JOURNAL NOTES
The Public Spirit of Achievement
I n this winter edition of The Journal , we are reminded that true achieve- ment is not about accolades or titles—it is about public spirit. The political and civic milestones reflected in these pages are anchored not in parti- sanship, but in principle: a commitment to public service that transcends party lines and personal ambition. From Capitol Hill to city halls, state legislatures to undergraduate podi- ums, the men of Kappa Alpha Psi have shown what it means to achieve—not in vanity, but in service. This issue honors that ideal. We celebrate Colorado Senate Presi- dent James R. Coleman, whose journey from Park Hill to the State Capitol reflects resilience, faith, and inclusive leadership. “The Coleman Way” is more than a philosophy—it is a call to pursue compromise without surren- dering conviction. Equally inspiring is Congressman Bennie G. Thompson, a Presidential Citizens Medal recipient whose decades of service have fortified American democracy and constitu- tional accountability. In Texas, we highlight the historic mayoralties of Eric L. Johnson in Dallas and Renard U. Johnson in El Paso— brothers whose personal perseverance informs their public policy. Mayor Eric Johnson’s leadership has transformed Dallas into a national model of safety
and transparency. Mayor Renard John- son’s focus on both entrepreneurship and equity shows that innovation and inclusion can go hand in hand. We also honor legacy milestones that reflect a century of service. The Wash- ington (DC) Alumni Chapter—our “Flagship of the Fleet”—recently cele- brated its Centennial, a testament to a bond sustained by community service. The Jacksonville (FL) Alumni Chapter, the oldest in the Southern Province and the first Black Greek-lettered organi- zation in Florida, also marks 100 years. Since 1925, it has uplifted communities and shaped generations of leaders. While not every brother in these chapters may be featured individually, their neighborhood-level service is profound. In schools, churches, shelters, and council chambers, they quietly extend the hand of Kappa, changing lives without fanfare. Their service reminds us that achievement is not always televised, but it is always transformative. Among this season’s stories, none may symbolize our intergenerational promise more than Brother Devin M. Freeman. In a once-in-a-lifetime moment, Brother Freeman—a cur- rent undergraduate—presented the NAACP Chairman’s Award to Former Vice President Kamala D. Harris. That image—a young Black man, rooted in
Kappa, honoring the first woman and first Black and South Asian Amer- ican Vice President—is more than symbolic. It affirms our fraternity’s ongoing mission to honor the past and uplift the next generation. In every article, there is a common thread: achievement as public service. These men and chapters have not sought recognition for their own sake. They have used their platforms to advocate, uplift, and transform. They show that achievement without service is ambition, but achievement through service is legacy. As we close this issue and face new challenges, let us remember this enduring truth: regardless of one’s politics, public service must remain at the heart of all we do. Only through service do we fulfill our motto. Only through service do we honor our bond. And only through service do we achieve—together.
Yours in the Bond,
Cleveland Ferguson III, Esq. Editor, The Kappa Alpha Psi Journal
4 THE JOURNAL ♦ WINTER 2024-2025
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