75th Anniversary of Fuerza, Integridad y Amistad

As some of you may know...I am a member of the Oldest Latino Fraternity in existence...Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity Inc. I pledged at the Theta Chapter in Spring 1997 with Jose "Pensativo" Aviles and Jose " Ambicioso" Ventura at SUNY College at Old Westbury. My pledge name was El Renacido, a name that symbolized the transition I was living at the time...leaving the streets of Brooklyn alone and opting to educate myself at the age of 25 after two kids and a divorce.

Many of my fondest memories and most of my best friends have been blessings that were a result of my pledge to this very distinguished organization. It also provided many of the skills that I would need to do what I do....

So to all the brothers of La Familia Phiota....Feliz Cumpleanos!!!!

Here is some information about Phi Iota Alpha

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Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity Inc. is the Oldest Latino Fraternity in Existence. The history of Phi Iota Alpha Latino Fraternity is the history of all Latino college students and professionals who strive to keep their intellectual heritage alive. Since its inception, when the legendary "Union Hispano Americana" (UHA) was first organized in 1898, the fraternity has upheld its inspirational and unique ideological foundation of Pan-Americanism.The ideology of Pan-Americanism can be summarized as the "unification of all the Latin American nations and all Latin American people." The Fraternity has served as an "Ideological University" through the study and interpretation of Pan-Americanism inspired by the accomplishments of its Five Pillars: Simon Bolivar, Jose de San Martin, Bernardo O’Higgins, Benito Juarez and Jose Marti. Through the years, this prestigious institution has witnessed a number of operational and structural modifications as a form of survival and adaptation to its time. Through it all, Phi Iota Alpha Latino Fraternity continues to fulfill its distinct goals by uniting its members fraternally in a manner in which, individually and collectively, they will contribute towards the fulfillment of the organization's mission and ideology; fomenting "the scientific study of the social, economical, and political problems of Pan-America;" and serving "as a source of personal growth in which in conjunction with academic preparation, each brother will find an appropriate environment to develop." In short, Phi Iota Alpha Latino Fraternity has always been, and will continue to be, a source of empowerment for Latinos everywhere.