On Saturday, Feb. 24, the brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Iota Sigma Lambda Chapter, with sponsorship from the V.I. Board of Career & Technical Education (VIBCTE) and UVI Cell, successfully implemented the 2024 Alpha Phi Alpha Youth Leadership Conference at the University of the Virgin Islands’ Great Hall.
The conference hosted approximately 50 young male participants from various St. Croix schools and home-school programs. The highlights of the conference came through excellent, thought provoking, inspirational presentations made by distinguished guest speakers who shared their expertise on diverse topics such as:
- The importance of being a leader
- What would be your impact on the world?
- Empowering you to achieve your goals
- Avoiding life pitfalls
- Your social media footprint
- Go to High School; Go to College
- The importance of having a skilled trade and
- Financial literacy for beginners.
Conference organizers intentionally selected February in support of Career and Technical Education (CTE) month.
The objective of the conference was to inspire, educate and empower these young men by providing them with valuable insights and skills that can be utilized to navigate the challenges they may encounter during their academic and personal journeys.
The conference success was delivered by a panel of outstanding leaders, community members and organizations, which included Lt. Gov. Tregenza Roach, the Adjutant General of the V.I. National Guard Major General Knox-Limbacker, Honorable Chief Judge Robert Molloy, Dean of Students from the University of the Virgin Islands Colvin Georges Jr., Ph.D., the Executive Director of VIBCTE Anton
Doos III, the Executive Director of Disability Rights Center of the USVI Angus Drigo, UVI Cell Project Manager and Senior Pastor of Beulah AME Zion Church Aryann Glenn, WTJX Director of New Media Dino Fontaine, Ph.D., Pastor of St. Luke AME Church of St. Croix, and Chaplain of the VI National Guard Rev. Dr. Jermaine Mulley, Superintendent Department of Education Stefan Jurgen, Ph.D., and St. Croix Central High School Dean of Students Rameek Croskey.
Chapter President Frank Abednego thanked the heavy hitting panel of Virgin Islands leaders for their support and praised their ability to deliver such relevant and inspirational messages to our St. Croix students. He also expressed his sincere gratitude to community members, educational institutions and businesses for their support and looks forward to an even greater Youth Leadership Conference in 2025.
