The brothers of Kappa Alpha Psi are headed back to Charlotte, this time for their annual Founders’ Day celebration.

The national fraternity last held a major Charlotte event in 2003, when the Kappa Conclave drew thousands of guests to the Queen City. This year’s event, scheduled for Jan. 8-11, will be considerable smaller.

Martin McNeese, who serves on the board of the Kappa’s Charlotte alumni chapter, said he anticipates several hundred visitors from nearby cities and states, in addition to an estimated 300 Kappas who live in or near Charlotte.

After stops in Baton Rouge, La.; Orlando, Fla.; and Los Angeles, McNeese said, Charlotte was an easy choice to host this year’s event.

The city has a mystique about it, and folks all over the country are hearing good things about it,” he said. “Folks had such a great time in 2003. Everybody said the hospitality here was unparalleled to any city they’ve been to.”

After years of having dozens of Founders’ Day celebrations scattered nationwide, the Kappas’ Grand Polemarch (president) Dwayne Murray wanted to start a national event as the fraternity approached its 100th anniversary in 2011, McNeese said.

Except for a Saturday night banquet, all events are open to the public. The banquet will include keynote speaker Michael V. Roberts Sr., president and CEO of the Roberts Co. of St. Louis, Mo., which owns television broadcasting properties, real estate development entities and a restaurant chain.

While in Charlotte, Kappa members are expected to worship at New Birth Charlotte, where the Rev. Terrell Murphy is senior pastor. The visit will be part of a national fundraising drive to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, McNeese said.

The national fraternity for years has been a major donor to the facility, contributing more than $500,000 of a $1 million pledge, he said.

Visit www.kappaweekend.com for a complete schedule.
 

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