MIAMI (FL) ALUMNI CELEBRATES 75 YEARS
Miami (FL) Alumni Chapter Celebrates 75 Years
By Aaron Williams
Chapter Celebration S anniversary observance. The committee, led by 50-year member and past chap- ter polemarch Brother James Monroe, Ph.D., had planned a week-long celebra- tion which included a public meeting, community service project, and recogni- tions at several legislative bodies across the greater Miami area. However, the chapter’s plans were significantly altered due to the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic and the implementation of ince late 2018, members of the Miami (FL) Alumni Chap- ter began the discussions and planning for the chapter’s 75 th -
Chauncy Haynes.
Chapter Chartering Spearheaded by Lemuel “Leo”
Jenkins and seven Miami-based mem- bers, the effort to establish an alumni chapter in South Florida began in the mid-1940s. Brother Jenkins was the guiding spirit in the establishment of the chapter. As a result of efforts to show Miami had suf-
supporting the ‘banquet in a box’ concept. Attendees will also receive a commemorative Miami Alumni 75 th anniversary t-shirt, a personal bottle of champagne, and a plastic flute glass for a virtual toast. The chapter will provide a digital credit to attendees for payment to order a meal from an online meal de- livery service such as Uber Eats ® , Door Dash ® , or Postmates ® . The virtual platform allows attend- ees to interact with one another in small groups via “virtual tables.” Attendees will be able to move from table to table to connect with different groups of brothers. During this time, attendees can fellowship by eating lunch or a cocktail. The main program agenda includes a brief recap of the history of the Miami (FL) Alumni Chapter, notable members, chapter contributions to the Grand Chapter, Southern Province, and the Greater Miami community, remarks from past Polemarchs of Miami Alumni, and greetings and remarks from Polemarchs from other area chapters. Dignitaries invited to the “Banquet in the Box” event including Grand Polemarch Ruben A. Shelton, III, 33 rd Grand Polemarch Thomas L. Battles, Jr., and Southern Province Polemarch
social distanc- ing measures to combat the deadly virus. As a result, the chapter modi- fied its initial cel- ebration plans to include a scaled- down in-person event and a virtual celebratory event. On Charter Day, November 23, 2021, the
fi cient mem- bers in the city to sup- port an alumni chapter,
the Southeastern Province petitioned the Grand Board of Directors and the 12 th Grand Polemarch Augustus G. Parker. Early in November 1946, J. Er- nest Wilkins, Sr., the Grand Keeper of Records and Exchequer, sent a letter to the group of Miami Kappa Men inform- ing them the Grand Board of Directors approved the petition to establish an alumni chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fra- ternity, Inc. in the City of Miami, FL. On Saturday night, November 23, 1946, in the home of Chester Williams, the Southeastern Province Polemarch W. Dickerson Donnelly officiated the chapter chartering ceremonies and over- saw the inaugural election of officers. The following were elected: Polemarch, Leo Jenkins; Vice Polemarch, Oscar J. Edwards, Sr.; Keeper of Records, Chester Williams; Keeper of Exchequer,
chapter sponsored a fellowship event at the Miami (FL) Alumni Chapter house. Despite the event occurring during the Thanksgiving holiday week, the chapter typically convenes informally to com- memorate the actual day of chartering. With this year’s chapter milestone, the charter day toast is expected to hold unique significance and reflections from many long-time chapter members and new chapter members alike. On December 11, 2021, the chapter hosted a virtual banquet celebration via the Hopin ® virtual event platform entitled “Banquet in a Box: An Interac- tive Experience.” Registered virtual attendees receive a specially designed commemorative box filled with items
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