FEBRUARY -- ALPHA PHI ALPHA On Your Yard/Community Day! PT. 3

This post continues the reference to Ohio District History in honor of Omega Chapter Bro. Henry L. Dickason [as excerpted from District Historian, Donald Ross].
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Elmer Collins

The 1960’s -- December 1962 – the Fraternity held its final wintertime General Convention, and 48th overall, in Columbus, OH. It was also the year Elmer Collins of Delta Alpha Lambda began his tenure as Midwestern Regional Vice President (1962).

Channelwood Village, Akron, OH

With passage of the Federal Housing Act of 1963, Akron’s Eta Tau Lambda Chapter, under the leadership of James R. Williams, developed Alpha Phi Alpha Homes Incorporated in 8/30/1966. Through this foundation, financing was secured for the Channelwood Village housing complex, Ohio’s first fraternal housing project,. Groundbreaking took place October 29, 1971, with first occupancy in late 1972. The formal Dedication was held on October 28, 1973, a proud day for Alpha brothers.  Channelwood’s 551 units include a 15-story high rise of one and two bedroom units, 130 townhouse units, and 144 two-bedroom garden apartments on twenty-two acres of land.

 

John W.E. Bowen III

James Howell McGee

In this decade, John Bowen of Alpha Rho Lambda was among the first Negroes in the Ohio Senate, 1/3/1967; and James Howell McGee became the first Black mayor of Dayton in 1970.

On a somber note, our 4th General President, Charles H. Garvin enters Omega Chapter 7/17/1968, Cleveland.



James T. Henry

Theodore M. Berry



James T. Henry was elected as mayor of Xenia., in 1970; he was featured in “The Sphinx” in 1972.  Delta Gamma Lambda Chapter also enjoyed having the Cincinnati Mayor in their membership, when Theodore Berry served from 1972-1975.

Wayne Embry, a native of Springfield, the first Black general manager of a White-owned professional sports franchise was named to the Basketball Hall of Fame. He led the Milwaukee Bucks from 1972-1979 and then in 1987 serving in that post with the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he remained until 1999.

    

Ray Miller of Alpha Rho Lambda Chapter was elected to the Ohio House of Representatives in 1981. In addition to legislative activity, Miller has groomed young leaders through a collaboration with the Ohio State University Department of African American and African Studies.  

He was joined by Dr. Vernon Sykes of Akron’s Eta Tau Lambda in 1983. Sykes found time before and between stints in the legislature to educate young adults at his alma mater, the University of Akron, and at Kent State University.

Halloway Sells

Reggie Williams

Delta Gamma Lambda’s Reggie Williams of the Cincinnati Bengals was honored for his work in the Queen City by the National Football League, in 1985, and later by Sports Illustrated. In 1988 and 1989, he was a member of Cincinnati City Council. DGL’s Halloway Sells became Midwestern Regional Vice-President, in 1989.

Omicron Rho Chapter is chartered, at Ohio Wesleyan University, in 3/7/1982. On 8/3/1986, Pi Phi Chapter is chartered at Wright State University, and Rho Upsilon is chartered 8/7/1990, at Denison University.



Sam deShazior

 

Roy Manley

Sigma Gamma Chapter is chartered 4/7/1991, at Xavier University. Roy Manley of Delta Alpha Lambda, is Midwestern Regional Vice President, in 1991.

Xi Chi is moved to Wittenberg University, on 5/16/1997; Sam DeShazior of Eta Tau Lambda is Midwestern Regional Vice President, in 1999.

  

In the closing decade of Ohio’s first Alpha century, three of the 10 Midwestern Regional Conventions were held here. Two were during the administration of Darryl A. Peal of Alpha Rho Lambda Chapter. In his first year, 2003, the convention was held in Toledo at the seat of Alpha Xi Lambda.

In April 2005, Brothers brought their political concerns to Columbus during Alpha Phi Alpha Day at the State Capital. MWRVP Peal and Alpha Rho Lambda hosted the 75th regional in 2007.

 

Alpha Phi Alpha Day, April 2005, Columbus

Delta Xi, 2010 Sprite Step-Off Competition Winners,

Theta Lambda and the city of Dayton welcomed Brothers in 2010.

Central State University’s Delta Xi Chapter turned the lights off of any hopes MTV2 had for the brothers from Clark Atlanta University to win the national Sprite Step Off Competition in 2010. The television broadcast featured Alpha Phi Chapter so when Delta Xi secured the $100,000 scholarship for 1st place, viewers were caught by surprise.  (Alpha Phi did end up in 2nd place.)

Alpha Rho Lambda celebrated 100 Years of Alpha in Ohio at their annual Founders’ Day observance called the Jewel Awards Luncheon. Awards were presented to citizens in honor of their willingness to give back. An award was presented in the name of each of the seven Jewels.  Nearly 400 brothers and guests were addressed by 33rd General President Herman “Skip” Mason. Other dignitaries included 1997 Xi Chapter initiate and fraternal Chief Operating Officer William D. Lyle; Ohio District Director Dr. Willis Lonzer; and Ohio Assistant District Director Frederick Cox.

Alpha Rho Lambda hosts Brothers from across Ohio to join with Bro. Herman "Skip" Mason, 33rd General President, Hyatt Regency, December 4, 2010, Columbus, OH (Picture Credit, Bro. Major Foley)

Thus, brothers of Ohio close a centennial of commitment to proudly emphasize the aims of Alpha Phi Alpha:

"Manly Deeds, Scholarship, and Love for All Mankind.”

Let us continue to preserve our history of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. chapters within the Ohio District. Here's to another century!