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

Note: If you are getting several copies of each issue, just delete the other ones. If you have asked to have your address removed, be patient. This is a one man operation and it takes a while to locate one email address within several lists of over 4,000 names.

ROYALTY REIGNED IN ATLANTA 
By Skip Mason 

You would have thought that Queen Elizabeth or the late Princess Diana had graced the Alphas in Atlanta with her presence.  But the moment was even greater than that for the brothers of the Black and Gold.  Melanie Atkins Ogle, the only granddaughter of Jewel Robert Harold Ogle, lit up the room with her beauty, her smile, her friendliness and her warmth.  Melanie was seated in a beautiful Gold wingback chair (courtesy of Bro. John Carter) with a large photo of Jewel Ogle in her shadow and a framed background portrait of the print "The Seven Architects of Alpha."  She sat gracefully and elegantly and received the throngs of brothers who came out to shake her hands, to photograph her and be photographed with her.  The evening event took place in the Eta Lambda Auditorium at the Alpha Community Center in East Point, Ga. (a suburb of Atlanta). 

Dressed in a beautiful white dressed, Melanie was radiant and brothers were in absolute awe over her remarkable resemblance she had with her famous grandfather, our Jewel Ogle.  Their profiles were identical, which made the aura and ambiance of the room even more special. 

A beautiful reception was catered by Soror Susan Gibson Carter, who elegantly laid out the table with hints of our Egyptian connection with obelisk and pyramids adorning the foods.  A delicious Alpha punch (nonalcoholic)  was served as brothers supped on the finger foods. Susan, knowing Melanie was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, placed a large ivy wreath around the reception table and at the bottom of the photo of Jewel Ogle. Melanie was just "tickled pink" over that. 

At 6:20 p.m., yours truly convened the brothers for a  brief program.Greetings were brought by the 26th General President Ozell Sutton, Georgia District Director Ron Jenkins and Eta Lambda President Bob Jones. 
Brother Jenkins summed it up for the brothers when he said, "I have chills standing here in her presence."  Following remarks, I presented Melanie to the brothers, who so eloquently stated how honored she was to be there. She talked  briefly about my visit to Washington and the impact the letters and cards had had on her mother, who read every one of them.   Though she did not know her grandfather (who died in 1936), she knew his spirit, which had been kept alive by her mother, Mrs. Helen Ogle Atkins, now 91 years young 
residing in Washington, DC  Melanie (which is what she prefers to be called) then read a poem written by her mother for the brothers.  After the program, all of the brothers gathered around our Jewel's granddaughter for a treasured group photograph  and I presented her a beautiful bouquet of flowers. In return I got a kiss on the cheek. I was all smiles for the rest of the evening. 

I take great pleasure in presenting  the poem to my devoted Skip Historical Moment readers on behalf of Mrs. Helen Ogle Atkins. She thanks every brother who sent her a mother's day card and enjoyed the letters 
she received from the Sphinxmen of the Intake Cluster in Atlanta this past year.   The Ogle's family support for my book has been incredible and it is my hope that she and/or her first cousin Julian,  Jewel Ogle's grandson and our brother will join me in Dallas on Saturday, July 31, for my book signing.(More details on that as they are available). 

Recollections of My Father Robert Harold Ogle 
By Helen Ogle Atkins 
June 1999 

My father was tall, good-looking -- always impeccably dressed 
And as a father of two motherless girls, he was the very best. 
Perhaps a little too strict, but now I can see 
That he wanted us to be the very best that we could be. 

My father grew up in Georgetown and graduated from Old M Street High 
And I guess his ambitions reached the sky. 
For he wanted to go to college, but didn't see how 
His mother was a widow with two other children 
There was no way for her to help him now. 

But Bob was determined, so in summer he worked on the railroad 
Saving as much as he could to ease the financial load 
In winter he waited table at the Ithaca Hotel 
And thus here he was at prestigious Cornell 
But he couldn't stay in a dormitory then 
Nor join a fraternity with white college men. 

But my father had six colored friends who didn't sit and moan 
All seven of them had rooms in the town 
They could call home. 
So they decided to meet and study together. 
This they did even in Ithaca's severe winter weather. 
Later they decided also to meet and have fun. 
this made life better for every one. 

And now guess what-they decided to start a fraternity 
This they did but it seemed to take an eternity! 

Thus was born Alpha Phi Alpha-the first black fraternal organization in the USA 
And now more than ninety years later, it is considered the foremost black fraternity today. 
I don't know how many thousand men strong 
But I do know they are some of the finest black men that ever came along. 
Scholars, scientists, businessmen, professors, artists, teachers, 
Priests, ministers, doctors, lawyers, dentist, preachers. 

Alpha Phi Alpha's colors suggested by my father are black and gold. 
Denoting black men aiming for the highest and best that life can hold. 
 

A BROTHER COMMENTS ABOUT THE ATLANTA EVENT 

Brother it was my honor to be there and I am glad that you invited me to such a moving and honorable evening... .  I am still in awe that we had fellowship with a jewel's granddaughter......KEEP UP THE GREAT 
WORK!!!..THE JEWELS WERE SMILING ON YOU AND THEY ARE GONNA THROW A PARTY WHEN YOU RELEASE THE BOOK!!! 

Peace and joy from me to you!!!! 
"Fly Rev" 
SPR '86 

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 giving superior and efficient service in spite of the handicaps that are before 
them. " 
Jewel Eugene Kinckle Jones, 1920 

FROM THE LIPS OF A GENERAL PRESIDENT" 

"Many men have received the inspiration for their life's work from their association and contacts in the fraternity.  Fraternities of today are endeavoring to admit the highest types of men. It is much harder for a member to stay in a fraternity than it is to enter it. 
12th General President Raymond W. Cannon, 1927 

SKIP'S QUOTE (THOUGHT) FOR TODAY 

Father, I ask you to bless my friend reading this right now!  Lord show them a new revelation of your love and power. Holy Spirit, I ask You to minister to their spirit at this very moment.  Where there is pain, give them Your peace and mercy.  Where there is self-doubting, release a renewed confidence in your ability to work through them.  Were there is tiredness, or exhaustion, I ask you to give them understanding, patience and strength as they learn submission  to your leading.  Where there is spiritual stagnation, I ask you to renew them by revealing your nearness, and by drawing them into greater intimacy with you.  Where there is fear, reveal your love, and release to them your courage.  Where there is a sin blocking them, reveal it, and break its hold 
over my friend's life.  Bless their finances, give them greater vision, and raise up leaders and friends to support, and encourage them.  Give each of them discernment to recognize the demonic forces around them, and reveal to them the power they have in you to defeat it.  I ask you to do these things in Jesus' name! 

SKIP'S  SCRIPTURAL QUOTE FOR TODAY 
Hebrews 12:11 
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.  Later on, however,  it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been  trained by it. 

A BROTHER VISITS EGYPT AND POSES BY THE SPHINX 

Dear Brother Mason: 

As promised, this is what I encountered on my trip to Egypt. ...  After checking into my hotel at 5 a.m. in Giza, I was very tired and I needed to get some rest. Giza is the new modern name of the great necropolis of Letopolis, minutes away from Cairo.  However, I could not sleep due to the strong rays of sunlight on my face.  As I got up and approached the balcony, I was amazed at what was before my eyes.  It was the view of the sun rising behind the Great Pyramids of Giza!  You can just imagine the shock in my heart.  My first adventure was to get out there and explore those monuments. 

As you know, the Pyramids are the only one of the Seven Wonders of the World still extant.  The pyramids lie along a diagonal running from northeast to southwest.  This is to ensure that none of them ever hides the sun from the others.  The smallest pyramid belonged to Mycerinus, the next largest belonged to Khefron.  From a certain angle, this one appears to be the largest.  This is not true because the largest belongs to Cheops.  I was allowed to enter this pyramid and participate in a ritual that would bring power, life, and good luck to my home.  Next to his pyramid, his solar boat was discovered.  In ancient times, these boats were used to accompany the Pharaoh on his final journey.  It's like taking the spirit to it's final resting place in order to prepare for mummification. 

After visiting the pyramids, I turned my emotions and focus towards The Sphinx.  We all know the history and the mystery about the Sphinx and how we have made a relation to it.  I tried to learn new things that we can 
share.  Well, the face of the Sphinx has been identified to be that of the Pharaoh Khefron.  This is why the Sphinx was built directly in front of his pyramid.  The funny thing is  Khefron had no birthright to be named 
Pharoah.  He laid in the desert for about one year and had a vision from the God Osirius.  He was told that if he had the pyramids built, he would be proclaimed Pharoah of Upper Egypt or Kemet.  He followed through with this, and the rest is history.  The Sphinx is supposed to be a resemblance of him laying in the desert contemplating his vision with the representation of a lion's body. ... 

In Cairo, I visited the Egyptian Museum and it was breathtaking!!  There were over 250,000 pieces to view and many more under restoration.  To give an example of how good the thieves were at stealing treasures from the tombs, only one remained untouched!! This was the tomb of King Tutankhamen -- King Tut!  This man basically did nothing for Egypt, because he was announced king at 9 years old.  He was murdered by his High Priest at the age of 18.  His tomb contained so much treasure that the entire second floor of the museum is dedicated to his tomb!!  Just imagine if we were able to see the treasures of the great kings like Ramses II or Seti. 

I was then able to go to Old Cairo and visit the home of The Holy Family, and stand in the spot where Moses told Pharaoh Ramses to "let my people go."  This was very heart-moving as well, and it really helps one put 
things into perspective.  I was then able to go to Memphis, Saqqara, Luxor, and Aswan.  Unfortunately, I was not able to make it to Abu Simbel due to time restraints.  This is where the temple of Ramses II the Great is 
contained. 

In Aswan, I was able to ride a felucca boat down the River Nile to the island temple dedicated to Isis.  This had to be one of the most beautiful places ever!!  The best thing about this temple is that it was almost 
completely buried by the waters of the Nile.  It took archeologists a decade to "uplift" it from its depths.  We then took a journey to Luxor, which is the present day name for the city of Thebes.  This is where the 
Valley of the King, Queens and Luxor Temples are contained.  All of these are places of beauty dedicated to the great Pharaohs and Queens of Upper and Lower Kemet. 

I had a blessed time during my week stay in Egypt, and I encourage everyone else to make that trip as well.  I have often wondered if our Jewels ever made this trip?  There are too many relations to ancient Egypt that we 
cannot neglect.  Our founders were too sharp to do anything by chance and in my heart I truly believe that they were the coldest men to ever live!!   Please excuse any data that you find contradictory to your prior 
knowledge.  I am just repeating what I was told and learned. I did ask about Ancient Alexandria and other topics, but they were very secretive about many things -- this is understandable.  I hope this helped out and I 
will continue to do my best to hold up the light. I never thought that I would pledge Alpha in the fall of 1998, and then see The Sphinx in the summer of  '99. 
I'm only 21 but the Lord has blessed me with these 2 gifts.... 

I hope to see you all in Dallas and God Bless!! 

James "Jayce" Hill 
Zeta Delta Chapter 
 

DON'T SKIP THIS FACT: 

Did you know that an Alpha, Brother William Leo Hansberry was one of the early authorities on archaeological subjects pertaining to to the life and culture of African-Americans and taught Egyptology at Howard University during the 1920's? He was also a member of  the staff of  The Sphinx and in the summer of 1923, wrote an article entitled,"Tutankhamen: His Negro Ancestors and Their African Neighbors." 

AN INTERESTING LETTER FROM A MEMBER OF KAPPA ALPHA PSI 

Dear Mr. Mason, 

I've read your treatise on the topic of "Revisionist Fraternities" which was forwarded to me and a great number of others.  I was very impressed by your apparent dedication to researching the matter within the 
framework of our own written history.  You've taken more than a cursory glance and developed what you believe to be the "obvious" conclusions based on the fact that your fraternity was the first Negro Greek-letter 
organization to succeed and prevail.  However, your most basic premise is faulty. Alpha Phi Alpha was not the first, nor is it the oldest Negro fraternity.  That being the case, some of your assumptions "may" (!) not 
hold true. 

The oldest and by far the most elite Negro fraternity is Sigma Pi Phi. It is composed of THE most prestigious members of Negro society.  While I may never qualify for membership in such an organization, I'm willing 
to admit that they were not only "first" among Negro Greeks, they are also the "best" that our race has to offer. 

Also, unlike the members of the Pan-Hellenic Council, Sigma Pi Phi had the foresight to eliminate undergraduate members many years ago, in their infancy.  Hence, they are not now, nor will they probably ever become, members of the Pan-Hellenic Council. I cannot speak for the other fraternities you mention in your treatise, but my experience has shown that a great and growing number of the younger members of Kappa Alpha Psi should not have been selected for membership in the first place.  As is very probably the case in Alpha Phi Alpha, a small percentage of our members are causing the problems which keep us in court and in trouble. 

This is a problem which doesn't exist in Sigma Pi  Phi. They are truly men of the highest caliber who represent our race admirably.  Their membership has grown to include members from each of the fraternities in the Pan-Hellenic Council, but prior membership is not required.  They are, and have been, what each of our fraternities should attempt to emulate. 

I believe that your further research into this matter would offer not only a different perspective on your own fraternity, but also an alternative view on some of the "obvious" conclusions you offer in your treatise.  If you remove Alpha Phi Alpha as the "first" of us, SOME of your "revisionist" allegations take on a new perspective.  Again, I was very impressed with your work, and I wish you the greatest success in your endeavors. 

Yours in Greekdom, 
Charles Wesley "Ceedy" Morgan, III 
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. (Life Member #2531, #5400, & #10000) 
Oklahoma City Alumni Chapter (Life Member #2) 
 

Skip's Response -- Thanks for your note and observations.  I appreciate them.  Sigma Pi Phi is not treated in any of the fraternity history books, simply because it was never founded to be a collegiate-based organization.  Its purpose was very clear from the beginning, that it would be an organization of professional men.  Each fraternity history book treats the rise and development of white fraternities, Phi Beta Kappa, etc.  However, I found it strange from purely a historical standpoint that these organizations (Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi and Phi Beta Sigma) did not acknowledge that Alpha was the first successful collegiate-base fraternity for college men.  That is an indisputable fact.  Yes, there were earlier attempts at other universities 
-- even in your own history you cite the origin of Alpha Kappa Nu.  But this and others  failed where Alpha succeeded -- and that is an undisputed fact. 

Sigma Pi Phi mission and aims were similar -- but very different from collegiate-based organizations.  While it may be the most elite, Sigma Pi Phi (in my opinion) cannot match the display of  brotherhood found in 
college-based fraternities.  Alpha was not (and I am sure Kappa, Omega and Sigma were not) founded on an elitist foundation.  (That may have changed over the years, but the very core of founding was not that.)  Alpha Phi Alpha still remains, unless otherwise proven, the first fraternity for college-trained African-American men.  You should also know that the primary founder of Sigma Pi Phi, Henry Minton of Philadelphia, ultimately became a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.  That is a fact that should be supported and recognized by all, especially those Greek letter fraternities which followed Alpha's founding. 
 

DID YOU KNOW THAT WE HAVE BROTHER WHO IS A LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR? 

Bro. Skip: 

First, I want to congratulate you on all of the great work you have done for the fraternity by compiling the history of the men who "Transcend All!" But, I was wondering if you knew that the lieutenant governor of Colorado is a  Man of Distinction?  Bro. Joe Rogers is "Da Man."  At the age of 34, he is the youngest lieutenant governor and only the 4th African American ever to be elected governor or lieutenant governor.  He was here in Pittsburgh to speak at a scholarship dinner.  He even invited me to kick it with him at a reception 
held in his honor the next day.  He's a real down-to-earth brother.  Anyway, keep up the great work.  I'll keep passing the info along. 
'06 

FOR YOU ASPIRING BROTHERS WHO ARE WRITERS 
To writers across America.  This particular assignment is in reference to African-American site. This particular site is built on Accelerating the Economic Empowerment of African Americans and people of color around the Globe. Our web site is launching June 15th and we need some assistance. If anyone can provide  articles on African American history, we would love to showcase your article. The launch of this site could bring prospective clients, and I feel would be very advantageous for a writer who wants some recognition. 

Thank you. 
Karen Looney 
vertigo@jomex.net  

A BROTHER WANTS YOU TO CHECK OUT HIS WEB SITE 

'06-'08 Talk 
I was just wondering if you got the link I submitted for '06-'08 Talk located at http://akapa.hypermart.net  Thank you very much. ... 
 

ALPHA BROTHERS PURCHASE BIG 
Montgomery County's Iota Upsilon Lambda chapter purchased an old colored school, recently being used as a warehouse, to build a heritage museum in the county.  So reports the Washington Post in the Montgomery County Thursday supplement. 
>From Julius Hall 
 

DID MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DIE FOR NOTHING? 

Cincinnati, Ohio (BNS):  The hottest topic to hit Barutiwa Online in three months is the death of Martin Luther King, Jr.  Did this man die for nothing?  Some say the man was shrewdly used by the Jews and the White power structure in the North.  Others say he was a martyr.  And many feel his dream has been misinterpreted.  We want to know your true feelings concerning MLK.  Go to http://www.barutiwa.com and click "Message Board" link to participate in the hot, but enlightening, discussion. 
 

A FEW OTHER WEB SITES FOR INTERESTED BROTHERS 

http://ocd.usda.gov/nofa.htm 

If you search for grants in your community, this site will be of interest to you.  Click about and then push the general list.  If you know what you are looking for, put in the necessary info.  If you are unable to access by 
clicking, the Keyword is Empowerment Zone  Enterprise Zone. 

TO THE BROTHERS IN LOS ANGELES 
Brother Rob Silver who was looking for entertainment Brothers in the LA area, need only look at Greg French whose email address I have is ggf@pacbell.net  
 
THIS MIGHT BE AN INTERESTING CONFERENCE TO ATTEND 

Indiana University-Bloomington has been selected as the host institution for the 13th annual National Black Greek Leadership Conference, to be held on November 5-7, 1999. The conference planning committee would like to extend a Call for Programs to all who are interested in presenting an educational session or workshop; a special invitation is extended to professionals in Greek Life. 

The theme of this year's conference is: "Stepping Toward Empowerment, Education, and Excellence in the New Millennium."  All conference workshops should focus on subjects relevant to NPHC Member Chapters/Black Greek letter groups and on identifying solutions to current problems and issues. 
You may approach the workshop in any format you wish (lecture, panel discussion, interactive session, etc.), but your session must focus on the theme in some manner.  All persons selected to present sessions/workshopswill be allowed to register for the conference at no cost. 

Workshops should be no more than 75 minutes in length and should be interactive in nature.  Sessions should also be designed to give members in Black Greek Letter organizations information and resources that will 
benefit them throughout their college endeavors, thus focusing on a wide variety of topics.  Possible workshop topics could include: 

        *Connections between founding principles and future actions. 
        *Opportunities for collaboration with IFC and NPC chapters 
        *Conflict resolution strategies 
        *Unity---sisterhood and brotherhood in the new millennium. 
        *The Community of the new millennium-ensuring its success through service. 
        *Recruiting Greek leaders for the new millennium. 
        *Greeks supporting Black businesses. 
        *Effective public relations methods. 
        *Female/Male relationships. 
        *Strategies for academic achievement and scholarship. 
        *Pledging/Membership Intake Process Issues. 
        *Building bridges between Greek organizations. 
        *Effective marketing & implementation of educational programming. 
        *Motivation and retention of members. 
        *Advising Black Greek Councils (NPHCs) and individual chapters. 
        *And many more... 

Each proposal should contain the following information: 

        *Name, title, institution, and address (please include e-mail address, telephone, and fax numbers). 
        *Typewritten abstract of 200 words or less explaining the goals, focus, and format of your workshop. 
        *Title and brief description of your session to appear in the conference book. 

Please submit your proposal to: Black Greek Leadership Conference Programs 
                                c/o Shaun R. Harper 
                                P.O. Box 1866 
                                Bloomington, IN  47402 

Submission Deadline:    Friday, August 6, 1999 
Notification Date:         Selected presenters will be notified on or around Friday, August 27. 

The conference could definitely benefit from your expertise and familiarity with issues in undergraduate Greek Life. We hope that this information aids you in composing a proposal for a session or workshop. Please feel free to e-mail any questions concerning the call for programs and/or the conference to bglc@indiana.edu.  We are looking forward to receiving your proposal. 
Xavier Allen 
Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Studies 
allen.145@osu.edu OR sxa3050@garnet.acns.fsu.edu 

LOOKING FOR A LOST BROTHER 

Yes, I am still receiving your most valuable insights.  Thank you for your concern and I still cannot imagine how personable you are although you seem so busy.  Keep up the good work, like I know you will.  I do have one favor to ask of you if you can help me.  I am in search of my Dean of Pledges Roger N.Pilgram, Fayetteville State University, Fayetteville, NC, EZ chapter Spr '89. "NightLine" was his line name and he pledged alone -- his line name "Lone Warrior."His DOP was Corky Dismute of Daytona, Fla., another EZ product. I last saw Roger in D.C. when I was staying with him for a few months in 1993.  Since that time I have been unable to contact him to notify him of my lines (The Dirty Dozen Fall '89) 10-year anniversary we will have in October at our Homecoming.  We actually crossed the Burning Sands on Nov. 9, but most of couldn't make it on that day. I know that's a big favor to ask of you, but I figured you contact over 1,200 
bruhs, and this may be my last  if not only sure fire way to speak to so many bruhs at once.  Technology is the way of the future, and hopefully someone may have run into him or know someone else who is familiar with him.  One last roger fact:  He did go to Howard University for Law school after his graduation from FSU and was very much involved with Beta bruhs as well. Well, here I am in search of my DOP, and anything you can do will be greatly appreciated.  Continued success with the book (will be getting mine at the end of the month) and thanks again for the light that we all desire. 

Fraternally, 
Clarence R. Taylor, Jr./Fall '89 EZ #1/ Missing In Action 
"M.I.A" a.k.a Cool Cee  /clarence.r.taylor@ncmi.com 

_____________________________________________________________________ 
THE TALENTED TENTH: 
THE FOUNDERS AND 30 GENERAL PRESIDENTS 
OF  Alpha 
By Skip Mason 
Foreword by Brother Andrew Young 

Published by Four G's Press, c. 1999 
Winter Haven,  Florida 
480 pages; 28 cm, 100+ photographs 
ISBN: 1885066-63-5 
$25.00 (soft back) 
$32.50 (hard back) 
To be released in June '99 (hardbacks in July) 
ORDER FORM, PLEASE PRINT, FILL OUT AND MAIL . 
_____________________________________________________________________ 

$25.00 (Soft back)                  $32.50 (Hard back) 
This is still prepublication price. So get it while it lasts! 

ORDER FORM 
Please send me ______ copies at  ___________. Total enclosed: $____________ 
(add $3.20 for shipping for each copy/ 6% sales tax each copy) 

Ship books to: 

NAME________________________________________________________ 

ADDRESS_____________________________________________________ 

CITY STATE ZIP_________________________________________________ 

email address__________________________________ 

INDICATE IF YOU WANT BOOK INSCRIBED AND TO WHOM_______________ 

_____________________________________ 

To order, send order form, check or money order made payable to Skip Mason to: 
Skip Mason/The Talented Tenth    564 Blake Avenue, SE  Atlanta, Georgia 30316 

_____________________________________________________________________ 
 

Skip's Historical Moments is a twice weekly newsletter used to dialogue and discuss issues of historical importance to men of Alpha. This newsletter is sent to over 3,000 brothers.  If every brother would send 
this to ten brothers this communication would reach a network of  30,000 or more. If you don't want to forward, please forward to me email addresses and 

I will add them to the list. The list is growing by leaps and bounds. Send your questions, queries, comments to hmason1906@aol.com 

Advanced apologies to you if you are receiving each issue more than once. Some names appear twice on the email distribution list. 

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