Fraternity Founders

Elder Watson Diggs (1883-1947)
First Grand Polemarch, Laurel Wreath Holder

Elder Watson Diggs was born in Madisonville, Kentucky. In the spring of 1908, Diggs graduated from Indiana State normal school in Terre Haute, IN (previously known as Indiana State Teachers College and currently referred to as Indiana State University). In 1909 he entered Howard University but a year later he transferred to Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. There he received his degree in June of 1916. He served as Grand Polemarch for the first six years of the fraternity's existence and in 1924 he was awarded the first Laurel Wreath, the fraternity's hightest recognition for achievement. An educator by profession, he taught in the public schools of Indianapolis, Indiana, where he elevated to principalship. Upon America's entrance into World War I, Diggs resigned from his principalship to enter the Nation's first Officer's Training Camp at Fort Des Moines, Iowa, and was commissioned a lieutenant. After European service with the 368th Infantry, he became a captain in the Reserve Officers Training Corps.

John Milton Lee (1890-1958)

John Milton Lee was born in Danville Indiana on September 7, 1890. He graduated from Danville High School in 1910 and in 1910 entered Indiana University. There he completed three years of pre-medical study. From the beginning, Lee was an active participant in the founding of Kappa Alpha Nu. In 1915, he became a student at Temple University but he was compelled to leave school because of a death in the family. He enlisted in the 349th Field Artillery in March of 1918 and served overseas as a First Class Sergeant and Gunner. His was the first battery of Negro Artillerymen to open fire on an enemy. Vocationally, he was engaged in several enterprises. He conducted a successful catering business in Philadelphia. He organized and served as Vice-president and Secretary of the Mutual Emergency Union and he was also a member of the Board of Managers of the Columbia Community Branch of the YMCA.

Dr. Byron Kenneth Armstrong (1890-1980)
Laurel Wreath Holder

Byron Kenneth Armstrong was born in Westfield, Indiana. In 1909 he entered Howard University where he met Elder Watson Diggs. Together they transferred to Indiana University in the fall of 1910. There he studied philosophy, mathematics, and sociology. After finishing Indiana University, he entered Columbia University where he earned his Master's degree in 1913. His early efforts in the the fraternity earned him the Laurael Wreath in 1935. In 1940 he earned his Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Michigan. He went on to hold teaching position in Florida, Indiana, Kansas, and Oklahoma.

Dr. Guy Levis Grant (1891-1973)
Grand Historian, Emeritus

Guy Levis Grant was born in New Albany, Indiana. He graduated from Scribner High School in 1909, and subsequently entered Indiana University. While there, he majored in chemistry and graduated with the A.B. degree in 1915. In 1920 he received his D.D.S degree from Indiana Dental School; then a part of Indiana University. He served as a member of the Grand Board of Directors and was the Fraternity's Historian. He held memberships in several civic, professional, and business organization as he practiced dentistry in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Dr. Ezra Dee Alexander (1892-1971)

Ezra Dee Alexander was born in Bloomington, Indiana in 1892, the site of Indiana University. He was graduated from Bloomington High School in 1910. He matriculated at Indiana University in the fall of 1910 and was graduated from Indiana University in 1917 with the A.B. degree. He received his M.D. degree from the Medical School of Indiana University in 1919. He practiced medicine in Indianapolis. In 1920, he married Mary Hunter, a teacher in the Indianapolis Public School system. Alexander served several terms as a member of the Grand Board of Directors.

Atty. Henry Tourner Asher (1892-1963)

Henry T. Asher was born in Woodburn, Kentucky in 1892. He moved with his family to Bloomington, Indiana and graduated for Bloomington High School in 1910. Later that year he entered Indiana University. In June of 1914 he received his B.A. degree and a year later he was an instructor at Lincoln Institute in Jefferson City, Missouri. After one year of teaching, Asher entered the graduate school at the University of Illinois. He studied there until 1916 and then transferred to the University of Minnesota. There he received his Master of Arts degree in 1917. In 1928 he was awarded the L.L.B. degree by the Detroit College of Law.

Dr. Marcus Peter Blakemore (1889-1959)

Marcus Peter Blakemore was born in Franklin, Indiana. However, he attended common and high school in Anderson, Indiana. He graduated form high school in 1909 and entered Indiana University the following year. As a roommate of Byron K. Armstrong, he became enthusiastic about the new fraternity and contributed significantly to the establishment of Kappa Alpha Nu. After leaving the university, he organized the Electric Engineering Company, which he operated until he enlisted in World War I. He later entered the Dental School of the University of Pittsburgh, from which he received his D.D.S degree in 1923. He remained in Pittsburgh and maintained a dental practice. Founder Blakemore was very instrumental in the establishment of the Beta Epsilon Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi, at the University of Pittsburgh.

Edward Giles Irvin (1893-1982)
Laurel Wreath Holder

Edward Giles Irvin was born in Spencer, Indiana on August 13, 1893. He graduated from Kokomo, Indiana High School in 1910 and entered Indiana University the same year. He assisted with the founding of Kappa Alpha Nu and served on the fraternity's Incorporation Committee. After leaving Indiana, Irvin pursued a career in journalism. He worked in various cities throughout the country until he served in World War I. After the war he worked on the staff of the Indiana Freeman. In March of 1922, he established the Shining Star, a weekly newspaper in Anderson, Indiana. The success of this venture brought a bid for Irvin's services from the Gary Sun. He accepted the position of editor, but later resigned to become sports editor for the Chicago Daily Bullentin. Irvin later organized and operated the Afro-American Manufacturing Company in Chicago, which produced novelties, candies, and specialties.

Paul Waymond Caine (1891-1922)

Paul Waymond Caine was born in Charleston, Indiana. He attended grade school and high school in Greencastle, Indiana. In 1909, he entered Indiana University and helped the other founders in organizing Kappa Alpha Nu. However, because of a disastrous fire in the fraternity house in which he was employed, he never finished his sophmore year. Caine went into the catering business in his hometown, later attended Columbia University, set up a catering business in Gary, Indiana, and published a book on catering which was copyrighted in 1919. He was instrumental in setting up the Gamma, Delta, and Zeta chapters. He later went into business in Peoria, Illinois and was fatally burned during an explosion of gaseous materials in his business in 1922.

George Wesley Edmonds (1890-1962)

George Wesley Edmonds was born in Vanderburgh County, Knight Township, Indiana on August 13, 1890. He attended Carver Elementary and Clark High School in Evansville, Indiana. He graduated high school in the spring of 1910 and entered Indiana University that fall. There he joined the nine other founders in organizing Kappa Alpha Psi. After he returned home for the summer of 1911, his father became ill with pneumonia and died. George, being the eldest son, became head of the family, thus preventing his return to school. With the new responsiblity of supporting a family, George took a job with the area coal mines and worked with the coal mines and railroads until he died of pneumonia in June of 1962.

Brief Fraternity History

Kappa Alpha Psi, a college Fraternity, now comprised of functioning Undergraduate and Alumni Chapters on major campuses and in cities throughout the country, is the crystallization of a dream. It is the beautiful realization of a vision shared commonly by the late Revered Founders Elder Watson Diggs; John Milton Lee; Byron K. Armstrong; Guy Levis Grant; Ezra D. Alexander; Henry T. Asher; Marcus P. Blakemore; Paul W. Caine; Edward G. Irvin and George W. Edmonds.

It was the vision of these astute men that enabled them in the school year 1910 - 11, more specifically the night of January 5, 1911, on the campus of Indiana University at Bloomington, Indiana, to sow the seed of a fraternal tree whose fruit is available to, and now enjoyed by, college men everywhere, regardless of their color, religion or national origin. It is a fact of which KAPPA ALPHA PSI is justly proud that the Constitution has never contained any clause which either excluded or suggested the exclusion of a man from membership merely because of his color, creed, or national origin. The Constitution of KAPPA ALPHA PSI is predicated upon, and dedicated to, the principles of achievement through a truly democratic Fraternity.

Chartered and incorporated originally under the laws of the State of Indiana as Kappa Alpha Nu on May 15, 1911, the name was changed to KAPPA ALPHA PSI on a resolution offered and adopted at the Grand Chapter in December 1914. This change became effective April 15, 1915, on a proclamation by the then Grand Polemarch, Elder Watson Diggs. Thus, the name acquired a distinctive Greek letter symbol and KAPPA ALPHA PSI thereby became a Greek letter Fraternity in every sense of the designation.

From its inception, and for the next six years, Brother Diggs served as the Grand Polemarch of KAPPA ALPHA PSI Fraternity. Through his leadership and indefatigable application, augmented by the efforts of B.K. Armstrong, and John M. Lee, who comprised the remainder of the original Grand Board of Directors, the infant Fraternity was guided through the most perilous years of its life. Accordingly, much of the credit for the organization's survival through this period is shared by these three men.

From its inception, every endeavor was directed toward establishing the Fraternity upon a strong foundation before embarking on plans of expansion. By the end of the first year, working together, Diggs and Armstrong had completed the ritual and had commenced work on the coat of arms. Work on the latter was completed during the following summer by Diggs, Armstrong and Lee while they were pursuing employment at a hotel in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

In selecting a suitable motto, Diggs, Armstrong and Lee solicited the aid of a Professor of Greek Art at Indiana Technical College at Fort Wayne, Indiana. Having adopted a motto which mutually suited them, they carried a sketch of the coat of arms to a commercial engraver in Fort Wayne, from which he made the first metal plate.

For years, in order to safeguard the ritualistic secrets of the Fraternity, Diggs laboriously typed and bound the rituals. It was not until he moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, where he met an old German printer in whom he had confidence, that he entrusted the esoteric materials of the Fraternity to a commercial printer.

In the spring of 1912 Diggs wrote in a little blue examination book the first Constitution, which was adopted in 1920 with but a few revisions. This edition remained in use until 1926 when it was supplanted by the codified edition jointly written by Diggs, J. Ernest Wilkins, and W. Ellis Stewart. In 1957 the Constitution again underwent major revision.

Now substantially established and provided with a Constitution, Ritual, coat of arms, motto, and guiding hand in a dynamic Grand Chapter, the Fraternity was ready for expansion. In the summer of 1912 Diggs visited the University of Illinois at Urbana, Illinois, where he met Earl B. Dickerson, President of the Old "Illini Club." This club constituted the nucleus of the University of Illinois Chapter, the Beta, which was chartered on February 8, 1913. Gamma Chapter (later changed to Indianapolis Alumni Chapter) was established on December 29, 1913, followed by the establishment of Delta Chapter at the University of Iowa, on March 7, 1914. The latter was subsequently changed to Gamma Chapter, and the designation of Delta assigned to the Wilberforce University Chapter at Wilberforce, Ohio. Epsilon Chapter, Lincoln University, Pennsylvania, was established December 4, 1915, as the first chapter in the East. Elder W. Diggs journeyed from Indiana to give this chapter his personal and official installation, recognition and blessing.

Thus ended the infancy of KAPPA ALPHA PSI, whereupon the Fraternity embarked upon an era of expansion. Except for the years of World War I and II, when several Grand Chapter meetings were suspended, KAPPA ALPHA PSI has grown and prevailed with unabating impetus.

KAPPA ALPHA PSI Fraternity, relatively early, envisioned the modified attitudes of college administrators and administrations regarding certain frivolous activities previously identified with Greek letter organizations; and it initiated appropriate changes. Among the early changes brought about was the banning of paddling and other forms of physical abuse, and the introduction of constructive endeavors during pledgeship and probation. To date, KAPPA ALPHA PSI Fraternity is organizationally and administratively mature. It moves steadily toward a tomorrow of promise, productivity and influence.

www.kappaalphapsi1911.com

Famous Nupes

Business

• Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr.* - Prominent Los Angeles, CA Attorney
• Robert Johnson - BET Founder
• Reginald F. Lewis* - Former CEO of world's largest AA company, TLC
• Percy Sutton - Entrepreneur and Owner of the Apollo Theater
• Lerone J. Bennett, Jr. - Editor
• Keith Clinkscales - CEO/President of Vibe Magazine
• John E. Jacob - Exec VP of Anheuser-Busch, Inc and former CEO, National Urban League
• C.C. Spaulding - First President of North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Co.
• Bert Collins - Current President of NC Mutual Life Insurance
• Edward G. Gartner - President of Soft Sheen Products, Inc.

Civic

• Dr. Rev. Ralph Abernathy* - Civil Rights Leader and former president of SCLC
• Dr. Samuel D. Proctor
• Dr. Rev. Leon Sullivan - Pastor of Zion Baptist Church - Philadelphia, PA
• Rev. Gardner C. Taylor
• Bishop Eddie L. Long
• Rev. Calvin O. Butts - Pastor of Abyssinian Baptist Church - Harlem, NY
• Dr. William Gibson - Former Chairman of the Board of Directors of NAACP
• C. Vernon Mason - Prominent civil rights attorney and activist
• Judge Herman Thomas -State Supreme Court of Alabama, Board of Trustees -University of South Alabama

Education

• Dr. Joseph B. Johnson
• Dr. Harold M. McNeil
• Dr. Robert L. Randolph
• Dr. Dallas Simmons
• Dr. William E. Sims
• Dr. Harrison B. Wilson Jr.
• Dr. Samuel Massie
• Dr. Horace M. Bond - Past president of Lincoln University (PA)
• Dr James Shepherd* - Founder and first president of NCCU
• Dr. Kenneth B. Clark - Prominent social psychologist and researcher
• Dr. C. Eric Lincoln - Author of Black Muslims in America
• Arthur Schomburg - Historian and scholar of African-American culture

Entertainment

• Sterling Robert Macer, Jr. - Director (Mu Epsilon)
• Kenny Burrell - Jazz
• Donald Byrd - Jazz
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• John Singleton - Oscar nominated Director/Screenwriter
• Dr. Billy Taylor - Jazz
• Cedric the Entertainer - Comedian, The Steve Harvey Show
• Joe Clair - Rap City Host
• Tavis Smiley - BET Talk Show Host
• Montell Jordan - R&B Singer
• William Grant Still - Composer and Musician
• William Raspberry - Syndicated Columnist for Washington Post
• Ralph Wiley - Sports Writer and Author
• Whitman Mayo - Actor who starred as Grady on 'Sanford and Son'
• Jester Hairston - Actor who starred as Rolly Forbes on 'Amen'
• Earnest Thomas - Actor who starred as Roger on 'What's Happening'

Government

• Past Grand Polemarch Thomas Bradley - Former Mayor of LA
• John Conyers - Congressman (D-MI)
• Vernon Jones - Georgia State Representative
• George Crockett Jr.- Congressman (D-MI)
• Walter Fauntroy - Congressman (D-D.C.)
• Mayor Elihu Harris - Oakland, CA.
• Judge Carl Stokes - First A-A mayor of a major US city (Cleveland)
• Louis B. Stokes - Congressman (D-OH)
• Mayor Wellington Webb - Denver CO
• Mayor Michael White - Cleveland, OH
• Marvin Arrington - Atlanta City Council President
• Mervyn Dymally - Congressman (D-CA)
• Rep. Alcee Hastings - Florida
• Rep. Albert R Wynn - Maryland
• Rep. Sanford Bishop - Georgia
• Bennie Thompson - Congressman (D-MS)
• Edward Perkins - Ambassador to Australia
• W. Wilson Goode - First AA Mayor of Philadelphia

Military

• Daniel "Chappie" James, Jr. USAF* - First AA 4 Star General , Tuskeegee Airman
• Thomas D. Parham, Jr. USN

Science

• Dr. Bernard A. Harris, Jr. - First Black Astronaut
• Dr. Henry Foster - Surgeon General Nominee

Sports

• Rod Smith- Football (Mu Epsilon)
• Wilt Chamberlain - Basketball
• Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway – Beta Mu Memphis Basketball
• Arthur Ashe* - Tennis
• Ernest Byner - Football – Eta Psi East Carolina Univ.
• Wilt Chamberlain* - Basketball - Mu Chapter Kansas
• Willie D. Davis - Football
• Greg Lloyd - Football
• Kenny Lofton - Baseball
• Bill Russell - Basketball
• Oscar Robertson - Basketball
• Tarras Ross - Football
• Gayle Sayers - Football
• Kerry Kittles - Basketball
• Lorenzen Wright - Basketball - Beta Mu- Memphis
• Jon Drummond - Track and Field
• J.J. Birden - Football
• Bernie Bickerstaff - Basketball
• Rolando Blackman - Basketball
• Danny Manning – Basketball- Mu Chapter Kansas
• Johnny Newman - Basketball Spring 83 Eta Xi VA Commonwealth / Univ. Richmond
• Elliot Perry - Basketball
• Chris Oldham - Football
• Ron Dickerson - Football
• Derek Loville - Football
• Steve Wallace - Football
• Elijah Williams - Football
• Eric Davis - Football
• Larry Finch - Basketball
• Alex English - Basketball
• Alan Henderson - Basketball
• Larry Brown - Football
• Glyn Milburn - Football
• Carl Jackson - Football
• Willie Jackson - Football
• Terry Kackson - Football
• Bob Simmons - Football
• John Chaney - Basketball
• Sam Jones - Basketball
• Allan Houston - Basketball
• Emmett L. Ashford - Baseball Umpire (first black)
• Frederick "Duke" Slater - Football
• Antonio Pettigrew- Track & Field- (Spring 1990 Gamma Omicron St. Augustine’s)
• Kevin Jones- Football- Running Back Detroit Lions (Spring 2003 Theta Psi- VA Tech)
• David Noel –
• Basketball- Milwaukee Bucks (Spring 2003 Theta Omicron- UNC)
• Christopher Barclay- Football- Running Back- Chicago Bears (Spring 2003 Omicron Sigma- Wake Forest)

Objectives of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

1. To unite college men of culture, patriotism and honor in a bond of Fraternity.
2. To encourage honorable achievement in every field of human endeavor.
3. To promote, the spiritual, social, intellectual and moral welfare of members.
4. To assist the aims and purposes of colleges and universities.
5. To inspire to service in the public interest.

Membership Information

Membership is a solemn commitment. To this Fraternity, the maker of the commitment becomes synonymous with the commitment itself. Membership in Kappa Alpha Psi is a lifelong dedication to the ideas and lofty purposes of Kappa Alpha Psi, which considers for membership only those aspirants whose personal, social and academic qualifications are acceptable to both the College and Fraternity.

Expectations concerning maturity and dedication are made upon new members and established members alike.

Maturity is more than simply reaching a certain age. Maturity to us means acceptance of reality, the ability to sacrifice and set goals, consideration of others, incisive judgment, emotional balance, development of social skills, intellectual competence, and moral rectitude. We expect our members to be mature.

Dedication means putting those characteristics of maturity into a lifelong program of action to advance the goals and purposes of Kappa Alpha Psi. We expect our members to be dedicated.

But do not let personal goals supersede those of the Fraternity. A person who feels he would do the Fraternity a favor by joining is not worthy of membership. No one who holds himself superior to the Brotherhood of Kappa Alpha Psi is worthy of this distinction.

Kappa Alpha Psi is not interested in the simple accumulation of members and chapters. Its emphasis, however, is in the quality and integrity of its membership. Membership quality manifests itself through an intangible element of brotherhood we call "that Good Old Kappa Spirit."

Acceptable Qualities of Kappa Alpha Psi Members Include:

• The disposition to live in close companionship with men of similar values.
• The wisdom to abide by the will of the majority without sacrificing individuality.
• The discretion to refrain from destructive criticism while seeking to remove the causes of such criticism.
• The acceptance of responsibility for any effort that moves the group forward.
• The desire to strive for, and ultimately achieve, excellence in everything you do.
• The commitment to train for leadership.
• The resolution to give lifelong financial support and commitment to the maintenance and development of the Fraternity's programs and purposes.