Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., Scholarship Fundraiser - New Pittsburgh Courier

KLUB KAPPA WAS THE SPOT TO BE ON A SATURDAY NIGHT, FEB. 1, AT THE RIVERS CASINO. (PHOTOS BY J.L. MARTELLO)
The East Central Province of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. (ECP) celebrated Founders Day Weekend in Pittsburgh, from January 31 to February 2, 2025. The event was hosted by the Pittsburgh Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. (PAC) and the Beta Epsilon Chapter (BE) of the University of Pittsburgh, with activities taking place at the Rivers Casino.

The festivities commenced with a meet and greet for Brothers at the Rivers Casino Landing Hotel, followed by a happy hour at Burn by Rocky Patel, where Brothers and the Pittsburgh community enjoyed an evening of music, fun, camaraderie and cigars. Events on Feb. 1 began with a Brothers-only Founders Day Closed Banquet Luncheon at the Rivers Casino, attended by 112 Brothers. The keynote speaker, Brother Lt. General Leslie C. Smith, the 87th Grand Chapter Meeting Laurel Wreath Awardee, delivered an inspiring address titled “All In,” which also served as the theme for the weekend.
During the time of the luncheon, the Pittsburgh Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. partnered with the Kappa Scholarship Endowment Fund of Western PA (KSEF) to host a women’s health symposium entitled, “And The Beat Goes On.” This symposium featured expert panelists discussing important women’s health issues related to heart and mental wellness, drawing significant attendance. Following the closed banquet luncheon, Brothers paid their respects at the gravesite of National Founder and PAC Charter Member Brother Marcus Peter Blakemore, holding a ceremony and moment of silence in his honor.
The Feb. 1 evening concluded with the KSEF Annual Fundraising event, “Klub Kappa,” which transformed the Rivers Casino Event Center into a lively club atmosphere complete with lights, music, dancing, food and drinks. Guests were blown away by the event’s ambiance and style. The event successfully raised over $300,000 to support Western Pa. students pursuing higher education.

Since its inception in 1991, KSEF has awarded over $5.3 million in scholarships to more than 275 students. Brother Howard Russell, the past KSEF President, received the inaugural Thomas K. Motley Award for Leadership, honoring the legacy of the late Brother Motley, a former PAC Polemarch and the driving force behind KSEF’s creation.
The current ECP Polemarch is Brother Marcus Bailey, while Brother Richard Freeman serves as the PAC Polemarch and Brother Ryan Ellison serves as the BE Polemarch. KSEF President is Brother Robert Powell, also a former PAC Polemarch.

MARK AND MICHELLE LEWIS WITH CHENDA INNIS LEE AND ASA LEE (PHOTOS BY J.L. MARTELLO)

MORTON STANFIELD, HONOREE HOWARD RUSSELL JR., ROBERT POWELL

SHAUDAE JONES, TIARRA BURTON, STARR GREEN, LATRICE SHANNON, KELLIE WARE AND SHANNON FINLEY-CRESSLER ARE ALL MEMBERS OF ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY INC.

MICHELLE HUMPHRIES-HAYES, SAM STEPHENSON AND TAJUANA STEPHENSON

THE BAND NAME IS CHUCK AND THE FELLAS

HONOREE OF THE THOMAS MOTLEY JR. AWARD IS HOWARD RUSSELL JR.

THE DANCE FLOOR
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