ALPHA MEN CELEBRATE THE INSTALLMENT OF THEIR NEW LEADER IN GREENSBORO

JANUARY 6–9, 2017, GREENSBORO, NC

Baltimore, MD (January 6, 2017)—Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, the world’s oldest intercollegiate fraternity founded by African-American men, hosted its inauguration of its 35th general president in “Gate City,” Greensboro, North Carolina. The Gate City hosted Alpha and its more than 700 guests from around the world, who took part in 3 days of leadership development and official installation programs. The theme of the inaugural weekend was The Urgency of Now.

The new duly elected 35th general president of Alpha Phi Alpha is Everett B. Ward Ph.D. He has been actively involved in the fraternity and in leadership at the chapter, district, and regional level for 30 years. He is currently the president of Saint Augustine University in Raleigh, North Carolina. Dr. Ward was named the eleventh president of Saint Augustine’s University on April 10, 2015, by the board of trustees. Ward is an active philanthropist, supporting issues that are critical to families and communities. In addition to his volunteer leadership to Alpha Phi Alpha, Ward also serves as vice chairman of the Association of Episcopal Colleges. He also is a member of the board of directors of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) and the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA). In addition, he is a member of the Sigma Pi Phi Boule.

“I am excited about the opportunity to lead the men of Alpha Phi Alpha as our 35th general president,” said Ward. “Given the state of our country and all of the challenges that we face, we have a tremendous opportunity to ensure that the voices of our people are not forgotten. In partnership with our fellow Greek-letter organizations and concert with other national organizations, we will take a bold stand on issues that are in the best interest of our communities.”

Jeff Johnson, award-winning journalist, communications specialist and chief strategist for JIJ Communications, also a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, facilitated a public policy forum. The forum spoke to the role of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity in addressing some of today’s most pressing civil rights and social justice issues in African-American communities around the nation.

Previous men to hold the position of general president of the 110-year-old community service fraternity include Ozell Sutton, civil rights activist; Raymond W. Cannon, NAACP attorney; and Ernest Morial, mayor of New Orleans, La.

The effort to bring Louis Farrakhan to Rutgers University was met with severe opposition: Lies were told about the Nation of Islam minister, false charges were lodged against him and the event organizers, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity’s chapter on campus, were charged thousands of dollars to try to have the outspoken and beloved leader speak at the university for free.Brother Rahim Diallo Mahmoud [Delta Iota ’15], a Rutgers student and vice-president of the Delta Iota Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha, worked with others since last year to bring the Minister to the school. It was initially estimated $10,000 would be required for security costs for a room limited to 500 people. The final cost may be $5,000.

This Founders Day, we celebrate 110 years of developing leaders, promoting academic excellence and providing service and advocacy. We have much to look forward to in 2017 with the inauguration of our 35th general president and the General Convention in Baltimore, Maryland on July 12 – 16, 2017, while remaining MISSION FOCUSED. However, let’s take a moment to reflect on some of our accomplishments this past year.

Alpha has continued to move forward. Our A Voteless People is a Hopeless People national program has been hard at work. This year we continued to track voter registration and push training tutorials for brothers and chapters to use during planning. We also partnered with the National Pan-Hellenic Council for “get out the vote” initiatives. During the Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference, we were able to acknowledge our dear brother, U.S. Representative Charles B. Rangel, with our highest honor, the Alpha Award of Merit, as he celebrated his retirement. Brother Charles B. Rangel [Alpha Gamma Lambda ’64]was elected to the United States House of Representatives, serving the communities of Harlem and Upper Manhattan since 1971. Brother Rangel is a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus and the first African American to chair the House Ways and Means Committee.

The certifying nomination and election process for the Office of General Treasurer began October 1, 2016. The certification application and the candidate certification periods are closed. Below are the names of the certified candidates running for the general treasurer of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.

Brothers,

In a slight change of pace, August Wilson’s FENCES comes to movie theaters on Christmas Day, 2016, starring Denzel Washington and Viola Davis. It’s a story about a father, mother, and son and all of the things they needed to say to each other as well as all the things left unsaid.

Today in support of FENCES, people across the country are sending messages to loved ones with all the things they’ve wanted to say but never have – using photos, videos, interviews, original artwork and more. Use the hashtag #ACROSSTHEFENCE to share your story. The idea is to build bonds with family and loved ones in new ways, sharing healing messages that previously were left unsaid. On the eve of our one hundred and tenth anniversary, this is an opportunity for us as men to show how strong we are in developing leaders and show our love for all mankind.

Let’s show that Alpha Cares.

Fraternally,
Mark S. Tillman
General President

The National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc., has joined UNCF’s efforts on Giving Tuesday to help raise critical funding for HBCUs. Please join your fellow Alpha Phi Alpha brothers as we stand with UNCF to support students attending HBCUs by making an online donation here or text UNCFNA to 50555 to make a $25 donation.

Other partners will match donations raised from supporters up to $200,000 making your gift go twice as far towards helping talented minority students realize their dreams of going to and graduating from college! As every additional young person who graduates from college has the opportunity to change the trajectory of their lives, communities, and country.

Now is the time to give to students attending our nation’s HBCUs that are in need of funding; as recent data shows 39% of students who enrolled in HBCUs in the fall did not return to college the following year – due in part to a lack of financial resources. Financial assistance can make the difference between a student dropping out of college or graduating. At UNCF, students that receive a scholarship of just $5,000 increase their likelihood of graduation by over 7 percentage points.

Join us by donating today because “a mind is a terrible thing to waste.”

Brothers,

I remain impressed by your hard work: inspiring and encouraging our communities to vote. Throughout Election Day, brothers displayed their “I Voted” stickers as a sense of pride in exercising their right. Many of you implemented our Voting Toolkit to register new voters and increase participation across the country. Although the outcome has been considered a surprise, it does not change how we as Alpha men move forward. Ultimately, it does matter who is elected and what position they take; Alpha men know that we must continue to move our country forward by holding our leaders accountable. As a fraternity, we will work hard to serve our communities, guided by our purpose and Alpha’s mission.

Now is the time when we need all Alpha brothers in the House. Together, with Alpha brothers in your community, we can be a stronger force for advancement. If you have not done so, I am asking that all brothers act today by becoming active with the fraternity and associating with a chapter in your community. Today is the last day to renew your active membership without a late fee. Click here, log on right now, renew your membership, and help us continue to fight. 

In fewer than 2 months, this fraternity will transition to new leadership. My hope is that our objectives remain the same: encouraging people to vote, mentoring young boys to develop into future leaders, and demonstrating that Alpha Phi Alpha is a twenty-first-century change agent. While our beloved Alpha Phi Alpha and country go through leadership changes, we must use this time to educate, organize, and prepare for what comes next.

The next election will be here fast, and I have faith that we will be ready.

Fraternally,
Mark S. Tillman

Dear Brothers

It is my honor and pleasure to invite you to “The Gate City” of Greensboro, NC for my installation as the 35th General President of our beloved Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. This event will take place on January 6-8, 2017, at the Sheraton Greensboro Hotel at Four Seasons located at 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407.

All brothers are invited to participate in the ceremonial installation. Please log on to AlphaNET and register today. The deadline for registering is December 12, 2016.If you would like to purchase an ad in the souvenir journal, please click here.

As you know, the city of Greensboro was instrumental to the Civil Rights Movement. On February 1, 1960, four students at the historic N.C. A&T State University sat down at the Woolworth lunch counter and asked to be served a cup of coffee. Their courageous actions sparked what has become known as the Sit-In Movement. It is in the spirit of these four young men that we gather in Greensboro to celebrate the start of this administration.

As our late Brother Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., once said, “We are now faced with the fact that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. This is a time for vigorous and positive action.” The Ward administration promises to be proactive in speaking out against the injustices of our people and communities and will be advocates, lend our voices and offer solutions to address the issues facing our communities. Please join me in Greensboro as we kick off the work of this administration.

If you have any problems attempting to log in or register, please contact the General Office at 800-373-3089 or membersupport@apa1906.net and speak to one of our membership coordinators.

Brothers, I look forward to seeing you in Greensboro, January 6-8, 2017.

Fraternally Moving Alpha Forward,

Everett B. Ward, Ph.D.

General President-Elect