Historical Brief
From Indiana to the World — Over a Century of Achievement
The Founding Story
Born out of determination in a time of racial adversity
In 1911, Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana was a racially segregated institution. Black students were barred from campus dormitories, swimming pools, and most social activities. It was in this environment of systematic exclusion that ten determined young men chose not to retreat, but to build something that would last for generations.
On January 5, 1911, these ten founders gathered to charter what would become Kappa Alpha Psi® Fraternity — an organization whose founding principles of Achievement, Manhood, Scholarship, and Perseverance would endure for more than a century.
Kappa Alpha Psi® holds the distinction of being the first incorporated Black fraternity in the United States, incorporated under the laws of the State of Indiana on May 15, 1911.
Key Dates in Our History
Indiana Admitted to the Union
Indiana became the 19th state in the Union, setting the stage for the development of its educational institutions.
Indiana University Founded
Indiana Seminary — which would later become Indiana University — was established in Bloomington, Indiana. The institution that would become the birthplace of Kappa Alpha Psi® had its origins here.
Fraternity Chartered as Kappa Alpha Nu
Ten young men at Indiana University Bloomington gathered to charter the fraternity under the name Kappa Alpha Nu. This historic date is celebrated annually as Founders' Day. The founding took place amid pervasive racial discrimination — Black students were excluded from dormitories, campus social life, and most university facilities.
Incorporation
The fraternity was formally incorporated under the laws of the State of Indiana, becoming the first incorporated Black fraternity in the United States. This legal incorporation gave the organization a foundation and permanence that many contemporaries lacked.
First Journal Published
The fraternity published its first official journal, establishing a tradition of communication and scholarship that continues to this day as the Kappa Alpha Psi® Journal.
Name Changed to Kappa Alpha Psi
The fraternity's name was officially changed from Kappa Alpha Nu to Kappa Alpha Psi. The name change was driven partly in response to a racial slur — the word "Nu" was being used derogatorily by some who pronounced it as a racial epithet. The new name, Kappa Alpha Psi, retained the Greek letters while asserting a proud identity that could not be corrupted.
Guide Right Program Conceived
Brother Leon W. Stewart conceived the Guide Right program, which would become the fraternity's flagship community service initiative focused on educational and occupational guidance of youth. Formally adopted at the 12th Grand Chapter.
Kappa Alpha Psi® Foundation Established
The Kappa Alpha Psi® Foundation was established as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization to formalize the fraternity's philanthropic efforts and expand its scholarship and community service programs.
A Global Brotherhood
Kappa Alpha Psi® now counts more than 250,000 initiated members across more than 700 undergraduate and alumni chapters in the United States and 13 international chapters. The fraternity's motto — Achievement in every field of human endeavor — remains its guiding principle.
The Ten Founders
The men who built a legacy from nothing
Elder Watson Diggs
Known as "The Dreamer," Diggs was the primary visionary behind the fraternity's founding. A graduate of Howard University, he is credited as the chief architect of the organization's founding principles.
Byron Kenneth Armstrong
Known as "Boomski," Armstrong's academic interests spanned philosophy, mathematics, and sociology. He was one of the most intellectually versatile of the founders.
John Milton Lee
Described as a loyal and tireless worker, Lee was instrumental in the organizational work required to establish the fraternity in its earliest days.
Henry Tourner Asher
Asher earned both a Master of Arts degree and a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.), bringing significant academic distinction to the founding group.
Marcus Peter Blakemore
Known as "Blakie," Blakemore served his country with distinction during World War I, exemplifying the character of service that the fraternity would come to represent.
Guy Levis Grant
Grant earned his D.D.S. from Indiana Dental School and practiced dentistry for more than 50 years, a testament to his professional dedication and longevity.
Paul Waymond Caine
Described as a "consummate entrepreneur and chef," Caine brought a spirit of enterprise to the founding group that reflected the fraternity's achievement-oriented mission.
George Wesley Edmonds
Edmonds served as Corresponding Secretary for the fraternity, handling the critical administrative communications that allowed the young organization to grow.
Ezra Dee Alexander
Known as "Dee," Alexander earned his M.D. from Indiana University Medical School, representing the fraternity's commitment to excellence in professional achievement.
Edward Giles Irvin
The youngest of the ten founders at just 17 years of age, Irvin's inclusion demonstrated that the founding vision belonged to all generations of achievement-minded men.
Notable Alumni
Brothers who have shaped American and world history
Ralph Abernathy
Civil rights leader and close associate of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.; co-founder of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.
Wilt Chamberlain
NBA legend, one of the greatest basketball players of all time, who scored 100 points in a single game — a record that still stands.
Arthur Ashe
First Black man to win Wimbledon, the U.S. Open, and the Australian Open; activist and humanitarian whose legacy extends far beyond tennis.
Bill Russell
Eleven-time NBA champion and Hall of Famer; widely considered the greatest winner in American professional sports history.
Johnnie Cochran
Renowned attorney whose career in criminal defense became a defining chapter in American legal history.
Tom Bradley
Five-term Mayor of Los Angeles; the first Black mayor of a major U.S. city with a majority non-Black population.
Bob Johnson
Founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET) and the first Black billionaire in American history.
Tavis Smiley
Author, broadcaster, and advocate whose media platforms have amplified conversations about race, poverty, and democracy.
Colin Kaepernick
NFL quarterback whose act of kneeling during the national anthem sparked a national conversation about racial injustice and athlete activism.
Community Service Legacy
Local Impact
Through the Guide Right program and Kappa League, chapters across the country provide mentorship, tutoring, and career guidance to thousands of young people each year.
National Reach
Programs like Learn 2 Live, Are You OK?, and G.L.A.D. address pressing national issues including community-police relations, mental health, and financial literacy.
International Presence
With 13 international chapters spanning multiple continents, the fraternity's commitment to service and achievement transcends national borders.