JOURNAL NOTES
The Stories and Personalities Behind the Planning of the 83 rd Grand Chapter Meeting
bers, we were able to talk with long-time Grand Chapter Meeting Planner, Kevin “KJ” Johnson, who is also the president of the National Coalition of Black Meet- ing Planners during the May Grand Board Meeting (see page 52). We also looked in on our 12 "Chief Administrative Officers" better known as our Province Polemarchs, and conduct- ed a Province Roll Call (see page 92). We also hear for the first time from Ju- nior Province Vice Polemarch – Florida, Alexander Belot, originally from Orlando (Alpha Xi 2016) (see page 72). Why, you might ask? The Kappa Alpha Psi Journal is a historical document. It reflects and records living history. Long after the 83 rd Grand Chapter Meeting is written into the annals of Kappa Alpha Psi ® a brother may wonder not only about the names and faces of those who planned it but also about what those names and faces were thinking as it was being planned. Many of our documents are written as a record of completed tasks and events. In general, the Journal provides the op- portunity for you, the reader, to also un- derstand the character , even the person- ality , of the brother whose photograph you are viewing. This is what makes the Journal such a vital part of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. Over the last seven issues of the Journal over which I have had stewardship, you’ll recall that we have had to play catch up from Winter 2015 through to this issue—we have taken your feed- back and have been more deliberate in focusing more deeply into the subjects of each of our stories. So, they are a bit
longer. The photos, where possible, have been more telling of the moment. And oh, what stories the Journal has been able to tell! Your stories of how you and your chapters have served, implemented facets of Kappa’s Six-Point Plan under the 33 rd Administration’s theme of Rebirth, Reclaim, Recommit, by Leaving No Brother Behind, and your individual achievements from neophytes to 60-plus year members—our record has been outstanding. This issue is no exception. Consider Kappa Alpha Psi’s newest initiatives in partnering with the Celgene Corpora- tion in Standing in the GAAP (see page 134), or the outstanding work of the Learn 2 Live program (see page 24). We talk with Grand Board Members Julun (see page 58), Taylor (see page 60) and Finney (see page 123) as well as the Senior Grand Vice Polemarch Reuben A. Shelton, III, Esq. (see page 88) who share their thoughts on life, the Con- clave and fraternity. Finally, the Eta of Kappa Alpha Psi ® at the University of Nebraska celebrated its Centennial (see page 8), the Theta of Kappa Alpha Psi ® at Northwestern University celebrates its Centennial this year (see page 11) and the Delta Pi of Kappa Alpha Psi ® at Michigan State University is recognized for its 60 th Anni- versary (see page 16). In this season of success and celebration of positive, life- sustaining work throughout our commu- nities, we have much to be both proud and humbled that God has allowed us to accomplish these very good works as members of Kappa Alpha Psi ® . Happy 83 rd Conclave, my brothers!
Cleveland Ferguson III, Esq.
T he approach of this Conclave edition of The Kappa Alpha Psi Journal is not unlike the approach of the 33 rd Admin- istration, which has refined its focus to six key areas through Kappa's Six-Point Plan. This issue is designed to provide some perspective behind the men who have toiled in the vineyards in planning the 83 rd Grand Chapter Meeting (see page 62). From Brothers Campbell and Wicker on the cover to the committee members from the Lambda Omega of Kappa Alpha Psi ® at the University of Central Florida, Zachary Evans (see page 69) and Kevin Louidor (see page 71), are all featured (Brother Louidor was recently elected to the Southern Province Board of Directors). In addi- tion to local planning committee mem-
2 | SUMMER 2017 THE JOURNAL
Publishing achievement for more than 100 years
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs