December Chapter News
Christmas in Baltimore, a Jewel Family Tradition
Chapter News
By: Bro. Tommy de Jongh
Every December, the Delta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, gathers not just to celebrate the season but to serve it. That commitment took shape again this year through the Jewel Family Christmas Program, an annual initiative that sends Brothers into Baltimore neighborhoods with gifts, essential supplies, and the kind of presence that outlasts any single holiday.
The program, established under Brother Dr. Ralph Johnson, was built on a simple conviction: that the fraternity’s responsibility to the community does not pause for the calendar. Brothers divide into seven groups, pool their resources, and direct the proceeds to families in partnership with a local community organization. This year, under the chairmanship of Brother Gregory A. Dendy, Jr., those efforts raised nearly $3,500, enough to provide roughly $500 in support to each participating family.
Brother Dendy offered a measured reflection on what Jewel Family Christmas means, which was, “One of the joys of being a member of Alpha Phi Alpha is recognizing that we remain vested stakeholders in our communities,” he said. “What were simple moments of service for us will become lasting memories for them.” He credited the Delta Lambda Fall 2025 line of Brothers and the Fall 2024 Brothers for leading the effort with care and purpose.
Later that evening, the Chapter house turned to celebration, and brothers came in holiday sweaters while children posed for photos with Brother Santa Claus. Families gathered around seasonal music and movies in a room that felt, by most accounts, like exactly what the Fraternity’s founders had in mind when they spoke of “Love for All Mankind.”
Brotherhood Spotlight: Bro. Dr. Marco Merrick
Brotherhood Spotlight:
Bro. Dr. Marco Merrick
This month, the spotlight shines brightly on Bro. Dr. Marco K. Merrick, a Delta Lambda Chapter Brother who exemplifies the commitment to Justice and Humanity that defines an Alpha man. As the chapter's Chaplain, Bro. Merrick is not only a spiritual guide but also a beacon of civic engagement and cultural enrichment in the Baltimore community.
Bro. Dr. Merrick was recently honored with the Equity in Employment & Opportunity Impact Award during the Annual Baltimore Civil Rights Breakfast. This prestigious award, presented by the Office of Equity & Civil Rights, recognized his considerable distinction in his role as Chief of Equity & Environmental Justice for Baltimore’s Department of Public Works (DPW).
In addition to his professional accolades, Bro. Dr. Merrick leveraged his musical gifts to serve the chapter and the community by expertly leading the planning and execution of the Annual Fall Concert!
MAAC Champions Delta Lambda 2025 Alumni Chapter of the Year
MAAC Champions Delta Lambda
2025 Alumni Chapter of the Year
Written by Tommy de Jongh
We are ecstatic and profoundly proud to announce that Delta Lambda has been officially named the 2025 MAAC Chapter of the Year by the Mid-Atlantic Association of Alpha Phi Alpha Chapters! This monumental victory is not just an award; it is the definitive, regional recognition of our commitment to Five Star Service and leadership, proving beyond a doubt that the light of Delta Lambda shines brightest across the Mid-Atlantic. This honor belongs to every single Brother who has answered the call to duty and upheld the standards of Alpha!
Upholding the Standard of Excellence
The MAAC Chapter of the Year award recognizes the absolute best in regional fraternity achievement, and Delta Lambda earned it by operating with unmatched excellence in every phase of our mission. This award is a testament to our unwavering leadership and Brotherhood as we demonstrated superior chapter management, fiscal responsibility, and, most importantly, maintained a bond of brotherhood that powered our collective success. Our dedication to mentoring and developing the next generation of leaders remains paramount.
From our Beautillion program to our health and wellness initiatives, the tangible impact of Delta Lambda’s service in the Baltimore community could not be ignored. We truly embodied our Chapter’s new focus of providing a five-star service, making our presence felt where it mattered most.
Let us leverage the momentum of this MAAC Chapter of the Year victory to fuel our mission in 2026. We must maintain this level of dedication, retain the best talent, and continuously refine our service delivery. The region is watching. Let us show them why Delta Lambda is simply the best!