Most Worshipful Past Grand Masters, Right Worshipful and Worshipful Officers, Distinguished Guests, Honored Sisters and Brothers, and Brethren all: Before any great or important undertaking, it has ever been the moral belief and Masonic commitment of this Craft to first invoke the aid of Deity.
Let us Pray,
Most Holy and Glorious Great Architect of the Universe, Source of all wisdom, strength, and beauty, We humbly invoke Thy presence at this solemn and joyful hour.
We thank Thee for the many blessings bestowed upon this Grand Jurisdiction, for the light of our ancient Craft, for the bonds of Brotherly Love that unite us, for the relief we are enabled to give, and for the truth that guides our labors.
As we enter upon a new term of leadership, grant Thy special favor to this Grand Lodge and to all who serve it. Endow its officers with clarity of thought, uprightness of purpose, and firmness tempered with compassion. May every decision be guided by justice, every action governed by humility, and every labor directed toward the greater good of the Craft.
Bless the proceedings of this Inaugural Program and may all our labors be done to Your glory, for the good of our brethren, and in service to mankind.
We ask these blessings in Your holy name. Amen.
By virtue of this honorable opportunity to serve, you, the members of this Masonic Jurisdiction, nominated and elected me as your Most Worshipful Grand Master. For those who are not familiar with our Order, it is equivalent to being the President and Chief Executive Officer. I, in turn, accepted the nomination and installation, and thus we are assembled here today.
It is a significant accomplishment to have the word “Honorable” placed before one’s name. The definition of “Honorable” reads: someone who consistently acts with integrity, honesty, and strong moral principles, deserving respect and admiration for their upright character and trustworthy nature. The key characteristics are:
Integrity: Consistently adhering to moral and ethical principles, even when no one is watching.
Honesty and Transparency: Speaking the truth and acting with openness, avoiding deception or deceit.
Respect: Treating all individuals with dignity, courtesy, and empathy.
Fairness: Striving for equitable outcomes and making impartial judgments.
Responsibility: Taking ownership of actions and their consequences and making amends when necessary.
Trustworthiness: Being a reliable person who fulfills commitments and keeps promises.
Courage: Standing up for what is right, even in the face of opposition or personal risk.
Compassion: Showing empathy and being ready to help those in need.
An honorable person demonstrates fairness, keeps their promises, treats others with dignity, and stands up for what is right, even when it’s difficult or comes at a personal cost. It is my charge to you to be a person of such high character and to continue to demonstrate my worthiness to have the word “Honorable” before my name. Today marks not merely the installation of officers, but the reaffirmation of a covenant—a covenant between leaders and Brethren, between labor and legacy, and between our ancient landmarks and the future we are sworn to protect. As Scripture reminds us, “Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it” (Psalm 127:1). With that truth before us, we dedicate this administration to works that are upright, enduring, and worthy of the Craft.
I accept the gavel of authority not as a symbol of power but as a charge of service. For leadership in Freemasonry is not dominion—it is stewardship. Our ritual teaches us that we meet upon the level, act upon the plumb, and part upon the square. These are not merely symbols, but mandates for conduct in every decision we make and every brother we serve. This Grand Lodge stands upon 178 years of faithful labor in this Jurisdiction. We are heirs to the legacy of Prince Hall, men who labored under conditions far more difficult than our own, yet never surrendered their commitment to Brotherhood, Relief, and Truth. As the Apostle Paul exhorts us, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free” (Galatians 5:1). That liberty demands responsibility, discipline, and unity. Our Vision My vision for this Jurisdiction is clear, deliberate, and achievable. First is Brotherhood. We must recommit ourselves to being our brother’s keeper. Brotherhood is not a slogan; it is a daily obligation. “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity” (Psalm 133:1). Unity does not require uniformity, but it does demand respect, humility, and mutual regard. Where Brotherhood is strong, the Craft flourishes. Second is Relief. We must cultivate relationships that compel us to be ever ready to assist one another. Relief is not limited to charity. It is empathy in action, presence in times of need, and compassion without condition. Our communities must see Freemasonry not only as an institution, but as a living witness to service. Third is Truth. Truth requires honesty with ourselves and with one another. It requires the courage to correct, the wisdom to instruct, and the discipline to grow. Truth spoken in love strengthens the Craft; truth withheld weakens it.
Strengthening the Craft We must continue to focus on the appeal of Freemasonry by demonstrating the honorable conduct of Freemasons. Men will desire to join what they see as positive, purposeful, and principled. Attitude shapes atmosphere. Character attracts commitment. If our Lodges reflect dignity, decorum, and genuine brotherly love, the community will respond. We must continue to be committed to banding together as Brothers. Division has never been the pathway to strength. History teaches us that division is a strategy of conquest and a symptom of decline. Therefore, let it be known clearly and unequivocally: peace and harmony will be preserved in this Jurisdiction. Fiscal Stewardship and Growth We will be faithful stewards of the resources entrusted to us. Financial transparency, accountability, and growth are not optional; they are essential. This administration will ensure audits, sound fiscal practices, and strategic planning that strengthen both the Grand Lodge and its Warranted Lodges. We will also uplift and highlight the charitable and community service work of our Lodges, ensuring that the light we labor to preserve is visible beyond our walls. As our ritual teaches, we are to let our light so shine before men, that they may see our good works and glorify our Father which is in heaven (Matthew 5:16). Gratitude and Commitment I stand today on the shoulders of giants, Past Grand Masters who mentored, corrected, guided, and inspired me along this journey. Their counsel has helped shape my understanding of leadership, and their example has set the standard I will strive to uphold.
Brethren, I pledge to you, clarity of vision, firmness of purpose, and fairness in judgment. I will listen before I decide, seek counsel before I act, and always remember that I serve at your will and by God’s grace. I close with the Scripture that will govern this administration and guide my heart: “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” (1 John 3:16) This is our charge. This is our calling. This is our moto: “Brotherhood First and Foremost, for that is the Origin of our Existence.”
My slogan for this Administration is: “We Are DC Forever” May God continue to bless this Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons, our families and communities, and the United States of America!
