HHL Community Cookout

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.