Prison program aims to keep inmates from returning

Check out Nu Iota Sigma brother Willie Parks Jr. as he is interviewed for this story on Fox 13 News

Nu Iota Sigma at the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington

#PBSTHUNDERBACK ACTIVITIES

Friday, August 23, 2013, 4:00 PM 

TOWN HALL MEETING WITH CONGRESSMAN JOHN LEWIS

2168 Rayburn House Office Building, Gold Room

45 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC  20515

Friday August 23, 2013, 7:00pm

Lecture given by brother Dr. Andre E. Johnson of the Nu Iota Sigma Chapter

BISHOP HENRY MCNEAL TURNER AND REFLECTIONS ON THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MARCH ON WASHINGTON

African American Civil War Museum

1925 Vermont NW, Washington DC 20001

Saturday, August 24, 2013, 7:45 AM

CIVIL RIGHTS BREAKFAST "Breakfast & Conversations"

The Club @ Boling Air Force Base, 50 Theisen Street, NW, Washington, DC 20032

Tickets: $50 per person

Saturday, August 24, 2013, 10:00 AM 

50TH ANNIVERSARY MARCH ON WASHINGTON

Lincoln Memorial, 2 Lincoln Memorial Circle, NW, Washington, DC 20037

IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE MARCH 

OPEN HOUSE AT THE INTERNATIONAL HEADQUARTERS

FOOD ARIVES AT 4:00 PM 

145 Kennedy Street, NW, Washington, DC 20011 

Blue & White Family, friends and supporters are welcomed to visit the International Headquarters and meet and greet the international leadership of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority. The Sigma Exchange will open! You can buy your history book! Etch your name on the Centennial Monument! Register for the 2014 Centennial Celebration!

Brother Johnson to Give Lecture at the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington

The president of the Nu Iota Sigma chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated president Dr. Andre E. Johnson will give a lecture on August 23, 2013 at 7:00pm as part of the 50th year March on Washington celebration at the African American Civil War Museum located at 1925 Vermont Ave. NW in Washington DC. The lecture, "Bishop Henry McNeal Turner and Reflections on the 50th year Anniversary of the March on Washington," will examine Turner's 1913 reflection of the Emancipation Proclamation and point towards the March on Washington that would happen 50 years later. After the lecture, Dr. Johnson will sign copies of his book, The Forgotten Prophet: Bishop Henry McNeal Turner and the African American Prophetic Tradition.  The event is free and open to the public. 

The Forgotten Prophet: Bishop Henry McNeal Turner and the African American Prophetic Tradition

The book is a study of the prophetic rhetoric of 19th century African Methodist Episcopal Church bishop Henry McNeal Turner. By locating Turner within the African American prophetic tradition, Johnson examines how Bishop Turner adopted a prophetic persona. As one of America’s earliest black activists and social reformers, Bishop Turner made an indelible mark in American history and left behind an enduring social influence through his speeches, writings, and prophetic addresses. This text offers a definition of prophetic rhetoric and examines the existing genres of prophetic discourse, suggesting that there are other types of prophetic rhetorics, especially within the African American prophetic tradition. In examining these modes of discourses from 1866-1895, this study further examines how Turner’s rhetoric shifted over time. It examines how Turner found a voice to article not only his views and positions, but also in the prophetic tradition, the views of people he claimed to represent. The Forgotten Prophet is a significant contribution to the study of Bishop Turner and the African American prophetic tradition.

Reviews for The Forgotten Prophet: 

Andre Johnson’s study of the speeches of Henry McNeal Turner, from his optimistic Emancipation Day Address in 1866, to sober reflections on the fiftieth anniversary of the proclamation in 1913, is an important step in recovering the story of African-Americans in the South during Reconstruction. Framing Turner’s powerful words as examples of prophetic rhetoric, Johnson shows how even Turner’s most pessimistic comments spoke to a wide audience eager for freedom yet demoralized by prejudice, discrimination, and violence. Although Turner’s answer to the nation’s racism—emigration—did not become a major movement in his lifetime, Johnson’s study of Turner’s prophetic voice enlarges our understanding of this neglected, but important figure in American history.-Sandra J. Sarkela, University of Memphis 

Professor Johnson not only offers a new perspective on Reverend Turner by focusing on the rhetorical dimensions of words, but also suggests new and more precise ways for scholars to study the “prophetic” in the United States. Professor Johnson should be congratulated for offering the first and most nuance study of African American prophetic rhetoric of any black leader.-Edward J. Blum, Co-Author of The Color of Christ: The Son of God and the Saga of Race in America 

The critical lens that Dr. Johnson employs—of seeing Turner’s work as an evolution through prophetic stages, not only helps the reader understand Turner’s discourse but significantly enhances our understanding the different prophetic voices available to rhetors-Richard Leeman, author of The Teleological Discourse of Barack Obama

Click here to buy your signed copy. 

Something Special Going On In Sigma

Greetings Brothers in Sigma! I trust that all is well with you and yours.  First, let me say thank you to those of you that tuned in to my first international conference call this week.  It is my hope and prayer that you are as excited about Sigma as I am.  We have so much to celebrate as we enter our second century of Brotherhood, Scholarship and Service!  In case you missed the call, a recording is available HERE.  Let me provide you with a brief recap.  YOU need to be a part of these initiatives! 1. Thunder Back!  The 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington -  Please click the banner to reserve your seat on buses coming from your area.  These buses are FREE OF CHARGE.  They will arrive in Washington between 4:00am and5:00am on August 24th.  You will not need a hotel room.  We will provide a place for you to freshen up before the breakfast.  While we are committed to bringing 350 or more by bus, we want 2000 Men of Sigma on the Mall in Washington.  Let's make this happen.  Reserve your seat today!  BROTHERS REGISTERING FOR THUNDER BACK'S "GET ON THE BUS!" DO NOT NEED TO REGISTER FOR A TICKET TO THE BREAKFAST. A TICKET IS BEING HELD AND ACCOUNTED FOR YOU. PAY YOUR CITY MARSHAL UPON GETTING ON THE BUS. IF YOU GO TO PURCHASE A TICKET VIA THE LINK FOR THE BREAKFAST FIRST, IT WILL DIRECT YOU TO THUNDER BACK'S "GET ON THE BUS" REGISTRATION.      2. Centennial - The finalized schedule for the Centennial will be released shortly.  We are excited to announce that we will host a gospel concert, two secular concerts, a collegiate summit, a Legends Roundtable, the A. Phillip Randolph March and PLENTY of parties!  It's time to celebrate!  Register now by going toPBS100.ORG!  4000 registered attendees is our goal.  Will YOU be in the number come July 2014? 3.  Monument on the Campus of Howard University - On January 9th, 2014, we will unveil a monument on the campus where Phi Beta Sigma was born.  You have a chance to Etch Your Name in History. Your chapter needs to be represented on this monument.  Sponsor Brothers that have joined the Omega Chapter.  Place your name on this monument.  The investment is $100 for individual names and $200 for chapters.  The deadline is October 31st.  Print this out and get it to all of your Brothers NOW.  Let's make sure all of our senior Brothers are informed.  You can donate through our ONLINE PORTAL or send a check listing 'Monument' in the subject line.    4.  March On, March On, Ye Mighty Host! - Your History book is on sale NOW!  Do you have your copy?  CLICK HERE to see your options for purchase.  Limited edition copies are available with signatures of all living presidents.  Every Sigma needs to purchase this book!    5. Sigma Cares for its Own - Our International Chaplain, the Rev. Dr. Christopher V. Brown, is leading the charge to let EVERY Sigma know that they are loved.  Soon you will see a 'Chaplain's Corner' on our website.  There, we will share words of inspiration and prayer requests.  Lost a loved one?  Let the Chaplain know.  A Sigma Brother transitions to the Omega Chapter?  Let the Chaplain know.  A member of the Sigma family is in the hospital?  Let the Chaplain know.  We want to reach out to and visit our Brothers in their hour of need.  The Chaplain Team will also raise scholarship funds to help Sigma Brothers stay in school.  Sigma truly cares for its own! You can contact our chaplain atsigmacares@phibetasigma1914.org.  Brothers, there is so much going on!  I am unable to capture it all in this brief note.  Look for email blasts to come out about our Slogan Contest, the Crescent, Sigma Cares for its Own, our Centennial Membership Plan, the October General Board meeting and much more.  I encourage you to join with us as we MOVE Sigma! There is something special going on in Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity! Jonathan A. Mason, Sr. 34th International President