Remembering Bro. Jerry Hall

 

Brother Jerry Glenn Hall was born April 25, 1944, in Biloxi, Mississippi, and spent his formative years in Centreville, IL, receiving his baptism and first communion at Saint Augustine Catholic Church. The oldest of the seven Hall children, Jerry was an attentive big brother. He participated in the Boy Scouts with his brothers and ran a thriving neighborhood newspaper route with the help of his siblings.

A lifelong learner, Jerry attended Brown & Garrison Elementary, Hughes Quinn Junior High School, and Lincoln High School where he ran track and was inducted into the National Honor Society. He would later obtain baccalaureate degrees from both Austin Peay State University in English and Washington University in Industrial Psychology & Sociology. He also obtained a Master of Arts in Computer Data Management from Webster University. During this time, he would be initiated into the Alpha Eta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated in 1964.

In 1966, Jerry was drafted into the United States Army, completing Basic and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Leonard Wood. On December 26th, 1966, while on leave, Jerry wed Carmele Martin at St. Matthew the Apostle Church. That union led to the birth of their son Jason in March of 1972.

 In 1967, Jerry completed the Transportation Officer Candidate School at Fort Eustis, VA, and was commissioned Second Lieutenant. Jerry proceeded to serve in leadership positions in Germany, the Republic of Vietnam, Fort Campbell, KY, and in St. Louis, MO, retiring from the United States Army Reserve in 1993 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Jerry was an avid volunteer. He willingly gave his time and resources to the Boy Scouts of America, the Union-Sarah Development Organization, the Fountain Park MLK committee, the Saint Vincent DePaul Society, as well as the parish councils of Visitation and St. Matthew Catholic Churches.

In March of 2023, he proudly inducted his son, Jason, into Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. at the St. Louis Alumni Chapter, Epsilon Lambda. On August 29th,2023, Brother Jerry Hall transitioned into the Omega Chapter. Brother Hall will be remembered as one who loved big, smiled broadly, and laughed loudly.

Skate for Babies

The Skate for Babies event was held on Saturday, June 3rd, 2023 at Coachlite Skate Center. This was a collaborative effort between the Phi Nu Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated and the Epsilon Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated. This skating event was the first time both chapters worked together.  As a result,  both chapters were able to raise money for the March of Dimes, which is a recipient of our Project Alpha National Program. In addition, the attendees were able to have fun roller skating while fellowshipping with each other.

Planning for the Future

Bro.Brian Hurd and Bro. Leon O’Hara spoke to the young males of the AMP program.  They led a discussion on the importance of having a plan and getting them to think about their futures. Not only did both of them talk about their upbringings and what led them to become the successful men they are today, but they also showed them how to create future plans for themselves.

Law Symposium & Mock Trial

The Alpha Mentoring Program along with The Village participated in the Law Symposium event led by Cara Hunt of the Black Law Student Association on March 25th at Washington University. While at the university, the boys did a variety of scavenger hunt activities in various rooms in the Anheuser Busch Building. In the afternoon, we went to the St. Louis County Courthouse in Clayton, Missouri for a mock trial led by Bro. Joshua Lubatkin. He and Bro. Justin Strayhorn guided our boys as they engaged in the roles of defense and plaintiff attorneys. Newly appointed St. Louis County Municipal Judge Carla Hughes participated as the judge in our mock trial.  Thank you to officer Steven Musselwhite and Attorney Portia Musselwhite for also participating in the mock trial.

Attorney Bro. Strayhorn and Attorney Musselwhite with one of the participants

The young men at Washington University during the scavenger hunt

Bro. Joshua Lubatkin  working with one of young men in the mock trial.

Washington University BLSA President Cara Hunt Speaks to the entire group

Participant along with Bro. Lubatkin speaks to officer Musselwhite while Judge Carla Hughes hears the case

Delux Power 100: Servants of All

We would like to congratulate our brothers who were honorees of the 2022  Delux Power 100 awards ceremony.  Salute to Bro. Anthony Kiekow, Bro. Christopher Randall and Bro. Dr. Brian Gant for breaking barriers and continuing to achieve in their areas of expertise while serving in the St. Louis region. Your contributions continue to represent what it means to be servants of all.

 

St Jude Walk/Run

On Saturday, September 24th, 2022, members of the Epsilon Lambda Chapter participated in an early morning walk/run fundraiser hosted by the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. This annual fundraising event raises money for St. Jude as they serve children who are fighting serious illnesses, including cancer. Chapter President Brother Michael Ferrer and St. Jude Area Executive Director, Lathon Ferguson led the chapter in the fundraising effort and Alpha’s participation in the event.

Community Art Fair

During the second weekend of September 2022, members of the Epsilon Lambda and Alpha Eta Chapters took part in a community event in support of the St. Louis County Art Fair. This is the second year that Epsilon Lambda and the first year that Alpha Eta has participated in this event. Proceeds from beverage sales will help fund the program operations of both chapters for the coming year.