Building community: Beautillion Militaire seeks to mentor and grow strong young men

There are amazing things happening in South St. Petersburg – things that contribute to building community. This is just one of them we have come across recently. Some 27 young men -- high school junior and seniors -- are participating in a program of mentoring, lectures, workshops, and cultural activities designed to give them a positive outlook on life.

The program will culminate with the Beautillion Militaire Creme de la Creme Scholarship Ball, a formal affair that recalls the tradition of the cotillion or debutante ball in which young women are introduced to their community. The event will be held beginning at 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 9 at the Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront.

The St. Petersburg Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority is organizing the project that sessions on college preparation, building one's personal brand, discovering leadership skills, effective relationships with law enforcement, spiritual transitions from boyhood to manhood, proper etiquette, proper dress, African American history, and more. April 9 7 p.m. Hilton Bayfront.

The organization and its foundation, the St. Petersburg Chapter Alumnae Education Services, is raising money to provide scholarships to the young men in the program. You can support the program through a sponsorship or buying an ad in the scholarship ball program. Sponsorships include a Platinum at $1,000 or more, Gold from $750 to $999, and Silver from $500 to $749. Deadline is March 4. For more information contact Tamaira Heyward or Kathy Cason at (727)-228-0096, or email at dstbeautillion@gmail.com.

We received the text of a letter by one of these young men that gives you an idea of their hopes, dreams, aspirations, and, indeed, their caliber. The letter is below:

My name is Kasamba Mosi Kokayi. I am a student at the St. Petersburg Collegiate High School. I plan on getting a Masters in Engineering after pursuing a Bachelors of Arts degree and studying abroad in a foreign country like Brazil. Currently, I am an honors student and I volunteer weekly with Junior Achievement. I am also the Vice President of the Multicultural Committee of St. Petersburg Collegiate High School and a certified Lifeguard and Microsoft Specialist. My most recent achievement includes the Dr. Mac J. Williams award for academic excellence among African Americans by St. Petersburg College. 

I am writing to request your donation to an important cause, the Beautillion Militaire, which I am a part of. This program immerses high school youth, such as myself, in study, practice and discussion regarding our growth and role as men of color and many other forms of social and professional etiquette that will help us throughout our lives. I enjoy this program and would love to see other youth participate in it as well. It would teach them essential life skills that many high school aged youth would otherwise not have the opportunity to learn. I’m confident that it would benefit them as much as I know it has me.

It is gratifying and inspiring to see these young men making the transition into manhood in such a fine style. It bodes well for the future of our community.