Southern Region Convention
“Integrity will take a leader farther than any other single quality.”
My brothers in the Southern Region hosted a world-class 80th Anniversary Convention in Raleigh, North Carolina – thank you brothers! I offer my congratulatory appreciation and gratitude to my fellow colleagues for a job well done – Southern Regional Vice President Brother James L. Crumel and Southern Regional Asst. Vice President Brother Kenneth L. Wright – you did an outstanding job! As I shared my vision with the Brothers assembled in the midst of fraternal fellowship, I can sincerely say that brothers are speaking loud and clear that they are looking for a 34th General President of good character and integrity!
From the many brothers that I have spoken with, I promise you that I will continue to place my service above words and my service above self in the pursuit of a more perfect fraternal union. As I traveled home, I continued to reflect upon the concerns and desires of the many brothers who engaged me in conversation. Many of our fellow brothers are currently not engaged in the fraternal process because of their stressed financial positions, often caused by unemployment. I am listening brothers! Brothers are looking for a leader who can certainly operate with principles and substance above politics. I am listening brothers! Brothers are looking for a 34th General President who is of good conscious. I am listening brothers! And, many articulated their imperative of now, that we would have a 34th General President who governs, with honor, our fiscal and fraternal operations. I am listening brothers! I continue to listen to the voices of so many of our fellow brothers who are dreaming of an Alpha that responds to the most dutiful call of the Alpha leadership model – that we serve our brothers and community well.
A brother recently wrote to me that he was initially unsure of who to support in this race and after that he carefully considered the 7th chapter of our history book entitled the “Leaven of Self-Examination,” that he arrived to a conclusion – that he would support my candidacy. In our 7th chapter, Brother Dr. Charles H. Wesley examined our House at a time when we needed to take inward glances at our own development, organization and commitment to our aims. This is such a time. Many of the brothers that I met in Raleigh communicated to me that we need to look inward to examine and recommit to our fraternal aims.
As I prepare to travel to the Bluegrass State of Kentucky where brothers will convene in Louisville to celebrate the Centennial of the historic Alpha Lambda Chapter, the host for the 79th Midwestern Regional Convention, I am carrying with me the stories and concerns of the brothers that I met in the Southern Region. And, as I prepare to complete my second and final term as Midwestern Regional Vice President, I want to continue to inform brothers that the underpinnings of my campaign centers on virtues of decency and good character – that is my investment and that is what will carry Alpha forward into a brighter future.
Brother Tillman and fellow board member, General Treasurer Hyacinth C. Ahurunonye, with brothers at the College Brothers’ Caucus
Brother BK Jackson, Beta Nu chapter (Florida A&M University), wows the audience at the Belford V. Lawson Oratorical Luncheon
Brother Tillman shares a moment with brothers during a break.
Brother Tillman with Past Southern Region Vice President, Brother Robert A. Willis, and the 29th General President, Brother Milton C. Davis
Brother Tillman addresses the Alabama Caucus
Brother Malik Bullard, Brother Rufus Credle-N.C. District Conference Chairman, Brother Tillman, Brother U. Grant Baldwin-Southern Region Brothers Keeper Chairman
Brother Tillman and Brothers from Omicron Iota Lambda chapter Columbia, SC, hosts for the 81st Southern Region Convention in 2012
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.