|
 Student African American a
Brotherhood (SAAB) creates a positive peer community of
upwardly mobile African American young men based on a commitment to
a spirit of caring. Tyrone recognized that in order to care for
others, one must care for oneself, and that this is the key to
social responsibility. He also realized that the only ones who
credibly communicate and illustrate this message to African American
males are their peers. Therefore, SAAB is structured to help these
young men self-organize around the principle “I am my brother’s
keeper, and together we will rise.”
SAAB distinguishes itself
from other minority student programs in three ways. First, its
success rate: 86% of its members graduate from college, compared to
a national average of 42% among black men. Second, to be a member
one must accept the charge to be a role model. SAAB members are
polite, sincere, hardworking, and encouraging because they know that
this is counter to the popular but offensive image of young black
men in America. Furthermore, members are required to tutor and
mentor high school students as a way to seed the same caring spirit
that SAAB seeks to instill in them. Compared to other fraternal
organizations geared towards the same population, SAAB maintains
strict membership requirements unrelated to entertainment or sports.
Indeed, campus chapters must adhere to annual membership
requirements to remain part of the national network. Campus chapters
form when a 15 member student leadership steering committee gains
school/institutional endorsement/support and participates in a three
(3) month training program. Paid dues make these trainings possible.
Weekly study groups, business meetings and support of volunteerism
and community involvement are other requirements of all SAAB
chapters.
|
