When these middle and high school students step into Arlington and Grand Prairie city council chambers, they are not just observing local government — they are learning how to lead it.
Dressed in matching blazers and carefully tied neckties, these young men are part of the Kappa League, a youth mentorship initiative operated by the Arlington-Grand Prairie Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. and its philanthropic arm, the Arlington-Grand Prairie Guide Right Foundation.
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Led by local chapter polemarch — essentially president — Benjamin “Chip” Bryant Jr., the organization of about 125 members connects adult mentors with young men starting as early as the sixth grade.
“A lot of these young men are underprivileged,” Bryant said. “Sometimes, if you haven’t seen something, you haven’t been exposed to something, you don’t know something.”
The local Kappa League program sees mentors conduct year-round regular workshops about life skills, financial literacy, professional etiquette and civic responsibility. Practical experiences range from learning about chivalry and proper attire to critical safety instruction on how to conduct oneself during law enforcement interactions.
Civic engagement remains a central pillar of the curriculum.
Mentors bring students to local government meetings, where elected officials encourage nonpartisan participation in voting drives.
Community service efforts also include neighborhood street cleanups, elementary school welcome-back events and an annual holiday turkey drive conducted in partnership with Sunset Baptist Church in Grand Prairie.
For high school seniors, the mentorship culminates in the Beautillion, a signature rite of passage chaired for over 15 years by board member Reggie Gerald. The program provides practical guidance on college transition, time management and career options.
Graduating Kappa League members dance with their moms during the organization’s annual Beautillion. (Courtesy | Arlington-Grand Prairie Guide Right Foundation)
Whether students choose a four-year university, a community college trade school or the military, chapter members with relevant experience help guide the young men into making their decision.
“When you’re making an intentional effort to do good for someone else, it feels good,” Gerald said. “It’s especially rewarding when those same individuals who I met back in 2011 through our program are now members of our fraternity and members of our chapter. In some cases, it’s like coming full circle.”
To make higher education feel tangible, mentors organize multiday bus tours to colleges across the region, allowing students to tour campuses, meet university staff and attend games. Students also participate in regional summer leadership programs such as Kappa Camp at Paul Quinn College.
The high school program concludes with a formal black-and-white ball featuring a mother-son dance, where high school graduates are introduced to society and awarded scholarships.
Fundraising for these initiatives comes from partnerships and events. Corporate sponsors like Spring Creek Barbeque, H-E-B and Coca-Cola support the foundation alongside signature fundraisers like the annual Byron Williams Golf Tournament, named after the former NFL player and chapter member, and student-led pancake breakfasts.
Because chapter members volunteer their time and absorb administrative expenses internally, 100% of public donations and corporate sponsorships go directly to youth programming, college trips and scholarships.
Joseph Morgan is a contributor and former reporting fellow for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at joseph.morgan@fortworthreport.org.
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