The History of Absolute Excellence

The Pasadena Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Chartered March 17, 1961, has long stood as a beacon of achievement and service in Southern California, reflecting the core values as stated in the chapter’s mission statement: achievement, brotherhood, altruism, and integrity. Known as “the diamond in the Crown City,” it is also affectionately known as The Rose City Nupes.

Chartered during the 50th year of the fraternity by twenty distinguished professionals, Pasadena Alumni would become the chapter of choice for brothers in and beyond the San Gabriel Valley. Membership spans professionals in every field of human endeavor. The chartering ceremony was held in the neighboring city of San Marino, further solidifying Kappa’s roots in the Western Province. The Pasadena Alumni chapter gained international prominence in 2019 when chapter member and Pasadena native Gerald Freeny became the first African American to serve as president of the Tournament of Roses, the body that manages and oversees the activities of the world-famous Rose Parade and the New Year’s Day Rose Bowl game.

2002 saw the establishment of Pasadena on the fraternal stage as Brother Curtis Silvers Jr. became the first Western Province Polemarch not initiated in the Western Province. This was not an issue. Brother Silvers led with a calming presence, giving a fresh look at a critical time. The chapter celebrated Brother Silvers’ new position by hosting the Western Province Council the same year. In 2023, Province Polemarch Silvers was honored at the Grand Chapter meeting in Tampa Bay, Florida, by being named the one hundred and twenty-second Elder Watson Diggs Awardee, the first from Pasadena to be recognized on our scroll.

Cultivating a strong presence through decades of civic engagement, mentorship, and leadership development. Pasadena Alumni has consistently embodied the fraternity’s motto, “Achievement in Every Field of Human Endeavor,” with notable contributions across education, public service, and cultural advancement.

 One of the chapter’s hallmark initiatives is its robust commitment to youth empowerment, particularly through its college prep and mentoring programs. In partnership with local schools like John Muir, Marshall Fundamental, Blair, and Pasadena High School, the chapter launched a Pasadena-based Kappa League program to guide young men of color through academic, social, and personal development. Meeting monthly, this initiative provides sustained mentorship from the first year onward, preparing students for higher education and leadership roles. The chapter’s efforts reflect a broader mission to build stronger communities by investing in the next generation of achievers.

As recorded by Brother Jayson Johnson, Chapter Historian Emeritus, September 10, 2025