Page 16 - Florida Sentinel 2-12-21

Local Event
Achieving In The New Normal:
Kappa Alpha Psi Honors Members During Founders’ Day Virtual Celebration
Former County Commis- sioner Les Miller was the re- cent guest speaker for the Tampa Alumni Chapter’s an- nual Kappa Alpha Psi Frater- nity, Inc., Founders’ Day celebration. This was the first time in the history of the local organization, which is entering its 93rd year, the Founders’ Day ceremony was held virtu- ally.
For Miller’s lifelong serv- ice to the community as well as to Kappa Alpha Psi, Tampa Alumni adopted a resolution honoring Miller.
Whereas, he has been rec- ognized locally and nationally for his service receiving the University of South Florida
Distinguished Alumnus Award; the University of South Florida President’s Distin- guished Citizens Award; the Florida A&M University Pres- ident’s Award; American Can- cer Society’s Legislative Award and the Tampa Alumni Chap- ter’s Man of the Year, Pole- march’s Award and Harry Morris Lifetime Achievement Award,” reads part of the res- olution.
“Miller embodies the essence of a true “servant leader,” said Tampa Alumni Polemarch (President) Roland C. Daniels, “in that he strives to make better for all.”
Kappa Alpha Psi was
Les Miller being presented a resolution to honore his public service and service to Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.
Marcus Sloan was recog- nized for his service to the fra- ternity, receiving the Polemarch’s Award.
founded by 10 men on Jan. 5, 1911 on the campus of Indiana University. It was founded on the principal of Achievement in every form of human en- deavor, while also serving ini- tially as an outlet and support for like-minded Black college men trying to navigate through the times of open racism and social injustice. The organization later opened its doors to college graduates and men of all races, with the mission of serving the commu- nity.
Miller, a 1975 initiate of the University of South Florida’s Zeta Chi Chapter, has embodied the mission of the founders, serving in the gov- ernment on a state, county and city levels. A former member of the state of Florida House of Representatives and the state of Florida Senate, Miller was the first person to serve as Democratic Leader in the Florida Legislature. He retired in November as Chairman of the Board of Commissions of Hillsborough County (Fla.) and still serves on various boards in the community.
A Life Member of the fra- ternity, Miller has served on the provincial (regional) level and remains active with the local chapter of Tampa Alumni. A former polemarch on three different occasions, Miller was instrumental in the chapter getting to host the fraternity’s National Founders’ Day celebration in 2019 and was named Tampa Alumni Kappa of the Year in 2019.
Two of the chapter’s major awards were given during the local chapter’s festivities.
Bianco Berry received the Kappa Man of the Year award.
Bianco Berry was named the chapter’s Kappa Man of the Year, while Marcus Sloan was given the Polemarch’s Award.
Berry, a 2016 initiate of Tampa Alumni, is a current board member and is the chapter’s community outreach chairman. He was instrumen- tal in setting up community- based programs such as, “What to do in a Natural Dis- aster,” led the chapter teaming with the Children’s Board in giving away more than 200 pack-n-play crib sets for needy families as well as setting up the chapter’s involvement with Metropolitan Ministries.
He now has the chapter embarking on a new commu- nity venture. The ‘Now you Know’ series are virtual help workshops intended for the Tampa Bay community. The first workshop was held Jan. 14 on “Asset Protection: Pro- tecting What’s Yours.” Other upcoming workshops will in- clude Prostrate Cancer and Mental Health Awareness.
“Berry brings energy and excellence to every project he is involved in,” the Polemarch said. “When you need to make something happen, you can al- ways count on Bianco.”
Sloan is a 1979 initiate of the Alpha Sigma Chapter of Southern University. He is the current Keeper of Exchequer (treasurer) with Tampa Alumni and has been at the front lines of numerous chap- ter activities.
“Sloan utilizes his finan- cial and auditing background to bring accountability to the fraternity,” Daniels said. “He has an outstanding attitude and is always a joy to be around.”
Overall, despite the obsta- cles the year has brought, the night was a huge success for Tampa Alumni.
“Through the use of tech- nology, brothers were not only able to reconnect with each other, but also with the bond of the fraternity,” Daniels said. “Founders’ Day 2021 was a great success.”
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