My parents exposed me to college life at a young age– we visited their alma mater’s homecoming festivities and they often told me stories of life as students at Jackson State University. During his college experience, my dad became a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and entered a brotherhood of excellence and service. My dad is a smart, wise, kind and humble man, so naturally, I believed all Alpha men were the same way; all that ones I’ve known personally have proven my theory to be true. One such man was my dad’s best friend, Ricky Shields.
He was more than just my father’s friend though, he was a brother and my uncle. I’m blessed to have five biological uncles, but none of them was more of an uncle to me than Uncle Ricky. He was supportive, loving, funny and one of the most charismatic people I’ve ever met. He also was a super Alpha man. I don’t think I ever saw Uncle Ricky without some type of AΦA paraphernalia on. He loved his fraternity and his brothers immensely, so today on their Founders Day (the first since his passing), I can’t help but think about how amped he would have been to celebrate 111 years of service.
I’m grateful for the Alpha men I’ve had in my life. Do you have any in yours?
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