Alphas for Autism 5K Run & Walk Planned in Honor of Autism Acceptance Month

In celebration of World Autism Acceptance Month, formerly known as Autism Awareness Month, Arkansas State University’s (A-State) Theta Upsilon chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, in conjunction with Ag for Autism and sponsored by the A-State A.T.L.A.S. Transition Program, will host an “Alphas for Autism 5K Run & Walk” beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 12. The race will begin and end on the Heritage Plaza Lawn of the Carl R. Reng Student Union in the center of the beautiful A-State campus.

Runners & walkers can register ahead of time at https://bit.ly/alphasforautism, which is on the Eventbrite platform, for a $25 sign up. Participants can also register the day of the event between 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. for $30.

Those who wish to donate monetarily can do so on Cash App: $TuAlphas! All proceeds will benefit Ag for Autism & the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.

Autism Acceptance Month is an opportunity for everyone to come together and raise awareness, foster acceptance, and create a society where people with autism are supported, understood, and empowered. The month is meant to highlight the issues affecting people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families, educate the public on support services, and celebrate people with ASD.

ASD is a neurodevelopmental disability that affects how the brain develops. For many years, autism was misunderstood, and individuals with autism faced discrimination in schools, workplaces, and communities. This month is the perfect time for us to not only raise awareness about autism but, more importantly, to promote inclusivity, according to transitionabilities.com.

According to the CDC, one in 36 children in the United States had been identified as having ASD as of April 2023.

The idea for the Alphas for Autism 5K came from a very special place on the A-State campus.

A-State student Kelby Mack is a student with autism who is enrolled in A-State’s A.T.L.A.S. Transition Program, which is a support program for students with intellectual disabilities, developmental disabilities, and/or autism in their studies and interpersonal skills, as well as helping them immerse themselves in the A-State college experience and working on vocational skills.

Kelby Mack

"As a student with autism who has received a grant in the past, I wanted to give back to Ag for Autism, who helps so many students, children and organizations through grants for a variety of things, while also bringing awareness and acceptance to autism," said Mack. "So, I came up with the idea of a 5K during autism acceptance month and I hope everyone comes out to support Ag for Autism and the Alphas."

Mack is a junior A-State student and a member of the Theta Upsilon chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha. The Theta Upsilon chapter is part of the National Pan-Hellenic Council. The National Pan-Hellenic Council is a collaborative umbrella council composed of historically African American fraternities and sororities, commonly called the Divine Nine.

The Alpha Phi Alpha Theta Upsilon chapter at A-State was established on May 19, 1973, by a group of students coined the “Tenacious Ten,” and the fraternity’s first supervisor was Dr. Herman Strickland. The Alpha’s motto, “First of all, Servants of all, We shall transcend all,” embodies their history as the first intercollegiate fraternity founded by African American men. Their mission is to provide service to their communities and their areas of focus are manly deeds, scholarship, and love for all. A-State’s Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity Theta Upsilon chapter is currently led by President Martavius Hopkins.

Ag for Autism’s mission is to empower and support individuals and families in rural communities impacted by autism. They are dedicated to raising funds and offering grants to improve access to vital resources, therapies, and services. Through collaboration, education, and advocacy, they strive to build a brighter, more inclusive future for the autism community.

Since 2012, over $1 million has been raised to assist those living with autism or those serving in an educational role in the autism community. To date, Ag for Autism has raised and granted over $1 million to local schools and individuals, according to agforautism.org.

For more information, please contact the RESTORE Hub at A-State Marketing and Public Relations Officer Jessica Rainwater at (870) 972-3911 or jrainwater@AState.edu.