Bermuda Fraternity Marks MLK Day
The island’s Epsilon Theta Lambda chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. today [Jan. 16] sent 26 chapter volunteers into nine primary, middle and senior schools in the Bermuda public school system to mentor and teach over 2000 students in honour of the US Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.
Yesterday would have been the slain American Civil Rights leader’s 83rd birthday.
The Nobel Peace Prize winner, who used the nonviolent methods of India’s Mahatma Gandhi to challenge segregation and social injustice in the US, has become both an American and global icon since he was assassinated in 1968.
Martin Luther King Portrait By Graeme Phelps [Flip] Schulke
Under the banner of the 2012 theme of its education programmes, “Why Not You”, members of the Epsilon Theta Lambda spent Martin Luther King Day motivating and inspiring young people to take charge of their destinies, their lives, and their success.
“The men will dare them to dare to be different and courageous given all that is going on around them through speeches, personal narratives, and rap sessions,” said an Epsilon Theta Lambda spokesman.
Currently the organisation operates three programmes within its Alpha Academy education programme: Math Attack [a mathematics enrichment and leadership class]; the Boys Club for primary-aged males; and the annual Beautillion [a leadership and service pageant for exemplary high school males].
The Epsilon Theta Lambda spokesman said excellence in education is an essential value in the organisation and is currently highlighted in each of its educational programmes which work to:
- Provide young Bermudian men with mentorship and leadership training critical to life success.
- Provide opportunities for challenging, relevant educational experiences which feature inquiry, problem solving, critical thinking and real-world applications.
- Provide opportunities for career and college exploration, guidance and advancement.
The schools being visited by Epsilon Theta Lambda representatives today are: Sandy’s Secondary, T.N. Tatem, Clearwater Middle, Whitney Institute, Dellwood Middle, CedarBridge Academy, Berkeley Institute, Paget Primary and St. David’s Primary.
Among the Epsilon Theta Lambda members participating in today’s activities were David Minors, Dwayne Caines, Jason Green, Senator Diallo Rabain, Lawrence Scott, Joe Best, Anthony Davis, Lloyd Holder, Daniel Reece, Dr Lou Matthews, Omar Pennyman, Calvin Thomas, Mike Wellman, Leyde St. Leger and Romar Douglas.
Although Dr. King never visited Bermuda, perhaps the most iconic photographs of him ever taken of by were shot by Graeme Phelps [Flip] Schulke, the brother and uncle of Bermudians and a regular visitor to the island over the years.
The late American photographer — who died in 2008 – chronicled the American Civil Rights movement for more than a decade and his work was celebrated at a special Bermuda National Gallery exhibition in 1997.
The brother of Bermudian Roxanna Kaufmann and the uncle and namesake of Bermudian photographer Graeme Outerbridge, Mr. Schulke became an intimate friend of Dr. King and his family while covering his campaigns to desegregate a racially divided America in the 1950s and ’60s.
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Do not stop your good work in the Community, irrespective of the limited number of posts for this article.
Amazing that only an article relating to the PLP, OBA or crime related gains any attention.
Perhaps the picture of Martin Luther King put people off reading the article.
Excellent initiative, and such positive reinforcement for our young males! Please, please, keep up the good work!