ACHIEVEMENT
T
he lights inside New York’s Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
glowed softly against the pol- ished surfaces of framed pictures. Standing next to his photographs of New Orleans that tell a story of resilience, L. Kasimu Harris (Eta Gamma 1998) quietly watches visitors move in and out of the exhibition gallery. In this moment, the musician, journalist, and artist realizes that his images, shaped by loss and rebirth, are immortalized. Not only is Brother Harris’ work on display at the famed museum through January 17, 2026, a feat for any creative. However, his photog- raphy collection Vanishing Black Bars & Lounges has also been added to MoMA’s permanent collection. A rare accomplishment to be sure. His talent transcends when considering the number of Black photographers’ works in MoMA’s collection pales to that of their White counterparts. To put it into perspective, Black artists represent just 1.2% of the total works in the permanent collections of major U.S. museums. “I am now in the same permanent collection as Picasso, Carrie Mae Weems, and Jean-Michel Basquiat,” he muses. “That is achievement in every field of human endeavor.” Indeed, when we reflect on our Noble Clan’s motto, we often think about law, business, politics, medicine, and even sports—the arts seem to get lost in the conversation.
At the opening reception of his group exhibition, New Photography 2025: Lines of Belonging at New York’s Museum of Modern Art, September 9, 2025.
“ I AM NOW IN THE SAME PERMANENT COLLECTION AS PICASSO, CARRIE MAE WEEMS, AND JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT. THAT IS ACHIEVEMENT IN EVERY FIELD OF HUMAN ENDEAVOR.”
EARLY INFLUENCES AND THE CALL TO KAPPA Harris first encountered Greek life long before he stepped onto a college campus. His introduction came through School Daze , the Spike Lee film that captured the energy of Black collegiate culture. He laughs as he remembers, “I was about 10, and I told myself I would never join a fraternity.” That notion did not last. While still in high school, he attended an event at Southern Uni- versity in Baton Rouge, where he
witnessed something that shifted his view. “The Brothers of Kappa Alpha Psi® were dressed in style; bow ties, suits, and had purpose in every step.” He learned that great men such as former Los Angeles mayor Tom Brad- ley (Upsilon 1938), famed trial lawyer Johnnie Cochran (Upsilon 1956), tennis great Arthur Ashe (Upsilon 1963), and jazz legend Donald Byrd (Omicron 1955) were all part of The Bond. Their achievements ensnared
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48 THE JOURNAL ♦ FALL 2025
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