Brother Jarvis Givens is fully invested in Brother Mark S. Tillman for 34th General President
Beloved Brother of Alpha,
As a former Western Region Assistant Vice President, I had the opportunity to sit at the table of leadership. While serving in this capacity I saw a board member who set himself apart from the usual politics of the day and demonstrated his leadership with results and accountability—Brother Mark Tillman.
Our organization and this nation are yet again at a pivotal moment in history. As the climate has drastically changed socially, economically, and politically over the past few years it becomes even more pressing that Alpha Phi Alpha’s next steps are calculated and effective. We must change the way we do business, including how we prioritize the issues we choose to address as an organization. I am convinced that Brother Mark Tillman’s leadership is necessary to make the systemic changes in this fraternity to ensure our relevance in the years to come.
I have personally experienced his invested interest in the wellbeing of this organization, as a brother who met this candidate as a neophyte at my first convention in Kansas City and from the time I spent with him on the Board of Directors. As a neophyte I saw Brother Tillman engage with a group of college brothers whose chapter was on the brink of suspension. Despite the circumstances, he maintained a level of compassion that served to be developmental. I witnessed first hand how critical it was for Alumni brothers, especially those in positions of leadership, to build up undergraduates in their time of need. A selfless leader is what Brother Tillman has proven himself to be. The best interest of the organization always comes first to his personal agenda and this is exactly the type of leadership needed in Alpha Phi Alpha.
Brother Tillman understands the importance of being a compassionate yet firm leader. Not afraid to make hard decisions, he does so in a tactful manner. Furthermore, coupled with his dynamic leadership skills, he has the consciousness necessary to make the changes our organization needs in regard to heightened community action, the development of college brothers, and its economic stability. We need a leader that will not simply maintain the order of the house, but one who will be willing to challenge what has become the status quo—one who will set new standards, standards that are relevant to the context of today! For these reasons, I am convinced that Brother Mark Tillman’s leadership is necessary to protect our organizations integrity.
As the Vice President of the Midwestern Region for two terms, he has had proven results in regards to transparent and prudent fiscal management. As a fellow board member, he proved himself to be an accessible and ethical leader, more importantly a leader who understands the core principles of organizational behavior.
Brother Tillman’s investment in Alpha is characterized by a good balance between business and brotherhood. He has the experience, the vision, and the consciousness needed to take this fraternity to new heights. I endorse Bro. Mark Tillman in his candidacy for the office of our 34th General President without reservation!
Fraternally,
Brother Jarvis Givens
Past Western Region AVP
Gamma Phi Lambda Chapter│Berkeley, CA
Alpha Epsilon, Fall 2007│UC Berkeley
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
