The TML Foundation

The Executive Board of the Theta Mu Lambda Charitable Foundation is made up of members of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Theta Mu Lambda Chapter and prominent leaders in the community who are dedicated to educational advancement.

Anthony serves as the Vice Chairman of the Theta Mu Lambda Charitable Foundation and the Secretary of the Illinois Alpha Phi Alpha Charitable Foundation. After graduating from Thornton Township High School in 1978, Anthony went on to attend Chicago State University-achieving a B.A. in Criminal Justice in 1982. After more than twenty years away from a formal academic setting Anthony went back to school and attained a Masters of Art in Community Development from North Park University in 2006.

Anthony is a Senior Loan Officer with The Community Investment Corporation (CIC). Anthony has an excess of 25 years of banking experience as he has worked for Continental Bank, South Shore Bank and now CIC where he specializes in affordable housing.

The community, professional and spiritual involvements for Anthony are far reaching, as he has served on the board of the 87th Street Chamber of Commerce, 79th Street Business and Merchants Association, FaithCorp micro loan fund as well as the two positions that he currently holds within Theta Mu Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha. In addition Anthony has coached little league baseball for 4 years in Cabrini Green, worked the overnight shift for PADS, volunteered for the United Negro College Fund, the March of Dimes, delivered gifts for the Angel Tree gift program for New Faith Baptist Church in Matteson, coordinated and worked clothing drives within the Church and Society Ministry of Trinity United Church of Christ and sang with the Men's Chorus of Trinity for more than 10 years.

Anthony resides in Homewood with his wife Shirley and their two daughters Morgan and Lauren.

Chairman Emeritus
Arthur Byrd, Jr.

Arthur Byrd, Chairman of TMLCF is a proud graduate of East Saint Louis Senior High in East St. Louis, IL. He attended the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign where he received his Bachelor and Master of Education degree. After teaching in the Flossmoor, IL School District 161 for 8 years he pursued his passion of becoming a business owner. He currently is the President/CEO of Olympia Fields Insurance Agency,Inc., which was founded in 1989.

Arthur and his lovely wife, Carol, met at the University of Illinois and have lived in the Chicago South Suburban Area for over 30 years. They have two adult daughters, Larecia and Camille. He has been an active member of the Foundation and Theta Mu Lambda Chapter since their inceptions. He has also, over the past years, volunteered to serve as the Junior High basketball coach for Homewood Christian Academy, sung in his Church choir, acted in his Church play and served on the Church security staff. He is currently very active in his community, the Village of Olympia Fields, where he serves as Treasurer of his homeowners association and as a member of his Village finance committee.

Treasurer
Eugene Blackwell, Jr.

Eugene C. Blackwell Jr. is the current treasurer of Theta Mu Lambda Charitable Foundation. He has held this position since the fall of 2003. Eugene attended University of Illinois, Urbana and completed a pre-pharmacy curriculum. Eugene graduated from the University of Illinois College of Pharmacy at the Chicago medical center in 1979. Eugene received a Masters in Business Administration in 1989 from Governors State University. Eugene is employed full time at the Department of Veterans Affairs. He is a coordinator of pharmaceuticals for emergency preparedness. Eugene is a lieutenant colonel in the Illinois Army National Guard. Over the past 24 years, he has held various positions and is currently clinic commander of Crestwood armory. He is responsible for providing medical support to guardsmen in the northern region of Illinois.
He is a past president of Theta Mu Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Where he volunteers for the Angel Tree Program, Black and Gold Committee, Health Fair Committee, PADS, March of Dimes, Mentoring Program and PADS. Eugene is a member of New Faith Baptist Church, International and serves as secretary of the men choir. He is married to Mattie Mae Blackwell, a middle school teacher in the south suburbs. They have three children, Kizmet, Eugene III, and Brittney.

Secretary
Rory Smith

Rory Dean Smith is Associate Dean for Outreach and Planning at The John Marshall Law School. He has a B.A., MBA, and JD from Northwestern University. Dean Smith is responsible for Alumni Relations, Continuing Legal Education, Bar Exam Preparation Programs, ADA Compliance, Outreach and Strategic Planning. Dean Smith joined the John Marshall administration in 1998, after serving for three years as an adjunct professor in the LL.M. Program in Real Estate Law. Prior to joining the administration, he was a principal with Albert, Whitehead and McGaugh, P.C. (Chicago) and associate regional counsel for the Prudential Insurance Company of America’s Chicago Realty Group Office. He also served as attorney and real estate officer at Continental Illinois Bank and Trust Company of Chicago. Dean Smith has served as president of the Chicago Mortgage Attorneys Association, chairman of the Cabrini Green Legal Aid Clinic board of directors and president of the Minority Legal Education Resources, Inc., board of directors. Currently he is a member of the St. Augustine College Board of Governors, the Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network Board of Directors, the Flossmoor School District 161 Board of Education, and on the advisory committee for Northwestern University’s J.D./M.M. Program. Dean Smith’s publications include “Getting In From the Outside,” an article published in the April 1998 issue of Corporate Counsel Magazine. Dean Smith has served as Assistant Chancellor to the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago.

Michael C. Williams
Michael C. Williams is married to Dr. Diane Williams and have three children. He graduated from Chicago’s Calumet High School in 1970. He graduated from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb in 1974 with a B.S in Education and a minor in African American Studies. From Chicago State University he received a M.S. in Special Education in 1978 and M.A. in Educational Administration in 1988.

Mr. Williams has worked in several South Suburban schools districts as a high school history teacher, special education teacher, Dean of Students, Assistant Principal and as a Director of Special Education. He is also a past President of the Library Board of University Park and has served in several leadership positions at First Baptist Church in University Park. Some of these positions have included Associate Deacon Chair, Stewardship Chair, Chairman of the Trustee and Superintendent of Sunday School. In addition to above mentioned positions Mr. Williams is a professional photographer and currently sits on the Annuity Board for the Southern Baptist Convention. Currently Mr. Williams is the Special Education Director for Lincoln Elementary School District 156 in Calumet City, IL. He also serves as an adjunct instructor for Governor State University teaching Special Education Law.

Michael Thompson, Sr.
Michael A. Thompson, Sr. is a former Chairman of the Foundation and has demonstrated a commitment to service in many capacities. He is active with his church, Apostolic Church of God, and sings in the Men's Chorale along with his two sons. He is a devoted husband and father to 3 children. He is also a divisional board member of Junior Achievement of Chicago. He has served Theta Mu Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. For many years in many roles including Chapter President.