The Atlanta (GA) Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. was chartered on February 22, 1924, making it the second oldest chapter below the Mason Dixon line, second only to the Pi Chapter at Morehouse College. The fraternity maintains dual membership in the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) and the North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC). [55], In March 2014, five Kappas from the University of Central Arkansas were arrested for beating pledges. The fraternity is unique among NPHC affiliated organizations in that it has two names: Kappa Alpha Psi () and Phi Nu Pi (). In 1920, he received the D.D.S. And today, 5 . For eight years, he conducted a successful catering business in Philadelphia; he organized and served as Vice President and Secretary of the Mutual Emergency Union, a mutual aid company in Philadelphia. Kappa Alpha Psi proudly boasts of members who epitomize the very essence of Achievement in Every Field of Human Endeavor. Some key factors to remember if you are interested in becoming a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. Home. He held teaching positions in Florida, Indiana, Kansas, and Oklahoma. The founders of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. are: Elder Watson Diggs, more affectionately known as 'The Dreamer', Dr. Ezra D. Alexander, Dr. Byron Kenneth Armstrong, Atty. Kappa Alpha Psi Scholarships. He entered Carver Elementary School and Clark High School in Evansville, graduating in 1910. On January 5, 1911, such an organization was born and thus Kappa Alpha Psi (then Kappa Alpha Nu) became a reality. Before being exposed to the general public by various individuals in the 1990s and . The first Student of the Year Pageant was held on May 20, 1972 at Drexel University, under the direction of Mel Davis. Guy Levis Grant, Edward Giles Irvin, and Sgt. With the new responsibility of supporting the family, George took a job with the area coal mines and worked with the coal mines and the railroad until he died of pneumonia on June 13, 1962. [5] In 1986, during the fraternity's 66th national meeting, cane stepping was finally recognized as an important staple of Kappa Alpha Psi.[5]. The Founders sought one anothers company between classes and dropped by one anothers places of lodging to further discuss the means of formulating the fledgling fraternity in an effort to relieve the depressing isolation. Kappa Alpha Psi () is a collegiate Greek-letter fraternity with a predominantly African-American membership. There was an additional misunderstanding being attributed to the acronym of the Fraternitys Greek letters, KAN. [46], In 2010, a pre-med student at Wayne State University suffered kidney failure and was hospitalized for twelve days after weeks of physical abuse by men of the fraternity. The Greek Letter was chosen in place of N and the Fraternity acquired a distinctive Greek letter symbol and Kappa Alpha Psi thereby became an indistinguishable Greek-letter Fraternity. Kappa Alpha Psi is a college fraternity established by ten black college students at Indiana University in 1911. Blacks were not allowed to reside in on-campus dormitories, were not afforded off-campus accommodations, and . While there, he majored in chemistry, graduating with the A.B. The founders endeavored to establish the fraternity with a strong foundation before embarking on plans of expansion. [66] Currently there are 12 provinces with the following names: Kappa Alpha Psi has chartered over 721 undergraduate, alumni, and international chapters. Unfortunate events resulted in Edmonds losing contact with the fraternity, and for many years not much was known about his life and whereabouts. Despite the growing hostility of Whites toward Blacks in Indiana, some Black students sought a college education at Indiana University, as it was a tuition-free university of the highest quality. The campus of Indiana University at that time did not encourage the assimilation of Blacks. The kappa canes were longer in the 1950s than in later decades. Founder Edward Giles Irvin served in the U.S. Army during the WWI as a Combat Medic and was cited for bravery for his actions with the Expeditionary Forces in France. Kappa Alpha Psi is a member of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) and the North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC). He served as Grand Polemarch for the first six consecutive years of the Fraternitys existence. Guide Right is a program for the educational and occupational guidance of youth, primarily inspirational and informational in character. Although KA was founded as a predominantly African-American Greek organization, it has always been an inclusive fraternity that welcomes members of all races and nationalities. The charter members were Elder Watson Diggs, Byron K. Armstrong, John M. Lee, Henry T. Asher, Marcus P. Blakemore, Guy L. Grant, Paul W. Caine, George W. Edmonds, Ezra D. Alexander and Edward G. Irvin. degree in 1915. They found that through these close interactions, they had common interests and a close bond began to emerge. The Alpha Rho chapter of Chi Psi fraternity, founded at Rutgers College in 1879, was the first fraternity at Rutgers to own a fraternity house, or "Lodge", purchased in 1887. [18] In addition to the above-mentioned national initiatives, chapters within the Fraternity sponsor a wide variety of Guide Right programs in their communities that support their local youth. The name was officially changed to Kappa Alpha Psi on a resolution adopted at the Grand Chapter Meeting in December 1914. If someone asks you "how long were you on line", how do you respond? In 1921, the Fraternity was divided into districts as a result of proposed legislation by George F. David II, the third Grand Polemarch. This city was largely populated by settlers from below the Mason-Dixon line and therefore found many sympathizers of the Southern cause. The charter members were Elder Watson Diggs, Byron K. Armstrong, John M. Lee, Henry T. Asher, Marcus P. Blakemore, Guy L. Grant, Paul W. Caine, George W. Edmonds, Ezra D. Alexander and Edward G. Irvin. degree in 1915. Local chapters of Kappa Alpha Psi participate in community outreach activities to feed the homeless, provide scholarships to young people matriculating to college, serve as mentors to young men, participate in blood drives and serve as hosts of seminars for public health awareness to name a few. It is the beautiful realization of a vision shared commonly by the late Revered Founders that enabled them to sow the seed of a fraternal tree whose fruit is available to, and now enjoyed by college men everywhere, regardless of their color, religion or national origin. Some key factors to remember if you are interested in becoming a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. Home. Past Grand Polemarch Irven Armstrong was assigned the first; Harrison R. Duke, the second; and Harold M. Tyler, the third district. Membership in Kappa Alpha Psi is a lifelong dedication to the ideas and lofty purposes of Kappa Alpha Psi, which considers for membership only those aspirants whose personal, social and academic qualifications are acceptable to both the College and Fraternity. It is a fact of which Kappa Alpha Psi is proud that the Constitution has never contained any clause which either excluded or suggested the exclusion of a man from membership merely because of his color, creed, or national origin. [5] The former editor of the magazine was Jonathan Hicks. Fraternity and Sorority Educational Programs First Semester of Membership Experience. Henry Tourner Asher, Dr. Marcus Peter Blakemore, Paul Waymond Caine, George Wesley Edmonds, Dr. . January 9th - Phi Beta Sigma. Ernie Banks *Bro. They became the parents of one son, Noel. Alpha and Omega, the first and the last letters of the Greek alphabet correlate to Christ and the Founders relationship and connection to the church. Many African-American students rarely saw each other on campus and were discouraged or prohibited from attending student functions and extracurricular activities by white college administrators and fellow students. Forever and a Day. They found that through these close interactions, they had common interests and a close bond began to emerge. Some of these members include: Ralph Abernathy, Wilt Chamberlin, Montell Jordan, Benjamin Jealous, Oscar Robertson, Cedric the Entertainer, Arthur Ashe, Mike Tomlin, Gayle Sayers, Adrian Fenty, Robert S. Abbott, Bennie Thompson, Donald Byrd, Johnnie Cochran, Ed Gardner, Smokie Norful, John Singleton, Tom Bradley, Bob Johnson, John Conyers, Alcee Hastings, Lerone Bennett, Jr., Kwame Jackson, Bill Russell, Tavis Smiley, Marvin Sapp, and Colin Kaepernick to name a few. Nor would the new Fraternity seek its members in the manner of other Greek organizations from among the sons of wealthy families or families of social prestige. [50][51], In 2013, a former pledge at California State University-Bakersfield sued the fraternity after being shot with a BB gun and hit with canes and horse whips that left him paralyzed. In 1929, he married Laura Hammons. The organization was given the temporary name ofAlpha Omega, while they further developed the formation of the organization. Born out of the vestiges of racism, Kappa Alpha Nu encountered another metamorphosis, partially related to action of bigotry. The Fraternity would seek to raise the sights of Black youths and stimulate them to accomplishments higher than might otherwise be realized or even imagined. Sigma Gamma Rho. [6] The current editor of the magazine is Earl T. Tildon. Careful consideration was given to ensure the organization established a firm foundation the first year before efforts to expand were attempted. This change became effective April 15, 1915. The charter members were Elder Watson Diggs, Byron K. Armstrong, John M. Lee, Henry T. Asher, Marcus P. Blakemore, Guy L. Grant, Paul W. Caine, George W. Edmonds, Ezra D. Alexander and Edward G. Irvin. Edward Giles Irvin (1893-1982), born in Spencer, Indiana, on August 13, 1893, was graduated from Kokomo, Indiana High School in 1910 and entered the University of Indiana the same year. Kappa Alpha Psi sponsors programs providing community service, social welfare and academic scholarship through the Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation and is a supporter of the United Negro College Fund and Habitat for Humanity. In March 2019, Delaware State University student Marlon W. Jackson died and three other students were hospitalized after a car crash due to sleep deprivation caused by pledging the fraternity. He . Three organizations (Alpha Phi Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi and Sigma Gamma Rho) were founded on predominately white college campuses. It would be the only Greek-letter organization founded with the concept of achievement. This city was largely populated by settlers from below the Mason-Dixon line and therefore found many sympathizers of the Southern cause. [63][64], In April 2019, three Virginia State University members were arrested and charged with 10 counts of hazing. These men of vision decided the Fraternity would be more than another social organization. One of the Founders of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. *Bro. Many brothers have questioned whether or not the founders were Masons or. The process of covering the cane in the fraternal colors is considered as 'wrapping' and is done very specifically. The ideals of the church were an important foundation of the Fraternity. [31], It is the goal of the fraternity to see that all individuals committing acts of hazing and other unlawful and prohibited acts are punished consistent with due process and the concept of proportionality to the full extent of the rules of the fraternity, college and the criminal law. Its reach extends to high schools and colleges alike. Chartered and incorporated originally under the laws of the State of Indiana as Kappa Alpha Nu on May 15, 1911, the name was changed to KAPPA ALPHA PSI on a resolution offered and adopted at the Grand . "The Birth of a Nation" was based on a Kappa Alpha member's book. [5] The organization known today as Kappa Alpha Psi was nationally incorporated under the name of Kappa Alpha Nu on May 15, 1911. He received his M.D. Eight other fraternity members received University discipline but no criminal charges related to a hazing incident.[65][63]. The fraternity revised its membership development and intake process, instituted policies against hazing and has taken steps to reinforce and strengthen its stance against prohibited conduct. Some of these members include: Ralph Abernathy, Wilt Chamberlin, Montell Jordan, Benjamin Jealous, Oscar Robertson, Cedric the Entertainer, Arthur Ashe, Mike Tomlin, Gayle Sayers, Adrian Fenty, Robert S. Abbott, Bennie Thompson, Donald Byrd, Johnnie Cochran, Ed Gardner, Smokie Norful, John Singleton, Tom Bradley, Bob Johnson, John Conyers, Alcee Hastings, Lerone Bennett, Jr., Kwame Jackson, Bill Russell, Tavis Smiley, Marvin Sapp, and Colin Kaepernick to name a few. He received the degree of LL.B. Five chapters were chartered from 1913-1915, centered in the Midwest; with the first chapter being established in the East in 1915. We were founded in 1981 by 5 women who had the limitless vision of uniting ALL women regardless of race, religion, or creed. In 2011, the fraternity registration was cancelled at the University of Texas at San Antonio for striking pledges and providing misleading information to university officials during the hazing investigation. The only surviving fraternity founded at Indiana University, Kappa Alpha Psi, couldn't actually be formed on IU's grounds. The state of Indiana became the 19th state of the Union in 1816 and it founded Indiana University in Bloomington four years later. Taking careful attention to detail and to ensure the fraternity was rooted in authenticity, these Founder Diggs took courses in Greek heraldry and mythology and applied their combined knowledge to the development of these articles. Subjects. Why did the start their own organization? Consequently, the few Blacks who took up residence in Bloomington in those early years were socially ostracized and encountered extreme acts of prejudice and discrimination. members of some other fraternal lodges. However, few Blacks could remain longer than a year or so without having to withdraw in search of employment. [54], In March 2014, several Kappas from the University of Memphis were arrested and charged for hazing and beating pledges. John Milton Lee. One of the 5 Objectives of the Fraternity is: To promote thespiritual, social, intellectual and moral welfare of members. Many aspects of the Fraternitys rites are engrained in Christianity ideals and contain excerpts from the Bible. Moment #8. [19], The "Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation," established in 1981, is the philanthropic arm of the fraternity and assists both alumni and undergraduate chapters in support of scholarships, after-school programs, and national projects such as Habitat for Humanity. The upcoming calendar is currently empty. Some confused the abbreviation of the letters to refer to the state of Kansas. Click here to view past events and photos , 2322-24 North Broad Street Guide Right is administrated by a National Director and a Guide Right Commission. Kappa League was adopted by the Grand Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. at the 56th Grand Chapter which was held August 12-15, 1970. Who are the Founders of Kappa League The founders of the Kappa Instructional Leadership League were Mel L. Davis and Edgar H. Bishop. As the Institute's reputation and enrollment increased, however . Founded October 13, 1926. Except for the years of World War I and II, when some Grand Chapter Meetings were suspended, Kappa Alpha Psi has grown and prevailed with unabating impetus. John SingletonJohn Singleton, BET founder Robert Johnson and Johnnie Cochran are some of the more than 100,000 members of Kappa Alpha Psi. It remains the only Greek letter organization with its Alpha Chapter on Indiana Universitys campus. Elder Watson Diggs (circa 1883-1947), born in Christian County, Kentucky, was a graduate of Indiana State Normal (now Indiana State Teachers College) and Indiana University, the birthplace of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. [42][43], In 2009, Louisiana State University (LSU) placed an eleven-year ban on the fraternity for repeated hazing violations and severe abuse of pledges. In the early 1960s, the cane was decorated with the fraternity colors. Frank M. Summers was the magazine's first editor and later became the Fourteenth Grand Polemarch. His contributions and awards in the field of medicine were many. Tech: Kappa Alpha Psi banned permanently for hazing | thv11.com", "Kappa Alpha Psi Pledge Left 'Paralyzed' In Hazing Incident at California State Bakersfield - Welcome To KollegeKidd.com", "Kappa Alpha Psi Member Pleads Guilty To Charges In Youngstown State University Hazing Case - Welcome To KollegeKidd.com", "Most UGA frat members facing hazing charges accepted into pretrial diversion", "U Of M Frat Members Arrested For Hazing Ritual", "Four more UCA students arrested for hazing", "D.C. man alleges he was hazed, sues fraternity and police officer", "45-year-old man sues Kappa Alpha Psi for $2 million after alleged hazing - theGrio", "Man Sues Fraternity for $4 Million Over Hazing", "Two UCF fraternities face hazing accusations", "Hazing allegations surface at third FSU fraternity", "Hazing investigation underway after fraternity pledge suffers injuries", "Three fraternity members charged with hazing in Virginia - The Washington Post", "University investigates hazing allegations after student is killed and three are injured in crash - The Washington Post", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kappa_Alpha_Psi&oldid=1140213792, Achievement in Every Field of Human Endeavor, Kappas, Nupes, Pretty Boys, Sons of Diggs, Northern (States Covered: Northwest OH, MI, Western NY), Eastern (States Covered: DC, MD, VA, Bermuda), Southern (States Covered: AL, FL, The Bahamas, Republic of Panama, U.S. Virgin Islands), Western (States Covered: AZ, CA, NV, AK, OR, WA, ID, UT, HI, Japan, South Korea), North Eastern (States Covered: DE, CT, MA, NJ, Eastern PA, RI, Eastern NY, ME, NH, VT, Germany, United Kingdom), South Eastern (States Covered: GA, SC, South Africa, Nigeria), South Western (States Covered: AR, LA, Southern MS, NM, TX), North Central (States Covered: IA, IL, IN, WI, MN), East Central (States Covered: OH, Western PA, Northern WV), South Central (States Covered: KY, TN, Northern MS), Middle Eastern (States Covered: NC, Southern WV), Middle Western (States Covered: CO, KS, MO, NE, OK), This page was last edited on 19 February 2023, at 00:57. Phi Beta Sigma. Low 36F. Some confused the abbreviation of the letters to refer to the state of Kansas. Through their combined labors, the fraternitys ritual and ceremonial forms, constitution, hymn and motto were created, and insignia and emblems were fashioned. Paul Waymond Caine was born in Charleston, Indiana, in 1891 and attended grade school and high school in Greencastle, Indiana. It is the nation's first Black Greek organization. September 19th - Iota Phi Theta. Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. is the first international fraternal organization founded on the campus of a historically black college. These men of vision decided the Fraternity would be more than another social organization. He joined nine other students in founding Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. FSU also placed the chapter under investigation to identify and prosecute all members involved in the beatings. Wood was a member of Moorefield Lodge, Moorefield, West Virginia. [59], In 2016, three unidentified men affiliated with the fraternity at the University of Central Florida (UCF) were brutally beaten by Kappas after dropping their twirling canes while dancing according to witnesses. Copyright 2022 The Brooklyn-Long Island Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Diggs and his brother (William Ellis) and sister (Effie) were reared by their mother, Cornelia. [citation needed], In the 1960s the national organization did not condone the use of canes or Kappa Alpha Psi's participation in step shows contending that "the hours spent in step practices by chapters each week would be better devoted to academic or civic achievement. [13] The resolution to rename the group was adopted in December 1914, and the fraternity states, "the name acquired a distinctive Greek letter symbol and KAPPA ALPHA PSI thereby became a Greek letter Fraternity in every sense of the designation." The History of Alpha Psi . [40], In 1998, 11 Kappas affiliated with the University of Maryland Eastern Shore were charged with first-degree assault and reckless endangerment for hospitalizing several pledges. [5], Some believe the Greek letters Kappa Alpha Nu were chosen as a tribute to Alpha Kappa Nu,[12] but the name became an ethnic slur among racist factions. Local chapters of Kappa Alpha Psi participate in community outreach activities to feed the homeless, provide scholarships to young people matriculating to college, serve as mentors to young men, participate in blood drives and serve as hosts of seminars for public health awareness to name a few. This second name is the source of the nickname for members, "Nupes". [36], Kappa Alpha Psi seeks to remove any and all opportunities for pledging, hazing, antisocial and unlawful activity and seeks to promote in every phase of fraternity life only safe and wholesome activities which are consistent with the Code of Conduct of the colleges, universities and jurisdictions where chapters are chartered. After George returned home for the summer of 1911, his father became ill with pneumonia and died. David was first Grand Polemarch who had not been nurtured by the Alpha chapter under the influence of the Founders, proposed dividing the Fraternity into supervisory districts. Brother Caine was instrumental in setting up the Gamma, Delta, and Zeta chapters. The state of Indiana became the 19th state of the Union in 1816 and it founded Indiana University in Bloomington four years later. Kappa Alpha Nu began uniting college men of culture, patriotism and honor in a Bond of fraternity. The decision upon the name Kappa Alpha Nu may have been to honor the Alpha Kappa Nu club which began in 1903 on the Indiana University campus but had too few registrants to effect continued operation. He graduated from Danville High School in 1910 and in 1910 entered Indiana University. January 15th - Alpha Kappa Alpha. Instead, because of social restrictions for African Americans, fraternity . These incidents caused the Founders to change the name of the Fraternity. Zeta Phi Beta. We must realize and acknowledge that the first eight of what know makes up the bulk of the BGLO's were founded between 1906 and 1922. Tweet. Fraternity members contributing to the new foundation could deduct their donations as charitable contributions for income tax purposes. Grand Polemarch David II, implemented the division of the Fraternity into three districts. Bakersfield, CA (93308) Today. For consideration into Kappa Alpha Psi on the alumni level, one must possess at least a bachelor's degree or the equivalent of such a degree from an accredited college or university. And during the original establishment of provinces, the following provinces were established: Eastern, Middle Eastern, Central, Great Lakes, Northwestern, Western, Southern, and Southeastern Provinces. [22], Kappa Alpha Psi offers undergraduate and graduate membership to potential aspirants, and its constitution has never contained any clause which either excluded or suggested the exclusion of a man from membership because of color, creed, or national origin. Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. 13th Sovereign Grand Commander, United Supreme Council, Northern Jurisdiction . degree from Indiana Dental School, then a part of the University of Indiana; he practiced dentistry in Indianapolis. The first chapter in the West was established in 1923 at University of California, Los Angeles Upsilon chapter. The number of places where they might assemble was limited. degree. Members of the fraternity need a minimum 2.5 GPA to be considered for Kappa Alpha Psi scholarships. Through their combined labors, the fraternitys ritual and ceremonial forms, constitution, hymn and motto were created, and insignia and emblems were fashioned. The Guide Right Commission consists of the Director and twelve Province Guide Right Coordinators, one from each Province, appointed by their respective Province Polemarchs. Attend "School Daze" 30th Anniversary Screening at The Fox Theatre on February 19, 2018 in Atlanta,. Posted on November 12, 2018 by Fran Becque, Ph.D. [27], In February 2022, fraternity member and head financial director of the fraternity, Curtis Anderson, was sentenced to 2.5 years in prison for embezzling $3 million from the fraternity over six years. Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated is a historically African American Greek-letter fraternity that was founded on January 5, 1911 at Indiana University Bloomington. Formidable barriers were put up to prevent the few who were enrolled from assimilating into co-curricular . He was an active member of the Methodist Church of Chicago and a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows Lodges. There was an additional misunderstanding being attributed to the acronym of the Fraternitys Greek letters, KAN. Some confused the abbreviation of the letters to refer to the state of Kansas. degree from Indiana Dental School, then a part of . Type Image Identifier 11B2A478-214E-4C58-B223-227760285153 2007/046/FP052-11 Subject Mason Fraternal Organization The Founders met several times discussing the possibility of organizing a fraternity that would serve the needs of the black male. The Fraternity has over 125,000 members with 700 undergraduate and alumni chapters in nearly every state of the United States, and international chapters in Nigeria, South Africa, the West Indies, the United Kingdom, Germany, Korea and Japan. There are hundreds of scholarships from which to choose, including the Rainey Scholarship at Michigan State, the Mekhdjian Scholarship at San Jose State, the Vasquez Scholarship at Arizona State and the de . He organized and operated the Afro-American Manufacturing Company in Chicago, which produced novelties, candies, and specialties. The NPHC is composed of nine international black Greek-letter sororities and fraternities and promotes interaction through forums, meetings, and other mediums for the exchange of information, and engages in cooperative programming and initiatives through various activities and functions. Their intolerance toward Blacks fueled the negative mindset of other Whites residing there. 1890-1958. Kappa Alpha Psi. One day as one of the Fraternity members, Frank Summers, was running the hurdles, Founder Diggs overheard a White student state, He is a member of Kappa Alpha Nig.
