Brothers,
I'm proud to announce the first issue of the bi-weekly Crescent Newsletter. In keeping with our communication branding, we will add the "Crescent Newsletter" to our other suite of digital publications like the "The Crescent On The Yard," a quarterly newsletter dedicated to our collegiate members, and of course our official communication organ, the "The Crescent Magazine." It only makes sense to keep our brand consistent as we continue to elevate our engagement in various digital platforms around the globe.
Soon, you will receive additional information on how to easily submit pictures and writeups for the Crescent Newsletter and information on the deadline that all submissions need to meet for your story to make the bi-weekly issue. As we continue to enhance our communication infrastructure, I ask the brothers to continue to provide feedback and ideas on how we can enhance our information flow to the brotherhood.
I continue to count it a privilege to serve as International President and be the voice of "Empowering Generations of Men to BELIEVE in Advocacy, Community Service, and Engagement" around the world. I'm encouraged by our continued work around the world and this newsletter will continue to tell the Sigma story.
Fraternally,
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International President Rey and NPHC Leaders Meet with Vice President,
Kamala Harris
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International President, Chris Rey, J.D., along with other leaders of the National Pan Hellenic Council, met Wednesday with Vice President Kamala Harris on issues vital to communities of color.
The hour-long meeting was held at the Eisenhower Office Building in Washington D.C. in the Vice President’s Ceremonial office.
The focus of the meeting was jobs, the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, student debt relief, and the Voting Rights Act. The meeting was another great example of our commitment to “Empowering Generations of Men to Believe in Advocacy, Community Service and Engagement.
President Rey reflected on the gravity of the day. “Meeting with Vice President Harris allowed us to discuss issues important to our communities," he said. "The big takeaway was the importance of getting information to our members about the programs the administration has for citizens.”
The midweek meeting was only one step in the fraternity’s continued mission to advocate for communities across our country... always following the vision of our Founders, to embody “Culture for Service and Service for Humanity.”
Second photo by White House Correspondent and The Grio Washington D.C Bureau Chief, April Ryan. Read her report on TheGrio.com.
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Sigmas in the Trenches for Voting Rights - International President Rey and Social Action Director Malwan Johnson were keynote speakers at the recent March On For Voting Rights rally in Atlanta, GA. Marches took place in 101 cities across America on the 58th anniversary of the 1963 March On Washington.
the events were a direct protest to the slew of legislation passed to suppress voter rights, particularly for voters of color and young voters, in many Republican-led states.
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Click the image to find out more and register
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GENERAL BOARD MEETING
at Kean University – New Jersey
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NOVEMBER 12-13, 2021
Bro. Dr. Lamont Repolett and the North New Jersey chapters will host the meeting. The gathering will open with a Veterans Day community service project and close with the inaugural General Board reception. Brothers will be able to tune in via Zoom.
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Sigmas make history in Banking
and Financial Education
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LIBERTY BANK ACQUIRES TRI-STATE BANK OF MEMPHIS, MAKING IT NEARLY A $1 BILLION BLACK-OWNED BANK |
New Orleans-based Liberty has purchased Tri-State in an all-cash transaction. Now Liberty will have about $965 million in assets and offices in 12 cities and 10 states.
The purchase will allow Liberty to enter the Memphis, Tennessee, market as one of the nation’s largest Black-owned banks.
“The acquisition is in line with our long-term strategy to continue building on a Black banking tradition and to extend financial resources to urban communities,” said Liberty President and CEO Bro. Alden McDonald.
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BRO. JUDE BERNARD NAMED ONE OF THE 100 TOP POLITICAL PLAYERS IN BROOKLYN |
The Brooklyn Bank teaches financial literacy to a community searching for answers. Bro. Jude Bernard founded the Bedford-Stuyvesant event space in a landmarked former bank in 2018. He has since hosted financial planning workshops, meetups for Black running groups, toy drives, weddings and neighborhood college graduates looking to celebrate their accomplishments. Bernard, who owns several brownstones in the area, also holds an annual “Wealth Forum” every Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
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The Brooklyn Bank. Click image for photo gallery.
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Beta Psi Sigma and Epsilon Beta Sigma Chapters celebrate Day of Service
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The pride of the Blue and White Brotherhood/Sisterhood family was in full effect during the National Sigma Day of Service. The Brothers of Beta Psi Sigma Chapter in a joint effort with the Zeta sisters of Alpha Alpha Omega Zeta Chapter assisted members of Bethesda Baptist Church with their bi-monthly Food Distribution program. The group distributed meat, fruit, vegetables, and dairy to nearly 100 families in the local community of New Rochelle, New York. |
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Brothers from the alumni chapter of Epsilon Beta Sigma in Louisville, KY, started the Day of Service by collecting and delivering food boxes, canned goods, and other supplies to benefit our Louisville community. They ended the day by collecting and donating water to help those affected by Hurricane Ida.
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DON'T FORGET TO SEND YOUR PHOTOS AND STORIES FROM THE 2021 SIGMA DAY OF SERVICE!
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Rho Epsilon Sigma Chapter and partners raise $34K for Haiti
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The brothers of Rho Epsilon Sigma Chapter in NYC partnered with The Brooklyn Bank & the brothers of ΑΦΑ to host a fundraiser in support of the people of Haiti, who suffered a 7.2 magnitude earthquake on August 14 and claimed the lives of over 2,000 people. The event raised over $34k, which will be used to assist in humanitarian efforts on the ground. |
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Eta Nu Sigma Alumni Chapter's Golf Tournament raises over $7K |
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Eta Nu Sigma of Colorado Springs, CO, hosted their 1st Annual Blue and White Charity Golf Event, drawing over 70 golfers and brothers from Denver and Aurora to the inaugural tournament. Proceeds were shared with two local charities - $5,000. was awarded to Edison Elementary School, which is part of their Adopt-A-School program; and $2,500. was awarded to the American Cancer Society, part of the group’s National Social Action program. The event was such a huge success, brothers are already planning next year's tournament.
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Beta Xi Sigma Chapter receives recognition during Ohio State Meeting |
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The Greater Dayton Alumni Chapter, Beta Xi Sigma was recently awarded Alumni Chapter of the Year for the State of Ohio at the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Ohio State Meeting.
“This is a great honor to be recognized for the hard work that we do as a chapter to serve the citizens in the Greater Dayton area,” said Chapter President, Dr. Justen V. Seay. In addition to the Chapter of the Year award, Dr. Seay was also recognized as the Ohio Alumni Man of the Year.
Chartered on May 20, 1949, the Beta Xi Sigma chapter is the oldest alumni chapter in the state of Ohio and the 3rd oldest alumni chapter in the Great Lakes Region. In its 72 year history, the Men of Beta Xi Sigma have had a significant impact on the Greater Dayton Region through its international programs of education, social action, and bigger better business.
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Iota Mu Sigma Chapter of Arlington, TX, fully engaged the national initiative to support black-owned businesses and capture the impact. Brothers promoted and patronized black-owned business, whenever possible, resulting in over $100,000 spent in less than a year with Arlington and Dallas Fort Worth-areas businesses. Brothers vow they are not finished yet!!
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Do you have news, exciting information or events which you want to share with the brothers in our Weekly Update?
Please send items of interest, along with a high quality picture to Janel St. John at communications@phibetasigma1914.org, no later than Monday of each week for consideration. Be sure the include "Crescent News" in the subject line.
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