|
The Men of Alpha Phi Alpha Host Annual Scholarship Breakfast
By Tricia Hall
The Sojourner’s Truth Reporter
Over 450 attendees enjoyed the 28th annual event
sponsored by the Alpha Xi Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha
Fraternity Inc., held on January 18.
Kristian Brown, 13abc news anchor, was the mistress of
ceremonies and introduced Franklin Brewer who led the Negro
National Anthem, and Rev. James Jones who delivered the
invocation and video presentations of the scholarship
recipients.
The program continued with official greetings delivered by
Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz. “I
bring greetings from the city of Toledo. This breakfast
provides one of the few actual links to Dr. Martin Luther
King Jr.”
|
Richard Jackson, Keith Nelson, and Greg Walker
Brandon Tucker, Bishop Rudolph McKissick Jr,
and John Jones |
|
One of the annual features of the fraternity is awarding the
Drum Major for Justice Award. The 2020 recipient was David
Fleetwood who is the business manager of LIUNA, Laborers
Local 500, that has over 1,200 members. Fleetwood also
serves as associate pastor of The Body of Christ Church in
Toledo, a member of The Lucas County Workforce Development
Board and is vice chairman of The Toledo-Lucas County Port
Authority. He has been married to his wife, Michelle for 29
years, and also a proud father and grandfather. “I am a
product of grace. I didn’t achieve this on my own. God did
this for me, he made all of this possible,” said Fleetwood
during his acceptance remarks.
The keynote address was delivered by Bishop Rudolph
McKissick Jr, senior pastor of Bethel Church located in
Jacksonville, Florida. Bishop McKissick has authored several
books, is a board member of the National Action Network, a
member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., and Sigma Pi Phi
Boule. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Jacksonville
University, a masters of Divinity Degree from the Samuel
DeWitt Proctor School of Religion and has received an
honorary doctor of divinity degree from Bethune Cookman
University and Virginia Union University.
He reminded the audience that the black community has
reached milestones, but the work isn’t done. “Dr. King is
romanticized now, but back than he wasn’t allowed in some
churches. He urged us to take our seat at the table but be
careful what table you’re invited to sit at. Our blood and
sweat has paid for that seat, but not every invitation is
worth our time. It’s not about taking photos, because
sometimes they just want us in the room and not at the
table. Justice is equity not just equality. This fight, our
fight still continues.”
The program concluded with the presentation of the 2020
scholarship recipients, special acknowledgements, and
introducing the fraternity’s mentoring program.
The 2020 scholarship recipients are: Brandon Burks, current
senior at Cardinal Stritch High School who has a 4.06 GPA.
Burks is a member of the National Honors Society and YIPEE.
He is finalizing his college decision between The Ohio State
University, Penn State and three others. Jabari Jackson,
current senior at Bowsher High School has a 3.13 GPA.
Jackson is a member of AVID and Toledo Excel. He is
finalizing his college decision between University of
Toledo, Kentucky State University and Tennessee State
University.
Christopher Lash, current senior at St. John’s Jesuit High
School has a 3.85 GPA. Lash is a member of the National
Honors Society and athlete. He is finalizing his college
decision between OSU, the University of Michigan and five
others. Wakeso Peterson Jr., current senior at Scott High
School has a 4.3 GPA and is first in his class. Peterson is
captain of the varsity soccer team and member of the school
band. He plans to attend The Ohio State University. Dannie
Young IV, current senior at Emmanuel Christian School has a
3.5 GPA. Young is the captain of the varsity basketball team
and plays two additional team sports. He plans to attend
Johnson C. Smith University. “This opportunity allows me to
pursue my dreams which are important to me,” explained
Burks.
2020 event sponsors are: Presenting partner is Ohio Council
of Community Schools; Jewel Legacy partners are LIUNA
Laborer’s Local 500, Mercy Health Partners, Owens Corning,
Toledo Lucas County Port Authority, Toledo Zoo, University
of Toledo office of Diversity and Inclusion and the College
of Pharmacy; Gold Sustainer partners are African American
Leadership Council of United Way Brother’s United, Columbia
Gas of Ohio, First Federal Bank, Key Bank, Mann Insurance
Group, Namay Dentistry, Principle Business Enterprises, and
Toledo Lucas County Public Library; ABrydseyePhoto
Photography, Baptist Minister’s Conference, Southern Baptist
Church, Books 4 Buddies, BP, NAACP Toledo Unit, United
Vision, Rise and Shine Academy, Ruby’s Kitchen, Target
Company, Theta Zeta Lambda chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha,
Transformation Church, University of Toledo division of
Student Affairs and Toledo Excel.
“This time last year I asked each of you in attendance to
support our vision to create a larger impact in Toledo, and
now that vision is a reality with our Alpha Esquires. Our
fraternity has awarded over $150,000 in scholarships, and
this is possible because of our sponsors and all of you who
support this worthy cause,” said Rev. Brandon Tucker,
chapter president.
|
