APhiA Zeta Sigma Lambda Chapter’s Posh 2025 Holiday Scholarship Ball

By Duane Johnson, APhiA Zeta Sigma Lambda Chapter

Dressed to the nines, over 300 guests attended the 2025 Holiday Scholarship Ball hosted by the Zeta Sigma Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., also known as the San Diego Alphas.  The gala took place at the elegant Del Mar Hilton on Saturday, December 13^th where attendees arrived at a meticulously decorated ballroom, embellished with the fraternity’s renowned colors of Old Gold and Black.  Following cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, guests dined on baked chicken, salmon and chocolate mousse cake.  

The purpose of the evening was to raise money for the fraternity’s “Go-to High-School, Go-to-College” national program. Established in 1922, at the Alpha’s 15^th Annual Convention in St. Louis, the program concentrates on the importance of young men completing a secondary and collegiate education as a road to economic advancement.  On a local level, the San Diego Alphas have partnered with Roosevelt Middle School, O’Farrell Middle School, El Camino High School, and Morse High School.  The Brothers provide tutoring sessions, workshops on leadership, and take students on college tours to UCSD, USD and SDSU.  Each spring, the Alphas disperse scholarships to underrepresented college-bound students throughout San Diego County.

In attendance was special guest Lucien J. Metellus, Jr., the 37^th General President of Alpha Phi Alpha, who flew in from Baltimore.  It was the first time that a sitting General President of Alpha Phi Alpha visited this signature chapter event.  Also in attendance were Fred Jackson, the Western Region Vice President of Alpha Phi Alpha and Damon Hawkins, the Southern California District Director of Alpha Phi Alpha.  The national officers of the first Black intercollegiate Greek-lettered fraternity worked the crowd and underscored the accomplishments of the Alphas since 1906. “In a world where Black men are not supposed to go to college, Alpha Phi Alpha matters now more than ever,” said President Metellus, the first Alpha General President of Haitian descent.  “They’re trying to price us out of college. If they price Black men out of college, it will devalue not only the fate of the Black man, but it also affects the fate of the Black woman,” he added.  

Adding to the celebratory activities of the evening was an announcement from Robert Logan, who is the Chief of the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha.  As a top-ranking city official, Chief Logan presented the San Diego Alphas with an official proclamation from the Mayor of San Diego.  The document declared January 22, 2026 as “Zeta Sigma Lambda Day” in San Diego, for it was on that day, in 1957, that the Zeta Sigma Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. was chartered in San Diego by 17 distinguished men.    

The posh holiday gathering attracted attendees from out of state.  “The atmosphere felt close and intimate, with every detail beautifully curated,” said Anise Mazone, who traveled from the polar vortex in Minneapolis to attend the event.  “Throughout the evening, the Alpha’s deep commitment to education and history was evident,” she added.  “I was very excited to attend.  It was done with such class and elegance,” said M.D. Tansmore, who drove from Phoenix. 

The evening grossed an impressive $114,800 from corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, individual donations and silent auction items. The net proceeds will benefit the San Diego Alpha Foundation Scholarship Aid Program. To apply for a scholarship, visit www.sandiegoalphas.com/scholarship-program. Applications are due on Sunday, March 29, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.