The establishing and chartering of Richfield Alumni was necessitated by a group of brothers who wanted a chapter that would honor traditions, yet be innovative and progressive.
Just like the ten Founder’s 72 years earlier they visioned a Chapter that would focus on social Action instead of social activities, a group that would be committed to serving under privileged youth and becoming difference makers in the Twin Cities metro area.
April 23, 1983: Larry McKenzie, John Cameron, Carlton Garner, and Harold Rose met at John Cameron’s home to develop a plan to get brothers active with Grand Chapter.
June 22, 1983: Amidst controversy, the group sought to reclaim nomadic brothers and offer them a home; as the number of brothers increased, all of whom had no previous alumni chapter affiliation, they formed T.I.R.A. (Those Interested in Richfield Alumni).
July 1983: The group submitted a petition with Grand Chapter to become an Alumni Chapter in Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
February 28, 1984: After months of planning, organizing, and waiting, the Grand Board approved the petition.
May 19, 1984: Chartered — Richfield Alumni Chapter (originally Richfield Alumni Chapter)
1985: Because of the large number of Psi Chapter brothers being reclaimed, the Province Polemarch assigned Richfield as the advising chapter to Psi Chapter at the University of Minnesota.
1988: Under Polemarch Felton Smith, the Community Service Awards Banquet became the chapter’s signature event, recognizing community leaders making a difference in the Twin Cities.
1990: The chapter petitioned to add Bloomington to its name, becoming the Richfield-Bloomington (MN) Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi.
April 4–7, 1991: The chapter hosted the North Central Province Council meeting.
July 1991: At the 70th Grand Chapter meeting in Orlando, Richfield Alumni was selected national small chapter of the year.
July 1994: Grand Polemarch Robert L. Harris, Esq. appointed Brother Larry A. McKenzie as the 24th North Central Province Polemarch.
The Founding Alumni Chapter Members
John Cameron
Eugene Caston
Charles Ellis
Larry D. Ellis
Bobby Evans
Reginald Flake
Carlton Garner
Steven Horn
Lacy Johnson
Emmitte Lockley
Larry A. McKenzie
Cedric Mitchell
Harold D. Rose
Felton L. Smith
Donnell "Doc" Watson
CORE VALUES
The core values of the Richfield-Bloomington Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. are rooted in the foundational principles of the fraternity itself. Kappa Alpha Psi was founded on the principles of achievement, brotherhood, service, and scholarship. These principles have guided the fraternity and its members for over a century and continue to be central to the organization's mission and values.
ACHIEVEMENT
The fraternity emphasizes the importance of academic and professional achievement. Members are encouraged to strive for excellence in all their endeavors and to continuously seek personal and professional growth.
BROTHERHOOD
Kappa Alpha Psi places a strong emphasis on fostering lifelong bonds of brotherhood among its members. The fraternity promotes a supportive and inclusive environment where members can rely on one another for guidance, support, and camaraderie.
SERVICE
Service to the community is a fundamental value of Kappa Alpha Psi. The fraternity encourages its members to be actively involved in serving and uplifting their communities through volunteerism, mentorship, and leadership.
SCHOLARSHIP
Kappa Alpha Psi values the pursuit of knowledge and intellectual growth. The fraternity promotes academic excellence and encourages its members to be lifelong learners and critical thinkers.
HISTORY OF KAPPA ALPHA PSI
On January 5, 1911, the Fraternity then became known as Kappa Alpha Nu, possibly as a tribute to the Black students of 1903 (the Alpha Kappa Nu Greek Society) who preceded them at Indiana University. These men of vision decided Kappa Alpha Nu would be more than another social organization. It would be the only Greek-letter organization founded with the concept of achievement. Kappa Alpha Nu began uniting college men of culture, patriotism and honor in a Bond of fraternity.
Primarily, under the efforts and leadership of the calm, methodical, and philosophical Elder W. Diggs and the critical, and scholarly Byron K. Armstrong, the Kappa Alpha Nu Fraternity was founded. Through their combined labors, the fraternity's ritual and ceremonial forms, constitution, hymn and motto were created, and insignia and emblems were fashioned.
OUR OBJECTIVES
To unite college men of culture, patriotism, and honor, in a bond of fraternity
To encourage honorable Achievement in every field of human endeavor
To promote spiritual, social, intellectual and moral welfare of its members
To assist the aims and purposes of colleges and universities
To inspire service in the public's interest
The Founders of Kappa Alpha Psi
On January 5, 1911, the Fraternity then became known as Kappa Alpha Nu, possibly as a tribute to the Black students of 1903 who preceded them at Indiana University.
Elder Watson Diggs
Ezra Dee Alexander
Byron Kenneth Armstrong
Henry Tourner Asher
Marcus Peter Blakemore
Atwell Heywood
John Milton Lee
George Wesley Diggs
Edward Giles Irvin
William Horace Grant
Join Our Brotherhood
Become part of a legacy of achievement, brotherhood, and service.