Spring 2023 Pre-Conclave Issue

86 TH GCM HOST CHAPTER

The 86 th Grand Chapter Meeting Host C A Brief History

D uring the years following the founding of Kappa Alpha Psi ® , Kappa men began to grow in number throughout the Tampa Bay area. Among those was one Brother Dr. S.E. Johnson who held an organizational meeting at his house in March of 1928. At that meeting, Brother James Hamilton took the lead and laid out the steps to obtaining a charter to establish the Tampa Alumni Chapter. Johnson and Hamilton presented the attending brothers with a letter from the Grand Chapter that authorized them to create an alumni chapter in the city of Tampa. The Tampa (FL) Alumni Chapter was chartered June 11, 1928. The Char- ter Members were James Hamilton, Dr. S.J. Johnson, E.E. Broughton, Dr. R.R. Williams, Dr. L.A. Howell, and S.W. Curtis. Since its chartering the Tampa (FL) Alumni Chapter has remained a vi- able and active chapter in good standing for 95 years. Along the way the chapter has celebrated many accomplishments. For most of its existence the chapter has hosted the Black and White Ball, the chapter’s signature event and the premier organizational formal event in Tampa. In 1972, Tampa Alumni help launch the Zeta Chi Chapter at the University of South Florida, with the initiation of “Undisputed Truth” on May 26, 1972, and the Charter Line “Mas- terpiece” on March 3, 1973. Zeta Chi is now extended to a colony at Saint Leo University. During the early years the chapter met in brother’s homes, before joining with other Greek organizations to create the Greek House which was located on the corner of Spruce Street and Howard Avenue in West Tampa. Thereafter, the brothers utilized the Alpha Kappa Alpha

house until 1998, when the Tampa Diamond Club purchased the Tampa Diamond House located at 3412 E. Lake Avenue. Tampa (FL) Alumni Chapter is one of the largest chapters in the South- ern Province and hosted the Southern Province Council several times, most recently being in 2019. Current and past members of the Tampa Alumni Chapter touch all aspects of the Tampa community.

NAACP for its political forum as well as Souls 2 the Polls. • Supports the local chapter of the Urban League. 2. Scholarship Support • Provides an annual scholarship donation for Bethune-Cookman University. • Annually donates an annual scholarship donation for Tuske- gee University. • Through its Foundation, the chapter provides annual scholar- ships to seniors who have been part of its Kappa League pro- gram at its Robert Irvin Memo- rial Scholarship Luncheon. • Provides a stipend to active brothers’ children who are high school seniors. 3. Community Service • Partners with the Sister Net- work of Tampa Bay for their annual Breast Cancer Walk. • Held virtual town hall Now You Know Series on various topics including Crypto Currency, The Power of Voting and Vaccina- tions, and Keeping Family Safe. • The chapter was awarded grants

Signature Activities

Black and White Ball, Red and White Christmas Party, and Derby Day

• 2001 - The chapter held its inaugural golf tournament, now known as the Guide Right Foun- dation Scholarship Golf Classic • 2004 - the Tampa Guide Right

Foundation was created spon- soring the Guide Right Kappa League Program which serves approximately 40 young men annually.

Community Involvement

1. Social Action • Supports the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast for the Tampa Organization of Black Affairs, which brings together community, governmental and business leaders of the Tampa Bay area. • Sustains the local chapter of the National Pan Hellenic Coun- cil and supports the various activities including Donation to the Ronald McDonald House, Sunday Day of Hope and Back to School initiative. • Partners with local chapter of

by the Good Health Wins Pro- gram and hosted virtual town- hall meetings on the Stigma of Mental Health.

4. Contributions to charitable and non-profit organizations • Donated to Metropolitan Min- istries, a charity that helps feed, clothe, and house the needy. • Hosts a Turkey & Toy donation during the holiday season. • Contributes annually to local

youth sports programs – Bel- mont Heights and Progress Village.

SPRING 2023 ♦ THE JOURNAL

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