By Deborah Bailey
AFRO D.C. Editor
The Black community surrounding Lansburg Park in SW D.C. has seen major changes in the 14 years since the Washington Nationals Park opened in 2008.
Members of Alpha Phi Alpha’s Omicron Eta Lambda Alumni Chapter have walked with residents through the construction of new high-rise residences, buildings, fancy new restaurants and events going on around them – but not necessarily for them. The men of Alpha Phi Alpha have said they continue to provide programming in the community because they are present for the original members of the Southwest Community that were there when the chapter was founded.
“We were chartered in the Southwest quadrant. Every year we try to come remember where we came from originally. Providing service to our community is important. Covid-19 has really been hard on our communities so it’s important for Alpha Phi Alpha to be here supporting this community that represents the area where we were founded,” said Preston Mitchum, president of the Omicron Eta Lambda chapter.
Each summer for the past 9 years, the fraternity has brought students together in August, to celebrate returning to school and to offer resources and support to scores of residents. Children come to play in the life-sized tents blown up on the park lawn and to get backpacks and school supplies, while their parents visit one of the 20 community partners assembled, providing information about jobs, or voter registration. This year, the Omicron Eta Chapter gave Washington National Tickets to residents who attended the back-to-school event, offering them a chance to see the local team just blocks away from their homes.
“There are concentrated areas of this community that are doing very well and areas of the community that are not doing so well. We would like to let those people know that they are not forgotten. We see them. We are going to stand with them and not allow them to be pushed out. While they are here, they are going to have the same opportunities for prosperity as anyone else,” said Jarel Clay, member of the Omicron Eta Chapter.
This year’s celebration was vibrant and lively, thanks to the presence of Howard University’s WHUR Dee jays at the turntables, and the effervescent Howard University Cheerleaders, outfitted and performing as children watched amazed and parents ran to take pictures of the dancing cheerleaders.
“This brings the community together,” said Dejona Jackson who came with her four children to enjoy the food, music, time in the park and activities for her children. “I like the activities and the moon bounce,” said Dejona’s Daughter, Dakota, who picked up her backpack and school supplies before joining her siblings for a meal served by the Alpha brothers.
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