CHAPTER NEWS
The Abu Dhabi Alumni Chapter Celebrates Five Years of Brotherhood and Service
T his year marks the fifth anniversary of the Abu Dhabi Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Frater- nity, Inc., a milestone that reflects the resilience, unity, and commitment to service that defines its members. Chartered on July 25, 2020, Abu Dhabi Alumni Chapter (ADAC) navigated regula- tory challenges to building a vibrant community presence, the chapter’s journey is a powerful testament to the enduring values of brother- hood, leadership, and service. “Our chapter’s success is a result of perseverance, a commitment to service, and the unwavering bond of brotherhood that defines Kappa Alpha Psi,” said Chapter Polemarch Dr. Damon H. Dandridge (Phil- adelphia (PA) AL 2008). “We are proud to celebrate five years of making an impact in the Middle East.”
Brothers standing in front of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
without its challenges. The primary obstacle was reconciling local regulations with Kappa Alpha Psi’s constitutional naming requirements. The country’s laws prohibited using the national name in the chapter’s designa- tion, while the fraternity’s constitution did not allow regional alternatives. This
impasse was resolved through a compromise that permitted using an Emir- ate’s city name, aligning with both local laws and the fraternity’s guidelines. This resolution was a turning point that enabled
the most complex chal- lenges. “Navigating these challenges was a true test of our determination and our commitment to establish- ing a lasting presence in the UAE,” noted a Jay Dee Dillard (Iota Phi 1998) who was the first Polemarch of ADAC. The chapter’s origin story began with
A JOURNEY TO CHARTERING Establishing a chapter in the UAE was not
the chapter to move forward, proving that
determination and adapt- ability could overcome even
10 THE JOURNAL ♦ WINTER 2024-2025
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