Southern Fall/Winter 2022
A Publication for Alumni and Friends
A Publication for Alumni and Friends
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(l to r) Tre Butler, Matt Dale, and Dr. Brandon Brown<br />
“The Black Male initiative is like a brotherhood to me.<br />
It is an organization where me and other young Black<br />
males can be vulnerable, show love to each other, and<br />
encourage each other to have a positive mentality.”<br />
In <strong>2022</strong>, the Black Male Initiative at Birmingham-<strong>Southern</strong><br />
College welcomed its inaugural class, providing a space for<br />
mentorship and growth among Black men on campus.<br />
The inaugural class included senior Byron Millsap,<br />
sophomore Elijah Ealey, senior Jordan Jones, sophomore<br />
Kyle Kimble, sophomore Demarcus Sweet, Tre Butler ’22,<br />
Reece Weaver ’22, junior Matt Dale, sophomore Jon Lewis,<br />
junior Kendall Johnson, and Kobe Martin ’22, who all<br />
worked closely with Dr. Brandon Brown, former associate<br />
dean of students, to form the organization. Students were<br />
inducted into the organization last May.<br />
Through meetings and social gatherings, the Black<br />
Male Initiative focuses on academic, emotional, social,<br />
professional, and personal well-being, fostering fellowship,<br />
mentorship, and support during the college experience.<br />
“I saw it as an opportunity to connect with my fellow<br />
Black male peers and saw the potential positive impact<br />
this group has not only on the Black males on campus,<br />
but the Black student population on campus as well,”<br />
says Weaver. “I valued my experience within the BMI as<br />
it provides an outlet for us to talk and relate with one<br />
another on a more personal level, which I believe guides us<br />
all in the right step to succeed.”<br />
For Johnson, joining the initiative was important<br />
because it presented a place for students and young men<br />
like him to received guidance on navigating life at BSC<br />
and the world after college.<br />
“In our world, the Black male is sometimes viewed as<br />
less than, and it was very important for me to join a space<br />
where Black males could be vulnerable about their daily<br />
experiences in life, especially here at a predominantly<br />
white institution,” Johnson says. “The Black Male<br />
initiative is like a brotherhood to me. It is an organization<br />
where other young Black males and I can be vulnerable,<br />
show love to each other, and encourage each other to<br />
have a positive mentality.”<br />
Reflecting on his time at BSC and his gratefulness for<br />
the initiative during his final year, Butler says that, as a<br />
transfer student during his junior year, he got involved on<br />
campus in as many ways as he could. During Black History<br />
Month in <strong>2022</strong>, when Head Track Coach Kenneth Cox<br />
reached out to him about the opportunity, he made plans to<br />
attend the first Black Male Initiative meeting.<br />
“I saw or knew of most of the guys in our group, but<br />
didn’t really ever speak to them before then,” Butler says.<br />
“Usually, when there’s a meeting with a group of people,<br />
students are quiet and don’t volunteer to speak. The first<br />
meeting we had was supposed to probably go on for about<br />
one hour I assume, but it went for about two or more<br />
hours. I felt the most comfortable I’ve ever felt in a group<br />
of people. I felt like I could express myself and speak about<br />
how I felt and that they would understand me.”<br />
FALL/WINTER <strong>2022</strong> / 25