Charlotte (NC) Alumni Chapter, Kappa Alpha Psi, Inc. Oct.-Nov. 2005
Polemarch’s Corner
Stadium during the
Carolina Panthers
football games.
•
Greeting My Brothers of
Charlotte (NC) Alumni,
This has been another
successful year for our
Chapter in the Middle Eastern
Province. With sixty-one
years of history in the
Charlotte community each of
you should be proud of where
we have come from and
where we are headed
tomorrow. Our beloved
thirteen Founders laid a great
foundation for us to build
upon and after sixty-one years
we still are fortunate that we
have one with us today ,
Brother Carson H. Beckwith.
We were saddened by the loss
of Founder Howard W. Hill,
Jr. Brother Hill entered
Chapter Invisible on July, 15.
•
•
•
As I look back over the year
our membership has enjoyed
several accomplishments:
•
Chapter continues to
manage a concession
stand at Bank of America
•
Chapter participated in
the BCDA (Black
College Awareness Day)
at Friendship Missionary
Baptist Church. It was an
active day with over 750
high school students
participating. There were
over 35 HBCU
representatives on hand
with college applications,
brochures, and
information about career
choices.
Chapter accepted
membership from seven
new brothers during the
Middle Eastern
Province’s Fall Cluster
intake. They are Brothers
Dennis Brown, Marcus
Chapman, Jeffrey Clark,
Sean Dawkins, Abdullah
Munir Mohammad,
Robert Mullen and
Malcolm Wills.
Malcolm Graham was
elected as North Carolina
Senator for the 40th
District.
Participated with the
NPHC and the Greenville
Community for
Christmas and fed the
entire community as well
as provided gifts for the
children.
Established a colony at
Davidson College under
Charlotte Alumni
continued to look for
more service
projects to aid in the
development of the
community….
the direction of Zeta
Delta at UNC-Charlotte.
On March 19, 2005 we
inducted five new
members from Davidson
College into our noble
clan, Brothers: Jonathon
Hubbard, Ryan Hubbard,
Jeffrey Scott, Christian
Hunt and Derrick
Thompson.
We continued to look for
more service projects to aid in
the development of the
community such as the
FAFSA Day (College
Financial Aid), review of
Senior Exits Projects for the
Charlotte Mecklenburg
School system as well as
maintain the computer lab at
the Salvation Army Boys and
Girls Club that was
established during the 76th
Grand Conclave in Charlotte.
Our Chapter had great success
on the Provincial level this
year by winning the Man of
the Year Award (Brother
Eddie Merritt), Chapter of the
Year, Scrapbook Award for
the second consecutive year
(See Polemarch page 2)
Achieving Since 1911
Inside this issue:
Polemarch’s Corner
1
Khronicle Spotlight: Ray
A. Booton
2
Facets of the Diamond:
3
Greek Organizations: The
New Christian Taboo?
Facets of the Diamond:
March Madness: Do We
Need To Participate In
Another March?
4
Photo Spotlight
5
Brother Ray A. Booton
Celebration
5
Chapter Invisible: Brother 6
Howard Hill, Sr.
Page 2
Kappa Khronicle
Khronicle Spotlight:
Ray A. Booton
Polemarch
and tied for the Participation Award.
Our Beautillion Militaire was a great
success for us again this year thanks to
the leadership and direction from Brother
Marcus Bryant. Our program could not
have been successful without each of you
participating to make a difference in the
lives of young African American male
students in our community. Brother
Bryant, thanks for your leadership in
making this another great program for
Charlotte Alumni.
Brother Raymond A. Booton received
the second highest award in Kappa Alpha
Psi at the 77th Grand Chapter Meeting in
St. Louis in July. Congratulations to a
brother who has paved the way for so
many a Kappas through out our Province
as well as on the national level. Brother
Booton was not able to attend this
meeting but we brought his reward home
and had our own special recognition for
him on Saturday August 20.
Brother Ray A. Booton was the
recipient of the Elder Watson Diggs
Award at the 77th Grand Chapter
Meeting in Saint Louis, Missouri.
Brother Booton, was initiated into the
Alpha Epsilon Chapter (Johnson C.
Smith University on December 10,
1962.
He holds the proud distinction of being
the first brother from the Charlotte
(NC) Alumni Chapter or the Middle
Eastern Province to become a Life
Member (membership number 51).
Brother Booton has held the following
positions of service within Kappa
Alpha Psi:
I also would like to say congratulations
to our Chapter Awardees that received
the: Founders’ Man of the Year Award,
Brother Alex Pearce—the Raymond A.
Booton Senior Brother of the Year
Award, William “Butch” Simmons—the
William M. Blakeney Junior Brother of
the Year Award—Jeffrey Currence and
the Howard C. Barnhilll Humanitarian
Award—Brother James Pughsley.
Special thanks to Brother Derek Morgan
and his committee for the awards
banquet.
•
Middle Eastern Province Recruiter
(1965-1972)
•
Middle Eastern Province Chaplin
for 29 years
•
Polemarch of Charlotte (NC)
Alumni (1974-1976)
•
Chairman of the Staffing Problems
Committee for the 56th Grand
Chapter Meeting (1970)
•
National Guide Right Committee
(1977-1982)
In closing let me say that I have enjoyed
being the leader of such great men in
Kappa Alpha Psi. May God Bless you
and your families as we close out another
year and that he guide you to greater
fortunes in the years to come. Thank you
for all of your hard work and I look
forward to another great year for
Charlotte Alumni Chapter.
•
Two terms of the Laurel Wreath
Commission and the Achievement
Committee
University)
•
Mu Upsilon (Appalachian State
University)
•
Asheville (NC) Alumni
•
Gastonia-Shelby (NC) Alumni
•
Wilmington (NC) Alumni reactivation
He served the faith community as a
Presbyterian minister for 21 years (19631984). He also was one of the first black
police officers, serving as patrolman and
truant officer for the City of Charlotte
Police Department.
Brother Booton has been married to his
Silhouette, Mrs. Laura Booton for 59
years.
(See additional story on Brother Booton
on page 6)
Brother Booton was also instrumental
in establishing the following chapters:
•
Zeta Delta (University of North
Carolina at Charlotte)
•
Zeta Sigma (Barber Scotia
College)
•
Eta Psi (East Carolina University)
•
Kappa Sigma (Western Carolina
Yours in the Bond,
C. N. “Pap” Parrish, Polemarch
As a member of the City of Charlotte
Police Department circa 1946
Brother Booton (seated) circa 1933
Page 3
Kappa Khronicle
Facets of the Diamond
Greek Organizations:
The New Christian Taboo?
The Kappa Khronicle is proud to support
those Brothers who wish to contribute
works of non-fiction or fiction.
Each summer, I can always count on
weddings being an integral part of my
summer agenda. I am at that age where
most of my friends are either married,
planning to get married, or divorcing and
getting married again. Needless to say,
tuxedo shops across the nation know my
name, measurements, and credit card
number quite well.
Last summer was no different. I had the
pleasure of taking part in one of my best
friend’s nuptial event. The usual
wedding festivities were planned---the
rehearsal dinner, mini family/friend
reunions, and of course THE bachelor
party. By the time the weekend finally
arrived, I was eager to see these plans
come into fruition and get the show on
the road. After all, the longer you’re
married, the more you value being
invited to anyone’s bachelor party.
As customary, the weekend’s events
started at the rehearsal. I was
immediately impressed to learn that the
bride’s reverend was a member of my
illustrious Greek Letter organization—
Kappa Alpha Psi. I always love to meet
fellow members in the bond and hear of
their experiences in KAPsi. My
excitement and anticipation quickly
faded, however, when I learned from the
bride that this same minister had
denounced his ties to my organization
many years ago. He no longer wanted to
be reminded of “the Krimson and the
Kreme”, or why all the ladies screamed.
He wanted to pretend that those years
never existed. In fact, I was advised not
to even mention that I was a Kappa.
My immediate response was “what’s up
with that?” I began to inquire of the
bride on why such a decision was made.
I quickly recounted the
rituals of my organization
and scanned them for
references to pagan
worship. Was there some
pledge to devil worship that
I missed? Needless to
say—I did not find any.
Instead, I found references
to spirituality, brotherhood,
and achievement.
Why did her minister feel it necessary
to denounce my organization? She
quickly related an argument that I have
heard a few too many times before.
She spoke of “false idol worship” and
“allegiances pledged to secret
societies” that compromise faith in
Jesus Christ. She mentioned his belief
that no one is capable of serving God
and being active in a Greek-lettered
organization. To do so leaves the soul
in conflict and open for infiltration by
satanic forces. For a second, I felt like
I was living a role in the movie The
Omen, and “Damien” was going to
commend me for my years of faithful
service as a Kappa.
share her minister’s beliefs, it just made
me feel good to say some things out loud.
I spoke of how strong my organization is
in communities around the US and the
world. I spoke of the many service
initiatives, youth programs, and
community involvement programs we
participate in. I have always been proud
to be a Kappa, as Kappa has helped me
to become the person I am today—which
includes being a Christian.
Luckily, she and the groom agreed with
me. They, too, are active in Greek
organizations, so we were all on the same
side. Since I was among others that
shared my beliefs, I decided against
approaching the minister regarding his
“denouncing”. After all, it was not my
wedding, and the bride didn’t want me to
cause a ruckus. I couldn’t resist a little
silent protest, however. The whole
weekend I wore a Kappa pin on my
label---hoping someone (especially the
minister) would mention it. Sadly, no
one did. Looking back, I did learn one
lesson that day--to always stand on guard
and to be ready to come to the defense of
my organization. And I always am.
Brother Olanda Carr, 1991 Initiate,
Kappa Xi Chapter (North Carolina State
University)
Brother Carr can be reached at:
[email protected]
In between my anger, I became
confused? I quickly recounted the
rituals of my organization and scanned
them for references to pagan worship.
Was there some pledge to devil
worship that I missed? Needless to
say—I did not find any.
Instead, I found references to
spirituality, brotherhood, and
achievement. I found oaths focused on
succeeding in every field of endeavor.
I recalled a hymn that literally sang of
pride, manliness, and fidelity.
I composed myself, and challenged her
minister’s stance. While she didn’t
Views expressed are not necessarily the views
of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. or the
Charlotte Alumni (NC) Chapter of Kappa
Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
(More Facets Page 4)
Page 4
Facets
March Madness:
Leadership Needs To
Come Correct
As the anniversary
of the Million Man
March approaches, I
am somewhat
spiritually and
culturally torn. I
was raised in a time
when we as black folks did not air our
dirty laundry before the world. As
brothers and sisters, we were taught to
conduct our business behind closed
doors. Further, we were expected to
show a united front when we emerged.
However, over the last two decades, we
have seen an erosion of such cultural
support for unity. We have witnessed
numerous displays of leader against
leader, celebrity against celebrity and
organization against organization. We
have been subjected to the loss of life
over a person’s zip code (west coast or
east coast). Sadly, to some we have
become a poorly executed caricature of
hope and potential.
We have witnessed flagrant egotistical
acts of those who are considered leaders.
Many have become so drunk with their
perceived power that they openly display
their filth and humanness before the
world. High profile cases involving
black entertainment celebrities, athletes,
politicians, and theologians have become
the norm for news broadcasts and gossip
closets.
While I am torn about taking part in the
“outing” of our foolishness, I realize that
perhaps a spiritually rooted proactive
bearing of the soul might be taken in the
spirit in which it is intended. That is
simply to call for those who are
considered leaders to stop being limelight
junkies performing stale stage shows and
the whoring of themselves out for a few
dollars and a moment of glory.
Kappa Khronicle
...it is realized that it is
usually the middle class,
educated and “culturally
aware” who is more apt to
be a part of such “blackfest” festivities…. Indeed,
in between various
festivities the partaking in
confections, there may be
enthusiastic an
“hallelujah” responses to a
rote, rehashed, warmedover call of solidarity.
Today, 140 years after emancipation,
75 to 96 years after the establishing of
the NAACP, UNIA and the NOI, and
40 years after we got the vote, it must
be understood that that the stakes are
too high, and the consequences of
willfully wrong commission are too
great.
I was among the almost two million
brothers in Washington, DC ten years
ago. I can understand marking the
observance of such a great day.
However, to call folks together for an
exercise that seems to be more obliging
to entertainment and pop culture than
to the spiritual and cultural uplifting of
a people may ultimately become a great
travesty and an embarrassment.
When assessed, it is realized that it is
usually the middle class, educated and
“culturally aware” who is more apt to
be a part of such “black-fest” festivities
as the Millions More Movement.
Indeed, in between various festivities
and the partaking of confections, there
may be enthusiastic “hallelujah”
responses to a rote, rehashed, warmedover call of solidarity. Perhaps some,
as a result of involvement in the
movement, may emerge as a neotalented tenth. If so, the movement of
the weekend will likely have proved to
inadequately prepare them to deal with
the still existing problems laid out by
W.E.B. Dubois a century ago.
The great danger and a perhaps lethal
folly of the movement is the high-minded
exclusion of those who could best benefit
from a spiritual and cultural reawakening
- the permanent (and ever-growing) black
underclass. Perhaps today’s black
leaders have forgotten that it is the truly
disenfranchised brothers and sisters, who
have been the backbone of all of our
movements forward. It was their energy
that supplied the buoyancy for Martin
Luther King, Elijah Muhammad and
Leaders must descend from
the great throne of “blackerthan-all” and realize that
altruism has far greater
power that egoism.
Marcus Garvey. It was their burgeoning
awareness of the potential power of
education and the vote that galvanized
brothers and sisters to march, ride and
die.
The success of the Millions More
Movement (MMM) seems to hinge on a
paradigm shift. The leaders, celebrated
personalities, and organizations must
change their perception of the people and
the problems that are faced each day.
Leaders must descend from the great
throne of “blacker-than-all” and realize
that altruism has far greater power that
egoism. Leaders must realize that
today’s disenfranchised black man and
woman is not falling for the same
foolishness that has been put before them
in the past. Finally, leaders must not use
the zealous and exuberant sincere
workers as a buffer between themselves
and the masses. Without immediate
change, I fear that October’s observance
may not be the MMM but rather become
the HHH – Hapless Hundreds Humbled.
Robert Muhammad is 2001 initiate of the
Charlotte (NC) Alumni Chapter.
Page 5
Photo Spotlight On 2005 Chapter Awards Banquet
Top to Bottom, Left To Right: Former Superintendent for CharlotteMecklenburg Schools, Brother James Pughsley (center) receives
Howard C. Barnhilll Humanitarian Award from Brothers Will Jones
and Brother C.N. “Papa” Parrish; Brother Alex Pearce (center)
receives Founders’ Man of the Year Award from Brothers Bob Giles
and Parrish; Brother William “Butch” Simmons (center) receives the
Raymond A. Booton Senior Brother of the Year Award from Brothers
Eddie Merritt and Parrish; Brother Jeffrey Currence receives the
William M. Blakeney Junior Brother of the Year Award from Brothers
Jones and Parrish.
Photo Spotlight On Ray A. Booton Celebra tion
Top Left to Right—Brother Booton
received words of congratulations
from Charlotte (NC) Founder,
Brother Carson Beckwith; Brother
Edward Newberry and Middle
Eastern Province Polemarch,
Sheldon McAlpin; Bottom Left to
Right—Some of the well wishers;
Brother McAlpin, Charlotte (NC)
Alumni Chapter Polemarch, Brother
Parrish, Brother Booton, and Grand
Keeper or Records and Exchequer,
Brother Al White
Kappa Khronicle
Page 6
Kappa Khronicle
Charlotte (NC) Alumni Chapter,
Kappa Alpha Psi, Inc. Oct.-Nov.
2005
5409 Beatties Ford Rd. Charlotte, NC 28216
Phone/Fax: 704-392-6972
Online Sites of Interest:
Headquarters: www.kappaalphapsi1911.com
Middle Eastern Province: www.mekapsi.org
Charlotte (NC) Alumni Chapter: ww.cltkappas.com
Our Founders Illustrious
Elder Watson Diggs
John Milton Lee
Byron Kenneth Armstrong
Guy L. Grant
Ezra D. Alexander
Henry T. Asher
Marcus P. Blakemore
Edward Giles Ervin
Κ
Α
Ψ
Paul Waymond Caine
George Wesley Edmonds
Calendar of Events
October - November
KAΨ Regular Meeting
7 PM, Oct. 7
C. Rodger Wilson
Leadership Conference
Oct. 8
Gastonia/Shelby MTG
4 PM, Oct. 9
KAΨ Board Meeting
7 PM, Oct. 18
Kappas of Charlotte
Board Meeting
7 PM, Oct. 24
KAΨ Regular Meeting
7 PM, Nov. 4
MIOP Cluster Intake
Nov. 11—13
KAΨ Board Meeting
7 PM, Nov. 15
Kappas of Charlotte
Board Meeting
7 PM, Nov. 21
Celebration for
Ray A. Booton
On Saturday August 20, 2005, the
Charlotte (NC) Alumni Chapter hosted a
reception for Brother Ray A. Booton in
recognition for his selection as a 2005
recipient of the Elder Watson Diggs
Award (see article on page 3).
Each person who offered words of
reflection about the works and deeds of
Brother Booton reemphasized his
unswerving commitment to embodying the
Objectives of Kappa Alpha Psi. Numerous
stories were told about his commitment to
humbly helping others.
Brother Booton was honored by many
brothers or “sons” who were influenced by
his brotherhood, tutelage and leadership
throughout the years. Most notably
present to offer congratulations were past
Charlotte (NC) Alumni Polemarchs,
Brothers Carl Flamer (Zeta Sigma) and
Bernard Reeves (Zeta Delta), Brother Eric
Watson (Gamma Delta Sigma), Jerome
Davis (Zeta Sigma), Brother Fred Sanders
(Mu Upsilon), Gastonia Shelby (NC)
Alumni Polemarch Calvin Reeves (Kappa
Sigma) and Alpha Epsilon Polemarch
Christopher Burke.
Others present to celebrate with Brother
Booton and his silhouette of fifty-nine
Mrs. Laura Booton were Middle Province
Polemarch Sheldon McAlpin, Past and
Immediate Past Middle Eastern Province
Polemarchs Brothers Randal M. Rogers
and Melvin R. Pierce, past Charlotte (NC)
Polemarchs, Brothers Eddie Merritt and
Calvin Banks, Durham (NC) Alumni
Polemarch Wendell Andrews, Charlotte
(NC) Alumni Polemarch C.N. Pap Parrish.
Additional special words of warmth were
offered by Charlotte (NC) Alumni founder
Brother Carson Beckwith and fellow
pastor Brother Edward Newberry.
On behalf of the Grand Polemarch Samuel
C. Hamilton, Grand Keeper of Records
and Exchequer Al White conferred the
award upon Brother Booton who was
unable to attend the ceremony at the 77th
Grand Chapter Meeting in Saint Louis.
(See addition photos on page 5)
Brother Ray Booton (right) accompanied
by Mrs. Pierce and Immediate Past
Province Polemarch Brother Melvin Pierce
and his wife Mrs. Helen Pierce
Chapter Invisible:
Brother Howard
Hill, Sr.
We’ll long for thee and toil
until, we reach the golden
shore….
Howard W. Hill, Sr., 94, of Charlotte, died
July 15, 2005 at Carolinas Medical Center.
Funeral service was held at Little Rock
AME Zion Church. Interment was in
Beatties Ford Memorial Gardens.
Mr. Hill was a member of Little Rock AME
Zion Church, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity,
Inc., and Helping Hand Literary and Art
Club. He was retired from the CharlotteMecklenburg Schools. Mr. Hill was preceded in death by his wife, Beulah Wright
Hill, and son, Howard W. Hill, Jr.
Survivors include his grandsons, Howard
W. Hill, III and Jason E. Hill; granddaughter, Lori Hill, all of Seattle, WA; brothersin-law, Robert H. Wright (Ann) of Lancaster, SC, and Young Rochelle, Jr. of Greensboro, NC; two great granddaughters; and
several nieces, nephews and friends.
Next Issue Available: December 2, 2005