Delta Lambda honors Bro. Arthur C. Redding entrance into Omega Chapter
Brothers of Delta Lambda celebrate and honor the memory of Bro. Arthur C. Redding (92), who was inducted into Omega Chapter on Wednesday, April 26, 2023 during the Mass of Resurrection at St. James Episcopal Church in Baltimore, where he served on the church vestry and several other leadership capacities for many years. He was 92.
A Wilmington, DE native, Bro. Redding was initiated in Alpha Phi Alpha on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 1950 in the Alpha Omicron Chapter seated at Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, NC. He was a football scholar-athlete for the Golden Bulls and earned a bachelor of science degree in 1952. Following his undergraduate studies, he served in the United States Army and subsequently in numerous church-based nonprofit leadership and executive roles in Wilmington's Community Centers of the Episcopal Church. He continued academic pursuits at the University of Delaware and received a masters degree in Social Work at the University of Maryland.
Upon relocation to Baltimore and becoming a life member in Alpha, Bro. Redding immediately united with Delta Lambda Chapter and the historic St. James Episcopal Church, serving on its Housing Development Committee, the Church Restoration Committee and New Parrish Center Committee, where he later was appointed to serve as administrator. Professional posts include Baltimore's Housing Authority and the United Way of Central Maryland, from which he retired after 20 years.
Bro. Redding fostered a wonderful life with Brenda, his loving wife of 43 years, with whom he enjoyed international travels to Europe, Asia, Australia, South America, and the Caribbean. A man of deep faith and Christian character, he was a proud father of two sons from a previous marriage; Arthur, III who followed his father's footsteps as an Alpha man, and Christopher. He was a doting grandfather who invested generous time and engagement with his two granddaughters Camryn and Raven Redding, his nephews, and children in his extended family. Along with his wife, children, and loved ones, Bro. Arthur C. Redding's transition leaves void and heartfelt memories of his distinguished life and abundant kindness with his friends, colleagues, church family, and this community.
"Farewell, Dear Brother, transcendent art thou."
Bro. Jelani C. Zarif earns prestigious Michigan State alumni award
Bro. Jelani C. Zarif, [Kappa Delta Lambda, '08] was recently honored with the Michigan State University College of Natural Science 2023 Recent Alumni award. According to college leaders, the award is presented annually to an alumnus of the natural science program who has graduated within the last 15 years and demonstrates outstanding professional growth and commitment to teaching, research, and outreach activities.
"I am very humbled by this honor from my graduate alma mater, and to be recognized for my efforts to make a difference in the Spartan tradition," said Bro. Zarif, a Robert E. Meyerhoff Professor of Oncology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine’s Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center and a member of the Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy. "The support I have received and continue to experience from Dean Phillip Duxbury, my professors, and fellow researchers from the College is a true testament to its commitment to making a thriving planet with healthy communities."
Bro. Zarif leads a laboratory that studies molecular mechanisms by immune cells within the tumor microenvironment that ultimately promote tumor growth, therapeutic resistance, and metastasis. The Zarif Lab also focuses on discovering and investigating new biomarkers that may be expressed on myeloid cells known as macrophages that could predict clinical response to standard-of-care treatments for prostate cancer.
A Chicago native, Dr. Zarif obtained both his B.S. and M.S. degrees from Jackson State University and then earned his Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology from Michigan State University. He then completed two post-doctoral fellowships at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He has been the recipient of several research awards, including the Prostate Cancer Foundation’s Young Investigator award, The Patrick C. Walsh Prostate Cancer Research Fund, the Department of Defense Translational Research award, and the NCI K22 Career Transition award.
Bro. Anton Bizzell named Eastern Region 'Brother of the Year'
Bro. Anton Bizzell, [Iota Beta, ’90] was recently honored as ‘Alumni Brother of the Year’ during the 91st Eastern Region Convention of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. It is the second consecutive ‘Brother of the Year’ accolade for Bizzell in two months, following his honoring as the Mid-Atlantic Association of Alpha Phi Alpha Chapters (MAAC).
An award-winning physician, entrepreneur, and humanitarian, Bro. Bizzell is a life member of the fraternity and past president of the Delta Lambda Chapter.
“I am grateful for my chapter and district brothers for supporting my nomination and presentation before the regional awards committee,” Bizzell said. “I look forward to joining the collection of brothers who will share our fraternal work and leadership in the ‘Brother of the Year’ competition during our general convention in Dallas this summer.”
Fraternally, Bro. Bizzell led the chapter into its centennial celebration year, spearheading record-breaking fundraising and grant-making and support for critical initiatives in youth development, voter engagement, and outreach to communities in the chapter’s immediate geographic footprint. He has chaired chapter and regional participation in March of Dimes programs and served as a chief liaison for legislative engagement between the chapter and elected officials in the state.
Bro. Bizzell is the CEO of the Bizzell Group, an international firm specializing in strategy, consulting, and technology solutions supporting healthy, secure, and sustainable communities. In 2020, he was named the ‘Small Business Person of the Year’ representing the state of Maryland by the U.S. Small Business Administration.