"unsung heroes driving change with purpose and perseverance"

Derrick A. Dow, Sr. is the Director of Facilities, Planning & Space Allocation for University Laboratory Animal Resources at the University of Pennsylvania. With over 40 years of experience in biomedical research entailing numerous positions at multiple institutions including over 25 years of leadership at the University of Penn, Derrick has served as a leader and mentor throughout his professional career.  

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Derrick attended Walter Biddle Saul High School of Agricultural Sciences and graduated from Gwynedd Mercy College with a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration. 

Derrick’s love of community and mentorship started early in his life as he served as basketball and baseball coach initially for his nephews and then into his community. His community leadership has spanned over 30 years as he currently serves as President of Philly Kappas Kare and is the past president and secretary of the Achievement Academy and has served as President for Building Blocks pre-school center, Servant Leader for the Deacons Ministry at the Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church, and President of the Enon Coulter Community Development Corporation.  In the summer of 2020, Derrick was initiated in the Philadelphia Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi, Inc. Derrick is happily married to Celeste, his wife of 28 years and they have three amazing children, Morgan, Taylor and Drew.

 Mark McCall is a Sr. Regional Account Manager for Asurion and a licensed real estate agent with EXP Realty. He brings over 30 years of experience in real estate investing, demonstrating a long-standing commitment to economic empowerment and property ownership within his community.
A proud Philadelphia native, Mark graduated from Central High School (248th class) and earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Marketing from La Salle University in 1993. He later received a certification in Computer Programming from the Computer Learning Center in 1996.
Mark was initiated into the Philadelphia (PA) Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. in 2004. He currently serves as Vice President of Philly Kappas Kare and has been a committed leader in the Philadelphia Alumni Chapter Achievement Academy since 2007, contributing to the mentorship and development of young men across the city.
Mark’s purpose is:
“Building wealth and empowering others through service, leadership, and opportunity.” 

Frank is a dedicated Human Resources professional currently working with a local non-profit organization that provides shelter, housing, resources, and job readiness programs for unhoused individuals in the Philadelphia area. In addition to this role, Frank serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Philadelphia Baptist Association and is an active deacon at Zion Baptist Church.

Born and raised in West Oak Lane, Philadelphia, Frank is a graduate of Central High School and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Eastern University. He also spent part of his college career at West Chester University, where he developed a deep understanding of the value of serving others without expecting anything in return.

Formerly a youth baseball, basketball, and football coach, Frank has had the privilege of mentoring and guiding young men, an experience he finds both rewarding and humbling. Hearing from young people that he had a positive impact on their lives is what makes his efforts truly meaningful.

Frank has been happily married to his wife, Rose, for 28 years and is the proud father of Justin, Ashley, Brandon, and Frank III. 

His favorite scripture is Psalm 19:14: “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.”

Charles F. Trulear, V (Skip) is a retired Project Director for WTW. Professional accomplishments include having been a Partner in the Human Resources Services practice of Towers Perrin Consulting. Skip has over 40 years of experience in the group insurance, human resources and benefits administration industry.

Skip is a Philadelphia native, graduate of Central High School and of Eastern University with a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Management (1996) and a Masters in Business Administration (1999). Earlier undergraduate studies included time at the University of Pittsburgh with initiation into the Beta Epsilon Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. on December 3, 1977. Skip became a Life Member on April 25, 2005.

Skip’s involvement with youth mentorship began as a camp counselor at the Germantown YMCA during his high school years in the 1970’s. In addition to being the current Treasurer of Philly Kappas Kare, Skip is also a past President of The Achievement Foundation (2018 to 2020) as well as past President and Secretary of the Philadelphia Alumni Chapter Achievement Academy (2002 to 2005).

Skip’s purpose is, “Helping People Develop.”

Hailing from the ’Natural State' of Arkansas, Marquies now calls the vibrant city of Philadelphia home. He is a trailblazer, a proud first-generation college graduate from a Historically Black College or University (HBCU), THE University of Arkansas at Pine BluT. This distinction has shaped his identity and fueled his determination to lead and uplift others in his community and family.

At the core of Marquies' life is his unwavering faith, deeply intertwined with his active involvement in the church, which has provided him with guidance and purpose throughout his journey. He is also a distinguished member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., where he plays a vital role as the Program Director for a transformative youth mentoring and development initiative in Philadelphia known as Kappa League (Guide Right). Through this program, he passionately serves nearly 100 young men of color, oTering them mentorship and support as they navigate the complexities of their personal and professional lives.

In his professional domain, Marquies shines as an accomplished sales leader in the pharmaceutical industry. He holds a prestigious Sales Director position at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), where he is entrusted with the critical responsibility of securing access to GSK's innovative products within the U.S. healthcare system. His strategic eTorts ensure that large health systems can provide essential medications to the patients who need them most, significantly influencing the healthcare landscape and improving health outcomes for many.

Guided by the principle of "paying it forward," Marquies embodies a deep commitment to service and community engagement. His relentless dedication to mentorship, impactful work in the pharmaceutical field, and unwavering support for those around him paint a portrait of a man who believes in the power of giving back. Marquies is a powerful testament to the strength of perseverance, the importance of hard work, and the transformative potential of community involvement.

Rev. Dr. Edward Sparkman is the product of the Philadelphia public school system.  He earned his BA degree from Howard University, his Juris Doctrate degree from Temple University School of Law, and his Master of Divinity degree from Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary now known as Palmer Theological Seminary.  

He has been a practicing attorney in Philadelphia for 40 years and serves as a National Consultant for Neighborworks America and National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC) in the area of foreclosure prevention, home preservation and bankruptcy.  He was a former staff attorney at Community Legal Service of Philadelphia, a Chief Assistant City Solicitor for the city of Philadelphia and as a Federal Bankruptcy Trustee for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. 

He is the Senior Pastor of the historic Shiloh Baptist Church located in South Philadelphia, where he has served faithfully for twenty eight years.  In April of 2018 he was installed as the 11th president of the Manna Bible Institute of Philadelphia.

Dr. Wendell Griffith was born in Caracas, Venezuela as his family lineage runs through the Caribbean. Specifically, his mother is from Trinidad & Tobago and his father is from Barbados. However, he was raised in North Philadelphia, 16th & Clearfield Streets. He enjoys spending time with his wife, 9-year-old son, and giving back to the Philadelphia community through his professional and fraternal volunteer work. Dr. Griffith serves as the Director of Student Success and Wellness at Cheyney University (PA) where he leads the university’s New Student Orientation, Academic Success Center, Next Steps AmeriCorps program, Collegiate 100 program, and supports the First Year Experience course. 

Dr. Wendell Griffith is a proud graduate of the School District of Philadelphia, has twenty years of experience in student support programs and a strong record of success leading teams in the development and implementation of student success initiatives. He holds a Doctorate in Higher Education Leadership from St. Joseph’s University (PA); a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership from Wilmington University (DE); a Master’s Degree in Social Work Administration from Temple University (PA), and a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Lincoln University (PA). His doctoral work focused on the success of Black men at the community college level exploring their voices and personal strategies to attain academic success within their institutions. 

In addition to working at Cheyney University (PA), Dr. Griffith worked for GEAR UP via Temple University (PA) and the Philadelphia Education Fund, The Educational Advancement Alliance, Inc., Montgomery County Community College (PA), and Rutgers University-Camden (NJ) serving students who are economically and/or educationally disadvantaged. His personal philosophy stems from the idea of an African proverb, Ubuntu, which means, “I am because we are and because we are I am.” Dr. Wendell Griffith believes in a community approach to education while challenging systemic oppression and demanding social justice for underrepresented communities. 

Kern K. Haynes Sr. is an accomplished financial executive with over a decade of experience in the healthcare sector. Since 2020, he has served as the Chief Financial Officer at Greater Philadelphia Health Action (GPHA), where he leads financial strategies, oversees critical divisions—including Finance, Pharmacy Revenue Cycle, and Purchasing—and ensures corporate compliance.

Before assuming his current role, Haynes held positions such as Corporate Controller and Financial Analyst at GPHA, where he demonstrated strong leadership, improved operational efficiencies, and implemented successful financial strategies. In addition to his healthcare finance career, he owns and operates The Haynes Syndicate, a real estate development firm in Philadelphia.

Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, Haynes immigrated to Philadelphia in the mid-1990s and has remained in the area since. He was initiated into the Philadelphia Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi in the spring of 2007 and currently serves as the Exchequer (Treasurer) on the chapter’s Board of Directors.

Haynes holds a Healthcare Executive Certificate from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix with a focus on Healthcare Administration, and a Bachelor of Science from Kutztown University. In 2022, he was recognized as CFO of the Year by the Philadelphia Business Journal.

Jeffrey W. Montague is the former Associate Vice Dean of Temple University’s School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management (STHM) and has over 28 years of administrative experience in higher education. A graduate of Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, which is the oldest historically black university in America, Montague went on to complete a Master’s Degree + at Temple before joining its faculty/administration. 

One of the philosophies Montague has is to make customer service a priority to all clients. He believes the ability to provide personal service has a vital place in our community, especially in an age of increased technology.  Further, he takes pride in mentoring clients/business partners in their personal growth, personal brand, professional development, and career/business strategy.

Currently, he has transitioned from higher education fulltime being innovative in creating MontagueMade Consulting, a Sole Proprietorship company that has a focus of Brand Management, Strategic & Innovative planning in the area of Hospitality and Sport, Curriculum Development, and Diversity of Thought through group and individual intervention. In addition, Montague is a partner of Real Property Capital United Advisors (RPC United Advisors), a group of investors focusing on property development and investment in Hotel Development, and Public & Private Capitalization.

Montague challenges himself to stay connected to the Alumni population with a focus on fund raising/development. Connectivity to others is the key to successful capital campaign development. Finally, his love for Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., and his personal friendships inspire him to “Be The Best” one could be. He feels Philanthropy that helps bring our minority youth exposure to “what could be” is his current driving force to help make a difference in our community.  

Ernest Kwame Ntiamoah is a resident of Montgomery County and currently serves as an assistant director of admission at The Pennsylvania State University-Philadelphia Region. Before joining Penn State, he was the account manager for Famjuice's parent company, Wholesale Ice Cream, where he supervised new and existing territories, including New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Philadelphia. Ernest obtained a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Sociology from Penn State Harrisburg while serving as president of the Student Government Association. He earned a graduate certificate in corporate innovation and entrepreneurship and a master's degree in the same field.

Ernest is a Fall 2022 initiate of the Philadelphia Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. He is a life member and has served as the Philadelphia Alumni Chapter’s Keeper of Records and served on several committees within the Chapter to include Community Outreach, the Achievement Academy, the HBCU Tour, and The Holiday Affair, among several others.

Most recently, Ernest has begun serving as the chief operating officer of College Knowledge, a startup company. He hopes to establish the Prosper with Honesty Foundation. The foundation will assist young adults in the diaspora who face religious and cultural issues. Cultural shock can be difficult for parents and their foreign-born children, but with the right support, breakthroughs and righteous living are possible. He views himself as a Contender, a Challenger, and a Champion. These words propel him throughout his life, bringing him respect, recognition, and support wherever God places him on earth. Ernest sets an exceptional example and strives to deliver good news. He is a Contender for the future, a Challenger who adapts to the circumstances and a Champion with a winning mindset. He believes that if you look at a person the way they are today, they will never grow, but if you regard them as they could be, they will eventually become who they should be.