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Over 100 youth in attendance at UC Davis for the 2nd Annual Western Province Kappa League Conference. Youth and mentors from all over California and some even neighboring states, participated in panels, collaborated in workshops, and bonded during the three-day event.

The Sacramento alumni chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. recently hosted the second Western Province Kappa League Conference at UC Davis.

The three-day event brought together 100 African American male youth and more than 30 mentors from the Sacramento, Berkeley, Pasadena, Roseville, Vallejo-Fairfield, San Fernando-Santa Clarita, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, Las Vegas, San Jose, Phoenix, and Seattle chapters for a weekend of workshops, panels and bonding activities June 30-July 2.

During a Black media panel, acclaimed actor and National Kappa League TV spokesperson, John Marshall Jones spoke to representatives from CW31, CBS13 and ABC10 about their careers and the importance of African American representation in the newsroom. OBSERVER President and Publisher Larry Lee also was among panel participants.

Zy’ier Williams, 17, standing among many of his peers before transitioning to a STEM-related group exercise involving solar cars. Carl Tyler, COURTESY PHOTO

Other sessions included College Prep 101, Youth and the Law, Military Careers, Motivational Session, Kickback with The Undergrads, a Mindfulness Presentation, and a two-day mini solar car build and race.

The STEM solo car exercise was the highlight for Zy’ier Williams, a 17-year-old rising senior and member of the San Fernando-Santa Clarita Kappa League chapter.

“That’s when I fully met some people from different chapters and bonded with them,” said Williams.

In a surprise video message played Saturday morning, Gov. Gavin Newsom offered participants words of inspiration. “Listen to yourselves. Trust your gut and when in doubt, ask your mentor,” Gov. Newsom said.

Young men work together fabricating and constructing the elements to a small scale solar car as part of the many exercises hosted at the Kappa League Conference. Carl Tyler, COURTESY PHOTO

Sacramento was honored to host the conference after attending the inaugural event last year at CSU Los Angeles, said Mark Havener, conference chair and Sacramento Alumni Guide Right director. “We could not be more happy with the event’s success,” he said. “Our young men were immersed in a full college experience: living in dorms, eating in the cafeteria, and taking classes presented by professionals who looked like them. This would not have been possible without the support of the other participating chapters, our Province leadership, and the incredible assistance of the staff and faculty at UC Davis.”

UC Davis Chancellor Gary May, the campus’ first African American chancellor, shared his story of growing up in St. Louis. He told the young men that the university was looking for students with their backgrounds.

UC Davis Chancellor Gary May, UC Davis’ first Black chancellor, delivers inspiring words to the young cohort. Carl Tyler, COURTESY PHOTO

“We need your energy, your intellect to find solutions to the world’s more pressing problems,” May said. “We need a spirit of public service from you to build a strong, more equitable nation and nation of communities.”

Western Province officers Senior Province Vice Polemarch Fred Roots, Guide Right Chair Shannon Faulk, and Kappa League Director Anthony Lee were also in attendance.

The weekend was possible with support from several organizations, including UC Davis, AES and the Solano Community Foundation, Liberty Dental Plan, and Critical Role.