Members of Alpha Phi Alpha and distinguished speakers at the Youth Leadership Conference, University of the Virgin Islands, St. Croix. Photo Credit: ALPHA PHI ALPHA
The University of the Virgin Islands’ Great Hall on Saturday, Feb. 24 was the venue for the Alpha Phi Alpha Youth Leadership Conference, hosted by the Iota Sigma Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Sponsored by the VI Board of Career & Technical Education (VIBCTE) and UVI Cell, the event attracted around fifty participants from local schools and home-school programs.
The conference, aligned with Career and Technical Education (CTE) month, aimed to inspire and educate young men through discussions on leadership, personal impact, goal achievement, and financial literacy, among other topics. Distinguished speakers included Lt. Governor Tregenza Roach, Major General Kodjo S. Knox-Limbacker of the V.I. National Guard, and District Court Chief Judge Robert Molloy, offering insights into their personal and professional experiences.
Interactive sessions covered a wide range of subjects from the importance of a skilled trade to navigating social media responsibly. Disability Rights Center of V.I. Executive Director Angus Drigo and V.I. Career & Technical Education Board Executive Director Anton Doos III, contributed with talks on financial literacy and innovative programs like virtual reality, respectively.
Frank Abednego, chapter president of Alpha Phi Alpha, commended the esteemed panel for their meaningful contributions and thanked the community for its support. The conference's success has set a positive precedent, with Abednego already anticipating an even more impactful event in 2025.
This year’s leadership conference underscored the fraternity's commitment to fostering leadership skills and academic excellence among young men in St. Croix, promising ongoing support for their development and empowerment.
