Western Region Convention
Alpha needs quality, not quantity.” –Jewel George Biddle Kelley
I just concluded an outstanding 63rd Western Regional Convention. I commend Brother Aaron Crutison, Western Regional Vice President and Brother Mario Carroll, Western Regional Assistant Vice President on a job well done! The theme for the convention, “Leading for Tomorrow”, focused on the issues and solutions for the next generation of leaders. Brother Michael A. Blake – Assoc. Director, White House Office of Public Engagement & Deputy Assoc. Director of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, moderated the Saving Our Black Boys Forum that provided a dialogue to develop solutions that chapters can execute in their local communities. This event was the highlight of the convention.
Over the past few months I have been making phone calls, speaking with brothers, and replying to many of your questions. We should always be reminded of the wisdom Jewel Brother George Biddle Kelley issued atop of his chair during the 18th General Convention, “Alpha needs quality, not quantity.” Even today, Jewel Kelley’s words should strike deeply in our hearts as we work tirelessly to improve our communities.
Now that the final regional convention is complete, our brothers are speaking loud and clear – reaffirming that Alpha Phi Alpha needs quality! Just recently, I received the endorsement , in writing, from two of our esteemed Alumni Chapters: Gamma Kappa Lambda of Wilmington, North Carolina and Delta Alpha Lambda of Cleveland, Ohio. These brothers have openly endorsed my candidacy to be Alpha’s 34th General President. It is always a forceful statement when entire chapters decide to openly endorse their fellow brother who they believe will lead our fraternity to greater heights.
Gamma Kappa Lambda observed me at the Southern Regional convention and has now elected to support my vision for the fraternity. In the words of their Chapter President, Brother Brandon Hickman, “we believe that for Alpha to continue to be great we must evolve in a progressive direction where all brothers collegiate and alumni can offer opportunities for growth and fellowship. So, as of Saturday April 2, 2011 we fully Endorse Bro. Mark S. Tillman!” I am forever grateful of their decision to support my candidacy.
Delta Alpha Lambda Chapter President, Brother Lateef Saffore, declared that “(my) attention to detail and philosophy on effective communication and follow up has caused a positive paradigm shift in the way in which Alpha business has been conducted in the Midwestern Region.” I am thankful that chapters in different locations are connecting with my vision for our fraternity and are sharing that message with brothers on the local level.
This fraternity instilled in me the blessings to enter the portal of Leadership and Brotherhood. And like the theme of the Western Region convention, this fraternity instilled in me that I was not leading for today but for the days ahead. It takes service and love for all mankind to overlook the pomp and circumstance to bring efficiency and efficacy within Alpha Phi Alpha to even better levels. Also, it takes the support of chapters like Gamma Kappa Lambda and Delta Alpha Lambda to fully invest in Alpha Phi Alpha to ensure that the soul and dreams of our fraternity will live on into the future. Thank you for your support my brothers. This moment, similar to the historic periods of our founding, will live onward and upward, always towards the light.
My investment in you, Brother, as your 34th General President and leader for tomorrow is to protect our brand, advocate and fight for what is right, and continue to capitalize on our most valuable resource…One Another!
Delta Psi Lambda initiates; Brother Michael King-Stockton, Brother Conyea Nave, and Iota Omicron Lambda initiate; Brother Andrew Tingan.
Alpha Xi initiates Brother Greg Azulphart, Brother Shaughn Sanford, Brother Delon Lewis, and Brother Jarrell Townsend take a moment of fellowship with Brother Tillman.
Brother Tillman welcomes Brother Cameron E. Henry, incoming board member and Western Regional Asst. Vice President-elect.
Alpha Xi initiate, Brother Jesse E. Johnson who assisted Brother Tillman during the district caucuses.
Brother Aaron Crutison, Western Regional Vice President and Brother Mario Carroll, Western Regional Asst. Vice President, with local area kids who participated in the “Saving Our Black Boys” Forum.
Brother Tillman with Brother Michael A. Blake, past Midwestern Regional Asst. Vice President, who served as the moderator of the “Saving Our Black Boys” forum and he was the keynote speaker at the Black And Gold Banquet.
Brother Tillman congratulates former Michigan resident and Theta Zeta Lambda (Ann Arbor, Michigan) chapter president Brother Jonathon Madison for winning Alumni Brother of the Year for the Western Region.
Brother Tillman with Gwen Carmon, National Director of Volunteer Initiatives for the March of Dimes.
Brother Tillman with Laraine L. Davis, Vice President/Industry Relations and Brother Jerome P. Riley, Vice President and Senior Relationship Manager for Well Fargo.
10yr Big Brother mentor Brother Tillman with Anthony Spivey, Program Coordinator for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bay Area.
Brother Tillman with 70yr Member and Life Member #215,
Brother Dr. Peyton C. Cook of Theta Pi Lambda (Las Vegas, Nevada)
Immediate Past Western Regional Vice President and supporter, Brother Wilbur Jackson with Brother Tillman after the Black and Gold Banquet.
Delta Tau Lambda initiate, Brother Kevin H. Williams with Brother Tillman during a reception.
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.
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.
Southwest Region Convention
“To measure a leader, put a tap around his heart, not his head.”
Missions of great exploration have often been preceded with the familiar phrase, “Houston, we have lift off!” I kept this thought in mind as I returned to my own “launch-site,” the Southwestern Region. I extend my congratulations to my co-laborer, Southwestern Regional Vice President, Brother Roderick L. Smothers, Ph.D., Assistant Regional Vice President, Brother Christopher Harvey, and to Alpha Eta Lambda, Eta Mu |University of Houston, and Delta Theta | Texas Southern University on hosting and executing a memorable 65th Southwestern Regional Convention.
This homecoming in the Southwestern Region also enabled me to share my vision for Alpha during the General President Candidates forum. The positive and encouraging feedback of brothers during my time in Houston has uplifted me as I move forward. This week my travels will take me to Raleigh, North Carolina for the 80th Southern Regional Convention.
Bro. Tillman with fellow Big Brother mentor, Bro. Dale Long, who was recently featured on NBC Nightly News.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/
Brother Tillman continues to integrate technology when he travels as he utilized the video conferencing service, Skype, to Gamma Lambda’s Founder’s Day Program during his visit at the Southwestern Regional Convention. Gamma Lambda (Detroit, Michigan) is Brother Tillman’s home chapter and they celebrated its 92nd Anniversary. The experience was well received by the members.
Brother Tillman delivers his opening statements during the candidate’s forum.
Brother Tillman with proud Beta Phi chapter alum Brother Malik Bartholomew and Brother Gilbert Jones. Beta Phi chapter is seated at the campus of Dillard University.
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.
Eastern Region Convention
“No one respects and follows mediocrity. Leaders who earn the right to lead give their all to what they do. They bring into play not only their skills and talents, but also great passion and hard work. They perform on the highest level of which they are capable.”
I just returned from the 79th Eastern Regional Convention which was held in Bermuda. Many brothers from AlphaEast traveled to the island nation to execute the business of Alpha and enjoy the white beaches and turquoise waters.
I also participated in the General Presidents Candidates forum where brothers of AlphaEast got an opportunity to hear my vision for Alpha. I received great feedback on my vision and support from brothers who indicated it “resonated” with them. I also congratulate the brothers of Epsilon Theta Lambda who hosted the convention. It was a job well done.
This week I head to my “birth” region, the Southwestern Region, in Houston, Texas for the 65th Southwestern Regional Convention.
27th General President Charles C. Teamer, Sr., Bro. Mark S. Tillman, Western Region Vice President Bro. Aaron Crutison
Eastern Region Vice President Bro. Sean McCaskill (top, 4th from right) and Eastern Region Asst. Vice President Bro. Jonathan Leon (bottom, 3rd from left) with students from their Regional Leadership Development Institute held at regional convention
Bro. Tillman and Premier of Bermuda: Madam Paula Cox
Bro. Tillman and Midwestern Region Asst. Vice President Bro. Cameron M. Thierry sharing a quick moment of sunshine during the convention
Brothers, please feel free to forward this note to other brothers who may be interested in learning more about The Alpha Investment and Brother Mark Tillman.
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.