Alpha Rho Chapter Alumni's Fall-Winter 2022 Digest
This Edition of the APCAA Digest features updates on 24 Alumni Brothers from the Alpha Rho Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and their professional developments, artistic pursuits, industry projects, awards and recognitions. Also — we dropped in a re-cap of Homecoming 2022!
Shelby County District Attorney's Office Swears In New Assistant Attorney Ernest Brooks II (Fall 1982)
By Katherine Burgess, www.commercialappeal.com
MEMPHIS — Newly elected Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy is making changes to his office, letting nine employees go Friday and announcing the hiring of six new attorneys.
Of the employees let go, seven were attorneys and two were legal investigators, Mulroy told The Commercial Appeal. The district attorney’s office has about 115 attorneys and 230 total employees.
The new assistant district attorneys are Ernest Brooks II, Denania Galloway, Melanie Headely, Kindle Nance and Krysa Scully, according to a news release. Jessica Indingaro will start as special assistant for projects and government relations.
Pictured above: Swearing-in administered by Judge Lee V. Coffee, center, and Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy, at right.
“I’m pleased that I hired experienced, qualified, diverse group of attorneys who share my vision for criminal justice reform. That was the goal always. I’m pleased that so far I’ve been able to achieve it,” Mulroy said. “As a group they are significantly more diverse than the staff as a whole, so I’m making good on my promise to increase the diversity of the office.”
Mulroy said he has no current plans to fire any more staff, but will be announcing more hires in the near future. And for the first time, the office is searching for a full time grants coordinator and a chief data officer.
Following his appointment, Brooks resigned as the District 3 City Councilmember for Jackson, Tennessee in October.
Father H.J.C. Bowden Senior Multi-Purpose Center Unveils Bust of Namesake — Sculpture Honors Alpha Rho Chapter's Last Surviving Charter Member
On Wednesday, November 16, 2022 the Friends of Bowden, Inc. unveiled a "larger than life-size" bronze bust of Father H.J.C. Bowden on the grounds of the H.J.C. Bowden Senior Multipurpose Facility in East Point, Georgia. Father Bowden, who passed on March 11, 1995, was the last surviving Charter Member (13) of Alpha Rho Chapter at Morehouse College.
One of Father Bowden's mentees, Brother William "Bill" Edwards (AP Fall 1969) helped to advance fundraising for the sculpture with his personal $1k leadership gift, followed by our own $500 pledge from the APCAA Benevolent Fund (proceeds from the early 2022 "AP CAP" fundraising campaign spearheaded by Brother Gregory T. Burrell (Spring 1987)).
The sculpture was created by master artist and local sculptor, Fred Ajanogha, who also created three other works that are already on display in the yard of the facility.
For more than two decades, Father Bowden made significant contributions to the aging community through dedicated service, advocacy, and policy recommendations. He served as President of the Fulton County council of Aging, as a delegate to the White House Conference on Aging, Co-Chairman of the Task Force on Aging, and an Episcopal Diocesan Designee on the Ministry of Aging.
In May 1995, the naming of the H.J.C. Bowden Senior Multipurpose Facility in East Point, GA honored his work on behalf of senior citizens. The building opened in November 1995. Fulton County's four multipurpose facilities allow seniors ages 55 and older to participate in life enrichment classes, nutrition, education, fitness, leisure and other activities. The facilities have cafeterias, gyms, therapeutic pools, computer training centers and art classrooms. There is no cost for Fulton County residents.
November 15, 2022 marked 120 years since the birth of H.J.C. Bowden. The Friends of Bowden invite supporters to celebrate his birthday and his life of service by purchasing a Legacy Brick on the Bowden Legacy of Service Walk, engraved with up to 3 lines for a contribution of $120.00.
Hertz Names Wayne Herman Davis (Fall 1998) as Chief Marketing Officer
Hertz Global Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: HTZ) announced today that veteran marketing and sales executive Wayne Davis will join the company as Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), effective January 3, 2023. In this role, Davis will be responsible for leading the Hertz, Dollar and Thrifty brands and shaping the company's marketing strategy to drive effective brand reach and customer engagement. Laura C. Smith, who has led marketing for the last two years, will continue in her role as Executive Vice President, Global Sales and Customer Experience.
Davis joins Hertz with more than 20 years of marketing, sales, and business development experience across multiple industries. For the last four years, he has led the mass premium Café brand for GE Appliances, a Haier Company. Under his leadership, Café has more than tripled in size and is one of the fastest growing brands in the appliance industry.
"I am delighted to have Wayne join our leadership team at this exciting time for Hertz," said Hertz CEO Stephen Scherr. "Wayne's brand-building experience and expertise in data-driven marketing analytics is a powerful combination, and I am excited about the vision he will bring to Hertz as we transform our business through electrification, shared mobility and a digital-first customer experience."
Prior to leading the Café brand, Davis was Senior Brand Director for Haier & Hotpoint at GE Appliances. Mr. Davis was also the commercial leader for GE Appliances' FirstBuild innovation hub, where he led the successful launch of the Opal Nugget Ice Maker.
"Hertz is an iconic brand with unlimited potential," said Davis. "I'm excited to get started with a talented marketing team to bring even more breakthrough ideas to the marketplace and connect Hertz with our consumer, corporate and rideshare customers."
Mr. Davis serves on the boards of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana based in Louisville, Kentucky, Amplify Louisville and Fund for the Arts. In 2018 he was named in Louisville Business First's Forty Under 40 and in 2020 was a member of Leadership Louisville's Bingham Fellows. He holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Morehouse College and an MBA from Xavier University.
U.S. State Department Watch and Crisis Management Officer Chukwudi Nwadibia (Fall 2010) Among Team Assigned to Renovated Diplomatic Engine Room (Ops Center)
By Mackenzie Miller-Green and Vincent Cilli, www.state.gov
“State Ops, this is Laura.” Alerted by the sound of a metallic chirp, Watch Officer Laura MacArthur answers an incoming call. It’s a duty officer at a Caribbean post, reporting that a powerful hurricane has changed course and is heading straight for the island. James Asuquo-Brown III—a Crisis Management Officer on shift—overhears the news and moves into action, working with the emergency action officer to draft a Department of State-wide alert. The Watch seamlessly coordinates a conference call with the affected embassy and seventh floor principals, while Asuquo-Brown III and his Crisis Management and Strategy (CMS) team contact the executive secretary and the regional bureau to organize a task force.
MacArthur and Asuquo-Brown III are two of the 75 employees in the Operations Center (Ops), the Department’s 24-hour crisis management and communications hub. Every new officer passes through an intense recruitment process, completing one of the most rigorous training programs the Department has to offer. After training, these officers join close-knit teams in one of Ops’ two offices: the Watch and CMS. They spend the next 12 to 24 months fielding calls from U.S. citizens in distress, alerting principals to late-breaking developments, connecting the secretary of state and his senior staff to foreign interlocutors, and organizing Department-wide crisis response efforts.
Pictured at left: Secretary of State Antony Blinken cuts the ribbon officially opening the new Operations Center and Executive Secretariat Staff offices, joined by (from left) Executive Secretary (S/ES) Kamala Lakhdhir, Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Brian McKeon, Operations Center Director Stephanie Holmes, S/ES Executive Director Dwayne Cline, Executive Secretariat Staff Director Robert Koepcke, and Under Secretary of State for Management John Bass, September 2022. (Department of State photo)
Starting this fall, Ops will finally have a space to match its mission when it moves to a new, dedicated, state-of-the-art facility at the heart of the seventh floor of the Harry S Truman Building. Occupying 21,000 square feet across from Mahogany Row, the new Ops space is half the size of a regulation football field. It features a large open floor plan equipped with the latest communication technology. Bright LED lighting flanks the glass entrance, stadium seating surrounds the new principal’s conference room, and the Watch floor features an isolation booth for sensitive translation and note-taking during the secretary’s calls.
Thomas J. Blocker Society Foundation Honors Dr. Walter Falconer (Fall 1979) with 2022 Trailblazer Award
The Thomas J. Blocker Society Foundation joined with Morehouse College's Office of Health Professions for their annual homecoming breakfast at The Robert Woodruff library where Dr. Walter Falconer was honored with the 2022 Trailblazer Award. The annual Saturday morning Homecoming Mentoring and Fundraiser Breakfast gathering of alumni and students honors alumni leaders and trailblazers for their achievement in health professions.
A native of Atlanta, Dr. Falconer received his undergraduate degree from Morehouse College and his medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He completed his general surgery and urology residency at Emory University and affiliated hospitals. Dr. Falconer practiced for 12 years with Atlanta Urological Consultants, P.C. prior to merging his practice with Georgia Urology in 2003.
He serves on several hospital committees and served as the chief of surgery at Dekalb Medical Center at Hillandale and the chief of urology at Dekalb Medical Center. He is a former president of the Atlanta Urological Society and has served on the clinical faculty in the Department of Urology of Emory University School of Medicine.
Thomas J. Blocker Society Foundation is the 501(c)3 non profit financial and fundraiser arm of the Thomas J. Blocker Society. Our non profit status allows us to obtain our goals of assisting the next generation of health care professionals through several fundraising endeavors including our capital campaign. The Mission of The Thomas J. Blocker Society is to develop an alumni base and coordinate alumni efforts to support Morehouse’s production of excellent, physicians, dentists, research scientists pharmacists, and allied health professionals.
Dean Thomas J. Blocker was a member of the Morehouse Office Health Professions for over thirty years. During that period he teamed with Dr. J.K. Haynes and Dr. Joyce Nottingham to increase dramatically the numbers of Morehouse Men to pursue careers in Healthcare and the Sciences. Over that time, Dean Blocker was instrumental in Morehouse College becoming the #1 producer of African American males accepted in medical, dental and health professional schools.
Brothers Julien Turner (Spring 2019), Tavis Thompson (Spring 2019), and Ernest Holmes (Spring 2018) Named to Forbes Magazine's 30 Under 30
30 UNDER 30: HOLLYWOOD & ENTERTAINMENT: DREADHEAD FILMS
This Webby Award winning-directing duo and brothers Justen and Julian Turner have partnered with Beats By Dre, Amazon, Adidas and others through their production shingle Dreadhead Films. In 2017 they became the youngest filmmakers commissioned by Sesame Street. They and their work have appeared in: Good Morning America, the New York Times, CNN, MTV and others.
30 UNDER 30: SOCIAL IMPACT: CODEHOUSE
Siblings Ernest and Jaycee Holmes and Tavis Thompson created CodeHouse to ensure more students could access the pathways that lead to careers in STEM. To date, CodeHouse has secured more than $3 million in funding from leading tech companies like PayPal, Google and Microsoft, and has hosted multiple Tech Exposure Days to educate high schoolers across the country about careers in tech. CodeHouse has also launched the CodeHouse Scholars Initiative, which provides historically black colleges and universities' students majoring in STEM-related fields with $20,000 in academic scholarships, networking opportunities, and technical training as they matriculate.
Brother Stuart James Flemister (Fall 1987) Featured in Iconic Black Hollywood Project
Black Hollywood is a groundbreaking reimagining of Hollywood's most beloved films, including Breakfast at Tiffany's, Singin' in the Rain, Mission: Impossible, Forrest Gump, and more. Visionary photographer Carell Augustus has created a "who's who" of today's Black entertainers recreating iconic cinematic scenes, renewing readers' appreciation of the past while asking questions about representation in media and inspiring the artists of the future. A visionary photography book that brings together the best of classic Hollywood with today's iconic Black entertainers for an immersive experience unlike anything you've ever seen before.
The book features a foreword by Academy Award winner Forest Whitaker and an afterword by beloved entertainer Niecy Nash!
Pictured above: Los Angeles Actor Stu James (AKA Stuart Flemister). He shares "Giving a little Green Lantern in “Black Hollywood, Reimagining Iconic Movie Moments!” GREEN … it symbolizes life, fertility, renewal, and resurrection. Green is a mix of yellow (which symbolizes glory and energy) and blue (which relates to powerful Mystical Higher vibratory energy and the heavens). Prosperity Money, groundedness too!"
Compiled over the course of more than ten years and highlighting more than sixty-five stars such as Vanessa L. Williams, Dulé Hill, Karamo Brown, Shermar Moore, and others, Carell Augustus says, "Black Hollywood is not just a book for Black people―it's a book for all people about Black people. About the dreams we were never told we could achieve. About the places we were never told we could go. And now, finally, about how we can get there."
Utopian Academy Partnering with Studio Behind “Spider-Man,” “Avengers” (Board CFO Bro. Steven Garner — Spring 2008)
By Leon Stafford — www.ajc.com
Lana Le focused intently as she used a blackboard to sketch out an outfit she planned to take from concept to reality. It wasn’t easy. The Utopian Academy for the Arts classroom in which she worked was a cacophony of sounds. The needles of sewing machines clacked up and down. Le’s colleagues chatted excitedly as they debated pillow designs. The 12-year-old, seventh-grader tuned out the noise as she pressed the chalk against the blackboard canvass. A silhouette emerged with ruffles at the sleeves, a cinched waist and wide-legged pants. “My vision for my collection is to be stylish but still comfortable,” Le said. “Clothes should make you feel like yourself.”
Le’s ability to freehand a design could come in handy next year when the Clayton County-based public charter school begins offering classes at Fayetteville’s Trilith Studios, the home of movies such as “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” “Avengers: Endgame,” “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” and “Black Adam.” The school plans to enroll 125 middle school students from across the state in a new program focusing on animation, film and television, visual development, visual art and design, coding and game design. The goal is to create the next generation of set designers, wardrobe stylists, sound engineers, directors and writers from the classrooms of metro Atlanta.
“It is very clear that Georgia has a growing film and television industry,” Utopian CEO and founder Artesius Miller said. “However, there is not presently a pipeline of workforce development or talent development from a K-12 perspective. And Utopian really desires to match the need with a solution.”
That could pay big dividends for the state. The Georgia Film Office in August reported that film and television productions spent a record-breaking $4.4 billion in the state between July, 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022. That has resulted in thousands of jobs and demand for local talent to compete with workers from New York and Hollywood. “Our goal is to give our students access to the industry as early as the sixth grade,” Miller said.
Town at Trilith President Rob Parker said Trilith is committed to creating a comprehensive educational pipeline from K-12 “all the way through a master’s in fine arts. “Working with public and private schools, as well as charter schools like the Utopian Academy, we are investing in the next generation of storytellers,” Parker said. “Story arts education has become a priority for all of us.”
Utopian Academy, which has an enrollment of about 1,000 students, was launched in 2014 with a middle school, followed by first- through third-grade in 2020. A high school for ninth- and 10th graders was opened in August.
The Trilith campus also will partner with the Georgia Film Academy and the Technical College System of Georgia to help the school develop programs aligned with industry standards in filmmaking, screenwriting, film-scoring, and animation, Miller said. Caleb Land, former director of instructional technology at Utopian and a veteran administrator of 13 years, will be the school’s principal. In same ways, the new school will be an extension of an already-established relationship with Trilith. The studio has tasked students in animation and story arts teacher Michael Rosemond’s class with short projects, that allow the youngsters to flex their creative muscles.
Trilith leaders will get on a Zoom call and ask the class to work on a storyline, produce a commercial or write a song. “A lot of our kids run to the Zooms because they know that they are coming,” Rosemond said of his high school students. “It’s a social thing that makes learning fun for them.” Christopher Gould, 14, was initially reluctant to handle the rigging for cameras during the shooting of a recent short horror film, “Tainted Voices,” that the students created. It was big and unwieldy, but he knew that as the director of photograph on the shoot, he was a key component. “I didn’t want to touch a camera because I was afraid I was going to break it,” he said. “But I learned how to use them and after awhile I was good.”
Aspiring director Dailiaa Garard, 13, said he recently tried his hand at directing and found it harder than he imagine, especially figuring out how to eliminate shadows. “I started messing up a little bit. I was having hard time doing it,” he said of getting rid of shadows. Michael Morris, a media arts teacher at the school, said the hands-on training helps students apply what they learn in the classroom. The discussions on screen writing, creative structure, positioning in film and other aspects of pre-production make sense to students once they are physically working on a project.
Theater teacher Fredena Williams said Utopian students also are learning the side of the arts that aren’t glamourous, but incredibly important. On a recent visit to the school, students were preparing to dismantle the stage of a recent performance of “Willy Wonka Junior.” For longevity in this industry, the more of the tech side of theater you know, the more work you will get and the more employable you are,” she said.
Target's Maurice Cooper (Spring 1999) Champions Inclusivity Through The Workplace and By Example
EBONY's 2022 Power 100 Corporate Citizen Award Honoree Maurice Cooper, a veteran marketer and DEI advocate, is no stranger to the hard work required to turn workplaces into safe places for all. As Senior Vice President, Guest & Brand Experience Marketing at the Target Corporation, he has successfully garnered connection with the Black community through engagement initiatives that prioritize our collective experience. Additionally, he has been able to do this with the help of the company's $1 billion annual investment. Below, Cooper shares his insight on sustainably building inclusivity in corporate America and the work he's done with Target.
EBONY: Throughout your career, how have you prioritized the creation of an inclusive workplace?
Maurice Cooper: At Target, cultivating an inclusive culture is at the core of who we are as a company, and this is a belief I’ve held throughout my career. This starts with seeking opportunities to create safe spaces for everyone. This is especially important for team members of color where these safe spaces unfortunately come too far and few between. Creating a space where you can be vulnerable and show up as your authentic self is both invaluable and meaningful. Nurturing these opportunities for connection—both within underrepresented communities where team members may bond over shared backgrounds and lived experiences—and at the enterprise level, where members of varied communities and backgrounds can learn with and from each other all contributes to creating an inclusive workplace. Ultimately, inclusivity is not the job of any one person or department—it’s the responsibility of all team members at every level of an organization. I’ve tried throughout my career to contribute to building cultures where all team members can feel seen, safe and valued.
Home Bank Adds to Assets with Appointment of Brother Ra'Shaud Haines (Spring 2001)
Lafayette, Louisiana-based Home Bank has tapped Ra'Shaud Haines as Senior Commercial Relationship Manager. Haines is an experienced Financial Analyst with a demonstrated history of working in the banking industry. His strong business development professional skilled in Commercial Lending, Banking, Credit Analysis, Commercial Banking, has shaped his 20-year career.
Pictured above: the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony of the Lemann Arts Lofts in Donaldsonville, LA. It was a grand event for this magnificent property! Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this building has about 52 one- and two-bedroom mixed income housing units that will cater to artists in the community.
Chartered in 1908 as Home Building and Loan, Home Bank, N.A., is one of the nation's most stable lending and financial institutions. They are the oldest financial institution chartered in Lafayette Parish, and through the years they've expanded to serve growing and vibrant markets across Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.
Brother Sean Haley (Spring 1987) Takes the Helm as Chairman of the Albert Schweitzer Fellowship Houston Galveston
Please join us in welcoming Sean A. Haley, Ph.D. as our new Board Chair! Dr. Haley has been with Albert Schweitzer Fellowship Houston Galveston since 2020 and we are honored for him to serve in this new role. We also would like to thank Tiffany Ross for her service as our previous Board Chair and the endless support she provided to the Fellowship. Thank you both for being such an integral part of ASFHG!
It is truly an honor to serve in this capacity! Albert Schweitzer Fellowship Houston Galveston has strong foundations, incredible leadership and day-to-day program management, and amazing Fellows who deserve the best we can give. I’m both fortunate and ecstatic to have a chance to play a small role in the grand scheme of things as the entire ASFHG Board, as well as those who serve on the Advisory Board, are all key to the ongoing success of the fellowship.
The Albert Schweitzer Fellowship Houston-Galveston (ASFHG) is a 501c3 nonprofit that offers graduate and undergraduate students the opportunity to design and implement a year-long mentored community project that addresses an unmet health need for an under-served population in our area. Students are paired with mentors, field experts and community sites to enhance and extend the services of existing community organizations who serve vulnerable population, with the goal of creating immediate and lasting impact in the Houston-Galveston area.
The fellowship uses a highly collaborative, multi-disciplinary approach to foster the skills and the development of tomorrow’s healthcare leaders. Fellows are selected via our partnerships with the University of Texas Health System, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Baylor College of Medicine, University of Houston and South Texas College of Law, and to date, have contributed over 30,000 service hours. Over the ten years since the fellowship began, fellows have completed projects in areas such as HIV/AIDS care, homeless support, oral health, nutrition, refugee health, mental health awareness, mobile health clinics, smartphone health apps, family and teen support groups, healthcare education and more!
Brother Haley is the Executive Director of Center For Civic & Public Policy Improvement (CCPPI), a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing policies that promote human, civic, social and economic justice and to taking the necessary action to affect progress in all areas of civic improvement throughout the culturally diverse communities in the Southern United States. CCPPI serves as a 'think and do tank' focused on affordable housing, healthcare, safety and criminal justice, and education.
Media Frenzy Global Taps Brother Nicholas W. Holland (Fall 2011) as Agency Public Relations Director
CEO, Sarah Tourville: Please join us in welcoming our PR Director, Nick Holland. Nick is a skilled digital marketing and communications expert with 7 years professional experience, including selling enterprise software to fortune 500 clients, developing integrated digital marketing & communications strategies and leveraging CRM and analytics tools to meet objectives. When we asked Nick what compelled him to join Media Frenzy Global, he said, “I saw an opportunity to share lessons learned from my career and grow at the same time. I was really excited about the chance to #mentor and nurture PR Account Executives and help them reach their potential.”
Pictured at left: Media Frenzy Global is proud to announce that we earned a prestigious spot on its exclusive Inc. 5000 list, which ranks the fastest-growing private companies yearly. Cheers to an incredible win for the team and CEO, Sarah Tourville.
MFG was established in Atlanta in 2013 and before that in London in 2006. Its name derives from its proven ability to develop a media frenzy™ by strategically implementing campaigns that drive engagement to and from the media, influencers, employees and customers. When stakeholders begin to correspond and share content with each other - without the direct involvement of the brand - a media frenzy takes shape and world-class campaigns are born. MFG specifically won an award for creating a media frenzy for the world’s first voice recognition app across 5 European markets and hence the name stuck!
United Market: The Beginning of a New Musical Awakening (Bro. Sencere Smith — Fall 2021)
By Shawn Grant www.thesource.com
Have you ever thought about what happens behind the scenes of making a hit song? While most people are satisfied with just listening to music on their favorite streaming service, the nature of the music industry makes it an incredibly complex and challenging career path for music producers and artists. Yet for all those who never say never, United Market offers the one-stop solution as one of the leading tech-enabled A&R companies in the world.
Through the platform, music producers and artists can connect and collaborate with a global network, get more records done, and collaborate with a worldwide network. Based out of Atlanta, United Market was founded by CEO Ronald Freeman Jr. and co-founders Austin Morris, William Cooper, and Sencere Smith. The company and their members have been on a hitmaking run astheir members are responsible for some of the best hits in 2021/22, such as:
1. Lil Baby’s hit song “In a minute” produced by Haze & KaigoinCrazy
2. “Stand on it” (Lil Baby) produced by Mattazik.
3. “Family > Money” (Babyface Ray) produced by Pooh Beatz
4. “What the business is” (Babyface Ray) produced by Space
5. “Shordie” (G Herbo) Produced by Donn Robb
6. “4 Minutes of Hell Pt.6” (G Herbo) –Produced by Haze
7. “Back in Blood” (Pooh Shiesty) – Produced by TurnmeupYC
8. “Free Shiesty” (Big 30) – Produced by Sk808
9. “I’m on one” (Future) – Produced by Torey Montana
Working as an independent artist in the music industry can come with its own set of problems. While, on the one hand, there is greater freedom in terms of choosing genres and types of songs to create, working as an independent artist can come with its own set of problems.
The biggest challenges are the lack of funding, access to top producers, and exposure. United Market gives these creators access to a global network of over 10,000 producers and artists to collaborate and grow their name to further their chances of success. In addition, artists can submit their songs to exclusive playlist placements and be played at sporting events, giving them more exposure.
United Market also works with management groups as an asset to the team and to the artist they are influencing. United Market has already struck deals with management groups such as The Luxury Group, Miami Music Group, Unkwn Ventures, Foreign Exchange Records, and many more.
Currently, United Market features over 50,000 music artists and more than 10,000 producers as part of their membership. This has translated to more than $100,000 in payout to creators. Remember the names mentioned beforehand? Well, they make up over 85% of the hip-hop and rap music producers in the Billboard hits list.
United Market has been able to accomplish the above and more in just one and a half years, the team says they are still hungry and working to make a greater impact to the music creator community. United Market Founder Ron says the team’s focus has been to “Sell our solution and results more than our product.”
Sencere: It was an honor to be featured on @revolttv to share United Market’s mission of helping the music production community by creating opportunities and promoting transparency. UM is a digital manager for music production professionals to manage client flow,communication and booking of their studio sessions.
Pleased to announce that my startup United Market will be part of Minnesota Twins Accelerator by Techstars cohort this Winter/Spring! We look forward to growing opportunities for the music community, and integrating within the Minnesota ecosystem!!
Vogue Magazine Has Recognized the “Polo Ralph Lauren Exclusively for Morehouse & Spelman Campaign” as One of Vogue’s Most-Read Stories of 2022 (James M. Jeter — Fall 2011)
A New Collection From Ralph Lauren Salutes the Stylish Legacy of Two HBCUs
Two summers ago, when companies across the country were urged to reexamine their approaches to race, representation, and inclusivity at every level of operation, Ralph Lauren made a series of commitments. Many related to the brand’s recruitment process and the makeup of its leadership teams, to fostering dialogue and facilitating understanding — but one particular action step had more philosophical underpinnings. “We will examine how we portray the American Dream — in the stories we tell, the creators we champion, the faces we elevate, the families we hero, and the media partners we support,” wrote Lauren and Patrice Louvet, the president and CEO of the Ralph Lauren Corporation, in an open letter to their staff. In 2020, WASP-ish whiteness was no longer a suitable shorthand for American achievement.
In keeping with those ideas, last year the Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation made a $2 million pledge to support scholarships for students at 12 historically Black colleges and universities across the country — and now, in an unprecedented creative collaboration, the brand presents the Polo Ralph Lauren Exclusively for Morehouse and Spelman Colleges Collection, due to arrive in stores and online later this month. Comprising suiting, knitwear, outerwear, dresses, footwear, and accessories, the capsule filters Ralph Lauren’s long association with campus-inspired apparel (or so-called “Ivy style”) through a refreshing new lens.
IP STARS (Managing IP) Recognized Brother Wesley L. White (Spring 2002) as a 2022 Rising Star for Patent Litigation
Managing IP’s Rising Stars in IP list is a special publication which recognizes some of the best up-and-coming IP practitioners in private practice. Brother Wesley White is featured in Managing IP's 2022 Rising Stars in IP list and Corporate IP Stars list.
Wesley White is a partner/trial attorney based in the New York City office of Reichman Jorgensen Lehman and Feldberg LLP (RJLF) who represents plaintiffs and defendants in high-stakes patent disputes. His experience resolving complex and strategic problems at the intersection of law, finance, and technology allows him to filter out noise, identify the issues that will resonate most with juries and judges at trial, and present those issues in a relatable manner that helps him secure favorable results for his clients both in and out of the courtroom.
Wesley earned his J.D. from Harvard Law School, where he was the Business & Bluebook Chair on the Harvard Law Review, and he began his legal career as an associate at Desmarais LLP. Before embarking on his legal career, Wesley worked in the financial services industry as an associate with Goldman Sachs in New York and Chicago.
Reichman Jorgensen Lehman and Feldberg LLP (RJLF) is a majority women-owned national trial firm that handles high-stakes commercial litigation, intellectual property, and white collar disputes. RJLF’s attorneys are diverse, exceptionally credentialed, and passionate about trial advocacy. From offices in Silicon Valley, New York, Washington, D.C., and Atlanta, the firm tries cases and argues appeals throughout the country.
Brother Brendan Fountaine (Spring 2015) Drops New Merchandise For Collection 1 | Blank Canvas Clothing (Brand) Designhouse
At the core, a wardrobe consists of five (V) primary articles: footwear, bottoms, tops, under garments, and accessories. Over the years, we’ve learned that simplicity maximizes creative flexibility; a blank canvas leaves you with infinite options to create. With no bounds, Article V’s mission is to provide high quality cut and sew garments.
"This crimean cardigan was the first design I sketched when I copped my sketchbook in 2019," said Fountaine. "I went through several iterations until I found the right silhouette and material. It’s been a process (I’ll drop content from the process later), but I’m proud of these. The quality on them is … well I’ll let them speak for themselves. Everything cut and sewn thanks to @bamigi_peezy."
Brother Jaylon Johnson (Spring 2019) Elected as Tufts Dental School's D26 President
By APCAA Staff
Johnson is a 2022 graduate of Barry University, where he earned his Master's Degree in Biomedical Sciences, and he is also a 2020 graduate of Morehouse College. Previous to entering Tufts School of Dental Medicine, Johnson served as a Vaccine Site Developer with CORE (Community Organized Relief Effort), and as an Inside Sales Representative at Thermo Fisher Scientific.
"As a first generation college student, I am not only breaking barriers for myself, but for my family members and friends to follow, said Johnson. "This journey has not been easy, but in the end it was all worth it."
Aaron Johnson (Spring 2019) Lands Marketing Internship with Los Angeles-based Venice Artists
In this new role, Johnson will perform analysis on marketing metrics, consumer reach, and subsequent growth for key social media platforms for immediate implementation to increase overall user engagement with Venice Artists.
He will also execute analysis on music data based on industry trends and assessment of impacts of streaming content on physical and digital sales.
ECommerce Leader Rokt Works Out with New Global Performance & Wellness Lead Maillard Howell (Spring 2000)
Fitness industry leader Maillard Howell has joined Rokt as the new Global Performance & Wellbeing Lead. Rokt is the global leader in ecommerce technology, enabling companies like Uber, Live Nation, AMC Theatres, PayPal, Hulu, Staples, and Lands’ End to unleash relevancy in every transaction, grow revenue, and acquire new customers at scale.
Howell, who most recently as served as Fitness Head at Reebok, has shaped a career helping organizations meet and exceed their performance goals through raising awareness and generating increased physical and mental wellness. Additionally, he has:
☛ Established an NYC CrossFit Affiliate (CrossFit Prospect Heights) from planning to successful market execution, which currently rebranded as Dean CrossFit (www.deancrossfit.com).
☛ Set up an independent wellness brand, “The Beta Way,” which provided a 360 analytical approach to develop the physical, nutritional, and emotional wellness of individuals.
☛ A decade-plus of Executive level sales leadership in the Metabolism, Infectious Disease and Neuroscience divisions within the Pharmaceutical Industry.
The 2022 HBCU Top 30 Under 30 Features Brother Grant Bennett (Spring 2018)
The 2022 class of HBCU Buzz’s HBCU Top 30 Under 30 is here! For the past eight years, we have been honoring the inspiring change-makers that HBCUs have produced and this year’s class is nothing short of HBCU greatness! We’re highlighting students who have been making strides in their fields and showing the world what HBCU grads can do.
The numbers don’t lie, according to UNCF, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) enroll 10% of all African American students and produce almost 20% of all African American graduates. Additionally, 25% of African American graduates with STEM degrees come from HBCUs.
These illustrious institutions have produced countless civil rights leaders, doctors, religious leaders, bankers, writers, Olympians, lawyers, musicians, engineers, actors, humanitarians, professional athletes, educators, scientists, and politicians. HBCUs provide the foundation and support needed for their students to go out into the world and become prestigious leaders. This year we continue to honor HBCU students from various backgrounds achieving excellence and making their alma mater proud. Some of the leaders featured include a rocket scientist, an award-winning Broadway actor, accomplished doctors, and more.
We’re excited for this Homecoming season to partner with DIAGEO and its brands CÎROC, Crown Royal, Tequila Don Julio, and Tanqueray to honor Black changemakers creating lasting change in their communities to uplift and celebrate Black excellence. Together with DIAGEO at the Mecca of HBCUs, we will honor the next generation of Black leaders and industry changemakers at the 30 Under 30 Reception and Alumni Bison Ball to toast to each honoree’s impact and impressive achievements to build a better future.
Grant Bennett is a proud native of Fayetteville, North Carolina, and a Morehouse College alum. In 2020, he graduated from Morehouse with a B.A. in Psychology, and in the midst of graduating during the pandemic, Grant founded a nonprofit organization, The Two-Six Project. The organization was created to assist marginalized youth through intentional programming and scholarship in his hometown of Fayetteville, North Carolina.
The organization has provided over $10,000 in scholarships to local youth; in addition, to over $60,000 in community support through its community events and programming. The Two-Six Project has partnered with brands such as Springbreak Watches, Nike, and Dreamville, in addition to hosting community events for music artist Morray, NBA professional basketball player Dennis Smith Jr., and social media influencer Vic Blends.
Grant has worked as a producer and consultant for the NFL, Adobe, and HBOMax. He works as a business partner and manager for social media influencer, Vic Blends. In addition, his work has been highlighted by Forbes and President Bill Clinton. Grant was named the Morehouse representative for the 2021 Nike Yardrunner 2.0 campaign and to the 2022 Fayetteville Observer 40 Under 40 list. He currently works at Google as a Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Strategist, with a concentration in Analytics, Partnerships, and Storytelling. Grant is also a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated.
Sin Cesar Journal Features "To Live (& Thrive) in South Central LA" By Brother Terrick A. Gutierrez (Spring 2017)
Issue 12 of the the newly revamped literary journal Sin Cesar (formerly Dryland) debuted in November with front and back cover artwork by Terrick Gutierrez. Sin Cesar is an independent print literary journal from South Central, Los Angeles, California, which features Black and Brown poetry, fiction, and non-fiction writers. According to Gutierrez, "This year marked the 30-year anniversary of the 1992 LA Civil Unrest and being from South Central, it was important for me to create work that speaks to this history."
Front Cover: Huggies, 2022
Back Cover: LA 92 (Burn Baby Burn!), 2022
Brother Samuel Braxton (Spring 2015) Enters The Strength & Fitness Biz With SB Performance Solutions
In 2018, Brother Samuel Braxton took the leap of faith and decided to fully commit to a career as a health and fitness professional. According to Braxton, "I was inspired by the book “CEO Strength Coach,” by Ron McKeefery, I knew my ability to make an impact was through the health and wellness of every individual I encountered." "Since then," he continued, "I’ve spent thousands of hours refining my craft and building my foundation as a coach."
To that end, he has officially launched a remote and in-person training and nutrition health coaching business, SB Performance Solutions. His goal is to help busy and working professionals gain strength, improve body composition, and build sustainable health habits. Here, the common goal will be an ability to showcase and feel like your best self.
Braxton also has been appointed as the Head Youth Athletic Development Coach/Sports Performance Director at Fitwit!
Braxton received his B.A. in Kinesiology, Sports Studies, and Physical Education from Morehouse College and a M.S. in Strength, Conditioning, and Fitness at the University of Georgia. He holds certifications as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), Precision Nutrition Level-1 coach (PN1), and USA Weight Lifting Level-1 Coach (USAW-1). His strength and conditioning and sports performance experience includes coaching youth, collegiate, and professional athletes. He also has experience in ACL return to sport rehabilitation, bodybuilding, sports conditioning, corrective exercise, and weight management.
Alpha Rho Chapter at Homecoming 2022
Pictured above: Several generations of Alpha Rho Chapter turned out for hop practice with the undergrads during Homecoming week.
Pictured above: With whistle in hand ... err, mouth ... Brother Chris Gooding (Legendary 18) sets the pace at the tailgate; Brother Romero Ross (APothetic 21) pauses for a moment with Brother MLKing's words; and the 3s hold court — Brothers Michael Davenport (Preeminent 19), Kevin Salter (Notorious 11), and Robert Cole (Enigmatic 17).
Pictured above: A mixed bag.
Pictured above: The undergrad Brothers took home the FIRST PLACE PRIZE at the annual homecoming step show in Forbes Arena — Brother Lincoln (Anomalous 11 — Spring 2020), and Valorous 23 (Fall 2021) Brothers Dent, Moss, Rodgriguez, Adams, Gross, Littlejohn, Wright-Thompson, and Freeman.
Pictured above: While they often come up short in the height department, number 1s always win when it's time to count them up — Brothers Tolbert (Temerarious 25), Vivian (Phenomenal 15), Mitchell (Pertinacious 13), Harleaux (Turbulent 10), Freeman (Contumacious 10), Burrell (Meritorious 16), and Buchanan (Reviviscent 9).
Pictured above: Members of the Torrid 10 (Spring 1977) visit the APCAA Memorial Obelisk to commemorate 45 years as AlphaMen — Brothers Coles, Williamson, Johnson, Foy, and Reid.
Pictured above: Brothers from the Meritorious 16 (Spring 1987) gather for their 35th Anniversary dinner & drinks — Brothers Washington, Durry, Haley, Days, Bryant, Richardson, Gibson, Hodges, Vannoy, McDaniel, Heastie, Flint, and Burrell.
Pictured above: A 1980s-era mixed bag.
Pictured above: An impromptu gathering of Brothers on Spelman College's campus for Homecoming Market Friday.
Pictured above: The Infallible 14 (Fall 1982) line up in celebration of their 40th Anniversary — Brothers Woolridge, McDaniel, Caldwell, Wethers, Tabor, Ernst and Toomer.
Pictured above: The Brotherhood Smoke done Flamboyant Southern Five-style (Spring 1978) — Brothers Webster, Hooper, Scott, and Green.
Pictured above: Members of the Synergistic 22 (Spring 2002) gather to mark their 20th Anniversary — Brothers Branch, Bass, Frazier, Briggs, Boyd, Murchison, Lewis, Aboyade, Rodgers, and Ferguson.
Pictured above: With five strong years in the game, members of the Inimitable 24 (Spring 2017) gather to mark their milestone — Brothers Wells, Hall, Cobb-Gulley, Doctor-Smith, Munson, Parker, White, Hill, Tafari, and Hopson.
In Other Line News:
Pictured above: Members of the Anastasis 25 (Fall 1998) met up in September 2022 in Houston Texas — Brothers Baytop, Letts, Edwards, Manous, Fordjour, Payton, Chester, Pelham, Cole, Gilbert, Nelson, Spearmon, and Sanders.
All RHOads Lead To ALPHA RHO — January 5-7, 2024 —
Our Historic CENTENNIAL Celebration in Atlanta!
RESERVE NOW: Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel
Selected as Host Hotel for Alpha Rho Centennial Week 2024
By APCAA Staff
Atlanta's landmark Westin Peachtree Plaza has been named as the host hotel for Alpha Rho Chapter's Centennial Weekend in January 2024, and we are now accepting hotel reservations for our upcoming event stay. Based on our Chapter-wide survey of potential attendees conducted on August 25, 2022, with some 166 responses captured within a 24-hour period, the Brotherhood was clear in their lodging needs.
We took that trend into consideration when identifying and negotiating the final room block:
As planners for this highly anticipated gathering of some 400-500 Alpha Rho Men from seven decades of Morehouse College life, we have dedicated the past 12 months to careful alignment of experiences and locations that will make the entire Brotherhood proud. This early delivery of the host hotel is the first in a series of event releases that will follow in the first quarter of 2023.
Through our exclusive website link featured below you can now book, modify or cancel your hotel reservations and receive updated information about the event. We look forward to seeing you during Centennial Weekend!
Notes on booking:
The exclusive rate of $179 is valid until the entire AP hotel block is filled.
When completing the on-line reservation, simply keep the default setting to "1 guest" in place, regardless of whether there will be a companion in your stay or not.
The booking portal will remain exclusive to Alpha Rho Brothers from December 20, 2022 thru January 6, 2023.
To eliminate any undue financial risk to the APCAA, we will closely monitor booking levels, and will authorize additional blocks in increments of 50/rooms. If you are "wait listed" at the time of booking, please contact alpharhochapteralumni@gmail.com and we will force book and confirm on your behalf.
Hospitality suite and guest room suite rates will be made available in Spring 2023. It is highly recommended that at a minimum, a standard room reservation be made within the AP block at this first offering, and later upgraded when those rates have been negotiated.
Local (Atlanta) Brothers can take advantage of private hotel-to-venue executive coach transport included in their hotel bookings. (A separate transport fee will be levied for transient passengers who are not host hotel registrants).
Modifications/cancellations can be made as late as 3 days prior to check-in with no penalty
Reservation Link👇
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