Pitt's Alpha Phi Alpha to Hold Miss Black and Gold Pageant and Gala

PITTSBURGH-The first Black fraternity on the University of Pittsburgh campus is holding two events this month to celebrate the success and confidence of young Black women.

Members of the Omicron Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity are hosting the Miss Black and Gold Pageant at 6 p.m. March 21 in Pitt's Frick Fine Arts Building, 650 Schenley Dr., Oakland. Organizers say the pageant spotlights the contestants' poise, self-confidence, communication skills, intellect, and beauty. The fraternity will award scholarships to assist the contestants with college expenses. Tickets are $10 for Pitt faculty, alumni, and the general public; $7 for members of Greek organizations; and $5 for Pitt students.

Pageant winners will be announced the following evening at the formal Black and Gold Ball, at 7 p.m. March 22 in the Twentieth Century Club, 4201 Bigelow Blvd., Oakland. Tickets for Pitt students are $20, and $25 for all other guests. For more information on either event, call 443-854-7457 or 215-804-6161. A portion of the proceeds will go to the March of Dimes.

Alpha Phi Alpha, the first Greek letter organization established for Black college students, was founded in 1906 at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y. The Omicron Chapter was created at Pitt in 1913. A number of prominent Pitt alumni were initiated through the Omicron Chapter, including Frank Bolden, legendary reporter for the "New Pittsburgh Courier;" John Woodruff, Gold medalist for the 800-meter run at the 1936 Olympic Games; Luddy Hayden Jr., manager of international government relations at Chevron, Inc.; author Thomas Brooks, Pitt's first Black Homecoming King; and Charles Florence, the first Black captain of the Pitt debate team.

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3/18/08/tmw