There was a lot of information given in this session about what the mentees will be doing this school year, and the significant differences to the program. We are still in session once a month from September to June, but we have extended our meeting time one hour, so we will end our sessions at 1PM instead of 12PM. We are also splitting the age groups this year (Elementary, Middle, High School) in an effort to meet the specific needs of each age group. Each age group will have specific focuses and goals. We have a new digital sign-in process using QR codes, meaning each mentee will have a lanyard that they will need to bring with them each session. This will be their entry into the program each month, so it is important. Another big change this school year is our location. Our opening session was at Georgetown East Elementary, but our remaining sessions will be held at Annapolis Middle School. Annapolis Middle is on Spa Rd., and is about 1 mile from Georgetown East Elementary School. More details to come on Annapolis Middle School. The Pinewood Derby car project has expanded further and will continue this school year. The Pinewood Derby car project will be the main focus of the middle school aged mentees, and Race Day will consist of TWO other mentoring programs this year!! AAMP is back in action and ready to make a difference in your son's life!! Session #1 will be on October 14th and we will start promptly at 9AM. See you There!!

ANNAPOLIS, MD. On August 26, 2023, the Brothers of the Eta Eta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, delivered the first ever Community Engagement Cookout for the City of Annapolis. The cookout, centered on connecting to community and partnering with community resources, included providing food for community members, a book bag and school supply collection to benefit a local school, and a resource fair for residents to engage with. The brainchild of Brother Michael Bertty, II, the event was shepherded under his direction, while the newest members of the chapter, Brothers Hardman, Butler-Sims, Askins, Brailsford, Bryant, Dove, and Gross facilitated the day of execution. Brothers from across the Mid-Atlantic Association of Alpha Phi Alpha Chapters (MAAC) were present. Community partners who participated in the resource fair include, Anne Arundel County Public Library, Anne Arundel County Police Department, the Anne Arundel County Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department. There were also elected officials and school leaders present. Annapolis City Alderwoman Rhonda Pindell-Charles, Representatives from the Office of the Mayor for the City of Annapolis, Chapter Brother Dr. Mark Bedell, Superintendent of Anne Arundel County Public Schools, Chapter Brother Andre Dillard, Senior Manager of Mentor Programs for Anne Arundel County Public Schools, Cheryl Cox, Principal of Mills- Parole Elementary School, and Audra Whayland, Principal of Annapolis High School. Over two hundred community members participated in this first event and on Thursday, August 29, 2023, Brothers Bertty, Dillard, Hughes, Pittman, and S. Williams were able to formally donate the collected supplies to Phoenix Academy in Annapolis . Owing to the fraternity’s commitment of being Servants of All, the Eta Eta Lambda Chapter is committed to making this engagement activity an annual event and the brothers of the chapter look forward to cultivating the relationships formed with the community partners to further reach our community through working together on initiatives that we have a shared vision.

ARNOLD, MD. On August 12, 2023, the Brothers of the Eta Eta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, gathered for their annual chapter retreat, this year hosted on the campus of Anne Arundel Community College in Arnold, Maryland. The retreat, intended to be an opportunity for reflection on the past year and a formal strategic planning session for the upcoming year, calls together the brothers of the chapter for a full day of engagement, spirited dialogue, honesty, creativity, and focus to ultimately continue to deliver on service to the residents of Anne Arundel County and Maryland, while fortifying our collective commitment to the brotherhood and the mission of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. This year’s retreat proved a pivotal event for our collective body, providing an invaluable opportunity to reflect upon the accomplishments of the past year. The retreat, coordinated by Chapter Vice President Brother Jamar Turner, allowed for the facilitation of a comprehensive review of our slate of activities, a constructive analysis of areas that demanded refinement, and a collaborative planning session for the year ahead. By considering feedback and embracing a spirit of open dialogue, the retreat led to the implementation of strategic improvements across various fronts. Some highlights of these improvements include enhancing our communication channels, which will result in a more impactful social media presence. Another is the introduction of age-focused activities through our signature Alpha Academy Mentoring Program, which will foster greater inclusivity and engagement, which the chapter believes will lead to heightened participation and retention. Chapter Brothers committed to enhancing participation at the regional and national level including seeking leadership positions where plausible. Improving our fiscal outlook and moving away from solely relying on dues as a funding source, the chapter spent time on improving fundraising strategies, which allowed for a thoughtful assessment of what had proven effective and what requires innovation. The retreat also underscored the importance of fortifying brotherly bonds, an overarching goal that remained at the forefront of discussions. In sum, the retreat served as a crucible for transformative growth which the chapter is confident will leave an indelible mark on our organization's trajectory moving forward.

ANNAPOLIS, MD. On May 20, 2023, the Eta Eta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated partnered with the other members of the Anne Arundel County Alliance of African-American Fraternities. Member organizations of the alliance include the Eta Eta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, seated in Annapolis, Maryland, the Annapolis, Maryland Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated, the Mu Rho Chapter of Omega Psi Phi, Fraternity, Incorporated, seated in Annapolis, Maryland, and the Pi Zeta Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated, seated in Anne Arundel County Maryland. This group is a collective of organizations founded to create positive changes in the communities in which we live and serve, giving special attention to helping the least fortunate among us.  The event occurred between 10 am and 2 pm at Georgetown East Elementary School in Annapolis, Maryland. Through the inaugural Men’s Health and Resource Fair, the alliance endeavored to provide medical and mental health, social and emotional support resources, along with financial literacy information for young and adult males in our community. The Eta Eta Lambda Chapter takes seriously it’s responsibility to serve as conduits for access to services and change agents to better prepare and equip men with the tools and skills that will contribute to knowledge development in hopes of yielding optimum success as self-supporting and responsible citizens in our community. The event included presentations by panelist from across our community including Ascension St. Agnes Hospital Center, where medical professionals provided an informative discussion on the importance of prostate cancer screening. The event also featured informational booths from insurance companies, Anne Arundel County Police, Fire, and EMS, and representatives from the Anne Arundel County Social Services who were bringing awareness to opioid and fentanyl abuse in the county while sharing life saving tips for intervention. Eta Lambda Chapter was also prominently represented amongst the panelist, including Brother James Henson who presented on financial literacy and planning and Brother Karon Wilson who presented on mental health awareness. The chapter representative to the planning committee was Brother Andre Dillard, who serves as Principal of Georgetown East Elementary, the host of the successful event. There were over 70 men present, and there was also entertainment arranged for young men through the service of the Big Show Game Truck a local minority owned and operated business. This event was the first of what is intended to be an annual event and partnership with the Alliance.

Brother Nivek Johnson participated in the Westland Middle School Colorsplash Run. The Color Run was held on Saturday, April 29, 2023, at Westland Middle School in Bethesda, Maryland. The school Parent Teacher Association (PTA) hosted the color run. The run was a fundraiser for school funds related to teacher appreciation events, school assemblies, field trips, and various other school and extracurricular activity costs.

Eta Eta Lambda brothers dressed up for the occasion for our charter month dinner honoring The Elite Seven at the Severn Inn - Annapolis. Severn Inn is located on the eastern side of the Naval Academy Bridge, the Severn Inn provides panoramic views of Annapolis, the Naval Academy, and the Severn River

This evening brothers took their talents visiting Axe House for Axe Throwing which can get very competitive 👀🤝🏽 brothers were able to give lessons to the rookies. Can you tell which ones are the vets?

Alpha Academy recognizes the critical importance of educating its students on their rights, and thus, it ensures that this topic is covered annually. This year's session was particularly informative, with guest speakers Bro. Officer Maury Fontaine from the PG County Police Department and Dr. Ja'Ken T. Caston the Principle at Jessup Correctional Institution. During the session, the mentees gained valuable insights into how to interact with the police, including what to say and do when confronted by law enforcement and police motives during questioning. They also learned about different types of offenses, the distinction between theft and robbery, as well as the difference between being detained and arrested. Additionally, he spoke about the importance of body cameras and the fact that parents should not expect police to parent their kids. The mentees were deeply engaged throughout the session, with many asking multiple questions. Dr. Caston's presentation was particularly impactful, as he shared his experiences in reforming inmates through education. The mentees learned that many inmates regretted not having positive role models in their lives. Dr. Caston also painted a vivid picture of the daily life of an inmate, including living in a cramped cell, adhering to strict eating schedules, constant monitoring, dealing with gangs, and minimal supplies when family support is lacking. The mentees asked Dr. Caston a multitude of questions, demonstrating their eagerness to learn more. Following the "Know Your Rights" discussion, the mentees moved on to the challenging task of balancing their cars. This activity required them to determine the appropriate weight to add to their cars and the optimal location for the car's center of gravity within a specified range from the rear axle. This ensures that the cars are heavy enough to mitigate aerodynamic drag and the CG is placed in an optimal location to maximize potential energy without the negative effect of snaking.

Bros. Sweet, Hairston, and Montero participated in the Divine 9 TOPGOLF Tournament in Baltimore, MD. This was a national fundraiser to benefit Divine 9 Scholarship Programs and occurred at all participating TOPGOLF venues. A few sponsors were Callaway and SmartWater. The cost was a $40 Donation

HAPPY BLACK HISTORY MONTH!! In celebration of Black History month, the Alpha Academy mentoring program had two sessions. On our second session, held February 18th, we took our mentees on a walking tour where they learned about the rich BLACK history that built the city of Annapolis. The tour was led by Janice Hayes-Williams & Stacie Williams of Our Local Legacy Tours. The version of the tour that we went on was called the "Up Town Tour". We started at Asbury United Methodist Church on West St., we visited and learned about the Stanton Center and its importance to the community being one of the first 1 room school houses in Annapolis for black boys and girls. Our next stop was the Civil Rights Foot Soldiers Memorial and learned about the March on Washington where 500 residents from Annapolis and Anne Arundel County loaded buses to attend the March on Washington on August 28th 1963 to fight for jobs and freedom. We learned about how this was one of the major turning points in the Civil Rights Movement. Next we were given special access to tour the Banneker Douglas museum and learn about the artifacts and paintings inside as well as the history of the building and what it meant for black people in Annapolis, and many other historical facts on the way. We also visited the State House, took a tour of the inside, and learned about Thurgood Marshall and about his statue located right out back. This was an amazing session that had our mentees mind blown with the rich history they learned, and they had plenty of questions for our tour guides. We encourage all who have not taken any of the Black History Walking Tours to schedule one for you and your family in 2023. It is truly an experience!

This past Friday HHΛ brothers were able to participate in Annapolis Middle School’s First Annual Black History Month program. This event was able to highlight organizations across the county as well as the AACO-NPHC. On behalf of the HHΛ foundation, we were able to present a check to the school in the amount of $4050.60 towards school uniforms for the students.

ICE COLD PORTRAITS were taken during the Superbowl party.

Brothers at the Navy vs Army basketball game. This event was part of Phellowship February.

Eight Ice-Cold Annapolis Alphas took part in the Polar Bear Plunge at Sandy Springs State Park. The temperature at plunge time was 23F. Eta Eta Lambda raised over $2500 for the Special Olympics of Maryland. Thank you to everyone that donated!

We were extremely excited to meet with our mentees following the Holidays. Our first session in 2023 was a success and we are currently still on schedule with our Pinewood Derby Car Project. The session's topic was "Positive Behavior and Relationships" and it was led by brothers Jamar Turner and Nivek Johnson. During the session, after a brief recap of our December session, we covered many topics heavily affecting our mentees today. We discussed stereotypes, what they are, and how they affect how we are perceived, manhood and what that means to our mentees, what it means to respect women, consent, and how to improve relationships with women. We were impressed at how much our mentees knew about these subjects. Following the session we split the young men into groups of about 5-6 and started the "Barbershop Talk" portion of our program. This is where we, in smaller groups, start to get to know our mentees outside of the topics we present each month. We want to emphasize belonging and safety for mentees, ensure all mentees are getting the same level of engagement, and determine what our mentees need individually and determine how to meet those needs, whether it be tutoring to help with grades, assistance with figuring out their next steps in life, family issues, and getting feedback from them on things they would like to see during our program. We plan to continue this breakout portion of the program every month moving forward. Following our breakout session we continued making progress on our Pinewood Derby car project. During the month of December the designs that our mentees designed and submitted, were cut and returned to the young men. Once they had their cars back, we let them balance their cars so they could determine the center of gravity for weight placement, gave them sandpaper, and taught them how to sand their vehicles. We had some additional cuts for those who missed December, and for the few mentees who joined the program this month so everyone is included. Their homework between this session and our next session on February 11th is to continue sanding their cars in preparation for the next steps!!!!!!!!

Chapter Brothers participated in the annual Wreaths Across America Day. Wreaths were laid at the grave site of THREE of our Chartering Brothers. Bro. Robert H. Haygood, Sr., Bro. Lawrence E. Knight, and Bro. Jerry H. Luck. All three graves were at Maryland Veteran’s Cemetery, Crownsville. Each December, on National Wreaths Across America Day, our mission to Remember, Honor and Teach is carried out by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery and at more than 3,700 additional locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea, and abroad.

Brothers gave Thanksgiving baskets to those in need at Georgetown East Elementary School.

Brothers Boles, Bertty, and Wilson participated in Arundel High School's Back to School night. They allowed parents and students to learn about Alpha Academy and the upcoming year's curriculum, which includes financial literacy, career development, public speaking, and college preparation.

ANNAPOLIS, MD. On August 26, 2023, the Brothers of the Eta Eta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, marched in the Annapolis City Commemoration of the 60 the Anniversary of the March on Washington. The historical March on Washington occurred in August 1963, helmed by Brother Dr. MartinLuther King, Jr. The vision then was to display a show of solidarity and acquire the attention of the elected officials in the Nation’s Capital that the nation demanded Civil Rights and equal treatment under the law. There was a formal national event, where marchers returned to Washington to commemorate the anniversary of the original march. Hundreds of Brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated participated in that event, including Eta Eta Lambda Chapter’s own Brother Jason Wilder. A little closer to home, the City of Annapolis, and the Maryland Center for History and Culture collaborated to host a solidarity march on the Maryland State Capital, Annapolis, to commemorate the anniversary. The fight for equal rights, voting rights, and a rallying cry to address police brutality were central themes of the march in Annapolis. March participation efforts were led by Brothers Andre Dillard and Dr. David Butler-Sims, who were able to collaborate with the members of the Delta Pi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated (also seated in Annapolis), to host a welcome reception for the marchers. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Sister Michelle Pittman (wife of our own Brother Tony Pittman), was our chief contact for orchestration. Other brothers from the chapter who participated in the march included Brothers Reverend Dr. Jeffrey Gray, Dr. Tarik Harris, Delvin Owens, Tony Pittman, and Jamar Turner. The march included a walk through historic Annapolis and allowed for stops at significant African American sites and monuments. Owing to the fraternity’s commitment of being proving service and advocacy for our communities, the Eta Eta Lambda Chapter will continue to use the collective voice of the brotherhood to fight for fairness and equity in our community, throughout our nation, and the world.

ANNAPOLIS, MD. On June 10, 2023, the Eta Eta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated closed another successful year of its signature mentoring program, Alpha Academy. Alpha Academy is a program thrust of the Project Alpha national program championed by the international organization. The program kicks off in August and runs through the academic school year. Young men from grades 3-12 engage in a 10-month long program where the brothers of the Eta Eta Lambda Chapter spend the second Saturday of every month with them teaching and coaching them on a wide variety of topics which range from personal grooming and professional dress to fiscal responsibility, knowing your rights in interacting with law enforcement, and college preparedness. This year’s program included mentoring over 100 young men over the course of the year and added an additional high school centric program at a secondary site within Anne Arundel County Public Schools. The programs were hosted at Georgetown East Elementary School in Annapolis and Arundel High School in Gambrills. The highlights from this year’s program included the return of the very successful engineering and carpentry skills project in the form of the creation of Pinewood Derby cars, a project championed by Michael Bertty, II. and Brothers Dr. Adrian Hood. This year’s project also featured a collaboration with Alpha Phi Alpha’s Pi Upsilon Lambda Chapter (seated in Upper Marlboro, Maryland), in the form of a Pinewood Derby race against their mentoring program. There was also a college visit to Stockton University in New Jersey and a walking African-American History tour of Annapolis. From the program kickoff at Annapolis Bowling Alley to the closeout program at Georgetown East, which featured an immersive game truck experience from local and minority business owner Carl Hampton, the proprietor of Big Show Trucks, Committee Chair, and newly elected Director of Educational Activities, Brother Stephen Williams helmed one of the Alpha Academy program’s most successful year ever.

The senior manager of mentorship programs is a brand new position created by Anne Arundel County School Superintendent, Chapter Bro. Dr. Mark Bedell. The position was created to ensure that the school system will offer a diverse portfolio of mentoring options for community volunteers seeking to mentor youth, create partnerships with outside organizations that already have established mentoring programs, and ensure each student who has a mentor or is part of a mentor program, will receives the unique type of support that best meets their needs. The senior manager of mentorship programs will ensure that the school system embraces a district-wide strategy to engage more students in all levels (elementary, middle, & high schools) based mentoring programs. Mentoring within schools has become an increasingly popular and effective way to bring a caring adult or older peer relationship to the lives of more youth. The goal of this new position is to provide opportunities for students to partner with a caring adult that will help them to better achieve educational and social-emotional growth and development. Bro. Dillard will be the first person to hold the position and build it from the ground up. Bro. Dr. Bedell is winding down his 1st full year. When asked about this program, he said the school mentor program is the start of a long process of bringing hope and opportunity to every student in the county, a mission he’s been on since 1997. “We still have people in parts of our community where they feel hopeless,” he said. “If we can instill hope in our educators of what could be self-efficacy being significantly improved, not only in the educator but in the children, that’s where the magic begins to take place from a belief standpoint.”

Today, the weather held off just long enough for Alpha Academy mentees to complete painting of their Pinewood Derby cars. Race Day is May 20th as Eta Eta Lambda will take on the Alpha Academy Program of Pi Upsilon Lambda.

Brothers Andre Dillard, Marrell Harden and Jamar Turner took eight young black males from Georgetown East Elementary School (GEES) to the Reginald Lewis Museum in Baltimore, MD. After the museum visit we had lunch at Chick-fil-a and Chipotle. The young men had a great time! These young scholars are part of the GEES Black Male Mentor Program. In addition to Brother Dillard (GEES principal), Brothers Marrell Harden, James Henson, Tye Gillins and Clarence Edmond serve as mentors to the young men and come to the school once a week for one on one mentoring sessions. There are several other trips and activities planned for the mentees over the next couple of months including a trip to the local bowling alley, a visit from a game truck, and a charter boat fishing trip on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Programs like these are crucial in supporting young black males and helping them thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. By providing them with positive role models, engaging activities, and unique experiences, the program is helping to empower these young scholars and set them on a path for success. Kudos to Brothers Dillard, Harden, Henson, Gillins, Edmond, and Turner for their dedication to mentoring and making a positive impact in the lives of these young men.

Brothers in the bond. Yesterday, April 11, 2023 The Elite House traveled to Top Golf in Baltimore for Phellowship Tuesday. As you can see brothers are showing off their skills 👀💪🏾 Charter month has been off to a great start. Stay tuned for upcoming posts highlighting day by day activities.

Bro. Rev. Dr. Jeffery Gray's Church, Agape Deliverance Ministries performed an unforgettable evening as they presented "The Living Last Supper" play! The audience Witnessed the poignant reenactment of Jesus Christ's final meal with his disciples, portrayed by a talented cast of actors. This powerful production transported viewers back in time to the fateful night before Jesus' crucifixion and provided a moving reminder of the sacrifice that He made for us. Brother in the play: Bro. Jeffery Gray, Bro. Michael Ligons, Bro. Wendell Moore and Bro. Kenneth Williams

Bro. Williams and Bro. Bertty met with about 30 students at Arundel High on 3/16/23 for our March session. During this session, we covered the importance of credit and building credit. This session was led by SECU Bank's Mr. Quill Hamilton. SECU Bank would like to continue our partnership into the 2023-2024 school year. We care currently working with Arundel High's John Henderson, Karol Muhammad, and Zsavelle Smack. The young men at Arundel High School are much more receptive now that we have opened lines of communication in which we speak with the young men weekly

Congratulations to Bro. Andre Dillard for earning his Taekwondo 4th Degree Black Belt

Alpha Academy at a Towson University Basketball Game.

HAPPY BLACK HISTORY MONTH!! In celebration of Black History month, the Alpha Academy mentoring program had two sessions. On our second session, held February 18th, we took our mentees on a walking tour where they learned about the rich BLACK history that built the city of Annapolis. The tour was led by Janice Hayes-Williams & Stacie Williams of Our Local Legacy Tours. The version of the tour that we went on was called the "Up Town Tour". We started at Asbury United Methodist Church on West st., we visited and learned about the Stanton Center and its importance to the community being one of the first 1 room school houses in Annapolis for black boys and girls. Our next stop was the Civil Rights Foot Soldiers Memorial and learned about the March on Washington where 500 residents from Annapolis and Anne Arundel County loaded buses to attend the March on Washington on August 28th 1963 to fight for jobs and freedom. We learned about how this was one of the major turning points in the Civil Rights Movement. Next we were given special access to tour the Banneker Douglas museum and learn about the artifacts and paintings inside as well as the history of the building and what it meant for black people in Annapolis, and many other historical facts on the way. We also visited the State House, took a tour of the inside, and learned about Thurgood Marshall and about his statue located right out back. This was an amazing session that had our mentees mind blown with the rich history they learned, and they had plenty of questions for our tour guides. We encourage all who have not taken any of the Black History Walking Tours to schedule one for you and your family in 2023. It is truly an experience!

Brothers I was to congratulate and say great job to Brother Davesus Omosun and the ANNAPOLIS HS BLACK STUDENT UNION for an awesome Black Expo event last night at Annapolis HS. This was the first time event at the HS and the advisors and BSU club gave us powerful poems, spoken word, dance, musical numbers, monologues uplifting videos and more. Many turned out to support. Their displays gave us countless history of black culture and more importantly some great history about AA CTY AND ANNAPOLIS! I’m so proud of those young men and women who performed!!! 06 to our brother!!!!!🤙🏽

Brothers gathered to catch a Post Chapter Meeting - Bowie basketball game as a part of Phellowship February.

Congratulations to Brother Ralph Thomas for your award from the Caucus of African American Leaders and the Transformative Justice Coalition for your tireless work to ensure that the rights of voters are respected and protected.

We had a great session titled "How to Present Yourself as a Black Man". In this session we discussed proper hygiene and the importance of having routine hygiene practices from brushing AND flossing daily, use of deodorant and why it should be used daily, preventing dry skin/being ashy with lotion explaining to lotion the whole body, not just arms and legs and one of the most important things we all should remember on a daily, which is checking your breath!! We discussed the importance of keeping gum or mints, drinking plenty of water and eating regularly and how they all can affect your breath . We covered many aspects around regular grooming and its importance. We covered keeping your nails clipped which keeps dirt from forming under your nails, why you should wash your body AND hair daily with shampoo and conditioner to minimize dandruff and dry scalp, and keeping Chapstick to keep from dry and cracked lips. We touched on first impressions and why they are important, proper mannerisms and properly wearing a suit. We then split the session up separating the high school young men from the elementary and middle where we covered "Interviewing 101", while we worked with the elementary and middle school young men on tying ties. Every young man got to go home with at least one tie for their practice, and to complete one of their homework assignments. Regarding our Pinewood Derby Car project, we had a brief recap of what we learned in November with regards to weight placement, aerodynamics, and different examples of cars that have been already cut, to assist them with their sketches. All of the young men finalized and submitted their sketches during the December session in an effort to have them all cut and returned by January's session

Today, Brothers Dillard, Hughes, Williams, and Pittman dropped off school supplies, collected at the community cookout, to Phoenix Academy. Some supplies will be shared with Mills Parole because they have a good working relationship.

ANNAPOLIS and SEVERN, MD. On August 19, 2023, the Brothers of the Eta Eta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, divided and conquered to support simultaneous bookbag and school supply giveaways to benefit the children and families of Anne Arundel County, Maryland. The Bywater Backpack Giveaway was held at the Boys and Girls Club on Copeland Street in Annapolis. Chapter Brothers Dr. Bedell (Anne Arundel County Public Schools Superintendent), Dillard, Gray, Henson, and Moore joined with other community partners to assist in the facilitation of the program. This is an annual program in Annapolis which benefits families from across the city of Annapolis. The event is a pivotal event to support readiness for the school year for many families in the city. The Meade / North County Back to School Backpack Appreciation Block Party was held at Van Bokkelen Elementary School in Severn, MD. Brothers Bertty, Whaley, Owens, Brailsford, Dove, Boles, Butler-Sims, and Hood helped hand out hundreds of backpacks and school supplies with community members and other organizations from the Divine Nine. Brother Dr. Bedell also made an appearance at this event to support the chapter and members of the school district staff who were among the participants and coordinators for this event. This was the second year the Meade/North County Black to School Backpack and Appreciation Block Party was held and based on attendance, it is safe to say it will return next year. Between the two events, brothers of the Eta Eta Lambda Chapter assisted in the distribution of over 600 backpacks and hundreds of other school supplies. Supporting these kinds of events is important to the brotherhood. Finding inspiration from the Go to High School, Go to College National Program, preparing children for school and ensuring they have the support and the supplies they need to remove any initial barriers to learning is a critical part of our motto – being Servants of All. Next year, the chapter sets it sights on helping to increase the numbers of families we reach at each of the events by increasing our financial support of these worthwhile initiatives.

CROWNSVILLE, MD. On June 2, 2023, the Eta Eta Foundation, the 501c(3) partner of the Eta Eta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, hosted its first ever Golf Tournament to benefit the foundation’s scholarship granting endeavors. Hosted at the picturesque and serene Preserves at Eisenhower Golf Course in Crownsville, the tournament honored beloved son of Annapolis, and charter brother of the Eta Eta Lambda Chapter, Brother Dr. Aris T. Allen, Sr. The tournament featured seven foursomes and was championed by our own Brother Stanley Simmons, who served as the architect for the event. Participants were joined by Celebrity Golfer, member of the PGA, and Coach of the Men’s and Women’s Golf Teams at the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore, Tatiana Jones. The event commenced with remarks from Brother Simmons, Chair of the Eta Eta Lambda Foundation, Brother Rev. Dr. Jeffery Gray, and the son of our honoree, Aris T. Allen, Jr. Coach Jones also offered remarks, shared opportunity for future partnership all before she led her foursome to an 8 under par victory for the tournament. The inaugural event grossed over $6,000 due in large part to sponsorships and registration from the teams. The Hole 13, $10,000 Hole-in-One Challenge, which required golfers to sink a putt from over 182 feet away, remained safe after the tournament since no golfer managed the feat. The tournament recognized the first, second, and third place finishing teams and recognized two men and two women who each managed closest to the pin or longest putts over the course of the tournament. The tournament concluded with lunch catered by Mission Barbeque and an awards ceremony. Next year, the foundation has set an aspirational goal of securing a full complement of golfers for the tournament, which allows 72 golfers or 18 foursomes to compete. Preliminary plans include securing the first Friday in June 2024 and returning to our host course for this year’s tournament.

Race Day against Pi Upsilon Lambda Chapter at Arundel High School.

Alpha achievement: Bro. Jamar Turner was recognized tonight by Anne Arundel County Public Schools , as a 2nd year Rising Star Teacher in the 5th grade classroom. Read more about Bro. Turner and the impact he is having on the youth in his classroom. Keep holding up the light bro. Onward and Upward 🤙🏾 ‘06 For more information on Bro.Turners achievement check out rising star article: https://aacpsschools.org/development/2023/04/20/jamar-turner/ The text from the article is copy/pasted below just in case the article is no longer accessible: 2023 Rising Star at Marley Elementary – Jamar Turner Jamar Turner I am an AACPS: Special Education Teacher, Marley Elementary | 22-23 Rising Star We are excited to spotlight Jamar Turner. Jamar Turner is a 22-23 Rising Star Teacher. Mr. Turner was nominated by the school’s principal, Tamara Kelly-Molock. The Marley Elementary School Special Education teacher is a Morehouse College alum. We had an opportunity to talk with Jamar about being recognized as a Rising Star Teacher. Here are a few highlights of the conversation: Describe who you are in 5 words or less. Young. Motivated. Driven. God based and organized . What was your motivation to go into education? Seeing the need for more male educators, specifically black male educators. Having somebody that looks like you, sounds like you, and having that shared experience can definitely motivate children. I definitely wanted to bridge that gap where just by being present in the child’s life matters and shows success to them. What would you tell yourself about your potential as an educator? Don’t limit yourself. The sky is the limit. What one thing do you love about working in your school? It feels like home. I don’t feel like I’m coming to work. I’m working with educators that have the same mindset of changing children’s lives, but as far as the atmosphere and the flow of the building, everybody gets along. We push each other to be successful. What is your favorite memory of your family and friends supporting you on your journey as an educator? My mom is my #1 motivator, but not even just my mom, my aunts, my cousins, my grandmother are there. I didn’t have to ask for anything. If I needed anything for my classroom, they got it for me. It takes a village and they are my village. Thinking about the future of education, what are you most excited about for schools? I think the improvement of technology within our buildings is the future. We’re starting to see many different ways to learn. I think it is going to be able to enhance different styles of learners and help them become more successful. What is one hidden talent you have that no one, or few people, knows about and would surprise them? I definitely think my talent is my voice. I can engage myself in conversations where I don’t know where they’re going, but I see that I finished a lot of conversations where people are inspired by me. It feels nice. If you had to make a time capsule about this year as a rising star teacher and you had to include an item, an image, a quote and a song/melody, what would you include? The image are the yearbook pictures from my first and second year. Just to see how much I’ve changed. My quote “the Sky’s the limit” because I’ve accomplished so much and still want to accomplish so much more. I have a album instead of a song, it would be Jay-Z and The Blueprint. Jay-Z talks about the blueprints of his life. So I’m definitely connecting that to knowing I need a blueprint of my life. What is one reason why someone should choose to become a teacher? I don’t look at this as a career and this is a lifestyle to me. So if we want to see the world change from something that might not have went right when we were children, our generation has the direct impact on the youth and let them be the change. I always say if you can’t start with you, then pass it on to the next person and let them make the change. Louis Nesbitt, PDM Department LNesbitt@aacps.org The journey of an educator is a lifetime. We are thankful to those who have chosen to embark on this path. As a community, one of our greatest capacities is availability, so when the opportunities arise, find your own way to support education.

Over 20 brothers headed down to Hampton, VA to the 91st Easter Region Convention. It ran from April 13 - April 16.

Brothers held their 2nd annual easter egg hunt this Easter Sunday

ARNOLD, MD. On March 31, 2023, the Eta Eta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated welcomed a new class of neophytes into the bond of brotherhood through a high energy Neophyte Presentation on the campus of Anne Arundel Community College in the Kaufman Theatre. The 300-seat theatre was standing room only. Audience members from across the National Panhellenic Council (NPHC), family members, friends, and well-wishers packed the venue to welcome seven accomplished men into the House of Alpha. At the helm, were the Dean of Membership, Brother Delvin Owens (Spring 2018, HHL) and Assistant Dean, Brother Michael Bertty, II (Spring 2002, NI). These brothers worked with these men to prepare them for the one and a half our performance, which included greetings to the members of the NPHC organizations, greetings to Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated Brothers from visiting chapters, the recitation of Fraternity and Chapter History, the Aims, Mission, and Motto of the Fraternity, two poems (Invictus by William Ernest Henley and Test of A Man by an unknown author). There was an inventive skit, a parody from the cult classic 1995 film, Friday (written by Ice Cube and DJ Pooh), and two name reveals for the new brothers. The final introductions are as follows: Mr. Michael Hardman, Sr., a retired US Army Veteran of 21 years, who hails from Lake Charles, Louisiana, currently resides in Severn with his wife and two children. He currently works for the United States Department of Defense and serves as CEO of his own non-profit and coach for youth football. Hardman was introduced to the brotherhood and the public as #1, MAJOR PAYNE. Dr. David Butler-Sims hails from Prince George’s County, Maryland, currently resides in Bowie with his husband. He is the Division Director for the Division of Public Support Operations at the United States Social Security Administration, and an Adjunct Professor of English at Anne Arundel Community College. Butler-Sims was introduced to the brotherhood and the public as #2 KING AUTHOR. Mr. Michael Askins, a retired US Army Veteran of 22 years, who hails from Florence, South Carolina, currently resides in Odenton with his wife and son. He currently works for the United States Department of Defense and serves as mentor and leader in his Freemasonry Lodge. Askins was introduced to the brotherhood and the public as #3 BONE CRUSHER. Mr. Jonathan Brailsford hails from Bronx, New York currently resides in Odenton, Maryland with his fiancé. He is a current employee of the US Department of Defense and he volunteers his time as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) in Anne Arundel County. Brailsford was introduced to the brotherhood and the public as #4 LOCK BOX. Dr. Dedric Bryant, a Medical Doctor Resident, is from Crownsville. He will be embarking on his medical residency in Lansing, Michigan this June after graduation from medical school this coming May. Bryant was introduced to the brotherhood and public as #5 PROMO. Mr. Jordan Dove, a Financial Advisor, is from Gambrills. A prior semi-pro Soccer Player, Dove also serves as a referee for soccer programs across Maryland. Dove was introduced to the brotherhood and public as #6 COLD SWEAT. Mr. Charles (Trey) Gross, III, is from Annapolis. A recent graduate of Delaware State University, he is a declared prospect of both the NFL and XFL. He currently serves as a Student Success Coordinator in Anne Arundel County Public Schools and coaches youth football. Gross was introduced to the brotherhood and public as #7 SHOW TIME.

Congratulations to our mentees for completing yet another Alpha Academy Mentoring Session. Our March session was a bit different from our other regular sessions and was open to all parents, young men and women, not just AAMP. We held a Youth Symposium in partnership with the Lambda Delta Sigma Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. We started our session by celebrating Women's History month, learning the background of the celebration and how it began and our mentees got to hear from a couple of women who have advanced in their industries, talk about Women's History Month and its importance to them. Our Youth Symposium consisted of many fun activities such as learning chess, Barbershop talk for the young men where we have dialogue about real issues/problems/concerns they are dealing with as well as get any questions they may have answered. We also had "Salon Talk - A shop full of sisters" which was the Barbershop talk equivalent for the young ladies. The young ladies also had a "Punch & Paint" workshop where they got to socialize, paint, and have punch and snacks. There were also smaller STEM workshops setup in the gym that the boys and girls could visit at their leisure. We had fun fitness activities and relay activities where the mentees got to pie the mentors in the face. There was a living museum where QR codes were used to make the different exhibits come to life. The AAMP mentees got to continue progress on their pinewood derby cars in preparation for Race Day on May 20th. We even had workshops for the parents that covered various health related topics. We plan to bring the youth symposium back even bigger in 2024!!

Alpha Academy at a Towson University Basketball Game.

Alpha Academy has a program at Annapolis High School during their lunch hour. This Thursday, we talked to the students about stocks and investing.

Brothers at the Navy vs Army basketball game. This event was part of Phellowship February.

The Black Student Union was started by Tinesha McNeill a season educator and member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. Her, along with Bro. Davesus Omosun and two other staff members have helped black and brown students at Annapolis High School make history with this year's Black History Month celebration. The BSU hosted several events using the theme, Black Resistance, Black Resilience, Black Renaissance. The speaker series features prominent African Americans from the Anne Arundel County area, to include the first Black male Superintendent Dr. Mark Bidell. Other events included a libation ceremony, spirit week, and the first annual Beautifully Black Expo. History was made because this was the first time black month was celebrated to this magnitude and students of color given space to be seen, heard, and celebrated. Testimonial Brothers I was to congratulate and say great job to Brother Davesus Omosun and the ANNAPOLIS HS BLACK STUDENT UNION for an awesome Black Expo event last night at Annapolis HS. This was the first time event at the HS and the advisors and BSU club gave us powerful poems, spoken word, dance, musical numbers, monologues uplifting videos and more. Many turned out to support. Their displays gave us countless history of black culture and more importantly some great history about AA CTY AND ANNAPOLIS! I’m so proud of those young men and women who performed!!! 06 to our brother!!!!!🤙🏽

The Brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Eta Eta Lambda Chapter coordinated an MLK Day of Service event on January 16, 2023. The event, supported by the ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Delta Pi Omega Chapter, Mr. Allan Griffin, owner of B & A Brothers Driving School, and Delegate Shaneka Henson, took place at Chambers park. Hot meals, clothing, toiletries, and non-perishable food items were provided to anyone who showed up between 12 noon and 2 pm. Eta Eta Lambda is committed to servicing those in need and works to do so not just on MLK Day but throughout the year. We especially take pride in being able to provide for those in need on the day when the nation celebrates the life and philosophies of our dear fraternity brother, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

On Christmas Eve, Brothers from Eta Eta Lambda assisted Bro. Jamar Turner and his community service organization, Superior Future, with their annual bike giveaway. Volunteers traveled to each of Annapolis's eight Public Housing and Mixed Finance neighborhoods and personally delivered these brand-new bikes.