Kappa Alpha Psi fair opens pathways for River Region young men

The Montgomery Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi held a career fair Jan. 12 that drew nearly 100 young men from across the River Region, including participants from Prattville-area youth programs. The event combined practical sessions on military opportunities, healthcare careers, financial aid and ACT preparation with a focus on mentorship and long-term workforce pathways.

Organizers emphasized building relationships as much as delivering information. Sessions on healthcare careers addressed concrete entry points such as allied health roles and nursing pathways that can help meet local demand for providers, while military recruiters outlined service and training routes that also lead to credentialed careers. Financial aid and ACT prep workshops aimed to lower common barriers to college access by demystifying applications, scholarships and test strategies for first-generation and low-income students.

Guide Right, Kappa Alpha Psi’s national mentoring initiative, participated alongside local youth programs, reinforcing community-based support networks for teens from Prattville to Montgomery. Having programs that travel between school systems in Autauga and neighboring counties helps link young people to internships, apprenticeships and local employers looking to expand hiring in growing sectors.

Public health and workforce implications are immediate. Autauga County hospitals, clinics and long-term care facilities have signaled ongoing staffing needs; promoting local pipelines into healthcare can reduce turnover, shorten vacancy times and improve access to care in underserved neighborhoods. Increasing the diversity of the pipeline also supports better cultural competence in care and can address long-term health disparities that have burdened Black and rural communities in the River Region.

Beyond jobs, the fair spotlighted economic mobility. Financial aid coaching and ACT support are levers that lower the cost of higher education and increase students’ odds of completing credential programs. For families in Prattville and surrounding communities, that translates into fewer years of unpaid training, less debt and faster entry into stable careers.

The event underlined the role of fraternities, school programs and community partners in filling gaps that formal education systems often leave. Sustained impact will require continued investment from local employers, school systems and county leaders to scale mentorship, fund career-technical education and expand work-based learning opportunities.

For residents of Autauga County, the fair signals a widening of local opportunities for young men who may previously have seen few clear routes to good jobs. Expect similar outreach and partnerships to grow in the coming months as organizers and partners work to turn guidance into placements, certifications and stronger workforce ties across the River Region.