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ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - Throughout the country’s history, Black Americans carved out space for themselves. Coming-of-age traditions were one avenue to showcase achievements that often went overlooked. It was also an opportunity to interlace African American customs with traditional American practices.

Johnny Burroughs, III, 2026 Beautillion Club President, said, “You don’t usually hear about the success of Black men. You hear about the failures and what they did.”

Burroughs is an 11th-grade student at Lee County High School. He was inspired by his older cousin, a former Albany Beau, Gabriel Charles, to join the 2026 Beautillion Club.

He said, “To be around Black men that all want to achieve the goal of being successful. You know it’s enriching to your soul.”

The Beautillion took root in the Black community in the 1940s, dismantling negative stereotypes through scholarship and social etiquette. It followed the success of Black American debutante balls that traced back to the late 1700s.

Martez Favis, 2004 Beau said, “When we see what it is that we want to become, it is more tangible and real. And I think that’s the most valuable part of this program is being able to see success, being able to talk to success, being able to experience success firsthand.”

Favis was an 11th-grade student in 2004 when he was a part of the Beautillion Club, making his transition from boy to man. Now, 20 years later, he continues to mentor young men in the Beautillion Club and the community at-large.

“That was a very pivotal time in my life, particularly matriculating as a Black male, a majority of my classes the only male and Black male. So, it was good to have that brotherhood and to be around other young men who were excelling and had aspirations and goals to do great things,” he said.

Since 1981, the Albany Beautillion Club has provided young men with unique opportunities to enhance their cultural, educational, social, and personal development. Much like a Cotillion for Debutantes, after completing community service and other activities for over one-year, young men are introduced to society at the Beautillion.

In 2007, Mona McCoy joined Albany Jack & Jill. In her time, she co-chaired previous Beautillions, interlacing African American culture in the traditional American event.

“It brought me to tears, really, when he was having his final rites of passage,” McCoy said as she reflected on her son, Myles, moment as a Beau in 2018.

During that year, McCoy was finishing treatment for Stage 3 Breast Cancer, and the 19^th Biennial Militaire Gala was dedicated to her.

“In the final rites of passage, the young men are provided a stole of rites of passage from their father or an elder that they look up to, could be a coach, a pastor, if their father isn’t around,” McCoy said. “That moment of watching the passing of the guards is extremely powerful and beyond that, the relationships my son built have stood the test of time.”

As he prepares for the 23^rd Biennial Militaire Gala, Johnny Burroughs, III, is looking forward to that moment of passage from his role model, his father, Johnny Burroughs, II.

“Just for him to pass that down to me as my transition from boy to man, as you would say, is special to me. It’s a moment I’m looking forward to, and I’m going to keep in my heart forever,” Burroughs said.

For over 40 years, the Albany Beautillion has been a space where Black men celebrate their achievements, honor their heritage, and pass the torch to the next generation.

The 22 members of the 2026 Echelons of Excellence Beautillion Club will be presented on Saturday, April 11, at 6 p.m. Master and Mistress of Ceremonies will be Martez Fazis and WALB’s Brittanye Blake.

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