[caption id="attachment_933" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="2011 Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Gen. Pres. Mason"]<a href="http://www.beaufortislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Lifestyle-2011-Alpha-Phi-Alpha-Fraternity-Inc.-Gen.-Pres.-Mason.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-933" title="Lifestyle-2011 Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Gen. Pres. Mason" src="http://www.beaufortislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Lifestyle-2011-Alpha-Phi-Alpha-Fraternity-Inc.-Gen.-Pres.-Mason-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a>[/caption]

The Members of the Xi Gamma Lambda Chapter (Beaufort) of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. will celebrate their 29th Charter Day.  The event will be held on Sunday, June 12,, 4 p.m at the Faith Memorial Baptist Church, 28 Lands End Road, St. Helena Island. It is free and open to the public.<!--more-->

The speaker will be the 33rd  National President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Herman “Skip” Mason, Jr.  Mason is an author, educator, historian, and community servant is a native of Atlanta, Georgia. He received his Bachelors of Arts degree from Morris Brown College. He received a Masters Degree in library and information science with a concentration in African-American History from Clark Atlanta University. He has also studied at the Phillips School of Theology. Currently, he serves as the Interim Vice President of Student Services/Dean of Students and College Archivist at Morehouse College in Atlanta and holds the endowed directorship as the Edward and Hermese Director of Morehouse College’s Learning Resource Center.

Mason has authored several books and produced various videos including: “Going Against the Wind: A History of African Americans in Atlanta;” “Black Atlanta in the Roaring Twenties;” “African-American Life in Jacksonville, Florida;” The History of Black Entertainment in Atlanta; and History of African-American in DeKalb County, African-American Life in East Point and Washington, Georgia and the Talented Tenth: The Founders and Presidents of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.  He has also served as a consultant and curator on numerous projects and exhibits documenting the African-American experience.  He served as a consultant and researcher for the documentary “Alpha Phi Alpha: A Century of Leadership.” Mason has been the recipient of numerous awards and honors including the Iota Chapter Brother of the Year, Georgia Alumni Brother of the Year, Southern Region Brother of the Year and National Alumni Brother of the Year, 2006 Georgia Governor’s Award in the Humanities and the Outstanding Georgia Citizen from the Secretary of State Office. Currently the 33rd  National President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Mason is also a  member of Sigma Pi Phi (Kappa Boule’), and Prince Hall Masons, St. James Lodge No. 4 and the Atlanta Consistory No. 24.  He is a member of Leadership Atlanta, the Society of American Archivists, the Association for the Study of Afro American Life and History and serves on the board of the Atlanta Branch of the NAACP.

Also appearing as special musical guests will be the reigning Southern Region and District of South Carolina Miss Black and Gold Miss Jaleesa Graham of Winthrop University, and the St. Paul Baptist Church Adult Choir of Beaufort.

Founded in 1906, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. is the first intercollegiate Greek-Letter Fraternal Organization originally established for African-Americans. The organization has a rich history of commitment to the community through its National Programs, Special Projects and Outreach Activities.

In June 1982, a charter establishing Xi Gamma Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. was presented to 14 Alpha Men in Beaufort. After 29 years, the Xi Gamma Lambda Chapter continues to move forward in the true sense of brotherhood, community service and advocacy in Beaufort County and surrounding areas.

For more information contact Donnie “DC Mahaga” Campbell, Committee Chair at 843-263-6393 or Scott A. Gibbs at 843-812-6111.

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