THE BALTIMORE (MD) ALUMNI CHAPTER CELEBRATES ITS CENTENNIAL
the sale of the Kappa Family Center were thwarted by the city administration to obtain a prime property in a nearby business park. 4903 was in dire need of replacement with proposals to demolish and rebuild or to do full fledge renova- tions. Ten years later in 2013 another fortu- nate opportunity presented itself for the Chapter. As history somehow repeats itself, this new opportunity was indeed well timed and well placed with a gem located at 1207 Eutaw Place. Who could have imagined that the Chapter would find itself once again at the site of the first Baltimore (MD) Alumni Chapter Fraternity House? This could only be considered divine provenance. A record fundraising effort took place with 100 Brothers donating $1000 to raise liquid funds with which to ne- gotiate its mortgage in 30 days. The resourcefulness of the membership is in- deed a testament to Brothers answering the call for action in grand Kappa Style. The property is 10,000 square feet and had an unfinished basement, a small first floor, and a larger second floor with a bal- cony. The basement has since been reno- vated through another campaign known as “The Kappa of My Dreams.” Its official opening occurred with a ribbon cutting attended by city and state legisla- tors and significant donors other than Fraternity members in 2018. Brother Ray Brodie, Jr. M.D. pledged $10,000 and had a room named in his honor. This new location was nearer to down- town and easily accessible. It would be a significant change in character from 4903 but it was what the Chapter needed to expand and offer greater ser- vice to the community. It would become the Kappa Youth and Community Cen- ter, the KYCC. The 4903 property was sold and the move to the new house was secured by a signing of the documents in the offices of an all-female minority owned title company.
to service in the public interest. The Baltimore (MD) Alumni Chapter and its Foundation have become a valued partner of the surrounding community providing over $300,000 in scholarships and grants. It has supported efforts to provide funds for the homeless, support the renovation of a local YMCA, provide for holiday food basket giveaways and meals for senior citizens through its “Thanksgiving for All” project; provid- ing positive youth development services through its Benchmark Kappa Youth Leadership Institute; and providing tens of thousands of dollars of scholarships to deserving college bound high school seniors. The Chapter’s charitable gifts are shared annually through the George L. Russell Charities and Award Brunch. Over its 27 years of existence the Kappa Foundation of Metropolitan Baltimore, Inc. has been ably lead by devoted Presidents beginning with Milton Mayo followed by a succession of successful Brothers including Clarence Harris, Paul Beckham, Jr., Darrick Estes, Nathan Fletcher on two separate occasions, Kevin Clark, Floyd Taliaferro III, Vallen Emery, Donald Malcolm Smith, and cur- rently Charles Harris.
Since its inception, the Baltimore (MD) Alumni Chapter has committed itself to service in the public interest. The Chapter and its Foundation have become a valued partner of the surrounding community providing
over $300,000 in scholarships and grants.
Metropolitan Baltimore We would be remised if we did not men- tion the evolution of charitable giving by Baltimore Alumni Chapter assisting the needs of the Baltimore community. On the founding the national Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation the Baltimore Alumni Chapter had pledged significant dollars to the Kappa Foundation making annual installments to support its efforts. The trend began throughout the Fraternity for chapters to have their own founda- tions. In that way the funds generated by the various efforts of the chapter could be more directly controlled. Laurel Wreath Laureate George Russell, Esq. offered the services of his law firm to draw up the necessary documents to make that happen. In 1994 it would become the Kappa Alpha Psi Founda- tion of Metropolitan Baltimore, Inc., The KAPFMB.
Signature Fundraiser
In 1971, the Baltimore (MD) Alumni Chapter introduced its signature event, Nite in Kappa Vegas. For 50 years, Kappa Vegas has been an enormously successful venture featuring a black-tie event with a buffet meal, top shelf open bar, live entertainment, and gambling. It is attended by Brothers and their guests from around the world. Its attendance regularly tops 1,300 guests. It is a Who’s Who of city dignitaries and has been attended by the entire Fraternity leadership at times. 2020 would have been its 50 th Anniversary if not for the pandemic. As the Baltimore (MD) Alumni Chap- ter celebrates its Centennial it remains committed to brotherhood, service, and achievement for another 100 years.
Since its inception, the Baltimore (MD) Alumni Chapter has committed itself
Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation of
THE JOURNAL ♦ SUMMER 2021 | 71
VIRTUAL 85 TH GRAND CHAPTER MEETING
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