Brother Spotlight
Levi (Lee) Brady
It was the summer of 1957, and 18-year old Levi Brady left his hometown of Kirkwood Missouri and headed “North” to Minneapolis, and the University of Minnesota. This move was in fact a directional-difference, of 180-degrees from the move that he had contemplated as a student at Kirkwood High school. During those formative years, he had been so impressed with his family doctor and the stories that the doctor told about Meharry Medical College, that the young Levi Brady was certain that he would head “South” from Missouri to Tennessee, where he would enroll in either Fisk University, or Tennessee State University.
Since his ambition was to become a physician, he was certain he would enroll in Meharry Medical College, and follow in the footsteps of his family physician. As far as Levi was concerned, his life-path was clear and fully anticipated. That is, except that “Life”, itself, had another “undebatable” path in store for him. This different path was delivered by his father. You see, Levi’s older sister had graduated from the University of Minnesota and was living in Minneapolis. So, his father said that Levi, too, would go to college at the U of M. “My father was not the type of person that would debate something.” So, his direction was set. Upon graduation from Kirkwood High, Lee Brady would be, North-Star bound for the University of Minnesota.
Since his ambition was to become a physician, he was certain he would enroll in Meharry Medical College, and follow in the footsteps of his family physician. As far as Levi was concerned, his life-path was clear and fully anticipated. That is, except that “Life”, itself, had another “undebatable” path in store for him. This different path was delivered by his father. You see, Levi’s older sister had graduated from the University of Minnesota and was living in Minneapolis. So, his father said that Levi, too, would go to college at the U of M. “My father was not the type of person that would debate something.” So, his direction was set. Upon graduation from Kirkwood High, Lee Brady would be, North-Star bound for the University of Minnesota.
“College Years Swiftly Past”
Levi enrolled at the University of Minnesota in the fall of 1957. He pursued a pre-med curriculum, but added courses in economics along the way. However, after only two weeks on campus, he received the news that his father had died of a heart attack, at the age of 62. His father’s death had a profound effect on his life, not only as an 18-year old college freshman, but it would influence important decisions later in his life.
From the beginning of his matriculation at the U of M, Lee always worked to put himself through school. There were several stops and stalls in Lee’s college career due to financial shortcomings. During college, Lee also got married and a three-year stint in the U.S. Army, after which he went back to the U for his final year and graduated in 1966.
“I was determined that I was going to get out of school“. There was, however, one more change of course. While still pursuing his pre-med curriculum, he added courses in economics to the mix. So, in the end, he decided to change from Pre-Med to Economics. Thus, he received his bachelor’s degree and he headed for a career in the Business World.
From the beginning of his matriculation at the U of M, Lee always worked to put himself through school. There were several stops and stalls in Lee’s college career due to financial shortcomings. During college, Lee also got married and a three-year stint in the U.S. Army, after which he went back to the U for his final year and graduated in 1966.
“I was determined that I was going to get out of school“. There was, however, one more change of course. While still pursuing his pre-med curriculum, he added courses in economics to the mix. So, in the end, he decided to change from Pre-Med to Economics. Thus, he received his bachelor’s degree and he headed for a career in the Business World.
Alpha Man
Brother Levi Brady was initiated into Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., at Mu Chapter in 1966, which was his final quarter before graduating. “I’ve had a lot of good experiences in Alpha. I tell some of the young guys: I joined the Fraternity in 1966. But, even now, I look around and all my real good friends, the ones I spend time with, almost all of them, are Alphas. Almost all of them are Alphas,” he repeated.
“And you go to all these conventions; you get to meet a bunch of Alphas from different cities and different places. And those relationships, they hold. They hold true.”
“And you go to all these conventions; you get to meet a bunch of Alphas from different cities and different places. And those relationships, they hold. They hold true.”
Reflections on Alpha Conventions
Brother Brady and his family have traveled to National Conventions since 1974. His first convention, he recalled, “ … was the convention in San Francisco at the Saint Francis Hotel, I’ll never forget that. That was the first convention that I went to: Yvonne, and Jeff, and me.”
And, there were other conventions, of note, which he singled-out for special mention. One such convention was the 1976 convention that was split between two cities. The convention was held in both New York City, and Monrovia, Liberia. One-half of the convention was held in New York City. And, one-half was held in Monrovia. There were two planes (Boeing 707’s) that flew brothers and their families to Monrovia. “We had quite a few brothers from here (the Twin Cities) that went to Africa, for that convention.”
Then, of course, there was the 1978 convention. It was held right here, in Minneapolis. Brother Jim Beard was instrumental in securing that convention for the Twin Cities. While attending the 1973 convention in New Orleans, Jim being the sales person that he was, sold the Time and Place Committee on seriously considering Minneapolis for an upcoming convention. Then, he came back here and sold the brothers on the fact that in order to get the convention here, we had to start going to the National Conventions.
And, there were other conventions, of note, which he singled-out for special mention. One such convention was the 1976 convention that was split between two cities. The convention was held in both New York City, and Monrovia, Liberia. One-half of the convention was held in New York City. And, one-half was held in Monrovia. There were two planes (Boeing 707’s) that flew brothers and their families to Monrovia. “We had quite a few brothers from here (the Twin Cities) that went to Africa, for that convention.”
Then, of course, there was the 1978 convention. It was held right here, in Minneapolis. Brother Jim Beard was instrumental in securing that convention for the Twin Cities. While attending the 1973 convention in New Orleans, Jim being the sales person that he was, sold the Time and Place Committee on seriously considering Minneapolis for an upcoming convention. Then, he came back here and sold the brothers on the fact that in order to get the convention here, we had to start going to the National Conventions.
Hopes and Dreams for Gamma Xi Lambda
“Actually I think we’re doing a lot. We’re doing an awful lot. We’re doing a lot more than I can stay in touch with, or to be aware of. Because I kind of find out from some of the younger brothers about some of the things they’re doing. But I think they should continue to get involved in these community activities. And we should continue to let people know, throughout the community, who we are and what we’re doing. Because I think it's all good stuff.
“And with all these crazy things that are going on, I would like to see us continue to be involved in the educational thing, and the things that involve young people. Because, the future is young people. And I get really disturbed when I get into any area of town and see some of the young people who appear to have no direction as to where they’re going. And I think someone has to get there to help these kids. So, I would like to see our younger guys to get more involved in that. And if there’s some way to bring more people in, like the older guys, into those kinds of activities – that would be a good thing.”
“And with all these crazy things that are going on, I would like to see us continue to be involved in the educational thing, and the things that involve young people. Because, the future is young people. And I get really disturbed when I get into any area of town and see some of the young people who appear to have no direction as to where they’re going. And I think someone has to get there to help these kids. So, I would like to see our younger guys to get more involved in that. And if there’s some way to bring more people in, like the older guys, into those kinds of activities – that would be a good thing.”
“Imbued With Mem’ries Fond”
“… The fraternity has kind of nurtured a lot of friendships that have lasted for years, and they’re still taking place. And it’s something I can look back on. And, look back on with a lot of smiles. Because, it’s all been good.”