America’s Largest Black Fraternities Unite With Big Brothers Big Sisters
Announcement of Unprecedented Collaborative Action Comes a Week Before Father’s Day
Philadelphia, PA, June 15, 2009—Alpha Phi Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi and Omega Psi Phi, the nation’s largest African-American Fraternities, have joined forces in an unprecedented union with Big Brothers Big Sisters to help black boys—often referred to the organization by single mothers—succeed. The fraternities—which represent 250,000 college educated-men, many who are among prominent African American business and community leaders—are not attempting to replace missing fathers. Rather, they expect their involvement with Big Brothers Big Sisters as mentors, advocates, fundraisers and influencers, to help African American boys and other children break negative cycles.
Most children mentored through Big Brothers Big Sisters’ nearly 400 agencies are from single-parent families, households experiencing poverty or homes where a parent is incarcerated. Independent research finds children with Big Brothers Big Sisters mentors are more likely than their peers to stay in school, avoid violence, reject illegal activities and have positive relationships with their families and others.
The collaborative effort will expand Big Brothers Big Sisters’ near 20-year national partnership with Alpha Phi Alpha. Together, the fraternities will work with the organization to develop programs to encourage members and friends in their large professional, personal and social networks to also support the nation’s largest donor-supported network of volunteer mentors for youth. The men will urge those in their networks to become Big Brothers; donate and raise funds for the top-rated charity; serve on boards of directors for local agencies in their communities; create sponsorship partnerships with their employers; host recruiting and other engagement events, and provide enrichment programs for Little Brothers and boys who are ready to be matched.
“This landmark partnership greatly strengthens our engagement in African American communities and will be significant in helping us serve many more children, particularly growing numbers of boys whose moms are seeking our help,” said Judy Vredenburgh, President and Chief Executive Officer of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.
In addition to joining forces with Big Brothers Big Sisters to develop new national initiatives, the fraternities will expand successful programs launched in recent years by individual local agencies and fraternity chapters. Big Brothers Big Sisters is also working to build partnerships with two other historically black fraternities—Phi Beta Sigma, which has a tradition of formal mentoring through its Sigma Beta Club, and Iota Phi Theta, which has a history of participation in Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Existing Big Brothers Big Sisters engagements with the Alphas, Kappas and Omegas include:
Alpha Phi Alpha
100 percent of the members of the fraternity’s Beta Gamma undergraduate chapter at Virginia State University are e Big Brothers and the chapter recruits others on campus to get involved.
The Xi Tau Lambda chapter in Dallas raises funds for Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Texas through Bowl for Kids Sake. Half of the chapter’s members are Big Brothers.
The fraternity partners with Big Brothers Big sisters in Dallas and Cleveland for successful barbershop recruitment drives in Dallas and Cleveland, an idea launched in Dallas several years ago
Omega Psi Phi
Through Operation Lamp Light the fraternity is working with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Detroit to adopt a Detroit high school and build a relationship with a core group of 13- to 14-year-old boys… Some Omegas are spending one-on-one time with boys while the larger fraternity supports bimonthly workshops or field trips to museums and sporting events.
Syndicated sports radio hosts and Omega Psi Phi members The 2 Live Stews (Doug and Ryan Stewart) biological brothers who are also Big Brothers are leading a viral campaign sending men to MentoringBrothers.org, a micro site established with a grant from the Arby’s Foundation.
In Louisville the Theta Omega chapter created its Men of Quality Program, which mentors youth based on the fraternity’s four cardinal principles - Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance and Uplift through a Lifestyles Choices Forum.
Kappa Alpha Psi
Kappa Alpha Psi member, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri board member Johnny Furr, has led efforts to mobilize the community to mentor.
Kappa Alpha Psi chapters in Philadelphia and Dallas are already mobilized and making difference mentoring young men.
Members of the fraternity have partnered with Big Brothers Big Sisters in Portland for barbershop recruiting efforts.
About Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Founded on December 4, 1906 at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. has continued to supply voice and vision to the struggle of African Americans and people of color around the world. The Fraternity has long stood at the forefront of the African-American community’s fight for civil rights, through Alpha men such as Martin Luther King Jr., Adam Clayton Powell, Thurgood Marshall, Andrew Young, Retired Senator Edward Brooke and Cornel West. Others include members of the 110th Congress including: Emanuel Cleaver, II (MO), Charles B. Rangel (NY), Danny K. Davis (IL), Chaka Fattah (PA), Al Green (TX), Gregory Meeks (NY), David Scott (GA), Robert C. Scott (VA). The fraternity through its college and alumni chapters serves the community through nearly a thousand chapters in the United States, Europe and the Caribbean.
About Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. is an organizational Brotherhood consisting of over 750 chapters throughout the world. The fraternity is a historically Black fraternal organization that provides and promotes programs of social, cultural and economic uplift to the communities we serve. For almost a century, we have recruited, trained and deployed men of color for leadership roles in service to humanity. Our social action programs touch the lives of hundreds of thousands of families and individuals each year. Whether our efforts result in entertaining an audience, educating a group of young people; or simply helping those in need, we have developed a reputation for delivering programs and projects that make a difference in the lives of those we serve.
About Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. is an international organization founded on the campus of Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana on January 5, 1911. Since its inception, it has trained men, particularly undergraduates, for leadership roles in their communities and the attainment of a high degree of excellence in their academic pursuits. Its membership represents some of the most outstanding Americans in our country’s history including Arthur Ashe, Reverend Leon H. Sullivan, Johnnie Cochran, Jr., a host of Mayors and other elected officials, and five (5) current members of Congress. The International Headquarters is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. For additional information: http://www.KappaAlphaPsi1911.com