Brother *|LNAME|*,
Who are we? What do we do? Why does it matter? These are the three most important questions we should ask ourselves when we do anything in the name of Alpha Phi Alpha.

This magazine explores the underground culture of hazing as it is not an appropriate representation of what this organization was founded upon. It further explores the challenges hazing creates and what can be done to support efforts of HAZING PREVENTION.

Brother *|LNAME|*, as a member of the fraternity, living in *|CITY|*, you have experienced Alpha from a different perspective and life path than others. As such, we want to challenge you to evaluate whether or not your initial interactions with the fraternity are accurately reflective of: Who Alpha Phi Alpha is? What Alpha Phi Alpha does? And why the work Alpha Phi Alpha does matters to our communities?

Your actions on a personal level develop our organization on a national level. Because of this, we aim to get all brothers on the same page so that Alpha can move forward together on one accord being who we say we are and truly working to empower our communities.

We look forward to your feedback and hope to inspire you to submit an article to The Sphinx magazine.

An in-depth look at the founders’ thoughts on hazing as a condition of membership into the fraternity.

An Op-Ed by 2014–15 Eastern Region Assistant Vice President Julian Jackson on the importance of eliminating hazing from Alpha Phi Alpha.

Brother *|LNAME|*, we appreciate every submission we get for The Sphinx and ask that if you have something that fits in one of the following themes, then consider submitting a feature:

• The Black Family (being a good father, little girls learning from their fathers, making mentees part of your family)
• The Convention Issue (mission objectives after Charlotte, the importance of the business of Alpha, life outside the business sessions)
• The Race, Class, and Education Issue (the future of America in relation to race, class, and education)100 years of The Sphinx would not have been possible without all the contributions brothers have made to it over the years, and now, we need your support.

Brother *|LNAME|*,

Please join General President Mark S. Tillman and local Baltimore brothers in leadership for an Alpha Town Hall Meeting Wednesday, May 6, 2015 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM EDT (5:00 PM – 6:00pm PDT). We will speak on what’s happening on the ground in #Baltimore and General President Tillman will provide an update on what actions brothers can take. If you are unable to join us, the meeting will be recorded and posted on our website.

Town Hall Agenda

• Remarks from the General President
• Update from Baltimore
• Alpha’s Next Steps
• Closing Statements

The registration period for the 93rd General Convention is coming to an end. All registrations should be completed by May 1, 2015. If you elected to register via a payment plan, it must also be completed by this date as well. If not fully paid by 11:59 PM, PST on May 1, 2015, you will forfeit any previous payments.

Description of Payment plan:
If rate is not paid in full at the time of registration, you will have until the end of the payment window to fulfill the obligation. If full payment is not made prior to the end of the payment window, your registration will be rolled to the next rate. Partial payments will not lock in your rate.

How to make payments:

• Login to AlphaNET and click on “Events.”
• Select 109th Anniversary| 93rd General Convention Charlotte, NC.
• Scroll down to the “Tasks” section and click “View Your Registration.”
• Click on Make/Record a payment” under the task header on the right side of the screen.
• Enter the amount of the payment and click on “continue.”
• Enter payment information and click “confirm payment.”

Please note the system does not automate payments. If you are making multiple payments you must follow these steps each time.

Please contact Membersupport@apa1906.net or 800.373.3089 with any registration issues.

HOTEL REGISTRATION:

Registration is required in order to reserve a room. A first-night room deposit is required when making your reservation. If the room reservation is canceled at least 2 days prior to arrival, the room deposit will be refunded. Specific room types are issued on a first-come, first-served basis upon availability at time of arrival—not upon reservation confirmation. Registered attendees receive priority reservations. Any reservation that is not on the confirmed event registration list may be removed to allow registered attendees to secure pre-negotiated lodging rates. All reservations should be made directly with the hotel. Hotel reservations will be accepted until July 6, 2015.

Brother *|LNAME|*,

After months of stalling and inaction on behalf of the U.S. Senate, it is time for Alpha men to stand up and take action. Without a doubt, Loretta Lynch is a competent and fair choice to be our next U.S. Attorney General. Lynch would be the first African-American woman to lead the Justice Department if she is confirmed. It has been more than 160 days since President Obama nominated her on Nov. 8, and, according to CNN, “the delay in her confirmation is the longest since Ronald Reagan tapped Edwin Meese for the post in 1984.”

#BrothersForLorettaLynch will assemble at 8:45 am EST on Wednesday, April 22, 2015 at 400 N. Capitol NW, Washington, DC. The march to the U.S. Capitol will begin at 10:00 am. This is to coincide with the 9:00–10:00 am NewsOneNow with Roland Martin on TV. At 10:00 am, we will begin our march to the U.S. Capitol. We will try to meet with each senator in the GOP leadership, in addition to Senators Tim Scott and Cory Booker.

If you attend the event, please follow Alpha on Twitter and Facebook. Repost your photos during the event using the hashtag #BrothersForLorettaLynch and #APhiA. Together, we will get the word out that swift confirmation of Loretta Lynch is the fair and just thing to do for this nation.

• Loretta has spent her life fighting for fair and equal justice.
• During her first tenure in the Eastern District, Lynch helped prosecute police officers who severely beat and sexually assaulted Haitian immigrant Abner Louima with a broken broom handle.
• She is passionate about public service work with the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, which was established to prosecute those responsible for human rights violations during the 1994 genocide.
• She has been endorsed by a bipartisan group of high-level officials.
• She successfully prosecuted the terrorists who plotted to bomb the Federal Reserve Bank and the New York City subway.
• Lynch has pursued public corruption and has brought charges against public officials in both political parties.
• She’s helped secure billions in settlements from some of the world’s biggest banks accused of fraud and jailed some of New York’s most violent and notorious mobsters and gang members.

It is a pleasure to greet you in the spirit of brotherhood to announce the sixteenth annual Alpha Leadership Academy for college chapter officers and leaders, which is scheduled for June 2013, in Baltimore, Maryland. APPLICATION DEADLINE: APRIL 15, 2013

he action that you take today will change a child’s life for the better, forever.Become a mentor today!
#BBBSA

Brother *|LNAME|*,

Text 50555 and use the letters “UNCF APA” to make a $10 donation to the UNCF.

For decades, UNCF has supported education through 38 member institutions, 900 colleges and universities, and has been a staunch advocate for minority education by providing financial assistance to more than 60,000 students. Although UNCF institutions and historically black colleges and universities have been integral in the awarding of African-American baccalaureate degrees, the cuts being made at these institutions are increasing more than ever.

The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) understands its responsibility and obligation to make sure that the young men and women in our communities have the same opportunities to further their education and excel ahead of the generation that came before them. For several years, the NPHC has supported “UNCF: An Evening of Stars” with members texting and/or contributing larger donations.

The NPHC shows it appreciation for the experiences bestowed on its members as college graduates by giving the same opportunities to the next generation. These contributions aid deserving students in reaching their educational goals. NPHC invests in the future of our people and our communities!

Brother *|LNAME|*,

Alpha Phi Alpha will hold a national Omega Service in honor of Brother Edward W. Brooke [Beta, ’37], former Massachusetts senator (1967-1979) and founding chair of the Alpha Phi Alpha World Policy Council, today, Monday, March 9, 2015 at 4:00 pm in the Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel on the campus of Howard University in Washington, DC. Brother Brooke transitioned into Omega Chapter on January 3, 2015. If you signed up to attend the Omega Service please be advised that seating is limited. Brothers who will be in attendance should plan to arrive no later than 3:00 pm. A reception is planned in the Armour J. Blackburn University Center immediately following the Omega Service.

Brother Brooke’s funeral services will be held at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, DC on Tuesday, March 10, 2015 at 11:00 am. During the funeral services, a section has been reserved for Alpha brothers and seating is extremely limited. Brother Brooke will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery at 3:00 pm. We are encouraging brothers in the Washington, DC, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, and surrounding areas to make a strong showing of support for these events.

Brothers are expected to wear Alpha attire (dark suit, white shirt and Alpha tie) to both events. If you are unable to attend these services, please take the time to sign the official Omega Service Guest Booklet, which will be presented to the family of Brother Brooke on behalf of the fraternity. The link will be available until March 13, 2015.

Brother Brooke was a national treasure, and Alpha Phi Alpha will recognize his tremendous contributions to our country and the fraternity. It is because of brothers like him advocating on behalf of our communities that we are the College of Friendship, the University of Brotherly Love and the School for the Better Making of Men.

Brother *|LNAME|*,

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity members near and far will join the southern region and the State of Alabama as we Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Bloody Sunday, The Selma to Montgomery March and The Voting Rights Act. Please join General President Mark S. Tillman, your brothers in the southern region and others in Selma, Alabama, on Sunday, March 8, 2015 at 2:30 p.m. as we participate in the Commemorative Bloody Sunday March.

Alpha brothers, fraters and sorors from the National Pan‑Hellenic Council will meet at Tabernacle Baptist Church, 1431 Broad Street, Selma, Ala., at 12:45 p.m. and walk approximately 3 blocks together to the pre-march rally which begins at 1:30 p.m. Please wear comfortable shoes, fraternity attire and let’s “Paint the March Black and Old Gold.” To locate your Alpha brothers please look in the air for the black and old gold balloon bouquets.

We look forward to seeing you there, and don’t forget to tweet #Selma50 and #APhiA!

Brother *|LNAME|*,

Brother Edward W. Brooke [Beta, ’37], former Massachusetts senator (1967-1979) and founding chair of the Alpha Phi Alpha World Policy Council, transitioned into Omega Chapter on January 3, 2015.

Alpha Phi Alpha will hold a national Omega Service in honor of Brother Brooke and his many accomplishments on Monday, March 9, 2015 at 4:00 pm in the Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel on the campus of Howard University in Washington, DC. If you would like to attend, please click here to add your name to the list. Please be advised that seating is limited. Brothers who will be in attendance should plan to arrive no later than 3:00 pm. A reception is planned in the Armour J. Blackburn University Center immediately following the Omega Service.

Brother Brooke’s funeral services will be held at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, DC on Tuesday, March 10, 2015 at 11:00 am. Brother Brooke will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery at 3:00 pm. We are encouraging brothers in the Washington, DC, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, or surrounding areas to make a strong showing of support for these events.

If you are unable to attend these services, please take the time to sign the official Omega Service Guest Booklet, which will be presented to the family of Brother Brooke on behalf of the fraternity. The link will be available until March 13, 2015.

Brother Brooke was a national treasure, and Alpha Phi Alpha will recognize his tremendous contributions to our country and the fraternity. It is because of brothers like him advocating for our communities that we are the College of Friendship, the University of Brotherly Love and the School for the Better Making of Men.

Fraternally,

Mark S. Tillman