Fraternity Joins in Celebration of 40th Anniversary of the Election of Carl B. Stokes as First African-American Mayor of a Major American City

(Philadelphia, PA) November 7, 2007: - Grand Polemarch (CEO) Dwayne M. Murray, Esq. announced today that Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. joins the City of Cleveland and the city's Western Reserve Historical Society in celebrating the historical achievement of Carl B. Stokes, on this the 40th anniversary of his election as the first African-American mayor of a "Major" U.S. City.

Calling the late Carl B. Stokes one of the fraternity's most outstanding members, Grand Polemarch Murray said, "Mayor Stokes, along with his Brother Louis, the former congressman and wearer of the Laurel Wreath, which is our fraternity's highest honor, are icons in Cleveland and are two of the most recognized elected officials in the entire state of Ohio."

Currently nearly 50 African-Americans are mayors of U.S. cities - including fraternity members John F. Street of Philadelphia, Adrian Fenty of Washington, DC and several others in smaller cities. "Each of these mayors represents the legacy of Carl B. Stokes," Grand Polemarch Murray said.

The City of Cleveland and the Western Reserve Historical Society have planned a series of events in the Cleveland area over the next few days in honor of Carl B. Stokes. Fittingly, the fraternity, through its Board of Directors also recognized this significant date in American history and the Story of Kappa through the following proclamation:

BE IT RESOLVED, By order of the Grand Board of KAPPA ALPHA PSI FRATERNITY, INC., this day, November 7th, be officially recognized as "Carl B. Stokes Day" throughout the fraternity and all chapters and members recognize it accordingly.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this recognition be noted in the history of the Great Fraternity and filed amongst the permanent archives at our International Headquarters in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Grand Polemarch Murray emphasized the significance of Brother Stokes' life, saying "We are exceedingly proud of the historic accomplishment of Brother Carl Stokes. As the first African-American mayor, he paved the way for which many others have now followed."

For more information on the 40th Anniversary Celebration at Western Reserve Historical Society, and the Carl and Louis Stokes exhibit, Susan L. Hall at 216-7215-722, ext. 225 or www.wrhs.org.