The Honorable Albert Bryan Jr. Governor of the United States Virgin Islands "Books, Brotherhood and Business"
KappaAlphaPsi1911.com
SUMMER 2022
VOLUME CVIII, ISSUE 2
VOLUME CVII, ISSUE 2
32
14
6
Journal Notes
8
Grand Polemarch's Message
20 Cover Story
32 Chapter Spotlight
40 National Silhouettes Anniversary
20
44 To the Chapter Invisible
66 The Directory
9
32
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
Established 1914 First Editor
31
Frank M. Summers, Esq. Past Permanent Editors Lionel F. Artis 1921–1937 G. James Fleming 1938–1950 William L. Crump 1950–1975 Earl S. Clanton 1975–1985 Jonathan P. Hicks 1985–1989 Van Jordan 1989–1990 Mel L. Davis 1990–1999 Keflyn X. Reed 1999–2010 Jonathan P. Hicks 2011–2014 Thomas L. Cunningham IV 2014–2015 Cleveland Ferguson III, Esq. 2016— Editor Cleveland Ferguson III, Esq. Jacksonville (FL) Alumni Chapter KappaJournal1914@gmail.com Assistant Editor Clarence Tucker Norfolk (VA) Alumni Chapter ctuckermpt@gmail.com Feature Writers
12
National Silhouettes Celebrate 75 Years
40
34
Nicholas Cole Earl T. Tildon Dr. Samuel Odom
Chapter Invisible Section Manager Aaron Williams Chicago (IL) Alumni Chapter
aaronwilli02@yahoo.com National Photographer Michael L. Hume
18 44
Belleville-O'Fallon (IL) Alumni Chapter mlhphotography@hotmail.com Feature Photographers Kevin Sellers Gregory L. Williams Graphic Artist Keith C. King Grand Historian Kevin P. Scott Chicago (IL) Alumni Chapter GrandHistorian1911@gmail.com Advertising Sales Director Clifford D. Franklin St. Louis (MO) Alumni Chapter cliffordfuse@gmail.com Cell: (314) 406-3472 International Headquarters 2322-24 North Broad Street Philadelphia, PA 19132-4590 Phone: (215) 228-7184 www.KappaAlphaPsi1911.com
Northern Brandon Jackson bmj1911@outlook.com
South Central Jarvaun Lindsay theonlyjarvaun@gmail.com
Eastern Dr. DeAndre Howard provincereporter@epkapsi.org Southern Julius L. Collins southernprovincenews@gmail.com Western Jeffrey Brown pacificreporter@kapsi-western.org
Southwestern Aljay Foreman aljayforeman@yahoo.com Southeastern Dr. C. Douglas Johnson cdouglasjohnson@yahoo.com Middle Eastern Quentin Mitchell kwin10mitchell@gmail.com Northeastern Dermal McCrear nepdiamondnewsletter@gmail.com Middle Western Frank Smith franksmith831@yahoo.com
North Central Bond A. Thomas Jr. achiever@kapsi-ncp.org
Published quarterly by Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., 2322-24 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19132-4590. Periodic postage paid at Philadelphia, PA and additional mailing offices. Subscriptions: $10 per year. USPS 291-300. No responsibility may be assumed by the Journal for receipt or return of material, news stories, photographs or creative pieces. Postmaster: Send address changes to: 2322-24 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19132-4590.
East Central Brandon Fenty brandon.fenty01@gmail.com
Submit all chapter-related material to your respective Province Reporter for consideration for publication in The Journal.
VOLUME CVIII, ISSUE 2
Courage is staring your severe aortic stenosis (heart valve failure) in the face and saying “not today”
Heart valve disease impacts all communities
More than 2.5 million people over the age of 75 in the United States are suffering from aortic stenosis (heart valve disease). If the disease progresses and goes untreated, symptoms worsen, and heart valve disease can lead to severe illness or death. Common symptoms of heart valve disease are chest pain, difficulty sleeping, dizziness, and shortness of breath. Patients sometimes confuse these symptoms with normal signs of aging. African-Americans are at greater risk for earlier onset of heart valve disease, with few being diagnosed or referred for treatment when they have symptoms and their disease progresses to heart valve failure. Don’t wait. Ask your doctor about heart valve failure and potential treatment options, including transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), an option that doesn’t require open heart surgery. Join as Edwards Lifesciences and Kappa Alpha Psi discuss heart valve failure and its impact on the Black community.
Edwards, Edwards Lifesciences, and the stylized E logo are trademarks or service marks of Edwards Lifesciences Corporation or its affiliates. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. © 2023 Edwards Lifesciences Corporation. All rights reserved. PP--US-6272 v2.0 Edwards Lifesciences • One Edwards Way, Irvine CA 92614 USA • edwards.com Date: July 20th | Time: 8am-12pm PST | Location: Tampa Convention Center Visit NewHeartValve.com/Kappa to learn more about the event and heart valve disease.
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JOURNAL NOTES
Exemplars of Achievement and Commemoration troubled times. Grand Historian Scott reminded me
it all and has emerged stronger due to its leadership. IHQ has undergone a number of changes both physically and in terms of personnel, all for the benefit of the membership. You can see how to remit your dues via the long-awaited subscription program. There are a number of milestones and anniversaries, that not having been regularly together have been celebrated remotely and/or via social media. We look forward to the day when we can all come together in Tampa for the 86 th Grand Chapter Meeting. One such milestone is called out by Grand Polemarch Shelton: the 75 th Anniversary of the National Silhouettes. See page 10. Grand Historian Scott chronicles the auxiliary's development beginning on page 38. This issue's cover story is a real treat. Kappa Alpha Psi's only sitting U.S. Governor is our very own, The Honor- able Albert Bryan Jr. See page 22. His story his uplifting. His gift of humor, story telling and exhortation really comes through Brother John's interview of him. His life lessons impart wisdom for us all. His is an example of uniting in pride and being a beacon of hope in
that 6 th Grand Polemarch Archie A. Alex- ander, was appointed as governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, and served as governor from 1954-1955. Brother Bryan was duly elected in 2018. ♦♦♦ Finally, there are a number of stories that have been submitted this past year, whose documentation do not meet Journal standards. The Journal Team has also had to spend an inordinate amount of time following up with broth- ers on the requisite background material to ensure the submissions qualify for publication. Please save, for example, the 96 dpi images of the local fish fry Fridays for the electronic version of your province newsletters. Adherence to submitting only the most significant milestones and achievements to your province report- ers who will then provide them to The Journal will better ensure a high-quality national publication.
Cleveland Ferguson III, Esq., Editor T he 34 th Administration un- bring transparency and innovation under its theme, Brother to Brother: Breaking Barriers and Building Bridges. You know you are on a firm founda- tion when your house can withstand the vicissitudes of natural disasters, mental breakdowns, spiritual warfare, institutional chaos and a generational pandemic. Kappa Alpha Psi has seen der the leadership of Grand Polemarch Reuben A. Shelton III, Esq. has worked hard to
Yours in the Bond, Cleveland Ferguson III, Esq. Editor
8 | SUMMER 2022 ♦ THE JOURNAL
PUBLISHING ACHIEVEMENT IN EVERY FIELD OF HUMAN ENDEAVOR
We Live Diversity
Volkswagen Group of America is a proud sponsor of Kappa Alpha Psi ® Fraternity, Inc.
Here at Volkswagen Group of America, we are multicolored; we are different, unique and part of the greater whole. We are open to other ways of thinking, to new experiences and solutions. We approach one another with respect, as equals. Our goals are to expand cultural acumen, inspire inclusive actions, and execute business integration, and we are facilitating that through critical partnerships with organizations such as Kappa Alpha Psi®.
GRAND POLEMARCH’S MESSAGE
Kappa Silhouettes, the Wind Beneath our Wings
they began their journey in 1945 at the 35th Conclave in Columbus, Ohio. At this formative stage, the found- ing wives of Kappa men took steps to create an organization to serve their communities and support the programs of the Fraternity. This initial group met again in August 1947 in California to create an organizational structure and elected its first officers. At that meeting the members official adopted the name “Kappa Alpha Psi Silhouettes.” Dr. Evelyn Payne of Brooklyn, New York was elected the first President and served until 1961. The founding group operated for many years without a formal affili- ation with the Fraternity. It wasn’t until 1980 under the leadership of Past Grand Polemarch, Dr. Oliver S. Gumbs, that the Fraternity officially recognized the Kappa Silhouettes as an auxiliary organization and granted the Silhouette President a seat on the Kappa Foundation Board of Directors. Grand Board Policy Statement Num- ber 87-12 was entered into the record recognizing the Silhouettes as “an affiliate whose purpose is to provide support and assistance for the activi- ties of the Fraternity at Grand Chap- ter, Province and Local levels.” Today, the Kappa Silhouettes serve with all the verve, vim, vigor and enthusiasm of the founding mem- bers. Throughout the years, they have wholeheartedly adopted the Frater- nity’s initiatives and programs to work toward our established goals. Their dedication and commitment were es- pecially demonstrated during the last couple of years as we worked through the COVID pandemic. The Silhouettes partnered with the Fraternity, the Kappa Foundation, the Senior Kappa Endowment Fund and individual con- tributing brothers to financially help
our collegiate members cope with loss of income and university housing expenses. It was an amazing show of support, and I am forever indebted to the Silhouettes for their generosity. The Silhouettes have also adopted other community service programs to help us in our mission. They are working with the Fraternity in our partnerships with the March of Dimes, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospi- tal, the National Alliance on Mental Health and organizations that fight domestic violence. The Silhouettes also worked with the National Insti- tutes of Health to prevent sudden infant death, an initiative that likely has saved hundreds of young chil- dren’s’ lives. Under the able leadership of Silhou- ette President Teresa Foster and her able predecessors, including Janice Hall Dean, the Kappa Silhouettes have been a beacon of light and strong ally in our efforts to serve our members and help our communities, politically and socially. Their motto is “We Rise Above All” as they Encourage, Uplift, Promote and Serve. They have cer- tainly done that. The Kappa Silhouettes are truly the wind beneath our wings and I look forward to another 75 years of their invaluable support and partnership. So, to all Kappa Silhouettes, con- gratulations on 75 wonderful years. I just don’t know what we would do without you.
Reuben A. Shelton III, Esq. Grand Polemarch S ince the Fraternity’s founding, brothers have spent countless hours as officers, committee chairs and serving the com- munities in which we live. We deal with numerous issues and make thousands of decisions that would test the patience and wisdom of Solomon. Unfortunately, we sometimes take our work home with us to family members who are unaware of our foibles of the day, but they usually catch the brunt of our resulting wrath. The ones who regularly experience our seasons of discontent, more than anyone else, are our lovely silhouettes and this year they are celebrating 75 years of doing so. The Kappa Silhouettes were first known as the National Silhouettes and
God Bless you all.
Yours in the Bond, Reuben A. Shelton, III, Esq. Grand Polemarch
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THE GALLERY
The First Ladies of Kappa Alpha Psi: Silhouette Jackie Young (28 th ), Silhouette Glenda Bates (32 nd) , Silhouette Sandy Hamilton (30 th ), Silhouette D'Anne Shelton, and Silhouette Geraldine Battles (33rd) at the 84th Grand Chapter Meeting in Philadelphia, PA. Below the Grand Polemarch with Mrs. Shelton.
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THE GALLERY
“
T he Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) meetings in D.C. were non-stop. They began with signing an MOU with the John Hope Bryant organization to help our small businesses get started. It continued with my last meeting as Chair of the NPHC Council of Presidents, a panel discussion on Capitol Hill on racial equity and a joint NPHC evening reception. Other events included a breakfast with March of Dimes partners, execution of an MOU with the American Red Cross, the CBCF Prayer Breakfast and Phoenix Awards dinner that featured Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden. And I cannot omit the amazing Friday night Nupe Party that was the talk of the town. Thank you brothers Britton Smith, Richard Mattox and Rawle Andrews for facilitating the itinerary and ensuring we were at the right place at the right time. It was one of the most impactful and productive CBCF meetings I’ve attended. Thank you Brother Rev. Dr. Howard-John Wesley (78 th Laurel Wreath Laureate) for hosting the D9 Presidents at Sunday Ser- vice immediately following the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation meetings. As always, Brother Pastor raised the roof and inspired all who were in the house of God. In partnership with the National Council of Negro Women and the Good Health Wins initiative, Kappa conducted a panel discussion on the importance of getting vaccinated and voting. The discussion was held during the CBCF week in Washington D.C .”
—Reuben A. Shelton III, Esq. Grand Polemarch
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NATIONAL NEWS
U.S. Small Business Administration Announces Landmark Collaboration with Historically Black Fraternities and Sororities to Address the Wealth Gap Through Black Entrepreneurship FIRST OF ITS KIND AGREEMENT THAT WILL FOCUS ON IMPROVING FINANCIAL LITERACY, OUTREACH AND CAPI- TAL ACCESS OPPORTUNITIES ACROSS COMMUNITIES A dministrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administra- tion (SBA) and the voice for tion. This collaboration will give NPHC members critical access to information that will promote small business growth and create jobs in all sectors of our economy.”
America’s 32.5 million small businesses in President Biden’s Cabinet, signed a Strategic Alliance Memorandum (SAM)—an authority unique to the SBA among federal agencies—with President Reuben A. Shelton III, Esq., on behalf of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC)’s Council of Presi- dents, comprised of nine historically Black fraternities and sororities, some- times referred to as the “Divine Nine.” “This historic alliance between the SBA and the NPHC—the first of its kind for a government agency—will bring SBA’s valuable small business resources into reach for many small businesses and entrepreneurs, further- ing the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to build equity and close historic wealth gaps that have held back America’s Black entrepreneurs, small business owners and their fami- lies and communities for generations,” said Administrator Guzman. “Over the past 18 months, the SBA has made incredible progress reaching more of America’s small businesses, delivering vital resources and support to entre- preneurs who have been historically under-invested in and overlooked—the same people and communities hit hard- est by the COVID pandemic. Working alongside partners and allies within the Divine Nine will provide even greater reach for the SBA to better provide the highly entrepreneurial Black com- munity access to networks, financial literacy, technical training, and capital readiness so they can successfully real- ize their American Dreams of business ownership, create jobs, and advance
Often represented on thousands of university campuses, including Histori- cally Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), with members in leadership roles across civic and business organi- zations and the faith community, the NPHC boasts over 2.5 million active members and scores of alumni mem- bers. Taken together, this group of en- gaged leaders is a critical ally in helping building trust within key communities and introducing small business owners to critical resources to bolster their busi- ness outcomes as we seek to close the wealth gap. The SBA Has Deepened its Engage- ment and Support of African American, Black and Historically Disadvantaged Small Business Owners. In line with the Biden-Harris Ad- ministration’s agenda outlined in the recently released SBA Equity Action Plan, the SBA has instituted several major changes to level the playing field for all small businesses, including mak- ing impactful reforms to the Community Advantage (CA) Pilot loan program that prioritizes equitable access to capital for low-income borrowers and those from underserved communities, releasing disaggregated data across industries and sectors by race and ethnicity and helping to deliver contracting reforms to bring in new, diverse contractors, and launching the American Rescue Plan’s $100 mil- lion Community Navigators program.
our economy.”
Announced in the lead up to June- teenth, this new strategic alliance ad- vances the SBA’s implementation of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commit- ment to building equity throughout the federal government and across America. Under the new alliance, a unique agree- ment for a federal government agency, the partnership will focus on increas- ing financial literacy within traditionally underserved, disadvantaged communi- ties, expanding the Agency’s outreach, and introducing Black entrepreneurs to the SBA’s suite of tools and resources to start and grow their businesses including access to capital, government contracting opportunities and counseling. Reuben A. Shelton III, Esq., Chair- man of the Council of Presidents of the National Pan-Hellenic Council and Grand Polemarch of Kappa Alpha Psi Fra- ternity, Inc.: “The National Pan Hellenic Council and its affiliate organizations are very excited about this opportunity with the U.S. Small Business Administra-
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NATIONAL NEWS
“ This collaboration will give NPHC members critical access to information that will promote small business growth and create jobs in all sectors of our economy. ” —Reuben A. Shelton III, Esq. Chairman of the NPHC
In addition, the SBA has expanded the number of Women’s Business Centers (WBCs) it supports to 146 – the largest WBC network in the history of the SBA. Notably, this invest- ment under Administrator Guzman signifies the tripling of WBCs at HBCUs and Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs). Since March 2021, the complete listing of WBCs housed on the campuses of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) now includes: • Miles College, Fairfield, Alabama • Savannah State University, Savannah, Georgia • Morgan State University, Baltimore, Mary- land • Bowie State University, Bowie, Maryland • Jackson State University, Jackson, Missis- sippi • Alcorn State University, Lorman, Missis- sippi • Bennett College, Greensboro, North Carolina • Winston-Salem State University, Winston Salem, North Carolina • Benedict College, Columbia, South Caro- lina • Virginia Union University, Richmond, Virginia SBA remains committed to increasing capital for small businesses, including those in underserved communities. This means ensuring entrepreneurs have access to capital, standard and disaster lending programs, and PPP direct forgiveness as well as assistance in growing their revenues by getting their products online or into global markets and accessing federal contracting opportunities, often by connecting
them to one of the Agency’s newly launched Community Navigators, hundreds of Field Of- fices, or thousands of Resource Partners - in- cluding Small Business Development Centers, Women’s Business Centers, SCORE chapters, and Veterans Business Ownership Centers - for mentoring, training, and assistance in navigating government resources. For additional information on SBA fund- ing opportunities, please visit www.sba.gov/ funding-programs. The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of busi- ness ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www. sba.gov. The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) was founded on May 10, 1930, at Howard University in Washington, DC. The purpose is to foster cooperative actions of its members in dealing with matters of mutual concern. To this end, the NPHC promotes the well-being of its affiliate fraternities and sororities, facilitates the establishment and development of local councils of the NPHC, and provides leadership training for its con- stituents.
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NATIONAL NEWS
Dr. Jeffrey A. Murdock Earns Grammy Music Educator Award PRESENTED BY THE RECORDING ACADEMY AND GRAMMY MUSEUM
By Dr. Samuel Odom
D r. Jeffrey Allen Murdock, Jr., is an Associate Professor of Music at the University of Arkansas. He was nominated and named the winner of the 2021 Grammy Music Educator Award at the 63 rd Annual Grammy Awards Ceremony. The prestigious Grammy Music Educa- tor Award, presented by the Record- ing Academy and Grammy Museum, recognizes current educators who have made a significant and lasting contribu- tion to the field of music education and who demonstrate a commitment to the broader cause of maintaining music education in the schools. “We are so thrilled for Dr. Murdock! He is the epitome of an outstanding music educator and is beyond deserving of this award and type of recognition,” said Todd Shields, Dean of the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, which is home to the University of Arkansas’s Department of Music. In addition to being recognized for his remarkable impact on students’ lives and being featured on CBS This Morning, Murdock will receive a $10,000 hono- rarium and matching grant for the Uni- versity of Arkansas’s music department. The nine additional finalists will also each receive a $1,000 honorarium and matching grants for their institutions. Brother Murdock is a Fall 2003 initiate of the University of Southern Missis- sippi Chapter, the Kappa Iota of Kappa Alpha Psi. Journal: Please share your vision on your role Associate Professor of Music education at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.
Dr. Jeffrey A. Murdock, Jr.
Murdock: My vision as an associate professor of music education is indica- tive of my passion for leveling the field in music education such that every stu- dent, regardless of age, ability, gender, race, or socioeconomic status has access to high quality music education each day. As a professor of music education, I am privileged to be in spaces which allow me to shape the music educators of to- morrow. As such, I am able to instill the values I hold dear into these budding teachers through practicum experiences, lectures, supervised field experiences, and pedagogy courses. While many things can be taught, such as conducting and rehearsal technique, how to sing or play an instrument, etc., certain values, such as empathy, altruism, compassion, and the like, must be modeled, and I strive to model these values at all times.”
into all of my teaching. In doing so, every student is seen and respected, bridges are built, and high standards and expectations of learning are main- tained…teaching in this way creates community in the classroom and music ensemble alike, while creating space and opportunity for students to ask ques- tions, to be stretched academically, and to become more aware of educational content through the lens of histori- cal context. Studies have shown that students who are well educated in the fine arts, specifically music, are more likely to perform well in other areas of academia. Music and the other fine arts open the student to the aesthetic experience and allow the student to think outside the tangible parameters of knowledge and to become more creative, yet analytical, in their knowledge seek- ing. As such, it has remained my mission from my very first days as a public- school educator until now, to bring a
“As a forward-thinking music educator, I integrate culturally relevant pedagogy
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greater understanding of our complex world to my students through music. As the universal language, I believe that music is a common thread, transcending culture, race, gender, and sexual orienta- tion, driving each participant toward a collective understanding and apprecia- tion of each other. There have been many challenges and even more successes along the way. One of my greatest challenges to date has been reframing the contributions of Black composers and musicians for white audiences, while simultaneously creating space for musicians formed in Western European hegemonic traditions to engage with Black music openly through authentic performance experiences. My body of research also requires a dismantling of embedded rac- ist myths regarding the ability of black musicians to engage with music at a high academic level. Regarding my successes, I feel I have been highly effective in bringing folks from all walks of life into these con- versations in a non-threatening way, thereby creating allies in the field who are learning to share in the justice work associated with music education in the 21 st century. I am grateful to have amassed quite a bit of notoriety in choral music for someone of my age and experience in the field. I have been invited to conduct and perform in 29 states and 10 countries to date and was named the 2021 GRAMMY © Music Educator of the Year.” Journal: Describe your impact you have on the musician community at the University. Murdock: Students who have taken my classes have noted that there are things they’ve experienced in my courses that have impacted them greatly as teachers and humans. One of my recent stu- dents, a white male, went on to teach in Harlem because he was so impassioned by my teachings on culturally relevant pedagogy and social emotional learning
that he wanted to be impactful to mar- ginalized populations in a real, tangible way. I consistently have the highest professor evaluation ratings possible from students who take my courses. One student in particular noted, “I feel confident in saying that my experience in the master’s program was enhanced by Dr. Murdock’s presence. Dr. Murdock has gone out of his way countless times to ensure that I was signed up for the correct courses and to make sure that I was aware of any upcoming deadlines or materials for my thesis. During my time at the Univer- sity of Arkansas, I was also teaching full time. Dr. Murdock made every effort to carve out weekly meeting times and class times to accommodate my crazy schedule. Aside from making a weekly meeting time, I can recall a phone call at least once a week, if not more, to check in and make sure that I was on track and feeling good about the direc- tion of classwork or my thesis. I am 100% certain that he not only cares about his students on an aca- demic level, but also on a personal level. He is extremely approachable and makes learning a relevant and enjoyable experience. I cannot thank him enough for his dedication to my success at the
University of Arkansas. He is truly one of a kind.
Another student wrote the following: “It is not in vain. These moments, these times, they are all of worth. To us, to you. I remember when I first realized who I was the weight behind the color of my skin... I'll never forget that day. Then, I felt weak and helpless, unsure of how far it would take me or how much it would hinder me. But today... I feel strong. I feel empowered. I feel capable. I feel competent. Sure. Steady. Undefeated. People with my melanin decided to grow, prosper, and flourish despite the odds. That is beautiful. That takes courage. It takes boldness and recklessness to display such a level of bravery. Today... I have the power to do the exact same thing...so that little girls and boys can also feel empow- ered...unstoppable, even. Someone has been waiting for this moment. I know I was. Thank you, Dr. Murdock. Thank you for this group, for this community, for pushing for change and representa- tion on the U of A campus and beyond. Things are changing. Slowly, but surely, gears are grinding. Folks are waking up and sticking to what they believe in. May tonight be no different. I am a part of history. We are a part of history. A
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presence at your institution raises the bar for excellence and elevates the qual- ity of education for all students pursuing degrees in music. I hope to continue to have an impact on students, teachers, and colleagues throughout the course of my career. Journal: What is the significance of faith, family support, mentorship, and fraternity for you? Murdock: Since I was a very small child, faith and music have been integral parts of my life. As a product of a low- income family in the inner city, I over- came the odds because of encourage- ment from my family and, to a greater extent, because of the gift of music which manifested significantly through musical experiences and opportunities in church. By the age of 6, my great-aunt had taken me to my first piano lesson after a gener- ous family friend created a scholarship allowing me to take lessons for a year at no cost to my family…Little did I know it, but at that time, I was being given a unique and priceless gift that would open doors to me for the rest of my life.... In the fourth grade, I was encouraged to join the school band, and by 5 th grade, I was competent on three different instruments and was playing piano and conducting regularly in local churches. In middle school, I joined the school choir, and it was through my choral experience that I learned that music education was the field I was destined to pursue…my family understood that music education was necessary to the growth of the whole student. Being the first in my immediate family to complete a four-year college degree, it became my mission to make the family proud and to continue to achieve in my chosen field. In doing so I aim to honor God, my fam- ily, and my mentors by using my gifts for good, and continuing to walk in integrity. I am also intentional about giving back
Murdock poses with Grammy. Opposite page: from left, Harvey Mason Jr., CEO, Recording Academy, Jeffrey Murdock, 2021 Music Educator Award Winner, and Michael Sticka, President/ CEO of the Grammy Museum, attend the 64 th Annual GRAMMY Awards - A GRAMMY In The Schools Salute to Music Education at the House of Blues Las Vegas on March 31, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Maury Phillips/Getty Images for The Recording Academy).
part of change. A part of someone real- izing the potential and purpose within themselves. May I never take this mo- ment for granted. Today. It starts, and it continues. But we are nowhere near the end.” I have found that my impact on junior faculty in my department as well as young teachers throughout the state and region has been more far-reaching than I could have ever imagined. One junior faculty member recently wrote the fol- lowing: “Dr. Murdock is a gifted administra- tor. Despite being in high demand as a clinician throughout the world, the voice and choral area has thrived under his leadership. During his time as area coordinator, recruitment has rebounded from the dip in enrollment from Covid, and vocal faculty have been given teach- ing assignments based on their strengths (ensuring high quality instruction and mentoring of students). In addition to everything on his plate this year, Dr. Murdock served as a wonderful mentor to me and to the other the new voice faculty members, patiently answering every question about curriculum, regu- lations, auditions, scholarship alloca- tion, scheduling, and any other items that needed clarification as we settled
into our roles within the department. Of all my academic posts, this was the smoothest transition I have ever had into a new job, thanks to Dr. Murdock’s mentorship and guidance.”
A young teacher from Atlanta, GA, early in his career, wrote the following:
“It feels nearly impossible to give words to the experience that would give it justice; however, the closest description is that working with Dr. Murdock is transformative. From the downbeat of the first rehearsal, Dr. Murdock had the entire room under his spell. His joyous approach to music-making was infec- tious and inviting. Every detail from his repertoire selection to the structure of the rehearsals was planned with inten- tion. I was mesmerized by the way Dr. Murdock worked with the students, weaving in historical context, musical nuance, and vocal technique seamlessly. He created an environment where the students truly felt safe to take risks and to learn." From a collegial perspective, it was an absolute dream to work with Dr. Mur- dock. He is communicative, empathet- ic, organized, professional, and humble. He anticipates possible challenges and works proactively to find solutions. His
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PUBLISHING ACHIEVEMENT IN EVERY FIELD OF HUMAN ENDEAVOR
NATIONAL NEWS
to my community in such a way that young men with similar lived experi- ence to mine will know that anything is possible with the help of Christ who gives us strength, and that one can achieve anything to which they set their minds…one of the greatest challenges has been the lack of representation of Black faculty at my level in the field of music education. I am the only tenured Black faculty at my university and there are no Black faculty on the tenure track. There are very few Black directors of choral activities at research one institu- tions. To build a career in a field with such little Black representation has proven difficult, however, I believe deeply that “the difficult we do, the impossible we strive for.” In striving, I have achieved far beyond anything I could have imag- ined, with the help of God and those family members, mentors, and ances- tors who pushed me to persevere on this journey. Journal: As you reflect on the recent past, how has it impacted your commit- ment to your field of endeavor? Murdock: Pressure makes diamonds. My process as a young Scroller, train- ing for leadership in the Kappa Iota Chapter helped shape me into the man I am today. I learned persever- ance. I learned how to problem solve and approach challenges, and I learned more about myself as a human being, including areas of strength and areas of opportunity. These earliest experiences with Kappa Alpha Psi also cemented my commitment to music education and revealed the depths of that com- mitment to the field. I learned to think and adapt quickly, and I have used these skills as the landscape of music education has changed throughout the years…one of the most significant shifts in music education came with the onset of a worldwide pandemic, which tremendously impacted music
education in terms of the ways in which people experienced music.
Journal: How has Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, shaped your educational pursuits? Murdock: I truly believe that my adult life has been driven by my desire to achieve. One of the things that drew me to Kappa Alpha Ps i® was not just the idea of achievement, but that achieve- ment was to occur in “every area of human endeavor…in music, in the example I set as a husband and a father, as an educator, as a mentor, and as a fol- lower of Christ, I endeavor to represent honorable achievement in meaningful ways. So many of my mentors in Kappa Alpha Psi, such as Brother Andre Heath, Brother Dr. Carl Cunningham, Brother Dr. Terry Esper, and Brother Myron Hardiman have been shining examples of who I want to be as a human, as a mentor, and as a Kappa man. Now, as a chapter advisor for the Uni- versity of Arkansas Chapter, the Iota Tau of Kappa Alpha Psi, I hope to have as great an impact as these men, and many other Kappa men have had on my life. I am thankful for this journey. φνπ
As my specific area of choral music became known as “super-spreader” of the virus, I had to quickly learn how to use technology, distance learning, and other means of delivery to endure that music - specifically vocal music - was preserved in schools. Also during this time, with the death of George Floyd in 2020, came a renewed discussion in our profession regarding the ways in which we, as a profession, needed to do better to ensure that all voices are welcome and included. I have been fortunate to have been able to lead many of these discussions, and national and international levels to affect what I hope will be lasting change…. As I’ve mentioned in my an- swer to the previous question, mentor- ship has been very important to me over the years, and because of the impact of fantastic mentors, I endeavor to pay it forward. Since beginning my journey in music education, I have had the plea- sure of mentoring dozens of students, most of whom remain close contacts today. I hope that my impact on their lives live on through their teaching, and that the cycle will continue for genera- tions to come.
THE JOURNAL ♦ SUMMER 2022 | 19
PUBLISHING ACHIEVEMENT IN EVERY FIELD OF HUMAN ENDEAVOR
NATIONAL NEWS
Achievers Recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records Four Six-Star Finishers of the Abbott World Marathon Majors are Nupes
®
For more information visit: https://www.worldmarathonmajors. com/.
with many marathons leading up to the WMM. The Brothers Johnson were marathon novices, having only run three marathons before beginning their quest. At the beginning of their WMM journey, there were less than 900 Six-Star Medal recipients in the United States and 4,000 worldwide. Running the WMM is a difficult and expensive journey. There are only a few ways a runner can participate in a race: through lotteries and timed qualifica- tions, or by raising money for charities affiliated with the different races. These brothers were successfully vetted. After starting on their Six Star jour- neys at various times, the four Nupes
I t’s an elite group—there are only 11,200 people worldwide who can claim the honor. And only four Nupes! That group is the Six-Star Bryant Fields (Kappa Rho 1987), Chris Gray (Zeta Eta 1993), Steven Johnson (Omicron Kappa 1990), and Antar Johnson (Nu Sigma 1990). within the six-star guidelines. Those who do are awarded the Six Star medal. Additionally, Abbott set up the World Majors Marathon (WMM) Hall of Fame
"Running, and endurance sports in particular, presents an enormous opportunity for Black men to improve health status," stated Fields. "We, ourselves, are each inspired by brothers who see this achievement and have been inspired to join the NUPESRun movement (IG: @NUPESRun1911) - there's more coming. Keep those Kappa Men rolling!"
Finishers for the Abbott World Mara- thon Majors, who are recognized for completing the World Marathons in Tokyo, Boston, New York, London, Ber- lin and Chicago. In addition to running thousands of miles, these Nupes have also raised more than $100,000 for char- ity through the marathons. The Abbott Corporation created the Six Star Medal in 2016 to increase the enthusiasm for running the 26.2- mile races. The corporation encourages participation by anyone who earn a star for each completed world marathon
webpage, where all the Six Star Finish- ers race stats are stored and ranked by different categories. The Six Star Medal has quickly become the "Holy Grail" for runners worldwide. Four members of Kappa Alpha Psi- Bryant Fields (Kappa Rho 1987), Steven Johnson (Omicron Kappa 1990), Chris Gray (Zeta Eta 1993), and Antar Johnson (Nu Sigma 1990) joined in the quest for the Six Star Medal when they were seeking ways to stay active, healthy, and fit as they got older. Bryant and Chris were veteran marathoners
met and fraternized in London. There were usually very few African Americans running the races, outnumbered by 100:1. And as African American males they were outnumbered 10:1 most times with African American females. The most astonishing part was that we were the only Kappa Alpha Psi members that we met while running the international races on the WMM Six Star journey. Like most people, these Nupes had big plans for 2020; they all had secured the charities for the last races on their
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PUBLISHING ACHIEVEMENT IN EVERY FIELD OF HUMAN ENDEAVOR
NATIONAL NEWS
March 2, 2023. Wall of Fame Six Star Finishers at Tokyo Marathon EXPO 2023 in Tokyo, Japan.
Six Star journeys. However, the world shut down in March 2020. Running was a refuge while they dealt with the toll of the pandemic. The Nupes still encour- aged each other and remained in touch through social medial and Facebook ® groups. They stayed in touch through social media and Facebook workout groups. Their workouts and check- ins helped relieve the stress of living through a pandemic. In the fall of 2021, the group was able to run the Boston Marathon and earn another Star. Brother Bryant Fields and Steve Johnson became the first known Six Star Finisher members of Kappa Alpha Psi. There were approxi- mately 7,000 Six Star finishers at that time. On March 5, 2023, Chris and Antar received their Six Star Medals in Tokyo, joining Bryant and Steve as the only Six Star Finishers who are members of Kap- pa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Because of pandemic delays, over 3,000 who earned the medal in Tokyo, are now part of this Guinness Book of World Records
achievement. Since they received their Sixth Star in Tokyo, Chris and Antar are part of this world record. The journey for these Nupes to the Sixth Star was long and arduous, filled with many unexpected twists. Along the way, each had to overcome injuries, setbacks, and even battle medical issues that could have derailed their quest. But with the support of their brothers, each one preserved and eventually achieved their goal. "Running, and endurance sports in particular, presents an enor- mous opportunity for Black men to im- prove health status," stated Fields. "We, ourselves, are each inspired by brothers who see this achievement and have been inspired to join the NUPESRun movement (IG: @NUPESRun1911) - there's more coming. Keep those Kappa Men rolling!"
Above, right: Bryant Fields (Kappa Rho 1987) and Steven Johnson (Omicron Kappa 1990). Below: Chris Gray (Zeta Eta 1993) and Antar Johnson (Nu Sigma 1990).
THE JOURNAL ♦ SUMMER 2022 | 21
PUBLISHING ACHIEVEMENT IN EVERY FIELD OF HUMAN ENDEAVOR
“Books, Brotherhood and Business” A Mindset of Achievement By Anthony John
T he Honorable Albert Bryan Jr. (Mu Xi 1987) was elected the ninth Governor of the United States Virgin Islands on Novem- ber 20, 2018. Albert Bryan Jr. is the eldest son born to Albert and Genevieve (Pilgrim) Bryan. He and his four brothers, lived with their parents in the historic St. Thomas neighborhood of Savan. "It was a situation of when you're poor, you never knew you were poor, but I used to run the streets bare- footed with all of my friends," said Governor Bryan.
"My cousin (Athniel "Addie" Callistus Ottley, known as the "Voice of the Vir- gin Islands") was appointed Lt. Gov- ernor of the Virgin Islands. He used to come over every Saturday. He and my parents would talk in the kitchen. I must have been five or six years old when I started listening to them when they were talking about politics. I think it's at that point when I decided that I had to be a part of this discussion. It was my first inkling into politics." When Governor Bryan was a teenager, Mr. Bryan, Sr. moved the family to St. Croix where he was offered a better career opportunity that led to the abil- ity of Bryan, Jr. to go to college.
But a recurring meeting impacted his trajectory.
"I was one of five boys in that household. So, you can imagine
The Honorable Albert Bryan Jr.
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PUBLISHING ACHIEVEMENT IN EVERY FIELD OF HUMAN ENDEAVOR
COVER STORY GOV. ALBERT BRYAN, JR.
raising five boys on an island where things were really expensive. Neither my mom nor my dad went to col- lege. I was a first-generation college grad for them. So it was a big thing for them to have sent me to college. At the time, my tuition was probably half my dad's salary and he had four other kids to worry about. So, it was a great sacrifice for them. I had to make it when I went to Ohio." After graduating from St. Dunstan’s Episcopal High School in 1985, Governor Bryan matriculated at Wittenberg University in Ohio and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics in 1989.
decided that I wanted to be a Nupe.
leaving college and embarking upon my career. But economics and the flow of money and what it does to corporations and how govern- ments intervene with interest rates is all very interesting to me. I use a lot of that now in terms of predict- ing where we're going as a Virgin Islands and influencing that path by adding different variables, whether that be capital inputs, labor inputs, or policy."
I had never experienced winter. Ohio was a far way away. I didn't want to go to school with a bunch of Virgin Is- landers because I knew them already. Wittenberg had an excellent reputa- tion in education. And they were also on a trimester system. So, when I got off for Thanksgiving break, I didn't have to go back to school until January and that fit perfectly with me coming home and being able to visit my family."
Kappa Alpha Psi and Student Life
Academics
Governor Bryan was initiated into Kappa Alpha Psi through the Mu Xi Chapter and served as Keeper of Records. "And while in college, too, I also participated in a mentoring pro- gram, you know, it was a school of about 2,500, and they were only about 80 or so People of Color going to the school so I did a lot of work with the Concerned Black Students. So, I found a lot of solace in having the fraternity and my frat broth- ers there because they give me
"I'm an Economics major. Psychol- ogy was my favorite subject. I hap- pened upon economics and it just made so much sense to me. I still use that education. I consider myself an economist of sorts, especially of the Virgin Islands. What I learned there really helped me. I liked psychology, but figured I would really love to work in social work as I enjoy understand- ing people, how they work, how they tick, and why they tick. It is really es- sential in management.
Attending Wittenberg University
"Coming from population that is majority-minority, I wanted to see something different and go some- where different, which is why I ended up in Wittenburg. Even going to college, one of my re- quirements was that they had Kappa Alpha Psi (Fraternity) on campus. I had an encounter when I was in high school with different fraternities and I
I've used those skills extensively since
THE JOURNAL ♦ SUMMER 2022 | 23
COVER STORY
that taste of home and being able to have people who are like you support you. I credit my chapter Mu Xi for my success in college because 'Books, Brotherhood and Business' was always a mantra for us. And you know, the books always came first and really everyone, not only while the Nupes were in the uni- versity, but even after brothers gradu- ated, they would always come back and make sure and support us–being that mentor or being that brother that kicked you a couple of dollars when things got brown, 'cause college got expensive! It's different nowadays. Now my daughters get sushi. All we knew in college was ramen noodles and hot dogs.
Keeper of Records of the chapter. Those were helpful as well to meet alot of Nupes in the valley, because there was Ohio State and Cincinnati. A lot of universities in the valley par- ticipated in those and that helped me make friendships in the brotherhood that lasted a lifetime. As a matter of fact, my Mu Xi brothers make it a regular occurrence to come to the Virgin Islands. When I was inaugurated as Governor of the Virgin Islands, they came down and made sure that they represented. I have also been visited by three Grand Polemarchs, who came down to celebrate Kappa and achieve- ment in every field of human endeavor during my first year in office."
world looks like how you look and you take for granted all the color and the security of having a community that supports you. And, from that day for- ward, I never took it for granted and made sure I made my way home." Immediately after college, Governor Bryan returned home to the Virgin Islands where he began a lengthy and successful career in both the private and public sectors holding positions of responsibility at Hess Oil Virgin Islands Corporation, the V.I. Housing Author- ity, and Innovative Communications. He quickly climbed the ranks and earned more responsibilities and pro- motions at these jobs. The managerial experience gleaned at these private sector jobs and from working closely with and on behalf of a labor union would, in fact, be portentous for his future entry into public service. Governor Bryan earned a MBA from the University of the Virgin Islands in 2003. In 2002, he co-founded Generation Now! Inc., a non-profit organization which filled a critical role in educating the public on key political and social
Returning to the USVI and Entering Public Service
I attended province meetings as the
"You know, when I left for college, I was accustomed to the Virgin Islands. I wanted something else. In the first semester in college, everybody asked me, 'What the hell am I doing here?' I came home for Christmas and I re- ally took a good look around and I said, 'You know, you always took it for granted.' When you grew up on a small island you think the whole
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PUBLISHING ACHIEVEMENT IN EVERY FIELD OF HUMAN ENDEAVOR
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