Brother Spotlight
Reuben Thompson-Amarteifio
Reuben Thompson-Amarteifio was born on July 4, 1981 in Southfield Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. At the age of one year-old, he and his parents moved from the Detroit area to the Eastside of Saint Paul Minnesota. He has three siblings: an older sister, Yvonne, and two younger sisters (Andrea & Audrey).
While he was growing up, since his older sister did not live in his immediate household, he was the oldest child in his household. This resulted in additional responsibility, starting at the age of ten. “At points in grade school my parents had a second job. And on weekends, if they couldn’t find someone to be with us, or if they had to work a quick shift, or something like that, it would be me watching my sisters.”
Through his formative years, his parents also made sure that he was involved in programs to supplement and enrich his formal, in-school education. Programs like 3M STEP (Science Technology Encouragement Program), and an internship with AgriBank in downtown Saint Paul. “So, I’m definitely a product of programming, community programming. I’ve been working since I was 15. And with the programming piece, one of my passions in life is Opportunity Exposure.
“And Opportunity Exposure to me: Is being a connector, a marketer, an ambassador of opportunities that provide educational, career, and economic impact and advancement for Black and Brown communities. And that was developed because of all the programs and different things that passed my way. Alpha has definitely allowed me to do that in numerous ways because of that (Alpha) network.”
While he was growing up, since his older sister did not live in his immediate household, he was the oldest child in his household. This resulted in additional responsibility, starting at the age of ten. “At points in grade school my parents had a second job. And on weekends, if they couldn’t find someone to be with us, or if they had to work a quick shift, or something like that, it would be me watching my sisters.”
Through his formative years, his parents also made sure that he was involved in programs to supplement and enrich his formal, in-school education. Programs like 3M STEP (Science Technology Encouragement Program), and an internship with AgriBank in downtown Saint Paul. “So, I’m definitely a product of programming, community programming. I’ve been working since I was 15. And with the programming piece, one of my passions in life is Opportunity Exposure.
“And Opportunity Exposure to me: Is being a connector, a marketer, an ambassador of opportunities that provide educational, career, and economic impact and advancement for Black and Brown communities. And that was developed because of all the programs and different things that passed my way. Alpha has definitely allowed me to do that in numerous ways because of that (Alpha) network.”
GXL’s ACT / SAT Program
“ … the funny thing is that when I was in high school, I didn’t know about the program at all So, once I became an Alpha, I made sure that my family (younger sisters) went through it. And, I would also take a lead with my cousins, like Bro. Keith Mensah. When Keith was in high school, and my sisters were in high school, I made sure they were in the ACT/SAT program (and other cousins too). And that was kind of a testament to me making sure that people were exposed, and knew about those experiences. So, most of the brothers (in GXL) have met my family because of that!”
College Days – On the Road to Alpha!
Reuben graduated from Como Park Senior High School and enrolled at the University of Minnesota in the fall of 1999. Prior to the U of M, he had no real knowledge about Black fraternities. One of the first parties he attended on campus was an Omega Psi Phi party. This was his first exposure to a Black fraternity.
At the beginning of his college days, the Alphas were not very visible on campus, so he had no awareness of Alpha at that time. As time went by, he was invited to another Omega activity, but fate interceded in the form of a conversation with his older sister, Yvonne, who is a member of Delta Sigma Theta. And I didn’t even know she was a Delta until I reached out to her.
“I mentioned that I ran into this guy that’s an Omega. And she kind of laughed and said: Knowing you I don’t think that’s a good fit. And I said, I also saw this flyer that Alpha Phi Alpha was having a Probate. She said, I think you should go to that. You should go to that Probate.” So, Reuben attended the Probate; was “captivated” by the experience; did his research; became “kind of obsessed”; took his place on line as a Sphinxman; and was initiated in March 2002.
At the beginning of his college days, the Alphas were not very visible on campus, so he had no awareness of Alpha at that time. As time went by, he was invited to another Omega activity, but fate interceded in the form of a conversation with his older sister, Yvonne, who is a member of Delta Sigma Theta. And I didn’t even know she was a Delta until I reached out to her.
“I mentioned that I ran into this guy that’s an Omega. And she kind of laughed and said: Knowing you I don’t think that’s a good fit. And I said, I also saw this flyer that Alpha Phi Alpha was having a Probate. She said, I think you should go to that. You should go to that Probate.” So, Reuben attended the Probate; was “captivated” by the experience; did his research; became “kind of obsessed”; took his place on line as a Sphinxman; and was initiated in March 2002.
Professional Career
In 2004, he graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. In 2016, he graduated with a Master of Business Administration from the University of Saint Thomas.
“To sum up my career: I am a Human Capital Management Professional with a background in Payroll Operations; H.R. Operations; Change Management; and Leadership.” He has been with Google in San Jose for three years now, and says: “It’s been a wonderful experience. I’m doing things that I never thought I could do, or see, or be a part of. And I’m working with some of the smartest people I’ve ever met. It’s challenging work, but I feel that I am growing and learning every day.”
Prior to Google, he worked as a Payroll Manager for Health Partners, who is a medical provider of hospitals and clinics, and it’s mission is to save lives prompting him to say: “I helped pay people to save lives!” In addition to Google and Health Partners, he has worked for Wells Fargo and Ceridian.
“To sum up my career: I am a Human Capital Management Professional with a background in Payroll Operations; H.R. Operations; Change Management; and Leadership.” He has been with Google in San Jose for three years now, and says: “It’s been a wonderful experience. I’m doing things that I never thought I could do, or see, or be a part of. And I’m working with some of the smartest people I’ve ever met. It’s challenging work, but I feel that I am growing and learning every day.”
Prior to Google, he worked as a Payroll Manager for Health Partners, who is a medical provider of hospitals and clinics, and it’s mission is to save lives prompting him to say: “I helped pay people to save lives!” In addition to Google and Health Partners, he has worked for Wells Fargo and Ceridian.
Mentors in Alpha
When asked what brothers have had the most influence on him, he laughed and said: “It’s not one brother; it’s a group of brothers. It’s all those guys that sit in the back row at GXL meetings. I can’t thank these guys enough!”
Regarding how Alpha has influenced his professional career, he said “It’s definitely given me a lot of confidence to lead in meetings. When I was early in my Alpha career, I remember that Henry Wesley used to always say, If you can lead a room full of Alphas, you can lead any meeting, anywhere. I took that with me to my professional career. So I always walk into meetings ready to go, ready to lead even if I wasn’t the leader.”
Regarding how Alpha has influenced his professional career, he said “It’s definitely given me a lot of confidence to lead in meetings. When I was early in my Alpha career, I remember that Henry Wesley used to always say, If you can lead a room full of Alphas, you can lead any meeting, anywhere. I took that with me to my professional career. So I always walk into meetings ready to go, ready to lead even if I wasn’t the leader.”
Hopes and Dreams for Gamma Xi Lambda
“Gamma Xi Lambda has been making great strides. I’m so proud of how we’ve shown up during the Pandemic, doing virtual events and things like that. Yes - we’re a small district. But in the Twin Cities, we have the luxury of having a lot of Fortune 500 companies that bring brothers in on a constant basis. I hope that we continue to foster brothers that move in.
“But continue with the energy and the great things we’re doing, like ACT/SAT. And, continue preserving the (chapter) history. So, we’re coming up on 75 years this April, which is a long time, especially in Minnesota. And Alpha’s been in Minnesota for over 100 years. We’re a special district. We have some special things that we’ve done, and that we have going on. And, I think we can keep building on that.”
“But continue with the energy and the great things we’re doing, like ACT/SAT. And, continue preserving the (chapter) history. So, we’re coming up on 75 years this April, which is a long time, especially in Minnesota. And Alpha’s been in Minnesota for over 100 years. We’re a special district. We have some special things that we’ve done, and that we have going on. And, I think we can keep building on that.”