85th Virtual Grand Chapter Meeting Issue

UNDERGRADUATE AWARDEES

O lufemi Olatidoye is a native of Wilmington, NC and he is a graduating senior at NC A&T State University where he is studying chemistry. Before enrolling at NC A&T, Olufemi earned his high school diploma from the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM) in Durham, NC. At NC A&T, Olatidoye has been actively involved on campus during his undergradu- ate years. He is a Lewis and Elizabeth Dowdy Scholar, a member of the University Honors Program, and Chief of Staff for the Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students (MAPS). Additionally, he has served as Mister MAPS and Mister Chemistry Club in previous years.

Following graduation in May of 2021, Brother Olatidoye will be moving to New York City to attend medical school and he is considering a future career in surgery. He is interested in mitigating health disparities that are prevalent in underserved communities as well as increasing Black representation within medicine and other STEM fields. Furthermore, Olatidoye enjoys inspiring others to strive towards academic excellence and professional achievement. Olatidoyeis a Spring 2019 initiate into the NC A&T State University Chapter, the Alpha Nu of Kappa Alpha Psi. Olatidoye is passionate about mentorship and community service. He remains actively engaged with both through Kappa Alpha Psi and other organizations. In his free time, Olatidoye enjoys traveling, working out, playing basketball, playing the piano, and spending time with family and friends. We salute Brother Olatidoye! Byron K. Armstrong and Guy L. Grant Awardees E lijah C. DeVaughn, Jr. is a native of Compton, California. He attends Harvard College in Cam- bridge. Massachusetts. There, he is pursuing his Bachelor of Arts in History and Literature where his academic interests lie in exploring how rhetoric is used by Black political leaders to combat racial injustice. His senior thesis, “Congresswoman Shirley Anita Chisholm: Politician and Political Theorist,” earned Summa Cum Laude marks. During his time at Harvard, DeVaughn has worked for the Secretary of Legal Affairs in the Office of Governor Gavin Newsom where he reviewed state prisoners’ applications for commutations and par- dons. He also worked on housing issues as an intern in the office of Senator Kamala Harris. Elijah is a Spring 2019 initiate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology chapter, the Theta Iota of Kappa Alpha Psi. Af- ter graduation, he plans to pursue his Master of Philosophy in History at Oxford University in England, where he has been awarded the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship. We salute Brother DeVaughn! T raelon T. Rodgers is a Senior Urban Studies and Public Policy Major at Dillard University in New Orleans, Louisiana. Traelon intends to use his bachelor's degree to work in the Government field while obtaining his Juris Doctorate. Traelon is a native of Arlington, Texas. He is an alumnus of Judge Barefoot Sanders Law Magnet at Townview. He currently serves as a National Board Member for the NAACP and the Assistant Secretary of the Board. At the age of 21, Rodgers is the youngest person to be elected as a national officer of the NAACP. He serves as the Vice Chairman of the Elections Supervisory, Membership and Units, and the Legal Committees. He is also a member of Dillard University’s Nationally Ranked Mock Trial team and a two-term Student Government Association President at Dillard University. He has served as the Vice Chairman for the City of Dallas Youth Commission, Chairman of the NAACP National Youth Work Committee, and President of the Dallas NAACP Youth Council. Rodgers was initiated into the Beta Gamma Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. in 2019. He is an active member of his chapter and is a Kappa Fellow. He serves as the Chairman of intake and recently received Undergraduate Brother with the Highest GPA. Rodgers has received the torchbearer award, the NAACP NYWC Chairman Award, the City of Dallas Appreciation for Dedication and service to the community, the Texas NAACP State Conference Torch Bearers Award, and Rice University Best Attorney Award. We salute Brother Rodgers!

THE JOURNAL ♦ SUMMER 2021 | 23

VIRTUAL 85 TH GRAND CHAPTER MEETING

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