Kappa Alpha Psi (KAΨ)
Founded	January 5, 1911 (1911-01-05) (age 97) Indiana University Bloomington
Type	Social
Scope	International United States United Kingdom Germany Japan South Africa Virgin Islands Korea
Motto	Achievement In Every Field Of Human Endeavor
Colors	Crimson █ and Cream █
Symbol	Diamond
Flower	Red Carnation
Publication	The Journal
Chapters	700+
Free label	Kappas, Nupes, Pretty Boys
Headquarters	2322-24 North Broad Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Homepage	Official website

Kappa Alpha Psi (commonly known as, KAΨ) is a collegiate Greek-letter fraternity with a predominantly African American membership. Events 1477 - Battle of Nancy: Charles the Bold is killed and Burgundy becomes part of France. Year 1911 ( MCMXI) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year Indiana University is the flagship campus of the Indiana University system. Fraternities and sororities (from the Latin words la frater and la soror, meaning "brother" and "sister" respectively are fraternal The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics. The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa See also Culture of the Virgin Islands Music of the Virgin Islands Virgin Islands Creole Korea is a geographic area composed of two sovereign countries a civilization and a former state situated on the Korean Peninsula in East Asia. Crimson is a strong bright deep Red color combined with some Blue, resulting in a tiny degree of Purple. Cream is the Colour of the cream produced by Cattle grazing on natural Pasture with plants rich in Yellow Carotenoid pigments Philadelphia (ˌfɪləˈdɛlfiə The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The Greek alphabet (Ελληνικό αλφάβητο is a set of twenty-four letters that has been used to write the Greek language since the late 9th or early Fraternities and sororities (from the Latin words la frater and la soror, meaning "brother" and "sister" respectively are fraternal African Americans or Black Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have origins in any of the black populations of Africa Since the fraternity's founding on January 5, 1911 at Indiana University Bloomington, the fraternity has never limited membership based on color, creed or national origin. Indiana University is the flagship campus of the Indiana University system. The fraternity has over 150,000 members with 700 undergraduate and alumni chapters in every state of the United States, and international chapters in the United Kingdom, Germany, Korea, Japan, the Caribbean, Saint Thomas, Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands and South Africa. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. Korea is a geographic area composed of two sovereign countries a civilization and a former state situated on the Korean Peninsula in East Asia. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics. The Caribbean (ˌkærəˡbiən kæ'rəbiən Cariben|Caraïben or Caraïben; Caraïbe or more commonly Antilles; Caribe is a Region consisting Saint Thomas is an Island in the Caribbean Sea, a County and constituent district of the United States Virgin Islands (USVI an unincorporated The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa ^[1]

The president of the national fraternity is known as the Grand Polemarch, who assigns a Province Polemarch for each of the twelve provinces (districts/regions) of the nation. A polemarch (from πολέμαρχος polemarchos) was a senior military title in various ancient Greek City states ( poleis) The fraternity has many notable members recognized as leaders in the arts, athletics, business, civil rights, education, government, and science sectors at the local, national and international level. The following is a list of notable members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc The American Civil Rights Movement (1955–1968 refers to the reform movements in the United States aimed at abolishing racial discrimination against African ^[1] The Kappa Alpha Psi Journal is the official magazine of the fraternity since 1914. ^[2] The Journal is published four times a year in February, April, October and December. Frank M. Summers was the magazine's first editor and later on became the Fourteenth Grand Polemarch. ^[2] The current editor of the magazine is Dr. Keflyn X. Reed. ^[3]

Kappa Alpha Psi is a major contributor in the fields of political, social, cultural and scholastic achievement. The fraternity 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. The United Negro College Fund ( UNCF) is a Fairfax, Virginia -based American philanthropic organization that fundraises College tuition Habitat For Humanity International ( HFHI) (generally referred to as Habitat for Humanity or simply Habitat) is an international Ecumenical Kappa Alpha Psi is a member of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) and the North-American Interfraternity Conference (NIC). History The National Pan-Hellenic Council was established in an age when Racial segregation and disenfranchisement plagued African Americans, the rise of each Membership requirements Member The NIC membership requirements are detailed in the By-Laws of the North-American Interfraternity Conference The fraternity is the first predominantly African American Greek-letter society founded west of the Appalachian Mountains still in existence, and is known for its "cane stepping" in NPHC organized step shows. The Appalachian Mountains ( often called the Appalachians, are a vast system of mountains in eastern North America. Step dance is the generic term for dance styles where the footwork is the most important part of the dance

History

Founders

The ten men who founded Kappa Alpha Psi, and were dedicated to the principles of achievement through a truly democratic fraternity are shown below:

Elder Watson Diggs "The Dreamer" (1890-1947)	Dr. Ezra Dee Alexander (1892-1971)	Dr. Byron Kenneth Armstrong (1890-1980)	Atty. Henry Turner Asher (1890-1963)	Dr. Marcus Peter Blakemore (1889-1959)
Paul Waymond Caine (1891-1922)	George Wesley Edmonds (1890-1962)	Dr. Guy Levis Grant (1891-1973)	Edward Giles Irvin (1893-1982)	John Milton Lee (1890-1958)

The founders endeavored to establish the fraternity with a strong foundation before embarking on plans of expansion. By the end of the first year, the ritual was completed, and a design for the coat of arms and motto had begun. ^[4]

Founding

The Sample Gates of Indiana University (IU). IU was the site for the founding of Kappa Alpha Nu in 1911—the name was changed to Kappa Alpha Psi in 1915.

The fraternity was founded as Kappa Alpha Nu on the night of January 5, 1911 by ten African-American college students. Events 1477 - Battle of Nancy: Charles the Bold is killed and Burgundy becomes part of France. Year 1911 ( MCMXI) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year ^[5] 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 there were too few registrants to assure continuing organization. ^[2]

During this time there were very few African-American students at the predominately white campus at Bloomington, Indiana and they were a small minority due to the era of Jim Crow laws. The Jim Crow laws were state and local laws enacted primarily but not exclusively in the Southern and border states of the United States between 1876 and 1965 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. African-American students were denied membership on athletic teams with the exception of track and field. The racial prejudice and discrimination encountered by the founders strengthened their bond of friendship and growing interest in starting a social group. ^[6]

Kappa Alpha Psi initiate Frank Summers was one of eighteen members of the Indiana University Track team awarded the letter "I" in 1915.

The cover of The History of Kappa Alpha Psi

By 1912, the fraternity expanded with the second undergraduate chapter opened at the University of Illinois—Beta chapter; then the University of Iowa—Gamma chapter. This article is about the flagship campus For other uses and locations of University of Illinois, see University of Illinois (disambiguation The University of The University of Iowa, is a major teaching service and Research university located on a campus in Iowa City Iowa, on the banks of the Iowa River After this, Kappa Alpha Psi chartered undergraduate chapters on Black college campuses at Wilberforce University—Delta Chapter, and Lincoln University (Pennsylvania)—Epsilon Chapter. Historically black colleges and universities ( HBCUs) are institutions of Higher education in the United States that were established before 1964 with the intention Wilberforce University is a private coed, Liberal arts historically African-American University located in Wilberforce Ohio, that Lincoln University ( LU) is America's first degree granting historically black university located in southern Chester County, Pennsylvania In 1920, Xi Chapter was chartered at Howard University. Howard University is a private, Coeducational Nonsectarian University located in Washington D In 1921, the fraternity installed the Omicron chapter at Columbia University, its first at an Ivy League university. Columbia University is a private University in the United States and a member of the Ivy League. The Ivy League is an Athletic conference comprising eight private institutions of higher education in the Northeastern United States. The fraternity's first chapter in the South was established in 1921 at Morehouse College— Pi Chapter. The Southern United States &mdashcommonly referred to as the American South, Dixie, or simply the South &mdashconstitutes a large distinctive Morehouse College is a private, all-male, historically black college located in Atlanta, Georgia. Kappa Alpha Psi expanded through the Midwest, South, and West at both white and black colleges. The Southern United States &mdashcommonly referred to as the American South, Dixie, or simply the South &mdashconstitutes a large distinctive The Western United States &mdashcommonly referred to as the American West or simply the West &mdashtraditionally refers to the region comprising the westernmost ^[2]

Some believe the Greek letters Kappa Alpha Nu were chosen as a tribute to Alpha Kappa Nu,^[7] but the name became an ethnic slur among racist factions. The following is a list of ethnic slurs that are or have been used as insinuations or allegations about members of a given Ethnicity or to refer to them in a derogatory (critical Racism in the United States has been a major issue since the colonial era Founder Elder Watson Diggs, while observing a young initiate compete in a track meet, overheard fans referring to the member as a "kappa alpha nig", and a campaign to rename the fraternity ensued. ^[8] 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. " Kappa Alpha Psi has been the official name since April 15, 1915. Events 1450 - Battle of Formigny: Toward the end of the Hundred Years' War, the French attack and nearly annihilate English Year 1915 ( MCMXV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year ^[4]

In 1947, at the Los Angeles Conclave, the National Silhouettes of Kappa Alpha Psi were established as an auxiliary group, which membership comprises wives or widows of fraternity members. Los Angeles (lɑˈsændʒələs los ˈaŋxeles in Spanish) is the largest City in the state of California and the American West A convention, in the sense of a meeting is a gathering of individuals who meet at a arid place and time in order to discuss or engage in some common interest In 1980, the Silhouettes were officially recognized and granted a seat on the Board of Directors of the Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation. Silhouettes provide support and assistance for the activities of Kappa Alpha Psi at the Grand Chapter, Province and Local levels. ^[9]

The Kappa Kane

Kappa initiates carrying their canes at Fisk University in 1968. Fisk University is a historically-black university in Nashville, Tennessee, U Year 1968 ( MCMLXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Cane stepping is an official part of the fraternity.

In the 1950s, as black Greek-letter organizations began the tradition of step shows, the fraternity began using the "Kappa Kane" in what it termed "cane stepping. Step dance is the generic term for dance styles where the footwork is the most important part of the dance " In the 1960s, the cane was decorated with the fraternity colors. In the 1970s, it was shortened so brothers could "twirl" and tap the cane in the choreography with high dexterity. The national organization did not condone the use of canes in step shows and contended that "the hours spent in step practices by chapters each week would be better devoted to academic or civic achievement. " Senior Grand Vice Polemarch Ullysses McBride complained about the vulgar language and obscene gestures sometimes engaged in by cane-stepping participants.

Nonetheless, in 1986 the fraternity succumbed to the pressure of undergraduate chapters and added cane stepping as an official item on the Grand Chapter agenda. ^[10]

National programs

Guide Right

Guide Right is a program for the educational and occupational guidance of youth, primarily inspirational and informational in character. Its reach extends to high schools and colleges alike. In the latter, giving due attention to the needs of undergraduate Brothers.

Conceived in 1922 by Leon W. Year 1922 ( MCMXXII) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Stewart, and suggested at the twelfth Grand Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi, Guide Right became the Fraternity's National Service Program. Jesse Jerome Peters, later to become the eighth Grand Polemarch, was chairman of the committee, during the administration of W. A polemarch (from πολέμαρχος polemarchos) was a senior military title in various ancient Greek City states ( poleis) Ellis Stewart as Grand Polemarch.

Guide Right is administrated by a National Director and a Guide Right Commission. The Guide Right Commission consists of the Director and twelve Province Guide Right Coordinators, one from each Province, appointed by their respective Province Polemarchs. A polemarch (from πολέμαρχος polemarchos) was a senior military title in various ancient Greek City states ( poleis) The Director is uniquely qualified to perform the duties of this office and is appointed by the Grand Polemarch. He prepares such directives as are necessary for the successful and efficient observance of this National movement. He also edits and prepares the Manual for the universal use of Undergraduate and Alumni. ^[11]

The programs of Guide Right are "Kappa League," "Kappa Alpha Psi Scholarship," "A-MAN,"^[12] and the premier program, "Kamp Kappa," which enables inner city boys to attend camp at Hemlock Overlook Park in Clifton, Virginia. The inner city is the central area of a major city or metropolis Clifton is a town in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States. ^[13]

Kappa League

The Kappa League was founded Thursday, February 12, 1970 by the Los Angeles (CA) Alumni chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi; under the direction of Mel L. Davis. Davis brought the idea to LA from Dayton, OH where he had worked closely with Jay Crosby to expand the guide right activities of Dayton (OH) Alumni chapter. The Kappa League is a series of activities designed to help young high school male students develop their leadership talents. The activities provide both challenging and rewarding experiences to enhance their lives. The goal of the League is to help the students achieve worthy goals for themselves and to make meaningful contributions to their communities. The League includes a series of workshops to achieve its goals. ^[14]

Student of the Year Competition

The Student of the Year Competition is a contest that encompasses six areas deemed critical to a successful life - scholarship, talent, community involvement, poise and appearance, career preparation, and model chapter operation. Each Province sponsors a pageant during its Council. In the year of a Grand Chapter Meeting, the Province winners compete at the Grand Chapter Meeting. The first Student of the Year Pageant was held on May 20, 1972 at Drexel University, under the direction of Mel Davis. Events 325 - The First Council of Nicaea &ndash the first Ecumenical Council of the Christian Church is held Year 1972 ( MCMLXXII) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Drexel University is a private Coeducational University located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. The first Pageant at the Grand Chapter Meeting occurred at the 58th Grand Chapter Meeting. ^[15]

Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation

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. ^[11]

The Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation was conceived by Dr. Oliver S. Gumbs, the 23rd Grand Polemarch. A polemarch (from πολέμαρχος polemarchos) was a senior military title in various ancient Greek City states ( poleis) His dream began to take shape at a May 1982 with the past Grand Polemarchs and the national officers in Washington, DC. Year 1982 ( MCMLXXXII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar) Washington DC ( formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, the District, or simply D He proposed forming a separate 501(c)(3) charitable foundation to accept contributions to finance the headquarter's renovation project. 501(c is a provision of the United States Internal Revenue Code ( listing 28 types of Non-profit organizations exempt from some federal Fraternity members contributing to the new foundation could deduct their donations as charitable contributions for income tax purposes. The Foundation would also accept contributions from individuals, organizations and businesses. ^[15]

Pan-Hellenic membership

Further information: National Pan-Hellenic Council and North-American Interfraternity Conference

The fraternity maintains dual membership in the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) and the North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC). History The National Pan-Hellenic Council was established in an age when Racial segregation and disenfranchisement plagued African Americans, the rise of each Membership requirements Member The NIC membership requirements are detailed in the By-Laws of the North-American Interfraternity Conference

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. ^[16]

The NIC serves to advocate the needs of its member fraternities through enrichment of the fraternity experience, advancement and growth of the fraternity community, and enhancement of the educational mission of the host institutions. ^[17]

Membership

Further information: List of Famous Kappa Alpha Psi Members

Kappa Alpha Psi chapter at Wilberforce, 1922

Kappa Alpha Psi offers undergrad 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. The following is a list of notable members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc Wilberforce University is a private coed, Liberal arts historically African-American University located in Wilberforce Ohio, that ^[18] Annually more than 1,800 members are initiated into Kappa Alpha Psi. Undergraduate Chapters are located on more than 377 College and University campuses and Alumni Chapters are arrayed in some 367 cities in the United States and 8 foreign countries. ^[19]

To be considered for membership, an aspirant must have at least a 2. 5 GPA on a 4. 0 scale. For consideration into Kappa Alpha Psi on the alumni level, one must possess at least a Bachelors Degree or the equivalent of such a degree from an accredited college or university. ^[21] Kappa Alpha Psi also prides itself in that it has never bestowed honorary membership. ^[22]

Stance on hazing

Kappa Alpha Psi has never condoned hazing, but is aware of incidents that have occurred. Hazing is an often Ritualistic test and a task which may constitute Harassment, Abuse or Humiliation with requirements to perform random often ^[24] In 1990, Kappa Alpha Psi along with fellow NPHC organizations issued a joint statement announcing the elimination of pledging. The fraternity revised its membership development and intake process; instituted strong policies against hazing and has taken steps to reinforce and strengthen its stance against prohibited conduct. ^[25] The fraternity backed its stance by releasing Executive Order One in 1988, Executive Order Two in 1993, and Executive Order Three in 1994. ^[26]

Provinces

Kappa Alpha Psi's International Headquarters in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia (ˌfɪləˈdɛlfiə

In 1921, the Fraternity was divided into districts as a result of proposed legislation by George F. Year 1921 ( MCMXXI) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full 1921 calendar of the Gregorian calendar David II, the third Grand Polemarch. 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. The idea originated with his father who was a Presiding Elder of the A.M.E. Church and also member of Kappa Alpha Psi. The African Methodist Episcopal Church, usually called the " AME Church " is a Christian denomination founded by Bishop Richard Allen in Philadelphia Grand Polemarch David, II implemented the division of the Fraternity into three districts. Past Grand Polemarch Irven Armstrong was assigned the first; Harrison R. Duke, the second; and Harold M. Tyler, the third district. The three districts grew into four "regions". Fifth Grand Polemarch Earl B. Dickerson changed the designation of "Region" to "Province" and "Regional Director" to "Province Polemarch" at the 15th Grand Chapter Meeting in 1925. Year 1925 ( MCMXXV) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. And during the original establishment of provinces, the following provinces were established: Eastern, Middle Eastern, Central, Great Lakes, Northwestern, Western, Southern, and Southeastern Provinces. ^[28] Today there are currently 12 provinces and they are:

Citations and further reading

Citations

Further Reading

• Crump, William L. (1991). The story of Kappa Alpha Psi: A history of the beginning and development of a college Greek letter organization, 1911-1991.  
• Anderson, Walter (August 2006). Sweet Nupe: An Unauthorized History of Kappa Alpha Psi, 1st edition, Black Adonis Collectibles. ISBN 9780964759688.  

External links

• Kappa Alpha Psi Official Homepage website
• Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation
• Achievement Academy
• Executive Order One
• Executive Order Two
• Executive Order Three
• Kappa Alpha Psi Founders
• History of the Cane