A Message for College Brothers

Dear Brother,

Let’s keep it 100% REAL! Alpha Phi Alpha is an expensive organization, you still want a different intake process, and sometimes it feels like you are surrounded by too much Alpha politics. I’m not writing you to ask for more money, inundate you with the normal political platform stump speech, nor attempting to shut you out of developing your sense of independence and commitment.

I’m writing to simply say that I understand your frustrations, and I understand what it means to be a college brother within a large organization. I understand you feel we have good alumni brothers, but quite removed from the collegiate experience; yes, college days did swiftly pass.  It’s a tough reality. One in which we all share the burden. But allow me to be blunt…. I do need your support to help re-engage the average college brother who feels that those vices I listed above sully their Alpha experience. I need your support to improve these stale and repetitive problems facing our Alphadom.

Our cherished history talks about the fasces, the symbolism of strength in numbers that adorns our shield. That symbol asks us to remain connected through an ideal. That ideal is the belief that Alpha Phi Alpha is an organization for us all, an organization that represents us all, and an organization that will work for us all. It is imperative that any person leading Alpha Phi Alpha make Alpha work for us all. But let’s be crystal clear, Alpha Phi Alpha has many levels of the brotherhood experience.

You have fresh new college brothers on the yard, stepping, strolling, programming and keeping a social energetic life in the frat. You have brothers just removed from college in grad school or just beginning jobs who are finding ways to stay engaged. You have young alumni brothers situated in a chapter, making moves to become successful. You have middle-aged alumni brothers with families, and years on their jobs. And you have our seasoned brothers, those who have many many years in the fraternity, who remind us how we must love and cherish Alpha for what it is.

From the moment I was initiated into our great fraternity as a 19-year-old college student, I have been able to maintain the feelings of my collegiate experiences even through the rigors of everyday middle aged family life.  And, as General President, I shall always maintain and relive those experiences from college through you, our life blood.

Programs like the Alpha Leadership Academy and College Life to Corporate Life will be expanded to benefit you, and every member from every college chapter. I will work hard to make sure if your chapter is “at-risk” that it will again become sustainable.  I will support you and every college brother to meet academic expectations.  When you graduate and start your family, we will have affordable activities that allow you to continue to strengthen your fraternal bond. I will need you to lead committees, or serve in capacities that will excite our young brothers, because they see themselves moving the organization.

My point is this, there are many ways brothers engage within Alpha. But at the very beginning they start and emerge as our college brothers. For many of us, this is where it all began. This is the inception of our understandings of Alpha Phi Alpha. I have not, nor will I ever, forget to take care of my college brothers. I got ya back!!!

I open myself to you. I want you to feel connected to me and trust in my leadership.  Together, with all hands on deck, we can make Alpha the best it can be.

Being on the Yard is a different world than being in an office. Let me know how we can keep the yard connected to all brothers so that they learn, and never forget, those college days….even if they do swiftly pass.

You have comments?  Contact me!
Suggestions?  Contact me!
Concerns?  Contact me!

I am committed to YOU!!!

Alpha Phi Alpha is a great organization. When we take care of each other, and make solid goals, there is nothing we cannot do. My investment ideals will keep us on task. But understand this, our work is amazing and we are making strides.  Please give me your support, and together, let’s aim high.

Contact Me!!!

Fraternally,

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

Phone: (248) 579-5741
Email: marktillman@thealphainvestment.org
Facebook: Mark S. Tillman
Twitter: alphainvest06
Skype: mtillm01
Website: http://thealphainvestment.org

Brother Mark S. Crain is fully invested in Brother Mark S. Tillman for 34th General President

My Beloved Brothers in Alpha:

As a former Regional Assistant Vice President, I write today to give my whole-hearted endorsement of the Brother whose commitment and dedication to excellence has assured me that he should serve as the next General President of Alpha Phi Alpha; Brother Mark S. Tillman.

There are a number of men who, since my initiation, have become Big Brothers in the truest since and I count Brother Tillman amongst them. His is the example we should follow in seeking to be good, committed and diligent servants in this organization of leaders. His is the example of a man who achieved that heavily sought balance between brotherhood and business and did so at the expense of neither. While capable, Brother Tillman’s respect within this house is not rooted in his ability to give a stirring speech. While knowledgeable, it is not grounded in his ability to recite to us our own history. Brother Tillman’s respect within the House of Alpha is squarely founded on the years of sincere time and effort he has given to Alpha and, more importantly, to the community that Alpha serves. This is a Brother whom an army of gentlemen that endeavor to be servant leaders would be proud to have as their General.

I had the honor of working alongside Brother Tillman during his tenure on our National Board of Directors as an AVP in his region. During this time, I learned first-hand the detailed nature by which he approaches his work and his emphasis on transparent and regular communication with the Brotherhood. He engages each and every task with the strategic mindset you would expect from the leader of a 20,000-member organization and particularly one to which you pay dues. In the era of $100K losses, the fact that not a single one of Brother Tillman’s Regional Conventions lost money is a testament to his business prowess and commitment to planning and execution.  These are the qualities we need to fortify the House of Alpha. Sound practices, proven results and an ability to execute are hallmarks of Brother Tillman’s leadership.

Lastly, I would be remiss not to discuss how Brother Tillman catered to our college membership, not in rhetorical or patronizing ways, but with significant efforts aimed at preparing us for fruitful membership in Alpha and success in Real Life. When I set out to host a College Brothers Retreat, he made sure that as many Brothers as possible from throughout the Region could attend, at practically no cost to themselves. He later supported an effort to solidify the College Brothers Retreat as an annual program with full funding from the General Organization. Under his leadership, his region was also the first to begin systematically collecting college chapter GPAs leading to an organization-wide effort to catalogue this data which in turn allows us to identify struggling chapters and help our Brothers meet their fullest academic potential.

Having now been a Brother under two administrations and having learned the legacies of those that preceded them, I can fully understand the significance of the Office of General President. This is not an election to take lightly, Brothers. We are at a moment where it is critical that the members herein have full faith that every dollar and moment of time that they invest in Alpha Phi Alpha is producing a positive return for the community and for themselves. Mark Tillman is the steward who can and will ensure that your Alpha Investment is protected.

Sincerely and Fraternally,

Brother Mark S. Crain
Past MWR Assistant Vice President
Iota Delta Lambda Chapter | Chicago, IL
Alpha Mu Spring 2006 | Northwestern University

Brother Mark S. Tillman with Brother Mark S. Crain, Past Midwestern Regional Assistant Vice President

Happy Thanksgiving!

Dear Brother,

I wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving. The holiday allows us to catch up with family, friends, and brothers. As we celebrate Thanksgiving, let’s take time to reflect on what we are thankful for and the true meaning of the holiday. Let’s be thankful for our ability to render humble service to those in our community. I will spend time serving meals with my chapter brothers from Gamma Lambda.

The Seven Jewels laid down a prophetic roadmap that continues to guide us to this day and I am grateful for their vision. In my travels, I have met so many of you and I am thankful that you have supported my vision to continuously provide a higher level of value to our brothers and our communities in which we serve by maintaining the fraternity’s rightful place as a twenty-first century change agent; guided by our purpose and our mission.

I am thankful for my beautiful wife of 15 years. I am thankful for our brothers in the military and in law enforcement for all of the sacrifices they have made on our behalf. I am thankful for brothers like you who make sacrifices everyday so that there are better days ahead for those we serve. I am thankful that I have so much support from all of you in my campaign to become your 34th General President. I am thankful for being a member of the greatest fraternity in the world.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Fraternally,

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

From the Campain Trail

Brother Tillman with members of “the Wall Street Alphas” Kappa Xi Lambda

(New York, NY) from left to right Brothers Christopher Hunt, Lael Chappell, Chapter President, Eugene Aiken (Kappa Upsilon Lambda | Mid-Hudson Valley, NY),

Jioha Amatokwu, Area 5 Director, Nicolas Rosello, Area 6 Director, Giovanni Gallaread (back)

Brother Tillman with members of Alpha Gamma Lambda Chapter (New York, NY) Brother Fred Baptise, chapter president, and Brother Daryl Parker at their historic Alpha House.

Brother Tillman with Brother Blaise Pierre-Louis and Philippe Pierre, newly initiated into the Eta Chi Lambda Chapter (Rockland County, NY)

Brother Tillman with Brother Raphael Richard and Brother Cory Falade of Iota Kappa Lambda Chapter (Syracuse, NY)

Brother Tillman with the brothers from Alpha Alpha Lambda Chapter (Newark, NJ)

Brother Tillman with Brother Evan Glover (Sigma Delta | Elon University), North Carolina Asst. District Director and Brother Abdul Roberts (Theta Nu | University of South Carolina – Columbia), South Carolina District Director

Brother Glover, Brother Laurence Aikens, North Carolina District Director, BrotherTillman, Brother Roberts, Brother Christopher Oliver, president, Eta Rho Lambda (Fayetteville, NC), and Brother Arthur Petteway, president Phi Lambda (Raleigh, NC)

Brother Tillman with members of Pi Nu chapter (Appalachian State University)

Brother Tillman and Brother Montravias King (Beta Zeta | Elizabeth City State University)

Corporate Partner, Wells Fargo, hosting Alpha Phi Alpha in St. Louis, Missouri

Brother Gregory Cofield, president of Alpha Delta Lambda (Memphis, TN) after BrotherTillman addressed members of the chapter.

Brother Tillman with members of Tau Lambda chapter (Nashville, TN) during a Meet and Greet.

 Brother Tillman and Brother Brian Walker of Beta Upsilon Lambda (Jackson, TN) prepare for an eight hour bus ride to the Tennessee District Conference in Johnson City, TN.

 Brother Tillman with members of Tau Psi, University of Tennessee – Martin.

Brother Tillman with members of Kappa Eta chapter, University of Memphis

 Brother Tillman with members of Beta Omicron, Tennessee State University

The Brothers of Kappa Epsilon Lambda are fully Invested in Brother Mark S. Tillman for 34th General President

To All Who Shall Read These Words:

The Brothers of Kappa Epsilon Lambda Chapter (Fort Washington, MD)

It is a complete and absolute honor to announce that the Brothers of Kappa Epsilon Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated endorse Brother Mark Tillman’s candidacy as the 34th General President of our beloved Fraternity.

The Brothers of Kappa Epsilon Lambda Chapter believe in the concept and tenets of,The Alpha Investment.  We believe that as men, as a fraternity, as a race of people, and as a nation; we willcontinue to grow strong by maintaining our Alpha traditions that continue to pave the way for us to set a solid foundation into the future.

Kappa Epsilon Lambda Chapter was established in 1972 by men who were pioneers in the struggle for equality and justice in their community.  The Chapter was then, and remains today steadfast in serving our community.  Kappa Epsilon Lambda Chapter is the premier community service organization within our local area and the “cornerstone” of support for many in our community.  We do not take lightly the fact that community members call us the “Cornerstone Alphas.”

Our Fraternity is the most preeminent organization of its type in the world.  As such, it must have the very best leaders from within the fraternity.  After the dedication of the Martin Luther King Memorial the world has seen the ability of our fraternity to accomplish great tasks.  We believe Brother Mark Tillman is the type of leader and man who can lead our fraternity to even greater accomplishments in support of Dr. King’s dream and our global community.

Brother Tillman’s accomplishments as the Midwestern Region Vice President have not gone un-noticed.  We applaud your work with continually engaging the college brothers and understanding that they are in fact the foundational structure of our fraternity. Brother Tillman’s economic and fiscal IQ is off the charts and sorely needed at the fraternity’s corporate level.

The members of Kappa Epsilon Lambda Chapter, after official vote, endorse and support Brother Mark Tillman’s quest for the 34th General Presidency of our beloved Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated.

//signed//

Brother Daryl “Skip” Collins
President, Kappa Epsilon Lambda Chapter
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Honoring Our Veterans

Greetings Brother,

Today we honor the men, women, and our brothers that represent 24 million veterans.  They invested their time and sacrificed their lives to protect our freedom.  We shall remain indebted to their service and their contributions to protect us will not go unnoticed.  If you are a veteran of our armed forces, I say thank you and Alpha Phi Alpha will continue to respect, honor, and support you.

Fraternally,

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

A Voteless People is A Hopeless People

What does the word “vote” mean to you?  When I think about voting, and the responsibility that comes with it, I realize that it means more to me than what is written into a dictionary.  The word “vote” to me is defined by the history of a peoples’ journey to attain the right, understand that right, and then use that right.

Our brothers in Alpha Phi Alpha decided to educate and register people to vote beginning in the 1930s with A Voteless People Is a Hopeless People National Program.  These brothers understood that strong forces existed in society that chose to define the word “vote” in its own way – as a responsibility bestowed on some but not others.    Our brothers wanted to equip their community with the tools necessary to understand the importance of voting, and why it is a critical tool for short and long term influence and impact.

Today, brothers across the nation are still helping communities be politically aware and engaged, registering new voters, and teaching the fundamentals of government as a part of A Voteless People Is a Hopeless People.   This is the return on that initial investment in the 1930s – believing in and continuing the traditions and initiatives begun by those before us, and something that I believe in wholeheartedly as candidate for 34th General President of Alpha.

And as we continue these traditions, let us not forget the reason why we teach about “the vote”.  The vote is a voice – a voice for us to exercise when choosing individuals to represent our interests in government, or a voice to reflect a choice that you stand behind on principle and values.   This voice should not be forgotten or taken for granted, especially as the nation prepares for the 2012 Presidential and Congressional Elections, and as our great Fraternity journeys toward choosing its next General President.

How would you feel if you knew that only 37% of our members even participated in the last General President election? So as we teach about the power of the vote through our revered National Program, let us also practice what we teach.  Remain engaged. Stay abreast of the issues affecting our country.  Continue investing in Alpha Phi Alpha and be a force that is responsible for shaping its future.  Do not take for granted the voice that those before you have earned on your behalf.

Any vote is defined as a formal expression of preference for a candidate for office or for a proposed resolution of an issue.  To me, I define your vote as something that should not be taken for granted.  How will you choose to define YOUR vote?  Whatever you decide, Just get out and VOTE!!!

Fraternally,

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