A Legacy of Achievement Since 1947
Honoring our founders while continuing to shape the future.
The Charter Members
Milton Edward Cox
James Ervin Dickson
Maceo Anthony Entzminger
Stephen Nathaniel Garrick Jr.
Solomon Antonio Guinyard
Walter Ellsworth Johnson
Samuel Booker Marshall
Walter Frederick Robinson
Walker Emanuel Solomon
Heyward Golden Thompson
Raymond Coleman White
Eleven Brothers and a Charter
During the mid-1940s, several members of Kappa Alpha Psi® Fraternity determined that there were many brothers living in the Columbia, SC area. As a result of numerous informal meetings and discussions, eleven of those brothers decided to apply for a charter.
On February 2, 1947, a charter was issued bearing the name Columbia (SC) Alumni Chapter, Kappa Alpha Psi® Fraternity, Inc. Those charter members were Milton Edward Cox, James Ervin Dickson, Maceo Anthony Entzminger, Stephen Nathaniel Garrick Jr., Solomon Antonio Guinyard, Walter Ellsworth Johnson, Samuel Booker Marshall, Walter Frederick Robinson, Walker Emanuel Solomon, Heyward Golden Thompson and Raymond Coleman White.
The members of the new chapter immediately elected officers and set goals. Brother James Ervin Dickson was elected the first Polemarch of the Columbia (SC) Alumni Chapter. The initial goals set by the chapter were to provide a $50.00 scholarship to a student at each of the two historically Black high schools in Columbia, C.A. Johnson and Booker T. Washington; to provide books about and written by African Americans to each school, with the stipulation that both would dedicate a corner of their library to Black history; and to provide career counseling.
What started as a goal to award $50.00 scholarships in 1947 has blossomed into a program that has awarded over $100,000.00 in scholarships.
The 1947 charter of the Columbia (SC) Alumni Chapter. Click to enlarge.
Brothers Who Carried the Name
Over the years, several Columbia (SC) Alumni Chapter members have served in leadership positions at or above the alumni chapter level. Brothers James B. Hardy, Sr., Joseph A. Johnson and Chester Leaks served as Southeastern Province Polemarchs. Brother Collie Rayford, an initiate of Columbia (SC) Alumni, served as Southeastern Province Keeper of Records for more than 20 years, and Brother Leaks reached a pinnacle of achievement at the Grand Chapter level by serving as Grand Keeper of Records and Exchequer.
The Joseph Jenkins Award was presented by the Southeastern Province to Brothers Rayford, Leaks and Jerome Brown, a former Province board member, for exemplary service at the Province level. The Province has also recognized the service of Columbia (SC) Alumni Brother Jerry Johnson, who has joined the Chapter Invisible, by naming the undergraduate leadership award in his honor.
Brother Collie Rayford, who taught and coached for more than 40 years in Richland School District 1, was honored by the naming of the gymnasium at Columbia’s Sanders Middle School. Brother Theodius Oates, Jr., a teacher and coach for nearly 25 years at Southeast Middle School, was honored by the renaming of that school’s gymnasium. Brother Bobby Young, head coach of the girls varsity basketball team for 38 years at Columbia High School, was inducted into the Richland School District 1 Hall of Fame, and the district theater at Sanders Middle School was renamed the Freddie E. Grace, Jr. Theater in memory of Brother Grace, a music educator. Streets have been renamed to honor the service of Brothers Henry Reeder, Sr., a retired educator in Newberry, and J.T. McLawhorn, President and Chief Executive Officer of Columbia’s Urban League.
Many chapter members have achieved noteworthy recognition in political and public service. SC State Representatives Joseph Neal and Anton Gunn served in the South Carolina General Assembly until Brother Neal’s passing, and Brother Gunn was selected to become an advisor to former President Barack Obama. Retired Circuit Court Judge Clifton B. Newman, who gained international recognition for his courtroom acumen while presiding over several high-profile cases, continues to garner accolades for his work in the legal field. Brother Stephen Benjamin, the first African American mayor of Columbia, presided over the city’s affairs for over ten years and later became an advisor to President Joe Biden. Brother Luther Battiste was one of the first African Americans elected to Columbia’s City Council, a position he held for 15 years. Brother Dominic Brown, an Emmy Award-winning meteorologist, became an active member of the chapter while serving as chief meteorologist for Columbia’s WIS-TV.
Recognition & Awards
At the 98th Southeastern Province Council Meeting, April 18–21, 2024, the Columbia (SC) Alumni Chapter was presented the Province’s highest award, the J. Michael Graves Chapter of the Year (Large Chapter) Award, for excellence in planning, programming and overall achievement within the Southeastern Province.
At the 99th Southeastern Province Council Meeting, March 27–31, 2025, in Augusta, Georgia, the chapter won the SEP J. Michael Graves Chapter of the Year Award for the second consecutive year, for the 2024–2025 fraternal year. At the same council the chapter also won the SEP Reclamation Award, given to chapters for their success in member reclamation and commitment to the fraternity.
During the 100th Centennial Southeastern Province Council Meeting, held March 26–28, 2026, in Greenville, South Carolina, the chapter was awarded the J. Michael Graves Chapter of the Year Award for the 2025–2026 fraternal year — a third consecutive selection, and a landmark distinction as the inaugural recipient of the Extra-Large Chapter of the Year Award during the Province’s centennial celebration. Securing this honor across multiple classifications underscores the chapter’s organizational strength, leadership capacity, and unwavering commitment to the ideals of Kappa Alpha Psi®.
Together We Build Leaders
Join us as we continue our commitment to mentorship, scholarship, service, and community impact.