""BE A GOOD ALPHA"
Dear Brothers: Before I begin this issue, let me thank those brothers who remembered my birthday on yesterday. I appreciate your cards, both mailed and electronic and the phone calls. A special thanks to the 20 plus brothers who treated me to a wonderful birthday celebration and dinner. As I supped on filet mignon and skewed shrimp (Well it was my birthday brothers!) , I realized how blessed I was to be alive and to have so many good friends, a loving family and sincere well-wishers. The fellowship and fraternal bonding was great and the shirts, wow. Just wait to you see me in Vegas and Dallas. July is the month of birth of many of my "old" Alpha friends and several new ones too (Carl Walton, Antavius Weems, C.C. Jones, Othell Adams). To them and others, I wish you a very Happy Birthday. Condolescences to Brother Eugene Harper in the loss of his father. Brother Harper serves as my proofreader and editor. Well, the convention is rapidly approaching us. Brothers are pulling out their combination of black and gold ensembles, ties, T-shirts to take to Dallas. Thanks again to the brothers who have been sharing newspapers addresses to me. A special and grateful thanks to Brother Robert Frelow(Howard University) for his generosity in assisting me in this effort. Now about this issue. Simply put Charles Harris Wesley was my
Jewel. I never knew our magnificent and beloved Seven, so in my early
years in the fraternity I was searching for someone who could connect me
with them in a special way. Yeah, I had read the book, but I needed
a moment that would transform me forever. I didn't ask for it, didn't pray
for it, didn't expect, didn't anticipate, didn't know it was coming. It
just happened because unknown to me at that time that this was all
a part of God's divine plan for me to meet Brother Wesley. That's why I
don't fret (too much) when things don't go the way I think they should.
I rest assured that "What God has for
Many of you have heard the story before and some have viewed the photograph
on my website, but its worth repeating again to my new readers and to those
who are going to Dallas for their first convention or looking for a moment
too. What happened in August 1983 at the New Orleans Hilton was nothing
but an act of God that created the opportunity for me to meet Brother Charles
In my continuing series on the General Presidents, today's issue
focuses solely on Wesley. He was the 14th General President of the fraternity,
serving longer than any other General president(1932-1940). He was the
author of the pioneering book on Greek Letter Fraternities, "The History
of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity" and after his tenure in office, he
was named the
When I was in graduate school working on my Master's in African-American Studies at Atlanta University (now Clark Atlanta University) , we were assigned to do a combined biography and bibliography of an African-American. I did a Biobliography of Wesley which contained an index of all of his writings, publications, journals and articles in the Sphinx. I received an A on the project, that was in 1987. I recalled the Spring of 1982, when I was beginning the process of becoming
an Alpha, that one of the brothers had a book on his desk. When he
was not in, I would try to sneak and look at the pages. That book was sacred
to me. Felt like I was unworthy to touch it (you know how dramatic Sphinxmen
could be. Well, we were.) I recall after having "crossed" receiving
an issue of
I traveled to New Orleans in 1983, not even thinking that Wesley might
be there. I was just so excited to go. At the close of the Fraternal
Luncheon, he was recognized and the brothers stood in thunderous applause.
I was paralyzed, numbed, had chills. Could not believe that Charles Harris
Wesley, the man who penned and authored the most beloved book in my possession
at that time, the history of Alpha was just across the room. (Of course
now it's another book with nine words HOLY BIBLE that I cherish first,
then Alpha's history). Well, I had my camera. I had taken photos
of everything and everybody, including Richard Pryor whom I interrupted
while having lunch
In the fraternal sphere, he was my hero. While I idolized him at first, after learning more about the trials and struggles he had with the writing of the history, he became my role model. He was a historian who pastored a Methodist Church, so was I.His life has inspired me in innumerable ways. Wesley, had his fans and his critics (just yours truly). Now I am no Wesley, but God didn't create Me to be a Wesley, but to be inspired and use my own personal gifts. The beauty of Alpha is that we will never duplicate the Jewels, Lawson Wesley, Logan, Smith and others. But there is a generation of Alpha brothers who are on the verged on creating their mark and legacies in that same spirit. So brothers, "Don't tarry, just gone and do it." Alpha needs your bodaciousness, your courage, your vision in these crucial next seven years. On several ocassions Wesley, caught the wrath of the Jewels Callis and Kelley. Often he and Callis would go tick for tack over some fact in the history book that Callis wanted changed and Wesley would be reluctant to change unless it was substantiated and documented. Wesley wrote to Callis in 1959, the following: " This raises, by implications, a question concerning the work
of the historian. I think that you should recall that you read this manuscript
section in 1928 and subsequently. I do not ask that you share with
me my responsibility in error which seems to have occurred, but I think
that you
In 1941, Wesley "ruffled" Jewel George Biddle Kelley feathers on what Kelley thought was an omission of an invitation for him to be the guest founder at a convention. Kelley commented to another brother about the "politics of Alpha," and in good ole Alpha style, his comments got back to Wesley. Wesley wrote Jewel Kelley and replied... "In the future, if I am involved in any matter where you are concerned, will you be good enough to write me directly.." Kelley wrote Wesley back again. He said "...The organization has become so honeycombed with politics that one group may do anything to defeat the purpose of the other..." The entire contents of the letters are included in the book "The Talented Tenth" so you will have to read and see what transpired and why. I met his daughter Charlotte, his granddaughter whose name was Charlotte Holliman, who has the distinction of having her grandfather as the Historian of Alpha and her Aunt(her father's sister) as the Past Basileus and Historian of Alpha Kappa Alpha Marjorie Holliman Parker. She wrote the book "In The Eye of the Beholder: Alpha Kappa Alpha. Wesley's wife and daughter were Delta's and his granddaughter an AKA. A few years ago, I created an exhibition on Wesley(during the administration
of General President Milton Davis) and featured items that his daughter
loaned the fraternity. The exhibit was in New Orleans during the first
Wesley Scholarship and Educational Weekend. It was well received by the
brotherhood and Mrs. Hollimon(Wesley's daughter), who was a renowned concert
singer, who
Following the death of Wesley, I badgered every General President
about the continuation of the History of Alpha. Wrote Brother Charles Teamer(who
appointed to me to the Historical Commission), Henry Ponder(who appointed
me to the Historical Commission), Milton Davis(who appointed me as Archivist).
Unfortunately the Commission did very little other than gather at the
I wish the Brother Harris, the new Historian and the Historical Commission well. As for me, I look forward to sharing with you in the awesome spirit of "my jewel" Charles Harris Wesley, my book "The Talented Tenth" which should be making an appearance in some of your mailboxes soon and in Dallas. THE 14TH GENERAL PRESIDENT
Several brief excerpts from the book "The Talented Tenth" by Skip Mason: "As divine fate would dictate, Wesley as a student at Fisk studied botany under Professor C. C. Poindexter. Poindexter had been affiliated with the early organization of the fraternity at Cornell University from 1905 to 1906... Wesley, at the age of 19, graduated with honors from Fisk in 1911 with a degree in the Classics and sang at the Commencement. He later earned membership in Phi Beta Kappa when it was charted at Fisk in 1953 …" "... A classmate George Edmund Haynes, who helped to establish the National
Urban League, suggested that after Wesley graduated from Fisk, that
he might want to consider graduate studies at Yale University.
Wesley pursued that suggestion and entered graduate school on a tuition
fellowship. During his first year his grandfather died. Wesley felt it
necessary that he find work
"...The writing of the history was exhaustive and challenging. There were times when he could not get founders to respond to his letters requesting information. General President B. Andrew Rose formed a historical committee to assist in obtaining information for Brother Wesley. This committee consisted of Founder Nathaniel Murray (Washington, D. C; Henry A. Callis (who was now in Chicago); Charles H. Chapman in Tallahassee; Robert H. Ogle in Washington; George Kelley in Troy, New York; Vertner W. Tandy in New York; Past General President Charles H. Garvin in Cleveland, Ohio and Past General President Roscoe C. Giles(also in Chicago). By November 1927, all chapters had been sent a copy of the historical commission questionnaire..." "...Following the death of Brother John Hope in 1936, who was President of Atlanta University, Wesley was named as one of the candidates for the presidency. In 1942, he began his work at Wilberforce and in 1948, the newly formed Central State College elected him as President. A post he held for seventeen year. His collegiate accomplishments along with the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, of which he was president, kept him busy throughout the next three decades. A Charles H. Wesley Research fund was established by the association. Over the decades he would publish other books including : -Negro Labor in the United States 1850-1925
Wesley jointly authored three books, edited three book, wrote over 100 articles. In one word, he was prolific. ON THE HISTORY OF ALPHA
>From the February 1930 edition of The Sphinx Comments on the History of Alpha Phi Alpha- A Development on College Life: "At the convention, you again thrilled me, as you did in Cleveland,
with the remarkable history you compiled for our organization."
"I am looking forward with interest to seeing a copy of the fraternity history. Roy Wilkins says he has not received the copy of Richard Allen"Charles Hamilton Houston, Attorney, 1936 (Houston was the dean of Black Lawyers int he 1920s and 30's and preceded Thurgood Marshall as Special Counsel for the NAACP. "This is a piece of good work. Thoroughly characteristic of yourself.
Many thanks.
FROM THE LIPS OF WESLEY: ON THE FUTURE OF ALPHA "As we undertake the work of this convention, let us do it with the
shadows of the past years about us and with the earnest belief that the
best days ar not behind us, but always before us."
ON OUR PROGRAMS:
ON ITS MISSION
ON MEMBERSHIP
ON BROTHER'S INDIVIDUAL GOALS
Charles Harris Wesley, February 1949 DID YOU KNOW THAT:
THE HISTORIANS OF ALPHA PHI ALPHA Past General President Charles Garvin
Dr. Janette Hoston Harris, completed her dissertation on Dr. Wesley. It is available through University Microfilms. LETTERS FROM THE BROTHERS Greetings Bro. Mason:
"Out of the night that covers me..."
AND THE DEBATE ON THE TALENTED TENTH CONTINUES: Brother Buckley. I read your letter to Skip, and agree that your
insight is worthy of consideration. It is glaringly obvious that
you truly love our Fraternity, and to that end, I will respect your opinion
to disagree with Bro. Harris and myself. What I will urge you to
consider, however, is the notion that your perception of DuBois's Talented
Tenth is flawed. In his essay describing the "talented tenth," Bro.
DuBois gave very detailed descriptions as to who he was referring to.
Do not let idealism misconstrue his original intentions towards the belief
in a privileged class. DuBois states that culture has always flowed
from the top downward, and that it never has nor will flow in the reverse.
He made mention of the doctors, lawyers, teachers, and other "professionals"
in our midst as being the bearers of the torches. By being blessed
with the gifts to succeed and lead, he placed upon their shoulders the
obligation to secure for the masses the benefits promised to our foreparents.
What happened, however, is that we gave in to an individualistic way of
thinking. We removed ourselves from the masses, and as we ascended
from the ghetto, we forgot about the brothers and sisters that we left
behind.I think what you have articulated in your letter is who we SHOULD
regard as the talented tenth, but these individuals are the antithesis
of who DuBois
Again, I am truly feeling you along the lines of loving Alpha, yet let's
be real about a few things. First, according to our Constitution,
Alpha is embodied in the General Organization. Yet, in order for
one to be active, or in good standing, among this number, then there are
certain financial obligations that must be met. The vast majority
of men who have been initiated into Alpha during the past 50 years are
not fulfilling this "obligation" and as such, are not perceived as doing
the work of Alpha when they participate in the uplift of the community.
Now to you and I, this is absurd, and we both know that in fact these men
ARE indeed doing Alpha work. However, in the event that they wore
their letters to a protest (like here in St. Louis recently) and they were
arrested, I guarantee you that the General Organization will emphatically
disassociate itself with their actions. This is because Alpha Phi
Alpha of 1999 is grossly corrupted by politics and egotism. Idealistically,
it would be wonderful to say that those who have been blessed by God will
on their own accord see to it that everyone else shares in their blessings,
yet this is not the case. Moreover, as evidenced
Stay Tenacious in Alpha Brother,
A FEW JOB LEADS Greetings brothers in the wonderful name of ALPHA! My name is
Wayne Emilien, Jr. and I'm just sending an email out for all of you brothers
who may be seeking internships and or other types of employment.
This site is devoted to college students and grad students, so I hope that
the information found within may assist someone to move up in the ranks.
Fraternally yours,
ANOTHER JOB OPPORTUNITY
No 1- Callis's First Wife
Published by Four G's Press, c. 1999
$25.00 (Soft back)
$32.50 (Hard back)
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