November 13, 2004 - Bro. Horner Williams "The Invisible Man"
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"Membership Handbook"
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Alpha Alpha Lambda Chapter, Inc.
Founded October 13, 1926



Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

2 Timothy 2:15

Historical Moments

READ IT, SAVE IT, COPY IT, FILE IT, FORWARD IT, DISCUSS IT
AND BE RENEWED IN THE SPIRIT OF THE FRATERNITY


#23

Vol. 1. No. 23 Tuesday, May 18, 1999
Circulation-1,500+


A FEW HISTORICAL GEMS:

The Members of Alpha Chapter held their first "entertainment' at the local AMEZ Zion Church in 1905. The pastor was Rev Theodore Augustus Auten who actually extended the invitation to C.C. Poindexter for the young men to come. Rev. Auten, a native of Sommerville, New Jersey graduated from Lincoln
University receiving both Bachelors and Theological degree from the school. He was assigned to Ithaca after 1899.

ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE RITUAL AND INITIATION COMMITTEE:
Following the first initiation, Lemuel Graves was later added to the
Initiation Committee (Wesley, p.53) . At the first general convention, Brothers Roscoe Giles and Graves presented the "first Ritual." The following year Brother Numa P. G. Adams worked with Graves and Giles. Wesley cites the following:
"The original copy of the notes made by the Ritual Committee is in the archives of the fraternity in the handwriting of Broher Giles and shows the extent of the committee's labor,"
Now the 2nd General President(1909), Brother Roscoe Giles sent a letter citing the imporance of the ritual. He described it "As the most fundamental thing after the constitution." The brothers were urged to keep sacred all of its information and its practices was to remain solely within the fraternity. By 1912, the Committee on Ritual recommended that a ciper be adopted to safeguard the secrets.
A cipher ritual was used following the adoption of that report. Through painstacking typing, copies of the ritual was sent to each chapter. It was in 1914, when the explanation for the fraternity pin and the Greek letters of Alpha Phi were added to the ritual. By 1916, the code for the ritual had changed. In what was a profound move, the Ritual Committee recommended that each chapter should appoint some member (who was qualified) to research the early
development of African civilizatiton. In 1919, more changes were made in the ritual.


"We take it that each fraternal group of our day seeks to enroll the best minds and the noblest characters among the youth. Their aim is to develop and direct these minds along proper channels to the end that they may be the minimum in liability and the maximum in asset to civilization
13th General President, B. Andrew Rose, 1929


"In 1956, 50 years after the founding of Alpha Phi Alpha at Cornell, many are saying what type of men were the Jewels."
Jewel George Biddle Kelley, 1956

AND NOW A WORD ON
MY
BOOK

“Without this particular sacrifice on your part and on my part, the
fraternity may never have an account of its life and history. Unfortunately, this is one of the common neglects of the Negro group in America, the disregard for our past. Let it not be for those who have seen the light."
Charles H. Wesley, c. 1927


THE TALENTED TENTH:
THE FOUNDERS AND 30 GENERAL PRESIDENTS
OF Alpha

By Skip Mason
Foreword by Brother Andrew Young


Dust Jacket comments from:
Brother Lenny Wilkens, Coach, Atlanta Hawks,
Brother Maynard Jackson, former Mayor of Atlanta
Brother Dennis Kimbro, author of "Think and Grow Rich" and "What Makes the
Great Great?
Brother Dr. Thomas W. Cole, President, Clark Atlanta University

Published by Four G's Press, c. 1999
Winter Haven Florida


472 pages; 23 cm, 100+ photographs
ISBN#- - Application submitted
$25.00 (soft back)
$32.00 (hard back)

In the fall of 1905, seven unique AFRICAN-AMERICAN men found themselves on campus of Cornell University laying the foundation for the first AFRICAN-AMERICAN fraternity for College men. Who were these men? Where did they come from? What did they do after Cornell? What were their thoughts and beliefs on the fraternity that they created? Now for the first time in print, brothers may experience through text and photographs the Jewels phenomenal careers, family histories, speeches and letters. In addition, for
the first time collectively, the biographies of the 30 men who served as General President are also included. Over 100 photographic images (many never before seen photos of the Jewels and their families), documents, bibliography and index are presented in this volume every member of the fraternity should add to his collection. Written and edited by Herman “Skip” Mason, Jr., former National Archivist of the fraternity, Mason has spent the last seven years researching the lives of the founders. From interviews with
family members to research at the Library of Congress, the Schomburg, the Moorland Spingarn and other repositories, this compilation will be a welcome addition to the literature on these 20th century pioneers of Greek life for African-Americans.


WHY AM I DOING THE BOOK?

A few years ago, I found that statement made by Jewel George Biddle Kelley that was so profound. He said "In 1956, 50 years after the founding of Alpha Phi Alpha at Cornell, many are saying what type of men were the Jewels."It is my fervent prayer that this book the Talented Tenth, will answer that question.
Skip Mason


On the back of the book cover:
"Brother Skip Mason takes us back to a time when God gave us men. Menwith strong minds, humble hearts, and true faith. Men who maintainedthe courage of their convictions. Men who were larger than their calling. Men who could stand in the presence of their God and say "The place I occupy does not need reforming." Men who could look their struggling brothers and sisters in the eye and whisper with love "Follow me." Men who became the rocks upon which so many others leaned. As only he can, Skip shares the historical, moral, and spiritual significance of such men: The Seven Jewels and 30 General Presidents of Alpha Phi Alpha. From my college days at Zeta Zeta to my writings that have taken me around the world, I am still overwhelmed to think that I'm
a part of such a grand organization. Thank you, Skip!

Dennis P. Kimbro
author, What Makes the Great Great

".....Those lasting values of the Seven Jewels mandate that we bring meaning and vision to our lives and to lives of other by being Men of Alpha who engage in an obstinate, daily revolt against the ordinariness of our lives."
Maynard H. Jackson, Alpha Rho '56
Mayor of Atlanta and
Chairman/CEO
Jackson Securities


ORDER FORM, PLEASE PRINT, FILL OUT AND MAIL . BELOW ORDER FORM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS REGARDING BOOK
__
$25.00 (Soft back) $32.50 (Hard back)
This is still pre-publication price. So get it while it last!

ORDER FORM
Please send me ______ copies at ___________. Total enclosed: $____________
(add $3.20 for shipping for each copy/ 6% sales tax each copy)

Ship books to:

NAME______________
ADDRESS___________________
CITY STATE ZIP_____

email address___________________

INDICATE IF YOU WANT BOOK SIGNED AND TO WHOM_______________

To order, send order form, check or money order made payable to Skip Mason
to:
Skip Mason/The Talented Tenth
564 Blake Avenue, SE Atlanta, Georgia 30316

__________________________

So many of you have asked questions regarding the book. I have attempted to
answer some of them below:

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:

How does this book differ from the previous one published in 1997:
A- There is no comparison. This new book is being professionally published, edited with a slick, glossy cover and additional researched content and photographs. The first book was a work in progress and did not include the section on the General President. In this book, the Section on the Jewel has been updated extensively and included excerpts from their speeches and writings. There is an appendix with full text of several of their speeches.
It was important to me that you had a chance to read first hand their thoughts about the fraternity they founded and where it was headed. But hold on to your first copy. Who knows maybe it will become somewhat of a collector's one day.

Are Skip's Historical Moments Coming Directly from the book?
Absolutely not. While a few of the subjects and quotes are, the majority of the moments are not included in the book in the manner in which you received them. The book has a compilation of information on the Jewels that you will not find anywhere in print. I am a master researcher (Not bragging, just recognizing a gift God has given me). I teach Research Methodology to my freshmen history students. Not looking at the traditional sources, but
finding those non traditional sources to pull material. As a certified
genealogist, I was able to do extensive research on many of the Jewels families. As a Certified Archivist (graduate of the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library Archives Institute and Black Studies librarian (Master's in African-American Studies/Library and Information Sciences) , I was able to utilize my network of resources. The director of the Schomburg Research
Center in Harlem, Howard Dodson is a fraternity brother and friend as well as the Director of the Tuskegee University Archives Danny Williams. The director of Fisk University Special Collection is a dear friend. I had full access to the material at the Auburn Avenue Research Library in Atlanta which has an extensive microfilm collection of material which I used. I say all of that that to say that these persons and their staff opened their resources to
me. While there is still a lot of information to locate, I feel very good
about this effort. And as Wesley so often did, this book will undergo in future years revisions and updates.

When will the book be ready?

Okay, I know what I initially said, but then the publisher did not realize that I had such a mammoth manuscript. Nevertheless, the manuscript has been professionally edited and typeset. I am no editor nor do I claim to be. I am a historian who likes to write but needs to have a good copy editor. Currently I am doing my final review of the typeset proofs. I will be
meeting my publisher/editor next week to deliver the proofs. After the changes have been made, it will go the printer and blue lines will be made. >From that point it will take three weeks to do the Soft covers and five weeks to do the hard back copies. The soft covers will have a glossy finish.A- The soft back copies will be ready in the middle of JuneThe hard bound copies will be ready the first of July

Who is the publisher?
A- The publisher is George Grant, owner of Four G- Publishers, Inc. out of Winter Park, Florida. It is African-American owned and operated. He has published over 30 book and caters to African-American authors who chose to self publish. George Grant, the owner is recognized professionally in academic and library circles throughout the country and is a co chair of the Black Librarian Conference in Las Vegas in July in which I will be attending,
lecturing on documenting community histories and participating in the Author's Booksigning. As I have mentioned, I have published four books on Atlanta's African-American History with Arcadia Press and one with Longstreet Press. I will also be introducing Civil Rights Legend and Best Selling Author John Lewis (a good member of Phi Beta Sigma) and Tavis Smiley( a good member
of Kappa Alpha Psi) at breakfast entitled "A Few Good Men."

What has been the delay in the book?
A- Several factors have contributed to the delay, some partially mine and the other the publisher. The manuscript underwent extensive professional editing. There were over 472 pages to edit. When I initially told you six week, my publisher told me I was out of my mind. Several weeks were lost when the publisher relocated and had death in his family and then the editor was delayed due to personal reasons. In addition, additional research material which was uncovered after the manuscript was presented was added. For example, I located after the manuscript was released information on Cornell in 1906, Vertner Woodson Tandy's son, that I thought was important to include. The same goes with the other Jewels. I am still constantly researching even though the manuscript has submitted and the book is partially complete.Prior to that point (while
it was in editing) when I found something that needs to be included, I did. While there was a cut off point, I felt that this information was important to include. Those who have preordered will have their copy long before the convention.

What if I have already ordered a copy of the book?
A- To those who have paid the initial $25, you will get you a soft cover copy which was what the original plan was. If you desire a hard copy (with dust jacket), please forward the difference ($7) plus shipping and handling($3.20) for a total of $10.20. As I stated, initially the plan was to do a Soft Cover edition only, but the publisher was able to work with me to get a limited number of Hard Cover books done. Remember if you have already ordered, you do not owe anything (even though I failed initially to include
shipping charges early on). Nevertheless, I will absorb that cost and you will receive your copy of the book in the spirit of the brotherhood. The cost (both soft and hard) is reflective of the number of books that I am ordering. If the quantity was much larger, the price could be reduced substantially. Remember brothers, I do not have the luxury to publish 10,000
copies. If that was the case, the cost would be much lower. To those of you who answered my initial plea, I am so grateful to you. You made it possible to get it started but I still have a lot of books to sell. So if you have not placed your order, please do so right away.

What about other fees?"
I plan to pay the required licensing fee to the fraternity to sell
merchandise. I also plan to pay vending fees for Dallas should I decide to take book to the convention.

Is there a web site?
My website is almost completed. On the site, you will be able to see what Skip Mason is about. It includes my company, excerpts from my books on Atlanta as well as this book on the Jewels and General Presidents. You will also be able to retrieve back issues of Skip's Historical Moments.
of his heart

Why are you doing Skip's Historical Moments?
A- Simply so the brothers on the Internet can know that I am serious about my commitment and love for this organizations history. That I am not selfish in sharing it and most importantly it does not belong to me, but to the collective bond of brothers who eat up Alpha's history as much as I do and there are so many of you whom I have heard from that still have that passion in their heart. Let me say (contrary to anything that you may have heard, I
am not in it for personal gain. If you think that is the reason, then you really don't know Skip Mason. I have for the last 17 years, have been collecting information on the  fraternity. You can ask anyone in Atlanta, Georgia, the South and those brothers who have known me since college days at Morris Brown College in Atlanta where I was initiated into Iota Chapter on April 4, 1982. Immediately after I went over, I located the founder of my Chapter and sat down at his feet to gain knowledge. As my students say, "It's been on ever
since." I have always hung around the Senior Alphas at conventions, just absorbing their knowledge. I have not missed a General Convention since 1983. The Dallas Convention will be my 16th consecutive convention. Brother Dr. Charles Wesley was and still is my fraternal idol. Raymond W. Cannon and I used to correspond with each other before he died. I still have his typed and hand written letters. Lionel Newsom, the 21st General President was also my mentor. He and his wife Maxine got in their car and drove down to Atlanta to attend the unveiling of my first book. Before he died (and I was not the Archivist) he gave me a copy of the last chapter that Wesley had written and asked me make some comments. Brothers long gone like Andrew
"Generalissimore" Lewis, Sidney Jones, Father Henry James Charles Bowden, Frank Dee (who told me the correct password), Moses General Miles (whom many of us during the early 80's when we were college brothers called "the Eight Jewel'), Hobart Jarrett and so many others that when they talked, I salivated. I used to write General Presidents Teamer, Ponder when they were
in office and asked them when they were going to appoint a historian, update the book. Don't believe me, I have copies of the letters and their responses. I have probably read every available issue of the Sphinx going back to the 1920s. Zeroxing pages, marking notes. Long before Brother Milton Davis appointed me as Archivist, I had been hungry for information. Once again on
April 15, the spirit of the Lord sat me down and I wrote the first Skip's Historical Moment. The response, overwhelming. It's sometimes unexplainable other than the fact that it is the historical intuitive in me to want to know ore and why, but not only that to share it with the brothers. Wesley's phenomenal book left many unanswered questions from me. Well, from a couple of hundred addresses to now over 2,000 and growing, the Historical Moments have been well received. The majority of the email addresses are of non financial brothers. Oh how I have enjoyed talking to the
brothers. I feel so blessed to be in contact with so many brothers. I try answer every email. While it was not the intent to use this as a tool for reclaiming, that has been the most consistent response I am getting from brothers. I am surprised but am glad for it. I ask God to use me as a vessel to do his work.(by the way, I am pastor of the St. James C.M.E. Church) and a college professor formerly at Morehouse College. In the fall, I will return to my Alma Mater Morris Brown College to teach and direct the college's archives and museum. I am aware of my gifts and talents and thank God for the abilities. Most importantly I try to remain humble.