MU LAMBDA Chapter, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated
Greetings, Brothers!!
As we prepare to enter the holiday season and Mu Lamda's 66th year, what setting is more appropriate than one we have come to enjoy for many years— the December meeting at the home of Bi other and Mrs. James E. Cheek.
In the last issue of the Newsletter Imentioned that Mu Lambda was becoming more involved in community service projects but not to the extent that we would eliminate socializing. The next meeting is an excellent example of socializing to the maximum. After aone-year hiatus, the Cheeks have graciously agreed to host the meeting in the style and manner that only they can. This event has traditionally provided awonderful opportunity for toe Brothers of Mu Lambda and their wives or sweethearts to come together in a most cordial setting, rte hospitality of the Cheeks was truly missed last year and we are grateful that they consented to resume the "tradition" of hosting the December meeting.
The holiday season is also traditionally one of giving to those less fortunate. Recently alocal television station exposed "charitable" organiazations, such
as AMVETS, that collected goods for sale and donated only 61/2 percent of the profits to the charity. This amounts to acharade, which calls for positive action on behalf of the authorities. It's ashame that charitable contributions do not always end up in the hands of the poor and needy. Meanwhile we have agreed to work with a reputaMe local outreach center, the C^istianAction Center (See the report of the Public Policy Committee on page 4). Watch this Newsletter for collection/donation procedures.
Fraternally, it is also time for giving to the National Headquarters Fund Drive. As of December 31, any Brother who has not paid his assessment is declared "inactive."
As you know, our General Offices are temporarily located in a warehouse until the new structure is built. All Mu Lambda members are urged to make their contributions to the Headquarters Fund as soon as possible. Iwas very elated recently when I received acomputer iisiing showing that many Mu Lambda Brothers have already given very generously to the building effort.
It is the hope of each of the officers of Mu Lambda Chapter that this holiday season be one of great joy and comfort to you and yours. The support each Brother has given over the past three months is highly appreciated. We ask for your continued participation and constructive criticism as we go
about increasing the positive role Mu Lambda holds in the community that is our home— "Making aDifference."
Happy Holidays!!
Profile of an Alpha Man
Brother Horace G. Dawson, Jr. of Mu Lambda was inducted into the Lincoln University Hall of Fame on October 22 in Lincoln, Pennsylvania. A1946 initiate of Nu Chapter, Brother Dawson also served as that chapter’s recording secretary. Brother Dawson helped to develop Eta Epsilon Lambda Chapter in Monrovia, Liberia, from 1967 to 1970. During the 1986 General Convention in vvasningion, he coordinated the International Night activities, to which he invited ambassadors from African and Carribean countries.
The following citation was excerpted from the Lincoln University souvenir program: "A communications specialist in the Diplomatic Service and Professor both at home and in Africa, Horace G. Dawson has worked tirelessly to open the ranks
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November Attendance
Six visiting Brothers were introduced at the November meeting: Brothers Darrell Arnold (Beta ’88); Benjamin Colbrit (Delta Eta '61); C.C. Jones (Mu Zeta); Phillip Randall (Beta ’88); Dwayne Reeves (Alpha Rho 'll); and Warren Scott, our Eastern Region Vice President.
Ninety Brothers were present.
Congratulations
Brothers John C. Eason, Jr. and Byron J. Grayson, ,Sr. were successful in their recents bids for ANC .Commissioner.
Beta Chapter at Howard University recently sponsored abig brothers program and ahallowecn party for youngsters. Both events were huge successes.
The 1988-89 Dues
Remeber: Dues for the Fraternal year are $85 for Gaieral Fees (non-life members) and $75 for ciiapter dues. Brother Ernest Smith will accept your check at the December meeting.
(continued from page 1}
of the Foreign Service to Blacks and other minority p^ple. Through his efforts, innovative programs in recruitment and training have been created to expand the Service so that it truly represents the American people.
"Ambassador Dawson was a visiting lecturer at the University of Lagos in Nigeria (1966-1967) and at the University of Maryland (1972-1976). During that time, he also served as Director of African Affairs in the U.S. Information Agency in Washington, D.C. In 1977, Horace Dawson was appointed as Counselor for Public Affairs at the U.S. Embassy and Director of the U.S. Information Service in Manila, the Philippines. He served in this capacity until 1979 when he was named Ambassador to the Republic of Botswana, a post he filled until 1982.
"In 1983, Ambassador Dawson was awarded the Saint Augustine College Award for Excellence in Public Service, and in 1967 he was awarded the Superior Honor Award, U. S. Information Agency."
Brothers are encouraged to notify the Chaplain, Brother Jerry Hargrove (391-2525) and the chapter president. Brother Roy Lowery (291-3129) when they learn of the illness of a Brother or atransfer to Omega chapter. All are asked to visit those Brothers who are sick or shut-in. We also would like to know of widows of departed Brothers who need assistance.
Qiapter is also involved with aservice project—Project Beautification, at the Rosa Parks Shelter of the Sasha Bruce House. Sasha Bruce House provides a sanctuary for young children who have run away from home or who are in need of help. The^rvice project will include painting, yard work, carpentry, etc. Beta solicited the support of Mu Lambda for transportationtotheshelterandfor funding.
Beta will soon sponsor classes on the Lamaze Method for expectantunwedmothersand fathers; the assistance of Mu Lambdaphysiciansiswelcomed.
Newsletter Committee
Editor: William D. Thomas (363-7976)
Associate Editor: George R. Johnson, Jr. (654-2371)
The deadline for submission of materials for the January issue is December 15. Mu Lambda Chapter
P.O. Box 1993 Washington, D.C. 20013
AShort History of Mu Lambda Chapter Presidents
by J. Leon Langhome
Mu Lambda Chapter, founded as the eleventh graduate alumni chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity in 1923, was established at the old Beta Chapter house at 2447 Georgia Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C.
The charter members of this moup were: Brothers Arthur Curtis, Merrill Curtis, Victor Daly, Eugene L. C. Davidson, Arnold Donawa, Daniel W. Edmons, Walter Garvin, William LHansberry, Charles H. Houston, Edward W, Howard, Joseph R. Jones, R. Frank Jones, Howard H. Long, John Edward Lowery, Clarence H. Mills, Jewel Nathaniel Arthur Murray, Norman LMcGhee, Jewel Robert Ogle, Louis H. Russell, James N. Sanders, Emory B. Smith, Harold Stratton, J. H. Waring, and Charles H. Wesley. The chapter was established in response to desires of the graduate brothers in D.C., many of them Howard Alumni, who wished to set up a graduate unit for themselves, and to eventually give aid to the undergraduate brothers. The first chapter president was Harold Stratton, and the preliminary organizational meetings were held at the home of Victor Daly, the chapter secretary.
At different times, the Mu Lambda roster has included the
Happy Birthday!!! December
Brothers Thomas C. Brackeen (3); Elmer Davis, Jr. (5); Jerry Hargrove (11): William D. Thomas (11); Frederick W. Jones (18); and Louis Ford (19).
names of such Alpha luminaries as Jewel-founders Henry Arthur Callis, Robert H. Ogle, and Nathaniel Murray, and National Presidents Charles H. Wesley, Howard Long, Rayford Logan, Alford Lawson, and long-time General Secretary, J. H. B. Evans. Some of the chapter members became living legends in their fields; for example, Charles Houston, in civU rights legislation; William Leo IJansberry in African hisiory; E. Franklin Frazier, in sociology; and Todd Duncan in concert and operatic singing. The present D. C. Mayor, Marion Barry, is an active Mu Lambda brother.
Mu Lambda Chapter has grown and developed throughout the 65 years of its existence. The group has, at times, been apowerful lever in molding public opinion in regard to current, critical issues of the day. It has developed educational and social uplift programs for minority ^oups; it has provided attractions and events that have been social and recreational in nature. This unit has worked with college brothers in the furthering of unified and meaningful activities. And, finally. Mu Lambda has demonstrated its adaptability to the changing needs and conditions of contemporary life.
of Mu Lambda, 1923-1988
The following Brothers have servedasResidentoftheChapter. They are listed in the order in which they served in this office. One Brother, C. C. House, served in two different periods of the history of the chapter.
Harold Stratton
Howard H. Long
Charles H. Wesley Frank Adams
R. Frank Jones
James B. Browning
Henry A. Callis (Jewel)
U. Simpson Tate
Claude Ferebee
George 0. Butler
C. C. House
Verdie L. Robinson
Walter M. Booker
Jack ^nd
Millard R. Dean
Frank Davis
Clifton Hardy
Herman Johnson
Howard Jenkins
C. C. House
William F. Nelson
Aubrey E. Robinson
Joseph '«^ddy
Edward J. Austin
Elgy
GS>rgeJohnsonH.Windsor
James T. Speight
Harold Sims
Eddie L. Madison
Wilbur Sewell
Charles W. Thomas
Theodore E. Taylor
Elmer J. Moore
William E. Calbert
Osmond H. Brown
Vernon S. Gill
LeRoy Lowery, HI
Project Alpha to Commence in January
by George R. Johnson, Jr. and Harold Hill
Beginning in January, Mu Lambda will launch its Project Alpha at Kramer Junior High School in Northeast Washington. This project will continue through out the current school year with Kramer's seventh-grade boys. We need the aid of as many brothers as pc^ible to assist us in this effort. It is vitally important.
Project Alpha is designed to reach into the community, to help black boys develop into responsible, productive, contributing young men and citizens. We all know of the pathologies that afrlict too many young black men growing up in America's cities today. Drug use, alcohol abuse, AIDS, violence and homicides seem to be the norm in our cities ,especially in this city- the Nation's capital. A generation of young black men is being severely crippled and obliterated before our eyes. What can we do?
Project Alpha is our fraternity's effort to stem these maladies, to give our young men reason to hope, reason to strive , and reason to achieve.
Each month some of us— or some speaker we have recruited— will visit Kramer Junior High School to talk with the seventh graders there about issues important to the development of responsible young black men, especially issues related to sexual activity.
What do young men— adolescents and pre-adolescents need to know about sexual choices and sexual responsibility? Where can they expect to learn these things? Too often young black boys, like many of those at Kramer, come from homes where there is no exemplary adult male role model present at all. They
then are forced to look to the streets, to the unflattering and irresponsible examples of black males that we too often see reflected in the popular media for role models to emulate.
Project Alpha will offer these boys positive examples of productive, contributing, striving men who have not succumbed to the lures of the street, who often have overcome odds as severe as those many of them may be confronting.
Implicit in the idea of Project Alpha is the notion that boys can only learn to "become" men from men. Our wives, our mothers, our sisters, our aimts, cannot
teach those lessons. We therefore, have aduty to show them some ways to responsible manhood. To be sure, we are not gsrfect,nordoweprofesstobe. ut we have all attained some measure of success and achievement. Through Project Alpha we can share our success and achievement with some young boys, our boys,who, without our help, may never know any.
Any Brother inieresled in helping with this project should contact Brothers Hill (332-4423), Johnson (654-2371), or Lowery (291-3129).
Public Policy Committee Supports Christian Action Center
The following findings and recommendations were presented to the Brotherhood at the November meeting by Brother Frederick W. Jones:
KMu Lambda is to directly impact the hunger and homeless problem in Washington, D.C., we should target or adopt an area service provider. Direct financial and material support should be our primary vehicle; however, any supjMDit services, be it grantwriting, skilled services, or other outreach support is welcomed. The center selected should be one that provides ahost of services to the downtrodden. One such center is the Christian Action Center, located in Shaw, at 1201 T Street N.W., under the direction of Patrick Comedy.
An on-sile visit by Mu Lambda indicated that the center has not only the demonstrated need, but also the commitment and dedication to wipe out all vestiges of hunger in Shaw. They respectfully seek our support.
Therefore, Mu Lambda should make direct tax-deductible contributions in behalf of this effort to the Christian Action Center. Apledge, along with individual members' checks, should be presented by President Lowery. The Public fclicy Committee will coordinate the response. Other donations such as clothing and motor vehicles are also requested.
The recommended cycle of donations is as follows:
(a) Monetary support: bi-annually or quarterly; (b) Foodstuffs: monthly or quarterly; (c) Clothing, vehicles, etc.: upon notification.
Coordination of the above effort will be by the Public Policy Committee, who will be responsible for periodic site visits, program reports, and analysis of program worksheets provided by the Center Director.
Please direct your comments and support to Brother Frederick W. Jones at 722-1302.
rPan-Hellenic Council Meets
by Maryland D. Kemp
The first raeetmg of the Eastern Regional Pan-Hellenic Council took place at the Howard Inn on November 11-13. The meeting's purpose was to devise ways to better serve the Greek letter organizations in the region. Over seventy persons registered for the Conference.
The general topic of the meeting was "Blueprint for the 90's." Among the specific topics of discussions were such things as an assault on illiteracy, the March of Dimes, and voter registration, education, and assessement. Calvin Rolark of the United Black Fund, Mrs. Austin Fowler of the March of Dimes, and James Carter of Kappa Alpha Psi were some of the speakers for the weekend's activities.
Aspecial highlight of the Conference was the challenge from Mrs. Daisy Woods, Eastern Regional Director of the Pan-Hellenic Council. She urged all Pan-Hellenic members to become concerned and active in tackling the problems that confront today's black youth.
There were several lively and interesting workshops on, among other things, hazing, academic success, black coexistence on integrated campuses, and the lowering of inter-Gr^k rivalries. There was al^ apoolside lunch, presided over by Dr. Delores Cummings and aGroup Extravaganza, hosted by the Kappas, at the Omega House. Approximately seven Alphas registered for the Conference, which was agood start toward rejuvenating the Pan-Hellenic Council. Future regional conferences are planned.
Schools Selected for Institute
Brother Vernon X. Smith, Co-Qiairman of the Leadership Development Institute Committee presented an update to the Brotherhood at the November meeting. He stated that the schools invited to participate are Banneker, The School Without Walls, and Wilson High School. Sessions were to begin on the third Saturday of November with ten students from each school and continue until June. Subject
matter will include self-esteem building and leadership skills.
This monthly program is designed to supplement and expand the principles of the annual program. This is apilot program approved for the Eastern Region to reach more high school students on aregular basis. To serve on this committee, please contact Vernon X. Smith at 291-4376 (H) or 686-6693 (W), or Maurice l^ite at 387—3734.
Speaks to Brotherhood
by
Robert M. Brown, III
Mr. Thomas B. Hargrave, President of the National Capital YMCA was the featured speaker at the November Chapter meeting. Hepresentedavideoonthe Anthony Bowen YMCA The video depicted the need of young black men to have aplace to come so that their time can be spent constructively to better themselves academically, spiritually, socially and athletically. The video also emphasized the proliferation of substance abuse, crime, teenage pregnancy, and poverty.
The Anthony Bowen YMCA has been in existence for 135 years and is named for afreed slave who wanted black people to have a center for constructive activities.The Anthony Bowen YMCA is now housed in anew facility located at 1325 WStreet N.W. Mr. Hargrave indicated that Mrs. Belford iSwson has given $25,000 to the new facility in memory of our late Brother. He challenged the Brotherhood to match that figure and become involved in the YMCA as atribute to Brother Lawson, who worked untiringly with the association for several years. In response to a questionaboutthestatusoftheold building, Mr. Hargrave indicated that it is in need of restoration and that such an endeavor would be veryexpensive.Theoldsitehas numerous code violations and consequentlycannotbeinsuredin its present state.
Mr.Hargravealsodisplayed pictures of activities at the old Anthony Bowen YMCA from the thirties that included Brother Norris Dodson's father and Charles Drew. Brothers interested in working to help establish a memorial to Brother Lawson at the Anthony Bowen YMCA may contact Brother Norris Dodson at 726-4210.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
December
1Monthly meeting of Mu Lambda—7:00 P.M,, 8035 Sixteenth Street N.W.
4Joint Founders’ Day Observance, Washington Area Chapters of Alpha Phi Alpha, 6:00 PM, Andrew Ranldn Chapel, Howard University, featuring Huel Davis Perldns, Director of Alpha Phi Alpha's Education Foundation.
Brother and Mrs. James E. Cheek will host the December 1meeting of Mu Lambda Chapter at their home. 8035 Sixteenth Street N.W. at 7RM. Brothers of Mu Lambda and their spouses or sweethearts are invited to come help usher in the yuletide season. (See "Message from the President" on page 1.)
