by Melissa A. Collett
Staff Writer
The Brothers Forum is not a club, organization or fraternity by recognition, but within itself it carries the qualities of all three.
The Forum consists of undergraduate minority males on campus who come together to voice concerns and support each other. Senior Simon Bouie, a founding father of the Forum, said the Forum is not a club, nor does it seek that recognition.
The Forum members provide motivation and encouragement to one another in order to help themselves. It has a constant membership and a purpose, as most organizations do, but it does not have a body of officers and the only advertising done is by word of mouth.
“We hope it’s a way of encouraging men to stay in school,” said Bouie.
The Forum is also a place where the members voice their concerns and get help from their peers in regards to being a minority student on and off campus.
The Forum’s motto is “Reaching out together to make it happen.”
“It helps keep the attention of the student on a positive level, it helps the student have an outlet,” said Bouie.
There is a strong unity and brotherhood between the members of the Forum. There is also a great deal of trust and respect.
“We’d like to take college men and make them stronger men, more independent men,” said Bouie.
The Forum began as an idea of Harvel Lewis, coordinator of minority affairs. In December 1992, Lewis brought together Robert Hill (‘93), Mark Vernon (‘93), Bouie, Emmett Terrell (‘70), superintendent of the Pomona Unified School District, and Dr. Robert Lewis, along with Dr. Len Hightower, dean of student affairs, and President Stephen Morgan. Harvel Lewis was also present.
“At the time it started we envisioned a support group for African American [students] on campus,” said Bouie. “It’s not just a matter of pride, it’s a matter of doing something good for the University.”
Even though it was designed towards African American males, there are members of different cultural backgrounds.
The meeting attendance so far this year has been very high. The Forum has grown slowly in the past two years, which has helped them create a legitimate program, keep the respect of the administration and gain trust between the members.
“It looks like we’re growing not only member-wise but in the quality of people coming out,” said Bouie. “Even if the membership declines, as long as the members are dedicated, numbers do not play a part.”
Bouie said that after he graduates, he would like to be able to come back to one of the meetings and see that the Forum is united, focused and trusting.
“One of the biggest goals for the Forum is to take college students that have a need and desire to improve themselves, and to help them accomplish that goal by ways of help in the group,” Bouie said.
“I’m very excited about this semester because of the interest and attendance by new students on campus,” said Harvel Lewis. “I believe it will continue to be a positive group on this campus.”
Listed in the Forum’s informational flyer as it goals is to “provide a vehicle for African American males to realize and achieve their highest potential. Another goal for the Forum is to organize tutors within the group to have the students helping each other.
Some of the activities the form undertakes include career counseling, values clarification, crisis intervention, perception validation and discussion of issues facing the African American male.
The Forum meets the first and third Wednesday of every month for dinner in the President’s Dining Room.
