Beautillion Militaire

Fraternity event caps yearlong program that helps usher boys into manhood

Across the world, past and present, boys become men in a variety of ways. In the Hamar tribe in Ethiopia, boys become men by jumping over a herd of cattle. In the South Pacific community of Vanuatu, boys become men by land diving – an experience similar to bungee jumping, but vines are used instead of bungee cord. In multiple African cultures, circumcision serves as a rite of passage for boys. The men of Kappa Alpha Psi introduce boys to manhood in a much gentler way by hosting the Beautillion Militaire.

This year, the Charlotte Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi, along with the Kappa Foundation of Charlotte, and the Zeta Delta Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi, sponsored the 37th Annual Beautillion Militaire on March 10 at UNC Charlotte. It began in 1976 as the brainchild of the late Dr. C.W. Williams, a local icon. The program now serves as a model for the fraternity’s chapters all across the country.

“This is our flagship program,” says David Taylor, the Kappa Beautillion chairman. The Beautillion (pronounced bō-til’yen) Militaire is an event that is the culmination of a yearlong program designed to help male high school seniors grow culturally, spiritually and intellectually. Over the course of their senior year, the young men receive instruction on etiquette and money management as well as health and sexuality. They also learn about career management skills including interviewing, as well as choosing and paying for college. The young men learn the value of giving back to the community by participating in community service events. This year, all 16 participants will be attending college. 

“We have a need for young black males to have role models and this program is one where we try to take young men from boyhood to manhood to prepare them for college and to prepare them for life,” says Taylor, who admits that adapting to the schedules of the participants was a challenge. “We wanted to make sure we could accommodate everyone’s needs,” Taylor explains.

In addition to workshops and beautillion preparation, the young men participated in mentor circles, where they had the opportunity to interact with Kappa brothers and mentors. Several prior beaus participated on their school breaks so current participants could receive sage advice from other young men in their own age group.

The Charlotte Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi was established in 1944 and currently has more than 100 members. The program is an opportunity for fraternity members to give back to the community. During the 37 years that the Beautillion Militaire has existed, it has provided more than $200,000 to more than 65 deserving young men. To participate in the program, young men must be high school seniors in the Charlotte area, serve as role models in their school and community, as well as earn average to above-average grades.

The Beautillion Militaire is the final event where the beaus and their families can celebrate the young men’s transition to college. The beaus have a fantastic bonding moment during the ballroom dance with their mothers. This year, the beaus also performed a dance routine choreographed by Tod Kubo. Scholarships are also awarded during the event. This past year, each young man received a scholarship to offset his college costs.

"We had a really strong group this year,” Taylor notes.