Decatur Alumni History
In November 1980, a group of fifteen (15) Kappa brothers formed an Association known as "The Men of Crimson and Cream." These brothers who resided in the Decatur/Dekalb County area met frequently to discuss the idea of forming a chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi in Decatur, Georgia. Because there were so many inactive and unfinancial brothers residing in this area, it was believed such a chapter could help facilitate the tradition of strong brotherhood and truly uphold the objectives of Kappa Alpha Psi.
It was not until April 4, 1981 when official notice was given to us that a charter had been granted by the Grand Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi. Thus, the Association from that point was known as the Decatur (GA) Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi.
Present at the first November meeting were Brothers Calvin Atkinson, III, Donoval Bethel, Jr, Robert Bradley (Chapter Invisible), Gary Dalton, Robert Foster, Dennis Gaines (Chapter Invisible), L.J. Hampton (Chapter Invisible), Conner Johnson, Reginald McBride, James Reese (Chapter Invisible - 1st Polemarch), Floyd Robinson, Jr., Anthony Savery, Claude Watkins, Gerald Wright (Chapter Invisible), and Richard Yancey.
We were fortunate to have in attendance at the chartering ceremony the last living Founder of Kappa Alpha Psi, Brother Edward Giles Irvin (1893-1982). The charter was signed by Past Grand Polemarch, Dr. Oliver S. Gumbs.
Decatur Alumni Chapter Past Polemarchs: James Reese (1981), Dennis Gaines (1982, 1996), Donoval Bethel (1983), Samuel Patterson (1984-1985), Michael Dubose (1986, 1989-1990), Gerald Mosley (1987-1988), Gary Dalton (1991), Keith Hood (1992-1993), Warren Miller (1994-1995, 2004), Ernest Vicks (1997), Rodney Banks (1998-1999) Michael Wright (2000-2001), Eugene Anderson (2002-2004), Warren Miller (2004-2005), Thornton "Skip" Fears (2005-2007), Trent Jones (2007-2008), Rodney Banks (2008-2009), Rodney Pitts (2009-2011), Rick Rodgers (2011-2012), Courtney Smith (2012-2014), Jesse Curney III (2014-2016), Timothy Collier (2016-2018), Brandon Hall (2019), Timothy Collier (2019), Teddrick Martin (2019-2021), Deadrick Jones (2021-2023), Darrell Taylor (2023-Present).
The Decatur Alumni Chapter possess a strong commitment to service in the community. We have been involved in various community service activities in the area. Some of these include: Christmas and Thanksgiving Baskets to less fortunate families via Dekalb County Family and Children Services department, Coat and Toy Drives at local malls in support of Family Christian Stores, Annual Halloween Karnival at NH Scott Recreation Center, Benefit Fashion Shows, Blood Drives, and Benefit Tennis/Golf tournaments and furnishing school supplies to children and schools.
We are actively involved in programs aimed at educating, developing and benefiting our youth. Through our Guide Right projects (Kappa Alpha Psi National Service program), we have partnered with Redan High School, Columbia High School, Southwest DeKalb High School, Towers High School, and MLK High School in developing young men academically. We have also hosted our Junior Kappa League program at local Dekalb County middle schools. Through the years, we have helped many young men attend college by awarding thousands of dollars in scholarships. Our aim is to enrich the lives of every young man that we mentor. This momentum will continue as we fulfill the objectives of this Grand Fraternity. Decatur Alumni has been proudly recognized as the J. Michael Graves Alumni Chapter of the year (2002 and 2003) in the Southeastern Province, 2005 Alumni Website of the Year - Grand Chapter and Southeastern Province, and Host Chapter for the 2011 Southeastern Province Council Meeting.