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

The four of them (Jewels Kelley, Callis, Chapman and Tandy) served on the first initiation committee. Kelley and Callis both worked in white fraternity houses at Cornell and was privy to the secret documents shared to them by the members of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Beta Theta fraternities. Their research combined with Tandy and Chapman's participation helped to constitute the first ritual. Know that the ritual changed over the years. Later brothers such as Eugene Kinckle Jones and Roscoe C. Giles(Alpha's second president worked on the ritual). If you recall, Jones rewrote the ritual by memory. 

*In my research I rely on primary and secondary source material for documentation. To affirm their Masonic affiliations, sources such as a biography, obituary or funeral program would have indicated those ties. As I have stated in the obituaries for Callis, Chapman, Jones, Murray or Tandy, there is no mention of their having been a member of a lodge or any fraternal rites being done at the funeral. If a brother has other documentation, please let me know! 

QUESTION: 
Why did the hall in Ithaca where the first initiation ceremony was held have 
three names? 
ANSWER-In Ithaca, the hall served three different organizations The Ithaca Chapter of the Prince Hall Masons, The Grand United Order of the Odd Fellows, 
Red Men's Lodge. 

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Did you know that there is a Charles H. Wesley Lodge #714 Prince Hall Affiliate in Bowie, Maryland.   (thanks Brother Derrick Leake for sharing that) 
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FROM THE LIPS OF A JEWEL 

"Leaders among the Negroes must teach colored working men that they must 
create their own opportunities for retention and advancement by superior and 
efficient service in spite of the handicaps that are before them. 

Jewel Eugene Kinckle Jones, 1920 

FROM THE LIPS OF A  PAST GENERAL PRESIDENT 
"We take it that each fraternal group of our day seeks to enroll the best minds and the noblest characters among the youth. Their aim is to develop and direct these minds along proper channels to the end that they may be the minimum in liability and the maximum in asset to civilization 

General President B. Andrew Rose 

SKIP'S FAVORITE QUOTE FOR TODAY 

"I may be going through hell right now, but I am not stopping to take a picture" 

Shared with me by Brother Lucious Turner. It's deep brothers, let it sink in. 

SKIP'S FAVORITE SCRIPTURAL QUOTE FOR TODAY: 

"Where there is no vision, the people perish; but he that keepeth the law, happy is he." 
Proverbs 29:18 

COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS FROM THE BROTHERS: 

Skip, 

I think that it would be a good idea for those Bros. who wish to forward these moments to other Greeks (I have not, because it is personal Frat info), to edit the message to just send the material of interest.  Just 2 cents.  Peace and God Bless.......06 

Bro. Bradley "SonnIE" Sims/Notorious Iota Epsilon 
March 20, 1997/ 11:41:58pm /#2 
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BETA SAYS THEY MAY HAVE STARTED THE SPHINX CLUB: 

Skip, 

We have indications in our chapter history at Beta that the Sphinx Club was started in 1921 at Howard University. We should research the accuracy but that's what we learned. "Not that I was in a Sphinx Club"...Much of the old pledge information is in our chapter archives. 

 Bro. Antonio J. Barnes/  Beta Sp. 95 #7 
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SPEAKING OF BETA AND BROTHER DONNY HATHAWAY 

Yes, brothers I brought Brother Donny Hathaway up again. It was confirmed for 
me last evening at fraternity meeting (Eta Lambda in Atlanta) that this maestro of music was initiated in 1965 at Beta. One of the brothers who was made at Beta in 1963 and 1969 confirmed it for me. Now I can rest and go play his greatest hits CD. 
 

A BROTHER GIVES SOME INSIGHT ON PLEDGING: 

Dear Skip: 

I once heard a theory that the military experiences of brothers during wartime also heavily influenced the pledge process when the brothers returned from war.  Thus came the rigid uniformity and emphasis on the physical. 

My own discussions with brothers from Alpha Mu in the early years found a disdain for the brutality and obsessive pledging.  One brother who crossed in the 1920s expressly stated that they had busy and demanding schedules and did not have an interest in the totally consuming pledging that characterized later years. 

I am deeply concerned today because we see more people in society (and Alpha) with their own "issues" and mental disorders, which often spill over into their treatment of subordinates, i.e., Sphinxmen. 

I served on what may have been the first national Model Pledge Program Committee in about 1980.  Out of that came the six week pledge program, which as far as I know was the first time National instituted a standard pledge program with a uniform time frame.  That may have set the stage for later and more uniform and rigid regulations and the centralized process we now must live with. 

I hope one day that we get to sit down and talk.  I live and work in 
Montgomery County, MD.  Later Frat 

Julius Hall 
 

HE WORE THE BLACK AND GOLD: IN LIVING COLOR 

Dear Skip: 

Kennan(Ivory Wayans)  pledged in the Spring of '78. His line consisted of 3 
brothers including himself.  I pledged in Fall'79. Kennan had left/dropped out of 
Skegee prior to my pledge period. Kennan did visit while I was on line so I do 
remember him as he made an impression on me and my line bro's. Milton Davis(Former Nat'l Pres) was my advisor while at Skegee.  There is no question that Keenan Pledged but officially he was not entered into the system. It's a terrible wrong that need to be made right.... 

Brother Fredric Toney 

GRATITUDE IS ALWAYS APPRECIATED! 

Skip, 

I find the historical moments that you write to be very informative! 
Hold High the Name! 

Marshall Taggart, Jr/ Fall 1989 Alpha Phi Chapter 
Clark Atlanta University Alum 

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WELL THIS OUGHT TO WAKE UP SOME ALPHA/MASONIC BROTHERS: 
Hey Skip, 

I need to check my materials from when I pledged (I mean joined) the frat.I think Callis, Chapman and Tandy but one of the brothers in O-Phi noted all of the founders were Masons.  I found the stuff disturbing because I am not sure if you are a Mason but I am very interested in learning more about the Free Masons and possibly joining the organization. 

I did not get much response from a lot of the brothers who are Masons because they know some of that stuff maybe true.  Especially note what happened to Carter G. Woodson, WEB Dubois and that other cat. I can't think of his name but since they were probably about to expose the hypocrisy of the Masonic Organization, maybe that was one of the contributing reasons why they left the US.  Moreover, there is this great aura that surrounds the Masonic organization and their way of life.  As you know Malcolm X commented on the Masons and other secret societies such has SKULL and Bones, etc., in his autobiography.  You know things about the secret codes and signals and how they help each other out during tough times and all. 

I am kind of a historic buff because I like to dig deep into the history of the organization.  I appreciate what you are doing. I would like to switch the subject a little bit and ask something if you do not mind.  I would like to put a link on my grad chapter's web page to generate interest.  I would like to post your daily reflections or (or a link to yours) on Omicron Phi Lambda's Web Page (http://apa1906-ophilam.org).  The purpose is to allow visitors a forum to discuss your reflections and issues via the Internet. 
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Skip's Note-Yes, I am a Mason. That is Herman "Skip" Mason, Jr. A Mason by 
birth! Not a member of any Masonic lodge or organization. Feel free to 
circulate my historic moments to the BROTHERHOOD! 
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Brother Mason; 
I just wanted you to know that I have started to receive the mailing, and I greatly appreciate it. Your newsletters are a great source of information about, not only our great, and dear A Phi A, but also about African-American history. I have now read several newsletters, and each has been filled with FACTS that I had previously been unaware of. I have recommended your daily enlightenment's to all of the brothers of my chapter, and will recommend it to all brothers. Thank you for giving me, and so many other brothers the greatest gift of all, KNOWLEDGE! 

Shondell A. Mance 
"Monster" Alpha Gamma chapter 
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DO YOU HAVE TO HAVE GRAY HAIR TO GET SOME RESPECT IN ALPHA: 

Skip, 

Again, I would like to thank you for adding me to the list.  This article on Sigma Pi Phi truly has specific meaning to me.  So much of my life has been patterned after my grandfather that I wonder if I have turned completely into him.  As you say, I don't think anything is by chance.  I believe there has been a purpose for the things God has allowed me to accomplish similar to my grandfather, Dr. George P. Schanck, Jr.  When I was home last summer gathering all of my things to make my permanent move here to Atlanta, I came across some magazines published by the Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity.  I read them only to find that my grandfather was a member in the Central Florida area.  I have always wanted to know more and be exposed to more. In my heart, I knew that almost anything that was good for my grandfather could be good for me as well.  But I didn't know where to research or the organization's purpose. 

On another note, I had a comment regarding the brother's editorial about Alpha 
working with half of its membership.  I TOTALLY AGREE with him 100% on about all of his points.  One of the things, I am currently working on is a forum to get college and alumni brothers talking and sharing more experiences together to make an easier transition into grad chapter.  I also intend for this forum to begin to break down those walls of distrust that separate us. 

There was one part of his editorial that confused me, regarding the not enough 
gray hair.  I am thinking that I did not read it correctly.  But in any regards, I wanted to share my personal battle with that phrase.  Skip, as you know, I met ALL TYPES OF OPPOSITION when I was appointed as Chief Pharaoh for the District this past spring semester.  Many brothers could not tell me personally, but eventually it got back to me that they felt someone with more gray hair should have had the position.  WHY?  What do I not have have that they do besides gray hair?  I have the enthusiasm.  I had the know-how (having worked with Intake for three years closely). I had the desire and the list continues.  It's comments like those that turn a lot of young alumni brothers, WILLING TO CONTINUE TO GIVE THEIR ALL TO ALPHA, away until they are more gray-haired.  We need to startpositioning our fraternity to be more mentoring for college brothers and each other in alumni chapters.  How can we mentor others outside of the fraternity, when we cannot mentor ourselves internally?  Those comments about my lack of capability to perform the task outraged me, especially since I was no stranger to anyone and most knew my work ethic.  I have always considered myself to be strong and prove people wrong.  Therefore, comments from you and other numerous brothers in the North Georgia District proved that this was a successful cluster and that I was just as capable.  But that's just one story and I am sure many others are out there where persons have been discouraged.  We all need to be more mindful in general and in the fraternity of how we deal with people through our words and actions.  Sometimes we have no one to blam but ourselves for the why things are the way they are.  If we can get beyond this generation gap within our fraternity and focus more on the general body and not our individual chatters that we "pledged" to, I believe we can do GREATER things than what wear currently doing today. 

Lastly, I profess to be no English major or great writer.  So I apologize for any grammatical or spelling errors as I am typing in a hurry to reach a project deadline.  Take care. 

Fraternally, 

Christopher Grey 
Spr. '95 #7(JEWEL) initiated Mu Alpha - Emory University 
now Eta Lambda 

TO GOD BE THE GLORY FOR THE THINGS HE IS DOING THROUGH ME! 
Skip, 

 As always, thank you for taking your precious time to enlighten us all.  As you can see by the overwhelming responses, your work is well appreciated.  You have touched several lives and have begun to "reclaim" some lost souls who have long wanted a reason to come back to their beloved Alpha Phi Alpha.  Thank you for addressing my concerns about the historical books of the other Greek Letter Organizations.  I don't look at this inquiry as a way to get "dirt" on other organizations and neither do other brothers.  It is a part of the history of black folk and I want to know it all.  As I explained to you earlier, I have a photo taken with General Presidents Henry Ponder and Raymond W. Cannon at the 1991 General Convention in Baltimore, Maryland.  It was either shortly before or right after Brother Cannon's death.  I was a neophyte and an Alpha Phi Convention delegate and you will see my joy and enthusiasm in that photo.  I will make arrangements to make sure you have that photo.  Take care Skip and God Bless You. 

Fraternally, 
Brother Gregory J. Sims 

**Brother Sims would also like to know if Brothers who send letters would mind having their email addresses printed so that brothers can respond individually. Let me know what you think. 

HAS ALPHA EVER BEEN COLOR STRUCK? A BROTHER IS CURIOUS 
Bro. Mason, 

I've been enjoying the historical articles that you have been sending the brothers over the last few weeks.  I want to comment on the article that you wrote about Sigma Pi Phi (Boule').  Yes, some very distinguished men have been initiated into this prestigious fraternity.  Men such as W. E. B.  Dubious, Andrew Young, Hugh Price, Douglas Wilder, Kenneth Chenault, and most presidents of historically black colleges.  Money and education doesn't guarantee one's recommendation for membership.  Vernon Jordan didn't get into this fraternity until he married into the prestigious Dibble family, marrying Anne Dibble, his second wife.  Maybe this is another one of those black organizations that separates them from us, or us from them.  It would be interesting for you to touch on this subject just a little more.  We all know that there are organizations within the African American community that doesn't accept those who doesn't pass the brown paper bag or ruler test.  I think it's a shame that this thought process would exist today, but it does.  I believe that there was even a time when Alpha based it's membership on such a criteria.  Please elaborate. 

Bro. Mjohnson 

LET PUT THIS KAPPA FABLE TO REST 

Brother Mason, 
I really enjoy reading your historical notes. Something like this has been needed for along time. And the Internet medium provides all brother speedy access. I have a Question about the founding of kappa alpha psi. Back when I pledged in 88 my D.P. related a story to me about the founding of  the Kappa's. The story had much to do about Jewel Jones making his way to Indiana University to start the Kappa Chapter of Alpha. Being that it was winter time the train he was on got snowed in.  The impatience of the men who wanted to be frat caused them to go out on their own and form Kappa. Is there any validity to this story? Over the years I have heard a number of people make reference to it. 

Brother Eurdis j. Steverson II. 

SKIP'S RESPONSE-That is one of the stories that has floated around for years 
but has not been validated by any documentation whatsoever. It is not mentioned in the Kappa History book and of course it has not been mentioned in the History of Alpha Phi Alpha by Brother Wesley. By the time Kappa was founded in the fall of 1910-1911, Eugene Kinckle Jones was in Louisville, Kentucky (teaching) and on his way to New York (to work for the predecessor to the National Urban League). He was very much out of the loop as far as establishing chapters. Even the times do not lapse. I could see if the Kappa's had been founded in 1907 or 1908 during the time that Jones was setting up chapters, but this was some two years later when Kappa Chapter was established in 1910. Furthermore as it has already been established, two of the Kappa Founders were students at Howard their freshman year(1909-1910). I believe that the story is just one of many unsubstantiated stories in the greekdom. 

ON THE DRAWING BOARD FOR NEXT  WEEK 
Brothers, Skip's Historical Moments will be decreased to Tuesday and Thursday's on next week. I must complete my review of the proofs for the book and return them to the printer so those of you who have ordered copies can get your book. An order form will appear in Tuesday's edition. 

Monday (May 17)- HAPPY 114TH BIRTHDAY  JEWEL VERTNER WOODSON TANDY 

Tuesday-(May 18)-Sphinx Clubs 1930-1940/ Apes 

Thursday (May 20)-   DuBois's involvement in Alpha: Was it the pride of his 
heart? 
 

SHOUT OUTS TO GREG PARKS, MALIK SIMMONDS AND BRO. BYRD. THEY KNOW WHY. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP. 

This page is used to dialogue and discuss issues of historical importance. I am not giving the content of the book away just on the Internet! Brothers, the list is growing. This note goes out to over 1,200 brothers. AOL confirmed it for me. If every brother would send this to ten brothers this communication would reach a network of 10,000. What an awesome thought. If you don't want to forward, please forward to me email addresses and I will added to the list. The list is growing by leaps and bounds. 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.