Quiet Leadership – Bro.  Jalen Jennings’ Journey of Service

A Sacred Crossing and a Family Legacy

Bro. Jalen Jennings, line name Quiet Storm, crossed Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. in Fall 2021 as the tail of the Sacred Souls of the Great Enead. His journey into Alpha was influenced by legacy his father, Bro. Freddie Jennings, who crossed into Alpha in 1986 at the University of Detroit-Mercy. Though Jalen did not grow up immersed in fraternity life, discovering his father’s Alpha connection revealed a quiet consistency in values: integrity, humility, and service.

Finding His Own Path to Alpha

As an undergraduate at Tennessee State University, Jalen made the intentional decision to wait, choosing authenticity over convenience. With encouragement from his father, he pursued membership through a graduate chapter, eventually finding his home with Gamma Lambda. That patience shaped his appreciation for Alpha not just as a brotherhood, but as a lifelong commitment to purposeful leadership.

The Power of Presence on Crossing Day

The day Bro. Jalen crossed carried profound meaning. His father was present supportive, steady, and quietly affirming. As the tail of the line, the journey was demanding, and knowing his father stood behind him made the accomplishment even more significant.

Professional Purpose Meets Fraternal Work

Professionally, Bro. Jennings serves as an Engagement Leader with Thrivent, a non for profit financial organization where he connects financial advisors to nonprofits, schools, and community institutions. Within Gamma Lambda, he has found pride in aligning his professional skill set with fraternity work most notably through sponsorships and partnerships that strengthen Alpha’s visibility and impact. Bridging career and fraternity has allowed him to invest meaningfully in the chapter while expanding Alpha’s community reach.

A Commitment to Civic Leadership

A former community liaison for Detroit City Council, Bro. Jennings now serves as a City Councilmember in Lathrup Village. His proudest civic accomplishments include rebuilding the relationship between the city and Southfield Public Schools and leading the city’s Juneteenth celebrations intentionally centering Black-owned vendors and community engagement.

Why Brothers Should Return to the Fold

For Bro. Jennings, Alpha is both an outlet and an amplifier. It fosters connection, strengthens networks, and opens doors through shared commitment and mutual support. His experience reflects a simple truth: when brothers put in the work, the world  recognizes it because the impact extends far beyond the chapter.