Burrr! It's cold in here! There must be some Alpha's in the atmosphere!

The "Brothers of the Alpha Alpha Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.  The 123rd House of Alpha, the Brick City Alpha's were active in the South Ward today.

More than a dozen of the "Ice Cold Brother's in Black & Gold", stopped by with all so important message - We Read! We Lead, an initiative started by the chapter to encourage young people, who look like them to become avid readers.

"There isn't a field or career you can enter, without having to read at a high level and be able to comprehend", shared Principal Bird.

This message couldn't be more important now.

In 2024, a report by The Nation's Report Card indicated that two-thirds of New Jersey students were not reading on grade level in fourth and eighth grade.

With the help and support of Newark Mayor, Ras J. Baraka, Newark Municipal Council Member of the South Ward, Patrick Council, and more than a dozen members of Avon's Student Leadership Committee, The Brick City Alpha's look to change this narrative and have begun the work to not let the numbers in the report reflect the overall outcome of the students.

The Brother's were also gracious enough to spend time with some of ou 8th graders, headed off to high school in the fall.