Bold Leadership

So on my way home after cycling class last night, spent some time making leadership calls to Brothers; in the world of “Alpha Politics,” nothing can be taken for granted. Bro. Maurice “Hawk” Hawkins and I spent some time discussing the qualities and expectations of a solid leader. We talked about the need for leaders to be unwavering visionaries; that inspite of nay sayers, the leader still has to forge ahead with the plan. (By the way, Bro. Hawkins also stated that he is who he is and he “approves this message” – smile.)

Its interesting, because what some take for granted, others of us realize must occur on a regular basis – leadership training. While we’d like to believe everyone should have the innate abilities to lead, its imperative that we provide opportunities to strengthen those with the aptitude to be good leaders. Its imperative that we continually nurture leaders and provide a support network for continual development.

When you think of it, we stand on a rich history; a legacy of men of action. A number, if not all (SMILE), of the leaders throughout early African American history were men of Alpha Phi Alpha. One has to ask, were these men natural born leaders or did Alpha develop these Brothers into leaders? Irregardless of how this transpired, the fact remains that being a man of Alpha has expectations of being of “good leadership stock.”

Its my hope and intention that we work diligently to provide the necessary nurturing opportunities for our Brothers to become better leaders; that we provide the road map for Brothers to continue the upward climb in the ranks of society. The Jewels of this great organization were visionary men. The sacrifices made to ensure a support system for college educated men was the groundwork and most shinning example of Bold Leadership; unwavering in the face of discrimination, unequal justice and any other word or phrase that signifies “the deck being stacked against you!”

As we move through this campaign season of determining who should lead the Eastern Region of Alpha, this is our opportunity to select a leader representative of the Jewels and many Brothers before us – a leader from among and of “…the youth who march onward and upward toward the light…”

“Esprit de Fraternité!”

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