By Keena Day
NASHVILLE, TN — In an effort to advocate for African-American achievement through educational advancement, the Nashville Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. hosted a scholarship luncheon to unveil its recipients for the 2017 school year.
The Chapter has awarded over $120,000 dollars for students’ educations through the Guide Right Foundation. This year, the chapter awarded 11 scholarships to seniors attending various colleges in the fall.
“Each year, the chapter proudly sponsors scholarships to deserving young men who aspire to pursue a college degree,” said Jerry McCarter, Scholarship Committee Chairman.
To be eligible, applicants must be high school seniors, have curriculum grade point averages of a C+ or above, be minority males, and plan to attend four-year colleges or universities.
Scholarship recipient and President of the chapter’s mentorship program The Kappa League, Marcus Hardison III, has been very grateful for the mentorship of the Fraternity.
“The Kappa League has giving me a place to bond with young men. We do a lot of activities, learn a lot of things, listen to guest speakers. I have learned how to communicate better. Leadership and confidence are the main things I have learned,” he said. He will graduate from NSA and attend Middle Tennessee State University in the fall.
The keynote speaker was Robert L. Smith, Esquire, of the Smith and Hirsch Law Firm. Discussing the dire statistics and disparities of educational deficits and incarceration, he highlighted the importance of organizations continuing to work and resolve the issues faced by black students through outreach efforts. Citing the motto of the National Association of Colored Women’s motto “Lift as you Climb”, he outlined the missions of the Guide Right Foundation, Inc, including developing leadership qualities, encouraging college attendance, achieving academic success, and securing employment in the recipient’s chosen field.
“The organization seeks to guide young people to productive lives through scholarships, mentoring, and tutoring […] the men of this fraternity, those who serve on the board of this foundation, and those who serve as leaders of the Guide Right and Kappa Leaguer Programs have a dream of raising the hopes and aspirations of young men. The Guide Right Program has been conducted for many years programs for the exposure of young men to the vast opportunity that is available to them. This dream is reflected as a reality today as we celebrate this eighth annual scholarship program,” Smith said during his remarks to the recipients.
“You are the dream of this foundation. You succeeding in every walk of life- this is the dream. You can keep this dream alive by achieving your goals and completing your education.”
The organization will host their 3rd Annual “All White Affair: Jazz Brunch and Day Party” fundraising event at Sambuca on May 20 from 1-5. The chapter’s website has more upcoming information www.nashvillekappas.org.
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity was founded on the campus of Indiana University in 1911.
