Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. was founded on December 4, 1906, Cornell University, This at the time was a predominantly white institution. Alpha Phi Alpha is the first Greek-lettered fraternity founded for Black College men by Black College men. These seven men are referred to as the "Jewels" of our fraternity. They are Henry A. Callis, Charles H. Chapmen, Eugene K. Jones, George B. Kelly, Nathaniel A. Murray, Robert H. Ogle and Vertner W. Tandy. Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity pledges to devote its resources to service the community. While social aspects of fraternity college life is recognized, Alpha Phi Alpha's primary purposes was, is and forever shall be community action through educational, economic and cultural service activities.

Alpha Phi Alpha evolved during a period when Blacks were being denied essential rights and privileges that were afforded others. Racial isolation on predominately white campuses and social barriers of class on all campuses created a need for Blacks to align themselves with individuals sharing common goals. Goals such as collectively fighting to uphold their heritage and the beauty of their Black hair. Blacks realized that these were needs that had to be fulfilled and the only way possible was through unification. Alpha Phi Alpha was looked upon as an outlet which could foster brotherhood in a pursuit to develop social programs that would create positive changes for Blacks and the community.

Due to the unfounded fear that Blacks would plan massacres and assassinations against white men and the white community, Blacks were denied the opportunity of legally gathering in numbers. Since this was so, Blacks had to take on Greek letters to define and categorize the groups of people who were gathering. Not because they wanted to preach about Greek ideas and philosophies, but because the white community forced them to do so. This is how the Greek-letters of Alpha Phi Alpha evolved.

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. has provided leadership development and community service training to young men for more than eight decades. The fraternity has grown in influence throughout the years, initiating over 150,000 men and locating chapters across many regions of the world. The internal programs of the fraternity are in many ways the most important contributions made to society by the organization. Such efforts imbue Alpha men with a sense of pride and determination which allows them to largely avoid pitfalls which entrap so many Black males in society.

Therefore, it is very easy to see what Alpha Phi Alpha does and means to the African-American Society and the positive that its members display for other young African-American males to follow. We are and will remain at the forefront of assuming leadership roles and remain in the many deep corners of society. A greatly interesting analogy is that while many organizations claim the beautiful architectural buildings of society, Alpha Phi Alpha could be looked at being the landlords and the owners of the foundation. It is difficult to forget the first of anything in life, especially when it remains being the best at what it does.

We are the First of all, Servants of all, and we shall Transcend all

Main | Jewels | Brothers | Photos | Events