Way of Life Alumni Celebrate Unity and Commitment at Army vs. Air Force Game Weekend

My connection with the Way of Life Alumni brings me many blessings. One of them happened last weekend at the Air Force vs Army game. With some prompting of a few fellow grads like Rodney Bullard '96 and Prince Njoku and support for WOL president Shayla CantySmith , I put out an invitation to a low-key mixer to continue the work to build the Black Academy Alumni Network that got off to a great start at the #63tome event back on Parent’s Weekend.

We had a good time before, during, and after the game! The Way of Life Alumni Group (WOL) gathered after the game to strengthen our bond and celebrate the values of family and commitment to service. Richard Lewis '89 hosted a fundraiser for the Way of Life Committee (WLC) Cadet organization at his newly opened BIPOC Nonprofit Development Center called RTL Foundation in Denver. The event was a testament to the enduring spirit and camaraderie of the WOL alumni and their support of the WLC cadets, and we raised some money to fund their ongoing activities.

The gathering did not disappoint and brought out many of our bright stars spanning from USAFA class of 1977 through USAFA class of 2021. Among them were Charles Phillips ‘81, whose post-graduate achievements continue to inspire current students and alumni, and Xavier Streeter ‘81, who helps ensure WOL alumni are connected across the decades.

Rod Lewis Ph.D., Major General (ret.) U.S. Air Force ‘91 blessed the event, bringing with him the weight of his experience in both the private and public sectors. Loyd Bradley, Jr. and Cynthia M. Shelton were present at the event. Loyd is a recipient of the AOG's 2022 Young Alumni Excellence Award, and Cynthia has a successful career in Cybersecurity and Intelligence in the military and industry. Their presence reminded us of the rich history and foundation of WOL. Not to mention, Loyd was a former president of the Way of Life Alumni, while Cynthia was the president of WLC on the Hill!

And I was lucky to connect with my classmate Joycelyn “jo” Eason '98 and Nambia F. '99.

Special thanks are in order to the Way of Life Executive Committee and Board of Directors for their efforts in continuing to create community and supporting our grads near and far.?

Behind the scenes, I had the help of a small but mighty planning team of Prince Njoku ‘21, Demonte' Meeks ‘22, and Elijah Beauplan , whose efforts in putting this event together were essential to its success. This event, along with #63tome on Parent's Weekend, should help continue to create a stronger alumni network of color.

Elijah embodied the sentiment of the evening, remarking, "although we didn't win the game, it is a win that we are all here together." This statement resonated deeply, highlighting the essence of the gathering—not merely a celebration of a game or a fundraiser, but a celebration of shared experiences, mutual support, and the collective achievements of the Way of Life Alumni Group.

As the evening progressed, the air was filled with stories of past glories, current endeavors, and future aspirations. The experience highlighted the importance of the alumni network and unity in fostering personal and professional growth. Several more senior graduates had the opportunity to engage in meaningful mentorship conversations with younger alumni, initiating potentially enduring mentoring relationships.

The event was very successful, and it has set expectations for future gatherings. People are already excited about next year's Service Academy Game alumni meeting, which we will look to hold during the Navy vs. Air Force football game. Furthermore, it presents a chance for additional gatherings beyond these specified times, where we don't have to rely solely on games to unite us. Maybe there could even be another super reunion.???

This anticipation of the next get-together speaks volumes about the strength and vitality of the Way of Life Alumni community. As we look forward to cheering on our teams and reuniting with fellow graduates, it's clear that regardless of the game's outcome, the true victory lies in the unbreakable bonds of friendship and shared commitment to the Way of Life ethos.

The event ended early in the evening, so people could go to other smaller gatherings in Denver to keep connecting as they had done before, during, and after the game. Below are pics of some things happening around Denver over the weekend.

Looking forward to connecting again and with more fellow alums.