Every year the reigning Mr. A&T hosts a week of programs geared towards the males of the university. This years programs, “The Ultimate Gentlemen Series” lasted for 3 days.
“It started as a vision,” said Reginald Johnson, Mr. A&T and senior professional theater major. “I wanted to reach out into the community to see how we could be an asset to younger males.”
The first night of the series started with “The Evolution of Man” with keynote speaker Anthony Rasheed Ali Cromwell, graduate of NC A&T.
“This program is for the development of the young African American male,” said Johnson. “It deals with the principles of leadership, mentorship and how to be a role model.”
Rather than a speech, Cromwell wanted to start the week off with an interactive workshop for the males. Cromwell guided the males through different scenarios with the common theme, “what is manhood?”
“His questions were really thought provoking and made us think about what we are doing as young males,” said Raquan Cotton, Mr. SUAB and junior accounting major.
The young men were able to share when they believed they became a man and also debate with one another about situations that made one another a man in society.
Cromwell made it a point to say that one doesn’t always have to be a part of an organization to make a difference. The A&T Four were first semester freshman, unaffiliated with any organizations, but made a huge difference in the world as young black males.
“If you had the choice to talk to any male in history, who would it be and why?” is just one of the questions Cromwell asked the males. Some answers were famous men such as Martin Luther King, Jr. and W.E.B. DuBois , who stressed the concept that the talented 10th should go out into the community educating and inspiring others. Cromwell left these young men with a task to not just be the average man but to be a true gentleman.
On the second night, A&T alumni Alex Ellis came speak about the proper way a male should dress. Male SGA leaders were called on to model different attire for business professional, casual and what to wear when going out. Ellis, who is also an author, gave detailed insight on what not to wear and the right way to wear a suit in the corporate world.
“I learned how to expand my horizons when dressing,” said freshman information technology major Tymal Apedo from Brooklyn, NY. “As males, we don’t always have to dress simple. We should dress so that we’re memorable without stepping outside of being professional,” said Apedo.
Ellis was also on hand with his book, Restoring the Male Image. Ellis spoke about not only maintaining an image on the outside but also on the inside.
“The two must match,” said Ellis. “Your character is what determines if you are a true gentleman.”
Besides the 3-day series, Mr. A&T added in another day where the gentlemen will go and see the play, “Knock Me A Kiss” in Roberson Theater. This will give a brief history and insight to the men of the Harlem Renaissance.
“I want these men to walk away from these programs inspired, motivated and focused on the true reasons why they came to college,” said Johnson. “The goal is to create the ultimate gentlemen.”
Mr. A&T’s next project will be gearing up for the Mr. HBCU pageant in St. Louis. His farewell will be this Sunday, February 17 in Harrison Auditorium at 3p.m.
- Victorri Taylor, Contributor