Our History

During the mid forty’s, several brothers noticed that there were quite a few Kappa’s in the Columbia, SC area.  After numerous informal discussions and meetings eleven Kappa Men decided to apply for a charter.  On February 2, 1947, a charter was issued bearing the name Columbia Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi.  The members were: Milton E. Cox, J.E. Dickson, M.A. Entzminger, Stephney Garrick, S.A. Guinyard, Walter E. Johnson, S.B. Marshall, W. Fredric Robinson, Walker E. Solomon, H.G. Thompson and R.C. White.

The new chapter immediately elected officers and set goals.  Brother J.E. Dickson became the first Polemarch for the Columbia (SC) Alumni Chapter.  The first goals set by the chapter were as follows:

1. Provide a $50.00 scholarship to a student at C.A. Johnson High School.
2. Provide a $50.00 scholarship to a student at B.T. Washington High School.
3. Provide books about blacks and written by blacks to both C.A. Johnson and B.T. Washington High Schools.  (Both schools would provide a corner in the library dedicated to black history)
4. Provide career counseling

Those high standards set forth by the founders of Kappa Alpha Psi and charter members of the Columbia (SC) Alumni chapter have continued and expanded through the years.  The Columbia (SC) Alumni Chapter through various Guide Right Programs has provided many services to Columbia area residents.  Some of those services include workshops, scholarships and annual food drives. 

What started as a goal to issue $50.00 scholarships in 1947 has blossomed into an organization that has issued over $100,000.00 in scholarships.  In 1990 the members of the Columbia (SC) Alumni Chapter established the Kappa Beautillion, Inc.  The Kappa Beautillion, Inc. offers a positive alternative educational experience to young men that are juniors and seniors from fourteen area high schools.  The interactive workshops and formal finale are designed to provide a unique learning and enrichment experience.  The members of the Columbia (SC) Alumni Chapter serve as lecturers, mentors, program directors and coordinators for the Beautillion program.  The youth interact directly with professional men of varying ages and degrees of experience in all fields of human endeavor.  This direct interaction provides the additional support they need to establish their educational and professional goals.  

Over the years members of the Columbia (SC) Alumni Chapter have accepted the challenges of serving in leadership positions in Grand Chapter and in the Southeastern Province.  Among them were three Southeastern Province Polemarchs that include: Brother James B. Hardy Sr., Brother Joseph A. Johnson and Brother Chester Leaks. Currently, Brother Chester Leaks is a Grand Chapter Officer and serves as Grand Keeper of Records & Exchequer.  Brother Collie Rayford also served as the Southeastern Province Keeper of Records for more than 20 years.    

The Columbia Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi has made important contributions to the community for over seven decades and will continue to do so.