CHESAPEAKE — Al Alexander knows the importance of a good mentor. He’s had them all his life from his father, to career mentors, to his pastor. Most had the same message: Always do what’s right, not what’s easy — even when it’s unpopular.
The longtime educator, an assistant principal at Western Branch High School, has carried that message forward.
Alexander is the chair of the New Chesapeake Men for Progress Educational Foundation, which provides scholarships and mentoring to students in the division. He recently won the H. Councill Trenholm Memorial Award from the National Education Association, “honoring his outstanding work to help eliminate inequities based on race or ethnicity from public education.” About 40 other applicants were considered.
The foundation grants 29, $1,000 scholarships to graduating Chesapeake seniors. Most go to the top three Black male students at the division’s seven high schools. The remaining awards are open to all students, focusing on those pursuing careers in the arts, trades or education and those attending historically Black colleges and universities.
Alexander said news reports are often filled with negative news about Black youth, particularly boys. He also attends truancy hearings and sees too many in the court system; he believes mentoring can help keep the students out of trouble.
“We like to put a spotlight on the students that are doing wonderful things,” he said about the foundation, which he has been involved with since it was founded in 2010.
The foundation’s mission aligned with many of Alexander’s values, and he was drawn to the work. He considers founder William E. Ward one of his mentors. Ward, a former Chesapeake mayor, died in 2018.
Alexander mentors through several programs, including a partnership with the foundation and the Chesapeake Redevelopment and Housing Authority. Some of his work is helping students earn their GED diplomas; some of his guidance centers around character-building and includes taking students on fishing trips or watching an athletic event.
The mentoring resonates with Lafayette Robinson, a rising senior at Norfolk State University. Robinson received a foundation scholarship a few years ago and is still involved with the group. He attended last month’s scholarship breakfast honoring this year’s recipients.
Robinson, who graduated from Great Bridge High School in 2021 with a 4.2 GPA, is pursuing a degree in middle school education.
“I fell in love with helping the youth, being that role model, that safe space basically,” he said.
Robinson said he was grateful for the scholarship. He didn’t want his family worrying about funding his education.
“Every scholarship mattered,” he said.
Alexander said the NEA award reflects the work of everyone involved with the foundation. The group also supports some elementary schools with high populations of low-income students with things such as buying school supplies. The group has supported the community with nearly $230,000 over 16 years.
Nour Habib, nour.habib@virginiamedia.com
Most Popular
Comments / 0