Wake County Proclaims Charter Day for Raleigh (NC) Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Marking 78 Years of Leadership in Raleigh (NC)
Raleigh (NC) Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. recognized for decades of mentorship, service, and civic leadership across Wake County
Raleigh, Apr. 8, 2026 — Wake County leaders used Monday night’s meeting to recognize a legacy that spans more than seven decades, proclaiming April 6th, 2026, as Charter Day for the Raleigh (NC) Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., also known as the Capital City Kappas and RAC Nupes (website).
The proclamation (document), adopted unanimously by the Wake County Board of Commissioners, marks 78 years since the chapter was chartered in Raleigh in 1948 and highlights the organization’s longstanding role in leadership, education, and community service across Wake County.
County officials pointed to the chapter’s sustained impact over time, noting that its members have served as educators, businessmen, and community leaders while maintaining a consistent presence in civic life across the region.
A national legacy with local roots
The recognition dates back to the founding of Kappa Alpha Psi on January 5, 1911, at Indiana University, where it was initially known as Kappa Alpha Nu before being renamed Kappa Alpha Psi in 1915. The fraternity became the first incorporated Black fraternity in the United States in May 1911, laying the foundation for chapters across the country, including one in Raleigh.
That foundation took shape locally on April 6, 1948, when ten men—William Capehart, Thomas Conway, Sr., Dr. Cecil Haliburton, Leonard B. Hardie, Harry Gil-Smythe, Glenwood Jones, W.M. Perry, William T. “Buddy” Stroud, Dr. M. Watts, and L.L. Woods—obtained a charter from the Grand Chapter to formally establish the Raleigh Alumni Chapter.
Described as professionals, educators, businessmen, and community leaders, the group came together around a shared belief in purpose-driven brotherhood and achievement, laying the groundwork for what would become a long-standing institution in Raleigh.
“Achievement in Every Field of Human Endeavor”
At the center of that founding vision is a principle still reflected in the proclamation: “Achievement in Every Field of Human Endeavor.”
Early leaders framed that mission in broader terms, emphasizing unity, purpose, and a commitment to something lasting. Their vision called for a brotherhood grounded in strong ideals and meaningful action, with an emphasis on excellence and service that would endure across generations.
That philosophy continues to shape the chapter’s work today, with a focus on programs, initiatives, and scholarships that support the educational development of young people in Raleigh and Wake County. The organization also provides opportunities for civic and social engagement, reinforcing its role in strengthening the broader community.
A chapter shaped across generations
During the presentation, members of the fraternity stood before the board, including several wearing white jackets to signify more than 50 years of membership, underscoring the chapter’s multi-generational presence and continuity.
In remarks following the proclamation, Michael F. Brown, 23rd Middle Eastern Province Polemarch, reflected on the chapter’s origins in 1948, during the period of segregation, noting how the organization began in modest settings before growing into a lasting institution.
“A chapter born during the period of segregation in 1948 with 10 men who conceived the thought of bringing a chapter to Raleigh, North Carolina, and Wake County,” Brown said. “We used to meet, or they used to meet, in their homes, in basements, in churches, civic complexes, and then plazas until this chapter, through our foundation, was able to purchase our own home in Wake County in Southeast Raleigh.”
Service that continues today
The chapter’s work remains rooted in hands-on community engagement, with ongoing initiatives that reflect its founding principles of service and achievement.
Those efforts include programs such as WRAL Coats for Children, Helping Hand Mission support, back-to-school initiatives, teacher appreciation events, student reading and literacy engagement, career fairs, and holiday outreach, such as Black Santa activities.
“We will seek honorable achievement in every field of human endeavor,” Brown said, reinforcing the chapter’s long-standing mission and its continued focus on service.
Together, these programs illustrate a consistent focus on education, mentorship, and direct community support, reinforcing the chapter’s role as a civic presence in Wake County.
A formal recognition and a public invitation
The proclamation formally designates April 6th, 2026, as the Raleigh (NC) Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Charter Day and encourages residents across Wake County to recognize and celebrate this milestone.
For county leaders, the recognition serves as both a reflection on the past and an acknowledgment of continued contributions, underscoring the role of civic organizations in shaping the community over time.
For more information, visit the Raleigh (NC) Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. website by clicking here.
What this means locally
For Wake County, the designation highlights how long-standing organizations continue to influence the region’s civic and cultural landscape. The Raleigh (NC) Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.’s history, spanning segregation, growth, and modern expansion, reflects broader changes across the county itself.
As Wake County continues to grow, leaders signaled through the proclamation that honoring institutions with deep community roots remains an important part of understanding where the county has been and where it is headed.