Thank you Stranger!!!!

Dear Brothers,

My name is Rashid Darden (6-Mu Lambda-Sp03). On behalf of my mentor, friend, and Brother Brodrick Clarke (10-Sigma Eta-Sp90), I would like to welcome you to Washington, DC for the Centennial Convention.

Brodrick and I work for Heads Up, a University Neighborhood Initiative. Established in 1996, Heads Up provides children and youth from low-income neighborhoods with academic skills and learning opportunities they need to succeed by connecting them with college students who serve as after-school and summer teachers. As an extension of our mission we strive to teach and practice three principles at every level of our organization: Service, Learning, and Leadership.

I was introduced to Heads Up through Brodrick, who is a Site Director at LaSalle Elementary School in DC, in a neighborhood that has had an entire generation wiped out by the crack epidemic of the 80s. Inspired by Brodrick, I joined the Heads Up family this year at Amidon Elementary School in Southwest DC. In the face of abject poverty, both Brodrick and I persevere.

As an aside, we also have the pleasure of working with the daughter of our own Brother Bobby Austin, who is the Chairman of the Centennial Symposium.

Brothers, we do good work here. In the time that Brodrick has been a Site Director, he has propelled his site to new heights and fostered positive relationships with the faculty and administration at LaSalle. Here at Amidon, I have changed the culture of the students so that they have a new respect of order, discipline, and most importantly, learning.

We welcome you to come observe our work. We also welcome you to come serve with us.

If you are interested in visiting one of the eight Heads Up sites in Washington during your time in DC, please contact Brother Brodrick Clarke at (202)486-1925 or email him at bclarke@headsup-dc.org. Our sites are open from 12:30pm to 6:30pm during every day of the convention except Saturday, July 29. On that day we will host our Tenth Anniversary Project Fair, in which our students will present poster projects based on their community experiences over the summer. If you are interested in attending the Project Fair, please email Ms. Davena Mgbeokwere at dmgbeokwere@headsup-dc.org.

We know that many Brothers will be in town who didn't get the chance to register during the deadline. What better way to fill your time than in the spirit of service? We hope that you will join us when you visit DC.

Fraternally,
Rashid Darden
Site Director - Amidon

Heads Up
A University Neighborhood Initiative
645 Pennsylvania Ave., SE
Washington, DC 20003
http://www.headsup-dc.org

T: (202) 544-4468 ex. 25
F: (202) 544-4437
C: (202) 210-3316

This should be a memo to the rest of us. I used to work in sales at the Washington Hilton in the early 90's and I remember back in '92-'93 I was booking meeting space and overflow accommodations for conventions that were scheduled for 2000-01. Planning is key.

I am also extending a hearty welcome to you, Professor and all of your brothers in attendance to Washington, DC. I am a native Washingtonian. I've visited many other major cities but there is no place like home. So welcome to my home!

I look forward to seeing you. I remember how nice you were to me and my Sorors last summer in North Carolina. I do plan to attend your public events.

TUESDAY, JULY 25, 2006
• Shop at the vendor area at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel from 1pm to 9pm.
• Visit with some Alpha Authors during the same time
• View the opening of the Centennial Exhibit at 6:00pm
• Come to the Skee-Phi Affair - The LIVINGROOM @ Anzu 2436 18th Street NW. Doors open at 7:00pm, Admission $5


WEDNESDAY, JULY 26, 2006
• Shop at the vendor area at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel from 9am to 9pm.
• Visit with Alpha Authors Rashid Darden and Dr. Gregory Parks during that same time
• Visit the Centennial Exhibit from 9am to 6pm
• Attend the Convention Kick Off Party: The Step Show After Set at Felix, 2406 18th Street, NW at 10pm. Alphas free before 11, Ladies free before midnight, Greeks free before 10:30. For More Info: brosrunDC@gmail.com

THURSDAY, JULY 27, 2006
• Shop at the vendor area at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel from 9am to 9pm.
• Visit with Alpha Authors Rashid Darden and Dr. Gregory Parks during that same time
• Visit the Centennial Exhibit from 9am to 6pm
• Attend STEP AFRIKA PRESENTS THE AUTHORS OF ALPHA at Busboys & Poets, 2021 14th Street, NW, from 9:30pm to 11:30pm. Invited Authors include: Benn Setfrey, Christopher L. Fields, D. Lee Hatchett, Darrius Gourdine, Gregory Parks, J. Keith Stewart, J.L. Kirkwood, Mark Anthony Thomas, Montre Bible, Mwalim, Rashid Darden, and Richard T. James, Jr.
• Attend the Party at LOVE, hosted by the DC Chapters of APhiA, at 1350 Okie Street, NE. 6pm, with a lavish dinner buffet and Doug E. Fresh later in the evening.
• Attend the Beta Chapter Party at Jin, 2017 14th Street, NW for FREE! 10pm brosrunDC@gmail.com

FRIDAY, JULY 28, 2006
• Shop at the vendor area at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel from 9am to 9pm.
• Visit with Alpha Authors Rashid Darden and Dr. Gregory Parks during that same time
• Visit the Centennial Exhibit from 9am to 6pm
• Dinner with the brothers featuring Rashid Darden, Benn Setfrey, and Christopher Fields
• Party at Love with the Alphas at 1350 Okie Street, NE. 6pm (arrive early!) with DMX in concert later in the evening. brosrunDC@gmail.com


SATURDAY, JULY 29, 2006
• Shop at the vendor area for the final time from 8am to 1pm
• Attend a book signing for African American Fraternities and Sororities: The Legacy and The Vision with Dr. Gregory Parks at the Howard University Bookstore, 2225 Georgia Avenue, NW, from 12:00pm to 1:00pm
• Attend a public forum about Homosexuality in Black Fraternities, featuring Dr. Gregory Parks, Rashid Darden (Author of Lazarus), and Lazee Lamont (Radio personality and comedian), at the Howard University Bookstore, from 1pm to 2pm
• Attend the Heads Up Tenth Anniversary Project Fair from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. Heads Up is a summer and after school program for elementary school students. The Heads Up Project Fair is an opportunity for us to see what our students have accomplished over the summer; thank the college students who put in countless hours as Heads Up tutors; honor the contributions of our school, university and funding partners; and, this year, celebrate a few Heads Up Heroes who made the last 10 years possible. McKinley Technology High School - 151 T Street, NE, Washington, D.C. Limited parking is available on campus. Directions to McKinley can be found at http://mths.k12.dc.us/location/locat.html
• Attend the Century Club Party at the City Museum, 801 K Street, NW (Across the street from the DC Convention Center), 9pm – 2am, Ladies Free before 11pm; http://www.flowinsiders.com/advertis...y_club_06.html

Sunday, July 30, 2006
• *Wake up next to an Alpha and wonder “What just happened here?”

Sneak Peek
 

I got a sneak peek at the official souvenier journal for the centennial convention today! I went to the host hotel in an attempt to help stuff bags, but they were already finished hours early....so, we hung out for a bit and I saw one of my chapter bros, who had the journal.

It's hot.....it's thick....it has mad information and photographs....

It's high quality.

I am really REALLY excited now. And mad that the convention doesn't start until Tuesday!

I'm so close to finalizing my plans for next weekend. My dad lives in DC, and ironically he was making plans to come up to NY to visit a friend of his. If I get to come down, he'll change his plans and stay home. :)

The New York in DC Alphas present

The GROWN & SEXY

The Viridian Restaurant
1515 14th Street at Church Street NW
Washington DC 20005

Thursday 27 July 2006 – 10pm until
Ladies Free B4 Midnight

hors d'oeuvres being served - come early!

GROWN and SEXY attire only, parking available. For tables and info:
Cell/Text : 703-582-3461 or 202-276-3841.


The NY in DC Alphas

Have fun and be safe
 

Pham congratulations on 100 years of brotherhood and service to mankind. Have fun and a safe time in DC.

06~08

Last night, the General President was on C-SPANs Q and A. I'm sure the episode will repeat.

Congrats to the men of Alpha Phi Alpha as you continue to celebrate ONE CENTURY of service!

Enjoy and Stay Safe!

here is the link - read the transcript or watch the episode.
http://www.q-and-a.org/

Good stuff. But I would be a little nervous about trying to house 10,000 Alphas in 6-7 hotels. Especially since guys don't double up like women do.

In any case, kudos to the Alphas for getting "majority" America to see what our orgs are about and what they mean to us as a community. The way for the rest of us will be a lot smoother, because of you.

But guys (at least the ones I know) are more willing to "get in where they fit in" i.e. crash on floors, sofa chairs, bathtubs, etc. LOL! Trust me, we'd all probably be surprised at how resourceful men can be! LOL!

D.C., here I come!!! :D :D :D

That would be the young guys. I am talking about the ones that registered for the Centennial since you could not book a room in the Alpha hotel blocks without first being registered. And it seems that demographic is older.

Now maybe when Darryl Matthews said 10,000 he wasn't just referring to registered members.

House Bill Passes to Honor Centennial