ALPHA ATHLETES - The Sphinx Magazine

OMEGA
AN ORIGINAL FORCE BEHIND
MLK MEMORIAL ENTERS
OMEGA CHAPTER
Brother Alfred “Al” Carver Bailey—one of the last surviving
Alpha Brothers who first presented the vision for a national
memorial in Washington, D.C. honoring Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr.—has transitioned to the Fraternity’s chapter for
deceased members.
In 1985, Brother Al Bailey was among the
original Alpha Brothers who convened at a
home outside of the nation’s capital to discuss
a vision for erecting a memorial to Brother
King. The Brothers lobbied Congress to enact
a law to build the memorial, making countless
trips to Capitol Hill to meet with lawmakers. In
1998, the U.S. Senate and House of
Representatives unanimously approved legislation
to erect a King Memorial on the Mall;
and in a White House ceremony on March 4,
1999, President William Jefferson Clinton
signed the Fraternity bill into law.
Because of his role in conceiving the
vision and his continuing efforts to raise
funds for the project, Brother Bailey commanded
a front-row seat during the
Ceremonial Groundbreaking for the MLK National Memorial on
November 13, 2006 when he was seated next to President Bill
Clinton; and participated with the children of Martin and Coretta
King and other dignitary in the ceremonial turning of the earth.
During the Fraternity’s 2007 General Convention in Orlando,
Florida, Brother Bailey was presented with the Alpha Award of
Merit—the Fraternity’s highest award to a member of the organization—because
of his vision and work toward building the
memorial. Brother Bailey also accepted the award on behalf of
Brothers George H. Sealey, Sr.; John A. Harvey, Sr.; Oscar V. Little;
Harold Navy; Hanley Norment; and Eddie L. Madison, Jr.—other
original visionaries of the memorial.
Son of the late Charles and Edna Bailey, Brother Bailey was
born in Middlesboro, Kentucky on June 25, 1925. He was the
fifth of seven children and the twin brother of Alma Bailey.
OMEGA CHAPTER
Brother Bailey graduated as valedictorian from Lincoln High
School at age 15. Upon graduation, he attended what was then
Hampton Institute (now Hampton University) in Hampton,
Virginia. His college experience was interrupted by World War II
when he served as a Military Policeman in
charge of protecting military fighter planes.
He received an honorable discharge
from U.S. Army active duty in 1946 before
enlisting in the U.S. Air Force Reserve and
becoming a member of the Tuskegee Airman.
In the Air Force Reserves, he fulfilled one of
his childhood dreams—learning to fly.
Following WWII, he returned to Hampton
Institute to complete his studies and earn
degrees in Engineering and Construction.
On May 1, 1949, Brother Bailey was initiated
into the Fraternity through Gamma Iota
Chapter at Hampton where he also met his soul
mate, the late Chastine W. Bailey. After two years
of courtship, Brother Bailey and Chastine mar-
Al Bailey
ried on August 14, 1954. From the union came
one daughter. They also had three grandchildren.
Brother Bailey’s early career was spent in Knoxville,
Tennessee where he was employed for several years at Knoxville
College as the Director of Facilities Management and
Engineering. He was responsible for designing several new buildings
and creating new campus workflows. He later accepted a
similar position at Howard University where he remained until
his retirement in 1986.
Brother Bailey transferred his Fraternity membership to Iota
Upsilon Lambda Chapter in Montgomery County, Maryland shortly
after it was charted in 1970. A life member of the Fraternity and
tireless worker, he served as Chapter Historian and Archivist for
many years. Brother Bailey was a driving force behind the acquisition
and restoration of the Smithville School Museum and
Education Center. He also was a mentor to many younger members
of the Fraternity..
The Sphinx: www.APA1906.net Fall • Winter 2008 105