From the Desk of Herman "Skip" Mason hmason1906@aol.com Iota Chapter, Spring 82(Morris Brown College/Atlanta, Georgia) Eta Lambda Chapter since 1984 Historian, Pastor, Author, Entrepreneur and Lecturer

Hey, Brothers,  
Most of you did not receive this issue on Friday. I had a power outage late that night and was unable to send it and had to leave for a trip the next  
morning. I hope you missed not receiving it (a few brothers emailed me and  
told me they did). This is the last of a series on significant mothers in the  
lives of our Founders.  Enjoy it!   Skip  

******************************************************************************      Skip's Historical Moments
"In Search of the Truth"

Vol. 1.    No. 17 - Friday, May 7, 1999 
"Finding the Good and Praising It"  

The Mother of the Fraternity, Mrs. Annie Singleton 
and the other "Mothers of Ithaca."
By Skip Mason

The home of Mr. Archie Singleton and his wife, the affable Annie C. Singleton, was located at the foot of the hill of the Cornell University campus in Ithaca, New York. It was in their home at 411 East State Street in an upper bedroom, which they rented out to young student from Washington, DC named Robert Harold Ogle. She was born Annie Nixon in 1874 in Alabama. Her father was from one of the parishes in Louisiana and her mother was a South Carolinian. By the turn of the century, Archie and Annie who married in 1904, had relocated to the township of Ithaca from South Carolina. Their home on east State Street was in a racially mixed neighborhood where they were one of two African-American families residing on the street. Mrs. Singleton worked as a domestic in the home of one of the white families in Ithaca. She and Archie had a daughter Annie and a nephew Albert Nixon, who resided with them also. Archie Singleton had two sons by his first wife. In 1939, at the Convention in New York during the New York World's Fair, the fraternity invited Mrs. Annie Singleton as its special guest. General President Charles H. Wesley, who realized that the many of the brothers had not seen this grand lady, introduced her to the brotherhood. It was at this convention that the name "Mother" was endeared to the brotherhood and she was 
officially designated the "Mother of Alpha Phi Alpha." 
      "Mother" Singleton later moved from Ithaca to Toledo, Ohio during the 1940s and then returned to Buffalo, New York where she lived until her death on July 25, 1960.  At the 50th Anniversary Convention in Buffalo, she was honored again by the brotherhood.  A few years later, at the 54th Anniversary Convention in Washington, DC, General President Myles Paige on behalf of the fraternity, deposited a yellow rose in memory of Mrs. Annie C. Singleton--the beloved "Mother" of the Fraternity and his aunt.(This article originally appeared in the Spring 1999 issue of the The Sphinx) 
 

Mother  Clara Nelson (214 Hazen Street) 

Mrs. Clara Nelson and her husband resided at 214 Hazen Street. Several of the early members resided with her including Robert Harold Ogle, Vertner Woodson 
Tandy, Roscoe C. Giles, Eugene Kinckle Jones, Gordon Jones and Frank Wilson. 

Mother Lula Newton(421 North Albany Street) 

Mrs. Lula Newton was the  wife of Edward Newton. They were the parents of two children, Florence and Edward, Jr. Their daughter Florence courted and married a young professor at Cornell by the name C.C.Poindexter.  They resided at 421 North Albany Street. . Their daughter helped the Alpha Phi Alpha Society carry out its first program at the Zion Church Bazaar. 
(Minutes of the meeting on December 4, 1906) 

Mrs. Irene  Moore(213 South Plain Street) 

Mrs. Irene Moore and her family lived at 213 South Plain Street. Her daughter Helen married Robert Harold Ogle. The history book identifies her home "as a frequent meeting place for Alpha Chapter" 

Mrs. Katie Plummer (332 College Avenue) 

Mrs. Plummer  was the wife of Robert Plummer and the mother Alpha Chapter 
initiate Frank V. Plummer, a native of Ithaca.  Frank Plummer was initiated into Alpha Chapter in 1907. Plummer loved the name "Jewel" so much that he named his daughter Jewel. Today, she is Jewel Plummer Cobb, a renowned cancer researcher and  president of California State University in Fullerton. 

Mrs. Rose Cohan (321 West Mill Street) 
The matron of the facility where the Second Annual Banquet was held in 
October of 1907. 

Part Two: The History of Alpha's History Book 
(excerpt from the book "The Talented Tenth" by Skip Mason 

By the time of the 16th convention in Columbus, Ohio in 1923 , Brother Cannon was even more convinced that the history of Alpha Phi Alpha should be compiled, published and a copy given to every member.  Before that could be done, Brother Cannon proposed to the convention that provisions be made for the  attendance of a Founder at each convention. This marked the inception of a Founder at each convention and as Cannon stated so bluntly "to forestall radical departures from our Ritual and Constitution and begin to pave the way later for history." It was at this same convention that Raymond W. Cannon was elected General President, an office he would serve from 1924-1927. 

During his presidency in 1923, General President Cannon was called to Lawrence, Kansas at the request of Upsilon Chapter who was  experiencing discrimination in the  school's cafeteria and in other departments at Kansas University.  The chancellor initially declined to see Brother Cannon; however, after a couple of days passed,  he finally met with him.  From the meetings, the brothers of Upsilon and other students had access to all facilities and service  in the cafeteria. 

The following year, General President Cannon invited George Biddle Kelley to be the guest Founder and make remarks at the 17th Annual Convention in New York. Also present were Eugene Kinckle Jones and W.E.B. DuBois. Though Tandy resided in Harlem(near the convention site0 he is not listed as having been present and in not on the convention photograph).  During the convention he gave a brief outline of the early history as he remembered it. Following his speech, Brother Cannon recommended that a history be written. However,  due to constitutional discussion and debates, the issue of the history fell by the wayside, but President Cannon was determined to bring the issue back up at the next convention. 
 
To be continued..... 

FROM THE LIPS OF A JEWEL: 
"Many of the members of this social club worked as waiters at the fraternity houses for their board and extra money. They were able to pick up work at fraternity dances, where again we assisted. 
    Seeing others getting along so splendidly and desirous of having a similar organization among Negroes, which operated and was enjoyed just like the white students for whom we worked, a feeling was soon evident in which some of the fifteen felt that we had a nucleus to start and perfect a similar organization.  Little did we dream at that time of the tremendous unit of effort, time and money necessary to put such a thing over.  All of us were full of that youthful enthusiasm so characteristic of one entering college." 
Jewel Nathaniel Allison Murray, 1936 

FROM THE LIPS OF A GENERAL PRESIDENT: 
"A Phi A men are always interested in the success that their brothers achieve; as well as in the hardships that they must endure." 

Dr. Moses A. Morrison, 1911 

SKIP'S FAVORITE QUOTE: 
"Never Surrender Your Dreams." 
Jesse Jackson 
 

SKIP'S SCRIPTURAL QUOTE FOR TODAY 
"Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time." 
1 Peter 5:6  (See "From the Lips of Skip" at the bottom of page) 
 

LETTERS FROM THE BRUHS(email slang for Brothers 

Dear Brother Mason: 

As your Line Brother, Alpha Phi '82, I am particularly pleased and proud of what you have done here. Your content is enlightening, your research obviously thorough, and your message is unmistakably positive. Your service to the brotherhood merits special note because let's face it, so few Brothers have the time or knowledge of resources available to put their hands on this information -- even if they were so inclined.  Alpha is rife and deeply blessed, in a rich tradition. But so often we are entrenched, obsessed and even stifled by present concerns and future visions, we neglect to look at the past for inspiration and direction. This is truly a good and noble thing that you are doing here, and if I can ever be of assistance, please do not hesitate to ask. 

I Remain, 
Clyde F. Gaylord, III 
Alpha Phi, Epsilon Lambda 

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Skip- If nothing else my brothers,  sharing these moments have reunited me with many brothers from my past. Clyde pledged at Clark and I pledged at Morris Brown. The two chapters had very warm and cordial relationships and loved to party. College days swiftly pass...." 

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STEPPING IN THE 70's 
In regard to the statement concerning 'stepping' at parties being accredited to the early eighties regime, I only wish to comment to Bro.Lawrence Jones, II :  "Then what in the world were we all doing during the early seventies?  I hail from the heralded "Fifth House" of Alpha (EPSILON), and there was some sho' 'nuff MIGHTY stepping going on throughout the land-before and after I crossed those burning sands - at parties, up and down S.Division Street (Ann Arbor, Michigan), on road trips, and of course at "Step Shows" across the country. 
" Who dat talkin'  'bout they're badder than the ALPHAS?, 
   Who dat, Who dat??"                 4/15/73   12:01 a.m. 
                                                  Brother Carl L. Baker 

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CAN WE ALL GET ALONG? 

Dear Skip: 
No disrespect but some young AKA who wants you to find out about the relationships between the Fraternity and Them is a bit much for me to Swallow!  I think the info on the Lyles back in the day is sufficient.   Oh well, I have never been much on that "Can we all just get along?" 
Keep up the good work!          T.T. 
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RECLAIMED BROTHERS??? 

Skip, 
Would you consider doing a historical moment that deals with or addresses reclamation of inactive brothers?  At any point during the fraternity's earlier years, did the problem of inactive brothers come up and, if so, did the Jewels address this in any way?  I say this because there are a plethora of brothers in the city where I live, but most of them are inactive and completely out of touch with the fraternity.  It is so much so that if we had a chapter meeting in their back yards, they would not even come out their back door to attend and participate. 

Brother Roman Gary 
Spring '93 Omicron Kappa Chapter 
Mu Psi Lambda Chapter President 
Homewood/Birmingham, Alabama 
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ARE YOU SURE HE'S AN ALPHA? 
Do you have the time or room to list some up-to-date brothers of Alpha.  This has been a heated debate when I meet other Alpha's. They add Quincy Jones and people like Jalen Rhodes and I just want to know the real and I am also tired of others claiming people that they know aren't in their fraternity. 

Brother Lagene Brown 
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FROM A GENERAL PRESIDENT'S SON: 
I have received the last few issues of your daily e-mails, and I have to say that they are very motivating.   As an 18 year veteran of the frat, it is nice to reconnect with the aspects of the fraternity that motivated me to join in the first place.  As a pledge, I remember the thrill of learning about the origins of the fraternity and our founders.  Unfortunately, after you cross, there are far few opportunities to celebrate our history. 

I am particularly interested in the history of the General Presidents.....my personal favorite is Charles C. Teamer of course.  I am sure that he would entertain the opportunity to talk about his family and their history. 

Keep in touch. 
Rod Teamer 
(son of the 27th General President Charles C. Teamer) 
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Brother Mason You are the Bomb. After reading some of your findings I feel as if I was back in College. Here is are some other brothers address I feel that maybe interested in your Knowledge. Once again, Thank you and keep them coming. 

 
Fraternally Your, 
Bro. Cornel Penland 
Alpha Tau Chapter spring of 87 
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Bro. Mason, 
Hello, I am Ronald Williams.  Immediate past district director of the state of Tennessee.  I am a member of Beta Upsilon Lambda, but was initiated into the Beta Pi Chapter, in the Spring of 1996, at Lane College.  I am a member of the CME Church, I believe, we are, the second smallest black denomination in the world.  I enjoy reading your historical moments everyday.  I almost sit on the edge of my seat reading each interesting detail about our fraternity's history and how it relates to others.  Thank you for sharing the knowledge you have gained with the brotherhood.  Today I read about our connection with the AME church, it was great.  When you have a chance to I would like for you to look into our fraternity's connection with the CME Church.  I know many of my Bishops are Alpha's and some of them (if not most), pledged here at Lane College, Beta Pi Chapter in Jackson, TN.  Jackson, TN is the birthplace of the CME Church.Thank you for your time, 
Ronald Williams 
 
 

FROM THE LIPS OF SKIP: 

Brothers, 

I can't thank you again for your love in receiving so warmly and enthusiastically "Skip's Historical Moments."  I guess I have created a monster. Nevertheless, it is all good. One brother wanted to know did I have a real job? Did I work? How am I able to do these daily? The answer is quite simple. When God has ordered your steps, he creates the path and moves all obstacles out of the way. I know that "My God will supply all my needs according to his riches in glory!" I am too blessed to be stressed! 

Had dinner yesterday with our brother E. Lynn Harris(University of Arkansas, Spring 1977), author of five best selling books including Invisible Life, And This Too Shall Pass and his most recent one Abide With Me. Lynn is traveling the country on a book tour and had four signings in Atlanta where literally hundreds of persons came to show their love and support for this gifted writer.  Lynn has been a guest on BET Talk Back Tonight, The Tom Joyner Show and has been featured in Ebony, Jet, Black Enterprise and Essence, U.S. Today and most major publications.  As I said previously, he is the only African-American male in the history of Literature to appear consecutively on the New York Times Best Selling List (surpassing James Baldwin). He knocked out John Grisham and Stephen King in the Washington Post, who are his counterparts in terms of sales. Tow of his books have been optioned for a movie and one will open as an off Broadway play in the fall. he shared with me the afternoon he spent with Toni Morrison. He used to be call the male Terry McMillan, but no more. His name stands alone.  There is a review of his book in USA Today (Thursday, May 6). if I asound like I am proud, I am. If I am name dropping, I am. Why because the brother is megga rich and is as Humble as he was nine years ago when I met him selling his self published books out of the trunk of his car. He is still proud to be an Alpha (though the Kappa's try to claim him as one of theirs). For whatever reason, he has never appeared in a Sphinx magazine because his works are considered controversial. His latest book is Abide with Me. Go out and purchase it. It's a great story and a spiritual uplift.  As we talked,  we reminded each other that we must be about our father's business and use the gifts that God has given us, not to bless ourselves, but to bless others. In case you don't know it by now, that's the only reason why I do Skip's Historical Moments. I am on my way to Jacksonville, Florida to speak at a Cultural Festival and do research on Jewel Chapman. So much of his life still remains a mystery.  Talked to my publisher today. The extensive editing is finished. Things are moving well and will have a full report next week on the status of the book. It's over 350 pages including photographs. Info on how to order will appear next week as well as the price for book. See you on Monday. 

NEXT WEEK ISSUES:  
Monday-  Words of wisdom from Eugene Kinckle Jones: Not that was an Alpha man!! 
Tuesday- Sigma Pi Phi and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity: Both of them were first. 
Wednesday- The Evolution of Pledging (Sphinx Clubs, etc.) Did our Jewels Haze? 
Thursday- Were the Jewels Masonic members? (So many brothers think they know) 
Friday-   DuBois's involvement in Alpha: Was it the pride of his heart? *this list is subject to change! 

Please forward email addresses to be added to the list. The list is growing by leaps and bound. Send your Questions, queries, comments to hmason1906@aol.com 

DISCLAIMER:  THIS PAGE IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION. ALL  COMMENTS ARE THOSE OF THE EDITOR. SOURCES ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. APOLOGIES IN ADVANCED FOR ANY SPELLING ERRORS.