MEMORANDUM

To: Teri Janine Quinn

President
Bloomingdale Civic Association
Washington, DC 20001
terijanine@gmail.com

From: Eddie Neal

President
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Mu Lambda Chapter
2405 First Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
President@mulambda.org

Re: Symbolic Designation

Date: June 13, 2020

BACKGROUND AND REQUEST1

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Mu Lambda (“Mu Lambda”) Chapter, requests the
support of the Bloomingdale Civic Association (BCA) to symbolically designate First Street,
N.W., between Bryant Street, N.W. and Michigan Avenue, N.W., as "Alpha Phi Alpha Way."
A symbolic naming is for ceremonial purposes only and shall be in addition to and subordinate
to any name that is already deemed an official name.

The Mu Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha is an Alumni chapter and was chartered
on October 1, 1923, in the District of Columbia. Mu Lambda members were instrumental in
removing restrictive covenants so all residents can occupy homes in Bloomingdale. Like other
residents of the District of Columbia, Mu Lambda has been impacted by the Coronavirus. Mu
Lambda Chapter will be celebrating 97 years on October 1, 2020, and would like to
commemorate its 97th anniversary with the symbolic designation. At a time when this
pandemic is having a profound impact on all of our lives, and our communities as a whole,
we recognize that all efforts are rightfully focused on addressing this “new normal” in every
facet of our lives. We also recognize that this request can serve as an opportunity to uplift not
only Alpha Phi Alpha but the very residents that we serve. It is also an opportunity to show
our resilience as an organization that has provided public service to residents of the District
of Columbia for almost 100 years.

During the pandemic, Mu Lambda has been on the front lines, ensuring the women at
the House of Ruth receive hot meals, mentoring the youth, and delivering Personal Protective
Equipment for elderly community members. The Director of Development of House of Ruth

1
Excerpts of the Torch are included as an attachment. All references to the Torch are attached.

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recently said, “It is rare that words fail me --- but your generosity, and that of Mu Lambda,
always blows me away.” Mu Lambda hosts weekly virtual meetings with the young men at
Charles Hart Middle School and Frank W. Ballou Senior High School to ensure they have a
sense of normalcy in their lives, obtain scholarships, apply to college, and/or complete their
school work.

Additionally, Mu Lambda is an active participant of the Clean City Program. Not only
has the Chapter adopted First Street between Bryant Street, N.W. and Michigan Avenue,
N.W., where a bi-monthly clean-up day is conducted to maintain the cleanliness of this area,
but members of the Chapter also clean numerous other surrounding blocks as part of the Clean
City Program, including other portions of Bryant and Channing Streets. The Adopt A Block
sign is prominently displayed at the corner of First and Bryant Streets. 2

LEGAL BACKGROUND

The Street and Alley Closing and Acquisition Procedures Act of 1982, effective March
10, 1983 (D.C. Law 4-201; D.C. Official Code § 9-204.01 et seq.) ("Act") establishes
procedures for closing streets and alleys, opening new streets and alleys, naming public
spaces, and other procedures related to streets and alleys. The Act authorizes the Council to
symbolically or officially designate or change the name of any public space in the District of
Columbia, including streets and alleys.3 In October 2016, the Act was amended to create a
clear distinction between official and symbolic street and alley naming’s and to establish
distinct processes and requirements for each type of naming.4

An "official name" refers to the legal designation of an alley or a street for mailing address
and other purposes,5 whereas a "symbolic name" for a street or alley shall be in addition to and
subordinate to any name that is an official name.6 An official name of an alley shall contain the
suffix "Alley" or " Court"7 whereas, a symbolic name of a street or alley shall contain only the
suffix "Way" or "Plaza."8 "Alpha Phi Alpha Way" is intended to be a symbolic street designation
for First Street, N.W. between Bryant Street, N.W. and Michigan Avenue, N.W.

The Act also establishes a notice requirement for symbolic designations. Pursuant to
D.C. Official Code §9-204.23(b), the Advisory Neighborhood Commission in which the
symbolic designation is located must be put on notice of the public hearing regarding the
proposed naming.9

After the symbolic street or alley designation legislation becomes law and all
conditions required by the Council and the Act have been satisfied, the Mayor shall authorize the

2
Mu Lambda Torch (October 2019), p. 49; (July 2019), p. 32.
3
See D.C. Official Code § 9-204.01 et seq.
4
See D.C. Law 21-0161, effective from Oct. 8, 2016, Published in the DC Register Vol 63 and Page 12933.
5
D.C. Official Code § 9-20l.01(5A).
6
D.C. Official Code § 9-204.03a(a).
7
D.C. Official Code § 9-204.03a(c).
8
D.C. Official Code § 9-204.03a(c).
9
Notably, D.C. Official Code § 9-204.23(b) does not specify a time requirement as to when an ANC must be
put on notice of a public hearing regarding a symbolic designation.

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District of Columbia Department of Transportation install signage indicating the symbolic
name of the alley or street, or portion thereof. Such signage shall be uniform and distinct from
signs for official names. 10

Symbolically designating the block of First Street fronting the Mu Lambda House will
recognize the cultural significance and history of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. The
proposed official designation is located in ANC 5E09. Thus, Mu Lambda is seeking the BCA
to support symbolically designating the subject portion of First Street, N.W. as Alpha Phi
Alpha Way and seeks a resolution memorializing the BCA's support.

To assist with your decision making we have taken the following steps: reached out
to neighbors on First, Bryant, and Channing Streets to solicit support of our effort and Mu
Lambda’s Historian has prepared a document (“Historical Justification For the Renaming Of
The 2400 Block of First Street”) showing Alpha Phi Alpha and Mu Lambda’s historical ties
to First Street. Bloomingdale resident, Rudes McGann, will be serving as Alpha Phi Alpha’s
goodwill ambassador to work with and attend BCA’s meetings to ensure we remain a good
neighbor and assist the BCA with future endeavors.

HISTORY OF ALPHA PHI ALPHA11

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., (“Alpha” or “The Fraternity”) is the first African
American intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity.12 It was founded by seven African American
students on the campus of Cornell University on December 4, 1906. 13 While founded in New
York, the fraternity is incorporated in the District of Columbia.14

Chapters were chartered at Howard University and Virginia Union University in 1907.
The fraternity has more than 290,000 members and has been open to men of all races since
1945. Currently, there are more than 730 active chapters in the Americas, Africa, Europe, the
Caribbean, and Asia. There are six chapters in Washington, DC: three college chapters
(Howard University – Beta 1907; American, Catholic, Georgetown, and George Washington
Universities – Nu Beta 1977; and University of the District of Columbia – Omicron Omicron
1982); and three alumni chapters (Mu Lambda – 1923, Omicron Lambda Alpha – 1952, and
Omicron Eta Lambda –1985). Alpha is the largest predominately African American
intercollegiate fraternity and one of the 10 largest intercollegiate fraternities in the nation.

Alpha Phi Alpha has a service organization mission and provided leadership and
service during the Great Depression, World Wars I and II, and the Civil Rights Movement.
The fraternity addresses social issues such as Apartheid, AIDS, urban housing, and other
economic, cultural, and political issues of interest to people of color. National programs and

10
D.C. Official Code § 9-204.24(d)(1)-(2).
11
Wesley, Charles H. The History of Alpha Phi Alpha A Development In College Life. Fifteenth Printing,
Foundation Publishers.
12
Mu Lambda Torch (May 2019): 31-32.
13
Wesley, Charles H. The History of Alpha Phi Alpha A Development In College Life. Fifteenth Printing,
Foundation Publishers, page 28.
14
Wesley, Charles H. The History of Alpha Phi Alpha A Development In College Life. Fifteenth Printing,
Foundation Publishers, page 82.

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initiatives of the fraternity include: A Voteless People Is a Hopeless People, My Brother's
Keeper, Go To High School, Go To College, Project Alpha, and the World Policy Council.
Alpha also conducts philanthropic programming initiatives with the March of Dimes, Head
Start, the Boy Scouts of America, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.

There are many prominent current and former members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity,
including Hubert H. Humphrey, Jr, 38th Vice President of the United States; 15 Thurgood
Marshall, Supreme Court Justice;16 Senator Edward Brooke;17 Governor Deval Patrick;
Ambassador Andrew Young;18 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.;19 Reverend Joseph Lowery,
former President Southern Christian Leadership Conference; 20 Frederick Douglass;21 Duke
Ellington;22 Jesse Owens;23 Paul Robeson;24 Lionel Richie; Omari Hardwick; Dick Gregory;25
Marion Barry, former Mayor;26 Sterling Tucker, first chair of the District of Columbia
City Council; Vincent Orange, former Ward 5 Councilmember;27 Michael Rogers,
former City Administrator; Lewis Ferebee, current Chancellor for the District of
Columbia Public Schools; Dr. Everett Ward, President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
and former President, Saint Augustine University; Dr. Freeman Hrabowski, President
University of Maryland, Baltimore County; Dr. Walter Kimbrough, President, Dillard
University; Dr. Roderick Smothers, President, Philander Smith College; Dr. James Cheek,
former President, Howard University;28 Michael Lomax, President and CEO, United Negro
College Fund; W. E. B. Du Bois, NAACP founder; 29 and Marc Morial, President of the
National Urban League.

Alpha Phi Alpha was directly responsible for the conception, funding, and construction

15
Wesley, Charles H. The History of Alpha Phi Alpha A Development In College Life. Fifteenth Printing,
Foundation Publishers, page 453.
16
Wesley, Charles H. The History of Alpha Phi Alpha A Development In College Life. Fifteenth Printing,
Foundation Publishers, page 217.
17
Wesley, Charles H. The History of Alpha Phi Alpha A Development In College Life. Fifteenth Printing,
Foundation Publishers, page 239.
18
Wesley, Charles H. The History of Alpha Phi Alpha A Development In College Life. Fifteenth Printing,
Foundation Publishers, page 481.
19
Wesley, Charles H. The History of Alpha Phi Alpha A Development In College Life. Fifteenth Printing,
Foundation Publishers, page 367.
20
Mu Lambda Torch (April 2020), pp. 6-16.
21
Wesley, Charles H. The History of Alpha Phi Alpha A Development In College Life. Fifteenth Printing,
Foundation Publishers, page 135.
22
Wesley, Charles H. The History of Alpha Phi Alpha A Development In College Life. Fifteenth Printing,
Foundation Publishers, page 377.
23
Wesley, Charles H. The History of Alpha Phi Alpha A Development In College Life. Fifteenth Printing,
Foundation Publishers, page 231.
24
Wesley, Charles H. The History of Alpha Phi Alpha A Development In College Life. Fifteenth Printing,
Foundation Publishers, page 275.
25
Wesley, Charles H. The History of Alpha Phi Alpha A Development In College Life. Fifteenth Printing,
Foundation Publishers, page 467.
26
Mu Lambda Torch (January 2019).
27
Mu Lambda Torch (August 2019), pp. 36-38.
28
Wesley, Charles H. The History of Alpha Phi Alpha A Development In College Life. Fifteenth Printing,
Foundation Publishers, page 464.
29
Wesley, Charles H. The History of Alpha Phi Alpha A Development In College Life. Fifteenth Printing,
Foundation Publishers, page 23.

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of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial next to the National Mall in Washington, D.C.30

The Fraternity’s archives are preserved at the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center on

the campus of Howard University.

ABOUT MU LAMBDA CHAPTER31

Mu Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha is an Alumni chapter and was chartered on
October 1, 1923,32 in the District of Columbia. Mu Lambda Chapter will be celebrating 97
years on October 1, 2020. Alpha Phi Alpha celebrated 113 years on December 4, 2019; it
held its centennial celebration in the District of Columbia in 2006. Beta Chapter located at
Howard University celebrated 112 years on December 20, 2019.

Mu Lambda has 356 men on its rolls.33 Most of the members reside in Washington,
DC, with several residing in Ward 5. In April 1998, Mu Lambda purchased its headquarters
in the Bloomingdale Neighborhood at 2405 First Street, N.W. The house has been a center of
social activity, activism, and philanthropy for African Americans for decades. This is the
third site that Mu Lambda has maintained as its headquarters. The first was purchased in
1928.34 The second was purchased in 1950 and located at 1800 New Hampshire Avenue,
N.W.35 Mu Lambda was one of the first chapters in Alpha to purchase a house.36

Mu Lambda has been an innovator, a builder, and a molder of men, making a difference
in the lives of many in the Washington Metropolitan area. Mu Lambda is working diligently
to ensure that our programs and social activities continue to impact the community in a
positive way by being a catalyst of change.

Today, Mu Lambda stands as a beacon of light to the community and a strong source
of leadership. Through its Henry Arthur Callis Academy, Mu Lambda continues to facilitate
the growth of young males, so they understand that leadership is not a burden but a
responsibility. Staying true to Alpha’s core: Mu Lambda successfully implements the
fraternity’s National Programs: Go-to-High School Go-to-College,37 A Voteless People is a
Hopeless People,38 Project Alpha,39 and Brothers’ Keeper.40 These four programmatic efforts
are implemented through “out-of-the-box” formats to ensure that Mu Lambda Chapter is
reaching its target audience.

30
Mu Lambda Torch (January 2019).
31
Mu Lambda Torch (May 2019), p.48; and (January 2019).
32
Wesley, Charles H. The History of Alpha Phi Alpha A Development In College Life. Fifteenth Printing,
Foundation Publishers, page 148.
33
Source – AlphaMX (online members only portal)
34
Wesley, Charles H. The History of Alpha Phi Alpha A Development In College Life. Fifteenth Printing,
Foundation Publishers, page 169.
35
Mu Lambda Torch (January 2019).
36
Wesley, Charles H. The History of Alpha Phi Alpha A Development In College Life. Fifteenth Printing,
Foundation Publishers, page 181.
37
Mu Lambda Torch (October 2019), p. 45.
38
Mu Lambda Torch (August 2019), pp. 21-22; (July 2019), p. 30.
39
Mu Lambda Torch (July 2019), pp. 24-25.
40
Mu Lambda Torch (July 2019), p. 36.

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 Mu Lambda is not a monolithic chapter. It is rich in history, diversity, and ready to
serve.

• The membership of the chapter ranges in age from 23 to 99.

• Salaries range from $30,000 to $1,000,000 per annum.
• The members own businesses in the Washington Metropolitan Area.41
• The membership is comprised of men from 117 different colleges.
• The racial composition is African American, Afro-Hispanic, Caucasian, Multi-Racial,
and West Indian/Caribbean.
• All men have a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree; some have Masters’ Degrees,42
Dental Degrees, Medical Degrees, MBA Degrees,43 Law Degrees,44 and various other
Doctoral Degrees.

Mu Lambda has mentored youth, fed the hungry, and provided scholarships for District
of Columbia Public School Students since 1923. Some of Mu Lambda’s major initiatives are
mentoring the youth at local middle schools and high schools,45 working with the women at
the House of Ruth;46 serving food with Martha’s Table,47 building playgrounds in underserved
communities,48 feeding families in need,49 donating clothes to homeless men,50 addressing
HIV and AIDS,51 teaching self-defense to students on college campuses,52 hosting an annual
Congressional Black Caucus reception,53 health and wellness for the community,54 leadership
development for youth,55 partnering with the District of Columbia Public Schools,56 March of
Dimes,57 honoring the Alpha wives and ladies in the community,58 partnering with SOME,59

41
Mu Lambda Torch (March 2020), pp. 38-43.
42
Mu Lambda Torch (February 2020), p. 19.
43
Mu Lambda Torch (June 2019), pp. 30-31.
44
Mu Lambda Torch (February 2020), p. 18; (June 2019), p. 31.
45
Mu Lambda Torch (February 2020), p. 19; (September 2019), pp. 22-23; (August 2019), pp. 19-22; (June
2019), pp. 17-20; and (May 2019), pp. 15-16.
46
Mu Lambda Torch (May 2020), p. 14; (April 2020), pp. 23-24; (March 2020), pp. 15-16; (February 2020),
pp. 29-31; (January 2020), pp. 55-56); (November 2019), p. 50; (October 2019), pp. 30-34; (June 2019), p. 15; and
(May 2019), p. 14.
47
Mu Lambda Torch (January 2020), pp. 62-65; (November 2019), pp. 56-59; (October 2019), p. 47; and
(July 2019), p. 31.
48
Mu Lambda Torch (October 2019), pp. 38-43.
49
Mu Lambda Torch (December 2019), pp. 32-35.
50
Mu Lambda Torch (November 2019), p. 63; and (August 2019), p. 23.
51
Mu Lambda Torch (February 2020), pp. 27-28; and (September 2019), p 30.
52
Mu Lambda Torch (November 2019), p. 60; and (October 2019), pp. 50-53.
53
Mu Lambda Torch (October 2019), pp. 54-59; and (September 2019): cover.
54
Mu Lambda Torch (May 2020), p. 15; (April 2020), p. 25; (March 2020), p.11; (October 2019), pp. 71-78;
(September 2019), pp. 49-52; (August 2019), p. 27; (July 2019), p. 29; (June 2019), p. 37; and (May 2019), pp. 9,
45.
55
Mu Lambda Torch (August 2019), p. 20; and (July 2019), pp. 26-27.
56
Mu Lambda Torch (June 2019), p. 16.
57
Mu Lambda Torch (November 2019), p. 47; (June 2019), p. 21; and (May 2019), p. 18.
58
Mu Lambda Torch (March 2020), pp. 33, 37; (February 2020), pp. 29-31; (January 2020), pp. 55-56; and
(January 2019).
59
Mu Lambda Torch (January 2020), p. 60; and (December 2019), p. 7.

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civic engagement,60 Emancipation Day,61 and providing Child and Family Service families
meals and toys.62 Sometimes, Mu Lambda turns its focus to its members.63

Mu Lambda received the 2020 Best of Washington Award in the Philanthropy

category,64 was recognized as the 2019 Partner of the Year by the House of Ruth,65 and is also
a member of the Bloomingdale Civic Association.

IMPACT ON EXISTING LAW

The request has no impact on existing law. D.C. Official Code§ 9-204.0166 authorizes
the Council to name any public space. D.C. Official Code § 9-204.03(a) authorizes the Council
to designate a symbolic name for a street or alley "that shall be in addition to and subordinate
to any name that is an official name."67 This request symbolically designates a portion of First
Street, N.W. as "Alpha Phi Alpha Way." Additionally, "a symbolic name of a street or alley
shall contain only the suffix Way or Plaza," such is our request.68

FISCAL IMPACT

There is no financial impact on the residents. Since the naming is symbolic, the
residents do not have to change their address.

Funds are sufficient in the fiscal year 2020 through fiscal year 2023 budget and
financial plan to implement the provisions of the request. Because the cost to the District of
Columbia Department of Transportation is estimated at $190 ($65 per sign for fabrication and
$125 for installation), the cost can be absorbed, but Mu Lambda is also willing to pay the costs,
if necessary.

60
Mu Lambda Torch (November 2019), p. 49; and (June 2019), p. 32.
61
Mu Lambda Torch (May 2019), pp. 19-22.
62
Mu Lambda Torch (January 2020), pp. 58- 61; and (January 2019).
63
Mu Lambda Torch (May 2020), p. 21; (February 2020), pp. 17-19; (September 2019), p. 44; (August
2019), pp. 31-32; (July 2019), p. 28; and (May 2019), pp. 31-32.
64
Mu Lambda Torch (April 2020), p. 21.
65
Mu Lambda Torch (October 2019), pp. 30-34.
66
Street and Alley Closing and Acquisition Procedures Act of 1982, effective March 10, 1983 (D.C. Law 4-
201).
67
D.C. Code § 9-201.01(9).
68
D.C. Code § 9-204.03(c).

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