Sean McCaskill recently became the first person from Pittsburgh to hold the position of Eastern Region vice president of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

He joined the fraternity April 7, 1990. There were eight who went over with him. After he graduated from Indian University of Pennsylvania, it took him some time to get involved with the alumni chapter again. He is a graduate of Brashear High School and went to IUP for criminology in which he received his bachelor’s degree. He also went back to earn his master’s degree in sociology.

“One of the things we stand for is scholarship and leadership and I started seeing the leadership opportunities within the fraternity. The biggest thing about our fraternity is that we have social partners that we work with along with corporate organizations. March for Babies is an organization that raised almost $300,000 for them. We have a thing called “Project Alpha” where we work with inner male,” McCaskill said.

Under his administration they are attacking the crisis of Black males in the community, which is a permanent focus. Returning from Boston, the fraternity honored a young man who participated in an oratorical contest. He spoke and people were in tears listening to this young man and what he had to say. He was able to articulate the issues of Black male problems and solutions. In a few years McCaskill will run for re-election, but while he currently holds the position, he plans to tackle the lack of education and Black- on-Black violence.

“Like many Black males, I was blessed and able to play sports. I was good enough to get by when I was in high school. I was blessed with the opportunity to play football for Brashear High. I also knew that if I wanted to keep playing football that there were certain things that I needed to accomplish. I also played basketball and track. People started looking at me in a new light. I was no longer just Sean McCaskill from the ’hood, but I was being noticed more for being a football player. Playing sports allowed me to stay on the straight and positive path to college. I had the opportunity to start for four year and things were pretty good. I know there are a lot of negative stereotypes about fraternities and sororities, but I have to be honest with you and tell you that being in a fraternity saved my life as well. I was in the same room with an individual that thought about life totally different than I did. Once I started getting involved in the fraternity, it opened the door to the rest of my life,” he said.

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. is divided into five different regions that comprises the board. The position McCas kill holds has never been held in western Pennsylvania before, so he made history and is very proud of it. The campaign was run similar to the campaign for the president of the United States. They had to raise money and travel up and down the east coast and to Virginia Beach.

“I believe in timing and I think it is the time for the message that I have to bring to the community. Coming up the way I did, I see life different than brothers in the fraternity. A lot of the people we serve in the community, I was one of those kids and I relate to the brothers. I am celebrating my 20th year as a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and in that time, I have found my own mentors. I am dealing with some of the most prestigious people in our society. Meeting Sen. Edward Brooks was a great opportunity for a guy like me from the Hill District. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. is getting ready to erect the monument for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. down in Washington, D.C. in 2011. I will be able to meet President Barack Obama at the time so things are limitless being a part of this fraternity,” he said.

There are many strong Black brothers like Brian Cook, director of communications for the Eastern Region, who is on McCaskill’s staff. Cook does all the video production and he is an outstanding talent. They are utilizing Cook’s talents so that other opportunities can happen for him as well. Brother Benjamin Davis who does the website is also a great talent. Cook and Davis are considered to be the foundation that makes things happen and they are trying to change the game.

“The main thing that is on my mind right now is mentoring—looking at the Black males and tackling domestic violence. What you are starting to see is an epidemic of Black males who are involved with domestic violence. I just lost a close friend, Mara Dyer-Knox, due to domestic violence and that crushed me. We are going to start networking to branch out, let people know that we are more than just singing and dancing. We are all about social change within our community as well,” he said.

“When I became a member of Alpha Phi Aphi Fraternity, Inc. back in 1990, things were different. This is a different population of young Black males today. I always ask the youth, what is your R.O.I.? That means what is your return on your investment? If there is no return on your investment then you should not join the fraternity. Joining the fraternity is something that you should want to do because you are not getting paid for it. You sacrifice time with your family by joining the fraternity so there is a lot to think about. My return on my investment was the exposure. Dreams really do come true and you can make things happen. I am also the residential director for Three Rivers Youth.”

The Alphas have a public program called “Every Hero” that pays tribute to people on the ground doing the footwork for the organization. People in the educational and social services fields and the clergy are people that are highlighted. They are going back to the root to acknowledge those individuals for the work they are doing and they are also acknowledging Black males for the positive things they are doing.

“I do a lot of consulting by dealing with African-American boys in the school system. There are some skills that I have that will give me the opportunity to bless more people. It’s great to be able to come back to your hometown and be a blessing to others. Just because you are from a so- called high-risk environment doesn’t mean you can’t achieve your goals and dreams. Once you make it, you are supposed to reach back and pull someone up with you. We call it the reach one, teach one,” McCaskill concluded.

(You can contact Sean McCaskill at VicePresident@AlphaEast7.com to congratulate him on this major achievement.)

A new multicultural fraternity at the University of Nevada, Reno will hold recruitment events for the first time after being chartered Aug. 26 by their national organization.

The fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma, currently has five members and was recognized by the university in March. At their ceremony in the Joe Crowley Student Union, the five members were formally inducted into the national fraternity and heard speeches from national members as well as university administration, including Provost Marc Johnson.

Anthony Dionisi, the president of the chapter, said he doesn’t want to consider getting a house for the fraternity until it has grown. Growth is important to the fledgling chapter, Dionisi said, as well as acceptance.

“I want us to grow here and I don’t want our fraternity to be a fraternity made up of just one kind of person,” he said.

UNR alumnus Mayo Thompson, who first joined the organization at the University of Arizona, started the Reno chapter. When Thompson moved to Reno for graduate school, he felt the fraternity could help the university with graduation rates, social community and the “overall feeling of the place.”

Reginald Chhen Stewart, the director of the Center for Student Cultural Diversity, said he connected with Thompson during the student’s frequent visits to the center, which became Thompson’s recruitment pool.

Stewart said new fraternities help provide more choices for students, which makes the Greek system friendlier to the campus.

“The importance of fraternities and sororities in general is having enough variety,” he said.

He also said the Greek system is beneficial to campus because it regulates grades and helps members graduate, which he said is one of its main differences from clubs.

Charles Ranson, Phi Beta Sigma’s Western regional director, said during the ceremony that grades were the most important thing for the new chapter to take care of.

“Education is first,” Ranson said. “My fraternity is number two.”

Though Thompson said the fraternity is historically a black fraternity, it is open to everyone.

“We seek to judge people based on their merits, not their color or how affluent they are,” he said.

Thompson hopes the fraternity’s efforts in community service will help it become a “big part of the (campus) community, as well as the Reno-Sparks community.” One such project Thompson hopes to see flourish in Reno is Phi Beta Sigma’s national youth auxiliary program, the Sigma Beta Club, which teaches boys ages 8-18 about money management, study skills, how to get into college and more.

Phi Beta Sigma’s motto is “Culture For Service and Service For Humanity.” The fraternity has had such notable members as George Washington Carver, Al Sharpton and Al Roker. The UNR chapter of the fraternity is the Gamma Alpha Lambda chapter.

Early Saturday morning, a crowd gathered on the side of U.S. 61 to dedicate a freshly erected sign in memory of Kimberley Ann Allen.

Allen died in July 2009, but her memory lives on through the newly placed sign and the lives of the friends and family she touched.

Lawanda Bradford was a friend of Allen’s and said the sign on U.S. 61 is a great way to commemorate Allen’s life.

“We want people coming in and out of Natchez to be able to see her name,” she said. “She did so much good for her community.”

Bradford said Allen was involved in numerous organizations such as the Girl Scouts and the Krewe of Janus.

“She was also a police office for the City of Natchez,” Bradford said. “Eight months before she passed, she was even promoted to detective.”

The month of September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness month, and Bradford said there was no better time to celebrate the life of Allen who died from the disease.

Allen’s first cousin, Yokena Anderson, said she wants the sign to evoke one simple thought to people who read it.

“Kimberley Ann Allen,” she said. “I remember her.”

Allen was also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Natchez Alumnae Chapter, and Berthenia Rose Jackson, president of the chapter, said she could not have asked for a greater member.

“Kimberley was the type of Delta everyone needed,” she said. “She couldn’t make it to every meeting, but she would do anything she could to help the chapter out.”

Jackson said there was a Relay for Life event in Allen’s honor earlier this year.

“It was a tremendous outpouring of love,” Jackson said. “We raised around $3,000 and we want to make it an annual event.”

In an address to the crowd of approximately 40 people, Bradford opened with a poem.

“Every step I take, every move I make, every single day and every time I pray, I’m missing you,” she said.

Allen’s daughter, Kiara Allen, was brought to tears during the speech and said it was nice to let her mother’s memory be known in Natchez.

“She did a lot in the community,” she said. “She was a good mom and a good person who had a lot of friends.”

If she could tell her mom one thing, Allen said the message would be one of appreciation.

“I just want to tell her how much I love her, and how proud I am of the things she accomplished,” she said.

One of the stipulations to having the sign in Allen’s memory is to keep the area around it clean, Bradford said.

“We have to clean it at least four times a year,” she said. “(Allen) would not want the streets dirty. She would want everyone doing their part.”

Bradford said she has already had groups contact her and offer to help clean, but that any additional help would be appreciated.

Anyone interested in helping keep the area around the sign clean, e-mail Lawanda Bradford at LawandaBradford1913@yahoo.com.

Morris, Manning & Martin is pleased to announce that Partner James “Mac” Hunter will be inducted into the Gate City Bar Association’s Hall of Fame during its annual gala event on November 6. Past honorees include civil rights legend Donald Hollowell, Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson, Georgia governor Roy Barnes, and state Supreme Court Justices Robert Benham and Leah Ward Sears.

The Gate City Bar Association, the oldest African-American Bar Association in the state of Georgia, will honor Mr. Hunter for his contributions to society, for his efforts to give back to the community and serve others, and for being an advocate for justice, diversity and equality.
“The firm is immensely proud of Mac and his accomplishments,” said Managing Partner Louise Wells. “Mac dedicates a great deal of his time – and himself – to making our firm and Atlanta, as well as our legal community, a better place. This honor is well deserved.”

Throughout his legal career, Mr. Hunter has fought to recruit and to expand career opportunities for other African-American attorneys. Prior to joining private practice, he was a senior trial attorney with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission where he was responsible for litigating some of the first cases under the 1972 Amendment to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. He has also served as a dedicated mentor to many younger lawyers and has challenged and inspired them to advance in their legal careers while also giving back to the community.

“Over the years, Mac has been a zealous advocate for his clients, a mentor to other attorneys, and a champion for the less fortunate in our community through his civic involvements,” said colleague Clyde Mize, the Gate City Bar member who nominated Mr. Hunter for the Hall of Fame. “He is a great role model for me, as well as others in the firm. I am proud to call him both a colleague and a friend.”

For nearly four decades, Mr. Hunter has labored to improve and strengthen the Atlanta community by endeavoring to educate, inspire and enrich the lives of its residents. In addition to his support of the Gate City Bar Association, he has been actively involved with organizations such as the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, Goodwill Industries of North Georgia, Inc., and the Atlanta Workforce Development Agency (AWDA), where he serves as chairman. He is also National General Counsel for the 100 Black Men of America, Inc. (a position he has held for nearly 25 years), General Counsel for the 100 Black Men of Atlanta, Inc., General Counsel for the National Black College Hall of Fame Foundation, Inc., General Counsel for the National Cares Mentoring Program, Inc. and General Counsel for the Trumpet Awards Foundation, Inc. He is a member of Kappa Boule of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Inc., the Atlanta Chapter of National Association of Guardsmen, Inc. and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

About Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP
With our roots in the Southeast, Morris, Manning & Martin (www.mmmlaw.com) is a full-service law firm with national and international reach. We dedicate ourselves to the constant pursuit of our clients’ success. To provide our clients with optimal value, we combine market-leading legal services with a total understanding of their needs to maximize effectiveness, efficiency and opportunity. MMM enjoys national prominence for its real estate, litigation, technology, healthcare, intellectual property, capital markets, environmental, green industry, insurance, mergers & acquisitions and timberland & forest products practices. MMM has offices in Atlanta, Raleigh-Durham, Savannah, Taipei, Beijing and Washington, D.C. and now an alliance with FGCN in São Paulo, Brazil.

Welton C. Flynn, MBA, Manager for H Welton Flynn Accountants and Auditors, has been recognized by Cambridge Who’s Who for demonstrating dedication, leadership and excellence in financial services.

A specialized professional in income tax consultation and representation, Welton C. Flynn now lends nearly three decades’ expertise to his position at H Welton Flynn Accountants and Auditors. As Manager, Mr. Flynn is charged with a broad portfolio of processes including the management of tax, accounting, auditing, consulting and financial services. Mr. Flynn has demonstrated sustained excellence in such operations and was named Cambridge Publishing’s 2009 Professional of the Year in Financial Services, as well as its 2010 VIP Member of the year.

Mr. Flynn, now a successful professional, exhibited early talent as a student of California State University at San Francisco, where he earned dual bachelor’s degrees. Graduating with a GPA of 3.83, he went on to attend Regis University, where he graduated summa cum laude and received an MBA in 2006. Mr. Flynn credits his success to his patience and consistent effort and will continue to draw upon these strengths as he strives to expand his client base in private business.

Mr. Flynn is a proud member of the San Francisco Accounting Organization and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.

About Cambridge Who’s Who
With over 400,000 members representing every major industry, Cambridge Who’s Who is a powerful networking resource that enables professionals to outshine their competition, in part through effective branding and marketing. Cambridge Who’s Whoemploys similar public relations techniques to those utilized by Fortune 500 companies and makes them cost-effective for members who seek to take advantage of its career enhancement and business advancement services. Cambridge is pleased to welcome its new Executive Director of Global Branding and Networking, Donald Trump Jr., who is eager to share his extensive experience in this arena with members.

The granddaughter of biologist and educator Ernest Everett Just dabbed away tears from her eyes Friday morning as a statue of her grandfather was unveiled at the Mitchellville middle school named after him, eight years after the school opened and more than six years after work for the statue began.

“This is important for the children,” said Kathryn Just, 62, of Northwest Washington, D.C. “For some it will open a discussion of why it is there. There are many lessons that can come from that statue outside.”

The 7-foot-tall bronze statue of Just holding an open book is mounted on a nearly 4-foot-tall brick platform outside near the school’s main entrance. The statue was dedicated Friday at Ernest Everett Just Middle School, one week after Just’s birth date.

The statue cost about $90,000 and was paid for by state funds, said Wesley Jarmon, president of the Ernest Everett Just Foundation Inc., a Largo-based nonprofit organization that works to promote Just’s legacy and interest students in the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering and math.

Just, a black biologist who was influential in the field of cell biology, died at age 58 in 1941. He is buried in Lincoln Memorial Cemetery in Suitland.

He also founded the historically black Omega Psi Phi Fraternity in 1911 at Howard University in the District. Nearly 30 fraternity members attended the ceremony.

The Ernest Everett Just Foundation, which was founded in 2002, petitioned the Prince George’s County Board of Education to name the school after Just and petitioned the state of Maryland to fund the statue.

About six years ago, the foundation approached Sen. Ulysses Currie (D-Dist. 25) of District Heights to fund the statue, said Currie, who secured $150,000 in state funds for the statue. The remaining $60,000 went back to the state.

“I got the statue here so we could bring busloads of kids here to tell his story,” Currie said.

Antonio Tobias Mendez, 46, of Frederick said he was contacted more than six years ago about creating the statue. Two years later, in 2006, Mendez made a computer rendering.

From November until June, Mendez worked on the clay sculpture of Just, which was then cast in bronze.

“It’s a very unique project, in that regardless of the subject, I can’t think of another public school that has a monument in front of it for their namesake,” Mendez said. “I think it’s important that anyone who visits the school learn about Ernest Just.”

Mendez said the statue has Just holding a book because Just was also an educator. He taught English and biology from 1910 to 1941 at Howard University.

The statue, which weighs between 700 and 800 pounds, sits on a nearly 4-foot-tall brick pedestal to reflect the architecture of the school and to be in proportion with its surroundings, Mendez said.

Keynote speaker Titus Reaves, an assistant professor of regenerative medicine and cell biology at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, S.C., spoke to the more than 100 people who attended the ceremony about Just’s life. Just was born in Charleston.

“[Just] was a really great man who was before his time,” Reaves said.

The Medical University of South Carolina hosts an annual Ernest Everett Just symposium to encourage black students to pursue a career in science.

The middle school’s principal, Carlton Carter, said Friday that he anticipated students to return to school on Monday and be in awe of the statue, and he would like the school to partner with the university to better understand who Just was and to pursue student scholarships.

“The statue will be a constant reminder of his legacy,” Carter said. “It’s a living, visual stimulation and a reminder to the students that nothing is impossible. I’m extremely pleased to have it for the kids. It’s all about sight.”

The Mitchellville plaque on the statue of Ernest Everett Just reads:

Ernest Everett Just

Pioneer biologist, Howard University professor, First recipient of the Springarn Medal

May the students that walk through these halls find the seeds of the spirit of learning that

Dr. Just planted to support and enhance every one’s education.

With 19 years of professional experience, Ms. Harvey attributes her success to the support she receives from her parents and her children. As a sales representative, she is responsible for monitoring and evaluating businesses, visiting physicians offices and clinical practices to educate on their drugs, and managing budgets. Prior to her current position, she worked as an electrocardiogram technician for five years.

A certified breast health advocate, Ms. Harvey earned her Master of Public Health in 2009, and her Bachelor of Business Administration, from Walden University. She earned her Associate Degree in Health Information Technology from Edgecombe Community College.

Ms. Harvey is a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and the American Public Health Association. She received the Sales Representative of the Quarter Award, the Sales Representative of the Year Award, and the Leadership Award.

For more information about Forest Pharmaceuticals, Inc., visit http://www.frx.com.

About Cambridge Who’s Who
With over 400,000 members representing every major industry, Cambridge Who’s Who is a powerful networking resource that enables professionals to outshine their competition, in part through effective branding and marketing. Cambridge Who’s Who employs similar public relations techniques to those utilized by Fortune 500 companies and makes them cost-effective for members who seek to take advantage of its career enhancement and business advancement services. Cambridge is pleased to welcome its new Executive Director of Global Branding and Networking, Donald Trump Jr., who is eager to share his extensive experience in this arena with members.

Cambridge Who’s Who membership provides individuals with a valuable third party endorsement of their accomplishments and gives them the tools needed to brand themselves and their businesses effectively. In addition to publishing biographies in print and electronic form, it offers an online networking platform where members can establish new professional relationships.

Headquartered in Long Island’s premier office building, RXR Plaza, the Cambridge Who’s Who staff spans more than 10 departments and comprises a team of nearly 200 highly skilled and dedicated employees. Together they work to provide members with the recognition and exposure needed to further their careers, expand their businesses and network effectively in an economy where referrals are more important than ever.

The Valdosta State University Alumni Association named Felicia Norwood the 2010 Distinguished Alumna of the Year for her momentous professional accomplishments, community service and continued dedication to the university.

The president of Mid-America Region for Aetna, Inc., will ride in the VSU Alumni homecoming parade float Friday, Oct. 1; the university community will honor Norwood prior kickoff of the 3 p.m. game against Ouachita Baptist on Saturday, Oct. 2.

Norwood, who graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1981, oversees medical economics and network management of a 17-state region for the nation’s largest health insurer. Prior to her current role at Aetna, the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority member was the president and chief operating officer of ActiveHealth Management, Inc. in New York. The Yale Law School graduate also served as senior policy advisor for Health and Human Services to former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar.

Demanding professional responsibilities have not kept the political science major from participating in a variety of mentoring programs. She is a major supporter of the local Boys & Girls Club in her hometown of Camilla, Ga., and is a member of the organization’s Jeremiah Milbank Society and The Executive Leadership Council. She also serves on the Vestry of the Church of the Transfiguration in New York.

Visit the VSU website the week of homecoming, Oct. 1-2, to learn more about Norwood’s professional drive to provide quality health care as well as her personal mission to create opportunities for disadvantaged youth. The fall issue of the VSU Alumni Voice will also feature Norwood’s accomplishments and contributions.

Tanisha R. Laidler, MS, Trust Counselor for Frank C. Martin International K-8 Center, has been recognized by Cambridge Who’s Who for demonstrating dedication, leadership and excellence in conflict resolution.

With 13 years of experience as a trust counselor for Frank C. Martin International K-8 Center, Tanisha R. Laidler is responsible for meeting parents and students, counseling victims of drug addiction, conducting classroom presentations on different preventative and intervention topics regarding stress management, character development, self-defeating actions and self-esteem, implementing test strategies, resolving issues raised by teachers, and motivating students. She became involved in her profession after working as a substitute teacher in a housing project at an elementary school, and she attributes her success to her hard work, determination, focused nature, upbringing and the support she receives from her family and peers.

Ms. Laidler received her Doctoral Degree in Human Services with a concentration in Management from Capella University, her Master of Science in Human Services from Spertus College in 2000, and her Bachelor’s Degree in English with a minor in Journalism from Northern Illinois University in 1993. She is a member of Jack and Jill of America Inc., Continental Societies, Inc., and Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.

For more information about Frank C. Martin International K-8 Center, visithttp://fcmartin.dadeschools.net.

On July 28, 2010, during the 95th Biennial Session in Baton Rouge, LA, the Illustrious Most Worshipful Reverend Alexander Hendrix Smith, 33º was elected President of the General Grand Masonic Congress, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of the United States of America. President Smith, who currently resides in Apopka, Fla., is the first person from the state of Florida to be elected as President of the General Grand Masonic Congress.

Smith was appointed as As-sistant General Recorder in 1992. While serving in that appointed capacity he expressed the desire to one day be elevated and elected to the office of Congress President. For the past 18 years he has diligently and faithfully worked his way up through various the offices within the Congress to achieve his goal. He previously served as General Grand Recorder, General Grand Secretary, and for the last six years served as 1st Vice President. When asked if he had a vision statement, his response was; “Chosen Servants of God’s Inner Circle.”

President Smith was born in Thomasville, GA., the oldest of five siblings. He was raised and educated there until the age of 14 by his grandparents.

While visiting his parents in Florida, his feet got stuck in the sand and have been here ever since.

A graduate of Orange County Schools, furthered his education at Florida A&M University receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Education with a minor in Horticultural Science; a graduate of Apopka’s Citizens Police Academy; a Certified Horticultural Professional by the State of Florida; and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree from The Reformed Theological Seminary.

President Smith is married to Linda C. Smith and the father of five. He has been employed by Orange County Schools for the past 33 years. He has been selected by his peers as one of the five finalists for teacher of the year at Dr. Phillips High School for four years during his 23 year tenure; nominated by his students for Who’s Who among Agricultural Educators; held the position of President of the Orange County Association of Agricultural Educators for 12 years and is currently serving his fifth year again as President. Smith previously served as President of the Florida Association of Agricultural Educators and has served on numerous committees and advisory boards on the local, state, and national levels. He has been instrumental in recruiting minorities into his field of study by involving himself and his students alike in national publications and national videos designed to recruit minorities. He is a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

He has served with distinction in numerous capacities within the Masonic Organization. He is a Past Most Worshipful Grand Master of The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge AF&AM of Florida, Inc. and the Founder and Executive Director of the Prince Hall Scholarship and Economic Development Foundation.

Not only is he an educator, but most importantly he is a child of God. Having accepted the calling into the Ministry, he is the Associate Pastor of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Apopka, Florida. His favorite scripture in the Bible is “If any man be in Christ he is a new creature.”

The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge AF&AM of Florida has planned a Congratulatory Reception to honor and pay tribute to his election as Congress President. The Reception will be held on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2010 at 3 p.m. at the Grand East Temple located at 1199 Bruton Blvd. in Orlando, Fla. MW Kenneth C. Holley, 33º is the Grand Master of The MWPHGL AF&AM of Florida. The public is cordially invited to attend this celebration.