This year’s march and memorial also paid tribute to Trayvon Martin, a young high school student from Miami who was killed in Sanford, Florida on February 26th, 2012, by George Zimmerman, a community watchman. Mr. Martin, who was unarmed, was returning to a family friend home when an unfortunate confrontation occurred. To this day, Mr. Zimmerman has not been arrested and remains free while rallies and protests have been held across the country demanding that he be arrested on killing an unarmed teenager under false pretenses. Zimmerman presume that Martin was about to commit a crime and that he was defending himself under the controversial Florida Law called “Stand your Ground.”

After the symbolic march, several local speakers and entertainers, featuring Sensere, the Wardlaw Brothers, Vickie Winans and James Fortune & Fiya, spoke and performed in memory of Martin (Luther King, Jr) & (Trayvon) Martin. The highlight of the evening was during the candlelight memoriam, the appearance of Trayvon’s parents-Sabryna Fulton and Tracey Martin, their attorney-Brother Darryl Parks of Parks and Crump PA, along with Congresswoman Fredericka Wilson, and several local officials. The brothers of Beta Beta Lambda Chapter were also recognized for the significant accomplishments that the organization, Alpha Phi Alpha, has achieved over its 105 years existence and salute Alphas most recent accomplishment, the completion of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr National Memorial in Washington, DC. Beta Beta Lambda was one of the top chapters in the country in fundraising for the national memorial project.

Brother Trever Wade, President of Beta Beta Lambda Chapter, and his administration with the Council of Past Chapter Presidents, continues to be servant to all mankind through local fundraising campaign, challenging corporations and foundations to make contributions to the chapter’s foundation and community development corporation for the betterment of young black boys in becoming black men. Beta Beta Lambda Chapter will close the year on November 2012 with the 75th Diamond Anniversary Celebration.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 5th, 2012

Press Contact:
Gregory D. Gay, (305) 401-7680
GDGAY@aol.com

CBS News correspondent Byron Pitts reports that Davis is more than the music teacher and band director. He’s old-school, no-nonsense, and an inspiration.

“I see every report card. I see every interim, and if the grades aren’t up to par, they’re gonna take a break from being in my program,” Davis said.

Davis’ program was key to Miramar High’s turn around. The band grew from 40 students to 150 and became the pride of the school. Ninety-percent of Miramar students graduate, but nobody beats the band. For four years in a row, 100 percent of the band has graduated and gone on to college. Davis said his kids would probably describe him as “rough.”

“His number one priority and goal is to get all of us to college,” said Sandra Romero, a member of the band.
Davis doesn’t just get kids to college, he keeps them there. Andrew Wan is one of Davis’ former students. Like Davis, Wan enrolled at Florida A&M University and joined the famous MARCHING 100 band. When college got tough Wan wanted out.

“He said it so simply: ‘If you quit band now and you come back home, what are gonna do?’” Wan said.

After graduating from FAMU, he was standing in as band director at Miramar High while Alvin Davis is on leave and tours schools across Florida as the state’s teacher of the year.

“When I look in the mirror I say, ‘There’s the American dream, raised on the drug and gang infested streets of the South Side of Chicago, and I’m one of four finalist for the National Teacher of the Year,’” Davis said.

Davis said that even more than being recognized as a Teacher of the Year finalist, being called “Daddy Davis” by some kids means more.

“I can tell you what touches my heart even more – when I get a kid who comes up four years after high school graduation: ‘Mr. Davis, here’s my college diploma,’” Davis said, his voice cracking.

Over the past 12 years teaching, Alvin Davis has shed plenty of tears because he’s seen plenty of kids succeed.

The winner of the National Teacher of the Year will be announced later this month and honored by President Obama.

Source

He’s already been named top teacher in Broward County and Florida for 2011, but now Miramar High School music teacher Alvin Davis is in the running for National Teacher of the Year.

On Thursday, the Council of Chief State School Officers announced their four finalists for the nation’s top K-12 educator — including Davis who has taught music for the past 11 years.

“Alvin is a competent and passionate educator who makes sure his students have every chance for success,” Florida Education Commissioner Gerard Robinson wrote in a press statement. “He knows that teachers are the most influential factor in a student’s academic accomplishments and I am honored to congratulate him for this nomination.”

As band director, Davis requires a one-hour study hall for all band members, and also pairs students with mentors to track their academic progress. Before Seniors even think about performing in the band, they must show Davis proof that they’ve applied to college and have registered to take their college entrance exams.

As Florida’s Teacher of the Year, Davis also serves as the state’s Christa McAuliffe Ambassador for Education, visiting schools throughout Florida to speak on education issues.

Davis’s competition for the national prize includes the teachers of the year for Alabama, California, and the U.S. Department of Defense.

The winner will be announced in April and will be honored in a series of events in Washington, D.C. including a Rose Garden ceremony with the President, said Kate Dando, spokeswoman for the program.

By Laura Figueroa
lfigueroa@MiamiHerald.com

Alphas from colleges and college alumni and their guests from Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties have been invited to join in observing the rich history of the first fraternity founded for college educated men of color.

The Founder’s Day Service will take place at 4 p.m. at the Susan C. Holley Religious Center. The featured speaker will be Everett Ward, the fraternity’s past southern regional vice president, of Charleston, S.C.

Following the service, fraternity members will march from the chapel to the campus center for a reception.

The event is free and open to the public, including all fraternities and sororities.

Upcoming events being planned by Alpha chapters in the region include AlphaDisiac and Black Ice socials/parties throughout the year, a Black and Gold Ball in Broward County, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Services, an Evening with Black Artists in Palm Beach County, the Knights of Gold Mentorship event for Miami-Dade County and Alpha’s Men of Tomorrow events in Broward and Palm Beach counties.

On Jan. 15, the Beta Beta Lambda chapter will hold the Alpha/Links MLK Memorial Services at the Church of the Incarnation in Miami’s Liberty City community, and the Black & Gold Gala at the Westin Colonnade hotel in Coral Gables, which will commemorate the King Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. — a project which the fraternity led — and salute local contributors.

An Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Leadership Conference is planned for June 2012 at the Fontainebleau Resort on Miami Beach, and the 75th Diamond Anniversary of the Beta Beta Lambda Chapter will take place on Nov. 12.

Seven Cornell University students founded the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity on Dec. 4, 1906. The organization seeks to develop leaders and promote brotherhood and academic excellence, while providing service and advocacy for communities.

Miami’s Beta Beta Lambda chapter was founded on Nov. 19, 1937.

Those who wish to make a tax-deductible contribution to the Scholarship Program and/or Economic & Community Development initiative should call 305-206-8269, or e-mail betabetalambda@bellsouth.net or mail donations in c/o Beta Beta Lambda Chapter, P.O. Box 12447, Miami, FL 33101.

Photo: Henry Lewis III
Written by STAFF REPORT
Source: South Florida Times

Other future events for South Florida Alpha Chapters include the AlphaDisiac and Black Ice Socials/Parties throughout the year, the Black and Gold Ball of Broward County, the MLK Memorial Services, An Evening with Black Artists in Palm Beach County, the Knights of Gold Mentorship event for Miami-Dade County and Alpha’s Men of Tomorrow events in Broward and Palm Beach Counties. On January 15th 2012, Beta Beta Lambda will feature two events: the Alpha/Links MLK Memorial Services at the Church of the Incarnation and the Black & Gold Gala at the Westin Colonnade in Coral Gables. This event will commemorate the MLK National Memorial and salute our local contributors. The other major South Florida events will include co-hosting the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Leadership Conference in June 2012 at the Fontainebleau Resort on Miami Beach, and the year will be culminated on November 12th, 2012 with the 75th Diamond Anniversary of Beta Beta Lambda Chapter.

Trever Wade, President of Beta Beta Lambda Chapter and his administration, along with past presidents council which includes Maurice Hurry, David Young, Gordon Murray, Sr., Dana Moss, Sr., Ajibola Balogun, Ola Aluko, Gregory Gay, David Wilson, William Clarke III, Samuel Gay, Jr., Dr. Joseph Gay, DDS, will lead the local fundraising campaign, challenging companies, corporations and foundations to make contributions to the chapter’s foundation and community development corporation.

Everett B. Ward, M.A

Everett Ward is a Raleigh, North Carolina based political strategist and civic leader with more than twenty-five years of national and statewide experience. Everett is a member of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) where he serves as Co-chairman of the Credentials Committee and Vice Chairman of the DNC Black Caucus. In 1983 Everett was named Special Assistant to the Chairman of the North Carolina Democratic Party and, subsequently, was named Political Director. As a result of his political accomplishments he made history in 1989 as the first African American appointed Executive Director of the North Carolina Democratic Party.

Everett received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Saint Augustine’s College and his Master of Arts Degree from North Carolina State University. In recognition of his academic and humanitarian achievements as a graduate student, Everett received the 2004 Steve Grissom Humanitarian Award from the North Carolina State University Liberal Studies Program. As an invited guest of the Taiwanese government, he studied the political, educational and cultural institutions of the Republic of China (Taiwan). Currently, he is a doctoral student at North Carolina A&T State University in the Leadership Studies Program. As a result of his high academic achievements, Everett was named a North Carolina A&T State University Wardham Scholar.

In 2006 Everett was elected to serve on the Board of Trustees of Saint Augustine’s College. In 2009, he was elected to serve as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of his beloved alma mater.

Professionally, Everett serves as Director of the Historically Black Colleges and University (HBCU) Program for the North Carolina Department of Transportation. Prior to his current position, he served as the department’s Director of Intergovernmental Affairs and Director of Community Affairs. Everett also served as Special Assistant to the Deputy Secretary for Environment, Planning, and Local Government.

He is a lifelong member of Davie Street Presbyterian Church, USA where he serves as Elder. In addition to his church activities, Everett holds membership and leadership positions in such organizations as: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc (Southern Regional Vice President); Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity (Former Social Action Committee Chair); 100 Black Men (Former Treasurer); North Carolina State Capital Foundation (Board Member); Clarence E. Lightner Foundation (Charter Board Member); Mechanics and Farmers Bank (Advisory Board).

For twenty-nine years, Everett was married to his college sweetheart, the late Cassandra Lloyd Ward, a Wake County Public School educator and civic leader. On September 15, 2011 Cassandra lost her courageous battle with breast cancer; however, her legacy of service and grace will live on through her countless students and college women she influenced and mentored.

Everett’s interest and hobbies include reading, golf, historical preservation, and horse back riding.

About Beta Beta Lambda

Founded on November 19, 1937, Beta Beta Lambda [ββΛ] is the second alumni chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. chartered in the State of Florida, Miami’s premiere Alumni Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and four -time National Alumni Chapter of Year1975*1985*1986*2006. Chapter was Incorporation in 1978, and created two 501c3 not-for profit entities-Beta Beta Lambda/Alpha Education Foundation established in 1995 and AlphaLand Community Development Corporation established in 2006. Beta Beta Lambda Chapter and its subsidiaries are providing leadership through its many service activities such as Alpha Outreach, Project Alpha, Alpha-Dade Youth Sports Program, Alpha/Big Brothers & Big Sisters Partnership, Sankofa Project, Knights of Gold, Boy Scouts Troop 1906, Alpha/Head Start Partnership, Voter Education Project, and Scholarship Award Program.

If you would like to make a tax-deductible contribution to the Scholarship Program and /or Economic & Community Development , contact Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity’s Beta Beta Lambda/Alpha Foundation or AlphaLand CDC at (305) 206-8269, email us at betabetalambda@bellsouth.net, or mail donations in c/o Beta Beta Lambda Chapter, PO Box 12447, Miami, Fl 33101.

“My brother, who is five years younger than me, was reading at my grade level,” Forde recalled.

In fact, his late parents, Samuel and Margaret Forde, both teachers, were so worried about his academic future that they had a talk among themselves about little Evan as they agonized over this question, “Why can’t Evan read?” But he was so “oblivious” to everything else that he did not know he was lagging behind in his grades.

Then came the night when he was 15 and nearly died in a fire at his home that seriously injured his sister Bernadette and their mother and left him unconscious.

“I felt somebody grab me by the collar and shake me, saying, ‘Evan, wake up! Evan, wake up!’ To this day, I don’t know who it was — and there was nobody else with me. I think it was God,” Forde said in an interview on Tuesday. “As I sat on the grass watching the house burn, I thought to myself that, if I had died in the fire, a year later nobody would have known that I had lived.”

God, Forde said, must have wanted him around for some purpose. “I decided there and then that I would do something with my life,” he said.

And something he did.

The kid who wouldn’t be bothered about books at Bunche Park and Rainbow Park elementary schools in unincorporated Miami-Dade began to shine at then North Dade Junior/Senior High and Miami Carol City High School in Miami Gardens.

He shone all the way through college, attaining bachelor’s and master’s degrees in geology and geophysics from Columbia University.

He eventually landed a job at the Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Administration on Virginia Key and has been with this arm of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for 37 years.

Evan B. Forde, a research oceanographer, has been a

pacesetter ever since. A recognized authority on the formation, evolution and sedimentary processes of U.S. east coast submarine canyons, he remains one of only a handful of black oceanographers in the United States. He was the first African-American scientist to undertake research dives aboard a submersible and has completed dive expeditions in several submarine canyons using three of those vehicles.

He has conducted scientific research in a number of oceanographic and meteorological disciplines and his current research includes using satellite sensors to observe and analyze atmospheric conditions related to hurricane formation and intensification.

Why this rather esoteric field of study?

“My son became an oceanographer because his grades were below C level,” he remembered his father once jokingly saying.

But Forde has also embraced another pursuit in life. One day his father asked him whether he had benefited from public education and he answered yes.

“My father then told me that I should show my appreciation by doing something to further public education,” he said. “I decided to act on his suggestion and one of my goals is to make sure that any child in America can get a first-class education and that they can go as high as their hopes and dreams and determination can take them.”

He is already well on that journey.

Forde developed and taught graduate level courses on Tropical Meteorology for the University of Miami’s INSTAR program for seven years; graduate teachers from his course teach an estimated 15,000 students each year.

He created and teaches an oceanography course for middle school students called Oceanographic Curriculum Empowering Achievement in Natural Sciences (OCEANS).

He also created a Severe Weather Poster for NOAA that was distributed nationally to 50,000 teachers and is seen daily by an estimated 8,000,000 students.

He has spoken to nearly 40,000 Florida students during career days and other school presentations and, for three years, he wrote the Science Corner column in Ebony Jr. magazine.

So impressive has been his work in education that Forde received a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Administrator’s Award during a ceremony at NOAA headquarters in Silver Spring, Md., on Oct. 6.

The Miami native was cited for “outstanding communication of NOAA science, sharing the joy of science with students, and helping to foster a science-literate society.”

Forde has been under the spotlight in other ways. He has been the subject of three museum exhibits and he has been featured in several articles and science text books, as well as books and publications on prominent African-American scientists.

Active in the community, he has served as a PTA president, Scoutmaster, youth basketball coach, Sunday School and youth church teacher, church webmaster and neighborhood Crime Watch chairman.

His awards include being named NOAA’s Environmental Research Laboratories EEO Outstanding Employee, South Florida’s Federal Employee of the Year (in the Service to the Community category), a Congressional Commendation and NOAA Research Employee of the Year. In 2009, days were named in his honor by the city of North Miami and Miami-Dade County. In 2010, the Miami-Dade County School Board issued a proclamation honoring his contributions to students.

As the years pass, Forde remains convinced that a higher power is watching over him, including the time he was trapped in a mini-submarine two miles down in an underwater canyon.

“There have been times in my life when I have had narrow escapes,” he said, “and I believe that I survived because I haven’t completed what I was born to do.”

And that is?

“I believe I was born to share the joy of science with children around the world,” he said, “That mission is only just getting started.”

Photo: COURTESY OF MICHAEL MCELROY

LOOKING FOR ANSWERS: Evan B. Forde stands in front of a modern oceanographic research ship on Virginia Key. Forde’s earlier research was aimed at uncovering the mysteries of the oceans and he now looks to the skies hoping to unlock secrets that will improve hurricane intensity forecasting.

Written by MOHAMED HAMALUDIN
Thursday, 20 October 2011
Source: South Florida Times

While some of our brothers were attending the Florida Federation of Alpha Chapters District Conference in Tampa, Florida winning state’s 2011 Chapter of the Year and other awards, a faithful few brothers of Beta Beta Lambda Chapter were among several members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity that made the final trip to Washington DC for the Official Dedication of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr National Memorial held on October 16th, 2011. This event was televised live on TVOne, C-Span and several other media outlets. Staged at Potomac Park adjacent the memorial site, thousands of people witnessed the speakers and entertainers that provided spoken word/speeches and musical interpretation of their since of pride on building of the only memorial for an African American. Various speakers expressed that the continued quest for the “Beloved Community” is far from being achieved, and that civil right, along with equal economic prosperity for all is still a goal that must be achieve of America to truly become the country in which it was founded upon.

The event was MC’d by Brother Roland Martin and Ms Gwen Ifill. The speakers included Brother Julian Bond, US Rep John Lewis, former US Ambassador Brother Andrew Young, King’s children-Rev. Bernice King & Brother Martin Luther King III, King’s older sister-Dr. Christine King Farris, Brother Rev. Joseph Lowery, Cecily Tyson w/Amanda Stenberg, Nikki Giovanni, Diahann Carrol, Tommy Hilfiger, Secretary of the Interior-Ken Salazar, Rev. Al Sharpton, Marian Wright Edelman, Dan Akerson, Rabbi Israel Dresner, Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr, Gary Cowger, and former CBS News Anchor-Dan Rather. Performances were given by Mary Mary, Miri Ben-Ari & POEM-CEES, the Queen of Soul-Aretha Franklin, Jennifer Holiday, and Stevie Wonder.

The Keynote speaker which took place at the actual MLK memorial site was the 44th President of the United States of America, Barack Obama. Prior to his speech, the president and his family were given a private tour of the memorial site by Brother Harry Johnson, Sr., the King Family, and Brother Herman “Skip” Mason, presently the General President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Harry Johnson, a past General President of the fraternity, and presently President & CEO of the MLK National Memorial Foundation, led the national fundraising campaign to develop this multi-million dollar project. Johnson said, “The memorial commemorate King’s legacy and belief that every human being is valuable and necessary and that each of us is universally deserving of equitable access to the democratic ideals of life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness.” Johnson also stated that the memorial is an inspiration for people to fight racism, injustice, and inequality.

The memorial, designed by Devrouax & Purnell/ROMA Group JVP along with the sculptural works of Lei Yixin, uses stone, water and trees to underscore the themes of King’s messages of democracy, justice and hope.

The memorial cost an estimated $120 million to build and maintain. Congress, which authorized the Alphas to establish the monument in 1996, granted four acres of land between the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials to the project. The Beta Beta Lambda Alpha Foundation of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc raised approximately $100,000.00 locally, and members of the Miami Chapter arranged for an additional two $1 million donation that were made by two nationally known foundations.

Trever Wade, President of Beta Beta Lambda Chapter in Miami, along with past chapter presidents Ola Aluko, Alpha’s Southern Regional MLK Chairman and Gregory Gay, Miami’s Alpha MLK Chairman led the local campaign, challenging companies, corporations and foundations to make contributions to the memorial project. The Beta Beta Lambda/ Alpha Foundation would like to thank the following contributors: Community Health of South Florida, Jack & Jill of America, Former Congresswoman Carrie Meek and Former Congressman Kendrick Meek, Church of the Incarnation, New Birth MB Church, Burger King Corporation, Edgerrin James Foundation, Bacardi USA, along with several churches and community organizations, local philanthropists, local AKA and ΔΣΘ chapters, and the membership of Beta Beta Lambda Chapter. We especially thank the ExxonMobil Foundation and the John S. & James L. Knight Foundation for their $1 million dollar donations.

If you would like to make a tax-deductible contribution to the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity’s Beta Beta Lambda/Alpha Foundation, call us at (305) 358-1040, email us at betabetalambda@bellsouth.net, or mail donations to the Beta Beta Lambda/Alpha Foundation c/o Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc – Beta Beta Lambda Chapter, PO Box 12447, Miami, Fl 33101.