Chicagoland Founder's Day Celebration

The Chicagoland Association of College and Alumni Chapters celebrated the 102nd founding of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. with a banquet on December 7, 2008 at the Best Western Hotel. Midwestern Regional Vice President, Bro. Mark S. Tillman served as the keynote speaker for this event in back-to-back days.

Alpha Xi Lambda Chapter (Toledo, OH) Founder's Day

Alpha Xi Lambda chapter celebrated their 80th Anniversary in Toledo, OH at their founder’s day brunch on December 6, 2008 at the Holiday Inn Hotel French Quarter Hotel in Perrysburg, OH. Midwestern Regional Vice President, Bro. Mark S. Tillman was the keynote speaker.

2008 Michigan District Conference

The 2009 Michigan District Conference was held on the campus of Michigan State University on November 21 – 23, 2009 in East Lansing, MI. Michigan State University is home to Zeta Delta Chapter as they hosted the convention with Kappa Delta Lambda.

Bro. William Washington (l) and Bro. Calvin Orr, II (next to Washington), presented neophytes of the Michigan District with their membership materials.

2008 Ohio District Conference

The 2009 Ohio District Conference was held on the campus of Central State University on November 14 – 16, 2009 in Wilberforce, OH. Central State University is home to Delta Xi chapter. The district also honored the legends of Ohio during their Black and Gold Banquet.

(first Picture) Bro. Mataryun "Mo" Wright, Ohio District Director, delivers his State of the District Address.

(second picture) Bro. Jerome Williams, Ohio Asst. District Director, is taking notes during the presentations.

(third picture) The Ohio District honored it's Alpha Legends during a special ceremony.

2008 Midwestern Region Leadership Staff Meeting

The 2008 Midwestern Region Leadership Staff Meeting was held on October 17 – 18, 2008 at the Oak Brook Marriott Resort Hotel in Oak Brook, IL.

In addition to communicating the updates and directives to the leadership staff, there were two special activities. There was a “Table Top Talk” discussion where each table at the leadership breakfast discussed their most impacting leader. There was also a special brotherhood bonding exercise to reinforce the spirit of brotherhood among the leadership staff.

Prior to the beginning of the meeting, brothers took in a round of golf. Pictured are Bro. Lonnie Valentine (Mu Mu Lambda), Bro. Robert Jones (Epsilon Lambda), Bro. Carlos Frazier (Mu Eta Lambda), and Bro. Mark Tillman (Gamma Lambda).

2008 Midwestern Region College Brothers Retreat (Part II)

(first picture) Bro. Mark S. Tillman, Midwestern Regional Vice President and Bro. Mark S. Crain, Asst. Midwestern Regional Vice President, provide a welcome to the attendees.

(second picture) Bro. Robert E. Bedford presented a work shop on leadership.

(third picture) Bro. Gerald C. Hyler, Delta Chi Lambda chapter, presented the workshop on parlimentary procedures.

(fourth picture) Bro. John Carter, Eta Lambda chapter, presented the workshop on Alpha protocol. Bro. Carter is a guest from the Southern region.

2008 Midwestern Region College Brothers Retreat (Part I)

The weekend of October 2, 2008, the 2008 Midwestern Region College Brothers Retreat was held at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL and hosted by Alpha Mu chapter. The Asst. Midwestern Regional Vice President, Bro. Mark S. Crain, lead over 40 college brothers in attendance.

The weekend started with a reception at Dave and Busters in downtown Chicago. then a series of workshops and fellowship moments occured on Saturday.

(first picture) Bro. Crain (center) leads the attendees of the College Brother Retreat.

(second picture) A special brotherhood moment during the retreat.

(third picture) Brothers are listening attentively to the presenter.

(fourth and fifth pictures) Brothers are taking a break for lunch and catching up.

16th Annual CBC Reception

The 16th Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Annual Congressional Black Caucus Reception was held in the Marriott Hotel in Washingtin, D.C. on September 25, 2008. Midwestern Regional leaders, Bro. Mark S. Tillman, vice president, and Bro. Mark S. Crain, asst. vice president, (first picture) attended the reception representing the region.

(second picture) Bro. Tillman pictured with Alpha brothers, Bro. C. Travis Johnson (left) and Bro. Michael Myers (right) .

33rd General President Elect meets with Regional Vice Presidents

The weekend of September 20, 2008, the 33rd General President elect, Bro. Herman "Skip"Mason, Jr. met with the regional vice presidents to discuss his future plans.

(first picture, l to r) Bro. Everret B. Ward, Southern Region Vice President, Bro. Wilbur Jackson, Western Region Vice President, Bro. Herman "Skip" Mason, 33rd General President Elect, Bro. Ozell Sutton, 26th General President, Bro. Dennis G. Kemp, Sr., Eastern Region Vice President, and Bro. Mark S. Tillman, Midwestern Region Vice President.

(second picture) Bro. Sutton sharing his thoughts during dinner with the incoming leadership team.

Mu Mu Lambda Chapter holds Installation Dinner

Mu Mu Lambda holds its annual chapter officer installation (first picture) and installation dinner on Septmeber 6, 2009 at the Oak Brook Marriott. Midwestern Regional Vice President, Bro. Mark S. Tillman (second picture) and Midwestern Region Asst. Vice President, Bro. Mark S. Crain (third picture), perfomed the installation ceremony.

Wisconsin Host 2nd Annual District Retreat

(first picture) Bro. E. Mike Montgomery (l) and Bro. Al Smith, (r), with Bro. Mark S. Tillman, Midwestern Regional Vice President (center) and the brothers of Wisconsin.

(second picture) Bro. Montgomery leading a workshop discussion.

(third picture) Brohters taking a lunch break.

(fourth picture) Bro. Onyemaechi K. Okocha and Bro. Ken Harris, Sector Director of Community Outreah for the Midwestern Region.







































Friday 8/22/08
The campground of Lutherdale Bible Camp was the site for the second annual Alpha Phi Alpha District of Wisconsin Brotherhood Retreat. The brothers of the distinguished district, both college and alumni, gathered together for a weekend of bonding Friday August 23, 2008 in Elkhorn, WI.



As dusk fell in the open skies of the Wisconsin country side, several brothers from the active district chapters assembled themselves for a night of productive sessions, personal dialogue, and amusing icebreakers. Assistant District Director Brother Mike Montgomery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, led the evening with facilitation between sessions and breaks.
To kick off the festivities, the brothers took part in an icebreaker for the ages. Split into four groups, each cluster was assigned the task of constructing a district banner. What was to be included on the banner was the preference of the group, however, the banner had to be a collective illustration of what each group thought were the best qualities of the district.
After a brief intermission the retreat was called back to order and the brothers headed into the next session. This time split into two groups, each set formed a human knot. Unable to break hands, the object of the activity was to untangle the knot, ultimately leading back to a circle. The group that completed the task first won the challenge. After 45 minutes of trial and error, District Director Albert Smith stopped the activity and pronounced group number two the winners on the basis that they had untangled the most brothers.



The final session was entitled “Seven Minutes in the Golden Circle.” As the night came to a close the brothers of Wisconsin shared some intense and personal life stories with each other. Each person got the chance to share three moments that had a significant impact on his life and/or the lives of others. “I wanted to get to know brothers beyond the letters” said Mike Montgomery, Assistant District Director-Wisconsin. “I thought it was a great way for all of us to get to know each other on a more personal level.” The rest of the night was open for social activities and much needed rest.



Saturday 8/23/08
As the sun rose and the birds took their chirping post, Lutherdale Bible Camp came alive as students from various summer camps, such as marching band and cross country, began their morning with breakfast and musical routines. The brothers of Wisconsin however…were still asleep. Brother Kevin Newell, Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority, ZI SP 05, took it upon himself to wake up the entire district for breakfast. In a Spike Lee/School Daze moment, Brother Newell made it clear that we should all be up early for breakfast and not waste the district’s time. “I felt like breakfast was the most important bonding time and I wanted brothers to get the experience” said Newell. “I’ve had some life changing conversations over breakfast and I didn’t want to see this one go to waste.”



After breakfast, the brothers took part in two morning sessions in which everyone in the district was heavily involved. Activities included outdoor searches where brothers learned the importance of team work, political discussions, and a session on proper implementation of the Fraternity’s National Programs. After lunch the brothers heard from District Director Albert Smith who addressed each chapter on the importance of the retreat. “I wanted the brothers to understand the reason we put this retreat together” said Smith. “I think it’s important for brothers to get together for issues other than business and just spend some time with one another.”



As the 2008 retreat came to a close one thing was clear, the District of Wisconsin was one knot tighter in the rope of brotherhood. Through sessions, political debates, and good ole fashion conversation, the brothers of the Distinguished District of Wisconsin had the privilege of not only calling each other brothers but friends.

Rick Danielsshedrickdaniels@gmail.com

Award Winners from the 76th Midwestern Regional Convention

(first picture) Bro. Osai Robinson, Theta Tau chapter, winner of the Belford V. Lawson Oratorical Contest.

(second picture) Kappa Tau chapter, Kansas State University, Collegiate Scholars Bowl Champion.

(third picture) Participants in the Belford V. Lawson Oratorical Contest.

Award Winners from the 76th Midwestern Regional Convention

(first picture) Contestants of the Miss Black and Gold Pageant pictured with Bro. Mark Croxton, Miss Black and Gold Pageant Coordinator. Ms. Rivonne Collins, Miss Michigan, is the 2008 Midwestern Region Miss Black and Gold.

(second picture) Bro. Chad D. Simmons, Theta Mu Lambda chapter, Alumni Brother of the Year.

(third picture) Bro. Aaron Williams, Alpha Eta - St. Louis Citywide, College Brother of the Year.

(fourth picture) Nu Psi Lambda chapter, Bloomington, IL, Alumni Chapter of the Year.

(fifth picture) Theta Tau chapter,Flint Citywide, College Chapter of the Year.

(sixth picture) Theta Tau and Epsilon Upsilon Lambda chapters, Charles H. Wesley Brotherhood Award Winners.

College Brother of the Year: Bro. Aaron Williams

Representing Alpha Eta Chapter


Alumni Brother of the Year: Bro. Chad Simmons
Representing Theta Mu Lambda Chapter


College Chapter of the Year: Theta Tau Chapter
Bro. Jarrel Williams – President


Alumni Chapter of the Year: Nu Psi Lambda
Bro. Brian Cunningham - President


Belford V. Lawson Oratorical Winner: Bro. Osai Robinson
Representing Theta Tau Chapter


Collegiate Scholars Bowl: Kappa Tau Chapter
Chapter President: Brother Careem Gladney



Step Show: Epsilon Chi Chapter
Bro. Jeremiah Kisolo Muwanga – President


Miss Black and Gold: Miss Rivonne Collins
Representing Zeta Delta Chapter


Charles H. Wesley Award: Theta Tau and Epsilon Upsilon Lambda Chapters
Theta Tau - Bro. Jarrel Williams – President
Epsilon Upsilon Lambda - Bro. George Guinn – President


SPIRIT AWARDS

Alumni Chapter traveling greatest Distance
Mu Sigma Lambda (Southern California District)
Inglewood, CA (1843 miles)

College Chapter traveling greatest Distance
Alpha Zeta (West Virginia District)
Institute, WV (497 miles)

Alumni Chapter with most registered brothers in District
Epsilon Lambda (68 members)

College Chapter with most registered brothers in District
Zeta Alpha (9 members)

Alumni Chapter with most registered brothers out of District
Gamma Lambda – Michigan District (36 members)

College Chapter with most registered brothers out of District
Theta Tau – Michigan District (17 members)

Oldest registered brother
Bro. Virgil Chandler – Beta Xi Lambda (94 years)

Brother with longest tenure in Alpha
Bro. Virgil Chandler – Beta Xi Lambda (73 years)

College Brother Highest Grade Point Average
Bro. Marcus Dunlop – Eta Tau (3.96 GPA)
Illinois Wesleyan University

Images from the 76th Midwestern Regional Convention (Part 3)

(first picture) Bro. Emmanuel T. Brown, Midwestern Regional Asst. Vice President, delivers his address.

(second picture) Our 32nd General President, Bro. Darryl R. Matthews, Sr., provides the the Midwestern region with his last State of the Fraternity Address.

(third picture) Bro. Steven Clark, Scholars Bowl Coordinator, moderates the Collegiate Scholars Bowl won by Kappa Tau, Kansas State University.

(fourth picture) Bro. Osai Robinson, Theta Tau chapter, delivers his winning Belford V. Lawson Oratorical Contest speech at the College Brothers Luncheon.

(fifth picture) The Midwestern Region welcomes newly initiated brothers to the convention.

Images from the 76th Midwestern Regional Convention (Part 2)

(first picture) Rev. Bro. Dr. Clyde Carnegie, Regional Chaplian, prepares the assembled brothers for the Invocation.

(second picture) Bro. Lee A. Jackson, Alpha Beta Lambda chapter, waiting to be acknowledged.

(third picture) Bro. Virgil Chandler, the oldest and most tenured brother in attendance at the convention, addresses the brothers with a policy recommendation.

(fourth picture) Bro. Harry E. Johnson, Sr., the 31st General President, delivers his keynote address at the Community Outreach Luncheon.

(fifth picture) The Midwestern Region made a donation to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeastern Missouri.