Brothers,

As we prepare for the 65th Annual South Carolina District Conference, October 9–11, 2025, in Spartanburg, South Carolina, it is my honor to call upon brothers and chapters to step forward in the true spirit of Alpha. This conference is a time of fellowship, service, and celebration of excellence, and our District competitions stand as a powerful showcase of the talent, intellect, and dedication of Alpha men across South Carolina.

Participation in these events is more than competition—it is an opportunity to represent your chapter with pride, strengthen the bonds of brotherhood, and contribute to the legacy of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Each competing brother carries the light of our fraternity and the honor of his chapter.

Committee Leadership

• Assistant, District Awards – Brother Navaud A. Guscott

• Collegiate Scholars Bowl – Brother Brian E. Freeman

• Debate Competition – Brother Christopher L. Green

• Belford V. Lawson Oratorical Competition – Brother Jarrett B. Washington

• Miss Old Gold and Black Scholarship Competition – Brother Scott A. Gibbs

Participation Requirement

• Mandatory Chapter Participation: All active collegiate and alumni chapters with three (3) or more financial brothers are required to participate in a minimum of three (3) competitions during this year’s District Conference.

• Small Chapters: Chapters with fewer than three (3) financial members are not required to compete; however, they must volunteer in some capacity during the District Conference. Volunteer roles and responsibilities must be pre-approved by the District Director in advance.

• Exempt Competitions: Please note that subordinate competitions, including the Miss Old Gold and Black Scholarship Pageant and the Charles H. Wesley Award, do not count toward the three required competition entries.

Required Forms

All chapters must complete and submit the following forms for the competitions:

Potential Competing Brother Information Form - Due September 9, 2025

Complete this form if you are competing for the following awards:

• Augustus M. Witherspoon Leadership Award

• Charles Greene Award of Merit

• Outstanding Alumni Brother of the Year Award

• Outstanding College Brother of the Year Award

Link: Brother Information Form

Potential Competing Chapter Information Form – Due September 9, 2025

Complete this form if your chapter is competing for the following awards:

• Charles H. Wesley Brotherhood Award

• Outstanding Alumni Chapter of the Year Award

• Outstanding College Chapter of the Year Award

Link: Chapter Information Form

Potential Competing Chapter/Brothers in Preliminary Competitions- Due August 22, 2025, by 5pm

Complete this form if your chapter is competing in the following competitions that will begin at the Leadership Retreat in Aiken, Saturday, September 6, 2025.

• Collegiate Scholars Bowl

• Hobart S. Jarrett Debate Competition

  • Theme: Higher education institutions should actively address disparities in student admissions and campus resources along racial lines.

• Belford V. Lawson Oratorical Competition

  • Theme: How can Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., reimagine how we lead the change to preserve and safeguard democracy in our time?

Link: Chapter/Brothers for Preliminary Competition

Competition Schedule

Scholars Bowl

• Preliminaries: Saturday, September 6, during the Leadership Retreat at USC Aiken.

• Finals: Saturday, October 11, during the District Conference from 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM.

Debate Competition

• Preliminaries: Friday, October 10, during the District Conference from 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM (immediately following the Fraternal Luncheon and prior to the Area Caucuses).

• Finals: Saturday, October 11, during the District Conference from 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM.

Oratorical Competition

• Preliminaries: Held virtually. Participants must email and upload their speeches for judging no later than Monday, September 22.

• Finals: Saturday, October 11, during the District Conference at the Oratorical Luncheon.

 For inquiries or support, contact:

Brother Dr. Anthony Broughton

Teach1906@gmail.com | 803-608-9757

The Reclamation Recognition Form is intended to document the SC Alpha alumni chapter’s reclamation and college brother outreach efforts from the previous Alpha calendar year, specifically during the period from September 2024 to July 2025.

To be considered for the small and large chapter reclamation award at the 2025 Annual South Carolina District Conference, alumni chapters must submit the SC Alpha Reclamation Recognition Form by Sunday September 7, 2025. 

If you have any questions, email Brother Michael Wade, Chair for Brotherhood Engagement, Reclamation and Retention at wade_michael_j@outlook.com.

The Miss Old Gold and Black Scholarship Competition is an event whose primary purpose is to highlight and foster the inextricable connection between success and etiquette amongst young women. This competition spotlights the young women's poise, self-confidence, communication skills, intelligence, and beauty. In all, the Miss Old Gold and Black Competition encompasses true womanhood, success, and confidence. Academic excellence and scholarship are greatly stressed in the competition with the Fraternity providing the contestants with scholarships to assist with their financial obligations associated with post-secondary studies (Source: Alpha Phi Alpha_Awards_Achievements Criteria Handbook).

This year's competition will be held Saturday, October 11, 2025, at the Denny's Headquarters Atrium, 203 East Main Street, Spartanburg, South Carolina, 29319, beginning at 8:00 p.m.  All college chapters and their contestants are asked to take note of the following by clicking on the links below:

The Competition Letter to Chapters

The Miss Old Gold & Black Scholarship Competition Contract 

Miss Old Gold & Black Scholarship Competition Bio-Talent Sheet 

Please return all information requested above by the Miss Old Gold and Black Scholarship Competition Committee on or before Friday, September 19, 2025, Mail to: Ms. Geneva Smalls, 48 Hickory Hill Road, St. Helena Island, South Carolina 29920.

The registration fee of $25.00 for your chapter's Miss Old Gold & Black should be made payable to the SC Chapters of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and mail to: Brother Ron Chapman, District Treasurer, P. O. Box 384, Florence, South Carolina 29503. 

All competitions will be conducted in accordance with the Fraternity’s rules and guidelines to determine the winners.  Please adhere to the rules for each competition. Good luck as you compete.