Grand Rapids Alpha ESQuires
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About the Alpha Esquires

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The Grand Rapids Alpha Esquires, established in 2010, are a group of young men mentored by the Eta Nu Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. This male mentoring program is for students in grades 7-12 throughout the Greater Grand Rapids area. Students are engaged in mentoring activities, community service, academic enrichment, and physical fitness programs that aims to develop the young men to be productive citizens.

 

The overall goals of the Alpha Esquires program are for each member to strive for high scholarship and excellence, exhibit good leadership skills and maintain progress toward their life goals. The objectives of the Alpha Esquires are to:

·         PROMOTE CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT

·         INCREASE ACADEMIC AWARENESS

·         PROMOTE LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

·         OPERATE IN SOLIDARITY

·         ENGAGE IN SERVICE LEARNING

·         RAISE CAREER AWARENESS,

·         INCREASE ORAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS

·         ADVANCE SOCIAL AWARENESS





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  Program Thrust:

Though society tends to label the “Black Man,” we strive to tear down those barriers of disbelief by developing young-positive African American men intellectually, emotionally, culturally, spiritually, socially, as well as physically for passage into young adulthood… It’s all about the “Better Making of Men”…but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 1 Corinthians 13:11



The Facts Regarding Black Male Achievement

·         Every 5 seconds during the school day, a Black public school student is suspended.

·         Every 46 seconds during the school day, a Black high school student drops out.

·         A Black male is 700% more likely than a White male to be sentenced to a local, state, or federal prison.

·         The unemployment rate for Blacks ages 16-19 is 25 percent.

·         Every 5 hours, a Black youth is a homicide victim.

·         Of the black males that graduate from high school, only 45% will enroll into higher education             

(college, vocational, or trade school).

·         Of the black males that enroll into higher education, only 33% will complete that higher education.

·         Every day a Black child or youth under 20 commits suicide.

 

Program Initiatives:

The Alpha Esquires strives to reach their goals and objectives and overcome many of life’s challenges through these set program initiatives:

1.     Improve student’s academic performance.

2.     Encourage students to complete high school and pursue education beyond the high school level.

3.     Grow the next generation of leadership.

4.     Build responsible stewards as it relates to managing finances.

5.     Develop strategies to deal effectively with conflict resolutions and enhance problem-solving skills.

6.     Learn about responsible manhood, sexuality, and relationship issues.

7.     Discuss and understand spiritual disciplines and the spiritual gifts within.

8.     Participate in social activities that exhibit teamwork, creativity, discipline, and commitment.

(i.e. step shows, community service projects)

9.     Use stepping to encourage physical fitness & integration of wellness programs.


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Activities:

WORKSHOPS

Skills Development

Go-To-High School / Go-To College

Leadership Development

Project Alpha  Sex Awareness

Peer Mentoring Mediation

Physical Fitness Programs

Health/Wellness Programs

 

COMMUNITY SERVICE EVENTS

MLK Service Day Community Cleanup

March of Dimes Walk

Feed The Children

Breast Cancer Walk

God’s Kitchen

Community Outreach Events

 

 

SOCIAL ACTIVITIES

Mentor/Mentee Outings

Sporting Events

Step Shows

College Campus Visits

Area Youth Conferences

Scholarship Initiatives

Game Night/Bowling Outings

Family-Social Gatherings


Bro. Jason McGhee

Director of Educational Activities

Alpha Esquires LDP Advisor

517-980-1564

[email protected]



Bro. Ronnie McMillian

President – Eta Nu Lambda

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

616-516-1540

[email protected]


Bro. Michael Wade

Vice-President – Eta Nu Lambda

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

773-454-7632

[email protected]