General President Everett B. Ward Letter to Attorney General Cameron
August 8, 2020
The Honorable Daniel Cameron
Office of the Attorney General
700 Capital Avenue, Suite 118
Frankfort, KY 40601
Attorney General Cameron:
On behalf of the members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., I write to you regarding our fraternity’s concern over the lack of an arrest in the officer-involved shooting death of Breonna Taylor. More than four months have elapsed since officers from the Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) killed Ms. Taylor during the botched execution of an erroneous “no-knock” warrant. Ms. Taylor’s death has left many people wondering when justice will come.
As the governing head of an international fraternity, comprised of approximately 100,000 members, we have grave concerns over the inaction and the lack of transparency surrounding the completion of the homicide investigation into Ms. Taylor’s death. We are flummoxed as to why no charges have been filed considering that Ms. Taylor died by LMPD’s decision to perform an unannounced raid at the wrong home and without realizing that the suspect they were searching for was already in custody.
As tension and outrage continue to mount around the globe, we join the call of countless others who demand that your office bring justice to the Taylor family. We demand that you move boldly and demonstrate to the world that the value of a Black person’s life matters in this country and to your geographical area in particular. Your office has the power to bring criminal charges against each of the officers who was involved in Ms. Taylor’s death. Your influence has the authority to provide the public with periodic updates to reassure our country and the world that nothing less than a fair and transparent investigation is ongoing.
Ms. Taylor was a decorated emergency management technician, a model citizen of the State of Kentucky, and an American hero who should be with us today. She spent her final days serving as an essential worker during the COVID-19 pandemic and saving lives. Now we ask, will you stand up and speak up for her life? We urge you to do the right thing. Address the inaction surrounding her death, arrest the officers responsible for Breonna’s death forthwith, and reassure the country and the world that our justice system still works for everyone no matter their race.
Respectfully,
Everett B. Ward, Ph.D.
General President
May 8, 2020
The Honorable Chuck Schumer
Senate Minority Leader
322 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Minority Leader Schumer:
The World community is experiencing a pandemic that many have never seen before – a pandemic that affects every person, in every country, that has the capacity to breathe.
I am the Chief Executive that represents thousands of men, both college Brothers and Alumni professionals, spanning every profession that contributes to what makes the fabric of our democracy stronger and stronger every day. Since the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic has made its way to the shores of the United States of America, it has been nothing less than relentless in is pursuit to sicken our citizens and in some cases, kill our fellow Americans.
As the General President and proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., I as well as my Brothers would like to add our deep concern that the novel Coronavirus COVID-19 seems to have a higher mortality rate among African Americans than any other race in this country, and not surprisingly, there are reasons why this is the case.
Early data from China, where the new Coronavirus COVID-19 first started, shows that some people are at higher risk of serious health complications from this virus. Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this includes people who have serious chronic medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes, lung disease, and mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety.
Here is what we know - Coronavirus COVID-19 is causing an inflammatory process in the body that impairs clotting in bleeding. The impact on the lungs is causing difficulty with air getting in and out of the lungs. The inability for anyone to get sufficient air into the lungs will cause acute respiratory distress and high mortality (death) rates. This issue also impacts other organs in the body, causing persons with other medical issues to be at increased risk. At this time, we do not know the long-term impact on the lungs or other organ systems.
Since the inception of this pandemic on American shores, we’ve continued to learn that the Coronavirus COVID-19 flourishes among those individuals who have other pre-existing medical conditions, as mentioned above. Medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes and stroke are the leading causes of deaths among African Americans in the United States. In fact, African Americans between the age 18-49 are 2 times more likely to die of heart disease than whites; and African Americans, ages 35-64 are 50% more likely to have high blood pressure than whites (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
Additionally, recent peer-reviewed journal articles discuss the pathogenesis of the Coronavirus COVID-19 virus. What is strongly suggested is a Coronavirus COVID-19-induced coagulopathy is similar to Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC). This pathologic disorder is known to have high mortality rate in its acute phase. DIC is rapidly fatal with the aforementioned comorbidities and is exacerbated by the rapid pulmonary distress brought on by this virus. Because this virus remains novel, studies related to long-term pulmonary injury and alveolar function are needed to show the median survivability and overall quality of life for persons who contract this virus.
As you have seen from recent new reports, early data from some States have shown some very alarming and frightening statistics that should be addressed as we find ways to overcome this deadly virus. For example, the State of Louisiana is made up of 32% African Americans, but have a mortality rate of 70%; the State of Michigan is made up of 14% African Americans, but have a mortality rate of 52%. I could overwhelm you with recent data, but the trends have all demonstrated one fundamental fact – African Americans are dying at a higher rate from the Coronavirus COVID-19 than other race in Mississippi, Illinois, Alabama, South Carolina, Maryland, Philadelphia, District of Columbia and North Carolina.
I will acknowledge that most States are deploying needed help to quell the spread of the Coronavirus COVID-19, but there are underlying challenges at bay that must be addressed and resources put towards in order to prevent future blows from any other deadly disease, as well as addressing the health challenges among African Americans throughout the country.
I strongly believe that if we address some of these underlying health challenges among African Americans (heart disease, diabetes, lung disease, and mental health) through legislation, it will reduce future mortality, and it will further reduce our community need to feel as though the Government aren’t paying attention to the plight that is affecting their families.
Mr. Schumer, we are on the precipice of the greatest challenge of our lifetime, and I strongly encourage you to stand with Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and address the challenges of the day, which must include a healthier citizenry that will continue to add value to the fabric of American democracy. My team and I are eager and willing to meet with you and your staff to further address these issues, as we care for the sick and mourn the death of our fellow neighbors who have succumb to the Coronavirus COVID-19.
Thank you for your consideration and look forward to your reply.
Sincerely,
Everett B. Ward, Ph.D.
General President
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. National Coronavirus COVID-19 Task Force:
- William J. Bennett, MD, PhD - Pathologist, George Washington University School of Medicine,
Novocure, Inc., Atlanta, GA - Charles Alvin Cook, MD, MPH - Internal Medicine and Nephrology, Raleigh Associated
Medical Specialists, Raleigh, NC - Duane Dyson, MD - Owner, Dyson Pediatrics of Tucson, AZ
- Clifford Houston, PhD, MS - First African American elected as president of the
American Society for Microbiology; Former Member, U.S Department of Health and Human
Services, National Advisory Board for Bio-Security, Galveston, TX - Joseph Gambrell, MD - Retired Pediatrician, Kaiser Foundation Hospital, Bellflower,
CA - Napoleon B. Higgins, Jr., MD, Psychiatrist, CEO and President of Bay Pointe Behavioral
Health Service, Inc., and South East Houston Research Group, Inc. Houston, TX - Lane Knight, DDS - Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, Southern Maryland Oral &
Maxillofacial Surgery, Waldorf, MD - Kelvin A. Moses, MD, PhD – Associate Professor of Urology, Vanderbilt University
Medical Center, Nashville, TN - Otha Myles, MD, Infectious Disease and Internal Medicine, Otha Myles &
Associates, LLC, Saint Louis, MO - Ronald “Pepper” Peters, Jr. DrPH, MS - Retired Associate Professor of Health
Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas School of Public Health, Houston,
TX - Richard D. Smith, MD - Lead Partner, St. Francis Primary Care Clinic - Smith Medical
Office, Monroe, LA - Brother Covia L. Stanley, MD - Former Regional Health Director, Region 6, South Carolina
Department of Health & Environmental Control; Former Health Director, City of Richmond,
VA, Conway, SC - Leonce H. Thierry, Jr., Jr., MS, MT (ASCP), CHES - Clinical Assistant Professor of
Clinical Laboratory Services, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX
GENERAL PRESIDENT EVERETT B. WARD’S OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP ON IMPACT OF RE-OPENING THE ECONOMY
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.’s General President Everett B. Ward Says African Americans Will Suffer Disproportionately Under ‘Opening Up America Again’ Guidelines
Open Letter To President Donald J. Trump Offers Five Additional Recommendations
(BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, April 22, 2020) – Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. General President Everett B. Ward, Ph.D. argued that African Americans will suffer disproportionately under President Donald J. Trump’s “Opening Up America Again” guidelines if states and municipalities repeal the almost nationwide Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic stay-at-home orders.
From mid-March through early April, at least 42 states enacted stay-at-home orders, accounting for nearly 316 million people – roughly 95% of this country due to the COVID-19 outbreak with more than 840,000 confirmed cases and 25,000 deaths to date.
“Mr. President, if our state and regional economies opened prematurely, it is clear that COVID-19 exposure will escalate among African Americans and lead to unimaginable levels of death and despair in many of the densely populated communities in which we reside,” wrote President Ward in an open letter to President Trump this week. (See Accompanying Letter)
Since the onslaught of the pandemic, he explained, African Americans have been shown to be at a higher risk for death due to health disparities, exacerbated by historic and systemic factors, their increased exposure as essential employees, and that fewer than one in five are able to work from home.
President Ward offered five additional recommendations before state and regional governments should open their economies, including: Improve the Extremely High False Negative Results of Americans Tested For COVID-19; Improve Governmental Collaborationwith African American Churches, Historically Black College and Universities, and Minority-Serving Institutions in Providing COVID-19 Health Promotion and Prevention Education; Improve Air Filtration Quality in all Federal and State and Municipal Facilities; Improve Air Filtration Standards in Transportation, and lastly, Improved Access to Health Care in Communities with Densely Populated Areas.
“Because of historic social, environmental, and financial inequalities, African Americans bear the burden of having the highest rates of all the diseases among all Americans in our country and based on the data alone should be considered that African Americans should be considered a vulnerable group throughout the three phases of reopening,” he wrote.
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (ΑΦΑ) is the first African American Greek-lettered fraternity in the world.
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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, Robert Smith, Barry Jenkins and Cornel West. The fraternity, through its more than 200,000 members, serves communities in the United States, Canada, Africa, Europe, Asia and the Caribbean. Visit http://www.apa1906.net and follow on Instagram & Twitter @apa1906network.
COVID-19 National Fraternal Taskforce Letter To U.S. House Ways & Means Subcommittee
March 20, 2020
The Honorable Congressman Lloyd Doggett Chairman of Ways & Means Health Subcommittee Washington, DC Office
2307 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Honorable Chairman Doggett:
On behalf our General President Dr. Everett B. Ward, we greet you in o the name of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Approximately six weeks ago, our General President organized our COVID- 19 Fraternal Task Force (members listed below) to provide competent information throughout our communities. As a result of your outstanding service, our General President offers the full public health capacity of our national task force to support your efforts in the social and clinical epidemiologic control of this virus. Below are some of our major concerns that we hope will be helpful in our prevention and eradication efforts against COVID-19 virus.
Effects of Erroneous Health Information on N95 Mask Protection Capacities for Healthcare Providers and Vulnerable People
- According to Zhu et al. (2020), the size of COVID-19 is .06 to 1.4 microns which is smaller than the capacities of most N95 surgical masks (.3 microns and above) provided to health professionals and vulnerable groups (Bunyan et al., 2013). The ability of this virus to remain airborne for 3 hours coupled with the limited capacities of most N95 surgical masks leave some health care workers as well as vulnerable groups with ineffective protection. In addition, these masks could lead to some health care workers inadvertently becoming vehicles of transmission for the virus.
Lack of Public Health Knowledge on COVID-19 Surface Contamination among African American and Vulnerable Citizens with Multi-Family Households
- Contact with contaminated surfaces is one of the ways in which COVID-19 is spread. According to a new and unpublished study supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (van Doremalen et al., 2020), COVID-19 has a surface stability of 4 hours to 3 days (4 hours on copper, up to 24 hours on cardboard and up to 2-3 days on plastic and stainless steel). Because African Americans tend to have larger households and lower income levels compared to White Americans (United States Census, 2016), we hypothesize that thousands of our younger household members who are COVID-19 positive, but healthy and asymptomatic will expose their more vulnerable family members to COVID-19 in their homes through direct and indirect transmission (refrigerator handles, light switches, doorknobs, towels, etc.). This is applicable to our senior church members also. The most effective way to stop the transmission of COVID-19 on surfaces is to disinfect the surface using a solution of bleach and water (Robinson et al, 2019).
Potential Medical Ethics Violations Related to the Inclusion and Exclusion of Woman and Minority Group Participation in COVID-19 Clinical Trials
-Although it has been over 15 years since the passing of the NIH Revitalization Act, women and minorities are still underrepresented in clinical trials (Ma et al. 2018). This is of great concern because gene tissues are expressed differently by race, gender, and age (Sweeney, 2014; Kim et al., 2010; Mansukhani et al. 2016). Because of differences in gene expression, we need to ensure the COVID19 experiments are ethically randomized by race, age, and the inclusion of women. Also, due to the NIH’s history of cruel and unethical experimentation on sick African Americans, (Thomas & Quinn, 1991) during which subjects were immorally given placebos in control groups when efficacious treatments were available, we need to ensure people from all socio-demographic groups are aggressively recruited to participate in all NIH funded COVID-19 clinical trials.
Unidentified Efficacy of Airlines Modification to HEPA Grade Filters
- Over the past week, many citizens have received communications from their airline carriers stating they are adding HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters to all of their airplanes. Based on HEPA standards (.3 microns) and the aforementioned size of COVID-19, a strong possibility exists that not only airlines but other transportation companies are not accurately portraying the true susceptibility their patrons may face should they make use of their services (Elias & Bar-Yam, 2020). ULPA (Ultra-Low Penetration Air) filters would be much more appropriate to use in transportation systems rather than HEPA filters given their increased efficacy in protecting commuters from 99.99% of airborne particles.
Implication of Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act on African American Seniors and Vulnerable Populations
- On March 13th 2020 President Donald Trump enacted the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Bea, 2010). The major criticisms of the Stafford Act stem from its meager language to protect children, the elderly, immigrants, and homeless people. Because of the hygiene issues experienced by homeless Americans as well as undocumented immigrants and their lower accessibility to health care, we hypothesize that these groups will not only suffer most but will become major carriers of COVID-19. The Stafford Act was last operationalized by President George W. Bush during Hurricane Katina. During this tragedy, African American female senior citizens incurred the highest hurricane-related mortality rate (Brunkard et al .2008).
Along with the other risks call, we feel these issues are mutually important to the communities we serve. Thank you so much for reading this letter and we thank you for your service to all humankind.
Sincerely,
Brothers Ronald “Pepper” Peters, Jr and Duane Dyson Co-Chairmen, COVID-19 Presidential Task Force
CC: Everett Ward Greg Phillips
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Ways & Means Health Subcommittee Members
COVID-19 Task Force Members
Brothers Drs. Duane Dyson and Ronald “Pepper” Peters, Jr., Co-Chairmen Brother Dr. Clifford Houston, Chairman Emeritus
1. William J. Bennett, MD, PhD - Pathologist, George Washington University School of Medicine, Novocure, Inc., Atlanta, GA
- Charles Alvin Cook, MD, MPH - Internal Medicine and Nephrology, Raleigh Associated Medical Specialists, Raleigh, NC
- Brother Duane Dyson, MD - Owner, Dyson Pediatrics of Tucson, AZ
- Brother Clifford Houston, PhD, MS - First African American elected as president of the
American Society for Microbiology; Former Member, U.S Department of Health and Human
Services, National Advisory Board for Bio-Security, Galveston, TX
- Brother Joseph Gambrell, MD - Retired Pediatrician, Kaiser Foundation Hospital, Bellflower,
CA
- Napoleon B. Higgins, Jr., MD, Psychiatrist, CEO and President of Bay Pointe Behavioral
Health Service, Inc., and South East Houston Research Group, Inc. Houston, TX
- Brother Lane Knight DDS - Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, Southern Maryland Oral &
Maxillofacial Surgery, Waldorf, MD
- Brother Kelvin A. Moses, MD, PhD – Associate Professor of Urology, Vanderbilt University
Medical Center, Nashville, TN
- Brother Otha Myles, MD, Infectious Disease and Internal Medicine, Otha Myles &
Associates, LLC, Saint Louis, MO
10. Brother Ronald “Pepper” Peters, Jr. DrPH, MS - Retired Associate Professor of Health
Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas School of Public Health, Houston,
TX
11. Brother Richard D. Smith, MD - Lead Partner, St. Francis Primary Care Clinic - Smith Medical
Office, Monroe, LA
12. Brother Covia L. Stanley, MD - Former Regional Health Director, Region 6, South Carolina
Department of Health & Environmental Control; Former Health Director, City of Richmond,
VA, Conway, SC
13 Brother Leonce H. Thierry, Jr., Jr., MS, MT (ASCP), CHES - Clinical Assistant Professor of
Clinical Laboratory Services, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX
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COVID-19 impact on ONECA
District Director Brother Marvin Venay’s COVID-19 Letter to Eastern Region – District II
Greetings Brothers,
COVID-19 is real! Whether it is impacting us personally by infecting family, friends, and colleagues or mentally through our local and national news broadcasting, it’s impacting us all.
On March 11th, I sent a note to encourage our district to support our elderly brothers as well as our college brothers that have been displaced from school. Shortly after that post, I (unknowingly) began experiencing symptoms associated with the Coronavirus. I initially thought I was coming down with a head cold. However, my health deteriorated rapidly. I experience burning eyes, a perpetual migraine, and a fever of 100+ degrees for several days straight. After a few days, my breathing became so labored, it was difficult to walk 20 feet without stopping to rest.
Two visits to the ER for severe respiratory issues LED NO WHERE! Despite my terrible condition, I was repeatedly reminded of my ineligibility to be tested per the CDC guidelines supplied to the ER. I was quickly discharged. I returned home the same as I departed; depleted, fatigued, and unaware of whether I was exposing my family to harm. By the grace of God, the effectiveness of prayer and a wonderful primary care physician, I was able to receive good private care. In one week, I was ruled out for COVID-19 testing twice. However, in the following week, I was administered the test through two different collection methods. The tests returned two different results. Ultimately, while hospitalized, I tested positive for COVID-19, despite testing negative earlier in the week.
Initially, I felt low. Becoming this ill from symptoms that are killing thousands of people daily would shake anyone. However, I immediately prayed and went to sleep. The rest allowed me to relax and see God’s hand in the situation. Yes, I am now a part of the alarming numbers associated with this unprecedented pandemic; but unlike many other individuals, when informed, I was at the tail end of the virus. I am recovering well. I walked out the hospital on my own two feet (having not to be quarantined – exceeding CDC guidelines) and returned home healthy and victorious while knowing others did not fair as well. It is my belief, that I was I was hospitalized to strictly be exposed to the extreme circumstances so that I might begin earnestly praying!
Unfortunately, the disproportionate impact of society’s ills (health inequity, mental illness, poverty, food scarcity, etc.) are making this worse for black and brown communities. Nonetheless, many among us are not taking social-distancing seriously. We are not quarantining or taking the precautions required to protect ourselves and the vulnerable among us. The fact is, many of our Brothers and Sisters will not have my outcome if they become as ill. Those with pre-existing conditions need our prayers and commitment. We must encourage testing, advocate for our health needs, and help those affected navigate a healthcare system that may serve them inadequately without a fight.
In fact, there are a some of our Brothers, in the district, that have tested positive, and some that have tested negative yet are experiencing all of the associated symptoms. This is far from over and at this time while maintaining social distance we must support each other. Further, we must keep the loved ones of those that recently joined our Omega Chapter due to COVID-19 in our thoughts.
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LET’s CONNECT – it’s time for a War Cry!
Please join Incoming – District Director Bro. Yves Salomon and I for a prayer call – Monday, April 13th at 7:06 pm. The call-in number is 1-602-610-2078 – code 411113.
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If you are well, begin researching foods and supplements that build your immune system. There is no cure. All you have is your immune system and the care you receive. Get your body in order. If you have symptoms, begin the process of pursuing a test and do not accept No for an answer! Pray earnestly, drink plenty of water. Eat properly and stay connected emotionally and spiritually despite our distance physically. If you have preexisting conditions, make sure you are on top of those!
I am blessed! God rescued me, my wife cared for me, my children loved on me, my church encouraged me, my family, and many of you brothers, prayed for me. We are our Brothers Keeper! Thank you for keeping my family and I lifted–we still need those prayers!
Beyond Fraternally, I love you Brothers,
Marvin
COVID-19 Letter
March 31, 2020
My Brothers of Alpha:
My continued prayers and thoughts are with you, your families and the communities, you serve as we all deal with the COVID-19 pandemic that is spreading through the global community. The well-being of our Brotherhood is my constant companion. These past weeks have tested our strength, faith, and endurance. While we have endured difficult situations, as General President, I’m extremely pleased to see that the Brotherhood of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., has confronted each situation with the faith, resolve and courageous leadership defined by men of Alpha.
Our Brothers are taking care of their respective families while simultaneously providing leadership in their communities. The Brotherhood wellness calls, district and regional prayer services, scripture emails, virtual Brotherhood sessions, virtual chapter meetings, countless emails and telephone calls are sustaining our Brotherhood in a masterful way. These are unprecedented times and we need each other more than ever before, as we are our Brother’s Keeper.
I recently participated in both the Alpha Ohio Day of Prayer Service and the ANCA Prayer Service and I gained enormous spiritual strength from the calls. The prayers and scriptures shared by our brothers lifted my heart and spoke to my soul. In all times, but especially, now, it’s important that we never forget that prayer changes things. It is in that spirit that I encourage each of us to reserve time to pray for each other.
We also recently have lost three Brothers to Omega Chapter. Each Brother, in his own way, epitomized the precepts of our great fraternity. Two of our Brothers, Te-Andre Brown (Beta Nu) and Bassey Offiong (Epsilon Xi), were campus leaders and 2020 graduating seniors from their respective universities. Brother Brown sacrificed his life saving a fellow student. Brother Bassey, a celebrated campus leader, lost his life to the Coronavirus. Brother Rev. Dr. Joseph Lowery, 98 years young, dedicated his life fighting against injustice and discrimination for current and future generations. Our hearts are heavy with sadness over their passing and the passing of so many others. We must cherish their legacies by waking up every morning thanking God for His grace and mercy.
We must also pray for our brothers and loved ones who are confronting the daily health challenges associated with the coronavirus. Collectively, we must help them fight this illness by fervently praying, by doing all that we can to stop the spread of the virus, and by knowing that a better day is coming. I encourage all of us to take this time of isolation to reflect on our personal priorities and to celebrate our blessings each, and every day.
As men of Alpha, we must also take time for preparation. Following the coronavirus pandemic our leadership will be needed more than ever. Reconnecting our communities, providing leadership for our school systems, advocating for marginalized citizens, promoting the 2020 Census and remaining focused on the pending election cycle are all critical areas that require Alpha leadership. Please know that the management of our fraternal affairs continues to move forward as we care for our loved ones and communities that we serve.
In preparation for the days ahead, I’m asking Alpha Brothers to follow mandates issued by state and federal officials by staying home, regularly contacting Brothers -- especially senior Brothers and widows -- , and taking care of yourself. I want to commend Brothers Dr. Ronald Peters and Dr. Duane Dyson and members of the COVID-19 Fraternal Taskforce for keeping the Brotherhood informed on key issues. For your continued safety my Brothers, please carefully read each of these communications. I also want to thank Interim Executive Director Brother Gregory Phillips and the Corporate Headquarters staff for their service during this challenging period.
Brothers, please join our National Chaplain, Brother Jonathan C. “Jay” Augustine, JD, MDiv, for the inaugural Alpha’s Word on Wednesday – a mid-week moment of spiritual uplift. The prayer call is scheduled for Wednesday, April 1, 2020 7:06 p.m., EST. Call-in information will be circulated from the corporate headquarters today.
Brothers, partnering together (Brother to Brother), we will weather this pandemic storm and witness together the bright sunshine of a new day with no coronavirus among us.
“There Goes a man whose life is spent in service and not in scorn. There goes a mon whose majesty shines like a May time morn.” – Peter Clarke
Onward and Upward Always,
Everett B. Ward, Ph.D.
General President
NEW SPECIAL EVENTS INSURANCE CHECKLIST FORM
NEW SPECIAL EVENTS INSURANCE CHECKLIST FORM
Due to the recent changes in our insurance policy, here is our newly revised, and updated Special Events Checklist form. This form, which has been approved both by our Fraternity Counsel and the Fraternity’s Risk Management Committee, must be submitted for approval and coverage for all SPECIAL EVENTS. There are no exceptions. Please complete and submit this form via email at insurance@apa1906.net or through fax at (410) 554-0054.
Fraternally,
Brother Gregory Phillips,
Interim Executive Director
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS AND DOWNLOAD SPECIAL EVENTS CHECKLIST FORM
Migration of AlphaNET database
Migration of AlphaNET database
Greetings Brothers,
This communication is being sent as an update regarding the migration of the AlphaNET database to our new system and site.
As of Sunday, December 15, 2019 at 11:59 pm EST, AlphaNET was no longer accessible. In a previous email dated Monday, November 18th, we requested that all Brothers ensure their information in AlphaNET was up to date AND correct by Sunday, December 1, 2019, to include emails, social security numbers, home addresses, phone numbers, and chapter initiation & current affiliations are correct. Brothers were also to ensure that spelling of their names were correct.
Currently, you will not be afforded the opportunity to update any information, since the database migration is well underway.
In addition, please know that we will still be able to receive payments for individual grand tax, chapter tax, or donations of any kind by calling us directly during at (800) 373-3089 during the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday until Thursday, January 2, 2020 at the close of business. Afterwards, NO MORE transactions will be accepted under any circumstances.
If you had planned to complete a life membership application, no further applications for life membership will be entertained until after Tuesday, January 21, 2020, when the new system will be fully entrenched and used for invoicing.
The new ProTech system will be available, effective Tuesday, January 21, 2020. Please bear with us as we transition to the new system. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free with contacting me at djohnson@apa1906.net or 443.923.3104.
Fraternally,
Denny N. Johnson
Assistant Executive Director
Membership Services and Brotherhood Engagement
Ted Colbert
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.® Congratulates Brother Ted Colbert as New President and CEO of Boeing Global Services
The Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. congratulates Brother Ted Colbert for being named president and CEO of Boeing Global Services. In addition, he is the executive vice president of Boeing, and a member of the Boeing Executive Council.
“Brother Colbert’s promotion is a major achievement and distinction for both himself and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.,” said General President Dr. Everett B. Ward. “Whether in the corporate boardroom or on the social justice battlefield, Alpha men continue to realize our mission of developing leaders by accepting the mantle of leadership. Brother Colbert is yet another example of Alpha men who rise to that level of corporate excellence.”
Last weekend, Gamma Lambda chapter awarded Brother Colbert, a Fall 2003 Gamma Lambda initiate, its Centennial Corporate Leadership Award at its gala.
The former chief information officer (CIO) and senior vice president of Information Technology & Analytics, he succeeds Stan Deal, who was named the CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
In that prior role, Brother Colbert oversaw all aspects of information technology, information security, data and analytics. He also supported the growth of Boeing’s business through IT- and analytics-related revenue generating programs.
When he joined Boeing in 2009, he led the IT Business Systems organization where he managed the computing application systems that support Boeing Finance, Human Resources, Corporate and Commercial Capital Business Units, as well as the company’s internal systems.
He later led the company’s Information Technology Infrastructure organization, where he was responsible for developing and maintaining network, computing, server, storage, collaboration and infrastructure solutions across the enterprise.
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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.
Support Harriet
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.® Encourages Support for Major Motion Picture, Harriet
The Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and the Council of Presidents of the National Pan Hellenic Council, Inc. (NPHC) are encouraging our Brothers and Sisters to support the inspirational and impactful major motion picture, Harriet – in theaters nationwide Friday, Nov. 1.
Harriet (portrayed by Cynthia Erivo), is the extraordinary tale of Harriet Tubman’s escape from slavery and transformation into one of America’s greatest heroes, whose courage, ingenuity, and tenacity free hundreds of slaves and changed the course of history. The film, directed by Kasi Lemmons and produced by Deborah Martin-Chase, also stars Leslie Odom, Jr., and Joe Alwyn.
“Alpha Phi Alpha supports films that accurately and appropriately depict the African American experience,” said Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. General President Dr. Everett B. Ward, who is also chairman of the Council of Presidents for the NPHC. “Harriet offers African Americans, and the public-at-large, a glimpse into the life of one of America’s most courageous heroes, who should never be forgotten. The bravery and selflessness of the real-life Harriet Tubman is an example and embodiment of unwavering will and determination in the cause for freedom and justice against almost insurmountable odds. If she could do what she did alone, we all should recognize how our power wielded collectively can realize dramatic change for our people and communities. Let this film be the spark that inspires and motivates us all!”
Watch the Trailer