Write the Vision, Make it Plain
“Write the vision; make it plain…” –Habakkuk 2:2
One of the most important guiding principles of life is that we are certain on our vision and that we make it plain. Before I made the decision to seek the 34th General Presidency, I had a vision for the evolution of our beloved organization. My vision has been sharpened by numerous brothers I have encountered over the last 25 years of service to our community as an Alpha. As the virtues of our brotherhood extend long into the future, we must be sure that we sustain our members by stimulating the mind, body and spirit of our brothers. Our organizational strength and health must be centered on a sound fiscal infrastructure if we are to maintain 21st century community prominence. And, to retain our current members and attract new members we must continue to provide a higher level of value.
Brother, I have enjoyed the past few months traveling the globe, meeting new brothers, reconnecting with brothers that I have known for almost a lifetime and relishing on the notion that college days do indeed, swiftly pass. I am running for 34th General President because I am determined to fight for an organization that is imbued with memories fond for future generations. Our continued duty as Men of Alpha is that we improve the condition of our fraternity before we pass it on to future Alphas. We are capable of doing just that – by investing a greater level of service on behalf of the youth who will march onward and upward, long after we are gone.
With your support, my vision is to stimulate our brothers through professional, personal, and purposeful engagement. Together, we can secure the future of Alpha by strengthening the fraternity’s financial position and corporate relations nationally and internationally. Alpha should continue to examine the impact and overall effectiveness of our programs to ensure that we deliver our best efforts to our brothers, partners and communities. I am indebted to and thankful for the brothers who support my vision for our fraternity, and I certainly welcome brothers to join me in moving this vision forward, that it not tarry.
Brother Tillman with brothers from Omicron Lambda Alpha (Washington, DC) after their chapter meeting; (l to r) Brother Howard Franklin, Brother Tillman, Brother Henry Speed, Brother Dameon Proctor (president), Brother Dr. Gregory Parks.
Brother Tillman addresses the brothers of Kappa Phi Lambda (Columbia, MD) at their chapter meeting.
Brother Tillman with Brother Lamin Bangura (Nu Kappa), Brother Anthony Higgs (Pi Theta), Brother Keilyn Jones (Nu Kappa), Brother Michael McClease (Pi Theta). Nu Kappa is seated at University of Maryland and Pi Theta is seated at Coppin State University.
Brother Tillman with Brother Michael R. Chambers, president of Kappa Epsilon Lambda (Landover, MD) during their chapter meeting.
Thank you in advance for your continued support and your investment in Alpha Phi Alpha.
Sincerely and Fraternally,
Brother Mark S. Tillman,
Candidate for 34th General President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
If You Can Meet with Triumph and Disaster
“Above all things let us never forget that mankind constitutes one great brotherhood; all born to encounter suffering and sorrow, and therefore bound to sympathize with each other” – Albert Pike
Triumph and Disaster
“If you can meet with triumph and disaster, and treat those two imposters just the same…” A familiar line from our beloved poem “IF” by Rudyard Kipling speaks directly to the current life challenges that have been broadcast on headline news. Recently, some of our brothers have had their lives impacted by disastrous weather conditions and are now beginning to rebuild their lives. Another group of brothers have, for some time, faced the kind of challenges associated with protecting these United States – in Iraq and Afghanistan. We have all made note of the recent news of the enhanced security of our nation by the demise of the world’s number one terrorist. I commend and applaud the efforts of each of our Alpha brothers who have voluntarily elected to serve our country in the armed forces. This group of brothers knows what it is like to indiscriminately treat their triumphs and disasters just the same.
Brothers from St. Louis, Missouri, to Fayetteville, North Carolina, and down to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and all across the U.S. who have been affected by recent natural disasters, know that Alpha is standing with you and that there are rainbows after storms. As a New Orleans native, I have experienced the devastation of natural disasters first-hand. In late August 2005, and for five days, I had to wait impatiently to hear word from my family during Hurricane Katrina, including the lost of a relative and all family belongings. But in the end, my brothers from all over assisted as I took care of my mother, sister, and five other relatives who came to live with me in Detroit for a few months. Again, it was the brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha that helped me and my family through the difficult time.
Stronger and Healthier Babies
Alpha chapters from all over are participating in March for Babies walks. I participated in the March for Babies walk in Washington, DC with brothers from the MAAC and VACAPAF districts. Our role as Alpha men and our partnership with the March of Dimes is to ensure that newborns can enter this world without encountering suffering in the early stages of their life.
Brother, whether facing natural disasters, defending this country abroad, or assisting in ensuring newborns can have a chance at survival just remember that our best days lie ahead.
Mankind is One Great Brotherhood
Kappa Alpha Psi is celebrating their 100th Anniversary as a fraternal organization. I have great respect for the men of Kappa and their work around this great nation and our world. Achieving in every field of human endeavor is something every man should be aiming for. Recently, I had the opportunity to again represent Alpha Phi Alpha and provide greetings at the 64th Northern Province Council of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. at the Marriott Hotel in Detroit, Michigan. A province of Kappa Alpha Psi is the equivalent of a region within our fraternity. Mankind is indeed “one great brotherhood.” And I commend the brothers of Kappa Alpha Psi on a JOB… WELL… DONE!!!
Thank You Zeta Tau Lambda Chapter
Brother Vice President Tillman,
At our meeting, we unanimously adopted the following resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED: The Brothers of the Zeta Tau Lambda chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. proudly endorse Brother Mark S. Tillman for the 34th General President of this illustrious fraternity. We embrace his vision for the fraternity. Moreover, we believe in the Alpha Investment and we trust him to lead this Fraternity by embracing our past to advance our future. His outstanding track record and proven leadership is necessary to move this fraternity forward.
Brother Michael L. Houston
President, Zeta Tau Lambda
Friendswood, Texas
Brothers from the MAAC and VACAPAF take a moment for a quick photo before gearing up for the March for Babies walk in Washington, D.C.
A moment of fellowship after the March for Babies walk with Brother Tillman and brothers of Nu Beta chapter.
Brother Lenard Williams and Brother Kevin Glover from Theta Rho Lambda chapter (Arlington, VA) take a quick moment with Brother Tillman during the walk.
Mu Lambda chapter president, Brother Kwame Ulmer (2nd from left), and Brother Tillman present the new initiates from Beta chapter with their shingles, history books and pins.
Brother Tillman and Brother Dr. James W. Huntley, Omicron Eta Lambda president (Washington, DC), with the chapter’s Spring 2011 Initiates.
Brother Tillman with members of Eta Eta Lambda (Annapolis, MD) after their chapter meeting.
Brother Tillman and Brother Timothy McFadden, Delta Lambda chapter president (Baltimore, MD), after chapter meeting.
Gamma Lambda brothers: Brother Larry E. Boatwright, Brother Dr. Richard T. James, president, Brother Dennis Archer, former mayor of Detroit, Brother Robert Hawkins, and Brother Darwyn Fair show their support for Brother Tillman.
Brother Tillman discusses his journey with members of his home chapter, Gamma Lambda, during a break from travel.
Brothers taking the opportunity to meet Brother Tillman at a local restaurant in Laurel, MD.
Brother Tillman delivers greetings to Polemarch Harry G. Franklin (right) and members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. 64th Northern Province Council in Detroit, Michigan.
Thank you in advance for your continued support and your investment in Alpha Phi Alpha.
Sincerely and Fraternally,
Brother Mark S. Tillman,
Candidate for 34th General President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.