City honors King for commitment to mentoring
Photo submitted
By Konan J.W. Kanga
Special to the Outlook
Brother Royle King II is a native of Dallas, Texas, who moved to Tallahassee and received his Bachelor’s degree from Florida A&M University in broadcast journalism.
His entire life is a testimony to good parents, mentors and men. He spent his teenage years in two mentoring programs that changed his life. That eventually led him to changing the lives of young men around the world.
King was recently named one of five recipients of the inaugural Tallahassee Awards. He was presented a glass plaque by Mayor John Dailey in November.
During a Dallas/Fort Worth Association of Black Journalists boot camp, King was introduced to Cheryl Smith, a fellow FAMU alumni who inspired him to attend FAMU. He also participated in the Omega Sparks, an Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. mentoring program.
These programs laid the foundation for success and desire to help others. After graduating from high school, King vowed to dedicate himself to helping others and giving back the same way so many people gave to him.
King was initiated in the Upsilon Psi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. in 2007. After graduation, he placed his membership with the Chi Omega Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity inc., eventually serving as the chapter Basileus. While still an undergraduate at FAMU in 2008, he piloted the Omega Lamplighters mentoring program.
Following his graduation, he launched a revamped model of the Omega program. Since 2008, it has grown to engage more than 150 male youth in the Big Bend. Other chapters are located around the United States and in Naples, Italy, serving male youth in grades four to 12.
During his time as a mentor and director, King has impacted the lives of more than 1,000 youths. In addition to leading the Omega Lamplighters, he also works as the Leon County Volunteer Services Manager.
Other notable recognitions that King has received during his time at the helm of the mentoring program included the Black Enterprise Be Modern Man, Leon County Community “LEGO” Well-Being Award and WFSU Voices That Inspire in 2019. In 2018, he was awarded Destiny Church TLH “Unsung Hero” honor, Citizen of The Year from the Chi Omega chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. In 2015, he was a Tallahassee Democrat Volunteer of the Year Finalist for Civic Service.
