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On Thursday, December 19, 2024, Esquires and Mentors played an essential role in the annual Christmas Toy Giveaway, working alongside community members to make the event a success. We assisted with organizing, sorting, and distributing a diverse selection of toys and gifts to families in need, ensuring that each child received a thoughtful and meaningful gift this holiday season.

The Toy Giveaway not only spread holiday cheer but also reminded us all of the power of collective effort in making a positive impact. It was a beautiful example of how giving back can bring people together, strengthen bonds, and uplift those in need during the most wonderful time of the year.

On Saturday, December 14, 2024, in collaboration with Alpha Gamma Omega of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., we hosted a once-in-a-lifetime Meet & Greet with Dr. Jeanette Epps, a trailblazing NASA astronaut. The Esquires, along with participants from other local mentorship programs, engaged in a series of space-themed activities designed to inspire and educate.

• Attendees had the unique opportunity to meet and interact with two Black astronauts, including astronaut Christopher Huie, hearing firsthand accounts of their journeys in space and the challenges they overcame to achieve their dreams.

• The event featured a range of interactive workshops and discussions, offering valuable insights into the fields of aerospace and STEAM. Participants were encouraged to explore these fields and envision themselves in similar careers.

• Additionally, attendees had the chance to win exciting raffle prizes, adding a fun and engaging element to the experience.

By the end of the day, the Esquires left the event not only with lasting memories but also with a newfound sense of inspiration and possibility that will extend far beyond the event itself.

On Sunday, November 24, 2024, we participated in the Annual Turkey Giveaway in Carson, California. This event provided much-needed support to local families during the holiday season, with 100 turkeys, gift cards, and boxes of meals distributed to those in need. The Esquires were deeply involved in the giveaway, volunteering their time and energy to ensure the smooth distribution of these essential items.

Throughout the day, they not only gained a firsthand understanding of the challenges faced by many in their community but also experienced the joy and fulfillment that comes from giving back. For the Esquires, the event was a powerful reminder of the importance of service, especially during the holidays, and the impact that small acts of kindness can have on others. The experience left everyone with a greater sense of gratitude and a deeper commitment to making a difference in their community.

On Saturday, November 16, 2024, we hosted our 24-25 Annual Alpha Esquires Kickoff! Eleven Esquires were in attendance, and six new Esquires joined on the spot. The day was filled with meaningful interactions among the Esquires, parents, and mentors, featuring an engaging icebreaker, a discussion of the Esquires’ goals for the program, and a collaborative effort to compile a list of fun activities they’d like to participate in. The Kickoff was a resounding success, leaving everyone with a renewed sense of excitement and anticipation for the year ahead.

On October 15, 2023, the Alpha Esquires partnered with the Black Surfers Collective to participate in our very first Pan African Beach Day – An Intro to Surfing. An amazing time was had. Some of the boys had rarely frequented the beach and surely had never been on a surfboard. One of the missions of Alpha Esquires Inc. is to provide our mentees with experiences outside of their normal routine. Surfing was definitely an unique adventure which left each mentee eagerly awaiting their next lesson.

On September 23, 2023, we had our first workshop of the season, “The Definition of Manhood” facilitated by Taquan Stewart Phd. What an event! The classroom was packed and the energy was high. Dr Stewart had the boys participate in a fire writing session which resulted in them defining how they believed a man should behave. Through a series of poems and videos, the Esquires walked away with tools they could use daily. It was wonderful to see them work together to achieve a common goal.

On September 9, 2023, we had our 2023/2024 Alpha Esquires Kickoff! Twenty Eight Esquires were in attendance and five new Esquires applied on the spot. It was a great day of interaction with the Esquires, parents, and mentors, which concluded with the Esquires advising what career paths they would like to take, what they wanted to gain from the program, and compiling a list of fun activities they would like to do. The Kickoff was a grand success.

On August 5, 2023, the Esquires participated in a Paint & Sparkling Cider Sip, facilitated by Errol Cook Esq., at his art gallery Counsel & Canvas. Most of the Esquires had never held a paint brush before. Errol walked them through the class which resulted in them creating a piece inspired by Marvel’s Black Panther

One of the Education Enhancement Modules of Alpha Esquires is Financial Literacy and Investment, instructed by Jamelle Nelson, CPA. During the module, Jamelle provides an overview of the stock market and explains debt to income ratio. When the module concludes, the Esquires have an opportunity to make an investment of any amount they choose. The program design calls for Jamelle to educate the Esquires regarding their investment when their quarterly statements arrive. Esquires can opt out at any time.

The purpose is to provide the Esquires an opportunity to earn their own scholarship money while concurrently learning how to invest.

Pictured is Esquire Kelvin Andrews. Kelvin became an Esquire when he was in the 8th Grade. In the 9th Grade Kelvin participated in the Financial Literacy and Investment module, investing $100.00. In the Fall of 2023, Kelvin will be enrolled in the College of Business at Clark Atlanta University. On July 18, 2023, Kelvin cashed out his account with Jamelle and received a check in the amount of $4,833.34! That’s a pretty get return from a $100.00 investment!

The Esquires took their annual trip to the Pasadena Playhouse to enjoy live theater. This year we attended a viewing of the Pulitzer Prize nominated play “Stew”. Afterwards we had a debrief with the Esquires and it was amazing to hear their critical analysis of the play. Mentoring matters. Exposure to culture matters.