Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. is a predominately African-American fraternity whose fundamental purpose is achievement.  We train our members for leadership throughout all walks of life as we continue to strive for excellence in our academic pursuits. On the campus of Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, African American men began an all male organization better known as a fraternity by the name of Alpha Kappa Nu.  But this fraternity was not strong enough to last and therefore it no longer exist.  Later, a transfer student by the name of Elder Watson Diggs decided to carry on this idea and began a new fraternity.  On the night of January 5, 1911, this noble man along with nine others by the names of Alexander, Asher, Armstrong, Blakemore, Caine, Edmonds, Grant, Irvin, and Lee founded the fraternity of Kappa Alpha Nu in honor of the previous all African American fraternity, which was later changed to what is now known as Kappa Alpha Psi, the first African American Fraternity originated by all undergraduate students.  Kappa Alpha Nu became officially incorporated on May 15, 1911. The fraternity name was changed to Kappa Alpha Psi on April 15, 1915. With achievement as it’s purpose, Kappa Alpha Psi began uniting college men of culture, patriotism, and honor in a bond of a fraternity at schools such as University of Illinois, University of Iowa, and Wilberforce to name a few. Today, the fraternity initiates more than eighteen hundred members every year. We host chapters not only all over the country but all over the world.  The colors of this noble fraternity are Krimson and Kream. The flower is the Red Karnation and our animal is the Red Kardinal (not the playboy bunny). We are the only NPHC organization that has 100% NO honorary members. Also we are known not only for our community service and leadership but also kane twirling, shimmy, and the pretty boy image. Here a few of their famous members

Cedric “The Entertainer” Kyles – Comedian, Movie Star

John Singleton – Director, best known for Boyz N the Hood and Rosewood

Tavis Smiley – Talk show host, political commentator; author

Robert L. Johnson – Founder and CEO of Black Entertainment Television (BET)

John F. Street – Mayor of Philadelphia

Daniel James, Jr. – First African-American four star general

Calvin O. Butts III – Pastor of Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem, NY and President of S.U.N.Y College at Old Westbury

Wilt Chamberlain – NBA Hall of Fame

John Chaney – Former head coach of Temple University

Bill Russell – Boston Celtics Legend, NBA Hall of Fame

Arthur Ashe – Tennis Legend , social activist

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Being a member of a Black Greek Lettered Organization (BGLO) is a gift and a curse. It’s a gift because throughout your membership intake process, you’re taught certain things that are to ultimately help you in life. You learn to operate without life’s everyday luxuries. It brings you back to where it wasn’t so good just a week ago. It makes you a stronger person; a harder worker and a more diligent thinker.

The curse is what I call “Hollywood.” People don’t understand the politics behind BGLO’s. Once you have crossed over into the Greek world, peter is no longer Peter; He’s Omega Peter, or Sigma Peter. And with that prefix, there’s no more reckless abandonment. People nitpick at organizations just to find a weak link and exploit them. If Alpha Brian or Zeta Sandy is found somewhere drunk, passed out and throwing up in a room party, it comes back as, “The Alphas don’t know how to hold their liquor,” or “The Zetas are sloppy drunks.”

There are some people that flourish in “Hollywood,” like the Kappa with the 3.9 GPA or the SGRho that’s president of their Student Government Association. But there are also those who die in the spotlight: The Delta that failed out of school or the Iota that had a fight with a Campus Officer.

Hollywood offers everything that glitters and everything that’s gold. The opportunity to fail all of your classes, find yourself waking up with alcohol poisoning in para’ and sleeping with your line-sister’s ex are all within arm’s reach. On the other hand, the chances to exceed all stereotypical expectations, increase community service involvement and win step-shows are also present. However the line that separates the two is VERY thin. Which side of Hollywood are you on?

While in Hollywood, it’s very important to take your Org up another level. If your chapter did twelve programs and a party last semester but didn’t receive Frat of the Year honors, that should be your top priority this semester, especially if you’re a neo! Channel that energy into making your Frat or Sorority the best on campus, then the best in your region. Competition is healthy. The best feeling is when you have to out-do yourself because no one else even compares.

As a profyte, it is your duty to do more teaching than partying. Like attracts like. So if your next interest meeting looks like Rollin’ Sixties Crips rally, your chapter needs a self-evaluation. So here’s my Jerry Springer ending, “Take care of yourself, and each other…” LMAO

Signing off,

Paul Johnson Jr.
Writer/Director Rainy Days Films, LLC

PaulSJohnson10@yahoo.com / @Paul_Johnson_Jr
Mu Omicron Chapter, SP. 2004 / #3

Kappa Alpha Psi, Fraternity. Inc.