The KPL Sphinx - September 2015

Fun times at the chapter cookout - Page 6

AΦA FRATERNITY, INC. • KAPPA PHI LAMBDA (ΚΦΛ) CHAPTER • COLUMBIA, MD

SEPTEMBER 2015 Photo by Bro. Calvin Austin

www.apakpl.org • Edited by Bro. Kerry G. Johnson • email: caricatureKerry@verizon.net

Congratulations to the new and reelected executive board members. During the June Kappa Phi Lambda meeting, the new executive board was sworn into office by Bro. Harry Evans, a past President of KPL

n President ...................................................... Opel T. Jones, I

n Chaplain ..........................................................James R. Wilson

n Vice President ............................................... John H. Taylor

n Historian ......................................................... Avery J. Pearsall

n Recording Secretary ........................................ Malik Walker

n Associate Editor to The Sphinx..................... Kerry G. Johnson

n Corresponding Secretary .................. Leonard C. Simmons

n Parliamentarian ...................................... Cecil G. Christian, Jr.

n Financial Secretary ............................. Charles I. Stokes, III

n Sergeant-at-Arms ......................................... Jason K. Bennett

n Treasurer ............................................. Rodney G. Hawkins

n Director of Education Activities ................. James Craig Bailey

n Dean of Membership Intake .......................... Position vacant

n Chairman, Alpha Foundation of Howard Co. .... Dennis G. Kemp, Sr.

2015 Alpha General Convention More photos on Page 3

The start of another fraternal year for the Howard Co. Alphas Greetings to all my Brothers of AΦA! I hope that you and your families had a restful summer vacation season. I’m honored that I again have the pleasure of serving as the Associate Editor to The Sphinx. I look forward to providing our Kappa Phi Lambda Brotherhood and the Central Maryland region with informative articles that involve and promote Alpha throughout our community. The is our chapter’s main communications device. If you would like to write or submit content to The KPL Sphinx or the main Alpha magazine, The Sphinx, please reach out to me with my contact information provided below: Fraternally, Bro. Kerry G. Johnson email: caricaturekerry@verizon.net

MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT: Next KPL Meeting Date: Saturday, September 12, 2015 Repast: 5:30 p.m. Meeting: 6:30 p.m.

Location: Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory Address: 11100 Johns Hopkins Rd., Laurel, MD 20723

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE My Dearest Brothers in Alpha: Greetings! I hope that your summer was restful, rejuvenating, and reflection-worthy. We find ourselves at the beginning of another fraternal year; an opportunity to revitalize our love for Alpha, an opportunity to rededicate ourselves to Alpha, an opportunity to reflect on our years in Alpha, an opportunity to make this year like no other!

Brothers, let me take a moment to thank you for trusting me with the presidency of Kappa Phi Lambda Chapter for a second term. It is an absolute honor to be your President, and I take this capacity very seriously. I was elected to preside over all regular and special chapter meetings; execute the orders of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and the chapter; appoint chairmen to all standing and special committees, and be responsible and accountable for ALL activities of the chapter.

Additionally, I was elected to serve as the interpreter of the Chapter Constitution and its By-Laws and rule on all questions during chapter debate, amongst other duties found in the Chapter Constitution. As trivial as it may sound, it is indeed an arduous task to uphold those duties, be unbiased and fair, manage 100 intelligent, sharp, and passionate Alpha Men, as well as have the vision and foresight to have a successful fraternal year, not to mention transition to the next President as I am in my last year.

Again, I do not take this job lightly; I will do exactly what I was elected to do, to the best of my ability. And I hope and pray, that we can have yet another successful year with our signature events, but more importantly giving back to the community.

Brothers, giving back to the community is the foundation of what we do as Alpha Men! It is fun to break bread, indulge in libations, fellowship, watch the game, etc., but let’s remember that volunteerism, and uplifting the community, especially the down-trodden is the foundation of AΦA, or any fraternity for that matter.

Brothers, I implore you to try a new committee this year, or maybe shadow the chair of a committee to see if you are interested in chairing it next year. If time allows within your busy schedule, join two, three, or four committees.

I know it sounds cliché, but let’s get back to some of the basics that developed the foundation that made Kappa Phi Lambda the chapter it is today! Our chapter was dubbed “The Little Chapter That Could” by Bro. Freeman Sands, the chapter that once held a District Director, Eastern Regional Vice President, and General President of Alpha at the same time!

Brothers, we have one of the largest and influential chapters in the region. I often boast having 100+ Brothers, seven Delegates, et cetera, but then I have to check myself when a chapter half our size kicks our butt for Chapter of the Year Award. Let’s live up to our reputation! Let’s give back to our community! Let’s be Brotherly to one another, let’s be the Kappa Phi Lambda we ought to be!

Together, as one united chapter, we can achieve this lofty goal! Remember, to be an Alpha Man means more than just wearing a pin. It requires intrinsic qualities that are developed deep within. It calls for lasting Brotherhood, a word sometimes used in vain. It means an honest devotion, not anticipation of personal gain!

I hope to see each and every one of you this Saturday, at 6:30 p.m. (5:30 p.m. for repast)! ’06 My Brothers!

Fraternally,

Bro. Opel T. Jones, I President Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Kappa Phi Lambda Chapter

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SCENES FROM THE 93rd ALPHA GENERAL CONVENTION

Kappa Phi Lambda Brothers enjoyed a festive time during the General Convention held in Charlotte, NC, August 5 - 9, 2015

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CELEBRATIONS AND HIGH ACHIEVEMENTS Bro. David Barrett honored by Rutgers

Bro. David Barrett with his wife Sandy.

Congratulations to Bro. David Barrett! ΚΦΛ, let’s join together and celebrate Bro. D. Barrett who was selected to recieve the 2015 Edward J. Bloustein Award from the Rutgers University Alumni Association. The award recognizes community service outside of the university by a Rutgers alumnus. This award was established in 1992 in memory of Edward J. Bloustein, the 17th president of the university. The award will be presented on Sept. 25, 2015 at the Rutgers Excellence in Alumni Leaders awards reception in New Brunswick, NJ.

In July, Imani Dorsey, the daughter of Bro. Bruce Dorsey and his wife Kim was named “Rookie of the Year” for the Washington Spirit soccer team’s W League. The W League is the developmental reserve players for the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). pic.twitter.com/PzupyXUL81

Johnson’s daughter honored by Girl Scouts

Autumn (at left) takes notes during her meeting at the White House.

Autumn Johnson, daughter of Bro. Kerry G. Johnson and his wife Tawanda, was one of five Girl Scouts in the Baltimore area recently chosen to participate in a mentorship program sponsored by the Girl Scouts of Central Maryland. Autumn spent two days in Washington, D.C., and was mentored by Elianne Ramos, a nationally known advocate for Latinos and girls.

A highlight of Autumn’s mentorship was a meeting at the White House Council on Women and Girls, where she discussed STEM and equal pay issues for women.

ALPHAS ON THE GREEN

Bro. Hawkins

C. Lewis

Bro. B. Barrett Bro. D. Barrett

Each year, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. sponsors the Leadership Development Institute for high school young men. In June, the LDI was held at Howard University. One of the participants this session included Christopher Lewis, Jr. Lewis is the grandson of Bro. Rodney Hawkins. Additionally, Bro. David and Bro. Brandon Barrett served as mentors/ presenters for the program.

On July 20, the Bishop Walter Scott Thomas, Sr. Golf Classic was held at Turf Valley Country Club in Ellicott City, MD. Several AΦA Brothers participated during the golf outing. The quartet shown in the photo went by the name, The Alpha Men of ΚΦΛ. The foursome included (left to right): Bro. Rodney G. Hawkins, Bro. Moss H. Kendrix, Jr., Bro. Louis C. Baker and Bro. Cloyd C. Dodson. Additionally, ΚΦΛ Bro. Donald Debnam was chair of the Golf Tournament Sub-Committee, and they had nearly 100 registered players.

The team was sponsored by Mano Swartz Furs with the assistance of their Director of Public Relations, ΚΦΛ Bro. Harry Evans. The group played well and recorded an even-par score of 72.

The ΚΦΛ Brothers thank Mano Swartz for their sponsorship.

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Bro. Qawiy: Public health advocate in Africa Submitted by Bro. Ishmael Qawiy

Upcoming Divine 9 Networking Events Submitted by Bro. Jason Chandler Lee

Each month, The KPL Sphinx will highlight upcoming events planned by the National Pan-Hellenic Council of Howard County (NPHC). Please visit the various websites for more information. n Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. www.akaiotalambdaomega.org/

n Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc

www.apakpl.org Phirst Pham Happy Hour at Seasons 52 ......... Sept. 11

n Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

www.ques-taupi.org/ Crab Feast Diamonds Lounge ........................ Sept. 11

n Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Expongement Fair at Celebration Church........ Sept. 16

n Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

www.colmddst.org/ Debutante Ball at the Johns Hopkins APL ...... Sept. 20

n Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.

http://www.zas1914.org/ Jazz Brunch at Ten Oaks Ballroom ................. Sept. 20

n Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Fashion Show at Martins West .......................... Oct. 10

Photo provided by Bro. Ishmael Qawiy

Bro. Ishmael Qawiy, Public Health Resident (fifth from left) with Mathiwos Wondu-YeEthiopia Cancer Society personnel, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

T

he idea of public health is rather orthodox with the philosophy of protecting and improving the health of all citizens. However, the approach at which one reaches that level of equity and impartiality goes deeper than the science. It aims at illuminating the barriers that impact heath outcomes in every sector of society.

Public Health seeks to advocate for some of the most vulnerable populations by seeking to uncover how income, social status, and ethnicity are related to accessibility and outcomes. While it’s easy to project statistics on how some minority groups are disproportionately impacted by cancer, HIV, or cardiovascular disease compared to others, public health focuses on the why. If biology determines that, physiologically, humans are more alike than different then the obvious answer regarding healthcare disparity must lie within the environment from which people live and operate.

The Bristol Myers-Squibb Foundation, Secure the Future, works directly with grassroots orga-

n Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. n Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Corncupia Clothing Drive at the Bain Center .... Oct 24

nizations birthed by passions to address societal needs. The foundation doesn’t stop with issuing out grants to deserving organizations but provides technical assistance and training workshops to ensure optimal delivery of resources and services.

As the Public Health Resident, I am working directly with the community based partners to assistance with protocol development, capacity building, and much more.

My current focus is on cervical and breast cancer to help bridge the gap between awareness and treatment. Cancer in many developing countries means a death sentence for many individuals, particularly, in Ethiopia due to a lack of knowledge and access to viable treatment. These are the questions asked by those in the public health arena. These are the issues that require one’s ingenuity and candor. How can we create a more just system that provides for the most vulnerable populations?

A new Miss Black America Bro. Harry Evans was honored to be a judge for the 2015 Miss Black America pageant that was held in Philadelphia. The winner, Jelisa Barringer (Miss Black Ohio) was also awarded a mink coat from Mano Swartz Furs.

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KAPPA PHI LAMBDA CHAPTER’S SUMMER COOKOUT Photos provided by Bro. Calvin Austin (Page 1)

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KAPPA PHI LAMBDA CHAPTER’S SUMMER COOKOUT Photos provided by Bro. Calvin Austin (Page 2)

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