The Kappa Alpha Psi ®
An Ocial Publication of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. Charters the
Dominican Republic Alumni Chapter
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WINTER 2022
VOLUME CVIII, ISSUE 4
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CONTENTS
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Charters the Dominican Republic Alumni Chapter
T he initial petition team of Sherman Larkins, Rickalan O’Riley and Thelonius Alexan- der worked tirelessly to recruit and reclaim brothers, ignite within those brothers that “Good Ol’ Kappa Spirit”, and breathe a breath of life into a dream to bring the idea of a chapter of the fraternity in the Dominican Republic into fruition.
The Journey Begins
In January 2018, brothers from California and Detroit, MI met at a local restaurant on the island. During this meeting, it was apparent that a significant number of brothers both traveled to and lived in the Domini- can Republic (DR). The idea of forming a future DR Alumni Chapter was born. On March 31, 2019, 21 brothers submitted a petition, to the Western Province for a "Santo Domingo/Santiago Alumni Chapter." In June of 2019, the Grand Board provisionally approved the petition with the following recommendations: (1) the name would be Dominican Republic Alumni and (2) the chapter would be in the jurisdiction of the Southern Prov- ince.
As a result, the manifes- tation of a viable chapter in the Dominican Republic was birthed and the Dominican Republic Alumni Chapter was provisionally approved during the Grand Board of Directors meeting on May 31, 2019. On January 15, 2023, the Dominican Re- public Alumni Chapter was chartered!
Reuben A. Shelton III, Esq.
Sherman Larkins
Southern Province Polemarch Jason M. Jones, Esq. and DRAC Polemarch Thelonius Alexander.
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COVER STORY Chartering the Dominican Republic Alumni Chapter
The Dominican Republic Alumni Association is Approved
sociation’s first meeting in the DR.
to have a virtual Chartering ceremony take place before the end of the year.
The weekend's events were at- tended by more than 40 Brothers. Also in attendance on a site visit were 10 th Southern Province Polemarch Bertram Orum and then-Senior Grand Vice Polemarch and 9 th Southern Province Polemarch Linnes Finney Jr. Esq. In February of 2020, the DRAA solicited other brothers to become pro- spective Charter Members while the Association's petition was undergoing revisions. On April 6, 2020, the revised petition was submitted to Southern Province Polemarch Orum along with chartering dates of June 27 th , July 25 th or August 15, 2020. The revised petition included 81 brothers, and its ap- proval was contingent on the improved status of the then existing COVID-19 pandemic, approval of the Province Polemarch, International Headquarters (IHQ) and the Grand Board of Direc- tors. On November 1, 2020, the final petition was submitted to 10 th Southern Polemarch Orum along with a proposal
During the transition from the Western Province to the Southern Prov- ince, 10 th Southern Province Polemarch Bertram K. Orum recommended that the petition be initially approved as the Dominican Republic Alumni Associa- tion (DRAA) as this would ensure that the interested brothers could be given an opportunity to work towards obtain- ing a charter that would be sustainable. This included several responsibili- ties, namely complying with all chapter financial and reporting requirements, held monthly meetings, and participat- ed in community service activities. The Association discharged each of these responsibilities. In November of 2019, Brother Lar- kins, as Vice Polemarch of the DRAA, served as the Association's delegate at the Southern Province’s C. Rodger Wil- son Leadership Conference (CRWLC) in Orlando. Thereafter, the DRAA held its first annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration weekend along with the as-
102 brothers were part of the final petition. Among them included:
• 44 Life Members • 42 Reclaimed Brothers • 1 Subscribing Life Member • 22 Expatriates
The DRAA Becomes a Chapter
From the time the initial peti- tion was submitted in March 2019, a tremendous amount of time, work and effort was devoted to ensuring that the chartering of the Dominican Republic Alumni Association came to fruition. The Dominican Republic Alumni Chapter chartering ceremony was January 15, 2023, with 66 chartering members. Among the Charter Mem- bers are:
• 23 Life Members • 1 Subscribing Life Member • 22 Expatriates
Opposite page, the brothers of the Dominican Republic Alumni Chapter (DRAC). Below, the Grand Chapter delegation and the Southern Province Officers welcome the officers of the DRAC.
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COVER STORY
Charter Members of the Dominican Republic Alumni Chapter
Thelonius Alexander * Long Beach-Inglewood- South Bay (CA) AL 2001 Polemarch
Rickalan "Rick" O'Riley Long Beach-Inglewood- South Bay (CA) AL 2009 Keeper of Exchequer
Sherman Larkins * Detroit (MI) AL 1984 Vice Polemarch
∆Β Virgilio Soler, Jr. * Deta Beta 1990 Keeper of Records
ΝΖ ΘΜ Reginald Jackson Theta Mu 1973 Reporter Gregory Thomas * Nu Zeta 1988 Historian
James Garrett, Jr. Saint Paul-Minneapolis (MN) AL 2002 Lt. Strategus
ΓΥ Ken A. Frazier Gamma Upsilon 1992 Asst. KOR & E
Charles Livingston Fort Lauderdale (FL) AL 2017 Stragetus
Ξ Christopher Lemmie * Xi 1982 Board of Directors
ΘΘ John D. Ellington Theta Theta 1980 Board of Directors
Robert L. Pegues, III Daytona Beach (FL) AL 2009 Board of Directors
ΒΦ Milton Shannon * Beta Phi 1979 Board of Directors
Claudius Washington * Los Angeles (CA) AL 1994 Board of Directors
Kerry Alexander José Alfonso Dr. Stevey Barnes I * Glenn Bonds * Eric Booker
TyRon Flynn Xander J. Gelabert Damion Gibson
Dweyne Krauser * James Larkins III Stan Leconte Ronald J. Lewis * Dr. Sean C. Malone * Theodis Maxey Sylvester A. Maxey Dermal L. McCrear * Torrence D. Moore * Brandon W. Moore Franklin Morales * Carlton L. Nelson
Bobby L. Potts, Jr. Lee Smith II Paul Smith
Draon Glenn * Ronald Greene
Eric Levell Staten * Dr. Onuwa Terry * Jeffrey Paul Washington *
Eric Bowie, Sr. * Stewart Brown Andra Cain Richard Daniel * Keith Davis
Dr. Steven Hamlette * Wilson D. Harris III Bruce Herron Marques Holland Anthony John *
Gary Welch Carlos Wiley Dexter Williams
Scott H. Williams Antoine Williams Rashawn Woodley *
Lee Edwards Kyle Evans
Michael Johnson Berdell Knowles
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COVER STORY
Q &A with Sherman Larkins on Chartering the Dominican Republic Alumni Chapter
Q: What was the motivation to start the association?
A: Do your homework with regards to the petition that has to be filed. Develop a strong, positive relationship with the corresponding province leader- ship. From the inception, act as if you are a chapter (i.e. monthly meetings, community service projects, fundrais- ers, etc.). Have every brother that is interested in forming an association partake in the work necessary to build the association. Q: What did it mean to you to have the Southern Province and Grand Board support the chartering of the chapter? A: As you know, a Chapter can only be formed if the Grand Board and the Province Polemarch support the process. Dominican Republic Alumni was excited when the Grand Board approved its petition but was totally caught off guard when the sitting Prov- ince Polemarch was not in support of the Association becoming a Chapter. The brothers quickly learned a lot about the politics of Kappa at both the Grand Board and Province level. Through hard work and dedication, each Brother did his part to show both the Grand Board and the Province leadership that not only was Dominican Republic Alumni capable of having a sustainable Chapter, but would in fact be a thriv- ing Chapter that would be exemplary amongst the international Chapters of the Fraternity. The support of the Grand Board and the Southern Province and the charter- ing of the Chapter is a badge of honor that each Charter Member wears with pride.
A: Initially several brothers met on the island. After much discussion and con- sideration, and based on the fact that a lot of brothers lived, owned property, had businesses, frequently visited, were retired on the island, or had family ties to the island, it would be a great idea to start a Chapter on the island to extend the Bond of brotherhood to those out- side the U.S. Q: Why are you confident that this chapter is sustainable for years to come? A: This Chapter will be sustainable due to the commitment the brothers have to the people on the island and the commitment as brothers to be success- ful in every field of human endeavor. The Chapter has a broad range of dedi- cated brothers of various age that will ensure a continuous succession plan for the Chapter.
goals and objectives. In it’s short time in existence, the Chapter has had the opportunity to meet with the Vice Presi- dent, several Governors, town mayors and several military and national police personnel in the Chapter’s effort to further its philanthropic reach. DRAC Vice Polemarch Sherman Larkins and DRAC Polemarch Thelonius Alexander. Q: Given the impact of the pandemic, do you see the use of technology be fitting the membership in terms of chapter/committee meetings wherein members of the chapter don't have to be in the DR to support local efforts or is it like any other chapter in the U.S.? A: Prior to the pandemic, the Associa- tion was meeting via Zoom for its vir- tual meetings. Currently, the Chapter Bylaws require that a brother attend at least two out of the five in-person meet- ings on the island. In order to represent the island as a whole, the Chapter rotates its meet- ing schedule amongst the major cities: Santo Domingo, Santiago, Puerto Plata, and other cities like Punta Cana, La Romana, Samana. With this meeting strategy the Chapter is able to have an impact across the island with its com- munity service and economic programs. Q: What advice would you give any other brothers wishing to form an as- sociation outside of the US?
Q: Discuss the cultural opportunities the chapter will be able to maximize.
A: The cultural opportunities will be two-fold, brothers will get to learn and experience the Afro-Caribbean culture and customs of the island as well as the different cultural norms of the various Dominican communities throughout the island by way of community events, festivals, forums, and other communi- ty-based activities. Q: Any special arrangements with the local government that can assist the chapter's philanthropic reach? A: It is the Chapter’s objective to develop political, military and busi- ness relationships, as they relate to the Chapter’s philanthropic endeavors, that will enable the Chapter to meet its community service and economic
Here's to the Dominican Republic Alumni Chapter!
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DRAC GALLERY
S outhern Province Polemarch Jason M. Jones, Esq., pre- sents Polemarch Thelonius Alexander with the Chapter's char- ter. Right: Mayor General Técnico de Aviación Febrillet Rodríguez, Fuerza Aérea de la República Dominicana Commander provides an inspiring message related to the impact the Chapter has had in the DR en Español. Left: Grand Board Member Khalis Hicks, Senior Grand Vice Pole- march Jimmy McMikle and Grand Keeper of Records and Exchequer Rhen C. Bass. Brothers throughout Kappa Land came to celebrate the chartering of the DRAC. including Xi Chapter initiates and Eastern Province undergraduate leaders Brian Ballard, Myles Bostick, and Chandler Searcy. Below, left: South Central Province Polemarch Dr. Leonard Clemons, Northern Province Senior Province Vice Polemarch and Kappa Foun- dation Board Member Gregory Thomas. Below right, Grand Board Member Robert Jenkins, Jr., Esq. Below, right: Grand Polemarch Reuben A. Shelton III, Esq., congratulations Southern Province Polemarch Jones on the ocassion of his first official action and reap- points him as the 12 th Southern Province Polemarch.
Gracias por su servicio y espero trabajar con usted en el futuro.” “
—Mayor General Técnico de Aviación Febrillet Rodríguez, Fuerza Aérea de la República Dominicana Commander
Photos by Gregory Williams.
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DRAC GALLERY
S urrounded by the Atlantic Ocean on the north and the Caribbean Sea on the south, the DR's lush tropical island paradise boasts nearly 1,000 miles of coastline, 250 miles of the world’s top beaches, magnificent resorts and hotels, and a variety of sports, recreation and entertainment options. In the DR, one can dance to the pulse pound- ing thrill of the merengue, renew in the DR's luxurious and diverse accommodations, explore ancient relics of centuries
past, delight in delicious Dominican gastronomy or enjoy eco- tourism adventures in the DR's magnificent national parks, mountain ranges, rivers, and beaches. Many of the brothers and their families did just that!
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Forever Achieve The Murray State University Chapter, the Eta Beta of Kappa Alpha Psi Celebrates 50 Years of Achievement
Brothers were present at Tent City. Large tents lined the interior of Roy Stewart Stadium prior to the Homecoming football game.
By Donald L. Woolridge, Sr. T HE BIG 5-0. 50 YEARS marks a major milestone for anyone, whether blowing out candles on a cake, cherishing the bond of marriage, or celebrating business goals. It brings us to a place where we can pause to reflect on how far we’ve come and focus our sights on a promising future. They call it a “golden” anniversary be- cause it symbolizes years of refinement to reach this foothold and, like the precious mineral, to come out shining with pure strength and beauty. The Eta Beta Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi was chartered on April 8, 1972 on the campus of Murray State University by 22 men; thus the name of the charter line – THE MIGHTY 22. The 50th anniversary of the chapter coincided with the 100th anniversary of the university as well as homecoming weekend. This offered a unique look at the chapter’s history in relationship to the university’s mission to place highest priority on student learning and excel- lent teaching, blending the range of educational opportunities often found at research institutions with the nurtur- ing student-teacher interactions usually found at smaller universities.
The anniversary weekend’s theme was “FOREVER ACHIEVE.” That theme was birthed from the efforts of every brother that has crossed at Murray State Univer- sity. Over the past 50 years the Eta Beta Chapter has grown into a leading frater- nal organization on campus producing members who have lived lives true to our motto; achievement in every field of hu- man endeavor. The Eta Beta Chapter has given the world Olympic athletes, military achievers, academic professionals, reli- gious servants, NFL players and coaches, c-suite business executives and fraternity leaders – all achieving at the tops of their respective endeavors. Leaders of the fraternity who traveled to celebrate this momentous occasion were Grand Polemarch Reuben Shelton III, Esq., Senior Grand Vice Polemarch Jimmy McMikle and South Central Province Polemarch Leonard Clemons. The South Central Senior Province Vice Polemarch, Donald L Woolridge Sr is an initiate of the Eta Beta Chapter (Spring 1988) and the South Central Junior Prov- ince Vice Polemarch, Bryson Brooks (Rho Sigma Chapter; Spring 2019) attends Murray State University finishing his degree in Health and Physical Education.
The Eta Beta Chapter fellowships with Grand Polemarch Reuben A. Shelton III, Esq., and Senior Grand Vice Polemarch Jimmy McMikle at Tom's Grille. Pictured are DaMonta Witherspoon (Chapter Exchequer), Deshun Britten (Chapter Polemarch), Dylan Appleton (Chapter Vice Polemarch), Marcus Turnley (Paducah Alumni Polemarch), Weldon Stokes (Paducah (KY) Alumni Exchequer), Arthur Boykin (Paducah (KY) Alumni Keeper of Records), and Bryson Brooks (South Central Junior Province Vice Polemarch). Not pictured but present at the dinner; Derrick Williams (Eta Beta Chapter Keeper of Records). Opposite page, right: South Central Junior Province Vice Polemarch Bryson Brooks, South Central Senior Province Vice Polemarch Donald L. Woolridge, Sr., South Central Province Polemarch Dr. Leonard Clemons, Grand Polemarch Reuben A. Shelton III, Esq. and Senior Grand Vice Polemarch Jimmy McMikle.
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FEATURE STORY
Above: members of the charter l9ine, THE MIGHTY 22, take part in the unveiling of the NPHC's pavillion. At right, Grand Polemarch Shelton, Senior Grand Vice Polemarch Jimmy McMikle and South Central Province Polemarch Dr. Leonard Clemons were bestowed a gift from teh Chapter's 50th Anniversary Planning Committee, personalized Murray State University Racer football jerseys with the number 50
A committee comprised of brothers who crossed throughout the chapter’s 50-year history from the charter line to one of the more recent lines – Ralph Metcalf, Roy Burrell, Byron Hueston, Sean Walker, Carl Clark, Chadwick Hol- liman, Jonathan Zellner and Ron Brown – put together events that covered the weekend of October 28-30, 2022: ♦ Breakfast with the Mayor and University President and staff ♦ Mayoral proclamation and recognition of the Grand Polemarch ♦ 50 th Anniversary Chapter Banquet with 50 Year Member Recognition ♦ Homecoming Parade ♦ NPHC Plaza unveiling ♦Τ ent City Homecoming Celebration Grand Polemarch Shelton’s pres- ence on campus marked the first time an international President of one of the fraternal organizations on campus visited Murray State University. During the breakfast with the Mayor of Murray, Ky., the Honorable Bob Rogers made note of this fact and presented the Grand Polemarch with a proclamation marking October 28th KAPPA ALPHA PSI DAY in Murray. The breakfast concluded with insightful dialogue on the problems pre- dominantly white institutions encounter
when recruiting and retaining members of minority communities, specifically Black males. Later that evening, a grand banquet with over 200 guests was held honoring the 50 th anniversary with special attention given to the charter line; THE MIGHTY 22. The 50-year blazer ceremony saw the current undergraduate members of the chapter donned in their krimson blazers remove the black suit coats of the charter line and re- place them with their white Kappa blazers. It was a very moving experience! Saturday morning started with a Home- coming parade where the Grand Polemarch and members of the chapter stole the show! Riding in style, Grand Polemarch Shelton and brothers from Eta Beta waved to mem- bers of the local community. From there, the newly created NPHC Plaza at Murray State was unveiled. The power on inspiration and influence was on display; having the Grand Polemarch pres- ent to participate made a lasting impression on all divine nine members in attendance as well as non-Greek members who were in attendance. The weekend’s events ended with TENT CITY during the Homecoming game. For more than 30 years the Office of Alumni Relations has invited thousands of alumni from all over the world back to campus for TENT CITY as part of Murray State’s
Homecoming tradition. Large tents line the interior of Roy Stewart Stadium prior to the Homecoming football game, representing a multitude of Murray State student and alumni groups, Greek organizations, academic units and Resi- dential Colleges. “Of all the events Jimmy (McMikle) and I get invited to, we knew we had to attend this one”, stated Grand Polemarch Shelton. “Brother Ronnie “Cochise” Williams (Charter Member) is a long-time friend; we played ball together. It was a true joy seeing him again. This was an outstanding weekend. It was truly an honor to be with Eta Beta on this tremendous occasion.” While the chapter has grown from 22 in 1972 to over 150 in its 50-year history, it’s underlying principles have remained constant; FOREVER ACHIEVE. The Brothers from Eta Beta are proud to celebrate our 50-year milestone and look forward to the next 50 years!
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FEATURE STORY GALLERY
Grand Polemarch Shelton and his "old basketball friend" Eta Beta Charter Member Ron "Cochise" Williams, Grand Polemarch Shelton with Senior Grand Vice Polemarch McMikle ride in style during the homecoming parade. The Grand Polemarch with Murray, KY Mayor Bob Rogers. The Eta Beta of Kappa Alpha Psi, NPHC pavilion pillar. Members of the charter line THE MIGHTY 22 were recognized during the Homecoming game. Eta Bata Chapter brothers Anthony Gallon, Carl Clark and Ron Brown leading the caravan carrying the chapters banner during the Homecoming parade.
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FEATURE STORY GALLERY
Grand Polemarch Shelton and his "old basketball friend" Eta Beta Charter Member Ron "Cochise" Williams, Grand Polemarch Shelton with Senior Grand Vice Polemarch McMikle ride in style during the homecoming parade. The Grand Polemarch with Murray, KY Mayor Bob Rogers. The Eta Beta of Kappa Alpha Psi, NPHC pavilion pillar. Members of the charter line THE MIGHTY 22 were recognized during the Homecoming game. Eta Bata Chapter brothers Anthony Gallon, Carl Clark and Ron Brown leading the caravan carrying the chapters banner during the Homecoming parade.
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