Family

FAMILY

Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity recognizes not only the accomplishments of Archons, but also the successes of each Archon’s family. Like the Boulé, I, too, honor my family – first, for their individual successes, and second, for their encouragement as we together pursue my vision, passion and commitment to this Fraternity and other community interests. My best friend and wife, Archousa Tracie Payne, shares my desire to make a difference in this country. As a Historically Black College and University graduate who attended Spellman and Texas Southern University, Tracie recognized from her youth the challenges our children face in discovering positive achievements of African American people. As a middle school teacher, my wife dealt with at-risk youth that many in our society had abandoned, dismissing them as a hopeless generation. Instead of just talking about the problems she saw, Tracie did something to change the negative images associated with our community by creating her own magazine called “CUSH.” Tracie designed CUSH to voice a vision for people of color, from celebrations of African American youths’ accomplishments, to promotion of African American businesses, to social and legal commentary on issues facing our community. CUSH answers a dual calling by highlighting those positive attributes already present in our community, while also providing a positive avenue for expressions of change. In its fifth year of publication, CUSH continues to be the leading and growing voice of our community through Tracie’s direction and insight. Tracie has also demonstrated her personal support of the Fraternity’s vision in scholarship by obtaining her Henry M. Minton Legacy Award with the Boulé Foundation.

Archousa Tracie also serves in other social and civic organizations, including the Links, Delta Sigma Theta, and Jack and Jill, the Beaumont chapter of which she co-founded. Even as Tracie serves our community, she also maintains a household with our three greatest blessings – our son Caleb (age 11), our son Joshua (age 10), and our daughter Taryn (age 8). Each of our children have their own unique lives, but even at their young ages, they have already demonstrated a commitment to success in which Tracie and I take great pride. Each of our children has achieved honor roll status while maintaining active extra-curricular activities including basketball, football, baseball, cheerleading, dance and Tae Kwon Do. Caleb helped lead his team to the Beaumont City Champions of the Major League Youth Baseball and Joshua was selected to the area “All-Star” teams in both baseball and basketball. While Taryn shines as “Daddy’s little girl,” she, too, is making her own success stories. Taryn has become the face of a prominent Southeast Texas chain of banks appearing in their television commercials, billboards and promotional material.

I have been greatly blessed with two families that give me great pride – the family Tracie and I are creating together, and my Boulé family. Obviously, I want to share the Boulé traditions with Tracie and our children. I want to tell my children not only about the accomplished people currently within the Fraternity, but also about the great things Sigma Pi Phi has already done to make their lives better. This can be done, but I need your support. As your Grand Sire Archon-Elect, I will continue to serve my family and the Boulé family to provide equal opportunities for the next generation.