Easter Egg Hunt
AAYI Kappas in front of Perry Elementary, 2023
Brothers Michael Kinloch, Cliff Jones, Melvin Roper, and Paul Ravenell met with Elaine Kinloch, Monique Washington, and Doris Anderson to conceptualize the possibility of organizing a free Community Easter Egg Hunt for the Ypsilanti community and surrounding areas, targeting children ages 2-11. The Brothers of the Arbor-Ypsilanti-Inkster Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi, Inc., in tandem with members of the Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti-Inkster Silhouettes enthusiastically adopted the idea, committing to the work required to see it come into fruition.
Brother Leo Clark, Principal of Perry Child Development School in Ypsilanti, opened the doors of his facility to host the event with the approval and support of Brother James Hawkins, Superintendent of Ypsilanti Public Schools. The first Community Easter Egg Hunt took place on March 29th 1989, with the AAYI Kappas and AAYI Silhouettes serving as hosts and co-sponsors.
In addition to the Easter Egg Hunt, the children were entertained by a magician, a story teller, music, and fun games. They were also treated with lunch and prizes; children who found special (now golden) eggs were awarded special prizes. Silhouette Monique Washington dressed as the first Easter Bunny and Silhouette Elaine Kinloch was the first Cookie Monster. Over 200 children from the community attended the event. The community and local businesses also embraced this event.
AAYI Kappas Showing Up and Showing Out
As of 2008, the event is still held at Perry Child Development Center in Ypsilanti, and participating organizations now includes: the complete Divine Nine; the Order of the Eastern Star (OES); St. Andrews Lodge No. 7 Masonic Lodge; the Palm Leaf Club; Groove Phi Groove; Swing Phi Swing, the Ann Arbor National Black Nurses Association (AANBNA); the National Association of Negro Business Professional Women's Club (NANBPWC) Ann Arbor; and a legion of local churches and services in Washtenaw County.
A Small Sample of Easter Egg Hunters in Action
Thirty-one years since its inception, over 500 youths participate in the Community Easter Egg Hunt annually, enjoying pizza for lunch after scavenging for their eggs. Our chapter is proud to have collaborated with our Silhouettes to create a legacy event that the Ypsilanti community anticipates eagerly.