William “Damani” Keene
FALL 2022-Spring 2023
WK semester. The families this semester were GMTS, LSDs, Animals, and IKEA.
NAMESAKE
From the Fall 2022 Edition of Torch and Trefoil:
Brother Keene grew up in New York, moving at 8-years-old from Harlem to Queens. His father was a Jamaican immigrant, and his mother was from Franklin, Tennessee. He was involved in the Boy Scouts of America through Troop 75 in St. Albans, New York. After high school, Brother Keene studied at Howard University where he was active in Alpha Phi Omega, student government, intramural sports and on the H-Book staff. He was also very active in campus and community service projects. It was on the Howard campus that Keene met his wife of 56 years, Carole “Ife” Keene.
Brother Keene also served as a chapter faculty advisor of Zeta Phi Chapter at Howard University before he retired. His special attention to students of color, global work to advance the principles of Pan-Africanism and his tireless efforts to support Zeta Phi’s rechartering are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Keene. His dedication to Zeta Phi and Howard University included gaining more female members and encouraging inclusion and growth across the chapter. His work encouraged HBCU brothers to stand on his shoulders as the chapter grew and expanded
Alpha Phi Omega is grateful to be able to highlight Brother Keene through this honor. He has set quite the example and offered large footprints for future members to fill. His work to serve and bring equity to the underserved is inspirational and is the basis for his challenge to the fall pledge or new member class of Alpha Phi Omega.