Latest news with #AlphaPhiAlpha
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
11 young men will be presented at Alpha Phi Alpha's annual beautillion on Fort Bragg
A Fayetteville fraternity is hosting a beautillion next month on Fort Bragg, featuring 11 young men from the Eastern North Carolina region. The Epsilon Rho Lambda Chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity is hosting the beautillion at 7 p.m. July 12 in the Iron Mike Convention Center on Fort Bragg. The theme of the event is "Fantastic Voyage: The Journey from Beaus to Men." Tickets are $60 and can be purchased online at According to a news release, the students from Cumberland, Hoke and Harnett counties who will be presented during the ceremony are: Chris Baring, son of Christina McAllister, Northwood Temple Academy in Fayetteville Nigel Cooper, son of Niakeya and Marvin Cooper, Jack Britt High School in Fayetteville Christian DeWitt, son of Kacheckia and Maurice DeWitt, Lee Early College in Sanford Jeremiah Headley, son of Cathy Headley, Hoke County High School in Raeford Terrell Jackson, son of Terrell Jackson and Sherice Alford, Berean Baptist Academy in Fayetteville Cayden McKoy, son of Carolyn and Clifton McKoy, Overhills High School in Spring Lake Mekhi Moreland, son of Teonte' Thomas and Moe Green, Cape Fear High School in Fayetteville Arrington Richardson, son of Vertis Richardson and Laquanda Gipson, Massey Hill Classical High School in Fayetteville Xavier Scott, son of Joyce Burgess, SandHoke Early College High School Zion Welch, son of Tracy Welch and Kevin Johnson, Pine Forest High School in Fayetteville Tony Woodard, son of Monique McLeod, E.E. Smith High School in Fayetteville 2024 beaus: 8 young men will be presented at Alpha Phi Alpha's annual beautillion in Fayetteville Alpha Phi Alpha was the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African American students, the release said. It was founded at Cornell University in 1906. The Epsilon Rho Lambda Chapter was chartered in Fayetteville in 1952, according to the release. The chapter's initiatives have included the March of Dimes Walk for Babies Campaign; scholarships for high school students; feeding the homeless during the holiday season; and volunteer work at the Salvation Army homeless shelter, the release said. Email Jeffery Womble at jmauricewomble@ for more information about the beautillion or the chapter's programs. Public safety reporter Joseph Pierre can be reached at jpierre@ This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Epsilon Rho Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha to hold 2025 beautillion
Boston Globe
14-06-2025
- General
- Boston Globe
When MLK studied in Boston, he joined a Black fraternity. A plaque will highlight this hidden history.
This milestone in King's life will be memorialized in a plaque unveiling ceremony at the very spot in Boston where the civil rights icon joined Alpha Phi Alpha. Located at 14 Wabon St. in Grove Hall, the memorial will build upon ongoing efforts to make Boston a larger part of the Kings' legacy, and, hopefully, remind passersby of the rich 'It's our jobs as Black folk to chronicle our history,' said Advertisement The ceremony will take place on June 18, the 72nd wedding anniversary of King and Coretta Scott King. It's the latest in a citywide effort to cement the Kings' presence in Boston. Advertisement Last year, Clennon King and a collection of community members secured a headstone for of Music student who introduced the couple. In 2023, another memorial commemorating the young couple's The Fraternity hopefuls on bid day 1952 for the Sigma Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity at Boston University. John H. Bustamante is in the first row left and Martin Luther King Jr. in in the front row on the right. Bustamante Family But Clennon King said the forthcoming memorial will orient King's legacy away from downtown Boston, and back towards the heart of Boston's Black community. He cut his teeth as a minister at the historic Twelfth Baptist Church that was then on Shawmut Avenue. He satiated his cravings for home-cooked meals here. He lived here. '[King] was baptized out of that neighborhood,' said Clennon King, who is not related to the civil rights leader. However, his father, C. B. King, represented the Rev. King during the Albany Movement, a yearlong civil rights campaign in the small Georgia city. The Grove Hall neighborhood that 14 Wabon St. lies in is steeped in local significance. Years after King resettled back south, this corridor of Boston became the site of a The house itself also encapsulates a long gone chapter in Boston history, which Lauren B. Martin considers deeply personal. It was the family home of her father, Advertisement 'Those kinds of spirits and memories linger in that space,' Martin said. King arrived in Boston in 1951 to study theology at Boston University, and settled in a city remarkably different from his beloved Atlanta. He found community among the churches, restaurants, and businesses inhabited by Black folks in Roxbury and the South End, but the Black population was smaller. At this point, King was not a household name, Clennon King said. 'He was just a number, just another student.' The plaque also underscores the legacy of Alpha Phi Alpha and the National Pan-hellenic Council, or When you look back at photos of King, he was surrounded by Divine Nine giants. Andrew Young is an Alpha. The Rev. Ralph Abernathy was a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. Coretta Scott King later became an honorary member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., the country's first Black sorority. 'Everything [King] did was to leave a legacy for his children and the people around him,' Asirifi said. 'You don't seek an organization like Alpha if you don't want to be a part of a larger community.' King attended an Alpha recruitment mixer on nearby Ruthven Street, at his future line brother's grandparents' home. They crossed through the fraternity's Sigma Chapter at Baron H. Martin's home. Advertisement Dues card for Martin Luther King Jr.'s Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity membership. Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. As a doctoral student, King was older than his line brothers and became a big brother figure for some. 'My dad never said it, but you could tell from his voice how much he admired [King],' said Myra Hemingway, the daughter of There is at least one moment in writing that details King's experiences as a pledge. In a 2018 Globe interview, Baron H. Martin recalled bringing the young Alpha pledges to his Wabon Street house to paint a fence. King refused. 'He pointed out that he was a minister ... and he wouldn't do it,' the late judge recalled. Not wanting to be bested by the pledge, Martin disciplined King the way many frats historically have. He grabbed his wooden paddle. 'I hit him so hard — one smack [on the behind]," Martin recalled. 'You can't do that anymore.' Related : MLK's seven line brothers formed lasting legacies in their own right. Herman Hemingway, at the top left in the phot, opened his own law practice and, under Mayor Kevin White, served as founding director for the city's Office of Human Rights. He is memorialized at Hemingway had paved his own way, so much so that Myra, his daughter, said he didn't fully acknowledge his title as MLK's line brother until people behind the civil rights leader's monument in Washington, D.C. began reaching out for interviews. Herman died in 2020, so Myra considers the upcoming memorial as bittersweet. Advertisement 'He really loved his fraternity and the support they gave him through the brotherhood over the years meant so much to him,' Myra said. 'It's hard that he's not here, but in spirit, I know he's looking down and smiling.' The Grove Hall residence where King became an Alpha is a hotbed of not only Black Boston history, but also rampant change. No matter who lives on the block, the people at the center of the forthcoming plaque hope the stories of the people who once frequented the area are a permanent part of the block's story. 'Things are going to change, people are going to change neighborhoods,' Lauren B. Martin said. 'But hopefully these markers gives the new neighborhood a reference and an understanding of how we're all related.' Tiana Woodard can be reached at
Black America Web
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
Actor Adrian Holmes Becomes an Alpha Phi Alpha
Source: Paras Griffin / Getty Adrian Holmes has taken his role as Uncle Phil in Bel-Air to a whole new level, with life now imitating art. The Canadian-born actor was officially initiated into Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, joining the Tau Epsilon Lambda chapter in Columbia County, Georgia. Holmes, best known for his portrayal of a reimagined Uncle Phil on Peacock's Bel-Air , first captivated fans with his character's pride as a dedicated member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. The modern adaptation of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air pays deep homage to Black excellence, HBCU culture, and the rich history of Black Greek-letter organizations. RELATED STORY: The 30 Hottest Black Men In Hollywood One of the series' standout moments was a powerful scene where Uncle Phil participates in a step routine with Alpha brothers at a charity event. To keep the scene authentic, Holmes worked closely with real Alpha members, learning the intricate choreography and channeling the fraternity's spirit. Now, less than two years after that memorable performance, Holmes has joined the brotherhood in real life. STAY INFORMED! CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER! For fans of Bel-Air , this is a full-circle moment. Holmes' initiation not only deepens his connection to the legacy of Uncle Phil but also honors the real-life impact of representation and cultural authenticity in entertainment. The decision to highlight Alpha Phi Alpha within the series was made with immense care. The production team collaborated closely with the fraternity, even adjusting the script to ensure cultural respect and accuracy. This attention to detail brought a new layer of depth to Bel-Air and is now mirrored in Holmes' personal life. READ MORE STORIES: Actor Adrian Holmes Becomes an Alpha Phi Alpha Tupac Shakur's Influence In Rap, Movies & Hip Hop Culture Jamie Foxx On Diddy, 'He's A Nasty Motherf***er' Adrian Holmes' initiation into Alpha Phi Alpha embodies the perfect fusion of representation and reality. His newfound brotherhood is an inspiring reminder of the power of cultural connection and the importance of highlighting Black excellence on and off-screen. Congratulations to Adrian Holmes and his line brothers on becoming part of this esteemed legacy! LIKE US ON FACEBOOK . FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM & TWITTER . SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE . STAY INFORMED! CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER! HEAD TO THE HOMEPAGE The article 'Actor Adrian Holmes Becomes an Alpha Phi Alpha' was created with the help of SEE ALSO Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE
CBS News
26-05-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Harlem community mourns loss of "guiding light" Charles Rangel
The Harlem community was in mourning Monday after the death of Charles Rangel, the longtime United States congressman who had a profound impact on the neighborhood. From community centers to college programs, the name carries a legacy that will live on for generations. "When it came to his community, he guarded it with his life" Flags were at half-staff at the City College of New York. The school has the Center for Public Service in Rangel's name, as well as the Charles B. Rangel Infrastructure Workforce Initiative. Board member Michael J. Garner says Rangel was involved in both. "Seeing that it was funded and that the training started and residents stated ascertaining jobs in Harlem, in other places where taxpayer-driven capital construction projects were being built," Garner said. Garner is also the former president of the founding chapter of One Hundred Black Men, which focuses on mentoring and economic development. Rangel was a member of that prominent community organization, as well as Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity's Harlem chapter. "With respect to the pathway he has opened up for people like me ... giving us a guiding light to how we should move in the community to be able to improve the communities that we live and work in," said Robert Alleyne, president of the Alpha Phi Alpha Harlem chapter. Photos of Rangel hang on the wall of Sylvia's Restaurant on Malcolm X Boulevard. Second generation owner Kenneth Woods says Rangel was his mom's attorney when the restaurant went into business back in 1962. "He was very critical in the creation of the corporation of this restaurant," Woods said, "and a very close confidante of my mom, dad and the family. He was family." Rangel always remembered what Harlem did for him, as well. In fact, he said that it was the Apollo Theater that helped to shape him. "The Apollo was like the Mecca. It just, if you've been there as a kid, and I used to play hooky and go there, and I used to sit in the front," Rangel said in an interview in 2007. "And until this day, when Billie Holiday was singing, I swear she was singing to me." "There's a reason why they call him the 'Lion of Lenox Avenue' because, you know, he can make you feel like you were the most important person in the world, but when it came to his community, he guarded it and he guarded it with his life," said Keith Wright, county leader of the Manhattan Democratic Party. Rev. Al Sharpton recalls decades-long friendship with Rangel Rev. Al Sharpton of the National Action Network says he met Rangel when he was 12 years old, and their friendship spanned over 60 years. "I remember when I had a youth group, National Youth Movement, and we began saying there are crack houses in the community and everyone knows where they are and we painted red Xs. Charlie Rangel came and got a pail of paint and helped us paint red Xs on crack houses," Sharpton said. NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 04: (L-R) Charles Rangel and Al Sharpton attend Rev. Al Sharpton's Private Birthday Celebration at The Grand Havana Room on October 4, 2013 in New York City. Johnny Nunez/WireImage He added, "[In] 1999, when police killed Amadou Diallo and we were leading protests against that, Charlie Rangel called me and said, 'I see y'all getting arrested every day at 1 Police Plaza.' He came down, while he was this powerful congressman with seniority, and got on a knee and was arrested in front of 1 Police Plaza protesting police brutality." Sharpton added he feels God has a sense of humor, because Rangel, a decorated war veteran, died on Memorial Day. Lisa Rozner Lisa Rozner joined CBS News New York in 2017. She covers a wide range of stories. contributed to this report.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Serving the Ozarks: Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity
As we wrap up Black History Month this week, we're introducing you to a local brotherhood whose members serve as role models to kids in our community. The Sigma Nu Lambda chapter of the historic Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity was charted in Springfield in 2019. The brotherhood is built on mentorship and challenging each other to strive for more. The national fraternity has a rich history. Serving the Ozarks: Dynamic Strides The first Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity was founded at Cornell University in 1906 and was the first collegiate black Greek letter organization. Today in Springfield, the Sigma Nu Lambda chapter is ensuring the next generation follows their footsteps to success. Watch the video above to see the many ways they are raising money for local partners and connecting with the next generation. If you want to learn more about this organization, follow their Facebook page. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
