African-American alumni and former students who have attended the University of Arkansas at Monticello will be gathering in Monticello to celebrate Homecoming 2013 on Thursday through Sunday, Oct. 24-27.

In its 14th year of coordinating activities during the UAM Homecoming weekend, the African-American Alumni Association will officially kick off its weekend with a breakfast and reception at 9:00 a.m. Saturday in the John F. Gibson Center’s Capital Room. The cost of the breakfast is $20 per person and may be paid at the door. Autry, in 1986, was UAM’s first underclassman to earn first team football NAIA All-America honors for the Boll Weevils.  He was a three-year starter for UAM teams that went 19-9 from 1985-1987. He was the Arkansas Democrat’s AIC Defensive Player of the Year in 1986 and a first team All-AIC selection. As an undersized noseguard, he was said to be “unblockable.” He was an active member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. He is owner of Omega 3 Customized Art Works in Dallas.

Belcher earned an Associates of Arts Degree in 1999 and a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in 2000, both from UAM. He was a member of the Black Student Leadership Council and the UAM Marching and Concert Bands. He was very active in Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. He is an ordained Baptist minister and is currently employed by the Arkansas Department of Correction.

Green was one of the first African-American athletes to play baseball at UAM. He played from 1972-1974. In 1972 he earned Honorable Mention All AIC as an outfielder. He was also a member of the UAM Marching Band and Kappa Kappa Psi Fraternity, Inc. A family man, Green worked at Burlington for 25 years and at Georgia Pacific for 15 years.

Jackson graduated from UAM in 2000 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Education. As a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Jackson was known as one who captivated audiences with his vocal gift/delivery of song. He was a member of the UAM Concert Choir, Unity and numerous other groups. Jackson has released music and songs that have been played on radio stations in Arkansas, KZRB of New Boston, TX and other stations. He is an ordained minister at the Horizon Church and Its Ministries of Fordyce. He is an educator in the Fordyce Elementary School.

Jones graduated from UAM in 1978 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Health, Physical Education and Recreation. He was a four-year letterman for the Boll Weevil basketball team and a member of the Lettermen’s Club. In the fall of 1979, he was hired into the Fordyce School District. He started as a coach and teacher in the Junior High, transitioned into the high school as the first African-American head coach. He has been named  “Coach of the Year” eight times during his coaching career. He is the winningest basketball coach in Fordyce history. 

Rashad was a very active member in Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. while she attended UAM. She majored in psychology and was one of the first African-American students to become a cheerleader. She is owner of De De Designs & Photography and co-owner of Safwan’s Barbecue, both located in Warren. She is currently employed by the Southeast Arkansas Human Development Center in Warren.

Saxton was a defensive tackle with the Weevil football team in 1982. Unique to this group, Saxton was a star performer with the Arkansas Razorbacks as a defensive end from 1976-78. He graduated from UAM in 1982. He has served for four years as pastor of the Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church of Biscoe, AR. He has been employed with Kimberly Clark of Maumelle for the past 18 years.

Spencer is a native of Crossett, currently residing in Little Rock. She graduated from UAM in 2002 with a degree in social work. She graduated from the accredited Social Work program at UAM to help pave the way for future social workers. She is a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. Spencer has a heart-felt passion for children who have been neglected or abused, thus leading to her role as an adoption specialist with the Arkansas Department of Human Services.

Webb graduated from UAM in 2009 with a bachelor of social work degree. While in college, she was nominated for the homecoming court and Who’s Who Among America’s College Students. She also became an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. In her church, she is very active and only recently helped to start a praise group called “Unspoken,” which is a group of boys and girls, ages 7-12, that has learned to praise God through movements and motions.

Recipients of the Classie Jones-Green Scholarship, the Shay Gillespie Phi Beta Sigma Scholarship and the Al Peer/Kappa Alpha Psi Alumni Scholarship will also be announced during this event. An update will be given on the Barbara Blanks-Gathen Centennial Clock Project sponsored by the African-American Alumni Association.

On Sunday morning, Oct. 27 at 11:30 a.m., Saxton will deliver the special alumni message at the Mount Tabor Missionary Baptist Church in Wilmar, where Rev. Shay Gillespie is pastor. The public is invited to attend these services in honor of alumni and former students of UAM.

“We are always excited about our Alumni Elite inductees, said planning committee co-chairman Classie Jones-Green. This is our 13th year to present this honor and we will now have a total of 149 members. The recipients of the award are alumni and former students who have helped to blaze paths for future students. They are very deserving of their honors and UAM can be proud of their efforts.”

Prior to breakfast, there will be a special meet-and-greet period. Special music and entertainment will be provided by the Mount Tabor Inspirational Choir/Ensemble.

“We have spent numerous hours preparing for the return of our alumni and former students,” said Gillespie, co-chairman. “I’d like to say that with the help of Ms. Alicia Smith, also a UAM graduate, we were able to get more things done in regard to planned activities and events. She has been instrumental in our endeavors. We are all proud that UAM has played a valuable role in our lives. We join the University in inviting everyone to return to UAM and to the Monticello area.”

When the National Sigma Beta Club, the youth affiliate of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity had its National Leadership Conference July 10-13 at Temple University in Philadelphia, two of Miami’s own were honored for their excellence.

Edward Leonard, a freshman at the New World School of the Arts, won the oratorical contest, speaking on the topic of the effects of childhood obesity and how the Sigma Beta Club could solve the problem.William Thomas Gilmore, a freshman at Coral Reef High School, won an academic achievement award for maintaining a high grade point average during the 2012-2013 school year.

The Sigma Beta Club of Theta Rho Sigma meets at 2 p.m. on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month in the Gibson-Bethel City of South Miami Community Center. Membership is open to boys in middle and high school.

For more information on the club, contact Jermaine Brogdon, director at 786-440-0002.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/09/01/3593989_p2/at-92-south-dade-woman-is-a-pinochle.html#storylink=

The Alpha Delta Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc, is the oldest undergraduate NYC chapter of the organization, established in 1928 at the City College of New York, in the Harlem region of Manhattan. The Alpha Delta Chapter, once the city wide chapter, had a long standing connection in the early 20th century, of being ahead of the curve with everything. Community service, eduation and co-sponsered dances with the NAACP not withstanding. With the distinction of being the only divine 9 fraternal organization with a chapter at The City College, The Alpha Delta chapter was and continues to be at the forefront of shaping tradition in the New York City area. One of the most notable members of Phi Beta Sigma, Hulan Jack, the first African American borough president of Manhattan was a member of the chapter. The Alpha Delta chapter, now in its 85th year, is still standing on the campus, looking to continue its outreaach and advancement in the 21st century, while also keeping its detailed, and prestigious history alive. Contact the Alpha Delta Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc at adsigmas@gmail.com or PBSAD.org.

- Brother Cabril A DeAbreu

For more than a short period of time, the New York City area has been missing a presence. In community service, in awareness, on campuses, and in class rooms. However, the efforts of many of the chapters of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc's NYC undergraduate chapters may finally be paying dividends. Chapters Like the Alpha Delta Chapter (CUNY: City College), Xi Epsilon Chapter (Long Island University, Brooklyn Campus), Theta Gamma Chapter ( New York City Wide),Alpha Alpha Phi Chapter (Medgar Evars College), and Lambda Rho Chapter(St. John's University), have united in an effort to increase the positive message of "Culture for Service & Service for humanity". These gentlemen, all very engagable, have increased presence in class rooms, wheter through educational outreach, or as the Alpha Delta chapter has established for the Fall of 2013, tutoring services. The brothers of the chapter, invite students out to recieve help, from graduates members, who have experience in the specific fields which may be causing students difficuly. If you attend a community service event, don't be surprised to see one of these young gentlemen present. They are like volunteering. In awareness, their increased presence has been a sight for sore eyes. Students have been coming in the bunches to find out about programs offered, volunteer activites or about the newly Revived New York City Step Team.

To find out more about Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc in your NYC school, visit PBSAD.org, or email the ADSigmas@gmail.com. They'll point you in the right direction.

- Brother Cabril DeAbreu.

• Nick Gilchrist, a recent graduate of Winston-Salem State University, traveled to Philadelphia in July to attend Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity’s international conclave.

Gilchrist was a contestant in the oratorical contest, competing against five other contestants from across the nation, and brought home the national oratorical championship.

Contestants were required to speak about how Phi Beta Sigma can help push President Barack Obama’s initiative for academic excellence for African-Americans. Gilchrist won the competition by focusing on the fraternity’s education program, drawing parallels between it and the goals of Obama’s initiative.

For winning the contest, Gilchrist received a trophy and a $1,500 scholarship. He will remain the fraternity’s national oratorical champion until the next conclave in 2015. Gilchrist joined Phi Beta Sigma fraternity in the spring of 2012.

The Daily Pennsylvanian spoke with Kenneth Jones, the new program coordinator for the Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life, about his plans for his time at Penn.

The Phi Beta Sigma brother will succeed the late and beloved Larry Moses.

Jones is a Jackson State University graduate and received his Master in Science from Drexel University. He is currently a doctoral candidate in higher education at Morgan State University in Baltimore.

Daily Pennsylvanian: First off, welcome to Penn. What attracted you here?

Kenneth Jones: I just finished some coursework for my Ph.D. at Morgan State University and I was looking for a position within the field, specifically within student affairs. I was attracted to institutions that valued diversity.

DP: You were featured in a 2007 issue of Ebony magazine as one the nation’s top leaders under 30. What were you doing that caught the attention of this publication?

KJ: Before Penn, I was heavily involved in nonprofit work. I had spent my time with North Philadelphia youth and started a nonprofit that catered to teens and helped them get to college. I also exposed them to different poverty levels around the world. I took four teens to Soweto, South Africa, to better appreciate what they have in the world. I was working on my second master’s at 25 and I guess that’s what caught the attention of my professor from Mississippi who nominated me.

DP: What plans do you have as the new coordinator of OFSL?

KJ: I want to provide opportunities for students to be proud of their organizations and showcase their organizations in a great light. This includes programmatic opportunities for students to meet the Greeks. It also includes citywide initiatives because the Greek life at Penn sets the stage for Greek life in the city. I want to expose our students to leadership developments, community service and get them to be recognized by the city in a different way. I plan to do this by holding symposiums, continuing traditions such as the Penn Relays step show and rethinking recruitment strategies.

(Related: Penn sorority life expands with Alpha Delta Pi)

My immediate goals are to make sure that students are exposed to what they can offer to the city. Penn students have the opportunity to go out and change the city and the world. I really want to also make sure that the Greek community is seen in the best light on campus. They are full of leaders and future world changers in my opinion and I intend on ensuring that everyone sees that.

DP: How do you plan to meet the scholastic needs of students involved in Greek life?

KJ: Penn is full of academically focused students. However, I hope to gain more understanding of where Penn students balance academic and social life … In the past, I have created an academic enrichment program where I pair Greek students with other students on campus to help each other academically. If there isn’t something like this in place already, I would like to start it to make sure that Greek students are also academic leaders at Penn.

DP: Can you talk about your work and collegiate expertise with the LGBTQ community?

KJ: I’m writing my dissertation on experiences of homosexual men in black Greek letter organizations and exploring the origins of homophobia in these communities. As an openly gay man, I think that my experience is something that really informs a lot of my academic work and helps me understand what students may be going through.

At Penn, I want to make sure that students know that I am a safe space, an ally and someone who understands — as an openly gay man in a fraternity. This may mean many uncomfortable conversations with some and good conversation with others. I’m not sure how I can utilize that at Penn just yet. I honestly think it’s a part of me, but it’s not the focal point of what I do.

(Related: Unregistered frat party sanctions see structural change)

DP: What should we be looking out for in the near future?

KJ: A major event will be taking place on Sept. 26. The MGC will host Meet the Greeks, which is an opportunity for recruitment. It will be a great time, and there will be a DJ. Some groups will stroll, step, salute and present their organization. It’s also a great opportunity for people who want to know the organizations. It will be in [Houston Hall’s] Hall of Flags from 7-10 p.m.

http://www.thedp.com/article/2013/08/new-fraternity-sorority-life-coordinator