Mu Mu Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.

"History" states that while attending a meeting with the National Alliance of Businessmen in Washington, D.C., Brothers Art Thompson and Ernie Gibson discussed the formation of an Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Chapter in the Chicago Western Suburbs. Brother Thompson lived in Wheaton, Illinois and Brother Gibson resided in Glen Ellyn. The need and desire to establish a chapter in the Western Suburbs rapidly gained support from several talented Alpha Men.

An informal meeting was held in February 1976 to entertain the idea of establishing a chapter. Brothers Art Thompson, Ernie Gibson, Robert Wells, Kenneth Watkins, Sr., Mickey Brown, Clarence Lewis, James Ivory, and others attended the meeting. Subsequent meetings were held to establish a committee to work on chapter by-laws. The committee consisted of Brothers Manny Jackson and Ken Watkins, Sr.

The first Chapter Officers elected were:

President Ernie Gibson �Vice President James Ivory �Recording Secretary Arthur Thompson �Corresponding Secretary Mickey Brown �Treasurer Charles Dickerson �Dean of Pledges Melvin Funchess �Editor to the Sphinx Kenneth Watkins, Sr. �Historian �Chaplain Howard Falls �Sergeant-at-Arms Clarence Lewis

Chartering of Mu Mu Lambda Chapter

Mu Mu Lambda was chartered as an Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Chapter (Key #556) on April 14, 1976. There were twenty-two (22) chartering members. Six of whom remain active with the chapter today: �Mickey Brown �Kenneth Watkins �Robert Wells�Delbert Jones

Others have either relocated or passed into Omega Chapter.

Chapter Programs and Milestones

Mu Mu Lambda made an early commitment to promote scholarship and youth development. Since inception of Mu Mu Lambda Chapter, the focus has always been to promote and design programs to enhance the educational development of our youth. Brother Clarence Lewis served as the chapter's first Director of Educational activities and Brother Kenneth Watkins chaired the first Scholarship Committee. The chapter held its first fundraiser (Dinner, Dance, and Fashion Show) on July 9, 1976 at the Ferrara Manor in Chicago.

Brother Clarence Lewis initiated the precursor to the Alpha Lite Program. The chapter members would host students from the community at their various placed of employment and conclude the day with a dinner. Brother Roland Wesley chaired the first Alpha Lite Program, as we know it today. Brother Wesley Mu Mu Lambda's Alpha Lite Program to national prominence. The program serves as a model educational program throughout Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc and the nation. The Alpha Lite Program and Education Committee now annually sponsor a pilgrimage to Ghana West Africa. This is a rites of passage program for Alpha Lite and Beautillion participants.

Note: Brother Roland Wesley was also commissioned by the U.S. Naval Academy to award scholarships to minority students. He typically awarded 6 scholarships each year, which totaled approximately $1,500,000.

The Chapter's most outstanding accomplishment continues to be the annual Beautillion. The chapter members were in search of a fundraiser that better represented the Alpha Phi Alpha motto, "Manly deeds, scholarship, and love for all mankind." The Beautillion was established in 1982 through the persistent encouragement of Brother Art Thompson. It now serves as the primary source of scholarship awards and chapter's programs funding. The success of the Beautillion has permitted the Chapter to award over $30,000 annually in scholarships. To date it has awarded over $300,000 to over 250 college bound students. Under the leadership of Brother Jadonal Ford (Omega Chapter), the Beautillion serves as a national model. Information on our Beautillion can be obtained as far away as the Los Angeles County Public Library System.

Mu Mu Lambda Chapter Membership

Service to mankind, the promotion of scholarship, knowledge, and achievement are the major objectives of Mu Mu Lambda Chapter. The Brothers of Mu Mu Lambda Chapter are committed to these noble objectives.

More than 350 Brothers have been affiliated with the Mu Mu Lambda Chapter. The chapter reached its peak in 1999-2000 with over 110 financial members. Currently, there are approximately 60 financial members with 52 Life Members. The chapter members are diverse with over 10 ministers, 1 Congressman, 1 Judge, 5attorneys, 1 college president, 12 PhD’s, accountants, architects, educators, engineers, entrepreneurs, and numerous business professionals.

Mu Mu Lambda Chapter Presidents

Ernest Gibson -1976

Mickey Brown - 1977

Arthur Thompson - 1978

James H. Ivory - 1979 -1981

Walter R. Baldrick, Sr. - 1981

Clarence R. Lewis – 1982-1984

Robert L. McMillian- 1984-1986

Harold W. Kelley - 1986-1988

Fred Miller 1988-1990

Roland E. Wesley -1990-1992

George A. McCrowey – 1992-1994

Isiah P. Ward-1994-1996

Austin V. Harton- 1996-1998

Kenneth R. Watkins, Sr. 1998-2000

Warren G. Smith 2000-2002

Norman P. Fleming -2002-2004

Michael J. Bates- 2004-2005

Undray Wilks – 2005-2007

David A. Lewis – 2007-2009

Rahmad D. Bauldrick, Sr.– 2009-2011

Seth L. Wilson – 2011-2013

Leonard C. McKinnis, Jr.- 2013-2016

Eddie H. Reynolds 2016-

Mu Mu Lambda Chapter Honors and awards:

Illinois District & Midwestern Region Alumni Chapter of the Year - 1984 �Illinois District & Midwestern Region Alumni Chapter of the Year - 1986 �Hosted the 55th Midwestern Region Convention - 1987 �Illinois District & Midwestern Region Alumni Chapter of the Year - 1993 �Illinois District & Midwestern Region Alumni Chapter of the Year - 2003 �Illinois District & Midwestern Region Alumni Chapter of the Year - 2004 �Midwestern Region Alumni Chapter of the Year – 2007

Host Chapter 77th Midwestern Regional Convention-2009

Host Chapter 85th Midwestern Regional Convention-2017

Brothers holding Illinois District & Midwestern Region Alumni Brother of the Year Awards:

Roland Wesley.... Illinois District (1993) �Jadonal Ford ... Illinois District, Midwestern Regional, and National Candidate

Brother who have served as National Fraternity Officers -Illinois District Area Directors: �- Fred Miller, Jr. �- Warren Smith -Quincy B. Banks

�Parliamentarian ... John Williams

Educational Foundation. Walter R. Bauldrick, Sr. �Grievances and Discipline.. Isiah P. Ward, Lewis Nixon�Educational Director ... Roland Wesley

Mu Mu Lambda Chapter Membership

Service to mankind, the promotion of scholarship, knowledge, and achievement are the major objectives of Mu Mu Lambda Chapter. The Brothers of Mu Mu Lambda Chapter are committed to these noble objectives.

More than 300 Brothers have been affiliated with the Mu Mu Lambda Chapter. The chapter reached its peak in 1999-2000 with over 110 financial members. Currently, there are approximately 78 financial members with 52 Life Members. The chapter members are diverse with over 10 ministers, 1 Congressman, 1 Judge, 4attorneys, 1 college president, 12 PhD’s, accountants, architects, educators, engineers, entrepreneurs, and numerous business professionals.