A Look Back: Kappa History
A Storied Legacy is Fulfilled— The Centennial Anniversary of the First Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Chicago (IL) Alumni Chapter
By Kevin Scott, Grand Historian
I n the past one hundred years, there have been many societal changes and technological advances in the United States. These develop- ments are also applicable to the city of Chicago. For all the progresses which have occurred, Chicago has long been a metropolitan Mecca which has attracted people of various races and socioeco- nomic status to reside and find opportu- nities for themselves, their families and establish a business. Chicago’s vibrancy and potential for opportunity became even more appar- ent for Blacks in the early years of the 20 th century; spurred in large degree to the distribution of Robert S. Ab- bott’s Chicago Defender newspaper. It extolled the prospect for their educa- tion, employment and entrepreneurship. From this population spurt of Blacks to Chicago, the lively community known as the ‘Black Belt’ was born which included several neighborhoods of prominent and affluent Blacks. While working for the U.S. Department of Labor, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Founder Byron K. Armstrong was se- lected to conduct a study on the work- ing conditions, job opportunities and discriminatory practices enacted toward Blacks in various locations, including Chicago. When visiting Chicago in
January of 1919, Armstrong personally saw promise and potential in the city for Blacks to reside, establish businesses and organizations. During this same timeframe, Kappa Alpha Psi had expanded its organization to ten undergraduate chapters since its founding only eight years prior (1911- 1919), but had remained largely inactive due to World War I. Kappa Alpha Psi was seeking to continue to develop the fraternity and identify like-minded, high achieving men who exemplified the fraternity’s fundamental purpose of achievement. Armstrong believed that Chicago’s environment was ripe for the establishment of an alumni chapter and its presence in this city was the ideal location to further epitomize the fraternity’s stature of prominence and prestige. Furthermore, Armstrong believed the inclusion of esteemed Chicago professional Black men into the proposed alumni chapter would serve as a blueprint for future alumni chapters to follow. Armstrong felt that the establishment of the Chicago Alumni Chapter and initia- tion of these men should be done with- out delay, so other rival organizations would not capture these individuals as part of their membership rolls. Arm- strong met with several local Fraternity
154 | 84 TH GRAND CHAPTER MEETING ISSUE THE JOURNAL
Publishing achievement for 105 years
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