Delta Epsilon Celebrates 25 Years of a Proud Past and Looks Forward to a Powerful Future Amidst Celebrating Christmas with Their Archousai
Delta Epsilon was chartered on April 13, 1991. There were fifteen Archons that were inducted at the ceremony in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Presiding over the ceremony was Grand Sire Archon Benjamin Major along with Past Grand Sire Archon Bob Franklin, Grand Sire Archon-Elect Huel Perkins, Grand Grammateus Archon Harvey C. Russell, and the Northeast Regional Sire Archon Samuel Beard.
On the snowy evening of Saturday, December 17, 2016, eleven of those Delta Epsilon Charter Archons joined Delta Epsilon, Northeast Regional Sire Archon Joseph Mead, Mu Boule’s Sire-Elect Reginald Browne, former Delta Epsilon Archons Frederick Foard and Leonard Fritz, their beautiful Archousai, along with other distinguished guests and at the Woodcrest Country Club in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Due to unforeseen weather circumstances, Grand Sire Archon Wesley Coleman and his Archousa Brenda Coleman were unable to attend the celebration but sent their congratulatory regards and were there with Delta Epsilon in spirit. The country club was festively decorated with holiday theme to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the chartering of Delta Epsilon, the induction of two new Archons, and to celebrate Delta Epsilon’s magnificent and talented Archousai.
The 15 charter Archons of Delta Epsilon were Archon William Baker, Archon Roderick Bennet, Archon Calvin Bland, Archon Edgar Darrell, Archon Ronald Davis, Archon Ronald Freeman, Archon Alvord Harris, Archon Lewis Profitt, Archon Donn Scott, Archon Alphonso Smith, Archon Ron Steward, Archon Lebron Taylor, Archon Carey Tucker, Archon John Wallace, and Archon Joseph Williams. Twenty-five years ago, these 15 distinguished men joined Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity with the mission to support and enlighten one another in friendship and fraternity while continuing to support and uplift their community.
As Delta Epsilon celebrated this momentous occasion the Archons and Archousai continued to demonstrate their philanthropic efforts by donating new and unwrapped toys to The First Baptist Church of Haddonfield in New Jersey. These toys were then wrapped and placed under the Christmas tree for underprivileged children in the community to open on Christmas morning.
Archon Damon Pennington and Archon Lloyd Freeman were inducted into Sigma Pi Phi on that historic and magical celebratory evening. The Archousai of Delta Epsilon welcomed Archousa Sonia Pennington and Archousa Ebony Freeman into their sisterhood.
Following the Archousai Reception and the Induction Ceremony, all guests gathered in the ballroom for the special presentation, dinner, dancing, followed by delicious desserts.
Although 25 years have passed, through the preservation and advancement of technology, Delta Epsilon was able to incorporate video footage from the original chartering reception into the 25thAnniversary presentations. The presentations kicked off with a welcome from Immediate Past Sire Archon Nathan Johnson followed by a video display of the original prayer that was delivered by Archon William Baker in 1991. Archon Lemuel Clark presented the names of 13 Charter Members. Eleven of the fifteen charter Archons attended the 25th Anniversary celebration. Charter Archon Ron Stewart and Charter Archon H. Lebron Taylor have passed away.
Regional Sire Archon Joseph Mead from Alpha Boule welcomed all of the attendees, gave encouraging words, and shared how delighted he and his Archousa were to join Delta Epsilon for the dinner and the celebration.
The Archons of Delta Epsilon performed a very special Cupid Shuffle line dance tribute to their Archousai. Seeing their Archons truly enjoying themselves while dancing brought huge smiles to the Archousai’s faces.
Charter Archon Lewis Profitt made remarks and presented gifts to the Archousai of the Charter Members from his recent trip to China to honor their love and support for their Archons over the past 25 years.
Archon Joseph Williams spoke about the fundraising and social action efforts that the Member Boule has executed over the past 25 years, which includes scholarships and mentoring programs. Deceased Archon H. Lebron Taylor was very instrumental beginning years of the social action programming. Since the first annual H. Lebron Taylor Golf Outing in 2002, Delta Epsilon has raised $250,000 to fund scholarships for 75 students and has received additional awards and grants to support social programs. Archon Williams highlighted many other achievements of the Member Boule over the last 25 years, which included increasing membership from fifteen Archons to thirty.
Social Action Chair Archon Ronald Ward enthusiastically shared the future to expand the Social Action Program by (1) partnering with students who are excited to partner with Delta Epsilon, (2) mentor students from local HBCU’s, (3) partner with established local mentoring programs, (4) financially support program, (5) encourage Archons to commit over 200 mentoring hours in 2017.
Archon Ward shared his personal memoir with the audience of how he dreamed of ‘becoming a master of his soul’ and recited “What Did the Cicada Say to the Brown Boy” by Clint Smith.
What Did the Cicada Say to the Brown Boy
By Clint Smith
I’ve seen what they make of you
How they render you a multiplicity
Of mistakes
They have undone me as well
Pulled back my shell & feasted
On my flesh
Claimed it was for their survival
& they wonder why I only show my face
every seventeen years
but you
you’re lucky if they let you live that long
I could teach you some things, you know
Have been playing this game since before
You know what breath was
This here is prehistoric
Why you think we fly?
Why you think we roll in packs?
You think these swarms are for the fun of it?
I would tell you that you don’t roll deep enough
But every time you swarm, they shoot
Get you some wings, son
Get you some wings
A moment of silence given to honor those Archons and Archousa that have passed away.
Archon Charles Nelson led the Archons in a heartfelt tribute to the Archousai of Delta Epsilon followed by a beautiful response from Archousa Barbara Wallace.
Delta Epsilon’s Sire Archon Ronald Bacon closed out the presentations by formally introducing the two new Archons and their beautiful Archousai. Archon Bacon announced the plan to partner with Wells Fargo Bank, Lincoln Financial, and other organization to further the endeavors of the Member Boule’s Social Action Programs. Delta Epsilon has approved a $25,000 scholarship fund for 2017 to support students that attend HBCU’s and an annual $10,000 commitment going forward to support this effort. These scholarships are in addition to the current scholarship funding provided through the Social Action programs. Graduates of Hampton University, Archon Ronald Bacon and Archousa Brenda Bacon have personally pledged $25,000 over the next 3 years to Hampton University towards this giving effort.
In honor of the proud past of Delta Epsilon, a commemorative calendar was produced that featured pictures of the Archons and Archousai over the past 25 years.
The Archons and Archousai of Delta Epsilon were very appreciative of all of the hard work that the 25th Anniversary Celebration Core Committee and all of the special helpers put forth to making this a special and unforgettable evening for all of the attendees. The 25thAnniversary Committee was Archon Donn Scott, Archousa Denise Kirkland, Archon Calvin Bland, Archousa April Butts, Archon Calvin L. Butts Jr., Archousa Margaret Gaines-Clark, Archon Gerald DeVaughn, Archousa Azzmeiah Ward, and Archousa Gwen Williams.