Who We Are

Theta mu lambda charitable foundation

The Theta Mu Lambda Charitable Foundation raises money for its scholarship and educational foundations through holding its annual Black And Gold Ball every winter. The first Ball was held in December 1989. The Foundation also raises money by sponsoring African American plays at the Illinois Theater Center in Park Forest on the third Saturday of February, during Black History Month. The Foundation also raises donations during the summer at its annual golf outings. Donations from individuals, organizations, corporate foundations, and/or corporations, make up the remaining balance of the funds that the Theta Mu Lambda Charitable Foundation raises for scholarships and educational programs.

annual reports

History

The Theta Mu Lambda Charitable Foundation was founded on January 1, 1989, in Calumet City by the Theta Mu Lambda (TML) chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. A motion had been made in an earlier Chapter meeting by Brothers Eugene Varnado and second by Brother Larry Poole to develop a scholarship foundation. The Foundation’s purpose would be to distribute scholarships in memory of the untimely accidental death of a young Alpha Brother Richard L Storey of Eta Eta Chapter. The TML Chapter incorporated the Foundation On April 2, 1990. In the fall of 1990, the Foundation awarded the first three $500.00 scholarships. On January 15, 1998, Brother Arthur Byrd successfully attained a 501c (3) status for the Foundation.

The Foundation exists to encourage academic excellence and assist minority students in their pursuit of higher education, as well as the supporting educational programs and scholarships for African American male youths in the schools around the Southeast Suburban Chicago area. Since 1990 the Foundation has awarded over $230,000 in monetary awards to Chicago South Suburban college-bound youths.

In the earlier years, the scholarships were only nonrenewable one-year awards to graduating high school seniors. Today, Theta Mu Lambda Charitable Foundation scholarships are renewable for four years if reapplying applicants qualify each year.

Applications for these scholarships are distributed to the Chicago South Suburban High Schools and made available to students in early February. All applications and forms are due by the end of April. The scholarship committee reviews each applicant’s material and selects several for oral interviews. The Foundation distributes to all qualifying scholarship recipients in August. The Foundation also recommends African American students to other foundations, government agencies, municipalities, and professional organizations for additional scholarship opportunities.

Students who apply for scholarships provided by the Theta Mu Lambda Charitable Foundation, must have and/or maintain a 3.0 Grade Point Average at their respective South Suburban area high school. Students that are awarded a scholarship, must re-apply for the scholarship for the next three years providing the student maintains a 3.0 GPA during their college career.

The first five Theta Mu Lambda Brothers who served on the Charitable Foundation’s Board of Directors as Officers were: Brothers Melvin Brown, Joseph Hill, Jan F. Peters, George Reaves, and Eugene C, Varnado, and the remaining Board members consisted of Brothers in good standing with Theta Mu Lambda chapter. The Foundation has had 7 Chairman in order: Eugene Varnado, Arthur Isom, Roger Bradley, Jeffrey Johnson, Chad Simmons, Michael Thompson, and Arthur Byrd, current Chairman.

The Foundation Board consists of 5 Foundation Officers, 5 Executive Committee Directors, and may include up to 41 additional Directors. Two maybe laypeople, who are not members in good standing of Theta Mu Lambda Chapter and preferably from the South Suburban community. The day to day business operation by the Foundation is the responsibility of its officers and executive committee.