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To be able to spotlight the people who find themselves main graduate chapters around the country, we at Watch The Backyard reached out to the brothers of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.’s Harvey-Markham (IL) Alumni Bankruptcy in Harvey and Markham, IL and did an interview with Justin J. Johnson the Polemarch of the bankruptcy.
The placement of Polemarch/president of a Black fraternity bankruptcy is a extremely revered position and there’s a particular pleasure that one takes. Johnson, who works as a highschool athletic director and head varsity boys basketball trainer, has been within the place of Polemarch for 2 years.
We interviewed Johnson, who’s a Spring 2016 start up of his fraternity and talked to him about his place, targets, long run and what it approach to carry this sort of management place within the virtual age.
Learn the entire interview beneath.
What motivated you to take at the position of alumni bankruptcy president?
“Coaching of Management” is one our Bankruptcy’s philosophies. Our seventh Previous Polemarch, Maurice Dorris, all the time advised me that he noticed one thing in my when I used to be only a candidate pursing club into the fraternity. I took at the position of Polemarch, since the management earlier than me invested a large number of time and coaching into make certain that I might be the kind of Brother that stay the custom of “environment the usual” for our bankruptcy. It’s an honor and privilege to carry this seat and be the face and voice for my bankruptcy. It’s my accountability to turn Brothers that it’s important to be the alternate you wish to have to peer. It’s been my purpose to extend reclamation to carry brothers again house to Kappa, proceed to worry the significance of brother’s participation in neighborhood activism, and ensure our bankruptcy’s twenty years of lifestyles is said and celebrated inside that excellent outdated Kappa Spirit.
What particular tasks is your bankruptcy heading up this yr and the way do you suppose they’ll toughen the local people or the wider Black neighborhood?
Probably the most main tasks we’re heading is the Actual Males Learn program, which falls in step with our fraternity’s Nationwide Program, Room to Learn. As it’s eloquently put through our nationwide website online, “literacy is the root for all long run finding out but a top quality schooling stays out of achieve for tens of millions of kids around the globe.” The communities that we provider within the south suburbs of Chicago in reality want our lend a hand in terms of selling the significance of literacy and lecturers as an entire. In Chicago Public Faculties, 25% of basic scholars examined at or above the talented stage for studying. And 15% of highschool scholars examined at or above the talented stage for studying. The encompassing communities just about replicate the similar statistics. Room to Learn envisions a global through which all youngsters can pursue a top quality schooling that prepares them to be fulfilled and make certain alternate – of their households, communities and the sector.
What made you wish to have to pledge Kappa Alpha Psi?
At first, my uncle advised me about Kappa Alpha Psi when I used to be in center faculty. Earlier than he passed on to the great beyond when I used to be in highschool, he advised me I must pledge his fraternity. My uncle, Harold Coleman, used to be initiated Fall of 1969 at Huston-Tillotson College, the Gamma Lambda Bankruptcy. Sadly, I by no means in reality had a chance to speak to him a lot more about it. I all the time remembered that he discussed it. The one different wisdom I had in highschool got here from observing the TV display “A Other International” and observing the film “College Daze”. After I were given to my first school, Northern Illinois College, I right away noticed how a lot of a presence the Epsilon Omicron Nupes had at the backyard. Even though the Ques have been highly regarded at one level and the Alphas had their time of status out, I knew that Kappa used to be the group that I sought after to be part of. The Nupes let it’s identified that their objective used to be to be the most efficient at the entirety; lecturers, sports activities, occasions, taste, jobs, lively in different organizations and golf equipment, and no matter else there used to be to be the most efficient at. One in all my excellent pals, Sean Walton, were given initiated within the Fall of 1999 at Southern Illinois College in Edwardsville, the Zeta Pi Bankruptcy. He in reality influenced me and knowledgeable me extra in regards to the historical past of the fraternity. Sean advised me to do my analysis at the group, the founders, the targets, and likewise advised me how the fraternity used to be about Success. After all, his tales of the events, cane twirling, street tripping, and getting consideration from ladies helped as neatly. Sadly, Sean is now not right here and we by no means in reality were given to BOND as Brothers. Over the process my more youthful years, I began to fulfill other males of Kappa who I solid friendships with, received mentors, and regarded as much as. The whole lot in regards to the fraternity, and the contributors I met, made me notice that I sought after to be the most effective and individually be some other illustration of Success. It turned into my existence venture to proceed the legacy my uncle and excellent buddy began and optimistically be an inspiration to generations after me.
What’s it about your particular bankruptcy that makes it so distinctive?
The Harvey-Markham (IL) Alumni Bankruptcy (HMAK) will rejoice our twentieth Anniversary on January 10, 2024. Inside of our twenty years, we’ve got operated as a small bankruptcy for 16 of the ones years. In a little while span we’ve earned North Central Province Small Bankruptcy of the yr 5 instances (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015) and not too long ago Medium Bankruptcy of the Yr in 2021. I wish to say we’re the epitome of doing essentially the most with what we’ve got. We pleasure ourselves to be a circle of relatives greater than the rest. In some chapters, voices of brothers which are more youthful within the Bond aren’t heard inside the first years of initiation and/or reclamation. Our bankruptcy shall we it’s identified that each and every opinion issues and that no person’s diamond is greater than the following brother’s. Our social media presence is 2d to none, and we try on making issues occur.
How is your bankruptcy offering for the undergraduate chapters you enhance?
We don’t without delay advise an undergraduate bankruptcy, alternatively, we’ll be to be had when the Province of our fraternity calls on us to take action. Within the period in-between, we enhance all undergraduate tasks that offer monetary help for bankruptcy registrations, campus enhance, and every other responsibilities they’ll wish to perform. Our bankruptcy pleasure ourselves with ensuring we’ve got fellowships to bridge the distance between undergraduate and alumni chapters. Between our annual picnics, annual sports activities competitions in opposition to different Divine 9 organizations, and neighborhood outreach tasks we’re ready to hook up with undergraduate chapters and allow them to know that there’s Greek existence that they are able to nonetheless be fascinated about when they graduate from faculty.
How do you manner fostering a way of team spirit and camaraderie amongst alumni contributors, and what methods have you ever discovered efficient?
All issues get started with a Right kind Making plans Consultation. I think brothers must have a gathering of the minds in order that we’re all at the similar web page. Each and every group usher in such a lot of other personalities, other people of various cultures, and backgrounds. Despite the fact that each and every member of Kappa Alpha Psi observe the similar 5 targets, it’s herbal that every member have their ideas on how issues must be achieved. The making plans consultation lets in me to supply brothers of my imaginative and prescient, targets, and targets, and offers them a chance to supply their questions, feedback, and/or issues. Camaraderie surely must be intentional. Being monetary is superb, however I emphasize to Nupes that I wish to them to wait purposes regardless if they’re monetary or no longer. Do I would like everybody to be monetary, sure. What I don’t wish to do is make someone really feel that they don’t subject, as a result of they aren’t monetary at this time. Making contributors really feel like that simplest monetary contributors subject will pressure them away and no longer need them to be lively in any respect. We simply by no means know what private problems an individual is coping with. Brotherhood isn’t in response to cash, and our Founders didn’t emphasize that both. On occasion it’s so simple as inviting Brothers to somebody’s area or a front room and observing a sports activities tournament with every different. That may be a way of reclamation. It’s nice after we all get in combination and simply ready to be ourselves out of doors of the industry. We’re all human and be going via private problems at house and at paintings, and striking and speaking with Brothers might be the very factor that simply allows them to exhale. So, making plans journeys, making plans outings, or simply doing issues simply because can alternate the dynamic of the course a bankruptcy can transfer in. Being a graphic clothier and t-shirt producer, I’ll design and convey a blouse that all of us can put on as a bankruptcy for a serve as. One thing small like that may make Brothers really feel excellent. If Brothers really feel excellent, they’ll wish to be round extra. When they come round extra, they’ll begin to be engaged with what’s happening with the bankruptcy.
What recommendation would you give to aspiring leaders inside your fraternity/sorority who would possibly aspire to tackle roles of management inside alumni chapters?
I urge the passionate and devoted other people to step up and display out. In the event you’re no longer taking over a management position out of natural authentic love and that feeling that you just’re the most efficient particular person for the activity, you’re going to damage. None people are getting paid to try this and this can be a thankless activity. It takes a robust and keen particular person to maintain the industry of our organizations, our chapters, and the folks in them. We need to set up personalities and perceive we’ll by no means fulfill everybody. When we come to a decision, we need to stand company on that call and transfer ahead irrespective of the result. Long term leaders wish to remember that, even if you might watch and be informed from those that got here earlier than you, there isn’t one blueprint to management. Every chief has to place their very own mark at the statue of greatness, whilst nonetheless sporting out the targets and ideas that are meant to keep in position. To someone which are known as to steer, don’t be afraid. In the event you’re afraid to fail, you’re no longer attempting. None people are absolute best. Nobody particular person ever will get all of it proper. The principle factor that everybody must remember that the integrity of the bankruptcy will have to all the time be secure. There shall be those who wish to cross rogue and check out to persuade you to move in opposition to the higher excellent, however you will have to be the instance and no longer fold below someone(s) force. In the end that being stated, I’m extraordinarily humbled my bankruptcy agree with and anointed me to steer them. That is an honor and a privilege and one thing I don’t take evenly. I am hoping that my legacy shall be remembered and that I’m making all previous and long run contributors of my group and bankruptcy proud.
How has mentorship helped you get to the place you might be these days? Are there any particular other people for your org who’ve made a vital affect for your existence as mentors?
That is fingers down my favourite query. MENTORSHIP IS EVERYTHING! If it wasn’t for my mentors on this group, there isn’t any telling the place I might be. There are slightly a couple of those that I will be able to listing, however I’ll focal point on a choose few. At first, Jerry Jenkins of Langston College, the Alpha Pi Bankruptcy (Spr. ’80). He’s the Nupe that skilled me on how I must pursue a occupation in schooling whilst striving for a occupation in training highschool boys’ basketball. Dr. Corey Levy of Jap Illinois College, the Theta Gamma Bankruptcy (Spr. ’95) is my present boss/foremost at Southland School Prep Constitution Prime College in Richton Park, IL. He modified my existence in a single telephone name. He relied on and believed in me to return and building up the lads’ basketball program at his faculty. No longer simplest did he give me my first Head Varsity Boys Basketball Training activity, he gave me my first administrative activity as a Dean of Scholars. Thru his mentorship, which from time to time used to be no longer the perfect to maintain, he molded me to be somebody which may be thought to be for larger and higher alternatives. Only in the near past I used to be introduced my dream occupation position of Athletic Director of the similar faculty whilst conserving my head basketball training place. I owe Dr. Levy a super deal and I’m without end thankful for his wisdom and knowledge. Whilst I used to be pursuing club into the Bond, Alex Jenkins of Harvey-Markham (IL) Alumni used to be the instance I strived to observe as being a super brother of Kappa Alpha Psi. He carried himself with magnificence, used to be neatly revered, turned into the Vice-Polemarch of our bankruptcy earlier than his new occupation required him to transport, and performed a pivotal position in my procedure. I will be able to title slightly a couple of extra, however I’ll finish with Aaron T. Bell and James Tate, each (Spr. ’93) of Jap Illinois College, the Theta Gamma Bankruptcy. Bro. Aaron T. Bell is considered one of Harvey-Markham’s Constitution Contributors and Previous Polemarchs, and I’m very proud to mention that James Tate is my Pledge Father. They nonetheless to these days stay me grounded, push me to be higher, be offering me phrases of knowledge, and all the time strike a cord in me there’s extra to be achieved.
Why do you suppose Watch The Backyard is vital to Black greekdom?
Watch the Backyard is the voice the Divine 9 wish to discuss on the entirety certain of our whole lifestyles. We’re now residing in tradition the place all of our organizations are preventing to stay our integrity and recognition in-tact. Other people and organizations are seeking to shed adverse lighting on us, perpetrate club, and diminish our contributions to society. Watch the Backyard is symbolic or being our personal newspaper that may inform the sector our tale, our manner, correctly, and make us proud to really feel we’re the most efficient of the most efficient. Watch the Backyard isn’t simply for many who are of our organizations, however are for our cultures as an entire. Watch the Backyard tells our tale the precise manner and offers a narration via a lens we will be able to all respect. The tales and articles are the visible help that cements data that no person can regulate below false pretense. It’s a motion of sharing a wealth of data of activism, civil rights, historical past, birthday party, and data. That is black historical past in actual time and I really like finding out about the entirety nice all of our organizations carry to the desk.
Having a look again at it, why do you like being a member of your org?
I really like the truth that I’m ready to mention that I’m a small puzzle piece of an image that’s paintings that represents excellence of black tradition. Being a member of Kappa Alpha Psi has given me lifetime friendships, other views that I had to be presented to, allowed me to peer the sector otherwise, modified my existence in additional tactics than one, and all the time stay my humble and down to earth. Nobody must base their whole lifestyles on club of the rest, however our person greatness must toughen the lives of the ones round us after we come in combination as one. There’ll by no means be a time the place I believe it’s all about me or really feel like I’m by myself. It’s loopy to grasp that there have been some school scholars within the early 1900s, coping with racism, preventing for equality, no longer having essentially the most cash, and from time to time afraid for his or her lives can create one thing that has now lasted over 100 years. I’m part of that historical past. I’m historical past. It’s humbling to grasp that what I’m doing these days is forging one thing for somebody that I’ll by no means meet one day. Maximum of all, I’m part of a longer circle of relatives and can all the time have a spot to name house.
Finally, what does brotherhood imply to you?
Brotherhood is The Bond between males of various ages, generations, races, cultures, faith, creeds, walks of existence, tactics of considering, and the rest that makes us other as people. True brotherhood makes us circle of relatives and creates friendships that no person else will be capable to comprehend or perceive. Brotherhood encourages us to be informed from every different and no longer be frightened of what we don’t perceive about one some other. We’re all God’s present, and brotherhood is the root of why all of us can come in combination and be items to one another and be a circle of relatives. You’ll be able to no longer pretend being brotherly. Brotherhood can get us via difficult instances in and out of doors of our organizations. It’s what permits us to occupy the similar area. Maximum problems must be capable to be resolved amongst contributors if the actual essence of brotherhood is provide. Brotherhood is in you, it’s an approach to life, it’s an ethical and a worth, it’s who I’m, it’s what I constitute, and must closing without end.
We at Watch The Backyard wish to commend Justin J. Johnson for his paintings because the Polemarch of the Harvey-Markham (IL) Alumni Bankruptcy which has a legacy that spans again to 2004.
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