Over 400 Archons, Archousai, and guests from the Southeast Region (SER) participated in an educational and entertaining weekend, October 25-28, 2007, in Winston- Salem, NC. Utilizing the theme, “A Cultural Cornucopia, Appreciating Our Contributions to History, Education and the Arts,” inspired by its Grammateus Daniel Murphy and Sire Archon James A. Beaty, Jr. Gamma Kappa, the hosts for the 14^th SER Biennial Boule, provided their visitors with various venues and splendidly decorated settings that allowed them to experience the cultural highlights of their community known as the “the City of the Arts”. The offsite venues included tours of the City’s several-block area of the Downtown Arts District, the historical village of Old Salem with an emphasis on the African American influence, the Winston Salem State University (WSSU) Diggs Gallery’s Ethiopian art exhibit, the nationally recognized N.C. School of the Arts, and a bus excursion to the Childress Vineyards for a tour and wine tasting. The Archousai were royally treated to a luncheon that featured an accessory fashion show. They were humorously entertained by Actress/Comedienne Debra Singleton Terry.

Among the highlights of the weekend were the presentations on Friday by several young African Americans students in Gamma Kappa’s Career Mentoring Program at the Youth Focus Breakfast and members of the Winston-Salem Youth Arts Initiative at the evening Forum on the Plight of the Young African American Males. The Forum’s discussion was led by Gamma Kappa Archons Nigel Alston and Harold Martin, and featured panelists Ben Piggott, the Supervisor at the Sims Recreation Center, Nathan Ross Freeman, Director of Winston Salem Youth Arts Institute, Robert Stephens, President of WSSU student body, Donald Martin, Superintendent of Winston Salem/ Forsyth County System, Ruth Hopkins, Director of the charter school, Carter G. Woodson School of Challenge, Donnie Holt, Director of Student Services for Lexington, NC Schools, Benny Murrill, Forsyth County Service Center and Winston Salem Police Chief Pat Norris. Archon George Mims from Sarasota, Florida rounded out the panel of provocative speakers. (Include picture of Mentoring Group and both sides of the Panelist)

While there are some often-quoted myths about black males such as there are more black men in prison than in college classrooms (U.S. Census data in 2000 found that there were about 200,000 more black men in college than behind bars), Dr. Harold Martin, former Chancellor of WSSU, believes that we are still in an epidemic situation. He stated that black men are twice as likely to be unemployed as their white counterparts and nearly seven times more likely to be entangled in the criminal justice system. Another panelist, Donnie Holt, depicted a stool scenario that he envisions will help young black males overcome these hurdles. Holt stated that a massive stool having four legs, representing the family, school, church, and community, each working together, is needed to support our young people. Members of the Youth Arts Institute closed the forum with a performance that earned them a rousing ovation. (Include a picture of the group of Youth Arts Institute performers).

In keeping with the SER’s mission to focus on the Young African American males, Immediate Past Sire Archon Paul B. Mohr, Sr. of Phi Boule announced during the Saturday evening dinner program the three recipients of the SER’s Youth Development Awards. The three boules were Gamma Upsilon of Asheville, N.C., Kappa of Atlanta, Ga. and Gamma Kappa, the host boule. Each boule was awarded $2,000.00 checks for their programs. (Include picture: Representatives of Gamma Upsilon, Gamma Kappa, and Kappa with Award Checks).

Grand Sire Archon Cornell Leverette Moore administered the oath of office to the newly-elected SER officers, Sire Archon William A. Webb, Sire Archon-Elect Tom L. Larkin, Grammateus Clifton Johnson, Thesauristes Marvel Turner, Grapter Reginald Rigsby, Rhetoricos Lawrence A. Westley, Agogos Andrew Dixson and Immediate Past Sire Archon Paul B. Mohr, Sr. Grand Sire Archon also congratulated the Archons and Archousai of Gamma Kappa for providing a great Cornucopia Cultural Experience enjoyed by all during the 14^th Biennial SER Boule. (Include picture: SER officers being sworn in by Grand Sire Archon Cornell Leverette Moore).

 
                                                                    Eddie V. Easley,
                                                                    Grapter
                                                                    Gamma Kappa Boule