Program Success December 2017 | Page 6

" Jacksonville Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Celebrates

111 th Founders ' Day Anniversary ''

by Marques J . Wilkes
The Upsilon Lambda chapter ( Jacksonville , FL ) of Alpha Phi Boule " were in attendance to help celebrate this event . Alpha Fraternity , Incorporated celebrated its 111 t h Founders ' One of the culminating events of the historic weekend was Day anniversary in grand style . The weekend of festivities the Wreath Laying and Dedication of one of the chapter ' s kicked off Friday with a sold out , black-tie gala at the Main Charter Members -A. St . George Richardson , who was born Library with live music , dinner and dancing . Saturday ' s events in 1896 and transitioned to Omega chapter , the Fraternity ' s were a Brotherhood Breakfast in the morning and during the chapter of sweet rest , in 1980 . Among the attendees of the evening was a Brotherhood Smoke and Social . On Sunday , dedication was Brother Sollie Mitchell . Mitchell is 99-years members of the chapter worshipped at historic Bethel Baptist old and is a past president of the Upsilon Lambda chapter . Institutional Church . The weekend culminated on Monday , the Fraternity ' s actual founding date , with a Wreath Laying and Dedication at the grave of one of Upsilon Lambda ' s chapter Charter Members , A . St . George Richardson , and ended with a Brotherhood March to the Alpha Plot on the campus of Edward Waters College .
The Founders ' Day Gala
opened with a cocktail
reception
of
signature
cocktails
and
butlerĀ­
passed hors d ' oeuvres to include bacon-wrapped scallops , mini crab cakes , steak diavolo and stuffed mushrooms . The doors of the Gala opened up to the popular 1980 ' s and 90 ' s prelude from HBO ' s " Feature Presentation " as an indicator that the main event is shortly beginning . As guests entered the ballroom to high centerpieces of white hydrangea and roses , crystal candelabras and metallic Christmas cones - they were greeted by the festive ambiance which served as the opening of the holiday season . The short program was the precursor for an evening of dancing and fellowship .
Alpha Phi Alpha Founders ' Day Gala Ballroom
The Upsilon Lambda chapter in Jacksonville has the distinct honor of being the first chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha in the state of Florida being founded in 1925 . The chapter is very active in the community through service with the Fraternity ' s national programs - " Go to High School , Go to College ", Project Alpha and serving as mentors in the Men of Valor Mentoring Program at West Jacksonville Church of God in Christ .
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity , Incorporated was founded at Cornell University in Ithaca , New York by seven college men who felt the need for a stronger bond on an allwhite campus in the early 1900s . Notable members of Alpha Phi Alpha include Thurgood Marshall , W . E . B . DuBois , Dr . Martin Luther King , Jr ., Jesse Owens , Paul Robeson , Hill Harper , Roland Martin , Lionel Richie , Keenan Ivory Wayans , Will Packer and Rob Hardy .
The Founders ' Day General Chairman and Gala Chair Community supporters , friends , members of all of the Divine Marques Wilkes is a Life Member of the Fraternity 9 Greek-letter organizations , Jack and Jill of America , The and is a 2005 initiate of the Pi Gamma Lambda Links , Incorporated , and Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity " The chapter in Atlanta , Georgia .
Alpha Phi Alpha Founders Day Marques J . Wilkes Jacksonville , Florida December 2017