A GREATER PAST AND EVEN GREATER FUTURE

BEGINNINGS

Eta Tau Lambda’s roots go back to the founding of Alpha Phi Alpha at Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, on December 4, 1906. Alpha Phi Alpha is now the oldest, predominately black college fraternity in America.

Next came Alpha Tau, the undergraduate chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha, established at the University of Akron on May 9, 1925, Alpha Tau founders were Arte Fleming who served as first president, Norman McGhee, Paul Berry, Elmer Cheeks, J. W. Dunbar, Emmer Lancaster, and C.R. Lewis. The chapter’s purpose was to encourage and foster scholarship through a program of debate and study, and through social activities.

The graduates of the Alpha Tau chapter kept in touch with one another, including in their circle of friendship Alpha Phi Alpha grads from other colleges and universities who came to work and live in the Akron area.

In the late fifties this cluster of grads decided to form a more structured group in order to be of greater service to the college chapter and to the community.

Eta Tau Lambda came into being August 23, 1960, as an alumni chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha. Founders were Robert L. Brown, John H. Brown, Robert P. Smith and Paul Winters. Charter members along with the founders were Raymond R. Brown, Reuben Collins, Clarence Irby, Dr. Allen F. Killings, Dr. M.C. McNeil, Robert Morrison, James Rushin, George Shadie and E. Bruce Tate, Sr., Dr. Robert S. Smith, E. James Peake and David Wilson were also instrumental in founding the Eta Tau Lambda chapter.

In the 1960’s co11ege enrollments grew and as membership grew in the undergraduate chapter, Alpha Tau, the new alumni chapter, Eta Tau Lambda supplied guidance and encouragement.

THE 60’S

The 1960’s were an exciting time of challenge and progress. Eta Tau Lambda members became leaders in the civil rights movement.

And in the Akron community Alpha brothers were holding important posts. Attorney Edwin L. Parms was named president of the Akron chapter of the NAACP. William Threatt, Jr. and Norman Purnell each served terms as president of the Akron Urban League. Attorney James R. Williams became president of the Akron Community Action Council. Raymond R. Brown served as president of the Ohio Library Association, and was a member of the Akron-Summit County Library Board.

Raymond R. Brown was director of the Akron Community Service Center and Urban League unit until 1963. He was then appointed regional director of the National Urban League’s Mideast Region and was named “top social worker of the year.

Eta Tau Lambda brothers held many NAACP and Urban League leadership positions during the turbulent sixties. The annual Freedom Fund dinner was established. Marches on Washington D. C. were organized and desegregation of housing and schools was sought.

James R. Williams left the teaching ranks in 1964 to become the City of Akron’s Relocation Director. By 1969 Jim had been elected Akron’s second Black councilman at large.

Martin L. Chapman was offered the position of deputy administrator to the Mayor of Akron in 1965. He turned down the offer, choosing a career devoted to education. He served as the principal of Akron Garfield High School until his death in 1981.

Over the years, the Akron Jaycees have selected Brothers Edwin L. Pains, Randolph Baxter and William M. Threatt, Jr. as “Outstanding Man of the Year”, and also Threatt was selected as one of the “Five Outstanding Young Men in the State of Ohio”.

Ray Charles was the headliner for an Akron concert on July 29, 1963, raising funds for a scholarship program and a youth guidance project. Charles returned later to help benefit these programs.

A highlight of Eta Tau Lambda was serving as hosts of the Midwestern Regional Convention in 1966. Regional “Hall of Fame’s winners were James R. Williams and Leon Butts. A year later James R. Williams was named “Man of the year” in the region.

AND INTO THE 70’S

While strengthening the community through their active leadership roles, the men of Eta Tau Lambda distinguished themselves within the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity as well.

James R. Williams has been the national president. Attorney Randall Baxter serves as chairman of the national personnel committee. William Threatt Jr. was named national “Man of the Year” for 1975. He served on the Alpha Phi Alpha Housing Foundation for three years. James Rushin and William Threatt Jr. have been members of the Housing Foundation.

Eta Tau Lambda has twice been named “Chapter of the Year” by the national fraternity,

And an Akron Black History project has grown out of the helping hand extended to the Wooster Branch Library.

Edwin L. Pains wrote the original proposal and continues to serve as chairman of the Alpha Library Committee.

AKRON SESQUICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

Thanks to the Eta Tau Lambda chapter, the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus came to help Akron raise funds to celebrate its Sesquicentennial - all 150 years of Akron’s History - in 1974. More that 20,000 persons were in attendance at the Coliseum to see the circus, and ETL continued to sponsor the circus for two more years.

SCHOLARSHIP AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS

During the 1974—75 school year, the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, Eta Tau Lambda chapter established a scholarship program under the leadership of Archie Berry and John Crooks.

Nine minority and financially needy high school seniors with college potential were selected that first year to receive $6,000 in scholarship help. This year twenty college students are receiving financial help. So far, the Alpha Brothers have aided 125 students with individual awards totaling more than $68,287. This committee provided the leadership working with the City of Akron and the Board of Education, resulted in building Reidinger Middle School adjoining the Channelwood Village property.

The Education Committee, co-chaired by Michael Buckner, Dr. Climon Lee, III promotes good learning practices during the high school years. The result has been increasingly high achievement. Awards were presented to nineteen students, from eight Akron high schools at an Awards and Recognition Breakfast in June 1978.

CHANNELWOOD DEVELOPMENT CHILD CARE CORPORATION

The strengthening of the family unit is the goal of the CDCC. The ETL chapter through the corporation has guided child-parent involvement in the Center since September 1, 1976.

Originally operated by Phi Delta Kappa Sorority, the Center now serves more than 40 children, 3 to 5 years in age, and their families with a strong day care program staffed by four fulltime and seven part-time teachers.

The center has become a model in childcare with many parents, school organizations and classes from colleges and universities coming to observe and learn.

Appropriate behavior, good self-image, sound nutrition, language skills, and respect for others are only a few of the areas of achievement the Child Care Center has fostered.

The program is funded primarily by Title XX grants. Parents are involved in fund raising projects and some parents pay privately. Raymond R. Brown chairs this committee.

CHANNELW00D VILLAGE RISES

The Federal Housing Act of 1963 prepared the way for an ambitious housing development headed by the Eta Lambda Tau brothers. Alpha Phi Alpha Homes, Inc. a non-profit corporation was formed. With years of dedicated work, Channelwood Village was transformed from a dream to a reality. The 551-unit housing complex is located in Opportunity Park on the South side of Akron. Financed at a cost of $11.4 million, it was a major accomplishment for a chapter only ten years old.

James R. Williams headed the leadership that nurtured Channelwood Village into being. Channelwood brought people back into an area that had suffered severe urban blight. Now, in a park-like setting of trees, lawns, planting, walkways and recreation areas, the restored and beautified Ohio Canal winds its way through Channelwood Village. Here is suburban living within the city, providing housing “second to none”, just as the Eta Tau Lambda brothers had planned. Channelwood Village meets the needs of senior citizens, moderate and low-income families, and is a proud part of one of Akron’s oldest neighborhoods.

Channelwood’s 551 units include a 15 story high rise of one and two bedroom units, 130 townhouse units, and 144 two-bedroom garden apartments on twenty-two acres of land.

Groundbreaking for Channelwood Village was October 29, 1971, with first occupancy in late 1972. The formal Dedication was held on October 28, 1973, a proud day for the Alpha brothers.

POLICE-COMMUNITY DIALOGUE PROGRAM

Eta Tau Lambda was instrumental in 1973, along with the Akron YMCA, in establishing a contact program between Akron police and 12 to 17 year old youths. A citywide community program, It brought together youths and police in neutral settings in churches and Y’s, but not in schools. Here police and youth learned about one another’s problems and found that they had problems in common.

The program was originally written and chaired by William M. Threatt Jr. It is now chaired by Wayne Hawkins and funded largely by the Human Resources department of Akron.

ALPHA LIBRARY COMMITTEE, INC.

What began as an Eta Tau Lambda effort to help the Wooster Branch Library in 1971 has expanded into a program involving the whole Akron library system.

An inner city library, the Wooster Branch Library was experiencing a loss of leadership. Alpha Library Committee was created to initiate and develop a series of programs to foster reading. Working with the branch librarian, Mrs. Mildred Wright, Alpha began programs in reading motivation, tutorial reading, and educational activities. The readership trend was reversed.

Project Read became a state-funded program. Alpha Tot, Sponsored by the Library Committee, provides summer day camp for children ages four to six. Alpha Project Pride employed youths in neighborhood improvement projects on Akron’s south side, using funds from a CETA grant supervised by Vernon Sykes of the Library committee.

A NEW DEDICATION

The 70’s are concluding with the dedication of another outstanding Alpha Phi Alpha achievement - a new Channelwood Village high-rise, designed especially for the handicapped and the elderly of the community.

The “caring” brought to this project is evident everywhere, even down to the pull cords in each unit for summoning help in a medical emergency.

The new 10-story high rise offers 148 low-cost units for a total of 699 housing units in Channelwood Village.

Each of the 148 apartments has a spacious living room with sliding glass doors that open onto a balcony. Bedrooms are large and comfortable with much storage space. Kitchens are fully equipped with range, refrigerator and disposal. On the main floor is a community assembly room complete with kitchen.

Once again, under the leadership of the Alpha brothers, the community has been provided with quality housing for families of modest means.

ONWARD - INTO THE 80’S

With two decades of fine achievement behind them, the Alpha brothers have plunged into the 80’s and to greater opportunities for service.

More than 300 graduate men of Alpha Phi Alpha now live in the Akron area. Already leadership is emerging and leadership potential from future generations is being nurtured.

James R. Williams, Past National President of Alpha Phi Alpha, and United States Attorney for Northern Ohio, is presently serving the city of Akron as a judge. Attorney Norman Purnell is chairman of the Legal Redress Committee of the Akron NAACP as well as a Summit County Court Referee and a member of the Akron City Human Relations Committee. William R. Miller serves as Vice President at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company. Robert L. Brown is manager of Ohio Bell Telephone Comptroller’s department.

Robert Harris was a personnel administrator at Firestone Tire & Rubber Company, a member of Akron’s Civil Service Commission. William M. Threatt Jr. is a city planner and past president of the Akron Urban League Board. David Wilson serves as Director of Human Resources for the City of Akron. Richard Neal is Equal Employment Officer for the University of Akron, Allen F. Killings, DOS, is president of the Akron-Summit County Library Board.

Chapter members include Raymond Brown, former Mideastern Regional Director of the National Urban League Attorney Edwin L. Parms, past president of the Akron Chapter of the NAACP; Dr. E. Gates Morgan, past president of the Summit County Medical Association, as well as a number of public school teachers, chemists, physicians, lawyers, dentists, pharmacists, production and personnel supervisors, accountants, a cancer research specialist, and an engineer.

And these are just a sampling of the range of activities the members of Alpha Phi Alpha are involved in throughout the community.