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LOS ANGELES, CA—- African American and Latinx boys from Southern California, Northern California and Phoenix convened at California State University Los Angeles this past weekend for Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.’s Inaugural Western Province Kappa League Conference.
The youth were housed in the South Village dorms from Friday to Sunday and participated in a series of team-building activities and workshops led by industry experts. New York Jets safety Jovante Moffat, sports agent Harrison Gaines, referees and former NFL players discussed careers in sports. Credit Union of Southern California hosted an interactive financial literacy workshop. Acclaimed actor and National Kappa League Spokesperson John Marshall Jones talked to the attendees about media training. Greg “Olksool Ice-Gre” Lewis, the first A&R Director for Kanye West’s GOOD Music, spoke about hip hop lyrics, messages and images. San Bernardino Unified School District Chief of Police Joseph Paulino and California State University Los Angeles professor Dr. Nana Lawson Bush V were also among the esteemed speakers. Additionally, college students shared insight about campus life.
The Kappa Leaguers bonded immediately upon meeting members from other chapters, engaging in various athletic activities and as well as the Cup Stack Challenge and Shark Tank competitions.
Shannon Faulk, Western Province Guide Right Chair, said the conference achieved its mission. “The Kappa League Leadership Program and this conference was to demonstrate that no generation exists in isolation or on its own island,” he said. “There is an obligation to leave a little behind to those who need our wisdom as men. The African American and Brown communities depend on the strength of its men and we are here to do our part in developing strong young leaders.”
Conference Chair Anthony Lee described the conference as an example of Black men uniting to train young men for leadership. “We were able to share valuable information and conduct team-building activities to bridge the gap across generations,” he said. “Events like this help our community to remain relevant and thrive as the world around us changes.”
Kappa League is a part of the fraternity’s Guide Right program that celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. Guide Right is the oldest, most successful mentoring program led by African American men in the United States. The program has impacted more than 500,000 young lives.
The Western Province Kappa League Conference was sponsored by GRAD Foundation, Western Province of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., San Fernando – Santa Clarita Alumni chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi, National Kappa League, California State University Los Angeles, Airwave Communications, Snapchat, Faithful Central Bible Church and PennyMac.
