LOOK BACK KAPPA HISTORY
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Reflections of Early Conclaves
For several reasons, the Diamond Jubilee Conclave in July 1986 was my most memorable Grand Chapter Meeting. I was Polemarch of the Indianapolis (IN) Alumni Chapter, the host chapter. Having spent the previous two years working with International Headquarters staff, Grand Polemarch Randall Bacon, and other Grand Chapter officers, it was the culmination of long days of planning and implementation of the largest and most successful GCM in Kappa history up to that date. I had the opportunity to meet several Kappa dignitaries, such as Congressman George Crockett and tennis star Arthur Ashe, both of whom received the Laurel Wreath at this Conclave. My highlight was to escort the second Grand Polemarch Irven Armstrong to the stage to receive his Laurel Wreath. My Kappa mentor and “Godfather,” Arthur L. Carter, Sr., also received the Elder Watson Diggs Award at this Conclave. One of the social highlights of the Diamond Jubilee was a concert by the beautiful songstress, Nancy Wilson. There was a bus pilgrimage to Indiana University in Bloomington, where a plaque was laid on the site where some of the Founders lived in Bloomington. Some of us were able to go up into the small living quarters where the Founders stayed. The Elder Watson Diggs Memorial House had been updated and was open for tours. We held a luncheon on the soccer field behind the Diggs Memorial House, attended by over a thousand brothers and their families.
As an undergraduate member of the Gamma Alpha Chapter in 1964, I attended my first Grand Chapter Meeting [52nd Grand Chapter Meeting] in San Francisco, CA. This was shortly after being initiated into the Fraternity in the presence of Founder Byron K. Armstrong. The Conclave was held at the Sheraton Palace Hotel in downtown San Francisco. To be sure, I never felt so motivated to dedicate my time and energy to Kappa Alpha Psi and its principles of achievement. Being in the presence of such Kappa giants as [Grand Polemarch] Richard Millspaugh and the legendary [Senior Grand Vice Polemarch] Thomas Bradley indelibly stamped a quest to climb the mountain of achievement. I sat in awe listening to the wisdom of Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett as he shared his view on the future of Kappa, a future that I wanted very much to be a part thereof. The 1973 Grand Chapter Meeting in Miami Beach, Florida, was my second Conclave. Amazingly, it was held at the Playboy Hotel, which spoke to Kappa’s willingness to move beyond the status quo! This time I was a delegate and the Polemarch of the Berkeley (CA) Alumni Chapter. Although the “Black Power” movement influenced the times, Kappas never strayed from its commitment to “partying” and having a good time while taking care of Kappa business. Despite the moment of time, Kappa did not depart from its commitment to achievement and its pledge to be an essential part of the Black communities across this nation. Thus, then, as now, Kappa has focused on the issues of today. Whether in 1964 or 2025, the common theme of Kappa Grand Chapter Meetings remains its relevance to the times in which we live. This is the key that unlocks the doors of success for a Grand Chapter Meeting regardless of the year in which the Grand Chapter is held.
MYRON L. HARDIMAN (Nu 1966), 74th Elder Watson Diggs Awardee
ROBERT L. HARRIS, ESQ. (Gamma Alpha 1964), 27th Grand Polemarch
SPRING 2025 ♦ THE JOURNAL 55
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