Black History

Kappa Alpha Psi Alumni Chapter Celebrates 40th Anniversary

THE AFRO — The Hyattsville/ Landover alumni chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity has been one of the most impactful in its community since its inception in 1979. Their 40th anniversary provided them with an opportunity to laud those who were pillars in the foundation and who have helped it become one of the most influential chapters in the nation during the ceremony at the Hotel at the University of Maryland in College Park.

Published

7 years ago

March 29, 2019

Oakland Post

By Mark F. Gray

The Hyattsville/ Landover alumni chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity has been one of the most impactful in its community since its inception in 1979. Their 40^th anniversary provided them with an opportunity to laud those who were pillars in the foundation and who have helped it become one of the most influential chapters in the nation during the ceremony at the Hotel at the University of Maryland in College Park.

As a chapter that began much like a startup company, Hyattsville/ Landover has leveraged the professional success of its brothers to form the direction of its vision. It is also a chapter that gained political capital through its four decades of community service. During its 40 year existence they have remained committed to the youth of Prince George’s County through a “strong organizational foundation that serves both the community and provides programs for youth,” says 18^th Chapter Polemarch Michael K. Pitts.

This chapter’s local influence has been noteworthy through various initiatives that began without fanfare and remains behind a silhouette of the many lives it has touched. High school students in Prince George’s County have benefitted from the chapter’s Guide Right Program, Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) preparation and financial aid workshops. The progressive vision of the chapter has been an example for others throughout the fraternity nationwide.

“Our achievements over the last four decades demonstrate how the chapter established a paradigm for community service for fraternities and sororities I Prince George’s County,” says Clarence Jones, the chapter’s historian and chairman of the 40^th anniversary of the Awards Planning and Celebration Committee. “We crossed a mediocre threshold, creating a new threshold and a new threshold of helping others. These four decades tell the story of how a new era of in community service began to take hold.”

During a, sometimes, emotional evening among the brotherhood, laughs and spirits flowed with memories and camaraderie they forged through the years of its volunteer work in Prince George’s County. The chapter’s precedent was acknowledged for how it’s standard has raised the bar for other alumni chapters around the country. This chapter has been noted for being at the forefront of supporting Kappa Alpha Psi’s national level and has been supportive all around in working with the divine nine. which is the consortium of Black Greek fraternities and sororities.

Thomas L. Battles, Jr., the 33^rd Grand Polemarch of the national organization, was the keynote speaker and gave credit to this local alumni chapter for evolving from its humble beginning, where it gave men who were interested a chance to pledge to become a member of the vanguard of civic impact. The men of the Hyattsville/ Landover alumni chapter developed much of the mentoring programming that many national undergraduate and graduate chapters utilize regularly.

“This chapter has been at the front of young and old training for leadership,” Battles Jr. said. “We have always been able to count on the Hyattsville/ Landover alumni chapter to support what we are trying to accomplish through our work in conjunction with the divine nine.”

Battles, Jr. also challenged the chapter to continue its leadership in mentoring, especially leading up to the 2020 presidential elections. While he and the rest of the leaders of the divine nine are moving towards establishing a political action committee to ensure that challenges facing HBCU’s, he was resolute about equipping a new generation with skills necessary to advocate for themselves and to try to change the direction of the country.

“We’ve got to teach kids how to tell their story,” Battles, Jr. said. “Kids are dying these days because they can’t express themselves to authorities.”

This article originally appeared in The Afro.

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Oakland Post: Week of December 31, 2025 – January 6, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of – December 31, 2025 – January 6, 2026

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2 weeks ago

January 2, 2026

Oakland Post

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Big God Ministry Gives Away Toys in Marin City

Pastor Hall also gave a message of encouragement to the crowd, thanking Jesus for the “best year of their lives.” He asked each of the children what they wanted to be when they grow up.

Published

3 weeks ago

December 29, 2025

Oakland Post

From top left: Pastor David Hall asking the children what they want to be when they grow up. Worship team Jake Monaghan, Ruby Friedman, and Keri Carpenter. Children lining up to receive their presents. Photos by Godfrey Lee.

By Godfrey Lee

Big God Ministries, pastored by David Hall, gave toys to the children in Marin City on Monday, Dec. 15, on the lawn near the corner of Drake Avenue and Donahue Street.

Pastor Hall also gave a message of encouragement to the crowd, thanking Jesus for the “best year of their lives.” He asked each of the children what they wanted to be when they grew up.

Around 75 parents and children were there to receive the presents, which consisted mainly of Gideon Bibles, Cat in the Hat pillows, Barbie dolls, Tonka trucks, and Lego building sets.

A half dozen volunteers from the Big God Ministry, including Donnie Roary, helped to set up the tables for the toy giveaway. The worship music was sung by Ruby Friedman, Keri Carpenter, and Jake Monaghan, who also played the accordion.

Big God Ministries meets on Sundays at 10 a.m. at the Mill Valley Community Center, 180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley, CA Their phone number is (415) 797-2567.

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First 5 Alameda County Distributes Over $8 Million in First Wave of Critical Relief Funds for Historically Underpaid Caregivers

“Family, Friend, and Neighbor caregivers are lifelines for so many children and families in Alameda County,” said Kristin Spanos, CEO, First 5 Alameda County. “Yet, they often go unrecognized and undercompensated for their labor and ability to give individualized, culturally connected care. At First 5, we support the conditions that allow families to thrive, and getting this money into the hands of these caregivers and families at a time of heightened financial stress for parents is part of that commitment.”

Published

3 weeks ago

December 29, 2025

Oakland Post

Costco. Courtesy image.

Family, Friend, and Neighbor Caregivers Can Now Opt Into $4,000 Grants to Help Bolster Economic Stability and Strengthen Early Learning Experiences

By Post Staff

Today, First 5 Alameda County announced the distribution of $4,000 relief grants to more than 2,000 Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) caregivers, totaling over $8 million in the first round of funding. Over the full course of the funding initiative, First 5 Alameda County anticipates supporting over 3,000 FFN caregivers, who collectively care for an estimated 5,200 children across Alameda County. These grants are only a portion of the estimated $190 million being invested into expanding our early childcare system through direct caregiver relief to upcoming facilities, shelter, and long-term sustainability investments for providers fromMeasure C in its first year. This investment builds on the early rollout of Measure C and reflects a comprehensive, system-wide strategy to strengthen Alameda County’s early childhood ecosystem so families can rely on sustainable, accessible care,

These important caregivers provide child care in Alameda County to their relatives, friends, and neighbors. While public benefits continue to decrease for families, and inflation and the cost of living continue to rise, these grants provide direct economic support for FFN caregivers, whose wages have historically been very low or nonexistent, and very few of whom receive benefits. As families continue to face growing financial pressures, especially during the winter and holiday season, these grants will help these caregivers with living expenses such as rent, utilities, supplies, and food.

The funding for these relief grants comes from Measure C, a local voter-approved sales tax in Alameda County that invests in young children, their families, communities, providers, and caregivers. Within the first year of First 5’s 5-Year Plan for Measure C, in addition to the relief grants to informal FFN caregivers, other significant investments will benefit licensed child care providers. These investments include over $40 million in Early Care and Education (ECE) Emergency Grants, which have already flowed to nearly 800 center-based and family child care providers. As part of First 5’s 5-Year Plan, preparations are also underway to distribute facilities grants early next year for child care providers who need to make urgent repairs or improvements, and to launch the Emergency Revolving Fund in Spring 2026 to support licensed child care providers in Alameda County who are at risk of closure.

The FFN Relief Grants recognize and support the essential work that an estimated 3,000 FFN caregivers provide to 5,200 children in Alameda County. There is still an opportunity to receive funds for FFN caregivers who have not yet received them.

In partnership with First 5 Alameda County, Child Care Payment Agencies play a critical role in identifying eligible caregivers and leading coordinated outreach efforts to ensure FFN caregivers are informed of and able to access these relief funds.FFN caregivers are eligible for the grant if they receive a child care payment from an Alameda County Child Care Payment Agency, 4Cs of Alameda County, BANANAS, Hively, and Davis Street, and are currently caring for a child 12 years old or younger in Alameda County. Additionally, FFN caregivers who provided care for a child 12 years or younger at any time since April 1, 2025, but are no longer doing so, are also eligible for the funds. Eligible caregivers are being contacted by their Child Care Payment Agency on a rolling basis, beginning with those who provided care between April and July 2025.

“This money is coming to me at a critical time of heightened economic strain,” said Jill Morton, a caregiver in Oakland, California. “Since I am a non-licensed childcare provider, I didn’t think I was eligible for this financial support. I was relieved that this money can help pay my rent, purchase learning materials for the children as well as enhance childcare, buy groceries and take care of grandchildren.”

Eligible FFN caregivers who provided care at any time between April 1, 2025 and July 31, 2025, who haven’t yet opted into the process, are encouraged to check their mail and email for an eligibility letter. Those who have cared for a child after this period should expect to receive communications from their child care payment agency in the coming months. FFN caregivers with questions may also contact the agency they work with to receive child care payments, or the First 5 Alameda help desk, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PST, at 510-227-6964. The help desk will be closed 12/25/25 – 1/1/26. Additional grant payments will be made on a rolling basis as opt-ins are received by the four child care payment agencies in Alameda County.

Beginning in the second year of Measure C implementation, FFN caregivers who care for a child from birth to age five and receive an Alameda County subsidized voucher will get an additional $500 per month. This amounts to an annual increase of about $6,000 per child receiving a subsidy. Together with more Measure C funding expected to flow back into the community as part of First 5’s 5-Year Plan, investments will continue to become available in the coming year for addressing the needs of childcare providers in Alameda County.

About First 5 Alameda County

First 5 Alameda County builds the local childhood systems and supports needed to ensure our county’s youngest children are safe, healthy, and ready to succeed in school and life.

Our Mission

In partnership with the community, we support a county-wide continuous prevention and early intervention system that promotes optimal health and development, narrows disparities, and improves the lives of children from birth to age five and their families.

Our Vision

Every child in Alameda County will have optimal health, development, and well-being to reach their greatest potential.

Learn more at www.first5alameda.org.