A DREAM ERECTED, NEVER DEFERRED

A great American in whose symbolic shadow we stand spoke eloquently four words that to this very day ring magnanimously throughout the hearts and minds of men and women across the world. “I Have A Dream”- stood for more than poetic prose delivered to a crowd of anxious onlookers, but it engendered a cause, an idea, a movement so powerful that today we stand proudly as Americans, as Fraternity Brothers to usher in a profound historical moment, one that will forever engrave in our minds what was said that hot summer day in 1963. Normalcy never again, is what he called it then, today it is a full realization that business as usual is indeed a thing of the past.

The dedication and grand opening of the new Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington, DC will be August 28, 2011 – the 48th anniversary of Dr. King’s “Dream” speech. Civil rights pioneers, world leaders, citizens who remember the days of segregation, and those leading the next generation closer to Dr. King’s dream, will assemble together for the long-awaited celebration and remembrance. The Memorial will be a lasting tribute to Dr. King’s legacy and will forever serve as a monument to the freedom, opportunity, and justice for which he stood. Just down from the Lincoln Memorial, with views of the Tidal Basin and the Jefferson Memorial, our dear Brother’s stoned image will stand as a public sanctuary where future generations of Americans, regardless of race, religion, gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation, can come to honor our Brother, Dr. King.

Even with the excitement bubbling in our nation’s capital, I must take a moment to acknowledge the contributions and unwavering support of Alpha Phi Alpha Brothers. As martyrs for change, as a fraternity, we have stood firmly in support of this initiative. From beginning to end this milestone of our generation was conceived and executed by men of our great Fraternity.  In January 1984, Brother George Sealey was the catalyst for convening Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity brothers Brother Alfred Bailey, Brother Oscar Little, Brother Eddie Madison, and Brother John Harvey, to propose building a national memorial to honor Dr. King. Their proposal was presented at the Fraternity’s Board of Director’s meeting, under the administration of 26th General President Ozell Sutton. From there, successive general president administrations, brothers, and chapters rallied around the call for change never allowing this infamous dream to be deferred.

Our faith played a large role in the realization of this dream. As Dr. King once stated, “faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” Brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha, I salute you all. Your first step, even without knowing the outcome ignited a spark that years of segregation, discrimination, and nullification blotted. We showed that together we could be a force to be reckoned with. Our investment in this idea led us to collectively raise millions of dollars as a fraternity to donate to our Brother’s memorial.

I would like to commend our 31st General President Brother Harry E. Johnson, Sr., President and CEO of the National Memorial Project Foundation, for his outstanding commitment to leading this cause. Through his leadership, we are able to assemble while adorned in our old gold and black attire, and sing our hymn beneath the erected
memory of one of the greatest men to have pledged the name, Alpha Phi Alpha. Our voices will sing in unison, our presence powerful in progress.

In the words of Dr. King, “the means we use, must be as pure as the ends we seek”. Let us continue to invest in our brothers, their dreams, and making substantial change in our world. Our investment’s can reap such impressive results when we fight ignorance with education, hate with compassion and love, and business as usual with an investment in something new. Invest in my Alpha Plan brothers, and let ‘normalcy never again’ continue to usher in more dreams.

I too have a dream, that dream is to invest in the advancement of Alpha Phi Alpha.

See you at the mall.

Fraternally Yours,

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

Remembering the Legacy of a King

“Everybody can be great because everybody can serve.” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Forty-three years ago today, our Brother, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated. The assassin succeeded in taking Dr. King’s life, but failed at killing his legacy.  Please join me today as we remember the life and legacy of our brother.

During a recent visit to Atlanta, GA for our Board of Directors retreat, I was reminded of how Dr. King responded to the most dutiful call of Alpha leaders – that we serve our brothers and community well. Under the superior leadership of the Alpha Upsilon Lambda and Beta Upsilon Chapters, I traced the steps of Dr. King from Atlanta to Montgomery, AL and was reminded of the importance of the servant leadership model that he famously employed.  When I made a decision to seek the 34th General Presidency, I did so with the belief that there is a direct correlation between Alpha’s prominence and our effectiveness as servant leaders.

Atlanta to Montgomery – retracting the steps of Dr. King memento.

Upon this 43rd anniversary of Dr. King’s death, I ask brothers to join me in renewing our vigor to build a stronger Alpha union through service and our commitment to principled leadership. The Alpha Investment, just like our dedication to Alpha’s aims, and the investments made by the giant steps that brothers have taken before us, promises a beyond ideal return. We all must invest in the management of our dear fraternity, by enhancing our local structures – our chapters, areas and districts – by strengthening existing lines of communication; promoting cross district, area, and chapter accountability; and re-engaging brothers who have lost their connection to us. They too have a share in the return. We can guarantee the stability of our fraternity by practicing the philosophy of Dr. King and executing our vision that all brothers can be great, because all brothers can serve.

Brothers, I am firm in my convictions that our brotherhood, with the right tools, can invigorate our goals and allow us to reach the zenith of our existence. The Alpha Investment will ensure that you all have a valued part in reaching our goals. The pursuit of our goals will take some reorganization and revitalization of our image and our approach challenges. Our beloved Jewel Nathaniel Allison Murray stated in December 1947:

“Your founders sowed the seed, fed it, and as the plant which has come from this seed (sown in fertile soil) is expanding, you who are before me should see to it that the expansion is upward and onward rather than downward. Prune here and there like the good gardener does when he finds his plant getting unwieldy for only by doing so can the good old Alpha Phi Alpha spirit return.”

Picture of Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial to be unveiled August 2011. 

Let us work together to increase our investment in Alpha Phi Alpha to ensure even greater returns.  I make the clarion call to all brothers to lend me your support to help forever bring heavy returns to our beloved fraternity. May the spirit of our brotherhood and love for all mankind continue to fall upon each one of our brothers—our investors. And may we always remember that he who is greatest among you shall first be your servant.

Sincerely and Fraternally,

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