WHEREAS, Shrinedom is a Fraternal, Social, and Charitable Organization that uses passwords and symbols to remind its members to strive for self-improvement, encourages good times within its own ranks and unselfishly gives goods and services on both the local and national level; and
WHEREAS, There are over 224 Constituent Temples throughout the world and over 25,000 members. The Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles Mystic Shrine of North and South America and its Jurisdictions, Inc. are the national governing body of Prince Hall Shrinedom and have their roots right here in Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, The organization was founded on December 12, 1900 with its first Temple, Pyramid Temple No. 1, at 1521 W. Girard Avenue; and
WHEREAS, Since its founding in 1900, Pyramid Temple No. 1 has continuously served the Philadelphia community through a host of service and volunteer programs including the Shriners as Mentors program, student aid, and the National Diabetes Initiative; and
WHEREAS, The Shriners as Mentors program provides at-risk and high risk, young African-American men with a forum to improve educational deficiencies; and
WHEREAS, Student aid assists low-income students who have achieved academic success in high school with grants and scholarships to further their education achievements in trade schools, colleges and universities; and
WHEREAS, The National Diabetes Initiative, in collaboration with the American Diabetes Association, seeks to raise awareness in African American communities on the dangers of untreated diabetes and to encourage healthy eating and living; and
WHEREAS, Pyramid Temple No. 1 is led by Illustrious Potentate Kenyatta D. Donley, a native of West Philadelphia and graduate of Mansfield University where he received his Bachelors of Science in Business Administration. Illustrious Potentate Donley later went on to receive his Masters in Global Business Management; and
WHEREAS, Illustrious Potentate Donley has a host of masonic accomplishments including severing as Worshipful Master of Cephas Lodge No. 98 (of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania) for two consecutive terms as well as Worshipful District Lecturer and Worshipful District Deputy Grand Master; and
WHEREAS, His professional background includes over 10 years in healthcare marketing and he currently leads the Medicare Outreach and Retention Department at Independence Blue Cross; and
WHEREAS, Illustrious Potentate Donley continues to also work as a consultant helping individual and small businesses better understand their client and customer base; and
WHEREAS, Illustrious Potentate Kenyatta D. Donley is leading Pyramid Temple No. 1 towards another 115 years of service to the community through his Pyramid Temple No. 1 is Going A.P.E. platform which stands for Achievement, Participation and Enthusiasm and includes an aggressive calendar of community events and partnerships with local civic and community leaders and organizations. Through this platform Illustrious Potentate Donley plans to mobilize his over 220 members to execute and support initiatives aimed at positively impacting our local urban community; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby honors, recognizes and commends the Prince Hall Shrinedom for embracing all of the basic fundamental concepts of the Masonic Order and for giving back to the Philadelphia Community.
End