MIAMI (FL) ALUMNI CELEBRATES 75 YEARS
was THE social event in the greater Miami area. The event was usually held at five-star hotels and waterfront venues such as on the Port of Miami. Miami’s Black and White Ball was immensely popular and even took on themes such as “Kasino Royale.” Later the Miami (FL) Alumni Chapter collaborated with neighboring South Florida chapters from Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties to co-host an even bigger and more inclusive gala. In recent years, the chapter’s Found- ers Day J5 house party has been the most anticipated celebration in South Florida. The event is open to the public and is primarily held in the sprawling backyard of the fraternity house, with plenty of food, entertainment, and even a champagne toast to the founders. The chapter uses the J5 event also acts as a fellowship and reclamation occasion. Some other more recent social events sponsored by the chapter include a yacht party leaving from Biscayne Bay. Chapter House A long-time goal of the chapter came true in 2014. Under the leadership of chapter Foundation Chair Thomas Jones, Jr. and Polemarch Robert Frazier, the chapter brought a 1,500 square foot chapter house on a half-acre lot. The Miami (FL) Alumni Foundation and funds raised within the chapter enabled the Miami (FL) Alumni to purchase the house. The chapter utilizes the prop- erty as a gathering spot for brotherhood activities and hospitality to visiting broth- ers. In addition to chapter meetings and fellowship events, the house contains a sprawling backyard that has hosted social events with hundreds of people. The property is also a community anchor, serving our community with toys, cook- outs, school supplies, gift cards, and food deliveries. The Miami (FL) Alumni Chapter house is located in an unincorporated area near North Miami, about half a mile east of Miami-Dade College’s north campus and Traz Powell stadium and five
the fraternity house property. The organization annually raises money for fraternity initiatives. Service to the Community Recently, the chapter adopted the motto of “Kappa M.I.A.M.I.”: Kappa Men In this Area Making an Impact. The chapter has pride in inspiring such service in the interest of the greater Mi- ami community. The chapter’s sustained community involvement includes elder services, community beautification, awareness to social and civic issues, health fairs, clothing drives, food drives, toy drives, school supply drives, voter registration, rallies against gun violence, hurricane relief supply drive, earthquake relief supply drive, Surfside first- responder relief drive, battered women relief, and healthcare worker relief for COVID-19. Senior Kappa Affairs Brothers Charles Martin (Epsilon Mu 1973) and past polemarch Donald Coffey (Miami (FL) AL 1982) lead the chapter’s Senior Kappa Affairs Com- mittee, whose mission is to ensure the well-being of fellow senior brothers and help foster senior kappa activities such as golf outings each week. Miami (FL) Alumni Chapter Update Led by 27 th Polemarch Kyle J. Har- ris (Theta Eta 2002) and the chapter
miles southeast of Florida Memorial University. Upcoming, the chapter plans repairs on the house’s electrical system and roof. Kappa League The Miami Kappa League program started in March 1971 under the leader- ship of Brother Carnell White as a 13 city pilot across the country. Brother Maceo Pickett (Miami (FL) AL 2009), current Kappa League Director, re- introduced in 2012 the program. With guiding principles are scholarship, lead- ership, and service, the Miami Kappa League since 2012 boasts a 100% high school graduation percentage. The chapter’s success is partly due to mentoring and programming of- fered including College Tours, Kappa Career Day, tutoring, SAT/ACT prep, S.T.E.A.M. activities, community service activities, social activities, and financial aid education. Annually, the chapter celebrates the achievement of its Kappa Leaguers with a College Sign- ing Day event and awards ceremony. Future plans for Miami Kappa League include a youth/adult bowl- ing tournament and a fundraiser with Krispy Kreme where the Leaguers sell ‘digital dozens of donuts’ via text message and social media. Miami Kappa League will implement a “Kappa League-A-Thon” where the chapter will broadcast on YouTube ® and social as a method for scholarship fundraising.
Philanthropy Established in 2000, the Miami
Alumni Kappa Foundation serves as the philanthropic arm of the Miami (FL) Alumni Chapter with past chapter polemarch Robert “Chris” Frazier as its chairman. The foundation’s mission is: To promote leadership, achievement and enhance the Civic, Educational, Social, and Economic well-being of the Communities and organizations it serves.
The Foundation’s holdings include
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