Re: Official Statement on Founding of Kappa Alpha Psi
Today,we celebrate the vision of ten founders, who recognized the need for college-trained men to countermand the vestiges of racial discrimination at the Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, that mirrored the community-at-large in Indiana and across the nation in general. Our Founders not only recognized the indifference of the majority population to the needs of African Americans, but had the foresight to take action to do something about it. As a result, Elder Watson Diggs and nine other students at Indiana University at Bloomington decided to join together to broaden their social, academic and economic opportunities. Thus, they founded a college fraternity, following their peers at Howard University, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. The first century of our fraternity, then called Kappa Alpha Nu was launched in January 1911.
When we study our one hundred year history, we learn that our Founders, though young in age, were filled with wisdom beyond their years. We learn that they understood the environment around them; they recognized the opportunities that their collegiate peers had that were denied them. They learned that they were not on a level playing field, but simply members of a racial minority for which equal accommodations and access were not granted. They learned fast that racial denial did not have to be, if they would but join together with other students of like circumstance and change the socio-economic paradigm in which they lived.
Throughout our Kappa lives we have always remembered the year 1911. We have taken every opportunity to reflect on the miracle that happened in January of that year. We have honored our beloved Founders, as though they were far above mere mortals, not because they were, but because we uniquely know the depth and breadth of their vision and the one hundred years of positive results.
I pray that future generations of Kappas will continue to perpetuate the legacy of our Founders, and that the service we render to mankind will reflect acts of substance, that not only satisfy members of the fraternity, but change the plight of the least of these in our society-at-large. I believe that we will continue to grow as “One Kappa! Creating Inspiration” and always responding to “A Call to Service.” Happy Birthday Kappa Alpha Psi!
When we study our one hundred year history, we learn that our Founders, though young in age, were filled with wisdom beyond their years. We learn that they understood the environment around them; they recognized the opportunities that their collegiate peers had that were denied them. They learned that they were not on a level playing field, but simply members of a racial minority for which equal accommodations and access were not granted. They learned fast that racial denial did not have to be, if they would but join together with other students of like circumstance and change the socio-economic paradigm in which they lived.
Throughout our Kappa lives we have always remembered the year 1911. We have taken every opportunity to reflect on the miracle that happened in January of that year. We have honored our beloved Founders, as though they were far above mere mortals, not because they were, but because we uniquely know the depth and breadth of their vision and the one hundred years of positive results.
I pray that future generations of Kappas will continue to perpetuate the legacy of our Founders, and that the service we render to mankind will reflect acts of substance, that not only satisfy members of the fraternity, but change the plight of the least of these in our society-at-large. I believe that we will continue to grow as “One Kappa! Creating Inspiration” and always responding to “A Call to Service.” Happy Birthday Kappa Alpha Psi!
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