A REFLECTION ON SUPPORTING THE KAPPA FOUNDATION
Building the Dream Klassic 2018 "I am Glad I Went" I n January 2018 at National Founders’ Day in Nashville, Tennessee, the key- note speaker was Brother Marc Lamont Hill. In his eloquent keynote address, he beginning, I listened to learn whether the Founda- tion was securing grants that could significantly impact on the fraternity’s community outreach programs, especially our programs affecting the lives of African American boys and young men, who mostly qualified as underprivileged or under- served. I listened and learned that the Foundation was adversely affected by the same dilemma that our icons and martyrs faced, the participation of our people. I continued to listen and witness what I Earl T. Tildon, Chair, Publicity and Publications Commission
Building the Dream Klassic. This initiative re- quired board members, Kappa brothers and others to reach out to their resources to bring financial resources to the Foundation to meet the philan- thropic needs of the constituencies the Founda- tion serves. This initiative was geared to enhance the ability of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. to grow its Guide Right National Program and other initiatives qualifying for 501(c) (3) financial support. In March 2017 the Building the Dream Klassic bore fruit, enabling the Foundation to sup- port the fraternity in a tangible way. This success was an incentive to continue the Klassic in 2018. As I continued my introspection I decided that since I’ve listened intently and learned significant- ly, I have a duty to share my observations with my Brothers. I believe that the Foundation has not adequately taught the members of the Fraternity who they are and what they do. I also believe that the Fraternity has not taught the members what the Foundation is and that they should vigorously support the Foundation, because of the sup- port that the Foundation can potentially give the Fraternity. Because I’ve listened and learned, I’ve con- cluded that Brothers in general, view the Building the Dream Klassic as “pie in the sky,” an unreach- able object because of the cost to participate and the inability of the average member to access financial support beyond himself. The question for you is; how do you view the Klassic? What would have to happen for you to be among the participants at the 2019 Klassic? As for me and my Silhouette, we enjoyed the event, being pampered in the Spa; enjoying four days of superb cuisine; supping and conversing with wonderful people; witnessing the sharing and entertainment. It was encouraging to see the many Kappa Leaguers who had the opportunity to have a full day of activities, including the conversations they were able to have with high achieving partici-
pants, including Basketball Hall of Famers Sam Jones and Oscar Robertson, who were Honorary Co-Chairs along and Chairman Rod Adkins. I am glad we went. I witnessed many reasons why every Kappa should plan to go. While you are viewing the Klassic through purely mon- etary lenses, let me ask you to look back over your Kappa journey and ask yourself; what does it take to accumulate $5,000? Make a list of expenses you will have to attend the Klassic. While doing this, look through your philanthrop- ic lens and consider how much you’re willing to give to the cause of our Kappa Leaguers. Con- sider how much you can donate to philanthropic causes to assist in your tax write-off. If you work for a corporation that will match your charitable giving, consider how much you can get through this method. If you have dedicated yourself to achievement throughout your career, check your bank accounts and see if you have a nickel or two that you can use for this great philanthropic venture. Oh, by the way, if you work for a major corporation, just ask them to make a donation to the Foundation (Klassic) and permit you to be the on-site representative at the Klassic. When I was being pampered in the Spa I was thinking of you. I was imagining you somewhere in the spa; out on the golf course where Tiger Woods played in the Honda Open; participat- ing in the entrepreneurial forums with high achieving executives; sitting beside the pools or whatever you chose to remember forever. All of that was part of my pampering, because I wanted you to have the same experience. If you’re a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, achievement demands that you figure it out all by yourself, how to attend the Klassic in 2019. If you can’t do that keep striving my brother and keep listening.
focused on the importance of “listening”. I have reflected on his cogent words and am focusing on ways that our beloved fraternity can apply them in our policies and implementation. I knew that the Building the Dream Klassic would closely follow Founders’ Day and that it would be dependent upon the participation of the members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, each of us. I did an immediate introspection and asked myself, “What can I do to help make the Klassic a success?” As part of my introspection I thought about Brother Hill’s admonition that we should listen. I also thought that I try my best to listen to everyone, and more importantly I learn from everyone by listening. On April 5, 2018, I celebrated 63 years in the Bond. I listened intently as I knelt at the Delphic Shrine; I learned the purpose of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, as well as what was ex- pected of me as a member. Not only did I listen to these words that would shape my future in and outside of Kappa, but I remember the vows I took promising to keep the tenets of Phi Nu Pi until I “reach that golden shore”. There came a time during my Kappa journey when my brothers decided that it was important that a foundation be formed to support some of the activities of the fraternity, especially those that qualify under Section 501(c)(3) of the US Internal Revenue Code that allows for federal tax exemption of nonprofit organizations, specifi- cally those that are considered public charities, private foundations or private operating founda- tions. We knew that the fraternity could not qualify for such federal tax exemption, so the Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation was born. During the years since the Foundation’s
interpreted as a Foundation revival in 2016. I saw what I believed was different than a mirage, but a reality that some members of the “talented tenth” could be brought to the table and progres- sively change the paradigm of the Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation. I knew by my own experience with foundations, that in order for a nonprofit foundation to thrive, the members of the board of directors must individually be willing and capable of bringing financial resources to the table. I lis- tened and learned that if a board member doesn’t cause MONEY to be added to the treasury of the foundation, he or she is virtually useless as a board member. I also listened and learned that many would want to qualify themselves for service as a board member because of their advisory, academic or sphere of influence, but such can be accomplished in an advisory board or committee. In other words, if you don’t bring MONEY, you should disqualify yourself for board service. I attended the Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation and Annual Meeting in 2017. I listened to the president admonish the board members that they should cause MONEY to come to Foundation, not rhetoric and other conversation. He received tacit commitments by members with smiles on their faces. I didn’t see the president smile. The Board of Directors of the Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation decided to raise the bar higher than ever before. They gave birth to an initiative called
94 | WINTER ISSUE THE JOURNAL
Publishing achievement for more than 100 years
Publishing achievement for more than 100 years
THE JOURNAL WINTER ISSUE | 95
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