KAPPA LEAGUERS ACHIEVEMENT SPOTLIGHT
From the Fort Washington (MD) Kappa League to Eastern Province Strategus: Brandon L. Holmes Makes the Grade T he mission of the Guide Right/Kappa League National Program of the fraternity is to “empower males to excel in ing desire for achievement, not only for myself but for the people around me as well.” Chapter Polemarch Phillip L. Deboe, By JT Hanley
post-secondary education, help culti- vate leadership skills, focus on personal development, and prepare for life after post-secondary education.” Brandon L. Holmes (Alpha Iota 2018), a participant in the Guide Right Program of the Fort Washington (MD) Alumni Chapter, is an outstanding example of the positive effect of the program. Brother Holmes was introduced to the Guide Right program when he entered high school. Brandon partici- pated through graduation. During this time, the program focused on academic achievement and oral presentations, two areas of importance in achieving goals. Sessions routinely focused on interact- ing with law enforcement, study skills, learning styles, respecting females, how to ask questions, and even personal grooming. Brandon immersed himself in the program, volunteering for the leader- ship roles without any hesitation. Brandon always excelled in his schoolwork. Brandon enjoyed getting good grades, pleasing his parents as well as himself. The Guide Right Program supported and reinforced the impor- tance of succeeding academically at a time when young men are susceptible to pressures to turn away from academics and towards other, sometimes negative pursuits. In high school he maintained a 3.1 GPA. He also consistently made honor roll, was a Student Government Class Representative, and the recipient of the Senior Class Citizenship Award. After high school he attended Mor- gan State University where he continued to excel. After completing his freshman year at Morgan, Brandon was chosen to be the guest speaker at the closing breakfast for the Guide Right/Kappa
Sr. (Epsilon Zeta 1994) commented, “Brandon is the example of what the Fraternity envisioned with Guide Right. The program enhanced what his family instilled in him: perseverance, positive work ethics, and a desire to achieve. It truly takes a village to raise our young people and the Fort Washington (MD) Alumni Chapter will continue to pour into the young men in our community.” Brandon says it best. “Guide Right and Kappa League provided me with valuable life skills and a support sys- tem for my matriculation through high school and college. The experience of gaining words of wisdom from excep- tional Black men as role models was priceless. Lawyers, financial consultants, IT professionals, educators, you name it. If there was a field of endeavor that we had interest in, there was always an outstanding Kappa man there that we could learn from. Even though we live in a society that often villainizes and sup- presses young Black men, it was great knowing that every month I had a space I could go to in order to express myself, build aspirations for the future, and learn life lessons that I would never gain from a simple lecture at school.”
Quinton Holmes (Epsilon Alpha 1997) and Brandon L. Holmes (Alpha Iota 2018). League end of the year celebration. The speech was so powerful and relevant that he received a standing ovation from the audience. Brother Charles Gilbert, past Senior Province Vice Polemarch of the Eastern Province, describes Brandon as “a quiet, focused, determined young man. He leveraged his mentoring sessions to de- velop his self-esteem and self-awareness, resulting in his overall achievements and ultimately building the foundation for his future achievements. Congratula- tions my next generation brother.” Brandon's father, Quinton Holmes (Epsilon Alpha 1997), also a Kappa man, states that “Brandon has accomplished a lot at a young age. As his father and brother, I am immensely proud of him, and I am excited about the opportunities and achievements in his future.” Brandon, himself, comments that intake at an undergraduate chapter was “an honor, as well as an eye-opening ex- perience. The process during Fall 2018 in the Alpha Iota Chapter, expanded my perception of what I am truly capable of. I started my process as a boy, but I crossed the Burning Sands, with my 13 line brothers, as a man with an unwaver-
54 | SUMMER-FALL 2020 ♦ THE JOURNAL
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