Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Held It’s Regional Convention In Myrtle Beach, SC

More than 1,300 Fraternity Brothers convened and Promote Social Justice Advocacy
The Southern Region of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., convened its 91st Anniversary Convention on March 31-April 3, 2022, at the Sheraton Myrtle Beach Convention Center (2101 N Oak St., Myrtle Beach, SC, 29577). Themed “Elevating Social Justice through Mobilization, Education, Advocacy, and Navigation: The Role of Alpha in the Fight for Democracy,” the four-day conference plans to make a huge impact in the Myrtle Beach community and provide strategies and initiatives that the chapters of the historic Fraternity can implement in all communities regionally.
Founded on December 4, 1906, at Cornell University, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. has supplied voice and vision to the struggle of African Americans and people of color around the world. The Fraternity initially served as a study and support group for minority students who faced racial prejudice, both educationally and socially. Famous fraternity members who have been in the forefront of civil rights include W.E.B. DuBois, Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., Edward Brooke, Martin Luther King, Jr., Thurgood Marshall, Andrew Young, William Gray, and Paul Robeson.
Today Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. is comprised of 657 active chapters located in the United States, Germany, Bermuda, Korea, the Virgin Islands, the Bahamas, and Canada. There are 254 Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. chapters in the Southern Region which covers the states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
There are 33 local chapters in South Carolina representing the cities of Aiken, Anderson, Beaufort, Bennettsville, Clemson, Columbia, Conway, Charleston, Denmark, Florence, Fort Mill, Georgetown, Greenville, Orangeburg, Rock Hill, Spartanburg, Summerville, and Sumter. This also includes chapters at higher education institutions including Allen University, Benedict College, Charleston Southern University, Claflin University, Clemson University, The College of Charleston, Coastal Carolina University, Francis Marion University, Morris College, South Carolina State University, University of South Carolina (Columbia), University of South Carolina (Aiken), University of South Carolina (Upstate), Voorhees College, and Winthrop University.

More than 1,300 members of the Fraternity attended the convention including eight past general presidents. They are Brothers Dr. Charles C. Teamer Sr. (1985-1988), Milton C. Davis, Esq. (1993-1996), Adrian L. Wallace (1997-2000), Harry E. Johnson, Esq. (2001-2004), Darryl R. Matthews Sr. (2005-2008), Dr. Herman “Skip” Mason Jr. (2009-2012), Mark S. Tillman (2013-2016), and Dr. Everett B. Ward (2017-2020). The 36th General President, Dr. Willis L. Lonzer III, was also be in attendance.

A main principle of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. is community outreach and mentoring initiatives. The Convention hosted a Blood Drive with the American Red Cross on Saturday, April 2, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Donors were asked to pre-register at redcrossblood.org and use the sponsor code AlphaSouth.
In addition to the community service project, leaders of the Southern Region of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., planned great educational and fellowship opportunities for the attendees. Business sessions were closed to the public and was only open to registered members of the Fraternity. However, there were many other events that the local community was invited to participate in:
FOCUS HBCU Fair

Thursday, March 31, 2022, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Sheraton Myrtle Beach Convention Center

During the FOCUS HBCU Fair, students visited with admissions counselors from more than 20 HBCUs, participate in a workshop to learn more about applying for scholarships, and have numerous opportunities to receive scholarships from attending colleges, universities, and education nonprofits from across the south. This event was free and open to the public – especially high school juniors and seniors.
Public Program and Panel Discussion – “Where Do We Go From Here?”

Friday, April 1, 2022, 6-8 p.m.

Sheraton Myrtle Beach

The brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. held a discussion on civil and voting rights, redistricting, and affirmative action. The moderator for the panel discussion was Brother Dr. Jonathan C. Augustine, Esq., strategist, Duke University Center for Reconciliation. Panelists include:

Brother Mitchell D. Brown, Esq., voting rights attorney, Southern Coalition for Social Justice

Brother Damon T. Hewitt, Esq., president and executive director, Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law

Brother Dr. Gregory J. Vincent, Esq., executive director, University of Kentucky Education and Civil Rights Initiative (in collaboration with the NAACP)

* This event was livestreamed on Facebook (1906APANetwork) and YouTube (Sphinx TV)

Graduate School & Career Fair was held on Saturday, April 2, 2022, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

Sheraton Myrtle Beach Convention Center

Recruiters from various HBCUs was on hand to answer questions about admissions for their graduate school programs. Organizations participating in the Career Fair include Amazon, Google, March of Dimes, UNCF, American Red Cross and more. The event was free and open to the public.

A Blood Drive with the American Red Cross was held on Saturday, April 2, 2022, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Sheraton Myrtle Beach Convention Center

Donors were asked to pre-register at redcrossblood.org and use the sponsor code AlphaSouth.
Stroll-Off Competition was held on Saturday, April 2, 2022, 6 p.m.

Sheraton Myrtle Beach Convention Center

This event highlighted Chapters in the art of stepping and creativity by allowing each team to showcase its individual style and talents.
The Big Chill was held on

Saturday, April 2, 2022, 8 p.m.

Sheraton Myrtle Beach Convention Center