2 minute read
MEMBER DEEDS MemberOwned and Operated M
errick Weingarten, Michigan '18, (at right) recently founded Kiwiclo, a retail and lifestyle brand celebrating its collaborating athletes' talent and philanthropic values. Weingarten leveraged his existing love of merchandizing and fashion into a business using athletes' popularity and "superhero" image to create fashionable products consumers can wear to sporting events.
Kiwiclo goes one step further, creating a positive impact by working to raise funds with each sale for philanthropic organizations special to the collaborating athletes. One example is in December 2022, when Kiwiclo introduced the Kiwi x Blake Corum Collection. Merchandise sold out in days and raised money for the Larry Prout Jr. Courage Fund, a non-profit dedicated to financially aiding hospitalized children's families.
Weingarten joined Alpha Kappa Psi his sophomore year to meet driven, like-minded individuals. He credits the new member education process with helping hone his organizational skills and create life-long memories.
Kiwiclo is busy laying a foundation for a bright future. Weingarten noted the brand is cultivating about 10 to 15 collaborations in the next few months. When asked where he envisions Kiwiclo in five years, he describes a unique brand known for providing quality products in partnership with athletes across the sporting world
To support Weingarten, follow @Kiwiclo on Instagram to know about the next merchandise drop.
Central Florida
Event Co-Chairs Katianna Vilson, Central Florida '22, and Ashia Grant, Central Florida '21, hosted the first "Melanin Market" with the Nu Chi Chapter for a day of shopping, music, and performances to commemorate Black History Month and empower the Black community. The University of Central Florida's Big Sister Little Sister Mentoring Program, the John T. Washington Honor Society, Taxes by Katrice Business Solutions, and La Baniels Vintage shop were among the organizations and businesses in attendance. Vilson said the chapter received sponsorship from GO See The City, a local company aiming to end food waste, after networking at the event!
Florida Atlantic
Chapter Anniversary Milestones
The Delta Pi Chapter completed a successful fundraiser to support chapter events and programs. The chapter advertised exam week care packages through parent Facebook groups for on-campus students. Parents could pay for a basket delivered to their students by our Delta Pi members. The chapter raised $600 and plans to continue building upon this success.
In February, members of the Sigma Omega Chapter attended Blazers & The Arts hosted by Progressive Black Men to celebrate Black History Month and their fellow students' artistic talents. Cabria Brown, Florida Atlantic '22, displayed her original art piece and performed the accompanying poem for the first time entitled "Mirror."
Georgia Tech
Third-year computer science major Sreekar Madabushi, Georgia Tech '21, appeared on the February 22 episode of NBC's Jeopardy. Madabushi was invited back for Jeopardy's High School Reunion Tournament after appearing in the 2019 Teen Tournament with 26 other contestants.
HOFSTRA
100 YEARS
Alpha Lambda— Washington University (rechartered in 1950)
Alpha Mu—University of Wisconsin-Madison
Alpha Xi—University of Iowa
Alpha Omicron— Syracuse University
Alpha Pi—Southern Methodist University
75 YEARS
Beta Upsilon— University of South Carolina (rechartered in 1998)
25 YEARS
Omicron Upsilon— Cornell University
Omicron Chi—Case Western Reserve University
Omicron Psi— University of Kentucky
AKPsi is back at Duke University! The Beta Eta Chapter at Duke University rechartered on April 16. The Installation Team initiated 37 members and celebrated with the newest members of the Fraternity.
The first Mu Psi Music Night, a charity concert event to raise funds for the American Heart Association, featured the band Weird America and Hofstra student performances. The chapter donated $430 from the event to the American Heart Association.
10 YEARS
Chi Phi—Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Chi Upsilon—Ramapo College of New Jersey
