Page 7 - Spring 2017

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

Life After Becoming An Alpha

By The Brothers of Fall 2016,
“Started From the Bottom,” aka “The Notorious S.o.S.”

1. Bro. Marc Peters, aka Multi-PhACEted, alias Phresh Look

After my First Black-and-Gold Ball, and before my first Founders’
Day Breakfast, I spent my first Thanksgiving as an Alpha man with
my family in Charlotte, NC, where I , to my beaming mother,
showed off my black hooded sweatshirt, emblazoned with the letters
of my new fraternity. I wore it most everywhere I went, including on
the Amtrak. On the train ride back from Charlotte, I met Daniel, of
Ruth, NC (“near Rocky Mount”), an elderly, 100% disabled combat
veteran, who was travelling to meet someone from Veterans Affairs
regarding his medical condition. At first, I had not noticed him at all,
until he cried out for help, and another passenger and I came to his
aid. He was slumping in his wheelchair, wearing a Prince Hall
“square-and-compass” baseball cap, a sweatshirt, jacket, jeans and
sneakers, and carried a duffel bag full of loose papers and supplies.
Daniel was travelling alone. When we found him, his unsecured
wheelchair had turned about, and Daniel had fallen over. The con-
ductors rendered service to help Daniel, but appeared distant, as if

reluctant to help him. The other passenger and I quickly warmed to the opportunity to help. Our charitable principles were in-
voked, and princely men were thereby recognized. It seemed as if I would begin the work of A. Charles Haston Brother's Keeper
a bit earlier than expected. We straightened Daniel in his wheelchair, moving him first to a seat so as to secure the wheelchair. I
then cleaned the soiled seat, and then my hands. I helped him sort through his papers, throwing out what he did not want to keep.
When his pants began to sag, we pulled his diaper and his pants back up again, and I assiduously cleaned my hands again. To me,
ol’ Daniel made a special request: to fetch a cup of ice for him from the dining car, reach for the bottle in his duffel bag, and fill
the cup with the contents of the bottle. Awkward though it was, I wanted to do what I could to comfort him. After a while, Daniel
began to tell me his story, and I dried his eyes and hugged him as he recounted about how he used to help people, but was no
longer able to do so after becoming infirm. My stop at King Street in Alexandria was fast approaching. We promised to pray for
each other, and then I disembarked. My life was touched by Daniel as my life was recently touched by the House. Those mo-
ments in service to him reaffirm my need, as a Servant of All, to serve the least of these in my community and ultimately, all
communities.

2. Bro. Patrick Harris II, aka “Photo Phinish,” alias Lean On Me

My experience as a neophyte of Theta Rho Lambda chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. has been an incredible experi-
ence. My line brothers and I have hit the ground running. My most memorable moment was leading a presentation for the Men
of Vision and Purpose (MVP), TRL’s Go-To-High School, Go-to-College program. I was able to lead over 20 boys of color in a
critical discourse about success, what it means to them and what plan they want to put in place to achieve it. Alpha men have a
long history of educating young boys in hopes of creating young, social justice change agents. It is humbling to now be apart of
that history. I am so grateful to be apart of a chapter that places brotherhood first. The culture of our chapter has been encourag-
ing and inviting to me as a new initiate. I am looking forward to building strong relationships with brothers as I continue serve in
the chapter.

3. Bro. Lloyd Haskett, aka “TREumphant,” alias Joe Buttons

The past year as a newly initiated brother of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. has been a whirlwind. The brotherhood of this
grand fraternity is something I keep with me in my heart wherever I go. I have made new friends, and reconnected with old
friends in a new way. It makes me humble to know that “I have brothers everywhere,” and “In cities of population two, I even
have a brother there.”

4. Bro. Dockery Lambert, aka “T.R.O.,” alias Phact Check

On November 6th, 2016 I crossed the burning sands into the House of Alpha. I very quickly discovered for my own truth that the
work only begins when you enter the House. Theta Rho Lambda being seated in two locations, Arlington and Alexandria re-
quires twice the effort to make an impact in the community. The following week after I entered the House I went to my first
chapter meeting. I didn’t know what to expect for my first chapter meeting but I left with a better understanding of how the busi-
ness of Alpha is conducted and the decisions that occur behind the scenes. My first community service event was the Thanksgiv-
ing Basket Distribution where we teamed with the Ruby Tucker Center and the First Agape Baptist Church to pass out baskets to
families in need. I remember the happy looks from the families who participated and the feeling of fulfillment I had that day.
That feeling reinforced my resolve to carry out the mission of Alpha. My time in Alphadom has far surpassed my expectations of
brotherhood, community and bond. I look forward to moving the bar forward with my brothers and the challenges that come with
it.
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