Historic Alpha Days on Hill Leads to National Civic Engagement Program and Introduction of Legislation

Fraternity Members Pay Tribute to Legendary Alpha Brother and Congressman Ron Dellums

WASHINGTON – As part of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.’s historic inaugural Alpha Days on the Hill, the Fraternity announced its new national civic engagement program, one of its Members of Congress introduced legislation recognizing the first African American professional Senate Committee staff person and paid tribute to the late Alpha Brother and Congressman Ron Dellums this week.

This week, more than 100 Alpha brothers participated in the Alpha Days on the Hill, held in conjunction with the National Urban League’s State of Black America Summit from May 6 through May 8, which also uniquely featured Alpha Members of Congress as well as Alpha National Urban League and Alpha United Negro College Fund leadership. Among them, Congressmen Brothers Al Green, Robert C. “Bobby” Scott and Steven Horsford as well as 31st Past General President Harry E. Johnson, who is also a National Urban League Trustee, and Brother Dr. Michael Lomax, UNCF President and CEO participated in the issues forum and discussed pertinent legislation.

In addition, Alpha leadership and brothers met with members of the Congressional Black Caucus, other Members of Congress, staff and NUL CEO Brother Marc Morial about legislative issues of concern.

“Brother Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. stated that ‘Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter,’” said President Ward. “Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity will not be silent on things that matter, and we will continue to be the leading voice for the voiceless.”

General President Dr. Everett B. Ward announced the Fraternity’s new national civic engagement program at its Issues forum on Wednesday, which will encompass efforts to address voter’s rights protections, critical legislation advocacy, and census integrity.

“Secure The Vote,” which partners with the NAACP, the National Urban League, and other members of the Divine Nine will combat organized voter suppression strategically directed towards African American voters and other people of color; “Alpha Phi Alpha: Advocacy In Action” specifically advocates for state and federal legislation that: protects the right to vote, ensures access to quality education, provides affordable healthcare, and offers an adequate minimum wage for working Americans; and lastly, “I Am Counted,” which utilize social media, door to door canvassing, and a national media campaign to ensure African American citizens and other people of color are counted during the 2020 Census.

President Ward also added that the Fraternity would also support the United Negro College Fund’s top priorities for Historically Black Colleges & Universities, which include a strong Executive Order on HBCUs, fully funding Title III for HBCU programs, federal student aid reform, HBCU facilities and infrastructure investment, funding for new HBCU Centers of Innovation for National Needs as well as repeal and reform of burdensome higher education regulations under its advocacy component.

Other brothers, Congressmen Gregory Meeks, Danny Davis as well as Bobby Scott joined the Alpha contingent on the steps of the Capitol for an historic photo.

Earlier that day, Alpha Brother Congressman Scott introduced legislation to honor the life and legacy of Jewel Brother Robert Harold Ogle, who was the first professional African American Senate Committee staffer. According to Senate records, he was originally hired in 1919 as a “laborer” for the Senate Appropriations Committee, then as a “messenger” in 1921 and finally an “additional clerk” in 1930.

“It is important that we honor Jewel Ogle, who a century ago, paved the way for African American congressional staffers today,” said Brother Scott. “He established and exemplified the ideals of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity in leadership, scholarship, and service . . . As members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity visit the United States Capitol this week for Alpha Days on the Hill with a commitment to “Advocacy and Action,” Jewel Ogle’s “fighting spirit” goes with them, as well as with each of the Members of Congress who are proud members of this fraternity.”

On Friday, members of the Fraternity held its ‘Omega Service’ tribute for legendary Alpha Brother and Congressman Ron Dellums, who died last July. Dellums’ career in politics spanned over 40 years as a Berkeley City Councilman, U.S. Congressman and Oakland, Ca. mayor. The 11-term Congressman and chairman of the House Armed Services Committee was known for his outspoken anti-war stances and was the one of the foremost Anti-Apartheid advocates beginning as early as 1972.

Brother Dellums opposed every major American military intervention, except for emergency relief in Somalia in 1992, and his fight against Apartheid eventually led to his legislation finally being passed 14 years later, which called for sanctions against South Africa and immediate divestment by American corporations. While President Reagan vetoed the Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act of 1986, that veto was overridden – the first the first override in the 20th century of a presidential foreign policy veto. Brother Dellums, whose fight against apartheid in South Africa was the subject of a Disney Channel made-for-TV film, The Color of Friendship released in 2000, was also a member of the Fraternity’s World Policy Council, a think-tank whose purpose is to expand the fraternity’s involvement in politics, as well as analyze social, domestic and international policy concerns.

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Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., headquartered in Baltimore, MD, was founded on December 4, 1906, at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. The Fraternity has long stood at the forefront of the African-American community’s fight for civil rights through Alpha men such as Martin Luther King, Jr., Adam Clayton Powell, Thurgood Marshall, Paul Robeson, Andrew Young, Edward Brooke and Cornel West. The fraternity, through its more than 720 college and alumni chapters and general-organization members, serves communities in the United States, Canada, Africa, Europe, Asia and the Caribbean. Visit http://www.apa1906.net and follow on Twitter @apa1906network.

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. donated $10,000 to support the independent, tuition-free Bishop John T. Walker School for Boys, which serves children from traditionally underserved communities in the South East Washington, D.C. area.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. donated $10,000 to support the independent, tuition-free Bishop John T. Walker School for Boys, which serves children from traditionally underserved communities in the Washington, D.C. area during yesterday’s public presentation.

The Fraternity’s Oct. 22nd donation, which underscores Alpha’s commitment to urban communities, is aligned with its national program, Go-To-High-School, Go-To-College – established in 1922 and concentrates on the importance of completing secondary and collegiate education as a road to advancement. Through the Go-to-High-School, Go-to-College educational initiative, young men receive information and learn strategies that facilitate success.

“Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. is committed to the uplift and education of our youth, especially for African American males,” said Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. 35th General President Everett B. Ward. “Throughout the Fraternity’s history, we have consistently provided support for institutions and initiatives that solidify our commitment to the community. Bishop John T. Walker School for Boys is ensuring that our boys are challenged to reach their full academic potential and prepared for future leadership and service in their communities and we are grateful for the opportunity to support.”

According to its website, the school, which strives to alter the educational and social trajectory of children from traditionally underserved communities, seeks to foster a love of learning, intellectual curiosity, spiritual foundation, and moral character that each boy will need as a student, as a citizen and as a child of God.

“We’re really excited that the brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha (Fraternity, Inc.) gave a very generous donation to the Bishop Walker School,” said James Woody, chief development officer for the school. “(Since) the Bishop Walker is a tuition-free school, we’re always open to financial contributions, but we’re also interested in having men of color come down and be positive role models for our students.”

The school, which receives no public funding and covers all expenses through donations and contributed services, is named for the first African American Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, the Rt. Reverend John Thomas Walker, who was “a pastor, teacher, cathedral builder, civil rights leader, ecumenist, social justice pioneer, urban missionary, relief worker and statesman” and welcomes boys of all faiths and beliefs. Currently, Bishop John T. Walker School for Boys, which is located in Southeast D.C., serves Junior-Kindergarten through Sixth grade and is expanding to 8th grade by 2020 when its total enrollment reaches 160 students.

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., headquartered in Baltimore, MD, was founded on December 4, 1906, at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. The Fraternity has long stood at the forefront of the African-American community’s fight for civil rights through Alpha men such as Martin Luther King, Jr., Adam Clayton Powell, Thurgood Marshall, Paul Robeson, Andrew Young, Edward Brooke and Cornel West. The fraternity, through its more than 720 college and alumni chapters and general-organization members, serves communities in the United States, Canada, Africa, Europe, Asia and the Caribbean. Visit http://www.apa1906.net and follow on Twitter @apa1906network.

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Tyler Hilliard, a student at the University of California – Riverside. “The Fraternity shares our deepest condolences to his family, loved ones, and the entire university community, as their loss is unimaginable,” said Executive Director Jamie R. Riley.

Working with the University, the Fraternity has launched an investigation into the situation and has placed the chapter on an immediate cease and desist status, suspending all activities. The Fraternity is cooperating fully with law enforcement authorities as they investigate.

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. does not condone and strictly prohibits any illegal acts, including hazing in any form, whether physical or mental, as a term or condition of membership in the organization. Any member found violating the fraternity’s anti-hazing policy will be immediately suspended with a recommendation for expulsion.

To be clear, any individual found to have participated in or knowingly allowed any hazing activity or any illegal act does not support the mission, vision, or aims of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity has taken several steps in efforts to prevent and eliminate hazing. As an advocate, supporter, and participant in hazing prevention initiatives with organizations like Hazingprevention.org, the Novak Institute, and the Greek Anti-Hazing Hotline, Alpha Phi Alpha is educating members and those who are interested in membership about this issue. The following provides a snapshot of current anti-hazing efforts: