History of Theta Mu Lambda Charitable Foundation
by Edward L. Carter II, Historian, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity,
Theta Mu Lambda Chapter
Edited by Arthur Byrd

The Theta Mu Lambda Charitable Foundation was founded on January 1, 1989 in Calumet City by Theta Mu Lambda chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity ,Inc. A motion had been made in an earlier Chapter meeting by Brothers Eugene Varnado and second by Brother Larry Poole to develop a scholarship foundation in order to distribute scholarships in memory of the untimely accidental death of a young Alpha Brother Richard L Storey of Eta Eta Chapter. The Foundation was officially incorporated on April 2, 1990 and the first three $500.00 scholarships were distributed in the fall of 1990. On January 15, 1998, Brother Arthur Byrd successfully attained a 501c (3) status for the foundation.
The Foundation exits for the purpose of encouraging academic excellence, and assisting minority students in their pursuit of higher education, as well as the supporting educational programs and scholarships for African American male youths in the schools around the Southeast Suburban Chicago area. Since 1990 the Foundation has awarded over $100,000 in monetary awards to Chicago South Suburban college bound youths.

In the earlier years the scholarships were only nonrenewable one year awards to graduating high school seniors. To day, Theta Mu Lambda Charitable Foundation scholarships are renewable for four years if reapplying applicants qualifies each year.

Applications for these scholarships are distributed to the Chicago South Suburban High Schools and made available to students in early February.All applications and forms are due by the end of April. Each applicant’s material is reviewed by the scholarship committee and if selected is called to appear before a panel for an oral interview. Funds are distributed to all qualifying scholarship recipients in August.

The foundation also serves to refer African American students to other foundations, government agencies, municipalities, and African American social organizations <N.A.A.C.P., Church Groups, etc.> and professional organizations <National Association of Black Accountants, National Association of Black Journalists, National Bar Association, National Black M.B.A. Association, etc.>, so that no deserving African American students are denied the opportunity to go to college.

The Theta Mu Lambda Charitable Foundation raises money for its scholarship and educational foundations through holding their annual Black And Gold Ball every winter. The first Ball was held in December 1989. They have also raise monies from their sponsorship of African American plays at the Illinois Theater Center in Park Forest during the third Saturday of February, designated as Black History Month. They also raise donations during the summer during their annual golf outings. Donations from individuals, organizations, corporate foundations and/or corporations, make up the remaining balance of the funds that the Theta Mu Lambda Charitable Foundation raises for their scholarship and educational foundations.

African American students who apply for the five $1000 scholarships that the Theta Mu Lambda Charitable Foundation must have and/or maintain a 3.0 Grade Point Average in their respective South Suburban area high schools, and through their four years in college. Should the student, or students, be awarded the scholarship or scholarships, they must re-apply for the scholarship for three of the first four years of their time in college.

The first five Theta Mu Lambda Brothers who served on the Charitable Foundation’s Board of Directors as Officers were: Brothers Melvin Brown, Joseph Hill, Jan F. Peters, George Reaves, and Eugene C, Varnado, and the remaining Board members consisted of Brothers in good standing with Theta Mu Lambda chapter. To date the Foundation has had 7 Chairman in the order as listed: Eugene Varnado, Arthur Isom, Roger Bradley, Jeffrey Johnson, Chad Simmons, Michael Thompson and Arthur Byrd, current Chairman.

Presently, The Foundation Board consist of 4 Foundation Officers, 5 Executive Committee Directors, and may consist of up to 41 additional Directors in which 2 may be laymen, who are not members in good standing of Theta Mu Lambda Chapter and preferbally from the South Suburban community..The day to day business operation by the Foundation is the responsibility of its officers and executive committee directors.