The Elder Watson Diggs Award, named after the revered founder of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., is the second highest award that a member of the illustrious fraternity can receive. It’s reserved for fraternity members who have distinguished themselves far above the peripheral achievements of most men of our nation.
Pasadena Alumni member, Curtis R. Silvers, Jr., will be conferred as the 122nd honoree during the fraternity’s 86th Grand Chapter Meeting next month in Tampa, Florida.
Silvers will be the third Southern California fraternity member to receive the coveted award in the last 16 years – Rhen C. Bsss, Sr. CPA (2007) and Dr. Peter Butler, Jr. (1989) previously received the award.
Silvers, a San Gabriel Valley resident, has a long record of achievements and recognitions inside and outside of the fraternity. Besides serving as the 7th Polemarch of Long Beach Inglewood South Bay Alumni Chapter for three consecutive terms, he was also appointed Western Province Polemarch (Regional President) in 2001 and served three fraternal national administrations until 2009. He has remained and active member of Kappa Alpha Psi over the years and currently serves as Parliamentarian of the Pasadena Alumni Chapter.
The 30th Grand Polemarch Samuel C. Hamilton recently stated, “Brother Silvers is epitome of servant leadership. He inspired the brothers of The Western Province to achieve outstanding results in advancing the values and principals of Kappa Alpha Psi while training for leadership in the development of young men through the Guide Right Program.”
U.S. Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove also expressed words of support. “Curtis has demonstrated that he is a man of achievement and integrity within the Southern California community and beyond that. These traits are harmoniously paired with the vision and memory of Kappa’s primary founder, Elder Watson Diggs,’’ stated Kamlager-Dove.
Silvers, who is a Life Member of the fraternity, has been a transformational agent of change and impactful leader during his regional and national fraternity leadership positions. As Western Province Polemarch (Regional President), he increased the active and financial membership regionally; promoted the growth and expansion of the fraternity; increased the regional support for local and regional social action programs and assisted with the fraternity’s International Headquarters to coordinate Kappa’s expansive efforts to increase funding of its national programs and initiatives.
“His work ethic and personal integrity have earned him the respect and support of peers, friends, colleagues, corporate partners and community members,” commented Arnold Hackett, CFO, Metrolink.
In addition to Silvers’ fraternal activities, he extends his time and volunteer efforts (past and current) to the Los Angeles Urban League Pasadena Foothill Branch, board member of the Los Angeles Urban League, class trustee of the University of Virginia, board member of the Viscount Foundation and member of the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles United Leaders Project (ULP) Advisory Committee.
His other fraternal affiliations include being a 32nd degree Prince Hall Mason and Shriner and member of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity where he currently serves as local president and national vice chair of the Grand Boule Constitution and Bylaws Committee.
Professionally, he has been active in the nonprofit, public and private sector for over 35 years including the Los Angeles Brotherhood Crusade, UNCF (the United Nego College Fund), Mead Corporation, Scott Paper and Menasha Packaging. Throughout his professional career, he has excelled at organizational leadership and management, fund development, sales and marketing.
Curtis R. Silvers, who was both honored and humbled upon hearing that he was unanimously selected for the award, responded, “Being selected as one of few men to receive this recognition is very special and will be one of the most memorable moments of my fraternal years.”
