Alpha Rho Chapter Alumni's Spring/Summer 2023 Digest + Centennial Staffing Updates
- APCAA Staff
- May 26, 2023
- 22 min read
This Edition of the APCAA Digest features updates on 28 Brothers from the Alpha Rho Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and their professional developments, artistic pursuits, industry projects, awards and recognitions.
Also — we announce several leadership enhancements for AP100, and highlight an extension for earlybird AP100 lodging at The Westin Peachtree Plaza in Atlanta.
Birmingham UNCF Honors Regions Bank Exec Jerome Anthony Luke (Fall 1976) at 2023 Mayor's Masked Ball
Birmingham UNCF's annual benefit honored local executive Jerome A. Luke, Senior Vice President, Business Banking Governance and Credit Policy at Regions Bank. The Birmingham UNCF Mayor’s Masked Ball is a premier fundraising gala and major social event focusing on raising awareness of the need and benefits of a college education, the students UNCF serves and the contributions of historically Black colleges and universities.
Hosted by a diverse group of corporate sponsors, local businesses and professional organizations, the Birmingham UNCF Mayor’s Masked Ball was an evening of celebration attended by national celebrities, civic leaders, alumni, dignitaries, volunteers and friends of UNCF. This must-attend event was full of fun, fashion, glitz and glamour, and supported UNCF’s mission of investing in Better Futures® for the young men and women they serve and by helping them move to and through college.
Brother Luke was recognized as a leading risk management executive with extensive credit experience in various lines of business.
Black History Month 2023 Brought Together Legendary Spike Lee and Bro. James M. Jeter (Fall 2011)
By James M. Jeter IG
Last week I had the immense honor of sitting down with Spike Lee in an inspiring conversation for Black History Month.
Backstage, I had the opportunity to take Spike through the commemorative book created for the Morehouse & Spelman campaign and on the last page before we went on, we discovered a picture of his grandmother, Zimmie Retha Shelton, class of 1929 at Spelman College during her senior year. He told me that she saved her entire life in order to pay for Spike to get through Morehouse and later NYU graduate film school, as well as funded his first film “She’s Gotta Have It.” Her consistent and incremental sacrifice would end up shaping a world that she would not live to see.
For Black History Month, I’d like to honor her, and all of the other grandmothers whose names and sacrifices we rarely see but whose impact will always be felt.
Brother Jeter is the Senior Director, Concept Design & Special Projects Lead at Ralph Lauren.
Yaegel T. Welch (Spring 2000) Is The New Voice of The Unheard
By Latoya J. Henry www.dallasweekly.com
Reading Classic Novels in Grade School: What do these books have in common; The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzpatrick, Native Son by Richard Wright, The Color Purple by Alice Walker, Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck and To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee?
If you guessed classic novels from the 20th century, then you are correct. If you guessed novels that have since been banned across the country, then you are also correct. According to Banned and Challenged Books, these books have been removed from specific libraries, schools and universities across the globe.
I remember reading To Kill a Mockingbird in grade school. Now I can’t recall if it was in 7th grade (Mrs. McQuien), 9th grade (Mrs. Gates) or 10th grade (Mrs. Cunningham), but I do know, we read with intentionality and had deep conversations about racial injustices with a character analysis.
One character that always stood out to me was the role of Tom Robinson – a Black man falsely accused of raping a white woman. When I was younger, I always wanted Atticus (Tom’s lawyer) to do more for him during the trial. As I grew older, I quickly learned that it was the system that failed Tom, and not his white lawyer.
The Book, The Movie, and The Play: The book opened my eyes, the movie made me internalize feelings and the play made me uncomfortable – lots of emotions with layers to unpack and empathy for our good brother, Tom Robinson. And if you didn’t pick up what I was putting down, the play is a MUST SEE!
Before I read about the cast in this production, I knew I wanted to meet and interview the person playing Tom Robinson. Normally, I like to interview the actors before opening night or before I see the show. But this time was different. I actually wanted to see the production first. Oh, and I’m glad I did because there were so many questions for the man that graced the stage and literally killed the role of Tom Robinson.
Allow Me to Introduce You to …
Houston's James S. Deady Middle School Names Bro. Jackie Powers (Spring 2001) 2023 "Teacher Of The Year"
Pictured above from left: Bro. Chad Steward (Spring 2002),
Angelina Steward, and Honoree Bro. Jackie Powers
Brother Jackie Powers, a 6th Grade Mathematics Lecturer, was recognized as "Teacher of The Year" for the James S. Deady Middle School — a Magnet Middle School in the Houston Independent School District (HISD). The HISD is the largest school district in Texas and the eighth-largest in the United States. It serves over 189,000 students at 274 campuses and is one of the largest employers in Houston, with about 27,000 team members.
Bro. Donald T. Moore (Fall 1979) Takes The Reins As Managing Director at Azerion North America
Veteran multi-media executive Donald T. Moore has been appointed Managing Director at Azerion, an international high-growth digital entertainment and media platform. As a content-driven, technology and data company, Azerion serves consumers, digital publishers, advertisers, and game creators globally. Azerion’s integrated platform provides technology solutions to automate the purchase and sale of digital advertising for media buyers and sellers, supported by in market sales and campaign management teams.
Through their technology, content creators, digital publishers and advertisers work with Azerion to reach the millions of people across the globe that play Azerion’s games and view its distributed entertainment content to increase engagement, loyalty and drive e-commerce.
Founded in 2014 by two Dutch entrepreneurs, Azerion has experienced rapid expansion driven by organic growth and strategic acquisitions. Azerion is headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and is a publicly traded company listed on Euronext Amsterdam.
Bro. Shannon Joyner (Spring 2006) Spearheads NextGen Storytellers Initiative at Morehouse College
By Kobe Scales, Co-Sports Producer, www.maroontigermedia.com
An initiative started by the Atlanta Falcons brought the team’s media and marketing staff to Morehouse College for a night filled with stories, information, and surprises on Feb. 23, 2022. The NextGen Storytellers initiative gives opportunities to the next generation of sports journalists. The initiative is also specifically for HBCUs, showing the organization’s commitment to promoting a more diverse culture in a field that often shows a lack of diversity.
Many of the African Americans that you see within sports media are former star athletes. This initiative will give opportunities to students who are stars in the classroom and their school news organizations. The first students in this initiative were handpicked from the Journalism in Sports, Culture and Social Justice Department as well as Morehouse’s Maroon Tiger Staff. The mission for this first cohort of students was to create stories based on Black History Month with each pair of students having their own mentor from the Atlanta Falcons media staff.
Shannon Joyner, class of ‘08, Falcons senior director of marketing, had his hands all over this initiative, ensuring that his former school had first dibs at showcasing their talent to his organization. Joyner also headed the two panels of staff members within the Atlanta Falcons & Delta Air Lines organizations. The panel members included Falcons Digital Managing Editor Scott Bair, Falcons Beat Writer Tori McElhaney, and Falcons Features Reporter Ashton Edmunds, an alum of Clark Atlanta University.
Members of the panel spoke about their different paths to the jobs that they now hold. The most intriguing part was hearing the perspectives in the different age groups. Bair’s journey from newspaper writing many years ago to McElhaney’s path from college graduation in 2018 and going straight to digital media, showed students that every route is not the same.
The differing paths also allowed for insight into how far sports journalism has come and how well it has kept up with the times. That transition could ensure students that this career path will be an option for a very long time, with many ways into it. At the end of the night the Falcons and Delta Air Lines surprised everyone in attendance, awarding Morehouse’s Journalism Department $25,000. Through the money award and bringing the initiative to Morehouse first, the Atlanta Falcons have shown that it is important to them to continue the fight for diversity in sports journalism.
Guidance Church of Religious Science Installs Brother Seth W. Pickens (Spring 1999) as Spiritual Director & Senior Minister
Dr. Seth Watson Pickens has been elevated to Spiritual Director and Senior Minister at Guidance Church of Religious Studies. Dr. Pickens, a spiritual educator dedicated to helping people live their Godness, has previously worked as a sales executive, an elementary school teacher, a Peace Corps Volunteer in Haiti, and as a stand up comedian. His spiritual journey began in Detroit, Michigan, attending a baptist church “at least 2-3 times a week.” It was there that he first learned to apply the power of prayer.
Seth’s extensive world travels and education, and ministry experience have inspired his imaginative and supportive understanding of God. A solid Bible teacher and preacher, Dr. Pickens theology was further informed by Zig Ziglar, A Course in Miracles, Thich Nhat Hahn, Walter Russell, Howard Thurman, and Louise Hay to name a few. A certified meditation instructor, Dr. Pickens teaches workshops on mental and emotional healing across the country.
Dr. Pickens has studied Science of Mind and New Thought mysticism under the tutelage of Dr. Clara Mosley and the late Dr. Nirvana Gayle.
An ordained American Baptist Minister, Rev. Pickens has served from 2009-2019 as a senior pastor in South Los Angeles. He earned a bachelor of arts in Psychology from Morehouse College, a master of divinity from Union Theological Seminary in New York City, and a doctor of education from the University of Southern California.
The New Thought movement is a movement that developed in the United States in the 19th century, and is considered by many to have been derived from the teachings of Phineas Quimby.
In practical terms, New Thought is regarded as a metaphysical movement that is centered on spirituality, the awareness of an Omnipresent Divine Force in healing, and in daily living. New Thought was propelled by a number of spiritual thinkers and philosophers, and emerged through a variety of religious denominations and churches, particularly the Unity Church and Church of Divine Science (established in 1889 and 1888, respectively), followed by Science of Mind/Religious Science (established in 1927).
Bath & Body Works Names Maurice Cooper II (Spring 1999) Chief Customer Officer
By Rachel Douglass www.fashionunited.uk
Bath & Body Works has announced the appointment of Maurice Cooper to the newly created role of chief customer officer, effective May 22. Cooper has been tasked with executing a strategy to strengthen and elevate the brand, including growing and retaining the retailer’s customer base through the development of personalised end-to-end experiences.
He joins the firm from Target Corporation, where he had most recently served as senior vice president, marketing, overseeing the retail group’s omnichannel traffic and the development of various marketing channels.
He has further served as executive vice president, chief growth and experience officer and senior vice president, chief marketing officer at Wingstop Restaurants, where he was credited with increasing brand awareness and same-store sales growth. Cooper has also held leadership roles at the likes of InterContinental Hotels Group and the Coca-Cola Company.
In a release, CEO of Bath & Body Works, Gina Boswell, said that through Cooper’s appointment, the company was “doubling down” on its commitment to optimize customer experiences. Boswell stated: “Maurice is an accomplished executive who not only brings expertise in bold and inspiring brand storytelling but also a steadfast dedication to finding innovative ways to enhance connections with customers."
“We are excited to have Maurice join our team as we focus on meeting the needs of our customers and capturing the diverse set of opportunities in front of us to deliver long-term growth,” she concluded.
Bro. Keyon S. Payton (Fall 1998) Holds Launch Event for The Institute of Trauma and Economic Justice
According to ITEJ Executive Payton: ITEJ is Ending Cycles of Generational Traumas. We’re exciting about our partnerships with many HBCUs across the country in the development of our Interns 4 Change Program. Black students will become Master Trainers of Trainers in ACEs to help create awareness of adverse childhood experiences and their impact on our communities.
In addition to our corporate sponsors, special thanks to my Line Brother, Brian Baytop and his family for their generous support of ITEJ and our Interns 4 Change Program! In Brian’s absence, this check was presented by the men of Alpha Rho Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated at Morehouse College.
We believe that the Institute of Trauma and Economic Justice’s transdisciplinary approach to increasing positive experiences in both children and adults will bring communities closer together- county by county, one city at a time, particularly within BIPOC communities that have shared lived experiences marked by the trauma of systemic racism and discrimination. We aim to shift the paradigm away from creating a one size-fits all solution to leverage the good already being done in a community and amplifying it which will in turn be a catalyst for more programs creating a multiplier effect.
In essence, we hope to create a supply and demand economy around positive experiences. In the process ITEJ makes access to these experiences equitable to those who need the healing doses the most. We aim to remove obstacles as they are identified and generate new opportunities for shared positive experiences to become the norm. We believe the benefits to the community will be measurable in the form of youth violence reduction, overall crime reduction, improved perceived health, and better health outcomes.
The Institute of Trauma and Economic Justice will break the cycle of trauma in communities one county at a time by bringing together the collective resources of the community to repair, reward, reconcile and renew those most affected by trauma and by introducing evidence based strategies that eliminate barriers to equitable health and prosperity.
Bro. Geordan I. Colden (Spring 2020) Sworn-in as City of Atlanta Firefighter
@cityofatlanta IG
Congratulations to @atlantafirerescue's newest firefighters, Recruit Classes 21-02B and 22-2! Chief of Staff Odie Donald II joined the recruits for their Recruit Graduation and Swearing in Ceremony and thanked each recruit for answering the call of service. He praised the work and commitment put in by each of them and officially welcomed them to Atlanta's world-class fire department. Thank you for your commitment to the people of Atlanta! 👏
From @callme__gee IG: "My grandfather used to always say, 'Don’t worry about the mule going blind, just sit back and hold the line.' Essentially trust your mule and its instinct aside from your own judgement, though you may not see the land have faith that you’ll get to your destination! Through our journey I’ve learned nothing but patience, accountability and trusting those around me. Wouldn’t trade this experience for anything. Days as an intern turn into years of service! Work isn’t done ❤️🔥
Thankful to officially join the family of Atlanta Fire and everyone whose been on this run with me! 🤝🏾
A Richmond, Virginia native, Bro. Colden is a 2021 graduate of Morehouse College with a Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology.
Brother Sherman Smith (Spring 1987) Moderates Book Event Featuring Former U.S. Attorney General Mr. Eric Holder
The GT Philadelphia office hosted a fireside chat with the 82nd U.S. Attorney General Mr. Eric Holder March 28. In collaboration with the Archons of Alpha Boule of fraternity Sigma Pi Phi, the presentation focused on the esteemed guest’s most recent book: “Our Unfinished March.” Moderated by Philadelphia Corporate Shareholder Sherman W. Smith, III the discussion was driven by voting laws and the constant battle our nation has had to endure to protect those rights.
Sherman W. Smith III is a member of the Corporate Practice in Greenberg Traurig's Philadelphia office. He is a transactional attorney whose practice covers a range of disciplines including commercial and residential real estate, real estate finance (debt and equity), and commercial finance, including representing major financial institutions in transactions involving asset-based and cash-flow credit facilities. His many representations have included some of the nation’s largest financial institutions, where he has worked alongside loan officers in the structuring, negotiating, and documenting loans for lenders. Sherman lends his years of experience to privately held businesses as an outside general counsel and advisor, including prominent real estate developers embarking on all phases of real estate development and project-related finance.
A third-generation Howard University Law School graduate, Sherman is equally invested in the civic life and economic empowerment of area residents, serving as a board member of the Philadelphia Opportunities Industrialization Center (OIC).
It was an honor and privilege to host a fireside chat with the 82nd U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder discussing his book “Our Unfinished March."
APCAA Picks Up Brothers Aleem, Bennett, Ward and Woolridge on the Road to Centennial 2024
By APCAA STAFF
As the APCAA nears the 200-day countdown to Centennial Week 2024, the event production team and foundation administrators continue to build its ranks with specialized talent that will assure the delivery of a spectacular celebration, and also fortify the association's signature scholarship consortium. To that end, please read on for profiles on these four Brothers who've answered the call to serve AP100:
Brother Amin S. Aleem (Spring 1999) has partnered with APCAA Treasurer Sean M. Moss to serve as Chief Financial Officer for AP100, overseeing the accounting and billing functions for Centennial Week and the Scholarship Consortium. For more than two decades, Amin's firm Cornerstone Bookkeeping & Accounting has provided project management, accounting, and financial management services to small businesses, non-profits organizations and the government.
In these roles, Amin implements financial policies towards desired revenue and expense outcomes, determines financial variances, trends and break-even scenarios, analyzes business processes to identify process improvements, and establishes financial procedures that eliminate duplicate tasks across departments.
A veteran marketing executive, Craig A. Woolridge (Fall 1982) and accomplished a young entrepreneur, Grant Bennett (Spring 2018) have partnered to lead the corporate sponsorship outreach for AP100.
Craig Woolridge has extensive experience in finance, sales, and marketing. He has held high-level positions at the world's leading financial institutions, including Microsoft, LibertyViewCapital Management, Cantor Fitzgerald, Blaylock & Partners, and BNP Paribas. His expertise in these fields has enabled him to develop strong client relationships and make sound decisions to drive success.
Grant Bennett is a proud native of Fayetteville, North Carolina. His background as an entrepreneur, consultant, producer, and community organizer has led him to engage in meaningful work with various brands and organizations. Grant has worked as a producer and consultant for the NFL, HBOMax, and the Clinton Global Initiative. He also serves as the Executive Producer for the Adobe AMPED content series. In addition, his work has been highlighted by Forbes and President Bill Clinton. Grant was named the Morehouse representative for the 2021 Nike Yardrunner 2.0 campaign and to the 2022 HBCU Buzz & Fayetteville Observer 40 Under 40 list. He currently works at Google as Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Strategist with a concentration in Analytics, Partnerships, and Storytelling.
Michael A. Ward (Fall 2013) has taken on team leadership for the production of the AP100 Centennial Keepsake — a 125+ page remembrance of Alpha Rho's storied history and re-telling of the path the association has traveled since its founding in 2014. Michael has more than five years of experience in consulting, and is currently aligned with Deloitte, consulting on government and public solutions/human services transformation. While at Morehouse, he served as the chapter historian and HopMaster. A self-described nerd, Michael loves sports and is passionate about Black history and culture, as well as social justice issues. He currently serves as the historian for the Alpha Rho Chapter Alumni Association.
BYP Network, a U.K. Based Firm Described as the ‘Black LinkedIn,’ Heads to New York and Atlanta (Bro. Robert L. Newman — Fall 2013 )
For young U.K. Black professionals seeking successful role models, they were often limited to those who broke barriers in sports and entertainment. As an emerging young professional in banking, Kike Oniwinde saw a gapping hole in how her industry and generation were networking. She co-founded the BYP Network in London, where she aligned Black talent with finance and tech corporations and gave them the tools to thrive beyond their jobs.
Quickly she and her team saw the need to connect across the pond and spread BYP’s reach to New York and Atlanta. Oniwinde and co-founder Meera Raikundalia tapped rising Wall Street star Robert Newman III to serve as BYP’s chief activator in New York City.
Newman knows firsthand the power of reaching back to pull someone forward. As a former equity inclusion and diversity program manager at Neuberger Berman, the HBCU grad joined the BYP Network’s BYPeers division and mentored individuals in networking, personal development and entrepreneurship. On May 19, BYP Network will hosts its US Leadership Summit. DETOUR checks in with Newman on becoming a mentor and creating allies in leadership and why, after years in the financial sector, he bet on himself and became an artist full-time.
How Companies Are Protecting The Mental And Emotional Wellbeing Of Their Employees, A Real Priority Among Gen Z (Bro. Maillard N. Howell — Spring 2000)
Maillard Howell, the Level Up Concierge at Rokt was hired to help employees identify the best self-improvement opportunities and activate the company's personal development benefit
Jane Hanson, ForbesWomen www.forbes.com
Despite mass layoffs, postponed start dates and a general “go slow” approach to hiring graduating seniors, Gen Z job seekers are not backing down. They prioritize their mental and emotional health, and they want their future employers to do the same.
A recent survey revealed that 92% of college seniors feel that employers should offer mental and emotional health benefits, and more than a third are prioritizing those companies during their job search.
And with Gen Z estimated to comprise 27% of the workforce by 2025, executives looking to attract top talent can benefit by taking a fresh look at both the mental health benefits they offer and their commitment to making sure employees use them.
Bro. Jermaine Shaquile Blakley (Fall 2013) Joins Health Innovation Capital as a Venture Fellow
Brother Jermaine S. Blakley has joined Health Innovation Capital (HIC), a venture capital impact fund that invests in disruptive healthcare innovation that addresses the unmet medical needs of pediatric patients within Oncology, Infectious Diseases, and select Rare and Orphan Designations. Blakley is an M.D. Candidate at Howard University College of Medicine.
According to Blakley, "I believe it is an honor to help create a better tomorrow in pediatric health innovation and digital health, and look forward to taking part in a venture capital impact investor that targets the unmet innovation needs of pediatric patients within oncology, infectious diseases, select rare/orphan designations, and beyond."
HIC is a tenured, diverse, and cohesive team of venture investors and medical innovation executives who have worked together to finance and advance some of the healthcare industry’s most important technological and service advancements. This unique team possesses a track record that encompasses over 125 years collectively of achieving significant exits and venture returns within HIC’s target indications and health sectors. Coupled with HIC’s scientific and medical advisors, who are leading physicians, C-suite executives, and researchers, the firm is a recognized thought leader and enabler in advancing innovative solutions across a pediatric patient's journey from prevention and diagnosis to treatment and ongoing care.
General Counsel Spotlight: Marcus Anthony LeBeouf (Spring 2001), General Counsel, Chicago Blackhawks
By Jolena Collas www.americanbar.org
Marcus LeBeouf holds numerous roles: father, husband, son, community leader and General Counsel for the Chicago Blackhawks and it affiliated entities. He barely finishes each day before he’s already thinking about the next day and how he can accomplish more for the people and missions he serves. Even as a kid, LeBeouf knew he wanted a career in sports law and, after receiving his undergraduate degree from Morehouse College and juris doctorate from Duke University, worked as a corporate attorney in various settings (large law firm, mid-sized law firm, publicly traded companies) but spent his spare time searching and waiting patiently for the right opportunity in sports to come along.
When the opportunities came, he put his all into the ensuing preparation and swung for the rafters in each instance; tailoring the resume, polishing the cover letter, perfecting the cover email, lining up the right references, pinging those in close proximity to the team’s employees via LinkedIn, etc. No stone was left unturned.
LeBeouf even carried a reminder of his dream with him at all times; a folded piece of paper in his suit pocket on which he wrote out a mock-up of his future email signature: full name and perhaps the title of the job he was applying for at the time in most instances — an aide of sorts to visualize his eventual entrance into sports law and an affirmation of his professional goal. And one day, the vision became reality. “Just recently I put my hand in a suit pocket and found a paper from 2010 with the words ‘Marcus A. LeBeouf, Assistant General Counsel, Jacksonville Jaguars, Ltd.’” he says. “This happens all the time and I love to put them right back where I find them. I never want to forget how long and arduous this journey was. I never want to lose that hunger.”
[While writing this story, LeBeouf’s father passed away following an 8-month-long battle with complications following a prior surgery. On the bright side, and with divine timing, LeBeouf was also designated as a “Notable Gen X Leader in Sports” by Crain’s Chicago and a finalist (three total) for the “2021-2022 General Counsel Impact Award” by the National Law Journal.]
Brother Earl N. Caldwell (Fall 1982) Brings The Different STEM Conference and NIL Competition to Atlanta's John Marshall Law School
Brother Earl Caldwell selected Atlanta, Georgia as the site for his latest interdisciplinary venture, The TD STEM Conference, a gathering that explored the global intersection of sports, technology, entertainment and media with culture, innovation, business, education and development and featured subject matter experts in those areas.
The NIL Competition was an interdisciplinary contest which intersected sports, entertainment, branding, marketing, business and law. The event was designed to challenge various skills across the fluid landscape in which NIL, endorsement and promotional deals exist.
The experience was designed to make participants aware of and to develop skills which can be applied towards their professional and entrepreneurial pursuits, as well as network with current practitioners and develop new relationships.
Earl N. Caldwell II (LLM ’00) is the interim director of the Curt and Linda Rodin Center for Social Justice, and an adjunct professor at Loyola University Chicago's Law School since 2018.
Chester (Chet) L. White II (Spring 1999) Joins Renewable Energy Concern Reactivate As VP Operations & Asset Management
Renewables and energy industry veteran Chester White has accepted a new role as Vice President of Operations & Asset Management at Reactivate. White has a demonstrated history of leading industry teams and is accomplished in analytics, electricity markets, trading, negotiations, and strategic planning. He holds an Executive MBA from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management.
Reactivate, a JV powered by Lafayette Square and Invenergy, is a renewable energy company that develops, owns, and operates renewable energy projects to improve the lives of people in low-to-moderate income and energy transition communities across the country. Reactivate’s primary focus areas are community solar, small-scale utility, and next generation projects. Reactivate seeks to create positive social and environmental impact in underserved communities by delivering renewable energy, environmental benefits, job opportunities, energy cost savings and opportunities for minority and women-owned businesses.
Brother Jamal Thomas (Spring 2013) Brings His Numbers Skills to Noble Schools as an Algebra 2 Instructor
Chicagoland Charter School system has recruited Jamal Alfonzo Thomas to join their team as an Algebra 2 Instructor. Thomas has a demonstrated history of working in the primary/secondary education industry and received his Master's in the Art of Teaching focused in Education from Relay Graduate School of Education.
Noble is a nonprofit organization that runs 17 charter public high schools and one middle school in the city of Chicago. Founded in 1999, they now serve over 12,000 students, and they come from every neighborhood in the city. Every year, 99% of their seniors are accepted into college before they graduate high school. Their schools are free and open-enrollment – any student who completes 8th grade and lives in Chicago may attend.
Noble was founded on many of the same entrepreneurial principles that have built successful businesses — strong leadership, meaningful use of data, and a high degree of accountability. Because success is the only option for their students, they operate in a culture of high expectations – for academics, for behavior, and for our students’ futures. They know that college is crucial for future success, so everything they do is to prepare the students for that next step and to combat education inequity in Chicago.
YSL MEMBER ATTORNEY CALLS 🧢 ON JUDGE IN COURT... 'Had to Let 'Em Know!!!' (Bro. Justin Hill — Spring 2018)
Justin Hill, an attorney for Young Thug's YSL camp, has some serious cojones — not only did he disagree with the judge in their RICO case, but he blatantly called "cap" on him in open court!!! Hill was in court Monday when he was accused by Fulton County Superior Court Chief Judge Ural Glanville of not making a formal assertion before court started.
Although it was deemed a moot point, Hill stood his ground and basically told the judge he's an honorable fibber as the case proceeded. Outside the courtroom, Hill, who represents YSL member Damone Blalock aka Bali, doubled down on his choice of words. He told reporter George Chidi he felt misrepresented during the proceedings, and using the word "cap" perfectly defined the moment.
Thugger's RICO case has been filled with unpredictable hijinks — back in January, one of his codefendants attempted to pass him drugs as court was ongoing and several others, including Gunna, have since taken plea deals.
On Monday, Judge Glanville had to scold another attorney on Thug's side ... after he failed to buy lunch for his colleagues as ordered back in March.
Pictured above: YSL case attorney discusses his defendant being severed, reducing number of defendants down to 9. (Atlanta News First News)
Smart Business Dealmakers Honor Bro. Jason R. Crain (Spring 2007) at 2023 Atlanta Conference
The 2023 Smart Business Dealmakers Conference connected hundreds of Atlanta-area dealmakers — from middle-market CEOs to top investors and lenders to leading M&A advisers. With sessions ranging from raising capital to buying and selling companies to alternative asset investing, this year's conference covered the breadth of the M&A landscape.
Dealmaker Of The Year honoree Jason R. Crain encourages entrepreneurship and works to decrease the disparity gaps in technology. He is a restaurateur, tech founder, mentor, advisor and investor. Currently, Jason is the President at Slutty Vegan, Inc. Previously, he was an Entrepreneur in Residence at Amazon.com, where he built innovative visual search and augmented reality products for online shopping. Pre-acquisition to Amazon, Jason was the Co-Founder & COO of Partpic, Inc., a VC backed visual search and machine learning startup focused on the MRO/hardware industry. He also held leadership roles at Shazam, which was acquired by Apple, and Google, Inc. in NYC.
Jason is the Founding Chairman of ScholarMade Charter Schools, which enrolls over 400 students in Little Rock, Arkansas. Jason graduated with Phi Beta Kappa honors from Morehouse College, where he earned degrees in Spanish and Business: Marketing. He earned his MBA from Kellogg School of Management in 2019.
AUC Woodruff Library Books Alpha Rho For Next Archived Chapter In ATL African-American Culture
Artifacts From Morehouse College's Alpha Rho Chapter — THE GREAT 38 — To Be Housed And Digitally Archived Alongside Luminaries Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Atlanta Mayor Maynard H. Jackson (Spring 1956), Dr. Louis W. Sullivan (Fall 1951) and Dr. Hugh M. Gloster (Fall 1930)
By APCAA Staff
For more than 99 years, the Alpha Rho Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. has developed leaders, promoted brotherhood and academic excellence, while providing service and advocacy for our community during undergrad, and in the greater community afterward. All known artifacts of our storied history which began on Saturday, January 5, 1924 on the campus of Morehouse College will now be assembled for research purposes and preservation at The Robert W. Woodruff Library of the Atlanta University Center, Inc.
The partnership to archive items from nearly 100 years of fraternity life was secured in advance of the chapter's Centennial Celebration scheduled for January 5-7, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Archives Research Center’s collections primarily document the African American experience through civil rights, race relations, education, literature, visual and performing arts, religion, politics, and social work. The holdings include books, manuscript collections, digital collections, and materials documenting the Atlanta University Center schools, as well as the African American and African Diasporic experience.
"For more than nine years, members of the APCAA have carefully crafted how THE GREAT 38 will be celebrated during Centennial, and we've designed a scholarship legacy that will impact generations to come," said APCAA President BMaynard Scarborough. "We're extremely mindful that we make our legacy accessible to those same generations that will hopefully build upon what we've accomplished. So, archiving our impact on the world at The Woodruff is just what the Brotherhood ordered."
Retail Giant Nordstrom Ups Ranks with Change Management Pro Bro. Carlton E. Gordon (Spring 2007)
Seattle, Washington-based Nordstrom has added Carlton E. Gordon, Jr. to serve as a Senior Program Manager, Organizational Change Management. To date, there are more than 350 Nordstrom, Nordstrom Local and Nordstrom Rack locations.
Gordon holds over 10 years of experience helping clients navigate change and advising leaders on ways to structure their companies to deliver on their strategic priorities. Carlton has led a variety of business transformations, event-driven change efforts, M&A deals, and other strategic initiatives.
He has worked on a variety of projects, but not limited to: Change Management, Organization Design, Business Transformation, Stakeholder Engagement, Strategic Communications, and Training. Carlton has also helped various companies identify entry-level and mid-level talent through campus and just-in-time recruiting cycles.
ALPHA RHO BROTHERS @ WORK: ACTOR, GARRETT F. HOWARD — Fall 2010
Overheard at Northrop Grumman | Take Your Robo-Child to Work Day
ALPHA RHO BROTHERS @ WORK: BLUEFLETCH CEO RICHARD MAKERSON — Spring 2001
How Does BlueFletch Work with Zebra Workforce Connect?
BlueFletch Feature Highlight for Advance Auto Parts: how BlueFletch Enterprise Launcher integrates with Zebra Workforce Connect / Push to Talk Pro:
ALPHA RHO BROTHERS @ WORK: HERTZ EVP MARKETING WAYNE DAVIS — Spring 2001
Hertz Launches Latest Phase of "Let’s Go!" Campaign Starring Tom Brady and Yvonne Orji
ALPHA RHO BROTHERS @ WORK: ACTOR, CRAIG A. WOOLRIDGE — Fall 1982
Home Solutions Made Simple: PSE&G's WorryFree Appliance Service
FROM APCAA'S SOCIAL MEDIA:
FROM APCAA'S SOCIAL MEDIA:
FROM APCAA'S SOCIAL MEDIA:
... COMING SOON ... COMING SOON ... COMING SOON ... COMING SOON ...
APCAA Centennial Directors To Launch 12 Affinity Sponsorship Groups to Support Scholarship Consortium
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