Alpha Phi Alpha Hosts Project Alpha
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and The Alpha Phi Alpha Foundation of Manasota, Inc. recently hosted a program for young men in the community which provided education on sexual awareness, fatherhood, and the role of males in relationships. “Project Alpha” is for young men between the ages of 12 and 19. It is designed to motivate young men to consider their goals and values and to act in ways that support good decisions. It also builds their skills through role playing and utilizing appropriate male role models and mentors.
Topics covered at the workshop included knowing your rights, learning about recent changes to the law and how to conduct yourself when dealing with the police. Sessions also dealt with conflict resolution and provided techniques on how to manage conflicts and stress. Dress for success, discussing the perceptions of how attire projects to others and what to wear to what events, was also discussed along with sexual awareness and health. The young men also had an opportunity to chat with fraternity members who shared relevant information about their many programs. County representatives were also on hand to share information about latest programs and future projects or initiatives. Many team building and confidence boosting exercises were held.
The goal of Project Alpha is to provide young men with current and accurate information on various topics of importance to them, said Michael Chambers, Project Alpha coordinator.
“We felt it was important, among other things, to discuss conflict resolution and interaction with police officers, considering the recent deaths of young black men by police officers,”
he said. “We accomplished this through the series of workshops and informational sessions we conducted with support from local governmental agencies.” Chambers believes the activities of the day and how they were received by the young men accomplished the goal of Project Alpha. “I believe the day was a tremendous success,” he said. “During the workshop the young men were engaged and interactive, asked probing questions of the presenters.” A highlight of the day was a presentation by the Sarasota County Health Department on sexual awareness and health, followed by team building events and the dress for success workshop.” Two young men received laptop computers as gifts from Xi Psi Lambda Chapter.
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation began collaborating to implement Project Alpha back in 1980. It is an annual event sponsored in each local chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Xi Phi Lamba Chapter serves Sarasota, Bradenton, and Palmetto, and is committed to promoting the advancement of the community through education, political involvement, mentoring, social awareness and professional development. Dr. Derrick L. Randall is president of the Xi Psi Lambda Chapter and Michael K. Suarez is president of the Alpha Phi Alpha Foundation.
