Page 5 - Spring 2017

Theta Rho Lambda Chapter Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Spring 2017

Education Foundation awards $2,000

scholarship at rousing 2016 Black & Gold Ball

By Bro. Shawn Pressley

It was early, on a blustery and pouring-down-
rainy, Saturday evening. When most people –
perhaps myself included - would rather have been
curled up or spooning on a couch, with the fire-
place going, and binge watching the latest Netflix
Original Series. But instead Brothers of Theta Rho
Lambda were found doing the work of Alpha Phi
Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. Bro. Anthony
Hyman was placing centerpieces on tables. And
Bro. David Preston was coordinating with the Fort
Belvoir staff in terms of logistics on light, DJ, and
timing. After many months of preparation the time
was nearing for the 2016 Black and Gold Ball and
all that was left was the execution of the event
itself.
You knew it was going to be a good night when Bro. Gillis
Taylor literally prayed that we would all have “a Funky Good
When 6:00 p.m. hit Bro. LaMarcus Davis – who
had set up the greeting area earlier - and two of Time!” Apparently God answers prayer because our main
speaker, Scholarship Recipient Yosaph Boku, nearly broke
our neophyte Brothers - Bro. Marc Peters and Bro.
Dockery Lambert - set to the task of greeting Ball into sermon after accepting his check. Clearly, he has a future
guest helping them remove rain garb and umbrel- in preaching. Our other distinguished guests, the Community
las. They plied guests with their table numbers Service Award winner Deacon Herbert McKoy of First Agape
and most creative que cards – excellent idea from Church gave a very heartfelt thank you to God and Theta Rho
Bro. Preston and execution by Bro. Keith Laing - Lambda. Bro. George White was awarded the chapter’s 2016
to let the wait staff know what dish they had cho- Brother of Year Award. The event was also graced with the
sen for their meals. The guests made delightful presence of 2017 Miss Black and Gold Eastern Region winner
banter with scholarship recipients and their table Alyssa Lee. And despite the previously mentioned weather
mates during the cocktail hour in the rather stately conditions the event achieved better than 90.5 percent turn out
decorated hall of the Fort Belvoir Officer’s Club. on 150 guests that had RSVP’d for the event.
They received their Souvenir Journals – co-
authored by Bro. Maurice Smith and Bro. Michael After the event agenda was completed, DJ DubLee (formally
Bajit - as they were allowed to enter the main din- William Lee) took us through a barrage of Michael Jackson
ing room that was tastefully decorated in Black hits, the classic and most modern line dances, and special
and Old Gold. acknowledgements were given to our top ticket seller for a
consecutive three years, Bro. Samuel Scott. Bro. Gillis Taylor
took over 300 pictures that are all available on the chapter’s
Instagram account. Inspired by the rainy weather outside the
guests decided make it rain inside as well showering down
nearly $4,800.00 of proceeds or profits on the Scholarship
Endowment Fund for one single night of activity.

For the 2017 Black and Gold Ball, the festivities are moving
to the Waterford in Springfield, Va. and will take place on
November 11, 2017. It promises to be just as, if not more,
exciting with Bro. David Preston now officially at the helm
for 2017.

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