Bro. Anton Bizzell named Eastern Region 'Brother of the Year'
Bro. Anton Bizzell, [Iota Beta, ’90] was recently honored as ‘Alumni Brother of the Year’ during the 91st Eastern Region Convention of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. It is the second consecutive ‘Brother of the Year’ accolade for Bizzell in two months, following his honoring as the Mid-Atlantic Association of Alpha Phi Alpha Chapters (MAAC).
An award-winning physician, entrepreneur, and humanitarian, Bro. Bizzell is a life member of the fraternity and past president of the Delta Lambda Chapter.
“I am grateful for my chapter and district brothers for supporting my nomination and presentation before the regional awards committee,” Bizzell said. “I look forward to joining the collection of brothers who will share our fraternal work and leadership in the ‘Brother of the Year’ competition during our general convention in Dallas this summer.”
Fraternally, Bro. Bizzell led the chapter into its centennial celebration year, spearheading record-breaking fundraising and grant-making and support for critical initiatives in youth development, voter engagement, and outreach to communities in the chapter’s immediate geographic footprint. He has chaired chapter and regional participation in March of Dimes programs and served as a chief liaison for legislative engagement between the chapter and elected officials in the state.
Bro. Bizzell is the CEO of the Bizzell Group, an international firm specializing in strategy, consulting, and technology solutions supporting healthy, secure, and sustainable communities. In 2020, he was named the ‘Small Business Person of the Year’ representing the state of Maryland by the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Delta Lambda honors community leaders during annual Lenten prayer breakfast
In keeping with its decades-long Lenten tradition, Delta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. held the Annual Faith Leaders Lenten Prayer Breakfast on Saturday, April 1. Nearly 400 Alpha brothers and guests filled the main ballroom at the Forum Caterers for a morning of prayer, worship experiences, and tributes to honorees across denominations, ministry, government, education, business, and community service.
One of Delta Lambda's signature public programs, the program focuses also on prayers for the community, government, family, and fraternity, which were offered by the brothers with command and spiritual charisma. The Alpha Chorale, comprised of several members, lifted rousing selections to enhance the worshipful atmosphere.
"Delta Lambda has distinguished itself in the community by highlighting sterling leaders who model great stewardship in service to others," said Chaplain and Event Chair Bro. Dr. Marco K. Merrick. "The sacred Lenten season is a perfect time for us to pay homage to others while reflecting on the important work Alpha men and all men of faith are called to do."
The chapter annually recognizes seven honorees in tribute to the seven founders of the fraternity, established in 1906 at Cornell University in Ithaca NY. This year's honorees included Dr. Barbara L. Shaw (The National Council of Negro Women,) Dr. Bettina Scott (Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Alpha Zeta Chapter,) Rev. Anthony Horsey (Chaplain of the Community Concert Choir of Baltimore, Inc.,) Mrs.Catherine P. Stansbury (The Baltimore Alpha Wives, Inc.,) Mr. Brandon Wylie (The Wylie Foundation Wishing Well Program,) Bro. Dr. Anton Bizzell (Immediate Past President of Delta Lambda Chapter,) and Stacy Rodgers (Baltimore County Administrator.)
Honorees received citations from Delta Lambda chapter brothers Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and MD State Senator Charles E. Sydnor. Recognition documents from elected officials in both houses of the Maryland General Assembly, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, Baltimore City Council President Nick Mosby, and other municipal officials, and a special mug designed by Delta Lambda Bro. Anthony Williams were also presented.
Chapter brothers and members of the 2023 Alpha Beautillion Scholars cohort also welcomed and escorted the guests to their tables. Now in its twentieth year, the Beautillion program offers mentoring, cultural, and academic enrichment experiences and has awarded more than $500,000 in scholarships to more than 300 high school males across the state. The prayer breakfast is a fundraiser for the program, which is an activity in support of the chapter's interpretation of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. national program, Go to High School, Go to College. Established in 1922, the program concentrates on the importance of completing secondary and collegiate education as a road to advancement.
Approaching its 104th year of service, Delta Lambda is the fourth-oldest alumni chapter in the fraternity.
Maryland Governor, Alpha Leaders highlight Delta Lambda 'Alpha Night in Annapolis'
Maryland Governor Wes Moore [Sigma Sigma, 00'] joined Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated, Inc. General President Bro. Willis L. Lonzer, III and a host of brothers for the Delta Lambda Chapter's annual 'Alpha Night in Annapolis' activities on Mar. 27. The convening is an opportunity for brothers to convene with Alpha men serving in the legislature and to learn more about areas of collaboration between government and the chapter's nonprofit scope of work.
Bro. Moore, an active member of Delta Lambda, is the first African American to serve as governor in the state of Maryland, and just the fifth African American and third since reconstruction, to hold a gubernatorial office in the United States.
"Delta Lambda is grateful to The Honorable Bro. Charles Sydnor and The Honorable Bro. Alonzo Washington, Maryland State Senators, for assisting the chapter in sponsoring Alpha Night in Annapolis. Many thanks go to General President Bro. Dr. Willis Lonzer and Past General President Bro. Dr. Everett Ward of the Alpha PAAC for co-sponsoring the reception preceding our visit to the Maryland Senate Chamber," said Delta Lamba Chapter President Bro. Dr. Ralph Johnson. "We must also thank our brother, Governor Wes Moore for his insightful, powerful, and inspirational remarks. He gave us an agenda that can help shape our advocacy and our activism agenda in the Baltimore area with dispatch. By all accounts, it was a magnificent night."
Delta Lambda brothers joining Bro. Moore serving in municipal or state government include Bro. Sydnor [Delta Lambda, 96'] a Senator representing Maryland's 44th District, and Bro. John Bullock, [Gamma Iota, 98'] a Baltimore City Council member representing the city's Ninth District.
Bro. Sydnor presented a resolution to the brothers on the Senate floor, honoring the Chapter and the general organization for their work in a variety of community-based initiatives. Alpha Night in Annapolis is an extension of the fraternity's national program, 'A Voteless People is a Hopeless People,' which seeks to empower communities through voter education and registration, and political awareness.