The Kappa Diamond The Detroit Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Newsletter

February 2012 www.detroitalumnikappa.org The Polemarch’s Pen By: Darrell L. Bond February 17 – Kick-off fundraiser downtown Detroit for “Relay for Life” (American Cancer Society program). March 24 – Detroit Alumni Founder’s Day. This year the event will take place at the Roberts Riverwalk Hotel and Residence. This hotel is owned by Brother Michael Roberts. Brother Roberts is a Laurel Wreath Laureate and will also serve as our keynote speaker. April 28 – Detroit Alumni Kappa Kabaret to be held at the UAW Hall on 8 Mile & Van Dyke. This is our annual pre-boat ride social event. Brothers, Happy New Year! I trust that you and your families enjoyed a great holiday season. I am very excited about this year -2012 is going to be a big year for the Detroit Alumni Chapter. We have many activities and events on our calendar and we will need the support from all. Some highlights of this year’s events are as follows: February 1 – KASE program – kickoff for a new educational program for our Kappa Leaguers (any high school student will be eligible at a later date). More information will be forthcoming

May 3 thru 6 – Northern Province Council Meeting. The province meeting is hosted by the Southfield Alumni Chapter and will be held in Dearborn, Michigan. May – Kappa Legends Breakfast – final date to be determined June 16 – Relay for Life event at Marygrove College July – Annual Detroit Alumni Boat ride – final date to be determined July 28 – Annual golf tournament hosted by Detroit, Ann Arbor, Pontiac, and Southfield Alumni Chapters. This year’s tournament will be held at Copper Ridge Golf Club in Davison, Mi. Copper Ridge is owned by Detroit Alumni’s Brother Greg Jackson. This will truly be a Kappa Golf

Tournament. November 10 - Black and White Ball hosted by the Detroit, Pontiac, and Southfield Alumni Chapters. Brothers, these are just the highlights! This does not include the activities that we do on a monthly basis such as; Kappa House upkeep, feeding the seniors at Bethany Manor and Brush Park Village, Friday nights at the Kappa House, Kappa League meetings and activities, brotherhood and family activities, membership intake activities, website maintenance, newsletter publishing, preparing meeting meals and epicurean support, and many committee meetings to handle the business of the Detroit Alumni Chapter. In addition, the Political Action Committee is planning to host voter awareness and registration program for this election season and our Health Committee is planning to host a Community Health Awareness Program. Lastly, we will be kicking off our expansion and finance committees this year to begin planning ways to make sure we are viable for many more years. We owe a big thanks to our current committee chairmen, co-chairmen, and committee members, but they need some help. In order to make this year a success, we need everyone continued on pg 2

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to get involved. If you are currently not working on a committee, now is the time. I know we have the “heart” to answer the call and do what needs to be done to make this a successful year. Brothers, I am very excited about 2012! Yours in the Bond, Darrell L. Bond

National Founders’ Day 2012 By Julius Maddox

During the week of January 2 -8, 2012 more than 500 Brothers traveled to Memphis, Tennessee to take part in our fraternity’s National Founders’ Day Celebration. Detroit Alumni members attending were Brothers Merion Young, Terry Ward, Mark Clark, Ken Glass, Hugh Barrington and Julius Maddox. Our host the Memphis Alumni Chapter planned some activity for everyday, including Bowling, numerous parties/ dances and a worship service Sunday Morning. For those of us attending the fellowship among our Kappa Brotherhood was outstanding. It was almost like a mini -Indianapolis. We had the opportunity to renew old acquaintances and make new ones. We also got to see places that we’d heard of but not seen before: The Loraine Motel, where Dr. Martin Luther King was assassinated, which is now a civil rights museum; riding the trolley to Beale Street and of course St. Jude Children Research Hospital.

Attending the Grand Board and Foundation Board meetings was interesting. Of course the highlight of the week was the closed banquet 500 plus well dressed men of achievement in one place; of course we were looking good. The banquet speak was Junior Grand Vice Polemarch Jeremy Williams and we were serenaded by the Kappa Chorus. It was also announced at the banquet than our new Executive Director is Brother Keith Hunt. Brother Hunt is a member of the Philadelphia Alumni Chapter. We also learn that the 2013 National Founders’ Day will be held in St. Louis, Missouri.  

Is It Getting Respect or Lacking Self-esteem? By Eric Brown It is that time of year again when young men and graduates ponder whether or not they want to become members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated. The days of getting to know our future frat brothers as they go through the process is a thing of the past now. There is enough blame to go around as to why pledge programs evolved into what became the MIOP indoctrination process; that is now referred to as the MOIP Intake. And for many, there is this ridiculous post intake process that grown ass men will subject themselves to in the name of R-E-S-P-E-C-T. As the chapter recently held its Informational Meeting on January 6th for

men interested in becoming members, I stated to the potential members and the brothers assembled that I would have no problem turning in anyone who violates Executive Orders 1, 2 & 3. I am passionate about the orders being violated because I know that pledging (interpreted to some as being made right) is not tantamount to a potential member eventually becoming a good-to-great Brother. I know far too many young men that pledged and to this day have never contributed anything to Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated beyond their days on the yard; and even at that time, their commitment to the bond can be called into question. The point that I want to get to is that after the Informational Meeting, a brother asked me was I serious when I made the comment about turning in an initiate or brother that participates in any unauthorized postintake activities. I answered the Brother with an unequivocal, "I am dead serious". Here is where I am at on unauthorized pledging; for any man to potentially risk his livelihood and be willing to throw away what he has just earned in the name of "respect" is a fool. I have always held the notion that taking an ass kicking in the name of getting or earning respect will not make you a better KAPPA. You see, what happens if that ass kicking results in a hospital visit/stay or a family visiting an undertaker to pick out a casket? I have never felt that my pledge process was about potentially making me a better Kappa almost twenty-nine years later. My commitment and dedication to Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, continued on pg 3

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Incorporated was something in my heart and had nothing to do with pointing, asking for another or comparing which Big Brother brought it best. I have made Kappa all that it could be to me because I signed up to be an active member until the day I die. A death that I want to come the result of living a good life and tirelessly serving the bond through my actions and deeds. To this day, for anyone to say that I am less of a Kappa in their eyes because they did not see me, that's their loss; not mine. However, if such an argument comes from someone whom happens to be inactive and unfinancial, their comments fall on deaf ears. And if the words come from a Kappa that has never dedicated himself to the bond beyond taking pride in being a t-shirt wearer and a great swinger of wood, my respect for him wanes even further. You see, for anyone to want to subject themselves to be violated after they are initiated into the fraternity deserves to be turned in and have their membership immediately revoked. If getting the respect you may be seeking is the result of lacking some self-esteem, take a Dale Carnegie course to learn how to boost your confidence. If it is about seeking respect because you are easily swayed, then maybe the chapter did a poor job in the review process in picking potential leaders because a grown man that calls himself a leader cannot be if he allows himself to be violated due to peer pressure. That peer pressure crap is an excuse that boys use, not men. At least not men who have made themselves worthy of wearing the Kappa Diamond. So if you want respect, the work that you do in the name of Kappa and for Kappa is how you earn it. Do not be fooled into thinking that it is necessary to be violated in order to get some Kappa respect. And for any potential member who has a family and think that it is worth possibly losing them all in the name of getting respect from other men; I for one would love to be there when you tell your wife that the ass kicking you took which lead to a permanent injury, when it was you choosing to allow yourself to be violated, just to see the look on her face which is one of total disrespect for you. Brothers, it is not worth potentially bringing this organization to a halt because you think that a new member must prove to you that they are worthy in the name of earning your respect. We are the reason why Executive Orders 1, 2 & 3 exists and to selfishly test that is purely a selfish act and a total disrespect for the bond. So just as I was asked on the evening of January 6th if I was serious, I can assure you that I am dead serious when it comes to putting into harms way anything that I love and cherish.

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The Kappa Diamond A Moment in Kappa History  By  Harrison Dukes

At the Grand Chapter meeting, 1919 at Unity Hall, Chicago, IL, Brother Dr. J. H. Alston, a 1915 Epsilon initiate Lincoln University, PA, now a Professor of Philosophy, Morehouse College, ATL, GA ….. made a passionate speech praying and begging that the Grand Chapter grant a chapter to an unauthorized active group, at Morehouse College, seeking the wisdom and light of Kappa Alpha Psi. What was the issue, the reservations of Grand Chapter to ponder the granting of a chapter at Morehouse College? Founded in 1867, as the Atlanta Baptist Seminary, and sponsored by the American Baptist Home Mission Society, a Theology College. In 1913 the name was changed to Morehouse College. Dr. John Hope, the first Negro president appointed in 1906, led the institutions growth and improved academic status. The lack of a rigorous broad based academic curriculum was one of the concerns of Grand Chapter and several of the founders. Diggs and Armstrong in particular were very concerned about replicating chapters; creating a similar & equal template for membership qualifications, fraternity goals, purpose, and high ideas of achievement and the

founders vision of brotherhood. Chapters established on white campus, provide uniquely different challenges of academic success, use of college facilities, funds/economics, study environments, nurturing and social outlets. The Kappa men initiated on these white campus’s, were a more focused, appreciative and humble group, with limited resources. A college fraternity based on scholarship, a brotherhood that motivated and encouraged each member to support one another, to have each other’s back …. determined to keep their eye on that diamond in the sky, graduate and seek Phi Nu Pi. Many Kappa men believed the schools south of the Mason-Dixie line fell short of the academic rigor and supplicant challenges, that Kappa sought in its members, Achievement in all areas of human endeavor. A well rounded education. Such was the resistance to chapters in the deep south. Dr. John Hope’s, vision was to upgrade Morehouse College above the southern status quo, and philosophy of Booker T. Washington, schools that taught agricultural, trade and religious education. After hot words by Tom Mayo, Ellis Stewart, Leon Wilson and others against unauthorized activities, no matter how accomplished and respected the men were on campus and the community ….. the fraternity will not be dictated to, nor continued on pg 5

Dues Structure for October 1, 2011 - September 30, 2012 Fiscal Year The Detroit Alumni dues structure is designed to enhance our programs and be member friendly. Payments should be made out to Kappa Alpha Psi - Detroit Alumni Chapter, or to have any dues questions answered, contact our Keeper of the Exchequer Michael Taylor, at 313-805-5170 or by e-mail: [email protected] Checks can be mailed or submitted in person at the Chapter meeting. Membership Type Life Member Subscribing Life Member Retired Life Member 50 Year Life Member

Includes Province Dues, Local Dues Scholarship & Founder's Day Assessments Province Dues, Local Dues Scholarship & Founder's Day Assessments Province Dues, 1/2 Local Dues Scholarship & Founder's Day Assessments Province Dues, Local Dues waived Scholarship & Founder's Day Assessments

Dues $250.00 $250.00 $175.00 $100.00

Non-Life Member

Grand Chapter Dues, Province Dues, Local Dues $400.00

Retired Non-Life Member

Grand Chapter Dues, Province Dues, 1/2 Local Dues

50 year non-Life Member

Grand Chapter Dues, Province Dues, Local Dues $250.00 waived

Recent Graduate Life Member

Province Dues,

$100.00

Recent Graduate Non-Life Member

Grand Chapter Dues, Province Dues,

$250.00

$325.00

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submit to renegade membership outside the fraternity processes and procedures. An arousing speech by B. K. Armstrong, turned the tide and a chapter was granted the group at Morehouse, in 1921. It seems that brothers in the ATL area and affiliated with Morehouse were have meetings and activities in the name of Kappa without Grand Chapters approval. Two years later. Another renown Kappa man, Brother Caesar Zip Felton Gayles, played a pivotal roll in securing a chapter charter for Morehouse College. When the charter was officially given, no fewer than 7 faculty members cross the burning sands along with undergraduates to form the first Kappa chapter in the deep south, the Pi, of Kappa Alpha Psi, Morehouse College. Today and 90 years removed the desire of many men to seek membership into our noble klan, is so consuming, ….. risky, and impulsive decisions are sometimes made, by candidates and brothers, not within the guidelines of Kappa law and Grand Chapter mandates. This is another moment in Kappa history.

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Are You Ready?

Kappas for Life Join the Brothers in the fight for life

2012 Relay For Life of Detroit June 16, 2012 Marygrove College go to the website below to join our team http://main.acsevents.org/goto/kappasforlife

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The Neophyte by Chavell T. Crofford Greetings and salutations good Brothers of The Detroit Alumni Chapter and Brothers from Chapters and Provinces across Kappa Land. I hope these words find you happy and prosperous. I took it upon myself to share with you a few thoughts from my brief experience as a Nupe. On March 19th 2011, I was inducted into the Noble Klan of Kappa. The MOIP process and my experience at Gull Lake were starkly different from my experiences as an undergrad at Ferris State University. After the Brothers lead us through the Alumni University I vowed to advocate for Phi Nu Pi. Acknowledgingall the work that being a Kappa Man entails. With the sacrifice of time, energy and money I will work for Kappa until I reach that Golden Shore. A work that does not request or require notoriety or acknowledgement, promise of power nor prestige.The only thing I would ask of my good Brothers is, ‘ don’t be too kool for Kappa. One day or fifty years in the Bond, don’t be too kool to adorn our krimsonand kream. Don’t be too kool to say “ I’m a Nupe “. Don’t be too kool to see a Brother and acknowledge that you both share a common Bond. I humbly ask of Brothers that have toiled and strove before me to wear our letters proudly without fear of being gaudy or loud. If we truly want Kappa to remain THE PREMIER Greek-Letter organization going forward we need to promote Kappa by not only being outstanding men of achievement, but also showcasing Kappa style asonly Kappa Men can. I had a discussion with one of my Prophytes, who I won’t name because I didn’t get his permission prior to writing this. He mentioned to me that he really doesn’t wear ‘Pari’ ( Kappa Paraphernalia ) anymore. He has so many years in that it really doesn’t excite him to wear the letters. He also exclaimed that “ it’s okay for you, I know you’re still a Neo”. I got a little choked up, because I felt in my heart of hearts the exact opposite. I dream of a Kappa that during our Centennial year, Brothers would have or should have adorned some form of Kappa Gear on each day. So that the lay person would have soon asked, “ whatfrasority is that ? “ That’s when the education could have begun. A light could have been shined down by our Founders to enlighten the world of Kappa greatness, while a light bulb could have been turned on over the

heads of those who don’t know. We live in an age when college organizations and even college as a pursuit is being over shadowed by celebrity and in some cases ignorance.Those who remember what the four points of the Diamond represent know how important it should be to not let Kappa Alpha Psi be overshadowed by anything. Brothers don’t be ‘too kool for Kappa’, be kool enough. Maybe these are just rants of a Neophyte with sand between his toes, but I truly hope that the feeling of love that I have for Kappa does not wane anytime soon. Brothers please forgive my editorial as I exit from atop my soapbox… Yours in The Bond,

Brother Chavell T. Crofford Centennial S.E.V.E.N Spring 2K11 - 5Klub

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Breaking Bread With the Brothers By Eric Brown

A recycled idea may be turning out to be a great opportunity to give Brothers the opportunity to fellowship with each other. On Friday, January 13, 2012, members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated met up over at the Downtown Detroit Doubletree Hotel to break bread together. Upwards of twenty Nupes came and went over a two hour period; not just to enjoy the great soul food buffet provided by the hotel's Finn & Porter Restaurant, but to have an opportunity to bond beyond the confines of a fraternity meeting. I will not take credit for coming up with the idea to bring Brothers together to fellowship over lunch. This is just a recycled venture that was once popular amongst the Nupes that worked downtown and occasionally got together over lunch to kick it about things other than the fraternity. On the heels of just celebrating our fraternity's 101st birthday, Brothers were still in a festive mood and the lunch meeting provided the opportunity for many to say "Happy New Year" and "Happy Founders Day" to one another. I was pleased with the turnout and anticipate the participation growing in the months to come. To make it easy on the Brother's, we have committed to meeting for lunch on the second Friday of the month at the same location. This is not an event open to just members of the Detroit Alumni Chapter; nor is its purpose just for active members of the bond. The purpose of this monthly get together is to create a stronger sense of what this bond is all about. There is no ulterior motive to reclaim Brothers or shame them into becoming financial. This notion of breaking bread with each other is all about fellowshipping and building a stronger bond amongst men. If by chance a Brother becomes financial through this renewed interaction with his fraternity brothers, then that is an unintended bonus of the fellowship. I just want Nupes to have an opportunity to kick it over a decent meal, meet new Brothers and share stories about life, family, politics, current events and whatever comes to

mind that they feel is worthy of discussing. The inaugural 'Breaking Bread' luncheon included Polemarch Bond, in addition to Brothers Duane Lewis, Calvin Jackson, Charles Hicks, Russell Baker, Harlan Fisher, Thomas Howard III, some Brothers from Pontiac Alumni Chapter and yours truly. There were some other Brothers that showed up after my departure and in the future, I will be recording the names of all the Brothers that took the time out of their schedule to join us for lunch. As a result of the Downtown Detroit luncheon, Brother Emmanuel Idowu launched a similar event for Nupes working out in the Dearborn area. Joining him on Friday, January 27, 2012, were Brothers Ed Cotton IV, Michael Taylor, Shannon Rembert, DeShaun Harris and DeMario Walton. They dined at PF Chang's and will continue to meet up every fourth Friday of the month for the rest of the year. As a bonus, Brother Emmet Moten, Gamma Psi 1969 and proprietor of the venue, kicked it with us and even sent word to Polemarch Bond that he will be getting back active. As a historical footnote, it was Brother Moten that was very integral with starting the JDFC; of which, he wants to get back involved with. Brothers, going forward, I am hoping that you will consider coming out to support either one of these luncheon 'Breaking Bread' sessions with the Brothers. For more information on the downtown event, contact Brother Brown at 734-776-0502 or for those in the Dearborn area, reach out to Brother Idowu at 313-207-0450.

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Invitation back to Kappa by Eric Brown Dear Brother: You are invited to join one of the nation’s outstanding Kappa Alpha Psi Chapters, The Detroit Alumni Alumni Chapter. Briefly allow me to review the benefits and specifically invite you to join our chapter. The benefits for membership in the chapter are as follows: Fellowship: Our chapter monthly meeting is generally held on the second Saturday. These meetings offer a grand opportunity to interact with Brothers of every profession who are making a difference in the community and with the lives of young African American males. Programs: Our chapter is known for its outstanding Guide Right program; Brothers staying engaged at all levels of the fraternity; being committed to the geriatric community; providing scholarships to worthy college-bound students and staying committed to the initiatives set forth by the leadership of the Chapter, Province and Grand Chapter. Information and Assistance: There are a variety of resources available to members of the Detroit Alumni Chapter. Visit our website at http://www.detroitkappa.com/requirements.htm to get to know our Board of Directors, read the chapter newsletter, see the list of various committees, and find out about the many professionals from all walks of life who are members of this chapter. Brotherly Information: We look forward to you joining us soon at a general membership meeting. Please take a moment to fill in the information below and once completed, send it back to the address listed above to let us know your intentions about coming back to the bond. Name

Address

Initiation Date

Chapter of Initiation

Membership Number

Life Member (Y/N/Sub)

Home Number

Cell Number

Work Number

E-mail Address

Birthday

Spouse Name

Spouse Birthday

Children Name

Once you made the decision to come back to the bond, complete the form above and bring it to the meeting with you. And for a point of clarity, once you have made your intentions clear, please note that dues can be paid on a payment plan. For more information on dues, please contact the Keeper of Exchequer, Brother Michael Taylor at [email protected]. Yours in the bond, Eric Brown, Chairman Reclamation & Retention Committee Keeper of Records Detroit Alumni Chapter Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Volume 5, Issue 1

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Updates Kappa Diamond Staff

The Achievement committee will begin accepting nominations for various Detroit Alumni Awards. Please submit your nomination to Morris Wallington, Julius Maddox, or Mike Taylor. The last day to submit nominations will be at the February 11th Chapter meeting. The winners will be announced at the Founders Day celebration in April.

Thomas E. Howard III—Editor in Chief Please submit all articles and pictures for publication by midnight of the fourth Friday of every month. Articles may be submitted to [email protected]