An elderly man became a member of the historically Black fraternity Kappa Alpha Psi after a lifelong dream.
Don Terrell recently celebrated five years as a Kappa and reflected on what his achieved goal has meant to him.
“It’s been a lifelong dream. I wanted to join when I was an undergraduate at Kent State University, but I didn’t have the proper understanding of what Greek organizations meant,” he recalled about his college years.
The 68-year-old dapper man added that he and one of his classmates at Kent initially planned to start a club that would teach his fellow students about Afrocentric foundations on campus, but he dropped out of school prematurely.
“Actually, a friend of mine and I were almost going to start another organization based on the African Foundation, but as time went on, I dropped out of school, got married, had children, and always dreamt of having an association with a Greek organization,” he recalled.
Terrell eventually returned to school and obtained his Bachelor’s degree from Central State University, also in Ohio, in 2008. Following his graduation, he worked at General Motors for over 40 years. However, he never let his dream of joining a Black fraternity go, and, luckily, Kappa Alpha Psi contacted him after he retired.
“Once I put my education on hold, and I was able to get back in school and graduate — I just needed to join because I wanted to finish or accomplish what I started off doing,” he said. “Also, after I put my 42 years in at General Motors when I retired, I wanted to belong. I wanted to become active. I wanted to do things. So I looked at the Black fraternities, and the Kappas ironically approached me.”
Terrell referred to Black organizations as “Black liberation,” but he also compared them to Black churches, which he felt had been a pillar in the Black community for a long time.
“Greek organizations, I feel, are right up there, close to Black churches. And there’s only, like, a handful of black organizations that have a common unity, a unified organization that can bring the Black community together and informs the community as well,” he said.
Making sure he passed on his love for Black organizations, he ensured all four of his daughters, with his late wife, attended and graduated from four different HBCUs of their choosing.
Kappa Alpha Psi was founded in 1911 by ten prominent Black men, including educator Elder Watson Diggs and scholar John Milton Lee at Indiana University Bloomington. Notable members include comedian and actor Cedric The Entertainer and late legendary film director John Singleton.
