Spring 2020 Achiever Version 1

ACHIEVER

Middle Eastern Province
Spring 2020 Edition

TABLE OF
CONTENTS

A Look Back in MEP History

Message from the MEP Leadership PG 1 - 2 Brothers,
The Pandemic of Racism Long Before I want to thank all that have contributed to this issue of
Covid-19 PG 7 - 8 The Achiever. The Achiever is here for us to share
Brotherhood vs Hunger PG 11 stories on the past, present, and future of our province.
Rho Zeta Academic Achievement PG 12 I hope that a story inspires you to create and tell a
Juneteenth Programming PG 13 story of your own. If you are interested in sharing a
From Selma to Montgomery PG 14 story or idea contact me: [email protected].

Yours in the Bond,

Quentin A. Mitchell
Province Reporter
Middle Eastern Province
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Charlotte Alumni Guide Right Update PG 15 - 16

Achievement through Adversity PG 17 - 18

Photo Gallery PG 19 - 20

A Look Back In MEP History

Middle Eastern Province 9th Province Polemarch Brother J. Kenneth Lee during
registration for UNC's law school in 1951.

MESSAGE FROM THE
LEADERSHIP

MEP NOMINATION
COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN -

BRO CORY LOCKLEAR

 I  trust that this message finds you in great spirits and good health during

these trying times. I hope you all have been taking the necessary steps in
staying safe during this COVID-19 pandemic. As we continue to push through
this pandemic, please continue to check up on one another “Especially our
Senior Kappa’s” and adhere to the mandated guidelines to ensure that we
stay safe.
As the Mighty Middle Eastern Province prepares for the upcoming fraternal
year, the Province Leadership has been taking all the necessary steps to
ensure we set our great Province and brothers up for success. With the big
shift of meetings going to virtual, we do realize and understand that this will
cause some changes and challenges within chapters BUT we are prepared to
assist in any way possible.
With upcoming Province Officers Workshop, C. Rodger Wilson Leadership
Conference Training and Province Council, we must ensure that we are
present for these programs so we are able to grow and develop within our
province.
Through these troubling times within our great nation, WE as Kappa Men,
must continue to step up to the plate and lead from the front. Continue to
lead life’s race, assist our communities as they too are experience difficulties
during this pandemic, and be the guiding light for them.

I look forward to see you all soon. God Bless.

J. Cory Locklear
Nomination Committee Chairman
Middle Eastern Province
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated

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MESSAGE FROM THE
LEADERSHIP

MEP JUNIOR
VICE POLEMARCH
BRO LANDON BISHOP

Greetings Brothers,
 

I am extremely proud of the accomplishments floating around in the

MEP. We have so many brothers who are going to great distance in
their careers and life in general. During these times of panic and
stress, I ask brothers to take this time to work harder on their craft
and focus on positive energy. Easy said than done of course. It takes
atomic habits to make the necessary changes to your life. Just like an
atom, it means small. Every little new positive habit can change the
course of your life every day. Think what would your 30, 42, 62-year-
old self say to you now? Because of our insurance increase, I ask every
brother to think long term with every decision for your perspective
chapters.
 
Less talking and more
action.
 
Yours in the Bond, 
 
Landon D. Bishop
Junior Vice Polemarch
Middle Eastern Province
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity,
Inc.

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JOURNAL
SUBMISSIONS

Submissions to the Kappa Alpha Psi Journal for your chapter must be
submitted to the Province Journal liaison. They must come from your
chapter Reporter and be approved by your chapter Polemarch. For proper
consideration, article subject matter should be (1) of national importance
and reflective of the tenets of Kappa Alpha Psi such as Kappa's Six-Point
Plan, (2) significant professional achievements or milestones of individuals
or chapters within three (3) months of the deadline and should fit within
the standard categories: Alumni News, Guide Right, Kappa Authors, Kappa
News, Kappas in Sports or Undergraduate News. Submissions do not have
to conform to the themes, but they could be reordered as a result of the
themes. For more information see “The Journal MEP Submission Form” on
the MEP website under MEP News. For questions or assistance with
Journal submissions for your chapter, please contact the MEP Journal
Liaison, Brother Quentin A. Mitchell at [email protected]







19th Past MEP
Polemarch Brother
Joseph K. Davis, Jr. and
current MEP Chaplain

“THE PANDEMIC OF RACISM…LONG BEFORE COVID-19”

ARTICLE EXCERPTS FROM THE “STAR OF ZION” INTERNATIONAL NEWSPAPER
Social injustice, racism, inequity, discrimination, oppression, prejudice, intolerance, abuse, outrage, corruption, just
to name a few, pandemic enemies and old demons that have raised their heads, injecting venom in our lives.  Racism
has shackled and bound the hands, feet and legs of African Americans throughout history, which has taken on many
shapes and forms happening in many places.  Pressure, consistently been “applied to our necks,” draining the breath
of a hopeless cry of our race.  Our silence and inaction has perpetuated unjust and discriminatory actions and
systems to continue.  Racism remains, even to the present day, continuously reminding us of its manipulative
strength and its disruptive power.  It is often associated with abuse or harassment in many instances, but does not
always lend itself to violence and intimidating behavior.  It can be revealed through the actions and attitudes of
people, and not always obvious.  Barriers constructed, prevent persons from the pleasures of human dignity, human
decency, justice and equality because of race.  When pressure applied forcibly to our necks, racism rampantly
infects, causing societal suffering and death, taking toll on your physical and mental well-being.  Racism requires
individuals to take immediate action to eradicate personal infection to prevent its spread.  We have witnessed that
COVID-19 is a highly contagion type virus and racism as well.  COVID-19 spreads from person to person, which
cruelly and swiftly infects by oral emissions and touch, causing societal suffering and death, racism as well.  Unlike
the rapidly evolving novel coronavirus, we know the antidote to racism. Long before COVID-19, racism was the
suffocating belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities, discrimination or hatred
based on race.  George Floyd’s death is no different from that of Eric Garner, Sandra Bland, Ahmaud Arbery, Trayvon
Martin or Mike Brown.  Moreover, their deaths are no different from Emmett Till, which became emblematic of the
injustices suffered by blacks in the south.  Emmett Till, a fourteen-year-old African American, lynched in Mississippi.

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n 1955, after accused of offending a white woman in her family’s grocery store.  The brutality of this
murder and the fact that his killers acquitted drew attention to the long history of violent persecution
of African Americans in the United States, iconic events in the Civil Rights Movement.  The open coffin
of his body, a defiant display, exposed is his bloated and mutilated body for the country to reckon
with.  Both of these horrific deaths, lynching performed on the ground, and in a tree, are horrific
images of death, which should fuel our inspiration as a people.  Floyd’s death may have been the
breaking point, but pressure has built monuments in this country for many decades, due to lack of
humanity that we should no longer ignore, even during the unprecedented pandemic.  We must
sharpen our tools to repair the America that has tragically failed George Floyd. Like Eric Garner, “I
can’t breathe” has become a familiar line in a dark song of racism with a lasting refrain, and police
brutality, that inducts these families into a fraternity of black victims of racism.  “I can’t breathe” is the
daily condition of people, one way or another, because of numerous knees placed on many necks
around the globe.  Floyd’s death should be enough to move us to expedient and positive action as a
national movement.  Black and brown people have been seeking reparations to address the systemic
injustices they have faced for decades.  Racism allows police brutality to persist as it allows disease
also to spread.  Yet, there has never been an economic stimulus to address the impact of racism on
health, quality of life and advancement Pandemics occur over a wide geographic area, affecting an
exceptionally high proportion of the population. This pandemic continues unleashing tsunami like
waves of strength, hate and xenophobia, which now demands that the government act with haste to
strengthen the immunity against this virus of hate.  The coronavirus is the ultimate demonstration of
the real world impact of racism, which drives high incidences around the world, and manifests itself in
sparked racist’s reports of xenophobia and discrimination.  Confronting the racism that puts African
Americans at higher risk of death at the hands of police, means confronting racism that places our
people at higher risk of dying from COVID-19.  We have learned through ongoing statistical data that
blacks die of COVID-19 at higher rates due to exposure and underlying medical conditions. The
diagnosis of the underlying condition may be racism, not manifestations like high blood pressure, heart
disease and diabetes.  Due to racism, it has created inequalities in access to health care, housing,
wealth, education, and employment, all of which undermine health.  Jobs often filled by African
Americans allow for exposure, including, but not limited to, caregivers, cashiers, sanitation workers,
public transit employers, health aide industry and the postal service. A significant number of African
Americans utilize public transit transportation, bringing them in greater contact with infected
persons.  In addition, a disproportionate number of African Americans may live in places that could
increase their risk of exposure.  African Americans have a higher incidence and the highest risk of
underlying health conditions, to include hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, and a disproportionate
number of exposure to air pollution linked to asthma, obesity, cardiovascular disease and post-surgery
complications. Less access to medical care also poses problems, due to inequities to health care and
preventive services, limited access to testing programs, inadequate health insurance and
discrimination fears in distrusting caregivers.  All the ingredients are in place, for there to be a sharp
racial class inequality to this COVID-19 pandemic and forms of discrimination.

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Raleigh Alumni & Wake Forest Rolesville Alumni: Brotherhood vs
Hunger

By Brother Victor Hyman and Brother Sean Nock

The Brothers of Raleigh Alumni has a long history of helping in the community though various methods. 
Working with Rise Against Hunger presented an opportunity to have a global impact by helping to alleviate hunger
worldwide.  Rise Against Hunger focuses its feeding programs in areas where they can have a real impact and
expand its hunger-fighting programs beyond meal packaging and distribution. Rise Against Hunger meal
packaging volunteers produce millions of nutritious meals annually that are then distributed to partners in
countries around the world. On March 7, 2020, a collaboration of the Raleigh Alumni Chapter and the Kappa
Charitable Trust Fund, along with packaging assistance by Wake Forest Rolesville Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi
Fraternity Inc. were able to provide over 1,500 meals to those in need.  It was great opportunity to help with the
overall mission of ending world hunger, but it was also great to have over 21 brothers coming together for a
fun time while preparing the meals. The packaging events are designed to be fun, interactive, and efficient.  This
one did not disappoint.  Several members were immediately looking forward to the next event. "It was great for
local brothers to work on solving a global problem.  It was fun and productive. We're already looking for the next
one."   Brother Victor Hyman Vice Polemarch of Raleigh Alumni Chapter. It was special to have a joint service
project shared by two chapters to help address a major issue in our local area as well as the world.
"The Rise Against Hunger initiative allowed the opportunity to strengthen our brotherhood and allow each one of
us to be heroes in the lives of needed individuals and families". Brother Sean Nock Polemarch of Wake Forest
Rolesville Alumni Chapter.

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Rho Zeta: Academic Achievement

By Brother Brian Stone Jr

At the end of the 2019-2020 academic year at Methodist University, the Greek Life Administration presented the
Rho Zeta Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi with the “highest-GPA” Award for all Greek Fraternities and Sororities on
campus acquiring a chapter GPA of 3.75. The brothers in the chapter set out to not only be active on campus and in
the community but also in the classroom. This was made more impressive because the Rho Zeta Chapter is one of
the smallest chapters on the campus and recognized in the State of North Carolina for having a very high academic
standard, especially for Greek life organizations. One of the main reasons why the chapter was able to obtain this
award is because of their ability to prioritize their time and remember that academics come first. The brothers of
Rho Zeta are majoring in Biology Kinesiology, and Computer Science. The brothers are frequently found studying
in the library and volunteering in community service events. The Rho Zeta chapter also received the “Community
Service of the Year Award” from Methodist University and we won the Small Chapter of the Year Award for the
Middle Eastern Province of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated. The work ethic of this chapter is second to
none, and most of all consistent from year to year. The chapters commitment to the fraternity’s objectives is
evident in the way they carry themselves. The young men of this chapter are often complimented on how they
interact with people around campus, from the cafeteria staff to the president of the University. We treat everyone
with respect and love at all times. This is the reputation that the Rho Zeta Chapter is known for and plan to uphold
for years to come.

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Burlington Alumni: Juneteenth Programming

By Brother Rodney Dawson

The Greensboro Public Library Director working in conjunction with other City of Greensboro,
North Carolina administrators were seeking ways to highlight African American achievement after recent political

events, protests, and movements led by area residents and leaders. Rodney Dawson as curator of education for the
Greensboro History Museum (GHM) was asked to develop programming to illustrate and commemorate
“Juneteenth.” Rodney Dawson served as the face of GHM programming for the day’s events. The GHM created
multiple programming initiatives to include “Project Democracy” featuring fellow member of Kappa Alpha Psi,
Justice Henry Frye and his wife Shirley Frye. In addition to said programming, Rodney Dawson produced and
narrated five programs. Programs include educational video entitled “Juneteenth History & Traditions which
garnered 4.2K views. Juneteenth Cooking Segment with local eatery Dame’s Chicken and Waffles which garnered
5.7K views. Juneteenth Divine Nine Webinar which garnered 1.4K views. Divine Nine Webinar featured fellow
member of Kappa Alpha Psi and Greensboro Alumni Chapter Polemarch, Jonathan Shannon. Juneteenth and Its
Greensboro ties with the History & Political Science Dept. Chair for N. C. A&T State University Dr. Arwin
Smallwood which garnered 876 views, and Juneteenth Virtual Bingo featuring prominent African American people,
places, and events which garnered 500 views. Virtual Bingo highlighted fellow Kappa Alpha Psi members Justice
Henry Frye, Mel Swann Jr, and Civil Rights Attorney J. Kenneth Lee. The total day’s events reached over 20K views
with events produced and narrated by Mr. Dawson comprising 12.5K views. The online events attracted much
needed attention to the Juneteenth tenets, as well as emphasized African American education and achievement. It
has resulted in further outreach efforts taken on by GHM to illustrate African American contributions to include an
upcoming exhibit featuring protest art formally displayed on boarded windows of downtown area businesses. The
Juneteenth programming was featured on area news medium particularly print and television news outlets to
include the Greensboro flagship station WFMY News 2.

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Burlington Alumni: From Selma to Montgomery, AL

By Brother Rodney Dawson

As a law enforcement leader, Shon Barnes, current Vice Polemarch of the
Burlington Alumni Chapter in Burlington, NC, pays tribute to the 1965 Protest
marches from Selma to Montgomery. Moved by the sacrifices of others in 1965
which included one of the most propelling Civil Rights events in our history,
Bloody Sunday, Deputy Chief Barnes and his long-time colleagues, Deputy
Chief Tarrick McGuire of Arlington, TX police department and Sacramento,
California police officer Obed Magny set out on foot on a 3-day journey across
US Highway 80 from Selma to Montgomery inAlabama.  Crossing the Edmund
Pettus Bridge, site of Bloody Sunday, Barnes, Magny, and McGuire were
cheered, and encouraged by passers-by. They even briefly stopped for Sunday
service to rest their feet and hear a good word. The 3 men battled through
rain, pain, and emotional strain. All as officers of the law pushing for social
justice. Throughout the 3-day trek, Shon and his comrades remembered and
carried the prayers of others from our past such as Representative John Lewis,
as well as those of strangers they met in route like Anne, the young lady who
after passing the three men made a U-turn to offer water and food. On August
16th, they reached the Alabama state Capital. At which time, they prayed,
praised, and cried a little. All in the name of Justice.

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Dressing For Success Charlotte Alumni

By Brother Anthony Love

The Brothers of the Charlotte Alumni Chapter of Kappa
Alpha Psi held an engaging session for the Beautillion
Scholars participants in an engaging and thought provoking
seminar on Sunday December 8, 2019. The session entitled,
Dress for Success was presented by Brother Jason P.L.
Brown, Broker and Owner of Jason Brown Realty. Brother
Brown stated that the key to dressing for success requires
thought and preparation to develop your own distinctive
style of dress. The young men learned how to dress
appropriately for various occasions. In addition, the Beaus
learned about the elements that comprise developing your
unique style. Some of those accessories may include
watches, bow ties, socks, scarves, bracelets, ascots,
footwear, colognes or oils. Brother Brown also said that
your style could also convey a message in casual wear such
as in T-shirts and sweatshirts. One example had the names
Ali, King, Gandhi, Me inscribed in white with a black
background on his T-shirt. This could be great for
interacting with others in conversation. He talked about
other shirts that may convey messages of self pride, social
justice, inspiration or promotion of a favorite team. It is
important to note that another point that was stressed is
that you can do the things he was suggesting in a very
economical manner. Some of the items included in the
presentation were purchased at thrift or second hand
stores.
Perhaps one of the greatest satisfaction that was derived by
the Beaus was being able to successfully learn to tie a
Windsor Knot in a neck tie. Finally, at the conclusion of the
session each young man was able to select a neck tie to take
home and as an added surprise they also received their own
distinctive business cards. In summary when you dress for
success you are drawing the right kind of attention with
your own distinctive style.

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Guide Right UApiddaNteight Financial Aid Night

By Brother Anthony Love

Brother Curt Mackey led an interactive and
comprehensive question and answer session for the KBM
participants and their parents during the KBM College
Choices session held on Nov 3rd, 2019. Brother Mackey
explained that everyone needs to make a choice of a
college that best fits their needs based on a combination of
affordability, comfort of college size, choice of
projected major to find a good fit for the young men who
are attending college. What might have been a good fit for
your parents might not be a good fit for you. All
participants in attendance at the session had already
completed college applications and were waiting on
acceptance letters to determine final choice of school. The
Alumni brothers from the University of North Carolina –
Charlotte (UNCC) were in attendance and expressed their
reasoning for making the choice to attend UNCC and
fielded questions and comments from KBM participants
and their parents had about the different college majors
and admittance process at UNCC. The brothers from
UNCC ( some who were initiated in the Zeta Delta Chapter
at UNCC) were able to bring as more clarity and
understanding to audience about the overall college
selection process of all colleges and some specifics of the
UNCC’s selection process. The most important point of
clarity that the Brother from UNCC pointed out to
students and parents was that a college choice that a
student makes should be based on a fit for the student and
a choice made where the prospective student will mostly
likely be successful and graduate versus and where the
parents would like a student to attend. The KBM
participants practiced and learned how to develop a 30
second introduction of themselves to others.

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Pi Mu: Achievement through adversity.

By Brother Roy Toston

Roy Toston watched his mother struggle with Multiple Sclerosis that went undiagnosed for years because
doctors found it unlikely that a black woman would get the disease. Toston, a biology major and former
wrestler, plans to be a neurologist intent on eradicating racism in medical research and treatment.
prestigious Thomas J. Watson fellowships to pursue his interests after graduation. spend a year abroad
seeing how other countries and cultures handle the issues they’re researching. The COVID-19 pandemic
could potentially postpone the August starting schedule, but the Watson Foundation says the fellowships
will begin when it’s deemed safe to travel. Toston is the 86th Davidson student awarded the fellowship in
its 52-year history.
Devotion and Determination: One day as Roy Toston wrote a school paper on the family computer in his
mom’s bedroom, she came home from work, hugged him, then locked herself in the bathroom to make a
phone call. He heard her crying and she broke down even more when she opened the door and
delivered the news: She had Multiple Sclerosis.  That’s the day Toston, then a seventh-grader, became an
adult. As his single mom struggled with her symptoms, he cooked, cleaned, ironed school uniforms and took
care of his younger siblings. He gave her the shots she needed, and slept in her room to
help on bad nights. Toston, who’d wanted to be a doctor since early childhood, grew even more determined
to treat people like his mom, Victoria Harding, and the kids he grew up with—and their mothers. He wants
to ensure that people in such communities have access to the same quality of health care that more affluent
people receive. Toston thinks doctors didn’t listen when his mom described 

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symptoms of blurry vision and muscle spasms. Relying on an old misconception, some didn’t believe that
black women got MS. (More recent studies indicate that black women may actually get the disease at a
higher ratethan white women.) Toston plans to travel to Lima, Peru, to study human rights and health care
in the Afro-Peruvian community. If travel restrictions are lifted to Cuba, he’ll shadow doctors there. He’ll
also study the changing health care system in South Africa and work in a program that helps migrant
patients in Germany navigate their treatment in their own language. Biology Professor Mark Barsoum has
known Toston since his days as a high school student in Davidson’s July Experience. Toston has also
worked with Barsoum as a summer research intern and is now excelling in the professor’s human
physiology class. “Roy does really great work, he’s very diligent and organized,” Barsoum said. “He takes on
challenges with determination and has worked really hard to overcome obstacles. “A huge part of what
motivates him is his interest in understanding diseases, particularly when it comes to serving underserved
communities.” It’s always been personal. Even battling MS, Toston’s mother leaves home at 3 a.m. every
weekday to commute from Richmond to Washington, D.C., where she works for the federal prison system.
She worked a second job on weekends to help get the children into private schools. That included
Woodberry Forest, where Toston attended high school. He came to Davidson as a wrestler, but left the
team after his first year. A Bonner Scholar and a Terry Fellow, he is also the Polemarch of Davidson’s Kappa
Alpha Psi Inc. fraternity. After the Watson fellowship, he plans to get his medical degree and a master’s in
public health.

“I’m the first in my family to go to college. I had to set a path for
my siblings and cousins, my mom has made so many sacrifices,
every day of her life, so that we could have a good life and go to
good schools. She’s one of the strongest people I’ve ever met. I
want to address community needs and make people feel heard and
acknowledged, I know where I want to go, I just have to get there.”

-Bro Roy Toston

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MEP Photo Gallery

MEP Photo Gallery





Achiever