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On Saturday, February 4, 2023, members of Mu Sigma Lambda Chapter joined their Brothers from around the Southern California to attend the 2023 Southern California District Convention, held at California State University Dominguez Hills (CSUDH).

Southern California District Director, Brother Kevin Simon.

The proceedings were chaired by District Director Bro Kevin Simon and included a Fireside chat with Long Beach Mayor, Bro Rex Richardson, a graduate of CSUDH and a resident of North Long Beach.

The Mayor of Long Beach, Bro Rex Richardson.

Bro Mayor Richardson described how he grew up being taught “to work hard and opportunity will present itself for the taking”.  He shared his journey from working at Jack in the Box as a teenager to pay his family’s light bill, to becoming interested in politics and campaigning on campus.

When asked, “How should Alpha show up in local elections?”, Bro Mayor Richardson responded with several thoughts, which are summarized here from the authors notes:

Continue being involved in leading local government but be intentional. We are embedded and have something to offer, opening up doors for people but we need to be more intentional.

Registration is not the problem in our community; voter participation is.

We need to focus on early voting, and younger voters.

In addition, it’s okay to spend money on local politics. Mayor and school board members make a difference at the community level.

Western Region Vice President, Bro Wayne Kimball, Jr.

A keynote was also delivered by Western Region Vice President, Bro Wayne Kimball, Jr.  Bro Vice President Kimball reminded brothers that “Excellence is not and accident”.  During his remarks, Bro Vice President Kimball reflected on recent violence directed towards African American men and the need for involvement from members of the Fraternity. Bro Vice President Kimball encouraged Brothers to not become complacent by sitting on the sidelines when action is needed to fight for the rights of community members saying, “The view might be good from the bleachers, but action is needed on the field”.