BISHOPVILLE-MANNING-SHAW AIR FORCE BASE
CHAPTER HISTORY

On January 8, 2016, a group of thirteen Kappa brothers united to form an alumni chapter comprised of “Men of Achievement” from Sumter, Clarendon, And Lee Counties. On March 26 of that same year, official notice was given that a charter had been approved by the Grand Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated. The chartering ceremony was held on Saturday, March 26, 2016, at the Mount Zion Enrichment Center, 325 West Fulton Street, Sumter, South Carolina. The issued charter was signed by Province Polemarch E. Delaine Rosemond, Esquire and, from that day forward, the chapter became known as the Bishopville-Manning-Shaw Air Force Base (SC) Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi. Present at the first April meeting were brothers Ashley B. Vaughn I (Polemarch), Kenneth L. Benjamin (Vice Polemarch), Demetrius L. Vaughn (Keeper of Record), Jason P. Fuller (Keeper of Exchequer), Charles E. Capers (Strategus), Cornelius B. Leach (Lieutenant Strategus), Andre’ Mcbride (Reclamation), Ferdinand Burns Jr. (Political Affairs Chairman), Reynaud Jefferson, Ashley B. Vaughn II, Norman F. Brown, David W. Fair, Kenneth D, Dozier, Curtis York.

From 2016-2018, our meetings were held at the Corinth Missionary Baptist Church, located at 25 Community Street, Sumter SC. In 2018, our meeting location was changed to 529 Wise Drive, South Carolina Combat Veterans Headquarters, Sumter, SC. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, more space was needed for social distancing. Therefore, we relocated our meetings to the Venue 118, which is located at 118 S. Main Street. Sumter SC. This establishment is owned by our chapter member, Brother Jeffrey Lampkin.

Two Polemarch's have served the Bishopville-Manning-Shaw Alumni Chapter since being chartered: Ashley B. Vaughn II (2016-2018), and Dr. James R. Munford (2018 - 2024).

In 2018, the chapter began an aggressive reclamation campaign which resulted in our being awarded the Southeastern Province (SEP) Reclamation and Retention Chapter of the Year Awards (Small Chapter) in 2019. Subsequently, the chapter was recognized at the 84th Grand Chapter Meeting as the Reclamation Chapter of the Year, same category. In 2021, the chapter was also selected as the SEP Chapter of the Year (Medium Chapter) and was also recognized at the 85th Grand Chapter Meeting as one of the top four finalists for Chapter of the Year, same category.

Our current membership of brothers is a direct result of the presence we have established in our tri-county area of responsibility, while engaging in the following activities: awarding scholarships, donating Thanksgiving dinners and Christmas toys, mentoring middle and high school students, reading to elementary school students, donating food and clothing to homeless shelters, and sponsoring the Kappa League Program.

Our Kappa League Program was activated on October 16, 2018, under the leadership of Brother Derick Marshall. Within a few months, there were a total of 58 students, with diverse backgrounds, representing Crestwood, Lakewood, and Sumter High Schools, as well as Millwood and Hillcrest Middle Schools. Their first community service activity was on January 3, 2019, when they greeted students from Millwood Elementary School who were returning from their Christmas break. From February 9-11, they attended their first Kappa League Convention, which was help on the campus of Clemson University. On March 23, 2019, they held their first annual Kappa League “Battle of the Boots” Step Show at Lakewood High School. The inaugural Kappa League class was comprised of 12 seniors who were accepted to Morris College, Clemson University, or South Carolina State University, 10 of which received full or partial scholarships. These high school seniors were formally recognized during Kappa League Signing Day, which was held on May 25, 2019.

The chapter has 8 Life Members and holds two positions on the Province Level: Brother Munford, SC Alumni Board Director (2019 - 2024), and Brother Benjamin, Senior Kappa Affairs Chairman (2018 - Present).

We have established ourselves as agents for positive social change within our tri-county area and continue to strive for ACHIEVEMENT IN EVERY FIELD OF HUMAN ENDEAVOR.