King Honored for Leading Tallahassee’s Young Men

Royale King Jr.

By Devin Powell
Outlook Writer

Dallas, Texas native Royle King is no stranger to helping others.

King has been fostering the minds of Tallahassee’s youth since 2008. He was recently recognized for the work he’s done in serving as the advisor, founder and executive director of the Omega Lamp Lighters in Tallahassee – a youth leadership program for young men between the ages of 12-17, which was founded on the principles of leadership, academics, maturity and perseverance.

The Omega Lamplighters is also a mentoring organization run by members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. The mission of the organization is to establish relationships with young men, provide guidance, assistance and to guide them in their transformation to manhood. The organization also ensures that its members are instilled with leadership and academic skills with a motto of turning “good young men into GREAT young men.”

King started his mentorship with humble beginnings. In 2008, with just a small group of young men, King founded Omega Lamplighters in Wakulla County. It was then that he became a man wearing many hats while he juggled being a student at FAMU and mentoring youth.

“It was a little overwhelming at first but I knew I was destined for it,” said King. “When we officially launched the Omega Lamplighters in 2010 I was ready. The foundation was laid and I haven’t looked back ever since.”

King’s efforts as a community leader soon paid off when he was recognized as the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., Florida Statewide Organization’s 2013-14 “Omega Man of the Year.” The award is presented to a member of the fraternity who has made extraordinary contributions to his local chapter and on the international level.

Brandon Edmonds, a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc, had this to say about King when asked what about King stands out the most to him, “His adaptability. He has a really good ability to be comfortable in all different social situations.”
King also, reflected on some of the decisions he made in his younger life. He said he would tell his younger self to persue his dreams at full speed.

“Every dream you have stop walking to it but sprint, continue persevering & always remember that God’s in control and with him anything is possible,” said King.

“Success for me is the completion of several goals. Defining the odds and doing what people said you couldn’t, so that’s success,” he said. “Persevering through everything you encounter and without a wavering spirit that’s success.”

King is an avid reader. He enjoys writing, listening to music, playing basketball, having fun and most of all simply relaxing. While enrolled in classes at Florida A&M University, he enjoyed his experience as an undergrad.
“I learned to never quit. Even if no one believes in you, you must believe because Rattlers weren’t born with a spirit of fear or failure,” he said. “FAMU allowed me the opportunity to spread my wings and showed me that I was expected to be successful.”