In 2002, it all began for the Crystal City Nupes of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., located in Corning, NY, when Brother Emery Gary (Atlanta

Alumni) felt it was time for the community to see what Kappa Men were made of. He felt that it is was more to the Corning area besides just going to work and coming home to his family every day. But in essence, what really sparked his enthusiasm was that there were other men of Kappa

Alpha Psi Inc. in the area, and as a result, they could all make a difference in the community.

 

In March 2002, Brother Gary invited Gregory Thomas (Theta Iota), Elijah Baity (Nu), William Blanchard (Omicron Theta), and Jerome Nuckles

(Gamma Phi) to meet at his home to discuss how they could give back to the community. Brother Roosevelt Dillard (Sigma) was on work

assignment in Japan at the time, but still found time to give back. Though they all had socialized and enjoy each other’s company in the past, this was a meeting for the augmentation of a glorious journey that these men would establish in the Greater Corning/Elmira Area. This meeting was to

continue the Bond and objectives of Kappa Alpha Psi after their school days were done. This meeting was to strategize how they would continue to

be leaders in the community and give back to the community through service and good works.

 

The Crystal City Nupes in their infancy came together under the enthusiasm of Emery Gary to mentor an elementary school student who was

struggling in academics and lacking a father figure. He was the first collective mission that the Bond of Kappa Men of Corning initiated. Their

involvement consisted of tutoring him in academics, taking him to football games, baseball games, soccer games and other places to expand his

horizon on life. The young man was included in the members’ family gatherings and outings. This relationship lasted for 4 years until the young

man graduated from the 9th grade; he is now a graduate of Corning Community College and enlisted in the Navy. Members continue to stay

connected.

 

In the next phase of development, these achievement driven men decided that helping students was great but they wanted to have a broader impact.

The idea by brothers Baity and Nuckles of a Sweetheart Ball to raise money for scholarships was brainstormed during a chapter meeting.

Brother McGary suggested a fund be established with a local foundation to manage the scholarship funds and an initial goal of $25,000 was set.

From those discussions the first sweetheart Ball was manifested in 2006 at the Hilton Garden Inn Hotel as a fundraiser for scholarships. This

fundraiser event soon became one of the most highly anticipated and attended events in the Corning/Elmira area. In 2008, Brother Steve McGary

suggested a golf outing fundraiser to grow our scholarship fund faster. The Kappa Alpha Psi Sweetheart Ball and Kappa Alpha Psi Golf Outing has

become our two signature fundraising annual events. Our scholarship fund that has been established with the Community Foundation of the

Elmira-Corning Area has exceeded our initial goal and continues to grow.

 

Bob Hairston was the first man the Bond sponsored for initiation through the Rochester (NY) Alumni Chapter in 2006. In 2007, these noble men

became connected with the Syracuse Alumni Chapter and were active in the Corning area as well as participating in Syracuse events and meetings.

In the following years, with the help of the Syracuse Alumni Chapter, Ivan Jubilee and Kevin White were initiated in 2008 and 2010 respectively.

In 2012 the bond of brothers in the Corning Elmira area came together to develop a strategic plan to become an alumni chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi

Fraternity Inc., and to expand the mission of the bond. The Corning Elmira (NY) Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, take pride in being very

active in the community as Deacons, Trustees and Ushers within the local churches and also being known as leaders in other local non-profit

organizations that benefit the community.