May 28, 2022, By PBSWest.org

Resolution Naming of Western Region Awards

Whereas, the Western Region has established awards to honor and acknowledge the esteemed work from brothers throughout the region, and

Whereas, the Western Region of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. is honored to have notable members who have served this region and enhanced the movement and growth of the Western Region, and

Whereas, these members have served as Western Region Directors and elected International Officers for Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and

Whereas, due to their work for Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. many of these brothers have received the highest honor bestowed in the Western Region the Distinguish Service Society, and

Whereas, due to their work on the International level for Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. many of these brothers have received the highest honor bestowed to a Sigma Man, the Distinguished Service Chapter, and

Whereas these members were leaders in the movement for community development, advocacy, business, education, community reform, and support, and

Therefore, be it further Resolved, we the delegates for the 66th Western Regional Conference herby establish the following awards for the Western Region in honor of these great Sigma Men:

Bro. Lindsay Hughes
“The Bro. Lindsay Hughes Bigger and Better Business Programming Award” is to keep before the brotherhood and the public the accomplishments and deeds of Bro. Lindsay Hughes, a current member of Kappa Delta Chapter - Carson, CA. Bro, Hughes is one of the most prominent Mcdonald's proprietors in the country and has served on the Southern California McDonald’s Board of Directors. He began his career with McDonald’s while in college and has been an owner for more than 40 years. Hughes Was the founder and chairman of McDonald’s “Gospelfest”, which ran for 22 years and raised nearly $300,000 for numerous non-profits. Today, he serves on the Board of Directors for the Long Beach Ronald McDonald House as well as on the board of trustees for the 101 Ways to Save a Child Foundation, among other organizations.

Hon. Bro. Dr. William Riley
“The Hon. Bro. Dr. William “Bill” Riley Education Programming Award” is to keep before the brotherhood and the public the accomplishments and deeds of Bro. Dr. William “Bill” Riley, Distinguished Service Chapter member #111, the 17th Western Regional Director. Dr. Riley has an over 40-year-year long career in public education, including working in the Oakland, East Palo Alto/Ravenswood, and San Ramon School Districts. He has been a teacher, counselor, coach, vice-principal, principal, and administrator on special assignments. He also served as the Alameda County Office of Education’s Coordinator of Pupil Services and Child and Family Advocacy.

Bro. Dr. Huey P. Newton
“The Bro. Dr. Huey P. Newton Social Action Programming Award” is to keep before the brotherhood and the public the accomplishments and deeds of Bro. Dr. Huey P. Newton is known for co-founding the Black Panther Party. Under Newton's leadership, the Black Panther Party founded over 60 community support programs including food banks, medical clinics, sickle cell anemia tests, prison busing for families of inmates, legal advice seminars, clothing banks, housing cooperatives, and their own ambulance service. The most famous of these programs was the Free Breakfast for Children program which fed thousands of impoverished children daily during the early 1970s.

Hon. Bro. Jeffery D. Whitmore
“The Hon. Bro. Jeffery D. Whitmore Alumni Sigma of the Year Award” is to keep before the brotherhood and the public the accomplishments and deeds of Hon. Bro. Jeffrey D. Whitmore, Distinguished Service Chapter member #166, the 19th Western Regional Director, and a current member of Kappa Delta Chapter - Carson, CA. Hon. Bro. Whitmore has served the community and Sigma in numerous capacities most notably as the executive director of the Camp Sigma Foundation. The foundation was formed to positively impact Southern California young men culminating in an extended training and leadership retreat. His work received international recognition and was featured in “Ebony” magazine in the early 1990s. He served two terms as an International Director where he developed and executed initiatives that challenged the brotherhood and the nation to move positively in support of Black young men in urban neighborhoods.

Hon. Bro. Jeffrey Sneed
“The Hon. Bro. Jeffrey Sneed Collegiate Brother Man of the Year Award” is to keep before the brotherhood and the public the accomplishments and deeds of Hon. Bro. Jeffrey Sneed, Distinguished Service Chapter member #173, the 32nd Western Regional Director, and a current member of Kappa Delta Chapter - Carson, CA. was elected the International 2nd Vice President in 1981. His expertise has long been constitutional interpretation and has chaired the Regional Law and Revision Committee countless times. As Regional Director, he also served as Chairman of the Regional Director's Council and currently serves as Chief of Staff to the 35th International President, Hon. Bro. Michael Cristal and a Senior Advisor to the 36th International, Hon. Bro. Chris Rey.

Hon. Bro. Dr. Anthony Samad
“The Hon. Bro. Dr. Anthony Samad Elected Officer of the Year Award” is to keep before the brotherhood and the public the accomplishments and deeds of Hon. Bro. Dr. Anthony Samad, Distinguished Service Chapter member #158, the 18th Western Regional Director, and a current member of Phi Beta Sigma Chapter - Los Angeles, CA. Hon. Bro. Samad has served as a past master of Free and Accepted Masons, Prince Hall Affiliation. He has also been involved with the American Political Science Association and the National Association of Black Journalists. Hon. Bro. Dr. Samad was also the Los Angeles NAACP branch president from 1988 to 1989, and, since 1999, he has served as the managing Director and host of the Urban Issues Forum of Greater Los Angeles. Hon Bro. Dr. Samad is also the aurthor of March On, March On, Ye Mighty Host: The Comprehensive History of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated {1914 - 2013}

Hon. Bro. Ronald Carter
“The Hon. Bro. Ronald Carter Appointed Officer of the Year Award” is to keep before the brotherhood and the public the accomplishments and deeds of Hon. Bro. Ronald Carter, Distinguished Service Chapter member #147, the 26th Western Regional Director, and a current member of Phi Beta Sigma Chapter - Los Angeles, CA. Hon. Bro. Carter has served in an array of appointed positions throughout his membership: Internationally Director of Publicity, Regional Director Chairman, Editor Founder of the Life members Newsletter, "The shield", Phi Beta Sigma public relations consultant, and Regionally, Dir., of Publicity and Editor of the Western Region Sigma West Journal.

Hon. Bro. William Perry
"The Hon. Bro. William Perry Distinguished Service Society" is to keep before the brotherhood and the public the accomplishments and deeds of Hon. William Perry, Distinguished Service Chapter member #76. On February 15, 1937, Bro. William Perry directed a letter to Bro. Jessie W. Lewis which led to the chartering of Phi Beta Sigma Chapter - Los Angeles, CA, the first chapter west of the state of Texas. Bro. Perry also, served as the first chapter president.

Presented at the 66th Western Regional Conference this 28th day of May 2022.