Men’s group revives Kappa Alpha Psi presence in Sussex

The Lewes Men of Achievement is a group of 21 men working to enrich Sussex County through community service and youth mentoring initiatives. The organization, founded in October 2024, was created to restore the presence of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. in the local area after nearly three decades without an active chapter.

The members include college-educated men who come from numerous professional occupations. Affiliates include law enforcement officers, educators, doctors, lawyers, businessmen and entrepreneurs. Everyone is a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., and is bonded by the organization's fundamental purpose of "achievement in all fields of human endeavor."   

“For the most part, we decided to come together for two reasons,” said Chair Cliffvon Howell. “No. 1: the area could use it. And No. 2: because there has been a vacancy in the presence of our fraternity brothers, particularly in this area, for almost three decades, and so we thought that now was the time to come together and kind of restore what used to be.”

Lewes has long been part of Kappa Alpha Psi’s story in Delaware. Back in 1947, Dr. Idel W.E. Taylor of Lewes helped start the state’s first undergraduate chapter at Delaware State College, and several of the original members came from Lewes. Local Kappas made their mark with community traditions like the Jolly Jills Parade and Miss Sussex County Pageant, and leaders such as former Lewes Mayor George H.P. Smith left a strong legacy. While that presence eventually faded, the Lewes Men of Achievement are now working to bring it back.

Howell spoke about the lasting impact the late George H.P. Smith had on him.

“He became ill about two years after I was initiated into the fraternity,” said Howell. “And I know through speaking to his widow that I’m the last person he endorsed for membership in the fraternity, and he was as fine a fraternity man as has ever been known. I feel personally compelled to continue that legacy as a young boy from Lewes who grew into a man who does impactful things. And as someone who was introduced to the fraternity by him, I feel it is my obligation to continue to serve in likeness of him.”

Since its founding, the members of Lewes Men of Achievement have organized several charitable projects. Their efforts include adopting a local DART bus shelter, supporting food and clothing drives for families and children in need, and helping provide holiday meals and toys across Sussex and Kent counties. They’ve also partnered on events such as a community health forum, the Juneteenth Freedom Day Parade and a social justice rally that drew more than 300 people. The group has also hosted a summer barbecue fundraiser in Lewes to raise money for youth mentoring initiatives. The Lewes Men of Achievement plan to remain active with a full calendar of service initiatives. 

The long-term goal of the organization is to establish an official graduate chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi in Lewes. This would unlock access to various national fraternity programs, including Kappa League, the oldest continuous youth mentoring program in the United States. Members hope to obtain this in the next year. 

Part of the group’s mission is to reach other Kappa Alpha Psi members in Sussex County and invite them to join in their community work. If interested, they should reach out to Chairman Cliffvon Howell at cliffvon.howell@gmail.com. 

“We’re here and active,” said Howell. “Beyond graduation, we join graduate chapters. And once we join graduate chapters, we serve for the rest of our days. We want them to know that if they are interested in fellowship and service with us, to please contact me, and we will make that connection so that we can continue the service of Kappa Alpha Psi.”