Achievement Never Looked So Good
“The suit isn’t just a look,” says Brother Devin Davison, “it’s a statement.” Kappa Alpha Psi, one of America’s oldest Black fraternities, was founded in 1911 with a mission rooted in achievement, brotherhood, and social impact. Over 110 years later, the Delta Eta chapter—established in 1952 and nicknamed “The Demon of the East” and “Six Figure Nupes”—carries on this legacy; it combines style with purpose. Founded during a time of racial segregation, Delta Eta has built an image of resilience and service that resonates throughout Philadelphia, especially on campuses like Drexel University, and fashion is one of its tools.
For Delta Eta, fashion goes past the clothes they wear. It shows a commitment to excellence, respect, and determination. “Why the emphasis on style?” you might wonder. Because for Delta Eta, looking sharp isn’t just about appearance—it’s about representing values. “It’s a way to show individuality while still repping the values and vibe of the frat. It lets me stay true to myself while being part of something bigger.” Says Brother Cason Jones. Whether they’re in personalized suits, different approaches to streetwear, or coordinated casual attire, the brothers use fashion to communicate their adaptability and high standards, regardless of the occasion. Each look is intentional, signaling that they’re always prepared to lead and represent their fraternity’s values with pride.
Service is at the heart of Delta Eta and is approached with as much style as substance. Through community projects across their campuses, brothers show up with purpose—polished and intentional in their appearance. “Pretty Wednesday,” one of Delta Eta’s well-loved traditions, is a great example of this. On these days, brothers don professional attire and hand out roses to women on campus as a gesture of appreciation and respect. This act isn’t just about looking good; it’s about building connections and showing that service and professionalism can thrive together. It’s through these small, thoughtful gestures that Delta Eta demonstrates its commitment to uplifting others with grace and unity. "Now, with us as Kappa men, we know that fashion is heavy for us because when people look at Kappas, they look at how distinct their attire is and how our level of fashion is always unmatched. With us showing up to events in suit and ties or walking around campus in our best-dressed fashion, that sets a high precedent that we are men of distinction and class, which is very important.” Said Brother Reese Green.
As a presence on predominantly white campuses like Drexel, Delta Eta bridges Black culture, pride, and tradition. It embodies honor, resilience, and dignity through its style and actions. Seeing Delta Eta members dressed in their signature red and white or carrying fraternity canes sparks curiosity, inviting others to learn about and appreciate the heritage and pride they bring to campus. Their sharp, unified style is a constant reminder of Black excellence, breaking down barriers and creating spaces for dialogue. “Fashion has a huge impact on how others see us. What we wear is like a first impression, and it can reflect our culture, creativity, and personality,” says Brother Cason. They bring people in, not for their benefit but to give their community something better. Delta Eta is committed to promoting financial literacy and addressing the wage gap. Each year, they host events and workshops focused on essential financial habits and practical steps for growth. Through its partnership with the Economic Justice Partnership, Delta Eta offers a cohort program that teaches financial literacy and provides students with a stipend to apply their skills in real-life scenarios.
In today’s digital world, Delta Eta’s influence reaches well beyond Drexel’s campus, thanks to social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Through these channels, the chapter shares glimpses of its style, service, and daily fraternity life, so much so that it has become a trend for teenagers, especially girls, to imitate them. Even though this is highly advised against, brothers can’t help but laugh. This digital presence has helped showcase the fraternity’s style and inspired others to celebrate the look and legacy of Kappa Alpha Psi. Since COVID-19, Delta Eta’s online activity has helped reinforce their reputation as the “pretty boys” on campus, balancing in-person presence with a digital following that broadens its impact. “Being labeled as a ‘pretty boy’ is almost a double-edged sword. It gives you a reputation of constantly being presentable wherever you are; a particular standard is put on your appearance. We use it to our advantage by drawing attention to our events and, more importantly, the chapter's mission and fraternity as a whole. The pretty boy aspect draws people in, and they can see that we’re more than just frat brothers,” says Brother Jene Baquet.
For Delta Eta, achievement goes beyond personal milestones—it’s a promise to uplift communities, inspire change, and lead with dignity. These brothers take the mission of Kappa Alpha Psi and transform it into action, whether through community cleanups, campus-wide mental health talks, or handing out roses on Pretty Wednesday. Their sharp style and coordinated efforts are more than surface-level—they’re symbols of a deeper purpose: to challenge stereotypes, create opportunities, and leave a lasting legacy of Black excellence on predominantly white campuses. In their eyes, achievement is about showing up for others, blending tradition with innovation to redefine leadership and community impact.