50 Years of Brotherhood and Service: Honoring Brothers Phillip White and William E. King

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50 Years of Brotherhood and Service: Honoring Brothers Phillip White and William E. King

The Richmond (VA) Alumni Chapter proudly celebrates two distinguished Brothers whose lives reflect the very essence of what it means to wear the crimson and cream. Brothers Phillip White and William E. King each mark 50 years in the Bond, representing decades of commitment to the Fraternity, their communities, and the enduring principles of Kappa Alpha Psi.

Their journeys began on different campuses, in different provinces, and under different circumstances—but they converge in a shared legacy of achievement, perseverance, and brotherhood.


Brother Phillip White: A Journey Rooted in Friendship and Service

Brother Phillip White’s path into Kappa Land began in January 1974 on the campus of Elizabeth City State University (ECSU). A proud graduate of Booker T. Washington High School in Norfolk, Virginia, Brother White carried his love for athletics and teamwork into college as a defensive back and punt returner for the ECSU Vikings football team.

It was on the football field—and in the bonds formed there—that his introduction to Kappa Alpha Psi took shape. As a freshman, he developed a close friendship with teammate Warren Leon Thomas (ECSU Class of 1973 / Chapter Invisible 2021), a fellow Virginian from Portsmouth and the only Kappa man on the team.

Brother Thomas’s example, character, and commitment to the Fraternity left a lasting impression on Phillip, inspiring him to seek membership in the Noble Bond. In February 1974, Brother White took a courageous step of interest, attending a Kappa Alpha Psi interest meeting—one of only two students to do so.

Thirteen weeks later, through dedication and resolve, both men achieved their goal and were initiated into the Epsilon Alpha Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated at Elizabeth City State University. Reflecting on that defining moment, Brother White describes it simply yet powerfully: “One of the best decisions I ever made.” His undergraduate years were marked by academic and athletic achievement.

Brother White earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and received recognition as a member of the NAIA District 29 All-District Football Team in 1974, exemplifying excellence in the classroom and on the field. Yet his commitment to Kappa did not end with graduation. In 2022, Brother White became a member of the Richmond (VA) Alumni Chapter, where he currently serves on the Social Action Committee. In that role, he continues to uplift the community through hands-on service and advocacy, living out the Fraternity’s mission beyond the college campus.

In 2024, he further solidified his legacy as a founding member of the Epsilon Alpha Foundation, ensuring that the values and opportunities that shaped his life would be passed on to future generations.

His story is one of humility, quiet leadership, and steadfast dedication to the ideals of achievement and brotherhood. As Brother White celebrates 50 years in Kappa Alpha Psi, the Eastern Province salutes a life defined by loyalty, service, and an unwavering commitment to the Fraternity’s highest standards.


Brother William E. King: Leadership, Legacy, and a Family of Kappas’ Brother

William E. King’s journey into the Bond began just one year later, on March 8, 1975, when he was initiated into the Beta Psi Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated at Kansas State University in the Middle Western Province. He proudly entered the Fraternity as #2 on the line known as “The Positive Five,” beginning a lifelong path of leadership and influence.
From the very start, Brother King distinguished himself as a servant-leader. During his undergraduate years, he served two terms as Polemarch of the Emporia State University Colony in Emporia, Kansas, guiding and shaping the direction of young men seeking full chapter recognition.

After completing both his undergraduate and graduate degrees in Art Education and Counseling Education, Brother King began a professional career dedicated to student development and mentorship. He served as Assistant to the Dean of Students and as Graduate Advisor to the undergraduate colony at Emporia State University, blending his professional expertise with his fraternal passion.

His most enduring fraternal achievement came through persistence and vision. Alongside the undergraduate brothers, Brother King spent several years petitioning the Middle Western Province Polemarch, Charles McAfee, and the Grand Chapter for full chapter recognition. Their efforts were rewarded on November 17, 1984, when—supported by Brother McAfee and then-Grand Polemarch Robert Gordon—the Emporia State Colony was officially chartered as the Mu Alpha Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated.

Brother King is proudly recognized as the Advisor of Record for this milestone accomplishment, a testament to his commitment to building sustainable legacies within the Fraternity. In 1987, he further affirmed his dedication by becoming a Life Member. His fraternal journey has since spanned multiple alumni chapters, including Topeka (KS), Providence (RI), and Richmond (VA), reflecting a lifetime of service across provinces and regions.

Kappa Alpha Psi is not just a personal commitment for Brother King—it is a family legacy. He proudly shares that two of his brothers, Retired Air Force Lt. Colonel Raymond “Sky” King and Robert “Bobby” King, along with three nephews, have also been initiated into our Noble Clan. His family’s deep roots in Kappa stand as a living testament to the power of brotherhood across generations.

As he reflects on 50 years in the Bond, Brother King expresses heartfelt gratitude to the many Brothers who shaped his journey, supported his growth, and walked alongside him through decades of service. He also extends special thanks to the Brothers of the Richmond Alumni Chapter for recognizing this momentous milestone. A Shared Legacy of Honor and Achievement.

Though their paths into Kappa Alpha Psi began on different campuses and in different provinces, Brothers Phillip White and William E. King share a powerful common thread: a lifelong commitment to honorable achievement in every field of human endeavor. Brother White’s story highlights the transformative power of mentorship and example—how one friendship on a football team sparked a journey of five decades of service.

Brother King’s legacy reflects visionary leadership, institutional impact, and the building of chapters, leaders, and even a family tradition rooted in Kappa. Together, their lives illustrate the enduring strength of the Fraternity’s mission. They remind us that Kappa Alpha Psi is not merely an organization, but a lifelong bond—one that calls men to lead, to serve, and to uplift wherever they are planted.

As the Eastern Province honors these two Golden Brothers, we celebrate not only the years they have given to Kappa Alpha Psi but the countless lives they have touched along the way. Their stories stand as living chapters in the ongoing chronicle of our Noble Fraternity—chapters filled with purpose, perseverance, and pride in the crimson and cream.

Congratulations to Brothers Phillip White and William E. King on 50 years of excellence, leadership, and unwavering devotion to Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated. May their legacy continue to inspire generations of Brothers yet to come.