Rachel Nesbitt, known as Frat Esteemed, has been a member of Alpha Lambda Zeta Fraternity, Inc. since Fall 2007, where she currently serves at the Tamius (Secretary) for the Southeastern Region. As a youth, Rachel was faced with adversity growing up in the West End Area where drug dealing and prostitution was often the path of choice for many youth. She refused to let the lack of her mother’s presence in her life become a barrier for her success. Her self-discipline, personal goals and support from her Grandmother, who instilled in her the importance of integrity and hard work, allowed Rachel to become one of Atlanta’s most sought after, award-winning High School athletes as she was recognized as a Georgia-Tennessee All-Star, MVP of the Year and Intown Extra Player of Year among various other awards. Rachel continued her athletic career into college on a full-ride scholarship to Alabama A & M University where she continued to excel athletically. Moving to a career-oriented focus, Rachel saw an opportunity to further better herself and her future as a member of the armed forces, where she excelled, received various awards and traveled throughout the world including China, Korea and Puerto Rico within the army. “I grew up having a fear of firing a weapon. Being able to come close and learn the benefits of having and using a weapon, gave me more confidence,” she said in a statement.

Following the 9/11 attacks, Rachel opted out of deployment, departed from her comrades, and returned back home to Atlanta, Georgia to give back to her roots. Soon after her arrival, she was offered a position as an engineer with Marriott hotels in Atlanta, Georgia. Through hard work and determination, Rachel was quickly promoted to Chief Engineer, thus, becoming the first female Chief Engineer for Marriott Hotels in the region and being nationally recognized as a Hotel Equities top team member and Chief of the Year 2007 by Marriot Hotels. “I didn’t let the vision of me being aggressive, a tomboy, or a lesbian stop me from accepting the avenues I have chosen,” she said.

Esteemed’s unmatched leadership has been and integral part of the expansion and growth of Alpha Lambda Zeta Fraternity, Inc. in the Southeastern Region. “I became a member of Alpha Lambda Zeta because I wanted to help in our GLBT community and form a sisterly bond with other womyn like me. Being a member of ALZ has improved my professionalism by tackling my weakness and has allowed me to give back to the community,” she said. As an activist, she is a member of Human Rights Coalition (HRC) where she serves as a regular volunteer. She also actively utilizes her political voice by campaigning for several state and local political candidates. Esteemed currently resides with her partner, Katrina, and two children in Byron, Georgia.

ARCHIVED FRAT HIGHLIGHTS

R. Nesbitt, Frat Esteemed
Byron, GA
Member Since Fall 2007