Celebrating Black History – Eastern Province of ΚΑΨ

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Celebrating Black History

Celebrating Black History

We celebrate the achievements of the Kappa men and Silhouettes
of the Eastern Province.

As the Eastern Province celebrates its centennial anniversary (1925-2025), let us reflect on the noble deeds of Kappa men and our silhouettes to the flowering and growth of our country, and let us also note with pride the overall importance of our Black brothers and sisters who have contributed significantly to our nation’s advancement, especially as America pauses during February for the annual observance of Black History Month.

Jimmy McMikle

Jimmy McMikle serves as the 35th Grand Polemarch of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated. He also serves as President of the McMikle Group, LLC, which focuses on leadership training and development in the Greater Hartford area. McMikle has also authored several books and children’s books and is the founder of the D.R.E.A.M. NOW Program, which is an intensive program designed to cultivate youth leadership.

Rob Jenkins

Robert L. Jenkins, Jr., Esq., a Spring 1992 initiate of the Howard University Chapter, the Xi of Kappa Alpha Psi, serves as the Senior Grand Vice Polemarch for Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated. Additionally, he is a partner at Bynum & Jenkins Attorney At Law. Jenkins is a graduate of the National Law Center at George Washington University and has had a successful career thus far as a criminal defense attorney. In 2020, Attorney and Practice Magazine named Jenkins to the top 10 list of criminal defense attorneys in Northern Virginia.

Johnny Newman

John “Johnny” S. Newman, Jr., born in Danville, Virginia, starred at the University of Richmond before playing in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for 16 seasons. During his career in the NBA, he played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks, Charlotte Hornets, New Jersey Nets, Milwaukee Bucks, Denver Nuggets and Dallas Mavericks. Newman is the 116th Elder Watson Diggs Awardee, the second-highest award given to members of Kappa Alpha Psi for extra meritorious achievement. Currently, Newman is the chairman of the National Sports and Entertainment Cluster for Kappa Alpha Psi and is a member of the Danville (VA) Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi.

Ron Watson

Ron Watson, Ph.D., is a politician who has served as a member of the Maryland Senate since 2021, representing District 23. Watson is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated. He is married to Council member Ingrid Watson, and they have three children together.

General Dennis Via

General Dennis Via is a retired four-star general in the United States Army. General Via, a native of Martinsville, Virginia, was an initiate of the Virginia State University Chapter, the Alpha Phi of Kappa Alpha Psi. Via retired from the US Army on September 30, 2016, after 36 years of service.

Judge_Gerald_Lee

Judge Gerald Lee is a former United States District Court Judge for the Eastern District of Virginia. Before ascending to the bench, Lee was a trial lawyer for fifteen years, representing individuals and businesses in civil and criminal cases in state and federal courts.

Coach

Mike Tomlin, born in Hampton, Virginia, graduated from the College of William & Mary in 1995. While in college, he joined the College of William & Mary Chapter, the Xi Theta of Kappa Alpha Psi. Tomlin has had a successful career in coaching college football and the National Football League and currently serves as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ head coach.

Tom Moorehead

Thomas A. Moorehead, an auto sales entrepreneur and real estate developer, rears from Monroe, Louisiana. He became the first African American owner of the Marriott Residence Inn at the National Harbor Resort and Convention Center in Maryland in 2007. Subsequently, Moorehead became the first African American awarded a full-service Rolls Royce franchise with the opening of Rolls Royce Motorcars of Sterling in 2013, and, in 2016, he became the first African-American Lamborghini and McLaren dealer.

Howard John Wesley

Howard-John Wesley, Ph.D., is the senior pastor of the historic Alfred Street Baptist Church (ASBC) in Alexandria, Virginia. Wesley is a courageous, dynamic, and visionary leader and is only the eighth pastor in the church’s 220-year history. Pastor Wesley is the 78th Laurel Wreath Laurette, the highest award bestowed upon a member of Kappa Alpha Psi, and currently serves as the National Chaplain for Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated.

Reginald Lewis

Reginald Lewis, businessman and philanthropist, was an initiate of the Virginia State University Chapter, the Alpha Phi of Kappa Alpha Psi. Additionally, he attended Harvard School of Law and rose to become quite a prominent lawyer. Known for being one of the wealthiest men in America, Lewis used his wealth to support the African American community. Unfortunately, Lewis succumbed to brain cancer at the age of 50, leaving his business to his wife and family.

Dr. Tanek Jenkins

Dr. Tanek Jenkins, D.D.S., is a pediatric dentist in Oxon Hill, MD. She opened her dental practice, ABC Dentistry, in 2005. She is married to Robert L. Jenkins, the Senior Grand Vice Polemarch of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated.

Jolene Ivey

Jolene Ivey is an American politician who has served as a Maryland State Delegate for eight years. Currently, she serves as a member of the Prince George’s County Council. Jolene is married to her husband Glenn, and they have five children.

Ingrid S. Watson

The Honorable Ingrid S. Watson earned a B.A. in Communications from St. Augustine’s University and an M.A. in Management from the University of Phoenix. She is a member of Prince George’s County Council in Maryland, representing District 4. Watson is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

Colette-McEachin

Colette McEachin is the Commonwealth’s Attorney for the City of Richmond in Virginia. Originally from Colorado, McEachin attended The University of Virginia’s School of Law and has experience practicing civil law in Atlanta. McEachin and her husband Donald have three adult children.

Pat Lawson Muse

Pat Lawson Muse has been a lifelong leader in broadcast and journalism. She began her TV broadcasting career as an anchor and reporter for WBAL-TV. Muse retired in 2023 after 40 years at NBC Washington.

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