The Omicron Phi Lambda chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., which serves South Fulton near Atlanta, executed its pilot program, Reading Take Over, when the fraternity brothers took the lead in all 23 classes at Asa Hilliard Elementary School in East Point.
The brothers read Keep Dreaming Black Child by Nyasha Williams to pre-K through third graders as well as a variety of other inspiring, self-affirming books to fourth and fifth graders.
“This was an important opportunity for us to impact the lives of our precious commodity—young kids,” said OPL President Pierre Gaither. “We know the power of reading and how it builds literacy and how that translates into being creative people, critical thinkers, and successful later in life.”
Teachers, administrators, and Principal Tiambi Walker welcomed the Alpha men with smiles; they understood the value of having the presence of Black men in their school. And so did the brothers.
The experience was the Alpha brothers’ first time reading to kids. They left feeling it would not be their last.
Caption: Alpha Enoch Peters, a retired educator, volunteers his time to take part in the Omicron Phi Lambda's Reading Take Over Day at Asa Hilliard.
Caption: Jeff Ferguson had a "great time" reading and engaging an enthusiastic group of first graders during the Alphas' Reading Take Over Day.
Caption for the group photo: Brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha had fun with Asa Hilliard 2019 Teacher of the Year Anita Whyte-Otu, who was the school's point of contact for the event.
Caption: Asa Hilliard’s Principal Tiambi L. Walker thanks the men of Omicron Phi Lambda chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity for supporting the school.