Stand. Stay. Survive.”

58 Therefore, my dear brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. — 1 Corinthians 15:58 (HCSB)

Stand Firm in the Fight

Life has thrown storms at Black men for generations—systems that strain us, labels that limit us, and battles that break us. Yet God still calls us to stand. The enemy wants us weary. The world wants us silent. But the Word of God wants us to be steadfast. Paul says, “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might” (Ephesians 6:10). Not in your fists. Not in your frustrations. Not in your finances. But in His might.

When hell rises, hold your head high. When burdens get heavy, bend your knees in prayer before you bow to pressure. 

Standing doesn’t mean you’re not tired—it means you’re still trusting.

So I encourage to – Stand through the storm, Stand through the struggle, Stand through the sorrow. God gives strength to stand.

Stay Faithful in the Fire

Perseverance isn’t just about standing—it’s about staying. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego show us that faith is not proven by the fire you avoid, but by the fire you outlast (Daniel 3). When Black men stay faithful in the furnace of racism, rejection, responsibility, and relentless pressure, God steps in as our fourth Man in the fire.

Faithfulness is not flashy. It’s daily. It’s disciplined. It’s deciding:

• I won’t quit on my calling.

• I won’t fold on my family.

• I won’t surrender my soul.

Stay focused. Stay faithful. Stay functional— even when life gets fiery.

Survive Until the Sunrise

God has a perfect record—He’s never lost a man who kept walking with Him. “Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9). Trouble doesn’t last. Night doesn’t linger. The same God who stood with Joseph in the pit, the prison, and the palace will stand with you in your process (Genesis 37–50).

You were not built to break. You were shaped to shine. Scars don’t define you—survival does.

Survive with strength. Survive with stamina. Survive with the Savior by your side.

So here is my closing challenge for you – my brothers, Stand. Stay. Survive. You are still here for a reason. Perseverance is your pulse. God is your power. 

Victory is your promise.

Declare over your life, “I will not give up. I will not give in. With God, I will go through and win. Lord, strengthen my spirit, steady my steps, and stretch my stamina. Help me persevere through pressure and walk in Your purpose. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

The Brentwood Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc in line with our Senior Kappa initiative is: To recruit, reclaim, and retain members of the Fraternity who are 60 years. of age and older as active, contributing , fully financial brothers, to encourage implementation of that will facilitate their involvement that will-being! We also encourage our local chapter committees to involve themselves in community service initiatives that are geared toward senior citizens in their respective service area! Senior Brothers! Nupes, we welcome you to get involved and help promote the ideals of our Noble Klan! Yo!

November is American Diabetes Month

Given the statistics that 38.1 million adults in the United States have diabetes, there’s no better time than now to talk about a chronic disease that may affect someone that you know or love.

November is American Diabetes Month and I emphasize the significance of undergoing regular screening for diabetes.

In the simplest of definitions, diabetes is a chronic condition in which the cells in the pancreas burnout and are not able to adequately make enough insulin to utilize and convert the glucose (sugar) that is circulating in the bloodstream into energy.  

Consequently, glucose accumulates in the bloodstream leading to various complications including heart, disease, stroke, circulation,nerve problems (neuropathy), vision, loss, and kidney disease/failure.

Common symptoms of diabetes include excessive urination, excessive thirst, excessive hunger, fatigue, unintentional weight loss, visual changes, and poor wound healing.  

However, in the early stages, diabetes is asymptomatic, so the only way diabetes can be detected early is through blood (laboratory) testing.  Failure to undergo screening may prevent early diagnosis and hinder the ability to prevent the potential complications mentioned above. Notably, an estimated one in five individuals in the U.S. is unaware of their diabetes.

Research underscores the existence of health disparities, particularly in the impact of diabetes on Black patients. Black individuals are at least twice more likely to succumb to diabetes,require hospitalization, and develop kidney failure compared to other racial or ethnic groups. In

addition to race/ethnicity, other factors, such as a family history of a first-degree relative or obesity, can increase the risk of developing diabetes.

Given these statistics, my call to action for Brothers is to take proactive steps and schedule annual screenings with your physician or healthcare professional.