History of The Spring 2025 Line
The first meeting of the Spring 2025 Interest Group was held of October 22, 2025 in Newport News, VA at Zion Baptist Church. Interest Cornelius Johnson offered the use of a room at Brother Dr. Tremayne Johnson’s church where Cornelius served as Associate Pastor. The first meeting was attended by Andrey Parker, Michael Slaughter, Marcus Rollins, Cornelius “CJ” Johnson and Ferman “Skip” Butler. Elections were held that night and the results were Andrey Parker – Secretary, Michael Slaughter – Sargent of Arms, Ferman Butler – Vice President and Cornelius Johnson – President. That meeting set the structure for how subsequent meetings would be run and a preliminary course of study. It was agreed that the interest group would meet every Tuesday night to study together and fellowship in an attempt to build a bond of brotherhood that would be needed to guide them all through whatever process lay ahead. As the weeks went on new Interests were added to the group. Those men were Masco Barrett III, Devin Teagle, Benjamin Dancy II and two other gentlemen. Spirits were high at these initial meetings and as a result it was decided that the group would meet every Tuesday and Thursday of each week at Zion Baptist Church. At each meeting the group would study, recite and have spirited discussions on all topics on their agenda. Through these meetings a very tight bond was formed and a true brotherhood developed. In the end, 8 of the 10 Interests were able to achieve their ultimate goal on February 22, 2025. From that night forward these men would be known by all in Alpha Land as Octavian’s Coalition. “The Coalition” hit the ground running and were on a non-stop mission to develop leaders, promote brotherhood and academic excellence while providing service and advocacy in Suffolk and the surrounding communities. Within the first few months of crossing the burning sands these men participated in a community food drive, blood drive sponsored by the local chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Soroority, Inc., supported the SOLstice Festival at a local elementary school and attended 93rd Eastern Region Conference in Bethesda, MD. The men of Octavian’s Coalition brought their energy, ideas and leadership abilities to the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Epsilon Iota Lambda Chapter and immediately gained key roles in leadership and on several committees. The men of Octavian’s Coalition continued to learn from their Dean, sponsors and the many experienced brothers of Epsilon Iota Lambda. Onward and Upward……