Taking Care Of Home
Black/African American, minority, and under-represented
Air Force Academy Alumni
A Letter From
Our President
Prestigious Graduates, Cadets, Candidates, Family and Friends,
On behalf of the USAFA Way of Life (WOL) Alumni Group, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to our website. The USAFA WOL Alumni Group is a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement and empowerment of Black/African American, minority, under-represented, cadets, and alumni within the USAFA community.
Our commitment of purpose focuses on four primary areas:
1. Increase the pool of qualified minority USAFA candidates
2. Provide advice and counsel to USAFA cadets to maximize retention
3. Provide advice and counsel to USAFA graduates to enhance professional development
4. Provide leadership and service to local communities and to the nation
The USAFA WOL Alumni Group is poised to solidify its role as the vanguard of the USAFA minority community. I invite you to stand alongside us, turning our words into meaningful actions.
We NEED your unwavering support, resources to sustain the vision and TAKE CARE of HOME.
Together, let us forge ahead and leave an indelible mark on the lives we touch.
Inspire Greatness in Others…We are USAFA!
SHAYLA A. CANTYSMITH
President
USAF Academy Way of Life Alumni Group-
Who We Are
- USAFA Association of Graduates’ Black/African American, minority, and under-represented alumni organization
- Non-profit organization; established in 2006
- Honoring our past; seizing our present; forging our future
Our Founders
Frank Wallace, ‘77
WOL Founding Father, Original Board Member, Current Board Director. Got ball rolling with visionary letter to his classmate Jim McReynold ‘77
Jim McReynolds, ‘77
Co-Founder, original Membership Chair, WOL Emeritus Board Director
Richard Hall, ‘79
Co-Founder, 1st WOL President, with James “Doc” Colvin , ‘79 would host 1st WOL gathering at Bolling, AFB, MD.
Our Purpose
- Mentoring/supporting Black/African American, minority and under-represented cadets and cadet candidates while at USAFA
- Increasing the number of qualified African American, minority and under-represented candidates
- Providing advice, networking and professional development opportunities to African American, minority and under-represented alumni
- Supporting USAFA alumni, active duty, civilian, and industry career development and leadership
Strategic Imperatives
- FOCUS: Getting after “Our “Purpose”
- ENGAGEMENT: Proactive, consistent and dynamic interaction with Alumni, Cadets and Preppies
- OUTREACH: Revitalize membership-“Friend Raising”; and “Fund Raising”
- MATURATION: New website, mentoring and networking programs, marketing & governance
- OUTCOMES: Measurable and long-term impact on Alumni development, and Cadet and Preppie retention and development
Support USAFA’s Heritage
Commander of Tuskegee Airmen in WWII,
Namesake for USAFA Cadet Airfield –”Davis Field”
USAFA AOG Distinguished Graduate
USAFA AOG Distinguished Graduate,
1st Black Commandant of Cadets
USAFA AOG Distinguished Graduate,
1st Four Star African-American Graduate
USAFA AOG Distinguished Graduate,
Namesake for USAFA Consolidated Training & Education Facility
USAFA AOG Distinguished Graduate,
1st African-American Female Graduate