PARTY WITH A PURPOSE THE KAPPA TAKEOVER
What are the elements of a great party? Typically, great food, great entertainment, and a festive audience. For years, Nupes have orchestrated social events that helped support causes, chapters, and communities.
Historically, these types of fellowships have been a hallmark within Kappa Alpha Psi®, and it started with the first house party hosted in May 1911 at 721 Hunter Street. Today, a new, more altruistic mantra—“party with a purpose”—has emerged. Several chapters in the Washing- ton, DC metropolitan area have followed suit with an annual extrava- ganza known as the Kappa Takeover. Held in early June at the luxurious MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, MD, “The Takeover” has become a beacon for societal change and philanthropic impact. Recognizing this, The Takeover is highlighted as an annual economic indicator for Prince George’s County, MD. It is also referenced in the Sixth Edition of The Story of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. The June 2025 Takeover stood out as the largest fraternal summer gathering in the Mid-Atlantic, drawing more than 3,100 attendees (a 6% increase from 2024) and selling out faster than ever before. Since its inception in 2017, more than 1,000
brothers from 34 states and eight countries have flocked each year to the MGM National Harbor for an incomparable party experience. The Kappa Takeover was established through the combined efforts of four local Kappa foundations and one alumni chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.: • Bowie-Mitchellville Diamond Foundation (Bowie-Mitchellville (MD) Alumni Chapter) • Kappa Community Development Foundation (College Park-Sandy Spring (MD) Alumni Chapter) • Kappa Foundation of Fort Washington (Fort Washington (MD) Alumni Chapter) • Metropolitan Kappa Youth Foundation (Silver Spring (MD) Alumni Chapter) • Washington (DC) Alumni Chapter • Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation of Metropolitan Baltimore* (Baltimore (MD) Alumni Chapter) *Joined the Kappa Takeover consortium in 2024. The Kappa Takeover is guided by the leadership of Chairman Terence L. Matthews and Vernon J. Marrow,
Nelson Grillo, Walt Swindell, Hugene Fields, Mike Jones, Bryan Craig, Troy Bishop, Maynard Smith, Greg Taylor, Rodney Witherspoon, Lorenza Cooper, Kris Ramson, David Janifer, Billie Newson, Teddy Holloway, Devron Dickens, and Shawn Hart. It has grown exponentially over the past eight years (excluding a two-year hiatus in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic) into a premier gathering that attracts thousands while simultaneously providing financial, educational, and social resources to communities in need. At its core, the event’s proceeds have extended scholarships for college-bound stu- dents, mentoring programs for young men, and partnerships with organiza- tions addressing domestic violence, poverty, and inequity. Over time, The Takeover has become a bridge between celebration and service, demonstrating the power of collective action to make a profound difference. Indeed, the total amount donated to date from all the Takeovers is an eye-popping $740,000—and counting.
60 THE JOURNAL ♦ FALL 2025
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator