Kappa Alpha Psi’s Hyattsville/Landover Alumni Chapter Celebrates 45 Years
Men donning dapper tuxedos and women in dazzling ensembles flocked to the 45th-anniversary celebration of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.’s Hyattsville/Landover Alumni Chapter at the Holiday Inn Washington- College Pk in College Park, Maryland on March 16.
“For the last 45 years, we have been proudly serving the citizens of Prince George’s. Through our programs, through our community service efforts and by focusing on seniors in the community. We’ve partnered with the county at every level and will continue to do so this far,” Clarence Jones Jr. told The Informer of the chapter’s work.
Senior Grand Vice Polemarch Robert L. Jenkins served as the keynote speaker.
“What makes the Hyattsville/Landover Alumni Chapter so special in the ranks of Kappa Alpha Psi. [is], in the beginning, the charter members of this chapter wanted to serve the community,” Jenkins told the crowd.
Eastern Province Polemarch Richard B. Mattox celebrated the work of the Hyattsville/Landover Chapter as innovative and an example for others in dedication to service.
“When COVID hit, I heard from families who were concerned that you were continuing your programs, because the community depends on those programs,” said Mattox.
In celebrating Hyattsville/Landover’s legacy and work, Harris emphasized that the chapter has been dedicated and will continue to stay true to its mission of service to the community.
“Every day, I get to see how hard you brothers work…. It’s what we do on a regular basis, brothers,” said Chapter Polemarch Carroll James Harris. “We don’t measure our impact so much on the awards we win, but by how many lives we touch.”
Local Bojangles Locations Remain Closed
Bojangles now has no operating locations in Prince George’s.
According to a spokesperson for the fast food franchiser, most of Bojangles’ Maryland-based locations have been closed since late 2023. This has affected not just the several Bojangles restaurants in Prince George’s, but also some in the Baltimore metropolitan area.
“Five Bojangles restaurants in the Baltimore area have closed. The franchisee who owned these locations has left the Bojangles system,” said a company spokesman. “Baltimore is a vibrant market, and we have so much love for our Bojangles fans here. We hope to reopen the restaurants in the future under new management and provide the great food and service our guests expect from us.”
Several employees are claiming they are also owed back wages that were not paid prior to the closures.
“What stood out was there was no pay stub attached, no documentation of my hours, how much I worked, and how much they would be pulling out of our check,” explained a former manager who chose to remain anonymous during a recent interview. “These checks were not my full pay. And when I told them I was going to call the cops on them and they said, ‘This is not a street brawl, you don’t have to be ghetto.’ I felt very offended as a Black woman because I felt violated, disrespected and discriminated against.”
At the time of publishing, the web pages for the Oxon Hill, Hillcrest Heights and Landover Bojangles locations are not available. Google lists the Oxon Hill location as permanently closed.
There are plans to open multiple new locations in the Baltimore area although the company has not yet commented publicly on the progress toward these plans.
Inspiring Youth Basketball Team with 5 Deaf Players Makes It to Championship
The Cheverly Panthers, a basketball team of 8-and-9-year-olds who play at the Cheverly Boys and Girls Club, has inspired their community with a unique roster: five of the team’s players are deaf or hard of hearing.
Their play took them all the way to the championship game, where they lost on March 9 to the Cheverly Bruins 20-17 after holding an early lead.
“It was a tough one for us. And unfortunately, none of our team has ever been to a championship game before,” said Panthers head coach Brandon Patrick. “We both brought our ‘A’ games today, and they just happened to be the better team today.”
Henry Congdon, one of the players on the team, learned some sign language to communicate with his teammates.
Interpreter Tavon Simms is also credited as a major help to the team, and a de facto assistant coach.
Local Jiu-Jitsu Instructor Opens Gym In Brazil
Jocqua Shropshire, a native of Maryland and Navy veteran who teaches at Laurel’s 2nd Gear BJJ, is proud to celebrate a new accomplishment. He recently opened a gym in Brazil.
Not only is he helping to model good health practices, but through his gym Evolution of Brother, Shropshire is also promoting international solidarity and providing a positive influence.
“In May 2023, Evolution of Brother came to life in Brazil. Teaming up with Tiago Rodrigo da Silva and Lukas Vito, we embarked on a mission to bring Jiu-Jitsu back to the community. It all started when we met in Brazil, where they were involved in a social project at a local community center. Despite the center closing in early 2021, our shared vision sparked the opening of Evolution of Brother in April 2023,” said Shropshire.
Evolution of Brother, located in Rio de Janeiro, is helping to build connections between African Americans and Black Brazilians. Brazil has nearly 21 million Black citizens, about half as many as the United States. Shropshire believes that building this community and identifying our shared roots can help to increase collaboration and raise awareness of global issues.
He recommended incorporating holistic health tips including regular exercise, mental health awareness, tending to community gardens and green spaces, empowerment programs, and walking as a means of improving one’s overall wellbeing.
Shropshire said Evolution of Brother is not just a gym.
“We’re a family of over 50 children from ages 4 to 14, from the Jacarezinho community. We’re also proud to serve around 20 adults and 10 seniors. Beyond martial arts, we’ve expanded our horizons with Professor Jessica Ximenes teaching English to the children since November 2023.”
