The main theme was presenting yourself as a black male, etiquette, robot control, and pinewood derby car painting. More information will be added shortly.

HHL Brothers supported Chapter Brother and Superintendant of Anne Arundel County Public Schools, Dr. Mark Bedell, as he addressed high school students at Annapolis High.

Alpha Academy chartered a bus and took Arundel High School students in our Alpha Leaders program to Washington, D.C., to the African American History Museum and the MLK Statue.

HHL chapter brothers spoke at Meade Middle School sharing information about College, Black Fraternities and the importance the Divine 9 plays in the communities they serve in. Thank you Bro. Andre Dillard (Sp.92 ΡΠ) Bro.Miguel Smith ( Sp. 00 ΔΣ) Bro. Glen Douglas (Sp.09 ΔΘΛ) Brian Boles (Sp. 18 ΗΗΛ) Bro. Malik Branch (Sp. 22 HHΛ)

Today, the Alpha Academy mentor program's Alpha Leaders group at Arundel High were able to experience Education Day at CIAA today, speaking with attendees and reps from many different HBCUs, getting a lot of valuable information, and getting to experience VSU's Trojan Explosion Marching band. They also got to experience the VSU vs Johnson C. Smith men's basketball game. They had an amazing time!!!!

Overall: We are excited that attendance is holding steady after the new year. After introductions, presenting the overview for the day, and feeding the mentees, we introduced the Origin of Black History Month to all of the mentees. This topic was both informative and engaging for the mentees. The focus on the origin of Black History Month was particularly relevant and essential for the mentees to understand and learn about. We introduced the topics in a way that allowed for discussion and reflection on the contributions of famous African Americans that are in relation to the 2024 Black History Month theme – African Americans and the Arts.

After our group discussion, we split up so that each age group could continue with their projects and learning journeys. Elementary school mentees continued their STEM learning journey by learning more about the EV Storm robot and created a program that they downloaded to the robot that focused on its movements. The middle school mentees were guided through the recap of each step of the car design process, from sanding to discussing potential and kinetic energy. They have been asked to bring their completed cars to the March session. The High School mentees were split into two teams and played Black History Month Kahoot it where the winner will receive gift cards in March. The questions focused on notable African Americans who significantly contributed to society, African Americans in the Engineering Field, and important Black History facts.

Elementary: The elementary school student portion of the February session went very well. The students were very enthusiastic and highly motivated. During the session, students learned the various components that make up the EV3 Mindstorm robot and how they function. In addition, students created a computer program to download from the desktop to the robots. Their programming focused on robot’s movement. After the session, one of the students came up to me and said, "You did good!"; As a teacher that comment really meant a lot.

Middle School: For the individual middle school curriculum, we planned activities like the Black History card game and Kahoot trivia, which likely added an element of fun while still reinforcing crucial historical knowledge. Incorporated the Pinewood Derby car recap session of hands-on activities was fantastic for teaching practical skills and principles of physics and car maintenance. Bro. Boles, Askins, Wilson and Hood actively guided the mentees through the recap of each step of the car design process, from sanding to discussing potential and kinetic energy. Encouraging the mentees to bring their completed cars to the next meeting fostered accountability and a sense of accomplishment. A few mentees still needed to complete the sanding part, but they ensured the team they would have the cars completed for the next AAMP meeting on March 9, 2024. The mentees were instructed to bring their cars in the shoe box.


High School: The high schoolers were divided into groups. They played Black History Kahoot it against each other where we focused on important Black History facts and notable African Americans in the Engineering field and who have significantly contributed to American society. Two captains were named by Bro. Hardman: Evan and Tobias. Then, we went around the room as they selected their teammates. It was the Ravens (Evan's Team on the right side of the room) vs the Patriots (Tobias' Team on the left side). We proceeded to play the game; it was fun, as we had a few lead changes. We then proceeded to address the answers to the questions using the notes to the questions as a starter. Brothers Kenneth Williams, Dillard, and Simmons assisted Bro. Hardman and Bro. Hood with leading conversations around the Kahoot it facts.

We had a great turnout for our first session of 2024 this past weekend. We are excited that attendance is improving and hope to finish the program and the school year strong. Your attendance is important.

After introductions, presenting the overview for the day, and feeding the mentees, we did a presentation on the importance of Time Management and Organizational skills. We introduced them to Time management and its importance, the Eisenhower Matrix, why time management matters, common time wasters, and tips for effective time management. They were left with worksheets to assist them with personal time management. After our group discussion, we split up so that each age group could continue with their projects and learning journeys.

Elementary school mentees continued their STEM learning journey by working in teams to learn the engineering concepts behind robots and build their own robot.

Middle school mentees received their cut Pinewood Derby cars and should be sanding their cars between now and our next meeting on Feb 10th.

The High School mentees participated in a resume building workshop and played Red Ink’d Taboo where they learned about personal branding, different ways to describe various career professions, and how to translate the work they do and hobbies they have into relevant work experience to be included on their resumes and college applications. They were left with worksheets to assist them in resume building. They are supposed to be answering the questions and bringing the worksheets back with them next month.

Alpha Academy loaded up the bus and traveled to Baltimore to attend Morgan State University's 10th Annual STEM Expo. Nearly one thousand students and adults attended this fabulous event which featured activities and workshops from a variety of MSU Departments, DoD Components, and other organizations including Patriot Technology Training Center, Learning Undefeated, and STEAM our Dreams. The event was highlighted by a discussion with Lt. Col George Hardy, one of the two surviving Tuskegee Airmen.

Punt Pass & Kick competition was a good time for the elementary and middle schoolers. There was a lot of good information presented in the Hygiene presentation led by Mr. Turner. We also had a good turnout of high schoolers make it out to the College Fair in Ft. Washington. The college fair was very well attended, with over 70 schools. We received a thank you letter from the host chapter in hopes that we attend next year!

@OEASAaacps ⁩ Senior Manager for Mentoring Programs Bro. Andre Dillard leading mentor training for ⁦@AACountySchools
⁩ staff. ⁦@APHIA262 #annapolisalphas #APA1906Network

The Alphas of Anne Arundel County Public Schools got together for a fellowship dinner with chapter brother Dr. Mark Bedell, superintendent of AACPS. Eight out of the thirteen Alphas within the school system made it out. The dinner took place at True Food Kitchen which is located at 1906 Town Center Blvd. #AlphaPhiOmega #annapolisalphas #AACPS

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!!

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.

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.

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

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!

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!!