UNDERGRADUATE PERSPECTIVE
Servant-Leadership From the View of a Grand Board Member of Kappa Alpha Psi ® E. Desmond Taylor Grand Board Member
Journal: Is there anything that I’ve not asked that you would like to share either about the initiative or yourself? Taylor: As I leave office, I have made an appeal to both Grand Polemarch Battles as well as the entire Grand Board and Province Polemarchs on the importance for undergraduate brothers to take part in our political action activities, especially Kappas on Capitol Hill. This initiative was rebirthed through the leadership of Grand Polemarch Battles and the 33 rd Administration to bring back our voices to Members of Congress who need to hear the concerns of the African Ameri- can males, and who better to listen to than the brothers of Kappa Alpha Psi ® , especially undergraduates. As we are often reminded, but seem to forget—our 10 Founders were undergraduates when they began this Noble Klan. With their courage and fortitude to move forward as change agents and advocates for civil rights in the early 1900s, so do we as descendants of their efforts must continue to stand on the shoulders of the many giants that have come before us to advocate for the marginalized communi- ties, students needing federal assistance, researchers in STEM, improved health- care to alleviate health disparities that disproportionately affect our communi- ties more than any other race/ethnicity. It is our time as UNDERGRADUATES to answer the call and be the voice for Black America.
Journal: What is your major?
all they did. Also, the smooth, debonair style of the men of Kappa Alpha Psi ® further drew my attention to this beloved fraternity that I had the distinct honor to serve as a member of the Grand Board of Directors within two years of my initiation at the Howard University Chapter, the Xi of Kappa Alpha Psi ® . Taylor: Serving in leadership within the fraternity was both a challenge and an honor. Many brothers—alumni and undergraduates—looked to me for leader- ship on special projects on campus, in the community and within the fraternity. For example, I took much interest in helping revive Kappa through the estab- lishment of the Membership Training Academy (MTA) which created a safer and team-building process for newly initiated brothers. Additionally, I was compelled to help lead efforts for the undergraduates to increase involvement in the St. Jude Sunday of Hope efforts. It is too important to not only be labeled a leader, but to be known and valued as one who got their hands dirty in the process to make Kappa better for all mankind to witness. While, the opportunity was an honor, many chal- lenges arose as well. However, because of this opportunity, I am able to walk away with much more in the way of lessons, guidance and leadership capabilities. I hope to have left a legacy for others to come behind me and build upon to cre- ate an even better brotherhood and bond through fraternity. Journal: How do you enjoy serving in leadership in Kappa?
Taylor: I graduated from Howard Uni- versity in May of 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts in Legal Communications with a concentration in Political Science. I im- mediately transitioned to the Washington, D.C. Alumni Chapter. Journal: What do you do now profes- sionally? Taylor: I am currently employed as a Legislative Assistant at the Health and Medicine Counsel of Washington, a healthcare lobbying firm that advocates on behalf of health care institutions and organizations fighting to combat health disparities.
Journal: What motto do you live by?
Taylor: "To whom much is given, much is required."
Journal: Do you have a favorite book?
Taylor: As a Man Thinketh, By: James Allen Journal: How did you find Kappa Alpha Psi ® ? Taylor: Kappa Alpha Psi ® has been a part of my life since birth. Although my father who is now deceased pledged Alpha Phi Alpha, he befriended many good broth- ers of Kappa Alpha Psi ® . The ideals and values of Kappa have always interest me and the brothers that served as mentors to me always embodied achievement in
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