NEONEWS
Why I Wanted To Be an Alpha Man By Sean M. Allen
WHAT DEFINES A MAN? Is it the outward appearance or the inward perseverance? My childhood memories and perceptions of my godfather are prevalent and still hold true even to this day. It seemed as if his everyday purpose was to think above and beyond himself for his family and friends, while selflessly sacrificing for his community. A Christian, family man, businessman and gentleman were just some lifestyles that describe him. He is my role model. He is an Alpha man. As I grew older, I obtained a great appreciation of the morals and values of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. While enrolled at North Carolina A&T State University, the Alpha chapter on campus held several programs that encompassed professional development and academicstimulating incentives, coupled with volunteer events that had a direct
impact on the local urban community. Today, I believe that the fraternity’s aims of manly deeds, scholarship and love for all mankind resonate with my personal values. In fact, after five years of being interested in membership, my motivation to join the fraternity only grew stronger. Alpha Phi Alpha is a trailblazer in the world. Its long-term commitment to leading the community for more than 105 years remains true. The Alpha men were the first to develop and publish a history of black college life. To this day, I perform my manly deeds, I am an effective leader of scholarship, and I make a positive impact on the community. However, exercising that leadership with brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha, could impact more lives. In the end, making an exponential impact to the community is a goal that I am committed to for the rest of my life. Most importantly, Alpha Phi
High in the sky: Brother Sean M. Allen as pilot in command.
Alpha represents brotherhood— something that cannot be molded anywhere else. Gaining wisdom and advice from the more seasoned generations provides invaluable knowledge that I can build upon in my life and pass on to those who come after me. Plus, having the opportunity to fellowship and socialize with men from diverse backgrounds creates a stronger feeling of cultural identity. Because I am a part of the global fraternity that Alpha is, I aspire to travel thousands of miles and still be able to perform the work of Alpha with fraternity brothers overseas. Thurgood Marshall once said: “We can always stick together when we are losing, but tend to find means of breaking up when we’re winning.” The brotherhood of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. unites to make a positive difference in the world during times of triumph and victory. What defines a man to me is not the life that he lives, but the influence and legacy that he gives.H Sean M. Allen is a project manager at BP USPL and a private pilot. He was initiated at Beta Psi Lambda Chapter in Los Angeles, Calif., in April 2012.
Alpha neophytes from Beta Psi Lambda’s April 2012 line (from left) Brothers Frankie Sandoval, Sean M. Allen, Craig Bailey, De Shon Andrews and Charles Lemle. Winter/Spring 2012 H THE SPHINX
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