APCAA Summer Digest 2024
This edition of the APCAA Digest features updates on 36 Brothers from the Alpha Rho Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and their professional developments, transitions, artistic pursuits, industry projects, awards, and recognitions.
Also — we chronicle our annual summer smoker series, showcase a variety of member award presentations, provide tributes to Brothers entering Omega Chapter, highlight the ambitious launch of the APCAA BOLD Scholarship Program and our inaugural $20,000 grantees, and recap other historic happenings during summer 2024.
APCAA AWARDS FIRST BOLD CENTENNIAL SCHOLARSHIPS TO INCOMING MOREHOUSE COLLEGE FRESHMEN
By BMaynard Scarborough I Fall 1980 I APCAA President
Saturday, July 27, 2024 I Atlanta, Georgia — Today, we proudly delivered on the cornerstone of our association's centennial year mission by launching our signature Brothers of Leadership & Distinction (BOLD) Centennial Scholarship Program with the presentation of $20,000 in direct student awards to incoming Morehouse College freshmen Lawson Scott (Midtown High School) and Channing J. Hill (Maynard H. Jackson High School).
Award recipient Lawson Scott plans to major in Mechanical Engineering via the dual degree engineering program with a post undergrad goal of entrepreneurship, and with plans to enter Federal Law Enforcement and National Security (FBI/CIA) following college, Hill is set to pursue an International Studies degree.
Standing alongside our General Manager Alzay F. Calhoun (Spring 2000), CFO Amin S. Aleem (Spring 1999), Chief Scholastic Officer Robert P. Williams (Spring 1999), Signature Events Caucus Chairman Stephen P. Chester (Fall 1998), and more than 50 alums and undergrads, we welcomed the scholar's mothers and provided insight on how the chapter has designed a scholarship/mentor program that not only provides a substantial cash award, but also incorporates tools for their successful matriculation through Morehouse College.
Specifically, the program includes one-on-one mentorship, resume review, informational interviews with professionals in their field, and student success workshops. Each Alpha Rho Chapter mentor will provide:
Personal Guidance: Offering tailored advice and support to help awardees excel in their chosen field.
Navigational Tips: Sharing insights on how to get the most out of their time at Morehouse College and prepare for their future careers.
Learning from Experience: Passing on the mentor's own experiences and expertise to provide valuable perspectives and practical knowledge.
These scholarships were made possible by the financial generosity and servant leadership of Alpha Rho Chapter brothers, family, and friends, and will now be awarded annually. "As APCAA continues to advance our founding mission, our BOLD Centennial Scholarship Program will significantly impact many more metro-Atlanta scholars," stated APCAA President & Founder Bro. BMaynard Scarborough. He added, "We encourage continued giving to our scholarship fund which provides direct funding for Morehouse tuition for incoming Men of Morehouse."
The awards were presented prior to the chapter's annual Atlanta summer smoker organized by the association's Signature Events Caucus and hosted by the group's chairman Stephen P. Chester. During the ceremony (which can be viewed below) Bro. Calhoun provided an opportunity for their mothers to reflect on the significance of the considerable scholarship amount and how it will impact their single-income households.
APCAA Takes Martha's Vineyard By Storm During 7th Annual "House On The Vineyard Week" Hosted By The GBMCAA
APCAA Staff
A festive legion of Alpha Rho Chapter and Morehouse College Alpha alums were on-hand to congratulate Bro. Henry M. Goodgame as he received the LUX Award during the Greater Boston Morehouse College Alumni Association's (GBMCAA) 7th annual "House On The Vineyard Week," August 5-11, 2024. Goodgame was recognized for his years of service to the college along with fellow alums Bro. Michael E. Collins (Mu Lambda Spring 2009), and Matthew Mugo Fields. The association also paid tribute to Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, United States House of Representatives Massachusetts 7th District.
The GBMCAA used this year's LUX Awards Gala to acknowledge Alpha Rho Chapter's centennial year programming and the considerable scholarship funds that have been generated for Morehouse College students since the APCAA launched in 2014 during the dedication of the 90th Anniversary Memorial Obelisk on the century campus green.
Alongside GBMCAA's current president Wilton DeVonn Baker, APCAA President & Founder Bro. BMaynard Scarborough (Fall 1980) served as a co-founder of the popular "House On The Vineyard Week" and the LUX Award and was solely responsible for securing the green light from the college. The inaugural gathering took place in August 2017 at the Oak Bluffs estate of Bro. Secretary Louis Wade Sullivan (Fall 1951) and was headlined by Interim Morehouse College President Harold Martin, Jr., inaugural LUX Award honoree Dean Charles J. Ogletree of Harvard Law School, filmmaker Spike & Tonya Lee, former board chairman Bro. Robert C. Davidson (Fall 1964), and Bro. Rev. Otis Moss, Jr. (Fall 1955).
Bro. Almuhtada Smith (Fall 2004) Appointed By Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass To The Innovation And Performance Commission
ARS Counsel, P.C. is proud to announce that its Principal Attorney, Almuhtada Smith, has been appointed to the Innovation and Performance Commission for the City of Los Angeles by Mayor Karen Bass. This prestigious appointment reflects Almuhtada's dedication to public service and his commitment to fostering innovation in Los Angeles and beyond.The Innovation and Performance Commission, formerly known as the Quality and Productivity Commission, is a 9-member body dedicated to enhancing the delivery of services by the City of Los Angeles.
The commission promotes innovation through the allocation of a $1M annual Innovation Fund, which supports pilot projects aimed at improving city services, driving cost savings, or generating new revenue streams. Additionally, the commission monitors performance management programs, sets annual goals, and develops a multi-year comprehensive performance plan to ensure continuous improvement in city operations.
Congratulations Commissioner Smith on this significant achievement and we look forward to your continued contributions to the legal field and the Los Angeles community!
Polo Ralph Lauren Taps Bro. James M. Jeter (Fall 2011) As First Black Creative Director At Label
APCAA Staff
Bro. James M. Jeter was recently elevated to serve as the first Black Creative Director in the 57-year legacy of the Polo Ralph Lauren label. Jeter, who has spent the entirety of his career with the brand, climbed the corporate ladder from intern to design associate to a lead designer of the watershed Morehouse and Spelman Colleges Collection by Polo Ralph Lauren that launched in 2022.
That opportunity occurred in part because when Ralph Lauren himself asked Jeter how he was doing in the wake of the racial tumult of the Summer of 2020, Jeter answered honestly, seizing the moment and asserting that he felt he had no place in the future of the company, asking plainly "was the company going to remain all-white." This conversation led to a series of discussions between Jeter and Lauren about Jeter's experience at Morehouse, HBCU style and how he felt a collaboration between the two brands could be truly special, resulting in the historic collection. (attr: www.morehouse.edu)
Regarding his new assignment as the Creative Director, Design & Brand Direction for Men's Polo at Ralph Lauren, Jeter stated: "I am honored to announce that I have been promoted to Creative Director, Design & Brand Direction for Men's Polo at Ralph Lauren! It’s always a special feeling when goals and aspirations manifest into reality, a feeling that words can’t always capture. I still remember my first day starting at the Rugby store in Georgetown when I was 16 years old. To those of you beginning your careers with big dreams, just know that if I could do it, you can too. This milestone is the result of the mentorship, sponsorship, and encouragement of many incredible people to whom I am forever indebted."
Two Alpha Rho Chapter Alums Featured In 2024 Atlanta Business Chronicle 40 Under 40
By Allyson Reynolds – Assistant Editor, Atlanta Business Chronicle www.bizjournals.com
The 40 Under 40 Class of 2024 represents Atlanta’s best and brightest young professionals and emerging leaders. Across different industries, these young leaders strive for excellence through their company, community and industry. This year marks the 21st year of Atlanta Business Chronicle’s 40 Under 40 awards program, intended to spotlight the next generation of business leaders.
Stated Bro. Gino Brogdon (Spring 2007): "As an Atlanta native, I’m incredibly honored to be selected to the 2024 Atlanta Business Chronicle 40 Under 40 list! 🎉 Thank you to those who nominated me and have supported my career development as a Lawyer, Mediator, and Legal Tech Entrepreneur — especially @miles_adr CEO @theshahstra and Atlanta Police Department Major @mckinley357 — your support means the world. It’s truly humbling to be recognized alongside such an inspiring group of leaders. Congratulations to all the other honorees! Let’s continue to make an impact in our industries and our beloved city."
Stated Bro. Shannon Joyner (Spring 2006): "The absolute honor to have my dream job that I’m so passionate about in my hometown that I love so much is God’s work. There’s no better feeling than being a part of an incredible team, and I’m sincerely thankful to have been blessed with amazing colleagues->friends throughout my career and a special thank you to my extraordinary @atlantafalcons family. Mentorship is one of the most impactful relationships, and for that I’m eternally grateful to Greg Beadles, Brett Jewkes, Ryan Mucatel, Tim Goodly, Morgan Shaw Parker, Kerri Hoyt-Pack, Chris Aveni, Mark Thomashow, Mike Donnelly, Mark Tatum, Frank Nakano, Natasha Opong, and many others. Rise Up!"
New York Times VOWS Column:
"Lost Luggage And A Found Romance"
AKILAH ROBINSON AND BRO. TRISTAN ALLEN (Spring 2007)
By Nina Reyes www.nytimes.com
Akilah Marie Robinson and Tristan Jere Allen were married Saturday, August 10, 2024 in Atlanta. The Rev. John R. Allen, a Baptist minister and the father of the groom, officiated at Villa Christina, an events space. Mrs. Allen, 32, is an education consultant at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, in Seattle. She graduated from Spelman College and received a master’s degree in education from Brooklyn College and a master’s in public policy from Harvard.
She is a daughter of Hilda M. Robinson of Sugar Hill, Ga., and Richard D. Robinson Sr. of Atlanta. The bride’s mother is an inventory-control coordinator at the Buford, Ga., distribution center of Mizuno, a Japanese sportswear and sports-equipment manufacturer. Her father retired as a building technician from the maintenance division of United Parcel Service in Atlanta.
Mr. Allen, 27, is a foreign service officer. Until last month, he was an economic officer, following macroeconomic trends and promoting American investments, at the United States Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia. In September, he is to become a consular officer at the United States Consulate in Johannesburg. He graduated from Morehouse College and received a master’s in public policy from Harvard.
He is a son of Susan P. Reed-Allen and John Allen, who live in Pretoria, South Africa. The groom’s mother, a civilian employee of the State Department, is the deputy director in South Africa of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, which channels American resources to combat AIDS in Africa. His father, who retired as a first sergeant in the Marine Corps, is the director for safety and security for the Southern Africa region of the Peace Corps, in Pretoria.
Ms. Robinson and Mr. Allen met in 2009 on the very first day of graduate school at Harvard, but it wasn’t until Christmas break — and an unexpected snowstorm — that their romance began. “To be frank, the first thing that attracted me to her is that she is very, very beautiful,” said Mr. Allen, who was raised in Arkansas. “After that, it was a very Southern connection. Her value system is very Southern. It stood out even more because we were in a place that is very different from home.”
Midway through the semester, he said, he started to make a stronger effort at wooing Ms. Robinson, including several outings, to the movies or out to eat. But in her mind the relationship was platonic.
“It was a little gray,” he admits. “There was no hand-holding or anything, but I think she would have gotten the hint that it was heading in that direction.”She didn’t. That took a snowstorm, which left her stranded at a New York airport while her luggage, packed with everything she would need for a three-week trip to India with the graduate program, continued on toward Atlanta.
“I was really stressed,” she said. She had been exchanging text messages with Mr. Allen, who by then had just left Atlanta and was driving to Arkansas for the holidays. When he understood how upset she was, he offered to turn around, drive three hours back to Atlanta and retrieve the luggage for her. “There was this perfect opportunity,” he said. “I was able to stop and pick up the bag and bring it to her mom’s house, and that kind of gave me the in.”
Ms. Robinson’s family immediately spotted Mr. Allen’s intentions, but Ms. Robinson, who ended up driving with her sister to Georgia, still wasn’t convinced. Until, that is, Mr. Allen asked her to go to dinner with him, and he drove back to the Atlanta area from Arkansas for the pleasure of her company.
“We had our first kiss that night when he dropped me off back to my mom’s house,” she said. “My mom was still awake, waiting for me. I think they all knew before I did that he was interested, and that I liked him.” Three weeks later, when she returned to Boston from India, his intentions were there for all to see. “He met me at the airport with a dozen roses,” she said.
Bro. David D. Hardin Jr. (Spring 2008) Selected As CEO At Build Up
Our mission at BuildUp is to empower youth to gain education, workforce skills, and affordable homeownership, which together drive long-term community revitalization.
BuildUp is more than just a high school program; it's a bridge to life-changing opportunities. We partner with leading companies to offer apprenticeships that pave the way for careers chosen by our students. Additionally, through innovative initiatives, we enable these young individuals to become homeowners, contributing to and uplifting their communities.
Build Up recently received a significant grant from Enterprise through the Housing Affordability Breakthrough Challenge, funded by the Wells Fargo Foundation. This grant will be instrumental in expanding our efforts to transform more lives and communities.
Stated Hardin: "As I step into this role, I am eager to propel BuildUp towards new heights of success and impact. I look forward to collaborating with all our partners, educators, and community stakeholders to forge a future where our students not only thrive but lead."
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Inducts Bro. Ernest D. Holmes (Spring 2018) Into The Beta Class of '40 Under 40'
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. officially introduced the Beta Class of “40 Under 40,” highlighting influential Brothers in the areas of Civic Engagement, Education, Entertainment, Media, Finance, Healthcare, and Technology. Bro. Ernest Holmes joins three other current members of Atlanta's Eta Lambda graduate chapter as 2024 honorees — the chapter with the highest number of multiple recognitions.
As a technical program manager at Google, Bro. Holmes works on the Education Equity team providing technical insights on how to best prepare and support the next generation of tech industry leaders. His professional goal is to become one of the leaders of innovative technology. As a Morehouse College alumnus and Google software engineer, he prioritizes projects and activities that will help him achieve this goal and set the standard on what it means to be a person of color in the technology field.
He co-founded CODEHOUSE in 2019 to strengthen the pipeline for students of color entering the technology field. By connecting technology companies with both colleges and high schools he hopes to close this gap and dismantle the barriers for students entering the field.
"Multiplicity: Blackness In Contemporary American Collage" At The Phillips Collection Features "Airborne Double" By Bro. Derek A. Fordjour (Delta Chi Spring 1993)
Derek Fordjour, “Airborne Double,” 2022, Acrylic, charcoal, cardboard, oil pastel, and foil on newspaper mounted on canvas. (Photo: Daniel Greer/Derek Fordjour/Frances Fine Art Collection/David Kordansky Gallery/Petzel Gallery)
Multiplicity: Blackness in Contemporary American Collage is the first large-scale exhibition dedicated to exploring collage by contemporary Black American artists such as Derek Fordjour, Mark Bradford, Kerry James Marshall, Tschabalala Self, and Kara Walker. Featuring nearly 60 works by 49 artists, this exhibition celebrates the broad variety and complexity of Black identity in art. Building on a technique that has roots in European and American traditions, the diverse, intergenerational group of artists have created innovative works with pieces of paper, photographs, fabrics, and/or other salvaged materials. The bold compositions, created with an array of experimental techniques, offer poignant expressions of human experience, including fragmentation and reconstruction, shared history and memory, cultural hybridity, gender fluidity, and notions of beauty.
Fordjour received an MFA from Hunter College, an Ed. M in Arts Education from Harvard University, and a B.A. from Morehouse College. He was commissioned by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. to create a portrait entitled An Experiment in Brotherhood to commemorate the founding of the fraternity. His work appears in several public and private collections, including the Studio Museum in Harlem, Brooklyn Museum, Pérez Art Museum Miami, Dallas Museum of Art, the Whitney Museum, and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
Exhibit review by Manu Sharma StirWorld.com Senior Features Writer: “A range of surfaces can be seen in the exhibition, from the relatively flat collages of Deborah Roberts, Derrick Adams and Nina Chanel Abney, who seem to go to great lengths to form a tight fusion between substrate and added paper or fabric, to more textured work by Derek Fordjour, who carves into his layered compilations as the last step of his labour intensive process, to create an undulating topography …”
Leadership Atlanta Elevates Bro. Richard Makerson III To Board Of Trustees' Co-Chairman Of Membership
Celebrating more than 54 years of developing leaders, Leadership Atlanta is one of the oldest sustained community leadership programs in the nation. Leadership Atlanta's 2024-2025 slate of officers includes Co-Chair of Membership Richard Makerson III. Together with an expansive network of distinguished alumni, Leadership Atlanta continues a proud tradition of connecting and inspiring leaders to strengthen metro Atlanta's communities.
Leadership Atlanta's mission is to build a better community for everyone in the Atlanta region through education about the key issues facing the region and inspiring members and others to take on and exercise real leadership committed to serving the common good.
As the co-founder of Atlanta-based BlueFletch, Makerson is a technology executive with 15+ years experience in Enterprise Mobility strategy, application design and implementation. Richard has also trained, deployed, and supported multiple application tiers across complex production environments. He has extensive technical experience in native, cross-platform and web-based mobile application development. Richard holds a BS in Computer Science from Morehouse College, and is board member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta and the Technology Association of Georgia’s Mobility Society.
Bro. Donald E. Webster (Spring 1978) Covers Pre-Peachtree Road Race Issue Of The Atlanta Voice
On the eve of the largest 10K run in the country, the Peachtree Road Race, several metro-Atlanta running groups will be participating and representing Black runners from around the country and the world. The Atlanta Voice spoke with leaders and ambassadors from three of the largest Black running groups about why they do what they do. [Above: Runners from Black Men Run. Photo credit: Kheri Phox/The Atlanta Voice]
Bro. Dr. Lester A. McCorn Elected To Serve As Secretary Of The South Carolina Higher Education Tuition Grants Commission
The SC Tuition Grants Program is administered by the SC Higher Education Tuition Grants Commission through an annual appropriation by the State General Assembly. The program's purpose is to provide need-based grant assistance to eligible South Carolina students obtaining an initial undergraduate degree who are attending, on a full time basis, eligible independent non-profit in-state colleges.
Rev. Dr. Lester A. McCorn is described as a transformational leader, scholar, activist, and non-profit executive. A native of Worcester, Massachusetts, he is the 13th President of Clinton College, a private historically Black college (HBCU) founded in 1894 by the African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Zion Church in Rock Hill, South Carolina.
During President McCorn’s tenure the College has hosted on campus events with several distinguished dignitaries and special guests, including U.S. President Joe Biden, Senators Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, and Raphael Warnock, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Congressional Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Congressman James Clyburn, and awarded an honorary doctorate to Rev. Dr. Bernice A. King, daughter of Martin Luther King and Coretta Scott King. Dr. McCorn recently received a Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award from President Joe Biden for over 35 years of community service and leadership.
Thomas J. Blocker Society To Honor Ground-breaking Psychiatrist Bro. Dr. Harold W. Jordan (Fall 1955) At 2024 Living Legends Gala
The 2024 Living Legends Gala will honor Morehouse College alumnus Dr. Harold Jordan, ‘58, celebrated Psychiatrist, former Department Chairman at Meharry Medical College, and the first black resident at Vanderbilt Medical Center. The September 28, 2024 Black-tie tribute celebrating African-American achievement will serve as a successful event supporting student scholarships and programming for the Thomas J. Blocker Society Foundation.
Harold Jordan, M.D. has had a distinguished medical career that includes many highlights, including being chair of Psychiatry at Meharry Medical College, his medical alma mater, and serving as acting dean of the School of Medicine at Meharry as well.
Besides his academic career, Jordan was devoted to improving mental health care for the public through governmental service. He was Assistant Commissioner for Psychiatric Services and, following that, Commissioner of Mental Health and Mental Retardation for the state of Tennessee, and performed those jobs with such distinction that the state named a building in his honor on the campus of Clover Bottom Developmental Center, the state facility for people with severe intellectual disabilities which closed in 2016.
But a lesser-known part of Jordan’s professional life is his role as a pioneer at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC). In 1964 he became the first African-American resident physician at VUMC. It’s fair to say that he began that groundbreaking achievement with little fanfare, and the achievement has received little recognition since.
The Ohio State University Marching Band Celebrates Earth, Wind & Fire In First 2024 Show (Written & Arranged By Bro. Dr. Ted McDaniel Jr. Fall 1966)
By Colin Gay www.dispatch.com
"Do you remember?" It's the question The Ohio State University Marching Band will be asking OSU football fans at halftime of the Buckeyes' season opener against Akron when it dedicates its first show of the season to "The Music of Earth, Wind & Fire." The marching band will play parts of six of Earth, Wind & Fire's hit songs including "Shining Star," "September" and "Boogie Wonderland."
After the show, The Ohio State University Marching Band will perform its traditional Script Ohio where two-time Heisman Trophy-winning running back Archie Griffin will dot the "i." He will be the 17th non-active band member to dot the "i" and the most recent since Anthony Violi, a former trumpet player in the marching band who participated in the ceremony at age 100 Sept. 22, 2018 when Ohio State played Tulane.
[APCAA Staff Footnote: Ohio State’s Earth, Wind & Fire show was written and arranged by Dr. William Ted McDaniel, Jr. who has been writing for OSU since 1982 (retired in 2017). More than a decade ago McDaniel also wrote and arranged the iconic Michael Jackson show where the band did the moonwalk. McDaniel was the band director at Morehouse College in the 1970s, went on to chair the music department and lead the band at NCA&T from 1977-1981 until making his way to THE Ohio State University. Bro. McDaniel's Alpha Phi Alpha legacy extends to sons Elliot B. McDaniel (AP Spring 2000) and Ted McDaniel III (Zeta Zeta Lambda Spring 1995).]
Foundation Academies Adds Bro. Winston W. Roberts (Fall 2013) To Its AI Discipline
Bro. Roberts has joined the Trenton, New Jersey-based Foundation Academy as an AI Innovation Lead. An education visionary and AI advocate, he stands at the nexus of tradition and innovation. Drawing from diverse educational experiences, from Morehouse College to Google, he’s on a mission to amplify the potential of every learner.
Foundation Academies is a diverse K-12 learning community focused on academic growth and achievement. They strive to equip scholars to excel in learning and empower them to lead purpose-filled lives. Foundation Academies not only recognizes the power of AI but are also truly centering teacher voices and valuing their perspectives in the conversation about the future of education.
A Look Into D.C.’s Energy Priorities With PSC Chairman Emile C. Thompson (Fall 2002)
In this episode, D.C. Public Service Commission Chairman Emile Thompson joins EPSA President and CEO Todd Snitchler to share the inside scoop on the energy priorities for the nation’s capital: "America runs on reliable, affordable electricity - but the demands on our grid are changing. From natural gas to renewable power, electric vehicles and the competitive power markets, what are the energy solutions to cultivate cleaner air, new technology and more innovative and reliable power generation - at the least cost? Experts and voices from throughout the electric industry and government join the Electric Power Supply Association to discuss emerging trends, current issues, energy customer needs, and new projects. Discover how competition unlocks solutions to build the grid of the future."
ABOUT PSC:
The mission of the Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia is to serve the public interest by ensuring that financially healthy utility companies provide safe, reliable and quality utility services at reasonable rates for District of Columbia customers, while fostering grid modernization, conservation of natural resources, preservation of environmental quality, and advancement of the District’s climate policy commitments.
Scholarship At HBCUs, Including Howard University, Hopes To Diversify Health Care Industry (Bro. Jermaine S. Blakley, Fall 2013)
By Sandra Jones www.wtop.com
Diversity in the medical field could lead to better health outcomes for everyone. But, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges, only 5.7% of U.S. doctors are Black and minority representation in medical schools has declined over the past year. For Jermaine Blakley, a third-year medical student at the Howard University College of Medicine, making an impact on the medical field for the better is crucial.
“I think diversity within the medical field is extremely important,” Blakley said. “The human experience is so customized and so unique to every patient.” His mother, who is a nurse, introduced him to working in medicine and health care and had a huge influence on his career path. Blakley grew up in rural Alabama, where he said access to health care was scarce.
“My mom was in a bad car accident one day, and our closest hospital was in Mississippi at the time,” Blakely said. “So, you have to drive at least 40 minutes for emergency situations.” Blakley is part of the Abbott Scholars program, which aims to foster diversity in medicine and advance health equity for students of color at four historically Black colleges and universities.
In 2021, Abbott, a medical and health care company, launched a new initiative in an effort to drive diversity in medicine and improve care among underrepresented populations. Through partnerships with four HBCU medical schools, the National Black Nurses Association and the National Association of Hispanic Nurses, Abbott will dedicate $5 million to fund nearly 300 scholarships until 2026 to support training and education.
“I’m very grateful for a company like Abbott Laboratories, who decided to give me a scholarship so that I can decrease some of that financial burden for me … because medical school is arduous and very complex itself,” Blakely said. “So helping to decrease an additional burden for me has been very monumental, to not only my mental health but to my academic capabilities.”
AΦA's General President Bestows Presidential Citation On Bro. Henry M. Goodgame (Fall 1981)
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. held the 2024 Constitutional Convention Wednesday, July 10 - Sunday July 14 at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place & McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago, Illinois. During one of the closing sessions Bro. Henry M. Goodgame was recognized by General President Willis L. Lonzer III for his service to the fraternity over the past 43 years.
During the four-day convention, fraternity delegates discussed and addressed critical Fraternity business, including the presentation of the proposed strategic plan. In a letter to the membership, General President Lonzer described the official gathering as an “opportunity to be a part of history as we discuss and refine this great Fraternity’s guiding documents as we move into the future.”
The convention was attended by delegates representing the at least 706 active chapters across the world. Over four days, they reviewed, debated, and refined proposed constitution and bylaw amendments drafted by a committee. Collectively, they decided which proposals will be put for a vote by the general body at next summer’s general convention, which the organization moved from Orlando to Philadelphia last year due to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ racist and anti-Black efforts.
APCAA's 2024 Summer Smoker Series Makes Stops In Seven Cities As Centennial Programming Rolls Along, Nationwide
APCAA Staff
The APCAA's Summer Smoker Series celebrates 11 seasons of nationwide gatherings with spirited local reunions of Brothers from generations as far back as the 1970s. This year's smoker hosts included Bros. Stephen Chester (Atlanta), Maurice Cooper (Los Angeles), Keyon Payton (Detroit), William Jurist (New York City), and GeJuan Cole (Houston).
The series of nationwide events was launched in Washington, DC in 2013 by APCAA Founder Bro. BMaynard Scarborough as a chapter brotherhood happening in-between the college's standard annual meet-ups during commencement and homecoming. The 2016 DC smoker welcomed Brothers from across the nation and served as the unveiling of the first-ever Alpha Rho International Census (APIC) featuring a complete photo registry of every chapter initiate, to date. The following season APCAA introduced several additional major-market events in an effort to meet more members where they literally were.
Bro. Keith C. Ogboenyiya (Fall 1998) Featured In Industrial Spot: "Amazon and Texas Instruments Unite For Safer, Smarter Robotics"
Bro. Ogboenyiya is a Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex-based Senior VP, Marketing & Systems Engineering at Texas Instruments, a global leader in analog and embedded processing technologies. At TI, he leads an exceptional team of marketing and systems engineering professionals. Together they harness TI's extensive portfolio, systems design expertise, and digital marketing capabilities to empower our customers in creative innovative and distinctive products. His responsibilities also extend to overseeing TI's pricing strategy, marketing operations, and e-commerce business.
In addition to his professional pursuits, he's honored to serve on the College of Engineering Advisory Board at his alma mater Georgia Institute of Technology.
Recap by Ogboenyiya: "It was a pleasure to visit Amazon Fulfillment Technologies & Robotics and see Proteus in action! I'm proud of the work we’ve accomplished at Texas Instruments to develop innovative embedded processing, power, signal chain, and connectivity technologies that enable robots to safely work alongside people on the factory floor." See more about this collaboration:
Hip-Hop Culture Site Berries & Bars Gives Memberzxnly (Bro. William MT Shelton Fall 2013) His Forecast Berries
The upcoming artist from PG County, MD has been making moves in 2024! Memberzxnly is a rising artist coming out of PG County whose sound and aesthetic are heavily inspired by the era of late 90s and early 2000s. His high-quality writing, detailed approach to harmony, and edgy visuals create a nostalgic experience for all music lovers.
These qualities combined with consistent releases and incredibly layered records help separate him from any artist out today. If he keeps it up, he has the potential to be one of the top artists to watch heading into 2025.
Bro. Dr. Darren E. Wethers (Fall 1982) Joins MCRA Strategic Advisory Board
The Managed Care Resource Alliance (MCRA) announces Darren Wethers, MD, CPE, FACP to the Strategic Advisory Board as its Clinical Advisor. Darren Wethers is a board-certified internal medicine physician and certified physician executive.
He graduated from Morehouse College, Northwestern University Medical School and completed internal medicine training at Emory University School of Medicine before establishing himself in internal medicine practice in the St. Louis, Missouri area, becoming a “Top Doctor” honoree several years running. Dr. Wethers was the medical staff president at SSM St. Mary’s Health Center in 2006-07 and chaired the facility’s Credentials committee 2007-11.
In 2011, Dr. Wethers began a career in administrative medicine, servings as a medical director with Coventry Health Care and Aetna, vice president of clinical operations at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona and at Atrio Health Plans, where he served as chief medical officer. He launched Wethers Consulting, LLC in 2023, which has clients including Rebellis Group, Toney Health and MetaDigital.
Dr. Wethers is a member of the American Association for Physician Leadership, Fellow of the American College of Physicians, member of Alpha Phi Alpha and Sigma Pi Phi fraternities; he is the immediate past chairman of the board for Gamma Mu Educational Services (GMES) and is a board member of Northwestern University Medical School Alumni Association, for which he serves as president-elect and co-chair of the Inclusion and Allyship committee.
About MCRA Strategic Advisory Board
MCRA Strategic Advisors are Managed Care leaders and Health Plan executives who advise MCRA Members, drive Member discussions, and share insights on industry challenges.
Bro. Horace Ryans III (Spring 2023) Named Maroon Tiger Magazine's 2024 Morehouse College Man Of The Year
APCAA Staff
The college's "Man Of The Year" (MOTY) Awards is issued to not only commend our students for their hard work, but to highlight the individuals who helped shape the academic year. May 2024 graduate Bro. Horace Ryans received top honors for his dedication to the uplift and education of his community and outlook for impact beyond Brown Street and MLK Chapel.
Ryans recently signed on as a Success Coach with the Octavius Catto Scholarship at the Community College of Philadelphia where his focus will be on guiding students through their college path while he pursues higher academic opportunities via masters programs in education.
According to Ryans: "I began my advocacy work my freshmen year of high school. Getting involved with my school and community to bring about change in my education system has been my overall goal. I served as the Special Projects Coordinator for UrbEd Inc. for two and a half years and was promoted to Philadelphia City Director. I sat on the Youth Commission of Philadelphia, a youth organization that partners with city council to advise them on some of the issues that affect our youth in our city. There, I sat on at the head of the Education Committee. I've worked in the School District of Philadelphia in the Office of Student Leadership to establish an Office of Equity and Opportunity for Males of Color."
Akron (Ohio) Urban League Welcomes Bro. John M. Williams (Spring 1985) As New President & CEO
The Akron Urban League is pleased to announce and welcome John Williams as the new President & Chief Executive Officer. Williams will be the successor to Teresa R. LeGrair who recently retired but will work with Williams to facilitate a smooth transition. An extensive search lead by Waverly Partners, a leading executive search firm, along with a Search Committee led by AUL Board Chair, Jolene A. Lane worked diligently to find the next leader of the Akron Urban League. Williams will assume his new role at the beginning of September.
Williams most recently served as the President and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Michigan where he achieved significant success increasing their fund-raising efforts and expanding Habitat’s budget to serve more clients. Prior to Habitat for Humanity, Williams worked for Alpha Phi Alpha Homes, Incorporated, as Deputy Executive Director.
“I am thrilled and honored to have been chosen to lead the Akron Urban League particularly as we enter our centennial year. AUL has done so much for the community, and I am looking forward to building on past successes and leading the talented staff, to broadening our outreach, and to elevating and empowering more people to improve their quality of life.”
The mission of the Akron Urban League is to improve the quality of life of the citizens of Summit County, particularly African Americans, by advocating and facilitating programs that are economically and educationally transformational, impacting their lives and the lives of future generations.
Bro. Alexander S. Smith (Spring 2008) Co-Authors "Resilience: Stories of Grit, Grace and Ascent to the C-Suite: ITSMF Executive Academy Cohort"
According to Smith: Proud to announce that I have graduated from the esteemed ITSMF Executive Academy Cohort 2024! I'm thrilled to share that our cohort has also penned and published a book, “Resilience: Stories of Grit, Grace and Ascent to the C-Suite: ITSMF Executive Academy Cohort 2024.”
About the book: Resilience: Stories of Grit, Grace and Ascent to the C-Suite" provides valuable insights for technology leaders of color to leverage and advance their professional career. There is a broad spectrum of leadership experiences, filled with candor, exceptional advice, and occasional humor. If you care about attracting and retaining exceptional talent, developing others, maintaining innovative excellence, leading at the next level, the development of your most important asset (people), and maintaining balance, then this book is for you. The development of this publication is the result of the leadership journey in the IT Senior Management Forum (ITSMF) Executive Academy.
The Executive Academy (EA) is designed to enhance the performance and leadership skills of senior technology managers and executives responsible for leading the broader organization and optimizing the enterprise. The leaders in this program would agree that they did not enter with all the answers, and they did not leave with all the answers. However, they are better positioned and galvanized for maximizing their purpose and value in their respective organizations, industries, families, and communities, while providing perspectives to encourage other leaders to pursue the same.
The ITSMF Executive Academy 2024 cohort, as authors of this content, consist of executive leaders from some of the most important enterprises in the country. The biographies of academic achievement, professional experiences, and exemplary standards substantiate the wide range of illustrative elements for leadership excellence.
Mayor Randall Woodfin (Spring 2002): Will Run For 3rd Term ‘If The People of Birmingham Will Have Me’
By Barnett Wright | The Birmingham Times www.al.com
Randall Woodfin is likely to run for a third consecutive term as Birmingham mayor, he intimated on a podcast released on Sunday. Woodfin, when asked by Iva Williams III, host of the Intravenous 205 podcast, why he’s no longer talking about serving just “two terms” Woodfin responded, “I took your advice.” After a wide-ranging 50-minutes discussion, the Season 4, Episode 1 podcast ended on that note.
Reached Sunday about his plans for a third term, Woodfin sent a text message that read, “There is much more work to do for neighborhoods and infrastructure. If the people of Birmingham will have me I’m more than willing to continue to serve.”
Woodfin, 42, is nearly midway through his second term after winning elections for Birmingham mayor in 2017 and 2021. The next Birmingham mayoral election is Aug. 26, 2025. If Woodfin ultimately seeks a third term his decision could have political implications near and far. He’s long been a favorite of the Biden administration and seeking a third term as mayor would temper speculation of cabinet position in the Capitol, for now.
Closer to home, Woodfin’s name has been mentioned as a candidate in a redrawn district map that provides Black voters with a new opportunity to elect the candidates of their choice.
Bro. William "Bill" Edwards (Fall 1969) Launches Campaign To Recapture South Fulton Mayor's Office
Mayor William “Bill” Edwards was elected as the FIRST Mayor of the NEW City of South Fulton on April 18, 2017. With a sixty percent majority vote. He was officially sworn into that position on April 29, 2017, before a standing room only crowd of family, friends, constituents and well-wishers. Being the leader that he is, he immediately hit the ground running. Among other things conducting his first City Council Meeting and approving the hiring of an Interim City Manager, City Clerk and Interim County Attorney.
Mayor Edwards is no stranger to service. For fourteen years (2000 to 2014), he tirelessly served the citizens of South Fulton as District 7 Commissioner, representing the residents of: Chattahoochee Hills, College Park, East Point, Fairburn, Hapeville, Palmetto, A portion of Southwest Atlanta, Southwest Fulton, Unincorporated South Fulton, and Union City.
Elected by his colleagues, Mayor Edwards has served as Vice Chair of the Board of Commissioners for the years 2003, 2008, 2009, and 2010. He also served as interim Chair from August through November 2003. Always having the best interest of the community at heart. Mayor Edwards has been dubbed the ultimate public servant.
He is an illustrious member of the Morehouse College Class of 1972, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and a 1980 graduate of Atlanta School of Law. A member of Cascade United Methodist Church and a resident of South Fulton for thirty years, Mayor Edwards is the proud father of three adult children: William Jr., Erika and Johnishia; and the grandfather of Sierra, William III, Morgan, McKenzie, Jamiah, Wesley, and Lillian.
Bro. Nekosi J. Nelson (Fall 1998) Makes A Run For Leander, Texas School Board
Leander ISD has a bold and ambitious strategic plan focused on individualized, whole-child education. I believe in this vision and am here to serve … I am running to ensure each and every student in LISD has access to a transformative educational experience.
Servant leadership has always been a cornerstone of my adult life, both professionally and personally. After graduating from undergraduate studies, I decided to work as an investment banker. I was proud to help medium companies grow and achieve their visions, but I was unfulfilled. I wanted to have more impact on solving social challenges and uplifting communities. I completed an MBA program and set out on a personal mission of making the world a better place. Over the next twelve years, I committed my professional life to K-16 education and youth development before my third career in the tech sector.
I've worked in education at various levels, from local schools to the Department of Education and community-based nonprofits. I'm all about data-driven decision-making, cross-functional leadership, testing creative solutions, building strong relationships with diverse stakeholders, and delivering value to users and organizations.
Make A Play Foundation Launches “5 for 5” Campaign As Lead Up To 5th Anniversary Gala In 2025
Make A Play Foundation (MAP) is a not‐for‐profit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2019 to prepare underrepresented athletes for executive careers in competitive industries, including Fortune 500 companies. We prepare 1,000+ athletes annually for professional success at leading companies. Did you know that this also includes leading law schools and corporate law firms like Covington & Burling LLP. MAP reached new heights in 2024, with seven of our alumni making us proud by participating in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, and 3 medaling.
The Olympic symbol, with its five interlaced rings, represents the union of the five continents and the meeting of athletes from throughout the world at the Olympic Games. This achievement reflects MAP’s global impact and the superpowers our under-resourced athletes possess.
Consistent with the 5 Olympic rings, we are excited to kickstart our “5 for 5” campaign, representing our commitment to bring together sponsors, partners, alumni, and other passionate supporters to celebrate five years of transformational work in the athletic and early professional spaces.
Amal Z. Yamusah is the Founder and CEO of Make A Play Foundation (MAP) and first conceived of the idea in Spring 2019. After spending more than ten years in Sports and Media, he recognized a need in the non-profit sector for an organization that served underrepresented students with athletic backgrounds looking to enter competitive industries. Since then, he has scaled the organization tremendously by implementing an innovative 'Fall Forward' Plan that leverages coaching, curriculum, career training, and cohort learning.
Additionally, he has created an online learning platform that develops competencies in problem-solving, management, interpersonal communication, presentation, and leadership and innovation; and introduced cloud software to the platform that auto-reviews and assists students in building the ideal professional profile for competitive industries.
Bro. James E.T. Jackson Jr. (Spring 1984) Releases CEO Chronicle Industrial Spot For Alameda Health System
Alameda Health System is a leading teaching institution with a top-notch graduate medical education program and more. Hear about it on this months CEO Chronicle video. CEO James Jackson talks about teaching and graduation programs for Alameda Health System in the July 2024 edition of the CEO Chronicles.
Texas Southern University Elevates Bro. Chad Steward (Spring 2002) To Leadership Ranks As Executive Director Of Operations & Protocol
A Houston native, Steward's career at Texas Southern began in 2006, where he has held ascendant roles from Administrative Assistant to Facilities Specialist to most recently Fleet Manager.
In his new role at Texas Southern, Steward is responsible for Institutional Event Services, Building and Grounds Services, and Fleet services and transportation. He will be creating policies and procedures that positively impact the university and standardize its mission of operational excellence within “services” across campus.
Bro. Rollin F. Jackson (Spring 2024) Joins Administration Of 66th Southern Regional Assistant Vice President
With the installation of Brother Jeffrey E. Carter as our 66th Southern Regional Assistant Vice President, we are excited to introduce the exceptional collegiate regional administration entrusted with advancing the Southern Region’s initiatives alongside him:
Alpha Rho Chapter's Bro. Rollin F. Jackson and senior at Morehouse College has been tapped to serve as the Southern Regional Assistant Director for College Brother Affairs. Jackson is a Political Science and International Studies major from St. Louis, Missouri. He serves as the 93rd Student Government President at Morehouse College for the 2024-2025 school year. His passion for advocacy, social justice, and community engagement has not only earned him respect among his peers but has also positioned him as a catalyst for positive change within his college and the fraternity.
Meet The Entrepreneur Whose Grooming Line Caters To Men of Color (Bro. Michael F. James — Fall 1989)
Michael James is the creator behind Frederick Benjamin Grooming, a line of products that caters to the needs of melanated skin and hair. He sits down with TODAY's Craig Melvin to talk about how coming from a family of entrepreneurs put him on his journey and how he's paying tribute to his grandfather in the process.
Texas Council Of Alpha Chapters Honors Bro. Keith L. Somerville (Fall 1989) With 2023 Humanitarian Award
Xi Kappa Lambda Chapter's very own Brother Dr. Keith L. Somerville was awarded the Texas Council of Alpha Chapter’s Humanitarian Award for 2023. Dr. Somerville is the Senior Pastor of Riverside United Methodist Church. The church commits resources to the 3rd Ward and Sunnyside communities through events like health fairs, food drives and more.
Program Director Bro. Nicholas B. Fletcher (Fall 1998) Welcomes Alpha Phi Alpha Brothers Into Fall 2024 Earl G. Graves Masters Program At Morgan State University
As Brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., we are committed to transcendent steps of Scholarship, Manly Deeds, and Love for all Mankind. The Graves Master program offers opportunities for brothers to march onward and upwards and develop as leaders through the pursuit of academic excellence, making us better servants and advocates for our communities.
The Graves School of Business and Management (GSBM), established in 1944, is committed to enhancing academic rigor and quality. Being the first Business School in the State of Maryland, we have over 70 years of experience and expertise in preparing our students for the business world. Our highly dedicated faculty (over 90% with a doctorate in the discipline in which they teach and carry out research) and staff continue to make student success their primary mission.
Bro. Fletcher is the Assistant Director, Masters Programs and Program Director, Baltimore Means Business Program at Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland.
AERA Awards Research Grant To Bro. Justin L. Bryant (Fall 2010) For Study On Deeper Learning
The American Educational Research Association (AERA) has awarded a $35,000 grant to Bro. Justin L. Bryant, Ph.D. as part of the AERA Fellowship Study on the Study of Deeper Learning (SDL). Dr. Bryant is an assistant professor in the Whitlowe R. Green College of Education at Prairie View A&M University.
He earned his B.A. from Morehouse in History in 2011, and his M.A. in History from Georgia Southern University in 2015 with an emphasis on 20th Century African American History and Social Movements in the 1960s. He earned his Ph.D. in Higher Education and Policy Studies from the University of Houston in 2020. Dr. Bryant has taught at Prairie View A&M University since 2018 and previously taught at the University of Houston.
The AERA Fellowship on the Study of Deeper Learning (SDL) offers professional development and support for early scholars pursing research to improve secondary and post-secondary outcomes for first-generation and low-income students, many who are often high academic achievers pursing fields in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
Robert L. Allen, Who Recounted A Naval Mutiny Trial, Dies At 82
By Richard Sandomir New York Times I July, 22 2024
Robert L. Allen, who definitively told the story of 50 Black sailors who were convicted of conspiracy to commit mutiny for refusing to continue to load munitions onto cargo ships after explosions had blown apart two ships at a California port during World War II, killing hundreds, died on July 10 at his home in Benicia, in Northern California. He was 82.
Mr. Allen, a writer, activist and academic, died a week before the Navy exonerated the men.
On the night of July 17, 1944, hundreds of sailors were loading ordnance and ammunition onto the E.A. Bryan at the Port Chicago Naval Magazine, northeast of San Francisco. Suddenly, the munitions in the holds detonated, destroying the ship, the pier and structures in a 1,000-foot radius. Another ship, the Quinault Victory, blew apart and sank nearby in Suisun Bay. The blasts killed 320 sailors, civilians and Coast Guard personnel, most of them Black. Nearly 400 were injured, also mostly Black.
White officers were given leave to recover, but Black sailors were soon ordered to continue their dangerous work loading munitions at a nearby port. They did not know why the ships had exploded — a cause has never been determined — and 258 refused to keep working, leading an admiral to threaten to execute them by firing squad, Mr. Allen said.
The Black sailors were arrested and taken to the hold of a barge that had room for 75 men. “The scene conjured up images of a slave ship,” Mr. Allen told The Sacramento Bee in 1997. Of the 258 men, 208 returned to work, but they were still court-martialed for disobeying orders. The 50 others, in a summary court-martial, were convicted of conspiracy to commit mutiny and sentenced to eight to 15 years of confinement.
Mr. Alvoyd Thomas Nicks, Jr., of Smyrna, GA, passed June 7, 2024. His Celebration of Life Service was held on Saturday, June 22, 2024 at 11:00 AM, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 3050 Cascade Road SW, Atlanta, GA 30311.
Alvoyd is survived by his beloved wife, Edna, of 65 years; daughters, Alvita Wright and Alkwanya Collins; son, Alvoyd Nicks, III (Jackie); brother, Anthony Nicks (Sandy); grandchildren, Erika McAfee (Tommie; CA), Aven Wright (CA), Kaelyn and Kiyah Collins, Nichalus and Melissa Nicks; great-grandchildren, Eden McAfee, Kace Jenkins, Jazlyn and Jace Nicks; sisters-in-law, Betty Richard and Janet Clark; nieces and nephews, Collin Nicks and family, James Oliver (Yvonne), Christina and Omari Nicks, Cortina, Corona, Tevika; best friend, Alterra Hagen, Eugene Monroe (Phyllis), Richard Williams; and a host of great-nieces, cousins, nephews and devoted friends.
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