Overview: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Mu Xi Lambda Chapter partnered with a Riverside Target store to host a $500 shopping spree for Janelle Edwards, a single parent of five children, on Dec.6. The partnership began at a 2023 Riverside Juneteenth festival and has since developed opportunities to work together. Edwards was chosen to receive the $500 Target shopping spree due to a “compelling” and “vulnerable” letter of recommendation shared by Dr. Regina Patton Stell. The Mu Xi Lambda chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha focuses on challenging negative stereotypes and is currently partnered with San Bernardino Community College District’s African Student Programs and is supporting the development of an internet cafe in Georgetown, Guyana.
Alyssah Hall
Janelle Edwards, a single parent of five children, was awarded a $500 shopping spree at Target as part of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Mu Xi Lambda Chapter’s “Mu Xi Lambda Gift of Giving Shopping Spree” on Dec.6.
The partnership between Mu Xi Lambda and a Riverside Target store located on Tyler Street began at a 2023 Riverside Juneteenth festival. Since then, the organization and the company have developed opportunities to work together, according to the previous chapter president of the Mu Xi Lambda Chapter, Jamal J. Myrick, Ed.D.
“They actually sponsored the $500 shopping spree, treated all in attendance to beverages from Starbucks and even opened a lane just for the family to check out,” Myrick said.
Edwards was chosen to receive the $500 target shopping spree due to a “compelling” and “vulnerable” letter of recommendation shared by Dr. Regina Patton Stell. Once Mu Xi Lambda spoke to Edwards, they knew that they wanted to support her family.
“Normally, I do a lot of gifting during the year, so I treat my kids’ classmates to stuff, and I’m usually the one bringing them gifts. So, having it returned was completely amazing, especially since my financial circumstances changed this year,” Edwards said.
Edwards is a single mom of 5 children. Her eldest child who is nearly 10 years old is autistic, and nonverbal. Her youngest child is one. She and her family have dealt with recent transitions in their home situation and Edward’s still found time to do service within the community and take care of her family, according to Myrick.
Edwards shared that her children were excited and didn’t know what to pick at the start. She said they were hesitant at first, in disbelief that they were able to get whatever they wanted. Myrick felt it was crucial for Alpha Phi Alpha to host and show up at the event because he felt that sometimes people see fraternities in a negative light.
Mu Xi Lambda focuses on challenging negative stereotypes. The fraternity is currently partnered with San Bernardino Community College District’s African Student Programs and is supporting the development of an internet cafe in Georgetown, Guyana. Over 70 laptops will be provided to a local community center to help raise the computer literacy of more than 500 youth in the area, according to Myrick.
“We want people to see that our Black Greek letter organizations do so much more and our chapter, Mu Xi Lambda, are intentional about being in community here in the IE,” Myrick said.
“We wanted Janelle to know that there’s a group of Black men in the IE that is cheering her and her family on,” Myrick continued.
Edwards said it was a complete blessing to be given a shopping spree from Alpha Phi Alpha and Target.
Witnessing Edwards and her family receive their surprise shopping spree reminded Myrick of when he was younger and his family was going through a tough time. He said a local organization did a similar thing for his family and they were able to grab toys and Christmas presents free of charge.
“Seeing her family happy and just carefree for that short amount of time was everything. I know what it’s like to have a parent who’s trying to make all the things happen while their back is against the wall, yet still press on,” Myrick said.