History of the West Chester-Coatesville (PA)Alumni Chapter

The idea for the West Chester-Coatesville Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi can be traced directly to the 2012 arrival of the Rev. Dr. Wayne E. Croft Sr. as the Pastor of St. Paul’s Baptist Church of West Chester, PA. West Chester, a borough in and county seat of Chester County, Pennsylvania, is approximately thirty-five miles west of Philadelphia.

Prior to the chapter’s formation, Brothers would travel from their local homes to their respective chapters in Wilmington, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Norristown, Chester, and Abington-Ambler for membership. Having a chapter local to them would mean that Brothers could serve the areas where their family, friends, and neighbors live.

After mailing personal invitations to every Brother that resided in Chester County, an interest meeting was held by the group of Kappa men on December 9, 2019 at St. Paul’s Baptist Church.

After manyvery successful meetings of the interest group, a vote was made to change the name of the group from the Chester County Interest Group to the West Chester-Coatesville Interest Group to reflect the areas where the majority of the Brothers in attendance lived and the primary locations where we would focus our service-related efforts. The city of Coatesville, also in Chester County, is 17.5 miles west of West Chester.

After the March 9, 2020 meeting, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic a few days later forced the group to meet virtually. However, the pandemic did not slow down the efforts of the interest group to continue meeting. Brothers planned future programming and partnerships with the Bridge Academy & Community of Coatesville, PA, and the Charles A. Melton Arts & Education Center in West Chester, PA, During this time, the West Chester-Coatesville interest group participated in food and supplies deliveries, Thanksgiving meal giveaways, and Christmas toy drives with the Bridge Academy, and clean-up activities and basketball team sponsorships with the Melton Center, as well as gala sponsorships with both organizations.

The West Chester-Coatesville Interest Group formally submitted an official petition to become a chapter to the Northeastern Province of Kappa Alpha Psi in the Fall of 2021.On March 15, 2022, the 28th Northeastern Province Polemarch, Christopher J. Thompkins, received approval from the Grand Board of directors to grant the West Chester-Coatesville interest group chapter status. Soon after, a chartering ceremony was held on Saturday, May 7, 2022 at St. Paul’s Baptist Church of West Chester, PA, and the West Chester-Coatesville Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated. was born.

In addition to Province Polemarch Christopher J. Thompkins, the West Chester-Coatesville Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi recognizes the following officers of the 28th NEP Administration for their support:  Ted Sanchious, Senior Province Vice Polemarch, Daren Brantley, Southern Region Alumni Board Member, Richard Horton, Assistant to the Southern Region Alumni Board Member, Stefan Roberts, Chief of Staff to the Province Polemarch, and Joseph Bryant, Jr., Deputy Chief of Staff to the Province Polemarch.

Chartering Brothers: Koreem Bell, Orville Brissett, Justice Brown, Sr. Joseph Bryant, III, Anthony Carter, Sr., Wayne E. Croft, Sr., Wayne E. Croft, Jr., Webb Hallman, Sr., Akeem Franklyn, Mike Jackson, Robert Jefferson, Eric Jones, Richard King, Rashad Kirby, Thomas Lambert, Harry Lewis, Jr., Vincent Miles, Robert Murray, Michael Pennyman, Steve Perry, Michael Riddick, Richard Roberts, III, Aaron Walton, Reginald Ward, Vaughn Whitmire, and Donald Williams

Additional Active Brothers at the time of chartering: Hiram Will Mega Ashantee, Eric Becoats, Corey Sebro, L. Jackson Thomas, II, Ron Toole, Jr., Kenneth Q. Williams

 

 

The West Chester-Coatesville Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. will continue strive for excellence using the examples learned from fellow Kappa men and chapters of this most noble clan.

A Higher Service

The West Chester-Coatesville Alumni Chapter is ready to serve on both the Northeastern Province and Grand Chapter level.

Brother Position Year(s)
Dr. Koreem Bell Province Asst. KOR 2006-2011
Dr. Koreem Bell NEP Achievement Academy Chair 2019-Present
Joseph Bryant, III Achievement Awards Committee Member 2019-Present

Italicized text denotes Grand Chapter Positions

Noteworthy Achievements

Here are some of the most noteworthy achievements from the Brothers of the West Chester-Coatesville Alumni Chapter:

  • Brother Rev. Dr. Wayne E. Croft Sr. gave the Keynote Address at the 2012 Northeastern Province Founders’ Day
  • Brother Joseph Bryant, III is a 2021 recipient of the Samuel C. Hamilton Alumni Achievement Award and member of the Alpha Klass of Kappa Fellows
  • There were thirty-two active Brothers at the time of West Chester-Coatesville’s chartering in 2022. Of the thirty-two, four were NEP Life Members, and eleven were Life Members on the Grand Chapter Level.