Our Founders
The Founding Brothers of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated are Elder Watson Diggs, Byron Kenneth Armstrong, John Milton Lee, Henry Tourner Asher, Marcus Peter Blakemore, Guy Levis Grant, Paul Waymond Caine, George Wesley Edmonds, Ezra Dee Alexander, and Edward Giles Irvin.
The Founders sought one another’s company between classes and dropped by one another’s places of lodging to further discuss the means of formulating the fledgling fraternity in an effort to relieve the depressing isolation. They found that through these close interactions, they had common interests, and a close bond began to emerge. The organization was given the temporary name of Alpha Omega while they further developed the formation of the organization. Diggs presided as president, while Irvin was assigned as interim secretary of Alpha Omega. Alpha and Omega, the Greek alphabet’s first and last letters, correlate to Christ and the Founder’s relationship and connection to the church.
Elder Watson Diggs
Elder Watson Diggs was one of the ten founders of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and is known as “The Dreamer” for his vision of the fraternity. He helped found Kappa Alpha Psi at Indiana University in 1911 to support Black students facing discrimination. Diggs became the fraternity’s first Grand Polemarch, helped create its constitution and Coat of Arms, and wrote the Kappa Hymn.
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John Milton Lee
John Milton Lee was one of the ten founders of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.. Born in Danville, Indiana, in 1890, he attended Indiana University and helped found the fraternity in 1911. Lee later became a physician after earning his medical degree from Howard University. He practiced medicine in Indiana and was known for his dedication to leadership, scholarship, and service throughout his life.
Byron Kenneth Armstrong
Byron Kenneth Armstrong was one of the ten founders of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and was known as a scholar and visionary leader. Born in Westfield, Indiana, in 1892, he attended both Howard University and Indiana University, where he helped found Kappa Alpha Psi in 1911 alongside Elder Watson Diggs. Armstrong helped create the fraternity’s motto, badge, and Coat of Arms, and later served as the first Grand Strategus and Grand Historian. He also became an educator and earned a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan.
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Henry Tourner Asher
Henry Tourner Asher was one of the ten founders of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.. Born in Kentucky in 1890, he attended Indiana University and helped found the fraternity in 1911. Asher was known for supporting education, equal rights, and community service. He later earned a law degree, served in World War I, and worked as an educator and attorney.
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Guy Levis Grant
Guy Levis Grant was one of the ten founders of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.. Born in New Albany, Indiana, in 1891, he attended Indiana University and helped found the fraternity in 1911. Grant was known for preserving Kappa’s history and served as Grand Historian for 16 years. He later became a dentist in Indianapolis and was active in community service and charitable work. The Guy Levis Grant Award was later named in his honor for outstanding undergraduate achievement in the fraternity.
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Edward Giles Irvin
Edward Giles Irvin was one of the ten founders of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.. Born in Spencer, Indiana, in 1893, he attended Indiana University and helped found the fraternity in 1911. Irvin later became an educator and school administrator, dedicating much of his life to education and leadership. He was also active in the fraternity and helped strengthen Kappa Alpha Psi’s early growth and development.
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Marcus Peter Blakemore
Marcus Peter Blakemore was one of the ten founders of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.. Born in Franklin, Indiana, in 1889, he attended Indiana University and helped found the fraternity in 1911. Known as “Blakie,” he played an important role in establishing the fraternity and even helped raise money for its incorporation. After leaving Indiana University, he served in World War I and later became a dentist after graduating from the University of Pittsburgh Dental School
George Wesley Edmonds
George Wesley Edmonds was one of the ten founders of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.. Born in Tennessee in 1890, he attended Indiana University and helped found the fraternity in 1911. Edmonds later became a physician after earning his medical degree and devoted his career to serving his community through medicine and leadership. He remained committed to the ideals of achievement and brotherhood throughout his life.
Erza Dee Alexander
Ezra Dee Alexander was one of the ten founders of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.. Born in Bloomington, Indiana, he attended Indiana University and helped found the fraternity in 1911. Alexander later earned a medical degree, served in the Army Medical Corps during World War I, and practiced medicine in Indianapolis for nearly 50 years. He also remained active in Kappa Alpha Psi leadership and helped establish the Indianapolis Alumni Chapter.
Paul Waymond Caine
Paul Waymond Caine was one of the ten founders of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.. Born in Greencastle, Indiana, in 1890, he attended Indiana University and helped found the fraternity in 1911. Caine later became an educator and school principal, dedicating his career to education and youth development. He was known for his leadership, professionalism, and commitment to the fraternity’s ideals.