My PHA Mentor is my Worshipful Master, Bro. William A. Ross, 32nd, of Bayou City Lodge #228, PHA, F & AM, District 15-A, Houston, Texas. This Brother and I have been friends since our College Days, and he also finished High School with my Wife. I would have to say that Bro. Ross is the reason that I made the decision to become a Prince Hall Mason. I was initated, passed, and raised in what is known in the Black Community as a "4 Letter" Lodge (Black AF & AM Lodge), and the night I was raised, I was somewhat proud of what I THOUGHT to be an accomplishment at the time. Bro. Ross happened to be DJ'ing my Sister's Birthday party, and all he said was, "congratulations, Vince; when you have some free time, we need to talk". It was then that he enlightened me on what were discovered to be huge disparities regarding lineage and recognition between what I had chosen as a Fraternal Affiliation in Masonry, and what he spoke very fondly of in Prince Hall Masonry.......Bro. Ross was NEVER condescending, nor judgmental. All he ever told me was, "if and when you want any information on becoming a REGULAR Mason, give me a call; your affiliation may be good if all that you're seeking is camaraderie with the Men in THAT particular Lodge; however, if you are seeking Recognition Worldwide, and a Lineage that is tied to the UGLE in England, you should reconsider." From that point, I spent the next 12 MONTHS reading and researching all that he could offer me regarding Prince Hall Masonry. In July 2010, I made the decision to petition a Prince Hall Affiliated Lodge. Bro. Ross sponsored my petition, and was there throughout the entire process. Bro. Ross was also instrumental in making sure that I re-learned my Degree Work in the Free and Accepted Ritual, and became familiar with the inner workings of a PHA Symbolic Degreed Lodge. More important than his titles, and his assistance in helping me gain admission to his Lodge, I have also watched his walk AS A MAN OUTSIDE OF THE LODGE. Bro. Ross is a devoted Husband and Father, who always puts his family ahead of everything else. So, I extend my most sincere appreciation to Bro. Ross, for his patience and mentoring............He is definitely a role model in our Lodge..........Bro. Vincent C. Jones, Sr., PROUD MEMBER OF Bayou City Lodge #228, PHA, F & AM, Houston, Texas