OUR HISTORY
Clifford Alford Lodge #165 received its name from one of the great pioneers of IFAMM & OES, the Illustrious Clifford Alford. The Lodge received its charter in 1976 and has been in continuous operation for 42 Years. During our 42 years of operations, Clifford Alford Lodge #165 has initiated more the 175 good men. To date the Lodge has had 14 Worshipful Masters:
Brother Tommy Leggett: July 1976 – June 1982
Brother Arthur J. Kane, Jr.: July 1982 -June 1987
Brother William H. Pleasant: July 1987 – June 1993
Brother Fred Jones: July 1993 – June 1995
Illustrious Emory D. Faucette, 33°: July 1995 – June 2005
Brother Herschel Gaston: July 2005 – June 2011
Brother Edward E. Wilson: July 2011 – December 2011
Brother George Watkins, Jr.: December 2011 – June 2013
Brother Oveston Cox: July 2013 – December 2014
Brother Gary Westberry: December 2014 – June 2016
Brother Theodore Boler: July 2016 – October 2018
Brother Reginald Bethea: October 2018 – October 2019
Brother Marcus Boler: October 2019 - September 2021
Brother Edward Rawls: September 2021 - Present
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The mission of Clifford Alford Lodge #165 is to take a good man and to develop him into an outstanding leader, who will enhance and develop our communities. Clifford Alford Lodge #165 has provided/sponsored several programs:
The Institute for the Development of Black Males – Manhood Training (Rites of Passage)
The Men to work program – Assisting men in securing employment
The Annual Scholarship Dinner/Dance – Providing financial relief for students pursuing higher education
The Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration – An annual acknowledgement of the role that Dr. King contributed to our history
Brotherhood-In-Motion – Investment Group
Annual Brotherhood Church Services
Feeding the Homeless
Annual Coat Drive in conjunction with Job Grand Lodge
Annual Christmas Holiday Senior Citizens Meal and Giveaway
Annual Educational Leadership Conference
Providing hats, gloves, socks and pajamas to elementary school students
Moreover, Clifford Alford Lodge #165 has sponsored several organizations and movements:
Resolution and Sponsorship for the Crisis in Haiti
Resolution and Sponsorship for Men against Domestic Violence
Active participants and supporters of the “Million Man March”
Active participants and members of the NAACP
Active participants with the National Action Network
Active with the Inter-Fraternal Masonic Relations Commission
Sponsor of the Clifford Alford Lodge #165 Youth Chess Tournament in Newark NJ
Clifford Alford Lodge #165 is a part of the following departments within IFAMM:
The Marcus Mosiah Garvey National District Eastern Jurisdiction
The Most Worshipful JOB GRAND LODGE of New Jersey
Hurbert Turner District #6
Marion Canty A3 Joint City Council
We will continue to lead the way with the light we have been given