My Brothers of Alpha:

As we pause to reflect on 101 years of leadership and service to all mankind, I am reminded of the lyrics to the great gospel song many of us sing in church today: "I Don't Feel No Ways Tired... I've come too far from where I started from... Nobody told me that the road would be easy... I don't believe He brought me this far to leave me."

For more than a century, you have held high the name of the "greatest Fraternity in the world" and, for that, I say "thank you." Thank you for your time. Thank you for your care. Thank you for your commitment. Most importantly, thank you for the brotherhood you exhibit everyday, in communities large and small, to the "least of these" your brethren. As a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., you reserve the right to take a bow...but only for a moment. For until we ensure that No Black Boys are left behind, there is still much work for us to do.

Every day, a young black boy goes home to a house without a father. On the way to and from school (if he makes it), he hears the echoes of those who have all but given up and sees the allure of fast money and fine cares on the streets. Without our support, our guidance, and our example, statistics tell us that this young black boy may not make it to college and, as a result, won't make it to Alpha. This, my Brothers, is unacceptable. Unless we sound the alarm as a collective whole and do something to "Help Save Black Males" from the brink of extinction, this young black boy's untimely demise may very well be our own.

To that end, I would like to charge each and every one of you to a challenge: "Do Something to Be a Blessing to a Black Boy Today." That's why we started the Alpha Audacity Political Action Committee. It is an  "Internal PAC" that will serve as a  reservoir of support and encouragement for those Brothers of Alpha who look to make a difference within the Fraternity by running for one of its district, regional or national level offices. We will support those Brothers striving to serve at all levels of Alpha government, from Assistant District Director to Regional Vice President, who believe in the PAC's three aims: "Provide Good Alpha Government, Help Save Black Males and Don't Forget About Intake."

If you believe that you are one of those whose aims are the same and would like to help the Fraternity achieve these goals, we want to help you. The Alpha Audacity PAC will be their to support your efforts in a variety of ways, so that you can not only run a more efficient and effective campaign, but together, we can help to shape our Fraternity for the next century to come, through leadership by example. 

During this electoral season, please be sure to ask the candidates striving to earn your votes what their plan is to "Help Save Black Boys." Please listen intently to their answers and govern your votes accordingly. After all, your Fraternity, and its future, may very well depend on it.

In the spirit of high idealism, I remain,

Always Fraternal,

Bro. Elvin J. Dowling, Founder & Chairman