IOTA OMICRON The Genesis


In October 1977, a group of Black undergraduate men met for the purpose of forming a chapter of a national fraternity at Hofstra University, a predominately-white university in Hempstead, New York. We were looking for the fraternity, which could help us develop (1) a true brotherhood among us, (2) service projects for our home communities, and (3) contact with career professionals.

Our search took us to the doors of several fraternities, but it was Brother Melvin Taylor and Herman Rollins of the New York Alumni and Brooklyn- Long Island Chapters, Respectively, of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., who willingly responded to our invitation and visited us on several occasions. Their candidness, obvious commitment and discussions about fraternal brotherhood inspired and excited us about the prospects of being a part of that noble bond..

From the interactions with these brothers, the group overwhelmingly voted to establish a Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Interest Group at Hofstra University. Our goals were to become Kappamen and to establish a Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Chapter at Hofstra. Genesis, which was suggested by Keith Gaskin, was the name adopted by the group..

By December 1977, Genesis was on its way to achieving its first goal. Its first officers were: Russell E. Morgan, Jr., President; Robert E. Crawford, Vice-President; Dwight King, Secretary; Joseph N. Springer, Jr., Assistant Secretary; Yomon Mingia, Second Assistant Secretary; MacDonald Leach, Treasurer; Ronnie A. Reid, Assistant Treasurer; Keith Gaskin, Sergeant-at-Arms; Vincent B. Lewis, Assistant Seargeant-at-Arms. Through resignations, Ronnie A. Reid became Treasurer, Joseph A.E. Jones as Assistant; Vincent B. Lewis became Sergeant-at-Arms and Timothy X. Williams as Assistant..

On April 11, 1978, the New York Alumni Chapter at Kappa Kastle officially pledged the 20 members of Genesis as Scrollers of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., in Harlem, New York City. Brothers’ Melvin Taylor and B Adolphe Barber served as our Dean and Assistant Dean of Pledges. During our Pledge Period, the Genesis Line had a dynamic and influential impact on our campus and in our home communities. Our members were actively involved in many areas of campus life—Student Senate, Organizations of Black Collegians, ROTC, Creative Writing, Mocha Jazz band, Afro-American Fine Arts, Hofstra Gospel Ensemble and Athletics..

Genesis sponsored a symposium at Hempstead High School and neighborhood Harlem Youth Center for high school students, discussing the advantages of attending colleges and university, as well as possible pitfalls to avoid. With the Scroller from Fordham University, we participated in a March on Washington, D.C. protesting the U.S. Supreme Court Bakke Decision on reverse discrimination. To off-set our expenses, we sponsored a raffle with the Black Women Interest Group, the pledges of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, and in the Hofstra Ratskeller, we sponsored our Scroller Disco, where we presented the Genesis Court and crowned Miss Eunice Mang as Queen..

Our Probation period was spent in the New York Alumni Kappa Kastle, under the directions of Brothers Mortimer Lawrence and Darryl Madison from Fordham University Kolony as Probate Marshall and Assistant Probate Marshall, Respectively. On May 31, 1978, The New York Alumni Chapter at 10:16 and 18 seconds p.m., the Genesis Line was initiated into the Fraternity. 18 Scroller Brothers “crossed the burning sands.” The Brother were: Russell E. Morgan, Jr., Carl J. Crawford, Yoman Mingia, Carl A. Brockett, Stephen A. Greenidge, Carey Richmond, Vincent B. Lewis, Joseph N. Springer, Jr., Dwight King, Jefferey D. Johnson, Willie Garrett, Irving E. Davis, Jr., Timothy X. Williams, Ronnie A. Reid, Jospeh A.E. Jones, Ronald L. Knox, Radcliff Richardson and Robert E. Crawford..

On June 29, 1978, Genesis reorganized and began working on its second goal to establish a Kappa Chapter at Hofstra University. Because of the impact the Genesis Scroller Club of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., had made in the Hofstra Community, it was decided to retain the name Genesis for our interim status. During the summer, a Board of Directors meeting was held and plans were prepared for the fall semester. On September 6, 1978, the Inter-Greek Council of Hofstra University officially recognized Genesis, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., as a Greek Organization. The Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, honoring the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority’s new sisters and us sponsored a welcoming reception. A letter of congratulations was received from Frank Smith, the Director of New Opportunities at Hofstra University..

Some of our activities from 1978 semester included (1) participation in the Freshman Orientation Program activities, (2) the Inter-Greek Council’s Greek Show, where we won the most talented Greek Award, (3) Black Solidarity Day activities (4) three informative and impressive Smokers, (5) sponsored the most dynamic disco of the year on Long Island, (6) participated in the Salem Community Services Council, Inc., Self –Help Raffle to aid the Harlem- based Community centers program, (7) sponsored a joint meeting with Alpha Kappa Alpha and Delta Sigma Theta Sororities to discuss future plans to aid the Hempstead Branch of the NAACP..

Genesis Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., has taken its place as leaders and pacesetters on the Hofstra Campus and in the community. On October 28, 1978, the Grand Chapter of our noble Fraternity approved our petition to establish a chapter, Iota Omicron..

Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., became the first predominately Black national Fraternity at Hofstra University. The first officers of the new chapter were: Russell E. Morgan, Jr., Polemarch; Robert E. Crawford, Vice Polemarch; Joseph A.E. Jones, Keeper of Records; Carl J. Crawford, Assistant Keeper of Records for Alumni Affairs; Ronnie A. Reid, Keep of Exchequer, Willie Garrett, Assistant Keeper of Exchequer; Timothy X. Williams, Strategus; Ronald L. Knox, Lieutenant Strategus; Stephen A. Greenidge, Historian; Vincent B. Lewis, Reporter; Radcliff Richardson, Court Chancellor; Joseph A.E. Jones, Jefferey D. Johnson, Vincent B. Lewis, Member-at-Large to the Board of Directors; Mevin Taylor, B. Adolphe Barber, James Harrell, Alumni Advisors; Ronnie A.Reid, chairperson of Financial Development Committee; Yomon Mingia, chairperson of University Concerns Committee; Dwight king, chairperson of Community Concerns Committee; and Carl A. Brockett, chairperson of the Smoker Committee..

From our first meeting to present, Genesis Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., has shown a spirit, progressiveness, quality, creativity and a zeal for achievement. This chapter looks forward to the future and shall continue to grow in that “Good Old Kappa Spirit.”.

Written By,

Brother Russell E. Morgan Jr.