Background/History

Written and researched by Brother Stacey J. Hitt, PhD. from dialogue and records provided by Brother Larry D. Meredith,
Esq. Contributions made by Brothers Taylor W. “TC” Cannon, Jr. (Chapter Invisible), Dwayne Cooper, Lenny Hampton,
Michael “Black Magic” J. McLendon and Dee Odom

“Evolution of the Dream!”

‘70s – Part One

The beginning of an undergraduate Nu Zeta (NZ) of Kappa Alpha Psi® Fraternity, Inc. has its origin with the vision of Brother Larry D. Meredith, Esq., a native son of Erie, Pa. When Brother Meredith, an initiate of Howard University’s Xi Chapter, returned to Erie, Pa in the mid ‘70s, he envisioned bringing together a bond of Brothers to form a local alumni chapter and an undergraduate chapter. Here’s the story:

Brother Meredith officially initiated the process in 1977 through correspondence with the International Headquarters (IHQ) requesting the steps needed to start an alumni chapter. During this process, Brother Meredith was assisted in his efforts by Brother Maj. Raphael H. Sayles (Alpha Mu), who worked at Gannon College (now Gannon University) at the time. Although Brother Meredith was pursuing an alumni chapter, he was also working with Brother Sayles to pursue an undergraduate chapter at Gannon College. The undergraduate chapter at Gannon was never able to get started.

‘80s – Part Two

While Brother Meredith was pursuing an alumni chapter, there were undergraduates interested in becoming Kappas at Allegheny College. Brother Taylor W. “TC” Cannon, Jr. just happened to be working at the campus. After correspondences between Brothers Lt. Col. George N. Charlton Jr. (Province Polemarch), Meredith and Cannon regarding this undergraduate interest, Brother Meredith forwarded his updated list of Brothers in the area to Brother Charlton who passed it on to Brother Cannon.

Brother Charlton assigned Brother Michael “Black Magic” McLendon to assist Brothers Meredith and Cannon. They were charged with initiating the 1st BE Swing line in the Greater Erie area with hopes of starting a full fledge Chapter.

Here’s the story as told by Brother Cannon (Via an original email to Brother Hitt as best to his recollection of Brothers involved and dates. If there are any omissions, additions, errors or incorrect dates or listings, charge it to the Brother’s recollection of events 30 years prior and not his heart).

The first line of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity at Edinboro University was initiated through the Beta Epsilon chapter and became a “swing chapter” of the Beta Epsilon chapter. The line was named Kappa Ship (KS) Kama Sutra. It was a six-week program culminating on April 26, 2013 (April 23, 1983).

The line consisted of:

a. Dwayne Odom (Prince)
b. Kevin Wright (Hodgii)
c. Silko Thomas (Gumby Damnit)
d. Wendell Oatneal
e. Hugh Carter
f. Leonard Hampton (Maverick)
g. Nicholas Ward (Nick Danger)

There were many fraternity members who made this a reality. It is important to recognize their significant contributions, which later led to the formation of The Nu Zeta chapter, which has become one of the cornerstones of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.

The journey to the first line of undergraduates in the upper northwestern section of Pennsylvania began in Meadville, Pennsylvania. Taylor W. Cannon Jr went to work at Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania. He was an initiate of the Beta Chapter in 1975 through their swing chapter at Eastern Illinois University and a few months later became a charter member of the Theta Gamma chapter at Eastern Illinois University.

He was approached by a student at Allegheny College, Kevin Wright, in the fall of 1982, who was interested in joining this illustrious fraternal organization. Brother Cannon looked into the possibility of him being initiated through the Beta Pi chapter and journeyed to Youngstown, Ohio to meet with members of the fraternity there. Beta Pi was not interested at that time in moving in that direction.

A few weeks later, it was brought to Brother Cannon’s attention that the Zeta Eta chapter from California University of Pennsylvania would be hosting an informational meeting at Edinboro State University 10 miles from Meadville, Pennsylvania. The meeting was well attended, however, the East Central Province Polemarch George Charlton made the decision to disapprove the Zeta Eta efforts to initiate a pledge class at Edinboro.

Brother Cannon reached out to Province Polemarch Charlton to consider the possibility of changing his mind, if he could assist the Zeta Eta chapter in bringing Kappa to Edinboro State University. The Province Polemarch invited Taylor Cannon to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to hear his reasoning.

Brother Charlton said, “I will agree to approve a pledge class to begin at Edinboro, but it will be conducted through the Beta Epsilon chapter which is closer. I understand Brother Cannon, you were a Dean of Pledges of two lines at Eastern Illinois University and a Brother Charlton said, ‘there is one condition before you can begin.’ I want to ensure that this potential new chapter will have a foundation and they will need a strong Alumni presence in that area. I am aware that there are Kappas in Erie, Pennsylvania. It will take too much time to begin an alumni chapter, but I want you to establish an alumni association in Erie, Pennsylvania, which requires 10 financial members with Grand Chapter.”

Brother Cannon made contact with Larry Meredith – Xi Chapter and for the remainder of that Fall 1982 semester, journeyed to Erie, Pennsylvania to meet with fraternity members to reach that goal of 10 financial members. The goal was achieved in January of 1983. Those financial members were:

  • Larry Meredith – Xi Chapter
  • Scott Law – Beta Epsilon Chapter – California University of Pennsylvania*
  • Jackie Harper – Alcorn State
  • Frank Chance
  • Leonard Jefferson
  • Woody Thompson
  • Taylor Cannon – Beta Chapter
  • Rev Martin – Alpha Omega Chapter*
  • Tim Knupp – Zeta Eta
  • Gary Horton – Cheyney
  • Al Taliaferro – St Paul Chapter
  • Kenneth Evans – Southern University in New Orleans
    • Chapter Invisible

Many of these members became charter members of the Erie (PA) alumni chapter.

In conjunction with Brothers McLendon, Cannon and the Erie Alumni Association, meetings were held at Edinboro State College, Allegheny College and the Elks Club in Erie, PA. It was Beta Epsilon tradition that every pledge class including the swing chapters would be initiated in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. However, given the extraordinary circumstances, it was agreed that the fraternity alumni members in Erie, Pennsylvania would be responsible for the initiation procedures with Brother McLendon and Cannon in Erie, Pennsylvania.

The initial line Kappa Ship Kama Sutra crossed the burning sands into Kappaland on April 26, 2013(April 23,1983). It was communicated that even though the term Kappa Ship was used primarily in the Midwest as a ship crossing the burning sands, the Dean of Pledges stated that this name is indicative of your line, it is by no means what you should use as a tradition for future members into our noble klan under your tutelage. As the first line, you were the recipient of knowledge from members from Beta Epsilon, the South and the Midwest. Use the best of what you learned in creating a new chapter, your future actions will define the type of members that will join in the future.

After Kevin Wright expressed interest to Brother Cannon, the Kappa spark was ignited at Allegheny College. According to Brother Lenny Hampton, this is how he became involved:

“I played ball for Allegheny College, so my enrollment process was different. I didn’t formally meet Taylor for some time. Kev was an equipment manager, and he and TC were talking about getting things started for months. TC charged Kev with getting at least two more guys to get things started. Wendell was interested on his own. Kev talked to me, and I talked to Nick. So we ended up having four at Allegheny. After that, we got invited to an interest meeting at TC’s house in January of 1983. All four of us formed an interest group and met at TC’s house in January 1983. Then when we met Hugh Carter, Dee Odom, and Silko Thomas, the interest group from Edinboro on March 13, 1983. We started our pledge program that same day.

Once our program began, the brothers that pledged us, Taylor especially, put a HUGE emphasis on brotherhood (black men learning how to work together) and focus on goals (follow through in life) as major themes. Another component of the program was teaching you how to shed a weakness. Our pledge process was built around these concepts. We were given tons of personal examples from many Brothers accomplishing and building things together with other black men. We were also given tasks to complete that forced us to rely on each other to complete them. The point was, nationally well known and unknown Brothers share the same focus – ACHIEVEMENT in Every Field of Human Endeavor. That process resonated with me.

So the Ralph Albernathys, Arthur Ashes, and Tom Bradleys of the world were never referenced as “elites” among us but rather, examples of what ALL men can accomplish if they are dedicated. Hence, there was a heavy focus on Excuses, Perhaps, and Invictus. We were taught around these principles.

Our pledge process was enriched in that we were taught “BE” Chapter traditions through my spec, Mike McLendon, Don Smith, and several others. But we were also exposed to and influenced by Xi Chapter traditions via our ADP, Larry Meredith, Delta Pi, Frank “Hadji” Menton (Alpha), Charles “Charlie Nupe” Johnson, Tim “Butter” Knupp, Scott Law, and all BE swing chapters”.

While the prospects at Allegheny were “Kollaborating” with each other in 1982 on how to get to Kappa Land, a simultaneous interest was being sparked at Edinboro University. According to Brother Dee Odom, the road to Kappa Land was being paved at Edinboro as well. Here’s Dee’s recollection of the beginning:

“There were no undergraduate Kappa Alpha Psi (KAPsi) brothers at Edinboro. In fact, there wasn’t a large Black Greek life at Edinboro. It was only Omega Psi Phi (Qs) and Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKAs). However, there were auxiliary groups such Miakas and Kool Phi Kool, which I was a member of as well as future Kappa Brother Ken Scott. I was not familiar with the Kappas although my friend pledged Alpha (Alpha Phi Alpha).

As a member of Kool Phi Kool, one of my activities consisted of participating in a step show at Cal State. This step show moved me a little toward an interest in Greek life. Shortly thereafter the step show, a Nupe from IUP came to Edinboro with some sweethearts and stepped alone in a show. I was impressed. It was after this performance

and vibe I became motivated and interested in KAPsi. During the fall of 1982, Hugh Carter (future Kappa) started a KAPsi interest group at Edinboro. There were about seven to eight guys (may be more) who were interested. However, only three were eventually serious about walking on the path toward Kappa Land – Hugh Carter, Silko Thomas, and myself.

The three of us came back early in January 1983 before school started. This is when we met Taylor and the other prospects at Allegheny. During this time, the three prospects at Edinboro (Hugh Carter, Silko Thomas, and myself) and four prospects at Allegheny (Lenny Hampton, Wendell Oatneal, Nicolas Ward, and Kevin Wright) traveled to Erie and met with the Erie Alumni Group. This is when we paid our Scroller fee and received our Scroller card. Our pledge period began that day, and we formed the line name of Kama Sutra.

Lenny Hampton was the line president, and Hugh Carter was the assistant president. One of my most memorable moments was a trip from Edinboro to Meadville by foot to support my line Brothers. In addition, after I became a Kappa, I realized the fraternity was widespread, and it was a serious undertaking to be considered a Kappa Man. Because of this, I understood how important it was to truly learn the Fraternity’s fundamental purpose. For that, I was eternally grateful. I then felt it was my short-term purpose and responsibility to make sure that every Brother that came after me understood the love of Kappa and to be a good Kappa Man! – Phi Nu!”

Mid 80s
Part Three – Renaissance The 2nd Ship”

The Charter – Established November 21, 1987

The Nu Zeta Charter was established on November 21, 1987. We all know Taylor’s and Mike’s invaluable contribution (Part 1) with jump starting the charter. We all know the contribution that the Kama Sutra line made. There are many names on the charter documents but there are many unsung heroes that completed the process of the establishment of Nu Zeta. Brothers who were DPs, organized fundraising activities, or community service projects are to be commended.

An abundance of communication and dialogue between the East Central Province Polemarch Calvin Heard, the Edinboro Greek and administrative staff, and Brother Ancel Savariau were critical to the process in addition to the attendance of the CRWLC (Brothers Brown, Head and others). It’s because of these efforts that the BE-Edinboro “satellite, swing, or colony” initiative could transition to a self-standing charter. A lot of things had to happen for Nu Zeta to become a chapter. It’s because of the efforts of many on the Renaissance Ship that future lines could be welcomed under the Nu Zeta lineage. If any of these stars did not align, there would be no Nu Zeta.

However, it should not go without saying where Nu Zeta inherited its culture from. Let’s go back a few years. 1968 was a tumultuous period, the civil rights movement, Vietnam War, and racial tensions were at its highest. According to Brother Dwayne Cooper (BE and Pittsburgh Alumni), 1968 or “The Year of the Rebirth” was also a pivotal year for Beta Epsilon. The Rebirth was an expansion of BE which was already active on the campuses at the University of Pittsburgh and California State University, expanded to West Virginia University, which subsequently established their chapter Epsilon Chi. In addition, this was the foundation of expanding BE up the I79 corridor through swing, satellite, or colony chapters, with the goal of these chapters becoming independent chapters. It’s because of BE’s expansion efforts through satellite or swing chapters that the Nu Zeta chapter was a possibility.

The soul of Nu Zeta is a convergence of three elements: 1) The Midwest “Kappaship or Ship” (line) reference introduced but not demanded by Brother Taylor W. “TC” Cannon, Jr., 2) the “BE Love” and swing culture, and 3) the family and leadership environment of the Erie (PA) Alumni Chapter. A lot of gratitude is owed to all of these Good Brothers!