Alumni mentoring program under way at Virginia State University

At the outset of Col. William Bailey's career as a pilot in the Army's aviation unit in the early 60s, not many African Americans were flying in the military, let alone for commercial airlines.

Despite an environment steeped in racism and Jim Crow, Bailey was determined to fly.

Bailey's passion was kindled after one of his older brothers purchased a plane. Resolved to blaze a path few blacks had trod, he served a stint as a pilot in the Army and later transitioned his aviation skills into a civil career with Continental Airlines. He retired as a Boeing 747 captain.

Although he'd heard of the Tuskegee Airmen the country's first African-American military pilots who flew with distinction during World War II Bailey, a Virginia State University alumnus and member of the Alpha Phi Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., navigated his way through the maze of what was then a discriminatory industry.

He is now one of several mentors in VSU's new Alpha Phi Chapter Alumni of Kappa Alpha Psi Mentoring Program who are reaching out to younger Kappa brothers so they won't have to climb the ladder of success alone.

The program, in its first year, pairs Kappa alumni in various professions with undergraduate Kappa men at VSU to create both professional and personal bonds between the older and younger generations in hopes of opening doors for minority college students. Studies show that a positive mentoring relationship has a multifaceted impact on the lives of younger people.

The Kappa mentoring program grew out of a Friday night brainstorming session of Kappa alumni during VSU's 2007 Homecoming. The men, all successful in respective careers, debated how they could give back to their alma mater, says Dr. Harold T. Amaker, a VSU Kappa alumnus who is leading the mentoring program.

Their conclusion: Become mentors to their young fraternity brothers who may not be privy to the realities of "the real world."

"There are things going on that they would have no clue about," said Amaker, director of community relations at BMW, who has worked for more than 40 years in strategic planning, program design, and management and training development within the luxury automotive industry.

Amaker, who serves as dean of the Amaker Sales Institute, said while most large companies place perceived future leaders on a fast track to the top and pair them with powerful mentors, a disparity exists between the tracks taken by whites and blacks.

Citing a study by researcher David A. Thomas, Amaker said the fast track for selected white employees begins early, whereas it may take years for minorities to prove themselves worthy.

"We see so many times, that when kids in other schools get to companies, they hit the ground running," he said. "There's somebody in those companies that take a special interest in them and, of course, they tend to get the better jobs because they had a mentor. We want to give our brothers the same opportunity."

The goal of the mentoring program, Amaker said, is to help younger Kappa brothers focus on building skills and developing careers and self-awareness that will promote growth beyond perceived limitations. "This is a work that I want to see fulfilled by all Kappas," he said.

Building a network of professional support for younger students is crucial to the mentoring process, Amaker said.

Amaker says the mentoring program will provide support in five ways: open doors to challenging assignments to build competence; build trust between the mentor and protégé that can, in turn, enhance self-confidence; offer quality advice to keep the protégé on the right track; sponsor the protégé for important career opportunities; and support the protégé when he is faced with challenges based on race, gender or ethnicity.

Bailey has already developed a plan for his protégé: network, network, and more networking. That includes connecting his protégé, Isreal Dyson, a rising senior in VSU's ROTC program, with fellow members of The Organization of Black Airline Pilots. The program offers scholarships and programs for young, aspiring aviators.

Dyson, whose goal is to become an aviation officer, said Bailey is keeping him on track by connecting him with military and commercial pilots and giving him insight into the field.

"There are many things today that can lead younger people astray," Dyson said. "It's great to have someone there that can encourage you and teach you from their experiences."

"We want to give back to VSU students," Bailey said.

The Alpha Phi Chapter Alumni is planning a fundraising dinner at VSU on Oct. 24, during VSU's Homecoming, honoring VSU alumni and Kappa brother Billy Taylor, a renowned international jazz musician; and the late Reginald F. Lewis, one of the country's most successful business leaders.

Money from the event will go to the Kappa Alpha Psi Endowed Scholarship and a Kappa mentoring internship program. To become a part of the Alpha Phi Chapter Alumni of Kappa Alpha Psi Mentoring Program, contact Harold T. Amaker at .