Brother Spotlight
Kentale U. Morris Sr.
Brother Kentale U. Morris was born on December 28, 1981 to Mr. and Mrs.Glenn and Joan Morris in Chicago, Illinois. Bro. Morris would call it “The Southside!” Growing up, Bro. Morris was exposed to the medical profession at a young age by family and friends.This drove his desire to be a medical doctor specializing in surgery and connecting on his passion for helping and enhancing the lives of others. His parents always told him, “in order to be a successful doctor, lawyers, whatever, you have to know how to run a business.” That was valuable advice and over time he found his niche in the business world.
Bro. Morris decided to move to Minnesota to attend college. He was accepted into the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities for higher education. He graduated in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Food and Business Management and later continued his education by attending the Carlson School of Management to receive his Master of Business Administration graduating in Spring 2012.
While attending the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Bro. Morris participated in many community organizations and held leadership roles and positions such as mentoring young high school students and was a part of APEX, an organization that partnered with local schools and brought them on campus to learn about the college experience, attend classes, build relationships, and gain insight on what it takes to succeed on a college campus.
As a student, he learned about Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated and decided to pursue membership. He was initiated in March 2001 through the “Mighty” Mu Chapter. When asked, why Alpha? Bro. Morris responded, “When I moved to Minnesota from Chicago, I did not know much about fraternities. I knew a little about Omegas due to family ties and some sports connections. I didn’t see myself in that fraternity. I went through a program similar to Project Alpha while in high school. While attending the smoker in undergrad, I met some guys who I started to get to know and some current Alphas like Bro. Davenport, Bro. Osei, and Bro. Ward. Those brothers supported and helped me get grounded as a freshman on the campus.
Bro. Morris also has a brother that was initiated into the fold, Bro. Richard A. Morris, Illinois State University, Eta Tau Chapter, Spring 2006.
Bro. Morris has served in many positions since becoming a member of Alpha. He served as the Mu Chapter's Vice President and Community Chair, contributing to the development of social events, study sessions, and other on campus community building activities such as an event he recalled entitled “Midnight Breakfast”. Through Gamma Xi Lambda Chapter he served on the Retention & Engagement Committee and Education Committee and is currently supporting Project Alpha.
Bro. Morris decided to move to Minnesota to attend college. He was accepted into the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities for higher education. He graduated in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Food and Business Management and later continued his education by attending the Carlson School of Management to receive his Master of Business Administration graduating in Spring 2012.
While attending the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Bro. Morris participated in many community organizations and held leadership roles and positions such as mentoring young high school students and was a part of APEX, an organization that partnered with local schools and brought them on campus to learn about the college experience, attend classes, build relationships, and gain insight on what it takes to succeed on a college campus.
As a student, he learned about Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated and decided to pursue membership. He was initiated in March 2001 through the “Mighty” Mu Chapter. When asked, why Alpha? Bro. Morris responded, “When I moved to Minnesota from Chicago, I did not know much about fraternities. I knew a little about Omegas due to family ties and some sports connections. I didn’t see myself in that fraternity. I went through a program similar to Project Alpha while in high school. While attending the smoker in undergrad, I met some guys who I started to get to know and some current Alphas like Bro. Davenport, Bro. Osei, and Bro. Ward. Those brothers supported and helped me get grounded as a freshman on the campus.
Bro. Morris also has a brother that was initiated into the fold, Bro. Richard A. Morris, Illinois State University, Eta Tau Chapter, Spring 2006.
Bro. Morris has served in many positions since becoming a member of Alpha. He served as the Mu Chapter's Vice President and Community Chair, contributing to the development of social events, study sessions, and other on campus community building activities such as an event he recalled entitled “Midnight Breakfast”. Through Gamma Xi Lambda Chapter he served on the Retention & Engagement Committee and Education Committee and is currently supporting Project Alpha.
Professional Career
Right after undergraduate, Bro. Morris was offered a position and started with Land O’Lakes, Inc. in Minneapolis. He is currently a Sales Manager and celebrating 17 years with Land O’Lakes in 2021. He co-led the African Ancestry Employee Resource Group which worked on building communities in a space like Land O’Lakes, allowing people to be candid and comfortable to be themselves. They partnered with community organizations to do school drives, book drives and holiday drives like the Phyllis Wheatley Community Center in North Minneapolis and the Dorothy Day Center in St. Paul. He works with the HR Recruitment and Developments teams to locate, hire, develop and promote employees at Land O’Lakes.
Fondest Memory
- Being a part of the Mu Chapter step team when they won the 2003 Midwest Regional Convention competition.
- When he participated in his oldest son, Kentale II crossing ceremony during the Spring 2021 semester at Fisk University in Tennessee, Alpha Chi Chapter and one piece of advice that he gave his son when he dropped him off to college, and that was “You better not come back home wearing red.”
Lesson Learned
“Simple gestures can have life long, positive impacts. Brothers who act as my mentors allow me to pass on those stories and life lessons to the next generation of leaders.”
Advice
“Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated needs you! Bring your ideas, humor, quirks, and talents. You make Alpha great. Get involved and stay engaged.”
Hopes and Dreams for Gamma Xi Lambda
“We have a wealth of phenomenal brothers here in Minnesota. I hope that we can continue to reclaim and engage a greater number of our local members, expanding our presence and elevating the chapter’s success.”
Bro. Kentale Morris Sr. currently lives in Woodbury, Minnesota with his wife of 16 years, Dr. Kristin Morris, who owns her own consulting firm, focused on Performance Improvement for organizations and individuals. Their wonderful children include Kentale II (20), Kamaal (16), Kaylah (10) and Kya (4). He enjoys watching sports, playing basketball, reading business articles and just being a life-long learner.
Bro. Kentale Morris Sr. currently lives in Woodbury, Minnesota with his wife of 16 years, Dr. Kristin Morris, who owns her own consulting firm, focused on Performance Improvement for organizations and individuals. Their wonderful children include Kentale II (20), Kamaal (16), Kaylah (10) and Kya (4). He enjoys watching sports, playing basketball, reading business articles and just being a life-long learner.