BELIEVING & INVESTING
In Sigma’s Future Leaders
he international leaders of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. assembled in the nation’s Circle City: Indianapolis, Indiana to deliver on its promise to invest in the future of the Fraternity.
Over 100 collegians representing all seven regions arrived to participate in The Walter M. Clarke Institute, a two-day immersive educational experience designed to enhance their personal, professional and leadership skills and held at the Hilton Indianapolis Hotel & Suites.
Initially envisioned as an experience tailored to collegians, the planners pivoted and expanded the opportunity to provide training and development for alumni
and collegiate chapter leaders, collegiate advisors and Brothers aspiring to reach higher levels of involvement within the Fraternity. This group was represented by an additional 100+ Brothers.
The theme for the weekend, “DARE to BELIEVE: Empowerment in Action – A Movement, inspired Sigma Brothers on all levels to think larger, more confidently and intentional about their leadership goals, not just in the fraternity, but also their professional journey.
Hon. Bro. Chris V. Rey, J.D., International President planted the vision and charged the International Collegiate Affairs Council (ICAC) with the task of planning the
institute. Led by Bro. Monaleto C. Irby, International Director of Collegiate Affairs and Bro. Ethan McLean, International Second Vice President, the two was joined by both Collegiate Members-At-Large Bro. Arness Georgetown, II and Bro. Vanderbilt Thompson. To meet the charge, Bro. Dr. Tony Bolden, Chairman of The Sigma Leadership Academy joined the ICAC team and together developed a 3-day agenda that provided training and development, good fun and fellowship.
The institute was sponsored by JP Morgan Chase & Company, Good Health WINs and U.S. Army.
KICK-OFF
Institute participants arrived on Thursday, July 25th for the institute’s Kick-Off: Thursday Night Live. After Brothers Monaleto C. Irby and Tony Bolden welcomed attendees, along with official prayer to cover the gathering by Hon. Bro. Daryl A. Anderson, Sr., immediate past IED and greetings from Bro. Ethan McLean, International Second Vice President and Bro. Dr. Phillip “Flapp” Cockrell, current International Executive Director, Hon. Bro. Chris V. Rey gave the official opening for the kick-off and charge for the weekend.
An inspiring sizzle reel opened the evening with a recall of just who the historic Brother Walter M. Clarke
THURSDAY NIGHT LIVE & THE MAN BEHIND THE NAME:
Hon. Bro. Walter M. Clarke
was and the leadership possibilities that exist in Phi Beta Sigma with a reflection on the current ICAC Team as the example.
Hon. Brother Walter M. Clarke was a student leader at Zeta Chapter at Morris Brown College, chartered in January 1921. During World War I, when Phi Beta Sigma was only seven years old and most of its members were fighting for the country, Brother Clarke was elected National President at the 1921 Conclave. He was the first and only collegian to take up the charge. (You can check out the sizzle reel on www.phibetasigma1914.org )
DAY 1
Institute attendees continued arriving on Friday morning and absorbed the first full day of speakers and training sessions. Collegiate Advisors were provided a separate track of sessions, with topics developed specific to their role as advisors. Alumni members were provided the option of attending any session they desired.
Institute planners tapped a collegiate participant to open the day with prayer and collegiate members to introduce the General Session speakers throughout the weekend.
Chaz Jordan, Vice President, DEI Lead of Financial Health & Wellness
Creation for sponsor JP Morgan Chase & Company opened Day 1 with a session on personal finance budgeting and management.
Hon. Bro. Joshua A. Busby delivered a powerful and inspiring keynote address that was filled with memorable take-aways for Sigma Men to apply on their personal, professional and educational journeys.
General Session topics and presenters on Friday were:
• Creating an IMPACT On Your Campus, Bro. Dr. Lamar Hylton
• Rules of Engagement: Parliamentary Procedure Essentials for Future Leaders by Bro. Dr. Emmanuel Rowe
Breakout Session topics and presenters on Friday and Saturday were:
• JEDI…It’s More than an Acronym by Bro. Dr. Phillip “Flapp” Cockrell
• The Principles of Effective Communication by Bro. Dr. Tony
Bolden
• Navigating Crucial Conversations by Bro. Rashon Howard
• Developing Chapter Programming: Using the 12 Inch Rule by Bro. Kenneth Hodge, Jr.
Collegiate Advisor sessions on Friday were:
• The Role of the Collegiate Advisor by Bro. Dominique Hill
• The Collegiate Advisor’s Role with the Collegiate Chapter and University Policy by Esteemed Bro. Christopher Hinton
Bro. Irby inserted Stroll Breaks in the agenda to keep the energy flowing. The collegians requested their favorite tunes, while the brothers from the Southwest and Western Regions eagerly leading the way!
STROLL BREAKS
TOP GOLF FOR COLLEGIANS OUTING
Callaway Golf Company sponsored the Friday night fellowship at the local Top Golf Sports Center. Collegians and chaperones were provided transportation and enjoyed an evening of fellowship, food and golf to cap off the first night at the institute.
DAY 2
After a hearty breakfast and grace, Bro. Malwan Johnson, International Director of Social Action, opened the institute’s second day with a presentation for Good Health WINs, Phi Beta Sigma’s national service partner. Bro. Johnson advised the chapter leaders on the steps to securing funding for programs .
Bro. Brandon Brown led a general session on the critical topic “Crafting a Mental Health Culture for Your Chapter.” The session proved to be one of the most engaging and needed sessions for institute.
Collegiate Advisor sessions on Saturday were:
• The Role of the Collegiate Advisor’s Role in the Collegiate Chapter’s Recruitment Strategy by Bro. Monaleto C. Irby.
• Building Bonds: The Advisor and the Collegiate Chapter by Bro. Dr. Dominique Hill.
• Risk Management for Collegiate Chapters by Bro. Eric Hill.
The ICAC Team, along with Brothers Andrew Gyimah and James Johnson, III, were the featured speakers for “Collegiate Corner” a panel discussion that focused on collegiate-alumni relationship issues.
• The Collegiate Advisor’s Role in the Collegiate Chapter’s Effective Campus Engagement by Esteemed Bro. Christopher Hinton
The Hon. Bro. Micheal E. Cristal, closed the institute with a presentation that masterfully answered “How to Balance Leadership, Career & Family.”
