Brothers, we want to wish each and every one of you a Happy Father’s Day. Even if you do not have your own biological children, we are sure that you are a father figure in some young man or young woman’s life. Continue to lead by example, as our communities need us now more than ever.

We need you to be personally invested in mentoring young men. Brothers, get involved in your chapter’s Go-to-High-School, Go-to-College program, become a mentor through Big Brothers Big Sisters of America or contribute financially through the Alpha Community Advocacy Campaign. We need the financial resources to support the programs that develop our young boys, and they need role models to assist them in navigating challenges in their life. Brothers, you are a shining example of what it means to advocate on behalf of our communities.

Get involved and stay involved today.

Memorial Day is one of our nation’s oldest and most significant holidays. It is a day of remembering the more than 1.1 million men and women who died while serving in the country’s Armed Forces.

This weekend, Americans in large numbers will visit our 134 national cemeteries in 40 states (and Puerto Rico) as well as 33 soldier’s lots and monument sites to honor their loved ones, neighbors, colleagues, even some unknown to them, commemorating the men and women who gave their lives in defense of our nation. We recall the glory of sacrifice of all who have set their personal aspirations aside for the preservation of our society. Whether we recognize those who served in World War I, World War II, our Cold Wars in Korea and Vietnam, the liberations in Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan, America’s bloodiest war–the Civil War, or countless others who served and sacrificed their lives in smaller American conflicts around the world, we owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the men and women who took up arms against the enemies of the United States of America. They laid down their lives to ensure a brighter future for the loved ones they left behind.

Alpha joins with all Americans in honoring military brothers who have been called to the “Altar of Freedom” in offering prayers for them and their families who sacrifice to this day.

Happy Memorial Day.

Fraternally,

Mark S. Tillman

General President

Brothers, sadly, homophobia, bigotry, and hate are alive and well in our country. Whenever lives are lost to ignorance and a heinous act of violence, it impacts each and every one of us. A gunman walked into a nightclub on June 12, 2016, and killed at least forty-nine people and wounded fifty-three more in an attack that has left some of us with many questions. Our hearts and prayers go out to the families of those who have been killed and wounded as well as the LGTBQ community. No person should ever be in fear of their safety because of who they are, what they look like, or who they love.

I encourage every brother to become educated and advocate for change beyond hash tags. In this election cycle it is vital that we press for and elect leadership, particularly on the state and local level, that will stand and fight against hatred of any kind. Our chapters will continue to push for voter engagement, education, and registration, as we have for over 80 years, by using our Voteless People is a Hopeless People national program as a vehicle to empower voters to be true advocates. 

Immediately, I ask that all brothers in the Orlando area donate blood, to prayerfully help the surviving victims of this massacre. I am also asking that all brothers everywhere join your Orlando brothers in solidarity by donating blood this week, in your area, to help others who may need it.

Our members should continue to work to destroy bigotry and hate, in all forms, as we are compelled to do as men of Alpha. Love is truly what conquers all and we must love all mankind enough to create spaces to educate and be advocates committed to a better future for all of us.

Mark S. Tillman

Education Foundation Scholarship: Please type all information. The essay should be thoughtfully and clearly written but succinct. The application will be rated on appearance, verifiability of information, clarity, and evidence of achievements. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Application deadline: Postmarked by May 30, 2016. Scholarship Award is $2,000.

Distinguished Collegian Award: Please type all information. The essay should be thoughtfully and clearly written but succinct. The application will be rated on appearance, verifiability of information, clarity and evidence of achievements. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Application deadline: Postmarked by May 30, 2016. This is a non-monetary award. A plaque will be provided to recognize brothers’ academic achievement.

There is no Alpha General Convention this year but Alpha is still promoting brotherhood. Join your brothers and their families at the Alpha Phi Alpha Family Vacation in New Orleans from July 21st – 24th, 2016. The Hilton Riverside, the site of the Alpha Phi Alpha Board of Directors meeting, is in an oversold condition at this time. However, we were able to secure some additional rooms at a discounted rate at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel where you’ll only be two blocks away from the Hilton Riverside, Warehouse District, French Quarter, and Bourbon Street.

There are a limited number of rooms available with a special “Alpha Family” room rate of $149 per night. June 14th at 5:00 pm CST is the last day to get your special “Alpha Family” room rate. Reserve your room today by clicking here or by calling (866) 716-8134 or (504) 525-2500!

Board of Directors Meeting

The Board of Directors will convene at the Hilton Riverside during The Alpha Family Vacation and the results of the election for the 35th General President will be announced on Friday, July 22nd, during the meeting. Brothers interested in attending the board meeting, please click here to complete a short attendee survey.

Brother *|LNAME|*,

We lost a valued member of our General Office staff to domestic violence. Angel Veney, Alpha’s Branding Coordinator, began working with the fraternity almost two years ago. Ms. Veney was responsible for helping to maintain the high standards of Alpha Phi Alpha by working with our vendors, partners, and even you, our brothers, on how to best place our registered marks and branded identity.

She leaves behind six children, Jasmine (27), Teara (25), Donnell (23), Amber (19), Calin (10), London (8), and a host of family and friends.

The family has setup an account for contributions in her honor. Her expertise and enthusiasm for the work of Alpha will be missed in the General Office.

I ask you to keep Ms. Veney, her lovely family, and the General Office staff in your thoughts and prayers.

Fraternally,

Brother Mark S. Tillman

Brothers, the application deadline is today, April 15, 2016.
The purpose of the academy is to provide a thorough, intense experience for young men who have been elected to some leadership role at the various levels of our fraternity. What makes this program unique is the student development foundation on which it is based. Several student development theories will be used as the theoretical framework within which this academy will operate. Such theories include the Student Wellness Model for holistic development, involvement theory, moral development, service learning, and many more. The Wellness Model will be of particular importance because it allows us to tap the cognitive, social, spiritual, physical, and cultural dimensions of our college brothers’ development..

The application for the Alpha Phi Alpha General Office Internship is now officially open. The summer internship will be from June 1-August 12, 2016 at the General Office, located in Baltimore, MD. To find out more information and to complete the application, please visit the national website by clicking here. Applications must be received by April 11, 2016, 8p.m. EST to be reviewed for consideration. If you have any questions please e-mail internship@apa1906.net.

Effective December 28, 2015 Brother Denny N. Johnson began his role as the Director of Membership Services at the General Office. Brother Johnson is a results-driven professional with a proven track record of increasing effectiveness, maximizing resources, and delivering effective growth in non-profit organizations. He also brings experience on strategic guidance on a variety of organizational development issues and has developed trainings for non-profit organizations, government agencies, corporate, and institutions of higher learning.

We believe Brother Johnson’s experience and background will assist the Membership Services Department to continue to grow and develop our members and field staff, while improving department operations, efficiency, and stakeholder relationships.

A 1987 honors graduate from Livingston High School as well as a cum laude graduate of Alabama A&M University, who attended on an academic scholarship, was initiated into the Delta Gamma Chapter on March 5, 1989, and received his B.S. Degrees in Agricultural Economics & Agribusiness Educational Management, in 1992. He is a former chapter President to Delta Gamma and served as the Assistant District Director of Alabama as well as a National Belford V. Lawson Oratorical Finalist at the 85th Anniversary General Convention in August 1991. Moreover, Brother Johnson was the epitome of leadership throughout his college days at A&M, for he was involved in various on-campus and civic organizations.

Brother Johnson, who is currently an active member of the Pi Upsilon Lambda Chapter in Largo, MD and Life Member of the Fraternity, has served on the national, regional, district, and local levels in various leadership roles since being initiated to the Fraternity. Brother Johnson, who is known throughout this Eastern Region and the entire Fraternity as a “Brother’s Brother, is also a stalwart in the Metropolitan Washington, DC community through his involvement and leadership roles with several professional and social organizations and serving on various Board of Directors. He has received numerous awards for his community and civic involvements, to include the U.S. Presidential National Volunteer Service Award for tremendous dedication to both youth and families in the local community by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation in 2009 as well as the Elliot Hair Award for Outstanding Leadership & Mentoring Efforts in the Metro DC area by the 100 Black Men of Greater Washington DC in 2008. Brother Johnson is an active member of The Sanctuary at Kingdom Square Church in Capitol Heights, MD, where he has served in various ministries, including the Deacons Ministry, the Security Ministry, the Ministry Assimilation Council, and the Scholarship & Secular Education Ministry. He is married to the former Deborah T. Crosby, a native of Washington, DC, and they reside in Bowie, MD.

Brother Kirk D. Carrington, II is the newly hired Project Manager at BrightKey. In his role, Brother Kirk D. Carrington, II leads the Membership Support Services Center team and is responsible for serving as the liaison between BrightKey and the Fraternity’s Corporate Office. Furthermore, he is tasked with the oversight of all aspects of the Membership Support Services; including membership information processing, warehousing and fulfillment services.

Brother Kirk D. Carrington, II is an Alumnus of the Morgan State University and holds a Bachelors of Science in Marketing and is currently pursuing a Masters in Human Service Administration with a focus in Counseling via the Coppin State University & University of Baltimore collaborative Master’s program. Post completion of his Master’s Degree he intends to pursue a Doctoral Degree in Leadership and Management and the University of Maryland University College.

A Fall 2006 Initiate via the Delta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. , located in Baltimore, MD and Life Member 12398, he has previously served as a Membership Coordinator for the Fraternity’s Corporate Office, and presently holds the Office of Eastern Region Chairman of Reclamation & Retention; a capacity in which he has served since 2009.