The conference, lead by Great Lakes Regional Director Charlene Truitt Nelson will capture the essence of all that Alpha Kappa Alpha embodies…to be of “Service to All Mankind.” An impressive list of dignitaries is slated to speak during the conference, including Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson out of Texas and writer, pastor, public speaker, lawyer and educator, Rev. Leah C. K. Lewis, JD, from Cleveland, Ohio.

In support of the Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sorority, Incorporated international programs, community service activities benefiting the local Detroit area will serve as a huge component of the conference. Members of the Great Lakes Region have partnered with Project Healthy Living to implement the 2012 Community Health Fair, in collaboration with a host of organizations including the American Cancer Society, the Children’s Hospital of Michigan, the National Kidney Foundation, MOTTEP-Gift of Life and Karmanos Cancer Center. Conference activities also will include a Teen Summit, discussing the importance of leadership and philanthropy, for middle and high school girls and a collection of toiletries, undergarments and gift cards donated by Alpha Kappa Alpha members will be given to women in local domestic violence shelters.

For more information regarding the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated^® 81^st Great Lakes Regional Conference or for media inquiries, please contact Jamie Farmer at JamieFarmer.AKA@gmail.com or (248) 821-6997.

More than 600 ladies and gents adorned in Detroit-styled hats will gather to celebrate the 20^th anniversary of the Minerva Education and Development Foundation (MEDF). “Hats off to MEDF” will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 25, at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center. VIP reception begins at 1:30 p.m.

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. WITH ANNUAL COMMEMORATIVE BREAKFAST

Charitable Organization Challenges Community to Do Something for Others;

Community Leader and United States Army Officer

Brigadier General Barrye L. Price will honor us with a powerful message

MOUNT LAUREL — “We must have hearts full of grace and souls generated by love”; this phrase by the late Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. tells us that above all else ‘love’ must be the main ingredient in making change in order to give selflessly for the benefit of our communities and will therefore lay the groundwork for all else to follow.

On the date of what would have been Dr. King’s 83rd birthday, People Motivating Others, Inc., and Pi Mu Omega Chapter use these words to serve as the theme for the 2012 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Breakfast. The event which is being held on January 14, 2012 at The Merion in Cinnaminson, New Jersey provides an opportunity for Burlington County and surrounding communities to celebrate the remarkable legacy that King left behind.

The keynote speaker will be Brigadier General Barrye L. Price, US Army. Brigadier General Price (then Colonel Price) served on the President Clinton and First Lady’s Task Force on “Raising Responsible and Resourceful Teenagers” in 2000; served on President Clinton’s “Mississippi Delta Task Force” which sought to revitalize the 207-county, seven-state region that comprises the Mississippi River flood plain from 1999 through 2000. He served as the Battalion Commander, 4th Personnel Services Battalion, Fort Carson, Colo.; Executive Officer and Military Assistant to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs (Human Resources) at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C.

PMO and the Pi Mu Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc. will also use the occasion to recognize the efforts of Burlington County citizens who have made outstanding contributions to the community. This year, the recipients of the 2012 Community Service Award are Reverend Ernest and Reverend Maretta Marke and Mr. James and Mrs. Barbara Winfield.

The Markes, both natives of Liberia, have a passion to help make a better life for the children in their homeland. The Markes, who founded True Light Ministries International, have given unselfishly of their time by reaching across the globe to carry out a vision and mission given to them by the Lord to start a school in Liberia for orphaned children. Their efforts have resulted in them sending food, household items, clothing, and medical supplies to Liberia for use in the orphanage.  The Markes have a special place in their hearts for children; therefore, they also reach out to the youth of Willingboro. They offer after school activities, mentoring and Bible Study to help the youth of the community stay on the right track.

The Winfield’s, both Virginia natives, came to the Burlington area to make a difference. They are long time members of Christ Baptist Church in Burlington, N.J. where they serve as Deacon and Deaconess in addition to numerous church boards and ministries. Most recently, they have been involved in Habitat for Humanity to bring serving families the key to homeownership through their hard work.

The musical throughout the breakfast will be Jazpir Trio (Jerry Martin). The breakfast will begin at 9 a.m. at The Merion 1301 Route 130, Cinnaminson NJ 08077.

We embark again upon another opportunity of business, fellowship and fun! Our 2012 Regional Conference will be held just a few miles short of my home town (Detroit) in Dearborn, Michigan.

Home to Michigan’s leading tourist attraction, the Henry Ford is recognized as the nation’s largest indoor-outdoor American history museum entertainment complex. It includes Greenfield Village, the IMAX Theater, and the Ford Rouge Factory Tours, attracting nearly 1.6 million visitors each year.

lso at the Henry Ford is the “Rosa Parks Bus” exhibit. The actual bus, where she refused to give up her seat is displayed. Let’s remember her service and push forward in our own presence of being “On Fire to Serve”.

We look forward to celebrating the 72nd Central Regional Conference, building upon our theme of “Enthusiasm, Empowerment and Engagement”! Let’s fire up our engines, as we head towards the Motor City, ready to share our stories of times past – learn new lessons of today – and share in the bond of sisterhood and service forever.

I’m looking forward to seeing you real soon…

Syntaktes Kadirifu

Alpha Phi Alpha, the first intercollegiate fraternity founded by African-American men, held its annual Tennessee District Conference in Johnson City for the Association of Tennessee Alphamen on Nov. 17-20.

More than 200 Alpha men were in attendance. Among them was ETSU’s Sigma Beta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha which was the host chapter for the conference and also celebrated 21 years of existence.

“I am so pleased that the brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. came to Johnson City for this conference,” said Sigma Beta President Sean Hinton.

“We were honored just to host the conference and actually bring that great of a presence of Alpha Phi Alpha to Johnson City.

This was the first time that a conference has been held in Johnson City.

“Because our chapter is so small and lack the help of a alumni chapter, a lot of people doubted that we as undergraduates could pull off such a task of hosting a district conference by ourselves,” said Daniel Ashley, a senior and immediate past president of the Sigma Beta Chapter.

Usually these conferences and conventions are held in much bigger cities, but the Sigma Beta chapter fought hard for the conference to be held in Johnson City and proved to the district that they deserved it.

“A lot of the work that we do is unseen because we are so small and so far away from the rest of the [other] chapters,” said sophomore Thomas Smith.

“I think that with us hosting districts, chapters really got to see what we are capable of now and we definitely earned even greater respect from the rest of the chapters in the district.”

The conference featured several competitions in which every Alpha chapter in Tennessee, both undergraduate and alumni chapters, competed for awards.

The competitions included Undergraduate Chapter of the Year, Alumni Chapter of the Year, Scholar’s Bowl and Oratorical Contest.

The winners of these competitions on the state district level will move on to the regional level to compete.

The winners at the regional level will then move on to the national level and will compete at the Fraternities National Convention in the summer of 2012 in Miami.

The conference also had two more competitions that were open to the public — the annual Miss Black & Gold Pageant and the Step Show competition.

The annual Miss Black & Gold Pageant was held Saturday evening, with ETSU’s Edwina Morris representing the Sigma Beta Chapter in the pageant.

Morris was not able to come out with the win.

“I regret that things didn’t turn out how we would have liked,” said Morris. “I truly enjoyed the experience and opportunity and will never forget it.”

The University of Memphis’ Kappa Eta Chapter took first place over all.

Also held Saturday night was the Step Show Competition.

Five Tennessee Alpha chapters competed with Middle Tennessee State University’s Kappa Xi Chapter.

They took home first-place honors and will compete at the Regional Conference in Columbia, S.C., in March representing the District of Tennessee.

The Alphas of ETSU felt that the conference was a success.

“Regardless of our situation, we know we’re a great chapter, said Hinton, “but after this weekend, every Alpha in Tennessee now knows we’re a great chapter.”

The tradition started when a group of newly initiatedmembers of the chapter decided to put together a community service project as part of a new membersbonding activity.  Since then, the Senior Buddy Luncheon has grown and become a vehicle toacknowledge seniors with heartfelt thanks, andprovide them with pertinent information about seniorhealth and wellness.

This year the Senior Buddy Luncheon will take place at The Double Tree Hotel, 515 Fellowship Road North, Mount Laurel, NJ 08054-3404 onSaturday, December 3, 2011 at 12:00 PM. Theta Pi Omega members will educate seniors on diabetes awareness by providing medical information and sugar-free hard candy to the seniors.  The luncheon will include a keynote address by Theta Pi Omega member, Dr. Jocelyn Mitchell-Williams, Associate Dean for Multicultural and Community Affairs of Cooper Medical School of Rowan University andMabel “Dolly” Staton, Olympic Champion from the Helsinki Games in 1952, will serve as the mistress of ceremonies. Additionally, Theta Pi Omega members will provide holiday entertainment including games and caroling.

The senior buddy luncheon will fulfill the health initiative platform of the Global Leadership Through Timeless Service program of Alpha Kappa alpha Sorority Inc. ®  This initiative encourages personal fitness and healthy life styles; supports organizations which advance access to treatment; and coordinates awareness and advocacy campaigns to reduce health disparities, save lives, and impact health-related legislation; and to co-sponsor health forums that address: diseases which disproportionately affect women and minorities, prevention and treatment options.

The National Pan-Hellenic Council of Marquette University Presents The 2012 Brew City Stomp Down Step Show Sponsored By City Year Milwaukee

On Saturday, February 4, 2012, the National Pan-Hellenic Council of Marquette University once again brings you Wisconsin’s largest step show- and this time it’s BETTER THAN EVER. Featuring the organizations of the Divine Nine: Alpha Phi Alpha, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi, Delta Sigma Theta, Phi Beta Sigma, Zeta Phi Beta, Sigma Gamma Rho, and Iota Phi Theta.

With a special guest host, music by Marquette’s very own DJ Poizon Ivy, and the most talented, most LIVE step crews from across the Midwest all on the Riverside Theater stage, the 2012 Brew City Stomp Down Step Show is sure to be one show you don’t want to miss.

Tickets will be available beginning Friday, December 9, 2011 at noon. General admission tickets are $20 (+ taxes and applicable fees). Tickets can be purchased online at www.pabsttheater.org/show/2012BrewCityStompDown, in person at either the Riverside Theater box office (116 West Wisconsin Avenue) or Pabst Theater Box Office (144 E. Wells Street) Monday through Friday from noon until 6:30pm, or through the box office by calling 414-286-3663.

Like in previous years, this event is guaranteed to sellout- plan to get your tickets early! For the latest updates on the show be sure to follow us on twitter: @brewcitystomp.

Please direct any questions or concerns to brewcitystompdown@gmail.com.

“Highest Social Action Award bestowed on Honorable Judge Edward Ewell and

Recognition of Sigma Judges in Michigan”

Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. 2012 Annual Founders’ Day Luncheon

On Saturday, January 7, 2012, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Alpha Alpha Beta Sigma Metropolitan Detroit Alumni Chapter will bestow its highest Social Action Award on the Honorable Judge Edward Ewell, Third Judicial Circuit Court, to honor him for his commitment to equality and justice in the Detroit community. Also, (5) other current or retired Michigan judges will be recognized by the fraternity for their community endeavors and judicial success. The theme is “Honoring Men of Sigma in the Judicial and Legal Community.” The keynote speaker will be the Honorable Judge Carl A. Walker, Cook County 1st Subcircuit Court in Chicago, Illinois, who is a member of the fraternity’s Distinguished Service Chapter (“DSC”).

This event will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial, 32 Lakeshore Dr., Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236. Tickets are sold in advance for $40 each. For ticket information, please contact A. Karriem Muhammad via e-mail: akarriemm@hotmail.com or at (313) 618-8664. www.DetroitSigmas.com or www.BiggerandBetterBusiness.com. Please insert tickets or Founders ‘Day in the subject line.

The Honorable Judge Edward Ewell is a judge of the Third Judicial Circuit Court in Wayne County, Michigan. He was appointed to this position by Gov. Granholm on June 30, 2003. He took office the following August 11th. He was re-elected in 2006 to a 6-year term that ends on January 1, 2013. Judge Ewell received his B.A. degree from the University of Michigan (1981) and his law degree from Wayne State University. Early in his career, Judge Ewell worked as a law clerk for Judge Damon Keith of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit Court. He also worked as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Detroit.

The following Michigan judges are members of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and will be recognized at this event:

· Honorable Judge Donald Allen, 55th Judicial District Court, Ingham County, Mason

· Honorable Judge Terry Clark, 70th Judicial District Court, Saginaw County, Saginaw

· Honorable Judge Hugh Clarke, 54-A Judicial District Court, Ingham County, Lansing

· Honorable Judge Thomas Jackson, Third Judicial Circuit Court, Wayne County, Detroit

· Honorable Administrative Law Judge Robert Proctor (Retired), Michigan Department of Civil Service

Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. was founded on January 9, 1914 at Howard University by A. Langston Taylor, Leonard F. Morse, and Charles I. Brown as a national community service fraternity. It’s motto is “Culture for Service and Service for Humanity.” Alpha Alpha Beta Sigma, Metropolitan Detroit Alumni Chapter was founded on October 30, 1991.

Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. will celebrate its 100th Anniversary in 2014 in Washington DC. Its membership consist of some of the greatest leaders this world has ever seen: Civil Rights Leaders John Lewis, A. Phillip Randolph, Huey P. Newtown, World Renowned Scientist George Washington Carver; Chief Justice Charles Freeman, Illinois Supreme Court; Football Hall of Framers Emmitt Smith and Jerry Rice; Baseball Hall of Framer Lou Brock; Basketball Hall of Framer Willis Reed; Actors Blair Underwood, Malik Yoba, Terrance Howard; Comedians J. Anthony Brown and Flex Alexander; Gospel Entertainers Dr. Bobby Jones and Kurt Carr, etc.

Photos: Sigma Frater Kevin Davis/ Crush Media Group

Hot on the heels of the release of “Chapter V: Underrated,” Soror Syleena Johnson, a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.,  hit the road on tour promoting her latest masterpiece. On Thursday, Syleena performed before a packed house full of supporters in her home town at The Shrine in Chicago’s South Loop district.

Many members of the Greek community showed up in support of Syleena, and shouted their organization’s calls as she displayed her sorority hand sign,  the “Kitty” during a thank you session between songs.

Legendary musicians such as Norman Connors and the king of R&B, R Kelly were in attendance as fans were treated to new releases as well as classic titles.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE PHOTOS

This year’s LaJazz events are slated for this coming Sunday, November 13, 2011, at Footprints Café in Lawrenceville and Sunday, November 20, 2011, at Purple Rain Restaurant and Lounge in Duluth. Both events run from 6:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. and offer food and drink specials with a paid $25 ticket.

Amyn Bana, general manager of Purple Rain, said, “We at Purple Rain Atlanta are extremely happy to provide space for an event of this size and support our community at the same time. It’s an awesome opportunity to showcase our venue through this partnership with the Gwinnett Pearls of Service as they provide charitable services throughout Gwinnett County.”

Guests can visit www.akalajazz.com for information about the performers scheduled at each venue and to conveniently purchase tickets online. Premier sponsorship options are also available starting as low as $20. Interested businesses can get details about these marketing possibilities by emailing uaolajazz2011@yahoo.com.

The proceeds for LaJazz go to support the charitable programs of the Gwinnett County chapter, including college scholarship awards, Christmas giving, sex trafficking awareness seminars, Emerging Young Leaders programs for middle-school girls and more.

Upsilon Alpha Omega, the Gwinnett County Graduate Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, has served the County and beyond since 1994 and is 180 members strong.  For more information about the chapter, visit www.upsilonalphaomega.com.

The Gwinnett Pearls of Service Foundation, Incorporated is the non-profit 501(c)(3) affiliate of the Upsilon Alpha Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.  Gwinnett Pearls of Service Foundation was established on October 13, 2005, in Gwinnett County, Georgia. The purpose of the foundation is to focus on education, health, youth development and mentoring. Visit www.gwinnettpearlsofservice.com for more information on the foundation.