My Brothers of Alpha,

The vulgar and racially charged statement by President Donald Trump affirms why people of good will must stand against racism and injustice today more than ever. The blatant and racist verbal assault on people from Africa and Haiti underscores his complete lack of understanding of the enormous contributions Americans from Africa and Haiti have rendered to the nation.

The men of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, on the eve of Brother Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s. birthday and three months before the 50th anniversary of his assassination are even more resolved to utilize our collective human capital and financial resources to fight against racism. The words of Dr. King continue to guide the fraternity’s actions. Dr. King stated, “When evil men plot, good men must plan. When evil men burn and bomb, good men must build and bind. When evil men shout ugly words of hatred, good men must commit themselves to glories of love. Where evil men would seek to perpetuate an unjust status quo, good men must seek to bring into being a real order of justice.”

The men of Alpha are resilient in their continuous battle against racism and injustice.  We take this insult especially personal since many of our members in the United States are originally from Haiti and various African countries, in addition to having Alpha chapter’s in Liberia and South Africa.

That is why I ask you to join me in contacting your congressional representatives to express your dismay over President Trump’s latest comments. We must not sit on the sidelines and allow this President’s words to go unchallenged. Click here for information on how to contact your elected officials. In your communications, express your dismay with a political system that stands silent as elected officials speak untruths and hate as a strategy to dismantle efforts to unify our country. In addition, I encourage our College Brothers to host awareness sessions on their respective campuses with elected officials to provide accurate updates on current political and civic issues. Also, use your social media platforms to highlight the positive accomplishments and contributions of those on your campuses or in your community who originate from Haiti or African countries.

Collectively, we can make a change. The urgency is now, my brothers.

Will you join me in taking these action today?
Onward & Upward Always,

Brother Everett B. Ward, Ph.D.

BALTIMORE – The college and alumni brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. have planned several activities and community service efforts nationally and around the Greater Baltimore region for the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 15 in honor of one of its most renowned members.

Representatives from 10 local chapters of the Fraternity will participate in the city’s 18^th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. parade at noon with step presentations, marching and a motorcade. Alpha Phi Alpha has been a major participant and highlight of the annual parade, which begins at the corner of Eutaw Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and follows Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and ends at Baltimore Street.

“On Monday, we celebrate and honor the legacy of one of our most beloved and recognized members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., not only with our presence, but with service,” said Dr. Jamie Riley, executive director of the fraternity’s corporate headquarters located at 2313 St. Paul Street. “For 111 years, Alpha Phi Alpha has produced a myriad of notable members and leaders, who have been true to our motto of First of All, Servants of All, We Shall Transcend All. With more than 82,000 members, the fraternity represents an active partner and servant to communities worldwide.”

In addition to parade participation and visitation of elderly and sick brothers, some chapters have planned the following local community service efforts:

• Brothers of Delta Lambda chapter will distribute personal hygiene kits to 70 homeless veterans served by the Maryland Center for Veterans Education and Training Center, 300 N. Exeter Street at 3 p.m. For more information, contact: Anton Bizzell (202) 422-1560 or antonbizzell@gmail.com
• Brothers of Kappa Phi Lambda and Upsilon Zeta chapters will collect non-perishable, food items at the Giant Grocery Store, 9200 Baltimore National Pike in Ellicott City from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. to benefit the Howard County Food Bank. For more information, contact: Brandon Tilghman (757) 870-4794.
• Brothers of Mu Rho chapter will paint classrooms at Lakeland Elementary/Middle School, 2921 Stranden Road from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. For more information, contact: Maconel James (612) 275-7591.