KAPPAS IN SPORTS
agement. I am currently serving on the Grand Board of Directors and work- ing on my master’s degree in Financial Planning at Iowa State. Journal: Excellent. So tell us about what sparked your interest in joining Kappa Alpha Psi. Nixon: Well growing up I spent a lot of time with my uncle, Louis D. Whit- low (Gamma Phi 2003). Every year I would look forward to going to the classic which is an annual celebration/ all-star weekend/football game here in Birmingham between Alabama State and Alabama A&M University. I would go with my uncle and hang out with he and his line brothers. I idolized every- thing he did. I was drawn to the bond they had amongst each other as well as the way they looked out for me. Later in life as I got older, my mother, Joaniteka Whitlow-Nixon, being a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (Gam- ma Tau 1994, Tuskegee University), got me involved with their EMBODI program through her alumnae chapter She was an officer in her undergradu- ate chapter and remains active in her graduate chapter. The EMBODI program brought in strong Black male leaders in the community to speak with and mentor young Black males. I also noticed her level of involvement with her organization and also her mentoring of collegiate members of her sorority through Leadership Delta. Journal: So you already knew what you were going to do before you got to campus.
named an All-American. In order to receive that recognition you have to be one of the top sixteen in the country. I was an academic All-American as well. That's being in the top sixteen and hav- ing above a 3.0 GPA. Before transferring to Iowa State, I was a bronze medalist and All-SEC member for the 800. I was also on the SEC academic honor roll, a Penn Relays Champion, and a mem- ber of the school record holding 800 meter relay team. After transferring to Iowa State, I was a member of the first team in school history to win the Big 12 Indoor Track and Field Title. Which was a big moment for the program and the university. We were fitted with our championship rings and everything and it was very exciting. That was my first time winning a team championship ever. I had won many individual titles, but had never been a part of anything like that. So that was a great opportunity and experience. All doing this while being a grand board member, and trying to be the best student athlete that I can be. Journal: So you've mentioned being an honor roll student, an All-American athlete, and serving on the fraternity's grand board. How were you able to bal- ance all of these responsibilities at such an elite level? Nixon: I think it was something my mom instilled into me as a young kid. Get involved, be well rounded and maintain excellent grades Never put all your eggs into one basket. Even from middle school through high school I was playing three sports year round. I was in the band and also playing the drums at church. I also volunteered coaching track at the elementary school and held a position in my high school's student government. So being so involved taught me the discipline that you have to get up early, and get enough sleep, and eat correctly. That repetitive balance and mindset of knowing that I had to get this done everyday stuck with me. I also of course have to give high praise to God for allowing me to do all these things, because none it would be possible
Nixon: Before I even crossed, I was in- volved in a lot of things on campus. That kind of showed the guys my leadership potential. It showed that I was prepared for the role to come and I eventually served as Vice Polemarch for the chap- ter. I never thought I'd be in the position I'm in, but early on I was shown that there is another side to Kappa by one of my old heads. His name is Richard Maddox (Eta Upsilon 1987), the current Senior Province Vice Polemarch. Talking to him opened my eyes to the political and true networking side of the frater- nity, the other things that Kappa has to offer other than what you see on cam- pus, e.g. the volunteering, parties etc. What really caused it to blossom was the Undergraduate Leadership Institute (ULI). I was a part of the Theta Class in Atlanta, GA. It was a really great experi- ence. Initially, I had applied too late, but I got a call to get over here quick and I was prepared to take advantage of it. And it showed because I was recognized as one of the top three leaders of the ULI experience. I was able to meet past Grand Polemarchs there. That's where I first met Grand Polemarch Shelton. I was able to meet CEOs of some amaz- ing companies like Home Depot and GE as well as some undergraduate brothers who would end up serving on the Grand Board with me. That experience was so eye opening. It showed me that Kappa has a lot to offer that younger brothers either don’t know, or aren’t exposed to. So I'm glad I was able to take advantage of that opportunity. It led to me being able to display my leadership and net- working skills, and I was recommended for the consideration for the Grand Board. It was such an honor because I'm the first from my chapter to serve on the Grand Board. Journal: You've mentioned that you're an athlete. Tell us what your sport is. And tell us about some of your achieve- ments in your sport.
Nixon: Yeah, I was throwing the Yo as a young kid.
Journal: You mentioned that you serve on the grand board of directors as an undergraduate member. Tell us about your journey within the fraternity that lead you to such an esteemed position. Also, tell us how your fraternal journey may have contributed to your athletic achievements.
Nixon: So I run the 800 meters both outdoor and indoor. I was recently
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