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

Vol. 1. No. 18 - Monday, May 10, 1999
"Finding The Good and Praising It


JEWEL EUGENE KINCKLE JONES:
TRULY A SERVANT OF ALL

"In the final accounting in the life of Eugene Kinckle Jones-his astonishing
success has been the triumph of one performing human kindness for
others-rather than having others serve him. In a word, he created happiness
for thousands of others-and through his associates over the years, created
happiness and freedom for hundreds of thousands of his fellow men.

Raymond Pace Alexander, June 14, 1953(at a testimonial dinner for Jones)


By Skip Mason

He was tall, dashing, debonair, suave, worldly, handsome, sophisticated and
articulate. Had he gone to Hollywood, he would been characterized as the
"swash buckling' type." But he did not go to Hollywood, instead he went to
Harlem in 1911. With a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology from Virginia Union
University in Richmond and a Master's Degree in Social Work from Cornell
University in Ithaca, New York, Eugene Kinckle Jones was the son of two
prominent educators. Though born literally with a silver spoon in his mouth
of culture, wealth and refinement, Jones gave his life to the uplifting of
the "least of these" and the "downtrodden" as the Executive Secretary of the
National Urban League. He was more than just the Executive Secretary, Eugene
Kinckle Jones was a "Servant of All."

In the "House of Alpha," Jones will forever be known as the last person
designated as founder. He will also be known for establishing Beta, Gamma and
Alpha Lambda Chapters. However, if that is the limit of your knowledge of
"Gene" Jones to some and "Kinckle" as he was called by others, then this
historical moment is for you.

There is perhaps no other founder who was as nationally and internationally
known and respected as Eugene Kinckle Jones. Of course all of Jewel did
phenomenal work in their respective careers, but Jones's work redefined
Alpha's motto "Servants of All."

With his position with the National Urban League, Jones traveled in circles
that others wished and dreamed about. His personal friends and associates
reads like a Who's Who in Black America(Countee Cullen and Langston Hughes
were two of his closets friends. It was in the magazine that he helped to
create "Opportunity" that the literary and poetic works of the Black Literati
of the Harlem Renaissance came to life. The magazine began publication in
1923 and was edited by his highschool classmate Charles Spurgeon Johnson, who
would later become the first African-American president of Fisk University.
As a member of President Franklin Delanor Roosevelt's "Black Cabinet, "
Jones, along with mary McLeod Bethune and others met and dined with
dignitaries from near and far. Yet he was able to "walk with kings and not
lose the common touch"
Jones traveled to Paris and England, several times. Spanned the United States
from the Pacific Coast to Florida where he surveyed and observed conditions
of African-Americans. He was an activist, who literally single handily
integrated the Tuskegee Veterans Hospital by protesting directly to then
President Warring Harding and alerting other groups such as DuBois and the
NAACP and the National Council of Negro Women of the Government desire to
completely staff the hospital with all white nurses and physicians. As a
result of his action, Henry Arthur Callis was able to join the staff at
Tuskegee.

Jewel Jones recognized the value of culture and literature. He was an avid
reader and bibliophile, wrote book reviews along with his wife Blanche. It
was Jones' leadership that enabled the New York Public Library to acquire the
extensive collection from Arthur Schomburg for $10,000 to establish this
Negro collection in 1925. Today, the Schomburg Research Library on 135th
Street has the distinction of being one of the finest repositories in the
countries for the study of African-American Life and History.

Yet, Jones found time for relaxation. He was an avid Tennis player and
served as Treasurer for the National American Tennis Association, one of the
first groups to sponsor a National championship match for African-American.
The social columns of the Baltimore Afro-American, the New York Amsterdam's
featured often the names of the Eugene and Blanche Jones. Through the columns
one was able to "keep up with the Jones." He was active in his church in
Flushing (Long Island) New York and numerous civic affairs and when possible
attended the Alpha Gamma Lambda chapter meetings which he affiliated.

Eugene Kinckle Jones and his brother Joseph, inherited a rich legacy from his
father Dr. Joseph E. Jones, a professor of homiletics and Greek at Virginia
University. Uniquely too was the fact that Dr. Jones was made an honorary
member of Gamma Chapter at Virginia Union University, making Eugene Kinckle
Jones, the only Jewel whose father was an Alpha. When Eugene Kinckle Jones,
Jr attended Virginia Union, he too was initiated into Gamma sometimes around
1931 or 1932 and graduated in 1933. The younger Jones went to the New York
School of Law, graduated and was admitted to the bar in 1938. He practiced
law in New York until his death in 1964, ten years following the death of his
father, our beloved founder. Jewel Jones grandson, Van Kinckle Jones, a
renowned doctor attended Cornell University in the early sixties. According
to a very reliable oral source had difficulty becoming a member of Alpha due
to chapter pettiness and today has some bitter feelings regarding the
fraternity.

It is ironic that Eugene Kinckle Jones life as a Jewel lasted only for two
years. Following the 1952 Convention in Cleveland, the decision was made to
remove James Morton, who had long since been dead and replace him with Eugene
Kinckle Jones. Jones humbly accepted it and referred to it in a letter with
Jewel Callis as a "righted wrong" From December of 1952 to January of 1954 at
the time of his death, Jewel Jones personified the dignity and stature of
statesman.

This is just a brief synopsis of a phenomenal man. Of course there is much
more to share. All of the details of the events of Jones life, his work with
the National Urban League, some of his speeches are included in my book the
Talented Tenth. In addition, Brother Felix Armfield completed his doctoral
dissertation on Jewel's Jones work as a social worker and is in the process
of completing his book on the life of Jewel Jones (see article in most recent
edition of The Sphinx). During my research, as I have read and digested the
speeches of Jewel Jones, I am simply inspired at his intellect and wisdom.
Permit me to share with you some pearls of wisdom from the lips of Jewel
Jones. Note that the word he used is Negro, which of course references the
time period he lived in. Yet, his thoughts are still applicable in today's
society:

FROM THE LIPS OF JEWEL EUGENE KINCKLE JONES:

ON THE NEGRO:
"The Negro has been considered the most easily understood of racial groups
because of his frank, open face, his jovial nature and his extraordinary
ability to pantomime to give expressions to his thoughts"

ON THE POTENTIAL OF "NEGROES"
" Even in American, the Negro brought in as a slave was not introduced into
the economic life of the country as a competitor to the white man, but as an
aid. I doubt whether any statesman of the periods in which Negroes were
brought to America as slaves would have continued the experiment if they had
known that 1865 would have recorded on American soil Negroes to the number of
four million, eventually to become industrial competitors of white men."

ON EGYPT:
"In Egyptian life there is evidence of Negro influence, as well as in the
life of the mixed races of the northern African coast."

ON JEWS:
"It is fairly certain that seven-eighths of the Jews in the world come from
stock which had contact some time in their past history with Negro life.
Undoubtedly, the Negro in antiquity played an interesting and important role
in the affairs of men"

ON BLACK AND WHITE RELATIONS:
"The white race and the Negro race in America are each possessed of heritages
and have had racial experience so vastly different. They are given an unusual
opportunity to prove the possibilities of a true democracy where different
races of mankind may live in peace and harmony, each one giving of his best
to the welfare of all and to the glory of God and man."

ON BLACK OWNED BUSINESSES:
"It requires more than just the ability to sell to conduct a successful
business. One must be able to buy well, which means having many contacts and
the development of credit. One must be satisfied with large numbers of small
profits in lieu of a small number of large profits. One must appreciate the
value of advertising and be possessed of the necessary capital to see it
through.

ON W. E. B. DUBOIS:
"In letters, the race has developed W. E. B. DuBois, whose English has been
declared the purest of any Harvard graduate."

ON HIS "BUDDIES" Countee Cullen and Langston Hughes:
"In poetry, Countee Cullen and Langston Hughes have mastered the art of
singing without music and have published two books rated as "best sellers" in
the world of poetry.

ON SUCCESS:
"Success in life calls for thorough preparation. Success in America life
today is fraught with keep competition. The Negro must compete not only with
members of other races, but with those within his own race who have caught
the vision of the new age and who are lured along by the attraction of
success. The rank and file are dependent upon trained men and women for
guidance and extraordinary service. "

ON ACHIEVING YOUR GOALS:
"It is more important that one develop his mind along his natural bent and
talent than to seek some form of popular education which leaves the student
ill equipped and proceeding along blind occupational alleys."

Pearls of Wisdom from Eugene Kinckle Jones
******************************************************
>From the Lips of a General President:
"In the midst of your success remember that Alpha Phi Alpha must succeed also"
Howard Hale Long, Seventh General President, 1915

Skip's Favorite Quote:

"A Man With Wisdom is Better off than a Stupid man with any amount of charm"
African Proverb

A FEW LETTERS FROM THE BROTHERS

(This brother is responding to the brother who described the decision to make
Frederick Douglass an Alpha in Omega Chapter as a "Dark day in Alpha."

Dear Skip:

Before I became a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. I was
captivated by the collection of intellectuals. If one were to place a
hierarchy on the Black Fraternal System, I placed Alpha in the premiere
position because her membership dictated such. After initiation, I was
exposed to even greater knowledge of this thing we call Alpha. Not only were
our Founders distinct and noble men, but they came from a lineage of distinct
and noble families. One would assume that these courageous men were the
first to attend college in their families or graduate from an Ivory League
University. I learned later that these men in some cases had Mothers and
Fathers who graduated from the likes of Harvard, Hampton, and Cornell, not
withstanding the Honorary Degrees bestowed upon them from the likes of
Livingston and Morris Brown.

To Brother Douglass: perhaps the lineage to Brother Jewel Henry Author Callis
should have been mentioned. Brother Douglass was the second cousin of Ms.
Helen Josephine Sprague. Ms. Sprague later married Rev. Henry Jesse Callis.
The couple produced five offspring: Brother Jewel Henry Author Callis being
among the children. It is inevitable that the great minds of African
Americans living in the late 1890s would have forsaken a relationship with
such a talented and respected man as Brother Douglass. With Brother Callis'
father being of exceptional intellect and his mother being of direct blood
lineage to Brother Douglas, one can ascertain that the relationship between
Brother Douglass and the Callis family wasn't by name alone.

To assert that making Brother Douglass posthumously was a dark day on the
Fraternity is to apply ignorance to the history that necessitated such a
motion to be made. In all things I see our more notable Brethren with some
qualities that Brother Douglas personified. His intellect, courage,
political savvy, oratorical abilities, mastery of the written language, and
his meteoric rise in spite of the conditions Blacks were living in during his
life time encompasses everything that is Alpha.

This goes to the old premise that Alphas are not made they are Born. There
will be elite amongst us and some will find their way to the light. Some
will be identified by the Brotherhood, some will never enter the fold but
will be Alphas just the same.

Any Brother recognized is a good Brother and should never be viewed as a bad
day when he was made. To say such would be contradictory to being in the
Brotherhood. Perhaps its time for that person to renew their vow.

Reginald Hicks
Alpha Phi Alpha
Mu Chi Spring 89
Kappa Gamma Lambda

Skip's Response- In my column on Douglass, his lineage was presented as well
as his connection with Callis.

************************************************************
Brother Mason,

Again you have exemplified that good ole Alpha Spirit that enables our
Fraternity to withstand the seemingly insurmountable odds heaped against Black
men in America by virtue of the Historical Moments. There seems to be
something
infectious about reading them, as well as spreading the good news about our
beloved Brotherhood, all across the nation. As I read some of the responses,
I
am reminded of how great this thing is that we call Alpha Phi Alpha. You are
to
be commended for your tenacity at keeping the fires of truth alive, and for
uncovering the rich cultural, spiritual, and intellectual legacy of the Frat.
Moreover, let it be shouted to the heavens that your service will NOT go
unrewarded. Stay strong Brother, and continue forever to hold high the Light
of
A Phi A!!!!!!!

In Fraternal Love,

Bro. William E. DaileyJr.,, Epsilon Lambda
**********************************************************

Skip, You've done a great job w/your historical moments! I especially
enjoy reading the Brother Comments. There is one that caught my eye on
Tuesday's mailing that brought back a million memories for me: "Bro.
Rev. Tyler from Fall '87, A Phi Chapter" I'm assuming that the good Rev
is my long lost sands Mark Tyler from Oakland, CA(who crossed one week
before I did at Georgia State University). All of the Atlanta Bros.
were hangin' out hard back in those days! I used to party every nite
w/Clark, Morris Brown, West GA and UGA bros.(and had the grades to prove
it)! If you happened to save his email address, please forward it to me
and let him know that "Rambo" from GA State University said What's Up!
. Thanks Skip and keep up the good work!

Charles E. Manly II
National Sales Manager
Tampa/Hillsborough Convention and Visitors Assn.
cmanly@thcva.com

~A PHI A ~~ A K A ~~ D S T ~~ K A Psi ~~ I O Theta~ ~Q Psi Phi ~~S
G Rho ~~ Phi Beta Sigma ~~ Z Phi B ~~

>From the GREEK ARCHIVES


During the Civil Rights Movement of the fifties and early sixties, these two
walked side by side, linking arms together. Of course one was Brother Dr.
Martin Luther King. The other was Rev. Ralph David Abernathy, a member of
Kappa Alpha Psi.

Did you know that the name of one of the first initiates of Omega Psi Phi and
a charter member of Alpha Chapter was Jesse Jackson.


COMING UP FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE WEEK:

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.