The local chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., is celebrating 40 years of independence and doing it in Bahamian style. The Iota Epsilon Lambda (IEL) chapter is preparing to host its annual Black & Ole Gold Scholarship Ball on Saturday, December 14, at the British Colonial Hilton.
The affair will feature a cocktail reception, live Rake & Scrape entertainment, and a down home award style dinner, accompanied by some of The Bahamas' finest performing artists.
"It's going to be epic," said IEL Chapter President Dominic Archer.
"Patrons will experience a ball like none other in The Bahamas. This ball is significant to the fraternity because the revenue generated is earmarked for our annual scholarship program."
The dress code for the event is black tie. Tickets are $150, contact Dominic Archer at 376-0256 or Lynden Maycock at 326-0071. The cocktail hour starts at 7 p.m., with dinner at 8:30 p.m.
Through its Honour's Day Convocation program, IEL has awarded just under $500,000 in educational assistance to deserving high school males.
Over the past 31 years in The Bahamas, IEL has also forged partnerships with the Cancer Society, the Salvation Army, the Bahamas Red Cross and other civic organizations.
This year the fraternity will honor Epidemiologist Terrance Fountain, for 35 years of dedicated service and leadership.
Fountain was initiated at the Nu Chapter, Lincoln University, Pennsylvania. He has served as a past president of the IEL from 2003-2008. Based on a strong fraternity experience, Fountain has lifetime membership status with the fraternity.
In his years of service to The Bahamas, Fountain has held the position of manager of The National Drug Observatory, director of the National Health Information and Research Division, and selected as short-term consultant for research methodology and project/program evaluation.
He is an avid softball player and has served as both president (2006-2009) and vice-president (1994-2006) of the Cancer Society of The Bahamas. He is a past vestry member at Christ Church Cathedral and past member of the Anglican Diocesan Council. He is married to Patty Fountain and is the father of Jeffery and Crystal.
About Alpha Phi Alpha
Alpha Phi Alpha, is the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African-Americans. The organization was founded at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, on December 4, 1906 by seven college men who recognized the need for a strong bond of brotherhood among African descendants in the United States during the turn of the last century. The local chapter was established in May 1977. For more information visit the Nassau, Bahamas Chapter's website at www.apabahamas.org.
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