Washington, D.C. MU LAMBDA Chapter, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated April 1990
Message from the President Omicron Omicron—Eight Years of Dedication
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...,” that was how Charles Dickens started his classic novel, “A Tale of Two Cities.” It could be argued that there is atale of two nations go¬ ing on now in our country.
Arecent poster by the General Headquarters of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. lists, with pride, members who have made AfricanAmerican History. The mayors of New York City, Seattle (Washington), Birmingham, Atlanta, Oakland, and Gary (Indiana) a**e
Omicron Omicron Chapter was founded as the 721st undergradu¬ ate chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha, Inc. on May 15, 1982 at the University of the District of Qjlumbia (U.D.C.). The charter members of this group were Brothers William C. Bailey III; Terry S. Coleman: Kenneth B. Ellerbee; Alan D. Harrison; John A. Henderson; Robert McNeil; Patrick C. Parrish; Reginald A. Stewart; James E. Terry; Edmund Jones; John D. Smith; Raymond Longshore Jr.; and Edwin Treadwell Jr. The chapter was es¬ tablished in response to the desires of Brothers James Terry and Louis T. Harding, who presented the need for achapter of our fraternity at U.D.C. to fully complete the number of Black Greek letter or¬ ganizations. Organizational meet¬ ings were held at the home of Dr. Harding, the chapter advisor and sponsor.
Tots Shopping Spree, Boy Scouts of America, and the Mentorship program of radio station WDCU. Internationally, Omicron Omicron spearheaded the purchase of Boy Scout uniforms for atroop in Rwanda in East Central Africa. They have also sponsored Africare workshops and presented pro¬ grams involving issues such as ra¬ cism, civil rights, and Egyptolo^. The chapter has made substantive contributions to the academic, so¬ cial, and political life of the stu¬ dents. The present members of Omicron Omicron include Brothers:
aH Alpha men.
Professional sports personalities Lenny Wilkens, Wayne Embry, Charles Haley, Reggie Williams, Eddie Robinson, and Art Shell, among others, also “saw the light.” In addition, the Congressional Black Caucus membership has grown to anew high. Other African-American men have made the grade also— like Doug Wilder, an Omega, but aperson to be proud of nonethe¬ less.
As the NCAA Cbllege basket¬ ball tournament got underway, the (continued on page 3)
(Omega Chapter)
Omicron Omicron chapter has initiated over 23 men since its founding in 1982, and has contin¬ ued to grow in its eight years of existence. The chapter has partici¬ pated in various community ser¬ vice projects such as the G.E. Job Corps Tutorial Program, Toys for
Nathaniel Brown (President); Jeffrey Sellers (Vice-President); Aldean Pearson (Treasurer); Eddie Reid (Secretary); John Caldwell; Anthony Donfor; Steve Ethridge; Andre Watkins; David Wright. The Brothers of “double O” al¬ though small in number are mak¬ ing GIANT strides to keep the ideals, goals, and ambitions of our Jewels alive. They survive as a chapter knowing that “a dedicated minority can stand far longer than aconfused majority.” □
The Board of Directors of the Henry Arthur C^lis Scholarship Fund requests the pleasure of your company at its ^ring Scholarship Dinner D^ce on Friday, April 27,1990 7:30 EM., The Regehor Room of The Omni Shoreham Hotel, 2500 Calvert Street N.W
Contribution: $50.00 per person or $500.00 per table of ten.
For further information, please contact Brother Rodman Turner (723-3461), Wayland McClellan (723-0453), or any member of the social committee. Deposits for reservations will be accepted at the April meeting.
ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNm; INCORPORATED
Mu Lambda Chapter
Founders
Henry A. Callis
Charles H. Chapman
Eugene Kinckle Jones
George B. Kelley
Nathaniel A. Murray
Robert H. Ogle Vertner W. Tandy
CDLLEGE 1989-90
Dues
Dues for the 1989-90 fraternal year are $85 for life members and $170 for non-life members. (The $170 includes a$10 late fee and $75 for the National Grand Tax, which is pro-rated as follows for recently graduated Brothers: 1st year—$37.50; 2nd year—$56.00.) Brother Ernest Smith/ Brother Curtis Hunnigan will accept your check at the April meeting. Dues may also be mailed to Brother Smith at 5730 Blair Road N.W., Washington, D.C. 20011. Please take care of your fraternal obligations now.
Beta Chapter
Mu Lambda proudly welcomes 17 initiates of Beta who crossed the “burning sands’* on Saturday March 10: John B. Adams, Richard A. Chiles; Mareco U. Edwards; Scott V. Edwards; Clinton A*. Floyd; Richard T. Gibbs; Charles D. Graham; Rickey L. Green; Darrius J. Gourdin; Brian A. Jackson; Arnold M. Jolivet; Richard D. Kirkland; Carl E. Martin; Keith A Perry; Ronald D. Sullivan; Darnell AVan Rensalier; and Leonard S. Vaughn.
Qmicron Omicron Chapter Omicron Omicron at the University of the District of Columbia chose for its 1990 theme: “Educating the brothers and sisters of our origin, so that they can be aware of the present, to face the challenges of the fu¬ ture.”
Recent program highlights:
Jan. 24 Political Action Program, “Civil Rights: \^terday. Today, and Tomorrow;” Malik Edwards, Speaker.
Feb. 7Sweetheart Mixer
Feb. 9Black History program with the members of the Encore Theater Co. entitled, “The ^y We’ve Come,...The Road We’ve Travelled,” held at the Sumner School.
Feb. 20 Lecture on “African Origin of Greek Philosophy” with Samuel Elamin, Speaker.
Mar. 12 Africare workshop with the Africare Foundation.
Thanks Mu Lambda
Dear Dr. Frederick J. Laney and the Henry Arthur Callis Scholarship Committee:
Iam writing to thank the scholarship committee for giving me the gift of acol¬ lege education, which came in the form of a$1000 scholarship award. This award has not only allowed me to attend the col¬ lege of my choice, Davidson College in North Carolina, but it also allowed the college to reevaluate my work study and loan requirements. Now, because of the generosity of the MU LAMBDA CHAPTER OF THE ALPHA FRATERNITY, INC., my work study re¬ quirements have decreased by some $250 and my loans to the banks were cut in half! Because of the kindness your organ¬ ization has shown to me, my financial
burdens have been lessened immensely. If Ihad not received your scholarship award, Iwould not have been able to at¬ tend this prestigious southern liberal arts school. Davidson ranks 15th in the nation and second only to Princeton in student workload. Yes Davidson is ahard school, but the education Iam receiving will carry me far in the future.
Iam doing well in school and work¬ ing hard at my Biology/Pre Veterinary Science major. Again, thanks to the Men of Mu Lambda, Alpha Phi Apha Fraternity, Inc., who gave me this oppor¬ tunity of alifetime. Ionly wish Icould somehow pay you back for the goodwill and generosity you have shown me.
Sincerely, Basil “Otto” Sharp
Newsletter Committee
Editor: William D. Thomas (363-7976)
Associate Editors: C.C. Jones (483-3102), Ryland R. Harris (882-4467)
Circulation Manager: Louis AFord (723-8592)
The deadline for submission of materials for the May issue is April 19.
Mu Lambda Chapter
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated P.O.Box 1993 Washington,D.C. 20013
President Vice President
Recording Secretary Treasurer
Associate Editor to The Sphinx
Chaplain
Education Director
Historian
Dean of Pledges
Corresponding Secretary
Financial Secretary
Sergeant at Arms
LeRoy Lowery, HI
Morris Hawkins, Jr. (232-7265)
Robert M. Brown, III (354-8018)
Curtis AHunigan (484-4944)
William D. Thomas (363-7976)
Father Jerry Hargrove, Jr. (397-2525)
Melvin Clark (526-4662)
William M. Joyner (256-4714)
Lee ATyler (723-9220)
Louis AFord (723-8592)
Ernest L. Smith (723-7844)
Maryland D. Kemp (583-1261)
Mu Lambda Torch/April
Vresident’s Message fcontinued from page 1)
newspaper listed AfricanAmerican coaches of the teams in the fi eld of 64. In addition to Georgetown’s John Thompson, the coaches from Arkansas, Tennessee, Texas Southern, Temple, Ohio State, and Minnesota, to name afew, are of the same persuasion. These are all history-making accomplishments, sources of pride for each of us. That is one of the nations.
Did you notice the full page ad showing aJapanese samurai war¬ rior in the newspaper? The caption alluded to Japan’s takeover of photography and audio-visual in¬ dustries and the fear that automo¬ biles, computers, etc. were next. The ad was a“warning” that Americans should not allow this takeover to happen. This is the other nation.
Arecent advertisement for Sears depicted awhite basketball player slam-dunking over aBlack. A7-Up commercial shows asimi¬ lar setting with the white doing a reverse jam over the Black! Recently, complaints had to be
Tkcher Tape
rikj Lainbda
filed to require real estate ads to feature Black models in all hous¬ ing developments, not just those aimed at Blacks only.
The point is that on the one hand we are making great ad¬ vances in politics, business, sports, etc. that would seem to indicate our goals have been achieved. On the other hand, commercials and advertisements still relegate Blacks to background roles and are indications of an altitude of racism ite of civil nfederate
Still prevails. In ^il :s marches, the Lk> that rights
flag still flies over the Alabama state capitoi; our children still are more likely to be expelled from school than whites; and hundreds of our young males are being killed by their own kiud. The two nations—one of seeming equality of opportunity and one of “status quo,” continue to exist. Even if you have been able to reach here¬ tofore unobtainable plateaus there remains an aura of prejudice that makes it relatively lonely at the lop. Before you sprain your arm patting yourself on the back for “making it,” use that arm to reach (continued on page 4)
Brother Berry A. Johnson, Jr. Mu Lambda mourns the passing of Brother Berry A. Johnson to Omega Chapter on Tuesday, March 6. Bom in Hampton, S.C. on October 26, 1916, Brother Johnson pledged the Fraternity in 1936 at Beta Delta Chapter, South Carolina Slate College. He served in the U. S. Army from 1941 to 1945. Brother Johnson retired in 1973 after 32 years of meritorious government service, having spent 20 years with the Central Intelligence Agency. A32nd degree Prince Hall Mason, he had been involved with numeroiis community ssrv’ice organ¬ izations and activities including the National Urban League, Friendship House, and the Capital View Civic Association. He also served as adeacon of Israel Baptist Church. Aloyal and ac¬ tive member of Mu Lambda Chapter, Brother Johnson was Life Member #56602.
His wife, Isabelle Hayward, preceded him in death. He leaves to mourn his passing adaughter. Beryl, asister, Mamie Woods, two grandchildren, and ahost of other relatives and friends.
Brother Louis T. Harding thanks the Brothers of hiu Lambda and Omicron Omicron for their acts pf kifidBiess during his recent illness
Horace 6. Dawson Jr.^ served as Steering Committee Chairman for the fourth annual homecoming c^lebrati^ of Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church on March 11 hour per week in the "Scftoo Theta Sorority; contact Father Dillard at 232-1144 for more Brother Leonard Jack Jr. (Mu Lambda ’88) has defended his thesis and met all the requirements for his Ph.D. in Health Science at the Pennsylvania State University, becoming the fi rst African-American from that department to achieve this distinction Patrick Richardson, son of Brother and Mrs. Robert E. Richardson, and ajunior at Wilson High School, represented the D.C. Schools as Youth Ambassador during atwo-week stay in Dakar, Senegal in February. ^
SEND US YOUR
nteers are needed to read to youngsters one America Project,” sponsored by the Delta Sigma
Monthly meeting of Mu Lambda Chapter, 7;00 P.M., Blackburn Student Center, Howard University.
9-13 Alpha Week, Omicron Omicron; contact Brother Eddie Reid or Aldean Pearson (943-4239) for details.
19-22 Eastern Regional Convention, Stamford, Connecticut, Marriott Hotel; see recent mailing for particulars or obtain acopy of same at the Chapter meeting in April.
Henry Arthur Callis Scholarship Dance; 7:30 P.M., Regency Room, Shoreham Hotel.
Monthly meeting of Ma i^mbda Chapter, 7:00 P.M., Blackburn Student Center, Howard University. 3
Franklin P. De Laine (3); C.R. Patton, II, (8): Julius H. Brice (14); and John T. Flippen (27)
Please make sure that the Corresponding Secretary has your birth month^and day for inclusion in our data base.
Mu Lambda Chapter
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
P.O. Box 1993
Washington, D.C. 20013
Help!!!
Uolunteers are needed to maintain and seruice the refreshment bar at our monthly meetings.
IIf you mould like to help j Yby purchasing supplies, bartending, etc.^ please contact Brother LeRoy ^ Loiiiery
Bro. Rudolph Harris
4407 16th Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 2001 1
President’s Message | (continued from page 3) \ back and help someone less fortu- nate. (“It was the worst of *
Don’t relax yet. There are still worlds to conquer—worlds of prejudice, fear, ignorance, low es¬ teem, lower expectations and res¬ ignation to an inability to climb from arut. With your help we can show our young that they, too, can reach ahigher plateau. Thanks for being there, thanks for caring. Let’s make these “the best of times.” See you on April 5!
March Attendance
Four visitors were intro¬ duced at the March meet¬ ing: Brothers Paul Cotton (Omicron Lambda Alpha '85); John Lewis (Alpha Rho '85): Everett Rice (Beta Gamma '85); and Kelvin Taylor (Alpha Rho '85). Approximately 90 Brothers were in atten¬ dance.