Wall Street Alpha Report | Volume 12 Number 1

The Wall Street Alpha Report The official Wall Street Alphas newsletter Kappa Xi Lambda Chapter, NYC

December 2023 | Volume 12| No.1

Inside This Issue President’s Address

pg. 3

Vice President’s Address

pg. 4

Associate Editor’s Address

pg. 5

Welcome the 2023 - 2024 Executive Board

pg. 6

Serving the Community on Founders’ Day

pg. 7

Project Homeless on Thanksgiving Day

pg. 8

Building Your Electoral Capacity

pg. 9

Wealth First: Black Economics

pg. 10

Celebrating Our Young Scholars

pg. 11

Honoring Brothers, Saving Lives

pg. 12

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President’s Address

Leading the Charge to 50

Greetings, I’m delighted to have this opportunity to bring greetings once again as your President of Kappa Xi Lambda, The Wall Street Alphas. We have been in existence for nearly 50 years, and as we march closer to 2024, we have some amazing opportunities for our community, our youth, and our Brotherhood. As we lead up to the 2024 presidential election cycle, we aim to ensure that the voters in our communities have all the tools necessary to make an informed decision.

Lincoln DaCosta Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated President Kappa Xi Lambda Chapter

As we already acknowledge, the 2024 election will be just as crucial as 2020, if not more. It seems like we’re always at a pivotal political crisis or crossroads. As men of Alpha, we’ve never wavered in the face of adversity. Instead, we have a proud and rich legacy of taking them head-on. Being an informed voter makes a huge difference. We, the Wall Street Alphas, believe that any help we can offer to give our community a leg up is well worth it. The proof is in the work.

On November 14th, we presented A Fireside Chat with the President of the National Urban League, former Mayor of New Orleans, and our dear chapter brother, Brother Marc Morial, moderated by another extraordinary member of the chapter, Brother Basil Smikle, who among his laundry list of accolades can be found contributing to political discourse on MSNBC, and is the Director of the Public Policy Program at the Roosevelt House Public Policy Institute Hunter College. They grappled with the challenges of the electorate and voter engagement.

Not only are we going to help our community with voter enrichment, we’re also going to help our community’s youth by mentoring the young men who need it the most. These young men are part of our program called Alpha GENTS. Gaining Essential Networking Tools for Success. Led by Director of Educational Activities Brother Jerome Hairston, the GENTS program helps the mentees navigate what it means to be a young man of color in this day and age with all the issues they have to deal with including, but not limited to, economic conditions, social injustice, mental and reproductive health and so much more ensuring we equip our youths with the tools to be successful for many years to come.

So why is 2024 so important? We talked about the community, and we talked about serving our youths. Well, none of this is possible without YOU in the Brotherhood. Your engagement is critical as we lead three chapters (2 undergraduate ZH, YY, and KXL) through IMDP. We need your involvement to ensure these men exemplify all the ideals Alpha has in store for them. Let’s work in the name of Brotherhood.

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Vice President’s Address Charting Our Path Forward

Greetings, It is my honor and privilege to serve you as your Vice President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated – Kappa Xi Lambda Chapter, also known as the Wall Street Alphas. As I reflected on the state of our beloved chapter, I am reminded of a passage in our history book, The History of Alpha Phi Alpha: A Development in College Life, Chapter 7: The Leaven of Self-Examination. In the text, our 5th General President, Bro. Henry L. Dickason, zealously expressed during his tenure for brothers to have the following mindset:

James Casey Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated Vice President Kappa Xi Lambda Chapter

“THINK Alpha Phi Alpha, TALK Alpha Phi Alpha, PROMOTE Alpha Phi Alpha, and LABOR for the broad principles of idealism for which Alpha Phi Alpha was created, so that humanity shall look on us as a body worthwhile.”

The message shared during Bro. Dickason’s administration still stands today. As a chapter, we must uphold these beliefs so that we can fulfill our fraternity mission and vision.

We articulated our working mission statement as “Building brotherhood bonds and connecting with partners of excellence while serving the community with love and unity.” We sought excellence in our branding as we articulate the identity of KXL across all platforms. Streamlining our messaging across all committees was paramount to that work.

As the fraternal year progresses, we will also revise our programming by aiming for efficiency and serving our communities. For our Alpha G.E.N.T.S. (Gaining Essential Networking Tools For Success) Mentoring Program, the Committee on Scholarship and Education has developed unit plans and lesson plans for our mentoring sessions that could be a model for mentoring in our region. Lastly, we endeavor to rebuild the bonds of brotherhood – in times of fellowship, challenges, and change. KXL is approaching a major milestone of achieving 50 years of existence. We must revitalize our college chapters, provide any support needed to maintain their active status on campus, and offer a clear onramp for college brothers to continue their fraternal experience in the alumni chapter. Furthermore, it is our collective responsibility to reclaim brothers at large, guide worthy aspirants that exhibit humility into the House of Alpha, and create a space to address any challenges that hamper the fraternal spirit.

My hope and prayer is that Kappa Xi Lambda can look back over its 50-year existence and say, “A job well done.” Finally, when we choose to row together and strive to fulfill our fraternity mission and vision, I believe we that “humanity shall look on us as a body worthwhile.”

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Editor’s Address

Building Better Communities Together Greetings, As the Chief Editor of the Wall Street Alpha Report, it is my pleasure to welcome you to our newsletter. Our focus is on highlighting the community enrichment efforts across New York City, with a particular emphasis on building a strong digital presence by amplifying the work we do as a chapter lead by a stellar Executive Board.

We believe in the power of community and the importance of giving back.

Our chapter works tirelessly to bring you the latest news and updates on the initiatives and projects that are making a positive impact in our city.

Through our publication, we strive to inspire and engage our readers to get involved and support these efforts.

We are excited to share our journey with you and look forward to your Jesse Owens II continued support. Thank you for joining us in our mission to “Building Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated brotherhood bonds and connecting with partners of excellence while Associate Editor to the Sphinx serving the community with love and unity.”

Kappa Xi Lambda Chapter

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Welcome to 2023-2024 Chapter Executive Board President

Bro. Lincoln Dacosta

Vice President

Bro. James Casey

Treasurer

Bro. Aaron Burwell

Financial Secretary

Bro. Edward Baynes

Corresponding Secretary

Bro. Terran Kirksey

Recording Secretary

Bro. Jamel Vanderburg

Dean of Membership

Bro. Lino Solis

Acting Parliamentarian

Bro. Reginald Hilton

Chaplain

Bro. Kenneth Alston

Director of Educational Activities

Bro. Jerome Hairston

Associate Editor to Sphinx

Bro. Jesse Owens II

Historian

Bro. Bryson Rose

Sergeant-at-Arms

Bro. Dewane Mutunga

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By Brother Kenneth Alston

Serving the Community on Founders’ Day

Brothers and Volunteers Unite to Assemble Essential Items for NYC Homeless Monday, December 4th, 2023

On Founders’ Day, December 4, 2023, the Wall Street Alphas demonstrated their unwavering dedication to serving the unhoused community in New York City. This remarkable two-day event united 35 registered individuals, including Brothers and volunteers, who joined forces to assemble 100 bags filled with essential items for distribution among the city homeless population. The success of this initiative was made possible through the generous contributions from the brothers, volunteers, as well as corporations, friends, and family. In addition to the bags, the Wall Street Alphas also received donations of sleeping bags to provide further comfort and warmth to those in need. These bags were thoughtfully stocked with toiletries and food items, ensuring that the recipients had access to basic necessities during these challenging times.

The profound words of Shirley Chisolm, “Service is the rent we pay for time spent living on earth” resonated deeply with the men of Kappa Xi Lambda. Their commitment to transformational service has been consistently demonstrated, and this event was yet another testament to their dedication.

By coming together and selflessly devoting their time and resources, the Wall Street Alphas exemplified the true spirit of community service. Their efforts not only provided immediate relief to the unhoused community but also served as a reminder of the power of compassion and unity in creating positive change.

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Project Homeless on Thanksgiving Day

Mobilizing to serve warm meals and clothing at NYC Port Authority Thursday, November 23rd, 2023

On Thanksgiving Day, November 23, 2023, the Eta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated hosted their annual mass service project, Project Homeless! For over 40 years, this initiative has made a huge impact on families struggling with homelessness by providing them with warm meals and donated clothing.

It's a powerful reminder that we can all pay it forward by giving our time, energy, and resources to those who need it most.

The Wall Street Alphas supported the cause and contributed to the community effort. The ultimate goal is to provide access to basic needs that can lead to more sustainable and long-term outcomes for the community at large. We salute the Eta Chapter for their unwavering commitment to serving the community and look forward to supporting future Project Homeless events. It's events like these that remind us of the importance of taking action towards helping those in need. No matter how small, acts of kindness can make a huge difference in someone's life.

Keep up the amazing work, Eta Chapter!

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Building Your Electoral Capacity Using Practical Tools to Understand the Political Landscape Tuesday, November 14th, 2023

On Tuesday, November 14th, the Roosevelt House was brimming with energy and excitement as community members eagerly awaited the arrival of Bro. Marc Morial, President and CEO of the National Urban League. The event, expertly hosted by the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated Kappa Xi Lambda, Zeta Eta, and Eta Chapters, was centered around the difficulties faced by civic leaders and academics when attempting to rally support for key political issues. Bro. Basil Smikle, Jr., Director of the Public Policy Program at Hunter College, led an engaging and thought-provoking discussion that offered valuable insights on how to remain informed in today's fast-paced political climate. Morial, an influential leader in the civic space, highlighted ways for everyday voters to become civically engaged in their communities and strategically interact with elected officials.

The event was a remarkable opportunity for attendees to learn from one of the most influential leaders in the civic space today. The conversations and insights shared have the potential to inspire and empower the community to take action on the issues that matter most to them. With the valuable knowledge and information shared at this event, we can continue to build a more engaged and informed society, where everyone has the power to create positive change as we head into the 2024 election cycle.

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Wealth First: Black Economics An Educational Event for High School Students Friday, November 10th, 2023

On Friday, November 10, 2023, the Wall Street Alphas and the Delta Rho Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated made history by hosting the inaugural Wealth First: Black Economics event.

The symposium aimed to empower high school students of color with strategies for acquiring wealth through a series of panel discussions. The event was held at the New York Institute of Technology and offered students the opportunity to expand their thinking about limitless opportunities for acquiring wealth and achieving an overall better quality of life.

The opportunity this event addresses is the wealth gap that exists in our society. Black Americans have historically been excluded from wealth-building opportunities, and this event aimed to provide students with the tools they need to overcome these barriers. The event served as an investment in the future of young people of color. By providing them with the tools they need to build wealth, we are investing in their future success and the success of the entire community.

The outcome of this event is for the collection of students who attended to be equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to build wealth and achieve their dreams. By empowering students with the tools they need to succeed, we are creating a brighter future for all. The success of this inaugural event sets a precedent for future initiatives aimed at closing the wealth gap and providing opportunities that will transcend generations.

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Celebrating Our Young Scholars Meet Our Scholarship Awardees

Congratulations to all the scholarship recipients of the Alpha G.E.N.T.S program! It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to achieve such a prestigious award, and we’re extremely proud of you. The Alpha G.E.N.T.S. Mentoring Program was designed to help young men of color between the ages of 13-18 develop the skills and resources needed to become productive, responsible, and successful members of society. Through the active participation by our donors who believe in our vision , we’ve awarded $18,000 in scholarships this year.

By participating in this program, you have taken a step towards achieving your goals and dreams.

For any interested high school students and parents, we encourage you to visit wallstreetalphas.com/alphagents/ for more information on how to get involved in this amazing program.

Our core curriculum targets key development areas for our young scholars, including leadership development, college and career readiness, financial literacy, and more. Together, we can work towards closing the opportunity gap that negatively impacts Black and Latino young men in our communities.

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By Brother Martavius Leonard

Honoring Brothers, Saving Lives The Cannon-Dozier Project Tackles Impaired Driving Friday, December 15th, 2023 As the festive season approaches, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated Kappa Xi Lambda Chapter is taking a proactive stance against impaired driving through the Cannon-Dozier Project. This program, launched across the entire fraternity, honors the lives of Brothers Adrian Cannon and Julius Dozier, tragically lost in a drunk driving accident. By raising awareness and educating communities about the dangers of impaired driving, the Cannon-Dozier Project strives to prevent similar tragedies and save lives. .

The Sobering Reality of Impaired Driving Every 50 minutes, someone in the US dies in a crash involving an alcohol-impaired driver. That's nearly 29 lives lost each day.

Alcohol-related crashes cost over $44 billion annually.

1.7 million adults in the US admit to driving after drinking too much in the past month.

In 2018 alone, 147 million instances of alcoholimpaired driving were recorded nationwide.

The Risk Goes Beyond Alcohol 16% of motor vehicle crashes involve drugs other than alcohol, with marijuana being a major concern.

Nighttime and weekend drivers are more likely to have marijuana in their system.

Studies indicate increased crash risk for marijuana users, though other factors like age and gender also play a role.

Know Your Risk, Take Responsibility Young drivers are especially vulnerable, with nearly 3 in 10 fatal crashes involving alcoholimpaired drivers aged 25-34.

Motorcyclists face heightened risk, with 25% of fatal crashes involving a BAC of 0.08% or higher.

Prior DWI convictions significantly increase the risk of future crashes involving alcohol.

Be the Change, Make a Difference Plan ahead and designate a sober driver whenever you'll be consuming alcohol.

Don't let friends drive impaired, intervene and offer alternative transportation options.

If you've been drinking, get a safe ride home using a ride-sharing service, taxi, or designated driver.

As a host, encourage responsible behavior by offering non-alcoholic beverages and ensuring everyone leaves with a sober ride.

By actively participating in the Cannon-Dozier Project and making informed choices, we can all contribute to a safer holiday season and beyond.

Let's remember Brothers Cannon and Dozier and honor their memory by driving responsibly and advocating for awareness against impaired driving.

Spread the word, share the information, and join the movement to end impaired driving. Together, we can make a difference.

Source 1.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Impaired Driving: Get the Facts.” CDC, 26 Aug. 2019, https://www.cdc.gov/transportationsafety/impaired_drivin g/impaired-drv_factsheet.html.

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Birthdays Bro. Kwabena Adom - 12/11 Bro. Brian Landry - 12/21 Bro. Omar Ritter - 12/21 Bro. Anthony Simms - 12/23 Bro. Walter Lindsey - 12/23 Bro. Chadwick Roberson - 12/29 Bro. Malik Simmonds - 12/30 Bro. Jorge Vasquez - 12/30 Bro. Melvin Norris - 1/4 Bro. Derrick Wyche - 1/5 Bro. Dewane Mutunga - 1/6 Bro. David Jackson - 1/14 Bro. Lael Chappell - 1/24

Alphaversaries Bro. Reginald Osborne - 11/28 Bro. Basil Smikle - 12/4

Please take some time and wish them well on their milestone.

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Recommended Books

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Support our Youth!

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR PROGRAM

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