Theta Rho Lambda Chapter Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Fall 2014 1 Phirst Fridays The Theta Rho Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. successfully launched a Phirst Friday reclamation happy hour series in the spring of 2014. The purpose of the series is three-fold: to provide a socializing atmosphere to help reclaim inactive brothers; to allow brothers currently in the chapter to interact with each other outside of business meetings; and, to increase the visibility of the chapter through the Arlington and Alexandria communities. The chapter successfully held events in six Arlington neighborhoods: Ballston, Clarendon, Court House, Crystal City, Rossyln and Pentagon City. The events were both well- attended and well-received by brothers from other Area 4 chapters as well fellow Greeks and friends of the chapter. Theta Rho Lambda looks forward to resuming the Phirst Friday happy hour series in April 2015. The chapter will also likely be hosting a special Founders' Day happy hour event in Clarendon area on December 4, 2014. THE IMAGE OF ALPHA First of All | Servants of All | We Shall Transcend All Members of the Divine Nine at Phirst Friday Event in September 2014 50th Anniversary Black & Gold Ball On November 15th, 2014 the Chapter will be celebrating 50 years of Manly Deeds, Scholarship, and Love for All Mankind in Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated. We will be having this event at the Sheraton Pentagon City with the keynote speaker being VACAPAF District Director Bro. Alphonso Taylor. Members of the committee have been working tirelessly to ensure that this event will be everything that it should be for a milestone of this magnitude. If you have not received your tickets to sell please let one of the committee members know, so that we can get them to you right away. Also note that tickets can be purchased online at www.trl50th.com. Remember you must have a ticket to enter the event. Other Upcoming Events • Area Founders’ Day Event: Saturday, December 6, 2014 • 2015 VACAPAF Convention (Arlington, VA): February 5-8, 2015
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Theta Rho Lambda Chapter Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Fall 2014
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Phirst Fridays
The Theta Rho Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. successfully launched a Phirst Friday reclamation happy hour series in the spring of 2014. The purpose of the series is three-fold: to provide a socializing atmosphere to help reclaim inactive brothers; to allow brothers currently in the chapter to interact with each other outside of business meetings; and, to increase the visibility of the chapter through the Arlington and Alexandria communities. The chapter successfully held events in six Arlington neighborhoods: Ballston, Clarendon, Court House, Crystal City, Rossyln and Pentagon City. The events were both well-attended and well-received by brothers from other Area 4 chapters as well fellow Greeks and friends of the chapter. Theta Rho Lambda looks forward to resuming the Phirst Friday happy hour series in April 2015. The chapter will also likely be hosting a special Founders' Day happy hour event in Clarendon area on December 4, 2014.
THE IMAGE OF ALPHA First of All | Servants of All | We Shall Transcend All
Members of the Divine Nine at Phirst Friday Event in September 2014
50th Anniversary Black & Gold Ball On November 15th, 2014 the Chapter will be celebrating 50 years of Manly Deeds, Scholarship, and Love for All Mankind in Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated. We will be having this event at the Sheraton Pentagon City with the keynote speaker being VACAPAF District Director Bro. Alphonso Taylor. Members of the committee have been working tirelessly to ensure that this event will be everything that it should be for a milestone of this magnitude. If you have not received your tickets to sell please let one of the committee members know, so that we can get them to you right away. Also note that tickets can be purchased online at www.trl50th.com.
Remember you must have a ticket to enter the event.
Other Upcoming Events • Area Founders’ Day Event: Saturday, December 6, 2014 • 2015 VACAPAF Convention (Arlington, VA): February 5-8, 2015
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Personal Announcements
• Bro. Keith Laing married Ashley Hagans on September 20, 2014
• Bro. Lenard Williams and his wife, Sheena, welcomed the birth of their first child on September 20, 2014
Brothers’ Keeper visit with Bro. Reeves (Mid-summer 2014) Brothers from Theta Rho Lambda Chapter and Iota Alpha Chapter conducted the Chapter’s first Brothers’ Keeper Project with our very own Bro. Reaves. All the Brothers ate well and had spirited conversations about everything from Alpha back in the day all the way to sports. The project was a success and everyone involved enjoyed themselves and would like to do it again sooner rather than later.
Brothers who want to participate in the next Brothers Keeper project should contact Bro. Glover.
Brothers of Theta Rho Lambda Chapter and Iota Alpha Chapter listen intently as Bro. Curt Reaves (right) shares stories of his life as an Alpha Man
Introduction of newly reclaimed brother: Bro. George White
George R. White, Jr. was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio and hails from [the] Mighty Mighty Midwestern Region and recently relocated to the Northern Virginia Area to be with his wife. He is a Spring 2013 initiate of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Alpha Rho Lambda Chapter in Columbus, Ohio. He served, as chapter Parliamentarian, committee member of Alpha Esquires (Chapter Youth Development Group) and Chair of Constitution committee as a delegate at [the] 2013 Mighty Mighty Midwestern Regional Conference. He earned his Bachelor’s of Science degree in Computer Science, graduating magna cum laude from Jackson State University. Mr. White has been employed by Alcatel-Lucent for 17 years as [a] Software/Hardware Engineer. Mr. White has truly enjoyed the fellowship with the brothers of Alpha East since he has relocated to Northern Virginia especially the brothers of Theta Rho Lambda. The brothers reminded him of one of his favorite poems, “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother,” by Brother Freeman Montague, Jr. and the following line:
(continued on the following page)Bro. George R. White, Jr.
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(continued from Page 2: Bro. George White)
“And never again will I be lonely for I have brothers everywhere. In cities of population two, I even have a brother there.”
He has been married to his wife Lanette White for 2 years and has two sons (Saeed White 18, Jalil White 14) and a stepson (Taylor Avery 16). Mr. White has many interests which include the following: coaching youth basketball, football, martial arts, DJing, computers, playing chess, creating and facilitating workshops for youth, and learning about investments, health, and black empowerment.
Life After Becoming an AlphaThe Brothers of Spring 2014: Bro. Chris Jones, Bro. Adam Jackson, and Bro. Matthew Johnson
Bro. Chris Jones During the process of becoming an Alpha my line brothers and I put in a lot of work, time, and dedication to crossing those burning sands. We just knew that once we crossed all that hard work would be over. However, as we made our way towards the light we were advised that “the real work begins after you become an Alpha.” That statement resonates till this day. Pledging Alpha Phi Alpha was preparing us to serve our community, our fraternity, and our youth. Life after becoming an Alpha is hard work; however, the hard work has been and always will be over worth the great rewards. My line brothers and I have not been rewarded with monetary gifts. We are self rewarded for a lifetime knowing we are fulfilling the mission and objectives we swore to uphold. We are developing leaders, promoting brotherhood and academic excellence throughout the community we live and serve. In addition to the rewards, I want to touch on the brotherly love of Alpha. There are days I am [taken aback] by the amount of encouragement and [sincerity] my prophytes have for each other. My line brothers and I have been treated no differently. We were welcomed with open arms into the House. This decorum extends throughout the fraternity. I’ve met brothers, unacquainted, will shake hands, exchange greetings and depart friends. Life after an becoming an Alpha has been an exponential increase in rewards and fraternal bond.
Bro. Adam Jackson One Sunday in March, I sat in my favorite recliner in the dark staring at the wall. I had just completed a year- long process and my life-long dream of becoming a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. I felt like a veteran baseball team that was starting their quest for another World Series title. You want to celebrate with champagne and partying but you know you have a long road ahead. So much was running through my mind. I can remember the names Henry Arthur Callis, Vertner Woodson Tandy, Charles Henry Chapman and the other four Jewels. So many important dates and other historical information related to the fraternity embedded in my brain. I could not believe I made it through a process in which you had to achieve a 90 or above to enter into the next phase. I remember one of the brothers saying, “It takes a good man to be an Alpha but every good man can’t be an Alpha!” I was one of the chosen few and my life began to change. (continued on the following page)
Reclamation through Theta Rho Lambda Chapter • Visit our Chapter Web site: www.thetarholambda.org for information about the chapter • Attend one our Phirst Friday events to meet Brothers in a social setting • Email us at [email protected] to find out when and where our next chapter meeting will be
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(continued from Page 3: Life after becoming an Alpha)
Immediately following my crossing, over a photo of me and my line brothers was posted on Facebook. I started to receive many responses via my Facebook inbox from other members of Black Greek Letter Organizations extending their congratulations and offering me support in my future endeavors. It was the strangest feeling because many of these inbox messages came from individuals with whom I thought I already shared great relationships. I guess obtaining the letters helped take us to another level!
Crossing over was more than just a networking opportunity; it started to show me the true meaning of brotherhood. I attended the Eastern Regional Convention for the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. in Baltimore and was exposed to so much more. I had an opportunity to hear the General President Mark S. Tillman and Eastern Regional Vice President R. Anthony Mills talk about the state of the fraternity. Both men were so passionate about the purpose of the fraternity. It inspired me to want to do more in life and made me realize I could be doing more for my community.
Prior to our first chapter meeting my line brothers and I were tasked to help champion the A. Charles Haston “Brother’s Keeper” program for our chapter. Although we were new to the fraternity and the chapter we were called immediately to serve our community and fraternity. There was no bench warming for the neophytes!
There was no doubt we felt the brotherhood from other members of the fraternity and chapter; we had chapter meetings, cookouts and other social events. All these events provided the neophytes with a chance to understand the true meaning of service and brotherhood. The word brotherhood became more evident when Bro. Robert Alexander, one of the charter members for our chapter, entered the Omega Chapter back in August. Many of the brothers from our chapter, to include the spring neophytes, attended his home going service. There was a large showing of unity from the fraternity and chapter. Many of these brothers, some who never met Bro. Alexander, took time off from work during the week, to represent him and the fraternity. I was blown away by this display of brotherhood. It’s not often you see people attend a funeral service for someone they don’t know. This experience enables me to share a story of the true meaning of brotherhood with future Alphas. I am I glad I entered the “House of Alpha”. First of All, Servants of All, We shall transcend All!
Bro. Matthew Johnson Becoming an Alphaman is a journey that started that first semester when that I met an Alpha on the campus of Frostburg State University. At the time, I just knew him as a standup guy that took me under his wing, helped guide me in the ways of being an upstanding young man, and encouraged academic excellence. I soon transferred, but as the saying goes, Alpha's in the heart. Upon my arrival at Georgia State University, I befriended and supervised many of the outstanding leaders of the infamous "GQ" Zeta Mu chapter. I knew then that my journey in becoming an Alphaman wasn't over.
Last November I started to embark upon a path that would change my life forever. Although the process was quite laborious and included many sleepless nights, I knew that it would be worthwhile. As we Alphamen like to say, "tired moments find me a delightful treat." However, it was through those hard times that the bond of our line was reaffirmed. When we crossed those burning sands, our line, "Three the Hard Way," knew we would be brothers for life. Many ask what's changed since we’ve gone through the process. To that, I respond "brotherhood." A year ago, I didn't know my LBs, but now I consider them my brothers. When we say that "our family trees are not the same, we both have a different mother, and yet, I'd proudly tell the world that this (these) men are my brother(s)," we truly mean every word. However, the brotherhood extends beyond my 2 LBs. The chapter has been more welcoming than we could’ve imagined. There have been numerous opportunities for fellowship and everyone has been open to any ideas my fellow neophytes have proposed. (continued on the following page)
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(continued from Page 4: Life after becoming an Alpha)
However, the most moving time for me as an Alphaman was when my fellow LBs and other members of the chapter attended the home going service of Brother Robert Alexander. When we arrived, I heard the family mention, "there goes the Alphas," and to see the passion for which he had for our dear fraternity really reiterated the love and commitment Alphas have to our beloved fraternity.
Although the fellowship and brotherhood is one prevalent part of life as an Alphaman, as we were informed during the day of our initiation, the true work starts after initiation. Since becoming Alphamen, we have taken active roles in the furthering of the pillars in which our dear fraternity was founded. From spearheading this year's Project Alpha project, to proposing a new Go To High School, Go To College initiative, we look forward to continuing the work of Alpha and helping the youth move onward and upward.
Spring 2014: “Three the Hard Way” pose after dinner, celebrating their entrance into the House of Alpha: (R to L) Bro. Chris Jones, Bro. Adam Jackson, and Bro. Matthew Johnson
excellence, while providing service and advocacy for our communities.
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Bro. Robert M. Alexander, Sr.
Bro. Robert M. Alexander, Sr. transitioned to Omega Chapter on August 2, 2014 at the age of 88. A 1944 initiate of Gamma Chapter, Bro. Alexander was drafted by the U.S. Army in 1945 and served in the Pacific, including the Philippines. He later served in the Army Reserves from 1950-1952 as a Lieutenant. Bro. Alexander graduated from Howard University with a Bachelor Arts Cum Laude in Political Science in 1951. He graduated from Georgetown University Law School with a Juris Doctor in 1955. He practiced law in Virginia and the District of Columbia for more than 50 years. As a volunteer attorney for the NAACP for 27 years, he participated in cases in which the U.S. Supreme Court barred discrimination based on race in admission to private day schools. Bro. Alexander has been a Life Member for over 60 years.
Transitions to Omega Chapter
Bro. Talmadge Williams
Bro. Talmadge Williams transitioned to Omega Chapter on September 27, 2014 at the age of 80. A spring 1992 initiate of Theta Rho Lambda Chapter, and a former president of the Arlington, VA branch of the NAACP, Bro. Williams most recently had been board chairman for the Arlington Black Heritage Museum. He also operated “Computers 4 Students,” a program to insure that every student who needs a computer at home receives a complete computer system. Born in Radford, VA, he moved to Arlington in 1975. He held leadership positions in community organizations including the Bluemont Civic Association and the Ballston Partnership. He also served on boards advising the George Mason University School of Education and the Arlington chief of police. For more than a decade Bro. Williams supported the Theta Rho Lambda Chapter by making his office space available for chapter meetings, program events and training sessions.
