Books, Brotherhood and Business: Gov. Albert Bryan, Jr.

COVER STORY

that taste of home and being able to have people who are like you support you. I credit my chapter Mu Xi for my success in college because 'Books, Brotherhood and Business' was always a mantra for us. And you know, the books always came first and really everyone, not only while the Nupes were in the uni- versity, but even after brothers gradu- ated, they would always come back and make sure and support us–being that mentor or being that brother that kicked you a couple of dollars when things got brown, 'cause college got expensive! It's different nowadays. Now my daughters get sushi. All we knew in college was ramen noodles and hot dogs.

Keeper of Records of the chapter. Those were helpful as well to meet alot of Nupes in the valley, because there was Ohio State and Cincinnati. A lot of universities in the valley par- ticipated in those and that helped me make friendships in the brotherhood that lasted a lifetime. As a matter of fact, my Mu Xi brothers make it a regular occurrence to come to the Virgin Islands. When I was inaugurated as Governor of the Virgin Islands, they came down and made sure that they represented. I have also been visited by three Grand Polemarchs, who came down to celebrate Kappa and achieve- ment in every field of human endeavor during my first year in office."

world looks like how you look and you take for granted all the color and the security of having a community that supports you. And, from that day for- ward, I never took it for granted and made sure I made my way home." Immediately after college, Governor Bryan returned home to the Virgin Islands where he began a lengthy and successful career in both the private and public sectors holding positions of responsibility at Hess Oil Virgin Islands Corporation, the V.I. Housing Author- ity, and Innovative Communications. He quickly climbed the ranks and earned more responsibilities and pro- motions at these jobs. The managerial experience gleaned at these private sector jobs and from working closely with and on behalf of a labor union would, in fact, be portentous for his future entry into public service. Governor Bryan earned a MBA from the University of the Virgin Islands in 2003. In 2002, he co-founded Generation Now! Inc., a non-profit organization which filled a critical role in educating the public on key political and social

Returning to the USVI and Entering Public Service

I attended province meetings as the

"You know, when I left for college, I was accustomed to the Virgin Islands. I wanted something else. In the first semester in college, everybody asked me, 'What the hell am I doing here?' I came home for Christmas and I re- ally took a good look around and I said, 'You know, you always took it for granted.' When you grew up on a small island you think the whole

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