rother Belford Vance Lawson, the 16th General President of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., was born on July 9, 1901. He was one of 11 children born to Belford and Sarah Hickman

Lawson in Roanoke, Virginia. He entered Ferris Institute in Big Rapids, Michigan before matriculating at the University of Michigan, where Brother Lawson was initiated into the Epsilon Chapter in 1922. While at Michigan, Bro. Lawson became the school's first African-American varsity football player.

His oratorical skills were recognized while a college student and he won first prize in extemporaneous speaking and the school's Atkinson Memorial Medal for Excellency in Oratory. In November of 1923, Brother Belford V. Lawson was featured in The Sphinx magazine as an athlete, orator, gentleman, and scholar.

Brother Lawson served as General Counsel prior to his election as General President. Known for traveling to college campuses throughout the country speaking, motivating, and inspiring a generation of College Brothers around the world, General President Belford V. Lawson entered Omega Chapter on February 26, 1985.

Since that time, Alpha Phi Alpha has sponsored an annual Oratorical contest, to keep the spirit of eloquence and locution alive in the heart of Alpha Phi Alpha. Brother Belford V. Lawson was a gifted elocutionist, whose profound oratorical skills transformed the spoken word into a melodic symphony of prose. His impeccable dress, his captivating persona and his oratory still continues to inspire us today in the voices of our College Brothers. *Adapted from “The Talented Tenth” by Herman “Skip” Mason, Jr.

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated Georgia District Association

Belford Vance Lawson Oratorical Luncheon

Brother Corenza D. Morris, 21st Assistant District Director, Presiding

2013 – 2014 National Topic:

"Global Warming & Global Warnings: Alpha's role in protecting our environment through mentorship while providing advocacy for our communities"

Invocation Brother DiArron B. Morrison Welcome Brother Corenza D. Morris

Assistant District Director Purpose and Occasion Brother Devon Crawford Poem “The House of Alpha” Brother Samuel Q. Ivey

Lunch Introduction of National, Region, District Officers and Special Guest Introduction of Judges, Explanation of the Rules Orations ____Brother ______________________________________________ ____Brother ______________________________________________ ____Brother ______________________________________________ Closing Announcements and Remarks Brother Dr. Larry D. Hardy

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Hymn & Prayer

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