Undergraduate Chapters – Baltimore (MD) Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Undergraduate

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Honoring the Past. Inspiring the Future

Baltimore (MD)
Alumni Chapter

Kappa Alpha Psi
Fraternity, Inc.

/ Undergraduate

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Rho Upsilon (PY) History

◇ Under the direction and guidance of the Baltimore (MD) Alumni and the Lambda Zeta Chapters of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., The Johns Hopkins University Chapter, the Rho Upsilon (E) of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. was approved for a charter on the campus of The Johns Hopkins University, located in Baltimore, MD, on the 1^st day of June 2019 by the Grand Board of Directors of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. The vision of chartering a chapter on the campus of The Johns Hopkins University was inspired under the leadership and direction of 50^th Polemarch of the Baltimore (MD) Alumni Chapter, Theodore Garrett, who was initiated into The Morgan State University Chapter, the Alpha Iota of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and Calvin L. Smith, Jr., the director of Fraternity and Sorority Life at the Johns Hopkins University, a member of the Baltimore (MD) Alumni Chapter, and an initiate of the University of Delaware Chapter, the Nu Xi of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

◇ In the spring of 2016, Calvin L. Smith Jr, as the director of the Officer of Fraternity and Sorority Life at the Johns Hopkins University worked with students at The Johns Hopkins University, the Baltimore (MD) Alumni Chapter, the advisor, Kiron Harrison, of the Lambda Zeta chapter, initiated into the Towson University Chapter, the Lambda Zeta of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., the undergraduate members of the Towson University Chapter, the Lambda Zeta (E) of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., and the staff of the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life at Towson University, to make arrangements to establish a colony of the Lambda Zeta chapter at The Johns Hopkins University.

◇ The Lambda Zeta Colony operated for a time period of two years on the campus of Johns Hopkins University. Prior to the establishment of the Lambda Zeta colony at Johns Hopkins University, men were initiated into the bond of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. under the chapter designations of the Morgan State University Chapter, the Alpha Iota (E) and the Coppin State University Chapter, the Zeta Gamma of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated, chartered in 1931 and 1970 respectively. The first documented Brother initiated into the bond of Kappa Alpha Psi at The Johns Hopkins University was Jerome Julius in the fall of 1950.

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Rho Upsilon (yp) History

17th

day of November, 2017

◇ On the 17^th day of November, 2017, four young men made their way across the burning sands to the golden shores of this noble clan. Those men names are as follows:

◇ As the first initiates of the Lambda Zeta Colony and the continuation of a Kappa presence in the Johns Hopkins University campus, their line was named “The Dawn of a New Era” based on the expectation of the strong influence that they would bring to their university, as well as the community itself. Advisor, Calvin L. Smith, Jr and The Honorable Brother Shawn Z. Tarrant, initiated into the Norfolk State University Chapter, The Epsilon Zeta (E) of Kappa Alpha Psi, both members of the Baltimore (MD) Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi, facilitated the first Membership Training Academy process of the Lambda Zeta Colony.

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12th November, 2018

Rho Upsilon (PY) History

◇ As Lambda Zeta Colony, on the 12^th November, 2018, two more members were initiated. The names of those two young men are:

◇ Their line was appropriately named “The Second Koming” given their role in this part of history and the fact the story of their process would be an inspiration to those coming after them.

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Rho Upsilon (yp) History

29th

day of March, 2019

◇ As the Lambda Zeta Colony, on the 29^th day of March, 2019, four members were initiated. The names of those young men are:

◇ Their line was appropriately named “Nupe Dreams: The Final Four” given their role in this part of history and the fact that the completion of their process would be the lynchpin that would ensure the successful application and eventual approval of the permanent presence of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated on the campus of The Johns Hopkins University.

◇ As pertained in the archives of the Grand Chapter, The Johns Hopkins University Chapter, The Rho Upsilon (E) of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. was gracefully approved for a charter on the 1st day of June 2019 by the Grand Board of Directors of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The charter was presented by the 28^th Eastern Province Polemarch, Charles Exum, to the chapter on the 20^th day of October 2019 at the Kappa Alpha Psi Youth and Community Center at 1207 Eutaw Street in Baltimore Maryland. The Rho Upsilon (E) Chapter is located in Region I of the Eastern Province. The Rho Upsilon Chapter charter is held on the campus of The Johns Hopkins University located at 3400 North Charles Street in Baltimore, Maryland.

◇ On April 1, 2022 the first Johns Hopkins University student, Immanuel Blake, was initiated into the bond of fraternity as a member of the Rho Upsilon Chapter, cementing the legacy of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated permanently.

◇ The Charter Members of the Johns Hopkins University Chapter, The Rho Upsilon (E) of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated are as follows:

The Honorable Brother Shawn Z. Tarrant
Brother Calvin L. Smith, Jr.
Brother Uchenna Nwokeji
Brother Xavier Griffith
Brother Alpha Bah
Brother Emmanuel Ochieng
Achampong

Brother Talal Widatalla
Brother Kiron Harrison
Brother Kaceme Porter
Brother Chijioke Oranye
Brother Christopher Bean
Brother Noah Wright
Brother Noah Wright
Brother Noah Wright

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The Morgan State University Chapter, the Alpha Iota of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

◇ The Morgan State University Chapter, the Alpha Iota of Kappa Alpha Psi was charted on May 29, 1931. It was the third undergraduate chapter chartered in what is now the Eastern Province, the first undergraduate chapter in the state of Maryland, and the thirty-second chapter of the Fraternity.

◇ Kappa was brought to the campus of the then Morgan State College by Kenneth Broom, Randolph Jefferson, Henry Joyce, Charles Laws, Jack Spencer, Robert “Cliff” Tarter, and Thomas “Rapp” Wheatley. Robert Tarter would become the Chapter’s first Polemarch. Establishing a foundation for Kappa on the campus of Morgan’s campus would yield the Chapter’s first initiates. John W. Patterson, Herbert Jones, Melvin Roy, Babe Jones, and Alphues Edwards would be initiated through the Lincoln University Chapter, the Epsilon of Kappa Alpha Psi and would be recognized as Charter Members.

◇ Since its chartering the Alpha Iota has embodied Kappa Alpha Psi’s purpose- Achievement. Members of the Alpha Iota have ascended to the highest offices in Kappa Alpha Psi and have been recipients of the Fraternity’s highest award for undergraduate excellence.

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The Legacy of Zeta Gamma - Kappa Alpha Psi

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◇ Founded during a time of powerful student activism, the Zeta Gamma Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi was born out of the spirit of brotherhood, resilience, and social justice. Sparked by the 1968 protests at Coppin State College and the aftermath of Dr. King’s assassination, a group of visionary young men-led by trailblazers like Quentin Wyatt, Marvin Cheatham, Elijah Williams, and Raymond Speights-formed the “Diamond Club,” planting the seeds for what would become Zeta Gamma.

◇ With guidance from national leadership and support from Coppin faculty, the chapter officially took root in 1970, becoming a symbol of purpose, unity, and service at the university.

◇ Highlights of their journey include:

Pioneering protest leadership and peaceful demonstrations for racial equity and education funding
Hosting campus events, dances, and fundraisers (like the legendary Temptations dinner show trip)
Creating iconic symbols like the Kappa Coat-of-Arms and the Kappa Diamond Light Display
Inspiring the creation of Coppin's "Kappa Tree" and "Kappa Bench," setting the standard for Greek presence on campus

◇ The chapter’s charter and first line members-now fondly remembered-helped establish a lasting impact on campus culture and civil engagement.

◇ Zeta Gamma continues to stand as a beacon of excellence, leadership, and Brotherhood on Coppin’s campus and beyond.

◇ Charter Members of Zeta Gamma Chapter: