This year, the Madison-area chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the Mu Eta Lambda chapter, created awards for students that honor the life and legacy of local civil rights leader Frank Humphrey. The Youth Leadership Award and Academic Excellence Award recognize and celebrate the outstanding contributions of young leaders who have demonstrated exceptional leadership skills, a commitment to social responsibility, and academic excellence.
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (ΑΦΑ), the oldest intercollegiate historically African American fraternity, has honored Darius Thomas, who recently graduated from Madison West High School, and Sodik Gbamassi, who recently graduated from Vel Phillips Memorial High School.
Gbamassi is the recipient of the Frank Humphrey Academic Excellence Award which is presented to an outstanding student who has demonstrated exceptional academic achievement, dedication to their studies, and a commitment to excellence.
“Sodik Gbamassi’s academic record, leadership qualities, and contributions to his school community truly set him apart,” Adesi says. “This award is a testament to his hard work, determination, and the positive impact Sodik made on both his peers and educators. We believe his dedication to learning will undoubtedly lead to future successes, and we are honored to recognize Sodik’s accomplishments with this award.”
Frank Humphrey was a long-time civil rights leader, a leader within the NAACP, and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. who passed away on Aug. 1, 2022.
“Frank Humphrey was a great leader in the Madison and Beloit communities. He was very involved in civil rights and very involved in his church,” Adesi says. “He was a leader in the NAACP and a longtime member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. He was a true leader and a very intelligent and inspiring man.”
From 1998 to 2010, Humphrey served as one of 17 members of the NAACP Executive Committee under the leadership of the legendary civil rights icon Julian Bond. He served as NAACP National Board assistant treasurer and chairman of numerous national NAACP committees. His service also included being designated the National Board Appointed Administrator for NAACP branches in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Las Vegas, Nevada and Charlotte, North Carolina.
Humphrey also served as the Jurisdictional leader (Worshipful Grand Master) for Prince Hall Masons for Wisconsin.
Nominations for the Youth Leadership Award and Academic Excellence Award dedicated to Humprey first opened up to students in spring. Selections were made by the Mu Eta Lambda chapter in summer.
“We just recently held the celebration with our presentation of the awards honoring two recipients this year with Frank Humphrey Awards,” Adesi says. “But in the future, the goal is to make it a bit more robust event ceremony and make sure that this award is really as prestigious as the man we were able to name it after.
“The goal of these awards are to honor our youth under the name of such a great leader like Frank Humphrey,” he adds. “He stood for a lot and we love to see our young men in the community standing for the same thing.”
