The History of Sigma Kappa Lambda
For some years, a need for manly deeds, scholarship, love for all mankind and service was needed and several brothers in the Bloomington, IN area considered the possibility of having a chapter seated here again. After a brotherhood breakfast on December 4, 2015 at 7:30am, Brother Frank Motley and Brother Charlie Nelms pushed the brotherhood present at the table to commit to the creation of a Bloomington chapter. Over the next year, the brothers met continuously to prepare the application for an Alumni Chapter in Bloomington. Due to the major concern and substantial challenge posed by the transient nature of the City of Bloomington and surrounding areas, the pressing question ‘could a chapter survive here?’ had to be answered. While gathering the required documentation, the brothers met informally on a monthly basis as a means to stay connected, facilitate the kindling of brotherly bonds, and focus on developing and supporting events for the 70th anniversary of the founding of Indiana University’s Gamma Eta Chapter.
At the February 2017 gathering of brothers, a presentation was made to those assembled, detailing the full requirements for chapter chartering and it was there the final concurrence to start the application process was received. Since the group’s gatherings had been made known to the District and Regional leadership and the brothers’ actions had received recognition and approval, the application was expedited. The Board of Directors of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. met on October 2, 2017 and approved the chapter charter application of the brothers gathered in Bloomington, IN. On Tuesday, October 3, 2017 at 9:22pm, the brothers received notification and planning for the Chartering Ceremony began.
The Chartering Ceremony for the Sigma Kappa Lambda Chapter (#952) of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. was on February 3, 2018 at City Hall Building in Bloomington, IN. During the ceremony, Mayor John Hamilton presented a Proclamation from and the rest is history. From that day forward, the chapter began to set the foundation of our Phrozen L.E.G.A.C.Y.
The Charter Members were Brother Charlie Nelms, Brother Frank Motley, III, Dedric Raymon Dennist, Sr. and Tréon DiJuan McClendon. The initial chapter roster included chartering brothers Brandon Ballard, Paul Jackson, Maurice Johns, Michael Johnson, Mike Pechac, James Sanders, Marcus Simmons, John Stephenson, Kwan Wallace, Maurice Williams, Jr., and Samuel R. Young, II.
First Executive Board
President: Samuel R. Young, II
Vice President: Michael Johnson
Secretary: Maurice Johns
Treasurer: Paul Jackson
Chaplain: Charlie Nelms
Historian: Kristopher Minter
Intake Coordinator: Treon DiJuan McClendon
Associate Editor of the Sphinx: Frank Motley, III
Director of Educational Activities: Kwan Wallace
Second Executive Board
President: Samuel R. Young, II
Vice President: Michael Johnson
Secretary: Maurice Johns
Treasurer: Paul Jackson
Chaplain: Charlie Nelms
Historian: Kristopher Minter
Intake Coordinator: Michael Whiteside
Associate Editor of the Sphinx: Frank Motley, III
Director of Educational Activities: Kwan Wallace
Third Executive Board
President: Samuel R. Young, II
Vice President: Michael Johnson
Secretary: Marvin Jones Jr.
Treasurer: Paul Jackson
Chaplain: Charlie Nelms
Historian: Dedric Dennist Jr.
Intake Coordinator: James Sanders
Associate Editor of the Sphinx: Frank Motley, III
Director of Educational Activities: Kwan Wallace
Fourth Executive Board
President: Michael Johnson
Vice President: Marvin Jones Jr.
Secretary: Scot Wright
Treasurer: Paul Jackson
Chaplain: Tyler Kelley & Alonzo Lawerence
Historian: Dedric Dennist Jr.
Intake Coordinator: Dedric Dennist Jr
Associate Editor of the Sphinx: Sam Patterson
Director of Educational Activities: Tislam Swift
Fifth Executive Board
President: Michael Johnson
Vice President: James Sanders
Secretary: Ramir Williams
Treasurer: Paul Jackson
Chaplain: Tyler Kelley & Alonzo Lawerence
Historian: Justin Benard
Intake Coordinator: Ramir Williams
Associate Editor of the Sphinx: Sam Patterson
Director of Educational Activities: Tislam Swift
Sixth Executive Board
President: James Sanders
Vice President: Dedric Dennist Jr.
Secretary: Ramir Williams
Treasurer: Paul Jackson
Chaplain: Tyler Kelley & Alonzo Lawerence
Historian: Dedric Dennist Jr.
Intake Coordinator: Dedric Dennist Jr
Associate Editor of the Sphinx: Kyle Bartos
Director of Educational Activities: Drew McKenzie