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Reflecting on Summer 2023

Published on 9/10/2023

An Open Memo from the Chapter President

Subject: Reflecting on Summer 2023


How was your summer? We have all heard that question. It is commonly asked this time of year, and someone recently posed the question to me. I am sure they were asking about vacations and recreational activities, but a single word came to my mind—impactful!

That word does not describe the outcomes of my actions alone; it describes our chapter, Sigma Mu Lambda (SML). During a period of well-deserved rest for most chapters within our fraternity, the brothers of SML elected to keep our hands on the plow and do the work to advance the mission of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. in Montgomery and Chester Counties PA!

The work that we accomplished during the summer of 2023 can be divided into three categories: planning, promoting brotherhood, and providing service. We conducted three planning meetings to align on strategic priorities and plans of execution for the 2023 – 2024 fraternal year, but we didn’t stop there! Check out the timeline below!


June 17, 2023 - Brothers of SML participated in the Salem Baptist Church Juneteenth Celebration in Abington PA. Our chapter sponsored a table in partnership with the Phi Beta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. The brothers handed out 500 pretzels to those attending the event.  

June 20, 2023 - Brothers of SML traveled to our state capital to participate in an Alpha Day organized by SML’s very own Brother Claude Mickle and Brother Reverend Dr. Dan Williams, who is a PA state representative, where we learned about programs that will impact the communities we serve.


June 26, 2023 - Brothers of SML traveled back to our state capital to support our very own Brother Dr. Khalid Mumin during his senate confirmation hearing as the newly appointed Secretary of Education for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. We know our students and educators are in good hands!

July 7, 2023 – Brothers of SML made a pilgrimage to Ithaca NY. This event provided brothers with an up close and personal view of our fraternity’s history and wonderful fellowship opportunities.

July 26, 2023 – July 30, 2023 – Brothers of SML were well-represented at our 97th General Convention in Dallas TX by a full set of delegates! We get it. Traveling to conventions is not without sacrifice of time and money. Our representation by a full set of delegates conveys that members of SML are truly living the values conveyed in Espirit de Fraternite written by our Fourth General President, Charles H. Garvin.

August 12, 2023 – Brothers of SML hosted their 4th Annual Cookout! This event was organized by Brother’s Napoleon Stephenson and Damon Williams. We had a huge turnout! Brothers of SML invited their families and friends for a time of great fellowship and let us not forget how good the food was this year. A big thank you to all of our brothers who grilled, smoked, and cooked much of the delicious food and to Brother Rab Highsmith of Rho Chapter for frying fish throughout the day!  We were excited to have the young college brothers from Zeta Psi join us and enjoy themselves!

August 27, 2023 – Brothers of SML participated in the commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom! In particular, Brother Vice President Eric Smith and Brother Napoleon Stephenson drove to Washington DC and well-represented our chapter during this important moment of reflection and celebration.

August 28, 2023 – Brothers of SML participated in the Annual VIP Lineup at Blockson Middle School. We were honored to greet the young scholars and support the educators in the start of this academic session. Supporting the youth and educators in our community is at the core of our mission, and we’re grateful to have Brother Dr. Jeff Rhodes leading the way.

On August 29, 2023 - I participated in the Family Fun Day with Family Promise-Montco in collaboration with the ROSE Foundation of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sorority Inc., Phi Beta Omega Chapter to a back-to-school give.  Family Promise is addressing homelessness in Montgomery County one family at a time.

It seems to me that the pump has been primed for this fraternal year, and I’m looking forward to us leveraging this momentum to further promote brotherhood within our chapter and to provide even more service and advocacy for our communities! We are doing the work and having fun while doing it. I even saw brothers fellowshipping at Top Golf and Shoot Indoors in King of Prussia.  Way to go SML!

SML has been doing the work; we are doing the work today; and we will continue to do the work in the future!

Fraternally,

Brother Kewin Gales, Gamma Eta 1980

President, Sigma Mu Lambda