Justice Served, But The Work Continues

Triangle Iotas react following conviction in George Floyd’s murder

DURHAM, N.C. (April 20, 2021) - The Triangle Iotas are relieved justice has been served in Derek Chauvin’ conviction on murder and manslaughter charges following George Floyd’s killing, but one conviction does not exonerate history or lessen the work that lies ahead, chapter Polaris Stan Chambers Jr. said.

“Vice-President Harris said it simply, and said it best: 'A measure of justice isn’t the same as equal justice,’” Chambers said. “We must continue educating and enhancing our black communities and continue building bridges between our black communities and law enforcement. A conviction of this magnitude is still in vain if it doesn’t foster long-term substantial change.”

Today’s verdict is substantial for the Triangle Iotas, which launched its Time to Build Initiative following Floyd’s killing. From the Voter Education Series to the ongoing Law Enforcement Series, the initiative has involved multiple community partners with the goal of helping others become more informed. The effort was honored on Saturday with the Social Action & Impact Award from the Eastern Region of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.

“George Floyd may have received justice, but there are so many others who haven’t, nor will they ever,” Chambers said. “As such, we must continue any work that ensures everyone wins. One victory does not conclude an ongoing battle for equal and sustained justice.”

About the Triangle Iotas
The Alpha Epsilon Omega Alumni Chapter of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc., has empowered change in the Triangle region of North Carolina for nearly 30 years through service, leadership, collaboration, and action. This focus has resulted in multiple state and regional awards, including the fraternity’s 2020 N.C. Alumni Chapter of the Year. Visit triangleiotas.org to learn more about our efforts.

Triangle Iotas host virtual voting rights discussion

What Are Your Voting Rights?

Triangle organizations host vital virtual discussion
as millions of NC residents prepare to vote

 
DURHAM, N.C. (Oct. 26, 2020) - What rights do voters have? What problems could they face at the polls? And what can they do about them? 
 
Courtney Patterson, chairman of the Lenoir County Board of Elections, and Landon White, a civil rights attorney who has helped groups identify voter suppression tactics, will walk voters through the answers during a virtual conversation on Tuesday, Oct. 27, at 7 p.m.
 
“Many have already voted through absentee ballots and early voting, but millions across our state will vote right before and on Election Day,” said Stan Chambers Jr., Polaris (president) of the Triangle Iotas. “We want to ensure voters, especially black and brown voters, fully understand what should and shouldn’t happen when casting their votes in person.”
 
The free Zoom discussion - which the public can register at triangleiotas.org/time-to-build - is the final workshop in the Voter Education Series hosted by the Triangle Iotas, also known as the Alpha Epsilon Omega Alumni Chapter of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. Along with the North Carolina Black Alliance, and the Beta Pi Sigma (Durham) and Theta Lambda Sigma (Cary) alumnae chapters of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., the five-part series aimed to increase voter literacy among underrepresented communities ahead of the November election. Previous sessions can be viewed at triangleiotas.org/voter-education-series.
 
Through the monthly series, which began in July, hundreds participated in expert-led discussions ranging from gerrymandering to the Electoral College and ways to make your vote count. The series is part of the Time to Build Initiative, a broader community effort by the Triangle Iotas launched following the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd. This effort is also part of #MuchMoreThanAHashtag, a joint national initiative between Iota Phi Theta and Sigma Gamma Rho to increase local community engagement.
 
“From the coronavirus to demands for police reform, one of the common themes highlighted this year is the continued inequities black and brown communities face,” Chambers said. “Through our Voter Education Series, and our broader Time to Build Initiative, we hope to enhance these communities one effort at a time alongside our community partners.”
 
For reporters interested in covering the session, please reach out to Stan Chambers Jr. at aeo.iotaphitheta@gmail.com. You can also register for the session at triangleiotas.org/time-to-build.

CONTACT
Stan Chambers Jr.
Polaris (President)
Triangle Iotas
aeo.iotaphitheta@gmail.com
(919) 641-0469
 

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About the Triangle Iotas
The Alpha Epsilon Omega Alumni Chapter of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc., has empowered change in the Triangle for nearly 30 years through service, leadership, collaboration, and action. This focus has resulted in multiple state and regional awards, including the Triangle Iotas being honored as the fraternity’s 2020 N.C. Alumni Chapter of the Year. Visit triangleiotas.org to learn more about the chapter.
 
About the North Carolina Black Alliance
The Alliance is an intergovernmental network of African American legislators, county commissioners, school board members, and municipal elected officials centered by a commitment to ambitiously address broad issues of inequality and fairness. The Alliance collaborates with strategic partners to advance the work of those organizations and to enhance intentional collaboration with black constituencies. For more information, visit ncblackalliance.org.
 
About the Beta Pi Sigma Chapter
The Beta Pi Sigma Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., was chartered on April 13, 1951 in Durham, N.C., and currently serves Durham and Orange counties. Our goal is to serve and advocate for the greater good nationally, regionally, and locally. We are a chapter of love, understanding, encouragement and solidarity. For more information about the chapter, visit bps1922.com.
 
About the Theta Lambda Sigma Chapter
The Theta Lambda Sigma chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. (also referred to as the Cary Alumnae Chapter) was chartered in 1997 with a goal of bringing community service and positive representation to southern and western Wake County. In line with the sorority's motto, "Greater Service, Greater Progress", the "Blue House | Gold Market" chapter continually endeavors to provide quality service and programs to the community. The chapter's current initiatives center on community involvement, mental and physical health initiatives, and programs aimed at educating and empowering youth.

Where Do We Go From Here? AEO launches community effort in response to killings

Where Do We Go From Here?

Triangle fraternity chapter launches community input, collaboration effort following recent killings

DURHAM, N.C. (June 9, 2020) – The killings of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd have spurred a group of Triangle men to tackle this daunting question: Where Do We Go From Here?

The Alpha Epsilon Omega (AEO) Alumni Chapter of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc., created a page – triangleiotas.org/timetobuild – to solicit public input regarding how the black community moves forward following the deaths of Arbery, Taylor, Floyd, and countless others from racism and police brutality. The effort is part of a longer strategy to engage, educate, and empower supporters to take action.

“So many people are angry right now. So many people are asking what they can do,” said Stan Chambers Jr., AEO president. “They all have ideas and they want to help. We want to turn their ideas into a cohesive, goal-oriented plan that ensures the work towards equality, inclusion, and success for African-Americans and others continue long after the protests end.”

AEO will use the community’s ideas to outline a plan within the next 60 days, which will be public, consisting of actions with 0-3, 6-9, and 12+ month deadlines. The chapter also plans to launch an information series exploring topics related to voting (i.e. – How does the electoral college work?) within the next two months.

“No one organization, no one person has the ability to solve systematic racism and inequality on their own,” Chambers said. “As members of a fraternity founded during the height of the Civil Rights Movement, we felt duty-bound to do our part in implementing change, and we want the community to be part of the solution.”

About Alpha Epsilon Omega

The Alpha Epsilon Omega Alumni Chapter of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc., uses mentorship, community service, and strategic partnerships to make a difference in the Triangle. Chartered in 1995, the chapter has earned multiple state and regional awards through its work in “Building a Tradition, Not Resting Upon One.” Visit triangleiotas.org to learn more about the chapter.

About Iota Phi Theta

Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc., was founded on Sept. 19, 1963 – less than a month after the March on Washington – by 12 non-traditional students at Morgan State University committed to “The Development and Perpetuation of Scholarship, Leadership, Citizenship, Fidelity and Brotherhood Among Men.” The fraternity has grown to over 40,000 members and 300 chapters across the globe. Visit iotaphitheta.org to learn more about the fraternity.