How about the Inaugural Alpha Day at the Capitol?! It was like struck gold with the idea. The question was would the clock strike against us having only three weeks to prepare.
Following the precedent set by the brothers in the District of Ohio, the brothers embarked to celebrate the fraternity’s centennial anniversary in style.
Each day that passed, the dream was seemingly becoming more of a reality. Brothers from all over the state were calling and e-mailing with excitement about the opportunity to fellowship in Lansing. Brother Chad D. Simmons from Chicago, Illinois, decided to make the trip down to support his fellow brothers.
On June 29, the day of the celebration, the clouds filled the sky early, but there was an internal sense that the sun would shine down upon them.
The brothers came…slowly but steadily. They met at the Anderson House Office Building for breakfast and bonding. The stories of the days of old ensued as the old teachers of time enrolled the new students of life to learn of a curriculum of fraternal legacy.
The Alpha men sat together in the state senate chamber, looking down on the legislators who had the expression of who makes up this great body before us. And, almost simultaneously – prophetically if you will – Bro. State Senator Hansen Clarke answered that question. He gave a rousing oration of the history of Alpha Phi Alpha. A history that wasn’t just his-story but their story. One of resiliency; one of consistency; one of glory.
Then, Michigan’s Lieutenant Governor John Cherry echoed Bro. Clarke’s sentiments and praised the Alphas’ humble service. They rose to their feet as one – as did the legislators as they gave them a standing ovation.
The response was equally dramatic in the house chamber. Chairman of the Michigan Legislative Black Caucus, the Rev. Dr. Michael C. Murphy, spoke of how their invaluable impact on the lives of African-Americans and Americans abroad. Again, a thunderous ovation.
After a tour of the capitol building, the Alpha men went outside for an unforgettable moment as they stood on the capitol steps for a photo shoot. The clouds that once threatened our day had departed.
Then, like that momentous march at Cornell last November for the pilgrimage, the descendents of the Jewels, the prestigious name given to the fraternity’s founders, walked – as one – from the steps of the Capitol into the prestigious Mackinac room for a centennial celebration. But, rather than be silent, they chanted and sung to the glory of the jewels.
The luncheon was the culmination of a day that can never be repeated. There were 7 legislative recommendations for the Michigan legislature presented, a brother was reclaimed in the same breath as a founder for Kappa Delta Lambda in Lansing was honored. Michael Blake had the honor of giving the centennial remarks where the charge was made: “It’s Time to Ace Our Test” – stating that 100 is a number that we instinctively equate to perfection.
For the last 100 years, the brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha have touched people’s lives.
