Chapter
Chapter History
On April 7, 1945, Richmond (Virginia) Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. received its charter. The Charter members and initial officers were:
- Dr. Jesse M Tinsley, Polemarch
- Booker T Bradshaw, Vice Polemarch
- Mathew C. Carter, Recorder
- Lyman B. Dillard, Strategus
- Everett B Pool, Keeper of the Exchequer
- Wilcox Brandon
- David Cross
- John M. Sweat
- Rev. Warren A. Evans
- Walter O. Bradley
Just as there was an eleventh Kappa founder in 1911, General Johnson is also known as the eleventh charter member of the Richmond Alumni Chapter.
Kappadom first came to Richmond, Virginia in 1927 with the chartering of Alpha Gamma Chapter, the first undergraduate chapter in Virginia. Alpha Gamma Members played a pivotal role in the chartering of Richmond Alumni. Alpha Gamma has continued to play an integral role in supporting Richmond Alumni for over 60 years.
At the time of the organizational meeting, World War II had ended, but Richmond, Virginia, as well as the solid south, was legally segregated along racial lines. There were laws which required unequal treatment of Blacks in housing, education, voting rights, employment and public accommodations. Because of the lack of employment opportunities, the chapter opened its catchment area to a 50 mile radius. This provided the opportunity for the chapter to serve the larger community and the nation.
Richmond (VA) Alumni Chapter Silhouettes
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., led by Grand Polemarch, Dr. Oliver S. Gumbs, officially recognized the Silhouettes as an auxiliary to the Fraternity in 1980. Also, the Board of Directors of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., granted a seat on the Board of the Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation to the National Silhouette President. This was an accomplishment for all Silhouettes. On September 11, 1987, Policy Statement No. 87-12 was entered into the records of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., recognizing the Silhouettes as an affiliate whose purpose is to provide support and assistance for the activities of the Fraternity at Grand Chapter, Province, and Local levels.
The purpose of the National Silhouette organization of wives, widows and sweethearts of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., has been to promote the organization of local Silhouette chapters, provide activities for visiting Silhouettes during Kappa Conclaves, develop national service projects of interest to all Silhouette chapters, establish uniform policies and procedures for all local chapters and most importantly to serve as the official auxiliary to Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.
Within the framework of the Kappa Silhouettes philosophy of self-realization through service, chapters work to implement national program goals in varied ways depending upon their local communities and the special resources of the particular chapter. Through these activities, chapters have made numerous significant contributions.