Chapter History
African Americans began moving into the Western Suburbs of Chicago in large numbers between the years of 1969 and 1973. During that period, a number of black civic and social organizations were formed in the Western 'Burbs. Some of those organizations were:
- The Coffee Club (later changed to the Progressive Women Club)
- CYD (a Black Men's Club)
- DuPage County NAACP
The rekindling of fraternal bonds blossomed quickly as members of the various organizations got better acquainted. Thus, Greek-letter chapters, representing their respective fraternities and sororities were formed through the affiliation of the civic and social organizations.
"History" states that while attending a meeting with the National Alliance of Businessmen in Washington, D.C., Brothers Art Thompson and Ernie Gibson discussed the formation of an Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Chapter in the Chicago Western Suburbs. Brother Thompson lived in Wheaton, Illinois and Brother Gibson resided in Glen Ellyn. The need and desire to establish a chapter in the Western Suburbs rapidly gained support from several talented Alpha Men.
An informal meeting was held in February 1976 to entertain the idea of establishing a chapter. Brothers Art Thompson, Ernie Gibson, Robert Wells, Kenneth Watkins, Sr., Mickey Brown, Clarence Lewis, James Ivory, and others attended the meeting. Subsequent meetings were held to establish a committee to work on chapter by-laws. The committee consisted of Brothers Manny Jackson and Ken Watkins, Sr.
The first Chapter Officers elected were
President: Ernie Gibson
Vice President: James Ivory
Recording Secretary: Arthur Thompson
Corresponding Secretary: Mickey Brown
Treasurer: Charles Dickerson
Dean of Pledges: Melvin Funchess
Editor to the Sphinx: Kenneth Watkins, Sr.
Historian:
Chaplain: Howard Falls
Sergeant-at-Arms: Clarence Lewis
Chartering of Mu Mu Lambda Chapter
Mu Mu Lambda was chartered as an Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Chapter (Key #556) on April 14, 1976. There were twenty-two (22) chartering members. Six of whom remain active with the chapter today:
MML Charter Members
Mickey Brown
Kenneth Watkins, Sr.
Robert Wells
Delbert Jones
Others have either relocated or passed into Omega Chapter
MML CHARTER MEMBERS
1. Willie Haywood
2. Robert Wells
3. Kenneth Watkins, Sr.
4. Mickey Brown
5. Melvin Copeland
6. Charles Dickerson
7. Ronald Dunlap
8. Howard Falls
9. Melvin Funches
10. Ernie Gibson
11. Gerald Hardee
12. James Ivory
13. Clarence Lewis
14. Lawrence McCall
15. William Watson
16. Vaughn Phillips
17. Clarence McNair
18. Henry Ray
19. Arthur Thompson
20. Billy Trotten
21. Floyd Johnson
22. Manuel Jackson
Chapter Programs and Milestones
Mu Mu Lambda made an early commitment to promote scholarship and youth development. Since inception of Mu Mu Lambda Chapter, the focus has always been to promote and design programs to enhance the educational development of our youth. Brother Clarence Lewis served as the chapter's first Director of Educational activities and Brother Kenneth Watkins chaired the first Scholarship Committee. The chapter held its first fundraiser (Dinner, Dance, and Fashion Show) on July 9, 1976 at the Ferrara Manor in Chicago.
Brother Clarence Lewis initiated the precursor to the Alpha Lite Program. The chapter members would host students from the community at their various placed of employment and conclude the day with a dinner. Brother Roland Wesley chaired the first Alpha Lite Program, as we know it today. Brother Wesley Mu Mu Lambda's Alpha Lite Program to national prominence. The program serves as a model educational program throughout Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc and the nation. The Alpha Lite Program and Education Committee now annually sponsor a pilgrimage to Ghana West Africa. This is a rites of passage program for Alpha Lite and Beautillion participants.
Note: Brother Roland Wesley was also commissioned by the U.S. Naval Academy to award scholarships to minority students. He typically awarded 6 scholarships each year, which totaled approximately $1,500,000. Mu Mu Lambda made an early commitment to promote scholarship and youth development. Since inception of Mu Mu Lambda Chapter, the focus has always been to promote and design programs to enhance the educational development of our youth. Brother Clarence Lewis served as the chapter's first Director of Educational activities and Brother Kenneth Watkins chaired the first Scholarship Committee. The chapter held its first fundraiser (Dinner, Dance, and Fashion Show) on July 9, 1976 at the Ferrara Manor in Chicago.
The Chapter's most outstanding accomplishment continues to be the annual Beautillion. The chapter members were in search of a fundraiser that better represented the Alpha Phi Alpha motto, "Manly deeds, scholarship, and love for all mankind." The Beautillion was established in 1983 through the persistent encouragement of Brother Art Thompson. It now serves as the primary source of scholarship awards and chapter's programs funding. The success of the Beautillion has permitted the Chapter to award over $30,000 annually in scholarships. To date it has awarded over $300,000 to over 250 college bound students. Under the leadership of Brother Jadonal Ford (Omega Chapter), the Beautillion serves as a national model. Information on our Beautillion can be obtained as far away as the Los Angeles County Public Library System.
Mu Mu Lambda Chapter Membership
Service to mankind, the promotion of scholarship, knowledge, and achievement are the major objectives of Mu Mu Lambda Chapter. The Brothers of Mu Mu Lambda Chapter are committed to these noble objectives.
More than 350 Brothers have been affiliated with the Mu Mu Lambda Chapter. The chapter reached its peak in 1999-2000 with over 110 financial members. Currently, there are approximately 60 financial members with 52 Life Members. The chapter members are diverse with over 10 ministers, 1 Congressman, 1 Judge, 5 attorneys, 1 college president, 12 PhD’s, accountants, architects, educators, engineers, entrepreneurs, and numerous business professionals.
Mu Mu Lambda Chapter Presidents
Ernest Gibson -1976
Mickey S. Brown - 1977
Arthur Thompson - 1978
James H. Ivory - 1979 -1981
Walter R. Bauldrick, Sr. - 1981
Clarence R. Lewis – 1982-1984
Robert L. McMillian- 1984-1986
Harold W. Kelley - 1986-1988
Fred L. Miller 1988-1990
Roland E. Wesley -1990-1992
George A. McCrowey – 1992-1994
Isiah P. Ward-1994-1996
Austin V. Harton- 1996-1998
Kenneth R. Watkins, Sr. 1998-2000
Warren G. Smith 2000-2002
Norman P. Fleming -2002-2004
Michael J. Bates- 2004-2005
Undray Wilks – 2005-2007
David A. Lewis – 2007-2009
Rahmad D. Bauldrick, Sr.– 2009-2011
Seth L. Wilson – 2011-2013
Leonard C. McKinnis, Jr.- 2013-2016
Eddie H. Reynolds 2016-2018
Decature Tounsel 2018-2019
David A. Lewis 2019 - 2020
Ashton L. Clark 2020 - Present
Mu Mu Lambda Chapter Honors and awards:
Illinois District & Midwestern Region Alumni Chapter of the Year - 1984
Illinois District & Midwestern Region Alumni Chapter of the Year - 1986
Hosted the 55th Midwestern Region Convention - 1987
Illinois District & Midwestern Region Alumni Chapter of the Year - 1993
Illinois District & Midwestern Region Alumni Chapter of the Year - 2003
Illinois District & Midwestern Region Alumni Chapter of the Year - 2004
Midwestern Region Alumni Chapter of the Year – 2007
Host Chapter 77th Midwestern Regional Convention-2009
Host Chapter 85th Midwestern Regional Convention-2017
Brothers holding Illinois District & Midwestern Region Alumni Brother of the Year Awards:
Roland Wesley | Illinois District (1993)
Jadonal Ford | Illinois District, Midwestern Regional, and National Candidate
Brother who have served as National Fraternity Officers -Illinois District Area Directors:
Fred Miller, Jr.
Warren Smith
Quincy B. Banks