Welcometo the 37th annual celebration of the Orita Rites of Passage Ceremony which is an African tradition of manhood. This year marks the 38th Anniversary of The Shelby County (TN) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated. Since 1987, the chapter has been committed to the leadership development of young African-American males with the formation of the Chapter’s Beautillion Experience.
The Beautillion Experience’s nine-month program is designed to “broaden the young males’ perspective on non-academic influences that will potentially enhance and impact their success in life.” With the theme “Building a Legacy of Pride and Promise” the program includes life-skills workshops, community service, cultural activities, the Orita Rites of Passage and culminates with the presentation event April 19th at the Holiday Inn.
The success of the program begins with the commitment of the Beautillion Experience participants - supported by their parents, family members and friends. We appreciate your vote of confidence and trust in our ability to offer a leadership program for your sons. Each year, we invite a distinguished roster of business professionals and former Beaux to assume the role of Leadership Academy faculty.
True to our Link creed “Linked in Friendship, Connected in Service,” I want to thank our chapter members, the Beautillion Experience Chair, Lorene Essex, and Leadership Academy Chairs Tangela Taylor and Sandra Charita Polk.
In closing, we congratulate the 2025 Beautillion Experience class. Each is now prepared to join a network of more than 500 alums of young African-American males who participated in our program preparing young men to meet the many challenges of today’s society.
Stephanie Pugh, Chapter President
2025 Beautillion Experience Participants
Micah Lenal Anderson
Caleb Chatman Ellis
Marcellus Jarrod Houston
Ryan Anthony James
Aidan Christopher Johnson
Ethan Nicholas Johnson
Logan Isiah Jones
Zanden Kelly
George Edward Mauldin, III
Jacob Alexander Robert Norris
Joshua Freeman Robinson
Yusuf Adam Sharif, II
Landon Bijon Worthy
ORITA Rites of Passage Ceremony for
Young Black Men
An Invitation Into Christian Adulthood
ORITA is an African word that comes from the Yoruba tribe, which is found in Nigeria, Duhomey and Togoland. The word “ORITA” means crossroads, or the point where two pathways converge. It is the vertex of the crossroads, the converging of two meaningful alternatives that cry out for one’s loyalty.
It is believed that the Yorubas are the artistic descendants of the Nok civilization that flourished in central Nigeria before the birth of Christ. This tribe is estimated to be 12.5 million strong in Nigeria today.
The ORITA ritual originated in Black African culture, where it developed young men to be ready for the passage to maturity. Its dynamics have been repeated and adapted for use in the Christian community.
While the Shelby County (TN) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, does not consider its efforts to be the final solution to the challenge of enculturation, its members hope that ORITA in its present form signals a beginning.
THE ORITA CEREMONY A
Christian Maturity Rite
Lois Gilder, Author
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
Squire William J. Mason
Welcome . .
Introduction of Pilgrims & Parents .
Tribute .
History of Orita
Stephanie Pugh Chapter President
. Lorene Essex Beautillion Chair
.Pilgrim Jacob Norris
Pilgrim Ethan Johnson
RITES CEREMONY
Pastor and Congregation
Rev. Christopher Davis “Come by Here”
PRESENTATION OF PILGRIMS
Minister. . Who is it that comes to the Ritual of the Crossroads?
Pilgrim . . It is I, in the person of . . . . .
Minister . . Why do you come?
Pilgrims together . . . . . . . We come because we are of age of consciousness and have completed our assignments, and we desire God’s blessing and the blessing of this religious community.
[Family and Friends stand]
Rev. Christopher Davis . . . . The Pilgrim comes to the Ritual of the Crossroads because he is of the age of consciousness and has completed his requirements. Most importantly, he desires God’s blessings and the blessing of this religious community. What do you say to this request?
Family and Friends say together . . . . . Amen! Amen! Amen!
Liturgy of the Word. . .
Responsorial Psalm . . .
Pilgrim Logan Jones Proverbs 4:20-27
. Pilgrim Marcellus Houston Psalms 65:10-13
A Reading from the Holy Gospel. . . . . . . . . Pilgrim Joshua Robinson Matthew 13:1-9
“It is Well” .
.Pilgrim Caleb Ellis
CELEBRATION OF MATURITY
Invitation to Prayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rev. Christopher Davis
Eternal God, in the process of becoming what we shall be, we pray that you will play an indispensable part in our lives. We have come to celebrate the beautiful years that these Pilgrims have been allowed to live. While they are still in the youth stage, we pray that they may examine critically where they desire to be in the next five years and afterwards. Grant that their hopes will be realized by helping someone less fortunate and by giving their support to worthy causes. Let them always strive to know and to do Thy will. Amen.
“Invictus”
Pilgrim Yusuf Sharif, II
CHARGE BY THE CONGREGATION
Stephanie Pugh, Chapter President Do your utmost to present yourself each day to God as a worker with nothing of which to be ashamed. Be sure to shun empty speeches that violate what is holy for they will advance in more and more ungodliness. Regardless of the advances in technology, fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.
Litany of Desire. . .
Pilgrim Caleb Ellis .
Pilgrim Ellis
Congregation
Pilgrim Ellis .
. .Led by Pilgrim Caleb Ellis
. Will my Pilgrims please stand, turn and face the audience.
. Lord, we pray for understanding.
. Lord, we grant them understanding.
. Lord, we pray for wisdom.
Congregation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lord, We grant them wisdom.
Pilgrim Ellis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lord, we pray to live righteously.
Congregation . . . . . . . . . . Lord, we grant them righteous lives.
Congregation . . . .Lord, we grant them courage to live a godly life. For thou dost require of us as we walk between the cradle and the grave to love mercifully, do justly, and to walk humbly before Thee. Amen.
Pilgrim Aidan Johnson . . . . . .Please bow your heads. Father, in heaven, grant us the intelligence to ask graciously the right questions so that we may divide truth from fiction. Help us through discipline to arrive at the right answers to questions. O God, grant that in you we may find the power of self-reliance and self-help. Let us encourage brotherly and sisterly socioeconomic enterprises among our people. And this day, as we look into the future, let our reach exceed our grasp that we may choose at the Orita of Life, what is noble and best. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
THE LAYING ON OF HANDS
[Pastor leads the Pilgrims, fathers, and congregation]
Prayer Blessing.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rev. Christopher Davis
Holy One, we give you thanks that you have led us by an inner light through the midst of darkness and on strange paths. We do not know what the future holds for these young men, but we know that you hold the future. Suffer no hurt, harm, or danger to overwhelm them. Let them make choices so they will not become slaves to foolishness or deny their best development of their character. May they let Jesus Christ so dominate their lives that they will not be selfish, afraid, or negligent in the service of others. May they have unfaltering trust in you as you guide them through the trackless others. May they have unfaltering trust in you as you guide them through the trackless paths of moral decisions and pluralistic beliefs. May the inner light guide them at midnight and through the swamps of conflicting ideologies.
This medallion symbolizes the crossroads, the historical and middle passage of our ancestors on their forced journey in slave ships. Do you promise to wear it well and make the best choices that you can make, never bringing shame on your head, on this religious community, or above all, on your God?
[Pilgrims answer individually] .
I DO.
Brad Robinson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Should you marry and have children, will you consider passing this medallion on to them?
Pilgrim Landon Worthy [Answering for the entire group.] WE WILL. We have listened, we have heard our challenges, and we promise to fulfill those challenges with the help of our Lord and Savior.
“Come by Here” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rev. Christopher Davis
Pilgrims’ Prayer .
. .Pilgrim Ryan James
All knowing God, be with us in our finite search for good ideas. Stir us from unchallenging mediocrity that demands nothing of us in return. Help us to fix our lives on a cause greater than ourselves, that we may save our souls. Let us delve into the past of our ancestry that we may feel a common cause with them in our strides toward freedom, justice, and human dignity. Amen
Concluding Prayer/Benediction. . . . . . Rev. Christopher Davis
Remarks .
. Stephanie Pugh, Chapter President
Acknowledgements
Thank you, Rev. Christopher Davis, St. Paul Baptist Church, Mr. William Henderson (former Beau), parents, and guests for your participation in the Orita Rites of Passage Ceremony.
Thank you also to the Leadership Academy/Beautillion Experience Committees for your hard work and dedication preparing the Orita Ceremony.
Lastly, thank you to the 2025 Leadership Academy Participants for your outstanding participation in making the Orita Rites of Passage 2025 a success.
Blessing and Dismissal to the Reception Rev. Christopher Davis
