Local Alpha Chapter Sends Leaders To Leadership Institute Again

The Rho Beta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., located in Henderson NC and directly serving the counties of Warren, Vance and Granville, recently sent its 5th cohort consisting of 36 youth and four chaperones to the 2017 Alpha South Leadership Citizenship and Education Institute (IDCEI) which was held at Savannah State University, Savannah, GA from Wednesday June 21, 2017 until Sunday, June 25, 2017. There were over 220 total participants from all states in Alpha South, which includes the states of Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, and North Carolina.

Students representing the Rho Beta Lambda Chapter  will be attending the following schools in the fall or are currently enrolled in them: Warren County High School, Warren County Early College, and Warren New Tech High School of Warren County; Henderson Collegiate, Southern Vance High School, Vance Early College, Eaton Johnson Middle School of Vance County; Franklinton High School of Franklin County; Granville Central High School of Granville County; East Wake High School of Wake County; New Bern High School of New Bern; Phillip O’ Berry High School of Charlotte. The chapter is pleased with outpouring of support for this initiative by the community, other Greek organizations, churches, parents, youth, and brothers.

The Leadership Development Citizenship and Education Institute (LDCEI) aims to develop a 21st century generation of leaders. This mission starts with young people, particularly those who demonstrate the potential to comprehend and apply the fundamental principles needed by leaders as well as whom, by virtue of their age and education, are often looked upon as role models. Thus, the Institute, which is implemented in five regions, seeks to equip high school students, primarily rising ninth graders to rising seniors, with vital leadership skills. To this end, the members of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., who organize and facilitate the regional LDCEIs, working along with other professionals/experts, instruct the participants in parliamentary procedures, conflict resolution, models of leadership, public speaking, community and civic engagement, and educational enhancement skills.

The Objectives of all LDCEIs are:

1. To develop a cadre of positive youth leadership throughout the nation.
2. To stimulate an appreciation for African American leadership in the United States and the world.
3. To expose students to various leadership skills, opportunities, and challenges.
4. To inform students of the current and emerging economic, social, political, communal, and cultural issues affecting African Americans and people of color in America and the world.
5. To nurture a network of positive youth by providing fertile opportunities for them to interact on various social and cultural settings.
6. To promote and stimulate an appreciation for historically black colleges and universities.
7. To encourage civic involvement, such as voting.
8. To link the LDCEI with the fraternity’s programs and special projects, such as Project Alpha, a voteless people is a hopeless people, and go to high school go to college.

Various participants, representing the Rho Beta Lambda Chapter competed in various contests during the week. A summary of those who won 1^st, 2^nd, or 3^rd place trophies are listed below as well as placements of others:

Oratorical Contest:

1^st Place- Mr. Zy’mir Lewis

4^th Place- Miss Zi’resse Jones

Talent Contest:

1^st Place- Mr. Zy’mir Lewis

Poetry Contest:

2^nd Place- Mr. Amari Gilliard

4^th Place- Miss Brianna Brooks

Art Contest:

3^rd Place- Miss Keonay Witherspoon

4^th Place- Miss Aviana Vickers

5^th Place (Tie)- Mr. Talik Jones and Mr. Javien Melendez

Pictured are the 2017 participants  of the Alpha South Leadership Citizenship and Education Institute (LDCEI) who represented Rho Beta Lambda Chapter: Nihya Alston; Tyrek Bullock; Moniah Bullock; Dinah Baldwin; Jackisce Bell; Jade Chase; Ziresse Jones; Jordan Cheek; Brianna Brooks; Jaydn Myrick; Jada Chase; A’laysia Lewis; Nyasia Warren; Javien Melendez; Keonay Witherspoon; Malik Jarratt; Vincent Coppin; Albany Cooley; Anthony Fain; Angel Gilchrist; Amari Gilliard; Bryanna Hargrove; Joshua Hargrove; Yumyah Hargrove; Corey Baldwin; Justus Baldwin; Talik Jones; Zy’mir Lewis; JaQuavion McLeod; Khyree Roberts; Keyon Tunstall; Aviana Vickers; Teja Vann; Isaiah Hawkins; Quendarius Williams; Marsalis Anderson. Chaperones were Cicily Marsh of Henderson, NC; Aimee Anderson of Warrenton, NC; Brother Dante Sellers of Atlanta, GA; Brother Dennis Snead of Kittrell, NC – Chapter LDCEI Chair.