Southern Fall/Winter 2022

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