February is usually set aside to celebrate African American
history and culture, and although we know that achievement
for African Americans occurs every day, every week and every
month of the year, I don't rail against February being set
aside as African American History Month. I celebrate it,
because it means that many people who would not otherwise
read about, see, or discuss African American history or
achievements, are exposed to it in February. As a result
they are able to go from that experience to other experiences
that are more rewarding, and which, in a real and symbolic
sense, set them on a path to experience greater intellectual
and emotional freedom, and acknowledge the benefits of living
and working in multicultural society. For those reasons
and more, I say, "It's all good."
Having recently joined approximately 300 Brothers in Miami,
Florida on January 9, 2010 celebrating the 99th Anniversary
of the founding of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, and on January
10, in support of our Sunday of Hope initiative, I am keenly
aware that we live at a special time in our Fraternity's
history. We are fortunate indeed to be among those who will
literally write the larger historic narrative of Kappa Alpha
Psi as it unfolds in the first and second decades of this
marvelous new century. Consider what has already happened
to us and this country since January 2008, and the things
in store for us in the next few years.
In November 2008 and in January 2009, we witnessed what
many of us thought we'd never see in our lifetime-the election
and inauguration of our country's first African American
President. What a remarkable achievement, and the same is
true for Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. Think about our history,
and the history of other organizations which were formed
as our contemporaries in the 1900s.
It was not happenstance that Kappa Alpha Psi came into existence
during an era when several predominantly-Black Greek-letter
organizations were founded, and at a time when other socially
active agencies were also formed. We celebrate the rich
history and achievements of organizations like the NAACP,
the National Urban League, and countless other organizations
which were formed during the last century to help ensure
the political, educational, social, and economic rights
of all persons, and eliminate racial hatred and discrimination
wherever they existed. I am also proud of Kappa's record
of achievement throughout its history, and especially now,
as we create a positive brand for Kappa Alpha Psi across
the length and breadth of this country. To be sure, our
work to raise funds for the St. Jude Children's Research
Hospital; our work and leadership in having other members
of the Divine Nine join us in supporting fiscal responsibility
among college students through our GLAD initiative; our
compassionate intervention in providing financial assistance
to the victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, and
more recently, our formation of the iKare-Haiti initiative
to assist those impacted by the earthquake in Haiti; and
our establishment of the Capital Campaign to raise one million
dollars for Piney Woods School, are just a few of the reasons
that people both inside and outside our organization realize
our claim to being difference makers in our communities
and across this country. It is exceeded only by our collective
resolve in solving problems. Thus, I applaud you, our cultural
history and our organizational resolve as we continue to
achieve and say, One KAPPA, Creating Inspiration: A Call
to Service.
