100 YEARS
CENTENNIAL
DETROIT (MI) ALUMNI CHAPTER CELEBRATES ITS CENTENNIAL The Second Oldest Alumni Chapter in the Fraternity — 1920-2020
I f Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity is
By Harrison Duke III
the Detroit (MI) Alumni Chapter was chartered with McKinley Casey as its first Polemarch, Founder Henry Tourner Asher was Keeper of Records, Newton
The members of Detroit Alumni infused themselves into the cultural, social, pro- fessional, political and academic life of the local Negro community. During the first quarter cen-
truly a child of its time, then the Detroit (MI) Alumni Chapter is its echo. The national organization
filled a social, economic and political which prior to its incorporation did not exist, for Negro male student’s. Less than ten years after the founding of our Noble Klan, these men saw a similar need to organize in large urban areas, to which they migrated seeking to make use of their educational backgrounds. Doors were opening for the Negro segment of society and the educated fraternity men positioned them- selves to lead the charge. This era immediately fol- lowed World War I when
tury of Detroit (MI) Alumni, 1920-1945, the chapter was known for its out- standing and first class dances, proms and outdoor events at local parks. As professional leaders within the Negro community, the men were role mod- els for youth and adults alike. Giving
credence that an education can and will improve one’s standing and open doors of opportunity for personal growth and family stability. Alpha Beta Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi, was chartered in 1926, at Wayne State University, and laid the foundation for undergraduate “training for leadership”. Detroit (MI) Alumni took on the role of mentoring these young Kappa men, in their area of professional studies by Supporting their professional growth and networking with them to insure success upon graduation. “Achievement in every field of human endeavor”. 1925-1926, Dr. Ossian Sweet, Detroit (MI) Alumni Polemarch, was defended and acquitted by the internationally- known attorney Clarence Darrow, for defending his family against an angry White mob attacking his home, kill- ing one of the attackers. This was one of the major Civil Rights cases of the
the Negro population in the industrial cities of the north doubled. Kappa men could count on each other for help and support as they settled in urban areas of our nation. In 1919, Kappa men of Chicago, Illinois chartered the Chicago (IL) Alumni Chapter and four Delta Chapter (Wil- berforce) graduates, who were residents of Detroit, saw a similar need in their own city. Following the Eighth Grand Chapter Meeting in Chicago, Illinois, McKinley Casey, Joseph D. Duples- sis, Leonidas Curtis, and Fred Jones petitioned to have a graduate chapter in Detroit. Dr. E. A. Carter, and Newton Dolphin joined them to become Charter members. On April 3, 1920, by proclamation of 2 nd Grand Polemarch Irven Armstrong,
Dolphin, Keeper of Exchequer and Fred Jones, Strategus. Founder Byron Ken- neth Armstrong was also affiliated with the chapter for many years. In 1921, Grand Polemarch George F. Davis petitioned that the existing chapters of the fraternity be divided into three supervisory districts. He selected Harrison R. Duke (Beta 1914), Char- ter member of Chicago (IL) Alumni as District II Director, supervising Detroit (MI) Alumni. As the fraternity grew the District system was replaced with Provinces. Detroit (MI) Alumni came under the supervision of the Great Lakes Province and in 1925, became the Northern Province. Dr. Edward A. Carter, Detroit (MI) Alumni was named the first Polemarch of the Northern Province.
90 | SPRING 2020 ♦ THE JOURNAL
Publishing achievement for more than 105 years
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