Kappa Alpha Psi was founded on the campus of Indiana University on January 5, 1911. The Fraternity’s fundamental purpose is achievement.

In the early 1900’s, African-American students were actively dissuaded from attending college. Formidable obstacles were erected to prevent the few who were enrolled from assimilating into co-curricular campus life. This ostracism characterized Indiana University in 1911, thus causing Elder W. Diggs, Byron K. Armstrong, and eight other black students to form Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, which remains the only Greek letter organization with its 1st Chapter on the University’s campus.

The founders of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. are pictured below and were: Elder Watson Diggs, most affectionately known as ‘The Dreamer’, Dr. Ezra D. Alexander, Dr. Byron Kenneth Armstrong, Atty. Henry Tourner Asher, Dr. Marcus Peter Blakemore, Paul Waymond Caine, George Wesley Edmonds, Dr. Guy Levis Grant, Edward Giles Irvin, and Sgt. John Milton Lee.

The founders endeavored to establish the fraternity with a strong foundation before embarking on plans for expansion. By the end of the first year, the ritual was completed, and a design for the coat of arms and motto had begun. These men sought a formula that would immediately raise the sights of black collegians and stimulate them to accomplishments higher than they might have imagined.

Fashioning achievement as it’s purpose, Kappa Alpha Psi began uniting college men of culture, patriotism, and honor in a bond of fraternity.