiliation. Identifications should be from left to right. Large groups, and they should be exceptions rather than the rule, need not carry individual identifications.

—Avoid hand and facial gestures in photographs.

—We welcome activity pictures but not photographs of annual dances. Service projects? Yes. We are always looking for story ideas. Write us about story possibilities. Ask your chapter members what stories they would like to see published in die Sphinx. The young man to whom you award a scholarship could be the subject of a feature in the Sphinx. Tell us why he should be featured. Tell us how to reach him. If we decide to do the feature, we'll let you know and ask your assistance in developing the story and getting a photograph.

You may feel that your chapter is so strong, it is so active in your community that it ought to be featured in die Sphinx. Make the case, explain your uniqueness, but don't write the story.

Remember that the editor reserves the right to edit which sometimes means "die editorial right not to publish."

Look to hear from you soon and often. Do not wait for a published deadline. Story ideas should develop without interruption. Planning for die Sphinx is continuous.

* w-'

HELP! T h e National Archivist would like to locate any film or video footage of Fraternity activities from the 1920s to the 1980s, especially the 50th Anniversary celebration in Buffalo and Ithaca, NY. Can make copies and return originals.

Help . . . Please!

Contact: Brother Skip Mason 404-688-6509 or Brother Seaton White National Headquarters 1-800-272-1906

THE SEVEN JEWELS

Henry A. Calf is, M.D.

Sr* \Stw *&

Charles H. Chapman

Eugene Kinckle Jones

George B. Kclle

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\.uh.iniel \. \lu

V'ertner \Y. Tandy

GENERAL OFFICERS G E N E R A L PRESIDENT—Milton C. Davis, P.O. Box 509. Tuskegee, AL 36083 I M M E D I A T E PAST G E N E R A L PRESIDENT—Henry Ponder, President's Office, Fisk University, Nashville, TN 37208 E X E C U T I V E DIRECTOR—Darryl R. Matthews. Sr., 2313 St. Paul Street, Baltimore, MD 21218-5234 G E N E R A L TREASURER—George N. Reaves, 2933 Balmoral Crescent, Flossmoor, IL 60422 C O M P T R O L L E R — F r a n k A. Jenkins III, 529 South Perry Street, Suite U, P.O. Box 4246 Montgomery, AL 36104 G E N E R A L COUNSEL—Tyrone C. Means, P.O. Drawer 5058, Montgomery, AL 36103-5058 NATIONAL HISTORIAN—Thomas D. Pawley, III, 1014 Lafayette Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101 D I R E C T O R - G E N E R A L C O N V E N T I O N S — A l F. Rutherford, 8585 Stemmons Freeway, Suite 730N, Dallas, TX 75247

VICE PRESIDENTS EASTERN—Samuel G. Wilson, 3639 Highwood Drive SE, Washington D.C. 20020 M I D W E S T E R N — J a m e s B. Blanton III, 10625 South Hamilton, Chicago, IL 60643 SOUTHERN—Chester A. Wheeler III, P.O. Box 6682, Macon, GA 31208 S O U T H W E S T E R N — H a r r y E. Johnson, 8606 Running Bird Lane, Missouri City, TX 77489 WESTERN—Kenneth Venable. 722 West 19th Street, Unit # 4, San Pedro, CA 90731

ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENTS EASTERN—Rasheed Meadows, New Haven, Connecticut MIDWESTERN—Solomon Davis, Chicago, Illinois SOUTHERN—Justin Gray, Tallahassee, Florida S O U T H W E S T E R N — K e v i n Speed, New Orleans, Louisiana WESTERN—Ian M. Coleman Administrative Assistants to the General President Charlie E. Hardy. Tuskegee, AL Joseph E. Heyward, Florence, SC Warren W. Sherwood. Montclair. NJ Alpha Phi Alpha Building Foundation, Inc. Hebrew L. Dixon, Chairman 100 Fluor Daniel Drive Greenville. SC 29607 George N. Reaves, Treasurer Casby Harrison III, A«w. Gen. Counsel Calvin R. Austin Samuel D. DeShazior Everett B. Ward Bruce A. Austin Harold W. Patrick Milton C. Davis, Ex Officio

Alpha Phi Alpha Education Foundation, Inc. Christopher C. Womack. Chairman 2109 Christina Cove Birmingham. AL 35244 George N. Reaves, Treasurer Cecil E. Howard. Assoc. Gen. Counsel James B. Gillespie Keener A. Tippin John H. Carter James W. Ward Kermit H. Boston Milton C. Davis, Ex Officio

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Corporate Office 2313 St. Paul Street Baltimore, MD 21218-5234 Telephone: (410) 554-0040 Fax:(410)554-0054 Darryl R. Matthews, Sr., Executive Director

NATIONAL COMMITTEE/COMMISSION CHAIRMEN Alpha Scholarship Bowl Roland Wesley 1159 Quail Run Avenue Bolingbrook, IL 60440

College Brothers Affairs Myles Newborn III 42103 Desert Hill Drive Lancaster, CA 93536

Archivist Herman "Skip" Mason. Jr. 564 Blake Avenue. S.E.

6466 Gunslock Court

Constitution David E. Pryor

Historical Commission Thomas D. Pawley. Ill 1014 Lafayette Street

Personnel lva B.Williams 237 Eleventh Avenue. S.W.

Jefferson City. M O 65101

Birmingham. A L 3521 1

Job Fair Wilbur E. Jackson, Jr. 6716 Indian Spring Court San Jose. CA 95120

J.J. Johnson. Ill P.O. Box 512

Publications

Rules & Credentials Ronald T. James 1717 Northeast ofilh SUM Oklahoma Cily. OK 731 I I

Tuskegee. AL 36087

Senior Alpha Affairs Rufus B. Devvitl -lu.17 Dafter Drive San Diego. CA<)2I02

15613 Singapore Houston. TX 77040

Life Membership John C. Rawls 5808 S.W. 49th Street

Gainesville, PL 32608

Public Relations Edward L. Marshall 3816 Lake Bonaparte Drive Harvey. LA 70058

John M. Williams 25 Hudson ( D u n l i a n k l i n . NJ 08823

Budget & Finance Frank A. Jenkins Ml 529 South Pern Street, Suite 16

Endowment & Capital Formation Robert L. Davis P.O. Box 728 Tuskegee. AL 36083

Membership/Standards & Extension Ronald L. Mangum 54 Bremmer Street Richland, WA 99352

Racial Justice & Public Policy Joe C. Thomas 787 Carsten Circle Benicia. CA 94510

Business & Econ. Development James D. Moore 2! 15 Steeplechase Drive Ann Arbor. MI 48103

Grievances & Discipline Howell L. Davis 333 North Sam Houston Pkwy East Houston. TX 77060

National Programs Ronnie S. Jenkins 3507 Dale Lane. S.W. Atlanta. GA 30331

Atlanta, Georgia 30316

Reynoldsburg. OH 43068

Awards & Achievements Joseph Byrd Xavier University P.O.Box 101-C New Orleans. LA 70125

Elections

Montgomery, AL 36109

Johnson E. Pennywcll

Special Projects

Time & Place Michael C. Rogers 441 4th Slreel NW Suite 1120 Washington. DC 200(11

Recommendations Albert H. Fairweather 6210 John Chisum Lane

Austin. TX 78749

THE LIVING PAST GENERAL PRESIDENTS 21T. Winston Cole, Sr. 124 SW Twenty-Third Gainesville. FL 32607

24'" Walter Washington Alcom State University Lorman, MS 39096

25* James R. Williams 1733 Brookwood Drive Akron. OH 44313

26* Ozell Sutton 1640 Loch Lomond Trail S.W. Atlanta. GA 30331

27" Charles C. Teamer Sr. 4619 Owens Boulevard New Orleans. LA 70122

28'" Henry Ponder Fisk University Nashville. TN 37208

THE

sphinx

ALPHA PHI ALPHI FRATERNITY, INC. 2313 St. Paul Street Baltimore, MD 21218 Second Class Postage Paid POSTMASTER: Send Address Changes to The Sphinx, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. 2313 St. Paul Street Baltimore, MD 21218

!53.

£2

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