Members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. launch community service projects as part of road to 2027 national conference in Baltimore
The Baltimore Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. partnered with KABOOM! and local leaders to unveil a new playground at Dr. Nathan A. Pitts-Ashburton Elementary/Middle School as part of a series of community outreach initiatives leading up to the fraternity's 88th Grand Chapter Meeting in 2027. The post Members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. launch community service projects as part of road to 2027 national conference in Baltimore appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.
Black News 
By Andrew Hall
AFRO Intern
ahall@afro.com
As part of their year-long journey to the 88th Grand Chapter Meeting in 2027, the Baltimore Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., is hosting Kappa Week. The celebration, which began on July 8 and runs through July 17, features a series of community outreach initiatives designed to leave a lasting impact ahead of the fraternity’s return to Baltimore next year.
The Baltimore Alumni Chapter built and unveiled a playground at Dr. Nathan A. Pitts-Ashburton Elementary/Middle School on July 11. Partners for the project included KABOOM!, Baltimore City Public Schools, Maryland General Assembly and the Pimlico Community Development Authority.
“It’s important to have these events because we don’t want to just come to Baltimore and have a couple events then go home. We want Baltimore to feel the impact of Kappa Alpha Psi,” said Devron Dickens Sr., polemarch of the Baltimore Alumni Chapter. “Our fraternity’s slogan is ‘achievement in every field of human endeavor,” – achievement not just so we can brag or boast, but achievement so that we can make the world, our neighborhoods and communities a much better and safer space.”
Over the next year, William S. Baer School, Thomas Johnson Elementary Middle School and Sinclair Lane Elementary School will all welcome a new playground built by the men of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and members of the community.
Nakia McLeod, principal of Dr. Nathan A. Pitts-Ashburton Elementary/Middle School, explained the importance of having the new space for her students.
The Baltimore Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., partners with KABOOM! to build a playground at Dr. Nathan A. Pitts-Ashburton Elementary/Middle School on July 11. Shown here, Lysa Ratliff (left); Catherine Pugh; Jermaine Dawson; Nakia McLeod; Devron Dickens Sr.; Sen. Antonio Hayes (D-Md.-District 40) with his children, Antonio and Amaryllis Hayes, and James Torrence (right). Credit: All AFRO Photos / Andrew Hall 
Nakia McLeod, principal of Dr. Nathan A. Pitts-Ashburton Elementary/Middle School, poses outside of her school’s new playground. Credit: All AFRO Photos / Andrew Hall 
The playground Dr. Nathan A. Pitts-Ashburton Elementary/Middle School is one of four that the Baltimore Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., will build ahead of its 88th Grand Chapter Meeting in July 2027. The other projects will be built at William S. Baer School, Thomas Johnson Elementary Middle School and Sinclair Lane Elementary School. Credit: All AFRO Photos / Andrew Hall 
Leaders from the Baltimore Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., KABOOM! and Baltimore City Public Schools cut the ribbon to unveil the finished playground. Shown here, Richard B. Mattox (left); Maryland Sen. Antonio Hayes; William “Randy” Bates Jr.; Dwayne M. Murray and Thomas L. Battles Jr. (right), braving a summer storm to create change in Baltimore. Credit: All AFRO Photos / Andrew Hall 
Members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., bury time capsules that will be opened in 2046. Shown here, Sen. Antonio Hayes (left); Dwayne M. Murray, 31st grand polemarch; Richard B. Mattox, Eastern Province polemarch; Thomas L. Battles Jr., 33rd grand polemarch; William “Randy” Bates Jr., 32nd grand polemarch and Devron D. Dickens Sr., Baltimore Alumni Chapter polemarch (right). Credit: All AFRO Photos / Andrew Hall 
Derrick Dixon serves as senior project manager for KABOOM! The organization builds playgrounds across Baltimore City. Credit: All AFRO Photos / Andrew Hall 
Chris (left) and Christian Hill volunteer during the playground build. The father and son duo were among more than 125 volunteers who supported the project. Credit: All AFRO Photos / Andrew Hall 
Craig Talley shares a moment with fraternity brother, Edwin Avent. Talley is chairman of community service and engagement for the Baltimore Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Credit: All AFRO Photos / Andrew Hall 
Members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.’s Baltimore Alumni Chapter come together in front of the new playground at Dr. Nathan A. Pitts-Ashburton Elementary/Middle School. Credit: All AFRO Photos / Andrew Hall 
Brothers of the Baltimore Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., create cement for the playground. Credit: All AFRO Photos / Andrew Hall 
Volunteers pour cement for the playground build. Credit: All AFRO Photos / Andrew Hall 
Everett Jordan (left), Allen Bennett (right) and other members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., create picnic tables at Dr. Nathan A. Pitts-Ashburton Elementary/Middle School. Credit: All AFRO Photos / Andrew Hall
“We are very excited. Building this playground is important because learning doesn’t stop at the classroom. Some of the most important lessons in life came through playing,” said McLeod. “Our kids having a safe place where they can grow, play and learn, it means the world to us.”
According to McLeod, students at her school played a pivotal role in the development process.
“They’re very excited because they were a part of the process. We had representation from each grade level come up and they made posters of what they wanted to see in the playground,” she said. “I can’t wait until they come back so I can show them.”
More than providing a play-space for kids, KABOOM! Chief Executive Officer Lysa Ratliff says the project sends them an important message.
“Our kids seeing all of us together like this for them … it tells them that they matter. That sends them a message that they are special. That sends them a message that so often, they do not hear. Specifically, our Black kids who are told that they are not enough,” Ratliff said.
Through the intense heat and thundering rain, over 125 volunteers from the Baltimore Alumni Chapter, KABOOM! and the community remained committed to finishing the playground. Ted Carter, a Spring 2026 initiate of the Baltimore Alumni Chapter, described the event from his perspective.
“It’s one of Black love and Black community,” Carter said. “People giving of themselves to create for the next generation. Just a beautiful moment of fellowship and community.”
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