Richmond (VA) Alumni Chapter
Even before the chartering of Virginia Union University, The Alpha Gamma Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi, on April 9, 1927, there were three Kappa men who dreamed and toiled for Kappadome to come to the Commonwealth of Virginia. They were Jesse M. Tinsley, D.D.S., a local dentist initiated at the Epsilon Chapter (Lincoln University), Booker T. Bradshaw, Sr., an insurance executive initiated at the Beta Chapter (University of Illinois) and Coach O.A. Wilson, who was also initiated at the Epislon Chapter (Lincoln University). In time, the Richmond (VA) Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., was chartered on April 7, 1945. On September 30, 1945, the chapter had its initial meeting of formation. The officers were installed and they assumed the responsibilities necessary to conduct fraternity business, within the standards established by the Grand Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
The charter members and initial officers were:
Polemarch – Jesse M. Tinsley, D.D.S. – Epsilon Chapter (1919)
Vice Polemarch – Booker T. Bradshaw, Sr. – Beta Chapter (1922)
Keeper of Records – Matthew G. Carter – Alpha Gamma Chapter (1937)
Keeper of Exchequer – Everett B. Pool – Alpha Gamma Chapter (1933)
Stategus – Lyman B. Dillard – Alpha Gamma Chapter (193*)
Wilcox H. Brandon – Alpha Theta Chapter (1935)
David Cross – Alpha Gamma Chapter (1930)
John M. Sweat – Alpha Gamma Chapter (1931)
Rev. Warren A. Evans – Alpha Gamma Chapter (1931)
Walter O. Bradley, Sr., Ph.D. – Alpha Xi Chapter (1939)
Just as our fraternity history references the ‘11th Founder’ in 1911, General J. Johnson (Alpha Gamma Chapter – 1928) is also known as the eleventh charter member of the Richmond (VA) Alumni Chapter. These men, along with the initial members of the chapter, played pivotal roles in the chartering of Richmond (VA) Alumni. At the time of the organizational meeting, World War II had ended, but Richmond, Virginia, as well as the solid south, was legally segregated along racial lines. There were laws, which required unequal treatment of Black education, voting rights, employment and public accommodations. Because of the lack of employment opportunities, the chapter opened its catchment area to a 50-mile radius. This provided the opportunity for the chapter to sever the larger community and the nation.
For 70 years, the Alpha Gamma Chapter, along with the supporting chapters including Virginia State University, The Alpha Phi of Kappa Alpha Psi, have continued to play integral roles in leadership, development and growth of Richmond (VA) Alumni. We continue to encourage honorable achievement in every field of human endeavor, as well as assist the aims and purposes of our undergraduate chapters in the Richmond area (Alpha Gamma Chapter and Virginia Commonwealth University, The Eta Xi Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi), to serve the larger community and the nation.