Diallo Patterson delivered the commencement address when he graduated from Tuskegee University in 2024. He served for a year on the school’s Board of Trustees. He’s worked at the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Now, he is in the third year of a doctorate program at prestigious Cornell University.
At the foundation of all those lofty accomplishments, Patterson said, are his years in the Scouts of America. More specifically, he climbed the ranks to the highest honor of Eagle Scout through Troop 1906, the organization led by South Fulton’s Omicron Phi Lambda chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
“It was life-changing,” Patterson, 26, said. “Not only did I learn valuable outdoor skills, but I also learned public speaking. I learned the value of community and citizenship, giving back, being a good steward. It instilled confidence in me that makes me feel there’s literally nothing I can't do.”
Patterson is one of dozens of young Black boys-to-men who have been elevated through Troop 1906 since 2013, when it was founded by his father, Gerius Patterson. Patterson’s oldest son, Gedasse, was the first Eagle Scout through the troop in 2017, followed by Diallo the next year. All told, Troop 1906 has produced seven Eagle Scouts in the last nine years, a phenomenal ratio.
“Seeing the young men of Troop 1906 grow has created an incredibly rewarding, meaningful, and prideful feeling,” said Marc Gordon, one of the group leaders. “The ultimate goal of leading Scouts is to help young men become confident, responsible, and compassionate leaders who are prepared to navigate life with character and purpose. It’s not simply about teaching scouting skills—it’s about giving them the tools, values, and confidence to become good men who positively impact their families, communities, and the world around them.”
The leadership of Troop 1906 has been strong and steadfast. Three years ago, Gerius Patterson earned Scouting America’s highest honor for an adult volunteer, the Silver Beaver Award. Gordon and Christopher Artist–who like Patterson, are members of Omicron Phi Lambda–followed the trajectory Patterson established, guiding their sons and scouts to serious adventures while imparting life lessons along the way.
Troop 1906 scouts have camped at Northern Tier in Minnesota, Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, and Sea Base High Adventure Camps in the Florida Keys, among other places, spending several days in tents and hiking prodigious mountains. All the while, they learn about character-building.
Gordon’s son, Marc Jr., has “become more confident, independent, responsible, and willing to take on challenges outside of his comfort zone” since joining Troop 1906 in 2021. “He’s learned that leadership isn’t simply about being in charge; it’s about serving others, setting an example, and helping those around you succeed,” his dad said.
The young men have also been featured as color guards for the national anthem at the Atlanta Hawks annual Martin Luther King Day NBA games and marched in King Day parades.
For its dynamic and consistent work, Troop 1906 has been highly honored, including the Atlanta Area Council-Southern Crescent District 2022 Troop of the Year, with its leaders named the Scoutmaster of the Year in 2023.
“Because of these scouting experiences,” said Diallo Patterson, whose professional goal is to become a president of a historically Black college, “I've been able to break barriers. When I was interviewing, I would literally have a conversation about scouts, about all the outings and situations that I've had to problem-solve on the fly. It’s all very relatable. So, ultimately, having gone through the scouts has been phenomenal. It is a way of mentorship that goes way beyond camping.”