Rites of Passage & Beautillion

Sesa Wo Suban

I change to transform my life.

About the Program

Since 1990, the Rites of Passage/Beautillion has been a premier program partnership of the Ivy Rose Foundation and the Delta Rho Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. The program has consistently continued to provide the participants with an invaluable learning experience that is rooted in tradition and whose purpose is to raise consciousness, solve problems and effect change.

The Rites of Passage/Beautillion is a biennial program which spans from November through the final event in June. The program consists of our Beaus (young men aged 14 - 18), their Beauties (young women aged 14-18) and their respective Mentors. Our Beaus and Beauties will participate in weekly interactive workshops including:

Career Seminar

Social Etiquette/ Social Media Responsibility

Mental Health & Hygiene

Financial Literacy

After the workshops, the participants will continue weekly meetings and learn African drumming and dance. The young men will then undergo a ceremonial Rites of Passage adapted from West African tradition, marking their transition from adolescence to young adulthood. The eight-month journey then culminates in a formal black-tie ceremony where the participants are presented to the community at the Beautillion, a non-traditional cotillion for young men.

About our Participants/Application Criteria

Beaus and Beauties must be between the ages of 14-18 years old

They must be available for weekly in-person meetings, Sunday 3pm - 5pm
They must have a willingness to learn and succeed

Application Process

Parents/Guardians and Applicants must complete the Application Packet including:
- Parent/Sponsor Information Form
- Beautillion Agreement
- Media Release Form
- Submit a Recent Photo
Applicants must ask a family friend, school official, church or community leader to complete a Recommendation Form
Submit a $200 Participation Fee