History

CHAPTER HISTORY

The Little Rock Alumni Chapter was the 1st Chapter to be chartered in the State of Arkansas on August 8, 1938.

In 1936, there were over fifteen brothers in the State of Arkansas, who had been initiated into the fraternity at different colleges. They desired to have a chapter started. Contact was made to the brothers throughout the state by letters and telephone messages.

In the spring of 1938, seven brothers from Little Rock and Pine Bluff came together to form a club named Kappa’s of Arkansas. They solicited the aid of Oliver W. Crump, a professor at Wiley College, who at the time was Polemarch of the Southwest Province.

History and Purpose of the Little Rock Alumni Chapter

Building Bonds, Creating Leaders

The Little Rock Alumni Chapter has a rich history rooted in the values of brotherhood, leadership, and community service. Established to foster lifelong connections among alumni, our chapter emphasizes the importance of social engagement and personal development. Through various activities and events, we aim to uphold the principles of our fraternity while making a positive impact in our community.

Charter Members

  • Harry P. Browne

    Mu Chapter, University of Kansas. Doctor of Pharmacy; Meharry Medical College (MDD) College Physician at AM&N (UAPB), also a Practicing Physician, Pine Bluff, Arkansas.

  • Hugh A. Browne

    Mu Chapter, University of Kansas (AB), Howard University (MD). The first Superintendent and Medical Director of the McRae Sanitarium, a State Institution for Black Tubercular patients. It was located 15 miles west of Little Rock. One of the four physicians that integrated the white medical society. Pulaski County, State of Arkansas, AMA and the Hospitals. A recognized authority on tuberculosis. Second Polemarch of the chapter, fifth Provincial Polemarch of this province, and Chairman of the Old Extension Committee of the Grand Chapter that regulated the initiation of both undergraduate and alumni brothers the establishment of chapters at the various colleges in the United States. 33rd Degree Mason – Alexander, Arkansas.

  • Sherman L. Green

    Delta Chapter, Wilberforce University (AB), Payne Seminary (DD). A former President of Campbell College, Jackson, Mississippi, Chancellor of Shorter College, Presiding Bishop of the AME Church, 12th Episcopal District. A delegate to the World Peace Conference in 1938, Oxford, England. Little Rock, Arkansas.

  • Howard L. “Squat” Johnson

    Pi Chapter, Morehouse College, Clark University (AB), Atlanta University (MA). All American Basketball Player. President of Old Dunbar Junior College established Johnson Enterprise, which consisted of The Charmaine Hotel, Restaurant and Business School. Football coach Philander Smith College, President of Arkansas Baptist College. Third Polemarch of the chapter. Established Beta Tau and Gamma Sigma Chapter, Fourth Provincial Polemarch, Delegate of the Grand Chapters of the fraternity. Little Rock, Arkansas.

    Howard was a 1927 initiate of the Moorehouse College Chapter, The Pi of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Johnson was an all-American basketball player at Clark Atlanta which led to his career as an educator (coach and college president) and entrepreneur. As an educator he was the football coach at Philander Smith College and President of both Old Dunbar Junior College and Arkansas Baptist College. As an entrepreneur, he established Johnson Enterprises that f The Charmaine Hotel, Restaurant and Business School. On August 3, 1938, Johnson became one of the seven charter members of the Little Rock (AR) Alumni Chapter. He served as the 5th Polemarch of the Little Rock Alumni Chapter and was appointed Southwestern Province Polemarch in 1946 by 12th Grand Polemarch Augustus Parker.

  • John D. “Brute” Russel

    Delta Chapter, Wilberforce University (BS). Assistant Football Coach AM&N College (UAPB). Later he was hired as the Football Coach at Dunbar High School. During his tenure of four years, he had three championship teams. Pine Bluff, Arkansas (deceased).

  • Dr. Oba B. White

    Mu Chapter, University of Kansas (AB), Meharry Medical College (MD). Staff Physician, McRae Memorial Sanitarium, and Assistant Superintendent United Friends Hospital, one of the four that integrated with the White Medical Society, Pulaski County, State, and AHA. First black elected to the Pulaski County Academy of Family Practice where he served as secretary for two years and president for two years. Staff physician at Baptist Medical System Hospital, St. Vincent Infirmary, and the Missouri Pacific Hospital. Keeper of Records and Exchequer of the Little Rock Alumni Chapter for thirty years. Chaired the Old National Extension Committee of the Grand Chapter – Sixth Provincial Polemarch. Established the Pine Bluff Alumni Chapter while Provincial Polemarch. Elder W. Diggs Laureate. First Black Member of the Chamber of Commerce where he later served as Director for three years. 33rd Degree Mason. A practicing physician, Little Rock, Arkansas. He was National Chairman of the Life Membership Committee for ten years. He increased the membership from 1870 to 4612 members with 1200 subscribers.

  • A. O. Wilson

    Delta Chapter, Wilberforce University, Payne Seminary (DD) President Shorter College, Presiding Elder, Pastor of Bethel AME Church, the largest church in the state. The First Polemarch of the Little Rock Alumni Chapter. Little Rock, Arkansas.