Winter Park (FL) Alumni
member to understand the history of Kappa and the structure that has been put in place to implement the dynamic blue print that has given life to and sustained our “Dear Ole Kappa.” It is important that members of Kappa Alpha Psi ® un- derstand the importance of incremental achievement, starting at the local chapters, provinces and national levels. The brothers who serve at these levels will come to learn the traditions and protocol that has enabled Kappa leadership to govern and ensure implementa- tion of the vision of our Founders and the governance set forth in our Constitution and Statutes. There are brothers at each level who anxiously wait to train others for leadership. Achievement is dependent upon learning humility and applying training at all levels to the needs of the communities we serve. It is ultimately important to learn and participate at every level of the fraternity. Looking back with reverence at that sacred day when the doors opened at the Mystic Shrine, and each of us embraced the Christian principles on which Kappa was founded, and dedicated ourselves be active participants in every field of human endeavor, an achievement that is doable when we walk and work in the footprints of our Founders and historic leaders, and reach out to our great brothers who have continuously presented them- selves as the “Kappas of Our Dreams”. The local chapters are important as well as the commu- nities they serve. The Province is important as a vehicle for overseeing assisting local chapters in a respective region to implement the programs and initiatives of the fraternity. The Grand Chapter is highest governing authority of the fraternity. It is there that brothers are empowered to make Kappa as great as it can be. It’s a place where brothers can gather in a national corporate environment and share ideas and experiences. Journal: What does the Elder Watson Diggs Award mean to you? ETT: The Elder Watson Diggs Award represents a high honor that a local chapter can seek on behalf of one of their members. It is the award deemed to be the second highest award given to a member. It is an award that should not be sought by members, but an award, that by definition seeks those who have earned it through their work. For me, this award means that my brothers exam- ined my work product in Kappa Alpha Psi and beyond, and compared it with work products by other hard- working brothers. It means to me that my brothers saw something that met the standards for this coveted award in the award petition that was reviewed in competition. The Elder Watson Diggs Award that I humbly and grate- fully wear around my neck, represents an opportunity
for me to forever share my love and zeal for the work we must do if the great ship of Kappa is to remain dominant among Greek-lettered fraternities and sororities around the world, with particular emphases on the “Divine Nine” organizations, who share similar goals and objectives, and sincere dedication to such Christian principles as written in Matthew 25:40; “And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me.” Looking back on “rewind”, we see and remember the unthinkable barriers that stood in the way of our Found- ing brothers. We look back at the life, work, vision and dreams of one our Founders, Elder Watson Diggs. On “re- wind” we see the plight of our people, and the subjugation that they endured and prayerfully overcame as best they could. The Elder Watson Diggs Award means to me, that all organizations who labor in the vineyard on the behalf of “the least of these” fall under the umbrella of human- kind that dares to good and have mercy and compassion for their fellowman. All of this is what the Elder Watson Diggs Award means to me. Journal: Describe your feelings when you were conferred the Elder Watson Diggs Award? ETT: When I was first approached by a brother seeking to have me agree to brothers seeking the Elder Watson Diggs Award on my behalf, my response was “NO!” As numer- ous brothers came to me pushing back on the reasons I gave for not having them go forth with a petition, I yielded to their requests, recognizing that they believed that the award had sought me, and that it was not about me, but their confirmation that I (for some reason) deserved to be considered for such a high honor. I always recognize my brothers as being important to me, and will always lend a humble ear to their requests of me. They won this time and I am extremely grateful. When I knelt at the altar at our Centennial Celebration in Indianapolis, Indiana in 2011, I sensed a feeling of love that flowed from wall to wall as I, a humble child of the King, felt the hands of our 31 st Grand Polemarch Dwayne M. Murray, who often refers to me as “my Kappa Daddy”. I felt the respect of our 26 th Grand Polemarch Ullysses McBride, who had sat beside me on an earlier occasion and opined; “Brother Tildon, you should have the Elder Watson Diggs Medallion around your neck. I felt honored that the 8 th Southern Province Polemarch Ronald E. Range had asked the Province Board to support the petition on my behalf, as well as Brother McBride, who placed a motion on the floor, seconded by Brothers Ralph Bryson and Keflyn Reed. I felt the support of my Winter Park (FL) Alumni Chapter, who took the initiative
82 | SUMMER 2017 THE JOURNAL
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