KAPPA LEAGUE CHAPTER SPOTLIGHT
Practice groups did door to door knock- ing and getting people out to vote. One unique focus of the SFSC Kappa League is bringing other youth organizations together. Brother Lee said “For example before the Black College Expo the last couple of years, SFSC has had the Sigma Gamma Rhoers, the Delta Gems and local Kappa League chapters to come together. We had a breakfast meet and greet. It allows each organization to meet and see what we do on a larger scale. We did team building activities as a way for them to just break the ice with each other and then we all caravanned over to the LA Convention Center for the Black College Expo. “ “We started meeting at an elemen- tary school, now we meet at Cal State Northridge. We have developed a good relationship with the university. That has allowed us to have the SoCal Kappa League conference there. We have a lot of access to the facilities and we have gone to basketball games on campus. Even from the admissions standpoint we can help facilitate the admissions process with the university, because they know our program. They know the type of young man they are going to receive just based off their interaction with our program, states Brother Lee.” Asked to explain the success of the program, Brother Rob McGowan said “Brother Lee will not take the credit for this, but his leadership and being able to take advice from others are the key. Brother Lee has been a phenomenal leader; he has made everything simple and structured. He gives people the space to grow, learn and explore. He is good at placing people where their gifts and talents can be best used. This Brother has led masterfully over the last four years.” Brother Lee discusses the impact of the program saying “This is their (the students) program and we're relying on them to run the program. They run their meetings from beginning to end. We let them adjust and have input in the activi- ties. We try to stay in communication with them and get their reactions. Last year, we were trying to do some activities
and they were not too happy with the way it was going. They pulled me to the side and said this is not working, we do not like this, we do not want this, as a result we eliminated that activity from our program. We tell them this is their program. Their opinions matter and it encourages them to speak up. That is what was exciting to me, them coming together and vocalizing their concern. “ From a parent’s perspective Brother McGowan said “Kappa League has been able to connect my son to a larger group of men. He meets men who are pro- fessional and achieving in their fields. There are a broad and wide spectrum of professions. We have Brothers from the Financial to the entertainment industry. To have my son be able to experience those things in a structured way really adds to being a father. The Brothers pour knowledge and wisdom into my son and others. It's moving and really special.” “We have three (former Kappa Leaguers) that have gone through the process of becoming Kappas. More have expressed interests of doing it. For us that is one of the main things that we hope for. If we are doing the right thing for these young men, we want them to
see our involvement, see our commit- ment and understand we are pouring our knowledge into them. We ask them to do the same in return and that is a testament to and measures the commit- ment that they see in us. It makes them consider being involved in the Frater- nity” said Brother Lee in describing the after-program impact. Brother McGowan talked about the rewards of Kappa League, saying “It's been a super rewarding experience. It has been my pleasure to be a part of this program. There is a Kappa Leaguer who is a graduating senior, when he first started, the young man was reclusive and would not speak. Now to see him open up and lead conversations. At one meeting he said some things to his mother, that was really moving to her. You are like wow, could you imagine this young man speaking like that? It is a testament not only to the committee members but also to the young men who supported him and who did not heckle or bully him. They embraced and sup- ported him.” Kappa Leaguer Diego McGowan said he “joined Kappa League because my brother did it and my dad is a Kappa (Brother McGowan). It has been fun
“It has been a true honor and privilege to be a mentor and a life resource for our incredibly amazing young Black men. They end up teaching me more about life than they could ever imagine.” Brother Rob McGowan, SFSC Kappa League Committee
“Brothers can come in and contribute. I think the beauty of our chapter is that we've had brothers that have come in and have been able to use their talents and gifts and the young man had been the ones to benefit from it.” 12 out of 19 high school Kappa League graduates went to college the past three years. The most rewarding thing is 35% of the young men did not envi- sion themselves even going to college before joining our program. I am honored and thankful that our Kappa Leaguers and families have trusted and supported the vision of our chapter. We would not have a successful program without the Brothers in our chapter sharing their gifts with our young men." Brother Anthony D. Lee, SFSC Director
THE JOURNAL ♦ SUMMER-FALL 2020 | 49
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