Over 50 years serving the Lansing Area.

The history of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.’s Kappa Delta Lambda Chapter begins in the early 1970s, as members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., who lived in the Lansing area, had the vision to establish an alumni chapter in the Greater Lansing community for brotherhood, scholarship, and community service. Some of these men graduated from Michigan State University (MSU) and were members of the Gamma Tau Chapter on campus. Others had lived and worked in Lansing for several years. Unfortunately, none of them had an alumni chapter to call home. That all changed on May 26, 1972. On that date, after a long, tedious process led by Brother Don Coleman, the Kappa Delta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., (KDL) became the 527th House of Alpha.

Goodwill is the monarch of this house. In concert with Bro. Coleman, the charter members include Brothers Theodore Chavis, Charles Dillard, Rod Gillum, William Harrison, James Theodore Jones, Kirby Kirksey, Blanche Martin, Jeffery Moss, Harry Scott, Lonnie Williams, and Rodney Watts. Bro. Coleman served as the chapter’s first president, Bro. Williams was vice president and Bro. Kirksey was the secretary. The chapter would be later known as the Lansing Alphas. They would continue the esteemed ideals of the fraternity’s national founders, known as the Seven Jewels. In the spirit of developing leaders and promoting brotherhood and academic achievement, the community’s educational, political, economic, and social injustices drove these men to make a difference.

While serving the Lansing area, these men were trailblazers and examples of excellence. Bro. Harrison became the first Black doctor in Lansing. Bro. Coleman was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame and is the first Michigan State Spartan to have his number retired. Bro. Martin became the first Black trustee at MSU. In 1964 Bro. Robert Green and his wife, Lettie, became the first Black family to purchase a house in East Lansing after a long battle of fighting housing discrimination in the city. In 1981, in partnership with the City of Lansing, Bro. Richard Letts started one of the nation’s first commemorative events recognizing Bro. Dr. Martin L. King Jr. Continuing the tradition, KDL and the City of Lansing held its 41st annual Memorial Observance of Rev. Dr. Martin L. King Jr. in January. During the virtual event, the chapter awarded area high school students the Dr. Martin L. King Jr. Citizenship Award. When fundraising began in the 1980s for the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in Washington, D.C., KDL donated more than $15,000 to lead the effort. Since its inception, the chapter has served the greater Lansing community as political and social advocates, mentors, and leaders.

In 1979, the chapter began awarding scholarships to deserving high school seniors. This tradition continues as we reward students with scholarships annually and present them at our Black and Gold Scholarship Ball. Our chapter continues to spearhead community service programs throughout the Greater Lansing area, including voter registration drives, book drives, and food deliveries to the elderly and shut-ins. In addition, during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Lansing Alphas distributed more than 2,000 masks and hand sanitizers to Lansing area residents. KDL has been a beacon of hope by remaining true to the fraternity’s aims of manly deeds, scholarship, and love for all mankind.

In the late 2010’s Kappa Delta Lambda significantly increased chapter membership, and reinvigorated our call and cause throughout the Lansing community. Since that time, the brothers have established the KDL Foundation. This entity is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established for the purposes of developing our community leaders, fostering positive behavioral outcomes among our youth, and providing resources for academic excellence in our Greater Lansing area. Since 2021, the KDL Foundation has partnered with KDL to provide over $20,500 in financial assistance for the furtherance of educational pursuits.

In 2023, the Lansing Alphas were recognized as the 2023 Michigan District Outstanding Alumni Chapter of the Year, and for the distinction of having the 2023 Michigan District Outstanding Alumni Brother of the Year & the 2023 Michigan District Alumni Chapter Charles H. Wesley Brotherhood Award.

In 2024, the Lansing Alphas were recognized by the City of Lansing & Ingham County Board of Commissioners for our outstanding contributions to the Greater Lansing Community.

Notable Brothers that have been members of Kappa Delta Lambda include:

• Bro. Harold Pope, Current President of Lansing Branch of NAACP

• Bro. John James, Current member of US House of Representatives, District 10

• Bro. Robert Green, First Black family to purchase a house in East Lansing

• Bro. Blanche K. Martin, First Black Trustee for Michigan State University

• Bro. William Harrison, First Black doctor in Lansing

• Bro. Darius Williams, Jackson County Commissioner, District 8 and Pastor of Second Missionary Baptist Church of Jackson, MI

• Bro. Myles Johnson, Ingham County Commissioner, District 5

• Bro. Dr. Terrence Fraizer, Lansing Community College Board Trustee and entrepreneur

The brothers of the 527th House of Alpha hold aloft the pride of our chapter’s great history and take great solace in being positive changemakers in our community.