Bro. Kibwe Mudiwa, pictured above with Durham, N.C. Police Chief C.J. Davis, represented the Triangle Iotas at the Stand 4 Durham rally on Saturday.
The rally, sponsored by the Prince Hall Grand Lodge F&AM of North Carolina, Durham Police, Durham County Sheriff’s Office, and Durham Clergy United, was to address gun violence and other issues in the Bull City.
STAND is an acronym for Support, Teach, Accountability, Never Forget, and Devotion.
The Triangle Iotas won big for its community efforts during the 2020 Eastern Region Annual Regional Conference, receiving the most honors out of all chapters:
The Triangle Iotas were named the 2020 N.C. Alumni Chapter of the Year, and was a finalist for the Eastern Region Alumni Chapter of the Year.
Polaris Stan Chambers Jr. was named the 2020 Eastern Region Alumni Brother of the Year.
Epsilon Pi (East Carolina University), which is overseen by the Triangle Iotas, was named the 2020 N.C. Undergraduate Chapter of the Year.
“We are extremely humbled by the state and regional recognition for the work we’re doing in the community,” Chapter Polaris Stan Chambers Jr. said. “2020 has been a very challenging year for all of us, but these are the times in which black fraternities and sororities need to double down on their community impact. We’re elated for these honors, but the work doesn’t stop.”
The Triangle Iotas were recognized for its Time to Build Initiative, which include a five-part Voter Education Series done in partnership with the N.C. Black Alliance, and the Beta Pi Sigma and Theta Lambda Sigma alumnae chapters of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
Polaris Chambers was honored for his work in building up the fraternity in the Triangle, from revamping the chapter to conceiving the Time to Build Initiative, “deaning” a graduate line, and serving as advisor to Epsilon Pi, among other efforts.
Since Epsilon Pi was reactivated in 2019 following a 15-year hiatus, the chapter has been consistent in its efforts around intake, programming, and building the fraternity’s presence and reputation at a large school. Polaris Chambers is also the advisor for Epsilon Pi.
“Stay tuned, for we’re just getting started,” Chambers said.
The Triangle Iotas are honored to welcome two new brothers to our chapter and fraternity.
Daniel “Nomos” Tyler (L) is an officer with the Kinston (NC) Police Department and a United States Marine Corps veteran. Delvon “Soter” Jackson (R) is an officer with the Gaston County (NC) Police Department.
Both men have hit the ground running with a project that will be integrated into the chapter’s Time to Build Initiative.
“Serving the community, and being part of something bigger than themselves, are engrained into Daniel and Delvon, which is why they were excellent candidates for the Triangle Iotas and Iota Phi Theta,” said Chapter Polaris Stan Chambers Jr., who was in charge of their intake process. “I look forward to their efforts as Iota men in enhancing the communities we serve.”
The Triangle Iotas, in partnership with the N.C. Black Alliance, launched its five-part Voter Education Series with a detailed discussion about gerrymandering and its impact on black communities.
The conversation, which was hosted for free on Zoom, detailed how gerrymandering is influenced by the Census and redistricting, which often negatively impact black communities.
Upcoming conversations, which will be posted on the Time to Build page, will focus on the electoral college, making one’s vote count, being an informed voter, and your rights on Election Day.
DURHAM, N.C. (June 9, 2020) – The killings of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd have spurred a group of Triangle men to tackle this daunting question: Where Do We Go From Here?
The Alpha Epsilon Omega (AEO) Alumni Chapter of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc., created a page – triangleiotas.org/timetobuild – to solicit public input regarding how the black community moves forward following the deaths of Arbery, Taylor, Floyd, and countless others from racism and police brutality. The effort is part of a longer strategy to engage, educate, and empower supporters to take action.
“So many people are angry right now. So many people are asking what they can do,” said Stan Chambers Jr., AEO president. “They all have ideas and they want to help. We want to turn their ideas into a cohesive, goal-oriented plan that ensures the work towards equality, inclusion, and success for African-Americans and others continue long after the protests end.”
AEO will use the community’s ideas to outline a plan within the next 60 days, which will be public, consisting of actions with 0-3, 6-9, and 12+ month deadlines. The chapter also plans to launch an information series exploring topics related to voting (i.e. – How does the electoral college work?) within the next two months.
“No one organization, no one person has the ability to solve systematic racism and inequality on their own,” Chambers said. “As members of a fraternity founded during the height of the Civil Rights Movement, we felt duty-bound to do our part in implementing change, and we want the community to be part of the solution.”
About Alpha Epsilon Omega
The Alpha Epsilon Omega Alumni Chapter of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc., uses mentorship, community service, and strategic partnerships to make a difference in the Triangle. Chartered in 1995, the chapter has earned multiple state and regional awards through its work in “Building a Tradition, Not Resting Upon One.” Visit triangleiotas.org to learn more about the chapter.
About Iota Phi Theta
Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc., was founded on Sept. 19, 1963 – less than a month after the March on Washington – by 12 non-traditional students at Morgan State University committed to “The Development and Perpetuation of Scholarship, Leadership, Citizenship, Fidelity and Brotherhood Among Men.” The fraternity has grown to over 40,000 members and 300 chapters across the globe. Visit iotaphitheta.org to learn more about the fraternity.
AEO extends its deepest condolences to the family of Bro. William “Big Tex” Wyatt (10-Beta Theta-88), who recently joined the fraternity’s Alpha Iota Omega Chapter.
Wyatt was among the five brothers who chartered the Alpha Epsilon Omega Alumni Chapter in 1995, and served as the chapter’s first Polaris.
Thank you Bro. Wyatt for your service to the fraternity.
With community needs so great during the fight against coronavirus, brothers from Alpha Epsilon Omega have stepped up to answer the call of service.
Bro. Gerald Dennis spent today handing out groceries to families in need at Abundant Life Cathedral in Raleigh.
In addition, chapter Polaris Stan Chambers Jr. recently donated to the Ronald McDonald House to help in their ongoing efforts.
Thank you brothers for answering the call of service during this great need.
Brothers from the Alpha Epsilon Omega Alumni Chapter of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc., prepared meals, served meals, and completed housekeeping duties at The Salvation Army in Raleigh, N.C. on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Alpha Epsilon Omega works closely with the RDU Chapter of Iota Sweethearts, Inc., throughout the year, so AEO was proud to partner with ISI RDU on their Christmas Brunch Fundraiser, where they collected dozens of toys and monetary donations for children in need this holiday season.
Brothers from the Alpha Epsilon Omega and Alpha Omicron Omega (Fayetteville, NC) alumni chapters attended a NPHC screening of “Resilience: The Biology of Stress & The Science of Hope”, hosted by Wake County Human Services on Wednesday..
The documentary focuses on the science of Adverse Childhood Experiences and how those experiences can produce toxic stress that can put children at greater risk for disease, homelessness, prison and early death.
The screening was followed by a panel discussion among Divine 9 members where Alpha Epsilon Omega Polaris Stan Chambers Jr. highlighted the chapter’s work with children, including its ongoing effort mentoring students at Burton Elementary School in Durham, NC.
Bros. Derek Powe (pictured), Keith Johnson, and Stan Chambers Jr. spent Wednesday morning talking about respect at Burton Elementary School in Durham, N.C., where every other week they mentor an all-boys fourth grade class.
Bro. Stan Chambers Jr., along with members of the Theta Lambda Sigma chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, inc., spent Sunday morning tracking runners during the Cary Greenway Tour Race.
Alpha Epsilon Omega has a proud tradition of participating in the St. Jude Walk/Run. Not only is Iota Phi Theta a national sponsor, but AEO has raised thousands within the past few years in support of ending childhood cancer.
AEO participated in this year’s walk along with the Alpha Omicron Omega Alumni Chapter (Fayetteville, N.C.), Theta Phi chapter (St. Augustine’s University), and the RDU chapter of Iota Sweethearts, Inc.
Bros. Keith Johnson (left) and Stan Chambers Jr. (right) spent Wednesday morning teaching students how to tie a bow tie at Burton Elementary School in Durham, N.C., where every other week they mentor an all-boys fourth grade class.
Bros. Stan Chambers Jr. (right) and Jermaine Goods (left) spent Sunday morning registering people to vote during the Cary Unity Walk & Fun Run.
Alpha Epsilon Omega participated in the event along with the Theta Lambda Sigma chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. Registering people to vote is not only an initiative of both chapters, but it is also part of #MuchMoreThanAHashtag, a national partnership between Iota Phi Theta and Sigma Gamma Rho to increase community civic engagement.
Alpha Epsilon Omega is about serving the community, but we also like to socialize and have a little fun.
Members of AEO, the Theta Lambda Sigma chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., and the RDU Chapter of Iota Sweethearts, Inc., spent Friday evening at The Drive Shack, which recently opened in Raleigh.
Here are a few highlights from Friday’s outing:
Bros. Keith Johnson, Derek Powe, and Stan Chambers Jr. greeted students at Burton Elementary in Durham for the first day of the school year.
The trio greeted students as they walked to school and arrived via school bus.
Here are some highlights from the morning:
