I am fully invested in Brother Mark S. Tillman for 34th General President
September 10, 2011
My Dear Brothers of Alpha,
As the fraternity returns its focus to the election for 34th General President, I wanted to take this opportunity to share my endorsement of Brother Mark S. Tillman for General President.
As one of the 34th General President candidates, I studied all candidates very carefully, continuously listened to their statements during various forums, and pondered their issues, track records, and platforms. After my exit from the campaign, I became convinced that Brother Tillman is best equipped to lead Alpha Phi Alpha for the next four years.
As I stated several times during my own campaign, the Millennium has come and gone; the Centennial has come and gone; and now, the MLK Dedication has come and gone. It is now time for Alpha to get busy and turn its focus to the pertinent issues of the day!
It’s time for this fraternity to get a serious handle on the increasing numbers of brothers who have left this house for other organizations. It’s time for us to leverage our strong legacy of service and forge partnerships with national organizations such as the NAACP, the Urban League, the National Education Association, and similar entities as we seek solutions to Why Jamaal Can’t Read? It’s time for us to mandate answers to why state and federal prisons are over-populated with black and brown brothers, when at the same time, white males are attending college at a rate of 20-30% greater. It is seriously time for Alpha to affect policy in this country just as we did decades ago.
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity can no longer afford to talk the talk, but not walk the walk. We must do more than just look the part. That’s too easy! We must stand on the shoulders of our Jewels and other Alpha giants, and not rest upon our laurels for what those giants accomplished. We must create our own meaningful legacy that our sons, grandsons and future generations will look to with great pride!
Having studied Brother Tillman’s two terms as Midwestern Region Vice President, and the precision in which he managed his region, I am thoroughly convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that his leadership will move Alpha to that desired level of accomplishment that we as Alphamen so often seek. He left his region in the black when he turned it over to my good friend, Midwestern Regional Vice President, Brother Elgie Sims; HIS CONVENTIONS MADE MONEY; he always brought in a substantial level of corporate sponsorships; and his region always ranked first or second in terms of chapters maintaining good standing in Alpha.
As a 33-year continuously active member of this great fraternity, a holder of many leadership positions, including National General Counsel, Counsel to the National Education Foundation under two General Presidents, and 2-time candidate for General President, I am thoroughly convinced that Brother Tillman can effectively lead Alpha just as he led his District of Michigan for 2 years and his 12-district region for 4 years.
Brother Tillman has told this fraternity from the first day of his first leadership position where he stood, and as I reflect back, I have come to realize that he has not wavered from his convictions. He’s a family man; a man of God; a man of substance; a man of detail; a man of conviction; and a strong results-oriented leader. He’s my choice for 34th General President. I am fully invested!
Sincerely,
Brother Cecil E. Howard
Former Candidate for 34th General President
Keeping the Pace
“We all have dreams. But in order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline, and effort.” – Jesse Owens
On April 21, 2011, at the request of our General President, Brother Herman “Skip” Mason, I and members of Alpha Rho Lambda chapter represented Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. at the 75th Anniversary Celebration Dinner honoring our Brother, the late great Jesse Owens.
It 
His accomplishments reveal to us a few hard truths. The first being, that perseverance in the face of hardship will always yield positive results. Brother Owens undoubtedly faced trials and tribulations time and time again, but he kept the pace and ultimately helped to change a world ridden with hatred and prejudice. The Alpha Investment campaign is similar to that of Brother Owens’ perseverance; we remain dedicated to our pace and to the people who assist us in remaining strong. Just recently, I was informed by college Brother Curtis Tanner, President of the Epsilon Zeta chapter located in Fayetteville, NC of their endorsement of our campaign — it is clear that the pace we have set is inspiring more brothers to support my fraternal vision.
I began this race with the intentions of improving our dear fraternity, listening to brothers, and advancing our aims. I intend to keep running strong! With each day, with each supportive measure both financial and physical I have grown stronger and remain focused on our path to the future.
The second hard truth revealed from the life and legacy of Brother Owens is that we all must continue to mentor and give back to our communities despite our own personal challenges. Brother Owens, upon leaving the track, began doing the work of Alpha; mentoring and remaining a positive force in the hearts and minds of many young men who aspired to be like him. This truth reveals to us that we must stay on pace with our mentoring and community involvement. Alpha Phi Alpha is only as good as the communities in which we serve. Let’s forge onward and upward to those dedicated youths who watch our work. It is clear that organizations, similar to ours, have a responsibility to our youths. Brother Owens knew that responsibility and acted upon it. Remember to turn your dedicated thoughts into groundbreaking results.
Alpha Phi Alpha was an Olympian Level sponsor for the event. Our fraternity remained dedicated to follow through with our commitments. My attendance at this event allowed me to realize ever so much the wealth in our service. It is always important to call upon the laurels of service to allow us ample opportunity to live out our fraternal objectives, to stimulate the ambition of its members; to prepare them for the greatest usefulness in the cause of humanity, freedom, and dignity of the individual; to encourage the highest and noblest form of manhood; and to aid downtrodden humanity in its efforts to achieve higher social, economic, and intellectual status.
Maintaining our pace depends on you. We have committed ourselves to a lifetime of service; which at times can be rather intimidating, but when we all work collectively to keep up with our initial commitment to service, we too can be like Brother Owens and finish in record time. Lend me your support; we can all continue the pace set by our late Brother Owens. Let’s invest in Alpha to maintain our full speed ahead. Join the race and help me take Alpha Phi Alpha to the gold! On your mark….get set…..
Let’s keep running this race.
Jesse Owens Statue
Brother Tillman with Marlene Owens Rankin, daughter of Brother Owens.
Picture of Stadium
Brother Eric Brandon (Area Director), Brother Milton Woodard (Alpha Rho Lambda Chapter President), Brother Tillman, Brother Darryl A. Peal (Immediate Past Midwestern Regional Vice President), Brother Adam Troy (Alpha Rho Lambda Chapter Member).
Brother Tillman with ESPN reporter and emcee of the event, Jeremy Schaap, and author of Triumph: The Untold Story of Jesse Owens and Hitler’s Olympics.
Actor, director, and comedian Bill Cosby who was the keynote speaker for the occasion. Mr. Cosby ran track for Temple University.
Brother Tillman with Olympian Harrison Dillard, only the second man to win Olympic titles in both sprinting and hurdling.
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.
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.