Project Guide Right

Within our Guide Right framework is the basic training mechanism called Kappa League. The basic objectives of the Kappa Leadership Development League may be summarized as follows:
1. 1) To help youth, especially those of high school graduating classes, in their selection of courses leading to vocations compatible with their aptitudes and personalities.
2. 2) To assist students, while they are training, to get started in the employment, and to progress successfully in their chosen fields.
3. 3) To assist parents in the handling of their children by giving them the opportunities to talk over their problems with those who know and are successful in their chosen vocations.
4. 4) To afford the less fortunate youths a respite from the drudgery of the streets.
5. 5) To assist students through sponsored trips to ball games, zoological garden, museums, theater, and other activities.

Long-term Success Metrics

We operate under the motto of “What gets measured, gets done!” So we have metrics in place to help us measure our results and course correct our efforts along the way. We strive to inform our youth of the values of higher education, assistance available for continued pursuits, scholarships, loans, and professional opportunities, of current labor demands and the trends on the effect of these demands and trends on the labor market.

We measure program long-term success in the following ways:
1. 100% of participants are prepared to apply for college attendance.
2. 100% of participants understand their responsibilities to better their community and school environments.
3. 87% of participants have changed behavioral attitudes and do not enter the criminal justice system for any infractions.
4. Manatee and Sarasota County school officials recommend our program for appropriate students in their systems.
a. Program success monitoring program is as follows:
5. Conduct quarterly surveys from students.
6. Conduct quarterly surveys from parents.
7. Conduct one-on-one interviews with students semi-annually.
8. Receive feedback notes from students on each lesson/training event conducted.

Kappa Kamp – Dallas Texas (Paul Quinn College)

Last Summer we were able to send three students to Kappa Kamp in Dalla TX at Paul Quin College. Kappa Kamp is an enrichment camp that focuses on College Readiness, Business and Entrepreneurship, Financial Literacy and Team Building. The young men who attend Kappa Kamp acquire life skills through intensive workshops and learning through structured play activities. Campers are immersed in different backgrounds with a variety of cultural activities, field trips, and lectures.

The Mission is to offer a summer leadership program designed for students aged 12-16. This program aims to provide participants with the opportunity to acquire productive life skills through intensive workshops, learning through structured physical activities, enrichment camps and classes, and attendance at a variety of cultural and recreational activities, field trips, and educational lectures. This initiative is focused on fostering leadership development, personal growth, and educational enrichment among youth.

Our work is ongoing as we are fully aware that families are still recovering from the pandemic. Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, the Sarasota-Bradenton Kappa Alpha Psi Project Guide Right, Inc., and our members are committed to our families have a safe place to learn and play. We are successful because donations from generous donors like you help when it matters most.

Our students got a chance to participate in STEM activities that help them sharpen their skills in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.

Business Challenge

Another highlight of the Kappa Kamp was the business challenge event. Students came together and created business plans. The business plans were presented in front of several Fortune 500 business officials. This event was extremely rewarding for our students, mainly because all of our students are entrepreneurs at heart, so to get in front of a panel to present was amazing.

Corporate Visits

During the Kamp, our students got a chance to visit Google headquarters. Students got a chance to interact with corporate officials and they got a chance to see the latest Google technology and what to expect shortly.

Physical Education

was a major part of Kappa Kamp. Students got a chance to practice basketball, lacrosse, and swimming. In our community, our students focus on basketball and football, the main sport they are interested in playing. This year Kappa Kamp focused on Lacrosse and team basketball.

To conclude, we are extremely grateful for our students who participated in Kappa Kamp. We are even more grateful to our donors who continue to “Be The One” and believe in our foundation to continue to impact the lives of our youth.

On December 28, 2021, the good lord called our brother Steve Lewis home to glory and he transitioned to Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. chapter invisible. Steve’s legacy continues as he was honored a year ago at the State College of Florida Heritage House with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the opening of his very own personal exhibit at the Family Heritage House Museum on the campus of State College of Florida, Manatee Sarasota in Bradenton.

Mr. Lewis was born and raised in Manatee County and has made significant contributions to the history and growth of the Black community. He is one of the last surviving members of the world-famous Buffalo Soldiers and served in the U.S. 9th Calvary. “The opening of this exhibit and honoring the legacy of Mr. Lewis has been a dream of mine for some time”, says Keenan Wooten, the organizer of the event. “Steve has meant a lot to this community over the years and deserves his rightful place of honor as a pillar of the community”. Aaron Randall II, leader of the local Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. chapter also spoke with glowing remarks about Mr. Lewis.

“Brother Lewis was the organizer of our local chapter of this great fraternity. His actions lead to its formation, and he assumed the role of Polemarch/ CEO of the group. Due to his many efforts and sacrifices, the organization grew and is one of the most honored chapters in the international group”, Randall said.
At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Mr. Lewis was assisted by Mrs. Kathie Marsh, museum specialist of the Family Heritage House, to cut the ribbon to open the newest exhibit. The museum is an African American gallery and resource center located on the Bradenton campus of State College of Florida, focused on the value of knowledge of one’s heritage, and as an incentive to expand one’s continuing search for truth and understanding. The museum is devoted to the study and exploration of the contributions made by African Americans Continued throughout history.

Mr. Lewis’ exhibit consists of a bust, his original Buffalo soldier uniform, and other artifacts on display for public viewing. He and his family were very proud and honored for this public recognition and dedication to his legacy.
“I want to thank all those that made this day possible for me to see”, said Mr. Lewis. “Most folks receive their flowers when they are gone, but I am lucky to receive my flowers while I’m still able to see and smell their beautiful scent.
I want to thank my daughter, Jennifer, for all she does and all the other people who made this day possible, including my brothers of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Family Heritage House, Bank of America, Dave Franz on the history of Buffalo Soldiers, Dale Holbrook on the sculpture, and Northern Trust Bank,” he said.

This year on April 26, 2022, we humbly ask our community to participate in the Sarasota Community Foundation 2022 Giving Challenge and donate to Sarasota-Bradenton Kappa Alpha Psi Project Guide Right, Inc. to help us continue Steve Lewis’s Legacy. www.givingchallenge.org

Many people use the quote “our children are our future”, which could not be closer to the truth. But to make this an aspirational future for us all, we must pitch in and do the work to develop, nurture, and educate our children to provide the guidance they need. Good decision-making by our kids is not an easy task and we must provide the tools to help them along the way.

The Sarasota-Bradenton Project Guide Right Foundation is a strong believer in the biblical saying “raise a child in the way they should go and when they are older, they will not depart from it”. So, we strive to “Be The One” to step forward and provide learning lessons in that regard.

Each Friday the men of the Foundation journey to Manatee Elementary to provide life lessons and words of encouragement to the children. Our topics are meant to be fun, informative, interesting, and motivational to create a strong learning environment. We discuss with the youngsters topics such as Anti-Bullying, Self Esteem, Self-Discipline, Becoming a better student, Respecting Others, Building Your Own Brand, Academics & Sports, Law enforcement & You, and other meaningful topics.

This series of engagements is for the Spring semester and new topics will be created for the Fall semester. So far, the kids enjoy it, are learning, and are internalizing the lessons they hear according to their teachers. These interventions are critical for our young Black males as we all know the statistics that say if you don’t learn to read by the 3rd grade, your chances for success are greatly diminished as compared to other demographics.

We continue to “BE THE ONE” in our community and invite you to join in on the work & fun!