What does the election of Senator Barack Obama mean for Alpha Phi Alpha?

Tuesday, November 4, 2008 was an historic day in the United States of America; it was the day our country came together to elect Senator Barack Obama, an African-American, as President of the United States.

Considering all of the post-election analysis that will take place to dissect and determine what led to this victory, where over 62 million Americans voted for the Junior Senator from Illinois, there’s one analysis that won’t be made by the political pundits – what does the election of Senator Barack Obama mean for Alpha Phi Alpha?

In 2008, the same year we elected “the one” who will be the first African American President of the United States, we’ve elected the 33rd General President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. – Bro. Herman “Skip” Mason, who asked us to “Believe in the 7.”

If we follow some of what numerology indicates, 7 shows the ability to learn, analyze and seek out answers to life’s important questions and the potential for enormous growth and success. There will undoubtedly be numerous social philanthropic opportunities in the coming years; opportunities that will certainly allow us to bring enormous growth and success to General President-elect Mason’s vision of “Guiding our Boys from the High Chair to High School and on to College.”

The monumental milestone of Americans sending President-elect Obama to the White House reveals the “Hope” for a better future for our children. The impact of this election will shape the conscious of America for decades to come. The responsibility of Alpha is to ensure there is a body of intelligent able bodied men who will ensure our country continues to take giant leaps forward.

Unbeknownst to the world, Alpha Phi Alpha’s national programs have positioned us for the unique opportunity to benefit from any efforts to infuse communities with the resources necessary to ensure the further support of balanced education and prospects for all.

Ironically, since the inception of our programmatic focus during the 1920’s – 1930’s, Alpha has been poised for such an event. Our National Programs use as their basis the four-pronged Male Enhancement Mentoring Implementation Model which focuses on the academics, leadership, personal development and social development of young men. This model specifies developmental areas that should remain our focus as we plan and implement our many grassroots efforts to invoke change.

So as we prepare for THE dynamic week in January – the week that will begin as we witness the inauguration of America’s first Black president and end with the inauguration of the next General President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. – we should take a second to revel in the significance of this moment. However, more importantly we must galvanize the men of Alpha to continue on our path with a greater vigor, a determination, which will unquestionably ensure the encouraging future of the African American male.

This is our moment in history…it’s time to “Believe in the 7,” time to remember “Esprit de Fraternité!”