Mark S. Tillman: Detroit 2020 Person of the Week

For his commitment to mentoring, Brother Mark S. Tillman was recognized and featured as the “Person of the Week” by WXYZ Channel 7 News in Detroit, Michigan. Listed is the news story prepared by WXYZ and located at the following website: Detroit 2020.

Mark Tillman and his little brother, Elijah, spent the afternoon at the Southfield Public Library.

The two aren’t related by blood. What brings them together is Mark’s commitment to the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. He has been a Big Brother since 2001. Elijah is his third “little” in the last 11 years. His first is now 20 years old.

Mark and Elijah have been together for a little more than a year. Mark’s goal is to help boys grow into successful men. He told us, “We have a saying that to be a man, they must see a man. So I want to do my part so they can see a man and become a productive and responsible citizen to society.

For Elijah, it’s not about growth, it’s about fun, new experiences. Elijah says he’s excited when Mark picks him up. And he’s always curious about what Mark has planned for them. The pair have been to the movies and to the fun arcade. But it isn’t all about fun. Sometimes they just share a meal and talk.

During Christmastime, Mark took Elijah with him to deliver food for Meals on Wheels, “Because I wanted him to have the opportunity to give back to the community.” Elijah told us what he learned from that experience was, “Sharing and caring about others.”

Mark says he also wants Elijah to learn “How to be a man, how to be respectful of women, how to be respectful within the society.” He says being a mentor doesn’t take a lot of time.

For anyone interested in making a similar commitment, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Detroit has just launched its 100 Mentors in 100 Days Campaign. The goal is to inspire individuals and organizations to donate, participate and a mentor and spread the word about Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Mark Tillman has been able to make a difference in the lives of three young men. He is our Detroit 2020 Person of the Week.

Celebrating the Legacy and Memory of Brother Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Greetings Brother:

Yesterday would have been the 83rd birthday of our dear Brother, the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  On this day, dedicated to him and the way he transformed our nation and the world, we share the honor of celebrating as never before.

On this day, we are reminded of his work while we also bask in the glow of having presented to the nation a new national memorial devoted to his work and ultimate sacrifice on behalf of the entire world’s downtrodden.

We are blessed to still have among us Brother Herman Hemingway, Dr. King’s surviving pledge brother; Brother James Huger, Executive Secretary who signed Dr. King’s shingle; along with Brother General President Ozell Sutton, Brother Rev. Andrew Young and Brother Rev. C.T. Vivian who are among the many members who marched and fought segregation with Dr. King, and were by his side during his ultimate sacrifice in Memphis.

We are blessed to have consecrated the magnificent Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial on the national mall that proudly proclaims his great works and our unprecedented achievement. He resides there now for posterity as a King between two Presidents, Lincoln and Jefferson. We are blessed to have an opportunity to continue his legacy by our impact in our communities as his fraternity brother.

This is a great day to demonstrate what servant leadership is all about. Let us all march onward and upward towards the light of an even greater future.

Fraternally,

Brother Mark S. Tillman,
Candidate for 34th General President
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Mentoring Matters

Greetings Brother,

January is National Mentoring Month to promote youth mentoring. At some point in each of our lives, a positive influence or reassuring presence made the difference between a good decision and a bad one.  Many of us probably had the benefit of a mentor or two that took a vested interest in our development as productive young men preparing for the “real world”; I know many mentors did in mine more than once.  We say the House of Alpha is the “School for the better making of men” – no one should enter our house without experiencing growth and feeling the support of our close knit brotherhood.

As Alpha men, it is our aim not to simply share our goodwill with our own house, but to share that goodwill with the community that surrounds us.  As Alpha men, we have a mission to “develop leaders” of the next generation.  Many of our chapters have “beaus”, Alpha Esquires, Alpha Men of Tomorrow, or some other name that says we are about the future growth of hard-working, positive, and respected men in society.

In this spirit, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., since the 1990s, continues to be a strong and committed partner to the mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters. I started as a “Big” in 2001 with my first little named Devan.  Our relationship matured as he has gotten taller and more mature. And my commitment to my second little, Crispin, and current little, Elijah, strengthens my desire to develop our young boys into men.

Ever since 1904, when a New York City court clerk named Ernest Coulter saw many boys come through his courtroom desperately needing the presence of caring adults, and Ladies of Charity identified girls in need through the New York Children’s Court, Big Brothers and Big Sisters has been committed to connecting children with caring role models. It is about the one-to-one relationships and as Brother Dale Long, national chairman for Big Brothers Big Sisters, often states, “to BE a man, they must SEE a man.”

We have a tradition of setting great examples.  Many of our most celebrated brothers throughout history were pioneers and visionaries that set an example for others to follow decades later.  And I believe the good accomplished by one brother choosing to serve as a mentor to even one young man will leave an everlasting legacy.

As a candidate for 34th General President for our beloved Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., it is my position to not only support Alpha’s successful partnerships, but to continue cultivating them so that our impact is continually felt.  The working relationship Alpha has cultivated with Big Brothers and Big Sisters is one that I truly value every time I return home from a trip.

Let us be the vehicles of goodwill and service that our visionary Jewels expected us to be.  Join me in supporting organizations for social change like Big Brothers and Big Sisters, and join me in making a difference!

Fraternally,

Brother Mark S. Tillman,
Candidate for 34th General President
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Brother Tillman with his first “little” Devan.

Brother Tillman with his second “little” Crispin.

Brother Tillman with his current “little” Elijah.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to you, my brother!

For many, the New Year brings with it new beginnings.

Many people make promises to try something different.  Others make up their mind to do one thing better than they did it in years past.  Ultimately, the New Year is an occasion for everyone to make it more special than years past, and I hope that each of you will pledge to make the most of 2012 and to appreciate each day to its fullest.

I am asking you to think about your commitment to our great fraternity.  From the memorable day in which we each crossed the burning sands every one of us vowed to help make this organization even greater.  With your investment in Alpha, you will be helping Alpha continue its haloed tradition of excellence and only through your active support can we remain relevant as an institution in our ever-changing world.

So as you re-align your priorities for this New Year, and as you begin to make promises and plans, think about how you can help protect Alpha’s Corporate Identity.  Think about how you can help Alpha better prepare college brothers to seamlessly integrate into real life.  Think about how you can help re-energize the brotherhood and insure our great Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., continues to rise above the status quo and keep glowing the yearnings of our revered Seven Jewels.

Think about your Alpha Investment as you continue your journey in the greatest fraternity in the world, OUR ALPHA PHI ALPHA.

Fraternally,

Mark and Velicia Tillman