The Kappa Alpha Psi® Journal, an official publication of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., has a new look, and the Fraternity has ushered in new leadership with the 35th Administration.
OUR 86TH CONCLAVE REVIEW
Summer 2023
kappaalphapsi1911.com
35 th GRAND POLEMARCH JIMMY M c MIKLE
THE JOURNAL PUBLISHING ACHIEVEMENT
CONTENTS SUMMER 2023
42 CONCLAVE REVIEW Informed, Involved & Invested
The 86th Grand Chapter Meeting Showcased how Brothers Can Break Barriers and Build Bridges in the fraternity and their communities. By Cleveland Ferguson III
OUR 86TH CONCLAVE REVIEW
Summer 2023
kappaalphapsi1911.com
35 th GRAND POLEMARCH JIMMY M c MIKLE
20
76
Transformational Leadership Grand Polemarch McMikle and his administration By Ali Burke
Unveiling History Diggs commissioned portrait unveiled at
COVER PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL L. HUME
Indiana University By Kevin P. Scott
www.KappaAlphaPsi1911.com
SUMMER 2023 ♦ THE JOURNAL 1
CONTENTS SUMMER 2023
IN MEMORIAM Mourning 30th Grand Polemarch and 75th Laurel Wreath Laureate Samuel C. Hamilton By Aaron Williams 86
COLUMNS 4
GRAND POLEMARCH’S MESSAGE
8
JOURNAL NOTES
12
CHAPLAIN’S WORD
16
HEALTH & WELLNESS
86
IN MEMORIAM
92 TO THE CHAPTER INVISIBLE 114 KAPPA ALPHA PSI® DIRECTORY
www.KappaAlphaPsi1911.com
2 THE JOURNAL ♦ SUMMER 2023
THE JOURNAL PUBLISHING ACHIEVEMENT
GRAND POLEMARCH’S MESSAGE It’s Our Time
Brothers, I bring you greetings in the spirit of Phi Nu Pi and pray for your continued health, strength, and prosperity. I am overcome with joy at the opportunity to serve as the Grand Polemarch of the greatest fraternity that God has ever created. I am proud to represent and lead a nation of men, coalesced around the fundamental purpose of achieve- ment. I am humbled, honored, and thankful for the level of trust and confidence that you have bestowed upon me to advance the cause and purposes of our noble clan. I promise that I won’t let you down. I vow to lead with vision and the highest level of class, professionalism, integrity and with the fraternity’s best interest in mind. At this moment, I am reflective of how our Founders endured the racial hostilities of their time, to do something unusual and partic- ularly unpopular. I think of how they dreamed, toiled, and sacrificed to create a mechanism of change by which future generations could achieve and succeed in every field of human endeavor. They created
“IT IS OUT OF THIS BACKDROP THAT I’M ASKING EVERY MEMBER OF THIS FRATERNITY TO BE INFORMED, INVOLVED, AND INVESTED IN THE SUCCESS OF KAPPA ALPHA PSI OVER THE COURSE OF THE 35TH ADMINISTRATION.”
an avenue of hope and established the foundation of our cornerstone organization, whose fruits we now freely enjoy. I think of the efforts of the previous generations of Kappa men, whose con- tributions progressed the fraternity to this current moment in history and our place of greatness. What has remained a living expectation since 1911, is that the collective contributions of our brothers in each era of our fraterni- ty’s history, document an upward trajectory of continuous growth, improvement, and impact, consistent with the of expectancy of achievers.
I am keenly aware of the significance of this moment, and I appreciate the daunting responsibility placed on our collective shoulders to carry the proverbial baton for this leg of Kappa’s race in what can only be categorized as, “Our Time!” It is out of this backdrop that I’m asking every member of this frater- nity to be Informed, Involved, and Invested in the success of Kappa Alpha Psi over the course of the 35th Administration. What level of energy are you willing to put forth to make Kappa greater? What sacrifice are Continued on page 6
4 THE JOURNAL ♦ SUMMER 2023
secretservice.gov/join 888-813-USSS TTY: 202-406-5370 | EOE
Are you ready for a challenge? Right now the United States Secret Service has exciting career opportunities open for those who qualify.
GRAND POLEMARCH’S MESSAGE
“MY REFERENCE TO THE PHRASE “OUR TIME,” IS INCLUSIVE OF WHAT HISTORY WILL DOCUMENT ABOUT THE COLLECTIVE INPUT OF EVERY LIVING BROTHER OF THIS FRATERNITY DURING THE 35TH ADMINISTRATION. I ACCEPT THE MANTLE OF LEADERSHIP, BUT ORGANIZATIONAL MOVEMENT IN KAPPA ALPHA PSI MUST BE A “WE” THING IF WE ARE TO PRESS FORWARD TRULY EFFECTIVELY AND REALIZE THE DREAM OF OUR FOUNDERS IN ALL OF ITS GRANDIOSE POSSIBILITIES.”
you willing to make for our cause? What narrative will the history books document about the efforts of your commitment to the fraternity you represent? Time will tell. But I believe that the Story of Kappa Alpha Psi will chronicle “Our Time” as the period of history where the brother- hood of Kappa Alpha Psi accepted the challenge to collectively progress the fraternity in monumental leaps and bounds. My reference to the phrase “Our Time,” is inclusive of what history will document about the collec- tive input of every living brother of this fraternity during the 35th
Administration. I accept the mantle of leadership, but organizational movement in Kappa Alpha Psi must be a “WE” thing if we are to press forward truly effectively and realize the dream of our founders in all of its grandiose possibilities. Therefore, I challenge everyone in this fraternity to lend your talents (in measurable fashion) and join me in creating the Kappa of our Dreams! I’m privileged that my journey of service as your Grand Polemarch will be alongside an incredible slate of brothers that you have elected to the Grand Board of Directors. I have appointed seven new talented
Province Polelmarchs and took the opportunity to pin them on stage at the conclusion of the 86th Grand Chapter Meeting in Tampa, Florida. The 35th Administration is ready to serve the fraternity at a high level and build the most significant and relevant organization that the world has ever seen.
Yours in the Bond,
Jimmy McMikle Grand Polemarch, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
6 THE JOURNAL ♦ SUMMER 2023
JOURNAL NOTES
Seamless Transition, Achievement Continues
F rom the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri where the 34th Administration took shape under “Brother to Brother: Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges” to being “Informed, Involved and Invested” as the 35th Administration has taken the wheel in Tampa, Florida under the leadership of Grand Polemarch Jimmy McMikle. During the 86th Grand Chapter Meeting, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., has undergone a seamless transition and achievement continues. When you think of the state of governments worldwide, seamless transitions between administrations cannot be taken as a given, as they once were. In Kappa Alpha Psi® style, the transition was seamless. This issue focuses on the Grand Chapter Meeting that was, the community and partnerships that made it possible and a look ahead to the 35th Administra- tion’s implementation of its theme. As the Administration “unites college men of culture, patriotism and honor in a bond of Fraternity,” you will see new and different improvements in The Kappa Alpha Psi Journal . These
“AS THE 35TH ADMINISTRATION ‘UNITES COLLEGE MEN OF CULTURE, PATRIOTISM AND HONOR IN A BOND OF FRATERNITY,’ YOU WILL SEE NEW AND DIFFERENT IMPROVEMENTS IN THE KAPPA ALPHA PSI JOURNAL . ”
changes include Aliatu Burke (Cin- cinnati (OH) AL 2020) taking over the art direction reins, Michael Hume (Belleville-O’Fallon (IL) AL 2010) with his keen eye as National Photog- rapher will be featured even more, and team’s creative work will continue to be supported by photographers Gregory L. Williams (Jacksonville (FL) AL 2013) and Kevin Sellers (Zeta Eta 1987). Chapter news and most individual accomplishments should be featured in Province newsletters, with the Journal being reserved for the most significant ones. Don’t hesitate to get
in touch with your province reporters ( see the list of Province Reporters on the opposite page ). We look forward to bringing you news and information in this revital- ized approach to capturing the living history and achievement of our frater- nity under the 35th Administration. Yours in the Bond,
Cleveland Ferguson III, Esq. Editor, The Kappa Alpha Psi Journal
8 THE JOURNAL ♦ SUMMER 2023
THE JOURNAL PUBLISHING ACHIEVEMENT
ESTABLISHED 1914
FIRST EDITOR 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
Re-visualizing Phi Nu Pi The Kappa Alpha Psi Journal is an important and integral part of our fraternity’s history. The Journal has been publishing since 1914 when the first editor (and 14th Grand Polemarch), Frank M. Summers, Esq. (Alpha 1911) helped establish The Journal as a vital source of news within the fraternity. With the 35th Administration’s charge of Informed, Involved & Invested, Grand
Thomas L. Cunningham IV, 2014-2015 Cleveland Ferguson III, Esq., 2016-
Polemarch McMikle had a vision to update the Journal to reflect the forward direction of Kappa Alpha Psi. The goal was to elevate ‘Publishing Achievement’ and create a new and exciting visual experience all Nupes would be proud of. When Brother Grand Polemarch asked me to join the Journal staff, I was honored to lend my creative talents to redesign this prestigious publication. We’re excited about this new direction and we hope you, our Brothers enjoy it as well. Ali Burke Creative Director/Deputy Editor
EDITOR Cleveland Ferguson III, Esq.
Jacksonville (FL) Alumni Chapter KappaJournal1914@gmail.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR/DEPUTY EDITOR Aliatu T. Burke New York (NY) Alumni Chapter aliatu.burke@gmail.com @aliatuburke ASSISTANT EDITOR Clarence Tucker Norfolk (VA) Alumni Chapter ctuckermpt@gmail.com FEATURE WRITERS Edward Cole Nicholas Cole Dr. Charles H.F. Davis CHAPTER INVISIBLE SECTION MANAGER Aaron S. Williams Chicago (IL) Alumni Chapter aaronwilli02@yahoo.com NATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER Michael L. Hume Belleville-O’Fallon (IL) Alumni Chapter mlhphotography@hotmail.com FEATURE PHOTOGRAPHERS Gregory L. Williams Jacksonville (FL) Alumni Chapter Kevin Sellers Philadelphia (PA) Alumni Chapter GRAND HISTORIAN Kevin P. Scott Chicago (IL) Alumni Chapter GrandHistorian1911@gmail.com ADVERTISING SALES DIRECTOR John F. Burrell Executive Director jburrell@kappaalphapsi1911.com (215) 228-7184 INTERNATIONAL HEADQUARTERS
PROVINCE REPORTERS Submit all content to your respective Province Reporter for consideration for publication in The Kappa Alpha Psi Journal .
Harrison R. Duke III dac1920@yahoo.com EASTERN Dr. DeAndre Howard info@epkapsi.org SOUTHERN Julius L. Collins southernprovincenews@gmail.com WESTERN Jeffrey Brown pacificreporter@kapsi-western.org NORTH CENTRAL Richmond Briscoe reporter@ncpkapsi.org
Jarvaun Lindsay theonlyjarvaun@gmail.com
SOUTHWESTERN Niko Hernandez theyo@southwesternprovince1911.org SOUTHEASTERN Dr. C. Douglas Johnson cdouglasjohnson@yahoo.com
MIDDLE EASTERN Quentin Mitchell kwin10mitchell@gmail.com
NORTHEASTERN Dermal McCrear nepdiamondnewsletter@gmail.com MIDDLE WESTERN Addam M. Francisco addam.francisco1911@gmail.com
EAST CENTRAL Brandon Fenty brandon.fenty01@gmail.com SOUTH CENTRAL
2322-24 North Broad Street Philadelphia, PA 19132-4590 Phone: (215) 228-7184 www.KappaAlphaPsi1911.com NORTHERN
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.
SUMMER 2023 ♦ THE JOURNAL 9
CHAPLAIN’S WORD
regular in weekly worship, even if you weren’t raised in church, I bet you know at least one thing about Samson. All of us know that he was recorded and regarded as the strongest man in the Bible. Samson was gifted by God with extraordinary strength. Samson is so strong he defeated 1,000 of his ene- mies armed with only the jawbone of donkey. He’s so strong that he could kill a lion with his bear hands. With the strength given to him and the assignment to use it to free his people from Philistine threat, Samson should have been regarded as one of the greatest men God has ever called and used. But sadly, after the 16th chapter of Judges, Sam- son’s name is barely every mentioned in scripture again. There were no songs written or sung about him. His was not a name taught to the generations that came after him. Samson was strong but not sig- nificant, in fact he was so insignificant you’ve never even seen a church named after him – and we’ll name a church after just about anything and anyone in the bible. Samson may have been successful for a season but in the end his life failed
A Lesson in Weakness By Reverend Dr. Howard John Wesley
O ne of my favorite spiritual writers, Aiden Wilson Tozer, once wrote, “At the end of life what really matters most is not what we bought but rather what we’ve built, not what we’ve gained but what we’ve shared, not our competence but our char- acter, and not our success but rather our signifi- cance.” Tozer reminds us of
a disturbing but oh so prev- alent reality, you can buy but fail to build, you can be competent without char- acter, you can wear a title of authority and not have a name that is remembered, and you can be successful and not be significant. I ask you the question that I often ask myself, “will my life have mattered?” When all is done and our
strongest years are behind us and we face the journey to the Golden Shores, will our lives have mattered? That has to be the question Samson asked himself as he came to his end. You know Samson. His life story is succinctly recorded in scripture in the book of Judges. Even if you have never read Judges 13-16, even if you are not a
12 THE JOURNAL ♦ SUMMER 2023
CHAPLAIN’S WORD
“THINK FOR A MOMENT, OF ALL THE GREAT MEN WHOSE STORIES ARE TAINTED BY RESTING IN THE WRONG LAP, TRYING TO FIND OUTSIDE THEIR HOMES WHAT THEY SHOULD’VE BUILT WITH THEIR FAMILIES.”
to bear any significance. We can look at Samson the same way we look at a Ben Simmons or a Jamarcus Rus- sell – brothers who never lived up to their potential. In fact, one scholar said that “Samson wasn’t the stron- gest man in the bible, but rather the weakest.” How could a brother with so much strength and so much possibility with so many opportunities be so weak and insignificant? That’s a great question to ask of Samson as we reflect on our own lives, lest we be another example of lives that didn’t matter, and we be added to the list of broth- ers who crossed our burning sands and never lived up to the calling of the powerful principles of Phi Nu Pi that give our lives meaning. Well, if you know anything about Samson’s story, I’m willing to bet your answer is another name, Delilah. We all know
Delilah and she is faulted as being Samson’s kryptonite. And truth be told there are a whole lot of brothers who have been hindered and handicapped by their own Delilahs. But may I suggest to you that Delilah is not the cause of Samson’s weakness, she’s merely a symptom of it. There are a few other things that are the real cause of Samson’s weakness, and these are the things we must be careful of in our own lives. One of Samson’s failures was his lack of commitment to family. Before there was a Delilah, Samson was married to a woman from a town in Timnah. But Samson never made a commitment or investment in his wife, his family, or his home. He enjoyed playing and battling and drinking with the Phi- listines, but he neglected the responsibility he had to care for the gift of the family God had given him. Samson was
more concerned with how his enemies viewed him than how his family did. He failed to see what I press on to you – that real significance is not simply estimated by what we achieve in the world but also by what we build at home. The true measure of a man is not simply found in the report and reputation he has among colleagues and co-workers, but also in the hearts and eyes of those he claims to love. Samson lost his wife to another because he never cared for her. And in reflec- tion of our own lives, I ask this paraphrased question from scripture – what does it profit a man to gain the world and lose his family? Samson’s vulnerability to Delilah was not primarily sexual. Every time we see Samson with Delilah, he’s asleep on her lap. He’s tired and has been trying to find a place to rest. We all tire, no matter how
strong we claim to be, we all need a safe place to rest. Think for a moment, of all the great men whose stories are tainted by resting in the wrong lap, trying to find outside their homes what they should’ve built with their families. Brothers let me caution you against Delilah’s lap. As one who made that mistake and paid the price, let me warn you against unsafe resting places, let me advise you about temp- tations that threaten your home, let me alert you to hobbies and habits that weaken your family. Delilah, as you may recall, was hired by Sam- son’s enemies to find out the source of his strength. After several lies, he finally tells her that the source of his strength is his hair. He honestly believes that what made him strong was his hair. Samson’s weakness was not only the result of his
SUMMER 2023 ♦ THE JOURNAL 13
CHAPLAIN’S WORD
“SAMSON WAS WEAK WITHOUT ANY 'AND,' HE HAD NO FRATERNITY. NONE OF US IS STRONG ENOUGH TO MAKE IT ON OUR OWN, WE NEED BROTHERHOOD, WE NEED SOME 'AND.'”
failure to commit and invest in family, but his lack of faith in God. Samson’s true strength never came from his hair, but rather from the Lord. Every time Samson exhibited and displayed his strength, there is an accom- panying verse that says, “the spirit of the Lord fell upon him.” The Lord gave him his strength and Samson never realized that all he had, came from God. But someone may ask, if the source of his strength was not really his hair, why did he lose his strength when his hair was cut off? Simple, because that’s where he thought and believed his strength came from. May I ask you a question – what do you believe is the source of your strength? Why have you been successful in life? What is the source of the blessings you hold near and dear to your life? Let me help you answer that correctly. It is not your resume, it is not your degree, it is not your
connections, it isn’t even your work ethic that makes you strong. Be careful, all of those can be cut. The real source of all we do and all we have is God. And it is our faith that holds us together, it is our faith that keeps us from failing, it is our faith that guides us through the dark seasons of life. Brothers, let us not be like Samson but rather like the psalmist who declared “I will lift up mine eyes to the hills. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord.” For we know that God is the source of our strength. Finally, it wasn’t just Samson’ failure to invest in his family, it wasn’t just his failed faith in God, there was something else. Samson was given strength by God to protect his people. Sadly, Samson never used what he was given for the benefit and blessing of anyone other than himself. He never cared about the enemy’s attack on his own people. He knew
his people’s colleges and universities were being threatened and he never did anything about it. He knew there was a resurgence in racism and supremacy, but he never spoke out against it. He saw the attack on his people’s history, and he never pushed back. He knew the justice system was monetizing the incar- ceration of young boys that looked like him and he never mentored a single soul. He saw the legislation being passed to intimidate his right to vote and he never did anything about it. He saw the courts destroy affirmative action and he sat still and let it happen. Samson never cared about anything other than himself, and it is seen in the fact that nowhere in scripture do you the phrase “Samson and” another brother. Samson is always alone. He doesn’t have any “And” connected to
him. All the successful men in scripture had some “and” – Moses and Aaron, Elijah and Elisha, Noah and his sons, Peter and James, Paul and Silas, Jesus and the disciples. Samson was weak without any “and,” he had no fraternity. None of us is strong enough to make it on our own, we need brotherhood, we need some “and.” It is the “and” of our bond that holds us accountable to be better men, it is the “and” of Kappa that reminds us of our obligation to mentor and train young men, it is the “and” of this fraternity that pushes us to do more for others than ourselves. I thank God for our “and,” begun in 1911 and still going strong to this day. Samson was weak and his life didn’t matter but through family, faith, and fraternity ours can be successful and significant. Phi Nu Pi. ♦
Brother Howard John Wesley (Iota Xi 1991) serves as the National Chaplain for the 35th Administration.
14 THE JOURNAL ♦ SUMMER 2023
HEALTH & WELLNESS
Powering Forward for Kidney Health The Vertex fireside chat with basketball legend Alonzo Mourning promoted the importance of kidney health in our community.
B asketball Hall-of- Mott (Epsilon Eta 1988) have each had different jour- neys with the genetic disease known as APOL1-mediated kidney disease (AMKD), but one thing they both have found is the impor- tance of being proactive about kidney health. Famer, Frater Alonzo Mourning and Kevin
Mourning and Brother Mott Powered Forward to help others take charge of their health. October is rec- ognized as “Family History Month,” and presents an important opportunity to highlight the significance of knowing your family’s
health–particularly when it comes to APOL1-Mediated Kidney Disease (AMKD). AMKD is a genetic, rapidly progressive form of kidney disease that impacts people of African ancestry. It often progresses silently, with symptoms appearing only when the disease has progressed significantly. Everyone has the APOL1
NBA Hall-of-Famer, Frater Alonzo Mourning, spokesperson for Vertex's APOL-1-mediated kidney disease (AMKD) campaign, along with fellow spokes- person Kevin Mott (Epsilon Eta 1988) join 34th Grand Polemarch Reuben A. Shel- ton III, Esq., during Family Day–which featured a series of educational, financial literacy and health and wellness symposium.
medical background and making informed decisions about your
16 THE JOURNAL ♦ SUMMER 2023
HEALTH & WELLNESS
“AFRICAN AMERICANS MAKE UP 13% OF THE U.S. POPULATION. HOWEVER, AFRICAN-AMERICANS ACCOUNT FOR 35% OF THE CASES OF KIDNEY FAILURE EVERY YEAR. ”
Frater Alonzo Mourning discusses AMKD during the health and wellness fireside chat at the 86th Grand Chapter Meeting.
AKMD 'TO-DO' LIST 1. Take charge of your health: know your family history. Does anyone in your family have kidney disease? 2. See a doctor regularly: talk to them about your personal risk of kidney disease and how to stay healthy. 3. Get tested for kidney disease if you have symp- toms. If you are diagnosed with kidney disease and have other characteris- tics of AMKD, talk to your doctor about getting genotyped for the APOL1 risk variants.
kidney disease. Today, people of sub-Saharan
variants of the APOL1 gene that affect people of African ancestry— are also a factor in accounting for these health disparities. Because of the genetic nature of AMKD, exploring the critical link between
African ancestry may carry these APOL1 genetic vari- ants, including people who identify as Black, African American, Afro-Caribbean, and Latino/Latina. Approximately 13% of African-Americans have two APOL1 risk variants, significantly increasing our risk of developing kidney disease and kidney failure.
your family’s medical history and your own
gene. It’s present in many tissues, including the kidneys, and it’s a part of our body’s immune system.
well-being is paramount. You could feel perfectly fine and still be at risk of developing kidney disease. For example, basketball legend Alonzo Mourning was at the peak of his athletic career when he first started feeling symptoms, and our fellow Brother Kevin Mott was also living a healthy lifestyle when AMKD struck him seem- ingly out of nowhere. ♦
Over the past 3,000- 10,000 years, the gene
AMKD IN OUR COMMUNITY
evolved in specific ways in people who lived in sub-Sa- haran Africa to protect them from resistant forms of an infectious parasite. This evolution resulted in the emergence of “genetic variants” or “risk variants” of the APOL1 gene. In 2010, scientists found that people with two APOL1 risk variants face an increased risk of developing
African-Americans make up 13% of the U.S. population. However, African Ameri- cans account for 35% of the cases of kidney failure every year. Research now shows that genetics— specifically
Visit www.PowerForwardTogether.com for resources for talking to your family and your doctor about AMKD, as well as genetic testing resources to find out if you have the APOL1 variants that cause AMKD.
SCAN HERE TO VIEW The Conclave 2023 AKMD Fireside Chat.
SUMMER 2023 ♦ THE JOURNAL 17
35TH ADMINISTRATION GRAND POLEMARCH
Kappa Alpha Psi Elects a Transformatio New Leader JIMMY MCMIKLE IS READY TO HELM OUR DEAR FRATERNITY AND SET A NEW BENCHMARK OF ACHIEVEMENT.
BY ALI BURKE
20 THE JOURNAL ♦ SUMMER 2023
35TH ADMINISTRATION GRAND POLEMARCH
BY KEVIN SCOTT, Grand Historian
onal
SUMMER 2023 ♦ THE JOURNAL 21
35TH ADMINISTRATION GRAND POLEMARCH
Grand Polemarch Jimmy McMikle and the 35th Administration being sworn in at the 86th Grand Chapter Meeting in Tampa. McMikle’s son, Miles holds the bible during installation.
O
“PREPARED TO TAKE THE MANTLE OF KAPPA LEADERSHIP AND POISED TO LEAD THE ORGANIZATION FORWARD IS THE FRATERNITY’S NEWEST GRAND POLEMARCH, JIMMY MCMIKLE, A SPRING 1991 INITIATE OF THE INDIANA UNIVERSITY CHAPTER, THE ALPHA OF KAPPA ALPHA PSI FRATERNITY, INC.”
n July 22, 2023, the third largest body ever assembled in our fraternity’s history was on hand to witness the
installation of the 35th Administration of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc at the 86th Grand Chapter Meeting in Tampa, Florida. Greeted with cheers and applause, the 15 new members of the Grand Board of Directors took their oath to faithfully serve in their respective offices, ushering in a new period of leadership for the fraternity. The celebratory mood was reflective of the significance of the moment, and the energy in the room was palpable. Prepared to take the mantle of Kappa leadership and poised to lead the organization forward is the
fraternity’s newest Grand Polemarch, Jimmy McMikle, a Spring 1991 initiate of the Indiana University Chapter, the Alpha of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. He is a proud Grand Chapter and Northeastern Province life member of
the fraternity and currently a member of the Hartford (CT) Alumni Chapter. Brother McMikle is no stranger to most Kappa men who have been actively engaged in the organization over the past two decades. He has
22 THE JOURNAL ♦ SUMMER 2023
35TH ADMINISTRATION GRAND POLEMARCH
represented the fraternity nationally on various speaking stages; at the White House and on Capitol Hill in Washington DC; and in classrooms, corporate boardrooms, and news- rooms on an international scale. He has worked to raise the bar of operational excellence and set a new standard as it relates to leadership expectation. Jimmy has also worked tirelessly to forge new partnerships and relationships that benefit the brand and financial well-being of our fraternity. Some of his fraternal works in roles along the way have been chronicled in previous editions of the Kappa Alpha Psi Journal . Jimmy has an extensive record of accomplished service in the fraternity dating back to his years as an alumni chapter Polemarch, where he led the Hart- ford (CT) Alumni Chapter to three consecutive Province “Chapter of the Year” Awards, a Province “Guide Right Chapter of the Year” Award, “Reclamation Chapter of the Year” Award, as well as the National Jay Crosby Award. Brother McMikle’s national lead- ership resume includes service as the Senior Grand Vice Polemarch; National Director of Organizational Effectiveness; Member of the Grand Board of Directors; COVID-19 Task Force Committee Chairman; National Leadership Training & Development Cluster Chairman; National Co-Chair- man and National Vice-Chairman of the CRWLC Committee. Brother McMikle created Kappa Alpha Psi’s National “Learn 2 Live” Community Policing Initiative, a collaborative effort with the National
The newly installed 35th Grand Polemarch addresses members and lays out his administration’s goals.
Organization of Black Law Enforce- ment Executives (NOBLE). The initiative was designed to educate and train young persons of color with regards to police encounters and inter- actions. The committee has performed close to 200 forums in over 100 cities (domestically and abroad), training more than 70,000 students. The initiative has garnered several national awards and sponsorships. On a Province level, Brother McMikle has served as the Northeastern Province Polemarch (2011-2015). He has also served in a few roles on the North- eastern Province Board of Directors including two years as the Northeastern
Senior Province Vice Polemarch. He has been awarded the Northeastern Province’s highest honor, the James M. Kidd Award A native of Connecticut’s Greater Hartford area, Jimmy graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1992 from Indiana University, where he earned All Big-Ten Conference honors as a sprinter for the school’s Track & Field team. As a member of three indoor Big- Ten Championship and two outdoor Big-Ten Championship teams, Jimmy is still one of the current record holders for the University’s 4x100 meter relay team. He also holds a Master of Business Administration degree.
SUMMER 2023 ♦ THE JOURNAL 23
35TH ADMINISTRATION GRAND POLEMARCH
The Grand Polemarch is proud of the fact that he is a man of God and a family man. He and his wife (Marclion McMikle) currently reside in Wind- sor, Connecticut with their daughter (Logan McMikle) and their son (Miles McMikle). His son (Miles) is a Spring 2023 initiate of the Temple University Chapter, the Lambda of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Professionally, Jimmy is a respected leadership consultant, accomplished author and sought-after motivational speaker and life coach. Three simple, yet powerful words define his mis- sion and direct his passion to equip people for success: Educate, Inspire, & Empower! He is President of the McMikle Group, LLC, a leadership training and development firm. Jimmy is also a life member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and a member of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Inc. (The Boulé). He serves on a number of boards and has been honored to receive a host of national, regional and local awards for professional and community service. The Journal had a chance to sit down with Brother Jimmy McMikle, the newly installed Grand Polemarch of Kappa Alpha Psi. Journal: First and foremost, how does it feel to be installed as the Grand Polemarch of Kappa Alpha Psi? Grand Polemarch McMikle: In a word… Unbelievable! In an orga- nization of approximately 200,000 men of achievement with such a rich illustrious history, the honor of being only the 35th person elected to occupy
On the campus of Indiana University, Grand Polemarch McMikle’s journey is over 30 years in the making.
this office and hold the responsibility of leading a nation of achievers is humbling. And at the same time, I’m energized by the opportunity to make Kappa Alpha Psi a more significant and relevant force. Throughout my years of service in various leadership roles (profession- ally and in service), my approach at each step has been four-fold: 1. To elevate the bar and reset the standard of leadership expectation for the position held, 2. To cast vision and a create a sense of urgency that moti- vates significant movement toward goal accomplishment, and 3. Lead and empower people to produce a level of measured accomplishment that exceeds the expectations of those of who entrusted you with the leadership position that you hold, and 4. Leave the next leader in a better position for success than the situation you walked into. That’s the same method- ology that I’ll apply to this leadership opportunity.
Journal: Did you imagine yourself rising to this role when you were initiated? McMikle: I don’t think that any person anticipates being the Grand Polemarch when they’re first initiated. I surely didn’t. I don’t think anyone comprehends the magnitude of the scope of leadership on the national level of this fraternity as a neophyte. When I crossed, I was just happy with my first assignment of working on a chapter committee. At the time, I thought being a chapter Polemarch was a far reaching goal. I can still recall the hurdle I had to jump over to earn a yes vote from the brothers of Alpha Chapter. I remember being hammered in my undergraduate interview by the brothers. They questioned how the level of time commitment required of a college athlete, would allow me to be a productive part of Kappa. I made a whole lot of promises in that room… in the library of the Elder Watson Diggs Memorial. I was determined to prove
24 THE JOURNAL ♦ SUMMER 2023
35TH ADMINISTRATION GRAND POLEMARCH
“WE HAVE A SERIES OF GOALS AND STRATEGIES WITHIN EACH FOCUS AREA THAT WILL POSITION KAPPA ALPHA PSI FOR GREATNESS.”
from that point forward that my com- mitment level to the fraternity would never be questioned. And now 30 plus years later, I’m comfortable saying that I kept my word. And that promise and commitment helped my journey to the office of Grand Polemarch. Journal: Speaking of the installation, your son, a neophyte at the time, held the bible as you and your team were sworn in. Describe that feeling? McMikle: I dealt with a lot of mixed emotions that day. At that moment, I’m not sure if watching him hold the bible or being installed was deeper for me. Every Kappa man desires and dreams about the day his son crosses and experiences the bond. That’s an unspeakable joy alone. The thought of being installed as a Grand Polemarch is almost an unimaginable concept. But the notion of having your son hold the bible (as a brother) a few months after he crosses on such a momentous occasion as being installed as Grand Polemarch was a plot twist that I never saw coming. It added a lot more emotion to what was already an overwhelming day. Journal: Now that you are officially our Grand Polemarch and the responsibil- ity of leading rests on your shoulders. What’s your platform for how you’re going to lead our fraternity? McMikle: The 35th Administration will move this fraternity forward through our commitment to eight focus areas which we refer to as “The Scorecard.” And those eight areas of the scorecard are the standard by which our admin- istration should be evaluated and
held accountable by the membership. Those eight focus areas are: Under- graduate Leadership and Development; Brand Management; Finances; Guide Right; Infrastructure and Operations; Membership Services; Organizational Culture and Training for Leadership. We have a series of goals and strategies within each focus area that will position Kappa Alpha Psi for greatness. It is my hope that the mem- bership of our fraternity will become familiar with what and how we plan to lead in order to understand where we’re going. You’ll see a high level of transparency from our administration with regular reporting of our actions and activity. Historically, the fraternity mem- bership is used to receiving a State of the Fraternity report every two years at the Grand Chapter meeting as the standard update of fraternal progress. However, if you’re not at the Grand Chapter Meeting, you may never hear or receive that update. I plan to pro- vide more frequent reporting so that our membership is better informed as to how their elected leadership is advancing the fraternity. Expect a first quarter report to be distributed through mass communication to every financial member of this fraternity.
Expect a first year report when our first fraternal fiscal year ends, dis- tributed in the same manner. And of course, we’ll provide the standard State of the Fraternity report at the next Grand Chapter Meeting. And there’s a reason! I want the membership to have a high level of comfort that the 35th Administration is not at rest. They need to have the confidence that we are busy leading and executing in an inten- tional manner with great effectiveness and operational excellence. Journal: You place a very high value on the quality of leadership. Why is that? McMikle: Effective leadership is everything for an organization. It’s the critical component through how we grow organizations. It’s the key to driving optimal performance. It determines whether you succeed or fail. In leadership, there is little time for missteps, wasted motions, lack of understanding about roles and responsibilities, or the assignment at hand. Because of that, I have a very low tolerance for people who seek leadership positions simply for the sake of having titles. And I probably have even less patience for people with no intent on doing anything and who don’t take seriously the opportunity
SUMMER 2023 ♦ THE JOURNAL 25
35TH ADMINISTRATION GRAND POLEMARCH
he seeks. Does the leader understand what needs to be done and how to get it done? And more importantly, are they capable of leading others in the effort to do it? For our organization, Competence also means the ability to connect Kappa to the world that we live in today. But the Commitment to perform according to the expectation of one’s leadership role is just as important. I believe that Character and competence without the commitment to do the job at a high-level is a waste of opportunity. It’s a failure to those who entrusted you with their vote, and it is assurance that we’ll remain locked in mediocrity moving forward. Journal: You did something non-tra- ditional and appointed seven new Province Polemarch’s from the podium during the final business session at the Grand Chapter Meeting. Why was it important for you to make the appointments in that setting? McMikle: Appointing new Province Polemarchs after installation is an expected practice. However, those appointments usually happen in the weeks following a Grand Chapter Meeting (except for vacancies created by a sitting Province Polemarchs that is elevated to a Grand Chapter posi- tion). I wanted to elevate all of the new Province Polemarchs in front of the full assembly of the fraternity so that everyone would know, and that every- one could see who would be leading in such critical fraternal roles moving forward. I also wanted them to have (what I thought was) the awesome experience of being appointed and
Informed, Involved, and Invested: Grand Polemarch Jimmy McMikle and the 35th Administration’s blueprint for leadership.
that leadership responsibility presents to create impactful change. I hope to impart the understanding to our membership that a commitment to growth and development as a leader is just as important and necessary as the desire to lead. As a result, during the 35th Administration’s tenure, we’re going to be providing a lot of “outside the box” opportunities to train and develop Kappa men and expand their leadership capacity. And there’ll be a diversity of offerings. Some trainings will be open for any brother within the general membership who seeks leadership growth opportunities. Some of the training offerings will be chapter Polemarch (and other officer position) specific trainings to create stronger leaders to grow stronger chapters. I believe that we’ll be better as an organization when we have more competent leaders on board serving and in the pipeline. Journal: You have a very well-defined belief system about the profile of a
good leader. Enlighten us! McMikle: I probably sound like a broken record at this point when describing (what I believe character- izes) the best leaders. But I’ll keep saying it until I meet someone who can disprove my theory. Those familiar with my leadership philosophies know my belief that the tenets of Character, Competence and Commit- ment describe the essential mix that defines an effective leader. I believe that the absence of any one of those qualities, limits overall leadership effectiveness. The character of a leader should be above reproach. It should be honorable, rooted in integrity, exude trustworthiness, garner respect and be responsible in nature. That character should reflect the image of the organization itself, and the actions of a leader’s character should bring honor to the organization in which he leads. Competence is that quality that defines a person’s ability to actually meet the leadership challenge that
26 THE JOURNAL ♦ SUMMER 2023
35TH ADMINISTRATION GRAND POLEMARCH
pinned on stage in session at a Grand Chapter Meeting.
Journal: You campaigned for the office of Grand Polemarch on the slogan of “Performance Over Politics.” Why did you believe that to be important for Kappa Alpha Psi. McMikle: I believe firmly that Kappa Alpha Psi must have a performance based culture of leadership in order to experience the organizational move- ment that our Founders envisioned and that I believe is necessary at this stage in our history. As it pertains to Grand Chapter Candidates … if your body of work; if your history of mea- sured accomplishment when given an opportunity to lead doesn’t justify why you should be entrusted with greater responsibility, then you shouldn’t have it and shouldn’t expect anyone to believe in the credibility of your candidacy. Leadership at the Grand Chapter level can’t be about hook-ups, nepotism … or being hoodwinked by political promises on which a candidate has never shown an ability to deliver or keep. Elections at the Grand chapter level are not about simply giving folks a chance, or hoping things work out. Too much is at stake when we select our leaders. We have to select the best men whose body of WORK, history of consistency, and measurable accom- plishment in leadership qualifies them for the position that they seek. All the other nonsense must stop. I’ll just leave that there. Journal: So should we expect some kind of leadership shift under your leadership?
From left: Province Polemarchs pictured with Grand Polemarch Jimmy McMikle (center); Dr. Lascel Webley (Middle Eastern), Donald Woolridge (South Central), Theodore Sanchious III (Northeastern), Richard Mattox (Eastern), Darren Adams (North Central), C. Jerome Brown (South- western), and Shannon Armstrong Jr. (Middle Western) “ I WANTED TO ELEVATE ALL OF THE NEW PROVINCE POLEMARCHS IN FRONT OF THE FULL ASSEMBLY OF THE FRATERNITY SO THAT EVERYONE WOULD KNOW, AND THAT EVERYONE COULD SEE WHO WOULD BE LEADING IN SUCH CRITICAL FRATERNAL ROLES MOVING FORWARD. ”
McMikle: You’ll see the best men! You’ll see leaders empowered to lead and you’ll see leaders given oppor- tunities to showcase their leadership skills, infuse their creativity, provide their input and work to make Kappa better. You’ll see more involvement opportunities for our undergraduates in leadership, with bigger responsibilities, on bigger Kappa stages so that their voices are heard and included. I’ll push
leaders to do more, be more and accom- plish more in their roles across the board. And leadership capacity develop- ment will be central to their continuous improvement. All of that is with the intent to grow Kappa Alpha Psi. Journal: So it sounds like we should expect a lot from the 35th Administration? McMikle: Judge us by our scorecard. ♦
28 THE JOURNAL ♦ SUMMER 2023
Meet Your Grand Board of Directors
As the 86th Grand Chapter Meeting draws to a close, the 35th Administration begins its tenure of service. The newly elected members of the Grand Board of Directors are ready, willing and able to lead in the manner expected of them by the membership who casted a vote of confidence in their favor in Tampa, Florida. Take a moment and familiarize yourself with the group of men that will advance the fraternity during their time in office. › › ›
35TH ADMINISTRATION GRAND BOARD OF DIRECTORS
the South Carolina Club. Academically he earned several scholarships while pursuing his degree. His scholarships included the Daughters of the Amer- ican Revolution Scholarship, Howard University Trustee’s Scholarship, and Phi Alpha Theta Historical Honor Society Merit Award. After graduating from law school, Robert was admitted to the Virginia State Bar. In 1995 he opened a law practice in Alexandria, Virginia. This practice grew into his current firm Bynum & Jenkins Law. He is an accomplished trial lawyer with a prac- tice concentrated in federal criminal defense. He maintains an active mem- bership in the National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys and is the former chairman of the Alexandria Bar Association Criminal Division. He is a Barrister in the George Mason Law School American Inns of Court. Jenkins has been listed as one of the top lawyers in the Washington, DC area by the Washingtonian magazine since 2018. He regularly appears on both national and local media outlets as a trusted legal commentator. In his spare time Robert is an endur- ance athlete who competes in both marathons and triathlons. He trains swimming, cycling, and running. He has completed seven Ironman Triath- lons. His love of history contributes to his insatiable reading appetite. Robert is motivated by the belief that all things are possible through dedica- tion and hard work. He strives to enjoy the very best life has to offer. His service to his community extends beyond his profession and fraternity. As a member of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity
ROBERT L. JENKINS, JR., ESQ. Senior Grand Vice Polemarch Kappa Alpha Psi’s newly elected Senior Grand Vice Polemarch has served the fraternity formerly as an Alumni Member of the Grand Board of Directors. A Life Member of the fraternity, Robert is a Spring 1992 initiate of the Howard University chapter, the Xi of Kappa Alpha Psi, Fraternity, Inc. Brother Jenkins has served the fraternity as Polemarch of the Washington (DC) Alumni Chapter; Eastern Province Coun- sel; Eastern Province Senior Vice Polemarch, and as the 28th Eastern Province Polemarch. He is currently a member of the Washington (DC) Alumni Chapter. Robert Jenkins is a native of Charleston, South Carolina. He graduated with honors from Howard University, with a Bachelor of Science degree in history in 1992. He was inducted into the Phi Alpha Theta Historical Honor Society and served as President of both the Charles Ham- ilton Houston Pre-Law Society, and
(The Boulé). He serves on the Board of Directors of the Beta Nu Foundation. He currently serves as a member of the Starlite Foundation and a past chairman of the board of directors for the Thur- good Marshall Center Trust. He is a life member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Brother Jenkins is a husband of 24 years. His wife, Tanek, is a pediatric dentist. They met while both were college students. He credits her with being a supportive and driving force behind all that he does. Together they have two daughters, Latrice age 20 and Renee age nine. JORDAN Q. SMITH Junior Grand Vice Polemarch Brother Jordan Q. Smith was installed as the fraternity’s Junior Grand Vice Polemarch. Brother Smith hails from Indianapolis, Indiana and has been training for leadership since the age of 14. During his years as a high school student, he was a member of the Indianapolis (IN) Kappa League.
30 THE JOURNAL ♦ SUMMER 2023
35TH ADMINISTRATION GRAND BOARD OF DIRECTORS
As a Kappa Leaguer, Brother Smith served as the chapter President and as a National Board Member. During his senior year, he received the Leon W. Steward Award for the most outstanding individual Kappa League participant. He is a current finance student at Indiana University in the Kelley School of Business. Brother Smith is a Spring 2022 initiate of the Indiana University Chapter the Alpha of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. He currently serves as the Keeper of Records for the Alpha Chapter and Lt. Strategus of the North Central Province. He is also a Kappa Fellow of the 2022 Undergraduate Leadership Institute Kappa Klass. Brother Smith’s campus involvement has been extensive. He is currently the Treasurer of the Black Student Union, and a Resident Assistant where he works to create a welcom- ing community for all students on Indiana University’s campus. Brother Smith aspires to be hired by a big four firm following graduation. He has an internship with Price Waterhouse Coopers (PWC) where he performs risk & regulation consulting. Brother Smith has an endless desire to grow as a leader and make a strong impact in the Fraternity on all levels. KEVIN D. KYLES Grand Keeper of Records The fraternity witnessed Kevin D. Kyles installed as the new Grand Keep- er of Records as the office of Grand Keeper of Records and Exchequer was officially split into two separate offices. Kevin is a Spring 1984 initiate of the Michigan State University Chapter, the
the position until 1998. During his tenure, he restored financial solvency to the Province, and instituted policies and procedures to ensure financial accountability. In 1995, he was selected as Northern Province Brother of the Year and in 1998, he was presented with the Northern Province’s highest honor “The Robert L. Gordon Achieve- ment Award”. He was elected to the Northern Province’s Board of Directors in 2008 and re-elected in 2011. He was appointed the Senior Province Vice Polemarch of the Northern Province in August 2011 and then elected to the same office in April 2012. He served as the 24th Northern Province Polemarch from 2016-2021 initially appointed by 33rd Grand Polemarch Thomas L. Battles, Jr. and re-appointed by 34th Grand Pole- march Reuben A. Shelton, III, Esq. The focus of Brother Kyles’ admin- istration was getting “Back to the Basics” and focusing on local chap- ter success and sustainability. The foundation of the administration was “BROTHERHOOD” including six pil- lars of focus: Undergraduate Support, Service, Communication, Training, Technology and Risk Management. Some of the key accomplishments of his administration were the establish- ment a 501(c)3 philanthropic arm of the province the Diamond Achieve- ment Foundation, giving $31,000 in scholarships to undergraduate members which encourage academic excellence and increased the aver- age GPA of the province, donating $40,000 to the Smithsonian Museum
Delta Pi of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., from where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Comput- er Science. He holds an MBA degree in finance and economics from Wayne State University. He is a Grand Chapter and North- ern Province life member of the fraternity and currently a member of the Detroit (MI) Alumni Chapter. Brother Kyles previously served the fraternity as the National Director of Organizational Effectiveness and the Chairman of the COVID-19 Task Force. He also served the fraternity as the Chairman of the Strategic Plan Implementation Team that oversees the execution of the fraternity’s five- year strategic plan. Brother Kyles has an active record of service in the Northern Province, holding several positions dating back to 1987, when he was elected to the Northern Province Board of Directors as an undergraduate member. He was elected North- ern Province Keeper of Records and Exchequer in 1994 and held
SUMMER 2023 ♦ THE JOURNAL 31
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 62 Page 63 Page 64 Page 65 Page 66 Page 67 Page 68 Page 69 Page 70 Page 71 Page 72 Page 73 Page 74 Page 75 Page 76 Page 77 Page 78 Page 79 Page 80 Page 81 Page 82 Page 83 Page 84 Page 85 Page 86 Page 87 Page 88 Page 89 Page 90 Page 91 Page 92 Page 93 Page 94 Page 95 Page 96 Page 97 Page 98 Page 99 Page 100 Page 101 Page 102 Page 103 Page 104 Page 105 Page 106 Page 107 Page 108 Page 109 Page 110 Page 111 Page 112 Page 113 Page 114 Page 115 Page 116 Page 117 Page 118 Page 119 Page 120 Page 121 Page 122 Page 123 Page 124Made with FlippingBook. PDF to flipbook with ease