The history of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated is to a large extent the story of black students everywhere, whether organized or not, who attended predominantly white colleges or universities in America prior to World War II. It is also the story, though to a lesser extent, of their situation to the present day. Every human, as he or she becomes more deeply immersed and saturated with the ideals of civilization, has constant yearnings and aspirations to better their status in the scale of racial, group and individual ascendancy. The Negro youth, who turns his steps to the ever beckoning beacon lights of learning, is no exception to the rule.

 

On January 5, 1911 on the campus of Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana ten great men were called upon and met to create a permanent organization, with the purpose of strengthening the blacks’ voice at the University and in the city of Bloomington. These ten great men, revered to as founders, were God-fearing, clean living, serious minded young men who possessed the imagination, ambition, courage and determination to defy custom in pursuit of a college education and career. The Ten Most Illustrious Founders of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated are the Honorable Elder Watson Diggs, affectionately known as the “Dreamer”; Dr. Byron Kenneth Armstrong, Dr. Guy Levis Grant, Dr. Ezra Dee Alexander, Mr. Edward Giles Irvin, Mr. Paul Waymond Caine, Dr. Marcus Peter Blakemore, Attorney Henry T. Asher, Sargent John Milton Lee and Mr. George Wesley Edmonds. Reliance would be placed upon high Christian ideals and the purpose of achievement. The Fraternity would seek to raise the sights of black youths and stimulate them to accomplishments higher than might otherwise be realized or even imagined.

 

And to this day, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated and its members exude those same ideals and purposes our Ten Most Illustrious Founders set forth over a century ago through our motto, “Achievement in every field of human endeavor.” 

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Excerpts taken from the Fifth Edition of “The Story of Kappa Alpha Psi” by Dr. Ralph J. Bryson, “The 1928 Handbook of Kappa Alpha Psi” and “Crossing the Jordan and Beyond” by Dr. Byron Kenneth Armstrong