Delta Lambda makes strong showing at Alpha Phi Alpha 97th General Convention in Dallas
A delegation of 30 Delta Lambda Chapter brothers attended the 97th General Convention Dallas, Texas in July. While the temperature outside in Dallas was hot, the temperature inside the Hilton Anatole was “Ice Cold” as the brothers attended to the business of Alpha.
Interspersed between business sessions and regional caucus meetings, brothers had an opportunity to connect socially and to revel within the bonds of Alpha brotherhood. A convention highlight for the chapter was Bro. James Benton receiving his 60 year pin from General President Willis Lonzer.
Additionally, Bro. Dr. Anton C. Bizzell was honored as a finalist for the international 'Alumni Brother of the Year' award following similar accolades given by the Mid-Atlantic Association of Alpha Chapters (MAAC) district and the fraternity's Eastern Region in the months leading up to the convention.
Chartered in 1919, the Delta Lambda is among the oldest and largest alumni chapters in the fraternity.
Delta Lambda raises more than $7,000 for March of Dimes March for Babies walk
Brothers of Delta Lambda supported the March of Dimes' March for Babies walk on Sunday, Apr. 30 in Hunt Valley, MD, raising more than $7,000 to fund maternal healthcare equity initiatives throughout the region.
The chapter's team drew 22 brothers and surpassed its original fundraising goal of $4,000.
"Our brothers met the challenge in a dynamic way," said Bro. Lawrence Williams [Eta Tau Lambda, 01'], chairperson for the chapter's March for Babies initiative and leading fundraiser for the walk. "We are committed to doing our part to combat negative health and birth outcomes, particularly for Black women. We appreciate the support of our neighbors and friends who contributed to our team and this noble cause."
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and the March of Dimes have partnered for more than 40 years in areas of sexual and maternal health. The partnership implemented Project Alpha in 1980, designed to provide education, motivation, and skill-building on responsibility, relationships, teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases for young males ages 12-15 years.
Bro. Jelani C. Zarif earns prestigious Michigan State alumni award
Bro. Jelani C. Zarif, [Kappa Delta Lambda, '08] was recently honored with the Michigan State University College of Natural Science 2023 Recent Alumni award. According to college leaders, the award is presented annually to an alumnus of the natural science program who has graduated within the last 15 years and demonstrates outstanding professional growth and commitment to teaching, research, and outreach activities.
"I am very humbled by this honor from my graduate alma mater, and to be recognized for my efforts to make a difference in the Spartan tradition," said Bro. Zarif, a Robert E. Meyerhoff Professor of Oncology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine’s Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center and a member of the Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy. "The support I have received and continue to experience from Dean Phillip Duxbury, my professors, and fellow researchers from the College is a true testament to its commitment to making a thriving planet with healthy communities."
Bro. Zarif leads a laboratory that studies molecular mechanisms by immune cells within the tumor microenvironment that ultimately promote tumor growth, therapeutic resistance, and metastasis. The Zarif Lab also focuses on discovering and investigating new biomarkers that may be expressed on myeloid cells known as macrophages that could predict clinical response to standard-of-care treatments for prostate cancer.
A Chicago native, Dr. Zarif obtained both his B.S. and M.S. degrees from Jackson State University and then earned his Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology from Michigan State University. He then completed two post-doctoral fellowships at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He has been the recipient of several research awards, including the Prostate Cancer Foundation’s Young Investigator award, The Patrick C. Walsh Prostate Cancer Research Fund, the Department of Defense Translational Research award, and the NCI K22 Career Transition award.