One Africa & U2 Concert

Over the course of my time working for Grassroot Soccer here in South Africa, there have been a number of occasions where the perks of working at the world-class Nike Football Training Center have made themselves apparent.  Whether it be access to track suits and tennis shoes supplied to us by Nike, being able to watch professional and international soccer teams train and play, or being able to meet the multitude of activist, policy makers, and celebrities who pass through to tour the facility during there time in Johannesburg.

Last week, we were told by the Cape Town headquarters that the one, the only, legendary, world famous, internationally acclaimed, globally renowned, universally extra-super-awesome-amazing band, U2, would be coming to the Nike Center before their big concert on Sunday.

So while I’ll admit that U2 isn’t necessarily one of the most frequently played artists on my ITunes, I was still excited for the opportunity to meet and liaise with Bono, the guitar player who always wears that same beanie, and the rest of the crew.

The morning they were supposed to arrive, Tizzy, AJ and I blasted U2 in the office and played our imaginary air guitars as our South African colleagues looked at us as if we had lost our minds. When the van pulled up to the center, we all peaked our heads out of the office to be amongst the first to catch a glimpse of the guys. Then, there they were. Out of the van stepped…a group of white people I didn’t recognize at all.

Turns out Bono wasn’t coming to the Nike Center, it was members of his advocacy organization One. Initially, we were disappointed. After being under the assumption that I was going to meet U2, meeting some policy advocates on international development seemed like the worst thing in the world. Turned out to be far from it.

While I had heard and read a bit about One, we ended up learning much more about the organization and their strategies on tackling the problems of global health, extreme poverty, universal education, and a multitude of other important initiatives.

Following their visit, we were invited to be guest the following Tuesday at the “One Africa Symposium: Economic Transformation Through Transparency and Technology.” The event brought together African leaders in economics, agriculture, development, and technology for an evening of thought-provoking discussions and impressive displays of how Africans are taking great strides in some of the continents most difficult problems. It reminded me of a TEDTalk. And I’m obsessed with TEDTalks, so to experience an event like this in person and have the opportunity to meet with some of the speakers at a reception afterwards was really great. More than anything, it was an incredibly inspiring event and definitely reinforced why we’re doing the work we’re doing.

Also, and unexpectedly, we were given two tickets to attend the U2 concert at Soccer City on Sunday night. And with none of our coaches or staff really knowing who U2 is, and with Tizzy frolicking down in Cape Town, AJ and I made our way down to the stadium to rock out with our favorite Irish superstars. I had never been to a concert quite like this one, but I have to say I enjoyed it.

Alphas in Joburg

When I entered college, I never really envisioned myself joining a fraternity. Not that I had anything against them, I just didn’t think it was something that fit my personality. Even amid the fact that most of the men in my family were members of Omego Psi Phi, and almost all the guys on my soccer team were members of Kappa Sigma, I didn’t think it was something I was that interested in.

That changed however, when I met the Alphas at Davidson. I was immediately impressed with all the guys and how it seemed like a group of motivated young black men who shared my values, stood up for what they believed in, dedicated themselves to service, and were just overall really about their business. For me, the opportunity to surround myself with a group of guys like that outweighed any apprehensions I initially had about joining a fraternity.

Phortue501A - My boys for life

Being a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity has had an immeasurably positive affect on my life since I joined my freshman year of college. It’s how I’ve met some of my best friends, been involved in some great service initiatives, and have also enjoyed my fair share of parties with the guys. But my appreciation for Alpha and what role it has played in my life has been reinforced over the past few weeks during my time with the Rho Phi Lambda Chapter of Alpha here in Johannesburg, South Africa.

I had heard rumors that there was an Alpha Chapter in Joburg before I came, but for some reason brushed it off as some sort of random fabrication. “Alphas in Africa? That’s just silly.” How wrong I was. So a few weeks ago, I found information about the chapter online, reached out to the guys, and was immediately and without hesitation brought into the family of Alphas living here in Joburg.

Joburg chapter being introduced at the National Convention last year

Through the guys I’ve been introduced to an assortment of really interesting people I never would have met before, and aspects of life in Joburg that I had no idea about before. And as much as I love the beautiful game, it also doesn't hurt that AJ and I now have a group of people to play basketball with on weekends.

Additionally, (I feel a bit spoiled by my timing) because last week the Alphas of Johannesburg hosted the National President of the fraternity, Skip Mason, and the entire board of elected officials within the fraternity. The guys from the US came across the Atlantic to officially charter the second chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha on the continent (there was already a chapter in Monrovia, Liberia).  To mark the occasion, amongst a series of other events, there was a dinner that was attended by nearly 200 people, of which the proceeds went to the African Leadership Academy and the Teboho Trust. Both great organizations doing amazing work.

The night was a lot of fun and reminded me of the reasons I joined Alpha in the first place. Good guys, worthy causes, and a good time. I’m excited that Alpha, which also has now has chapters in Europe, is extending its reach throughout the world, and I’m excited to be a part of it.

Sidenote - shout out to my boys at the Tau Omicron Chapter of APhiA for winning 1st place in the Davidson College Stepshow...no big deal