the
Baltimore
(MD) Alumni Chapter
Baltimore (MD)
Alumni Chapter
Kappa Alpha Psi
Fraternity, Inc.
/ Chapter
History
The Benchmark
The Baltimore (MD) Alumni Chapter
◇ The chartering of the Baltimore (MD) Alumni Chapter is deeply connected to the movement of Kappa Alpha Psi from its Midwest roots to the East Coast with the establishment of the Lincoln University Chapter, the Epsilon of Kappa Alpha Psi. The brainchild of the Baltimore (MD) Alumni Chapter was Dr. George Lehman Newman, a native of Baltimore and a 1918 initiate of Epsilon. Supporting the creation of the Baltimore Alumni Chapter was John Henry Alston, a charter member of Epsilon who had lived in Baltimore. The two Epsilon initiates petitioned the Grand Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi to establish a Chapter in Baltimore, and approval was granted at the 10th Grand Chapter Meeting held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
◇ Brothers Newman and Alston were joined by John Huffman Lassiter, a 1920 initiate of the Temple University Chapter, the Lambda of Kappa Alpha Psi, and Deaver Preston Young, a native of Baltimore and a charter member of the Columbia University Chapter, the Omicron of Kappa Alpha Psi. The charter was formerly granted on July 15, 1921.
◇ With the support of the Epsilon, the Baltimore (MD) Alumni Chapter set about initiating new members. In August, in a fellowship hall in the 1200 block of Myrtle Avenue the Baltimore (MD) Alumni Chapter initiated its first members. These men were among Baltimore’s best and brightest. The charter initiates of the Baltimore (MD) Alumni Chapter were:
-Dr. William S. Harris, a Pharmacist;
-Lewis S. Flagg, Jr., Esq., an Attorney;
-John Johnson, Entrepreneur and Mortician; and
-Dr. John H. Tompkins, a Physician.
Thus the Charter Members of the Baltimore (MD) Alumni
Chapter are:
- John H. Alston – Educator and Psychologist
- Lewis S. Flagg, Jr. – Attorney
- William S. Harris – Pharmacist
- John Johnson – Entrepreneur and Mortician
- John H. Lassiter – Pharmacist
- George L. Newman – Pharmacist
- John H. Tompkins – Physician
- Deaver P. Young – Accountant
The chapter history
the
benchmark
◇ The chapter has a history of aiding in the development of youth. Guide Right is the national program adopted by the Grand Chapter in 1922. The objective of the Baltimore Alumni Chapter’s program is to provide inner-city youth with an organized program of alternative choices designed to uplift them morally, socially, ethically and spiritually. Seven autonomous programs are provided in Baltimore City. Each program is designed to provide youth with positive role models through various activities. The past director of the program, William L.Clemm, II, received the Bert V. Wadkins Award, emblematic of the Best Guide Right Director in the Fraternity at the Grand Chapter Meeting in Charlotte, NC in 2003.
◇ The Baltimore Alumni Chapter contributes to local charities annually. Although the chapter’s eleemosynary programs were successful, it was felt that improvement could have been made. To this end, the KAPPA ALPHA PSI FOUNDATION OF METROPOLITAN BALTIMORE, INC. was created. The mission of the Foundation is to subsidize programs that benefit youth and young adults trying to improve the quality of their lives. Such programs promote the academic, cultural, economic, and social well-being of these members of the metropolitan Baltimore Community. The Foundation enables those who are not Kappas to contribute to the program.
◇ Within the Fraternity, we have furnished many regional (Province) and national (Grand Chapter) officers. A Past International Grand Polemarch (President) is Howard L. Tutman, Jr. The late Dr. G. James Fleming, former Chairman of the Board of Regents of Morgan State University, received the Fraternity’s highest award, the Laurel Wreath. George L. Russell, Jr. Esq. received the Laurel Wreath in 2007.
◇ The late I.W.E. Taylor, Charles G. Tildon, Jr., George F. David, III and Melvin L. Jackson, M.D. were awarded the 2nd highest honor, the Elder Watson Diggs Award. Richard T. Edwards, Enyinna Anthony, and Marvin D. Carr have received the Guy L. Grant Award as undergraduates. The late George F. David, III and Dr. Elbert W. Strothers have received the William L. Crump History Award.
◇ The chapter’s premiere social event is the Night in Kappa Vegas, held the first Friday night in March. Our Annual Black and White Ball is restricted to chapter members and their significant others.
The Benchmark
baltimore
- Baltimore (MD) Alumni Chapter Of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.